Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Three days had passed and Sakira was yet to regain consciousness. Mary was scared and hoped Sakira was not dead.

“But what if she’s pretending?” Mrs Benson asked

Mr Benson had no reply to her question and just kept pacing around the house

“Get the doctor,” he said to his wife.

The doctor arrived after a while and necessary treatments took place.

“She’ll be alright,” the doctor said as he got up

“When will she be awake,” Mr Benson asked sternly

“Well, this evening or tomorrow morning,” he said

“Good” Mr Benson said as he left the slave quarters.

The doctor left and Mary returned to Sakira’s side. She smiled and saw the ease on Sakira’s face. It was a face that never wanted to be awoken from sleep.

“Sakira please wake up. Let’s fight this together. I’m with you now. I feared to take a risk but with what you’ve been through, I think it’s time we fight back. So please wake up. I can’t take any step without you.” She cried.

***

Dave had spoken to his friend Victor and told him about his plans and how his father must know nothing. Victor being very supportive decided to help his friend.

“Are you sure you don’t want your father to know about this” victor asked

“Absolutely, He will stop me if he finds out,” he said.

“Why exactly are you going to Mr Benson’s house?” victor wondered

“I want to see a friend of mine” he shrugged.

“That’s it,” he asked

“Basically.” He said

Later in the evening, Sakira gradually opened her eyes and welcomed the pain from her back. She looked beside her to see Mary sleeping. Suddenly Mary opened her eyes and noticed Sakira and she sat up joyfully.

“You’re awake,” she said

Sakira smiled sadly. She wished she was still asleep. She loved the sleep, there was peace and she had no reason to be afraid. No reason to be worried or wonder what the next day was going to look like.

“I’m hungry,” she said clearing her thoughts.

Mary got up and arrived shortly with a bowl of soup. She refused to let Sakira eat herself and she fed her.

“How are you feeling now” Mary inquired.

“A little better,” she said weakly.

Mary looked at Sakira and felt sad for her. Her eyes were looking frail and her lips were dried. She didn’t appreciate what she was seeing. She felt it was time she did something different. She wasn’t going to let Sakira die here.

“I’m going to help you,” Mary said.

“What?” Sakira asked looking shocked

“I’m going to help you leave this place” she completed.

Sakira couldn’t explain the kind of emotions that overwhelmed her.

“Are you really going to help me?” Sakira repeated

Mary nodded as she drew her eyes away from Sakira. With all the strength Sakira had, she threw herself on Mary and hugged her.

“Thank you so much” Sakira cried. “Thank you”

Mary hugged her lightly and felt satisfied but also afraid. This was a big risk and she could die but then she thought it is better to die than live a wasted life here on earth.

A few days later, Sakira was back on her feet but not fully healed yet. The wound was a deep one and it could take months before it heals finally.

“Sakira” Stacy called

Sakira stopped cutting the grasses as she looked up to see who called her. She saw Stacy and walked towards her.

“You called,” she said

“Yes,” she paused and handed some clothes to her. “Take this. It’s yours now” she added

Sakira collected the clothes from her and was filled with surprise. She hadn’t worn good clothes for weeks now. Seeing this was heart-warming.

“Thank you” she smiled softly

Stacy gave a short smile and nodded. She patted Sakira’s shoulder and walked away. They never really conversed much. Sakira knew Stacy was different but distantly different. She never involved herself with whatever happens to the slaves. Giving clothes was even something new. Sakira placed the clothes in the quarters and returned to the farmlands.

“How are you,” Chris asked

Sakira smiled as she continued cutting.

“What did she want,” He asked

“Nothing much” she shrugged

“I hope they’re not straining you again.” He asked and she smiled.

Chris had been showing some sorts of interest in her but she refused to accept it. Each time he tried, she thought about Dave. She wondered why her mind would always think of him.

She had not seen him in a long time, she was supposed to have forgotten about him but her heart refused to forget. Moreover, she thought more about her escape, now wasn’t the time for petty romance.

The week later, Dave made his way to the Bensons. He had taken his time to plan well and was ready to act.

“So, this business deal, I hope it works out well,” Mr Parker said questioningly.

“Yes, father it will.” He answered quickly.

And as Dave was about to leave his father stopped him.

“Be careful son?” he said

“Yes, father.” He smiled and left the house before his father could stop him again.

Dave and his friend Victor arrived shortly at the Bensons. Dave’s heart skipped, knowing his real intentions here but he was ready to this. He had already made up his mind to take the risk. If he really cares for her, he should be able to go any length for her.

“Welcome,” Mr Benson greeted.

His smile faded when he noticed victor instead of Mr Parker

“He couldn’t make it today” Dave replied without waiting for the question.

“Alright,” Mr Benson nodded.

He led the two gentlemen into the house and they began to converse business. Dave was an architecture and very good with structure designing. Victor also shared the same skill but a better version of Dave. He knew how to converse well and keep someone tight in a discussion. That was the main reason why Dave decided to bring him.

They continued discussing for what seemed like hours. Dave’s mind was diverted from the whole business discussion and was on how he would get to see Sakira.

“Dave do you need something,” Mr Benson asked noticing his distracted mind

“Um…as a matter of fact, yes I do need something” he stated.

“And what would that be,” Mr Benson asked.

“I would love to ease myself,” he said.

Mr Benson called a slave to lead Dave to the restroom. As soon as Dave noticed that the slave was gone, he made his way through the backdoor. He looked around to make sure he wasn’t followed. He got to the slave quarters and requested to see Sakira but she wasn’t in the quarters.

“Is it urgent?” Rita asked him and he nodded. “I’ll go get her from the farmlands,” she said as she left.

Sakira was at the farmlands cutting the endless weeds from it. It was highly frustrating how they would stay under the sun for hours uprooting weeds.

“Sakira” Rita called

She looked up to see Rita advancing towards her.

“Is something wrong” she inquired.

“I don’t know but the master’s guest would like to see you,” she said.

Sakira wondered who exactly that would be. She left the farmlands and returned to the quarters to see the mysterious person. She got in and as she made eye contacts with this person, it felt like the world had suddenly come to a stop. He was here. She thought. She wanted to smile brightly but she couldn’t.

Dave cleared his throat and Rita left both in the quarters. Sakira looked around and noticed they were the only one in the building. She stood there and stared at him. She was very happy to see him. Life finally gave her something she wanted.

“Are you just going to stand there?” Dave said as he broke the silence.

“How….” She couldn’t find the words to say.

Dave got closer to her and caressed her face.

“I’m happy to see you too” he smiled.

Without hesitation, she fell into his arms and hugged him. He smiled happily and hugged her.

“I’ve really missed you,” she said before she could stop herself.

“I have as well,” he said.

Dave pulled her away lightly and looked straight into her eyes.

“Sakira I want you to listen carefully,” he said.

She saw the seriousness in his eyes and was worried.

He hesitated and looked around. After getting a confirmation that no one was listening to their conversation, he whispered.

“I’m going to help you leave this place,” he said

She felt destabilized after hearing his statement. He caught her quickly in his arms before she could fall.

“Are you alright?” he asked

“You really mean what you said” she cried

He nodded and swept the tears away from her face.

“Thank you. Thank you so much” she cried.

He pulled her into his arms and patted her calmly.

“But there’s a plan” he pulled her away lightly as he said.

She was fully concentrated now.

“Come outside once it’s midnight. I’ll be waiting for you” he said.

“What” she seemed confused.

“Tomorrow, midnight. That’s all I can say for now” he said.

He pushed her away hard and she fell to the floor.

“And stay away!” he said unsympathetically.

Sakira seemed befuddled at his act but understood immediately when she became aware of the door that was opened.

“What’s going on here,” Mrs Benson asked.

“It’s nothing to bother you about ma’am,” he said coolly.

“No. I insist. I want to know what this lowlife has done to you” she said wickedly.

Dave flinched at her statement. He did not like what Sakira was called.

“She...Um...she”

“I led him here” Sakira butted in.

Dave looked at her with a searching face.

“You slut” Mrs Benson insulted. “How dare you”

She was about to slap her when Dave stepped in.

“No.” he paused. “I mean, it’s not required. I already dealt with her. I wouldn’t want you getting yourself fatigued with things like this” he bit his tongue for using the word thing on Sakira but he had no alternative

“You’re right,” Mrs Benson said. “Come on, let’s go. My husband calls for you” she said as she left with Dave.

Sakira gave a sigh of relief and returned to the farmlands. Tomorrow, midnight. She thought to herself. She had to tell Mary about this. Mary could help her leave tomorrow.