Could this be fate?

She sat on the Veranda with her hands buried in the head. Who on earth cursed me? Why do I have to suffer this way? Nothing seemed to make sense to her. Just two days ago James called her to discuss about their wedding date.

As per their custom, James settled the bride price. All was set for the wedding, which was scheduled in few months to come.

Where must he have gone. Its two days now since he disappeared. Everyone is confused, no one knows what happened to James.

Monica remembers the last conversation they had;

James; Hie Monica

Monica; Hie James

James; am so excited that I have finished paying the bride price, soon I will take you to my home, guess you so happy with that?

Monica; no words can describe how I am feeling right now.

Since Monica dropped her last text, she hasn’t gotten feedback yet. All of his contacts are out of reach. What happened to him? James is not such kind of a person who can stay two days without even a phone call. Monica tried to reach to his parents, unfortunately they didn’t know where he is also. The more she thought of James, the more tears dropped down her cheeks.

Monica and James have known each other for so long now. He was the only Man she trusted in the entire earth. His disappearance was sickening her heart. I pray nothing bad happens to him. As she was thinking, one of her friends texted her.

Martha; hie Monica

Monica; Hie Martha

Martha; I just saw the pictures on Instagram that James went hiking to Sapitwa peak with his friends last weekend, but his whereabouts can’t be traced.

Monica’s heart jumped out of her. Why did he decide to go to Sapitwa without even telling me? She remembered all the stories her grandma used to tell her about Sapitwa. A lot of hikers, don’t dare to reach Sapitwa, because of its famous history. Sapitwa is well known for absorbing men just like the sand absorbs water. Many who have gone there never came back alive. James always talked that one day he will visit Sapitwa and he will come back alive. He was a kind of a person who listened to no one. His ego was more than his determination.

Its all over for me, he is gone, she threw herself into the ground. Why could he be that selfish, at least he could have told me, am sure I could say no.

Its lunch time, James parents decided to tune to the national broadcasting radio station to listen to the lunch hour edition. Its not the first time James disappearing like this. James was a kind of a person who never liked to say bye to his parents when he leaves home. However, as per his routine, a day could not pass without checking on his parents wherever he is. His aging Mam was worried why he hasn’t been calling for two days now. Could it be due to the Argument he had with his Dad over Monica.

James dad never liked Monica. He always claimed that she didn’t look like a girl to him. As per their custom, he wanted James to marry his cousin as one way of preserving their family line. However, James never liked his cousin. She didn’t have the character he desired in a woman. To him Monica, was the mother earth. Her womb looked more fertile to nurture his kids than his cousin womb. Since his father never liked Monica, James had to settle the bride price alone.

“Three days ago, three men, identified as James Chauffer, Gregory Johns, And Harry Moffatt, went hiking to Sapitwa, however the where about of James can not be traced for 2 days now. The president has ordered the army commander to direct the soldiers to search for him. We will be updating you on this later” the new reporter said.

As if struck by a lightening, James mam collapsed to the ground. James was his only trusted son; she couldn’t take the news that he has disappeared. Confused, James father called the emergency ambulances to take his wife for medical checkup. He began blaming himself for everything. Why did I argue with James all this long? At least if I stayed silent, he couldn’t have left home. I have led my son to his death bed.

The ambulance arrived within a short period of time. In no time James Mother was rushed to the hospital emergency unit. She sustained a transient stroke. Thanks to the heaven, she had no loss of function of her body. As he sat on the hospital bed with his wife, they both began crying. They begged God to have mercy on their son, so that one day he returns home safely.

Its been a month now, the government soldiers have been searching but James can’t be traced. Their efforts seemed to be futile. Everyday news made James parents grow sicker and sicker. Their retirement home was no longer amazing, without their only son who disappeared without even a word of good bye.

The news of her fiancé disappearance was a big shock to her. Monica could fast and pray, day and night she was on her knees. She grew lean, till people began thinking she might have contracted one of these venereal diseases.

Six months later, every one believed that James died, where else can he be and what is he eating by now. As per their traditions, they decided to do a little ceremony in remembrance of him. James parents invited Monica to the ceremony and apologized to her for all the bad words they spoke.

She felt like a widow. Who else can love me? Monica couldn’t still believe James died without even a word of good bye. Every time she passed by his home; precious memories could strike her. She felt like she is hallucinating. James was more alive to him than ever.

By and By, Monica believed James is dead and she had to move on with Life. She was scared to find another man. Its been 2 years now since James disappeared. Every time in her dreams she could see James sitting somewhere with her, telling her beautiful stories. She could see James running around their compounds with their beautiful dream daughter Amanda. The more she thought, the more she realized it was mare fantasies.

“Monica, you have to know that you clinging a to ghost. James is dead, he will never come back my daughter, you better find yourself another man, age is not waiting for you” she couldn’t believe these words were coming out of her mam’s mouth. Indeed, life is a like a spoon, though very useful, its easy to throw it away with trash. She felt damped by her own Parents. I thought all I needed now is encouragement, but no one seems to care. People indeed get tired of you. People have a lot of problems to solve, they don’t even care helping you solve your problems, so it doesn’t matter whether you share or not.

Monica decided to move to another capital city, perhaps the memories would fade away. However, nothing changed much, every time she goes to bed, she could see James sitting on her bedroom chair talking to her.

Every time you sleep, you smile a lot, what happens? Suzannah asked her? Monica always looked sad during the day. However, when she goes to bed, she puts on a big smile on her face. To her, even though James died, but in her mind, he was still alive and he could talk to her in dreams. She never wanted to let Suzannah know what she was going through. I don’t know too, she responded, maybe it just happens.

Tomorrow, there is my friend birthday party, do you mind going with me Monica? Asked Suzannah. The party was full of boys and girls. Monica was not used to attending parties, she was a real introvert. Everyone was cerebrating, but not her.

Hie, what’s your name? an anonymous guy asked her. I don’t think it really matters, just mind your business. Monica responded. Well, I just wanted to know what your name is, am Samuel. Arlight fine, thank you.

Monica thought he hasn’t been fair to Samuel, after all he just came to greet me, why did I treat him that way. She decided to look for him and apologize, as she passed through the audience, she didn’t like the smell of beer. She saw Samuel siting close to the Veranda. She walked close him; however, she didn’t know what to say. She never has talked to any other person happily other than James.

Hie, what do you want here? Samuel decided to act rude to her. Well I just want to say sorry for hurting you, am Monica. Samuel seemed to be someone who took things lightly, he just chuckled and smiled. I know you going through a lot. When I saw you sitting there, I knew there is a lot that’s going on in your mind.

Could this guy be a minder reader? Is he a psychologist or maybe he has some sought of super powers to harvest my mind and examine it? Monica wondered. She waited patiently what to hear what he will say next.

Do you mind having a seat?

Monica felt really strange. She could make sense of what was happening, however she accepted to seat down.

“In this world, some times you may feel like you own a huge share of the world problems, you may feel like you are the most unloved person on earth. You may feel like you are worthy to Live. You may feel like you can’t bear the burden anymore”

You seem like a preacher to me, are you?

Yes of course I am, but not a church preacher.

What do you mean? she asked.

Life has made me a preacher. Am a preacher baked by life situations, but I don’t own a church.

Monica was very eager to listen more. She payed the most attention just like the attention you pay when eating a chocolate.

Two years ago, I thought I would be the happiest man in the world; however, life took a U-turn. I ended up being the saddest man, but am convinced that everything happens for a reason. Many times, I thought suiciding myself, but every time I tried, I remembered am not the only person who have experienced this.

I lost both my parents and my wife to be in a car accident and am the only one who survived. It all happened on our wedding day, when one of the cars we booked overturned just few minutes before we reached the church. It was darkest moment of life, I wished I was the one who died. It was very difficult for me to accept the trauma. I felt unworthy to live, I attempted to kill myself but every time I attempted, I failed till I gave up, that’s why you see me today. I loved my girl so much, and since her departure I see her in my dreams every day, and I hope one day we will meet again to part no more.

Monica felt like crying. How could a person survive such trauma? She felt like Samuel needed more comfort than she did. Sometimes you can be so stupid to imagine that you the unluckiest person in the world. Sometimes you can spend a lot of your time worrying over things you can not change or have little control over them. Sometimes when you see people smile you feel like they don’t have problems to worry about, but in reality, they are fighting fierce battles in their mind.

Monica decided to tell Samuel her story. Could this be fate? Their interest for each other grew more and more. They became real companions and through their experiences they managed to put a smile on each other face. One wonders what will happen next to these two souls.

Two more years passed since they knew each other. Both hearts were cold and there was no one to lit them a fire. However, nature, has his own ways of doing things. The more they talked, the more their bodies started feeling warm till they caught fire. Samuel and Monica fall in love.

Despite the beautiful company they gave each other, their relationship was a mountain with a lot of sharp pebbles. Every time they climbed a step higher, the sharp pebbles pierced them so hard

till, the fire began to die down. Every one was driven backwards by their past memories, what if it happens again. Long at last, they overcome. Monica and Samuel decided to get married few months later.

Tick, tick, as they climbed Sapitwa pick, they heard the sound of timepiece. It seemed someone just descended the mountain, but who could this be, and the wristwatch looked so new. The climbers decided to turn back and look for this man who might have dropped the wristwatch. As they were descending, they saw a man sited under the Musuku tree, he really looked tired.

How can we help you? Did you drop this wristwatch? He never altered a word, he appeared to be disoriented. The climbers decided to take the man to the near by hospital, after 2 weeks of holistic care, he regained his consciousness and memory. At last he remembered who he was and where he came from.

Meanwhile Monica, has just received a message that James Mam has died of stroke just two days before their wedding. The burial ceremony was scheduled on the same day, she and Samuel were supposed to be united as one body. Monica was really distracted with news; she didn’t know what to do. Upon seeing that Monica really loved James mam, the two decided to reschedule the union to a later undetermined date. All they had to do now, was to attend the burial ceremony for James mam.

“We are gathered here today, to pay our last respect to our beloved sister that is lying here. Remember that man born out of a woman is few days, no one knows how long we shall be here, today it’s our sister, tomorrow it be any one of us. You remember 4 years ago, we also gathered here to remember the life of James, whom we are sure, he died at Sapitwa, just a few days before their wedding day with our precious beloved sister who is here with us today. From the dust we came, and to the dust we will return. Every life that you see on earth is a little expression, just like the flowers which you see here, you may look beautiful today, but one time you will wither and die, but they that have given their lives to Christ shall rise when trumpets sound, look , look , be on look, watch how you live your life. Look to the east, look to the east, you see the rising sun, that’s a symbol of your resurrection and resurfacing Joy. I say look to the east!!!

Monica decided to look the east. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Is that James?? I thought he is dead? She rubbed her eyes, am I dreaming? James! I knew you are alive! She screamed. Tears flowed like a river at the cemetery.