Steve and Aziza stayed longer in Palmland than they had originally planned. Steve’s parents did not want to part with their old friend’s daughter and Aziza loved all the attention. Steve was so relieved when they finally left, now he could have his fiancé to himself.
In Palmville someone else was waiting eagerly for their return, that was none other than Jerome. He was waiting outside Steve’s house when they arrived.
What do you want? Aziza asked glaring at him. Jerome was the last person she wanted to see.
Come on Az, is that how you greet an old friend? Jerome joked trying to calm her down.
Aziza was still glaring at Jerome when Steve went past her to give him a brotherly hug. Hey man, I
Aziza paced up and down the bathroom waiting for her results. She looked at her watch, she needed to wait for two minutes to get her results, it had only been seconds but it felt like ages. She heard a tap at the door, Az please open. Steve shouted from the outside. Opening the door she threw herself in his arms, tears threatening to flow down. Why was she so emotional? She hated the feeling but couldn’t help herself. Az, do you not want to have my child? Steve asked his heart sinking. He thought Aziza would be thrilled by the possibility but she was crying instead. There’s nothing in this world I want more than to have your child. I just can’t stop feeling like this, she said weeping in his arms. He laughed pulling her closer, that should be confirmation enough that someone else is toying with your
Journalists from all over Asherway had rushed to Palmville to capture the moment for themselves and their viewers. Eleven years had passed since Asherway became democratic but Mike and Nick Gray remain legends in the minds of many. For years she had refused to tell her family’s story until now. Aziza walked in holding Steve by hand and sat in front of the cameras. Behind them was John, Joy, Jay, Steve’s parents and Jerome.Steve explained to everyone that there will be sensitive visuals while Aziza gives her speech and people will have a chance to ask questions after.I am Aziza Gray, known to many as Mike’s precious jewel and to few as Mike’s gasoline. My father Mike Gray, his brother Nick Gray and many activists fought against the regime. Mike and Nick’s photo was shown on the screen. I attended rallies with my father and my uncle from a ver
Steve stood at the alter waiting for his bride. If anyone told him a year ago that he would be dying to marry Advocate Psycho he would have had them assessed for a mental illness but here he was unable to imagine his life without her. He had his brothers Brian and Lione and his friend Dane by his side. Aziza’s bridesmaids Lizzy, Pam and Linda had also walked in their royal blue desiner exquisite dresses. His parents sat proudly at the front seat unable to hide their excitement. His and Aziza’s friends and acquaintances filled the rest of the seats. Jerome and Jay were walking up and down ensuring that everything was perfect. They had done most of the planning with the wedding planner as they did not want Aziza to stress herself and the baby. He could see John standing at the door probably waiting for Aziza to walk down the stairs from the bridal room. Journalists who invited themselves had cameras rolling waiting for the moment she walks down the isle. They were here bec
Why is it taking so long? Aziza asked impatiently. They had waited for five hours now but there was still no feedback from the hospital on Joy’s condition.They are probably doing everything in their power to save her Az. Please take a seat and eat something. Steve urged her. Brian had brought them food but Aziza had not eaten anything.I’m not hungry, I just want to see Aunty Joy.You have to eat Az, for the baby and for Joy. You know she would want you to eat. John said patiently.Fine, she said sitting down taking food from Steve but he insisted on feeding her despite her refusal.Few minutes later an exhausted Dr Sparks finally came out to talk to the family of the patient he spent hours operating on. Luckily for Joy, he was able to remove
Detective Peter sat across Steve with a worried expression. He was excellent at his job and strongly believed the Steve and Aziza required police escort but the department had turned down his request stating lack of evidence of the couple being in danger. He also had other concerns about his department, personnel were being reshuffled to different departments, stations and towns while evidence on arrested suspects went missing and department computers wiped out of all the evidence.Aziza hid at the corner eavesdropping on their conversation. She had excused herself to go rest in the bedroom when she noticed their hesitancy in talking in her presence. Peter who was usually joking around was all tensed up today and Steve was too protective now with the baby on the way and keeping away anything that could upset her. She had been logging on social media and dark web and knew that the racial incidents were getting worse, citizens we
The following morning all Asherway news networks and social media were buzzing with the news of Steve finally agreeing to stand for elections. Behind doors different political parties were uniting to prevent loosing their jobs and status. Steve did not belong to any political party and had been very critical of all of them. If he won, he will definitely choose different ministers and heads of departments and none of them had any chance of being appointed. Since they will not be able to stop people from voting for him, their only chance was to hit him with everything they had until he is so preoccupied, discouraged and decides to pull out of elections. Without wasting time plans were discussed, decision made and implementation started immediately.At midday the famous Marlone farm that provided solace to activist was wiped out, burned to the ground. A drone flew from nowhere, dropped a fire bomb and vanished on thin air. Luckily
The following weeks Steve was the name on every house hold in Asherway. He was covered extensively by the media, frustrating politicians even more. It was now clear to them that the attacks they executed on the people close to him did not do much to deter him. They were desperately trying anything to get Aziza and baby Unity but it was proving hard as there was nothing helpful on records they could use to find her. They had Steve’s home on constant surveillance for two months but he never showed up and no one new where Aziza stayed, even her former and current colleagues had never been to her house.The police department had completely disintegrated with the upright police officers and detectives including Peter expelled for different fabricated reasons. There was still no clarity on who was calling the shots as the minister remained on special leave for undetermined period. Luckily for Steve, while the whole thing was fr
Steve sat on the couch in Aziza’s ward his eyes red from crying, his whole body shaking. She hadn’t woken up since they found her in the factory three hours ago but the attending doctor expected her wake up as soon at the sedation she was given by her abductors weighed off. A part of him wished she could stay unconscious longer, hours or even day then maybe he would be ready to talk to her. Nothing in this world ever prepared him for this.Seeing her turn on the bed he stood up quickly and rushed to her bedside and held her hand.Opening her eyes, their eyes met. Steve, she called his name weakly.I’m here babe, he responded squeezing her hand and watched her drifting back to sleep only to open her eyes again few minutes later.Our baby, she win