Sasha stretched her body on the bed as she woke up to the glint of light that had taken over the room. It was a new day. Last night, she had prayed to not be part of today; she had prayed for death.
But then, "Does God even answer her prayers?" She was about to begin her pool of questions when she admitted to herself that it was too early for that. Sasha knew she had sinned in the past but did God not say to ask forgiveness and forgiveness shall be given? Why then was her case different?She smuggled out of the bed and walked barefoot into the bathroom. She brushed and washed her face. "Good morning world. It's another day to throw your worst at me," she mused.To be sincere, nothing would make her happy. If there was anything then it was to hear that Harvey had been crushed by a train. No, she doesn't want him to die, death would only be an easy escape route for him. She wants him to be in a situation in which he'd have to wish for death but he would not get it. She continued to imagine the type of punishment that she thought was befitting a beast and a devil like Harvey.He had not even displayed a slight feeling of remorse when Daniel gave up the ghost. He was rather happy. "We won't have to worry about his school fees anymore" was what he had said.Their own son had died and all he could think of was paying school fees? As if he was the one who's been paying for it.She looked at the watch hanging by the door and saw that it was almost past 10am. She was going to start her life anew. She was going to build her her broken life again. Like every building, the foundations was important – that was where she'd be starting from.She opened her bag and brought out her phone. Then, sat at the edge of the bed and began to scroll through her mails."Oh shit!" The exclamation ran out of her mouth. She was to bake a wedding cake for a wedding that'd be holding tomorrow. She remembered promising to deliver the cake a day to the wedding day. Here she was…"God! Why did I forget this?" She asked herself. The truth was: why wouldn't she forget it after all she's been through? She had bought everything she needed to bake the cake, unfortunately, it was at Branimirova.What will I do now? How can I get everything I need when I don't even know anywhere here? Her mind ran marathons from questions to questions.Then, like being struck by a thunderbolt, her brain recalled the driver from last night. "Yes, he had given me a card." A little bit of hope crossed her body as she scrambled through her things to find the card he had given her.She dialed the number on the card and waited for it to ring. As it rang for the first time, it was unanswered. She called again, praying that he'd answer. She was ready to pay him any amount he asked for if he'd get her what she needed."Hello," she said as he finally answered the call after she had rang him twice."Hello.""Good morning. I'm the lady you took to a hotel last night…" she paused and waited for him to speak. Whatever he says next would determine her own response. If he remembered her then he had saved her the stress of having to explain who she was. I doubt if he would forget her, their encounter was not really a pleasant one and would take someone with dyslexia to have forgotten so quickly."How are you feeling today, ma'am?" He asked with a tone of familiarity."I'm fine. I would like you to get me some things from the market if you had the chance. I will understand if you're busy. Truly, I am to deliver a wedding cake tomorrow and I've no idea where to get the baking ingredients from." He listened to her as she explained herself to him."No problem, ma'am, I was just about to go home. What will I get you?" He was about to tell her that money would be the only hindrance he would have in getting her what she needed when she spoke again. "Can you call out your Bank details so I'll send you the money, please? "Okay." He called out his bank details to her and the call ended when she excused herself to be able to send him the money. She logged into her bank application and sent him some money.Ting! Ting! Ting.The sound of her debit alert came in. She began to wonder how it was possible to send money from one part of the world to another part by just clicking a button, some distance would take a plane a day or two to cover. But with Bank transfer, it takes only a blink of her eyes.The driver called back to confirm that he had received the money. Sasha went ahead to list out the things she needed to him, hoping he was jotting them down somewhere.It would be better for her in terms of cost since he would not have to go back to the market to get things he forgot. And for him too, it would be less stressful. It would save their time."Hope you won't forget any of these things?" She inquired to make sure he was following her."Yes ma'am." He went ahead to list everything she had said to him. She was amazed, "did you write them somewhere?" Her surprise was visible in her tone."No I did not. Do not worry, I won't forget anything.""Okay, then, I'll be waiting for you. The room number is 67." She said to him.After the call had ended Sasha realized there was a much bigger problem, she had no oven to bake the cake. "Why had she forgotten about this?" She asked herself. "There is no way I can make a cake without an oven."One of her bad omens again.Sasha called the hotel service and ordered for some food to be sent to her room. Soon, the food arrived and she paid and thanked the delivery woman as her food was handed to her.She ate her breakfast, had a shower and hoped there was somewhere she would be able to get an oven to bake the cake.*********There was a gentle knock on the door and Sasha knew who it was, it was the driver she had sent to the market. She prayed he was abluto get everything she had sent him."Come in. The door is open." Sasha told the person knocking, giving whoever it was permission to Walk into the room."Good day, ma'am. How are you doing today?" He smiled at her.Sasha had answered this question of his before, on the call. She guessed it was just his way of making people feel comfortable. His smile was elegant, charming and contagious. His bright, white teeth enhanced the calm on his face when he smiled.He wore a black jeans and a shirt. On the shirt it was inscribed: PRAY TO GOD, FOR HE ALONE CAN SAVE YOU."Thank you very much for yesterday. These days it's very hard to meet people like you. May the good Lord bless you." She prayed for him with full sincerity, punctuating every word to show emphasis."Amen, ma'am. It was hard to look away from you last night. Too vulnerable and miserable. The lord spoke to me on the instant that you were in trouble and needed some help. When I got close to you, I realized your problem was money, not food, you didn't look homeless either. The lord directed me to you, ma'am and I had to make sure you did the lord's bidding."If Sasha's expression were put to words, the words would read: all these for a God that cares little about you? For a God that let my son die?"Once again, thanks.""I want to know that the Lord is always with you. He's with you in the light and in the dark. He is an arm length away from you. Run to him and he shall shelter you for he alone relieves the heart of pains. May the Lord ease yours, ma'am."Sasha was tired of him praying for her. She doesn't need prayers now, perhaps in the future but not today."O! I forgot to get your name last night and it wasn't right of me to do so over the phone." She muttered as politely as she could. Indeed, she was supposed to have asked him for his name, let it be from him directly. She had seen his name when she had sent him money but it wasn't enough, she needed an 'out' from his evangelism."My name is Matthew McConaughey, ma'am. I'm an African, from Uganda. Been driving for five years now and I run a small church at…""You're a pastor?" Sasha interrupted him."Yes. I remind people of the importance of turning to God." He explained himself proudly, as if his work as a pastor was different from any other pastors. "I hold praise and worship sessions, you should come this Sunday."Sasha knew that was an invitation that she wasn't going to accept but it's of no use telling him she won't come, it'll only give him more chances to preach, preach and preach to her.She remembered the giant hurdle in the wedding cake was going to bake. "Mathew, do you know a place close by where I can lend an oven? I can't bring an oven into a hotel room, you know. But if I can see a… well, a place to just bake the cake when I'm done mixing it… I don't mind paying.""I feel filthy, Lord. Cleanse my soul"Sasha and Mathew walked down the road that led to the south of the hotel. They were headed to a local bakery Mathew had suggested they checked out. He was so sure of the idea that Sasha had begun to think he knew who owned the bakery."There's a local bakery in the southern street from here. Let's go there. You'll bake the cake there. This was what he had said. Sasha was surprised at the certainty of the statement she went on to ask if he had been there for something like this before. She laughed when he answered in disagreement."The good Lord will sort everything for us. Have faith my dear." He had assured her that the Lord works in miraculous ways.Sasha wished she had his faith. To be content with everything. To believe in God. To stride into dark caves certain God will provide a light and pave a way for her. She lacked faith and she knew it. Perhaps, God had been testing her to see if she'll run back to him. She remembered some lines from Go
"You're married?" Mathew asked, his concern evident in his voice.Sasha took a deep breath and looked up at him, ignoring his question. "My baby...my baby died," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again.Mathew's heart sank. There was nothing he could say to take away Sasha's pain, but he tried his best to console her. " So sorry. That must be so hard for you. It's really a great loss for a parent to have to witness the death of their child. I share in your pains. May God console you and bless the young soul in his grave.""Sasha shook her head. ".t's just so unfair, you know? My baby was so young and innocent. Why did he have to die. None of it was his fault. He… he… he?" She stammered, her voice was breaking.Mathew looked at her with pity and understanding. "I know it's hard for you. But sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe your baby's purpose was to bring love and joy into your life, even if it was just for a short time. And maybe now, your baby is in a better plac
Sasha yawned and stretched her body on the bed. She rubbed her eyes with her hands and wished the day had not yet broken. This was the first time she was going to have a very peaceful sleep in a very long time. Long before she had even given birth to Daniel, she had not woken up and wished the night was longer. She had for some reasons, but not because she enjoyed the night.She got out of the bed and sleepily walked to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth, washed her hair and added some facial cream to her face. If she was going to be at the wedding tonight she sure would not be the only one looking unkempt despite that she was nowhere close to anyone in the long list of invitees in terms of wealth, fame and fortune. When she was done, she looked at the mirror, satisfied with the reflection of herself in the mirror, a smile quivered her mouth.She had already mapped out her plans for the day. Food. Nap. Bathe. Wedding.She picked up her phone to send Mathew a message. To remind him he
Sasha stepped out of Mathew's car in her red Bardot shoulder-to-floor gown. The dry cleaner really gave life to the dress. She walked up through the grand entrance after showing her invitation card to the big-bodied security men at the entrance of the luxurious wedding venue. She had instantly felt her stomach run cold with nervousness, she was not used to large gatherings of this sort not to talk about a gathering of high-class citizens.As she forced herself through the stairs, her mind had suggested she turned around and leave, this would save her from unnecessary embarrassment. However, she pressed forward with the stairs until she was in the hall. Her eyes widened in awe as she took in the sight before her. The foyer was adorned with opulent chandeliers, extravagant floral arrangements, and a sweeping staircase that led to the upper levels. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation.The sound of laughter and animated conversations echoed throughout the foyer, drawing S
"However, in my opinion I do not find it necessary. It seems to me like nothing but a waste of resources when these resources could have been put to other more important use," she poured out her mind to him. Almost immediately she had said this, she wished she could withdraw her words or even, prayed that he had not heard her. That wasn't the case, the man sitting before her had his full undivided attention on her, he was paying attention to everything she had uttered. When she raised her head up, he was staring at her, his eyes moved around on her body and were traveling down her chest. She fixed her gaze on him so that he found it impossible to ket his eyes see anymore of her body than he had already feed himself with.His piercing eyes had made her feel like she wore less than she had. Perhaps a bikini or a lingerie. Sasha cleared her throat and he regained himself with a laugher that seemed more private and formal. "Exactly, my point. Out in the world somewhere right now, someone
Turning to face him, "like everyone else I suppose," she lied. It wouldn't take much paying attention to observe that she had little interest in the performance taking place.Deep down, she was not really enjoying the ceremony like everyone else. A look around the hall could tell that everyone else was happy but she wasn't, she had been praying and restlessly expecting him to return. Find her and keep her company. She berated herself for that but there was really nothing she could do to take her attention away from thinking about their conversation before it was interrupted. Perhaps she enjoyed his company because he was Padens Robert. She perceived, however, that it was only a coincidence to have crossed parts with him, that it was better not to get too excited by the thoughts in her head that she'd be hurt in return."I can tell you're not having the same night they're having. Quite the opposite of them if I must say, bored and uninterested." He had seen through her pretentious smi
Sasha's POVAfter I arrived at my room from the cafeteria, I quickly had a shower. I didn't want to be late for the ceremony. Fully aware that I was specifically invited to be introduced to the bride's guests as the caterer who had baked the wedding cake.Was it really necessary? I had already been paid for the job, handsomely. As long as the pay was good I honestly saw no reason why someone would not do their job to the best they can.Standing before the mirror in my pink shoulder-to-floor Bardot dress, I smiled at the beauty that stared back at me. Being the last gift I had received from my father on my twenty-second birthday, I cherished it a lot, and that perhaps was one of the reasons why I rarely wore it. This was the second time since I had received it.It wasn't like I'd ever had to wear it, even if I did Harvey would never let me wear it. "Wouldn't he have taken it and sold it if he had known I had a dress of its worth?" I muttered to myself. I knew Harvey more than anyone el
Sasha's POVI looked at him, he was feeding his eyes with my body and it made me feel like I wore nothing more than a nightie. I nodded frantically to him. He smiled. There was something about Padens, Mr. Padens that lit a fire inside me; it was the way his green eyes effortlessly complemented every smile that left his face and when he winked… God! He had to stop.Later on, he introduced himself to me like I did not already know who he was. He had not done it to impress me with the glory that accompanied his name. He did that because he probably had run out of what to say to keep the conversation going on. We were still talking when a man approached and was grateful he had honored the invitation. They both excused me and I finally thought I was going to find peace but no, I didn't. I could not get myself to stop anticipating Padens Robert's return. I had tried to keep myself occupied with the performances of the singers and dancers on the stage, unfortunately, it was hip-hop.I force