RESCUED HEART

Chapter TwoAnuri decided to make the best of her life. True, her friend's betrayal had made her wary of many people. But she counselled herself to be free minded and not paranoid. She just had to be more careful with people. She went through her secretarial books and attached herself to a business center in the village where she brushed her computer skills. She nurtured the hope of getting a secretarial job in a flourishing firm soonest.  Six weeks after her return, Pa Joshua's first son, James offered to assist Anuri. He told her to join him and his family at their Aba residence. He promised to help her find a job. She was happy at this offer and was willing to leave. It would be better for her. She remembered James' wife and her heart almost stilled. James' wife, Ogadinma was not a hospitable woman. She knew from experience. Infact, the woman disliked associating with her husband's relatives for reasons best known to her. Anuri wondered if it was advisable

In high spirits, Anuri arrived her workplace. It was Monday morning, the last week of May. She looked beautiful and poised in her white linen suit. She exchanged greetings with some of her colleagues and chatted lightly for a few minutes; then she left for her office. An official envelop on her desk caught her attention. Frowning slightly, she picked it up. She recognized her boss' handwriting on it, which bore her name. Anuri wondered the portent of this. Her heart began to pound with apprehension. With slightly trembling hands, she opened the envelop and pulled out the letter. It was hand written.  Miss Uchechi, I inform you formally, to stop work this morning, not later than 10:00am owing to the new revelation I received about you. Your services will no longer be needed in this firm. Realizing that you are an ex-convict of drug trafficking, which you concealed perfectly, I can no longer trust you as my secretary. Collect your salary from the bursary and leav

Anuri worked hard and efficiently throughout the next three weeks. She really impressed her boss and many clients of the company were endeared to her.Anuri stepped into the accounts department, heading for the manager's office. He was a man in his early fifties. She met him talking with someone. 'Excuse me briefly,' he told his guest. 'Hello, Anuri.’She smiled. 'Good morning, sir. I have come for those documents.’He snapped his fingers. 'Oh, yes, they are here.' He pulled out his drawer and offered a file containing papers to her. 'The other report, I'll send to him myself.' 'Alright.' She received it and left the office. She went downstairs, humming a song to herself. Suddenly, her right foot slipped off the step. 'Aw… ' It all happened in a split of a second. Anuri fell, hitting her ankle, waist and elbow on the staircase. Pain registered in her brain and travelled backwards, spreading her nerves with great intensity. 'Aw&

Daddy! Daddy! Welcome, daddy!' Jerome's children chanted as he drove into his compound the next day. It was around 5:10pm. The children were at the verandah with Mrs. Onyenso and another boy of fourteen years. They jumped up and down excitedly as they drove in. It was drizzling with rain, so the children could not run out. Moreover, Jerome had warned them not to run towards a moving vehicle for whatever reason. A friend of his had nearly killed his kid who had run out excitedly to greet him. The child had come in the way before he could swerve. Luckily, the child had not died but he was injured. That had made Jerome warn his kids seriously against such excitement and they are obeying him.Anuri looked at him as the car came to a halt. 'Umu gi alola.’'Yes,' he breathed, resting his head on the seat base with his eyes closed. He looked tired, she thought, feeling the impulse to touch his cheek and massage his neck. She collected her thoughts, willing the thoughts away

On Thursday evening, the following week, Jerome came to see how Anuri was spending the evening. It was two hours since they came back from work and he desired her company. He found her in the living room, relaxed on the settee, holding a book. She looked up as he came in. 'Hello,' she smiled warmly.'Hello, how are doing?' He sat down beside her, gazing at her fondly.‘I’m fine… And you? Have you eaten?' She touched his cheek gently. I have.' He patted her hand  'Were you reading?' 'I was about to.' She returned her attention to her book. 'What's the name of the book?’ 'It's a collection of short stories entitled 'A Battle of will'.'  'A Battle of Will,' he repeated, taking the book from her. 'Have you read it before?’ 'I have, it's very interesting.' She said enthusiastically. 'Really?’ 'Very Much.’ 'Mmh, can you rea