CHAPTER TWO: SUNSET

As usual Bellah woke up and prepared herself for school, she didn’t like bothering her mother in the morning because she knew she was sick, so what she did everyday was to write a note with just four words “I LOVE YOU MOM” and slip it under her bedroom door.

Mrs. Kikoy was ready for this day, but was Bellah really ready for her mother’s departure? She slept so peaceful in her bed, she was wearing a wine read lingerie, sleeping in white bed-sheets, she was like an angel having a moment of peace, her face was beautiful with a smile, for a moment one would thing she was just asleep, actually that’s what the house help thought the first time she went into her bedroom,

After so many hours had passed and she didn’t come out, the house help got worried and rushed to the room to check on her, everything she had brought for her was intact, her medicine and breakfast was still where she left, Mrs. Kikoy was still in the same place and position she was couple of hours ago. The house help panicked and in a confused state she knocked things to the floor on her way out, she ran to the neighbour’s house, the one who visits Mrs. Kikoy, her name was Jenna,  when she arrived at her house, her face was pale, she couldn’t talk, with tears in her eyes, she grabbed her hand and pulled her towards their house, there were other people in the house so the all followed behind, upon reaching the house she led them upstairs to Mrs. Kikoy’s bedroom, she pushed the door open and paved way for Ms. Jenna to enter, that’s when she spoke and said, Aunty has been like that since morning, she haven’t woken up to take her medicine or breakfast and yet it was almost lunch hour, I didn’t know what to do and you’re the only person I know in this city, what’s wrong with her? The house help asked.

Mrs Kikoy looked so peaceful, she was like the sleeping beauty, no make-up just her natural face. All the lines that appeared on her face were all gone, she even looked younger. Ms. Jenna could not believe her eyes, she sat beside her bed and started crying out “ Bel, Bellamy wake up, you promised to stick around and see your princess grow up, what are we supposed to tell her now? How can you a shame your sister like this? You just left me in cold my sister you said you’re tired but you’ll keep fighting, what happened to the promise you made to me and Bellah?” people that were in the room with her were still in the state of shock and were just staring at Ms. Jenna.

Other neighbours heard Ms. Jenna’s cry, they run over to see what was happening. Their kind neighbour was gone, those who knew her well joined Ms. Jenna in mourning her, they didn’t even remember to call the Police after 30 minutes the house was full of people, that’s when one of the neighbours Mr. Phil remembered to report the incident to the Police.

Few minutes later, the Police arrived at the scene to take away Mrs. Kikoy’s remains, that’s the time it hit Erica the house help that her boss was gone and she was not coming back. Ms. Jenna stood from the bedside to allow the authority to take Mrs. Kikoy’s body, she pulled herself together, instructed the Police to take her body to Safiri Salama Morgue, helped Erica to keep the house in order before she went to school to pick up Bellah.

She was still emotional, her eyes were red and swollen, the School Principal was in a meeting, but when she heard that someone was at school to pick Bellah up she excused herself and went out. Ms. Jenna what bring you here today? The classes are not yet over, Principal Sandra, Bellah is needed at home, I don’t have much time to explain but I’ll be back. Ms. Sandra nodded her head and asked for the class Teacher Mr. Orlando to bring Bellah to her Office.

Bellah was having uneasy day since morning but she could not explain the feeling, when she saw her good neighbour Aunty Jenna, her eyes became teary, she ran over and hugged her, after a while she released her Aunt from her small arms and asked her, “ it’s mum right, she’s dead?” when everyone in the room heard this words come out of Bellah’s mouth, they were all shocked. Ms. Jenna was helpless, she knelt down and embraced Bellah and in a low voice she said, “I’m sorry honey, I wish things were different, but mummy is gone.” The two cried in each other’s arms for a while, everyone was just starring at the two. Ms. Jenna was tall and slender, she was a widower, her husband had an accident and died few months after their wedding and she never re-married and has been part of Bellah’s life since she was a baby.

Bellah looked up at her Aunty after she dried her face and said, let’s go home and give mom a proper goodbye, I know she didn’t mean to leave me behind, but God didn’t want her to continue suffering, I’ve watched her many nights struggling in pain but I didn’t let her know that I knew.

Everyone is the room were all in tears, Ms. Sandra walked over to Bellah and gave her a hug, my dear child, I can’t tell you that I understand what you’re going through at such a young age, you’re even stronger than us adults, but we’re all here for you. Your mother was a very wonderful and strong woman and she loved you very much, don’t ever forget that.

Bellah released herself from Ms. Sandra’s embrace and with her beautiful brown eyes she looked at Ms. Sandra with a smile on her face and thanked her. Mr. Orlando on the other side, he was standing at the corner watching the scene unfolding in front of him and in his thoughts was asking himself “how can this kid who is barely 9 years old be so strong and yet her mother just died?” he felt so touched yet sad and angry, he opened the door and walked out without saying anything because he couldn’t show his weakness in front of a small kid like Bellah. Behind him a voice called out, Teacher Orlando, are you also leaving me just the way mom has left? He stopped in his tracks and after few minutes he spoke without turning back, “I’m going to bring your bag from the class.” Mr. Orlando rushed to the washroom so that he could wash off his face, compose himself before he could head to class to pick up Bellah’s belonging and return to the principal’s office. After a few minutes he was back with Bellah’s belongings and handed the to Ms. Jenna, he turned to Bellah and embraced her, in a low voice he said, “ Bellah, you’re one of my best students in class and I’ll always be here for you, think of all of us as your other family.” She looked at her teacher and smiled and then hugged him again, for a moment, it was like Bellah forgot her mum was dead.

All this time Ms. Jenna stood in a corner and was full of admiration for the little girl in front of her, at this moment her mind was busy wondering, for the first time she wished she had a daughter just like Bellah, she wanted her life to have a meaning, the same meaning that kept Mrs. Kikoy her best friend going all these time she was ailing, tears started rolling from her eyes even without her knowing, everyone was looking at her but she didn’t even notice, Ms. Sandra walked over and hugged her, I’m sorry Jenna, you can take Bellah home and please don’t hesitate to ask for our help, the school is here for you.

Ms. Jenna was her usual self again, reached out for Bellah’s hand and left the office. On their way back home, she didn’t speak she could glance at Bellah and smile but no word came out of her mouth. Bellah just starred at her aunt and didn’t say anything too.

Bellah was in deep thoughts, this was the only woman she called aunt and has been part of her life growing up, they went on holidays together. All her life Bellah has never thought about her mother’s family, out of curiosity she asked, “Aunt, please tell me about mum’s family?” Ms. Jenna’s head became dizzy for a second and stepped on the breaks, they almost crashed, but packed at the side of the road, her heart was beating so fast that she thought it would come out of her chest, Bellah was screaming and she didn’t even realized they had stopped, Ms. Jenna stretched her hands and hugged her that’s when she realizes she was OK.  With her teary eyes she looked at Ms. Jenna and in a low tone she said, “I’m sorry aunt, I didn’t mean to cause the crash”

Jenna couldn’t hold back her tears, all the memories she had with her best friend who was now lying in the morgue came flowing back in a flash, she remembered the first time they met, she was in a mess, when everyone thought she was weird, Bel was the only person who was there for her, she accompanied her for counselling classes until she got her life back on the road, helped her get a job with the NGO she was working for. They’ve been part of each other’s lives for 10 years and now one of them was gone, she felt the cold chill in her bones.

Jenna’s heart was in so much pain, her emotions were unstable, she’s been strong for both Bel and Bellah but part of that strength went with her friend. She wiped her tears and put on her seat belt and drove to the morgue. Small kids are not allowed in the morgue but Jenna asked the administration to make reservation for the young girl who had just been orphaned and it was the last time to see her mum, they had not kept her body because it was supposed to be prepared before it would be kept.

Jenna and Bellah walked hand in hand like mother and daughter, if it wasn’t that Bellah’s mother was the one lying there, everyone could have believed they were mother and daughter. Jenna couldn’t hold back her tears, she started crying again, she didn’t believe her sister was gone, she felt empty inside. Bellah on the other hand, she didn’t shade any tears, her eyes were dry but her heart was aching for her aunt, at her age she didn’t know that besides mother and daughter someone else could have such love for another person.

When Bellah was born she just joined in these two women’s tradition and became part of it. She looked at her aunt and said, “Please aunt don’t cry so much, mom will be sad when she see us like this, her beautiful face should remain like this. Jenna wiped her tears carried the little girl in her arms and left the morgue.

When they arrived home, Erica was just sitting at the front door soaked in her tears waiting for them, she run over and gave both of them a hug, she then carried Bellah and they both went inside. Three of them sat in silent for a while, then Erica went to the kitchen to make a snack for themselves since nobody had eaten anything and it was heading for 4pm afternoon. After they finished to eat, the all became busy cleaning the house and putting everything in order the way Mrs. Kikoy liked, she was very clean and neat and so they didn’t everything to make sure she won’t be sad wherever she was.

These three worked till mid night, when they finally sat down to rest, the doorbell rang, I’ll go check I out, Erica said as she stood up, at the door stood a tall and fat man, it was Mr. Kikoy, he pushed the door and entered followed by Julie who was standing on the side. Bellah and Jenna stood up immediately with surprised faces, in a choking voice which was filled with anger and hatred Jenna said, “have you remembered you had a family before? Where were you when your wife and daughter needed you?” what kind of a monster are you? Jenna’s chest was burning in anger, she had even forgotten that Bellah was there. Jenna made few steps and stood in front of Bellah, she didn’t want this man’s dirty hands to touch her, Mr. Kikoy stood there, shocked as he looked at Jenna, thinking that she had gone crazy, he knew these woman was like Bel’s sister even though they were not related by blood and is the only relative her daughter had. He didn’t dare to answer back, he just watched.

Jenna was so consumed with anger that she wanted to strangle the man and woman standing in front of her. She vented all her anger on these two unworthy human beings in front of her. “ you woman did someone ever tell you to stay out of other people’s marriages, are you happy now that Bel is gone, you can be the new Mrs. Kikoy? Who gave you the right to cause my niece such heartache? You’re a mother too but in your world you deserve it all yet my Bel didn’t deserve anything but to die alone.” At that moment Bellah was also very angry at her father and couldn’t watch her aunt cry anymore so she started crying,

Jenna snapped out of the anger, turned back and carried Bellah in her arms, she then ran out of the house and went to her place, she put Bellah on the sofa and sat beside her, the two hugged for a long time.

Back in Kikoy’s home, Mr. Kikoy was speechless, he took his mistress’ hand and left the house too. He needed to cool down, his heart was burning with anger and frustration, it’s like someone has lit fire inside him.

“How can these woman treat me with disrespect? Who does she think she is? People respect me everywhere and a mere person like her has the odersity to disrespect me in my own house in front of my daughter,” Julie was smiling from inside, her perseverance has finally bared fruits. She knew this man’s weakness was his ego, so she pressed on it and made him angrier than before.

When they reached the house, Julie’s mind was busy figuring out how to get hold of everything that Bel owned, she asked Mr. Kikoy, “Sam darling, what are you going to do now, if you leave this woman to step over you, who will respect you after that? Do you want our Son to think that his father is a chicken and is bullied with a woman with no status in the society?” Sam didn’t answer his mistress back, he turned around and went upstairs to have a shower and rest. His mind was not at peace and at the same time he didn’t feel remorseful for the things he’s done.

Early the next day, Mr. Kikoy and his shameful mistress were preparing to head to the Kikoy family home, it was in a gated community for the rich and Mrs. Kikoy had bought this home with her own money, but since these two couples were shameless they were eyeing it even before Mrs. Kikoy was laid to rest.

Over to Jenna’s house Bellah and Erica were already awake having breakfast before they could return to their house. Bellah was still being bothered with the reason that almost caused them to crash, so she went upstairs to Ms. Jenna’s room, her aunt was just sitting on the chair having a moment to herself and reflecting on her life after Bel, she was startled by Bellah, she carried her and they both sat on her bed.

Aunty, please don’t get mad at me, but I really want to know about mum’s family, I’m not a small kid anymore are you worried they’ll take me away from you? Bellah asked as she was looking into her aunt’s teary eyes. She then touched her face and wiped out all the tears. Her aunt smiled and agreed to tell her about her mum’s family and the reason she never met them.

10 years ago, your mum was pregnant with your Dad’s child, she had a good career, she came from a wealthy family but the problem was that your dad didn’t have anything not even a job to prove that he was good enough to marry your mum and take care of her so your grandparents were against their relationship from the beginning, they knew your dad just loved your mum because of her status in the society and will be able to live a good and comfortable life with your mum by his side.

Bellah intercepted her aunt, “was I that child? And how comes I am almost 9 years and not 10?” Jenna looked at her lovely face and smiled, she then answered back, NO that child is not you, the baby died before it was born. Bellah’s face was so sad, she looked at her aunt and asked her again, “ do you mean I’d be having a big brother or sister now?” yes honey, you’d be having a brother now protecting you but God decided to make him an Angel to watch over you all the time. Hmmmm does that mean now we have two Angels to watch over us? Yes, Jenna answered back. Okey Bellah replied.

Jenna continued with her story, after your brother died, your mother and I visited her parents, she wanted to asked for forgiveness, your grandfather’s heart ached for her little princess, since she was the only daughter, she got blinded by love and got married at a very young age.

Your grandfather was hurting but his standpoint did not change, she wanted your mum to leave your father and return home. We left your grandfather’s home and since then your mother never went back, a year later you were born, through you she never saw her family, she missed them every day and she hoped one day she’ll go back home and embrace her parents.

Your father took advantage of your mother’s situation to do whatever he wanted, in front of you he was a good man and your mother never wanted you to hate your father.

Bellah’s face changed, anger was written all over her face, but the few days have made her heart toughen up and cold. She looked at her aunt and asked, “does that mean everything Dad has belongs to my mom? Jenna hesitated to talk about it but Bellah’s eyes became more cold that Jenna got scared, so many thoughts were going through her mind, she couldn’t believe at such a young age Bellah understood everything as an adult, she even knew how to hate. She tapped on her aunt’s leg and asked where she had gone, her aunt was startled and came back to her usual self, she leaned towards Bellah and asked her to promise her never to hate her Dad and she nodded her head.

The two hugged each other, each in their own world, at a young age Bellah was determined to seek justice for her mother and to make her Dad pay for every tear her mother shade when she was alive, the nights she watched her cry was not to go unpunished.

Aunt Jenna, can I live with you from now on? Can you be my mum? I know mum will approve it from Heaven and you said that she and my brother are watching over us. Jenna’s heart was filled with joy as tears rolled down her cheeks then she answered her back, of course honey, you can live with me, but we’ll have to discuss it with your Dad OK.

After a long chat, the three left the house and went back to Kikoy’s family home which was not far from Jenna’s home. They opened the doors to Bel’s friends and everyone who knew her, Jenna had already planned for Bel’s favourite flowers to be delivered and a big portrait of Bel which had a lovely smile with an angelic face. Bellah was so happy with her aunt, she put in all her effort to give her friend a proper send off.

Bel’s burial was set for 4th of April, which was Bellah’s birthday. Mr. Kikoy was around, but he did not care much about the arrangements since someone else was doing it, he could sit around for few hours and then leave with the mistress.

Since Bel’s passing her father had been living in the city but didn’t want anyone to know, his heart was broken, the man who snatched away  his daughter was already with another woman, to him that betrayal was unforgivable, he didn’t respect his daughter’s memory.

From a far Jenna saw Mr. Bruce who was Bel’s father, she quickly rushed over. Father, what are you doing here? Jenna called Bel’s father Dad out of respect, the old man was so ashamed, he apologized, I’m sorry the way I treated you many years back, I was a proud man, I was heartbroken then and today the pain is worse than what I felt 10 years ago, this time she’s gone and won’t be coming back, at least all this years I’ve watched her from far but now I don’t have her anymore. I know you had your own tragedy, but you have been there for my daughter and granddaughter all these years.

Bel would be so happy if you and mother attended her burial, she also wanted you to meet your grand-daughter, she hoped to come home but time was short, I didn’t expect her to leave us so soon. Let us have dinner tonight so that you get to meet your granddaughter. I will talk to her before then. Jenna hugged the old man and went back to Bel’s house to entertain the guests.

Bel’s house was so lively, you’d forget that people were mourning, Jenna brought all the videos and pictures they had taken for years when they went on holidays together, every special moments in their lives was on video and pictures, Bel was beautiful and full of life. Bellah, Erica and Jenna sat on the side and watched how guests enjoyed watching the videos and discussed among themselves.

Bellah couldn’t help but smile, she understood how special her mother was and the lives she had touched. She turned to her aunt and whispered in her ear, “I wish grandpa and grandma would be here to see all these people who were part of mom’s life, they won’t be angry at her anymore.” Her eyes became teary again.

Bel’s friends worked tirelessly to give her a proper send off. Jenna asked their friends to be in charge and left with Bellah and Erica, on their way home, Jenna told Bellah that they were having guests for dinner so they need to prepare, yes aunt, she responded without asking for more details, she was happy that her aunt was treating her well, the school was also checking on her.

7 p.m. dinner was ready and the bell rang, Erica walked over and open the door, Jenna rushed over to welcome her guests, “Father, Mother welcome, thank you for accepting my invitation to have dinner with us. Bellah run over and stood at her aunt’s side and with her beautiful brown eyes she looked up at these two old couples and smiled. Aunt, I didn’t know you had parents, Bellah said with a smile, the couple bend down and hugged Bellah, then Erica was introduced, she had become part of Jenna and Bellah’s life so she continued living with them.

The family of five sat down and had a lovely dinner, afterwards Erica went to the kitchen to help with the dishes while these four proceeded to the living room. Jenna sat down next to Bellah and reminded her that earlier she had wished her grandparents to be around for her mother’s burial.

Oh yes aunt! Bellah replied but sadness appeared on her face, honey why are you sad? Jenna asked, the couple watched this two quietly. If we could only fulfill mom’s wish of seeing both grandpa and grandma before her burial on Saturday it will be so good, Bellah continued. Who said we won’t fulfill your mum’s wish? Jenna asked back with a smile.

Bellah’s face lit up with joy, she hugged her aunt but then started to cry, Jenna’s heart ached, same as the couples who were sitting on the sofa opposite them watching, they wanted to cross over and hug their grand-daughter who looked so much like her mother.

Please don’t cry, you might prevent your mom’s wish from coming true and you look really ugly when you cry, sorry aunt I was just so happy, I imagined how mom would feel seeing her parents again after so many years. Jenna laughter and told her that she was too young to be thinking like an adult. Well honey, let me introduce you to Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Barbara, these are your mother’s parents.

Bellah did not believe her eyes, these people she had dinner with and were sitting in front of her were actually her real grandparents, they were dressed so well and didn’t look old at all.

Her heart was beating so fast, she run over and opened her two small hands to give them both a hug, they embraced her so tight, Jenna was now the one crying as she watch Bel's parents and their grand-daughter hugging each other, she knew Bel was happy wherever she was. She looked forward to these day for so long.

Bellah sat between her grand-parents and Jenna brought over all the gifts they had brought for her, these were the presents they bought for their grand-daughter since the day she was born, they never gave out anything, the clothes, each birthday present for the last eight years and even the birthday present for her 9th birthday,

Bellah was so shocked so was her aunt Jenna too. We never forgot about your mother, she was just stubborn and in love, so we let her live her life and decided to help without her knowing it, we tried our best to make sure she had a good life but we didn’t prepare for her sickness and death, we were afraid that if we came back to her life she might decide to move further away from us….

Grandpa, mum suffered a lot, but you didn’t not come even for a single day, Bellah questioned them, Come and sit here with me Mr. Bruce said. He asked Jenna to join them too and he removed a big album which was full of their pictures.

These man has been part of their lives since the day Bel left home and everything was documented in the album, Jenna didn’t believe her eyes, her friend was worried all these years for nothing, her parents didn’t turn their backs on her at all.

The old man hated city life but because of her daughter he was forced to endure it, he checked on her all the time but made sure that he was not seen. Mr. Bruce was the reason both Bel and Jenna had jobs, every interview Bel attended his father knew about it and if made Bel lose many job opportunities because if she settled on anything out of desperation her life could have turned out bad, he couldn’t stand watching his princess suffer.

After two years of counselling Jenna was back to herself and when she applied for the job at Bel’s place of work, she got the job thanks for old Bruce, if it meant her daughter was happy when her friends are happy, then he’d do everything in his power to make it happen.

When Bel was looking for a house, her father knew that with her salary she didn’t have much so he decided to lend a hand by giving her a fortune in the name of getting her inheritance left behind for her by her grandparents. Bel loved her grandparents so much and for that reason she would never reject them. Then she saw what was in the chest, she was so shocked that she became speechless. That’s the money she used to buy the beautiful house in a rich suburb that the Kikoy family lived for all these years.

Oh it’s late already we need to get going, grandma Barbara said, Jenna refuted and told them that her house was big enough to accommodate them for the night, she also didn’t want Bellah’s happy moment to end, so they agreed to stay over.

Bellah had never experience the love of her grandparents so the pair of three went up and share a bed, they read her a bedtime story, she discovered that the book her mother used to read to her was the same book her parents read to her so many years back. Bellah slept like an angel that night. The two couples didn’t get any sleep, they watched their granddaughter all night long.

The next day Jenna had some errands to run, thank God Bel’s parents had already bought a dress for their daughter and grand-daughter, they told Jenna to relax a bit and not to stress herself out, their grand-daughter still needed her around.

The coffin and everything related to the burial had already been made by Bel’s parents. To be honest I have never seen a shameless man like Mr. Samuel Kikoy, his wife is dead but he’s still busy with his Mistress and their son. The old man looked at Jenna and told her to let him be, his time is not yet and true to his words he never interfered with Sam’s life.

Bel’s church service was held, she was an Anglican and despite everything that happened between her and her parents she continued to fellowship in Anglican. The church was decorated with many beautiful flowers which were all Bel’s favourite.

Her funeral service was like a wedding, everyone dressed in white, the church was full of people, some were her old workmates, both high school and college friends and her relatives. For sure Bel was bubbling with joy just looking at how beautiful her service was.

After the service, the casket proceeded to her home where it stayed for the night. Saturday 4th of April was not just Bel’s burial day but also Bellah’s day she was born, she wanted to share this day with her mother one last time and her grandparents made sure it turned out exactly as she wanted. At exactly 3pm on Saturday Bel was laid to rest at the cemetery…….

I know Bel is with the angels and looking over us right now, she’s happy that her family has finally united with her daughter. Bellah was so happy not only were her grandparents there but also her classmates and teachers from her school. This day will be memorable in Bellah’s life….