SILENCE

Elisha left his wife’s presence but instead of going back to sit with his mother in law, he decided to go to Larna’s old room. He knew what he was doing was not right at all, if his wife didn’t want to talk about her past then he was supposed to let it be but as they say curiosity doesn’t let anyone rest.

He opened the door and the room looked perfect, it was covered in white beddings; it’s as if she was still sleeping in it. There was no speck of dust and all her old toys were in the same place. He moved closer holding each of them one by one and putting them down, it looked like she had a perfect childhood but what he couldn’t figure out was at what point did it all go wrong.

He went through some childhood photos and he laughed to himself, she looked happy with her parents by her side, one could tell that they were one big happy family. When he couldn’t find anything suspicious; he decided to leave the room but something caught his attention.

Just in the corner of the room was a big trunk that looked old and deserted, he moved closer and tried to open it but it was locked. Now he was more curious as to what was in there. So he went to the dressing mirror and started to look through her jewelry box and there he found a key and he figured it was for the trunk.

Opening it gently, he was met with a rusty scent; it probably had not been opened in a long time. Checking the corridor for someone coming his way, he opened it when he was satisfied that no one was coming.

They were old books that belonged to his wife, nothing was suspicious and he was now convinced that Larna was probably one of those children that just didn’t want to have anything to do with her parents after growing up.

So going through them one last time, he came across a newspaper that was from years back. He didn’t want to touch it but the photo that was there caught his attention.

‘Matero clinic morgue attendant Ms. Sasha Mvula found dead.’ The headline read

For some reason he felt a wave of fear run through him, he had never heard of this woman but something just told him that there was probably a story to what had caused her death. He packed it the same way he had found it and went outside to meet his mother in law as if nothing had happened.

‘There you are.’ She said when she saw him

‘I was just checking on Larna, you know how she keeps herself busy every time we are here.’

She smiled, she knew her daughter was only like that because she didn’t want to be found in the presence of her mother.

‘Mother can I ask you something?’

‘Sure go ahead.’ Mrs. Chishala told him

‘I was just going through some old files some days back and I found a story about one Ms. Sasha Mvula.’ He paused to stare at the twins who were busy chasing each other around

‘Sasha, poor girl. Committed suicide a few months before her wedding.’

‘What?’ he asked surprised

‘Yes, I had never met her but was a friend of my husband. Her fiancé was devastated, we heard he took his life too months after she was buried.’

‘Now that is depressing.’

‘It is.’ Mrs. Chishala said shaking her head

‘But if she was a morgue attendant, how did she know your husband? Dad I mean.’

‘Well my son, Matero clinic was small at the time and almost all the staff workers knew each other so I am guessing that was how, though we heard her family refused to do a postmortem or any further investigation concerning her death. They just wanted to mourn her in peace.’

‘That is a sad story.’

‘Really sad, we felt bad too despite not knowing her but you know we were like a big family in matero before all this development happened and everyone started to mind their business.’ She said now standing up

‘Let me get some rest child, old age is slowly catching up with me.’ She added holding the arm of the chair for support

‘You age like fine wine.’ He complimented and she smiled at him

‘Sarah, come help gogo here.’ He screamed

The twins came rushing and they escorted their grannie inside.

Elisha picked up his phone and called his private investigator Ben again.

‘What do I have to do for you boss?’ he asked on the other end of the line

‘So I can’t just call to greet you?’

‘Well sir you don’t pay me for pleasantries.’ He responded seriously

‘I am glad you take your job seriously.’

There was silence

‘I need you to do something for me, use everything in you and find out about a Ms. Sasha Mvula. She was a morgue attendant for matero clinic some ten to fourteen years ago. It is believed that she committed suicide then her fiancé later took his life as well.’

‘And I am guessing you don’t believe that she took her life right?’

‘Ben I don’t pay you to ask questions, get the job done. I need answers by the end of twenty four hours.’ He said dropping the line.

Larna watched from the kitchen window as Elisha paced up and down, he smiled when he noticed her watching. She knew something was wrong and it was only a matter of time before she found out.

‘I don’t know what you want to know dearest husband but what you don’t know won’t kill you.’ She muttered under her breath as she dished the food nicely on a plate

She put just enough vegetables and a piece of meat with some savory rice, then in a glass she squeezed some fresh pomegranate juice; nicely putting it on a tray she carried it to her mother’s bedroom.

‘Come in.’ Mrs. Chishala responded hearing the knock

‘I brought your food.’ Larna said putting it on the table

She was already on her feet when her mother spoke.

‘Elisha was asking about Sasha, soon enough he will start digging. Whatever you know its best you start talking before he finds out.’

‘I don’t know who Sasha is and I would appreciate you stay out of my marriage.’

She went outside and got the car key before calling the kids.

‘Yes mother.’ Sai responded

‘Get your things we are leaving.’ She said walking towards the vehicle

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️