Chapter 35

My beautiful ass was thrown in jail before I could utter a single word. Disgusting jail. It smelled like pee, lost hopes and dreams. I know lost hopes and dreams don't have a particular smell but I swear that was how it smelled. I was still oblivious to what was happening even though I asked the officers again and again the car .

Despite my constant annoying question ,they didn't reveal anything. This must be a high profile case, otherwise they would have slapped the hell out of me for bugging them. What did they expect from me though? They took me away from my hiding spot without an explanation and treated me like a criminal.

I knew my rights. I had a right to know why I was arrested. Everytime I mentioned I knew my rights as a citizen of this country the officers cringed. Weird how they assume we are all illiterate and don't know the law. I might not have done law in school, but I knew the basics.

For instance I was not supposed to speak until I had my lawyer present. Speaking of lawyers, I didn't know any.  Except for John. Was he even allowed to take a personal case now that he is a cooperate lawyer? I will ask him anyway before I search for another person. I trusted him with my future. I trusted him to do the right thing.

I paced around the cell for hours and hours. No one made an attempt to speak to me or even offer me food . I was so hungry that I began shaking. Why were they not feeding me? No matter what I did I deserved to be fed unless they were planning to starve me to death before the court day.

My life sucked. Sucked really hard. My baby moved around in my tummy un bothered and unaware of what was going on outside it's cacoon. At least she or he was safe . I eventually sat on the thin chair , trying to conserve what was left of my energy. Who knows when they will remember to feed me.

My stomach was growling loudly in annoyance at this point. Where was the food? Even criminals are fed. A female officer passed by and I saw an opportunity. She looked like she was in her mid thirties, meaning she might have children. I was taking a gamble here but I didn't care. I was too hungry to care .

" Hey, officer" I raised my voice enough for her to hear me.

" Who said that?" She stopped and started looking around.

" Here!" I walked towards the mental bars holding me in captivity.

" Oooh, how can I help you ,young lady?" She asked in a warm tone that made me want to cry.

" Can I have some food please? I have not eaten anything since yesterday evening and I am pregnant" I explained

" How far along are you? " She asked

" Seven months" I answered proudly.

" You should have been given something by now. It's almost four pm in the evening"

Damn! I went a whole day without food, this was personal record .

" Please help, I feel like I could faint at any moment"

" Hold on there,I will get you something to eat" she stated.

" Thank you so much for your generosity"

" Don't thank me yet. Please sit down. I'll be back in a few" she said before she left.

I followed her advice and went back to my seat. I was so grateful that at least I would get something to eat. I couldn't think properly when I am hungry.

She came back as promised with a plate of ugali,which was not well cooked and cabbages, which were almost raw. She handed it over to me with an apologetic look.

" Sorry this is all I could do with the time I had. I will bring you something better for dinner" she said and went away.

" Thank you" I whispered to the empty space left by her departure.

I looked at the food. It was horrible but beggars can't be choosers. I closed my eyes and took a bite. The ugali was not well cooked ,the cabbage was basically gross making it the worst food I have ever eaten. But I was in a prison, what did I expect.

I forced the uncooked food down my throat until I was left with an empty plate.

' I am doing this for my baby' was the mantra I repeated each time I felt like puking my guts out.

Who knows when I will have an opportunity to eat again. I hide the plate under the thin chair where no one would see it. I didn't want the lady to get in trouble. Unfortunately she never came back through the night. I was glad that I didn't puke because now I would be starving yet again.

The cell was cold and stuffy. I got a stuffed nose by midnight. Thankfully ,I sleep with a jacket, sweatpants and thick socks. They are all I had keeping me warm. I leaned on the wall and closed my eyes. Sleep didn't come easy for me but I tried anyway.

In the morning I was awoken by clang on the metal bars.

" Wake up!" Yelled an officer.

I opened my eyes , giving him the most distasteful look I could gather.

" Your lawyer is here to see you" he announced.

I got up and walked towards the opened door. I followed the officer as we passed through several corridors. I didn't know my destination but it meant that I would see someone who would help me get out of this hell hole.

We stopped at a room which he unlocked ,pushed me inside and locked it behind me. Finding myself locked in yet another room was not surprising at this point. I found two chairs and a table in the middle. I sat on one of the chairs and laid my head on the table. After a few minutes the door was opened and closed again.

" How are you doing Zee" said a familiar voice.

I took a minute to figure out where I heard that voice. I gasped in realization, John ,it was John. Oh my God it was John. My mind took a minute to register that John was my friend and I should be happy to see him.

" John, hey" I rushed to hug him so fast that I felt lightheaded.

" Hey, you are going to be okay" he said in a soothing tone.

I wish I could believe him ,I really wish I could .

" Let's sit down and talk."

We both sat down. He took out some papers from his bag and placed them on the table.

" Kevin wasn't kidding when he said you are pregnant" he commented.

" Mhmm! Yes ! Seven months now" I said with a smile

" Do you know what your having?"

" Not yet ,I haven't had a chance to go to the hospital, considering I was in hiding and all "

" Maybe I can schedule a visit to the hospital, once I become your lawyer"

" Wait. Why am I here in the first place?" I asked the only person who was willing to tell me.

" Zawadi ,I need you to be calm before I tell you everything"

" I am calm, please tell me what is happening" I asked worried by his demeanor.

" Marcus filled a lawsuit against you"

" W-what?"

" Yes, he has a case against you for theft and embezzling funds from his company"

" I thought we talked about that"

" Apparently not,he wants to be paid a hundred million dollars as compensation "

" Come again? Did you say a hundred million dollars?" I asked ,my eyes widened in surprise.

" Yes"

" I am going to die in prison, aren't I?" I asked afraid of the answer.

" I sincerely don't know Zawadi but...."

" I didn't think he could do this to me" I whimpered

" Neither did I"

" Why would he do this to me ? After our agreement "

" I don't know, that is why I am here. To hear you side of the story"

" I am innocent " I wailed

" What is this arrangement that you had with him?"

" We got back together after he showed me the evidence he had against me. Ofcourse I didn't do any of those things written on those documents ,so I went along with the agreement to see if I can find out something , anything that could help me get out of it"

" And did you find something?"

" No I didn't unfortunately, now I am going to die in jail"

The magnitude of what was happening finally hit me. I was going to stay in jail for the rest of my life. Tears started dripping down my cheeks unchecked . I was doomed.

" I won't let that happen, okay. Stop crying please" he begged

I sniffed a few times before I could get my eyes and nose under control. I was tired ,I felt dirty and I was hungry.

" Why did you go into hiding?"

" I was home one day relaxing like I always do on my off days, when this guys broke into my house and tried to kidnap. All I gathered from their conversation was I was supposed to be killed. So I ran for my life "

" Did you catch any of their names?"

" No. But they were sent by someone . I didn't know who to trust and I didn't want to put anyone in danger"

" I understand. I will try everything I can to help you. Everyone is worried about you"

" How are my parents taking this?"

" Not too well but tomorrow morning you will be arraigned in court, they will see you then"

" How is Zuri?"

" She is not doing well either but she is hanging in there."

" Thank you. Well I am afraid to ask, but, did you bring me something to eat?" I asked hopeful that somehow he remembered

" They are not giving you meals in here?"

" No."

" Okay I will be right back " he promised

He knocked on the door three times and it was unlocked. As soon as he left the door was locked again. I waited for twenty minutes before he came back. He came in carrying a bag from chicken inn. I couldn't help the smile that spread on my lips.

He handed the bag to me. Large fries, a bucket of chicken, coleslaw and two sodas. I was eager to eat and fill my stomach . I didn't want anything ruining this meal that will probably be my last. 

I knew my fate was sealed.