Chapter 49.

I spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from my stab wound. I have to say I am grateful for how things changed from the worst to the better. Sitting in the hospital as a free woman felt different than sitting as an inmate. The food was better , the service was better and the doctors were friendlier.

That doesn't mean they were not nice the first time but they're interactions with me were always watched by the prison guards. The only question they were allowed to ask freely was how I felt. I understood their hesitation when they talked to me. Who wouldn't be intimidated by an inmate? Especially when you don't know the reason why they are in prison .

After my two week vacation in the hospital as I call it. I was allowed to go home and rest in the comfort of my house. The problem with that statement was , I didn't have a house to call my own. I lost my house when I went to prison together with a lot of other things in my life.

However I planned to get them all back, one thing at a time. My parents wanted to take me back home but I couldn't do it. I was a grown ass woman who could take care of herself and even though I know they had my back, I needed to do this on my own. I needed to get my confidence back. I needed to get my life back in order.

Although it might sound silly to some, it meant everything to me. Going to prison robbed me my identity. I don't know if you understood it but I will try to explain. I lost myself when I was in prison. I don't even know why I am saying that as it wasn't entirely true. I lost myself the moment I met Marcus. I lost myself trying to fit in his life, his family - that I never got to meet and his circles.

I lost myself for a man. I know you will tell me that I didn't have to but I think we all do it. We women change piece by piece for our significant other, whether it is knowingly or unknowingly. It is not a crime but it would be better when you can spot the changes in you.

Marcus was still feeling guilty as he should. He has apologised every single day since and although I haven't said it yet , I think its time I let all the anger and hatred go. I wanted to feel lighter. I wanted my soul free from the burden I have had to carry everyday.

After I left the hospital I stayed in a house Marcus bought for me. He is taking this whole guilt thing to an all new level but who was I to refuse a new house. Completely registered under my name. Imagine that, I have a house. Maybe there was a silver lining after all.

I might have worked for years and never been able to afford such a house but the shit I went through deserved this . I deserved this.

I live with Chaka my son , a live-in maid ,a nanny, driver and chef. At first I didn't  see the purpose of a chef. I argued with Marcus about this for so long but eventually I lost and here I was with a private chef. He cooks everything I want and bakes the most delicious cake. I might have not wanted him in the beginning but  now I needed him.

Marcus doesn't live with us yet. I haven't thought of our future together. To tell you the truth I fear thinking of my future with him. I have been through so many obstacles to stay with him and now I don't think I can go through one more. I was done but he wasn't done with me. How ironic.

At first I was the one who was doing all the chasing and pinning but now the roles were reversed. He was the one doing all the chasing and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed getting him uncomfortable. I enjoyed seeing his vulnerability that indicated that he was indeed a man and not a robot as we all thought.

I will admit I like this side of him. If only he had showed me this side of him earlier on in our relationship, I would have dreamt of my future with him. The sound of my son crying broke my chain of thought. I followed the sound to my biggest blessing.

***************************************

One year later......

A year has passed since I became a free woman and was able to breath that free air. Damn I will never take my freedom for granted again. After taking months to recover, I was able to get back to my normal self. My medical license was renewed as I didn't perform any malpractice.

I didn't exactly look for a new job as I started my own. I started my own nonprofit hospital to help everyone who is underprivileged. From the elderly, children, youth and even ex-convicts. I created job opportunities for the youth like me who had a very colourful past, if we can call it that way.

I wanted to give them a chance to create and mold their own futures as they would like, in a legal way. I made so many new friends who joined me to make this project great. I got investors from around the world you wanted to help.

My son Chaka is now a year and half old and he is an amazing baby. At first I thought he won't remember me because we were separated for so long but as it turns out children will alway know their mother. The first time I held him as a free woman I wept tears of joy. I held onto him like I will never let him go.

I promised him and myself that no matter what happens, I will always be there to protect and raise him. As a mother I felt guilty for letting him go even though I didn't have any control of the situation.  I loved him with everything that I have to make up for everything that I lost. My hope is he never learns of the time I gave him away.

I finally accepted Marcus's apology after four months. It took everything in me to let go of all the anger I felt every time I saw him . I saw his sincerity, hard work and love . I decided it was better to look towards the future than to focus on the past. I placed all the bad things behind me and looked forward.

I looked outside my window and I couldn't help laughing at Chaka and Nora . They became fast friends after they were introduced to each other. In spite of her baby being older than mine, she viewed Chaka as her younger brother and she is always bothering her mother to bring her here. I was grateful for it allowed me to spend time with my friend.

" Babe, let's go outside. The weather is beautiful today" said Marcus with a huge smile on his face.

" I am coming"

" No, let's go now. I know if I leave you here you will take ages coming down" he took my hand and dragged me out of our room ,down the stairs to the backyard where the kids were playing.

John was watching them play as their chaperone as he looked through his documents. I wonder how he can concentrate with all the noise from the music and the kids screaming. Before we reached the kids, Marcus stopped walking and I bumped into him

" Hey ! Watch where you are going" I pretended to be annoyed

" You watch where you are going. You are so pretty when you pout like that"

" Argh! Stop it" I blushed

" Look at me" he commanded, he placed his hands on either side of my jaw forcing my eyes to land on his.

" I am looking " I whined

" Are you happy?" He asked

" I am extremely happy my love" I answered happily

" I love you for infinity times infinity "

" I love you more than that"

" Argh! There can't be more than that. Why are you trying to compete with me?" He groaned

" Because I promised to never let you have your way when we got engaged. Do you remember?"

" I remember you didn't even cry when I proposed. Argh! You should have cried atleast " he joked

" Never!"

" I love you anyway"

" I love you too"

We shared a laugh before we went to join John. With our hands still intertwined we sat close to each other and watched the kids play. I couldn't help but be happy that my life ended up this way. I was with the man I loved, whom little by little over the past year, showed me the man behind the mask.

He let his mask fall and allowed me to see him for who he was and not for what he pretended to be. My friend's Zuri and John celebrated their anniversary quite recently. They still loved each other just as the first day they met. Everyday I pray for a love like that. My parents are both healthy and well taken care of.

And I..... I feel the love of everyone around me and most importantly I found the love from within. In my life , I have been through so much and I haven't been able to accomplish much ,until now . I found the peace from within me.

After all is said and done I found me midst all the chaos . I have found love again. I felt whole.......



The End.


Authors note:

Hello lovelies, we have come to the end of this beautiful love story between Marcus and Zawadi. I hope that you enjoyed both books and I hope to see you again in the next one. Love yourself, be kind to others and most importantly be kind to yourself. Love you💜💜. Bye.