2 Heated Gun (1/2)

f.u.c.k! f.u.c.k!” she stomped her feet on the carpet, her glistering silver heels was embellished with pure crystals, momentarily shooting dazzling colours of lilac and a glint of baby pink. The blooms of her wedding gown covered the back seat trailing outside the door, quickly her mother shoved the rest of her dress before she joined the bride. The smell of her perfume CoCo Chanel gave the car a new feel, it was a secret known by clever brides; the thought infused a mischievous smile on her face. Dayo sighed as she glanced at her mother, how time ies. Fine lines were at the corners of her mouth, which dotted a remembrance that age had begun to tell on her.

Dayo doubted she would ever stop needing the elderly woman. Grat.i.tude lled her heart and made her lips tremble, her eyes stung as fond memories swished her mind, she shook her head, not wanting to give in to her emotions. Why did everything make her so sentimental? Excitement and anxiety cooked in her stomach; if she didn't take care she might need to use the restroom.

”f.u.c.k!” she emphasized once more, spreading her fancy fan and battering the sparkling object endlessly, she touched her silky hair and was satis ed all was in place. She had a lot on her mind. Was her dress perfect? Will he gasp at the mere sight of her? What if something goes wrong? Her mother squeezed Dayo's hand, rea.s.suring the stunning lady that everything would go as planned.

They did almost everything together, so much to catch up on and yet it felt as though there wasn't time on their side, now she was home after so long and used every moment to catch up with her family.

”I have told you Dayo not to curse in the white man's tongue—that is not how a proper lady should talk. Besides you will be getting married today, therefore you have to be watchful of the things you say” she stared sternly at her daughter, but Dayo's mind was elsewhere. She was so distracted, her mother's warnings pa.s.sed unregistered.

”I will miss you my daughter” her lips tightened in constraint.

”I will miss you too mum”, her voice quaked. She had been in Canada most of her adult life and she came home just to fall in love with the man of her dreams. Of course it wasn't that easy. She had kissed a few ”frogs” before her prince charming came along, but luck was indeed on her side, not many nd true love.

”Everything will be ne!” she a.s.serted. The veil on her face, bathed her with an angelic allure; delicate and soft. She was wearing a pair of long scarlet lashes, sparkly eye shadows that complimented her hazel eyes and those lips were a shade of Tom Ford Cherry lush. She softly battered her lashes, a practice of the irting she would throw at her husband to be. Today was the most important day of her life, she sighed as her heart beat tripled.

She couldn't wait to see him. His tall frame, squared shoulders and ruggedly handsome features. Everything had to be perfect but something was amiss—she felt it within her bones. Dayo couldn't help but feel dread spread through the depth of her belly. Quickly her ngers touched her lips, teeth ready to bite those pretty manicured nails; but it took the timely interception of her mother's stare, for old habits to stay dead!

”Dayo ki lo n ro?” her mother asked what could have caused her anxiety.

”Mummy, eru nba mi”, she inhaled sharply; her Yoruba slightly out of intonation. ”Something doesn't feel right”, she sighed and had started to sweat, even with the air conditioner swiftly caressing her skin. She didn't want to inform her mother of the dream she had the previous night; the horri c images still lingered in her mind. He had appeared in her dreams again.

Bolagade was her ex-boyfriend; her perfect image of adventure. Things were smooth at rst then had turned sour at an accelerated rate. He suddenly became possessive, unreasonably demanding and intentionally coy with his feelings. His quick temper did not seem like a big deal at rst but with time, she saw the aring signs and had to ee. He stalked her for a while and wouldn't let her out of his sight. Being the true daughter of Mrs. Ades.h.i.+na, she broke things o with the mad man. It wasn't easy but with enough persistence and help from her parents, she was able to put the horrible experience behind her. Although she hadn't heard from him in a long time but she felt he was still lingering in the dark corners of her mind, waiting to surface. Dayo's instinct warned her of a crawling peril that gnawed for an opportunity to erupt; an appalling feeling she couldn't ignore.

As if reading her daughter's mind, Mrs. Ades.h.i.+na gently patted her daughter's thigh and whispered in her ears, ”He's gone.”

”But I had a dr…”

”I a.s.sure you the police did their best; he wouldn't bother you again. Don't let that demon spoil your day. You are going to get married and nothing in the world can stop that”. With rekindled con dence, Dayo hugged her mother.

”Thank you mummy”

”For what?”

”For being the best, even when father wasn't around. You tried your best to….” She paused, biting her lips again; as if that would prevent the churning sobs in her chest from bursting out. A tear betrayed her and slid down her cheek, she looked up in shock, what was she doing? Her make-up was ruined, d.a.m.n it! She shook her head as she tried to restrain those hot liquid from pouring again.

”When you see your father, I don't want you to give him an att.i.tude. I don't want people to talk”

”How can you say that mum, after all he has done? I was ne with Korede walking me down the aisle”

”I know you love your brother but people will talk; he is your father and it is his duty to walk you down the aisle. A father is di erent from a brother”

”He was never there for me, now he wants to be my father!” she frowned. She hated having this conversation, tension swelled on her shoulders. Oh, thunder re that man! She was to smile and pretend he was the best father; how cruel society was.

”Shhhhhhhh…. I have spent most of my life angry but I can't do that anymore, I have to move on and so do you” she wore a sad smile.

Back at the church, the congregation waited patiently for the bride, murmurs began to stew and Henry was terri ed Dayo might be a runaway bride. Why wasn't she here? Did she change her mind? After her experience with that lunatic he tried treading cautiously and earned every bit of her trust. Did she just….no! No! He refused to believe that. She was the love of his life and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. If she ran from him, he would search through the luxury and rubbish that came with the world and convince her to stay.

The loud swing of the door made him jump, everyone turned in antic.i.p.ation including the groom, all waiting to catch a glimpse of the bride, his heart soared with hope and he held his breath brie y, eyes wide with questions. His antic.i.p.ation was replaced by horror. Three muscular men were fully armed and stood at the entrance; two average in height and the other tall. They paused as their eyes did a quick sweep of the environment, before ring at the people seated. They approached, still shooting at the frantic crowd. Walking gallantly on the soft rug like villains do, when making an entrance in a movie. Screams and gun powder lled the air. Splinters of furniture ew rapidly and the piercing sound of shattering gla.s.s was deafening.

Fear so acidic he could taste every bitter and scorching tang of it. Their faces were covered with black masks, blood spilled and the bright colour tarnished the holy ground, blending in with the red rug. Henry's mother tried to run to safety and he knew it was a matter of time before the spinning bullets will aim for her, quickly he grabbed the fragile woman and covered her with his strong body, bullets rippled through him and he fell with her in his arms.

She held her son's face as she screamed, and pled he stay awake. Sounds seeped into a mute corner in his mind, and the only image he saw was his soon-to-be bride. He wouldn't see her again. Was that how unfortunate he was? He tried to speak but couldn't stay focused enough. Darkness battled for control and won.

Henry jolted awake, he had di culty breathing at rst but soon his lungs expanded. The smell of antiseptic lled him with panic and the unrelenting pain drove him to insanity. There were armed men at his side, guns visible. It took brief seconds to determine if they were allies or foes. With their military uniforms, he sighed in relief. Swiftly his mother ran to his side, caressing his face; her features swollen and cringed with exhaustion.

”Where is she?” his voice raw with agony. His mother looked away, avoiding her son's question.

”We don't know yet, we have been looking for her”, she explained quickly ”I am so happy you are alive, I don't know what I would do if I had lost you”.

”I don't understand” he tried to sit up but paused with caution. ”How long have I been unconscious?” The armed men gave their full military compliments, even as they watched their commander in pain. With enough endurance he sat upright; fear brewed his inside to pulp but he tried putting a brave face in front of his soldiers.

”Two days sir.”

”Two days?” his eye b.a.l.l.s widened in alarm.

”We are doing all we can to nd her sir, and we are sure with time we would locate her”, one of his soldiers spoke with such con dence, if he didn't know any better, he would have been fooled but he was steps ahead. He had trained them to speak that way, so he knew of the little tricks and façade displayed to mask away doubts.

Who would want to do this? Enemies and foes triggered endless suspicion but none held a.s.surance except…