Chapter 9 Lucas and his curiosity Nopaz' s coping mechanism

Lupam just finished cooking Lunch and she informed Lati.

"Ohh. I am still trying to read some mail I have on the computer. Just leave it for now, in the next one hour, you can microwave it for me. How about Lucas 'food, Is it served already? he will soon be back from school" Lati said staring at the wall clock.

"I am just about to cook his food Sir. I made potato porridge and he doesn't like it. His noodles will be done in no time" Lupam explained. Lati nodded his head, Lupam was about going into the kitchen when Lati called her back.

"Yes sir" she answered.

"Lupam, I know I don't say this often but I want to thank you for the good service you have been rendering to this family. I know that you are being paid for it but it's rare to find such a person as you. You have been working and staying with us for twelve years even before my daughter died. You are so loyal and honest and I like the fact that I could easily trust Lucas with you. You are not just a maid but you have become part of this family"

Lupam gave a quick smile and bowed : "You are welcome sir. I cherish this family a lot also, I am just doing what is expected,my duty"

Lati nodded his head in satisfaction and further told her to be free to ask him if she ever needs anything. "Ok sir. Thank you sir" she said as she proceeded into the kitchen.

Five years ago, Lupam had left Lati's house for a year and six months as she got pregnant for her boyfriend, got married to him and eventually had a baby. Her husband worked as a miner in of the mineral industries in a neighbouring town but unfortunately he was an irresponsible man who never provided for his family. He would squander his salary on Alcohol and Gambling. He wouldn't show up for many months and when he did, dropped down very few cash which was never enough for Lupam and her baby. When things became difficult for her, she left her husband's house, dropped the baby with her mother and had to go back to Lati's house to continue her work so she could fend for herself and her child. When she came back, Lati had already hired a maid but still, he took Lupam in after she narrated her ordeal. He said he would be paying her even if it appeared her work would be limited. He literally took her in to help her. A year after, the other maid left as she got admission into the university.

Lupam was still in the kitchen making Lucas' food when Lucas came in from school tiredly and greeted his Grandpa, Lati gave him a hug and asked about his day at school but then he noticed his knee it was slightly sore. Lati was furious and concerned

"What is wrong with your knee?.. Who did this to you?" Lati asked

"It's my teacher Grandpa. I was part of those that came to school late.. He made all of us kneel down". Lucas said

"What? He made you kneel till your knee hurts you?.. I will shoot that teacher. Is he an idiot?!" Lati raved but Lucas said it was okay and didn't hurt much. Still Lati insisted he would follow him to school the next morning to warn that teacher of his. He loved

Lucas and couldn't watch him get hurt. Not even by a teacher. "I won't shoot him just.. just warn him.. I won't shoot anyone anymore" He said as though he was hallucinating and tears filled his eyes

"What's wrong Grandpa?..".. Lucas asked, he has never seen his grandfather cry.

"Nothing.. Nothing.. "He said wiping his eyes with a handy towel

"Go change your clothes inside and come for your food" Lati said. "Lupam should be done by now

"Okay. Grandpa. Did you later book my Game pads for me" Lucas asked.

"Yes I did. I called the company line and ordered for it. Do not worry. It will be delivered here in three days time

"Oh. Thanks Grandpa!" Lucas said hugging him happily. But then he remembered something and asked

"Grandpa, please tell me those things today. I'm itching to know. I'm grown up now. How did my mother die? You have never told me anything about her other than she died

."You're still a kid, Lucas "replied Lati still staring at a newspaper. "You are Ten. Go in and change your clothes!"

"Grandpa, this is not fair!" Lucas raised his voice. Lati sighed heavily. If only this boy knew the pain he was going through, the pain he had to bear for ten years. He would have killed himself but because of Lucas had decided to live. Lucas noticed his Grandpa's eye was filled with tears.

"I know you must feel very bad that she is dead but please....."

Lucas pleaded. But Lati cut in

"No you don't. I really hope you won't. Your mother was a beautiful woman, gorgeous, smart and intelligent". Lucas listened attentively but Lati stopped because he hated to talk about Mitah to anyone again

The pain it used to bring to his heart is unimaginable. "She loved and cared for you before she died. She treated you as her life".

Lucas was touched! "Really? I wish she were still alive". He said sadly. "How did she die? He asked

"Lucas .... Stop punishing me please", Lati said shaking his head in tears --

Lucas was not happy seeing Lati that way. "Am I punishing you Grandpa? Okay I'm sorry. I won't ask that again now, may be later. So, what about my father?" He asked.

"What?" Lati replied in anger and frowned at the boy. "You have never asked me that!" He said almost yelling. "Yes, because you never told me about my mother. I wanted to know about her first"

. "You don't have a father, Lucas", Lati said

"Is that possible?" Asked Lucas.

"Lucas, if you respect me as your Grandfather, you don't ask about your father okay? He is not fit to be your father. He will be a burden to you. A misfortune so you don't have a father.

You have me, Lucas. Isn't that enough for you?

"But, I still have to know my father" The boy insisted.

"Get away from my sight. Go in and change your clothes!" Lati retorted back. Lucas simply went inside. He didn't want to annoy Lati more. But why wouldn't he tell him about his parents? He was always jealous when his friends were talking about their mother and father.

Soon, there was a knock on the door. "Enter Lati replied still reading, Lati's old friend Lieutenant General Camp entered and closed the door. Camp had just been promoted to the deputy general of the Liba Army the previous year, after being promoted once already after Lati's retirement and that now makes

him a LG. They both greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries". Where is your boy?

"Camp asked.

"Oh, he is inside", Lati replied. LG. Camp had been frequent to their house for the past ten years.

"He should be in Junior Secondary class one by now. I heard their school will have their award giving day soon"", Camp said.

"Yes. He is, how is work?"

"Oh, work is good, but it would never be good as back then when you were there. Lati, I hope Lucas doesn't still ask about his mother much?" Camp asked.

"He does. He just asked me now".

"You shouldn't make the mistake of telling the boy the truth", Camp advised. "He will hate you till eternity".

"I won't Camp, even though sometimes I am tempted to. How would I tell him that I killed his mother? I will just carry this burden till I die".

"Lati, stop blaming yourself. It was a mistake. When will you learn to accept that as a deadly mistake? "He asked. that would be the first time they would talkabout that incident in two years. "I know. But I am having another problem, this boy won't stop coming after Lucas. Dino or whatever he is called"

"Martin's son?"asked Camp

"Of course. That simp!"He hissed

"But that is why I sent some of the boys (soldiers) to guard around your house for the past 9 years. They now take that as their job and you know they are being paid for it. You requested for them and It was granted. It is to prevent all these. He still disturbs with the boys around?..Tell me I can send in another set if those ones aren't competent. I doubt if he could resist an army of soldiers though"

"Not that...You know they do not come here on Wednesdays. He had come around on that day"Lati said. "I specifically requested for the boys because of that stupid boy! Not anything else"

Camp heaved a sigh"And what did u do to him?

"Nothing except I released Kanny (dog) at him. The most surprising thing was Kanny didn't attack him at all"

"Mmmmm. That's strange but all the same, do not worry yourself too much. There is no way he can have access to you here. Unless he wants to risk his life. "Camp assured.

Lati nodded his head and thanked him especially for his support through out the years

"Lati, stop it. Apart from being my friend, you were my boss, the former General of the Liba Army. You deserve it and more because you have served this State well" Camp said.

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

Nopaz is now a club owner. He manages a big club. He also could not forget about that incident. He was a jerk but he liked Mitah and he blamed it all on Lati. He wasn't patient enough. He wanted to kill him at all cost. At the same time, he blamed himself, he loved Mitah and he shouldn't have pushed her to the bullet stray .But he was in a tight situation. He didn't want to lose his life as Lati had claimed to kill him even as he already surrendered Mitah to him. But in the first place, he shouldn't have kidnapped her at all. He remembered the incident again this particular day as he drank his vodka and he angrily hit the glass cup on the wall. He was in his office at his club

"Should I say I love my life more than her!?. "he murmured to himself and growled. Then he heard a knock on the door. It was Netap his personal bodyguard.

Nopaz, Netap and one other guy had made it ten years ago at the scene. Netap entered with Nopaz girlfriend Aliyah. Nopaz had been sleeping with different girls especially after Mitah's death to get rid of the hurt and guilt he felt occasionally. Not that he was not a Playboy before her death but he now turned himself to a beast-like man who bring in girls and 'fuck'them just to get rid of hurt and not for pleasure like before. Just two years ago he decided to be serious with Aliyah, planning to engage her but that still didn't stop him from sleeping with other girls though he had reduced the rate at which he does it "She is here to see you" Netap told him.

Nopaz dismissed Netap and Aliyah walked over to him, she smelt of expensive aura; dressed in a colorful short gown which barely covered her thighs as her heels made sounds in the quiet room, She noticed he had been breathing heavily.

"What is it this time?.. Don't tell me it's that dead girl again messing with you" Aliyah said dropping her bag as she folded her arms

"She is not Messing with me! Her ghost is not haunting me, so stop with the crap" Nopaz said pointing his fingers at her, then rubbing his hands on his curly hair looking obviously stressed.

"Then what is the problem?"

"I just can't..get rid of the guilt I feel". Nopaz said sadly pouring himself another cup of vodka

"What guilt?..You said her father shot her! So why are you always feeling guilty? Look can you just stop with this dead girl. It freaks me out! You disrespect me when you start thinking of her." Aliyah said almost yelling

"I loved her. And stop calling her a dead girl!"

Aliyah got quite pissed with what Nopaz just muttered. "So what is she?.. Isn't she dead already? But wait, you loved her?!"she asked as she started to laugh, then she stopped "How can you love her and still push her to her own death!" Aliyah emphasized staring at him in the eyes as if to spite him for daring to declare his love for her in her presence.

Nopaz felt as if a wound was re opened in him all over again

"How dare you!, Get out!, Get out now!'He yelled at her. Aliyah looked at him felt regretful for some seconds, picked her bag and left.

"Bitch"Nopaz uttered. He lighted a cigarette as he sat down unsettled