CHAPTER ELEVEN
He waited in the reception while his executive room was being prepared. He was offered coffee and muffins while waiting. Jr was then ushered to his room.
“Who owns this place?” He asked the usher.
“Unfortunately I don’t know sir,” she responded frankly.
He was in Yemen, a predominantly Arabic state, and everything was written in Arabic. He threw his luggage on top of the bed. He walked across the room, perplexed by the beauty, soundproofing suite, glittering furniture, touch screen television, an elegant architectural design. He thought about his mother and Ninny, then decide to call them. They were so much happy to hear his voice. They missed him already. He also called Hope. She was captivated by his sweet voice, a lump on her throat dissolved at the sound of his voice. She couldn’t explain how she loved and missed him. The call instilled so much comfort and happiness into her.
Jr then threw himself on top of the bed and gathered some boldness and courage as he was about to meet Alijha at any time. He then fell asleep before he could bathe. The following morning he was woken up by his doorbell. It was time for the servants to prepare his room, but he begged them to come after thirty minutes. He took a quick bath and prepared himself.
Thirty minutes after his shower, the doorbell rang. He opened, and the lady stepped in with a tray of breakfast. At that moment, Jr received a message through the receptionist's telephone that Alijha will come to see him in his room in less than an hour.
After thirty minutes, there was a knock. He was certain that it’s Alijha. He sat calmly on the couch and responded, “Come in, please.” He slowly stepped in, followed by two fine-looking men. Jr rose immediately and gave him a warm hug then shook the hands of other men. Alijha then sat down in front of Jr while the two men remained standing behind him.
“Jr you look like your mom!” Alijha said with astonishment. His voice roared so deep. “Ooh really?” Jr asked with a smile that brimmed exactly like his mom’s.
“It’s such an honour to meet you,” Jr said confidently.
“I’m glad you visited me as well grandson.”
Alijha then introduced the two men to Jr; Jad and Van Zyl.
“We’re meeting again, Jr?” He asked with a mocking smile. Jr felt insulted, he recalled the fight they once had. He looked at him and then kept quiet. The bitterness towards each other could be sensed between the two. Alijha took a look at his grandson.
“What business brings you to Yemen?” Alijha calmly asked.
“I am here for what you promised.” He responded, and Alijha chuckled huskily.
“Oh, that?” “Yes, that.”
“Give him the briefcase,” Alijha ordered, and Van Zyl handed it over to Jr. He received it and placed it on the table. He pressed the unlocking button, and its flap open, a bundle of US Dollars were fully packed in.
“This is half a million,” Alijha said while leaving the room. Van Zyl followed him and Jr was in shock. Jr was more concerned about his mission, how he’s going to execute it. If indeed it will come to pass.
“Hey, Ninny It’s Jr, I miss you so much, angel.”
“How are you, my beloved brother, Mom has been worried about you. She is out now, but Hope is here with us for a weekend.” She said with an excited voice while passing the phone to Hope who was giggling in the background.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
“You sound concerned, what’s wrong,” Jr asked.
“I miss you…and Ninny told us she saw you in a dream having a meeting with some vile men. It disturbed me so much, and your mom is quite worried about it.”
“It was just an illusion, beloved... Tell mom to call me when she is back. I got to go. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He put on shorts, a golf T-shirt, and some locally crafted sandals, which Alijha bought as a present for him. He loitered around the lodge to see and expand his imagination by the beauty that was exhibited there. He marvelled at Alijha’s wisdom that he saw in the uniformity of the vegetation and their vitality.
He enjoyed the cool breeze, the sweet sensation of the windblown by the palm trees. He walked into an orchard and smelled some sweet roses that got him thinking about Hope. The memories they could build together.
$ CHAPTER
CHAPTER ELEVEN
He sat down on a lonely wooden bench, under a dense shadowy tree. Self- introspection, the probability of his plan becoming futile. Will he bring down the Goliath or should he let it go. The vision that Ninny had about his meeting with Alijha. The absurdity of the secret mission. The large sum of money that Alijha gave him. How he’s going to present it to his family. He meditated and pondered intensively.
At that moment he went into a trance and saw the spirits that dominated that lodge Alijha’s lodge. The spirit of lust, bloodshed, and blood money. There was a brothel, in which some captured young girls were kept as sex workers. Alijha had shed multitudes of innocent blood in that lodge. The business profits were driven by altars erected by human blood. The lodge was an evil sacrament. Jr also saw that his father was killed in that lodge. In that trance, he fumed and breathed bitterness, resentment, and anger, and he shouted at the top of his voice, “I’m going to kill him, I swear!”
He was then woken up by a sweet voice. The beautiful lady waved at him as if she was just on her way. He called her with a gesture, and she immediately tiptoed to him on her stilettos. He remembered it’s the lady who served her with tea in his room in the morning. He drifted aside a bit, giving her enough space to sit beside him. Nervously, she slowly sat down and greeted him.
“I am a Dinny. Hope you still remember me?” She said with a smirk.
“Yes I do, who would forget such a beauty. I’m Jr.” She smiled with so much a delicacy in her face, as if her lips could drip honey. Her skin tone was so smooth and angelic. Her rosy blouse exhibited her cleavage, and her pencil skirt drew out her curling hips. Such a tremendous beauty next to him. “Let me leave, the boss is going to take serious measures against me if he sees me here with you,” She said while looking at both sides.
“Who is the boss?”
“The one who came to see you today.” She said, trying to avoid a direct answer.
“What kind of a person is he?” She hesitated to answer. She looked sideways and then said, “He’s scary, and he’s not a remorseful boss.”
“You’re living under fear and gruesomeness. It’s not humane. How often does he come here?”
“He doesn’t come often. But his guys come daily. Please let me leave now.” He watched her with lustful eyes as she walked away from him, with swaying hips on her clinging skirt. As she faded away, he rose and went to his room as well for supper, and to take a shower for it was 18:30. While walking, he asked himself, “What if this lady is one of Alijha’s spies?”
He took a quick shower and then relaxed on top of the bed. His room attendant brought the food. Roasted pork ribs with pap. His phone rang, he was startled before answering the call. It was his mother, they shared some jokes and laughed unreservedly. A refreshing moment for the mother to have a sense that his son is doing well. With a giggle, she reminded him of Ninny’s dream. Still, he dismissed it with a soft cackle saying the dream is just warning him not to associate with strangers,n Ireland.
His words brought so much peace there. Jr then left his room to the bar, but not everyone was freely admitted into the canteen. The bouncers looked at his face and asked him about his age. He quaked and told them about his relationship with Alijha and his room number. They all smiled and gave him handshakes while opening to let him in. As he stepped in, people were puzzled for he was dressed in shorts, contrary to that executive bar; which is smart casual. Every man was dressed as if they had come for a tycoon’s meeting. He sat by the counter, and the disco lights dazzled him, making him even dizzier. He ordered a soft drink and this shocked Dinny, the cashier.
A muscular man stood in front of him and asked, “what’s bringing you here, young man?” “The same thing that brings you here.” He answered audaciously. The giant looked at him, head to toe, then sipped his beer nodding his head with a faked smile. Jr sipped his drink as well while shifting his attention off the giant. He looked at Jr then turned and walked away to his friends. “See me in my room, after work. I’ve got questions that need answers.” Jr whispered to Dinny.
While Dinny was about to respond, some gangsters stood in front of Jr, and the giant was in their midst. Dinny retreated, trembling, at that moment she sensed gushing blood, something she witnessed more often. When Van Zyl noticed it was Jr, he stepped in front and greeted him. Then said to his crew, “This is Jr, he’s Alijha’s grandson.” They all calmed, even the giant’s rage melted.
“It’s good to see you Van Zyl,” He said while giving him another handshake. The other guys went back to their seats while Van Zyl remained to chat with Jr.