Falsely Accused

Nine

Falsely Accused

Chapter Nine.

Several months ago

I was lying in my bed lazily and not thinking about anything in particular. I had the love of Neal so I needed nothing more. He was caring and so peaceful and to me, that was all I wanted. A peaceful boyfriend.

Neal had told me that he would be going to see a friend of his who was actually mutual.

He had requested that I go with him but I bluntly said no. I turned him down.

I wish I had agreed to go with him. Maybe we would have died together or maybe I would have prevented the death. I know I would have done something.

I wouldn’t have lost the love of my life just like that.

I caused his death.

We never went anywhere without each other and whatever happened that day was just not acceptable. It is still a mystery to me to date.

I was lazy and did not feel like leaving the house.

I was in my bed lying on my back and not doing anything specific.

I kept drawing the tiled roof patterns in my head.

Then my mind moved to the day I will be walking down the aisle with my Neal. I loved looking up to that day. I know it would have been the most important day in my life.

I smiled despite myself just thinking about that.

After I lost my parents, Neal was always with me and he made me feel loved and cared for. I still missed my parents though but having Neal around me helped me a lot.

My life without Neal is null, invalid, void, empty and also vapid.

I had not looked at my phone and it was off so I couldn’t hear it ring.

I felt restless and thirsty.

I walked to my fridge and got myself a chilled wine. I couldn’t really tell what I wanted. Then I walked passed the bed to the balcony to watch what was happening in the outside world.

It was around three in the evening and I really wanted to do nothing.

I had not seen Naomi for days because she was always partying, drinking and sleeping around. She never cared about respect for her body and that’s one thing the two of us never agreed on.

She was and still is a party animal

When I went back in, I had finished sipping my wine so I walked to the night stand and picked my phone.

I noticed several missed calls and texts.

All of them were from Neal and I panicked automatically. He never called me so many times unless there was an emergency.

I swiftly dialed his number and it rang severally without being picked. I tried a gain and on the third ring it was picked.

‘’What is burning my love?’’

‘’Paris.’’ That was definitely not Neal.

He doesn’t speak like that. I know him and my heart beat could accelerate at every word he spoke.

‘’What did you say?’’

‘’Come pick your dead boyfriend’s body b***h!’’ that took me by surprise and believe you me I gave him all the attention.

‘’May I know who is speaking?’’ No response. ‘’Are you there?’’ no response

I rushed to my car and drove crazily towards Neal’s house. It was about twenty minutes’ drive from my house.

I couldn’t ask any more questions and so that actually meant I rush blindly to his house. I was calling so I didn’t hang up until I got to his house.

I didn’t hear anyone speak because I was on speaker all this while.

When I got to the house I was shocked. His door was slightly ajar and I peered through the small opening to actually see what was happening.

What I saw made me shiver.

I doubt he even left his house though because when I got there his lifeless body was lying down on the bedroom white tiled floor.

I saw trails of blood and I am sure that the person really struggled to kill Neal. He was strong and always fought his battles well.

I don’t know where I got my energy from but I did have energy. I ran towards the body and said.

‘’Please wake up my love. I am here.’’ He did not respond.

I hugged him. First mistake because that means my finger prints would be found all over him. I didn’t care about that at that moment because all I wanted was for him to talk to me.

His body was bloody and one thing I noticed is that the killer really had an intention.

To kill him.

I cried and when the neighbours came they said he wasn’t dead. I was sweating and panting because of fear of the scene before me.

I had not seen any of those people before but I was really grateful that they were willing to assist. I was confused but I still had to be there for Neal.

He needed me.

He was taken to the hospital by the neighbours.

I was really praying for a miracle. He was bleeding profusely and I hoped against all hopes that he would survive.

He was pronounced dead a few hours later.

May his soul rest in peace with the angels.

I have you in my heart forever and nobody is ever going to remove you from there. Your memory and all the things we did when you were still here will exist forever.

I called Neal’s mum.

‘’Hello mum.’’ She had told me to call her mum but that day, I was a social claimer to her. Not a daughter.

‘’Hi, how are you my daughter?’’

‘’Not good mum.’’

What has happened? Are you okay? She asked caringly and I for some few seconds thought that she really cared about me.

To my surprise, her love never died and she proved that when her son died.

‘’Are you there Nada? What’s up with you?’’

‘’I am okay but Neal isn’t.’’

‘’How come? What has happened to my son? Is he fine and where are you?’’

My heart raced audibly and I sighed loudly before responding innocently.

‘’He is dead.’’

‘’What did you say?’’

She asked so loudly, almost shouting over the phone and trust me I was losing it and if she should stop it or I will go mad.

‘’Mum…’’

‘’Don’t mum me you b***h! What did you do to my son?’’

‘’I didn’t...’’

‘’You did. And I hate that slogan.’’ When she said that the realization hit me that I am to blame for his death.

I was found with him. I found the knife in his hands but I took it away. I am sure I was the last person he called. Where will I hide?

Well, I have no option.

‘’Are you still there b***h?’’ she called me a b***h? She has never done that.

This woman has always been a mother figure. She never ever showed me any disrespect. She’s going to turn against me from the look of things.

I don’t respond to her, instead I terminate the call and remember to call Naomi.

‘’Hi Naomi,’’

‘’Nada!’’ I can tell that she is drunk and I don’t want to deal with drunkards right now.

‘’Neal is dead Naomi, someone stabbed him.’’

‘’Where are you?’’

‘’At the hospital.’’

‘’I will be there shortly.’’ I don’t know where Nada was but she got there within a few minutes and I honestly didn’t think much about it.

I didn’t make it to see Neal’s body since when my famous mother in-law came in, she came with the police and that’s how I got arrested.

I didn’t give him the last respect.

I don’t know where he was buried.

I miss Neal. I love him, I don’t care if he is dead or not, I will never be able to love again.

‘’Mum please don’t let them take me away, I didn’t kill Neal.’’ I begged her almost going on my knees but trust me she never listened.

‘’I will get you a lawyer Nada,’’ Naomi said and hugged me briefly before walking away.

‘’Thank you Naomi.’’ I said weakly.

I don’t know why this woman. Was pretending to have loved his son when I knew so well that he wasn’t her favourite person. Neither was she to him.

At that moment I got to realize that the love she pretended to show me was a lie. It never existed.

The police roughed me up as they led me to their car, I couldn’t resist.

I had no one except Naomi who by the look of things never showed any interest to me. She is too drunk to take care of me so, ‘goodbye to freedom.’

A few days later, I was taken to court and guess who the witness is, the eye witness.

Naomi. My only sister.

‘’I saw everything.’’ She started by saying that. ‘’Nada here was so mad at Neal for cheating on her and that day she swore that she would kill him.’’

When she said that I swear I saw an evil smile on her face but she hid it real quick moving her face away from mine. I bowed my head down and a lone tear escaped.

I didn’t do it. I am being falsely accused.

‘’What else did you hear that day?’’ Neal’s attorney asked her.

‘’I also heard them arguing on phone, this girl here is so evil and she is a threat to the society. If she can kill that young boy who would have been so helpful to the society, then she can kill anyone. Even you your honour.’’ She said and I heard mummers from the crowd.

I don’t know if it is because I am ‘a murderer’ or because she is my sister saying all that trash about me.

I know a few people know her so the little-tattle must be moving around real fast.

‘’Anything else?’’

‘’That’s all your honour.’’

If I ever told you that I knew Naomi, then I was lying. I have never known her. I thought I had her support but whatever I was hearing that day was nothing close to my list of knowledge about her.

I thought she was crazy but I confirmed that my thoughts were actually right.

The judge adjourned the hearing and he said he would give his ruling after two hours.

Later on I was found guilty for the murder of Neal. And believe it or not I was jailed for ten years. I suffered so much, I went through a lot of s**t but in the end, I was rescued by a total stranger and now I am living under his family care.

I was in there for several months.

I got my missing and adorable champion from there. Baby Neilan. I wonder is I will ever hold the baby in my arms.

Please God, do me a miracle. That's my silent prayer.

I was booed and heckled by a few people but some actually showed pity on their faces.

I love Rue’s parents because if not for them, my ass would be rotting in jail.

I didn’t have a lawyer to defend me, neither did I have my parents to stand with me. I was all alone like a total orphan that I was and my last prayer on that day was to find out who wanted me out of the way.

****

When we get home Rue’s mum has served lunch and she scolds us jokingly.

‘’Girls, should help their mum cook. I want to raise my babies responsible.’’

She says with a smile and we smile back.

She is so adorable, so loving and caring. She has welcomed me into her home warmly and I get so comfortable around her.

‘’Okay mum,’’ Rue says with a smile on her face.

Now, can you two sit down and have your lunch?

We all eat together as a family.

She is such a good cook. The food is delicious and I want to know more about her cooking.

After having our lunch, we go together with Rue and her mother to look for a therapist and I am glad when they locate one for me.

These people are as expensive as paying rent in the city and I cannot believe that she or they will take care of that.

I owe them my life.

We are walking, strolling, promenading and ambling in the mall with Rue after her mum goes home leaving us behind.

I don’t want to buy anything but I have no option because my good friend here wants me to have classy dresses and shoes.

She picks those very expensive, classy and well-fitting dresses and the moment I complain, I earn a glare or a smack.

Typical Rue. She is so good hearted.

We move to the cashier to pay and she swipes her card.

We walk out falling in step together with my focus straight ahead.

I swear if my eyes aren’t doing a trick on me, then I just saw Neal. I have seen him again.