HEART MADE OF STEEL

The beginning

Lalita's Garden was simply splendid.The driveway to the entrance had a line of tall jacaranda trees on both sides. The purple flowers showered the paved path making it look like a place out of a painting. Beyond the gates at the entrance the grounds were lush green grounds that would make most gardeners jealous.

Straight ahead the road was gravelled with white quarry. This gave one an instant feeling for the countryside which was filled with fresh air tinted with a fragrance of blossoming flowers.

Five hundred meters or so along that path was the main kitchen. It was a thatched type of a shed supported by strong, thick wooden pillars. This kitchen gave the customers a refreshing feeling of witnessing the chefs cooking and preparing meals as they watched from the counter.

Inside, all state of the art cullinary equipment you can find in a morden restaurant kitchen were stocked. Around the kitchen there were wooden stools of expensive mahogany.

Those who did not want the hustle of doing the barbecue themselves would sit around the kitchen area and watch the chefs do their thing.

Next to the kitchen was a thatched shed of similar design that was the bar area.

All around the private park there were resting areas scattered among the beautiful trees where families could sit on the wooden benches and wooden sofas while they barbecue and have a fun time.

There were playing grounds for the kids with slides, rocking toy horses, merry-go-round and more. Lalita's Garden stretched far East, where there was a man-made dam. There were boat rides as well as zip lines across the dam for the more daring.

This place was popular for celebrating birthdays, graduation parties or just hanging out...away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Danika steered her car along the gravelled path to one of the many parking areas. She parked her car and got down. The shades covering her eyes made it hard to decipher her expression.

She got her bag from the back seat then locked the car. Her group of friends that she had come to value a great deal had already arrived. She could hear their animated chatter as she got close.

She weaved through the tall beautiful trees in her wedge sneakers. Her wide hips swayed from side to side with each step she took. Where she passed, heads turned. The beautiful woman who smelled divine was a strong and confident woman.

Looking at her, no one would know there were scars that were like claw marks, that marred her heart. No one could detect how much pain...and how many struggles she had to battle before being the strong woman she was today.

She faced her hurdles head on, never backing down. She taught herself self-worth. She pushed herself to become the best she could be regardless of how difficult her situation was.

"Oh wow. Look, Miss Supermodel has finally arrived" Tessa the talkative of the bunch exclaimed. She was holding a glass of fruit cocktail. Sultry clothes were her thing. She was wearing a long elegant dress that was backless. The top was made of two straps just covering her D cup breasts which jiggled with every slight movement.

"I think that's your title not mine, Tes".

Danika sat opposite Tessa, where there was an empty space. Next to her was Didi, who sat next to Fiona. Opposite them sitting with Tessa was Yolanda. The five ladies were an odd bunch that had sad lives.

"My title is Miss Universe love" She took another sip.

"I saw Steve" Danika said after placing her bag on the space beside her.

"What?" Didi.

"Didn't you say you left him in that small town"

"I did. I think that he came here for business or on holiday with his family. He was walking with the wife and two kids. Seems the first child was born when I was still clueless about the affair" she shrugged her shoulders.

"How are you. Are you okay" Fiona asked very concerned.

"I'm okay. I'm fine"

"Okay let's not keep talking depressing stuff. Fiona go get us the meat from the kitchen babe"

Fiona looked at Tessa hauntingly.

"Why me? Go get it yourself."

"Because you are the youngest?"

"You know I'm not the youngest. Dani is the youngest"

"Actually I meant the opposite"

"Are you calling me old"

"What? No, I said you are the youngest but you did not appreciate it. Gosh Fiona just move that fat ass.."

"Tes don't be a bully" Didi

"Isn't her ass fat"

"It is. What I meant.."

"Alright guys please stop. I will go and get the meat. This is crazy" Danika said leaving her friends to continue their banter.

...

Ian was sprawling on the lawn under a tree that cast a wonderful shade. All strength and will exhausted by his two children. Ian Jr his six year old son was driving him nuts. The little guy had said he wanted to go somewhere peaceful. Where they could have fun as a family and Ian had thought of Lalita's Garden. Now that they were here the little guy wasn't cooperative. He was demanding they find another place.

By another place he did not mean they leave Lalita's, what he meant was that they find a better spot to sit. Ian was tired. This was the fifth time they were going to change a spot, but it seemed the little guy wasn't happy.

The little girl sitting near him was a quiet one. She did not speak. Ever. When she was born the doctors did not find anything wrong with her. They decided that she was autistic and worried that it was so bad she would never talk in her life. Her quiet demeanour would fool most but not Ian. Nor his parents.

His kids had been staying with his parents until a few months ago when they came to his house one day and said they had had enough. He thought they were exaggerating, he soon got enlightenment. The little girl would wreck havoc where ever she moved turning the house upside down when she got upset. This usually happened when her father brought a female friend over. The friend would leave because Ian would be occupied. Today Ian had invited a lady that he was really interested in and thought that if the kids met her in such an environment they would warm up to her.

Wrong.

"I.J can you please have mercy on your father. You guys can't treat him like this.."

"Who are you again" I.J

The lady was shocked. The little guy looked at her in the eye and spoke without wavering. He did not sound six at all.

"I.J I told you her name like a hundred times. She's Noli" Ian threw an arm over his eyes thoroughly paralysed. He didn't know what to do with his son who pretended to act dumb when actually he was very smart.

"Noli. Please refrain from calling me I.J. Only those close to me get that privilege. Now. What are you doing here?"

"I.J please don't start. Can't we just enjoy ourselves in peace. I need her help with you guys since your uncle and aunt had to go back with your grandparents. Please. You can tell me whatever you want and I will give it to you"

"I want her to leave" the guy said while rolling a ball in his hands.

"I mean I can get you anything if you can just let her stay."

I.J thought for a while, index finger on his chin. Then he smiled reveling faint dimples that he shared with his little sister. Ian often wondered why they had those because neither him nor his late wife had them. And noone had such a feature from both families.

"I got it. I know what I want. Dad you have to promise me you will give it to me, no matter what. Okay?"

Alarm bells went off in Ian's head but he was so tired and just wanted to relax that he thought he would deal with the consequences later on.

"Thats fine little guy. What do you want?" he sighed.

"I want miss Moli to leave once Aya finds mum"

"I.J she's Noli." he said exasperated.

He didn't understand what was wrong with his son for the past few weeks. He kept talking about his 'mum'. Saying that once she came things would be better. That he and Ayana would be happy.

There were some crazy things that he talked about that had Ian worried. He would say his great grandfather visited him in a dream and told him not to worry. He was about to meet his mum.

"Didn't you say that your wife is dead? What is he talking about?"

"Just ignore him. He's just a kid"

"Um..dad. You might wanna find Aya."

Thats when I.J's earlier statement came back to him. The boy said when Aya finds mum...

Ian jumped as he scanned the area for his little daughter. He could not see her anywhere.

"I.J where is your sister?"

"She's gone looking for mum"

Ian wanted to slap his son so badly he trembled. The guy was calm. Rolling his ball and uttering pure nonsense. Was he saying Ayana had gone to find a ghost. The boy was young but smart enough to understand that his mother was dead and never coming back.

"Ian whats going on. Why does I.J keep saying.."

"Ian. My name is Ian, miss Moli"

"I'm Noli"

"Call me Ian and I will call you Noli, Moli"

"Shut up!" Ian yelled."Both of you shut the hell up. Ayana is missing and you are arguing about your silly names "

"You need to be a better father"

"I.J!"

"I'm serious. How can you bring this lady over here to meet your kids. No wonder Aya ran off. She wants to find mum as soon as possible."

"Get up" Ian said while grabbing his phone and car keys. "We are going to find Aya. Right now!"

"Maybe we should split up. Why don't we put our stuff inside the car first.."

"Are you serious? My daughter is missing and all you can think about is this food?"

"No. I mean what if they steal..."

"Miss Moli dad is trying to tell you that all this isn't as important as Ayana"

"Right" she cleared her throat while grabbing her hand bag.

"We will go this way. Why don't you go that way" Ian said already in motion.

"Okay."

Ian and his son walked around the nearby groups of families and friends asking about a little girl that was seen crawling around but none saw anything.

Ayana was a toddler just over two years old but she could not walk. She was still crawling which worried her dad to no end. What was even worse was that the doctors said that her muscles and bones where fine. She was not handicapped. They said once she decided to stand up she would, until then they could only try and encourage her.

"Dad you have to remember, you said that you will chase Moli away once we find mum"

"Can you stop saying that! Which mom are you talking about.?"

He wanted to yell She's dead! but there were many eyes looking at them so he forced his anger to remain under control.

"You know your mother is no longer with us. Why do you keep saying all this?"

"That was not my mum "

This was something that Ian did not understand too. The boy had never called his mother 'mum' not once. If he told the guys at his office half the things his son said on a daily basis they would think he was crazy or making things up.

He sometimes thought that maybe his son had lost it. Or maybe their whole family was gaga.

"I.J what I need right now is for you to help me find your sister. Can you do that? Can I trust that you will not play any games and take this seriously?"

The boy looked up at his father's face and nodded.

"I promise."

"Thats good. Now where do you think she might have gone. We need to be fast, remember there is a dam somewhere in this garden"

"Why don't we move in that direction" I.J pointed towards the main kitchen.

After walking and asking around they made it to the main kitchen where Ian got the shock of his life.

Just a few feet from him stood his daughter on her two feet, tightly holding onto a lady's long blouse. Ayana was tugging the woman and what was coming out of her mouth froze Ian on the spot.

"Mama" She repeatedly called.

The word echoed in Ian's skull. Because at that point... his head was truly empty.