STAR-CROSSED LOVERS

Light swallowed the darkness. I must have opened my eyes. At first, there was nothing but the pain. It began as a low rumble, background noise. It was almost soothing , the way it folded around me like a blanket. It made my mind dull, gave me a place to hide. It throbbed.It hummed. It came in waves, tossing me up, dragging me under, washing over me, carry me away from myself, from everything. But it was growing. Swelling into an uproar. The pain stopped cradling me, began Clawing at me . Just like a living beast ripping me apart from the inside, struggling to break free from to the outside world. The darkness is nipped at the edge of my mind, crawling back, offering me peace, a sleep free of pain I accepted. But I tried to scream and it came out as a pathetic squeak,but it was enough. The tiniest of motions- opening my mouth, drawing in a breath, tipping my head back to unleash the sound -sent a new, different kind of pain screaming through me.It was sudden and sharp, the knife slicing across my belly. It cut through the dull fog of my mind.The bright light of the world resolved itself into defined shapes and for the first time in my life, I was afraid. The light was blazing through a haze of acrid gray smoke.It hurt to squint.It hurt more to look away.I lay on my back, my arms stretched out to my sides.Beneath me,the ground was uneven. Small sharp object boarded into my back, biting into my skin. Somehow, they made everything fake-slowly and slowly I was floating into the darkness again . I could not move my head but darted my eyes from side to side.Nothing. Nothing but pitted smoke and blue sky with clouds,and a sound of a fountain nearby. A fountain? Where am I? My breath rasped as I sucked in more air. There was a tickle at the back of my mind ,like a voice i could just be hear. The answer was here just beyond my reach. I stood up abruptly expecting to feel some pain in my limbs,after all it felt as though several of my limbs were broken a few minutes ago,but I felt nothing.Nothing but numbness at the sides.I am still in my traditional wedding dress,an orange skirt with black strikes,an orange blouse with strips and orange bangles,I plated my hair with ponytails using wool though it was not even long,it was short with curls but it made me look cute,especially when I smile.Today is my wedding day,as well as my birthday.My father,the chief of Manyana had arranged my marriage to another chief from a nearby village,the village of Mmankgodi.It was what he was supposed to do,but I had refused,there is absolutely no way that I should be forced to get married especially to a man who I don't even know.Especially at the time when my mother needs me the most,she is sick and though she does not say it,it is probably from the fact that my father spends most of his time with his eighth wife.I told my father that I would rather marry a thief rather than marry a chief,and I got a slap for that.The thing is my father and I had always had a clash with each other ever since ...wait a minute...just where on earth am i?The only thing I remember is running away from a strange man I got married to instead of the chief of Mmankgodi?I already knew something was wrong.He had his face covered with a traditional scuff,and just when it was announced that he should kiss me ,I realized he was not the chief. I did not waste time. I immediately started running away. Everyday.Every second of my life is meaningless,painful.Betrayal.Couldnt my father have been a little bit caring for once.Its my birthday.My wedding day. Suddenly something flickered at the corner of corner.At first I thought I was imagining him at the corner of my eyes -motion,where before there had only been stillness.At first,I thought he was a phantom and waited for him to disappear Instead,he approached.Slowly and elegantly . He wore a long,beautifully embroidery white garment.He was just a silhouette against the sun,his face radiating too much light,the light that I saw,I realized was from this man's blazing eyes.And there can only be such a creature with these features. An angel! I noticed a huge,golden gate behind him,and two more angels behind him holding huge books and a bell...one angel was reading out a man's sin out aloud while another rang the man through which the woman besides him looked on with hope towards the gate,which slowly opened up in response to the ringing bell. Heaven? Immediately I fell to the ground.Terror sweeping through me ,without reason and without end.I needed to stand,to run,to escape from this nightmarish dream. Am I dead? I started panicking.I am doing that because I can't die now...not when my life is such a mess right now.I need to fix everything in my life.Now, body told me.But I couldn't catch my breath,I couldn't stop shaking. And I can't run away- can't even sit up.It was as if my hands and feet were tied up by shackles.I was too terrified and just when I thought of screaming ,I noticed feet before me. An angel!He is here! The angel drew closer ,circling around me,almost as if he was the one afraid of me.My muscles tensed up and I opened my mouth,but my throat closed up.I could not make a sound.The light figure was almost on me when it suddenly stopped,realizing that it was scaring me.He drew back and spoke in a powerful voice, " Ruth Mbi!" My eyes grew wide with terror.He knows my name.Of course he knows my name...he is an angel. I tried to speak but it came out as a pathetic squeak, "Y-Yes?" He giggled as though he was proud of the terror he instilled in me because of his powerful and authentic voice.He went on, "Died on the fourteenth of February,on your wedding day,the very day that happens to be your birthday?" I am very aware of the fact that that was not a question but rather an exclamation but his exclamation caught me off-guard,it make my breath shudder in panic. Am I really dead? "Get up,get inside,your sins are forgiven ...you have gone through a lot...but it's about time that your tears shall be wiped now" Tears? Actually he is right.My mother told me about the realm of the other world about how serene and beautiful it is,she often told me that if one were to go to heaven,they would instantly forget all the pain they were going through,and they would embrace the new world with all of their heart and live forever in love and peace.I am positive that once I go in,I will find that much peace,after all I want it too I mean who doesn't. "I-actually I cannot...no!" ,I immediately stood up and I bet the angel was shocked by my feminine self.I stood boldly in front of him,but I must admit,I was actually very terrified of him. "Impressive.You know my dear,nobody has ever been able to stand up boldly to me without staggering.But I must admit,you are one brave girl I have ever met,both in your past life and your afterlife" "You are right sir."I squeaked pathetically,"Nobody can speak to you without terror in his heart,even I myself find it hard," tears formed on my eyes,stinging the back of my nose, "However,I am standing right here,staring into your blazing eyes,just as I stood before chiefs and elders in my village trying to stand up for women.I am so sorry sir but...I cannot go in." "Is this about the revenge?" He circulated around me,sending electric impulses down my spine,yet I did not barge, "I don't know,but what I know is I need a second chance at this. Bring me back to life and I shall punish those who wronged me and other women." He giggled in a childlike manner,his laughter was so serene that it made me melt , "I suppose nobody ever told you that the dead never go back to life." "I know..."I stammered, "but I also know that nothing is impossible for the Almighty.Am pretty sure he can help me"I suddenly fell back on my feet and folded my hands together just like I often do when I take a prayer, "Please help me...I-I just can't leave my mother in that cruel world-" "-I have heard a lot of spirits asking me and other angels to let them go back to life.I did not do any of their demands,so what makes you think I will listen to you?" "Because...you-you know what I have gone through,I have been through pains and struggles my whole life at such a young age-" "-You are not the only one who was suffering in life,others have gone through the worst ," "I-I am aware of that angel.And-", I am searching for an excuse to which an angel would let me go if I told him about it, "It was not even my turn to die yet,was it?" He giggled,and I think, 'am going to get used to his laughter.' "My dear ...in the realm of God,there is no appropriate time at which a person is to die.It just happens.Why do you think we never tell you the auspicious time to which one is to die? If we did,you humans would be so terrified as each day draws near.You would start panicking and doing things in a hurry ,afraid to leave the earth with unfinished business and returning as ghosts-" There it is,a good excuse for me to get out of here,immediately before he finished his sentence,I cut through and exclaimed in a squeaky voice, "Ghost!" He looked at me with shock,as if I was the most insanely person in his life.He smiled as the realization of my exclamation dawned in his mind,his smile was filled with love,caring,serenity and nobleness in it I have never met a person who could smile so genuinely at me.Forget about being smiled at by someone,I myself never smiles.I don't know how to. "Ohh!I get it. Ghost! You want to be one?" "I would do anything to go back to life for my mother,my angel" He slowly shook his head in disagreement,then exclaimed in that powerful tone of his.I don't understand how a person can be so split- character,so sweet and soft on this side,then on another so powerful and terrifying .But of course,he is no human. He is an angel. "I don't think you understand this context my dear Ruth," my name never sounded so sweet coming from someone's lips like they did from his lips, "Being a ghost is no easy task.It's embedded with more nerve-taking challenges,tear-striven challenges.You will be there but not there at all...I am not sure you understand?" My eyes narrowed in confusion,he show my confusion and clarified it, "You will be there,but nobody will see you.You will talk but you won't be heard,you will feel but not touch.Tell me my daughter...do you want to go through that much struggle." I stood still looking at him in utter confusion.I just did not get it...back in my village,there had been reported cases of ghosts spotted in the village destroying property and killing people.They were seen.They were heard.So why would the case be different with me? As if he read my mind ,he said, "Those were evil spirits that came that run away from hell.Wandering spirits who are searching for places to hide and food to eat.But you,if you go from here,you won't be seen as other ghosts,because you are of the holy spirit.You shall suffer for not getting in heaven.You shall not be heard, or seen.You shall live in total pain until you decide to come to heaven.So tell me my daughter ...do you wish to suffer that immense pain?" I looked ahead of me,deeply lost in my thoughts...my mother is in pain wherever she is.Women are violated back in the village.I have a chance of saving them but what should I do? Should I go to heaven and forget the pain and suffering I myself have gone through?After all they too will come here and they too will forget their long sufferings and struggles. Or should I go back to earth as a ghost to save the women even if it means I have to encounter more struggles,struggles like no other?What if I come back in vain? "If you fail to complete your task on earth,you shall burn to ashes in hell",this last exclamation broke me from my thoughts as the reality of those words started drawing in, "After all,I am giving you an opportunity to get inside and save your soul...but if you choose to go back there as a ghost and you do come back here without completing your task,then you are as good as extinguished to me,"this last statement was like a knife stabbing straight to my heart. "Tell me...do you still want to go back there as a ghost?" I swallowed a huge lump forming in my lump and straightened my back.If I am going to do this,I need to be brave and fearless. "There is no other option!" He looked at me with a blazing fire in his eyes but there was also something else in those eyes.Pride.And it took me a second to realize he was proud of me for taking that decision.To prove myself.To save the women. "Are you sure about that?" "I have never been so sure of anything in my life before," He smiled with anticipation and exclaimed in his powerful voice,"But you must keep a certain things in line...You shall not harm any human being in whatever way,do not cross your limits out there...do not take life onto your own hands,is that understood?Because if you do,it doesn't matter whether God had given you this very chance get inside Heaven,if you go out there and and create havoc in the earth,we have no choice but to chase you away to hell. My angels will accompany you to earth ,and I shall transfer some powers to you ?You will disappear and subtly appear where you want to appear,you will be powerful." "Am I capable of doing that?" He smiled sweetly as he started swinging me around,"That you are!"