IN LOVE AND WAR::CHAPTER 7

IN LOVE AND WAR::CHAPTER 7**"Diana! You are here child," said Mr Mulema giving her a hug.He had acted like their uncle and sometimes helped them with food and blankets. Since he hadsome of his children abroad. He was a rich man. "How are they? My mum and brothers.""The doctor hasn't come out yet. Come let's sit down.""I can't sit down. I am scared Uncle Mulema. I should have been there with them. I don't wantanything bad to happen to my mother and brothers. It is all my fault," she said in between sobs."Don't blame yourself child. They are going to be alright," said Mr Mulema patting her back.She didn't want anything bad to happen to her family. If only she had listened to her mother. Shesat on the bench thinking of what had happened for the house to get burnt. She had so manyquestions running through her mind that only her mother could answer. She felt guilty of stayingout late. Her heart was pounding really fast. She was feeling nervous. Her body was on high alert.It was a nervous wait.At one stage she could not take much more sitting in the room so shedecided to go outside. It was around 10pm. She was about to get up when the doctor walked in. Itwas the same doctor who had paid for her mother's hospital bills."What happened?" she asked.The doctor stared at her. Wondered how he was going to tell her the news. He took a deep breathand looked at Mulema. He shook his head."Your mother is in a comma. It's a matter of life and death. Your other brother, Admire is okayluckily your mother managed to get him out of the house," he paused."Wh wh wh what about Alex?" she stammered."Unfortunately Alex didn't make it. We tried all we could but he had inhaled lot of smoke in theroom."She heard the news that no one ever wants to hear. Words so horrible that she couldn't processthem."No no that can't be. Not my Alex. Nooooo!" she shoutedShe cried hystericallly. It was hard for her to accept that Alex was gone. The doctor, Solo and MrMulema helped her to calm down. She was comforted by them."Be strong child. We are here for you," said Mr Mulema.She sat on the bench feeling bad. Rehashing what she could have done to make things happendifferently. Dealing with a bad situation she was in, was dealing with grief. She wiped the tearsbefore facing the doctor."Can I see my Alex?""Yes you can," he responded.She got up and was about to fall when the doctor caught her hand."Are you okay Diana?" asked Solo concerned."Carry her. I will go and check on her," said the doctor to Solo.Solo carried her and followed the doctor.*People contributed at the funeral. They bought the coffin for Alex. Admire sat at the cornerremembering his brother. He was a strong boy. He didn't cry but deep down he was hurt. Knowingthe person who killed his brother and now his mother was in hospital. He was not going to tellDiana. He feared the person will kill her."If you tell anyone that I set the fire. I will kill your sister," he remembered the voice before he collapsed when his mother was still stuck inside the house.*She was wearing a black dress at his funeral. She was in a disarrayed state of mind. She lovedher brother so much and couldn't believe that he was no more. She placed roses into his casket"Goodbye Alex. I will always love you."She looked at him for the last time. He looked cute in his black suit. A little boy so funny and madeeveryone laugh at home. A boy who loved singing at church. He was 4 years old but everyoneloved him. He was adorable. A boy who greeted every neighbour early in the morning. She wishedhe could open his eyes so they can play hide and seek."Sisi Diana. Come out ahh I am tired," he always shouted in the house.Sometimes it could be past Alex's bedtime when he could not fall asleep. They hanged out a bit.The funeral was held at the church. They were about to go out to the graveside when the policebarged inside the church with the Mayor."That is the girl who almost killed me yesterday. She even stole my money," said the Mayorpointing at Diana."What!" exclaimed Diana with a hint of confusion in her voice."Arrest her immediately. We don't want such people in out community," said Mayor.The police officer took Diana. They twisted her arms forcefully behind the back and put her inhandcuffs."I didn't do anything. He is lying to you," cried Diana."Diana!" called out Admire following the police officer.Luckily the doctor, had attended the funeral grabbed his hand."Let me go! Where are they taking my sister?" shouted Admire.They put her in the police van and drove with her at the station. The Mayor couldn't help it butsmile. The doctor saw him smiling and walked up to him."You don't deserve to be called Mayor," he said and headed to his car with Admire. He got insidethe car and drove off.The Mayor looked at the doctor and his face looked familiar to him."Where have I seen that boy?" he asked himself.The Mayor got into his limo and Daniel drove off.