The Story of My Life – Episode 20

“Ben, can you excuse us for a second” She said to me.
That came as a surprise
I was not really expecting that from her. I couldn’t leave her with Roland, knowing how vulnerable she was. Everything about it was not safe.
“Amina, you know I can’t do that, I can’t risk it.” I said.
“Hahaha! Ben the caring one, hahaha!” Roland mocked me.
I prayed for the strength of Samson that day. His teasing and mockery of me was really getting me furious. But what could I do? Nothing!
“Will you just shut up, Roland!” Amina shouted at him.
I was relieved when she did that. It feels good when your girlfriend totally stands up for you. I can’t explain that feeling, it’s magical. But it did not change the fact that she had requested that I excuse them.
I had no option; I just went out to the balcony. I wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation and from the balcony I could do that without them seeing me. Well, in a way it was to also help me keep an eye of Amina incase something went wrong.
I quietly listened to them as they engaged in what appeared to be an aggressive conversation.
“How do I help you?” Amina asked.
“I think that’s a wrong question for you to ask me, since it’s your life that is at stake here.” Roland said.
“I don’t need you to remind me of my condition. What are you doing here Roland?” She asked again.
“Well, let me go straight to the point. I have been able to pay the loan off, thanks to my in-law, so this entire house you used as a collateral is now back in your hands.” He said.
“Did I say, in your hands? I’m wrong, it’s in my hands now.” He continued.
“Well, that’s fine, give me my house documents.” Amina asked.
“Hahaaha not so fast dear one! I paid off the loan so I get to keep the documents, until you are able to pay me. And I am giving you 24hrs. If you don’t produce the money by this time tomorrow, I will see this entire house.” He said.
“What?! Roland you can’t be serious, you must be out of your mind. I took the loan for you to help you start up your business. I used my own house as a collateral and this is how you repay me?” She asked.
“You should have thought of that when you began seeing that guy.” he said.
What the hell was going on? Was I hearing right or was it just my ears playing tricks on me?
Apparently, Amina somehow helped Roland to secure a bank loan using her own house as collateral.
I didn’t really know what the agreement was between them but Roland was way too wicked to pay Amina back this way. I couldn’t believe he would go that far.
I began thinking of what to do to help Amina out. I can’t allow this to happen. No, not while I am still alive.
The only person I could think of was my father who I didn’t really get along with.  Maybe I could use Sheila to help me convince him, since he trusted her more than anything/anyone else in the world. I just met him and I doubted that he would believe my story if I went to him alone.
Amina looked very depressed. She had been placed in a tight spot and she had no time to think or even figure things out. Roland somehow knew her very well and could easily intimidate her. Their conversation, however, continued.
I don’t know what came over Amina, she went down on her knees and held Roland.
“Roland, I don’t know why you are doing this to me but if it’s because of Ben, then you’re completely wrong. I do love him. There is no doubt about that. But my love for him has nothing to do with you. I don’t love him because I want to punish you or anything.” Amina said. She was weeping as she held him.
I wished that I could just barge in that moment and console her. She did not deserve what she was going through. But I needed to respect her decision and trust that she would be able to fight this battle on her own.
“Enough of your love poems. I’m done listening to them. Because of you and the debt you created, I had to force myself into marrying that girl, just for me to get her dad to pay for this loan. I could have used the money for something else. But hey, I’m here now and like I said, you have only 24 hours left or …..” Roland said.
“Or what Roland? Or what!” Amina said and got up from her knees. She looked fed up with all the demands Roland was making.
“I have had enough of this! Look, the 24 hours is more than enough, you have the house documents now, right? Keep it. The house is yours for all I care. You can have it. Oh! You want my car too? There is the key, have it.” She said and threw her car key at him.
“Have everything you want, go on take them!” She said.
I had never seen this rage in her eyes before. She was really angry.
“Wow, I just woke up the beast in you. Haha lady, chill up, your days are numbered dear one.” Roland deliberately mocked her.
That broke Amina down completely. Was this all life had in stock for her? Pain and torture, even till her last days on earth? Couldn’t she at least smile to her grave?
She just gave up and sat on the floor and wept bitterly.  Roland came close to her, held her by the face and looked straight into her eyes.
“Amina, I know you see me as the wicked one but this is life for you. It’s called the survival of the fittest. The strong one always wins. I have always wanted to tell you this but I guess this may be the last time I see you so I might as well say it now. You see, that thing you call love, I have never been in love before. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe it. To me, you were just a doctor. You are just a lady like all the rest….” Roland said.
“Get out, Get out!” Amina shouted out.
That was enough, I had to go in now. It was clear that Amina didn’t want to talk to him anymore. Just as I decided to go in, Sheila called my phone.
I quickly picked just to tell her that I’d call her back… But she had bad news. Something really terrible had happened.

watch out for episode 21