Darkness filled the city. I checked my watch and it was 18:43. I went out to buy food for the two of us and the food I bought was nsima, Malawi’s staple food. We ate and peace was slowly coming back in our hearts.

“Solo, I think I am falling in love with you.” Janet said, looking troubled.

“Me or my character?” I asked without giving it a thought.

“You! I have been feeling it for a long time but I was scared to tell you.” she continued.

“To say the truth, I also feel the same but…”

“No excuses. Let’s give it a try.” she said.

We exchanged romantic words and at last, we agreed to be in love. We slept on separate beds that night, with peace in our hearts.

The next day we agreed that we had to spend a week in that rest-house while planning our next move. At around 7:00 a.m. my boss called and asked me where I was. I stammered all the way as I was afraid to reveal my location.

“Be here in the next thirty minutes or risk your job!” he warned.

Soon after my call, Janet received a call from her mother who was so worried about her. She also asked where we were but Janet cut the line and looked at me. “I want us to start a new life.”

I told her about my boss and she encouraged me to go. “Are you going to be fine?” I asked her.

“As long as you keep your mouth shut about where I am,” she said and I started comforting her.

I went to get a bath. I dressed and got ready to go. She gave me her first kiss and it was lovely. I assured her that I was going to protect her no matter what comes my way. I went into my car and drove off. Though this place was new to me, I still remembered how I got there so it was an easy ride back to my office. Few minutes later, I saw a police car in my opposite direction. There were two policemen in it. I turned my car to go and warn Janet.

When I arrived at the rest-house, the police were almost there as well. They followed me secretly and I only realised when I was opening the door to our room.

“How long will you hide?” one of them asked.

“Open the door!” the other ordered.

I opened the door but I was surprised to note that Janet was not in there!

“Where is Janet? Tell us or you will rot in jail!” one of the policemen scared me. He was a bit tall, light in complexion and was slim. The opposite was almost true to his friend only that his friend was also slim. I assured them that I didn’t know where she was but practically, that was hard for them to believe.

I gave them my hands so that they should arrest me but relief came. Janet, who had been hiding in the ceiling, jumped and hit the other policeman and knocked him down. I followed suit and hit the policeman who tried to scare me until he too was down. I undressed him and took his uniform then escaped.

I drove the car to an unknown destination.

***

Tell us: Do you believe Janet is innocent?