THE LAST INSURGENT

Before they settled at the dining table, they performed two raka’ats of prayer. Now they sat at the dining table, their chairs juxtaposed. Mufty had pulled off his caftan and wore a t-shirt and black sports pants. Leena had also removed her veil after the prayer.

Mufty was mesmerized with the manner she had set the table. There was Barbecued Picnic Chicken with Chicken Peach-Cucumber Salsa; Creamline Yoghurt, Chocolate profiteroles, Kunun aya, home-made fruit juice, and fresh fish soup.

She had arranged the varieties of fruits in an amazing way. This was good and he loved every moment of it.

She was sitting very close to him. He touched her cheek with his lips.

She pulled the chicken towards her, used a table knife to slice off some parts before she slowly sent a soft flesh into his mouth.

He masticated slowly. He also took a piece and sent it towards her mouth. As she opened her mouth, it was slow, and he saw the slight movement of her tongue, her well set teeth, and the curving of her wet lips. And he nearly took back the meat to send his lips to hers. She was breath-taking, attractive and addictive. He put in the meat and she chewed. He gave her a peck on the lips. He could not just let those lips go free. They were his and he had the prerogative to have them.

“I love you, Leena. I swear I do,”

She smiled, blushed and said, “I love you too….BB”

He raised his eyebrow.

“Okay, you hid the name you will call me until now.” He smiled. “May I know what BB means. Let me guess, Big Buffon?”

She slightly hit him and laughed.

“How dare you call my husband a buff…..no, I can’t even repeat that. Dude, you should have some respect for me and my husband. Wait, am I really saying husband? Oh my God! I am married, and it sounds so new.”

He chuckled. He could understand. It felt surreal.

“I am sorry for calling your husband that.”

“Good. BB mean Big Bear.”

“Hmmm….”

“I chose to call you that because you are as strong as a bear and makes me feel secured and protected. I call you a bear because you are not androgynous yet you are soft and mild. You are my big bear because sleeping in your arms will give me that comfort I need. You are my bear, my pet and I plan to take care of you my baby.”

Mufty was taken away by her words. He loved girls that could express themselves, their feelings and that did not give any man the effrontery to take their love for granted. They were not foolish or gullible. They should be appreciated. There was a big difference between simplicity and stupidity. He had found love, he appreciated it and that meant holding on to it.

“I will go to court and my new name becomes Muhammad Manga BB.”

She giggled.

“I want to be your bear. This bear will bear with you through thick and thin. I am your bear, you are my lily, and I can’t wait to have you in my arms, give you that cuddle, with love in bundle. For example, your dimple is just a sample of your countless endowments my apple.”

She put another piece of meat in his mouth and he did the same. They ate, taken a little of each variety of food. It was so romantic coupled with the slow song that blared.

After the meal, he held her hand and he found her trembling even though she tried to hide it.

He got on his feet; he pulled her up and held her by the waist. She reluctantly held him. She was nervous. They walked slowly to the bedroom.

The bed was king size and beautiful. The bed sheet was made it look royal and romantic. He loved the room, the decoration and the furnishing.

They spoke less and he observed that she had lost some of her composure. He turned her and they stood facing each other. He kissed her.

“I am your husband; you are my wife. We belong together and that means a big wall has been broken between us. We have carte blanche here. Do not be afraid or shy.”

She nodded and closed her eyes.

He touched her face, kissed her forehead and embraced her. She felt more comfortable. She saw him pull off his t-shirt and she felt so weak she sat at the edge of the bed. What was going to happen?

When she saw his chest and abs for the first time, she melted. He was not too brawny, but he had the body of an athlete. He moved slowly to her, dragged her to her feet and they held her. She heard the sound of the zip of her gown and knew there was no escape.

But he was doing some things that swept her fears and nervousness away. Now she was more curious. Let it be, she relaxed and offered herself whole heartedly. He was her husband.

Mufty lowered her to the bed.

Idi moved slowly, stealthily, his AK 47 ready and a bomb in his pocket. He knew there was no way Mufty could escape. He knew Mufty was a soldier but he did not know that they were coming. He frowned. He did not like that. He wanted to face him and not sneak on him. He was being called the New Mufty. That was annoying. He wanted to be original and do what Mufty never did and killing Mufty head on was going to make him happy. But he had no choice now than to follow orders.

Kabul was behind him. The street was dark and the distances between the house and the neighbouring houses were wide. They did not care about the neighbours. Anyone who dared interfered would receive a slog.

“The backup have come.” Kabul whispered. He just received a text that there was a truck with ten gunmen by their minivan. The third man was waiting by the van.

Idi guessed Mufty was having a nice time now. That would be the best time to get the infidel, apostate, and lost soul.

He stopped by the front door and listened. He heard nothing. He removed a small tool and slot into the keyhole. He twisted, and the door was opened. He smiled. He loved hard locks that challenged his ambidexterity but only few of such locks existed. The only locks he hated were automated, digital locks but anything manual was his game. He removed a small plastic and poured some oil on the hinges and door knob. He turned the door knob and pushed the door. It opened silently. He smiled. He slid in, followed by Kabul.

He removed the bomb and hid it behind a sofa.

He looked round the house and saw nobody. He pointed his head upwards.

“Their bedroom should be upstairs.” He whispered.

Kabul nodded.

They began to ascend the stairs silently. These men were trained killers. They saw a door and something told Idi that Mufty was inside. He turned and looked at Kabul. He gesticulated and Kabul nodded. He understood. Detonate the bomb if anything went wrong.

It was time for Mufty and his devilish wife to take a bow.

Leena turned and he grabbed her and pulled her back. She giggled. She relaxed and summed up the courage and turned back at him. She loved him and it seemed the feelings proliferated.

The fear, jitteriness, and unbalance were over. She was now a woman and being his woman made it more interesting. She had shared a room with him for weeks, never thought he would not rape her. He did not but now she was his. Patience was a virtue.

She felt peace, love and bliss. Her dreams had come true. She knew what she felt when she thought she would never see him again. The risk she took to find him. Her intentions were good and God helped her. Now she found him, and most importantly he followed her and left a dark past.

Mufty felt what he had never felt before. The person he had lost in himself many years ago was back and better. He was gullible and naïve then, Now he understood better. No one could cajole him to derail now. Thank God sent this princess whom turned to be his wife to him.

She excused herself and went into the bathroom. He watched her as she walked. He smiled at himself. He had the best woman. She was his dream woman and he felt she was enough for him.

As she came out, she saw him standing before the door.

“What?” She asked.

He held her and they went back inside. There was no Jacuzzi but the new bathtub he fixed was large and beautiful.

He began to mix water while she watched him. When he was through he held her and they got inside.

Oh no! It was good to be legally married. They were still having fun as Idi and Kabul got to the door and he slot in his master key.

“Oh my God!” Kamal exclaimed as he saw a text message.

“We are late. He is not alone. They are inside already.” He said. “Surround the house. Nothing comes out and leave. I mean nothing and includes an ant!”

“Yes, Sir!”

The military men began to move faster.

“Foes, fire!” A sergeant said as he caught sight of the truck with the backup insurgents.

Ratatatata!

There was an immediate exchange of gunfire.

Idi frowned. He just heard that as he opened the door. What was wrong?

“There is trouble.” Kabul said.

“We must hurry.” He said as he heard more gunshots.” He entered the room and pointed his gun. There was nobody on the bed. The lights were out but the faint rays of light made enabled them to see.

His blotchy eyes travelled to the bathroom door. It was obvious a man and a woman were on this bed not long ago. He had to hurry.

“Let us juts bomb the house and leave.” Kabul suggested.

“No.” Idi said. He wanted to put a slog through Mufty. It was at that point he came out of the bathroom as he heard the voice. He wanted to speak but it was too late. Idi sent bullets into his body.

His woman shouted and Kabul rushed there and fired more bullets. She died instantly.

“Let’s move.”

As they began to leave, Idi stopped and put on the light. He wanted to go back and be sure they were dead when he heard gunshots very close.

“Move it!” He said.

As they went down stairs they saw military men in the living room. It was too late.

“Detonate the bomb!” Idi shouted but he could not.

Bullets riddled their bodies and they both died before they dropped on the floor.

“There is a bomb in the house!” Kamal shouted.

Mufty smiled as they left the bathroom. His phone was ringing. He went and picked it.

“Hello.”

“Done, sir.” Someone said. “Idi and the men are dead. So is Alarama and his woman. It worked.”

Mufty smiled.

“Alhamdulillah. This is just the beginning. I will get back at you.”

He turned to see his wife on the bed. He would not tell her what just happened. It was their first night. He would not tell her that it was him who set them up because he knew they were after him. He would not tell her that Kamal thought he was a fool. Setting men to watch him was an advantage to him. This was now more of a war of brains.

He remembered how he did it. But for now, he still has a first night with his pretty wife.

He walked slowly to her with a smile.