Her angel
1550 Words
Nathan
I wake up the following morning to find my wife in my arms. She must have been emotionally exhausted because she usually wakes up before me.
I pick up my phone and instruct Brian to send us breakfast. I don’t want Amari worrying about that today.
I am still watching her when she flips her alluring eyes open.
“Morning.”
I plant a kiss on her forehead. “Morning, wife.”
I tighten my arms around her when she tries to sit. “Breakfast is sorted. A friend is sending us something,” I say and feel her relax.
“How did you manage to settle the hospital bill?”
“I told you that I know someone. The hospital CEO owns me a favour. He is paying for the funeral expenses as well,” I lie again.
“Thank you, Nathan. Truly.”
“Hey, I am your husband. This is my responsibility,” I remind her and she smiles, her eyes sparkling at me.
“It’s the funeral today. How are you feeling?” I enquire and she lets out a sigh.
“I don’t know. A part of me is glad that she is no longer suffering. That she is rested, but…” she chokes on her tears and buries her face on my chest. I squeeze her tight.
“I would be alone and devastated had you not been here. I think you are an angel sent to comfort me,”
“I don’t think I would qualify to be that. I bring you more problems than anything,” I refute her statement.
“We all have burdens, but they are lighter when shared with someone.”
“In that case, I am that someone for you, always,” I vow and pray to never break that for as long as I live.
Two hours later, we arrive at the church and welcomed by the priest and his family. They seem like a nice family, but I suppose all priest’s families are like that.
The woman in her late forties I assume is the priest’s wife, embraces Amari. “I am sorry for your loss, Sister Brown. The Lord will strengthen you and one day, will wipe away your tears.”
“Your mother was a good person, who served the people wholeheartedly. She will be sorely missed,” the priest says, while his wife and son nod in agreement.
“Thank you for all your prayers and support,” Amari responds before turning to me.
“This is my husband, Nathan. Nathan, this is Father Samson, his wife, Shepherdess Sarah and their son, Brother Isaac.”
“Hello and nice to meet all of you,” I greet and shake their hands. I don’t see any disgust nor a superiority complex on their expression, only warmth.
“I have known Amari since she was born. You are a lucky man. Congratulations and welcome, Brother Lord!” the priest beams and shakes my hand again.
“I honestly don’t know whether to congratulate you or build you an armour, Brother Lord,” Isaac says and earns himself a knock on his ribs from his mother.
“Don’t mind Isaac. He can be dramatic,” Shepherdess Sarah objects and flashes me a strained smile. I am really curious to know why Isaac thinks I need an armour.
The church hall is soon packed. It is clear to me after several speakers that Amari’s mother was selfless and down-to-earth like her daughter. My wife completely breaks down when it’s time to view the body. I don’t care that we are in church. I pull her to sit on my lap and embrace her until she settles down.
The funeral pallor leaves with the coffin after the service. They will cremate the body and return the ashes for Amari to sprinkle them at the valley in the afternoon.
After the service, Amari introduces me to a lot of people, who kindly welcome me to the area.
“Nathan, that coffin looked very expensive. So were the flowers. That must have costed a fortune!” she exclaims the moment we are alone.
“Yes. The guy owes me big time,” I lie once again. I have to find a way of keeping note of all these lies because my wife is not stupid.
“You could have used that favour for yourself,” she says, looking at me with the admiration that makes me weak on my knees. I hold her hand and caress it.
“And miss having my wife look at me like this?”
She blushes and looks away. Seeing her blush has become the highlight of my day.
“Looking at you like what?”
“Ahem!” Someone clears their throat behind us. We turn to find Mrs Gail and another old woman about her age, looking at us.
“Look at you two. You can’t even keep your eyes off each other!” Mrs Gail exclaims, making my wife blush more.
“Mrs Gail!” Amari cries, while the other woman waves her hand dismissively.
“Nonsense! We all know that the sneaky Thomas tricked her into this marriage.”
She sounds angry for some reason. I have a feeling that she does not like me much.
“Tricked or not, they are married and in love by the looks of it. You are just jealous that someone snatched Amari,” Mrs Gail says while Amari avoids my eyes.
“Tricked marriage is not real!” the woman snaps at Mrs Gail.
“Marriage is sacred, Sister Harvey. Get over your prejudice and be happy that Amari has found her prince,” Mrs Gail lashes out at the other woman before mischievously winking at me and adding “I will pray for you to find peace with that, my dear sister.”
“Thank you both for coming. Please excuse us,” Amari says and pushes me away from them without waiting for a response. I get the feeling that there is something she is preventing me from hearing. It was the same the day Mrs Gail came to the apartment.
We are by the entrance when Brother Isaac approaches us.
“I could not help noticing the noise coming from your wheelchair. Do you mind if I have a look?”
I look at Amari and she nods.
“Brother Isaac is our Mr Fix it and a good friend. I will have a word with the Shepherdess while you two fix that.”
Isaac signals me to follow him to a shed at the back of the church. Now is the opportunity to get to the bottom of what my wife is avoiding me from hearing.
“Out with it. Why did you think I needed an armour.”
“Oh, that,” he says before consciously peeping around to ensure that we are alone.
“You know that girl every parent wants for their son?”
I shrug my shoulders, but I have no idea what he is talking about. I did not grow up in a close community like this. My parents were not very interested in whom I dated or planned to marry. My whole childhood was directed at knowing how to grow our company and how to head it one day, but I can’t tell him that.
“The boring, living by the rules, helping everyone and keeps herself pure kind of a girl?” he adds.
“Okay?”
“That’s Amari. Even a drunkard of guys has been eyeing her. The old women and men literally fight over whose daughter-in-law she will be. It does not help that she is always so polite and ready to help those worse off than her. The point is, you coming out of nowhere and snatching her like that is not going to sit well with a lot of them.”
I process his words and somehow feel proud. My wife is not pretending, but genuinely kind, not just to me. It’s an attribute I never paid attention to before, but find very attractive now.
“Does the group include you?” I enquire. I might be stepping on his toes, but I need to know.
He laughs and shakes his head. “I am engaged to the love of my life. Amari is like a sister to me.”
I study him for a second. He seems like those open book guys who always speak their minds.
“Well, they all have to get used to it, because I am not going anywhere,” I conclude and he laughs before getting serious.
“She is genuinely a good person and has been through a lot. Don’t hurt her,” he advises before working on my wheelchair.
I have a better understanding of this community by the time he finishes upgrading my wheelchair as he puts it. I must agree that the guy is friendly and talented. Not only has he sorted out the squeaking noise on my ride, he has added some features to make it faster and even fold. I like him.
“Feel free to pop in anytime you need company,” he says when I leave. I guess I have a friend now.
- Writer
