Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Dave adjusted his black tie as he checked himself in the mirror. He did love his attire today.

A black trouser with a white shirt tucked in firmly. He discarded the jacket since the weather was favourable today and the meeting was not exactly official. He picked up his briefcase as he got ready for today’s business at the Bensons’. He was more excited about the fact that he would get to see Sakira again. He smiled to himself just at the thought of her name.

“You ready son?” His father asked

“Yes father” he smiled.

“Remember, we are going there for business strictly. No further discussions and no giving out of personal information.” He said.

“Yes father.” He smiled.

They left their house and got into their carriage. They did not live extravagantly like the Bensons. Mr Parker did not really encourage a loud life. He just loved to be on his own. But Dave was nothing like his father. He was peculiar. He always wanted to know something about everything. Mr Parker wandered where Dave got his behaviour from, and then he remembered his wife. His wife was also like Dave and that behaviour was what led her to her death.

They arrived at the Bensons and the gate was opened for them.

“Remember, strictly business” His father reminded.

“Yes father” he grunted

As they got down from the carriage, Mr Benson approached them happily.

“Ha my jolly good friend” Mr Benson greeted.

“Good to see you again Frank” Mr Parker shook his hand.

“This good-looking man here must be your son” He smiled

“Yes, this is Dave.”

“Good day sir” he bowed.

“Would make a fine husband for Stacy huh” he teased. “Come on, my lady is waiting.” He led the two men to the house

“It’s so good to see you again Eric” Mrs Benson pecked his cheek

“Good to see you too Fiona” he said

“And Dave, you’ve grown into a fine young man” she faced him

He smiled at the comment.

“I’m sure you’ll have a lot of women on you” she teased and he laughed. “Have your sit while I get your tea served” she said as she left them.

The men continued their discussions and gradually progressed to business. Dave still hoped he would still get to see Sakira before he leaves.

Sakira was at the farmlands harvesting cotton. It was a little difficult for her since she had never done it before. They were all woken up very early by Mr Benson. He had aligned them horizontally and giving them instructions on what to do. Then he left saying something about having an important guest to attend to. They had been on the farmlands since early morning and it was past mid-day. They were all tired, even Sakira never worked liked this at her village. Her hands were bruised from removing the cotton from its stem since it had thorns.

They had a mean supervisor who whipped them heartlessly. Luckily, he did not reach her side. After harvesting so much, they all returned to their quarter. Today was their lucky day since Mr. Benson had guests. After the cotton harvest, they barely had any more work to be

done.

“I hear he is very handsome” she heard her roommate

“I think his name is Dave” the other said.

Sakira was surprised at the name, could it be? She didn’t want to jump into conclusions

quickly. It could be another Dave. Suddenly, Mrs. Benson entered and the whole room went

silent

“I need one of you in the kitchen now” she said hard-heartedly

As Mary was about to get up Sakira stopped her.

“I’ll go” she said.

Mary returned to her mattress and Sakira followed her mistress to the kitchen.

She hoped it was really Dave and not someone else. Getting into the house, she searched around silently and didn’t see Dave, only an older man talking with Mr Benson. Not focusing ahead of her, she hit something or rather someone and the liquid poured on her clothes. She gasped, surprised at the act.

“I’m so sor…. Kira” he was stunned.

Dave was very happy to see her. He thought he would never see her today. He smiled and was very satisfied seeing her.

“Dave” She whispered and smiled.

Her instincts did not betray her. She thought she would never see him again.

“Is everything alright” Mrs. Benson approached them.

“Yes, everything is fine” Dave replied quickly to avoid any suspicion. “I just bumped into the maiden here” he said

“Alright” she said. “Sakira get into the kitchen” she added.

“I’ll see you later” he whispered to her and she nodded.

She got into the kitchen and found Mrs. Benson scowling at her.

“Don’t get your hopes high. He’s marrying Stacy. He doesn’t deal with people like you”

she said.

“I’m sorry ma’am I have no idea of what you’re talking about. I only bumped into the young master. I don’t know him.” She said.

“I’m warning you that’s all” she said. “Carry on with the dishes” she said as she left the kitchen.

Dave was tired of their boring meeting and wanted to see Sakira. Then he noticed his father’s empty plate. He smiled.

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll just have this plate get to the kitchen” he said.

“No, don’t bother. I’ll have the slaves do it” Mr. Benson said.

“No sir, I insist” he said.

“Well then. The kitchen is at the left down the hallway” he gestured

“Thank you” he smiled and left with the plate in his hands

Thankfully, his father did not stress the matter. He got into the kitchen and smiled when he saw her. He adored her black beauty. He noticed she had a different cloth on this time. It was a brown faded dress; it looked nothing like the one she wore when he first met her. He

watched her fragile hands move as she washed the dishes. He could only imagine how her hands would fit into his. He was really attracted to her. He had been standing there for God knows how long just staring at her. He became aware of those brown eyes that made him realize she was aware of his presence.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.

“I don’t know” he shrugged.

“What are you doing here?” she said as she continued washing

“I wanted to see you” he said.

She paused and turned to face him. There was a large space between them but Dave walked closer and shortened the space.

“I missed you” he smiled.

Now there was fairly any space between them. Sakira was not sure about this act Dave was putting up, she wanted it but Mrs. Benson had already warned her. She can’t afford to risk anything right now.

“You shouldn’t be here” She said.

“Why?” he frowned. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” he asked

“That’s not why” she said. “Madam had already told me to stay away from you and I told her I didn’t know you” she said.

Dave sighed understanding her reasons

“Can I call you Kira?” he asked.

She was surprised at the new name and the immediate change of topic. But she was grateful for that.

“I shortened your name” he stated.

“I like it” she smiled.

“Really? Well then, it’s Kira now” he said

There was a long silence between them and they just kept on staring at each other smiling.

Dave looked at her tempting lips and then her glassy eyes. He had never seen anyone has beautiful as she was. She was indeed a paragon of beauty.

“You’re really beautiful” Dave said not taking his eyes of her. “And you seem healthy too”

he added

“What…. did you expect to see me in rags?” she scoffed and tried to hide her smile

“No…. I mean…. they allow you have time for yourself” he stammered.

“At least for now” she smiled.

Then the silence returned she just stared into his blue eyes. She had never felt the way she was feeling now. It was a whole new feeling, a feeling of desire. It was almost uncontrollable.

Now she noticed that there was no much space between them and was trapped between his arms behind the kitchen sink. As much as she wanted this feeling, she couldn’t accept it.

“You should go now” she said as she turned away from his eyes.

He nodded and stepped away from her.

“I’ll see you some other time” he said as he left.

She sighed and continued the dishes.

As Dave returned to the living room, he noticed Stacy coming down from the stairs.

“My lady” he bowed.

“Sir David, how lovely to meet you” she curtsied.

“It’s Dave actually” he chuckled.

“Well, I like David.” She smiled

“I see the introductions have started.” Mrs. Benson smiled “carry on. Both of you had already been matched from heaven” she smiled as she walked to the kitchen.

Dave and Stacy continued chatting and Sakira returned to her quarters. She felt a pinch of disappointment when she saw him with their daughter. She felt discouraged. Their daughter was very pretty and elegant. She was nothing like her.

Dave and his father bid their goodbyes and left the Bensons’ place. He felt a bit sad since he doesn’t know when next his father will want to come here again and that determines when he would get to see Sakira again.