It was quiet once again at the Maringo residence. The usual rhythm of life had returned. Mr. and Mrs. Maringo left for work that morning, busy making arrangements for Mellissa and Mex to resume school the following week.
Amanda was engrossed in her daily chores, while Mellissa and Mex played outside the compound, riding the bicycles they had been gifted by their 'big brother.'
It had been on the day Benjamin met the junior football team from Mex's school. After a friendly practice session with the boys, they had passed by the bicycle shop on the corner, and Benjamin had spontaneously purchased two bikes — one for Mex, the other for Mellissa.
The visit by Benjamin and his kinsmen had left everyone buzzing with excitement. There was laughter, joy, and more than a few tears of happiness. Amanda had been gifted an envelope with a generous amount of money during the visit — a gesture that touched her deeply. With that money, she was now planning to start a small business. However she had not decided if she was going to resign from the only job she had known in her life time.
Mr. and Mrs. Maringo, now more financially empowered, began drawing up plans to build their long-postponed upcountry home next to James Maringo's brothers and uncle.
For years, they had felt content in their modest town home, but everything changed when sixteen heads of cattle were driven into their compound as part of the bride price. It was a moment that signaled a new chapter for the Maringo family — and they were ready to embrace it.
Yet amid the cheer, Megyn felt a quiet emptiness, yet everyone's excitement revolved around her life, happiness and her love.
Alone in her bedroom, she sat in silence, mentally replaying the events of the past two weeks. Everything had changed so fast. She was now, by traditional rites, a married woman. And yet, a lingering doubt crept into her thoughts.
What if the church wedding doesn't happen?What if Benjamin changes his mind?Or worse still... what if I change mine?
She recalled the words of the pastor's wife from a university counseling session: "You must focus on your 'what now?' not your 'what ifs.'" Megyn sat up and whispered aloud, as if to anchor herself, "I'm going to focus on what now."
The church wedding was scheduled to take place in the city, at the church where Benjamin's family worshipped. But her gown — ordered from the UK — had yet to arrive. The civil marriage registration was also underway. They had applied online, and were now expected to appear together at the registrar's office in the city for an interview — a prerequisite for the church ceremony.
All these preparations, expectations, and transitions overwhelmed Megyn. She was thrilled, but also anxious.
Benjamin called her daily, patiently talking through each of her concerns. One evening, as they spoke on the phone, Megyn asked him a question that took him by surprise.
"Benj... what would we do if one day we woke up and realized we've fallen out of love?"
Benjamin froze. That wasn't a question he expected from his usually optimistic Megyn. He needed to be sure she was okay.
"Megyn Maringo, do you love me?" he asked gently.
"Of course, my love," she replied. "I love you. I can't wait to marry you in holy matrimony."
"Well, I love you more, Miss Maringo," he said, his voice warm. Then he paused before answering her original question. "And if we ever fall out of love, you'll still be my wife. I won't come back to collect the bride price. You'll be my wife until we find love again."
Megyn laughed softly, comforted. She had vowed never to leave Benjamin, and he had shown time and time again that his love was sincere — patient, kind, not proud, never easily angered. His love protected, trusted, persevered, and always hoped. She believed in that love. She trusted that it would never fail.
"My love," she whispered with a smile that lit up her room, "you're the best thing that's ever happened to me... second only to my faith in God."
There was silence on the other end of the line, and then she added softly, almost to herself, "I just wish…"
She hesitated, uncertain whether to continue. From experience, she knew that her wishes often became Benjamin's next action. She didn't want to interfere with his tight schedule for that week.
"Princess," Benjamin said, catching her hesitation, "you should always finish your thoughts. But since you didn't, I'll finish this one for you. Do you wish you were next to me? Or me, next to you? Either way, we'll make it happen." He didn't miss a beat.
It was Friday, and the month of May came to a close. On Monday, June 2nd, Benjamin asked Megyn to travel to the city. "We need to appear at the marriage registration office on Tuesday," he said.
He had already booked her flight. He sent her an e-ticket.
Megyn was surprised — and touched. She couldn't tell if Benjamin had arranged the trip simply because she had wished it, or if it was just a coincidence.
Either way, her heart soared. She was excited that she was going to see him.
Early Tuesday morning, Megyn boarded the first flight out of Randi. Benjamin, caught up in an important hospital meeting, sent their trusted driver, Larry, to pick her up from the airport and take her to his parents' house.
He texted her just before she landed.
"My Gazelle, I'm stuck in a hospital's sensitive meeting. Larry will pick you up. I can't wait to see you at the Hawi's residence."
She replied with a smiling emoji and a heart. "Okay."
But things took a strange turn.
Midday came and went without word from either Larry or Megyn.
Initially, Benjamin had thought it was the heavy traffic, but then he tried to call Megyn's number, then Larry's.
Megyn's phone was off.
Larry's call went directly to the voicemail.
Larry did not take Megyn to the Hawi's residence even by evening as the city lights flickered.
No one saw either of them that day — not at the airport, not on the road, not at the Maringo residence. Yet records confirmed the flight had landed, and Megyn had disembarked.
Benjamin panicked. A single thought pounded in his head.
"Megyn is missing"
He informed his father, who immediately called his police inspector friend.
He leaned against the cool metal of his car, closed his eyes, and whispered a prayer, "Lord, protect Megyn wherever she is. Bring her back to me."
Then he dialed the one number that he had hoped never to need, just to be sure:
The police emergency hotline.