Jabali's Redemption - Episode 4

See all episodes here »

 
Do you want to Study Abroad? Get all the necessary information here »

Neema breathed in deeply as she stood at the gate of Tembo Tea processing Company. The green and white theme color reflected brightly on the morning light practically blinding her. The company sat at one of the slopes of Tembo Mountains. It sat regal looking down at the spread of the tea estates and the town. Neema always felt like the Kasri’s chose that position to look down on the rest of the town.

Kasri’s compound was situated a bit higher in the mountain . In the cold misty alpines. Neema always wondered how the house could survive the steep slopes. Before the country got independence from the British, the Kasri were the ruling Chiefs in the mountains. After independence they managed to reclaim their land back and invest the vast landscapes into tea farming. An activity that had obviously bore fruits.

On a Saturday, the company was closed but when Neema had earlier called Kasri’s household she was told that Jabali was in the company. She walked to the office.

‘Hey are you here to see someone?’ a uniformed guard shouted at her,’ you can’t just stand there,’ he impatiently waved his bomb scanner at her.

‘Yes please, I have to see Mr. Jabali Kasri,’ she answered tightening her hold on the small handbag she had carried

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/jabali-s-redemption

. Neema had decided to dress at least officially. Meeting Jabali had never been easy.

‘Do you have an appointment?’ he asked again waving her closer,’ you can’t come in without an appointment,’

‘Um…no. I don’t have an appointment but it is urgent,’ she pleaded at the guard who only shook his head.

‘Sorry but those are the rules,’ he started shooing her away.

‘Please. It is a matter of life and death,’ Neema was determined to see Jabali and the disgruntled guard was not going to stop her.

‘No. Madam you have to go. You will make me lose my job,’ he was slightly pushing her away but a honk from a car stopped them. They had not heard it approaching.

‘Hey what is all the racket about? Is that the right way to treat a woman?’ a man in dark sunglasses lowered the tinted window of the posh car to glare at Neema and the guard. Neema righted her cloth and wondered why the man looked familiar. She was sure she had seen him before.

‘Sorry boss,’ the man ignored Neema and ran to open the gate but the man in the car didn’t drive through, he kept looking at Neema making her uncomfortable.

‘Neema Kidari,’ he exclaimed as he stepped out of his car. Neema wondered who he was but after looking at him for a second it clicked.

‘Aluvisa?’

‘How can you easily forget my handsome face?’ he joked and Neema took time to study him. Aluvisa was Naiti’s friend. A close friend. He was no longer the scruffy rail-thin boy who was as mischievous as Naiti but now he was a grown man. Neema was surprised to see him there. Did he work there?

‘I am sorry, it has been too long,’ Neema tried to apologize for her manners.

‘Come here and give me a hug,’

‘Oh,’ Aluvisa didn’t wait for a reply, he bundled her up and hugged her, practically raising her off the ground.

‘You have grown so much. Tell me how life is? Are you fine?’ he released her and shot questions at her.

‘Thank you,’ Neema tried to correct her clothes,’ but…’ Neema wondered if he would help with locating Jabali.

‘Hold that thought, let’s go to my office. We can talk from there,’ he led her towards the car.

‘No I have to see Jabali,’ she held his forearm. Neema knew she would not settle until she had cleared the case. Meeting Aluvisa was somehow godsend, he could take her to Jabali.

‘Okay,’ he nodded his head grimly as if understanding her urgency.

……………………………………………

If Neema thought that the outside of the company was impressive she was wrong.

Everything about the place was impressive. The visitors’ lounge was big and airy. A prettily dressed receptionist welcomed them and blushed when Aluvisa flirted with her. She smiled at Neema and welcomed her to their offices. Neema felt at ease for a second. All this time she looked around hopping to see Jabali to no avail.

Don’t be stupid, it’s not as if he was waiting for you, she admonished herself.

They then took an elevator to the tenth floor where Jabali’s office was located. The place was pretty much vacated. Aluvisa kept on rumbling about the old days but Neema listened only halfheartedly. Every time the elevator stopped and admitted someone else she thought it would be Jabali and her heart stopped and started beating again when the person was not Jabali.

Aluvisa introduced her to almost everyone they met as an old friend, easing her worries. Neema identified some of them but most were new. They came from out of town it seemed.

‘Don’t be so tense Neema, you are practically home here,’ he patted her back comfortably smiling at her, ‘and here is our stop,’

They emptied on the quiet floor. The floor had been lavishly furnished, with potted plants, clearly chosen to match the theme of green and white granite floors and wall papers depicting green tea estates. A waiting area table with loveseats surrounded by a reception sofa. A magazine rack and coat rack completed the distinguished look. A lonely secretary desk sat empty and no one welcomed them. Neema could see a door written on kitchen, boardroom and the last door where she stood with Aluvisa, Director General Jabali Kasri. She swallowed. She was finally here.

‘I have to stop here, just knock on that door. Jabali is in,’ Aluvisa stopped and pocketed his hands, the butterflies on her stomach increased. Facing Jabali alone was going to be tough than she thought.

 ‘You…could come in with me,’ Neema was not ready to face Jabali on her own. Aluvisa only shook his head,

She then thought about her brother in the filthy police cells and gained courage.

‘You two have a lot of things to talk about. I will see you later,’ with a smirk he turned on his heel and Neema watched as he reentered the elevator’.

‘And Neema, Naiti would have loved this,’ he said cryptically before the elevator doors closed, Neema wondered what her dead brother would have been happy about. Naiti must be rolling in his grave if he ever saw her standing before his murderer.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the heavy door written on Director General.

…………………………………………………

‘Neema,’ the grave voice startled her and Neema’s heart nearly stopped beating when she turned around to look at Jabali Kasri, standing on the small pathway between lines of tea plants. He was dressed in black jeans and a huge white lab coat. White boots and a yellow helmet completed his look. Neema knew he worked at the tea processing lab by his father’s side. He appeared to have run, judging by the sweaty brow. How could she not have heard him approaching?

How had he found her? Was he going to finish what he had started and hit her? Where was her mother and the rest of the tea pickers? Was she left alone? All these questions spun through her head as her heart beat faster and faster.

For over a week Neema had been avoiding him in the fields as he made rounds with his father on the estates. She thought she had evaded him but it seemed not. He had found her.

‘Am not here to hurt you,’ he continued and raised his hands up in surrender but Neema was still cautious. Her head still hurt from where she had hit her herself on the stone a weak ago, when she tried to stop the fight between him and her brother Naiti.

‘Don’t come near me,’ she took a step back when he stalked towards her. The heavy basket on her back dragging her behind. Her slender shoulders ached from carrying it for over two hours. Jabali threw a glance at her shoulders before his intense eyes set back on her.

How did he have such a commanding gaze? Neema pondered.

‘Is your head…okay?’ he halted his movement and looked at her with…concern? No, Neema thought. It must be the trick of the light. Jabali wouldn’t be concerned for her. Then what was the reason for his question?

‘I am…fine,’ she answered if only to make him leave her alone. Did he think she would tell him the truth after everything? The head scarf she had wrapped around her head to protect her from the sun hid the small cut. The doctor had said the cut would heal itself after a few stitches, which were painful by the way.

After the trip to the hospital, her mama had caned her for involving herself on a fight with boys. Her stitches had not even healed, she thought bitterly. Naiti had received a heavier punishment as he was severely caned by mama for causing trouble.

Neema turned to take the other way, to get away from Jabali. He was more trouble than his worth. She would be thankful if they didn’t meet again.

‘Wait, let me help you with the basket,’ in long strides, he was already on her, easing the basket off her tired shoulders.

‘No…’ Neema protested feebly as he took the basket off her, ‘what are you doing?’ she could not believe what was happening. What if someone saw them together? Her mother would flip out if she saw the two of them together after their incident at the market. Naiti was who was also present picking tea would be really angry. He had made her promise not to go anywhere near Jabali again.

He is bad news, Naiti’s words ringed in her ear.

‘I can manage,’ Neema said as Jabali put the basket on his shoulders. Neema wasn’t surprised he didn’t huff or appear to be straining. Remembering the strength of his fist, she understood why he didn’t twitch a muscle.

Jabali was strong.

He started to walk away and Neema could only follow him silently questions in her head. She looked around but could not see anyone. Then she remembered why she was all alone. She had been slacking off. Her head injury was hurting so she couldn’t work as faster as the rest of the tea pickers. Her mama had insisted she stay back home to take time for her wound to heal but Neema sworn she was fine. She couldn’t just lie around as people worked. Naiti had promised to come back for her basket after he dropped his off. He urged her to take her time. That was the reason Neema had been walking slowly back to the storage facility for the picked tea.

‘You shouldn’t be picking tea,’ Jabali suddenly broke the silence. Neema noticed he had slowed down his long strides to meet her short ones. Huh?

‘I…have to help my mama,’ what did Jabali knew about struggles? He lived in a mansion up in a mountain with a rich family and a boat load of servants to serve his every whim. Tea picking was a way of life for most people on the valley. Everyone picked tea, old and young. Neema and Naiti were only helping their mother. It was not a big deal.

‘That doesn’t make it right,’ he answered back, ‘how old are you? He suddenly asked.

‘Twelve and a half,’ Neema answered with sass, she didn’t want him to think her as a small child. The minimum years for young tea pickers was twelve. If they discovered she had started young, they would chase her out and her mama needed the money.

‘How old are you?’ she challenged back and heard him chuckle, a hearty chuckle at that. Neema didn’t think that such a person would even laugh. She was beginning to demystify the infamous Jabali Kasri.

‘Seventeen…and a half,’ he replied back, sending her a half smile and Neema stood on her tracks, her heart beating fast. Jabali had a dimple on his left cheek, his whole face transformed with that smile. He appeared less threatening and his eyes lost the intensity. Neema discovered that Jabali was indeed handsome. She looked away embarrassed. Where had that thought come from?

‘Neema!’ Naiti’s loud voice carried through the tea estate, ‘where are you?’

Both Neema and Jabali stood still, the guarded look on Jabali’s eyes back. It only took him a half second for him to start walking again. What was he doing? If Naiti saw him a fight might break out again and Neema didn’t want that.

‘Jabali you have to go,’ she tried to take her basket back but he held on to it. ’Naiti can’t see you,’

‘I don’t fear your brother,’ he shrugged her hands off the heavy basket and resumed walking. His strides now long and purposeful. It was as if he was anticipating meeting Naiti. Neema hurried after him and reached for her basket again.

‘Neema,’ Naiti’s voice appeared to be coming closer and closer and she tensed.

‘Please Jabali,’ her pleading seemed to have worked and Jabali sighed deeply and turned towards her.

‘Okay. Don’t continue lurking alone on the tea plantation. It is not safe for girls here at night,’ he lowered the basket down but brushed her hands off when she tried to reach for it, ‘let Naiti carry it,’

‘Okay,’ Neema agreed with him as long as he went away.

Read " The Dancing Bride And Her Spirit Warrior " by the same author ( Razia Iminza )

. ‘Thank you,’ she kept looking around anticipating her brother appearance.

Neema could feel his dark eyes on her for a second before he crept away, silently. The way he came.

‘There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you,’ Naiti appeared an instant later grumbling. He easily picked her basket up and was quick to note her absentminded ness.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked following her gaze, where Jabali had disappeared to.

‘Hmmm,’

‘Neema!’ he shouted.

‘What?!’ Neema turned to her frowning brother, why was he shouting she could hear him perfectly, she was standing right next to her.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked again, ‘do you feel any pain on the head?’ Naiti asked, guilt striking his voice. After her accident, he kept fussing around her. Asking if she was okay. Treating her like a small child. He had apologized for his involvement and Neema had given him hell before accepting his apologies. He performed all of her duties and was her personal servant till she got better. Neema was enjoying every minute of it.

‘Let’s go home,’ she walked ahead of him, leaving her looking at her back.

Her encounter with Jabali Kasri left Neema with a lot of questions. Who was this boy a self-declared bad bod extraordinaire, he appeared cruel and tough but was still concerned about her injury?

Who was Jabali Kasri?

........................................................

Indeed who is Jabali Kasri? 

Talk to me ebonites, why do you think Jabali and Naiti fight a lot?

Remember to like, comment and share.

Much Love.

Wants to study in Canada? Checkout this ongoing scholarships in Canada

Do you want to Study Abroad? Get all the necessary information here »

Ebonystory.com
  • Views (4238)
  • Likes (14)
  • Comments (8)
  • Rating (4.38)
  • Queenflourish picture
    Queenflourish
    I don't know but I think jabali has a crush on neema please update twice in a day
  • Destiny Benson picture
    Destiny Benson
    I think Naiti knows Jabali loves Neema so he's protecting the sister from Jabali by fighting him to keep off
  • Amma picture
    Amma
    the story's dp has Kasri's redemption as the title but the title says Jabali's redemption... please which is which?
  • Pamela cube picture
    Pamela cube
    I wonder why they hated each other so much!
  • Racheal Rakel Namz picture
    Racheal Rakel Namz
    love the story but on the flash backs please indicate so in order not to get confused
  • Imoh Sunday picture
  • Angela David picture
    Angela David
    Beautiful story
  • Delly Soglo picture
    Delly Soglo
    Please when is the next episode coming, good story so far. Please I want to make a suggestion, if you want to show us flashbacks you type them in italics or indicate it at the top. Thanks. Thumbs up.
Comments motivate writers to write more. Please kindly drop one

Other Episodes of Jabali's Redemption

Latest Story Episodes ↓

0 Ebonites currently online

African Story Community

EbonyStory.com is the best place to read and share fresh interesting African stories online. Starting from Romance stories, Adventure stories, Action stories, Spiritual stories, Horror stories and many more. All our stories are free and no signup required to start reading. We have wonderful writers that are ever ready to give you the latest interesting stories with moral lessons to keep you smiling all day.

The quality of our stories together with the simplicity of our platform makes us one of the best in Africa. Our stories are written inform of Story Book ( Novels ), Short Story and Poem

You can subscribe for our story update via: Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Instagram

If you have any complain email [email protected] or call +2349021037057