Chapter 1 - THE IRRESISTABLE URGE TO FALL FOR YOUR ENEMY

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances ,and it's true. The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares. My name is Halima. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so formally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.But still won't leave me alone. Chris has always been a wealthy arrogant boss who treated people like trash mostly women. Unfortunately he got involved in a tragic car accident that crippled his legs to a point of being pushed around with a wheelchair. The first few days were so hard for him. He couldn't stand the thought of depending on others to help him in taking care of him. That's where i came in , as the new caregiver. "Dad i told you that i don't need anyone to take care of me , i can do that myself. Take this thing out of my sight right now," Chris commanded. "You are not in a position to tell me what to do son! This is the fifth caregiver you are sending away , do you thing the world revolves around you? She stays and that's final," his father Mr Funke replied angrily exiting the room . I stood rooted to the ground torn between following Mr Funke or attending to my client who didn't want my services. "Get your dirty self from my room before i tear you in pieces," Chris said throwing a pillow at me luckily i dodged it on time. I left the room quietly and headed to the sitting room and sat on one of their fine sofas. I now had a clear view of their entire living room. The windows were huge and designed in such a way that they faced the hills. The hills offered a beautiful scenery . The walls were painted light green and cream on the ceiling . The sofas looked expensive and were very comfortable. There was a big shelf that held a number of books and magazines. "You resume working today, here is a written document of the duties you have to do and the time you are supposed to do them," Mr Funke said. "Yes sir,"i replied. The work was very difficult . I had to hold to the job because i needed to keep up with my mothers medication. Sometimes he refused to take the medication and threw them at me . He hated his own mother so who i'm i to him to gain his respect? He couldn't even let me touch him . This continued until o couldn't take it anymore , the disrespect, insults , body shaming and mockery was too much . "why do you always do this to me ? is it a crime to be born a female ? i came here to take care of you and you don't even let me attend to you. if i loose this job i will be doomed. The reason i'm working here with all that disrespect is because i need to take care of my sick mother who is lying helplessly at home with no one to even bring her cup of water and here i am , trying to make ends meet and you have chosen to frustrate me. you know what i quit you can go to hell if you derive joy in causing others pain," i roared on day as i stormed out of the room. I went to my room and begun packing my clothes furiously . I found Mr funke seated at the living room watching a movie. I hesitated for a moment our eyes locked before i stormed outside without saying a word. I guess he understood my frustrations and my decision to quit. I boarded a taxi and went home . Upon reaching home, there she laid , a weak soul with no enough energy to even sit by herself. "Welcome home my daughter," she said with her weak voice struggling to sit. Tears blinded my eyes as her condition was deteriorating rapidly and there i was jobless and frustrated. That night we spent it talking and laughing of our past memories. Deep down the thought of not having a job was draining me completely. I was washing my mom's clothes one fine morning when a luxurious black car pulled over to our compound. i immediately recognized it as Mr Funke's car. Their driver opened the trunk and pulled out a wheelchair. "Is Chris coming to give me a visit? or he did he come to apologize to me ?," i thought to myself. My little sister welcomed them to the house ." Halima my daughter i want you to know that we are very sorry for what you had to go through in my house because of my son . I request you to come and resume your position please ," Mr Funke requested. Its not like i had other options . When we arrived at Mr Funke's apartment , Chris was made to apologize to me by his father . "I'm sorry," he said angrily. "Are you for real right now Chris? what are you apologizing for and to who ?" Mr Funke interrupted him rudely. "Sorry Halima for treating you badly," he said staring at me with sharp eyes. After the meeting i went to give Chris his drugs . I was expecting a thorough scolding from him but to my surprise he took them quietly without a word. I guess he had learnt his lesson. I even helped him have his bath , dressed him and even fed him . This is what i had always wanted but he was too good to me to be trusted. One day after i finished dressing him and almost left he held my hand and pulled me close to him and our eyes locked .