Chapter 58. From shadows to sunrise

Megyn fell asleep in Benjamin's arms. The lingering effects of the anesthesia still made her drowsy. Benjamin, too, was exhausted after the day's harrowing events. Still, he needed to take a shower and freshen up. Gently, he lifted Megyn and laid her carefully on the bed, then summoned the nurse on duty to stay with her until he returned.

He rushed to the doctors' station for a quick debrief with the team on duty, then proceeded to the Flying Doctor's section, where he showered and changed into a clean pair of scrubs and a warm jacket. He wasn't going home anytime soon.

His parents, reassured that Megyn was out of danger, had left the hospital but kept calling frequently to check on her condition. Even so, the Hawi family was far from being at peace.

By six o'clock the next morning, both Megyn's and Benjamin's parents had came to the hospital. They found Benjamin fast asleep, next to Megyn. Though the trauma of the previous day lingered, Megyn's parents felt a deep sense of relief.

It wasn't that the horror had been forgotten - but knowing their daughter was in safe, loving hands brought some comfort. Looking at the peaceful pair, they chose not to disturb them and quietly stepped out of the room.

They made their way to Mr. Hawi's office, where they were scheduled to meet the police inspector. He would be taking statements from Megyn, Benjamin, and Megyn's parents. They would also collect Megyn's medical report and the police form No. 3 - commonly known as the P3 form.

A serious case was being built: abduction, assault, and attempted murder. The Director of Criminal Investigations had already authorized the remand of Daisy and her accomplices in different correctional facilities.

Later that morning, Megyn and Benjamin woke up, showered, and had a light breakfast. Megyn was feeling much better. The pain in her foot had eased, and her back was less sore. Seeing her regaining strength gave Benjamin hope. He called his father and expressed his desire to have Megyn discharged.

"Wait there, son," Mr. Hawi advised. "The police inspector and the family lawyer are on their way to take official statements."

Shortly afterward, a nurse came in with fresh sweatpants and hoodies for both Megyn and Benjamin, along with innerwear and open shoes - all sent by Mrs. Hawi. After changing into the comfortable outfits, they were joined by their parents, the police inspector, and the family lawyer.

Tears welled in Megyn's eyes when she saw her parents. They hugged and exchanged kisses, a reunion filled with emotion. After that Mr. Maringo prayed, thanking God for the miracle of life and safety for his daughter.

Mrs. Hawi, who had been plagued by anxiety the night before, was overjoyed to see Megyn alive and safe beside her son.

Mr. Hawi, while visibly relieved, was quietly concerned about the long-term impact on Megyn's mental health.

It was now time to record the statements. Mr. Maringo spoke first, explaining when and why he had allowed his daughter to travel to the city.

Benjamin followed, detailing how he had sent Megyn a flight ticket because they had planned to appear before the registrar of marriages that day.

Then came Megyn's account. She described arriving at the city airport and feeling delighted when she spotted the familiar black Mercedes SUVS. As she approached and greeted the man she assumed was Larry, he suddenly shoved her into the car. Inside, a waiting driver pressed a towel to her face - then everything went black.

She remembered briefly struggling to wake up but felt sharp pain in her left foot. They had been injecting her with something. At one point, they failed to find the right vein, and the pain was unbearable. She passed out again. In her unconscious state, she had fleeting dreams—of being carried, dumped onto a hard surface, and left to die. She wiped away fresh tears as she recounted the nightmare.

Mrs Maringo sat closer to her daughter, all this time, holding her at least to ease her pain, but she ended up having tearful eyes. She hugged her daughter,

"All will be well, my Mother's grandchild." She wiped her eyes with her shawl. "We thank God for your safety, for it would have been worse, if it wasn't for him."

The police inspector collected the P3 form and supporting medical documentation from the doctors.

Later that day, Benjamin officially discharged Megyn, and they left the hospital together. Mr. and Mrs. Maringo returned to Randi that afternoon. But before boarding their flight, Mr. Maringo pulled Benjamin aside and spoke firmly:

"Son, I'm entrusting my daughter to you - not because I can't take care of her, but because you two love each other deeply. Her safety is my top priority. Deal with those jealous women - whether from your past or present. Do not allow anyone to harm my daughter again, or I'll have no choice but to take her back. Understood?"

"Yes, sir. I promise - nothing like this will ever happen again."

"Good. Take care of her. She's the apple of my eye, and I'm watching."

Megyn knew that the conversation her father had with her fiancé was not a gentle one - more likely, it was a warning. She understood her father just too well.

Meanwhile, Cindy was unaware of what had happened to Megyn. She had tried calling her, but the line wouldn't go through. When she finally reached Amanda, she was shocked to hear the news. The social media confirmed this to her. She immediately traveled to the capital from Pwani City.

Through Evans, she got in touch with Benjamin, and together they drove to the Hawi residence. Upon arrival, Cindy insisted on staying with Megyn to offer her emotional support, if possible untill her wedding day.

Benjamin rebooked the registrar appointment for that Friday. They agreed they would go along with Megyn's pastor from her campus church and his wife - the pastor who had been counseling them on marriage. He was one of the three ministers scheduled to officiate their church wedding.

Cindy and Evans also planned to accompany them for the registrar visit.

Friday arrived. The day was bright, with a gentle breeze blowing through the capital city. Though the memory of Megyn's ordeal still lingered, a fresh wave of hope had begun to sweep through the hearts of everyone involved.

That morning, Megyn wore a simple cream dress and flat shoes. Her foot, though healing, still needed care. Her hair short as always, had a fresh trim on the sides. She wore no makeup - just the soft glow of someone beginning to breathe freely again.

Benjamin looked dapper in a navy blue shirt and khaki trousers. He didn't need a suit to look important - his eyes were calm, focused, and full of love.

Their small entourage, including Cindy, Evans, and the pastor and his wife, met them at the registrar's office by mid-morning. The registrar, a composed woman in her early fifties, was warm but official.

"Young people," she said, flipping through their original documents and payment receipts "you've both been through a lot. I mean, your story was all over the media. But love, when real, conquers fear."

Megyn and Benjamin looked at each other. and he reached for her hand, lifted and kissed it lightly.

"The twenty-one-day objection period has elapsed," she continued, "and no one has come forward to object. Therefore, you are eligible, and we now grant you consent to marry."

"We're ready to get married." he said, their faces showing the weight of commitment that was real. Megyn smiled.

The registrar looked at them and smiled. "You will now solemnize your marriage in the church wedding that you've planned. Congratulations."

They exited the registrar's office to warm applause from Cindy, Evans, and the pastor and his wife. A few onlookers at the office building cheered and offered smiles, having overheard the story from local press.

Megyn leaned against Benjamin for a moment, whispering, "I can't wait to be officially Mrs Benjamin Moko Hawi."

He kissed her forehead. "Nothing is ever going to stop us."

Back at the Hawi residence, a small celebration was arranged. It wasn't loud or fancy, but it was warm and meaningful. Food was prepared and Mrs. Hawi had ordered a cake from the best bakery in the city centre.

Laughter returned to the house again. Megyn found herself smiling freely again, holding hands with Cindy, chatting with the pastor's wife about the upcoming wedding, and listening to Evans as he joked about being the couple's "emergency wedding planner."

Later in the evening, Benjamin and Megyn slipped away to the balcony to catch the sunset. The golden light bathed the city skyline, casting shadows of peace and promise.

"Princess," Benjamin began, his voice soft, "what we've just done - it's not just a legal formality. It's a commitment. That I'll protect you, love you, and never let anyone hurt you or come between us."

She looked at him, her eyes moist again, but this time with joy. "I know, Benj. I feel safe. With you, I always will."

They stayed there in silence for a while, watching the sun set on the city, but rise on their new chapter.