Love After The Bite

By Francis Kiarie

From early in his life, Mike believed the mark of a successful man was manifested in his possessions, status, and prestige. After university, he acquired a well-paid job and worked strenuously towards his goal of achieving success. While still at university he and his cronies had acquired a habit of drinking as a means of socializing, relaxing, and coping. While his friends and age mates were getting married one after another he remained single not by choice but because he could not get someone to his taste to marry and so he took refuge in drinking. He widened the area of his search without any success. In desperation, he drank more which finally cost him his job. In desperation he looked for help, not finding any like the prodigal son he converted to Christianity. It is as a convert when he finally meets his soul-mate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francis Kiarie
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224776641

Francis Kiarie

After a brief stint as a teacher in a secondary technical school, he joined the cement manufacturing industry where he worked for close to twenty years. Since retirement, he has now engaged in farming, business, and writing.

Book preview

Introduction: Love After The Bite.

Mike Mwema was the first-born of a peasant family. He had four younger siblings comprising two brothers and as many sisters.

From an early age, he had been taught that to be successful in life, he had to work hard and acquire a good education. He did not disappoint in that mission because he made it to the university and even acquired a good job as an engineer. However, at the university, he not only learnt engineering but also on the sidelines how to drink – a habit to his detriment, he carried into his working life.

Drinking became his pastime.

One after another of his close friends got married, but not him. He could not find a woman to his taste to marry. Time kept rolling until he was jolted to life when, to his chagrin, his younger brother married. He stepped up his frenzy in searching but without success.

This drove him to drink even more resulting in his losing his job. His life had become meaningless and even though he had been dismissive of God before, in desperation he cried out to him for help.

As though there was an invisible hand directing his life, he met again a woman he had a nasty experience with, when his huge dog named Prince had mauled her tiny terrier within an inch of death.

Meeting her again and a new life of sobriety he found Jesus discovering, as his apostles did, that He was the Way the Truth, and the Life. His life was never the same again.

Through the help of the invisible hand he at last attained a meaning and an abundant joy to his life.

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LOVE AFTER THE BITE

ONE

Prince was originally a police dog, however, when his rebellious trait became intolerable, he was unceremoniously let go from police service. He was sold off to one, Michael Mwema – fondly called Mike by all who knew him.

Mike was a laidback bachelor who lived reclusively on a flat by the beach, a walking distance from the factory where he worked as an engineer. Prince was big, almost as big as a lion and his bark was like the roar of a lion. It scared whoever heard it. Mike had aspired for such a dog to guard his house against the menace of buglers, who frequently terrorized the exclusive neighborhood. He sighed with satisfaction the moment he set his eyes on him, and his broad face glowed as he curiously inquired from the dog handler: Why do you call him Prince?

At the sound of Mike's baritone voice, Prince stared at him and raising his tail growled menacingly, causing Mike to frightfully jump a step back. Prince's red eyes were hostile. However, when Mike held out his hand towards him in a friendly gesture, he calmed down and stopped growling. He sniffed at his hand and lapped it with a pink tongue hanging out from his big mouth as if to declare, Welcome Buddy.

Did Prince instinctively suspect he was going to be his new owner? Mike marveled, at the sudden change in his attitude and friendliness. With a wide grin on his sallow face the policeman haltingly answered his question: He is named Prince, because you might say, he looks and behaves like loyalty, when you get to know him.

Indeed? Mike laughed from his belly and declared: In that case, his name will remain Prince for it supremely fits him. I can only hope he will conduct himself as such.

Don't worry, the policeman chuckled warmly, his eyes fixed on Prince. I am sure he will live to his billing. He will not disappoint, mark my word. You have witnessed the sudden change in his attitude towards you. It was a sign that he likes you. If you show him love, the two of you will become great buddies, and you may count on his unfailing loyalty.

I will say Amen to that, declared Mike his face glowing with joy, yet puzzled by the changed tone of the dog handler. To Mike, the dog handler's voice sounded sorrowful like a doting father hesitating to hand over his beloved daughter for marriage, aware that she will no longer be under his watchful eye.

TWO

Prince was a German shepherd and despised all other dogs. He had no friends among fellow canines. Whenever he spotted another dog, he would charge at him or her, no matter its size. Thus it was necessary for him to be on leash always to control his movement.

However, as though to endear himself to Mike, Prince would rush to him when he came from work, woofing in delight, licking his hands until Mike would warmly say, That is enough, Prince and gently push him away. The man and the beast came to get along very well, as the dog handler had predicted.

As a routine every evening after work, Mike would take Prince for walks on the beach. But perhaps, it is more accurate to acknowledge that Prince used to take him, for Mike had to keep a tight grip on his leash. Prince pulled him along, to the chagrin of other beachgoers. It was a daily ritual but it never deterred Mike. He was strong-willed just as much as his dog. If unfortunately another dog unwittingly sauntered too close he would go for it, and Mike had to use all his strength to prevent a fight.

*****

One day, as they strolled on the sandy beach, a small friendly terrier innocently approached them from behind as though intending to say hello. It had foolishly sauntered too close, that before Mike could sense danger, Prince had charged at her and had her by the throat. The small dog had to be pried out of his jaws by force.

The small dog's owner, a shapely lady with long legs and closely cropped hair grappling with what had happened was petrified with fear. The incident had happened so suddenly without notice. A moment ago her dog had been so bubbly, but now it lay on the sand without any perceptible movement: My dog! My dog! She shrieked frantically at Mike, her face contorted with wrath yet unable to hide her milk-white teeth.

Your wolf has killed my harmless small terrier. You, good-for-nothing  gorilla!  She screamed until her voice was hoarse. She kept on relentlessly, her eyes red like a tigress, all the while raining Mike's chest and head with vicious blows. Mike staggered backward, startled, his mouth ajar, and his eyes wide with confusion.  He strenuously pulled Prince away afraid it might also attack the lady.

A small crowd from nowhere suddenly formed around them, curious whether the man had assaulted the woman. They were baying for his blood, but soon grasped what had transpired, after seeing the terrier lying on the sand almost lifeless, bleeding from the neck.

For his defense, when Mike saw the crowd and perceived he might be in danger of mob justice, he shouted hotly, If your dog had a leash it would have been possible to restrain it from getting so close to Prince and get attacked! Are you not aware of the notice not to let dogs wander about the beach without leashes on?

The woman stepped back astounded by his remark. Everyone could see she had no leash.

Anyway, Mike said, his fear now waning, If you allow me I will take your dog to a vet right away. There is a clinic not far from here. He could see that the dog was badly hurt but not dead. She sucked in air in short laboured gasps.

Leave my dog alone! The lady yelled at him, her eyes half-closed bending down to pick up her almost lifeless dog. I cannot go anywhere with you and that horrible dog.

A short round man wearing a swimming trunk and a benign face intervened. Allow him to do it, madam. He had a soft voice akin to that of a preacher. After all it is his dog that has hurt yours. At least he should meet the cost of its treatment.

There was a moment of deafening silence. All eyes were trained on the lady to see her reaction.

Yes, he should, the gathered crowd similarly loudly voiced their sentiments.

No, I cannot go with him! She retorted breathlessly, her tearful eyes examining her panting dog. I will take care of my dog myself. I don't need his help.

Madam, let him take her to a clinic the stout man pleaded, but she could not hear none of it.

Not knowing what else to do Mike: delved into his pocket and produced a card. He said hoarsely This is my contact. Should you want any assistance with the bills just call me. Also, let me know how she fares. It is the least I can do. Believe me, I am sorry for what has happened

The crowd applauded happily, in approval of his kind gesture. The dazed woman felt the piercing stares of all present. An unnerving silence hung in the air. She unseeingly yielded and finally took the proffered card from his hand, even though she had no intention of calling him. She felt as though torn to pieces.

As she took the card from his hand which was wet from his perspiration, the black cloud that had enveloped Mike like a shroud suddenly lifted as though by magic. It brought ecstatic joy to his heart. Oblivious of her apparent reservations he offered his firm hand to her. Confused, she turned to the onlookers again as though to seek their opinion. They appeared to encourage her, and so she compliantly took his firm hand limply, and with her cold eyes glued on his smiling face, they shook hands, for lack of better expression. At that moment in time, she could not tell whom she resented the most, the crowd or Mike. His smile was an affront to her. Yet the crowd seemed bent on tormenting her by inducing her to act contrary to what her impulse dictated. She had come to the beach to unwind from a busy day, but to her dismay, the evening had turned into a nightmare.

THREE

As they finally parted, each to go their separate ways, Mike with his heart still racing and throbbing audibly, nevertheless hoped that she might