LOVE A THIEF CHAPTER 2

23rd Jun, 2025 Views 15

LOVE A THIEF

CHAPTER 2

LOVE A THIEF

© Gambo Elvis

The Woman Who Gave Counterfeit Money to a Poor Hawker

Jenabu’s son, Jaff, narrowly escaped being mutilated by an angry mob—thanks to his mother. The boy had unknowingly used counterfeit money to buy goods from a shop and was caught the next day, mistaken for a criminal, though he stole the money thinking it was good money.

But misfortune didn’t stop there.

Shiytum, a struggling hawker, was back on the streets, selling her wares, when she noticed another commotion ahead. A furious crowd had gathered, car tyres in hand, ready to set ablaze a young man. Her heart skipped. Something about the scene pulled her in.

She turned to one of the onlookers and asked,

“What has that boy done?”

“He stole an expensive pair of shoes from that boutique,” the woman replied.

“Where are the shoes?”

“The red high heels on the windowsill.”

Shiytum frowned. “But those are for ladies.”

The woman shrugged. “He was probably going to sell them for a small price.”

Empathy stirred in Shiytum’s heart. Maybe he was just hungry… maybe he hoped to sell them for food. Still, he could have begged instead. She sighed. This is the second time I’ve seen him in trouble for theft.

As she pushed closer, she caught sight of the boy’s tearful eyes. He cried out,

“I’m sorry! I was desperate. Please don’t hurt me! I’ll never steal again, I swear!”

Moved by something deeper—perhaps compassion, or love—Shiytum stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

“Please, don’t kill him,” she pleaded. “He’s my brother. Our mother is dying and we can’t afford her medicine. That’s why I hawk on the streets. He was only trying to help. Please… he meant no harm.”

The crowd grew silent, struck by her trembling voice and the warmth of her embrace. Moved by her story, they chose mercy. They punished the boy lightly and warned him never to steal again.

But Shiytum wasn’t done questioning.

As they walked away, she asked him, “Why did you do it? Again?”

The boy hesitated, then looked away. “I’m in love.”

“In love? And that made you steal?”

“She told me she’d only go out with me if I bought her that same pair of shoes… for a feast.”

Shiytum raised her brows. “Did she ask you to steal?”

“No,” he said quietly.

“And the first time—you used the money you stole from me. What did you buy?”

“I bought her a phone charger. She said if I really cared, I’d get her one so she could answer my calls. Hers was broken.”

Shiytum stared at him, speechless. His actions were foolish, but heartbreakingly honest. So this is what love does to boys… It turns them into fools. She sighed, then smiled sadly.

“He’d do anything to please her,” she thought. And just like that, a strange tenderness bloomed in her heart. She saw his innocence beneath the mischief—and swore to herself that she’d rescue him from that wicked girl. He deserved a love that wouldn’t lead him astray.

To be continued....