"Are you waiting for someone?" I asked, looking at the young girl standing by the roadside, constantly checking her Nokia button phone.

She looked up at me, rolled her eyes, and ignored me, chewing her gum loudly.

I moved closer.

Something felt off, and whenever my instincts told me that, they were usually right.

"Excuse me! Can I help you?" she asked rudely.

"No, my dear. But I know your mother, and I know she wouldn't send you on an errand this late at night. Do you perhaps want to meet up with someone?" I asked inquisitively.

"All these adults and busybodies," she mumbled, looking away.

"Madam, I do not know you. And if you know my mum, that's not a crime. Why I'm standing here shouldn't be any of your business. You people should learn to mind your business."

She hissed and moved away from where she had been standing.

A sharp pain settled in my chest.

Anger rose almost instantly, but because I'd promised myself I would be a gentle parent, I swallowed the disrespect.

I decided to leave... but not completely.

I found a better spot where she couldn't see me, yet I still had a clear view of everything.

My readers might judge me for poking my nose into other people's business, or at least being overly suspicious but I strongly believe in protecting children.

I work with an agency that deals with human rights, child protection, and educating young people on issues like exposure, sex, and marriage.

I know you might still judge me...

But wait just trust me atleast. 

The girl's name is Sandra.

She's fifteen years old.

I've seen her around this same spot several times while returning from work around 7 p.m.

I always ignored it, assuming she'd been sent on an errand.

Okay...

Maybe I poke my nose into people's business a little.

But after our previous conversation, I was able to confirm from her mum that Sandra claimed she usually met up with a friend who was good at Mathematics to help her study.

Alright...

This is getting interesting, I thought.

So that particular day, I decided not to let her out of my sight.

At the very least, I wanted to know what her real intentions were.

Not long after, a black tinted SUV pulled up beside her.

Hold on...

I know that car.

It looked exactly like my husband's.

I stepped out from my hiding place and stood there, watching as the driver drove away with Sandra, who was cackling away happily.

By then, the clouds were heavily pregnant and decided it was time to give birth.

Within seconds, rain poured heavily.

I hurried to my car looking like a drenched little puppy.

For a while, I just sat there, trying to understand what had happened a few minutes earlier.

Let's get the facts straight...

~Sandra isn't meeting up with any friend for home lessons.

~ She's actually hanging out with a man who looked exactly like my husband.

~ A fifteen-year-old girl might be walking straight into the hands of a predator.

I rushed home.

As I pulled in, my husband's car was already parked outside.

What?

I stood there, completely stunned.

My kids ran towards me immediately.

"Mummy, how come you're this drenched?" Junior asked.

"Mummy looks like a cute little puppy!" Amira laughed.

Her brother joined in.

Their dad turned towards them.

"Alright, that's enough. Mummy is tired and needs to rest. No more jokes."

He walked over to me.

"Baby, are you alright? Did something happen to your car? You need to have a warm shower. Come here." He said walking me to our bedroom.

He sounded exactly like the loving husband I'd always known.

"I'm fine," I replied after finally finding my voice.

"You seem a little unsettled, babe. Are you sure you're okay?"

He sat on the bed, looking like he had no intention of leaving anytime soon.

I quickly decided to play along.

There was no point raising suspicion without any evidence.

"Of course I am," I chuckled.

"Sammy, what's for dinner? I'm starving. I just felt a little feverish, so I stopped by the pharmacy. Nothing to worry about. I'm good."

He looked at me suspiciously.

"Seriously, I am," I said with a smile before planting a peck on his cheek.

He eventually left to finish preparing dinner.

As always, we ate together as a family.

Skipping dinner would only make the kids suspect something was wrong.

I hurried downstairs and joined everyone at the dining table.

My handsome husband looked as harmless as ever.

Every now and then, I caught myself staring at him.

Maybe I was judging him.

Maybe I doubted him.

Or maybe...

I was scared. Just scared of the unknown.

He looked up, caught me staring, and smiled.

I smiled back.

Yet deep down, I'd already made up my mind.

Whatever this was...

I was going to find out.

I would play along until I had enough evidence.

"Seriously? Why would a kid throw stones at a teacher?" I asked, looking at Junior as he animatedly narrated the drama from school.