Story Thread
Last night, I was hit with a strong aroma coming from my neighbor's house. His wife is a hotelier. On some days, the aroma of her cooking casts a spellbinding smell in the entire apartment. Last night was one such day.
Last night, I was hit with a strong aroma coming from my neighbor's house. His wife is a hotelier. On some days, the aroma of her cooking casts a spellbinding smell in the entire apartment. Last night was one such day.
The aroma was so strong I could not resist its invitation. The aroma of fresh home-cooked food reminded me that I had not taken homemade food for ages. I gave up on cooking at home because I am a bad cook.
I decided that it was wise to visit them, sit, and fool her husband with enticing stories until the food was served.
Luckily, there was a football game playing on their TV. I switched my TV off and walked to their door. I knocked.
It was the wife who heard the knock first.
Luckily, there was a football game playing on their TV. I switched my TV off and walked to their door. I knocked.
It was the wife who heard the knock first.
She shouted, 'honey, can you check the knock on the door. Once you are done, food will be almost ready.'
The man opened the door. We have a relationship, neighbor-neighbor relationship. We sometimes talk, about football and politics, whenever we meet in the corridors.
The man opened the door. We have a relationship, neighbor-neighbor relationship. We sometimes talk, about football and politics, whenever we meet in the corridors.
'Sakwah,' he said, smiling. 'It is you. I have not seen you for a while.' At that point, I realized that he had spread his hands. One hand rested on the frame of the door, while the other on the other frame of the door. In that, his whole figure had enclosed the door.
He was subconsciously blocking my way. 'You know, I am ever in the house working, writing my books, ghostwriting sometimes.'
'How can I help you?' At that point, I was craning my head to check inside the house after I heard the wife's flip-flapping around the house.
'How can I help you?' At that point, I was craning my head to check inside the house after I heard the wife's flip-flapping around the house.
Ideally, she was serving the food on the table.
'Man, it is a Champions League night, Inter Milan is playing Barcelona. Unfortunately, my DSTV subscription expired early today. I was wondering if I could come in and watch the game with you?' I asked.
'Man, it is a Champions League night, Inter Milan is playing Barcelona. Unfortunately, my DSTV subscription expired early today. I was wondering if I could come in and watch the game with you?' I asked.
He scratched his head for a second, 'you know what Sakwah? I have your number. Let me lend you the subscription money right now. Go back to your house. I am sending you the money right away.'
I scratched my head, as well, disappointed.
I scratched my head, as well, disappointed.
I did not want his money. I wanted to eat the food his wife was preparing. I came up with an excuse to convince him otherwise.
'I won't be able to repay you any time soon. It is not necessary.
'I won't be able to repay you any time soon. It is not necessary.
Let me just walk in and watch the game and save you from the trouble of mutilating your wallet to lend me money.'
He pulled his phone from his pocket at that point. His wife joined us. She is a very beautiful girl, of my age. She is always bubbly. She never misses a smile.
He pulled his phone from his pocket at that point. His wife joined us. She is a very beautiful girl, of my age. She is always bubbly. She never misses a smile.
'Honey, what is it?'
'It is Sakwah. His DSTV subscription has expired. He is requesting to join us to watch today's Champions League games. I am offering a loan to pay his subscription right now...'
'And?' his wife asked.
'It is Sakwah. His DSTV subscription has expired. He is requesting to join us to watch today's Champions League games. I am offering a loan to pay his subscription right now...'
'And?' his wife asked.
'He insists on coming in because he will not be able to repay the loan soon.'
At that point, the aroma was intoxicating my nostrils. The gluttonous Luhya spirits inside my nostrils were screaming at me to break into the house and start devouring the seemingly delicious meals.
At that point, the aroma was intoxicating my nostrils. The gluttonous Luhya spirits inside my nostrils were screaming at me to break into the house and start devouring the seemingly delicious meals.
'C' mon, honey,' at that point, when his wife started talking, my heart lit up. Her voice is exciting, plus, I thought she was coming to my rescue. 'Just give him the money without expecting him to repay. Why lend him? Sakwah, go back to your house.
My hubby will send you money right away so that you can subscribe to DSTV.' They closed the door on me before I could wish them a good night.
In Nairobi, someone would rather give you money rather than invite you inside their house to share their food.
In Nairobi, someone would rather give you money rather than invite you inside their house to share their food.
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