FRIDAY MORNING
Sunshine speared through the blinds, painting stripes across my face. Today was the day. Yes, I had morning clinicals but having filled out my logbook I thought to myself, huku natafuta tu degree content nitapata internship and covered my face with duvet. But before I could get swept away by the late-morning sleep, dreams of witty banter and stolen glances which would happen later in the day, my phone buzzed with a name that sent a jolt through me – Uncle Richard.
Uncle Richard, my father's older brother, the man I wished I would be when I was a little boy, uncle madoh. He exuded a quiet confidence that whispered of boardrooms and bespoke suits. Our interactions were infrequent but always cordial. "Coffee at Java House?" the text simply read. Intrigued, I agreed. Because who would pass anyway?
Java House wasn’t abuzz with the morning crowd like other cafes. Enyewe, class recognizes class. Uncle Richard, impeccably dressed in a linen suit, (seriously, the guy could wear a potato sack and make it look expensive), sat sipping his latte with a chill smile. We chatted, catching up on lost time. When the bill came, a glint flickered in his eyes as he swiped his card. The waiter returned, a sheepish grin on his face. "Congratulations sir, you've won a fifteen-thousand-shilling Java voucher!" My eyebrows shot up. Uncle Richard chuckled, a dry, rumbling sound. "Keep it, son," he said nonchalantly.
Meet-cute Mishap
Late afternoon, chemistry department opposite exam center.
The air crackled with nervous energy as students shuffled out, faces etched with a mixture of relief and disappointment. I could relate, I had been in their situation. I had asked Carol to call me after her exam. As I stood there scanning the crowd, a particular girl drew my attention.
She was about my height, with a rich, chocolate complexion that seemed to absorb the afternoon sun. Even from a distance, her beauty was undeniable. Her hair, a style that defied easy description, perfectly complemented her confident stride. Cargo pants hugged her curves in a way that made my breath hitch, and a cropped top revealed a hint of toned midriff adorned with a delicate silver necklace. As she walked by, a sweet fragrance, like vanilla and sunshine, tickled my nose.
But amidst her beauty, a flicker of sadness crossed her beautiful brown eyes. It was a subtle change, almost missed in my initial awe, but it tugged at my curiosity. She delicately stood a few steps past me, took out her phone and a few seconds later, I heard my phone vibrate as she raised hers to the ear. A smile, wide and genuine, bloomed on her face before she hung up. My heart hammered in my chest. This couldn't be… could it?
Suprise!
Slowly, I walked over, my smile concealing my surprise. She met me halfway, her smile even brighter. "Hi," she said, then stopped, her brow furrowing slightly. "Wait…" Before she could finish, I chuckled. "Hi Carol," I replied, relief washing over me. "It's me, Joe, I never got to tell you my name"
Her smile returned, tinged with a hint of mischief. Before she could offer her delicate hand for a handshake, I stretched my arms pulling her into my warm embrace, her head resting on my shoulder for a moment longer than expected. The scent of vanilla and sunshine intensified, sending shivers down my spine. I held her close, the warmth of her body a stark contrast to the nervous tremor in my hand. When she finally pulled away, her eyes, a luminous brown, were rimmed with red.
"You look too pretty to be the girl I argued with online," I blurted out, surprised by the words leaving my lips. A blush bloomed on her cheeks, a beautiful contrast to her chocolate skin. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice like a melody. “You smell nice”. She added.
Chemistry
Having already ordered uber, (a comrade must try, iykyk), I led the way before cordially opening the door for her. We headed to Java House, the initial awkwardness melting away with every shared laugh. Once there, I opted for a creamy milkshake and a slice of pepperoni pizza, while Carol, still shaken from the exam, chose a soothing cappuccino. For some reason, she was surprised by my choice of the place, little did she know...
As we chatted, I discovered a depth to her that surprised me. She was intelligent, witty, and possessed a fire that went beyond online debates. Her gaze lingered on me a little too long, sending a delicious warmth through my veins.
By the time we finished our meal, the sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Casually, I slipped away from the table and presented the Java voucher to the cashier. My heart pounded as the bill was cleared – a small victory, a secret shared only between me and fate.
Intoxicating.
Leaving Java House, the cool evening air felt refreshing. Carol, her eyes sparkling with a newfound light, admitted the pathology exam had been brutal. "How about we forget all about it?" I suggested, a mischievous glint in...my eye. "Let’s get some wine and unwind at my place. It's closer than yours, and besides…" I trailed off, leaving the unspoken words – 'and besides, I wouldn't mind getting to know you a little better in a more relaxed setting.'(comrade must cook)
Carol hesitated for a beat, then a playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips.” "Tempting," she admitted, "but maybe a little too soon for letting a strange guy with questionable motives into his lair, wouldn't you say?"
I chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. "Strange guy, maybe. Questionable motives? Absolutely not. Just a chance to maybe salvage this disastrous day with some good company and hopefully, some decent wine."
She pondered this for a moment, then a glint of something akin to amusement flickered in her eyes.
"But maybe another time. I wouldn't want to impose." The disappointment I felt must have shown on my face, because she squeezed my arm reassuringly. "How about we hit Number 7 Club? Let's loosen up a bit, and then I can head home."
Number 7 Club was a vibrant haven of pulsating music and flashing lights (to us who know the place). We weaved through the throng of dancing bodies, laughter bubbling up from Carol's lips as we bumped into each other playfully. The air thrummed with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of our earlier conversation.
At the bar, I ordered us a round of fruity cocktails, their bright colors mirroring Carol's infectious energy. As the night wore on, we changed to more than fruity cocktails then tequila shots. We delved into our dreams, our fears, our most outrageous childhood stories. With every shared laugh, every stolen glance, the spark between us grew brighter.
"By the time we were on our third round of shots, the music seemed to vibrate in my bones, and the club lights were a dizzying blur. Looking at Carol, her cheeks flushed and a mischievous glint in her eyes, I felt a possessiveness I hadn't expected. Maybe it was the tequila, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to protect her.
'I shouldn't have let you drink so much,' I mumbled, the words slurring slightly.
'Neither should I,' she replied, her voice a husky whisper that sent shivers down my spine. 'But for some reason, it feels different with you.'
The vulnerability in her voice hit me like a shot. Her phone buzzed, a harsh intrusion into our world. She glanced at the screen, then sighed. 'It's my roommate. I should probably head out.'"
part 3 link
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