||JOE||

"Hachew!" Tamia sneezes.

I stare at her with a fascinated if not worried smile.

"Already?" I ask, referring to her tonsils.

They must really be overly sensitive if she's already sneezing after two tins of ice-cold ice cream or perhaps that was a little overboard.

"No" she smiles assuringly. "It's the cold wind whirling around here."

After lunch at Harvesters, we decided to come and chill on one of the concrete benches at a chilling zone named Whispers Park. It's around three something and the air is growing cold.

And the place being Nyeri, it is expected. The county's weather in June is known to be cold. Sometimes winter-like due to thick fogging, continuous drizzling and endless cloudiness.

"Oh! That is a relief. But get your sweater very fast," I order. "I don't want you to go down with a cold."

Obediently, she fishes inside her backpack and gets her school sweater. For safety purposes, it is boldly marked with her admission number on the neckline. Anyone who decided to steal it would never get the pleasure of wearing it without getting caught.

Unless she wore it to bed. But even then, someone would still notice. Kudos to the person who marked it for her at such a strategic place. She dons it and then smiles at me. Sometimes I wonder how I got to meet her. It was so unexpected yet so fruitful and fulfilling.

It is at moments like this that I pray for the best for us. I don't want us to ever trip and fall into a hole we can crawl out of. Instead, I want us to always be strong, victorious and forever inseparable.

"For a moment there I thought your nasty tonsils have reawakened," I state, admiring her beautiful face.

I seem to do that quite a lot sometimes.

"Thankfully, no," she assures me again.

"How sensitive are they, really?" I curiously ask.

"They are unpredictable tiny spawns of satan. Sometimes they are pretty sensitive. Other times they are so cool you'd think they don't even exist. A time back in primary school, mom nearly had them removed because they were becoming such a dangerous nuisance to my life," she explains.

"Damn. I didn't think tonsils would be to such serious nuisances. I'm sorry that you have had to endure them," I softly say and she smiles warmly with an accepting nod.

"You see that worn-out zebra sculpture over there?" she asks, pointing at it just a few metres away beside another concrete bench.

"Yeah," I nod, studying the old piece of art.

"When I was little, every time mom and I came to town I always made sure we sat on a seat that could guarantee me a good view of it through the window. You know why?" she asks.

"Why?" I curiously ask.

"Because I believed it to be a real zebra despite its immobility," she responds making me chuckle.

"Including the foal sculpture?" I ask.

That one seems to still be standing perfectly which I feel is somewhat symbolic following the natural order of life for both human beings and animals.

"Unfortunately," she groans. "If any of my primary school teachers asked in class if anyone has ever seen a wild animal, I would raise my hand and say a zebra. Well, plus a few baboons and monkeys that visit the village when hungry."

"That might as well be the biggest scam you have ever believed in," I laugh.

"I know," she groans chuckling.

"Did you ever see a real zebra later or should I schedule a trip for us at the Nairobi National Park?" I ask.

"Yeah, I did. Several times from two primary school trips to Nairobi," she responds.

"Ah, those trips the schools normally schedule for every year?" I ask.

"Yes, those," she nods in response.

I recall them. Although ours were not annual but termly since we were just in the city and could access a lot of places easily.

"That's great. However, when you come to Nairobi one day, we'll have a lot of places to visit," I say.

I'll see to her having the best adventures. I feel as if like she deserves them more than anyone.

"Save them for when we join campus. I want to be in one that is in or around Nairobi," she tells me.

My heart warms up at those words. At least she will be near me. Full time with a lot of freedom on her hands. Nobody will be able to stop us then. Life will be all ours to enjoy. Oh, how I look forward to those days.

"I look forward to that so much," I tell her with a smile.

"All in due time, K~Prince. For now, I hate to say this but it is three-forty," she says.

"Time for you to start leaving," I sigh and she nods in response.

"Uh, about your phone," she prompts.

"I'll borrow Fel's for the time being," I tell her.

"I'll never get over what I'm making you go through," she silently says with a regretful tone.

"I told you not to beat yourself over it, baby love," I remind her, tenderly smoothening her knuckles.

She smiles unsurely. As is she still isn't sure that she will get over it.

"Hey," I say, looking into her eyes deeply. "Stop worrying about the phone too much. I'll get a million ways for us to keep in touch. Okay?"

"Okay then," she smiles.

"Good. Let us now start moving," I say, standing from the concrete bench.

We walk away from the chilling zone and head down to the town CBD, passing by busy second-hand clothing traders. Their noise is a little less noisy compared to that of those in Nairobi.

Everyone there is always shouting their prices at the same time as their fellow traders making it sound as if it is a shouting competition. Sometimes I salute them though.

Mostly because I don't understand how they can go shouting from midmorning to evening without losing their voices. Then, the following day, repeating the same routine.

Damn, hustling is real. Just before the stage entrance, there is a dude selling skate shoes. He is not of my interest though. It is the other one beside him selling shamballa bracelets.

"Do you want us to get Shamballa bracelets?" I ask her, stopping just a few feet away from the bracelets dude.

She silently and thoughtfully scrutinizes the question for a minute.

"Nope," she shakes her head in response.

"Nope?" I frown, demanding an explanation.

"I think they are beautiful and are goals but everyone has them. Literally, half the girls in Triple F have Shamballa bracelets with their names or those of their boyfriends. I would prefer we have something else," she explains, annoyed at the thought. That makes me smile.

"Alright, miss uniqueness," I nod in understanding.

She scowls at me before resuming walking.

"You know what? I think I already know what to get you, miss uniqueness," I tell her, smiling when the thought occurs to me.

"What is it?" she asks.

"Wait until the next time we meet to see what it is," I respond.

"A surprise?" she asks.

"Exactly that," I nod in response.

"Okay," she nods with a smile.

We continue walking in comfortable silence until we get to Naivas Mall. At the luggage desk, I hand over Tamia's backpack to the attendant. He gives me a sticker number for it which I stick on the back of my hand. Then I take Tamia's hand in mine and lead her into the supermarket.

"What are we doing here?" she asks upon entering with a cute frown that makes me smile.

"We are doing shopping for you and me," I respond, grabbing an orange shopping basket.

"Boys do shopping while going home too?" she asks, her brows furrowed.

"Some of them they do. But personally, I'm not doing the kind of shopping you are thinking of," I respond, trying not to smile.

"What kind of shopping then?" she curiously asks as we stroll through the cake aisle.

"Well, nothing major. Just a few necessities here and there. You'll see," I tell her. "Meanwhile, pick whatever you want."

"You can't do that," she says, stopping midway through the aisle.

"Do what?" I ask with a frown.

"Give me the freedom of picking whatever I want," she responds.

"Why not?" I ask, studying her pretty sleepy eyes.

"Because I won't pick anything," she responds. "You have already spent so much on me."

"I believe I have no limits to however much I want to spend on you. What's more, I feel like spending all my pocket money on you instead of wasting it and then saving just two percent."

"You do save?" she asks with an impressed tone.

"Yeap. For a future with goals and dreams, I want to accomplish," I respond, resuming our walk through the aisles.

"I'm impressed. But can you whisper in my ear the approximate amount of pocket money you get?" she asks with a smile.

"No. Please allow me to keep that to myself," I request, not wanting to intimidate her.

"Whoa, you mean it's that huge that you'd rather not talk about it?" she asks with a raised brow and I shrug.

"Wow, okay," she says with a nod.

"I thought I told you to pick whatever you want," I point out when I realize she hasn't picked anything.

"I'm still thinking," she retorts.

"Ah, the consequences of giving you too much freedom. You can't decide what to pick. You could just pick it all, you know?" I say.

"No, thank you," she quickly says making me smile. "In fact, I'm just going to pick three things."

"Which include?" I ask as we walk through the snacks aisle.

"Ice cream, chocolate and yoghurt for Spasha. Oh, four things when I include mom's canned pineapples. Okay, perhaps five to include a jawbreaker for me," she responds.

"Alright then. Let's get them," I say, ushering her to it.

"But why don't you let me pay this time?" she asks, her eyes pleading with me.

"I'll let you pay next time," I smile at her, knowing pretty well that is a lie.

"That is a scam, K~Prince," she pouts making me chuckle.

"Fine then. I'll let you pay for the chocolate. I'm paying for the rest," I tell her.

"Just the chocolate?" she frowns.

"I think I have been generous enough. And we are not putting that up for debate," I state.

"Annoying jerk," she grumbles in a low tone.

"Between me and you, you are the annoying one," I retort.

"We both know that is a total lie," she argues.

"I think we should just stick to our own beliefs," I retort.

"Sounds good to me," she says to my face making me smile.

Then, in comfortable silence, we proceed to get whatever we want.

"Are you sure that is all you want?" I ask her.

"I should be asking you that question. You said you were doing shopping. Were you shopping for two things only?" she asks in disbelief.

"I thought I needed a few things but it turned out that I only needed a deodorant and a multicoloured ballpoint," I respond.

"I can't believe you," she says as she dumps her jawbreaker in the shopping basket.

We then proceed to the cashier's desk where a lady serves us. As mom has a Naivas card for points, I key in her phone number on a points device for the additional points. I then take the carrier bag from the male attendant who helped stock the shopping in it and walk out.

On the mall corridor, I hand Tamia the carrier bag and get her backpack from the luggage desk. I zip it open and get my bag. I fish inside the carrier bag to get my deodorant and ballpoint which are then dumped in my bag. After, I help Tamia put the carrier bag inside her bag.

"Here you go, baby love," I say, handing her the backpack.

"Thank you," she appreciates with a sweet and humble smile.

"You are always welcome," I smile back at her.

She carries the backpack on her back and then we proceed to their stage. Upon getting there, we get a matatu that will get her home.

"I'm paying the fare. So don't you dare try and do it," she pointedly says with a bossy tone.

"Okay fine," I smile, raising a hand in surrender. "I take it you have really had enough of my pampering."

"More than enough," she groans at me making me smile.

"You will get used to it. Meanwhile, get home safely. Expect a call from me later tonight when I get home. Then we'll talk about meeting again in the course of the week," I tell her.

"Alright. I will be waiting for your call," she says. "Get home safely too. Remember you have Sheraw and Kel. Don't leave those two behind."

The pair is playing Fifa at a gaming corner we discovered after lunch. It's just beside Harvesters. We agreed that I'll pick them up from there. If not, then we should meet at the Nairobi 2NK sacco stage at exactly four pm.

"I wouldn't dare," I smile.

"Good," she says.

"Come on," I prompt, opening my arms for her.

She walks into my arms and embraces me tightly and warmly. I engulf her, soaking in the warm feeling of having her in my arms.

"I...," I pause, letting the other two words hang on my tongue. The right time to let them out will come. But for now, "...heart you," I whisper in her ear.

In response, she hugs me tighter, snuggling in the bear hug. I smile as I carelessly kiss her temple. Anyone who sees can take notes. I don't care.

"I'll see you soon," she says upon retreat.

I nod and then she boards the matatu. I wave at her when she is settled and begrudgingly walk away to look for Kel and his girl.

🧯K~PRINCE🧯

Felix is a fucking selfish dick! I can't believe the dude refused to help me with his phone just because he was in a hurry to go play Fifa with his friends. He claimed he couldn't wait for another hour for me to talk to V~Girl.

It was quite an exaggeration but it is okay. At some point, he will need a favour from me too and he'll suffer. Payback is a must. Anyway, it's only Monday and I'm damn having a hard time contacting my girl.

I have only talked to her twice. That should be Saturday evening after I got home. I called her from Fel's phone and we talked for quite a while. Then yesterday afternoon after church. I called her using a friend's phone since Fel was nowhere to be found.

If I care to admit it, I feel as if I'm being limited too much. I want to constantly communicate with her. And seeing the struggle I'm going through just to reach her, I arrive at a major conclusion.

I need a damn phone. Dad needs to give or buy me a new phone. I've been playing lowkey since I arrived because I didn't want him to realize that I don't have my phone with me.  But now I don't think I can anymore.

"What are you mulling over?" I hear mom ask when she finds me in the silent living room, sitting on the couch and thoughtfully gazing at the ceiling.

I'm trying to figure out how I'll get her and dad to buy me a new phone by tomorrow. No, tomorrow is too far. Perhaps tonight. Snapping out of my thoughts, I turn to look at her.

She smells and looks so nice you'd think she was going out instead of coming in from work. I hug her when she approaches me before we both take a seat on the couch.

"The loss of my phone," I silently say in a sad tone, trying to make it sound real.

It's not hard though because it feels as if I've lost my phone. What's more, the burning need to have it helps in the convincing.

"You lost your phone?" she asks, a frown marring her beautiful face.

"No, mom. It got stolen," I respond.

She sighs and takes a deep breath. I hope she will understand.

"How?" she asks.

"Pickpocketed while I was in town yesterday with Kel," I respond. "I realized when it was too late."

The number of phones and other electronic gadgets that disappear in Nairobi in a day is countless. People like pickpocketers, marathon snatchers, drugging thieves, conmen and women and even dangerous thieves are making a living from stealing electronic gadgets mostly.

"Does dad know about it?" she asks.

"No. I haven't told him. Though I was planning on telling him today," I respond.

"Alright," she nods in understanding.

"Are you not going to soothe my heart by telling me you are going to sort it out for me?" I ask with a sincere pleading voice.

"You want to buy your way with me, don't you?" she asks with a fond smile.

"Just a little," I respond with a guilty smile.

"I'll see what to do but first talk to dad, okay?" she says before standing from the couch and getting ready to head upstairs.

"Can I get one by tomorrow? You know, for the trip Kel and I are going on. I'll need to keep in touch with you guys," I remind her.

I lied to her yesterday that we have a trip to the Aberdares with a renowned travelling organization. Also that I had already paid for it before going back to school.

Since mom is generous and trusting, she didn't have a problem with it. Dad too. He never even questioned much as long as mom knew something about it. That was enough for him.

"Alright. I'll get your dad to bring you one over later tonight," she says, causing my heart to soar with happiness.

"Thank you so much, mom," I appreciate wholeheartedly. "Meanwhile, can I borrow yours? I want to call someone."

"When you refer to them as 'someone' as if they don't have a name, it sounds fishy," she points out with a perceptive smile.

Mothers and their constant nosiness.

"Well, they do," I respond with a fond smile when V~Girl pops up in my mind.

"And so?" she asks with a very curious smile that makes me groan.

"Mom," I grumble.

"Fine if you don't want to tell me. I think I already know who it is anyway," she says with a convinced smile. Damn her.

Before she grills me into giving her more information, I decide to ask for her phone. I promise that somewhere along the way, I'll tell her all about V~Girl. Just not right now.

"Phone, please," I stretch out my hand to get get it.

She fishes inside her handbag to get it.

"Here," she says, handing it to me.

Without wasting time, I key in her lock screen password and dial V~Girl's number I now know off-head. Just to keep her from eavesdropping on our conversation, I rush out of the living room to the back of the house. V~Girl's phone is picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hi there, baby love," I greet with a fulfilled smile.

"Hi, K~Prince," she responds sweetly.

"Damn, I've missed you so much," I groan, meaning every word.

"I miss you too. I've spent the whole day waiting for your call," she admits.

"Here it is, baby love," I say with a smile.

Speaking of smiling, I realized I smile too much whenever I'm talking to her or when I think about her. It is fascinating but humbling just thinking about how one person can make you feel so good even without trying too much.

"I'm happy you have finally called. But just a quick question. Will you be calling me from different numbers each day?" she asks in a lighthearted tone.

"For sure if that is what it takes to be able to get to you," I respond.

"So, whose phone are you using this time?" she curiously asks.

"Mom's," I respond with a smile since I expect a reaction from her.

For a moment, she goes dead silent prompting me to smile some more.

"What?! Does your mom know about us?" she asks in surprise.

"Not yet," I respond. "But she kind of has a clue about your existence."

"Gosh. Yet?" she asks.

"Yes, baby love. I plan on telling her some time. Does your mommy know you have a boyfriend?" I ask.

"No," she silently says. "I would love to tell her but I can't. I fear that she will not understand. At least for now."

"With time, baby love," I softly tell her.

"With time," she agrees.

"So, am I seeing you tomorrow?" I ask with an enthusiastic tone.

"Yes, you are. You know how to use Google maps, right?" she asks making me smile.

"Of course," I nod in response as if she's seeing me.

"Alright then. I'll pin the meeting point for you. Latest, noon. I'll be waiting," she says.

She is taking us to a place called The Intake. She describes it as a baby version of the Aswani High Dam or maybe the Kindaruma Dam. The artificial water catchment area is built in the fastest-flowing river in both the country and Africa. That is river Gura.

"I'll be there, my girl," I assure her.

"Will you be coming together with Kel and Sheraw?" she asks.

"Yes," I respond.

Those two begged me to let them tag along and I didn't have the heart to refuse them. So we shall be going with them to visit the famous Aberdares and of course, to see my girl. I can't wait.

"Alright then," she says.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll try keeping in touch as much as possible," I tell her. "Meanwhile, I have to give back the phone."

"Okay," she says. "Have a good night in advance."

"You too, baby love," I tell her before hanging up.

When I turn to head back to the house, I find Felix staring at me at the door with an apologetic look on his face.

"What now, dude?" I ask him.

"I'm sorry for being such a flippant asshole," he apologizes with a sincere tone.

"At least you realized you were a flippant asshole. But it is okay," I assure him.

"What happened to your phone?" he asks, moving from the door and walking towards me.

"It got stolen, man," I lie with a convincing tone.

"Damn, I'm sorry about that. Do mom and dad know?" he asks.

"I just told mom. She will tell dad and hopefully, I'll get a new one later tonight or tomorrow," I respond.

"That's great," he says.

"I know," I mumble with a smile.

"At least you will have an easier time communicating with this girl who you can't seem to live without talking to. Speaking of which, can we talk about her?" he asks with a curious smile.

"I'm only telling you a few details," I grumble. "The rest you'll get to know as time goes on."

"Doesn't matter as long as you tell me something," he shrugs as we start proceeding to the house.