TASTELESS

CHAPTER THREE

Kayla remembers her mom's last words before she left the village. At first, she didn't care about it, but Mercy is insisting that she stays longer.

'Why? Why do you want me to stay with you Mercy?' she asks herself. As she takes shower, reality strikes on her that this is a different life now. She will be reporting to her workplace the following day.

'I will be earning my money and paying my bills.' she tells herself. Back in the village, she used to wake up earliest at 7 am. Her mom would then tell her to sweep the compound, go to fetch water, or prepare breakfast. That life is over now. She is in Nairobi and on her own.

Kayla joins Mercy in the living room after the shower.

"Did you take lunch?" Mercy asks her.

"No, but I am okay." She lies. Kayla is hungry, but she is avoiding the little embarrassment. You see, when you are from the village there is that feeling deep inside that don't want to express. The pretending that you are all great to avoid being misunderstood.

"You are lying." Baba Vin says while giggling. Joe, his real name, rarely talks. He is always quiet especially if the conversation doesn't require his participation. Mercy and Joe got married four years ago in a lovely wedding in which Kayla, amongst others, were maids. Kayla remembers that day as if it were yesterday. Joe and Mercy looked so happy and lovely as they walked down the aisle.

"Prepare something for her, there is food in the kitchen," Joe tells his wife while typing on his laptop. He is a brilliant lawyer, just like his late father. Joe was born and grew up in town.

"A few minutes Kayla," Mercy says and walks to the kitchen.

"How is home bytheway?" Joe asks unexpectedly.

"Home kuko poa. I was telling Mercy that you people should go and see grandma." Kayla responds.

"The same thing I have been telling Mercy. She doesn't seem to love the idea though." Joe responds. There is something Kayla loves about Joe. He is so eloquent.

"Grandma has been asking for her. You need to persuade her." Kayla responds.

"I will, yesterday Mercy and I were talking about you," Joe replies, now looking at Kayla.

"About what?" Kayla asks.

"That you can stay with us for as long as you wish," Joe says. Kayla does not understand it. Mercy was talking about the same thing.

"I intend to stay for a week as I look for my place. I really would like to stay here, but I need my own space." Kayla replies.

"Welcome Kayla," Mercy says as she places a plate of rice mixed with beans on the table.

"Thank you so much," Kayla responds. As she gets ready to eat, she notices the gazes Joe is giving Mercy.

"So, as I told you earlier, Joe and I do not have a problem if you stayed with us," Mercy says.

"That is what I was telling her before you brought the food," Joe adds. Kayla is confused.

'How many times do I need to say that I don't want to stay here?' she asks herself. She feels offended by the fact that she already has responded to their request, but they don't seem to acknowledge it.

"Well, I will think about it in the week," Kayla replies and starts eating. Mercy does not seem satisfied by her response. But she decides to give Kayla enough time to make a decision.

Later that night, Kayla ironed and folded her clothes. She was fully prepared for her job the following day. But before she slept, Mercy knocked at her door.

"Kayla, Joe has a suggestion." She told her.

"Mercy please, I told you I can't stay here with you. I need my space. Why are you making it look like a big issue?" Kayla responded.

"It is not about staying here. Joe's family has an apartment in Kamae. You can have a room there, rent-free." Mercy says. To Kayla, that sounds better. But she doesn't understand why it should be rent-free.

"Why rent-free??" She asks.

"Because we are family. Kayla, I'm trying to help you." Mercy responds.

"It's okay," Kayla says.

"Have a good night." Mercy replies and closes the door as she leaves.

***********

"Let us go, I will drop Vincent first, then drive you to work." Mercy tells Kayla, who is all ready for the job. It is the following day, early in the morning.

"Okay," Kayla responds and walks out. She is a little bit tensed. It happens for everyone during their first day at work. Mercy drops Vincent at school, then drives Kayla to her workplace in Kasarani. She will be working as an accountant.

"Good day girl, see you later in the evening." Mercy says and drives away. Kayla walks into the reception with confidence. She does not want to look like a stranger. At the entrance, there is a banner written 'Clinton Housing Co.'

"Good morning." Kayla greets the receptionist, a medium-aged lady.

"Yes, good morning. You should be Kayla right?" She responds.

"Yes, I am," Kayla responds.

"Well, the manager is not here yet, but he had left the details about you. Let us go up to your office." The receptionist says and leads Kayla up the stairs into an office.

"This is your office. Your manager will come to brief you." The receptionist says and leaves Kayla alone.

'This is beautiful.' Kayla says as she seats on the office chair. She starts the computer and wipes the table. This is going to be her workplace from today. She is excited. While she is scrolling through her phone, a well-built gentleman walks in. He is well dressed, with a straight black tie.

"Hello Kayla, my name is Andrew, your manager." ...