Brother's Mess

The duo was engrossed in interminable merry jests, at the fireside adjacent the main house. It was about 8pm and the local streets were filled with long darkness. Nevertheless, the fire gave off lights and somebody at a distance could see the two figures around the fire. Fireflies could be seen hovering above them. The fact that the place was warm gave Rose Ayen a reason or two to smile. She knew that for the last eight years she had spent in Uganda, coldness had always been the daily bread. ‘Your first night here in eight years,’ said Mimi, ‘how is it?’ ‘My dear, I find no much life here. It’s irritating. I miss Kawempe street lights.’ Rose cried. ‘You miss Kawempe street lights?’ Not just the lights, kiddy. I mean the entire fun, night club, and my fashion being drawing.’ She chuckled. ‘If they hear you saying that, they could think you’re some kind of bitch.’ ‘Gosh. That’s just the damn life at its best. My body is like the way God gave it to me…’ ‘Well, your thoughts should be history. Welcome to Rumbek.’ For she said the last line with so much emphasis that Rose got irritated or suspicious. Mimi got up and left for the room. Rose followed, unwittingly, and she was yawning as if that would give her what she was missing at the moment. The night was great, serene, and full of fresh smell from nature. For it was unpolluted, unlike the nights she had got used to in the city of Kampala. As she rested her limbs, Rose could hear sounds of children at a traditional night party in the neighborhood. And for a moment, she was nostalgic and loved the rural life. She remembered having fun at such occasions with her friends, especially Eliza. This reminiscence alone made her restless and she couldn’t wait to find her lost friends’ whereabouts the following day. The bed had so much comfort that Rose slept like a baby in its mother’s arms, and throughout the night she was in a world of dreams. She woke up and felt the wind blowing the curtains, permitting the sun rays to light up the room. She sighed and lifted her head like a lizard that has sensed the presence of a hawk. And over her stood her young sister, Mimi. ‘Why disturb me too early?’ Rose roared. ‘Come on, it is very late. This is not Kampala. Remember, our people can be so negative about your kind of sleeping. Good morning.’ Rose rubbed her eyes and gathered herself like she had been broken into pieces. ‘What a beautiful morning! But I’m hungry.’ Mimi laughed. ‘There’s breakfast in plenty. But is satisfying hunger your plan of the day?’ ‘No, don’t silly. I had a terrible nightmare.’ ‘Nightmare? Oh! Did you mean some Rumbek guys were following you and asking for your address?’ Rose laughed. ‘That’s gonna be a long ride.’ Mimi was worried and concerned, for she knew how her sister usually talked. ‘Why? By the way, do you have a boyfriend?’ I once had one, but we broke up.’ She gave a smile that spoke countless words. Her thoughts drove her back to the old days when Sam used to her babe in arms. The thought of his cute face and the wonderful smile that made her dizzy was playing in her head like a movie. But the nightmare was a great experience. The experience that made her lose trust almost in all boys. She saw her classmate, a fat ugly Ugandan girl, kiss Sam in her presence and when she asked, she only got a tacky explanation and heartbreak. But some people explained that the girls had a nice booty and this attracted Sam. All the memories disappeared and her face became pale. ‘Tell me what happened then.’ Mimi pushed on. ‘Let’s not toy with the good moods of this beautiful morning.’ Rose said. ‘Let us go have some breakfast before I starve to death.’ ‘We had better. By the way, Eliza went to the village for a visit and she said she would return in a week’s time. She could be here tomorrow.’ The happiness could be seen on Rose’s face. ‘Stick to the plan. Breakfast first and more of those later. I am gonna brush now.’ They exited the room.