"FOREVER AMEN - CHUI..."

OUR FRIENDSHIP IS WEIRD...

Going to Robert's place was the first time in a very long time Nilla had been invited to visit a friend. She was happy, besides, Robert was always a great friend and it was always a mood changer.

"This car is so beautiful. It smells like a clean room with a warm bed with cotton bedding,"Nilla said.

"What a way to describe a car! You are the first person to ever liken a car to a bedroom,"Robert said as he laughed.

"But, don't we liken things to other things which touch our souls, either in a good or bad way?"

"So, in this case, does your comparison pass for lousy or terrific?"

"Robert, dear friend, for the thousandth time, please, speak slowly, my English is as poor as the economy of this country."

They both laughed, paused, and burst out laughing again.

"I asked whether your comparison was bad or good."

"Warm beds always have a soft spot in my heart. If it were up to me, I would be in bed every second every day. I would have a beautiful flower garden outside the window for a great view and heavenly smell. I would make sure the bed is so very large, and my bedding would be pure cotton, just satin for my pillow cases...ooh how I love beautiful sleeping areas, and your car is as beautiful."

"Thank you so much," Robert said.

"So, where did you go, dear friend? Getting in and out of Kenya like we do in village pit latrines."

From the airport all the way to Robert’s house, the view was magnificent. Nilla had never been to this part of Kenya before. She really loved the scenery. It was as if she and Robert lived in two different countries, if not worlds.

“I have never known Kenya has got places as beautiful as such.” Nilla said. “ You have never been to Kileleshwa before?”, Robert asked.

“Nope. In Nairobi, I have only been to Upper Hill because of work, and the hustlers’ region where I live, ever since I came here.”

“ How long have you been in Nairobi? Where did you live before?”

“ I lived in Mombasa. Such a beautiful place, with warm people and good food. Sometimes I really miss Mombasa, especially because it really doesn’t push people so hard to wake up early to start surviving. “

“I have been to Mombasa once. Life there is rather slow and, the people there are very warm and welcoming. Why did you decide to leave for Nairobi?”

“ I left when I found a job with Li & Associates. Having a constant source of income is better than having a business in these tough times. Starting a small business with a stable source of income is safer since, should the business fail, you’ll still have a soft landing.”

“ That’s very, very right. How’s business so far?”

“ I am taking a break, but I hope to make a comeback soon.”

“ But you really haven’t been at it for so long, have you?”

“ Not really “

“ Why the break? Dear short human, didn’t know your patience and your height were identical twins “

They both laughed so hard.

“You know, Robert, you really seem like a nice person from the outside. No one could ever think that you’re such a bully,”

“A bully?”

“ yes, a bully. Also, one day, I will be tall, just so you know. Just a matter of time.”

“Yeah, you keep dreaming. Again, why are you taking a break? You didn’t just introduce me to your signature samosas just to break my heart- aaaahhh-aaah”

“ Well….my job contract ended, and I can’t make it to Upper Hill to my place daily just to go sell the samosas. That would cost like three hundred shillings in a day, a huge part of my profit margin.”

“ ooooh, sorry for that.”

“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault, big head.”

Loud laughter. In Kenya, you know someone sees you as a true friend when they start calling you big head. That is how friendships are sealed.

They got to Robert's house, and he ordered some food online, so they would eat before going out. Only his best friend Fredrick would always come over to his house. Mostly, Robert would meet with his friends outside his home. He was rather quiet and softs-poken, his way of life made sense.

"Let us go out to the bar, some soft music won’t kill you Nilla,” Robert said. Nilla did not think that was a great idea. She did not plan on staying out late with a man. It was not in her. “ I am sorry dear friend, but I will leave now. You are always great company. You’ve made me laugh, fed me, and now I have to ta, ta, ta, my way out "Nilla said.

“ Nilla Jibawi, you are safe here. My dear friend. This house is big, and your company has been great. You see that room to your left. It’s the guest room, you will have rest in there, all the rest you want, besides, it’s got a garden of flowers as the view through the window. Come, let me show you.” Robert said as he directed Nilla towards the guest room.Nilla followed Robert as she folded her face as if she wanted to say something. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?” Robert asked.

“ Where did you learn my second name?” Said Nilla.

“On your birthday, after realizing that we didn’t even know each other’s names, we decided to reintroduce ourselves to each other. You can’t be so young with such a poor memory, c'mmon” Robert said.

“Robert, are you willing to adopt a twenty-two-year-old bouncing baby girl who doesn’t need diapers?” Nilla asked Robert. He laughed so hard. “That’s a suggestion worth considering. You make me laugh a lot, so, maybe,” Robert said. The room was magnificent and was five times the size of Nilla's whole small house. She loved the bedding, she loved the garden outside, she loved the smell of the room, she had never seen such a beautiful bathroom as the one in this room. She went silent. “ Say something short friend,” Robert said. “ This is lovely. Must be nice being a god, huh? Yet so humble, I can’t believe I’m in such a beautiful place. I’m pleased for you, dear friend.” Nilla said. She really had never been in such a fancy place. The first beautiful place she ever saw from the village was the big hotels along Mtwapa road in Mombasa. She really loved the view. Having grown up in the village, it was such a big deal for her to see the beautiful city buildings. The second time she saw another beautiful place was when she got her job at Li & Associates. The Upper Hill part of Nairobi is very beautiful and Nilla was so happy to have had a chance to work there. It showed her the other side of life. It showed her that there were people who actually led good lives and that opened up her eyes and made her want more. A better life for her and Brian.

“Nice place, yes, Kenya has got a lot of nice places. Being a god, don’t think so. I just love the quiet here, that’s all.” Robert was always humble. He always found a way of making Nilla think it was never a big deal having the life he did.

“ Okay. Though I have never been to a bar before, if I embarrass you, just own me as a friend with your chest.” They laughed as they prepared to leave for the bar.

The two had a lot to talk about ata the bar. Robert told Nilla about England and about winter. Nilla had never heard of this winter before. She wanted to hear more about the snow. Robert showed her the pictures of him in the winter seasons. Nilla loved them. She had a wish to experience the snow someday.

“Hey Robert, I didn’t know you were in Kenya, you dog!” Robert’s friend joined them. “Rick! Hey! Yes, there are a lot of projects to handle in Kenya, I’ll be flying in frequently. This is my friend Nilla. Nilla, this is Rick “ Robert introduced the two. Nilla said hello and went quiet. It always took her a while to get used to new people, so she just let the men talk. “ By the way, there’s a milk chain in here too”, Rick said. The milk chain was what they used to call a low-key brothel business in high-end bars or clubs. “ She one of them?” Rick asked, referring to Nilla.” Ooooohhhh no…. Nooo…. Ooohhh nooo!” Robert answered. Nilla had given them a little distance. She went and sat on the sofa opposite Robert to give him space with his friend. “She’s a friend, Rick. I, however, wouldn't mind joining you for an hour in the milk chain .” He said. Robert asked Nilla to wait for him as he went to get a fix in the milk chain. Of course, he didn’t tell her where he was going. Robert had been introduced to Rick by his friend Fredrick. There were days when they were just on a coital rampage. There was a time when they had a two-day party with women, many women. That day Robert had said he would go for a year without being fixed, yet two weeks later, they were on the loose yet again. The men had similar arrangements in almost every country they met.

Robert was gone for almost two hours and Nilla was bored and sleepy. She had started to make her leave when Robert appeared. “ I’m so very sorry I kept you waiting, I didn’t plan on bumping into Rick”, Robert said. “ It’s okay, I’ll just take my leave and maybe see you next time” She really felt bad for having been left alone for so long by someone who had tagged her along. Robert had seen the disappointment on her face. “ Forgive me, really, that wasn’t supposed to happen. I had planned on us just telling stories and having a good time,” Robert said. “ I just want to sleep. I’m so tired.” Nilla said. They both went back to Robert’s place. He showed her to the guest room and wished her goodnight. The bed smelled so good. Nilla had slept in a bed for the very first time after four years, the previous day when Sarah delivered her bunk bed. Sometimes, life is just so hard for some people, and what we think of as basic, could be a luxury. Robert’s house was the second time Nilla was enjoying the comfort of a bed. Something in her changed. She wanted to work hard, so she could enjoy a good sleep. Quality sleep.

Nilla woke up at one in the afternoon. Robert had earlier gone to check on her. She only uttered gibberish and kept sleeping. He had to leave her be. Nilla walked to Robert’s living room. She found him on his laptop. “ I am so sorry for sleeping for so long. I know you were to go for a meeting. I’m so sorry", Nilla said. “ It has been pushed to tomorrow morning, no worries. How are you? Good morning and afternoon to you too.” Robert said as they both smiled. He had asked Fatuma, the housekeeper, to order something’ Kenyan alongside his. Fatuma only came around when Robert came to the country. She had served him for three years. She had never seen a woman at Robert’s house before. This was a surprise to her.” I went to clean the guest room and saw a woman. I was surprised since I’m only used to seeing men coming to sleep here and not women."Fatuma said in Swahili, just to make sure Robert did not get whatever she said. “ Haha, sorry for the shock, hope you are doing well today?” Nilla responded in Swahili too. “ Thank goodness we can now have lunch! Robert said as Fatuma headed to the door to get the delivery. He headed to the dining table,and signaled Nilla to join him.

“ The kind of food you people eat wouldn’t even make an African baby full.” Nilla said, looking at the mashed potato in Robert’s hand. They both laughed. “ I really find Ugali tasteless. I have tried it thrice and each time, I’m unable to finish my serving,” Robert said.

“The taste of ugali lies in the stew.sawasawa?” Nilla said. Sawasawa is Swahili for okay?’ “ Sawa” Robert said in agreement.

“ I think it is time for me to leave my good friend “ Nilla felt she had overstayed her visit. “ Oohhh noo.. it’s okay then, I’ll drop you” Robert offered to drop Nilla at her house. Nilla always did not want her friends to go through the hassle of driving through her noisy neighborhood. “ It’s okay, the buses to town aren’t far from here, then from town, I’ll take my bus home, not far”, Nilla said.

“ I would love to drop you home, please let me. At least I owe you this after leaving you alone for hours last night.” Nilla reluctantly agreed.

Robert asked his driver to take them to Nilla's place. The two never ran out of stories. Growing up in two different parts of the world, in two totally different generations, and living in two different cultures, they obviously had a lot to share. Robert had never really had an African lady friend before. He really liked his friendship with Nilla, it spelled pure intentions and authenticity. This was all new to him.

"Welcome to the ghetto, remember, dear child, it's you that insisted on coming with me." Nilla said as she made a silly face at Robert.“ This is all new to me. I have never really been to these parts of Kenya. This is an adventure.” Robert said. “ Bread-for- breakfast kids. You people are amazed by simple things. I really like sponge kids haha!” Nilla said.

"You think I am soft?”

“That’s not what I said. I just love you people, for free.”

“ Who is you people? Huh? Huh?” Robert said as he put his fingers under Nilla's neck, the tickle making her let out a satisfying laughter. The plot where Nilla lived had women whom Nilla would call radio without battery cells. Their noses were always in everyone’s business. In the afternoon hours, they would always sit in a tiny group by the gate. There, they always updated each other on what was going on in other people’s lives in real time. As Robert followed Nilla to the second floor through the very narrow and steep staircase, the women saw them. Two of them let out a fake cough. Nilla understood what that meant. She would be in the top five headlines of their update. The whole block would know that there was a mzungu around “ Welcome to my home, dear friend. Feel free.” Nila said as she opened her door.

“Thank you so much” Robert said. Nilla poured him some juice. “ Too bad there isn’t much going on here that I could do to entertain you. What do you like doing, you know, besides taking your friends to a bar and leaving them looking like sheep without shepherds?” Nilla asked. Robert laughed. “ Really now? Really? You gonna do me like that?” Robert asked. “ Yes. Your sins will be read to you, every chance I get.” Nilla answered. “ Nothing really, this is a very big break from the life I am used to. Your friendship is also great. I’m enjoying spending time with you.” Robert was really having a great time. They talked about their different foods and systems of education, especially since Nilla had told Robert about her brother who was in a boarding school miles away from where he lived. Nilla suggested that they go get ingredients and make dinner together. It was five in the evening and Nilla would have retired to bed early if Robert would have not been around. They went to the general shop just outside the gate,as everything took Robert with a surprise.

“ Before I start cooking, is there anything here that you sponge child, are allergic to? Nilla asked. “ None and I am a very tough child, not a sponge child”, Robert said. Nilla's love language was cooking,it was the way she showed love to others. She made pilau, viazi karai with the Swahili chachini sauce. Nilla learned how to cook very good food while living in Mombasa. Good food meant a lot to her because growing up, she fed on what were leftovers. Her obsession for good food and a cozy bed were just her way of telling the little girl in her, who went through hell: look, we are getting there. Robert loved everything he ate. That made Nilla happy. “Can I please carry some with me when I leave?” Robert asked. “Yes! Yes! You tall thing. That really makes me so happy" Nilla said.

It was time for Robert to leave. “ You know you need to take my number, so that you can let me know whether you made it out of the ghetto or if I should come rescue you. Considering there are very many routes in and out of here,” Nilla said. “ We really have to agree that our friendship is weird, you know. All this time we spent together, and I still don’t have your number!” Robert said as he handed his phone to Nilla, so she could enter her number. “ I shall save it as short Nilla just to remind you to speed up growth” Robert said. “ May thunder fire you. Also, thank you so much for everything Robert. My heart is happy. I really don’t have friends in Nairobi and meeting you yesterday was indeed worth it,” Nilla said as Robert prepared to leave.

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