"FOREVER AMEN - CHUI..."

REMEMBER WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM, REMEBER WHERE WE ARE GOING...

Nilla’s first day at work was so scary for her. She was used to cleaning, receiving guests, receiving and sending letters, that’s what her little education could get her. In fact, she was even lucky to have gotten her first job in the first place. In a country where graduates were all over without jobs, some with menial jobs that they did not even go to school for, she was even lucky to have landed the job. Norbert came for Nilla from the guest’s lounge. Nilla followed him to her new office. “ Welcome, miss Nilla. This will be your office. I will guide you through what is expected of you as the Marketing Coordinator. No need to fear, I will provide notes from which you can refer to as well as materials needed to make your journey as the MC easier The Wi-Fi password is over there . I wish you all the best and I hope we have a great time working together.” Norbert said as he walked out. All this while, Nilla just nodded. Robert checked in later. It was just the same talk they had the last time they met. He reminded her of their earlier conversation. Nilla was tensed, but, having lived a life like hers, having been drenched in lack and been buried in want for years, her chance to make her life and that of Brian better, would surely not be met with fear nor doubt. “ Robert, what is waifa ?” Nilla asked. “ Could you please elaborate? Don’t think I got you clearly," Robert said. “ Norbert said waifa password is on the wall. Waifa is what?” Nilla asked.

“ Ooh! WiFi! Wa-i-fa-i… Wireless Fidelity. It is like the data on your phone, and it helps you access the internet,” Robert said in a soft tone. “ Robert, I’m sorry, I’ll do my best to learn fast. Please, my dear friend, I ask for just a little time”，Nilla said in embarrassment.

" We all don’t know something at a point, Nilla. I have faith in your resilience, you got this. Do you have a smartphone? It is what you use to access the internet," Nilla knew that but. But she knew that it was only through listening that she could learn more.

“No, but I will get one with the cash I planned to open my business with.” She said.

“ Okay, I hear you little friend.” Robert always liked how raw Nilla was. She never got ashamed of admitting that she wasn’t good at some things. He liked that she was a happy person who didn’t need much to be contented. “ See you later," he said as he walked out.

Nilla's office telephone rang. She picked up. "At least I know how to use this one" she thought to herself." Hello Miss Nilla, your package is at the front desk", it was the receptionist. There was a package delivered to Nilla. “ Ooohh okay….coming”. Nilla was confused and the only reason she accepted to go to the front office was because she was scared of making a mistake on her first day - yet again. It was a gift with her name on it. She wondered who might have sent her a gift. She went to her office to unwrap her surprise. It was a smartphone from Robert. She cried. She didn’t know what she did to deserve such a kind heart. Her gratitude turned into a lump of disbelief. The gods sent their own in human form. She changed her phone SIM card and immediately entered the Wi-Fi password to connect to the internet, another thing she was so pleased to have done by herself. She called Robert. He didn’t pick up, probably, he was in a meeting. “ I’ll call you later,” he texted.

That day, they did not get a chance to meet.

“ Hey you! You didn’t tell me you got w******p!” Nilla got a message. It was Sarah!

“ Hey Sarah, you’re back! My friend!” Nilla texted back. Sarah had to explain to her how w******p works. They had a video call. Sarah, as always, pumped more life into Nilla. She encouraged Nilla to take this chance, as opportunities like these don’t come more than once. Sarah’s words of refreshment were what she could use in her new journey. Sarah was, however, worried as to why Nilla found someone willing to do all this for her. Knowing each other for just a short time, and willing to do all this for her, was not just adding up. She encouraged Nilla to tread with all the care she could get in the world.

Nilla, deep within, was ready for whatever would come and was more than willing to do anything to keep what Robert had started going….

A month had passed and Nilla was catching up so fast. She had only been communicating with Robert on w******p. He had traveled out of the country. In fact, since he texted Nilla that he would meet her on the day he sent her her gift, they had never met face to face. Nilla only gave him a video call to pour out her heart in gratitude.

Nilla was entering The Orange Plaza building when she met Mrs. Majimbo, her former boss. Majimbo had come to usher in a new company which would occupy the eighth and the tenth floors of the building. She almost did not recognize Nilla. “ Ooh well, well, well… if it’s not the same person I told not to sell her cheap street food within any Li & Associates’ buildings.. And there’s something about you that screams business has been good..” Mrs Majimbo blurted.” Miss Nilla, we are having Mr Rajesh & Daughters' company for a meeting today. Please, at what time should I tell them to come? They are considering joining the project Alfix CSS3. What’s your response ”, Nilla’s assistant asked. “ I’m free right now till noon, anytime from now is okay Linda.” Nilla answered, leaving Mrs Majimbo confused.

“ I work here now, Mrs Majimbo. Have a good day ”， Nilla was not in the mood for a slanging match. She neither believed in a tooth for a tooth. She always knew that the universe is always watching, and that her judgment is always just and fair. Brian was also coming home for his half-term holiday and nothing was going to put bile in her mouth, definitely not on that day.

Nilla rushed home that evening to welcome her brother. “Son of mama, you’re here!” Nilla said as she welcomed her brother, who had been standing at the gate waiting for her all along. Brian hugged his sister tight. She had been the axis on which his life evolved for all of his life. He noticed there was a huge change in his sister, he wanted the whole story. When they got to their tiny house, Brian was so shocked at the growth his eyes had witnessed. “ Nini, tell me everything about it, daughter of mama, I want to hear everything! Everything!” Brian heard about Sarah, who first furnished their home. He heard about Robert, the kind mzungu who

Opened doors for Nilla, wanting nothing in return." Are you sure he did all these with no expectation sister?" Brian asked his sister. Nilla decided to give him the whole story.

“Daughter of mama, I have seen what you’ve been through, and I do not wish for you to be hurt like before. I also know that you need this break, we both do and that’s why I’m also telling you, if your spirit is settled about all this, go hard for it. Do not bow to fear, you have my blessings.” These words meant a lot to Nilla . She would not let him down.

Brian, having been to school through his sister’s sacrifice, thought it would be a good idea to help her improve her English. Nilla had fought so hard to make sure that Brian went through the public school system. She would always remind him that it was only education that could open doors for poor people like them. The abject poverty they dwelled in was also a motivation for Brian. The odd jobs his sister had to do to keep him in school, the endless sacrifices she made for him surely would not go to waste. He delivered his promise when he performed so well in the national examination. The two worked on a plan for the period Brian would be home. He would teach his sister English.

“ I can’t believe I get to sleep in my own bed, sister. This right here, is soft life”, Brian said as they both laughed. Previously, they had been sharing a mattress, each person sleeping with their head facing the opposite direction. A bunk bed felt so good for both of them. A step at a time.

Morning came and Nilla got up to prepare for work. Brian was already awake watching TV on a low volume. “Good morning sister, how’re you?” He greeted her.

“Good morning B, I am good”, she responded.

While preparing to leave, Brian opted to see off his sister. “ Nini, you look so beautiful! I doubt if I will ever get used to this version of you! Look at your clothes! Look at your shoes! You now carry handbags! Eeeeii! Atwech! Daughter of mama!” Brian hyped up his sister. She smiled. “ I would really like to meet Robert, sister, if that is okay with you”， Brian asked. “ Sure, he’s a great person, I’m sure you’ll like him. He is frequently out of the country, probably goes back to visit his family. But should he come back before school opens, you must definitely meet him. I have also been planning to take him to a safari as a thank-you gift.” Nilla said. According to her, there was nothing she could buy someone as rich as Robert. However, buying him moments could fix her dilemma of what to get him. “Sister, you just said he is a family man. Do you really think this safari thing is a good idea?” Brian was right to be worried for his sister. Being too friendly with a married man was not the way he knew his sister. “ I promise you, son of mama, it is just to tell him thank you. I do not, in anyway, intend to be disrespectful to his family. That would never happen” Nilla said, assuring her brother. She got to the bus, hugged her brother goodbye and left for work.

During the work tea break, Nilla saw Robert head to his office on the upper floor. She made to call him but felt a pullback. She was undecided whether to invite him for the safari she had planned or think about what Brian had said earlier. She quickly made a left turn back to her office. It was not long after she sat down when she heard a knock at the door. It was Robert. “ Heeeey Robert, what a pleasant surprise!” Nilla said, acting as if she had not just seen him a few minutes before." Yes! I am back short one, how has work been? You look great! How are you!" Nilla had changed. It is true that the human body is terrible at keeping secrets, whatever happens in the inside, manifests on the outside.

“ Thank you, work has been great. I am still working hard and trying not to disappoint you”, Nilla said. “ How is London? How is everyone?” She asked. Everyone was her way of asking about his family.

“ Actually, I haven’t been to London in a while. I was in Qatar. Qatar is fine, thanks for asking and nope, I do not have ‘ everyone’, it’s just me”, Robert responded.

“ So, there’s no difference between you and a spoon. You are as singular as a spoon? Wonders shall never end” Nilla always, effortlessly had something to say that would make Robert laugh at himself.

“So it’s not single anymore? It’s singular now?” He asked.

After catching up, Robert made to leave.

“ Robert” Nilla said in a whisper. It may be because of the confusion she was having about whether to ask him if his weekend was open for the safari she had been planning for long. Robert heard her. “ Yes, Nilla” he said." If you will be free on Saturday and Sunday, would you mind joining my brother and I for Safari and a theater? That is, if you will be free, you do not have to agree. I just wanted to show my gratitude for your kindness,” Nilla said." Sure, sounds like a plan. I guess I’ll see you on Saturday." He said as he left the office.

Nilla got home to Brian watching TV. She looked at where he had placed his school bag since schools went on a break. It did not look like anything that had been touched since Brian came home. It was on Friday evening and the next day they were to invite Robert over. She was worried that, happy as he might have been, Brian’s excitement about the TV was taking away his study time. She swore she would let him enjoy it that evening, then maybe later have a talk with him. “ Tomorrow we will go to Nairobi National Park, then to the Giraffe Centre with Robert. On Sunday, we will take him to the National Theater, so he can learn a little about our culture. What do you think?” Nilla asked.

“ Mmmmmhhh..” Brian responded in a way that signified that he was not listening in the first place. “Brian..?” Nilla called, looking at him this time.

“Mmmmhhh..” he responded, not moving his eyes from the TV.

“ Oookkkaaay, I have been meaning to talk to you, and I think this is the time.” Nilla said as she turned off the TV.

“ I know this is the first TV we have ever owned in our lives. I know what you’re feeling, I felt the same when Sarah had it delivered over, but, what’s its beauty if it robs you of the present and the future?” Nilla asked.

“ Present and future?” Brian retaliated.

"I haven't seen you touch your bag since yesterday. Son of mama, listen to me, remember where we have come from, remember where we are going. Above anything else, remember, I still don’t know how long Robert’s grace will hover over my head. Where is my hardworking B?"

Brian had only been home for a day and yet Nilla's fear of the unknown had taken over her.

“ I’m so very sorry sister, please, daughter of mama, don’t be mad at me. I guess the joy this TV brings to my heart for a moment threw me out of my senses. I’ll watch with moderation. In fact, I will be preparing dinner today”, Brian said. It is true he was overjoyed, the television excited him, the upgrade around the house really excited him. He did not deny. If there was one thing Nilla got right with that child, it was respect. He was very respectful.