Chapter Six
1160 Words
Mr. Adrian left me alone for a moment long enough to assess the Nairobi city map and choose , so I did.
I had initially chosen apartments around the Nyayo National Stadium but Mr. Adrian refused the choice deeming the apartments not fitting for his taste and insisting the traffic on that end was unbearable so he had me choose amongst expensive apartments and being my low maintenance self I chose the most reasonable one, sum of a hundred thousand rent per month within the lush estates of Kileleshwa.
Still he was not amused but he let the matter slide.
“ The estate on it's right looks better, ” He had attempted.
“ Ah ! Ah ! Sir, I think these ones are better,” I insisted.
“ How many times will I ask you to call me Mr. Kings or simply Adrian ? ”
“ It's inappropriate to call you by name, Mr. Kings, ”
“ Then stick to Mr. Kings, ”
A nod.
“ You're badly hurt. I shall have Mr. Babu pick you for lunch then he'll drop you off at your chosen apartments, ”
That soon ?
How rich was this man ?
Apparently he noticed my jaw dropping expression and chuckled.
True to his word, thirty minutes later, an elderly man came to pick me up in a black SUV.
Unlike Mr. Mean, Mr. Babu was actual a bubbly tall hulk of a man, the only thing that gave away his age were his wrinkled face and his grey hair that was neat cut on top of his head,his facial features evidence of a youthful handsome man.
“ It's a wonder to me that even at this age you ladies still stare at me like that, ” he smirked.
“ I wasn't ! ”
He faked a gasp, his hoarse voice taking a higher pitched fan girl voice, “ Oooh ! Mrembooooooo.... Just admit it, you've a crush on meee ! ”
This man is bonkers.
“ Of course not ! You're too old for my taste,”
He pouted, his features faking hurt as he drove on the smooth tarmac road,“ That hurt. ”
I stared at him, deciding to play along,“ Sorry! ”
“ What did you say ? ”
“ I said sorry, pole ! ”
“ Hmm, sing it to grandpa ! ” He loudly exclaimed.
“ Uhh ! No, ”
A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes,“ Then you shall eat no lunch and I will tell your boss, of your misbehaviour,”
“ What misbehaviour ? ”
“ You know what you did ! ”
“ No ! I don't ! ”
“ Food or not, ”
It happened that at the time we were nearing the food joint, the nerve of a man had the guts to pass, a wicked laugh from his lips sold out his intentional motive.
“ I'm hungry! ” I whined.
“ So am I but we're not going anywhere until you sing me sorry,” Mr. Babu said, mischief lacing his voice.
“ How old are you , Sir ? ”
He pouted, “ I'm only 37, ”
“ No, you're an old man ! Old enough to be my grandfather, ”
He gasped.
“ Mzee wewe, ”
“ You ! You ! ” He glared before sharply bending at a turn and we were going back.
“ I hate you ! ” He finally whined.
Despite myself, I was smiling. I had already taken liking to this guy.
The vehicle came to a stop due to a building traffic and I glared at him.
“ Nini ? ” He asked, noticing my glare.
“ If you didn't pass the first turn we would've avoided this traffic, ”
“ Take it as punishment for not singing me sorry, ” He smiled.
I crossed my arms in defiance and stared at him.
For an old man, he exhibited high degrees of childishness.
“ Really, how old are you ? ”
“ 37, ”
“ Might as well say I'm three, ”
He gasped.
“ You're old,”
“ But I'm thirty seven ! ” He exclaimed in a childish whine.
Seriously !
I shot him an incredulous look.
“ It's true, I'm an inverted 37, that's 73 but it's just a number frankly I don't feel a day old over 12, ”
This man.
Seventy three.
He was old but not that seventies old.
He seemed a man in his mid fifties but staring at him, I saw what kept him younger. Mr. Babu was the kind of person who took everything in life with a light touch, his playfulness was infectious even though it was to the point of ridiculousness.
“ Tumefika ! ” He announced.
My attention was drawn to the building Infront .
“ I thought we were going to that burger inn - ”
“ That cheap inn. Adrian would have my head if I did, he instructed me to take you to the best restaurant around, ”
“ I've never been here before, ”
I stepped out of the SUV cautiously, Mr. Babu already by the side of the door to help me down.
I smiled at him but ended up struck with awe at my environs.
Ladies and gentlemen, I was at the famous Villa Rosa aka Kempinski Hotel. The hotel that was deemed fit enough toaccommodate President Barack Obama on his visit to the country, to a common mwananchi like my self even entry to the place was a too luxury.
Fact : I was poor,
Okay, that may be harsh : how about temporarily broke.
The hotel was a five star European luxury hotel but of a Kenyan hospitality. The rose- pink hues of its buildings gave it a warm and homely feel and the well lit fountain was breath-taking, I could not keep my eyes of it.
“ You'll trip and you'll fall and I'll have to explain how you broke your feeble teeth alongside you're already hurt leg , ” Mr. Babu warned in amusement just before we set foot on the exquisite tile of a grand stairs leading to the front entrance.
That is when I noticed the caliber of gents and women that walked into the place, heels clicked against the marble tile- almost each woman in one, a few sent me dirty looks frowning at my attire in disapproval.
“ Yeah, your dress looks awful actually,”
I glared at a mischievous Mr. Babu.
“ Did I ask ? ”
He barked out a laugh then turned so serious staring at me, “ Assume them, they've no right to judge you - no one knows your story. ”
A single statement, he uttered and you would think Mr. Babu knew my entire life.
GLOSSARY.
Mrembo - Pretty one.
Pole - Sorry.
Mzee - Old man.
Wewe - You.
Nini - What.
Tumefika - We've arrived.
Mwananchi - citizen.
- Writer
