chapter 24

I sat outside our house, waiting for my parents to come back home. I was exhausted from the long walk I had. Walking from Karen Estate to Kibera was no joke and all I wanted was to rest but first I wanted to wait for my parents. I had already prepared dinner of three just a simple local food; ugali and sukuma wiki. 

I was still angry with that guy. How could he call me that?.. You know a slave was acceptable but a thief?. I hadn't stolen anything from him nor his family. Plus I was pretty much aware of my social status he didn't have to rub it on my face by saying that word "slave". It was unpleasant. "Who the hell does he think he is?". I asked myself out loud. If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to see him ever again. 

"Haaa Lavinia! Are you talking to yourself again?". Rono, our neighbor asked. 

"No! I'm preaching!". I responded sarcastically. 

"Hey you don't have to be rude. What's wrong? Why are you this angry?". He asked, voice deep in concern. 

"It's nothing". I dismissed him off but he didn't back away. I didn't want to tell him of what had happened, of what Salim, thought of us... No! Of me!. 

"Really now?".

"Yes. Really. Trust me, I'm fine". 

"Okay I'll be in my house in case you need anything". He said as he got up from his squatting position that he had been and got in his house. I just nodded though he couldn't see it. 

Rono was a kind guy. He was dark skinned just like me, plumb and medium height. He worked in one of those kibanda hotels around our area where they sold chapatis and mandazis and other local foods like githeri and beans. He wasn't paid much but at least what he got was what he paid for the rent and bought food.

Life in the slums or "ghetto" as most of us called it, wasn't easy at all. But still, we lived and we trued to thrive so whatever hustle one got, we counted it as a blessing.

You know that phase of "count your blessings one by one?". Yep! That's what we're doing, counting them all no matter how little they're are. That's why most teenagers around here, all they dream off and desire in life is being wealthy.. I'm one of them!. I have no other dream... Just being wealthy and owning a house in Karen Estate or Runda or Muthaiga... (Runda and Muthaiga we're also estates where wealthy people lived) but I had to work hard in school which was a problem due to the teacher's salary that I was supposed to pay every month. Money that my parents didn't earn easily so most of the time I was sent home for not paying the cash. Luckily, The Kashif family had now hired my parents and so my hopes for going to school without being sent back home was high. 

A white land cruiser pulled over a few meters away from our house. Our house was close to the main road which was large enough to let vehicles pass through.. so vehicles could pass or stop by. I watched as the door opened and my mother got out. 

"Mom!". I exclaimed happily as I stood up, brushing the dirt off of my pants while she came towards me and pressed a kiss on my forehead. 

"How are you Lavinia?". She asked her voice laced with worry.

"Fairing on". I replied hating the way mother looked worried. 

"I am really sorry for what happened earlier". She said.

"Mom c'mon. It was not your fault nor your doing". 

"I wasn't happy either with the way he spoke of you." Mother confessed. 

"Guess who came?". Father piped in from behind mother.  I raised a brow. I wasn't good with the guess game. Father took a step aside revealing Salim who stood there, hands in his black hoodie pockets. His scowl still intact. 

"Why did God create such a beautiful person but in the same time a person who acts as a jerk?". I thought to myself.

"Why is he here?". I asked as I took a step back. 

"I don't even want to be here!". He shot back in a mocking tone. 

"Then you should leave. No one wants you here. Besides, we might infect you with slavery". I blutered out.

He huffed.

"Salim is not leaving. Not until he apologizes". Father piped in again.

"I don't even understand why I should apologize". Salim argued.

"Because you were rude. Secondly, your parents asked you too". Father argued back giving him that a no nonsense glare. 

Salim huffed again as he rolled his eyes. 

"That attitude will take you no where". Mother added. 

"That's none of your business". He blutered out as he turned and got in the car. 

He drove off. 

"That boy will have a hard life with such an aashole attitude". Father said. 

"Well. We have to get used to having him and that attitude of his around more often". Mother replied.

"Forget him. Let's go in and eat?". I suggested posing it out more as a question rather than a statement.

"What did you cook?". Father asked.

"Ugali and sukuma". I responded as we got in our house.

"Good. I'm really hungry". 

•••••

Turns out that Naomi didn't come back. She resigned and so Mrs. Kashif suggested that I go during the weekends to work. I couldn't say no. I needed the cash for school at least I didn't want my parents to worry or think about my school expenses again. 

So today I was supposed to go to the market and buy some vegetables and fruits. Father had driven Mr. Kashif to town and so the left option was for Salim to drive me there... Which, to be honest, I didn't want to. I'm sure he didn't want to either. 

"Marikiti isn't that far. I can walk". I tried to suggest but Mrs. Kashif was having none of that.

Marikiti was one of the largest markets around where farm food stuffs were sold.

"Are you crazy?. You're going for a lot of things Lavinia!. Have you checked that list? You're going for cabbages, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions and many other things. You can't walk that distance let alone carry all of them all by yourself". She said. 

"I understand you don't want Salim to take you there but this is the only option". She added.

"Or I could take her!". A new voice spoke from behind me. I turned to face the source. A young boy about Salim's age was standing a few feet away from us. He was yellow skinned, tall, lean musculared and had long dark hair that he had pulled up in a high ponytail. He kind of looked like Mrs. Kashif from a distance.

"John. You just came and you don't know around". Mrs. Kashif protested.

"She can give me the directions, I'm sure she knows around. I need some air and this is the least I can do". The boy, John said.

"No John. I can't allow you to leave". Mrs. Kashif said with an annoyed huff.

"Why? I'm rested enough plus you need a driver and I'm offering my help. Do you think that Salim will drive her to the market?". John asked with a smirk. 

He was right. I didn't think Salim would drive me to the market either. I turned to look at Mrs. Kashif expectantly. 

She huffed again. "Fine then. Just be careful and take the double pickup for you to carry those goods well". She adviced before she left. 

John's smirk grew wider.

"Let me get the keys. Wait for me outside". He instructed. 

"Okay. Thanks". 

"Anytime". He responded as his smirk grew even more wider and he practically ran to the study room where the keys to all vehicles were kept.

John was kinder though not as handsome as Salim. But better good virtue than looks, huh?. 

John came minutes later outside and opened the front passenger seat for me. "What are you waiting for?". He asked after I stood there for a few minutes.

"Oh sorry. No one has ever done such a gesture for me". I replied in a small voice as I took a step forwards and got in. 

"Don't worry. I'll do that more often". He said with an easy smile before shutting the door and walking round to get to the driver's side.

"Why?". I asked. Why was this guy  kind to me? Or was he one of those rich kids who took advantage of housemaids?.. What? I watched that somewhere or did I read?... I don't remember. 

"Why what?". He asked back.

"Why are you nice to me?". 

"Because everyone deserves to be treated nice.. We're all human and I don't get why I should treat you differently". He explained as he drive out of the compound. 

"Are you being sincere?". 

"Why shouldn't I be?". He asked looking at me for a minute before turning his attention back to the road. 

I didn't answer.