MY KSHS.5720.15cts SALARY

I am feeling a bit creative, just a bit. Enjoy :-)

It is end month. It is like the mini holiday of every month. I can hear the chatter in the office. The excited chatter. John, the IT guy is inviting everyone to his party tomorrow. Its BYOB he says. I do not know what that means. Of course I am not invited. I like listening to them though; they give me hope for a better life.

I hear someone call my name. I look at my watch; I bought it for 50 shillings last week when the hawkers come out to play. I like the watch; it’s a worthy possession. I promise myself to take care of it although my wife has been throwing hints around about how it would look good on her. I adjust the cap on my head and saunter out of the kitchen. The tea was delicious plus it served as my lunch and maybe supper. No, its end month so I am definitely having supper.

“Dege unaitwa na mdosi,” says the secretary. I nod respectfully and walk towards the boss’ office. Its 5pm. He is talking to someone on his cell phone, must be his friend too telling from the excited talk. I wave at him, removing the cap from my head. He hands me his car keys and gestures to me. I understand I am meant to wash it. I will definitely miss the train. I sigh.

I walk out of the office into the parking lot. I connect the pipe to the tap and drag it towards the car. I remove my shoes and place them on the flower hedges. I can not afford to wet the shoes, it’s the only pair I have. I notice it needs repairing. I just might need new shoes. I wash the car as fast as I can, its very muddy. The rains have made the roads a nightmare and I do not have an umbrella. I had a raincoat but I gave my younger son so that he can get to school warm and dry. I look at the sky; it will definitely rain .

I finish the task and return the car keys to the boss. He is having a cup of coffee at the cafeteria. The sandwich looks delicious. I have never eaten here. I like the smell though. He hands me a 100 bob note. I thank him profusely and rush out. I say hasty good byes to the night duty guard.

I work in Hurlinghurm. The buses plying the route are too expensive at this time, 40 bob to town is too much. The train leaves at 6pm from Railways and its now 5.45pm. I have to pass by the  bank to withdraw my salary. I am happy and sad. I will not catch the train. I live in pipeline so the fare will be ridiculous since its rush hour. Oh well.

I walk down Arwings Kodhek as fast as I can, keeping in mind that the rain is coming. I do not know how to swim so I can not be in town when it starts beating down. I cross the road at D.O.D and walk towards City Mortuary. I walk down Mbagathi way. It starts to drizzle. I see my friends walking up the road on the other side. We shout our hellos and everybody walks their way. They live in Kibera but work in Industrial area.

It’s raining cats and more cats by the time I find shelter at Tmall. I walk in and straight to the ATM. I withdraw Kshs. 5’700. I smile at the thought of the 100 bob I have in my pocket, I have a total of Ksh. 5’800. Not bad. I walk towards the exit, I do not belong here. I bump into my boss, not from where I work but the one I really work for. The owner of the security company. He knows me because he had had to pay the hospital bill for my daughter when she was hit by a car on Uhuru Highway.

He holds his I pad in one hand and greets me then informs me he is late for a meeting. I nod and give him my blessings. The rain has reduced so I rush down. By the time I cross the road at Nyayo Stadium, the rain starts pouring again. I stand under a temporary shelter waiting for it to die down.

I put my hands in my pockets and feel the crisp notes.  I owe the landlord 1200 for my two roomed tin house in pipeline. The rain is gaining momentum, I sigh. I need to get home before my two children sleep. This reminds me that they both need books; the second hand dealer had promised me to give me all for 1000. Darkness is setting in.

I only have 4500, oh wait, 4600 plus the 100 bob from the boss. My wives, God bless her soul, takes care of the meals. She sells mandazis near the main road but I really wanted to buy her something nice, maybe a new leso. The Somali near the roundabout sells them at 200 bob. I smile thinking of the look on her face when I give it to her.

4400 –The rain water reminds me of the water bill. My daughter is sensitive so I prefer buying water for her so that she does not get sick. That will cost me 400 for the whole month.

4000 – I thank God I do not pay for electricity. We do not use the telly anymore; I have not saved enough for the decoder. I sigh. I miss watching Papa Shirandula. I remember I owe Joe wa kuchomelea 300 for repairing my roof.

3700 – I need shoes, especially because of the rainy season but my son needs them more. I will have to wait until next month. I am sure I can get a good deal for leather shoes and additional sandals – the ones they call CDF. That should cost me 500.

3200 –The rain dies down, I contemplate taking a matatu. I really wanted to buy my family fish from Otieno but I am sure he will be closed by the time I get there. I will buy tomorrow since it is my off day. A woman is crossing the road. Cars are hooting at her. I wonder what time she will get to her family. She reminds me that my daughter’s appointment with the surgeon is this month. That will cost me 500 because the company pays the other half plus medication.

2800 – I ran towards a matatu on the road. The tout tells me its 50 bob. I feel the pain but I need to get home.

2750 – I get home at 9pm. Soaked to the bone. My wife is waiting for me, she looks happy. I smile. She sets the bathing water for me. I take a bath and sit to eat. She made rice today; it would have gone great with the fish. We talk about everything and nothing. She informs me that her sister is not feeling well and she needs to go see her. It would cost her 600 but she has 300.

2450 – We head to bed. The children are already asleep. My wife falls fast asleep. I can not because my back pains because of the mattress. I have been saving for a new one. I am 900 short so I will buy it next month.

2000 – I close my eyes knowing I have to wash more cars this month as this is the only money I have left. Good thing my brother owes me 400 shillings. I will have to call him in the morning, 20 bob airtime should be enough.

1980 – I have a debt too. I had totally forgotten. I have to pay the Mama Duka 600 bob.

Kshs. 1380 -  It is now 11p.m. My month just started.

Regards, L.O.P :-)

WHEN THE MUSIC FADES

I know I have been quiet, so someone decided to break the silence for me. Today, we break the norm. 

Thanks to The Rackster (follow that link for a journey like you wouldn't believe), L.O.P lets someone in to her space. Enjoy the Sunday creativity :-)

"Have you ever been to New Orleans?" She asked.

"No."

"You'd love it. The place is alive with music. The jazz fills your ears and your soul dances."

As she spoke there was a fire in her eyes. A little flame that danced. A gleamer of hope in those big glassy beads. She was engulfed by her own words. Trying to lose him in a city she was all well too familiar with. Her hands were up mimicking the dancing souls her eyes closed transporting her into another world. She was a free spirit. Her name was Louisa.

She opened her eyes and threw her arms around his neck. Planting a soft kiss on his rugged cheek. She loved the scruffiness. It itched but in a comforting way. She looked deep into his eyes as if she were searching for his soul.

"Let's go to New Orleans." She whispered.

She let go of his neck grabbed his hand and led him into a little store along the cobbled streets. She did not wait for a response because she needed none. Hers was not a question but a statement. They were going to New Orleans and that was that.

"Here this hat will look good on you." She said  as she put a blue and white polka dotted Lincoln type hat on his head.

He looked into the mirror on the wall and staring back at him was this hulk of a man. Standing at about six foot two inches and layers of muscle stacked on his frame.

"I look like a clown on steroids Louisa."

His voice was deep and coarse. His lips thinned into a smile. He broke into a little dance; like he was Scandinavian. They both laughed. A few people in the shop stopped to look. They had probably never seen a man so huge acting so silly. It was amusing at the same time disarming. They left the store, hat in a bag, arm in arm and walked into the sunset. The red glow of the sun kissed the cities skyline in front of them a city that came alive in the dark. Their city was much like New Orleans only it wasn't. They were in love only that they weren't.

It had been ten years since they walked out of the store into the sun kissed city's skyline. The sounds of their steps on the cobbled street still vivid in her mind. She was in New Orleans he wasn't.She went alone and hoped he would follow. He never did. For ten years the music that came alivein her mind when they were together was dead. She was surrounded by all she ever wanted but she was alone. Her soul no longer danced. She wondered if he was happy or if he ever looked for her or at least wonder if she was okay.

Shortly after they stepped out of the store his smile disappeared. He was stern and had a worried look in his eyes. He couldn't hold her stare like he used to as his eyes kept darting to the side. He was hiding something and she could feel it.

"What's wrong Gerald?" Louisa asked.

Looking back she wished she hadn't. Maybe her asking had to do with everything that happened.  Maybe if she had ignored everything she wouldn't have burst the bliss that she had come to know.

"This, you, everything." Gerald replied.

"It's not what I want." He continued.

His arms were on her slender shoulders. In a weird way she felt reassured. They were breaking up right there on the cobbled streets. She could hear her New Orleans music fade in the distance. She wanted to cry but couldn't.  She wanted to speak but words failed her.  A dry throat and stinging eyes were her solace. Her breathes were now short her voice almost hysterical.

"B...B...B...but.." She stammered.

He let go of her shoulders and walked away across the street into a crowd of black suit wearing business men. He didn't blend in he stuck out in his red leather jacket but he walked until she could no longer see him.

"Come back." Louisa croaked.

"Please."

Her eyes were a waterfall and they flooded her small round face. Those beady glass balls a shade of red. Her hands were in her hair holding it up scrounging her palms into fists and tugging hard. She couldn't believe what just happened.  She didn't want to believe. She wanted someone to wake her up from a bad dream. She never woke up. Her dream became her reality. She moved to New Orleans chasing the music. She never caught it.

The streets were lined with bell bottom wearing men adorning striped pull necks and black suspenders over them. They were dancing and playing all kinds of instruments. Laughter filled the air and the streets were full of dance. It was some sort of festival. Louisa was right in the middle of it in a white cinderella dress. She turned with the music swirling the edge of her skirt in majestic whirls and twists. She sang so loud her voice rising into the City's already jubilant air. At last he had forgotten.  Finally the music caught up to her. She bumped into some stranger and stepped back to apologise taking his hands into hers forcing him to dance. She looked up and stopped. That red leather jacket brought back memories. It brought back tears. She was both happy and sad. She was choking on both nostalgia and grief. It was Gerald. He came finally to New Orleans.

"What did I tell you hmmh" Louisa said

She moved in circles around him holding his hands smiling and laughing. Her eyes still large and glassy. Her 

face still small and round her smile still golden.

"You were right Louisa." Gerald replied

She then let go and walked into the crowd. Leaving him mesmerised searching frantically for her. But she was gone. Lost to the city lost to the music.  She was New Orleans. He was not. Sometimes some loves are meant to be lost never to be found and that's exactly what happened.  He lingered around the streets for the next few weeks. Walking around in his lazy strut and red leather jacket.  Hoping to catch a glimpse of her one more time. But she was gone. Probably bringing music to someone else's life. It had been too long. He felt foolish for thinking otherwise. But a man can wish. He had things to say. Like how he came back to the cobbled streets every day hoping to catch her. How he heard she had flown into New Orleans and he flew in two days later. Searching for her. How the city had been cruel and there paths never chanced upon each other. How he danced at every festival. How he had a wardrobe of red leather jackets because he knew that was the last thing she remembered. He carried these words to his grave. When the music finally died forever.