There was a knock at the door; then silence. The next knock almost rattled the door and I woke up in confusion. There was only one person who knocked liked this — Mr Tigere — the landlord.
It was still dawn and day was replacing night. I woke up in confusion. I only realised when I was halfway to the door that I was half- naked and I went back to the bedroom and put on a T-shirt. Mai VaMaidei was sound asleep. I could not understand how she could sleep through all the banging at the door.
When I opened the door, Mr Tigere wanted to enter the house, but I blocked him. He was not alone. He was accompanied by his son James, who was a regular patron at Zororo Bar.
“You have until tomorrow to pay your rent,” he said.
He made it sound like he was doing me a favour. I had until the following day to pay the rent. There was no need for him to come and cause havoc in the morning. He was full of drama.
I went back into the house and I took the money from under the mattress. I counted the money, it was enough to cover the rent. I went back to the door. They were still there, Mr Tigere was excited when I gave him the money.
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“These days you are a good man,” he said and they left hurriedly.
After that, I could not go back to sleep. Mai VaMaidei woke up and made porridge and added peanut butter. The peanut butter she added was not enough for me and so I added more peanut butter once she had served me. The children woke up, one by one, washed their faces and ate porridge. Soon after that, they went outside to play.
It was while I was preparing to go and bath that I heard footsteps outside. When I peered through the cracked window, I saw Mai VaTata. It was unusual. I opened the door even before she knocked.
“I didn’t expect to see you, where is Baba VaTata, he did not sleep at home last night?” said Mai VaTata.
I was alarmed. He had left the bar much earlier the previous evening.
“I don’t know where he is,” I said. I scratched my head in dismay.
“I hope he is not in trouble,” I said under my breath.
There was only one place he could be. I had seen him talking with a strange woman in the bar several times, but that had been weeks before. I had even warned him about the woman. I thought he had taken my advice and I had not seen the woman for two or three weeks after that, but last evening I had seen the woman. They must have left together.
“What about his phone, have you tried calling him?” I said hopefully.
“His mobile is on voicemail,” said Mai VaTata helplessly.
“In that case, let me go and ask around,” I said.
The woman lived in Section C and I was very sure Baba VaTata was there. I was certain I was going to find him. In the next street, I met Fatso and quickly told him about Baba VaTata.
“That woman’s husband caught them together, “ said Fatso.
“She is married?” I said
Fatso nodded his head.
“So where is Baba VaTata?” I asked.
“The woman’s husband wants to see Mai VaTata,” said Fatso.
I had warned him. He brought trouble upon himself. He was not going to have it his own way this time but that will be the story for next time.
Onie Ndoro X@Onie90396982