KDF

She sat across from me. Not vertically but diagonally across as the chairs were arranged in a semi-circle. My eyes were glued to the little glowing box giving out tunes of the latest hits from the country,  but, my mind was far away searching for words. Words that would connect me to this female to break the tense aura that filled the sitting room. The old antique clock didn't hesitate to remind me that I was wasting time with its loud chime for every wasted second. I decided not to speak until spoken to. 

I take a quick glance to see if she is also watching but find her glued to her phone. A habit our generation has adopted to save themselves from awkward situations, like the one I have put her in. I imagine what she could be telling one of her friends

"I'm seated here with this boring guy"

I look back quickly as she catches my glare and to my surprise she jerks up laughing and coming towards me to share something I presume funny on her phone. I crack a fake laugh as I had long seen the meme. With this she retreats to her seat. Then I realise she was feeling the tension and this was mearly her attempt to break the ice. I waste no time and say 

"Kenyans are funny"

which she agrees to and gives me a timid smile.

"Acha nkuonyeshe ingine funny"

I continue as I quickly take my phone from the table and browse through the thousands of photos to find a funny one. As I find it I move to a sit next to hers and show her the image, to which she instantly bursts out laughing. I join her and that's how we kick-start our conversations talking about school and life in campus because that's the only thing we had in common.

************

Mum walks in with a tray having two cups with a pink thermos, full with tea, judging from the way she delicatly handles it, and two huge (doughnuts/ mandazi) rests them on a stool and tells us to go ahead. Joy, as I had learned her name, hesitates and says she fine really, but you know how people insist you eat when you are a guest, my mother wasn't an exception. 

My mum and her mum are best friends and so she thought it a good idea to tell Joy to come over and say hi to me (without my knowledge). Very queer. It felt like an attempt to set off an arranged marriage. And so I was ambushed amidst my evening bliss,  enjoying local and international hits on The Beat, to this pretty lady, who I later find out she is starting her Masters. Quite intimidating. At the time I was in my third year of study,   exhausted with education but determined to graduate. Doing Masters never even crossed my mind. 

Like a gentleman that I am, I pour out tea to my cup and to hers. Before she says thank you she takes a look at the escort and asks
"Do you know the name of those mandazis?"
I smile and say "KDF? " to which she bursts out laughing before picking it up and taking a bite. It was around that time that the treat gained its popularity. A song and dance was made about it. This sends me into a frenzy of thought about trends in Kenya. Its interesting how they have a short life span. Who remembers Githeri Man? The man who recieved state commendation for eating githeri on a paper bag. Everyone spoke about him, he was in the papers, television, radio and even brands used him to show their good-will to the society. Then suddenly, no one cares anymore, no one follows up on his activities like they used to and poof! he's archived into history like any other trend.

It's now dark and Joy needs to go home. I have to walk her home. I ponder for a moment -What are we to talk about all the way to her place- it worries me but I decide to wing it. Kwani how hard can it be? We take a short-cut instead of using the main road. (a strategy I employ to reduce the distance,  which reduces the time, thus reducing the talk. Genius. If only I could increase the speed 🤔 ) A stray dog barks from a distance, she squirms and pounces to hold my arm, I freeze for a moment then calmly, I tell her she shouldn't worry I got her. She laughs and goes on to explain her fear for dogs. We talk and talk and laugh a bit and finally I am standing at her doorstep.

"Come in say hello to my mum! "

Now that, I did not want. But then it would be rude not to.

"Sasa Marvin" she exclaims with a wide smile appreaciating such a good boy for bringing her daughter safely home.

"poa sana." I reply with a smile.

I stand close the door to signify I wont be staying long and am in a hurry. This she completely ignores and tells me to have a seat. She then offers to make me tea  I know right!  I look at Joy and use her as my first line of defense
"Tumekunywa tu chai sahii na Joy" She seconds  and victory is claimed. Mama Joy now says her goodbyes and reminds me to tell my mum she said hellow. Joy walks me out to the gate. Then something wierd happens. Normaly I would hug a female friend to say goodbye,  but I didn't know if we were friendly enough to hug. So am there saying bye and she lingers for some seconds, it becomes wierd for me then I almost decide to hug her but I dont so I walk away hating my decision.

Ten strides away, I let the wind blow the wierd aura surrounding me and smile at how silly it was. Joy, what a name. I bet she brought happiness to her family when  she was born. What did Marvin bring? I'll let that be a story for another day.