CUSP

Saturday morning I wake up feeling like my body has been run over by a truck, I was supposed to get enough rest but the noise coming from the living room is what has woken me up.

I lay in bed for a few minutes wondering when I will be able to move out of this house because I can’t even complain fully aware of the response Nancy and Caleb will give. She will probably take another good thirty minutes or more before she finishes to clean so I get my phone and switch on data, Claudia has texted me but instead of reading what she has sent I decide to call her.

‘Finally, I thought you were going to sleep the whole day.’

I laugh, I don’t know where she and Nancy get so much energy in the morning. It literally takes me five cups of coffee before I can be active.

‘Good morning to you too bestfriend.’

‘Okay the greetings can come later, right now I just need your help.’

I sigh deeply.

‘What is it?’

‘So remember I mentioned that Besa is bringing Astridah home right?’

‘Who is Astridah?’

‘His girlfriend but I am tempted to just call her Ass.’ She says before laughing

‘It’s not supposed to be funny and you know your mother will murder you.’ I respond sharing in the laughter

‘I know, I know.’ She responds still in stitches

‘But why are you concerned about how you will look? I thought it was just normal lunch.’

‘Mum is making all of us dress up, her favorite child is bringing a woman home for the first time and her ancestors are whispering to her that just maybe it might be something more.’

I can’t help but feel for Besa, I know how much his mother loves him and he had confessed that him staying away for such a long time was because he didn’t want to receive pressure from her.

‘You know what, why don’t you join us? You are literally family and you haven’t seen Besa in what? I am sure he will be happy to see you.’

‘Come on Claudia, this is a family thing. There is no way that I can find myself there, I don’t want to be the third wheel.’

‘I insist, you will be my guest and if anyone is not okay with it we will leave.’

I know how persistent she can be, there is no way I am going to run away from this. And just like that my Netflix chill in sweatpants has been thrown off the window.

‘It’s not like you had a better place to be, I am sure you would have been netflixing or wondering where Nancy gets her energy from. Call me your saving grace because come on.’

I shake my head with a chuckle.

‘What time should I be there?’

‘Now.’

‘What?’

‘You know mum, she is serving tea in the garden and later lunch. Just make sure you wear something decent, she is making a big deal out of all this.’

I get up from bed immediately the line cuts, laundry has to be done, my room is a whole mess, I wanted to touch the salon and now here I am being dragged to spend the day with Claudia and her folks.

I remove the beddings and all the dirty clothes and put them in my laundry basket before calling the girl that comes through once in a while to come and wash, even though I am doing this I don’t even have enough money to last me through the week but what else can I do. After that I head to the bathroom where I take a quick shower, when done I settle for the only clean white high waist pants in my wardrop, a beige crop top and matching slippers. I undo my bantu knots and spray in some coconut oil before letting the hair fall.

‘Good morning.’ I say to both Nancy and Caleb who are on the dinning room table having their breakfast

‘And where are you going?’ Caleb asks.

‘That’s the new way to respond?’ his wife asks him and I can’t help but laugh

‘It’s a Saturday, Saturdays are meant for families but where is she going?’

‘Of course she is going to see Claudia, where else can she go?’

‘I guess it’s my cue to leave.’ I say turning around to leave, these two won’t stop talking until they talk me out of stepping out of the house.

‘Use my car, I am not going anywhere today.’ Nancy says

‘Thank you.’ I respond getting the car keys.

The drive from home in Libala to Chalala takes a bit longer than usual, Ring Road is weirdly congested today.

‘I thought you were not coming.’ Claudia says meeting me outside

‘I shouldn’t have come.’ I say laughing, I notice her mother and the lady I am guessing is Astridah in the garden.

‘Mum likes her and she can’t stop smiling from ear to ear.’

I laugh

‘Let us go you greet them.’

Even though I don’t want she drags me to the garden.

‘Wane.’ Her mother says, I see why Claudia is making fun of her because she is smiling really hard.

‘Good morning ma’am.’

‘You have been scarce, now see my daughter in law is here and you didn’t get the chance to meet her.’

Astridah looks down shyly.

‘Hai.’ I greet

‘Astridah.’ She says with a smile

‘Wane.’

‘We will be inside mummy in case you want something.’ Claudia says before dragging me inside the house

She rushes to her bedroom to get her phone leaving me in the kitchen where we will have breakfast from, I am busy on my phone when a familiar scent hits my nostrils.

‘Good morning Wane.’ Claudia’s dad greets

‘Good morning Sir.’ I respond

‘You have been scarce.’

He is still in his pajamas and leaning against the door

‘I have been busy with school.’ I say holding in a sigh

‘I see.’ He responds walking over to the coffee machine, it is behind me.

His robe touches my back as he walks by and I have to hold my breath.

‘Breathe.’ He whispers in my ears

‘Obrien.’ I beg

‘I won’t do anything.’ He says running a finger on my bare skin

..

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Winnie

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