WANGARI

Chapter Eight

Owino came by everyday for a week bringing her herbs and some gifts as well.

on this particular day he had brought herbs and a basket of omena ( sardines}.

" you don't have to keep on bringing me gifts. I should be the one thanking you for saving my sons life."

she said.

" I like bringing you gifts you don't know it but you help me in so many ways."

he said as he picked Kahuria.

he was better now with only a few coughs here and there .

" You are looking so much better my friend. only a few more days and you will be as healthy as you were before."

Owino said to Kahuria who let out a small smile.

" At this point I think he likes you more."
Wangari said looking at them.

" I don't know how to cook this fish." she said.

" Maybe you can teach me."
she added.

Owino lay Kahuria down, " they are the easiest thing to cook . this is a staple food in my village."

he said.

" if you like I can cook for you tonight."

he said.

Wangari was beginning to get fond of Owino and she hated it. she did not like not thinking or worrying over her husband.

" don't you have to go back to your village?"

she said.

" I do but there is no harm in going back later."

he said.

Wangari looked at him, yes he was a good man. he had saved her child and done more for him than she could ever imagine anyone doing and had even saved her before but he was still a man.

" I will have you know that I am a married woman."

she said.

Owino was taken aback.

" I may accept gifts from you and your kindness to my son is highly appreciated but that is all that is as far as any of this can go."
she said.

Owino was shocked by her outburst.

" Wangari I am a respectable man as well and I am only doing this to help you and your son. if I wished to do anything else I would do it the proper way. "

he said.

" We don't need your help."

she said.

" we can manage on our own."
she said.

" I am sure you can , you are such a strong woman. I'm not asking for anything just for you to let me cook you super. So can I cook you  super?"

Owino said.

Wangari looked at him for a minute.

" yes. You can."

Wanjiru walked in carrying a pot of water.

" There were so many people by the stream today I only managed to get one pot of water."
she said.

" I think that will be enough for super."

Wangari said and left.

Wanjiru put the pot down.

" what is wrong with her?"

she asked.

Owino shook his head.

" nothing. Have you ever eaten omena?"

he asked.

Owino prepared the Sardines and some ugali.

Wangari breastfed her child and put him to sleep an hour after sundown.

She looked at the sardines eyes as they stared at her.

" enjoy."

he said.

Wanjiru said a prayer and dug in.

Wangari was left looking at the sardines eyes.

" I was terrified at first."
Owino said.

" I could not eat them until I was ten years old."

he said.

" you just have to eat them first without paying so much attention."

he said.

Wangari took a handful of ugali and some sardines."

" delicious."

she said as she smiled.

She walked Owino out .

" you don't have to go. you can stay the night."

she told him.

" Wangari, I have to go back . just moments ago you did not want me to cook, now you insist I stay?"

he told her.

" I had to make things clear."

she smiled.

they got to the gate.

" I have to go Wangari, If I stay I don't think I could wait and follow the customs ."

he said and left.

Wangari was left shocked. She missed her husband terribly and yet she could not help but feel that Owino had started to grow on her.

thank you for reading.

also hope you had a Merry Christmas.