WANGARI

Chapter Ten

Wangari and Owino built the hut over three weeks , talking and getting closer each day.

It was the last day of thatching her roof.

Owino had insisted on being the one to put the last straw but Wangari wanting to be independent had insisted on doing it herself. Incase she ever needed to do that on her own one day.

Owino watched her, his foot nervously thumping on the ground.

He watched her almost slip and his hands being ready to catch her but she did not.

he found her beautiful and strong.

She thatched the last part and went back down.

Wangari looked at her house.

It was slightly bigger, Owino had made some adjustments and partitioned it .

" I like it so much. thank you."
she said.

They walked back to Wanjiru's hut , this walk being quieter than usual.

" so what are you going to do now that the hut is complete?"
Wangari asked.

" go back to hunting. the hunters leave in a few days. "
Owino replied.

" how long will that take?"

she asked.

" I don't know . Maybe two weeks."

*

The sun was setting when they got close to the hut.

Wangari invited Owino for some super but he declined.

" my mother wants me home for super."
he said.

She lingered , looking at this eyes wondering what else she could say.

" thank you."
she said.

" For that you have done for us."
she added.

what she really wanted to say was, " when will I see you again ? "

but she did not, not wanting to sound desperate.

Owino said nothing, instead he took her arms and smiled.

Giving her hands a little squeeze and left.

*

Kahuria had grown . Having surpassed the age that put so many infants on their deathbed.

The next day, Wanjiru helped Wangari pack ready to go to her house the following day.

" I hate to see you go."
Wanjiru said as they fetched water from the stream.

" I also don't want to go. But I can't stay in your hut any longer. "

she said.

Wanjiru let out a sigh.

" And who knows , a man maybe be eyeing you somewhere and I need to give him space to approach you."

Wangari added.

Wanjiru laughed and they carried their pots back to their hut.

It was a hot day and Wangari went out for a walk.

Taking Kahuria with her.

She had not gotten much time with him over the past weeks.

She walked along the riverbanks. Kahuria letting out happy noises. she loved seeing him smile and happy.

the fresh air was calming and the trees swayed in a jubilant way.

she looked at the river where she had first met her husband.

Those days seemed long gone. Ages ago she would not have imagined her life would have turned out this way. She had been a happy girl back then and slowly that joy was returning to her.

Close to where the sun set she observed men on a boat throw their fishing nets and for a brief moment she saw Kahuria smiling at her .

This threw her back a little.

She found herself walking towards him, towards the river. but Kahuria ( son) let out a noise bringing her to the realization she was half way through the water with her son on her bosom.

She walked back to her hut. holding her child so tightly and kissing his forehead.

" did you see him?"
she asked Kahuria ( son).

" Did you see your father?"

thank you for reading .