After a long stroll through different narrow paths and following dry animal tracks that splayed out in dry pans, under the moonlight. Crossing empty fields and peeping at my back to see if any animal will creep out of the thick bushes and attack us, I might as well say my fear gave me vitality. We finally arrived.
"Will you remember your way back?"
"I hope you are not leaving me here, cause I remember nothing."
He exposed his pearly teeth and I couldn't help but beam back. We follow the pattern of a wooden compound, as we head to the left wing of the house. It took us approximately ten minutes to get there. This house is huge, it scares me. If I tell you I know where I am, I'd be lying. The environment here is very odd. Don't blame me, I've never been to this side of the country.
A tall skinny girl stood by the wooden door. She's very pretty. I get insecure when I see a girl prettier than me. Worthy would tell me he had never seen a girl prettier than me but I still think he says that as a way to build my esteem.
"You are so lucky. I was coming to lock the entrance."
The girl said with so much conviction.
"Well, we could have knocked and you'd have come out to open the door for us." I snap due to the tiredness. I just want to rest.
"We don't do that here. Where are you from? Are you the nightwalkers?"
"Which question do I answer? Can we answer while we are inside?"
To my surprise, she lets us in. Worthy holds my hand as we followed the young girl along the curvy corridors of the strange house.
We turn to the left and there is an open fire. About six men and six boys surrounded the fire. No women or girls. The girl leads us to the long wooden chairs that are lined up on the left side.
I take a seat and the girl shook her head.
"You come with me."
She whispers with so much dominance. I look at Worthy and he nods his head. I slip my bag just at his feet.
I follow her. It took us a few minutes of walking and veering.
"What's your name?"
I inquire out of indifference.
"I'll tell you in the morning."
"Where are you taking me?"
She doesn't answer. I see a large number of women who were busy with one thing or the other. We move closer and it was the food they were preparing.
She hands me a long wooden chair and goes to help with preparation.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned hoping it's Worthy.
"Grandma."
"I thought you wouldn't show up. It bothers me to hear that you think I do not care about you."
She takes a seat next to me as she carefully observed how the women were getting everything ready.
"Can I at least go and rest? I'm so tired."
I declare and she smiles.
"Owetu, isn't the food ready? Bring food for our visitor."
She referred to a girl presumably my age. That's when I saw it was just girls and not women.
"I'll eat tomorrow grandma. If I stay up much longer I'll faint."
I say in all honesty.
"I'll show you to your room."
Another girl said. She held a torchlight in front of her. Why are there too many people in here? This should be illegal.
I rise to my feet and followed the girl.
"Excuse me! Why are there so many of you in a single house?"
"You should be fretting about why you are here."
She opened a door to a rondavel room. I desire a comfortable bed with clean sheets.
"Someone will bring you clean sheets and your bag."
That's when I remembered, Worthy. Is he okay?
"Where's the young man I came with?"
"If you're talking about the other visitor. He's already asleep. You should probably do the same."
I'm about to whack this girl on her back I swear.
I don't discuss terms with insensitive people.
"Don't go out in the middle of the night. It's not guarded. I'll see you in the morning." She hands me the light.
Just then another girl comes holding sheets. I take them and stepped inside. The essence is cosy and welcoming. My main concern is the bed. It better be fluffy and smooth or Worthy and I will have a situation at hand. I placed the torchlight on the brown table.
To my surprise, the bed isn't as bad. The same girl brings in my bag next and I thanked her. I unload my stuff and remembered my phone. I have about ten text messages and three missed calls from my mom.
"In case you want to use the restroom, my room is just next to yours. Just knock." I look up from my phone. I didn't even know she was still here. I guess I just made a new friend.
"Thank you, I'm Xaya."
I offer my hand and she accepted it.
"Owetu."
"Oh I saw you earlier in the- "
"Kitchen site."
I nod and went back to my phone.
"Can I come and sleep in here with you?"
I look up from my phone again.
"Yes, you can."
She rushes out excitedly.
I waited for more than ten minutes but she did not show up. I lock the door from inside and got under the covers.
