Clutching Hope

Chapter 14

Unedited

"So now that you guys are pushing five months, can we celebrate and say 'about time?'" Nyawira asked as our food started arriving.

It seemed I was the last to meet Ike since everyone else had met him at some point. Guess being a recluse had it's surprises more times than I could count.

"I guess we can't hide it anymore." I quipped.

It was my first time visiting Mercardo restarurant at The Food Library place. Although most of my orders came from people who lived around Karen, Westlands, Lavington and so on, I still didn't dine around this sides much.

Whenever we decided to step out of the bedroom or switch a day or evening out than staying for a cozy night in, Sion challenged me. I'd picked a few places now and then but omce in a while, he liked to step out and rub shoulders with the privileged sort.

"It's good to mix up the palate and sample other parts of the world if you can" he'd say. I wasn't complaining.

Tonight, the restaurant was lively, Mexican music played all around us, waiting staff fleeted about with trays laden with drinks or food. The eclectic  setting of the place, from the thei roofs exposed wooden beams, curved backed cushioned leather chairs of different colours, the round tables and theatre like lined bulbs for lighting was a nice ambience.

"What would you guys like for drinks?" A smiling waiter asked, notepad at the ready since we'd had a few minutes to look over the menu.

"I'll have the classic Pisco sour," Wambui said. The waiter scribbled that down.

"I'll have the Chorcano De Maracuya." Winnie pipped up after.

"Me too." Wira said.

After noting down the order, the waiter looked to us.

"I'll have the Mercado Luscious Lynchee," Sion said.

"Could I get, the Clariot Classico, but without the Kiwi or strawberries, please." Ike said. The waiter nodded and jotted that down.

Sion looked at me. "What are you getting?"

"I'll have the Mango Magarita, please."

"I'll have the Jamaican Mojito." Brian said at last.

"Your appetisers are on the way. Have a look at the mains menu and be ready when the the waiter comes by." She let us know before departing.

Who had ordered that? This was the first time we'd had to order.

Nyawira clapped. "Back to what I was saying. You guys thought we didn't know what was going on but we guessed right." She looked at her twin wgo grinned back.

"When?" Sion asked, lifting his eyes from the menu.

Their eyes rolled in a synchonised movement that made me uneasy. I wish they'd stop that.

"Since the housewarming, duh." Wambui said.

"Way before that." He twin interjected. He always had a thing for her, he just didn't have the guts."

Sion made a noise beside me. I held in my snicker. I was the one without said guts.

I saw Ike lift his menu, eyes smiling as he looked at Brian and then looked away.

"Then you were wrong." Sion defended.

"Here's is your  Nachos Mexicana appetiser, enjoy." Another waiter brought a huge platter. Then unloaded three little side bowls of pepper. We took turns placing our orders for the main course before the waiter took them and left.