HIS AFRICAN QUEEN

Chapter 4

I wake up to the sounds of our cows mooing demanding to go grazing as they are hungry , birds chirping and dogs barking. A typical morning here. I reach under the pillow to get my phone and it's not there. Now completely awake and scared ,I throw the pillows on my bed hazardously on the ground to allow for easier scanning for my lost phone but still no phone can be seen .I get desperate and start checking in  between the blankets because maybe I could have possibly moved it while I was asleep. 

In the midst of my panic I forgot where I was. Living in town means you have to survive ,be on the look out for thieves and corn artists. Life in town is hard everyone wants to be able to survive and that means more thieves are looking for a way to make a quick shilling and your phone is one way. I forgot I was home, safe and surrounded by my people, my family and not by thieves. Once I allowed myself to calm down and permitted my brain to work, I knew exactly who has my phone. 

"Amari, bring back my phone right now!" I shout.

" I don't have your phone" he says from his room.

" Come and lie to me on my face"

He comes to my room but remains at the entrance peeking inside.

" Where is my phone? and don't lie" I asked very irritated. I almost had a heart attack because of him.

" I don't have it"

" So your not hiding it behind your back?"

" Nop"

" Fine, turn around and let me see your hands"

He shows me one hand at a time trying to rove he doesn't have it but I knew better than to fall for his stupid tricks. 

" I don't want to imagine where you've hidden it, so just give it back and I'll buy you a toy car" i negotiate.

" How big are we talking"

" Medium size"

" Nop I want a bigger one"

" Amari I don't negotiate with terrorists, you take the deal or leave it"

" Fine, take your stinking phone"

He reaches inside his back pocket and hands me the phone. I knew that small devil sneaked in here and stole my phone.

" If you do that again you will regret it"

" Sorry"

" All you had to do was borrow. Please don't steal it next time"

" But you always say no"

"No I don't" I deny it knowing fully well that it's true.

"you see, that is why I don't borrow"

" Okay, next time I promise I'll give it to you."

He goes back to his room probably to celebrate the small victory and I go to use the outside bathroom. Most houses here have two bathrooms, one in the house and one outside the house. We mostly use the bathroom inside the house at night or when your sick and can't make the trip to use the one outside. I quickly use the bathroom, wash my face and brush my teeth.

I proceed to the yard to join the others for breakfast. We have a large dining table on the right side of the house and it has a nice big umbrella to give us shade. It gets really hot so a nice cool place is always needed. I join my dad and sister who are already seated and I take a seat next my sister. My brother comes later and sits opposite my sister and I.

Mom arrives with a large hotpot and places it at the Centre of the table. She asks Amari for help to bring the rest of the food to the table. We have a wide selection of food. Placed before us are some bread, mandazi, cold milk, porridge, smokies, boiled eggs, cassava and some left over dinner. Everyone serves themselves what they want and we start eating.