I take a moment to watch the movie my younger siblings and my other cousins are watching. I'm surprised their interested in the show. I can think of a hundred and one movies these kids can watch on this specific day but Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs seems like a good way to go.
I manage to hold a pair of lemons and a bottle of Coke on one hand as I snack on some chocolate flavoured topper biscuits from the last box of Baker's choice assorted biscuits that is on top of the fridge.
There's music coming through the windows. It has to be from Kapinga's father's car which is parked on the side of the road opposite the entrance to the building. He is accompanied by his friends. They drink beer and socialise over the song Afro Mbokalisation by Afara Tsena that played in the car. I close the fridge and walk towards the door of the flat.
Outside the flat sits a small group of men which include my dad, Shanga mwanaume and a few of my other uncles. I walk between them with my head lowered as a gesture of respect. The name 'Butin' cames up in their conversation which immediately makes me realise what their topic of discussion is, POLITICS. I keep on walking to my destination which is the rooftop.
There's a pleasant aroma coming from one of the neighbouring flats which is where my mom and my Shanga are at. A burst of laughter is uttered from inside the flat over the music that is being played. I'm guessing it's Mombasa since it's one of my Shanga's favourite songs.
Ester and gang are on the next floor. They are accompanied by Rashidi and my twin younger brothers. I spot them outside Regina's flat. Occupying themselves with their cellphones.
The jovial voices of my other peers become clearer as I approach the rooftop. A cool breeze passes by as rap music is being played from the speaker. I'm guessing it's from Alex's playlist. I approach the gang, walking pass an empty bowl that had mayo and macaroni salad that Melissa's mom made.
Alex, Jeffrey and Tyron stand behind the braai stand while the rest of the gang sit on the couch that Jackie and Kapinga brought up to the rooftop.
"Ayy. Ous are thirsty over here but you just taking your time." Kapinga complains. He sits on the arm of the couch next to DaMwadju.
"Varheid, I claar waai take a piss and when I came back you still wasn't here." Jackie also complains. He sits on the other arm of the couch next to Melissa. Big sister sits in the middle staring into her cellphone with DaMwadju.
"Ayy, ous are walking like snails." Kapinga adds. "Even my great grandma can walk faster than you."
A round of laughter is experienced in the group. I impulsively toss the bottle of coke towards him to show how pissed I am at their complaints.
"Ayy, even your throwing is slow." Jackie says.
Another round of laughter is experienced in the group. I only roll my eyes and hand the lemons over to Tyron. It's wierd how slow he took them from my hand. An awkward moment sets in as our eyes lock into each other. Melissa had already told me that she spoke with him about the shower incident. She said that he is willing to keep that part of myself a secret. But what does this look he's giving me really say?
A vibration occurs inside my chest. Causing my stomach to sumersault as I look deeper into his eyes.
"What?" He smirks.
I shake my head. "Nothing." I move towards the couch and sit in the middle next to Melissa and big sister. Leaning on the couch, I observe the conversation that goes around in the group as we drink from polystyrene cups. Passion Fruit by Drake starts to play. I zone away into one memory of us being together. We weren't with DaMwadju and Kapinga at that time. Troy and the Ngema's complete our gang. I remember it was after school on a Friday afternoon when we'd rush to our flats and get changed. Then at two thirty p.m. everybody's at my cousin's flat waiting for the show on Crazy World Live to start. It's a good vibe, being close to the people you love. My heart keeps vibrating as I ruminate on the topic. Part of me wishes that this moment will never end.
YOU ARE READING
Summertime Vibes
General FictionTo be in the moment with the people he loves. That's what Djimmy wanted to do all summer. But what he encounters is more exciting than what he expected. And what was stolen is more precious than all the toys and treats that was taken from him in his...
