MY ILMORAN

NINE

The afternoon sun was blazing but Wangari decided to take a walk. She informed her grandmother who as always reminded her to be careful and get back before dark. In a last minute decision, Wangari took a detour and headed for the forest. She hoped to see Dennis but she knew it was almost impossible. She was walking back when she saw Dennis and she was elated.

"Cecily? What are you doing around here?" Dennis asked as he approached her. Wangari wrapped an arm around Dennis for a side hug in greeting. "Just taking a walk." Wangari shrugged. "Why don't you listen?" Dennis groaned. "What?" Wangari asked. "Why don't you ever listen? I warned you about this area, didn't I?" Dennis asked. "Yes. You did. But I hoped I would meet you, I wanted to see you." Wangari replied.

"What if I wasn't here? Do you remember what happened that one time?" Dennis asked. "Yeah, and I was just on my way home. Five more minutes and you would have missed me." Wangari said making Dennis smile. "Good. Well, I'm here. Tell me." Dennis said. "Nothing Saruni. I just wanted to see you, maybe hangout for a while." Wangari said and Dennis chuckled. They strolled around talking and laughing and exchanging stories.

Dennis had heard some people talking about Wangari when he had been at the shopping center earlier that week and he was concerned. A woman had approached him and asked him to stay away from Wangari. He couldn't exactly repeat what had been said but it sure hadn't been pleasant. The woman had claimed to know Wangari since childhood. She told him that she had seen Wangari and her cousins grow up and she couldn't stand back and watch Wangari throwing away her bright future. Dennis had neither agreed nor refused but as he walked away, he agreed that the woman had been correct about one thing. Cecily had a bright future and she was destined for greatness.

"I'm worried about you Cecily. Are you okay?" Dennis asked deciding to broach the subject. "Why? I'm fine." Wangari said and stopped to look at Dennis. "Well, people are talking and I don't like what they're saying about you." Dennis said. "Yeah, I've heard and I'm pissed. I'm pissed about how they're talking about you as if they know you. But I've learned to block them out." Wangari said. "Are you sure-" Dennis started but was interrupted by Wangari. "Yes, I'm sure. You can't control what they say and people will always have something to say about you." Wangari said. "But- are you sure you want to be seen with me?" Dennis asked. "Well, I'm here, aren't I?" Wangari replied spreading her hands dramatically.

"Okay, if you say so." Dennis shrugged. "Yes." Wangari laughed. "By the way, Cecily-" Dennis said hesitantly. "Yes?" She responded. "I- uum- I- sorry, it's nothing." Dennis said and Wangari looked at him disbelieving. "You sure?" She asked. "Yes." He laughed uneasily and rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay. But you know you can ask or tell me anything, right?" Wangari asked. "Yes, I know." Dennis nodded.

They hangout for a while longer and Wangari decided to head home. They walked together towards her home while talking and laughing but Wangari noticed that Dennis was more quiet than normal. "Cecily, can I ask you a question?" Dennis said abruptly. "Sure." Wangari stopped and faced him. "The other day at the shops, why didn't you greet me?" Dennis asked looking everywhere but at the girl in front of him. "What are you talking about? I did. I even introduced you to my cousins." Wangari asked incredulously.

"Yeah, nevermind." Dennis mumbled feeling embarrassed. "I did, or did you want a hug? Or a kiss?" Wangari laughed, teasing him. When Dennis didn't laugh with her, Wangari was struck by the realization that he did. "You did." Wangari gasped. Dennis couldn't even face Wangari. He was feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed and quite frankly, he was regretting having brought up that topic but it was too late. Now it was out there in the open and he couldn't take the words back. "Come on." Wangari said leaving Dennis confused. He glanced at her and saw her arms spread wide.

Wangari saw the puzzled look on Dennis's face and she laughed. "Come on Saruni, I want that hug too." She said smiling. "Huh?" Dennis asked but obliged. He wrapped his arm around Wangari and she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. In that moment, Dennis realized just how short Wangari was. Their height difference was more apparent and Wangari only came up to his shoulders and Wangari had to be on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck.

But that wasn't the only thing that Dennis noticed. It also sunk that Wangari was a lady. He could feel her soft, feminine body against his, every curve that moulded against his body and he liked it. He had never hugged another like that and it felt quite intimate but good. So good. That, however, wasn't something he would ever admit anywhere other than in the confines of his mind.

Wangari felt truly content being held by Dennis, pressed up against his hard body. He had been reluctant or shy at first, she couldn't tell, but he had given in and wrapped both arms around her waist. She felt warm and wished the moment could last longer but she knew otherwise. They released each other and Wangari wrapped her arms around her front feeling a little bit chilly. "By the way, I'm leaving on Thursday morning." Wangari said. "Oh." Dennis didn't know what else to say in that situation.

"Yeah, it had slipped my mind all afternoon but I couldn't leave without telling you. I don't know when or if I'll see you before I leave." Wangari said. "It's okay, there's no time like the present." Dennis shrugged. "Don't forget your friend, alright?" Wangari said playfully but they both knew she was serious. "You stole my line." Dennis chuckled sadly. "Well, I wish you all the best when you get back to the city. School and all that." Dennis said. "Thanks Saruni." Wangari said.

"Well, I guess this is it. Bye Cecily." Dennis said trying to hide his sadness behind a small smile. "Bye Saruni." Wangari replied as she waved. "I'll miss you so much." Dennis said as he walked away. Wangari stood there and watched as he disappeared in the darkening horizon.

"Me too, Saruni, me too."

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Song of the day: Can't stop the feeling - Justin Timberlake

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