THE ONE

Chapter Fourteen: Unexpected

Joseph's high spirits, after Dejen mentioned he hadn't been successful with Tendo, quickly tanked when he mentioned Jawadd.

He stared blankly at Dejen's face as he rambled on about how Anita had found out, a part of him wanting to scold him outright. He'd braved the biting late evening wind on a boda from his hostel to the coffee place in Kansanga for this..

"Sorry", he finally aired.
"Thanks bro", Dejen sighed.
"I have to get going", he reached for his phone on the table "Got exams to prep for"
"Can I drop you?" Dejen offered.
"No its fine", he stood up.

Dejen paid for the two coffees & half a dozen samosas, waving at him as he drove off.

Joseph watched his car disappear up a bend, deciding to saunter off to a bar. He had no business being back at hostel at 7:30pm, at least not before he had a drink. He needed something strong to drown his sorrows.

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"Woo!", Axel panted heavily, ogling down at his missus.

He crouched to plant another kiss on her lips, smug he had once again delivered.

"Nina ogenda" (I have to go), she placed her hands on his chest.
"Amangu ago" (So soon"), Axel planted another.
"Sawa zigenda mu ssatu. Omusajja ayinza kunsoka eka" (Its coming to 9pm. My husband may reach before me)

Axel rolled his eyes a little, slowly rolling off her

"Kiki?" (What?), she registered his frown.
"Ki bba kyo.." (Your husband!), he groaned.
"Abadeki?" (What's wrong with him?)
"Kyekitakukusa.." (He doesn't even satisfy you), he scorned "Lwaki tokivila?" (Why don't you leave him?)
"Okimanyi sisobola" (You know I can't), she sat up.
"Lwaki?" (Why?), he crept closer. "Okimanyi nze nsobola" (You know I can), he planted kisses on her back.
"Nkimanyi" (I know), she smiled lightly.
"Kati lwaki tekiba wekiti buli kaseera?" (Then why can't it be this way the whole time?)
"Sisobola" (I can't).
"Olwaki? Ki kyesilina?" (Why? What don't I have?)
"Kati muvile nsigaze ki hmm? Omusajja yandabilila" (I leave him & I'm left with what hmm? The man takes care of me)
"Nange nsobola okulabilila" (I can also take care of you)
"Neki??" (With what?), she chuckled.
"Tusobola okweyiya! Nkola mu-" (We can hustIe together. I work in-)
"M mm", she cut him off.
"Kale tukitte" (Ok let's leave it), Axel rolled the sheet off, getting out of bed.
"Kati onyiize?" (Now you angry?)
"Ah a" (No), he slid on his clothes. "Nanti ogambye oyagala kuda wa bba wo. Kati nze nkya kola ki wano?" (You've said you want to go home to your husband. What am I still doing here?)

She handed him four fifty thousand shilling notes & he strolled out of the motel. It was drizzling outside, all bodaboda riders parking wherever they could find shelter under building porches & on petrol stations.

He spotted a bar a hundred feet away across the road, so he briskly made his way. It was a warm twenty five degrees inside, a relief from the outside chill.

Half full, a live band performing ninetees love ballads so he made his way to the counter, ordering a Nile special beer.

He was stunned to see Joseph, tucked away in the far right of the bar, alone on a table for two. A waiter was clearing two cans of heineken from his table, placing another two. After getting his bottle, Axel decided to join him..

"M mm" he cleared his throat, Joseph looking up from his phone.
"Eh..", Joseph remarked.
"Olina gwolinze?" (You're waiting for someone?)
"Nedda" (No), he shifted back to his phone.

Axel rested his bottle down, sitting across him.

"Onywela eno?" (You drink from these ends?), Axel asked.
"Mm m" (No), Joseph shook his head.
"Oli fit?" (You ok?)
"Hmm?" Joseph looked up.
"Nti oli fine?" (That are you fine?), Axel repeated.
"Mmm" (Yes), he looked back down.
"Tolabika ngali fine" (You don't look fine)
"Kati nkugambe okoleki??" (Now I tell you & you do what?), Joseph pouted.
"Easy", Axel mouthed, taking a sip from his bottle. "By the way, webale!" (....thanks!)
"Kukyaki?" (For?), he looked up.
"Kyewakoze ejo nne muganda wo. Olina omutima omulungi" (For what you did yesterday with your brother. You have a good heart)