Beneath My Beautiful.

Chapter 9.

"What's the surprise?" Benja asks for the hundredth time this morning.

I smile at him and give him a peck. Am not going to spill the beans yet.

I've been driving for almost two hours now and I can sense his impatience and curiosity.

"We're almost there." I say reassuringly.

He only nods and shifts his attention to his phone. I keep hoping in my mind that he's gonna love it.

I've been thinking a lot these past few days and I decided it's time to work on my relationship with Benja. He deserves so much more than what I can offer.

After a few minutes we arrive. My surprise for him is our own 'space'. We were at Pema cottages just five minutes drive from Wasini Island.

Benja has a wide grin on his face as we are ushered into our little cottage. I remember telling him about my family visits to this place as a kid. My father used to bring us here during the holidays and we would have a splendid time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Inside our get-away abode... There's a tiny living room with Swahili decorations and khangas on the walls, a small kitchen and one bedroom with the bathroom complete. Its perfect for two.

"You like it?" I ask.

"I love it." He smiled and planted a kiss on my lips.

"You better change.Am taking you to the island. " I say pushing him into the room. Thankfully, he willingly follows my orders, too glad to say no.

>>>

Dressed in shorts and t-shirts, Benja and I get on the small boat with its owner, Rashid.

Halfway through the ocean, I realise Benja's fear and the pale look on his face. For a moment, I think he's going to be sick but then he takes a peak into the water and grins widely at the sight of fish swimming.

Rashid and I spend the next five minutes joking about it but again, I don't blame him much for not being around the ocean before.

It doesn't take long before we're in the island. I take the lead, planning to show Benja all the places I remember visiting before.

"Over here!" I signal him towards an open restaurant under a cool coconut palm roof. It's overlooking the Indian ocean and the view is fantastic. "Let's try some sea food. You'll love it."

We get ourselves a table and order almost immediately.

"We'll try some of the Swahili cuisine over here and add the fish too." I tell the young lady who's taking our menu.

She nods and smiles sweetly.

"Asante sana." I tell her before she hurries off to the kitchen.

I look up and catch Benja staring at me with a smile on his face.

"What?" I start to blush.

"Nothing. It just sounds so sexy when you talk in your coastal Swahili accent."

"Geez! You're so cheesy sometimes." I laugh at him.

"Thanks for bringing me here. I know it holds many memories. "

I nod looking away towards two little kids running around the shores.

"Have you thought about it?" He begins. "Going home to see your family. I mean, since we're not leaving till two days later."

I shift uncomfortably in my seat trying hard to ignore the feeling in my chest. I shake my head in response, not wanting to talk further on that subject.

"It never feels like home anymore." I mumble.

"Lu. That's not something... "

"Here you go." The waitress cuts him short."Karibu!" She smiles and leaves.

I sigh in relief. "Let's dig in. Am starving. " Glad that the topic can finally change.

***

"Come on!" I shout at him. "You're too slow."

"Where to mi'lady? " He does a slight bow.

"The dolphins of Kisite Marine Park await, my fine lord." I follow his lead doing a curtsy at the end.

He smirks and raises his eyebrow. "Fine lord?" He lifts his arms showing off his biceps. "I didn't realise I am this FINE. "

I laugh and tiptoe to kiss him. "Just don't let it get to your head."

"To the dolphins? "

"Yeah. To the dolphins."

We get on the boat and head off towards Kisite.

It takes about an hour and a half before we arrive and spot any dolphins.

"You know they used to call me Ariel the mermaid. I've got mad swimming skills. " I whisper into Benja's ear as we approach a group of dolphins.

"Well am sure they call me King Triton and my skills are incomparable."

"You cheat!" I hit his shoulder. "That's incest!"

"Is it?"

I laugh at his idiotic ways.

"Come see this." I gesture at the dolphins circling around the boat. "Aren't they just lovely?"

"Oh no! I want to see the sharks now!"

I hit his shoulder again.

"What?" He asks innocently.

But I end up making faces at him and going back to the site below us.

I tried describing parts of the island but words can never be enough to do justice to what good stuff it holds.

Enjoy the reading.