THE PARCEL

Part 1

It's nine p.m. The wind was strongly blowing at high speed from west. Darkness hung all over. There was neither a moon nor stars and electricity had gone off for about half an hour now. A huge black cloud spread all over the city accompanied by thunderstorms. It was doubtless that any time the soil would go drenched by rainfall. Although that moment of hours was considered 'early' by city dwellers, many people were indoors and those who were still on the road hurried to reach home as fast as they could. It's well known that when it rains in Dar es Salaam, the traffic jam gets worse thus, those who were on the ride had their cars driven at high speed to avoid running on that long queue of congested and sluggishly moving vehicles.

This time, at the international airport in Dar es Salaam, Christina Njau was disembarking from the Air Tanzania flight she boarded from Mwanza city. Dressed in a blue skin–tight jeans and a red blouse that tightened as well, her hands were carrying two items; a handbag that contained womanish things and the other was a parcel wrapped in a small box.

She walked slowly towards the arrivals. She didn't go the baggage area to check-out because she had no any other luggage apart from that in her hands. At the arrivals, she stood on slow moves, casting her eyes at different directions expecting to see someone she expected but she didn't.

She started walking around slowly, her eyes busy looking at everyone around but still she didn't spot her target. She took the phone from her handbag and dialed a certain number, "The subscriber you're calling is not reachable, we will notify them that you called" the automated voice replied her. Christina fumed. She quite didn't like that situation. She recalled how one mid-aged jovial man approached and smilingly greeted her when she was about to board her flight at Mwanza airport.

"My sister, I am sorry. If it won't bother you..." This man who was dressed in an expensive grey suit told Christina. He was a bit tall, handsome of a kind with big attractive eyes. His smile was fabulous as it was always backed-up by white teeth arranged in a perfect dental formula. Christina observed how expensive this man was dressed. He seemed wise and gentleman. "If it's something I can help, I'll do dear brother..." Christina said while lowering her blouse that was twisting itself up enough to expose her navel and the waist.

"My young sister who lives in Dar es Salaam is in need of these documents and some of the books which she must get them today evening because she is required to submit them in the office tomorrow morning. Otherwise, it will cost her a lot."

Christina looked at the parcel in the man's hands. It weighed almost one kilogram by approximation. "So..." Christina found herself speaking. The man interrupted "I am asking you to help me deliver this parcel to her. She'll be waiting for you at the airport. I'll get you her phone number and mine. You'll spot her upon arrival carrying a placard with your name. But only if you don't mind..."

Christina thought for a short while and then responded. "There is no problem Mr. My name is Christina."

"Well, Thanks. I am James, Mmari James." Said the man while handing a business card to Christina and then added, "I've written the details about my young sister on that card." After James has taken Christina's phone number he said "Thank you so much. You really are awesome soul. I wish you safe journey. You'll find my young sister waiting for you. In case of anything call me..." Christina received that parcel "There is no problem. I'll get it delivered to her."

That's how it all happened back then. Still at the Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport arrivals area, Christina found herself in dilemma, not knowing what to do. She couldn't either spot James' young sister at that place or reach her on phone. Even James' phone was not reachable too.

It had started raining heavily now, thunderstorms roared and lightened everywhere. Christina didn't know what to do. She dialed the numbers again but the outcome made her irritated; unreachable. She made her mind up. She decided what do.