I've been sitting here for the past hour, editing my script. We have a TV show coming up, it is my first project , and I want it to get positive reviews.
I'm still thinking about the Kenyan belle. To be honest, I am a little disappointed that she stood me up. I really thought we had a spark. Like how she blushed when I winked at her, that was really something.
I'm itching to call her, but I dont want to push it and come off as clingy. I've a strong hunch she works in one of those American schools. Part of the reason I'm seated outside Karibu, is coz I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of her, from the guesthouse across the road.
2 coffees later, I am getting tired. I'm starting to think that maybe I guessed wrong again. I decide to finish my espresso and go home.
Then, she waltzes into the hotel in the company of the 4 other foreigners.
Ah, there is that dimpled smile again. All of a sudden, Addis is sunnier. I smile back, she turns to run. I smirk. Van she be any more adorably shy?
"Melie?" I call out to her. She turns and approaches. I figdet a little. It's finally hapenning...Well, I hope.
She says hello, I greet her back. She seems sad. I've been told about an American who terrorizes the hell out of her employees in one of these organizations. I'm hoping she's not in one of the schools, but i ask.
She's not forthcoming with the information. I am starting to think she's the girl whose trust you have to earn first before she can open up.
I dunno why but I feel like I've known her since forever. I want to steal her and take her to Tigray with me. I want to show her Nazret, and Hawasa, and ride the boat in Debre zeyit with her. I want to see her wince when she takes her first bite of Injera with firfir and her taste buds react to the spices.
I ask her out, again. I cross my fingers and give her the best smile I can manage.
...
Millie
The little 23-year-old daredevil in me tells me that nothing can possibly get worse, so I ditch Sue, Bibi and Beth, and follow Luke👫
The simplicity of his plan is what blows my mind. He takes me to this cozy little Ethiopiaqn place, and orders Teps and Injera. I sit back a little scared because I haven't tried Ethiopian food before. He smiles reassuringly.
"You will love it," he reassures me. There's something about the way he says things...a sexiness that can convince you to commit murder. I blush and nod. The food arrives.
Teps is roasted meat on a clay pot. The pot is made such that there's a lower compartment with charcoal...so the meat sizzles even as you eat it.
I take my first bite of injera. Hmmm...
"Sour, a nice sour...like fermented uji." i comment.
"Try the meat," he says. I dig in.
"Yum," i coo, licking my fingers. He smiles and also digs in.
Bye pizza, this is the real deal...I think.
We eat, and talk some more.
"I played football in campus." he says
"Wow, amazing. How was it?" I ask.
"Alright, but an injury put me down for 2 years so I hung up the boots. I love writing and TV production more anyway."
I'm a little sad. Maybe it's coz he reminded me of a dream of mine I also gave up. We finish the food and he pays and tips the waitress.
"Let's take a walk." he tells me. I am hesitant, but he gives me that disarming smile again. I follow him.
He takes me back to the route where I had gotten lost, and we start our walk around an estate which has this 'Kitsuru' vibe about it. The place is called Gabriel.
Once more, he assures me that he will get me back home safe and sound. I laugh, (Like he would tell me he will crazy-murder me and stuff me in a car's trunk if that was his plan...ha-ha)
I've started feeling this odd comfort and familiarity around him, like reconnecting with a really old friend. He is making fun of his fellow Gabriel Residents-He lives here. About their massive houses with empty rooms and how they store their thoughts in some of those rooms. I swear it is hilarious when he says it😂.
So, I tell him all about the hostile-ish workplace, and in his Knightly fashion, he swoops in.
'Tell me how I can help. Do you want me to help you find a house and leave the guest house? I can help you with rent for a few months as you figure out your way"
Good thing about Addis is that you can get lost in the system and work, even without a work permit. But I don't want to be illegal. I shake my head, and tell him I plan to play by their rules and exit when the contract ends the coming June-remember it is only early October.
'Okay, just remember you have a good friend in me.' he tells me.
At the moment, I do not know it, but I will come to lean on Luke so much in the 8 months that follow.
At the time, I dont know that my stay in Addis and in that guesthouse will be filled with so much turmoil that i will wish i had taken Lukes offer and moved out.
He takes me back home safe and sound. At the gate, he pauses and hugs me. I catch a whiff of his cologne, and a little aftershave...God he smells good... I shake my head. Maybe its the effects of being away from Bae.
He steps back and stares at me. I blush, realising I want him to kiss me!!
Instead, he draws me close and kisses the top of my head. I feel like a princess right now.
Before leaving, I ask,
'There were 4 of us at the juice parlour, why me?'
'You're familiar. I don't know how or why, but you feel familiar.'
I laugh. Later he will tell me lots of stories about souls planning encounters long before they met on earth...but I don't know this yet.
I say goodnight, and hug him again. Yeah, I can't help myself.
As I walk up the steps to the guesthouse, I realize that I am already missing him.
