Baraka.

Chapter 4.

It is on New year's eve. Yesterday was an uneventful day. My father let me rest so that I would go help my mother and Ian at the grocery store. I spent the day attending to customers. I would occasionally sneak at the back and rest and jot down random thoughts at the top of my head to my journal.
Does is sound girlish or something? It's not a diary. It is a journal. My mother let me go early enough. I rushed home and finished my chemistry assignment. I felt nauseous while doing it believe it or not. I then had to make a shopping list of all that I required as I resume back to school. I study at St. Augustine,a catholic only boys boarding school. In the evening I gave the list to my father and he gave me the money for the shopping.
We did not have an argument, so I went to sleep early. I texted Malika for a while but I think she felt asleep because she left me hanging.

Today my mother is not going to the store. Ian is going to be all by himself. She wants to have a rest on the last day of the year. My father too is not going to work. He has taken off for five Working days. I join them for breakfast. Dad as usual is still reading the newspaper.

"Put the newspaper down for once in your life old man"

"Good morning dad, mom." I say instead.

"Good morning son. You seem happy this morning."

"Hey my baby."

"That is because you did not come banging at my door."

I telling him jokingly but deep down I was damn serious. He laughs and tells me that he only wants me to be a responsible young man. I am sure Bakari and the two workers miss having me around to help them. I think I will go see him later. Today there are no mahamris so we take tea and sweet potatoes. I am sure my mom brought them from the grocery store. It is sweet and all but I do not like fibres, especially arrow roots. Although I do like avocados. Oh no! I have missed avocados. It has been a while since I ate them. I will remind my mom to bring them in the evening when she goes to close shop.

"Son do not forget to go shopping. I do not want you to be in a haste at the last minute you wind up forgetting everything. By the way, when are you resuming back to school?"

I cannot believe he has forgotten. I just told him yesterday when handing him the shopping list.
"We are opening on 3rd father."

"So soon! I am going to miss my baby." Mom remarks.

"I will miss you too mom."

We finish up our breakfast and my parent leave together I do not know where since they are not going to work.
I turn on the television and decide to bingewatch Grownish season 1. It is really fun to watch how Zoey navigates life in college and the boy drama. The concept of the story by Kenya Baris is really brilliant.

It is past noon and I have watched six episodes. I switch off the television and decide to go the supermarket for shopping. I take my bicycle and ride to the supermarket. I take the small trolley. Boys do not need much. I buy stationeries, four bathing soaps, washing detergents, toilet rolls, shoe brush and shoe shine amongst other personal effects that I may require. I bump into Malika who is also doing shopping. I hug her.

" Hey baby."

"Hello Baraka. It has been a while since I saw you." Mrs Andrews respond.

Oh no! I did not know she was with Malika. I feel so embarrassed. Malika looks at me with a smile on her face knowing how embarrassed I feel.

"Hi Mama Malika. Nice to see you."

"I was with your mother the other day at the grocery and she tells me you were with my daughter. Malika why did you not tell me?"

This is so arkward and uncomfortable.

"I must have forgotten mother."

"I see. I will leave you two let me shop for other stuffs I need at the house. See you in the car Malika in 15 minutes."

"You really have to be careful next time Baraka. What if my dad was around?"

"I am not scared of your parents. We can go right now and I will inform your father that she has a very beautiful daughter who I love and am dating."

"You are really crazy. My dad will chase you. He only knows you as my long time friend. Let us just keep it that way. For now."

Phew. I was hoping she would say that. Inasmuch I pretending to be not afraid, Malika's father is really intimidating.

"Why does your mother have a cast on? Is she okay?"

Malika seems to be irritated by the question.

"She is fine. She fell on the staircase the night we got back from Kwale and twisted her arms. We took her to the hospital but she is fine."

" Oh Malika I am so sorry about that. You should have told me." She snaps.

"What would you have done about it? Like I said she is fine."

Somebody is in a foul mood. I bet it's that time of the month again.

"Okay fine Malika." I decide to change the subject.

"I am resuming on 3rd. We will meet on 2nd."

"Sure thing Baraka."

"How about today at the Social hall, so that we can cross over to the new year together."

"Wow that is a good idea Malika. See you at 10:00 p.m.?"

"Sure." She replies.

I pay the attendant for the goods and say goodbye to Malika. I wrap it at the back of my bicycle.

"Send greetings to your parents."

"I sure will Mama Malika." I say as a I ride down the road heading home. My mom's store is a few blocks from the supermarket but I don't want to go since Ian will nag me to remain and assist him.

I get home and my parents have not arrived. Maybe the lovebirds have gone on a date or a picknick. The thought of it brings me to laughter. Aren't they to old for that?
It's past three o'clock and Dhahabu had prepared Ugali and kales. I do not like ugali that much. I open the fridge and get yorghut
and cookies to eat.
I go to my simba and pack my essentials ready for school. I iron my school uniform and neatly fold them. I do not like ties. Now where did I put my socks? I cannot find them. I have literally searched everywhere. It seems I will have to buy new pairs. I neatly put the uniform I am going to wear in the wardrobe and the extra in my bag. I need to clean up my towel before heading to school otherwise I will end up going with it as it is. I head to freshen up as I really feel sweaty from all the cycling and the scorching sun. I also decide to manscape as it has been a while since I shaved and the hair is really coming along fast. I get back and change into grey shorts and a black t-shirt. Shorts any day. They so super comfortable. I take my journal and decide to write.

It is almost seven and I can hear my father honking at the gate. Time has really gone fast. I hear the gate open. Bakari must be the one. I was supposed to see him but he was not around when I got back. I decide to go and see them.
"They have to explain to me why they are coming home late and they were not at work."

"You are really silly. You want to your parents to give you an explanation. As who?"
Okay my inside voices need to shut up.
Seriously, they need to go and have a conversation elsewhere instead of making noise in my head.