The Wolf Gang #Wattys2020

Part 16

"Good morning," a husky voice takes me off my daze. Shemuh stood behind me in the park. I had taken morning jogs seriously when I realized I was becoming a pig. I dreaded gaining weight. At least not before I get married. In his Nike sneakers and matching black running tights that drew his amazing body just perfectly. His Tifosi Crit Sunglasses Fototec made him look dangerously beautiful. His chest tried to burst out of his La Sportiva Blitz T-Shirt which looked comfortable with its stretchy fabric. "Hey, I didn't realize you come here," I struggled to mutter trying to cover the shock on my face. If you have been to Karura Forest you know how the environment there is conducive for both hikers and runners. Members from the neighboring suburbs of Muthaiga, Gigiri, Runda, Ridgeways, all the way to Mathare North and Peponi have made it their everyday norm to jog in the green environment. I joined the movement a few weeks before; jogging over the weekends in a bid to cut weight and maintain my perfect body. It worked.

We talked as we jogged and I could hear Shemuh talk of how our last encounter was a mistake and he only cared about Faizal, in as much as he was trying to beat around the bush. There were many of them here so I let him do his thing. I wonder why he was using parables on me when he knew I was fully aware of his way of communication. In as much as trail running was not his thing, I was amazed at the energy he had on this one. He didn't tire, the same way he didn't tire trying to convince me to forget all that happened earlier. The look in his eyes said something different from what he let out of his mouth. In the fresh air of the chilly morning, his words pushed out small clouds of the condensed vapor from his warm breath. We sat on the picnic chair far from where anyone could see us. Not that we were afraid of anyone seeing us but just for a bit of privacy, to talk. I started shivering in the cold and he noticed that so he suggested we go have a talk in the car.

I agreed as I did not want to stay in the cold any longer. We went to his car given it was parked nearer to us than mine. His face was white from the salty sweat that had condensed to solid particles and I teased him about that. He was cognizant of the anger and desire in my eyes when he finally said I was his favorite mistake. I brushed that away with a smug. I don't know what I was proud of at that moment but if you know Shemuh, you could have outrightly dismissed his sorry ass. He was playing the victim and I let him win. I told him how I was sorry for all the things I had done to him, how I had hurt him, and even for the things, I don't remember doing. We spent over half an hour talking while listening to the perfect morning playlists. You should try some Jonas Blue someday, it hits home. Coldplay and Iggy Pop won't let you down either. His Audi air conditioner kept the cabin at ambient temperature as it dehumidified and purified air in the cold morning stopping the windows from fogging up in the cold air so we had maximum visibility of the outside.

"Is that Faizal?" I asked in shock. This was not supposed to happen. This was not happening. This was happening! How was I going to escape this? My mind ran. I couldn't answer a single question I asked myself. Why does it always have to end like this? Shemuh assured me that there was nothing to worry about and that Faizal was not around; she had flown home to see her sick father. I was a bit relieved and he laughed at me. "Why are you so scared of her? It's not that she bites." He teased me. I hate these rendezvous and he knew that for sure. I was not the type to fight. I haven't fought anyone in my life save for days back in high school when we fought over food. He smiled at me and bit his lower lip. Lord, he now wanted to kill me. He knew how that smile goaded my emotions to the edge. I simpered looking out to the wild. Marie, this is neither the right place nor the right time. It is not the right thing to do either. Keep your pants on Marie. He is not your man! For how long is he going to use you? Oh no, was he using me? Of course, he was. He had a girlfriend and I am only one to cool down his sexual fires when she is not around.

"How did you know I come here?" I asked concernedly. I looked into his eyes to see him lie. I felt a twinge of sadness when he opened his mouth to say, "I have been stalking you, Marie." I knew he was not serious, but his voice sounded sincere. "I want you back in my life Mija." He rumbled on. I shook my head to let that sink in. Did he just call me his'? Was I supposed to say thanks or hug him? Was I supposed to tell him how much I loved him and wanted him for me? No, I will not be fooled. He didn't mean a single word he was saying. He only wanted me for dipping. That's the man he had become. "Did you just call me that?" I stuttered. "Yes, Marie. I love you. And I want you for me." He replied. "I want you to be my wife, the mother to my kids."