nairobi- ONE BIG BEDROOM

Intro

The narrative in here is a fictitious story with fictitious names. The setting of the narrative is within the hustle and bustle of Nairobi city. A tale of people who find themselves in different unknown love triangles yet interlinked in some way. The scenarios may be true or not, but something to keep you engaged as you read. The characters in here are unknown to the author, neither are the locations and the views expressed in here. The story is just a typical writer’s wittiness to keep you entertained. Nairobi is such a big city, some parts of the story may relate to some, and if they don’t, the intention was just to entertain not to offend. The language used is a dual lingual of both English and Swahili, just to create the fun of the narrative. The story is written in form of scenes capturing different occasions, and people, can be adopted as a play too. Enjoy.

Scene 1-Jonah and Mark

Eh, boss, niaje, it’s been a while. You in this Nairobi? Been a minute.

Well yeah, work and all, plus these days I don’t hang out alot, so likely it’s hard to bump to each other like before.

Eish, kwani you changed your ka local.

Aaa zii, you know I got this mamaa, and I just had to do an upgrade. That local, she doesn’t fancy. These days we hang out in some joints in Kilee and at times Lavii because that’s where she stays, so where go must be somewhere close to her digs.

Dude, that’s some serious upgrade. But congrats man. Acha si we continue na Nairobi west. So you mean you and Regina are over? Never saw that coming.You two looked good together though. The definition of couple goals. At least from where we sat that’s what we thought. So this new chile, where is she from. You guys serious now? What about your kid?

Àaaah well, Reggie and I took a bow. It’s sad how we ended stuff and all.

Stuff, you call your marriage stuff. Aai Mark.

Okay that shiding, whatever it was, it ended. We moved on right? Even her, I heard she is with someone else. So I provide for my kid and that should be all. Besides, that marriage or whatever you call it wasn’t even legal.

Relax, no one is asking you to own up to anything, we all find ourselves in situations all the time. If you ever wish to hang out with the crew, let me know we can organise for a catch up. We haven’t moved.

Sure man, will holla. Say hi to Sabina. It’s been a while.

Will do, we are actually expecting she’s over the moon.

Wow, congrats man, seems I have missed out alot, definitely need a catch up.

Yep you definitely do. Cheers babaa!

Scene 2-Mark & Sabina

Hey Mrembo, whats up, I know it’s been ages, but call me back when you get this.

Scene 3-Jonah & Reggie

Hi Reggie, guess who I just ran into.

What is it Jonah, I told you to stop looking for me, if Mark ….

Forget about Mark, It’s actually him I am referring to. That guy moved on and you are here sijui thinking about him, uko nje wewe.

Jonah, just get to the point I need to take care of Linzi. What it is about Mark?

Well, I just ran into him and we caught up a bit. He told me he moved to Kilee, isn’t that where you had been nagging him to move to because it’s near Linzi’s school?

Enhe and what about his move, he is free to live where he wants to, si hii Nairobi ni kubwa ama?

Anyway was just giving you a heads up, just incase you get to hear some things.

What things?

I can only tell you when we meet. When am I seeing you?

I told you Jonah, I am done with you and whatever we had going on with us, even you , can’t you see it’s been wrong, what you have been doing to your best friend? Moreover , aren’t you and Sabina expecting? You should be focusing on her.

Aaa sasa hizi ni gani, we didn’t break up, I need to see you. Besides, what I have to tell you might interest you more. Say hi to my daughter.

Linzi is Mark’s for the umpteenth time.

Mmmhh, we jiambie hivyo. I need to see you. I should have even done that paternity test when I had the chance . Shinda hapa Mark, Mark , Mark…

Aaaarrrggh… We baadaye.

Scene 4- Sabina & Mark

Hey hun how is the going? Ulinitupa tangu you moved to Kilee?

It’s not like that, si you know how things are, work and my new gf, have to keep up the show if I still need to stay afloat.

Aaai Mark, hujawai wacha kuekwa na wamama?

Ati kuekwa? This chick if only you knew how much she earns even you ungeekwa tu.

Come on let’s not even go there, okay, what were you looking for me for then?

Mmm is it true that you and Jonah are expecting?

Yes we are, I don’t recall that being a problem is it? In fact, he proposed and we are getting married as soon as I give birth.

Sabiiinaaa,, unajua kuchocha. Or unanichoma tu. You know exactly what you mean to me. You and I had a pact. Are you for real. You are expecting and getting married to one Jonah! You can’t.

What do you mean I can’t, you know Jonah and I have been together for a long time, we have gone through alot, it’s only right that we get married. Aren’t you happy, for me? That finally someone is agreeing to settle down with me despite my story?

But atakama Sabii, you know Jonah and Reggie had something. Even rumored that Linzi is…

Linzi is what Jonah!

Okay I will not bring that up, nikama ulishakubali. Or is it because that you are now expecting so utaoverlook. You and Reggie were friends, and you knew they had something..

Aaa Mark just stop it, if you didn’t have anything else to tell me enda kwa uyo mresh wako. I am getting married to Jonah and that’s it. You agreed to the arrangement we had a long time ago. Especially when you told me you can’t settle down. Why bother waiting. I have done the right thing by moving on. I am having Jonah’s child, and I am getting married, the earlier you accept it the better for all of us. Infact, how is it that you are even accepting that Linzi is Jonah’s and not yours?

Its okay, let’s not get there, I wasn’t looking to upset you ata unaeza zaa tu sai. How far along are you, maybe we can still…

Maaaark surely, what do you want to do with a preggos mama, si you wait till I give birth na ata nipone. Six months now, and I hope utaniplania baby shower.

Mimi Mark mmoja niplan baby shower isn’t that a ladies thing, but I will make sure I get that baby something for this relationship’s sake..

Scene 5-Linzi and Reggie

How was your day in school Linzi? You look a bit sad? Did anyone do anything to you?

No mum I am okay. Just some kids in school being nasty.They were saying some things to me that made me sad.

Saying what things Linzi?

Why did my dad leave? Why did he stop staying with us? Does he not love me?

Oh Linzi where is all this coming from? I thought you and I had this talk before. And I explained to you why we are no longer leaving with your dad. Is this something to do with what the kids in school said? What did they say to you?

One of the kids, Derrick, his dad owns a club in Lavington he mentioned that he heard his dad say that my dad usually goes there with some woman, and that they called you a baby mama. So the other kids started laughing and making fun of me saying that I have no dad and that my mother is a baby mama.

What kind of kids are those? Are they even allowed to have that kind of a conversation in school? Oh Linzi my child, I am sorry that made you uncomfortable and that you have to go through this. I will have to get to the bottom of it. Which kind of school kids talk about these things in school?

Its okay mum, they are just being nasty, they always are anyway, just forget about it, I just needed to share with you what I was feeling. Doing something about it will only make it worse.

Don’t worry my child, just know that mommy loves you more than anything in the world and I will always be here to protect you in every way I can.

Scene 6-Reggie & Thomas

Thomas, this has to stop. Do you talk about Mark and I in front of your kids? You have no idea what my daughter told me the other day.

Regina, Regina, I thought I told you, you need to choose me. And if you don’t, everyone will know about you and your inadequacies.

You call my divorce inadequacies?

Divorce? Regina, you and that Mark man were never married. And don’t use that tone on me.

Thomas, you and I agreed that we are in this mainly for work and I don’t expect you to talk trash about my family, more so in front of Derrick who has been saying things in Linzi’s class. It’s not right, it’s not fair. If that doesn’t stop I will have to call out on you and your illegal money laundering businesses fronting them out there as clubs.

I pay you, very heftily in fact, as my lawyer, and your duty is to protect me and those illegal businesses you are talking about. Your daughter’s school fees doesn’t come cheap, hope you have that at the back of your mind. Or do you still want to go back to that riff raff of a boyfriend you had. You won’t survive in this Nairobi, especially with your new high end lifestyle that I have been providing.

Enough Thomas, then show me some respect, show my child respect. Don’t talk about me and my life in front of other people. It’s what we agreed. I help you and your illegal cases and you give me the life I want, simple.

Sasa umeelewa kukua na sponsor sio rahisi.

Aa c’mon Tom , this was a symbiotic relationship. Each one of us benefits either way. Hakuna mambo na sponsor just to be clear I can pay my own bills,,,

Aaa rubbish, that your lawyer’s salary can’t do shit for you and your lavish lifestyle.. The trips you have been enjoying my dear and the designer clothes, shoes, bags, should I go on? Ata wewe unajua.

Can we change the topic, please talk to Derrick, not to talk about anything regarding us, or Mark and his new girlfriend, its making my daughter uncomfortable and that’s the last thing I’d like for her, she’s gone through so much already.

Okay my Jaber, I hear you, I will talk to my boy. My a gal toto I like it when you get mad…Come here now, where were we…

Scene 7-The boys

Mark, Mark my man, today umekumbuka njia ya Nairobi West eeh? See we have all been here. Where is the fine gyal.

Ai even you people, I can’t even dream of bringing her here, mafisi hapa ni wengi.

Haha sasa tumekua fisi leo na ulikua mmoja wao? Ama fisi za Kilee si kama za Nairobi West?

Anyway leo nimetokea and I hope hamkunywi hizo vitu we used to take, my guts are now refined.

Ee okay, then basi utabuy a few rounds we taste your new found finesse.

Where is Kim and Matta? They nolonger come for your outings?

Ati kim na Matta, enyewe how long have you been away from here again. Kim moved to Kitale it’s been months, and Matta, these days works at the coast ever since his mamaa relocated the business to coast, they decided to move with the fam.

Hee, enyewe it’s been long. Ata whatsapp group nilileft. So Jonah, baby shower ya Sabii ni when or men are not invited?

Ati babyshower ata wewe ni wa kufuatilia hizo? The girls are organizing I guess. But the budgets man, kwani mtoi ako na expenses hivyo? No wonder ulikua unakaa broke all the time and we didn’t understand.

Bro unalia expenses na mtoi ako kwa tumbo, wait till she comes out, utalia na diapers na maformular. You will cut your drinking and other luxuries you have so uanze kujipanga.

She, I never told you it’s a she? We have never told anyone. Or did Sabii..

Mmmm I just guessed. He ama She, si wote ni watoi tu.

Then kuna ka rumour Reggie’s going out with Thomas, your boss.

Apana, anakua tu lawyer wake. What will Regina be doing with that kibaba anyway. Don’t think she’s into that.

Nhh,,

What’s that supposed to mean?

Well, you know where we sit we know stuff. But like you said before, you and her are over right? Or what did you call your relationship again, oh, shiding.

Ai Buda, sasa hizi ni gani?

Well, dont beat it, if you moved on, just move on, hizi ni sideshows za mtaa, so when are we meeting miss mysterious, umemficha Sana. Mark,Mark kwani ni nini?

Well, that piece of news didnt sit well with me.

But siunaona natry kuchange topic.

You know, Reggie and I didn’t leave each other on a good note, and if she’s now dating my boss, msee I may be in trouble. No wonder for the last couple of months she’s never called me for anything about her or even Linzi. I thought she was being a hard head. Kumbe sasa ni sponyoo ameget.

But what’s your worry dude, I thought you truly moved on.

No, it’s not about her, it’s about my jobo, hikyo Kitom na vile kinakua kitiaji, what if he fires me or something, I will become useless to my princess.

Boss you are overthinking, just relax, enjoy the evening, what are we having anyway.

Aaa ata hiyo pombe wacha ikae, let me just go. Think the evening is already messed up.

Huyu msee ata sijui why keep calling him, such a buzzkill, we enda tu. Sort your house ama ni houses…

Scene 7- At Sabii’s baby shower

Everyone is on their way, Sabii is coming just spoke to Jonah they are doing some final touches za shopping, baby is due in two weeks.

Eeh, even them wametry. Who knew Sabii could settle down. Mara Jonah, Mara Mark, Mara ma sponyoo, na kwanza you remember those days people used to say she was a hooker. I hope these men got checked, because sikua na mtrust.

Na si muko na infor, though Sabii was not one of the best examples of role models for friends, I think she tried to live, unajua life in Nairobi is not for the feint herted. She had to survive.

But I hope ameachana na hao masponyoo. We are all in this Nairobi together and none of us goes man hopping.

Mmh once umeanza hiyo life huezi acha, but what do we know, we are here for her baby shower right? We shall support her, she’s our friend. Maybe she’s changed and ready to settle down now.

Reggie you are a bit quiet, whats up?

Mhh, nothing, just following your conversation, I just remembered the fight we had some time back about Jonah, until I decided to quit that relationship. I thought Jonah was just being a man, but come to think of it now, maybe Sabii made the moves on my man. Aaa, anyway let’s not dwell much on that we all moved on right?

Can someone just call and check on them tujue wako wapi wasitupate hapa red handed tukisengenya moma to be.

Wait, isn’t that Tom’s car? What’s Tom doing here? Kwani ..

Tom ni nani, eeh ni ki Lexus damn, ameleta nani? Reggie do you know the owner of that car?

That’s Thomas Omom, he is a renowned businessman within the Nairobi suburbs. He is actually Mark’s boss, wait, isn’t that…What’s going on?

Aa Reggie, why are you scaring us, kwani who is he, and why are you looking so concerned with the company, si maybe ni a pal of Sabina ama?

No. No. I have seen that girl before in a photo on Tom’s phone, he told me ni niece wake, how can he be so cozy with her like that?

Aaa Reggie kwani how do you know Tom and what would you be doing with his phone too?

Why are you girls at the window, tunasorora nani?Oh finally msee wa make up amefika, let me let her in.

You know her?

Yes that’s Fani, shes Sabii’s cousin, her make up artist, I wanted her to get here before Sabii arrives. Hee huyo ndio miss masponyo sasa just checkout the ride ameletwa nayo. Madem wengine wako lucky.

Apparently, Reggie knows the guy from somewhere. He is Mark’s boss and from her stares seems she knows a little bit more than that.

Aaa now this is beginning to get interesting, Reggie, I hope you have nothing to do with that guy, the things I know and have heard about him, you shouldn’t be anywhere near him. I hear he is into drugs and other shady money businesses. The Dci is after him. I hope hakuna kitu umefanya nayeye because Naskia he could be infected too.

Mmmh madam boss here is his lawyer, I bet she knows all that but still just be careful you don’t want to get crossed in his shoddy deals no matter the money he will pay. People who have crossed him have disappeared without a trace. So madam kua careful.

Ladies, here comes Sabii hebu lets hide, before she comes in and surprises us instead.

Scene 8- At the doctor’s

So how have you been. Are the drugs working for you. Remember we changed the supplements from last times re fill? Have you experienced any pain, did the infection clear out?

Yes Doctor I am now perfectly okay I guess. Taking my meds as recommended and eating a balanced diet as advised.

That’s great to hear Mark. Have you thought about bringing your girl friend for testing?

No doctor I am afraid. We are still on protection though. I am yet to disclose to her about my status. I am afraid if I do, she might leave me.

I don’t think that should be your worry now. The best thing is to disclose and let her decide whether she wants to pursue the relationship or not. Do you know people can sue? If they learn that you had a relationship with them and refused to disclose your HIV status? Especially when you perfectly knew about your status when you made any encounters with them. The earlier you do it the better for you, if you really intend to keep her.Love doesn’t come easy. Besides we have ways in which the both of you can continue engaging even when one of you is positive. Medicine has changed these days with alot of alternatives. But first you must disclose.

Thankyou doctor, I will do that. Thanks for the talk. Till next time.

Take care Mark . You have a whole life ahead of you and so many responsibilities within your care, just take care of yourself. Remember your daughter too, she needs you.

Sure Doc I will.

…Nairobi -one big bedroom…

*The end*