Aunt Mary's house always felt like a safe little box-quiet taced away from the noise of the city.For me,it was an escape .Not because it was perfect,far from it. Aunt Mary was a tough woman,the kind who didn't tolerate nonsense.Her eyes could slice through steel,and her voice carried the weight of every older person in our family-unyielding,commanding.But it was our mum's tradition to always take us to our dads family every new year.It was now the 4th of January,and dad usually took the twins out on that day leaving me with my cousins,to "secure the home",he used to say.
Today,my aunt wasn't around?
She had gone to sleep at grandma's,the two houses were close to each other,and that alone felt like a blessing.Because if there was one place I hated,it was aunt's,how I despised it.Waking up before dawn,fetching endless jerrycans of water,scrubbing floors,until my back screamed,washing heaps of clothes in freezing water while aunt Mary stood over me ,barking corrections.At Aunt Mary's ,I wasn't Sara .I was just hands.Working,always working.
I had just finished my washing dishes at grand mas ,"phewww",I sighed to myself, "some relief,at last." .I then started my short walk to my aunt's ,my shirt clinging to my skin from the heat,exposing the shape of my boobs,in the lightly toned t-shirt.I tugged in my earphones to listen to some music on my simple walk,promised myself a shower, a quiet night,just me ,some music,maybe scrolling through Instagram,while the kids-Anna and Jackson-dozed off.Nothing wild.
I had just closed the door behind me after reaching the house,when i heard laughter from the sitting room.My cousin brothers-Trevor,Reagan,and Nassib-sat sprawled out,grinning like they had won a lottery.
"Whats so funny?"I asked ,drying my hand on my t-shirt.
Reagan glanced up with that mischievous glint in his eyes."nothing you need to know Sara."
The kind of answer guaranteed to make me curious.
Thats when I saw the poster on his phone. Sheebah Karungi live.Tonight.
"You're going? i blurted.
"Yeah,"Nassib said without looking at me.Girls' night for us-oh wait ,you're not a girl ,are you?"the room echoed with laughter.
I crossed my arms,heat rising from my cheeks."Haha. Very funny,can i come?"
They all froze like I had just confessed a crime.Finally Reagan smirked."you?at a Sheebah concert?Sara are you sure?"
"Yes ,"I shot back.My voice didn't even shake.
"Fine",Reagan said after a long pause."but don't embarrass us.And uh.."his gaze traveled down my faded t-shirt,and old skirt."your not wearing that,dear cousin."he said as he stood from the chair and the gently put his arms across my shoulder."Little sis is coming y'all",then he walked away to his room ..oh, i hated his cocky behavior,who did he think he was..
I looked down and cringed.he wasn't wrong though I must say.
"Here,"he said ,tossing me a pair of jeans ans some sneakers."make it work."
I took a shower as first as I could,then ran to my room.As i wriggled into the jeans and tied the laces,something inside me shifted.This wasn't just any night.This was my chance to feel alive.
But freedom came with complications. Anna and Jackson had come with me earlier,and i was supposed to keep them safe,till dad came to pick them up.By the time dad finally picked them up,the concert was almost over and it was 10 o'clock in the night.
The brothers looked at me with faces like they had just been lost he biggest sports bet.
"Come on Sara",Trevor cracked "are you kidding me ,look at the time ,why didn't you tell us to had to wait for your dad to pick up your siblings"
"I didn't know he'd delay like this,now don't come at me like that." I defended myself.
"Forget the concert,",Reagan said,scrolling through his phone."Lets hit the club.Its better."
I should've said no.I didn't have money,no plan.But i had one thing ,desperation.So I slipped 4000 shillings from Anna's bag that mum had given her before we left home.Told myself I'd return it.Somehow.
We slipped into the night like shadows,walking down the dusty road until we reached the main street.the air was tick,the dark humming with secrets.When the boda-boda arrived,my heart nearly stopped.four of us on a motorcycle?I wanted to laugh and scream at the same time.Every bump sent a sharp pain shooting through my thighs,the dark cold metal digging into places I didn't want to think about.
By the time we arrived towards pavilion club,as it was known in the city as the most "vibe-full" club around.My excitement was hanging by a thread.We walked towards the bouncers at the entrance .Only god knew the pride I felt at that time.The bouncers separated the gents from me ,so I could be checked by a lady.
"Are you supposed to be here",the big lady shouted at me. Ohhh!!,she was not about to ruin my day,I always faced criticisms for my baby face,but it wasn't stopping me from having fun today.
"What are you saying,am 19 for crying out loud,do you need my ID?!"i cried out,frustrated.
"Never mind,just give me the 20,000 shillings."she said as she held out a ticket to me.
"I thought we didn't pay to enter club"I said to her.I always used to hear Reagan say that occasionally.
"Well,miss,today is bucket night,and if you don't have the money,buzz off."she shouted,and rudely pushed me away. God!, it felt like i was a feather in the wind. Didn't think I was ever that light or weak.With all the shores i did at home,I always thought I was strong.
I walked away ,my pride shoveled into the ground, I'd never felt so ashamed in my life.as i stepped outside,I saw the boys standing outside too.I joined them.Turns out ,we were broke,completely broke.
We stood outside the glowing club,the bass thudding like a heartbeat from inside.my envious gazes locating all those on the inside."God forbid a girl wants some fun."I thought to myself.People streamed past us-laughing,dressed like their lives were music videos.And there we were stuck.
Reagan muttered something,and walked off.I thought he was giving up.But then I saw him talking to someone.A tall figure in a green hoodie,with a cap on,back turned to me."What is his short figure doing there. "I laughed. I always enjoyed mocking Reagan's short stature.
My fun was put to a pause ,when i saw the tall figure turn around.it was like I was star struck.He wasn't just handsome.He was the kind of handsome that make time stutter.Skin kissed by two worlds,features carved like someone took their time.even under the dim streetlights,his light skin glowed.
"Ohh!!, i cant believe I met miles here!!"Reagan screamed as he walked back towards us,braking my short daydream.I hadn't even realized how long id been staring.
Reagan waved him over.my pulse thudded.
"This is miles,"Reagan said.
Miles took off his cape in a gentle manner,revealing his curly hair,and his gentle haircut.His strong jawline,those lips..firm yet soft.,he shook hand with everyone,smiling politely,his voice soft,yet with a thud that made my heart melt.And then his gaze landed on me.
"And you are?"
I don't know what possessed me.Maybe the way the lights reflected in his dark,warm eyes.But the first word that slipped out of my mouth was:
"WOW"
The guys burst out laughing. My faced burned with embarrassment.
"I mean -Sara",i stammered,wishing the ground would swallow me."Sara with no "H"."
Miles smiled. Slow ,easy,like he had all the time in the world."Nice to meet you Sara, with no "H"."
And just like that, the night felt different-like i had stepped into something new,something,couldn't name yet.And Miles?he had no idea what he'd just done to me.