Chapter 36

We have been sitting at a restaurant closer to my home waiting for my mother to arrive. After constant pestering and pleading ,I agreed to this idea . I don't like it but I don't have a choice in the matter .

My mother can be resilient. She never takes no for an answer and I never could say no to her. She raised me, fought for me and I am who am I because of her. I was not ready to disappoint her even though I thought it was a bad idea. A terrible idea.

Marcus has a kitenge shirt on that he ordered online. He wanted to impress my mother by at least wearing something traditional. I was sure my mom would appreciate that. He also came with a gift for her and flowers for both of us.

He is a charmer. She texted me that she would arrive at any minute.

" Mum is almost here. Anything you want to ask?"

" No am good ,I will charm her" he joked.

" If course you will" I said rolling my eyes.

We both stood when mum came in. Marcus reserved the whole VIP side of the restaurant. He wanted us to have some privacy.
Mum was wearing a white and red off shoulder kitenge. She looked amazing as always. Mama Africa at her finest. Her headdress was huge but beautiful. Most of her clothes were kitenges ,so I was not surprised with her choice today.

She took a seat at the head of the table while I sat at her right side and Marcus at her left side. We had a personal waiter assigned to us.

Marcus presented her with her flowers and the bag with a gift inside. She beamed with excitement as she received them. My mum approved of him already. But she didn't tell him that.

" Hello Ma'am, what can I get you?" Asked the waiter.

" A non alcoholic cocktail please"

He left to get her drink. We had already ordered the food as they usually cook it immediately you order it so that we didn't have to wait too long to eat.

" Shikamoo mama" greeted Marcus flawlessly.

Did he just speak in Swahili? Who was this guy? And what did he do to Marcus?

" Maharabaa mwanangu" replied my mom obviously impressed.

What was happening? When did he learn that because I certainly didn't teach him that.

" Your Kiswahili is impressive" praised mom

" I am learning little by little from Zee" he said taking my hand in his.

My mom noticed the interaction but made no comment.

" So tell me about yourself Marcus?"

That question was a test. If he answered wrong she would not approve. She would go as far as asking me to break up with him.

Mom's intuition was never wrong. If she approves of you then that means you're of good character.

" I am a business man. I recently opened a new hotel in Nairobi . That is why I am here"

" And how is your hotel doing currently"

" It is doing better than I had hoped for"

" So you are here to over see to it until it gets on its feet?"

" Yes and among other things"

He was confident. I would give him that but the problem was he was being led to a trap. A well calculated trap.

" So when it gets on its feet, will you leave?"

I saw the realization on his face when it dawned on him what the question was about. He understood what she was aiming at. After all he was an intelligent man.

" I travel a lot as I have many hotels around the world" he answered.

The waiter wheeled in our order and placed them gently on the table. I was relieved that we will have a few minutes to eat before the interview continues. We ate our food in silence watching each other.

It was strange. After the food, some non alcoholic cocktails were brought. I already asked Marcus not to order any alcohol. African parents are very strict when it comes to alcohol. If she saw me drinking alcohol she would blame it on him.

" How many siblings do you have?" Mum continued with her questions.

" Two and am the eldest"

" Zawadi is my eldest too"

" How are you parents?"

" My parents are great. They are back home and are very excited to meet Zee"

" And how will they meet her if she is here and they are there?"

Mom was very specific with her questions. I knew what she wanted to ask before she did. She is a clever woman after all.

" I was planning to ask about that. I would like to ask for your permission to allow Zawadi to come home with me to see my world and meet my parents" he asked.

I was perplexed. When did he think of this? And why didn't he ask me first? Why didn't he consult me at the very least before asking my mother?

" Did you ask my daughter first?" She asked after seeing the surprised look on my face.

" I thought it best to ask you first then ask her. Because if you said no I would not go against your wishes , ma'am"

" Zee what do you think?" She asked making all the eyes turn on me.

I was nervous. Going outside my country has always been a dream of mine. A dream that I couldn't fulfill because of my limiting finances . But here was an opportunity for me to see the world with the man I love.

What I was afraid of was him deciding that he didn't need me anymore. It had happened once before, meaning it could happen again. And I was scared.

But this was an exciting opportunity that I couldn't miss. An opportunity that presented itself once in a blue moon. I thought about it for a while .

" I would love to go ,only if you agree to it first " I told my mum.

Her opinion mattered to me. If she refused or had reservations, I would decline the offer. She looked at me then at him and then back at me.

" I like you Marcus. I had a good feeling about you the first day we met at the hospital. I will allow it because you make my daughter happy. But if you break her heart ,I will personally break every bone in your body. Am I understood?" She said sweetly .

His eyes widened as he processed what he was told.

" Yes ma'am. I will take care of your daughter"

"So when were you planning to go?"

" In two weeks time ma'am"

" Make sure she comes home first before she goes with you. You will need to speak with her father"

Am surprised my mum was agreeing to this. She has always been very cautious and protective with her children. If she thought this was a good idea then that was good enough for me. She saw something that I didn't, so I will have to trust in her judgement on this one. Plus I was getting a free trip.

We finished our cocktails and bid my mum goodbye. Marcus's driver took her home.

" Your mum is scary" said Marcus.

" You have no idea" I said with a laugh.