Chapter 46

Present...

I spent the whole weekend with my family, enjoying each other's company. When my mother finally dropped the topic we shall not discuss, I had a chance to have some much needed fun. Home was where I felt at peace and free the most. My parents have worked so hard to make our home our sanctuary .

It was a sanctuary for all of us, even for them. If things were bad wherever we were, we could always count on coming home where we would be supported with no judgement at all. Despite my parents being African parents, they knew when to support us even if they felt that we were making bad decisions. Most of the time we never agreed on any of the decisions some of us made but they supported us anyway.

As they always say ,you learn from you mistakes. But one phrase that always stuck with me was ' usingojee kusoma na yako, soma na ya wengine' ( don't wait to learn from your own experience, learn from others). They always asked us to learn from others and never repeat the same mistakes they made.

So far it worked for me until I met him. I was totally unprepared for him. I went into battle with no game plan, no ammunition and no allies which in turn resulted to my defeat. Anyway we won't talk about him now or ever again. My weekend ended quickly and I was back to work. My day was not as busy as I was expecting ,so it allowed me to do other things such as snooping around online. I wanted to see what my friends and enemies were up to.

There is a fine line between love and hate and despite some of them being my enemies I still didn't hate them. Hate was a big word reserved only for one person. After an hour I was tired of Instagram and Facebook ,the next stop was YouTube. I like watching house tour videos.

Seeing big mansions that I could never afford was calming to me. But most of all it helped me pick what I liked and what I disliked in the houses. So far I liked a house with floor to ceiling windows and a nice backyard with a swimming pool.

When I think about a swimming pool I chuckle. The last time I was in a pool I almost drowned and that was when I vowed never to get in a pool again. But that doesn't mean I couldn't own one. You know for taking good pictures and for other people to swim in it.

My search was interrupted by the arrival of some new samples from the hospital ward. There were several cross matches to be performed and that would take hours. The rest of my day was spent on the samples and a few other walk-in patients.

On my way home ,I checked my phone to find a text from Zuri. She invited me to an event during the weekend and she wanted to know if I could make it. Thinking of my schedule ,I couldn't see why not . So I texted her back and agreed to go with her and John.

Zuri and John, a very interesting pair. Mmh! A pair I didn't think would make it but clearly I was wrong. They have been dating for almost three years now and he finally proposed to her. I was there during the proposal and it was magical. My girl was smiling so hard that her jaws would ache for days but it was worth it. On the other hand I was bawling my eyes out like a baby watching her say yes.

I was so happy for her. She deserved everything she was getting. He treated her like a queen and that was all any girl could ask for. I walked home slowly thinking of everything that has changed in those two years.

I was a different person now. More in touch with myself as a person. I would like to think that I have grown in that small amount of time..

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The rest of the week went by so fast and before I knew it ,it was Saturday. The day of the event. I didn't know if something was being launched or even what the event was about. All I knew was, it was about alcohol.

Since Zuri was living with John, I came prepared with my dress and makeup. I didn't want him thinking that we usually wear each other's clothes, although we do share. Sisters do that all the time.

I found dinner waiting for me when I arrived. Since I was late , I ate quickly before taking a shower and getting dressed. Zuri helped me with my makeup as she was done getting ready. I waited patiently as she did mine slowly but perfectly like the artist she was.

After we were done, we settled in John's car and drove to the venue. The venue was at Sarova Stanley at first but it was later changed to some other place. Zuri told me she didn't know where the venue was moved to as John didn't tell her . So we both excited to see where we were going.

Looking out the window I noticed the road looked very familiar. We were heading to Westlands where some of the most expensive hotels were. The more we drove the more familiar it got.

My heart started racing when I became aware of where we were going. Maybe that's why John didn't want to to tell Zuri. He knew I wouldn't come if I knew where we were going. I tried calming myself down because it could be any hotel at this point. Please someone assure me its any other hotel.

We drove closer and closer to his hotel. I just knew we were going there. I didn't need any further confirmation. The car stopped at the gate for a few minutes before we were permitted to park inside.

Hotel Royale, it was as beautiful as the first time I saw it. Nothing had changed except maybe the fact that the parking lot was full of cars. John sent me an apologetic look when he opened the door for me to get out. He knew what he did.

My only hope was he was not around. If he was in the country I would have known. That was the only thing keeping here otherwise I could have turned around and go back home . We walked towards the entrance and we were directed where to go by the hostess.

The place looked amazing . It was decorated for the important event. Tusker was celebrating 100 years in the Kenyan market and the celebratory party was being held here. We proceeded to where the other guest were. One of the waiters gave us a glass of champagne each and proceeded to other tables.

We took a seat at our table and I started looking around. Everyone looked lovely and expensively dressed. Now this was a party I could enjoy. I decided to enjoy my evening and not to worry about what ifs. The master of ceremony (MC) of the event started talking and asked everyone to take their sits for the event to begin.