QUARANTINED EPISODE FOUR

QUARANTINED.

James put Princess, his beloved little daughter on the back left seat of the taxi, got in the Honda Fit taxi and off they drove. Back in the house, everyone faced in different directions due to the atmospheric shame.One would think the Lord was preparing to scatter the demons in their directions. Brian, the culprit with the highest degree sat on the couch, with his hands v-shaped on his mouth. Rose went to sit next to him. She was enraged with anger, but she did not want to leave him. She loved and adored him. The bond had just grown stronger because of the development in her womb. 

No, she could not allow her child to lack a father. She pretended to be angry, but she knew she had forgiven him. But, this meant she was going to be at loggerhead with James, his blood brother. She had a tough decision to make, and this was to be made fast because of her brother's health condition. He needed her. Was she going to abandon her brother she has known for the last twenty five years? Or she would reject the father of her unborn child. Either of her decisions would seal a tremendous effect on her.

Jane stood beside her bedroom door, she had mixed feelings. She was completely confused. Her body was weak. Seeing James alive was a miracle to her, but again, she was not sure if she would ever see him again because of the risky operation that he was going to undergo. Again, Brian was here, she thought she had made up her mind to marry James, but she couldn't just ignore Brian the cute and handsome man that every girl would risk being infected with coronavirus to be with him. 

To Jane, Brian was like the delicious KFC streetwise or crunch burger along Moi Avenue that you can never ignore. That when you are passing, regardless of your hurry, their sweet smell will bicone your stomach. Even when you have no cash, you will indept yourself fuliza just to have it. That was Brian to Jane. He was every girl's dream. What she felt for James was love full of pity. They say a woman’s heart is a forest of many secrets and mixed feelings battling only for the lucky one to emerge. A few hours, she had strong feelings for James, but at this moment, her feelings were battling for Brian. She stole several glances at him with extreme admiration and desire. In the process, something knocked on her mind and reminded her that James was the father of her daughter.

There was sequential deliberations of the tantamount decisions both ladies were going to make in regard to the state of their personal present and future affairs. Whatever decision they would make would affect not only their future but that of their innocent children. Jane's decision was also going to affect Rose and Rose's decision was going to affect Jane and would either destroy or strengthen her ties with her brother.

At this time, reality radiated out of both ladies that tears and water may look alike but they indeed have different taste.The silence prevailed for some time. Only the neighbours' music culminated the silence. It was like the neighbour was aware of the quagmire. The songs he played were suggesting a lot to Jane and Rose. First, it was this funny song of 'pole umejiroga mwenyewe' after which he slapped them with 'utawezana nayo' then followed Rose Muhando's song, 'utajilaumu mwenyewe' then, 'ndivyo ulivyo' and came 'inauma lakini itabidi uzoee.' These and many inspiring songs like ‘kila mtu ataubeba mzigo wake mwenyewe” played for quite some time until Grace realised it was thirty minutes past seven. 

No one could leave because of the curfew. Brian stood up, tried to open the door to leave, but Jane would not let him go. "You can't leave Brian, it's risky. We might have our differences but I don't want to see you sent into a forced quarantine." Pleaded Jane. Sentiments that were echoed by Rose. Brian wanted to leave. He could not spend the night with two ladies he was cheating on. It was like walking in a police station without a face mask. Rose pushed him back to the couch. There was some silence again. Grace decided to put on the television and walked to the kitchen since she didn’t want to be part of the comedy in session. 

Jane looked at Rose, " are you sure you're pregnant for Brian?" Rose was quite shocked by Jane's inquiry. "I haven't been with any man for the last two years. Please don't ask me that again. And by the way, why would you think of cheating on my brother?James loves you!" Rose said as she sat down. "Stop it!" Shouted Jane. She knew what kind of person Rose was, arguing with was as difficult as asking for tithe from a police officer. 

Brian was tongue tied. A simple sorry was difficult for him to pronounce. Guilty flooded over him. He was the epicenter of stupidity. He had brought this to himself. He wanted to apologize to both girls. But his tongue was still heavy. He was a proud man, full of himself. He was not the kind of man to cry for a lady. But that very moment, he didn't understand himself. Tears sprinkled out of his tiny eyes. He was ashamed of himself. He was cornered, nowhere to escape to. On his right was doom sparkled by Rose, and when he turned on his right, it was locked with Jane and the only way that would have salvaged him by escaping the wrath of these two ladies was shuttered by the curfew. Jane began to make faces.

         "At last, the mighty Brian is in tears. I didn't know the rich cry!" 

Said Jane as she walked to her fridge, took out a packet of Afya Apple juice, poured in a glass and went back to sit. Brian looked at her, then turned and threw his eyes to Rose He was attacked by harsh, hard big oval eyes with a stone face .That's when he fully comprehended the true meaning of an African adage, that the private parts of an old man are not a playing thing for a crying child.

"Can I have a glass of water?" Asked Brian.Jane looked at him, and continued to watch the television.

"I am sorry!" Brian said while he held his head. Neither Jane nor Rose uttered a word. Brian looked at them again. None of them looked at him. To Jane, this meant nothing, he was supposed to be on his knees if not his belly crawling like a serpent begging for forgiveness. To Rose, she was filled with joy. At last her man was asking for forgiveness, but just as it is the norm, the culture inculcated into them, she must make you suffer. 

Emotional and psychological torture is their way of forgiveness. She wanted him to move closer to her and continue begging for forgiveness. But she failed to understand that this was a general forgiveness, it was not specifically for her. 

    "I didn't know it would come to this. I just wanted a good loving wife with whom I would make a good family. None of this was intentional." 

Said Brian in an apologetic tone that touched Rose’s heart.

 "Is that why you dated my sister in law?" Asked Rose. Brian tried to explain that he had no knowledge about Jane being Rose's in law but he was shuttered by Jane.

 " Hold it there Brian, I asked you several times if I was the only girl in your life and you blatantly lied to my beautiful face that there was no one else but me. So apart from Rose and I, how many more are out there? How many have you deceived that you will marry them and give them beautiful kids? How many have you sent on their family way?" 

Jane said while she stared at Rose who in turn was clouded by shame hence uttered no word. Brian begged the two ladies to forgive each other. He seemed real and true. It took quite a long time to convince them to forgive each other. But all was for nothing.

"You cannot just make a fool out of my brother." Said Rose. "That man loves you with his whole heart. How could you treat him like trash. " she continued.

Soon Rose's phone rang. It was James. 

"Hello, is this Rose?" Asked the caller.

 "Yes, who is this and why are you with my brother's phone?" Answered Rose. 

"I am sorry, James was involved in a fatal accident along Jogoo Road. He was with a child!"