Mercy the Bestfriend

Ben and Natalia were finally in town.

"So this is the famous Mbarara city! The biggest city in this part of the continent, wow! "Ben calmly said.

He was looking up at the tall buildings. Ben made almost a three-sixty rotation just so that his eyes could land on every possible thing he could see. He looked very curious at the tall buildings and the skyscrapers. Natalia was paying the cab driver because Ben knew nothing about the town she took care of the bill. Although this pinched Ben's ego a little bit he could not convince her to let him pay. It is not like he had not tried to convince her. The girl did not only have a pretty face, but she also had a charm that could break the strongest man. She had look that could get her past any gate and the power of her tongue was unmatched. Ben continued to look at all the new things he had not seen before. He was so happy to be in the city, this is where Ben had dreamt of spending the rest of his days on earth. Ben looked at Natalia who had leaned over towards the diver who was seated in his seat counting the money he had been given.

"Thank you, sir," She said to the driver who had started his car's engine ready to speed off.

"Hey here we are, this is the city you have wanted to see all along." She said as she walked towards Ben.

"Yes here it is, even the air is different from the one back at Home" He replied smiling at her.

"Give it a few months and this city will start boring you with all the noise and commotion in every turn you make," She said with a smack on her face.

These words did not bother Ben in any way. Ben knew this was his destination and there is nothing about this town that could make him want to turn back or rethink his decision. Ben could not stop thinking of how much he had wanted to come to this city. Natalia walked past Ben and told him to follow her as she walked past many vendors in the streets of Mbarara city. On the sidewalks of this street that was called Kamarade Street were small vendors selling different items. Women with children lying beside them were selling fruits of all types. Mangoes oranges and apples were laid down perfectly on plastic sucks. Just next to these women were a few men and women selling biscuits, nuts, juice, sodas, chewing gum, and many snacks. The business was being conducted left right and center. Just a step from where the snacks were being sold, young men selling clothes and were shouting out the prices in a musical tone. They had come up with a rhythm to make the prices sound like a song. This was all amazing to Ben. He has never seen a small place so busy and full of people.

Ben was following Natalia behind because they could not even walk side by side. The street was full of people up and down. After a ten-minute walk, Natalia took a left and entered a building. At the door was a female and male security guard. Natalia was frisked and Ben was too. They then entered and this is when Natalia could say a word to Ben.

"See the way outside is very busy?" She said.

"Yes those streets are a business hub, that's a whole economy being built out there" Ben answered smiling at her.

"Yes, if you go to the streets down after this one, you can hardly move because of the number of people there.

Natalia led Ben to the lift of the building and they headed up to the eighth floor. Ben had never been on a lift before. He just saw these in movies back at home. There were no tall enough buildings that could require a lift back at home. The tallest building in Kakoro was three stories up. This new experience in the lift was over before had finished looking at the strange and new machine. He had nausea the whole ride up but obviously could not show it. Who would want to embarrass themselves this much? Not Ben especially not when he was with Natalia.

The first stall just across the lift was a boutique that was jam-packed by ladies of all types. Tall, short, dark, brown, white. Thick and petite, all were represented. This was a business booming. The service looked to be up the bar. This may also be another reason why there were so many customers. A thick dark lady was at the far end of where we were heading. Her well-built-up body with wide hips occupied the whole black trouser. It had held her body perfectly pronouncing her hourglass figure. She had makeup applied on and this just made her beauty conspicuous. She was about five-foot-tall but the six-inch heels she had on exaggerated her height. Natalia was heading directly to the other side of the counter. The lady did not wait for Natalia to even come close she was already smiling with arms stretched ready to hug Natalia. The smile on both the two ladies face was enough to explain the bond that they shared.

"Hey babe, I have missed you so much come here." The excited Lady said to Natalia.

"I missed you too so much, how are you?" Natalia replied.

The two ladies couldn't hold back the joy they had. Seeing each other seemed to take a toll on both of them because their hug took a while. Even before Ben was introduced he could tell that this was Mercy. Natalia and the lady did not even remember that they had someone standing just next to them waiting for an introduction. Ben let them have their moment. He did not want to be a moment spoiler. After seconds Natalia, who looked to be so sorry that she had forgotten about Ben looked at him and covered her mouth with her palm looking embarrassed.

"This is my friend Mercy." She said to Ben.

"Hello. I am Ben, nice to meet you." Ben said stretching out his hand to meet Mercy's hand that was now stretching towards his.

"Nice to meet you too Ben" Mercy replied to Ben.

The three now started chatting Mercy and Natalia talking and involving Ben in the conversation too. The talk wasn't short-lived and they noticed this. The two girls and young man headed for a door at the back of the boutique and entered a room that said office, this was Mercy's office. The office was breathtaking. It was a small but well-arranged room with an office desk and its chair. There was a couch in front of the office desk with two half-meter tall Guiana chestnut trees. In front of the couch was a glass table that had a small jade tree in a vase. The room had a big window that lit up the room with the city's yellow lights. The plants in the room made the room air fresh. On the office desk, there was a laptop, a mug with a few pens, and a few office tools. This room was a marvel. Ben swept a look across the whole room like a detective. Natalia noticed Ben's face full of amusement.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She said to Ben.

"Yes, this is the most beautiful office I have ever seen. Any deal you make in here must be closed" Ben said looking at Mercy.

"Thank you so much, Ben. Huh, you are already winning me over." Mercy jokingly said back to Ben.

"I like him already" She continued now looking at Natalia.

The three laughed together. Ben was having a very good time. It was now almost seven in the evening and darkness had crept in and the city lights were now taking over the sun's job. As Mercy and Natalia sat on the couch Ben was looking outside the window just admiring the city's night view. Natalia invited Ben to look outside if he wanted and Ben headed for the window. He had never seen this before. The yellow street lights, some reflecting on glass buildings looked very beautiful. Mbarara city was even more beautiful during the night.

"This is my home," Ben thought to himself as a smile slowly stole its way to his face.