Chapter 5. MEETING THE MYSTERIOUS BOY

The first year at saint Mary University passed so quick that I didn't even realize how fast I forgot Jacob's incident. It was New Year’s event and I had to get home to have dinner with mom and daddy. Daddy never missed dinner family on New Year event wherever he was. He always found a way to come home. I passed near the main hall and reached the road where I took a bus to take me home. I sat near the window. The bus was starting to take off when someone knocked on the door please wait. He quickly entered the bus and sat next me. He was tall dark skin, small eyes, curl black hair and he had big muscles in the chest as if he was a coach in gym. He was wearing a black cotton trouser with a green v necks which had grey color on arms. He sat next to me, put on headphones and slept.

I missed everyone home. I felt like the car was not even moving. The journey from Ngoma district took three hours which I spent on WeChat talking with Joanna and stacking Clinton on Instagram which I did every single day to make sure he was okay. When the bus stopped the guy next to me woke up as he received a phone call and got out. During my entire year at saint Mary I feared that one day I will have to come back home and be arrested for murdering Jacob that's why I tried to be busy so that I won't came soon. Whenever daddy called, I kept saying I have so much lecture to take but today was New Year’s dinner. I couldn't miss it for anything.

When I entered Nyamirambo, everything seemed new. There were many new buildings. I saw a new bar called la bonne Journee. In front of the bar was a young man wearing a red Lacoste t-shirt and blue jeans. I couldn't see well his face because I was still far. As I approached the bar to my surprise it was Clinton. The city was decorated and everyone seemed happy. On my way home I met Clinton "hi Hannah, finally you are in town. I can see that saint Mary is treating you well" he said smiling as we shake hands." Hi, I am home, it’s so good to see you, how are you? I replied trying to act cool. "I am okay this is my bar; can you pass by tonight? We are having special discount on New Year's Eve." He said." sure, I can pass by around 10pm, see you then. "I replied cheerful.

I couldn't stop thinking about Clinton, he invited me. It was my chance to tell him how I feel about him. I was carried away in my thought thinking how my date with Clinton will be. When I bumped into someone and spilled juice on his T-shirt. When I looked up to see who it was. I saw a familiar face it was the guy from the bus" I am sorry I didn't mean to..." I was trying to apologize to him when he interrupted me" save your breath bitch, next time watch where you are going" he said with bitter tone and kept going. The bus guy was moody. I thanked God that he didn't slap me given the way he was angry.

I passed at Robert 'shop, there was a Vigo car parked in front of the shop his son Jose was sitting in the driver's place while Ruben and Justin were unpacking the supplies from the car .when I reached home it seemed as if no one was there "mom, mom, dad "I called them but there was no answer. When I took the stairs I entered my room" surprise" they shouted holding a cake written welcome back home Hannah, we missed you. I hugged them, I was so happy to finally be home. Joanna was there too. After cutting the cake, Joanna wanted to leave but mom said that he should wait and have dinner with us. Her parents were not home tonight. Her mother was doing a night shift at nyamirambo health center and her father did the night shift at the police station. We had dinner; mom prepared fried chicken with boiled Irish. “Honey you didn't tell us, how is everything with lectures? Make sure you pass everything I don't want you to have any retakes" daddy said after taking his first bite.

"it’s alright daddy, you know me, I always find way to get grades even if I cheat" I answered giggling ." honey why didn't you bring your boyfriend so that we can meet him?" mom said sipping juice. “I don't have any mom, how many times I told you that I am not interested in having boyfriends" I answered. Joanna was smiling for no reason I stared at her" what?" I asked." Nothing all I am saying is that your ayes are still on Clinton all these years" she said teasing me." How could you say that I haven't even met him in a year?" I defended myself.

“Honey we saw you the way you were looking at him today, we were in car from Candice to buy your cake when we saw you, you looked good together." Mom said. “Why didn't you stop and give me ride? I said trying to change the topic." Then the surprise would be no more" Joanna replied. " well honey, don't be shy to show us your boyfriend, you see me and your mom met in high school and fell in love and look at us , we still together" daddy said putting a kiss on fore head of mom. Daddy didn't spend much time home due to his business trips but with little he spent home. He always made most of it special. He was always affectionate.

After dinner, Joanna and me prepared ourselves and head to la bonne Journee bar for a New Year's Eve party. The bar was decorated with small blue and red lights, on the stage was a comedian who was middle aged man who kept making people laughing. We sat near the stage and the waiter come to take our order. I was dressed to impress Clinton, I was wearing a skinny blue jean with a matching blue coat, and inside the coat was grey crop top. Joanna had me do the makeup. I was at my best ready for my date with Clinton but when I went outside for restroom, I caught Clinton kissing jasmine in the corner near the restroom. I felt stupid and cheated, to make the matter worse Clinton didn't even notice I was there.

When I saw him "ohh Hannah, you came? I thought you wouldn't come, are you having good time?"

He asked me with embarrassment "yeah, I am having good time, actually the music is good, hello jasmine, I thought….."I said smiling at jasmine who suddenly interrupted me

“You thought I was out of town, well I come today to check on my prince Clinton" she said planting a kiss on his cheek. I felt so humiliated in front of jasmine, ohh I hated that girl and how he acted as if he owns everything.

When I returned inside the bar, Joanna was not sitting at the table where I left him drinking. She was dancing with some random guy I dint even know. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep it off. I had my share of a bad night, I grabbed my bag I was in hurry when I bumped into a guy in the door who spilled beer on me" hey, watch where you are going "I said angrily but when I looked close it was the guy whom I bumped into earlier" karma says you will wipe what you sow, now we are even" he said and left without even saying sorry. "What a total jerk, how could he even do that?" I said to myself as I wiped off beer with a tissue.