For a while, Wayne focused on working on his awkward group assignment while Vicky adjusted to her new life in Ortegun and consequently, New York. She consulted her friend, Annie who helped her get a part time job in a CD store, a few kilometers from their campus.
On Sunday, Annie got her a company of a 2nd year girl, to go to the College fellowship in the East circuit of the campus.
Annie however, joined Wayne’s gang again, at the college club.
That Sunday, Victoria went to work after mass and returned home in the evening. She was making spaghetti when her door was knocked.
“Coming.” She called, testing the stew with a cooking spoon. “Oh how I miss home.” She added, absorbing the sweet taste of the red colored slippery noodles.
She relinquished the cooking spoon on the kitchen counter and wiped her hands with a napkin.
The door knocked again and she walked briskly to it.
“Wayne.” She reckoned, after opening.
He stood behind the threshold of the door in a black shirt and dark trousers, holding an iPad in hand. He was seemingly sober. “Hallo. Is Annie in?”
“Hallow good evening. No. She is not in but,” she opened the door wide "Come in?”
“No. That ain’t necessary but, thank you.” He said while she retired into the house. He sighed when he had to follow her inside to ask her another question. He watched her as she neglected him, walking to the dining room. “Do, you know where she went?”
“Nani? Annie?” Vicky asked, removing the lid that covered her cooking dinner.
He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, first; of the good smell and the other, of her question. “What did you say?” he asked, glancing at her from a window that connected the dining and living room where he was.
She gasped and covered her mouth after that.
“Wait, a minute, I am looking for Annie.” He explained, before she said anything.
She sighed. “Oh, I am so sorry. I know that and I understood you but, my tongue slipped. I thought that I was back in Bongo and talking to my peers.”
He chuckled. “You’re funny.”
She turned to the sauce pan and stirred the meal, ready to serve.
“So, Bongo is your capital city or something?” he asked, strangely, finding interest in her.
“No. Dodoma is the capital City. I live in Dar es Salaam however. Bongo is an informal phrase we use to mean Tanzania and in many cases, Dar es salaam.”
“Good one. The latter name is such a long one.”
“We also refer Dar es salaam to Dar. That is very common.”
He nodded a little. That seemed less interesting than this, “So, what are you making?”
“Spaghetti.”
“Why do they smell so different? African cooking?”
“Yeah. I love spices. I brought over a pack.”
He nodded again.
“Please, welcome and have a sit.”
“Wait, you are not asking me to join you for….” He tried to search for a ‘politer’ word “meal.”
She nodded strongly. “I am. It’s tasty. Come and taste.”
He took some time, deciding. He was too proud to join her and she knew it.
“It won’t harm anyone if you do…” she said.
He gulped, scowling at her.
She in turn, switched off the cooker and prepared the dining table, placing the plates on it and serving the spaghetti.
After she had sat, he appeared in the dining entrance with a defeated look on his face. “So, you are saying that, I will like your food.”
She joined her hands together. “Yeah. It’s prepared with love. My brother used to tell me that, my buns were always the best because, they were prepared with love.”
He placed his iPad on the table and pulled the metal chair to sit opposite her. “Buns like, muffins?”
She nodded.
With widened eyes, he looked at the hot and attractive food in front of himself. “It surely smells good.”
“Oh and it tastes way better than that.”
He picked up the fork. “Great. So, let’s dig in.”
“Wait.” She stopped him, making his head draw back in defense.
“What?” he retorted in confusion.
“We pray first and then we eat.”
He frowned.
“It’s not too much to ask now, is it?” she asked.
He sighed. “Okay. You say Grace.”
She shut her eyes. “Our father who is in heaven. Thank you for this auspicious moment. Thank you for bringing us together to have supper. I pray that you bless this food as you blessed the five loaves and two fish so that, they sufficed the appetite of the more than 5000 that were in the wilderness with you. Please, let this food give us strength to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
“Do you have plans of making me a convert?” he asked, immediately after she concluded the prayers.
“No doubt about that.” She replied, without looking at him, picking up her utensils.
He watched her closely, thinking.
She forked some noodles and took a mouthful. Chewing, she widened her eyes, queering his stare. She swallowed and asked. “What are you waiting for? Dig in!"
He took a fork that was on the right side of his plate. “I am wondering.”
“Wondering what?”
“What could be the cause of your, positive attitude.” He explained, taking his own bite. “I have a couple of Christian acquaintances, none of them stood up against what you would call, temptation.”
“With men it is impossible, Wayne but, not with God. For with God all things are possible. Mark 10 verse 27.” She replied.
“See. That’s what I am talking about! How can you be like that? How can you be so standing? I gave you two weeks. It has already been one and like you said, you are still the same. Africanic, religious young lady.”
“Agree with God, Wayne, and be at peace. Thereby good will come to you. Job 22:21.” She said, smiling.
He was silent. The verse touched his life. He really needed that good.
“I sense that, there is something troubling you.” she added, soon after her second swallow.
He was looking at the food, he glanced at her. “No, no. What makes you think that?”
“Asides from seeing you, I feel it in my heart.”
He swallowed and glanced around like he was avoiding the subject. “Are you some kind of spiritual leader or something?”
“Feel free to tell me.” She said, passing over his question.
He was silent, maybe ready to tell her but, a voice in the living room gained their attention.
“The door is open." It was Annie. She announced, making her entry.
“We are here.” Vicky called, pushing back her chair and rising to serve supper for her friend.
Annie closed the door. “We?” she asked and turned to the dining window. “Oh Wayne. We missed you at the club.”
“I came looking for you.” he replied.
Annie begun walking across the sitting room to the dining. “Me? Why?”
“Because, I needed some help with Mr. Hurts’ work.”
“It’s Sunday.” She replied.
“Welcome.” Vicky said, having set a plate for Annie.
Annie turned to her. “Thank you. Oh that really smells nice.” She said and rounded the wall of the room, to enter it. “Anyway guys. I am leaving.”
“Leaving?” Vicky asked.
“To where?” Wayne added.
“My father fell sick. I have to see him.”
Wayne went quiet. Everything that night already revolved around his own misery.
“Oh Annie, I am so sorry.” Vicky said sincerely.
“Thank you, Vicky. That is why I left quickly. My mother called me and told me that my dad had also asked for me. So, I have to go.”
“Is that your pa that leaves in New Mexico?” Wayne asked.
Annie nodded and walked to the table. She sat at Vicky’s right side and begun to make silent prayers.
“I am so sorry Annie. I pray that he recovers soon.” Vicky said, as soon as Annie opened her eyes.
“What is he suffering from?” Wayne asked.
Annie glanced at him and said, “He has high blood pressure. I believe that is the cause that got him ill.”
“He will be fine Annie. I will pray for you.” Vicky said.
Wayne glimpsed at her and back at Annie, watching her response.
“Oh. Thanks Vicky. I hope that God hears you.”
Vicky offered a warm smile.
Wayne stayed silent.
“So, did you manage to talk to your mom?” Annie asked between bites.
Vicky shook her head. “I couldn’t save enough and I haven’t had luck with the secretary.”
“I could help you but, I didn’t pay my phone bills. I chat through Whatsapp only now.” Annie said.
Vicky nodded. “I understand. I will reach her, even if it takes a while.”
Wayne, who had been eating turned to them and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Vicky’s mom. Vicky has been trying to reach her but so far, was unable to succeed.”
Wayne turned to Vicky. “Don’t you have a phone?”
“I had but, I don’t anymore.”
“Don’t ask that. Wayne, just tell us if you are willing to help.” Annie reproved him.
He relinquished his fork on the table and felt his pockets for his phone. “Where does your mom live?” he asked Vicky.
“Tanzania. Can I make an international call with your phone?”
He placed his phone on the table and tapped it. “Yeah, I think so.”
Vicky sighed with relief. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Wait.” He said, twisting his head to face her worried face. “What do I get in return?”
“Wayne!” Annie snapped.
“I’ll pray for you.” Vicky replied, hoping that it would be helpful.
“No. You know I’m not of those kind of people.” He replied.
Vicky sighed deeply and turned down to her food. She was disappointed that, it had to be that way. In fact, she also thought that he was changing.
“Okay. I will pay you.” Annie said to Wayne, feeling sorry for Vicky.
Vicky turned to them. “No. It’s okay. I will talk to her. God will help me.”
Wayne laughed. “Come on. I was just joking” he said.
Vicky did not seem convinced.
“Wayne, it’s her mom.” Annie warned him.
“Yes I understand. Vicky, I will not charge you anything, I promise you. Tell me your country code or, can you dial on your own?”
Vicky drew a smile and her face lightened up again. “Thank you. Amh, yes I can do that on my own.”
Wayne passed the phone to her.
Vicky thanked again, receiving it. She tapped the numbers on the dial pad of the iPhone 6 and placed it against her ear.
“What time is it in Dar?” Wayne asked, finally catching up with Vicky’s culture.
She smiled a little. “Seven hours l, later. It maybe 4am.” She answered and then became excited. “Mom?” she cried, pushing back her chair and rising.
She left the room with tears flowing from her eyes, talking to her mom.
Wayne was moved by the love that Vicky seemed to share with her family.
Annie was touched too. “She seems so happy.”
Wayne did not respond.
Annie turned to him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. She is happy. It must be great to talk to your mom after being separated by time and distance.”
Annie leaned forward and lowered her voice to add, “She had to sell her phone and laptop to pay the expenses of coming here.”
He seemed amazed.
Annie drew back, knocking her plate with her fork. “She is just a great person. And as it seems, her family is too. My mom says that, it is that way in Africa. The way the kids grow up and are reared, is quite different from the way it is here. They also hold strong beliefs. They share pain and joy. Most of them are absolutely phenomenon.”
“Because they are poor?” Wayne found himself asking.
“Maybe. You saw some ambassadors’ kids who started first year with us last year, it didn’t take long before they were expelled. They were not all like Vicky.” She said and paused, looking at him. “I think that, sometimes when you are in need, you become humble and so and so, or at least, you find something to believe in. Like Vicky.”
Wayne took some time to digest her statement. It was true that Vicky was phenomenon. She was kind, stable, nothing could irritate her. She also seemed like, she had a lot of love to give. Come to think of it, Wayne had never met a person like her.
“So, what work did Mr. Hurts give us?” Annie asked, taking another mouthful of spaghetti.
He glanced at her. “Oh. He gave us an assignment of building up a case.”
“Against who?”
“Animals.”
She grimaced. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I went to his office and all he told me was that, we have to be innovative and something like, it will teach us to find faults even on the most innocent things.”
“Have you had any luck with that?”
“I picked up a range of options. But, I still need your help.”
“Tell me what you already came up with.”
He turned to his iPad and opened it, tapping it to reveal a document.
Outside the room, Vicky dropped on a couch with the phone against her ear. “I am very fine mom" she told her mother, beaming at the atmosphere.
“That is great to hear dear. So, tell me? Are you praying?”
“Of course I am. I thank God every day for making me realize my dreams.”
“It’s good honey. How are studies going?”
“Great. And guess what ma? My bench mate is a Nigerian.”
Mom laughed. “I told you that you will meet a lot of West Africans there. And anyone from Kenya?”
“No, I haven’t met a Kenyan but, the admission officer said that, there are Kenyans here.”
“Okay. It’s good dear.”
“Tell me mom. How is home? Are the boys alright?”
“They are very fine. Junior has gone back to school and Wile is getting ready to leave soon.”
“Oh. Great. And Weenie?”
“She’s at home. They closed for a short holiday after their CAT exams.”
“Is she there with you?”
“No. She went to the shop. I asked her to get me a packet of milk for taking Ugali.”
“Oh. Ugali ma… how I have missed it.”
Mom laughed. “You can just buy maize flour and prepare it.”
“I haven’t yet got used to the food stores here. There’s a cafeteria that sells burger, hotdogs, pizza and other foods whose names I haven’t yet crammed.”
“Oh don’t worry dear. Is food too expensive? Are you okay financially?”
“Mom. I will be fine. My friend got me a part time job at a CD store, I get a couple of bucks by the end of the week so, I’m okay.”
“Oh honey. You are already beginning to sound like an American.”
Vicky laughed. “I am?”
“Yes. Anyway. It is good dear. Work hard honey. For your young brothers.”
“Yes mom. I already begun to search for any faculty that is close to what Junior wants.”
“Good dear. Please do that. I am also encouraging Wile here to study hard and land outside like you.”
Vicky smiled. “He should really work hard, ma. Amh, how much is still needed till he can complete the year?”
“Ah for Wile? Do not worry dear. Your dad will take care. Now worry about your books and your own upkeep. We’ll worry about the kids.”
Vicky smiled a little. She appreciated the way that her parents cared for her. “Thank you mom.”
“It’s alright dear. Is this your new line? Can I give it to your dad to communicate with you?”
“No ma. This phone belongs to my friend. But, I will get my own line and phone soon.”
“It’s good dear. I wish you all the best. Do you need anything?”
“Ah ma. What could I possibly need here? I wish I could see you, that’s all. Otherwise, I'm okay.”
Mom sounded pleased afterward. “You are a good child, remember to pray dear. You know that God can protect you and guide you more than anyone can. He will also help you find favor before your lecturers and everyone there.”
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied just before hearing some footsteps entering the room. She twisted her head and saw Wayne, hovering in front of the dining exit. “Ah mom? Please greet daddy for me. He’ll be the next person I’ll look for when I get access to another call.”
“Yes of course honey. Do you have to go?” Mom asked. She clearly noticed that Vicky was summarizing the phone call.
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied rising but, giving the dinning her back.
“Okay dear. All the best honey. And what time is it there?”
“It’s approaching nine thirty.”
“Oh. It’s so bright and early here. But, okay dear. All the best. I’ll tell the kids that, we spoke to each other.”
“Thank you mom. I love you.”
“I love you honey. We’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank you mom. May God bless you.”
“You too honey. Good night.”
Vicky laughed a little. “Good day.” She said and lowered the phone, hanging up.
She smiled to herself afterward and sighed, feeling a little sad that she did not know when she could call her mom back. She then turned around and greeted Wayne who was approaching her at the sofa.
She waved the phone to him when he halted. “Thank you very much Wayne. May God bless you.”
He gave her a short smile. “It’s alright though, I’m sorry that you had to cut your call short. I have to work on this assignment.” He said, shaking the hand with his iPad.
“Thank you. I wish you all the best in that.”
He took his phone. “You know, I was thinking. You could make a lot of dope if you start selling your cooking.”
“She makes excellent muffins Wayne.” Annie called from the kitchen.
Water sounded pouring after that. Vicky guessed that, Annie opened the sink and was washing the utensils.
“I thought of doing so.” Vicky said. “But, I don’t understand the procedures.”
“Don’t mind any procedures. I’ll tell you something, I’ll get you plastic bags from a store downtown. You will pack whatever you’re frying or baking and we’ll sell them around the campus. Beginning with the dormitory.” Wayne offered.
Vicky was very elated. “Thank you very much, honestly.”
“Tell me when you are ready to start. Tomorrow?”
Vicky nodded. “Yeah. I’ll start making them early. From 4:00am perhaps and then, they could be ready for breakfast for people who come from the jog.”
Wayne pocketed his phone. “Alright. I don’t know if I could get the bags within these few hours but, I’ll try.” He turned to her. “I’ll pick you up for the run around 5. Will you be done?”
“Yeah.” She replied, nodding.
“Okay.” He twisted his head to the dining window. “Annie, what time are you leaving?”
“Mom said that, I could go at any time. I haven’t decided yet.” Annie replied.
“Do you think that, she will be at the grounds in the morning?” he called.
“I don’t know. But, I can ask her if it is necessary.”
“No. It’s okay. I just wanted to see her.”
“Bad dreams again, Wayne?” Annie asked.
“No. It’s just another matter.” He lied.
“We should get you a dream catcher.” Annie teased and sounded laughing afterward.
Wayne became dismal and Vicky noticed that.
“Okay. Good night. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” He said to Vicky.
Vicky wanted to tell him something more but, she suppressed the thought. “Good night.” She said shortly. “I’ll escort you to the door.”
“No.” he said with a stretched hand. “It’s not necessary.”
She nodded silently and he left.
#
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