10

The Boy Child meets the Girl Child at a cool place as planned. No one meets the Girl Child at a seedy place.

He gets a forced handshake. Cold. He’s tempted to make conclusions but then it’s way too early for that. He gives her the benefit of doubt.

The Boy Child makes a few seriously sick jokes. The Girl Child laughs. Tension fades away. They both start talking fast.

The Boy Child resides in Eastleigh. The Girl Child, Kileleshwa. He doesn’t show this.

The Girl Child says that she’ll be turning 19 in three days. She wants an experience that will glue her 19th birthday in her mind for years and years on end. She says that it is this experience that will facilitate The Boy Child’s promotion from a random acquaintance to a three letter word. Bae.

Instantly, The Boy Child takes up the challenge and promises to take her to an exclusive location. Khaled aided, he adds that,

“Baby. I know you’ll love it. I’ll get you some lobster.

Matter of fact, I’ll get you seafood, rice, and lobster.

And in addition, I’ll get you some red velvet cake.”

The Girl Child’s eyes light up. She unleashes that special smile. The Boy Child counts the battle halfway won.

The 8-minute meeting ends with a warm hug. Lobster induced warmth, With a promise to meet at the same spot, same time, 3 days later.

The Boy Child goes back to the hood. Later in the evening, goes to his boys and tells them of the day’s occurrence.

Brayo says,

“Mzae, unadhani Lobsters ni 30bob. Utapata wapi hiyo doh? “

Brayo makes sense. His questions make so much sense. Brayo then Interrupts The Boy Child’s train of thought.

“Hiyo pesa lazima upate. “

The Boy Child dropped out of school in Form Two. Brayo stopped going in Primary. No individual, group or organization has so far shown any interest in addressing this issue. All the attention has been directed to The sweet Girl Child. Even parents are mum.

These and many more are the reasons why The Boy Child buys Brayo’s idea.

At 7pm, all masked up, the two friends approach the Mpesa shop at the corner. Brayo is a proud owner of a fake pistol. He frequents RiverRoad, you know.

7.03pm. Brayo points the fake pistol at the Mpesa agent and makes it clear that the trigger is inches away from being pulled, that is if the Agent tries to play smart. James Smart.

The Boy Child emptys all the drawers. Several thousands of shillings safe in his pocket.

7.05pm. Brayo leads the way as they make their escape.

As soon as the two hit the street, the police come into view. Guilt makes Brayo vanish into the thin air. The Boy Child tries to flee too. His legs fail.

Six bullets hit him from the back. Seven. Eight. Nine. The pain being unbearable is an understatement. But The Boy Child is very strong. He still has the strength to lift up his head. Ten.