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16
- LANGAA RPCIG
- Chapter
- Additional Information
113 16 ne evening, when the sun had gone down and bad weather had stormed the seasons out of order, Achaga, Sam’s friend, staggered into his home. That day, Wanja had come to visit Sam, and the couple was sitting in the living room in silence listening to the pitter-patter sounds of the rain as it pounded hard on every roof, every pane, and every door, enough to make a brave hearted man cow in cowardice from walking outside. It rained all afternoon and Mother Earth was, surely, receiving her unwarranted punishment from the Almighty. Occasionally, bursts of heavy winds passed followed by a calming drizzle. Then another spell of a thunderous stormy rain pounded earth again and again and again. This pattern of rain and wind went on for a while, long enough to down weakened trees. There were puddles of rain everywhere. So, when Achaga stumbled into Sam’s flat, he was drenched and shivery. His bare feet were wet, and his skin had pruned-up. He looked exhausted and dishevelled. His clothes were not only soiled, but also wrinkled as though he had slept in a trench. His breathe smelt of nothing more, but booze. The man had come to see Sam on a matter he deemed of utmost urgency, seeing how he had braved the rain. As soon as he had set foot into the house, they shook hands as customary. Because he was drenched, Sam vanished to his bedroom only to re-emerge with some dry clothes for his old friend to wear, for the two were like brothers. They had grown together, played together in Mung’oma Caves, attended the same primary school, and had, one might add, had a bad life. Both Achaga’s parents perished in a road crash when he was only twelve. It was as though bad karma followed them wherever they traversed. After he had changed his clothes, Sam offered him a seat, while Wanja went to make a steaming cup of tea for him. As Wanja withdrew from the living room into the kitchen to start a fire, the two men had time reminisce over village gossip. O 114 Once Wanja was out of earshot, Achaga did not hesitate, but jumped onto the opportunity in pronto. It was clear from his twinkling eyes that he had an urgent message. “My friend! My friend!” he started to speak, with a slur in his voice. “Yes Achaga!” Sam said. “The things that I hear these days are very strange.” “What has happened? Sam asked. “I am hear-r-ring that . . . ” Achaga paused for a second trying to collect himself. “I wa-wa-nt you to tell me the truth. Me, Achaga. I want you to tell me the real truth,” he said with his head cocked to the side and as he poked himself on his chest. “What things are you hearing my friend?” “Tell me it is not true!” “What is not true? “Tell me. Me, Achaga your friend that it is not true that . . . ” “What?” Sam said starting to get irritated. “That what people are saying is not true!” he said frothing at the mouth. “Will you please get to the point?’ “I hear you are planning to marry Wanja!” he paused for a second, wiping froth from his mouth. “Is that not true?” “Is there anything wrong with me marrying her?” “Sam! Sam! Is that a question for you of all people to ask me?” “Is there anything wrong with me marrying her?” Sam said again, this time, straight faced and cocking his eyebrows questioningly. “If you don’t see anything the matter, let me spell it out for you!” “She is Kikuyu and you . . . and you are Mlogooli. That’s all there is to it,” he said hesitantly. “I don’t get your drift!?” “I thought you knew all along that marrying these people is wrong, just purely wrong?” “These people! These people!” Sam said with an agitated fury. They are Kenyans just like you and I.” “Aaha!” [44.213.80.174] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 05:56 GMT) 115 “These people are just like you and me. They are not any different. They have a mother like you do. They have a father like you do. They are normal functional human beings like you. They eat. They go to the bathroom. They breathe. They sleep. They become ill, just like any mortal. They die, just like any mortal. They are buried just...