20/07/2023
Reckless Secret
#53
In the plane...
Kami scrolled on his phone whilst wearing headphones as 'Love doesn't die by Tatiana Manaois' played. He took in every word of the lyrics as he remembered once upon a time when he was truly happy. Unable to get satisfactory results for his search he exited Facebook as it got boring, a message then pinged coming through..
Message: Oh man, looking at you makes me stupid and I get obsessed with the smallest things like how you look while examining your fingernails. When you stretch, the curve of your back, the slip of your spine and the small smile playing on your lips. How wonderful and enchanting that I get wordless. I wanna build a universe where it's just you and me who exist and that you'd forget all worries and painful past, I love you and I miss you already...
He sighed deeply reading the message and as he was about to reply a flight attendant walked over to him.
Flight attendant: Hello Sir the put on your seatbelt notification has come through and all electronics should be switched off.
Kami nodded switching his phone off and put on his seatbelt. The attendant went round advising the other passengers then in a couple of minutes the plane touched down.
All passengers rose from their seats and went out and down through a set of staircase.
Kami walked out too and went through all the airport arrivals procedures. Afterwards he walked through the terminal to the lobby and looked at his fellow passengers being welcomed by their loved ones. He looked at all the faces as if he'd find someone he knows waiting for him but even by miracle that was impossible.
As he walked out through the exit this excitement feeling of coming back home after so many years overwhelmed him but it was mixed with this great sadness that didn't allow him to be fully happy as he should be.
He reached the parking lot and opened the unlocked car....there was a note on the seat which he took reading;
"Welcoming you back in the country, the car is here as requested"
He squashed the note in his hand throwing it in the bin close by then walked to the back opening up the boot putting his luggage, he removed his laptop backpack and placed it in as well before getting on the driver's seat.
He pressed the start engine button recalling once upon a time when he wished to own such a car. Now that he could drive it he wasn't even that happy as he expected. The car that used to be Nearest was now the very same car he was sitting in as his own, the irony of life...
He took off switching on his phone and immediately an international call came through...
Kami: (picked) Hello?
Voice: You didn't reply my message?
Kami: Oh sorry was going to I just landed so_
Voice: Oh okay that's wonderful, how was the trip and your country?
Kami: Haven't done anything as of yet but so far so good
Voice: Great... I just hope you didn't go there to forget me?
Kami: Come on no, I am here for my grandmother's funeral and I will be back as soon as it ends, what else can keep me here? Home is there, everything is there now
Voice: OK, I love you
Kami: You too...
At Court...
Later on Venom sat in the dock with his head down with memories of past flashed in his mind, he took a deep breath...
Judge: Sir Million?
He lifted his face to look at him but his gaze fell on his son sitting in the audience. He couldn't believe he was here and oh my how he had grown. He now kept his beard and had matured into looking more like him, one wouldn't deny that spitting resemblance that just proved him to be his blood. He smiled small while the judge cleared his throat and then he looked up to him
Judge: When I address you then you should focus on me, can you stand on your feet...
Venom slowly stood up and faced the judge trying to paint a sad face so that he would have compassion towards him, after all he was mourning...
His lawyer: Your Honor my client lost his mother a few days ago and the reason for this appeal was to plead that my client be permitted to go out of prison for just a couple of days to mourn and bury his mother because he was the only son and other relatives are to be told of her passing by him, grant us our plea Your Honor
Judge: I will grant only a day outside the prison that is 24 hours counting from the time he goes out to till it's up no more days will be added because he is still a danger to the community we don't know what he will do in that time so hopefully he doesn't put us to shame and once again my deepest condolences...
Venom sighed grateful as the court guard led him out and his lawyer followed as the next court case was called in
Kami stepped out of the court room too looking at his so-called father, he had lost weight big time but he hadn't lost his demeanor and his stature. He still carried that frightening look on his face that he came to possess too, this must've been because of loss and grief faced in life, and perhaps it's what made him heartless
He approached closer as the shackles were put off him and he rubbed his wrists turning back then their eyes met, locking for a second then they both looked away.
Venom: Look who it is? My so-
Kami: Please spare me the composition
Venom: Okay... It's good you came back in the country and even came here
Kami: I was hoping they deny you that one day out
Venom: Liar, you hoped I could go out otherwise you wouldn't have come here
Kami: What makes you think that?
Venom: Because you have no one, I know what it is to be lonely
Kami: (slight chuckle) Who said I was alone?
Venom: Of course you might have friends and probably a sweetheart but it's not the same with having family
Kami: Water is thicker than blood these days, those people are my true relatives
Venom: So then why are you here Kami, why did you come for your grandmother's funeral knowing that you don't take her or me as relatives?
Kami: (twisted his lips) She at least treated me better
Venom just nodded briefly smiling as his lawyer stood by his side
Lawyer: Are you catching a ride with me or?
Venom: (to Kami) You have a ride?
Kami: I wouldn't ride with you....
He begun walking towards the exit as Venom followed, he waved the lawyer off and tagged behind Kami to the car.
Kami opened the door getting in as Venom walked around it admiring
Venom: (nodding) You did a pretty good job maintaining your inheritance despite you being abroad
Kami: Yeah...are you getting in or what?
Venom: (smiled) Sure...
He got in the car and closed his eyes taking a deep breath in....
Venom: Ahhh the smell of temporary freedom...and the fragrance of this car, damn I had missed it all
Kami: I'm glad you were given 24hours only, you belong in the cells
Venom: You know I stayed in prison because of you
Kami: (unbelievably looked at him and chortled) What?
Venom: Yes that way I thought you'd be at ease and maybe see that I'm trying to be a reformed man, because once I was out I can't promise to be good
Kami: So are you saying crime permanently runs in your veins?
Venom: Yes just like blood...(laughed) Just kidding, I'm saying there are people who knew that me going to prison was dangerous for them, for their standing too and they did everything to get me out and if it failed the next thing was to get me killed in prison instead. And so since I couldn't get out you know what would've happened
Kami: I'm not surprised
Venom: I'm staying in prison for you, I have money_
Kami: Had
Venom: Still have some of it and it is more than enough to bribe my way out of prison but I decided to get punished from my crimes because_
Kami: Because you deserve it, not because of me, how come you're still unapologetic for all that you have done, the hurt and pain you caused in people's lives, the pain you caused me...
Venom: And me? Who considers the pain I suffered too? Just because I punish those who cause me pain then I'm the bad_
Kami: You beat your wife before I was in the picture so what pain had she caused you for you to beat her up?
Venom heaved cupping his face in both his hands
Venom: You're still stuck in the past? Nearest is gone and_
Kami: Don't say her name
Venom: I will not fight you for this but she was my woman before she was_ I don't know what she was to you but if it makes you feel better to let out what's troubling you then go ahead and say it all. I just cherish this time because we are at least talking, it doesn't matter that we are arguing, the important thing is we are talking somehow, it was hard in prison there hoping everyday for years that you will some day show up and call me Dad at least once
Kami: For a sinner you surely dream big
Venom: We are all sinners but boy you should've seen me on the day the DNA tests results came and it proved that you were my son. I jumped and rejoiced that at least I had an offspring, even if I was to die, I was to die a happy man
Kami: You can still die even now no one will miss you
Venom: I know but I wanted to see you grown like this, see you becoming a man and shape your life better than I am and when I heard you graduated and now working at NASA I was so overjoyed... (geekishly smiled) So tell me did you meet Bill Gates or Elon Musk?
Kami almost laughed but wouldn't give him that satisfaction as he just shook his head looking out the window
Venom: Did the witness protection program and peace order expire?
Kami: Obviously if you are in close proximity with me like this then it means it no longer counts
Venom: Are you still afraid of me?
Kami: When was I ever afraid of another human being?
Venom: (punched his shoulder playfully) That's my guy...(opened his eyes wide) Boy you're now a man, have you been working out?
Kami: Obviously
Venom: Wow okay... I did tell you that I forgave you for everything right?
Kami: (quiet)...
Venom: And I just wanna let you know that I love you son
Kami just gave him a bombastic side eye, he still hated him no matter what...
Venom: The lawyer said you used the inheritance pretty good, you managed everything while out of the country and made the business legit and clean
Kami: How could you sell women's placentas?
Venom: That's what makes those anti-aging creams
Kami: And human flesh? That was the worst, sponsoring cannibals
Venom: I've repented I'm changed now
Kami: (looked him straight in the eye) Are you a cannibal too?
Venom: What?
Kami: One time you did say you'll cut off my leg and I will watch as you roast it by the fire and eat it
Venom: (laughed) I just said that to scare you, I am not a cannibal come on...
Kamikaze clicked his tongue and started the car...
Venom: Years back did you go to Nearest funeral?
Kami: I regained consciousness a week later and they were long buried....
At Nairobi's father's...
Meanwhile the twins father sat outside on his chair with his glasses on while his small daughter played nhodo (traditional game) by herself as she sang a funny song. He shook his head listening to her then sighed somehow just thinking how he had expected her to be a boy. He had never had a male child and only girls kept coming, though he was grateful but he at least wanted just one boy. Well it was too late now as he was already old but had the joy of being a grandfather to a boy, that's counted as something.
There were car sounds approaching outside and doors opened and closed then a knock followed after. He stood up with his walking cane and slowly walked to the gate.
He opened up and immediately frowned looking at the person knocking, despite his eyesight being bad now he could still recognize this person
Him: What are you doing here?
Kami: Makasimba here Baba... {How are you Baba}?
Him: I'm fine, I asked you what you're doing here?
Kami: I just came to find out where your rural home is, I want to visit Nearest grave. I want to see where they were buried, where she was buried to be specific
Him: And after you see then what?
Kami: I just want to go and pay my respects. Put some flowers and_
Him: That is unnecessary, she has been gone for years now what will that count for? I heard you're her husband's son and yet you were having an affair with her?
Kami: We were not aware for some time but_
Him: But still got his bloody money to fund all this (looked behind him) And that car? It used to be Nearest? You caused her death so you could have all that right?
Kami: That's not true, our feelings for each other was mutual with or without any financial gain we still_
Him: You're younger than her so what feelings?
Kami: I'm younger than her?
Him: Yes didn't you hear me?
Kami: You used the present tense why?
Him: (frowned) What are you saying?
Kami: You said you're younger than her isn't it supposed to be you were younger than her
Him: English isn't my first language I will not be corrected of it like I'm in school, that's so unnecessary now go and be on your way, you're disturbing my peace
Kami: There is something I want to understand
Him: Understand what?
Kami: Do you perhaps have access to your daughter's Facebook account or manage it somehow because it's always online?
Him: Give it up and don't give yourself false hope, even her phone number now is owned by someone, those might be hackers on Facebook using her account. Didn't you see how her wall is full of rubbish being posted by those stupid hackers, mxm I don't know much about Facebook yet I have to tell you that, aren't you supposed to know better
Kami: (disappointed) Yes that might likely be the case...
The twins father banged the gate on his face and Kami shook his head, his rudeness never changed as a matter of fact it just got worse or was it bitterness.
He turned back and sat in the car thoughtfully. He didn't want to go back to his grandmother's house yet to spare himself from the endless introductions that Venom would do to all arriving relatives. He wanted to go on the day of burial
He started the car calling Simba as he drove off
Simba: Hello who is this?
Kami: Hey man it's me...
Simba: Me who? Your number looks like a foreign number and_
Kami: It's me Kamikaze
Simba screamed and shouted on top of his lungs
Simba: No ways, tell me I'm hearing things
Kami: Yes you're hearing things
Simba: (laughed) Man I can't believe it's you, your voice has changed
Kami: Mxm, how has it changed?
Simba: To a deeply manly voice, I could hardly recognize it
Kami: Well it's me
Simba: Wow where are you? That man who burnt the house down was sentenced to life in prison, his house was turned upside down as the police officers searched everywhere, he owned a graveyard which the coffins were opened up and almost all of them were found empty, many guys that worked with him were arrested too, that man is a true meaning of what we call a criminal Baba
Kami: I know
Simba: How do you know? The trial took place when you were long gone out of the country
Kami: Internet kept me updated, besides I provided evidence to some of it as an anonymous witness, anyways right now I'm in the country
Simba: What? Really?
Kami: Yes really
Simba: (shouted) Wow man we should catch up over some beers, I got married and have a child, one more on the way
Kami: Congratulations to you
Simba: And you never thought to call or check up on me when you were in Biden's country?
Kami: I was gonna call, was going through puberty
Simba: (laughed) Very funny...
Kami: Send me your address and we can meet some time hey
Simba: Yes you should come and meet my wife and kids
Kami: Alright, I will drop by...
He hung up with a small smile on his face. He got Simba's address but thought to make a detour first before going to his place.
He changed lanes and accelerated on the highway as the sky now had a tint of orange color of the sun slowly setting.
Over thirty minutes later he stopped the car to that once familiar place but now it was different, back then it was barren with only boundary walls and now a house stood tall above the walls. Although not that big the house was very stylish and looked modern.
He got out of his car and walked over wondering who was now occupying the space. He reached the gate and somehow his heart skipped a beat as he raised his hand knocking
The gate opened up and a small boy looked at him...
Kami: Hi, hello there...
"Saya what did I tell you about playing at the gate huh?"
Kami heard a woman's voice shouting coming out of the house walking over.
Saya: Mom there's someone
She stood in front of him and Kami's heart pounded rapidly looking at her. Her skin had patches of brown and colored skin like someone with vitiligo but still looked beautiful as ever. Kami looked at the boy and back at her noticing the necklace around her neck. How was she still alive? Did their Dad lie to him that they both died but wait who was this?, did Nairobi return that necklace to Nearest that time she put it on her or not. He hoped she returned it to its rightful owner because that would make him so happy...
Kami: (eyes filling with tears) Near.... Tell me it's you? Tell me it's you who is alive and survived that fire?
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