Ode To Maina

This is an ode to Maina who owned a kiosk in Ngong market some 7 years ago.
Growing up I had a really strict dad. He did not believe in girls getting out of the compound to go hangout or kutembea kwa wenyewe. And if there was a dire need to go out like attend a wedding in the neighborhood or go to church, I had to be accompanied by one or both of my younger brothers. Something I resented and looking back I have realized why. This one Fernandiz Francis was the mother of all snitches. An ugly trait that has earned him the nickname wajiku wa cucu and he wears this title like a badge of honor.If I bought and ate chips mwitu he had to tell on me and that warrant an ass whooping..and many other things he snitched!
The only days I had a legit reason to step out was Wednesdays and Saturdays because these were thoko (market) days and I had to go shop for groceries. I looked forward for those freedom days.I would take my time to look good before going to the market. My old man would then kill my vibe by telling me that even if I go to the market with out taking a shower or changing from my torn pajamas I would still find a husband.i know..he had a funny way of raising my self esteem about my looks. We once had a huge fight because I dint want to carry kiondo to the market since it will make me look like I am from bundus. Now before you judge my old man and his degree of dictatorship, you should know I really turned out okay. He did a good job. I see what girls my age stand for and what they would do to get ahead and I weep!! Chokesha.com. I have digressed! Back to Maina ! All his teeth were discolored..like dark brown. He was very hardworking as he used to wake very early to help his mother with the kiosk since it tends to be busy. But Maina had his faults. I remember taking vegetables and fruits from him for way little a price risking his mom to go bankrupt. Other times I took groceries on credit with an intention of never paying back. Every time Maina saw me he would smile and make me a very huge bowl of pudding. For free.I would sit there and eat with no shame. Go ahead and judge me cause of my love for free food. Every girl loves a man who feeds her some good healthy food. Forget these other men who just feed you nyama choma and tusker. I am really refraining from calling them toe nails of satan.
It has been 7 years since I last saw or talked to Maina….but he recently found me on Facebook and asked me why I went to “majuu” without paying his debt! Moral of the story, if you want people to never forget you, refuse to pay your debt to them. Maina told me he is doing good and he now “drives bodaboda” for a living! I told him am almost making it in life and I will pay him all the money I owe him with interest