My Ex-boyfriends Friend – Episode 13

MY EX-BOYFRIENDS FRIEND – Episode 13
A story by Kennedy C Katongo

“Should I tell him?” She asked me.
“No. I think Kalaba is going through a lot right now. His trying to find himself. I don’t want to start creating false hopes for him. I know how guys are…” I said warmly.
“Mmmh someone cares.”
“What you mean… Am not heartless, I may not attend his funeral but God knows I would love to see him successful.” I winked.
“Since when did you start talking like Granny? I thought I was the expert at that?” Angel said with a weird face.
Just then, Dr Mwanza walked on.
“Hi ladies…” She smiled.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel great, am even able to move my legs now. Though they hurt a little.” I laughed.
“You will be back to normal in a few days.” She said warmly.
Angel looked at me and gave me a wink, basically she was asking who the lady walking around in the room was.
“My bad, D_o_c,” I paused. “Mirriam, this is Angel my best friend and roommate.” i said.
Mirriam was now signing on a paper, she didn’t have her coat on. I guessed that was why Angel almost freaked out.
“Oh, you a Doctor, that’s nice.”
“Hey Angel… Nice meeting you.” Mirriam responded sounding professional at best.
“We launching a book club, it’s just for ladies as of now.” Angel rushed in. She was good at what she did, and just like that business had began.
“Book club? That sounds like fun. Put me up, at least I can meet new people.” She added.
It didn’t take us long to know that Mirriam was actually new around the area.
“Am looking for an apartment, something near the hospital or not too far.” she said.
“I haven’t heard anything but am sure we can let you know if anything, we have a friend who specialises in such. As in looking for houses.” Angel laughed.
“Okay, let’s exchange lines…”
I noticed that Mirriam had switched from the serious professional lady to a calm, smiley kind of a person as we spoke.
“When am I likely to get discharged?” I asked her.
“Most likely after two days. Thanks a lot, I I’ll be on my way now.” She said.
Both Angel and I watched as she walked out of the room.
“What do you think?” Angel asked.
“What do I think about what?”
“Stop being dumb you know what I mean.” She snapped.
“I think she can make a good friend, a productive member to the group.” I answered as I thought it through.
For some strange reason we evaluated every person that we allowed in our circle and would agree between each other if that person was worth our friendship. It was just something we happened to accidentally have in common.
“Let me check on mum and the baby, I think Granny has to be here any second from now.” Angel said as she gave me a kiss on the forehead. “Get well boi, we have history to make next weekend.”
When she opened the door I could hear my grandmother’s voice as she explained to something to mum.
“Where were you when your friend was tagging some drug addict?” She asked Angel, my room was quite big and her voice freely echoed.
I couldn’t get Angels response because the door shut.
After half an hour of waiting for Granny she finally entered, in her hands was a light-wooden basket with fruits and of cause, chocolate.
Granny could easily turn an adult into a baby with her treats.
“Are you okay?” She asked as she looked at me.
Her Granddaughter was laying comfortably on the bed as if she was bed ridden.
“Am okay Granny,” I responded as she came close up to give me a hug.
“What where you thinking?” She asked.
“It not like it seems.”
“What do you mean it’s not like it seems? You could have gotten killed or broken your legs. Just because I said you need to be free spirited doesn’t mean you start riding in some strange guys car. Where is your car even?” She paused with a question.
Granny was the type who could beat you up for anything, but those were the old days. Thank God.
“My car is at home, Chanda isn’t a stranger Granny.”
“I spoke to the Doctor, that boy had his machine gun locked and loaded. Do you think he was going to sh00t at birds?” She asked.
“Granny!” I exclaimed.
“What? Am talking to a grown up lady ain’t I? Be careful of these boys. They don’t know what they want.” She added.
My eyes were wide open as she spoke.
“But Granny, Chanda is just a friend. We where going to attend a fashion show. It’s not like this happened by will.” I said.
She looked at me and then spoke, “You have a lot to do in life, don’t just mingle with anyone anyhow. That will cost you a lot. By the way, I got your favourites.” She said as she handed me the basket.
.
.
.
I managed to clean up the house, opened the window to allow fresh air even though evening was upon me.
Once i was done, I went to check if Major was online.
KALABA: “You’ve spoken to your girlfriend?”
MAJOR: “She’s not my girlfriend, at least not yet. But I don’t think she likes me in that way.”
KALABA: “What makes you think that way, you guys have been buddies for what? 2 years now.”
MAJOR: “Exactly my point. In those two years she has kept her cool, I mean I have seen green lights at times but I don’t see anything happening.”
KALABA: “If that bothers you, It’s not like she’s the only lady in the mother land. You can still find another.”
MAJOR: “It’s not something that is easy. Relationships are the hardest things to build. I wonder how come a lot of people don’t even pay much attention when it comes to these things.”
KALABA: “I don’t get what you trying to say.”
MAJOR: “While, notice how much attention and research we do when buying gadgets. If that was the same effort we could invest in finding a partner… Trust me, things would be so much better.”
KALABA: “Okay, let’s change topic. You now sounding like my boss. But on a serious note, you have to step up your game if you want to date her. Because from what I’ve heard, she seems to be a lioness and you ain’t roaring enough.”
Unlike the few passed weeks, I felt much better, worthy of doing something significant. My boss was right, even though I never liked to admit it.
Major told me that his exam project was finally done, this meant he would be back in Zambia sooner than I anticipated.
I hadn’t told him that I had plans on going back to the hospital, not that I was sick, but to just have a look at Dr Mwanza. Somehow Ifelt like there was need for me to change, but becoming a monk wasn’t in my plans.
Major kept saying I needed to start going to church, but nah, I wouldn’t want some photos of me going viral again just because I decided to attend a church service.
‘This even reminded me of Kutemwa, she was a dictator in her own way.’ I smiled as I thought to myself.
MAJOR: “What are you cooking for supper?”
KALABA: “When I said we change topic I didn’t mean we start talking about food. You know I have never been the cooking type. That’s why I need to get married.”
MAJOR: “You still on that? There is more to a wife than her cooking and Washing your clothes. Trust me Kalaba, your marriage will melt like ice cream on the sun if you marry for such a reason.”
KALABA: “What have they been teaching you in Canada kanshi?”
.
.
.
The nurse was kind enough to allow Mum, Angel and Granny inside at the same time. Dad was in Eastern Africa for a conference, and Grandpa was in South Africa for a business trip, both of Mum’s parents were late.
“I’m just from meeting Chanda’s parents. They say they will check on you tomorrow.” Mum said.
“Did they confirm what the Doctors have been saying about him being on drugs.” I asked.
“Yes! Chanda has been on…”
“On what?” I pressed in.
“He has a mental problem and other temper issues. His parents didn’t seem sure whether he had taken his medicine or not.” She said.
Fear got a hold of me, I couldn’t believe I had been entertaining a mad person for a month.
“It’s okay baby, everything is going to be fine.” Mum said as he noticed my reaction.
“What if he raped me or something worse!”
“It’s okay Kutemwa, don’t think about that. The most important thing is that you okay.” Angel jumped in.

TO BE CONTINUED…