A bitter-sweet nightmare – Episode 4

A BITTER-SWEET NIGHTMARE

Episode 4

Janine “@” You said you going to be here around 10hrs right? Just come home, direct. “@”
Markus “@” Yes. I could have started off already, now I have to wait for my uncle to arrive. I need to get something from him. Otherwise, I will be there by 11rs sharp. “@”
Janine “@” Is it possible to get me some in Pick and Pay? “@”
Markus “@” I will look into that. “@”

‘She’s always asking me to buy something for her. I know there is nothing like butterflies in my tummy for her, yet, I find myself wanting to meet up with her.’

“She’s beautiful and everything, but that’s the only thing she has to show off. God, why am I messing around with a crazy chick like her?”
Markus had already finished dressing up and was ready to start off, since she said her brother would be coming over, he planned on going early so that he could spend more time with her and just see what kind of lady she really was. However, things don’t always go as planned. His uncle had to call and ask that he waits for him. It had already been an hour since he received that call from him and he wasn’t showing up still.
.
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While Markus was facing delays and getting pissed off, Max was gliding… In his mind, this was destiny. The forces of nature wanted him to get back with Janine. At least, that’s what he thought.
Immediately he arrived at the station in Kitwe, he found that only one person was left for the Chingola bus to be full. He happened to be that one person.
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“It’s a wonderful morning, right?” Chansa asked Janine.
“Just be on your way. You are already late.”
“I don’t mind being late, so long as I get to see you mess around with people’s money. That’s evil.” He laughed.
“You must be the reason why his even delaying to start off. Iwe Chansa you are bad luck.” Janine told him.
“Bad luck huh! Don’t bring your exes here to play bedroom.” He gave off an evil laugh as he ran out.
“I will lock you outside tonight. Till you take back that nonsense you’ve just said. I won’t forgive you Chansa!” She shouted.
“I forgot to tell you; the boss will be coming over. Don’t pick a fight with her…” He told her.

‘The boss’ was a nickname that Chansa and Janine used to refer to his girlfriend. (Strangely, Janine remembered that to be the nickname that was given to Chansa and not the other way around.) It was always a tense moment for the two of them every time they were in the same room.
Many are the times she asked Chansa to move out and find his own place, it would always end with him acting like the request was clear and then brushing it off as soon as she left.
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“Finally!” Markus sighed as he left the house.
Almost 2hrs had gone by since he had finished bathing, silently dying inside as he waited for his uncle to arrive.
With quick steps, he rushed to the roadside hoping to quickly get on a taxi to town.

When he arrived in town, taxi drivers seemed not to be working. With the town center filled with a lot of people matching around and singing songs of sorrow.

“Hey, what’s happening?” He asked one of the guys who stood watching.
“Oh, some famous taxi driver passed away. The story has it that he was just killed.” The stranger explained to him.
“What about traveling, does that mean the taxis won’t be on the rank?” He asked him.

With a strong facial expression that shouted ‘you disturbing me!’ flashed right before his eyes. Regardless of that, the man responded. “The taxis will start working at 12hrs if you need booking am sure one of these guys can offer you that service.” With those words, he walked away and stood somewhere else.
–
“We have been in traffic like forever. I didn’t know that Chingola was this busy…” Max spoke to the air.
“It seems like someone has died. Must be a very popular driver for him to put the whole town in a freeze.” A certain guy’s voice echoed from the back.

Since they were already past the roundabout, most passengers requested to just get off the bus while it was stuck in traffic. Max wasn’t an exception, after all, he was very much early for his appointment with Janine.

While this was taking place, Markus was getting bitter and felt pity for himself. It was like destiny wasn’t on his side. First, it was a 2hr delay caused by his uncle and now this!

Markus “@” I don’t even know what time am going to arrive that side. The whole town is on standby.”@”
Janine “@” Just wait it off, am sure they will start working sooner.”@”
Markus “@” You right about that. Let me get something to eat at Pie City while I wait, that’s if the story about 12hrs is true. “@”
Janine “@” Okay. Let me also do a couple of things before you get here. You will let me know. “@”

Since Max was under the impression that Janine would be expecting her brother in the morning, their conversation flowed as such with him pretending to be in Ndola. To make sure that his cover wasn’t blown, he had to do away with phone calls.

Max “@” Has your brother arrived already? “@”
Janine “@” Not yet. He is held up in traffic. There is work-freeze for taxi drivers so he’s busy waiting for them to start working. “@”
Max “@” You don’t have buses that come to that side? “@”
Janine “@” Nope. Just taxis, buses take long, I wouldn’t go for them. “@”
Their conversation was kept on the low as they dragged on. Max waiting for the afternoon to see his beloved ex and her waiting for Markus whom she had just dubbed as a brother. The Lord knows he would throw a tantrum if he found out of such a thing.

Tbc…

KENNEDY C KATONGO