Taking in the Cards on the Table Pt8

 Oh my goodness. I couldn't tell you how happy I was to be back at the hospital. I walked in to find Uncle Mwaria awake and seeing people. Dad, Mum and my Aunt were in the room and they were cracking a few jokes with him. 

"Mwaria you are something else! You got us all here running wild, worried sick because you were wrestling Mali? You're such a rascal. Next time you and your wife better spill the beans so that the match is fair. Don't want Mali fainting," teased Mum.

"Ha ha Mwaria, you never cease to surprise us. Well at least the element of surprise was achieved so Happy Birthday. Truly you and your wife are like Bonnie and Clyde...ride or die like literally! It is well. We forgive you...but no more secrets, " joked my Dad as he hi fived my Uncle.

"You can't blame me. When my husband here plays super hero and is as discreet as Batman, what's a lady supposed to do? Of course you know we love you Mwaria, especially your darling right here," said my aunt with a wink. "Just don't go scaring us again," she finished as she gave him a playful little pinch on the cheek followed by a little kiss.

"Wow! You guys don't hold back. Hahaha well, let's remember the facts. It was him that fainted and is still recovering ...from a sore loss! I beat you at the match Uncle. I am now the tickling wrestling master!” I said amidst laughter as I flexed my mighty fingers in joke. Whew! It felt good to laugh after the crazy run of events.

"Alright, alright family. I hear you. No more secrets. To my darling wife, don't worry. We still got long way to go, together, I love you too,” he said as he held her hand tenderly. 

Of heart melting moments, this was one of them. To observe love so rich, so tender whose foundations stood firm made my heart swell. I almost had something like this, at least at the building blocks to say the least but we broke up. Oh well, that's life ay? Better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all?

 I figured I'd switch the mushy - mushy atmosphere with a change of topic that may be of light humour to them. The thought of how I bumped into Gathoni still persisted. Her passing statements echoed louder though I tried to ignore it. Either way, I was super proud of my reactions and responses. I didn't let situations get the better of me.

"Enough with the mushiness, you will never believe who I bumped into as I was taking a walk. Take 3 guesses," I asked.

"Your brother," said mum.

"Nope."

"Your cousin," said Auntie.

"Nope, try a little harder," I joked.

"Hmmm, your old time classmate that you had been looking to reconnect with?" guessed Dad.

"Good guess but no. That reminds, me I need to keep checking for them. You're all wrong. It was Gathoni." I said.

If their faces were capable of turning white, they most definitely would have. They tried to maintain composure but their facial expressions of shudder was so evident. 

I guess they feared any potential negative impact from the meet, and the chances of me slipping back into depression. Perhaps it might have been the memory of how low I had been during that season and what it took to get me to where I now was. All my suppositions stood unconfirmed. I chose to stop overthinking it.

"That's quite eventful Mali. My birthday clearly came with surprises. How did it happen? How are you?" asked Uncle Mwaria as he sat up better to listen.

"I'm fine. I think your quote and quote surprise really got to me. I ended up speaking to myself loudly on the street. She saw me and came to check up on me, so she says. In my mind she should have just kept walking. It was so weird," I mused.

"Continue, you have us at the edge of our seats," said Uncle Mwaria as Dad nodded in agreement. Mum seemed to slightly drift off in quiet thought but was still very present.

"It was weird because I had always pictured what I'd do, and how I'd retaliate when I saw her but I didn't. I was livid and irritable but it wasn't in me to react in a way that would harm her. It was more words to let her know I wasn't interested in engaging. That said, she was very different in her demeanor," I said as I recollected the scenario piece by piece.

"How now? Mali spill it all, the suspense is at fever pitch!" said Auntie

"Well first she persisted in spending time with me despite me trying to end our conversation severally. She used every opportunity to touch me in one way or another...oh, she even pulled a line saying she had tried to reach me. That she tried to reach Dad, Mum and my Uncles, even you Uncle Mwaria, but to no avail. 

She kept insisting we meet up but I wasn't having it. Hadn't we been the ones who tried to reach her but to no avail? Her twisting of the truth almost got me furious but I took off. She kept telling me to ask you all and I told her to stop lying. She's crazy, right?" I finished.

As I looked at their faces I saw mixed expressions, worry, fear and disgust. Probably at how reaching Gathoni's statements were, however nobody responded to my rejoinder that she was cuckoo.

“I said she's crazy, right?” I repeated.

“Ehm, Mali.  The whole event is crazy. You still need some space but good on you. In the spirit of no secrets there is something we need to tell you,” started Uncle Mwaria, for some reason his breathing began to sound belaboured.

“Mwaria, don't do this now. Get well first then we shall discuss more,” said my dad.

“Njama, we need to tell him. There is no perfect time. It's better now rather than later, otherwise it wi ...will b..b be t too late,” whispered my uncle before passing out.

My dad quickly rang the nurse’s bell as my mum dashed to the corridor to get a nurse. What was all this and what were they talking about?

"Mwaria, why do you keep doing this to us," lamented my aunt as she tried to tap him conscious, "come on...relax and breathe steadily. You can do this."

"Mali, you have to stop with all this surprise pre - empting," yelled my dad, just before the nurse came in.

Dad, Mum and I were whisked out rapidly as they tended to Uncle Mwaria. Apparently he was asthmatic as well. The pressure of the mild stroke, the discussion and all had affected his breathing so he got a mild attack which thankfully the medics arrested. 

We were requested to go home and return the next day but at different times to avoid stressing him.

The car ride home was mum minus occasional condescending statements by dad. I figured it was his way of processing his anxiety over his beloved brother. We had never really experienced loss as family or anything close. I figure the stress got to him, the thought of losing his bestie was unthinkable.

"Mali, try stick your head out of trouble. Why did you have to bring up such a topic when you could see the situation Uncle Mwaria was in? Why couldn't you just wait till later or tell us first then we could share it as a joke later?" growled dad.

Wait, why was I to blame? They all asked me to continue in sharing, each digging to find out more. People are capable of speaking messily in times of emergency.

"I'm sorry. I thought it would be a funny light story. I said I was fine, didn't I so what's the problem? Why are you overreacting? Or do you also have high blood pressure and you're not saying?" I shot back.

"You two, simmer down. This is all unnecessary. Can't we be happy and positive that all has worked out well?" said mum as she tried to rescue the situation.

"Mama Mali, speak to your son. He had one type of surprise to help us pull, not the kind to put people in hospital and cause them to deteriorate. Speak to your boy," dad fired.

"Dad, I know you're stressed. I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm but you cannot speak like that to me or about me. I am not a boy, I am a man so let's maintain the respect, kindly," I said. 

I was now starting to get irritated. Why was my dad acting weird and why did Uncle Mwaria react like that to the information? Wonders never cease. 

“You had one task and that was to get Uncle Mwaria home. Not wrestle him or take him to hospital because of some childish wrestling. The surprise we were anticipating was at the party, not in getting to hospital nor keeping him there. Tread carefully otherwise you shall see," finished my father.

Oh wow. Now we were at threats. Were we now verbally fighting because I said I had seen Gathoni? What did that have to do with me? I didn't go looking for her. She came looking for me and I was just sharing. On top of that, what was dad withholding my uncle from sharing...or was it a safety measure to avoid my uncle exhausting himself. 

Perhaps there was some truth to her statements, probably not...but then again, what if...or was dad just acting on a high of the day? What was it Uncle Mwaria wanted to share? Was I being too nice or too naive? 

I chose to pause it there because I knew if I let my mind run, I wasn't sure I could close that pandora's box.

Taking in the Cards on the Table Pt.7

 Ever felt like you were having an out of body experience yet still physically present? That was exactly what was going on. It was like experiencing a forthcoming dreaded prophesy.

"Gathoni...hmmm! Gathoni... Like GA- to the THO- to the NI!  GA-THO-NI! Au-wuu!" Gathoni was here in the flesh.

My thoughts ran Olympic style, record-breaking wild. Time both slowed and sped up as I tried to process my feelings and next course of action. The anger and hurt from the past came through in full force, but quiet thought.

I could not...I could not believe it. She was standing right in front of me. Right there. She was close enough to touch... close enough to land a hot smack in the face for touching me and all the pain she caused me...but that...that  would not be appropriate. I am not that kind of man, neither was I raised like that. Men do not, under whatever circumstance hit women. So what now?

UuuuuuH! I was so angry. Of all the days for her to appear, she picked today. Where was she when I was searching for her and trying to reach out? Her audacity to physically touch me on the shoulder! As who? Who did she think she was? The rage I felt, I had never I experienced before.

She could have avoided me but she came straight to me. What did she want? What sinister intentions did she have up her sleeve?  I was just inwardly dealing with my uncle's situation then this? This was too much, too soon.

"Mali, are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost," she said as she reached for my shoulder, but this time, I neatly evaded her touch.

 "Surprisingly, the only ghost I see is you," I responded as I started to walk away.

"Is that how you speak to me after such a long time?" she asked in a seemingly innocent voice. You, know the type that wants to dip into a joke that old friends share...but I wasn't having it.

"Haha! Wow! Well excuse me your highness! How would the Queen Ghost wish to be addressed? Wait, but ghosts don't exist, so again, why am I responding?"  

The sarcasm was seeping through me faster than I could muster. Next thing I found myself was doing a very sarcastic hand roll to acknowledge 'royalty'.

Unfortunately she persisted, "I saw you walking up and down the street. I heard you mumbling out loud and just thought I'd check up on you in case all was not well,"

"Surprises never cease. Now you suddenly care?  Hilarious. Keep on walking ma’am. Good bye," I said as I distanced myself from her, but oh this woman was relentless.

 "Mali...Mali...Mali Stop. Just wait one minute," she yelled pulling at my arm and trying to cause a scene.

She wasn't going to trap me. Today my mental and physical collaborated well. I was quite proud of my responses.

"Gathoni, I am not in the mood whatsoever. Kindly stop touching me and leave me alone."

You know in cartoons when both the angel and devil sit on your shoulder and the fight is real...that was exactly what was happening to me. 

I wanted her to hurt like she hurt me. Make her feel absolutely irrelevant like she did when she broke us off and kept walking. She sure had no problem walking away. I tugged my hand and she just held on like a little girl hanging on to her father's knee.

"I have tried to be as civil as I could muster but you are really pushing it. What do you want?" I asked as calmly as I could afford.

She tried to put on a sweet voice but it was dead to me, "Look, I'm sorry. I've been looking for you for the past year but haven't been able to reach you. I called your parents, your uncles but to no avail. I even went to Uncle Mwaria to find a way to reach you but didn't succeed..."

“Remind me again, why that should matter, better still, why I should care? You made your stance clear when you ended things. I’ve moved on. I suggest you do the same for your own good.”  Why wouldn’t she just leave me alone?

 "I can see that you are still upset but please grant me just 15 minutes and I'll explain everything," she pleaded. 

"Upset? More like morbidly irritated by your presence. You’re the last person I'd wish to see so nope. Not interested. I'd say it was nice to see you but I'd be lying. Next time you see me, please don't stop. Just keep walking, okay? Bye”

Never had I tried so hard to end a conversation. It was like getting rid of a persistent allergic itch or one from eczema. The worst. You could scratch till you bleed but the itch doesn’t go away. That was what this whole scenario felt like.

"Mali please. Look I just want to explain myself. We don't even have to do it today. Here is my number, I'm willing to wait till when you are ready. As you think about it, ask your dad or Uncle Mwaria if I did reach out to them then let's pick it up from there, “she said as she quickly placed her business card in my hand.

“My parents and family tried to reach yours so don't try pull another fib story. I ain't got the time hun," I crumpled the card and threw it but she was quick to slide another one into my jacket pocket.

 "Stop being so stubborn! I'm sorry for making a scene, I guess I was excited to see you even if briefly," she said while checking to see if her words had any softening effect on me.

She guessed wrong.

"Thanks for the recognition of your actions and your apology. Gotta go. Bye!"  With that, I sped walked passed her, and crossed to the other side of the road.

"Too much...this is a little too much," I whispered under my breath.

In just one day Uncle Mwaria gave me the scare of my life. I then discovered his secret of his pre-existing condition. Add his failure to take medications and then almost killing him, on his birthday. Then bumping into Gathoni and the great escape and talks of her trying to reach me, but to no avail.  

 It’s funny how time can make one desperate. Did she have to lie though? I wasn’t in the frame of mind to digest it all.

I headed back to hospital since that was the safest place to be. Chances of seeing more 'apparitions' would be closer to nil. I needed to gather my thoughts regarding this strange day.

 

 

Taking in the Cards on the Table Prt 6

"Auntie, Auntie!!!Please come quickly!  Uncle Mwaria has collapsed!" I yelled as I tried shaking him to see if he would respond. He didn't. This was bad. Really bad. I should have just let him win.

One look at her face and I knew it was not only bad but worse, and if not worse, worst...

"Jeez Mali! What did you two do? Now what is this?!" she said almost screaming and crying at the same time. 

"Let's go now now now. Now Mali!!!!"

With that my adrenaline kicked in. Somehow I was able to lift his burly body and get him to the car. Once I lumped him in, my aunt sat in the back and did all she could to ensure he was breathing. The sobs I heard from my aunt and the thought of my family's reaction haunted me but I had to put that aside. The need for speed had never been realer than in this moment. In a few minutes, we arrived at the hospital. 

I quickly ran into the emergency unit and by this time all calm had left me. I beckoned at the first nurse I saw almost pulling him outside. "Please help me! I have someone unconscious in the car!!Please come quickly!"

The nurse followed me accompanied by two others. On opening the car, they lifted him onto a wheel chair and dashed him to one of their rooms. 

My aunt and I followed closely, only to be kicked out of the room as they ran assessment tests and checked for vitals.

As we were standing in the corridors a gentleman clad in a white coat approached us. He bore a stern no nonsense face such that I couldn't tell if it was bad or good news.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Rugendo. We are running a few tests for vitals, in the meantime please tell me what happened?"

This was embarrassing. How do I tell them that we were wrestling then I tickled my uncle until he passed out? If anything happened, it would all be on me. The truth had to be told so I told it. Then my aunt let two cats out of the bag.

"Um...Doctor...my husband has a high blood pressure condition and he stopped taking his medication. He's gone weak before but never gone unconscious. I asked him to go see his doctor but he refused. I'm so upset! Please tell me he is alright. Is he?" she said in between tears.

"Give us some time and we shall be able to give you proper updates. Let me check in with him and the team then I'll be able to provide more information," and with that Dr. Rugendo swang back into the room. 

I felt mixed up emotionally. Why didn't he or my aunt tell me this before we started goofing around? I was livid at the unfolding secret. I couldn't believe it. How long had they hidden this secret of high blood pressure? Also for a man like Uncle Mwaria, well-educated and with a background in medicine - why wouldn't he take his medicine?

First shots of anger were at Uncle Mwaria for knowing, doing and saying nothing. I'd not have wrestled him if I knew he wasn't up to it but he never accepted he was growing older.

I was also quite upset with my aunt for not cautioning me. I'd have taken it easier on him. Now here I was carrying the burden that I caused it all and praying desperately that all would go well.

This was not the time to trail into such thoughts. I quickly called my dad and updated him on what happened so that he could update the rest of the family. So much for pulling off the surprise and getting him to his birthday party. If anything, he definitely took the trophy for surprising us all.

In less than fifteen minutes dad and his siblings had arrived. They pulled my aunt aside and went to talk. After what felt like the longest wait, Dr. Rugendo was back. He told us that Uncle Mwaria had mild stroke but not to worry, he would be fine. 

He'd be admitted for a few days for observation purposes. He just needed time to rest and they would provide some medication to help regulate his blood pressure. In the mean time we were requested to wait, they would alert us when we could see him.

I was at ease but was still a bit shaken about the experience. The good thing was he was still alive. No severe impact. The adrenaline within me was still pretty high and I needed to be calm when I saw him. Sitting wouldn't work for me, so I decided to take a walk and get some air. 

The flashes of him breathless played in my mind. Then hearing about his high blood pressure and that he wasn't taking his medication...my mind trailed back to images of his unconscious body. "What a twist of a day. I am definitely not helping with any more surprise parties. Nope. Done." I thought to myself then again...may be not.

I have this habit of thinking out loud and I believe that was what I was doing. Speaking my thoughts and I was louder than I knew because I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.

"I see some things are still the same?" she said

I felt a chill run down my spine. I knew that voice.  Was it really? I turned around swiftly to confirm if it really was who I thought it was.

"Gathoni...Hh  ...Hi."

"Hi Mali," she said

Whew! I was not ready.

Taking In The Cards on The Table Part 5

It was D-day; Uncle Mwaria#theStoryteller's birthday was finally here.

I woke up to rousing smells from the kitchen. For sure it was going to be good or as we say, it was finna be lit. There were over 7 different dishes being prepared not to mention over 5 desserts! I could not contain my excitement. 

The last part was getting my Uncle home. That was my one responsibility. Get him home by 12pm sharp. The whole clan was counting on me. I was confident I'd deliver, easy-peasy.

I had already crafted my plan on how to get him home.  My strategy was simple. I was going to pull the - we need to talk urgently card. About what? Business of course. That's the one topic that Uncle Mwaria would drop everything for. He's very passionate about seeing the family business rise back to its former glory and beyond. More so with a cross generational touch.  I had this in the bag.

"Mali, you better head off... Your Aunty is waiting anxiously because Uncle Mwaria can up and go on his wild adventures any time, “urged my dad.

"Alright...alright. I'm leaving just now," I said as I reached out to give him a morning fist bump, "I got this dad...don't worry."

With that, I was out of the house munching on the last of the tasting waffles that had been graciously left on the counter. They were so fluffy. I couldn't wait to down the full meal with the whipped cream and fruit toppings. 

Throughout the drive there I kept rehearsing the narrative and figuring out responses to his quick fire questions. The narrative was simple. We needed to talk because Dad was giving me a hard time in running the family business. I'd express that I needed him to intervene urgently. To inflame it more I'd state that I didn't feel their trust or commitment and that I was on the verge of losing my mind. 

The pressure of the rising conflicts with dad and risk of the business failing due to missing out on opportunities would be too much. I'd feel like I failed again at something so major after the Gathoni saga. It would wipe me out. I'd leave him with an ultimatum that if he didn't intervene, I'd walk away from it all by the end of the week. Being a peacemaker and believer in the vision he'd be wiled enough to accompany me home. 

Uncle Mwaria#TheStoryteller didn't get the hashtag affixed to his name for nothing. He had stories to tell from here to kingdom come. Fortunately, they were enjoyable. He was dad's eldest brother. He was a visionary, a fantastic problem solver but best of all was he was an influential storyteller.

Equipped with these there was no problem he couldn't solve. There was nothing he could not engage on and how he did it, was an art. Twas as if he had a PhD in public speaking and engagement: he was a master at it. With that also came the gift of discernment in sniffing things out, including the fake.

On the other hand I was the son of Njama and his mentee. If there is something I perfected, it was execution in delivery: I wasn't going to be the one to drop the ball. I too knew how to weave stories. I had learned from the best, dad and him. In twenty minutes I had arrived.

"Fix your face. Keep it neutral," I told myself as I did last checks on the mirror. I found him sitting at his usual spot, the verandah facing the backyard.

"Uncle Unc...Hey hey! Happy Birthday to you! Who's younger now?" I teased as I greeted him.

He let out a little chuckle and rejoinder, "You best believe it.” We always loved a little rough housing and his birthday wasn't going to pass just like that. Next thing I knew he had put me in a head lock and I had a few seconds to manoeuvre before he made it worse. He lived for moments like these.

I began to tickle him because I knew he was super ticklish. He squirmed and giggled like a little boy.

"Mali, stop it! Stop it! You're cheating," he shouted over his deep laugh. I persisted. 

"I'm serious...stop it...stop!!" he pleaded as tears streamed his face.

"Ahahaha let me go then I'll stop," I negotiated.

"Never!" he yelled as he tightened his grip and tried to get my hands away.

"Uploading the Tickler 2020!" I yelled as I tickled him relentlessly

"Mali, stop...that's not wrestling" his grip began to loosen and his voice became faint, "Mali...stop...stop...Mali.”

I was winning, that was until I felt him collapse on the floor. He was probably exhausted from all the laughing and rough housing. I couldn't put it passed him not to pull a prank to pull a win.

"Uncle Mwaria, stop joking around. You couldn't take me winning?" I asked as I got off his hold and rubbed my sore neck, jeez he was strong.

He didn't budge nor respond.

"Uncle Mwaria. Unc...are you ok...Unc!" I got a bit frantic because he wasn't responding.  What had I done?

Taking in the Cards on the Table Prt 4

Days turned into weeks, weeks to months and just like that a year had gone by. The incredible thing was surviving it and coming out on top. Worst part was having loved and lost my then true love, Gathoni. It was a whirlwind.

 I struggled because I never got closure. I didn't know what the cause of our break up was and neither was I able to see her again. I tried everything I could to reach her but I wasn't able to. My parents told me that they had tried engaging her parents, but to no avail.

If I was being honest, getting through the break up wasn't easy at all. In that time I fully understood RnB songs and how they painted break ups to be absolutely depressing.  Slowly but surely recovery came.

As time passed I came to some sort of peace about it and forged on.  The sting faded and miraculously I was able to get back to being me. Living, seeing the sunshine and feeling something other than hurt. Whew!  I serve a living God! I say miraculously because I had loved deeply and never imagined loving another like that let alone losing such a love.

My parents really played a big role in the journey.

From emotional support to being present physically and spiritually... like the whole shebang.  They helped me in breaking the information to the wider family which in the African family context isn't easy.

They shielded me from a lot of fiery darts and pacified the wider family on how they approached me. They did it so well that we actually ended up becoming closer, as an extended family on both sides, which was and still is beautiful. I remain forever indebted to them.

So what does the future hold in store? Who knows? :-)

All I know is I need to get up early to prepare for Uncle Mwaria#Storyteller's surprise birthday party tomorrow. Catch you then?  It's a date.