We arrived at my mama Laurie's twin sister Aunt Anitah and Uncle Benson's villa which was in Karen, Nairobi. Mama Laurie and Aunt Anitah had similar features but you could easily tell them apart. My Aunt was more outspoken. She loves sharing stories. I could listen to her everyday. Mama Laurie was sometimes quiet like me, but when she got to know you she made you feel comfortable.
They had their car service pick us up. It was a beautiful and more costly estate. Their house from the outside look more like a mall or a fancy modern hospital. It was like two buildings in one, with a wrap-around driveway where you could drive under a drop-off area. There were floor-to-ceiling windows on every floor. The house was painted bright white complimenting the clear blue sky.
This was KJ and Leah's first time coming and I think they're in love. Everything was so neat and organized with endless amounts of space. KJ was sure to be comfortable.
"Hi Rainy! It is so good to see you. My new high school graduate." My aunt spoke slowly coming toward me in her accent. She called me by my nickname she always says. She was dressed in a casual pair of jeans and an ivory buttoned blouse, with low-key designer flats. That was how my family did it. They were super rich but didn't show it. All except the house. They spared no expense.
"It's good to see you as well, Auntie Nitah." I smiled squeezing her. We were standing at the entrance. "Did you reach your Uncle?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am. I saw Uncle Benson outside. He's with Leah, KJ and Michael." I pointed in that direction. She gave me an odd expression. "Since when ya' start calling 'em Michael?" She asked sounding worried.
"We're not speaking. So since then." I tucked my lip knowing she wanted a better answer than that. She kissed her teeth. "What's going on? How long has this been on going?" She sized me up and down.
"I had a boyfriend, —who so happens to be Adrian." I mumbled. It was my first relationship. These were first had conversations. It felt weird talking this way.
"Oooowa', Mikeys best friend Adrian? The same Adrian who visited here when Mikey was a boy?" She was shocked. This was news to her.
"Yes ma'am, that one." I nodded.
"I see." She raised her eyebrows with a smile on her face. I nodded.
"Playing with fire. You said boyfriend?" She asked wanting me to speak more on it.
"Yes ma'am. He broke up with me. It was because of my age and the fact I'm Michaels little sister. Their friendship is ruined as well. At least I think it still is. I wouldn't know I don't talk to Michael."
"You're in love." She smirked and shook her head. "My sister was right."
My neck snapped up so fact. "Huh, Mama Laurie was right about what?" I waited impatiently as she studied my expression.
"Lets sits. You want anything? A cold beverage or anything to eat?" She offered and I shook my head no eager to hear what she had to say. We went over to the lobby area of the house and sat. "So, my sister had a theory about you two." She expressed. I scrunched my brows.
"I remember years ago she told me she noticed something between the two of you. How he would avoid you and you would be nervous around him. How it never changed."
"When was this? How many years ago?" I questioned. My aunt leaned back in the chair. "She kept in touch about it through the years. It was initially brought to my attention just before I met you actually. It was our little gossip." She snickered.
"So that was about nine months after us moving to Atlanta?" I calculated.
"Correct." She nodded. "I know she knew I had a crush on him but I didn't know all of this." I was flushed. I wish I could have these conversation with Mama Laurie here now.
"She also spoke to Adrian about it." She added, knowing I wanted to hear more. "Wait what?" I said louder than I should've.
She laughed. "Yes dear. She told him she caught the chemistry between you two. She asked him what that was about."
"What did he say?" I didn't realize I was holding my breath. "She said he was honest. He said he had feelings for you. He tried to do everything in his power to push his feelings away. He said he couldn't help the way he felt. So he avoided you." She told me.
"Wow, what did she say about it? Was she mad at him? Did she tell him anything?" I questioned.
"No sweetie. If she knew all along and didn't bring it up then what makes you believe she'd be mad? She had no reason to be upset. He was always respectful." She pieced together for me.
"So she didn't say anything?" I asked just to be clear I was clinging on to every word. My Aunt shook her head. "She didn't say anything else to him after that. She left it alone."
"Oh." I was hoping there was more.
"She did tell me her theory of the matter." Aunt Anitah added.
"I'm listening." I scooted closer giving her my full attention as if she didn't already have it. "She told me the chemistry the two of you shared was like hers with your grandpa." I smiled.
"See your grandpa was older than your mama Laurie. She wasn't as young as you are but not far from it. I think nineteen she was. He'd just graduated with his Masters when they actually gave it a shot. They knew each other for years before dating.
Perhaps this is why she didn't say anything about your crush. She understood it." She added.
"I knew grandpa was a little older but I never thought to ask how old. She didn't like talking about him much anyway. She always kept it brief and sweet when she spoke of him" I stated.
"Yes. He was her world. When he died she was completely broken. It wasn't too long before you and Mikey came into her life before he died. So I always said to her, you and Mikey were her saviors. She needed you just as much." She paused thinking. A thought came to her and she beamed. "My sister said she would bet money on it. You two would be together. She was sure."
Tears formed in my eyes. "I miss her so much. Hearing everything made me feel like I wasn't completely crazy falling in love with my brothers best friend."
"No, you're not crazy. Although this feud between you and your brother is crazy. I know it'll work itself out. Mikeys a lot like your father was, stubborn and loved extremely hard all at the same time." She assured.
"He still doesn't like talking about mom or dad. Mama Laurie told me a few things here and there but she respected my brothers decision." I went on to say.
"Well as you know the family had never met your mom. We didn't even know your dad had settled down and had a family. He cut himself off from us and never looked back. Your grandma and grandpa moved to the states to get close to him. Even that wasn't enough. Unfortunately, he didn't want to be found." She examined me hesitantly. She didn't know if she should go on.
I decided to say what she was thinking. "I know our parents were on drugs. I know that's why they were murdered. They were tied up in a situation they couldn't get out of. I know mama Laurie didn't know about them being murdered until Mikey contacted with her. She didn't even know about us."
"It tore her up. If she had known things would've definitely been different. I remember she called me crying frantically, saying Mark had two kids. She kept going on and on. I couldn't get a word in." She exhaled.
"I'm just happy everything worked out for us in the end." I smiled wiping my eyes.
Michael, KJ,Leah and Uncle Benson came inside. I quickly wiped my tears and decided to go upstairs to get situated. "Leah, KJs room is next to min. I'll go ahead and take his stuff up."
"Ok, thanks Rai." She came in behind Micheal.
"You want me to have your things brought to you?" My uncle asked. "Oh no sir. It's no bother. I don't mind. It's not like I have to take the stairs." I smiled at him.
"Ok my lovely niece." He chuckled.
I rolled our two massive suitcases on to the elevator. After unloading me and KJs luggage, I went up to my room I always stayed in to get ready to shower. I couldn't wait to get out of my travel clothes.
{Song: "Gwara Gwara" By Mr. Seed
{New photo: Rose Rollins}
{Next Chap, lets enjoy sometime in Nairobi before we get back to reality... I hear someone has a birthday coming up (Raina).}
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