They had numerously stumbled on each other, with the Dean of Students always imploring on her of their date especially after the incredible idea of the school mag. Speaking of which, the mag had become so popular that the Vice Chancellor of Matiba University requested for an audience with the brains behind it. Sly was taken by surprise besides being overwhelmed by the level of support her idea had gathered. The journalism club had been a buzz of activities ever since the launch, with many products finding their way in to the mag. The uptake had been indeed, fulfilling. The margins had also been growing steadily leaving the future with no choice but to be kinder.
Sly was meeting Mr.Mwangi at the backdrop of a painful break up with her ex – Chris, after she got wind of him cheating on her. It was heartbreaking and unbelievable. She chose to follow the high and unpopular route of not forgiving him and denying him any second chance to redeem himself. She rather chose to forge on, in the uncharted waters of single hood as life unfolded. It could be a blessing in disguise for her to repair the broken pieces in her life.
Mr. Mwangi would pick her at Adams Arcade and they’d settle on a getaway off Ngong road.
It was in one of those scenic hideouts with a flower-littered road tucked in between a forest that also domesticated legions of playful monkeys and chirping birds. Sly had never been to such a private engagement with any of her lecturer(s) before. But unlike her, many campus ladies had found themselves toying with the idea of befriending and firing up affairs with their lecturers all for good grades and enviable lifestyles. Scores of ladies found themselves wadding in love-flings hatched from infamous locations such as this.
So, why would Sly give Mr. Mwangi that kind of privilege to buy her lunch in a getaway frequented by people in three-piece love affairs? Of people shy of basking at the scrutiny of the public eye? Was she naive not even to inform her folks or Njagi that she was off to a lunch date, just in case? You know sh** happens! Had Mr. Mwangi been all innocent or had he mastered the tricks to woe Sly?
***
“Have you been here before?”
“Ooh no. Looks vintage like!”
“Yea, with a heritage to uphold.”
“Seems like it. It’s peaceful and equally captivating.”
“You didn’t seem to be very keen on the date though.”
“Date!!!”
“Yea our lunch date.”
Sly faked a choke from the garlic and lemon fish curry they were having.
“By the way, the meal is too awesome. I’m impressed by how they’ve garnished the coriander leaves.” Dodging his question.
“My pleasure.”
“So, Mwalimu, what was the essence of the so called date?”
“Aah, could you refer me as just Mwangi.”
“That will definitely sound awkward.” Making a sarcastic laugh.
“Why?”
“I can’t see myself referring you as Mwangi!”
“Well you just did.” He giggled turning away from Sly’s impressive gaze.
“Why would you encourage me to do so. You’re still my lecturer. And a senior one for crying out loud.”
“I’m not denying that. But this is a different arrangement altogether. I have a life out there, you know.”
Sly nodded as she awaited more from Mr. Mwangi’s bubble.
“Who doesn’t like having a good time with friends?” Making a more pronounced smile that warranted Sly to notice a gap that once housed one of his molar teeth.
“So, where is this headed Mwangi? Gosh, sorry. Mr. Mwangi.”
“Very good.” He ordered for some white wine.
Amid the laughters and long talks, Sly opened up to Mr. Mwangi about her bruising break up. She was surprised by how attentive he portrayed himself to be. He was such an incredible listener. He never interjected, nor blinked through the story. He nodded when called upon to, made faces when expected, while his eye contact remain drawn to her. That surprised Sly and in essence drew some positive attributes about him.
He sympathized with her story.
“Was he the first boyfriend you ever hand?”
“Mmmmh….you could say so.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
She crossed one leg to the other, took a deep breathe and adjusted her watch. “Okay, let me put it differently – it was the first serious relationship I have had so far.”
“The rest were?”
“The usual flings that die before they start.”
“Hahahaha. Is the guy who accompanied you to my office the one who hurt your heart?”
“Oh my goodness.” She walked to the ladies laughing loudly.
5 minutes later…
She found him on phone speaking to a female voice whom Sly deciphered, was his wife demanding to know where he was. She spoke with utter disgust and venom.
“That’s my nagging wife.”
“Nagging.”
“She is always venting and complaining of something.”
Sly sighed off. “You should make time for her. Perhaps she thinks you’re denying her attention.”
“But I’m always busy. I have no time to stay indoors and supply attention.”
“You see, that’s where you men go wrong. In the beginning you’re always very romantic and available, wait until the dust settles.”
Mr. Mwangi responded to an itch on his ever bushy beards. “I’ve got to provide for them. I can’t just stay there pampering her. How will I create wealth if I don’t whip my a** and get connected to the right people in this town?”
“But you called me for a date at the expense of your family!”
“I felt obliged to appreciate your brilliance.”
“Are you sure there was nothing more?”
“I have always been carried away by your charm right from the day you joined our institution. I wish we became more closer, perhaps even flying to the coast for a weekend, you know! Is that much to ask from such a dazzling woman like you?”
“But I’m your student and you are very much married. In fact, your wife deserves that trip more than I will ever do.” Sly was beginning to feel offended and intruded.
“Just a weekend.”
“No no no Mwalimu.”
“You could think about it, no pressure.”
“That’s not right. Are we done here, I see mum calling.”
Sly got to the car as Mr. Mwangi took his time clearing the bill and watching the smoke waft in the air from his smoldering cigarette-stick at one end of the parking bay, seemingly angered by his backfired moves.
They drove off with no much talk in the car apart from Sly engulfed in retrospection, with Mr. Mwangi trying to do some damage control to his proposal that didn’t go down well with her.
Did he jump the gun?
Photo credit: ebony.com
Platte-land series continues next Monday…
Previously on Platte-land series: Cupid
andrewismme 
Wow, this is captivating…Sly is an intelligent one…I hope she doesn’t succumb to his advances cause I smell trouble down that road..
I hope so too. Thanks for reading.