Caroline W. Nderitu

"Honey, I'm home!" Shouted Dave as he pushed the shopping bags through the door. "Dave, you practically live here; you are here during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every other time apart from at night," Michelle said, coming from the bathroom. "Well, home is where your heart is?" He said, making his usual dance walk towards Michelle. "Remember what our counsellor says; we should do things that we mutually agree on," she said. "Tell me on my face that you don't like me here. Why are you taking a shower this early? Is it not because you know I will get in anytime, and we would make love, like every other day, Darling? For three months now, your cookie has been my breakfast," He said, tickling, kissing, and caressing her, making her towel fall on the floor. "The counsellor said we could move in together if we felt comfortable enough and if we could make love without feelings of resentment. We have been making love for the las...

Dan watched as Michelle drove out of the compound and thought she would come back with the sour flour for the porridge she was craving, or she would buy an already cooked porridge. He imagined her coming with the doctor to treat his disorder, bringing her children to play in the compound, or not returning. He was right; the night came, he was still at the window, looking outside for the Range, but Michelle didn't show up. He hoped Michelle would return with a taxi if the Range had developed some technical problems; she did not show up. He sat by the window the entire day, the whole night, lights off, back aching as he froze in the cold. He was not going to cry; he was a man. He would no longer beg Michelle; she would come to him of her free will, just like she did on his twenty-fifth birthday. Days passed, and Dan locked himself in the house; he did not go to the garage. He rarely ate or exercised. He was sad and empty. He wanted Michelle to make his big house a home. Michelle, not...

"We are starting this meeting at the request of our daughter, Michelle Kagiri, and our son, Dave Oluoch. You two have decided to reach out to us for guidance and counselling during this time your marriage is going through a bumpy ride," said the pastor. "With all due respect, Pastor, this request was from one party, Michelle. She is the one that invited you without my knowledge," Dave interrupted. "My apologies, my son, but when your wife reaches out to us and tells us that she needs to be returned to her house because you chased her away, like her spiritual parents, it's our duty to take care of her need," the pastor clarified. "What has she told you about me? I feel like I have been ambushed and haven't been given a fair platform to tell my side too," Dave said. "We are about to hear, she just called us, and we've met with her at the mall. This is a discussion we want to have together," the pastor said. "Can I have a ...

Stacy drove to her house first because she knew it would take time before Dave sobered up. She wanted to have a word with him as soon as possible. She was planning to go back to his house that same day. She had a class in the afternoon, but she called in sick. She did not want to do anything until she found a solution to Michelle's issue. She sat in her house and waited. Michelle hugged Dan and gave him a light kiss immediately after Stacy left. She watched as the door slid shut behind her. Dan had the keys and the remote in his hand. After closing the door, he put them back in his pocket. "I crave sour porridge," Michelle said to start a conversation. "What was that? Is what you told your friend true?" He asked. "I said many things. Which part are you interested in?" She questioned. "Everything, you loving me, for instance," He said. "I do love you, Dan, but I was waiting for the perfect time that I would not be confused by your prowess...

"Hi, my name is Stacy. I am looking for the owner of this place. Could you let him know I am here?" Stacy asked the man who approached her car immediately after she parked. "Do you need a service?" The guy asked. "No. I need Dan," she responded. "Do you have a complaint?" He asked. "I need Dan, Mr. Man," she responded. "Who are you again?" He asked. "Stacy. A cousin of Dan. Something happened at home and needs his attention urgently. So, please, if you may." She said. "Dan hasn't been here recently. Check him at his house," the guy suggested. "That's the problem. I don't know where he lives. I'm not from the city," she said. "In that case, I can't show you where he lives. Maybe contact his family, your family, who might know where he lives. I am sorry," he said and left. Stacy stayed in the car, thinking of how she would trace him. Then, after a few minutes, she drove...

"Hey Steve, are you busy tonight?" Dave asked, pacing around in the living room with the phone on the loudspeaker. "What, you wanna invite me to a date?" Steve joked. "Come by my house after work, there are ribs that I want to roast, and I can't finish them," he said, forcing a laugh to acknowledge Steve's joke. Dave went to the meat market and bought 5 Kg of goat ribs, wine, in case the Doc needed some, and other foods. He drove to the supermarket and purchased a small charcoal grill because they did not own one. He wanted to engage in something fun with Doc, and watching football was out of the question. He put two wooden seats on the balcony and set his grill right by the end of the terrace. He got some fruits and started eating them while watching the sunset. "Hey, man. Where is everybody? I thought we were having a party. You've never called me to your house when nobody was sick, let alone to have food?" Said Steve after getting ...