My name is Marilyn Edwards, married to Kian Edwards, and a mother of three amazing children; Amelie, Jazzlyn, and Archie. Two beautiful girls and one healthy boy.

Sometime before today, I had everything I always dreamed of. A beautiful house, a husband, kids, and some bills that I could pay. I can't say it was everything, but at least it was something worth dying for!

We were once living in America, but it was Kian's dream to one day visit the African continent. Specifically, the southern part of Africa. I was so glad that I had a husband who wanted to experience new things and go on an adventure with his family, unlike some other men out there!

Kian's dream became true when he one day received a vacation-free break from the company he was working for. A vacation that he could attend with his family. A fully paid vacation!

Kian thought of nowhere else than Africa. At that point, Kian's dreams were finally catching up, and as a family, we thought it was best for us.

As one of the Swahili sayings goes "Usilolijua, ni Sawa na usiku wa Giza!" Meaning, unbeknownst to you, it's like a night. And that is exactly what happened to us!

***************

Let's go back to late 2019, when we were already in a small beautiful town named Tshanekani, in southern Africa.

A beautiful morning I can say, a day that I thought it was to be the best of them all. A day that had no things to unpack or neighbors to catch up with. It was a day that honestly, brought a smile to our faces.

I rushed out of my room, holding a piece of paper, and a bathing robe that felt comfortable. And went downstairs, straight to Kian who was working in the dining area.

"Hey, babe!" while placing the piece of paper on the table.

"Good morning..." his eyes caught by that piece of paper!

"Let me guess, my to-do list?" he asked.

"No, but somehow... it is yours to do," I replied with a kinky face.

"Ooh, no. I know that face!"

"What face?

"A face that you do, when you want me to do something that I might not want to do!"

"What are you talking about, this is my normal face."

"Okay, let's prove!" he pulled the piece of paper to his side, and he stared at it for a moment.

"Are these... are these things to buy?!" with a confused face.

"That is a list of things we're running short in the house." I moved closer to his side.

"Come on, babe! We already talked about this, it's a vacation stay. Not a moving in, stay."

"I know, I know. But, babe most of the things written are food and some extra things to keep us going for these few days of our stay!" placing my hand on his shoulder.

"But, I thought my company is already paying for this apartment, the food, Jazzy and Archie's online class subscriptions, and some other things!" he sounded disturbed.

"Babe, look... I know this is a fully paid vacation. But you can't be serious about only relying on the food we eat every day."

He exhales...

I grabbed a chair and sat next to him, "look, I'm not saying it is a must to do. But, remember today is the day Amelie is coming here. She deserves a little bit of difference!" I tried to convince him.

He looked at me for a while. And after some seconds, he smiled...

"Okay, fine. I'll go and buy these things, you won."

"Aw! Babe, don't say I won... we won." I stood up and left my room.

"It doesn't seem like it!" he whispered.

Ooh, and there's something else I forgot to mention... I'm a bad wife!

*****************

A few moments later, I saw Kian leaving the house. I was still in the room and observing from the window.

"Za asubuhi?" Kian heard a man from a distance. He turned his head to see who it was.

"Excuse me?" Kian was not familiar with what was said by the man.

Moving towards him was a black man, our neighbor. He lived in those apartments too, and he wasn't around when we got there, until that day!

"Good morning?" the man clarified in a common language. "Za asubuhi is a Swahili greeting that goes by good morning!" he added.

"Ooh... yeah, good morning." With a cheerful face, Kian responded.

"I'm sorry anyway. I heard there were neighbors here, and I thought..."

"We were blacks?" Kian finished the sentence.

"Yes!"

"Well, we're just whites from America. No big deal!"

"Anyway, I'm Yousef Puckett. And you are?"

"Kian Edwards!" while shaking Yousef's hand.

"Well, it is a pleasure to finally meet my neighbor."

"A temporary neighbor!" Kian corrected him.

"Ooh, you're not staying?"

"I wish I could. But, I'm here for vacation."

"That's nice. I mean, I've never seen a classy man like you visiting Africa for his vacation!" Yousef wondered.

"Honestly, it has been my dream to visit Africa. And more importantly, a visit with my family." Kian explained.

"You are with family?"

"Yes. I'm a married man, with three kids!"

"Wow! I think I'm the only one left out..." Yousef kept on wondering.

"Don't tell me you're still single!"

"I am. And I don't know why I'm not getting married. I mean, who doesn't need a wife..."

"Who?" Kian helped to wonder.

"Or a husband in my case!" Yousef spilled the beans.

"You're gay?" It was now Kian's time to wonder.

"Yes... I mean, I'm sorry if it offends you. But, yes I am!" Yousef clarified.

"Okay, I guess you've something to figure out for the day." Kian cut short the conversation.

"Yeah, I guess!"

"Well, see you later. And have a good day." Kian began walking away.

"Uwe na siku njema pia," Yousef replied.

"Huh?!" Kian was confused.

"I mean, have a good day too!"

"Ooh!" Kian went on to his car and left, leaving Yousef staring as he fades away.

***************

Since we got here, Kian's timetable has always been the same. Waking up, reading some news, taking breakfast, go out to make some new friends, and thereafter he returns home for dinner and goes to bed!

Today was different, he had something else to do while he was out!

***************

Meanwhile, at the Mall.

Kian had a shopping basket with him. Walking through the corridors surrounded by shelves all around. He took the list out of his pocket, and he once again gazed on it for a while...

"Vacation shopping, huh?" He whispered to himself. And suddenly, his phone rang!

He placed the shopping basket on the floor and reached out to his phone, to see who was calling. He smiled after seeing the caller's name.

He answered the call and, "If it isn't Trevon the forgetful!" he said.

"What, why?" the caller responded.

"Ooh, it's because you promised to call every day. But here you are, calling three days later, after your last call!" Kian complained.

"So, I'm the bad guy here? I mean, you could've called if you needed someone to talk to!"

"Blah, blah, blah... just kidding." While rolling his eyes.

"And that's my best friend!" Trevon responded.

"How have you been holding up?" Kian asked.

"Well, on my side I'm okay. But I don't think if it'll last long." Trevon sounded doubtful.

"Why?"

"Well, one is because I miss you guys so much. And two... well, since you left, things are not quite the same!"

"What do you mean things are not the same?" Kian wondered.

"I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but I think there's something bad going on out there!" Trevon sounded frightened.

"Okay. Do you care to explain?" Kian was concerned.

"Look, I'm glad I heard your voice, but I have to go. I'll call you as soon as I get a chance!"

"No, no... wait, you haven't explained..." Kian got interrupted by the beeping sound.

"Hello, hello, Trevon..." Trevon had already disconnected the call.

"Jeez, that was intense!" Kian kept on wondering!

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