“Good morning, Mister Srini.” Srini woke up with a start and his eyes were blinded by the sunlight streaming in. Amani had come to wake him up. It was getting late in the morning, the big old fashioned grandfather clock in her room had just struck 10 o’clock and Srini had overslept. Amani and her family had waited patiently for him to join them at breakfast, then relented and went ahead. The younger son, then the older son and then Kiano and his sister all had taken turns to come by and see if he was awake. They had gone back without disturbing him. The older son set off for his work. Finally, Amani decided it was time to check if he was OK. The taxi driver was due in about half an hour. She wanted to call him off, if Srini was not well.
“Oh! What happened? I slept in late?”
“Yes!” said Amani smiling.
“How late is it?”
“It is just past 10 o’clock.”
Srini recovered his wits as he lay there.
“Give me five minutes! I will be ready. The taxi should be arriving soon!” he exclaimed.
“Are you feeling well, Srini? If not, we can call off the taxi,” said Amani gently.
“I am feeling fine. I just slept deeply and long. I will be up in a minute,” he said.
“I’ll see you soon. Breakfast will be waiting for you!” Amani left the room.
Srini, got up, made his bed, brushed his teeth, washed his face, groomed his hair and changed into proper daytime clothes and walked over to Amani’s kitchen. He was there within 10 minutes. A hot breakfast was waiting for him. He ate quickly and drank his tea as Amani joined him. Just as he finished, Kiano ran in announcing the arrival of the taxi.
Amani had packed a bag. Her younger son was ready too. Srini went over to get his bag and wallet. They all set out for a day to catch the sights and sounds of Nairobi.
It was a fun day. They saw things at a leisurely pace. Kiano and Amani explained things and acted as translators. Srini had the best guides he could have hoped for. Srini got to try out the local cuisine, see locals dance at a club, sing along. He bought a few small souvenirs that he could pack and take back to his family. He bought a few gifts for Makena and Amani’s family as well as the taxi driver. Srini paid and tipped him well. They were out into the night and returned past 11 o’clock. It was straight to bed for everyone. Kiano had school to attend next morning. Srini too felt pleasantly tired and was soon off in dreamland. This time the dreams were a pleasant mix of the things he had seen that day. It was like a kaleidoscope of memories and imagination.
Next morning, Srini woke up early by himself. He heard the sounds of Amani, her sons and daughter-in-law up and getting ready for the day. Soon Kiano was all ready to go off to school. He came to bid goodbye to Srini. Srini had told him, he would be leaving to go back to his hotel, prepare and plan to fly out to Europe the next day, in the evening. He wanted to spend the rest of the day at a computer in the hotel, writing to his family and friends and calling people he hoped to meet ahead of arriving in Europe.
After breakfast, Srini bid goodbye to Amani’s family. She offered to walk up with him to the hotel. She said she could do some shopping on the way back. Amani and Srini set out, carrying his luggage between them. It was a nice, leisurely long walk. They set down his bags at the hotel, sat down to have a drink. It was getting close to lunch and Srini invited her to stay and have lunch with him.
They sat down, chatting and lunch was served. After they were finished eating, they had a little drink.
It was about 2 o’clock, when Amani stood up, facing Srini.
“Srini, I must go now. I am glad that we met. I know it may not be likely that we meet again, but you have a friend in me now – a friend for the rest of your life. Take care, my friend. Write to me when you go back to your home and kids.”
She came up to where Srini was standing, looking at her with a tender smile on his face. She gave him a bear hug. He returned her embrace, realising that she was generous in both her spirit and size. She was looking into his eyes as they held each other. He moved his face close to hers and kissed her on the cheek softly. She pulled his head down and kissed him on the forehead.
Srini walked over to his luggage and brought out a tiny package that he had brought from India. He gave it to her.
He walked with her to the exit of his hotel, out on the street. He saw her walk away, stop after a while, turn towards him and wave goodbye. He waved to her too. He waited until she was out of sight. Slowly, he walked back to the hotel room and got busy on his computer, sending messages all over the world, many to Europe ahead of his trip there. There were a few special friends he had planned to visit and look up. He sent pictures of his visit to Nairobi and Dubai to family in India, Rohan and Anita. He was flying in to Frankfurt. One of Srini’s cousins would be there to receive him. Srini worked late into the night having a light dinner served in his room and then went to sleep at the hotel. It was comfortable. He woke up early next morning and went for a walk in the park nearby. He passed by the bench where he had sat and met Amani. It was all quiet on a weekday morning. There were few people at the park then. Srini walked back to his hotel and packed his bags. He settled his accounts at the reception and waited to be picked up by the friendly taxi driver who had brought him there. They drove back to the airport. Soon Srini was up in the sky after an early dinner at the airport waiting lounge. He reclined his seat and lay back.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved
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