Hubert and I - Episode Eight

The early morning sun peeped through the curtain that had blinded the balcony door while caressing the right hand side of my cheeks. Hubert lied on the coach with his head on my lap and while he faced the ceiling, he energetically narrated to me about his life experience living abroad.  Hubert had spent part of his life abroad, however; he was deeply rooted to his roots and culture. “I just love Kenya, don’t you?” he had said. I sat there smiling and thinking about how much he had loved life and appreciated every single bit.

Suddenly, there was a beep on his pager, a ring on his phone and I anticipated that the room would be invaded in no time. The phone had not stopped ringing until finally he answered and from the other end I could hear a male voice urging him to head back. Handing him his over coat, Hubert stood from the coach and as he wore his over coat, I walked him to the main door.  “You had said 2pm right? The time you are traveling back home.” Said he as he opened the main door that led to the corridor, we were met with his body guard who had stood right at the main entrance door waiting for him. Hubert turned towards me and before I could speak he had put his arms around me and whispered something in my ear making sure his body guard did not get a word. He then gently kissed the left hand side of my cheek and walked away followed by his body guard.

I watched him walk away and I realized how fond I had become of him. He was so simple and very easy to get along with that it felt like dealing with an ordinary citizen as opposed to dealing with one in power. He made me forget who he really was whenever I was with him. Walking back into my room, I heard Sam’s voice calling out my name. “Hanna! Hanna! Hanna! ‘I paused, then stepped back out again. Sam who was half running and half walking, appeared like she had seen a ghost. “Hanna! Guess who I just met walking down the corridor?” “Hubert” I said. “Yeah!, how did you know?” “Well, he was here.”  “Here! In your room!”  Surprised, Sam walked into my room and pleaded for details her face had this queer look. Closing the entrance door I walked in right behind her as I tried to fill her in on the previous night events. She was cutting me on every word I spoke making it very difficult for me to narrate the saga that had unfolded.  Shocked by the details, Sam picked the receiver and dialed Alana’s room and in no time Alana and Alex were tramping into my room giggling and all smiles. “Ladies, believe me nothing happened, we were consumed in our talks that we hardly realized it was getting late in to the night and finally it dawned” “Oh really!” teased Alex as they all giggled and laughed. It took several hours of narrating and re narrating as they all interrogated to check whether my story conformed to what I had said previously. “I actually heard commotions last night but I was too tired so I just slept “Actually it all started when I had assumed that it was you Sam knocking on my door, I didn’t know that I was letting Hubert in.” The sight of my friends smiling and giggling made me realize that trying to convince them that nothing happened was a waste of time.  

The cab driver arrived fifteen minutes earlier than the proposed time . We packed our stuff in a rush to avoid keeping him waiting. Lost in conversations, we had hardly checked the time. The drive to the airport took longer than normal as the traffic jam was heavier than usual. We arrived at the airport half an hour to departure. Successfully, we checked in, made through the waiting lounge and with sighs of relief we took to seat.  A lady’s voice could be heard projecting from the speakers announcing departure time, delayed flights and airport announcements. The normal busy announcements that goes on at the airport followed by people walking to board the plane or disappointed faces of those who had  delayed flights and from the glass view, were  those who had just landed walking in to the baggage area.

Suddenly, came the announcement we were waiting for, it was our time to board the flight. It was finally time to go back home to our normal routine. Carrying our luggage, we walked into the plane, placed our luggage in the compartments, buckled up and we were ready to go. Alex and I had occupied the same row seats while Sam was seated with Alana few rows behind us.  I felt a sudden feeling of sadness overcome me realizing that I was traveling away from the town that had held lovely memories.  Looking outside the window, I prepared myself for take-off. I had always feared the take-off and the landing part of the plane. I suddenly realized how much I had missed home and that gladdened my heart. 

Unexpectedly, there was an announcement and all were informed that there would be a slight delay. Agitated passengers were murmuring their disappointments and their discontentment in the airline service. Sounds of grumbling and clicking had filled the atmosphere. “Kenyans really love to complain” I said to Alex and with a smile I slide down on my seat and comfortably closed my eyes. Gently, five men dressed in casual wear walked in the plane, checked the baggage compartments, under the seat areas, the washrooms and walked away. They had gone round the plane inspecting and checking for what we all could not figure out. Everyone watched in fear not knowing what to expect next. Had someone boarded the plane with a bomb? Was it drugs? Everyone in the plane questioned. The flight attendants who had been summoned outside walked back in and came by each passenger to assure each one that all was well and that it was just one of those random called for inspections. Passengers were asked to settle down and buckle up. The announcement came on again and the voice apologized for the delay and that we would be taking off in five minutes time. The flight attendants gave the regular safety instructions for traveling and walked back to their cabin however, one approached our seat and spoke softly and gently to Alex. She then whispered something to the passenger who had occupied the seat adjacent to Alex. The two had walked as meek as lambs following the flight attendant. “Alex!” I called, when she signaled that all was well. Two airplane pilots walked in smartly dressed in their black pilot suit, pilot black hat and sliver reflecting sunglasses.  As everyone watched one took Alex’s seat and the other one took the seat adjacent to Alex.  Confused and rather irritated I was not able to understand why the flight attendant picked on my friend’s seat to give it to some strange pilot.  

Speeding through the runway ready for take-off , the plane wobbled due to the roughness of the terrain,    I could feel my heart sinking down to my stomach. I quickly closed my eyes and clasped my hands tightly together.  Where was Alex when I needed her to hold my hands? I had thought. “Don’t be scared, I got you!” whispered a male voice. The sound of the male voice made me feel at ease.  I felt a masculine hand gently placed onto my clasped hands as we suddenly went up horizontally then vertically to a stable position. Opening my eyes, I saw him leaning very close to me smiling. “At least now I know one of the things that terrify you,” he said smiling as he looked at me from the top part of his sun glasses Hubert had disguised himself as a pilot. I was filled with mixed emotions not knowing whether to be excited or frightened. “How do I look?” he teased. He asked that I should act composed and converse normally as not to attract attention. “You know that what you are doing is dangerous.” I said. He winked from the top part of his sunglasses picked a magazine from the seat pocket and began perusing through. I was very uncomfortable and I kept looking back and forth just to ascertain that nobody had noticed his presence. I was surprised to observe everyone busy with their own stuff.  “How did you manage to get in disguised? Do you want to tell me they all don’t know who you are?’ I asked in a low tone almost whispering. “Just the pilot and the head flight attendant know, the rest were told that I am a VIP pilot traveling in from South Africa” He said looking back at his magazine. It felt like he was enjoying torturing me. He was really feeling good in his disguised look to a point that he had assumed the role of a pilot. 

“Hanna, I would like to see you again but not this way, disguised and all” he had said. “Am traveling to China next week for a business trip and before I do I would like to see you” “Are you asking me out on a date?” I jokingly whispered back as I concentrated on the small screen that was ahead of me. “Uuum, if you call it so then yes, yes I am asking” He was leaning towards me adjusting his sunglasses to have a better look at me. I reminded him that he was traveling as a VIP pilot who did not know me. Smiling, because of the effect I had on him I agreed to see him again. Like a warrior who had worn a battle he reclined back to his seat wearing a victorious smile. There was an announcement that the flight would be landing in the next fifteen minutes. The flight had started descending causing my tummy to make knots on the inside. My heart started racing as I quickly shut my eyes and clasped my hands together. Hubert took my left hand in his and held it firmly as he rubbed it with the other hand. The plane tires hit the ground with a strong thud wheeling through the terrain to a sudden halt. “You are home” he said. 

Hubert had urged me to stay behind. I had sent a text message to Alex earlier and she was to make sure that Sam and Alana would not sell out Hubert’s disguise. The girls were better actors than I had thought.  Soon the plane had only three people in it. The other pilot Hubert and I. “Hanna, I will be flying back with Jerry, he is my trusted friend and bodyguard.”  Jerry had now become a familiar face. I could tell from the look on his face that Jerry did not like the risks that Hubert was taking.  I could now understand clearly why Jerry had been harsh and unfriendly.  Jerry had a big task of protecting Hubert in that if anything were to happen to him he would be held liable. “The plane will be traveling back with just the two of you?” I asked. “Yes that is what Jerry proposed he says he can’t guarantee my safety if we have to carry another lot of passengers” He said as he smiled. “It will cost you?’ I said to him and acting like it wasn’t a big deal he removed his hat and his sun glasses placed them on the adjacent seat. “The coast is clear I can now be myself” he said studying my face from my hairline down to my neck.  “Come let me see you off am sure your friends would be wondering where you are?” he joked as he led me by the hand to exit door with my luggage on his other hand. “Hanna, Jerry will look for you and bring you to where I will be on Friday 10am.” Without thinking clearly I had accepted his invite. “Sir, No going out of the plane.” Said Jerry as a reminder to his boss not to get carried away by being a gentleman. We both smiled and whispered to each other how strict we thought Jerry was. I took my trolley luggage from Hubert, hugged him and walked down the staircase.  “Hanna, don’t be scared I got you!” said he and I looked back up to face him as he waved.

Hubert and I- Episode Seven

Hubert and I- Episode Seven

Watching Hubert walk past the crowd and into the foggy night, I tried so hard to be strong but my faint heart gave me away. Sam who was quick to observe poured more wine into my plastic cup which I held firmly.  Alana kept going on and on about how she admired Hubert, from his manners, humility and stylish presence.  He had sat with us for more than three hours but it appeared like he was only there for half an hour and no one had acknowledged his presence.  He had been as discrete as not to attract attention. All that was left behind of him was his scent and the memory of the dance. The scene had played over and over again in my head and the thought brought tears to my eyes. Why did I have to feel this way about a man who appeared more like a shadow than reality? I observed with a heavy heart as people danced in pairs, conversed deeply and moved up and about. I could not take it anymore and it was at that point that my friends and I decided to call it a night. We headed back to the hotel where were staying. We had the night to spend and the following day we were traveling back to our home town, back to our busy schedules. I knew I had to pack my heavy heart alongside my luggage. 

Arriving back at the hotel, we noticed that it was about nine thirty in the night. Due to the cold weather, we had much to drink without realizing it. The girls were in very high spirits and that helped to take my mind off him. The hotel where we were staying at had a disco club and we could hear the sound of music from a distance. “I think we should head right there and dance the night away,” suggested Alex. Without much consideration the entire group moved towards the music, dancing along to the song that could be heard from the hallway.  There was a butler dressed in a three piece suit at the disco’s entrance door opened the door for us and directed us as to where we would go. Down the lit staircase we walked towards the lounge, observing well dressed up, and countable number of people. The room was dark and very cozy with dim lights. The lounge had white seats with black tables. On one side was the black counter bar with red high seats.   The dance floor had been occupied by few guests who appeared to be having a lot of fun, enjoying the music that was being mixed by the disc jockey.  We spotted a dark corner with cozy seats and opted to take that spot as we did not want much attention being noisy. A smartly dressed gentleman approached our table and introduced himself as the waiter for the night. He took our orders and disappeared behind the counter. Sam had jumped to the dance floor when she heard her favorite song playing. She danced while urging us to join her. Alana could not resist the temptation any longer as the disc jockey had mixed two songs that had moved her to the dance floor. Alex and I remained seated as we waited for the waiter to bring our orders. There was a buzzing sound coming from one of our hand bags and Alex spotted the sound to have been coming from Sam’s bag.  We signaled Sam to come and answer her phone. Sam grabbed the phone and dashed to the washroom where it was more convenient to receive the call as the music in the room was very loud. She came back with a smile. “That was my little girl; she wanted to know when I was coming home.” “I told her tomorrow, maybe.” And we all laughed. Being away from the normal gave us a relief. It was a time to relax and rejuvenate ourselves. Sam went back to the dance floor and Alex and I were left behind smiling and chatting on how much fun we were all having. Sadly, the following day we had to check out from the hotel and travel back

.

Retiring back to our respective rooms, after a couple of dances and consuming more wine we did not realize how noisy we had been, walking past several aisles until one staff mentioned jokingly to us. We tried to tip toe as a way of not making much noise which only made it worse as some of us fell causing an outburst of laughter. Alana got into her room first followed by Sam then Alex and finally I got into mine.  I had jumped straight into the shower and hardly had I turned on the shower when I heard a tap my door. “Sam, please come later am in the shower,” I shouted on top of my voice. Being under the influence of alcohol it had never occurred to me that I was actually loud and disrupting other peoples peace. The tap on the door came again after about three minutes.  Offended at Sam’s nuisance I stepped out from the shower and walked towards my door cursing at Sam. From the side of the wall I opened the door and ran back to the shower. “Will you close the door behind you Sam? Thank you” Sam did not respond back but I heard the sound of the door being locked. I took my time in the bathroom and tried to converse Sam but she never responded. The room was big and it was evident that she had not heard what I had said. I dried myself up in the bathroom, picked the fresh, clean rob that hanged on the wall and went out to meet Sam. She must have dozed off on my bed I had thought since she had much to drink. I walked into the room and my bed had not been occupied. The lights had not been switched on neither. My heart started racing and my blood froze in my veins. I felt a cold chill run down my spine as I recalled about opening the door with the assumption that it was Sam. I then realized that the person I had let into the room had not spoken from the time they got in. I started to shiver as I turned from one end of the room to the other trying to make out who was in my room. I quickly noticed that there was a cold, freezing wind that was blowing in from the balcony. My legs would not carry me to the switch neither to the door. I stood there in panic and with a quivering voice I called out “Sam, Sam are you there?” There was no response from Sam and it was then that I realized I had to run. 

Flipped curtains, revealed man’s shoes and they were walking passed the drapes that blinded the balcony door towards me. I began to scream as I ran towards the entrance door. Struggling to open the entrance door I could hear the foot steps behind me getting closer and closer, whoever it was, was rushing to get me. My hands trembled as they tried to unlock the hard wooden door. In that very moment my feet were swung up in the air being grabbed from behind and my mouth covered. I struggled in the hold of the stranger’s hands and threw a few elbow punches. “Hanna, would you stop fighting?  It is me I don’t want to hurt you.” “I am so sorry I did not mean to scare you.” Relaxing slowly in his hold I didn’t know whether to be relieved or be angry.  “What are you doing here?” “How did you find me?”  I spoke back trying to catch my breath. Slowly I turned to face him and found him groaning in pain from the punch I had given him with my elbow. “Don’t ever do that again, damn you? “ He nodded as he tried to get upright from curling in pain. I supported him and led him to the nearest couch and I really apologized for the punches I threw. He busted out in laughter and as he laughed he held on to his ribs which he claimed were hurting. “I must have thrown very hard elbow punches.” “Damn Hanna, you are very strong.” Hubert joked and all this time I was still trembling when he quickly noticed and thinking it was due to the chilled wind that was coming in through the balcony door, He quickly stood up to close it and walked back still holding on to his right ribs. He removed his grey over coat that he had worn and placed it over my shoulders. I sat next to him in silence not fully recovered from the incident that had just happened. “Hanna, I must confess that I had my men follow you and they were the ones who leaked to me where you were.” “Blankets and wine, did you have them follow me as well?” I asked. “How did you know I would be there?” “Blankets and Wine, I had not sent any of my guys, I just happened to be there and actually it was my body guard who had recognized you?” “Which one?” I asked and we both busted out in laughter. The said bodyguard was the one who had given me a hard time during my first encounter with Hubert. “I thought he hated me?” “All those sharp glances he had given me.” We both laughed as we recapped on our first encounter. 

Frightened by the knock on the door, I looked at the door and then back at Hubert. He assured me that nothing was going to harm me and that I should just go ahead and get the door. Nervously, I walked towards the door and as I approached the door I inquired as to who it was from the back of the door. One of the attendants had come to check on me as he had received some information regarding the room which I had occupied. “Is everything okay Ma’am?” “Yes I am, I thought I had seen a rat but it was my imagination” I lied from behind the door. “Okay Ma’am if you need anything at all do not hesitate to call the reception desk” “I will do just that, thank you very much” with a sigh of relief I walked back to the couch that I had occupied with Hubert. “You are a terrible liar, do you know that?” he teased. I smiled nodding back at him and we both laughed at my response to the attendant.  “When do you travel back?” Hubert had asked “Today, later in the day, uum at 2pm.” Hubert quickly checked his watch. He had not realized how much time had flown.

Hubert and I- Episode Six

Hubert and I - Episode Six

Days had passed; weeks went by and even months, there was no word from Hubert. I had been tempted several times to pick the handset and call Hubert but my pride would not let me.  I diverted all my energy to working on small projects which I had brought to completion.  I had wanted to believe that I would get over Hubert and focus on what was important in my life but the more I struggled to forget him the more his memory lingered in my mind. “What was it about Hubert that made it hard for me to forget him?” I thought to myself. This man had entered my system like poison. It was spreading faster in all parts of my body and I would soon be consumed.  I prayed for the feeling to go away but every day I woke up it was still there. It was like flames that had refused to be put off no matter the amount of water poured.

Every year, on the month of June, my friends and I would celebrate our friendship. During that month we would normally pick an event attend to or a place to tour. We would use that moment to recap, talk, laugh and have fun. No matter how busy our schedules were, June was a special month for us. Nairobi was our next destination and the event we were attending was blankets and wine.

It was on a sunny, warm and windy afternoon in June when Sam, Alex, Alana and I had decided to attend the blankets and wine event. It had been a long time being apart as most of us had been busy with work or family. Our favorite musician was performing at the blankets and wine and we were all excited and eager to attend. Interesting activities went on at the event and you would expect to see several activities happening, from ladies latest fashion, latest and interesting hairs dos, different artists and people who would make the day fun.  Arriving at the venue, we walked passed colorfully dressed men and women. The ground was occupied with people moving up and down trying to either get their way to the refreshments stalls, or mingling with their networks.  At the back ground we could hear the sound of jazz music and the grass was full of colorful blankets from wine red to crimson. We found a strategic spot and placed our blankets, baskets and drinks ready to get entertained and have fun. Sam unpacked the basket and poured for each one of us wine in disposable plastic cups. Hardly had we relaxed to sip our wine when there was an announcement made. Aloe Blacc was getting on to the stage in about five minutes.

Guys had started moving slowly towards the stage to get a better view of the singer.  No sooner had we moved from the blanket we were occupying when Aloe was on the microphone doing his first song titled “wake me up”.  “Guys its best we just watch from where we are, its safe here.” Suggested Alex being the lazy one in the group. We all laughed but agreed to her idea.  We chatted, laughed, sipped wine and made noise as we enjoyed music and the scenery. 

There was a gentle tap on the back of my shoulder followed by a look of surprise from my friends. Hurriedly, I turned to see a figure of a tall man dressed in navy blue T-shirt, ocean blue jeans and an army green flat cap. His feet were covered in dark brown loafers.  I could barely see his face as the rays from the sun were distracting my view. I had to shade my eyes with the back of my hands to see the face. He extended his hand as a sign of a hand shake gesture and when I placed my hand in his, he helped me to my feet. I was filled with mixed emotions as whether to believe or not to believe that I could actually see him again. As I stood up there he was smiling at me with his wide opened eyes.  My feet became jelly as I tried hard to control myself. I smiled back. “Hey Hanna!” greeted Hubert, “good to see you again!” “Good to see you again too Hubert” I responded back finding myself in his embrace. As he let go I could feel my legs losing balance and before I fell and embarrassed myself I held on to his hand. “Excuse my manners ladies, good evening?” Hubert greeted my friends in his deep husky voice “Good evening Hubert, “the ladies responded in unison. Hubert had disguised himself and in the midst of that commotion no one paid attention as to who he really was. “Ladies may I join you?” “Yes you may!” shouted Alana who had started getting high on wine. Hubert, as if knowing that my feet had been paralyzed by his embrace helped me to the blanket then sat right beside me.

I had been distracted most of the evening wondering how Hubert had found me. Thinking about how he had managed to notice me in the midst of that great crowd? Had he appointed someone to track me? Was it fate that had made us meet again? All these thoughts pondered in my head as we sat there side by side.  The skies were darkening up and temperatures were going down. There was a local band that was playing very good music and in the midst of the noisy crowd one would not fail to appreciate their talent. The ground was very well lit and there were security men all over guarding the place.

Suddenly, there was strumming from the lead guitar, tunes from the keyboard, in came the bass guitar, followed by the drums and a lady’s voice projecting to  the words of the song Unajua by Gilad and Wendy Kimani, that Hubert sung along as he faced me. “Sema, Mpenzi how  been? Unaendelea aje? Ama ni aje (Yeah). Sema, Mpenzi how you been? Umepotelea wapi? Umefanya nini? na nani?” He sung and in that very moment he stood up from where we were seated and helped me up to my feet. “May I have this dance Hanna?” Hubert requested and before I could respond to his request I was already in his arms swinging side by side to the rhythm. As we danced, Hubert sung every single word of that song to me. It was like a teenage boy trying to win the heart of his first love. ‘You dance very well” I complimented. “I took dance classes when I was in abroad, and am glad I did because I can now use the steps to win you over.” Hubert looked deep into my eyes and held on to my gaze as the song slowly faded and finally came to an end. There were applause and ululations from my friends and those who had sat close by us. As I fought to hide my blushing face, it was very evident that this man had made an impact on me. Hubert had received a signal from one of his guys and I knew right there that he had to leave again. My heart fainted at the thought of never seeing him again. “Ladies, I beg to leave and I must admit that I had a very wonderful time with you all.” Hubert then turned his face towards me, our hands clasped together, he looked straight into my eyes and in that moment our hearts communicated words that no one could hear or understand.  “I have to go Hanna.”