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.”