Hubert and I-Episode Ten

Hubert gently handed back the guitar to Guillermo who nodded with enthusiasm as Don Mateo applauded him and gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek like he would his own son. Cheerfully, like a small boy Hubert took his sit opposite mine with a huge grin on his face. “That was beautiful Hubert, very beautiful.” I complimented. Happily, Hubert began to translate the words of the lyrics of the song he had sung for me in English as the gentlemen walked back to the hotel lounge.  “I'm on my knees begging you, moon don't leave, Light up the night, and this heart, disappointed at times mistreated, Crazy to kiss your lips without nothing left inside of me, telling you everything.” The words drew cold shivers down my spine. They awoke feelings that had been buried for years inside me and as we sat next to the beach, surrounded by lantern lamps and the full moon brightly facing us, with the beach sand sparkling in the dark, nothing else mattered. Suddenly, it felt as though everything else had shut and it was just the two of us in the entire stage called universe.

As the night went by, the only sound that could be heard on that quiet island was Hubert’s voice, my hearty laughter and the soft Latin music that played in the background.  One of Don Mateo’s staff came by to clear the table and being so consumed in our conversation we hardly noticed him. It was evident that the wine had got the best of us from the way we laughed and joked around. Hubert had danced several times to the Latin tunes and to some songs he had pulled me up to dance with him. We drank, danced, talked, laughed and drank some more until the skies were no longer pitch dark but now grayish. The morning sun was looking for its way out of the clouds when we decided that we needed to go sleep. We staggered along the footpath as we tried to trace our way to the suite. Hubert would remind me on several occasions to lower my voice but his gesture would make more noise that would cause us to laugh out the most. Finally, we managed to get to my suite after a long struggle to maintain balance. Hubert opened the door to let me in and as I tried to detach myself from his support, I fell right back in his arms. Supporting himself on a pillar, Hubert held me as we both laughed and reminded each other to be quiet.  He gently supported me into the suite as we staggered and struggled and finally with a thud we fell on the six by six bed that had been neatly spread.

I woke up a few hours later with the urge to go to the bathroom when I found myself wrapped in Hubert’s arms. He was very much asleep and as I lifted his weighty arms from me, he rolled over and went back to sleep. Carefully, not to make any sound I found my way to the bathroom. Walking back from the bathroom, I met Hubert leaning on the glass partition that separated the hallway from the bedroom. “Hi, where had you disappeared to?” “Hi” I greeted then paused. He walked toward me and gently placed his hands around my waist as he drew me closer to him. Desire burned in his eyes and there was fire in his gaze as he looked deep into mine. As if studying my mouth, he ran his eyes down to my lips staring at them for a moment. Slowly and calculatedly, he studied my entire face before he slowly moved his head down and gently rubbed his lips on the corner of my mouth. Impatiently, I moved closer, my lips eagerly seeking his. He then kissed me passionately expressing all that he had as I powerlessly reciprocated. Swiftly, he lifted me off the ground into his arms and carried me to the bed. Gently, he laid me down as he kissed me tenderly on my lips and progressively moved to my neck then to my ears. “Don’t you ever disappear from me again” He whispered as he slipped his fingers under my dress and reached for my body, with his hands skimming over my hips and letting his fingers run through the curves. He lifted my body into a seating position and placed it on his lap, securing it, caressing it and teasing it, tossing me back and forth as His lips eagerly seeking mine. I flipped his shirt open revealing his bare chest and pressed myself on it. As my whole body became weak in his embrace, he loved me with his entire might making our bodies sweat profusely.

The touch on the front door woke me up from a deep slumber only to find myself alone and covered in white duvet. Covering myself with the duvet, I stepped down from the bed and tried to find my white linen dress. I was yet to fully wake up and realize where I was and what had happened. In confusion I walked to the front door only to meet with Hubert who was trying to balance a tray filled with delicacies while trying to get the door. “Sorry I woke you up; I guess I will have to work on my skills of being a waiter” “I will get that for you” I responded as I went for the door. “You shouldn’t have gone through all that trouble Hubert’, “Trouble? No way, I was so hungry, I think trouble went through me” he replied laughing as he placed the tray on the coffee table. It was around four o’clock in the evening and indeed my stomach had started making noises.

Don Mateo had set up a born fire that evening and along with other few international guests we had sat on logs along the bonfire. There was buffet table which had been set on one side containing Spanish   food, cheese, grapes, olives, nuts and meat. A barrel serving as a cooler box containing beer had been placed next to the fire place for self-serving. Don Mateo played his acoustic guitar as he sung and narrated beautiful Spanish love stories. One of Conchita and Diego’s got my attention a bitter sweet love affair which had a happy ending. We were a gathering of about fifteen people, mostly were couples in their mid-fifties or about early sixties. One or two couples had come along with their children the rest I observed were alone. Hubert, sitting close beside me holding his beer on one hand and the other hand resting on my thigh had been quiet the entire evening though his soul communicated with mine on a much deeper level. He had served a meal that we both shared as we were still filled up from the tray he had brought in earlier that evening. The buffet table was being cleared as more beer was being filled in the cooler barrel. Some of the attendants came by carrying a white and black portable dance floor and mounted it on the beach sand. They brought in two large speakers and a system for playing music and assembled them closer to where we were seated. In no time the music was playing and the floor was already filled up with couples who were hungry for music and a dance. “Dance with me Hubert, today I want you to dance with me”, I urged as I took him by the hand and led him to the dance floor, his beer bottle clasped in one hand.  Still unsure what to do, he stood on the platform right in front of me sipping his beer and staring at me with a smile on his face. As I moved my body to the rhythm of the song I called out to him “Dance with me Hubert, Dance with me” He paused for about thirty seconds just staring at me before he downed  the rest of the beer and threw the bottle on to the beach sand. Fixing his eyes to mine he turned elegantly, swaying and moving his body, in tune with the slow music yet there was some kind of harshness in eyes more like telling me I shouldn’t underestimate him. I was up for the challenge and I didn’t seem to care at that moment as I teased him the more with my body. The closer we got to each other the more the warmth built up between us. Our dance was perfect, our heart beat, and our feet movement was flowing in the same rhythm. By the end of the dance my breath was taken away and I understood why. Laughing he pulled me close and held me in his embrace as the group of men and women surrounding us applauded.

It was a warm and quiet Sunday morning when Jerry arrived at the Funzi Island having been picked by Guillermo. Jerry had a duty to brief Hubert on the current issues and the plan for the week ahead. He was also my ride back home. Hubert woke up beside me to answer his cellphone and signaled that Jerry had already arrived. He quickly wore his shorts and slipped into his t-shirt and flip-flops and dashed to meet Jerry. The two had a lot of catching up to do which gave me enough time to get ready. I packed my luggage and got myself ready and went to the hotel lobby to check if I could have some breakfast.  I met Don Mateo attending to some of his guests and when he saw me he excitedly came towards me his arms stretched wide.  “Buenos dias mi querido” greeted Don Mateo. “Buenos dias Don Mateo, cómo estás?” I greeted as I hugged him back. Don Mateo walked me to an available table and called out to his staff to attend to me. “Breakfast is a la carte today, so you order what you want and it will be served, okay” spoke Don Mateo in a Spanish accent. I nodded with a smile as I gave my order to the staff attendant.  The other guests, who had occupied several tables around mine, were receiving their orders too. In fifteen minutes time, my English breakfast was ready and served.  The tray contained a pot of coffee, two sausages, bacon, Spanish omelet and baked beans. Along came watermelon juice, two slices of pawpaw with a bowl of green grapes. “Can I join you said a voice from behind me”, as I turned to check who it was I saw Jerry standing alongside Hubert. Jerry was now very casual, warm, and friendly toward me. “Sure why not” I answered as the two gentlemen pulled seats right next to mine. As we waited for the attendant to take Jerry’s and Hubert’s order, the two gentlemen fed from my tray while we conversed and bonded.   

Hubert and I- Episode Nine

It was about five o’clock in the evening when I arrived at my apartment.  It was a warm, quiet, Sunday evening and the silence was too loud.  I went and fixed myself a sandwich, grabbed a cup of coffee and proceeded with unpacking my luggage. Reminiscing about the weekend and the events that had unfolded I laid on my bed all smiles. I woke up the following morning feeling more refreshed, energized and ready to face the week ahead.  Arriving at my work station that Monday morning, I found my desk loaded with files and documentation that needed to be sorted. The holiday had given me a new spirit to handle any tasks that would impend. I sat down cleared my work station and arranged my day’s activity. Hardly, had I done much when I noticed how  time had flown as I worked from one document to another.

Amazingly, the week flew faster than I expected. Seated at my workstation, I received a call from my landline. The security guard informed me that there was a gentleman who was requesting to see me. I asked the guard to allow the gentleman to come up to the office. As I was attending to one of my fellow colleagues, I saw that she was staring at the entrance door trying to signal that there was someone. I looked up from where I was seated and I saw Jerry. “Hello Jerry!” I greeted with enthusiasm as I offered him a seat. Jerry responded with a smile as he sat on the visitors chair. I tried as fast as i knew how to delegate what had been left pending. Earlier during the week, I had requested in advance for an afternoon off as I expected that  Jerry would pick me on time. Jerry sat opposite my desk holding the car keys in his hands. He had worn white short sleeved pilot shirt with a pair of khaki pants and brown loafers. His finger nails were well manicured and his beard neatly shaved. Jerry's cologne had filled the entire room. As he waited for me to finish, he sat there fidgeting with his car keys and assessing the office from one corner to the other. In twenty minutes time I was done, picked up my handbag, luggage and followed Jerry to the parking lot. Jerry led me to his four wheeled black well-polished car. Stepping into the passenger seat next to Jerry, I buckled up and off we drove away. On the way, I was tempted to ask Jerry for information but he was busy concentrating on the road hence I decided to lay back in silence and enjoy the ride.

Arriving at the Likoni ferry, Jerry drove down to the car waiting area to wait for the next in coming ferry. I could tell we were headed for the South Coast but I wasn’t sure where in particular. After crossing the ferry we drove past Ukunda to a place called Shimoni. Jerry parked his car and asked me to take whatever I needed as we had to cross the ocean to the other side. Being a gentleman, Jerry carried my luggage and walked me to the sea shore. From a distance I spotted a white yacht docked at the seashore. We had to remove our shoes and walk few meters into the water to board the yacht. In my white Capri pants, navy blue shirt and white sandals, I followed Jerry's lead to the yacht.  Jerry was kind enough to assist me into the yacht which was being driven by an old Spanish man, who had brought along his seventeen year old son. They were very friendly and chatty. The boat ride was quite interesting as the old man gave me a brief history of his family and business.  Hardly, had I laid back to enjoy the conversation when I was told that we had arrived. The old man’s youngest son Guillermo, about 6foot 2 tall, athletic body, unshaven look and long hair tied in a pony, carried my luggage and led me to the hotel lounge. Walking through the lounge on the far end I spotted a man seated on a high seat at the bar counter. The man was wearing a lime green flowered shirt, a pair of jungle green shots and brown flip-flops. He was chatting the bar tender who was busy trying to mix some drinks. “Hola! We are here” shouted Guillermo to the men at the bar. The man seated on the high chair jumped from his high seat and as he turned I noticed that it was Hubert.  Hubert was very good at disguising himself and playing around with his looks. That was one of the things that made me grow very fond of him. He was very creative and playful. The world was like his acting stage where he could perform different roles. He sure knew how to live life rather than exist.  

Walking towards Guillermo and me, he smiled and as he approached me, his arms went wide open ready to receive me. I was touched by his sincere affection and his cheerful warm welcome. Hubert hugged and pecked me on the left side of my cheek. “Welcome to Funzi Island Hannah.” He said. Hubert led me to the bar area as Guillermo proceeded to take the luggage to where he had been asked to drop. The bar tender passed a cocktail glass to Hubert who in turn passed it over to me. As I sipped my cocktail I couldn’t help but notice that Hubert was staring at me in admiration. He had this childish smile on. He was observing every move I made, from sipping the cocktail to swallowing it, to a point he caused me to blush. Excitedly, he asked if he could give me a tour around the island, to have a glimpse of how the place looked like which I obliged. With the cocktails in our hands we strolled out toured the Island. ‘Don Mateo has been a friend of my family for a very long time, he and his son Guillermo have always made me feel at home here” said he. Hubert went on to narrate how he met Don Mateo and how he came to Funzi Island the first time. There was a spark in his eyes as he narrated about his first encounter at Funzi Island. We walked past the white beach sand struggling to lift our feet from sinking in the sand. Hubert led me to a path that had very long pine trees. Barefooted we walked along the rough tiled foot path. The whistling palms, the shaking leaves and the sound of the bird chapping in this secluded Island made the tour more refreshing than any I had had before. 

The sun had started shying away and hiding in the thick clouds as it slowly went down to meet the horizon.  Hubert received a call from Don Mateo and he excitedly told him that he would be right there in a few minutes. We had approached the scene of the cottages, the tents and the suites and Hubert asked me to go freshen up and join him for dinner. He took me to the door step of the suite that had my luggage and left to meet Don Mateo. I walked in to the front door of the suite that was supposedly mine for the time I was staying at Funzi Island. In awe my eyes moved from one direction to the other appreciating the Spanish design that had been done in that suite. The furniture, the flooring, the walls, the wall paint, the bed, the side tables and bed lamps were all exquisite. A glass partitioning separated the bedroom from where the Jacuzzi was placed. There was another entry door that led to a clock room which led to the washroom. I managed to find my luggage unpacked and chose something free to wear for the night. I picked a white, simple, cotton gypsy dress and a pair of white sandals. I felt this would be good for an evening by the beach. 

Following the demarcation and the directions, I found my way back to the lounge, where I met Guillermo who happily escorted me to where Hubert and Don Mateo were. As I approached closely I saw Hubert in a chef’s hat and a white apron. As soon as he saw Guillermo and I, he picked a wooden spoon, scooped the content he was making and walked over to meet us. His left hand on my chin and his right holding the wooden spoon he placed it on my lips so I could taste whatever it is that he had prepared. The look on my face brought a huge smile on his. “Mmmmm!! Whatever that is, it tastes really nice!” I complemented. He took me by the hand and led me to a table he had set for the two of us. The table had white linen cover, lantern lamp, silver cutleries, white matching crockeries, wine glasses and a bottle of wine that was being chilled in a silver chiller bucket. Hubert pulled a sit for me and went over the kitchenette to finish up his cooking with Don Mateo. “Did you know that I love to cook Hanna?” He shouted from the kitchenette as he and Don Mateo threw in ingredients into the meal they were preparing. It was an amazing sight to see. Here I was with the most powerful man in my country and he was cooking a meal for us, and enjoying it. I could see the passion in his eyes as he prepared the meal and arranged the content on the plates.  Holding two plates in his hands Hubert walked back to our table placed my food first then his and sat right across from me. He stretched his hands towards mine, held them in his and  said a prayer. He then invited me to eat. “Bon Appetit Madame Hannah” said he as he waited for me to take my first bite. “Go on take a bite, am not going to eat until you take your first bite” he confessed. Shyly, I picked up my cutlery and took my first bite. It was delicious. I had never tasted good food like that in many years. You could appreciate every spice that was used, every ingredient was just perfect. “It is called the Paella, it is a Spanish traditional meal” said he as if he read the question that was in my mind.  He poured me a glass of wine, unfolded his linen napkin placed it on his shirt, selectively picked his cutlery and began to enjoy his meal. “I love the Spaniards because they value their traditions and culture.” He went on “They have some similarities with the Africans, they have values that guide them” As he spoke I could tell that Don Mateo had done a very good job in influencing Hubert to the Spanish culture. He knew almost everything about them. Hubert was very chatty on this particular evening, more relaxed with a childish truthfulness. 

Don Mateo walked by our table to check on us. He was a man in his mid-seventies, grey haired, deep brown penetrating eyes and his body was still firm. He walked upright in his navy blue short, white T-shirt revealing his white vest. Guillermo joined his dad and handed a guitar to Hubert. Smiling, Hubert stood, took the guitar from Guillermo signaled Don Mateo and strummed gently as if to pick the right key. The two gentlemen positioned themselves slightly behind Hubert waiting for his lead. “Te pido de rodillas, Luna no te vayas, Alumbrale la noche, A ese corazón, Desilusionado, A veces maltratado….. “Loco, Por besar tus labios, Sin que quede nada por dentro de mí, Diciéndotelo todo” I didn’t understand one word in Spanish but the emotions expressed by the three gentlemen as they sang the song Loco by Enrique Iglesias featuring Romeo Santos brought tears to my eyes. As his eyes met mine I felt that he needed me as much as I needed him.