Hubert and I-Episode Eleven

No sooner had we bonded, when Don Mateo arrived at our table and in his hand was a tray which he placed gently on our table. “Breakfast is served sir!” he alerted. Jerry gave first priority to Hubert who insisted that Jerry should go ahead and serve himself. Jerry obliged and while I observed his well mannered character, he sat across the table smiling. As the two friends ate their breakfast and updated each other on office matters, sports and current affairs, I was running my day to day event in my head. Jerry had come to the island to drop me back home and Hubert was to proceed with his long awaited journey to China. The two gentlemen, laughed, teased and joked, in one or two occasion I would contribute to their conversation. However, I was more pleased watching them and listening and it didn’t matter that most of the time I didn’t get what they were saying.

It was about five o’clock in the evening when Guillermo came by the suite to inform Hubert that the

boat was ready to take off to Shimoni. “We are right behind you Guillermo,” he responded as he went straight for my luggage. Barefooted, he walked me through the footpath that led us to the hotel lounge. Jerry had been waiting at the lounge and when he saw us coming he quickly came and took the bags away from Hubert’s hands. “You didn’t have to trouble yourself Jerry I was fine, really.’ Jerry who acted like those words were not meant for him, went ahead and took  the luggage to the boat. “Talk to me when you get home Hanna’, said he as he escorted me to my ride. “My flight will take off at 2300hrs I should believe,” he then shouted to Jerry to confirm departure time, which Jerry confirmed to be the same. As the warm sand caressed our feet as we walked past the white beach sand to the bridge that led to where the boat had docked, all that was felt was the sadness of parting ways. Guillermo had ignited the engine ready for takeoff and as he stood there by the wheel in his well tied pony tail, unbuttoned shirt that revealed his white, clean vest and his khaki shorts, Jerry was making himself comfortable. “Come here, let me see you for the last time before you go,” said Hubert enthusiastically. Smiling I went right to his arms. “When I shall return I will look for you and I will find you” added he with confidence. “You are the government” I responded and we both laughed. Smiling, I held on to his embrace.

Going through my digital photo album a week later, I could pick so much from the images as photographs do have a way of telling a story and most often than not they give a true representation of what is happening. I couldn’t fail to notice the genuine happiness that was in his eyes from the images where he smiled. Those that he posed with a silly face made him look younger and free spirited. In almost all the images taken his hands were on me. Just when I was perusing through the digital album, the phone rang and when I answered it took a while before I heard a voice. “Hi” he greeted. “Hi back.” ‘What time is it there?” “The right time,” I responded as I could hear him laughing from the other end. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “The meetings have been going on well, though they take so much of my time and by the time I retire to my room, I am exhausted and I still have to work.” He lamented and as I sat there listening I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was very tired. I could tell that he was forcing a smile and laugh from his fatigued body. However, I felt so good to hear his voice from the other end of the line. “How are you?” he then remembered to ask as we both laughed again and I could tell that he had started cheering up. “I have missed you” I responded. He paused for a while before responding and I could hear him sigh heavily. ‘I have missed you too Hanna” said he and paused again. There was a moment of silence and none of us said a word. As I held on to the handset I realized that we didn’t have to say anything because our souls connected in a deeper and special way. “I have to go Hanna; I have a conference call, thank you for being there.” I could not bring myself to say a word hence I sat there in silence and as he listened for a few seconds he then hanged up. I could feel the weight he was carrying in his voice and as much as he wanted to appear strong he was only human. I tried so hard to fight back the tear that was already half way down my cheek with no success.

The landline to my office extension rang once then twice and peeping from the handset screen, it read gate security. Answering to the security gate call, I was informed that there was a hand delivery package that was addressed to me and that I was required to receive and sign. In a twinkle of an eye, the delivery man was up at my desk. ‘Ma’am I have a package for Hanna.” “That will be me” I responded as he handed over the package and requested for my signature. Puzzled, I walked back to my desk and curiously opened the package that was said to have been mine. Unsealing the package delivery, I came across a brown A 4 size envelope with my name boldly written on it. The envelope was rather weighty and I could tell from its presentation that the content in it was confidential. I took a sit and slowly pulled out the contents from the envelope. Hardly had I known who sent the package, when his name appeared at the bottom of the first document. The second document was a map giving direction as to where I should go and the contacts of the person I should call for guidance. A third document was a letter and in it, it was written “If life gave me a second chance to do it all over again I would know what I want.” I sat there speechless for a while before I picked the hand receiver and dialed the number that was in the map. There was a ring back tone before a voice answered. It was a male voice. “Hello Lantana Homes, Eric speaking,” I paused for a moment then responded “Helo this Hanna”….and before I could give him details he asked if I had received a package. I hesitantly responded with a yes. Eric sounded very enthusiastic and he had a Spanish accent in his tone. “How free are you today Hanna? You have got to see this for yourself” ‘Hmmm I leave work at four, I guess from four thirty I should be free” “Great!” he exclaimed and asked that I ring him as soon as I left work so that we could meet.

Driving past Nyali police toward coral drive entrance, Eric who had picked me from work was narrating to me how the Lantana homes real estate project started.  His real estate business had built houses for sale in Nairobi and Mombasa for over ten years. I was still trying to figure out why Hubert had wanted me to meet Eric. What was it that he had wanted me to do for him with this guy? As the unanswered questions kept piling in my head so did Eric’s enthusiasm about his real estate business. Soon we approached the entrance to the Lantana Coral Drive villas and as we drove past few houses we approached one to which Eric parked and ushered me out of his car. Walking right behind him, Eric led me past the patio to the main entrance door. “Welcome, Madam Hanna”, “Aaaaw thank you very much Eric but what is this place?” “He didn’t tell you?” “Who? and what was I to be told?” Smiling Eric went on to show me the other section of the villa. “Well if he didn’t tell you then allow me to do my part and he will do his part” Agreeing to his plea I walked right behind him as he gave me a tour in the villa. The coral lantana villa had been built with very fine and exquisite material. The finishing was out of this world. The titled flooring had been done with a lot of accuracy that none appeared crooked. I did not fail to notice that the house was furnished and Eric had mentioned that he had shipped the furniture from Italy. What caught my eye was the water fountain that had been built inside the house. The Swahili touch that was given to the villas gave them a unique blend. It was a magnificent sight. As I sat on one of the sofas confused I heard Eric speak out “Don’t worry Hanna he will explain everything to you when he returns.”