Don't Let Me Go (A Kenyan Story)

Accident

The drive to town was full of light and easy banter between them. Jay noticed that Wendy was an adrenaline junkie. She swerved in and out of traffic with the ease and proficiency that only the Kenyan matatu drivers had. To say that he was impressed was a huge understatement.
"So, who's Rose?" He'd asked her at one point during the drive.
"What?" She'd asked confused.
"Well,your caller ID this morning indicated that you were Rose. So who's Rose? I know you as Wendy."
"Oh,that," she said laughing. He'd missed her easy laughter. "It's a long story."
"And we got time to kill, so spill," he said his intrigue piqued.
"My dad named me Rose but my mum wanted Wendy instead. And my mum always gets her way. So I ended up as Wendy. Though I use Rose from time to time, albeit rarely."
"Interesting," he said, smiling.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing."
They got to town a little past 6 pm. She parked her car at the CPF Metro Park on General Kago Street and they walked to Charlie's Bistro along Wabera Street. They sat at the terrace that gave them a beautiful view of the city. A waiter came to take their order.
"Come back in five minutes or so," Wendy said and the guy left. "Hope you've worked out an appetite. I'm here to spoil you rotten," she said turning to Jay. "This is me trying to apologize for my untoward behaviour last we saw each other."
"If this is what an apology looks like,I don't mind being wronged by you on a daily basis," he responded, a willy smile on his face.
"You'd like that,wouldn't you?" She asked laughing.
"Siwes mind."
"So,what are we having first? Cocktail or food?" She asked.
"Let's eat first."

The waiter was back after exactly five minutes.
"I'll have the Chicken Parmigiano," Wendy said.
"Tex- Mex Pork please," Jayson told the waiter.
"Do you mind waiting for ten to fifteen minutes?" The waiter asked.
"Not at all, we'll have a milkshake each as we wait for the food," Wendy said.
The waiter left and was back within two minutes with the milkshakes. He placed them on the table and left.
"Look Jayson, about that last time we met. I have a dark past. I never meant to hurt your feelings in any way. I'd promised myself you were a one night stand but I found myself drawn to you in a way I still can't comprehend." She noticed that he was about to interrupt her and she held her up finger. "Lemme finish first then you can talk. I'm not sure what I want to do about all this but I don't want there to be bad blood between us."

"Look, Wendy, truth be told,I kinda like you, a lot. But I don't want to pressure you into anything you don't want or you ain't ready for. We can just be friends for now, that is if you're comfortable with it. You're an amazing person Wendy. I know I sound corny since we barely know each other but that's the truth. Sure you left me a bit confused that morning but there are no hard feelings between us," he said.
"I honestly don't know what to say,". Wendy told him, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Don't do that," he said looking straight into her eyes.
"What?" She asked.
"Get all emotional on me. Coz if you do, then I might actually get emotional too," he replied, smiling sheepishly.
"Is that so? I wouldn't mind seeing you emotional one bit." She said laughing amid tears. She was taken aback when he wiped off her tears with his right thumb.
She had just managed to compose herself when he said, "well,that was intense." They both burst out laughing. The waiter chose that moment to bring them their earlier orders.
"Let's eat," she said as she began digging into her chicken.
"Sounds like a plan," Jayson said as he followed suit.

It was at around eleven pm when they finally left Crooked Q in Westlands. They'd left Charlie's at around eight o'clock. A live band was playing and they'd danced all night,enjoying an occasional beer. Wendy drove carefully and they laughed at something silly he'd said. They had just gotten to Ring Road Parklands when a bike sped up to the passenger side all of a sudden.
"What the hell is wrong with this guy!!" Jay exclaimed. It all happened so fast. He saw the muzzle of the riffle flash and felt a warm sensation on his chest. He looked down to his chest and saw a bright red spot on his right breast pocket. The sound of the gunshot delayed by a fraction of a second. He heard Wendy's screams and the last thing he saw before he passed out was their car crashing onto the side of the road.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I've been meaning to publish this chapter for the larger part of the day but I couldn't bring myself to do it until now.
Yes yes, Jayson gets shot...and how bad is it? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out.
That scene is subject to more editing. I'm not particularly good at writing such scenes so bear with me.

Translations

1. Matatu
A PSV in Kenya, ranging from a 14 seated van to a bus.

2. "Siwes mind."
"I wouldn't mind."