REAL LIFE
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A Christmas Without Diana
The twinkling lights on the streets of Mombasa illuminated the soft, salty air of the coastal city. Jonah leaned against the window of his apartment, his eyes fixed on the glowing Christmas tree he had painstakingly decorated. Every ornament was a symbol of a dream he had nurtured for months: spending Christmas with Diana. They had met in the most unexpected way—a chance encounter during a beach cleanup event. Diana, with her infectious laughter and a knack for seeing the good in everyone, had swept him off his feet. Their relationship had blossomed like the coastal hibiscus, beautiful and vibrant. And now, this Christmas was supposed to be their first…
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The last goodbye
Under the shade of an old mkone tree, Baya waited. The coastal breeze whispered through the leaves as the waves in the distance crashed gently on the banks of Nzovuni River. He glanced around, fidgeting with his worn-out wristwatch, his heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. This was their spot, a secluded place they had met for months, hidden away from the prying eyes of the world, where no one would suspect the bond that had grown between them. And then, there she was Karembo, walking towards him with her graceful stride, her colourful leso draped loosely over her shoulders. She had a softness in her…
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For better for worse
Life is a journey, a long, winding road filled with unexpected turns and crossroads. I never imagined that my own journey would lead me to her, a woman who would change the course of my life forever. It all started on a seemingly ordinary day, the kind that drifts by without much consequence. But that day was different. That day, I met her. The moment our eyes locked, I knew there was something special about her. She wasn’t just another face in the crowd; she was the one I had been waiting for. I could feel it deep within my soul, a pull so strong that it felt as though…
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Goodbye Love
I stood at the back of the church, my heart heavy with a sorrow I never imagined I could feel. The familiar scent of roses filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of the saxophone playing in the background. It was the same song we once danced to in my living room, late one night when the world was asleep, and it felt like only the two of us existed. But today, that melody carried a different weight, one that crushed my chest and left me gasping for breath. It wasn’t our song anymore; it was hers, and she was walking down the aisle towards someone else. Her dress,…
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The turning point
Emily sat by the window of her small, dimly lit apartment, her gaze fixed on the city below. The world outside buzzed with life, a stark contrast to the stillness inside her. It had been a year since she had lost her job, her confidence, and, most painfully, her sense of purpose. Each day was a struggle, a battle against the chains of despair that seemed to bind her tightly. Her life had once been filled with purpose and vibrancy. Emily had been a rising star in her field, a promising young architect with a passion for designing spaces that inspired and uplifted. But the sudden downturn in the economy…
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The shattered vow
In the heart of a bustling city, under the glow of a thousand lights, Daniel sat alone in the grand hall of the luxurious hotel he had booked for his wedding. The room, adorned with opulent decorations, stood silent but for the soft hum of the air conditioner. He stared at his reflection in the polished mirror, his tuxedo immaculate, his expression lost in turmoil. Weeks ago, Daniel had met Maria in a quaint restaurant, where their conversation flowed as naturally as the wine they shared. They connected on a level Daniel had never experienced before. Their promise to keep their relationship pure until marriage had become a beacon of…
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The pain of giving birth to a girl (International Women’s Day)
After Samantha was born, the doctors had warned her mother against getting pregnant again. “Your spine is strained.” they had explained, “It is bent. It’s a miracle you survived this process. It will not hold the weight of carrying another child to full term. Do not get pregnant again. You would be putting both your life and that of the child at risk.” Her mother listened and underwent a tubal ligation. Her fallopian tubes were tied – eggs would no longer travel successfully to the womb. Her father, a corpulent drunken taxi driver, having desired to sire a son for so long, was full of ire with the turn of…
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The best mum ever
Rehema came home running and panting. Her mother was attending to her potato vines in the backyard. “Mum, I am home” Rehema called while knocking at the door. “Yes I am here, who is it?” replied Rehema’s mother “It’s me your daughter,” Rehema answered. The mother left her activities in the field and quickly returned, she found her daughter who had just arrived from the City where she lives with her husband. From the look of things, there is trouble where she came from. “Hey, tell me, my daughter, what happened to you? What brings you here in such a situation?” she asked “I can’t take it anymore, mother, I’m…
