Measuring balls with your girl's baby daddy?

You are on Mombasa Road, heading home in the evening when Carol tells you that Farrah has been admitted to The Mater Hospital with a severe fever. That startles you, and naturally you have to look for the next turn and make your way there.

Today was a good day at work. You helped your company clinch two clean deals for which you earned a handsome bonus. Around lunch hour, there was a surprise birthday party for you and the department cuts the cake for you as everyone taunted you that time is running out for you to marry. It is time, "ulikaliwa chapati". Single women were particularly adamant with the line.

There is talk in the office that you may be promoted soon to fill in some vacant position. There is a niggling problem that you are young, but you sense it is something to do with your tribe. The previous occupant came from your tribe and some people, especially non-performers insist the next occupant must come from another tribe.

You went to the gym, did your routine, and your health has never been better. Your love life is coming along fine, even though most of your relatives think while Carol is beautiful (your pleasure), her attitude is rotten (their problem.) So your day could only get better.

There is the mother of all traffic jams on Mombasa Road as you head towards the Airtel headquarters to turn into South B. You are whistling a Madilu System tune, feeling pan-African, but also sensing that your playlist is reminding you that you are not getting younger.

After an eternity in traffic, you pull over at the hospital and ask Carol over the phone where she is and she directs you. It is six in the evening and guests can go in. You walk up to the ward and find the three of them there; Carol, her estranged friend Cindy and the doltish baby daddy. Man you hate him! You give a collective 'hi' to which only Carol and Cindy reply. The man just stands there, ignoring you like you are his shadow.

The tension in the room is palpable. In bed, Farrah lies asleep, on a drip. She is so beautiful, she will definitely take after her mother. The man is scrolling through his iPhone trying to act cool, but you can sense he is insecure. You wish Carol had told you in advance that the monster is around. After a few perfunctory questions about her state, you excuse yourself and ask Cindy to join you in the corridor.

"Cindy, we leave in the next five minutes," he orders her. It is a direct command on who is really running the show.

"Been a minute. What have you been up to?" you ask.

"I'm good, just up and about. Tom called me that Farrah was sick because Carol's phone was not going through and I had to come over to help him," she volunteers sensing that an explanation is needed on her presence despite the bitter fall out a few months ago. "And he is dropping me in town..." she finishes and maintains a studious and nonchalance silence. You study her. You want her to be awkward until she says something.

And then, the idiot, who you have learnt is called Tom, comes and tells her, "Let's go. Carol will stay here!" It is a command.

You go in and see Carol seated by the bed, tired and annoyed. Just as you are about to comfort her, the nurses tell you that time for guests is up and you are whisked out.

Outside, you see Tom opening the door for Cindy as you walk through the parking lot.

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