Why my marriage failed

Part 8

By Henry

I was living in Bahati, Nakuru County. The roadside shop was my business. Many people loved it as its only option for travelers and quick shopping. Milk earlier in the morning and late evening had customers.

Joak was the supplier of the milk. Apart from doing business together, he was my best friend. He used to remind me how  I used to hawk sugarcane with a wheelbarrow…We shared a lot when it comes to school life.

June was one of my best customers around Bahati town. She used to buy two liters of milk in the morning and also in the evening. Once Joak delivered it, I had to set aside 2 litres for her. That was the routine.

I had known her for more than 6 years since I started this shop. I confined to Joak on my interest in her.

‘I think June can be my woman in this life. Every time I see her, I feel she is the woman of my life…’

‘That’s wishful thinking. I don’t think if your instincts are right because I’m dating the lady, you know…’

‘Ah! Joak you are not serious. You like joking a lot. How comes you have never revealed that to me?’

‘That’s a story for another day but you can ask her.’

‘Okay buddy, but am also serious about my feelings for her.’

This conversation was taking place at Afraha Stadium. We had just come to see the game of Gor Mahia and Oserian FC. It was on Sunday, a sunny day. I don’t love sports but Joak is a die-hard fan of Oserian FC. I decided to accompany him since my business is closed on Sunday, half-day.

It was exactly 10 o clock in the morning and I was basking in the sun, outside my shop when June came. It’s not her norm to come at this time.

June was a nanny to one of the county commandant officers. So most of the time she is indoors as per her job description. She didn’t like hanging around like other nannies on Sunday. She was unique in her own ways!

‘Joak told me you have a message for me.’

‘Message? Me? Ah! I don’t think if it's me…

‘Yes, you. Are you afraid of me or what?

‘Don’t say that. Unless you have also joined his class of jockers…’

She left quickly and I knocked my head with my left hand. I saw myself as a fool. This was the right time for me to confess to her that I had a feeling for. Love feeling. Spending the rest of my life with her… Now she has just left and I don’t know how to reveal this secret of love to her. Yes, I was her secret admirer!

After two weeks, she came to the shop for her usual milk and bread. I told her that I would like to speak to her. The information was confidential and needed her leisure time. She promised to come at noon. I felt calm and my heavy heart was at peace.

‘June to be honest, I love you but am afraid that you are also in love with my best friend Joak…’

‘Me and Joak nothing like that. Why have you taken that long to tell me?’

‘I was waiting for a new day. Today is my new day to reveal this to you. Give me time and I will open more golden feelings I have for you…’

‘I get you but I also need time to think on that.’

‘It’s well am not in hurry. Your time and response are what will fuel my life here. Am intending to open a mini supermarket. This business idea will only work if you JUST SAY YES…

Joak came in the evening as I was almost closing the business. He informed me that he got a green card to go to America. His flight was to take place after six months. He was supposed to apply for the Visa, get medical reports, verification of his documents by the government, visiting the embassy….I was very happy with this news. Life progress was our daily discussion. He assured me that, after 10 years, he will return and start focusing on real estate investment.

After escorting Joak to Nairobi for his flight, June texted me that she has agreed to my earlier application. She had also discussed this with her employer, and they supported her move. She believed that her personal adult decision was her happiness.

Now she used to operate from our house to her nanny duties. After two months, she revealed to me that she’s two months pregnant. We agreed to inform her employer. She was granted maternity leave at 6months old.

Our business was doing well and we agreed to invest in it fully. We got four more employees to help us run the business; two tellers and two manning the lanes in the shop. I was monitoring the CCTVs and helping with finance records.

June delivered a bouncing baby boy at St. Mary’s Hospital, Nakuru. All over were happy with this family gift from God. We named him Joj. After long discussions in one of the late-night, we agreed that she should stop working as a nanny and help me take care of the kid and also in counter checking delivery records and invoices.

10 years later, Joak returned home. Fully loaded as an investor. This is the only time I believed Joak, not as a jocker but as someone who speaks and acts. June and I were also doing well in business. We went to pick Joak from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. He informed me earlier.

‘Brother, thank you for being there for me. I’m going to America next weekend. I will be monitoring my investments with the team I have deployed now.’

‘It’s well and that’s why we are brothers remember.’

‘Thanks for taking care of my wife June and our boy. I left her pregnant when I went to the US…’

I did now wait for the completion of the statement. Quickly I left the meeting, ignited my Subaru, and headed to my house to confirm Joak's words to my ears.

‘June is it true that this boy Joj is Joak, son?’

‘Sorry, my husband. When he left, I was already pregnant for him. He promised to take care of me and the unborn child. He did that and with me is our Visa ready for the Saturday flight…

    Photo Courtesy: Google