In a Quagmire!

I don't know why but the stars seemed dull that night. The street lights that gave life 2 the dark alleys seemed unusually dull. Even the sidewalks of the usually busy street were untrodden and devoid of life!

I strolled down the road, dragging my feet in dejection. Suddenly i bumped into what i thought was a burly man. The impact of the collision momentarily dazzled me. When i came to, it was like i was transfigured into a totally new place! The streets were now brightly lit and in every direction, it was a flurry of activity!

Then it hit me, all the emptiness and desperation that i felt around me was in actual sense within me!
I hastened my step.

I arrived at my house a little after 9pm. The entrance to it wasn't one that shouted a big welcome to many a decent guest. I loosened the latch that held the creaky door in place. No lock was necessary, there was really nothing there that a thief with any dignity would want 2 steal!

Once inside, i closed the door, grabbed the only stool in the tiny sitting room and sat. I fished out the neatly folded paper from the inner hem of my jacket. I straightened it and read it over and over!

'How could this tiny note be the cause of all my misery?' I wondered.

The tiny stool did not offer much comfort. I had had a mind of having it lined with a soft cushion but i always had more pressing matters requiring my attention. Fidgeting a little, I shifted positions to acquire a less painful one. My mind slowly drifted to the events of the day that was the conduit of my misfortunes, the day i met Her.

It was Monday the 23rd, a day etched indelibly in my mind. I had woken up rather early. It being my first day as the newly promoted marketing manager, I didn't want to be late or God forbid, risk scratching the chrome off my new BMW 745l in the late morning jam. If there was anything that spelled doom to private car owners in the streets of Nairobi, it was the rowdy matatu drivers. You'd think they had a core unit in their driving school course called 'The dynamics of reckless driving'! In order to beat these nutcases at their game, one had to be on the highway by 5am and that was my intention!

I took a hot shower and dressed up, adorning my best suit and paying attention to every detail. Once i was done, i sat down to have my breakfast. I lived alone and not being a good cook by any standards i outsourced the services of a house help to prepare my meals.The breakfast was heavy. Milk, cereals, fruits,

you know the drill, healthy food!

Sooner than later I was cruising on the highway headed for work. The feel of the new ride was extra-terrestrial, out of this world!

I arrived at my work place a little before 8am. 'Right on time!' I thought to myself as i parked my ride in the freshly painted empty slot marked 'MKT. MNGR.'. I got out of the car. Accentuating the newly acquired swagger in my walk, I pressed the red button on my key holder to activate my car alarm in the famous CEO fashion. I took the express lift to the 23rd floor, where my new office would be.

As soon as i stepped into the office rest area, I was met with shouts of congratulations from my new team of staff. I was handed a glass of champagne and ushered in.

Just when i thought my life couldn't get any better, my eyes met with those of the most beautiful lady i had ever laid my well traveled eyes on! She was seated across the room. Dressed in a pencil skirt and a white top that accentuated her feminine features. In a nutshell, she was the epitome of beauty!

In the heat of the moment, she starred right back at me and smiled sheepishly. I felt my knees buckle!