Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 1

One year later.........

My alarm went off and all I can think about is, not this shit again. I woke up lazily and stretched for a few minutes praying that I wouldn't have to go to work but alas I had bills to pay. My room is full of sunlight from the large window facing the east, unfortunately, sometimes it annoys the hell out of me. I make my bed and quickly pick out an outfit for the day. I walk to the bathroom to turn on the shower and surprise, surprise no water.

"Fuck"

"This is not happening again. That freaking useless water company"

I rush to check the time on my phone as I have never seen the need for a wall clock. It's 7:40 a.m., and I have to be at work by 8:30 a.m., plus add a 15-minute walk to work. I try to do the calculations in my head and I can tell, I'll be late.

I rush to the kitchen to heat some water to make my much-needed morning coffee as well as fill the electric kettle with water so that I can have some warm bath water.

" This is getting annoying, can't they send us a notice anytime we won't be getting any water? Was that seriously too much to ask?"

Who was I kidding they could care less about us and our problems. As long as they get paid they don't give a fuck. I poured the hot water into a bucket and added some cold water, to get it to my desired temperature. Neither too hot nor too cold. I take the bucket to the bathroom and take a quick shower. Wearing just a short towel, I walk to the kitchen to pick up my coffee and immediately start drinking it on my way to my small bedroom.

After quickly getting dressed, I hurriedly left the house. I had a habit of packing my work bag the night before and placing it near the door to save time. I wear my earphones and start my long walk to work. I was not listening to anything in particular and most of the time they were silent but I wore them because I didn't want to be disturbed.

One thing you need to know about Africans is, people will constantly greet you and try to have some sort of conversation with you. Sometimes it's a good thing but most of the time it's annoying. I was not up for engaging in small talk or putting on a fake smile to make people comfortable. I just want to be left alone without people badmouthing behind my back.

I remember one thing Marcus loved about my country was the people, how they were warm and nice to him and always willing to help. He used to say in the US everyone was out for themselves and they don't care about other people. They just mind their own business and I can't help but wish that would be the case in my country. Maybe then the gossipers won't have any content to speak of.

I didn't want to remember him or the emotional torture he put me through but the more I tried to forget about his existence, the more miserable I became. My pain could only be compared to the pain one felt when one lost their hands or legs. The torture of going through physical therapy while learning to use the remaining limbs. I felt like I lost a part of my body, that I would probably never get back. This was what I had to endure every time his name or face crossed my mind. He hurt me. I gave him my heart, something I have never done by the way and he stomped all over it and threw back the pieces.

Never again.

I get to work ready for a 10-hour shift.

XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

My shift started fine but later turned into one of the worst shifts ever. One of the patients insulted me- as medical practitioners, we were used to their insults, however, today I was exhausted and couldn't keep my customer care attitude in check. When I tried to defend myself it only escalated further.

I work at a public hospital as a laboratory technologist and so far it has been a great experience. Who was I kidding, I was miserable not because of my job specifically but because of my life in general. I got this job after I came back from the US, which was a miracle by the way. Working at a public hospital in my country is stressful and tiring but the pay is good.

The patients are too many as the services are cheaper than in a private hospital. Most people don't have insurance, which is too expensive to pay for when they are not well off financially, so they opt for a public hospital. The main problem was, the patients are so many while the staff are few and that makes work so much more difficult and stressful.

One patient approached me while I called out the names of the patients whose samples were processed and ready. Thinking it was a friendly approach, I smiled at her but she ended up glaring at me.

" I provided my sample at 8 am and now it is 2 pm, and I haven't gotten my results back. What is happening there? Are you guys working or are you on your phones?" She asked angrily.

" Ma'am, we are doing our best, when your sample has been processed you will be informed. Kindly take a seat and wait" I tried explaining in a calming voice but I was not calm at all and the smile on my face had long disappeared.

That was a bad idea because She stepped forward and stood directly in front of me , raising her index finger to point at me.

" Usiniambie chenye nitafanya ,wewe ni mtoto na unafaa kuniheshimu" ( don't tell me what to do, you are a child and you are supposed to respect me.)

" Pole ma'am, tafadhali keti kwa kiti kidogo tu, niende niangalie kama wamemaliza" ( sorry ma'am, please take a seat and I will go check if they are done processing your sample)

She took her seat reluctantly after muttering that these days children have no respect at all. I just walked away rolling my eyes.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter