When people show you who they are believe them. They say is someone is gossiping with you about someone,
chances are they are gossiping with someone about you. This I believe goes for many
other things in human relationships; if together you are scheming against
someone, chances are they are scheming as well against you. It all has to do
with character; leopards don't change their spots ...
Elan, ‘I see you have discovered this peppered chicken. Most
people talk of jollof but I think pilau is much better. Sfor many other things.
However this chicken - This is just out of this World and there then there’s
another called suya, basically mshikaki but the spices are slightly different’
They all node in agreement. They had tried suya the evening
before going to the party and had loved it. They continue eating, chatting and
laughing, Meline so comfortable now that she is almost nice. Finally Elan brings
out the elephant in the room that everyone has been asking since Tekla raised it
during the family meeting almost a month earlier.
Elan, ‘I must say it was quite a surprise seeing you all
yesterday. A beautiful surprise too!’
Meline, ‘We have been wanting to visit for a long time but
...’.
Elan, ‘You too Meline? Meline in all honesty, that statement
did not include you. If someone else said that, I would have believed it but
you, why are you here? To swindle me once more? Put the final nail in my
coffin?’
Meline, ‘Why are you talking like that? Those things
happened long ago…’
Elan, ‘And some leopard changed its spots? I have forgiven
yes but I have forgiven you one too many times. I am not the same Elan you
knew. Once again tell me why you particularly, are here. My sisters, I
understand but you, I don’t.
Meline is now openly embarrassed, it is obvious she has
something to hide but will not come out with it. She looks at the others for
support, ‘We were sent by dad.’
Elan, ‘your father - what does he want?’
Penrice, ‘Elan seriously …’
Elan lifts her hand suggesting she should stop talking, ‘eeeehe! I know how these people are. You think the reason
they told you is why they arranged for you to be here? Meline and her father
always have devious plans. Why are you here Meline?’
Jenny, ‘Well we were coming to persuade you to address some
issues we have at home other than just see the children. And to make up with
you.’
Elan, ‘What issues?’ she asks eyes still glaring at Meline.
Tekla, ‘Just brother’s children, they need fees and the
house is run down. It needs lots of repair. And of course money for college for
Meline’s children and Baby …’
Elan, ‘Brothers children, Baby that is my responsibility and
I have sent uncle the money for the past 2 years regularly’
‘What?!’They are all shocked. No one had an inkling that she
had been sending any money to Mzee.
Elan, ‘Yes I did. The past 2 January’s I have sent school
fees for the year for all 4 children and for Baby’
Tekla, ‘you sent fees for my Baby? I have been struggling to
look for money!’
Elan, ‘Ok what is going on I don’t understand’
Elan, ‘Don’t tell me he is hiding things from you as well.
Anyway obviously there is more going on than I can tell. So the first thing is
that I should not be sending money to him …’
Meline, ’But …’
She decides to shut up realizing there was a lot she did not
know. Her thoughts; How could her father send me on a mission to persuade Elan
to send the money for the NGOS through him yet he knows he has already misused
the funds for orphans education?
Elan, ‘Anyway, Meline I will find out why you are here.
Meanwhile you can tell your father I discovered he has not been paying the
children’s fees. Jenny let’s go to the reception I sort out the bill. You can’t
keep staying in a hotel when I have an empty apartment at my place you will be
much more comfortable’
Jenny, ‘That’s lovely Elan, but we have money for our bi-’
Meline, ‘It’s OK we may need the money for something else’
Elan, ‘Meline you never change. Always wanting freebies and
to suck life out of people. Anyway you are supposed to be leaving tomorrow so
it really doesn’t matter.’
Elan’s phone rings and she steps aside to pick it
Dela, ‘Good Morning Ma, how are you?’
Elan, ‘Morning Dela how are you?’
Dela, ‘Fine ma. I am at your house to
drop the tablet but I did not find you. I also need to talk to you.’
Elan, ‘I am with my sisters - you can come here?’
Dela, ‘Yes, Ma I am on my way’
Elan and the ladies agree that they should check out the
next day in the morning. Meline gets up to go to the bathroom and Tekla follows
her there
SEE YOU TOMORROW
