Mending The Ribbon

By Kitui Wakape

A book about how a young family struggles to reconcile after many years' bitterness comes to the fore. Vanessa and Richie are a young couple in search of an identity, seeking to bridge the gap in their relationship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perfect Publications
• Release date: Jan 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224579716

Kitui Wakape

Kitui Wakape has been writing for over ten years. His first novel The Sound of Goodbye was published by Asaph Office Publications in 2012, and 2016. Other works by the author include The Last Farewell series which is a sequel to his first novel. In 2015, he began writing short stories which he hopes to publish as a collection. The Girl With a Winsome Smile was written in 2020. Currently, the author is writing his last full-length fiction, Salma. Kitui Wakape lives in Gikambura, a small and quiet trading centre south of Nairobi, Kenya. He spends his time tutoring, taking photos, and writing both fiction and non-fiction. He blogs regularly at Tekaway.blog, and StroryElimu.blogspot.com.

Book preview

Many thanks to the members of the Author Kitui Wakape Group on Facebook. Without you, this book would not have seen the light of day. You guys are awesome!

January 22, 2022.

Mending The Ribbon Chapter 1

V anessa, what are you doing here? Richie’s mother asked, placing her shopping on the veranda.

Vanessa was seated in a rocking chair in a red blouse on what was a cold morning. In fact, it was drizzling.

She sighed. Richie, Richie... she started, but her voice failed her.

Not again, Richie’s mother said, embracing her tightly. What did he do this time? And why didn't you carry a sweater with you?

Vanessa wanted to say something, but she shivered and her teeth chattered. He, he sent me away, she said as her mother-in-law took her inside with the shopping.

The house was warm as they sat at the dining table. Richie’s mother put some coffee in the pot and gave her Vanessa an oversized beige sweater.

Thanks, she said in a low voice, her voice hoarse because of a cold.

When did he send you away?

Yesterday, she said and shivered again.

What did you do, and why didn't you come straight here? Richie’s mother asked, placing her arm lovingly on her daughter- in-law’s shoulders.

It was late, around 10.30 and I didn't have any money on me, she replied, trying hard not to weep. I slept outside our home the whole night.

Her mother-in-law sighed, cupping her like into her mouth. She picked her phone and quickly dialed her son’s number. It rang five times before he picked it up.

WHY ARE YOU DOING this? my mother asked from the other end.

I don’t get you, I said, bidding goodbye to Tiffany and O'brien as they boarded the school bus outside my house.

I’m talking about your wife, she said sternly.

Oh, she called you... I asked, walking hurriedly towards the front door.

No, she’s here with me, cold from sleeping outside your home in this weather.

We are not having this discussion right now, I said rashly. I am late for work.

She sighed.

I don’t know what she’s already told you, but I hope it’s the truth. Bye... I hung up.

HE DISCONNECTED, her mother-in-law said. But don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Let’s have some coffee to keep us warm as you tell me what transpired last night.

Vanessa cupped her hands round the coffee mug and looked her mother-in-law in the eyes.

" Yesterday, while coming from work, I realized there was a traffic jam. My phone was dead so I couldn’t call Richie to tell him I would arrive late. I left my car at the office and decided to take a matatu.

"While I stood at the bus stop, Martin showed up at the bus stop on his motorcycle. He offered me a ride and since he works with the traffic department, I was guaranteed to reach home within a couple of minutes, if not an hour. Little did I know that one of Richie’s friends had seen us and phoned  him.

Unfortunately I arrived home late because the motorbike had broken down and had to be fixed. Richie was home already. He said he wouldn’t live with someone who comes home late. Then he added that I was a whore in front of the children. He demanded that I should step outside before locking the door.

I AM SORRY, RICHIE’S mother consoled her, touching her hands lovingly.

It’s just that Richie never wanted me to work. But I love working with children, I can’t just stay at home. He’s been accusing me of infidelity, but yesterday he said he proved himself right. I just don’t know what to do.

Don’t worry. You’ll stay here with me and wait for him. And by the way, did you phone your office to ask for permission?

She shook her head. Today is my day off. I didn’t need to.

Good.

Mending The Ribbon Chapter 2

Isat at Blaire Cafe sipping coffee in a wet evening. This Cafe was my ‘hood’, frequented mostly by journalists, business people, and support staff of C-Netwok where I worked. My mind was somewhere else, actually at home.

Yesterday, I had sent Vanessa away for coming home late, but what made me mad was the fact that she rode on Martin’s bike. The damn Martin was a guy who had been chasing Vanessa for ages, even after I married her. I was convinced that the two were lovers.

I lifted my head just in time to see Claire enter the cafe. Our eyes locked and she smiled, and I smiled back. She slowly made her way to my table and stopped. She was in a red dress and gold coloured earrings, her black handbag hanging from her right shoulder.

May I sit? she asked shly, her eyes darting about the room.

Sure, I said without emotion.

She placed her handback on the floor next to her seat, and pulled her chair. I'm sorry about yesterday. My mum was unwell. I couldn’t come.

Claire was a receptionist at my work station. Our friendship that had lasted about two years now began with a prank. I had arrived from a two-week work assignment in Ethiopia to find a new face seated behind the receptionist desk.

I had introduced myself as the Human Resources Manager and demanded to know why she was missing from her desk for over twenty minutes. To my surprise, I found out that in the morning she had not been at her desk due to an illness and she apologized. Taking it as an opportunity to go on with the prank, I told her she was fired.

I remember her teary face full of pity as she begged that I spare her. It won’t happen again, she had begged but I could hear non of it.

Give me your work ID and step out of the office.

She’d hesitated, looking pleadingly around as though someone would save her. Eventually, she’d agreed to hand over her work ID. If you give me another chance, I’lll do my best. I’ve only worked for three days, and I’m looking after my sick mum.

Just walk out, we have your replacement already.

As soon as she’d stepped out, I’d run and stopped her at the elevator. Don’t leave. It’ just a prank. I’m not the HR.

She had been mad at me, but that evening I made up to her, taking her to coffee and then dropping her home, making sure that I went in to see her bedridden mother. Yesterday, I had phoned to come over as soon as I had sent Vanessa away. But when she didn’t show up, I was somewhere glad.

Sometimes I wondered, was I being unfaithful to Vanessa? You see, for two years, Claire and I had drawn closer. There were some things that I definitely liked about her. She was modest, and though she loved wearing jeans unlike Vanessa, she had that  innocence of a village girl that mesmerized me.

Never mind, I said and ordered tea for her. Today you are so late. You aren't done with the paperwork yet?

I’ll be done by the end of the week, she replied, avoiding eye-gaze. The boss is on my neck.

How’s your mother?

Getting worse, she replied, hoarsely.

I’m sorry to hear that. Have you set the date for the fundraiser?

She shook her head sideways as the waiter placed her cup of tea on the table.

Do so quickly, I said. She’d get the best treatment in India. And guys are willing to help you out.

After promising that she would look into it, she took tea in silence. Her phone, as always, was in her handbag. She wasn’t one to allow a discussion get distracted by messages, or even social media. My wife Vanessa had almost the same character, for she was never in any of the social media platforms.

When we were, we walked out and headed towards the parking lot. Will you drop me at my mum’s? My car broke down. It’s in the garage, I said.

She didn’t say no or give excuses, though doing me that favour would set her back by thirty minutes. Claire had this respect for me, just like a daughter to her father, for I was ten years older than her. And there was always this conflict in my heart, a conflict on whether I should tell her about my intentions, or how I really felt.

We spoke very little during that short journey, but I knew she was weighed down looking after her sick mother, and working in a demanding job. When she stopped outside my mother’s house, I sighed and spoke the first thing on my mind.

Claire, there’s something that I want you to know.

She turned to look at me with curious eyes, her long lashes beautifying her.

Yes, she whispered. It was then that I saw Tiffy running from the house towards the car.

Never mind, I said, opening the door and stepping out. See you tomorrow.

I closed the door and picked Tiffy up. What is my princess doing out without a sweater?

You don’t have one too, she said and laughed heartily.

And where is your brother? Why hasn’t he come to receive Daddy?

He doesn’t want to, she said and for once, her eyes lost their light.

I went quiet  as we walked towards the entrance. Deep down I was mad at O’brien, but I was madder at Vanessa. Why was she turning my own children against me?

TO BE CONTINUED.

Mending The Ribbon Chapter 3

The weather in Nairobi was in its July characteristic, cold and misty when Fiona and I parted after bumping into each other somewhere along Tom Mboya. She was working as a research assistant at UON, while her hubby was an Uber driver.

Our twelve years of friendship began when we were in high school. In the jungle that is Nairobi, she was my hometown girl, a shoulder to lean on. She stood at five feet five, against my five feet six, and her short hair and fair complexion had earned her quite a number of admirers.

Did you guys reconcile? she had asked when I mentioned that I was in a hurry to get home so that Richie wouldn’t blast me.

Feeling overwhelmed by emotions, I had shaken my head sideways. He is to come today so that we resolve our differences.

You know, Van, when a person constantly accuses you of cheating, she had said, without flinching, he’s probably the one who’s unfaithful.

Fiona’s words were lost when I got to my in-law’s for I was busy doing chores in the kitchen. Richie loved bone broth and I thought I should first prepare it before he arrived. At the same time, I made some tea for the kids and coffee for my mother-in-law.

The phone rang and I picked it up. It was the school driver. He informed me that the bus had broken down about five hundred metres from our home, and that I should kindly go and pick my kids.

Mum, I’m going to pick the children, I informed Tiffy’s granny. The bus broke down.

It’s okay, she replied, reclining in a rocking chair next to the window.

Would you, I started, then stopped.

What?

Would you mind peeping into the kitchen once in a while...there’s milk on the cooker.

Sure, sure, she said.

Outside, I was just grateful for my mother-in-law who was ever supportive of me. At the end of the estate road, I saw O'Brien walking in my direction. He was holding Tiffy’s hand but she looked less appreciative of his brother’s efforts.

Mum, a donkey hit our bus and it broke down...

Stop lying, Tiffy, O'Brien said as he let go. I carried her in my arms.

It’s true... she insisted.

They weren’t even on the road. They were just grazing there.

I laughed heartily, listening as they were having an exchange. And I wondered where Tiffany got the idea about a group of donkeys being the reason for their bus to break down. Each time it stalled, the story was always about those poor donkeys being responsible.

They sat at the dining table for some tea, when we reached home, while I busied myself preparing supper. O'Brien, who always took an interest in his studies, had his books on the table. It was then when I was attracted to a cream saloon car parked a few metres from our house.

I could discern two occupants and noticed that the driver was female. I momentarily stopped cutting the cabbage and stared. My heart began pounding, wondering whether it was Richie. Who was he with?

Mummy, I think I should pee first, Tiffy interrupted, going down the seat.

Don’t take too long, I said, and went back to what I was doing, temporarily glancing outside.

When I reached for more cabbage from the rack at one corner of the kitchen, I glanced outside to find Tiffy in his father’s arms. The car was nowhere to be seen.

The front door was opened, and a few seconds later, Tiffy and her father walked into the kitchen. There was a tightening in my chest that almost overpowered me.

Hi my boy, he greeted O’Brien, touching his head. O’Brien forced a smile and went back to his tea, his eyes darting between his food and books.

Hi, I greeted him, but he didn’t reply, and neither did he look at me. He reached for Tiffy’s tea and helped her sip. Your soup is ready. Can I serve you?

Serve him, Tiffy said. I poured him a cup, and not because Tiffy had said so, but because I took his silence to mean yes.

Tiffy’s granny showed up and sat at the dining table. O'Brien, take Tiffy with you to your room, and don’t leave till I say so.

Tiffy, O’Brien whispered. Come with me.

The two left silently and we remained there staring at each other. Having placed the coffee for Tiffany’s granny before her, I sat down myself and waited.

Mending The Ribbon Chapter 4

Ilifted my eyes from my cup of tea and stared at Richie’s mum. Her eyes were red behind her rimmed spectacles, and I assumed she had just