"Papa, we are hungry," came Emanuel's little voice.
"I am going to get you all something to eat," Chala replied his voice full of sympathy, he was almost losing hope.
His now weak body looking frail against the wall. He walked briskly towards Enkene forest. He shook his head sadly. He felt a sudden pain in his heart the world seemed too cruel. The government planned to clear the forest so as to build more factories there. He wore a worried look as he kept on wondering where he could get some money to buy food. The small farm that he worked on brought very little profit, to add salt to the wound, he had so many debts. He could not even stay in peace. As he was wondering about an idea came to his mind.
He thought about a certain deal his brother Tintu had offered him on the day of Obi's burial.
"My dear little brother, I can clearly see that it has not been fair to you these days," said Tintu.
"You are very right my dear brother life is becoming difficult by each passing day."
"Do not worry yourself so much there is hope," Tintu said giving Chala a wide grin.
"What do you mean Tintu," Chala was curious.
"I have a great deal for you that will change your life and that of your family."
"Yes," Chala was more attentive now.
"You know that I work with the governor. I am his assistant and he has asked me to find him someone who can be carrying out his deals for him. Someone connected with the common mwananchi. I need you to carry out some of his work here in Enkene. Can you do that and get rich or is it too much to work for you."
"Did I hear you correctly? You want me to work for the governor?"
"Yes of course, can you do it or not?"
"Give me a few days I will give you a reply on what I have decided," said Chala.
"Better give me the reply soon because the work I am talking about is very urgent," said Tintu.
"Okay my brother I have heard you," said Chala.
As Chala reminced about all the events that took place on that day, he felt a new ray of hope. He knew it was time to finally give his brother a reply. He walked down the road and took a left turn. Tintu's house was a kilometer away. He walked for almost an hour before he could see the high perimeter walled fence that was adorned with a heavy black metallic gate. He pressed a small switch that was connected to the electric bell in the living room. The gate was opened by a well uniformed servant who ushered Chala into the magnificent home.
The compound had a well-tended lawn that was cut through by neat pavements. He walked slowly towards the house. The scene was breathtaking as the cool breeze caressed his face. He felt a little bit sad. This was his own brother's house looking so great yet his was an excuse for a house. This hurt him but he took it all in as he stepped closer.
"Welcome, my beloved brother to my humble home," Tintu's voice was loud and clear as he stood at the entrance of his house.
He stretched his arm ready to receive his brother. He was immaculately dressed and wore a huge smile on his face. Chala felt a bit anxious as his brother welcomed him into the most beautiful living room he had ever seen. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out of his mouth. He cleared his voice and once he had gained composure he exclaimed.
"Wow Tintu you live in such a beautiful home! You never told me you were this rich," words seemed to flow out of his mouth.
Tintu ushered him to sit on one of the finest black leather coach he had ever seen. Tintu sat opposite him and ordered the servants to bring coffee with some bacons. The coffee was brought by a uniformed servant and set on the glass table. The amazing aroma of bacons filled Chala's nostrils as two plates of bacon attracted his gaze.
"Have a bite my brother we still have a lot to discuss," Tintu said looking at Chala munching down a piece of the bacon.
"This is very sweet, I have not eaten this for years," said the overwhelmed Chala.
At the back of his mind he knew he had never eaten bacon not even in his wildest dreams. After the coffee drink, Tintu showed Chala into the study room. Chala sat opposite him. He looked straight at his younger brother's eyes.
"I can clearly see you have finally decided," said Tintu his smile slowly fading away.
"Yes my brother, this poverty is too much. I have to accept this job before I lose all my off springs," Chala said a bit worried.
"You have made the right decision, let us get into serious business now," Tintu was stern and Chala knew this was the moment he was waiting for.
"I am more than ready."
"First and foremost this is a very serious matter and you must be willing to give it all your best. The governor does not entertain nonsense when it comes to his deals. If you screw up or do anything stupid he will not hesitate to make you pay."
"Okay…" Chala was getting a little confused. He felt the need to ask some questions but he kept his mouth shut.
"The deals I was telling you about, I want you to hear it directly from the governor himself. You have to come to the city tomorrow to a hotel that I will give you the address. We will have a meeting exactly at ten in the morning."
"I have heard you Tintu but I have a little problem."
"Yes what is the problem?" Tintu asked.
"I do not have presentable clothes and shoes like you. I am quite sure the governor needs a presentable person," said Chala with a grin.
"Oh! Yes you have a point. I know a place that we can go and get you some new clothes. Let us go."
Tintu walked with him to a new black vehicle with tinted windows. Chala sat with him at the back sit as a well-built driver drove them out of the compound. Chala felt quite elated as they drove off. Silence reigned until they reached one of the most magnificent malls he had ever seen. The driver came to a stop after Tintu gave him a sign. They stepped out of the car and walked inside the mall. The driver as usual sat patiently in the car waiting. Everything there seemed expensive, Chala had never seen all such beautiful clothes, jewelries, shoes and accessories. They all begged for his attention.
They walked across rows and rows worth lots of fortune. Tintu pointed towards a leather sofa seat. No sooner had they sat down than a tall slim man adorned in a black suit came to attend to them.
"Good afternoon, dear highly esteemed sirs. What can I offer you?"
"I want the best suits you have in this store," Tintu's voice was authoritative.
The man quickly moved to the farthest row and disappeared behind one of the rows. Within a few seconds he was back, carrying along with him dark colored suits.
"These are the best suits we have here, we also have here tuxedos and official ones," said the attendant.
"Good, you can choose any number you want," said Tintu.
Chala felt very excited knowing very well this was the first time he was going to adorn an expensive suit. He knew his size very well and chose four black suits. They were immediately packed as Tintu offered his credit card. Chala held the bag containing his suits as they walked to the shoe store. He chose four pairs of shoes matching his suits. He was also bought a watch and dark sun glasses. Having finished their shopping, they left to the car and Chala was dropped home.
He found his children waiting for him right at his door. He remembered he had promised to go and get them food. His last born son had cried his eyes out and stood from where he was weeping on the ground after he had seen his father.
"Papa, what have you brought in your bag?" said the little Emanuel.
"I have come back with some items from work, Mary is going to buy you some food," said Chala sounding firmished.
He gave Mary some money from what Tintu had given him. They at least had something to eat for the day. They soon ate super and everyone went to sleep. Chala could not sleep that night. He twisted and turned in bed. He had so many thoughts that his mind could not contemplate. He wondered what the next day would bring. What would the governor think of him? What kind of work did he want to give him? Questions ran across his mind, they seemed endless. Sleep could not come as it had abandoned him in the weird world of thoughts. It was almost midnight. His yes could not keep shut. He tried to close them in vain. He sat up as the quiet of the night enveloped him.
Before he knew it, it was morning. The sounds of chirping birds awakened him from his troubled night. He almost panicked as he realized he had to do everything early enough for him to reach his most important meeting in time. He hurriedly prepared his children for school. Made them breakfast and walked them to school. He came back, sat on the mat as he absentmindedly stared at the clock. It was eight in the morning, he had to leave exactly at nine for the city. He had a long bath, dressed up immaculately in one of his suits and shoes. He combed his hair well making sure he had to make a really good first impression.
The clock has hit nine. He walks cautiously as he heads to the bus top. He is lucky as the first bus to the city is not yet full. He sits behind the driver feeling uneasy because of the multiple stares people were giving him. It took thirty minutes for the bus to arrive in the city. He looked at his watch and walked briskly down another road. He heaved a sigh of relief as he did not catch attention like in the village. Everyone was walking boisterously minding their own business. He saw a sign of the hotel ahead, written in bold Heart of Springs Hotel.
He arrived at the gate and was ushered in by uniformed security guard. He felt some tingling at the pit of his stomach. He walked in the explicit hotel. This was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. The entrance to the hotel had white tiles that gave it a clean polished look. He went straight to the reception and was greeted by a tall beautiful elegantly dressed lady.
"You must be Mr.Chala," she said with a smile.
"Yes I am," said Chala.
"You have a reservation these are the keys," she said as she handed him the keys.
"Thank you,'" said Chala as he walked away fastening his steps.
He walked up the stairs and headed far right as he observed door by door trying to find the number written on his keys. He arrived at the door finally after quite a thorough search. He twisted the keys and pushed the door inwards. The fragrance of the room filled his nostrils as he marveled at the beautiful sight ahead. He slowly entered the room and sat on a soft black leather chair. He was still surveying the room then suddenly someone pushed the door open.
Two tall, masculine men adorned in black suits entered the room. Chala moved uncomfortably on his seat as the governor came in between the men. He strode and sat down on another sofa. Tintu also followed, he seemed a bit tensed.
"Are you ready for this job?" said the governor as his voice radiated across the room.
"I am more than ready mheshimiwa," Chala said with confidence.
"Here is a laptop containing all the information that you need about the job," said Tintu handing him the laptop, "it has a certain flash drive, you will get a file, open the file and make sure nobody else reads the information."
Chala nodded looking with admiration at the brand new laptop. Tintu handed him a bag and he quickly but carefully inserted the laptop. Having finished the deal, they all left the premise. The governor and Tintu left first and Chala followed later. As he went home that evening, he knew this was the beginning of a new dawn. He smiled at the thought of that.