Elves’ chariot

The ride was bumpy. I could feel how everyone was uncomfortable. We were all seated in the tipper of the truck. I did not know where they are taking us, because we could not see outside from our sitting positions. Two policemen holding G3 rifles stood up at the back, on the entrance of the tipper. Obviously were being taken to a police station, but which?

Disappointment, humiliation, and a lot other feelings related to pain oscillated in my heart at the moment. I looked at Purity, searching her gaze but she was facing down. The feeling of helplessness was what I was angered about most. That there was nothing I could do to save my lady for the day. Not that we were lovers, but more like friends with benefits. The police picked us up just about the time we were leaving Talento’s Beach.

Purity Kibet, my short hot Kalenjin friend had requested that I give her company on Christmas day. We both classify ourselves as “people of simple pleasures.” We never meet in expensive restaurants or buy each other expensive gifts. It’s not that i am stingy with money or made myself a career of being a miser, but I believed love is the romantic care that springs from the heart which is free from shackles of expenses. So we met at the beach some few minutes after four in the afternoon, and walked on the crowded sands of the beach. There were hawkers selling boiled eggs and popcorn, which I bought for both us. Then we found a shade near a wall and we sat to make silly talk and flirt.

Seven thirty, and it was already dark. People remain late at the beach in case they want to fool around. Many like me are shy and would not even make out in front of people. So we stood up and were making our way to the road to board Tuk-tuk to take us back home. That was when two policemen told us to stop and asked for our identity cards. We showed them, but regardless, they took us to a Lorry that they hid just behind the fence of the beach hotel. I offered them two hundred shillings but they refused. When I tried to protest, one cop slapped me so hard that I felt dizzy. 

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t mind so much. But this humiliation was handed to me in front of my girl.

Men like to feel like heroes in the eyes of their ladies. You disrespect a man or his girl in front of him, and you have invited a world war. Yet we are mostly likely to ignore you if the girl isn’t here. No man wants the brand “coward” on his face. This incident reminded me two years ago when I was hiking with a girl in Magwangwani quarry area. Still on sweet talking lane as I hadn’t even scored yet. Suddenly there appeared ahead a group from the street gang “Wakali-Kwanza,” carrying pangas. I couldn’t waste a second and I turned and ran fast leaving the girl behind. She had taken another route running to save her life. I saw her the next day at the market, but there was nothing more to say to her. Our story was over the moment I abandoned her while in danger.

Today, I didn’t want to feel frightened and unmanly as that day. But as I began to be stubborn complaining about my rights and asking why we were being arrested, I received another slap and the policeman kicked me on my chest until I fell down. There was no way I would win this, I knew. They were many, and they had guns. I felt ashamed as I carried myself up and boarded the tipper of the truck. We waited for half an hour more as the police were finding and bringing more citizens before the truck left. And so we found ourselves on this unexpected ride. Yet it was not a one which dwarfs, or elves are pulling this carriage led by Father Christmas.

A quick glance at my surrounding and the face of the police block before we were booked and I realized in which police station we were taken to. We were escorted to male remand room while women were taken to their holding area. Our phones remained at the O.B. area but I had already texted my sister. She knew I had been picked up by policemen but didn’t know which police station I was taken to. I also cautioned her not to tell many people, I didn’t want shameful news about me to spread in the family.

The police cell was dark. There was a small ventilation window about twenty feet high, but I guess it was not full moon. I found it hard to remain in my sitting position because the room was congested. I heard others starting small talk. It seems we had to be brought here because we produce the OCS’ cut. The policemen had had their share; the big guys also wanted something to spend on this festive season. Otherwise, I think they would have taken the two hundred shilling bribe.

Time stood still, or it seemed so. Five minutes felt like three hours. We were very uncomfortable. The room smelt like urine, because there was a bucket of urine at the corner. We were not allowed to go to the toilet. Secondly, because it was hot and everyone was sweating. After midnight, one person was called out and he did not return. It happened again after fifteen minutes then after half an hour. I heard that those who were called out had been cleared. Their family members or friends had come and paid their tithe to the Police. I was hungry and bitter. What consoled me were the funny stories others told, and sounds of music from nearby night clubs.

I wondered if Purity had been released or still being held. I felt sorry for her because somehow I was the reason why we were here. I could not sleep. I continued listening to stories by my inmates. It was not first time for some of the guys and they didn’t seem so much troubled by this. Many said that they would be patient until evening of the next day and they would be released free of charge. But I felt like this was not a place to willingly stay even for five minutes.

Finally, my name was called out. I saw my sister at the OB, she came with her husband. Looking at the clock, it was ten minutes to six in the morning. I asked about Purity and was told she is still in. My sister said she had no more to bail her out; she gave them three thousand shilling just to get me out. I decided to call Purity’s sister who had no idea where she was until now. She understood that Purity was still with me and she is safe.

I could not wait there any longer. I returned back home, had my breakfast and took a long resting sleep. I knew purity’s case will be solved by her sister and I didn’t want to face her after she saw the beating and humiliation I got from the policemen. I vowed next time to give out even if it’s a thousand shillings to cops to avoid being locked up in such a place. I would also be more careful with night outs when it’s very late.