The time is 5:30 pm and I’m at Likoni ferry creek on my way
home. Maybe now I won’t encounter dramas as I had witnessed in the morning. The
tide was high and calm. Less noise as in the morning, I guess people are hungry
and are looking forward to getting home and rest.
I had been called for an interview in the morning by a
company I applied to two weeks ago. I woke up early and by seven I was here. I
passed by the security checkup, then the beggars lined up and some hawkers.
This is where my worry began. I knew it won’t be the same after crossing as how
it is now, smell-wise.
Every day that I plan to cross over the ferry to the island
has to be preceded by a ritual bath. It takes around ten minutes to have it. I’m
usually careful and give attention to every part covered in skin. There is a
famous saying: Take a bath and start living, brush your teeth so that others
can live. So I make the bath count. It is usually thorough on a day like this
because I had an interview. I use imperial leather soap. Though the scent it applies
to my body is not very strong, it’s good. I like it. Then I brush my teeth, not
because of oral hygiene, but for the same reason I take these baths. It’s for
people to be comfortable around me.
As far as body odor flies its importance, I avoid perfumes.
I have this sinus problem that jumps up whenever I use strong perfume, strong
pepper or very cold drinking water. You see why I have to take a good bath now,
to preserve the natural goodness of my body smell as long as possible. It’s courtesy,
It's good manners, it's being considerate. Good smell attracts and gives smiles
to unhappy pedestrians.
The Likoni ferry crossing, however, is a spoiler to the
essence of cleanliness we work for. People are congested. There is a mixture of
clean people and those who don’t care. The heat generated by the crowd is
enough to destroy the good smell you are preserving. But there is no other way,
at least for me. Maybe if I had an air-conditioned car I wouldn’t worry about
heat, sweating, and crowds. Once I had to enter the gents at Swahilipot hub and
take a second bath in the morning. It becomes necessary sometimes. But today I
march on with people, everyone pushing. Rubbing their dirt and transferring
B.O. to each other. Everyone wants to cross and be early to work or wherever
they are going.
Some guy pretended to
put a coin in a blind beggar’s cup but instead took out forty shillings out.
Luckily he was seen and forced to return the money. Aboard the ferry, there was
a Christian preacher who was open in demanding “sadaka” from people. Ferry
rules do not allow preaching or hawking while aboard. But they always do it. I
thought of broadcasting this preacher live on Facebook because he was funny,
but was afraid he might demand charity from me too. So I just listened. After
some minutes we heard noise and commotion from the lower deck. The guy who
wanted to steal from a blind beggar was talking bad and unapologetic. So they
decided to give him a lesson. Guys were beating the shit out of him. He
received a beating until he was rescued by Kenya ferry security guards after
reaching the other side. There is always drama at Likoni ferry. If nothing
perplexes you in your neighborhood, here you will by seeing fish swimming
naked.
That was in the morning. I had the interview then went to
Swahilipot hub to continue with personal projects. Now, I’m on my way back. Gazing
at the wonderful sea. Ships at berth loading and offloading. Ferry passengers
are usually less noisy at this time. After disembarking I headed straight to
the Tuktuk stage and got in one. Two more ladies got in and we were good to go.
A distinct smell started to claim the air around us. There
was no luggage behind the tuktuk, for maybe we could assume rotten fruits or
vegetables. After a few minutes, I recognized that it was B.O. It must have been coming from one of the
ladies. Exactly the one who was sitting next to me. Her redolence was stronger
than rotten food or even stench coming out from a dirty toilet. I couldn’t say
anything because she was a stranger. I wanted so much to cover my nose and face
the other side but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to offend the smelly girl,
although the smell she exudes was offensive enough. She was ebony in skin.
Pitch black but with a luster that usually makes them branded black beauties.
She wore fitting black jeans and a petite light blue blouse with colored
flowers painted on. She had meat. Not a spring chicken, but definitely not
among those who persecute themselves with diets. Her sexy hip rubbing against
my left thigh. Her only flaw was body odor.
She looked my way and smiled. I had to smile back. Of all
the criticism I will offer about her pungence, I can’t lie that she was not a
hottie. I was attracted, despite the smell. I don’t know if it was out of
madness or temporary insanity that I told her “I have a feeling I will regret not
seeing you again after today. Suppose I don’t go home, and you don’t go home.
And we stop somewhere nice just to talk for some time?”
Men are dogs, so many women would say. But if we are, they
are bitches. At the prospect of being laid by a very attractive girl, a man
would cancel an important appointment or even a meal to see it through. This
was a girl who had given me a good reason not to even befriend, but since she
was hot and easy, I saw this as a golden opportunity to excite my emotions by
passion and fly high to cloud nine. Her body stench will be easily negligible
once I’m in the throes of sweetness. Just downplay the stinking on my mind, but if it
warrants, I could cover my nose using a paper bag. Heaven knows I wanted her by
any means, regardless. There was this thirst, lust that believed she will soon
quench. And I would smile happily after that. I anticipate the lovemaking to have challenging discomfort.
Gulping for fresh air while keeping it steady. Flying my mind far away from the
guest house bed while still affording kisses and caresses. I guess I’d have to close
my eyes to at least enjoy a reasonable degree of intimacy. Foul smell Vs
passion. I hope for the response to touch to override the odor and make me
enjoy the loveliest natural ecstasy ever experienced by humans throughout time.
She was an agreeable girl. I didn’t even have to ask her
name. The other lady sitting beside her seemed pissed off. But the Tuktuk
driver was smiling. She nodded to my proposal and I touched her last right-hand
finger just to send a message. I could envision the tiredness I felt leaving my
body. Muscles releasing stress feeling fresh and youthful. I was not going to let
a stupid malodor stand in the way of my fun.
My defense and reason is I know a good number of men would
have done the same. I closed my eyes and said to myself “kufa gari, kufa
dereva.” And motioned the tuktuk driver to stop at Third world stage where we
would alight. I knew a discreet lodging behind Third world café that charged by
the hour.
