Perpetual
Chapter 02

The App has received a lot of positive feedback. We deliberately cemented ourselves on the ground before the launch knowing that we would need the clients once we were fully operational and now I am proudly watching as the numbers keep going up in terms of downloads and usage.

‘You need to stop looking at your screen.’ James says as he walks into my office.

I honestly can’t help it. Everyone is happy that we are in business but I know better. We need to stay in business if all of us are to have an income at the end of the day and that means making sure that the app is being downloaded, it’s being used and has zero to no glitches at all.

‘There is nothing that I can say that will make you stop right?’

‘You might be in luck because I am starving.’ I say looking at my watch.

‘Even better because I am mighty hungry too.’

‘Nshima?’

‘Yes please.’

We leave the office and walk to Millenium Bus Station. We have been eating from one Congolese lady there since our days in UNI and having an office near here is a plus. We leave our jackets in the office considering the weather outside and walk to the restaurant. As usual it is packed but we are lucky enough to replace one free table. The lady who we call mama D is busy attending to customers but she smiles at us when she sees us and sends a younger lady to our table.

‘Good afternoon, what are you having today?’ the lady asks.

It’s my first time seeing her here. She looks like she is in her early twenties, her skin is flawless and she wears her hair natural.

‘Is that your hair?’ I ask just to be sure.

‘Yes it is.’

‘I like it, the curls too.’

‘Thank you Sir.’

‘You can call me Leo.’

‘Okay. What can I get you?’

‘You won’t tell me your name?’

‘Sir?’ she asks looking at James

‘Give us two plates of nshima, one with chargrilled t-bone and another with village chicken.’

‘Vegetables?’

‘Everything that has been cooked.’

‘Coming right up.’ She says and excuses herself.

‘What was that about?’ James asks me.

‘Tell me she is not the most beautiful woman you have ever seen.’

‘Yes she is beautiful but not the most beautiful.’

‘You are lying right?’

‘About?’

‘James honestly there is no one as beautiful as she is.’

‘I don’t know what has gotten over you, but whatever it is I hope you tame it. You are a rising CEO, you can’t have any distractions.’

‘I said she is beautiful, I didn’t say I want to have anything with her.’

‘I know you Leo.’

‘And by that you mean?’

‘Let us just say that I know you.’

I shake my head and laugh lightly. We change the subject and start talking about something else. The food is brought after twenty minutes and I avoid talking to the lady though a part of me really wants to. Like always the food is delicious, it's so good we keep quiet the entire time until we are done.

‘I hope you boys have enjoyed your food.’ Mama D says coming to join us just before we can clear the bill.

‘You know no one cooks better than you.’ I compliment putting a toothpick in my mouth.

‘All of you say that until you marry and you no longer need me in your lives.’

‘Leo here is taken by that new lady you have.’ James accuses and I want the ground to swallow me because the lady is on the next table and she has heard us.

‘Pearl is a good girl but she is not ready to date anyone right now, she is busy with school.’

‘What is she studying?’

‘Interior design or something, I still don’t understand why someone would waste four years of their lives studying such a course when you can go to a tertiary school and learn the skill. That is just money being wasted and I bet her parents roll in their graves year in year out.’

‘I can hear you.’ Pearl says before walking away.

‘I meant for you to hear me.’ Mama D shouts back.

She shakes her head and tells us the bill, once we clear it we leave the restaurant.

‘Do you think our office needs some renovation?’

‘We just opened Leo.’

‘I think my office needs some interior décor.’

James eyes me, clearly understanding what I am saying.

‘Forget about her, yes she is beautiful but you don’t need to pursue her.’

‘I just want her to use her skills that’s all.’

‘Whatever you say Leo, I believe you and I will support you.’

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️