Mexico Square, July 23 10:15 AM

[Efrem]

 

Standing just outside the headquarters of the Federal Police's new building, he felt the searing morning sun, as it shone brilliantly in the sky and bathed the multitude of people and cars that were zigzagging through the square that served to connect and merge roads that came from National Theatre, Stadium, Sar Bet, Lideta and Hotel D'Afrique, it is one of the most busiest stretches of roads found in Addis Ababa, which was reflected by the cacophony of car horns coming from vehicles jammed in the twisted and frustrating mid-morning traffic jam.

He was very tired and the sheaf of documents that he was carrying in his handbag felt heavy in his hands and did nothing to deter his feelings. The engagement that he attended the previous night was an all night affair which helped to compound his tiredness. Yesterday he was witness to stream after stream of nosy, presumptuous as well as judgmental relatives interacting with each other and causing an explosion of reactions that could be witnessed in a typical Ethiopian family. He always felt a little weary towards his relatives, but unlike his friend Matheos, he accepted the fact that he was duty bound to responsibilities that accompanied family and relatives.

Although he didn't accommodate every single demand that was placed upon him, he just attended the right amount of family gatherings whether they are wakes, weddings or in this case engagement parties, to be recognized as family, and be at the fore-front  of the his family's long list of do-gooders. Yesterday was a prime example. He attended the engagement of his third aunt's second daughter on his mother's side, where he met distant relatives from all over.

A couple hours into the event his cousin Kale, one of the few he liked, saw him from across the room and came towards him accompanied by the most beautiful girl he had laid his eyes on. The first thing that flashed past his mind was, Oh God don't let her be a relative, as if he would have the grit to ask her out in front of all his family.

-Efi!!, thank God you're here- said Kale in her husky voice, whilst embracing him in a big hug and pecking his cheeks as customary, Efrem somehow managed to bring his customary shy smile and responded

-you mean, thank God you have a viable  and respectable…- adjusting his tie- …alibi that you could abuse as a cover to your poor mother- to which Kale responded with a hearty laugh and finished his question by saying

-well… yes, that and I also need a temporary, emphasis on the word, chaperone to my friend Helen…- which was when she introduced her companion, with her fair skin ,almond eyes, divinely shaped lips and her full sumptuous figure encased in a dark blue suit that highlighted her shapely legs and her perfectly complemented low heel pump wearing feet.

-…people are ogling her to death, thus I need you to look out to her while I talk to my mom- finished Kale, heading off towards the direction of her mother without waiting for an answer. Efrem looked at Helen when she extended her arm and clasped his hands with her long fingers, and in the process intoxicating his nostrils with her subdued but decidedly feminine cologne scent.

-Hey formally Helen, informally Tati- she sayed while she shook and kissed the mute Efrem, her eyes amused by the reactions she was getting from him

-Hey, Efrem, so since you are stuck with me for the next 10 minutes…- said Efrem- why don't you come up with a subject we can argue strongly on so that we don't talk about how beautiful you are- the last sentence thought out loud without warning. Red flush crept up Efrem's round face

Helen laughed, then spent the rest of her time with Efrem surprising him, with her easy banter her quick mind and her extensive grasp of world politics and current events, until Kale came and took her away to his chagrin.

 

Semien Mazegaja, July 23 10:15 AM

[Sara]

 

She was still in bed, she didn't feel like getting up. She lazily stretched her legs until her feet appeared beneath the sheets, which got an angry response from her fluffy cat Nene sleeping at the bottom of the bed.

The door to her bedroom, squeaked open and her 17 years old sister Hanna, peeked through the small opening.

-Oh great! You're awake- she said and shooing away the irate Neni, she sat on Sara's bed after kissing her sister on her forehead.

-Totit, - said Sara calling her little sister by her nickname, whilst brushing her frizzy hair with her fingers. She was always amazed at her sister's crazy sense of "fashion". Right then she had on a green t-shirt with a low neckline, accompanied with a tight cream colored short jeans.

- You know that today is "Gentle Day"…- referring to the day high school senior dressed themselves in formal clothing to celebrate their final high school days- …and I was wondering if I could borrow that brown evening dress you have- finished Hanna twinkling her eyes.

-oh, so today is the day… I almost forgot- said Sara -….mmpphhh- to which Hanna gave an exasperated look

-so will you lend me your dress? …yes or no?- asked Hanna,

-yes if you will let me fix that mop you call hair-to which she got a huge tight hug from her little sister as a response.

After helping her sister dress herself, Sara saw her out and decided to go to the living room for some TV, that's when the phone residing near the big sofa shrilled.

Sara picked the telephone,

-Hello?-

-Hello,….Hello may I talk to Sara please- asked the static interrupted male voice

-I am Sara, who is this?- asked Sara

-Amede, its me….-

-Kibru, is that really you- said an exited Sara

-…yes….yes, hey how are you, you sound a lot better than the last time- said the best friend of her late fiancé, currently residing in Dallas Texas.

- yes I'm okay, I'm taking it one day at a time, ….how are you?- asked Sara fondly remembering the support he gave her on her time of need and the good friendship he had with her fiancé.

-I'm fine, right now I am working like crazy, anyways I will be coming to Addis Ababa in one month, is there anything that you would like me to bring you?- asked the thoughtful Kibru

-that's wonderful, no just come down, I can't wait too see you.-said Sara knowing that he would bring something anyways

-okay then, I will call you when I arrive in addis. Take care, bye- Kibru clicked off.

 

N.B. I apologize to all my readers for the delay of my latest blog, even if it was due to unforseen events.