JAMES' POV

After my second failed date with Lulu due to the accident of one of her lead engineers we drifted apart. It was none of our doing, just fate being cruel. She had to get another engineer and get them up to date with everything they were doing which took up a lot of her time. On my side there was an outbreak of Black keg disease in our village and the surrounding ones which led to me working odd hours and having less time for casual meetings. My uncle had even come out of retirement to help me since the work was too much for one person. We had to vaccinate the unaffected animals and treat the sick ones. There was a huge loss of cattle and for a pastoralist community it took its toll. Lulu stepped up and helped up us where she could, making sure we had all the medicine and tools to curb the disease.

It had been two months and we had just seen each other in passing never seeing each other for more than five minutes at a time. I really missed her but we were both busy and there was nothing we could do about that. Anytime I planned on us meeting or spending time together an emergency always came up and we ended having to cancel plans. It made me think that we had to be cursed or something. I couldn't get her out of my head and I was scared that the distance would build a bigger bridge between us. We already struggled enough without being separated by our responsibilities. We couldn't ignore our work but I also hoped the stars would align in our favor so we could get some much needed us time.

Someone patted my back grabbing my attention from my depressing thoughts. I turned around and faced my uncle who was dressed in similar coveralls to mine.

"What's on your mind son? You look distracted."He inquired putting his bag in the bed of the truck.

"A lot."I replied honestly.

"Want to talk about it?"

"No, I'll be okay."I answered not really in the mood to talk about it.

There was nothing anybody could do to help me.

"That's okay just don't get too lost, you need to be a hundred percent to do this job properly."He advised and I nodded.

I closed the bed of the truck and we got in driving to the next homestead. We had just finished vaccinating a hundred cattle and it was just ten o'clock in the morning. We had a long day ahead of us. We were almost done covering all the animals, just two more weeks and we'd be free. Maybe then I'd get some actual free time to spend with Lulu. My uncle kept giving me weird glances but I didn't dare acknowledge him. I kept one hand on the wheel with the other on my chin. I really needed to get some time off. My dreads needed a retouch and I was starting to grow a beard and I preferred my face clean shaven. I couldn't let Lulu see me in such a state, no need to give her another reason to stay away from me.

After I dropped my uncle off at his home at the end of the day I decided to pass by my parents compound to check up on them. I'd already vaccinated their livestock but my mom kept demanding to see me and I didn't want her showing up at my place unannounced so I decided to heed her call. I parked the truck just outside the compound and got out locking it. I was very grateful to Lulu for lending it to me, it helped me a lot. My truck had decided it was done working completely so I'd sold it for parts. I was hoping to save up enough money to buy a new one but that was not my priority at the moment. Lulu had also assured me not to be in a rush. I still needed to finish my house and the sanctuary was already undergoing renovations and that was a lot money already even with Lulu's help.

Since I showed up late in the evening everyone was settled down eating so I wasn't attacked by excited kids. I washed up outside before entering my mother's hut where she was gathered with my dad and a few of my siblings eating supper. The food was laid out in the middle and everyone was busy catching up and eating. It reminded me of the time Lulu had visited the compound for the first time. It seemed so long ago yet it was only five months ago.

"Finally the prodigal son returns."My sister Namelok teased.

I ignored her and took my place at the end of the table next to my mom after greeting everyone. My mom as always was quick to tend to me and fixed me a food of plate quickly filled with meat, vegetables and ugali. I thanked her and dug in immediately since I was famished.

"Why didn't you bring Lulu with you? We haven't seen her in a while."My dad asked and everyone confirmed with nods and hums.

"Neither have I."I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?"My mom asked next to me.

"She's busy, we both are."I said louder hoping they would all drop the topic but I should have known that would be praying for rain in the dessert.

"Don't tell me you screwed up already?"My eldest brother Timothy teased and I resisted the urge to chuck a bone at him.

"I didn't do anything."I argued defensively.

"That's a problem too. You should have already wooed her by now and won her over. It's been almost half a year since she's been with us."Namelok added as if I didn't already know.

I wanted to defend myself and tell them that it was not my doing that Lulu wasn't my girlfriend yet. Well some of it might be my fault seeing as I was always tongue tied in her presence but they didn't need to know about that. For the most part it was just the universe working against us. Telling them all that would lead to more questions so I just let them talk. It was the reason I didn't like making frequent visits home. My life, especially the fact that I wasn't married was always the topic of discussion.

"Do you want some pointers on how to talk to women? I'd be happy to teach you."Timothy asked smirking and I resisted the urge to flip him off.

He was so smug seeing as he had three wives. Yes polygamy was still accepted in our village. Three was actually a small number, some men had as many as eight wives and all were happy. If talking to one woman was an issue, what about multiple, it was the reason I was a monogamous man.

"Eat your food and leave your brother alone."My mom admonished coming to my rescue.

She didn't do it from the goodness of her heart though.

"Now you, I thought you would have already propose by now."She scolded me.

See what I mean.

I shoveled food into my mouth, wanting to finish as fast as possible so I could run away. My siblings could be nosy but my mom was the lead detective. My dad usually just sat and listened, he only intervened when it got too rowdy.

"I know you think I should not be meddling in your life and I respect that but as your mother it is my job to make sure that you're well taken care of."She insisted and I scowled.

"I can take care of myself."I muttered.

"No you can't, you work too much and barely eat. You need a woman's touch in that empty house of yours."My mom continued.

In that aspect she was right but she didn't need to know that. My house was fine to me the way it was but everyone else who saw it said it was too bare and extremely male.

"If you think you don't need a woman in your life then tell me why you built that big house if you're going to live there on your own?"She inquired.

"I never said I didn't want to date mom."I corrected.

"Then what are you waiting for. I've set you up with every eligible girl in this village but you rejected them all. I even tried to set you up with Lulu thinking you didn't want to be tied down to this village but it's been months and still nothing. Are you okay? Or maybe you prefer picking fruits from the same tree you're from?"

"Huh?"I adore asked confused.

"You know what I mean. You prefer willies to melons."She continued and I found myself choking on my food when it hit me what she meant.

I poured myself a glass of water as I continued coughing. Chugging it down, I turned to her with a glare as my siblings laughed.

"I'm not gay mom."I denied quickly.

"Then something is wrong with you then. What is it?"

"Nothing. I'm straight. I love women and want to get married to one someday. And if you must know Lulu and I had began dating but we had to put a pause in our relationship due to some unavoidable circumstances."I explained already at the edge the rope.

"Really? That's good news. You need to unpause it then, I'm not getting any younger."My mom exclaimed.

"It's not that easy."

"Yes it is, if it isn't then you make it easy. I want grandchildren from you before I meet my maker."She continued.

"Yes ma'am."I replied hoping we were done.

I was grateful when my dad changed the topic to ask me about the progress of the cattle disease I was fighting. We talked about that and a lot more during the rest of supper and I was glad we had stopped discussing my love life. It was not over though. My mother would never let it go until she saw me getting married and held my child in her arms. She'd probably find something else to bug me about after that. I loved my mom but sometimes being her favorite came with its disadvantages. She was always in my business and even though it came from a good place, it didn't mean that I was okay with it.

After supper my sisters cleared the dishes and I got up ready to leave but my mom stopped me. She asked me to wait for her outside as she grabbed something for me. It was probably food for me to carry home.

I waited for a few minutes as she came outside carrying a bundle wrapped in a Shuka. She handed it to me and I went to open it but she slapped my hands away.

"That's not for you. It's for Lulu."

"What is it?"

"A new Shuka and a some jewelry. It's just a token of appreciation for everything she's doing for us. She helped my yoghurt business bloom and now I have some extra money in my pocket."She explained smiling.

"She'll love it, I'll make sure she gets it."

"Good and use that opportunity to win her over son. I love you and I want what's best for you."My mom encouraged.

"I hear you mom."I replied and she patted my cheek lovingly before turning around and walking back into her hut.

I chuckled to myself before leaving the compound and getting into the truck. I put Lulu's package in the backseat. I had back to back appointments for the next few days but I'd get to her during the weekend. It would be a good excuse to see her and make plans to go on another date, hopefully it would be luckier than the previous ones. Another failed date and I'd actually take it as a sign that the universe was against us being together.

The drive back to my house was silent seeing as it was already late. When I got home I made sure to close the gate and check up on my watchman. After he assured me that all was okay, I entered the house and went straight to my room to take a shower.

Feeling refreshed I sat on top of my bed in nothing but a pair of baggy shorts. I decided to text Lulu and see if she was free during the weekend so I didn't disrupt any plans. I texted what I wanted directly without beating around the bush.

Hi, I was wondering if you're free this weekend. My mom gave me some things and asked me to deliver them to you.

It took a few minutes but she replied before I could fall asleep.

Hi James. I'll be busy all morning but I'm free in the afternoon.

Sweet. Ill pass by then.

I'll be expecting you. Make sure to bring some yoghurt. I'm running out.

I chuckled to myself amused at how she had gotten addicted to my mom's yogurt so fast.

I will. Goodnight beautiful.

I realized too late about what I'd sent and quickly chucked the phone away from me. The message had already delivered. It's not like I didn't mean to call her beautiful but it still felt like a big step. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid my eyes on. The text just felt intimate and we weren't there yet.

I started freaking out when she didn't reply. Maybe I had offended her. I was about to pick up my phone and try to salvage everything when it pinged with another text. I reached for it to read the text and a smile graced my lips when I saw her reply.

Sweet dreams handsome.

I almost squealed in excitement but I managed to hold myself back. I hugged the phone to my chest like a love struck fool. I slowly drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Lulu's beautiful face in my mind.

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

Writes block is a bitch but I still managed to get this chapter down. I hope you guys enjoyed it because it took everything in me to get it done. It's a filler but it was needed to explain the next chapter.

Polygamy is still real in some communities in our country and embedded in every males DNA considered they are all cheating bastards. Well most of them at least.

Anyway away from that.. Who loves James mom like I do? She's so meddlesome, I love it.

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