SINGLE MOM.

Chapter one : episode 1

Wiseland rescue home

Chapter one..

It had been three weeks since I lost my job numerous applications here and there had become my daily routine.

This one grey morning I woke up with expectations of something I couldn't lay a hand on so as usual I opened my email before anything else and this particular Mail made my heart skip with joy. I had been invited for an interview by a certain Non governmental organization dealing with rescuing street children and young rather teenage mothers .

I had a distant doubt about it's legitimacy but you know how it is.. being jobless, you give a chance to any opportunity that comes your way especially if you are a parent with little Children.

I read through it again and I couldn't believe it was true ,I thought to myself maybe it's a prank or something given my little qualifications as so I thought. The interview was to be in a weeks time , I promised myself that no matter what I'm not telling anyone about it until I'm in .

Wiseland rescue home! The name was crafted in bold italics at the entrance, very uncommon structures erected at it's gate, the driver rolled in the compound with me at the back left like a government official. It felt good

My mind was still racing like a broken windmill the idea of me being paid a salary of 150k KES was still like a dream or a hallucination for the lack of a better word.

And this particular day I had to begin my orientation. The place was very beautiful..it is even today. As I stepped out of the V8 I felt something really awkward, every single strand of hair in my body stood erect and being of superstitious nature I began trying to create something out if it but I couldn't lay a finger on anything so I shrugged off the feeling. Probably my excitement was making me paranoid I comforted myself and followed the Tall slim driver who seemed little or not bothered by my presence into the large Golden door or coated I wasn't sure what it was.

Behind a large mahogany Desk sat a man seemingly in his mid sixties ,He stared at me with cold eyes and then to the driver with a dismissive look , that gave me chills.

"Welcome young lady to our rescue home , here is your contract sign immediately you'll be starting work on Monday" .he spoke with finality almost throwing the contract at me due to excitement I read it quickly not giving it a thought and viola! I was already hired , that was not what I expected. "Jasmine!" He thundered , His secretary came running and from a distance you could read fear in her eyes. "take this Lady around and explain to her what we do here , also show her the nurse office it's where she'll be working form starting Monday". Up to this point so many questions were running through my mind but I didn't know who to ask everyone around here looked weird and sad. I hoped to befriend Jasmine and ask her as many questions as possible.

Through the dimly lit hallways, numerous stairs I followed her as she explained briefly about every single office but she was really avoiding questions from me finally we got to the Nurses office, it was a clinic by itself. Everything I would need to treat my patients was there I cross checked everything and I was satisfied. She handed me the key and I followed her back to the weird man who she had told me was the Director and the founder of that Home.

"How do you like your office? Is it up to your standards?" The director asked . "Yes " I answered almost whispering, the attitude everyone gave me at this place has already started giving me goosebumps , however I needed the Job so such superstitious thoughts were the last thing I wanted to affect my mind. He briefly took me through the organization's history and I could feel alot of gaps and it made me even more curious. I went home pondering if the job was real or I was still dreaming.

Months on things went smoothly nothing out of the ordinary or I probably didn't pay much attention to what was happening around me . I invest in stocks so when I wasn't busy at the office I was mostly doing some research on the market.

My life had changed a great deal and I didn't want anything to distract me , I had already had my life on the move, my dreams my goals I could see all of them clearly now so any form of distraction whether it's love was out of my list.

So one day as I took a walk in the garden during lunch break I overheard the girls talking

"He will be landing next week Saturday" I got curious and so I pretended to be checking my phone as their conversation continued " I heard from the seniors that he doesn't talk to anyone and just signals if he wants something" the other girl added . " wait , he can't speak? " the first girl asked . " No he just doesn't like interacting with commoners" they both Burst out laughing as they parted ways .

Weeks after that I could read excitement in the girls faces and they spoke amongst themselves discussing in low tones . This made me more curious but I had learnt over a time working there not to ask anything about anyone or any activity concerning the place. Everything seemed to be done in deep secret and mostly workers were strictly to mind their own business and so I did that to the maximum. But this time around "He " Made me curious.

I didn't work on weekends so I would get someone to stand in for me , so this weekend my locum decided to not show up without even giving me a call . As I was chilling in my house watching my favorite K-drama I received a call from work there was a sick kid and the nurses office was closed . Since I started working there I never wanted to get in the bad books of the short plump bald man the kids used to call him " short put" his physique explained it .

On getting there it was actually not an emergency so checked the kid and decided to stick around as I had brought my kid with me so that he could play In the swings and have fun with other kids,so I just sat there at the bench and watched him. In a flash of a second the girls were running up and down chattering excitedly some were peeping through their dormitory windows. At the gate entered a very flashy Rolls Royce phantom

That caught my eye because it was something I had not seen in this country being driven by anyone, I watched in disbelief as this Tall light-skin slender Guy came out of the back like a certain prominent person . With only a sweat pants and sweat shirts in sandals wearing and air of importance he walked majestically towards the directors office. Behind him followed a young white girl and a woman seemingly in her late fifties who I assumed was his mother due to the striking resemblance.

I wondered who they were at first but I remembered the woman I had seen her photos in the director's office and yes The young man too and it occurred to me they were the wife and son of the director and of course I knew who the girl was , she was his girlfriend or wife.

"So this is what has been driving the girls crazy the past one week huh?" I thought to myself as I slowly walked back to the office with my toddler in my hands. Since it was on a Saturday i decided to go home early , on the way I decided to call my colleague who apologized saying they had no power at their place and also she was sick and something like that she murmured over the phone and since I had known her since college I knew she was lying and it was just one of her numerous boyfriends who had come to see her. At that I thought 'im glad I'm not like that, I don't know how it feels to see different men at the same time and still be at peace '

I looked at my son sleeping in my laps as I rode the cab back home and thought about his father who had left me in a very bad situation back then , for some reason I was glad he left .

Since that weekend I would see the Guy everyday at an office that no one used since I came there and I assumed it was his office.if he was not at the office he was hanging out with his girlfriend at the garden. You may wonder why I'm suddenly paying attention to him , I also wondered the same .

" why are you staring without saying anything?" Someone asked behind me which startled me . I loved this spot as I would stare down the valley and the view of the roaring river gave me peace . I have never seen anyone there so I used to call it 'my happy place '

I looked back at who was talking and alas! Is was the director's son. "Huh? I looked at him straight in the eye. "I asked why you are staring at my girlfriend and saying nothing"

"What girlfriend?" I asked looking around that's when I realized all along there was someone else but she was way down the valley I hadn't even noticed.

" I wasn't staring at her, I was just enjoying the view of the river from up here." I replied getting back to my earlier position.

"Well anyone will think you are staring at her " he replied then stood next to me ..

"Not anyone would think so , it's just you and why would I stare at her ain't gay "

I replied and started to walk away.

" why are you leaving I'm i making you uncomfortable?" He asked almost following me.

"Yes , you are" I replied without looking back. " you like me?" He asked .

This made me stop and turn around suddenly . " why would you think I like you? Also don't follow me weren't you coming to stare at your girlfriend?" I hurried back to the office but I could feel his piercing gaze as I disappeared in between the buildings.

That was odd ! I thought as I sat behind my desk. They said he never speaks but signals so that encounter was really odd , and why would he think I like him? He's so dreamy probably he thought every female would fall heads over heels for him.

Since that day I would catch him stealing glances at me at every chance he got , at the staff meetings at the hallways when we crossed paths with him and his girlfriend and even at the cafeteria during meals .

The girls said it was odd because they have never seen him at the cafeteria so this was the first time. I went about my business without paying much attention to him because as you know the staff were supposed to mind their own business in this place and I was not intending to NOT mind own business.

Days went by and I had to put up with the discomfort of having the director's son staring at me every now and then, I just wished he would go back to wherever he came from . One morning I saw them leave as I arrived at work that day he was the one driving so I could see him clearly. He was in a suit something I hadn't seen him in since the first day I saw him I don't pay much attention to other details but the suit was noticeable. I hoped they had left for good but for a reason I felt something was missing as I went by my duties that day. I was used to bumping into him into the hallways saying sorry and speeding off as I left him staring.

On Thursday it was always a day to submit reports. I had to submit reports of all the kids I have treated for what reason and how they responded to the medication and also that of the girls as well by the girls I mean the mothers of those kids and other girls who were rescued from the streets with no kids .so this Thursday I arrived at the office of the director early in the morning but I didn't meet him instead I met his wife . We chatted for a while and I noticed she was Abit friendly unlike the old man

That day I was to take reports of the three months to the NGOs office in Nairobi. I wasn't briefed that I'd be doing that so it came as a shocker to me but as usual I'm always ready to take up any task . I was driven there by her personal driver so it made things easier for me.

I have never seen such a beautiful magnificent office in all my life , the whole building was almost covered with glass , the compound all covered in cobble stone with artistic patterns. Beautiful flowers on the side walk. The view was breathtaking! " miss we are here" it was the driver I almost forgot that I had to get out of the car .

I walked in awe as I stared left right and centre not able to believe that such a place existed in Kenya. A tall dark guy with glasses joined me in the elevator, he was about to press the button to the 9th floor but I did it before he got to it . "Seems we are going to the same floor" . He said not even looking at me and I nodded my head in the same manner.

"You're also here to see the CEO?" It was the same guy following me through the hallway. This time I looked back as I answered him . Then he mummured something I couldn't get clearly so I just assumed he said 'what a coincidence '

All along in the elevator I wondered why I had to take the reports to the CEO himself. I knocked the door and I was almost pulling not noticing the sign that said push how foolish of me luckily the guy who was following me saw I was hesitant to enter and pushed it .

"Brian!" Someone from inside shouted . The guy who I now knew the name got in excited they shook hands happily with the person I assumed to be the CEO , I just stood there and waited for them to finish whatever it was because they seemed to be very close friends. As I stood there looking confused someone from inside called " Miss cate? Aren't you going to come in?" I was startled whoever it was knew my name already. I quietly walked in my head down as I greeted

" why are you being shy ? It's not like we are strangers! " . That voice it was familiar, I looked up and there he was the Guy I assumed to be the director's son seating behind that magnificent golden desk swinging In a beautiful chair flipping his pen with a smirk on his face.

"Oh , I didn't know it was you " that's all I could mutter at that moment as I placed the reports on the desk. " what are they?" I looked at him and wondered if he really didn't know or was just messing with me.

" the medical reports of the kids sir" I could see an evil smirk from the corner of my eye when I called him sir. " if there's nothing more I will be on my way " I said as I turned to leave. " Aren't you going to stay a little longer ? Have some coffee and catch up?" I looked at him as if to ask ' are we friends or something?' But I could only say the words in my head.

I lost my way , I hadn't noticed how similar all the doors looked but I couldn't find the exit towards the elevator I mean I was too confused after meeting him there as the CEO . I had no option but to go back and ask for directions I was about to knock as they both pulled the door from inside that made me to lose my balance and fall inside but luckily Brian held me so I didn't meet the ground.

"You forgot something?" The CEO guy asked amidst laughter. At this point I was too embarrassed to even ask for the direction. I let go off Brian real quick took a step back and all I could say was "sorry". I followed them at a close distance and hid when they looked back I just wanted to see what door they will use to exit so they could get into the elevator. I waited until they descended and got into the elevator alone . I was shocked to find myself at the basement where the vehicles were packed , luckily I could find my way out from there.

As I got to the exit I heard a honk " you weren't following me just now were you?" I looked back only to see that CEO guy who until now I hadn't known his name . I was too embarrassed to say anything. I knew what he was doing he knew clearly I was lost but kept making Fun of me .

I finally got home and I couldn't get over the embarrassment. But I kept wondering why I felt embarrassed Infront of him as if he was someone I cared about. So he is the CEO of the most Famous NGO in the country? No wonder he carried himself with an air of importance wherever he went . I thought he had left the country seems he had just officially started staying here.

Since I started working in wise land rescue home I only encounter minor illness like headaches, diarrhoea, Stomach aches and sometimes giving painkillers for menstrual cramps . I hardly treated the staff But on this day the Guard came in complaining of a stomach ache and a serious diarrhoea. Following up he said that he had just taken the food from the cafeteria the previous day and since I had not received any other complain from the same I just decided to rule it out as food poisoning. I gave him the medication and he left but after 30 minutes I started receiving one patient after the other and it was alarming.

I called the office and there was no one so I decided to take action by contacting the nearest hospital and asking for assistance, I had to coordinate with the school driver and the matrons so we could get everyone to the hospital.

It was hectic as we tried to make sure no word gets out before the higher ups know and also no one was left unattended. That day I got off work very late and found my kid already asleep at my nanny's so I couldn't wake them up and just had to let him spend the night there.

"Why was there no one at the office? Why did you guys let her handle this serious situation all on her own? What if the word has already gotten out there already? Do you know what damage this could cause this place?" This was the first time I saw the harsh old man being humble Infront of anyone . What I didn't understand is why the son was scolding the Father it didn't seem right to me .

"Julius that's enough! You can't be scolding your uncle that way please calm down" . Now it occurred to me. The old man wasn't the father to this Guy he was his maternal uncle . Seems there was alot I didn't know about the place and anyhow I didn't see the need as long as I did my job.

I stood there for one hour as they discussed amongst themselves then later I was called in " miss Cate thank you for taking care of the situation all on your own . We don't know what would have happened had you decided to wait for any of us" . I looked at his serious Face and for once I saw it, he took his work seriously.

" you're welcome sir , I was just doing my job" I said calmly. " you can report back to your station and pass by the kitchen ask madam Esther to come to the office this minute."

I knew what was about to go down I only hoped they wouldn't fire her mistakes happen you know.

I was restless the whole day , I couldn't rest knowing that someone might lose their job.