02/01/2023
There was a time I met in-laws that weren't really my in-laws.
Haya, I was broke and I told my friend that I didn't have any plans for Christmas. She asked me, “ati umesema huna plans?”
I said yes.
She told me they would be more than happy to have me join their family for two days Christmas and boxing day. I bargained for one. So, just Christmas.
I traveled that day and a special envoy was sent to the bus stage to pick me up. It was the uncle I was in close contact with for logistics, he told me, “wakinya thitenji uuge úgírwo.”
It was all okay until meal time and an aunt from Nyandarua was asked to pray. In that prayer she mentioned me twice as the boyfriend and soon to be husband or my friend. I was 20. With no clear vision of getting married and auntie here was praying for our children, our wedding and our future. I opened my eyes because in Sunday school, teacher Rachael said, if you don't close your eyes, God will not hear your prayers. I looked around and everyone was nodding in agreement and saying, “yes Lord.” Yes Lord to me getting married next year. Jesus Christ! My eyes remained open for the full length of the prayer because, I didn't want God to hear those prayers at least from me.
When auntie finished praying, she looked at me and said, “karibu sana our son. Huku sasa ni kwenyu, jiskie karibu. Mtoto wetu alipotwambia amepata rafiki(Kikuyus call boyfriends and girlfriends rafiki yako)tulifurahia sana. Ndio hata muanze hii maneno mapema.” She almost said mapema ndio best, but that phrase had not been coined by Genge tone people.
After meals, I was handed toothpicks, a glass of Fanta Orange and a photo album. That auntie was asked to seat next to me to take me through family photos. “Huyu ni rafiki yako hapa akiwa mdogo na cúcú yake. Hapa ni Oljoro Orok kwa mama yetu, huyo sasa utakua unamuita cúcú.”
All this time I am wondering, who is not understanding who. Because me I was there for food(mostly)not marriage.
After mkutano, my “girlfriend” was asked to take me to the stage. I know those aunties were left behind gossiping about me. “kímwana níkío kíu. Ngwíciria níkígucagia bangi nímwona njúírí íhana ya Bob Marley?”
That was my first meeting with my in-laws who were not really my in-laws. Now I understand when men are asked, “Who is Beryl?” And we say, “I don't know.” It is not that we don't know who Beryl is, it is that we don't know who she is to us. Because, maybe we met her family and we became their in-laws without our knowledge.
Have a nice time💚💚💚💚🕊️
