10.18 p.m

Yesterday was like any other day.I went to work,I got derailed after work and at a pretty decent hour I started heading towards home. (Yes, its amazing to think you can get derailed from my house far far way!) On my way home, I saw a familiar car parked on the side of the road. I have to admit my reaction time was as slow as it could be.

My brain: Ala! I know that car.
My hand; You really should call and check if they are alright.
My eyes: Aaaaah! 2 texts and a missed call. I really should read that!
My brain: Stupid woman.Call them and find out first if they are fine.

I was bumping my head to techno at the time. I hate techno music by the way. I was just too lazy to change the channel. After a few seconds of tug of war between various body part, I made the call:

Just spotted you at the side of the road.Are you ok!
The car stalled. But he's already here and now we're fine.
Oh!sawasawa. Do you need me to turn back?
I think so. No wait, there are people coming........(random voices on the other side!)
Weeee, wacha jokes! (*stop joking!)


BREATH IN!
I was on low reaction time but I turned and sped back in the direction I had come from. You know how they say that adrenaline is the "fight or flight" hormone...Mine is the "frozen yet highly confused" hormone. But I did will my body to head towards dangerous grounds. They are family. We fight as a group. When I went to slow down where the car was parked, he ran towards me
"Don't stop...go get the cops!"

Do I stop and try and help, do I drive off again, where do I go? All cops seemed miles away. I tried going one way, half way there, I stopped to ask for directions from a cab guy who was slightly drunker and more confused than me. He was clearly not of much help. I thought the other side would be easier so I turned back and sped back then I remembered, Number 1 is much closer to that one so I called tried to sound as calm as possible and talk in one comprehensible language.I talked in all 3.badly.

"I think they are in trouble"
"Serious....where?"
Near Kenol...They told me to get the cops!"
"Where are you?"
"Heading to the cops!"
"I'm on my way!"

As I passed the car for the 3rd time that night, the scene had changed. Many other cars in the area....My brain cursed in several languages.

And for the umpteenth time that night: Should I stop, should I go, Should I call...Is anything I'm going to do going to worsen or improve the situation. I floored the accelerator. I had a task. I needed to do this.Every minute felt like an hour. Every car was moving at snail's pace. I wanted to scream.

I screeched at the cop shop. Katikati ya parking ndio mimi huyo. I ran in...

"I need a cop. I think someone is being robbed"
"Umeona hiyo gari hapo nje madam. Ebu angalia kama iko na mtu!"
My brain: Eh?!
He nonchalantly turns back to his OB. Don't ask how I know it's an OB book.

Out the door like the wind. I knock on the window.A sleepy man tries to roll down his window. Pauses.Thinks that is not going to work. Looks for his lock for a bit. Fumbles. Door finally opens. The OSC.

"Habari ya madam!"
"Kuna mtu ananeed usaidizi" (I will say at this point, my swa is terrible and it gets worse when emotions are high!)
"Wapi."
"Kenol"
"Number ya simu"
"Yangu ama yake"
(He stares at me for a second like I was retarded)
"Nipe namba yake ya simu"
I give it to him.

"Over!over! Kuna mtu amepiga in distress. Nadhani ameshambuliwa"
Crackle!Crackle!
"Number yake ya simu!Over!"
What's with the phone numbers. What was this...A call center! I stifle a scream.
I paced some more.
And then I listened to the drama unroll on the other side. Calls were made on his mulika mwizi while he casually leaned on his car with no window rolling things.It was back and forth for a few minutes. I was walking back and forth for a few minutes. Then it hit me, Number 1 said he'd be here by now...I dial.

"I went to him. We wouldn't be any help with both of us just standing around."
My mind: What is wrong with you....Are you freaking insane.

Two minutes later.The phone rings

"Go home.We're on our way!"

*If something had happened, would "Wacha jokes" have been my last words?
BREATH OUT!