Bosom buddy-turned predator

By with Iponima Mtabingwa

I can only trust a dead family friend. That one is harmless. I became cynical after my bosom friend Goliath came calling from his base in Kisumu. It was a reciprocal visit that left a bitter taste in my mouth. The one thing I was sure of was: there was no love lost between him and Abscondita, my dear wife!

She harboured a grudge against him. He was the matchmaker on the night I nearly bedded my mother-in-law, she had discovered.

When Abscondita got details of the near romance with her mother, she developed a loathing for my friends, most of all Goliath. But I understood her reaction.

How on Earth would someone dupe a mother-in-law and a son-in-law into a one-night stand! In her assessment, Goliath and her mother committed the first sin. I was a pawn.

Goliath arrives

Without him, there was no way her mother would have ended up in my hotel room scantily dressed. My hospitality girl, I had called her. She spared me tongue-lashing, but reserved the harshest words for her mother.

Goliath arrived at my house one a Friday evening. I knew he would be up against hostility so I arranged for him to put up in a hotel. The tension between Abscondita and him could light a fire!

Initially, Goliath was only to visit for two days but he extended his stay by a day.

I had a busy schedule the following Monday and had planned to leave early. That Sunday, I bade Goliath goodnight and returned to the house. As seasoned boozers are wont to say: "There is too much blood in my beer."

I expected everybody in the house to be fast asleep when arrived. It was approaching 11 o’clock. To my surprise, Abscondita and my daughter Blessing were still awake. What came to my mind was that they had been arguing. ‘Rivalry’ between them frequently boils over.

Woman’s affair

But I was on my daughter’s side. She was daddy’s girl and she knew it.

As I made for the bedroom, Abscondita cleared her throat.

"Ipo, shall we talk for a little," her voice was unusually soft. I had expected a tirade.

I replied, "What is it? Have you been fighting again?" She did not respond, instead, she handed me Blessings’ mobile phone. My next reaction was impulsive.

"If Blessing has a boyfriend, it should be your responsibility to help her navigate through life. Why do want to drag me into what purely a woman’s affair? I blurted.

Instead of Abscondita, it was Blessing who spoke.

"Papa, read the message mummy is showing you," she said.

My daughter’s tone was laced with spite. The authority it disconcerted as I turned to face her.

It was a long romantic message that extolled the beauty nature had bestowed her with –– shapely legs, irresistible lips, full cheeks and spongy backside.

"I will not be travelling as I had planned. If you don’t mind I can delay my departure so we can talk more. I am dying for you." It was signed G.

"Who is G?" I asked, stupidly. There was along pause before Abscondita spoke.

"We should be asking you that question. Who is this G? Your guest was supposed to travel back to Kisumu today. What is he still doing in Nairobi?" she put it so sarcastically.

It was inconceivable. Goliath had been ogling Blessing! Things began to fall into place.

As soon as I introduced Blessing to Goliath, he gave her a long handshake.

Goliath goes missing

During subsequent interactions, Goliath would hold her by the hand, poke fun at her, and put his hands around her shoulders, stroking her. Ordinarily, it should have concerned me, but I trusted Goliath not go beyond the "uncle talk" with my daughter.

Blessing was a woman in full bloom. At 17 years, she was acutely conscious of her physical gifts and would exaggerate her femininity in the presence of any man, including me, her father.

Blessing had complained to her mother about the "abnormal physical contact" with Goliath. He had asked for Blessing mobile number, which she willingly gave to "daddy’s friend. Thereafter Goliath had been sending raunchy text messages to her.

I was angry. I forwarded all the messages to my number, which in turn I forwarded to Goliath. He did not respond. His silence was confirmation of his treachery.

I was still angry when I dialled his number two days later. He was mteja. He was unreachable!

I contacted his drinking flock in Kisumu who confirmed he had returned, but keeping to himself.

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