#TeamRopem

Some people in life are just lucky. And some are definitely not. Like me, for instance. I don’t know what side I should classify myself in. Its hard to do this things. But one thing I have learnt about this life is never, and I mean never, think you’re prone to bad luck. Simple.

We all have a past. It may be good, bad or even disappointing. But its our own past and we can never change that. Appreciating life means appreciating those things in life we just can’t change, and learning to live with them. Its takes a really big heart and mind to do this, something not so many of us will ever have courage to have.

And then in the midst of life crisis we meet these special people that make us forget ourselves completely. Its funny how that works. Its like they suck us into their enchanted world just for the merriment of it. We forget how loaded and heavy our hearts are, and we find ourselves enjoying their company in a way we can not explain.

A month ago when I got this job at an accessory shop, I thought only about the money I would be making. Then I met the staff and its like my life changed completely. My past blurred in front of me and before I knew it I had become so attached to them…. Nothing mattered as long we were together. We laughed, joked at almost everything. I had the time of my life and God knows how much I would die to have this once again.

Emmah was my closest pal. She was funny, a blonde in her own way. Something about the way she walked and  did her things in a hurry made me laugh. We used to have dinner together, and the funniest of times came when we would argue about what to cook. She had a coast accent that made her stand out in conversations.

She had this thing with coastal dishes, and she ended up introducing me to a variety of goodies I have never been able to pronounce until now. She was good company, lots of stories and as I would say, my partner in crime. She knew much about me than anybody else in that room, something that made me a potential customer for her advice most of the times.

And then there was Alma. Emmah always called her Alima… And I gave up trying to wonder why. Her name always sounded familiar to me, kinda like I had known her in my childhood even before we met. She was like a big sister to me… She would occasionally give me a bite of the snacks she was always eating, and we laughed especially at when she would tell me how much I was gonna grow fat in a matter of months.

She was a happy soul… Laughed 90% of the day and it was hard to stay in a sombre mood around her. I can imagine how lucky her siblings were having her for entertainment, hahaa…

And then there was the brother I never had. Peter was cheery… And his is the one guy I know in my life who would never tell you NO to anything you asked for. He had a liking for some old school church music which we made fun of but nevertheless liked so much.

But as they say, everything good and bad in life comes to an end. It gets a time when our past catches up with us and we have to chose our destiny wisely, or end up being miserable for the rest of our life. But I wanna tell you something as you read this. Not everything is as we see. There’s much to everybody’s story than we see with our biological eyes. Some people have a past that is better off kept quiet.

I would confidently say that am a sad man, with an undecided fate. Its a time in my life where I don’t know whats good, whats trustworthy or safe anymore. But I know one thing for sure. My crew, friends and boss back at Ropem were the best I will ever have. I would do anything to get back to what we had. This is all I have for you:

I take this opportunity to thank you guys for making my time so wonderful for the short time we had. I appreciate all you did for me and you can be assured I take none of that for granted. I may not know when we’re gonna meet again, but I know in good faith one day we gonna be reunited again. Am sorry I couldn’t say goodbye, but I hope to see you again someday. It was so hard for me to explain my troubles and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t gather the courage to do it. May God watch over you everyday. Am gonna miss you so much wherever I will be. Goodbye..

Posted by Fredrick Njoroge

That Girl Frico

You see, I met this girl last week. She was so funny; full of life and a lively chat mate. We became close in a matter of days. I couldn’t help but send her a message every few hours. I loved the way she used emoji to make me smile at every single message she sent. Frankly she mesmerized me, and it was a pity when I learned she was from coast, hundreds of miles away.

Yea… I know what you’re thinking right now. But no. The story continues. Among my many interests in her was her smile, which I couldn’t help but notice as I scrolled through her many pictures I had. She looked upfront and independent. And then came her most controversial aspect. Her sense of fashion.

I really don’t know what exactly fascinated me. Her choice of clad, the colors she loved, or the way she looked amazing in short stylish dresses. They made her elegant and classic. I specially loved her nose piercing. Nothing, and I mean nothing, made me crazy as a nose piercing.

You see, when you meet such kind of people, crazy ideas start running in your head. I was no exception. I wondered how it would be to start a modelling company. Or how nice it would be to start a clothes shop of my own. Most stupidly of all I developed this interest in make-up. Okay, lets forget that for a while.

And that hair. Phweeeks. No comment. I never realised snapbacks look so good with braided hair. Its very surprising how I ended up noticing the smallest of details. Like the Kenyan based beaded bracelet that hang around her right arm. Exactly like mine. And on that note… We indeed have something in common!

Looking at her reminded me of a high school crush I loved so much. Tyra Banks. Don’t laugh, am so serious. I’ll hate you if you do. I saw her as a goddess of all models. I couldn’t understand why she left the modelling industry. She was so perfect. And when I was just about to give up… She came along.

Two years down the line I see myself being a model myself, or even the proud owner of a modelling company, say for example Fredizzo Modelling Inc. Even the name sounds bazinga. And if I won’t ever have this model as my assistant I promise myself she will be in my list of my most favourite models in the world one day. Or my mentor. Or wife. Who knows?

Posted by Fredrick Njoroge

Never Cheat On The Woman You Love

It’s Friday evening, as usual traffic out of the city is heavy. You pray that the clouds hold on until you reach your destination. You just got back from a week-long workshop in Nakuru. You long for two things, your bed and having the woman you love most in your arms.

After maneuvering through the chaotic traffic, you get home only to find your lady preparing Ugali, chicken and managu, your favorite dish.

She flashes you a disarming smile melting away the lag. She is in a black and white striped dress that ends just above the knees revealing a pair of shapely legs. STL kind of legs. How did I end up with such a jewel? Not only does she have all qualities you want in a wife but is also an exquisite beauty.
You jump into the bathroom, take your time to manscape and douse your body with invigorating shower creams. By the time you are done, dinner is ready. She sets the dishes on a mat in the balcony.
The clouds are gone so you can see the crescent moon and stars. She serves the food, pours wine into the glasses then sits next to you, leaning her head on your chest.

Tonight you let her do the talking. She tells you how her week has been. Just like previous times, her jealous workmates couldn’t refrain themselves from making her life a living hell.
For almost half-hour, you hold each other in silence, watching the magical sky. She suggests you go to bed. You promise to join her in a few minutes after replying to an urgent email.
In the real sense, your main objective is to move any suspicious pictures of the workshop from your phone into a hidden folder in the computer. After hiding away the contraband, you slip into your pajamas then join her in bed.
On previous nights she would come up with flimsy excuses however tonight she makes the first move. Whoever said distance makes the heart fonder must have had her in mind. The night turns out to be a passionate one.

Reeling from last night’s lovemaking you feel obliged to serve your her breakfast in bed so you dash into the kitchen and make omelets. As you are walking back to the bedroom carrying the tray something on the desk catches your eye.

You retrace your steps to the desk and set the tray beside the computer. The screen comes to life revealing a picture of you getting cozy with another lady, damn! How could I forget to switch off the computer and worst of all leave a suspicious picture on the screen? You quickly hide the folder then switch off the computer feeling all lucky that your lady was still asleep. You then pick the tray and walk into the bedroom.
Morning sleeping beauty, I made you breakfast,” you announce while pulling the duvet away from her.

She turns to face you. Her countenance is without a trace of delight. You offer her a piece of the omelet. She refuses to open her mouth instead stares back at you. You don’t need an oracle to know things are about to get ugly.
You sit on the edge of the bed and sip some juice as you wait for her to throw the first salvo. What could I have possible done? You unsuccessfully rack your brains for clues.

Just before you take a bite at your tasty sandwich, she sits up and asks, “Who is Liz?”

This question throws you off balance. Liz is the lady you had a short-lived fling with a couple of months ago.

“Why are you asking and where is this coming from?” you respond feigning annoyance.

“I want to know who Liz is to you,” she says in a shrill voice.

“She is just a friend! Umm…she is a close friend and a business partners nothing more,” you say unconvincingly as you try to figure out how much she knows about the fling.

“If she is just a friend, why do you have a folder full of pictures of you and her? Do you always kiss your so called business partners,” she hisses.

“No, that was a mistake…We were both drunk…You have nothing to worry about. Come on babe, she has a boyfriend and you know it’s you I love,” you say emphatically.

You move closer trying to embrace her only to have her push you away. She jumps out of bed tears streaming down her face and makes for the computer.
Guilt eats you up inside. The sight of the woman you love crying isn’t something you ever want to see again. How do you make her understand you only cheated on her at a time when your relationship was going through a rough patch?

She is now crying uncontrollably while checking the incriminating pictures of you and Liz. You stand next to her ashamed, regretting why you messed things up.

“Why did you hurt me like this after all I have done for you? I stuck with you when you were a broke college student. I helped you grow your business. I even turned down a promotion so that I would stay close to you only for you to cheat on me,” she says amid sobs.
Every word she says is like a dagger through your heart. It pains you further to know she is a good woman. In many ways, she has made you into the man you are today. Now, she is the greatest woman you are about to lose.

You beg for forgiveness and promise to mend your ways forever. Unfortunately, she doesn’t believe anything coming out of your mouth. To her, you are the man that selfishly broke her heart.
She puts on her lovely black & white stripped dress, picks her handbag and walks out of your apartment without touching her breakfast or even brushing her teeth.

You run after her only to find her out of the main gate. You call out her name. She looks back, pain, disappointment and rejection written all over her face. Your heart sinks further knowing that is probably the last time you will ever set your eyes on her.

Fellow men, if you have a good woman strive to do right by her because good women are hard to come by.
Take time off your busy schedule today, treat your woman and appreciate her especially if she has been by your side when you started from the bottom. Don’t let a one-night-romp destroy your relationship.

They say the loyalty of a woman is tested when she has nothing while that of a man is tested when he has everything.

Posted by Fredrick Njoroge