THE EYE OPENER

The other day my friend Mike and I travel led to Kiambu for a business trip. We were actually doing business for our company. Mike had a Mwangi for a surname while I had a Wasike for mine. The journey was great of course courtesy to my powerful range rover sports car. Don’t mistake me for thumbing my chest so hard on this one because it is the truth.

We arrived at a small town I am sorry I can’t remember its name and I didn’t want to remember it either. The town was very busy with people speaking a language I had not the slightest idea of a single word. In simple terms I didn’t understand. My friend Mike was a native of the language and was very fluent. I had begged him several times to teach me but he had remained adamant.But I think he will do that one day.

We decided to have our lunch at a popular eating joint before proceeding with the business. I think if you have ever been in such situation before you would easily understand that business flows well on a full stomach. My friend was greeted in his native language; he seemed to be a celebrity in this area. The same guy greeted me in the same language and when I seemed not to understand, Mike explained the reason which you already know. The guy then proceeded to ask for my name and when I told him I was Frank, he asked for the other I mean the surname dismissing frank as not being a good name. He shook his head and his attitude changed suddenly.

We asked for our food and Mike’s came first. When I asked why my food was being delayed nobody could give me an answer. I just kept wondering. It came after such a long time when mike was half way through with his. I didn’t complain though, at least my mother taught me this one.

Later on a group of his friends joined him and struck a heated conversation, in the language that I never understood. My friend tried his best to tell them to talk in a language I could understand but I don’t think they bought his pleas. And when they did this later on I tried to contribute but I was vividly ignored. So I just sat there foolishly busy perusing my phone until they left. We later footed the bill and left. I kept asking myself why people were so insensitive. My friend could also not understand why. I promised myself to never set foot in that town again. To this day I still cannot understand what is so much in a surname.Well, do you?