Before he could withdraw his mouth from the direction where Uka was seated, Uka had poured him the remains of wine he has been sipping and threw the glass on him to break on the floor.
Many people looked back to know what was happening. Uka was already angry.
All the while in this old restaurant buzzes sticky music and whole place seemed like a space, empty, together with smells of cigarette in the air.
“Fool you. A thousand year fool, a reasonable wise fellow who does not even remember to shave. You are to get out from here and out of my life. Back wood”. He said angrily.
“Scrap” he called again to make him feel bad.
“Thank your God. I am old enough to handle my temper. If it were then ‘wiping and cleaning the liquid in his whole body and face with a white handkerchief’ I would have shown, you that I am above the written lines of the code. Of course, you know I am not guided by them. He stood up, looking into his eyes.
Each had felt burdened by the guilt, and naturally were inclined to talk in a mature way at least for now. Brothers that had not met for long. They should have been happy to talk as brothers at least at this moment. Uka’s lip kept moving and he could hardly manage his mental reasoning carefully. He was older and advanced as he claimed but did not show that. He stood up, approached Pius who had been badly tempered and felt sorry in his heart.
“Don’t worry Pius. I never wish meeting you like this. It is a long time and years now. I would have managed my temper properly. I beg you with all my heart, that you are perfectly safe with me and as for these matters, I wouldn’t let it drag on. I am deeply sorry. We will take decisive steps to clear them up. Let the present lie low. I promise! I promise!”
“I shall not continue exchanging pleasantries further with you. I am not a talker you know. Such is life. We shake hand with people who really can take a good handshake from us. But for people like you we cannot. Now listen good, I heard you have some belongings scattered up and down here and beyond, I don’t care though. If I must accept changing my mind from this time onward send them all to the real owner. Let us unitedly fight for our right. That you must do, if you know this must come to an end “. He replied.
Uka understood him now, his angry and the base of his argument. At length he spoke confidently but not on the main issue at stake, but how shattered the family had been since the mother remarried. He wanted to gain his heart back. He had the sort of brain that swung from ideal to ideal with starting rapid. He never fastened on one topic of conversation and held to it. It was what he does to keep his mind busy.
“Don’t be too meanie dude. ‘he said in an American style’ If you choose to ignore my word henceforth count me out. I suggest you have nothing more to do with me, but to wait on recent happenings. I ask you to keep your eyes open for any news which would connect to his name. If you take my words to him, you are safe to please him, but the national and international dailies would list your name as the Abel of this black nation. I must ensure that I kill you. In that case I might be fortunate to see under the column of the newspaper my name as Cain the killer of his own brother. I don’t really care. It would be a glory to my name. But then you might have gone, and your name badly painted forever. Don’t expect to find rest for your soul or to put on flesh as you are good in, no place is secure here. I am leaving you now for another convenient time.” He said and stood up waving a parting hand of finality”.
“Please wait. Can I have your house number and address?” he asked walking after him.
“ I don’t care and don’t care to know anything about me”.
Uka stood up and looked at him thoughtfully.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
It was approximately one year to the election; the entire nook and crannies of the country was becoming hot and noisy with sounds of sirens and radio advertisement of parties in roll for the election. It would be great to see the country conducting election for the first time since the last twenty years or more.