Koya's Choice

Koya’s Choice

By

Elly Kamari

Koya’s Choice

Copyright © 2016, Elly Kamari

Written by Elly Kamari

Cover Photo by Adrian RA on Unsplash

All Rights Reserved.

License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and get your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Characters and locations in this book are fictitious and figments of the author’s imagination.

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Glossary

One

A broken sob dragged his attention back from oblivion. Charles turned to his right to see his mother crying, her nose pressed into a pristine white handkerchief. Her tears endless, her sobs heart wrenching. She cried for her first-born child, Tony.

The one she loved most, Charles thought.

His father stood beside his mother, an arm wrapped around her shoulders, grounding her lest she disappear. Dark sunglasses covered his father’s face. Most assumed it was because of the blazing sun, the unrelenting sunrays found at the equator, but he knew his father cried too. The sunglasses hid swollen eyes, and tear stained cheeks.

Charles looked away from his father, and tugged on his suit jacket. He still could not believe his mother insisted he retain his suit in the blazing sun. It was midday. The sun high in the sky, the heat unrelenting. His mother’s words this morning filled his head.

We might grieve, but this family keeps up appearances, Charlie. Keep yourself looking smart.

Her grief was hard to bear.

Damn, Charles Dhali let a sigh escape.

His world was over. He stared at his older brother’s casket and wondered at the rage brewing inside him. Instead of grief, burning anger grew with every minute.

Charles clenched his fists, closing his eyes as the priest recited the final rites, and the funeral home attendants moved to remove flowers from the casket. The rage flamed inside him as he watched Tony’s casket lower to the ground.

Charles was angry with Tony.

So angry, he wanted to scream but could not. He could not do much but stand with calm in this somber occasion. Not with his mother two feet away crying, her sobs tearing through him. All their relatives and friends watched their family, waiting to see them crack as Tony was laid to rest.

Charles wanted to scream in anger at the injustice of his brother’s death. His parents would force him to take on more responsibility. All because Tony Dhali could not have the sense to stay away from trouble.

Charles felt a tear slide down his cheek. Life truly was not fair.

*****

A day after Tony Dhali’s funeral, Koya walked up Ndwaru Road heading to Charlie’s house.

Look, that’s Hugh Kalahari’s daughter.

The words drifted to her without trouble.

Koya shook her head in amusement. Gossip was expected living in the Ndwaru rd Estate. The families living on this street were a complicated mesh of relationships, which supplied the gossipmongers with fresh fodder by the hour.

Everyone knew everything about everyone.

She must be back from college for the funeral. I heard she’s friends with that Dhali boy.

Well, it’s nice she is in college. Let’s hope it stays that way. Who knows what could happen if she pushes it further with the Dhali boy.

Koya gave the three women at a vegetable stall a hard look. They smiled as though they weren’t talking about her, and waved at her. It was no use scowling at them. The gossip mill would continue. She offered a smile in return. The women lost interest in her, and moved on to the next victim.

Koya increased her pace, and decided to forget about the gossipmongers.

Her boyfriend was having a hard time. She continued up the slight hill on the main estate road heading for the Dhali Estate at the top.

The Dhalis were the richest family on Ndwaru Road.

Isaac Dhali made his money through foreign investments and real estate. He built his precious wife a huge manor on six acres of land he owned through purchase. The couple had two children, Tony and Charles Dhali.

Well, with Tony dead, the Dhali Family only has one son now, Koya thought.

Two weeks ago, the Dhalis lost Tony at a club shooting at the Ndwaru Shopping Center. Nobody knew the reason why unknown thugs shot Tony, but the rumor mills were working on overdrive. Word was Tony sold drugs. Others said Tony joined a gang and pissed off the gang’s big boss.

Koya frowned.

Well, speculation aside, her boyfriend, Charles, was having a hard time dealing with Tony’s death. Which made her depressed too because she truly loved Charles Dhali, and hated to see him suffering.

Her cell phone buzzed and she answered with a small smile when she saw the name on the caller ID.

I’m coming up the hill, Koya said. I needed to drop off documents at the chief’s place for my father.

You could let me pick you up, Charlie complained. We’re not fooling anyone, Koya. There is no point hiding our relationship.

At college, you may pick me up all you want, but not here, Koya said.

There was no need to give proof to the rumor mill.

Koya cleared the hill and took a right turn on to a tarmac road leading her to the Dhali Estate’s main gate.

I’m at the front, you can come out now.

You’re exasperating, Charlie said into his phone. Give me two minutes to drive out. Don’t talk to the guards. I get jealous.

You’re so bossy, Koya said on a laugh.

She ended the call, smiling to herself. She stopped right before she reached the gate. Putting her cell phone in her pocket, she hoped she was dressed appropriately for the evening. The plan was to hang out with friends before they all headed to university the day after tomorrow. At least on campus, she never needed to worry what people said about her and Charlie.

Koya decided she would make it up to Charlie then.

The gates opened and a black jeep appeared.

Charlie drove like a maniac. She took a cautious step back on the sidewalk as he stopped with a screech. Charlie leaned over to push open the passenger door. Koya held on to the door and stood taking in Charlie’s welcoming smile.

Charlie was handsome. Dark skin, beautiful dark eyes, strong jaw and the sexiest mouth she ever saw. Of course, she would never tell him her thoughts. His ego would only inflate higher. Charlie was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. His mother then reared him as one would an egg. In return, Charlie developed an ego that could piss off the devil.

Despite this very large shortcoming, Charlie had a good heart, and Koya loved him for it.

Are you getting in, or are you going to stare at me all night? Charlie asked. Come on, woman.

Koya grinned and got in the passenger seat. Charlie started driving off as she closed the door. She reached for the seat belt, struggling to put it on. Charlie stopped at the turn to help her snap it on before he stepped on the gas pedal, and took off down the main road.

Consider a chill pill when driving, Charlie, Koya said, once they hit the first major road and had to slow down because of traffic. Where are we headed?

Westlands, Charlie answered in a curt tone. Kim and Ashi are waiting at the club.

What’s wrong with you? Koya asked, hating the tense note in his voice. Is it your mom?

She won’t get off my case, Charlie said, bitterness colored his voice.

Is it me? Koya asked.

Ashley Dhali had changed of late. Charlie’s mother hated her now. Koya didn’t know what she did to warrant the change of heart, but Charlie’s mother did not like her.

Koya frowned.

She hasn’t been very receptive to us being together.

I don’t care what she thinks, Charlie said. It’s my life and you’re in it, period. God I can’t wait to get back to CUEA. We can have peace and quiet.

Catholic University of Eastern Africa, known as CUEA for short, was the university they all attended: her, Charlie, Kim and Ashi. Charlie and Kim were two years ahead. She and Ashi were in the second year.

Koya worried about Charlie graduating first. It felt like their relationship would end.

What’s really going on? Koya asked after a while.

They were speeding along the highway, Waiyaki Way headed to Westlands. One of their college friends was opening his club tonight.

Koya knew asking questions before a night out was relationship suicide, but she could not take not knowing anymore. Charlie was holding back an uncontrollable fury raging through him.

It’s nothing, Charlie said.

He started to turn on the radio but she turned it off.

That’s a lie, Koya said. I know you’re sad because of Tony’s death, but we can’t go on this way. Tell me what’s wrong, or I’m going to make your mother happy by walking away from you.

You’re kidding right now, right? Charlie asked, his eyes wide when she finished her tirade.

I’m not, Koya snapped.

Charlie pulled off the highway with one abrupt jerk and parked the car on the curb across the ABC Place. He switched off the engine and stared out the windshield with a glare.

Charlie—

My mother is sending me away, Charlie said. My father is going to Taipei for work. She wants me to go with him. I didn’t know how to tell you.

Koya gaped.

****

Charlie was leaving.

Koya shifted in her seat to face him.

Um…

Mom is afraid I’ll end up like Tony, Charlie explained. She asked my father to take me with him.

Turn out like Tony? Koya frowned. You’re not your big brother, Charlie.

Tell my mother. I can’t fight her on this. Tony got himself shot and she can’t think beyond that truth. She’s having it rough with my brother’s death.

So…when are you leaving?

Charlie shrugged.

I made a deal with her. She’ll let me graduate my last year at CUEA. We have the rest of the year together, Koya. It will be okay.

You’re leaving me, Koya said. How is that okay?

I’m not leaving yet, Charlie said.

He took her right hand, holding her gaze.

I don’t want to leave, Koya, but it was this or leave next week with my dad.

A year, Koya thought, she only had Charlie for a year.

I hate your mother, she said.

Don’t, Charlie soothed, lifting his free hand, he stroked her right cheek with his index finger. She’s worried I’ll end up dead like Tony. I’m her only son now.

Koya sighed because she understood Ashley Dhali’s