'The secret of being occupied is to exploit the exploiters.'
I am up than usual doing my usual running routine in a foreign country but the weird feeling is that am not feeling foreign at all. The streets are quiet and the clouds have a perfect shading color of dark black that is turning into a deep red fading to orange.
Giving away the gesture that the day is arriving within the pillar of those clouds with the rising sun which could be seen shining through them.
I stop to catch my breath as I take out my phone and capture the moment and I fall in love instantly with the picture but I find myself frowning at it when I realize that I can't post it.
I promised myself to not have fun with anything from this country and I think sharing the beauty of it on my Instagram post is having fun.
I sigh, seriously I don't know why I am punishing myself to this extent but I do not want to take the risk of loving this place in case I wouldn't want to go back home, because I know myself; I am one of those characters that don't fall easily for anything but once they do, they fall with all their heart.
I search for the location of my house and start running back home.
I reach home and I do some stretching and yoga before going in the shower.
Last night I was so happy and excited that I couldn't sleep for long but it's not like I am regretting it because I caught up with my sports routine and thinking about the idea that is making me this cheerful, it's bringing a stupid grin on my face and I can't help it. After taking a shower it is still earlier in the morning for my family to wake up because it's 6:35 Am and the most early bird is always my father, me, and Simmons.
Back in America, we used to be up by 5 Am and go jogging together but I don't know if the routine will be going on here too because today it's Tuesday our second day in Africa and I didn't see them waking up though I went for a run at four in the morning that wouldn't have stopped them if they would have woken at five still.
I walk Into the kitchen to make something for the whole family before they wake up and I settle for bacon, eggs, and pancakes. I also make a side salad plate for my father.
As I am making the last plate my father enters the kitchen clearing his throat and requesting for my attention which I grant to him.
"Good morning Dad." He walks over to me and kisses me on the forehead before going to take a seat at the end of the dining table.
"Good morning Lily Samantha, what is going on with all this breakfast? Are we having visitors?" I shake my head as I walk to take a seat beside my father on his left.
I sit down resting my elbows on the table resting my head on the back of my hands smiling at my father. "Nothing much, I woke up earlier and went for a run so I came back and I thought why not make breakfast for you guys? Now here it is."
My dad looks up at me and I keep eye contact with him too, time flies as we keep on staring at each other but he smiles and raises his hand to pull back the hair that has fallen in my eyes behind my ear. He starts talking when I start getting weird sensations of the moment.
"I love you Lily Samantha and I want nothing more than to see you happy and succeeding in this life. Always remember that you are your dad's number two because your mother comes first," I chuckle at his statement because it's nothing less than the truth.
I may be close to my father to share a huge dad and daughter bond than any of my siblings but we've always known that if it came to a point of him choosing between us and our mother. It has and will always be him choosing our mother and we've made peace with it.
"I know that Dad but actually I wanted to ask you something and if it is possible please allow me to," he nods his head.
"First make me a cup of coffee and then we will talk about it," that didn't come as a problem because I knew that he would ask for coffee and I made it earlier so I poured him some in a cup and handed it to him because he takes it with no cream or sugar.
"Okay," I take my seat back slowly sighing and hoping to get what I want.
"Dad last night when we were in the embassy, I had this feelings of feeling as if I was in America and not here in Rwanda. I know it sounds silly and stupid but that is what I was feeling so, I was wondering if it was possible to please let me accompany you on these days that we won't be starting school? And if possible find me an occupation in there and I promise I won't bother you or any of the other workers." He takes a sip of his coffee without looking at me, am looking at him without blinking because am anxiously hoping that he allows me.
He pulls his cup down and he looks at me.
"You want this lily Samantha?" I nod my head quickly because I do not doubt that I want what I want.
"Then I don't see why not."
Holding back is the word that is being thrown out of my thoughts as I jump in my father's arms squealing like a nine year old girl.
"Dad thank you!! I am so happy and we are going to start together." I pull away from the hug and return to my seat but I am pretty sure I look like a tomato from all the emotions floating in my body.
"Start together what? Ugh? Who made all this? it's so sweet!" We look at my mother as she walks to my father and kisses him on his lips and then she comes to me and kisses me on the cheek before going to sit opposite me.
"Where are the others?" I shrug my shoulders at the question of my mother before answering.
"Still sleeping technically," She makes herself coffee grabs a bacon and starts chewing on it.
"Go and wake them up, I am hungry, and tell them if they don't come then they don't have to worry because I am finishing all this alone." She says gesturing to the whole food that is on the table and I find myself not knowing how to feel about that.
I start getting up from my seat when Yarrow enters the kitchen and I silently thank God in my heart because he is going to be the one who will wake Savannah up and not me.
"Wake Sav up before you sit down yarrow?" He stops on his track and when he finds all of us staring at him, he groans as he turns back on his heel to go wake Sav up.
We start eating our breakfast in silence and later Simmons comes back and starts rambling on how he slept perfectly as if he was in a hotel as if.
Sav joins us minutes later and she sits beside me after passing a morning greeting to all of us.
"Thank you Mom for the breakfast! It's amazing." Mom looks at her apologetically before answering.
"I didn't make it honey, Lily did."She turns to look at me and smiles.
"Twin bonds are the best. I was in bed dying of hunger." I smile at her while I wish her a good appetite.
We keep on eating in silence until my father breaks it.
"Today I will be starting to work, they offered me a week of vacation to familiarize myself with the place but I didn't come here for that since school doesn't start not until in two weeks, I arranged a small trip to this place with a professional translator to go with you and help you familiarize yourselves to this place but, I won't be coming with you. Lily Samantha, are you sure you still want to come with me?" I look up at my father and I nod excitedly.
"Am all set." I say and he nods and he stands up from his seat, "I am going to go get ready so I suggest you go do the same too." I nod at him before he walks away to his room and as I took a shower earlier before I walked down to make breakfast, I don't hurry up behind him.
I first finish my food.
"What are you planning with your father Lily?" I look up at my curious mother and am tempted by the thought of keeping her hanging because it always interests me when she requires something and she is not getting it, she looks funny and cute.
"Nothing much mom, I will go get ready." Before she asks anything else, I get up from my seat take my plate in the kitchen basin, and run upstairs to my room.
I play my favorite artist Shawn Mendes as I start getting ready.
I sit in front of the mirror and I start applying a few layer touches of makeup on my face. When I get done with it, I get in the closet to pick an outfit and I settle for some big brown chocolate t-shirt that I tug into a short black jean skirt which I end with my black minimalist chunky boots.
I pull my dark brown hair into a messy bun and rock it with dark shades, I take a look in the mirror and I can't help myself from snapping a dozen of pictures to post on my story, I look hot, and I can confirm that for myself.
I pack a small, leather black bag with a few of my belongings that I will be using for the day, and after I walk out of my room and make my way downstairs.
My dad is already set for the day too except for a tie that mom is fixing for him around his neck. He turns around and signals me to follow him after mom's finished and I do but before we reach outside Sav stops us.
"Sam, you look cute!" I smile at her compliment but it turns into a frown when Yarrow interjects with his unwanted suggestions.
"Stop lying to her Savannah. She looks like a baboon!" I roll my eyes at that.
"Shut up dummy. No one asked for your opinions, look send me pictures of you guys when you go to tour this place." Savannah nods.
"But why can't you come with us anyway?" I shake my head and walk away not wanting to waste any more time with her to risk my dad leaving me. I stop the conversation before she even convinces me to go with them.
"We will talk when we come back," I waved her goodbye before running to catch up with my father to find him sitting in the car waiting for me.
I get in and we take off, feeling lots of feelings flutter in my body; I am excited but also anxious. I don't even know what am getting myself into but I know that whatever it is, it will be better than touring Rwanda.
We reach the place at 9:07 Am and the place looks busy already. It doesn't look like a place that was full of decorations last night.
I follow my dad as he meets with Sarah at the reception.
"Good morning sir. Good morning Miss Adams." I nod my head at her while muttering a good morning to her too.
"Where is my new office, Miss Smith?" She straightens her back as she gestures for us to follow her,
"This way sir,"
Sarah walks in front of us while me and my dad follow her as she leads us to my dad's new office.
We get in and I stand on the doorstep awkwardly not quite sure of what to do.
"Miss Smith, is there a vacant post that my daughter could be filling in as she waits for the start of school?" Sarah turns to look at me before turning back to shake her head at my father.
She switches on her iPad and clicks something on it before switching it off and looking back at my father.
"There isn't a post sir that your daughter could fill in for temporarily because all posts available require long-time fulfillment and high-quality education, sir." Miss Smith says and I frown.
Does this mean that with my skills I have no assistance to provide in this house?
My dad turns to look at me. "I think you should just go and be with others lily Samantha?" I look at my father and feel helpless.
I don't want to tour and get familiarized with this place because I hate it. But the pity thing is that I don't even know how to express it to my dad and don't sound crazy to him.
I look at my father and shrug. "No problem Dad. I will just hang here for a while before I head back to the villa." He looks at me warily but I nod at him telling him I will be just fine.
"How will you get back home?" I look at Miss Smith as she also looks at me and smile at her. "I will get help from Miss Smith dad no need to worry," I say and I start making my way out of his office but as I turn to leave, I don't miss the worried look that is still on his eyes.
Am disappointed but most of all I know I don't have anyone to blame. It's all me who can't grow up and face reality as soon as I can because the sooner I do it the better for me.
I walk not even knowing where am heading but I guess I have to go back home and go with my family and get familiarized with my new home.
"We are running short on cleaners now that Caroline quit. It's a pity because it's going to mess with our work schedule." I look back behind and follow the conversation of two cleaners discussing behind me.
"We will have to report this because it can't keep going on like this now that the new ambassador is here too." They pass my way and I stop them.
"Stop." I say to them and they stop looking confused.
"Am sorry I eavesdropped on your conversation but I think it's for the best because am looking for a job and you just said you needed one to get your working schedule back online," I say with both proud and happy look on my face and they turn to look at each other contemplating my suggestion, at this rate I could just say that Rwanda seems to like me though I can't say the same.
"That will be great but you will have to start now." One to left says and I smile back in response.
In no more than five minutes, am already changed and in the cleaner's attire with cleaning equipment with me.
Life could be a lot of things, and as am pushing the cleaning machine I realized that everyone is just like the other.
Last week on this same day, same time I was hanging out with Chloe and Abby having a blast of our teen years. Who knew that the next week on the same day, I would be mopping floor and cleaning the embassy of America in Rwanda?
Time goes by like that and before I know it am heading to my last room to clean before heading home.
I feel tired in all of my bones and senses. Who knew cleaning was this tire full.
I open the door to the room I am cleaning next and am surprised to find a person sitting in there because I was told to wait for lunch break for the person to clear the office for me and I did wait but maybe something went wrong with my waiting because you never know with me.
The person raises his head and I feel my breath caught in my throat as I see who it is. "Kai!" He looks at me and he also looks surprised but it soon turns into confusion as his eyes moves down to my attire
I look down too and once I realize what am wearing i feel like smacking my head to a nearby wall.
'Way to go Samantha.'
"Samantha?" Hearing my name come out of his lips flawlessly sounds melodically in my ear but unfortunately for me, am so embarrassed that I feel like if death came knocking right at the door, I would gladly allow it to take me.
Am standing there looking like a lost sheep, more like I lost myself in the crowd I don't know what took me where I am when my phone rings.
I quickly reach for it and a frown finds its way on my face when I realize it's my mother.
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I appreciate it so much.
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Buh bye