CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

'I don't have an opinion concerning you. It is either you leave before me or I leave before you' the boy told her.

'Why?' Naya asked

'I am fifteen. In three years, I will be too old to stay here and just like every other child that outgrows the orphanage, I will leave quietly'

'Those that left, do you ever see them?' Naya asked

'They come around a few times but then they stop because they are no longer welcomed here. My brother left; came by twice to see me and I never saw him again. Last time I heard, he stole money and he was set on fire'

'Oh God…that is barbaric and inhuman, I am terribly sorry for your lost… I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon and I will find a place for you. A home where you and every other person can learn a trade and get ready to face the real world'

For the first time, the boy looked Naya in the face and he believed her.

'What is your name, boy?' Naya asked

'My name is…'

Naya simply called the boy John; it was her grandfather's name. The following day, John gave her his cloth to mend and soon every other kid came to her for help and Naya has never been happier.

Naya looked at Jason and Nolani, both were still asleep peacefully. She continued mending clothes for a few more minutes before she fell asleep on the table.

Jason swirl on the bed and opened his eyes. The child that was lying on his chest was gone but he could hear her playful voice outside with the other kids. His shirt was muddy and so without thinking he pulled it off.

It took Jason a minute to see Naya asleep on the table and her neck wasn't placed properly on the table. Naya' neck was going to hurt badly when she wakes up.

Jason didn't have the heart to wake her up and so he lifted her up and gently laid her on the bed.

Jason's face was so close to Naya when she opened her eyes and without thinking Naya kissed Jason. She savored the kiss like she would wine, trapping Jason with her hand and pressing herself closer to him. It took Jason's brain a minute to catch up. Maybe Naya misunderstood. Maybe she wasn't fully awake and she misunderstood the whole situation but the situation wasn't good. He was a half naked man on her bed but how would he explain that she misread the whole situation.

Jason gently pulled away from Naya. Naya sat up nonchalantly like the man she kissed didn't just pull away from her. She adjusted her dress and ran her hand through her head.

He picked up his shirt and pulled it on.

'I am so sorry, Naya' He apologized

'Don't sweat it buddy. I just thought you are a single guy and I am a single girl with no other prospect in sight that we could have fun but the way you pushed me away makes me think that you have someone back at home, someone you love' Naya said devoid of any emotions

It then dawned on Jason, Naya was right, he had someone back at home, someone he rather be with than Naya. Love might be a strong word for what he feels for McKenna but he likes her, very much if he was being honest with himself.

'I have to make a phone call' Jason said and dashed out in a hurry.

This was the longest he has gone without a woman and for some reasons, he just wasn't interested in sleeping with anyone, he chalked it up to stress and work. But now, he knows the true, his body wants just one person, an annoying brilliant girl that wasn't afraid to say her mind and do what she wants.

If she still wants to come to Malawi, he would get a plane ticket for her and they can be together here.

Jason raced to his room and ransacked his entire room until he found his old cell phone and scrolled through it until he found McKenna's number. Jason dialed the number and it rang but no one picked up. He dialed again and again. He was going mad but he decided to call one more time and luckily, McKenna picked up.

'Oma…Hi, it's Jason'

'Hello…This is McKenna's phone' a male voice said on the other end.

Jason tensed up and gripped his phone hard. He was trying to keep his anger at bay.

'Who is this?' Jason's voice was cold and icy

'This is Tony and who might you be?' the friendly voice asked

'Put McKenna on the phone and since this is her phone; you shouldn't be taking her calls anyway'

'Sorry pal, McKenna is taking a shower and after what I put her through today, she is sore and a warm bath could do wonders to her aching body' the voice contained a hint of laughter and excitement.

For a second Jason couldn't breathe. He hung up.