Betsy_Njeri_9053

Zoe Achieng, a 25-year-old Nairobi-based content creator, suddenly finds herself homeless after a gas explosion leaves her apartment in ruins (along with her dreams of being a Pinterest queen). With nowhere else to go, she moves in with her estranged, drama-loving aunt Pauline, a retired actress who still thinks she’s starring in her own soap opera.

Zoe quickly realizes the real challenge isn't just rebuilding her life—it’s surviving her aunt's outrageous routines, her neighbor's pet goat (who thinks he's a dog), and dodging the well-meaning setups from her aunt who is determined to get her married off to "any man with a job and a neck."

Meanwhile, Zoe is hiding a secret: she was on the verge of launching a major brand collaboration—until the explosion literally blew it up. As she tries to fake perfection online, the chaos in her real life becomes harder to hide.

Through the madness, unexpected friendships, and hilarious confrontations with Pauline’s chaotic church group, Zoe learns that perfection is overrated, and sometimes being knocked off your high horse is the best thing that can happen to you.

RENT-FREE PROBLEMS

"Pauline Gets Recognized in the Supermarket (And Now Demands a Bodyguard)"

It started with a casual trip to the supermarket.

Zoe just wanted to grab oat milk, dry shampoo, and maybe judge other people's trolleys in peace.

But Pauline strutted through the automatic doors like she was walking the runway at a Paris fashion show—wearing sunglasses, a neon scarf, and a t-shirt that said "Auntfluencer Energy."

The first fan approached near the cereal section.

"Are you Aunt Pauline?! From the 'Glow Up' videos?"

Pauline beamed. "Why yes, darling. Would you like a skincare tip or a life lesson?"

They took a selfie. Then another fan came over. Then another. Soon, a full-blown flash mob of recognition was forming between Frosted Flakes and Raisin Bran.

Zoe tried to hide behind a display of toilet paper.

By the time they reached the dairy section, Pauline was holding a bouquet of fresh coriander someone had just gifted her.

"I told you, Zoe," she said. "I was born for the spotlight. All those years in church choir were merely rehearsals."

A small boy pointed at her and whispered, "That's the avocado lady."

Pauline turned and gave him a queenly nod.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Could you kindly tone down the… influence? You're causing a bit of a jam in frozen goods."

Pauline gasped, clutching her scarf like a dramatic Victorian widow. "You dare suppress the people's enthusiasm? I'm an icon."

Zoe tugged her elbow. "Please let's just get the oat milk and go before someone faints near the rotisserie chicken."

As they passed the shampoo aisle, she pointed at a security guard and whispered, "I need one of those."

"A bodyguard, Zoe. Someone to clear paths, carry my groceries, and say 'Step back, ma'am needs room to breathe.'"

"You already have Sir Squawksalot."

Meanwhile, Sir Squawksalot (who had insisted on being carried in a sling) had escaped Zoe's tote bag and was now aggressively pecking open a bag of gourmet popcorn.

"IT'S EXPIRED," he squawked. "THE PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER."

A nearby toddler screamed. An employee slipped on a grape. The loudspeaker announced: "Security to Aisle Seven. Security to Aisle Seven."

They were politely escorted out of the supermarket.

Pauline waved like she was leaving a red carpet. "Thank you, thank you. Follow me for more life lessons and goat-cheese reviews."

Pauline started drafting her bodyguard application form. Requirements included:

Ability to lift a box of skincare PR with one arm

Experience with crowd control (bonus if they've worked in supermarkets)

Thick skin (for Pauline's unsolicited honesty)

Sir Squawksalot launched a petition titled: "Stop Putting Expired Snacks in Eye-Level Shelves."

Zoe sat on the couch, oat-milkless and emotionally exhausted.

"This was supposed to be a quiet Thursday."

Pauline reclined, fanning herself with the coriander. "Quiet is for the unfollowed, my dear."

Pauline Gets Recognized in the Supermarket (And Now Demands a Bodyguard)”