Chapter 50

"Hi, Superman! Are you lonesome tonight and looking for company?" She spoke softly as her eyes lit up with delight.

Jacob looked at her bedroom eyes, then said, "Well, perhaps yes and may be no!"

The woman giggled as they went along the corridor to his room. Outside door number 7, the woman stopped abruptly and said: "This is your room, Superman. Let me come in and show you everything."

She was still giggling as Jacob turned the key and opened the door. Facing them was a large wooden bed at the far end of the room near the window. There was a small table near the bed. A large wardrobe stood against the wall.

Jacob turned on the lights, and the room was brightly lit. He walked into the room, the woman following him closely behind.

Jacob now saw her clearly. She was slightly older than him, seemingly more experienced.

"Quite cosy, isn't it Superman?" She asked and went on, "Will you sleep alone on this big and attractive bed?"

"No, I can't! I won't! It'll be you lying next to me for the rest of the night," he smiled and then broke into a laughter as he spoke.

"Oh, damn fucking superman! I knew you'd say that. I also knew you wanted me the moment you saw me."

"You're too nice to be left with another man. That's why you are going to be my woman tonight."

"Absolutely. I'm yours for the rest of the night. Someone else wanted me for the night, but I dodged him when I saw you. Your eyes and body just turn me on, Superman."

She spoke excitedly as she moved closer to him. And then she saw it. Jacob saw the greed in her eyes as she admiringly eyed the necklace on his neck.

Then she flung herself at him, her arms round his neck saying, "Quite a beautiful chain you have got Superman. How much did it cost you?"

"It cost me a lot."

"It's marvellous," she said softly. "I'd like to own such a gorgeous necklace."

Then Jacob remembered he had not asked her name. "Excuse me, my pretty..." He paused as he thought of what to say. "What's your name?"

She regarded him; her bedroom eyes lighting up as she said, "Call me Salome."

"Well, I am Jacob."

He walked over to the bed and sat on it. She followed him and also sat on the bed and said almost in a whisper, "What are we having for drinks tonight, Jacob?"

Jacob now realised he was thirsty. He felt like having a drink. "Well, I just take soda. I do not know what you'd like to have. But feel free to take anything. So, what drink will you take, my pretty?"

"I take beer. I'll drink Tusker."

"It's ok, my lovely..." Jacob tried to impress her. "Have whatever you would like."

"I can go and get these right away from the bar," she suggested. "Just give me the money and I'll come with the drinks."

His hand went into his hip pocket, and he fished out a five hundred shillings note. He gave it to her. "Well, you had better hurry, my lovely..."

Salome went out of the room. Ten minutes later, she returned carrying the drinks. She closed the door behind her as she entered the room. Then she opened her beer bottle and started drinking out of it.

"There's no need for a glass," she said as she drank, "I like it this way."

"Sure, please yourself."

Jacob opened his bottle and started drinking his soda. He felt quite satisfied and did not want to eat any meal. Salome went for more beer.

They went on drinking until ten at night. The beers started working on Salome, and she felt she was getting drunk.

"You know what? I am feeling bitchy, Superman. I want you, now!" She spoke softly almost in a whisper as she rose from the bed and began to undress.

Jacob also jumped on his feet and helped her undress as she, in turn, unbuttoned his shirt. Then gently, they went for each other with great passion as rain began falling outside to announce the start of a new season after a long spell of dry weather.

Later, they were exhausted and fell asleep in each other's arms. He had been asleep for some time when he felt a warm hand touch on his neck.

It was touching the gold chain. Jacob grabbed the hand and snarled, "What"s the matter?"

Salome withdrew her hand and began to caress his neck. But Jacob knew she was only pretending and had been tempted to take the gold necklace, and then bolt, leaving him sleeping.

He gave her a long, suspicious look, which made her realise he knew what she intended to do.

"Don't worry, Superman. I only wanted to feel the smooth touch of the gorgeous chain on your neck. Come on now, love me!" She whispered as she kissed him softly on his cheek.

But Jacob knew she had been after the gold chain and Marian silver medal. He touched his neck to confirm it was still there.

Then he went for her again as she wanted, but this time, there was no real enjoyment. The thought of his chain almost being stolen by the one he was making love to kept crawling towards him.

Salome fell asleep again. But this time, Jacob lay awake watching her in the darkness. He could not sleep much that night.

In the morning, he jumped out of bed. He entered the bathroom as she still lay asleep on the bed. A few minutes later, he emerged out of the bathroom and slid into his clothes. He was ready to leave.

"So long, Salome. Be seeing you again." Jacob said as he fished out a note from his trouser pockets, a two hundred shillings note.

Salome opened her eyes and saw the note in his hands and reached for it smiling.

"Look here, have this!" He pushed the bill into her hands.

"Thank you, Superman," she said softly, "You're so kind. Be seeing you."

Jacob went out of the room and left her lying on the bed. A few minutes later, he was out of the hotel and headed for the bus park. He was in good time to find a mini bus that about to leave for Mumias.

He climbed into the bus and took the back seat where there was the only space available. The bus was already full as it made its way slowly out of the bus park and sped along the road to Mumias.

Jacob arrived at Musanda around midday. It was a small shopping and market centre with shops lined on each side of the road. The shops looked old and dusty.

Apparently, it was a market day. There were many people who were walking around the small town. Even as Jacob came out of the bus, the people who sat idly at the bus stage saw him alight and knew he was a stranger.

They eyed him with a lot of interest. A young woman was passing by on her way to the market.

Jacob approached her. "Sister, I'm new around. I need your help, please. Can you show me the way to the home of Old Kasamani? Do you know him? He's my grandfather."

The young woman regarded him for a few seconds, trying to place him in the village circles. Then she nodded and said, "Take that road to the school. Go straight until you see a huge baobab tree. The home which is about fifty metres before that huge tree on the left side of the road is the home your grandfather, Old Kasamani."

"Thanks, miss," Jacob replied and began walking along the road, the curious onlookers staring at him, knowing he was new around.

It was ten minutes' walk to the baobab tree. As he approached it fifty minutes away, he slowed down. And then he saw the gate. It was a bronze gate with nice decorations.

He paused outside the gate as he saw an old man coming out of the white painted bungalow. He was heading towards him. Memories of his dead mother came running to him.

As he stared at the old man, Jacob realised he was the exact carbon copy of his mother. He appeared quite old but was still quite strong.

Jacob studied the approaching old man for a few minutes. He had no doubt in his mind that he was staring at his grandfather.