“You scared them” A bald man with a thick beard said coming from behind the duo trapping them in the middle.
“That’s Chansa she’s harmless, mostly too curious for her own good, I’m Chileshe!” The man said lighting a cigarette between his lips.
“So what’s it about” Chileshe asked nodding towards the camera phone.
“It’s nothing don’t worry” Chilala said looking around her for an exit.
“You’re free to go,” Chileshe said walking past as he joined Chansa on the other side.
“She was asking cause she’s been recording videos of all our travels.” Chileshe said blowing smoke as he put his arm around Chansa.
“Yep and we want to use this spot too, just like you. Great minds and all, team up?” Chansa said pouting her lips while coaxing her head to one side. Nawa yanked Chilala’s black hoodie grabbing her attention.
“Want the video?” Nawa whispered in Chilala’s ear. Chilala nodded her response curiously eyeing Nawa.
“Looks like a yes. Hun let’s take the video and get going, we like to take the scenic route?” Chileshe said revealing a camera hanging around his neck.
“The buses only move in the day time” Nawa whispered looking round at the lack of activity surrounding them
“Yes, for people who can’t ferry themselves. We have precious” Chileshe smiled as he clicked away on the camera taking pictures of the moment.
“Finishing up space again” Chansa said rolling her eyes at Chileshe and grabbing the cigarette between his lips
“Videos don’t do your eyes justice they always come out too small” Chileshe said prompting Chansa to open her eyes wider.
“Beautiful! That’s perfect!” Chileshe laughed as he pointed the camera directly in her face. The two strangers wrestled playfully ending with a passionate kiss. Taking a picture of the moment with the flash going off.
“Our video ideas clearly don’t much, we’ll find our own way” Chilala said matter of fact as she held Nawa’s hand ready to walk away.
“Can we be honest with each other for a second?” Chileshe asked tossing his cigarette bud blowing smoke.
“We are going to the south but our gas isn’t enough. Occasionally we come looking for people who need to travel so we can share costs” Chileshe said pausing to enjoy the opposing reactions plastered on their faces.
“We need to go to South!” Nawa quirked up enthusiastically before Chilala could stop him.
“What are you doing?” Chilala asked looking at Nawa in shock.
“We’re going to Livingstone. Where south shall we drop you?” Chileshe asked still holding up the camera recording everything. Chilala covered Nawa’s mouth dragging him behind one of the buses out of ear shot.
“What’s wrong with you?” Chilala asked shaking Nawa.
“Have you lost your senses?” Chilala continued to probe relentlessly
Nawa stared blankly at Chilala as she shook him.
“You don’t see it?” Chilala said eyeing Nawa suspiciously
“See what?” Nawa asked blinking rapidly
“The danger of travelling with people we don’t know” Chilala said pointing in the direction of the two strangers.
“I don’t think I can wait till tomorrow. I’ll be 15, I want to be 15 on the road, not here” Nawa said looking around the station.
“Fine! But I don’t trust these two so…” Chilala trailed off as she rummaged through her bag retrieving a phone and handing it to Nawa.
“That was Mbuya’s phone before…” Chilala paused as thoughts of Mbuya rushed occupied her.
“Anyway, happy, almost, birthday” Chilala said between sniffles wiping tears away, prompting Nawa to crush her in a bear hug.
“Just cause you’re my age doesn’t mean you can suddenly crush my ribs” Chilala laughed pulling away from Nawa and dragging him back to Chileshe and Chansa.
“What time do we leave?” Chileshe asked towards the oncoming Chilala and Nawa
“What makes you..”
“We could hear you, everyone heard you. Happy birthday kid” Chileshe said while recording Chansa dance around playfully
“15 is an important age for a boy” Chansa said kissing Nawa on his forehead.
“Aren’t you going to record anything before we go?” Chileshe asked packing his camera away for the first time since they met.
“Nah, we’ll just grab yours” Chilala said relaxing into her new situation.
Chileshe dragged Chilala forward to discuss logistics for their trip as Chansa wrapped herself round Nawa tightly keeping him occupied with questions about their trip.
“Where are you from?” Chansa asked rumbling on as they approached a tinted white Toyota hiace.
“This is the ride, Nawa come look!” Chilala said loudly interrupting Nawa from answering Chansa’s question.
“Thanks” Nawa whispered as soon as he was by Chilala’s side.
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