And so that was how the romantic affair between Esau and Chaudrey began. As time went on, they were deeply in love.
Alfredo was the first to notice the changes in his son. He asked quietly, "What's wrong, my son? These days, you don't read much in the evenings, but instead, you just sit here brooding over something. If there's anything wrong, do not hesitate to tell me."
"Nothing is wrong, dad."
"Do you still box? That could be it! I think I advised you never to take boxing seriously."
"I don't, dad."
"Good. Then don't overindulge yourself in extracurricular activities, which will make you too tired to do your evening studies."
"I won't."
"Good. Then go ahead and read."
Esau pretended to look at his books but knew he could not concentrate much as he went on reflecting on his love affair with Chaudrey and the loving words she had told him when they were alone.
He felt quite happy and proud when she revealed to him it was her first time to love someone; also a coincidence as it was falling in love with someone from a different race.
And she told him of her hobbies. Like Esau, she loved swimming and movies. She had seen many European and Asian movies, especially Indian ones, during the weekends when her parents took her to the theatre, but since falling in love with him would like to watch mostly African romance movies.
A party was held at school at the end of the term. It was the school tradition to have such a party for third year and final students. The teachers and school administration let the head boy and school prefects in charge of such parties.
On a Saturday afternoon, the party was held in the school hall.
"You will be my dancing partner this afternoon, won't you?" Chaudrey asked him as they arrived for the party. "I'd like to dance with you."
"Will there be any music?" Esau wanted to know.
"I heard there was going to be some music organised by the entertainment club."
"I'll dance with you then."
They followed the other students into the hall where seats were arranged along the walls. Some students had already taken their seats; boys and girls sat on opposite sides facing each other as per the entertainment club prefect's arrangement.
The chairman of the entertainment club, an Indian young man called Mehta, introduced himself. Then he announced that the students were to feel at home and dance to the music, which would be played on stage.
Some girls came and distributed biscuits and sodas to those seated waiting for the dance to begin.
There was a dais on which the music system and loud speakers were fixed. Music began playing; Esau knew it was pop music, which most students loved. Some young males and females nodded their heads in approval at the sound of music.
At that point, the music gear in the youths was turned on, and they rose to their feet and started dancing. Esau sat watching.
Then he saw her coming towards him, a smile on her lips. Curious and suspicious eyes followed her in a bid to know who Chaudrey was going to dance with.
The young females watched unbelievingly, their eyes wide open in shock as they saw her come to a halt where Esau sat.
"Come on, Esau, let's dance!" Chaudrey urged him. "Everyone is enjoying the music."
He did not hesitate. He rose to his feet. Then, he turned his head and saw the other Indian young males dancing with Indian female youths. No Indian male student requested the black female students for a dance.
Esau held her in his arms and touched her long black hair as they danced slowly and gracefully to the music. She clung to him, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the music.
Then she opened her eyes and the Indian male youths staring hard at her, apparently unhappy at her decision to reject one of their own but opt to dance with Esau.
She knew whatever was going on in their minds; she had no doubt they were probably cursing her for opting to dance with a male youth who was not Indian for a dance.
She decided she would only dance with her black partner and even make love to him. She knew she had gone beyond the great wall that kept them apart.
She had no regrets loving him but knew the Indian male youths disliked Esau since the day her man knocked out Singh and took the boxing championship title from him.
Esau and Chaudrey danced in a serene sway. Even as they danced, he squeezed her ass.
She giggled and said, "I know they don't like it, but I will only dance with you for the rest of the evening."
He was pleased with her words. These made him love her even more. What pleased him was her dislike of racism.
Chaudrey was a liberal who liked people of all races. The only religion she disliked was Islam, but this was quite understandable given the nature of Hindu-Muslim conflict in India where her parents came from.
She had told Esau she liked blacks possibly because she was born and raised in the port city of Mombasa, unlike most of her people who simply migrated to Kenya to do business.
They danced until dusk. Then Chaudrey said, "I am going to the orchard, you'll find me there."
She walked out and disappeared. Esau knew he would arouse suspicions if he followed her almost immediately and did not want trouble with either the school administration or Indian pupils.
He waited for about five minutes and then silently slid out of the room as the other students went on dancing. He found her waiting at the orchard, smiling broadly as she saw him approaching her.
"Come," she urged him. "I'd like to show you something."
Even before he could begin to protest, she pulled him closer to herself, and they entered the orchard. He walked into the orchard, apparently quite unprepared for what was to follow.
"Aren't you happy to have me by your side and all alone?" She asked when they reached the middle of the orchard.
Then, she began to undress. Esau caught his breath when he saw her soft light-skinned thighs. She stood facing him with only her pants, which formed a V-shape on her body.
At that moment, he saw the towel on the ground and knew Chaudrey had carefully planned that encounter.
As his eyes went back to her, he saw that she now stood naked facing him as she held her pants in her hand, "For heavens sake, stop looking at me like that," she whispered. Then, dreamily, she said, "I love and want you so much..."
But she never finished her words as Esau joined her in their journey into ecstasy.