He woke up with a start the following morning. For a few minutes, he lay gaping at the ceiling and the walls wondering where he was.
Then he remembered the previous days events and knew he was in kabwegyre's home. He jumped out of bed and slid into his trousers.
Next, he walked out of his room. It was still early in the morning, and there was silence in the compound, which was at intervals broken by the weaver bird's metallic, buzzy and chattering call in the tall trees.
He went into the main house and entered the living room. There was no one around, although it seemed everyone was still asleep. He decided to go back to his room to wait for others and further instructions.
It was Sunday, and he thought his hosts were still enjoying their sleep. At nine o'clock, he heard music coming from the lounge, and he knew the Kabwegyres had woken up.
Jacob rose to his feet and walked across the compound as he went to the family room. He found Chuza in the lounge sweeping the floor, and she prepared to brush the carpet.
Jacob greeted, "Good morning, madam!"
"Good morning, Jacob. How was the night?
"It was good," he replied and added, "Let me do the brushing for you, mum."
"That's very good. Now I can go and proceed to prepare our tea," she left and went to the kitchen while Jacob began to brush the Persian carpet.
Jacob completed the task he had been given. He did not know what to do next, so he went and sat on the sofa set, waiting for more instructions. As he sat there, Chuza came out of the kitchen and began to address him.
"Good work done, Jacob," she said and paused as she reflected before resuming to talk. "I think your duties will include assisting us in keeping the compound clean, cutting or pruning the grass when it grows big, washing some of our clothes and at times preparing some of our meals. Have you ever cooked before?"
"I have not cooked much before. I may not know how to cook certain types of food."
"Then I will show you how to cook good food. I love cooking as it is a woman's duty in our culture," Chuza said and went on, "Your other tasks will also include going for our food supplies at the market."
He said nothing and listened as she continued, "We'll be paying you a hundred and fifty thousand shillings every month for the good work you will be doing for us. Is that okay with you?"
"It's very okay, madam," he replied, satisfied that he was being paid such a generous sum which he had not been expecting.
"Then everything is going to be alright. I see no problem between us," she said and went back to the kitchen.
Jacob went and dropped himself onto the sofa.
A few minutes later, Mujaju and Lisa walked into the lounge. Lisa sat on the couch beside him while Mujaju went and sat on a seat at the corner near the television set.
"Good morning, Jacob. How are you?" Lisa greeted.
"Quite fine, Lisa."
Mujaju said nothing but listened as the two were talking. He felt hungry and was in no mood for discussion matters before breakfast.
When tea was ready and served, they drank in silence as they all sat at the large dining table.
Then, after tea, Chuza made the announcement. "We are going to church and won't be back until very late in the evening. Lisa, will you go for your usual service at 5 pm? You know what to do then."
"Yes, Mama!"
Chuza looked at Jacob quizically and said, "Jacob, of course you can relax. There isn't much for you to do today. Sunday will be your usual day of rest. You may go to church or go for a walk in town if you wish."
But Jacob knew she was only being friendly and polite as he was required to show seriousness in his new tasks and start working immediately. He could not afford to sit while others worked.
Lisa's parents left for church in their Jaguar at eleven. The three remained in the sitting room and sat quietly watching the morning programmes on TV.
It was Lisa who broke the silence among them and spoke softly, "Tell me something about yourself, Jacob."
"What would you want to know about me?"
"Many things. Like what you want to do in life, your hobbies, family, brothers, and sisters."
"There's nothing much to talk about my family. My parents are dead. I don't have a brother but only a sister. She's living with my stepfather at Mubende," he said but abruptly remembered Bukirwa: "Oh, yes, I also have a stepbrother who is very dear to me."
"How old is your sister?"
"She's younger than me. You're a little older than her in my view. She could be fifteen years old now."
"And is she schooling?"
"Yes."
A pause followed. Then Lisa asked, "And did you ever go to school?"
"Of course, I have completed my primary education, and I think I have done very well."
"But why didn't you proceed to secondary school like me? I'm now in senior one."
"My mother died. No one else could afford to pay school fees for me."
"Oh, I'm so sorry! It must have been terrible for you."
There was another pause as the two brooded over their lives. Mujaju never engaged in conversation with them but kept on watching the TV.
Then Lisa started talking. "Now, tell me about your hobbies."
"I have many interests. They are as many as the hair on your beautiful head." He laughed and looked at her.
She was also laughing. Jacob saw she appeared even more beautiful when she giggled.
"You're funny, Jacob. Tell me about them."
Even before he could open his mouth to speak, Mujaju, who showed no interest in the talk, appeared bored. Suddenly, Mujaju announced he was going for a walk and also to visit a friend who lived nearby.
They watched silently as he left the lounge and walked across the compound to the gate. When the cat is away, the mice will play.
Jacob began to talk when he saw they were alone.
"As I was trying to tell you, my hobbies are quite many," he said and paused. Then he continued, "I like reading books, especially story books. I also like playing football, I did that at school."
"Those are nice hobbies. Why don't you start reading stories now that you live here with us? There are many story books in our home."
"It's just a matter of time. I will do so in due course. But I also have in mind studying privately and sit for secondary certificate examinations."
"That's very nice," Lisa appeared quite interested. "In that case I will always be giving you my class notes and text books to help you prepare for the examinations and pass."
"Thank you very much. I hear one can register as a private candidate. Is that true? Now tell me about yourself, your interests in particular."
"You have not told me much about your hobbies. Bit like you, I have many interests. I love music, dancing, sewing, reading and many others."
Then she rose to her feet when she appeared to have remembered something and went to the large cabinet adjacent to the TV set. He saw her touch something inside the cabinet and the sound of music was heard booming from inside.
"What's that inside the cabinet?" He wanted to know.
"It's the music system. You like music, don't you?" Lisa asked as the sound of her favourite Lingala hit song, "Kirikiri Mabima Ya Sika," composed and sang by Dr. Nico and his orchestra African Fiesta Sukisa was heard echoing in the lounge.
"I do. Sorry I forgot to mention it."
"So, you enjoy dancing I presume?" Lisa asked as she looked at his dazzling eyes.
"Oh, yes. But I can't dance very well."
Lisa looked at him, her youthful eyes shining, full of joy and love. She moved closer to him and held his hand, "Come on now, I will show you how to dance."
Then somewhere on the trees in the compound, the soft, melodious, cooing call of a dove that appeared mournful but soothing and calming could be heard.