This Girl on a Matatu

This morning.

I board a mat, completely minding my own business, I get a seat next to a mother holding a baby who is in her own world. I mean you, you're operating on 2018? Her, she's operating in 2030 where dreams are valid and visions have been achieved! She's clapping her hands, she's nodding her head and she's making these noises that tickle me silly.

 

See, today I am not dressed to play. I am dressed for stares. I am dressed for whistles. I am dressed for what Avril and Marya refer to as 'Nimekuja tu kuchokoza' ... and I cannot afford these vibes this toi is sending my way. So, I try keeping a brave face. Looking straight ahead. I am laughing with my throat. Tears are at the verge of streaming.... Then this girl, about 2/3 years old stares at me. She looks straight into my face. I decide, the Lord IS my shepherd! I shall not waver. I maintain my gaze. Lakini, huyu mtoi ni nani?!!

She decides, she is too grown up for these games! So she holds my hand and says, "Mambo?" I muster my cool and the Coasterian in me rises and I answer "Mzuri." Still, looking ahead. Chic is determined to figure me out (or maybe how I have tried to hide my laughter makes me look CONSTIPATED and she is politely trying to empathize?) so she repeats "Mambo?". Khaiii, lovely people!!! Allow me to explain how I BURST into LAUGHTER in this mat that is overly populated. I laughed!! People are trying to figure out my level of sanity. Then I answered "Poa."

So, she continues with the beating in her head, which is still tickling me crazy! BUT I am a BIG girl. And big girls know the time and place and things to laugh about. So, I hold it in. Chic turns back to me and says, "Mambo" ... and the mother let's out a grumble that insinuates 'Stop bothering her'... But the baby stares at me blankly like I am expected to continue the conversation. So I answer 'Poa. Habari yako?' Weh, the chic let's out the MOST beautiful expression of a joy depicted by her smile, a giggle and shyness like she had longed been craving to be asked. Chaaiii... She attempts to speak to other passengers, people are strict. They are wearing these stern expressions and am like "Am I the only one feeling the humor of this girl?" Like her whole presence was just beautifully funny and happy and jovial and vibrant and beautiful. And funny.

Then, she does something that leaves me CRAVING for my destination to reach FAST!! She'd look away, then stare at me bringing her face so closely to mine saying "Mambo?" I laugh. Then she stares away, then back to my face again and say "Mambo?" I let out a bigger laughter! A consistent one. A laughter so hard, other passengers are beginning to laugh with me... She's turning back and forth with the beating in her head. Khaii!! The mother has given up on stopping her or distracting her. I have given up on my dainty! I was becoming a mess of laughter, tears and snort, hahahahahhaha.

 

I literally alight the mat. and waved goodbye to her, like she was my kindred, woi! Lord keep me from children and madmen. I am not sure why these two get me.