The following day was Wednesday. Phil woke up with a terrible hangover from the previous night’s drinking. He yawned and stretched himself several times while lying in his bed. He rubbed his eyes before reluctantly getting out of his bed after several postponements. Clad only in his boxer shorts, he walked out of the bedroom to the bathroom. Once there, he took off his shorts and stepped into the shower. The warm water streaming onto his head and shoulders to his buttocks and thighs gave him a pleasing awakening. He reached out for his toothbrush and began to brush his teeth while taking his shower.
He finished his bathing session and headed back to his bedroom where he picked out a pair of black trousers and a blue T-shirt. After putting on his clothes which included a pair of black boots, he combed his neat, short hair. Afterwards he put on his black sleeveless coat and then walked to the side drawer next to his bed. He opened it, removed his pistol and then placed it in the inner pocket of his coat.
Phil walked over to the bedroom window as was his habit and peeped outside through the curtains. He could see people rushing for work heading in all directions. School children in various uniform outfits were a noticeable feature on the street outside. Near his flat, he could see women already sweeping the surroundings. Across the road he saw a shop with an inscription, “Kabwata Fisheries”. As much as he knew it was the oldest shop in Kabwata residential area, where Phil had lived for five years.
He left his bedroom with clothing items on the floor and then headed to the kitchen. He peeped into the kitchen and then changed his mind. He decided to go straight to work instead and eat later. As he passed through the sitting room, he stared with satisfaction at a wall picture of Christopher Katongo with the Africa cup trophy in his hands. He exited the house and locked the door behind him.
“Good morning neighbor, how are you today?” A fat woman from a flat across his asked him cheerfully. She had a broom in her hands and a baby on her back. Standing next to her was a light complexioned younger woman in a black T shirt and green party chitenge around her waist.
“Good morning Mrs. Thole,” replied Phil. He looked at her and then at the young woman.
“Have you had your breakfast yet? You look tired, neighbor,” she added.
Phil nodded with a smile. He said nothing.
With a warning finger she continued, “I knew it. You haven’t eaten. Maybe you didn’t even eat supper last night. It is not good. One day you will collapse at work.”
“I had some biscuits and…”
“No, no, no. You should eat proper food, not biscuits. You need a woman to take care of that part.”
Phil looked down and then smiled.
“By the way,” she continued. “This is my niece Aisha. She is here to visit us. She lives in Kitwe with her parents.”
Phil regarded the younger woman and immediately noted her thin oval face. Her hair was dark and wavy and she had a thin, pointed nose. Her body looked athletic in shape. Phil could make out her wide hips even though her body was covered in a chitenge from waist downwards.
“I am happy to meet you Aisha,” said Phil with a slight nod.
“Same.”
Mrs. Thole smiled broadly.
Phil looked at his wrist watch and said, “I will see you people later. I must run now.”
“You will find us,” she replied as she watched Phil disappear beyond the corridor.