Adjusting to college life came surprisingly easy. The lecturers were kind, and her classmates were vibrant, curious, and warm. Becky found joy in the structure of her days — early lectures, study groups, quiet nights in her small rented room in town. She reached out to Sara after a few weeks, updating her on her progress. In her heart, she had begun to see Sara not just as someone she could drape the name friend upon, but also an anchor in the tides of her transition.
One Friday evening as she walked to her apartment after a long day of lectures, a matatu screeched to a stop ahead of her. A tall man in a brown leather jacket stepped out. She barely noticed him at first — just another commuter. But as she passed by, something about him tugged at her memory. His stature. His stillness. His eyes.
She turned slightly and caught him staring at her.
She dismissed the moment and walked on. But then her phone buzzed.
Koech.
Her heart skipped.
"Hello," she answered.
"Hey, Becky! How are you?"
"I'm good… how about you?"
"I'm fine. But surprised."
"Surprised!"
"How could you ignore me like that."
"I don't understand?"
"Isn't that you, who just walk past?"
She stopped, stunned. Turned. The man was still there — and now she saw him clearly. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Oh my! Honestly I didn't recognize you!" she exclaimed, ending the call and turning back toward him with graceful urgency.
His gaze tracked her. He paid attention to her shapely legs as she crossed the road to where he was. A broad tender smile beamed from her face revealing her lovely teeth. She looked so beautiful in her green dress that hugged tightly to her hips and bust. She smiled sweetly and opened her arms wide to claim him. Koech bend down towards her for she was slightly shorter than him. Resting his chest on hers, he put his hands around her waist and pulled her close to him. They hugged each other passionately. Warm. Familiar. Unexpected.
They stood there for a moment, soaking in the shock and the sweetness of reunion.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Perhaps I should ask the same of you," she replied playfully. "I'm a student now."
Koech blinked. "Wait… seriously?"
"Yeah. I decided it was time to rebuild. No more housewife duties to chain me down."
He smiled, visibly impressed. "Smart move."
"Thank you. What about you? What brings you to Kericho?"
"This is my hometown."
"Oh! You are not from Bomet?"
"No. I just work there."
She smiled too, though her next question carried a touch of vulnerability. "How's my son?"
Koech hesitated only slightly. "He's doing great. We closed school today. His… stepmother picked him up."
Becky's face fell. The warmth drained from her eyes.
"That devil is not my son's mother. She might have succeeded in snatching my husband from me but I will never let her take my son too. It is just a matter of time and Kiplimo will be with me."
"I am sorry if I…"
"No! No! No! You've got nothing to do with it. I just cannot imagine her claiming to be the mother to my son. How was his performance anyway?"
"You got one discipline, brilliant kid, Becky, not only always on top of his class but also on his best behavior."
"Was he on top of the class today?"
"Yes, he performed admirably. He came top of everyone else in his class. He scored a total of 420 marks out of 500."
"I just hope he will keep working hard and posting such grades."
"I am very confident in his ability. Believe me, he will not disappoint."
Koech, who was still unmarried and watching out for the right partner was having ideas about her. Becky was so irresistible and now within his reach.
But she could not be the one. He needed someone young and fresh, a girl who had not known much of a man. Becky was quite the opposite. She had been someone's wife and had a son. She was also probably a few years older than him. She would not make the right choice. "Now that you are around, I hope to catch up once in a while," he said.
"Okay. Give me a call when you are free."
"I will."With that, they bid each other good bye and parted ways.
It had been a long week for Becky, filled with lectures, late nights of revision, and the constant hum of the busy town. On Friday afternoon, as she walked out of the campus gate, her phone buzzed.
Koech: Are you free tomorrow afternoon?
She hesitated before replying. I think so… why?
Koech: I owe you a meal.
Her lips curved faintly. A meal?
Koech: Lunch. My place. I'll cook. And no, you don't get to refuse — it's already decided.
She smiled to herself, shaking her head. You're assuming I'll say yes.
Koech: I'm hoping you will.
Something about those words made her pause longer than necessary before typing: Alright… I'll come.
Koech: Good. Saturday. Two o'clock. And Becky…?
Yes?
Koech: I'm looking forward to it.
The Saturday sun hung low, casting a golden hue across the quiet neighborhood. Becky hesitated a moment at Koech's doorstep, smoothing the folds of her dress as if that might calm the restless flutter in her chest. She lifted her hand and knocked softly.
The door swung open almost at once.
"You came," Koech said, a flicker of relief passing through his eyes before it settled into a warm smile.
Becky's lips curved faintly. "Did you think I wouldn't?"
"Not exactly," he replied, stepping aside to let her in. "But I was… looking forward to this."
His living room carried a faint scent of fresh coffee and polished wood. The curtains swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, and somewhere in the distance a bird called out. He gestured toward the sofa, and she sat, her gaze sweeping the room as though it were safer than meeting his eyes for too long.
"I hope you're hungry," he said from the kitchen doorway, the sound of utensils clinking behind him.
"I am," she answered, though her voice was quieter than she intended.
When he returned with two steaming plates, their fingers brushed as he set hers down. It was nothing, a brief contact — yet the moment seemed to linger, suspended in the air between them.
They ate, speaking of ordinary things — her classes, his work, the weather turning warmer — but every so often their eyes met, and the conversation faltered just enough to betray something neither dared to name.
After the meal, he brewed tea. They moved to the small balcony, where the view stretched over the gentle slope of rooftops and gardens. A soft breeze played with Becky's hair, and Koech found himself watching her more than the scenery.
"It's peaceful here," she murmured, resting her hands on the railing.
"It's better with company," he said, almost absently.
She glanced at him briefly, then looked away. "You seem like you enjoy quiet."
"I do," he admitted. "But I also enjoy… moments like this."
They lingered there, letting the late afternoon sink into a quiet that was neither awkward nor entirely comfortable.
---
In the evening, Becky was ready to leave. Koech offered to escort her to town, his hand resting lightly at her back as they stepped into the cool night air.
Just as they were about to part ways, he hesitated.
"It's the weekend," he said with a small smile. "Tomorrow's Sunday. How about we seal the day properly? There's a new restaurant I'd like you to try."
Becky didn't need convincing. Any excuse to spend more time with him felt welcome. "I'd like that," she said, her smile matching his.
The restaurant he chose had opened only recently, but already word had spread about its mouth-watering menu. When they arrived, it was packed — tables close, chatter rising in waves above the beat of the music. The DJ was in full command of the crowd, moving seamlessly from Nandy to Diamond Platnumz, Mbosso, Willy Paul, and other East African hits.
Koech was recognized almost immediately and ushered to a table near the dance floor. He leaned toward her over the music. "Hope you're ready for some unexpected entertainment. Care to dance?"
"I would love to."
Moments later, Becky was in his arms, the rhythm pulling them into step. His hand rested at the small of her back, guiding her with an ease that made her feel weightless. She closed her eyes for a moment, surrendering to the sway and the warmth. When her favorite song came on — the African Princess's voice filling the room — she sang along without thinking, her voice blending with the music.
Ayiii ni wewe
Ubavu wangu mwenyewe
Ukifa nizikwe na wewe
Nikifa uzikwe nami…
He watched her, feeling the pull of something deeper. For weeks he had wondered if her feelings mirrored his. Tonight, perhaps, was the time to find out.
Gently, he led her off the dance floor, weaving between tables until they reached a dim, quiet corner.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity but no resistance.
He didn't answer — not in words. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice low. "Don't say anything, Becky."
Before she could respond, his arms were around her, drawing her in. His lips found hers in a kiss that was at once careful and urgent, as if he'd been holding it back for too long. She returned it without hesitation, her heart thudding against her ribs. This was nothing like Tesot's kisses — this was deeper, charged with something unspoken.
They might have stayed that way, hidden in the shadows, if another couple hadn't slipped into the nearby table. The spell broke.
Breathing unsteadily, Becky looked up at him, her eyes wide, as if she wasn't entirely sure what had just happened. "Let's get back," she whispered.
He nodded, though every part of him wanted to keep her there.
Back at their table, the music had shifted to a slower, softer beat. They sat in silence, the moment lingering between them, more eloquent than any words could be. They finished their food without really tasting it, watching the dancers as though the floor itself held their secret.
When Koech glanced at his watch, it read half past midnight.
"We'd better get moving — it's getting late."
Outside, the air was cooler. A row of bodaboda riders waited for customers, their engines humming. One rider spotted them and rolled up first.
Becky climbed on behind him without a word, and Koech followed.
"Buda, tuelekee wapi?" the rider asked.
Koech hesitated — part of him wanted to invite her back to his apartment, but he wasn't sure how she'd take it. Becky seemed to sense his dilemma.
"Jumbo first," she told the rider, "then Kapsuser."
The decision was made.
When they arrived at Jumbo, the motorbike slowed to a stop outside her compound. Koech walked her to the gate. "Good night," he said softly, kissing her left cheek.
"Good night to you too." Her smile lingered.
She stepped inside, her thoughts whirling. She was certain now — Koech was falling for her. And though she hadn't fully let go of Tesot, there was a spark in her that she hadn't felt in years.
The gate clanged shut behind her. She called for the watchman, who appeared promptly, perhaps wondering why she was out so late. Inside her room, the silence felt heavier than usual. She thought about the way his hand had rested at her back, the warmth of his kiss, the way her heart had responded without her consent.
She was sticky with the night's heat and sweat. Wrapping a towel around herself, she took water to the washroom outside, the sound of the dance floor and Koech's voice still echoing faintly in her mind.
It became a habit. Whenever she was overcome by the loneliness of her room, Becky found herself at Koech's. It was on a Saturday, and they had spent the better part of the day together.
"Bad weather is coming," Koech told her after glancing at the horizon.
Becky followed his gaze. The clouds were no longer drifting but gathering in dark, purposeful folds.
Minutes later, the rain came — fat drops striking the roof like pebbles. Fierce lightning ripped the sky with ferocious intensity, immediately followed by a deafening crack of thunder. Soon, pools of water formed at various spots outside. They linked up one after another, creating rivulets that thickened into torrents, swallowing the footpaths until the ground beyond the door disappeared.
Time was slipping by, and it soon became clear that Becky would not be able to return to her room.
"Seems like I'll have to prepare dinner enough for two," Koech suggested.
"I won't spend the night here. I must go," Becky's voice was heavy with disappointment.
"I don't think you have a choice. But don't worry — there's a room for you."
He disappeared into the kitchen, and within the next hour everyone had eaten to their fill. He showed her to the guest room.
In the middle of the night, Koech found himself awake. The storm had moved on. He was pressed, so he stood and went to the bathroom to relieve himself. Passing by the door to Becky's room, he noticed it stood ajar.
"Becky," he called quietly. There was no reply. He moved closer — the bed was empty, and the beddings lay disorganized. Perhaps she had also gone to the bathroom. He sat on the bed, waiting for her return.
When she did not come back after several minutes, he grew suspicious.
He followed the faint hiss of running water until he reached the outside of the bathroom. He knew he should turn away and give her the privacy she needed, but a battle emerged in his mind. He moved forward.
The sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. There before him, illuminated by the electric bulb, was Becky — completely undressed. His gaze followed the perfect curves of her body. He had known from the first time he saw her at Kararan Academy that she was a tempting beauty.
"Becky," he said her name softly.
Her heart jolted at the sound of his voice so near. She quickly tried to reach for the towel, but his hand closed on it first. She stood immobile for a moment, face to face with him. A shiver of sensual awareness ran through her. Koech was strong and powerful. She was drawn to him. Memories of the kiss they had shared at the club came rushing back.
He let go of the towel, and she snatched it with desperate quickness, covering her nakedness from her breasts to her thighs.
He ought to have walked away from her now. But some powerful wickedness held him to the spot. She had not ordered him to leave, neither had she allowed him to intrude into her privacy in such an irritating way.
"Something woke me up," he said. "Some movement. I thought maybe you needed something. I came to your room and you were not there. I got worried and came here to confirm."
He had to find a convincing excuse for invading her privacy. His stare trespassed to the slender slope of her bared shoulders and down across the tempting swells of her breasts.
"I couldn't sleep. I thought a shower would help," she said, feeling breathless at being partially unclothed before him.
Koech hesitated awkwardly for some time before moving closer toward her. He took her by the arm and slowly, gently drew her close to him. She did not resist. She willingly went into his embrace, feeling awed by the strength of his arms.
His mouth covered the crook of her neck, inciting her. She responded fully, without reserve, pressing against his hard chest. She clung to him. They clung together, nothing inhibiting his caress.
At this point, nothing held Becky from offering herself to him. But then, some fragile thread of sanity kept him from giving in to the burning desire for her. It took a great deal of effort to break the kiss, but after a fierce fight with himself, he brought the raging passion of the flesh under control.
Becky was not amused by his restraint. His touch and kiss had made her grow mindless in her need to get closer to him. He left the bathroom, and she finished bathing, yet she could still feel his arms around her. She realized there was more to what she felt for him than she had ever suspected. He was making her forget all her troubles and the ugliness of life — her pain and agony.
She too left the bathroom. He stood by the door to her room.
"I hope you can now catch some sleep," he said.
"Maybe. I feel fresh now."
"Enjoy the rest of your night." He started to leave.
"Do you have some lotion?" Her voice stopped him.
"Yeah. Let me get it for you."
Becky got into her room. Her body had not calmed from the fires he had lit. Hot pulses continued to gently throb. Then he appeared at the door, a bottle of lotion in his hand. She yearned to explore again the closeness she had felt in the bathroom.
She stood and walked to the door. Koech handed her the lotion, but instead of grabbing the bottle, she grabbed his hand and pulled him close, lifting her head toward his lips. This time, she was the one who took the lead. Koech could not resist, and the intimate contact was thrilling for both of them.
Later, lying tangled together, the air was thick with warmth and the faint scent of rain. But as the quiet settled, she felt the storm shift inside her — from heat to guilt, from longing to the ache of knowing she had crossed a line she could never uncross.
While Koech slept, she rose. She washed again, dressed, and stepped outside. The storm had passed, leaving the earth washed and quiet — but the sky in her chest was still full of thunder.