James Maringo woke up very early to an unusual sight—sixteen cows roaming in his compound. It was not the kind of morning he expected, but he immediately recalled that he had agreed with his uncle, Papa Tausi, to temporarily host the animals. The plan was to keep them there only briefly before transferring them to a more suitable location.
Outside the compound, a large cattle truck with a twenty-cow capacity was already waiting. The cows were being guided one by one into the truck. By the time the neighbourhood began to stir awake, the cows were gone—loaded and en route to Papa Tausi's rural farm. The whole operation had been swift and quiet.
Mex, the youngest member of the household, was visibly disappointed. He had grown attached to the cows and suspected they belonged to his brother, Benjamin, who had recently come to stay with them. Without hesitation, Mex dashed to the guest quarters—built a little distance from the main house—to wake Benjamin.
To his surprise, Benjamin was already up and dressed in a football uniform. Beside him was a smaller matching kit laid out neatly on the bed.
"Good morning, little brother," Benjamin greeted warmly.
"Good morning, Benjie." Mex beamed, revealing a toothy smile—his front teeth had grown back, but he was still missing a few on the sides.
"Just imagine—your cows are gone!" he said with wide eyes.
"Gone? Who took them?" Benjamin asked with a playfully shocked expression. Of course, he knew the cows couldn't remain on a quarter-hectare plot. Arrangements had already been made for them to be transported where they would have space to roam freely.
"I'm sure dad had them sent to the countryside," Benjamin added reassuringly.
"Yes! Papa Tausi and our uncles have a big farm with many cows!" Mex exclaimed, his excitement returning.
"Oh. I was just about to call you for our little surprise."
Benjamin handed him the smaller football uniform. Mex eagerly changed into it, and together they grabbed a football from Benjamin's sports bag and quietly slipped out to the school field before anyone could spot them.
Later that morning, when breakfast was served, Benjamin and Mex were nowhere to be found. Even Evans, Benjamin's travel companion, was confused about his whereabouts.
Megyn tried calling Benjamin, but he had left his phone in the guest room. His bags and clothes were still there too. She found herself recalling how she had previously locked him out emotionally. Now, the roles were reversed. This time, she was the one left in suspense—and it stung.
"It's strange that Dad isn't upset with Benjamin," she mused, sitting on Benjamin's bed in the guest room. "He's too calm… almost like he knows something."
Later, she found her father chatting with Evans and Cindy and took the opportunity to ask, "Dad, did you see Benjamin this morning?"
"No, I didn't see Benjamin," he replied, "but I saw Mex."
"What did he say?"
That morning, Mex had found his father just after the cows were loaded and had leaned in with a whisper. "Dad, I have a secret. Don't tell anyone." "What is it, my son?" "My brother brought me a football kit. It matches his. We're going to play in the school field. Some of my friends will be there too."
"And why is this a secret?"
"Because... it's a surprise."
Mr. Maringo had paused, puzzled, then chuckled to himself. Now, pointing at the gate, he grinned.
"There they are."
Benjamin and Mex came riding into the compound on bicycles, both sweaty and smiling, their uniforms soaked and shoes caked in dust.
"Where on earth did they get those bicycles?" Mr. Maringo laughed heartily.
But that wasn't all.
Moments later, a school van pulled into the compound. Twenty-five children, aged five to nine, piled out—each dressed in the same football kit as Benjamin and Mex, their faces flushed from excitement and play. The driver, who also served as their teacher, was right behind them.
Mex practically bounced in place. "Dad, meet our school's junior football team! My brother is our sponsor, Mr. Juma is our patron, and I'm the captain!"
"Whoa… This is big," Mr. Maringo said, visibly impressed.
Mex turned to his sister, glowing with pride. "Meg, we had a game and guess what? Everyone won! We scored ten goals… against ten!"
"Really, Mex? You didn't tell me you were leaving."
"Don't be upset, Meg. My brother took care of me. And look—these are my teammates!"
"How could I ever be upset with my baby brother? Come here for a hug."
Mex ran into her arms, but Megyn soon found herself surrounded by all twenty-six children in a massive group hug. In the end, she was laughing along with them, just as sweaty and dusty as the rest.
Benjamin quietly left the celebration and gestured to Megyn to follow him to the guest room.
Melissa watched the moment from afar, smiling silently. She was especially amused that her usually stern father had laughed so freely that morning.
Inside the guest room, Megyn turned to Benjamin with a curious look. "What is it that you and Dad have going on, Benj?"
Benjamin winked.
"Just a big son and a friend."
"Uh-huh…"
He handed her a small bag. "Put this on after you freshen up. I want to see you in it."
He hugged her, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek, then stepped back.
Megyn went to her room, showered, and opened the bag. Inside was a neatly folded outfit—brown khaki pants and a white polo shirt. When she stepped out, she found that Benjamin had dressed in identical clothes.
She checked in on Melissa, who was gleefully unboxing a brand-new laptop.
"My big brother gave me this—for my studies!" Melissa said proudly, then reached out to hug Megyn. "Thank you, sis, for bringing us a brother."
After lunch, Megyn and Benjamin left together to spend the rest of the day out. Evans and Cindy also departed—Cindy to catch a flight back to Pwani City. Evans, exhausted from a long academic term, decided to accompany her for his vacation.
The Land Rover dropped Evans and Cindy at the airport, then continued its journey with Megyn and Benjamin past River Ole. The water had receded and the bridge, once a source of anxiety, had been repaired. As they passed Hotel Sunset and entered a familiar road, Megyn's heart fluttered with recognition.
They had arrived at the Gazelle Sanctuary.
The sanctuary had transformed. New buildings had sprung up, including one designated as Megyn and Benjamin's private escape house. Near the entrance, a spacious building hosted local traders and artists, selling colorful garments, handmade jewelry, soapstone sculptures, and other cultural artifacts.
Romantic couples were frequent visitors, drawn by the sanctuary's peaceful charm. Megyn and Benjamin strolled the familiar trails, watching gazelles in the golden evening light. By six in the evening, they retreated to their house.
That night, they were alone—and though married by custom, their passion simmered with restraint. Their love deepened in quiet intensity, anchored by promises yet to be fulfilled in a church wedding.
Benjamin had already informed his father-in-law that Megyn wouldn't return home that night.
The next morning, Megyn awoke with Benjamin's arm gently wrapped around her. She wasn't surprised. Instead, she smiled, feeling safe and loved.
After breakfast at the sanctuary, Toby, who wanted to see Benjamin before he left for the City, arrived to pick them up. He dropped Megyn at her family's home, after hugs and kisses from Benjamin, and drove Benjamin to the airport.
Benjamin had responsibilities in the capital—work, studies, and a wedding to plan. Though they had hired a professional event planner, both were actively involved in decisions.
As Megyn watched the hatchback drive away, she felt a piece of her heart go with it. But she smiled through the ache, knowing it wouldn't be long before they were together again—this time, forever.