Kezia looked at the gentleman in front of her, from feet to toe, toe to feet. A reminder of how low she had sunk.

How rich and handsome guys used to pursue her. How she could easily choose them like wine, sip just a little and try the next. It was a privilege for a guy to have her attention for a few minutes.

Little did she know that seasons pass. The evergreen season was passing, and with it the many lovers that used to call on her.

Her own attitude and words were now both a trap and a standard for her. Everyone seemed to be watching whom she was finally going to settle for. It made her nervous and overly cautious.

Slowly her friends were all getting married and soon, she was “the last man standing”.

Clocks were ticking, louder especially at night. In public it was easy to play the “it’s all OK” game. She gave off the  “I’m cool” vibes, but deep down she was lonely and longed for a companion.

She masked her loneliness in religiosity. “God’s time is the best.” She consoled herself.
But exactly what she meant, she never really sat down to ask herself until this gentleman came along. Someone once told her that conditions would never be perfect for starting anything. Sometimes you just start, unprepared, with not exactly what you want. And get to work, it gets better with time, finally becoming what you want, or much more better than that.

This man interested in her was neither handsome nor rich. But at this stage of her life, she had neither the patience nor the heart to take this man in, and rear him till he was financially mature with improved looks. Too much work, especially in this age of ingrates.

What would her friends say? That because of her age she had reduced her standards and fallen for something cheap? She too had said it before. Now, she was afraid to be paid back with her own coin.

He was from a tribe that her tribe looked down on, and never would want to mix with.

“Why don’t you marry from your own tribe?” she advised the young man.

He stood there thinking, feeling embarrassed. She claimed to be a Christian, and Christians are supposed to be one big family of God’s children. Yet when it came to marriage, the same people now saw tribe superior to the Christian bond.

“What work do you do?” she continued the barrage of questions fired at him.

“I am a teacher.” he said in a low tone.

“A teacher.” She sniffed.

This man is probably looking for someone to support him financially, she thought.

Everyone knew that in this country one only became a teacher when all other attempts to become something better in society failed. Teachers received the lowest salaries and they were constantly on strike for unpaid salaries, sometimes up to one full year.

“So you want me to take care of you.” She finally gathered courage to tell him. “Your job doesn’t give you any money so you’re looking for financial security through marriage. My salary is nothing to write home about.”

The young man said nothing, he only stood there staring at the ground, his hands at his back as leaned against the pole.

” I’ve noticed people from your tribe are not handsome looking at all. I don’t want to give birth and the baby will be looking just like you.” She kept on explaining why she would never marry him.

In his mind, he thought. She could have simply declined his proposal without going into the details of why she’s turning him down. She could have complimented him and said he was a nice guy, but he just wasn’t what she wanted. But she, who claimed to be a Christian, waiting on God for the right partner, see the things she was telling him.

But listening he did. Did he have a choice?

As hurtful as her words were, he learnt as much about himself from those words, and he learnt a lot even from things she didn’t say.

He wasn’t going to be discouraged in his search. The best time to hunt was when you are a nobody. That way, you truly get to know who likes you for who you are and not for what you have to offer. He’s taken into account her comments about his looks. He was henceforth going to pay attention to how he dressed, how he smelled and what shoes he wore. With the little money he had, he was going to make sure he looked his very best, always.

His teeth and mouth would also be top priority. And working out to stay in shape will be key on his list of priorities.

With each rejection he would learn in what ways he could improve upon himself and do better, and become better.

He was resolved to never look down on anyone. The things done to him that he resented, he wasn’t going to pass them on. If a lady were interested in him and he didn’t like her, he would simply let her know what a nice person she was. And then simply offer his simple no. That way, he could build on friendship where a love affair failed. You never know.

Kezia kept talking. In order not to feel guilty, she was now basing the motive of her rejection of him on the fact that he wasn’t a committed Christian, and had no mentor in his life and bla bla bla…

But he simply thanked her and walked away.