Nina
We kept on walking through the jungle together while they kept on conversing in their native language.
"I really do admire their language," I couldn't help but say.
"So, why didn't you learn it then?" he asks.
"Well, I didn't think I'd be needing it," I answer.
He nodded in understanding.
"But you're lucky to have learned it," I comment.
"You think I learned it?" he asks, looking amazed.
Well, didn't he?
"Well, you look different from them, like you are not one of them, just like me," I answer.
He smiles again, and his dimples are visible. I really do like people with dimples; they just look cute.
"Actually, my father is from here, and my mother is from America; I got most of my features from her," he explains.
"Now that explains a lot," I say, and we laugh.
The rest of the group just kept observing us.
"Yeah, I get these questions a lot; most people do not think that I am actually a citizen here but just a tourist. I always have to explain to them that I am half-bred," he says.
The way he says the half-bred made it sound so funny.
"You know, maybe you should put on a tag that you are a half-breed of Kenya and America, so that others won't bother you anymore," I say, but I just meant it as a joke.
"That's a great idea," he says, and I can see his eyes brighten.
"It is?" I ask.
"Yeah, you're such a genius, really, for coming up with that idea; I wouldn't have thought of it for my whole life," he complements.
"Thanks," I say, and I am embarrassed to find myself blushing.
"Here, let me help you with that," he says as he tries to collect my bag.
"No, it's ok; it's not much of a burden anyway," I say.
"No, I insist," and I had to give in to him.
He collected the bag, and we continued walking.
The rest of the group has walked past us now, but they are still within sight.
"So, what were you doing up in the forest so late?" I ask as we continue walking.
"Uhmm, you see, these men are a group of hunters." I looked up to them once again, but I couldn't see any guns or weapons with them.
Aren't poachers supposed to have weapons—dangerous ones at that?
"No, not like that," he says, as if reading my mind.
"They are a group of men who help researchers take down an animal for research, and they release them after that. No harm is done," he says.
Well, that's a rather pleasing explanation.
"And you?" I ask.
"Well, I am a researcher," he answers, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh!" I exclaim.
"And what are you researching?" I ask.
"It's funny," he says.
"What's funny?" I ask.
"What I am researching," he says.
"Well, I find no knowledge funny, so please share with me," I plead.
"Ok, you see, I am trying to find the gestation period of a rhino, just how long it takes for it to give birth, all the mood swings that it would experience, and all," he says.
"Wow! That's interesting," I say.
"So, what have you found out so far?" I ask.
"Well, not much; I just started today. We have been looking for a pregnant rhino for a week now, but we finally managed to get one," he answers.
"Congratulation," I say.
"That's, but I just do hope she doesn't have a miscarriage soon," he says in a concerned voice.
"And why is that?" I ask.
"You see, sometimes rhinos take time to conceive, but if proper care is not taken, the baby might be miscarried because they might get poisoned by what they eat, and if it's poisonous to the child, it would be lost," he says.
"Oh!" I exclaim.
That's sad, really.
"But we have put on a tracer on her, we'll be monitoring what she eats or drinks and all that and we'll try as much as possible to help her out so that she can give birth successfully, the species are endangered you know" he says.
"So, how many months will that take?" I ask.
"It takes about 12 to 16 months for the rhinos to give birth, and from the looks of it, this one's about two months in, so we'll be hoping in a year's time maximum," he explains.
Wow, he's such a good teacher.
"I wish I could be here to see the wonder," I say.
"Of what?" he asks.
"If a rhino is giving birth, of course," I answer.
"Well, you can come down here when it's due; I'll inform you," he says.
But before I could answer, the rhino ridge camp came into view.
I quickly rushed past him when I saw the group of people by the gates.
"Nina," someone calls out my name in recognition.
I rushed over to them and hugged Lily, who had come to me as well.
"Gosh! We were so worried that something bad had happened to you; thank goodness you are safe," she says.
"But, where did you actually go?" she asks.
"Uhmm, I went into the jungle to explore," I answer.
"But you know that we weren't allowed to go in there alone," she says in a whisper.
"Yeah, I know, but I went with a map and it got lost." I actually feel stupid for even saying that.
"Well, since you're safe now, everything is fine," she says.
We all walked over to the others, and they were all happy to see me.
I never thought that these people actually cared about me this much.
"How did you find your way back here?" One of the instructors asks.
"Uhmm, these people helped me out and brought me here, ma'am," I answer.
She turns to them.
"Asante sana kwa kumrudisha salama," she says to them in the foreign language. (Thank you very much for bringing her back safe.)
Why is it that everyone knows how to speak that language except me?
Even Professor Abraham does.
Speaking of which, I don't see him around.
"Uhmm, where's the professor?" I ask.
"Oh! They have gone to search for you; I better tell them that you're back," she says, walking away.
We all proceeded back into the camp.
I was escorted over to the dining area. They must have figured that I must be hungry.
"So, when exactly did he leave?" I ask
"Uhmm, about two hours ago, but I'm sure they'll be back soon," she says.
All of a sudden, I started to feel scared for them.
The place is actually dangerous at this time of night, and now, because of me, they are out there, putting their lives in danger.
"Guys, I couldn't get a hold of them," the instructor says.
I felt my stomach churn at her announcement.
"But I'm sure they are fine; let's just hope that they get back soon," she says.
"Oh no!" I exclaim.
What if something bad has happened to them, and that too because of my carelessness?
If I hadn't decided to wander off around without supervision, all this wouldn't have happened.
"No, don't blame yourself for all this," the instructor says.
She walks over and sits beside me.
"I'm sure they'll be back soon, although I suggest that you shouldn't try pulling up a stunt like that again," she says.
Oh, hell, I wouldn't! And why would I?
No one has to remind me of that if you ask me.
"Now, make sure you have something to eat; I and the rest of the instructors will be on the lookout for them," she says.
She pats me on the shoulder and gets up to walk away.
"You know, he was really worried about you; I even thought I saw tears in his eyes," Lily says.
I don't know the part about the tears, but I know he will be worried, and why wouldn't he?
He is the head instructor after all.
And also my own personal instructor.
"He really does love you a lot," she says.
"Yeah, he does," I answer absentmindedly.
**********
Thirty minutes have passed, and still there is no sign of them.
I am now beginning to feel really worried about them.
If something happens to them, then it's definitely on me, and I won't ever forgive myself for that.
Most of the students have left for bed as it's starting to get late, while some are still up, trying to make some conversation with their friends.
Lily is also there as well.
She has been trying to make me eat, but I still can't eat a morsel.
Not when I know that there are lives out there that I have caused to be lost.
She kept on trying to convince me that they'd be alright, but I couldn't listen to her.
Just then, someone sits beside me.
I turn around to see that it's Mike.
"Hey," he says.
I just smile at him weakly, as I seem to have lost my voice.
"Why aren't you eating?" he asks.
"She is worried about her..."
"My instructor is out there searching for me, and I don't know if he's still alive or not." I cut her off.
I don't want more people getting involved in our marriage shenanigans, you see.
"Don't worry, he'll be back, but if you keep worrying yourself and starving to death, it won't change a thing," he tries to coax me.
"That's what I've been trying to tell her," Lily intervenes.
I gave her a disapproving look, which she just shrugged off.
He picks up the spoon and takes some food from my plate.
"Now, open up; I'll feed you myself," he says.
I tried to protest, but then I decided to give in.
I opened my mouth, and he gave me the first morsel.
I forced myself to chew it and swallow.
Then he proceeded to give me the second, but before it could reach my mouth, I was yanked away in full force.