Marej

        I always tell my Gs, time and time again, to be careful, hawanisiki kabsaa, wanaona ni kama mimi ni matako yao, nilipigwa heartbreak ya kimataifa, or worse, ni kama nachukia wanawake. 

Otis, with his heart set on a future bright and unmarred by past shadows, was on the cusp of a new dawn. His wedding to Julia was mere days away, scheduled for a radiant Sunday where love was supposed to renew itself in the eyes of God and man. 

Preparations were in full swing, or at least, they would have been. Instead, Julia, the bride-to-be, had her heart, mind and soul elsewhere. 

She chose adventure over duty, opting for a road trip and camping escapade with her friends, leaving Otis to navigate the chaotic waters of wedding planning alone. The absence of his partner in these crucial moments was felt like a void, but Otis held onto the belief that love was about understanding and patience.

However, patience was tested when, in a twist of modern-day betrayal, Otis stumbled upon a TikTok video. There, amidst the digital applause and heart emojis, was Julia, her body swaying with an unfamiliar grace, her laughter shared not with him, but with another man. 

The comments under the video, filled with playful banter about her dance partner, did little to soothe the sting of betrayal.

Her movements, seductive and carefree, were a stark contrast to the solemn vows they were about to exchange.  The sight was a dagger to Otis's hopeful heart. 

Otis silently wondered. 

Was this the woman he was ready to pledge his life to? 

The revelation left Otis grappling with a storm of emotions. He sat in silence for a long moment, the once vibrant plans for his future now clouded with doubt. It was two days before the wedding when he finally broke down and shared the whole story with his Boyz, his closest friends, the ones he'd always leaned on when life got tough.

As Otis narrated the tale of his heartbreak, his voice trembled, not just with sadness but with the shock of betrayal. His friends, gathered around in his small, cluttered living room, listened intently, their faces shifting from concern to disbelief.

“You mean to tell us she's out there living her best life, 

while you're here, 

tying up loose ends for your supposed dream wedding?”

Mwas, the outspoken one, broke the silence first, his voice a mix of incredulity and anger.

“That's some next-level disrespect,”

Juma added, shaking his head, his dreadlocks swaying with the motion. 

The room erupted in a chorus of laughter, not at Otis's plight, but at the absurdity of the situation. It was their way of dealing with the pain, a crude but effective salve for the wounds of the heart.

“Man, 

you should've seen this coming, 

with all your,

‘be careful’ speeches,”

Kevo chimed in, his grin wide but his eyes showing empathy. 

“But better now than,

after you've said 'I do', 

right?”

Otis managed a weak smile, the laughter of his friends chipping away at the heavy weight on his chest slowly.

 “I thought love is about understanding and patience, 

not dancing with strangers on social media,”

He said, his voice steadier now. Mwas retorted, throwing an arm around Otis. 

“Look, 

we're here for you, man. 

We'll help you sort this mess out, 

better yet we'll throw you,

the best damn party ever instead of a wedding.”

The banter continued, each friend trying to outdo the other with wild suggestions and plans for the next couple of days. They talked about turning the wedding venue into a massive party, or perhaps a road trip of their own, mirroring Julia's escapade but with the intent of healing, not hurting.

Through the laughter and the playful jabs, Otis felt a sense of relief, his friends' presence and their light-hearted approach to his heavy heart slowly restoring some of his spirits. They were his true brothers, reminding him that life, even in its darkest moments, could still offer moments of joy and camaraderie.

As the night wore on, the mood shifted from jest to genuine support. They discussed serious steps Otis might take, whether it was confronting Julia or calling off the wedding. No matter what decision he made, they assured him, he wouldn't be facing it alone. They'd be there, with laughter, advice, and banter.