Miriam Ngatia

“Lost and found” by Miriam Ngatia

Tim drew back the drapes and opened the windows. Drawing back the drapes signified ushering in the new day, stepping over a new threshold and bidding goodbye to the night. The night that had passed was synonymous with the way things used to be. The sunlight poured into the room. Tim looked up at the tufts of cirrus clouds scattered across the azure sky. He could already hear the sound of the heat; the squirrel calls in the trees and the stillness in the air. He looked over at the garden which lay before him, past the greenish brown parched...

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“The Eye of the Beholder” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #105

Sandy pulled into the parking lot of the Pine Tree Community Centre. The main facility which consisted of an indoor pool, gym and basketball court was still closed. Thankfully, the splash pad and playground outside were open. She was relieved to be able to go out again, albeit with lots of precautions. Lockdowns, reproduction rate, variants and rate of transmission were previously unknown terms to the public. These terms were now used in everyday parlance.  “Let’s go TJ,” said Sandy, grabbing her mask, sanitiser and snack bag for TJ, ...

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“Reset” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #102

“It’s 11am in the morning! You can not be watching TV at this time. It seems like you watch TV all the time!” I shrieked at the kids. They barely looked up. “It’s almost done,” one of them responds, as I hear the familiar intro track of one of their favorite shows. “I will get rid of the TV!” I threatened unconvincingly. I sighed. Parenting is hard. I felt quite hypocritical as I recalled a similar incident involving a much younger version of myself. The school year was over. No more early mornings, school days marked with lessons I would ...

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“Fish in white wine sauce” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #100

“It’s her birthday tomorrow,” Jerry said. “What should we do for her?” asked Suzie. “We could go to her favorite restaurant,” Jerry replied. “We can’t afford it. Could we invite her over to our house for dinner?” Suzie suggested. “That’s a great idea!” Jerry exclaimed. “We’ll have to invite everyone else too.” “That’s ok,” Suzie said. “I can handle it.” Suzie grabbed her notepad and started to make a list. She didn’t have much time. What would she prepare for dinner? Something easy but impressive. Suzie thought hard. Chicken? Lamb? No, tha...

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“Dawn escape” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #99

4:45am. The dark black night is turning bluish purple, as our part of the earth slowly turns towards the celestial golden orb. I should get up, but I don’t feel like it. I never, ever feel like it. I lie in bed for a while and then grudgingly, I sit up and get up way too fast. I know that I should get up slowly to avoid passing out. I’ll take my chances. If I get up slowly, I may never get up at all.  I stumble out of the room, grab my pile of gear and head downstairs. I don’t turn the lights on. I dare not wake the kids up. Once down...

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“Ascension” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #97

LOCATION: TREETOPS LODGE, ABERDARE RANGES FOREST, CENTRAL KENYA YEAR: 1952 It’s a cloudless starry night. It is pitch dark and silent. The air is chilly. The only sounds that can be heard are the sporadic high pitched laughs from some hyenas close by. As I look out the window, I am grateful to be here in the Aberdare Ranges forest, miles away from a world that has so many demands and expectations.  I am so exhausted that I should still be asleep. The ‘animal sighting’ buzzer woke me up.  Earlier, I was asked by the lodge staff,...

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“Sowing Seed” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #96

‘Can you help him?’ Dennis asked. ‘I’m not sure,’ I said. ‘He’s a good guy. He’s just had a hard time finding meaningful work.’ ‘Ok, I’ll keep an eye out for an opportunity. No guarantees though,’ I replied. ‘Thanks for trying.’ Click. I’m a busy guy. Really busy. I’m an entrepreneur with global interests. Each day, meetings come and go in quick succession. Somedays, I barely remember who I spoke with. To do lists run miles long. I deal with people in different countries and different time zones. I deal with lots of people and lots of re...

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“Etched in time” by Miriam Ngatia

Submitted to Contest #95

Inverness Airport, Scotland, July 20th, 2016 at 8am. The silence between us is unbearably loud. It feels like everything in both our lives has led to this moment. To speak or not to speak? Is there enough time for truth or do I just give another placating remark so as not to ruffle feathers? It’s a grey and cold day. A thick fog drapes the landscape and the rain pours steadily.  It’s early enough that the airport isn’t busy at all. Some of the steel shutters of the airport stores are still shut. I wish for the distractions of a busy...

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