From the Azuri Cafe and Restaurant Balcony, I spot her walking across Moi Avenue from Kenyatta Avenue. She stands out in the never ending stream of human traffic, not because of her skin color but because of her bold gait. Head high, arms firmly tucked to her sides clutching the brown handbag that contrasts nicely with her dark-beige knee length dress. She looks stunning.
Moments later, she’s out of sight as she walks into Imenti house via the Azuri entrance. And sure enough, she reappears while home-stretching the flight of stairs that lead into the restaurant. I wave at her and she smiles back while making her way to the balcony. The semi-gentleman in me pulls her a seat as we exchange pleasantries before making our orders and settle down to embark with the main agenda of the day.
Ursula is her name.
The Society
And as much as she possesses an aura of confidence, she is fidgety. We are already getting too much attention. I can see a group of people at the corner table peeking at us weirdly. Probably wondering what we are up to.
As if on cue, one chap notices I have actually got wind of their lack to mind their own business and shouts at me, “Sina noma bro. Wewe pea mrembo melanin!” followed by an evil outburst of laughter from the entire group and a few others.
“Ujue pia hiyo ni pesa brathe.” another adds as our order hits the table top.
I feel anger mounting. But I do not want to start a fight I cannot finish. Especially not here.
“Don’t mind them”, she tells me, noticing how I was struggling to maintain my cool. “I got used to it.”
Her Story
Thing is, Ursula has a skin condition. She lacks pigment in the skin, hence she’s a shade lighter than the average ‘rangi ya thao’ lady across the street. Albino, they call her.
“Nick.”
Silence.
“Nick!” she repeats, this time a tad louder.
I fail to understand how people can be so insensitive.
“Talk to me Ursula” I reply, smiling guiltily.
“Don’t let it get to your head. I am used to bearing the blunt of albino jokes. As if nature itself is not harsh enough on me” she carries on, trying to rejuvenate her slowly fading courage.
She is getting uneasy.
“You mean to say this is the norm in your life? The jokes and everything?” I ask.
“Pretty much”
“It does not bother you?”
“It used to. Not anymore.”
“What happened?
“I woke up one day and decided to let only nature harass me. The rest I do not have to deal with”
I have my hands clamped under my chin, supporting my head wearing a really attentive face to complement the rather stiff posture. Momentarily, I take my eyes off her to steal a glance at her nails. She notices immediately and withdraws her hands from the table top to its under belly. I spot a couple of sunburns on her arms. She is too conscious already. Uncomfortable even. It’s about time to wind this up.
The Woes
“You know Nick, we are used as human sacrifices! People are kidnapped and sold. That’s why that guy there already has a price tag on me.” She says pointing at the dudes at the corner with her lips.
She is a typical African this one. Ha-ha.
She continues.
“Then the Nairobi sun! Sunburns have become a part of me. I spend on sunscreen equally as much as I spend on food. I am among the lucky few who do not have skin cancer. Reason enough to be happy, no?”
“Hold on! You mean there’s a ‘market’ out there for human beings?” I reply choking on my lemon tea
“Yes. A market for Albinos.” Comes the unbothered answer
“I wish people understood that albinism is just a color. We are human just like the rest of you. Just because I lack skin pigmentation doesn’t make me less human.”
I see tears at the corner of her eyes. She is about to break down.
“Speaking of human, I need to get that little human at home some toys. How about you help me choose on for him” I ask, hoping to salvage the situation.
“Sure thing. I know a good toy shop around the corner” she says smiling.
As we leave, I take a look at the corner table but the ‘rude boys’ have left already. I would have wanted them to meet Ursula. Shake her hand even. They are in dire need of emancipation!
#ThePainOf