Chapter 2: Holy chow
Shreya doodled on her orders note pad and idly looked up. Out of the window was a young man selling beaded key rings and wire animals. He had arrived the previous day to sell outside the café, and she had asked him his name. It was Bonani.
She knew her boss would move him on but she didn’t have the heart to tell him, and besides she was away visiting family in India and so would never know.
Shreya wrote the name of the café down on her note pad.
H o l y C h o w.
She made the letter “C” into a smiling cow and laughed to herself. Maybe if her career in fashion design didn’t work out she could go into advertising!
She was so deep in thought that she jumped when the door opened.
Takunda and Michael walked through the door of the Holy Chow coffee shop and juice bar. It was Michael’s favourite place and he knew Shreya, the waitress, well.
Michael bounded over with a big smile to say hello.
“This is my cousin Takunda, he arrived from Zimbabwe yesterday!” he said.
“Hi! It is great to meet you finally” smiled Shreya “Michael says that you will be starting at tech next term. Media studies isn’t it?”
Takunda smiled, rather embarrassed that Shreya seemed to know so much about him.
“Yes, that’s right” he said.
Shreya told them to take a seat and that she would be right over to take their order.
Takunda sat down and surveyed his surroundings. He really liked the cafe; it was modern and unusual. It had a bovine theme. Brightly coloured paintings of cows hung from the wall and cowhide patterned fabric covered the chairs.
Takunda looked outside as Michael browed the juice menu. He saw the same young guy who was selling keyrings at the traffic lights. He was sitting on the ground outside the café making what looked like a lizard.
They both ordered.
“This is my shout to apologise for the terrible welcome you had to Breytons Bay.” Michael said.
“It's good I came when I did or you could have spent your first night in hospital! I'm so sorry about that. You know how high unemployment is and foreigners are the first to get blamed after the government…
Takunda nodded, as Michael continued. "Anyway, let me tell you about your two other housemates.”
Michael told Takunda about Ben and Fikile. They were both teachers at the local high school and were away this week on a teacher training workshop but would be back next week.
“The problem is” Michael said “I have to go to Jikaville next week, a small rural town about 200km north of here. It is a research project I am working on for the university. I know it is really bad timing.”
“I am sure everything will be fine, it’s just that Ben and Fikile do like to drink and party. If there are any problems then just give my best mate Jayden a call. I’ll send you his number now.”
Takunda’s phone beeped and Jayden’s number came up on his cell phone screen. He didn't know why but he had an uncomfortable feeling about the whole thing. He saved the number straight away, somehow sure he would need it.
To be continued...........