Strangers along the way…

So this morning while out running I come across an Administration Police, approximately 5 kays away from work. You know the way as you approach someone you can see that they will speak with you? Yeah, so I look at him as I approach and think he will just say hello, good job etc, as I am used to hearing. But then I realize he is saying loads more, so I pause my music and go on a run-on-the-spot action so as not to lose my rhythm. He tells me that he used to see me at my work when he was stationed there, have I now moved? And in split seconds I am thinking, this is a stranger, a cop at that and you know in Kenya cops are not exactly our friends! I do not want to admit I still work there cos, hey, you never know… BUT… these guys get rotated so what happens if he gets rotated back and sees me there, after I said I had moved? Waaa! So I say yes, I’m still there. So he says he’d seen me a couple of times pass by running, and he used to see me at work leaving and returning after a run. He then is so surprised that I run so far, which is why he thought I had moved to some place else near where we were. In my head I am thinking, it’s just 5 kays one way, no big deal. Perspective heheheh. So he asks if I will run back the same way, because I am sure he did the math and realized there was no shorter route back except the one I was on. And I say yes, I will be running back. The look on his face was priceless LOL! So we say our goodbyes, I add thanks for saying hello and continue running.

On my way back with a little over 4 kays away from work, this dude catches up with me and starts running alongside me. I glance at him surprised because the way he caught up I expect him to keep going past me.  But no, he’s aligned himself with me and is glancing my way. He looks like a young adult and I am wondering what he’s all about. Thankfully, I am on a busy road, so he could’t possibly drag me off somewhere, or something. I think to myself, I cannot outrun this dude, so that’s not an option. One thing I always do is pray for protection every time I am out and about running. I tell God this is one of those times I need him to come in strong, one way or another.  So the dude starts making small talk about running, how he used to run in school yada yada. I am not a talker while running, so at best, I am giving him mono syllable responses. Undeterred, he carries on about so many things, my gosh! And surprisingly, he’s keeping the pace and looking comfortable.  He’s not dressed like a runner, so he couldn’t have been out running though… I take stock of the situation: I cannot outrun him, I do not know what he’s about, he seems innocent enough making hay and having fun while he’s at it, but you can never really tell. We’ve been going for a kay and he doesn’t look like he’ll let up anytime soon.  So I decide to reduce my pace, incase I have to keep running longer than I planned because there was no way I was heading back to work with this guy on my trail. So I am mapping out new routes that would end up in a mall or something, and I know I have to be in a comfortable pace that would go the distance. And I know which mall I will target. Meanwhile, I am asking God to distract him to stop or detour.  All this while I am keeping him in sight, and when we come to a place where only one person can pass, I let him go ahead of me. No way I am letting him come behind me heheheheh.  2 kays and this guy is still at it, now talking about how hard a time he is having trying to find employment since he completed high school 2 years back.

So we’re approaching a roundabout, and he asks if I shall be returning to where we’ve come? I say no, I am going on ahead. By this time I know that even though going ahead is the direction of work, should he follow me still, I know which mall I will target, so either way I am safe. And we’re in clear sight, so hopefully he cannot do me harm.  And I pray some more. As we get to the round about he says, [finally lol!], that it is his stop and it’s where he was heading. I say goodbye, have a nice day and don’t give up on looking for work. And I run on, praying that he has, indeed, stopped. A kay further, and I look back to see if he’s there, all clear hehehehe. Waaa, it will be a long time before I head back on that route, for sure.  Thank you Lord, for keeping me safe. And the more I think of it, he was a harmless boy just seeing an opportunity to pass time, and he took it… I think… Saying a prayer for him, that God will open heavens for him.