SOLDIER GIVE ME ALL OF IT, I AM DYING

Early one morning, Taiya woke up very early. She grabbed her bucket and filled it with water to take a shower. While doing so, her phone rang. She disliked receiving phone calls so early. She put the bucket down and returned to bed to get the phone. It was her manager calling. Annoyed but resigned, she answered.

"Hello," she said. "Hello Taiya, please try to be on time today because I will be a bit late getting there, as I have some errands to run," her manager explained. Taiya responded, "Okay, manager." "Alright, thank you Taiya," he replied and ended the call.

She put the phone down and went back to get her bucket. As she started walking with it toward the bathroom, her phone rang again. Irritated, she said, "Seriously, what is it now, manager? I'm going to hate you." She put her bucket down again and went back to take the call; this time it was her mother. Taking the call, she greeted, "Hello."

"Hello Taiya, how have you woken up?" her mother asked. "Fine, greetings mama," Taiya replied. "I was just letting you know I am going to Arusha today to see your brother," her mother said. "Oh, so that’s it. Alright, I'll call you later to see if you arrived safely and also to send you some money for the trip," she continued. Taiya quickly responded, "No, don’t bother. Your brother already sent me some money, don’t worry about it, just look after yourself okay?" "Alright, okay mama. For anything, tell me quickly; I will send it to you." "Don’t worry, your brother is there," her mother assured. "Okay, then I wish you a safe trip, mama. I will call you." "Okay, thank you and good work." "Amen, my dear mama," Taiya said before ending the call.

Afterwards, she went to take a shower and prepare for work. After finishing, she dressed, put on her shoes, grabbed her purse, locked her door, and left for work. She arrived at the restaurant just five minutes to one. She began cleaning alone since her colleagues had not yet arrived.

When she finished cleaning, she started the stove and prepared soup meat. She kneaded dough and lighted another stove to start making chapati. While doing this, one colleague arrived and surprised Taiya by saying, "Taiya, you’re really amazing. You got here early, cleaned and started cooking alone. I wouldn’t have managed that alone, otherwise I would have been struggling with deck or even lighting the fire." Taiya teased, "That’s your problem, Fatma, I’m mama’s child." The colleague laughed, "Where is she, boss?" Taiya directed, "Fetch the beans and light the gas there, then stir well, dear. Soon customers will come; time is short."

"So, how about the manager? He was late; I wonder what held him. But it’s better; if he was here, he would be arguing with me," Fatma said. Taiya defended her manager, "He called and asked me to hold on; he said he will be late a bit. First, why argue? Just do your work diligently and happily and you will see how efficiently your work gets done." "Mmh! I don’t like kitchen work, boss," Fatma grumbled. "What kind of woman are you not to like kitchen work?" Taiya teased as they chatted and sorted tasks.

Soon more colleagues arrived, the energy in the restaurant increased, and customers began to come in. The restaurant was very busy. The food was delicious, and they even delivered.

At that moment, a man who was a soldier arrived and asked to be served soup and chapati. Taiya had just finished making chapati and was helping her colleagues serve customers when he approached her. The soldier winked at her and said, "Please listen to me." Startled, Taiya thought silently, stay calm Taiya, just listen, and she proceeded to respond.