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  Trapped Inside the Family Box

  An African Woman’s Journey ~ Book 3

  Eileen K. Omosa

  Copyright

  Trapped Inside the Family Box: An African Woman’s Journey ~ Book 3

  Copyright ©2019 Eileen K. Omosa

  Ebook Edition. An original work of Eileen K. Omosa

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted without prior and written permission from the author. Brief excerpts for use by reviewers are acceptable as permitted by copyright law.

  The book is a work of fiction – the characters, names, settings, incidents, and dialogues are all products of the author’s imagination. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the various products referenced in this work of fiction. There are no affiliated gains associated with their use. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Thank you in advance for telling your family, friends, and colleagues about this book.

  First Published, October 15, 2019

  We Grow Ideas/Eileen K. Omosa

  Canada

  ISBN: 978-0-9959908-6-9

  https://www.eileenomosa.com

  Synopsis

  Can an individual fit into a social group without sacrificing something personal?

  Sophia and Richie tackle a task the other Mwasimba family members have failed in for nine years. The couple travels to the USA where Richie reconnects with James, his long-gone brother.

  While in the USA, Sophia realizes Richie is not as confident when managing family issues as he is with his office tasks. She steps in, unaware of the significant favour she’s done for the extended family.

  In return, can James convince Sophia not to return to work in January, a task that Richie has failed in since their marriage?

  Trapped Inside the Family Box is a contemporary women’s fiction with a romantic twist. The novel follows Sophia’s journey, a fictional character, to provide insights into what it takes for an African woman who has gained education to balance requirements for career growth and cultural expectations of a female member of the community.

  Sophia’s journey starts in Ignited by Education and continues in Slowed by a Baby. The Trilogy tackles themes of social change, a quest for equality, social justice and girl and women's empowerment through education and employment. A trilogy where education, culture, ambition, and love intertwine.

  Acknowledgements

  I am grateful to the individuals I consulted while I wrote Trapped Inside the Family Box. The following people made a professional contribution:

  Editor: Janet Kauchak

  Developmental editor: Ken Amuaya

  Logistics: Eugene Wambongo

  Cover design: cathyscovers.wix.com/books

  Wardrobe editor: Darleen Masakhwe @ Akoyim.com

  Books by the Author

  An African Woman’s Journey Trilogy

  Ignited by Education

  Slowed by a Baby

  Trapped Inside the Family Box

  An African Woman’s Journey Boxset

  An Immigrant’s Marriage Trilogy

  The Fear Within Us

  The Family Between Us

  The Love Within US (2021)

  To Love Outside the Club Series

  The Housegirl Becoming Angela

  Dare to Marry a Billionaire’s Daughter (2021)

  Dare to Marry the Enemy’s Son (2021)

  Contents

  Synopsis

  Acknowledgements

  Books by the Author

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  One last request

  About the Author

  Books by the Author

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  “Who is that waking me up?” Sophia murmured without rising from the armrest of the sofa.

  There was a second knock before she could figure out whether the first one was real or part of her dream.

  Sophia yearned to be at her own residence where house staff would adhere to her rules — like not to disturb her sleep. “Yes?” she asked.

  The person on the other side opened the door, leaving too small a gap for Sophia to see who it was. She heard Veronica, the nanny in training, say, “I came to check on you and to let you know dinner is ready.”

  “Why? Come in.”

  The gap between the door and the jamb widened, and Veronica took two steps inside. Her hands clasped to the front, the baby monitor in one hand. “You slept past the usual time. Mum asked me to call you.”

  Sophia squeezed her eyes with the back of her knuckles as she sat upright on the two-seater sofa. “Okay. I will go wash my face.” She stood and yawned, stretching both arms upwards.

  “Thank you,” Veronica said before leaving the room, pulling the door to close behind her.

  Sophia sat back on the sofa, upset that Veronica had interrupted her dream. She’d been dreaming she was at home relaxing with Richie, her husband, and surrounded by their five children. She panicked with the thought of five children, considering that just half a day with Sokoro, her first born, had sent her into an evening slumber.

  Seventeen days had passed since Sophia arrived home from the hospital, and she had been busy since, almost overwhelmed by the tasks of caring for her infant. Thinking back to her dream, she wondered how she would manage with five children, especially considering her full-time office job.

  She sighed before walking into the en-suite bathroom where she washed her face and wiped it dry just as her eyes darted to the miniature clock at the far end of the marble countertop — fifteen minutes past seven. She splashed more cold water onto her face, trying to neutralize her saliva which tasted like early morning. Not making any progress, she picked her toothbrush from a nearby brass holder and added toothpaste.

  Things came into focus. She’d breastfed her baby and left him sleeping in his room before she went to her bedroom to bathe before dinner. She did not like to ask Veronica or Patience, her mother-in-law, to watch over the baby after dinner.

  Sophia remembered the rest of the family would be at the dinner table waiting for her. She gurgled water to rinse out the toothpaste, changed clothes, and hurried out to the dining room.

  “Thanks, Mum, for watching over the baby,” Sophia said to Patience before she picked the baby monitor from the table, walked a few paces, and sat on the chair Richie pulled out for her on his left.

  Patience placed her hands together, like in prayer. “I like the task, though he’s not woken up since
you put him to bed.”

  Sophia made herself comfortable on the chair and said to Richie, “Thank you. How was your day?”

  Richie patted her on the shoulder. “It flew past. Glad to be here.”

  “I came home to greet the baby.” Sophia’s attention swung toward Nick.

  Nick, the youngest of the Mwasimba five sons, lived in the family penthouse at Akoth Towers, a spectacular building in the city center. Staying there afforded him a faster commute to school as he travelled in the opposite direction to the morning traffic.

  He visited his family on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, unless he had school assignments to hold him back.

  Patience said grace before the meal, after which Sophia turned to Nick, “The baby will be awake in less than two hours. You’re welcome to entertain him until midnight when he might fall asleep.”

  Nick paused from serving carrot soup and raised both hands in front of him. “I withdraw my offer. No need to give my teachers a reason to make up stories, like I go out on Wednesdays, ladies’ night.” He ladled more soup, just enough to cover the lower bottom of the bowl.

  “Which you wish for?” Richie asked before he thanked Sophia who was serving soup into his bowl.

  Nick chuckled. “I know you wish you had my freedom to go to clubs.” He scooped a spoonful of soup into his mouth before he shoved the bowl aside and served the main meal. He was not a fan of carrot soup.

  Richie stared to his right side, where Mwasimba, his father, sat at one far end of the sixteen-seater dining table, focused on his plate of food — ugali, fried liver, and green vegetables. Before Richie could turn away, Mwasimba looked up and asked, “How’s your leave from the office?”

  “Saves me travel time,” Richie said. “I have made improvements to the member-registration forms for AMME,” (Africa Money Markets Exchange) program he’d started within the Mwasimba Group of Companies. “Today I talked with three firms: two in Kenya and one in Botswana, and by evening, I received their signed agreements,” he said with excitement.

  “Is that your idea of a vacation?” Mwasimba asked.

  “Afforded by my wife here,” Richie patted Sophia’s thigh, “who has taken up most of the childcare tasks.” He glanced in Sophia’s direction, “Thanks for setting me free.”

  With eyes focused on the wall ahead, Sophia wondered how to explain the absurdity of men taking care of newborns. Throughout her upbringing, she’d not seen men take care of infants. Never, ever saw her dad involved with childcare. “I am grateful for the immense help from Mum. It would have overwhelmed me if we had moved to our house. I don’t know how I would handle all the tasks involved in baby care, let alone welcoming visitors and catching up on sleep,” she explained while she served food onto two plates, hers, and Richie’s.

  Patience paused with a spoon in her hand as she said, “The north wing of the house is all yours. Nick can have the south wing when he needs it.”

  Nick swallowed the food in his mouth and took a sip of water before replying. “I prefer the penthouse.” He looked at Richie across the table. “Please have the south wing.”

  “Mmhhh?” Mwasimba questioned. “I will need my town house from June.”

  “What about university? How will I commute?” Nick asked in panic.

  Mwasimba did not break eye contact with his son. “There are enough cars. Your letter of admission came in, though that is no excuse not to perform well in your final exams.” He sipped wine from his flute before he added, “Your mother will discuss the details with you later.”

  “Sealed,” Richie said as he drew a check mark in the air with his finger while he laughed. “By the time you complete your studies in the UK, we will have moved out, leaving both the north and south wings for you.”

  “Moving to your house?” Patience asked while Mwasimba stared at Richie.

  “Yes. I am eager to fulfill a promise I made to Sophia, to move to our house before she resumes work next January.”

  Sophia focused her eyes on the child monitor to keep herself from commenting. It was the first time she’d heard they would move to their residence. Yes, she’d asked that she and Richie live at a different residence from his parents, but that was ten months ago after their wedding. Next, she remembered she’d suggested they live with his parents until the baby was born — he’d not forgotten.

  She would ask Richie for details once they were in the bedroom. He had not discussed this with her to find out if she’d changed her mind, which she had.

  Sophia wanted to pursue her career and knew she would thus need Patience to take care of her baby when she resumed work next January. To her, staying in employment was the only way she would advance in her career choice, though on some days, she entertained an idea not to return to work until her child was old enough to start school. But that would mean lagging in work experience, missing out on job promotions, and jeopardising her professional growth.

  She also knew that going back to work meant she would need very competent house staff. Though she was training Veronica as a nanny, she’d only permitted her to do limited tasks, like set up water for the baby's bath, and have the baby monitor while Sophia took her afternoon nap. She always asked Veronica to alert her if the baby woke up before she did.

  Sophia felt helpless that Richie had introduced a topic to which she had no prior information, then turned his attention to Nick.

  She scooped food into her mouth as she heard Richie ask his younger brother, “What will you major in at university?”

  “My list keeps changing. I will decide after my exams,” Nick said.

  Mwasimba looked at Nick, “You better do so sooner, before I decide for you.”

  Richie tapped on Sophia’s thigh with his left hand while he said to Nick, “I can share the process I used, unless you want Dad to choose for you.”

  “Mmhhh.” Nick made his confusion known.

  Richie added, “Between now and when you leave for university, do a quick analysis of your volunteer experience at the Company so far. List what you liked or did not like, and the areas you identified as in need of improvement. Whatever ideas you come up with, carry the dream with you to university, do more research, and focus your studies to solve the challenges you identified. That was how “Chairman’ (the term the children used to refer to their father) deemed me to be qualified to start on the position of a manager when I completed my degree program.” He stopped talking and winked at Nick.

  Mwasimba made a dry cough. Assured of attention, he stared at Richie, “You are my genius,” before he looked at Nick seated to his far right. “I am not saying I have only one genius.”

  Richie elbowed Sophia softly. She looked at his empty plate and asked, “More food?”

  “Yes, please.”

  She served him half as much as his first portion while advising, “There is dessert, which Mum keeps secret until we finish eating.”

  “Thank you. Please enjoy my share of the dessert,” Richie said before he joined in the ongoing discussion with Mwasimba, Patience, and Nick.

  Sophia hurried through her dessert before she excused herself. “Thanks for the delicious meal. I need to leave now.” She picked up the baby monitor and left for the north wing, with one wish, that Richie would follow her to the bedroom.

  Richie made eye contact with Nick and said, “I have an early morning meeting in the office. You may stay the night and beg me for a ride to school.”

  Nick reclaimed his chair while he said, “Saves me a trip through the Nairobi night traffic.”

  The family engaged in an hour of discussions on various topics, including the universities Nick was considering, and career areas he could specialize in. They considered his work-related interests, existing competencies among his four older brothers, and the future needs of the Mwasimba Group of Companies.

  Chapter 2

  “Okay. Keep them entertained while I get ready,” Sophia advised in answer to the person alerting her of v
isitors.

  Her face loosened into a smile as she reflected on how smooth the reception of visitors had been so far.

  Family and friends had been visiting since Sophia arrived home from the hospital with her newborn. Patience and her troop of house workers welcomed and entertained the visitors until Sophia got ready and brought the baby to them.

  Sophia watched until the door closed. Then, she stood and stretched both hands sideways, grateful they were still residing with her in-laws. She wondered how on earth she would have welcomed the frequent visitors had they already moved to their own residence.

  She typed a message to Richie, “Hi. Monnie, Christine, and Redempta are here. Please check on them while I get ready.”

  Richie was on a month-long paternity leave, though he spent most of his time working from the home library and travelling to the office for meetings. Since he had launched the new department in October — AMME — and he was its sole staff member, it was up to him to attend to urgent tasks. Besides, he was determined to work hard and merit his appointment as the director.

  While standing at the walk-in wardrobe getting a change of clothes, Sophia heard the bedroom door open followed by a familiar voice. “Hi Sunshine.” He reached her side and cuddled her. “How has your day been? Sorry I was delayed. I’ve been on an international call with James.”

  “I am fine but sleepy.” She covered her yawn with the back of her hand then asked, “How is James? Next time give me a chance to listen to his voice.”

  “Sure,” Richie said, and Sophia saw his fleetingly furrowed brows as he made the promise. The few times he’d mentioned James in their conversations, Sophia had noticed that Richie struggled to talk about his brother. This made her more curious. James was rarely mentioned in family conversations. The little information she had regarding James was, he had left for the US nine years ago and had never visited home since.