Vin

As a young boy, I yearned for a brother, likely because I already had a sister I adored more than my prized shoe collection. Stella, the family’s lightweight champion with a smile and hair as soft as a marshmallow cloud…Before I hit the ripe age of two, we welcomed Vin, a lad born just yesterday (figuratively speaking) who’s now towering over me. Vin, the soft-spoken man, has a peculiar fondness for slim ladies, possibly because he’s as slim as a flagpole with legs darker than a midnight eclipse but a face lighter than a vanilla cupcake.  He’s on a perpetual quest to look forever young with his clean-shaven face and head, convinced it’s the secret to eternal youth – not about looking neat, definitely not my style! Vin, the scholarly cyber security guru with a passion for infosec, not only admires my universal knowledge but also endorses my fashion sense to every Tom, Dick, and Aguko. His heart belongs to a slim, light-skinned Hip-Hop aficionado who sprinkles rich kid vibes like small pieces of colored paper, making me wonder how Vin copes as we, mere Village boys, attempt to blend into these urban jungles.

We, the dynamic sibling duo, grew up with the usual share of bickering, but let me tell you, I adore this brother of mine, and I’m convinced he secretly loves me back. Since completing his education, we’ve been living in a middle-class settlement in Umoja, Nairobi, indulging in our mutual fondness for each other. I practically have withdrawal symptoms when he’s away for too long, and just to clarify for the skeptics, I’m straight, and Vin is simply the son of my mother who I have every right to miss.

In this thrilling surge of chords, Vin, after enduring the nail-biting suspense of scholarship applications, struck academic gold on the illustrious date of August 1, 2023, he excitedly learned about his ticket to educational adventure in Poland. It’s almost like winning the lottery, but instead of cash, it’s a golden ticket to the world of master’s studies in some mysterious realm of information technology.

As Vin prepares to embark on this epic journey, I find myself torn between doing a happy dance for his success and composing a ballad dedicated to the impending void his absence will create in our everyday antics. The thought of him navigating Polish streets, perhaps learning to dance to a different beat in a Rhumba-less land, evokes both pride and a twinge of wistfulness.

We, the dynamic duo raised in the chaotic settlement of our shared childhood, now find ourselves at the crossroads of individual pursuits. Vin, armed with a passion for cyber security and a heart that beats in binary, is about to dive into the academic unknown. Meanwhile, I remain the proud, albeit slightly forlorn, supporter, sending waves of encouragement across continents and eagerly awaiting tales of his European escapades.

Our humble abode in Umoja, Nairobi, will undoubtedly echo with the ghostly laughter of shared jokes and the absence of late-night discussions on the profound (and the profoundly silly). While I’ll miss his kinks and our daily brotherhood, I am genuinely thrilled for Vin’s next chapter, which promises to be a tale of academic conquests, cultural revelations, and a few probably mispronounced Polish phrases.

So, here’s to you, Vin, my academic gladiator! As you march into the unknown, may you conquer each algorithm and triumph over every coding challenge. Remember to savor the taste of pierogi, dance like no one’s watching (but maybe someone is, so be careful), and make memories that will become legends we share over future holiday dinners.

As the calendar flips its pages, and the departure date approaches, I find solace in knowing that distance can’t dim the glow of sibling affection. Through the magic of technology, we’ll bridge the physical miles with virtual laughter, sharing the highs and lows of our respective worlds. Poland, get ready for the Vin invasion – it’s about to get a dose of Village charm!

Dear Vin, while my heart is brimming with farewells, it swells with pride for the fantastic journey you’re about to embark upon. So, go forth, my brother, embrace the adventure, and may the bytes of success and happiness always be in your favor. Give it your quirkiest best, and remember, no matter how far you roam, you’ll always have a Village-sized space in my heart. Safe travels, academic explorer! I love you, man!

@okelododdychitchats