Temptation
Brian stared at the tiny red plane on Kevin's phone as the countdown reached zero.The plane shot into the sky.Numbers began climbing almost immediately.1.12x...1.38x...1.76x...Kevin didn't touch the screen.Brian folded his arms."So... what happens now?""I wait.""For what?""The right time."Brian shook his head."You sound like those people who say they know when it will rain."Kevin laughed."No one knows. You just decide when you've made enough."The numbers continued climbing.2.04x...Kevin tapped the screen."Cashed out."He turned the phone around.Brian looked at the balance."It actually paid you?"Kevin nodded."I told you."Brian frowned."But where does the money come from?""The people who lose."The answer made Brian uncomfortable."So for you to win...""...someone else loses.
"Brian picked up his cup of tea and took a slow sip."That doesn't sit well with me."Kevin leaned back in his chair."It didn't sit well with me either at first.""So why did you continue?"Kevin looked down at the phone for a moment before answering."Because being broke didn't sit well either."Those words hung between them.
Mama Njeri walked over carrying two freshly cooked mandazis."I didn't order these," Brian said."You didn't," she replied with a smile. "Kevin did."Brian looked at his friend."You didn't have to."Kevin shrugged."I know."For a few moments, neither of them spoke.The sounds of the kibanda filled the silence.Metal spoons hitting cups.A radio playing old Kenyan music.Passengers shouting as matatus stopped by the roadside.
Life went on as if everyone already knew where they were headed.Brian wasn't sure where his own life was going anymore.Kevin finally broke the silence."How much do you have left?"Brian hesitated."KSh 243.""That's all?"Brian nodded."My account is empty."Kevin whistled softly."And your landlord?""Tomorrow.""School fees?"Brian looked away."Still unpaid."Kevin sighed."You carry the whole world on your shoulders.""No."Brian forced a smile."It just feels that way."Kevin unlocked his phone again."I'm not telling you to gamble."Brian raised an eyebrow."Really?""I'm telling you to look."He opened his M-Pesa messages and scrolled.Withdrawal after withdrawal appeared on the screen.KSh 850.KSh 1,200.KSh 3,500.KSh 900."They're real?" Brian asked.Kevin handed him the phone."Check for yourself."Brian studied the messages carefully.
The dates looked genuine.The transaction codes matched the format used by M-Pesa.For a brief second, doubt crept into his mind.What if...He quickly pushed the thought away."No."He handed the phone back."I'm not doing it."Kevin smiled."I thought you'd say that.""You expected me to?""I know you."Brian laughed."And?""You're stubborn.""I prefer disciplined."Kevin burst into laughter."Disciplined? You once ate plain ugali for three days because you refused to borrow KSh 200."Brian smiled."I survived.""You suffered.""I survived."Their laughter faded.Then Kevin's expression became serious."Brian...""Hmm?""Have you ever been so desperate that doing the wrong thing starts looking right?"Brian didn't answer immediately.
He thought about the rent.His mother's medicine.His sister's school fees.The growing pile of rejection emails.Finally, he spoke."Every single day."Kevin nodded slowly."I don't play because I love gambling.""Then why?""Because...