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Yesterday was an exhausting day. Our directors were visiting from Dubai so we had one meeting after the next. With all the reports that we had to make I did not have time to go out to lunch. Finally, I found some reprieve late that afternoon, left the office and walked towards Nakumatt Supermarket. Imagine my delight when I ran into an old friend Vicky. We met in primary school where we became fast friends, but had since lost touch because she had moved to China. Her sister, who lived in Langata, was sick so she had come to visit.

We walked into Nakumatt. Fifteen years is a long time for  once close friends to be apart so we had a lot of catching up to do! As we talked I picked a packet of yogurt for my late lunch and Vicky suggested we go upstairs because she needed clothes. She was so excited to see me that she bought me a dinner dress and a pair of jeans.

Because I had to go back to work, we decided to meet later that evening at Polos for dinner.

We were still window shopping when the lights went out. A few moments later the lights came on as we heard the surge of a generator come on. And the a loud explosion that made me almost jump out of my skin!

We heard screams from down stairs. There was confusion as everyone began panicking.  Vicky and I, with no mind to our shopping cart, began to make our way downstairs as fast as we could. There was smoke everywhere.

In the panic, there was a mini stampede, as people fell and fainted, and others trampled over them.

It was pitch dark. And somewhere in this melee, Vicky and I lost each other.

And then I heard a scream, “Rachel I’m dying”.

I screamed, and began to cry.

Two men around me broke the ceiling, and made their way out. I jumped in after them.

Everything happend so fast. I do not remember much what happened next. Next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance and with several other people were rushed to Kenyatta hospital.

I lost my senses. I was in shock. Tears could not stop rolling down my face. The doctor came and gave me a glass of cold milk.

And then I remembered Vicky. I called to the doctor, and asked urgently if I could phone Vicky.

He gave me his cell phone. I tried calling, and could not reach her.

“Oh God!” I cried fearing the worst.

I cried in pain, threw myself on the ground. I was griefstricken.

I could not imagine the pain.

I felt guilty, that because of me, Vicky had decided to go to Nakumatt. I regretted even leaving the office.

I tried the number again, and still could not reach her. That's when I remember her scream,“Rachel I’m dying.”

And then I knew she was gone. Burnt down to ashes.