This is the story of a modern Cinderella Zawadi. Zawadi is the daughter of a wealthy man, but she is the maid. Her stepmother takes advantage of the fact that her father is not in the country to mistreat her. Her luck changed and she got an invite to Rafik’s party. Rafik is the most famous musician in the land, a prince among men. They have a spark but Zawadi like the fairytale Cinderella had to leave the ball at midnight. Zawadi goes to design school and she has finally graduated. Her secret has been discovered that she is the mystery princess who was at Rafik’s party. Her wicked stepmother tells the press not only is Zawadi a maid but she is a thief as well. Zawadi’s friends get together and decide that she should tell her side of her story to the media. One of them contacts Caroline Mutoko and Caroline agrees to interview her. If you have not read the rest of the story here is where the story begins.
Zawadi was so nervous; she kept adjusting her Ankara dress several times. She wanted to bite her nails but they were acrylic nails so she knew it wouldn’t help. She was waiting in the reception at KISS FM for her interview with Caroline Mutoko. Finally, somebody came in to get her and lead her into the studio.
After greeting her, Caroline showed her the microphone she would be using and explained to her how should talk into the mic. Then Caroline faded the music and the interview began.
“ “Today we have Zawadi as our guest. She has been in the news lately, first as a mysterious Cinderella, then as a design student who won awards for her dresses. Finally this week somebody alleged that she was a maid and a thief. Zawadi is here to talk to us about what’s going on. Welcome, Zawadi. Tell us about yourself.”
Zawadi: “My name is Zawadi. I grew up in the Western region and came to Nairobi to go to design school. I was in design college for the past 4 years and just graduated.”
Caroline: “Tell us about the dress you were wearing at Rafik’s ball. Did you design it yourself? How did you get into the ball considering nobody seems to have known you?”
Zawadi: “Yes I designed that dress myself. It was supposed to be part of my designer collection for college. One of my friends gave me an invite but I had nothing else to wear so I wore that dress…”
Caroline: “Which friend is that?”
Zawadi: “I would rather not say. I might get him into trouble for something he hadn’t intended…”
Caroline: “So you had an invite to the ball. You didn’t sneak in as a maid as has been claimed by some media outlets?”
Zawadi: “No. I went in through the front door like everybody else. My friends dropped me off and came to pick me up later.”
Carol: “So how was it having the attention of Rafik and I hear every other man in the room? I hear you created quite a stir!”
Zawadi: “It wasn’t something I expected but it was a great night. One night I will never forget. It was unforgettable.”
Caroline: “So let’s address the elephant in the room. Your alleged employer Mrs. Asila who is a well-known lawyer in this town said that you were her maid. Is it true?”
Zawadi: “Yes it is true. I was her maid for 4 years!”
Caroline: “So it is true! Is it true that while you were her maid you stole money from her?”
Zawadi: “No! It’s not true thar…”
Caroline: “So you expect us to believe you over a well-known lawyer in this city? Why should we believe you?”
Zawadi: ‘Please give me a chance to tell my story.”
So Zawadi told her about her mother, coming to Nairobi to go to school, only to find out she would have to earn her room and board by being a maid.
Caroline: “This story is crazy! So you are saying that Mrs. Asila is your stepmother?”
Zawadi: “Yes she is.”
Caroline: “And your father … where does he come into this story? Why didn’t he intervene?”
Zawadi: “My father works in South Africa. He only comes home every 3 months or so. He brought me to his house because his mother requested it. Madam Asila was not happy but she had to take me in. When she told me I was to be the maid she said if I told him she would turn me out of the house. The house belongs to her family. I had to pretend that I was helping out because I liked it when my dad was around.”
Caroline: “What about your sisters?”
Zawadi: “Well they have never been nice to me. I think their mum turned them against me.”
Caroline: “What about the accusation that you stole money?”
Zawadi: “I don’t know why my stepmother said that. Maybe to ruin my reputation. She kicked me out the day we were graduating. I didn’t even have time to go to the house. As God is my witness I have never stolen anything from that woman. She hates me.” (Pause)
Zawadi: “My dad paid my school fees so there was nothing she could do about that. But she made me work for everything I got and she didn’t even pay me. She said my payment was my fees and bus fare. I am glad to be out of that house. She pretends that she is a good woman, an icon of the church but she was very cruel to me.”
Caroline: “Is there anybody who can verify this information?”
Zawadi: “Yes. Back home the whole village knows that he is my dad. In Runda there are people who know the truth about how she treated me. I don’t know if they would be willing to step forward to talk and cross my step mum. I almost forget my birth certificate also has my dad’s name on it. Madam used to tell her friends that I am a relative from back home but not the truth that I was her stepdaughter.”
Caroline: “Shocking revelations on the show. Remember you heard it first here. So what are your plans for the future?”
Zawadi: “I want to take a break for a few days.”
Caroline: “Where?”
Zawadi: “I don’t want people to know because… well the media keeps following me and I need time to think about my future plans.”
Caroline: “So are you taking up the modelling contract?”
Zawadi: “I am thinking about it but it’s not just that. It is a chance for me to get exposure for my design work. I believe I am more than just a pretty face. I want to see my designs on the runway. I think this is a great opportunity for me to learn and get better. Maybe one day I will have my own designer show.”
Caroline: “Well we wish you all the best. If what you say is true I know very many girls will be inspired by your story. It is sort of a modern Cinderella story made in Kenya!”
Zawadi: “Thanks. Everything I have said is true. I know the truth will come out.”
Caroline: “So what about Rafik?
Zawadi (blushing): “Well it was nice to meet him and dance with him. I doubt that he will want anything to do with me when he finds out I was a maid but that’s ok. I got to dance with him and I will always have the memory of that dance. How many girls can claim that? I think he is a pretty cool guy and I was grateful that he didn’t dismiss me as others did when my story came out. I guess I will have to be like all the other girls and women in Kenya crushing on him from a distance. I just want to say that dancing with Rafik and the ball was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time.”
Caroline: “Zawadi thank you for coming to the big breakfast and having a candid discussion about what’s going on with you. Telling us the real shocking story. We look forward to big things from you. Keep us updated on what you will be doing.”
Zawadi: “Thank you, Caroline.”
Zawadi walked out of the studio relieved that she was finally free from the past. The secret she had been carrying for the last 4 years was finally out. She didn’t know what would happen next but she knew her stepmother would never be able to hurt her again. Her father would be furious when he found out the truth. Although he hadn’t had much to do with her during her childhood he had promised his mother he would take care of her and he took that promise seriously.
Zawadi went to meet her friends at the reception and they went out for lunch
Will Zawadi and Rafik ever meet? Is there hope for this western cinderella with the man of her dreams? Join us for the next instalment of Sexy Cinderella it’s almost midnight.
Find out what happens next – Sexy Cinderella It’s Almost Midnight – Part 15
