Yes, those tiny mini pesky creatures. They have bulgy eyes, elliptical pupils, sticky toe pads and can flatten their bodies into tight spaces. Geckos love window sills and walls; wait to eat insects and run vertically very easily. They tend to be nocturnal and hide in dark places blending their color into locality almost like the chameleon…  They are sisters, right?

Tonight, a guest from the Atacama Desert decided to pay me a visit. It however, had no intention of knocking at the door. It chose to creep through the window into my bedroom. Announcing its arrival with a proud pose right above my window box. All this while, I sang along to the vintage lines

I’m a soldier, in the army,
I’m a soldier, in the army,
I’m a soldier in the army,
I’m a soldier, in the army of……

Then I saw the wriggling pale looking tail… Ha-ha. The scream that left my voice box is still reverberating in Timbuktu headed to the land of liberties. Shivering me lost all strength and weakness took its toll. I literally begun tiptoeing in my own bedroom for fear of stepping on more Geckos. Yaani, how that meekness took over the soldier is a story for another day, but ‘hapo ndio unajua hujui’.

This guest ensured I knew where the key to my bedroom was and if only you can see the amount of rags placed by the door to ensure it does not decide to visit anywhere else in my house, you would understand why an impromptu trip to Abjakistan is happening. I have taken all the shawls and blankets outside; vigorously shaking them and keenly checking no Geckos are present.

I intend to spend the night in the mosquito infested jungle.  I am at the furthest corner listening to the rain drops hit the roof with no intention of switching off the lights no matter what. And if Kenya Power dare try their funny jokes tonight, that is a case Amicus Curie Githu Muigai will have to deliberate on and advice accordingly before his resignation takes effect.

The soldier is fully armed with a can of doom, and will keep vigil till day break. It is a Tuesday night and even that guy next door who has been saying hello at the stairs is pretending not to have heard my scream. I am all alone. Scared little me will hold on with all my strength after all, the Gecko is still lavishing in my bedroom and its cousins the spiders and roaches and all other creatures lower in size to my ankles are not in the vicinity.

I will cover myself like an Eskimo only exposing some small amounts of flesh for the mosquito as the interdependence here tonight is very essential to the international matters in this kingdom.  And that is how one is turned into an asylum seeker in their own house.

Many of us understand where I am coming from. That point where every guy becomes a potential savior and our meekness is put to the test. I will laugh now, I know we can somehow connect. I am still somehow cuddled up hugging myself at the corner 4:13am. The night seems to be unending and with the amounts of showers outside tonight no help is forthcoming for the next few hours. I remain relentless though, waiting patiently. Dawn will approach soon and help will arrive.

The fear that has eaten me all this while ensured I had a date with Uncle Google. Do you know what I discovered? Geckos have a lifespan of 10-12 years; the male however can live for between 10-20 years and they are usually about 3-5 cm long. And that is where I took to the yellow pages. I am searching for fumigation experts or anyone with expertise on how to get rid of Geckos.

Gecko adventures are real. They bring tribulations with them too. Don’t be fooled by a Gecko, it can reign havoc to a soul.