'Starting conversation' Genes

Just like Chero, starting conversations with strangers is not in any of my 23 chromosomes. In fact, I think people with the Y chromosome have their 'starting conversations' gene depleted. I cannot fathom how one starts feeling comfortable around new potentially irritating sapiens. I am not boring and God knows I would enrol for a therapy class to okay this anomaly. Perhaps that's why I have fewer friends. A simple statistical analysis of my social life will reveal that most of my friends were sourced from friends I had (or continue to have). In short I am a friendly thief who steals my friends' friends and assumes that they were mine. Far from that though,  I am a good friend who rarely loses his friends, unless of course you keep telling me 'ebu kata kidogo nakupigia' then go ahead to spend way over 120000 seconds to call back.
Last week was however different and saw yours truly hit a record five new conversations with strangers. I cannot get over the thoughts that there must be some science behind this development. How can it be that after so many seasons of not playing host to the 'starting conversations' gene, it suddenly resurfaces. Is the gene repressive and mine broke the norm to express itself in the same generation? Could be that I have broken the record and achieved two filial generations at one go?
Of the five instances that I chose to come out of my comfort zone, two stood out. Coincidentally, they both occurred in the same matatu environment. Or maybe people from Roysambu are ardent speakers and can't imagine travelling for a 5 minute journey without having to nag the seat-mate with questions such as 'kuna baridi.'
In the first instance I sat next to a fat guy. No, he sat next to me. Certainly because there was no other empty seat. Everyone else was sure to evade my presence but today was his unlucky day. The matatu moves at a speed of 100 meters per seventy thousand and seventy seven hours and in seemingly three days we have left the city centre. Just before we join Thika Highway, the guy starts a conversation that sure catches my attention:
Stranger: Hii mvua ni mob.
Me: /* gives him a stare */
Stranger: Na wanaibianga watu simu hapa
Me: /* gives him another bigger stare */
Stranger: /* Starts to sleep */
And off I embarked on setting new records in expression of my 'starting conversations' genes.
The second instance was less dramatic perhaps because it involved a lady. Again,  it was in a matatu on my way to see someone very important. Immediately I hop into a matatu, I close my eyes and walk to the next empty seat. That evening, I am quite lucky to find a seat next to the window. I remove my phone and start admiring my wallpaper. After millions, no billions, and millions of years, a lady of decent looks walks in and stares at me before occupying the seat next to mine. I start getting uncomfortable and I do not even realize when the matatu takes off. After safely paying my busfare, I spend the next century fighting off the urge to engage her in a talk. Midway through the journey, and after mustering all the courage in the world, I say hi to which she replies and then looks away. I am not convinced and a conversation ensues:
Me: hupendi kuongea na strangers?
Stranger: Apana, but nimesalimika.
Me: Hii njia hukua hivi na jam ama nibleo tu?
Stranger: Ata sijui. I rarely use this route.
/* I am now more alert and interested in this conversation */
Don't you stay around?
No, I stay at the hostels in school.
Uhm, good to know. UoN, right? (There is something about her that screams UoN)
Eeh, but Kikuyu campus.
Ooh, so Unafanya which course?
Agricultural economics. You?
Animal husbandry.
/* We laugh and laugh until we are almost approaching my destination */
Me: we hukaa hii kiti kwa mat? Ntakua nakungojea apa.
She laughs and laughs and then says yes.
Ukikuja tao tena let me know tulipe lunch.
Sawa, sure will. You are too funny.
Utaniambia aje? Uko na postal address? (As I interrupt her laughter) Ama email?
I then request for her mobile number but she insists that I give her mine. I have been taught that ladies will not call you back but I decide to try this once.
The next time I know, I have reached my destination and have to bid her farewell. I alight the matatu having given my contacts to a stranger who I hope will call back. I have waited for the last six days with the patience of a bride but the call has not been forthcoming. I however hope to meet more and more friends in this fashion. (Permanently activates my 'starting conversation' gene)