"A Meeting in the Dark" begins by introducing readers to John, a young man in a small village in Kenya called Limuru. John was born and raised into two different beliefs, each represented by his parents. John’s father, Stanley, is a born-again Christian who is immersed in the faith of the new world. His mother, Susana, still holds the traditional values and rites of her people, though she purports to follow her husband's teachings. John is well educated hence well respected and looked up to by others in his community. John is optimistic about his future, and he plans to leave the country to further his studies in Uganda.
Before he makes his trip outside the country, John meets a beautiful girl named Wamuhu. He is mesmerized by her beauty and poise. But Wamuhu was born and raised by the traditional ways of the Kikuyu tribe. Unafraid of her parents’ reaction, Wamuhu shares news of her relationship. Her mother is pleased and speaks highly of John. She considers him trustworthy and principled. However, Wamuhu’s father is reluctant, as he fears John will not respect his daughter for she is raised in the traditional customs of the community. John, however, is afraid of his father’s backlash and decides to keep the relationship a secret.
After many nights of sneaking out to see his secret girlfriend, Wamuhu becomes pregnant. John’s father is suspicious and confronts his son during a family dinner. John becomes anxious as he feels his father knows of his transgressions; he is speechless. Overhearing the conversation, Susana jumps to defend her son and rebukes Stanley for his harsh treatment of him. Since his initiation into the new faith, Stanley views his son as a sin for he was conceived out of wedlock. Stanley also reprimands his wife for telling John tribal stories.
After the tense dinner, John sneaks out to see Wamuhu. Upon reaching her home, he finds only her parents; Wamuhu has gone out. When she returns, both head outside to be alone. John is sick with fear and confusion; he is afraid of telling his father of the pregnancy since he will not approve. John is also concerned about his education and he is convinced that marrying Wamuhu will ruin his chances at a bright future. He feels disoriented and angry at himself. Wamuhu tells John that she plans on telling her parents about her pregnancy the next evening.
The next day, John and his parents go to the shops to buy things he needs for his trip. John is overcome with anxiety and fear. He thinks about his father and the influence he has had over him growing up, and he wonders whether he should simply marry Wamuhu and help her raise their child. That night, he once again leaves to meet Wamuhu. He tries to convince her to hide the pregnancy or lie about who the father is. Wamuhu is adamant, asserting that she will not raise the child as a single mother. John desperately begins offering Wamuhu money to lie about the pregnancy. At the same time, he begins shaking Wamuhu, eventually grabbing her by the neck and strangling her to death.
