내 첫 사랑 che_cha_sarang_(my_first_love)

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Chidzuu Varaidzo Melissa / Che cha sarang (My first love)

 

 

 

 

 

 

내 첫 사랑

 

Che cha sarang

(My first love)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART ONE

 

“I opened the door for my lover, but he had already gone. How I wanted to hear his voice! I looked for him, but I couldn’t find him; I called to him but I heard no answer. The watchmen patrolling the city found me; they struck me and bruised me; the guards at the city wall tore off my cape. Promise me, women of Jerusalem, that if you find my lover, you will tell him I am weak from passion…” Songs of Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter One

“And who could this be?” August smiled as he felt the tiny warm hands covering his eyes. “Could it be Monica?” he asked in a dreamy voice. “Monica? Of course not, silly!” he smelt the fresh newspaper hit him on the face. “Oh how silly of me! I should have paid attention to the classroom smell, Nyarai isn’t it?” he teased. “I won’t get angry, anyway it’s only typical of a sole loser to say such,” she returned the comment as she sat down next to him. “Really, so what should the loser expect today Princess Nyarai?” he put his strong muscular arm over her shoulders. “Not much I guess,” she examined the headlines thoughtfully. “Well..?” he asked eagerly, her voice was magic.

He had waited all day for this particular moment even though David had kept him busy the entire morning. Afternoons in the park had been a dreadful torture as he had to endure long hours of loneliness before his mom picked him up but all this had changed ever since Nyarai brought color to his world of darkness. She was a sweet girl of eighteen who was curious, vibrant, intelligent; kind enough to read him the paper everyday when she passed by after school and in his mind she was also beautiful without doubt.

“Let me see…Man hijacks bride and bride maids at a Cathedral yesterday; alleged to be psycho uncle,” she paged through the paper. “I wouldn’t want that to happen on our wedding day, would you?” August stroked her hair. “The groom didn’t finish paying roora,” Nyarai answered. “Oh, he must have been one unlucky guy,” he said in a whisper. “Is it always like that in our culture?” he asked curiously. “It’s not the same August. Anyway I have great news… Chelsea lost to Manchester by three goals to two! I believe I won the bet, you owe me,” she gently pulled his cheek, her laughter warming his heart.

“Have you told your friends about me?” he asked gently. “Yes, they think I’m crazy but I don’t care,” she took his hands in hers. “What did David say?” her eagerness unhidden. “He says I’m an old fool playing house with a school girl. I think you’re great and that’s all that matters,” he assured her.

Nyarai looked at the handsome face which accommodated a smile which lit the entire universe and felt her heart skip a beat. He was perfect, the true definition of a dream and he was her world. Gentle as he was, he was a man of strong physic, humor and great talent. She had to find a suitable excuse for getting home late everyday because her day would be incomplete without seeing her angel. She acknowledged quite well the fact that Alice was playing match maker for her son but that would not stop her from yearning for him. Afternoon session was over and she dreaded the thought of leaving but the little watch on her wrist forbid her to stay.

“I better be going,” she slowly folded the newspaper and put it in his lap. “Why? You only just got here,” is what he usually said everyday. “Because your mother is coming soon and I better skedaddle,” she always answered standing up. “No Nyarai, don’t go!” he begged every moment they parted but he never got the chance to squeeze her tiny hand because she always ran away.

 

“That’s fantastic! Do it again, give me wild, give me sexy, excellent!” Josh glared at the scenario, particularly annoyed by the lustful male model who couldn’t keep his filthy hands off his fiancée. With his arms folded, he clutched tightly at the rolled magazine in his left hand and tapped his right foot impatiently. “Ok girlfriend, you can now go home. I think I’ve got enough for today,” the photographer gave Josh a quick glance and a sly smile as he passed the pissed off man, enjoying the sight of him boil inside. Mike, he was such an imbecile out to sneak into his pants if he got the opportunity, so he ignored him and smiled as Alice advanced towards him with a slow passionate kiss. “That was something out there, to be honest with you I feel aroused and I can’t wait till we get home,” he whispered into her ear, tightening his grip around her waist. “Josh, have you forgotten that I have to pick August from the park. As a matter of fact, I’m quite late today because I was supposed to be there an hour ago,” she looked at her watch and freed herself from his grip. Taking her things she quickly made her way out of the studio. “August, is he all that you think about? What about what we have? Monica and I; aren’t we important to you anymore?” he stopped her in her tracks. “You are darling, I thought we had talked about this,” she faced Josh as she spoke in a disappointed voice. “We have but for this once, can’t the driver go and collect him? I wanted to surprise you and Monica by taking you out for supper. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with my girls and I want this to be one of those nights to remember before the big day,” he walked up to her and took her small hand in his. “What about August then? Can’t he at least come…?”

“He’s twenty-five years old if I must keep on reminding you! He’s not a kid anymore Alice and he needs his privacy rather than dear mom playing mother hen. Why are you always on his case? Instead, you’re embarrassing him by arranging those dates which will never bloom into anything,” Josh fumed, his anger unmasked. “I’m not a mother hen! August is my son as much as Monica is my daughter. I want the best for him and people can take advantage of him because he is so vulnerable and caring,” she defended herself. “Oh really, he’s so innocent; isn’t he? He’s probably enjoying the fact that he is making a name for himself now,” he shoved the magazine in her hand. “Open page ten, look at the embarrassing things St August is doing away from your watchful eyes,” he lamented as he watched Alice slowly flip the page to reveal the ugly headline. “Supermodel’s son turns to school girls for romance,” she read in a low voice before looking up to Josh, her facial expression altered. “Are people already reading these lies?” she asked, her hands shaking involuntarily. “Not yet, but it’s too late to do anything now because they have been distributed all over the bookshops and authorized retailers,” Josh answered in a low voice as he watched Alice tear off the page in rage. “Heather, she won’t stop until she’s destroyed me. I know she’s the one behind all this!” Alice almost screeched. “Calm down, before you start the blame game why don’t you ask August first? I’m quite sure he has a lot to say concerning this issue,” Josh advised her.

 

“I heard that you’re hanging around with a blind kid. Is that true?” Panashe, Nyarai’s elder brother asked her over supper all of a sudden. “What brought about such a question Panashe? Is there anything wrong about that?” Sandra, his pregnant wife did not hide her astonishment over her husband’s unexpected question. He had come back from work displaying some kind of strange behavior because instead of being his usual vocal self, he was quiet and seemed miles away.

“Nyarai, I’m talking to you!” he ignored his wife and continued his interrogation. “Yes, is there anything wrong about that?” Nyarai swallowed and looked at her brother fearlessly. “I have a blind friend whom I take time to help out. Mom has always said that we should help others irregardless of their differences,” she defended herself quickly. “May be I should rephrase myself,” Panashe cleared his throat. “I heard that you are dating a blind young man and the park is your love nest. Is that true Nyarai?” he asked in a calm voice. Nyarai remained silent as she chewed on her food; thoughtfully she looked for a fine answer that would not unleash the monster within her brother. “Who told you?” she wanted to ask but decided against it. “What is his name?” he asked with a tinge of impatience in his gentle voice. “August Young,” she answered looking down. “I normally read the paper for him in the park whilst he waits for his mother to pick him up. He is a very lonely child and…”

“Don’t say call him that! He’s twenty-five years old and he’s not a child. People like him act like that to manipulate your mind because you are vulnerable Nyarai and you don’t know a thing about life. If you know what’s best for you my only sister, I suggest you avoid August at all costs,” Panashe said quietly as he washed his hands. “And what if I continue seeing him?” she asked desperately. “I wouldn’t if I were you,” he stood up and left the room.

 

August enjoyed the cool fresh air as he walked out of the tiny bathroom in his room and crawled into bed. Noisy Monica was not there to jump up and down on his bed and sweet Josh was not there to sicken him with fake concern. The only person he missed was his mom, she had not picked him up from the park today and he couldn’t help feeling worried even though deep inside he knew she was okay. John, Josh’s driver had given him a scare earlier on when he pitched up at the park to pick him up. Six o’clock is the time he finally left the park, a long time after Nyarai had left him. If only she had known and waited a bit longer.

“Do you need anything sir?” Felicia interrupted his thoughts all of a sudden. It seemed as if she had been knocking for a very long time and had decided to enter. August could have shouted at her but she was old enough to be his mother and he had enormous respect for her even though she was annoying sometimes. “Yes, can I ask you something? John did not tell me much but I was wondering about the whereabouts of everyone. Can you tell me where they went to?” August managed to croak in a polite voice. “Oh yes! Mr. Winters took them out for supper at the Holiday Inn. I don’t know what time they’ll be coming back but your mother said I should make sure you have something to eat before you go to bed. Would you care for some pizza and a bit of wine? Your mother recommended it; she said that it would cheer you up.” Felicia was always informative, giving all the details as clear as they came and that was the best quality he could point out in her. “Yes, that would be delightful. Can you please get me my pajamas and slippers?” he listened as he heard her walk across the room to his closet. “White or black?” she asked. “Does it make any difference? Ok, black it is then,” he felt the warmness of the fabric as Felicia laid the material into his open arms. “Is there anything else before I warm your food downstairs?” she was beginning to annoy him. “No, I’m barely dressed so could you please go out for a moment?” he sighed as he undid the buttons of the pajama shirt. “And Felicia, one more last thing before you go. Can you please call David my music instructor and tell him to make it here in ten minutes because there is something really important that I need to discuss with him?” August added.

“I’m sorry to inform you this but I had asked Mr. Langley to join you for supper this evening and he told me that he had an evening class with Miss Sibanda and you knew about it,” Felicia dropped a bombshell on him. So David was finally going to break the family rules? August smiled for a brief moment before noticing that Felicia was still waiting for an answer. “Can you please bring me the phone?” he asked quietly.

 

 

 

 

Chapter two

“Have you found yourself a girlfriend?” Itai nudged at her young brother impatiently. Having come back from a three months business trip to Paris, she’d invited him to lunch in her posh Selbourne Park mansion. “Who wants to know?” Alan asked coolly as he lit a cigarette. “I’m not joking if that’s what you think I’m doing?” Itai snatched the cigarette and stamped on it with her Jimmy Choo stiletto. “What’s your problem?” he snapped at her. “You are thirty for Christ’s sake! People are talking and some are even suggesting that you are gay and I know that’s preposterous cause you’re my brother. It hurts me, to be precise it hurts my ego and I think that you ought to do something, take some action,” Itai whined the usual way she did. It never ceased to amaze Alan that her sister never changed. She was as blunt as a knife when it came to her feelings, as beautiful as she was, she was boastful about it and ranked herself number one in Zimbabwe. “Ok, who sent you this time? If it’s Gloria tell her that I don’t like geeks. If it’s Valerie, tell her to get a breast reduction first cause I feel stuffy around her especially when she is in my face,” Alan said coldly. “Ok, where is it? I’ve searched your whole apartment for it and I’ve even gotten access to your empty vault but it’s not there,” Itai blurted out. “What are you talking about?” Alan felt amazed by her sister’s behavior. “The little black book, how many women have you slept with? A gorgeous guy like you should have some naughty fantasies written down. What are you hiding?” she pestered him until he was annoyed. “Nothing, I’m just waiting for the right woman that’s all,” he answered quietly. “Who could have been better than Vanessa Gorge? She was Miss South Africa and then Miss Face of Africa. Why did you reject her after she had knelt down before you by that race course? To be honest I really liked her and I believed deep down in my heart that she was the one for you,” Itai looked at Alan with so much concern. “She was just not my type Itai. One day and I mean soon, you will see her and the whole world will know but right now, I just want to be alone,” he said as he took out his vibrating cell phone, it was Josh calling him. “It’s Josh, I have to take this call,” he excused himself. Itai watched him as he walked out of the room to stand by the balcony outside. How she wished her mother hadn’t pushed her to have this little talk with him because deep inside, it was quite obvious that Alan would never change.

 

“Pass that ball boy! Yes, to the left and Limukani come out of the pitch, Simbarashe go in!” Shuvai barked the commands at the teenage boys during soccer practice in the afternoon. It really meant a lot to her because it meant that one of her boys could either get a scholarship if they won or would be a potential international player as a wild rumor was going around that a shareholder of Tottenham football club was going to be one of the spectators at this big tournament to be held on Saturday. The tournament was held every year but this was the first time Ihlathi High School had ever qualified for the finals and they were playing against Falcon College who surely had one of the best trainers and were even hosting the event. Besides the scholarship, there was the prize money of fifty thousand dollars which would surely do a lot for the school as big sponsors like Barclays bank, FEB Insurance Brokers and Econet were involved.

“Are you sick?” She monitored Limukani’s temperature with the back of her hand as he came off the pitch. “I’m dizzy, I’ll just go sit over there,” he brushed her hand off his forehead and headed for the girls by the shade. He was one of the boys who made it clear that they did not like her but he was one of her top players. The girls looked pretty as they giggled, they always did. How she envied the fact that they could have boyfriends and wear skirts. She looked at her worn out tracksuit for a brief moment and sighed. There was nothing she could possibly do rather than focus on her career as a physical education teacher and swallow all the complements women gave her without knowing that she was female. “Ma’am,” Themba alerted her all of a sudden. “Yes, what can I do for you?” she smiled, probably surprised by his look of great concern. “You are crying,” he said to her embarrassment. “Oh no, I’m a tough girl. I don’t cry!” she wiped the tears off her face quickly. “Something must have got into my eye, I guess it’s the dust,” she laughed nervously. “Ok guys we may stop for today! Come around here for a minute,” she looked at her watch as the tired boys sluggishly approached her. “Tomorrow, we are going to engage in a lot of different exercises but the main thing is going to be a marathon,” she announced in her usual deep voice. None of the boys were excited about the news but they did not dare to protest because they knew what would come if they did. “Good, we must be communicating! Then on Friday we are going to have a friendly match with Milton High School, they’ll be hosting us so I hope you’ll put on your best behavior because after that I am going to announce the first eleven for Saturday,” she eyed Limukani. “I assume that you have understood me quite well. You may go home,” she dismissed the boys and made her way to the hall to collect her bag. Another tiresome day was over but it was not the end until Saturday.

“It’s okay to have feelings ma’am. I won’t tell anyone that you were crying,” Shuvai almost took off when Themba spoke to her all of a sudden. She wasn’t expecting anyone to be at the hall because it was six o’clock and most of the students had run home especially her boys. “Themba, you shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!” she almost screamed at him as she caught her breath. “What can I do for you?” she asked closing her bag after making sure everything was in order. “I heard that you live in Nketa 8 and you usually walk home alone. Can I walk with you Miss?” he took her bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Sure,” she smiled impressed by the offer.

 

Itai smiled as she watched Avril run away from her quickly and into the arms of her father Yassin, who picked her up and wiped away the tears on her face. “Silly girl!” she exclaimed rolling her eyes at her. “What do you expect? You’ve been away for too long and we’ve been bonding nicely,” he kissed the baby on her cheeks and smiled as she giggled happily trying to pull his face. “I’m so jealous; it’s as if I’m the witch in this story. She screams when I touch her as if she can’t feel that I’m her mother. Do you think she has forgotten me?” Itai caressed her daughter’s arm. “It beats me, three months is a very long time to be away from home don’t you think?” Yassin put Avril on the floor and left her to wander off towards the door. “I know you also missed me but I’m back now baby,” she wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Really, I heard that your boy was here this afternoon,” he said accusingly. “Honestly Yassin, do I sleep with my brother?” she whispered in his ears. “He could have come tomorrow, I wanted to be the first one to see you not him,” he complained.

“I’m worried Yassin, in fact mom is the one who asked me to call him to the house so you see how difficult it was for me to turn her down,” she retreated from her husband and threw herself on the couch. “What did you talk about that your mother couldn’t tell him?” he asked in a concerned voice. “He’s thirty and he doesn’t have a girlfriend. I’ve tried to set him up with many girls, even Gloria has had her eye on him but he won’t budge,” Itai spoke hopelessly. “You mean Gloria Dhlakama? The reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe,” Yassin questioned unbelievingly. Itai just nodded her head and threw her eyes on Avril who was trying to open the balcony door. “I once told you that I saw him looking at my secretary lustfully and you wouldn’t believe me,” he emphasized a point. “Alan is not gay, he is just shy and misled by jealous friends!” Itai defended her baby brother. “Josh doesn’t seem like the jealous type to me, in fact he’s got a five year old daughter and is about to get married in a few days time,” he raised his eyebrows at Itai who spoke in a defeated voice. “Alan loves his freedom without doubt and honestly it has always bothered me but not to the extent of confronting him. The fact that mom is now having question marks is pushing me beyond my limits. I don’t want her to be disappointed again; she’s gone through enough troubles for once.”

 

Shuvai watched the game anxiously, not because her team wasn’t doing well but this young man kept staring at her, stealing long glances in fact. He was too good looking to be admiring her and this made her very uncomfortable. She was even too scared to go to the toilet to check upon herself. Despite the crazy guy, her team was leading by two goals to nil and it was nearly full time.

“We’ve been lovers for a long time Josh and I don’t know if I can let go of you,” Alan looked down on the ground. “I can’t continue going out with you when I get married to Alice and you understand that, don’t you? Even if I try, one day we will get caught and we’ll lose everything. I just wish you could find some one for yourself Alan,” Josh took his hand in his. “It’s quite easy for you to say because you are bisexual. I’ve never been with a woman before. I hate their boobs, their hips and pretty faces, I feel challenged by them. I just want to be with you Josh, get married but please don’t leave me,” he said desperately. “What about that pretty number over there? I saw you stealing a few glances at him,” Josh smiled. “He’s a work of art, isn’t he? But I’m not crazy, he’s from the ghetto and he would probably knock some sense into me. I’m not ready to come out in the papers for such a scandal,” Alan took another dreamy glance before he was invited to help the chairperson of Barclays hand over the cheque and award medals to the winning team.

“…And the CEO of FEB Insurance Brokers, give them a round of applause as they come up to hand over the prize to Ihlathi High School!” Shuvai felt as if she was dreaming when all of this was being said. The boys were lined up in their tiny bodies receiving the medals and displaying everlasting smiles which made it more dramatic. The man who was staring at her before turned out to be an important guest after all and he looked better at a closer range. After the boys were given the trophy and Themba had received the special scholarship to study in Europe it was time for her to receive the cheque. “And now to collect the cheque for the school and an honorary medal for her impressive work, the coach of the Ihlathi team Miss Gutu!” Shuvai smiled shyly as she made her way to the stage. Slowly, she approached the special guests who shook her hand enthusiastically as she passed until she got to the FEB CEO who gave her the medal. “I’m impressed,” he put the medal over her neck slowly, his eyes gleaming never leaving her face. After a long moment, he looked away and left the Barclays chairman to give her the cheque.

“Everyone is hysterical about your work Shuvai. The whole school has decided to throw a party in honor of you,” the headmaster spoke excitedly over the phone. The whole event was over and they were now getting ready to leave. “I’ll be honored sir, thank you sir,” she returned the excitement as she ended the conversation. “Excuse me,” she was stopped in her tracks all of a sudden as she made her way to the bus. When she turned to see who it was, she was surprised to see that it was the FEB CEO. “Hello sir,” she said shyly in her usual deep voice. “Oh no, please don’t call me that. Alan is my name and you?” he stretched out his elegant hand. “Shuvai is my name,” she shook it. “Say Shuvai, I was impressed by the way your boys played. It must have been tough training them,” he began in a very casual way. “You have to understand them first before you bark commands at them. Most of them didn’t like me but some how they managed to listen,” she answered back nervously. “Well I like you; I mean you strike me as an interesting person. I can see you are running late now so why don’t I take you out for lunch tomorrow afternoon? I hope you don’t have any plans,” he smiled taking out his cell phone. “Sure, I’d love to if you’ll have me that is,” she accepted the invitation. “Take this phone, I’ll call you about tomorrow’s arrangements,” he put it into her palm and strolled off. “What could he possibly want from me?” Shuvai asked herself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

“August has been composing a song for you over the past week. I could play a few notes for you but he’s so touchy about his work,” David said as he led Nyarai into his studio, a room in the big Langley family house. They lived on a hill in Burnside and Nyarai could see what August meant when he said there was so much fresh air. If he could also see, he could have also told her about the beauty of the landscape. “I hope that magazine didn’t cause much trouble for you at school or even at home,” David spoke in a sympathetic voice. His blue eyes melting with concern and comprehension as he motioned for her to take a seat. “The good thing is that I didn’t die from it. I always heard voices as people recognized my face from the tabloid and others even had the courage to walk up to me and ask if I was the girl in the magazine. School was horrible as the headmistress summoned me to her officer and threatened to suspend me as I was allegedly tarnishing the school’s image. The teachers, you can imagine the disgusted looks. I was a real outcast,” she admitted her pain.

“August, how has his mother been about the whole issue?” she looked up at him as he brushed off his long blond hair from his face. “Alice? She’s been a real lion that woman, overprotective for sure. The very reason why I think it’s better for me to pick you up from school and bring you back here so that you can chat. I can’t drive him to the park anymore because John will come for him if Alice can’t make it here. It’s so ridiculous if you ask me but what can I possibly do in this dilemma,” he answered her question honestly. “My brother hasn’t been easy either,” she managed a small smile. “It’s so ironic that we are still seeing each other after all the drama that has been taking place, I don’t know why but I just want to be with him,” she looked down at her hands. “That’s how love is. No need to fell guilty,” David said softly.

“Are you talking about me in there?” A familiar voice by the door inquired humorously. “What is there to discuss about you?” David scoffed off. “Come in and stop talking to the walls over there,” he watched as the door slowly pitched open.

Nyarai looked at the handsome face which accommodated a smile which lit the entire universe and felt relief and emotion flood her deep inside. How she had longed to see her angel again and now he was there in front of her like a dream. “August!” she ran into his open arms and embraced him. “I missed you so much,” August whispered kissing the top of her head. “I guess I should leave you two to your daily rituals. Call if you need anything,” David created his own cue to leave.

“Don’t ever disappear like that again!” Nyarai hit him hard on the chest. “I was afraid I wouldn’t see you again,” she sobbed. “I promise,” he soothed her. “I would never fantasize of such a thing because without you I would be lost. I know this might sound crazy but I have no doubts about it, I’m in love with you Nyarai.”

 

“If my ears don’t deceive me, I heard Alan crying on the phone the other day. What could have been wrong?” Alice enquired as Josh returned to their table after taking a call from Alan. Josh froze for a moment; his face turning a pale white as the color left him. Yes, he remembered the unsettling phone call alright! Alan had begun having cold feet about Shuvai and was now begging him to reconsider their ‘special’ arrangement. Josh analyzed Alice’s facial expression and recognized concern registered on it. She probably didn’t suspect a thing; anyway it was a month ago.

“Do you mean Mr. A Chakwana? That must be some kind of a joke because these days he’s over the moon!” Josh swept the idea under the carpet. “Is he finally in the team? I thought he was still recovering from that leg injury,” Alice spoke in a passive uninterested voice. “Even better than formula one darling, the boy has finally gotten himself a girlfriend. Tell me, why would he be devastated about that? He’s probably screaming for advice from the romance oozing machine, me,” Josh made fun of the issue. “Careful, if your boss heard you say such a thing he would fire you or demote you from your position of chief consultant,” Alice warned playfully. “That would be taking his right hand off, remember that I will be partner soon,” he ridiculed. “So tell me, who’s the lucky girl?” Alice asked eagerly. “You mean the girl in the high tower trapped by Alan the witch? Oops! I mean Mr. Chakwana the wizard,” Josh enjoyed the sight of Alice’s impatient face. “Yes, what’s her name?” Alice smiled sweetly. “Shuvai, but Alan likes to call her Miss Gorgeous,” Josh took a long sip of the orange juice on the table. “Is she really all that?” Alice put on a cheeky smile. “Yes, not compared to you of course my dear, but she is a work of art in a contemporary kind of way. Most people wouldn’t understand why he isn’t after the classic beauties but Shuvai isn’t that much of a disappointment. She’s like a Picasso, only appreciated by a true artist,” Josh spoke as if he was enclosed by a heavenly body. “Very convincing, I think you should sell paintings in an art gallery,” Alice pretended to be impressed. “This whole thing about Alan and Miss Gorgeous gives me an idea. I think we should double date some time before the wedding!” she said excitedly. “I don’t know about that,” Josh hesitated. “What? You think I’m going to laugh at your friend’s Picasso girlfriend? You know I’d never do such a thing,” Alice sounded hurt by Josh’s insecurity. “Ok, but I’m not guaranteeing you anything. I’ll have to ask him first,” he settled the matter quickly.

“So, how’s St August these days? I haven’t seen him in a while,” he quickly changed the subject. “What does it matter to you? I thought you couldn’t bear the sight of him,” Alice hadn’t cooled down yet. “Well if Monica isn’t jumping around and punching him that makes it a great deal for me. She told me that August doesn’t want to see her anymore and I’d like to ask about the root of the problem,” Josh put on a stern voice. “Monica is five years old and August is twenty-five, do they appear like the perfect playmates to you?” Alice sounded irritated. “Yes, as long as they both call you mommy and live under the same roof! What did you do to him to make him so callous?” Josh demanded. “I told David not to drive him to the park anymore so that he doesn’t meet with that gold digger. From now on John will pick him up from the Langley residence and drive him straight home,” Alice said coldly. “So you’ve decided to play the witch in this whole tale? How does August feel about your harsh decision?” he asked softly this time. “He hates me of course! He says that I have no right to tell him what to do because he can make his own choices now and that he will have to move out if he has to. He believes that he’s fallen in love with that girl and that I’m ruining his chances of happiness,” tears slowly slid down her eyes. “Has this girl ever given you a reason to doubt her besides the fact that she is still in school?” Josh looked her in the eyes as he wiped away her tears with his hanky. “Not yet, but it will be a matter of time before I point out her goals. People have hidden agendas and I have a reputation to keep in society. I have spent all my time trying to encourage August to get acquainted with the beautiful, kind starlets I’ve chosen for him and this girl ruins everything I have worked hard for,” Alice spoke spiteful. “May be the reason why these dates never work out is because August wanted to meet someone on his own. As much as he is blind, he has his pride as a man and what you did made him feel insufficient in his role of getting a mate. I’m not judging you but I think August should make his choices from now on,” he advised her. “He will make his choices alright but not until I sort out this little problem which is steering him in the wrong path,” she said in an uncanny voice. “What are you going to do?” Josh felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. “All that it takes to make sure that Nyarai stays out of our lives,” she clenched her fist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter four

“Truly, I’m impressed. She’s nothing like any other girl I’ve seen before. I used to think of you as a crazy person but I now strongly believe you should stick to her. For the past month she was here, I’ve never seen such a helpful and supportive girl,” David complimented August after a session on Monday mid-morning. “How is she?” August enquired with a smile. “She’s everything your song says about her. She’s like a picture, with bright dark eyes and a warm smile; she’s a real angel. You’re a real winner August. I think you should marry her some day,” he patted him on the shoulder. “I really want to do something special for her, may be one weekend. You could like invite me to a party or something of that sort and you could take us out somewhere beautiful for the afternoon. I don’t know where exactly but you can think of a place, can’t you?” August squeezed David’s arm. “Of course I can, how about this coming weekend? I know of this great place and…”

All of a sudden there was a cough followed by a knock on the door. “How strange, I didn’t hear anyone by the staircase?” David whispered. “It’s John, I’m here for Mr. Young,” the intruder revealed his identity. “How long have you been here? We didn’t hear you come up the stairs or talking to Elsie,” August enquired angrily. “I think about five minutes sir. I’m really sorry if I gave you a big scare and…” August cut him short, “go to the car, Mr. Langley will help me downstairs,” he ordered John who practically galloped down the stairs. “Do you think he was eavesdropping?” David asked anxiously. “Yes, I think he has been there listening to our conversation and if he hadn’t coughed, he’d have stayed longer. There’s something strange going on and I think my mother is behind it,” August answered in fury. “Do you think she’s trying to find out if you are still seeing Nyarai?” David sat beside him. “She knows I am; something just gives me the feeling she does. What I think she is attempting to do is to find out about my plans for her and discover whether you are helping me. Since we caught John today, there’s no turning back on what we are planning because she will suspect that we found her spy. I’d like to give her the benefit of a doubt, so just call her and ask if I could come to your house on Saturday,” August stood up and made his way to the door. “I have a terrible feeling about this. Don’t you think we should divert our plans? What if something horrible happens?” David spoke with so much concern as he opened the door for him. “Nothing will, she wouldn’t want to make her moves too soon,” he assured him.

 

“A special delivery for Miss Gorgeous, I think there’s a mistake somewhere because…”

“Cut it out pretty face, who was at the gate?” Shuvai continued to study her new image in the mirror. Alan had said that she looked better with a bald head so she was inspecting what the barber and make-up artist had done to her. “A delivery guy, this came in for you,” Netsai her little sister handed her a box. “To Miss Gorgeous with love,” she read the little card with a smile. Quickly, she opened the box to reveal a beautiful chocolate silk Chinese collared dress with a matching small purse and matching pencil heel shoes. Beneath was a bottle of Chanel 5 perfume, some lingerie and matching stockings. “Wow! Put them on right now Shuvai,” Netsai practical began to undress her elder sister. “Hey, I can do it myself since you refused to help me when I came back from the salon earlier on,” she pushed her out of the room. “If you could excuse me for a moment,” she closed the door in her face.

Netsai examined the box which she had evacuated with from the room. She could not help noticing how foreign and luxurious it was. “How did Shuvai manage to hook such a man?” she seemed to ask herself because as far as memory lane could take her, Shuvai was far from eligible and was embarrassingly identical to her twin brother Tendai. The girls in her class were raving mad about her before they discovered she was female. She never dreamt of such things occurring in her family; especially to Shuvai. “How do I look?” Shuvai disturbed her thoughts all of a sudden. “Tendai in a dress,” she answered without looking. “Look at me Netsai!” Shuvai pestered her sister who looked in awe. The bald hairstyle really suited her and the short Chinese dress revealed her attractive though a bit masculine legs. She appeared feminine for the first time in history; the make-up artist had really done her job and she stood tall and extremely slim in the pencil heels. “Like French model, good clothes can really change people,” she was impressed and tried to hide it but it was clear that she was overwhelmed.

All of a sudden there was a hoot at the gate. “That must be Alan, you can spray yourself to death if you like,” she grabbed the small purse and walked out of the house to the sight of curtains slowly moving by the windows of the houses that surrounded theirs. She knew that her neighbors were watching and with great curiosity. It was about six thirty in the evening and Alan was taking her out for a double date with Josh and his fiancée.

Netsai stood by the door and watched the whole scenario unfold. Out of the black vintage car stepped out the cutest guy she could only imagine seeing in her dreams. He was tall, slim and bathed in money with a smile that almost made her faint. She watched enviously as her, not long ago ugly sister, waved at her with a smile and disappeared in the car.

“You look ravishing, totally out of this earth,” Alan complimented not hiding the fact that he couldn’t stop admiring her. “Thank you, after all you’re the one who decorated me,” Shuvai smiled shyly. “I have something for you,” he said excitedly taking out a small box from his jacket. Opening it he revealed a peal choker with a diamond in the middle and matching earrings. “Put these on,” he said helping her. “You shouldn’t be doing all these things for me. You know that I can’t repay you because…” Alan put his finger on her lips. “Shh… how many times should I tell you that I understand? I’m not in a rush anyway. Listen, I just want us to have a good time tonight without any regrets, ok?” Alan whispered. Shuvai nodded with a smile. “That’s my girl!” he kissed her on the cheek.

 

“Muffles come back here! Don’t go to Gargamel otherwise he’ll tear you into pieces!” Little Monica shouted at the disobedient kitten as August entered the big living room. The afternoon with Nyarai had been more that he had expected and all he could feel was overflowing joy. “Do I smell a smurf in here?” he snarled his voice. “Good evening August,” Monica said coldly. It was clear that she wasn’t in a playful mood and August sensed that it was because he had not been nice to her the past month. “I’m sorry Miss Smurfette,” he began in a low voice. Monica just ignored him and continued stroking her kitten, she could be stubborn like their mother sometimes. “I could get John to drive us out for some ice cream if you like?” he attempted bribing her. Slowly Monica slid from the couch and dragged him across the room to where she was seated. “Sit down,” she ordered in her small bossy voice, August did. “Mom and dad went out to dinner with Uncle Alan and his new special friend. I wanted to go with them but mommy said that it was a grown up thing and told me to stay here and play with muffles instead. I tried calling Deborah but Felicia wouldn’t allow me saying it was too late. What do they expect me to do? I’m bored,” she began complaining; her stylish way of suggesting that they should turn into rebels. August assessed the situation and tried to think of a tactful way to trick his not so easy to trick young sister. “Don’t just stare at me like a zombie, say something!” she demanded for an answer. “Let’s go and get ourselves big sundaes which mom won’t allow us to eat and go catch a movie afterwards!” August squealed with excitement as if reciting a war cry. “Yeah!” Monica responded in the same tone. “Run as fast as you can! Go and get John we don’t want to waste time,” August clapped his hands in encouragement. “Why don’t we go with David instead?” she suggested all of a sudden. “Why? John isn’t busy, is he?” he asked surprised by Monica’s recommendation because she was literally scared of David. “John almost pushed me off the stairs this afternoon,” she answered in a frightened tone. “And why would he do that?” August asked softly in a low tone. Monica leant over his ear and whispered, “Because I caught him in your room looking for something in your drawers.”

 

“I think I saw Alan’s car parking outside whilst I was talking to the chairman. Now be nice and reserve your comments,” Josh said as he sat down next to Alice who just nodded as the couple they were expecting approached their table. Alice put on her best welcoming smile and stood up; not only to hug and kiss their guests in salutation but secretly to have a better analysis of Shuvai. She was not what she had expected although she looked like a lighter version of those dark French models that posed for magazines or terrorized the catwalk. Without any make up though, she could easily be mistaken for a pretty teenage boy judging by her mannish frame.

“You must be Shuvai, I’m Alice,” she spoke zealously. “Nice to meet you Alice,” Shuvai responded shyly. “You’re like an angel tonight,” Josh winked at her as he passed her a compliment. “Thank you Josh. I hope you’re doing well yourself,” she responded with a smile. “So how’s work?” Alan looked at Alice with the regular dull look “Fun as usual and you?” she ignored the exasperating look. “Not as devastating as before since I have some thrilling things to do after work nowadays,” he smiled as he imparted a naughty look on Shuvai. “Is that so? Tell me Shuvai, how did you manage to attract such a difficult man like Alan? I hope he hasn’t turned you into a slave,” Alice turned her attention to uncomfortable Shuvai. “I guess with her sophisticated nature and exotic beauty,” Josh threw his fiancée a brief glare as he rescued the unsuspecting young woman. “Enough you two, how was work Shuvai?” Josh took up the steering wheel. “The same as everyday, there’s really nothing new to do,” she spoke quietly avoiding eye contact with Alice. “You sound as if you don’t like your job. What do you do for a living?” Alice pretended to be concerned but it was clear that this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. “She’s a Physical Education teacher at a local school although I’d prefer her as my personal trainer,” Alan said proudly with an annoying smirk on his face.

Enough! Alice was irritated already and was wondering what was keeping Itai long. She had called her the moment Alan had agreed upon the date and had reminded her in the morning when she had gone to inquire about her wedding dress at the boutique. She could not wait to see his facial expression when blunt Itai made her unexpected debut. “I bet you a five thousand dollars that you wouldn’t fire Marty?” Josh challenged Alan. “What about you Alice?” Alan disturbed her thoughts all of a sudden. “What? I’m not wasting my money on anything!” she almost snapped to Josh’s disappointment. “Double that amount; in fact triple it because in three weeks time Marty will be history!” Alan ignored Alice and continued enjoying himself in the newly created debate. “I need to refresh my make-up in the ladies’ room. Shuvai, you should come too,” Alice stood up all of a sudden.

“Ah! Leaving so fast?” a familiar voice slid a smile across her face, it was about time. “Oh no, Shuvai and I were about to go to the ladies’ room,” she laughed nervously as she sat down again. Josh noticed her sly smile and glared at her infuriated but she ignored him. “Is this Shuvai?” Itai looked at the girl from head to toe not disguising her disgust. “Itai,” Alan addressed his sister coldly. “Baby brother,” she put on a sickening smile. “Yassin and I had thought of getting our own table but since you haven’t ordered yet, why don’t we join you instead?” she made it clear that she was not going anywhere…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter five

Nyarai dropped the pen in her left hand and stopped writing as Andiswa lifted her right hand all of a sudden. “It’s so beautiful,” she said admiring the white gold watch with a frame embedded with small multicolored stones on her wrist. “I couldn’t help noticing it too,” Thabiso chipped in from behind her. “Even the teachers and the head where stealing glimpses at it during assembly as you were reading the bible,” Melissa said retrieving her seat beside her best friend, Thabiso. “Are they real?” Andiswa continued scrutinizing the watch. Nyarai just nodded and smiled as she collected her books and made her way out of the library, she made it a point not to cross the path of any teacher least the librarian. The girls remained discussing her but her main concern was to look for a quiet room and continue studying.

“If I was the head, I wouldn’t have thought twice of stripping you off that maroon blazer regardless of your academic colors,” Tsitsi her best friend scoffed at her as she entered the prefect’s room. It was quiet a relief that she was the only occupant. “She has nothing against me,” Nyarai bragged as she sat beside her. “I would the minute I see you wearing such an expensive watch. It’s the talk of the whole of Eveline High,” Tsitsi smiled as she grabbed Nyarai’s hand and gently stroked the watch. “August gave it to me when we went to Matopos on Saturday,” she said in a dreamy voice. “You mean your blind colored boyfriend who got you into a lot of trouble when the story came out in Gossip magazine?” Tsitsi recoiled in shock. “Yes, he gave it to me at the hills,” she answered happily. “And what did Panashe have to say about all this?” Tsitsi faced her seriously. “He doesn’t have to blow a fuse because I won’t show it to him. Sandra thinks it’s a work of art,” she reassured her worried friend. “He’s such a mysterious guy, your August. How did he manage to pick out such an ornament?” Tsitsi marveled. “Easy! The jeweler gave it to him. August says that David recommended him to her because she is a reader of emotions, mystifying isn’t it?” she said fumbling in her bag. “Here we are!” she excitedly took out a photo album. “Photos from your mini weekend escape?” Tsitsi opened the album keenly. Quietly, she paged through the photos with only an impressed look on her face. “Who’s this?” she pulled Nyarai’s attention to the photograph. “Oh, you mean the guy with the long blonde hair? That’s David, August’s music instructor and friend,” she answered. “So the cute guy in the shades must be August?” Tsitsi teased. “Who…?”

“Aha, so you’ve been here all this time chatting about boys?” a male voice interrupted all of a sudden to their dismay; it was the senior master wearing his usual aggressive face. The girls remained silent; there was no telling what this man could do next. “You should be in the library leading by example and showing some responsibility as senior students,” he continued scolding them. “Come with me Miss Kahari, the teachers are waiting for you at the office,” the senior master’s announcement sent chills down Nyarai’s spine. “Have I done anything wrong?” she croaked. “Remove that watch,” he answered quietly.

 

“Why are you looking for Monica?” Alice asked August as he entered the living room. From the tone of her voice, he could pick up distress and this worried him very much despite the fact that he knew his mother was up to something. “I wanted her to help me look for my favorite pair of shoes which disappeared the day John rearranged my room,” he answered wittingly. “She went for the wedding rehearsals with Sophie and Camille,” she seemed to ignore the last part of his message. “Really, is that so? Is there still going to be a wedding on Saturday after weekend’s fiasco? You and sweet Itai…”

“Josh is a mature person, he put in a lot of money in this wedding and calling it off on the last minute would be like displaying his under wear in an art gallery. He will be back, if not tonight then tomorrow,” she spoke in a matter of fact kind of way. “Have you heard from him since he stormed out on you in fury at midnight that early Sunday morning?” August sat down on the couch and waited expectedly for his mother’s smart answer. “I tried calling him for the whole day on Sunday but it appears as if he had screened my number because only my messages went through. Then yesterday I went to FEB Insurance Brokers only to be told that he had gone off to play golf with a potential client. Today, I tried his office again but he wasn’t available and I even attempted to reach Alan but…”Alice threw herself beside August and sighed. “I don’t blame him for cutting you off. After all that you did to him, you had the nerve to call him. You burned the guy mom!” he responded impulsively. “Tell me then August, what am I suppose to do? I thought life began at forty and marrying a younger man would give me an aura of youth but look at me, upset and discarded,” she sulked.

“Yeah, like you have to worry about getting a date for the wedding? I don’t think I’ll be able to attend even if your knight in shining armor gallops back,” August announced all of a sudden. “Why? You know that you can’t do this to me because you are the only real family that I have. It’s been you and me for twenty-five years, I won’t allow you,” she said with conviction. “Eighteen to be precise, you’ve had Josh and Monica for the last seven and five years respectively. You can’t tie me to your bridal convoy can you?” he dared her. “I suppose I can’t but I really need you there August. I will do anything for you to walk me down the aisle,” she begged. “You said anything? Could Nyarai be my date for this once only? I really would love to be in her presence again because I truly…” As much as Alice dreaded the idea and was thankful at this particular moment that her son was blind and could not read her facial expression, she had no choice. “What are you waiting for? Go and ask her! Call her on your cell phone and in the meanwhile I could beg Itai to spare her a dress in one of her French collections,” Alice spoke comprehensively as she ushered him out of the room. “Do you really mean it?” August asked, something was definitely out of place. “Yes, if you like I could tell David to drop you off at the park tomorrow so that you could make further arrangements,” she added hurriedly. “Sure, let me go to my room,” Alice watched him as he quickly ascended the stairs and disappeared into his room.

Without wasting time, she hurried across the room to the phone on the wall and dialed a number. “Yes,” a male voice answered from the other end. “Alex, its Alice. It’s about time you helped me get rid of that girl,” she went straight to the point. “Why now? I thought…” Alice cut him short. “Do you want to be part of my life again? This would be my wedding present from you and nothing else. I just want some peace of mind; I only want the best for August. Are you going to help me or not?” she put him in a dilemma. “Where are they meeting?” he asked quietly.

 

Alan sat up in bed and watched as Josh quickly put on his clothes after taking a long shower. “Let’s do it again,” he said to Josh who shook his head in disapproval. “We should be getting back before things become suspicious,” he added. “It’s just that I’ve never felt like this for almost two months and now that we’ve made love again, I don’t want it to end,” he said with a dreamy look on his face. “You mean that you haven’t touched her yet?” Josh looked disappointed as he sat down beside him. “We can’t be doing this anymore, meeting at hotels and planning romantic getaways in the name of business trips. It ends the very second I say ‘I do’ to Alice,” he looked into his eyes. “It’s not like I haven’t tried to do something. Despite the fact that I’ve never been with a woman, the thing is that she’s a virgin,” Alan tried to bail himself out with an excuse. “It’s just the same, have you tried to kiss her passionately?” Josh asked Alan who looked away. “Try to visualize her as the pretty boy you saw at the soccer tournament,” he urged him. “There was this one afternoon on Saturday when I took her out on a drive. I was feeling tired so we went and sat at the back seat. For one strangest moment we were lost in each others eyes. I leant over to kiss her and we shared a brief one at first but as time went on the kisses grew deeper and better until our bodies were heated up and she pulled away. She said she was a Christian and couldn’t do it. To be honest I was quite upset but deeply relieved, some how, so I drove her home,” Alan explained himself to Josh who seemed deep in thought as he listened attentively. “So the only way you can sleep with her is through marriage?” Josh spoke in a low engrossed tone. “I guess so but I think it was a one off thing, I don’t think I will ever attempt touching her again…”

“Do it! Marry her Alan,” Josh surprised him with the sudden outburst. “Are you crazy? I don’t think I’m ready besides we’ve been dating for two months!” he argued. “Will you ever be ready? What does it matter? You have nothing to lose or do you?” Josh made some real sense. Standing up, he stared at Alan who seemed to be down memory lane.

“I better be checking out, see you later at the office,” he picked up his cell phone and looked at the twenty unread inbox messages reflected at the corner of the screen. “Is there still going to be a wedding on Saturday?” Alan asked hopefully as he wrapped the sheet around his naked body and stood up. “Yes, there is but I won’t go back to the house until Thursday,” he answered as he left the room.

 

“And what do you think you are doing?” Nyarai threw her suitcase on the park bench as she laughed at August in a Falcon College uniform. “I’m wearing a disguise, pretty hey?” he smiled. “Let me say that it’s kind of ironic because I didn’t go to school today. My mom is ill so I’m going to Tshabalala to look after her for a few days,” she reached out to rub some dust off his shoulder. “Where did you get it?” she questioned him in an impressed tone, he never ceased to amaze her. “David dug up the tie from his high school stuff and the rest is history,” he answered proudly as he tried to stand up. “Where is your walking stick?” Nyarai felt worried as she couldn’t see it anywhere. “I forgot it in David’s car I guess, he’s the one who helped me to the bench so it must have been easy for it to slip out of my mind. Don’t worry, John will pick me up and drive me straight home where there is a spare walking stick. I’ll probably collect it tomorrow,” he said holding on to Nyarai who supported his balance. “What did you want to tell me? Sandra said that you sounded hysterical,” she asked curiously. “Excited as a matter of fact, because mom has allowed me to take you to the wedding as my date!” he presented the news with great enthusiasm. “Guess what? I got the Malaysia scholarship! Isn’t that good news too?” she embraced him. “Now I can go study medicine abroad and who knows? May be…”

Suddenly like snow in a desert, two strong men appeared behind August and grabbed him. Panic-stricken, Nyarai screamed at the top of her voice and tried shouting for help but the park was deserted. Without any second thoughts, she sprinted and jumped on the bigger guy sinking her teeth into his shoulder. Involuntarily, the man let go of August who punched the nose of the other guy and ran blindly across the lawn heading for the concrete aisle. Furiously, the bitten man shrugged Nyarai off his shoulders and sent her crushing to the ground knocking her out as he ran after August with his fellow colleague. When they finally caught him, the superior man knocked him out with a single violent blow and threw him into a van with South African number plates which swiftly drove off the very moment the two men disappeared into the mysterious car.

By the time Nyarai woke up, only the grass could tell that she was not dreaming at all. “Are you okay little girl?” a kind looking old couple walked up to her. “No,” tears slid down her eyes. “I’ll never be fine again, never,” she whispered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter six

Itai watched expectedly as her mother admired the wedding dress which she had purchased for Alice on her trip to Paris. Lovingly she held the long lace sleeve to her cheek and smiled. Dr. Victoria Chakwana stood tall, middle weight and looked too youthful for a woman of sixty-two years of age because one would easily mistaken her for Itai’s elder sister. A former lecturer of Economics at the University of Zimbabwe; she was now the President of FEB Insurance Brokers having taken over her husband’s position after his death ten years ago. Despite her age she was more beautiful than Itai and besides the fact that they got along like old high school friends, she did not share her aggression and conceit. “I wonder why she wanted a winter wedding; nobody gets married in the cold. Besides, there is the world cup and she’s quite lucky that the chunk of her friends are not soccer fanatics,” Itai commented. “Case of the kettle calling the pot black, reminds me of one young lady who got married in November. Something very taboo in our culture,” Victoria faced her daughter. “The dress is very elegant though, I’ve known to trust your exotic tastes in garments,” she flashed a smile as she opened the balcony doors.

Walking onto the balcony she noticed her son’s black Rolls Royce parking close to the front door, avoiding the garage as usual. “Alan’s here!” she called out to Itai who was attending to Avril who had just woken up. Interested, she observed as it became apparent that he was not alone. “Who’s the pretty teenage boy with him?” Victoria whispered as Itai joined her. “It’s the disaster I’ve been talking about,” she glared at Alan as he ushered Shuvai onto the porch.

Quickly Victoria left the room and went to the guest living room downstairs where she found him pouring her a glass of wine. “Mom!” He called out happily as he went over to embrace her. “I wanted to surprise you as usual but it looks as if you’ve beaten me up to the trick,” Alan smiled broadly. “I came back three days earlier; Itai is the one who gave me quite a scare because she’s been here since Yassin went to Dubai,” she explained placing her gaze on Shuvai who stood up and walked up to them shyly as if she was on cue. When she stood next to him, Alan placed his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. “Mom, this is my girlfriend Shuvai,” he announced proudly. “And Shuvai, this is my mother. The most charming person I’ve ever known,” he looked expectedly at both women as he finished his introductions. “It’s an honor to meet you ma’am,” Shuvai began quietly as she stretched out her right hand. “Ooh come here sweetheart!” Victoria embraced her excitedly which was far much more than what Alan had anticipated. Alan looked on with contentment as Victoria took Shuvai’s hand and led her back to the couch where she was probably firing her with questions. Itai who had been watching with great disappointment on the upstairs hallway confronted him but not about his little visit.

“Did you by any chance see August?” It sounded more like a command. “The last time I checked, he didn’t live in my pockets,” he answered her coldly. “It’s Alice’s wedding tomorrow and she hasn’t seen him since Wednesday morning. Something could have happened to him and I thought you were helping Josh look for him,” she looked at him as if he was a criminal. “He’s a grown up Itai. He’s probably bored about the wedding and is bound to emerge after the whole fiasco,” he snapped. “August would never do such a thing, besides he’s meant to hand over his mother and he’s blind for Christ’s sake! How is he supposed to…?”

Victoria walked up to Itai and put her hand over her shoulder whilst she wiped away the tears which had begun sliding down her cheeks with the other. “I know that you are concerned about your friend’s missing son but this is not the time to quarrel. We have a guest,” she sounded embarrassed as she spoke to Itai who nodded and followed her to where Shuvai was seated.

“Hello Itai,” she spoke uncomfortably as she knew Alan’s sister did not like her. “Hi,” she replied indifferently. “Shuvai’s been telling me that you’ve been together for two months now,” Victoria ignored Itai’s sour face and concentrated on Alan. “Yes, they’ve been the most fulfilling. I feel like…”

“You don’t have to say a thing, I felt accustomed to her the very moment we spoke to each other,” she answered with so much support in her voice. “That’s the very reason why I came to introduce her to you. I felt that this was the right time and waiting too long would have been too great a sin to be forgiven,” he said in a relieved voice. “Shuvai,” he walked up to her and knelt before her. “That very day when I saw you at the tournament, deep in my heart I knew that you were the one for me because it was love at first sight. You have always been different from other women but that has made you even more special to me. This might sound crazy considering the fact that we’ve known each other for only two months, but I have thought hard about this and the more I meditated about it, the more I realized that it is you that I want, nobody else,” he took out a small black velvet box from his pocket and opened it. A small white gold huge diamond ring lay cushioned in the silver interior of the box. “I may not have arranged anything romantic; but in front of the most honorable woman in my life, my mother; I have only one thing to ask of you. Will you Shuvai Elizabeth Gutu, accept this ring and be my wife?”

 

A vacuum would have been close to heaven compared to the stuffy hell hole they had thrown him in. August felt weak the moment he woke up only to be startled by the stench of death that had made him throw up and recoil involuntarily with complete torment. At this particular moment, the only thing he could be thankful for was his blindness; otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to cope. Hours or may be days had passed without anyone opening the Devil’s closet he was trapped in, the only music fed to him was the dripping sound of water (or blood perhaps) yet his fingers itched for the keys of the piano and his shoulder missed the light weight of the violin. The most disturbing thing was that he had been too scared to stand up hiding it with the mere imagination that they had drained him of his strength and his feet would not be able to support him. Nyarai, the mere thoughts of her pierced his heart, how he had tried to get her out of his mind but everything he did seemed to rekindle a particular statement she used to say for his every action and the remembrance of the sweet laughter in her voice made him hug his knees even more. Nothing could stop tears from welling up in his eyes because he was so worried about her.

“He’s awake!” someone opened the door all of a sudden. At once August could hear the sound of the waves and people moving on deck. He could also detect the unmistakable delicate scent of the sea which he so loved and the melodious songs of the birds of the sea. Eagerly, he stood up and blindly headed towards the promise of freedom which beseeched him to taste it. How he wished he had his walking stick to assist him outdoors because his hands felt sore for him to sense the ground and he hated the limitations of sight which left him clawing at the air looking for an object to hold on to. “What do you think you are doing? Stop that and follow me!” a different man at the door barked at him. August tried to follow the voice but failed dismally as he walked into a wall. “Are you sick in the head or are trying to make fun of me? We’ll see if you’ll be laughing when the sharks rip you to pieces,” the man growled. “Help me,” August pleaded. “Why? Are you blind or something?” the man scoffed. “Yes, I’m blind,” August admitted to the man who just laughed. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Jeffrey, come and hear what this bait is saying; shamelessly trying to talk himself out of the inevitable,” he called out to his mate who came running. “Look at this fool, he thinks that…”

“Where is your walking stick?” August’s mouth went dry when the big man shook him. “Jeffrey, what’s the meaning of this?” the other guy pulled him to the side. “Can’t you see Ibrahim you idiot? This bloke is flipping blind! We can’t kill him or else we’ll lose our supernatural control just as that witchdoctor said,” he raged. “What do we tell Alex then? He will need some evidence,” Ibrahim panicked. “That stupid Alice woman would if I may correct you. The bloody corpse is supposed to be her wedding present,” he looked at August in disgust, he had caused them all this trouble and all he wished was to take out all the air out of him but the fatal consequences which would await them forbid him. He watched the blind young man sob as he melted to the ground, perhaps weak in the knees. “Look how miserable you are now, that’s what you get if you play with the big fish boy! What did you ever do to that woman anyway?” Jeffrey demanded in great irritation but in his voice there was a tinge of concern. “I don’t know!” August shouted. “I’m so confused,” more tears bathed his face. “Then why would she want to have you killed?” Ibrahim knelt down so that his face was close up to August’s; it was now the Arab’s turn to mock him. “You must be some ungrateful snitch biting the hand that feeds you!” he added on the painful words. August swallowed hard as he grabbed his arm. “Tell me, would you know if it was your mother who wanted you dead?” he whispered.

 

Sandra stood by the door and waited hesitantly listening for potential snivels before she knocked softly again. Her mother-in-law whom she cherished like her own mother had been admitted to the hospital the previous night and Nyarai had been brave through all the hardships she had to face whilst watching the cancer devour her slowly. There was nothing she could do really but comfort and assure her of her love. She had smiled and told jokes but her eyes could not hide the sadness boiling within the core of her heart, a grief that had employed shameless tears that spoke another story from that of the illness of her mother. She knew that she would eventually die and this made Sandra believe that it was something totally different.

Sandra had left her matrimonial home against Panashe’s will so that she could be useful for a change rather than lie in bed all day whilst she could help Nyarai. It had been a bit rough considering the extra load and her pregnancy illnesses but she had soldiered on. Now it was the last day she was to stay in Panashe’s childhood home and she had not been able to sleep because she was feeling very sorry for Nyarai. She was crying in her room, trying to muffle her sobs with her pillow but they were audible enough for Sandra to hear and attempt reaching out to her. She had been knocking for five minutes now but still no response except a few snivels now and then. Sandra knew what she was trying to do but this could not go on any longer so after the last knock she decided to let herself in.

Moonlight showered Sandra as she walked into Nyarai’s room, she had opened the curtains wide open and she lay curled up to her side facing the big round object in the sky. In her arms she held on tightly like a teddy bear to picture in a frame. In her eyes, the sadness reigned side by side with loss and despair.

“Nyarai, what is it?” Sandra began gently as she slowly approached her. “Oh Sandra!” Nyarai hung onto her desperately in an embrace as her tears dampened her. Sandra glanced at the picture on the bed; it was August’s. “I tried Sandra! I tried but they were… they were too strong for me. They took him away from me but I couldn’t do anything,” she shivered like a cold child. “My life is over; it’s over for good. Poor August, he must have been scared but I was too weak to protect him and now …!” she cried harder. Sandra held her close as she let her own tears flow. “It’s okay,” she whispered but deep inside she knew she was wrong. August was never coming back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part two

“Let the sun kiss my eyes, let its warmth embrace me forever. I am guilty for being in love, persecuted for what my heart yearns for and believes in. She glows with purity as she waltzes in the arms of a man she is assigned to journey with for the rest of her life yet her soul desires the only one that cradles her heart. A smile can hide excruciating feelings deep inside but the eyes are a window peering into our souls exposing the slightest weaknesses. So let the sun caress my skin and remind me of reality, let its beam be the only true thing I am certain of. Least I wake up in a wedding dress, knowingly walking into a formidable eternity; arm in arm with a man I cannot even look at yet my heart lies in the soul of the love of my life…” Varaidzo Chidzuu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter seven

 

The Daily Mirror

The wedding present

Stella Madamombe – Senior Arts Reporter

Yesterday; a colorful event filled with a limited moment of happiness at its birth ended horrifically as the bride received a malevolent wedding present which left her in pieces as she shrilled in anguish and instantly lost her mind. The beautiful bride none other than the famous Supermodel Alice Young had organized a media field day so as to get full coverage of her wedding so that the whole world could remember it as the biggest and best event of the year. Before the horrific event, which was of course not planned; the forty year old beauty queen had the chance to show off her glamorous winter wedding dress, a Valentino Winter collection from Milan, Spain purchased in France and obviously her young thirty-five year old husband Joshua Winters whom she has a five year old daughter with.

The event was swarming with wealthy stoke brokers from FEB and other companies as high dignitaries such as the likes of Dr. Victoria Chakwana, the Mayor of Bulawayo, William Sunderland, Professor Richardson and Sir Henry the twelfth ( believed to be a distant relative of Alice’s) graced the event to mention just a handful. The catering was not to be underestimated as your usual African dish was made especially to commemorate the life of the Supermodel’s mother Buhlebelanga Khumalo who was an Nguni princess and the European dishes were of no exception. The wine poured from a mini fountain, too real to be a works studio’s hoax as it never seemed to run out.

In most weddings, regardless of culture; the presentation of gifts is the most exciting event second to the exchanging of rings and vows as well as the bride walking down the aisle of course but to Alice it was to be the most atrocious reminiscence of her life. Many gifts from the bigwigs were mainly thousands of dollars but the most outstanding were the Winters’ spar and gym a gift from the Chakwana family, a Porsche car and a holiday house at Mauritius from Sir Henry and a farm from her mother’s relatives.

All seemed well until a mysterious message was delivered to her stating that her special wedding surprise had arrived outside of the Elephant Hills hotel and she was to come alone and view it. Happily she accepted the clandestine invitation and walked outside but before long a loud screech was heard. Curious witnesses who had secretly followed her rushed to her rescue as she collapsed after. The malicious gift was said to be a sight for sore eyes only; as one had to be a hard core to withstand its wretchedness.

Allegedly, the gift was a headless corpse thought to belong to the model’s son who had gone missing on Wednesday morning. August, a twenty-five year old blind and talented pianist had been wearing a Falcon College uniform when he had gone out to meet a friend. He had been missing until the sadist’s grand finale disclosure. The devastated star was rushed to the hospital where she woke up two hours later; but she had appeared to have lost her mind as she was violent and had to be sedated.

The men who are associated with August’s homicide are believed to be the notorious be-headers who are making their rounds kidnapping school children and helpless old citizens during the current world cup festivities. They are said to be using the heads as shark bait to trap sharks which are believed to possess jewels from ancient ships in their digestive tracts. However; the police beg to differ as they believe that this was a formal arrangement by a vengeful enemy. But the question is who would do such an evil thing?

“Monica! You’re not ready yet?” Josh burst into his sixteen year old daughter’s bedroom. She was still wearing her nightgown and had a face mask on. “What’s that you have in your hand?” his attention moved to the old newspaper article in her hand. “Nothing important,” she blushed as she stashed the cut out under her pillow. Monica, dark haired and light brown eyes with rosy cheeks was a splitting image of her father short and slender like her old man. She did a thorough scan of her father who was dressed in a tuxedo and never hid the approval in her eyes. “Going on a date I see,” she teased him.

“The visiting hour is in an hour and you haven’t bathed. I thought I kept reminding you the whole of last week that today is one of the most vital days of our lives because…”

“I know, I know dear father, it’s my sixteenth birthday and your eleventh anniversary. I just have to wash off this thing on my face and have a five minutes shower. Now would you please be a good old chap and skedaddle before any further delays,” she put on that irritating smurk on her face which Josh had tried to tolerate by all means. “I’m giving you fifteen minutes!” he called out as he made his way downstairs.

Eleven years had passed and Monica had grown into a tomboy, the very thing her mother would have detested. She was a normal girl though with a boyfriend and a dwindling modeling career which she distressingly did not care about. She loved music and David; August’s former friend and instructor taught her how to play the violin. Time had moved on indifferently ever since that disturbing day and Josh could have easily lost himself in keeping things together if it were not for Alan’s support.

They would go to the gym and golf course together where he would pour out his heart to him and share a heart warming kiss for comfort. Surprisingly he never lost count of the number of times he had gone to see his beloved wife because he had recorded each visit jotting down notes on any slight improvements. Last Tuesday the doctor at the sanatorium had reduced the dose of sedatives issued to her and she could spend six hours a day out of ‘gaga’ land. By then; if it were visiting hours, she would ask about Monica and get upset when she realized that August was dead. Josh smiled at the thought of how childish she acted when she was out of touch. She was a toddler, trapped in her own world of happiness more like Alice in Wonderland. Weirdly sometimes; he found himself thinking it best for her to remain in that state as she would never get over August.

“I’m finished!” Monica almost gave him a heart attack as she pounced on him from behind. Twirling about she paused and took a small bow in front of her father showing off the sari which she had found in her mother’s bags. “She wore that at a fashion photo shoot in Calcutta, India. I saw the spread in the September issue of ninety-six in the New Woman magazine whilst I was in a waiting room at the dentist’s getting my braces removed. At that time, I never imagined that she was to become my future wife,” he smiled but sadness shimmered in his eyes. “I can imagine her stretching out her arms in the wind, it’s so well kept because it’s special I guess. I hope she won’t mind,” Monica looked for approval on her father’s face. Josh just smiled and stood up making his way to the door. “She would be very delighted. I’m glad I told Jessie to come at another time because we have to have some quality time with her. I asked Felicia to order a nice fruit basket for her so it should be in the car by now. She told me that she missed the bitterness of the Granny Smith apples and…”

“You said that Jessie called the house when I was upstairs?” Monica inquired anxiously. “He said that it was nothing really important. He’ll come over and see you when you get back from the sanatorium. Don’t you want to see your mother anymore? You must know that she still highly regards you as a baby,” he spoke in a persuasive voice as he looked at her uneasy face. “Of course I want to see her! Jessie probably wanted to take me out so that we could celebrate my birthday but that can wait,” she smiled thinly. “Jessie’s in trouble again; I wonder what he’s done now,” she thought.

 

“You know what the doctor told me today honey?” Shuvai lovingly kissed her husband as she sat down directly in front of him, her eyes penetrating through his. Over the years, her constant trips overseas with her mother in law had transformed her into a much better person, the kind of wife expected for a man of Alan’s caliber. Dressed in a silk summer dress, very short to blend in with her motive she had hurried into the spacious bedroom with a victorious look inscribed on her face. He was seated on the bed sending some emails to potential clients in Cyprus when he tried not to ignore her.

“Yes, what did Dr Mangwiro say this time,” he put aside his laptop and did his best to smile. “I’m seeing Dr Fredrik from now on. I don’t trust that man anymore,” she patiently informed him, probably irritated by his pathetic pretence. “Anyway, Dr Fredrik said that I’m not too old to have another baby. I may be thirty-five of course but I have the body of a twenty-one year old because of my healthy lifestyle. He said we should try rather than burden our minds with boneless myths,” she spoke in a seductive voice as she slowly leant over to give him a long lingering kiss. Alan froze, he just did not want to do this right now but Shuvai was like a hurricane. “Where’s Adolph? Aren’t you supposed to be picking him up from school now?” he asked out of breath as she forced herself on him. “Today is Saturday. How silly of you! Adolph went with Avril to play at your mother’s today,” she said reaching down for his belt. “Right now, mommy and daddy are going to make him a little brother or sister to play with,” she whispered.

Alan could not back down right now but he had to do something. Skillfully reaching for his cell phone he dialed the house’s landline number which he had saved as auto-dial number one for his convenience. Prayerfully; he waited for the phone to ring so that he could volunteer to go and answer it making a clean escape. But right now he had to play along because one knows better than to cross a woman in need.

 

“Yes, what did the Ice Queen say? She caught a cold I guess and now she can’t see you!” Dakota mocked Jessie as he made his way back from the men’s room. He looked at the entrance and thought of the Rainbow hotel across the road, Monica’s father had taken them there for dinner one day when his grandfather had passed on. It was a real trying moment because he had been at the same sanatorium as Monica’s mother and he was twelve by then; very young and devastated at the time. But now he was a twenty year old good for nothing waiting to pounce on the family fortune once his grandmother dies of which the chances looked dim at the particular moment. His parents had died in a plane crush whilst traveling to China to seal a big business deal and the only surviving relative he had was his granny as his parents had no siblings and his mother’s parents had died long ago.

The only good thing that had come up in his life was Monica and he valued the person she was because she was everything he never would be. She was hard-working and motivated him to go back to school and attempt to tame the lion of education again. The only obstacle in his life was Dakota, but he could not let her go because she soothed his cocaine addiction and satisfied his monstrous hunger for sex. “Shut up! Don’t you have anything nice to say for a change,” his hands shook as he patiently waited for the drug to travel through his vessels. “I’m just being frank. Anyway, are you seeing her tonight?” she looked at him in disgust. It was clear she did not like little Miss Perfect and never made an effort to hide it. “They’ve gone to see her mom but I’ll be jollying down her place later,” he stirred up Dakota’s anger with a smile. “Ha, let’s see her get you half of what I sacrifice for you, you ingrate. You’ll regret it if you go see her!” she stormed off irritably.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter eight

Algeria, Algiers

Saturday 12June 2021

“Do you think you’ll be safe going close to that poor dear child Dr Reynolds? She’s very sick and our local doctor said there was a possibility that it could be the Ebola virus,” Father Martins anxiously rested his hands on the young African American woman’s shoulders. “That’s why there are medical tests Father and safety clothing. Don’t worry too much; I’ve been doing this for years,” she waved her medical kit and smiled reassuringly at the priest who clearly had his doubts. “If only I didn’t look so young and maybe if I were a man is what you are thinking,” she frowned in her thoughts.

“Fine, if you insist but I suggest that you see her in the morning. I’m afraid that our lighting isn’t up to standard and you must be tired after that long flight,” he said going to the back of the jeep to collect the rest of her stuff. “Thanks for the concern Father but I’d rather see her tonight so that I can have peace. I’d like to sleep over what I would have examined, you must understand that I would be more weary in the morning if I don’t do it now because I won’t even fall asleep. Anything you use in your parish is enough for me; I even brought my battery powered night lamp if that will help. I usually study at night you see, even when I’m away from home,” she helped the priest with some of the luggage he was carrying and followed him into the enormous cathedral.

As they walked through the large doors, she was welcome not only by the warm candle lights but also the profound sound of the organ as the pianist played Sir Elton John’s Candle in the wind. Enchanted by the beautiful music, she dropped her bags on the bench and let the notes soak in. Quietly closing the doors, the priest joined the fascinated pediatrician. “He’s like an angel, played every night ever since we took him in,” the priest smiled. “When was that?” Nyarai asked curiously. “A long time ago, I don’t remember when but it feels like yesterday when he came in soaking wet, drenched by the rain with tears in his eyes,” he began gravely. “What had happened?” she asked with so much concern in her voice. “He was an unfortunate victim in a family dispute between his parents. If it wasn’t for his two friends who guided him here in the rain, he could have lost more than his sight. I don’t mean to be stereotyping but you know Muslims, they are a tough community. We’ve had many death threats coming in lately, most of them accusing us of the bad things we’ve done by taking in children who run away from violent homes and empowering widows so that they do not have to throw themselves at their deceased husbands’ brothers,” he looked at the young man up on the podium. “Abdul’s mother sprayed sulfuric acid into his eyes just to spite his father who did not want him to leave his house. By that time, he was in his first year at a University in Egypt and had returned home for the holidays. You can imagine, a life destroyed by a selfish woman. Abdul swore she could have done more if he hadn’t sneaked out of the house. The local doctor could only prevent the acid from further corroding his eyes otherwise Abdul had to learn to live in the dark,” he emotionally narrated the story; a firm fist was cradled in his left hand as he tried to calm himself down.

“Does he talk about it sometimes? I mean did this whole incident affect his relations with people?” she asked eagerly. “He doesn’t mix well with strangers I’m afraid but I don’t blame him. He doesn’t trust anyone,” he answered timidly. “Can I talk to him sometime? May be I could examine his eyes,” the young doctor found herself obliged to help all of a sudden. “I’ll try and talk to him first; we don’t want to surprise him, do we? Now, how about a hot cup of chocolate before you go to bed?” he stood up and carried some of her bags. “No, I still want to see that girl. Please get someone to take my bags to my room so that we could be on our way.”

 

Alan waited patiently for his scotch in Josh’s living room. He looked at the pool outside the window and felt like dipping himself in the cool water and forget about everything. Sunday was the only day he could have sometime to himself if Shuvai had not dragged him like Adolph to church. Poor kid; sometimes he felt for him but oh well, growing up was growing up. Who would want a rebellious nine year old to add to their bigger problems?

“The house is too quiet for my liking today. Where’s Monica and that lazy Barbers boy?” he asked Josh as he handed him the glass. “Church I suppose, even though I’ve got my doubts. You know teenagers these today,” Josh threw himself on the couch and switched on the TV with the remote. “If only people could stop lying in God’s name busy blaspheming as if they’re some holy sheep whilst during the week they drink themselves green and cheat on their spouses,” he joined Josh who moved away from him a little.

“The gym’s keeping Shuvai busy these days, too many obese people struggling for her attention. I’ve seen her in action; she’s too pushy nowadays that one would suspect that she’s taking out all her home frustrations on them. Is everything ok? Are you beating her?” Josh provoked Alan. “Hell no! Is that what she told you? I’d never do such a thing!” he defended himself. “Then what could be frustrating her?” Josh asked sternly. “I don’t know, beats the life out of me,” he took a long sip of scotch and laid the glass down on the table. Josh just looked at him, disbelief registered on his face as he waited for a more appropriate answer. “Are we just going to look at each other all day?” Alan enquired. “As long as it takes,” Josh answered quietly.

“Ok, Shuvai came onto me heavy last afternoon,” Alan began. “And what did you do?” Josh asked expectedly. “I dialed the emergency landline number on my cell phone and escaped. By the time she probably came downstairs to ask who it was I was gone and when I got back I told her there was an urgent item I had to attend to. All the same, she was really pissed off and slept in the guest quarters,” he explained. “That was a real mean one if you want to hear my honest opinion. I don’t understand though, isn’t she your wife? You know you won’t be getting any from me; I’m still waiting for Alice remember? Besides; she’s still the pretty boy you couldn’t take your eyes off or things have rather changed over the course of time,” Josh didn’t hide his disappointment.

“Yeah, try being with a woman who has been obsessed about having another baby for the past two years. Yesterday she was all excited about having the body of a twenty year old and couldn’t wait to get me in bed. She’s even gotten herself this German doctor whom I doubt I will be able to pay off to cover up the fact that I secretly had her operated!” Alan went ballistic. “What operation?” this sounded new. “I made Dr. Mangwiro tie up her fallopian tubes so that she couldn’t get pregnant again and asked him to play along telling her all those devastating things like ‘you won’t be able to carry the baby to term’ or ‘you will most likely die during labor’ that kind of stuff,” his eyes went back and forth in their sockets, the guilt killing him. “Shuvai is going to kill me if she ever found out. She’s been afraid of being intimate with me for all these years and now she’s advancing on me like a hurricane. If she doesn’t pass her pregnancy test she’ll probably go on a full medical test and…”

“Two years has been too long for her not to find out what you did to her. She’s far too intelligent to stick to one doctor so she’s been scouting around and trust me, this German doctor could be the third she’s visited,” Josh put him at ease. “What could be the explanation for her rowdiness then?” Alan sounded desperate for a good answer. “Simple, this whole issue is about sex. She’s clearly not interested in being pregnant at the moment; the baby’s just an excuse. The reason why she’s so infuriated is because you’re starving her of her share of your body and tonight you better fix that,” Josh smiled at his own brilliance. “I hope you’re right,” Alan felt doubtful. “Trust me; if you do things right, tonight is going to be one of those events you’ll never forget,” he winked.

 

Monica rang the doorbell for the fifteenth time and waited in great frustration. What was keeping Jessie or at least Dakota that long to open the door for her? It had been five minutes now and the action of tapping her foot impatiently on the door mat was quickly becoming involuntary. Taking a deep breath, she signed in relief as she finally heard someone galloping downstairs, it had to be Jessie.

As the door slowly opened, Monica was getting ready to shout at him when the sight of him made her mouth dry. She was lost for words; she felt tongue tied as this was the least thing she expected. “Are you okay?” she finally croaked as she pushed her way in. He was drenched in sweat and shaking like a leaf yet outside it was nearly thirty degrees Celsius. “I guess I am. What are you doing here?” he asked slowly closing the door. “You’re burning hot! You must have a fever,” she felt the temperature on his forehead with the back of her hand. “Come on, I’ll drive you to a family doctor’s house,” she grabbed his arm. “No, Dakota is not here so I can’t leave the house,” he shrugged her hand off in protest. “Anyway, I’m fine you don’t have to worry so much,” he added walking into the living room and throwing himself on the sofa. Staring into space, he grabbed a cushion and hugged it as he closed his eyes. The house was in a disgusting mess, there where clothes and food everywhere.

“What’s the matter with you Jessie? You’re acting weird as if you don’t want to talk to me. Well I wouldn’t have come here if you had kept your promise about coming to my house later yesterday. I waited for you; you know and my father was getting really irritated by the sight of me pacing up and down in my room and coming down every second to ask if nobody called me,” Monica folded her arms and stood in front of him. “I’m really sorry about that. It’s just that grandma phoned yesterday and she seemed really agitated about this whole Chinese deal. I don’t know why she called me and not her lawyers but something was troubling her and the date totally slipped out of my mind,” his face softened with emotion as he explained himself to Monica who sat beside him sympathetic. “When I went to bed last night I kept on having terrible dreams, I couldn’t sleep. When I woke up I was feeling weak and I tried to bath and get ready for church because I knew I had a sermon but I failed. Dakota gave me some aspirin and I fell asleep until you came just now,” he took a long breath and exhaled slowly.

“But I think I feel better now, may be you could wait for me here whilst I have a quick shower,” he disappeared up the staircase. Monica looked at the sty she was in and decided that she would not pretend that it was not there. Standing up she started folding clothes, Jessie and his half sister really had some weird habits. Bending down to pick up a tie she saw some specks of white powder coming from underneath the sofa cushion. Curiously she lifted the cushion and unearthed a small packet of white powder, the same thing she had refused to try one night when Jessie; who was very drunk had visited her at ten o’clock and left her father really angry with her. The same drug she had given Jessie money for in the hope that he would go and get some help at a rehabilitation center. He had swindled her out of two thousand dollars and she needed an explanation now! Jumping to her feet she hurried upstairs only to freeze at the bathroom door as she restrained herself from knocking violently. “Jessie we need to…”

Listening carefully she heard some heavy breathing coming from the other side of the door. “Probably, Jessie gasping for air beneath the shower,” she thought walking away. But all of a sudden there was a loud scream and this time Monica couldn’t ignore it. “Jessie! Are you ok?” she stormed into the room only to be shuddered by the unexpected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter nine

“Oh my; I thought that all great people were male but I’m quite mistaken in this situation Dr Reynolds. Please forgive me for my incorrect anticipations, I don’t mean to be a sexist. But if I may ask you this tiny question, what’s a famous plastic surgeon doing in a small country like ours anyway?” he began rudely when Nyarai spoke to him. When she did not answer immediately he chuckled briefly and then continued. “You made a wrong choice coming here doctor because as far as I can remember; nobody here needs any plastic surgery least to mention the fact that nobody can afford it anyway. You should have gone to India or Dubai where the glitters and glamour of the Islam society exist,” he added without a tinge of care in his voice. “That must be my fiancé you are talking about; he loves beautiful things. I’m a pediatrician with the doctors without…”

“How convenient, isn’t it? Do I look as if I’m in a cradle Mrs. Reynolds to be?” Abdul asked coldly. “It’s obvious you are not and neither am I an optician but I’d like t o help you. I know where you are coming from Abdul and it’s like going to hell and back. I’m not a bit moved by your tactless behavior; it’s just a mechanism of pushing people away, isn’t it? But shutting the world away won’t help you in anyway; it can only make you bitter and undesirable to look at,” she returned his tone. “So what do you want me to do dear agony aunt? Go around the streets and make a fool of myself!” he scoffed. “If that will make you better then it would be a brilliant option,” she answered unwavering.

“Have you ever had sulfuric acid sprayed into your eyes doctor?” he asked shaking in anger. “No, but I know how it feels like to be in pain and I couldn’t have overcome it without talking about the things which hurt me,” Nyarai looked at him and felt some emotions rushing back to her. All of a sudden she could see her August in him, the only difference was that he had an unshaven face and a bald head with a tiny hat on, but it was all the same. “Have you ever been to Zimbabwe?” she heard herself ask. “Where on Mars is that?” he asked her in the same indifferent tone.

“I’m sorry; I’m not thinking straight I guess. Can we do this some other time? I better leave,” she sounded upset all of a sudden. “Wait!” Abdul stopped her. “Aren’t you the one who said we should be open? Spit it out,” he challenged her. “No, this will sound very silly to you and I don’t want to develop some awkwardness between us,” she explained. “Sit down, I’m all ears and ready to hear you out,” he said softly.

“Eleven years ago, I had my first love but he died. He was very special to me because with him I would enter this world only known to the two of us. I was eighteen years old then and was considered very naïve because he was blind and seven years older than me. My brother was against our entire relationship mainly because he became a laughing stock in the newsroom and his mother was angry at him because he wouldn’t consider dating some of the girls she had picked out for him,” she began in a low voice. Abdul felt a sudden chill pass through his body. Clearing his voice he tried to hold back his own tears as he asked, “What happened to him?” he could feel her shaking beside him, probably trying to hold back tears too. “His mother probably killed him because he wouldn’t listen to him. She must have…”

“He was kidnapped and then murdered but no Abdul; it wasn’t his mother’s idea to kill him because she loved him so much. Even if had been the case, the kidnappers caught the wrong person because I believe that they were after me. They manhandled him because he was in a school uniform, even one of the men who was caught said that before he was found mysteriously dead in his holding cell the next morning. On the day of his mother’s wedding, the villain delivered his headless corpse as a wedding gift and when she saw it she instantly lost her mind,” she sniveled. “Everyone was worried about Alice, the whole country mourned with her. But nobody thought about me, not a single soul. I was lost with no direction and I became autistic and kept to myself wishing I could die. Until I met Jonathan, he listened to me and dragged me out of the hole I was helplessly sinking into. He opened my eyes, he taught me to breathe again but he could not heal my heart because…” she whispered. “And when I look at you…” she broke into a sob. “Nyarai…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Abdul said to Dr Reynolds surprise, how did he know her name? “Abdul how did you…?”

“I’m so sorry Dr Reynolds, I really am,” he said hurriedly. Avoiding any further dialogue he stood up and quickly walked away.

 

David felt worried about Monica as he made a cup of herbal tea for her. He could not help thinking of what a mess she was when he opened the door. It was only a miracle that she had safely driven to the Langley residence in her state.

As he carried the cup into the living room, he found her stretched out on the long couch; sniveling and wiping away her tears with small balls of tissue paper which she threw thoughtlessly on the floor. Her nose was bright red; so were her eyes which had become sore. She did not seem to acknowledge his presence as he laid down the tea on the coffee table in front of her. Slowly sitting down on the armchair next to the window he watched her every move. He had felt responsible for her the moment August was gone.

“Monica, come here,” he stretched out his arms to Monica who quickly walked over to him and sat on his lap. “Oh David!” she cried bitterly in his arms. “Hush now…It’s going to be okay,” he whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder. “That girl wasn’t his sister after all; I can’t believe I was stupid all this time. I supported him and that prostitute. He lied to me and I believed him because I thought he was going to change and…,” she burst into tears again. That Barbers boy, how wrong he had been about him and now he had broken little Monica’s heart whilst her father had asked him to warn her about him because he knew she always listened to him.

David embraced Monica and let her cry her heart out as she drenched his shirt with her tears. There was nothing he could say except rock her like a tiny little baby. “I’m sorry David; I shouldn’t have attacked you like that. I guess I’m too old now to be sitting on people’s laps,” Monica quickly stood up apologized all of a sudden. “I don’t want to cause a controversy between you and Charlotte. Who knows what she’d think if she saw me in your arms and seated on your lap,” she ridiculed herself with a nervous laugh as she resumed to her previous seat.

“Charlotte’s just a friend and she’s not biased towards assumptions. Don’t worry yourself, even if you’re thirty you’ll still have a place on the very same lap you used to sit on when you were six. For the record, it’s not like I’m going to get married or that sort of thing. It’s way past my bed time, too late for the sand man to give me a ticket to dream land,” David assured her. “How could you say such a thing David? How would Charlotte feel if she walked in and heard you say that? Besides; you are thirty-eight and that’s quite young considering the fact that my mother got married at forty. You are still…”

“You’re still naïve Monica, love doesn’t work that way. I don’t love Charlotte; neither did I promise to put a ring on her finger. She just comes around and we chat about our lives and many things. She only helps me get over Emily,” he explained. “Emily? How come I’ve never heard of her?” Monica sounded intrigued. “August knew her. She was the love of my life but my parents wouldn’t allow me to marry her because they were aristocrats and racists. We dated for three years and I even arranged for a secret wedding but my mother found out and caused some havoc. I stood firm with my decision but it was so hard for Emily to bear that one day she committed suicide. She must have known that she wasn’t coming back when she told me she was going to take sometime off in the rural areas. Her body was found floating in the river. But even though, I couldn’t believe she was gone for sometime until it hit me like a rude awakening. By then, my life was already over because my soul had died the moment I lost my dear Emily.”

 

Alice smiled at Josh as he sat next to her bed holding her hand. How she wished she was not so sick so that she could give him more as his wife than to be so helpless. She blamed herself for losing her mind; it was an uttermost act of selfishness she believed. These moments of sanity are what she held onto like gold, during these hours she could be in touch with the man of her dreams Joshua Winters.

“Monica,” she wanted to see her daughter all of a sudden. Where the hell was she when she needed her? “She’s at David’s house, she’s learning how to play the violin so that she can come and play for you sometime sweetheart,” Joshua gently stroked her hair. “Did she go to school today?” she struggled to pull the words out of herself. “Yes, Monica’s very serious about her studies. She works really hard and is the top of her class,” Josh smiled when he noticed the proud look on Alice’s face. “And church?” she took a tight grip of his wrist. “She went there yesterday, I’ll go with her next time so that we can both pray for you,” he promised. “Did she talk to the pastor?” she asked desperately to Josh’s surprise. The medication must have been slowly wearing off. “Sweetheart, are you okay? I think I should call the nurse now,” Josh stood up. “No Joshua; don’t call him! I’m not mad,” she pleaded.

Why didn’t anyone take her seriously when she mentioned spiritual help? How she hated those tormenting spirits which drove her crazy. She had once asked Monica to ask the pastor of her church to pray for her but she always shrugged off the idea not taking her seriously as usual. Alice felt upset, in fact she did not feel like talking to Josh any more. He would probably laugh at the idea of evil spirits but she did not blame him because she could have done the same thing if she had not landed in the situation she was in.

“Alice, would you like to go outside for some fresh air?” Josh interrupted her thoughts all of a sudden. Beside him stood the mean little nurse who only pretended to be nice to her whilst her husband was there otherwise she was thick skinned. “It’s okay darling,” Josh noticed the look on her face. “It’s only going to be the two of us. Miss Huni is only going to help you out of bed,” he assured her with a smiled. The little nurse smiled at her too but she would not be fooled.

 

August lay down on his bed and thought deeply as tears streamed down his face. “So mom has been in a mad house for eleven years because she believes I’m dead and Nyarai is engaged. Nyarai…” more tears invaded his eyes as his heart ached at the echo of the words in his mind. “Nyarai is going to get married,” he kept on reminding himself.

“No, I must stop her. I love her and I can’t lose her…” August heard himself say out loud. “But then I can’t be selfish enough to ruin her engagement to Jonathan. I can’t walk out of her life and expect her to welcome me back with open arms after all the pain she’s been through. I can’t ruin Jon’s efforts of making her happy. As much as I love her, I’m dead to her and some bad memory which she’d rather forget,” he sighed. “May be in our next lives nothing will set us apart. But until then; it was good to hear your voice again after eleven years. I’m proud that you turned up the way you should have. What we had was special but God had his reasons and despite that I’ll always treasure you in my heart and I wish you all the smiles you missed because of me Nyarai… My first love.”

 

Chapter ten

“Why did you do it?” Shuvai asked Alan as he held her close. “What do you mean?” Alan kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “I found out what you did,” she made him freeze for a brief moment. “I don’t understand,” Alan sounded puzzled. “Do you still remember that plastic surgery operation that did not happen when the anesthetist drugged me? A few seconds before I got knocked out I thought I noticed Dr Mangwiro in the room. Anyway afterwards I woke up feeling some excruciating pain in my tummy and the anesthetist told me that I was having side effects from the drug that they used and that he’d give me some medication for the pain. Well deep inside I felt that something was missing in me and suspected that there was more to the pain but I had no tangible evidence,” she spoke in a gentle voice but her tone was intimidating.

Alan felt embarrassed all of a sudden and wished the earth would swallow him. Why did she have to bring the matter to the sheets after such a passionate evening? Or was she just feeling sentimental attempting to pull their souls together? No; this was an interrogation which needed people to be in their clothes and not laying naked in bed.

“Alan, do you have anything to say?” Shuvai continued in the same icy tone. “When did you find out?” Alan tried to stand his ground. He was not yet ready to show that he was scared. “When I saw Dr Mangwiro again,” she looked fiercely into his eyes. “At first, I thought that I was being paranoid because he was probably passing by till I decided to investigate and put my mind to rest. First I visited this gynecologist who broke the news to me but I left upset because I was doubtful and did not want to believe her. I thought of what the anesthetist had told me and went over to ask Dr Mangwiro who did some lab tests on me and told me that there were some complications with my womb due to my last delivery and advised me not to get pregnant again. Skeptical again I went to this obstetrician who told me the same thing, Dr Fredrick the German doctor was the third,” Shuvai explained with a heavy heart.

Alan could not help being remorseful, he just did not know how important the baby was to her. Josh was correct about the doctors but he had missed the point all the same. “I’m so sorry Shuvai. I really am,” he apologized to his wife who had tears sliding down her face. “But why Alan, why did you do this to me?” she demanded hurt. “You could have told me instead of going behind my back and making me look like a fool in front of all those doctors when I told them that they were wrong!”

“It was all for the best. I don’t know I shouldn’t have done it but you wanted a baby and I didn’t and I acted impulsively I guess. I haven’t been there for Adolph and…”

Shuvai slapped him hard on the face all of a sudden. “The best is what you say! Is that all that you can say after what you did to me without my consent? What kind of a man are you anyway?” She looked at him in disgust as he rubbed his cheek simmering quietly in rage. “Why did you marry me then Alan Chakwana if you did not want me to have children?” Shuvai pleaded for an answer. “So, you want to know the real reason why I married you? Ok, I can now see that you don’t believe that I love you and you’re having doubts. Sure, I’ll tell you what you want to hear,” he dared her. “The truth about why I married you Shuvai is that you looked like a man. Yes, it’s the very reason why I got together with you in the first place. I’ve had beauty queens kneeling before me, begging me to have them but no I chose you because you were different and didn’t intimidate or suffocate me with your looks. I was struggling with my sexuality back then and didn’t want my mother to die with a broken heart because of a celibate son who couldn’t continue the family legacy. But…”

“But what Alan, is that all I’ve ever been to you all these years? Didn’t anything we had mean something to you?” Shuvai was clearly hurt by his response. Some how she had always known that the real reason why Alan was with her was not because of her looks but to hear it like this was like being stabbed. “I don’t want to hear anything more from you Alan. I want a divorce.”

 

“The place feels empty without you so I figured out that the best solution would be for me to come down there and keep you company,” Jonathan told Nyarai over the phone in Father Martin’s cathedral. “No thanks I’m not bored, anyway three is a crowd and you know I can’t resist you because you’re like a cute little puppy. You can only take my mind off the important things so stay away! Why don’t you call George? I’m sure he won’t mind,” Nyarai tried to reach a compromise with her difficult fiancé. He was so aggressive perhaps because he loved her and was also passionate about his work.

“Why do you sound as if you are up to something that you don’t want me to know about?” he questioned her angrily. “It’s not like that honey, I just want us to…”

“Then it’s settled, if things go well I’ll book a ticket on Friday and fly into Algeria on Saturday,” he made all the arrangements himself. Nyarai just held the receiver to her left ear and listened. She clearly remembered what their last argument had triggered and did not want it to happen again. Rubbing her sore arm which had almost healed after Jonathan had pushed her down stairs; she smiled. He had promised not to lay a finger on her again and that’s all that mattered.

Nyarai threw herself on the bed when she got back to the guest room she was accommodated in and stared at the freshly painted ceiling. If only everything was as perfect as the vintage rooms in this cathedral. The thought of going out to the hospital to see the sorry faces of her patients was wavering but the idea of Jonathan joining her was a real nightmare. At this time, comfort only came from being solo and serene. Closing her eyes she listened to the complete silence which could only be disturbed by the whispers of sinners softly confessing their sins and her own thoughts of the future perhaps. The orphans were at school and the widows came later at mid morning, better not waste this precious time. The jeep that would take her to the hospital and then a refugee camp would arrive in two hours. She had earnestly asked Sister Gertrude to call the director of the hospital on her behalf and she successfully had convinced him with her soft spoken voice that Nyarai would not make it in time.

Listening to the song that played at the back of her mind she closed her eyes and got drowsy only to be woken up by another familiar tune. No, she wanted to listen to the first one but the second one got stronger until she realized that it was not in her head but some one was playing it. Oh, she had not heard it for a long time and did not wish to because it brought back so many memories she would rather forget. She had tearfully learnt to play the piano for that particular song because she could not let go. Now fresh tears streamed down her eyes as if a sharp blade had been plunged into her heart. But who could be playing it? Only three people knew that song and two of them were alive this day. Pulling herself together, she wiped her tears and made her way to the auditorium barefoot least she disturbed the musician by the loud sound her boots made on the wooden floor.

David, he could have gotten enough time to catch a flight to see her because it had been five years now since they had physically gotten in touch despite the fact that they sent emails to each other once a week. How considerate of him because she was always moving from one continent to another and what he had done was taking a big risk because there was no telling when she could be on a plane to another continent again.

Eagerly she ran up the stairs that led to the podium and smiled broadly, how she was excited to be seeing her old friend once more. “David, what a pleasant…!”

Nyarai froze but the musician almost jumped out of his skin. “Ah…Dr Kahari, what…what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be… at the hospital?” he stammered not even aware of what he was saying. Nyarai just stared at him with tears streaming down her eyes as she shook in disbelief. She wished she would wake up from this dream because eleven years were too much a handful to be a practical joke. Slowly she walked over to the blind bald man with an unkempt beard and gently ran her fingers down his face. “August…che cha sarang,” she whispered. “My first love,” she continued under her breath.

 

Josh wanted to slam the phone back on the wall but took a deep breath. “What do you want you jerk?” he retained himself from shouting. “Please Mr. Winters; I need to talk to her just for a minute!” Jessie pleaded. “She’s about to leave for school…”

“PLEASE!” a desperate cry was heard from the receiver. Josh looked at Monica who seemed not interested in the call. Looking at the clock on the wall, she resumed her game of solitaire on her palmtop. “Monica; some one is one the phone for you,” he could not hide the hesitation in his voice. “Oh really, if it’s Mr. Barbers tell him I haven’t got anytime to waste talking to him,” she answered coldly.

This is what Josh hated the most, being caught in the crossfire. Picking up the receiver again he decided to give Jessie a piece of his mind. He had nothing to lose and definitely he never really liked him as he always pictured him as a dark cloud in Monica’s life. “Listen Barbers,” he began. “You can’t expect to treat a woman the way you did and come waltzing back thinking she’s going to dance to your tune. Not my daughter, she’s not cheap. If you ever come close to her my boy I promise you that I will break your neck with my bare hands,” he slammed the receiver back on the wall.

“Oh Daddy, thank you,” she embraced him. “Anything for my baby,” Josh whispered kissing the crown of her head. Monica took a hanky from her school blazer and blew her nose quickly wiping away her tears too. “If you don’t feel like going to school you can…”

“There are mock up exams and I can’t miss them. I’ll be fine you don’t have to worry too much about me,” she reassured her anxious father. “Unless you want to be…mother hen?” she added with an impish smile. “Ha, ha very funny young lady. I’m too much of an amateur to deserve that title. I’ll drive you to school then, no buts,” Josh took her bag on the couch and led the way outside.

 

“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Just leave it like that because if you try to smart aleck yourself out of this whole situation you can only get hurt again. Look, if this Winters kid really loves you she’ll forgive you and accept you for who you are and…”

“You shouldn’t have screamed like that!” Jessie shouted in annoyance as Dakota rubbed the salt in. “Don’t blame me for your carelessness, you should have thought of that before you pulled me into the bathroom you junkie!” she snapped. “Wake up and smell the coffee because you’re stuck with me and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. I forgave you when you slept with Annabelle, Miranda, Jasmine and Andile, why can’t she do the same?” Dakota mocked him. “Don’t flatter yourself, you think I belong with you!” he ridiculed her. “Dakota, you are twenty-three years old and a loose woman without morals,” he added. “Oh, and what does that make you Jessie? The pope I guess!” she returned the comment. “I’m just like you I guess, rotten and pissed off at the same time. I had so many chances of becoming a better man but I tossed them all in the trash. Now I’m a junkie without any control over my body,” he said sadly. “And Monica…”

“Now, now don’t be crying on me Jessie. I hate that sulky face of yours. Here, have some coke will you; I bet you’ll be hype and dancing around in no time,” she took a small packet out of her bra and threw it at him. “No, I can’t do it!” he pushed it aside. “I just want to go and lie down for a bit Dakota; if possible I don’t want to wake up ever again.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eleven

Joseph switched on the car radio as soon as Monica threw her bag into the boot before slipping into the back seat. She loved to listen to the radio discussions on the news station as they went through the day’s headlines in the paper. Since home seemed to be a long way as usual, she normally enjoyed the dreaded drive because of the show Tatenda Mukuyi and Simon Dube always put on. Sometimes she found herself participating in the discussions through the messages she sent using her palmtop.

Stretching out on the seat; her usual habit (if she hadn’t driven herself to school of course) she closed her eyes and listened attentively to the discussion which had been going on for may be five minutes now.

“What do you think of this whole Barbers boy issue? I don’t quiet understand the reason why he could do such a thing. After all it was no secret that he was waiting to pounce on the family fortune once the old lady kicked the bucket,” Tatenda posed a question to Simon who always chuckled sarcastically before answering. “It was just a desperate cry for attention which turned into a tragedy. A spoilt brat like him has always been lost in the limelight of the clubs, picking up any girl he wanted instead of grooming himself to take over the empire. I’d also like to believe that he was also under the influence of what ever drug these rich scum take, a guy like Jessie is the careless type and it was better for the company to tremble this way than for it to be driven to the ground by the heir’s own hands,” he said unemotionally. “Well I’d like to admit to you that I never thought that a boy of his uncanny caliber with so much to look forward to in life could commit suicide…”

“SUICIDE!” the word screamed in capital letters in Monica’s mind. “What did you say?” she asked the question out loud. “Excuse me Miss but is there something wrong?” Joseph was staggered by the sudden outburst. “Tell me Joseph, which paper is this story they are discussing in?” she tried not to sound so shaken but her efforts were in vain. “All the papers I’m afraid,” he answered quietly. “Say, Joseph, can I borrow your newspaper for a second,” her hand shook as she reached out for the paper which almost dropped when it was placed in her hand. There they were, the main headlines in bold.

 

The Afternoon Star

Estranged Barbers boy commits suicide

By Philip Tapfumaneyi

When a concerned friend went upstairs to check on her upset friend who had allegedly gone to lie down a bit, she got the shock of her life when she found him lying on the floor clutching his stomach. Foam was oozing out of mouth as if he had drunk a whole load of washing powder. Bewildered; she stared in horror before finally dialling the emergency number. The girl who was crying held the helpless Barbers boy in her arms when a handful of tablets dropped out of his pockets. As expected, the ambulance arrived five minutes later but most of the tablets had done their work by then. With the help of the bottle the girl supplied, the paramedics tried pumping some of the toxics out of his body to sustain him before they got to the hospital but as they got closer he was quickly fading away. In the emergency room, a highly qualified team was waiting for him but before they could do anything he was gone. They tried shock therapy and there was an ounce of hope when his heart beat strongly for two minutes but the inevitable could not be stopped and finally the straight line. At exactly twenty-three past ten in the morning, Jessie Barbers took his last long breath, never to see the sun again…

At the mean time, Grandma Barbers is to be notified of the…

Tears were already streaming down Monica’s eyes when she realized the deep sharp pain in her heart. It was so unbelievable that her eyes were glued onto the paper. This could not be true; no it was not the Jessie Barbers she loved.

 

“When you left that day; you got me wondering about something, what’s with this whole che cha sarang thing?” August smiled at Nyarai when she sat down beside him on Friday afternoon. “I’ve been living in South Korea for two years so I’m very familiar with the language. I can speak Mandarin Chinese, as well as French, Spanish, Arabic. In fact I can speak seven languages fluently excluding Shona and Ndebele,” she spoke freely as if a fresh breeze was blowing over her face. “Wow, you must have been up to a lot of beautiful things ever since we parted. I’ve lived my life in fear, looking over my shoulder because I did not know what else was going to pounce on me. Even though I now know that my mother didn’t try to kill me, I can’t help hating her for what’s she’s done. I even find myself getting angry at the fact that I was born blind because she did not know that she had Gonorrhea,” he admitted the pain he felt inside. “She was young and innocent. All she ever had was fear and couldn’t even face her parents even though she knew that it wasn’t her fault. The only compensation she had was you; she never stopped loving you,” Nyarai placed her hands on his shoulders. “I know; and for that reason she’s always made choices for me. But all the same Nyarai, I never stopped thinking about you and I wished that I could call you but I was too scared to even pick up the receiver. I wanted to hear your voice; especially your laughter and I had to fight the urge to hold you close because you were nowhere,” he said with a tear streaming down his cheek. “I’m here now,” Nyarai wiped off the tear with her fingers.

“I once thought of jumping off a building because without you I felt lost. But I didn’t because something deep inside of me wouldn’t let me. I guess deep inside my soul knew that you were alive. I don’t ever want to live without you anymore August; never do I want to go through what I went through again. Promise me August, promise…”

“I’m sorry, really I am. I can’t promise you anything Nyarai,” August whispered in a hurt voice as tears flowed down his light brown eyes. “I don’t understand…”

“Look at me, don’t tell me that you can’t see because it’s clear that I can’t give you anything. You shouldn’t have found me in the first place, that way things could have been better. Jonathan is a great guy. I’m sure he can do a lot for you that I can’t and he seems to be a caring and kind man. He’s a plastic surgeon and…”

Nyarai kissed him all of a sudden, the passion evident in the tears that slid down from both pair of eyes. “I love you,” Nyarai whispered in a shaken voice. “I love you and that’s what matters!” she shook him hard. August quickly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “I promise Nyarai, I promise,” he comforted her.

All of sudden, there was a round of applause at the foot of the stage. Nyarai recoiled from August’s arms when she saw Jonathan making his way up the podium. “So does this mean that the play is over? You should have told me what time it started so that I wouldn’t have missed a thing,” he mocked but deep inside he was seething and desperate not to lose control. “Jon,” Nyarai walked up to him nervously. “I must have been too busy this morning that I …” Jonathan drew a forceful slap across her face that sent her tumbling to the ground. “So this is what you’ve been up to, telling me to stay away so that you can embarrass me like you’re used to? You can’t go anywhere into the world without me checking up on you!” riotous he proceeded to kick her in the stomach. “No Jon, please don’t hit me! I’m sorry Jon, I’m…”

“Stop it!” August pushed him away from her. “If you hurt her again, I swear you’ll regret it,” he knelt beside her.

“I can’t believe you would cheat on me with this piece of crap. A blind guy to make matters worse and you… who do you think you are anyway? Do you think she really cares about you? She’s just a measly fling, in a month she’ll be out of here and you’ll be heartbroken,” Jonathan mocked. “I’m leaving you Jonathan. I can’t do this anymore,” Nyarai shocked him with her speech all of a sudden. “You must be out of your mind Nyarai. What do you mean? Are you calling off the engagement? You can’t…”

“Yes, I can. I’m sorry things turned out this way,” she took off the diamond ring and threw it at his feet. “All because of this tramp? Who do you think he is? August?” he sounded overwhelmed, the news slowly dawning down on him. “You’re right Jonathan, I found August. And I’m afraid… I can’t lose him again.”

 

Itai stared at Alan, for a long time he had seemed distant even though she was discussing a grave issue with him. He pretended to write something down, mumbling some ‘vital’ things as he continued but this was no new mask to Itai, she knew him like the back of her hand. “Thunder in paradise?” she began in a soft tone. “What is it that you are saying?” he still pretended to be engrossed in his work. “You don’t have to put on that act with me. Spit it out Alan,” she grasped the writing hand. “I’m okay Itai; it’s this case that I’m very worried about. Yesterday in the papers Mr. Chan was accused of being in a fraudulent scandal. How are we supposed to get ourselves out of such a mess?”

“By being truthful to each other,” she grabbed a file she had been eying for sometime. It had caught her attention because of its distinct yellow color and the paper material, a real alien in a batch of blue leather files. “What are you doing? Give that back to me!” Alan protested but the milk was already spilt and all that was left to do was to explain. “What’s all this?” she threw away the file which went whizzing in the air like a Frisbee. He had been waiting for the question but he was not ready for it.

“It’s my entire fault,” he began looking down in shame. “What happens to Adolph?” Itai asked anxiously. “Only time will tell I guess. He’ll probably move in with…”

“I don’t want to hear it? You’ve always been a fighter and you don’t give up easily. What did you do this time Alan? Can’t it be fixed?” she put on a hopeful face. “No, I’m afraid not? There are so many things to bargain. I’ve outdone myself this time and there’s probably no point of return,” he dampened her blanket of optimism. “I’ve hurt her Itai, that’s all I can tell you. I love her and I don’t want to lose her but I’m…”

“Don’t do the same mistake I did with Yassin. Don’t you dare follow my footsteps because I won’t have a retake of my life! You can’t just throw away your marriage Alan, no; tell Shuvai that you won’t have a divorce,” she said desperately.

“I can’t believe this, I thought you didn’t like her but here you are begging me to stay with her,” Alan was genuinely surprised. “You’re right but I’ve seen the impact of a divorce. I can’t stand Avril asking me about daddy’s whereabouts or whether he loves us or not. I can’t take the agonizing ‘I hate you’ statements and the strength sucking school meetings. I’ve always sucked at being a mother and I’ve known it for all these years wondering how Yassin ignited the sparkle in her. If you sign those papers Alan, you might as well forget about your son. Think about all those children being raised by single parents. The pain that they feel when they assume it’s their entire fault,” she looked him in the eye but he was not moved. “I’m sorry Itai,” he whispered.

“Then you leave me no choice. Even if mom’s condition is failing I’m going to tell her because she’s the only one who can stop this madness,” she stood up and quickly ran out of the office. “Itai wait! Itai…” he went after her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter twelve

Monica knocked on Jessie’s door for a longtime before anybody answered. She was about to turn to leave when she heard a muffled snivel coming from behind the door. “Dakota,” she placed her hand on the door. “I know you are in there. It’s me Monica, please open the door,” she spoke softly. “What do you want?” Dakota snapped. “I just want to talk to you. I’m really sorry about what happened. I really am…”

“Come in,” she removed the lock and opened the door.

When Monica walked in, the place was tidied up and some bags were on the floor. She was probably waiting for someone to pick her up. Quietly, Dakota disappeared into the kitchen and brought back a sealed envelope. “He told me to give you this,” she said coldly as she handed Monica the khaki envelope. “How have you been coping?” Monica slipped the letter into her purse and sat down on the couch. “As if you really care? I’m very fine thank you as you can see I’m moving out of this place to God knows where,” she burst out in fury. “I’m very sorry about what happened. I really am,” Monica continued to apologize. “It’s my entire fault, I know. Jessie wouldn’t have killed himself if only I had forgiven him, it never occurred to me that he would go to such an extent,” she tried to hold back tears.

Dakota sat down beside her and looked down at her hands. “You were his first love and you meant the world to him. I was very jealous of what you two shared and wanted him to myself. It’s strange; I saw it in his eyes but still I kept on hoping that one day he would finally leave you and choose me,” she began in a grave voice. “Then that opportunity came when you caught us together in the bathroom. My triumph had come on a silver platter and finally we were going to be together. I can’t believe I was so obsessive of him and when he did something wrong, I was always ready to forgive him. But still he was ready to compare me to you. I was just some whore without a future whilst you were the perfect lady he wanted to rule over the Barbers’ empire with. He hurt me but…”

“You still loved him and he continued to reject you. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe that I’ve been so selfish, I had everything but you only had Jessie,” Monica gasped in remorse.

“No; I’m the one who’s been greedy and I guess I got my prize in full,” she looked at Monica and smiled. “What do you mean?” Monica asked in an anxious voice. “I’m pregnant and…”

“That’s great news! How far are you?” Monica asked excitedly. “Two months,” she managed a light laugh. “Did Jessie know?” Monica asked. “No, he wouldn’t have let me keep the baby once he found out. It would have jeopardized his future with you,” she answered sadly. “Then where do you think you are going? Stay!”

“And face the wrath of grandma Barbers? It’s not that easy kid, trust me. The sooner I leave, the better because she’ll be here in two hours time and if I’m not mistaken; my half brother Jack will be here for me in twenty minutes. It’s fixed.”

“I don’t understand,” Monica objected. “I’m HIV positive, I haven’t got enough time to live and I don’t want to be a burden to an old woman dying of her own age illnesses,” she pulled the plug on something she never knew. “HIV Positive?” Monica felt puzzled. “I know you won’t believe me but Jessie infected me. I felt betrayed at first but then I realized that there was a possibility that he didn’t know himself. I know that I’m a prostitute but I have always been careful ever since I started because I always used protection with my clients and went for tests once in three months,” she explained. “Jessie on the other hand wanted skin to skin contact, I tried persuading him at first but he threatened to leave me. He told me to get on the pill and be ready for him all the time. But he was a sex addict; he couldn’t stand my heavy periods not to mention the fact that he couldn’t spend twelve hours without sex. He slept around with plenty of women and now I have AIDS to remember him,” she wiped away the tears on her face. “You can still have a healthy baby,” Monica comforted her. “Jessie drank all my ARVs when he committed suicide,” Dakota looked at her hopelessly.

“You don’t have to worry; I’ll make sure you’re in good health. That baby is the only hope this family has,” Jessie’s grandmother entered the room through the kitchen. She had been back for a while and it was clear that she had been listening.

 

Alan stood frustrated by the corner of his mother’s bed as Itai cried her heart out to the poor helpless seventy-three year old ailing woman. “Stop this madness mother,” she kept on saying to Victoria who looked at Alan with both compassion and pain in her eyes. What did they expect him to do? He had tried everything he could think of but Shuvai was a person of strong will.

“I got here as fast as I could, Alan’s not in his…” Shuvai burst into the tense atmosphere in the room. There he was, standing by the corner whilst she had almost gone through a red traffic light in town trying to reach his office. “I can see that you finally got through to him,” she looked at Itai and then faced the floor in embarrassment. “Elizabeth,” Victoria called out to Shuvai, she always called her by her second name. “Yes, mom,” she rapidly sat down beside her. “Is it true that you’re leaving Alan?” Victoria’s question pierced her heart. She had been her mother ever since she got married to Alan, she could not answer. “If that’s a yes; I beg you my child; please don’t leave him. If you do, Adolph will lose a father and you…You’ll never be the same again,” she took hold of her hand. Shuvai looked into her eyes and realized the pain she was going through. No she did not need this, a family which was rapidly falling apart. She would not survive heartbreak; her kidneys were already doing enough. But she could not lie to her. “It’s complicated. I …I …” her eyes filled up with tears. “He took your will without your consent, he violated what you had and left you feeling empty. I know what he did to you; his father did the same to me,” Victoria shook when she said those words. “What did he do?” Itai asked; as far as memory lane went, her father was the most wonderful man she had ever met. “I caught him in bed with a man and it broke my heart,” she began. “By that time, Alan was just two months old and I had just resigned from my job at the University. I was so angry that I left the house and quickly filed for divorce. You can imagine how difficult that was for me. He tried calling me by my aunt’s house apologizing and laying before me all the disgusting things he had done as a confession but I refused and went ahead,” she paused for breath. “Ten months passed and then it hit me in the face. Albert had committed suicide. He locked himself in the garage and left the engine running whilst he drifted into a long sleep,” tears dampened Victoria’s face. Confusion was written on both her children’s faces. “What about Ernest?” Alan asked gently. “He married me three years later after your father died. He felt that it was his obligation to take care of us as your father’s twin brother. But even though we got along, we were just great friends because I couldn’t wipe off the guilt I felt. I was never the same again; mainly because deep down inside; I still loved Albert,” she closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them to look at Shuvai. “Tell me Elizabeth, if you knew the future. Would you have forgiven Albert? Is the hate that you feel for Alan now stronger than the love that you have for him?”

 

 

A month later…

Josh sat by Alice’s bedside holding her hands as he watched her breath softly. It had been a long night and she had been sedated for ten hours now. He desperately needed the men’s room but who knows when she might wake up; Dr Adeyomi, a neurosurgeon had been their last hope and he always produced results. Tired, he was about to doze off when there was a gentle knock on the door. Oh great, this is all that he needed right now!

Quietly standing up he let go of his wife’s hands and proceeded to the door. Feeling his absence, Alice opened her eyes as if she had been having a nightmare and coughed. Josh quickly ran to her side and smiled reassuringly. “Feeling better?” he kissed her. Alice just nodded and took hold of his hand. “Just a second, there’s someone at the door,” he said softly as he walked out of the room. It was the nurse who was in charge of Alice. “Sorry to disturb you but there’s a couple here to see Alice. I’ve never seen them around before so I told them that I’d ask you first,” he began nervously. “Some shameless reporters, looking for a story I guess. Well, they are going to get more if they are still sticking around that is. Where are they?” Josh demanded. “In the lobby, they’re the only people there,” the nurse hurried behind him just in case he caused a commotion.

There they were, but there were no cameras and funny looking pen recorders. It did not take Josh a full second to realize that they were foreign but they looked so familiar as if he had seen them before. May be it had been on television, yes, a South African news station perhaps. They could be having hidden cameras on their clothes. He resented the way they talked as if they were old friends of Alice, putting on the impression that they cared whilst deep inside she meant money in their fat bank accounts.

Calmly; he took a deep breath and approached the colored guy wearing dark stylish shades and an expensive looking pair of blue jeans with a brown leather jacket. Seated next to him was a black girl in a simple long floral plum summer dress carrying a matching expensive looking handbag.

When they saw him, the girl stood up and greeted him with a warm smile. One of their tricks, but he was not going to fall for them. “You must be Mr. Winters,” she stretched out her hand to shake his but he folded his arms. “Excuse me but can I be of any assistance?” he asked in a business like tone. “Well…” the colored guy stood up. “We…”

“August, you forgot your cane in the car!” A familiar face appeared all of a sudden, it was David Langley. When he saw Josh; his face lit up. “You must already be catching up I guess,” he patted him on the shoulder. “Did you just say August?” Josh asked overwhelmed, all of this was turning out to be too heavy for him. “Hey Mr. Winters, it’s been a long time; hasn’t it?” the young man flashed the unmistakable winning smile, a smiled which he had secretly envied for a long time. “August!” Josh felt his face and embraced him as tears welled up in his eyes. “I’m here to see mom,” he gave the reason for his visit. “Of course, please do come,” he quickly wiped the tears off his face. “Follow me,” he said excitedly.

August took hold of Nyarai’s hand and gently squeezed it. “Are you ready?” she asked supportively. August put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her closer. “I’ve never been more ready in my whole entire life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Monica

 

How could I have ever lived without you? When you said it was over I felt like I was drowning because my life was over. I was choking; desperately gasping for your love yet you said that you did not want to see me again. I sat by the window with tears in my eyes as I watched the sun slowly setting, but I didn’t notice what was happening outside because you had the focus of my eyes, the orange sun reflected your tearful face and deep inside I knew that; I had destroyed your life . Just like a mirror all my dreams were shattered and my wall was crumbling down because my heart was bleeding.

All I ever wanted to do was to love you because you are my world but I hurt you and for that you rejected me. I tore you in half and you left me in the rain gazing hopelessly at the empty road ahead of me. I can only bleed eternally inside and feel the cold knife penetrate deeper into my heart, slowly ripping me apart.

Monica, I’m so sorry for taking your heart and rubbing it in the sand, for taking advantage of your love and stabbing you in the back. If I had told you that I was going to change, that would have been a lie because I am who I am; Jessie Barbers. And for this reason, I don’t want to see you cry over me or think about me any more because all I’ll ever be in your life is a nightmare. I have lied to you numerous times but one thing I’ve never lied about is my love for you, I love you Monica but I can’t hurt you anymore.

Maybe next time; if there really is a next life, I will never hurt you. I promise that I will be worthy of your love and we will be happy but until then I can never guarantee you that now, no; I can’t promise you anything...

Goodbye Monica Winters

My beautiful princess

My first love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 27.02.2015

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To the man I'd enjoy and appreciate loving for the rest of my life