# ~Truths_of_the_Heart~
18
“Mwamba, this silent treatment is too much. Talk to me.” Naomi sat at the edge of the be-d watching Mwamba dress up. It had been a week since she was brou-ght home by Jeffries. Mwamba had spoken very few words to her leaving her feeling guilty.
“Mwamba!” She stood up and pu-ll-ed at his hand.
“Naomi, let my hand go.” He said failing to look at her.
“I said I’m sorry. I just got a little drun!k. I dont know how it happened.”
“Naomi, you are not sincere with me. You seem to want to take me for a fool. Maybe you think as a man I have no feelings. To be honest I will talk to you when you start showing interest in this marriage.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Search your heart. When you realise what I’m talking about then you will be re-ady to talk. I’m late for work.”
He walked out as Naomi followed him sulking. She was accustomed to him hovering over her. But the past few weeks he seemed less interested in plea-sing her.
“Let me take you to work.”
“No nee-d. I’ll go on my own. Wouldn’t want to inconvenience you as you have always alluded to.” He went to the kitchen and took out a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Uncle your food is here.” Viki handed him a lunch box then resumed washing vegetables at the sink.
“Thank you Viki.” He smiled at her. He packed the lunch box in his bag and put it on his back. He walked to the living room where Peter and Milda sat watching TV. He hvgged them both before walking out the door. Naomi followed him walking beside him.
“Come on Mwamba this is childish. Let me just take you to work.”
“Oh, so now you consider me a child?” Mwamba turned to her. “This is why I will not talk to you. You have lost respect for me. I do not want to ask you why because the answer I know will be hurtful.” He opened the gate and walked out of the yard. As he did, Tamara happened to drive by.
“Hi neighbour.”
“Hi.” He smiled. “Headed to town?”
“Work actually. I have some papers to grade. nee-d a lift?”
“Sure thing.” Mwamba opened the car door.
Naomi c@m£ rushing out of the yard, slamming the door before Mwamba could get in.
“So this is why you are acting up eh, because of this bit-ch!”
Tamara shook her head. “Mwamba take care.” She said before driving off.
“What is wrong with you?” Mwamba glared!
“Talk about double standards. You are cheating on me yet you want to act up when I’m brou-ght home by my boss.” She screamed shoving him back.
Mwamba did not respond. Instead he turned and started walking away.
“Come back here and face me! You cheat!”
Mwamba turned back, gr@bb£d her hand and dragged her home to their be-droom. “You come home drun!kwith a man carrying you yet you call me a cheat? With what you did you have the audacity to embarras-s me like that?”
“I’ve told you nothing happened. I got a little ti-psy. Kasiwe was supposed to drive me home but her husband delayed to pick her up so my boss offered to bring me home. But that girl on the other hand keeps throwing herself at you!” Naomi yelled.
“Dont raise your voice at me!”
“What do you expect me to do to get throu-gh to you? Huh?”
“I’m not your child Naomi! Do not raise your voice. I have been patient with you. I have endured your mockery and ridicule long enough. You know why?”
Naomi moved away from him.
“Do you know why?” He asked her again.
“No, why?” She rolled her eyes.
“Because I love you. Despite everything you do, or the person you have become. But I’m human and I do have my limits. And you are pushing them!”
“I do not want to see you with that who-re again otherwise i will sort her out.”
Mwamba shook his head. “Have you even heard a word I’ve said?” He moved closer to her. “You will leave Tamara out of your drama. The day I decide to cheat Naomi, will be the day this marriage ends. You should know by now that I’m not the kind of man that pla-ys games. St©p projecting your own behaviour on me!”
Mwamba looked at his watched and cussed. “$h!t! Now I have to take a cab if I’m to get to work on time.”
Naomi watched him leave, seething. She believed without doubt that something was going on between the two. She promised herself to find out and put an end to it once and for all.
**************
Mwamba knocked at the door again having received no response on his first try. This time he heard footsteps coming towards him and finally the door opened slightly.
“Ah, bashi Milda.” Mrs Banda opened the door wi-dely. “plea-se come in.”
“How are you feeling?” Mwamba asked her as she led him to the living room.
“I’m fine now. The anemia is completely gone and I feel I have my full strength back.”
“That is good to hear.”
“I cant thank you enough for everything you have done to help me. I would have died that day.”
“Ah no. You will outlive us all.” He smiled. “You are welcome. As neighbours we nee-d to be able to count on each other!”
“Very true.”
“Mwamba hi.” Tamara walked into the living room.
“Hi. I actually c@m£ to see you.” He said standing up as she entered.
“Uhm, let me check on my phone in the be-droom.” Mrs Banda excused herself.
“How was your day?” He asked seating back down.
“It was ok. You?”
“It was fine.” Mwamba shifted his feet. “Tamara look, I c@m£ to apologise for what happened earlier today.”
Tamara waves her hands in the air. “I totally un-derstand. She’s protecting what is hers. I would also be threatened by single girls around if I had a great man like you.”
Tamara gulped at the end, realising what she had said after saying it. “She doesn’t have to worry. I do not entangle myself with married men.” She added quic-kly.
“Well, plea-se accept my apologies non the less as what happened was uncalled for.” He stood up picking up his bag. “I’m off now. plea-se tell Mrs Banda I said bye.”
Tamara esc-rted him to the door then returned to the living room. Her mother was back, seated in her usual armchair.
“What happened?”
“His wife threw a fit this morning when I offered to give him a lift to work as I was going in the same direction. So he c@m£ to apologise.”
Mrs Banda raised her brow. “Is theres any reason she should?”
“Not from my perspective. There’s nothing between us. I cant even call us friends. But when I took that cas-sava that you s£nt me to give to them she c@m£ at me with accusations and threats. Mum you know me, I can never go out with him. Neither has he shown any ro-mantic gestures at me.”
“Are you sure?”
“He’s just nice that’s all. But not once has he crossed the line. And neither have I.”
Mrs Banda shook her head thoughtfully. “We women usually have a sixth s-en-se in such issues. Maybe she’s seen something that you havent, or he’s done something that you wouldn’t know of. Just stay away from him. You know how desperate women can be In the guise of keeping their men. We do not want a repeat of the bottle or burning.”
Tamara laughed out. “A repeat of the bottle? The incident from Ndola? How did you even hear about that?”
“It was all over. Everyone was talking about it at church.”
“So you our mothers also gossip in your meetings at church eh.” She tea-sed.
“Its not gossiping if it’s the facts.” Mrs Banda laughed. “But seriously stay clear of them. The world has changed. People are doing drastic things to keep their relationsh!ps. Forgetting that whatever they do will just end up ma-king things worse.”
“Mum, you know I wont involve myself in such. Besides I’m good being single. Men will only cause you pain and nothing more.” Tamara stood up sadly. “Let me warm up the food we have our supper.”
Mrs Banda watched as sadness enveloped her daughter. Boyd had hurt her badly that she wondered if she would ever let any other man into her life.
**********
Lwipa pressed the s£nd bu-tton before placing his phone back onto the table. He had just transferred a twenty thousand kwacha into Naomi’s account. So far that was third transfer of that amount in 5. Months ap@rt from the monthly deposits of k5000 he s£nt for Peter’s upkeep. From what she gathered her husband was out of the job. This pres£nted an optune environment for Lwipa.
“Lunch is re-ady.” Wezi called at the door.
“Come here.” Lwipa commanded. Wezi went and sat opposite him.
“Peter will be coming over today so ensure the guest be-droom is re-ady.
“When were you going to discuss his coming with me?” Wezi asked.
“I just did.”
“No you didnt. You have just told me he is coming. But this is something we nee-ded to discuss at length..”
“There is nothing to discuss.” Lwipa cut her off before she could finish speaking. “Peter is my son. Therefore I do not to seek permission to bring him here.”
Hurt, Wezi stood up and left the living room. In her room, she curled up on the be-d to cry. She fell asleep eventually, waking up to a cold breeze hours later. As she got off the be-d, she noticed the sun had alre-ady set. ru-bbing her eyes, she walked out to the bathroom where she washed her face. Her eyes were still so-re from crying. She dried her face and f0rç£d a smile. From her reflection in the mirror, it was evident she had lost weight. But she didnt care despite having a small frame as it was. Wezi dried her hands and picked up her purse from the be-droom. She nee-ded some fresh air.
“Whatever you nee-d just let me know.” Wezi heard Lwipa say from the living room.
She stood at the door to see who it was. A silent g@sp escaped her mouth. The boy she saw was Lwipa’s copy! The same head shape, eyes, ears nose. If one had seen a picture of Lwipa as a boy one would mistake it to be the boy.
Peter looked up in her direction causing Lwipa to turn.
“Wezi, this is my son, Peter. Peter this is my wife. You can call her aunty Wezi.”
“Hello aunty Wezi.” Peter stood up to shake her hand.
Wezi felt a flood of dislike for Peter. She had been hoping that it could have been a case of mistaken identity. But seeing Peter confirmed that he really did father the boy.
“Hi.” Wezi responded coldly and walked out ignoring Peter’s extended hand. There was no way in hell that she would accept him in her home. His pres£nce was all in a bid to mock her woman-hood.
Peter backed away from her. He did not want to be in that house but his mother had insisted. It was only for the weekend and he would be back on home on Sunday.
#Truths_of_the_Heart
19
“Hey, what do you think you are doing?” Wezi snapped at Peter who stood with the fridge door open.
“I.. I want to get something.. something to eat.” He stammered.
“With who’s permission? Eh? You think you can come into my house and do whatever you want? You’ll eat lunch when it’s re-ady!” She slammed the door ma-king Peter jump.
“I’m sorry aunty Wezi.” His faced the floor fidgeting with his hands.
Wezi did not respond to his apology and walked past him to the be-droom. She felt flvstered. Her heart was racing and her eyes felt heavy.
Lwipa had left early, as he always did on Saturday’s for his football training. He belonged to a local lawyer’s team that often pla-yed matches against other profession teams. Lwipa’s mother spent her Saturday mornings at church cleaning up in re-adiness for Sunday service. Wezi was therefore home alone with Peter. A boy whom with a single look confirmed that she was the one with the problem to conceive. And that fact twisted her insides more painful than one with diarrhoea.
The be-droom was her sanctuary. Lwipa ha-rd ly spent any time there even when he was home. It used to bother her before but of late she preferred it that way. She took out her note book going throu-gh what she had written. Satisfied, she put the book down to check on the relish on the stove.
As she walked throu-gh the corridor, she heard whimpering coming from one of the be-drooms. Wezi stood still to listen. It was coming from the guest be-droom. She walked to the door which was not closed fully. She pushed it open slowly and saw Peter on the be-d crying. Her heart went out to him.
“Peter.”
He looked up. Seeing her, Peter got off the be-d quic-kly. “I’m sorry aunty.”
“No, there’s nothing to be sorry for.” She walked to him and sat on the be-d. She sighed de-eply as she looked at him. “What is wrong?”
“I’m sorry I wanted to eat your food.”
Wezi shook her head. “I’m sorry I shouted at you. It was wrong of me.” She said softly.
“I want to go home.” He sniffed.
“Come.” She motioned for him to sit on the be-d next to her. “I know it’s ha-rd being in a new place. And I didnt make it any easier for you. And I’m sorry for that. I’m upset about something else and its unfair for me to take it out on you. Will you forgive me?”
Peter nodded.
“Good. Now wipe your tears. Let’s go I finish preparing lunch ok.”
Peter smiled. “Yes aunty.”
The two went to the kitchen where Peter helped Wezi with a few chores. He washed all the dishes after being used and cut the tomatoes and onions that Wezi nee-ded. She was impressed at how hand he was. He seemed soft hearted that Wezi regretted her earlier treatment of him.
“So, tell me about your family. How many are you at home?”
“Its just me, mum, dad, Milda my baby sister and aunt Dorica. But aunt Dorica is only with us until she’s able to find a house.” Peter explained.
“Ok. And what do you like to do for fun?”
Peter’s eyes lit up. “I love being in the garden.”
Wezi was surprised by his answer. “Really? It’s rare to hear such from an 11 year old. What do you like about being in the garden? And what type of garden? Is it flowers or growing vegetables?”
“Flowers and Vegetables. My daddy loves it too and he is teaching me how to grow them and take care of them. I used to like pla-ying video games. But being in the garden with dad is more fun.” Peter went on talking about Mwamba and all the things they do together with Milda.
Wezi listened intently, asking a question here and there. It was obvious he loved the man he knew as his father. As they sat down to eat, she realized he ha-rd ly mentioned his mother.
“What about your mum? How is she?”
“She’s ok. She’s busy at work most if the time.” He responded and didn’t talk about her again.
By evening Wezi and Peter were good friends. Wezi found herself being taken by his soft nature. He was a well behaved boy who was eager to help out around the house. From observing him, it was clear he was working from experience and not just to plea-se her.
Lwipa arrived home around 17 with a new pla-ystation console. He found Wezi and Peter watching a home improvement show. The two were so engrossed that they did not hear him come in.
“I’m back.” Lwipa announced.
Wezi stood up immediately. “Welcome home.” She smiled as she took his gym bag from him. “Supper will he re-ady in an hour.” She disappeared with the bag.
Peter stood up as well not sure of what to do. “Welcome” he said.
“Thank you son. I brou-ght something for us to pla-y. Do you like football?” Lwipa went to the TV and started connecting the PSP.
“Not really. But I watch it with Dad sometimes. But I’m not really into sports.”
A fli-cker of anger crossed Lwipa’s face. He hated how the boy kept talking about his supposed Dad. “Well, a real man will always pick a sport and know it well. As YOUR FATHER, I will make sure you turn out to he a real man. Ok?”
Peter nodded as he sat back down. He missed Mwamba and Milda. He wanted to go home but knew well not to mention it least he gets into trouble.
Tbc