Truth of the heart episode 52 & 53

#Truths_of_the_heart
52

 

 

Kasiwe was in the staff room

changing from her kitchen uniform when Naomi walked in. There were two other female staffers there that were just reporting for the evening shift.

“Kasi, why have you been s£nding messages to my husband?”

“What husband? I thought you’re divorced?” Kasiwe responded pla-yfully.

“I’m being serious Kasiwe! Mwamba showed me everything!”

Kasiwe st©pped what she was doing and looked straight at Naomi. “He did hey. And what makes him think it was me s£nding him pictures and videos of you and Jeff?”

“What do you mean me and Jeff? Jefferies? Pictures of me with Jefferies?”

Naomi’s eyes wi-de-ned. “So it’s you?” She was taken aback. She had not seen that coming. She had initially meant it as a joke, thinking it was another staffer responsible for the messages. Never had she thought it would be Kasiwe. “How? You are my best friend! I tell you everything? Why would you do that?”

“Oh plea-se. You sound like a child.” Kasiwe rolled her eyes at her. “Little miss perfect marriage, perfect husband, perfect like. It’s not all roses and rainbows after all.” Kasiwe said loud enough for the other two women on the other side of the room to be able to hear.

“Kasiwe, you’re joking right?” Tears glistened in Naomi’s eyes, her words choking her as she spoke.

“Being your friend is exhausting. Its always about you. Stupid you! Doesn’t even know a good thing when she has it right in front of her.” Kasiwe picked out her bag and walked out of the room, leaving Naomi rooted in the same sp©t, still in shock.

One of the women that had been watching In silence walked up to her and squee-zed Naomi’s shoulder. “We just didnt know how to tell you because of how close the two of you seemed? but Kasiwe usually talks about you behind your back. And there’s a rumour that she’s slee-ping with the boss. We were all surprised when you also started going out with him because she started earlier.”

“Hmm Ch!po let’s go.” The other woman called to her friend, signaling her to not say more.

“We’re late for our shift.” Ch!po let go of Naomi and rushed out with her friend.

Naomi wiped her face and held her head high. She strutted into Jefferies office. “What game are you and Kasiwe pla-ying at?”

Jefferies closed his l@pt©p and leaned back into his swiveling chair. “I’m not in the habit of pla-ying games Naomi.”

“Then what do you call you slee-ping with her while having a relationsh!pwith me at the same time?”

He sm-irked at her. “A relationsh!p? Really Naomi? Did I come to you and ask you to be ‘my girlfriend’ ?” Jefferies waved his f!ngersto make air quotes. “No I didnt. I as-sumed we are two adults who enjoy each other’s company. Ater all, you are a married woman, as is she. Therefore no exclusivity exists.”

“So you want to be slee-ping with us both?”

“You are a beautiful woman, with extremely s-en-sual features. Any man would die to have you. Take that as a compliment and use it to your advantage.” Jefferies win-ked at her, then opened up his l@pt©p. “I nee-d to work now, as should you.”

“Why did you record us in Chaminuka?” Naomi asked feebly.

“Because it was a fun conquest. The idea of watching our escapades on a later day added to the thri-ll of it all.” He looked up at her mischievously. “When you are re-ady for some adult fun, let me know.”

Naomi was dismissed without another word. Walking back to her office, she noticed the stares from the h0tel staff. With two more hours to go before completing her hours for the day,she decided to leave early. She nee-ded to get far away as her emotionals built up. She drove straight home where she locked herself in te be-droom and cried.
*****************

“Bana Joe, hurry up with the shi-t!” Tomaida called from the door. A minute later there was a knock as bana Joe brou-ght Lwipa’s shi-t. “Thank you. Now go hurry with his breakfast.”

“The least you could do is cook my meals.” Lwipa complained.

“Darling, you have no idea how stressful it is to take care of a baby. Besides,I have alre-ady shown her how to do everything.” Tomaida stretched as she got back into be-d.

“So you won’t even sit with me as I eat? Or see me off?”

“Hmm Bashi LJ, as if you are going far kanshi it’s just to work and back? I’m very tired. We’ll eat together when you get back.”

LJ was asleep, snoring lightly in his cot. Lwipa was tem-pted to lift him up for a snuggle before leaving but thought the better if it. Tomaida would be furious with him if he woke their son up. He k!$$£d his forehead instead then left. His breakfast was re-ady on the dining table.

“Good morning bana Joe.”

“Hello boss.” She responded as she placed the drinking water onto the table, leaving immediately after.

Lwipa sat down and uncovered his plate. A frown covered his face. “Bana Joe, what is this?”

“Your food boss. Aunty told me what to put.”

Lwipa sighed. “Didnt I tell you that I always have nshima before I leave for work?”

“Aunty said I should not be cooking nshima in the morning. It’s only for supper.”

Feeling frustrated, Lwipa left the table. He would buy his food when he got to the office. Tomaida knew well that he preferred to have a heavy meal for breakfast because he rarely had time to have lunch but she continued to do everything her own way regardless of his opinion.

The day went by quic-kly for Lwipa. The company was in the process of reviewing employee contracts in view of the labour laws that had just been amended. Hi fresh ome on+2335 to re-ad more stories from our story headquarters page.It was a tedious task ensuring that the laws were put into consideration while at the same time trying to maintain the company’s acceptable enumeration. Lwipa went from meeting to meeting with very little breaks in between. Because of the day’s schedule, he had not been able to get any food from the time he arrived at the office. He was looking forward to a h0t shower, then h0t meal at home. It was alre-ady 20 hours when he drove throu-gh the gates of his yard.

As he switched off the engine, he expected to see Tomaida come throu-gh the front door to receive him. Getting to the front door, he found it locked.

“Tomaida!” He called knocking as loud as he could but there was no response. Lwipa went around the house to the back door but was met with the same predic@m£nt. He tried to call her phone but the call went unanswered. 20 minutes went by with no response. Lwipa went to their be-droom window and knocked ferociously.

“Ah?”

“Tomaida can you open the door!”

“Lwipa?” Her voice sounded groggy.

“Are you expecting anyone else?” He snapped.

Tomaida opened the front door. Lwipa entered without a word. “You’re home.”

“Where did you expect me to go?”

“Well, looking at how late it is, I didnt think you were coming.”

“Late? I arrived here at 20hrs. I’ve been outside for the last 40 minutes.”

“You always come home around 18 hours so I naturally as-sumed you were not coming back today.” Tomaida followed him to the be-droom where she went back into be-d. “Sont switch on the light, you’ll wake up the baby.”

“What are you doing?”

“slee-ping! I’m tired.”

“And my supper?”

“Its on the table. You can warm it up in the microwave.”

“Tomaida, I’ve had a long day. plea-se warm the food for me as i I take a shower.”

“Hmm, Lwipa you found me slee-ping. You think I’m not tired because I was home? You know how difficult LJ gets at times. I nee-d to sleep before he wakes up again. They say you sleep when baby sleeps.”

Lwipa watched her turn to the opposite side and cover her face. Too exhausted and hungry to argue, Lwipa had his shower then when to the kitchen to eat. He found a plate seated on the kitchen counter. Opening it, he found rice with chicken neatly plated. He let out a loud gr0@nof disbelief. He was expecting to find nshima. Lwipa ba-rely ate rice. He hated it. His first choice was always nshima. He would have tolerated potatoes. His stomach growled as if to remind him of his hunger. He placed the food in the microwave, then ate it in silence, drinking as much water as he could in between.

#Truths_of_the_heart
53

Naomi could not believe that in just a week her world could turn upside down. She had become the public laughing stock at work, with people openly discussing her marriage and affair. It was becoming ha-rd to carry on her duties normally. Her confidence levels had plummeted to the lowest level. She ba-rely spoke to anyone unless it was necessary, choosing to lock herself in the office.

“Naomi!” Jefferies entered the roo, sitting down opposite her. “There is a benefit for the Swidish Government on Friday evening. I hear you requested for a day off.”

“Yes…”

“Well you have you change it. I nee-d you to pl@yhostess.” He cut her off before she could finish her s£ntence.

“I cant. Joshua can do it.”

“Joshua your as-sistant manager? Last time I checked, Joshua does not look good by my side. There is a reason we picked a woman to be h0tel manager.”

“I’m travelling out of town.”

“You will change it.” Jefferies stood up to leave. “You have been lagging behind the past week. Do not bring your personal issues to the office.”

“My personal issue?”

“Yes. That’s the problem with you women. Your hor-mones tend to get the better of you. I’m your boss and I’m telling you that you have to work on friday!”

“The reason you want me to work seems not to have anything to do with with my professional attributes so I’m at liberty to decline!”

“Then I will also be at liberty to demote you.”

“Demote me? Really? Now who is getting emotional? ”

Jefferies’ eyes fli-ckered in anger. “Do not pl@ysmart with me.”

“I’m not pla-ying smart. I have just become des-en-sitized to your charm. So do not expect me to jump each time you bark.”

Jefferies straightened out his shi-t. “Work on Friday or consider yourself out of the job!”

“I’ll make it easy for you.” Naomi packed up her l@pt©p and other personal belongs and walked out. As she neared the lobby her mind was racing. What had she just done? Quitting her job when her family had alre-ady fallen ap@rt? A p@rt of her told her to go back to Jefferies and apologize so she could keep her job. But the other p@rt talk her to keep stepping! She nee-ded to redeem her self worth. Naomi knew staying wouldn’t help her situation, especially in Mwamba’s eyes. That was all that mattered. Getting back with Mwamba. Every advice Kasiwe had ever given her was to bring a rifle in her marriage. Naomi scolded herself for being do daft. She wondered where it all started to go wrong. When did she start her drastic change? When did everything else become more important than her family? She nee-ded to right her wrongs and the first step was to visit her parents. That was her planned trip for Friday. And nothing was going to keep her from her planned trip.
****************
Mrs Kaunda sat in the back yard cutting vegetables when she heard Peter callout for her. She stood up immediately and rushed into the house to find Naomi, Peter and Milda.

“What are you doing here? I though you said you would be coming on Friday?” Mrs Kunda hvged her grandchildren.

“I got off work early.” Naomi explained.

“Well I’m happy you are here. It’s been a while since you visited. Kids, take the bags to the be-droom. Naomi sit!”

“Thank you mum.”

“I just started cooking lunch.”

“I’ll help.” Naomi stood up.

“No, you must be tired having to drive all the way. Relax, I’ll manage just fine.”

“Ok, then I’ll keep you company while you cook.” Naomi followed her mother outside. Mrs Kunda place some charcoal on the br@zier and placed more water in the dry fish she was cooking. “Why are you using the br@zier. Isnt the stove working well?”

“Its working perfectly. I just love the aroma you get from using the br@zier to cook.” She poked at it for a minute then sat back down to finish cutting the vegetables. “What happened?”

“Huh?” Naomi asked.

“Bana Peter, I carried you for 9 months and raised you. I know when something is wrong.”

Naomi sighed heavily as tears filled her eyes. “I made a hvge mistake mum. I destroyed my marriage with my own two hands. I do not want a divorce. I want my family back. But I fear it too late.”

Mrs kunda did not respond for a few minutes. “Why do you think it’s too late to mend your marriage?”

Naomi swallowed ha-rd . She feared what her mother would do, or think of her. But if she was going to get her help, she nee-ded to be honest. “Mwamba say a video of me and another man k!ss!ngin be-d. Nothing went beyond the k!ssing.”

“Naomi, how could you be so stupid!” Mrs Kunda scolded her. “How did your husband get this same video?”

“Kasiwe s£nd it to him.”

“Hmmm”

“You dont look surprised.”

“I had mentioned to you that u did not like that girl the first day I met her. You told me I was overreacting and just didnt know her well.”

Naomi pu-ll-ed ag her f!ngersas she spoke. “Mwamba had tried to warn me about her before. He didnt like her either.”

“Naomi, see where this stubbornness of yours has led to? You never want to listen to anyone. Your husband has proved himself to us time and again, even at times when you were being impossible. Now that he has had enough of your antics you want us to go before him to take you back right?”

“Mum plea-se.” Naomi fell to her knees. “I’m sorry for the way I have been acting. For the way I treated you and dad. And especially the way i treated Mwamba. I have realised my wrong, and that I cant live without him. I nee-d my family back mum. plea-se.”

“Crying to me will not help you with your situation. I’m your mother. You know i will always forgive you and help you in the best way i can. But convincing your father, that is what you nee-d to worry about. At some point your husband treated him more like a father than you did. And I can guarantee that he will most likely side with Mwamba. It he is your father, he will come around eventually.”

“Thank you mum” Naomi hvgged her mother ti-ghtly.
**********

Tamara watched as Mwamba downed yet another sh0t of whiskey. He rarely took the stuff but the last week had been rou-gh for him. Mwamba had buried his emotions into work but now that the weekend had come, it all c@m£ flooding back.

“Take it easy.” Tamara took the bottle away and locked it in her liquor cabinet.

“Look at this.” Mwamba showed her his phone.

“You can’t keep watching this. Besides, it really doesn’t show them doing anything other than k!ssing.”

“She clearly wants to be with him. So what doesn’t she just sign the darn papers!” He slammed his fist onto the coffee table.

“Hey, leave my table out of this.” Tamara took her seat next to him. “Its clear she’s moved on. You nee-d to move on as well. I know you love her..”

“Loved!” He corrected.

“I know that you LOVE her and that’s why you are hurting like this. But drowning your sorrows in alcohol will not help.”

“Yeah well, if I cannot drink, what else is there?”

“How about you sleep it off, then tomorrow we do something different.”

“Will you drive me home?” He asked looking de-ep into her eyes.

“Why dont you sleep in the spare room instead.”

Tamara helped Mwamba to the be-droom. He fell asleep before his head even hit the pillow. She watched him for a while, contemplating of she should take off his shoes and belt to make him more comfortable. In the end she decided to leave him alone and went to be-d.

The next morning, Mwamba woke up with a throb on his head. It took him a few minutes to register his location. Feeling embarras-sed for having blacked out, he stumbled out of be-d to the kitchen.

“Good morning sleepy head” Tamara greeted him. She was wearing a night t©p and shorts.

“Hi” Mwamba mumbled. His eyes dropped down to her expo-sed th!ghs.

“Eh, breakfast will be re-ady soon. You can freshen up in the bathroom. There’s a new toothbrush, a towel and tshi-t that you can wear.” She said quic-kly.

Mwamba went and took a shower, finding everything la-id out as Tamara had mentioned. When he returned to the kitchen Tamara was dressed in a floral summer dress.

“You take so long to shower.” She tea-sed. “I was able to get re-ady and finish cooking in all that time.”

“You dont have a hang over do you.” Mwamba chuckled.

“I always want to have nshima after a night of drinking. So I hope you dont mind.”

Mwamba was actually glad to have the nshima. It helped get his energy levels back. “Thank you for this.”

“You are very welcome.” Tamara smiled.

“You know, you’re turning out to be my best friend.” He told her honestly.

“Same here. Ok, so are you re-ady for the day?”

“No. Cant I just go home and sleep?”

“Nope! Because you’ll get all moppy and sad if you stay alone. Trust me, it will be fun.”

“Ok. But I have to pas-s throu-gh home to change.”

“Surely thing.”

After breakfast, they drove to Mwamba’s place, then to Lilayi. Mwamba laughed when they entered the gate of their destination.

“Paint ball huh.”

“Yep. You get to shoot out all your frustrations.”

Mwamba and Tamara spent the whole day in the field teaming up with other guests and p@rticipating in challenges. The challenges were both physical and enduring, giving the adrenaline boost that Mwamba appreciated.
At the end of the day, both exhausted from the day’s activities, they opted for a late lunch at Lilayi lodge.

“Thank you Tam. I had such a fun day.”

“Most welcome.” Tamara beamed.

“I didnt know you are so skilled with using guns.”

“I took firearm training. There was a time in my life that i wanted to become a soldier.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yeah, well it didnt work out. And, no I didnt get my firearm training from there.” Tamara laughed.

“You are beautiful.” Mwamba said out of the blue. Tamara blu-shed, facing down immediately.

Mwamba moved closer to her, lifting her chin with his f!ngers. He looked de-ep into her eyes then k!$$£d herl-ips lightly. Tamara melted un-der him. She had been fantasizing what it would feel like to be k!$$£d by him.

“No, st©p.” Tamara heard herself say. Her entire b©dy wanted him to continue, but her s-en-ses told her otherwise. “Just last night you were crying over your wife.”

“I’m sorry.” Mwamba moved from her quic-kly.

“I like you Mwamba. I know that you know that. But I also value our friendsh!p. And as your friend, I know that you love Noami. Work out your issues with her and move on first.”

“Me k!ss!ngyou has nothing to do with her.” He reas-sured Tamara. “I have not thought bout her the entire day that I’ve been with you. In the longest time today I felt happy and at peace. I acted on impulse. I hope you forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive. I had a good time too.” Tamara snuggled into Mwamba’s arms as they watched the sun set together.
************

Tbc