#Truths_of_the_Heart
9
Within a few months of working the till Mwamba was promoted to supervisor. The position did not attra-ct much of a pay increment but he was being noticed. His ha-rd work and genuine work ethic was appreciated by every one he worked for. A month after than he was named one of the junior managers. Lucky for him he got a raise.
While his work area was raising steady, his relationsh!pwith his wife seemed to sour. The more he tried, the less she seemed to think of him. Bring Peter home permanently had caused a hvge fight between them. But this time Mwamba stood his ground, going to speak to her parents himself. To his surprise they didn’t put up much of a fight. If anything they commended him for the step he had taken. Naomi had stayed back feigning having to work. She didnt even allow him to take the car.
Mwamba was polishing his shoes when Naomi walking into the kitchen. He was working morning shifts all week but he always left on his own never bothering to ask his wife for a lift. Besides he left earlier as he nee-ded to arrive at work by 7am as the sto-re opened at 7:30.
“Those are such boring shoes.”
He ignored her knowing she was trying to rattle him.
“I guess you nee-d such sturdy shoes to cover all that walking you do.” Naomi opened the fridge taking out her bottle of sparkling water.
“Naomi I told you I’m not going to speak to Kabu. He can go to hell!”
“You and your pride.” She yelled. “Can you not think about us?”
Viki arrived just then, allowing Mwamba to use her distraction to walk away from his wife. Naomi followed him back to the be-droom.
“You will not run away from me that easy.”
“What happened to you? You were my greatest cheerleader. Now, everything I do is never good for you.” He complained as he wore a jacket over his shi-t.
“Nothing happened to me. I’m still the same. You on the other hand have changed. You lack ambition. You have become to comfortable. I mean look at you? Wearing work boots and a uniform?”
“I grew up Naomi. We all have to at some point. And i dont mean grow up in terms of age.”
Naomi sneered. “What other growing up is there? As you age, so does your wisdom.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Age does not determine your wisdom. Experience does and how well you handle life situations. Life took a 360 on me. I literally went throu-gh the 5 stages of grief. And I’ve finally reached the final stage, acceptance. And you know what, I’m actually happier now that I was at AgroTech.”
“Well I’m not! And my happiness should count too.” Naomi sat at the edge of the be-d. “Kabu wants to make amends. You two were as thick as thieves. Atleast hear him out.”
Mwamba shook is head. “He is actually a thief and my moral code will not allow me to dine with the devil.” He picked up his backpack, shoved his phone into the pocket and exited the be-droom before his wife could put in another word.
************
“Hey neighbour, long time.” Tamara smiled throu-gh the window. She pu-ll-ed up to the side to allow him to get into her car.
“Hey you. Long time no see.”
“Work has been hectic.” She giggled. “I was appointed head of dep@rtment for the social arts dep@rtment”
“Oh wow. That’s great, Congratulations.” He grinned, starting to feel relaxed after the row with his wife.
“Thank you. And you, hows work?”
“Going great. Believe it or not, I was actually promoted to manager a few weeks ago. Junior manager actually.”
“Ah, you lie!” Tamara giggled.
“Nope.”
“Thats so amazing. Congratulations to you too.”
“Thank you.”
“You know what, we nee-d to celebr@te. Why dont we do dinner over the weekend?”
Mwamba shifted in his seat. “Dinner?”
“Yes. We can do like a double d@t£ of sorts. You and your wife and I’ll come with a friend.”
“Your b©yfri£nd?” Mwamba asked, feeling embarras-sed immediately after asking.
Hi us on plus two three four eight zero five five eight eight nine one eight three on watsapp to get added to our group.
“I wish.” Tamara giggled sounding awkward. “No, he’s just a good friend. I’m not d@t!ngat the moment. Or any time soon.”
“Mind me asking why?” Mwamba shook his right arm. “I dont mean to pry” he added quic-kly.
“Its no big deal. Well, I was in a relationsh!pfor 5 years. I thought he was the one you know. Turns out I was wrong.” The sadness to-re throu-gh her at the thought of it.
“I’m sorry. ” Mwamba said, regretting having asked.
“Dont be.” Tamara quic-kly recovered. “He isn’t so thats that. Anyway, we’ll be having dinner at the steak ranch in kabulonga. Saturday at 18. You and your wife are welcome to join.”
“Thanks for the invite.”
Mwamba dropped off at the bus station at Manda Hill as Tamara proceeded to the university of Lusaka. Finding her designated parking sp©t, she made her way to her office. Her mind f0rç£d to think about the real reason she had moved back in with her mother and relocated to Lusaka.
“Tam”
“Ah.” She jumped. “Idiot you scared me” she laughed.
“If you weren’t so de-ep in thought you would have heard me call out your name the first two times.” Timothy laughed.
“Uhuh”
“So, set for Saturday mi lady?” He nudged her.
“Definitely! Plus I invited a friend.”
“Oohh” he grinned. “A b©yfri£nd?”
“No dummy. Just a friend. He’s coming with his wife.”
Timothy shook his head. “You nee-d to meet single men girly.”
“Firstly he’s just a friend. Secondly I’m off men! They are all such d!¢ks.”
Timothy g@sped dramatically. “Ha, all d!¢ks yo say? Or only just one! The d!¢k that broke your heart.”
Tamara did not respond, looking away.
“Tam.” He held her hand st©pping them both. “I’m really sorry Boyd”
“Dont say him name!”
He looked at her sincerely. “I’m really sorry he hurt you. But dont label every man out there because of one man’s mistake. You deserve to be happy and I believe there is a man out that God has specially crafted for you.”
Tamara fought back the tears, blinking ra-pidly. “Unfortunately it seems the only man in my life is you.” She smiled rolling her eyes.
“True, true.” He laughed hvgging her. “But then our babies would be an abomination, though they would be some good looking babies.”
She laughed whole heartily. “I love you Timo”
“I love you too Tama” he smiled. “Now come on, boss lady. I’ll pick you up for lunch. Right now I have a meeting with the dean over budgets.”
************
Naomi was seated on the be-d as Kasiwe opened up the boxes that were sprung onto the floor. Her husband had just returned from a business trip bearing gifts.
“Oh my that is beautiful.” Naomi marveled at a dress Kasiwe was holding.
“I know right. I’m dying right now.” Kasiwe bent down scouring throu-gh the gifts. “Here. This one is for you!”
Naomi stood up in excitement. “For me?”
She recieved a box with a perfume and a dress. “Kasi this is beautiful” she beamed.
“You’re welcome. I thought you could use some expensive pick me up.”
“Eish girl you have no idea.”
They moved from the be-droom to the lounge. Kasiwe poured out some red wine, handing one glas-s to her friend before settling into the recliner. She and her husband owned a lavish home with 2 servants and a live in nanny specific for her twin boys. Their house was so immaculate with modern interior.
“So, what is the cashier upto nowadays?” She laughed sipping her wine.
“The cashier is now a supervisor. Abeg, supervisor of the tills and he’s happy about it.” Naomi rolled her eyes. “Eish, he’s lost his spine.”
“That’s the problem when a man gets too comfortable with being kept.” Kasiwe turned on the tv. “You see Derek would never be comfortable with such a position. He would actually go mad.”
“Exactly what I been telling Mwamba. No normal man would happily accept such a position after being a t©p gun.”
“Hey, but atleast he’s working right?”
“Kasi plea-se. Imagine being given a k2000 for the month.”
Kasiwe broke down, tears falling from laughing so ha-rd . “You lie! A what? 2pin.”
“I kid you not! I use it for my hair.”
“Awe my friend you have suffered! And then for Kerry to put up a show over it, as if her marriage is going any better. You know her husband brou-ght in a child.”
“That happened a few months ago.”
“Not that girl Naomi. There’s a new child. A boy.”
“You dont say?” Naomi curled her feet up laughing. “Busy posting on FB and IG about how happy they are yet he cant keep his p@n-ts closed.
“Yes the happy ones dont nee-d such portrayals. Just see how much Derek spoils me. If I posted everything I would have every woman coming for him.”
“For sure. Men like yours are ha-rd to find.”
#Truths_of_the_Heart
10
Naomi stood admiring herself in the mirror. The dress Kasiwe had given her fit her like a glove, extenuating every curve.
“That’s a beautiful dress.” Mwamba admired walking in from the bathroom clad only in a towel around his w@!st.
“Thank you. It was a gift from Kasiwe.”
Mwamba walked to her, hvgging her from the back. “You look really S-xy.” He ni-bbled on her ear as his hands ca-ressed her h!ps throu-gh the dress.
“Hey.” Naomi jumped pushing Mwamba away. “This is expensive! You’re going to mess It up.”
“Ok then, let me help you get out of it then.” Mwamba neared her, de-sire in his eyes.
“I would prefer you buy me a dress like this instead of helping me out of a dress you did not buy, let alone even know how much it costs.
Mwamba pu-ll-ed his hand back, the fire in his eyes dying down. “Naomi, your wardrobe is full of clothes I have bought for you.”
“Those are now old and outd@t£d. You should see how Kasiwe is being spoiled by her husband. Derek has the best fashion I swear. He actually picked this dress himself when Kasiwe told him to get me a dress as well”
Mwamba walked back to his wardrobe quietly and begun applying his lotion.
“Just the other day he bought her the latest iPhone. This is ba-rely 3 months after he had bought her the Samsung S10. He’s just so thoughtful.” She resumed her position in front of the mirror.
Once dressed, Mwamba picked up his phone and left her still admiring herself. It was his day off, as well as hers and he had hoped they could reconnect in some way. The two had not been inti-mate for months.
“Good morning daddy.” Peter beamed the minute Mwamba entered the kitchen.
“Good morning son. Where’s your sister?”
“Being bathed by aunty Viki.”
“Ok, when she’s finished let me know. I’m taking you both for icecream.”
Peter got up excited rushing to go get re-ady himself. Mwamba looked on with Pride. He loved him like his own. And he intended to go to court to change his last name to his. He had after all raised him, despite them not living together. Mwa6had made sure Peter never lacked anything despite him living with his in laws.
***********
“Well well, I cant believe it. Naomi?”
Naomi turned to see who had just called her name.
“Lwipa.” She g@sped. It was the first time in 11 years that the two were meeting. After her parents found out of her pregnancy she was grounded, never leaving home unless going to the clinic. The last she had seen of Lwipa was the day they had visited his home and he denied ever having a relationsh!pwith her, other than that of being clas-smates. A few months later he was s£nt to live with his elder brother in Livingstone immediately he completed his last grade 12 paper.
Naomi had always imagined what she would do or say if she ever saw him again. Surprisingly, she was ton-gue tied at the sight of him.
“Lwipa.” She said again, this time gaining her composure.
“Wow, you do not change. Still curvy I see.” He admired her from head to toe.
“And you are still full of yourself.” She turned back to the counter to pay for the latte she had gone to buy.
“Hey, dont worry. It’s on me!” He smiled.
“In that case I’ll have a black Forrest cake.” She told the server.
“How many slices?”
“The whole cake!”
Lwipa laughed out loudly at her. “Still feisty huh.”
“See you never.” Naomi said to him after collecting her cake and latte.”
“Wait.” He blocked her path. “I c@m£ to get some breakfast, and never thought I would bu-mp into you. plea-se join me?”
“I’m not interested.”
“plea-se.” He begged her.
The look he gave her got her stomach churning. She found herself falling into his gaze.
“Theres so much I’d like to talk to you about. I never thought I would ever see you again but fate has brou-ght us together. plea-se, just for a short while.”
“Fine. I’ll give you five minutes.”
Lwipa led her to a table where they sat opposite each other. “So how have you been?” He started.
“Just get to the point. I dont have all day.” Naomi snapped.
“Ok. I want to tell you that I’m sorry for what happened. How I behaved. I was a stupid child who thought i was on t©p of the world. But my actions have been eating me up since… well. I guess life has taught me that there are consequences for our actions. I’m so sorry.”
“Its a little too late for that.”
“Its never too late to do the right thing.” Lwipa’s eyes were down cast. “Anyway, what do you do nowadays?”
“I’m a manager for a h0tel.”
“Ok. Nice. I’m the company secretary for Shoprite.”
“Huh.. Shoprite? I never pictured you for a secretary type.”
Lwipa laughed out ex-posing his white teeth. “I’m the legal counsel for shoprite in short. I’m a lawyer by profession.”
“I see.” Naomi said feeling silly.
“How many years?” Lwipa asked. Seeing that she looked confused about his question he gently ca-ressed her ring f!nger.
“Oh, 8 years this October.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.”
“Thanks. You married?” She asked him, realising she really wanted to know.
“Uhh, yes. We turned 4 years early this year.”
Naomi nodded. She had cooled off from the way she was when she just saw him. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Lwipa shifted uncomfortably in his seat, pla-ying nervously with his cu-p.
“You want to know about the child dont you?” Naomi looked him in the eye as she spoke.
Facing the table, Lwipa nodded In agreement. “Yes.”
Tbc