Mushure memwedzi mitanhatu yakazara Beauty Ncube – Madondo ashaika, murume wake Ronald Madondo akange achiri munyika yake ega. Mukadzi wese akapfeka uniform yechinesi airovesa hana yake, mukadzi wese aive nenhumbu aimuvhundutsa, kunhuhwira kweperfume yerudzi rweAlexia kwaimudzungairisa.
Akaita nguva achienda muMeikles Coffee Shop masikati ega ega achindogara ega achidya, sezvavaisiita. Vashandi vemo vaiziva vaviri ava vachiuya vese nguva dzakawanda uye vaiziva zvavainyanyodya. Musi waatanga kuendamo achangobva kuviga mudzimai wake, waiter akangounza order dziri mbiri, ko aizivaka kuti nedzimwe nguva mumwe wavo aitanga kusvika oisa order yavo vese.
Paakaita mazuva matatu akatevedzana achiona Ronald achiuya ega, achibhadhara asi achisiya chikafu patafura yaaigara ega, hweta akazoseka ndokuti; “Ko bamunini hindava mazuvano kufamba mega, bhebhi rakarova pasika? Makarambwa iye ange ave nenhumbu hindava? Asi muridzi wenhumbu akauya akatora zvese mukadzi nemwana?” Ronald akasimuka achisaidzira hweta uya ndokubuda chinyararire. Haana kuzodzokazve panzvimbo iyi.
Aienda kuGreat Zimbabwe ondofamba, kudhidha, kutenderera nekuona zvese sezvavaiita vari vese.
Mazuva ekutanga aichema misodzi, nekuti chairamba chichidzoka mumusoro make rufu, chitunha nekuvigwa kwaBeauty. Aiona zvese zvakaitika parufu, sezvaitoitika panguva iyoyo, kufutsirwa kwaBeauty kwakamurwadza zvisina mashoko angatsanangura. Kudzokera kumba kwake ega, kugovewa kwezvinhu, tezvara vakange vomuti vodzora pfuma asi akaramba, zvese aingove marwadzo asina shoko ringagone kumunyaradza.
Nekufamba kwenguva akange otsamwira rufu nekutsamwira Beauty wacho. Sei rufu rwaive panyika? Sei rwakange rwauya kumudzimai wake, sei rwakange rwauya kwaari, rwakadii kuenda kune mumwewo.
Mazuva ekutanga aichema misodzi, nekuti chairamba chichidzoka mumusoro make rufu, chitunha nekuvigwa kwaBeauty. Aiona zvese zvakaitika parufu, sezvaitoitika panguva iyoyo, kufutsirwa kwaBeauty kwakamurwadza zvisina mashoko angatsanangura. Kudzokera kumba kwake ega, kugovewa kwezvinhu, tezvara vakange vomuti vodzora pfuma asi akaramba, zvese aingove marwadzo asina shoko ringagone kumunyaradza.
Nekufamba kwenguva akange otsamwira rufu nekutsamwira Beauty wacho. Sei rufu rwaive panyika? Sei rwakange rwauya kumudzimai wake, sei rwakange rwauya kwaari, rwakadii kuenda kune mumwewo.
Ko iye Beauty wacho, sei akave panzvimbo yeaccident iyoyo nguva iyoyo, akadii kunonoka kana kukurumidzisa kupfuurapo? Sei akapfuurapo same time nebenzi iroro negonyeti iroro?
Sei Beauty akatadza kuedzesesa kuti arege kufa, was she that weak? Paaifa kudaro aifunga kuti iye anosara achidiiwo. Why Beauty, why did she have to love him with such intensity only to dumb him with a loud thud, like this? Murume airidza tsamwa achitevedza pfungwa dzeshungu dzake.
Nekufamba kwenguva ange ave kufunga zvavaiita vese, akange abvuma kuti kudzoka kwaBeauty hapana hapana. Asi ndangariro dzaimuvaraidza, dzaimusvitsa pese paaida kuti dai akasvika nemudiwa wake. Aiita nyaya achizvipindura ega sezvaaiziva kuti Beauty aigona kupindura. Mazuva aya muzukuru Tawanda akange atovharisa imba yaairoja kuMucheke ndokuzogara nasekuru vake. Mhuri yese yakafara nerutsigiro urwu, Ronald aisakwanisa kuve ega, zvakange zvisina kunaka kuti ave ega.
Kubasa akange agara zvake ari munhu akanyarara, asi paakabva kundoviga mudzimai wake akange achiti zii. Misangano yaigona kuitwa zuva rese shefu vachingotaura mashoko anoverengeka.
“Yes, no, later” ndozvaitaurwa neshefu vekuMeat Market ava.
Secretary wavo vaive amai Chuma, vakange vaive mudzimai wechikuru, vakabatsira muchinda uyu kugadzirisa zvakawanda zvebasa rake nekuti kana hanganwa dzange dzawandisa.
Aikanganwa kuti akange auya nemota yebasa Isuzu here kana kuti neyake Benz yaakange atengazve mwedzi miviri imwe yaparadza mhuri yavo, akange angotenga yakafanana neyavaive nayo kare. Aipinda muShop otenga zvinhu, obhadhara ozvisiya patill otobuda oenda. Aizoita zvekuteverwa nevatengesi kana namaSecurity guards achipiwa zvinhu zvake.
Kuona amai vaive nemwana mucheche kwaiita adzvokore vaizvifambira achifunga kuti wake angadai avewo ne 3 months panguva iyi.
Nemumwe musi pakati peSvondo, yaive vhiki yaiteverana nekupera kwemwedzi. Vashandi vese vaienda kumabasa avo samazuva ese, nevepaMeat Market vaive makumi mana vese, gumi nevashanu ndovaive permanent workers, vamwe makumi maviri nevashanu vaive contract workers vaiita zvekusuka nyama nekudzirongedza sezvaitarisirwa.
Vanhu vakawanda muMasvingo vaienda kuMeat Market sezvo kwaitorwa vashandi mwedzi wega wega. Iri raive basa raSupervisor Chenjerai Poshayi kutora vashandi venguva nenguva.
Murume akabaiwa nekudya mari dzechiokomuhomwe, doro aitengerwa achinwa achirasa risina kupera. Vamwe vakadzi vaizvipira kwaari kuti vawane basa panyama apa.
Musi weChina uyu shefu Ronald vakapfekawo majombo, helmet nehovhorosi chena ndokuenda muAbbatoir vachindoona mombe dzichiumburudzwa nepfuti. Vakange vatenga mombe 50 dzese uye akange achigadzira macheque ekubhadhara varidzi vemombe idzi.
Mushure mekupedza basa iri, kwange kwasara maminitsi mashoma shoma kuti lunch hour isvike. Nyama payange yoendeswa kumacold rooms, Ronald akadzokera kuOffice kwake, ndopaakaona mai Chuma, secretary wake, vakamira pagedhe nemukadzi aive nemwana mukomana aive nemakore mashanu.
Vakafamba vari vatatu ndokusvika paaive, mudzimai uya nemwana wake vakakwazisa Ronald ndokubvunza mufaro. Amai Chuma vakabva vati; “Imhuri yaSupervisor vedu vaPoshayi iyi. Vatevera baba kubasa nekuti vave kudzingirwa rent. Hanzi rent yemwedzi uno newapera havana kubhadhara. And mwedzi uno kubva musi wepay baba havana kumbosvika kumba. Saka amai vechidiki ava vashaya kuti vodiiwo kunze kwekutouya pano.”
Ronald akatarisa amai nemwana ava, vaive vakageza asi mbatya aive madhende chaiwo, aisakodzera kupfekwawo mudhorobha nemhuri ina baba vaimuka mazuva vese vachinyorovesa tauro kuratidza kuti pane kwavaienda. Mudzimai uyu aive nemakore 23 kana 24, asi ange akaondoroka zvaipisa tsitsi. Mwana aive nane, kaive kakomana kaiyevedza kange kakafanana naamai vako zvekuti Ronald akangoti dai akaita musikana mwana uyu.
Ronald akatarisa mai Chuma ndokunongedza kwaive nezvigaro kwaigara vashandi vachidya sadza raibikwa apa uye kutamba tsoro panguva yekudya. Amai Chuma vakabva vaudza mai Poshayi kuti vandogara ipapo ivo vagoudza vaPoshayi kuti vaive nevaenzi.
Mukuru webasa akaenda muOffice make yaive nehwindo range rakanangana negedhe uye aionazve zvese zvaiitika pamimvuri apa kana vashandi vakagara.
Amai nemwana wavo vakandogara, pasina nguva vashandi vese vakandoita mutsetse votora chikafu chavo, vazhinji vaidyira mukati, vamwewo vashoma ndovaidyira panze apa.
Chenjerai Poshayi akaita hasha achiri kumusoro ku3rd Floor kwaive neOffice yake paakaona Esther, amai Tatenda mudzimai wake, naTatenda mwana wake vakati kurududu sehuku dzarohwa nechimvuramabwe pabasa pake. Vaidei? Kumunyadzisaka! Akange aona vakamira namai Chuma avo vaizviita nyanzvi mukutonga nyaya dzekumba kwavamwe, vakange vataurirana kuti chii? Uye vaizoudza Shefu kuti chii?
Akasvika pavaive, Tatenda ndokusimuka achinyemwerera achimhanyira baba vake. Asi baba havana kutarisa mwana ziso raive kuna amai vacho.
Tatenda haana kuona izvi akange akafarisa kuona baba vake; “Daddy, mamma vaichema vachiti asi makaita accident, munouya kumba riini?”
“Nhasi!” Chenjerai akadaro achimhiza ruoko rwemwana akange akamubata. Mwana akazviona kuti aisafarirwa nababa vake akangoshaya kuti akanganisei. Akadzokera kuna amai vake ndokuvabata ruoko ave kutoda kuti vachibva apa.
“Unodei pano iwe, wauya kuzondinyadzisa handiti?” Chenjerai akadaro nehasha.
Esther akabwaira bwaira ndokuti; “Landlord vati tibude mumba nhasi kana rent isina kubhadharwa baba vaTatenda. And kumba hakuchina chikafu, mwana ave kushaya kana chekuisa mulunch box, anobuda pasina chaadya. Ndokumbirawo Chenje pleaseeee…..”
Mbama yakarira kumeso kwamai Tatenda.
“Baba vaTatenda veduwe ….. ndoita seiko ……” mukadzi akadaro pakati pembama dzairira pamuviri wake wese.
Chenjerai akazoona abatwa maoko nekumashure kwake nevamwe vaaishanda navo.
“Ko supervisor maita sei futi kurova mukadzi tichiona so?” Mumwe wevashandi vepabasa apa akange akabata vaPoshayi akadaro. Mumwewo ndiye akaenda ondotaura namai vemwana, vakange vakangotarisa pasi, ziso ratsvuka kuti piriviri, zvigunwe zvemurume wavo zvitatu zvakadhinda padama. Mwana ndiye akange anamira pana amai vake achichema chaizvo.
“Ndinongoda mari yerent ndiende zvangu.” Mai Tatenda vakadaro, Chenjerai paakanzwa mukadzi achitaura akawedzera hasha nekuti aisada kufumurwa, akaona matarisirwo aakange oitwa nevamwe vasikana vaakange apinza basa zvetsvete necarpet interview, kuti vave kumushora.
Uye vashandi vaaitungamira vakange vomutarisa vachimusvora. Akatarisa blouse rakange rakapfekwa namai Tatenda akaona riri jena range rasefeka zvekuti dai vakaita zvekurwisana raibvaruka sebepa. Akafunga kuti vatadza kupfekawo here zviri nane, akafunga kuti zvipi zvacho zvaaiziva akazvishaya. Asi hasha dzake hadzina kupera, dzakange dzakawanda kupinda tsitsi dzake pamukadzi wake uyu. Nhamo yemukadzi wake yaimusemesa, yaiita asade kuswedera padyo naye.
“Saka unoti handigone kuchengeta mhuri here ini? Ndotadza kuchengeta mwana iyeyu hwani here ini?” Poshayi akadaro achiswedera kwaive nemukadzi asi vakange vakamubata vaiteverawo.
Amai Tatenda vakaramba vakatsikitsira ndokuti; “Ndangoti sezvo musina kuuya kumba vhiki yese, ndipeiwo mari yerent neyechikafu ndiende kumba, handidi kuve pano ini baba vaTatenda.”
“Unoguta mari here iwe? Ndakakuramba kare kare iwe siyana neni mhani. Useless woman I picked kumasuweji chaiko. Saka kuuya pano kuda kundiita munhu akaipa pamberi pevanhu veseka ini?”
Tawanda aivewo apa akabva ati; “Supervisor ipai amai mari yavari kuda vaende, zvamave kutaura izvo zvine basa reiko?”
Chenjerai akamira akatarisa mudzimai wake ndokuti; “No no no, ngatitaurei chokwadi Esther iwe, yes ndakakupfimba asi handina kumboti ndoda kukuroora iwe. Wakazvitizisa wega iwe, uchitiza step father vako vaida kukurhepa. Nhasi yave problem yangu, ndini ndakauraya baba vako ini? Tora mwana wako muende naye kure neni. Kubvira pandakagara newe nhamo yega yega. Dai ndaikuda ndaingokupa mari yacho uri kumbaka, waizonditevera pano kuzodii? Ndiri kunyepa here? Amai vako havana kukudzinga muchitorerana murume here, saka kana amai vako vakasarudza murume over mwana wavo, ini ndini ndadii? Siyana neni mhani. You are cursed iwe. Uri bad news.”
Amai Tatenda vange vatsikitsira, ndopakazobuda misodzi yavo. Mukadzi akaramba akagara makumbo achishaya simba rekusimuka paange ari, asi ange oda kudzokera kwaabva.
Chenjerai akaramba achidaidzira; “Ndine basa rangu ini, vana sisi vangu vanotovewo mvana dzinozvichengetera vana vadzo what’s so special about you? Imhosva kuvata newe here, ndovata nevakawandisa mhani, rubbish.”
Chenjera Poshayi akanyarara arohwa shaya nechibhakera nemumwe wevashandi; “Haa tambokutarisa muchinda iwewe uchirova mukadzi now wakuenderera. Munhu akakuzvarira mwana uyu mhani vakomana musadaro.”
Murume uya akati kuna amai Tatenda, “Nhai vatete hamuna kumusha here? Hamuna hama here? Dai muri sisi vangu ndakakutorai kare kare.”
Chenjerai akadzadzarika achisvipa ropa. Akatarisa akange amurova ndokuti; “Iwe Tichafa you are fired!”
Tichafa akaseka ndokuti; “Ndikakuona kubhawa nhasi ndoda kukubvuraudza udzidze kuremekedza vakadzi nevana, kuzviita bhuru kuvakadzi wakajaira stereki. Irwa nevamwe varume kwete kutsvinyira munhu asina chaanokuita.”
“Ndiwe chikomba chake ……” Poshayi akadaro achisvipa ropa zvakare.
“Handina mukadzi ane kwashi ini, dai ari wangu angadai akasimba nenyama dzemahara dzatowana pano idzi. Utaure zvauri kutaura izvozvo tave kwaMajange uko tigopedzerana.”
Tichafa uya akadaro ndokubata amai nemwana ruoko ndokuenda navo kuOffice kwemukuru webasa.
Akasvika ndokutsanangura nyaya kuna amai Chuma avo vakasiya amai nemwana muOffice mavo ndokuenda kuOffice kwashefu Madondo.
Vakawana Ronald akamira pahwindo reOffice yake akatarisa panze, kureva kuti akange aona bongozozo rese rakange raitika nevashandi vepaCompany apa.
Amai Chuma vasati vataura, Ronald akati; “Ndanzwa zvataurwa naTichafa. Ndaona the fight.” Akabva anyarara, amai Chuma vakambonyararawo asi pavakaona runyararo rwanyanya, vakabva vati; “Ndodaidza vaPoshayi here nhai Boss?” amai Chuma vakabvunza, Ronald akangodzungudza.
“Zvino todii?” amai Chuma vakabvunza vasingachaziva zvaida kuitwa nemukuru webasa.
“Kana Poshayi achida help achauya, let’s help ava ndovauya.” Ronald akadaro ndokuramba akamira akaisa maoko ake muhomwe akatarisa patafura pake paive nemufananidzo wake naBeauty wavakange vatorwa muStudio vakanyemwerera vakatarisana. Vese vakasanganidzana meso pamufananidzo uyu.
“Babamunini hamusati mabvisa picture frame nanhasi, dai machi ………….”
“Give her 5kg of each, panyama dzese dzatinadzo.” Ronald akadimbudzira secretary wake.
“Ah, yakawandisa kana imi makambotora nyama yakawanda kudaro here, kunze kwepamuchatooooo ah ……. Yakawandisa bamunini hazviite.” Amai Chuma vakadaro ndokuruma rurimi rwavo vachibwaira bwaira.
“Ndoisa order yacho ndega here?” Ronald akadaro ave kubata runhare rwaive muOffice make.
Amai Chuma vakabva vaenda muOffice mavo ndokundofona kuStores ndokubva vakomana vaishandako vauya nema5kg ebeef, mutton, pork, chicken nemasausage.
Zvese zvakasiiwa muOffice maRonald, pavakabuda amai Chuma vakavhara musuo kuti mai Tatenda vasanzwa; “Shefu, mukadzi uyu anoidii nyama yese iyi? Ndokuzondotengesa kurukisheni kana mukamupa yese, hazviite zvamuri kuita izvi imi.”
“Yes anofanira kutondotengesa imwe.” Ronald akadaro achiswedera pahwindo achiona vashandi vakaita zvikwata zvikwata uye Poshayi adzokera kuOffice kwake padenga kudivi reAbbabttoir.
“Matii boss?”Amai Chuma vakadaro vasina kunzwisisa statement yemukuru webasa.
“Ndati vanoda salt, upfu,cooking oil, tomato and onion zvekudyisa nyama yacho, so obviously she has to sell some of that meat to buy those.”
“Asi boss nhai, vanondoiisa pai, kana firiji vanayo ipapa?” mai Chuma vakadaro zvakare.
“Asi muri kuidawo nyama yacho? Tell Mr Chuma vaite zvaitwa nerombe iro ndigokupaiwo 5kgs dzacho.” Ronald akadaro ndokubudisa mazino, sezvo akange ave ndiwo masekero ake mazuva aya.
“Call the driver vandosiiwa kumba.” Ronald akadaro ndokuenda pachigaro pake oita basa rake.
Amai Chuma vakandogamuchidza zvese kuna amai Tatenda, vakadzoka vese muOffice maRonald amai Tatenda ndokupfugama vachitenda chaizvo. Vave kubuda Ronald akabva ati; “Mune Cv? What’s your level of Education?”
Mai Tatenda vakatsikitsira vachiti; “Ndine O’Level, ndakaita Office Administration kuTrust Academy pataive tichiri kuHarare.”
“Mozopa amai Chuma, I have friends who can help, am sure you won’t like to work here.” Ronald akadaro akatarisa Tatenda.
Amai Chuma vakaregera mai Tatenda nemwana wavo vachitanga kubuda ndokubva vazoti kuna Ronald; “Manunura mweya inotambura boss, Mwari akuitirei zvakanaka.
Ronald akatsikitsira ndokuti; “wives and children are a rare commodity, they must be loved, cherished and spoilt because you never know, it may be the last time.”
Amai Chuma vakangonyarara ndokubuda vondoronga kuti amai Tatenda naTatenda wavo vaende kumba kwavo kuRujeko kwavaigara.
Sekutaura kwange kwaita amai Chuma, amai Tatenda vakasvika ndokusunga sunga nyama yavo vachiisa muzvipepa zveplastic vachipima zvinyama zvaitengeka nemari shoma shoma. Vakamira pamugwagwa nyama ikamhanyirwa ikaperera mudenga, kana landlord wavo akatorawo 5kg yebeef yese ndokuvati vachigara pamba apa kwemwedzi iwoyo. Mai Tatenda vakatenda nemwoyo wese kubatsirwa kwakadai.
Manheru emusi uyu, Poshayi akasvika pamba pake kuRujeko kwaaigara ane chi5kg cheupfu ndokugara akanyarara. Mai Tatenda vakabika sadza vakanyararawo ndokudya vese. Mushure mekudya Chenjerai akandopa mari yemwedzi mitatu kuna Landlord asi haana kuudza mudzimai izvi.
Akadzoka ndokugara chinyarararire achinwa doro rake, akatanga kudzungudza achifamba mu one room mavo achimbobuda panze.
“Munhu asina musha, asina hama, asina chaanacho, kuuya muupenyu hwangu kuzondiparadza, kuuya kubasa kwangu kuzondiita benzi. Shiiiiiiiittttttttt! Imbwa inongofamba isina chinhu kuda kufira pandiri ini.”
Esther akaramba akanyarara, akapinda mumagumbeze ndokutotanga kutsumwaira achirara sezvo ange aguta chaizvo sadza nenyama musi uyu. Zvaitaurwa nemurume wake akange azvijaira zvakange zvisingacharevi chinhu kwaari.
Akapepuka achivhunduka abviswa gumbeze rikakandirwa pasi, mukadzi akamuka ndokugara pasi pasina chaataura.
“Kuuuya kuzoti minini minini kwaboss Madondo, vana Esther tststststs, shaaaame, unofunga kuti Madondo uya nemari yaanayo neganda releather raanaro angakutarisa iwewe? Chero pant rekupfeka unaro? Kana mapata pata ako rimwe wakasunga newaya, rimwe wakaisa munzwa, sorry shame.” Chenjerai akaseka chaizvo ndokupfira mate pasi mumba makare.
“Madondo anonyenga manesi, akakutarisa iwe anoona marara, heap yendove for his dust-bin. Anonyenga vakadzi vanogeza vanochena vanoenda kubasa. Kwete vana mai Tatenda vanofunga kuti vakavata naChenje one day vachapiwa pay yese.”
“Kubasa uku vakadzi vanozviwisira pandiri ini, vakanaka chaivo kuti ndivapinze basa. Then rimwe bete rinofamba richibondera pese pese roda kundidzingisa basa. Enda kuna mai vako who rejected you vachida murume. Hautendi kuti ndinotokuchengeta?”
Baba vaTatenda vakatarisa ndokuona mudzimai ave kutokotsira zvakare.
Akakwamatata; “Wazvinzwa here iwe, uri kunzwa zvandotaura here?”
Esther akashama n’ai achiti; “Nhai baba Tatenda, muraini rese rino pane asingazivi kuti ndimi mwari wangu? Pane asingazivi kuti wakandichengeta ndatiza kurepwa nastep father vangu? Kana Mwari kudenga vanokutenda nekundiponesa kwawakaita inga wani. Asi dai wangochengetawo Tatenda, kana tikaparadzanazve mwana wedu anove abused sezvandakaitwa ini nastep father. Haazoita lucky serandakaita ini kuwana murume anondida nekundichengeta sezvaunondiita. Tatenda mukomana, tinenge taomesera mwana.”
Chenjerai Poshayi akatarisa mwana ange akarara, akasekerera ndokuti kuna amai vemwana; “Inga mune njere nhaimi vaEsther, ndange ndoti munhu anotozvionawo nekuti wapiwa nyama naboss nhasi. Kana uchiziva zvauri so, kuda nhasi ndingavata pano. Chiswedera uko ndimbokurangaridza kuti uri mukadziwo nhasi.”
“Handina chandinoda kunaboss wenyu kana kubasa kwenyu ini. Ndatevera imimi baba Tatenda murume wangu.” Esther akadaro ndokuenderera achiti; “Ndokuisirai mvura yekugeza?”
“Ah ndoda kuvata ini, swedera uko ndave kudzima light.”
Sei Beauty akatadza kuedzesesa kuti arege kufa, was she that weak? Paaifa kudaro aifunga kuti iye anosara achidiiwo. Why Beauty, why did she have to love him with such intensity only to dumb him with a loud thud, like this? Murume airidza tsamwa achitevedza pfungwa dzeshungu dzake.
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| Chances [Chapter 3] Stories By Lovely Rutendo Nzira |
Kubasa akange agara zvake ari munhu akanyarara, asi paakabva kundoviga mudzimai wake akange achiti zii. Misangano yaigona kuitwa zuva rese shefu vachingotaura mashoko anoverengeka.
“Yes, no, later” ndozvaitaurwa neshefu vekuMeat Market ava.
Secretary wavo vaive amai Chuma, vakange vaive mudzimai wechikuru, vakabatsira muchinda uyu kugadzirisa zvakawanda zvebasa rake nekuti kana hanganwa dzange dzawandisa.
Aikanganwa kuti akange auya nemota yebasa Isuzu here kana kuti neyake Benz yaakange atengazve mwedzi miviri imwe yaparadza mhuri yavo, akange angotenga yakafanana neyavaive nayo kare. Aipinda muShop otenga zvinhu, obhadhara ozvisiya patill otobuda oenda. Aizoita zvekuteverwa nevatengesi kana namaSecurity guards achipiwa zvinhu zvake.
Kuona amai vaive nemwana mucheche kwaiita adzvokore vaizvifambira achifunga kuti wake angadai avewo ne 3 months panguva iyi.
Nemumwe musi pakati peSvondo, yaive vhiki yaiteverana nekupera kwemwedzi. Vashandi vese vaienda kumabasa avo samazuva ese, nevepaMeat Market vaive makumi mana vese, gumi nevashanu ndovaive permanent workers, vamwe makumi maviri nevashanu vaive contract workers vaiita zvekusuka nyama nekudzirongedza sezvaitarisirwa.
Vanhu vakawanda muMasvingo vaienda kuMeat Market sezvo kwaitorwa vashandi mwedzi wega wega. Iri raive basa raSupervisor Chenjerai Poshayi kutora vashandi venguva nenguva.
Murume akabaiwa nekudya mari dzechiokomuhomwe, doro aitengerwa achinwa achirasa risina kupera. Vamwe vakadzi vaizvipira kwaari kuti vawane basa panyama apa.
Musi weChina uyu shefu Ronald vakapfekawo majombo, helmet nehovhorosi chena ndokuenda muAbbatoir vachindoona mombe dzichiumburudzwa nepfuti. Vakange vatenga mombe 50 dzese uye akange achigadzira macheque ekubhadhara varidzi vemombe idzi.
Mushure mekupedza basa iri, kwange kwasara maminitsi mashoma shoma kuti lunch hour isvike. Nyama payange yoendeswa kumacold rooms, Ronald akadzokera kuOffice kwake, ndopaakaona mai Chuma, secretary wake, vakamira pagedhe nemukadzi aive nemwana mukomana aive nemakore mashanu.
Vakafamba vari vatatu ndokusvika paaive, mudzimai uya nemwana wake vakakwazisa Ronald ndokubvunza mufaro. Amai Chuma vakabva vati; “Imhuri yaSupervisor vedu vaPoshayi iyi. Vatevera baba kubasa nekuti vave kudzingirwa rent. Hanzi rent yemwedzi uno newapera havana kubhadhara. And mwedzi uno kubva musi wepay baba havana kumbosvika kumba. Saka amai vechidiki ava vashaya kuti vodiiwo kunze kwekutouya pano.”
Ronald akatarisa amai nemwana ava, vaive vakageza asi mbatya aive madhende chaiwo, aisakodzera kupfekwawo mudhorobha nemhuri ina baba vaimuka mazuva vese vachinyorovesa tauro kuratidza kuti pane kwavaienda. Mudzimai uyu aive nemakore 23 kana 24, asi ange akaondoroka zvaipisa tsitsi. Mwana aive nane, kaive kakomana kaiyevedza kange kakafanana naamai vako zvekuti Ronald akangoti dai akaita musikana mwana uyu.
Ronald akatarisa mai Chuma ndokunongedza kwaive nezvigaro kwaigara vashandi vachidya sadza raibikwa apa uye kutamba tsoro panguva yekudya. Amai Chuma vakabva vaudza mai Poshayi kuti vandogara ipapo ivo vagoudza vaPoshayi kuti vaive nevaenzi.
Mukuru webasa akaenda muOffice make yaive nehwindo range rakanangana negedhe uye aionazve zvese zvaiitika pamimvuri apa kana vashandi vakagara.
Amai nemwana wavo vakandogara, pasina nguva vashandi vese vakandoita mutsetse votora chikafu chavo, vazhinji vaidyira mukati, vamwewo vashoma ndovaidyira panze apa.
Chenjerai Poshayi akaita hasha achiri kumusoro ku3rd Floor kwaive neOffice yake paakaona Esther, amai Tatenda mudzimai wake, naTatenda mwana wake vakati kurududu sehuku dzarohwa nechimvuramabwe pabasa pake. Vaidei? Kumunyadzisaka! Akange aona vakamira namai Chuma avo vaizviita nyanzvi mukutonga nyaya dzekumba kwavamwe, vakange vataurirana kuti chii? Uye vaizoudza Shefu kuti chii?
Akasvika pavaive, Tatenda ndokusimuka achinyemwerera achimhanyira baba vake. Asi baba havana kutarisa mwana ziso raive kuna amai vacho.
Tatenda haana kuona izvi akange akafarisa kuona baba vake; “Daddy, mamma vaichema vachiti asi makaita accident, munouya kumba riini?”
“Nhasi!” Chenjerai akadaro achimhiza ruoko rwemwana akange akamubata. Mwana akazviona kuti aisafarirwa nababa vake akangoshaya kuti akanganisei. Akadzokera kuna amai vake ndokuvabata ruoko ave kutoda kuti vachibva apa.
“Unodei pano iwe, wauya kuzondinyadzisa handiti?” Chenjerai akadaro nehasha.
Esther akabwaira bwaira ndokuti; “Landlord vati tibude mumba nhasi kana rent isina kubhadharwa baba vaTatenda. And kumba hakuchina chikafu, mwana ave kushaya kana chekuisa mulunch box, anobuda pasina chaadya. Ndokumbirawo Chenje pleaseeee…..”
Mbama yakarira kumeso kwamai Tatenda.
“Baba vaTatenda veduwe ….. ndoita seiko ……” mukadzi akadaro pakati pembama dzairira pamuviri wake wese.
Chenjerai akazoona abatwa maoko nekumashure kwake nevamwe vaaishanda navo.
“Ko supervisor maita sei futi kurova mukadzi tichiona so?” Mumwe wevashandi vepabasa apa akange akabata vaPoshayi akadaro. Mumwewo ndiye akaenda ondotaura namai vemwana, vakange vakangotarisa pasi, ziso ratsvuka kuti piriviri, zvigunwe zvemurume wavo zvitatu zvakadhinda padama. Mwana ndiye akange anamira pana amai vake achichema chaizvo.
“Ndinongoda mari yerent ndiende zvangu.” Mai Tatenda vakadaro, Chenjerai paakanzwa mukadzi achitaura akawedzera hasha nekuti aisada kufumurwa, akaona matarisirwo aakange oitwa nevamwe vasikana vaakange apinza basa zvetsvete necarpet interview, kuti vave kumushora.
Uye vashandi vaaitungamira vakange vomutarisa vachimusvora. Akatarisa blouse rakange rakapfekwa namai Tatenda akaona riri jena range rasefeka zvekuti dai vakaita zvekurwisana raibvaruka sebepa. Akafunga kuti vatadza kupfekawo here zviri nane, akafunga kuti zvipi zvacho zvaaiziva akazvishaya. Asi hasha dzake hadzina kupera, dzakange dzakawanda kupinda tsitsi dzake pamukadzi wake uyu. Nhamo yemukadzi wake yaimusemesa, yaiita asade kuswedera padyo naye.
“Saka unoti handigone kuchengeta mhuri here ini? Ndotadza kuchengeta mwana iyeyu hwani here ini?” Poshayi akadaro achiswedera kwaive nemukadzi asi vakange vakamubata vaiteverawo.
Amai Tatenda vakaramba vakatsikitsira ndokuti; “Ndangoti sezvo musina kuuya kumba vhiki yese, ndipeiwo mari yerent neyechikafu ndiende kumba, handidi kuve pano ini baba vaTatenda.”
“Unoguta mari here iwe? Ndakakuramba kare kare iwe siyana neni mhani. Useless woman I picked kumasuweji chaiko. Saka kuuya pano kuda kundiita munhu akaipa pamberi pevanhu veseka ini?”
Tawanda aivewo apa akabva ati; “Supervisor ipai amai mari yavari kuda vaende, zvamave kutaura izvo zvine basa reiko?”
Chenjerai akamira akatarisa mudzimai wake ndokuti; “No no no, ngatitaurei chokwadi Esther iwe, yes ndakakupfimba asi handina kumboti ndoda kukuroora iwe. Wakazvitizisa wega iwe, uchitiza step father vako vaida kukurhepa. Nhasi yave problem yangu, ndini ndakauraya baba vako ini? Tora mwana wako muende naye kure neni. Kubvira pandakagara newe nhamo yega yega. Dai ndaikuda ndaingokupa mari yacho uri kumbaka, waizonditevera pano kuzodii? Ndiri kunyepa here? Amai vako havana kukudzinga muchitorerana murume here, saka kana amai vako vakasarudza murume over mwana wavo, ini ndini ndadii? Siyana neni mhani. You are cursed iwe. Uri bad news.”
Amai Tatenda vange vatsikitsira, ndopakazobuda misodzi yavo. Mukadzi akaramba akagara makumbo achishaya simba rekusimuka paange ari, asi ange oda kudzokera kwaabva.
Chenjerai akaramba achidaidzira; “Ndine basa rangu ini, vana sisi vangu vanotovewo mvana dzinozvichengetera vana vadzo what’s so special about you? Imhosva kuvata newe here, ndovata nevakawandisa mhani, rubbish.”
Chenjera Poshayi akanyarara arohwa shaya nechibhakera nemumwe wevashandi; “Haa tambokutarisa muchinda iwewe uchirova mukadzi now wakuenderera. Munhu akakuzvarira mwana uyu mhani vakomana musadaro.”
Murume uya akati kuna amai Tatenda, “Nhai vatete hamuna kumusha here? Hamuna hama here? Dai muri sisi vangu ndakakutorai kare kare.”
Chenjerai akadzadzarika achisvipa ropa. Akatarisa akange amurova ndokuti; “Iwe Tichafa you are fired!”
Tichafa akaseka ndokuti; “Ndikakuona kubhawa nhasi ndoda kukubvuraudza udzidze kuremekedza vakadzi nevana, kuzviita bhuru kuvakadzi wakajaira stereki. Irwa nevamwe varume kwete kutsvinyira munhu asina chaanokuita.”
“Ndiwe chikomba chake ……” Poshayi akadaro achisvipa ropa zvakare.
“Handina mukadzi ane kwashi ini, dai ari wangu angadai akasimba nenyama dzemahara dzatowana pano idzi. Utaure zvauri kutaura izvozvo tave kwaMajange uko tigopedzerana.”
Tichafa uya akadaro ndokubata amai nemwana ruoko ndokuenda navo kuOffice kwemukuru webasa.
Akasvika ndokutsanangura nyaya kuna amai Chuma avo vakasiya amai nemwana muOffice mavo ndokuenda kuOffice kwashefu Madondo.
Vakawana Ronald akamira pahwindo reOffice yake akatarisa panze, kureva kuti akange aona bongozozo rese rakange raitika nevashandi vepaCompany apa.
Amai Chuma vasati vataura, Ronald akati; “Ndanzwa zvataurwa naTichafa. Ndaona the fight.” Akabva anyarara, amai Chuma vakambonyararawo asi pavakaona runyararo rwanyanya, vakabva vati; “Ndodaidza vaPoshayi here nhai Boss?” amai Chuma vakabvunza, Ronald akangodzungudza.
“Zvino todii?” amai Chuma vakabvunza vasingachaziva zvaida kuitwa nemukuru webasa.
“Kana Poshayi achida help achauya, let’s help ava ndovauya.” Ronald akadaro ndokuramba akamira akaisa maoko ake muhomwe akatarisa patafura pake paive nemufananidzo wake naBeauty wavakange vatorwa muStudio vakanyemwerera vakatarisana. Vese vakasanganidzana meso pamufananidzo uyu.
“Babamunini hamusati mabvisa picture frame nanhasi, dai machi ………….”
“Give her 5kg of each, panyama dzese dzatinadzo.” Ronald akadimbudzira secretary wake.
“Ah, yakawandisa kana imi makambotora nyama yakawanda kudaro here, kunze kwepamuchatooooo ah ……. Yakawandisa bamunini hazviite.” Amai Chuma vakadaro ndokuruma rurimi rwavo vachibwaira bwaira.
“Ndoisa order yacho ndega here?” Ronald akadaro ave kubata runhare rwaive muOffice make.
Amai Chuma vakabva vaenda muOffice mavo ndokundofona kuStores ndokubva vakomana vaishandako vauya nema5kg ebeef, mutton, pork, chicken nemasausage.
Zvese zvakasiiwa muOffice maRonald, pavakabuda amai Chuma vakavhara musuo kuti mai Tatenda vasanzwa; “Shefu, mukadzi uyu anoidii nyama yese iyi? Ndokuzondotengesa kurukisheni kana mukamupa yese, hazviite zvamuri kuita izvi imi.”
“Yes anofanira kutondotengesa imwe.” Ronald akadaro achiswedera pahwindo achiona vashandi vakaita zvikwata zvikwata uye Poshayi adzokera kuOffice kwake padenga kudivi reAbbabttoir.
“Matii boss?”Amai Chuma vakadaro vasina kunzwisisa statement yemukuru webasa.
“Ndati vanoda salt, upfu,cooking oil, tomato and onion zvekudyisa nyama yacho, so obviously she has to sell some of that meat to buy those.”
“Asi boss nhai, vanondoiisa pai, kana firiji vanayo ipapa?” mai Chuma vakadaro zvakare.
“Asi muri kuidawo nyama yacho? Tell Mr Chuma vaite zvaitwa nerombe iro ndigokupaiwo 5kgs dzacho.” Ronald akadaro ndokubudisa mazino, sezvo akange ave ndiwo masekero ake mazuva aya.
“Call the driver vandosiiwa kumba.” Ronald akadaro ndokuenda pachigaro pake oita basa rake.
Amai Chuma vakandogamuchidza zvese kuna amai Tatenda, vakadzoka vese muOffice maRonald amai Tatenda ndokupfugama vachitenda chaizvo. Vave kubuda Ronald akabva ati; “Mune Cv? What’s your level of Education?”
Mai Tatenda vakatsikitsira vachiti; “Ndine O’Level, ndakaita Office Administration kuTrust Academy pataive tichiri kuHarare.”
“Mozopa amai Chuma, I have friends who can help, am sure you won’t like to work here.” Ronald akadaro akatarisa Tatenda.
Amai Chuma vakaregera mai Tatenda nemwana wavo vachitanga kubuda ndokubva vazoti kuna Ronald; “Manunura mweya inotambura boss, Mwari akuitirei zvakanaka.
Ronald akatsikitsira ndokuti; “wives and children are a rare commodity, they must be loved, cherished and spoilt because you never know, it may be the last time.”
Amai Chuma vakangonyarara ndokubuda vondoronga kuti amai Tatenda naTatenda wavo vaende kumba kwavo kuRujeko kwavaigara.
Sekutaura kwange kwaita amai Chuma, amai Tatenda vakasvika ndokusunga sunga nyama yavo vachiisa muzvipepa zveplastic vachipima zvinyama zvaitengeka nemari shoma shoma. Vakamira pamugwagwa nyama ikamhanyirwa ikaperera mudenga, kana landlord wavo akatorawo 5kg yebeef yese ndokuvati vachigara pamba apa kwemwedzi iwoyo. Mai Tatenda vakatenda nemwoyo wese kubatsirwa kwakadai.
Manheru emusi uyu, Poshayi akasvika pamba pake kuRujeko kwaaigara ane chi5kg cheupfu ndokugara akanyarara. Mai Tatenda vakabika sadza vakanyararawo ndokudya vese. Mushure mekudya Chenjerai akandopa mari yemwedzi mitatu kuna Landlord asi haana kuudza mudzimai izvi.
Akadzoka ndokugara chinyarararire achinwa doro rake, akatanga kudzungudza achifamba mu one room mavo achimbobuda panze.
“Munhu asina musha, asina hama, asina chaanacho, kuuya muupenyu hwangu kuzondiparadza, kuuya kubasa kwangu kuzondiita benzi. Shiiiiiiiittttttttt! Imbwa inongofamba isina chinhu kuda kufira pandiri ini.”
Esther akaramba akanyarara, akapinda mumagumbeze ndokutotanga kutsumwaira achirara sezvo ange aguta chaizvo sadza nenyama musi uyu. Zvaitaurwa nemurume wake akange azvijaira zvakange zvisingacharevi chinhu kwaari.
Akapepuka achivhunduka abviswa gumbeze rikakandirwa pasi, mukadzi akamuka ndokugara pasi pasina chaataura.
“Kuuuya kuzoti minini minini kwaboss Madondo, vana Esther tststststs, shaaaame, unofunga kuti Madondo uya nemari yaanayo neganda releather raanaro angakutarisa iwewe? Chero pant rekupfeka unaro? Kana mapata pata ako rimwe wakasunga newaya, rimwe wakaisa munzwa, sorry shame.” Chenjerai akaseka chaizvo ndokupfira mate pasi mumba makare.
“Madondo anonyenga manesi, akakutarisa iwe anoona marara, heap yendove for his dust-bin. Anonyenga vakadzi vanogeza vanochena vanoenda kubasa. Kwete vana mai Tatenda vanofunga kuti vakavata naChenje one day vachapiwa pay yese.”
“Kubasa uku vakadzi vanozviwisira pandiri ini, vakanaka chaivo kuti ndivapinze basa. Then rimwe bete rinofamba richibondera pese pese roda kundidzingisa basa. Enda kuna mai vako who rejected you vachida murume. Hautendi kuti ndinotokuchengeta?”
Baba vaTatenda vakatarisa ndokuona mudzimai ave kutokotsira zvakare.
Akakwamatata; “Wazvinzwa here iwe, uri kunzwa zvandotaura here?”
Esther akashama n’ai achiti; “Nhai baba Tatenda, muraini rese rino pane asingazivi kuti ndimi mwari wangu? Pane asingazivi kuti wakandichengeta ndatiza kurepwa nastep father vangu? Kana Mwari kudenga vanokutenda nekundiponesa kwawakaita inga wani. Asi dai wangochengetawo Tatenda, kana tikaparadzanazve mwana wedu anove abused sezvandakaitwa ini nastep father. Haazoita lucky serandakaita ini kuwana murume anondida nekundichengeta sezvaunondiita. Tatenda mukomana, tinenge taomesera mwana.”
Chenjerai Poshayi akatarisa mwana ange akarara, akasekerera ndokuti kuna amai vemwana; “Inga mune njere nhaimi vaEsther, ndange ndoti munhu anotozvionawo nekuti wapiwa nyama naboss nhasi. Kana uchiziva zvauri so, kuda nhasi ndingavata pano. Chiswedera uko ndimbokurangaridza kuti uri mukadziwo nhasi.”
“Handina chandinoda kunaboss wenyu kana kubasa kwenyu ini. Ndatevera imimi baba Tatenda murume wangu.” Esther akadaro ndokuenderera achiti; “Ndokuisirai mvura yekugeza?”
“Ah ndoda kuvata ini, swedera uko ndave kudzima light.”
Poshayi akadzima mwenje ndokubvisira mbatya murima ndokubva varara.