PaGokwe Centre panguva dzamasikati, vanhu vese vaimhanya mhanya mumwe nemumwe ane chinangwa chake. Kwese kwaive kutsvaga mari, kurarama, kushandira mhuri nekurera vana. Raive besanwa mumwe nemumwe achimhanyisa dzake.
Tsitsi Charamba aive pamusika wamai Ndoro, wekubika sadza paaishanda, aibika sadza iro raitengeserwa vaipfuura nemabhazi. Asi kunyanya vaifamba nemarhorhi makuru erudzi rwemagonyeti. Vatyairi ava ndovaive vakanyanya kuwanda vaiita bhizimusi ramai Ndoro ripfumbire.
Tsitsi Charamba akange aberekwa ari ega, panguva yatiri kutaura iyi akange ave kamhandara kemakore 17, akange anyora O’Level ndokubuda nemaB ake 9 ese. Aidisa nemwoyo wake wese kuenda kundodzidzira kuve mukoti. Panguva iyi Tsitsi aibika sadza pamai Ndoro avo vakange vari vatete vamaiguru vake mai Tongai Charamba. Ndovakange vamutsvagira basa pamusika wesadza paidya varume vemaGonyeti. Masikati aya akange akagara akatarisa sadza raikwata pamoto. Akatanga kufunga makuriro aakange aita mumhuri maakaberekwa ...
Mai Tsitsi vakazvigarira zvavo pamusha pavo navamwene vavo vachirima kumunda. Pano neapo mukoma wababa vake, vaive mwana wababa vavo, asi vakasiyana madzimai, vaigara pangaite 100m kubva pamba pavo vaivabatsirawo. Babamukuru baba vaTongai Charamba ava vaive nemusha wavo waionekerawo, vaishanda kuGweru vachichengeta mhuri yavo.
Pamusha pana Tsitsi paive nedzimba dzeuswa nhatu chete, yekubikira nenhatu dzekurara. Yetatu yakange isiri yeround, baba vaTsitsi vakange vaiita hombe yakakura iri yeFour Corner nekuti vaive neshungu dzekuisawo marata esimbi kana asbestos. Asi payakaita gore isina denga, mai Tsitsi vakazopiwa uswa nehanzvadzi dzavo vakapfirira ndokugaramo. Ndoyaive hozi neimba hombe mairara baba namai pamusha apa, kamwe chete pamwedzi mina kana mishanu ipapo paiuya baba ndomavairara nemudzimai wavo.
Vamwene nemuroora ava vaidanana chaizvo, amai naambuya vaTsitsi vakachengetana kwemakore maviri ese vasina kana kunzwa kuti baba vaTsitsi varipi, vari sei, vanoita nezvei. Nemumwe musi zuva rodoka, vakaona pamusha pavo pachisvika motikari yavasina kuziva kuti ndeyani. Makabuda varume vatatu, avo vakati mumwe aive Landlord wababa vaTsitsi kuMbizo kuKwekwe kwavaigara. Vamwe vaviri vaive masahwira aishandawo paSecurity Company yaishanda baba vaTsitsi muKwekwe zvakare.
Varume ava vakati ivo vakange vauya nababa vaTsitsi, vasati vapindurwa, mumwe chete wavo akaenda kumota ndokundouya negumbeze raakange akabata seakabata mwana mucheche. Akasvika ndokurarisa pasi mukitchen makare, ndopavakazovhura chiso ndokuona baba vaTsitsi kuti bwai bwai maziso. Ambuya naamai vakatarisana ndokuridza mhere. Chaive chiiko ichi? Ndianiko uyu?
Vaye vakazviti Landlord ndovakati kuna mai Tsitsi; “Amai handiti sezvamunoziva kuti murume wenyu ange ari pamapiritsi kwemakore mashanu apfuura. Zvino akaona asimba chaizvo asingacharatidza kurwara ndokuregera kunwa mapiritsi. Imimi makasimba nekuti munonwa mapiritsi enyu uye viral load ishoma, vanhu vechikadzi munogona kuzvibata.”
Varume vese vakatarisana, baba vaTsitsi ndokukosora kosora kuratidza kuti vaive vapenyu. Mhuri yese yakavatarisa. Varume vaye vakange vavaperekedza vakatarisana ndokusimuka. Vakaisa kabhegi kembatya, cudbox raive netwumidziyo twekubikira neParaffin Stove. Ndoyaive property yakange yashanda baba vaTsitsi kudhorobha kwamakore ese.
Ndoyavakange vadzoka nayo sepenjeni yavo, kumudzimai wavo, mwanasikana wavo wemakore gumi, namai vavo vakange vakwegura. Vese vanhu ava vaitarisira kuchengetwa nababa vemusha ava, Aleck Charamba. Asi vakaona vese kuti vakange vawana mutoro mukuru wekuchengeta murume uyu, vasina chavaikwanisa kumubatsira nacho.
Varume vese ava vakabuda voenda kumotikari yavo kuti vadzokere kuKwekwe, mota yakafamba ndokuita seyobuda muchivanze. Vakanzwa yamira, ndokuroverwa misuo yemota, vakanzwa tsoka dzaifamba dzichidzoka. Landlord vakadzoka vakabata Samsung cellphone yababa vaTsitsi. Yakange yakanaka chaizvo ichiratidza kuti yaive itsva, uye yaidhura chaizvo, yakapfekedzwa kavharo kegoridhe. Tsitsi akatarisa dhirezi rake akachiva kuti dai aive nharembozha, zvimwe baba vake vangadai vakamushongedza chaizvo.
Landlord vakasvikotambidza mai vaTsitsi nharembozha iya nema earphones ayo. Mai vaTsitsi vakakandira ma earphones pakange pakarara murume wavo, ndokusara vakabata cellphone chete.
Izvo zvaaitungira munzeve izvi ndozvaimushaisa nguva yekuvaterera pavaimushanyira semhuri, vachindogara vakanyararisana kuKwekwe. Tsitsi akatevera ndokundonhonga maEarphones aye ndokuisawo munzeve make akaterera. Aiziva kuti baba vake vaigara vakavhara nzeve dzavo natwo tunhu itwotwu. Asi musi uyu akange awana mukana wekumbonzwawo kuti twunodii ivo vakarara pasi vasina simba rekumurambidza.
Akaterera achitarisira kunzwa zvachaitaura, zii hapana chakabuda. Akafunga kuti zvichamusekenyedza munzeve dzake, asi hapana chakaitika. Akananzva tambo yairembera nekumeso kwake, yakange isinganaki wani. Mwana akatarisa baba vake, akashaya chavainyanyoda patwutambo utwu twaive twusina zvatwunoita. Akapererwa ndokukanda twutambo twuya pamusoro pegumbeze rakange rakafugwa nababa pazvakange zvambokandwa naamai vake.
Akatarisa amai vake ndokuona vakabata cellphone yababa vake vachiitsvaira tsvaira vachiverenga zvaivemo. Vaiibaya baya hameno zvavaiona. Akaona amai vake naambuya vake vakasuruvara zvakanyanya ndokuzeza kukumbira kuti amboonawo nhare iyi ataure nayo.
Aiziva ichinakidza chaizvo, nekuti baba vake vaigara vakaibata, vachinyemwerera, vaiseka nayo, vaisataura nemunhu kana nhare yavo iyi iri mumaoko avo. Nhasi vakange vaisiya, iyo hainawo kuita hanya nekuvatevera kana kuvanyaradza pavange vaunganidza mabhonzo avo mugudza umu. Vakange votarisira kubatsirwa nevanhu vavaibata neseri kweruoko, nekuti mukati meruoko rwavo maisakwana munhu, maigara muine nhare yavo chete. Asi nhasi nhare yacho yakange yasiyanawo navo, yaigona kungotorwa nemumwewo munhu zvake ikabvuma kuenda pasina kuvacheuka mukurwadziwa kwavo. Upenyu uhwu nhai.
Nhasi zvigunwe zvavo zvange zvisisina simba rekutsvaira nhare iyi, saka zvange zvakaipei kuti iye semwana wavo ambonakidzwavo nekuibaya baya achisekawo nayo sezvavaiita.
Ambuya vaTsitsi ndovakazobvisa runyararo urwu voti; “Tsitsi muzukuru, enda kwababamukuru vako undovadaidza vese namaiguru vako. Uvataurire kuti hakuna kunaka. Usavaudze kuti baba vadzoka vari guva zvaro kubva kubasa kwavo.”
Tsitsi akambofamba ndokumira pamusuo, akadzoka ndokunhonga maEarphones ndokumhanya asati arambidzwa naamai vake kuti asiye izvi. Akanyatsoanan’anidza ave ega, achibata bata kutsvaga paangaridza napo panonakidza asi akashaya. Zvisinei akaisa munzeve, kumucheto kwawo ndokupinza muskirt yake. Aida kuti afanane nehanzvadzi yake Tongai aive Form 5 kuGweru, ndozvaaifamba akaita paruzevha. Nhasi vaimuonawo. Mwana ainakidzwa nechitsva ichi chakange chauyawo nababa vake kubva kubasa kwavo.
Akazoona asvika akavarairwa, ndokuona babamukuru namaiguru vakagara panze. Vese vakamukwazisa, babamukuru ndokuti; “Kuri sei kwawabva nhai Tsitsi? Watumwei?”
Tsitsi akafemedzeka achiruma tambo yakange yakarembera kubva kunzeve ichienda nekumeso kwake ndokuti; “Hanzi…….. nambuya….. hanzi ndisakuudzai kuti vauya vari guva, hakuna kunaka, ivo baba, hanzi ……. Hanzi …. huyai kumba izvozvi.”
Maiguru mai Tongai vakapofoka kuseka vakatarisa Tsitsi, vakabva vamuti; “Uri kuvhundukeiko? Gara pasi ndikupe maheu umbonwa, nzara yekumba kwenyu yakutenderedza pfungwa.”
Tsitsi akagara pasi ndokunwa maheu aakange apiwa naamaiguru vake. Apedza babamukuru vakati; “Watumweiko nhai Tsitsi?”
“Hanzi nambuya huyai, baba vave guva, vauya havagone kufamba.” Tsitsi akazodaro.
“Ah hoo? Chienda tinotevera.” VaCharamba vakuru vakadaro Tsitsi ndokugadzirisa zvaive munzeve make akatarisa madzikoma ake, nehanzvadzi dzake, vana vababamukuru vake vaivewo vezera rake vakange vakagara apa.
Achingobuda muchivanze maiguru vakabva vati kumurume wavo; “Ivo babamudiki mati vaienda nekupi? Muri kuona here baba Tongai kuti paita demon rechipfambi kumba kwaamainini venyu?” Mukadzi nemurume vakafa nekuseka nhamo yekwaamainini vavo.
Baba vaTongai vakaenderera; “Vakauya mumusha muno vachishamisira mbuya vaTsitsi. Vakaita kuti baba vedu vatikanganwe isusu. Takatamba unherera baba vari vapenyu. Amai vakarwara vakafa raini rese rikati vakange varoiwa nambuya vaTsitsi. Vakaita mwana wavo umwe chete, ivo bamunini Aleck. Aishamisira, achichena, achiti kana vauya kuno ainwa mazowe otidira tonanzvira nekusveta pahembe, vachigara nababa kutown. Takaona nhamo wena. Zvino amai pfambi, vakazvara mwanakomana wavo pfambi. Mai Tsitsi naTsitsi wavo ndovanonzwisa tsitsi shame. Vofirawo chavasingazive. This life…..” murume akadzungudza musoro vachirangarira zvakavakomberedza.
Murume nemudzimai wake vakamboseka chaizvo. Amai Tongai ndokusimuka votora zambiya ravo vomonera, ndokutambidza murume wavo ngowani yake. Amai vemusha vakaraira vapwere zvavaida zvisare zvichiitwa ndokunanga kwamainini vavo, mudzimai wababa vavo, mbuya vaTsitsi.
Vakasvika vachirohwa nehana nezvakange zvave munin’ina wavo. Nyangwe zvapo paisave nekufambidzana kana kudyidzana, maiguru namukoma vakanzwa tsitsi chaizvo. Vakanzwira tsitsi murwere vachifunga marwadzo aaive nawo, vakanzwira tsitsi mudzimai wake nemwana wake kuti vaizomuchengeta nei. Pamusha apa painhuwa nhamo. Kana gomba ramarara rakange rakachena, raizara nemavhu avaitsvairawo zuva nezuva sevamwe.
Kana pakwaive nguva yekuzuzika kwemashizha, ndipo pavaitsvairawo mashizha emupfura waive pakati pechivanze chavo. Vakatarisa vakanzwa tsitsi. Asi nekuti dzinza rese rakange rati mbuya vaTsitsi vakange vaunza misodzi, nhamo, ruvengo nekurwadziwa pavakateverana nasekuru vaTongai. Kuuya kwambuya vaTsitsi kwakange kwaparadza musha waCharamba. Hapana aivada, saka chese chakaipa chaiitika muupenyu hwavo dzinza rese raCharamba raiti kurumwa nechekuchera.
Baba namai Tongai vakaoneka ndokudzokera kwavo vasina rubatsiro rwavaifunga kupa kumhuri yemunin’ina wavo akange aita sematanda ehuni akarongerwa mumagudza, upenyu uhwu.
Mushure memavhiki maviri mai Tsitsi vachirera murume wavo muurwere, akangofuma chave chando. Havana kuridza mhere, nekuti mazuva ese kwaive kuchema, vakange vamuchema achiri mupenyu. Vakatarisana vese vari vatatu ndokutura befu kuti vazorora kuchengeta, uye murwere azorora marwadzo. Baba vaTsitsi vakachengetwa pazuva raitevera sezvo vasina kumochari kwavakaenda. Councilor wenzvimbo iyi vaJachi, ndovakatenga coffin vatoona munhu oputirwa mugudza. Gudza racho raiti rikadhonzerwa kumakumbo raisiya kumeso kwechitunha pamhene, rikavhariswa kumeso rosiya tsoka panze, kunge mbavha yawanikidzwa ndokutadza kunyatsohwanda. Imiwoyee, upenyu uhwu nhai.
Mushure memwedzi mitatu, amai Tsitsi vakatanga kukosora zvakanyanya. Vakaenda kuCheziya Clinic uko vakandobatwa TB, uye full blown AIDS. Kutya rufu, kuvhunduka, kutyira mwana wavo, kwakapa mai Tsitsi kushushikana kwakanyanya. Vange votadza kurara nepfungwa, kwaiedza vakagara, musoro waiswera uchibanda.
Shungu nehasha zvaimbovatibikira. Sei murume wavo akange avazodza chirwere vari mumba, vakavimbika? Hwaive upenyu rudziiko uhwu? Aleck Charamba, baba vaTsitsi, ndiye aive murume ega wavaiziva muupenyu hwavo, ndiye aive murume wehumhandara hwavo. Akange aziva kuti anorwara, akazvirapisa iye ega, ivo vakagara kumusha. Haana kuvapawo mukana wekurapiwa nguva ichipo, chirwere chichiri nane. Murume wavo akavatadzisa kunanzva mapiritsi nguva ichipo. Vamwe vese vaingonwa mairitsi avo vachirarama zvakanaka, kutokanganwa kuti vanorwara. Vachirera vana vavo vane utano.
Zvese izvi Aleck akange asina kuzvibvuma kuna amai nemwana wavo ava. Murume rudzii? Akandotsvaga chirwere kunze kwemusha, kuuya nacho kwakupushira mudzimai, kwakuvanza kuti ndozvoripo.
Ah, Chinekewooooo, panoda mhere yeNigeria pakadai apa. Kushata moyo rudzii kwakaitwa nemurume kumudzimai wake? Kuoma moyo rudzii kwakaitwa nababa kumwana wavo? Umhondika uhwu? Aida kuti vese vari vatatu vafe musi mumwe chete here?
Manheru ega ega mai Tsitsi vaitora tyava yemombe, vondozvambura guva raAleck, shungu dzavo dzaiserera kana vadai, zvaiita vakwanise kurara hope.
Imwe vhiki amai Tsitsi vakaita mudumbu, vairutsa nekuita manyoka zvakanyanyisa. Kunwa mapiritsi airwadza sezvo chikafu chacho chaisavepo nguva dzese, saka vakange varegera. Vainwa musi wavanenge vakwanisawo kudya zvekuzadza dumbu. Misi iyi yaive mishoma nekuti kazhinji vaida kuti mwana wechikoro agute, uye muchembere anyatsodyawo, ivo vaingobata bata zvasara.
Mudumbu umu hamuna kuzovasiya, makavarambidza kumuka zvachose. Tsitsi aiona kurwadziwa kwaamai vake, zvavaitaura vachituka nekudemba kukanganisirwa kwavakange vaitwa nababa vake. Vaitaura vachituka rudzi rwese rwechirume. Vaituka dzinza rese rekwaCharamba pakuvaitira zvakadai izvi. Amai nemwana vaichema vese, vaidembana vese. Hupenyu uhwu hwaivarwadza.
Nemumwe musi mangwanani, amai Tsitsi vakamuka ndokugeza, ndokudzokerazve kurara. Tsitsi akavapa porridge yaive yakavidzwa isina chimwe chayaiswa vakarara kudaro. Ndokwakave kurara zvachose, vakabva vatevera baba vake nevamwe vedzinza rekwavo vakange vaenda kwaMupfiganebwe.
Tsitsi akabva ave nherera yamazvokwadi, mwana asina amai nababa, airerwa nambuya vasinawo chavainacho. Airerwa naambuya vaitodawo kurerwa. Kana vanhu vemuraini vaichema parufu urwu, misodzi yavo yainyanya kuerera pavaitarisa Tsitsi naambuya vake. vainyanya kuchema vapenyu ava, pane kuchema mufi akange azorora kubva kuhupenyu hwuno.
Musi wakapararira vanhu vese, Tsitsi akatora tyava yaaiona amai vake vachirovesa paguva rababa, ndokundoicherera paguva raamai vake. Aivewo nehasha nababa vake, aida kubatsira amai vake kurwisa baba nemuguva nemuguva mese. Baba vake vakange vaparadza musha …
“Nhai Tsitsi sadza zvarichakwata kusvika rapera?” mai Ndoro vakadaro vachivhura bhodho raikwata apo Tsitsi aifunga nezveupenyu hwake. Akabva asimuka chinyararire ndokuwedzera upfu omona sadza riya.
Mai Ndoro vakenderera vachiti; “Nhasi kuma 6 manheru ubike rimwe sadza, varume vaye veHarare vari kuuya. Vana vaSithole, vari kuuya kuzorara muno. Ubike ugovaendesera sadza kuLodge yangu kuLocation uko.”
Tsitsi akangogutsurira ndokupedzisa kubika sadza raakatambidza musikana aizopakura nekutengesa. Akapakurirwa rakewo raaipiwa semubhadharo wake. Akabva amhanya kumba kwavo kwaingove mhiri kwemugwagwa kuseri kwezvitoro ondopa mbuya vake sadza iroro sezvo akange anzi aizoshanda zvakare manheru aya.
Akangoti achiyambuka mugwagwa ndokunzwa ave kudaidzwa neinzwi rechirume raaizivisisa. Akasekerera achicheuka, akakanganwa kuneta kwake, akambokanganwa nhamo dzake.
“Ko inga ndati undimirire nhai Tsitsi, wadii kuuya kuShop kwaNyaningwe kwedu wazondidaidza?” Mukomana uya ainzi Tinashe akadaro achibata Tsitsi ruoko.
“Ndiri kudzoka, tete mai Ndoro vati ndizobikira varume vaye vanofamba vari 5 nemagonyetti avo, so ndati ndikurumidze kupa mbuya sadza vaizorara nenzara.” Tsitsi akadaro achikwazisana nasahwira wake Tinashe Kwaramba aive Form 6, achigara namukoma wake vaive mudzidzisi paNjelele School.
“Ko amaiguru vako nurse vaye vekuGweru vakauya here?” Tsitsi akabvunza.
“Aiwa, maybe next weekend. Inga ndakati vakatoti wani kana vangouya unovapa macertificates ako.” Tinashe akadaro ave kubata paperbag raive nendiro dzaive nesadza rekwana Tsitsi.
Tsitsi akanyemwerera akatarisa Tinashe uyo akava aisa ruoko wake akamonera chiuno chemusikana achiti; “Iwe wobva wandoita training yeNursing, inini ndichiita Law kuUZ, tozoroorana, toita vana vedu, pakadii babes?”
Tsitsi akanyemwerera achitsikitsira zvekunyara.
Tinashe akaenderera; “Kana iwewe hauna kuona kuti amaiguru vangu vanokufarira chaizvo? Zvese zvekubika sadza uchibhadharwa nesadza izvi zvichapera sha.” Tinashe akadaro ndokubudisa mari yemapepa muhomwe make.
Akatambidza Tsitsi uyo akamboramba kuitambira ndokuzotandavadza ruoko rwake achiti; “Ko waiwanepi?”
“Ndoyandapiwa pandaita Stock-take nhasi kwaNyaningwe. Tora ugotenga lotion yako netumwe twuya twuya.” Vakatarisana mukomana achiseka, musikana achiwedzera kunyara.
“Ko iwewe, hauidewo here?” Tsitsi akadaro kumukomana wake.
“Ini ndiri boys handina twuma extra twekuisa mupant, and ndogona kuzora cooking oil kana zvapresser. Don’t worry about me.” Tinashe akadaro achiseka.
Vakafamba vese vave kupinda muchivanze chambuya vaTsitsi. Tinashe akasvika achikwazisa muchembere akange akagara ega pamumvuri ane kapu yemaheu yakange yaoma kare kare. Akagara padehwe rembudzi paive nambuya ava ndokumboseka navo achivabvunza kuswera.
Tsitsi akabuda mumba nesadza nemvura yekunwa ndokupa ambuya vake. Ambuya vakakachura sadza zvairatidza nzara yakaipisisa kwazvo, Tinashe akavatarisa achibwaira bwaira achivanzwira tsitsi zvakanyanya. Mukomana nemusikana vakafambisa vondochera mvura yekunwa neyekuti ambuya vazogeza vasati varara. Pashure vakazodzokera kuzvitoro uko Tinashe akasiya Tsitsi okwatisa maguru, mazondo nemusoro zvaaibikira vatyairi vemagonyeti, vaive vatengi vesadza ramai Ndoro.
Tsitsi Charamba akange aberekwa ari ega, panguva yatiri kutaura iyi akange ave kamhandara kemakore 17, akange anyora O’Level ndokubuda nemaB ake 9 ese. Aidisa nemwoyo wake wese kuenda kundodzidzira kuve mukoti. Panguva iyi Tsitsi aibika sadza pamai Ndoro avo vakange vari vatete vamaiguru vake mai Tongai Charamba. Ndovakange vamutsvagira basa pamusika wesadza paidya varume vemaGonyeti. Masikati aya akange akagara akatarisa sadza raikwata pamoto. Akatanga kufunga makuriro aakange aita mumhuri maakaberekwa ...
Tsitsi airangarira achiri mudiki achienda naamai vake kuKwekwe, kwaishanda baba vake, vaienda kupera kwemwedzi wega wega. Vaindowana baba vasipo kwemazuva, kana kuvawana vaine mumwe mudzimai mumba mavo mavairoja. Amai vorovana nemudzimai uya, baba vozorovawo amai. Izvi zvaiitika kubvira ane makore mashanu, kusvika paange ave nemakore gumi, sekurangarira kwake.
Amai vake vakazoti havachada kushanyira baba vake zvachose. Aleck Charamba, baba vaTsitsi vaive gadhi pane imwe Company muKwekwe. Amai vaTsitsi vaive muroora aigara navamwene paruzevha kuGokwe kwakare, vaive muraini rekwaChipere padyo neGokwe Center.
Amai vake vakazoti havachada kushanyira baba vake zvachose. Aleck Charamba, baba vaTsitsi vaive gadhi pane imwe Company muKwekwe. Amai vaTsitsi vaive muroora aigara navamwene paruzevha kuGokwe kwakare, vaive muraini rekwaChipere padyo neGokwe Center.
Mai Tsitsi vakazvigarira zvavo pamusha pavo navamwene vavo vachirima kumunda. Pano neapo mukoma wababa vake, vaive mwana wababa vavo, asi vakasiyana madzimai, vaigara pangaite 100m kubva pamba pavo vaivabatsirawo. Babamukuru baba vaTongai Charamba ava vaive nemusha wavo waionekerawo, vaishanda kuGweru vachichengeta mhuri yavo.
Pamusha pana Tsitsi paive nedzimba dzeuswa nhatu chete, yekubikira nenhatu dzekurara. Yetatu yakange isiri yeround, baba vaTsitsi vakange vaiita hombe yakakura iri yeFour Corner nekuti vaive neshungu dzekuisawo marata esimbi kana asbestos. Asi payakaita gore isina denga, mai Tsitsi vakazopiwa uswa nehanzvadzi dzavo vakapfirira ndokugaramo. Ndoyaive hozi neimba hombe mairara baba namai pamusha apa, kamwe chete pamwedzi mina kana mishanu ipapo paiuya baba ndomavairara nemudzimai wavo.
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| This Life - Stories by Lovely Rutendo Nzira (Part 1) |
Maiguru mai Tongai Charamba vaigara vaine huku dzemazai nedzenyama, vaiendawo Gweru kupera kwemwedzi wega wega vachindobva netunonaka. Nedzimwe nguva vaimbovapawo huku dzinenge dzafa dzega, asi nguva zhinji vaisavapa. Mai vaTsitsi naTsitsi vaizondoita maricho kuti vapiwewo twuupfu twekudya musi iwoyo, kuhama dzavo idzi. Ambuya vake vakange vakura chaizvo, rimwe ziso ratovhara zvachose, rimwe raionera padyo chaizvo saka vaiswera zvavo vari pamba.
Vamwene nemuroora ava vaidanana chaizvo, amai naambuya vaTsitsi vakachengetana kwemakore maviri ese vasina kana kunzwa kuti baba vaTsitsi varipi, vari sei, vanoita nezvei. Nemumwe musi zuva rodoka, vakaona pamusha pavo pachisvika motikari yavasina kuziva kuti ndeyani. Makabuda varume vatatu, avo vakati mumwe aive Landlord wababa vaTsitsi kuMbizo kuKwekwe kwavaigara. Vamwe vaviri vaive masahwira aishandawo paSecurity Company yaishanda baba vaTsitsi muKwekwe zvakare.
Varume ava vakati ivo vakange vauya nababa vaTsitsi, vasati vapindurwa, mumwe chete wavo akaenda kumota ndokundouya negumbeze raakange akabata seakabata mwana mucheche. Akasvika ndokurarisa pasi mukitchen makare, ndopavakazovhura chiso ndokuona baba vaTsitsi kuti bwai bwai maziso. Ambuya naamai vakatarisana ndokuridza mhere. Chaive chiiko ichi? Ndianiko uyu?
Vaye vakazviti Landlord ndovakati kuna mai Tsitsi; “Amai handiti sezvamunoziva kuti murume wenyu ange ari pamapiritsi kwemakore mashanu apfuura. Zvino akaona asimba chaizvo asingacharatidza kurwara ndokuregera kunwa mapiritsi. Imimi makasimba nekuti munonwa mapiritsi enyu uye viral load ishoma, vanhu vechikadzi munogona kuzvibata.”
“Mapiritsi eiko nhai?” mai Tsitsi vakabvunza hana ichirova, ndiani munyika yeZimbabwe, varimo nevari kunze aisaziva kuti zvikanzi mapiritsi chete, full stop, anenge ari echii? Kwaive kare nyika ichangowana kuzvitonga pataiti tikati mapiritsi chete, taireva ekuronga mhuri. Asi pazuva ranhasi mapiritsi awa, aive mapiritsi, handiti here?
Varume vese vakatarisana, baba vaTsitsi ndokukosora kosora kuratidza kuti vaive vapenyu. Mhuri yese yakavatarisa. Varume vaye vakange vavaperekedza vakatarisana ndokusimuka. Vakaisa kabhegi kembatya, cudbox raive netwumidziyo twekubikira neParaffin Stove. Ndoyaive property yakange yashanda baba vaTsitsi kudhorobha kwamakore ese.
Ndoyavakange vadzoka nayo sepenjeni yavo, kumudzimai wavo, mwanasikana wavo wemakore gumi, namai vavo vakange vakwegura. Vese vanhu ava vaitarisira kuchengetwa nababa vemusha ava, Aleck Charamba. Asi vakaona vese kuti vakange vawana mutoro mukuru wekuchengeta murume uyu, vasina chavaikwanisa kumubatsira nacho.
Varume vese ava vakabuda voenda kumotikari yavo kuti vadzokere kuKwekwe, mota yakafamba ndokuita seyobuda muchivanze. Vakanzwa yamira, ndokuroverwa misuo yemota, vakanzwa tsoka dzaifamba dzichidzoka. Landlord vakadzoka vakabata Samsung cellphone yababa vaTsitsi. Yakange yakanaka chaizvo ichiratidza kuti yaive itsva, uye yaidhura chaizvo, yakapfekedzwa kavharo kegoridhe. Tsitsi akatarisa dhirezi rake akachiva kuti dai aive nharembozha, zvimwe baba vake vangadai vakamushongedza chaizvo.
Landlord vakasvikotambidza mai vaTsitsi nharembozha iya nema earphones ayo. Mai vaTsitsi vakakandira ma earphones pakange pakarara murume wavo, ndokusara vakabata cellphone chete.
Izvo zvaaitungira munzeve izvi ndozvaimushaisa nguva yekuvaterera pavaimushanyira semhuri, vachindogara vakanyararisana kuKwekwe. Tsitsi akatevera ndokundonhonga maEarphones aye ndokuisawo munzeve make akaterera. Aiziva kuti baba vake vaigara vakavhara nzeve dzavo natwo tunhu itwotwu. Asi musi uyu akange awana mukana wekumbonzwawo kuti twunodii ivo vakarara pasi vasina simba rekumurambidza.
Akaterera achitarisira kunzwa zvachaitaura, zii hapana chakabuda. Akafunga kuti zvichamusekenyedza munzeve dzake, asi hapana chakaitika. Akananzva tambo yairembera nekumeso kwake, yakange isinganaki wani. Mwana akatarisa baba vake, akashaya chavainyanyoda patwutambo utwu twaive twusina zvatwunoita. Akapererwa ndokukanda twutambo twuya pamusoro pegumbeze rakange rakafugwa nababa pazvakange zvambokandwa naamai vake.
Akatarisa amai vake ndokuona vakabata cellphone yababa vake vachiitsvaira tsvaira vachiverenga zvaivemo. Vaiibaya baya hameno zvavaiona. Akaona amai vake naambuya vake vakasuruvara zvakanyanya ndokuzeza kukumbira kuti amboonawo nhare iyi ataure nayo.
Aiziva ichinakidza chaizvo, nekuti baba vake vaigara vakaibata, vachinyemwerera, vaiseka nayo, vaisataura nemunhu kana nhare yavo iyi iri mumaoko avo. Nhasi vakange vaisiya, iyo hainawo kuita hanya nekuvatevera kana kuvanyaradza pavange vaunganidza mabhonzo avo mugudza umu. Vakange votarisira kubatsirwa nevanhu vavaibata neseri kweruoko, nekuti mukati meruoko rwavo maisakwana munhu, maigara muine nhare yavo chete. Asi nhasi nhare yacho yakange yasiyanawo navo, yaigona kungotorwa nemumwewo munhu zvake ikabvuma kuenda pasina kuvacheuka mukurwadziwa kwavo. Upenyu uhwu nhai.
Nhasi zvigunwe zvavo zvange zvisisina simba rekutsvaira nhare iyi, saka zvange zvakaipei kuti iye semwana wavo ambonakidzwavo nekuibaya baya achisekawo nayo sezvavaiita.
Ambuya vaTsitsi ndovakazobvisa runyararo urwu voti; “Tsitsi muzukuru, enda kwababamukuru vako undovadaidza vese namaiguru vako. Uvataurire kuti hakuna kunaka. Usavaudze kuti baba vadzoka vari guva zvaro kubva kubasa kwavo.”
Tsitsi akambofamba ndokumira pamusuo, akadzoka ndokunhonga maEarphones ndokumhanya asati arambidzwa naamai vake kuti asiye izvi. Akanyatsoanan’anidza ave ega, achibata bata kutsvaga paangaridza napo panonakidza asi akashaya. Zvisinei akaisa munzeve, kumucheto kwawo ndokupinza muskirt yake. Aida kuti afanane nehanzvadzi yake Tongai aive Form 5 kuGweru, ndozvaaifamba akaita paruzevha. Nhasi vaimuonawo. Mwana ainakidzwa nechitsva ichi chakange chauyawo nababa vake kubva kubasa kwavo.
Akazoona asvika akavarairwa, ndokuona babamukuru namaiguru vakagara panze. Vese vakamukwazisa, babamukuru ndokuti; “Kuri sei kwawabva nhai Tsitsi? Watumwei?”
Tsitsi akafemedzeka achiruma tambo yakange yakarembera kubva kunzeve ichienda nekumeso kwake ndokuti; “Hanzi…….. nambuya….. hanzi ndisakuudzai kuti vauya vari guva, hakuna kunaka, ivo baba, hanzi ……. Hanzi …. huyai kumba izvozvi.”
Maiguru mai Tongai vakapofoka kuseka vakatarisa Tsitsi, vakabva vamuti; “Uri kuvhundukeiko? Gara pasi ndikupe maheu umbonwa, nzara yekumba kwenyu yakutenderedza pfungwa.”
Tsitsi akagara pasi ndokunwa maheu aakange apiwa naamaiguru vake. Apedza babamukuru vakati; “Watumweiko nhai Tsitsi?”
“Hanzi nambuya huyai, baba vave guva, vauya havagone kufamba.” Tsitsi akazodaro.
“Ah hoo? Chienda tinotevera.” VaCharamba vakuru vakadaro Tsitsi ndokugadzirisa zvaive munzeve make akatarisa madzikoma ake, nehanzvadzi dzake, vana vababamukuru vake vaivewo vezera rake vakange vakagara apa.
Achingobuda muchivanze maiguru vakabva vati kumurume wavo; “Ivo babamudiki mati vaienda nekupi? Muri kuona here baba Tongai kuti paita demon rechipfambi kumba kwaamainini venyu?” Mukadzi nemurume vakafa nekuseka nhamo yekwaamainini vavo.
Baba vaTongai vakaenderera; “Vakauya mumusha muno vachishamisira mbuya vaTsitsi. Vakaita kuti baba vedu vatikanganwe isusu. Takatamba unherera baba vari vapenyu. Amai vakarwara vakafa raini rese rikati vakange varoiwa nambuya vaTsitsi. Vakaita mwana wavo umwe chete, ivo bamunini Aleck. Aishamisira, achichena, achiti kana vauya kuno ainwa mazowe otidira tonanzvira nekusveta pahembe, vachigara nababa kutown. Takaona nhamo wena. Zvino amai pfambi, vakazvara mwanakomana wavo pfambi. Mai Tsitsi naTsitsi wavo ndovanonzwisa tsitsi shame. Vofirawo chavasingazive. This life…..” murume akadzungudza musoro vachirangarira zvakavakomberedza.
Mudzimai akatsigirawo achiti; “Baba Taonga ummmm kana ivo mbuya vaTsitsi haaa ungazoti ndovaive nefiga hombe, chiuno chakamira sechego imi woye. Chivakashure chavo haiwa iwa, kana vamwe vakadzi vaimedzera mate kani. MuChicago Bar umu kana muPuzza Dollar Night Club, kana kwaWasara-wasara kwese uko kwaive kwavo, haaa chembere yaitonga nemakumbo wena.”
Mukadzi nemurume vakaseka chaizvo vasina hanya nazvo kuti vakange vadaidzirwa urwere hwakange hwakakomba chaizvo. Baba vaTongai vakabva vati; “Ndizvo hazvo mai Tongai, mbuya vaTsitsi inhamo zvayo asi vakanaka. Kana iye Tsitsi akafanana nambuya vake kunaka. Kana achifamba mutownship umu varume vakuru chaivo vanocheuka vokwidza mabhurukwa.”
Mukadzi nemurume vakaseka chaizvo vasina hanya nazvo kuti vakange vadaidzirwa urwere hwakange hwakakomba chaizvo. Baba vaTongai vakabva vati; “Ndizvo hazvo mai Tongai, mbuya vaTsitsi inhamo zvayo asi vakanaka. Kana iye Tsitsi akafanana nambuya vake kunaka. Kana achifamba mutownship umu varume vakuru chaivo vanocheuka vokwidza mabhurukwa.”
Murume nemudzimai wake vakamboseka chaizvo. Amai Tongai ndokusimuka votora zambiya ravo vomonera, ndokutambidza murume wavo ngowani yake. Amai vemusha vakaraira vapwere zvavaida zvisare zvichiitwa ndokunanga kwamainini vavo, mudzimai wababa vavo, mbuya vaTsitsi.
Vakasvika vachirohwa nehana nezvakange zvave munin’ina wavo. Nyangwe zvapo paisave nekufambidzana kana kudyidzana, maiguru namukoma vakanzwa tsitsi chaizvo. Vakanzwira tsitsi murwere vachifunga marwadzo aaive nawo, vakanzwira tsitsi mudzimai wake nemwana wake kuti vaizomuchengeta nei. Pamusha apa painhuwa nhamo. Kana gomba ramarara rakange rakachena, raizara nemavhu avaitsvairawo zuva nezuva sevamwe.
Kana pakwaive nguva yekuzuzika kwemashizha, ndipo pavaitsvairawo mashizha emupfura waive pakati pechivanze chavo. Vakatarisa vakanzwa tsitsi. Asi nekuti dzinza rese rakange rati mbuya vaTsitsi vakange vaunza misodzi, nhamo, ruvengo nekurwadziwa pavakateverana nasekuru vaTongai. Kuuya kwambuya vaTsitsi kwakange kwaparadza musha waCharamba. Hapana aivada, saka chese chakaipa chaiitika muupenyu hwavo dzinza rese raCharamba raiti kurumwa nechekuchera.
Baba namai Tongai vakaoneka ndokudzokera kwavo vasina rubatsiro rwavaifunga kupa kumhuri yemunin’ina wavo akange aita sematanda ehuni akarongerwa mumagudza, upenyu uhwu.
Mushure memavhiki maviri mai Tsitsi vachirera murume wavo muurwere, akangofuma chave chando. Havana kuridza mhere, nekuti mazuva ese kwaive kuchema, vakange vamuchema achiri mupenyu. Vakatarisana vese vari vatatu ndokutura befu kuti vazorora kuchengeta, uye murwere azorora marwadzo. Baba vaTsitsi vakachengetwa pazuva raitevera sezvo vasina kumochari kwavakaenda. Councilor wenzvimbo iyi vaJachi, ndovakatenga coffin vatoona munhu oputirwa mugudza. Gudza racho raiti rikadhonzerwa kumakumbo raisiya kumeso kwechitunha pamhene, rikavhariswa kumeso rosiya tsoka panze, kunge mbavha yawanikidzwa ndokutadza kunyatsohwanda. Imiwoyee, upenyu uhwu nhai.
Mushure memwedzi mitatu, amai Tsitsi vakatanga kukosora zvakanyanya. Vakaenda kuCheziya Clinic uko vakandobatwa TB, uye full blown AIDS. Kutya rufu, kuvhunduka, kutyira mwana wavo, kwakapa mai Tsitsi kushushikana kwakanyanya. Vange votadza kurara nepfungwa, kwaiedza vakagara, musoro waiswera uchibanda.
Shungu nehasha zvaimbovatibikira. Sei murume wavo akange avazodza chirwere vari mumba, vakavimbika? Hwaive upenyu rudziiko uhwu? Aleck Charamba, baba vaTsitsi, ndiye aive murume ega wavaiziva muupenyu hwavo, ndiye aive murume wehumhandara hwavo. Akange aziva kuti anorwara, akazvirapisa iye ega, ivo vakagara kumusha. Haana kuvapawo mukana wekurapiwa nguva ichipo, chirwere chichiri nane. Murume wavo akavatadzisa kunanzva mapiritsi nguva ichipo. Vamwe vese vaingonwa mairitsi avo vachirarama zvakanaka, kutokanganwa kuti vanorwara. Vachirera vana vavo vane utano.
Zvese izvi Aleck akange asina kuzvibvuma kuna amai nemwana wavo ava. Murume rudzii? Akandotsvaga chirwere kunze kwemusha, kuuya nacho kwakupushira mudzimai, kwakuvanza kuti ndozvoripo.
Ah, Chinekewooooo, panoda mhere yeNigeria pakadai apa. Kushata moyo rudzii kwakaitwa nemurume kumudzimai wake? Kuoma moyo rudzii kwakaitwa nababa kumwana wavo? Umhondika uhwu? Aida kuti vese vari vatatu vafe musi mumwe chete here?
Manheru ega ega mai Tsitsi vaitora tyava yemombe, vondozvambura guva raAleck, shungu dzavo dzaiserera kana vadai, zvaiita vakwanise kurara hope.
Imwe vhiki amai Tsitsi vakaita mudumbu, vairutsa nekuita manyoka zvakanyanyisa. Kunwa mapiritsi airwadza sezvo chikafu chacho chaisavepo nguva dzese, saka vakange varegera. Vainwa musi wavanenge vakwanisawo kudya zvekuzadza dumbu. Misi iyi yaive mishoma nekuti kazhinji vaida kuti mwana wechikoro agute, uye muchembere anyatsodyawo, ivo vaingobata bata zvasara.
Mudumbu umu hamuna kuzovasiya, makavarambidza kumuka zvachose. Tsitsi aiona kurwadziwa kwaamai vake, zvavaitaura vachituka nekudemba kukanganisirwa kwavakange vaitwa nababa vake. Vaitaura vachituka rudzi rwese rwechirume. Vaituka dzinza rese rekwaCharamba pakuvaitira zvakadai izvi. Amai nemwana vaichema vese, vaidembana vese. Hupenyu uhwu hwaivarwadza.
Nemumwe musi mangwanani, amai Tsitsi vakamuka ndokugeza, ndokudzokerazve kurara. Tsitsi akavapa porridge yaive yakavidzwa isina chimwe chayaiswa vakarara kudaro. Ndokwakave kurara zvachose, vakabva vatevera baba vake nevamwe vedzinza rekwavo vakange vaenda kwaMupfiganebwe.
Tsitsi akabva ave nherera yamazvokwadi, mwana asina amai nababa, airerwa nambuya vasinawo chavainacho. Airerwa naambuya vaitodawo kurerwa. Kana vanhu vemuraini vaichema parufu urwu, misodzi yavo yainyanya kuerera pavaitarisa Tsitsi naambuya vake. vainyanya kuchema vapenyu ava, pane kuchema mufi akange azorora kubva kuhupenyu hwuno.
Musi wakapararira vanhu vese, Tsitsi akatora tyava yaaiona amai vake vachirovesa paguva rababa, ndokundoicherera paguva raamai vake. Aivewo nehasha nababa vake, aida kubatsira amai vake kurwisa baba nemuguva nemuguva mese. Baba vake vakange vaparadza musha …
“Nhai Tsitsi sadza zvarichakwata kusvika rapera?” mai Ndoro vakadaro vachivhura bhodho raikwata apo Tsitsi aifunga nezveupenyu hwake. Akabva asimuka chinyararire ndokuwedzera upfu omona sadza riya.
Mai Ndoro vakenderera vachiti; “Nhasi kuma 6 manheru ubike rimwe sadza, varume vaye veHarare vari kuuya. Vana vaSithole, vari kuuya kuzorara muno. Ubike ugovaendesera sadza kuLodge yangu kuLocation uko.”
Tsitsi akangogutsurira ndokupedzisa kubika sadza raakatambidza musikana aizopakura nekutengesa. Akapakurirwa rakewo raaipiwa semubhadharo wake. Akabva amhanya kumba kwavo kwaingove mhiri kwemugwagwa kuseri kwezvitoro ondopa mbuya vake sadza iroro sezvo akange anzi aizoshanda zvakare manheru aya.
Akangoti achiyambuka mugwagwa ndokunzwa ave kudaidzwa neinzwi rechirume raaizivisisa. Akasekerera achicheuka, akakanganwa kuneta kwake, akambokanganwa nhamo dzake.
“Ko inga ndati undimirire nhai Tsitsi, wadii kuuya kuShop kwaNyaningwe kwedu wazondidaidza?” Mukomana uya ainzi Tinashe akadaro achibata Tsitsi ruoko.
“Ndiri kudzoka, tete mai Ndoro vati ndizobikira varume vaye vanofamba vari 5 nemagonyetti avo, so ndati ndikurumidze kupa mbuya sadza vaizorara nenzara.” Tsitsi akadaro achikwazisana nasahwira wake Tinashe Kwaramba aive Form 6, achigara namukoma wake vaive mudzidzisi paNjelele School.
“Ko amaiguru vako nurse vaye vekuGweru vakauya here?” Tsitsi akabvunza.
“Aiwa, maybe next weekend. Inga ndakati vakatoti wani kana vangouya unovapa macertificates ako.” Tinashe akadaro ave kubata paperbag raive nendiro dzaive nesadza rekwana Tsitsi.
Tsitsi akanyemwerera akatarisa Tinashe uyo akava aisa ruoko wake akamonera chiuno chemusikana achiti; “Iwe wobva wandoita training yeNursing, inini ndichiita Law kuUZ, tozoroorana, toita vana vedu, pakadii babes?”
Tsitsi akanyemwerera achitsikitsira zvekunyara.
Tinashe akaenderera; “Kana iwewe hauna kuona kuti amaiguru vangu vanokufarira chaizvo? Zvese zvekubika sadza uchibhadharwa nesadza izvi zvichapera sha.” Tinashe akadaro ndokubudisa mari yemapepa muhomwe make.
Akatambidza Tsitsi uyo akamboramba kuitambira ndokuzotandavadza ruoko rwake achiti; “Ko waiwanepi?”
“Ndoyandapiwa pandaita Stock-take nhasi kwaNyaningwe. Tora ugotenga lotion yako netumwe twuya twuya.” Vakatarisana mukomana achiseka, musikana achiwedzera kunyara.
“Ko iwewe, hauidewo here?” Tsitsi akadaro kumukomana wake.
“Ini ndiri boys handina twuma extra twekuisa mupant, and ndogona kuzora cooking oil kana zvapresser. Don’t worry about me.” Tinashe akadaro achiseka.
Vakafamba vese vave kupinda muchivanze chambuya vaTsitsi. Tinashe akasvika achikwazisa muchembere akange akagara ega pamumvuri ane kapu yemaheu yakange yaoma kare kare. Akagara padehwe rembudzi paive nambuya ava ndokumboseka navo achivabvunza kuswera.
Tsitsi akabuda mumba nesadza nemvura yekunwa ndokupa ambuya vake. Ambuya vakakachura sadza zvairatidza nzara yakaipisisa kwazvo, Tinashe akavatarisa achibwaira bwaira achivanzwira tsitsi zvakanyanya. Mukomana nemusikana vakafambisa vondochera mvura yekunwa neyekuti ambuya vazogeza vasati varara. Pashure vakazodzokera kuzvitoro uko Tinashe akasiya Tsitsi okwatisa maguru, mazondo nemusoro zvaaibikira vatyairi vemagonyeti, vaive vatengi vesadza ramai Ndoro.