Victor Madziva akasvika pamba paaigara nemhuri yake zuva rodoka, akamira pamusiwo we 1 room yavo yaive kuseri kwemain house kwaigara varidzi vemba. Victor airoja nemhuri yake kwaMajange, muMasvingo.
Akambomira panze achizeza kupinda mumba make maaibhadhara rent mwedzi waanenge akwanisawo. Akaterera akanzwa vana vake vega vachitaura vachitamba vese. Akambozeza kupinda mukati ndokuzopinda asingade kumutsa mudzimai wake Barbra waaifunga kuti ange akarara. Vana pavakamuona vakambosiya zvese zvavaiita vomhanyira baba vavo.
Victor akange aberekerwa kwaGutu, amai vake pavakashaya, baba vachizoroora mumwe mukadzi nekuita vamwe vana, akabva angotanga kuzvionera ega. Paakangopedzawo O’Level akabatana nevamwe vakomana vechidiki vemuraini ndokuenda mhiri kwaLimpopo kuti azvichengete.
Paakaroora akafara kuti awanawo wekubatsirana naye muupenyu, asi kushaya mari nebasa chairo kwakaramba kuchimudzorera kumashure. Aitaurawo nababa vake, uye vanin’ina vake pano neapo, nekuvashanyirawo kamwe chete pamwedzi mitatu, asi nekuda kwekushaya mari kwake hapana aimutsvaga.
Barbra haana kumuka kana kuratidza kuti pane munhu apinda. Akaramba akarara pamatress yavo akatarisa kumadziro ari paFacebook.
“Maswera?” Victor akadaro kuti awane matangiro, hapana akamupindura, zvisinei akaenderera, “Ah eh eh ndashaya wena, zvaramba wena, hapana chabuda wena mai Rumbie. Mari yese hapana chandawana.” Victor akadaro achigara pagaba repaint raive rakatsigira musuo kuti usavharike uye ndoyaive chair yababa mumba umu.
Barbra akasimuka nehasha ndokunomira pamusuo chaipo akatarisa baba vevana vake, akatora tommy yake yaive pamusuo ndokupotsera murume kumeso, yakasvika ichimunanga paziso rikachururuka misodzi.
 |
| Too Busy To Die - Stories By Lovely Rutendo Nzira |
Mudzimai akaridza tsamwa ndokuti; “Pane chawakamboita chikabuda here iwe, sara uchigezesa vana ndinotsvaga meal yanhasi, mai Rumbie ndiwe, ndini baba pano!”
Amai vakabva vabuda, baba vakaisa poto hombe yemvura pa2 plate stove yavo kuti vagogezesa vana nemvura inodziya.
Rumbie ange ane 5years, kahanzvadzi kake Tadiwa kaive kane 2 years.
Vana vakasara vachitamba nababa vavo, pasina nguva, Landlady wavo amai Gwenzi vakabva vauya ndokugogodza pamusuwo, “amai Rumbie murimo here?”
“Ndini ndiri muno amaiguru, maswera sei?” baba vaRumbie vakadaro vachibuda panze.
“Ipai vana chingwa ichi, ndakachitenga nezuro namanje hapana achidya chingatoora.” Amai Gwenzi vakadaro ndokutambidza baba ava chingwa chaive loaf rese, ndokuti; “Ko varipi amai Rumbie, pane zvandange ndichida kuvabvunza.”
“Hoo, ah vaenda kumashops ……. avo vabva vadzoka …..” Vese vakacheuka amai Rumbie vachipinda pachivanze, holding Wimpy food packs.
“Ndini ndiri muno amaiguru, maswera sei?” baba vaRumbie vakadaro vachibuda panze.
“Ipai vana chingwa ichi, ndakachitenga nezuro namanje hapana achidya chingatoora.” Amai Gwenzi vakadaro ndokutambidza baba ava chingwa chaive loaf rese, ndokuti; “Ko varipi amai Rumbie, pane zvandange ndichida kuvabvunza.”
“Hoo, ah vaenda kumashops ……. avo vabva vadzoka …..” Vese vakacheuka amai Rumbie vachipinda pachivanze, holding Wimpy food packs.
Mai Rumbie vakatambidza murume wavo ndokuti kuna mai Gwenzi; “Akoma zviri sei?” Barbra akadaro akafara chaizvo.
Mai Gwenzi vakabva vati; “Mai Rumbie, ndange ndichitsvaga iwewe, huya kumba kwangu titaurirane.” Madzimai akafamba vese ndokuenda kumain house, vakandosvika ndokugara pasi, mai Gwenzi ndokuti;
“Ndange ndichitaura natete vangu nhasi, vanoda munhu anovabatsira kuFlea market kwavo so ndakufunga zvangu.”
“Ndange ndichitaura natete vangu nhasi, vanoda munhu anovabatsira kuFlea market kwavo so ndakufunga zvangu.”
Barbra aingocheuka cheuka achitarisa mumba maLandlord vake umu, akabva atoti; “Ko kamodel keshumba ako kawakaisa paFireplace pako wakakatenga riniko nhai vasikana, unoera shumbaka iwe, uri masibanda. Iyo shumba yacho iyo haitosiri pure gold here?” Mai Rumbie vakadaro ndokusimudza the lion golden statue yaive mumba maLandlord wavo.
“Hoo that, Gwenzi akabva nayo kwaMutare zvaitengeswa paHotel pavaigara vari kubasa” mai Gwenzi vakatsanangura.
“Hoo that, Gwenzi akabva nayo kwaMutare zvaitengeswa paHotel pavaigara vari kubasa” mai Gwenzi vakatsanangura.
“Vasikana vamwe varume venyu vane rudo, akabva akutengera kukudza masibanda wake, a golden lion for a golden wife wemoyo wake, wozodei?!” Barbra akaridza chikwee chake ega, ndokuenderera, “hona imba yako, vamwe tichigara kunge tiri muzumbu rehuku.” Barbra akadaro achifinyama nekudzungudza.
Mai Gwenzi vakazvimanikidza kuseka ndokuti; “Ko cottage yedu yakaitwa renovation manje-manje yazoita zumbu rehuku zvarinizve?”
“I mean hamuna chirimo, no nice wall hangers semuno, kana bed chairo, imagine ndakaitira vana vaviri vese pamatress, stupid me nxaaa” Barbra akazviseka achizvirova maoko.
“Ndomukitchen, ndomulounge, ndomu bedroom, but iwewe neni tiri same age 25 years tese, asi hona ndave kutokuti maiguru you are even younger than me ne4 months dzese asi wave Landlord wangu nxaaa. Pakunyengwa apa pane nyaya vasikana.” Barbra akadaro achifemedzeka neshungu.
Mai Gwenzi vakabva vati zvakare; “Tete vangu vati vanoda munhu anotengesa paFlea market yavo, kana uchida ungambowana mari yekudyawo nevana. And sezvandakambotaura, Gwenzi ndakamuudza, tokubhadharirai O’Level munyore Science neMaths, handiti makati mune English, Geography neHistory? Then toona zvekuita after the results, moitawo Course muwane basa kudemba kwese kupere uku.”
Barbra akadzungudza ndokuti; “Iwe hausi kuenda kubasa wani, haisi nyaya yekuti inini ndiende kubasa. Inyaya yekuti ndakaroorwa nerombe risina chinhu uye risingafe rakaita chinhu, don’t run away from that. Victor chaanogona kudhakwa chete nekungorembedza nonsense achingombeya mutown, chabuda hapana.”
“Mai Rumbie please …..” mai Gwenzi vakada kutsiura.
“Musade kundivhara vasikana. Iwe hauende kubasa, asi une mota yako, unopfeka Edgars neTruworths. You have the fine things in life. wakazviwana nekutengesa paFlea Market yavatete vaNhingi here tibvirei apa.” Barbra akaseka achirova mai Gwenzi maoko but the other woman kept quiet, she was stretching her patience to the limit.
Mai Gwenzi vakafemedzeka vave kuita hasha asi vachiedza kuzvibata ndokuti; “Inga murume wenyu akatotora licence wani, chasara kutsvaga basa.”
“Agoita gonyeti driver achienda 3 weeks nya nezvisikana? No. Handibvume zvakadaro, Gwenzi akatambisa mari yake.” Barbra akadaro asina hanya.
“But seriously, dai tamboenda tese kuchurch, kumaprayers emadzimai, you need to talk to other older women of God. Unamatire imba yako, your finances, uye nemafungiro ako about life in general.” Mai Gwenzi vakazodaro.
“Ndiri busy ini, ndoiwanepi nguva yekundoterera nhema dzamunotaura kumachechi enyu aya. Chingondiudza shamwari kuti waifambirepi kuti uwane murume anenge Gwenzi, then ndonomirawo ipapo ndinhongwewo newangu. Nyangwe Mwari achida kundipa murume, ondipa sei ndakagara naVictor seri kweimba yenyu, ndofanira kubuda kunze uko ndisangane neane mari yake, ndigarewo sevamwe vakadzi vezera rangu. Handina kumbokunzwa uchiti wakatsanya kuti umuwane ini. Ini ndini ndonzi gore bha, praying, fasting, tithing, seeding kuti Victor aitewo mari sevamwe varume, noo sahwira handina nguva yezvisina maturo.”
Vese vakambonyarara, pave paya mai Gwenzi vakazoti; “It’s ok mai Rumbie, ndave kubika. Ndange ndakudaidzirai zvangu nyaya yebasa, but it’s ok kana musingaride. Toonana mangwana.” Vakadaro vachisimuka kuti roja ravo ribude.
Mai Rumbie vakabva vabudawo voenda kumba kwavo. Vachingobuda, vaGwenzi vakabva vapinda mukitchen maive nemudzimai wavo, vachibva kubedroom kwavaive vakazorora listening to the women’s conversation.
“What nonsense was that about? Wakati mai ava vakabvepiko?” VaGwenzi vakabvunza.
Mai Gwenzi vakambonyarara ndokuzoti; “Vanozivana namai vatinopinda navo church vaye, you remember even pavakauya vainzi vaibva SA vasina pekugara so ndaifunga kuti ndezve 2 or 3 months.”
“Yes that’s what you said, but tave kutopedza gore vari pano. How many times tichivarandutsira vachirova murume, how many times vachiita days vasipo leaving such young kids alone. Murume wacho anodhakwa zvake, but at the end you understand him, mukadzi haaite uyo.”
Mai Gwenzi vakangodzungudza ndokunyarara vocheka tomatoes okuisa munyama yavaikangira mhuri yavo. VaGwenzi vakabva vati; “Iwe wange uchipindura zvakanaka nekuti you knew I was in, so am just thinking kuti dai mange muri mega waiti chii?”
“Daddy please, I know she can be a handful at times, but she needs help, but zvaanoita zvineiwo neni izvozvo.” Mai Gwenzi vakazodaro.
“Ihama dzako, uvape 2 months notice, she is bad influence.” VaGwenzi vakadaro vachibuda mukitchen.
Barbra akasvika ndokuwana baba nevana vachiwondomora chips and chicken zvekuWimpy like hungry stray dogs. Akatarisa ndokufa zvake nekuseka asi hapana chaakataura.
Victor akabva azoti; “Mwana waamainini vekuRujeko uko ashaika, saka baba Madziva, sekuru vaRumbie vachauyawo mangwana anochengetwa kumakuva ekuRujeko ikoko.” Mai Rumbie akambopindura WhatsApp message yaive pafone pake akanyarara achingosekerera ndokuzoti;
“Mandisiirawo here or madya zvese, saka iwe Victor wakagara ipapo uchidya Wimpy uri kuti yabvepi?” Barbra akaseka chaizvo achidhonza nzeve dzemurume wake.
Victor paasina kupindura, Barbra akabva ati; “Utaurire baba vako vauye nechibage chehupfu nehuku kana mbudzi chaiyo, tofa nenzara pano.”
Victor akati; “Oh saka wazvinzwa hako kuti kune rufu mumhuri?”
“Iwe usandinetsa, tinoenda kurufu rwehama yaStepmother kuti zvadiiko?” Barbra akawaridza pairara vana, ndokutora fone yake ondorara paange awanikwa nemurume akarara. Akaisa maear fones munzeve ndokutanga kubaya baya phone yake achizvitandadza.
Victor akazoteverawo kundorara padivi pemudzimai wake, mushure mekunge adonha pagaba repaint paaive akagara paye achitsumwaira, achidzvova Wimpy spice, apa chipepa chetomato sauce yeWimpy chiri pamuromo.
Pazuva rakatevera, Barbra nemhuri yake yese vakazomuka 0900hrs dzatochaya. Akatarisa mumba akaona mune chingwa chakange chauya namai Gwenzi nezuro wacho. Akavhura vhura magaba ake ese raimbove nesugar neraigara tea aaingoziva kuti chero mapete ave kunyenyeredza, ndokuita ekupotsera achidonhera pasi achiita noise yakazomutsawo baba vemba.
“Chiiko mai Rumbie?” Victor akadaro achivhundukaa ndokumuka ogara pasi. Barbra haana kupindura. Akaisa mvura yetea pastove asi asina zvake zvekubikisa tea yacho kunze kwechingwa chakange chauya namai Gwenzi. Akatsvaira tsvaira mumba make nekurongedza zvimwe zvaitambiswa nevana. Akabuda ndokuenda pafence;
“Rudo! Iwe Rudo urimo here?” Barbra akadaro akazembera fence yemuvakidzani wavo. Ambuya Tumbare, amai vaRudo ndovakabva vabuda, vaive ambuya vechikuru vangaite makore 55.
“Mamuka sei mamma.” Barbra akadaro pavakabuda vachifamba vachiuya paaive.
“Ndamuka wamukawo amai Rumbie mwanangu, vari sei vazukuru vangu? Nemukwasha baba vaRumbie vari sei?”
“Vanofara havo,” Barbra akadaro ndokumbonyarara. Ambuya Tumbare vakabva vati; “Rudo aenda kuRhodene, kune Birthday party yaadaidzwa kundoita décor dzake saka anotodzoka manheru. Mazuvano ari kuwana business chaizvo, Mwari vakanaka. Dai makatoramba muchishanda mese mwanangu mai Rumbie.”
Barbra akabva ati; “nzara mamma, ndipeiwoka sugar, mukaka nematea bags kana coffee, ndiite tea.”
Ambuya Tumbare vakadzungudza vakatarisa amai vechidiki ava, vakapinda mumba mavo ndokudzoka nezvange zvakumbirwa nemuvakidzani wavo. Asi vasati vamupa vakati; “Uchauya riini tiende kumusika kundohodha miriwo titengese mwanangu? Musha mukadzi shandira vana vako.”
Barbra akaramba akanyarara akatarisa zvaakange avakumbira, ainzwa kuda kuvabvutira kuti achienda.
“Ko chiita hakoka zvechirungu zvenyu zvekubaker makeke, masamoosa nemapie. Madzimai aye varidzi vemarestaurant ari kuRank uku, veChikari Chegusha Restaurant neMudzungairi weShambochena Restaurant vanotora votengesa, vanotoita kuhodha kwauri. Vese ndinopinda navo church ndikataura navo vanotora zvinhu zvako. Ungakudza vana nekukumbira sugar yemusi iwoyo here mai Rumbie mwanangu?”
Barbra akafemedzeka ndokuti; “Ndichaudza Victor auye mumutsvagire basa racho, anoitei.” Ambuya Tumbare vakambopererwa ndokuzoti; “Ndotanga newe mwanangu, baba vaRumbie ndichataura naye zvakewo.”
Barbra akaseka kachikwee kasina zvakaireva ndokuti; “Nhasi muchembere makadziya, mvura yandasiya ichiboiler yotopera moms, ndipei ndiende, tozotaura time time.” Ambuya vakatambidza Barbra zvaakange akumbira ndokubva atambira ndokufamba achibvapo.
Barbra akandosvika ndokugadzira tea ndokugara vese vonwa.
“Ambuya ava nhai, kunditi ndibikire Chikari Chegusha Restaurant inini? Kuti ndinoshanda muRank inini manje?”
“Vanetawo nekukumbirwa.” Victor akadaro achindonyera chingwa chekwaGwenzi mukanwa. Akaenderera achiti; “Wadii kubika zvinhu zvacho ndonotengesa zvangu ini.”
“Hoo, ah ndichaona.” Barbra akadaro ndokutora fone yake overenga message.
“Diana, mwana watete vangu ari kuJorburg atumira mari, ndichandotora pabus manheru, hanzi rosvika kuma10 usiku. Tigoendaka, utsvage transport. Kuda ndingambodyawo fish and chips.”
Vakazopedza kudya vanyarara, Barbra rumwe ruoko rwuri paPhone rumwe rwakabata cup of tea.
Manheru emusi uyu, Barbra naVictor vakandomira paExor Service Station paimira mabus aibva nekuenda kuSouth Africa. Pakabva pasvika mabus maviri akatevedzana, vakambomira mira kuti vagondobvunza driver wavange vaudzwa. Pakabuda vanhu vaive mubus kuti vatenge chikafu nekuenda kuzvimbuzi zvaive apa, Barbra akanzwa odaidzwa, akacheuka ndokuona ari sahwira wake waakange adzidza naye O’Level kuBanket kumusha kwake.
“Ah Connie vasikana ndiwe?” Barbra akadaro vachimbundikirana nekufara kukuru. Vakadhonzana ndokufamba vachibva paive naVictor.
“Ko uri kubva kupi?” Barbra akabvunza.
“KuSouth sha, ndange ndanotenga zvinhu zvemuSalon yemurungu wangu, ko iwe unoitei kuno?” Constance akadawo kuziva.
“Ndogara naVictor. Inga hausi kuita, vasikana, vamwe zvenyu zviri kufaya veduwe. Hona kunaka kwakaita weave yako, ko face yako kuita chocolate so unozoreiko vasikana.” Barbra akadaro achiyemura shamwari yake.
“Iweka hauchinje zvedi, kuda zvinhu kwako. Unoshanda kupiko or wave kuita business reEvents Management …..?” Constance akabva adimbudzirwa.
“Ndipe number dzako, ndoda kuzouyawo Harare shamwari, ruzevha rwemuno handichada, ndakazviparira kutevera rombe rechikaranga iri.”
“Ok, tora number dzangu ugouya shamwari, unozowanawo zvekubata bata muHarare.” Constance akadaro ndokupa shamwari yake cell number yake.
“I mean hamuna chirimo, no nice wall hangers semuno, kana bed chairo, imagine ndakaitira vana vaviri vese pamatress, stupid me nxaaa” Barbra akazviseka achizvirova maoko.
“Ndomukitchen, ndomulounge, ndomu bedroom, but iwewe neni tiri same age 25 years tese, asi hona ndave kutokuti maiguru you are even younger than me ne4 months dzese asi wave Landlord wangu nxaaa. Pakunyengwa apa pane nyaya vasikana.” Barbra akadaro achifemedzeka neshungu.
Mai Gwenzi vakabva vati zvakare; “Tete vangu vati vanoda munhu anotengesa paFlea market yavo, kana uchida ungambowana mari yekudyawo nevana. And sezvandakambotaura, Gwenzi ndakamuudza, tokubhadharirai O’Level munyore Science neMaths, handiti makati mune English, Geography neHistory? Then toona zvekuita after the results, moitawo Course muwane basa kudemba kwese kupere uku.”
Barbra akadzungudza ndokuti; “Iwe hausi kuenda kubasa wani, haisi nyaya yekuti inini ndiende kubasa. Inyaya yekuti ndakaroorwa nerombe risina chinhu uye risingafe rakaita chinhu, don’t run away from that. Victor chaanogona kudhakwa chete nekungorembedza nonsense achingombeya mutown, chabuda hapana.”
“Mai Rumbie please …..” mai Gwenzi vakada kutsiura.
“Musade kundivhara vasikana. Iwe hauende kubasa, asi une mota yako, unopfeka Edgars neTruworths. You have the fine things in life. wakazviwana nekutengesa paFlea Market yavatete vaNhingi here tibvirei apa.” Barbra akaseka achirova mai Gwenzi maoko but the other woman kept quiet, she was stretching her patience to the limit.
Mai Gwenzi vakafemedzeka vave kuita hasha asi vachiedza kuzvibata ndokuti; “Inga murume wenyu akatotora licence wani, chasara kutsvaga basa.”
“Agoita gonyeti driver achienda 3 weeks nya nezvisikana? No. Handibvume zvakadaro, Gwenzi akatambisa mari yake.” Barbra akadaro asina hanya.
“But seriously, dai tamboenda tese kuchurch, kumaprayers emadzimai, you need to talk to other older women of God. Unamatire imba yako, your finances, uye nemafungiro ako about life in general.” Mai Gwenzi vakazodaro.
“Ndiri busy ini, ndoiwanepi nguva yekundoterera nhema dzamunotaura kumachechi enyu aya. Chingondiudza shamwari kuti waifambirepi kuti uwane murume anenge Gwenzi, then ndonomirawo ipapo ndinhongwewo newangu. Nyangwe Mwari achida kundipa murume, ondipa sei ndakagara naVictor seri kweimba yenyu, ndofanira kubuda kunze uko ndisangane neane mari yake, ndigarewo sevamwe vakadzi vezera rangu. Handina kumbokunzwa uchiti wakatsanya kuti umuwane ini. Ini ndini ndonzi gore bha, praying, fasting, tithing, seeding kuti Victor aitewo mari sevamwe varume, noo sahwira handina nguva yezvisina maturo.”
Vese vakambonyarara, pave paya mai Gwenzi vakazoti; “It’s ok mai Rumbie, ndave kubika. Ndange ndakudaidzirai zvangu nyaya yebasa, but it’s ok kana musingaride. Toonana mangwana.” Vakadaro vachisimuka kuti roja ravo ribude.
Mai Rumbie vakabva vabudawo voenda kumba kwavo. Vachingobuda, vaGwenzi vakabva vapinda mukitchen maive nemudzimai wavo, vachibva kubedroom kwavaive vakazorora listening to the women’s conversation.
“What nonsense was that about? Wakati mai ava vakabvepiko?” VaGwenzi vakabvunza.
Mai Gwenzi vakambonyarara ndokuzoti; “Vanozivana namai vatinopinda navo church vaye, you remember even pavakauya vainzi vaibva SA vasina pekugara so ndaifunga kuti ndezve 2 or 3 months.”
“Yes that’s what you said, but tave kutopedza gore vari pano. How many times tichivarandutsira vachirova murume, how many times vachiita days vasipo leaving such young kids alone. Murume wacho anodhakwa zvake, but at the end you understand him, mukadzi haaite uyo.”
Mai Gwenzi vakangodzungudza ndokunyarara vocheka tomatoes okuisa munyama yavaikangira mhuri yavo. VaGwenzi vakabva vati; “Iwe wange uchipindura zvakanaka nekuti you knew I was in, so am just thinking kuti dai mange muri mega waiti chii?”
“Daddy please, I know she can be a handful at times, but she needs help, but zvaanoita zvineiwo neni izvozvo.” Mai Gwenzi vakazodaro.
“Ihama dzako, uvape 2 months notice, she is bad influence.” VaGwenzi vakadaro vachibuda mukitchen.
Barbra akasvika ndokuwana baba nevana vachiwondomora chips and chicken zvekuWimpy like hungry stray dogs. Akatarisa ndokufa zvake nekuseka asi hapana chaakataura.
Victor akabva azoti; “Mwana waamainini vekuRujeko uko ashaika, saka baba Madziva, sekuru vaRumbie vachauyawo mangwana anochengetwa kumakuva ekuRujeko ikoko.” Mai Rumbie akambopindura WhatsApp message yaive pafone pake akanyarara achingosekerera ndokuzoti;
“Mandisiirawo here or madya zvese, saka iwe Victor wakagara ipapo uchidya Wimpy uri kuti yabvepi?” Barbra akaseka chaizvo achidhonza nzeve dzemurume wake.
Victor paasina kupindura, Barbra akabva ati; “Utaurire baba vako vauye nechibage chehupfu nehuku kana mbudzi chaiyo, tofa nenzara pano.”
Victor akati; “Oh saka wazvinzwa hako kuti kune rufu mumhuri?”
“Iwe usandinetsa, tinoenda kurufu rwehama yaStepmother kuti zvadiiko?” Barbra akawaridza pairara vana, ndokutora fone yake ondorara paange awanikwa nemurume akarara. Akaisa maear fones munzeve ndokutanga kubaya baya phone yake achizvitandadza.
Victor akazoteverawo kundorara padivi pemudzimai wake, mushure mekunge adonha pagaba repaint paaive akagara paye achitsumwaira, achidzvova Wimpy spice, apa chipepa chetomato sauce yeWimpy chiri pamuromo.
Pazuva rakatevera, Barbra nemhuri yake yese vakazomuka 0900hrs dzatochaya. Akatarisa mumba akaona mune chingwa chakange chauya namai Gwenzi nezuro wacho. Akavhura vhura magaba ake ese raimbove nesugar neraigara tea aaingoziva kuti chero mapete ave kunyenyeredza, ndokuita ekupotsera achidonhera pasi achiita noise yakazomutsawo baba vemba.
“Chiiko mai Rumbie?” Victor akadaro achivhundukaa ndokumuka ogara pasi. Barbra haana kupindura. Akaisa mvura yetea pastove asi asina zvake zvekubikisa tea yacho kunze kwechingwa chakange chauya namai Gwenzi. Akatsvaira tsvaira mumba make nekurongedza zvimwe zvaitambiswa nevana. Akabuda ndokuenda pafence;
“Rudo! Iwe Rudo urimo here?” Barbra akadaro akazembera fence yemuvakidzani wavo. Ambuya Tumbare, amai vaRudo ndovakabva vabuda, vaive ambuya vechikuru vangaite makore 55.
“Mamuka sei mamma.” Barbra akadaro pavakabuda vachifamba vachiuya paaive.
“Ndamuka wamukawo amai Rumbie mwanangu, vari sei vazukuru vangu? Nemukwasha baba vaRumbie vari sei?”
“Vanofara havo,” Barbra akadaro ndokumbonyarara. Ambuya Tumbare vakabva vati; “Rudo aenda kuRhodene, kune Birthday party yaadaidzwa kundoita décor dzake saka anotodzoka manheru. Mazuvano ari kuwana business chaizvo, Mwari vakanaka. Dai makatoramba muchishanda mese mwanangu mai Rumbie.”
Barbra akabva ati; “nzara mamma, ndipeiwoka sugar, mukaka nematea bags kana coffee, ndiite tea.”
Ambuya Tumbare vakadzungudza vakatarisa amai vechidiki ava, vakapinda mumba mavo ndokudzoka nezvange zvakumbirwa nemuvakidzani wavo. Asi vasati vamupa vakati; “Uchauya riini tiende kumusika kundohodha miriwo titengese mwanangu? Musha mukadzi shandira vana vako.”
Barbra akaramba akanyarara akatarisa zvaakange avakumbira, ainzwa kuda kuvabvutira kuti achienda.
“Ko chiita hakoka zvechirungu zvenyu zvekubaker makeke, masamoosa nemapie. Madzimai aye varidzi vemarestaurant ari kuRank uku, veChikari Chegusha Restaurant neMudzungairi weShambochena Restaurant vanotora votengesa, vanotoita kuhodha kwauri. Vese ndinopinda navo church ndikataura navo vanotora zvinhu zvako. Ungakudza vana nekukumbira sugar yemusi iwoyo here mai Rumbie mwanangu?”
Barbra akafemedzeka ndokuti; “Ndichaudza Victor auye mumutsvagire basa racho, anoitei.” Ambuya Tumbare vakambopererwa ndokuzoti; “Ndotanga newe mwanangu, baba vaRumbie ndichataura naye zvakewo.”
Barbra akaseka kachikwee kasina zvakaireva ndokuti; “Nhasi muchembere makadziya, mvura yandasiya ichiboiler yotopera moms, ndipei ndiende, tozotaura time time.” Ambuya vakatambidza Barbra zvaakange akumbira ndokubva atambira ndokufamba achibvapo.
Barbra akandosvika ndokugadzira tea ndokugara vese vonwa.
“Ambuya ava nhai, kunditi ndibikire Chikari Chegusha Restaurant inini? Kuti ndinoshanda muRank inini manje?”
“Vanetawo nekukumbirwa.” Victor akadaro achindonyera chingwa chekwaGwenzi mukanwa. Akaenderera achiti; “Wadii kubika zvinhu zvacho ndonotengesa zvangu ini.”
“Hoo, ah ndichaona.” Barbra akadaro ndokutora fone yake overenga message.
“Diana, mwana watete vangu ari kuJorburg atumira mari, ndichandotora pabus manheru, hanzi rosvika kuma10 usiku. Tigoendaka, utsvage transport. Kuda ndingambodyawo fish and chips.”
Vakazopedza kudya vanyarara, Barbra rumwe ruoko rwuri paPhone rumwe rwakabata cup of tea.
Manheru emusi uyu, Barbra naVictor vakandomira paExor Service Station paimira mabus aibva nekuenda kuSouth Africa. Pakabva pasvika mabus maviri akatevedzana, vakambomira mira kuti vagondobvunza driver wavange vaudzwa. Pakabuda vanhu vaive mubus kuti vatenge chikafu nekuenda kuzvimbuzi zvaive apa, Barbra akanzwa odaidzwa, akacheuka ndokuona ari sahwira wake waakange adzidza naye O’Level kuBanket kumusha kwake.
“Ah Connie vasikana ndiwe?” Barbra akadaro vachimbundikirana nekufara kukuru. Vakadhonzana ndokufamba vachibva paive naVictor.
“Ko uri kubva kupi?” Barbra akabvunza.
“KuSouth sha, ndange ndanotenga zvinhu zvemuSalon yemurungu wangu, ko iwe unoitei kuno?” Constance akadawo kuziva.
“Ndogara naVictor. Inga hausi kuita, vasikana, vamwe zvenyu zviri kufaya veduwe. Hona kunaka kwakaita weave yako, ko face yako kuita chocolate so unozoreiko vasikana.” Barbra akadaro achiyemura shamwari yake.
“Iweka hauchinje zvedi, kuda zvinhu kwako. Unoshanda kupiko or wave kuita business reEvents Management …..?” Constance akabva adimbudzirwa.
“Ndipe number dzako, ndoda kuzouyawo Harare shamwari, ruzevha rwemuno handichada, ndakazviparira kutevera rombe rechikaranga iri.”
“Ok, tora number dzangu ugouya shamwari, unozowanawo zvekubata bata muHarare.” Constance akadaro ndokupa shamwari yake cell number yake.
Vakaparadzana Barbra ndokuenda kwaive nemadriver. Akapiwa mari R2500 nepaper bag rekuPep Stores raive nehembe dzevana. Vakabva vadzokera kumba kwavo.
Barbra akange aberekwa ari ega, baba vake pavakashaya ane 4 years, amai vake vakandoroorwa kuMalawi vachimusiya nehanzvadzi yababa vake kuBanket. Vatete ava ndovakazomuendesa kuchikoro kusvika apedza Form 4, aive nezera rimwe chete nemwana wekupedzisira wavatete ava ainzi Diana.
Diana paakaita degree rake reAccounting kuNUST akabva aenda kuSouth Africa kwaakawana basa. Vaiwirirana vachipota vachitumirana zvinhu, asi kuzoramba vosiyana upenyu nemaitiro, nyaya dzakazoramba dzoita shoma.
Barbra paakange akamirira maresults eO’Level, akabva asangana naVictor muBanket, murume akange ashanyira shamwari yake. Vakomana vakange vachangobva kuSouth Africa vachiratidzika zvakanaka chaizvo, vachitengesa maCellphones nemaDVD players. Musikana akatorwa moyo akati Jozi here I come. Paakaita pamuviri, akatizira Victor, mukomana akakwanisa kundoonekera achibvisawo pashoma paaive napo kumhuri yemusikana ndokubva vaenda vese kuMzansi. Ndokutanga imba yavo kwavakaita, nekuzoberekwa kwedangwe ravo Rumbidzai.
KuJohannesburg, upenyu hauna kuzondoita sezvavaitarisira vese Barbra naVictor, mukadzi proved to be high maintenance zvekuti twumabasa twaimboita Victor ari ega achikwanisa kurarama, twange twotadza kubatanidza upenyu hwavo. Diana akazovabatsira nemari kuti vadzokere kumusha ndokubva vandosvikira muMasvingo, pamba paGwenzi, vachiita sevaingoda pekugara short time kuti vagoitawo zvimwe, asi hapana chakazobuda.
Barbra akarara achifunga zvaakange ataura neshamwari yake. Akazvipira kufuratira dhorobha remakaranga nemhuri yarakange ramupa kuti andogara muCapital City atangezve upenyu hutsva semhandara.