Chapter Eight

My stay with my uncle and his family was very pleasant. They managed to wake me up at reasonable times but just before the break of the day.

“Why is he distant these days?”

I was asking his wife. You know when we talked about the obedient wife from the bible we talked about her. She never questioned or it was because my uncle led by example. She loved her husband with her might and cared for him. My uncle had been distant leading to the week of my departure.

“He is worried about you. You know that he dreams sometimes.”

I was confused. “Dreams, about what?”

“About the future, the good and the bad part of it. But he just goes to the wild and prays about it as he cannot change the future but pray for it to be pleasant no matter how bad the situation might seem.”

“I do not understand.”

“For instance, if he dreams about things that will lead to the death of a loved one or something along those lines. He doesn’t pray for the dead to stop as we know when the time comes we can never run away from fate. He prays that the affected may find peace during the storm and not concentrate on the pain. If it is something that can be prevented then he prays for the prevention or the cure.”

I was knocked for six. We often do not take the time to learn about our relatives. I bet people who saw my uncle in the wild thought he was mentally disturbed while he would be busy taking care of his loved one. I vowed to visit my relatives frequently and to learn about their problems as well as celebrate their achievements.

“So is it bad or good?”

“What is bad or good?”

I laughed at her question. “I mean what he saw about me.”

“He didn’t say much but he says the city was never good for you he would have loved for you to grow in a different environment.”

I was imagining my life in the rural areas and saw no possibilities there but I was not going to voice that out as it was going to offend her. Sometimes being polite is better than causing havoc.

“Do you think my life is in danger?”

“I am not sure but I doubt. He loves you so deeply. He doesn’t say much but you are his favourite niece and he always worries about you.”

“I was scared it might be something bad.”

“Your heart is open to people who are not good. Please be careful as not everyone in your life comes with good intentions. I love your friend because just like her name she is a gift to you that should be treasured. You can depend on them with her partner as they also have a pure heart.”

My heart was filled with joy as I knew from the begin Mphatso was good for my soul and when her husband joined our study group because of her I knew those souls were meant to be today and to help me.

“Thank you for your words aunty I will make it a point that I am careful next time when I meet people. Today I am cooking dinner as my gratitude for your hospitality.”

She smiled. I knew it was going to be an uphill task. We never had just one relish for the meals. So I had to plan my relish properly. When we finished our conversations I took the kids to Kabwandili. This is a place where traders come from time to time to sell their merchandise and it is cheaper than the ordinary market.

It was far but worth the trip. I got the fish; remember Malawi is a home for fish. I was not going to make a complicated meal I just took Chambo fish. To cook it I took herbs, lemon, and spices. I bought tomatoes for my soup. What is a good fish without soup or gravy? I bought beans not just any but my uncle’s favourite, butter beans. Not forgetting the staple food rice and cassava. Cassava was my father’s favourite serving of food.

I also took my aunt’s favourite, green peas. Sweet potatoes were my fovourite. When he left the market I was carrying a lot of things on my head and I also bought a Chitenge to carry something on my back as if I was carrying a baby. I laughed at myself. When I watched some movies I found it funny how they carried babies at the back. With us, it was always safe as the baby will never fall there. Mothers sometimes went to the market and river to get water with babies on their backs.

When I got home I was tired, dirty, sweaty, and probably very black from the scorching sun. I was thinking about my boss who predicted that I was going to be the darker shed of black. I laughed wiping my feet then I slept for a rest. I set an alarm. My phone was not working much as I had changed my sim card. I moved completely from TNM to airtel I wanted to check how their services were.

When the alarm woke me I was still tired but determined. They had gone to the fields while I was left with the kids. Lucky I had started on the beans. Meals from back home always felt like we were western the only difference was the fact that we didn’t use dining tables in rural areas. Eating near the fire also gave one that rural experience. 

I was proud of myself as the meals in front of us were close to ten. We had to dish for ourselves. That way it saves food as well as one will only take a portion they will eat and finish. I was no qualified chef but when I looked at the meals I felt like entering the cook completion. Please do not let my family hear that. Cassava was not pounded but stripped cleaned and steamed. There were numerous ways to steam in the rural areas without using a modern electric steamer.

“You outdid yourself with the meal and I wish you cooked the food like this for the duration of your stay.”

My uncle said wiping his mouth and his face showing how much he in actual fact enjoyed the meal.

“You are right my husband. I think we should call the boss to extend her leave days.”

I laughed at them. “Look at you keeping me to yourselves because of my cooking. I would love to stay but life had to go on.”

My uncle shook his head in approval. “You are right but please be careful of people who will come into your life when you go back there.”

I felt the shiver down my spine. Was his wife telling the truth in the morning? My uncle saw panic written in bold letters on my face and he lightened. “There is no danger ahead. Your marriage made me sad.”

It was the first time we talked about my marriage with my uncle since I arrived.

“I know I should have listened to my father when he warned me.”

“You can never blame yourself for someone else’s mistakes. I love the fact that you chose to do your best and be the best wife regardless of the situation. You are one strong lady.”

I blushed.

“Thank you very much, uncle.”

“You will find a family that will value you. You are still young. I never understood why your father separated his cows from the bride price cows. Now I understand. Do not underestimate him he knows the future somehow.”

My aunt was not contributing but listening attentively. I loved their communication skills as I knew she was going to have the last say.

“I will not rush into life and marriage again.”

“We are also not saying die alone.”

“Yes, my husband is right. We love you and we do not want you to think those people out there can love you more than we do.”

See what I told you. I smiled; those two were cut from the same textile. I thanked them again for their hospitality the following day as I was leaving.

Surprisingly in the morning when we woke up my father was there eating breakfast.

“Staying in the rural areas has made you lazy. Look at you waking up when we are already eating lunch.”

I laughed covering my face.

“You always have bad timing. I was an early riser ask my uncle. I woke up late because of you. You were over my shoulders lowering me down. Anyway, what are you doing here? Did you fight with your bed and it kicked you out?”

We laughed at him

“Look at the ‘thank you’ I get. I should have let her take the public transport.”

“Your see he finally admits I am his favourite daughter.”

“I hate to burst your bubble but I came here are the bride price cows issue.”

“You truly know how to burst people’s bubbles but I am grateful I will not take public transport.”

“After we finalise here we will be leaving.”

I was grateful indeed. My stay had made me so fresh I was not ready for public transport. Look at the almighty calling their phones when they didn’t have units. I laughed at the thought. My packing was done the previous night so it was easy for me to finish in time.

Their discussion took longer but I was not complaining as I was not using public transportation. They concluded on the date to take the cows back. I was caught in between, not that I wanted to go back but because it sounded rude to take back the cows. It was funny like what would people think. But I consoled myself about the years of ill-treatment and the undermining.

My trip back was pleasant. My father was a good company I didn’t even feel any sleep when I was with him. Sometimes parents become scary that we find it difficult to approach them. Some very traditional fathers didn’t find it necessary to talk to their children, especially the female children.

My sister called me when I got home. It was the first time she called ever. I didn’t even mind as I knew she loved me dear only that she preferred cases and her company. 

“Judge Nyirenda, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?”

She laughed. Her laugh always reminded me of our granny. I think she took after her even her character. But the sad part was my granny didn’t like people at all and she said it to their faces. At least she was married hence we existed. Things I thought about though. 

“I was going to call you but you changed the phone. I had to hunt for your family to get it.”

I laughed hard. “We are your family, you moron.”

“If you say so, I am sorry, baby, about the whole fiasco but can we go out my treat so we can just middle in the crowd and get some germs.”

I was forced to laugh. See to her it was torture but when she sacrificed like that it was out of love.

“I am free anytime any day.”

“I am glad. I will come to pick you up as you are broke and carless.”

“You are determined that I am destitute. You will be surprised that I still look hot, young, and beautiful. Did I mention hot like a heater?”

We both laughed. Our relationship was funny but my parents still didn’t understand why she never wanted kids and a husband. We ended the call as I joined the rest of the family. My brother was there of course. I was wondering why he moved out. I was reprimanding myself for not becoming him as it will be wasting money.

“We have a surprise for you.”

That was unexpected and wooow…..