Chord Limitless : Episode 1
"Rose my dear you have to listen to me," my mother said in between coughs.
I was lying by her side later that night in her hut. I had avoided my step mothers all day and had made sure to not cuase my mother any stress.
"What is is mother?" I asked sitting up and reaching for the container of water I had placed on the floor.
I poured water into a cup for her and gave it to her. She took it shakily. She had a few sips with my help before lying back down.
"I need you to leave the village," she said after some silence.
I stared at her as though she had spoken greek. "I cannot leave you..."
She shook her head. "If you stay your father will forcefully make you get married to Chimuka and those are not the plans God has for you."
"Mother.."
She touched my hand causing me to not speak further. "You are my child and I love you so much. You are a selfless being and your first thought will always be towrds me and your sibblings but of what use will you be to us if you are bogged dowb as a second wife to a man who only marries for women to farm his land?"
She shook her head further then coughed and gave me a sign she wanted me to give her more water.
"You have so much potential. I see it in your and so does everyone se and thag is why they want to break you. I have nine children and I love you all the same but with yo I ssee this strength. With yo I know all my children will be safe but as long as you remain in this village nothing will change for us."
"Leave the village,go to town,if possible join Harmony and find ways to seek further education. I will not allow you to make the same mistakes I made. I will not allow you to throw away your future."
She patted my hand. "For you the good coming to you is limitless and a lot if good will come through your hard work."
By now I had tears streaming down my face. It felt as though she was making a good bye speech. She raised a shaky hand towards me and briefly touched my face.
"You deserve more than this. I knew it from the moment I laid my eyes on you. I am not chasing you but simply pushing you towards your destiny."
"But how will I leave?" I Asked as I sniffed.
"I have spoken to Moses. Tomorrow as you go to the field he will lead you towards the road. Get on a truck and don't look back. I gave him a bit of some money that I had saved up. It is for your transport and food."
I was now sobbing. The thought of leaving my terminally ill mother didn't sit well with me and worse leaving my younger sibblings at the mercy of my step mother was unbearable.
"Moses will care for the young ones. He has promised to lay his life down for them to protect them."
I cried harder and lay my head on my mother's breasts just as I used to when I was younger. She had been my hero and strength all this while. If she wanted me to go then I would do so but I was afraid. Afraid that the minute I would turn away she would die. I knew death was inevitable but at the same time I had prayed to the Lord for so long to preserve my mother's life and perform a miracle. She put her hand on my head and let me cry.
"You have sacrificed so much for me. You have done more than a young person your age is supposed to. Nursing someone like me is not easy. I know that these hands will perform wonderful tasks. Do not allow anything to hold you back from your dreams. Work hard, do not be afraid to do any odd job as long as at the end of the day it will lead you closer to your dreams."
I nodded against her breast and for the first time in a long time she brushed her lips against my head. Her lips quivered but the kiss meant more.
"Gid will go before you. Just remember to never forget what I have taught you. Never forget the God of your childhood. Never forget that God is there even in the storm. He always comes through for his children. He has brought you this far. Whatever happens in your life remember that God is not dead. He hears every prayer and feels each tears. He knows whatvis best fkr you and why he allows certain things to happen. Promise that you will not depart from my teachings."
"I promise,"I said quietly.
"Good. Now give me some water and get some rest. You have a long journey tomorrow."
I gave her the water. She drank it then asked me to pray. After that she slept. I couldn't sleep as I kept wondering what my future held. Mum wanted me to go but I had no idea what to do and who to turn to. I knew Harmony had a phone and maybe I would call him once I got to choma and hoped he would give me to directions on how to find him. When sleep finally came it was late. I slept dreamlessly. In no time I heard Moses call out for me. I woke up with a start. I found mother seated,something she rarely did.
"My child it is time for you to leave."
I stared at her for a minute as I recalled our conversation. "Wash your face and put on something decent for your journey.
I got out if bed and switched on a candle and then hurried outside to get some water and wash my face. I wiped my body with a cloth to just fresh up then hurried back to the hut. I pulled on a green dress and plastic shoes that had been my frequent companions. I then pulled on my chitenge. I turned to mum who was watching me. She smiled sadly and held out her hands.
"I love you my daughter. God bless and keep you. May he bless the works of your hands."
I nodded against her and for the last time inhaled her scent. A scent that had been a constant all my life. I pushed back the tears as she told me to hurry along. I took one last look at her before stepping out of the hut. Something told me it was the last time we would ever see each other but I pushed away the bad feeling. Moses was waiting for me at the end of the homestead. He told me to hurry. The main road was about 3km away.
"I hid a bag along the brush last night as per mother's instructions," he said.
I just nodded. I was too shocked and scared of my impending journey. I followed Moses behind.
He had been my first friend and also a constant in my life. He located the plastic he had shoved some clothes in and then reached into his pocket and pulled out some notes. He placed them in my hand.
"Sister when you make it in life, do not forget us."
I nodded barely able to say a word. He smiled showing perfect white teeth. "I will care for mother and the little ones."
We were at the road now. He pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Take care of yourself," he said as we heard a truck approach.
"I will."
He then took a step behind. I looked after him as he started walking. I could hear the truck edge closer. He stopped once to look behind. He raised his hand to wave and I waved back. The truck stopped a few feet from me.
"Are you going?" The driver called out as he stuck out his head.
"Yes," I called out as I walked to the truck as my heart beat faster.
How could I leave all I knew behind. Was I read
Watch out for episode 2