Chord Limitless : Episode 7

"You really should consider going out with some of those guys who give you that attention," Clarisse one of the waitresses I worked with at KVM pub and grill.

I ignored her as I stripped off my uniform. We were in thr lockers and it was three a.m. This was the time that I normally knocked off. I had been working in this restaurant for the past eleven months. After my encounter with Joshua I had decided to completely shut Namwanda out of my life lest she lead me astray. 

She had tried but I never gave her the time of day. The money I found in the envelope amounted to K5,000 and I used a thousand to start tuitions while I Banked the rest. I found a tuition centre in town and it was there that Isaw an advert for a waitressing job. I didn't hesitate to apply. KVM grill was in direct competition with the famous Unce T's pub although KVM was classier and apart from alcohol it served really good food and the chef was really good. On a good day I made tips of about K2,000. Bana Mapalo had encouraged me to bank all my money and she kept reminding me not to get carried away with life working in such a place.

"Remember you are a child of God. Your body is his temple. Don't get tempted. Think of your mother and all the hope she had in you," Bana Mapalo would always say to me.

Moving from Chawama to Kabwata had been hard but I needed a bigger place since I had gotten a maid for Lumuno. The place I was renting was just one bedroomed and it had a kitchen,bathroom and sitting room. The maid had to sleep in the living room. The best part of being In Kabwata was that it was easier for me to get to my school. I was getting set to write my final exams so I had asked for a few days off. The manager was a difficult man but surprisingly he gave me time off.

Clarisse handed me a paper which had a number. I looked at it then ruffled it up and threw it in the bin.

"I am here to work not to meet men. I have different priorities in my life," I said facing her.

Some girls laughed. "Clarisse leave mother Theresa alone. She thinks she is better than us," A girl called Zilowele said.

I turned to look at her and smiled sadly. "I don't think I am better than anyone but I honestly will not throw my morals away for a few exrra bucks. Yes I need it but I will not sell my body or allow a man to abuse it for that. I have a child and future to think about so am not going to make any apologies."

I then walked back to my locker and pulled out my coat. I just wanted to get home and sleep.seeing as I had class at ten. 

I normally reported for work around seventeen which was the afternoon shift that I had asked for. I then got my handbag and locked the locker before walking out. I heard laughter trail behind me and I knew I was being lauhged at. I really didn't care as I had learnt to let words fall off me. I had learnt to only care about what the Lord thought of me. I got into the bus and waited for it to fill up. I plugged in my headsets and started listening tousic with my eyes closed. In thirty minutes the bus started off. I was home by four A.m. Lumuno was sleeping peacefully beside his nanny as I walked into the house. I quickly went to change in my room before getting him. I always bathed at work so home was just for rest.

The following morning I woke up around nine. I normally napped after class but with me being on leave I had enough time to get proper sleep. I ate a hurried breakfast before heading out to class. I had registered for my exams at Kamwala High School and I had two days before I wwas to write. I pulled on jeans and a black t-shirt after a quick bath. I kisses Mapalo goodbye and headed out. I wanted to pass my exams with flying colors. I had my sights set on UNZA'S School of Natural sciences. I wanted to study medice and hoped one day to become a gynaecologist. Mum's death had made me determined to want to help women with similar ailments.

A few weeks later

The exams had gone by and I had a few more days at home before I had to return for work. I liked to think that I had done my best and everything else was up to the Lord. I was spending some much needed time with Lumuno. He was now a big boy and was able to walk and utter a few words. I had taken him shopping earloer and now I sat with hom as he watched Paw patrol. I had earlier been speaking to Moses. He had gotren married and had taken the younger ones along which had unleashed Father's rage against him. I was happy to hear the little ones had made it to secondary school. I had been sending part of my salary to Moses to help pay for fees.

 I planned to one day make a trip to the village.

"Have you seen Harmony yet?" Moses had asked.

"Not yet. I have been quite busy but I will make time."

"You should. I am just shocked that he hasn't been in touch to give you what mother left for you," Moses said.

I blinked back tears as I thought of our dear departed mother. Harmony had completely isolated himself despite me having tried to reach out to him a few times. I promised that I would visit.

 I was now staring at Lumuno and thinking it was time he met his uncle. I called out to Clara the nanny and told her I was going out with Lumuno. I packed a bag for him and dressed up. I put Lumuno on my back and off we went to catch a bus to Linda. I still remembered the direcrions to his place so I really didn't struggle finding the house. It being a sunday I knew he would be home. Nothing much had changed on the outside of the little house as I spotted it. I knocked and a few seconds later the door was flung open. Harmony stood before me looking shocked at my presence. He had grown a beard and was starting to really resemble our father.

"Won't you invite me in?" I asked after some silence.

He stepped aside and I walked in. Everything was still the same. Nothing much had changed. I sat down on the nearest seat after getting Lumuno off my back.

"Is that your son?" Harmony asked after some silence.

"Yes. His name is Lumuno."

"He resembles mother."

I smiled. "He also seems to have inherited her persona."

Silence again.

"So how are you and how are the kids?"

"They are fine. They have gone to the market with the mother."

"I see."

"And you? You seem to be doing well. How is school? Moses told me you were writing exams and you have been sending them money."

"The exams were okay. I hope I clear. The sky is the limit as mother always said."

Harmony nodded again then there was more silence.

"Moses told me you have some things for me from mother."

"Yes.

 Let me get them," he said standing up.

He side stepped me and went through the curtain that led to the other rooms. I remained playing with Lumuno who had just woken up from his slumber. I heard voices and soon the chatter was outside. I guessed Mrs. Harmony and the kids were back.

"What do we have here?" She said as she entered the room and saw me.

She looked different. The bleaching was still very evident though it seemed it had gone south. She stood arms akimbo.

"So you have decided to grace us with your presence today?"

I forced a smile. "Mulamu how are you?"

She clicked her tongue. "People only come to visit those they hae not seen in ages when they are in trouble so what do you want?"

Before I could respond Harmony walked back in whilst holding a plastic.

"You are back,"he said to his wife in surprise.

"And I am glad I am on time. What does she want?" She snapped whilst pointing at me like I was deaf. 

"Has her life gone wrong that she now remembers us? Why doesn't she remember us like she remembers those in the village yet we gave her shelter when she came here.

I expected Harmony to come tk my defence but as always he was quiet. I couldn't help but wonder what the womanmist have fed him to be this spineless. I stood up.

"Not to worry. I am not here to ask for anything. I just came to get what my late mother left me," I said as I strapped Lumuno on to my back.

"Yes. Please leave. You and your bastard son are not welcome here. In fact make this the last time you come here. You came to flaunt your success in our faces? Well I see right through you and I know girls like you...."

"Mulamu, I have respected you so please respect me as well. My son has done nothing wrong. If coming here was wrong I apologise. I didn't come to flaunt anything to anyone. As for the money I send to my brothers and sisters it is the inly way I can help them get out of poverty by ensuring they are educated."

"Just shut up and leave! We don't want you rubbing your good samaritan stories on us. I knkw Lusaka girls and trust me Karma is not far. It will come for you."

I wanted to say more but suddenly realised arguing with a troublesome woman would only make me a fool. I looked at Harmony who looked away.

"Thank you for the things. I will be leaving now and sorry for intruding."

I hurried out and quickly walked to the road side. I couldn't help but feel really sad. My brother was never going to stand for his family as long as he was married to that woman. He was the only family I had in Lusaka but he had made it clear that he didn't count me and that hurt. I sniffed back the tears as I waved down a bus. Lord you know what is best. I also know that you will prepare a table for me in front of my enemies I prayed silently as I got into the bus.