CHAPTER 3
” I don’t feel good,” she stepped on the brakes and the car stopped.
Nomatter had to be humble and stay calm on her sister ,Shamiso. She had to strong and sympathetic on her.They were on their way to the village. Nomatter had been persuading her to come to union until she agreed. Nomatter took a bottle of water and gave her from the back seats.
” You will be fine,” she opened the water when Shamiso didn’t respond and gave her again and finally she grabbed it in her hand and quickly opened it.
” Memories still play in my head. I told myself I would never come here,” she gulped a sip of water .
” Let’s just do this …What happened long ago would not repeat itself . Trust me ! You are safe,” she sounded sympathetically.
Shamiso drove till they arrived the village. There was a new house with pink freshly paint and two roomed house on a side. She remembered it was not like this when she was a kid. A Nissan Corolla was parked on the side and a Toyota pickup was outside the gate. She felt relieved because the new house wouldn’t open wounds. Shamiso didn’t notice that her father,Gerald and Melody were waiting for them outside the house.
” Welcome my daughters,” a voice shouted as Nomatter and Shamiso aligned out of the car.
Gerald was sitting and Melody was standing on the veranda.
” Thank you ,Dad,” Nomatter smiled and greeted them with a handshake.
Shamiso stood staring at the house and yard vigilantly as if she was looking for something.She smelled the nice aroma of spicy samp coming from the door.Her father gestured for her to come but she walked at the back of house. The rondavel was still there but it was open with maize inside it. She didn’t notice Melody behind her when she turned back.
“Bright had built us this house …….it’s sad Lovemore isn’t here anymore,” there was sadness in her voice.
She frowned because of the mention of the names of her step brothers . It sickened her,her stomach was grumbling like she had diarrhea. She didn’t respond but walked back to the entrance.
” You did well,my child,” he smiled and put his hands on her shoulder.
She went inside the house. Bright and Jessica were sitting on black stripped sofas on the left and Nomatter wasn’t there. She sat down while looking down avoiding eyes contact with Bright.
” My sister how are you?” he spoke sincerely.
Shamiso took out her phone and scrolled just to pass time. She didn’t want to talk to him. Hatred filled her heart.
” Aunt…. I didn’t realize it’s you. How are you?” Jessica blanted.
” Fine,” she answered as if she didn’t want and her eyes scanned the room ,sizing the furniture.
The lounge was sparsely furnished and had stripped sofa and a small coffee on the centre and a cardboard with displays. Three sculpture of dogs attacted her. Dinner plates and wine glass were on the other side and there was a huge picture frame on the wall with their old pictures.
Moments later the whole family sat up ,deadly silence for a moment.Shamiso kept avoiding eye contact but her fingers kept drumming on her thigh,she wished she could just leave.
” It’s nice to have the family together here,” Gerald giggled.
” Shamiso and Nomatter would you prepare dinner… Oh, I forget to dish you samp and beans . Nomatter go dish for your sister. I want to go check the goats,” Melody spoke as if she was ordering but sensing the tense .
” I am not hungry ,” Shamiso jested and sat with legs crossed. Everyone looked at her except for Nomatter who rushed to the kitchen.
” Sister , I know you feel uncomfortable with my presence . I’m really sorry I don’t know how to apologize to you. I can’t undo what happened,” he knelt down while his father was shocked .
” What are you apologizing for?” his father gestured with his hands , flustered.
” Dad,it’s about what happened…,” Bright interrupted .
” Shamiso ,you still clinging on that past issue?” he blanted out.
Shamiso was shocked to her father’s response and looked at him dead in the eye .Her heart stopped for a bit then started to pump when she shook her head. She recalled how her father persuaded everyone to keep everything in the family. Bright and Lovemore were never arrested. Her mouth opened wide but no words came out until she closed her eyes to be sure of what Gerald had said.
” I deserved to be raped?” tears fall on her chicks like raindrops.
” No ,I meant ….that your brother were wrong,” he couldn’t find words that would not offend her.
” You are heartless.. you called me here to mock me and praise your children that they raped me,” Shamiso shouted
Nomatter came rushing because she heard the noise. Shamiso grabbed her purse and stormed out. She couldn’t believe her eyes and ears that her father had no sympathy. Her legs felt weak and she wobbled as she walked to the car.
” My mother died and you know I will be lonely so you thought you would attack me. ……. I wish I died,” she sobbed and leaned on the car.
Bright and Nomatter followed her but she jumped in the car and drove off slowly. The rage and sadness crept in her soul ,tears flow on her cheeks and stained on her silk blouse.
” I hate you all,” she hissed as the car screeched in the dust road.
” Stop… Shamiso,” Nomatter followed the car till it was far away . Shamiso saw her waving on the rearview but kept driving.