Tawanda
After a year of his sister’s passing, Tawanda still mourned her. He didn’t take note of what she died of and he didn’t learn from his sister’s mistakes.
His mother wanted him to fall in love with one woman whom he would marry. He did agree, but it wasn’t easy; every man was being hurt by women and love wasn’t existing. It looked like love was a play thing and he didn’t believe in love after several women had cheated on him.
After a year he got promoted to Operation Manager, he now owned a car. He still worked at Willard’s Packers but had moved from where he used to stay to a flat in town. Having a fat salary made him feel itchy. Money led to bad desires.
He used to drink only weekends but now he wanted to drink heavily and enjoy his earnings. He sent money home for his late sister’s children. Every weekend he invited different women to his flat. It didn’t seem good at first until his friends respected him and said that he was the boss.
“Tawanda, you need to marry. Come home and we will make arrangements.” his mother said on the phone.
“I will come during my leave.” he said.
“When are you having your leave?” asked his mother.
“I will have two weeks leave in April.” he said.
“Good, we will be prepared. Make sure you save money for lobola.” she said calmly.
“I will call you soon.” he said and dropped the call.
He put his phone on the table. It was his day off and he was thinking about going to the bar and joining his friends. He thought his mother was a nag. What if it will not work? Who will love him without cheating him, he wondered. Everyone is cheating, love doesn’t exist. These words kept playing in his mind.
Tawanda changed women like dirty socks and didn’t use condoms at all. He didn’t even visit the clinic. The day his mother asked him to prepare lobola for a wife back home he had already had a prostitute in his room. He saw it as a better option and it was cheaper. He remembered what Brian told him.
“The chicks here don’t want more than a hundred rand. In fact, it’s a lot to them.” Brian had said, sipping his Castle Lite.
“I will try.” he said.
“Don’t try. Catch your chick or you are going to miss a lot of fun.” he chuckled.
“I’ve never done it before.” Tawanda had said shyly.
“I will bring one for you when you are available.” Brian slapped his shoulder.
Tawanda took long breath, fearing the worst would happen. It took courage to tell Brian that he never brought a woman over. Brian brought a slender girl who was half naked. She had a Mohawk hairdo and wore a pink, shiny short dress. The dress only covered from her shoulders up to the bum.
“This is the city of Vegas. Go for it.” Brian screamed, closing the door behind them.
Tawanda was shy and stood at the corner. The woman undressed herself while he looked down until he felt the woman’s arms. She removed his clothes, he couldn’t control his urge for sex. They were in bed together.
When Tawanda remembered what made him start having sex with prostitutes he always laughed it off as if being silly. He gave the woman R50 and she left.
On his leave days he travelled home. A woman had been picked by the family from another village. He agreed to marry her, but he was nervous to marry someone he never loved. Lobola negotiations were made. All the gifts were brought and given to the Sithole family. He couldn’t wait to see his wife.
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Tell us: How do you think this marriage will be?