Chitani’s in-laws provided for them in their early days of marriage. Maureen was the last born in her family in which they were seven children. Being the only daughter in the family made her brothers fond of her. Despite them being married and having to take care of themselves, the brothers took care of the responsibilities. They never let a smile leave their sister’s face and always respected her decisions.

Immediately after she got married to Chitani, who they knew was unemployed and had nothing, the brothers decided to open up a small business for their sister. The brothers even rented a house for the new couple. This was a relief to Chitani who tirelessly walked in towns with his papers looking for job. After graduating, Chitani he had no place to call home, therefore he was sleeping outside shops in town or under bridges. It’s crazy how friends forget each other after school. He was even used to eating leftovers.

“Endure the pain and never give up. Suffering matters nothing where there is hope,” his father used to tell him during their hunting, when he was alive.

His parents died just after he started his first year at Bunda College. They died together at the farm after being hit by lightning. Chitani enrolled to study agricultural engineering at the college. His parents were refugees who fled from their native country due to civil war. They used to live at Dzaleka refugee camp in Dowa district. Since Chitani was born there at the camp, he was regarded a citizen of Malawi according to the constitution, therefore he had an opportunity to study as every Malawian child did.

Since his primary school, Chitani was known to be a very hardworking student who always took position one no matter how hardworking his classmates were. He usually made an effort to beat them. This brought happiness to his parents. Of course, yes, they were happy. It’s what parents expect from their children. All parents love to see their children doing well academically. They never mind the money they pay for a child who does well in class. It is well known that the only way to thank them is by doing well in class. Chitani worked for nothing but change. Change in himself and his family. He needed a lot to meet his mental expectations. It’s hard to settle the gap of desires.

His parents had nothing and their yields weren’t enough to feed their own stomachs for a whole year. They had a small piece of land. Every year they suffered hunger and depended on aid from the government. Chitani was mostly at boarding school doing his studies. He only suffered hunger like his parents during school holidays. Yes, he was working for a great future of the family. And why not? He was the only child in the family so he was their only hope.

“Have patience and persevere through the hardship of life with hard work. Your success in life will depend on how much you give. Never give up,” his mother used to tell him, during their meals when he was at high school. “Nothing valuable is lost after taking time,” she always emphasised.

However, life was unfair to Chitani. After being married to Maureen, his brothers-in-law tried hard to find him a job. It happened that they found him a security-guard position at a certain manufacturing company. He didn’t hesitate but thanked God for the opportunity. He was happy to know he would be able to provide something for his family. His wife was also happy and proud of him for not caring about the face but being willing to work as a guard for the family. Indeed, few graduated degree holders on earth would accept this. To him, success was a process.

“A man is known by his contribution,” his father used to tell him, therefore Chitani was proud to have found something that would allow him some responsibility. The fact that his wife Maureen was six months pregnant with his child made him even happier.

At least the baby will not lack everything, he thought to himself, smiling. Within the same month that he started the work, thieves broke into the company and stole goods worth millions. It was known that the thieves got the line from one of the guards from the company. After the interrogation, all the guards pointed their fingers at Chitani, the newly employed guard.

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Tell us: Do you think Chitani did it? Why or why not?