CHAPTER 4
” We gotta go after her,” he suggested.
” Yes,” she agreed and jump in the Nissan Corolla.
They drove three kilometres away and found Shamiso standing outside looking at the wheel which was struck in the wet mud. It was already dark with only stars shining light on them .The dust road had potholes and Shamiso was so angry that she didn’t even look at the road because of anger.
Bright and Nomatter alighted from the car . Shamiso was shedding tears like no one business. Nomatter embraced her in her arms while Bright looked on.
” Dad didn’t mean it like that. As a man ,we are hard to show sympathy . We avoid the topic and try to hide the pain. Don’t hate him. I also wish we got the punisment we deserved ,” he spoke softly and sadly.
” Let’s go home sister,” Nomatter whispered.
Shamiso looked at other side and jumped in the car . She sat awkwardly at back at her car while Bright and Nomatter in front. She didn’t think of her car which was left on the muddy.
” I will come fetch it later,” he suggested and Shamiso nodded her head.
They returned back home ,no one talked or said a word . Gerald had left to drink at the tavern ,he was embarrassed that he had failed his daughter. Melody was cooking with Jessica in the kitchen. Shamiso freaked out quietly because she noticed Melody’ s look was pretending. That was all in her head.
” Glad you returned ,” Melody smiled .
” Maybe you can cook ,I want to go to the goats,” she added.
But Shamiso was already plotting against them. She found herself not fitting in the family,Nomatter dragged her to the kitchen. Jessica and Nomatter made jokes about Lovemore addiction episodes. They were preparing vegetables while Shamiso was grilling the chicken. She didn’t indulge in their conservation ,she felt disgusted. The first night with family was a whirlwind already. The kitchen was filled with raucaus laughter and Shamiso her face etched with anguish.
” Life was so funny those days,” Jessica laughed .
” You can say that again except that life is short,” Nomatter chuckled.
” I made a mistake and slept with him….Bright is a good man,” her voice sounded sad.
” The past remains in the past . Let’s look to the future,” Nomatter rubbed her shoulders..
Shamiso had a plan in her mind and went to fetch something from her bag.The food was ready cooked and well prepared and Shamiso.
” You will dish up?,” Jessica asked .
She smiled that her plan will come in motion.
” Yes ,” Shamiso’s voice was shaky .
She dished the pap, vegetables and meat and serve the tray of plates to Gerald who didn’t even look at her eyes but she was staring at everyone hoping she was not making a mistake with her plan. It was a culture to dish up first the father and mother of house. She called Nomatter to serve Bright and others.
” This one is for Bright,” she ordered. Nomatter nodded and left to the lounge.
She didn’t want to watch Bright die slowly so she sat in the kitchen. She heard them laughing then she peered through the door . Killing was not way to solve anything. Her body was stiff and she sweated profusely. Her stomach wouldn’t stop grumbling. She rushed and grabbed Bright’ s plate and it went flying and smashed on the door.
” What are you doing?” Gerald shouted.
” Dad,it’s okay! She did it by mistake,”Bright didn’t want his father shouting at her.
” I did it purposely ” she muttered and everyone looked at her vigilantly.
” I put poison in his food and I’m sorry! ………..I hate him . I tried to love him but I can’t ! I have began to hate you,” she spoke while her face on the ground. She held back tears and hyperventilated.
The room was deadly silent and Martha and her husband busted in the lounge.
” Family …. What did I miss!?” she asked was staring at the broken plate of food on the floor.
No one could continue eating except for Melody and Jessica who might have been very hungry. Martha gestured for her husband to sit down on the empty seat and she hold Nomatter’s hand while whispering what had happened.
” Shamiso ,I don’t hate you. I don’t know what to do but I just want us to be united . I’m sorry for everything,” Gerald spoke gently.
” I wish you didn’t shove the plate to the floor. It’s best I died,” Bright cautioned but a hand brushed his.
” Do you know I’m pregnant. If you die who will help me with kids,” Jessica blanted with a chunk of food in her mouth. There was a short silence and everyone turned to Gerald.
Gerald and Bright knelt down on Shamiso as if it was planned but she who trembled . She cried and Gerald embraced her in his arms. Bright wanted to hold her but was afraid to trigger the trauma he had caused on her.
” I am really sorry , sister. If I could turn the clock I would never hurt you,” he cried while kneeling.
” It’s okay,” Shamiso muttered inaudibly.
” I was also wrong”