CHAPTER 5
” It’s going to be a great night I wonder who is buying a present for me,” Martha said curiously.
After two days they went to the father’s house in town . Bright and Shamiso had reunited though she had asked him to be patient with her. The seed of hatred was still planted in her . She still couldn’t trust anyone even her father. They had picked names randomly to buy a present for them in a jar like a game.
Nomatter and her sisters were in the bedroom they shared while watching a comedy on the laptop. Nomatter had her eyes on the screen ,she was so concentrating,she preferred watching quietly but Shamiso and Martha objected . They had a lot in their mind about the presents they brought that everyone would be happy.
” It will be indeed ,” Shamiso smiled.
” I can’t wait,” she whispered.
Shamiso brought a microwave for Melody and a journal with each picture of her family. She knew she only had to buy a present for one of them but she wanted to fit in her family. The movie had ended and Nomatter switched the laptop off
” Shamiso ,who did you buy for … I m buying for Dad,” she whispered thinking Martha didn’t hear.
” You are not supposed to tell us. It’s a secret… I like Jessica ‘s idea,” Martha warned them and smiled beamingly.
” She also have proven to be a good daughter in law,” Nomatter chuckled.
Shamiso took her cellphone and video chat with Mike and her babies but she could hear her sister’s conservations.
” Now she dress proper than those days . She used to look like a old makoti and Bright was the sugar daddy,” she chuckled,while playing the role of Jessica showing her style of walk.
” She used to sit like this and mama didn’t like it . She would shout this makoti is undisciplined .. and worst when she slept with Lovemore. If it was not for Dad she would have been gone,” Nomatter clap her hands and sat on the floor like mocking then she became serious.
” Dad want to keep the family united ,” Shamiso blanted in after she put her phone on the table.
” Yeah,it’s good that we have Dad. Imagine a life without him,” Nomatter hanged her arm on both her sister’s shoulders.
” I grew up with my mother after….,” tears fell on Shamiso’s cheek and words couldn’t come out. Shamiso ‘s face turned sour and eyes filled with tears. Both her sister rubbed her shoulders sympathetic.
” I know you are all good people . I know how it feels to be lonely and having a family but if only I had my mother who would stand for me ,” she continued and hold her tears.
” We are here for you ,” they both spoke simultaneously.
” Girls … Please prepare for the dinner party,” Melody shouted through the door.
It was after lunch and they went to cook and Shamiso made a ravishing dessert of ice cream with custard and fruit; bananas,kiwi ,apples and pineapples.
” This looks good, “Melody applauded her .
Shamiso noticed her voice sweet and fluorescent. She started to see her step mother and sisters in a new version . They had love and cared ,she smiled in thoughts.
‘ We live in a confused world.. don’t live in a confused mind,’ Shamiso thought and involuntary smiled. Nomatter stroked her hand gently.
” Mama… Do you even know what it is ?” Nomatter mocked her mother who frowned then turned to Shamiso.
” We going to eat like whites today,” she added and chuckled.
It looked like Christmas and yet it was in the month of August . It was a once off thing but Gerald had suggested every year they could have a get togetherr since some of them would be working during Christmas holiday and not be able to see each other .
The table was beautiful set with candes and colorful dishes . There were balloons hanging on the ceiling and some on a corner where there were boxes wrapped in different papers . The sisters dressed in same style dress but different colors which Gerald had brought. The dress were straight and long with a long slit. Bright and his brother- in law were in same color shirts . Melody was in a floral navy dress with buttons on front. Jessica wore a peach straight dress but it reach her knees which she kept pulling when she lifted her arms up.
” Girls ,you look beautiful ,” he smiled and appreciated.
” Thank you,” the three ladies spoke simultaneously.
” I wish Mike was here,” she whispered mournfully to Nomatter and she giggled.
” You miss him?” she snorted and Shamiso nodded .
“Let’s all sit beautiful ladies,” Bright ordered ,gesturing with his hand to the table.
They all sat down and a prayer was done by Melody. Shamiso felt the spiritual power and it was her first time feeling it. She only watched gospel channels on TV .She opened her eyes and noticed everyone had their eyes closed and head bowed.
“Amen,” they all said simultaneously and Shamiso pretended to open her eyes as if she had closed them and lifted her head up.
” Let’s open the presents before dinner,” Jessica suggested and they all agreed,making faint giggles and stare at each other.