” So how much will I be getting paid ” asked Grace holding her hip with one hand against the table.
” You will discuss that with my friend , just please help her ” begged Amina
” Amina, Amina you know that I will be taking a risk if I do that ryt ”
” What risk will you be taking , gogo will never know anything she is old and numb ”
” I see you underestimate thee old ”
” I don’t understand what you are scared of Grace ”
” I am not scared of anything Amina but … ” She paused then added ” Oky then I will do it ”
” thank you so much ”
” You really love your friend ”
” She is my best friend , she understands me more than anyone ”
************
Amanda ! Shouts Makanaka when she sees Amanda approaching . She runs in a pace that only one sees when a toddler runs to hug their parents .
Maka hugged her sister so tight like she doesn’t want to let go . Amanda felt almost aggrieved by the hug she received from her younger sister so she pulled away .
” Woah , woah you are going to untidy my clothes” she said dusting her dress .
Maka was supprised by her reaction and accent. She now spoke English and not Shona . She was sounding like a white woman and acting like one .
What even shocked Maka more was how thick Amanda looked . She had gained lots of wait , and looked so different . She was taking good care of herself .
” But I missed you sis ” she slightly punched Amanda’s arm .
” So ! ” Amanda yelled opening her eyes wide with range .
Maka was so shocked by the hostile tone in Amanda’s voice it was as if she wanted to slap her .
” Listen this is not Zimbabwe where you came from okay , this is South Africa , city of Cape town thee mother city , I can’t be seen hugging someone dressed like a Ohhh you know what never mind let me just leave it ” she said and abruptly walked away .
Maka made no response and was left behind standing in shock .
Amanda just couldn’t help yell at her little sister . She just doesn’t like how ardent she is. Her energy and the way she is , just doesn’t go with her anymore . It’s not like it used to be , people grow and things change . And she is in control now.
Amanda opened her boot and eye signalled for Maka to put her bag inside .
Maka placed her bag inside and got inside the car . Sitting in the car was a very awkward moment for her . Had she known that her sister Changed like this , she would have never bothered to come . She looked out the window , admiring the beautiful view . Cape town was really beautiful as it looked in the pictures that Amanda used to send her .
The place Is filled with mostly white people and blacks too . Everything looks so calm and peaceful outside .
” Maka ”
” Yes ” Maka answered even though she didn’t want to .
” I am so sorry I was rude to you earlier , I just have a lot of stress on my mind ”
” It’s okay I understand ”
” Really ”
” Yes ”
” Thank you , you never changed , you still that kind sweet girl ”
” Yeah I am ” she laughed .
” Good then , I like it ” she smiled
Maka returned the smile and went on looking out the window .
Amanda pressed send on her phone and immediately got a message back saying
” Leopards never change its spots my dear , just keep eye on her ”
*******
It was past 6 in the morning and Maka couldn’t sleep anymore she was used to waking up around this time to cook and clean before going to school and varsity . She spent her whole life doing it on repeat , that’s because she was taught that a woman had got to wake up early to do her work .
Crawling out of bed , Make stretched out her body . The bed was so comfy and warm , she had missed sleeping on a bed . Back home when she got her first periods her Grandmother moved her to the dinning room to sleep on the floor . Gogo said that she was a big girl now and had to sleep alone. The first few nights was difficult but then she got used to it.
Looking around her room that Amanda gave her to sleep in that would be hers until she finds her own house . Maka smiled , it was like she was sleeping in a princess room . Pink and purple all around , the decorations was so beautiful. Amanda was really good with her job as being an interior designer.
Maka sat soaking in the bath .she closed her eyes and layed her head back , allowing the water to relax her. At that Instant moment , Make thought of her gogo . She wondered if Amina was able to get gogo a maid . She wasn’t able to call them yesterday because she didn’t have a SA SIM card but later she would go with Amanda to the shops and buy herself a sim card . At the same time , she wished Gogo was with her to see the beautiful life her granddaughter is living , at last Amanda has made her proud. Amanda had always been the problem child , the troublesome . She was never good at her grades in school yet she was always causing troubles at school, bullying others and back chatting at teachers . If it’s not 3 schools that she have been changed to , then it’s 4 . She kept changing schools until she finished her O’ level .
Amanda was never scared of anything or anyone and never cared about what people had to say . Maka laughed at herself when she thought this and how Gogo once chased Amanda around the house with a wip when they found out that Amanda was sleeping with her maths teacher so she could pass his subject , Gogo was so furious that she wanted to beat her up badly , but Amanda’s mother , Polite stepped in and stopped Gogo from beating her , Polite too was very angry she had taken her daughter’s side and said that it was all a lie and that Gogo only believes it because Gogo Hates Amanda and only loves Maka . And that was the day , Gogo and Polite had a serious argument and Polite left and went to Bulawayo to stay with her family .
***
Maka opened the cupboards looking for the pots , she opened each cupboard in search for a perfect small one , the cupboards was too much for one person living alone. She didn’t want to wake Amanda up so she just went ahead .
” What is the noise for , what is the noise for ” yelled Amanda rubbing her eyes .
Maka turned around and found her sister standing just 3 Metres away from her dressing in a gown .
” Good morning ” greeted Maka with a broad smile revealing her dimples .
” Good morning my foot , why are you making such a noise in my house , what is going on ”
” Hezvo I wanted to make breakfast ”
” Breakfast , this time did I tell you that I want breakfast this time ”
Maka’s mouth dried up , not knowing what to answer .
” Exactly , this is my house , my food , if you want to cook you have to ask me first , it’s not Zimbabwe where you just cook whenever you want , cooking your pumpkins and whatever it is you eat ” Amanda said putting her pot back into the cupboard .
” Oh and if you are hungry , go buy your own food , you don’t cook unless I want to eat , but just for today you can make yourself porridge in the microwave , ohh never mind I am sure you can’t even use it , just use the stove ” she grinned walking back to her bedroom.
*******
” So my husband have you got yourself another wife yet ” asked Grace , handing her husband a cup of tea .
Manyika Was shocked by her question , was this lady actually serious with him . Did she really want him to take another woman ?
Manyika hesitated then answered with firmness ” no I am not looking for another wife , it’s you who I married and I only want you ”
” But that’s what you want my love , I know you want another wife that will give you children ”
” And you are that woman ”
” My love why are you stubborn ”
” I am not stubborn , but I don’t want no one else but you ”
” Oky my love ” she squeezed his hands and gave him a half faint smile .
*********
Maka sat in her room staring at the walls , she cannot understand Amanda’s demeanor , when did she became so rude , yes she has always been rude but not to her little sister . They loved each other so much.
Maka picked up her phone , but then put it back down when she realised that it had no SIM card and could not function .
She got up and walked to the dinning room , where Amanda sat working
********