Luyando, Book 2, Episode 8

By Brian Ngoma

LUYANDO: EPISODE 8
BOOK 2

Bana Nyambe (Nyambe’s mother) had been a woman who stood her ground especially in circumstances that involved her family. However, she was not always like that. She had been married three times. The first marriage did not work because the husband was physically and verbally abusive to her. She tried to save her marriage but she didn't manage. Her first husband changed drastically because she never expected him to. He was her first love and she thought they would last forever. He started drinking alcohol excessively and later abused her. It was from her first husband that she had a son who became the light of her life during those sad enduring times. Enough was enough, she took her son and left him. The second husband cheated on her with several women. It was after the second divorce that she decided never to take trash from people especially men. Since then she has been protective of her family and things. She was not a woman to reckon with the neighborhood knew.

'Are you telling me that you are Bana Nyambe's son?', Luyando probed, 'Yes', Nyambe answered getting faded with the question. She had repeatedly asked him the question. 'How come we don't know you?', She asked further, 'So... some years ago, i had a fall....out with my stepfather and mo... moved out of the the the house', He answered. Luyando found out that when Nyambe left his mother’s house, he went to live with his uncle and later with his friends. He had been communicating with his mother but not regularly, so he told her.

Later that night, Luyando told her grandmother about Nyambe. 'I knew I saw that young somewhere, his face was familiar the moment I saw him', Luyando's grandmother told Luyando. 'But he is a good person, unlike his mother', Luyando added. Luyando wondered what had made Nyambe’s mothers to be as cold as she was. Unlike the other women who had accused her of being a prostitute, she was the only one who had the guts to come to her house and cause havoc. Luyando feared Nyambe's mother and she hoped never to cross paths again.

A few days later, Angela visited Luyando. 'I need help Luyando, Iam sensing that my friend I stay with is getting uncomfortable with me just laying all day. I know she cannot tell me but I can feel it. I was wondering if you can help me find a job in your organization. I will be in your debt', Angela poured her heart to Luyando. Luyando never felt good to see people suffering, much less a pregnant woman. She knew that position she had was going to be vacant as soon as she sig n those papers. She didn't tell Angela that she had been offered a new position. Instead she just told her that she will try to talk to her supervisors and see how things will go. 'I will try what I can do, just leave your number with me', Luyando told Angela while escorting her.

Luyando signed the contract papers and took them to the organization. She was to start work immediately and was very happy to do so. She told them about her friend who was in need of the job she left. Luckily, they told her to tell Angela to come in the following week for interviews. Angela was excited to hear the good news. She did as she was told and went for the interviews. She got the job and was told that she will only be working weekends unless otherwise. The remuneration was not standard, it varied according to what the organization and deemed fit and necessary for the work put in the weekend worked. Angela didn't care about this, all she wanted was something to do.

Priscila was back from the training and was very eager to see Luyando. 'I cannot wait to see you my friend, I have the juiciest stories to tell you', she told Luyando in a text. The girls met at Priscila's place. They were making a lot of noise Priscila's mother had to tell them to lessen their voices and laughter. 'It was amazing I tell you, they welcomed me very well', Priscila excitedly narrated. Luyando looked at her friend and saw that she was happy. She couldn't have wished for any other thing for Priscila. 'I also met someone', Priscila laughed. 'Who', Luyando curiously looked at her friend. 'He’s also on the technical bench, we talked and I think I like him and so does he', Priscila smiled. 'Well, finally, maybe you can forget Joseph now', Luyando joked. The name Joseph was barely mentioned between the two girls. Joseph had been crowned the best cheater the girls have ever met. They had grown resentful towards him and they never wanted to see him ever. He broke Priscila's heart, he made her believe she was the only one, meanwhile she was the fifth. As a result, Priscila had put dating on hold. That was a different story, Priscila had met someone and she was happy, that what mattered.

Nyambe and Luyando continued to meet even though their schedules would crush. Luyando didn't mind at all. Nyambe made a big deal out of it if they failed to meet. 'Iam only his friend, why does he act like that? She thought. They had planned to meet but Luyando left work late and this got to Nyambe. Luyando thought that perhaps she was sending wrong signals to Nyambe by frequently meeting with him and going out with him. She then decided to put an end to it because it was making her uncomfortable. She called him one Saturday afternoon as she knocked off early. 'I want to talk to you, can I see you today', she asked him. 'No problem, I will come by', He answered, 'No Iam coming over to your place, you told me where you live I cannot get lost'. 'Alright you will find me Luyando, Iam heading home now, let me know where you reach the station'. She hanged up the phone, Angela came to her and thanked her for the opportunity she was given. She told Luyando that she was enjoying the work.

Luyando left the orphanage and went to Nyambe's place. She got lost for some minutes but Nyambe found her wondering and picked her up. They got to his place. 'Your home is lovely', she complimented him. Nyambe had no time to prepare something to eat so he ordered Pizza. They ate and talked about their lives. It was the time to tell him that she thought it would be best for the two of them to stop seeing each other. 'Nyambe, the reason I came here was to tell you ......................', KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on the door. 'Hold your thought Luyando, I wonder who could be visiting me on a Saturday, Iam expecting no one', Nyambe complained. He decided to look at the person through the window, it was his mother and step brother. 'It’s my mother', he looked at Luyando......

Elsewhere, far away from the city. Tyson was getting off a bus. He had worn a cap and an all-black outfit with a small bag. He couldn't look at anyone on their faces, because he knew there was a bounty on him. He had seen the news, even though his face was not shown to the public he was being careful. 'You never know someone might recognize you', He thought.