Mother’s Love – Episode 5

MOTHER’S LOVE – Episode 5

A story by Jochrine Kunda

 

Putting mom to rest was really painful, I would feel dizzy and pass out most of the times. My friend never left my side and I felt better knowing there was someone I could rely on, dad was asked to stay strong and not break down because he was a man but I could see that he was hurting inside. Mom’s death had ripped him apart and he couldn’t hide it, I could see him trying to fight back his tears whenever he spoke to me and I was also hurt and I tried drifting to a quiet place where everything was peaceful by just starring into space but no one let me do that and I had no option than to let go because depression was the last thing I had to let take over me considering Monica. I learnt that I had an aunt who came to the funeral mainly to brag about her lifestyle and I tried my best to tolerate her but I couldn’t take it when I overheard her telling someone she came with that mom did a great thing by passing away because she’d just waste resources with her condition which never got any better so I approached her and told her to leave if she never came to mourn instead of speaking ill of a deceased person but I told it to her sarcastically and there was a strange look she gave me, one that sent shivers down my spine and the dark aura around her was visible then she looked at me as though I was crazy. We had drawn much attention and some elderly people told her to behave like someone who went to mourn and not show off because they’d long been observing her which made her angry and packed her bags then left, I hated her right that moment.
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Time went by and we closed schools for the year but the feeling of emptiness in the house never left, many were the times when I’d go to dad’s bedroom and take an album of mom’s photos just to watch them and memories of her played in my mind as fresh tears gushed down my face, Monica would sometimes ask me when she’d return because she missed her and I had no answer but to cry, I was found in doors mostly because I would admire most kids with their mothers in the neighborhood having the time of their lives so it was really hard to cope. I remember when I saw my first mense and I was glad that mom had taught me some things but I still told dad about it even though it was embarrassing.
Austin’s mother had invited us for the Christmas celebration since dad would be at work and it really helped because I’d be found thinking of my first Christmas without mom, we had a great time because it helped me keep my mind off things. The new year celebration was also great and I had a strong feeling that something great would happen, dad said he also felt the same so I insisted that we prayed.
Schools opened and I was in ninth grade while Monica was in second and I had to be committed to my studies in order to pass the exams and fulfill my promise to mother, Austin continued being the brother that he was and sometimes his mother and Mrs Mutale would bring us food so we never went to bed on an empty stomach on days that dad would come back from work empty handed.
I had just returned from school one morning because I was sent away for not paying school fees when Austin’s mother called me to her house and informed me that they were moving out of the neighborhood since they’d bought a big house in the high coast areas and I’d visit them anytime I wanted, I felt happy for them but was sad at the same time because I considered them as family which would be really hard for me. I went back home kicking stones with both hands in my pocket as I thought of how I’d survive until I finally got home and took my books then went to seat on our favourite spot and began studying, I was there for almost an hour until I heard a group of people shouting walking towards our street and I ignored them as I continued studying but my attention was caught when they got closer and I heard one woman shout “their family is cursed no wonder the mother died a mysterious death and the father is unemployed for life” I got my eyes off my book and saw them at a distance, Monica was in front of them with a dirty, ripped uniform crying and a group of women followed her behind while whipping her I threw my books and ran towards them then she came running to me and hid behind me but I asked her to run in the house. The women started poking and whipping me but I fought back and then I heard one woman insulting mom, I stood up straight as I felt my anger brewing then I pounced on her and by the time I was taken off her I’d torn her chitenge apart. Mrs Mutale and Austin’s mother came to my rescue while the other neighbours just watched and cheered while others also insulted my family. Mrs Mutale asked them to go to her yard and called Monica then we all sat and she asked them what happened, one of them narrated the story saying that Monica broke a glass table in town with a how since she carried a working tool at.school whenever they were cleaning
Me: did you do it?
I asked her then she slowly nodded with teary eyes and a scared look
Monica: I….I….I was…with…my
….my…my….classmate and there’s a game we play where I….I…..have to call her “Master”…. when she calls me….but ….I…I…forgot to call her that and she came attempting to beat… me…with…a..
.a…broom then I dropped the how as I tried to block her…. It….fell on the….table…and….it…broke
I was hurting as she spoke so I took her in my arms as we both cried and the women insulted us further…

To be continued…