MADALITSO – Episode 8

MADALITSO – Episode 8

A story by Jochrine Kunda 

 

I quickly ran to my bedroom and locked the door then tried to find sleep which was difficult to find but I managed to fall asleep later on, that morning I helped Mirriam with the chores but Peter’s mom stopped me and told me to join them for breakfast and I avoided eye contact with Peter at all costs. She told me to accompany her to the mall but I was in no mood of going out so I lied saying I had a headache and she went without me and I went to sleep, I woke up helping out with lunch when Peter walked to the kitchen

Peter: Madalitso I……

Me: Peter, what we did was wrong

Peter: but it feels so right and I’ve always wanted to do that since you were five when we were first friends (he grabbed my hand)

Me: No Peter

Peter: Madalitso…

Me: let me continue with what I was doing

He left then after some time Mirriam, their house help who’s two years older than me came in and eyed me

Me: hey

Mirriam: trying to play ‘good girl’ won’t take you anywhere, you wanted the madam to scold this morning for coming late by deciding to help out

Me: I’m sure she doesn’t mind but I didn’t mean for it to seem that way, I’m sorry

Mirriam: you better be and keep that skirt away from Peter, you don’t know how far we’ve come

Me: (laughing) like you knew him yesterday and you want to act like you’ve known him your entire life

Mirriam: go and tell that rubbish to your dead grandmother wechipuba (you idiot)

I felt my eyes sting with tears and before I knew it, they were already flowing then I heard a voice telling me to be strong

Hector: really Mirriam? (walking towards us)

Mirriam: sh…sh..she…insulted me

Hector: she only told you the truth and you know that the truth hurts

I turned running to my bedroom to cry but then bumper into Peter and held my hand taking me back to Mirriam and held me resting in his arms

Peter: Mirriam, what have you done to my girl?

Mirriam: This girl called me…..

Peter: fine, coz I never Madalitso would never call you whatever you’re thinking of spitting out. Mirriam, this is my girl, my childhood friend, the girl I love, my….

Me: Peter

Peter: and Mirriam you’re just our house help, my wannabe friend, you’re so…

Me: ENOUGH!!! I’m going home

Mirriam: run away little girl, that’s what you were created for

Peter: SHUT UP!!!

I ran to the bedroom and cried not knowing that I’d fallen asleep, I got up and went to get a glass of water when I found Peter’s mom in the living room and she called .e the moment she saw me

Peter’s mom: you’re crying?

Me: I just miss grandma

She hugged me tight brushing my hair

Peter’s mom: I heard that you want to leave, what is it?

Me: nothing Ma

Peter’s mom: Madalitso you’re my daughter and a member of this family, this is your home and don’t let anyone tell you rubbish and let it get to you okay?

Me: yes Ma

Peter’s mom: in the meantime let me deal with Mirriam

Me: just let her be Ma

Peter’s mom: No Madalitso, I’m your mom and she hurt you which means she’s capable of doing something worse. Feel free to talk to me if you have any problem…..

 

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Voice: Madalitso

I tried to open my eyes but the light was too bright so I closed them again

Voice: Madalitso (I was quiet)

Voice: Princess

I opened my eyes and I was lying on a bed with blankets covered in blood then I felt a sharp pain in my chest, I was stabbed with a knife

Me: Mom, am I dead?

Grandma: Princess, you think dying is an easy thing?

Me: but……

Grandma: Madalitso, I raised you stronger than this, never cry in front of an enemy because they’ll be aware that they’ve accomplished their mission, don’t let their bad words get to you because you’ll end up like you are

Me: mom, mom (she was gone)

I woke up sweating then went to take a shower

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NARRATED

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Months passed and Mirriam thought of what Peter’s mom did to her for ill treating Madalitso, Mirriam was vulnerable and had no one to support her as she only lived with her disabled grandma so Peter’s mom took her in to work for her and paid her by paying for her evening classes, taking care of her grandma and also paid her K300 per month but as her punishment she didn’t get her salary for 3 months which made her hate Madalitso more. One evening as she knocked off going for classes, she passed by Madalitso’s home and found Linda with Taonga having a great time and she was allowed in

Mirriam: I work for Peter’s mom and she has sent me to give you a message

Linda: I’m listening

Mirriam: she said Madalitso has overstayed her visit so you should come and get her

Linda: I doubt that woman would say that, so what is your it that you have against my niece?

Mirriam: nothing, I’ve been sent

Linda: don’t mess with me little girl, I got no time for games

Mirriam got scared by Linda’s words not to talk of her facial expression

Mirriam: she’s ruined my name by trying to play “good girl” and the boss thinks I’m useless and no longer pays me

Taonga: that girl will never change

Linda: when is your boss likely to leave the house?

Mirriam: she usually goes shopping on Saturday

Linda: get her bag ready by then, I think her time is up drop your contacts I’ll call you

Mirriam did and left with a smile from ear to ear

Peter’s mom received a call from Linda telling her that she needed Madalitso back because she wanted her to start applying at some universities since she passed with flying colours but Madalitso wasn’t happy after she was told the news and suddenly had a dull feeling

Peter’s mom went shopping on Saturday leaving Peter and Madalitso behind despite being severally begged to tag along, they were in the living room watching TV

Madalitso: Peter

Peter: yes love

Madalitso: I don’t know if I could have made it without you and our crazy friends, the wound of losing grandma is slowly healing

Peter: I’d do it again if I had to

Madalitso: and you’ve taught me to ignore my haters till they fade away

Voice: just like it will help you now, idiot

It was Taonga and Linda walked in behind her

Taonga: you just came here to….

Peter: stop right there

Mirriam walked in with Madalitso’s bag packed

Peter: Mirriam, after mother felt pity on you and picked you from the streets you have the rotten nerve to betray her? I swear you’re leaving this house once she returns

Mirriam: I did it for love Peter, I love you

Taonga: YOU WHAT!!!

Linda pulled Madalitso and her bag to the car she had bought and drove out

Mirriam: nga iwe ninshi? (what’s with you?) I only helped you out

Taonga: this guy you’re talking about belongs to me

Taonga pounced on Mirriam and they both fell to the floor then Peter took them both out and called his mother…..

 

To be continued…