The Housemates – Episode 4

THE HOUSEMATES – Episode 4

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

ARGUMENTS IN THE KINGDOM!

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“Babe sure! How can you say such a thing?” Chongolo asked Peter.

“His a typo!” Max commented as he laughed.

Peter was silent as both his wife and Max made fun of him. It was an embarrassing moment for him but he kept it below the belt. Peter always made sure he escorted his wife every morning and as went out to take care of her boutique’s. It was one of those things that Max never understood why but always enjoyed tagging along as often as he could.

“Do you think thats the fiancée?” Max asked Peter.

“mmmh, I never thought you been checking out ladies Max.” Chongolo said as she laughed.

“What! I was just asking; cant a brother ask about a sister without being judged.” Max shook his head as he responded.

“I just didnt know you single and searching.” Chongolo added as her husband shook his head in agreement.

“I see whats happing here. You two are teaming up to take me down.” Max smiled as he spoke.

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I DONT LIKE THIS!

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Mengo and Rose sat silently as they both watched the caretaker and the two guys walk away. He was pissed but tried hard not to show it in front of Rose, but that wasn’t the case, Rose knew her boyfriend very well. He was the type that got cranky and irritated easily.

“How can he say such a disrespectful thing, ati cleaning Zambia. Mxxm.” Mengo said with a frown.

“Its okay baby dont give it much thought. His the caretakers wife I think.” Rose said in a calm voice as she touched his hand to relax him.

“So instead of doing the gardening his busy opening his mouth about things that don’t even concern him.” Mengo nagged bitterly.

Rose looked at him and blushed with a giggle, “His not a caretaker in the Zambian sense of things. Maluba’s cousin said the owner of the house is based in Japan at the moment, so him and the wife are more like the landlords of the house.” She explained with a smile.

“I still stand by what I said babes, I dont like the idea of you staying here.” Mengo said as a way of avoiding what she had just explained to him.

Rose always hated when he did that, Mengo always made her feel lost and tugged around. It was always his thoughts and ideas that were more important and never considered anything she said. Nevertheless, Mengo went on and on complaining about how insecure he was about having Rose stay among guys at the house.

“Why do you do that?” She snapped.

“Do what?” Mengo asked.

“You always make it seem like am an easy target for guys. I can handle myself you know.” Rose said seriously.

“Babe you know it’s not like that, am just being reasonable here.” Mengo said.

“Reasonable! You always being reasonable and I hate it. If only you could just believe in me for a moment.” She said as she got all emotional.

“Dont tell me you seriously trying to object me right now? I came here to see you and not to argue with you.” Mengo pointed out.

“Who said we arguing. Am just telling you what I think.” Rose responded.

The two of them began arguing right there at the road side. It wasn’t something new for them, in fact, a day without arguing for Rose and Mengo was something to call a miracle. Despite the caring heart that Rose had, Mengo always saw it as a way of her trying to control him and also as a weakness for other guys to hit on her.

“Dont tell me what I can and can’t do. Am not the type of guy you can toss around and try to control.” Mengo said as he raised his voice.

Peter and Max were on their way back as they saw Rose’s boyfriend pointing fingers at her as he spoke. They wanted to rush in and calm the storm but for some reason they just minded their own business as they walked passed them.

“That’s the most crucial part of a relationship. Me and Chongolo had our fair share of arguments.” Peter said with a smile of comfort on his face. “Am not saying we don’t argue but it’s not as bad as it used to be.” He laughed as he added.

“You guys seem like you never used to argue at all when you were in your dating days.” Max said lightly.

“Brother man, arguments are part of a relationship. They strengthen the bond, it’s important to see your partner at their waste while you dating.” Peter added as they walked back to the car.

Max still had his bottle of Mixed Fruit Jam in his hand.

“Personally I dont believe in arguments; I think they just make cracks in the wall. I would rather just talk about it and find a mutual point of understanding with someone.” Max said in an objecting tone as he tried to shade more light on the topic.

Any topic of discussion between the two of them would always end up in a debate without them even realizing it.

“I wish that was true. From my experience with relationships, trying to act cool and chilled just creates room for one to store up their emotional pain and a bunch of offences that their partner keeps making. Arguing opens up that room and let’s all the pain and held up faults against the other person come to light. Otherwise your relationship might just be a fantasy my friend.” Peter said as he provoked Max’s thoughts.

“So, what you trying to tell me is that arguments are healthy?” He asked.

“Exactly. But when I say arguments I dont mean disrespecting your partner in front of the whole neighbourhood.” Peter laughed.

Max gave him a surprised look as he listened attentively to what Peter was saying.

‘I cant believe he can confidently make such a statement when his always the one making a scandal almost every night when he comes bad drunk from work. I guess people are smart until they take a glass or two.’ Max thought to himself as his caretaker skilfully explained to him about how necessary arguments where to a relationship.

Since Max wasnt the talkative type of a guy, arguing was something he viewed as a waste of time unless is was debate. But to think of what peter was kept talking about; arguments did create an environment for one to just lush out and bring all the blames and insecurities they had to the open light.

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AT FIRST SIGHT.

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Bwalya on the other side of the house was busy trying to get himself together because he had been caught dancing by the girl next door. Maluba was charmed immediately and just found the light dude interesting.

“I hope you dont have to see me dance again.” He smiled.

“Again! Oh! You the guy from next door?” She commented in a snap.

“The guy next door; thats an interesting way to put it. Am guessing you the new girl from next door huh?” Bwalya said sounding flirtatious. Unlike Max, Bwalya had a way of talking to girls which made him admirable every single time he spoke. Maybe it was his height and colour of skin, either way talking to ladies just came easy for him.

“Oh, now his being a copycat.” She giggled. “My name is Maluba.” She smiled.

“huh, Maluba as in flowers?” Bwalya asked her.

“Dont do that. I wonder why guys are always the ones to translate my name when they hear it.” She shook her head with a smile as she spoke.

Bwalya got the remote and reduced the volume, without saying his name he waved her goodbye and went back to his room to continue with his sweeping. In Maluba’s mind, Max was Bwalya and the first glimpse she had of Max wasn’t all dreamy.

°°°°°TO BE CONTINUED°°°°°