The Housemates – Episode 34

THE HOUSEMATES – Episode 34

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

 I DON’T KNOW HER!

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“You haven’t even told me how your day went. You keep interviewing me like you offering a job. Let’s talk about you now.”

“Well, I saw a side of Max that have never seen before… And I was approached by an elderly man – ati Mr Matumbo.” Maluba said.

“Eh, our friends you happening. I told you to keep it easy with those squats. Now you attracting the Stone Age.” Rose said as she laughed.

“Ah, now you being sarcastic neh? Okay. You will see just wait.”

“Awe… I was just joking you also…” Rose said in a baby’s voice.

“That’s not going to work on me.” Maluba laughed.

“So how is it like working with Max? You passed your assessment right?” Rose asked.

“I didn’t just pass, I make a run for it. It was lovely. Until I had to find out that Mr weirdo is Mr high and mighty after all.” Maluba said sounding disappointed.

“And who is Mr Weirdo?” She asked.

“Max! who else!” She sighed, “One minute his himself and before you know it kanshi he has his own office. Do you know that the school secretary is his personal secretary?” Maluba said.

Rose just stood there in awe, it wasn’t that shocking to her because she had some news of her own to deliver to Maluba.

“His here playing pretend when he damn well knows his some ka important guy when at work. mxxm.” Maluba said furiously.

“Maybe his just not the type to show off.” Rose jumped in.

“Saying who you are isn’t showing off mama. Pretending to be who you ain’t is showing off.” She said.

“Why do you sound so upset about it anyway? I mean, his status shouldn’t change how you feel about him if at all you feel anything.” Rose said as she sat down. She was glad that for a long time she had found a place she felt like home.

She kept smiling as she watched Maluba complain bitterly about Max. The thought of how inconsiderate she was when meeting him for the first time was exactly what was bothering her.

But for some reason, Max wasn’t even bothered about that, he was all cool and polite as if at one point he never even expressed how much he hated her.

“The way you acting I don’t think it would be wise of me to tell you what I wanted to say…” Rose commented.

“It’s okay. You can tell me.”

“If finding out that Max has his own office bothers you this much, what happens when you find out the rest?” Rose questioned.

“Rose! just tell me.” Maluba demanded.

“You can really be bossy at times. eis!” Rose exclaimed, “Max is the District Debate President. Don’t know if I’ve said that correctly.”

“What! but his young!” She said sounding more astonished than when she found out about him having his own office.

“I said the exact same thing. I thought maybe he might have told you on your way home.” Rose said.

“He didn’t say anything. All we kept talking about was ice cream. I mean, he didn’t even talk about my presentation to the kids except when he was reviewing me.” Maluba said in a sharp voice.

Max proved himself an alien towards her, it was like he had two different lives.

“Naya imwebelepo, mxxm!” Maluba said as she left the room in a storm.

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Max was busy trying to get Bwalya into paying him off for leaving the room while Eunice was about to visit him. However that wasn’t going so well because all he kept hearing was Bwalya’s complaints on how he wasn’t for the idea of her visiting.

“You what, if you tired of the relationship it’s better you tell her. Rather than acting the way you are…” Max said.

“I didn’t say that!” He objected.

“You don’t have to say it; actions speak louder than words in case you have forgotten.” Max smartly dived in.

“Okay, let’s say I want to cut the relationship… how do you advise I go about it?” Bwalya asked.

“No way! am not going to be the guy who gives you break up lines to the coolest girl I know. Google the question if you have to but I ain’t saying nothing.” Max said with a smile.

It pleased him to see his friend confused about relationships, for some reason, he always got attached to lady’s easily.

Just then, a knock was heard at the door.

“It has to be Peter.” Bwalya said as he pushed Max to go and check the door.

“Maluba!” Max called out. Bwalya immediately stood up and came to the door, he thought she had come to see him.

“Hey!” He said as he waved at her.

“Hi,” She responded, “I would like to have a word with Max.” She said in her most mannered behaviour.

“Max, you want to see him? is everything okay?” Bwalya asked.

“Iwe do you have to ask all that?” Max broke the awkwardness.

He got out of the room and closed the door. Bwalya was left star struck.

“You look different. Is everything okay?” Max said as he giggled.

“Nothing looks different about me…” She responded as she began to look at herself.

“Oh! its actually the wig. You have removed it.” Max pointed out.

She couldn’t believe he was actually pointing out stuff, she came with the notion of shouting at him and now here he was busy trying to crack jokes.

“That ain’t funny.” She responded with a serious face.

“Sorry about that.” Max replied.

“Why do you act so soft when home and so rough and bossy when at work?” She asked him.

“I don’t understand…”

“You see, that’s exactly what I mean!” She exclaimed, “Back at work, you were so serious and acted all… all high and what ever. Yet when we are home… you this different person who just doesn’t bother to talk back.” She said furiously.

Max had his eyes popped out as he watched her talk and talk until the talking began to talk her.

“I didn’t know you felt that much hurt. Am really sorry.” Max said calmly, he felt like the first time he had met her when she ordered him around and scolded him about leaving clothes in the hallway.

“Am the same person, I just don’t mix my life outside work with that of work. I wouldn’t like you to be addressing me as boss once I tell you am the so and so of this place.” “If you are going to respect me… respect me for me and not because of the position I hold. Am guessing you heard that am President of something. Because everything you have said points to why I didn’t tell you myself… isn’t that right?” Max asked her.

They were in the Kitchen as they spoke. Rose got worried and tried to check on what was going on, mean while, Bwalya was curious as to why Maluba had knocked just to see Max. For that reason, he also walked out of the room and tip toed to the kitchen just to listen to what was being talked about.

“What are you doing?” Rose asked in a whisper.

“Why asking me? Why are you doing the moon walk yourself… are you Michael Jackson or something?” Bwalya teased her.

“That wasn’t funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be funny. shush!” Bwalya said as he put one finger on his lips.

“Hey Mr. don’t shush me.” Rose objected.

The lucky part was that they wouldn’t be heard since Maluba’s voice was high pitched.

“Is that so! while if am going to be under your leadership then I demand that you stop keeping things to yourself.” Maluba lashed out.

“Okay Teacher.” Max responded. His cheeks were puffed up and ready to explode.

Maluba was so pissed that she looked cute.

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“We already having relationship drama this side.” Peter said as he took his shoes off. He had just gotten back from work and was exhausted.

“I doubt it’s about relationships. I think Maluba found out Max is the President of the District Debate Club Association, now she’s confronting him about it.” Chongolo said.

“You seem to have been paying attention. How long have they been at it?” Peter asked.

“About 30 minutes now. The female teacher – Maluba, she’s also into debate and has joined the School debate club as an instructor… am not sure if that’s the word. Now she’s shocked to find our that ba patron is some sort of boss boss despite being clumsy at home.” Chongolo told the husband.

“Max is just like that, she’s yet to start complaining. What are we eating tonight?” Peter asked.

“I cooked your favorite, There is bream fish and Katapa. Just the way you like it.

Peter was all smiles, it had been a long time since Chongolo had cooked his favorite.

“Hope we are eating together…” He said as he looked at her. She was busy walking around preparing the table in her blue-wax chitenge.

“Am going to eat some other time, am not hungry.” Chongolo replied.

“What have you been eating?”

“Just a bit of everything.” She giggled.

°°°°°TO BE CONTINUED°°°°°