IS THIS LOVE – Episode 50

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 50

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

THE BLINK OF AN EYE – 2

Lister laughed, “Maybe I need to find a man who has more money than this man.” She said jokingly.

“Don’t joke about something like that.” I gave her a tongue out as I also began to laugh.

She went on to fill me in on the whole conversation that went down between her Aunty, and herself. From what I heard, Lister was told that she was getting old, and there was no time for her to start being in a new relationship that would last maybe another couple of years.

Her Aunty had the nerve to say, “All men cheat. You will have to live with it.”

Lister explained to me how broken she felt, “I feel like I don’t have a life. Like no other man can see past my make-up other than this one. My Aunty spoke to me in a very disturbing manner. Dad can’t do anything about it since I grew up with Aunty and all that, and they are the ones that took me to school.”

“I don’t think taking you to school is a reason to stomp on your right of choice. Besides, they ain’t the ones who are going to be married to him.” I told her.

“Well, she doesn’t see it that way. For the old people, marriage is all about endurance after all.” Lister said.

“Endurance my foot. Besides, you not even married to him. Just because his engaged you don’t mean he has the right to sleep around.” I told her.

“The thing is, I mean, I remember days when Uncle would come back home late at night, and they would fight because there was some prostitute he liked going to every time when he was drunk or in a bad mood. That kind of life has engraved all these things Aunty keeps telling me. She had the choice to leave him, but she decided to stay because of the children.” Lister explained to me.

Because of my background, Lister always avoided talking about her past. It was one reason she worked hard at school so that she could gain independence but even after college, she was still under the rule of her guardian.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

“I don’t understand you, Chef.” I laughed hard.

“Which part of what I’ve said don’t you understand?” He asked me.

“You think I would get more broken if Lydia got married to her boyfriend. I don’t see that happen to say the truth.” I told him.

“You young ones. Let me teach you another thing, it’s straightforward to find a partner that fits your current needs, and wants. However, it’s not that easy to find a partner that will share the same vision as you, one that will be willing to grow with you and develop with you. The problem with most of you youth of today, you want a girlfriend whom you can show off to your friends. There is real life at the end of that corner Chileshe.” Chef said happily. Orders kept coming in and out, on my end, I had finished the meal he had given me.

“I like her. That’s something I won’t hide. But you make it sound like my life depends on the woman I will get married to. That’s just awkward.” I told Chef.

I watched him shake his head, and then speak, “You guys are really playing with fire.”

“Listen Chileshe, Your success or failure in life has a lot to do with whom you choose to spend the rest of your life with. I have seen a lot of people whose lives gained unprecedented momentum and

progress after the got married and I’ve also seen a lot of people whose destinies crashed due to their poor choice of a life partner. Marriage is the most important decision a person can make in his/her life next

to their decision to follow Jesus Christ.” He said thoughtfully. This man was a pool of wisdom and talking to him was my way of taking a swim.

“The problem with you young ones you out in more effort when buying a phone than you do when searching for a life partner. ‘For better or for worse’ is a long time to be frustrated ka.” He said with a giggle.

While I was there, I received a message from Mwenda.

MWENDA: ‘Black Man. How did it go? Have you been fired?’

CHILESHE: ‘I wish I were. Lydia played her cards very well once again.’

MWENDA: ‘What does that mean?’

CHILESHE: ‘It means that I haven’t been given the boot as expected. Instead, am told that I will be working from Friday till a week before my other job starts.’

MWENDA: ‘Are you going to manage working with Lydia around? That girl has really stolen your heart for all I know.’

CHILESHE: ‘Iwe shut it. Lydia requested to be transferred to another station for the time being.’

MWENDA: ‘What is going on between you two? First, she visits you and sleeps over. Then she goes back that side and makes such changes. Is an employee even allowed to make such demands?’

CHILESHE: ‘If the employee is very valuable to the employer; I don’t see why something like that can’t be done.’

MWENDA: ‘Futseke!’

CHILESHE: ‘Back to sender kiki.’

MWENDA: ‘You a wrong friend. Babe is coming over. I want you to buy some fruits, she requested a fruit salad.’

CHILESHE: ‘Since when did you become so romantic?’

MWENDA: ‘Futseke. Let me sweep the house.’

Mwenda’s messages always left me laughing. Now that he was going to be home with his girlfriend, it meant that I needed a plan.

Matimba had asked me to tell her the day I would be free so that we could meet.

@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@

“Enough about me. You need to give Ben a chance. He seems to be a good guy.” Lister said warmly.

There was no way for me to speak against that. Moreover, I had known Ben for a long time even though we had never been a couple.

I just couldn’t fathom why it was so hard for me to give in to his request of me becoming his girlfriend. It’s not like he had just asked me once or twice, but it was more than that.

‘Maybe Lister is right. Am just being too hard on him for nothing. Not only that, it seems like things between me and Chileshe can never work out no matter what happens.’ I thought to myself.

“Thank you for the food,” I told the lady as she came to take the plates we had been using to eat on.

“I want to come dance on your wedding as well,” Lister said with a smile.

“Who said you won’t. If you not careful you might just end up being the bride to Ben.” I told her.

“That’s just crazy. Why would I want to do that?” She laughed.

“Don’t worry. Whatever you decide, am still going to be there for you.” I told her.

“You my day one. Stop talking like you about to die.” Lister pinched me. A warm smile covered her face once again like always.

 

To be continued…