IS THIS LOVE – Episode 57

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 57

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

HUNGER GAMES – 3

Lister was now acting out of fear to be alone, not only that but maybe she thought she was no longer good enough for another man to notice her.

“Why are you looking at me like that… You don’t have to pity me. You know how much I hate that.” She told me.

“I don’t know any other way of look at you dah! You my best friend. You about to enter a war zone area and there is nothing I can do about it.” I wanted to bath in my own tears. I was more afraid of what she was getting herself into compared to herself.

“His a good man. I believe he can change.” She smiled.

Selfless, nah. She was willing to endure all that for the sake of her family members. Look, I understood her boyfriend wasn’t a Savage or anything like that, it was the way he behaved at times that was sickening.

@@ @@ @@ @@

MATIMBA: ‘I waited for your call yesterday.’

CHILESHE: ‘I was really sleepy when I got home. I forgot to call. Am sorry.’

MATIMBA: ‘Why have you become so forgetful all of a sudden? If it’s not that, then you are arriving late.’

CHILESHE: ‘Its work. I was asked to prepare some questions for the upcoming exams. That has really kept me stressing and busy.’

MATIMBA: ‘That isn’t an excuse Chileshe…’

CHILESHE: ‘I don’t understand. Are we having an argument here? I already said am sorry. What else do you want me to say?’

Since the day that I began seeing both of them, this was that day when I felt worthless. I was getting worked up over something he was doing when actually, I myself was standing from an apex of wrong.

I knew something fishy was going on and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself by contacting my friend to ask him if really Chileshe was given such a task as he claimed. To the best if my knowledge, those on probation weren’t allowed to set exams.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

“Is everything okay?” Lydia asked me. She was up scrolling through her Facebook feed. Not at random though, she was on the Zambian Weddings and something something page. Yep, the one were even males celebrated for being top fans. Shame.

“What would you love for breakfast?” She asked me.

“I will have the usual please…” I responded.

I didn’t want to alarm her to the spark that had just lit up between Matimba and I. After all, Lydia said she had something that she wanted to talk about. I equally had something on my mind for her, it was just a suggestion. I had already concluded that my relationship with Matimba wasn’t going nowhere; and since both Lydia and I shared the same feelings, I had a proposal to make.

“You said you had something to talk about…” I said to remind her.

“Oh! It’s nothing. It can wait. You also said you had something stuck on your mind. What is it?” She asked me.

“Before I tell you can you promise not to look down on me afterwards?”

“Okay… Sure. I won’t look down on you. sh00t!”

“I was thinking of leaving Matimba if you can also leave your boyfriend.”

Now, I knew how crazy my suggestion was. I just never expected it to bring total silence in the room for a couple of seconds.

“Why would you want to do that?” She finally said something.

“Well. I don’t want us to keep having such a relationship. And the thought of knowing that am I sharing the woman I love with someone else just doesn’t echo right in my heart.” I told her.

“Let’s say I was to agree to your thought. What happens if I break up with my boyfriend, and then you change your mind in your end?” She asked me.

“Why would I do such a thing?” I asked her.

“Well, for starters you are human. And the second reason, you a man. In the past, you already chose Matimba over me… What gaurantee would I have that things would be the same if I decided to do what you asking if me?” Lydia was always deep in thought, and never accepted anything just for fun.

“You know I love you…” I told her.

“This isn’t about love Chileshe. You are asking me to gamble my life and future for you. What happens if I lose?”

Lydia had just shown me the dangers of bringing a half-baked idea to the table. Things did not go as I had anticipated, rather, everything backfired.

I had never heard her say she loved the dude. But her response began to give me second thoughts.

After breakfast, she washed up and left. I had already called my work place to let them know I would be running late. Besides, they all understand I was in a tight spot having to take up a challenge of preparing exams for such a big institution.

@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@

“Morning Ladies!” Dad’s voice echoed from the living room as he entered the kitchen.

“Morning dad…” My cousin, and I both responded in unison.

“I have something I need to tell you before I head out.” He seemed nerves, that wasn’t like dad. I mean, he has always been pushy and bossy.

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell us you dying.” I said jokingly.

“In your dreams. Anyway, your brothers think I should find someone to grow old w-i-t…”

“And?” I jumped in.

“Girl can you let me finish what am trying to say? Thank you. So I told them I would have to ask you two what you think about the whole idea…” Dad told us.

“I already know someone you, like. If it’s her, then go for it…” My cousin shared her wisdom.

“Wait a second. How come you know dad’s crush and I don’t?” I asked her. I felt lost. It was life nobody was updating me with the gossip of the family.

“Well… Dad asked me to take some flowers to her on women’s day. Oops. I totally forgot to tell you about it…” My cousin began to giggle as she walked away from where I stood.

“Dad! What do you have to say for yourself?” I asked him.

“Hey hold up. She’s just a friend of mine. Nothing more.” He responded with his weird laugh.

Because of time, we never got to finish the conversation.

“She’s a nice lady. You would like her.” My cousin said to me after she noticed how worried I looked.

“It’s not about me. Am worried about Dad. Isn’t he too old for such?”

“Well, I think the boys have done a good job to talk him into marriage. We are growing up and soon non of us will be living in this big house. It’s only right for him to have someone his senses are attached too.” My cousin told me.

“Did you just insult? That’s just too much information Mrs Netflix. And when do I get to meet your boyfriend?” I asked her.

“Hold it. His not yet my man. We just friends.” She smiled.

“Friends is that right? And he gave you his Netflix pass, and you think that’s just friendship?” I questioned her.

“Go to work wena.”

 

To be continued…