RENTED LIFE 27

 

AKANWA KANDI 65

5 DAYS LATER

Augustine was in high spirits as he prepared for his trip. He could not wait to meet his mum after such a while and finally to take Camilla with them. Augustine had initially planned for a flight but decided to take his car as he had a lot of things to carry for his mother. That day, Augustine and Miriam drove out of the farm to purchase items for Mrs Mwape senior. Miriam purchased enough goodies to surprise her and Augustine on the other hand was buying some other fancy things that his mother could not find in Kasama. The two were starting off the following morning for their journey.

Mrs Mwape was having a good time in France, every day she was splashing social media with images of her beautiful trip and thousands of people were online to enjoy the view. She received different praises and requests from people while on her trip. Most of the requests were people asking for chocolate and nice biscuits which France was good for. Kabwe enjoyed going out those nights with her mother and on certain photos Rajesh appeared and people were busy asking who this fine young man was. June could only laugh at comments as she made many memories. Some of her relatives even already stated their approval of Kabwe’s marriage to Rajesh and calling him Mulamu already.

In Miriam’s restaurant, it was a day for gossip as the workers stalked Mrs. Mwape on Facebook and pitying her, she had no idea how her husband was back home flaunting another woman around. One of the workers even had ideas in her head of using an anonymous account to share with Mrs Mwape what her husband was up to.

The workers at the farm were shocked as the saw this woman everyday being courageously comfortable going about her daily activities. They often asked themselves whether or not Mrs Mwape had gone for good or if things would be the same. It was very hard to tell. Augustine often addressed his workers with a hot temper and never had time to relax and chat with them kike before. It seemed all had changed it was not shocking why.

That evening, Mr Mwape called his farm manager and explained that he would be away for just two days. He was going to see his mother the following day and he asked him to be charge for those two days. Mr Mwape warned sternly that no one was allowed to come into the farm while he was away and anyone who claimed to be a relative needed to reach him first. The security guards were also informed that he was going away the following day and they were alert.

That evening Augustine and Miriam decided to retire to bed early as they had to drive as early as 4am. As usual when Miriam was fast asleep Augustine would sneak to the spare bedroom to call his wife and chat.

“My love how are you?” Augustine greeted.

“I am fine but I miss you so much today… it’s only been 5 or is it six days... I guess it’s because of how much you have been chaffing me lately…” she giggled.

June was in her room watching a movie from her TV while her children went out with Kabwe to buy supper. She was not in the mood of being out especially because she knew he would be calling her.

“So honey like I said … I will be going to work from Kafue for that audit I told you about but I will definitely be in touch” he said.

“Of course honey I remember… keep in touch.. I love you so much Augustine” she said.

Augustine smiled “I love you too June and I will never regret marrying you… you are my world and only you… I love you so much.. You have made me the happiest man on this earth” he said.

June smiled to herself shyly.

“Honey thank you saying that it means a lot to me” she said

“no really June I love you…” he said.

They spoke for nearly an hour until he said he was sleepy.

Augustine returned to the bedroom and Miriam was awake

“You sneaked out on me again…” she said.

“But baby you know if I talk to her in your presence you just get jealous…” he said

Miriam sighed and gave him her back.

“Come on honey... come on... you know I love you… if I didn’t what would I be doing here with you? And we are going to see mum remember? You are a part of me… we are inseparable... look at how far we have come... the hurdles and everything... I love you Miriam… I want us to have something traditional so that you can be my wife… will your family agree?” he said.

Miriam turned around and smiled before reaching out to him for a kiss. Back in Kasama Mrs Mwape had announced to her best friend that her son was coming with her grandchild and she couldn’t wait. Her best friend was sort of jealous because Mrs Mwape had it all and not only that, her children were all doing fine.

                                      *********************

It was 19hours in Zambia and Claudette was pressing her phone while watching the main news. She was not really paying attention until an accident scene came on. She lifted her head to see what was happening and it was then that she heard the victims involved… her former best friend Miriam, her daughter and Augustine. Camilla miraculously survived but Augustine and Miriam had both died on the spot. Claudette crawled to the floor in shock…

“Umu nandi… Umu nandi Mwe Lesa” (My friend… My friend my God)

The news had not yet reached June and her children because they were all not online, the news had been circulating online since 17hours Zambian time and a lot of ridicule was flying around as people had already connected that Mr Mwape was a married man. .