RENTED LIFE CHAPTER 36

Kuni heard Aaliyah narrate so well about Simon coupled with she knew about him from his mother, it was clear amidst all that confusion, there was a good man inside.

“wow, I really wish he still stood his ground and chose his path despite what his family wanted.”

“I know... but you know... I think overall he is realizing that but again I know it must be tough being with parents who you really can not challenge and just choose your own path... I feel like he has lived in their shadow for so long.. look at his dads company... Simon has other passions but it’s like he is stuck giving his very best to the company”

“he is a man of integrity that’s for sure and I know he will make a great dad. Congratulations by the way... you have no idea how torn I was not being able to discuss all the dreams we had for when we finally get to have children. Do you know how many night I went to bed desiring to call you...”

Aaliyah was quiet as she looked at her friend, I that moment she was emotionless. “Anyway, I will do it... I am willing to help him start his life away from his parents’.. maybe this is what he needs...”

“You are willing to marry him? And divorce him after the wedding just to get his parents off him?”

“Aaliyah, you know what it is like being a first child, we hardly ever have our own lives... how long did I try to get away from Ndola and start my life? How long did you try to get me here? I’m lucky to have a father who could see through my unhappiness and made a decision that pleased me... Simon does not have that... it must be miserable being him. I will help you guys...”

“yes I know but have you thought this through though?” Aaliyah asked. “Aaliyah I have known for weeks... of course I have thought it through..”

“after the divorce, I am sure you will walk away with a lot of money... your life will be settled”

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Kuni did not bother about all that, for all that it was worth, she was willing to do it even just for the experience. She had tried her luck with love and everyone she fell deeply in love with disappointed her. Kuni felt this was the closest she could get to marriage. In that moment, it felt nice knowing she could at least talk of having been married and divorced than never being married at all.

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Kuni had just arrived in Ndola, it was a week before her bride price and she travelled early to spend some time with her family discuss with her mother on all the wedding details and everything that was going to happen. Simon had booked her an air ticket an she arrived after her very first flight. It was not as nerve wrecking as she would assume and she was glad to see her parents pick her form the airport. Simon had driven her to the airport and they shared a very strange kiss as she parted ways with him. To Kunii, it was nothing but for Simon, it meant the world. That night, Kuni stayed up with her mother telling stories and it was the first time she was seeing their newly built house which came as compensation from the chief. It was a four bedroomed house with her parents room being self- contained. It looked just like the farm houses of the wealthy in her village. With the money’s he sent them, they had even bought a 42 inch plasm screen.

Time seemed to fly by really fast and finally Simon and his family as well as his people were in. They flew in the evening before and slept over at Simons aunty in Kansanshi. Back at his aunties house, Simón and his cousins had been partying the night before and eh excitedly talked about how much eh wanted to be a husband. He had been waiting all his life and it was finally his turn. His cousins were not fazed as almost all of them did not believe he was ready. They still felt he needed time away from his parents shadow to live his life.