A Life Unraveled

Sweat is dripping from my body, it has been a long day and quite busy. The heat didn’t make it any better too but I am just glad that at the end of it all, I made some money. I know it’s not even half of what Simone asked for but I do pray that she takes it.

My phone beeps in my pocket again. I have been ignoring it because I hate checking my phone when I am walking home, this might be a safe neighborhood but you might never know when thieves find the opportunity and decide to attack you.

When it beeps again I decide to remove it. It’s my sister Milimo, she has been calling since afternoon and I have been ignoring because I wanted to call when I have some time on my hands.

‘Jesus Marvin what happened to you?’ She asks sounding impatient.

‘Good evening to you too Mils.’ I say

‘This is not the time, where are you?’

‘I am two houses away from home.’

‘Please hurry up.’

‘Who has died?’

‘Just hurry okay.’ She says cutting the line

I look at the phone wanting to call her but then decide I will just see her at home, I don’t know what this is about but from the way she sounded it seems serious.

Instead of continuing to walk, I force myself to jog the short distant. I am tired as hell but the way Mils sounded is worrying.

Once home, I am greeted by the guard Mr. Japhet. He has worked for us for as long as I can remember and even he seems to act different around me.

‘Is there a party?’ I ask him looking at the cars in the yard.

‘I am not sure Mr. Marvin.’

I know I can probe further and he will probably tell me but I hate putting him in an awkward position so I decide to just go in the house and see for myself.

‘Thank God you are here.’ Mils says

‘Hey.’ I greet kissing her forehead

‘We don’t have time for pleasantries Marv, you need to see something.’ She says dragging me by the hand towards the living room.

‘I can’t go in there looking like this, let me just shower.’

‘You can shower afterwards.’

‘Mils you are scaring me.’ I say but she doesn’t stop

We walk into the living room the same time that Kevin is just getting up to make a speech.

‘I have never been good at making speeches.’ He begins

I look around the table that has been set, there are a few faces that I can recognize and some that I can’t. What strikes me is my fiancé Simone who is sitting next to Kevin’s chair and directly opposite my mother.

‘But what I am good at is going after what I want.’

Everyone laughs a little.

‘That is why, when my girlfriend and I made the choice of spending the rest of our lives together a month ago, our families met and gave us their blessings. Today you all came through and witnessed our marriage being officiated and we will forever be grateful for everything that you have done, that is why we decided to have something intimate today to celebrate with all of you.’

‘Mils what is going on?’ I ask my heart racing

‘Help me to officially introduce Mrs. Kabuswe the second.’ Kevin says and Simone stands up

‘Mils.’ I say through gritted teeth but she holds my hand tightly so that I don’t make a scene

Simone kisses Kevin on the lips and he holds her by the waist. Everyone claps for them and I am just standing here like a fool, watching the events take place

‘We have seen enough.’ Mils says trying to make me move away but my legs are weak.

‘Marvin please.’ She begs and I know the gravity of what she is saying because my sister never calls me by my full name.

We walk out of the living room and she leads me to my bedroom, I am not thinking straight. What did Kevin mean by ‘our families coming together?’ What did he mean when he said they officiated their marriage? Simone is my fiancé, we have known each other from the time we were kids and have been madly in love for years. We got engaged last year and were planning to wed by the end of the year, I know things have been rough for me but I promised to take care of her. I am a man and one that works hard to take care of his woman. I wouldn’t have let her go hungry. Why exactly would she do this to me? This is someone that I was talking to the whole day, this is someone that didn’t show signs of being with another man. I know we have argued in the past of how she feels I am not providing for her the way I am supposed to and if there is a reason why I get up every other day to find whatever work I can it’s because I want to be financially stable for her.

The door opens as I am thinking through all this.

‘What do you want?’ Mils asks

‘I would like to talk to Marv alone.’

Mils laughs.

‘It’s okay.’ I tell her

‘I will just be outside the door.’

We wait for her to walk out and close the door behind her before any of us can speak. I look at her ring finger and chuckle.

‘You don’t even like diamond rings.’ I say

‘Kevin said it would make my fingers look pretty.’

‘And you believed him?’ I ask with a raised brow

‘I am not here to fight Marv, I just wanted to be a decent human being and say goodbye.’

‘Good bye Simone.’

‘Come on Marv.’

‘Out!’ I say pointing at the door

She moves close to where I am but then I create a distance between us.

‘Get out of here Mrs. Kabuswe.’

She swallows hard, her eyes get teary but I will not be moved.

..

Kwenje’s Girl