Another snippet from the book

The Price of Life by Tambu Kahari. and buy it from here ** LULU ** for

US$14,50 the hard copy and US$5.00 for downloads.

09/05/08

Renee and Rudo.

Renee was thrilled when Ngoni left for London a week ago. It meant she and Rudo could go to Dzivarasekwa to consult with Ambuya. She needed a consultation badly. After that whole thing with her husband’s sisters coming to the house, she had been unsettled in her home. Changes were afoot and she was sure she was not going to like any of them one bit.

Rudo drove her SUV madly up her driveway. As soon as she stopped, Renee jumped in. There was no time to waste when your way of life was on the line. Rudo barely had time to greet her nieces before her older cousin ordered her to start the car and be gone!

Rudo tried to comfort her uncle’s daughter. “Perhaps it is just a girlfriend who has gone over and above the call of duty. It happens, even with us. Paul never stops bitching you know, even though he already has three wives!”

“No, that is not it,” Renee pursed her lips. “Ngoni is a bitch too, but this time, it is different. Something is out of sync, out of balance. I aim to find out and prepare myself. “

Rudo sighed resignedly. “I love Ambuya but I don’t like Ambuya. Some of the things that come out of her mouth could make one murder someone! She is brutal with her truth!”

“What do you want her to do little sister? Lie to people? If she was in the business of lying, no one would see her, ever!”

“You are right,” Rudo said broodingly, “but I still wish she would throw the truth so carelessly at you! It is just awful sisi Renee. Honestly.”

“What was the brutal truth that she told you? Years ago she told you that Paul would marry you and he did.” Renee said gently to her cousin.

“Yes she did. Right after that she insisted he was never going to divorce that cow! Do you imagine I dreamt of being a second wife?”

“He married you. That has to be enough. You should have been happy with that.” Renee reasoned gently.

“And then she told me that right after me would come another wife. Paul was quick to get number three. It turned out that both her and me were expecting two months apart! I wept when Ambuya told me and I wept when it happened! What was the point of that?” Rudo protested.

“Knowledge is power Rudo. It is necessary to prepare yourself for changes,” said Renee, hoping that whatever she was going to be told that afternoon would not kill her.

“If you say so,” Rudo grumbled viciously. She had decided a long time ago that she would rather not know.

She took to the road like a mad woman. The sooner they got there, the better.

It was a Saturday and as usual, Ambuya’s place was packed. But the old woman was no fool. Her ushers grabbed her highest paying customers and shuffled them through to her.

“My girls!” she greeted them enthusiastically in her consultation room. She was sitting in her usual corner.

Rudo and Renee were her oldest clients. The girls had lived in Highfields at the Stands, daughters of rich men. At least Renee was the daughter of a rich man. Rudo was the poor cousin who sometimes lived with them. At the time, Ambuya had just discovered her craft and throughout the years she had guided her beautiful girls to very profitable marriages. She herself had gained a lot too. Why, the extension to her house was from these girls’ money alone.

She got straight to business as her girls, now women and mothers, sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her.

“Well girls, one of you has trouble coming her way and the other has a mansion on the way. Rudo, my daughter, that house you cried and wailed for is finally going to happen,” Ambuya flicked her black tail thing back and forth as she gurgled in glee. “I see a very handsome man helping you build that house. A gorgeous face indeed. I see you tousling in the hay”

“What?” Rudo asked, flabbergasted. “What do you mean?”

“She means you are going to sleep with this man,” Renee interpreted wisely. “Don’t do it.”

Rudo ignored her. “What do you mean my house?”

“Your husband is going to build you that Borrowdale house you have always wanted. When you leave here, it won’t take a week before he tells you. He loves you so dear child,” The old lady said confidently. “You shall die with him as his wife. You want to leave him I see. You are fighting for freedom from polygamy. Sometimes it happens. Maybe it will happen, but I don’t see it. Nevertheless, your house is going to be just as lovely as your sister’s here. And it will be even happier than your sister’s here because her husband has found himself another place to lay his shoes?”

“What??” It was now Renee’s turn to buckle in shock If she had been standing, she would have fallen to the ground and passed out. “What do you mean?”

“She means he is seeing another woman,” Rudo interpreted to her shrieking cousin.

“That is exactly what I mean!” ambuya agreed with Rudo. “He has another woman. A beautiful woman. She is of mixed blood! I can see her clearly. She is expecting and will have a baby boy in a few months. I can see him welcoming his son. She will proceed to have another one right after this one. Your home as you knew it has changed. There is a second wife.”

“Oh my God!” Renee jumped up and held the back of her head in shock. No, no, no! Not this! She had not expected this. Polygamy, in her home! She would never accept it. Never.

“Ambuya, tell me it is not true!” she implored the old lady. “I cannot bear it.”

“I want to tell you it is not true, but I tell you what I see my daughter. Your husband is in love, deeply in love. He won’t ever let her go. If there is to be no polygamy, it means you will have to leave the union.”

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