Side B

Zuva remuna October rakareba vakomana; hariviri. Izvozvi kuma5 kuno rinenge riri mudenga umo, richipisa zvekuti heki. Isu tinenge tabva kuno kare kare tadova kusvika kumba. Gumiguru mahwanizve; dei anga asingazopisi seblast furnace yekuRedcliff ndaitoti ndinomufarira zvangu ini.

Asi uno haazi Octoberka. Tiri muna July, mai vechando. July wekuno kuMasvingo Province unotonhora zvekuti chando chacho chinenge chichidova kuuzhinji chaiko. Kana chando chawanda chinohi zvando. Foo dzinohosara dzochaya zuva racho ratsvuka, rodotsvoda makomo. Svimhepo sviri kundirova pano svinenge sviri kuseka zuva kuti hapana zvariri kusevenza, nokuti ini ndiri kuchekwa nechando pano, iro richingobwinya riri kumadokero kwenyika richigadzirira kutiza pasi parapwera richigwa nekudziisa. Richikonewa.

Riri kundisvota sendadya sadza nemunyu wemabwe.

Rakonewa kundidziisavo futi. Ndimire pasi pemupfura wakatarira giraundhi revakomana rebhora, ndakazembera hunde yawo ndichinamata kuti handizonanaigwi nezvinyamukohoho. Kumusoro ndinongova nevhesi chete. Kumakumbo kune shoti refu inoti pfuurei mabvi zvishoma. Handina shangu. Ndiri kuhwa chando chichisenerera chichindinyangira mumongo.

Ndakatarira zuva. Zuva rakatinditarira.

Ndakabata ruvoko gwangu gwekuleft, kumhasuru yekuseri uku, nechepamusoro penyama nhete yanungwa mugiraundhi neruvoko gwacho. Nyama yacho iri kuita kuti vhu vhu vhu; apa ropa riri chipata pata kubundana bundana kuti risavhinza rakawanda nepachigamba.

Vanhu vose vandanga ndichitamba navo havazvizivi kuti ndakuvara. Chero coach chaivo handina kumbovavudza. Handichafi ndakatevedzera Zidane futi.

Tsekwende yose iyi ndaiwana munhandare yandakafuratira. Ndapasigwa bhoraka naGeorge ndiri mucentre circle. Manje paandipira bhora pacho ndanga ndakatsikwa naFinidhi naIan, blazo vakati regai ndimboita zveshavi rekwaZizou, zvandoovona achiita vanhu kuWorld Cup kana ndapocha tv kwadoctor. (Iyo ine Croatia manje manje apa France yachoka; tichanakigwa zvedu isu). Ndokubva ndariti tetu nemukati meleft, ndiye zee ndiri pamusoro paro ndichitiza Finidhi, ndokuzoriti de nechidodoma cherimwe gumbo richiti svaku nemumateya aIan. Tadiwa yanakigwa wena. Ian svikati unonyepa iwe; pandanga ndoti ngandichiteveravo bhora riya, ndahwa makumbo achiita kunzi hetu seatogwa nemvura, ha, ndini ngondo ngondo pasi.

Pito yarira.

“Musakuvadza mufana wangu mhani,” ndicoach Tadiwa vanga vachipopota vachivuchira.

Ndadohozvivona ndambotamba kwechinguva kuti ndanga ndakuzvuka – nechepasi pegokora apa panga pamera ganda idzva, ganda dete, ganda dzvuku ranga richivhinza ropa sekuvhinza kunoita makeni anoshandiswa nevana veAgriculture.

Kana tichibva kuno Chipiri neChina choga choga tinoinda kuassembly kunounganira matsamba edu. Zvakaitigwa kuti kana vana vobva kuno vasangoita waziva kwake waziva kwake mutambo wemagururumba anobva mumwena. Asi hazvimbobetseri; kana zimunhu rafunga kumba zvetsamba rinodoti ngazvigare pasi iro rimborova pasi. Panonzvengwa pano.

Vanhu vose vainda. Kuno kwangosara mahwani hwani kana matuu tuu; ndofunga ndevekwaZihwa, kana kwaChitsaka, kana kwaNyevedzanai, kana Mhiri, vakataimira kuti kana kwangoti zii chete vosvova. Kana kuti voita zvavasarira. Ini ndasiiwa pano ndichiridza tsamwa nakeputeni wedu, Gavi, wangoti zibhegi remashutazi pandiri dzi.

“Steve, nhasi ndiwe une dzoro rekuinda neshoes,” ndizvo zvaataura. “Unyatse kudziverenga uvone kuti vanhu vose vari muregister vadzosera bhutsu, bhikozi kana ukainda nadzo kwasports master dzakashota unoziva kuti unenge wadoshotesavo nefungwa dzedhara rachoka. Rikakuchenamira haikona unoziva hako kuti zvinorevei?”

Ndokubva wadotiza zvake usingateereri kun’ara kwandanga ndichiita, ndichichema chema kuti ndine injari saka zvekusenga mapeya gumi nefarira ebhutsu nemabhuku angu pamusoro haisiyo prescription yadoctor iyoyo. Mateammates angu kana asiri pajuti rekutakura bhutsu kana mabhora vanofara chaizvo, saka havambohwiri umwe wavo tsitsi kana ukati wakuvara uchiidza kuvanzvengesa bhora. Ian unodokuvudza kuti uri kuita zvekutamba iwe; kutamba chaiko. Pane kuti unokakata kiti yacho usvike kuchikoro dzedhara dzisati dzashota, ndipo paunodotsvaga hako zvikonzero zvisina musoro.

Gavi rasvuuka richibva pano rikanonamatirana nacaptain wenetball team yana Molly. Shamiso ndicaptain chaiye chaiyeka; anotakura mabhora ose achidzokera nawo. Dei zvisiri izvozvo ndamukumbira hangu andisengere mabhuku angu. Haha, manje namainini – raizotogwa bhegi asi ndinenge ndambopotsa padukuduku kusukutwa zheve.

“Nhaiwe – muneiko umu? Mune mabwe here aunoti regai ndiinde nemabwe awa kuchikoro ndinogarira?”

Ha! Ha! Chinozonyanya kumusvota ndechekuti ini ndinobva ndaseka manje.

Gavi watiza mabhuku angu pano uchiinda kunosenga amainini. Ndazvivona zvichingova tuu. Eddy hadzina mutambo wadzinoita, saka dzinopedza nguva yose dzichidzinganisa marokwe. Iye manje dzainda kare kare. Uyuvo Molly hamheno kuti waindepi. Pamwe wapuhwa panichi nacaptain wake, kana kuti wanzi naTadiwa umanye kunosuka kumba. Kana kuti wanzi naMiss vatete ndiindireivozve kumagirosa munonditengeravo…

Vamwe zvavo vane vokutuma. Ini ndakamira ndoga pasi pemupfura, ndichizengurira kupfeka hembe yangu, zvimwe nekuti inotonhora, zvimwe nekuti ndinotya kuti ndikaidza kuti isenerere nepachigamba chiri paruvoko ingazara ropa. Ruvoko gwacho ndakagufonyora; ndikagutasanura ndofunga gunoti ka kudambuka gugoumburukira pasi. Ndakakombwa nemakomo maviri – rebhutsu neremabhuku.

Nhamo yanguvo ini. Ndinozvisengegwa naniko zvose izvi?

“Hallo.”

Ko Mwari munondivengereiko zvakadero?

Kana ndati ndiri kutsvaka munhu unondibetsera kusenga mutundu wangu ndinenge ndichireva Molly here nhai?

Eddy naGavi vari kundityira kuti ndichawa pavhunzo dzatiri kunyora munaJuly muno. Ndinotenderana navo 100 percent chaiyo; chero neni ndiri kudotyavo kufoira – nekutika kupedza maawa ako akakosha munhu uchitamba nevasikana vaviri vemu3B ndiyo chaiyo recipe yekufoira iyoyo. Zvikonzero zvekuti nditize ndichiinda ku3B zviri kundiwandira zuva roga roga. Ndinogona kukonewa quadratic equation pano apa asi ndikanzi tipe ten good reasons why ndichifanira kuinda ku3B ndinozviwana mukati meminiti imwechete. Ndasvika ikoko ndinogara, two hours dzopera, ndodzokera kwangu kungonotora mabhuku chete.

Eddy inongonditarira zvayo yoti, “Mazuva ano vana Smiles mbiri yenyu ndeyemabhebhizve?”

Mutarisiro waanondiita unobaya moyo – ndiri kuita muenzaniso wei kushamwari dzangu kana ndichiinda ku3B kuna mainini nemunhu wandisingazivi? Question of the day. Mhinduro – handizivi. Ko iko ku3B kwacho ndinomboinda kunoitei? Handizivi futi. Kwahi naGavi pane chiri kuitika chete.

Uri right. Kana neni ndoozvandava kufungiravo futi. Zvandiri kuita mazuvano handisati ndambozviita. Ndiri kufunga munhu zvakapfurikidza mwero; zvinotodhingura mimwe mifungo ine musoro pachikero chefungwa dzangu.

Ndamufunga zvakanyanya nhasi kudarika nezuro; vhiki ino kudarika yapera.

Ndosaka ndisingadi kuvona Mollyne Tadiwa nhasi.

Chii chiri kumboitika kwandiri inini?

“Hesi Molly.” Ndatarira futi mabhegi angu. Hana yangu yarova pandahwa Molly uchinditi haloo – zvisiri zvekuti zvandishamisa kwete. Mazuvano hana yacho inongobhagura pose pandinongofungira Molly kana pandinomuvona. Ndiyo mhosva ndichisevenza chaizvo kuti nguva yandinomuvona iite shoma.

Asi zviri kuwedzeravo nguva yaanopinda nekugara mumusoro mangu. Iye zvino wakadozvivakira kicheni nebedroom.

“Yebo,” Wasekerera. “Wapwera bhoo? Ko uchiri kuitei kuno woga?”

Handina musi wandati ndavona Molly uchitaura zvisina kuzara upenyu. Hwi rake rakasimba; ndiro raari kushandisa izvozvi, uchindivhunza muvhunzo usina basa; seusingazivi kuti kuno kunoitwei. Seusingavoni nhundu mbiri dzakandikomba idzi.

Zvekupwera kwangu zvinei naye?

“Ndakangomira hangu pano. Ndanga ndoda kudoinda.” Ndiri kuratidza kusafarira kwangu kwose kuti Molly uve pano nguva dzino apo vanhu vose vagara pacar park yekuassembly. Vashoma vanga vasara pano vari muzhira kuindavo ikoko – kana kudzimba dzavo. Tisu toga vanhu vakamira pasi pemuti vari kushaiwa zvekuita.

Molly ndofunga unotamba netball zvinomwisa mvura. Handisati ndawana nguva yekumuona achiita zvunhu zvake munhandare, asi vasikana vaanotamba navo nevavokeri vacho vava kudotaura nezvake. Wakapfeka sleeveless chena ine mativi maviri eblue. Haana kupfeka bra. Mazamu ake akasimba; zvidhundha chaizvo zvisingafarisi kana vatenzi vachipfichuka pakati penhandare. Chero zvawo akakura zvakafanira. Sleeveless yacho ine kola.

Ziskirt raakapfeka – nderelight blue – rakareba kubva parakatangira kusvika parakatangira ipapo. Ndavhura meso. Rine mupendero weribbon muchena ndokubva raita wrap over (pandakatanga kuhwa zita racho ndakafunga, ndikashaiwa, kuti masanga eyi akaita kuti rifanane narape over) inotangira nechepakati nepakati pechidzva chemwana chekurudyi. Chidimbu chikuru chechidzva chacho chakatsvuka kudarika mupimbira wake. Chine mavhudzi eblack mashoma akarara akatarira kuri kuinda munyepfu kuibvi uku. Ndavhara maziso angu ndisati ndamabvisa paskirt yaMolly nezvairi kuratidza nezvairi kuvimbisa.

Handiti kana tiri kumasports munhu akapfeka zvipfupi pfupi anenge asingachiviki here?

Ndatura zibefu. “Ko iwe uchiri kuitei kuno woga?” Ndanga ndashaiwa zvekutaura. “Hamusimi mune tsamba dzakamirira kuverengwa here kuassembly uko?”

Iye wangonditarira ndokutarira mabhegi angu. “Ndafunga kuti pamwe uri kuda karubatsiro kambijana.”

“Rubatsiro?” Wazvifunga sei? NdiGavi chete. Ngoko yemunhu. Ndizvo zvaandisiira ndoga kuno izvozvo? Ndicharibata mangwana.

“Unoda kundibetsera nei?”

Molly warereka musoro wakaunangisa kunhundu.

“Oo. Ok? Thanks. Asi ndinogona kutakuraka. Handina kuremara.” Handitombodi chero kutaura chaiko.

“Wakuvara ruoko, Steve,” wangodoma sachiremba uri kuvudza mugwere nezveronda riri pamoyo pake raasingavoni. Kuita sekuti ndini mugwere wacho usiri kuziva kuti wakuvara ruvoko.

Iye wamuudza kuti ndakuvara ndiani? Gavi zvakare. Wava nemhosva mbiri. Futi kana ndikakuvara zvinei naMolly? Kana ndikakuzvuka pagokora hazvirevika kuti handichagoni kuita mabasa ose andinofanira kuita, anosanganisira kusenga zibhegi remashutazi rinoda kusumudzwa nemavoko maviri. Handiti Gavi radhomoka pano ndikarega richiinda? Ndoozvoka. Kana ndanga ndichida kubetsegwa ndaibetsegwa naGavi. Kana vamwe vandinotamba navo bhora. Kukuzvuka hazvirevi ku…

“Wooooo! Shit! Shhhhhhhhit.”

Pandanga ndichidzidzisa Molly nezvehunhu hwevakomana vakasvotoka mavoko nezvekusada kubetsegwa kwavo nevasikana vanovarovesa nehana ndanga ndichigwisa kutasanura ruvoko gwacho. Ndaandichizviita nehasha. Munongozivavo kuita kwehasha – ndahwizurira ruvoko sure uku, apa handina kutarira kuti ndiri kure zvakadii nehunde yemupfura. Ndiye dhuma dhuma chironda nehunde. Shhhhhhu! Ndagwadzihwa zvekubaiwa mumoyo chaimo. Ndofireiko ini?

“Tinoda two hands kuti titakure zvose izvi, Steve,” Molly waindirira mberi. “Three hands, haha.” Uri kuita seusina kuhwa zvandabva kutaura. Inivo ndiri kufanira kuramba ndakatsamwa kuti abve pano nekukurumidza.

Asi ndiri kunya…

Aa! Asi chii nhai? Ndizvo here zvandiri kuvona kana kuti ndava kupengavo nekugwadziwa? Eezve; ndakahwa kuti kana munhu ukanyanya kugwara unosvika pakurasha fungwaka. Ndofunga kuti ndizvo zvandava kuitavo ini. Nekuti patendeuka Molly uchiinda kumabhegi ndinenge ndavona kuti seri kwechimhini chesiketi chake haisi mini bodo – chikadubura. Mberi kwacho iskirt ine wrap over. Iyi ndiyo inonzi controversy iyi. Chipfeko rudzii ichocho – ikabangha kana kuti short-skirt?

Kana kuti ndini ndisisavoni nekugwadziwa?

Chete kana hembe yacho iri pana Molly hazvinyanyi kundishamisa hazvo. Mwana wacho une hodhirobhu yesports gear yekind nekind. Chipiri neChina choga choga unodovona kuti wavuya nehembe nyowani kubhora. China chapera ichi haikona wakauya neskirt chena yaiva neshoti mukati. Ha ha. Ndiwo musi wandanetsana nana Eddyzve iwoyo, ndikahwa machinda achindituka achindiseka wena.

“Pfutseki,” ndiEddy rakadero. “Saka une musikana unopfeka shoti.”

Ndakaita sendichavhuna mbabvu nekufara. Mabharanzi aya anofunga nesure chaiko.

Ndinganyenga Molly ini?

“Saka apa iwe wauya kuhondiseka?”

“Kana. Ndakuudza wani kuti ndauya kuzokubetsera kusenga mitundu yako iyi. Mazimutundu, ha ha!”

Abva atanga kundiudza inini zvekuita manje. “Mazibhutsu ako uri kutakura woga. Ini ndiri kubereka KINGS.”

KINGS yacho Molly unenge waingoihwa nembiri naShamiso kuti yakanyogwa kunzi SMILEY, asi wanga usati wamboisimudza. Iye zvino waiti mhitsu kamwe chete akamboigadzika pasi achifemeruka zvenhema.

“Heyi, kurema kudai – muneiko umu?” Achivhura bhegi riya. “Kasi unochengetera mabhuku evasikana vako imomu?”

Ichi. Chiri kungoda kuvona kuti ndinodii chete. Makambovona kupi musikana wakasimba saMolly uchigomera nekusenga mabhuku? Ndiri kumutakudza satchel yacho neruvoko hwani. Haisi kumborema wani; munongova nemabhuku angu chete.

Nemusoro waMolly.

Heya unodoremegwavo nekutakura musoro wake? “Wati kudii?”

“Ndati wakaisei mubag rako umu?”

“Mabhuku. Asi mainini vakuudza zvekuzotaura kana wauya ‘kuzondibetsera’ sezvawataura?”

“Shamiso une chekuita nei nezvatiri kuita pano nhai Steve?”

“Hamheno. Iwe ndiwe ungadondiudzaka.” Kudonyepera kushamiswa – anofunga kuti ndiri gotsi kotsi?

“Ende siriyasi yaunayo nhasi haina kumbokufita, mngane wami.”

“Semavonero ako pane chakandifita here pano pasi?”

“Ehe wani! Chiripo. Kunyemwerera. Ha! Ha! Handiti ndosaka uchinzi Smiles? Ndinozviziva kuti hauridi zita racho, asi vanokudana kudero vanenge vasingakuseki, Steve.”

“Hauzvizivi izvozvo.”

“Ndinozviziva. Vanokufarira nekuti unogara uri free. Izvi zvekuti unomboita nguva yaunombozonda izvi handizvizivi ini. Handidi kuzviziva futi. Asi wakatsamwira inini?”

Ndaseka. Molly wangojaira kundivona ndichiita sebenzi. Haazivi rimwe divi raSteven Chikara rinozikamwa naShamiso. NaEddy. NaGavi. NaLoveness. Ngachigare chakadero.

“Kana munhu akuvara ndizvo zvinochiitwa here izvozvo, nhai vakomana, zvekugumbukira vamwe vako sekuti ndivo vakukuvadza? Wamboitwa seiko nhasi?

“Kudhara kwako wanga usingamboiti zvose izvi.”

Heyi, wapopota wena. Kudorevavo nezvakudhara zvandaiva ndisingamuzivi! Iye kudhara waindizivirepi?

Molly wavhara mhino dzake. “Heyi, imi mafomu tuu, please be quiet or else…”

Oooo. Shit. Miss! Ndashinyira senzvenzvana yarumwa paronda nemasvosve ndakatarira Molly nekushamiswa kukuru. “Vakakuudza kuti chii?”

Miss. Zviri kuramba kupinda mumusoro. Nemhaka yei?

“Ndakahwa kuti wainetsa maiguru vangu stereki uchiri mufomu tuu. Waizviitirei?” Uri kundimwekurira zvekudenha zviya.

“Vaikuudzirei?” Pandiri kungovavona Miss chete ndiri kuvabata huro.

“Oo. Sori Steve,” wataura Molly. “Sori hako. Ndanga ndakangamwa kuti nhasi hatisi kufanira kuseka toseka. Tiri kufanira kutsamwirana, haikona? Kana kuti iwe ndiwe unofanira kunditsamwira ndakanyarara. Icho chandiri kumbokunetseravo chiiko?

“Handei kumba.”

Svisikana svacho handina kumbovona kuti svapinda nguvaizve ini. Ndinogara kuno kuback seat pane rimwe remazibhenji marefu refu aya, naLavhu, Maki, Robby naBright. Zitable racho rine zvimakamuri zvishanu zvakashama zvekuti umwe neumwe unoisa mabhuku ake.

Kwatigere kuno tisu tinopedzisira kuvona kuti muclass mapinda munhu, kana zviya noise iri papeak hour.

Saka zvaapinda muno hatina kumbomuhwa. Svakapfeka chimhwishu cheskirt. Iyoyo inofanira kuva shortest skirt panyika. Chero kukotama chaiko haukotami nacho ichi. Ha ha. Handisati ndambovona zvakadero ini. Isu maticha edu haabati zvakadai. Vanopfeka migugururu.

“My name is Miss Gomba, and I’ll be taking you for History from now on.”

Aa. Ndopatadzatukazve ipapo. Kana twenty years chaidzo haana uyu. Vadzidzisi vedu chaivo vane makore anotangira kumathirty uko. Plus nechihembe chake ichi – he heee! Chero ukati nditemporary teacher zvinoramba apa.

Ndakwenyewa kumusana. Chisikana chinohi Cecilia Tagwirei chinofarira zvekundidenha stereki. “Sisi vako vauya. Kwahi wasiya usina kunika masaga awaiva wakafuka madeko!” Ndachitarira ndichikonewa kubumira. 

Musikana uya watirega tichiseka kwenguva refu. Hamheno kuti ndiani uri kuvhunza kuti wakawanikwa here bhebhi, ndina blaz vari Harare. Vamwe vanhu havanyari vakomana.

“Shhh,” wazofunga zvekutaura. “Heyi, imi mafomu tuu; please, may you be quiet, or else…”

Vanhu vose vabva vati zii – vachida kuhwa munhu uchitaura Chirunguzve! Pava paya ndazohwa Chirungu chiya chichibuda nepadivi pangu, pana Lavhu.

Lavhu wakavhara mhino dzake. “Heyi, imi mafomu tuu, please, may you be quiet, or else…”

Loveness wataura sesvimunozi sviya wena. Zvaataura zvandisetsa. Vanhu vose vaseka, asi ndofunga kuti ndini ndaramba ndongoungudza, nekuti ndazoona Lavhu wonditarira uchindiyambira kuti wafarisa iwe.

Wanonoka. Ndazongovona munhu wati tumbi mberi kwangu uchinditi nika shaya ndikukwature. Ko zvandangobvarukavo nesetsa zvaita mwana wose muclass muno; saka ndaitei chinoshamisa? Haikona rumusikana gwacho kana gwanga gusina kuomera zvekusvika pakutadza kubudisa mweya chaiko handiti gwaidozvisekavo here? Ndatarira Loveness. Ipapo ndipo pandazojekegwa nenyaya yacho ipapo – svisikana isvi sviri kufunga kuti ndini ndataura ndakavhara mhinho ndichisvitevedzera.

Mbama inogwadza vakomana. Ini handimbozivi kuti ndakapedzisira kupuhwa gwati rini. Asi ndangomupa dama racho zvakadero. Saka musikana uyu adovuya kuzotidzidzisa zveshuwa? Handisi kuhwisisa chunhu. Vamwe vose vanyarara kuti mwiro sevari kuvona ndichiiswa pamuchinjikwa.

Ndahwa zitafura riya kuti bhuuuum! Raungira pachikoro pose. Ndatarira patable ndichifunga kuti ndipo panamira shaya yangu. Ndatozozvivona pava paya kuti wandikuta ukabhagura tafura yacho.

“Nzvee!”

Oo. Shiti. Handina kunzvenga ini. Musikana ndiye wangokuta woga. Apa ndipo pavari kuita noise; havasi kuvona kuti uri kuda kundiuraya here?

Mbama yechituu ndiyo yandanyatsa kunzvenga. Kuita kuti nzvee chaiko. Dai ndanga ndada zvehunhu ndaivurawa negwati.

“Nzvee!” Vana vaya vadaidzira futi.

Handifungi kuti vari kuziva kuti ndava kugwira kurarama. Musikana uya wava kubhebha chaiko. Wahetura musoro wangu akauti ndi patable, kwava kundisvaya svimbama. Wandiregedza. Hapana washevedzera kuti nzvee, asi vanhu vatanga kuvuchira pavavona musikana uchiita seuri kunditiza. Akati muclass dhugu.

Haasi kuzodzoka muno futi. Kanonyanya kunyepa; wakambhoona kupi mudzidzisi anopfeka chigwishu chesiketi chakadero?

(Masikati). Ndiri kuidza kuverenga Harvest of Thorns randabva naro kulibrary manje manje, asi Cecilia chiri kunditadzisa kukonzendireta. Ndinohwisisa zvaari kuita nekuti ini ndini ndakatanga nenyaya yekumudenha kana ndashaiwa zvekuita.

Asi paandikwenya kechitwenty kubva zvatatanga study, achivhara bhuku rangu, ndavona kuzvibata kuchindiomera.

“Cecilia.” Kutsamwira Cecilia kwakaoma. Ndiye woga musikana wandati ndataura naye kubva ndichizvagwa. Ende wakanaka futi. Handizivi kuti unopedzerei nguva yake uchitaura neni.

“Kana usingadi kuverenga, zvakanaka. Asi usandinetsa, handitika? Tozotamba na3. Aa aa. Make that 4. Kana tabuda muno tava mumugwagwa kuinda kumba. Unomboziva kuti this photo picture was taken me by my friend Joshua?”

Iye wangotendeka kudhoo uchida kuseka. Ndacheuka.

Aaa; mashura. Musikana uya wekumbotiza muno makuseni wadzoka. Wakanditendeka uchitambisa chitendekabenzi chake, uchininira kuti ndiinde kwaari. Ndaramba ndigere ndakamutarira nechiso chakazara kusahwisisa. Ini ndini munhu wazodzingwa chikoro manje. Ndatozosimuka ndavona kuti mai iya yava kuda kuuya kuno.

“Iyi ndiyo office yangu iyi,” wadero patasvika kustaffroom. Ndangomutevera kuno hana yangu ichiita chamusvetumusvetu. Ndangariro dzangu dzekuno kumaoffice evadzidzisi hadzina kunaka. Kubva zvandatanga kupinda muoffice yaheadmaster gore rapera akandipisa magaro nechitanda chaakavhuna pabroom akachinyora nemagic marker tsvuku kuti Tickler, handisati ndambouya kuno kuzoudzwa good news. Kurobwa nekurobwa chete.

Ko kana iri office yake? Zvinei neni izvozvo? Iye une hofisi, yaanogara oga futi; ini ndine classroom yakazara neshamwari dzangu. Ndingaita basa rei nechihofisi chinenge tsapi ichi nekusviba kwachakaita ikoko kunge dongo rinovandiwa mvura nembudzi nen’ombe?

“Tiri kufanira kuitsvaira nekuishongedza.”

Yha. Yakasviba zveshuwa. Iri kutoda kumbotanga yadigwa mvura yakawanda, kwete nemabhaketi, asi nemvura yemuhose pipe iya yevarume veFire Brigade inobuda nehasha iya. Hahaha. Ndinohwira vurombo munhu uchatsvaira mu… wait a second – mai ava vati vari kuda kutsvaira muno. Ivo nani?

“Une sarudzo mbiri.”

Hwani: ndinogona kuti ngatishandei, toseta tebhuru hwani necheya hwani, pamwe nezvimabhuku zveHistory, nelocker nezvimacabinet. Mukati meawa tinenge tapedza, ini ndodzokera kunodya nyaya naShimmer Chinodya.

Kana kuti tuu: ndinogona kuti handidi, ndodzokera kuclass kunogara, kana kunotora mabhuku ndonzvenga. Chero zvandaita ipapo, asi nyaya yacho inotozoperera kwaBig Boss. Big Boss kwandiri ziGoriati. Ini ndiri Steve. Handisi Dhavita.

Ndangotora broom chinyararire ndikananga kune imwe kona yeoffice yasvo. Svatevera svikandikwenya bendekete, kwava kunditambidza mask ine elastic, yekuti ndivharidzire muromo nemhinho yangu zvisapinda guruva. Svafara wena. Ndofunga sviri kuhwa kuti svatsiva zvasvinofunga kuti ndaita makuseni. Sviri kundivhunza mivhunzo isina basa mukati mechimask chakavhara svifesi svasvo svikasara svoita kunge chimufananidzo chepachimbuzi – hee unonzani, ko vawanga ugere navo vaya ndivanani, kumba kwenyu ndekupi, hee chii chii, hee zvakati zvikati. Ini ndiri kudavira nekuti hapana zvandingakwanisa kuita iye zvino. Ndiri parumananzombe.

Ndazoneta manje. Ndakagara patable yandabetsera kusenga, vaya Misi vachitsvaira zvimarara zvanga zvasarira. Havana kunditsamwira. If anything, Miss Gomba vari kudoita semunhu uri kufara kuti awana munhu apwera achimutandadza pachikoro chitsva. Nezera ravo iri, chokwadi tichadopedzisira togara tose muclass, nekuti kustaffroom hakuna munhu ungaita njere dzinoindirana navo. Pamwe ndiyo mhaka vashinga kupihwa office ine svina yakadai. Taidira mvura ndokuikwikwita madziro zvose nefloor yacho, kwava kuikorobha tikazopedzisira nekuisa cobra yewhite. Patanga takamirira kuti cobra iya imborobwa nemhepo, Miss Gomba vati sara pano ndiri kudzoka manje manje. Ndasara ndakagara padhoo ndichiyevegwa nemazikadhibhokisi ari pazhe pehofisi itsva. Zveshuwa havana kutora nguva – vadzoka vakabata paperbag ranga rine lunch box nechigubhu changa chine mazowe nemakapu eplastic maviri.

Ini handidi zvekudya chikafu chemunhu wandisingazivi.

“Hindava? Kasi wakatsamwa?”

“Handina.” Ichokwadi. Pandauya muno ndanga ndakatsamwa chaizvo, asi handizivi kuti kutsamwa kuya kwaindepi.

“Saka chii? Haukwati?”

Ndangozvivona ndosekerera ndakatarira pasi ndichinyaririra. “Kana. Chingwa handichifariri, Miss.”

Vambonyarara vakanditarira. Ndatarira divi. Hazvina kudarika zheve dzavo kuti ndavachingamidza ndichiti Miss kekutanga kubva zvavakauya pano pachikoro. Vasekerera. “Chero chine mazai?”

“Handingochifariri Miss.”

“Ok. Ok. Chitora drink iri. Next time ndichauya nemachips. Handiti hauna problem nemachips hako?”

Kana Miss. Handina allergy nemachipisi. Asi ndine problem nenext time. Handidi kudzoka muno futi. Ndiri kushamiswa kuti nditicha vepi vanoita basa mwana wekutuma uripo. Misi ava ndofunga vari kutotanga basa ini. Muoffice muno taisa macheya maviri. Mabhuku ataturika mumasherefu ndiwo akawanda, ende haasi eHistory chete. Tavhura mazikatbhokisi maviri anga akati shaku kuzara. Ndaita sendichawisa rute ini. Ndabatikidza Misi vaya vachisekerera voga pavavona ndichirashika fungwa ndakatarira matext book, maParade, maPersonality, Drum, You, Bona nemanovel asingaperi andanga ndichirongedza. Ndanga ndichiita kunan'anidza bhuku roga roga seri neseri ndisati ndariturika parinofanira kuinda. Pavazondibatikidza ndaita chadzimira, ndanga ndabiwa fungwa nebhuku raDambudzo Marechera rakanzi House of Hunger. Ini Marechera ndinongoita wekuhwa achitaugwa nevanhu. Ndavhura kuchitsauko chekutanga ndokubva ndatanga kuverenga...

"I packed my bags and left..."

"Hey..."

"...my mind was roasted in violence..."

"Hey. Steven Chikara."

Ndadzoka kubva kunyika yakaumbwa naMarechera mubhuku rake rinohi House of Hunger. Miss vaya vanongedza pasherefu, vachireva kuti ndiite basa, nditurike bhuku riya parinofanira kugara. Ndahwa moyo wangu kugwadza. Shuwa ndademba kuti dei chishoti changu changa chine homwe dzakati dzikei ndaibuda nemabhuku maviri kana matatu ini. Chero ndanga ndabuda naHouse of Hunger roga ndaibuda ndichifara. Tatarirana naMiss Gomba nemaziso evanhu vanohwisisa kuti vane weakness yakafanana. Taita nguva yatasekererana.

I think we have a disease in common – books. How weird. Ndaputanidza maziso angu nekusvotewa pandacherechedza kuti ini nemunhu wambogwisa kuda kushakadza chiso changu makuseni tine chinhu chimwe chatinoda tose.

Ndipo pandazoita zvivindhi zvekutarira Miss Gomba kekutanga ipapo, ndikavona kuti Misi vakada kuita saRumbi. Vanga vakandifuratira vachipedzisa kutsvaira. Ndofunga kuneta chete kwandaita. Zvose mabatiro avanoita mutsvairo nekuseka kwacho. Hapana zvandataura. Ndanga ndakamirira kuti vapedze ndigooneka.

Asi ivo vanga vandifungira wena. “Handiti chikoro chinopera nafour here. It’s almost four. Uri kuda kuinda kunoverenga chii nguva dzainda kudai?”

“History,” ndadzatuka. Havana kundivona ndichidya nyaya naChinodya here?

“I gotta tell you, ndashamiswa fani pandauya masikati ndikakuona uchiverenga bhuku. Maybe unofanira kupedza nguva yako uchiita izvozvo, pane kuita noise muclass.

“Because that smart mouth of yours today has got you into trouble. Big trouble.”

Ooo, shit. Loveness wazondipinza pakaoma mwanamai nhasi. Ndatsinzina. Ndikasvunura. Misi vanditarira vachida kuseka; havasi kundihwira tsitsi. Vanongedza sherefu ine mabhuku eHistory gumi nefararira. “Lots of History books. Ende pane cheya futi. Nedesk.”

Ndabuda ziya ndichinan’anidza imba iri kunzi office naMisi. Yava kuita sejere. Misi vasekerera: mujere muno ndinogona kungomuvona semulibrary, umo ndichazoverengera mazuva ose, kubva nhasi, pastudy poga poga. Kusvika ivo vandisunungura.

 Kana kuti ndinogona kumuvona sezvamuri – mujere – umo ndichazopika ndiri kwemazuva angu ose pachikoro chino.

Kana ndichifunga kuti hazvisi feya ndinogona kungonoreva kwaBig Boss – Big Boss havandihwiri tsitsi. Nemamwe mahwi, Misi vandivudza kuti ndiri muchizarira chavanogona kundibudisa ivo voga. Hapana zvimwe zvandingaita kuzhe kwekutevedzera zvavanoda.

“Mati library yenyu ine mabhuku api?”

Misi vasekerera. Ini ndaitavo saizvozvo – ndizvo zvoga zvandingadoita kana ndisingadi kuchema.

Molly wanditarira kwenguva refu zvekuti ndapotsa ndavhunza kuti uri kuhwa zvakanaka here.

“Wafara here?” Nhasi ndiri kuwana dhara rava kudhunya nehasha.

Molly wakangonditarira chete. Ndavhunza zvakare.

“He?” Wabvotomoka. “Hoo? Inga munowirirana chose namai Tadiwa.”

“Ndizvo zvavakakuudza?” Vanenge vashaiwa zvekutaura here kuzondichera kudai so? Ndaziva: ndiri kudropa History; kusvika Miss vainda kuNgomahuru.

“Aa aa. Kwete nemashoko akawanda kudero, anyway.” Tiri kufambira kuside kwefenzi kusingawanzi kufambwa nevana vechikoro. Hatishongani nevanhu vakawanda. Ini handidi zvekushongana nevanhu ndichifamba naMolly.

Hana yangu yambomira kupfura ropa. Saka wakavudziwa kuti chii naMiss? “Uri kuda kunditaurira kuti ini ndini ndadokuvudza izvozvi?” Kana zvakadero ndini zunduzve – ndingavhagwa nemwana wefomu 3B!

“Mm hm.” Zvava official kuti ndiri fuza pano pasi. “Inga ndavhunza wani Steve, iwe ukapindura. Kutaura chokwadika – ndaandisingambofungi kuti zvakadzika kudero. Kana watsamwa kuti ndakumanikidza kutaura zvawanga usingadi sori hako. Kana kuti wakatsamwira Masiziba nepanichi yaakakupa?”

Handina kugutsikana nemhinduro. Saka iye wambovhunzirei pakutanga? Uri kuda kukumbirira maiguru vake ruregerero here? Sei – pazvakaitika waiva asipo. Futi haazivi zvandakaitwa naMasiziva wake iyeye. Miss vakandibira chidimbu chehudiki hwangu, hwandaingoziva kuti ini handifaniri kuziva chunhu kusvika ndava fomu foo. Unofunga zvaiita here kuparadzaniswa neshamwari dzako munhu uchipwera muchimba chaitonhora?

Yha, zvaiita. Vhunza inini: zvaingonditorera kufunga kuti ndaizonoverengei chete kuoffice kwaMiss kuti ndisiye shamwari dzacho. Hongu, Miss ndakambovatsamwira chaizvo. Asika ndaiva ndisati ndavona library yavo. Vakaba moyo wangu the very instant she let me touch all those books. After that, she didn't even have to make any effort; chero vaiva vandidzinga musi wekutanga ndaizongozviwana ndiri padhoo ravo ndakwezvewa nechakandibaya chikavhunikira.

Molly wati, “Hoo?”

“Zvakufadza here?”

“Ehe. Aiwa. Sori hako, handisi kuziva zvandiri kufunga. Ndezvekungoti chete – zhira yamakazivana nayo yakaoma wena.”

Ndiyo inoita chaiyo chaiyo, Molly. Vhunza inini. “Wandivhunzirei zvose izvi?” Zviri pachena kuti ndiwo wanga uri muvhunzo unotevera.

Mhinduro yacho yanga isina kugadzirigwa. Molly wanyarara – wanga usingafungiri kuti ndingavhunza zvakadero. Wazoti, “Handizivi. Ngatingoti zvangopinda mumusoro mangu chete.”

“Mivhunzo ine tsika yekungopinda mumusoro mako every time patinenge tiri tuu, nhai?” Ndavhunza. “Ndinoshaiwa kuti ndiani unoidzvara ini.”

Tose tinoziva kuti ndiani. “Sori hako. Ko iwe unopindurirei mivhunzo yacho kana usingadi?”

Ndavhura muromo. Hapana chabuda. Ndaandisingazivi kuti muvhunzo wakaoma kupindura zvakadero.

“Handizivi.” Ichokwadi.

Ndamutarira ndichigwa nekusunga chiso changu kuti chirambe chiri serious. Zvisina yambiro ndicho chabva chatanga kuti kere kere kere zvacho chana chevanhu. Ndamutarira.

Maziso ake chete mwana uyu. Maziso ake chete. Ndiwo anopedza nhamo dzangu dzose dzepasi. Maziso acho!

Maziso eround.

Maziso ewhite.

Maziso eblack isiri black.

Maziso akazara mufaro.

Akazara chiedza.

Akazara upenyu.

Achitambudza moyo wangu sekutambudzika kwaiita moyo waMwari paaivona mwanakomana wake zai regondo uchichachanyugwa mavoko nezvipikiri zvaimunamira pamuchinjikwa. Achiusvogodora sekusvogodora kunoita gororo mizvambu yemiguri iri pachuru. Achiunokora kuubudisa pazhe moyo uya kuuita muvokeri wezvinhu zvinourovesa nehana. Zvinhu zvinenge chifuva chaMolly.

Ndiri kumbofungeiko ini?

Mukandiro waanoita musoro wake kuseri uku. Chifuva chake nekusimba kwacho chichizuzika zvishoma, chichiti dhe kubuda kuzhe kuno (Uchifema zvine ruzha).

Agotanga kuseka hake mwana, nemiromo yake yakanyorovera, mazino ake machena akainzana achiinda pachena. Maziso ake achibirira kunditarira nemakona awo. Achinditorera moyo wangu achitizira kudenga rechinomwe kuna Mollyne Tadiwa.

Mufaro wake uchinditokonya. Kundikwadabvura. Kundiita muranda. Uchitapukira kwandiri semukondombera kana mimba inouya mukusafungira. Ndaiginowa mabhero emota iri kundiyambira kuti hokoyo nenhamo, ndikabatwa nemukondombera, muviri wese kani. Kwekanguva ndambofunga kuti ndini nyemwerero yaMolly.

Kungoti chete handina kukanda musoro wangu seri. Hwani, nekuti handigoni – zvekukanda musoro seri kwemutsiba zvinongoda Molly chete. Chechipiri ndechekuti ini ndakati rebei zvishoma kudarika Molly; iye ukasimudza chiso chake unoshongana neni; ini ndikasimudza changu ndinotarirana nedenga. Panguva dzino denga handiro favourite tourist resort yangu.

Chikonzero chechitatu: Handikwanisi kukanda musoro wangu, chero kuufambisa kudivi ripi haro. Ndiri kuita kutepukira ndichiserewa nechiso chaMolly chiri kufara sekuti ndicho choga chisina zvinochinetsa pasi pano. Ini zvino ndachiti tuzu semhembwe yayevegwa neshato ichichinja mavara.

Uku ndiko kunonzi kupengeswa nekamufomu three kwandava kuita uku. Vakomana.

Achiseka zvine slow motion. Kuya kuseka kunenge Chitekete inopera ichidzika volume zvishoma nezvishoma kusvika yati zii. Kungoti chete muromo waMolly hausi kuvharika. Waramba wakashama mwana, zvino iye achinditi ndee nemaziso mahombe manyoro. Maziso anondifungisa musi wandakavona Mollyne Tadiwa kekutanga muupenyu bwangu.

Mwari wangu. Chiiko chiri pamwana uyu chisipo pane vamwe vasikana vose? Chisipo chero pana Shami chaiye?

Mwana wakazvinakigwa hake uyu. Unoita seunotevegwa nechiedza chemwedzi pose paanofamba. Ukapungurira chiedza chake kune vamwe vasikana vari paVuravhi paya unongosara uri nhamba hwani. Chokwadi. Nekure chaiko.

Uchifunga – haasi munhuka uyu, handiti? Injuzu. Aa aa; ingirozi. Musi uya ndakavudziwa kuti ingirozi.

Ndichivhunduka ndahwa kuti gwi gwi gwi muchanza umu. Sendagumha magetsi kana kurobwa nemheni. Ruvoko gwaMolly. Gune mavhudzi aya andamboreva paya.

Iyeye wakati munhu haana ZESA mumuviri ndiani?

Ndashamiswa ndichifunga kuti ini naMolly tanga tichifamba pedo napedo zvekusvika pakugunzvana zvinokonzera mheni pakati pedu sei. Nekuti tanga tisingafambika. Takamira musvizhira, padhuze netsime revana veAgric. Molly wakangoshama zvishoma wakanditarira seunoda kudyisiwa ice cream. Kuseka kuya kwapera.

How did we come this close to each other?

Inini ndazosvika pakumubata ruvoko sei?

Ndaita sei!

Ndakamubata ruvoko. Iye haasi kumboita nharo. Kasi tava kupenga?

“Steve…” chifuva chake chichimuka chichivata munhu achifemera pamusoro.

“Hmm…” ini ndichikonewa kufema zvachose.

“Chii chiri kuitika?”

Nice question. Hausiwe woga uri kuda kuziva, Molly. Ndosaka ndati tava kupengazve. Ini handibati mavoko evasikana ini, tisingadotauri aMolly.

“Handizivi.” Handizivi ini. Chii chaicho chaicho chiri kumboitika kwatiri isu? “Iwe unoziva kuti chii?”

“Handizivi.” Gudhu. Vanhu vaviri vari kukonewa kuziva zviri kuitika kwavari. “Uri kuinda kutrip?”

“Handizivi.” Ndakambotaura nezvazvo kumba. Mudhara vaivako, asi hapana ravakapindura rine muto kana risina. Ini handina kuzoda kuramba ndichinetsa. Mudhara wangu namuchembere handidi kuvanetsa nezvemari. Vane vana vaviri kusekondari, zve vakabhadharira mukuru wacho mazakwatira emadhora – mazana mashanu ane makumi mashanu – kuti akwanise kunyora ‘O’ Level. Rimwe zana rekutambisa vangariwanepi?

“Ko iwe uri kuinda?”

“Handizivi.”