1

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

Chapter 1

Tafadzwa

I packed my bags knowing the next day we would all be ready

to go home. Even though some had decided to leave earlier I
still had zvimwe zvinhu zvandaida kugadzirisa ndisati ndaenda.
Ndichipedza I sat there, smiled kuti I had made it anticipating
the future, imagining the perfect job after accumulating the
engineering degree. "Yaa." I said ndichisimuka stretching. Next
to me was a birthday present yandainge ndiinayo for my best
friend Rhoda. Ndakaseka ndichifunga whatever she was feeling
at that moment, "I think arikufunga kuti ndakanganwa."
Ndakatotaura ndega zvinonzwika even though there was noone
there. Ndakavhura window ndikadongorera panze. I thought I
would find her amongst the people that were there but aive
asipo. Ndakabva ndaiviga mu satchel, went out of the room
ndaakunomutsvaga.
3

Before I could go far ndakasangana na Aleck akati, "wapedza

here?" I nodded kwaakumuti, "ndakiya muroom medu I hope
une makey." Akabvumira ndichibva ndananga kwandaiyenda.
Obviously she had to be ku campus, ndakafambisa ndikasvika
ndichidhumana na Paida pagate akati, "urikuenda kupi ndanga
ndichiuya kumba."

"I smiled ndikati, hesi future I need to see Ro."

"Imbomira kunditi future unondinyadzisa." Akabva aseka

ndikati "the past two years you have been handling it well."
Ndakataura ndichisimudza a designer dookie she had ndichida
kuona kuti ainge abviswa zvaaive akaruka here. "Ndabviswa iwe
usadaro anyway hande tese." I nodded kwakufamba tichipinda
mucampus. Mumoyo mangu ndaifunga zvakawanda, another
fear yaive yekuti things were going to be different. Zvaiva
zvasiyana nekuti Paida and I saw each other daily but apa I was
going kumusha kumhondoro, where my mother and my siblings
waited for me. Kwaitove kunomira ndiriko until I get a job. So
being away from her was something I had to learn kunyangwe
ndaitya. She was too good, I was just a man with nothing much,
she was that girl that a lot wanted, she had class. Ndakamira
4

kufunga phone yangu yaakurira ndikaona ari Ro, ndakaseka

ndikati, "hona."

"Moyo warembera." Said Paida ndikaseka ndikati, "haagone

kudzikama kani." Handina kudaira phone nekuti ndainge
ndamuona kare kwaaive akamira. Ndakaona kuti
ndanyatsoridzirwa tsamwa then I thought let me just call back.
Akaitarisa and cursed kwakukanda phone mubag. Takaseka tese
na Paida ndokufambisa kuti tibatane naye. She had begun
walking fast nekuti she was leaving that very day. "Abeeper
kauyu." Said Paida achibata muromo kuti aseke zvisinganzwike
ini ndikati, "abeeper wena. Takamhanya till we caught up with
her ndichibva ndamupa hug from behind, before she could curse
I said, "happy birthday munhu."

"Haa musoro bhangu." She said ndikaseka ndikati, "eho

ndazvinzwa asi ndati happy birthday." Even though she wanted
to get mad akabva apera simba kwaakuti, "wandibhowa mhani.
You have no idea how mad I got."

"Kugumbukira inini?" I asked ndakaunyanidza kumeso iye

kwaakuti, "urikudhonzera ani kumeso ndosaka wakashata."
5

"Four years uchitamba neni wazoona nhasi kuti ndakashata?"

She nodded Paida kwakuti, "veduwee when will I even say
happy birthday veduwe, mukatanga zvinoita kunge andipo."

"Sorry kani ndanga ndichitaura namusoro bhangu wako." They

hugged ndichibva ndaburitsa present ndikamupa. I had not even
told Paida kuti ndatengei but I had picked up what I knew she
wanted. Aive akapwanya cup yake yetea, her favourite yandaive
ndakambomutengera se birthday present second year of
University. She took it kwaakubva atanga kuseka akati, "uri
serious?"

"Dzosa kana usingaide shaa." Akawedzera kuseka zvakaita kuti

tese tiseke achibva ati, "im laughing because I packed my bags
but moyo uchirwadza kuti I didn't have my cup. Kutoenda sure
ndisina cup yangu apa wanditengera the exact same cup haa but
unoita." Akandirova musoro ndichibva ndati, "ukaipwanya this
time I'm nowhere to be found hanheno kuti inenge ichizotengwa
naani."

"You have no idea how happy I am. Its not the big things that
matter, the small little things makes the heart merry waibata
6

shaa." I had a few dollars to spare on me ndichibva ndati, "let's

go for a meal, ndirikunzwa kuda kudya with my two favorite
women. I have no idea when we will meet again but you guys
made my life worth it during this whole time."

"Babie hausi kuuya kutown here?" Asked Paida ndikati,

"ndichambonoita rovha ndiri kumusha." Akabva anyarara
zvekuratidza kubatikana ndichibva ndaita semunhu asina
kuzviona. I went ahead ndikatenga food, as we sat there to eat
ndairamba ndichitarisa Paida aitamba nefood yake. She was
struggling to keep it together aiti akatarisa kwandiri obva ada
kuchema. "Saka anyway mama varikuuya kuzokutora?" Asked
Ro ndikati, "ndine makore mangani."

"Kuda hangu kudenha wachembera."

"Ngatichinjei nyaya please." I said ndichitora nyama kubva

muplate ya Paida ndikati, "idyaka urikuda kuti ndikudyire
here?"

"Handiti watondidyira here." Akapindurira pasi ndichibva

ndanyarara ndikaenderera mberi nekutaura nyaya na Ro.
Takazosiyana nguva yafamba akati, "I will miss you guys
7

terribly asi totauraka paphone." I nodded and hugged her, it was

an emotional moment. Achienda ndakatanga kufunga kuti
ndaizonzwa sei when it was time to say goodbye kuna Paida.
Akaita as if she read my mind kwakuti, "things are going to be
hard."

"Handisi kuda kutaura nyaya dzinondipa stress ngatisiyei nyaya

yacho." Ndaitoona so many things kumberi kwedu but my
greatest fear was not being good enough for her.

"Toisiya sei nyaya yacho iripo." She had stopped walking ini
kwaakuti, "umwe munhu arikutsvaga kuche...." Akabva atanga
kuchema ndisati ndapedza kutaura. We were standing on the
road, I hugged her kuti vanhu vasaone kuti ndizvo zvaiitika.
Handina chandakataura besides kuti, "I love you." They were
words yes but they were not enough to give her the comfort that
she needed. "Urikuita sei mwana." Ndakavhunduka nevoice ra
senior lecturer wedu asi handina kumusiya, ndakamanikidzira
kuseka ndikati, "haa pane zvirikuitika handina zvandamuita."
8

"Unogona wamitisa uchiramba nhumbu." Nechemumoyo

ndakangoti dai aimitisika munhu wacho ndichibva ndazviseka.
Vakaona ndaakuseka vakati, "Iwe Tafadzwa."

"Hapana hapana I swear." Ndakazevezera ndikati, "iwe future

hona zvawaakundiitisa." She sniffed achibva asimudza musoro
akati, "murisei sir?" Vakaswedera padhuze vakati, "akuita sei
ndiudze."

"Hapana sir I promise."

"Saka urikuchemei?" Akavatarisa akati, "handiti tavhara here

saka I'm hurting." He narrowed his eyes vakati, "Saka ndizvo
zvauri kuchemera? Uri kuchemera murume."

"Haa ndozvandataura here." She asked achiratidza kusvotwa

ndikabva ndati, "toonana mukuru." Ndakadhonzana na Paida
kwaakufambisa crossing the road. Ndaive ndakamubata ruoko
ndikati, "ndikutakure?"

"Handisi kuda hande." I was merely trying to cheer her up saka

ndakasvika nekubva ndamupa zvandainge ndamutengera akati,
"when did you buy this?" Achivhura nekuyedza t-shirt
9

yandainge ndamutengera. "I bought it pawanga usipo."

Akazvitarisa tarisa akati, "yakanaka, and yakandifita handiti."

"Ya but it's cheap quality, I'm sorry." She frowned akati,
"zvabva nekupi." Ndakaita sendisina kumunzwa ndichibva
ndatora phone yangu kuti ndimutore photo. "I want your old
ones." Akakumbira ndikati, "t-shirt here?" Iye kwaakuti, "ehe."

"Manje ndarongedza kaini?"

"Bvundunyura." She ordered ndikafunga kunetseka kwandainge

ndaita packing my things. Ndakanzwa kuneta ndisati ndavhura
iye kwakuti, "relax rega nditore yandiri kuda." Ndakamusiya
achiita zvaaida kwakubva atora one of my favorite tshirts
ndikati, "sei iyoyo?"

"Nekuti ndiyo yawainyanya kupfeka." I smiled zvekufarira iye

kwakuti, "you don't mind handiti?"

"Ndiri kushaya kuti sei waitora iyo yaumbuka." Akagara

pamubhedha kwaakurarira pamakumbo pangu akati, "it's not
about the color, it's about who owned it and the value it holds."

End of chapter
10

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 2

Tafadzwa

Alex was leaving that evening, akapinda akatora zvinhu zvake

kwaakuti, "I wish you all the best my guy. See you in the real
world." Akatarisa kuna Paida akati,"muchengetane,"kwaakuseka

"Kamutauriro kako ndekekuvhundutsira vamwe." Akamira

padoor akati, "ndakatendeuka mazuva ano handidi hangu
kunyepera vanhu saying life is good, it's good when we are still
getting our fees paid for. When we are still getting funds from
our parents, zvapera ndaenda ini." Ndakasimuka kuti
ndimuburitse, Paida akabuda neni tikanosiya Alex akwira. We
had been friends since second year of University saka
kutosiyana kwacho kwakatondirwadzawo semunhu wandainge
ndajaira kuona. I watched the car leave ndikaziva kuti it was
goodbye and a beginning of a new journey,a new life. "It seems
11

everyone we love and care about is leaving us, tomorrow we

will leave each other." I placed my finger on her lips ndikati,
"don't spoil the mood that is already spoiled." Takafamba and
went to pick and pay tikatenga muriwo wekubika. Tichisvika
kumba she made food for us tikadya tichitaura nyaya.

"You are spending the night here handiti?" I asked then she said,
"urikufaraka." Ndakaedza kuvhara kufara but what the hell I was
happy. Ndakasveerera muromo wake and kissed her.
Kutokanganwa kuti the door was not yet locked but we had
noone coming over. Takadonhedzana on the floor ndikava
pamusoro pake kissing her. Umwe moyo waive nekufunga kuti
get her pregnant wongoziva kuti noone else will take her away
from you. Iyewo she was not stopping me we ended up naked
with her moaning encouraging me to continue. Pandaida kumira
she would say to me, "don't stop." So I carried on caressing her
whole body.

When I was just about to do it I stopped and said, "are you sure
about this?" She nodded akati, "please do it." Ndakaona kuti she
might live to regret it ndikanzwa ndega moyo wangu
uchindirambira. She looked at me with pleading eyes but I could
12

not, I treasured her and I respected her enough to wait and do the
right thing. "Why?" She asked ndikati, "because I love you."
Ndakamusimudza and hugged her tightly. Ndichibva
ndamupfekedza ndega hembe dzake. Takatanga kutaura nyaya
akazoenda kunogeza. When she came back we got into bed but
zvaingonetsa sevanhu vainge vambodenha zvakawanda. The
kissing and touching started again munhu wese achifemereka
ndikaona kuti things were not going to end well. As a man I
knew my way around a woman, before she could beg me to
break her virginity I decided to do what would make her stop
begging. I spread her legs and tested her with my own tongue.
She responded in the way I had anticipated encouraging me to
continue.

"Taffy." She called begging me to continue. The sound of her

voice and the moaning that came from her increased my own
arousal which made me do more things to her until she screamed
"aaaah," leaving me to watch her body shaking with climax. I
watched her breath heavily and I knew I had rescued her from
the animal in me. I went up to her and hugged her, but her hand
stroked my being making me groan more and more. Like a
13

woman desperate to please the man that had just pleased her, she
tried hard. Because my own body was familiar with her touch
ndakavhiringwa. She kept doing it until I myself unable to hold
back, all of my cum went on her hands. I kissed her deep as I
groaned and finished off. That moment takazoona taakuseka
achibva ati, "this is sick, I can't believe this."

"Paida unodarirei." Ndakadaro giving her one more kiss. We

had kissed before asi taive tisina kubvira tabvisana hembe.
Akazotaura after I cleaned myself up akati, "I have never been
this close with a man."

"I know and I hope it will only be me that will do this to you."
She carressed my face akati, "I love what you did to me, it was
the best feeling I have ever felt." I hugged her ndikanzwa
shungu dzichindibata. If only I knew what tomorrow held. Even
though I didn't want to worry asi worry visited me on its own.
That night takanonoka kurara none of us could handle the
situation of being apart. Makuseni akafonerwa achinzi aiuya
kuzotorwa, and there I had thought kuti tichaenda tese kuharare
topesana avakuenda kumba. But again it was a reminder that our
14

lives were different. Ndakapusa iye kwakuti, "usadaro tirikuenda

tese."

"Andidi kuremedza your family." Ndakataura iye kwakuti,

"remember mama knows kuti you are my boyfriend. Well even
my dad saka hazvina basa tinoenda tese." Zvaisandiitira
zvakanaka asi nekuda kwekuti she begged so much
ndakapedzisira ndabvuma. Ndainge ndaona achida kuchema
zvekutobuditsa misodzi ndikapedzisira ndabvuma. They had left
early that's why kuma 10 vainge vasvika muGweru. Ndakageza
and I wore my nicest clothes Paida ainge aenda kunopacker
zvinhu zvake. Paakadzoka achiti vauya hande, ndakambovhara
door and kissed her deepily. Takamira takatarisana misodzi
ikatanga kuyerera, I had no idea I would ever cry for a woman in
my life asi we found ourselves crying. "Ndinokuda Pee." I said
to her, akasveerera to hug me akati, "ndinokudawo it will only
be you or noone." After tatura mafemo takabuda and went to the
car. Mumota maiva namai vacho nehanzvadzi yake ndivo vainge
vauya kuzomutora. Mama vakasekerera vakati, "Tafadzwa kune
ma first class here gore rino?"
15

"Anoshaikwa nei nhai mama, makadii henyu." Ndakapindura

kwakubva ndamhoresa Clinton aive arikudriver's seat akati, "I'm
good ndavhura boot, I'm sure there is space there bag rako
harina kunyanya kukurisa." I nodded ndikaenda kuseri
kunorongedza bag rangu kwakudzokera kunopinda mumota.
Ndakadzokera and sat naPaida kumashure mota ichibva
yatomutswa taakuenda. All the way taingotaura nyaya
dzechikoro, what we had gone through and what we expected
ahead. "Ne engineering unowana basa mwanangu." Mama said
ndikanzwawo kurerukirwa in my heart nekuti kugarisa
ndisingaende kubasa kwaisaita. Mama had struggled hard and I
knew I was expected to take over pavadiki vainge vasara.
Pandakavhara maziso ndiyo nyaya yandaifunga iyoyo.

Takuda kusvika kuharare ndakatanga kutaura na Paida pa app

ndichiudzwa kuti ndinodiwa and I should not worry about the
distance. Neniwo I assured her that it was only her and noone
else and ndizvo zvaiva mumoyo mangu kunyangwe ndaisagona
kuzviratidza. Tichichisvika kuHarare ndakasara and made my
way to mbare kuti ndinokwira bhazi reMhondoro. I bought
bananas, mabuns and juice ndichibva ndagara zvangu
16

ndaakudya semunhu aive nenzara and motor yainge isina

kubvira yamira muroad kuti titenge food. Bhazi rakazosimuka
kuma 3, all the way we kept texting each other kusvika ndasvika
kumhondoro. It was very close, in an hour ndainge ndasvika.
Ndichitarisa panze i laughed at my little brothers vainge
vakamira pa bustop vakandimirira. My little sister was also there
but akasara akamira ega pakamhanya rimwe team kuzonditsvaga
kuti ndaburuka bhazi here.

"Mukomaaa." Shouted Layton running towards me. I put my

bag down randainge ndatambira kubva kuna conducter and
opened my arms for him. "Mauyaa," he said ndikati, "mfanha."

August smiled ndikapihwa sando dzangu, he was a bit grown up

a bit mature ainge asiyana nevamwe. They took my bag
tikafamba till we reached paive pakamira Tsitsi. She came for a
hug akati, "I could not keep up nevanhu ava andizive why vauya
neni nekuti kungoona bhazi vabva vandisiya." I smiled ndikati,
"you should grow a little faster and catch up with them. You
look good, how were the grade 7 exams?"
17

"I know I passed." Akadaro ndikati, "tagara hatisi madofo and

August, form four yanga irisei?" He chuckled akati, "mukoma
chikoro ndakabaaamura." Ndakaseka zvaaiita zvacho showing
me kuti akabaaamura. "Confidence." I said akati,
"muchavhunduka mirai muone." Layton was in form two saka
andina kuvhunza zvakawanda, it was okay though nekuti
kuchikoro, tese hedu taive takarongeka we took after our mother
zvainzi baba vedu vaive dofo. He was not there to answer for
himself asi we believed kuti kana zvaitaurwa then it was true.
Takazofamba tichienda kumba ndaakuudzwa nyaya dzese even
dzekuti August akambenge arohwa namama nekuda
kwemusikana. Vakatanga kumuseka iye kwaakuvavhundutsira
ndikati, "musamuseke handikupei mabanana angu." It's all I had
brought them vachibva vabvutidzana kumatora.

When we got home I was welcomed by my mother's beautiful

smile vakati, "watove dhara from the last time I saw you."
Ndakasekerera ndikati, "mama I'm home."

"Bless you." She said as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Tapedza mabanana auya namukoma Tafadzwa." Tsitsi reported
mama vakati, "kana madya imimi then I'm happy." We got into
18

the small three roomed house that had been built over the years.
It was still looking alright. As I sat down I yawned out of
exhaustion ndainge ndaneta nerwendo. Everyone though had
excitement yekuuya kwangu and they could not allow me to
rest. "Muroora wangu arisei?" Mama asked shyly ndikati, "Paida
is well she sent her regards."

"Oh bless her." Vakadaro kwakubva vabuda na Tsitsi to prepare

dinner ndikasara ndiine vakomana.

End of chapter

Kaydie
19

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 3

Tafadzwa

Early in the morning I was awaken ne noise yevanhu

vaigadzirira kuenda kuchikoro. Ndakadhonza gumbeze and
covered my head with a blanket kuedza kuti noise isanyanye
kunzwika but it didn't work Tsitsi akapinda akati, "mukoma
ndaakuenda ini."

"Bye." I said akati, "hamuna dollar."

"Rei?"

"Mazappy." I groaned complaining of being disturbed ndichibva

ndamuka ndikati, "Tsitsi nhai?"

"Nhai kudii?" Ndakaseka nekuti munhu wacho aitoratidza kuti

zvakawanda ainge asina basa nazvo. Even the way she was
disturbing me aitove asina basa nazvo chaaingoda was the dollar
20

she had asked for. I rubbed my eyes and asked her to hand me
over my wallet yaive mubag. Achinditambidza she moved closer
achida kudongorera kuti maive nemarii ndikati, "dzikama move
away."

"Asi mune mari inobika?" I chuckled ndichimutambidza dollar

ndikati, "hamuna mari sha watondishotesera mari yangu yandine
zvandiri kuda kuita nayo." Achingotambira akangoti thanks and
ran out of the room kuti abatane nevamwe vainge vatobuda kare.
It was pointless going back to sleep ndakamuka and picked up
hembe dzainge dzangosiiwa pasi nevakomana. The room was a
mess I had not paid much attention in the night nekuti
ndakasvika nekungozvikanda kwaakurara. I shook my head as I
found and picked up dirty underwear which was all over the
place.

"Are you awake Tafadzwa?" Asked ma ndikati, "yaa

ndirikunonga hembe dziri pasi it's a mess in here." She knocked
and entered. Vakatarisa tarisa vakati, "that is the reason I
stopped cleaning muno. Handidi zvekubatiswa tsvina, it's good
that you are here unombovadzidzisa about cleanliness."
21

"Inga maingondirova wani, what happened to you?" Vakaseka

vachigadzirisa Zambia ravo vakati, "it seems age is catching up
with me ndaneta nazvo. Ndaakuenda hangu kumunda I have a
lot of work to do nhasi." And kuenda kumunda meant she would
spend the whole day there. "Ndirikuuya kuzokubatsirai, I need
to go kumashops and print my CV. Ndoda kuenda ku company
yandakaitira attachment maybe they will take me hamheno."

"Rega hako kuuya kumunda, do what you have to do mazuva

mazhinji you can always help out." I nodded ivo kwaakubuda.
Ndakanogeza, dressed up kwaakubudawo kuenda kumashops.
Ndakawana mukomana wacho atovhura kare ndichibva ndagara
naye aakundigadzirira ma CV angu. Achipedza ndakambofamba
famba ndichiona ona kuti pamashops paive pakamira sei
kwaakudzokera kumba. I knew kuti ma company aikasika
kuvhara December, I didn't have much time saka ndaifanira
kukasika kuenda kuharare.

"Ndirikuuya mangwana." I said to Paida ainge afona achivhunza

kuti ndirisei, "saka ndokuona here?" She sounded low ndikati,
"ko chii?"
22

"Hapana, I'm okay, ndakusuwa already." Ndakambomira

kutaura ndikateerera how my own heart was reporting kuti
ndamusuwa. "Ehe unondiona, I have to drop off cv's ."

"Ndokubatsira." Akadaro ndikati, "thanks waivhunzwa

namama." Ndipoo paakagona kuseka akati, "varikupi?"

"Vaenda kumunda ndiko kwandaakuda kutoendawo kuti

ndinovabatsira."

"My heart is sore." Ndakavhunza kuti sei akati, "nekuti

urikuenda kumunda." Ndakaseka ndikati, "there is nothing new
and ndizvo zvatinoita makore ese wani. Ndakatojaira saka
usarwadziwe hako."

"Ndarwadziwa because ndokuda and hamheno

zvandinongonzwa kana uchishanda stereki."

"Manje ndikagara tinodyei nhai future, ndikakuroora

ndichakudzidzisa badza." Akaseka akati, "Tafadzwa imbomira
kundisekesa but anyway ndokuona kana wauya, next week I will
be going to work my dad already connected me somewhere."
23

"Yaa zvako zvagara hazvo zvakarongeka zvasiyana nezvangu."

It was a constant reminder of how our worlds were apart.
Akandisimbisa achiti I would get something asi hamheno
zvandaingonzwa pandiri. After that call ndakateera mama,
feeling like I had already been left behind gave me more energy
than I needed nekuti mushandiro wacho wandakazoita kana
mama vakati, "kwakanaka here Tafadzwa ndanga ndichiti it will
take us a few days kuti tipedze iwe wabva watorova ndima yese
kudaro." I sat down wiping sweat, maoko angu already had
blisters. "Ko toitirei a few days when we can finish in a day."
Vakafamba vakanditambidza mvura kwakuti, "look at your
hands wakuvara kudai?"

"It's nothing." Ndakanwa mvura ndikasimuka kuti tichidzokera

kumba . Tirimuroad ndakati, "manga muchimhoreswa na Paida,
she will be going to work next week baba vake vakamurongera
basa kare."

"Is it, inga akagonerwa hake."

24

"Ya." Ndakabva ndanyarara and continued walking,

ndakazonzwa voti, "is that why you were straining yourself, you
feel left behind?"

"Not really mama, I'm just wondering what gave me the guts
ekuendera someone I can't even afford." Ndakazviseka ndikati,
"kana roora rababa vake andife ndakarikwanisa."

"Ko izvozvo zvinei nerudo nhai Tafadzwa, ibva wakasika

kubvisa pfungwa idzodzo pauri. Ingofara, gara uine mufaro
Tafadzwa."

"Ndirikuzvinzwisisa, but if you were in my shoes you would

understand the standards I have to meet up with. I can't ignore
what is right in front of me, I can't erase the possibility yekuti
kumberi zvinogona kudhakwa. I'm not saying I don't trust her, I
trust her mama, a lot, but haa hamheno." Ndakabva ndakanda
badza kure nekuti tainge tasvika kumba. "How can love trouble
you like this, it should warm your soul and not break your soul."
I sighed kwaakuvhara maziso ndichizororora. Vakapinda
mukitchen vakadaidzira kuti, "Ko hauna kudya sei?" Ndainge
ndangonanga kumunda ndisina chandabata, depression made me
25

lose my appetite. Ndakanyepa ndikati ndaive ndisina kubvira

ndapinda mukitchen, vakabuda nefood and gave me
kwaakutanga kudya. Ndichipedza ndakanorara nekuda
kwenyama dzainge dzaakurwadza. Ndakatozomutswa nevainge
vabva kuchikoro vachiita noise.

"Ko Tsitsi apihwa mari isu tikanyimwa sei?" The boys

demanded to know ndikati,"akumbira and that's all I had imimi
murivanhu vakuru munoda Mari yei?"

"Handiti mari inoshandiswa zvakawanda here, just like ipapa

handiti atenga zvinonaka koisuwo?"said Layton. Ndakabva
ndapererwa ndikaramba ndakavatarisa. Ndakanzwa kuda
kuchema and wished things could go well ndivachengete. Over
the years they had lacked so much nekuda kwekuti my fees took
much of ma's money. Ndakatora wallet and took out a dollar
ndikati, "you will have to share nekuti that's all I have.
Mangwana I need to go to Harare kunoisa macv ekutsvagisa
basa. I'm sorry ndapa Tsitsi chete, I'm trying hard to save change
yandakauya nayo just to get things going . Andigone kuti
ndirambe ndichipihwa mari namama handiti murikuzviona."
26

"I'm sorry." Said August ndikati, "don't apologise."

"Keep the money, we don't really need it." Said Layton ndikati,
"maakundiita ndifeele bad, take it and buy whatever you want.
One day I will take care of you kana ndaakukwanisa. For now
you will have to put up with your broke brother."

"Don't say it like that." Akadaro August avakusiririsa and

knowing him aisatana kuchema. I tried tickling him kuti aseke
but ndaitoona neface that he was hurting. Maybe ndainge
ndanyanya kutaurisa hamheno. "Nomatter what don't say our
broke brother, just say our brother zvobva zvapera." Akadaro
ndikati, "sorry."

"Saka todya hedu dollar?" Asked Layton ndikati, "nemoyo

unofara yes do it." Vakabuda vachimhanya ndikasara ndikaita a
moment of silence. Ndakambotora phone yangu ndikafonera
bamnini ndichivaudza kuti ndainge ndapedza chikoro and I
needed his help pakutsvaga basa. "Hunza ma cv." He said
ndikati, "ndouya mangwana." Ndakadaro vakakata phone. I
wanted to try another one but moyo wangu wakaramba nekuda
kwekuti when my father died pakanzi mama vagarwe nhaka
27

vachibva varamba. We didn't get along and asking for help was
pointless nekuti he described my mother as selfish.
Ndakazobuda pamba ndikaenda kunoona gogo vaigara not too
far from the house. Vakasimuka when she saw me vakati,
"Tafadzwa wauya." I smiled ndikati, "muchembere ,ndakauya
nezuro."

"Ah hona pane nguva?"

" Sorry kani ndakauya husiku, pane zvandanga ndichimhanyisa

makuseni ese, murisei gogo."

"Handisati ndafa ini." Vakadaro vachinditaridza how fit she was

ndikati, "handitodewo kuti mufe."

"Hesi gogo." Said Tsitsi vakati, "hesi hamusati mavhara

kuchikoro?"

"Hatina, tiri kuvhara mangwana." Takabva tapinda mukitchen

gogo vakati, "manje ndabika mangai." I smiled kwaakuti, "ndine
nzara yawo ini."

"Ibvapo wakagara usingamade iwe," vaitaura uku vachipakura

ndikati, "ndakazongotanga kumafarira."
28

"Ndipei hangu ndipakure gogo." Said Tsitsi ivo kwakuti,

"inyaya yekuti unodya uchipedza poto munhu wemusikana
uchandinyadzisa iwe." Takaseka tese kwaakudya tichitaura
nyaya. My heart's burdens were lifted as I looked at my
grandmother. How happy she was to see me and even without
much she was a happy person always. Ndakatanga kuvaudza
about my plans and all she did was wish me well
kwakuti,"handiti unoziva kuti ndiwe baba so. Ndiwe
waakufanira kurerutsira Mai vako uchengete vadiki ava."

"I know gogo, I know." Ndakapindura ndatsikitsira pasi.

End of chapter
29

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 4

Tafadzwa

Takapesana nevaienda kunovhara kuchikoro as I rushed to find

my way into the city. Early in the morning mota dzaifamba
dzakatiwandei which made it easier for me, andina kumira for
such a long time. I was excited, holding on tightly to the
envelope that had my cvs. They had my life, my future ndaiti
ndikamatarisa I would make a silent prayer hoping for the best.
Ndainge ndatoudza Paida that I was on my way, all I
remembered more as well, were my mother's words ekuti,"bless
you my son." Her words had power sekuona kwangu and before
I knew it tainge tasvika in harare. That different air , different
environment, ndaitarisa ma buildings ndichiona vanhu muma
offices. Absent mindedly ndaiona ndava kusekerera
30

ndichizviona ndakagarawo muoffice up there like the rest of

them.

I almost got run over ndavarairwa nekutarisa vanhu, ndakabata

hana yangu and told myself to calm down. It was not my first
time being in the city asi ndakangoita kakuvhiringika. That's
when I decided to stop acting like I was sleep walking, it's only
that ndaiva nema bigger dreams chete. "Uri papi?" Paida asked
ndikamuudza pandaiva. Ndakamira kwenguva shoma ndikaona
achiburuka mumota zvichiratidza kuti she was driving it iye. I
smiled ndikafambisa kuenda kwaari, when she saw me akaita
zvekundijambira ndikati,"ndokudonhedza."

"Haufe wakandidonhedza." She Said with confidence,

takatarisana zvikanzi,"ndanga ndakusuwa, you have no idea how
much I was dying to see this face."

" Wakanakisa nhasi." Ndakamupindura, iye kwaakuratidza

kunyara, then still smiled akati,"ndaisa make up."

"Yakakufita ndaida." She sighed akati,"I was worried kuti uchati

ndaisirei?"
31

"Iwewe waisirei?" Ndakavhunza ndichimudzikisa akati,"I

wanted to be prettier for you." Takabva tanyarara kwaakuramba
takatarisana and smiling. Ndakazoti ndaona kuti zvanyanya
kwakuzoti,"ndafara cause you did it for me." Our fingers locked
akati,"how is mama?"

"She's okay hanzi ndikuti hesi, and sorry kumusha hakusati

kwaane anything to give saka handina parcel yako." Akabva
aseka akati,"mama futi inga vakaoma, anyway hazvina basa."
Akadaro kwakuti tipinde mumota umo matakapinda then she
quickly reached to kiss me. Ndakaseka ndikati,"une
misikanzwa." Kuramba ndisina kumutarisa kwaindinetsa and
sometimes I would wonder kuti akaonei pandiri. When I looked
away ndipo paakamutsa mota akati,"let's go sha or else
tirikuramba tiripano tichiita zvisina basa. I agreed, takatanga
nekwandainge ndakamboita attachment ndichida kunoona HR.
He smiled akati,"mfanha wazopedza?"

"Yaa ndakapedza manje." He took my CV akatanga kuverenga

akati,"well we will see kana tichinge tavhura. You will
definitely be my first option if there's is anything."
32

"I understand and I will greatly appreciate it."

"Saka urikupi apa?" He asked ndikataura kuti ndaive kumba and

waiting for something to come up. "Will speak when we open in
January okay." Hatina zvimwe zvatakazotaura ndakabuda and
met Paida outside. We drove around and dropping off kusvika
ndasarwa ne one raakati, "let's do copies ndosara nawo ndinenge
ndichiendesa kumwewo kwandinenge ndakwanisa kuendesa.
We did so then she suggested lunch. I didn't have money on me
asi I was hungry ndainge ndabuda ndisina kudya nekusada
kunonoka kubata time. Ndakashinga kutaura ndikati,"manje
todyei when I'm this broke, you might not like what I can
afford."

"Andisi kuda kuti unditengere lunch, I'm going to spoil you

today. You have been spoiling me whenever you got the chance
and I know kuti right now it's not possible."

"I should be doing it still, I'm sorry." Akasunga face akati,"

where is it written that only a man should spoil his woman. Is a
relationship not about two people, manje ukada iwewe doing
everything wega what would be my purpose in the relationship."
33

" Just being my future and letting me take care on you." I said
ndichitarisa panze watching vanhu vaidarika. "Tafadzwa." She
called me, ndakamutarisa akati,"when will you stop this?"

"I'm sorry." She quietly started the car and drove to Nandos. She
parked akabuda asina chaataura kwaakuzodzoka akabata food.
Akanditarisa ndikati,"wadzoka?" She opened the backseat door
akapinda ndipo paakati huya." Ndakaenda akati,"can we just
have fun today please."

"Did I spoil the mood?"

"Almost." She said achizembera, I hugged her

ndikati,"waitabasa future, I was actually very hungry
ndangobuda."

"Ndirikunzwa kuda kudyiswa ini." Akataura achiyema

ndikati,"saka chigara zvakanaka and let me feed you."

"Aewa I wanna be fed ndakakuzembera."

"Saka manje who will feed me." I complained achibva amuka

kwaakugara akanditarisa. She took out the food and fed me
34

ndikatangawo kumudyisa kusvika aguta ndikazosara ndaakudya

ndega."so tell me kuti unenge waakushanda kupi?"

"Kubasa kweshamwari ya daddy. I'm not even that happy

unoziva I have always pictured us tichitanga basa tese, same
company what what showing off newe babie."

" Apa unenge uchida kuita show off kunaani manje." She
chuckled akati,"kuvakadzi vanenge varipo." I caressed her face
achibva abvisa ma box of food kwaakuswedera padhuze closing
the gap between us ndikati,"I should be the one showing off
with you." Handina kuzopindurwa she was staring at my lips
ndikaziva what she wanted. That hungry kiss, forgetting that we
were in the parking lot. There is no place I didn't touch nekuti
she wanted my hands everywhere. Her response to me was the
only thing that boosted my esteem knowing kuti at least there
was something I did right. Ndakamusiya when she was a bit
calm ndikati,"you will wait for me right?" She nodded planting
another kiss kwakuzotanga kutaura dzimwe nyaya. Takafonera
Rhoda tiritese akati,"musoro bhangu urikuitei nemwana
wevaridzi?" Paida ndiye akapindura akati,"iwe Rhoda urikuda
35

kuti ndive naani?" Akaseka akati,"musadaro vanhu imimi apa

ndakusuwai sei. Huyai ka mundionewo please."

"Ah iwe ndoda kuenda kumba ini." Akaramba akati,"aewa

Tafadzwa na Paida musadaro ,iwe Paida are you not driving."

"Tozokuona shaa." She said kwaakutarisa kwandiri akati,"I

wanna take you to mhondoro." I narrowed my eyes kwaakubva
audza Rhoda kuti,"handina mota sorry shaa."

"Haa munobhowa mese that's why muchidanana, iwe musoro

bhangu usataure neni." Akabva akata phone tikatanga kuseka.
"Urikuda kuenda neni kumhondoro?" Ndakavhunza akati,"ya
handiti less that an hour, this is one oclock, I have to be home by
five saka I have enough time." I smiled achimutsa mota,
sometimes she was just unbelievable. She stopped by tm akati
ndirikuuya, akaramba kuti ndiyende naye. When she came out
she had parcels ndakaburuka mumota ndikati,"what's all this?"

"It's for mama and vana bamunini and tete vangu." Ndakaramba
ndakamutarisa, she ignored my look akanoisa zvinhu mumota.
Achipedza kwakuti,"hande shaa." Ndakadzokera mumota still
surprised ndikati,"you didn't have to but thank you."
36

"Handidi kutendwa ini, don't spoil the mood." Ndakabva

ndanyarara for a while. Ndakazotanga kutaura dzimwe nyaya
tatomboti fambei and I also had to give her directions.
Zveshuwawo in less than an hour we were parked outside my
mother's house. I was not sure of her reaction, she had never
been there and it had taken me guts to show her kwandinobva.
"This is my home," I said watching her closely." She smiled
akati,"hii hona mama." She got out of the car munhu wese ainge
atobuda panze. Mama as the person that has met her asi vamwe
vese vaive vasina. Mamawo nekumuona walked fast and hugged
ini ndainge ndatosara mumashure. "Ko wauya?" Said mama iye
akati,"ehe handiti mandimhoresa, saka ndauya nemhoro yangu."
Vakaseka vese ndikamira ndakavatarisa feeling happy watching
my favorite women. August looked at me achibva anditsonya
ndikamunongedzera chibhakera.

Ndakasvika pavari ndikati,"future meet August, Layton and

Tsitsi, vese unovazivira pama photos ka."

"Ndanga ndichida kutaura mazita ndega." She said ndikaseka

kwaakuti,"sorry next time ndichanyarara.
37

End of chapter
38

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 5

Paida

Mama took me into her house tikagara pasi, the smile on her
face yakandiita kuti ndinzwe as if it was my home too. That
feeling yemunhu anga ava nenguva asina kusvika kumba and
finally asvika. I felt like that vachibva vati, "thank you for the
groceries." I thought fast ndikati, "haa mama handisini ndatenga
ndi Tafadzwa."

"Even still manga muri mese saka thank you." Tafadzwa

akanditarisa ndichibva ndatarisa kuna mama then kuna August
who said, "saka you can drive that big car?" With a smile I
nodded ndikati, "it's not that bad ndaimbotya ma first days asi
zvakapera." Mivhunzo yacho yaisapera Tsitsi nekumwewo
kwakuti, "mune ganda rakanaka," kwaakutanga kuseka
achingopedza kutaura mama vakati, "saka zvinosekesa here
39

izvozvo zvekuti munhu ane ganda rakanaka, wazvionaka

zvinoita kugona kugeza, kunoita kuti munhu aite ganda
rakanaka. Next time andidi kunetsana newe nenyaya
dzekugeza."

"Maakundinyadzisa mama." She said ivo vakati, "ndizvo

zvichaita uite shungu." Akatarisa kwandiri and asked, "nhai
maiguru munoshandisa sipo ipi?"

"Haa ndoshandisa chero iripo handisarudze ini." Akashama

akati, "chero green bar?"

"Chero green bar." I said, she found it hard to believe asi

akazotsiurwa namama ndiko kumira kwaakaita kutaura
kunyangwe hazvo I didn't mind. I found her extremely funny
especially kakundicherechedza kaaiita airatidza kunakidzwa
neni. Pakazoita zvapo knock pa door Layton achibva amhanya
kunodaira, mama got up and went out as well ndakazonzwa
Layton aakuti, "mukoma Tafadzwa murikudiwa na Middy na
Tanya."

"Ah iwe ndisiye ndakaneta handina kana three days."

Ndakatarisa kwaari achibva asimuka akati, "okay ndirikuuya."
40

He went out achindisiya kwaakutanga kutaura ari panze asi

vanhu vacho vairatidza kufara stereki kutaura vese. August
stared at me ini kwaakushaiwa zvekutaura. Tsitsi giggled
achibva atsunyiwa na August which left me wondering kuti chii
chaiitika. That awkward moment when you are new and nyaya
dzinongowanikwa kana umwe wako ari padhuze. I ended up
smiling ndaona kuti it was the only thing that I could do. I
wanted to ask kuti ko ndivanaani asi zvikaperera pamuromo
nekuti I didn't want to seem too nosy.

"Saka ku Harare mogara kupi?" He asked ndikati, "Highlands."

"Ooh okay handikuzive ini obviously it must be nzvimbo ine

vanhu vane mari dzavo." With a smile ndikati, "haa ndizvozvo."
Kusununguka kwangu kwakadzoka when Tafadzwa came back
achibva ati, "huya babie." I got up ndichiteera mumashure make,
vanhu vainge vauya kuzomuona were still there vaive vachiri
vakamira panze. They looked at me zviye zvekunyatsotarisa
munhu nekuda kumupedza vega pasina introduction. "Meet my
future wife." He said kwavari, umwe aitsenga bubble gum ndiye
akati, "ndeipi," Tafadzwa akati, "babie that's Middy," she was
the short one aine body yakasimba. Airatidza kuti abva kumba
41

anyatsokwesha nekuti even makumbo ake aipenya mafuta

zvemunhu ageza akawota. The other one ndiye akanzi Tanya,
ndakamumhoresa akati, "ndeip."

"Auya kuzoona where I stay." Tafadzwa said kwaakuti

kwandiri, "we grew up together navo, they are my friends here."
I nodded vachibva varamba vakanditarisa which made me a
little uncomfortable. "Saka mabva Harare?" Asked Middy
ndikagutsurira musoro. Tafadzwa pulled a stool akati ndigare
ndichibva ndati, "aewa gara iwewe."

"Aewa babie gara." Ndakaramba ndikati, "I can't sit iwewe

wakamira."

"Babie you are my visitor nhasi, gara mhani."

"Aewa babie." Ndakadaro Middy kwakuti, "ndipe hangu ndigare

Tafadzwa."

"Ah iwe mukadzi wangu anozogara pai." Vakaseka vari two

Tafadzwa kwaakuti, "chigara pamakumbo." Ndakaseka
ndichiramba futi and it was becoming embarrassing nekuti
August na Tsitsi vakabuda mumba kwaakumira vakatitarisa
42

kusanganisira Middy na Tanya, luckily mama vakabuda vakati,

"Paida mwanangu huya kuno." Ndakafamba ndichienda
ndikanogara pasi. Ndakanzwa Tafadzwa aakuonekana nema
visitor ake achibva atevera mandaiva ndiri namama
vachinditambidza tea nechingwa. I was not hungry but
ndakangodya nekuti she had made an effort. "Vaenda?" Asked
mama Tafadzwa akati, "yaa vaenda, vakatanga kutaura vanhu
vacho nyaya hadzipere." I carried on eating sendisipo mama
vakati, "hoo vagona vaenda, ngavambonoshanda kumba
havanzwi nekufamba, at least vaona Paida vangazofunga kuti
hauna wauinaye." Akabva apihwawo tea namama akatanga
kunwa, kakudiwa namama kakandifadza zvekuti I could not
help but smile ndega.

I didn't have much time to be there saka ndichipedza kudya

ndainge ndaakuda kuenda mama vakati, "aah wadii wanoona
gogo vanogara padhuze chaipo."

"Hoo padhuze?" I said ndichitarisa time yangu ndikaona

ndichiine nguva. Takabuda tese tikaita zvekufamba netsoka
going to his grandmother's house vatakawana vakagara panze
vachidya porridge rine dovi. Takamhoresana mama vakati, "ko
43

amai murikudya porridge masikati zvaita sei?" Vakatanga

kuseka kwakuti, "nhomba Mai Tafadzwa, kunzwa kutorida
mufunge."

"Hezvo inga makaoma ko mukakotsira, kwenyu kurikuda dovi

here,nhasi ndirikubika muboora une dovi kana muchiuda."

"Ehe ndipeika pane kumirira kuti ndikumbire." Vakabva vaseka

vese mama kwaakuita introduction gogo vakati, "ndazviona kuti
ndiTafadzwa chete aita izvi nekuti kana baba vake vakagona
kusarudza." I blushed mama vakati, "muchiri kuziva henyu
mama kuti nenguva yangu ndaive musikana akasvika svika
chaizvo." Takaseka tese gogo vakati, "aiwa mwana wangu
akaita choice zvake, you remember kuti waiti ukashanya Mai
Tafadzwa kuroad uko varume vaipfuura kasingaperi vachida
chete kukudongorera." Mama vakaseka futi kwaakubva
vanyarara kuita sekuti pfungwa dzavo dzaive dzaenda kure. I
figured she probably was thinking about her late husband. "Saka
wauya naani nhai Paida." Gogo asked
44

"Haa ndauya ndega ndanga ndichiperekedza Tafadzwa."

Vakaseka vakati, "zvinoita rudo manje anga asiriye here anga
achifanira kunokusiya kumba."

"Auya nemota gogo kani." Said Tafadzwa ivo kwaakuti, "hezvo

ko mota yacho iri kupi, ndine nguva kaini ndisina kukwira mhoti
ndichafa neshungu."

"Iriko kumba maida tiuye nemota ipo paduze pano." Tafadzwa

akapindura Ivo vakati, "zvine basa rei nhai, manje Paida iwe
unoda porridge here?" With a smile I said, "ndirikubva kutodya
gogo asi maitabasa."

"Hoo ah, ini ndinoda dovi, kana wazouya futi undiigire dovi."
For a moment ndakaramba ndakavatarisa and wondered how she
lived. She was hard to read but you could tell that she was a
friendly woman. Kana mumoyo mangu I actually wished I could
spend more time with Tafadzwa's family. They didn't have much
but they were happy and they seemed content. Zvakandiratidza
another picture of life different from the life that I was used to.
Takazobvako navo vakandiperekedza kusvika ndavakwidza
mota. Ndakangoita round navo kwaakudzoka vachifara zvekuti.
45

Even my heart rejoiced that I had made an old woman happy asi
handina kuzogara ndakaonekana nevanhu vese. Ndangoti fambei
nemota Tafadzwa called akati mira ipapo, I stopped the car
achibva amhanya achitevera. When he got there he opened the
other side achibva apinda mukati where he reached for me and
gave me a kiss of my life. When he let me go ndakaita semunhu
amboita chadzimira then I said, "wow."

"I could not let you go just like that." He said ndichibva
ndasekerera ndichinzwa kuti he loved me. "I love you "
ndakadaro akati, "I never thought you would do this and I'm
happy you did, I'm missing you already babie please be safe."

"You too." Akabva aburuka and left. Ndakasimudza mota with a

smile on my face, a smile I could not wipe off. Ndakazotanga
kurwadziwa ndaona kuti I was nolonger in Mhondoro. The rest
of the drive home ndainzwa kuda kuchema, Tafadzwa was
nowhere close to me, I was struggling already because of being
far away from him and I had no idea how long I was going to
manage. Ndakasvika kumba kusina munhu kuine musikana
aishanda chete ndichibva ndananga kuroom kwangu kunorara. I
tossed and turned kwaakuzomufonera telling him that I was
46

home. "Wafamba bho?" He asked ndikati, "yes." Immediately

misodzi yakatanga kungoerera, he sensed it akati, "what's going
on?"

"I dont know Tafadzwa I really don't know." U said sniffing

reaching for tissue kuti ndipukute misodzi. Another thing that
hurt me was that ndaitarisa how my life was and how I had seen
his life kumusha moyo uchibva warwadza asi I could not tell
him.

"You can't tell me that you don't know. You are freaking me out
hauna nguva wabva kuno, wasvika kumba and the next thing
waakuchema. Pane chandakutadzira here or is there something
that you didn't like?"

"No its not that, maybe I miss you." He sighed akati,

"ndakusuwawo babie but manje dont be like this
unondiomesera." I had to get myself contained kuti
asashupikane kwakuzotanga kutaura nyaya naye achindiudza
kuti I was the topic in the house.

"Ko vaye vaye ndivanaani?" Ndakazovhunza then he laughed

akati, "nhai Future inga ndakuudza wani."
47

"Yea but havana kundifarira."

"It's my job kukufarira babie not theirs, and besides uchavajaira

hako vanhu bho."

"Hoo," ndakadaro zvikanzi, "takatii nema hoo," ndichibva

ndakasika kuti, "sorry," akati, "hebo."

End of chaper
48

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 6

Tafadzwa

Mazuva akafamba ndiripo pamba and each day I waited for a

call that seemed to take so long isina kuuya. Kumbawo they
could not stop talking about Paida, it seemed everyone had taken
a great liking paari kunze kweshamwari dzangu dzakati, "why
would you go for someone like that, that is way out of your
league." That was Tanya, taive takagara pamashops ndaenda
kumbonoona kuti ndingawane something chekufanoita here. I
smiled ndikati, "it's not like I looked for her we found each
other, chete kuti haungazvinzwisise." Zvandakataura
zvakamunakidza kwaakuti, "saka kuno wanga washaya here?"
Ndakabva ndatambidzwa mango zvikanzi, "oh idya
andingadzipedze dzese idzo." Ndakatora ndikatanga kudya
Middy achibva adzoka kubva mushop maainge akanzi anogona
49

kuwana basa ndikati, "what happened." I got the job, she said
achindijambira ndikati, "slow down iwe, anyway
congratulations."

"Muchatiroverwa nana Paida," said Tanya Middy kwaakuti,

"hakusi kutown kumasalad. Kana arikuno ndewangu." Takabva
taseka nekuti aigarotamba achiti uri mukomana wangu
ndichitiwo uri musikana wangu asi zvisina hazvo any meaning
kwandiri nekuti she was just a friend. "Usadaro future wangu." I
responded iye kwaakuti, "ndini mukadzi wako wekutanga."

"Hanzi unotanga riini manje?" Asked Tanya akapindurwa kuti

"mangwana." Takatanga kufamba going back home munhu
asingagone nekufara. Yainge yatova towards Christmas so I
relaxed ndichiti I still had a lot of time. Tichisvika kumba they
went ahead on their own way kwaakubva ndanzi namama, "asi
maenda mese kuma shops?" I nodded ndikati, "I'm trying to see
if I can find something else to do. I can't be home ndakagara
no."

"Ko vana Middy?"

50

"She has been looking for a job saka azoriwana." Ndakagara

pasi kwaakuzembera stool. Ivo vaive busy cooking inside the
house vakati, "i hope they know ma boundaries ehushamwari."
Ndakaseka ndikaziva kuti vainge vatobatwa nemweya
wekuzvipa stress mahara. "Vanoziva mama."

"Ehe nekuti Paida ndiye wepano vamwe vese avo handivazive

ini." Again I laughed kwaakutanga kutaura naye nemamessage
achindiudza kuti aive kubasa. "I wanted to come and see you pa
Christmas asi ndogona kutadza kuuya." She said ndikati, "we
can always meet after, I understand family plans."

"Uribho?" Akadaro ndikati, "ehe I'm okay was kumashops,

trying to get something."

"Aaah babie sei ikoko?"

"Nekuti mashops acho ari padhuze babie, I can't come ikoko for
now." Akaita a bit of time asina kupindura. It was not by choice
but sometimes a situation can force a person to change plans
nekuda kwe desperation. Akazopindura kuti okay achibva
anyarara. Ndakatarisa all my siblings and I knew kuti kugara
kwandainge ndakaita pasi kwaireva kuti nhamo yakapera.
51

Ndakatanga kufunga giving lessons kuma form four charging

kamari kashoma. Especially the ones that targeted writing in
June ndivo vandaida and I knew kuti ndaisatadza kuwanawo
kana five. Ndakasimuka ndikati, "mama ndiri kudzoka."

"Ko waakuenda kupi?" She asked ndikati, "kumashops."

"Kunei?" Vainge vamira padoor rekitchen ndikati, "I want to

advertise kuti I will be giving extra lessons kune vanoda."

"Ko rati rashaika here basa racho nhai Tafadzwa?" Her

concerned face yakaita ndibatikane asi I was not going back on
my word. "harina kushaika but I need something for now."

"Chimira udye." She said ndikaramba ndichiti ndaizodya

ndadzoka. Ndakaenda ndichimhanya ndikasvika kumukomana
we printing ndikamuti andigadzirire poster. "wafunga
pahombe." He said ndikati, "yaa and ukaonawo vapfanha
vanoda malessons direct them to me." Ndakagaramo kusvika
apedza then he made copies andakakumbira kunama pamashops
evanhu. Ndakabvako ndaakunzwa kupera simba nenzara and
ndiri muroad ndimo mandakasangana na Stuart one of my
52

friends ekumusha akati, "ndirikubva kumba kwenyu hanzi

namama wabuda."

"Ya pane zvandanga ndichiita watii?"

"Handeka ku fish." Ndakaseka ndichigara pasi ndikati, "I'm tired

Stuart handisati ndadya and ndamboita ma up and down ipapa."
He gave me his hand akati, "simuka." Zuva racho was burning
badly I had no choice but to get up ndisati ndanyanya kutsva.
"Unonodya then toenda." Ndakamboramba ndakakotama
ndakabata mabvi kunzwa sekunge ndaive ndabatwa nedzungu iri
nzara hayo yaive yakundiitisa dzungu. Ndakamanikidzira
kusimuka then we slowly walked back home ndichimuudza
zvandainge ndafunga kuita. "Wazviona kuti zvinobhowa being a
graduate at home ka, sometimes degree haribatsire chinhu
people are making it without degrees."

"It may be hard to find a job I know Stuart but kuva naro kune
advantage, nhasi uno kukanzi kurikudiwa ane degree rakati
handiti ndinowanikwawo here?"

"But what percentage are the chances?" He asked ndikati, "that

one percent chance is better than no chance." Takapikisana
53

kusvika ndaneta kupikisana naye. Maybe it was hard for him to

understand the advantages of being educated saka ndakaona
zvakanaka kusiyana nazvo. Ndakasvika ndikadya kwaakuoneka
futi kuti tiende kufish August akati Aida kuendawo.

"Manje tiri kunopinda mukati kaisu?" I said to him akati still he

wanted to go kwaakumurega achienda nesu. Mvura yacho yanga
yati dzikei just a bit. Takambogara pasi kwaakutanga preparing
kupinda mumvura. "Ko mukasangana nemakarwe?" Asked
August ndikati, "tinongodyiwa."

"Ko kusiyana nazvo?" Akadaro ndikati, "ko wadii kusara

kumba."

"Ndanga ndichida kuona." Stuart akabva apindura kuti, "mfanha

wako anopedza vanhu confidence imbonyarara."

"I'm just highlighting the possibilities ekuti munogona

kudyiwa."

"August hamuna makarwe mhani chinyarara," I said, net racho

raive hombe, we helped each other lay it out ndikati, "dai tauya
kumanheru, masikati so zvogona kunetsa."
54

"Inini ndirikuda muriwo chete nyangwe tikawana tumatemba."

Ndakaseka kwaakuenda mberi tichifanba ne net and for sure
takaburitsa tumatemba hobho ndikati, "inini matemba
andimafarire." Takapinda pakati Kati patakazobuda nefish
dzaive dzakati kurei asi shoma, "hausi kuona manje?" I said
smiling Stuart kwakuti, "nhomba baba nhomba." Takaseka
taakuzama kudzirongedza nekuti dzaive mhenyu. "Haa apa half
half , dzekumba nedzekutengesa." Said Stuart ndikati, "Amana
kufamba futi here?" Ndainzwa kuti andichazvikwanisa iye
kwaakuti, "hatiende kure dzinenge dzapera."

"Saka matova ma fish bonga?" Asked August ndikati, "dzungu,

hapana yako."

"Kuvhunza kwakambotukisa munhu here?" Akadaro ndichibva

ndamutambidza bucket to carry. Akaunyanidza kumeso ndikati,
"famba." He complained all the way back home kwatakasvika
and shared na Stuart. I was tired saka zvekufamba
zvakandiramba Layton ndiye akati he could do it. Paakabuda
akabuda natsitsi then I went to bath kwaakutomborara. As the
days moved ndainge ndaakutanga kuenda almost everyday
kunobata fish and selling. Ukuwo vana vakatangawo
55

kunditsvaga for extra lessons. Ndakatanga nesix zvakaita kuti

ndikwanise getting stuff for Christmas. I could not see Paida
nekuda kwekuva busy kwake and neniwo ndaive ndisina nguva
yekuti tionane but we spoke on the phone. Weeks passed and
January came hana yaingorova waiting for that call that never
came. Slowly I started losing hope nekuti tainge taakutoda
kusvika February.

Nekuda kwekuwanda kwevana vaiuya my reputation

yekudzidzisa yakafamba nekuda kwe improvement yainge yaita
vana vakawanda. Ndisina kutarisira I was called kuchikoro
kwana Layton by the headmaster. I sighed as I dressed up
ndisingazive what was ahead of me asi all I felt was
nervousness. Ndakamuvhunza kakawanda kuti vaidei but he was
cluessless, "maybe he wants you to help out." Said mama
ndikati, "haa mama teaching here, inonakidza when it's part
time."

"Just go." She said encouraging me and just as we had suspected

he offered me a teaching post. "But I'm not a teacher." I
reminded him vakati, "you are a teacher who just doesn't have a
degree in teaching, but the students you have been teaching have
56

shown great improvement. Its a sad case nekuti already we lost a

maths teacher and I was hoping that you would at least fill in his
position until we get a replacement. Kana tashayawo then maybe
we can offer you a permanent post." I sighed vakati, "think
about it, zvasiyana nekugara kumba and you will get your
monthly salary."

"Give me time to think about it." ndakadaro, vakabvuma

kwakubva ndabuda ndichienda kumba. On the way back I called
Paida ndichimuudza kuti I had been offered a job as a teacher
akati, "a teacher Tafadzwa?"

"That'ss what's there babie."

"Amana, ikoko here?" She seemed disappointed, even I was

disappointed asi I had no choice. Ndakaedza kumuonesa akati,
"saka that means kuonana kwedu kuchashupa handiti?"

"At least I'll have money to come and see you."

Ndakamuvimbisa but she didn't take it well.

End of chapter

Kaydie
57

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

Chapter 7

Paida

After that call ndakabatwa nemisodzi ndichibva ndavhara office

yangu and took a moment to cry. Just when I thought maybe
ndaigona kuwana good news dzekuti he was coming to Harare
zvakaramba. Kwandiri kushanda kwake kure kwakaita kuti
ndirwadziwe all because I needed him close to me, kungotiwo
kana ndamusuwa ndaigona kumuona ndisina too much stress
kuti toonana sei. I could not understand kuti sei zvinhu zvake
zvainonoka, even though I had tried dropping off his CVs kune
mamwe ma companies that I thought would take him asi zvainge
zvaramba. I sniffed till I heard a knock. Nekukasika I wiped
away my tears and reminded myself kuti we had promised to be
strong for each other. Yes distance was affecting us but I loved
him, it was a fact that I could not change. Ndakasimuka
ndikavhura door Cadel kwaakupinda akati,"ko sei walocker door
what's going on?" He was my father's friend's son aishandawo
58

ipapo. Ndakazvigadzirisa ndikati,"pane zvandanga ndichiita."

He sat on the chair opposite mine ini kwaakugara pasi
ndichinyepedzera kubata bata zvinhu.

Nekundicherechedza akazviona nekutsvuka kwemaziso

akati,"ko wanga uchichema chii?" Ndakazviramba akati,"don't
bother denying it, it's written all over your face, asi basa
ririkushupa?" I shook my head akati,"tell me did he hurt you?" I
shook my head ndikati,"don't do that to me Cadel, let it go."
Akatambisa tambisa pen yaive padesk pangu, we were not that
close but we spoke here and there saka kutaura about my
personal life to him zvaindinetsa. Kozoti he was also well
known for being that strict which left almost everyone scared of
him. "Don't lock the door." Akabva asimuka apedza kutaura
ndikati,"okay." Aakubuda ndakati,"where you looking for
something?"

"Do I need a specific reason to get into this office?"

Kamuvhunziro kacho kaive nekakudenha mukati . Andina kuda
kumirira reply nekuda kwekuti I felt i had bigger issues aive
asinei naye. Andina kana kumupindura muvhunzo wake
zvakaita kuti ashaiwe reason yekuramba akamira padoor
59

kwakubva abuda achisiya risina kunyatsovharwa zvakanaka.

Ndakaridza tsamwa kwaakusimuka kuti ndinovhara door.
Ndakqsangana nababa vake vachidawo kupinda, I stepped aside
ndikati,"good morning sir."

"Good morning Paida." Vakadaro vachipinda nekutozvipa

pekugara zvekuti ndakazosara ndogara ivo vatova settled kare.
"Waita here zvandakuudza?" He asked vachinditarisa kumeso
ini kwaakunzengesa maziso avoiding the same question his son
had asked ndikati,"yes ndaita." I was busy organizing a
workshop that was to be attended by a couple of companies saka
yedu was hosting the event. When he took a look at what I had
listed vakati,"did you speak to Cadel about this?"

"He came in here but never said what he was here for, I think
akanganwa kutaura." Havana zvakawanda zvakavakataura
vakangogutsurira musoro kwaakuti,"not bad ingoona kuti the
expenses are not too much handiti?"

"Yes sir."

"Call me uncle." Vakadaro vachisimuka ndikasara ndakavatarisa

vatova kudoor. Pavakarivhara ndakadzokera pakuita zvandaiita
60

even though my mind was not settled ndainge ndava kutofunga

squeezing in time kuti ndikwanise kunoona Tafadzwa. That day
ndakashanda ndikapedza basa a little late, ndakasvika kumba
ndaneta mama vakati,"wanonoka nhasi?" Ndakagutsurira
musoro and taking off my shoes kwaakudzinhonga nekunanga
kuroom kwangu vakati,"are you okay."

"Just tired , stressed and hungry." Ndakanzwa vaakuseka ini

ndookuenderera mberi nekufamba kuti ndinochinja hembe. I had
no energy ndakatombogara pa stool confused ,our conversation
had not ended well and I knew he was stressed. Ndakaona kuti
ndikafona taisanzwisisana I really needed to go and see him.
Paive nemazuva acho manje ndipo paiita ndiwedzera kubatikana
I still had more days kuti weekend ikwane.

When ma asked kuti chii chainetsa ndakamboda kutsika tsika

kwaakuzoti,"Tafadzwa has been offered a post as a teacher
kuMhondoro."

"Yowe," She said kwaakuwedzera kuti,"I wanted to ask you kuti

nemunhu wako zvinobuda here Paida. Pamwe pacho mwanangu
kungomanikidzira pazvinhu zvaunoona wega kuti this can't
61

happen."I frowned ndikati,"what are you saying?" Ipapo hana

yangu yainge yavakutorova kare. "Kumusha Paida , his life is
there."

" His life is not there." I argued vakati, "oh really, where is he
now and where are you?"

" It's because he has not found a job yet." I defended him
vakati,"and when will he find a job in Harare . Paida you are two
different people, how long will your relationship last zvinhu
zvakadai. Worse a teacher munhu akaita engineering yuwi
zvangu. Handina kumuvenga get me right but you must know
pane future nepasina future." Ndakarwadziwa zvekuda kuchema
it's not what I wanted to hear. I wanted her to tell me that all was
going to be well. Ndakati munhu apedza kwaakuwedzera
kuti,"where will you even stay, iwewe unoshanda kuno. Will he
even be able to buy you a house to stay? Munogara pai nhaiwe
Paida ndiudze kuti mateacher anotambira marii, worse he is not
even a qualified teacher."

"Mama zvakwana." I said vakati,"aewa let's do a reality check."

62

"Andisi kuida right now reality check yacho nekuti it's

depressing me." She chuckled kwakuti," fine, ndanyarara but
don't say I never warned you. Yes munhu ari right but he can't
afford you mwanangu, unofira munhamo, it's a curse Paida."
Ndakashama muromo, when she got up to leave ndakaita as if I
had not heard her clearly. Ndakabata hana and tried to breath
ndichizviudza kuti Paida breath. I could not stop my tears kana
nzara yandaive nayo yakabva yapera kwaakusimuka
kunozvivharira muroom mangu. Ndakachema zvekuti, it was not
about him being a teacher I didn't care, it was about him being
far away from me. I understood kuti we were at different levels
in life but having him close was all I needed. Kunyangwe akaita
teacher but kuitira padhuze was all I wanted. I sniffed
ndikazvivharira mumagumbeze kusvika ndaakubatwa nehope.
Ndakamutswa nemessage yake yaive yakanzi,"goodnight
Future." I read it like it was a very long message ndichishaiwa
kuti ndoti kudii kwaakuzoti,"I love you."

Mazuva akandinonokera and akabva andiudza kuti he had

agreed to take the job. I could not stop him worse nekunzwa kuti
August had passed his O'Level . Again I could not say much on
63

the phone ndakamirira kuti Saturday isvike. Ndakaita

sendaienda kubasa, like I had things that I needed to do
ndichiziva hangu kuti I had to go to Mhondoro. My heart
pounded with the anticipation to see him. I drove fast ndichiedza
kuda kukasika kusvika kutiwo neni ndiwane nguva naye. When
I got kumashops avo ndakarangarira kuti gogo vake vainge vati
vanoda dovi and ndigozouya naro saka ndakaburuka and bought
dovi and other stuff kwaakusimudzira kuenda.

Ndakazofunga kuti ndogona kuwana munhu asipo kwaakufona

ndaakusvika ndikati,"where are you?"

"Home love." Akapindura ndikati urikuitei?"

"Ndakagara ndichiita washen." I smiled kunyangwe

ndaisamuona ndikati,"that's nice."

"Where are you driving to?" Akavhunza ndikapindura kuti,"just

to see someone important."

"On a Saturday Paida ,who is that?" I sensed a bit of jealous

ndichibva ndaseka. Ipapo ndainge ndaakutoona imba yavo
zvikanzi,"urikunoona Ani babie."
64

" Just munhu." Ndakadaro zvikanzi,"it's fine enda."

"Why are you sounding funny?" Ndakavhunza akati,"munhu

asingataurwe munhu akaita sei?"

"Munhu anodiwa." Ndakadaro akati,"Paidaka." Akasimudza

musoro, I could see him, I think the sound of my car ndiyo
yakaita atarise kwandaiva. He got up still holding his phone
akati,"you did not."

"Yes I did."

"No babie you didn't." I wanted to cry even as I stopped the car.
He walked fast to my side and opened the door. Akanditarisa
with so much love ndichibva ndapinda in his arms where we
hugged each other without letting go. Takaturirana mafemo
akati,"I can't believe you did this."

"I can't believe you don't believe that I did this." He let me go
ndikati,"vanhu varipi?"

"Vaenda kwagogo she's not well, ndatombobvako earlier."

Ndisati ndapindura his lips found mine. He kissed me hana
65

ichirova cause of his presence. When he let me go we hugged

again he literally squeezed me ndikati,"hande tinoona gogo."

End of chapter
66

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 8

Paida

As we walked there ndaiedza kumira kusekerera asi pane

kamwe ka excitement kanongokubata, especially when you are
with that one person anokurovesa hana. Ndaiona vanhu
vachiticherechedza zvaiita kuti ndinzwe kufara knowing vainge
vatoona kuti ndiripo. Iyewo akabva andibata ruoko with our
fingers locked kuti zvinyatsoratidza kuti tiri tese. When we got
to his grandma's house mama ndivo vaive vabuda panze, her
face lit up kwaakuti,"ah Paida ," vakafamba kuuya to welcome
me ndikati,"mama makadii?"

"Andina kubvira ndaziva kuti you were coming otherwise

ndingadai ndakasika kudzoka kumba." Vakataura
vachindicherechedza ini kwaakusekerera ndikati,"how were you
ever going to know ini ndisina hangu kutaura kuti I was
67

coming." Maziso avo akamhanya kuenda kuna Tafadzwa ini

kwakutarisawo ikoko asi ndakazocheuka ndavakutarisa kuna
Tsitsi who said,"Paida," achisekerera zvekurevesa,"mama
vakati,"aewa iwe anonzi maiguru." Ndakaseka iye
kwaakusekawo akati,"kuti maiguru kune kakuchembedza
munhu ndinofarira hangu kuti Paida ndizvo zvinondiitira."
Vakapikisana ndichibva ndati,"tete Tsitsi murisei?"

"Zvine kakundichembedza asi titambire." She took the paperbag

gogo vakadaidzira kuti,"asi Paida auya,"mama
vakati,"mamunzwa ka amai?"

"Saka ndiye." Vakapindura mama kuti,"ehe ndiye,"tainge

tatopinda mumba ndava kutogara zvangu pasi kuti
ndimhoresane navo zvakanaka. She was sleeping in the kitchen
close to the fire semunhu ainzi arikunzwa chando saka vaida
moto. She forced herself to get up then she leaned on the walls
of her kitchen hut which seemed to have been redone. Yainge
yasiyana nezvayaiva from the last time I had been there. "Wauya
nedovi?" She asked vachitarisa maoko angu ndikati,"ndauya
naro I hope handina kunonokesa." Vakaedza kuseka
vakati,"ndainge ndaakufunga kuti wadyiwa neharare
68

wakanganwa Tafadzwa. Ndanga ndaakutokugunun'unira

muhana mangu." Ndakatarisana na Tafadzwa
ndikati,"musafunge zvakadaro gogo." Nyaya dzakatsva gogo
vakati ndibikirwe tea ndikati ndaive ndiri right kuri kunyara
hangu asi ndaive nenzara.

"Wabva kumba nguvai?" Asked Tafadzwa ndikataura kuti

nguva dzebasa. Hamheno kuti maths dzacho akadziweka sei
kwaakuti,"saka urikunyepa kuti wadya iwe usina." Ndakaita
nharo kusvika andisiya asi hatina hedu kukasika kubva kumba
kwambuya vake. Vakazoti zvino ndivabikire muboora une dovi
ndichibva ndapusa nekuti I had no idea on how to do it ndainge
ndisina kubvira ndauyita. Kana kubika muboora kwacho I had
no idea ipapo hana yakatanga kurova kwaakuti kuna Tafadzwa
pa message, "bae handigone." Ndakaona munhu avakuseka
ndikaramba ndakamutarisa kwaakupindura kuti ndobika newe
relax." Kungoziva kuti I could not do it ndakanzwa moyo
uchibatikana kutoda kuchema. Ndakamutarisa nemaziso ane
misodzi akati,"handei tinotyora muboora wacho uriko kuseri."
Handina kumirira kuudzwa kechitwo takabuda ndikati,"I'm very
sorry I'm embarrasing you."
69

"You are not, you are being you." Ndakapusa akati,"nhai Future
manje chese chausingagone uchadai here. My grandma doesn't
even mind she's is a sweet woman. Wangotya hako you could
have told her the truth."

" I do want to cook for her." Ndakadaro akati,"then will do it

tese. Takatemha and cleaned kwakucheka zvese. Tiri panze
kudaro ndakaudzwa muitirwo wazvo zvekuti by the time I went
inside I was confident that I could do it. Ndakabika feeling
extremely nervous nekuti munhu aive akanditarisa. August and
Layton came ndakutopedza they had gone to get gogo's
medicine from the pharmacy yaive pamashops. "Hesi maiguru?"
August said ndikati,"bamnini."

"Good to see you mauya nguvai?"

" Not long dai ndaziva kuti you were by the shops I could have
picked you up touya tese."

"Makadii maiguru?" Said Layton who looked exhausted

ndikati,"zvirisei."
70

"Murikubikei?" He asked Tsitsi akati,"hanzi nagogo vabike

muboora une dovi." Vese vakaseka kusiya kwa August
akati,"gogo musalad maiguru mavadarirei ?" The more they
spoke the more nervous I became, gogo vacho kwaakuvhunza
kuti,"musalad ndicho chiiko." It seemed vaitarisira kuti with my
background ndaitadza kuzviita. I knew my way around the
kitchen, I just didn't know about muboora une dovi. With the
help ya Tafadzwa I managed to do it kunyangwe ndaiita
ndichikachidzwa nehutsi ndakabika. Vakabva vati vaida
kuwudya wakadaro, ndakapakura ndikavapa hana ichirova.
Munhu wese akanyarara as she tested, ndaive ndavakutya kuti
vachati chii asi when she smiled ndakakasika kutarisa kuna
Tafadzwa who squeezed my hands assuring me kuti she liked it.
Andina kusiiwa pa suspence for long ndakanzwa voti,"uyu
anobika uyu." Ndakatura mafemo with relieve Layton
akati,"ndotoudawo gogo. Not just him but everyone else wanted
to taste,"thank you." I whispered Kuna Tafadzwa.

Tafadzwa

Ndakazobuda naye and took a walk around ndichimuratidza

nzvimbo. My heart rejoiced and each time I looked at her I still
71

could not believe that she had come all the way for me.
Ndaishaya the right words to speak but all the time she kept
proving that she loved me. Ndakatanga kuona kuti pfungwa
dzangu dzekumutyira kwaive kupedza nguva kwaakusiyana
nadzo. Whilst walking around ndakasangana na Stuart akati,"I
was coming to your house," kwaakutarisa Paida akati,
"makadaii?" Achiramba akatarisa ndikati,"tarisa kuno watii?"

"It seems you are busy I thought since iri weekend timboita zve
fish."

"Haa zve fish nhasi no, mukadzi wangu auya kubva Harare saka
I can't join you zvanhasi." Akaramba akatarisa Paida
ndikati,"wazvinzwa?"

"Yaa I can't understand." I was a little irritated kwakuti,"babie

anonzi Stuart a friend of mine, Stuart uyu mukadzi wangu
Paida."

"Mmmm okay ndiye aitaurwa nana Middy." Andina kuda

kucommentor last part ndakati,"toonana ndaakuenda."

"Saka murikuenda kupi?"

72

"Nowhere in particular we are taking a stroll." Akaramba

akamira isu tava kufamba ndikati kuna Paida ,"uchandishaisa
shamwari iwewe." She chuckled kwakuvhunza kuti,"nekuti he
was looking at me?"

" Ndirikunzwa moyo wangu kutsva, worse not knowing kuti

vangani varikukutarisa kubasa. I don't even want to think about
it ndingatonzwa kurwara." She stopped kwaakumira akanditarisa
mumaziso akati,"dai waiziva kuti ndokuda sei." Our fingers
locked kwaakuita nguva takamira takatarisana. I sighed
kwaakusimudzira tikafamba going towards the river. We got
there kwaakugara on the edge makumbo ari mumvurwa.
Ndakuvhunzwa kuti maisava nemakarwe here ndikati,"usaite sa
August iwe," of which ndakazopedzisira ndamuudza nyaya
yacho yakaitika. "You didn't tell me kuti waakuita zve fish, sei
ndisina kuudzwa." Ndakaona kuti ndapisira, ndaisada azive
nekuda kwekuti she stressed a lot over unnecessary things. She
hated kundiona ndichitambura that's why I never told her kubva
pakutanga. I faked a smile ndikati,"we do it for fun, zvakanakira
kuti andishaye muriwo futi."
73

She studied my face as I maintained my smile kwaakubva auya

akagara pakati pemakumbo angu nekubva andizembera.
Ndakaisa maoko angu padumbu rake kwaakutarisa mvura asi
zvaitondiremera nekuti having her close made my blood rush.
Iyewo zvaimuremera kuva padhuze neni ndakazoona ndaakuisa
maoko pamukaka wake ndichiubata. She closed her eyes and let
out a moan. Ndakaramba ndakamutarisa ndichienda mberi
nekumubata, she increased her moaning kusvika ndaita kuisa
maoko mukati. Akawedzera kufemereka searching for my lips
that I never gave her ndichiona hangu how much she wanted me
body yake ichiita kundichemera. "Just kiss me please, if you
know that you won't do anything then don't touch me like this."
She complained ini kwaakudzikisa musoro to kiss her. I slid my
hand into her panties and touched her there playing with her clit
ndikaona achimover body yake kuratidza kuti she was enjoying
every bit of it. My other hand still played nemukaka wake
akazoti atanga kunditi,"babie I want you." I ignored her and
carried on rubbing her clit,she moved her own body as if I was
in her kuona kuti she was getting there slowly slowly. She called
my name ndikati,"yes love." I took her lips again and rubbed a
little faster kusvika ndanzwa kuti she was cuming the wetness
74

down there had increased so much that I wanted her badly but i
still had to control myself. I watched her body vibrate and kissed
her deepily until she was calm. Akatura mafemo akati,"you are
an evil man." Ndakaseka ndikati,"unondida ndakadaro nehuevil
hwangu."

"What did you do to me?" Akavhunza ndikati,"reminding you

that I'm still the man in your life." She sighed akati,"what if
someone was to see us?"

" It's not like ndakukumura hembe, besides I was merely

touching future wangu." She chuckled kwaakuti,"I wanna return
the favor," asi mama vakafona vakati chiuyai mudye.
Ndakatoona kuti kutyira kuti hamheno zvandinogona kumuita.
Ndakamuudza kwaakuti,"are you okay,"ndikati,"don't worry I
will be okay." Takafamba going back home zvikanzi,"saka vana
Middy vaiti chii?" Ndainge ndati nyaya yakanganwikwa asi
yaive isina zvakaita kuti ndiseke iye kwaakuti,"andisi kuseka
Tafadzwa."

" Hanzi uri musalad babie nothing more."

75

"It means that statement yakateerwa nemashoko akashata." I

shook my head ndikati,"only I should matter to you." Tichisvika
kumba mama vainge vamubikira something, she ate a lot
ndisingafungire ndipo pandakazoti,"thanks for the groceries."
Mama vaivemo iye kwaakuti,"handiti ndiwe wakanditumira
Mari yekuti nditenge." Ndakapererwa nekuti ndaive ndisina
kubvira ndadaro, all she wanted was mama to believe kuti ndini
ndaive ndadaro.

End of chapter
76

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 9

Paida

Ndichisvika kumba ndakaona zvekare vanhu vabuda sezvo

vaigara vasipo pamba. Vanhu vaivepo was Clinton nemusikana
wake Getty vaive vakagara vachiona tv. "So you work weekend
too?" Asked my brother ndikati,"here and there ndeip, hie
Getty." She smiled achindimhoresa ini kwaakupfuurira
kunogeza to freshen up semunhu ainge ambovhiringidzwa
musango. Ndakatomboita nguva ndakavhara maziso
kwaakuzozviseka kushaya kuti sure saka ndanga ndatopotsa
ndaitwa zvimwe musango imomo. Ndaisanzwisisa hangu why
he was avoiding us getting that close, I was ready I wanted to do
it with him asi iye manje he was pulling back. Kana kuti
ndimuvhunze kuti sei ndaitonyara saka zvaingoperera
mupfungwa dzangu. Ndapedza kugeza takambotaura zvishoma
77

achibva azoti,"why do you keep lying to my mother kuti ndini

ndinenge ndatenga zvinhu zvaunouya nazvo. Do you really
think that she does not know kuti ndiwe urikutenga?"

"Whats wrong ndikati ndiwe?" Ndakavhunza nekuti ndaiona

pasina chakashata pakuda kuti awane all the credit. It's not like
kuti ndaifunga kuti anodzikisirwa asi ndaingonzwa kuda kungoti
iye ndiye aita but I could sense that he also wanted me to get
credit. "You should tell the truth." Akataura nenzwi rairatidza
kuti he was serious about it but I had issues nekutendwa. I hated
ma thank you saka to avoid them ndaipa credit to someone else.
"Ndazvinzwa." I finally said kwakuchinja nyaya ndichiti, "saka
August arikuenda kuchikoro kupi?"

" Kwaakaitira olevel, pandiri kudzidzisa inini, it's a good school

and ndipo pandaona kuti ndinogona ku bhadhara fees yake."
Ndakavhunza Mari yacho akataura ndikaona kuti zveshuwa
yaiva shoma. "Ndikatambira ndichatenga mabooks anodiwa
acho give me the least." Aka kakama ndikati,"wozotumira."

"Mira babie mira." Akamira kutaura ini kwaakumirawo ndichida

kuteerera what he wanted to say. Ndaifunga kuti hamheno
78

zvimwe zvaaida kutaura asi ndakazobatikana andirambira kuti

nditenge mabook ndikati,"nekuti zvaita sei?"

" Chengeta mari yako for other things. You have done a lot and I
would not want it to seem as if ndaakutora advantage of your
generosity. I'm a man I should be doing most of the things.
Right now I can't even afford kukugadzirisa musoro, chiita kuti
mari iyoyo uite something else nayo. Something chisina inini
mukati , I know urikuda kubatsira but no." Ndakaramba
ndakabata phone ndichiita kunge ndaitadza kunzwisisa
zvaaitaura. That moment I felt like I was not part of his life, I
thought kuti life partners could do things together, kubatsirana
pazvese without looking to see kuti ndiani aiita more.
Ndakashaya kana kuti ndopindura kuti chii ndichibva ndakata
phone nekuti ndainzwa kakuzarirwa kakuita kunge ndaakuda
kudzipwa neshungu. Ndainge ndataura nemoyo unoda and I
wanted to do it, I never did much with my salary ndakangoona
kuti it was wise kumubatsira on a bit of his responsibilities.

Ndakabva ndatoiramwa phone yacho kwaakupinda

mumagumbeze ndikarara kunyangwe yaive isiri nguva yekurara.
My heart and mind were filled with questions and I needed to
79

understand kuti ndaitadza papi pakuda kubatsira. Izvozvo

zvakaita kuti mangwana acho ndinyatsovhunza Rhoda achibva
aseka akati,"you have to understand kuti all that you do could be
making him feel useless."

"Useless is too harsh." I complained akati,"ndiro word racho

chairo. If a man can't do much for his woman ndizvo
zvaanonzwa." I sighed ndikati,"yet I just love him."

"Mudzidzise to accept that even a woman can help." Ndaive

ndisina simba saka ndakangoti eho ndikasiyana nazvo. Ndaive
ndava busy nebasa rangu, pakubuda kuenda kuvenue ndakaenda
ne elder brother ya Cadel ainzi Aaron, more friendly compared
to his little brother ndikatoti,"at least with you, munhu anogona
kufema." He was the one driving and pandakataura kudaro
akanditarisa necorner yeziso akati,"taura nyaya yako asi
urikusvotwa na Cadel?"

"Not really, haajairike uyo." Zvakamunakidza kwakuti,"yes

thats Cadel munzwisisewo, father is like that." Maonero angu
their father was friendly kwete zvaitaurwa zvekuti he was strict
80

izvo. Ndakatomupikisa akatanga kuseka achiti,"asi iwewe

unondipikisa ndirini muridzi wababa here?"

"Maonero anguwo hangu, saka you are saying kuti havatode

zvisina basa here?"

"Maihwee zvangu hausi kuvaziva." Maziso ake ainge awedzera

kuvhurika panguva yaaitaura zvakaita kuti ndione kuti aive
nemaziso mahombe. Akatozomavhara apedza kupindura and
nyaya dzacho dzaive dzatowanda ndakuudzwa about his
childhood. "Ndakamborohwa ndikatiza pamba Paida I won't lie
to you?"

" Wainge waita sei?"akatanga aseka akati,"ndakabatwa

ndakarara pamusoro pemusikana when we were busy playing
family nekamwe kamwana kaive keshamwari yavo. Ko ndini
ndaive daddy zve ndikati regai ndiite zvinoitwa na daddy, iwe
kaiwe." Takaseka tese kwaakubva apedzisa nyaya yake
achiti,"Paida haana kumira mushe mudhara uya thats all I can
say." Tainge tasvika saka hatina kuzoenda mberi nekunyanya
kutaura nyaya tavakuita zvatainge tafambira. Takaswera tiriko
kusvika ndavakunzwa nzara. Since it was a hotel we ordered
81

food ipapo tikagara kuti tidye. During that time we carried on

with our conversation taakutaurawo about other things including
our personal lives. Ainyanya hake kutaura iye and waiona kuti
he was enjoying himself ,that free spirited person.

Tichipedza kudya Cadel ainge atevera, akatotiwana tichiri

takagara , he joined in akati,"why did you leave me behind."

" I thought you were not in the office." Akapindurwa na Aaron

nekuti chandainge ndaita kwaive kukwira mota chete. "I was but
you could have said handei." Takasimuka Cadel akati,"wait for
me too," Aaron kwaaku

ti,"you are here already take a look around and see what needs to
be adjusted. Hamheno kana une nzara order something."

"Are you guys leaving already?" Aive atarisa kwandiri

ndichibva ndatarisa pasi Aaron akati,"yes we are done eating so
go ahead." Ndakamutarisa ndichicherechedza facial expression
yake asi yaive nekusanzwisisika. Chinhu chandakabata hangu
ndisina kuudzwa was that he actually needed company.
Ndiripakati pekuwongorora ndakanzi,"hande," na Aaron aive
aakutofamba achiridza muridzo playing with his car keys.
82

Tavapanze akaseka akati, "unoziva handina kuguta ipapa ndine

nzara."

" Zviri normal here izvozvo?" Ndakavhunza ndamira kufamba.

Iyewo akamira kufamba kwaakudzoka pandaive ndamira akati,
look how big I am, I mean look at all these muscles, I need food
Paida." Zvakandiitira funny ndikaseka as well as going ahead to
ask how he got all his muscles akataura kuti,"food and the gym."
Ndaigaronzwa vakadzi vachiti varume vaive nemamuscles
akakura vaive vakaremara in other places. Ndakatadza kudzora
pfungwa idzodzo, ndaive ndangomira ndakamutarisa zvakaita
kuti avhunze kuti,"why are you looking at me like that,"
ndikatanga zvangu kuseka. Ndakanyatsonzwa tsitsi nekuti
mutaurirwo wacho wazvaiitwa waitobva watoona kunge
murume wacho atova useless. Akandibatsira kuseka asi
asingazive kuti ndaiseka chii kwaakuzonyepa
kuti,"ndirikunakidzwa hangu kuti hauna kuguta."

Ndakatumwa kunomutengera imwe food ndikaenda.

Ndavakubuda Cadel akanditarisa akavhunza muridzi wechikafu
ndikataura kuti Aaron. "Ko inga mati madya wani, did I
disturbed something?" Ndaida kufamba kuti ndiende asi
83

ndakamira nekuti ndaida kunzwisisa kuti something yake

yaaitaura aireva something yei. Ndakavhunza akati,"hamheno
imimi." Ndakada kumupa explanation ndikaona kuti I didn't owe
him any kwakufamba ndichibuda. Pandakabuda our eyes met
ndikaenderera mberi nekufamba ndaona kuti aive aramba
akanditarisa. Aaron akazodyira mumota zvakandipa tsitsi nekuti
kudya kwacho kwaive kusiri normal.

Zuva rakatofamba tainge tabatana na Cadel achiona ona

tichibatsirana kuronga. Tichipedza takadzokera kubasa and
ndipo pandakazobatawo phone yangu ndikaona ma missed calls
aTafadzwa. I called back akati,"I hope you were not ignoring
my calls." Ndakapindura kuti,"aewa kwaakuvhunzwa kana
ndaive ndakatsamwa ndikati,"no." Nyaya yainge yaita kuti
ndimukatire phone ndakaisiya yakadaro nekuti Rhoda had
suggested I try to understand him. Hatina hedu kutaura for long
sezvo he was busy. Nemazuva akateverawo we didn't chat much
nekuda kwekuti we both got busy, aiitisa ma extra lessons after
normal working hours. I worked extra hours to get things in
order saka kutaura kwacho kwaive kwe good morning, good
afternoon ne goodnight.
84

" Saka you are my date handiti?" Akadaro Aaron apinda

muoffice mangu ndikati,"date?"

" Ehe ku workshop, ndingaenda ndega here?"

"Aizve kurikudiwa a date here?" Akaseka achigara pasi

kwakuti,"handidi kugara nevanhu vanobhowa saka be my date.

End of chapter
85

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 10

Paida

Ndakangoita ka confusion kekutadza kuziva kuti zvema date

zvainge zvarongwa nguvai asi manje munhu wacho akabva
atowedzera kusekerera ndikati, "kufarira workshop here uku?"

"Andisikuziva kuti kufarira chii but I would be happier kana

ukabvuma being my date tomorrow night." Ndakanyara kana
kumurambira ndikati, "it's fine." One night was not a problem
and semunhu wandaishanda naye handina kuona problem
pazviri ndakabvuma achibva ati, "yes thanks, I will provide the
dress and the shoes."

"Relax I have that covered already." There was no need to buy

me anything nekuda kwekuti I had a lot of clothes. He insisted
kusvika ndazoti, "it's fine." Akasimuka kwaakubuda ini
ndikasara ndaakufunga kuti I needed to get my hair done sezvo
86

zvimwe was provided for. Ndakabva kubasa nekunogadzirwa

musoro. Ndichipedza ndakanzi ndidarike nekumba kwa Aaron
ndikati, "your house?" I was not used to him that much kana kuti
nditi tainge tavakushanyirana kumba. "I don't bite aizve."
Kutaura kwacho kwakateverwa nekuseka. Ndakaona kuti ndini
hangu ndaimhanyisa pfungwa zvisina basa kwakunangako
nekuti kwaiva kudhuze hako nekwandaigara it was along the
way.

He opened the gate for me zvikanzi, "wow." Akanditarisa

musoro wangu ndikaona kuti he was admiring my new look.
Haana kana kuzvivhanza, "you look gorgeous." akadaro
achiwedzera kuramba akanditarisa which left me a little
uncomfortable kwakubva azoti sorry aona kuti ndainge ndava
kusanzwisisa kamutarisiro kaainge avakundiita. We slowly
walked into his house mairatidza kuti it was a bachelor's house
all because of the things that were scattered all over the places.
Akaona kuti ndizvo zvandakatanga kuona and quickly defended
himself akati, "I have been busy for days don't mind the mess."
Ndaive ndisinei nazvo hangu ndakakasika kuvhunza what I was
there for akati, "your dress." Kune musikana aiveko kumba
87

kwacho who happened to be selling kana kuti ndiye aiva

designer wacho here I was not sure. Akasekerera kwakuti, "you
have and insanely beautiful figure and this collection will be
perfect."

"Just make her look stunning all eyes should be on her." Aaron
akadaidzira achibvisa shirt kwaakuti, "I'm hitting the shower
ndaneta negym." "I have to be home early." I reminded him
kwakunzwa gate richivhurwa. Akafamba achidzoka then looked
out the window akati, "Cadel is here." Ndakanzwa hana yangu
kurova kutongoziva kuti uya uya wekuvhundutsira vamwe auya.
His car drove in Aaron kwakufamba kunovhura door. Ndainge
ndagara pasi, musikana uya whose name turned out to be
Camron akanditambidza dress akati, "try this one on."
Ndakatora ndikaenda naro mandakanzi ndichinjire kwakuedza
zvikanzi na Aaron, "usararemo ka ndoda kuona."

"Who is there wauri kuda kuona?" Asked Cadel, ndakabva

ndamira padoor tikasanganidzirana maziso achibva aramba
akanditarisa. "Beautiful right?" Asked Aaron akadairwa kuti,
"yaa what's going on?"
88

"She is my date tomorrow." Zvakaita kakushamisa Cadel who

stopped looking at me and looked at his brother instead akati,
"date?"

"Perfect right?" Aaron akapindura achinhonga apple mu basket

raive patable pake akatanga zvake kudya. Ndakakandirwa rimwe
ndikaenda kunochinja. I thought it was a little too tight asi
pandakabuda Aaron stopped chewing the apple akati, "damn."
Cadel looked at me akati, "is all this necessary?"

"Mukadzi anofamba neni should be a show stopper."

Akazvitutumadza ndichibva ndaseka ndikati, "and murume
anofamba neni?"

"Should be more like me." Akataura achizvitemba ndichibva

ndaseka nekutoenda kunobvisa kuti ndichienda kumba nekuti
nguva dzainge dzatofamba. Pandakabuda ndakasangana na
Cadel padoor kwakubva ati, "so does your boyfriend know
about another man taking you out on a date?" Andina
kumunzwisisa nekuti Aaron and I were not going on a date for a
romantic relationship, it was a work date. "He does." Mhinduro
yangu yakauya ndavakutofamba zvangu kuenda kudoor
89

kwaakudaidzira kuti ndaakuenda kuna Aaron wandaiona kuti

aive abuda mulounge. Cadel akatevera akaisa maoko muhomwe,
haana zvaakataura akagara pasi Aaron akadaidzira kuti, "mira.'
Ndakaramba ndakatarisa kudoor kusvika auya akati, "what's the
rush why don't you stay for dinner."

"She has a boyfriend." Cadel answered ndichibva ndacheuka

kuti ndimutarise. Ndaifunga kuti achanzvengesa maziso but
akatowedzera kunditarisa without blinking. Aaron akaratidzawo
kuti zve boyfriend zvainge zvataurwa aisava nebasa nazvo.
Akatosekerera akati, "why wouldn't this beauty have a
boyfriend. Thanks for coming Paida I will see you at the office."
Akabuda neni akandisiya ndabuda gate. On the way back home
ndakafunga mashoko andange ndavhunzwa kuti does your
boyfriend know and panguva iyoyo it felt like I was doing
something wrong sezvo ndainge ndanyepa kuti he knew.
Aisaziva hake asi ndaisadawo abatikane nezvinhu zvisina basa,
but my mind could not rest zvakaita kuti ndimufonere.

He sounded tired akangoti, "babie," ndikati, "love." Akaita

semunhu ainge arara ndikati, "asi warara."
90

"Yeah." Ndakashamisika kwaakutarisa nguva ndikaona dziri

kuma seven kwakuvhunza kuti sei akati he was exhausted.
"Okay saka you never thought of calling me kana kundiudza
kuti waakurara." Ndichitaura kudaro ndakanzwa kurwadziwa
nekuti it was very much unlike him. I felt like handina
kukosheswa achibva ati, "the truth is ndazongoona ndarara."

"Saka before warara hauna kana kundifungawo, I mean you

never got a reminder wega kuti there was something that you
had not done?"

"I'm sorry." He said, that was the time I realized that something
was wrong. What we thought was normal was not normal nekuti
I could not stand the reduction of time we spoke on the phone. I
had no idea why I wanted to cry ndakabva ndamisa mota
ndikaisa musoro pa steering ndikanzi, "are you crying?"
Ndakanyepa ndikati, "no I'm not."

"Ndamuka love talk to me." Ndakazvigadzirisa ndikati,

"Tafadzwa I miss you."
91

"You have no idea how much I miss you sweetheart. I'm sorry I
have been busy." Ndakaedza kudzikama ndikati, "it's okay I'm
on my way home."

"Why this late?" Ndakamuudza about preparations for the

function, how I had to get my hair done, dress collection and
stuff akati, "wait, you are coming from a man's house."

"Dress collection babie." Ndakanzwa achitura mafemo kwakuti,

"so he bought the dress." Ndakada kuti aewa ndatenga ndega but
it didn't make sense he was going to ask kuti saka sei waenda
kunoritorera ikoko. Then I thought of saying rasiiwa ikoko but
still it didn't make sense, kunyepa kwacho kwaitondinetsa, "not
really, he knew the designer." Ndakazongotaura akati, "you are
lying to me," ini ndikati "handisi."

"You take long to answer me kana uchida kunyepa." Ndakaona

kuti ndabatwa ndikati, "I'm sorry."

"Have fun Paida ndaakurara ndakaneta." Ndakanzwa my

stomach turning achibva ati, "goodnight," nekutobva paphone. I
didn't want to cry asi ndakatanga kuchema, not sure what I had
done wrong. I was not even sure kuti chainge chamutsamwisa
92

chacho chii nekuti aive asina kutaura. Ndakasimudza mota

nehasha and drove home. That night kana kudya andina
ndakanyepera mama kuti ndainge ndadya mutown kwaakunanga
kunogeza nekupinda mumagumbeze. I tossed and turned hope
dzichiramba kuuya kusvika ndanyora message ndikati, "you
hung up on me, I don't even believe kuti it's because you were
tired. You always say I love you babie then goodnight asi nhasi
it was different why? I can't sleep trying to figure out what is
happening, just tell me what I did." I waited impatiently for his
response ndikazoona yapinda yakanzi, "you come from a man's
house ndatorara, he buys you a dress , obviously you tried it on
kwakukutarisa and admired it on you. Then you lie to me after
all that, tell me if I'm supposed to smile?"

"Babie I'm sorry but ndanonoka kupedza , then went to get my

hair done, then I was told to collect the dress."

"He could have dropped it off Paida, and besides of all the
women why go with you?" Ndakashaya kuti ndopindura kuti
chii. Ndainge ndisina kuzvifunga but ndakangofungawo kuti like
he said, I was easier talking to and he really needed genuine
company zvisina anything mukati. I had so many reasons to give
93

like our fathers were friends but all those reasons suddenly felt
like they didn't have value kuna Tafadzwa ndichibva
ndazongoti, "I'm sorry it's only because we get along." Haana
kundidaira ndikabva ndamusiya. In the morning I had pressure
ndakabuda makuseni, I sent messages to him ndaonawo ndanzi
good morning. My day was busy, kumanheru I had to rush home
to freshen up and change, handina kuzobuda ndega Aaron came
to get me. He whistled as I got into the car akati, "amai kani."
Ndakaseka ndikati, "Aaron."

"You do look like a million dollar it's hard not to say it."
Ndaizvinzwawo ndega kuti ndaive ndakachena and
zvaitowedzerwa nekuramba akanditarisa kwaaiita. The whole
way we spoke about what lay ahead but I was nervous. I kept
looking at my phone ndichitsvaga message from Tafadzwa asi
he was quiet. We got to the venue, ndaitonzwa kuda kunogara
zvangu pasi my mood was not there yet asi munhu wandaive
naye manje was something else he kept me busy. Taive takamira
tichitaura na CEO we rival company when I sensed someone
standing behind me, ndakacheuka and met Cadel's eyes. Haana
94

kutaura but he stared at me Aaron kwakuti, "brother, when did

you get here?"

"Just now." Ndipo paakabvisa maziso ake pandiri and went to

stand next to Aaron. When the event started I was very quiet and
stressed zvakaita kuti nditange hangu kutora tuwine twaipihwa
vanhu.

End of chapter
95

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 11

"Why are you drinking so much?" Asked Aaron, aive anditarisa

nemaziso ekuda kunzwisisa. Ndaisada kutaura whatever was
stressing me kwaakumunyepera kuti, "everyone else is drinking
wine."

"Ya I don't deny that I'm worried about my date drinking so

much wine." I found myself smiling for no reason, I was feeling
good, I was smiling for no reason instead of pulling my face
ndichifunga Tafadzwa. "You have a beautiful smile." Akadaro
asina kubvira abvisa maziso ake kubva pandiri. Everything he
was saying was reminding me of Tafadzwa. Instead yekuti
ndifare ndainzwa kuda kuchema so I excused myself ndikaenda
kubathroom. Ikoko manje hakuna akandimisa I actually cried
and told myself that I needed to speak to him. Akadaira phone
96

ndikati, "wow and I thought that warara hako but you are
awake."

"Andina airtime." He said, I sniffed and wiped my tears

kwakubva ndagara on the toilet seat ndikati, "you could have
told me that wanga usina and I could have sent you."

"Ndanga ndisiri kuda kukunetsa." I sniffed again akati,

"urikuchemei?"

"I don't know, I was feeling unloved and hamheno." Ndakabva

ndashaiwa kuti kumberi kwacho ndotaura kuti chii, "ndokuda,"
he said ndikati, "neniwo." We both went silent achibva azoti,
"how is the workshop?" Paive pasina zvakawanda zvekutaura,
"it's going well," I said ndichibva ndasimuka kubva pandainge
ndakagara. Ndakaisa phone pasi next to the sink
ndikazvigadzisira make up yainge yavhiringika nekuda
kwekuchema. "Where are you?"

"In the bathroom." Ndakadaira kwakunhonga phone kuti

ndibude panze ndirohwe nemhepo. Ndakataura naye still
pandaifamba kusvika ndagara pasi on one of the benches that
were there. "I'm sending you airtime, " ndakataura
97

ndichitotumira iye achiri paphone. Handina kuda kumirira his

response nekuti aigona kundirambira. Ichisvika akabva ati,
"waita basa what time are you going home?" I was not even sure
asi ndainzwa kuti zvirinani ndiende kumba I didn't have much to
contribute there.

"Andisikuziva but I hope soon nekuti I'm feeling sleepy."

Ndakanzwa ka sound kemunhu ndichibva ndacheuka kuti
ndiwone kuti ndiyani aifamba. Ndakatarisana maziso na Cadel
who said, "so this is where you are hiding?" Ndakanongedzera
phone zvekumuzivisa kuti asataurise my boyfriend was on the
line. "Who is that?" Asked Tafadzwa ndikati, "work colleague,
as well as my fathers friend's son."

"Oh, so he was looking for you?"

"No he was taking a walk and found me sitting alone." Tone

yake yakatondiudza yega kuti he was uncomfortable. "Aenda
here?" Ndakaona kuti kumuudza kuti achiripo would make him
worse uneasy I lied kuti aenda nekungodaira kuti ehe. Cadel
wacho never left me. Instead he sat next to me on the bench ,
kutozembera kuratidza kuti he wasn't leaving anytime soon.
98

Handinawo kuzogarisa paphone ndakabvapo ndakati, "what

happened to privacy."

"Waakuita kunge this bench rakanyorwa kunzi Paida."

Akandiseka ndikati, "but when you see someone on the phone
handiti unosudurukawo here." Hazvina kuita any effect on him
akabva atowedzera getting relaxed akati, "it's not as if you didn't
tell him that unomuda just because I'm here. Why are you
getting all worked up, apa hauna kana kumuudza kuti you
drank."

"Why are you so concerned over the things I do or don't tell him.
Zvinei newe if I should ask." Ndakataridza irritation he had an
unneccesary way of pointing out my flaws.

"Hapana ndirikungotaurawo hangu, sorry okay." Ndakashaya

kuti ndochitaura kuti chii kwaakuramba ndakanyarara. He had a
way of making me feel bad saka handina kuda kuvhura muromo.
I could not move away from my spot either nekuti the cold
breeze was sobering me up kutonzwa kuti the alcohol in me had
been reduced. Ipapo ndakazvituka kuti ndainge ndabhowekana
nemunhu not knowing kuti he had no airtime. Come to think of
99

it I still had every right to be mad nekuti he could have told me

but chose not to. Ndaive pakati pekuzvitongesa when Cadel
said, "swedera uko." I moved away kwaakubva arara hake
nemanhede akatarisa mudenga, akaita kuti agone kunditarisa
kwakuti, "you are beautiful, it must be the moonlight."
Ndakatadza kupindura akati, "especially the eyes and the..."
Akabva amira kutaura ini kwakutarisa kuside.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" His question was still that hard
to answer, "tell me." Akavhunza futi kwaakumutarisa, his eyes
showed desperation to get an answer from me.

"When you talk like that yes." He got up, sat properly kwaakuisa
his hand behind my back but on the bench maziso ake
kwaakuramba akanditarisa. "I'm sorry if I make you
uncomfortable, it's rare for me to admire beauty but yours is
worth the admiration." He smiled nekutosimuka achienda
leaving me there confused. Ndakasimuka after a few minutes
reminding myself to focus nezvandainge ndafambira.
Ndichipinda padoor Aaron took my hand akati, "what a date ,
wanditiza where you still in the bathroom?" Ndakati, "aiwa
ndanga ndabuda panze kuti ndirohwe nemhepo a little."
100

Akafamba neni zvikanzi, "usanditize futi, ndirikukuda padhuze

partner." We went around mingling kwaakuzoona baba vavo
vakanditarisa. Surprisingly he winked at me zvakaita kuti
ndinyare kwaakuzvibvisa pana Aaron. "Ko chii?"

"Ndaakunzwa kutsva." Ndakadaro kwaakuwedzera kubva paari

akati, "urikuda kudzokera panze?" Ndaisaziva kuti ndodii
ndikati, "not really usanyanye kuva padhuze chete."
Zvakamunakidza akati, "do I make your body burn." I rolled my
eyes ndikati, "kwana mhani."

"I'm teasing okay."

"What time are we leaving, ndakuda kurara." Nguva dzacho

dzainge dzafambawo zvikanzi, "let's stay a while longer. I want
to drink some more."

"But ndakuda kurara kaini." I said pleadingly ndikaudzwa kuti,

"functions like these haukasike kuenda kumba. You need to get
used to this, welcome to the business world." I sighed
kwaakugara pa the closest chair that was there. I looked ku
direction yababa vavo vachibva vandipa that look again that left
me weak unsure kuti chii chirikuitika. Ndakazoona vatuma
101

munhu to call me, ndakafamba uncomfortably and got to the

table where he was sitting with the top shots kwakauita
introduction. Vese vakanditarisa zvikanzi nemumwe, "she's a
quite a beauty, beauty and the brains they say."

"May I please steal this beauty then, I need a word with her."
Iroro raive voice ra Cadel ndakashaya kuti ainge auya nguvai.
Ndakasimuka naye zvikanzi, "be careful of these big sharks they
will swallow you." Ndakatadza kunzwisisa ndikavhunza
akanditarisa semunhu aipenga kwaakuti, "how old are you, don't
act like a clueless virgin."

"But I am." He chuckled ndichibva ndaramba ndiri serious

nekuti ndaisanzwisisa zvaaitaura. Nyaya yangu yaive pakuti
airatidza kuti pane zvaaiziva and ndizvo zvandaida. Especially
vanhu vacho vaive vakagara nababa vake, vaive ndivo vainge
vandidaidza. "You are a what?" Kakushamisika kake
kakandibhowa ndikati, "do I look that cheap to you?"

"I didn't say that and andina kuti a non virgin is cheap either
hazvina kana musiyano."
102

"Excuse me?" Ndakavhunza nekakushamisika akati, "I'm saying

kuti kana munhu achinaka anongonaka, virgin or not. Kana
uchishata unongoshata, keeping it doesn't mean kuti unonaka.
Imagine keeping something chinoshata." Akabva aseka
zvakandipa hasha ndikaridza tsamwa, "you are so rude." I said

"I'm not I'm a very honest person, imagine kuvhaira keeping

something then you realize that it's quite tasteless. The earlier
you find out the better at least unogona kuzongorunga runga so
zvirikuita vamwe."

"What are you saying about me because I feel like you are
attacking me." Akaseka akati, "do you know that you actually
attacked the non virgins by saying iwewe hausi cheap?"
Ndakakakama then he said, "and you call me rude?"

"Handina kutaura in the way that you are taking it." Ndainzwa
kuti misodzi yangu yaungana it definitely was not my day.
Handina kumirira kuti ataure futi ndakatanga kufamba iye
kwakufamba neni akati, "relax we were just talking."

"Siyana neni." Ndakadaro akati, "come on sei urikuita hasha

kudai. Inzwa handina kana kumbotaura kuti unoshata ini
103

kwanga kuri kungotaura in general, besides munhu wako

arikukutambisa no wonder you are like this. Now I understand
why arikukuchengera futi, you had to explain to him kuti ndiri
ani."

"Attacking me again then my boyfriend?"

"Iwewe you attacked others indirectly, ini hangu ndataura

generalizing an issue. I'm not attacking your boyfriend, I'm
stating facts."

"Wanga uchifanira kundiudza nezvevarume avo kwete

zvawazotanga kutaura. You went off topic Cadel and I feel like
you are crossing the line."

"Ndanga ndichida kunzwisisa your slowness." Ndakashama,

taive tamira panze ndikati, "I'm slow?"

"You are." Aitowedzera kundibhowa then heard Aaron achiti,

"what's going on here." Cadel akaseka akati, "nothing,"
kwakufamba achidzokera. "I wanna go home now." I demanded
achibva anditarisa akati, "okay." Akanondisiya kumba pasina
chandataura even though he kept asking kuti chii chainge
104

chaitika pakati pangu na Cadel. I was so angry I could not even

breath properly.

End of chapter

Kaydie
105

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 12

Tafadzwa

Kumuka kwangu in the morning kwaive kumuka nyama

dzichirwadza. Ndega ndakazviona kuti i was over working and I
had no choice. Ndakabhadhara fees ya August atleast uniform
yaive yakafanana neyaaipfeka pa Olevel handina kutambura
nayo. Mama helped buying the books ndichibva ndavati,"where
did you get mari yakawanda kudai kahwani." Mhinduro yavo
was very calm,"ndagara ndaingozvikwanisa wani." She was
busy packing her bag vachida kunoona hanzvadzi yavo yairwara
kuharare. "Kungovhunzawo anyway mufambe zvakanaka
ndaakuenda kubasa." Ndakabuda checking my time
kwaakufonera Paida on the way ndikati,"good morning."

"Babie." Akadaro ndikati,"ndirikumhanyira kubasa."

"Okay have a good day I miss you."

106

"I miss you more, I hope ndogona kuuya kuzokuona." I said iye
kwaakuti,"I hope so too, ukatadza ndinouya." Ndainzwa kuti
aitaura semunhu akarara, ndakavhunza akati iye she had a
headache. "Wakasvika kumba nguvai?"

"Kuma 12." She said ndikanzwa moyo wangu uchitambudzika, I

was very uncomfortable nekufamba kwake usiku. Ukuwo
nenyaya yemunhu aive amutengera dress yaitowedzera
kundibata zvakanyanya. "Ndokumbirawo kuti usafambe
manheru."

"I'm sorry." She apologized kwaakubva ndachinja nyaya

tikataura dzimwe. When I got to work ndakagara pasi and
worked out mari yandainge ndasarwa nayo ndikaona iri shoma
zvakanyanya. I sighed then sent it all kuna Paida ,it was just
thirty dollars ndakasara ndisisina chinhu. I had my fingers
crossed kuti ndikawana imwe from extra lessons zvaibuda.

"Mari ndeyei?" She asked ndikati,"andizive shaa, buy yourself

panties or bras." Akaramba akanyarara ndikati,"wanyarara?"

"Thanks but I don't need the money you know it."

107

"I know you don't but ndizvo zvandakwanisa kuitawo." All I

wanted was for her to say thank you and that's it. Kundirambira
kwainge kwava kutondibata nekuti she kept telling me that I
should have used it for something else. Ndakabatikana
ndikati,"yet you have so many dresses but you allowed another
man to buy you a dress. Is it because mari yandatumira is not
much."

"How could you say that?" Kwaive kuvhunza hake but I could
not understand why she could not say thank you onyarara. I
knew I had a lot of things that needed to be done, all that I knew
but she was also part of my priorities. Ndakabatwa nehasha asi
ndaitadza expressing myself and how I felt. "I never thought you
would take it that way , I was trying." She said then I interrupted
ndikati,"Never mind kana usingaide it's fine." Ndakabva ndakata
phone and looked out the window feeling as if my world had
just been crushed. "Just yesterday you didn't have airtime and
today wanditumira mari, I'm sorry if it came out wrong but
whatever you said after that was going a little far that was not
necessary."
108

" Was it necessary for you to get the dress." Kubatikana kwangu
kwaiita kuchiwedzera zvakaita kuti ndidzime phone yangu
scared that mashoko ataizoudzana ipapo would not be right.
Ndaiedza kuda kuva calm a bit and that day ndakatadza
kushanda ndichisekerera. Takaenda kufish manheru na Stuart
tikanobata dzakati wandei, ndaive nevanhu vangu vandaitiwo
ma regular ndaingonoita zvekuvasiira, ndainge ndatoronga
kunovasiira makuseni chaiwo. Vamwewo vanhu vainge
vaakuziva kuti pamba pedu panotengeswa fish saka vaiuya
vachitenga from home.

"Saka nhaiwe." Akadaro Stuart tichifamba kudzokera kumba

ndikati,"saka chii?"

"Musikana wako wakamuwana kupi?"

"Kuchikoro and handidi kuti uvhunze nezvake, I don't like the

way yawakamutarisa nayo the day you met her." He chuckled
kwakuti, "ndipo pandichamutora here, urishamwari yangu."

"Saka zvekuti ndakamuwana kupi zvine basa rei?" Ndaitorevesa

ndichitaura naye nekuti how we met was not his business.
Knowing Stuart ,he was the type I could not trust. "Sorry
109

ndavhunza, kuda kungoziva hangu. Type yake newe iwewe

zvako hazvisikubuda, besides Middy arikungotambira mudhuze
mako mazuvano asi urikudanana navo vese vari two."
Ndakaridza tsamwa ndikati,"firstly zvekutaura kuti type chii
type that siyana nazvo, then about Middy ishamwari yangu
kubva kudhara. Zvauriwe uudze vanhu zvisina basa." Akabva
anyarara haana nyaya yaazotaura kusvika tipesane umwe
neumwe achienda kwake. In the morning I delivered fish dzacho
very early mari ndaizotora kumanheru. When I switched my
phone on paive nema messages akawandisa Paida achipopota.
Ndainge ndatozorara phone yakadzimwa and that made things
worse she was fuming ndainge ndavakutukirwa even nyaya
dzana middy ndichinzi I was being cold nekuti ndivo vandainge
ndavakuda.

Ndakatura mafemo ndikati,"Future chii, I'm sorry ndakaita

busy." Akafona ipapo ipapo akati, "mama is not home,
ndakataura navo paphone, then that same day same night
wondidzimira phone. I know kuti hatina kunzwisisana paphone
in the morning but what was the point yekuti undidzimire
phone."
110

"I wanted us to calm down, especially me."

"Right, saka you can't calm down phone iri on here, I mean
unogona kuisa pa silent handiti but was it that necessary kuti
uidzime. Inini ndini benzi nekuti even still I kept trying to call
you like a mad person. Ndini benzi nekuti even still after the
disagreement I still wanted to talk to you but you wanted to be
away from me meaning inini ndini ndokuda stereki and you
don't love me just as much."

" Now that's hurtful." Ndakadaro akati,"hurtful, hurtful is when

you switch off your phone tisiri kunzwanana then you go the
whole night usina kubatidza phone. I'm not there and I don't
know why suddenly iwewe waakudzima phone manheru wanga
uinaani."

"Calm down."

"I'm trying but it's not working." Ndakanzwa munhu aakuchema

ndichibva ndapererwa. I could not even understand what was
happening zvakaita kuti ndipererwe nemashoko ekutaura besides
kungoti sorry. Naiyewo akabva akata call yacho, ndakaita nguva
ndakatarisa phone ndichishaiwa zvekuita. Ndanga ndisina
111

kubvira ndamboita maintentions of cheating on her and her

accusations as well haana kundibata zvakanaka. I found myself
typing kuti,"so suddenly because you went out with some guy
waakundipa false accusations ekuti ndiri kudanana nemunhu
wandisiri kudanana naye. Wawana type yako, ndini ndava benzi
zvekuti waakunditsvagira nyaya just so you can find reason to
date that person?" Anditozive zvakatanga kuitika pandiri
suddenly all that love we had was being clouded by the thoughts
that were in my head. Ndaitoona kuti maybe inini ndini ndainge
ndava benzi believing kuti she wanted me yet aive avakuda
someone else. Ndaitoona clear picture yekusiiwa kwangu,
mashoko a Stuart akadzoka mupfungwa dzangu. I had been
walking asi ndakamira kufamba and looked at myself. How I
was dressed and all, hembe dzangu dzainge dzavakuda kupera
color, I had no idea what the future held ndaigona kufira
mumhondoro. Ndakazviseka ndikaona kuti sure I was lying to
myself it was just a dream. I had to prepare myself nekuti
definitely a heartbreak was coming. Ndakanzwa misodzi
ichiungana, I loved her.
112

Ndakaona mari yadzoswa zvikanzi,"I never thought that this

money would make us fight like this , keep it andichaida."

"Mari yatirwisanisa papi?" Ndakavhunza akati,"that money

ndiyo yatanga the horrible conversation pakati pedu, chengeta
shaa. And about looking for issues kuti ndikurambe it means
waakundiona sehure stereki that moves from one person to the
next handiti? Okay I'm that person ita zvawada, I can't keep
trying to prove myself to you. We were okay when we were
kuchikoro but right now l have no idea kuti ndiri kudanana
naani."

"Okay." Ndizvo zvandakwanisa kutaura and never said anything

else, kudzosa kwaakaita mari yangu was worse, I never felt
more useless than I felt at that time. Ndakaedza kusarwadziwa
asi zvaishupa I was broken. I had no idea kuti nyaya yaive papi,
what had just happened, kuti taive tese here kana kuti kwete.
Ndakagara pasi ndikafonera Rhoda ndipo pandakati, "I miss you
ndine shungu dzekuti dai wanga uri pano I miss your hug."

"What's wrong what happened." Ndaisada hangu kumuudza and

handina kumuudza ndakangoti,"I need you that's all."
113

"Ndikawana time ndogona kuuya kwa gogo vangu. Ndouya

ndokuona."

"Can I send you money uuye?" Akaseka akati,"ah iwe what's

wrong musoro bhangu?"

"Ndakuudza wani."

"Did you fight na Paida?"

"A bad fight." Ndakadaro akati,"work it out."

"I don't even think we can." Ndakadaro feeling a tear drop.

End of chapter
114

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 13

Paida

Ndaiita as if ndaitadza kunyatsofema nekuda kwekuti my heart

was breaking. Kana kuti nditi ndaiziva zvandaiita ndirikubasa
ndinganyepe ndaive ndazara confusion and chainyanya kutonga
pandiri yaiva misodzi. It's not like ndainge ndamudzikisira, I
could not even believe kuti ainge afunga kuti anditumira mari
shoma. I could have gone to buy a pair of shoes if I liked, get
my hair done if I liked but I knew the situation he had at home
zvakaita kuti ndinzwe kuti kutambira mari was in a way
inconsiderate. But kundifungira kuti ndaida kumuramba nekuda
kwevanhu vandainge ndisina basa navo zvakandibata nekuti we
had come a long way zvekuti ndingatange kunakidzwa nevamwe
vanhu vaive vasiri iye. Ndakazvitongesa ndichiedza kuwana all
the possible answers asi ndaitadza kumawana ndaisatozive kuti
115

chii chainge chaitika pakati pedu. Whatever was happening was

definitely not us. Ndakatura mafemo and tried concerntrating
kwaakubuda ndichida kuenda kufront office. Ndisati ndasvikako
I met Cardel on the way, I wanted to ignore him but ndiye
akatanga kuti, "get into my office." If it was up to me ndingadai
ndakamurambira but I had no power to do so he was my
superior.

As I dragged myself into his office he was fast to sit down and
haana kana kusimudza musoro akatanga kuita zvaaiita ini
ndakamira. "You don't have to wait for me to tell you to take a
sit." He said coldly ndichibva ndagara pasi and looked at the
floor. "Tirikuenda kusite." Akadaro ndikati, "did you not go
already?"

"If I had gone do you think kuti I would ask you to go with me
nhai Paida." Ndakamboramba ndakatarisa kwandainge
ndakatarisa. I sensed his gaze ndikanzwa avakuti, "I'm sorry
about last night I didn't mean to say haunake."

"Can we not talk about it." Ndaitorevesa it was embarrasing kuti

inini naye tirambe tichitaura nyaya idzodzo, dzaingove
116

nekakufumuka mukati. Akazviona kwakuti, "if there was

something better I could say it would be that your boyfriend is
blessed."

"Can we get back to work related issues." Ndakamupindura

ndichida kuti asiyane nenyaya yake yaiita kunge yairamba
kubva pamuromo wake. He cleared his throat akati, "fine as long
as usisina kunditsamwira about last night." Ndisati ndapindura
Aaron akapinda akati, "hello beautiful I was looking for you."
He wore a wide smile zvekuti kana kuti nditi don't call me that
ndakatadza. "Ndirimuno what's going on?" Akagara pasi pachair
yaive paside pangu akati, "nothing really, ndaida kuona if you
were okay, you were quite angry last night ndakatadza kurara
ndichitadza kuziva kuti ndakutadzira kuti chii?" Maziso angu
akaenda kuna Cadel who winked at me kwakubva ndasimuka
kuti ndibude. "Paida." Said Aaron, "I have to prepare to go to
the site." Ndizvo zvaive zvakandirerukira kutaura nekuti
ndaisada hangu kutaura kuti ndainge ndatsamwiswa na Cadel
uye nekuda kwei. He followed me to the office akati, "okay I'm
not blind but what is going on between the two of you?"
117

"Usazvinetse hako it will pass. I will return the dress the day
after tomorrow after it has been dry cleaned."

"Woooa hold up," akandimisa ndaakuda kutobuda kuti ndiende

kumota kwangu. Aive asisasekerere asi achiratidza kuda
kunzwisisa kuti zvandaitaura zvaibva nekupi ndikati, "handiti it
was for the event here. Event yakapera so I'm returning it."

"Okay Imbomira kufamba, I know kuti urikuda kubuda and all

but when I got the dress for you it was not so that you could
bring it back. Shaa ndinopfeka madress here inini zvekuti
ukadzosa ndinoripfeka? The dress is for you to keep, please do
not insult me."

"Andisi kurida." ndakadaro thinking kuti, if I could return mari

ya Tafadzwa I could as well return the dress that Aaron bought
for me. "There is more to the story, ndiudze zvirikuitika."
Ndakataura kuti hapana kwaakubuda ndichienda kumota
kwangu avoiding kuramba tichitaura same issue. Haana
kunditevera and akatondigonera nekuti hapana wandaida kutaura
naye especially pakuburitsa kuti nyaya ye dress had caused
issues between Tafadzwa and I. Ndatosvika kusite Aaron
118

akatumira message yaive yakanzi, "I'm sorry but when I look at

you right now ndotoona a friend of mine. I may have crossed the
line ndisingazive but I do apologise for it kunyangwe ndisiri
kuziva. I do appreciate you as a person and believe me I did that
out of good faith, don't make me feel bad about it please keep
the dress. You looked stunning in it noone can rock better than
you."

Ndakashaya mashoko ekumupindura and kunetsanawo naye

kwaive kupedza nguva. Ndakaona mota ya Cadel parking paside
peyangu, akabuda akauya kwandiri kwaakuti, "let's go pane aita
mistake measuring the windows."

Ndakatevera mumashure iye achifamba kumberi kwangu. Zvese

ndainge ndavakungosiya achitungamira iye ndisisade
zvekunyanya kutaura kana kuisa contribution yangu. Tichipedza
zvatainge tafambira handina kumira ndakananga kumota
kwangu ndikadzokera kubasa. Zura kupera kwaro kwakanonoka
asi zvekuti ndaisataura na Tafadzwa hazvina kuchinja. Being
home ndisina chekuita zvakaita kuti ndichinyatsonzwa kuti
ndaakurwadziwa. I was not sure kuti tarambana here kana kuti
taive tisina. Pfungwa yekumufonera yaindibata asi simba
119

rekuzviita ndiro raive risipo. That night ndakachema unsure kuti

saka ndizvo zvainge zvatovapo. Ndakatora t-shirt yake
ndikapfeka hoping to feel that closeness yandainzwa pese
pandaiipfeka asi zvainge zvasiyana, he was distant and I needed
him. Kusiri kuti phone yangu yakadzima yapera moto ndainge
ndazvipira kumufonera asi ndakasiyana nazvo ndikati achataura
neni kana achinge aakuda. Mashoko econversation yatainge taita
airamba achidzoka mupfungwa dzangu ndikaona kuti we both
lost control.

The distance was destroying us and I had no idea how to stop it.
In the morning ndakamukira kubatidza phone to find no
message. Ndakarwadziwa ndikazviudza kuti he didn't want me
anymore. My whole body yainge yapera simba zvekuti it was
yet another day that felt like hell. Mazuva akatodarika pasina
ataura nemumwe kusvika ndazvishingisa kutaura na Rhoda iye
kwakuti, "chii chirikuitika indava murikudaro vanhu imimi.
Akandifonera achindiudza kuti he was not okay saka
ndichaendako hangu ndonomuona." Ndakatadza kunzwisisa kuti
ainge afonerwa riini ini ndiine mazuva ndisina kufonerwa.
Chandakakwanisa kuvhunza ndechekuti aienda riini kunomuona
120

akati iye she was going paweekend nekuti aidawo kunoona gogo
vake.

Handizive sei kuti it made things worse nekuti ndaifunga kuti

we would talk and work things out asi he was busy calling
someone else to comfort him. Ndakada kumuvhunza ndikaona
kuti he was going to lable me as munhu anonetsa asi I could not
hold back the feeling of being unloved that I was feeling.
Mashoko akawanda ndakamadzora asi I had to ask him if we
were still together iye kwakuti, "andizive iwewe." Mhinduro
iyoyo made me feel as if relationship yedu was about me and he
had no contribution what so ever. "Why are you asking me when
it's about us?" Ndakanyora maoko angu achidedera iye
kwaakupindura kuti, "I'm not sure kuti ndine any contribution to
this relationship."

"Okay yet vamwe vanhu vanayo handiti, kune vaunokoshesa

kuudza our problems asi haugone kana kundifonera, days have
passed usingataure neni Tafadzwa."

"Handizive kuti inini ndini ndega here ndinofanira kukufonera?"

I sniffed kwakuisa phone kure neni feeling hurt. Maziso aive
121

atotsvuka kare nekuti misodzi yangu yaigara iri padhuze. Kana

kuti ndimupindure ndakatadza ndikaona kuti kuramba futi
ndichitaura kwaizoita kuti kubude mwamwe mashoko futi ari
worse than mashoko ainge abuda mazuva apfuura. Ndichisvika
kumba mama vakatozviona kuti ndaive ndakapika kana
zvekutaura ndaive ndisingade. Hazvina hazvo kuvamisa
kuvhunza chainetsa asi maudziro ndiwo aishupa ndaive ndisiri
kuda kuudzwa kuti ndakambokuudza kuti muchanetsana
nemukomana wako. Ndaiziva hangu kuti kutaurirana kwedu
kwaibuda kana tichinge takatarisana and for the sake of our
relationship ndakafunga kuenda kunomuona.

Nguva yese yandaifunga ndakanzwa mama vachiti, "chete Paida

haudi kutaura zvinokushupa manje ndinoziva sei kuti
ndokubatsira sei. Kana kuri kubasa you don't have to keep it in
unotaura toonesana."

"Kuneta mama." Ndakadaro vachibva vabuda vaona kuti inini

wacho ndaisada kutaura nyaya yacho. Weekend ichisvika I
made sure kuti ndabuda makuseni then made my way to
Mhondoro. Ndakasvika hangu zvekuma 11 ndikawana paina
mama nevamwe vese. We exchanged greetings ndikapa mama
122

zvandainge ndavaigira kwaakugara hedu tichitaura nyaya. I

noticed kuti Tafadzwa was not there vakati ivo he had gone out
an hour earlier, pfungwa dzangu dzakangofunga kuti pamwe
Rhoda ainge auya. Phone yake yaisaita and ya Rhoda yacho
yaisaita. Takatandara nyaya dzikasvika pakupera uku moyo
wainge wotsva kuti munhu arikupi. Dzakasvika three o'clock
asina kudzoka zvekuti ndaingodzora misodzi yaida kubuda.
Ndakasvika pakuonekana navo vose, mama tried telling me to
wait but time yangu yainge isisaite kuti ndirambe ndiripo kuitira
kumba. Ndakamutsa mota mama vakati, "I'm sorry mwanangu
anditozive kuti zvafamba sei ufunge."

"It's okay mama ndaakuenda." Ndakafambisa mota

ndaakudzokera hangu semunhu ainge afambira mahara.
Ndaakutosvika kumain road ndakaona vanhu vaive vakagara on
the side of the road pamuti muhombe waizororera vanhu. Vaive
vakagara vakatarisana and when I got closer I noticed that it was
Tafadzwa and Rhoda. I don't know how the pounding of my
heart increased, vakatarisa mota vakaona kuti ndini but the tears
in my eyes made me keep driving zvekuti andina hangu kuzoda
kusanganidzana maziso navo.
123

End of chapter
124

Comfort zone`

By Kaydie

Chapter 14

Tafadzwa

Takatarisana na Rhoda ndichine confusion yekutadza

kunzwisisa kuti what had just happened. "Ko haana kumira?"
Akandivhunza as if I was the one aive ne answer to her question.
I was just as confused especially nekuti our eyes had met, she
has seen me and chose to drive off. "Iwe." Akadaro achindirova
shoulder kwakubva ndamutarisa still not saying a word kuita
kunge ndainge ndabatwa ne confusion. Ndakafunga phone
yangu kwaakuibatidza, I had switched it off ndisingade
kushupwa na Stuart aida kuti tiende kufish.

Ndakabatidza ukuwo Rhoda was still looking kwainge kwaenda

nemota. Ndakatombotarisa thinking that maybe ainge anomira
pamberi mbichana since she had seen me but no she was gone.
"Aenda shaa imagine." Said Rhoda kwakubva atomboseka not
sure kuti kwaive kuseka unable to believe here kana kuti
125

kungosekawo hake. Ma message akapinda andaive

ndichivhunzwa kwandaiva meaning she had surprised me
nekuuya asina kutaura. "I need to go home." Ndakadaro kuna
Rhoda zvikanzi, "saka kumba kwawaakuenda ndiko here
kwaaenda kwacho." Kwaive kusiriko asi ndainzwa kuti dai
ndaenda kumba. Amongst the messages was a message from
mama na August, vese had tried getting hold of me.
Ndakarwadziwa I could not believe what had just happened.

Ndakafunga kufona, it was the only thing that I could do, even
though I was not sure she would pick up I tried. Just as I thought
she refused to pick up my calls kusvika ndamira kufona kwacho.
"Yaa zvakaoma," ndakabva ndatogara pasi feeling weak. "She
must have misread the situation." Ndakataura ndichitura befu
Rhoda akati, "mmmm but she knows me wani, if she misread
the situation that means ane ma issues wo ake."

"Issues like what?" Ndakavhunza ndichiedza futi kufona but

haana kudaira Rhoda kwaakuti, "whats there to misread,
ndakamuudza wani kuti I was coming kuno, saka kundiona
newe haingave nyaya yekuti angasvike pakuignorer tese tiri
two."
126

"Hauna kundiudza kuti wakamuudza kuti urikuuya." Akadzoka

kunogara pasi akati, "well yeah I didn't see it necessary to tell."
Ndakabva ndaseka zvekupererwa. Ndikazvituka futi for ever
asking Rhoda wacho to come nekuti it seemed I had created
another problem between us. It was pointless kuchiramba
ndakagara pasi ndichitaura na Rhoda ndisisiri mumood.
Kusimuka kwandakaita iyewo akasimuka tikatanga kufamba
kuenda kumba pasina aitaura nemumwe. Aingoti akati fambe
fambe oti ayas kusvika azoti, "sorry Faffy, I didn't mean to make
things worse."

"No haisi fault yako." Ndaisada kutaura kusvika tasvika kumba,

takamira tese pa crossroads achibva ati, "saka will I see you
mangwana?" Ndaisaziva kuti ndichamuona here kana kuti
kwete. Ndainge ndatokanganisika mupfungwa, akazviona
kwaakuti, "ndichangouya ndega chienda." Iye kwaakuenda
kumba kwavo. Mama was sitting outside vakandiona kwakubva
varamba vakanditarisa kusvika ndasvika vakati, "ko unozviitirei
zvekudzima phone Tafadzwa?"

"I'm sorry, I was avoiding Stuart." ndakataura ndichigara pasi

Tsitsi kwaakudaidzira kuti, "manje Paida anga aripano." Andina
127

kumupindura mama kwaakuti, "saka waswera zuva rese uina

Rhoda iye Paida aripano?"

"Mama it's not like she told me that she was coming. I could not
possibly guess and besides she saw me muroad and haana kana
kumira." Picture yacho yaitoramba kubuda mumusoro I kept
seeing her drive off seasina kundiona.

"Nekuti?"

"Hamheno ka maybe nekuti she saw me ndiina Rhoda of which

Rhoda and I have been friends kubva first year. Way before I
even met Paida and was that reason enough for her kuti atadze
kumira ataure neni."

"Aiwaka kunyangwe asina kutaura kuti arikuuya asi aswera

pano akamira, phone yako yakadzimwa then kwaakuzokuona
uine musikana. Idzo shamwari dzechisikana ndedzeiko munhu
ane musikana wake? The other time ndakakutsiura futi nezvana
Middy but urikutoita kunge hauna basa nazvo."

"III nhai mama."ndakadaro ndaona kuti yaakuoma nyaya yacho

yaakuenda nekusiriko asi havana kuita basa nazvo vakati,"Ini
128

vasikana vako ava ndakataura kuti andidi kuvaona hangu pano,

sometimes you keep vanhu mulife vanokanganisa relationship
yako. Dai kuri kunzi iye ane shamwari komana same number
neshamwari sikana dzako handifunge kuti waizvibvuma iwe."

"Kana maakuti vasikana vangu maakurasika mama, they are my

friends. Besides handingamire kutamba nana Middy nekuda
kwekuti Paida will feel insecure, she should trust me dai ndaida
Middy ndakaenda kwaari. Dai ndaida Rhoda ndakaenda
kwaari." Vakaridza tsamwa vakasimuka kubva pavainge
vakagara neni and went inside the house. Ndakatura mafemo
kwaakuita zvekurara pasi paive pasina kana kuwaridzwa chinhu.
I was agitated worse pakabuda August mumba then he said,
"kana mukandipa henyu Paida ndobvuma, pane dzimwe simbi
dzekuti hadzingode kutambiswa so."

"Imbondisiya." Ndaive ndavakuda kuita hasha akati, "ndadii

hangu ndaswera ndichipenyerwa. Pamusoro pazvo ndaigirwa
zvangu ma doughnuts ema tm anonaka and very fresh."

"Waakufunga nema doughnuts chibva padhuze." Ndakamuka

iye kwakuramba akamira smiling. Akapinda mumba kwaakutora
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doughnut akaisa pamuromo kwaakuruma akavhara maziso

kuratidza kuti raimunakira stereki. Ndichisimuka akatiza asi
ndaive ndisina basa naye ndakapinda mumba maive namama
ndikati, "manje mese mukanditsamwira zvinobuda here."

"Andidi kuti utambisire mwana wevanhu nguva. Unoziva

nezvaari haangatambise nguva yake achikuteera all the way
kubva Harare."

"Sorry." Ndakadaro ndichibva ndati kwavari, "ndokumbirawo

mumufonere nephone yenyu nekuti yangu haasi kudaira."

"Saka ndipo paachazobvuma pane yangu here?" Izvozvo ndaive

ndisina basa nazvo ndaingoda kuti vafone chete. Ndakavatorera
and called her, just as expected ndiyo yaakadaira ndikati, "I'm
sorry babie usakate." Haana chaakataura and ndakaona kuti
kutaura paina mama zvaisabuda ndakabuda panze ndikatanga
kufamba kuroad. "I didn't know you were coming." I said to her
akati, "it's fine."

"Wandidarika yet you saw me, what was that?"

130

"It seemed her company was that important. Now

ndaakunzwisisa why you have been ignoring me for days inini
handichakunakidza hauchandida."

"Usadaro."

"You switched off your phone, actually maphone enyu mese

anga akadzima saka ndaimirira chii nekuti it was clear that both
of you did not need to be disturbed." I explained why my phone
had been off akati, "wow ko ya Rhoda naiyewo anga asingade
kuenda kufish here?"

"No handitozive kuti phone yake yanga yakadzima ini."

"Okay it's fine imboitai nyaya, she is your friend after all, a
friend you thought of telling kuti you were fighting with me.
Auya ka to comfort you and it's fine, zvinoda hazvo zviri kwauri
having all these friends, vana Rhoda, Middy and Tanya ,it's okay
Tafadzwa. You got mad kuti ndatengerwa dress it's okay but let
me remind you that you bought Rhoda something other than a
cup. Inini ndini ndisinganzwisise I do understand. I thought we
could talk but zvaramba hazvina basa, it's me ane problem and
iwewe hauna." Ndakatura mafemo and remembered Rhoda
131

asked me to buy her a bag sometime back, mabag aitengeswa

neumwe musikana, but it was a different case nekuti Rhoda was
my friend, a friend she knew and not some random guy I knew
nothing about.

Ndaisaziva kuti ndotaura kuti chii so I said, "I'm sorry kuti

Rhoda is my friend but I met her way before you."

"And she understands you better than me."

"You should have told me that you were coming."

"Keep switching off your phone." She said achibva atobva pa

call yacho. Ndakatura futi mafemo kwakudzokera mumba mama
vakati, "hanzii?"

"Haasi kunditeerera munhu wenyu." Ndakabva ndatovadzosera

phone yavo vakati, "mupe nguva akatsamwa."

"Hamheno, I guess ndirikumutadzira stereki Paida mama.

Maybe I'm unable to express my love for her, for the past weeks
tiri kunetsana, handina kana means of going to see her and here I
am stuck."
132

"She has been making an effort to come here saka iwewe why
can't you make the same effort yekuenda kunomuona."
Ndakazviseka ndikati, "mama ndonomuonera kupi? Kubasa
here, even if I go there angasanyara neni here? Imagine the
environment yaanoshandira, imagine the people there.
Zvasiyana nekuchikoro kaizvi where I didn't care and we knew
each other. I need better clothes tarisai kuti dzandinadzo dzaita
sei it's been long since I bought new clothes. Munoda anoshaiwa
pekupinda neni here?"

"Iwewe sei uchimufungira zvaanenge asina kutaura nhaiwe?

Akambotaura kuti anonyara newe kana day one, everything is all
assumptions. Yes maive kuchikoro, this is now the real world
kana achikuda haafe akanyara newe. You are working Tafadzwa
zvitengere one trouse ne shirt urikutadziswa nei, fish
urikutengesa what is your problem. Musiye azvitaurire ega
zvaanofunga kwete kuti iwewe unomufungira zvaanofunga
pamusoro pako, hapana mukadzi anganakidzwe nemurume ane
such a low self-esteem ndikuudze mwanangu. Mukadzi anoda
murume anomira semurume kwete kuti mangwana mangwana
urikungodemba kuti hauna mari." She clearly could not
133

understand what I was going through. Kuenda kunomuona

ndaitozeza and I wondered if I could ever have the guts.

Takarara tisina futi kutaura tese and in the morning Rhoda

akamukira kunditi ndiuye kuroad. Ndakaenda akati, "hesi,"
hugging me, akaramba akandihugger kwaakuti, "I hope you
spoke." Ndakamuudza zvazviri akati, "Inga zvakaoma ko
kuzotifungira inini nditorine shungu dzekuti mugadzirisane." I
sighed ndikati, "I wish she could understand kuti we come a
long way."

End of chapter
134

To be on sale from 18

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 15

Paida

Ndakanonoka kumuka ndikazomuka nekuda kweknock ya

Clinton. Ndakasimuka kwaakuenda kunovhura door ndikati,
"ndeip."

"Ndeip," he said achipinda kwakubva ati, "I need you to go

nemusikana wangu kwatete vake, I mean I will be there of
course but ndirikuda kuenda newe. I'm not used to these things
and ukavapo zvinoita bho." I nodded ndikavhunza kuti riini
akati, "nhasi." Ndainge ndisina kutasirira kunzwa kuti that same
day. Nemood yangu manje zvaisaita and ndakamuudza that it
was a bad day. "Please," he begged ndichibva ndazobvuma but
zvaive zvekumanikidzira. Ndakadzokera muroom mangu
kwaakutanga kusarudza zvekupfeka. Ndichipedza kuzviwana
135

ndakanogeza and got ready to go, ipapo ndipo pakapinda call ya

Rhoda. Ndakadaira akati, "ndeip." Ndakadairira pasi ndikati,
"ndeip," kwakusimudza wallet yangu ndichibuda nekuti nguva
dzainge dzafamba. I realized it was much better kuti ndotofamba
ndichitaura pane kuti ndimbomira idzo nguva dzafamba.

Ndakawaver mama kwakubva vati, "mira."

"I will call you back." Ndakadaro kuna Rhoda and hung up kuti
nditaure namama. "I trust you mwanangu, zvino I hope you are
not going empty handed?"

"Andisi kuziva Clinton," ndichipedza kutaura he answered for

himself kuti, "I was just about to ask you kuti ndozvifambisa
sei." Ini hangu I knew kuti we could not go just like that.
Waitove mutemo wekutonzwa kunyara kusvika pamba pevanhu
ndisina chandiinacho. Mama vakazotaura zvekutenga
kwaakubva taonekedzana tikabuda. Ndagara mumota that's
when I realised that there was a message yainge yapinda kubva
kuna Rhoda. Ndakavhura ndikaona kuti yaive yakanzi, "ko
wangokata ini ndanga ndichiti timbotaura?" Ndakafona ndikati,
"before I hung up Inga ndataura kuti I will call you back."
136

"Hoo maybe handina kuzvinzwa but urisei?"

"Ndiribho." She cleared her throat akati, "ko nezuro

wakazongotisiya?"

"Yaa I thought you guys had a lot to talk about," she chuckled
kwakuti, "usadaro iwewe wakamhanya kufungira zvisina basa."

"Kana zvisina basa then sorry hako." akatura mafemo akati,

"nhaiwe saka Tafadzwa urikumutsamwira chii?" Ndakamboda
kuseka kwakuzoti, "akutuma kuti ufone here?"

"Haana kundituma kuti ndifone but ndirikuda kunzwisisa kuti

Tafadzwa urikumutsamwira kuti akutadzira chii. Ndakataura
naye nezuro and I was surprised kuti ndiwo maitikiro akaita
pakudzosa mari. Chinzwa Paida, murume murume sha."

"Mira." Ndakamukata ndikati, "ndidzo nyaya dzamaitaura I

mean you were discussing my faults?"

"Aewa but he was stressed and obviously inini seshamwari yake

I asked him akataura zvaimunetsa." Ndakanzwa hana hangu
kurova, kunzwa kusimuka kwehasha dzandakazama suppressing
just so that I could not burst ndikamuudza zvisina basa. "Saka
137

pamaitaura zvaimunetsa makagumira pakuti inini ndini ndiri

kumutadzira stereki?"

"Not really ndaitoedza kumuonesa somethings. Ndipe nguva

yekutaura kana uchikwanisa. Tafadzwa is a very fragile guy and
that you should understand. Akakutumira Mari nemoyo unoda
and wakaidzosa kwaari, that was wrong. Tafadzwa is a jealous
guy he told me about the dress."

"Stop." Ndakamudaro ndikati, "unoziva kumashure uko I was

okay with you and all. I was okay with him doing things for you
and ndaiziva kuti muri mafriends. If you are going to take his
side then siyana neni hako."

"Handisi kutora side I'm pointing out your mistakes."

"By taking his side already anditi, I came to see him and both of
your phones were off. You were discussing me ndisipo and
andizive zvakataurwa nezvisina kutaurwa. You even have the
guts to tell me kuti maitaura nezvangu, inini hangu andisi kuda
kuti tisvike pasituation yekuti hatizotaure tese."
138

"Urikuwanza hasha." I argued ndikati, "ehe ndodziwanza nekuti

iwewe haungandifonere uchindiudza how to treat my boyfriend
as if relationship yacho ndeyenyu muri two. For two years
tichidanana then you tell me nhasi kuti Tafadzwa is a fragile
guy, fragile how, did I make him fragile or he makes himself
fragile. Ndakambomurwadzisa here inini, was I there in his past
relationships?"

"I'm sorry kana ndataura zvakubhowa ndanga ndichingoedza

kungokuonesawo hangu. Sorry hako but usandifungire kuti
pangaite something pakati pangu naTafadzwa, dai paida kuitika
something pangadai pakaitika kare patakatanga
kushamwaridzana. Zvephone yangu hazvo was because handina
kuona kuti yainge yadzima not kuti I switched off on purpose.
Ndichanomuona Tafadzwa ndomuudza hangu kuti ndataura
newe." Ndakatonzwa kukwira hasha nekuwedzera kuudzwa kuti
she was still going to see him. Ndakaona kuti mashoko angu
angabatwe pasiripo kwakukata phone. Only then I realized kuti
Clinton had been there the whole time achinzwa zvese.
Ndakanyara akati, "urikurwadziswa na Tafadzwa." Ndakashaya
139

kuziva kuti ndoti kudii kwaakuzoti, "we have been having

issues."

"I'm trying to understand kuti munhu wawanga wakunetsana

naye ndiani?" Akavhunza as we pulled over tasvika pamba Pana
Getty ndikati, "Rhoda his friend."

"Haisi shamwari yakowo."

"Not really, well inini ndongoti shamwari through Tafadzwa not

kuti she is a friend of mine. Shamwari yangu ndi Manchu
unomuziva wani." He sighed kwakutanga afonera Getty kuti
abude gate. When he hung up kwakuti, "so you went to
Mhondoro kunoona Tafadzwa?" I nodded kwakubva aseka
akati, "wow, girls like you still exist nhai, saka ndiudze hangu
kuti what happened." He relaxed on his seat kwaakunditarisa
zvekuda kuti ndinyatsotaura. His eyes though aiite ndifeeler as if
I had done something crazy. I briefed him zvishoma not zvese
kwakubva ati, "saka his so called friend is calling you speaking
for him here kana kuti?"

"Arg hamheno I don't even know, kundifonera kuti ndinzwisise

Tafadzwa inini manje." Getty akabuda mugate nyaya yacho
140

ichibva yamira kutaurwa kunze kwekuti he said, "if she is a

friend then she must know her boundaries. Iwewe urikupisa
mafuta kuenda kunoona mukomana who is that far, adii auya
iye. Don't degrade yourself, know your worth Paida mhani."
Handina kupindura nekuti Getty akapinda achisekerera
nekutimhoresa tese. As he drove the car ndainge ndaakufunga
the way he had said kupisa mafuta kufambira mukomana. I had
not seen it as something wrong nekuti ndainzwa kumusuwa. I
had better resources to visit him when I could, but when my
brother mentioned it ndakatanga hangu kufunga kuti, if he could
send me 30 us he could as well have used that money kuuya
kuzondiona. Ndakatanga kufunga kuti asi ndini ndaive
nekakupusa here. Ndakatozoudzwa kuti tasvika ndisina kana
kuona kuti mota yamira

"Kana kutombozviona." Ndakazviseka ndaakuburuka mumota

ndikati, "nhaimi timbori kupiko?"

"Haa tete veduwee, Getty said kwakuti, "this is Alexandra park."

I looked around ndichitarisa tarisa. Imba yacho yaive idiki but
with a lot of space. Clint aifambira padhuze neni zvikanzi,
"make sure ndiwe unotaura taura nekuti zvinondinetsa ini."
141

Ndakaramba ndikati, "nhasi zvekutaura hazvisi kuita I'm sure

you can see my mood."

"Kana zvichishupa siya Paida, if he is not man enough then

what's the point of holding on. People of his calibre deserve
each other vanonzwanana like that, wakatosiyana navo." Tete va
Getty vakabva vabuda vakatanga kumhoresana na Getty. We
exchanged greetings as we walked into the house that was
neatily decorated also showing that mainge musina kuiswa too
much effort in decorating. Vanhu vaivepo circled up
kwakutimhoresa Introducing themselves one by one kusvika
vapera. Vamwe ndivo vaiseka seka kuti kunakirwa here handina
kukwanisa kuzvinzwisisa. Zvakanakira kuti Getty wacho was
someone who could talk nyaya hadzina hadzo kuzopera.
Ndakatowana zvangu nguva yekuseka vachida kudzika dzika
nekunzwisisa even mutupo kwaakuti, "heya muri vana mhofu,
zvakanaka ka nekuti munoroorana vemutupo mumwe chete
zvikashaya basa."

"Zvikaitika chiiko chinoitika nhai?" Ndakavhunza zvava

kutondinakidza nekuti kana waTafadzwa ndaisauziva and
142

hapana akamboita basa nazvo. "Munenge maroorana ka

pahukana zvakafanana nekuroorwa na bhudhi vako."

"Hoo zvichiri kukosheswa here?" Vakataura vakati, "ndosaka

dzimba dzakawanda dziri kuputsika muri kuroorana pahukama
nekusaziva." She seemed to be strong on her beliefs kunyangwe
hangu inini ndaisaona hangu chakanyanya kuipa. Takazobvako a
bit after four kwakunosiiwa kumba iye akaenda nemusikana
wake. Ndakagara namhamha vachivhunza ndichivaudza
zvekwatainge taenda vakati, "zvinongodadisawo kana mwana
wako aine future yakajeka. Getty is very lucky kuroorwa
nehanzvadzi yako, akarongeka mwana wangu. Kuita mwana
musikana mutoro chaiwo, vamwe vanongomitiswa vosiiwa,
vamwe vanongotorwa ko shaikwa kana tsvagirai kuno kusvika
pakuzadza imba nevana munhu asina kana chaabvisirwa
wotoshaiwa kuti kutukwa here kuita sekunge mhosva kuzvara
mwana musikana,vamwewo vanoita tsikombi varipamba."

I sighed kwaakuti, "yaa," asi ndakabatikana nekuti it was as if

she was indirectly speaking about me. Pandakasvika muroom
mangu ndakagara pasi ndikazongonzwa misodzi yakuyerera
yega it seemed as if I was already disappointing her kusvika
143

pakuona as if vakatukwa. Ndakaita mazuva ndichirwadziwa

nemashoko avo zvekuti I was avoiding her. Na Tafadzwa tainge
tisiri kutaura asi ndakazodaidzwa kufront office zvichinzi kune
munhu aindida kwakuona ari Tafadzwa. I got a shock then he
smiled ndikati, "you are here." Ndakaramba ndakamira
kwaakuzoti, "come," as I turned kuti ndiende naye kuoffice
kwangu. On the way I met Cadel who stopped me
achindivhunza zvaaida kwaakuzoti, "who is he? Is he looking
for a job?"

"No he is with me." Ndakadaro nekutopfuurira.

End of chapter
144

To be onsale from 18

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 16

Tafadzwa

Ndaisaziva hangu who he was but the way he looked at me

yakangondiudza ndega ndisina kana andiudza kuti I did not fit
in. Even though akaudzwa kuti I was with her haana kuregera
kunditarisa thats when he actually looked at me zvekuda
kundiongorora."let's go." She said ini kwakufamba ndichitevera
muoffice make. Ndakatanga ndambotarisa how it looked like
before I could sit down, and it had that executive look that was
stunning. "Close the door." She said ndikavhara kwaakugara
where she asked me to sit. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I was
coming." Ndakadaro iye kwaakuti,"I did that last time , it seems
its a habbit we have picked up."
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"Yaa." Ndakadaro kwakumbotora time to breath a little bit. I

sighed ndikati,"I don't know if it's the right time, but ndangozviti
I have to be here." Ndaitoremerwa nekutaura kwacho, suddenly
I was feeling very uncomfortable maybe nekuda kwe way
yandainge ndambotariswa nayo. "Thanks." She said
kwakunyarara kuti inini nditaure. Andizive kuti kukakama
kwainge kwatanga riini asi mashoko chaiwo kuti abude
airemerera. "I'm sorry about the other day, thanks for the effort
but I messed up your surprise." Akaramba akanyarara ndikati,
"please say something." Ndaingoda kuti ataure asandisiye
ndichitaura ndega, ndaiona achiruma muromo zviye zvekuti
munhu arikutoshaya kuti otaura kuti chii.

"Rhoda said she called you , and I'm sorry hanzi your
conversation did not go well."

"She called accusing me kuti handikunzwisise, I don't know if

thats true ,ndiudzewo." She had not told me kuti ndizvo
zvaainge aita saka ndakatanga ndavhunza zvainge zvataurwa
zvacho kwaakuudzwa ndikakasika kuti, "I'm sorry she said that."
She sighed akati,"ndirikutadza papi Tafadzwa?"
146

"Hapana babie." She was not convinced kwakuti,"noo ndoda

kuti undiudze zvawakaudza Rhoda pamusoro pangu, that way I
will understand what is going on."

"Hanzi ndakamuudza kuti chii?" She chuckled kwakuti,"unoziva

ndakuita kunge ndisina kukwana. You are asking me zvinhu
zvamaitaura muri two ndoziva sei?"

"Love, andina kunyanya kutaura much but I sure mentioned that

we were fighting a lot."

"That's our business." She said ndikati,"yaa but she is my friend

ndakarerukirwa pakutaura naye."

"And she should stay your friend not kuita kunge ndiye ava
Paida. Haurerukirwe kutaura nemusikana asiri inini.
Ndakarwadziwa achindiudza kuti ndofanira kukunzwisisa
because you are fragile." Ndakanyara ndega ndikati,"I'm sorry
okay."

"You told her kuti ndakakurwadzisa. Unoziva Tafadzwa, okay

maybe I did it wrongly, it's not that I didn't appreciate what you
did that day, but do you know kuti kana ndichidya
147

ndinotombomira ndozvivhunza kuti Tafadzwa arikudyei. It

affects me zvekuti, saka pandakati andina need yemari, I didnt
mean kuti mari yako andiide. Ehe ndoida asi ndoida kana waane
enough to spare,not kuti uchine inenge ichikushotera."
Ndakatura mafemo, andizive sei ndaiti ndikazvifunga
ndobatikana but ndainzwisisa zvaaitaura. Asi hazvo handina
kumira kurwadziwa with the fact that another man was able to
do for her what I could not. I explained to her kuti neniwo
ndaive nezvishuviro zvangu paari and ndaive neshungu
dzekuverengwa in her life kuti ndiripo kwete kungoita
sechidhori chisina use.

"Babie then rather send me text bundles." She said ndikati,"but

that's nothing."

"That's where you are wrong, it's definitely something, it's the
little things that matter the most, it's those things that hold
value." Zvaindinetsa kunzwisisa asi ndaizama kuteerera.
Akanditarisa with her heart heavy akati,"you have no idea how I
feel Tafadzwa, especially when you ignore me my world crushes
hauzvinzwisise." It's also how I felt asi ndaizongoshaiwa hangu
mashoko ekutaura. Ndaikurirwa nekuona kuti I was
148

disadvantaging her saka ndaizongoona zvakanaka kuti

ndinyarare.

"I'm sorry Future, I'm sorry , I can't explain zvandinenge

ndichinzwa but I hope unongondinzwisisawo.it It's not like
handikude babie, sometimes ma bad habits anongobata
pamunhu." Maybe ndaisaziva the effects of my actions, that
moment ndipo pandakaona kuti zveshuwa ndaimurwadzisa.
Ndakarwadziwa ndamuona aakuchema , zvainge zvasiyana
nepaphone patainetsana ndisingaone face yake. I reached for
both her hands ndikamabata ndikati," I really am sorry Future ,
for being silly acting like a child. I'm sorry, Rhoda does not hold
a better place than you, she actually likes you a lot, I'm sorry
ndakanotaura naye instead of you." She squeezed my hands
akati,"I'm sorry ndakadzosa mari, okay fine ndine ma panty
andiri kuda." I chuckled ndikati anoita marii?"

"Anoita ten dollars." Akataura achiseka then wiped a tear

ndikati,"okay riri one here?" She shook her head akati,"aewa not
one but ari three ma seamless." Ndakatadza kuziva type yacho
akati,"asingadhinde pahembe mhani."
149

"Manje ko ini ndomazivira kupi nhai?" Takaramba takatarisana

ndikafambisa maoko angu pamaoko ake. She bit her lip shyly
ndikati,"I'm glad you are smiling like this, I wish to keep that
smile on your face." Akawedzera kusekerera akati,"handidi
kudenhwa newe ini Tafadzwa."

"Manje zvinoita here ndikasakudenha?" Akandirova kambana

kwakuti,"hauna kana kufitwa nezvaunombondiita, apa
wakagerwa zvakanaka." Ndainge ndagerwa just before
ndamuona kuti ndisamunyadzise. Ndaive ndisina hangu
kunyanya kuchena asi ndaive ndingori parinani zvemunhu asina
zvakawanda.

Paida

Ndairamba ndakatarisa musoro wake and the falls they had done
nicely ndikashaya kuti ndiye here munhu ainditemesa musoro.
His smile yaiita kundipinda muropa and kuramba kwedu
takatarisana ndaiona kuchiita kuti tese tide one thing that we had
missed. Ndakasimuka ndikaenda where he was ndikagara
pamakumbo, noone told us that it was time but our lips found
each other. We kissed and kissed ndikatanga kubatwa mukaka
150

and everywhere. Ndaifemereka zvekupedzerwa and kumugarira

kwandainge ndakaita I also felt his arousal. Ndakafemera
padenga ndanzwa his hand ranyatsosvika where my nipple was
ndikati, "Faffy?"

"What babie." He stopped and stared into my eyes.

"It's hard when you do this to me." Kudaro akabva aisa muromo
and sucked me zvekuti everything stopped existing all I did was
moan. Tafadzwa wacho aitoita zvekunge he was punishing me.
Ndakasimudzwa where I was sitting then he had me leaning of
the door where he caressed me until ndanzwa kuti it was that
bad. Pandakanzwa ma foot steps thats when we stopped but in
seconds there was a knock on the door. I tried hard to get myself
contained, he sat down then I opened the door to find Aaron
standing there. "Hello beautiful,"he said kwakubva ndatarisa
kuna Tafadzwa. Hana yangu yakatanga kurova ndikati,"Aaron
hie."

" Am I going to stand here forever." Ndainge ndatovarairwa

zvekutadza kumuti pinda. "Whats with your hair, it's mess
wanga uchiitei?" Ndakanyara nekuti ndainge ndisina kuzviona. I
151

stepped aside iye kwaakupinda seeing Tafadzwa sitting on the

chair. "Oh you have company?" Akadaro achindicherechedza at
the same time aive neka smile kaitaura kuti ndakuwanikidza
uchiita zvisina basa. "Hie." Tafadzwa greeted him iye
kwakudaira still smiling ndikati,"meet Tafadzwa , bae meet
Aaron."

"Mmmm bae it is." Akabva agara pane imwe chair still smiling
ndikati,"yea."

"Im Aaron." Akadaro and added,"her friend." Ndakagara pasi

nechemumoyo ndichiti please usataure zvisina basa."nice to
meet you, I was not aware that she had a friend like you." Said
Tafadzwa achinditarisa.

"Babie he is the one that bought the dress." Ndakangoona

zvakanaka kugara ndazvipedzisa, even though I saw his facing
tensing, Aaron akakasika kuti, "ndakariramwirwa dress racho
futi, asi wakamuti kwete?"" Faffy looked at me
kwakuti,"wakaridzosera?" As if he was looking for confirmation
zvekuda kuziva kuti zvaitaurwa na Aaron zvekuti ndakadzosera
chaiva chokwadi here. Handina hangu kuda kuvanza
152

ndakamuudza kuti ndaida kudzosera asi Aaron akaramba. "Ah

munhu angade kundidzosera ndiri mukadzi here, munhu kuuya
aine mamoods ake ndisiyei hangu." Ndainge ndavakugadzira
musoro Aaron achitaura, when he finally looked at me ndainge
ndapedza kuzvigadzirisa. Tafadzwa wacho akangoti,"wakaita
basa," kuna Aaron iyewo kwakuti,"don't mention, how come I
never see you around , where are you from?"

"Mhondoro." He said Aaron akashama kwakuti,"so you came all

the way just for her?" He nodded akanzi,"wow you got love my
man ndosaka achigara ari mucheeky, kukushaya nhai?"
Ndakanzwa kunyara ndikati,"chibuda please." Akasimuka
achiseka kwakuti kuna Tafadzwa,"it's been nice meeting you, I
been wondering kuti who stole the heart of this beautiful lady."
Paakasvika padoor akasangana na Cadel wandakashaya kuti
arikudei achibva anzi,"did you meet Paidas boyfriend?" He
frowned akanzi,"he is in there." Hana yangu yakarova
achidongorera kwakuona Tafadzwa, he raised his brows
zvakaita kuti ndide kuvhara door."akaseka nekutofamba kuenda
and that alone left me feeling like shit nekuti ndaiziva kuti he
had just laughed at my boyfriend. Tafadzwa akanditarisa
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akati,"asekei?" Ndakashaya kuti ndonyepa kuti chii

ndikati,"akati ndikaona boyfriend yako ndoda kuiuza kuti
unotuka stereki, I think ashaya kuti otaura sei." He sighed
ndikati,"they are brothers by the way."

"Ya but vakatosiyana havo." Ndainge ndoshaya zvekuita then he

broke the silence paakati,"saka you really wanted to return the
dress."I nodded akati,"because?"

"Because it was making us fight." Ndakataura ndichitarisa

message yaive yapinda paphone kubva kuna Cadel
yakanzi,"your type disappointed me.

End of chapter
154

Comfort zone

By Kaydie

0777684685

Chapter 17

Paida

Handina kuda kuratidza Tafadzwa kuti pane zvandainge ndaona

zvisina kundibata zvakanaka so I put my phone down ndikati,
"it's lunch time hande." Takasimuka and left, ndaive neshungu
dzekuda kunetsana na Cadel asi ndakangoti ndichazviona
neimwe nguva. We got into the car kwaakuyenda mutown where
we sat and ate ndikati, "saka urikudzokera after this?"

"Handiti taakudanana." Akataura achiseka ndikati, "tanga

takamborambana here?" He shook his head kwaakuti ndiwe
wanga wandiramba kwakubva ndamutorera nyama yaaidya iye
akati, "unoziva watojaira kunditorera nyama." Ndaizviziva
hangu kuti kaive kahunhu kangu kubva kudhara and ainge
akatokajaira. Besides naiyewo aiti tichidya he would make sure
155

to leave a piece for me, saka dzimwe nguva ndaingotora zvangu

ndisina kupihwa. Ndakamurumisa ndikati, "chitora ishoma."

"Waakundipimira?" Akavhunza uku achiruma pahombe ndikati,

"saka chitora andichaida."

"Dzikama." Akadaro achindivhurisa muromo kuti andidyise.

Ndakaramba ndakamutarisa akati iye, "imbomira
izvozvo,"nekutotarisa pasi ndikati, "hande kumota." We got
there kwaakugara kuback ndakamurarira achindibata bata
ndikati, "how come you don't want to get close to me?" It was a
question that had been lingering in my head and I wanted to
know. "Close?" He asked ndikati, "yes you touch me and all,
you get me in the mood and all but you don't want to take a step
further asi you think kuti handinake here?" Akangoti, "ah,"
kwakubva ati, "why would you think of something like that?"

Ndakatadza hangu kumuudza about my previous conversation

na Cadel but yakanditemesa musoro, I could not help but think
that there was a possibility that I was not as tasty.
"Ndangovhunza chete and I want to know." Akaseka as if
ndainge ndataura something chisingaite akati, "it's not that, but
156

with sex comes so many responsibilities." Ndakatadza

kuzvinzwisisa ndikati, "wait, so you have never had it before?"
Haana kuramba he told me the truth akati, "I have had it before."
Ndakabva ndatonzwa moyo wangu kutsva chaiko, feeling
jealous over the girls I didn't know kungoziva kuti vakarara na
Tafadzwa. Zvakatondibhowa but it was the truth ainge akarara
navo and I could not change that. "Vangani?" I asked achibva
aseka akati, "Future, zvinhu zvekuvhunza here izvozvo nekuti
ndinogona kukunyepera."

Ndakabva ndatonyatsoda kuziva ndikati, "just tell me."

"Aewa babie." He refused kwakubva ndanyarara, akaona kuti

ndasvotwa kwakubva ati, "okay 6."

"6?" Ndakamuka kwaakugara zakanakana ndikati, "vese avo?"

"Kwaive kufarisa and I told myself that it was not the right thing
to do." Ndakaramba ndakamutarisa iye kwakuti, "I'm sorry but
that's part of my past." Ndaizviziva asi still we had been together
long and my body was beginning to fail me. Handina kana
kumuvanzira I told him akati, "you want that bad." I nodded
then he kissed me deepily akati, "I want you too but andisi kuda
157

kukuvhiringa. You know sex brings people closer, there are

chances ekuti unogona kuita nhumbu etc."

"There is protection right? I'm 23 Tafadzwa I'm ready."

"I know and I'm more than ready but hona andina kana imba,
you are staying home with your parents."

"Ko vamwe vacho vese maiita sei?" Akaseka akati, "babie

mivhunzo yako imbomira usandinakidze." Ndaitorevesa I
wanted to know kuti aizvifambisa sei. I knew his two exes
dzekuchikoro zvaireva kuti vaizviitira kumba kwake. I was also
looking at my age and looking at his situation. Zvake zvekuti he
wanted to wait to get a bit established zvaireva kuti we had two
more years to go kana kutodarika and two years or more was too
long for me. Hamheno if I was thinking insanely but I wanted
more than him touching me and living me hanging. Nyaya
yekuudzwa kwaaiitira akaramba kundiudza, bvuma kuti zvaive
zvinhu zvaigona kungoitikawo Ari kumba. "Saka vainaka here?"
Ndakaerekana ndavhunza akati, "kwana Paida, can we not talk
about my exes please. There is a reason why vachinzi ma ex
158

kunaka kana kusanaka azvina basa love is not really about that. I
believe as long as uchida munhu wako anotokunakira chete."

"Meaning kuti nyangwe asinganake unogona kutongozviudza

kuti anonaka nekuda kwekuti unomuda?" That statement yakaita
kuti anyarare kwakubva ndamugumha gumha akati, "who has
been feeding you with such information?" Ndakamurambira kuti
hapana but he was convinced kuti pane munhu aive
andibrainwasher. "Uri kutamba naani arikukufurira, ndi
Manchu." Ndakaseka ndikati, "Manchu aitasei ipapa?"

"Handisi kuziva nekuti suddenly waakutaura zvematastes

wakazviwanepi?" Ndakasekesa akati, "handisi kuseka newe."
Maziso ake aifamba pandiri achimbomaita as if aida kumavhara
like arikundicherechedza ndikati, "Mira zvauri kuita nemaziso
ako."

"Musi wandichakubata uchachema chete nemufarisiro wauri

kuita." Ndakawedzera kugegedza but time yainge yafamba I had
to get back to work. Ndakatanga kutomusuwa asati aenda
zvekuti when he hugged me ndakaramba ndakabatirira paari.
"I'm going to miss you." He whispered ndikati, "I miss you
159

already, I wish you didn't have to go." Akandiregedza zvikanzi,

"urikuuya riini kumhondoro?"

"I don't know, indava?" He winked akati, "ko kana pane

zvandirikuda kukugadzirira." Ndaitoda kuudzwa kuti chaiva chii
chaaida kugadzirira kwakubva aramba kundiudza kusvika
tatowonekana. I watched him leave kwakubva ndasekerera
kunzwa kuti yaa munhu ndinomuda. Ndakazomutsa mota
kwakudzokera kubasa. Ndichingosvika chete Cadel came into
my office kwaakugara hake ndisina kana kumuti gara.
Akaramba akanditarisa iniwo kwaakuita as if ndainge ndisinawo
kumuona kusvika ataura ega zvaainge afambira. "Tell me Paida ,
what's wrong?"

"Nei?"

"Washayei?" Ndakamira zvandaiita ndikati, "I don't remember

ndichitsvaga anything, urikutaura nezvei?" He shook his head
semunhu aisiririswa neni akati, "do your parents know the kind
of guy you are wasting your time on. No wonder he can't even
break your so called virginity, chengeta hako wait for a man
who is worth it."
160

"I dont remember giving you the platform to discuss my private

life. Tiri pabasa ngatiite zvebasa, my choices are not your
choices . Why are you all up in my business anyway?"
Akasimudza maoko akati, "usandiitire hasha, there are some
things ekuti unoona wega kuti munhu arasika apa. Kuita
mufushwa nenyama," akaseka kwaakuwedzera kuti, "shuwa
ungatobatirira ipapo, wotomuti take me. Munhu wako haa Paida
ndanyara. Kuita mukaka nemaheu ,water and oil."
Ndakarwadziwa ndikati, "please leave." Haana kana kuita nharo
he got up stretching futi kuita kunge hapana zvaainge ataura. He
got to the door, stopped and said, "usade kunyadzisa mai vako
all in the name of love, wake up Paida that guy anopa Mai vako
bp." Akabva avhara door ndikasara ndaakunzwa misodzi. I took
my phone ndikatarisa the photo we had taken together
ndikashaya paainzi haaite pacho.

It was so painful kusekererwa munhu waunoda zvekuti

ndakatanga kuzvivhunza if I was blind as they said. Munhu
ainge asina kutaura zvakashata was Aaron and I wondered if he
had only acted kind chete. Ndakapedza zuva rangu ndisisina
mufaro kana, as I walked to my car Aaron called me. Hana
161

yangu yakarova expecting kusekwa then he smiled akati,

"wasara wega?" Aive akaisa maoko muhomwe azembera mota
yangu ndikati, "yaa,"nevoice raive pasi. "What's wrong." He
asked aona kuti pane zvirikunetsa ndikati, "I need an honest
opinion." He nodded ndikati, "what is wrong with my
boyfriend." He frowned akati, "nothing, well handimuzive but
handina chandaona chakashata, why?" Ndakanzwa misodzi
again ndikati, "unoziva the way Cadel laughed at me nezva
Tafadzwa ka, zvakaoma. I never felt that embarassed unoziva,
he degraded him zvekuti ndatopedzisira ndaakufunga kuti ndiri
blind for sure hapana chandiri kuona."

"Paida." Akadaro misodzi yangu kwaakubuda yega. He walked

closing the gap then hugged me akati, "stop this, why do you
allow him to get to you."

"Hausati wamboshorerwa someone that you love anditi?"

"Handina but I would not want anyone to ever do that. Teerera,

looking at you vanhu vanotarisira munhu ane matching standard
of living. That's just society but kana yava reality the heart
wants what it wants, munhu haungamukwanise wazvinzwa.
162

Your boyfriend is different from you, izvozvo is quite evident

but i boyfriend yako iwewe." He let me go ndikati, "yaa
pakaipa."

"Cheer up," akadaro achindidhonza matama ndikati, "kwana

mhani."

"Curiously asking ,ndiye akati udzose dress?"

"Haa it's a long story, siyana nayo." Haana kuvhunza futi

akangoti, "okay, saka hey from Mhondoro, haa pakaipa."

"Usatange zvinondipa stress." Ndakadaro ndichipinda mumota

akadaidzira kuti sorry. Mazuva akafamba tichitaura paphone and
tainge tavakutaura like the real us wandaiziva. We were trying
hard not to work on each other's nerves ndichibva ndanzi,
"wakatenga here mapanty?" Ndakaseka nekuti ndainge
ndasiirwa mari yacho ndikati, "ehe ndakatenga."

"Okay ndoda kuona wakaripfeka kana wauya." Ndakaseka

zvekunyara kunge aivapo ndikati, "kwana Tafadzwa."

"Ndiriserious ndirikuda kuribvisa." Ndakawedzera kunyara at

the same kunzwa kufambwa fambwa.
163

End of chapter

Kaydie

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