Runyararo
Runyararo sat in the lounge on Sunday morning. It was still early, 6.30am last time she checked. She sat on one of the sofas, her Bible on the seat beside her. She had been reading through it since 5.00am, she had woken up early and had been unable to sleep. But now she was thinking through all that had taken place in the last couple of weeks.
Besides her usual daily routines of helping Aunty Abigail and spending time at home, she had met Anah and Clemence and her had actually had conversations that lasted longer than two minutes.
Both of these things had been answers to her prayers. She had prayed for her family to be restored and to some extent her talks with Clemence had been a manifestation of that prayer. Yes, there was still tension and strife between her father and Clemence. But not all things could be fixed with the click of a finger, some things took time. And thanks to Anah she now knew of a Bible Study that would help her grow like she had been praying for. She was looking forward to attending on Tuesday.
She hadn’t told anyone about it. Not Clemence and most certainly not her father. He would no doubt forbid her from going. He wouldn’t allow her to go to any church but his own. Not that this was a church.
She took a deep breath, she prayed fervently that he would not stop her from going. She needed this Bible study. Besides, it wasn’t as if she would stop attending his services. Runyararo shook her head.
She would worry about that when the time came. Do not worry about tomorrow, the Bible said. She would listen to that command.
Runyararo picked up her phone beside her Bible and checked the time. It was already seven o’clock. Time had a way of running away sometimes. The early birds would be arriving soon.
She heard a door in the corridor open and close. She paused and looked up, expecting to see her father come around the corner but instead she was greeted by the sight of her brother.
“Clemence,” she said in surprise. She had reminded him about the service a few days ago but she wasn’t sure if he would attend. But here he was. He wore a pair of jeans and a long sleeved, pink shirt that he was hurriedly tucking in. He had on a pair of smart, black dress shoes.
“Hi Runya,” he said.
“I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”
“You know Deddi,” he replied. “It’s better I don’t make him angry.”
“I suppose,” Runyararo said, nodding. “You look smart.”
Clemence laughed awkwardly “Thanks Runya.” He took a breath. “What time does this thing start?”
“Eight o’clock.”
“Okay,” Clemence said.
He took another breath and smoothed down his shirt, then rubbed his hands down his jeans. He was clearly very nervous.
Runyararo opened her mouth to reassure him, but was interrupted when she heard the sound of another door opening. Their father appeared round the corner and almost walked into Clemence. He paused, a look of surprise on his face. Clemence moved out of the doorway and stood by the side. He cleared his throat and looked around, everywhere but at their father’s face.
“Morning, Deddi,” he said. His voice barely made it out his throat.
“Clemence,” their father said, looking him over. It was evident that Clemence was dressed for a service. “So, I see you are coming to church today. Good. Good.”
Clemence shuffled uncomfortably under his father’s gaze and merely nodded at his words. Runyararo could see the tension slowly rising in him, the quiet fire burning behind his eyes.
Clemence was not someone who was easily submissive; it was choking his pride to have to do something for their father. Especially something he had fought their father so adamantly about.
Their father just looked pleased. He turned his gaze to Runyararo, “It looks like you will have someone to help you usher in our guests.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist.
“The first attendees will be coming now. Can you two go outside and prepare to greet them? I will be out just now.” He nodded at them and then headed into his office.
Clemence glared after him and then looked at Runyararo. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled in apology. Clemence shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“I guess we better go,” Runyararo said, turning her phone on silent and putting it in a pocket on the side of her dress. She picked up her Bible and stood, just as Clemence was stepping away from the wall. He took another breath and nodded his head.
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s go.”
***
Halfway through the service Runyararo was sure that Clemence wanted nothing more than to runaway and hide. As they had ushered people into the garden and to their seats, almost every member had looked in surprise at Clemence.
“Yes, ndiye. Mukomana waPastor Kuchiva.”
“Whoo-hoo? Inga. I did not think he came to church.”
She had heard some people mutter as they passed by the seats. Others weren’t as subtle, like Amai Kudakwashe.
“Haaa. Haaa! Clemence! Are you Clemence?” She had said loudly, nearly shouting. “Wow. Your father must have listened to me then. Mhmm. Don’t worry my son Kuda was just like you. He did not go to church. But now he goes. Every Sunday, he goes. Don’t worry, wanzwa? This will be good for you. Welcome. Welcome.” She had patted his shoulder with violent enthusiasm.
Her voice had drawn more than a few looks from those arriving and those who were seated.
Now as their father went through the sermon, people will were still glancing at him and some were still whispering. Poor Clemence, Runyararo thought, he probably felt like an animal in Hwange Park, being stared at and talked about.
He was barely listening to their father speak. She couldn’t fault him for struggling to pay attention, though, not when her mind was far from the service as well.
She had heard part of the beginning of the sermon, something about giving and receiving. It sounded almost similar to past sermons. The other attendees seemed to be taking it in as if it was something new. Aside from the few who were gawking at Clemence they seemed to be having no trouble paying attention. Their minds weren’t on the possibility of a new Bible study, filled with youth and people they could relate to and talk about God and life with. Their minds were firmly fixed upon her father.
He was a good speaker, she couldn’t deny that. He spoke with passion. Conviction. His voice was powerful and strong and could easily hold the attention of all the hundred attendees here. He also had this uncanny ability to speak as if he was addressing each individual. He would look at someone in the crowd and it was clear to Runyararo that they felt that he was speaking to them personally.
She sighed and shifted in her seat. Soon their father had finished speaking and it was time for the tithe. He took out a brown, cloth bag and passed it around the congregation.
“Don’t be shy, my people.” He said, “God does not mind your bonds.” He laughed at his joke. He told it at every single service. Yet the congregation never failed to laugh every single time. “Just give as much as you can. Remember God blesses those who give.”
The bag went around and people dropped money into it. Runyararo did not look too closely at what each person gave. She believed it was none of her concern how much someone tithed, it was between them and God. All that mattered was that the money would be put to good use.
Her father’s church was a unique one, a home church and so money didn’t need to go to upkeep and maintenance and the other things conventional churches needed. But her father would use the money to provide the congregation with food and he had informed them all that most of their money went to orphanages and homes for disabled people.
When the bag came to her she pulled out a fifty dollar note and dropped it inside before passing it to Clemence. Clemence just glanced at the bag and then passed it onto the next person.
After the tithing the congregation stood and sang a hymn that got everyone clapping and dancing. Despite her earlier lack of attention, Runyararo couldn’t help but get lost in the sound of all the voices singing to God and the energy in their voices and bodies. She noticed that Clemence just stood still amidst the chaos of movement, grimacing against the loud voices. When he was jostled by a woman dancing enthusiastically at his side, he scowled.
After the song was over, their father prayed and then the service was finished.
“Finally,” Clemence muttered, as people began to trickle towards the tea tables. He shook his head “That was terrible.”
“Aww Clemence,” Runyararo said. “It wasn’t too bad.” She agreed that it could have been better but it hadn’t been terrible.
“You like church, Runya. Of course you’d say that,” he said. The two of them were still seated in their plastic chairs. Neither were in a rush to join the mob of people by the tables.
“I do like church. But I will admit that I don’t always enjoy these meetings. So when I’m saying it wasn’t terrible, I know what I’m saying.”
Clemence looked over at her in surprise. “You don’t enjoy these? So why do you come all the time?”
“I used to.” Runyararo said. “It’s just that recently- “ she hesitated. She doubted that Clemence would understand her dissatisfaction. “I guess I’ve just been looking for more.” She shrugged.
“Mhmm,” Clemence hummed. “If I were you, I would leave. What is the point of coming to something you don’t enjoy?”
“It’s not just about enjoying, Cle. I mean, I have learnt a lot being here. But I need to learn more about God, you know. Being a Christian isn’t just about going to Church and then that’s it. It’s the way we live every day. It’s what we talk about. It’s about what we do. Our lives have to show our faith, you know? I realised that Christianity was just stopping at these services. No one would talk about Mwari with me. Or want to think of how they could start living out the things Deddi talks about.” She let out a breath. She hadn’t meant to say so much.
Clemence was looking at her closely, studying her. He probably thought she was crazy.
“Okay,” he said finally. “So then why don’t you leave. Runya, there are so many other churches out there. I am sure you will find one that can do all that for you.”
Runyararo shook her head, “You know Deddi, Clemence. He won’t like it.”
Clemence sat back. He understood more than anyone what their father could be like.
“Besides,” she said. “I have found something that could be what I’m looking for.” She didn’t think she would talk about the Bible study until she the words had left her mouth.
“Oh,” Clemence said. “And? What is it?”
Runyararo was uncertain whether she should tell Clemence about the Bible study. But then what harm was there? It wasn’t like he would go blabbing about it to their father.
“It’s a Bible study.”
“Oh, okay. And you’re going to go to it?”
“Yes. On Tuesday.”
“I’m guessing Deddi, doesn’t know?”
“No,” Runyararo said.
Clemence was quiet for a moment and then “Don’t worry. I won’t tell him.”
Runyararo released a breath she never knew she was holding. “Thanks Cle. You can-“
“And no, handisikuda kuwuya, Runya.” He said interrupting her mid sentence.
“How did you know I was going to ask?” She laughed in surprise.
“You always ask me to do God things,” he said.
“Alright. Fine. Besides you have work anyway.”
“Yeah.”
She took a deep breath and looked around. The people had finished getting their food were milling around in conversation now. It wouldn’t be long until they were finished and started heading home.
“We will have to clear up soon,” she said to Clemence.
“Alright,” he answered, looking around. He looked back at her. “Deddi should really hire people to do this stuff. We aren’t servants.”
“Clemence,” Runyararo admonished, “It’s good to help out. Besides that money needs to go somewhere else.” She shook her head. “You never liked being sent. From the time we were children.”
“That’s true.” He said, then sighed. “I think we should start now. Then we can finish sooner.”
Runyararo nodded in agreement and stood. They stretched and then began to gather up the chairs.
