A few days later ,over a Sunday lunch, Dylan is updating Tanya on the church news as she hasn’t been to church since giving birth.
‘Mai Tengu is likely going to take over as head of that department, the way she’s diligently served.’
‘But you know how the other ladies would not like that, I just hope it doesn’t create different parties,’ Tanya comments.
‘I miss church though, mhama still insists I can’t go anywhere, the twins are almost 3 months old now!’
Dylan chuckles,’Yah amai is a non starter babe, I don’t even want to be involved. Last time I tried rescuing you she told me I should not meddle into ladies’ issues, sooo mhhh.’
‘I thought she would change with age, mhama!’ Tanya exclaims
‘She has always been devious, you know. Cheating on dad back then, hehe! She took care of all the bills while dad drank himself silly! Look at them old and still married.’
Dylan picks up his glass and noisily gulps all the apple juice. Tanya hates when he does this but she doesn’t say anything.
He belches before responding,’ They are together because divorce has never occurred to them as an option chete babe. You know as much as I do, it’s not love that keeps them there.’
They have never discussed this, Tanya is stung, for a moment, by Dylan’s remark, even as she is aware it is the truth. She wonders how they even tolerate each other seeing they don’t see eye to eye on anything. She changes the subject.
‘Anyway, what has Tapiwa said , did you talk to him?’
‘I did try, he said he was busy with something and would make time to talk. That was yesterday. I still find it unbelievable. I am so sorry for Annie.’ Tanya can see her husband’s mood change on his face.
They had made the decision to talk to Tapiwa first, before seating the both of them down.
When Tanya initially told Dylan about the abuse, he was naturally upset by it, he even threatened to have Tapiwa arrested, arguing they could not aid and abet an abuser like most church people would .
It had taken a lot to calm him, to let him allow them to talk to the couple first and understand where things stood. Even then , Tanya pointed, they couldn’t report Tapiwa, if Annie was to decide she didn’t want to.
This was turning to be a challenging issue for them. Not knowing what to do. Tanya hoped talking to the young couple would make things clearer.
Just then, Kupakwashe walked in from church. Both parents could see that she had been crying immediately, her face was puffed up, her eyes swollen and there were still streaks on her face.
She mumbled her greetings as she tried to hurry past them.
‘Kupa!’, Dylan called as she was just about to escape successfully.
She turned, her face down and waited for her father to speak.
‘Please sit down,’ Dylan pleaded with her. Kupakwashe slumps into the chair near her, the furthest from both parents.
‘You have been crying.’ Dylan states as a matter of fact. Kupa nods as fresh tears start to fill her eyes again.
Dylan is tempted to move closer to her, but he stays put.
‘What’s wrong my baby, did someone hurt you?’
Tanya thinks it’s sad that the first thing Dylan suspects is that someone did something to their daughter, she has no doubt he believes a man is involved. She doesn’t blame him, raising a teenage lady has certainly made her more aware of the many ways that she is vulnerable at the hands of men. The news has been teeming with news of men violating women every day. She hopes she hasn’t waited too long to talk to Kupa about being wary of her position in society as a lady.
Kupa continues to cry softly to Dylan’s frustration as he visibly is getting agitated from not knowing.
‘Kupa! What is it!’ He voice comes out with a bit too much force that Tanya jumps a little before placing her hand on his lap, to communicate he needs to calm.
‘People at church have been saying that since mhama now has Nyasha and Tino, we won’t be around for long. They said I’m still an orphan’.
When Kupa finally speaks, her voice doesn’t tremble and she looks directly into the faces of her parents, who both have to carefully control the initial shock and then anger in their facial expressions.
‘Who said that?’ Tanya asks, just as her mother walks in from church. Gogo matwins quickly analyzes the situation, realizes there is something going on and takes a sit. Everyone ignores her.
‘Who told you this?’ Tanya asks again.
‘A friend told me that’s what everyone has been saying.’ Kupa clearly does not intend to share names.
Tanya has grown more confident as Kupa’s mother since the birth of her twins. This has transitioned well into their relationship even though she still struggles with showing affection, especially when it is physical. She wants to get up and embrace her daughter, to let her cry in her arms. Her insecurities keep her glued to her chair, frustrated.
She folds her arms and leans back into her chair, failing to offer verbal comfort from the helplessness of not being able to take Kupa in her arms.
Dylan fills the heavy silence that is so charged with emotion, it is electric.
‘That’s nonsense,’ he belows. ‘You’re not an orphan, we are your parents. That won’t change! Baby you 2 are even more special because you were birthed from our hearts, we chose you! Listen, you’re our eldest child and I need you to start believing that hey? Hey?’
‘Yes daddy’ a smile plays on Kupa’s lips, she just needed the simple reassurance. Gogo matwins sees her opportunity, ‘Hanzii Ko? What are you doing to the grandkids’.
Although she doesn’t say ‘my grandkids’ , the acknowledgment that they are part of the family pleasantly surprises all so much they forget to respond for a good minute.
‘Haaa it’s nothing, some kids at church picking on Kupa, that’s all.’
The old lady makes a sound in her throat as a response before gathering herself and leaving for her room.
