Dylan arrives at the restaurant first. He chooses a table that is facing the entrance and orders a drink, suspecting that he might need to wait for long. A few minutes passes before he spots the person, he’s waiting for come in. He raises his hand to get the attention of the lanky man that’s scanning the room, looking for him.
From across the room, Tapiwa nods in acknowledgment and takes long purposeful strides towards Dylan. He apologizes for making him wait and settles before they both order their lunch.
‘So I will cut right to it, work awaits us both,’ Dylan says as he starts to cut through his lamp shank. ‘What’s happening?’
Tapiwa, unprepared for the direct question, almost chokes on his potato but saves himself and takes what seems like minutes chewing, loudly.
‘Umm brother, me and Annie just have normal couple squabbles. But Annie! You know how women are, everything is exaggerated. Yes I clap her here and there, like every man would to set his woman right. She’s been going around telling people that I am abusive! You would think I’m punching her or hitting her like I’m hitting a man. She’s is being a woman and…’
Dylan slams his hand onto the table in fury. He knows Tapiwa does not pay attention to anyone, even to gauge their response in conversation, yet he is surprised he is so self absorbed he hadn’t seen Dylan signaling to him to stop talking.
Dylan is seething, he can barely contain his rage. He looks up at the startled Tapiwa and takes a sip of water.
‘Are you listening to yourself?’ He asks, dryly.
Tapiwa chuckles, ‘Uh did I say something wrong mukoma?’
‘I am having to remind myself that I am Christian, that you also are, otherwise there would be nothing else holding me back from knocking you off your chair right now! What nonsense.’
Tapiwa looks baffled, he is trying to figure out what offensive thing he said.
‘You are admitting that you regularly use physical violence against your woman? Are you kidding me?’
‘Aizve mukoma, wani I said it’s a clap here and there. I am not harming her. Are you telling me you don’t do this with your wife?’
Dylan shakes his heard in disbelief. He knows he needs to calm but sitting right across Tapiwa is not helping. With much effort, he takes several deep breaths until he’s sure he can speak without shouting again.
‘Nothing , and I mean nothing gives you the right to raise your hand against a woman , do you hear me young man ? What kind of marriage do you hope to have with a wife that is scared of you? Who taught you this? This needs to stop, you hear? I won’t negotiate on your behalf knowing you’re taking someone’s daughter to abuse her, absolutely not!’
Dylan’s voice is getting loud again, the couple at the next table keep glancing at the 2 uncomfortably.
Tapiwa patiently chews the last of his food , looking at Dylan as one would look at an unreasonable toddler throwing a tantrum.
‘Ahh mukoma , I respect you as my elder and brother in Christ. I came here so we could have a man to man talk but you’re pushing me to say what we both will regret. I’ve never told you how to run your household , if you choose to be soft like a woman with your wife then that’s up to you. I don’t appreciate you ordering me around. I have a deep respect for my spiritual father, Pastor Ben and I will extend that respect to you now but stay out of my house. If you can’t come to the roora, fine. I will see you at church.’
With that, he gently puts his napkin on the table and leaves, Dylan is shocked. He pays their bill and leaves a few minutes after.
When he gets home later that day, he is on edge. He keeps barking instructions to everyone such that Kupa, Rudo and Tadi retire to their rooms earlier than usual. The twins are sleeping.
Tanya, who has been wondering if her husband finally met with Tapiwa, decides to ask.
‘Did you manage to talk to Tapiwa?’
Dylan scowls at the question and nods, simply. Tanya is not satisfied.
‘And…?’
‘Ah please, I want to hear what they are saying on the news!’, Dylan snaps.
Tanya can see they are going over the headlines as a recap to the broadcast, so she waits. In less than 5 minutes, the broadcast ends.
Dylan turns to get comfortable in his seat and sees his wife looking at him pointedly.
‘We talked but he is an idiot, he doesn’t see anything wrong with beating his wife. Told me to back off before walking away.’
‘Ah! I can’t believe it, how is he like that. He seems so level headed!’ Tanya shrugs, resigned.
‘I wanted to punch him , hey. If I could I would have. I was so angry, he sees no reason at all. Annie cannot marry him, not at all.’
‘Umm mkwasha, you can’t destroy someone’s house because of how you feel, this sort of thing sorts itself out. It happens.’ Gogo matwins interjects.
Tanya picks it up,’Mhama is right babe, Annie has to make her own decision. We can only advise.’
Dylan stands and starts pacing the floor.
‘Tanya you can’t be saying that, this man is an animal. Call Annie to come tomorrow, we have to make her cancel this. She will die in his hands. Pastor Ben also needs to know.’
Tanya looks on as her husband acts like a caged animal , she looks at her mother who sucks in her teeth and moves her head sideways, pitifully.
‘Babe honestly. You’re upset but calm…’
‘Tanya! You of all people should know this marriage can’t go on!’ Dylan yells.
‘Why? Do you want Annie for yourself?!’ Tanya yells right back.
