SEASON 2: CHAPTER 1- Some things Change and some things dont

‘One , two, thee…Go!’ 3 year old Tadiwa shouts just before jumping from the couch and barely missing the all-glass coffee table by inches as he lands.

‘Tadiwa stop it’ Kupakwashe lowers her iphone, her attention momentarily stolen by her brother’s mischief. It is not clear what worries her the most, Tadiwa hurting himself or trashing the furniture. The toddler is still for as long as Kupa’s eyes are on him, he knows it’s only a matter of time before her phone proves more interesting. He wanders off after a few minutes, Kupa does not notice him slipping away.

***

30 minutes later, Kupa is suddenly aware of the eerie silence in the house. 3 year old Tadiwa is never quiet, his presence has always been announced by boisterous play. Pocketing her phone, she gets up to look for him, silently praying he fell asleep in one of the rooms.

She checks all the rooms, her little brother is in none of them. She rushes outside, the sight of the gate slightly open jolts her into a run. She is shaking just thinking about the cars that always whizz past at this time of the day. Tired 8 – 5 workers who will not be looking out for a tiny 3 year old roaming a busy street alone.

Looking straight down the road, she doesn’t see Tadiwa, she goes on jogging for a few more meters before turning into a less busy road.

Tadiwa is crouched over something, right in the middle of the road. Relief washes over her at the sight of the lonely tiny figure. She scoops him up into her arms, he finds this hilarious and is giggling all the way back to the house. Just as they are closing the gate, their parents’ car makes an appearance.

Kupakwashe sees no option but to wait and open the gate. Before the car makes a complete stop, their mother is out of the car.

‘Where are you coming from Kupakwashe?’,
‘Maswera sei mhama, we are just coming from a walk. Tadi was restless.’

Tanya gives her daughter a meaningful eye. Kupakwashe looks down, avoiding her mother’s knowing eyes.

‘I do not like repeating myself, it’s too dangerous for you to be out with Tadi, okay?’
Kupakwashe knows better than to reply , she kicks a pebble near her foot in frustration. Dylan gets out of the car and kisses his daughters forehead.

‘Listen to your mother baby, right?’

She smiles as she watches her father pick up a squealing Tadiwa to throw him in the air. They both get a kick from this daily ritual.

‘That’s enough Dee! You will make him dizzy ‘, Tanya nervously shouts at the third throw.

Dylan puts his son on his shoulders, Tadiwa is making toothless demands for more. Kupa can’t help laughing.

‘Relax babe, relax.’ Dylan says as he walks past his wife into the house.

Kupakwashe is used to hearing her father tell her mother to relax. She is the strict parent, always difficult.
Kupakwashe only felt comfortable enough to refer to her as her mother recently, all along she was Tanya. Dylan on the other hand, has been daddy from the first day. He is easily the favorite parent, and he spoils them.

Tadiwa is sitting in his high chair when Kupakwashe walks into the kitchen. Tanya continues to their bedroom. The little boy flinches as the bedroom door is banged shut, shortly after, Tanya’s raised voice can be heard from the room. They are fighting again. Kupa picks up Tadiwa and takes him outside, hoping to distract him from their parents’ loud verbal exchange.

‘Let’s play hide and seek Tadi, you hide first!’ ‘Okay!’

Tadiwa gleefully runs off to hide behind the chicken coop. Kupa smiles, wondering how long she will pretend she can’t find him.As long as it takes for her parents to calm down she decides. She sighs before going in the opposite direction to the coop, calling out her brother’s name. Tadiwa’s muffled giggles can be heard from his hideout.