Chapter 17- Whats next?
The conversation continues for another hour, except from a half hearted ‘mmmh’ and ‘ah’ here and there, Tanya doesn’t say much. Dylan does not even attempt to show interest, much to Tanya’s dismay. Annie and Tapiwa still have not reached on an agreement when they leave.
Tanya promises to pray for them. She knows they need advice as much as they need the prayer but her mind is not in it. She goes straight to bed but is still awake when Dylan comes to sleep some minutes later. She pretends to be in a deep sleep, avoiding conflict with her husband.
The first call that Tanya gets the next morning is from Father Ben.
‘Mrs Tembo Moyo, what happened yesterday?’, there is a tinge of panic in the Priest’s voice, very unlike him. Tanya is lost for a minute , not knowing which of the two crises he is making reference to.
‘Ummm, I am not sure Father,’ she hesitates.
‘I got a call from your husband and then from Tapiwa, what is happening?’.
‘Oh,’ Tanya responds, realizing both her problems have already been shared on her behalf.
She goes on trying to explain how everything spiraled out of control.
‘When it rains, it just pours Father. Everything just goes wrong,’ she laments.
‘You have everything within your control you know? Call both your parents and the young couple, you do know what you need to say,’she has learnt not to argue with him enough times for her to even want to try.
She thanks him before hanging up. Father Ben has always said some situations do not need prayers but decision making, she knows she is in that situation.
~~~~
It is a Sunday, the service has just ended. As always, Kupa is waiting for her parents in the parking lot. Tadiwa has occupied himself with a tennis shoe and the shoelace.
She notices Tinashe walking towards the car.
‘Hi. Why do you always seclude yourself here, most of the others are still in church catching up’.
‘Still getting used to people,’ Kupa shyly responds.
‘Come’, Tinashe grabs her hand and picks up Tadiwa, ‘I will introduce you to the cool crowd.’
Kupa is not interested, but she is not given the opportunity to object.
Tinashe walks around with her, pointing out to her the strictest elders to stay away from, the cool young couples and the rebels. They end up in the church waiting shed, where a couple of youths are gathered in clusters. She smiles and rolls her eyes as Tinashe exchanges some insults as a way of greeting with the older boys. Some girls have taken ownership of Tadiwa, who is being a sweetheart.
‘Hi’, one the guys extends his hand to her. ‘You’re Kupakwashe right?’
‘Yes,’ she clears her throat to say more, before which Tinashe jumps in.
‘Eyeee, boys. Kupa is my girl!’ The announcement is made with a sheepish grin and a possessive hands is draped over Kupa’s shoulders.
She knows she should say something, ask what he means. She feels as though there is a tonne of bricks that have been dumped on her tongue, it feels so heavy she can barely move it.
There is an uproar in the little shed, there is jeering and fist bumping.
All this confuses Kupakwashe more, she stands and witnesses the exchange, all the while feeling angry and stupid.
There is a sudden decrease in the noise, Tanya is peering from behind one of the poles.
‘Kupa, let’s go home, we’re done’.
Kupa is careful with her first steps, not trusting her legs that are feeling numb beneath her. She is relieved to find out she still has a good command of them.
‘What was happening in there?’ Is the first question her mother asks.
