Heartaches And Tears

Heartaches And Tears – Episode 2

HEARTACHES AND TEARS – Episode 2
A story by Kennedy C Katongo
MEET EMMANUEL
I had been in,side the office for almost an hour, once I was done filling the papers and signing what needed to be signed. I locked up, with a mint in my mouth to clear my breathe (Just how Amanda loved it) I went to check on the car. The guard was a good friend who had worked for the company for a couple of years. That was the reason I felt at peace leaving the car open for him.
“Boss, everything is good. Just the back left.” He said with his thumb up as he spoke.
“No need. You will just finish on Monday. I need to pick up a friend.” I told him as he began closing the doors. I checked my back pocket for some money I had put there earlier during the day. ‘Damn, just K50’s’ I exclaimed in my heard as I restlessly searched for a K20.
But guess that was just his lucky day, I played the note in his pocket as I drove off to meet Emmanuel. He stayed in Kabwata, in the Dragon apartment.
While I was driving my phone rang, it was Mable, my wife.
“Hi baby. Talk to me…” I said as I responded energetically as though nothing had sparked between us.
“I want you to get me some Hot Chocolate when coming back. I don’t feel like driving out.” She said. Mable had this strong commanding tone in her voice when speaking – especially when she was pissed.
“Okay. No problem. Is there anything else you would love me to get for you?” I asked her politely. This was a way of me getting back into her good grace. We had our fights, however, I never cherished the idea of going to bed whilst we were mad at each other.
“No. That’s all.” She said.
“Okay baby. Love you.”
“Okay.” She responded and cut the call.
Yes, that right there was the pain of being married to someone who had slowly began to lose the fire that once burnt for you. It use to be fireworks, however, things were no longer like they used to be. ‘I love you’ lacked meaning. It was just that phrase that meant nothing.
I arrived at Kabwata Market and Emmanuel was there waiting for me. Unlike me who was mostly found in suits, he had a casual mash up going for him.
“The man himself!” He called out as he walked up to the car.
I got out to meet him half way, it had been a while, we exchanged a hug and a secret handshake we use to do in our college days.
It was getting dark, so we didn’t waste much time and we were off to Evelyn Hone College to pick up Amanda and her friend.
“So how’s life?” I asked him.
“Life has been great. Coming to the Capital always makes me feel pressured. You know how slow life is in the Copperbelt compared to here. Am already having a migraine and its killing me.” Emmanuel said as he laughed.
“Don’t worry. Am sure your drink will fix that.” I said to him. Emmanuel was one complicated fellow. It was hærd to classify him as a drinker (alcoholic) because the only alcohol drink he loved was Badoo.
“So were are we going?” He asked me.
“After picking the girls. We going to the Misty.” I said in my calm voice.
“Isn’t that place too public? I mean you have a reputation to protect you know.”
“I know that. Can you believe Amanda was like, ‘if we keep meeting in private places nothing will be happening between us.’ And I thought she was joking. I haven’t slept with her in a month now.” I explained to Emmanuel who began laughing at me.
“I can’t be surprised. You have never been a womaniser Nathan. That’s why you have even developed feelings for that small girl.” “If its just s€×, make sure you don’t catch feelings. Once you cross that line then you gone.” He added.
Emmanuel was very correct, I had never been a womaniser. In fact, Amanda was the first lady I had been with apart from my wife; that’s after I got married, and that was 5 years ago.
“Okay. You’ve caught me on that one. I’ve started falling for the girl. Its not my fault. I mean, she’s just amazing. She cares for me and not because of what I give her.” I told Emmanuel.
“Gash, has marriage made your brain slow? Every girl is caring and considerate as long as you’re giving her money and spending on her.” He said as he diluted a sentence that had taken me minutes to construct.
“Well! I wish the same could be said about my wife. Man am telling you Mable has gone cold. She thinks she’s Redbull.” I began to laugh as I finished my line with Redbull.
“Well – right now I don’t want to talk about your marriage. Tell me one thing though, does she give it to you?” Emmanuel asked me.
“She does, once a week, at times twice a month depending on her mood. It’s crazy I tell you. She thinks this is the garden of Eden.” I said as I shook my head.
Emmanuel was always laughing, he was a cheerful guy and took everything at ease. “Hope she’s coming with a friend as you promised.” He reminded me. I had even forgotten to confirm with Amanda if Mwaka had accepted to tag along.
“Yes I have. Am very much sure you going to like her.” I assured him.
“You know college girls ain’t my thing. I had my crazy share of these girls during my time at UNZA. I get moved by the working class now. You know, the type that just says your name and goosebumps cover your body like a contagious rash.” He said happily. This guy was always talkative.
“I know. But am sure you going to find Mwaka charming and provoking.
@@ @@ MWAKA @@ @@
“You’re shaking?” Amanda asked me as she began to laugh.
“It’s not even funny. How do you expect me to be chilled.” I attacked her.
“It’s Mr Saturday. We’ve gone out together on a number of occasions. I don’t see why you’re being worked up over that.” She said as she pulled my dress down a bit. I had a dark purple dress on that went as far as my knees. With some black half boots that Amanda had got me for my birthday. Since it was most likely going to be cold, I had to add a black coat that matched perfectly with the boots.
“It’s not your Saturday am nervous about. Its the young friend of his. I’ve heard him talk about the friend and I imagine him to be the type with high expectations. What if he doesn’t like me?” I asked Amanda.
She began to laugh at me, “You’re talking as if the man is going to ask you to marry him.” She said as she continued to laugh. Those words of hers got to me, I blushed and covered my face. She was right, I was being paranoid.
But that wasn’t it, deep down I had hope, I really wanted him to be someone who completed my wish list.
“Don’t worry. You’re just keeping him company and that’s all. This is your day. It’s about us. We have finished college!” She shouted out loud.
It was easy for her to say that, I had spent 3 years in college and had only been in one relationsh¡p that never even lasted because the guy kept on inviting me to his hostel in Kariba B. Furthermore, he only did that when all his friends had left.
It was for that reason why I decided to end the relationsh¡p. He wanted me to be his private girlfriend on campus but exclusive in his room. That was something I wasn’t willing to compromise on. For that reason, I lost interest in relationsh¡ps and decided to do two things: Look good and focus on my studies.
“I don’t know what to put on.” Amanda said as she stood in front of me. This was her 4th outfit now.
“You’re joking right? Nathan is going to be here anytime now and you still haven’t decided on what you want to wear.”
“Don’t look at me like that. I just want to make sure I look good for him. I shouldn’t be adding on his stress you know.” Amanda told me.
Just then a friend of ours from the next room walked in. “Where are you all going?” She asked.
“We just going for dinner. Someone special has invited us.” Amanda responded.
“Takuli food I dive some?” She asked as she began checking the pots that were under the bed. (In this context, DIVE or DIVING with regard to food means eating food that your friends have cooked without you being accounted for.)
To be continued…

Back to top button
Close

Adblock Detected

We plead you off your AdBlock on this site, as it kills the only source of it income.