Borrowed Passion

Chapter 1: Hera was her name a beauty with a broken heart. In all of Kanyamkago, she was the most sought after. Young men brought her fish, young teachers brought her letters, but her heart only beat for one Ratego. Ratego was tall, his voice was like the drums at night. When he looked at Hera, she forgot to breathe but Ratego was already chosen. The Chief had no sons. He had only one daughter Sulwe, and the elders had decided that Ratego would marry Sulwe and become the next Chief. It was an honour no man could refuse. Hera cried for three nights by the river. Then she wiped her tears and accepted her fate. She reluctantly settled for Ratego's best friend Simba. Simba's name meant lion, because his body was strong from digging and his heart was hard in war. But with Hera, he was gentle too gentle. At first, Hera only tolerated him. She would pass his home and leave water. But Simba never rushed her. He would just say, "Put it there, Hera. Thank you." Slowly, his gentleness melted her. It started at the stream.One evening, Simba held her hand near the stream where women fetch water. His hand was rough, but warm. "Let me carry it," he whispered. Hera looked around no one was there. She let him. After that, Hera began to sneak, after fetching water for her own home, she would sneak to Simba's hut. She would sweep his compound, wash his plates, arrange his bed. The other women laughed, "Hera has become Simba's wife before marriage!" Hera didn't care. One evening, the sun was low. The stream was quiet. Simba had come to help her carry water again. They were alone behind the big fig tree. He looked at her for a long time. She looked at his lips. And then, they submitted to their passion. It was quick, it was sweet, it was wrong and they both knew it. They were not yet married. In our custom, if a girl is found to be spoiled before marriage, her bride price is lost and her family is shamed. Hera held Simba's shirt, breathing fast. "No one must know," she whispered, shaking. Simba cupped her face. His Lion name was gone. He was just a boy in love. "No one will know, Hera. It will be our secret. Until I pay your bride price, this river will keep our secret." But secrets by the river never stay secret for long. Because on the other side of the bush, Ratego was standing there, watching them.