No blood tie uncle
2509 Words
flashback.
it was just two months ago when Kalunde lost her beloved mother and now her father was in his death bed
giving him medicine Kalunde had to grow faster than she actually was,taking care of her sick father making sure he takes his medicine on time.
those medicine was just to make his body relax and minimise pain he was facing every single day.
kalunde's father knowing that it was just a matter of time that he will die though his child was still little he knew he had to prepare her for what is coming
The father
"my princess, you have got to listen to me and keep in mind everything that I am going to explain to you, this is our little secrete okay? says her sick father
she nods her head "yes Baba"
"good girl, now this is your house,it is written in your name, you are mine and your mother only child, you hear? the little Kalunde is looking into her father's eye attentively
he continues after being sure she was listening "as I was growing up I only had mother I don't know who my father was and my mother no longer had family because her father denounced her when she was pregnant with me"
he pauses to take a deep breath after having a sharp pain into his ribs then he continues "I have no brother no sister who will come and claim you or anything that you have everything is yours, but someone will come after you probably saying he is your uncle,but remember this is no blood tie uncle, don't trust him if he is not one of my friends that you always see them coming and they are only three of them you know them by heart yes or no?
she is shaking her head in agreement "yes uncle dadi, uncle Ponce and uncle yohana"
"smart girl! her father says and continues
you remember those two chambers of sewage outlet that I always tell you it's a secrete between two of us? no one will ever think about those so there I am keeping extra fortune for you and I am leaving you all the details of what is going on now"
"Baba how do you mean you are leaving me? mama left and you are going to follow her? she is still young but she understands that her father is in pain and will be in better place if he goes and meat her mother but she can't shake the feeling of missing them when they are all gone
"my princess I thought we talked about this already? he can't help it but to let tear drop from his eye.
she quickly hold her father face in her tiny palms and say "I know Baba(father) but I will miss you too as I am missing mama right now" then she pout the mouth
"you want to lay down with Baba here? he asks and she quickly get on the bed and she puts her head on her father's chest
then he continues knowing the time is now to Finnish all he has to say
"so princess,I want you to wait till you are 22 years of age and you go and get your fortune and your knowledge of things and family lineage,do you understand child?
she just part her father's chest with her hand letting him know she got it,because right now she is too emotional to utter any word.
she didn't know when she fell asleep when she suddenly remembered that her father needed his meds .
she rolls out of bed and goes to the kitchen to find mama Jessica preparing food.
"is your father asleep Kalunde? mama Jessica asks
"yes mama Jessica but it's time for his medicine so am taking water to him" she says while taking a glass of water then she dashes away.
time has come
she wakes her father up,he opens his ayes he looks so pale and with no hope at all
Kalunde thinks her father is looking at her just the same as her mother was looking at her and him the day she passed.
"Baba, the time has come? she asks
"time has come my princess your father has to go to mama now" he says his breath going rapidly slow and fast. he was panicking
she held her father's hand while seating besides him rubbing his chest by her other hand
"it's okay Baba I will remember what you told me, I will wait until I am 22, and Baba you will be fine because you going to keep mama company,she is alone but I will have mama Jessica and my friends" she was being strong for her father
"Princes...." her father tried to speak before she held her pointing finger into his mouth to stop him from speaking
"no father, don't fight, you will be in better position to look after me, I know you will always be with me, Baba I know you love me and I love you and mama too"
her father wept
she closes her father's eyes and lay on his chest right on his heart whispering to him
"go Baba go,mama is waiting, sleep now Baba, your princess understands and she is giving you her blessings"
she gave him a tight hug until she heard him breathing his last breath.
Kalunde knew she was in pain she didn't know how she was going to overcome. but she vowed to be strong for both her sake and her parent's.
she was strong little girl only 11 years old.
she sat besides her father's dead body and said her last prayer for him.
the thanked God for blessing her with loving parents and asked for courage to overcome the pain of loosing them.
after an hour mama Jessica found Kalunde on a chair besides her father's body sleeping while holding his hand
she stepped closer intending to wake kalunde's father when she realised hew was already gone
mama Jessica was worried how Kalunde was going to take the news without knowing she already knew and she was the one who lead him and said goodbye.
Kalunde opened her eyes upon hearing mama Jessica sobs
"don't cry mama Jessica Baba is peaceful now,he is with mother now at least mama is no longer alone, I am fine with you, you were her friend and you love me I will be okay" she says while holding mama Jessica's laps because she had no strengths to stand up.
mama Jessica goes down to her level and hugs her tight saying " I got you Kalunde I got you"
"thank you mama Jessica"
The arrival of an uncle
four months has passed since Kalunde lost her father and mama Jessica was still taking care of the house since her parents made arrangements with their lawyer to continue paying her salary for house keeping and also looking after Kalunde till the age of 22.
in the living room Kalunde and mama Jessica were celebrating the good news of Kalunde being selected to continue with secondary school
"your parents are so proud of you today Kalunde" said mama Jessica
"you think so mama Jessica? I wanted to have an A to all subjects but a B came along to ruin my plans" she said pouting her lips
"but it's a B+ so not that bad, I am sure you are going to do well in your secondary school studies" mama Jessica interjected before they hear a nock on the door
"are you expecting someone? mama Jessica asks in a whisper
and Kalunde just mouth a 'NO' they look at each other before mama Jessica go and get the door
at the door stands a man and woman with loads of suitcases and bags with them.
mama Jessica pass them a questioning eye,and they give her a you better stay away of trouble kind of look
mama Jessica opens her mouth to talk,but the man comes before she could utter any word
"I am Joachim Kazumba,and this is my wife, we are kalunde's only family and we are here to take care of her"
"I don't have any family! kalunde says and mama Jessica didn't notice she was right behind her
the look she was giving these strangers scared mama Jessica
"Kalunde dear what did mama and Baba taught you about being nice to your guests? turning her back facing Kalunde
"but Baba said...
mama Jessica gives her a look of a reminder and right at that moment Kalunde closes her mouth knowing the so no blood tie uncle that her father had warned her about has come
"yes Baba you should not talk to strangers but these are not strangers,he is your uncle...
"Joachim" the man completes a sentence
mama Jessica turning to face them after being sure Kalunde understands now
"yes uncle Joachim and his wife"
"aunty Sofi" the woman speaks for the first time
"right, you are welcome uncle and aunty my name is Kalunde" Kalunde says while stretching her hand to greet them
mama Jessica helps with the luggages and she takes them to what used to be kalundes room because since her father died mama Jessica asked her to use her parents room just in case anyone comes and be tempted to occupy the room.
"you two can use his room it is the only vacant room for now" mama Jessica told Joachim who seemed to not very much thrilled by the idea
he asks "what about my brother's room?
"your brother's room is now kalundes room" mama Jessica answers obvious annoyed and she stress brother
"well that can always change"
they don't know when was Kalunde there but she gave a very hatred look when she replied "I think I have all the Wright to stay in my father's room uncle"
"of course darling your uncle and I will never take your father's place,never,right Joachim?
Joachim don't say anything he just walk pass his wife ,goes to the room and closes the door behind him
aunty Sofi goes down to kalundes level and say "don't worry beautiful,your uncle and I will not do anything that you don't like okay dear?
Kalunde nods and runs to the kitchen
"excuse me" mama Jessica says leaving aunty Sofi and she goes after Kalunde.
in the kitchen Kalunde is furious mama Jessica tries to calm her down and let her understand but Kalunde is Far too angry to understand
mama Jessica goes and lock kalunde's door and tell aunty Sofi that she is taking Kalunde for a walk and they will be back
"okay,I hope she is okay?! she answers from the room
she is it's just a daily normal routine we will be back in no time
don't blow the plans
At the pack mama Jessica buys an ice cream for the both of them giving her the flavour she likes most but today is double the usual size
"mama Jessica!
"mmh" she answers with ice cream in her mouth
"you always discourage me to take too much ice cream but today you buy me double the usual size...
"yes first because you did great in your exams, and second because they had to come and ruin our little celebration"
kalunde's face brighten up and her eyes sparkled
they spend two hours mama Jessica reminding her to be obedient and not to provoke them or make a mistake that it will give them a clue that Kalunde knows something.
"but mama Jessica what if they say you and Jessica should move out? what will become of me without you? she asks obvious she is now worried
"your parents made plans already and it all been taken care of, do you see the house that has gray walls adjacent to your house?
Kalunde nods
"well that house was bought by your mother for me to have and always be near you,so if we move out we won't be far just a shout away and we are right infront of you"
Kalunde leans her head to mama Jessica's chest and mama Jessica holds her knowing right now Kalunde is in turmoil of thoughts
she knows Kalunde being so smart and thoughtful always thinking ahead and make plans,she is just like her mother mama Jessica think.
she calls Kalunde "Kalunde"
"yes Mama cause I know now you are going to give me advice just as mama would do" she says without looking into mama Kalunde face
"right, don't blow up the plans,you still have a long way till 22,like ten year ahead we must be very careful okay?
"okay Mama I promise"
mama Jessica help Kalunde stand up and they embark the way back to the house.
getting into the house aunty Sofi has already prepared a meal she Invites them to the table
"you guys go ahead without me I am going to take shower first" Kalunde was just looking for an excuse to not have the discussion with them
"no dear we are going to wait for you,just take your time"
without a word Kalunde disappeared to her room
half an hour later she comes to the table and uncle and aunty occupying her parents spots at the dinning table.
mama Jessica understand,she winks to her to remind her, she pout her lips and pull a chair that is far from every one
mama Jessica make her a plate,and as Kalunde expected the discussion begin.
Kalunde
I didn't want to have this talk just yet but it was not my luck evening because uncle asked mama Jessica to go as early as next week and didn't say anything
aunty Sofi tried to make her husband reconsider but failed
"I can only give her up to one month only after that she has to go, you are enough for the house chores"he says
"fine! aunty Sofi says as she stands and walks to the kitchen with her plate then I hear her shouting goodnight to us down the hallway
she obviously didn't like the way her husband was conducting things here,and I think I like her for that.
the dinner was over and I together with mama Jessica went to do dishes uncle was watching news
now the house seems too small with these two here, it didn't feel like home anymore
after we were done with dishes we went to my room.
"let's have our little discussion now" says mama Jessica
"so I will take the original offer of few days to stay here I will move before a month the earlier the better for everyone"
"I understand" I answer
she looks ate me and she is about to cry
"but you are going to be just across the street mama Jessica don't cry or I will cry too"
"you are right" she gives me a tight hug and I ask her to stay in my room till she moves out and she agrees since Jessica is in the boarding school so it's just mama Jessica and I.
- Writer
