The window cleaner

A Genesis on Fidelia

A silence was subconsciously observed in the room , before Siin began to speak again."

 How have you all been surviving. I hear of the terrible economic condition In Zaire. It's so pathetic. " Said Siin as he wiped his tears and stood to his feet like the man of the house that he was.

" Hmm .it's not only in Zaire. It's the whole of Congo. God has not Forsaken us. Our fathers land are still very much our own. We pay labourers to help us farm the lands. Both me and Nadile are primary school teachers in a small school and they pay us some token. Mama still sells groundnut cake but not as much as she used in those days." Things have not been easy. We want to renovate this house but we save most of the money to further our education and to feed. Perhaps now that you are back we can join resources to fix our fathers house. It's a shame how things have fallen apart for us. " Said Zodwa in an emotional tone that showed the sadness in her mind.

" I am very sorry that I have been gone for so long. I must commend the three of you for doing a great job in carrying the legacy of the family. Well done. I will try my best to make sure things are right in my fathers house henceforth. " Said Siin in a sober tone.

" Welcome back home Siin. As it stands , you are now our father, being the last surviving son of chief Sebanyi. We are very glad that you have returned after so many years. May God be praised."said Nadile as she couldn't hide her glee from seeing her brother. She was the youngest child of the family who was about the age of sixteen and seventeen. She held tight to the hands of Siins in fear that he may dissapear again.

" Nadile , leave your brother alone. He is not running away again , are you.?" Said Ummee in a teasing tone.

" Not now my mother. In about five days time I will return to my new home in Asia. Nadile are you not scared of getting a bad luck from me. Have the customs change." Said Siin and bent his head to the ground.

" That is just bullshit. We all hope we knew better earlier. Family bonds would always come before culture. It was the same war or culture that caused our brothers their lives. Only God knows the pain you had gone through growing up in social isolation." Said Zodwa in a sorry tone.

" Forgive us Siin. Ever since you left our lives. Bad things had happened to us. No human brings good luck or bad luck. People only work hard to alter events. I raised you up as a toddler , I never hated you. But I had to obey culture and abandon my duties as soon as you were one year old. Forgive me my son, now I know better." Said Ummee and tried to kneel down but was stopped by Siin.

" Please don't My Mother. I never had any grudges against anyone. It was the culture I blamed for my loneliness. There is nothing to forgive when there was never a crime." Said Siin as he held ummees frail hands in his.

" Let's go inside and have seat Said." As she ushered her family members to their fathers large parlour. The four siblings walked into the palour and Nadile was quick to bring some cooked yam and tomato sauce for Siin. A delicacy which he hadn't eaten since he left Congo.

" Siin. I must really say you look very good. It shows you have been taking good care of yourself. I'm very proud of the man you have grown to be." Said Ummee as Siin ate the food with his bear hands.

" God has been merciful to me my mother. I fled the war and hid in an Arab missionary ship that was headed to the Arabian gulf , it is were I have been all these while." Said Siin and ate more of the content of the bowl.

" I am glad you fled for your life. I fear that you may have suffered the same faith as your siblings if you had stayed in Lukaku." Said Ummee and nodded slowly in reflection of the sad events of her past.

" It's rather unfortunate. I know it hurts me much to loose my brothers, but I can only imagine the pain you feel for loosing a husband and Six sons. May the good Lord console you my mother." Said Siin and doffed his head in respect.

" Thank you my son. So what brings you to Lukaku after so many years. I'm very sure it must be something so important. " Said Ummee in a sober tone.

" Yes that's true my mother. Something of great importance has brought me to Lukaku and there is no better person than you who could set me on the right path to achieve my goal here."

" I see. Are you comfortable talking to me about it , in the presence of your sisters or should they excuse us first." Said Ummee.

" Well. We are all family. But I fear knowing some knowledge may be dangerous for my sisters. It would be better they excuse us. It's alright if they finds out what was discussed later on." Said Siin and sighed deeply.

The two young ladies did not wait for their mothers approval before exiting the room, leaving just Siin and Ummee alone.

" My mother. You know very much about my mother. They said you loved her like your sister even when she shared the love of your life." Said Siin in a sober tone.

" Yes . I know a lot about Fidelia. She was an angel in human form. No one could hate her in as much as they tried.they ended up loving her. When she died, I felt the pain of loosing a blood sister." Said Ummee as her face fell in sadness.

" I always wanted to know about my mother. But no one was willing to to spend as much as a second talking to me. No one cared about how I felt, having to fare life without a mothers love . But that's all in the past. You can perharps tell me a little about my mother." Said Siin and adjusted subconsciously on the chair he sat on.