THE POWER PLAY

ASHLEY'S RETURN

I sucked in the pure air from the fores as the car drove past the rich and vibrant evergreen forest. Iwas sitting at the back right, Mr Muamane at the front. He too seemed to be lost in the beauty of the forest.

We arrived, he took me upto my doorstep, and helped me settle in. He reminded me of the day he first moved in, right after retiring as a General in Zimbabwe's army, I took it to be his 'tourguide' around the towers and nearby destinations. However, he extended it to be all over Kenya! We went from park to park having the best times, I especially enjoyed the stories of his adventures as a soldier, and his lessons of on his language and culture.

He was in the kitchen cooking when I couldn't take it anymore, it was purely inhuman to make an old man my servant! I walked upto him and said I was sorry, I didn't know what else to say. He stopped his cooking to look at me for a while, then gave a warm smile.

"seems you're just what I thought you were," he said before extending a broad smile,"it's okay, however I'll still be checking in on you, you're my tour guide remember, and also, be eating at my place instead of ordering, those unhealthy junk food till you get well." He was a kind man, even after me freeing him, he still remained behind to continue his cooking.

"That's a deal mzee, can't wait to taste your food from Zimbabwe, " I responded giving out the same smile. However I had stayed such a long time before making my own meal, even before my arm broke.

"But for today let me do the cooking from here. I am doing a very special meal from my motherland, which I'm sure you'll like..."

"You do that, but in case you need help, I'll be here with my left arm." We were both vibrant, perfect! Things were getting back to normal.

I got out of the house to meet the white wall, some distance to the left was the elavator, but no, I wouldn't use it today, I remembered Ashley's resentment to use the elavator, she said it made you lazy, so to the stairs I went.

As I climbed the stairs, running my hand across the wooden rail I started thinking of what I would tell Mama Ashley, how would I start? Should I even speak? I had never been much of a social guy. I remembered one advice my mother gave me when I told her of my introvert nature, conversations are not mere words but a connection between two companions, people who vibe, who understand each other like the way I was with Ashley. I stopped worrying of what I would say, I figured the vibe would bring the words.

I was now standing at her door, having second thoughts of being there. I rang her bell she opened, upon seeing me she put on a smile, but this could not conceal her misery, it was written all over her. I opened my arms, beaconing her to hug me, she accepted, holding on to me tightly. I wished there was some I could take away her pain, make her forget all this. Suddenly, a third pair of arms wrapped around us, it was Mr Mzamane, he had also come to check on her. Once we broke the embrace, I looked at her, as if wanting to determine if my hugging had somehow relieve her, she looked better than I found her, that was very good.

"Mwari vamubatsire," he said, "Mwari vamubatsire kuti munyore."

"mhm," I added, showing I wished the same for her.

"Wadii kudya manheru ano, zvinogara zvichizorodza kudya nevadiwa vako," he added. I saw Mama Ashley nodding in acceptance, I was left confused. Did she understand that? So she knew Shona? No way! No wonder they always got along so well with Mr Mzamane. They went to continue cooking together, I was locked out," casts sholu remain clean," was their excuse. Anyway, it only meant less work for me so no problem.

After some time, they opened the kitchen doors. A mildly sweet, mildly earthy aroma filled the air, it must have been sadza, I had it a couple of times at Mr Mzamane's when he called me over.

"presenting, sadza, beef stew wirh some salad," Mama Ashley said as she got out the kitchen carrying the large bowl full of sadza. She placed it on the dining table which was immediately outside the kitchen as I watched her, spitted on one of the Grey coaches in the living room. I headed to the dining table, the sweet aroma had taken me captive. Before I settled down to eat I washed my hand on the shiny Grey metallic kitchen sink. My 'chefs' removed their attires before joining me at the table. It was a fun feast. I had not seen Mama Ashley that vibrant since the kidnap. I looked at her laugh her teeth out, she reminded me of Ashley, though the two had no physical resemblance. Ashley had a chocolate complexion, while she had a lighter complexion, like that of tea. Her eyes were shiny with short eyelashes, Ashley's were brown, sparkly with long eyelashes, and while she had well arranged teeth, Ashley had a gap between her two front incisors,this gap added to her angelic beauty, not to mention her sweet voice that could charm anyone she wished, what a magnificent creation, I thought.

"I will never forget that day," Mr Mzamane said, "I was addressing the president some few days after my appointment as General. I tried to look as serious as possible.