PALMER

1
 PALMER

Copyright © 2018 Dr PN
All rights reserved. Sharing and lending of this book by any
means is strictly prohibited. Sharing will result in
imprisonment if caught.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or

transmitted, in any form, or by any means, without the prior
written permission of the author and/or publisher. Cell: +263
772264063

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Where do I begin? The last two years have been a total
whirlwind. It's honestly hard to believe it's been two full years
since I became a published author. Since that was the one
thing I wanted to be since I was at school, I never thought I
would be able to achieve that at 24. But I owe it all to all of
you. Many of you don't know this but if it wasn't for all of the
continued support, I probably wouldn't have followed
through with actually publishing my book. Putting my writing
out there was scary... it still is. Two years ago I took a gamble
and posted on Facebook how I was near completion of my
very first book [NHERERA NDIMAMBO I would want to
publish. Only a few reacted to the post and I thought to
myself, "who is even going to read this thing?" I questioned
my writing and the idea of publishing it for a while. Then as I
dove deeper into my novel, I decided to I would publish the
first chapter unedited on FACEBOOK to see what would
happen. I don't know what I was expecting - well, I do, I was
expecting people to not even read it. So when so many
people reached out saying they wanted to read more, I was in

2
 PALMER

a state of disbelief. I just want to thank you all for reading my

novels. Thank you to those who read my first chapter and
asked for more. You gave me the courage and the belief that I
could really do this. Thank you to those who continued to
encourage me throughout the entire publishing processThank
you to those who purchased my book via Ecocash,
Worldremit e.t.c and helped diminish my fear that I wouldn't
sell any. Thank you to those who recommend it to their
friends and continue to spread the word. Thank you to
everyone who showed up for my very first book signing to
show your support. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed
my book - there is no greater gift to an author. Thank you to
everyone who has taken time out of their day to read it. Pearl
Press Media Consultants management and staff, you are one
in a million. Thank you very for doing a wonderful job. I do
appreciate you for a job well done. You are second to none.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me honest and kind
words - it means more than you know. And, the most
important thank you...THANK YOU to my parents, my
brothers, sisters, family, friends, co-workers, and every single
one of you who have supported me from day one. You've
inspired me to continue to go after my dreams. You've
brightened dark days. You helped me to believe that I can do
anything I set my mind to and you've helped me achieve what
I once thought was impossible. For that and for all of you - I
will be forever grateful. Dr P.N

CHITSAUKO 1
Handina kunge ndazviona kuti ndiye,nguva yese
yandainzwa bhero remota richirira ndaingotiwo hameno kuti
ndianiwo ari kuridzirwa, ko mota ungadzipedza here.

3
 PALMER

Ndakaramba zvangu ndichitoridza muridzo wangu ndichienda

kunodzora mombe dzangu dzaive dzakuda kuyambuka
mugwagwa kuenda kuminda yekwaZvigwidi.
Panguva iyi hwangu hupenyu hwaive dambudzo, gangaidza
mukwenyi mhezi yekumusana. Kubvira zvandaive ndapedza
zvidzidzo zvangu zve'A' level handina kumboita zviya zvinoita
vamwe zvekuti vanozoenda kumaguta kunotsvagawo mabasa.
Makore mashanu aive apfuura ndichingovamo muruzevha. Ko
ndaigoenda Harare kwaive nani wangu? Kumba kwaani
kwandainosvika ndichiti gogogoi? Ndakaramba ndichingova
zvangu kuruzevha ndichibetsera mai vangu kurima nekufudza
mombe. Ndaive ndave umwe wevaya vanodeedzwa kuti
mabhuza kana tiri kumusha. Zvainyadzisa kunzi uri mubhuza.
Vabereki chaivo kana vadzidzisi waitonzwa vachikomekedza
vanasikana kuti,
"Eh zvamurimi mugoita basa rekunyengwa nemabhuza.”
Paitaurwa izvi ndini umwe wevairerwa. Ini ndingatoti ndini
ndaive ndave zibhuza nekuti vazhinji vandaive ndapedzerana
navo chikoro vaive vapererawo kupinda mumativi mana
enyika vachinoshavira mhuri dzavo. Vazhinji vandaitotiwo
ndomabhuzawo seni vese vaive vave vadiki kwandiri. Munhu
anonzi bhuza munhu anopedza chikoro sevamwe, kazhinji
kana munhu anyora 'O' kana 'A' level yake kunyanya kuzvikoro
zvekumusha anotarisirwa kuti potsi, aenderere mberi
nechikoro achiendawo kunana MSU kana kumaCollege
akasiyana-siyana kana kuti oendawo kudhorobha kunoshava
ndiyo piri. Asi pazvinhu izvi kana watadza kuita chimwe chete
chazvo manje, ukaramba uri kumusha ndiwe unenge wava
bhuza. Ini Joel Zanda ndini ndaive rimwe remabhuza. Zita
rangu rekuti Joel raive rakanaka chaizvo dai vanhu vairidanawo
zvakanaka kuti Joel asi manje izvi zvinoitirwa vanhu vane

4
 PALMER

hupenyu huri nani, zvino ini nekuda kwenhamo ndaive ndave

kunzi Jowero.

Ndakafamba zvangu ndichinodzora mombe dzangu

ndakaisa rekeni dzangu muhuro, asi mota iya yakaramba
yakamira ichingoridza bhero zvakazoita kuti ndicheuke.
Ndakaona munhu aive mumota muya achindininira ruoko kuti
ndiende kwaaive. Yaive isiri mota yemhanga mhanga kwete,
yaive mota svinu rino zimutumba reNavara dema dema.
"Hey Mukuwe, mhanya shamwari upedzise kudzora
mombe idzo ndiri kuuya,’’ ndakadaro ndichida kuti Mukuwe
mumwe mukomana wandaive naye padzoro remombe
apedzise kudzora mombe ini ndave kutendeuka kudzokera
kwaive nezimota riya. Kwatiri zvaitoshamisira kudaidzwa
nemunhu ane mota. Ndakamhanya zvekuti pandaimhanya
rimwe nyatera rangu rekuruboshwe rakasvedza kubva
mugumbo asi handina kumira ndakangoti ndaizoriona gare
gare asi ndambosvika kumota uku. Zviya zvekuti zvidhongi
kana masoso anobaya isu tsoka dzedu dzaive dzajaira, vamwe
taive takutoti tikabaiwa taisambokotama kubvisa aiwa,
taingokwizira tsoka pasi soso rotobva rwendo rwuchienderera
mberi. Nhamo ndaiiziva ini ndiyo yaive pandiri.
Ndakasvika pamota paya ndakamboti zvimwe ndiri kurota.
Ndakakwiza maziso angu kuti ndinyatsoona kuti ndaiona
chaizvo chaizvo here kana kuti ndairota.
"Its me Joel,ukushamisikei ndini,” akadaro Nathan achidzika
mumota make achiuya kuzosangana neni. Haaaa vanhu
vanochinja vakomana, ndakazvibvunza kuti ndiye here Nathan
muzukuru wepaZvigwidi wandaidzidza naye kubva Form 1
kusvika tazonyora tese. Ganda rake chete akamira apo raitaura
mari, hembe dzake dzichitaura mari, nharembozha yaaive
akabata yaitaura mari, bhutsu yaive mugumbo umu yaitaura

5
 PALMER

mari, chiringazuva chaive muruoko rwake rweruboshwe

chaitaura mari, mota zvayo yaaive akafuratira ndingazotaurisa,
regai ndingoti zvese zvaive pana Nathan yaive mari.
Akamhanya akauya akandimbundikira, ndakamboda
kumudzivisa, ndainyara zvangu kumuzadza zvindakwenya
nairo ziya randainhuwa. Zvokonzerwa nenhamo ikawandisa,
nhamo chaiyo kana yakakurova zviya izvi kana kugeza haugezi.
"Nathan,Nathan!,Is this you Nathan?" ndakamubvunza
ndakamutarisa ndichibva ndazvitarisawo, ndakaona mutsoka
dzake mune bhutsu dzakanaka dzemhando yepamusoro,
ndakatarisa mutsoka dzangu ndikaona ndine makumbo
akazara shena nezvingaka, rimwe gumbo rine nyatera rimwe
richiseva pasi, ndoriya raive nenyatera raive radonha
pandaimhanya. Ndakaona musiyano waityisa pauviri rwedu,
kwaive kusiyana kweupenyu nemikana.
"Ko chii,Joel?Uri kuitei kuno nezera rako iri Joel?" akadaro
Nathan achitaura akabata muchiuno neruoko rwake rwerudyi
achiratidza kupererwa.
"Zvakaoma sahwira, kusiyana kwemikana, tiriko zvedu
kuno tingaendepi?" ndakadaro ndichinhonga nhonga tsine
dzaive dzazara pahovhorosi yangu nekuti pandaimhanya
ndaive ndangopfumvudzira nemutsine.
"You can't be serious Joel,you are a man. Mikana yei yauri
kutaura ipapa. A man is not a failure because he never
succeeded but when he never tries",akataura achiratidza
kushushikana chaizvo nezvandaive. Mumoyo mangu
ndakangoti zvino kana achiti, "A man is not a failure because
he never succeeded but when he never tries," saka zvaireva
here kuti ndaive ndisina kukundikana. Inga ndaive
ndamboedzawo wani paive panzi kwaita ngoda
kwaChiadzwa, ndakaendawo wani nevamwe ndichiedza asi
ndakadzokako ndakangorembedza maoko tadzinganiswa

6
 PALMER

nembwa dzemapurisa. Shungu ndaivewo nadzo semurume

asi zvairamba kusvika ndakangozozvigamichira kuti ndihwo
hwaive hwave hupenyu rwangu. Ko Nathan airevei?
"Shamwari zvakaoma, hakusi kuda wena asi
ndinomboedzawo wena asi zvinoramba," ndakataura ziso
rangu richingova pamota yake ndichidongorera nekuti aive
asiya door rakashama. Ndaitomuonerawo ipapo mukati
meNavara ko ndaimuzivirepiwo zvangu ini Jowero.
"Heyy I think we have a lot to discuss,I was looking for you
all along but I failed to get your number. Ndakamboedza
kukutsvaga paFacebook but ndakatadza kukubata wena," ah
ini zvangu shuwa Nathan ainditsvaga paFacebook ndaipaziva
here iyo nharembozha zvayo yekungoti hallo ndaive nayo
here? Ndaiiwanepiwo zvangu ini fudzamombe raizivikanwa
neraini rose.
"Zvakaoma Nathan,chitenda Mwari kuti wandiona chete
iwe zvema facebook izvo iwe chisiyana nazvo," ndakadaro ziso
richingova mumota, panguva iyi ndaive ndachinyatsoswedera
pedyo nayo zvino ndakunakirwa nekambo kaive kakurumbira
mazuva iwayo kekuti Eriza, isu taingoita kekunzwira
kumagirosa uko kwataizowanzoenda kana tavharira mombe
mudanga. Panguva iyi ndaive ndakunyatsoita kekunzwira
mujinga, ndohwaive hupenyu ka uhwu hwandaishuvirawo
hwairaramwa naNathan.
"Anyway chinzwa Joel, ndiwe munhu wandafambira kuno,
of course handingazoregi kusvikawo pamba apo kunoona vana
mbuya asi ndafambirana iwe kuno, chindiperekedza ndisvike
ndibve ndaona vana mbuya tozotaura zvizhinji
ndambovakwazisa. Hazvizonaki kuti vagonzwa kuti ndauya ini
ndisina kusvika pamba," akadaro Nathan akupinda mumota.
"Shamwari ini pano apa ndine mombe dzedzoro,
ndikazodzisiya manje dzikazodya kumunda kwaPenga uko

7
 PALMER

ndarira, uyu mufana wandinaye kuti ndimusiye anadzo ega

dzakawandisa haadzigoni zvese nembudzi, anodyisa. Zvotoita
iwe chisvika uone vana mbuya manje manje zuva rotovira iri
totodzivharira then tozokurukura manheru takanyatsogara
pasi," ndakadaro ndichiisa rekeni dzangu muhomwe
yekumashure yehovhorosi.
"Okay Joel, chirega ndisvike. Gara zviya unonweiko zviya?"
Nathan akadaro achivhura cooler box yaive pamashure yaive
nezvinwiwa zvakasiyana siyana. Zvimwe zvacho kwaitove
kuzvionawo kwekutanga.
"Haaaa isu tombosarudza here? Tongomwa chero,"
ndakangodaro ko ndaigoti kudii.Taive tangojairaka iwo
masupa iwayo.
"Okay take this", akadaro Nathan achinditambidza maCane
maviri.
"Sana kuvarairwa ndiri kudzoka toita zvandafambira, rega
ndione vana muchembere. Then mangwana tsvaga munhu
anoswera achikufudzira mombe then I will pay him, iwe neni
ndoda kuti timbotaura. I have a lot to discuss with you,"
akadaro akumutsa mota yake. Ini pfungwa dzangu dzaive
dzakungoda kuti dai ndachivhura chinwiwa ichi ndachinzwa.
"Iri bhoo Nathan iwe wona vana muchembere ini ndiri
pano, kana ndavharira mombe ndosvika paden," ndakadaro
ndatovhura rimwe racho ndakutonwa. Ndairizivirepi kana zita
racho handina kuverenga. Akabva asimuka akuenda.Pamba
pedu nepana mbuya vake paive padhuze nepedu zvekuti
waitoti ukadaidzira uri pamba munhu ari pambuya vake
aitozvinzwa.
"Haaaa apa ndopazoita zambuko rangu apa," ndakataura
zvangu ndega ndakufamba kuenda kuna Mukuwe,
ndakambofunga kuti ndidududzire macane ose ari maviri
ndisati ndasvika kuna Mukuwe nekuti doro racho rainyanya

8
 PALMER

kunaka asi ndakangozoti regai mufana wangu anzwewo

chirungu.
"Ko ndevapiko varungu avo Jowero, makumira nemhene
ka?" akadaro Mukuwe achimwerera mushure mekunge
ndamutambidza rimwe cane kuti azvinzwirewo.
"Ishamwari yangu iyo," ndakamupindura ndiri pakati
pekuzipirwa nechidoro chechirungu chandainwa ichi.
"Haaa makazoita shamwari dzakadaro riini vana Jowero?
Chingoti maboss kwete shamwari," ichokwadi chaitaurwa
naMukuwe nekutiwo zvaisareva chinhu kuti ndigomira apa,
Nathan omirawo apa ndigoudza vanhu kuti tiri shamwari
neshamwari, zvaisaenderana.
Zuva rakanonoka kuvira musi iwoyo,
ndakatongozodzivharira mombe dzacho risati ranyatsovira.
Handina kumbopedza nguva ndakabva ndangovharira mombe
nekunanga kwambuya vaNathan kunoona mutumwa aive
atumwa naMwari uyu. Ndakasangana naye akutouyawo
kumba. Ndaive ndanonokerwa nenhau yaaive afambira kubva
Harare.
CHITSAUKO 2
Zviya zvakanzi nevakuru anoda jira ndiye anokweva
vaisareva nhema, iniwo nekuti ndini ndaive ndine
zvandaidawo kuna Nathan ndizvo zvakaita kuti
ndisambomirira kuti iye ndiye aizouya kumba,
pandakanosangana naye ndaive ndatogezawo makumbo angu
kubvisa shena nemadhaka ekumombe kunyange zvangu
manyatera angu ndaingova nawo mugumbo, ko ndaigopfekei
pari ipo pose pandaiva napo, ndaitoti kana ndapfeka nyatera
rangu iroro ndaitoziva kuti zvangu zvaringana, mumwoyo

9
 PALMER

mangu ndaingozvisimbisa ndichiti murombo munhu haavigwi

asina kufa.
"Kkkkk wanga wakutouya Joel? Ini ndanga ndakutouyako
zvangu," akadaro Nathan achiburitsa musoro nepawindow
remota yake.
"Haaaa ndatoti zvangu zvandavharira mombe ndikati
chirega ndichinoona mukomana," ndakadaro ndichikwenya
kwenya musoro.
"Ah wanga watogona, okay chitenderera uuye upinde
nekuseri uku tibve tangodzokera tese ndibve ndangokwazisa
muchembere wako apo hazvizonaki kuti vangonzwa kuti
ndauya ndisina kuvaonawo," handina kumirira kuti apedze
kutaura ndaive ndatotenderera kare ndakutorwisana
nekuvhura mota kuti ndipindewo muNavara kekutanga
muhupenyu hwangu. Ndakaedza ndikaona kuti raive
rakakiyiwa, iye hameno chaakazobaya ari mukati imomo
ndikanzwa kuti shwaa mota ichibva yavhurika.
Hama dzangu ndichipinda muNavara, kutaurirwa
hunyimwa sembare dzekumusana. Ndaive ndisati ndamboona
zvakadaro, munhu wandakatanga kufunga apa ihama yangu
Mukuwe ndikati dai anga aripowo azvinzwira. Ndakanogara
pamufetefete weseat remberi. Kamunhuwiriro kaivamo chete
waingonzwa wega kuti masamba asiyana, nhamo yandaive
ndave nayo apa ndeyekufunga kuti zvino handizovhiringidzi
mweya wakanaka uyu here newangu weziya randaive
ndaswera ndichibuda pandaimhanyisana nana Manzuma
kumafuro.
Nguva yaive yarebawo ndisati ndambokwira mota, kana
ndisingaresvi anenge anga akwana makore mana ndisina
kumbokwira chinonzi mota. Ndaiikwira ndichiendepi?
Ndakange ndatopedzisira kukwira chirori chemumwe
muzvinabhizimisi aive nechitoro chake pedyo nepachikoro

10
 PALMER

pedu tichienda kubhora kuTongogara ndichiri kuchikoro.

Ndakazonyatsonzwa kusiyana kwerori neNavara pakazotanga
kufambiswa mota naNathan takuenda kumba. Waive
mufetefete wega, zvaive zvasiyana mota nengoro dzataive
tajaira kusunga tichienda kunotambira chikafu cheChristian
Care kwaJaravaza. Ndakangoti nechomumoyo zvake Nathan
anorarama hupenyu hwakadai, neniwo ndiyo yaiva shuviro
yangu.
Akanosvika pamba akamisa mota pachivanze pedu chaipo,
ndine chokwadi chekuti ndiyo yaivewo mota yekutanga
kutsika chivanze chedu. Waitoti ukaona paita mavhiri adhinda
anenge achitova engoro, mota yaibva kupi? Iri yaani?
Patakasvika ini handina kumhanyira kuburuka kwete,
ndakanyatsomira kuti mai vatange vabuda panze ndozoburuka
muNavara vachinyatsondiona. Uyu Nathan akangosvika
achibva aburuka, ini ndakasara ndichiri kunakidzwa nekambo
kairira mumota imomo kekuti, "Tinoti Ebenezer, nesuwo tiri
munyasha," ndakangoti aiwa idzi dzana Nathan ndidzo
dzinonzi nyasha, ndivoka vairarama munyasha isu taigoti tiri
munyasha dzipi tichirumwa nezvishambwe nemadari tiri
kumafuro?
"Ah ah titambireka Nathan mwanangu, izvo ndangonzwa
Jowero achiti Nathan auya, Nathan auya ndikati zvimwe
anotamba ini," mai vakadaro vachisiya tswanda yavo pasi yaive
ine nyimo dzavaive vabva kunoumbura kumunda. Pakuzoti
Jowero apa ndakangoti mai futi vakundinyadzisa pahama
dzechikudo, kutadza kungotiwo Joel.
Mai vakabva vatora chituro chaive panze vachibva vapa
Nathan achibva anogara muberevere reimba ivo vachibva
vagara pachidhava chavo chedehwe rembudzi chavakatora
mumba.

11
 PALMER

"Muchitambireiko muchembere tangoti timbodongoreraka

kwatakarerwa kuno tichizoona madzisahwira edu vana Joel,"
Nathan akapindura.
Panguva iyi ndipo pandakazokakanyara ndakubuda
muNavara, kamufambiro kacho waitoti zvimwe Navara yacho
ndeyangu zvipfeko chete ndizvo zvaizongotaura kuti uuuum.
"Hezvo heya muri mese naJowero? Ndashaya kuti munhu
angovharira mombe akangoti nzvee waindepi ini," mai
vakadaro.
"Haaaa tiri boys mhamha, tinenge tatoita maconnections
edu kudhara kkkkk," Nathan akataura achibva aseka.
"Haaa ndazviona mwanangu, zvino nhamo yeruzevha ndiyo
yadhambisa umwe wako uyu, kubva zvamapedza chikoro
mese zviya basa ringamuka?" mai vakadaro vachigadzirisa
dhuku yavo mumusoro.
"Haaaaa zvinopera mhamha, kuuya kudai ndiye
wandafambira kuti tione kuti tingabatsirana sei nemumwe
wangu uyu," akadaro.
"Yuwi ndiye wawavinga, wandibvira nepiko mwana
waEustina?" mai vakabva vasimuka vakatanga kuimba
vachidzana.
"Makanaka mwari wemasimba,
Makana-aaka
Makanaka Mwari wemasimba
Makana-aaka."
Mai vakagiya pasi vachiimba kambo aka. Ini nguva yese
iyoyo ziso raingove paNavara. Ndichingoti nechomumoyo dai
iri yangu yakamira kudai pachivanze pamai Joel vakomanaka.
"Chiregai kudzana mhamha, ko ndihwo hushamwari
hwachoka," Nathan akazodaro zvake asi ini mwoyo wangu
waive wakufara, umwe mwoyo waive mucooler box muya

12
 PALMER

ndichingoti dai mukomana ambondipamha futi nezvinwiwa

zvake zviya zvinoomesa gotsi.
"Iii chokwadi waita hako mwanangu Mwari akuwedzere
makomborero," mai vakadaro vachibva vagara pasi.
"Amen mhamha, I receive. Izvezvi ndotoda kuti
pandodzokera mangwana handichatomusiyi," pakataurwa
mashoko aya naNathan ndakaita sendichaputika nemufaro, ini
here Jowero bhuza raizivikanwa kuendawo Harare.
"Zvino mangwana anga achine dzoro remombe anotopedza
Svondo, asi zvisinei ini ndochitosara ndichipedzisa hupenyu
hwake ndihwo hwakakosha," mai vakapindura chiso chavo
chakazara mufaro.
"Iwe Joel vanhu vanofudza mombe pazuva imarii?" Nathan
akadaro akanditarisa.
"Ah Nathan shamwari ungatobvunza ini kuti vanoita marii
here? Iti munoita marii nekuti tisu vanhu vacho, towanzoti
zvedu pondo pazuva," ndakamupindura ndichinyemwerera.
"Okay mirai tione," Nathan akataura achibva asimuka
akudzokera kumota achibva adzoka munguva pfupi.
"Oh mari iyi mhamha, mozobhadhara munhu achapedzisa
dzoro raNathan yasara mozoendesa kuchigayo, then kana
dzoro rasvika futi ndinotumira imwe," Nathan akadaro
achitambidza mai $200.00,hana yangu yakarova mari
yakadaro ini pachangu ndaive ndisati ndamboibata muchanza
changu chizvarirwe. Mai vakadzana pasi pakaita
sepachatsemuka kufarira mari, ndine chokwadi kuti kana naivo
vaive vasati vamboibata futi, mari yataive tatobata pamba
yakakura i$60 yaive yadaidzirwa Shorai hanzvadzi yangu
yainditevera vakwasha vacho hatina kuzombovaona kudzoka
kwavo kubva ipapo, makore maviri aive atokwana.

13
 PALMER

"Kkkkk mhamha chisarai, isu chiregai timbosvika

pamashops naSahwira wangu uyu tichikurukura zvedu
dzeupenyu, tikambonotandara tozodzoka zvedu torara,"
Nathan akataura akusimuka.
"Ko chimiraizve ndikukangirei nzungu mutsengere
muchifamba," mai vakazotaura izvi ini ndaive ndatove kumota
zvenzungu dzaive dzimwe nyaya, Navara yaive yandinakidza
ini, ndaive ndongoti dai rwendo rwacho rweHarare
rwachisvika ndanyatsoigara pakuru.
"Todzoka tichidya mhamha, nhasi ndiri pano," Nathan
akapindura achibva atevera kumota.

Takasimuka kubva pamba tonanga paChatikobo

pamagirosa. Musi uyu ndaida kuti munhu wese azvione kuti
ndasvika ndiri mumota zvekare ndaive nemhene. Takasvika
tikaburuka ini ndikabva ndatanga kutenderera mota yese kuti
ndione kuti madoor anyatsovhara here, kwaive kuzviitira kuti
ndioneiwo. Mukuwe ndiye wandainyanyoda kuvhairira
zvekare mumwe musikana aitengesa mushop maMukozho
aisimbondivhairira pandaimunyenga achindiramba. Zvino
musi uyu ndaida kuti anyatsondiguta seri neseri. Handina kuda
kumirira kuti Nathan achindipa zvinwiwa zvake zviya,
ndakangozovhura ndega cooler box kwakutora cane rangu
kwakutanga kufamba famba ndichizvimwira. Vanhu vese
vaivepo vaingonditarisa kunyanya gen'a rangu rekumombe,
vamwe vaiva voda kuswedera swedera padhuze kunyanya
Mukuwe ndaiziva kuti sahwira wangu ndibaba Tencen Part 2,
panodyiwa ndipo paaida kuwanikwa. Takazotsvaga pedu tega
naNathan patakagara takukurukura iye Nathan achibaya baya
zvake laptop yake, ndaiiziva here panguva yacho,
paakatoibudisa pekutanga ndaitoti pamwe zibhuku ini.

14
 PALMER

"Joel Joel, saka zviri seiko umwe wangu?" Nathan akabva

atanga kutaura.
"Uuuum zvakaoma umwe wangu, hupenyu hwuri kurwadza
kunge chironda chepabvi chaicho, nhamo umwe wangu ndiri
kunhonga svosve nemuromo nhamo chaiyo yandidhinda seri
neseri paruzevha," ndakadaro ndichibva ndambonwira, musi
iwoyo ndaive ndazviwanirapo.
"Now zvapera umwe wangu, anyway if I tell you to ask
something from me now what will you ask for?" Nathan
akataura, handina kumbononoka kupindura.
"My friend I am suffering,I am in
poverty,hardship.Money,money my friend.I want money.I
mean chuckles," ndakadaro ndichikwizanisa maoko angu
kunge munhu ari kuverenga mari.
"You are right,I will give you.But when someone asks a fish
from you,it's good to give that person a fish but teach that
person how to fish,so I will give you money but I will teach you
how to make money.It's simple,but I want someone with a
heart," Nathan akataura.
"My friend I said I want money and my heart is strong
already.I am ready now.Teach me right away," ndakadaro
ndichirashira ruoko rwangu rwerudyi ndichibva ndambonwira.
"Okay it's fine.We will go to Harare together tomorrow but
tichapfuura nekuMasvingo pane munhu wandoda kuona ikoko
then tozoenda kuHarare. $100 iyi enda unotenga zvaungamwa
wotsvaga nyama yekugocha kana wadawo kutengera maface
akowo zvakangonaka," Nathan akadaro achinditambidza $100
ndoyataiti waya sevakomana. Ndiko kaive kekutanga
kuibatawo mumaoko mangu. Ndakanyanya kufarira pakanzi
tichapfuura neMasvingo tozoti Harare, ndirimo muNavara ini
zvangu Jowero ndakadya bapiro.

15
 PALMER

Ndichibva pana Nathan ndakatanga kufunga Angeline

musikana uya wekutengesa mushop then ndaida kuzodanawo
sahwira wangu Mukuwe uyo aingomira mira ari mudhuze.
Handina kupedza nguva, ndakasimudza cane rangu
ndakunanga kunotenga, mari ndaifamba ndakarembedza kuti
munhu wese aone. Vaindiona chete, uku ndiko kwainzi
kusimudzwa kubva muguruva. Zvinhu zvinochinja munguva
pfupi, zvandaive ndamuka musi iwoyo ndichizvivhurira mombe
dzangu aiziva kuti ndichaswera ndava newaya muchanza
ndiani?
CHITSAUKO 3
Nguva yese yataive takagara naNathan ndaingoona rimwe
gen'a richingomira mira kuti zvimwe tingadanwa, vanhu
kumaruzevha uko havadi kuona mota, kusanganisira neniwo
ndaingova mumupanda iwoyo, nguva dzandakasimuka
ndakunotenga ndakaona tukomana hobho hobho
twaunganira mota, umwe wacho aiva Mukuwe vaimirira mira
vachibata bata.
"Hey hey ibvai ipapapo muchauraya kana kupwanya
magirazi ayo vakomana. Imota iyi zvasiyana nengoro,"
ndakadaro ndichitendeka neruoko rwaive rwakabata mari.
Ndakaona vakomana vachibudisa maziso kunge nyimo,
havaitadza kubudisa nekuti kuruzevha kubata waya muchanza
zvaiva zviroto. Ndakaona vakusuduruka suduruka umwe
umwe.
"Mukuwe huya tinzwe," ndakadaro ndichitaura naMukuwe
uyo akabva anyemwerera achiuya ndofunga nechomumoyo
aingotiwo zvangu zvaita.
"Haa nhasi Jowero zvako zvakadzora wena hausi kubatika,"
Mukuwe akadaro paakasvika pandaive ndiri.

16
 PALMER

"Eh ko nhasi ndine murunguka, chinzwa zvandakudanira.

Ndoda kutokutipa," ndakadaro ndichitaura nekazevezeve.
"Kunditipa?" Mukuwe akapindura neinzwi raive pamusoro.
"Shhhhhh taurira pasi, tinonzwikwa nana Jotamu avo,
ndoda kutokutipa gepi remari uri kunzwa here?" ndakadaro
ndichimudhonza ndichiswedera naye kusina vanhu
ndichicheuka cheuka kuti hapana aiuya here.
"Eheka pane mari ndipo pedu nditaurire shamwari,"
akadaro akutaurirawo pasi mushure mekunge anzwa kuti mari.
"Inzwaka paden pangu patomuka graft, saka iwewe ndiwe
wandoda kuti upinde. Ndanga ndisati ndakuudza, mangwana
ini ndakuenda kuchirungu...," ndakadaro asi handina
kuzopedza ndadimurirwa pakati naMukuwe.
"Wakubaya tonasi?" Mukuwe akabvunza achivhunduka.
"Mira usamhanya, iwe zvowoita manje womhanya kuna
muchembere wangu wototi ndiri kutsvaga chii? Graft
rekufudza mombe, bag ritoripo izvozvi don't worry. Usaudze
munhu ukapusa unotangirwa nana Jotamu avo," ndakadaro.
"Iiii waita hako Jowero shamwari chirega nditomhanya
ndivaone," Mukuwe akadaro.
"Usamhanya unomukira chero kuseni, nhasi ndiri mhene
unonwei ndimbokutsvagira one," ndakadaro ndichimuratidza
mari iya.
"Jowero shamwari usaita kunge usingazive hwahwa
hwandinonwa iwe hauzive kuti ndiri wesupa?" Mukuwe
akapindura.
"Right huya kuno uku," ndakadaro ndakufamba kupinda
mushop, haaimbotadzawo kuti supa, ko aigoti Pilsner kana
Zambezi airizivirepi? Ndakasvika pana Angeline uyo aitengesa
ndakangobata mari iya muruoko.

17
 PALMER

"How are you Angie?",ndakadaro ndakazembera

pacounter.
"Uuuum vana Jowero mutibvire kumhepo, makutaura
chirungu nhasi nekuti mabatawo doro rechirungu iro
ramatopiwawo moda kutotishamisirira," akadaro Angeline
achiratidza kusava nehanya neni. Ndakazorangarira kuti hongu
mari ndaive ndakabata hangu asi mugumbo maive muchiri
nenyatera saka ndaingove ini zvangu Jowero wemazuva ose.
Ndakati ndichamubata zvangu ndakuzobva paHarare apa
sezvo Nathan aive andivimbisa kundipinza mumari.
"Ndipewoka six pack yemasupa apa, then wondipa 20
Madison ne20 Everest," ndakadaro ndichimutambidza $100
iya achibva andipa zvandaive ndataura achindidzorera change.
"Ndipewo nemakoti maviri Black label neCastle ipapo,"
ndakadaro achibva anditambidza zvese.
"Oh chimbomwawo hwechirungu uhwu mumbogeza huro
vana Mukuwe, Madison iyi wosvutawo wombosiyana
nechimonera," ndakadaro ndichimutambidza fodya iya nedoro
rake.
"Waita hako wena Jowero, nhasi ikisimisi chaiyo
tombomwawo hwechirungu," akataura izvi achiombera.
"Yaa iwe inwa hwechirungu then masupa awa ipawo vana
Jotamu avo vari kungomira mira, but mupfana iyeyu
ndandisingadi kumutengera. Akamboramba kundiendera
nemombe dzangu kudhibha musi wandaiva ndabaiwa
nemupangara mombe dzikatozoenda namuchembere,"
ndakataura ndichiudza Mukuwe. Zvechokwadi Jotamu
ndaisada kumupa haangarambi kundiendera nemombe
dzangu padhibha paSote asi iye ainyatozviziva kuti ndaive
ndabaiwa.

18
 PALMER

Handina kuzoda kunyanya kutenga zvakawanda nekuti

ndaida kusarawo nechange yekuzotyorera muhomwe.
Ndakabva ndafamba ndakudzokera paive pakagara Nathan
uyo aingova mushishi kubaya baya laptop yake.
"Wadzoka, zvaita here?" akabva abvunza paakasimudza
musoro achiona ndichisvika.
"Yaa zvaita, saka iwe wati unonwawo chii?" ndakabva
ndabvunza.
"No ini I am fine, inwai zvenyu kana mari ikapera just tell
me," akadaro Nathan. Takanwa hwahwa manheru emusi uyu
zvandisingafi ndakakanganwa.
"Right Joel shamwari ini ndakuda kuzorora remember
mangwana tine rwendo zvekare unofanira kugadzirira tadii
tachienda. Ini handifungi kuti ndonorara kwagogasi vangu ini
ndotongorara zvangu newe paden pako tichivarairwa,"
pakataurwa mashoko aya naNathan hana yangu yakati tibvu
kurova. Ndainomuradzika pai imo mukatumba kangu
mandaivata pasi. Dai maiva nefloor zvaiva nani zvino maiva
makaita zvekudzurwa nendove. Ko kana dai kwaizonaya
ndaimupinza pai iyo imba yacho yaibvinza. Zvaiita sezvaishura
ndakatarisa mudenga ndikaona makore akuumbana umbana
kugadzirira mvura. Kudhakwa kwese kwakapera ndakufunga
manje kuti ndoita sei naNathan.
"Handei tinozorora Joel, hwahwa uchanwa ukahuramba
uhwu," Nathan akadaro asi ini ndakanyatsofunga kuti paaiti
kuzorora aida kunozororera pai chaizvo mumba musina
machira. Jira rangu randaitoti ndiro svinu raiva riya rekurukwa
nemaniti kana kiroshi. Takafamba takuenda kumota. This time
mota iya pakuenda kumba haina kumbonakidza ndakufunga
kuti ndozvibatanidza sei? Ndakabva ndafunga zano.

19
 PALMER

Tichisvika kumba takawana mai vapedza kubika nzungu

dziya dzavaive vakanga dzaingovemo.
Vakatipakurira sadza nemuboora tikatanga kudya.
"Apa mhamha ndipo pamazondigonera, mabva mandipa
traditional food chaiyo ndaufarira muriwo uyu," Nathan
akadaro ndikaseka zvangu nechomumoyo kuti unonzi
traditional food kana uchidyiwa apo neapo dai aiurova
marovero ataiuita isu everyday kubva mwedzi uchitanga
kusvika upere aisataura izvozvo, isu taitoti kana wauzorora
unenge watodya mubvunzandadya kana munyovhi. Paripo
pandaitozoona kuti zvanyanya ndombotora badza ndoenda
kumhiri kwerwizi Vazizi kunochera makurwe kuti ndizororewo
muriwo ndichinyausa mukanwa.
"Ah idya zvako mwanangu ndozvedu zvekumusha izvi," mai
vakadaro.
Pandakatarisa mundiro maNathan ndakaona muchine
sadza ini ndatopedza kare ndikaona kuti vasahwira vangu
vaidyira pachirungu, haaimbodyirana nesu vamwe kunyanya
taiti tikasangana naMukuwe tabva kurova zvedu zvitinha
zvemaricho sadza tanga tisingamisi.
"Nathan shamwari mira ndimbocheka mombe kudanga uku
ndakanganwa kuvharira mhuru ingavata ichimwa tikazotadza
kukama mangwana," ndakadaro ndakuda kuita zano rangu.
"Ah rega ndipedze tiende tese zvedu ndichionawo
kudanga," shit paakataura izvi ndakaona kuti dhiri rangu
raisazobuda manje ndikaenda naye zvaizomakisa.
"Haa don't worry idya zvako ungabaiwa netsine mumhindo
umu kana kugumburwa nezvitsiga, rega ndingomhanya isu
vamwe tajaira," ndakataura ndakutobuda padoor ndichiedza
kumurambidza. Pandakangoona kuti asara ndakabva
ndavesera ndakudzokera kumashops, paive pasiri kure dzimba

20
 PALMER

dzedu dzaingove padhuze. Ndakatarisa muhomwe ndichida

kuona kuti ndaive ndasara ndine marii, ndakaona ndine $85.
Ndakarangarira kuti ndaive ndamboona machira kuchitoro
kwaJeke aiita $30 saka ndiko kwandakananga wanei vavhara.
Ndakafunga kuti ndoita sei apa muenzi aive ati ndaneta
zvekare aive akuda kuzorora apa mumba hamuna machira.
Ndakabva ndafunga rimwe zano nekukasira. Chandakatanga
kufunga ndechekuti chandaive ndakabata imari zvekare
hapana munhu kunyanya paruzevha anoiramba nyangwe
ukamumutsa na12 husiku, ndakabva ndangoti regai
nditenderere kuseri ndinomutsa mai Jeke vauye
vanditengesere zvandaida. Ndakafambisa ndakutenderera
kuseri kwechitoro ndakunogogodza ku door ravo rekuseri.
"Ndiani?" mai Jeke vakadavira vari mumba.
"Maswera here muchembere ndiJowero," ndakadavira.
"Hezvo kwakanaka here kwawativinga husiku huno, uri
kudei? Inga ndakati kupera kwemwedzi wani nhai Jowero,"
ndakaziva kuti kamubvunziro kavo vaifunga kuti zvimwe
ndaiva ndavinga $3 yangu yaive yasara pandaive ndavasosera
garden yavo saka vaiva vandipa $7 vachiti $3 yasara vaizondipa
kupera kwemwedzi.
"Muchiti ndavinga mari here muchembere? Kana kutoda
kutokupaiwo, iya chiregai zvenyu mozozvibatsirawo pane
zvimwe zvamungada kana kuzopawo vana Mukuwe. Muri
kuuya here muchembere?" ndakadaro.
"ZvaJowero veduwe unondipa mari yaunowana kupiko
iwe?" vakadaro mai Jeke vachivhura door ravo iro raivhurika
richiita zvekukweshera nekuti raiva rakaiswa rata pasi kuti
mwura isapinda.
"Hupenyu hunochinja muchembere, machira aya ema $30
andakamboona achirimo here menyu umu?" ndakadaro
ndichibata bata homwe ndichibudisa mari.

21
 PALMER

"Eh arimo, anotengwa naniko zvawo kuno kumusha, kubva

zvandakanomahodha kuSouth ari maviri mwedzi mitatu
yatokwana achingovamo kana umwe anombobvunzawo kuti
imarii zvotoita kunge ndiri kutengesa nyoka," mai Jeke
vakadaro vachimwiza maoko kuratidza kuti zvechokwadi
machira aya aive agarisa asina kutengwa.
"Ok torai ese ari maviri muuye nawo ndiri kumada ese
izvezvi," ndakadaro ndichiverenga mari iyo yavakabva vaona.
Hama dzangu hapana munhu asingadi mari, regai bhaibheri
rakazoti mari ndiwo mudzi wezvivi zvose. Mai Jeke
vakamhanya kuita kunge vachadonha vachizvipinga kupinda
muchitoro mavo vachibva vadzoka vakabata machira aya
anonzi ma 2 in 1, ini ndaingoita ekunzwa nekungoziva
kumaona. Kutoti ndizive kuti kana ukaribata rinosvedzerera
ndaive ndatorinzwira tiri parufu paive pashaya sisi vaJotamu
paraive rakafukwa namudhara Majoko, ndakariguma
mushure mekunge ndavata pedyo navo ndipo pandakaona
zvechokwadi kuti 2 in 1 rakasiyana nemamwe edu ataive
tajaira.
"Oh mwanangu, inga waita zvako jaya rangu waporomota
chembere yako," mai Jeke vakadaro pavaiverenga mari
yandaive ndavapa kuti vanyatsoona kuti yakakwana here $60.
"Right ini chiregai ndichimhanya, next time musafunga kuti
ndikauya ndinenge ndichivinga mari yemaricho aiwa, ndinenge
ndichida kutokuitisaiwo," ndakadaro ndakubva pandaive
ndakamira kuti ndichidzokera kumba.
"Aiwa zvanzwika Joel mwanangu," mari yakaoma nezita
rangu raive rakudanwa zvakanaka kuti Joel asi munhu aive
abva kunditi Jowero ndichibva kusvika. Handina kuzovateerera
pfungwa dzangu dzaive dzava mberi kwandaiva ndasiya
muenzi.

22
 PALMER

Ndakasvika kwakunyahwaira ndichinanga kugota kwangu

kuimba yeuswa yandaivata. Ndakavhura gonhi zvishoma
nezvishoma kuti ndisanzwikwa. Ndakapinda kwakutora
machira angu aya emazuva ese kwakuwaridza pasi kwakuzoisa
rimwe reandaiva ndabva nawo pamusoro rimwe racho
kwakuita rekufuka. Ndapedza ndakatsvaira tsvaira mumba
nekukasira kwakutora chigubhu changu chaivamo chandaive
ndakacheka kuita chemba kwakuchirasira panze, ndipo
pandakazotanga kuridza muridzo ndakufamba kuenda
mukicheni maive naNathan naamai. Ndakawana Nathan
achitodya zvake nzungu dziya dzaaive akangirwa namai.
"Hezvo asi mhuru yacho yanga ichinetsa kani nhai Jowero
kwaabva waita gore rese kudai? Handiti mumwe wako
otonzwa hope uyu," mai vakadaro panguva dzandaipinda.
"Aiwa mhuru haina kumbonetsa asi kuti ndawana
Manzuma yadambura tambo zvino yanga yakutunga iyi njeni
yakabva kubereka saka ndatozomhanya kwana Mukuwe
kunokumbira imwe tambo ndikazoisungira," ndakadaro
ndakugara pachituro changu ndichinokora nzungu kubva
muchainga
"Haa iyo Manzuma inotoda kujaira tsika yakashata
yekutunga dzimwe, ndozvandaiti paya dai wacheka nyanga
dziya dzakanyanya kutesvera ichatunga imwe ikabuda ura,"
mai vakadaro izvo kwaani ndaizvibvira zvangu kumagirosa.
"Yah motozosara mokumbira Mukuwe acheke ini
handifungi kuti ndichawana nguva. Tingabuda nguvai
mangwana nhai Nathan?" ndakadaro ndichibva ndatarisa
Nathan.
"Yah tofanira kubuda kuseni zvekuti 7 inofanira kuchaya
tapfuura maGutu ini kumba uko ndatosiya ndavaudza kuti
ndichamukira zvekuti patinomuka tichangopfuura nepo

23
 PALMER

ndichivaoneka ndichitora magaka andanzi nambuya ndizotora

tobva tatosimuka," akadaro Nathan.
"Saka zvino iwe watogadzira here nhai Jowero, kwete
kuzoita zvinononotsa mumwe?" mai vakandibvunza.
"Haaa ndombogadzireiko zvangu kungogeza chete
nekungoisa hembe mubhegi," ndakadaro ndichisimuka
kuenda kuchikuva kwandaida kunochera mvura yekumwa.
Itsika yadzo nzungu dzakakangwa ukangodya chete unobva
watonzwa nyota.
"Ubve watondivigirawo Joel," Nathan akadaro ndikabva
ndachera ndikatanga kupa iye ini ndisati ndanwa, ko aive
nemarika haungatangiri munhu ane mari kunwa mvura.
Ndakamupa akanwa ini kwakuzochera yangu.
"Uuum shamwari ini ndakuda kuzorora, muchembere
tomutsana mangwana," Nathan akadaro takusimuka.
"Zvakanaka mwanangu chienda unoratidzwa pekuvata
neumwe wako uyu, ini rega ndimbokuchidzira hari yangu
yemungai iyi muwane chekuzofuma muchimwisa tea musati
maenda mangwana," mai vakadaro tichibva tabuda takunanga
kugota kwangu.
"Pinda wena Nathan," ndakadaro ndichikwenya machisi
ndichibatidza rambi kana kuti chibani changu chaivemo.
"Ah hoo wanga watosota pekuvata kudhara?" Nathan
akadaro akagara pamachira achibvisa shangu dzake achidziisa
kwataiisa makumbo. Akabva atora makiyi emota yake
akumaisa kumusoro achibvisa hembe dzake achibva asara
nekabudura.
"Oh sorry Joel, ndiwe uchakapfeka ndokumbirawozve
unditorere laptop yangu mumota pane e-mail yandoda kuvata
ndatumira," Nathan akadaro achinditambidza makiyi aya
emota.

24
 PALMER

Nhamo yakazovapo ndasvika pamota pacho kuti ndotangira

papi, hama dzangu ndaisaziva kuti mota haikinurwi kunge
imba zvasiyana. Ndakaedza ndaedzazve kutokonya tokonya asi
isingavhuriki. Ndakazovhunduka yakuita ruzha ichizhamba
ichibakidza malights ruvanze rwese yangova n'ani n'ani. "Oh
Joel, sorry ndakanganwa kukuudza ine alarm," Nathan akadaro
achimhanya kubva mumba nekabudura rake riya achibva
asvika akatora makiyi aya hameno paakabaya ndikanzwa zii.
"Ko chava chiizve panze apo nhai mwanangu?" mai
vakadaro vachibudawo mumba.
"Haaa musavhunduke zvenyu muchembere ialarm,"
Nathan akadaro akuvhura ega achibva atora laptop yake
takudzokera mumba ndipo pandakazoona kuti paakabuda
akabuda akatopfeka manyatera angu. Zvakandinetsa kuti
vanhu vakaita sana Nathan kutopfekawo manyatera?
Takadzokera zvedu mumba takuvata iye akambobaya baya
labtop yake ndikazoona aikuivhara kwakuvata. Husiku uhwu
chandaingwarira ndechekuti ndakavata ndakamutarisa.
Ndaiona kuti ndikamufuratira ndaizomumara zvangu neman'a
angu saka ndakatongwarira kuti ndaisashanduka husiku
hwese. 2 in 1 ndipo pandakaona kuti rinofukika uchivata
dzeumambo, kusvedzerera ungazodei? Ini kungoti zvangu
hope chaidzo hadzina kuzonyatsobata ndichingofunga rwendo
rwandaiva ndakatarisana narwo mangwana acho. Husiku
hwese ndaingoti ini here Jowero Zanda kusiya ruzevha
kuendawo dhorobha. Ndakanzwa Nathan achiita ngonono asi
ini kwakangoedza ndichingobwaira.
"Jowero chimukaika hweva yatotsvuka iyo, chimukai
ndatoisa mvura yekugeza kare yatodziya," ndakazovhunduka
ndanzwa mai vakudaro vari panze pamukova.
"Horaiti matoita tanga tatotsikirirwa nehope," ndakadaro
tichibva tangomuka nguva imwe chete naNathan.

25
 PALMER

"Yah Joel ndipewoka bath soap, tauro ndinaro rega nditore

mumota umu," babanguwe ndakavhunduka pakataurwa izvi
naNathan. Aigoti bath soap ndaive nayo here ini ndaive
ndajaira hangu kugeza nesipo yangu yejerimani yekuwachisa.
Vanoziva sipo iyi vanonzwisisa sipo yandiri kutaura nezvayo.
Yakasiyana nana Elangeni kana Britelite dzavako mazuvano
idzi. Ndakapererwa kuti zvino bath soap yaari kutaura
ndinoiwanepi, ndakangozoshinga kumupa jerimani iyoyo.
"Shamwari wotongosota neiyoyi ndodzedu dzeparuzevha,"
ndakadaro ndichimutambidza sipo iya ndakumuratidza
kuchigezero chataigezera chaive chakavakwa nehuswa chaive
seri kweimba.
"Haaa itori bhoo iyoyi Joel usazvinetsa isu tiri varume toita
yese yese," akadaro Nathan achitambira sipo iya achibva
anogeza. Achipedza ndakabva ndanogezawo. Ndakabva
ndanyatsokwesha nyatera rangu nechisaga kuti richene.
"Yaa ndipewoka mafuta ekuzora," akadaro Nathan
ndikamupa Vaseline iyoyo yainzi nevamwe ndeyekuzora vana
vanopfeka manapukeni kuti vasasvuuka isu ndiyo yataitozora
muviri wese. Nathan wacho akangotambira akatozora
achitoridza muridzo.
Yangu nhamo yakazovapo pakuti ndopfekei? Chiiko
chandaizopfeka chaigona kuendesa kudhorobha ini ndaive
ndakabvarukirwa. Zvino aisazonyara kufamba neni here
Nathan.
CHITSAUKO 4
Ndakambotarisa pamutariko paigara hembe dzangu
ndichiti ndingawana dzimwe dziri nani asi ndakaona kuti dzese
dzaive dzakabvaruka. Uku kwandaive ndakaita ndiko kwainzi
kubvarukirwa. Pahembe dzese trouse randakatozoona raive

26
 PALMER

nani nderimwe randaive ndapiwa panhaka yabamunini B

munin'ina wababa aive akashaya gore rapera racho.
Ndakaritora kwakurikanda uko. Handei pahembe apa ikati
Jowero wakandiwanepi? Zhinji dzacho aingove maburi maburi
dzimwe dzakarudunuka. Ndakazoti pava paya
kwakuzosangana net-shirt imwe yemusangano dzataive
tapiwa pama elections. Iyoyo ndiyo yaive isina kubvaruka asi
hondo yaivepo yaive chena saka yanga yatindivara
nekuwachwa nemvura yemumugodhi pamwe pacho sipo
yaimboshaikwa yowachwa nemvura yega asi iyi ndiyo
yandakatoona yaipfekeka isingasiyi nyama dzangu panze.
Ndakapedza kuzora mafuta kwakupfeka trouse riya zvino
nhamo yangu yaive pakuti bamunini vaive zimunhu zidhafu
trouse riya raiva razoita zihombe muchiuno zvino bhandewo
rikati Jowero wakandiwanepi? Ndakapfeka, kwakupfeka t-shirt
yangu iya kushangu paiva pasina zvekufunga, nyatera rangu
ndaive ndakatorikwesha zuro wacho paiva pasina
zvekumbopedza nguva ndichitsvaga nekuti ndiro raivapo.
Ndapedza kupfeka ndakanzwa uuuum trouse riya raive
rakakurisa zvechokwadi zvekuti raitodonha,panhaka haupiwi
chinhu chaunokwana kwete, kungoti chero chawapiwa
ndichocho.
Ndakatarisa Nathan ndikaona ari mushishi kusunga shangu
dzake akatsikitsira. Ndakati verere kwakubuda panze ndisina
kutaura apa trouse ndakakwiridzira ndakabata neruoko kuti
risadonha. Ndaive ndafunga zano.
Ndakabuda kwakumhanya ndakananga kwakadziva
kudanga pane chimusekesa chaivapo ndicho chandaive
ndafunga. Ndakasvika kwakusvuura gavi rangu kwakurisvotora
zvakanakanaka kwakuripfekera muma buckle
kwakushwetedzera trouse rangu sebhande kwakuvhara net-
shirt. Ndaive ndambofunga kuita zvekupinanidza mabuckle

27
 PALMER

newaya asi izvi ndaive ndambozviita pandakapfeka trouse iri

tiri panhamo pehanzvadzi yaJotamu ndikazoona nhamo waya
iya yakundibaya saka apa ndakaona kuti gavi raive nani.
Ndakapedza kuita izvi kwakufambisa ndakudzokera kumba.

"Joel wava ready here shamwari haaa ini I think ndapedza

ini," Nathan akadaro pandakapinda.
"Haaa ndapedza ini sare kungoisa hembe dzangu
dzekuzonochinja muchibhegi changu ichi," ndakadaro
ndichiturura chibhegi chandaive ndakaisa pamutariko kuti
ndichiisa hembe dzangu dzandaiona dzakabvaruka zviri nani
kuti ndigonowana chekuchinja ndava mberi.
"No Joel don't worry, siya izvozvo. Dzawakapfeka idzodzo
it's fine," Nathan akadaro achindibvutira chibhegi chiya
achidzosera pamutariko.
"Buda handei, ndanzwa muchembere achiti aita tea,"
akadaro Nathan achibuda akabata laptop yake. Ndakafamba
mumashure ndichitevera takuenda kuimba yekubikira kwaiva
naamai.
"Tipindewo mhamha," Nathan akadaro pataive takupinda.
"Pindai zvenyu vakomana mugare," vakadaro mai,
ndakatarisa ndikaona vakaisa chipani pamoto chaingotsva
chisina chinhu. Ndakazoona vakumbandika sugar vokanda
muchipani chiya, pandakaona izvi ndakabva ndaziva zvaiitika
masamba maiva musina. Kwaitova kuita masamba ekutopisira
sugar. Vakarega sugar iya kusvika yatsva yakuita black
ndikazoona vakusimudza teapot vakuti bvooo kudira mvura
ichibva yasvibira kuita kunge yaiswa masamba ndokuzotora
vodzosera muteapot makare. Yaiva yatova tea.
"Mwanangu womwiswaka zvausina kujaira nhai
Mhukahuru?" mai vakadaro vachigadzika tea iya pamberi pedu

28
 PALMER

vachibva vatora dheka rakazara mungai uya wavakavata

vachikuchidzira votigadzikira.
"Ah kana musambozvinetsa zvenyu mhamha, todya izvi
ndizvo zvakatirera izvi. Zvinotova neutano," akadaro Nathan
achisimudza teapot achidira.
"Ah sorry mwanangu cup yandakupa inobvinza, mira
nditarise imwe," mai vakadaro mushure mekunge Nathan
adira tea mucup ikatanga kuerera pasi. Cup dzacho dzese
aingova mabadu mabadu. Yaivawo shuviro yangu kuti dai
zvagona ndaizotengerawo amai vangu midziyo yakanaka
sezvinoitirwa mamwe madzimai nevana vavo.
"Horaiti mhamha no problem," Nathan akadaro
achisimudza tea iya achiidzorera mutea pot achibva apiwa
imwe yaiva isingabvinzi.

"Chiregai tichinyengetera vanangu musati masimuka

mufambe munyasha", mai vakadaro vachibva vanyengetera.
Takasimuka zvedu taonekana naamai takufamba kuenda
kumota.
"Eh iwe Jowero wonogarisana nemumwe zvakanaka.
Wonodzikama zvako zvekumwa doro seunopenga wochera
chikomba pasi, hatidi kuzonzwa zvisizvo uko," mai vakadaro
vachindizevezera munzeve panguva dzakatenderera Nathan
akunovhura door rake.
"Ndazvinzwa, mozotora machira asara mumba mozosara
muchifukawo," ndakadaro ndakupinda mumota.
"Zvakanaka vanangu mofamba zvakanaka," mai vakadaro
mushure mekunge Nathan amutsa mota.
"Zvakanaka muchembere, regai tipfuure tichioneka
mumwe wenyu apo tibve tarova road", akadaro Nathan
akutanga kufambisa mota.

29
 PALMER

Musi iwoyo kwaitonhora asi pandakapinda mumota

hameno zvaakangotenderedza Nathan ndikanzwa takudziya
mbaura yataiva tisingaoni. Kudziya kwaibuda nemumakumbo,
mudumbu umu waishaiwa kuti zviri kubva nepi.
Ndakanyatsoona kuti yaah ndihwo hunonzi hupenyu.
Takasvika pamba pambuya Nathan avo vakabva vabuda
vakabata chisaga pavakanzwa kutinhira kwemota.
"Wazoenda nemumwe wakoka muzukuru?
Wagonesa. Jowero wofamba zvakanaka mwanangu," mbuya
vaNathan vakadaro vakamira pahwindo.
"Yah regai ndiende naye gogo," Nathan akadaro
achitambira chisaga chiya achiisa kumashure kwemota.
"Zvakanaka mhai, mosarawo zvakanaka," ndakavapindura
ndichinakirwa nekudziya kwaiita mumota ndichikwizanisa
maoko kuratidza kunyatodziirwa. Hameno kuti Mukuwe
aizvizivawo here izvi kuti mumota maibuda kudziya kwakadaro
ndakamufungawo zvangu ndikati dai aivepowo
akazvinzwirawo.
"Right gogo regai tifambe isu. Mosara munyasha
ndichafona tasvika," Nathan akadaro. Zvechokwadi aive
akatengera mbuya vake nharembozha yakanaka. Panguva
iyoyo ndivo vega vaive nayo raini rose. Vedu vana mai Jowero
zvaive zviroto.
"Zvakanaka vanangu, tonzwa masvika," vakadaro mbuya
vaNathan pataive takusimuka.
Ini pese apa mwoyo wangu waive wave Harare, shungu
dzangu dzaive dzekuda kunoonawo kwakaperera vamwe
vandaidzidza navo nekuti vese waingonzwa Norman akaenda
Harare, Getrude akaenda Harare, Mary akaenda Harare, Alex
akaenda Harare, Nyasha ari kuHarare vese yaingova Harare asi
ini Jowero ndaive ndakuzikanwa nehubhuza neman'a
kuruzevha.

30
 PALMER

"Sunga seatbelt Joel tirove road, mapurisa angatinetsa,"

ndakanyebera kunge ndisina kuzvinzwa asi chokwadi chaive
chekuti kunyarara uku kwaiva kunyarara nekushaya kuziva
pekubata.
"Joel kkkk uri kuvarairwa neiko kubva wanyarara kudaro.
Isa bhande," babanguwe ndairiziva? Ndaiziva kuti ndobata
papiko ini? Ndakamutarisa ndikaona achidhonza rake kubva
kubendekete uku ndobva apinira nechepadivi pegumbo rake
reruboshwe pane chinhu chaivapo chaiva chakanyorwa kuti
PRESS ipapo ndipo paakasvikopfekera. Ndakafunga kuti zviri
nyore pandakaona Nathan achizviita. Ndakatarisa pangu
ndikachiona chinhu chiya zvechokwadiwo bhande
kubendekete rangu reruboshwe ndakariona. Ndakaridhonza
ndikaona zvechokwadi richivhomoka richireba, ndakaramba
ndichidhonza kusvika raungana pamakumbo kwakupinza
musoro wangu ndikaona rimwe rava kudumbu rimwe rava
kumusana, ndakabva ndangotora chekubairira chiya
kwakupfekerawo.
"No Joel kwete saizvozvo, okay let me teach you," Nathan
akataura achibva amisa mota kwakubvisa rake.
"Okay bvisa rako tione," akadaro Nathan. Ndakatambura,
ndakadhonza bhande riya ringabva? Ndakazopedzisira
ndakudhonza nemaoko maviri rikati unonyepa iwe.
"No Joel, just press here like this", Nathan akadaro achibva
abaya paya pakanzi PRESS ndikaona vhomo bhande rabuda
nyore nyore. Ndipo pandakaona kuti kusaziva kufa.
"Chiita so, bata zvandakaita izvi, use your right hand,"
akadaro Nathan akabata bhande riya nechokumusoro achibata
mukamwe mukamwe nechiya chekupfekera, ndakatevedzera.
"Good, now chidhonza uchiuya nepachipfuva pako uchiuya
naro kuhudyu yako yekurudyi wakabata chekupfekera ichocho
usaisa musoro iwe chingogara zvawakaita izvozvo shandisa

31
 PALMER

ruoko chete wouya wopfekera panapa. Nathan akatsanangura

mota yakamira ndikatevedzera ndikaona ah zvaita.
"Simple kkkkk," akadaro Nathan achiseka zvake.
"Waita hako shamwari, vakuru vakati kudzidza hakuperi",
ndakadaro paaive akusimudza mota.

"Saka yaiva sei life paruzevha Jowero?" Nathan akabvunza

takusvika paturn off yekwa Muzenda takuda kuenda
paZvavahera.
"Uuuuum zvakaoma hama yangu, ndofunga
unongozvionawo kuti zvanga zvisina kumira zvakanaka umwe
wangu", ndakatsanangura.
"Zvinonaka Joel, ndinoda kuti kutambura kwako kwese uku
kupere. Saka shuviro yako muhupenyu ndeyei manje?"
akabvunza Nathan akanditarisa mumaziso chaimo.
"Kurarama kaupenyu kanenge kako aka Nathan, zvega
ndizvo zvandinongoda. Iyezvino tarira chero ganda chairo
tarisa rangu wotarisa rako zvakasiyana by far. Isu vamwe
takazara mbare nezvingaka vamwe makatsvukira," ndakadaro
ndichimufukirira makumbo angu ndichimuratidza tsoka yangu
iyo yaiva munyatera yakazara zvingaka.
"Don't worry Joel everything is going to be alright," akadaro
Nathan.
"Shuwa here?" ndakabvunza ndichinyemwerera.
"Hapana chinoramba," akadaro Nathan achiseka zvake.
Pese apa ini ndaingova mubishi kunakirwa zvangu nayo
Navara. Ndakaona tava paRafomoyo ndisu avo paMakanga
ndikaona tava paZiro.
Ndakazonyatsakuona kuti zvinhu zvachinja tava paMachinya
paya panoperera dust road pachitangira tara. Ndakanzwa
Navara yakushinyira yakatsikwa nemukomana. Ndakanzwa

32
 PALMER

hana yangu kuenda mudenga ndikabva ndabatirira takunanga

maGutu paMupandawana paGrowth Point.
"Ndoda kuti timbopfuura nekuMasvingo pane munhu
wandoda kupfuura ndichiona, ndamboedza kumufonera asi
nhamba dzake hadzisi kupinda," akadaro Nathan akangoitsika
Navara.
"Ah wati pane zvandinomboramba here? Ndizvo
tichitoonawo nyika," ndakadaro chimoyo chichifara kuti musi
iwoyo Navara yaindiona.
Takapinda maGutu Nathan haana kumira akangopfuurira
tonanga kuGutu garage takunobata mugwagwa weMasvingo.
Mukomana aifamba zvekuti 8:30 dzichichaya ndakaona tava
muMasvingo. Zvinhu zvinosiyana vakomana, ikoko hapana
mombe yawaiona, hauna mbudzi, hwai kana dhongi rawaiona
ikoko.
Yaingova nzvimbo yaiyevedza. Ndakaona akumisa mota
pamwe paakamisa kwakuidzima.
"Okay buruka uuye kuno uku," akadaro achiburuka. Ini
pandakaisa gumbo panze kuti ndichiburuka hama dzangu
ndakapera simba kuti zvino ndaiita zvokudii imo mudhorobha
makazara vanhu, ndofunga gavi riya raiva raoma here
ndakangonzwa gaaa dambu. Ndakaramba ndakagara
ndakangoisa makumbo pasi panze pemota. Ndakademba kuti
dai ndakanga ndagara ndasunga zvangu newaya yangu
yemazuva ose yaibaya zvayo asi yaisadambuka zvakaita gavi
izvi. Kuti ndichisimuka ndaive ndakushaya masimukiro trouse
raidonha.
"Handei Joel, simuka ndikiye mota. Ukagoramba wakagara
wani?" akadaro achitenderera kuuya kuseri kwandaiva.

33
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 5
Ndakademba kuti zvimwe dai ndakanga ndasvuura riri gavi
remutondo kana mupfuti wakati simbei asi vakuru vakati
yadeuka yadeuka. Ndakaedza kuringa kuti zvimwe ndingaona
pane muti waigona kusvuurika gavi asi ndakaona kuti zvaiva
zviroto, masamba aiva asiyana.
Pakabvunza Nathan handina kupindura ndakaramba
ndakanyarara ndichishaya kuti zvino ndomuti kudii? Zvino
zvaainditi buruka uuye kuno ndaizofamba naye seiko
dhorobha rese ndakakwiridzira trouse neruoko.
"Uri kuda kuti tiende kure here Nathan, ndandichiti
wondisiya zvako ndakagara muno mumota ndichinzwa zvangu
mhanzi uchiita zvaunoita?" ndakadaro. Kwaisava kuti
ndaisadawo kuenda kwete, asi kuti ndaitoshaya kuti zvino
ndinofamba sei naye trouse richidonha. Ndaida kuti kana
ndasara ndaizosara zvangu ndichitsenga gavi rangu riya
ndosunganidza futi iye asina chaaona.
"No, kwandoda kuenda kwacho ndinotoda kuenda newe
ndiwe wandiri kutoda handei," akadaro Nathan achindibata
ruoko rwangu rwerudyi achindisimudza. Ndakasimuka
kwakumira ndakabata trouse rangu nomuchiuno neruoko
rweruboshwe kuti risadonha iye achivhara mota.
"Asi trouse rako ihombesa kani Joel," akadaro Nathan.
"Haaa rakakura muchiuno wena zvino riri kudonha pane
maths dzandamboita manje dzazodhakwa," ndakadaro.
"Okay don't worry, tichazvigadzirisa. Handei pane munhu
wandoda kumbotarisa umu," Nathan akadaro akufamba ini
ndichibva ndatevera. Ndakaona takupinda mune imwe shop
hombe yaitengeswa grocery nezvimwe zvakawanda yaive
yakanyorwa kuti NatChop Supermarket. Chakandishamisa

34
 PALMER

pataipinda kutanga pana guard aiva pamusiwo akatanga

kuchaya sarupu kuna Nathan.
"Maswera sei Sir?" guard uya akadaro achisimuka pacheya
refu yaaive akagara.
"I am fine.Thank you," Nathan akadavira asi haana kumira,
akaramba achifamba achienda mberi. Ndakaona vasikana vese
vaishandamo paipfuura
Nathan yaingova, "How are you boss, how are you sir?"
Zvakandinetsa kuti ko sei Nathan airemekedzwa zvakadai
nevanhu vose ava.
"Is Mr Ruzive in?", Nathan akadaro achibvunza umwe
murume aivamo airatidza kuti ndiye aiva mukuru pane vamwe
imomo.
"No Sir, vatobuda kuenda kuBulawayo, vamboedza
kukubatai phone yenyu yanga isingapindi," ndakatarisa munhu
wacho aiti Sir kuna Nathan zvakandinetsa. Paiva nemutinda
werume asi utarise Nathan wacho aingova zvake chimunhu.
"I also tried to call him but he was not reachable, kungoti
ndanga ndiri kumaruzevha but anyway kana vasana kuenda it's
fine ndinotevera. Okay Mr Shoko meet
Joel my best friend", Nathan akadaro achinditendeka.
Ndakaona murume uya uyo aive akapfeka svutu akunditarisa
kubva kutsoka kusvika kumusoro.
"Sir, your friend?" akadaro achibvunza Nathan achiratidza
kushamisika.
"Yes, he is my best friend. You can call him Sir Joe," Nathan
akapindura. Ndakaona murume uya achiratidza kupererwa
akangoisa ziso panyatera rangu ini trouse rangu ndaiva
ndakangobata ndakakwiridzira.
"Anyway how are you Sir Joe?" akabva adaro achinenekedza
ruoko kuda kundikwazisa. Ndakachinja ruoko rwekubata

35
 PALMER

narwo trouse sezvo ndaive ndakabata nerudyi ndava kubata

neruboshwe kuti ndimukwazise neruoko rwerudyi.
"Tiripo zvedu makadiiwo?", ndakapindura ndichivhunduka
kuti ini chaiye here Jowero kunzi Sir Joe. Ndaive ndisati
ndakambonzi Sir muhupenyu hwangu.
"Any problems here?" Nathan akadaro achibvunza murume
uya.
"No,everything is fine Sir," murume uya akapindura
achiratidza kuzvininipisa kwazvo. Mumoyo mangu ndaiva
ndakuzvibvunza kuti Nathan aive ani chaizvo?
"Anyway I am off to Bulawayo, Joel let's go. Une nzara
here?" Nathan akabvunza takubuda.
"Yaa nyoka dzakuruma ruma tajairaka kumaraini kwatodai
tatodya zvedu mbambaira kana manhanga," ndakadaro
ndichifamba ndakangokwiridzira trouse rangu.
"Kkkkkk okay anyway harisi dambudziko rega tigopfuura
nepa Chevron Hotel apo titsvage breakfast," akadaro Nathan
achibaya chibhatani chake chiya ndikanzwa mota yoti ndwi-
ndwi ichibakidza malights ichizvikiinura yega. Uuuum
ndakaona kuti iyi yaNathan yaive yasiyana nechirori chiya
chataisiendesa kubhora tiri kuchikoro nekuti ndaiona muridzi
wacho paaikinura aitopfekera makiyi achikinura zvino iyi
kwaingova kungodzvanya uri kure.
Takabva ipapo hatina kumbonyanya kuenda kure
akangokona ruviri ndikaona omirazve pane imwe shop. Ndaive
ndakungonamata kuti dai ndikasanzizve ndiburuke nekuti neni
ndaive ndakunyara kufamba ndakangokwiridzira trouse.
"Okay buruka handeyi," Nathan akadaro ini ndaiva
ndakungoti nechomumoyo kupi zvekare?

36
 PALMER

"Shamwari Nathan iwe chiita madhiri ako ini ndakagara

mumota unondiwana ndiri muno," ndakadaro ndakangogara
handina kuburuka.
"Kwete, hazvigoni kuti ndiende ndisina iwe wacho.
Buruka handei," Nathan akadaro iye aive atoburuka kare.
Ndakaburuka ndikabva ndatanga kufamba ndichimutevera.
Takabva tangopinda mune imwe shop yaive yakanzi TOPICS
yaivapo. Ndakaona umu muchitengeswa hembe dzemhando
yepamusoro soro, ini ndaiva ndisati ndambopfeka hembe
yakafanana neimwe chete zvayo pane dzese dzaivamo. Nathan
akatanga kufamba achitenderera achibata bata hembe
dzaivamo. Chakanyanya kundirwadza pakufamba kwataiita
ndakaona zvimwe zvidhori zvaivamo zvainge zvivanhu
zvakapfekedzwa hembe dzemhando, zvimwe zvacho zvaiva
zvakatosunga mudzipanyota ndikangoti inga zvavo vamwe
vaitowana hembe dzekutambisa kupfekedza zvidhori isu vana
Jowero tichitambura.
"Joel, unopfeka size ani trouse?" Nathan akabvunza
paakasvika paive nematrouse. Chokwadi chaicho
ndechekungoti ini saizi yetrouse yandaipfeka ndaiva
ndisingaizivi, kumusha taingoti rawapuwa ukakwana ndiroro,
kazhinji kacho taiwanzopfekera ruoko kubva pagokora kusvika
panotangira chanza totoziva kuti ndicho chiuno chako.
Ndaisatoziva kuti nekuhembe kunoitwa zvemasaizi ndaingoti
zvimwe zvaiva kushangu chete.
"Uuuum shamwari ini handizivi, ndotongoona nekukwana
ndiko kuti ndizive randokwana, kana kuti rega ndidai,"
ndakadaro ndichikatanura trouse riya ndave kuda kuita
zvegokora zvataive tajaira.
"But nebody yavo iyi ngavamboedza 34 vanogona
kukwana," musikana aivemo uyo aifamba achitenderera nesu
ndiye akazodaro.

37
 PALMER

"No, mira tione Joel. Okay vahanzvadzi vapei 34 yacho tione

vaende kufitting room", ndakanzwa Nathan akudaro
kumusikana uya.
"Okay Sir", musikana uya akadaro achikatanura trouse riya.
"I think kushirt 18 vanogona kukwana," musikana uya
akataura.
"Okay vatorerei tione, tipei that one yepurple", Nathan
akadaro musikana uya kwakumhanya achiibvisa pahen'a
payaive.
"Endai zvenyu muroom iri apo iyo muedze tione," musikana
uya akadaro ndikabva ndapinda muya Nathan achibva atevera.
"Bvisa idzodzo tione," Nathan akadaro ndichibva ndatanga
nekubvisa nyatera rangu nehembe yandaive ndakapfeka,
ndapedza ndakapfeka hembe iya yandaive ndapiwa ikabva yati
gedye gedye nemuviri wangu kunge musoni aive akasona
achindiona.
"Yaaa ndiyo saizi yako chaiyo iyi, chibviza trouse tione kuti
iri unokwana here?" paakadaro ndipo pandakapererwa kuti
zvino ndodii. Ndakazongoona kuti hapana yekutamba
kwakubvisa rangu riya rekudonha.
"Oh oh oh, hauna futi undergarment Joel? Okay wait let me
check kuti havana men's underwear here umu," Nathan
akadaro achibva abuda. Ndakangoona kuti kunyara hakuna
zvakwaibatsira. Isu kumusha taive tisina basa nazvo, takadaro
nana Mukuwe taitoti zvedu zvakaringana. Undergarment
ndaiva ndakaimboipfeka kupiwo zvangu ini Jowero. Ndakaona
Nathan akudzoka munguva pfupi akabata chipakiti chaive
nemaunderwear matatu.
"Take one and wear," Nathan akadaro achinditambidza.
Ndiro rakava zuva rangu rekutanga kupfeka chipfeko
chemukati semurume. Ko kumusha ndaichiwanepi. Ndakaedza

38
 PALMER

trouse riya rikabva ranyatsokwana zvekuti iroro raive risinei

nebhande. Nathan akabva ambunyanidza hembe dzangu dziya
takubuda mukaimba kaya kekuchinjira. Ndakazvitarisa
pazigirazi raivemo ndikaona ndatovawo munhu pavanhu, kuita
Sir Joe chaivo.
"Right vahanzvadzi ndipeiwoka belt nebhutsu saizi 10,"
Nathan akadaro achibva apiwa nema sokisi acho ndichibva
ndapfeka kwakupfinyira hembe, ah waisatoti zvimwe ndini
ndaive ndava manager imomo. Akabva anditengera magirazi
emucheno ekupfeka kumeso aiwa ndaiva ndava gentleman
chairo.
"Okay ndiudzeiwo kuti zvese zvaita marii hanzvadzi?"
Nathan akadaro achibuditsa chikwama chake.
"$123.60 Sir,” musikana uya akataura mushure mekunge
abaya baya calculator yake.
"Okay", Nathan akadaro achiburitsa $150 achimupa akabva
apiwa change tikabva tabuda.

Ndaive ndakunzwawo kuti ndaive ndave munhu pavanhu,

murume pavarume. Nathan akasvikokanda hembe dziya
dzandaiva ndakurura kumashure.
"Nathan waita hako hama yangu wandishongedza
ndakuonekerawo wena", ndakadaro tava mumota.
"Usatenda Joel, you are my friend. Chihande ndoda kuti
uchigerwa musoro nendebvu pabarber apo uite smart,"
akadaro Nathan achimutsa mota. Takasvika pabarber paya
akabva apinda neni akazondisiya ndichigerwa iye akagara
zvake mumota achiverenga Masvingo Mirror raaive atenga.
Zvechokwadi bvudzi rangu ndaiita kunge n'anga. Iye mugeri
wacho chaiye rakatomunetsa chigero chichiramba kufamba asi
akangoshingirira semunhu aiva pabasa kusvika apedza.

39
 PALMER

Ndakanzwa mhepo kupindawo mumusoro.

"Looking good heh", Nathan akadaro pandaive ndapedza
kugerwa akupa mugeri uya mari yake.
"Now hatichiendai zvedu tinorova breakfast redu
paChevron apo, takufanira kuzobva muno tichinanga
Bulawayo tozobva Bulawayo tochizoenda zvedu Harare," heyy
moyo wangu wakafara pakanzi toenda Bulawayo apo ndichiti
ndomboonawo nyika asi pakanzi kuHotera apo manje hana
yangu yakarova. Ndaiva ndisati ndakambomupinda kubva
zvandakaona zuva. Ndaizozvigona here zvandaingonzwa kuti
ndizvo zvinoitwamo. Ndakangozoti hazvinei ndaizoita zano
ndavako, ndaizoona yekutamba.Ndaizviziva kuti Jowero
haapererwi. Ini Jowero ndaive ndakupindawo muhotera
kekutanga muhupenyu hwangu nekuda kweshamwari yangu
Nathan.

40
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 6
Pese pataifamba takuenda kuhotera ndaingozvidya mwoyo
ndichingoti ko ndaizotangira papi?
"Eh Joel, so what do you want for breakfast?" Nathan
akadaro achiverenga chimwe chipepa chaivemo chaaiva
akabata. Ndakangonyemwerera kwete nekuti pane
zvaindinakidza asi kuti nekutopererwa kuti ndoti kudii.
"Chero chamandipa ndongorova isu tombosarudza here
Nathan, torova zvese zvese," ndakadavira ndaona kuti
chokwadi ndaive ndashaya chaicho chandingati ndaida. Dai
taiva kumusha ndaigona kungoti ndoda tea nechimodho kana
mapudzi zvino uku ndaizviudza ani. Ndakazoona pouya umwe
musikana akataura zvaakataura naNathan achinyora pasi
ndikaona odzokera. Ini nguva yese iyi ndaingoringa ringa
ndichiyevedzwa nekushongedzwa kwaive kwakaitwa
muhotera iyi.
"Uri kuyeverwa neiko Joel?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Haaa kana kutongoona hangu kamushongedzerwo
kakaitwa muno zvasiyana neparuzevhaka apa," ndakadaro,
pasina chinguva ndakazoona musikana uya akuuya akabata
tray achibva auya ogadzika pataive takagara. Chisina kunyanya
kundifadza ndichitarisa zvinhu zvaive mutray iyi tukapu
twacho, twaive twuduku duku twebhonzo. Ini hapana
chandainzwa kuti ndanwa ndaitoda edu ataiwanzonwira nana
Mukuwe tiri kumusha kunyanya kana tichirova zvitina taida
aya ainzi majomupi kana chigumburo iyoyo waiti kana wadira
wadira wozvinwira haikona tutuku utwu twandakaona umu,
ndaidira tungani kuti ndigute. Chepiri handina kufarira zvainzi
tinwise zvacho, chandakaona chandakaziva imomo izai
raivamo.

41
 PALMER

"Right geza tirove Joel, ukagoramba wakatarisa wani?"

Nathan akadaro achidira tea muchikapu chiya.
"Heyy shamwari ichi ndochii ichi? Hapana zvimwe zviri nani
here sadza chairo kana mupunga chaiwo?" ndakataura izvi
ndichitendeka zvaivemo, ndaive ndarangarira tsumo yevakuru
iya yekuti ukanyara haugwazi.
"Iyi inonzi toasted bread Joel chinongova chingwa ichi aya
mazai aunongoziva aya," Nathan akapindura
achinditsanangurira.
"Eh izvozvo ndiri kuzvinzwa asi ini handizvifariri, ndoda
chinhu chinobataura kana sadza kana riripo,” ndakataura asi
ndaitomuudza chokwadi ndaona kuti izvi kwaiva kundisvosva
mwoyo, dai yaiva tea nembambaira zvaiva nani dzaigara
mudumbu.
"Okay chirega nditi vakupe rice and chicken then wonwa
netea udziise mapapu wanyanya kutonhorwa patamuka paya,
waiter!!", akadaro Nathan achibva adana musikana uya.
"Yaa mupunga uri nani shamwari," ndakadaro musikana
uya achibva asvika akaudzwa zvaakaudzwa, ini handina
kuzviteerera ndaingoda kuzoona kuuya kwemupunga, haana
kutora nguva ndikaona odzoka netray yaiva nemupunga uya.
"Yaa hauoni manje, izvi zviri nani izvi," ndakadaro
ndichigeza maoko.
"Okay it's fine Joel, chidya tikasire kufamba. Mind you from
here takuenda neku Bulawayo," Nathan akadaro ini
ndakutopedzisa zvangu kugeza maoko. Ndakaona makaiswa
kapanga neimwe foku yaivamo. Handina kutaura nemunhu
ndakangozvitora ndozvibvisa ndichitsveta mune imwe tray
yaivapo. Ndakaona imwe table spoon yaivapo ndikaona kuti
iyoyo yaigona kunyatsochera mupunga zvakanaka. Ndakaitora

42
 PALMER

kwakuchera kekutanga. Nathan nguva yese iyi aiva

akangonditarisa.
"Ko Joel, watadza kushandisa fork and knife here?" Nathan
akadaro ini ndaive ndatosimudza chidya chehuku chaivamo
neruoko ndakuzvidyira.
"Haaa izvozvi zviri right Nathan iwe hatizive zvekudya
tiende. Fork and knife kana ruoko kudya kudya tese tinoguta,"
ndakadaro ndichitaura asi mashoko aiva asinganyatsi kubuda
zvakanaka semunhu aitsenga chidya chiya ndaiva ndakabata
kuruoko rweruboshwe ndichiti kana ndapedza ndozonhanhira
bapiro rehuku raivamo. Chakanyanya kundifadza ndechokuti
mabhonzo acho aiva akapfava, aitsengeka zvekuti handina
bhonzo randakasiya, ndakatsenga nemongo nemongo ndobva
ndamwa mvura.
"You ate so fast?" Nathan akadaro mushure mekunge ini
ndapedza kare iyi achiri kungodimbura kachingwa kaaive
apiwa katokotoko kaya.
"Haa isu tombomira here Nathan tongoti nhinhinhi topedza
izvo totoita zvimwe," ndakadaro ndichinon'ona zvangu mazino
nekagunwe kangu kadiki.
"No tora matooth pik ayo Joel," Nathan akadaro
achinditambidza chimwe chigaba chaive netumiti tudiki.
"Okay okay watoita bhoo," ndakadaro ndichitambira
chigaba chiya. Kumusha taive tisingazvizive isu, taive tajaira
kuti ukapakanwa unogona kutsvaga chimuti kana munzwa
wotonon'ona zvotopera. Takapedza kudya Nathan achibva
abudisa mari akubhadhara takubuda. Ini ndaive ndaguta
manje ndakunyatsonzwa kuti yah.
"Hande, ndoda kuti titange tambomhanya paRujeko then
ndozodzoka nepaMasvingo Poly pane vanhu vandoda
kumboona," Nathan akadaro takufamba kubuda panze kuenda

43
 PALMER

kumota. Tichibuda panze ndakatarisa zuva ndikaona rakwira

ndikati zvangu nechomumoyo dai ndiri paruzevha ndidzo
nguva dzandaidai ndakuvhura mombe idzi, ndakabva
ndafunga Mukuwe kuti izvezvi akuvhura akananga kubani
kumafuro.
Nathan akamutsa mota takunanga kwaaive ataura. Hapana
chandaive ndichafunga ndaiva ndazvigutira zvangu.
Mukomana akarova Navara takunanga kwaaive ataura
kuRujeko. Ziso rangu raingova panze ndichiyevedzwa
nekushongedzwa kwaiva kwakaitwa guta iri. Ndakazoona
Nathan omisa mota pane imwe imba akuridza bhero.
Pakabuda vamwe baba vakuda kuzovhura gedhi.
"No handisi kupinda, musavhura zvenyu. Vakomana
vemagetsi vakazouya here vandakati vauye?", Nathan akadaro
mushure mekunge vakwazisana nemurume uya.
"Yes boss vakauya vakangosiya tambo vakati vachadzoka
Monday", murume uya akapindura.
"Okay ndozvandandichida kucheka, otherwise ndoda kuti
pump iyoyo iiswe magetsi nekukasira. Anyway iyi ishamwari
yangu anonzi Sir Joel," Nathan akadaro achinditendeka
murume uya akabva atenderera kuseri achizondikwazisa.
"Makadii zvenyu Sir Joe?" murume uya akandikwazisa
achiratidza kuzvininipisa chose. Haana kuita mibvunzo
mumoyo make zvaiva zvaita uya weku Shop kwatakatanga
kupinda nekuti apa ndaive ndapfekawo zviri nani, magirazi ari
mumaziso kwete paya pandainzi Sir ini ndine nyatera
ndakakwiridzira trouse neruoko.
"I am fine how are you?" ndakabva ndapindurawo
nechirungu ndichinyatsogadzirisa magirazi. "Ndinosimba
hangu boss," murume uya akapindura.

44
 PALMER

"Right isu takuenda, any problem?" Nathan akadaro

akumutsa mota.
"So far hapana kusiya kwemagetsi akuda kupera," murume
uya akataura.
"Okay chibva wamhanya unotenga magetsi acho e$40 uuye
ujuse then $10 wozonotandara nevamwe manheru," Nathan
akadaro achitambidza murume uya $50. Zvakandinetsa kuti sei
Nathan pese aingonzi boss boss? Ndakati ndichazvitsvaga
zvangu nekufamba kwenguva.
"Right uyo watanga tinaye anonzi Zondi, ndiye
anochengeta pamba ipapa," Nathan akadaro pataiva
tichangobva pamba paya.
"Hoo saka ndepani ipapapa?" ndakabva ndabvunza.
"This is one of my houses here in Masvingo another one iri
kuRhodene. I am trying to invest kuitira patozoita vana
vasazotambura vanozowanawo pekutangira," hana yangu
yakati bamu pakataurwa izvi naNathan, zvaireva kuti dzimba
idzi dzaive dzakatowanda dziri dzake dzese. Ndakangoti
ndichazodarowo here rimwe zuva muhupenyu hwangu? "I will
teach you how to fish,” ndakarangarira mashoko aya
akambotaurwa naNathan tiri pamagirosa kumusha ndikabva
ndaziva kuti ndaizodaro chete nerimwe zuva sezvo Nathan
aive andivimbisa kundidzidzisa maitirwo emari.
"Heyy Nathan Nathan!!, you mean this is your house? Haaa
uri kugadzira hupenyu wena", ndakadaro ndichiratidza
kushamisika.
"Zvishoma izvi Jowero, gore rino uchadzidza zvakawanda,"
Nathan akadaro takupinda pandakaona paiva pakanyorwa kuti
MASVINGO POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE.
"Joel, unogona zvako kusara wakagara mumota pane munhu
wandoda kungoona panapa 2 minutes," Nathan akadaro

45
 PALMER

achiburuka mumota, ini panguva iyi ndaive ndatovhura door

ndakuda kubudawo. Hapana chandaive ndichanyara ndaive
ndava gentleman zvekuti ndaitoda kubuda buda pese pese
kuti vanhu vandione.
"Okay ndokumirira zvangu ndiri panze ndichirohwa
nemushana uyu," ndakadaro ndakunomira kwakadziva
kugedhe kwaipfuura nevanhu ndakaisa maoko muhomwe
ndakazembera mota kuti vanhu vandione. Vaindiona
ndakamira vaitoti zvimwe ndini ndaiva muridzi weNavara
nekuti ndaitombotenderera ndichikava kava mavhiri kunge
munhu ari kutarisa mweya ndichimbodongorera dongorera
muzasi mayo umu. Nathan haana kumbotora nguva, ndakaona
akudzoka achifambisa.
"Right handei Joel, nguva dzakatisiya muchinda
wandandichida kuona apa anzi atoendawo kuBulawayo. Isa
bhande tirove road," Nathan akadaro patakapinda mumota.
Akaisimudza mota takubuda paya takunanga nekudhorobha
kuti tichinanga Bulawayo, aiva akaitsika mukomana ndikaona
kuti zvechokwadi aiva akanonoka.
"Ndakanganwa kuzokuudza Joel, that shop yatapinda is one
of my shops. I opened that branch reMasvingo last year",
Nathan akadaro achiwedzera volume yewairesi. Ndakashaiwa
kuti ndomupindura kuti chii, ndaive ndavhunduka.
"Ndeyako?" ndakabvunza ndichiratidza kushamisika.
"Yes, iwe hauna kuverenga zita reshop yacho here?"
paakadaro ndakabva ndarangarira kuti NatChop zvechokwadi
iye ainzi Nathan Chopendera ndakabva ndagutsikana, ndaive
neshuviro yekuzoitawo saNathan chokwadi.
"Right panapa ndipo panonzi paZvishavane," Nathan
akadaro takupfuura pane kamwe kaGrowth Point paaiti ndipo
paZvishavane pacho.

46
 PALMER

"Okay haaa nhasi ndomboona nyika," ndakadaro

ndichitarisa panze kuti ndinyatsoona.
"Kana kuti tombomira ndikutsvagire one ufambe
uchimwa?" Nathan akadaro.
"Yaaa hauoni, idama chairo iroro," ndakapindura
ndichisekerera. Doro ndairidawo, ndipo pandaidanwa
ndichidavira.
"Okay rega ndimire tiite fast, sara muno nditenge tiise
mucooler box umu," Nathan akadaro achimisa mota pane
chimwe chibhawa. Paaidzika kuti achienda nharembozha yake
yakabva yarira. Akadavira achifamba achienda.
"Hallo.....ehe ndiri kuuya naye sezvandakavimbisa....don't
worry tinosvika moita zvinoita...musambotya ndiri kutouya
naye," ndakanzwa Nathan akutaura nemunhu aipindura
zvandaisanzwa, ndiani iyeye ainzi ndiri kuuyiwa naye vaite
zvinoita? Zvei? Saka ndini ndairehwaka apa? Ndakaramba
ndakateerera ndachirebesa nzeve zvino kuti ndinyatsonzwa.
CHITSAUKO 7
"As we speak iye akutosvika kuBulawayo nekuti ini
pandatozosvika kuMasvingo ndasvika zvichinzi atosimuka
kuenda kuBulawayo....Eh ndiri kuuya naye, maybe iye
anotonditangira kusvika.....it's fine. Bye," ndaive
ndakangorebesa nzeve asi pandakazonzwa Nathan ataura
mashoko aya hana yangu yakabva yadzikama ndaziva kuti
handisini ndaitaurwa. Ndaiva ndazvitorera pasipo.
Ndakaramba zvangu ndakagara mumota ndakugadzira huro
kuti ndihudzise hwechirungu ndichinzwa zvangu song
yaMacheso yainzi yaiva ichangoburwa iya yekuti "Tsoka
dzerwendo."

47
 PALMER

Ndazoona Nathan akufambisa achidzoka akabata mapaper

bag maviri akuvhura door rekumashure achibva avhura cooler
box iya akuisa doro raaiva auya naro.
"Right, hari iyo Jowero. I think tinosvika Bulawayo
uchingonwa nekuti I don't think kuti ndichamira futi nekuti
nguva dzandisiya ava varume vari mberi uku vakundinetsa,"
Nathan akadaro achiisa seat belt rake achibva amutsa mota.
Masimudzirwo ayakaitwa akandiratidza kuti aiva anonoka
zvechokwadi.
"Asi ndivo vanga vachifona pawabuda apa?" ndakadaro
ndichivhura cooler box riya ndichinyatsobata bata kuti
ndinzwe temperature yaro, aingove manyawi egudo ranhonga
roro kuzodawo kubata bata isu tanga tangojaira redu rendari
raiva risinei nefiriji.
"Yaa ndivo vanga vachifona, tine meeting nema Directors
eimwe company because tine rimwe branch ratinoda kuvhura
kuBulawayo so inini ndanga ndavati handichauyi ndichiti either
kwaizoenda manager wangu kana umwe munhu so ndozvavari
kuramba vachiti huyai mese hapana anosara," Nathan akadaro
akaitsika mota ini ndiri mushishi zvangu kuzviuraya
nehwahwa.
"Ko iwe uri kunwa drink wani asi kuhari uku hauko kani?"
ndakabvunza Nathan mushure mekunge ndaona achinwa
drink doro asingabati.
"No iwewe inwa zvako ini I am okay ne drink irori," Nathan
akataura asi kahana kakabva kafara kuti saka doro rese raiva
umu raiva rangu ndega? Ndakangoti nechomumwoyo
Mukuwe uripiko? Dai aivapo taibetserana nekuti ndiye aiva
munhu wandaibetserana naye pane zvese zvekuti chero
patairima tairima tese, taigona kuti iye ari pagejo ini
ndichityaira kana kuti ini pagejo iye otyaira, kungava

48
 PALMER

kumaricho taienda tese, kumombe tese zvekare tichisharana

zvishambwe zvedu tiriko asi manje apa taiva tazoparadzana.
"Haaa regai zvedu isu tihurange vamwe vachihurangarira,"
ndakadaro ndichibva ndambodhonza doro riya kekutanga,
panguva iyi ndaiva ndatengerwa Pilsner nekuti ini ndaiva
ndamuudza kuti ini handisarudzi ndaingoti a beer is a beer.
"Yah chimbonwai zvenyu, isu regai timboita zvekurova
mugwagwa", Nathan akataura achishama zvake n'ai kuratidza
kuti aiva aneta.
"Heyy kuti nhasi ndinokwanisa kuzobva Bulawayo
kupfuurira Harare ini haa I doubt. Ndogona kutsvaga pekuti
tirare muBulawayo then tozomukira Harare makuseni
depending nekuti meeting inenge yapera nguvai," Nathan
akadaro asi neniwo ndaizviona kuti zveshuwa anenge aiva
anetawo.
"Zvino dai tichigonawo kushofera handiti tingadai
tozoradzana tichichinjana zvino idzi dzasiyana negeja
rataichinjana naMukuwe kumusha uku", ndakadaro ndichibva
ndambodhonza hwahwa futi.
"Yaaa uchagona zvako, inguva chete hapana
chinombonetsa apa, geja chairo rinotonetsa pamota kkkk,"
Nathan akadaro achibva aseka zvake. Nechomumwoyo
ndakangoti ukaona ndangogona chete kutyaira chekutanga
kwaive kuenda pana Angeline kuti ndimboonekwa ndione kuti
aizoramba achindishainira here ndozombokwidzawo hama
yangu Mukuwe. Takafamba zvedu ini ndichingozviponda
nahwo hwahwa ndichingoti ndikapedza ndovhura humwe,
ndikapedza ndovhurazve humwe.
"Nathan, tsvaga panomirika wena, ndimborasa mvura,"
ndakadaro kuna Nathan, doro ndipo parakaipira kuti
unongozogara uri muchimbuzi, apa zvaiva zvandishatira.

49
 PALMER

"It's fine, rega ndimire just after bridge iro," akadaro

Nathan achibva anomisa mota tichingopfuura bridge riya.
Ndakabva ndaburuka ndomhanya muchisango ndakunorasa
mvura. Iye Nathan akangoburuka zvake kwakumira panze
pemota achibaya baya nharembozha yake. Handina kupedza
nguva ndakamhanya ndakudzokera. Ndakaona Nathan
akuvhura kumashure kwemota.
"Ndazokanganwa, idzi dzichiri nebasa here idzi Joel tirase
zvedu?" Nathan akadaro achiburitsa hembe dzangu dziya
dzegavi dzandakabvisa kuTopics.
"Ah ah ah, handichadi kana kudziona. Throw them away,
very very far. I don't want to see them again", ndakadaro
ndichidzungudza musoro, imbwa haidyi marutsi ayo.
"Kkkkk newe Joel wakuda kuitawo kunge mudhara
Mangwana wekuti kana adhakwa anotaura chirungu. Haaa
wandisetsa wena," akadaro Nathan achimbunyanidza hembe
dziya akupotsera muchisango.
"I am not drunk my friend, I am 100% sobour," ndakadaro
ndakuvhura mota ndichisimudza doro rangu randaiva ndasiya
uyu Nathan achibva apindawo achibva amutsa mota achiseka
zvake. Takafamba inenge kiromita imwe chete pane
zvandakabva ndafunga.
"Nathan wait!," ndakadaro neinzwi raiva pamusoro.
"Eh what is it again?", Nathan akadaro achimisa mota.
"Asi wakuda kurutsa kani?" akadaro akanditarisa.
"No, no, no reverse this car," ndakadaro ndichitendeka
kumashure kumashure kwataiva tabva, pane zvandaiva
ndafunga.
"Kkkk chii Joel, hazvisi zvekudhakwa here izvi? Mind you
takanonoka kwatiri kuenda," akadaro Nathan asi ini
ndakaramba ndichimumanikidza kuti adzokere paya pataiva

50
 PALMER

tambomira. Ndakasvika ndikaburuka ndopinda mumahuswa

muya maiva maposherwa hembe dzangu. Mari hairashwi
chinoraswa mapepa izvo ndizvo zvandaiziva, ndaiva ndafunga
change yangu iya yandaiva ndapiwa pakutenga jira. Ndaiva
ndazoiisa mutrouse riya rekudonha saka ndaida kutora mari
yangu. Ndakasvika kwakusecha secha kwakuiwana ichimo
kwakuitora. Ndakatozoona kuti maiva futi nerimwe bepa
refodya yangu yechimonera yaiva yasara kwakuitora
ndokubva ndaiisa muhomwe ndava kudzokera kumota.
"Kkkkkk ko wanga wasiya chiiko nhai bhururu?" Nathan
akadaro achiputika zvake nekuseka.
"Shamwari manga masara order dzangu wena. Handei
zvedu," ndakadaro ndichidzokera mumota.
"Haaa zvaJoel zvakaoma vakomana, anyway rega
tizvambure mugwagwa. Tichiri nemufambo apa," Nathan
akataura achisimudza mota kunge munhu ari pamujaho.
Kumwe kwataiva tave kupfuura nako
ndaiva ndisingachakuzivi.
"Saka kuden kuna gules here uko Nathan," ndakadaro
ndakatarisa Nathan.
"Hakusati wena, pane zvinenge zvichinetsa," Nathan
akadaro asi ndakaona achichinja kumeso kuratidza
kusuruvara.
"Ah chii chinenge chichinetsa nhai Nathan. You have
money, you have everything unotadziswa nei kuroora? Dai tiri
isuka vana Jowero tingatorega zvedu kuroora tichiti mukadzi
wacho tomupei?" ndakadaro ndichishamisika kuti shuwa
munhu aiva nemari saNathan anotadza nei kuroora.
"Money is not everything Joel. It's a long story. I will tell you
but not now. Mukadzi ndinomuda, ndinotovawo neshuviro
yekuti dai ndaitawo mhuri asi zviripo zvinondimanikidza kuti

51
 PALMER

ndisaita saizvozvo. Ndichakuudza nekufamba kwenguva

ndamboona hana yako," Nathan akatsanangura ndikaona ava
kuda kuchema.
"Ah bva wozondiudza zvako kana nguva yakwana. Iwe, ko
Mr Rwatata vaitisa Maths Form 4 vaya vakazoenda nepiko?
Wakambozonzwa nezvavo here?" ndakapindura ndichibva
ndakasira kuchinja nyaya. Ndakaona kuti pane iya yandaiva
ndambotanga ndaiva ndapisira asi chikonzero chaicho handina
kuziva. Ndakangoti regai ndimirire sezvo aiva ati
aizonditsanangurira nyaya yake asi kutaura chokwadi
zvakandinetsa mumoyo mangu.
"Iiiii Joel wabva wandifungisa member iya, vainzi vakazosiya
basa pavaiva vakudzidzisa Pamushana. I don't know how true
is it. Kkkkk wandifungisa makare," Nathan akadaro achibva
aseka. Chandakafarira ndechekuti ndaiva ndagona kudzosera
nyemwerero pachiso chake. Ndaitozviziva kuti ndikangotaura
nezvaVaRwatata aitoseka chete nekuti mudzidzisi ivavo
zvavaingoita zvaisetsa. Maitoti chero muri mulesson period
yese yaipera muchiseka.
"Haaa I am sure one day tinodhumana. This is a small
world," ndakadaro ndakupedzisa doro randaiva ndakabata
ndakuvhura rimwe.
"Yaa chokwadi tinosangana chete kana Mwari vatendera",
Nathan akadaro achizamura.
"Yaaa this is Bulawayo, tapinda tapinda," Nathan akadaro
ndichibva ndavhura maziso kuti ndinyatsoona. Ndakaona
Nathan obuditsa nharembozha yake ava kufona.
"Eh muri papi?.....hoo apoo....yah ndiri kusvika ipapo mirai
ndimbotsvaga zvandiri kuda pana Jason Moyo apo ndigouya
ipapo," Nathan akadaro achitaura panhare yake.

52
 PALMER

"Heyy ndiyo Bulawayo yacho iyi?" ndakadaro

ndakangoringa panze.
"This is Bulawayo my friend," akadaro Nathan achimisa
mota pane imwe shop yaiva yakanaka zvaityisa yaiva yakanzi
Greens Supermarket ndofunga ndimo maiva muna Jason
Moyo macho maaitaura kuti pane zvaaida kutsvaga.
"Right handei tipinde mukati umu ndimbotenga zvandiri
kuda," akadaro Nathan achivhura door achibuda.
Ndakaburuka ndakutevera ndichipindawo mushop muya. Ah
wainyatsoona kuti zvasiyana nezvitoro zvedu zvekumusha pasi
pacho apa kupenya mudenga umu maiva nemafan
aingotenderera ekuti muchitenga munenge muchirohwa
zvenyu nemhepo. Chakandishamisa ndechokuti Nathan
aingononga zvinhu ega asati abhadhara achiisa muchingoro
chidiki chaaisunda.
"Nathan, zvino zvaunongotora usati wabhadhara
hatizodzingirirwi here tava kunzi taba muno?" ndakabvunza
Nathan ndaona kuti aiva akutozadza chingoro chiya asina mari
yaabvisa. Ini chandaiziva kwedu nana mai Jeke kumusha uko
waitotanga kuvapa mari vozokutambidza zvaunoda.
"No Joel, this is a supermarket. There is what we call self
service here. Unotora wega zvinhu zvaunoda then
wozobhadhara kuvasikana vaunoona vakagara necheku door
avo kkkkk wanga wati tava kuba here Joel?" Nathan akadaro
ndipo pandakazodzikama nekuti hana yaiva yatorova nekuti
patakapinda umu ndakaona mapurisa aiva akamira padoor
akabata mboma refu saka ndaingoti zvino kana taizonzi taba
taizosara here nemazimboma aya. Ndakazotarisawo vamwe
vaivamo ndikaona zvechokwadi vamwe vaingotorawo
saizvozvo ndipo pandakazogutsikana.
"Doro ndokuwedzerera handiti?" Nathan akadaro ava
kundibvunza.

53
 PALMER

"Yaa wedzera zvako, isu vamwe kudoro ndiko kwedu, pane

hwahwa ndipo pedu," ndakadaro ndichinyemwerera. Nathan
akatora zvese zvataida ndokubva tachizoenda kuvasikana
nevakomana vaya vaive vakagara pamacheya akakwirira.
"Good afternoon Sir," musikana uya akatikwazisa.
Ndakangoti zvino ava vanoshandira muzvitoro zvechirungu
zvakadai kana vachigona kumhorosa macustomer, ava vana
Angeline vanotengesa mumajaradha ekuruzevha
vachitoshaina ko dai aizonzi chiuya ushandire mechirungu umu
ndofunga kana kutaura nemunhu chaiko aisatombozotaura.
"I am fine how are you? Do you have ZimSwitch?" Nathan
akabvunza achibudisa chikwama chake. Ini ndakashaya kuti
ZimSwitch yacho chaiva chii.
Ndakangoti ndaizomubvunza tava tega.
"Yes Sir," musikana uya akapindura achinyemwerera. Aiva
ngirozi chaiyo zvekuti pandakazomukombeya naAngeline
ndakaona musiyano mukuru. Mwoyo wangu waiva wazorora
apa. Ndakabva ndaisa maoko muhomwe semunhu aiva
akachena ndichiruma ruma muromo kuti andione. Ndakaona
Nathan pachinhambo chekubudisa mari ndakaona akubudisa
chicard chainge chitupa otambidza musikana uya achibva
achifambisa pane chimwe chinhu achibva achitambidza
Nathan uyo akabayawo zvaakabaya ochidzosera musikana
uya. Musikana uya akabaya baya ndikaona ava kutopa Nathan
receipt necard rake tava kutobuda. Takabuda zvedu asi moyo
wangu waingova pamusikana uya.
"Saka shop iyi ndeyako futi?" ndakabvunza Nathan
patakapinda mumota.
"No, I am just a customer here ndiyo shop yandinotenga
yega iyoyi pandinouya muBulawayo. Their service is excellent
here. Ini muBulawayo handisati ndavhura branch," akadaro
Nathan. Chokwadi haairega kufarira kutenga umu nemasmile

54
 PALMER

evasikana vaivamo. Ndakangoti nechomumoyo

ndaizopadzoka chete rimwe zuva.
"Okay ndanga ndati ndeyako ini," ndakadaro.
"Haa kwete, right let's go tiite business. Are you ready?"
Nathan akabvunza akumutsa mota.
"Of course I am ready, handei," ndakapindura. Takabva
paGreens Supermarket tikabva taenda pamwe paakanosvika
akamisa motikari, ini handina kuziva kuti panonzi pai.
Ndakaramba ndakangogara mumota uyu Nathan ava
kurongedza mamwe mafiles ake pamwe nelaptop yake.
"Okay hatipinde mukati," Nathan akadaro, ndakavhura
door remota ndichibva ndanomira pasi, panguva iyi ndipo
pandakanzwa kuti ndaiva ndadhakwa zvino zvekuti kumira
chaiko kwaiva kwava kunetsa. Ndakaedza kuzvisimbisa kuti
ndikwanise kufamba kupinda mukati ndisingatatariki. Iri doro
randaiva ndanwa raidhaka zvechokwadi kupfuura rendari
ratainwa nana Mukuwe kumusha, asi taiti kana rabikwa
pambuya Mutombeni ava ndivo vainyatsobika rinodhaka
chairo zvaida kuita kunge randaiva ndanwa musi uyu.
"Famba Joel handei," akadaro Nathan achibaya chibhatani
chake chiya mota ichibva yakiya.
"Eh, famba iwewe mberi handei," ndakadaro ndichikanda
nhambwe yekutanga ndikabva ndanzwa ndave kuda kudonha
ndikabva ndabatira pamota. Ndakakoka simba kuti ndikwanise
kufamba uyu Nathan aiva akutofamba kupinda mukati.
Ndakazvishingisa kwakufamba ndichitevera.
"Heyy Nathan," ndakabva ndadana Nathan uyo aiva
akutopinda.
"Yes," akadavira achibva amira achicheuka.

55
 PALMER

"Ndoda mvura yekunwa," ndakadaro ndaona kuti dzungu

randaiva ndava kunzwa raiva ranyanya saka ndakafunga kuti
zvimwe ndikanwa mvura dzungu randainzwa raizoita zviri nani.
"Okay, mucooler box irimo mira tione," Nathan akataura
achifambisa kudzokera kumota achibaya chibhatani chiya
chaiva pama keys ake achibva avhura. Akabva adzoka akabata
mvura achinditambidza. Ndakaitora kwakunwa ndichibva
ndageza kumeso ndikabva ndanzwa kuti zvaiva zvava kuita
zviri nani.
"Tochipinda zvedu?" Nathan akadaro akanditarisa.
"Yaa handei," ndakapindura ndava kufamba
ndichimutevera. Takafamba takupinda ndikaona tasvika paiva
pakanzi reception Nathan achibva anotaura nemusikana
aivapo.
"How are you Sir?" musikana uya akabva akwazisa Nathan
achinyemwerera.
"I am fine, todawoka kusvika kuConference room?" Nathan
akadaro.
"Okay kwidzai zvenyu kufirst floor," musikana uya akadaro.
Ndakaona Nathan ava kumhanya achikwidza masteps aivapo.
Ini hondo yangu ndipo payakatangira. Ndakaedza kuda
kufamba nespeed yaaifamba nayo asi ndakaona kuti ndaigona
kukuvarira mahara ndazvambuka zvangu. Ndakakwidza
zvishoma nezvishoma ndichibatira kusvika tapedza masteps
aya ndikaona tava padenga. Ndaiva ndisati ndamboona
chivakwa chaiva chakanaka kudaro chekuti unoti vamwe vari
pasi vamwe mudenga. Ndakaramba ndichitevera Nathan
achifamba neimwe corridor kusvika takazosvika pane rimwe
door paakabva agogodza.
"Come in," inzwi raiva mukati rakadavira Nathan achibva
avhura.

56
 PALMER

"Pinda Joel," akadaro achindidhonza ruoko.

"Ah ah ah Nathan you are here? Thank God. Tanga tava
kutoti mukuru haachauyi uyu", mumwe wevarume vaivamo
akataura achisimuka paaiva akagara achikwazisa Nathan
achibva azondikwazisa. Vamwe vaivamo vakaratidza kufarira
kuona Nathan vachibva vaitawo zvimwe chete vachitikwazisa.
Maiva nevarume six nemukadzi umwe chete. Vaiva
vakagara vakakomberedza table yaivamo umwe neumwe
wavo aiva akaisa laptop yake pamberi pake. Ndakavatarisisa
ndikaona kuti paiva paita zvevanhu vairatidza kuva nemari
dzavo. Ndakabva ndarangarira mazimota andaiva ndaona
pakamisa Nathan mota yake panze ndikabva ndaziva kuti
zvaiva pachena kuti mota idzi dzaiva dzavo. Pavari hapana
andingati aive munhu mukuru zvaishamisira asi kuti taigona
kungoita vezera rimwe chete navo kana taisiyana taisiyana
nemakore mashoma.
"You may sit Joel," Nathan akadaro achindiratidza cheya
yekugara. Handina kunonoka semunhu aive akutorwadziwa
nekumira, dzungu riya raiita richiwanda zvino. Ndakazviwisira
pacheya iya ndichigara uyu Nathan achibva agara pane yaiva
pedyo neni.
"Okay guys, this is Joel Zanda, he is my childhood friend. So
very soon I want him to join the main wagon", Nathan akadaro
achinditendeka.
"Joel ava vauri kuona ava ndiMr Ruzive, manager vangu
veMasvingo branch vatasvika tikashaya paya vachinzi vauya
kuBulawayo," Nathan akataura achibva aramba achitaura
mazita evamwe achiti uyu ndiDirector Finance uyu Director
chakati, uyu chakati zvimwe zvacho handina kuzozvinzwa
nenyaya yekudhakwa. Ndakangozonzwa vese vakuti, "You are
welcome Sir Joe", ndakangoti, "Okay".

57
 PALMER

"Right we may start our meeting", Nathan akataura.

Paaitaura zvairatidza kuti ndiye ainyanya kuremekedzwa
pavanhu vese vaivamo. Zvakandinetsa kuti Nathan aimbova
ani chaizvo. Ndakangoti ndaizozvitsvaga. Vakatanga kutaura
zvavaitaura zvimwe zvandaiva ndisinganzwisisi vachibaya baya
malaptop aya zvimwe zvichimbonyorwa pabepa. Ndakabva
ndatsikitsira zvangu ndakapeta maoko sezvo ndaiva ndisina
chekubayawo zvaiita vamwe.
Ndakazokaruka ndazvambuka ndava pasi ndadonha kubva
pacheya, ndofunga ndakazokotsira here kana kuti hameno.
"Oh oh Boss, hamuna kukuvara here?" Mr Ruzive ndivo
vakadaro vose vachibva vamhanya kuzondisimudza
vodzigadzika pacheya.
"I think ane hope, eh Ruzive oh makeys aya muperekedze
anorara mumota achindimirira arimo azorore zvake. I think
topedza manje manje. You fold the front seat anyatsorara,"
Nathan akadaro achitambidza uya waaiti Ruzive achibva
andibata ruoko akubuda neni panze kuenda kumota.
Takadzika nemasteps aya takuenda pasi. Ruzive akabaya
chibhatani chiya zvaingosiitwa naNathan achibva andivhurira
door remberi kwakuradzika seat achibva andibatsira kupinda
mumota akundiradzika paseat riya.
"Chirarai zvenyu apa boss, I think meeting iyi inopera very
soon," Ruzive akadaro achibva avhara mota achibva afamba
achidzokera. Ndakasara zvangu ndocheuka kutarisa cooler box
iya ndotsvaga humwe hwaitonhora, ndaida kupedza shungu
ndichimwa nepaMukuwe aiva asara kumusha. Ndakavhura
zvangu bhodhoro ndakuhukwekweta ndichiyeverwa nemota
dzaipfuura nepatara yaivapo.
Ndaiva ndadhakwa zvangu asi ndakaramba ndichingofunga
zvaiva zvaitwa naNathan pandakamubvunza nyaya yekuroora.
Seiko aiva asuruvara kumeso pandaiva ndamubvunza nyaya

58
 PALMER

yekuroora? Chaiva chii chaimutadzisa munhu aiva ane mari

yakadaro achirarama hupenyu hwakanaka. Ndakangoti izvi
ndaizozvitsvaga chete. Ndakaramba ndichihukwekweta
zvangu ndichipishana nepfungwa asi chandaingonyanya
kufarira ini ndechekuti ndaiva ndasiyawo ruzevha ndichienda
kudhorobha kwaiva kwaperera vamwe vezera rangu.
Chandaida ini imari zvimwe zvese zvaizouya kumashure.
Ndakaramba ndichingonwa kusvika ndava kuona nyeredzi
mumaziso mangu nekudhakwa.
Kwakapera chinguva ndakangogara mumota ndichinwa
chete. Ndakazoona mushure mechinguva Ruzive ava kuvhura
door rekwadriver achipinda.
"Sorry Sir makuvhiringidzwa kuzorora, ndanzi naboss
ndimhanye nditsvage lunch paFood outlet iri pana Jason Moyo
apa so vati ndiende nemi nemota ino iyi muchirohwa zvenyu
nemhepo," Ruzive akadaro achibairira makey pa ignition.
"Zvose zvakangonaka handei," ndakadaro ndichimuka
pandaiva ndakarara ndave kuedza kumutsa seat riya
ndichiridhonza kuti ndizembere asi zvairamba. Ndakaedza
kuridhonza nemaoko maviri nesimba rangu rese asi
ndakakundikana.
"No boss mirai ndikugadzirirei," Ruzive akadaro achiburuka
ava kutenderera kuuya kuseri kwandaiva. Akangosvika
akasimudza chimwe chinhu chaiva pazasi peseat achibva
arimutsa nyore nyore. Ndakangoti kudzidza hakuperi ko ini
ndaizvizirepi zvangu. Akapedza kugadzira achibva atenderera
akunomutsa mota. Takabva apa takangonyararidzana hapana
akataura nemumwe. Tati fambei ndakatorazve rimwe
bhodhoro redoro ndakuvhura.
"Heyy manje boss hamusi kuita over consumption here?
Madii mambomira mbichana nekuti ndaona paya kuti
hwakutokukurirai," Ruzive akadaro. Ndakabva ndangoti mirei

59
 PALMER

kunwa zvishoma nekunyara. Takasvika paaienda akapinda

mukati achitenga zvaaitenga ini ndakagara mumota
akazobatsirwa kutakura kuuyisa zvaakatenga kumota
nevashandi vepo. Takasimuka apa takudzokera. Ndakabva
ndafunga kumbomubvunza mubvunzo waindinetsa nguva
yese.
"Ko nhai shamwari, boss vako vanombonyanya kuita
nezvei? Ndinoreva shamwari yangu iyi Nathan?" ndakabvunza
ndakamutarisa mumaziso chaimo.
"Uuuum no, ini ndongoziva kuti ndiboss vangu chete
zvizhinji handizvitsvage," Ruzive akapindura ndikabva ndaona
kuti hapana chaibuda apa. Takasvika pataiva tambobva paya
achibva atanga kutakura zvaaive atenga achidzikisa pasi.
"I think zvakanaka kuti mumbodya mozonwa zvenyu doro
renyu," akadaro achinditambidza rimwe remapaperbag aaiva
nawo achibva atakura mamwe achibva aenda nawo mukati.
Ndakasara kwakuvhura ndikaona mune nyama newataiti
mupunga kana tiri kumusha. Ndozvandaiva ndisingadi,
ndaitoda riri sadza chairo randaiva ndajaira. Ndakangodya
zvangu sezvo paiva pasina. Ndapedza ndakaenderera mberi
nekunwa zvangu doro rangu. Rakazonditora zvino ava vana
Nathan vachingova mukati. Ndinorangarira kuti ndakatora
mvura ndikanwa ndipo pandichiri kuyeuka chete ipapo.
Ndakazongoona ndakupepuka ndiri mune imwe imba
yandisingazivi. Ndakaedza kutarisisa kuti ndione kuti ndaiva
kupi asi hapana chandakaziva. Ndakazovhunduka ndichiona
door rakuvhurwa ndikabva ndaona ari Nathan aipinda mumba
umu asina hembe.
CHITSAUKO 8

60
 PALMER

"Haaa Jowero unodhakwa wena, kuvata kusvika pakuuya

newe muno, kurara and now it's 5:30 am usina kana
kumbomuka kkkk," akadaro Nathan achiisa tauro rake muhuro
rairatidza kuti raiva nyoro. Airatidza kuti aibva kunogeza nekuti
aiva asina hembe achingova neshort chete. Ndakaedza
kutarisisa kuti ndione kuti taiva kupi asi ndakashaiwa.
"What do you mean Nathan? 5:30 am? Saka tiri kupi apa?"
ndakadaro ndichimuka pandaiva ndakarara ndichibva
ndagara. Ndakatarisa machira andaiva ndakafuka acho, ndaiva
ndisati ndamboona jira rakadaro. Pandaiva ndakavata
pachoka, handigoni kutsanangura. Hongu Nathan aigona kuti
yaiva nyaya yekudhakwa yaiita kuti ndisamuka asi ini
ndinogona kuti kwete kwaisava kudhakwa asi kuti pandaiva
ndakavata hama dzangu nyama dzangu dzakanyatsodakara,
hazvaiita kumuka panhu pakadaro. Waiva mufete fete werino
zimubhedha. Zvaiva zvasiyana nekumusha kwandaivata pasi
pekuti waitokasira kumuka hudyu dzakurwadza nekuomarara
kwepasi, zvino apa waimuka uchimukirei pamunyorododo
iwoyo.
"Yes Joel, we are in a hotel. Ndakaona kuti nguva
dzatakazopedza meeting kuti tizoenda Harare zvaisata plus
iwewe wacho zvawanga wava ndakangoona kuti regai
tichitsvaga pekuvata muno muBulawayo. Anyway bro takuda
kurova road chimuka ubve wanogeza kubath uko. Tauro rako
randakakutengera iro riri apo iro," Nathan akadaro
achitendeka tauro raivamo achizora mafuta. Bhabharazi ndiro
raiva rakandirova, ndakasimuka pamubhedha pandaiva
ndakagara ndichibva ndamira ndakutora tauro riya. Ndaiva
ndakushaya zvino kwekunanga.
"Pinda hako umo ndimo mubath, sipo irimo imomo. Handiti
under garment une rimwe riya?" Nathan akadaro achitendeka
door riya raaiva abuda naro iye.

61
 PALMER

"Yaa ndinaro, riri muhomwe umu," ndakataura

ndakufamba kuenda kudoor riya randaiva ndaratidzwa.
"Kana uchida unogona kugeza yemugiza umo sezvo
kuchitonhora," Nathan akataura asi ini handina kuziva
zvaaireva kuti giza chii. Ndakangoti, "Okay," ndichibva
ndapinda. Imomo handina bucket randakaona rairatidza kuti
ndiro raigona kuti ndigezere asi kuti maingova nezigirazi rekuti
waizviona muviri wese. Ndakaramba ndakamira ndava
kushaya pekutangira ndakangobata tauro mumaoko.
"Nathan!" ndakadaidzira ndakudana Nathan mushure
mekunge ndaona kuti chero ndikanyara hapana kwandaisvika.
"Yes Joel!" Nathan akadavira.
"Pinda muno wena," ndakadaro mushure mechinguva
ndikaona door rakuvhurwa Nathan achibva apinda.
"Ehe watii?" akadaro Nathan akamira padoor.
"Ko bucket racho hamuna wani?" ndakabvunza.
"No Joel, muno hamunei nebucket, iwewe unopinda mutub
umu wovhurira mvura umu wogeza. Iyi tape inobuda hot water
and this one cold water," Nathan akadaro achivhura pombi
dziya dzaivamo wanei imwe yacho yaitobuda mvura inopisa
zveshuwa. Ndakatarisa kuti yabvepi chaizvo asi ndakashaiwa
kuti mvura inopisa iyi yaibva pai.
Handina kuzopedza nguva ndakapinda muya ndakugeza
sezvaiva zvataurwa naNathan ndakubvisa mhokotorwa dzese
dzeruzevha. Ndapedza ndakapfeka ndichibva ndabuda
ndakupinda maiva naNathan ndikawana iye atopedza kupfeka.
Ndaiva ndava kunzwa zviri nani manje.
"Oh wadzokorora hembe idzodzo? No bvisa idzodzo woisa
mumonarch umu wotora track suit irimo wopfeka," Nathan
akadaro achivhura monarch raaiva naro achinditambidza.

62
 PALMER

Ndakavhura ndikaona mune track suit itsva yaivamo yaitova

mumapepa.
"Ndakatokusiya zvangu wakarara nezuro ndikanotenga
ndaona kuti taizoshaya zvekuchinja nhasi," Nathan akadaro.
Neniwo zvaiva zvandinetsa kuti hembe idzi dzaiva dzabvepi.
Isu kumusha taigona kuti ukapfeka hembe wairova mazuva
matatu kana mana usina kuchinja, zvino apa ndakangoti
kupfeka hembe zuro wacho apa ndaiva ndakutonzi
ndipfekezve dzimwe. Ndakachinja nekuchimbidza ndikabva
ndapeta dzandaiva ndabvisa ndakuisa mumonarch, uyu
Nathan aive angova mushishi kubaya baya laptop yake akagara
pamubhedha.
"Yaaa I think ndapedza ini," ndakadaro ndichigadzirisa
collar yejacket retrack suit iya. Ndaiva ndachena zvekuti
ndainyatsonzwa kuti apa ndaiva ndava gentlemen. Ndaiva
ndakupfekawo zvaienderana nemamiriro ekunze. Ndakangoti
nechomumoyo maita zvenyu Mwari mandipa mwana wenyu
Nathan anondipa zvekupfeka achindipa zvekudya, ko dai asiri
iye panguva iyi ndaidai ndiripi? Handiti ndaifanira kunge
ndakutogadzira kuvhura mombe ndakapfeka mamvemve angu
ndinana Mukuwe kuruzevha, asi apa ini ndaiva muhotera,
ndatogeza kuseni ikoko. Ndakanyatsoona kuti zviya zvinonzi
Mwari vanosimudza marombe kubva muguruva ichokwadi.
Apa ndaiva ndazvionera pamhino sefodya.
"Right hande tibve tarova breakfast tirove road,"
Nathan akadaro achivhara laptop yake. Takafamba zvedu
takubuda mataiva takarara takuenda maiva nemacheya
mairatidza kuti ndimo maidyirwa. Takasvika paya kwava
kugara. Takaona musikana ava kuuya netray akuzogadzika
pataiva takagara.

63
 PALMER

"Ah asi wanga watovaudza zvandoda kani?" ndakadaro

ndichisekerera mushure mekunge ndaona kuti yangu ndiro
yaiva yakazara mupunga une nyama.
"Yaaa ndanga ndatoisa order kudhara uchakarara.
Ndakuzivaka zvaunoda," Nathan akadaro achidira tea yake.
"Yaaa uku ndiko kudya kwangu chaiko, kwete zvako zvauri
kudya izvo wakati zvinonzii zviya?" ndakadaro ndichitora
chipunu chaivapo chandaida kudyisa.
"Chinonzi toasted bread Joel kkkk as time goes
uchachifarira zvako," akadaro Nathan achiseka zvake.
"Haaa ini regai ndizvidyire mupunga wangu unogutsa
nekuti ndoda kuti kana ndadya ndadya kwete kudya zvinhu
zvisingagari mudumbu," ndakadaro asi ndaitaura mashoko
asinganyatsikubuda mupunga wakazara mumuromo.
"Uchajaira because right now iwewe you are eating lunch
panguva yebreakfast kkkkkk," Nathan akadaro achiseka zvake.
"Hazvina kana basa, ini chandinoda kuzvidyira ndoguta
ndozozvimwira doro rangu chete," ndakadaro ndichindinya
mupunga uya. Nathan akangoseka zvake achibva anyarara.
Takapedza kudya apa ndaiva ndakunzwa kuti yah ndaiva
ndaguta manje. Takafamba takubuda panze ndikabva ndaona
kuti mota yaiva panze. Akabaya chinhu chake chiya ichibva
yarira ichikinura madoor. Ndakavhura zvangu ndichibva
ndagara mberi sezvo panze paiva nekachando kemangwanani
uyu Nathan achiisa monarch riya kumashure achibva azouya
akupinda. Panguva iyi akawana ndatoisa bhande kare ndaiva
ndabata zvandaiva ndadzidziswa.
"Right rega tizvambure mugwagwa takananga Harare,"
Nathan akadaro achimutsa mota akuifambisa tichibuda
pagedhe.

64
 PALMER

"Ko nhingi iya yazuro how far?" ndakadaro mushure

mekunge tafamba chinhambo.
"Nhingi ipi iyoyo?" Nathan akabvunza asi ndakashaya kuti
ndomupindura ndichiti chii manje nekuti zita racho ndaiva
ndisingazivi.
"Ndoreva yekudziya iya yawakamboisa zuro tichibva
kwaGutu, isu kumusha tinoti mbaura," ndakadaro mushure
mekunge ndarohwa nekachando kaivako.
"Hoo inonzi heater Joel," Nathan akadaro achibata chimwe
chinhu chaakatenderedza ndikanzwa haikona mhani kudziya
kwaiva kobuda muzasi umu. Chaiva chirungu choga.
"Yaaa iyoyo chaiyo ndiyo yandanga ndichireva,
wandigonera wena," ndakadaro ndichisekerera mushure
mekunge ndadziirwa. Pese pataifamba ndaifamba
ndichingocheuka kutarisa cooler box. Ndaiva ndava kufunga
doro rangu randaiva ndasiya zuro wacho asi ndainyara manje
sezvo kwaiva kuchiri kuseni. Ndakangoti regai ndimboti mirei
mbichana.
"Ko rimwe gen'a rako riya rakazodii?" ndakadaro
ndichibvunza Nathan.
"Ah takazopedza meeting paya wanei wavata mumota.
Vaida kukuona nekuti umwe wacho aimwa anga atofara kuti
awana wekunwa naye asi takaedza kutokumutsa kutodiiko asi
kana kusvinura kusvika vakangozoti regai azorore. Uyu Ruzive
akatodzokera Masvingo nezuro ava vamwe vakashingirira
kuenda Harare zuro tichasangana mberi," Nathan akadaro asi
moyo wangu wakarwadza pandakanzwa kuti ndakamutsirwa
doro ndikaramba kumuka. Ndaiva ndarasikirwa chaizvo nekuti
ndairida chose.
"Haaa newewo Nathan unoreva kuti wakatadza
kundimutsa? Dai wakandidiraka mvura nhai shamwari, chiona

65
 PALMER

manje ndakarasikirwa nedoro randaida kutengerwa,"

ndakadaro ndichiratidza kusafara.
"Nhai Joel, unoti wakarasikirwa nedoro ko riri mucooler box
wakamboripedza here? Kkkk kurida here doro Joel?"
paakangodaro Nathan ndakabva ndawana pekutangira kuti
ndiwane matorero edoro riya randaiziva kuti mucooler box
raivamo.
"Hooo ah gara zviya umu richimo umu?" ndakadaro
ndichinanavira cooler box iya ndakuvhura.
"Eh ah rizere wena, pamusoroi pamusoroi," ndakadaro
ndichiombera ndichisimudza bhotoro rekutanga ndichivhura.
"Uuum wakutoritanga kuseni kuno? Yaaa vamwe vanhu
makasimba," Nathan akadaro achiratidza kushamisika.
"Haaa iri harina parakambonyorwa time table
yemamwirwe aro iri Nathan. Vakatorigadzira havana kutoisa
nguva vachitoziva kuti rakanaka kumwa chero nguva ipi zvayo
pawaridira," ndakataura ndakarisimudza mudenga
ndichiritenderedza tenderedza kutsvaga paiva pakanyorwa asi
ndakashaiwa.
"Handina kumboti rakanyorwa Joel, kkkk ucharirega zvako
ndozviziva nesu taitombonwawo manwiro ako aya asi
zvakapera," Nathan akadaro akatsika zvake Navara takubuda
muBulawayo.
"Tozozviona kana taregawo iyezvino tichiri kunwa regai
tihurange," ndakadaro ndichibva ndambokakata zvangu.
Takafamba ndikazoona zuva rakwira manje uyu Nathan
akangobaya mota. Ndakazoona tapinda mune imwe taundi.
"Yaaa haaa tafamba wena, saka ndiyo Harare yacho iyi?"
ndakadaro ndichibvunza Nathan.
"Harare? Tamboti tadii zvedu? Iyi iGweru iyi Joel. Tichiri
kuenda mberi wena," Nathan akadaro chimoyo chichibva

66
 PALMER

chafara kuti ndaiva ndichiri kuona nyika nekuti apa paiva

panyanya kuita pedo ini ndisati ndanakirwa neNavara.
"Saka pachitori nemufambo futi?" ndakabvunza.
"Yaaa takuda kusvika half way manje" Nathan akadaro.

Takafamba ini ndichingohurova zvangu. Ndakanzwa akuti

tava muKwekwe, gare gare ndikanzwa Kadoma, Chegutu. Pese
paitaurwa kuti tava pakati ndainyatsotarisa kuti ndinyatsoona
nzvimbo.
"Haaa saka Harare yacho haisvikwi here?" ndakazodaro
ndaona mufambo wacho wanyanya tisina kusvika.
"No takutosvika, apa tikapinda muNorton tobva tapinda
muHarare manje," Nathan akadaro. Ini ndaiva ndangosvinurira
kuti dai ndangochisvika muHarare umo ndaiva ndavimbiswa
huchi nemukaka. Hupenyu hwakanaka ndaihudawo. Kutyaira
mota dzakanaka yaivawo shuviro yangu.
Ndakaramba ndichinwa zvangu doro rangu kusvika
pandakazonzwa Nathan ava kundidana.
"Joel," akadaro Nathan.
"Hee," ndakadavira.
"Tapinda muguta wena, ndiyo Harare yacho iyi bro,"
Nathan paakataura izvi ndakarebesa huro ndichida
kunyatsoona iyo Harare yacho yandaingonzwa nembiri.
"Apa ndipo paNational Heroes Acre panovigwa magamba
enyika apa," Nathan akadaro.
"Papi?" ndakabvunza ndichida kunyatsoona nekuti
nzvimbo iyi ndaingoinzwira mumabhuku nepanhau tiri
kumagirosa.
"Apa kuright kwedu apo," Nathan akadaro achidzora speed
yemota kuti ndinyatsoona. Ndakatarisa ndikaona

67
 PALMER

zvechokwadi ndipo chaipo pandaingoona

pamifananidzo.
"Iyo ndiyo National Sports Stadium," ndakanzwa Nathan
ava kudaro ini ndichiri mushishi kuyevererwa neHeroes Acre.
"National Sports stadium? Ipi?" ndakadaro ndichiringa
ringa kuti ndione kuti yaiva papi.
"Kuside kwako ikoko iyo," Nathan akadaro
achitendeka. Zvechokwadi ndaingoita yekuonera paTV
kumagirosa kana Dembare ichitamba.
Ndaisambofungawo kuti nerimwe zuva ndaizoionawo nemeso
angu sezvizvi.
"Heyy, waita hako wena Nathan ndaona zvakawanda. Heya
kuno ndiko kunowanika nzvimbo idzi?" ndakadaro
ndichinyemwerera.
"Yaaa uchaona zvakawanda kana Mwari vakatichengeta
tikagona kuramba tiri tese," Nathan akataura mashoko aya asi
ndakashaya kuti aida kurevei.
"Obvious tinoramba tiri tose, ko tinotadza nei nhai Nathan.
Titori tese tichiona zvedu zvakawanda," ndakadaro
ndichinyemwerera asi Nathan haana kuseka akaramba
akanyarara.
"This world is not our home, musha wedu uri kudenga
kumusoro," Nathan akazotaura mushure mechinguva achibva
atanga kuerera misodzi. Zvakandinetsa ndikazvidya moyo kuti
izvi zvairevei. Ko sei?
"But why Nathan why?" ndakabvunza ndakamutarisa.
"It's a long story my friend. I will tell you," Nathan akadaro
achipukuta misodzi. Ndakanetseka mumoyo. Ko ndaizoudzwa
riiniko iyi nyaya? Ndaiva ndafambira Harare kuzoona misodzi
yaNathan here kana kuti ndaiva ndazviuyira kumari.
Ndakamupa nguva yekuti apukute misodzi yake
ndakangonyarara.

68
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 9
Ndaifara zvangu kuti ndaiva ndapindawo muHarare asi
ndaiva ndakunetseka mupfungwa kuti yaimbova nyaya yei
yainzi naNathan it was a long story. Ndakaramba
ndakanyarara handina kuzotaura ndichiitira kuti ambopedza
shungu dzake. Ndaiva ndave kungofamba ndakatarisa panze
ndichiona zvangu zvivakwa zvaiyevedza zvaiva panze. Ini
shungu dzangu dzaiva dzangova dzekuti ndichidzidziswa
kutsvaga mari zvandaiva ndavimbiswa naNathan kubvira tichiri
kumusha, ndicho chete chinhu chaiva changosara chandaida.
Nathan akaramba akangotsika mota yake tichiinda zvedu. Apa
ndaiva ndakuona mota dzemhando nemhando dzaiva
dzakanaka zvaityisa, dzimwe dzaiva dzakabereka mavhiri
dzaiva dzati nakeiwo kupfuura yaNathan. Ndakaona ndudzi
nendudzi dzemota. Ndakatarisa Nathan ndikaona kuti shungu
dzaive dzadzikira. Ndakaramba ndakanyarara, ini chinangwa
chandaiva ndafambira kubva kumusha ndaichiziva. Ndaifanira
kuzadzikisa shuviro yemoyo wangu kuti nerimwe zuva mai
vangu vagonwawo tea hobvu zvaiitwa nanamai vevamwe.

"Apa ndipo paShowground apa Joel," Nathan akazotaura

mushure mechinguva achitendeka panze.
"Papi, ndipo panoitwa nezvei manje apo?" ndakabvunza
ndakarebesa huro kuti ndinyatsoona.
"Ndipo panoitirwa iya yaunongonzwa kuti Harare
Agricultural Show, anyway ndichambouya newe muna August
kana Mwari vatendera," Nathan akadaro asi ini kumusha zita
iri ndaiva ndisati ndamborinzwa rekuti Showground,
patainzwa ndepaya paNational Sports nepaHeroes saka

69
 PALMER

paakati aizouya neni ndakafara kuti ndaizozvionera pamhino

sefodya.
"Ah ndingafara chaizvo wena, unenge wandigonera
tombofemawo mweya mutsva," ndakadaro ndichigadzika
empty raive rapera doro kumashure, apa ndaiva ndamboti
ndaizombomira kunwa kuti ndimbonyatsoona guta racho raiva
nemukurumbira.
"Right muno ndimo mutown, saka apa pane pandoda kuti
timbopfuura napo then tozoenda kumba tombonozorora
mbichana tozoona zvinotevera," Nathan akadaro.
"Hapana chakamboshata wena, ita zvako maths dzako ini
hapana kwandomhanyira saka usandityira," ndakapindura
ndichiyeverwa nemudhuri mirefu yandaiona. Apa ndaiva
ndakunyatsozvionera nekuti midhuri yekureba iyi ndaingoiona
mumabhuku eGeography paitaurwa zvema sky scrapper
nezvimwe. Kumusha taizvionerepi kwaiva kusina, ndakabva
ndabvuma kuti zvechokwadi zvimwe zvinhu zvataiona
mumabhuku zvinotovako zvechokwadi pasi pezuva. Nathan
aifamba zvake zvishoma nezvishoma sezvo mota dzaiva
dzawanda achingochinja magiya ndikaona kuti izvi zvaiva zvava
neunyanzvi mukati. Ndakazvibvunza kuti saka
ndaizozvigonawo here izvi zvekutsika tsika, zvaiva
zvakutondivaraidza mwana wevanhu achizviitira zvinhu zvake.
Ndakazoona omira pamwe patakamira.
"Right mira ndingoita withdrawal apo ndiri kuuya izvezvi,"
Nathan akadaro achidzima motikari achibva abuda. Ndakaona
onanga pamudhuri achibva abudisa card rake opfekera
kumadziro, izvi hazvina kunyanya kundishamisa nekuti
ndakarangarira zvataive takamboita kuCommerce tichiudzwa
zvema ATM saka apa ndakangoziva kuti ndizvo zviya
zvaitaurwa. Haana kumbomirapo ndakaona ava kutodzoka

70
 PALMER

mushure mechinguva abata mazakwatira emari. Ndaiva ndisati

ndakambobata mari yandakaona ipapo nemaoko angu.
"Oh woisawo muhomwe, munhu wemurume haufaniri
kugara usinawo mari muhomwe," Nathan akadaro
achinditambidza $150.00. Ndakaita kunge ndairota ndichiti
yaiva mari here iyi mumaoko angu ini Jowero. Saka zvaaiti
munhu wemurume haufaniri kugara usina mari muhomwe
zvaireva here kuti kwemakore ese aya ndina Mukuwe
taizvinyepera tichiti taiva varume isu tisina mari nekuti
mashoko aNathan akandiratidza kuti munhu unzi murume
unofanira kunge unekamari pahomwe. Ndakanyemwerera
ndichitambira mari iya ndichibva ndaipfonyera muhomwe.
"Joel asi hauna wallet?" Nathan akadaro.
"Wallet?" ndakabvunza.
"Yes I mean chikwama chinogarawo mari nezvitupa nei
nei?" Nathan akapindura.
"Haaa handina wena, ndaigoita chikwama Nathan
shamwari ndaichiisei? Homwe idzodzi ndidzo zvikwama,"
ndakapindura ndichirova rova homwe yandaiva ndaisa mari
iya.
"Oh no, you need a wallet," Nathan akadaro achibva aridza
bhera remota achininira mukomana aiva akawaridza zvinhu
zvake zvekutengesa paverondor reimwe shop yaivapo achibva
amhanya achiuya.
"Eh makasimba here boss? Airtime here murungu?"
mukomana uya akadaro akaisa musoro pahwindo.
"No, une mawallets here?" Nathan akadaro.
"Hongu ndinawo, mirai ndikuratidzei andinawo acho,"
mukomana uya akadaro achimhanya kudzokera paaive asiya
akawaridza zvinhu zvake achibva adzoka akabata zvikwama
zvakati wandei.

71
 PALMER

"Leather chaiyo iyi varungu batai munzwe," mukomana uya

akadaro achitambidza Nathan zvikwama zviya.
"Ko pane paungamboti haisi leather here munin'ina?
Handiti uri kutengesa?" Nathan akadaro achibata bata
zvikwama zviya.
"Oh sarudza chaunoda apa Joel," Nathan akadaro achida
kunditambidza zvikwama zviya asi handina kutambira.
"Haaa chingosarudza ndiwe unotoziva quality,"
ndakamupindura achibva azosarudza chimwe chaakabva
andipa.
"Saka imarii?" Nathan akabvunza mukomana uya.
"Ma$8 chete," mukomana uya akapindura Nathan achibva
atora $10 akutambidza mukomana uya.
"Maita basa murungu mirai nditsvage change," mukomana
uya akadaro achitsvaga tsvaga muhomwe dzake.
"Don't worry young man, wozonwawo drink change iyoyo,"
Nathan akadaro achimutsa mota.
"Ah maita zvenyu mukoma Mwari akuitirei zvakanaka,"
mukomana uya akadaro achiombera uyu Nathan achibva
atanga kufambisa mota.
"Heyy wakapenga, kungopa munhu wausingazivi mari?
Kungoti oh just like that?" ndakadaro ndichiratidza
kushamisika.
"Rwakaropafadzwa ruoko rwunopa pane
rwunogamuchira," Nathan akadaro achibva anyarara kana
neni handina kuzoenderera mberi ndakabva ndanyarara.
Ndakatanga zvangu kuita shishi kurongedza mari yangu
muchikwama changu chiya kwakuzotora chitupa changu
ndoisamo. Ndizvo zvega zvaivamo mari nechitupa. Maiva
musina card rekubank kana chii zvacho chimwe chaivamo.
Ndaizviwanepi zvangu kumusha?

72
 PALMER

"Saka kuno uku unogara kupi?" ndakabvunza Nathan

mushure mekunge ndapedza kurongedza
zvinhu zvangu.
"Mt Pleasant, just after paPendenis pamashops. Ndiko
kwatava kunanga uchanoona don't worry," Nathan
akapindura. Takafamba takubuda mudhorobha ini kamoyo
kaingofarira mari yandaiva ndatyorera muhomwe. Ndaiva
ndakufunga kuti ndaizotangira papi kushandisa mari iyi.
Ndakazofunga zano.
"Pano apa ndipo paPendenis ndiwo mashops atinotenga,"
Nathan akadaro asi haana kumira akaramba achifambisa
mota. Ini ndaiva ndakunyatsotarisa mafambiro ataizoita kubva
apa kuenda pamba pake. Takangokona kaviri ndikaona ava
kumira pagedhe achibva aridza bhera. Ndakaona gedhe rava
kuvhurwa neumwe murume wechikuru aiva akapfeka
hovhorosi.
"Ah madzoko boss," murume uya akadaro achikwazisa
Nathan patakapinda.
"Yes makasara mushe here VaSibanda?" Nathan akadaro
achiburuka mumota. Ini ndakaramba ndakagara mumota
mushure mekunge ndaona mazimbwa aivapo aisvetukira
svetukira Nathan, apa ndakanyatsoona kuti ndikaita dzungu
kubuda mumota ndapera.
"Buruka zvako Joel, here we are. Ndipo pamba pano apa,"
Nathan akadaro.
"Imbwa idzi hadzindiite kanyama kanyama here ndikapera
pano," ndakabvunza ndichakangogara mumota.
"Haaa buda zvako kana tiripo hadzirumi. Muchajairana
zvenyu dzinotoda zvekutamba nevanhu idzi," Nathan akadaro.
Ndakanyatsotarisisa imbwa idzi ndikaona kuti dzaitambiswa
kugariswa kudhorobha. Dzaiva dzakanaka pakuvhima zvekuti
dai kuri kuti Nathan aimbotipa naMukuwe taimbonosvaya

73
 PALMER

nadzo musango hataidzoka tisina mhembwe kana nhoro zvino

ndakashaya kuti Nathan aidzidii muHarare. Ndakaburuka
zvishoma nezvishoma asi moyo wangu usina kudzikama.
Ndakaona zihombe racho rakuuya kwandiri ndikatanga
kudududza.
"Relax Joel inoda kutotamba newe," Nathan akadaro
ndichibva ndangomira zvekuzvishingisa zimbwa riya
kwakutanga kundijambira jambira asi moyo wangu wakaenda
kure.
"Handiti waona, iri kutotamba newe ipapo," Nathan
akadaro.
"Haaa vanojairana zvavo manje manje," vaya vainzi
VaSibanda vakadaro.
"Ngatitenderere nekuseri uko tipinde mumba Joel," Nathan
akadaro achitungamira ini ndichibva ndatevera. Patakangoti
pote seri kweimba kuya kwaiva nedoor raizopinda mumba
zvandakaona hana yangu yakarova. Kwaiva kwakamira
dzimwe mota mbiri dzaiva dzakanaka zvaityisa. Rimwe racho
raiva zimurabaraba reBenz poita rimwe zimutumba reBMW
raiva rakamirawo padivi. Idzi dzaiva dzati nakei kupfuura
Navara. Ndakamira ndava kuyeverwa nemota dziya
ndichizvibvunza kuti dzaiva dzaani.
"Ko ukagomira wani Joel?", Nathan akacheuka achibvunza.
"Heeeeeey!" ndakadaro ndakabata chirebvu ndoramba
ndakashama muromo.
"Chii futi?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Whose cars?" ndakabvunza ndakubata bata imwe yacho.
"They are mine," Nathan akadaro achinyemwerera.
"Yours?" ndakadaro ndichishamisika.
"Yaaa in fact these are some of them, iyo Navara
ndoyandoshandisa zvangu kana ndichienda kune dust road.

74
 PALMER

So kana ndisina kwandoenda inenge yakangogara zvayo.

Hatipindei mumba," Nathan akadaro ava kukinura door.
Ndakafamba ndichitevera. Ndakapinda mumba muya asi
ndaiva ndisati ndamboona zvakadaro. TV yaivamo yaiva
yasiyana neiya yataiona bhora kumagirosa yaiva negotsi
kunge munhu, svaingova svitete asi iri huru pakukura apa.
Sofa racho raivamo raiva rakanaka zvaityisa, apa
ndakanyatsoona kuti sofa riya rekwa mai Jeke rataipa mbiri
kuruzevha apa raiva rachepeswa apa. RaNathan iri raiva riri
dema rakatenderera rine zvimwe zvandakaona sezvi pillow,
ndakatomboti asi Nathan ndipo paaivata?
"Gara zvako Joel, relax," akadaro Nathan achibatidza TV iya.
Ndakatanga ndaguma guma shure kwangu ndisati ndaisa
magadziko angu pamufetefete iwoyo. Pandakazogara ndakaita
kunge ndichanyura muviri wese, sofa raifema kunge munhu.
"Oh yes, we are home at last," Nathan akadaro achitura
befu achizviwisira pasofa. Ini maziso angu aingondeya ndeya
mumbamo ndichiyeverwa nekushongedzwa kwaivamo. Waiti
ukatarisa mudenga waiona hudobwa hudobwa huchena
hwaiyevedza, zvaiva zvasiyana nekumusha kwekuti ukatarisa
mudenga waingoona chin'ai chega potse potse kutotosvorwa
wakatarisa mudengamo.
"Oh shame, I forgot something," Nathan akadaro achirova
pasofa achisimuka.
"I am coming, wait," akadaro achibva abuda. Ndakasara
ndakawudyura meso ndakagara pasofa kunge munhu ari
kuona chihuta kekutanga muhupenyu hwake. Nathan handina
kuziva kuti aiendepi kana kuti chii chaaiva akanganwa.
CHITSAUKO 10
Haana kumbotora nguva aiva atodzoka.

75
 PALMER

"Kkkk hooo saka ndozvawanga wakanganwa izvozvo?"

ndakadaro ndichibvunza Nathan paaipinda.
"Yah ipasuroka iyi, mune nzungu dzemutetenerwa
dzandoda kutombodya zvangu, ndatozvifunga pandapinda
kuti ndasiya pasuru yangu kumota," Nathan akadaro achivhura
chisaga chiya akagara pasofa. Ndakaona akubuditsa nhanga,
ndikaona ipwa, magaka, ndakaonazve obuditsa vise
ndikazoona akubuditsa nzungu dzemutetenerwa dzaiva dziri
mubepa rakapera sugar raiva rakasungwa nechishinda
chesaga.
"Yaa ndochinhu chandanga ndichinyanya kuda ichi,"
Nathan akadaro achisunungura chishinda chiya chaiva pabepa
renzungu nemazino.
"Yaa uku ndiko kunonzi kurongedzerwa chaiko
nemachembere," ndakadaro zvangu ndiri mubishi kuyeverwa
neTV. Ndakaona Nathan asunungura bepa riya achibva
asimuka ava kutora imwe ndiro yebhonzo achidira nzungu
dziya achibva asiya dzimwe.
"VaSibanda!!, VaSibanda!!" ndakanzwa Nathan ava
kudaidzira.
"Boss!!" ndakanzwa inzwi raVaSibanda vaidavira vari panze.
"Svikai kuno," akadaro Nathan achimbandika nzungu dziya
achikanda mumuromo.
"Tipindewo boss," VaSibanda vakadaro vachipinda.
"Pindai zvenyu, oh ndati mumbonzwawo zvekwaGutu izvi
zvatauya nazvo," Nathan akadaro achisimudza ndiro iya
achivatambidza.
"Ah ah ah, apa mandigonera apa boss. Tombonzwawo
zvekumusha izvi. Kunoratidza kuti kwenyu kwakaibva uku,"
vakadaro VaSibanda vachiombera vachitambira ndiro iya.

76
 PALMER

"Haa ndizvowo wena, gore rino zuva racho rinenge rakapisa

nyika yese wena. Hameno Joel ndimi munonyatsoziva
vakakohwa here kumusha uku?" Nathan akadaro achibva
anditarisawo.
"Yah ndizvowo vamwe vakakohwa vamwewo ndivo
vakangowana masundachando zvaingoenderanawo neivhu
racho," ndakapindura asi ziso rangu raingova kuTV.
"Aiwa kana vakatombowana zviri nani, kune dzimwe
nzvimbo vakatoshaiwa zvachose like kwedu kuNkayi uko.
Maita basa boss ini chiregai ndinotsengera ndichipedzisa
kucheka lawn yangu uko," vakadaro VaSibanda vava kubuda.
"Okay, isu regai timbozorora manyaro aya," Nathan
akadaro.
"Zvakanakai boss. Idzo nyama dzinoda kupota
dzichizorodzwa," VaSibanda vakadaro vachibva vaenda
tikabva tazosara tiri vaviri naNathan.

Zvakandinetsa kuti sei pose Nathan aingonzi boss boss

chero nevamwe vanhu vechikuru vaingomuti boss asi apa
ndakazoti regai ndibvunze.
"Wangozonditi avo vanonzi VaSibanda asi hauna
kuzondiudza kuti vanoita nezvei kana kuti ndiani wako?"
ndakabva ndabvunza.
"Hoo uchireva avo? Ndivo vanondibatsira basa pano
kugadzira gadzira pamba nekuchekerera chekerera lawn,"
Nathan akataura achiratidza kunakirwa chose nenzungu
dzaaidya.
"Ko iwe hausi kudya wani? Oh nokora," Nathan akadaro
achiswededza bepa renzungu riya pedyo neni.
"Aiwa ini kana. Ini zvenzungu izvo handichadi kuda
mukatotipawo zvitsva zvekuno haaa zvemumunda izvo

77
 PALMER

tanzwa nazvo vamwe," ndakadaro ndichidzosera bepa riya

pedyo naye.
"Kkkkkk haaa manje isu vamwe ndizvo zvatinoda.
Mira nditarise mufiriji ndione kuti ndingakuwanira chii,"
Nathan akadaro achisimuka achipinda mune imwe room
ndikazoona ava kudzoka akabata chilunch chaakasvika achibva
anditambidza.
"Oh ice cream iyi," Nathan akadaro achibva afamba
achidzokera. Ndaiva ndisati ndakambodya ice cream kubvira
nekubvira. Panguva yaakadzokera ndakasara kwakukwachura
kuvhura lunch box iya kwakutsveta chivharo pasi, maoko
ndakangopukutira pahembe ndichibva ndaifombora. Handina
kumbenge ndakanakirwa zvakadaro, ndakanzwa mate kuzara
mumuromo mese. Ndakafombora rwepiri ndikanzwa kuti yah
uku ndiko kwainzi kudya kwepataundi uku. Ndakafunga hama
yangu Mukuwe kuti manje aiva pai panguva yandainakirwa
zvakadai. Ndakanzwa gotsi rese kuti papata.
"Ah ko Joel wakutorova nemaoko? Ndanga ndanotora
spoon yekudyisa," Nathan akadaro achiratidza kushamisika.
"Haa watiwana tava mberi wena. Chindipa ndichirova
neiyoyo," ndakadaro ndichinanzva maoko anga azara ice
cream ndava kutambira spoon iya uyu Nathan achibva anogara
zvake paaiva akagara akuenderera mberi nekudya nzungu
dzake.

Takagara zvedu kwechinguva ini ndaiva ndatopedza ice

cream iya kare ndikazoona Nathan ava kusimuka.
"Oh yes, Joel chiuya ndikuratidze kubedroom kwako,"
Nathan akadaro panguva yaaisimuka. Handina kupedza nguva
ndakabva ndasimukawo ndakutevera.

78
 PALMER

Takafamba nemupassage ndikazoona akuvhura pane rimwe

door tichibva tapinda. Ndakaona mune zimubhedha raivamo
raiva rakawaridzwa machira emhando yepamusoro.
Pakutanga ndakatomboti zvimwe tatanga nekupinda
mubedroom make kwangu taizopfuurira zvedu gare gare.
"This is your room Joel, feel at home," Nathan akadaro
achitendeka zimubhedha riya. 'My room?' ndakazvibvunza
nechomumoyo ndichiringa ringa kutarisa imba yese kuti ndini
here Jowero ndaizovata mumba makadai? Pamubhedha?
"Okay mira ndikutarisire mapush ndione kuti pane
aungakwana here tsoka dzipindwe nemhepo,"
paakataura izvi handina kuzvifarira. Ini ndaida kuti ndimbogara
ndakavanza tsoka yangu mushangu nekuti chimiro chayo
ndaichiziva. Uyu Nathan akangotaura achibva abuda
muchinguva chipfupi achibva atodzoka akabata mapush
mumaoko iye atopfekawo mamwe.
"Heyy ndiri kutofunga zvangu kuti iyi mota yatabva nayo ine
tsvina mhani dust rekumusha inoda kuendeswa kucar wash
apa ini ndoda kumbomhanya kuoffice pane mapapers andoda
kunogadzirisa ikoko. Dai waigona kudriver ndingadai ndakuti
wochitora Navara ini ndotora Benz toteverana ndonokusiya
pacar wash ini ndopfuurira then kana yapera kugezwa
wodzoka nayo kumba manje heyy," Nathan akataura
achikanda mapush aya pamberi petsoka dzangu. Apa ndipo
pandakaona kuti kusaziva kwakaipa.
"Haa mahwani wena, idzi dzava motaka idzi, zvasiyana
nebhara kana ngoro. Mozotidzidzisawo nekufamba
kwenguva," ndakadaro ndichibva ndagara pamubhedha asi
mapush aya handina kubata.
"Kwete nekufamba kwenguva Joel but it's a must or
Iet me say it's a requirement kuti uve uchigona kudriver.

79
 PALMER

Manje kuti ini ndinyepe kuti ndingawana nguva yekukudzisa

handifungi nekuti mazuvano ndinenge ndakabatikana kubasa
plus zvekudzidzisa munhu zvinoda munhu ane moyo murefu
kkkk. But anyway mira tione ndinoita plan because a
gentleman like you anofanira kudriver mhani," Nathan akadaro
achibuditsa foni yake muhomwe. Hana yangu yakaita
seichatsemuka nemufaro pandakanzi gentleman.
Ndakazvibvunza kuti saka ndaiva ndakutokodzera kunzi
gentleman here? Ko iyo nyaya yaiva yauya yekuda kudzidziswa
kutyaira iyi, ndaiva rombe raiva rakusimudzwa kubva
muguruva. Pfungwa dzangu dzaiva dzave kungoti ndangogona
mota chete chekutanga kwaiva kumbodzokera kumusha nayo
ndombonoimisa pashop pamai Jeke munhu wese achindiona
kunyanya Angeline.
"Wati ini ndinombononoka kubata here Nathan. Tisu
mafast learner iwe unozviziva iwe kubvira tiri kuchikoro kuti
chero pataita angava ma equation kuMaths ndini
ndaikutangirai mese kubata. Kazhinji kacho iwe Nathan
macorrections waitoponera mubhuku rangu pachokwadi
chaipo," ndakadaro ndichibva ndaseka.
"Kkkkk Joel vakomana. Ndozvinoramba zvichingotaurwa
here? Yaa asiwo Maths waitema paya ichocho ndicho
chokwadi chisingaputsi ukama," akadaro achiseka zvake
achibva agarawo pamubhedha.
"Manje? Saka ungati ndingazononoka kubata matyairirwe
emota?" ndakadaro.
"Anyway rega tione kuti tingaita sei," akadaro Nathan
akuenderera mberi achibaya baya foni yake.
"Ko hausi kupfeka mapush wani?" Nathan akabva abvunza.
"Haa ndichapfeka zvangu handisati ndava kutsva ndichiri
right," ndakadaro asi chandairegera kupfeka mapush ini

80
 PALMER

ndaichiziva. Yaisava nyaya yekuti ndaisatsva asi kuti ndainyara

kuyanika gumbo rine zvingaka neman'a panze.
"Okay, saka ini ndakumbomhanya kuoffice ndinodzoka very
soon. Unogona kusara zvako uchivaraidzana naVaSibanda avo
kana kuona TV. I think ndichadzoka nadriver achazotora
Navara ava kuiendesa kucar wash," Nathan akadaro achibva
asimuka paaiva akagara.
"Okay haa don't worry ndinosara zvangu iwe enda unoita
maths dzako," ndakapindura ndichisimukawo ndakufamba
naye. Akabva atora laptop yake ava kubuda achibva ananga
paziBenz riya.
"Ah honawo ini ndakushandisa makeys asiri iwo kutoda
kukinura neeNavara, Joel nditambidzewoka makeys ari
pamusoro peCPU yecomputer iri mudining," Nathan akadaro
asi aiva andiomesera. Kuti computer ndakaziva asi kuti
ndichizoziva kuti paaizoti pamusoro peCPU ini kuti ndichizoziva
kuti CPU yacho chii ndipo pakandirasisa.
"CPU ndoipi zviya, ko isu tingaziva here zvenyu izvi
unongozivawo kwatakakurira iwe," ndakanyatsopindura
ndaona kuti ndikanyara handaigwaza.
"Haa don't worry uchadzidza Joel. Mira nditore," Nathan
akadaro ave kufamba achipinda mumba achibva adzoka
akabata makeys aya.
"Right saka wosara bhoo. Ndodzoka very soon any problem
you call me. Oh gara zviya hauna foni futi uuuuuuuuum, okay
mira toita plan but for now any problem unoudza VaSibanda
vanondifonera neyavo totaura ipapo handiti?" Nathan
akataura atogara mumota asi aiva asati avhara door.
"Okay iri bhoo," ndakamupindura achibva amutsa mota
yake ave kubuda.

81
 PALMER

Achingobuda ndakasara ndichidzokera mumba, pane

zvandaida kumbonyatsoongorora zvangu mumba imomo.
Ndakapinda zvangu kwakutanga kuringa ringa. Ndakatarisa
paiva pakagara TV ndikaona pane mabooks aivapo.
Ndakatanga kuona bhuku raivapo raiva rakanzi WHEN MY GOD
WHEN? Ndakaritora kwakuverenga kuseri ndikaona kuti raiva
rakanyorwa neainzi Rutendo Lovely Nzira. Ndakada kuziva kuti
sei munhu uyu aibvunza Mwari mubvunzo wakadai.
Ndichakamira kudaro ndakaverenga chitsauko chekutanga
ndikanzwa nyaya yacho ichitapira. Handina kuzoripedza
panguva iyi asi ndakaritora kwakumboriisa padivi nekuti pane
zvimwe zvandaida kuongorora nekuziva Nathan asati adzoka.
Ndakabva ipapo ndichibva ndafunga kuti regai ndimbonopinda
mubedroom mairara Nathan asi ndaitya kuti zvimwe
ndaizowana pakakiiwa atakura makeys ake. Ndakafamba
kwakunanga padoor rebedroom raNathan. Ndakangoribata
kamwe chete richibva ravhurika mukamwe mukamwe.
Ndichingopinda ndakatanga kuringa ringa. Nechokumusoro
kwemubhedha pane zvandakaona. Pandakada kuwedzera
kufamba kupinda mukati ndakavhunduka.
"Joel, Joel are you there? Ko honawo ini ndakumhanya
kuenda ndichisiya makey ekuoffic," ndakanzwa inzwi raNathan
airatidza kuti aitotaura atova mudining nechekare.
CHITSAUKO 11
Ndakavhunduka asi ndakati regai ndikasire kufunga zano.
Ndainzi Jowero ini ndaisapererwa. Ndakabuda mubedroom
muya ndichimhanya ndakabata kumashure nerumwe ruoko
rumwe ruoko rwakabata mudumbu ndichibva
ndasanganidzana naNathan atomira mudining.

82
 PALMER

"Ko chii nhai Joel ukagoita kunge munhu ari kunzwa

mudumbu? Ko ikoko uri kubvepi?" Nathan akabvunza akabata
makeys ake mumaoko.
"Ice cream iya inenge yandikuvadza wena. Apa iwe
wangozondiratidza bedroom rangu chete toilet hauna
kundiratidza. Ndanzwa nekuvhura madoor ese ndichiti zvimwe
mutoilet ndiri kuwana mumba futi munotova nemubhedha.
Ndakuvara Nathan. Ndiratidzewo toilet ndizvisunungure,"
ndakataura ndichidzana dzana ndakangobata mudumbu
mangu kunge munhu aiva oda kutozviitira.
"Oh oh oh!! I am very sorry Joel. Neniwo ndazodzoka
ndorivara kani very sorry. Huya kuno uku ndikuratidze, kuti
haisi nyaya yekuti waidya uchangobva kunwa doro here?"
akadaro Nathan achifambisa achienda nekwaiva nepassage.
Ndakateverawo ndichifambisa.
"This is our toilet. You may ease yourself," Nathan akadaro
achivhura rimwe door raakavhura.
"Ini handichamiri ndakumhanya kuoffice ndanonoka. Any
problem unodaidza VaSibanda," Nathan akadaro achibva
afambisa achibuda ini ndava kupinda muya. Ndakatura befu,
ndaiva ndapunyuka nekuti ndakaona kuti Nathan hapana
zvakawanda zvaakambofungira.
Ndichipinda mutoilet muya, chokwadi ndaiva ndisati
ndamboona zvakadaro. Kuti uti mutoilet kana kuti mumba
waitadza kunyatsonzwisisa. Waigona kupiwa sadza ukatodyira
imomo. Mainhuwirira kwete kunhuwa. Pasi apa kupenya, iwo
madziro acho kusvedzerera. Maiva makanaka, muchiyevedza
kupfuura mugota mangu mandaitovata ini ndiri kumusha.
Imomo hapana nhunzi yandakaona. Ndakapedza kuongorora
muchimbuzi muya kwakubva ndabuda. Hapana
zvandakaitamo.

83
 PALMER

Mubvunzo wangu waiva wava wekuti Nathan aigoti haana

mukadzi saka aigara nani? Ko kana aiva asina mukadzi sei
pandakapinda mumba make mekurara nechokumusoro
kwemubhedha ndakaona kune mapillow maviri ekutsamira.
Saka ndiani aitsamira imwe pillow iye aigara ega? Ndaida
kuzomubvunza kana adzoka. Ndakabuda panze ndichida
kumbonyatsoongorora zvapaiva pakaita. Ndava kutenderera
kuenda kuseri ndakabva ndaona mazimbwa aya ava
kundimhanyira ndikati ndapera. Ndakaedza kuringa kuti
zvimwe ndingaona VaSibanda vaya asi handina kuvaona.
Ndakaramba ndakashinga ndakamira. Dzakatanga
kundisvetukira svetukira ndikazoona kuti zvechokwadi
dzaisada kundiruma asi dzaitotamba zvadzo. Imbwa dzaiva
dzakanaka idzodzo zvekuti dai Nathan aimboda zvake
kumbotipa one day zvaro naMukuwe kumbonosvaya nadzo
musango taigona kuita shura. Ndakanzwa kurwadziwa
nekutambiswa kwadzaiitwa.
Ndakatenderera imba iya ndichinyatsoona. Yaiva isiri imba
yekutamba nayo. Raiva ziimba. Mubvunzo wangu waiva
wekuti imba iyi yaiva yake here? Ko kana yaiva yake airidii
ziimba rose iri munhu aigara ega? Ndiri pakati pekufunga izvi
ndakanzwa chinhu chaitinhira necheseri kweimba.
Ndakamboti imota asi ndakazonzwa kuti sound yacho yaiva
isiri yemota zvachose. Ndakafamba ndichienda kwaibva
kutinhira. Ndava kusvika ndakaona ah zvavari VaSibanda
hameno chinhu chavaidriver kunge zviya zvinoitwa mota
dzemawaya netukomana turi kuyaruka. Ndakashamisika kuti
ko mudhara uyu akaita seiko asingakuri. Zera iroro raiswera
kutambisa izvozvo. Ndakati regai ndisvike pedyo navo
ndinyatsonzwisisa.

"Eh mudhara Sibanda", ndakadaro ndichisvika pavaiva.

84
 PALMER

"Ah boss makasimba here?" vakadaro vachibva

vambodzima chinhu chiya. Ndakafara kuti ndaiva ndava
kutonziwo Boss.
"Ndiri bhoo zvangu muri kuvarairwa neiko zvenyu pano
apa?" ndakabvunza.
"Haa kwaniko kutochekerera zvangu lawn iyi kuti pamba
paonekere," vakapindura vachigadzirisa hovhorosi yavo.
"Kucheka lawn? Ko ichi ndechipi ichi?" ndakabvunza
ndichibata bata chinhu chiya chavaiita ruzha nacho.
"Ndicho chandiri kushandisa kuchekerera lawn chinonzi
chilawn mower," vakapindura. Ndakashamisika kwazvo nazvo
nekuti isu taiva tajairaka kumusha kwataicheka sora
nemabhemba ataiti maslusher zvino izvi ndaiva ndisati
ndakambozviona.
"Hoo imbochekai tione," ndakadaro ndichida kunyatsoona
mashandiro acho. Vakabva vangodzvanya hameno
pavakadzvanya ndikaona chatanga kutinhira vakufambisa.
Chaiti pachabva pachinenge chafamba napo chaisiya sora rese
raenzana.
"Heyy chakanaka ichi. Imbondipai ndimboitawo,"
ndakadaro ndichibva ndapuwa chinhu chiya asi ndakatadza
kana kuchishandisa asi pandaiona ivo vachiita zvaiita kunge
nyore.
"No, hamumboomese muviri boss. Chingopfavisai maoko
enyu then moita semakasimudzira mudenga zvishoma,"
vakadaro VaSibanda. Ndakatevedzera zvavakataura ndikaona
zvakufamba.
"Yaa zvinoratidza kuti majaira basa," ndakadaro.
"Handingatadzi, ndava nemakore anodarika gumi
nemashanu ndichiita basa iri," pavakataura izvi

85
 PALMER

ndakashamiswa nazvo. Ndakabva ndati regai ndibve

ndabvunza zvandaida.
"Saka Nathan uyu chii chenyu nhai VaSibanda,"
ndakabvunza vachibva vambodzima chinhu chiya tava
kukurukura.
"Murungu wangu, ndivo vandinoshandira," vakapindura.
"Hoo saka maishandepi pese apa?" ndakabvunza.
"Ndaingoshandira pano handina kumbobvira ndachinja."
Ndakashamisika kuti mudhara uyu aigoti anoshandira Nathan
otizve ndine 15 years ndichishanda pano pamba paNathan iye
Nathan wacho pa15 years dzaaitaura taiva tichiri kuPrimary.
Zvaireva here kuti Nathan pataiva kuPrimary aiva atova
nedzimba nevashandi?
"Aaah how come? Makatanga kushandira Nathan riini?
Jekesai ipapo," ndakabvunzisisa.
"Yaa ava boss vandinavo parizvino rino rava gore repiri
ndichivashandira. Chakaitika ndechekuti pano paigara
murungu makore ese aya. Ini ndiye wandaishandira zvino
vakazotengesa imba iyi ichibva yatengwa naboss vangu
vandava navo ava. Vakabva vandikumbirira kuti ndirambe
ndichishanda pano sezvo ivo vaiva vakuenda kuSpain ava
vakabva vabvuma kuti ndivashandire saka muchiona ndichiri
pano kudai," vakatsanangura.
"Pajeka apo, ndanzwisisa," ndakapindura.
"Saka murungu wenyu mutsva uyu mungaziva here kuti
anoita nezvei achishandepi?" ndakabvunza zvekare.
"Uuum ini izvozvo handingazivi. Chandinongoziva ini kuita
basa rangu kuti kana vakaridza bhero kugedhe uko ndomhanya
ndonovhura nekuti kana mwedzi wapera ndopiwa mugove
wangu. Handibvi pano ndinongoona vachipinda nekubuda

86
 PALMER

nemota dzakasiyana siyana," mudhara uya akataura

achiratidza kuti haana zvaaitoziva.
"Saka room yenyu yamunorara imi ndeipi?" ndakabvunza.
"Kwete, ini ndogara kuboysky iri kukona kwedurawall kune
mibanana uko. Ndiko kunogara vashandi nekuti hatibvumirwe
kugara muMain house yevarungu," vakapindura.
"Okay ndichazosvikako ndombokuona," ndakadaro.

Takakurukura zvedu dzimwe nyaya dzakasiyana siyana

vachicheka lawn yavo. Ndakazonzwa foni yavo yakurira.
Ndakaona vava kuibudisa muhomwe yehovhorosi.
"Eeeeh boss......maswera zvakanaka here?........Yah kuri
right.......ehe.......nditori navo pano........okay boss,"
vakadavira ndikaona vave kunditambidza foni iya.
"NdiBoss vati vanoda kutaura nemi," vakadaro ndichibva
ndatambira foni iya. Ruoko rwakabvunda urwu. Ndaiiziva?
Ndaiva ndakambotaurawo nayo? Ndichitaura nani wangu?
Ndaitongodziona dzichifoneswawo nevamwe kumusha
kunyanya maticha epachikoro nambuya vaNathan.
Ndakaiisawo panzeve zvaiva zvakaita VaSibanda.
"Hallo!" ndakadaidzira ndikaona VaSibanda vachindipa
masign neruoko kuti ndidzikise inzwi.
"Eh Joel, wasara mushe here? Mava sei mudumbu manje?"
akadaro Nathan.
"Haaa zvava nani wena, kuri sei?" ndakapindura.
"Kuri bhoo ndakuda kutodzoka zvangu. Ndokutengera
sadza here or rice kuno uku tiri mabhachuraka hatibiki
tinotoita zvekutenga?" Nathan akabvunza nhau yandakafarira.
"Sadza, sadza!! Ita riri sadza chairo wena," ndakapindura.
"Okay will be there in minutes," akadaro Nathan foni ichibva
yakata. Ndakatambidza VaSibanda foni yavo.

87
 PALMER

"Haimbodi kutaura muchidaidzira iyi boss. Ipapa

kungotaura sematauriro atiri kuita aya munhu anotokunzwai
chero ari kuAmerica," VaSibanda vakadaro vachiseka zvavo.

Hapana kuzomboita nguva takanzwa bhero remota

kugedhe. Ndakaona mudhara Sibanda achiita kunge
achavhunika nekumhanya achinovhura. Ndakatevera ndava
kunotambirawo Nathan.
"Eh kudzoka uku," ndakadaro ndichisvika pamota.
"Kudzoka wena, tambira paper bag iri nditore doro rako
randakuvigira wozonwa zvako manheru," akadaro ndichibva
ndatambira paper bag riya nemufaro. Paaiva ave kuda kutora
doro riya foni yake yakabva yarira.
"Hallo Muzevezi.....hoo waona message yangu?......yah
ndatosvika naye nhasi......eh nditori naye
I think ndichapfuura ndichimusiya kwamuri
mangwana......kkkkkk ndiri kukupai ka client moita
mari......okay iri bhoo," ndakanzwa Nathan achitaura mashoko
aya pafoni. Zvaitaurwa nemumwe wacho ndaisazvinzwa asi
apa there was no doubt ndini ndairehwa. Kupi kwandainosiiwa
kuti vamwe vanhu vaite mari? Apa ndakati rega ndibvunze
ipapo ipapo.
"Eh Nathan kowoda kunondisiya ndekupi futi?"
ndakabvunza ndikaona amira akukwenya kwenya pamhanza
pake achifinyamisa pahuma kunge munhu ateiwa nezuva.
"Kkkkk pora Joel, uchaona chete tavako. Hatipindei mumba
udye sadza nekuti matauriro awaita zvesadza pafoni andiudza
kuti une nzara chaiyo," Nathan akataura achindirova rova
bendekete rangu reruboshwe neruoko rwangu rwerudyi.
"Aaah kupora ndakapora kare. Kwanga kuri kungoda
zvangu kuziva," ndakataura ndava kufamba ndichipinda

88
 PALMER

mumba. Nathan akatevera akabata rimwe paper bag raiva

nedoro rangu. Takapinda mumba achibva angonanga kunoriisa
mufiriji.
"Pinda zvako mukitchen umo ugeze maoko udye ini ndabva
ndatorova ikoko," Nathan akataura achizviwisira zvake pasofa
achibva atanga kubaya baya remote akainenekedza kuTV.
"Ko ndiko kudii kwawave kuita ikoko, siya iri ikoko kune
bhora uko," ndakadaro ndaona ava kubvisa kuSuper Sport
kwayaiva iri kwaitambwa bhora.
"Sorry, mira ndoda kungotarisa kuYadah TV ndione kuti
hakuna live service here? Kana kusina ndodzoka kubhora
kwako. Enda zvako unogeza maoko ukagomira wani?"
"Aiwaka ndandichida kutoona kuti maths dzauri kuita
ndedzipi zvangu," ndakataura ndava kufamba kuenda
kunogeza maoko.

Handina kumbotora nguva ndiriko ndaiva ndatodzoka

zvangu ndakuzviputsa nemunyepfu wenyama yandaiva
ndavigirwa.
"Washayaka zvawanga uchida? Ndaona wadzosera
kubhora?" ndakamubvunza.
"Yaa haisati yatanga chimboona zvako bhora rako,"
akapindura.
Ndakapedza kudya ndichibva ndangosimuka ndave
kunanga kufiriji kuya. Ndaiva ndafunga doro rangu randaiva
ndavigirwa. Ndakatanga kunwa zvangu ndichiona bhora uyu
aiva akangotsikitsira palaptop yake achibaya baya.
Ndakanyatsoona kuti baba ava zvebhora zvaiva kure navo.
Takagara kwenguva yakareba ini ndichingonwa chete doro
rangu kusvika pandaiva ndakunzwa kuti ndava kudhakwa
zvino. Ndakazoti regai ndichitanga nhau yangu iya.

89
 PALMER

"Nathan!" ndakamudana.
"Yes," akadavira achibva asimudza musoro.
"Pano unogara nani pano?" ndakabvunza ndakamutarisa.
"Newe naVaSibanda," akapindura.
"Sei wabvunza Joel?" akabvunza achiseka zvake.
"Mumba mandamborashikira nguva dziya umo ndichiti
mutoilet handimo maunovata here?" ndakabvunza.
"Eh ndimo, ko chii?" akabvunzazve.
"Right ndiani waunovata naye imomo. Paya wakati iwe
maiguru kuno hakuna?" ndakabvunza ndichibva
ndambosimudza bhotoro rangu redoro ndichibva ndanwa.
"Ndinorara ndega wani. Hindava Joel? Wakudhakwaka?"
Nathan akabvunza achiseka. Ini ndakatoshaya kuti
chaimunakidza ipapo chii ini ndaibvunza ndichida kuziva.
"Ndapinda paya ini ndikaona pamubhedha pane mapillow
maviri. Anotsamira imwe yacho ndiani? That's my question,"
ndakadaro.
"Kkkkkk Joel vakomana. Hapana paunombotenga pillow iri
one one dzinotongotengeswa dziri mbiri mbiri.
Okay simuka ipapo," Nathan akadaro.
"Ndosimukirei?" ndakabvunza.
"Simuka huya kuno. Ndoda kuenda newe kuroom kwako
ndigokubvunza something," akadaro Nathan achindibata
ruoko achindisimudza. Takafamba tava kuenda kuya kwaiva
kwanzi ndiko kubedroom kwangu.
"Nyatsotarisisa. Pako pane mapillow mangani?" Nathan
akataura ndichibva ndanyatsovhura maziso ndikaona ah
zvechokwadi aivawo maviri.
"Ah maviri wena. Paya handina kumbozviona," ndakadaro.
"Okay chiuya kuno uone," akadaro ava kufamba neni
kudzokera kudining.

90
 PALMER

"Tora magazine riri paTV stand iro," Nathan akataura

achinditendekera paiva nemamwe mabhuku aivapo.
Ndakadzedzereka ndichiendapo.
"No, not that one. The other one," akadaro mushure
mekunge ndabata rimwe raivapo. Ndakabata rimwe racho.
"Exactly, I think that one ndiro randogona kuwana
zvandoda kuti uone," Nathan akadaro ndichibva ndada
kumutambidza bhuku riya.
"No, usandipa. Gara apo ndoda kuti uvhure kubva
kwarakatangira uchienda uchiona mibhedha irimo. Ndoda kuti
ugondiudza kuti pane mubhedha wakaiswa pillow one here?"

Ndakagara pasi ndokutanga kuvhura bhuku riya.

Zvechokwadi bhuku iroro yaingova mibhedha yoga yaiva
yakawaridzwa machira emarudzi nemarudzi. Yese aingova
mapillow maviri maviri.
"Maviri maviri wena," ndakadaro.
"Well done. Saka wanzwisisaka kuti ndizvo zvinoita
mibhedha," Nathan akadaro.
"Yaa ndagutsikana wena. Wotoita mwoyo murefu
shamwari kundidzidzisa zvakawanda. Kwedu kuya
taizvizivirepi? Handiti wakaona chero musi uya watakazofuma
tichiuya takangovata padhawesi. Even muchembere chaiye
ndipo paanovata," ndakadaro.
"Don't worry Joel, very soon zvinonaka wozotengerawo
muchembere mubhedha. Pakudzidza uchadzidza zvakawanda.
Munguva shoma iri kutevera ndozviziva zvangu kuti munenge
musingachabatiki pano makubvongodza Harare iyi mega,"
akadaro Nathan achibva adzokera zvake kubaya laptop iya.
Takazotandara kusvika pandaiva ndava kunzwa hope.
Ndakaona obayazve remote iya.

91
 PALMER

"Yaaa live service yatanga," akadaro achibva avhara laptop

iya.
"Saka matova muchechi?" ndakabvunza.
"Yaaa tatovamo. Distance is not a barrier Joel," akapindura
apa mwoyo wake wanga wachiva kuTV kuya zvino
achitodavirirawo vanhu vaya vaiimba.
"Ah sarai mupinde chechi, ini ndakunovata. Ndadhakwa
ini," ndakadaro ndava kudzadzarika ndichibatira masofa
ndakunovata.
"Kkkkk hausati wava mazviri chete. Chimboitai zvenyu
zvedoro. Anyway mangwana umuke very early around 6:30 am
ndoda kuti tizobuda tese pandinenge ndava kuenda kubasa.
Saka ndichakumutsa kuti uchigeza. Rara zvako ini ndichamboti
garei," akadaro ndichibva ndangogutsirira musoro ndichibva
ndaenda. Ndiri muya ndaingonzwa Nathan achidaidzira,
"Amen!! I receive!! Amen!!" ndakatomboti asi ava kupenga?
Ndaiva ndisati ndambozviona. Ndakazobatwa zvangu nehope
iye achingodaidzira zvake izvozvo.

"Eh eh Joel! Chimuka ugeze kwaedza toda kubuda.

Wakuvata kunge munhukadzi. Munhu wemurume
ndewekumukawo kuseni," ndakavhunduka ndava kunzwa
Nathan achitaura achivhura door.
"Ah kwatochena?" ndakaona kuti kwaive kwatochena
zvekuti chiedza chaiva chava kutooneka nepacurtain.
"Ah kwatochena kudhara. Chienda unogeza. Mubhedha
siya wakadaro VaSibanda vanosara vachiwaridza
nekuzogadzira," Nathan akadaro pandaiva ndoda kubata bata
machira kuwaridza.
Ndakabuda ndichibva ndaratidzwa mekugezera. Apa
hazvina kuzonyanya kundinetsa nekuti bathroom racho raiva

92
 PALMER

rakangofanana neriya rekuhotera saka ndakangovhurira

mvura zvandakamboita kuya. Handina kumbotora nguva refu
ndaiva ndatopedza.
"Hembe dzaunopfeka ndaisa pamubhedha pako. Chipfeka
ini ndichigezawo," Nathan akadaro pandakasangana naye
mupassage ndava kubuda mubath.
"Okay mira futi ndikupe tooth paste. Ndakanganwa kuti
ndakakutengera zuro ndikaisiya mumota. Kana kuti pfeka
wotora makeys ayo wonotora mudashboard reBenz ini
ndisanogeza," akadaro achinditendekera makey aya.
Babanguwe dashboard racho ndairiziva. Ko iko kukinura
kwacho. Zuro wacho ndakambenge ndatokonya iya ikaita
ruzha. Ndakati regai ndirege kuita miedzo.
"No unogona kuzongonditorera zvako wapedza kugeza ini
rega ndipfeke," ndakadaro ndichivhura mubedroom mangu.
Ndakawana zvechokwadi ndakaisirwa hembe pamubhedha.

Ndakapfeka hembe dziya dzikanyatsondigara kunge ndaiva

ndakazvarwa ndakadzipfeka. Ndakazoona door rakuvhurwa
Nathan achibva apinda.
"Oh toothbrush yako iyi, Colgate iyi ubve wakwesha
mazino," akadaro Nathan. Ndakakwesha zvechokwadi
ndakanzwa mumuromo mava kupinda mhepo. Zvaiva
zvasiyana nekumusha kwataikwesha nezvitanda zvemupfuti
zvataitanga tatsenga tsenga. Takapedza kugadzirira tese.
Ndaiva ndava kufambawo step yemunhu akarovawo smart.
"Right let's go," Nathan akadaro achiridza ridza makey ake
achibuda mumba ndichibva ndatevera. Takasvikopinda
muBenz muya haikona mhani. Ndakazoona kuti zvaiva zvati
siyanei neNavara izvi zvaiva zvava zvinhu. Akaridza bhero
ndikaona mudhara Sibanda ava kumhanya achinovhura gedhi.
Ndaiva ndave kunakirwa nemumhanzi wairirira pasi pasi

93
 PALMER

muBenz. Takabuda hameno mafambiro ataiita ndaingoona

achingoti akakona neroad ino okonazve neyoyo. Mafambiro
acho handina kumanzwisisa atakaita. Ndakangoti regai
ndinyarare sezvo ndaiva ndambonzi pora. Ndakangoti
taizoonawo tasvika pacho pataienda. Chandaiva ndangwarira
chete kugara ndakavhura ziso.
CHITSAUKO 12
Ndakaona Nathan ava kubudisa foni yake achidriver
kudaro. Akatanga kubaya baya achibva aisa panzeve.
"Eh Muzevezi......watova kuoffice here.....yah ini
ndakutopinda mutown ndobva ndatonanga ikoko
ndichimusiya.....iri bhoo mwana wamai.....sharp," akadaro
achibva adzosera foni yake muhomwe.
Ndakangoti handibvunzi regai ndinyarare toona tasvika.
"Haa congestion inobhowa mhani iyi kana kuri kuseni kudai.
Mota dzacho dzinowandisa. Traffic iri kuwanda kupfuura road
dzedu muZimbabwe," Nathan akataura achiratidza
kubhoikana nekuwandisa kwaiva kwakaita mota mberi kwedu
dzaifamba pore pore.
"Ipapa unogona kuita more than twenty minutes kusvika
patown paunenge uchiona mumaziso," akadaro.
"Yaa mota dzacho dzawanda wena. Zvinoratidza kuti
maZimbabweans aita mari. Vemota vawanda kudarika
vetsoka," ndakadaro zvangu ndichiseka.
"Haiwawo. Mari yekwaani. Hapana mari apa. Iwo ma ex-Jap
akungonokumbwa achipa kudai vanhu vakungoti awana
kamari otofunga mota, awana kamari otomhanya kuTanzania
kana kuDurban asi ukatarisa ipapo munhu anenge achiroja.
Siye kuchiti kamari kaya chirega ndichitsvaga kastand mhuri
igosara ichiwanawo pekugara munhu haazvifungi. Kungoda

94
 PALMER

kunakirwa kwenguva iyoyo chete," Nathan akatsanangura

achiridza tsamwa.
"Haa shamwari ini mota ndoida. Munhu anenge
achidawoka kumboonekera onekera achionekwawoka nana
Angeline. Zvino ukatenga stand yako unofamba wakaisa
muhomwe here? Inoonekwa nani? Iwe wega ndiwe unotoziva
kuti ndine stand asi mota manje unofamba pese nayo kana
watoisiya unofamba uchiridza ridza makey ako vanhu
votozviona kuti baba vane jagwa avo," ndakadaro zvangu
nekuti ini mota chaiyo ndaiida kupfuura zvose.
"Zvokupa chii izvozvo zvekuti waonekwa?" akabvunza.
"Shine ka," ndakapindura.
"Shine yacho yokupei?" akaenderera mberi achibvunza.
"Hapana zvayo asi kuti unenge watopenya. Plus unenge
waonekwaka nevemadhirezi ava vanodzidawoka mota.
Havarambi vanhu vane mota hazviiti. Unofunga izvezvi pano
ini newe tikati go kunonyenga bhebhi ini ndine dzangu
dzaAdam idzi iwe une Benz ino anodiwa ndiani? Ini zvangu
mota ndoida. Stand inozouya shure," ndakadaro ndichirova
rova Nathan pabendekete.
"Kkkk ndosaka vanhu vatema tichifa tichitambura.
Tinoraramira kufadza vanhu kana kuonekwa nanhingi.
Tozopedzisira taita zvikwereti zvimwe zvinozotinetsa
kubhadhara nekuti unenge wakwereta uchiti ndoda kuti
nditenge chakati nhingi andione. It's very wrong. You must live
your own life yaunokwanisa iwewe kusvika Mwari
vakutungamirira simple. Zvakangofanana nekuti ini izvezvi
ndoti ndoda kutenga private jet kuti vanhu vandione asi mari
yacho ndisina ndoguma ndatengesa dzimba nemashop nekuti
ndoda kutenga jet. Zvondipei mangwana horaiti jet ndava nayo
dzimba ndatengesa. Ndawanei pakuonekwa?" akadaro
Nathan achirova rova pasteering.

95
 PALMER

"Yaa kungodaro zvako asi ini mota ndoida. Zvimwe zvese

zvinozouya," ndakataura ndichitarisa kuhwindo.
"Okay then, I have a surprise for you. But that is kana usina
kunondinyadzisa kwatiri kuenda. Ndoda kuti makurumidziro
awaiita kubata Maths aya tiri kuchikoro ndiwo aunofanira
kuita kwatiri kuenda uku. Ukangodaro chete then I will surprise
you. I promise," akadaro. Izvozvo ndozvandaida zvekuitirwa
bheji. Ndaibva ndanzwa shungu dzangu dzichiuya nesimba
rangu rose. Ndinorangarira kuti tiri kumombe naMukuwe taiti
tikabheja kuti huya titambe kana tsoro ahwina haadzori
mombe zuva rose ndaiva ndisingadyiki. Pamwe taigona kuti
hande tinochera makurwe abata mashoma ndiye aizoenda
nemombe dzese kudhibha ini ndaibata kana twenty iye ane
five saka Mukuwe aiva asingachatodi zvekubhejerana neni izvi.
Zvino apa ndakatoona kuti Nathan aiva asingandizivi
zvakanaka. Ndaiva ndakungonetseka manje kuti chaiva chii
ichocho chandainzi ndigone ndigoitirwa surprise.

Ndakaona tapinda mutown muya mataiva tambobva zuro

wacho ndikaona ava kumisa mota pamwe paiva pakanzi
CHIFAMBA DRIVING SCHOOL. Ndakatoona dzimwe mota
dzaiva dzakanyorwa izvozvo dzaiva dzakamira panze.
Ndakaona Nathan ava kudzima mota.
"Huya handei kuno uku," akadaro Nathan. Ndakabuda
mumota muya ndichibva ndamira iye ava kuvhara mota.
Akatanga kufamba achipinda mukati ini ndikabva ndatanga
kutevera. Ndakaona ava kugogodza pane rimwe door.
"Come in!" inzwi raiva mukati rakadavara. Nathan akabva
avhura door riya.
"Ah Mr Nathan you are here? Take a sit," murume uya
akataura.

96
 PALMER

"Yah ndasvika wena ndandichiti zvimwe ndichawana

musati mavhura pano apa zvino ndazobatwa netraffic mhani
muroad umu," Nathan akadavira.
"Haa isu pano tovhura exactly 8 o'clock. Mandivigira client
yangu here?" murume uya akabvunza achindikwazisa
mumaoko.
"Yaa yaa anonzi Joel, Joel ava vanonzi Mr Muzevezi. Ndivo
vauchambotandara navo pano vachikuitisa malesson. Ndoda
kuti manje manje ndenge ndava kukuti Joel huya neNavara
kana kuti enda neBMW kwakati unoenda. Gara zviya maOral
lessons enyu anongova paya paya here? Hamuna
kuzokwidza?" Nathan akadaro achibvunza Mr Muzevezi.
"No takatozodzika kubva pa$15, takutoita $10 per week,"
Mr Muzevezi vakapindura.
"Ah very good mhani. Makachipa imi. But angada maweeks
mangani kuti agogona kuno booker kuVID kuti achizonyora
provisional?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Haa it depends nekukurumidza kubata kwemunhu.
Umwewo kana ari fast learner two weeks chaidzo anenge
akutoziva zvemuroad izvi otononyora," vakadaro Mr
Muzevezi. Ini kahana kaiva kava kufara kuti zvino zvandaida
zviya zvaiva zvaitika. Ndakaona Nathan ava kubudisa
chikwama chake ava kutsvaga mari.
"Oh ndakumbobhadhara two weeks kana dzikapera asina
kubata ndowedzera imwe," akadaro Nathan achibuditsa $20
achitambidza VaMuzevezi vachibva vanyora receipt kwava
kumupa.
"Right saka Joel ndombokusiya naInstructor vako ava
woteerera zvaunodzidziswa. But handifungi kuti ungatadza
kubata munhu akaita 'A' level?" akadaro Nathan.

97
 PALMER

"Hoo vanotova ne'A' level? Haa saka havangambotadzi

kubata zvinhu zvinogonekwawo nemaGrade 7 izvi," vakadaro
VaMuzevezi. Ini ndaiva ndatononokerwa nekutanga malesson.
"Right saka ini ndakubuda. Any problem mondifonera then
kana mapedza ini ndisati ndauya munogona kumuperekedza
mouya naye kuoffice or munondifonera ndouya ndomutora."
"Okay Mr Nathan chiregai tibve tatopinda naye
mumalesson," Mr Muzevezi vakapindura.
"Oh gara zviya Nathan tabva tisina kunwa tea zviya sorry.
Oh mari iyi wozotsvaga something paChicken Slice apo. Lunch
unowana ndakasota pauchauya kuoffice," akadaro Nathan
achibva anditambidza $5 ava kusimuka.
"Right varume imi chisarai imi regai ndimhanye," Nathan
akataura achikwazisana naVaMuzevesa achibva afamba ava
kubuda.
"Iri bhoo hama ndokubata. Isu rega timboita zvidzidzo,"
ndakadaro achibva abuda.

Ndakasara muya ndava kuringa ringa mumadziro ndikaona

makanamirwa namirwa ma charts emaroad signs. Nathan
achingobuda ndakaona VaMuzevezi vakuvhura mudrawer
mavo vachibva vabudisa chimwe chibhuku cheyellow.
"Makambochiona here ichi Mr Joel kana kunzwa
nezvacho?" Mr Muzevezi vakadaro vachinditambidza
chibhuku chiya. Ndakachitambira ndikaona chakanyorwa kuti
THE HIGHWAY CODE.
"Yaa ndaingonzwa nezvacho tiri kuchikoro saka
taingozivawo kuti kune HIGHWAY CODE," ndakapindura.
"Good saka ndoda kuti mumbogara pacheya iyo
mumbonyatsa kuverenga moga zvenyu. Then kana mapedza
ndozoita nemi tadaro ndozokuudzai zvekuita," Mr Muzevezi

98
 PALMER

vakadaro. Ndakasimuka paya nechibhuku changu ndava

kunogara pacheya iya. Ndaitofunga kuti ndichawana mune
mazinotes kunge eChemistry. Ndakaona haiwa mipikicha ndiyo
yaiva yakawanda zvinyorwa zvaiva zvishoma shoma. Zvinhu
zvacho zvainzwisisika ndakaona pava kunzi; Our rule in
Zimbabwe we drive on the left side of the road. Zvaibatika izvo
simple. Ndakati chero vakabvunza ndakavata ndinopindura.
Ndakaonazve; At an uncontrolled intersection you give right of
way to traffic approaching from your right. Zvaibatika futi izvi.
Ndakazoona maaxamples apiwa ainzi aya mainformative road
signs, aya ndakangomaka kuti ainzi they are painted in blue.
Ndakaonazve mamwe akanzi maDanger warning signs, aya
ndakamaka kuti aiva akanzi they are mainly associated with a
triangular sign. Ndakabva ndabata. Ndakaona mamwe ainzi
maregulatory signs. Zvese ndaingobata.
Ndakazoenda pamwe painzi diagram based questions
ndikanyatsotora nguva yangu ndiripo. Pane zvandaingomaka
chete ipapo ndichiisa maformula angu mumusoro. Hapana
kumboita nguva ndanga ndachipedza.
"Ndapedza Mr Muzevezi," ndakadaro.
"Mapedza? Nenguva pfupi pfupi iyoyo? Hamurevesi,"
vakadaro.
"Yaa ndotorevesa ndapedza," ndakadaro ndichizamura.
"Okay kana muchiti maverenga, what is the meaning of this
sign?" vakadaro vachisimuka pacheya yavo vachinditendekera
chimwe chisign chaiva pachart raiva kumadziro.
"The previous imposed limit has been cancelled,"
ndakapindura ndikabva ndaona vachibata muromo.
"Ko ichi?" vakabvunzazve vachitendeka chimwe.
"Overtaking is prohibited," ndakapindura.

99
 PALMER

"Aaaaaaaaa asi makamboita malesson neimwe driving

school?" vakabvunza vachishamisika.
"Kwete, driving school yekupi kumombe?" ndakadaro. "Okay
kana kuti mirai tidai," vakadaro vachivhura drawer ravo.
Ndakaramba ndakagara ndichida kuona kuti chii chavaiti
ngatidai. Ndaiva ndakagadzirira zvese.

100
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 13
Ndakaona VaMuzevezi vava kubudisa question paper
vachibva vanditambidza.
"Oh endai munogara apo mupindure mibvunzo irimo kubva
number 1 kusvika 25 ndimboona kuti maverenga zveshuwa
here?" vakadaro ndichibva ndatambira bepa riya.
"Ndokumbirawo bhiro," ndakadaro.
"Bhiro ndochii zviya?" vakabvunza VaMuzevesi vachiratidza
kusaziva zvandaireva.
"Pen, chinyoreso," ndakaedza kuvatsanangurira nemanzwi
andaifunga kuti vainzwisisa.
"Hoo okay okay. Here it is," vakadaro vachinditambidza
chinyoreso.
"Chindipai Highway code ndinyatsoona kuti hamusi
kuzovhurira here," vakadaro ndichibva ndatora chibhuku chiya
ndichivapa. Ndakatanga kuverenga zvangu mibvunzo yaivamo
imwe yacho ndikaona kuti yaipindurika nemaverengero
andaiva ndamboita. Chinhu chimwe chandakaona chaigona
kundivhiringa ndechekuti ndaiva ndamboona paiva pakanzi
'round about' saka ndaitadza kunyatsa kunzwisisa kuti
chaimbova chii. Marobots haana kundinetsa nekuti
taingomadzidza kubva kuchikoro. Chandaiziva chete ini
ndechekuti handaipererwa nekufunga.

Ndakatanga zvangu kupindura mibvunzo iya. Zvaisanetsa

nekuti kwaingova kunyora A,B kana C. Handina kumboita
maminitsi angasvika gumi nemaviri ndaiva ndapedza.
"Ndapedza Mr Muzevezi," ndakadaro ndichivatambidza
mapepa aya andaiva ndanyorera. "Heyy matopedza? Mirai
tione," vakadaro vachimatambira. Ndakaona vakutora rimwe

101
 PALMER

bepa ndinovimba kuti ndiro raiva nemhinduro chaidzo

dzavaida kushandisa pakumaka. Vakabva vatanga kumaka
bepa rangu. Ndaingoona vachigutsurira musoro vachisekerera.
"Uuuuum Mr Joel ndiudzei chokwadi. Makamboita mamwe
malesson here before kungave kune imwe driving school?" Mr
Muzevezi vakabvunza vakabata muromo.
"Kwete handina ini, kutotanga pano," ndakapindura.
"Haa kunyepa chaiko mirai ndifonere Nathan ndimubvunze
maybe anogona kundiudza chokwadi. Oh bepa renyu iri,"
vakadaro vachiratidza kusagutsikana vachibva vanditambidza
bepa rangu ivo vava kudzvanya dzvanya nhare yavo.
Ndakatarisa ndikaona kuti ndaiva ndawana twenty three out of
twenty five(23/25). Ndaiva ndakoniwa zvibodzwa zviviri chete.
Ini hazvina kutondifadza ndakatoda kutonyatsa kuziva kuti
ndaiva ndakonewa chirudzii. Izvozvo ndizvo zvandaiita chero
kuchikoro. Urombo zvahwo hwaivawo naamai vangu asi dai
vaiwanawo sevamwe zvimwe panguva iyi ndaifanira kunge
ndichitoitawo zvidzidzo zvepamusoro kuUniversity.
Ndakaona Mr Muzevezi vava kutora foni yavo vachibva
vatanga kufona.
"Hallo.....haa Mr Nathan you are not serious..... munhu
wamandivigira uyu mati ndimuitise maoral lessons here kana
kuti?......Haaa kana, muri busy here musvike kuno?........Okay
svikai," ndakanzwa Mr Muzevezi vachitaura ndikabva ndaziva
kuti mukomana aigona kungosvika chero nguva.
"Ndokumbirawo chibhuku chiya ndimboona kuti
pandatadza apa ndatadza sei?" ndakadaro ndichikumbira
chibhuku chiya. Ndakatarisa ndikaona zvechokwadi yaiva
question yeroundabout yaindirasa. Ndaiva ndisinganyatsi
kuinzwisisa nekuti chokwadi ndaiva ndisati ndamboiona.

102
 PALMER

Mushure mechinguva ndakaona door rakuvhurwa Nathan

achibva apinda.
"Kwakanaka here Muzevezi?" akadaro Nathan achingobva
kupinda.
"Shamwari munhu wako wawauya naye uyu asi
wakambomuitisa malesson neimwe driving school?" Mr
Muzevezi vakadaro.
"Ko hindava kkkk?" Nathan akabvunza achiseka zvake.
"Uuuum handina kana kumbomudzidzisa.
Ndangomupa highway code iyi ndichiti verenga ndichida kuti
kana apedza ndozodzokorora naye ndichiexplainer kuti
anzwisise. Munguva pfupi ndatonzwa munhu ava kutoti
ndapedza. So ndangoti regai ndibvunze question ndimboona
ndikatoona munhu ava kutopindura chaizvo chaizvo. Ndazoti
regai ndimupe riri question paper rose asi hona," Mr Muzevezi
vakataura vachibva vatambidza Nathan answer sheet rangu
riya.
"Haaa you are not serious vanhu imi. Moda kundibiridzira
maudzirana ma answer pano apa," akadaro Nathan akatarisa
bepa riya achitaridza kusagutsikana.
"Oh tora any question paper riri apa umbovabvunzawo," Mr
Muzevezi vakadaro vachibuditsa dutu rema question paper
vachimaisa padesk. Ndaingoti nhasi zvangu ndichazonyadzisa
ndakonewa.
"No handidi maquestion paper. Regai ndingobvunza ndega
nemusoro. Joel, what do you do when meeting other vehicles
at night?" Nathan akabvunza.
"I deep my lights," ndakapindura ndikaona Nathan ava
kuseka ndikati zvimwe ndaiva ndatadza.
"Haaa Joel hauite. Sando dzako. Dai magonero auri kuita
aya ukazodaro nekumadrum. Saka Muzevezi uchatondipa

103
 PALMER

change yanguka kkkkk. Handifungi kuti munhu achamboita

two weeks achiita maoral lessons uyu," Nathan akataura
achiseka.
"Kumboti two weeks here? Monday chaiyo totoenda navo
movabhukira kuVID vanyore," Mr Muzevezi vakataura
vachirova rova desk ravo.
"Shuwa here? Tenge tisina kukasirisa here?" Nathan
akadaro.
"Usandityira Nathan. Rega ndimbonoedza chete iwewe,"
ndakadaro.
"Hoo ah anyway ndonobhadhara Monday yacho. Handizivi
pane zvimwe zvamanga muchiri kuda kuita here or toenda
zvedu ozodzoka mangwana?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Haa munogona kuenda zvenyu vanozouya mangwana but
uuum ndatya navo ini," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro.
"Haaa uyu here ndozvaaiita chero kuchikoro aitema kani,"
Nathan akadaro achindirova rova kumusana.
"No doubt kkkkk," vakaseka zvavo Mr Muzevezi tichibva
tazobuda zvedu.
"Right rega tiende ubve wanoona kubasa kwangu, zvimwe
kungazoitawo kwako rimwe zuva," Nathan akadaro achivhura
mota yake.
"Saka kubasa kwako ndekupi kana tiri pano apa?"
ndakabvunza.
"Kumusoro uko kuna Central. Uchanoona tasvika," akadaro
Nathan achimutsa mota. Takabva ipapo tava kunanga kubasa
kwaNathan.
"Nhai iwe Nathan, kana zvichinzi roundabout
yakambonyatsoita sei?" ndakabvunza ndava kuitira question
yangu iya yaiva yandinetsa.

104
 PALMER

"Ah Joel, hauzivi roundabout? Okay rega kana takubva

kubasa ndigoenda newe pane imwe wononyatsoona," akadaro
Nathan.
Ndakaona tamira pane rimwe ziSupermarket zihombe.
Takabva taburuka mumota achibva akiya motikari.
"Let's go inside," akadaro Nathan achibva afambisa
achipinda mukati ini ndichitevera. Shop yaiva yakakura zvayo
iyoyo. Hapana chawaishaiwa imomo. Ndakanzwazve Nathan
achingonzi boss boss pataifamba tichipinda. Takaramba
tichifamba tichienda kumberi kwaiva kumashure kweshop uko
kwaiva nedoor raiveko raiva rakanzi STAFF ONLY. Nathan ndiro
raakanosvika achivhura iroro tichibva tapinda.
Zvakandishamisa. Ndakaona tava kukwidza masteps kuenda
kumusoro kwaiva nemaoffice aivako. Aiva akanyorwa
zvakasiyana siyana. Imwe yaiva yakanzi
SALES MANAGER, imwe HR MANAGER, imwe OPERATIONS
MANAGER. Nathan akapfuura dzese idzodzo ndikaona ava
kuvhura yaiva yakanzi C.E.O.
Patakapinda ndakaona mune mumwe musikana aiva
akagara pacomputer ari mukamuri rekutanga. Aiva akanaka
zvainwisa mvura.
"Good afternoon Sir, you are welcome," musikana uya
akadaro achisimuka paaiva akagara zvairatidza rukudzo kuna
Nathan.
"Thank you Nancy. Joel this is Nancy my Secretary. Nancy
this is Sir Joel. He will join us very soon here so he is your boss,"
Nathan akadaro.
"Nice to meet you Sir Joel," akadaro Nancy achindikwazisa.
"Thank you. Nice to meet you too," ndakapindura. Takabva
tapfuurira kudoor raiva mberi ndikaona Nathan akuvhura
imomo.

105
 PALMER

"This is my office Joel. My workplace," Nathan akadaro

achigara padesk raivamo.
"You may sit," akataura achinditendekera imwe cheya
yemutefetefe yaivamo. Ndakatora kuzorora ndava kuringa
ringa. Hofisi yaiva yakashongedzeka iyoyo. Kumadziro kwaiva
neTV yaiva yakaita zvekusungirwa kumadziro yaaishanda
achiona zvake. Nechemukona maiva nekafiriji kadiki kaitinhira
kakazara madrink nemargarine aivamo. Fan yaivamo
yaingotenderera ichipa Nathan mhepo. Zvaiyevedza, ko
waizodei.
"Haa ugere pano," ndakadaro.
"Ko hindava Joel?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Saka ipapa unenge uchitoona TV uchishanda ipapa,"
ndakabvunza.
"Ko ndobvunzwa nani zvangu," Nathan akadaro achiseka.
"Ndepani pano Nathan?" ndakabvunzisisa ndakamutarisa.
"Asi hauna kuverenga patapinda kuti shop inonzii? Chitarisa
calendar riri kumadziro iro," akadaro achinditendekera
calendar raiva kumadziro. Ndakaona zvechokwadi raiva
rakanzi Natchop Supermarkets.
"Saka ndeyako futi?" ndakadaro ndichishamisika.
"Yes, ndipo paHead Office or ratingati Main Branch
remaShops angu," Nathan akataura achinyora nyora
zvaainyora.
"Tell me, wakazvitanga sei? Riini?" ndakabvunzisisa.
"We will discuss that manheru. It's a long story," akapindura
achibva asimudza foni yaiva padesk pake.
"Hallo Nancy...ndienderewo unondipiwirwa sadza
nechicken kuTake Away... good," akabva agadzika nhare pasi.
"Ah iwe munhu wauri kutaura naye haasiye Nancy ari
munext umu here?" ndakabvunza ndashamisika.

106
 PALMER

"Yes ndiye," akapindura.

"So ungafonera munhu ari ipapa? Imari here? Wadii
kungodaidzira kana kundituma ndamuudza?" ndakadaro
ndarwadziwa nekutambisa foni kwaaiita.
"Ndiro basa radzo. Ndedzepano pakambani foni idzi
tinongodzibhadhara kamwe pamwedzi. Tingashanda here
tikaita basa rekudaidzira kkkkk," paakapedza kudaro Nathan
padoor pakabva paita knock.
"Come in..," Nathan akadavira. Pakabva papinda mumwe
murume mujaindi. Paiva paita zvemurume ipapo. Ganda rake
airatidza kuti anozvigarira hupenyu hwake hwakanaka.
"Maswerai sei boss," murume uya akadaro achikwazisa
Nathan.
"Mr Moyo maswera here?" Nathan akapindura.
"Ndaswera boss. Pane proposal iyi yauya ikasiiwa neve
T&M Wholesalers so inoda approval yenyu," murume uya
akadaro. Ndakaramba ndakamutarisa ndichiti ndikatarisa iye
zvaaiva ndotarisa Nathan zvondinetsa kuti Nathan nekamuviri
kaaiva nako asi ainzi boss
nezirume iroro. Zvakandinetsa ndikava nemibvunzo yakashaya
mhinduro mumusoro mangu. Ndakangozofara kuti Nathan
aiva ati taizotaura manheru.
"Okay ndozoiona Monday apa ndakuda kutobuda ini iFriday
ka iyi. Pane kwandinoda kumbomhanya. Anyway Mr Moyo this
is Sir Joel. I think ndichazokudanai mese management team
ndoita further introductions kuti muvazive. Joel this is Mr Moyo
our Operations Manager," Nathan akadaro.
"Ah ndafara kukuzivai Boss," Mr Moyo vaya vakadaro
vachindikwazisa.
"Neniwo ndafara kukuzivai," ndakadaro.

107
 PALMER

"Thank you Sir regai ndisvike kuoffice," Mr Moyo vakadaro

vachibva vabuda.
Hapana kuita nguva pakabva paitazve imwe knock.
"Come in..," Nathan akadavira. Nancy akabva apinda
akabata tray. Akabva aigadzika padesk.
"Ndauya neorder yamataura Sir," akadaro.
"Ok, thank you," Nathan akadaro Nancy achibva abuda.
"Right Nathan idya fast timhanye ndipfuure ndichikuratidza
roundabout yawabvunza. Ndine discussion yandoda kuita
newe tava kumba. I know you have a lot of unanswered
questions in your mind. So ita fast tiende. Kana uchida drink
tora mufiriji umo," akadaro Nathan achiswededza tray iya
pedyo neni. That was the exact time I was waiting for kuti
Nathan anyatse kundiudza nezvehupenyu hwake.

108
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 14
Ndakazviponda ndozvidyira sadza raiva rauya nemhandara
iya. Ndaidya nekukasira nekuti ndaiva ndanonokerwa. So
many unanswered questions were in my mind. I wanted
answers from Nathan. Chimwe chandaida kwaiva kuda
kunoratidzwa roundabout kuchakachena. Ndakapedza kudya
Nathan achibva akiya hofisi yake tava kubuda. Takasvika
tikapinda mumota achibva aimutsa tava kufamba.

"Kwete kuzokanganwa kupfuura uchindiratidza roundabout

ka iwe," ndakadaro pandaiva ndaona kunge aiva oda
kungonanga kumba.
"Don't worry ndiri kuzviziva. Ndiko kwatava kunanga.
Ndoda kunokuratidza iri kuroad inoenda kumusha paMbudzi
apo," akadaro Nathan.
"Okay ndanga ndoti wakanganwa," ndakadaro. Takabva
paya ndichinakirwa zvangu nemhanzi yairira
ndichingogutsurira musoro.
"Eh eh give way to traffic approaching from your right,"
ndakadaro pandakaona Nathan ava kupinda pane imwe
uncontrolled intersection asina kumbomira.
"Ndozviziva Joel. Haa zvazozikamwa nevamwe nhasi.
Makutotidzidzisa," akadaro Nathan achibva aseka.
"Kwete kukudzidzisa, kuyeuchidzana," ndakadaro.
"Hatifi, zvekare kufa murau waMwari. Tese tiri munzira.
Pamwe gore rino kana rinouya tinoparadzana," mashoko
akataurwa naNathan aya haana kundifadza. Ko sei aingotaura
zverufu nguva dzese. Zvakandipazve mumwe mubvunzo
mumusoro mangu kuti chaiva chii.
"Mashoko ako haafadzi Nathan. Hausi Mwari iwe.

109
 PALMER

Mwari ndivo vanopa hupenyu ndivo vanoziva nguva yavo

yekutora. Why iwewe uchigara uchida kutongera Mwari?"
ndakadaro asi Nathan haana kupindura. Ndakangoona ava
kuchinja kumeso kunge munhu aida kuchema. Ndakabva
ndangoti regai ndisiyane nenyaya iyi. Taizoitaura manheru.
Takaramba takanyararidzana iye achityaira hake.
Ndaingotarisisa machinjirwe aiitwa magiya ndichiitira
kudzidza.
"Apa ndipo pachechi pedu apa?" Nathan akadaro.
"Papi?" ndakabvunza ndichisimudza musoro.
"Apa paPHD Ministries," akapindura.
"Hoo ndipo pandaingonzwa nembiri apa paMagaya?"
ndakadaro.
"Why usina respect Joel unotadza kungoti paProphet
Magaya here kungoratidzawo respect. Unobvei? Munhu
mukuru kwauri. In life learn to respect your elders. Lesson
number one from me to you," akadaro Nathan zvechokwadi
ndakaonawo kuti ndaiva ndakanganisa.
"Ndine hurombo Nathan. Ndadzidza," ndakadaro asi
mwoyo wangu waida kumbosvikawo panzvimbo iyi kuti
ndigozvionera kuti zvandaingonzwa ndizvo here.
"Right tasvika paMbudzi roundabout. Ndiyo inonzi
roundabout iyo," akadaro Nathan.
"Hoo saka kutenderera kunoita mota uko ndipo panobvira
kuti roundabout? Okay pane mutemo wandaona wakanzi at a
roundabout you give right of way to vehicles which are already
circulating. Vanenge vachida kurevei?" ndakabvunza.
"Right vanoreva kuti sezvizvi handiti I am approaching a
roundabout ndisati ndapinda? So ndinopa right of way kumota
dzitori muround kudhara. Apa hona pane Isuzu iri kutenderera

110
 PALMER

iyo, so ndinomira kusvika yapfuura," Nathan akadaro achibva

amisa mota.
"Okay," ndakadaro ndichitarisisa.
"Right yapfuura pava clear manje ini ndakupinda sezvizvi,"
Nathan akadaro achibva asimudza mota.
"Saka zvawapinda kudai ndiwe wava neright of way?"
ndakabvunza.
"Yes, chero ndikaswera ndichitenderera ndini ndinenge
ndine right of way because I am already circulating. Hona
kombi iyo yatomira kundipa way," akatsanangura.
"Horaiti, horaiti haa apa ndadzidza. I don't think kuti
ndichaitadza futi question yeroundbout," ndakadaro mushure
mekunge ndagutsikana.
"Saka tochienda zveduka?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Yaa togona kuenda zvedu," ndakapindura Nathan achibva
abuda muroundabout.

Takabva apa kwakungonanga kumba kuMt Pleasant.

Tichisvika takangosvika tichinanga mumba uyu Nathan
akasvika achipfuurira mubedroom make ava kunobvisa tie
yaaiva akasaunga achibva adzoka akapfeka short net-shirt.
Chakandinetsa ndakaona achidzoka akabata jumba remapiritsi
achibva ananga mukitchen achibva atora glass remvura
achibva anwa kwakunodzosera mapiritsi aya ndokuchizouya
achibva agara.
"Hezvo ko mapiritsi jumba rese iro ndeeyi?" ndakabvunza.
"Will tell you as we go with our discussion," akapindura.
"Nathan nyatsa kunditaurira. We are home now. You said
mashop aya ese ndeako kubva iri kuMasvingo nerimwe riya
randaona. Taiva tese kuchikoro makore mashoma apfuura.

111
 PALMER

Wakazvifambisa sei?" ndakabvunza ndakabata shaya. Apa

ndaitarisira mhinduro inondigutsa kubva kuna Nathan.
"It's God's grace Joel. That's why paya ndakakuti zvinoda
hana yako kuti igone kugamuchira Mwari muhupenyu hwako
kutanga. Ivo vega Mwari ndivo vachakutungamirira. Zvino
ndichiri kuona shamwari yangu uchiri kuda zvako zvemafaro
uchinwa doro uchidii. But I tell you hapana chaunowana
mudoro. Kuna Mwari ndiko kune zvese. Ndipo paya
pakazoimbwa naNicholas Zakaria achiti hapana chisiko iko
kuna Mwari baba, zvese zviriko nekuti ndiko kwazvinobva
kana tavimba chete nekutenda kuti Mwari vanotipa,"
akadaro Nathan. Zvechokwadiwo ndakatanga kuzviona kuti
ini ndaiva ndava nemakore ndichinwa doro asi chandaiva
ndabuditsa kana kubata mumaoko paiva pasina.
Zvechokwadiwo song yaMadzibaba yaakataura nezvayo
ndaiiziva.
"Saka tell me exactly kuti Mwari vacho vakanyatsa kukupa
sei? I want further clarification ipapo," ndakabvunzisisa
ndikaona Nathan ava kukwenya musoro.
"Mwari havatipi nemaoko Joel. Asi kuti Mwari
vanongoropafadza zvatinobata nemaoko vokuvhurira
mukana. Zvese zvaunoita unongoona zvava kuendeka Mwari
vachiratidza ruoko rwavo. Taitombonwawo iri doro asi
ndakaona zvisina future and I called it a day and now I have my
own testimony," Nathan akaenderera mberi.
"Yes, nyatsa kuti dyo mauyiro akaita ruoko rwaMwari kuti
usvike pauri apa. My question is zvakauya sei?" ndakaenderera
mberi nekubvunza.
"Right, unoona paya pakanzi diamond, diamond
kwaChiadzwa paya apa?" Nathan akabvunza ndikabva
ndarangarira nekuti neni ndaiva ndakamboendawo ikoko
tanzwa kuti kwaita mari.

112
 PALMER

"Eheka eheka ndarangarira," ndakadaro.

"Right, ndakaenda kuya uku. Ndaingonamata kuti Mwari
vanditungamirire. Ndakanoita mukana wekujumhawo
matombo akakwanisa kundipa mari yandakavhurisa shop
yangu yekutanga kuChitungwiza. Imwe kwakutenga imba
yekuMasvingo kuRujeko yawakaona iya iya," paitaura Nathan
ndakatanga zvino kujekerwa zvishoma nezvishoma.
"Yaa ndakaionaka iya. Ehe, kwakudii?"
ndakabvunzazve.
"Mwari vaingotungamira. Ndavhura shop iya ndiwo mazuva
ainetsa mabasic commodities muZimbabwe paya pekuti
mashop mazhinji anga ashama wakungowana matissue chete.
Ini ndakabva ndawanawo umwe supplier aindisupplier zvinana
sugar, flour, mafuta nesipo direct from South Africa apa ndizvo
zvacho zvainetsa and first delivery akandipa ne50 % deposit,"
Nathan akatsanangura.
"Yes, handei mberi," ndakadaro.
"Aigona kuuyisa magonyeti four pachiti one reflour, rimwe
sugar, rimwe mafuta nesipo. Pashop pangu ipapo pakaguma
patova pawholesale zvekuti vamwe vemashop vanga votouya
kuzohodha kwandiri pachigara pane que yevanhu so taiti
matruck akauya anga asingamiri zvinhu zvaipera same day. So
ndakaita mari yaityisa yakaita kuti ndizokwanisa kuvhura shop
mutown apo pandati ndipo paMain Branch. Zvinhu zvakatanga
kungoendeka Mwari vachitungamira kusvika last year but one
ndakakwanisa kutenga imba ino. Gore rapera kwakuvhura
branch reMasvingo. Iyezvino very soon ndiri kuvhura rimwe
kuBulawayo. Ndiyo meeting yataiita nemamwe maDirectors
paya pawakazodhakwa ukazonorara mumota tiri
kuBulawayo."
Nathan paakatsanangura ndakabva ndaona chiedza zvekuti
ndakatanga kugutsikana.

113
 PALMER

"But chimbofunga iwe dai ndainwa doro ndichiita

zvevakadzi panguva yandakawana mari kwaChiyadzwa
ndingadai ndakabuditsa chinhu here? Handiti ndingadai
ndakamwa doro ndichifara nemahure zvakangopera ipapo?
But look I invested Mwari vachinditungamira. Mwari ndochete
vanogona kutungamira. Ukazowana nguva uverenge
maSermon book ari apo ayo, unodzidza zvakawanda," akadaro
Nathan achitendeka mabhuku aiva pane imwe table.

Ndakatanga kuva neimwe pfungwa kuti saka ndikaramba

ndiri munhu wedoro chokwadi hapana chandaibuditsa.
Chokwadiwo pandaiva ndamboenda kwaChiyadzwa
ndakanowana kamariwo asi ndakaipedza yose tichimwa
neshamwari ndisati ndambosvika kana kumba. Ndakazosvika
kumba ndangova Jowero. Ndakatonyara kuti ndiudze Nathan
kuti neniwo ndaiva ndapfuura neko. Asi mubvunzo wangu
waiva wava wekuti sei Nathan aisada kuroora. Ndakati regai
ndibvunze.
"Okay saka gules vachauya riini sezvo zvarongeka kudai?"
ndakabvunza.
"That's why ndakakutora Joel. I have a long story to tell and
I will trust only you. Handina nguva panyika. But izvi
ndichazviudza iwewe chete. Hapana kana umwe chete wema
employees andichada kuti azonzwa kana kuziva nyaya iyi. Let's
hope you will betray me not. Handicharoorazve Joel.
Zvakaringana. I will honour the call of my father in heaven......,"
ndakashaya kuti inyaya yei yaiva yava kutaurwa naNathan.
Ndakati regai ndimupe nguva. Ndakaramba ndakateerera.
CHITSAUKO 15

114
 PALMER

Ndakamboramba ndakanyarara ndichiti zvimwe

achaenderera mberi asi ndakaona anyarara. Ndakati regai
ndibvunze.
"Ko haucharoore nei Nathan. Asi wakamboroora here?"
ndakadaro.
"It's a long story Joel. 2007 I got married to a beautiful
young lady ainzi Yolanda. So by that time hupenyu hwangu
hwaive husina kumira zvakanaka. Ndaishanda samahobho
kune imwe Security company. So iye aibvawo kumhuri iri nani
nani so ndakagara naye kwemwedzi miviri vabereki vacho
vakati takutora mwana wedu angafa nenhamo. So vakauya
kwandaigara kuChitungwiza uko vakamutora but mwoyo yedu
yakarwadza nekuti taidanana asi semunhu aiva asina
chaanacho ndakazvigamuchira. Akabva akaenda,"
akatsanangura ndikatanga kuona misodzi mumaziso aNathan.
"So Nathan, ndizvo zvingakutadzise kuroora here. Kana ari
iye waunoda why not go back to her since life yako yava nani
sezvizvi, reconciliate with your wife. Simple," ndakadaro.
"Give me time to explain. It's very unfortunate 2009 we lost
her after she committed suicide."
"Suicide? Why?" I asked Nathan in shock.
"Up to now I don't know, handina kukwanisa kuenda
kufuneral kwacho," Nathan akapindura, misodzi ichierera.
Ndakambomupa nguva kuti apedze shungu.
"I am very sorry nezvakaitika. As your friend my advice to
you is, forget the past Nathan. Mwari vakaita kuda kwavo and
nguva yareba now. I advice you to forget, marry another
woman and go on with life," ndakadaro ndakamubata
pabendekete.

115
 PALMER

"Haisi mhosva yako Joel because you don't know. Anyway

thanks for your advice but I can't do that," akadaro achibva
anditarisa.
"You can't? Why Nathan? It's simple just marry another
wife," ndakadaro ndichiedza kuti abvume zvandataura.
"Joel I can't!!" Nathan akataura neinzwi raiva pamusoro
zvekuti mumba makaita maungira. Hana yangu yakarova.
Ndakabva ndanyarara. Pakaita nguva ingasvika maminitsi
mashanu mumba makanyararwa. Hapana akataura
nemumwe. Neni ndakangotiwo uuuum regai ndinyarare.

"Joel, I am sorry I raised my voice on you. Promise me that

you will betray me not," Nathan akazodaro papera chinguva.
"I will never betray you Nathan not even a single day in my
life," ndakadaro. Pfungwa dzangu dzaiva dzave kutenderera
ndakushaya kuti zvaiitwa naNathan zvairevei.
"Good. Joel I am sick. I was born with only one kidney. Then
paripo pandakamborwara ndikaenda kuchipatara, the Doctors
discovered that ndine kidney problem and that kidney racho
one randinaro the doctors said anytime I may have what they
call Acute injury," Nathan akadaro achingoerera misodzi.
"Acute injury? What do you mean?" ndakabvunza nekuti
ndaiva ndarasika.
"Acute injury is also known as Acute ranal failure whereby
kidneys will suddenly stop working," akadaro Nathan.
"My God, uri kutiiko Nathan?" ndakadaro ndarohwa
nehana.
"Yes, they said kidneys removes waste products and helps
balance water and salt and other minerals(electrolytes) in
our blood. So when kidneys stop working, waste products,
fluids, and electrolytes build up in human body and this can

116
 PALMER

cause problems that can be deadly such as death." Hana

yangu yakati bamu pakataurwa izvi naNathan. Chokwadi
zvairwadza. Akabva aenderera mberi.
"They said it was possible for me to return to activity if I had
two kidneys they were then supposed to excise(remove) one
which is affected and leave me with one so it's very unfortunate
for me because I was born with only one. So anyday, anytime
from now I will honour God's call. It is well with my soul."

Hama dzangu ndakapererwa kuti ndainyaradza Nathan

ndichiti kudii? Ndaitangira pai? Ndakabva ndarangarira kuti aiti
anoenda kuchechi ndakati, "Everything is going to be alright
Nathan. God is with you." Ndakamutarisa ndikaona misodzi
ichingoerera. Ndakamupa nguva zvekare kuti apedze shungu
dzake.
"I have a special request from you Joel. That's why you are
here," Nathan akazodaro.
"Yes tell me. I am listening," ndakadaro.
"Anyway I will tell you some other time, ndingamhanya. Let
me first see how your character is like before I address that
story of mine to you. Will tell you as time goes on. Anyway I will
never marry Joel nekuti handingatore mwana wevanhu kuuya
kuzoita shirikadzi pasina nguva, hakusi kuti handidi kuita mhuri
ndinoda asi kuti handina nguva yandingafunga kuti ndinayo,"
akadaro Nathan misodzi ichingoerera.
"Why uchitongera Mwari? Why usingavimbi naMwari?
Wotokundwa nesu here tinonwa kuvimba naMwari? Ini I know
you will live your life to the fullest. I am there for you,"
ndakadaro ndakamushamwaridza asi ndakanzwa misodzi
yangu yava kuzara mumaziso.

117
 PALMER

Ndakazvibvunza kuti saka kuzadziswa kweshuviro yangu

kwaizova papiko kana Mwari votora uyo aiita kuti shuviro
yangu igozadziswa. Chimwe chinhu chakataurwa naNathan
chakandibata inyaya yedoro. Mandiri ndakatanga kunzwa
kurivenga kuti chokwadi harina charinondipa. Ndakaregedza
Nathan, I walked to the kitchen, came back holding one bottle
of beer.
"Nathan," ndakamudana.
"Yes Joel," Nathan akadavira.
"Look at me," ndakadaro ndichivhura doro riya.
"Yes, I am looking at you," Nathan akadaro ndichibva
ndanwa one sip doro riya.
"I listened to your advice and I found value in it. This sip I
just did is the last sip for me. I will never drink beer again.
Today it's Friday, Sunday take me to church," ndakadaro.
Ndakaona Nathan avakufamba zvishoma nezvishoma achiuya
kwandiri achibva andimbundikira.
"Congratulations Joel," akadaro.
"Thank you Nathan," ndakadaro ndichibva ndapwanyira
bhotoro riya pasi neshungu.
"Ndipowoka mutsvairo Nathan," ndakadaro ndichida
kutsvaira mabhotoro aiva azara pasi.
"Don't worry mudhara Sibanda achauya otsvaira. Rega
ndimufonere. Ndafara kuti warega doro Joel. You are winning
my trust bit by bit," Nathan akadaro.

Manheru iwayo takazokurukura zvedu dzimwe nyaya asi

pasi pasi pemwoyo wangu ndainetseka kuti ko nyaya yaiva
yanzi naNathan ndine request ozotizve I will tell you as time
goes on yaiva yei? Ndakati regai ndimupe nguva asi
ndaizomubvunza chete. Takazoparadzana tava kunorara asi

118
 PALMER

mwoyo wangu waitsva. Ndaida kumubvunza Nathan kuti

andiudze chokwadi chese chaiva pasi pemwoyo wake.
Manheru iwayo handina kuvata ndichingofunga mashoko
aiva ataurwa naNathan. Ndainzwa hana yangu ichirova.
Mwoyo wangu wairwadzazve kana ndafunga Nathan nekuti
zvakaoma kurarama uchiziva kuti mazuva ako asara mashoma
panyika. Apa ndipo pandakaona kuti utano hwakakosha
kupfuura pfuma zhinji. Nathan aigara achichema asi aiva
nepfuma yaichiviwa nevakawanda.
Mangwanani acho ndakamuka kwakugadzira kubuda.
Ndakageza semazuva ose asi chakandinetsa ndechekuti
ndakapedza kugeza uyu Nathan achakavata asati amuka.
Ndakanetseka ndikati zvimwe semunhu aiva asinganzwi
zvakanaka pamwe aiva achidzimbikana nemuviri. Ndakabva
ndangoti regai ndinomunokera padoor pake. Ndakasvika ndika
ndikagogodza asi hapana munhu akadavira. Ndakaramba
ndichigogodza pava paya munhu ndipo paakazodavira.
"Eh hello, ndiani?" akadavira.
"Nathan. NdiJowero ko hindava kurararisa nhasi?"
ndakabvunza.
"Oh sorry gara zviya iwe uri kuenda kumalesson ako unoda
kuperekedzwa. Ini ndiri kutoti zvangu nhasi iSaturday
handiende kubasa kutovata zvangu ndichiti ndozomuka time
time. Okay, wapedza here iwe kugadzirira?" akadaro Nathan.
"Kudhara, ndageza was ndatopfeka. Ndava ready ini,"
ndakapindura.
"Okay chirega ndimuke ndikuperekedza ndinokudropper ini
ndodzoka zvangu mosara moita malesson enyu."
Haana kumbotora nguva aiva atobuda akabata makey ake
emota.
"Right let's go," akadaro tichibva tabuda.

119
 PALMER

Ndakafamba ndava kunanga kuBenz.

"No, today we are using this one, ndoda kuti imborunner
engine isazogarisa," Nathan akadaro achitendeka BMW.
Ndakadzoka kwakupinda muya. Handichataurisi nezve BMW
asi kungoti zvaiva zvinhu.
Takasimuka pamba tava kunanga kudhorobha. Musi uyu
mumugwagwa maiva musina mota dzakawanda.
"Yaa nhasi mota hadzina kuwandisa sanezuro," ndakadaro.
"Yah inyaya yekuti nhasi iweekend vanhu vazhinji havasi
kuenda kumabasa saka traffic inoitawo shoma," akadaro
Nathan.
"Yaa zviri kuonekwa because hey nezuro it was too much,"
ndakadaro tava kusvika paDriving School pandaiitira malesson.
"Shamwari ini handichapindi newe, hona ndangobuda
ndisina kana kugeza kuti ndipinde mumahofisi evanhu
ndakadai hazviiti. Handiti mamaiitira nezuro muya uchiri
kumuzivaka?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Yaa ndichiri kuziva. Wati ndingakanganwe panhu
pandakabva nezuro here?" ndakadaro ndichiburuka mumota.
"Right, saka kana mapedza unoti Muzevezi anondifonera
ndouya ndokutora. Iniwo hameno chii ndinoramba
ndichingokanganwa kukutengera foni. Ugondirangaridza
Monday," pakataurwa izvi naNathan hana yangu yakazadzwa
nemufaro kuti iyeni here Jowero kuzoisawo foni yandinoti
yangu muhomwe.
Monday yacho yaiva yatononoka kusvika.
"Ah unenge wandigonera wena. Monday ichingosvika
ndotokukwenya haa ini handikanganwi," ndakadaro
ndichinyemwerera.
"Okay Joel. Tobatana palater," Nathan akadaro achibva
asimudza mota ava kuenda. Ndakasara ndava kupinda mukati

120
 PALMER

zvangu kamwoyo kachingofarira nhau yefoni yandaiva ndadai

kuudzwa.

Ndakasvika paoffice paMr Muzevezi pakavharwa.

Ndakanoka ndanokazve asi hapana akadavira. Ndakaedza
kuvhura ndikaona pakakiiwa zvaireva kuti maiva musina
munhu. Oh my God!! Apa Nathan aiva aenda ini wacho ndaiva
ndisina foni yekuti ndingamufonera kuti adzoke azonditora.
Ndakaonazve kuti chero ndaikumbira dzevamwe nhamba
dzake dzacho ndaiva ndisina. Ndakapera simba ndikati nhasi
zvangu ndichadzembereka muHarare. Ndakabva ndati regai
ndibude zvangu ndiende panze ndione kuti ndingaita sei.
Pandaiva ndakusvika padoor ndipo pandakabva ndasangana
naMr Muzevezi vachitopinda.
"Oh Mr Joel, you are here already?" vakadaro Mr Muzevezi
vachindikwazisa.
"Handina zvangu nguva ndava pano. Ndabva kusiiwa
naNathan manje manje," ndakadaro.
"Very sorry takutangirwa kusvika pabasa nemaclients.
Kungoti nhasi Saturday ndowanzononoka zvangu kusvika
sezvo iri weekend kudai. Ari sei zvake Nathan nemiviri?"
Pakabvunzwa izvi naMr Muzevezi hana yangu yakavhunduka
kuti saka vaitoziva nezvekurwara kwaNathan.
"Haa ari right zvake uyo. Anga ati kana tapedza
munozomufonera ouya onditora," ndakadaro.
"Okay, no problem. Nhasi ndoda kungoti ndiite nemi
madiagram based questions then ndikaona kuti mabata ipapo
chete Monday mofanira kunonyora."
"Yaa ngatiitei ndigare ndanonyora tione kuti ndobudirira
here ikoko," ndakadaro.

121
 PALMER

"Haa munopasa, nemagonero enyu aya handioni

muchifoira ini. Mibvunzo yacho ndiyoyo haimbonyanyi
kusiyana asi kuti vanogona kungosiyanisa mabvunziro,"
vakadaro VaMuzevezi vachikiinura door repahofisi yavo
tichibva tapinda.

Vaiva nemwoyo murefu zvekuti vachikutsanangurira

chinhu vaitora nguva yavo vachikupa mienzaniso zvekuti wega
wainzwisisa. Vakaswera vachindidonongodzera chese chaiita
kuti ndigone kuzonopindura mibvunzo kuV.I.D. Ndega
ndakanyatsonzwa kuti yah apa ndaiva ndadzidza. Vakazondipa
rimwe question paper rekupindura ndikagona mibvunzo yese
yaivamo hapana kana mumwe chete wandakakoniwa.
"Izvi hazvichina doubt izvi. Monday mofanira kunonyora
imi. Then takuchipinda pakukudzidzisai mota yacho chaiyo
kana mapasa provisional. Pamota ndipo pane basa rese.
Shungu dzangu dzanga dziri dzekuti mukapasa Monday then
Tuesday takutopinda nemi mumota," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro
vakabata answer sheet rangu mumaoko.
"Don't worry, musambondityira. Regai ndinonyora muone,"
ndakadaro.
"Yah ichokwadi. Ini ndinokutembai. Chiregai ndichifonera
mukomana achiuya akutorei zvake," vakadaro Mr Muzevezi
vachibuditsa foni yavo vachibva vafonera mukomana.

Hapana kumboita nguva takaona atopinda.

"Ah Nathan, wabva kumba here apa?" ndakadaro ndaona
nguva yacho yaaiva atora kuti nekubva kumba
zvaisapindirana aiva akasirisa.
"No ndanga ndiri pamaAvenues apa pandanga ndichigezesa
Navara. Ndaona kuti tsvina yacho yanga yanyanya ndikangoti
sezvo ndanga ndisina zvangu zvekuita regai ndimhanye nayo

122
 PALMER

pacar wash," akadaro Nathan achigara pane imwe cheya

yaivamo.
"Haa idaro nekuti ndanga ndatya wena kuti asi
wabhururuka kani," ndakadaro.
"Imi kuno matopedza?" akabvunza.
"Yah yah tapedza isu but Monday make sure mukomana
anyora. I am very certain kuti nezvaari kundiratidza pano
anopasa chete," vakadaro Mr Muzevezi.
"Okay Monday ndichananga naye kuV.I.D kuseni ndisati
ndaenda kubasa," akadaro Nathan.
"Zviya kunodiwa chii nechii kana munhu achinyora
provisional?" Nathan akabvunza.
"$20, photocopy yechitupa nemaphotos acho edriver's
licence," Mr Muzevezi vakapindura.
"Okay saka iri bhoo. Ndinozvisota zvese Monday kuseni.
Right isu rega tibaye Muzevezi. Ndinokubata Monday
ndokuudza kuti student yako yapasa here or yafoira," Nathan
akadaro.
"Haa I doubt kuti nemapinduriro avanga vachiita
vanofoira," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro tichibva tabuda.

"Haa yava neat manje," ndakadaro patakasvika paiva

pakamiswa Navara naNathan.
"Hauoni kuti yava kuonekerawo. Ndanga ndava kutonyara
kana kufamba nayo," Nathan akadaro.
"Kkkk wanga uchigonyarei. Ndiko kuti vanhu vaoneka kuti
wakabva kumusha. Vamwe havatorina kumusha kwekuenda
vari muno mutaundi," ndakadaro ndichiseka zvangu
ndichipinda muNavara.
"Yaa you are right vanhu vanofanira kuonawo kuti une
kumusha. Manje manje unenge wava kudhiraivhawo takagara

123
 PALMER

pauri apo tichiwatsura zvedu," Nathan akataura achimutsa

mota.
"Mira uone. Manje manje. And ndangoigona chete
wotombondipa ndoenda kumusha kumbonoona
Mukuwe nana Angeline," ndakadaro.
"Ah kana wagona zvako ndokunyimirei.
Ndongokuzadzira tank worova pasi chero ukambonoita vhiki
uriko uchifara zvako."
"Ah vhiki haizoiti ndingasawedzerazve zvimwe zvingaka
neman'a ikoko. Kungoitawo mazuva maviri ndodzoka,"
ndakadaro nekuti zveruzevha ndaiva ndisingachadi.
"Ah zvawada," Nathan akadaro.
Takabva apa kwava kungonanga kumba. Mumota
mairidzwa nziyo dzekurumbidza Mwari kubva mutaundi
kusvika tava kumba ichingova praise chete. Ndakanzwa
mwoyo wangu uchiswedera pedyo naMwari.
"Hezvo ini ndaiti unongorova sungura cheteka ini?"
ndakadaro ndakatarisa Nathan.
"No but here and there. Ndinonyanya kufarira idzi
dzekuchechi zvangu ndichishumira Mwari," akadaro Nathan
pataiva tava kupinda pagedhe.
"Uchandiziva hako zvandoda nezvandisingadi kana Mwari
vatenderera kuti tirambe tiri tese," Nathan akadaro.
"Ini ndinoti hapana chinotitadzisa kuzova tese Nathan.
Ndini ndiri kudaro," ndakadaro ndakamubata bendekete.
Akangonditarisa asi haana kupindura.
CHITSAUKO 16
Takasvika pamba Nathan achibva agara zvake palaptop
yake hameno zvaiitwa. Ini ndakabva ndati regai zvangu
ndimbobuda ndinoona kuboysky kwaigara mudhara Sibanda

124
 PALMER

ndichimbokurukura zvangu navo sezvo Nathan aiva ari busy

zvake kuita zvaaiita.
"Mudhara Sibanda," ndakadaro ndichisvika paboysky
paaigara.
"Ah boss maswera here? Kwakuri sei kwamaswera uku,"
vakapindura vachisuka zvavo poto yavo yavaiva vakabata.
"Haa kuri nani wena. Ndamboti zvangu regai ndisvike
ndione penyu pano apa," ndakadaro.
"Haa ndipo pangu wena pano ndinenge ndigere zvangu seri
kuno uku," vakadaro. Pamba pavo paiva neboysky yaiva
nemaroom matatu aisanganisira kitchen, dining nebedroom.
Pavaigara paisashoreka zvachose asi kuti paitoonekerawo
kupfuura pataigara isu kumusha. Ndakazoti zvangu mushure
mekukurukurawo dzimwe nyaya namudhara Sibanda ndikati
chiregai ndichidzokera kumba.
Ndakasvika ndikawana Nathan achiona Yadah TV. Apa
ndakabva ndamboti regai ndigare ndimboonawo naye.
Paiparidzwa pamusoro pekugona kuregerera kana munhu
akutadzira. Ipapo ndakadzidzawo zvakawanda kubva pashoko
raiparidzwa.
"Saka mangwana ndiyo Sunday ka Joel. I remember madeko
uchiti tigoenda tose kuchechi?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Yaa ndaitorevesa mangwana chaiye usandisiya. Toenda
tose," ndakadaro.
"Okay no problem. Ah ko ini kutokanganwa ndoda
kumbotaura nambuya kumusha ndichivaudzawo kuti
takazofamba zvakanaka vazive," Nathan akadaro achibuditsa
foni yake.
"Eh eh inzwaka Nathan, kana zvichiita paunotaura navoka
vaudze vadanewo muchembere wangu ndizuwewo naye
pafoni yavo ipapo. Kana Mukuwe ari padhuze zvinoita futi

125
 PALMER

ndimbokwazisawo hama yangu wena," ndakadaro

ndichiombera.
"Haa Joel ndozvaungabva wakumbira uchiombera here?
Hindava uchida kuzviita muranda iwe ini ndiri shamwari yako?"
Nathan akadaro achiratidza kusafarira kuombera kwandaiva
ndaita.
"Kutojaira wena kuti kana uchikumbirawo unoombera,"
ndakadaro.
"Yes but not kwandirika, unozviita kune vamwe. Ini chinhu
changu ndechako," Nathan akadaro achibva abaya foni yake
kwakuisa panzeve.

"Hallo mbuya....eh makasara zvakanaka here?......haa isu

takasvika zvakanaka....kubasa kuri right chose....hoo okay
mbuya....yah ndichaita izvozvo.....Ko mai Joel vari padhuze
here?....yah ndanga ndichikumbirawoka muvadane Joel anoda
kutaura navo kana zvichibvira vese naMukuwe vadanei
mondibhipa mava navo....maita basa mbuya ndinofona
handiregi...okay," akapedza kutaura achibva akata foni.
"Hanzi how far. Aripo here Mukuwe?" ndakabvunza.
"Yaa hanzi ari pamatanga paari kuvharira mombe apo so
vati vakutarisa muchembere kuti aripo here saka
vachandibhipa kana vese vasvika," Nathan akadaro.
"Ah zvaita wena ndimbonzwawo inzwi raMukuwe
ndamusuwa wena," ndakadaro.
Takangogara nguva pfupi pfupi tikanzwa foni yaNathan
yava kurira.
"Hallo mbuya....eeh katai zvenyu ndifone," Nathan akadaro
ini mwoyo wanga wasiti kwangwa zvino kuti
ndichimbokurukurawo namuchembere naMukuwe. Nathan
akabva abaya baya futi foni yake achibva aisa panzeve.

126
 PALMER

"Eh makadiiko muchembere.....ndiri nani ini, ndine

mukomana pano anoda kumbotaura nemi....batai makadaro,"
Nathan akadaro achibva andinenekedza foni ndichibva
ndaitora kwakunyatsoiisa panzeve.
"Hallo mhai," ndakadaro.
"Hallo Jowero, wakasimba here mwanangu?" mai
vakapindura.
"Haa ini ndakasimba ini huye ndigere kuno uku,"
ndakadaro.
"Eh wogara zvakanaka nemumwe mwanangu kwete
kuzotinyadzisa wazvinzwa?" mai vakadaro.
"Haa musandityira mhai. Izvezvi doro riya ndakatorega.
Mangwana chaiwo tiri kutoenda kuchechi."
"Iii makorokoto Samaita makagonazve. Huye kunamata
ndiwo musimboti. Ko mangarakata emachira awakasiya aya
akabvepiko," mai pavakabvunza izvi ndakaona kuti kana
ndikazovaudza zvakaitika Nathan achinzwa zvaizomakisa futi.
"Haa imi shandisai chete. Zvizhinji tichataura ndauya,"
ndakadaro.
"Heya unouya riini," mai vakabvunza.
"Haa mhai, manga motobvunza zvekuuya munhu asina
kana vhiki abvako here? Ndichakuudza ndinofona manje
manje ndinenge ndava nefoni," ndakadaro.
"Zvakanaka mwanangu chitaura nemumwe wako Mukuwe
uyu," mai vakadaro ndichibva ndamirira inzwi ravasahwira.
"Jowero Jowero!!" Mukuwe akadaro.
"Mukuwe Mkuweldo!!" ndakadaro ndichiseka.
"Joweldo Joweldo, uri seiko mukomana?" akadaro
achikuvara zvake nekuseka.
"Ndiri bhoo wena kuri sei?" ndakabvunza.
"Haa kuri yehle. Uripo pataundi?" akadaro.

127
 PALMER

"Haa ndiripo wena ndiri tii muchirungu. Pakaipa,"

ndakapindura.
"Vakoma-aaaana, wodyiroko Joweldo," akadaro achiseka.
"Chirega kutaurisa. Ko madhiri
andakasiya ndakurongera akazofaya here?" ndakabvunza.
"Iii zvakaita wena ndakasara ndikamuona muchembere
izvezvi ndidzo dzandiri kubva kutovharira. Wakaita bhoo
shamwari wakandipinza machena. Izvezvi handichangoti
vavava pamagirosa pane vamwe ndakutomboitawo ndichibata
masupa here and there," Mukuwe akadaro achiratidza kufara.
"Zvishoma izvo. Mira uone machena andichakupinza
pamberi apo pandinouya," ndakadaro.
"Haa chirega kundifadzaka iwe, gara watauraka," Mukuwe
akadaro ane chidokwa dokwa chekuda kuziva.
"Pora pora Mukuwe. Mira chete iwe......," handina
kuzopedza kutaura yakabva yakata.
"Ah yakata wena," ndakadaro ndichitambidza Nathan.
"Oh ndofunga airtime yapera. Asi manga mataura
henyuka?" akabvunza.
"Haa takurukura waspaka wena. Ndanga ndasuwa hama
yangu," ndakadaro.
"Haa unomuda chaizvo Mukuwe uyu. Bva tichatoita kuti
auyeka kuno," Nathan akadaro.
"Maiweee unenge wandigonera. Ndizvo zvandanga
ndichida kutozokumbira kuti dai waibvuma aiuyawo kuno
chero ukamupawo basa chero rechimahobho zvaro
chandongoda kuti hama yangu ibudewo muruzevha,"
ndakadaro ndichiombera.
"Joel ndati handidi system yako yekuombera iyoyo,"
akadaro Nathan.
"Oh sorry," ndakadaro.

128
 PALMER

"Yah kana ukanopasa kuVID kahwani kahwani pasina

kufoira wopasa provisional. Then paRoad test ukapasa futi
kahwani, I have a big surprise for you. But ukafoira wazviruza."
"Nathan ko chingogara wandiudzaka ndiko kuti ndiite
shungu. Taura pachirume," ndakadaro.
"Uuuuum ndotaura?" Nathan akadaro.
"Tell me Nathan. Tell me," ndakadaro ndichikwenya mhino
nekasiyanwa.
"Okay. Ukagona zvandataura, you see that BMW
yandakuperekedza nayo kuseni iri panze apo iyo?" Nathan
akabvunza.
"Yes," ndakadaro.
"Will be yours. I imported that car this year. Ndobva
ndachinja ownership zvese yoinda muzita mako. So it's all up
to you now. Kupasa kana kufoira," hana yangu yakati bamu.
BMW for Jowero? Inhema idzodzo.
"Serious here Nathan. Oh ndopika nababa vangu vari
pachuru kudai inhema. Ndinoitora chete," ndakadaro
ndichisimuka.
"Ah izvo zvava kwauri. Ini ndatotaura," akadaro Nathan.

Musi iwoyo handina kuvata ndichingoti dai Monday

yachisvika ndanonyora kuVID. Ndaiziva kuti ndikagona kupasa
provisional driver's license ndaibva ndati one down.
Kwaizosara madhiramu.

Mangwana acho takamuka tikagadzira kuenda kuchechi.

Nathan ndiye akatanga kugeza ini ndikazogezawo.
Takasimuka pamba eight o'clock. Takashandisa Benz.
"Remind me tabva kuchechi pane nyaya yandinoda
kuzokuudza iri vital," Nathan akadaro tiri munzira kuenda

129
 PALMER

kuchechi. Ndakashaya kuti yaiva nyaya yei futi.

Ndakazorangarira kuti paiva nenyaya iya yaaiva amboti
aizondiudza gare gare. Ndakangofungidzira kuti ndiyo.
Ndakangoti, "okay."
Takasvika pachechi achibva amisa mota paiva nedzimwe.
Paiva nemota dzemhando yepamusoro dzairatidza kuti varidzi
vadzo vaiva vanhu vemari. Ndakanyatsofunga kuti okay kana
vanhu vane mari kudai vachiuya kuzozvininipisa pamberi
paMwari vachisiya dzimba dzavo dzakanaka nemibhedha
yakanaka ko iniwo zvangu Jowero. Ndoziva bhawa here
kupfuura Mwari. Pakandibata. Takapinda tikagara tichimirira
kuuya kwaProphet. Vakazosvika papera chinguva vakatanga
kuparidza. Vakaparidza nechirungu sezvo maiva nevamwe
vaibva kune dzimwe nyika vaiva vasinganzwi Shona. Vaiva
nemusoro wenyaya wekuti, 'KNOW YOUR PURPOSE'.
Vakaverenga kubva kuna PROVERBS 19:21 yaiti, 'Many
plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him
that will stand.'
Vakatanga kutaura vakati, "Who are you? Where are you
going in life? What is your purpose? Are you pursuing your real
purpose? Do you think you are in the right direction? What is
stopping you from pursuing your goal and purpose? Are you
not going in the wrong direction? Is there a known destination
in the journey of your life?" Pavakatanga nekubvunza
mibvunzo iyi ini ndakashaya chekupindura mumwoyo mangu.
Ndakatozoona kuti chokwadi ndini mumwe wevairarama
hupenyu husina direction. Hupenyu husina chinangwa. Tisu
taingoti chero tamuka, chero tadya chero ravira zuva, zviya
zvekuti hupenyu huchazovei kana kuti tichazovei nana
Mukuwe taiva tisinei nazvo. Ndakazoona kuti sei Nathan aiita
zvinhu zvake zvakarongongeka. Yaiva nyaya yekuwana dzidziso

130
 PALMER

yakanaka. Isu taizvinzwirepiwo nana Mukuwe chero kuchechi

taiva tisingaendi.
"A sailor without a proper destination will always follow any
wind direction. You can't change the direction of the wind, but
you adjust your sails to always reach your destination. The
pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to
change while the realist adjusts the sails," Prophet vakadaro.
Ndaiva ndakanyatsoteerera dzidziso yaiva yakanaka kudai.
Musi uyu ndakadzidza zvakawanda zvakandiswededza pedyo
naMwari zvikasimudza mweya wangu.

"Nathan, kuno kubva nhasi ndiko kwava kuchechi kwangu.

Ndinodzokororazve bhawa handichadi Nathan," ndakadaro
tava munzira kuenda kumba.
"Well done. Now kana tasvika kumba ndakuchiudza chinhu
chikuru chandakakutorera kubva kumusha, rega tisvike kumba
tigare pasi ndikupire nhau yacho," akadaro Nathan. Ini ndaiva
ndanonokerwa zvino nekusvika kumba.
CHITSAUKO 17
Kubva kuchechi kuenda kumba kwakandiitira kure. Ndaida
kunyatso kunzwa zvaiva pasi pehana yaNathan.
"Just a reminder Nathan. We are home. Tell me your story,"
ndakadaro pataiva tagara mumba.
"Oh okay. Let's pray first," Nathan akadaro achibva
apfugama, ndakaitawo saizvozvo.
"Baba tinouya pamberi pehuso hwenyu madeuka zuva ano.
Tasvika panguva yehurukuro yakasimudza murandarume
wenyu Joel kuti agone kuva pano. Baba kunyange ini
pandichataura mundisimbise, nekuti ndiri pano kugamuchira
kutonga kwenyu. Mweya wangu uzogona kuwana zororo

131
 PALMER

kwamuri kudenga. Kunyange iye Joel baba ndinonamata,

pindai mukati memwoyo wake. Zvandichataura Mwari agone
kuzvitambira agogona kuita sekuraira kwandichaita
asapesvedzera kunyange nepadiki pose. Ndinotenda mapinda
mukati mehana yake kuti agone kukunamatai achisiya
kudhakwa sekutaura kwake baba ndinokutendai. Ini handigoni
kupokana nekutonga kwenyu. Ndimi munopa hupenyu,
ndimizve mune kodzero yekutora. Mwari ndinokutendai.
Muzita nemuropa raMambo Jesu. Amen." Handina kunzwisisa
zvairehwa naNathan paakanamata asi munamato wakaitwa
naNathan handina kuufarira. Pakapera chinguva takanyarara.
Hapana aitaura uyu Nathan aingorova rova table nezvigunwe.

"Ndakateerera," ndakazodaro papera chinguva.

"Joel, promise me that you will betray me not," akadaro
Nathan akanditarisa.
"I promise," ndakadaro.
"Joel anytime is tea time. I may honor God's call anytime
from now. So I have one or two request from you," Nathan
akadaro.
"Go ahead. I am listening."
"I have a son," akadaro Nathan akatarisa mudenga.
"Son? But you have no wife. How?" ndakabvunza
ndichishamisika.
"Yes but handisati ndakambomuona but I know kuti mwana
wangu ariko. Remember I told you about my wife who later
committed suicide mushure mekunge azotorwa nevabereki
vake?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Okay okay, I remember," ndakapindura.
"I was told kuti akasvika akanozvara mwana mukomana
mushure mekunge abva pano ane pamuviri paiva nemwedzi

132
 PALMER

miviri. So I want you to embark on a journey as soon as you get

your driver's license. I want you to go and look for my son
before I die. I want him here. Joel will you do that for me?"
Nathan akadaro akanditarisa.
"I promise I will. Just tell me where he is. I will go and talk
to them. They know you right?" ndakadaro.
"I am sure they do. I will give you directions and everything.
Kana vada kuziva zvakawanda you call me, I will talk to them
personally. Kana zvanetsa you leave him chandinongoda kuziva
kuti mwana wangu ariko here? Kana ariko wamuona come
back and tell me then tozoenda tose. I want my son back,"
Nathan akataura achiita kunge munhu aida kuchema.
"Ndinoita saizvozvo Nathan. You just give me all the
relavant information so that when I talk to them they will
believe me," ndakadaro ndakamutarisa.
"Will you take care of my son Joel when I die?" Nathan
akadaro achierera misodzi.
"Nathan you will not die," ndakadaro.
"I want a yes or no?" Nathan akadaro.
"Yes that is when you die. Who knows maybe I will die first
before you. God is in control Nathan," ndakadaro
ndakamubata bendekete. Nathan akaramba achichema.
"Anytime, anything can happen. Tommorow paunobva
kuVID I want to introduce you to my management team. I want
them to know you as my Deputy and anytime you will takeover
from me. Joel, I want you to have shares in my businesses, you
will have 30%, the remaining 70% you will give it to my son
kana akura. Ndichaita kuti uende kuchikoro
kwauchanodzidzira how to manage a business zvimwe
uchaitawo uchidzidzira as time goes on.

133
 PALMER

Tomorrow I will show you your office. I will give you your
Personal Assistant. But promise me one thing Joel," akadaro
Nathan.
"What again Nathan?" ndakadaro.
"That you will never betray me," Nathan akadaro.
"I promise you Nathan, I will never ever betray you."

Hana yangu yakatanga kurova. Handina kana kufarira

zvakataurwa naNathan. Zvese zvekunzi ndichatora 30%
ndozoita take over post yake pacompany hapana chimwe
chete chakandifadza nekuti Nathan aitaura nezverufu rwake.
Chaindirwadza ndechekuti Nathan pachake aiva akura ari
nherera. Mai vake vaiva vangoita zvekumitiswa hapana aiziva
baba vake ava mai vake vakazoshaya tichiri zvivana zvidoko
zvakazoita kuti agokurira kwaGutu achigara nambuya vake.
Aiva asina mukoma kana hanzvadzi kusiya kwemwana
wemunin'ina wamai vake musikana ndiye waaitotiwo
hanzvadzi. Ndakabvunza Mwari kuti ndiko here kwaiva
kuzadziswa kweshuviro yangu nenzira dzakadai. Hongu
hupenyu hwakanaka ndaihwudawo asi kwete nenzira yakadai
yekurasikirwa naNathan. Mwoyo wangu wairwadziwa kuti
seiko chirwere chakadai chaiva chabatawo shamwari yangu.
Yaingova mibvunzo asi hapana aindipa mhinduro. Takazogara
mumba asi hapana akazotaura. Ndaiti ndikatarisa Nathan
ndainzwa misodzi yangu ichida kubuda.

"Ndakunozorora Nathan. Tinoonana mangwana,"

ndakadaro ndichisimuka pandaiva ndakagara.
"This early? Why Joel. Are you okay?" Nathan akadaro
achishamisika.
"I am okay. Will talk tomorrow," ndakanyepa nekuti
chokwadi chaivapo ndainzwa musoro wangu kutenderera

134
 PALMER

nekuda kwehurukuro yataiva taita naNathan. Mubvunzo

wangu mukuru waiva wava wekuti ko mbuya vake vaizviziva
here?
"Okay. Wokurumidza kumuka. Remember tomorrow uri
kuenda kuVID," akadaro Nathan achivhara laptop yake.
"Okay. I will," ndakadaro ndichibva ndapinda mumba
mandaivata.

Hope chaidzo hadzina kuuya manheru iwayo. Ndakatarisa

nguva ndikaona 12 dzepakati pehusiku dzava kuchaya
ndichingobwaira. Chiiko chandaigona kubatsira nacho
Nathan? Chiiko chandaizoyamurawo mumwe wangu nacho?
Kana zvaaitaura aiti ndizvo zvakataurwa nana Chiremba, chiiko
chimwe chataizogona kuita isu vanhu. Ndakarangarira kuti
zvinonzi isu vanhu patinogumirwa Mwari ndipo
pavanotangira. Ndakazvisimbisa ndikati ndinoziva kuti Mwari
vachatipa zano.
Manheru iwayo ndakarota ndichiona Nathan akamira
akanditarisa misodzi ichierera. Akamira kudaro akaita kunge
munhu aiva akamira panonyudza achibva atanga kunyura pasi
zvishoma zvishoma, achinyura kudaro ndakaona achinyura
kusvika pamabvi ndikaona anyura kusvika muchiuno. Paaiva
akusvika pachipfuva akabva asimudza ruoko achindibhaibhisa.
Ndakaramba ndakamutarisa. Ndakaona ava kunyura kusvika
pachipfuva ndipo pandakanzwa inzwi rakadaidzira kuti, "Go
help him." Ndakaramba ndakamira. "Go help him!" inzwi riya
rakadzokorora.
"How? Ndinonyurawo," ndakapindura asi munhu
wandaitaura naye ndaiva ndisingamuoni.
"No you will be safe. I said go!" inzwi riya rakadaro rave
nehasha. Ndakavhunduka kwava kufambisa ndichienda paiva
naNathan. Chakandishamisa handina kunyura. Ndava kuda

135
 PALMER

kusvika ndakanzwa, "Joel woke up, it's almost half past seven
wakarara. Mind you uri kufanira kuenda kuVID," ndakamuka
ndichiita zvekuvhunduka ndichiona Nathan akamira padivi
pemubhedha. Ndaiva ndisati ndamunyukura paakandimutsa.
"Joel! Are you okay?" Nathan akabvunza pandakamuka
ndichibva ndagara.
"Yes, I am okay. Don't worry," ndakadaro asi hana yangu
yairova. Ndakatarisa Nathan ndichibva ndamubata ruoko
kwava kusimuka pamubhedha. Ndakabuda ndichimusiya
arimo. Ndakamboda kumuudza hope idzi asi zvakandirambira.
Ndakageza nekuchimbidza nekuti iye aiva atogeza kare.
Ndichipedza takabva tabuda neNavara.

"Haa nhasi wavata wena. Kuita kunge munhu akanonoka

kudzoka kubhawa munhu aingova pano?" Nathan akadaro
tava munzira kuenda kudhorobha.
"Yaa kunenge kuri kumbozorodza nyama," ndakadaro.

Tichipinda mudhorobha Nathan akamisa mota paiva

nevamwe vakomana vaiita zvekutora maphotos.
"Huya ubve watorwa maphotos ekuendesa kuVID," Nathan
akadaro achidzika mumota ndichibva ndaburukawo.
Ndakatorwa mifananidzo iya achibva andipa ndichibva ndaisa
muhomwe.
"Let's hope hauna kukanganwa chitupa," Nathan akadaro.
"Kwete ah chirimoka muchikwama chiya wati ndinochisiya
pasi here kkk," ndakadaro ndichiseka.
"Good then, let's go."
"Ko nyaya iyaka yenhingi?" ndakadaro ndichiisa ruoko
panzeve kunge munhu ari kufona.

136
 PALMER

"Oh okay hauna foni zviya. Watogona wandiyeuchidza.

Chirega tichipfuura nepa Econet ndichikutengera line
tozoenda paGtel ndokutsvagira foni," Nathan akadaro achibva
amutsa motokari.
Akanditengera line tichibva tazopfuurira achibva
azonditsvagira rino zimutumba refoni. Kumusha kwese chero
maticha epachikoro hapana aiva nefoni yemhando iyoyo.
"Oh ndabva ndasevha nhamba dzangu imomo pekutanga,"
Nathan akadaro achinditambidza foni iya.
"Uuum waita hako shamawari asi yah pane basa apa,
uchatombogara pasi neni uchindidzidzisa mabairo acho.
Izvezvi handizivi kana pekutangira," ndakadaro
ndichidanan'anidza foni iya.
"Okay, ndinokudzidzisa. Apa rega ndimbokuratidza
zvaunoita kana ikarira," Nathan akadaro achibaya baya foni
yake. Ndakavhunduka yangu yavakurira iri mumaoko.
"Right ikarira saizvozvo unobata pegreen apa wofambisa
chigunwe chako uchiuya kwakanzi answer uku. Wadaro woisa
panzeve woti hallo. Ita tione," akadaro Nathan. Ndakafambisa
chigunwe zvaaiva ataura ichibva yanyarara ndichibva ndaisa
panzeve. "Right wagona. Chihande ndinokumirira paVID
uchinyora. I think kunyora vanoti eight minutes chete
patwenty five questions. Usafoira Joel because ukangokoniwa
zvitatu wafoira. Mari yaendera mahara," Nathan akataura
tichibva tasimuka paGtel paya tava kuenda kuVID.

Takasvika paya Nathan achibva abhadhara mari yaidiwa

achinyoresa zita rangu. Takanzi taizonyora na10. Takagara
zvedu mumota tichimirira kuchaya kwadzo. Paiva nevamwe
vaivapo vaida kunyorawo.

137
 PALMER

"Yah Joel, chienda unopinda vamwe vakusimuka

vachipinda avo," Nathan akadaro.
"Okay rega ndiende ndinozvipedza," ndakadaro
ndichivhura door.
"Oh pen iyi. Wish you the best," akadaro Nathan
achinditambidza chinyoreso ndichibva ndabuda. Ndaizvitemba
ndichiziva zvandaiva ndavimbiswa naNathan saka ndaida
kutoshingirira kuti agozadzikisa zvaaiva andivimbisa.
CHITSAUKO 18
Mumwoyo mangu ndainamata. Mwari ndiMwari
vanonzwa. Ndakanyora provisional yangu ndikadzosera
zvibodzwa zvese hapana kana pandakatadza zvekuti Nathan
akashamisika akashaya kana remuromo.
"Uuuum Joel ndakutya, une njere. Ini ndakanyora rutatu
ndichifoira ndakatozopasa pechifour," Nathan akadaro
pandakadzoka ndakabata provisional yangu mumaoko.
"Congratulations. Now let's go, I want to introduce you to
my management team today," Nathan akadaro. Takabva ipapo
kwakunanga kuhofisi kwake. Takasvika tikawana Nancy arimo.
"Good morning Sir, you are welcome," Nancy akadaro
pataipinda.
"Sir Joel you are welcome," akadaro
achindinyemwerera.
"Thank you," ndakapindura.
"Uuuum Nancy ndidanirewo maManagers ese auye
kuoffice. I want to have a short meeting navo," Nathan akadaro
tichibva tapfuurira kupinda muhofisi make.
Hatina kumbogarisa takabva tanzwa door rava
kugogodzwa. Pakapinda varume four kusanganisira Mr Moyo

138
 PALMER

vaya vandaiva ndamboratidzwa musi weChishanu chaiva

chapfuura.
"Good morning Sir," vakadaro vese panguva imwe chete.
"Good morning you may sit," Nathan akapindura vachibva
vagara pamacheya aivamo. Pandakatarisisa ndakabva ndaona
kuti umwe wacho ndaiva ndakambomuona kuBulawayo kuya.
"Right gentlemen, I called you here to introduce you to your
new boss who will be deputising me at this company. His
name is Sir Joel. Joel this is our management team here. This
is Mr Moyo I introduced him to you on Friday as our
Operations Manager, that one is Mr Dube our Human
Resources manager, next to him is Mr Magama our
Marketing manager and Mr Mutasa our Loss Control
manager. So dear managers meet Sir Joe, when you see him
you see me, when he say anything he will be my voice so you
listen to him." Hana yangu yakarova ndikazvitarisa kubva
kutsoka pakataurwa izvi naNathan. Chokwadi Mwari
ndiMwari vanosimudza marombe kubva muguruva. Ini here
Jowero kunzi Sir Joel ndichipiwa nyembe dzakadaro
pacompany?
Zvakaita kunge ndairota.
"Nice to know you Sir Joel. Tinoshuvira kushanda nemi
zvakanaka boss," vakadaro vese vachizondikwazisa
vakazodzokera kunogara pasi.
"So HR Dube I think tomorrow ndimi muchazofamba naSir
Joel, muchivaratidza pano. Call every employee and introduce
him to them. Am I understood?" Nathan akadaro.
"Yes Sir," Mr Dube vakapindura.
"Right you may go to your respective offices," Nathan
akadaro vachibva vabuda.
"Nathan what is the meaning of all this?" ndakabvunza
Nathan pavakabuda.

139
 PALMER

"I know what I am doing. Ndizvo zviripo. Now let me go and

drop you kuna Mr Muzevezi then vatonotanga kukuitisa
mapractical lessons. But before we go there rega tipfuure
nekuoffice kwaMr Nyathi my lawyer, there are some papers
that I want us to sign ikoko. Joel promise me again that you will
betray me not," Nathan akabvunzazve akanditarisa.
"Nathan, I promise," ndakadaro tichibva tasimuka tava
kubuda.
"Right Nancy ndiri kudzoka very soon," akadaro Nathan
achioneka secretary wake.
"Okay Sir," Nancy akapindura tichibva tabuda.

Takabva apa ndisati ndava kunyatsa kunzwisisa kuti zvii

zvaiitika. Kamwe kamwoyo ndiko kaifarira rezinesi raiva rava
muhomwe. Ndakazoona omisa mota achibva aburuka,
ndakaitawo saizvozvo ndichibva ndamutevera ndikaona tava
kupinda mune imwe hofisi. Takawana muine murume aiva
akapfeka svutu nhema.
"Ah Sir Nathan you are here?" murume uya akabvunza.
"Yes yes, how are you Mr Sean?" Nathan akadaro.
"I am fine you may sit," vakadaro vachitiratidza pekugara.
"Yah Mr Sean, nyaya yandaigarotaura iya ndiye wacho uyu
so we are here to sign the papers. He agreed last night,"
Nathan akadaro, ndakashaiwa kuti zvaiva zvava zvipi.
"Oh Joel sorry, this is Mr Sean my legal advisor and personal
Lawyer," Nathan akadaro achinditendekera Mr Sean vaya.
"Okay. Nice to meet you Mr Sean," ndakadaro.
"Nice to meet you too Mr Joel. Okay Mr Nathan let me
prepare the papers," Mr Sean vakadaro vachibva vatanga
kubaya baya computer yavo.

140
 PALMER

"You said 20/80 zviya?" Mr Sean vakabvunza vari pakati

pekunyora.
"Yes but make it 30/70," Nathan akapindura ndikabva
ndayeuka zvaaiva ambondiudza tichiri kumba.
"Ok it's done. You may go through," Mr Sean vakadaro
vachitambidza Nathan mapepa. Ndakaona Nathan
achiverenga achibva agutsurira musoro kwava kusaina pazasi
achibva anditambidza. Ndakaverenga ndikaona chokwadi
zvaaiva ambondiudza tiri kumba zvekuti ndaizotora 30%
pahupfumi hwake then 70% ndopa kumwana ndizvo zvaiva
zvakanyorwa pabepa.
"Ubve wasaina apo Joel," Nathan akadaro ndichibva
ndasaina kwakumudzosera mapepa aya achibva azopawo Mr
Sean.
"Ndinokumbirawozve chitupa chenyu Mr Joel I want to
photocopy it then ndosara necopy yacho. Mr Nathan copy
yenyu ndagara ndinayo don't worry," Mr Sean vakadaro.
Ndakabuditsa chitupa changu kwava kuvatambidza vachibva
vaita zvavakaita vachibva vandidzosera.
"I think it's done. I have filed the documents," Mr Sean
vakadaro.
"Saka iri bho Mr Sean. Regai timhanye isu. Ndoda
kumbosvika paChifamba Driving School apo," Nathan
akaoneka tichibva tabuda.

Takabva apa kwava kunanga pahofisi paMr Muzevezi.

Vakasvika vakashamisika pavakanzwa kuti ndaiva ndapasa
provisional.
"Yah you are wonderful. Vashoma vanonyora kahwani
vachipasa. Vazhinji vanotombofoira ruviri rutatu vozopasa

141
 PALMER

pamberi. Asi imi ndakanyatsoona kubva musi wekutanga kuti

njere dziripo. Makorokoto," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro.
"Haa igamba iri. Right ndakumbobhadhara mari yeten
lessons. Mototanga nhasi. Imarii zviya palesson class four?"
Nathan akadaro achibuditsa chikwama.
"$4 per lesson, takadzikisa kubva pa$5," Mr Muzevezi
vakadaro Nathan achibva avatambidza $40.
"Right ini handichamiri. Sarai muchidzidzisana ini
ndakuenda kuoffice. Ndichapota ndichifona," Nathan akadaro
achibva abuda.
"Yah I think isu ngatichienda kuground munoita
familiarisation nemota then mubve matotanga first lesson,"
Mr Muzevezi vakadaro. Takabuda tichibva tapinda mumota
yavo yedriving school tichibva tabuda kwava kuenda kuground
kwaitovawo nevamwe vaidzidzira.
"Right this is our car," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro vamisa mota
paground paya.
"This is our steering, this is our gear lever, this is our pedals
A, B and C meaning accelerator, brake and clutch. Are we
together?" Mr Muzevezi vakabvunza.
"Yes," ndakadaro ndichigutsurira musoro. Mr Muzevezi
vakaenderera mberi vachinditsanangurira zvakawanda
ndakateerera kusvika pavakazoti ndichiuya ndizogara
pasteering. Ndakatevedzera zvose zvavaiva vataura. Ndakaisa
mota yangu paneutral ndichibva ndaimutsa. Ndakatsika clutch
yangu kwakuisa mufirst gear. Ndakabvisa handbrake yangu
kwakusimudza clutch zvishoma nezvishoma ndichiisa mafuta
kusvika mota yava pafriction point ndikanzwa yava kutanga
kufamba. It was interesting.
"Just relax makatarisa mberi. Musaomesa muviri. Tava
kutoenda so," Mr Muzevezi vakadaro vakandibatira steering

142
 PALMER

neruoko rwavo rwerudyi. Musi uyu ndakava nezuva rakanaka,

zvakandinakidza. Ndakaita four lessons musi iwoyo asi ndaiva
ndava kutogona kufambisa mota.
Takazobva apa tava kuenda kuhofisi
kwaMr
Muzevezi tikawana Nathan akatotimirira.
"Eh kwanga kuri sei?" Nathan akabvunza patakasvika.
"Yah ifast learner. Havanetse kudzidzisa zvekuti mangwana
ndakutovadzidzisa madrum," vakadaro Mr Muzevezi.
"Yah I have no doubt now. Saka ndinenge ndichingouya
ndichivasiya kusvika mati zvava kukodzera kuti vachinobhuka
kuVID," Nathan akadaro. Takabva tapinda mumota tava
kuenda kumba.
Tichisvika kumba ini ndaingova mushishi kudzidzira kubaya
foni yangu iya yandaiva ndatengerwa. Nathan aiva nemwoyo
murefu, akandidzidzisa kusvika ndava kuziva zvakawanda
akazondiisira whatsaap. Apa ndipo pandakaona kuti ndaiva
ndakasaririra vamwe vachinakirwa pasocial media.
Ndakadzidza zvakawanda.
Nathan akaenderera mberi achingonondisiya kuna Mr
Muzevezi iye achienda kubasa. Ndakaramba ndichiita
malesson kusvika pandakazonzi ndaiva ndava kufanira
kunopinda kuVID. Ndaingonamata. Mwari ndiMwari
vanopindura handina kana kurova drum rimwe chete zvaro.
Ndakapinda ndichibva ndanzi road test kwava kukwenenzvera
ndichibva ndapiwa chitambi changu. Nathan akavhunduka
akaita seachabata denga nemufaro paakaona ndapasa.
Manheru emusi iwoyo hakuna kuvatwa tichifara.
"Wandidadisa Joel. You are now a driver. Hauoni ndipo
panoti murumeka. Iyezvino ndakumbovatawo uchityaira

143
 PALMER

mota," Nathan akadaro akagara pasofa akabata rezinesi rangu

achirinan'anidza.
"Ini ndini ndinofanira kukutenda Nathan. Waita zvose izvi
nemari yako. Ndinoshaya kuti ndinokutenda sei," ndakadaro
ndichiombera.
"Joel, ndakakuudza kuti usiyane nesystem yako
yekuombera iyi. Kandiro kanopfumba kunobva kamwe,
mangwana ndichadawo rubatsiro rwako. Guess what Joel?"
Nathan akadaro.
"Yes, what?" ndakabvunza.
"I have a surprise for you. Come here," Nathan akadaro
achisimuka achibuda panze. Ndakasimuka ndichibva
ndateverawo.
"Here are This is now your personal car the keys," Nathan
akadaro achindivhurira door achibva anditambidza makey.
Hama dzangu ndakaita kunge ndairota. Zvakanditorera nguva
kuti ndibvume kuti izvi zvaiitika. Handina kupindura,
ndakaramba ndakangorembedza miromo ndakangotarisa.
"Tambira Joel, you are not dreaming," Nathan akadaro
akangonenekedza makeys. Ndakatambira. Ndakapinda
mumota ndichiti ini here Jowero kuita mutumba wemota
wakadai. Kuzadziswa here kweshuviro yangu.
"Start the car, handiti you are now a driver," Nathan
akadaro achitenderera achibva apinda kupassenger seat.
"Drive let's go. I just want to see how you drive ndione kuti
wava kugona kuzofamba wega here even ndisipo," Nathan
akadaro achibva ananavira pasteering achibva aridza bhera
ndikaona mudhara Sibanda ava kumhanya kunovhura gedhi.
Ndakamboda kubvundisa maoko asi ndakanzwa pfungwa
dzangu dzichinditi, "Jowero dzikama, this is now your car."
Ndakamboda kuti netsekei nekuti iyi yaiva yati kurei pane
yekudriving school asi ndakashinga kwava kutanga kuifambisa

144
 PALMER

ndava kunanga kugedhe. Uyu Nathan aitobaya baya zvake foni

yake. Ndakazvipa confidence kwakubuda pagedhe.
"You are turning right pajunction apo," Nathan akadaro
ndichibva ndaisa indicator.
"Good driver," Nathan akadaro. Takatenderera
achingonditi apa kona apa hande straight ini ndaingoita
zvandakadzidziswa kusvika takadzoka pamba.
"Haa I am satisfied. Chero kufamba wega handichakutyiri,"
Nathan paakadaro ndakatanga kufunga kuenda kumusha.
Ndirwo rwendo rwurefu rwekutanga rwandaida kuzoita.

145
 PALMER

CHITSAUKO 19
Hama dzangu, bvunzai munhu ane cancer kana ane HIV
kana chimwe chirwere akuudzei kuti chinonzi kuva mutano
zvinorevei? Ndipo paunozoziva kuti chinonzi kuva mutano
hakusi kuva naSpecialist Doctor asi inyasha dzaMwari. Bvunzai
inini ndakazviona pana Nathan. Paaindiudza kuti airwara
ndaifunga kuti aitamba asi pandakazoramba ndichigara naye
ndakazotanga kuzviona. Ainwa mishonga yaidhura asi
waingoona kuti kushinga airwadziwa. Ini ndakanga ndava
kuzoenda kubasa kwake ndichiswera ndinaye muoffice make.
HR Manager aiva azondizivisa kuvashandi vese vepakambani.
Ndaiva ndaisirwawo desk rangu necheya yangu imomo.
Ndaiita ndichidzidziswa zvepo kunyaya naHR Manager ndiye
aimbondidzidzisa apo neapo. MaManager kazhinji aiva akuti
chero akauya nemapepa aida kusainwa Nathan aingoverenga
obva angoti ipai Sir Joel vasaine. Ndaiva ndichiremekedzwa
zvaityisa pabasa. Taiwanzouya naNathan makuseni mumwe
nemumwe nemota yake tichiteverana asi paripo pamwe
pekuti Nathan miviri yaimbodzimba obva angopinda mune
yangu toenda kubasa. Kazhinji aiwanzogara achingotaura
nezvemwana wake uyo waaingonzwa kuti ariko asi aiti aiva
asati amuona. Zvaiva zvava muhurongwa hwedu kuti kupera
kwemwedzi iwoyo ini ndaizoenda kumba kwevabereki
vemukadzi wake kuMarondera kwandaizonogara navo pasi
tichitaura nezvemwana.

"Nathan, unenge unonyanya kuzvidya mwoyo iwewe.

Unombozviona here kuti muviri wako uri kudzikira? Usanyanya
kufunga Nathan. Mwari vega ndivo vanoziva. Iwe ukanyanya
kufunga manje kana mishonga inoshaya basa," ndakadaro

146
 PALMER

pataiva takagara zvedu mumba tabva kubasa. Nathan haana

kupindura, akangosimuka kwava kupinda mubedroom make
achibva adzoka akabata album achibva aikandira pamakumbo
pangu. Hana yangu yakarova pandakaona mifananidzo yake
yaivamo. Waiti ukatarisa zvaaiva pamifananidzo womutarisa
wainzwa urombo. Ndaisaziva kuti aitova nemuviri wakapfuura
wandaiva nawo.
"Ndiwe here apa Nathan?" ndakadaro.
"Maphotos ese ari imomo ndini. Kurwara shamwari,"
akadaro Nathan achierera misodzi.
"No no Nathan, but zvimwe unozviwedzerawo iwe. Don't
think too much about your sickness. God is in control. Inga
Prophet vanogara vachitaura wani kuti Mwari vega ndivo
vanogona kutisunungura. Siya zvose mumaoko avo,"
ndakadaro.
"Not in my situation Joel," Nathan akadaro.
"Don't doubt God, he is the God of impossibilities. Mwari
vachabata neimwe nzira Nathan," ndakadaro ndakabata
pabendekete rake.
"I know. Anyway today it's Wednesday, Friday
ndandichidawoka kuti umhanye kuMasvingo Branch pane
mapapers andinoda kuti unosaina ikoko. Ndatotaura naBranch
Manager weko kuti ndiwe uchauya. Unosarudza mota
yaunoda kuenda nayo fuel ndinodira full tank," Nathan
akataura mushure mekunge apukuta misodzi.
"Hapana chandingaramba Nathan. Ndinoenda sekutaura
kwako chero dai watoti mangwana ndaienda. Chandinoda ini
mufaro wako," ndakapindura.
"Joel you are a wonderful friend. God bless you," Nathan
akadaro.
"Amen," ndakadavira.

147
 PALMER

"But ndanga ndine chikumbiro chimwe chete,"

ndakaenderera mberi.
"Yes, you may go ahead," akadaro Nathan.
"Ndanga ndichiti since ndichienda kuMasvingo Friday,
hameno sezvo ndinenge ndava pedyo nekumusha zvaizoita
here kuti ndigopfuura neko ndichiona vana muchembere
naMukuwe," ndakadaro.
"Haisi problem Joel. Yah wabva wandirangaridza. It seems
you miss your friend Mukuwe right?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Of course yes, uuum taiwirirana zvisingaite. Takatambura
tese nemuchinda uya," ndakadaro.
"Yah I was thinking kuti paunoenda apa ka, ubve waunouya
naye. Ndine imba iri kuChitungwiza yandinoda kuti iwane
munhu anogara achiona zvepo then ndaida kuti iye kana
achibvuma aiuya ozogara ikoko then tichatsvaga post
yekumupawo kuBranch rekuChitungwiza. Ndaitira kuti
munenge makugara padhuze nepadhuze muchionana nekuti
unoratidza kuti unomushuva chaizvo. Unogara uchitaura
nezvake," hana yangu yakarova nemufaro pakataurwa izvi
naNathan. That was my prayer. Ndaidawo kuti ndizobatsirawo
Mukuwe kuti abve kumusha.
"Ndinotenda Nathan, Mwari akuitire zvakanaka. Ndizvo
zvandanga ndichishuvira chaizvo izvozvo kuti mukomana uyu
abvewo muruzevha," ndakadaro.
"It's okay Nathan, ini rega ndinorara but I don't think kuti
mangwana ndogona kuenda kubasa hameno zvandiri kunzwa
saka unoenda wonoona kuti zvakamira sei I think by now
wakuzivawo zvakawanda. Zvinenge zvanetsa
unongondifonera," Nathan akadaro achibva asimuka.
"Okay Nathan, no problem. Unofanira kuzorora kana
uchinzwa kuti miviri haisi kuita zvakanaka. Anyway zorora

148
 PALMER

zvako ini ndakutonorarawo," ndakadaro ndichibva

ndasimukawo ndakunorara.

Mangwana acho ndakamuka kwava kugadzira kubuda

kubuda kuenda kubasa. Ndakageza faster faster kwava
kupedza. Ndakabva ndanonokera Nathan ndava kuda
kumuoneka.
"Yes Joel!" Nathan akadavira.
"Ndeipi? Warara bho here?" ndakabvunza.
"Yah ndizvozvo wena kungodaro daro," Nathan akapindura.
"Okay, ini ndakumhanya kuoffice, wosara bho ndichaita
ndichifona kunzwa kuti wava sei," ndakadaro.
"Okay. Uchine fuel here?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Yah ndakadira nezuro irimo iyi. I think ndichatozodira
ndava kuenda Masvingo mangwana," ndakapindura.
"Saka it's fine. Kana wasvika uudze Nancy kuti agondifonere
pane zvandoda kuzomutuma."
"Okay ndinomutaurira," ndakadaro ndichibva ndabuda
ndakunomutsa BMW.

Ndakabva pamba, mumwoyo mangu ndaingonamata kuti

dai Mwari atungamirirawo shamwari yangu Nathan. Ndakabva
pamba kusvika kutown radio chaiyo handina kana kuridza
ndichingonyengetera kuti Mwari vapindire.

"Good morning Sir?" Nancy akadaro pandakapinda. Aiva

netsika zvekare aishanda zvakanaka. Hapana kana musi
mumwe chete wawaimutangira kusvika pabasa waitowana
avamo kare.
"Hesi Nancy uri right?" ndakapindura.
"I am good Sir," akadaro.

149
 PALMER

"Well done. Eh wozofonera Sir Nathan vati vane zvavanoda

kuzokutuma nhasi havasi kuuya kubasa," ndakadaro ndava
kupfuurira kuenda kuoffice.
"Okay Sir, regai ndigovafonera."

Musi uyu ndakaswera pabasa zvakanaka hapana

dambudziko randakasangana naro. Zvizhinji zvaiitwa
naOperations Manager. Kuoffice vaitozouya kana pane
zvanetsa. Ndichipedza ndakabva ndangobuda ndava kunanga
kumba nekuti mangwana acho ndaiva nerwendo saka ndaida
kugadzirira.
Ndakasvika ndikawana Nathan akangovata. Zvakandinetsa.
Ndakavhura mumba make ndikaona arimo.
"Nathan!" ndakamudaidza.
"Ah Joel wadzoka? Kwanga kuri sei kubasa nhasi?"
akabvunza.
"Haa kwanga kuri bho miviri yaswera sei?" ndakadaro.
"Haa ndizvozvo wena," akadaro Nathan.
"Better. Azofona here Nancy?" ndakabvunza.
"Yaa afona. Thanks wena. Saka wogadziriraka mangwana
kuseni wofuma uchirova road. Mr Ruzive vanenge
vakatokumirira ikoko," Nathan akadaro achobva amuka ava
kugara zvake pamubhedha.
"Okay ndizvo zvandatomhanyira kuti ndigadzirire,"
ndakadaro.
"Okay wazoti unoenda nemota ipi?" Nathan akabvunza.
"Haa rega ndingoshandisa yangu BMW iyi ndizvo
nditonyatsoijairawo pahighway," ndakadaro nekuti ndaida
kunyatsofamba nemota yandaiziva kuti ndeyangu nekuti
mapepa ayo aiva atova muzita mangu. Patakanochinja
ownership ndaiva ndatochinjisa nemanumber plates ndobva

150
 PALMER

ndapersonaliser kwavakunyora kuti JOEL 01. Saka ndainzwa

manyuku nyuku kana ndichifamba nayo.
"Okay saka mari iyi wodira fuel wozadza tank," Nathan
akadaro achindipa $100.
"Then iyi sezvo wati wakunopfuurira kumusha
wotsvagirawo muchembere grocery imwe wofambawo nayo,"
akadaro achindipa $300.
"Iyi wonondipira mbuya. Kungodaro zvangu but
ndakavasiira $500 pandakauya paya saka handifungi kuti
vakamboipedza," akadaro achindipa imwe $100.
"Iii waita hako Nathan. Saka ini chirega ndinovata ndadira
fuel paTotal apo. Kana kuti hande tese uchirohwawo nemhepo
tobva tangonotsvaga sadza," ndakadaro uyu Nathan haana
kumboramba tichibva tabuda. Ndakanodira kusvika yati
pfacha pfacha kwava kuzotsvaga sadza tichibva tadzokera
zvedu kumba.
Handina kuda kuzonyanya kunonoka kuvata semunhu aiva
nerwendo. Ndakangonoti tandarei tandarei ndichibva ndatoti
ndakunovata. Ndakaseta alarm yangu ya5:00 mangwanani.
Ndainyanya kufarira kuti ndaizonopfuurira kumusha asi
hapana chandaiziva kuti patinoronga isu vanhu, Mwari
vanenge vane kuronga kwavo.
Alarm payakarira ndakamuka kwava kugeza. Ndapedza
kupfeka ndakanovhura mairara Nathan kuti ndimuudze kuti
ndaive ndave kuenda.
"Wofamba mushe Joel, usamhanya. Ndichapota
ndichikubata pafoni, iwe kana wapinda muMasvingo
wondifonera," Nathan akadaro.
"Thanks Nathan, rega ndimhanye," ndakadaro ndichibva
ndabuda. Gedhe ndakavhura ndega ndikazosiya ndavhara
nekuti mudhara Sibanda aiva asati amuka.

151
 PALMER

Handina chandakatenga muHarare. Grocery rekumusha

ndakati ndaizotengera muMasvingo. Ndaifamba zvangu pore
pore ndichiridza mhanzi dzechitendero. Pandakasvika
paMbudzi ndakaona vanhu vaimisa ndikati regai nditakure
munhu mumwe chete wandaizofamba ndichikurukurawo naye
plus achindiratidza nzira sezvo ndaiva ndisati ndambofamba
nemugwagwa uyu. Ndakamira ndikati ndaida munhu hwani
pakabva papinda umwe muchinda wechidiki. Taigona kungoita
mazera mamwe.

Takafamba zvedu tichikurukura dzeupenyu.

"Shamwari handisati ndamboshandisa road ino.
Wotofamba uchindiratidzawo kuti apa panonzi pani apa
panonzi paani," ndakadaro kumuchinda uya.
"No problem mukoma. Pano patatova apa panonzi
paBeatrice," akadaro.
"Hoo okay. Thank you," ndakadaro. Paakataura izvi
ndipowo paibuda zuva. Ndakaramba ndakatsika zvangu BMW
ikati yaibvumawo tara.
"Right muno ndimo muChivhu," muchinda uya akadaro.
"Horaiti ndiyo Chivhu yacho iyi?" ndakadaro.
"Yes," akapindura. Paakangopedza kuti yes ndakanzwa foni
yangu yava kurira. Ndakatarisa ndikaona ari Nathan.
"Nathan," ndakadavira.
"Joel wava kupi?" akabvunza asi aitaura neinzwi rairatidza
kuneta.
"Eeeh ndava muChivhu," ndakadavira.
"Ndanga ndichikumbirawoka u.......," haana kuzopedza
kutaura ndakabva ndanzwa imwe sound yairatidza kuti foni
yaiva yadonha pasi. Ndakatarisa ndikaona isina kukata.

152
 PALMER

"Hallo.....hallo......Nathan!!......Nathan," ndakadaidza
hapana aiva achiri kudavira. Musoro wangu wakatanga
kutenderera. Ndakaramba ndakateerera foni ichingoshinyira.
Ndakaikata ndichiti regai ndifone ini. Ndisati ndafona
ndakabva ndaona mudhara Sibanda ava kufona.
"Eh mudhara Sibanda, kuri right here?" ndakadavira.
"Kwete boss, boss Nathan vangodonha izvezvi vachifona
vari paverondor. Muripi? Ndiri kuedza kuvamutsa
havachamuka," hana yangu yakarova zvekuti ndakaita
sendichabuda muroad.
"How? Ari kufema here?" ndakabvunza neinzwi raiva
pamusoro.
"Hongu vari kufemera kure. Muripi imimi?" vakadaro.
"Okay munogona kudriver here VaSibanda?" ndakabvunza
ndichida kuti ndivati vatore makey eimwe mota vomhanya
naNathan kuchipatara ini ndichidzoka.
"Iiii handikwanisi manje .” Oh my God!! Ndakapererwa.
"Joel think fast," ndakanzwa inzwi raidaro mupfungwa dzangu.
Ndaifanira kukurumidza kufunga before it was too late.
"Okay Mr Sibanda, sanaikuita zvamungagona ipapo. Wait
muri ipapo. Onai kuti akavata zvakanaka. Am I understood?"
ndakadaro ndichimisa mota paChicken Inn yaiva muChivhu
ndichibva ndadzika. Ndakasiya mukomana uya akagara
mumota ndava kufona. Munhu wandakatanga kufunga
ndiMoyo manager. Ndakafona pafoni yake nekukasira.
"Hallo Sir," akapindura.
"Moyo where are you?" ndakabvunza.
"Ndiri kuoffice boss," akapindura.
"Izvezvi, I mean right now, mutsa mota umhanye kumba
hanzi Sir Nathan vacollapser izvezvi ini handiko.

153
 PALMER

Uchienda fonera ambulance yeEmras monosangana kumba. I

mean now. Run!" ndakadaro.
"Let me do that right away Sir," Moyo akadaro neinzwi
rairatidza kuti aiva ava kutomhanya kubuda muoffice.
"Call once you are there ini I am in Chivhu but ndakutodzoka
ikoko izvezvi. Understood?" ndakadaro.
"Yes Sir," akadaro ndichibva ndakata foni. Ndakafambisa
ndava kudzokera kumota.
"Mukoma are you okay?" mukomana uya aiva mumota
akabvunza.
"I am sorry handichakwanisa kusvika Masvingo. I am going
back to Harare. Munogona zvenyu kutsvaga malifts paroad,"
ndakadaro.
"Okay boss. I hope you are okay, oyi mari yekubva
kuHarare kusvika muChivhu iyi," akadaro
achinditambidza $5.
"No no don't worry. I am okay. Don't pay," ndakadaro
ndichimutsa mota.
"Thank you boss," akadaro achibva abuda. Ndakasimudza
mota kunge ndaipenga ndava kudzokera Harare. Vakandiona
vaitoti zvimwe ndaipenga. Ndakaedza kufonera mudhara
Sibanda zvekare kuti ndinzwe kuti zvaiva zvamira sei kuna
Nathan.
CHITSAUKO 20
Ndakafona asi foni haina kudairwa, yaingorira chete.
Ndakazoti regai ndimbotarisana nemugwagwa. Ndaiva
ndagara zvino ndakaswedera kusteering ndakaibata nemaoko
maviri. I once checked the speedometer and I was traveling at
150 km/hr. Ndaimhanya. Dai ndaibuda chete muroad hapana
chaisara. Ndaiva ndafunga shamwari yangu Nathan. Umwe

154
 PALMER

mwoyo wakamboti ndifonere mbuya vake asi ndakazoti no.

Ndava paBeatrice ndakanzwa foni yakurira. Ndakaona ari
Moyo. Ndakadzora speed zvishoma ndava kudavira.
"Moyo," ndakadaro.
"Boss, ndasvika. Ambulance ichangosvikawo. Boss havasi
kutaura vakangoti rabada so takuenda navo kuAvenues Clinic.
Ndichatevera mumashure meambulance," Moyo akadaro.
"Right endai, ini in 30 minutes time ndinopinda muHarare.
Call me masvika kuchipatara," ndakadaro ndichikata foni
ndava kutarisa mugwagwa.

Handina kumbozoita nguva refu, ndaiva ndatova paTollgate

repaMbudzi. Ndichipinda mutown ndakangonanga kuAvenues
Clinic. Ndichisvika pagedhe ndakaona mota yaMoyo iripo asi
iye handina kumuona. Ndakamisa mota yangu padivi peyake
ndichibva ndamufonera.
"Moyo uri papi? Ndiri paAvenues pagedhe," ndakabvunza
paakadavira.
"Ndiri pareception boss pamabench aripo ndipo pandiri,"
akadaro.
"Okay wait for me there," ndakadaro ndichibva ndakata
foni. Ndakamhanya ndichipinda mukati ndikawana akagara
pabench paya namudhara Sibanda vese vakangobata shaya.
"Where is he? How is the situation?" ndakabvunza tisina
kana kumhorosana.
"The Doctor said his condition is critical. He told us to wait
here. He is in the theatre," Moyo akataura achibva asimuka.
"Where is the theatre? I want to go there," ndakabvunza.
"No, hanzi ikoko hakusvikwe. Vati timire pano kusvika
vadzoka," Moyo akadaro ndichibva ndapererwa.

155
 PALMER

"Mr Sibanda tell me, chii chanyatsoitika?" ndakadaro

ndatarisa mudhara Sibanda.
"Vanga vachifona vari paverondor ndangozoona munhu
odonhedzera foni pasi vachibva vadonha," mudhara
Sibanda vakadaro. Vachipedza kutaura
takabva taona Doctor vachiuya pataiva tiri.
"Oh the Doctor is here," Moyo akadaro.
"How is he Doctor?" ndakabvunza ndichimhanya
kunobvunza Doctor.
"I am sorry his condition is critical. He had a kidney failure
and unfortunately we discovered that he had only one kidney,"
Doctor vakadaro.
"So how may you help him Doctor?" ndakabvunza.
"Nothing. It's very unfortunate that we may lose him
anytime from now and there is nothing I can do. A human being
can't live without kidneys even an animal. I am sorry for you
my brother," Doctor vakadaro. Ndakapera simba ndikanzwa
kubvunda muviri wese nezvakataurwa naDoctor. Ivo havana
kumira vakabva vafamba vachienda. So Nathan was going to
die? Ndakazvibvunza ndakatarisa Doctor vachienda.
Something came in my mind. I wanted to ask the Doctor.
Ndakamhanya ndichivatevera.
"Doctor! Doctor!" ndakadaidza vachibva vamira.
"Please help my brother," ndakadaro.
"Help him how. There is nothing I can do. I want to discharge
him then moenda zvenyu navo kumba muchimirira nguva,"
Doctor vakadaro vachiratidzawo kupererwa nezvekuita.
"Doctor I have a question," ndakadaro misodzi yangu
ichibva yatanga kuerera. Ndakaona Moyo ava kufamba
achiuya pataiva tiri.
"Yes go ahead," Doctor vakadaro.

156
 PALMER

"Is it possible for a human being to live with only one

kidney," ndakabvunza.
"Very possible, just like what your brother was doing,"
vakapindura. Ndakafunga ndikafungisisa zvandaiva ndaitirwa
naNathan ndikazvibvunza kuti ko ini chiiwo chandaizomuitira.
Ndakazowana mhinduro.
"Doctor I know I have two kidneys. Is it possible for you to
operate me and take one kidney, leave me with one, give
another one to my brother so that he may live?" pandakataura
izvi ndakaona Moyo achivhura maziso achibata muromo, ini
ndaiva ndazvipira.
"Who is he to you?" Doctor vakabvunza.
"My brother," ndakadavira.
"There are too many people with love for their brothers but
yours is true love. It is possible however the operation is very
expensive," Doctor vakadaro. Misodzi yangu yakaramba
ichibuda.
"Like how much Doctor?" ndakabvunza.
"$15,000 and we need half payment before we do the
operation," vakadaro Doctor vachikwenya musoro.
Ndakafunga kuti mari haisi chinhu kana pasina hupenyu.
Chinotanga hupenyu mari yozouya. Ndakaziva kuti kushop
handaishaya $8,000. Ndakafunga kuti ndaizotora mari
yekushop then ndaizotengesa zvangu mota yandaiva
ndapihwa ndozodzorera mari yacho as long Nathan ararama it
was well with my soul.
"I will pay," ndakadaro.
"So we need to do that very fast because he is dying. Be
fast!" Doctor vakadaro. I turned to Moyo.
"Moyo drive to the shop right now, collect every cent until
you raise $8,000. Akabvunza you tell him kuti ndini ndadaro. I

157
 PALMER

will call the account just now. Run!" ndakadaro ndichibva

ndabudisa foni ndava kufonera Accountant.
"Hallo Sir," akadavira.
"Moyo is coming, zvaachasvika achikuudza ndini ndadaro. I
want him back here very fast. Am I understood?" ndakadaro.
"Yes boss," akadaro ndichibva ndakata foni.

"Doctor ndinokumbirawo kumuona," ndakadaro.

"No problem follow me," Doctor vakadaro vachibva
vafambisa ndichitevera. Vakasvika vachivhura door tichibva
tapinda. Nathan aiva akarara pamubhedha, his condition was
critical. Aifemera kure kure.
"Joel, handina musha panyika," ndakarangarira mashoko
aiva ambotaurwa naNathan rimwe zuva. Ndakaswedera pedyo
nepaaiva akavata. Ndakamubata pachipfuva.
"Nathan not now," ndakadaro ndikatanga kunamata
ndichichema. Ndakaudza Mwari ndikati kana Nathan aizofa
ndaizofa naye. Ndakanamata ndichipa Mwari maconditions
andaida inini neshungu. Ndivo Mwari vaiva vati kumbirai
munopiwa tsvakai munowana. Panguva iyi ndakakumbira
hupenyu hwaNathan.

"Itai zvinhu zvenyu fast," Doctor vakadaro pavakauya

vakaisa chiya chinoiswa nanaChiremba muhuro hameno kuti
chinonzi chii pachipfuva chaNathan.
"Yes mari iri kutouya. Yatonotorwa," ndakadaro.
"Are sure kuti iri kuuya tisanoita zvimwe," Doctor
vakabvunza.
"I am 100% certain Doctor, please do everything possible"
ndakadaro ndichiita kunge munhu aida kupfugama.

158
 PALMER

"Okay let's go to my office so that you sign some documents

for the operation," Doctor vakadaro. Takafamba tava kuenda
kuoffice kwavo. Vakasvika vachibva vandipa mapepa avakati
ndiverenge ndigosaina. Ini handina kuda kupedza nguva
ndichiverenga, ndakangotsvaga paiva pakanzi signature
ndichibva ndaikwenya.
"Done Sir," ndakadaro ndichivatambidza mapepa.
"Ah matopedza? Anyway manga mambodya here nhasi?"
Doctor vakabvunza.
"No ndangomuka ndichipinda paroad ndichida kuenda
Masvingo," ndakadaro.
"Better, because kana munhu ambodya haaitwe operation.
So tichisanomirira mari imi ngatifanoenda kutheatre," Doctor
vakadaro. Tichibuda padoor Moyo akabva afona.
"Hallo, ndadzoka boss," akadavira.
"Waiwana here?" ndakabvunza.
"Yes, ndauya ne$8,000 yamataura," akadaro.
"Well done. Huya tisangane patheatre," ndakadaro
ndichibva ndakata foni.
"Yah $8,000 yavapo Doctor," ndakadaro.
"Ah that's great," Doctor vakadaro. Takasvika patheatre
tikawana Moyo namudhara Sibanda vatomira.
"Here is the money," Moyo akadaro achida kunditambidza
mari.
"Okay regai ndivanyorere vanobhadhara kuAccounts imi
musanopinda mukati murare pamubhedha," Doctor vakadaro
vachibva vanyora zvavakanyora kwakupa Moyo.
"Right motevedza corridor iri muchaona pakanzi accounts
mobhadhara ipapo," vakadaro vana Moyo vachibva vaenda.
"Imi pindai zvenyu muno," vakadaro Doctor tichibva
tapinda mutheatre.

159
 PALMER

"Bvisai zvenyu hembe dzese mubve makwira pabed apo,"

Doctor vakadaro vachitendeka bed yaivamo yaiva yakakwirira.
Ndakaita saizvozvo ndikaona votora rimwe zijekiseni
vondibaya. Ndakatanga kunzwa kupera simba ndakuita kunge
munhu aida kuvata. Ndipo pandakagumira kuziva.

**********

Ndakazoona ndomuka ndiri mune imwe ward. Munhu

wandakatanga kuona pandakamuka ndiNancy aiva akamira
naChiremba kumakumbo kwangu.
"Where is Nathan?" ndiwo mashoko andakatanga kutaura.
"Uyo ari panext bed. Congratulations the operation was
successful. Your brother is back to life. Ndiye atozotanga
kumuka," Doctor vakadaro. Ndakaona Nathan ava kucheuka
ari pabed pake.
"Joel, I don't know how to thank you. The Doctor told me
everything. You are a true friend Nathan. I am here because
of you," Nathan akataura misodzi ichierera misodzi.
“I am who I am today because of you Nathan, I am sorry
ndakazotora mari kushop usingazive $8,000 but ndichatengesa
mota yangu yawakandipa ndoidzorera then imwe ndopedzisa
balance yechipatara. I am happy you are back Nathan,”
ndakadaro ndava kuererawo misodzi.
“No don’t do that, I will pay everything Joel. You don’t need
to sell your car. From now you are now my business partner,
my friend. We will have equal shares. God bless you Joel,”
Nathan akadaro.
“Amen,” ndakadaro.

160
 PALMER

“You guys you are true friends. We thank God that both of
you are okay. I am going to discharge both of you tomorrow,”
Doctor vakadaro.
“Thank you Doctor,” takadavira pamwe chete naNathan.

THE END

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

161