The Survival
The place they live in now is two times smaller than their previous home, as if it were a student living there.
"I spoke with Mum early this morning and we decided that I should go for hairdressing," Beauty told her dad, as he sat on his old sofa cleaning his radio. He opened his eyes wide open and raised his brows "That's a good idea sweetie but how much are you supposed to pay to start learning?"
"I was told that I need to pay 10ZWL before I can start," Beauty replied.
"OK, I will get you the money you need soon, I don't have the money now. Please bear with me, I assure you that you will start next month" Dad told beauty.
Beauty left somewhat disappointed but she knew it was for the better. She contemplated whether to learn a trade or start a cleaning job, she saw a vacant place that needed cleaners but they would be paid just 11ZWL(eleven Zimbabwe dollars) monthly, she quickly thought better as a stylist makes up for that daily.
Beauty and her dad were home most of the time while Victor was in school and mum covering up her paid classes.
Some parents at this point send their kids to their relatives or friends to train when they can't afford to train them anymore but Mr. Eze on the other hand despises that Idea a lot "We would rather stay together and drink garri no matter how small it is".
Mr. Eze remembered his old friend that turned into an enemy, he used to stay close when they were living on the other end . He is a comfortable and healthy business man, Mr. Emeka
"Sweetie, do you remember Mr. Emeka?" Dad asked
"Yes daddy" Beauty responded looking at her dad expecting him to say something else not just remembering him because my dad never liked him before.
"OK, I am off to see him, I will be back soon and tell your mum when she comes back" dad said as he went out.
It wasn't long before Victor came back home, he was crying about his failed test in biology, but beauty assisted in every way she could.
"Do you remember the question?" Beauty asked
"It's just one question: why do roots grow downwards?" he said this with a frown "I can't believe I did not write anything, but it's a foot in the door for the exams" his mood quickly changed after that heavenly thought.
"Mum is very good at biology, you can ask her when she comes back" Beauty told Victor.
Victor undressed, went straight outside to wash his shirt and socks"this trouser doesn't look dirty, I am washing my school shirt because of the collar and the hand, it's very dirty " he said as he turned his head away his shirt as it was smelling terrible," Dad went out right? "
" Oh yes, he did, I completely forgot" Beauty shouted from the back yard as she was preparing dinner.
It was nearly dark when mum came back, her entire body throbbed, the lump of dread in her belly finally drowned out by something much more painful. She tried very hard to hide her discomfort. "The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in business. You've got to keep working your talent" she said immediately they noticed her frustration
"What's wrong mum " Beauty asked
"Nothing dear, I would be fine, social media is becoming something else'' Mrs. Patience said as she nodded her head "it's pretty obvious on any news channel, reality show, sit-com, or newspaper that today's media feeds off the idea that courtesy appears to be diminishing in modern society. With the decline of good manners, there are fewer expressions of appreciation. These days, in both personal and work-related relationships, there are far too few 'please' 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' being expressed. Most workers will say that they never get thanked for their contributions at work but yet will agree that hearing Thank You or even I'm Sorry can have a positive impact on morale " mum seemed upset about something
" Very true mum" beauty interrupted "The food is also ready, we are just waiting for dad, he said he wants to see Mr Emeka".
"For what?" mum asked in her tired voice "please give me a few spoons to eat before I fall here" she said with a sarcastic laugh.
Beauty headed to the kitchen to get the food for her mum.
"I failed my test today mum" Victor said as he lowered his head in regret
"It's OK baby, failure is just one step closer to success, on what subject?" mum asked
"On biology, why roots grow downwards"
"Ohh, just one question, it's a little cruel for you to be asked that kind of question now but it's easy…. The root is the organ of a plant body that typically lies below the surface of the soil, the main function of the root is to provide anchor to the plants. Roots grow downwards because they are pulled by gravity, the roots respond to gravity by discharging chemicals that cause more growth on the upper side, thus turning the roots downwards… I have a book that breaks that down"
"That would be better" Victor said as he wore confusing smile
"Yes it would, where is your sister?" Mrs. Patience asked as she stretched her legs against discomfort.
It wasn't long before dad came back, he was welcomed. Everyone was already at the mat waiting for him so they would eat.
Everyone left for their room after eating.
" Why did you go to see Emeka?" Patience asked her husband
"I had no other choice, we need money and I can't sit here, fold my hands and pretend like things aren't falling apart"
"Please go straight to the point" Patience interrupted with her hands
"I asked him if I could clean his house, car, anything for him so he could pay me, his wife was there though…. She said she would not watch me clean their car" Mr. Eze paused and looked at his wife
"And…." she slammed
"Take it easy baby, your blood is too hot. He said he has a shop that needs workers and I could work there for him, then I would get paid….. He gave me his business card and all the information I needed about the shop that's why I came back late, are you OK honey, I noticed you were shaking when we were eating " he said going close to touch his wife
" I am OK, probably fever, I would go to the clinic when I can to confirm " Mrs. Patience said as she laid down on the bed
" Sorry honey, please go tomorrow after work so it can be treated fast, rest small I would give you more details tomorrow, seems like it's about to rain" he said as he gave her a kiss and laid close to her to sleep.
............….
Golden sunshine woke Mrs. Patience the next morning. Sleep had not come until nearly dawn. She'd spent hours last night listening to the rain beat against the walls, the eerie howling of the wind around the tower, until at last she'd slept in sheer exhaustion. It would have been easy to remain where she was, to turn over and seek refuge in sleep anew, for what had she to look forward to? A day entombed in this tiny chamber?
Perhaps it was the sunshine. But she had no desire to laze about , for she was tired of being afraid. Nay, she decided, she would not waste away in melancholy pity.
Courage, she told herself. Courage and faith. The latter would not fail her, for she could not allow herself to believe that God would desert her.
She stood up, and went straight to the backyard to boil some water for bathing. Beauty was already in the kitchen, she seemed lost in thought
"What's wrong baby" her mum startled her
"Mum…. You scared me" beauty said as she lowered her back and held her chest
"Sorry" her mum said and burst into laughter "So tell me what's wrong?"
"It's nothing much, just under a lot of peer pressure, you know.... Those things' ' Beauty said looked at her mum and joined her hands together really tight, those kinds of conversations can be really awkward between her and her mum.
The boiling water caught their attention
"You know what we would talk more about it when I come back form work OK" mum said
"Yes mum," Beauty said, grinding her teeth together.
"Oh thank God it's Friday, I will be back in no time" Victor jubilated.
This time around, everyone was getting ready to leave the house.
Beauty left to spend some time with her friends close to the fall while dad started his work at Mr. Emeka' shop at the supermarket.
"Welcome daddy Victor" Mr. Emeka said as he stretched out his hand over for a handshake
"Thank you, your place has grown twice as big as it was before," Mr Eze said, staring at every corner of his shop.
"Yes it has, as you can see, I sell food stuff, all kinds of perishable and non perishable provisions, the prices of everything here are in the record book over the desk" Mr Emeka said reaching out for the record book, he showed him all the prices, everywhere around the shop Including the public toilet.
"I fully understand everything you said, I really appreciate your help, this really means alot to me and my family" Mr. Eze said, trying so hard to swallow his pride and the hate he had for Mr. Emeka earlier. It was a slap on his face to work for someone 10 years younger than him but I guess they mean what they say by getting your business and cash ready at an early age.
About one hour later, someone rushed in, a male "Good day Sir, I am very sorry I came late, I had to take my mum to the hospital please sir" he said almost kneeling towards Mr. Emeka with his palm tight together.
"It's okay, I am removing 5ZWL from your payment" Mr. Emeka said looking at Mr. Eze showing him that if he mess up, he won't go spare free "Well Mr. Eze, this is Samuel, he works here"
"Welcome sir, " Samuel said as he prostrated to greet him, Sign of respect.
Mr. Emeka soon left them alone to make some sales.
"So tell me, why don't you have a boyfriend?" a friend of beauty asked
"I don't think I am ready for such now, " Beauty said as she rolled her eyes and raised her shoulders. She quickly dived into the river to avoid further questions.
They had fun, going to the fall is not something they do all the time.
Mum was not getting herself in school, she had to leave early to check herself at the clinic . She almost missed the Nurse, a long time friend, from secondary school.
The result was out, it was bad news.
"You would be fine"
The words slid past her ear, cold as a Loch in the midst of a wintry freeze. Hearing it, Mrs. Patience felt a chill. Her prayer beads slipped to the floor. You would be fine, the voice had intoned. She was terrified, she started crying, she couldn't hold back her teary heart.
The nurse came close to her, still very cautious at the time because she needed to be somewhere, the nurse comforted her and assured her that she would get the help she needed.
Mr. Patience got home having the worst kind of feeling, she tried to portray the strong woman her kids know her to be.
It wasn't long before the kids came back, dad had to stay longer.
The kids ate, cleaned up and went in to refresh themselves after the stress.
Beauty went straight to her mum's room to talk about what they discussed earlier in the day.