The heavy rain had shaken the trees to their core and the pleasant memories of the calm had passed. This was the dreadful season that had engulfed the Ratangwena village, a season that had blessed rains that imbued the vegetation with more voluminous water than what was required, but drowned hapless people who wondered off, near river dams. This dreary sky was nothing but a reminder of the comforts of a warm bed and satisfaction of an endearing home, something that Tonde thought about constantly as he returned to his beloved home. It was rush hour as usual, and the rain had the nerve of making a pleasant return into a bitter task, but Tonde knew that his wonderful wife and only son would be waiting for him. As soon as he dropped off, from the commuter carriage horses, he trotted swiftly towards his home. The rattling on his thatch umbrella reminded him of the reality of the frightening phenomenon of the ever evolving weather and enticed him into sprinting. Upon arrival on his door step, Tonde hammered his knuckles into the oak wall before him as if he intended to destroy the entrance to his own domain. Within a matter of a few moments, his door was opened. A rush of hot compressed air dowsed his face at that instance. His withered expression immediately turned into a smile upon the sight of his wife. She was a stellar young woman, endowed with an alluring body etched out of the power of good genes. Her face had fine features, layered with fine foundation and other kinds of make-up. Her luscious bosom and wide curves were all covered by her brown and yellow poncho, which came with a night dress that had draped the alluring figure. Her thoughtful large almond eyes gazed upon him, looking both sincere and cute. Her mid-length rounded face was graced with long white braids and a fade for her hairstyle. It was a well decorated inviting sight for a man who had been partially drenched in rain forest water.
“I hope you didn’t get soaked wet.” she said, as she opened a way for her husband. Rudo immediately closed the door behind her husband, took his bag of groceries, which had been preserved by the thick layer of wool that had been used to embroil it. Rudo placed all these onto the kitchen table and began to prepare coffee for him. Tonde dragged his tall, dark, and rugged body to his bedroom to change into warm and drier clothes, tip toeing over wooden action figures that were left lying on the floor. A sudden rush of annoyance afflicted his body and he shouted out, “Shingi, come out here and pick up your toys!” Tonde heard his son’s bedroom door open and the expected trot of a petrified son, worried about getting a thrashing if he delayed any longer. Tonde got into his room before his son could greet him, taking off his clothes like a mannequin that was frantically launching off its limbs. He quickly dressed up and returned to the living room to be met with a greeting from his son.
“Good evening father.” said the young Shingi, who was a seven year old boy who was peculiarly tall for his age. He was the spiting concoction of his mother’s effeminate features and the body of his husky father. His nimble limbs hugged his father and immediately he apologised for leaving his toys on the floor. The very act seemed premeditated and Tonde couldn’t help but notice the deliberate nuance of his son. From the background, Rudo called out to her husband and said, “The coffee will be ready in just a minute.” The boiling bubbling water in the tea pot was as audible as a crashing crane and made an erratic noise. The boiling water was just in time for the dressed up salary man and Tonde was rather enthusiastic about the warm beverage. Tonde soon averted his attention towards his soon who then asked, “How was your day father?” Tonde who was literally caught by surprise didn’t expect this question, but at the same time didn’t want to explain the brutal schedule he experienced at work. As any withered adult who just wanted to relax would answer, Tonde said, “It was fine… next time don’t leave your toys lying around. What if your mother or I had tripped, what would do you think would have happened?” The boy immediately replied, “I am sorry father, I won’t do that again.” Tonde impressed by the boy’s mannerisms in apologising, took out a chocolate bar, and gave it to his son. Tonde then added, “You see, good boys get chocolates for behaving well. Next time there will be more when you learn to tidy up more. Right now go to your room, I want to talk to your mother.” The boy nodded in agreement and disappeared back to his layer. As the boy left, Tonde glanced at his wife who was now coming with a mug filled with his favourite brand of raw coffee. Tonde handed out his hand and took the seething mug of black. He thanked his wife for the gesture and proceeded to sit on his favourite mat, which was near the hearth that was a blaze with burning charcoal. His wife came with a blanket and sat with her significant other, caressing each other with the warmth of their bodies. As they cuddled, their son Shingi continued with his antics of playing with his toys in his bedroom, huffing and puffing as he added theatrics to his fun. As he fooled around, his parents had begun to engage in a serious discourse that was accompanied by the sound of water droplets that dived into the perfectly placed tin cans in the house.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“They say that they are changing management and apparently, the new boss is some uptight person from the city. Those types usually think us country folks are just bumpkins who are backward or at least, that’s what Tadiwa says.” said Tonde. They were in a tight embrace as they discussed, clinging on to the little warmth they could salvage from both the fire and themselves. “I am sure you will be okay. You have always been an adaptable man, Tonde, that is what I love about you. I am sure that this is just a season you will overcome. You have your father’s tenacity.” said Rudo. Tonde chuckled as soon as he heard the mention of his father. With a suave tone he replied, “Well, even failures in fatherhood like him can be used as a reference of tenacity. The world has surely lost its marbles.” Rudo gently nudged him on the solar-plexus and winced, “Hey, you at least have his stubborn adaptability, so be optimistic.” Tonde pouted and then sternly looked at her and said, “I sometimes think you are too nice. Well, he is only ever allowed to come here because of you. Marrying the right woman has surely made it possible for him to still be around in life.” Rudo pegged Tonde’s right cheek with her hand and mischievously whispered in his ear, “I guess I married a whiny man. Oh, I guess I have two babies to take care of.” Tonde reacted to her taunt and immediately grabbed her by the shoulder, saying, “Don’t be silly woman.” The two gently tugged each other, with Rudo adding intermittent squeals of excitement. They then stopped and abruptly laughed at how stupid they had behaved. This was the comic relief that Tonde needed to relieve some of his stress, but suddenly a pegging thought had returned to him.
“Hey honey, have you found Shingi’s behaviour a bit strange lately?”
“You mean his imaginary friend? Well his at that age when young boys get carried away by their imagination, so don’t think too much into it.” said Rudo, who seemed rather more concerned with cuddling than a discussion about her son.”
“Well, I guess I am over thinking it, you know what; I think we should go for a holiday as soon as his school term ends.”
“Wow, from concern to holiday plans? Is there some bonus you have gotten that I don’t know about?” asked Rudo, who seemed enthralled by the idea of such a wonderful surprise.
“Nah, I haven’t gotten a bonus.”
“Hey, you don’t have to rush it. We can go to my mother’s and pay her visit.” she said, trying to cheer him up.
“So a cheaper but much more painful experience.” laughed Tonde.
“Well, in any case, things will get better. No need to rush it.” she said, eyeing him with a suggestive wink.
“Yeah, you always know the right things to say.” said Tonde, who seemed to be appeased by his wife’s optimism.
As the rain poured heavily on Tonde’s house hold, Shingi began to quiver in fear whenever he heard the sound of thunder. However, instead of crying out to his parents as would be expected of a young boy prone to being afraid of the dark, he whispered a name. There was no one in his room, no one but himself and his collection of toys and clothes. As if he had been inflicted by instantaneous sombreness, his facial expression changed. Shingi then said to himself, “There is no need to worry child, it is just the friction of water in the heavens, there is no need to fear.” As soon he had said that, he then replied to himself, “You really sure Bruce?” The boy proceeded with his monologue and thus replied to himself, “There are far much more frightening terrors in this world that are worth the fear you exude. A spark of light is just mere child’s play.”