FISHING IN A WATERPOT

The Love Triangle

I went back home with a heart that was both white and black, like a chicken's droppings. White because I was eager to see my beloved, Nomatter. Black because I had cheated on my beloved with Grace, a light-skinned beauty who had left my mind like a hyena standing at a crossroads—one path leading to goat meat, the other to sheep meat. Which way was I supposed to go? In the end, I found myself trapped in the middle.

I arrived home after dark. People had just returned from their evening chores with the groceries I had bought. At home were my younger brother, Nyasha, and my two sisters, Natasha and Joanna. They were all delighted to see their brother from the city, a man who had changed. I could now afford to wear expensive clothes and even buy them the clothes they had always wanted. I had also bought Nomatter a skirt and some undergarments.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept wishing for morning to come so I could see my Nomatter. I briefly thought about Grace and laughed to myself, saying that woman would certainly be angry if she ever heard that I had married Nomatter. I swore to myself that what had happened with Grace would never happen again. Then, as if summoned by my thoughts, Grace called me.

I let the phone ring until I finally hardened my heart. I rejected the call and switched off the phone. After a while, I decided to block her number completely. I deleted it first and then blocked it. For me, that chapter was over. The next day, I would begin my love life on a clean page. God forgives us for the mistakes we make in ignorance; perhaps Nomatter would forgive me too.

Sleep eventually overtook me, and I woke to sunlight pouring into the room. Outside, I could hear my mother talking with her three children. They had allowed me to rest. I also heard the voice of a widow from the village chatting with them.

After dressing, I went outside and found my mother sorting out small portions of groceries to give to Mai Gavi. I almost asked her why, but then I remembered that neighbours share what little they have. In my absence, perhaps this was how they survived.

"Ah, my son-in-law from the city! You've become one of those English-speaking gentlemen. Soon we'll no longer recognize you. Come and greet us," the old woman said warmly.

I greeted her and sat down. She was a woman blessed with a sweet tongue.

"If only Joy hadn't rushed to marry those people from Joza, you two could have married. But what does it matter if she already has children? The important thing is taking care of each other, isn't that right, Mai Hadhi?" she said to my mother.

My mother didn't answer. She simply laughed and asked, "Should I fill your cup with cooking oil or only half?" She was trying to silence the old woman politely. My mother certainly didn't want a daughter-in-law with a questionable reputation.

The old women eventually left, escorting each other while continuing their endless conversations. As for me, I made my way behind the houses in search of Nomatter.

I found her washing pots. I began whistling our secret tune, but she didn't even look up. I walked right up to their homestead and greeted her. She didn't run to me or embrace me. Instead, she glanced at her stepfather, who was sitting in the shade repairing his sandal, and then looked back at me with a warning in her eyes.

I felt my heart sink. I was a grown man; I wasn't interested in sneaking around like teenagers in love.

Her stepfather looked at me and greeted me, almost inviting me to sit and talk. Seeing the situation, Nomatter quickly said, "Have you come to collect the book you lent me and forgot here?" She winked at me, and I nodded.

I sat with my would-be father-in-law, who spent the entire time talking about cattle and a livestock disease that had become common. I was surprised because they only owned one cow when I had left. Eventually, Nomatter brought me my book, and I thanked her and left.

As soon as I was out of sight, I opened the book and discovered a letter hidden inside.

Dear Admire,

I don't have time to see you openly because of circumstances beyond my control. If possible, I'll see you this afternoon when I go to wash clothes at Jeke Dam. Please don't fail to come because I've missed you terribly. Forgive me; Dad doesn't like it when you even speak to me, for reasons best known to himself.

Forever yours, Nomatter

The letter left me confused at first. I wondered what she really meant. Yet it also warmed my heart because it proved that she still loved me.

Later, after lunch, my uncle arrived and was welcomed by my mother. We sat beneath the shade of a flowering tree with red blossoms mixed with yellow ones. Joanna knelt respectfully to greet him, and I greeted him too. He gave me the usual advice—to protect my job and work diligently.

Eventually, my mother asked me for money to buy traditional beer for him, and I gave it to him. Then she asked me to accompany him to the shops. I agreed reluctantly.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, I made my way toward Jeke Dam. Crickets sang in the mopane trees, cowbells echoed in the distance, and birds called out across the nearby hills. Children raced along the rocky slopes, chasing lizards and birds among the stones.

I climbed a small hill and saw Jeke Dam spread out before me like a sheet of silver pasted onto the earth. Vegetable gardens surrounded the dam, hidden among thorn bushes and acacia trees. Green vegetables and tomatoes flourished there. Women moved back and forth carrying buckets of water.

I searched carefully and spotted my Nomatter carrying a basin full of clothes. She walked gracefully like a dove pecking at grain, her eyes constantly searching in every direction. It was obvious she was looking for me.

My heart fluttered.

I thought about Grace and laughed to myself. If I married her, would she survive life in this remote village? Would she manage our traditional meals? Could she carry firewood from the mountains? Could she plaster our kitchen floor with cow dung? No—it would be like trying to catch a crocodile with a fishing net. We belonged to completely different worlds.

I walked toward Nomatter, removing Grace entirely from the equation of my love life.

The other girls washing clothes nearby smiled at me and teased me.

"Admire, come and let us wash you too!"

One of them emerged dramatically from the water, her blouse clinging to her body. She smiled and winked at me. I ignored them and continued walking, though I overheard them whispering:

"He's not yours, he's mine."

"Mmm, he's handsome."

"They say he came from Harare."

"They say he's not married."

Another girl laughed loudly.

"He's not hers anyway. Nomatter is lucky. She should leave the rest of us a chance."

I ignored them. Such things were common among young girls.

Nomatter was busy scrubbing clothes and hadn't seen me. When she finally noticed me, she gasped in surprise and immediately melted into my arms. I had to steady us both because her joy was overwhelming.

"I thought you weren't coming, Admire. You've made me so happy. I love you with all my heart."

She kissed my eyes.

Then she kissed my lips.

"Let's leave this place and go into the bushes," she whispered.

"What about the clothes? What if we get bitten by snakes?"

"Stop asking questions and follow me."

She pulled me into a thick patch of bushes. If there had been snakes or scorpions there, we would have been in serious trouble.

She kissed me again and began removing my shirt while undoing her own clothing.

But Nomatter was different from Grace. I wanted to marry Nomatter properly. Yet I sensed something had changed in her. She no longer carried the same happiness she once had.

"What's wrong, Nomatter?" I asked.

"Come on, Admire. Take my virginity. I love you. Only you."

She guided my hand, but I pulled away.

"Let's get married first. Why have you changed so much?"

She looked at me with hopeless eyes.

"Admire, you don't understand. We will never marry. My stepfather arranged for me to marry his friend's son. Everything has already been signed. The wedding will happen very soon."

Tears filled my eyes.

"Why did you agree to sign?"

"You think I didn't fight? My mother begged me. When I refused, she drank poison and left a letter blaming me for her death. We rushed her to the hospital, and she survived because the poison had expired. After that, I signed all the papers. It was better to lose you than to lose my mother."

She smiled bitterly.

"Do you know what was written in those agreements? My stepfather would receive an irrigated sugarcane plot, farming inputs, cattle, and a secure job through their political connections."

I stared at her.

"You're not property to be traded," I said. "I'm a police officer. What they did is a crime. You have rights. If I help you escape this, we'll marry."

She embraced me tightly.

"I want a proper honeymoon with you, darling," I said. "Not this."

We left the bushes and finished washing together. By the time we left the dam, the moon had risen. We walked home slowly, stopping often to embrace.

Then we heard voices.

It was her stepfather and mother looking for her.

I hid behind a nearby rock.

"Why are you so late, Nomatter? You frightened me," her mother said.

Her stepfather replied angrily, "They say she's been seen with that boy from Pamire who claims to be a policeman in Harare. Nomatter, don't ruin the future we've secured for you."

I almost stepped out in anger but controlled myself for Nomatter's sake.

"She already signed the papers," her mother said. "When the wedding day comes, it will all be over."

"Maybe," he replied. "But trouble should be prevented before it grows."

I walked home through the forest.

Then my phone rang from an unfamiliar number.

It was Grace.

"So, you blocked me? I've already missed you after just one day. What about the remaining thirteen days? Maybe I'll come there and spend them with you."

I simply replied, "I'll call you later. I'm busy."

Then I switched off the phone completely.

I ate my supper and slept peacefully.

Because I loved Nomatter.