Pedigree

I was hoping that aunt Ivy gets here earlier than everyone, only for Samara and her children to arrive early.

They all come rushing into the house but stop when they see me.

‘What are you doing here?’ Samara asks

‘And the side chick is here.’ Vaughn says looking at me with disgust

‘What do you mean side chick?’

‘The woman fucking your ex husband.’ She says before rushing to the bedroom

‘I will deal with you later.’ Samara says walking past me too

Ernest doesn’t say a word and honestly I am grateful because I can’t deal with another Kaluba on my case right now.

‘You should get into some clothes.’ Moudy says looking at me and it’s only then I realise that I am still in VK’s shirt.

‘My aunt is on her way here, she will bring some.’ I say taking a deep breath

There is silence between us, we have never been friends and I don’t see the reason why we need to be right now.

‘You know, I used to think I have problems. I used to think my life was a mess, but yours, yours is crap.’ She says before chuckling

I look at her not knowing what to say.

‘Trust me Samara is going to fight you with everything in her, not that she even loves VK but just the thought of seeing him with another woman is what is going to kill her inside. But before she dies she will make sure to drag you to the pits of hell before she can breath her last.’

‘VK and I.’

‘You don’t have to lie to me.’ She says cutting me short

‘VK is a very good man, trust me if he wasn’t my father in law I would be throwing myself at him.’

I laugh, I don’t know why it’s funny.

‘See, you are better off laughing. I haven’t survived all these years married to Ernest by being serious, I had to learn to be tough and act like everything was okay even though I was dying to just give up.’

I take a good look at her and I can’t help but notice the big dark circles under her eyes.

‘If you were to ask me I think you are brave for even accepting to be in VK’s life, I could never master such courage.’

‘I am not sure about that because it feels to me like I just got entangled in a whole lot of mess.’

‘My advice, don’t let them scare you. They prey on the weak and will make sure to finish you before they can move to their next victim.’

She pauses

‘Thanks to you now I can rest because you are the target.’

‘You are welcome I guess.’ I say with a weak smile

‘Kasweka.’ Aunt Ivy says joining us

‘Thank you for coming.’

‘What happened to you? Are you okay?’

‘I just need a change of clothes then we can talk.’ I say

She hands me the bag and I excuse myself, I go to the spare bedroom where I change into a pair of pants and a t shirt before going back to the living room. I find everyone gathered there.

‘Have you no shame? Sleeping with a man as old as your father?’ Samara says

‘I am not answerable to you ma’am.’ I respond, if I go soft she might pick on me and I don’t want her to see me as a weak person.

‘You even have the courage to respond? Who raised you?’

‘You didn’t, and that is why you have no reason to talk to her the way you are.’ Aunt Ivy responds

I hate that she is coming to my rescue but this is better than being alone to deal with these humans.

‘I see you are of the same creature, plucked at the same time. Are you also sleeping with an older man?’ Samara says with disgust

‘I won’t allow you to insult me or my child, if you want to be mad at someone be mad at your ex husband.’

‘So you are her mother?’

Aunt Ivy stands up

‘Now listen to me Samara, I have tolerated you enough for the sake of the relationship Kasweka shares with VK. But that is as far as I can go, I don’t see why you want to start fighting battles that are not worth it. My child is not your business and she should never be so leave her alone.’

There is silence in the room, I have never seen Aunt Ivy like this.

‘Go and say bye to him, we are leaving.’ She says looking at me

I walk as fast as I can to VK’s bedroom, he is still sleeping and I wish I didn’t have to leave him but for now it’s best that I do. I kiss his forehead good bye and leave, at least his temperature has come down.

‘Ready?’ Aunt Ivy asks

‘Ready.’ I respond

I smile at Moudy and then walk side by side with Aunt Ivy.

‘The tension in that house was scary, I thought we wouldn’t make it out alive.’

I laugh

‘You were pretty brave in there.’

‘That was me putting up a face, I missed that side of me. I used to bully your father back in the days but in my heart of hearts was scared that he would beat the hell out of me.’

‘I know he wouldn’t have, he is a good man.’

‘Of course he has always been, and it’s surprising how he has never once changed even with everything life has thrown at him.’

I take a good look at her and the way her eyes shine.

‘You have always been in love with him haven’t you?’

She swallows hard

‘You don’t have to respond.’

‘Your father has always had a good head on his shoulders and that is why when he married your mother I knew he had made a good choice.’

I shake my head

‘What?’

‘My parents didn’t have a good marriage.’

‘Don’t say that.’

‘Then how come my father is not my father?’

‘Kasweka.’

I laugh

‘So you also know.’

‘Have you told your father?’

‘I don’t know how to confront him.’

‘You shouldn’t, it will break his heart.’

‘What do you mean break his heart?’

‘Cathy and Isaac agreed to keep it a secret.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘Your father is old, this kind of news will break him Kasweka.’

I look at her feeling like a terrible headache has just come up.’

..

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Winnie

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