Pedigree

I didn’t know whether to change into casual clothes or anything but considering this is a business trip I decide to go in the dress I was wearing in the morning, I don’t know how long the trip will be for but I pack enough clothes and some casual ones just in case.

VK is parked outside my place in the stipulated time, I was hoping one of his drivers would driving but it looks like it will be just us on the trip.

‘Still in your work clothes?’ He asks meeting me outside to help with my bags

I just smile, in my head I have reminded him that this is a work trip but I am better than that.

He has changed into khaki chinos, a white crisp short sleeve shirt and brown chinos. I have so much going on in my head and he is my boss but I can’t lie, he does look good for his age.

He opens the door for me, it feels strange but it’s natural for him and I am guessing chivalry is just a part of him.

We hit that road and he is playing country music, I feel a sense of familiarity because this is the kind of music I grew up to and then I remember that I haven’t called dad and if I wait for us to arrive he will be mad at me so I call him.

‘Hey paps.’ I say immediately he picks

‘Everything is okay I hope.’

‘Yes daddy, so I am on my way to Siavonga with my boss.’

‘The Chairman daddy.’

‘Okay I will call you once we arrive, take care.

‘I love you too.’

‘Dad’s girl?’ VK asks

‘Only child, it’s just been me and him.’

‘Really now, you don’t strike me as an only child type of girl.’

‘You don’t know anything about me Sir.’ I say as politely as possible

‘We have close to five hours to get to Siavonga, enlighten me.’

‘Isn’t that out of work policy?’

‘Getting to know you? I still remain your boss and I haven’t asked for anything inappropriate, have I?’

‘I am sorry Sir.’

‘It’s okay, it’s important to protect yourself and who and what you let in.’

‘My mum traveled a lot when I was growing up, am not sure if that’s the reason they never had another child or it was their preference. So with her time away from home dad had to take up the role of both mother and father, at times I used to question if she even loved me. But eventually I think I got used to it and being with dad that whenever she was home I would be wondering when she is leaving.’

I chuckle after saying that

‘This one time a boy at school was making fun of me because only my father attended PTAs and yet my mother was alive, dad was so mad he came over to the school and made the boy apologies to me in the assembly hall.’

‘Oh wow, and how did that make you feel?’

‘Of course I was happy, some kids hated me and others learnt to respect me.’

‘Great relationship there.’

‘Yeah, he has been a great support system, and each time he got sick I would silently weep in my bed and ask God to make me sick instead. Funny enough it worked.’

‘What?’

‘I don’t know if it’s God but after seeing a number of counsellors I learnt that I am an empath.’

I see him look at me from the corner of his eyes, I usually get this reaction from people whenever I tell them this and that is why I keep it to myself.

‘My kids are closer to their mother, they still blame me for the divorce.’

‘Well was it your fault.’

‘Let’s just say you would have to hear both sides of the coin to know the truth, and Samara has done a good job telling her side of the story that I feel I don’t want to change what people already know.’

‘Well if lies are what everyone knows, why not clearing your name?’

‘What difference will it make?’

‘You make a good point.’

‘You are intelligent, sorry but how old are you?’

‘Twenty six, I will be twenty seven in a few months.’

‘What plans do you have for twenty seven?’

I chuckle, if he had asked me this question a few days back I would have told him a list of things I had in mind but that is not the case now.

‘I will just be grateful for another year added to my life, work even harder, maybe even go back to school.’

‘So why haven’t you gone back yet?’

‘You are my boss and I shouldn’t be telling you this but my job tires me, I am the first person to report and the last one to leave. And yet my efforts are not appreciated because I have bosses who hate me with a passion.’

He eyes me but doesn’t respond.

‘So for twenty seven I might just stop caring a little and get my masters, maybe even get serious with applying for work somewhere else. And maybe this information might get me fired but oh well.’

He laughs

‘Don’t worry, Ernest and Vaughn wouldn’t fire you. They know your input is more compared to what they bring in put together.’

I don’t know why but those words make me happy, at least someone notices.

We get to Kafue and he parks at Chita Lodge, he says he didn’t eat so he called earlier and made an order for some take away food which he has to pick up.

I choose not to come out of the car, Chita Lodge was my go to place with Nelson. We literally made this our home.

I don’t even realise that tears have started falling until VK gets back in the car, I wipe them angrily but then he offers baby wipes and I appreciate that he doesn’t ask anything. We continue with the trip in silence until I fall asleep.

..

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Winnie

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