Unmasked

I haven’t been to Zac’s place in a very long time and weirdly , it feels strange to even be here. I sigh deeply and walk towards where the voices are coming from at the back of the house. Since he decided to block me everywhere and put my dirt out in the open, maybe it’s high time that we had this heart to heart.

‘You didn’t.’ Celine says laughing. She is sitting on his laps whilst Musonda is directly opposite them laughing his lungs out.

‘Look what the cat dragged.’ Celine says. We haven’t spoken in years. I didn’t even think that she was still with Zac. I love my brother but he is toxic and not good for her. I tried talking her out of the relationship but she cut me off saying I was selfish, that I had met a man I was getting married to and yet I didn’t want to see her happy. Which of course wasn’t true, they all knew why I was getting married to Thando so it was absurd for her to even suggest that. Besides she has been engaged to Zac for three years now and from the way I see it, he keeps dragging her down to the depth of the pit hole.

‘Be kind.’ Musonda says coming to hug me. We embrace for a few minutes before he lets me go.

He walks to the cooler box and hands me a bottle of Hunters Gold which he has opened.

‘Are you done with your medication?’ Zac asks.

‘I am not.’ I respond.

‘Well thank you.’ Celine says stretching out her hand so that I give her the bottle. I wonder why Zac hasn’t told his people that I am pregnant, I thought they share everything.

I take a seat just next to Musonda.

‘So Mrs. Mwape how is marriage treating you these days now that your husband is back on the case?’ Celine asks.

‘Leave her alone, she doesn’t have to talk about it if she doesn’t want.’ Musonda says coming to my rescue. I am honestly grateful because I don’t want to talk about this, much less to Celine.

‘Anyway I will come back to this later, have you guys seen Sasha of late?’

‘No what’s up?’ Musonda asks. I wonder why Zac is quiet.

‘God life hit her really hard hey, she had put up her house as collateral and when she couldn’t pay back the loan the bailiffs pounced on her and grabbed all her assets.’

‘That is sad.’ Musonda says.

‘That is not even the worst of it all, some other loan sharks came and kicked her out of the house, apparently she used her title deed as collateral.’

‘Celine where do you even get all this information? You know that gossiping is a vice?’ Zac says.

‘It’s not gossiping, we all know the hell that she put Leo through. Sasha was way in her head thinking she was perfect, she deserves everything that has come to her and have you seen Leo? He is flourishing. Its just sad that he has cut us off. I wonder why.’

‘Babe enough.’ Zac says strongly.

She rolls her eyes.

‘So Mrs. Mwape.’ She faces me.

‘Zac can I have a word with you?’ I speak up.

‘In private.’ I add.

‘You know, I have always wanted to say things like, this is my man whatever you have to say to him you can say it in my presence but.’

I see Musonda shaking his head as if telling her to stop whatever else she has to say.

Zac excuses himself, he doesn’t even bother to kiss her forehead or lips. There is no chemistry between them now and I am wondering if these two even love each other. If he loves her.

‘What do you want?’ Zac asks once we are in the house. He has closed the door to make sure that we are not heard.

‘What are you trying to do?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Plot 15 really?’

‘Oh that. I heard that someone tipped your husband.’

‘You heard?’

‘I really hope that you don’t think that I am the one who did that.’

‘Zac then who in God’s name did it? We both know that we are the only ones who know about it.’

‘Zara I am mad at you for a lot of things but it’s just disappointing for you to think that I would be the one to sell you out. For what it’s worth you are my sister and I love you.’

I look at him, not sure I believe him. Things haven’t exactly between rosy between us and in the past Zac has never done anything that has made me question his loyalty but now it’s just hard.

‘Zara I never changed. I have been the same person you always knew, if anyone changed between the two of us it’s you.’

‘So if you didn’t tell Thando about Plot 15 then who did? And why did you block me everywhere?’

‘I blocked you because I don’t want to have anything else to do with you, not because I wanted to sell you out. Havve you forgotten what we have been through? Have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten who I am?’

Silence.

‘It looks like there are other people that are out there to get you little sister. You made some enemies and unfortunately I won’t be able to help you. Everything I have ever done for you little sister was because I cared but at this point you think I am the villain so I will let you and your angel traits bail yourself out of this situation. Let’s see how well you do without me.’

I look at him intently at a loss of words then walk out of the house. I don’t bother saying bye to Musonda and Celine. If Zac has nothing to do with Plot 15 then who does? Who could have told Thando? Who wants to see me ruined?

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

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