I Will Wait – Episode 8

_08_

 

‘This competition has been stiff, the great and brilliant minds from all over Africa have given us a hard time to choose who the best author is. But at the end of the day it has to come down to one person.’ The Chair person announced in the loud speaker

 

‘I will give the honour of presenting the award to Mrs Kazadi our main sponsor for the event.’

 

She flawlessly walked to the stage, my morning had been ruined and the only thing that I wanted was to get out of this place as quickly as I could.

 

‘We have heard from the chairperson how stiff this was, I must say if we had a way we wold have picked everyone as winner.’ She said

 

I heard people laugh.

 

‘Hai.’ Cornelius said

 

I looked at him and rolled my eyes

 

‘It is rude to roll your eyes at men, we won’t marry you.’ ‘I would rather die single than being your wife.’ I said

 

 

‘For third position, Obienne from Nigeria with I was raped by a woman.’ Mrs Kazadi said

 

We all stood up as he walked to the stage to collect his award.

 

He was given an apple laptop, phone and a free publishing for any of his short stories.

 

‘Second position, Natasha from Ethiopia with betrayed by my country.’

 

We all stood up again and cheered the twenty year old girl who received a lap top, a phone and a free publishing of one of her books with free editing and book cover designing.

 

She reminded me of myself in so many ways, very ambitious and reserved. ‘This story has touched us in so many ways, this author has proved to us and the World at large that the misconception that people have concerning step mothers is just that; a misconception.’ Mrs Kazadi said

 

I was refusing to believe the words she was pouring out, this couldn’t be possible. I felt the hot tears stream down my face even before she said my name.

 

‘Yolanta from Zambia with made a way.’ She finally said

 

Everyone was looking at me and I couldn’t feel any better, the tears were pouring out and my legs grew weak.

 

‘I will walk you to the front.’ Cornelius said

 

We walked hand in hand as I struggled to keep my head high, I had worked so hard for this and to actually think that I was being awarded for it was a great honour. ‘Wow.’ I began when asked to make a speech ‘I might need tissue.’ I said again

 

Cornelius quickly removed his handkerchief and gave it to me.

 

‘Thank you.’ I said

 

‘This is not for me, this is for my mother.’

 

‘The story says it all, all I can say is that I am grateful for everything that she has done for me. And most importantly I am grateful to the Lord who made a way for me and my dad.’ I said

 

‘For first position, a laptop, phone, two free book publishing and also a book launch in seven countries of your choice.’

 

***

 

‘Congratulations neighbour.’ Cornelius said when I was pulling out my bags from the hotel room

 

‘Thank you.’ I said

 

I got to the elevator and just before I could hit the ground floor button he came through.

 

‘You said you are from Lusaka right?’

 

‘And?’ I asked

 

‘Forget it.’

 

‘Good.’ I responded and hit the button

 

Minutes later I was at the ground floor and Mrs Kazadi was there too, I didn’t want to have a conversation with her but there was no where I could run to.

 

‘Yolanta.’ I heard her call

 

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, this family has been on my nerves. ‘Ma’am.’ I said with a smile as I turned to look at her ‘Congratulations on the award.’

 

‘Thank you so much.’ I responded as friendly as I could ‘Leaving already?’

 

‘I have to, family issues to tend to.’ I answered

 

‘That is good, Corny will be driving back today. He can drop you in Lusaka.’ She said

 

‘That is not necessary ma’am.’ I answered as casually as possible ‘Oh please, I insist.’

 

‘Ma’am honestly that is not necessary.’

 

‘I know you two got off on the wrong foot, let him make it up.’ ‘Ma’am with all due respect your son is full of himself.’

 

‘You see why I said I can’t go with her? Already judging me when she doesn’t know a damn thing about me.’ He screamed appearing from God knows where ‘I should be leaving.’ I said pushing my suitcase ‘Yolanta!’ she called

 

‘Yes ma’am.’

 

‘Trust me he is not as bad as he has been acting.’ She said with pleading eyes ‘A mother accepts even the prodigal child.’ I said before walking off ‘No she didn’t.’ he said

 

***

 

‘And that is how I got on the next plane.’

 

‘Wait, Yoyo so you mean you didn’t get the chance of talking to this guy on a good note?’ Wane asked

 

‘Have you been hearing me or maybe you have some sort of wax in your ears?’ I asked her not believing she was making me narrate the whole story for the third time

 

‘Wane I have told you that he was full of himself and I couldn’t just come with him.’

 

 

‘Well I am certain you have lost a good man.’ She said ‘Talking about good men, how is Uncle Kaluba?’

 

‘Please don’t break my heart even more.’ She said making a puppy face ‘What happened?’ I asked curiously

 

‘He brought a woman and the waste part is that she is pretty.’

 

I couldn’t help but laugh, this little fantasy that my young sister had over Uncle Kaluba was just too dramatic.

 

‘Are you laughing at me, we should be thinking of ways of breaking them apart.’ ‘Speaking of which, I need to break up with Cornell.’ I said

 

‘Hold up, are you okay? Are you sick?’ she asked passing her hand through my forehead as if checking for my body temperature.

 

‘Stop it.’ I said lightly hitting her hand

 

‘This is better than my crush for Uncle Kaluba, I can’t wait to see the look on that fools face.’ She said

 

I gave her a deadly stare

 

‘Okay I can’t wait to see the look on prince charming’s face.’ She said teasingly

 

..

 

Tbc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I WILL WAIT