Chapter 01: A distrusting mother in law

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Taziona cussed her luck as she sat on the traditional reed mat with her head bowed down, chin touching the top of her chest, defeated.

She dared not lift her head to look at her prospective mother-in-law. She was afraid if she did, her dam of tears might burst and spill and she would just end up humiliating herself before her, something she was sure the elderly woman was betting on.

Even though Taziona was nothing but kind and courteous to her boyfriend's mother, the woman had never warmed up to her. The most hurtful thing about it all was she didn't bother to hide her dislike for her.

' All am saying is,' said Elida Nkhoma, the first lady of Mafinga town, a prosperous mining town ten kilometres outside the capital city of Lusaka.' There is no need to rush into anything unless there is something that she is not telling us.'

The ten adults attending the meeting exchanged looks as others began to talk in hushed whispers, making Taziona shamefully bow her head even farther.

'Please be clear Amai Nkhoma, what do you mean by that?' Darius Mvula the man chairing the meeting between the two families spoke.

Elida opened her handheld fan and waved it in front of her face as she gave the twenty-three-year-old woman an accusatory side glace. 'I don't know. Why don't you let her tell us.'

'Are you accusing my daughter of being immoral?' Beatrice Mvula, Taziona's mother asked in a way too calm voice that did not match the stormy look in her eyes.

'Your words; not mine,' Elida replied behind the fan, a smirk tugging the corners of her mouth.

Seated on her left side, Leonard Nkhoma nudged her with his elbow.' Mom. That's enough.'

'Why? I must protect your interests. You have no idea of the disgusting things that go on here while you are away on your missions.'

'Mum please.'

'I can't believe this. Won't you even ask me why am been like this?'

'I know why you are been like this. Taz and I already discussed this.'

'Is that so? So what lies did this scarlet woman come up with? And don't tell me you believed her.'

'I did. Because I trust her.'

Elida clicked her tongue at him.' Your gullibility at times makes me wonder if you are my son.'

'What matters is I already know what happened, and am okay with it. Can we get back to the meeting now?'

'My advice to you is to take her for a check-up before you end up raising another man's bastard. And you should make sure you take her to our family doctor. Who knows what crafty tricks she has up her sleeves.'

'Mum.' Leonard's cautionary tone made Elida uncomfortably shift in her seat as she murmured something under her breath. From the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at the young woman as she lifted her head and gratefully look at her son.

Elida's eyes flashed with anger. She forced herself to look away from them. She couldn't stand the enamoured look on her sons face. To her, Taziona was beneath them. She believed Leonard could do better than the mass communication graduate.

Darius turned to the young woman,' Taz, is there any truth to what Mrs Nkhoma is saying?'

'Of course not uncle.' Even though Taziona was innocent and knew Elida intended to cause trouble for her, she couldn't help but be offended. The two might have had dated for over five years, their relationship had never gone beyond kissing and fondling. She intended to be a virgin bride.

It was one thing for her to assume she might be pregnant with her son's child but a whole different ball game when she outrightly accused her of being loose.

'As if she would admit to the truth,' Elida pointed out.

'Enough Elida.' The third and last of the three elderly women present spoke up. Her name was Felida Nkhoma, Leonard's aunt and Elida's sister-in-law. Felida who was seated next to Taziona mouthed her apology as she rubbed her back  affectionately.' Your insinuations are very hurtful and detrimental to their relationship. Please don't do this to the kids.'

'Fine. Whatever but don't come crying to me when all this blows up in your faces'

'Does this mean you are finally giving the kids your blessings? Can they go ahead and start planning their wedding?' Darius asked.

' If she is not pregnant and not trying to fool my son into marrying her and raising her bastard as his, I guess there is no point in rushing this. My son is no ordinary man; his wedding needs to be grand and make a statement moreover, there are a lot of people to invite, important people who must clear their schedule to accommodate him.'

'So what are you suggesting Elida?' Felida asked short of rolling her eyes at her late brothers wife and her cheap antics to stand in the way of her son's happiness.

'They can hold the wedding sometime next year, say on October 7th or thereafter?'

'What? Is this a joke? What do you take us for? October 7 is exactly one year from now. Hasn't your son strung our daughter along long enough?'

"Well, it's either that or am never giving them my blessings. The choice is yours.'

'You are impossible Elida,' Felida murmured.

'Taz my child, what do you think?' Darius asked.

'If Mrs Nkhoma wants us to wait another year, we will have to respect her wishes.'

Elida threw a challenging look at her son's girlfriend. 'See? Even she sees sense in what am saying. Besides they will be too busy with the planning they won't even notice the year go by.'

'Leo?'

'If Taziona is okay with what mom had suggested, I will go along with her decision.'

A satisfactory smirk crossed Elida's beautiful face.' Well, it's settled then. The wedding date will be set for sometime after October next year. '

'I see you are determined to turn my daughter into an old maiden,' Beatrice said displeased.

'Well, if she is that eager to get married; she is free to find another man.'

Leonard let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head at his mother's words.

*Amai- Lady/ Mrs