chapter 1

Born in a family of three, Zuba was the oldest child to the makaba's. Aged twenty three, born on the 28 th April, 1994, followed by her young sister named Taonga aged fifteen and lastly her youngest sibling, Meshach who is only nine.

Not only was she intelligent but also a beauty to reckon with. Men worshipped the ground she walked on without her knowledge. Other women considered her as a competitor with regards to their love affairs. Others even considered her as an angel while others called her the Black goddess.

Despite all the beauty, intelligence and her good heart, she was from a poor family. Women who took her as competition made her a laughing stock because they thought they were better than her in terms of riches. Even with all her intelligence, her parents could not educate her further than the tenth grade. They used the little money they earned from their small scale farming to provide food on their table. There were days when they would go to bed on empty stomachs. One or two meals a day, as this was their daily routine.

When it came to the aspect of clothes, they had torn clothes but always kept them clean and presentable. They knew the true meaning of love and unity because they stood up for each other in each situation. Not only did her parents teach them to be honest and respectful, they taught them to be good mannered through the discipline that was given to them.

Today was another ordinary day for Zuba and her family. They woke up at four am to go to the field. They needed more food and sleeping many hours wouldn't help.

The only edible food they carried was traditional maheu without sugar. By the time it was nine am, sweat was dripping from their foreheads. The only sound that could be heard came from the hoes digging into the soil and the birds chirping.

" Mum i'm so tired and hungry." Meshach complained with a sad face

Monde, Zuba's mother looked at her son with pity while shaking her head. No parent loves to see their child suffer, it definitely eats them up.

" Shecky, take a seat under the mango tree which has a shade." she replied while pointing at the tree.

He waited defeatedly towards the tree knowing non of his family members could do anything. He watched from afar as his siblings and parents planted maize with hunger and fatigue.

After eight hours of working in the field, they decided to call it a day as the sun was high up in the sky burning their dark skin and heat emanated hitting the solid ground. On their way home, they plucked some vegetables for them to have a meal. When they got home, Zuba lit up the firewood while her young sister cut the vegetables.

" Zuba!" her father called from their two roomed brick house as it was all they could afford.

"Yes father" she replied as she made her way towards him.

" Kindly put water for me to bath in the bathroom." He stated while entering the house.

She made her way towards a stainless steel basin that looked black due to it been used to boil water on the firewood. She placed water in it and took it to their bathroom made out of dry grass as walls giving them the privacy needed and flat stones to step on while taking their bathe.

After having their lunch that consisted of nshima with vegetables that only had salt without oil, the two sisters made their way to the village market where they could fetch water. Whispers could be heard while they were walking quietly. Amanda, the village's loudest lady was the biggest gossiper you'll ever meet.

" Look at the good for nothing sisters coming to fetch water." she told her friends while laughing and high fiving them.

" It seems they will be having water for dinner, very soon we'll hear that they died of hunger." another lady commented.

Zuba and Taonga pretended not to hear a word they said as people moved out of their way as if they were a plague.

" Don't mind these goats that are jealous of your beauty. They are afraid their men might come after you." Bupe, Zuba's friend commented to her while rolling her eyes at Amanda.

" So how have you been?" Zuba asked Bupe

" I've been fine, where have you been? I didn't see you yesterday." she inquired

" I went to the city to look for a job but to no avail because everyone wants people who are highly qualified and sophisticated." she replied in a low tone while looking at the ground.

"Do not give up Zuba , just like your name, you will shine bright in the sky." Bupe said rubbing her back encouragingly.

" Taonga, did you pick up your dress from the bin?" Amanda asked causing everyone to stop whatever they were doing and focusing on what was going on.

"Amanda, I have been very patient with you. You can humiliate me all you want but don't ever talk about my family." Zuba spat through gritted teeth.

" Or what?" Amanda asked in a taunting way but Zuba ignored her continuing with what she was doing.

" All talk and no work Zuba, you are useless. What use do you have apart from prostituting yourself to other people's boyfriend's and husbands?'

With one swift turn, Zuba locked eyes with Amanda's eyes without backing off.

" Do not underestimate me and stop making false allegations because you won't like what i'll do to you. NOW DARE ME." when Amanda did not say anything, Zuba carried her bucket of water on her head and made her way home, the only place where she could find comfort and not be judged.

When they got home, they swept their yard, washed the countable dishes they had, took their bath and rested while waiting for the sun to set.

At night, the only thing they could eat were fried groundnuts and drinking water. When bedtime came, Zuba and her siblings slept on a mat only and a bedsheet they used to cover themselves from the cold hoping for a better tomorrow.