Loving Pezo

Episode 6

Mrs. Chinyama: No buts Pezo, why don’t you go on and take a shower, I will help you select two
outfits that you may use –

She just left and went to take her shower not liking her mother’s control.she always felt like a little
girl whenever her mother did that. Besides It had just been something that she noticed in the
recent past that whenever the Chombas were around their house, her mother expected so much
from her. She would always want her to be the one to welcome them, to serve them any
beverages they would want to have to always be the one to sit next to them. On the other hand,
the Chombas seemed to have been loving her more of late too. More than any time, Mrs. Chomba
would always call her just to say hello and emphasize on her taking good care of herself. Such
conversations would historically be between parents and it would end at that. The more she would
think about all this the more it was difficult to come up with the solutions because throughout her
life, both her family and the Chombas had given nothing but great love to her as it’s that same love
that made her not to question their actions. When she came out of the shower, her mother had left
and la!d on her bed clothes which seemed so new to her. Two elegant dresses, one red and the
other black both sleeveless though the latter seemed more of an evening wear and both still in
their laundry bags were well placed and besides them a small bag of Clinique cosmetics; all that a
lady would require for her makeover.

Pezo: [smiling to herself as she gets hold of the makeup kit] oh wow mummy – seems you really
do want me to stand out today [checking on the dress] but wait- these really look formal. Why
would I want to look this

Mrs. Chinyama: [returning inside her room] I hope you like them child- your father and I got you
these specifically for this day

Pezo: [making an immediate 90 degrees turn] oh mummy. You are simply the best. [with her
sweet smile] I love them all

Mrs. Chinyama: am glad.
Pezo: the dresses are so beautiful and ofcourse my taste. But
Mrs. Chinyama: un huh?

Pezo: don’t you think they are a little too formal for the occasion. Mukuka and I were thinking of
just jeans and
Mrs. Chinyama: honey- your daddy and I bought this with so much love- you ain’t doing this to us

Pezo: Mum
Mrs. Chinyama: please- it’s not always that we ask you to do this- your father will really appreciate
it.
She couldn’t say more. Her mother left and immediately she was about to get started, her phone
rang. It was the office line. She looked at the watch and saw it was almost nine O’clock and she
wondered what it was that was needed from her. she quickly answered it and she was shocked to get Mr. Mitti on the other end

Pezo: Good morning sir.
Joe: Shouldn’t you be on your desk- drafting a report and already compiling followup documents
for the partners.
Pezo: Sir- I – am not in office today. I was granted a day off and I really though this was duly
communicated with your office
Joe: and what is that supposed to mean? A day off- when you know so well how important it is for
us to quickly wrap up on the proposal
His voice was already rising by each word and she didn’t like it one bit. It was really difficult to
justify this when Mr. Mitti was indeed very correct when it was stated that the feedback to their
Friday meeting was of key priority. But with so much that was happening in preparation for
Kalima’s return, it really didn’t occur to Pezo that she could have actually done this even over the
weekend and emailed for Mr. Mitti s approval. She couldn’t avoid being shakened as she spoke
up

Pezo: Am sorry sir- Mr. Nkhoma approved my request and –
Joe: and what d–n it!!- shouldn’t you have thought of your pending work first??
Pezo just felt like pouring out. All her life, she had never been labeled a failure but today she just
felt like one in a thousand ways.
Joe: Now listen young lady- I need you here in 10 minutes- No excuse
He cut the line
Pezo became so weak. She didn’t know what to do any more. Her parents were eagerly waiting
for her and there was no way she could leave for office work that they didn’t consider of great
importance. To her, the success of the proposal was going to be one key output that she would
prove her ability to work for the company and that’s what she has been looking forward to since
the day she was engaged. As she sat on the bed for a while, she couldn’t thing straight and time
was really moving so quickly. with the surrounding circumstances, there was no way she could
leave without anyone noticing, she decided to just delay her getting to the office in time and hoped
that her plan would work.

As she stepped foot in the breakfast lounge were her parents and young brother were seated,
everyone could not believe their eyes. With her tall, slender but well curved body, the dress fitted
her so well as though it was specifically tailored for her body. The not so high heels enhanced her
pose and gave her a description a Chinyama daughter. With her long hair well tied and the
makeup on point; no so loud or so blank, Pezo indeed looked so beautiful and priceless.
Chiwande: oh wow- my sister really looks stunning doesn’t she?
Mrs. Chinyama: oh yes she does my boy- just like a daughter of this house should at all time.