Strangled Cry

By Tapfuma Gwata

Chenai was frustrated by her husband Jamess unselective infidelity. One day she came home from work unexpected only to find her husband in her bed with her maid. A fight ensued, which necessitated her companions to call for help. As various people tried to counsel the estranged couple, unpalatable truths were revealed while James implored for help and promised to turn over a new leaf. Tambudzai, Jamess mother, however had different ideas. She had chosen a suitable wife for him who had gone into his household under disguise as maid whose dismissal sewed prickly barbs of unpalatable discontent, estrangement, and unimaginable horrors in the family. A spiritual warfare ensued in which Tambudzai relentlessly used black magic against Chenai whose sole ammunition are her prayers and spiritual faith. Who eventually won this tug of war? Several unexpected discoveries thwart Chenais resolutions. Surely what goes round comes around!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524667207

Tapfuma Gwata

Tapfuma Gwata is an old, retired teacher who taught at various secondary and primary schools. Tapfuma is a cool, humble man who enjoys gardening and reading. He is a strong Christian who believes in upright morality and deplores the rampant current social evils and moral degradation that has become so prevalent. He realizes that his fellow African men do not seem to change that primitive mentality, the worst sufferers being women and children.

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© 2017 Tapfuma Gwata. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  03/21/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6722-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6721-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6720-7 (e)

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CONTENTS

Family Breakfast

Inquisitive Kids

Alarming Siren

The Snare

The Naked Truth

Bone Of Discord

The Degenerate Official

The Test

The Renegade

The Futile Journey

The Churning Cauldron

Insanity

SUMMARY

F rom the outside appearances, the Katsande family is happy and healthy. James is a top official in the civil service. Chenai is a personal manager in one of the flourishing chain supermarkets. The husband the wife and four children live in a comfortable home in Borrowdale brooks.But on the inside, Chenai is frustrated with her husband`s infidelity. One day she comes home from work unexpectedly and finds her husband in bed with the maid. Chenai becomes enraged, and her friends must intervene to prevent violence. As people try to counsel the estranged couple, unpalatable truths are revealed and shocking news awaits them. James asks for forgiveness and promises to turn over a new leaf. But Tambudzai, James` mother, has different views. She feels challenged when her manipulated arrangements are thwarted, and she uses black magic against Chenai`s ammunition of prayers and spiritual faith.

Strangled Cry tells a fictional story depicting cultural traits, gnawing social evils, and the moral degradation of an era. It offers an important message of staying faithful in marriage.

DECLARATION

S trangled Cry is purely a creative fiction. All characters, names and locations are fiction and have no relevance to any living persons or real situations. Places used are only used as relevant background but have nothing to do with incidences in the novel.

DEDICATIONS

F irst to the God I serve and will continue to serve, second to my most beloved sister Shinete Maunze who made this project a success, my children and grandchildren. And finally to my editor Eresina Hwede

FAMILY BREAKFAST

E arly morning at dawn in Borrowdale Brooks, all is quiet except for the sweet music of the birds and chirping insects. Only occasionally is the peace of the dawn disturbed by a passing car. Chenai, who is thus disturbed by one of their neighbours starting a car, wonders why at such an ungodly hour. She /looks at the clock hands and notices the time; she still has half an hour to doze off the sleep cobwebs. She looks adoringly at her partner with passionate eyes. Gazing at him with loving adoration; she feels he really needs his restful sleep because he is a hard working man with a very tight working schedule, she meditates silently. He is always running around throughout the country monitoring the resettlement projects and allocation of land as need be. Turning to observe him in his deep sleep, she realizes that his body has become entangled in the blankets, leaving part of his feet exposed to the chilly morning. He must be getting really cold, she moans. Like she would treat a small baby, she gently untangles the blankets gently, covering him up completely. She neatly tucks in the blankets, straightening them neatly and spreading them all over him. She pats him lovingly, gently caresses his cheeks and kisses him gently, ensuring not to wake him up.

Her husband, James without opening his eyes, groans slightly smiling sweetly, rolls over towards her and snugly hugs her close, as he goes back to sleep peacefully, with her embraced in his arms. For some time, Chenai caresses his head, hugging him close infusing her heat to his chilled feet, which had been exposed to the early morning chill. She gently rubs her warn feet over his to warm him up. Like a contented baby James sleeps in her arms peacefully. When fully satisfied he has gone back to sleep, Chenai gently eases herself away, careful enough not to disturb him. He snugly holds her closer to him.

Not today my love! You* are not going anywhere. Your place is here with me, my love, he draws her even closer.*/

Good morning, my love! she answers anointing him with tender kisses. The couple exchanges their early morning pleasantries sluggishly. As she tries to ease out, he draws her close, Please not again James. Remember Thelma has to go to school early for rehearsal of her assembly presentation. I have to prepare her attire and ensure all is in order. I also want to cross check my power point apparatus for my presentation to that board of directors. Since I promised the kids a special treat, I need more time in the kitchen today. As James tries to argue, she silences him with a kiss. As he relaxes, she quickly slips away giggling like a tinkled child.

You are a Cheater! What was that for? Come back here! he orders playfully.

Catch me! she says as she heads for the door.

Ah! You and your dirty tricks! When shall you grow up? One day you will regret it. James grumbles as he throws a small cushion at her aimlessly, but misses. Chenai slips out noiselessly.

In the adjoining bathroom she takes her bath, puts on house coat and heads straight for the kitchen, where she starts making preparations for breakfast. Chenai cross checks everything has been set according to her prior stipulation. She collects utensils and various ingredients with matriculate orderliness; thus starts preparing favourite dishes for her family. In no time she leaves the dishes warning up and others simmering. She goes to the children`s rooms to wake them all up with hugs and kisses. They are instructed to go and bath and prepare for school. She attends to Richard and helps him with his ablutions. As Chenai checks how far the children have gone with their early morning preparations, she enters Irvine`s room only to find him still fast asleep. At first she checks his temperature carefully and seems satisfied with what she finds. She tinkles him until he begs for mercy.

Come on lazy bones! Do I take you to the doctor for that injection again, my dear? she asks tinkling him again.

Oh! Stop it mummy! That is enough! I will go for my bath now! he answers as he wriggles, trying to evade her tinkling, giggling hilariously. I just wanted a wink but fell asleep again. I will go and bath now, he promises joyously.

‘’I know my dear! You better hurry or you will miss those promised treats, she answers in the way she knows necessitates prompt action. Irvine rushes for the bathroom in his room. Young man, remember I mean proper bath not dry washing. I am coming in to check on you." Irvine grins and covers his mouth.

Oh! No mummy! No girls are allowed in boys` bathrooms when they are having a bath. Irvine says shyly. Promise you will not!

Then better run along or I will come and bath you myself. To this Irvine runs for the bathroom and closes it behind him giggling hilariously. Chenai just smiles happily in contended bliss. After checking on the others kids, Chenai goes to dress and get ready for work. When James finishes dressing up he goes ahead to check on the kids and ensure they assemble for breakfast as Chenai finishes up.

The Katsande family is having breakfast before going to their various ports of call. James Katsande is a top official in the civil service, a director in the Ministry of Lands. His recent promotion has opened unforeseen, God-sent, opportunities and privileges many envy and given him innumerable advantages. He has been issued a brand new, latest model government vehicle for which he is issued monthly allowance fuel coupons to cater for business and personal uses. He has a well furnished office, his own personal secretary and driver. For that reason, he drives the kids to and from school. If he is occupied or has gone away on business, a driver and car are put at his disposal to provide these services until he is free. His wife, Chenai, works as a personnel manager in one of the flourishing chain supermarkets at Chisipiti Shopping Centre. The couple lives in Borrowdale Brooks.

The couple has three kids: Elvis, Thelma, and Richard. Elvis, who is ten years old, is in grade 5. Thelma, who is eight years old, is in grade 3, and five-year-old Richard just started grade 1. All three are enrolled in a private primary school in town. Then there is nine-year-old Irvine, James’s child born out of wedlock with his mistress. Irvine, who is in grade 4, is at the same school as his half-sister and half-brothers. Chenai took him under her custody ever since she became aware of his existence when he was of school-going age. Anyone seeing the four can never guess their different maternal parentages. They are so closely knit, that it is difficult to separate them. There is no preferential treatment of any respect by both parents.

The room they are enclosed in is a spacious kitchen with designer floral tiles on both the floor and its walls. The ominously spacious kitchen is surrounded by waist high cupboards with drawers all round the walls while another row of fitted cabinets with glass doors at eye level cover the upper walls. At a glance one can see all the expensive kitchen treasure the family owns. The cupboards continuity is broken at various points where various gadgets are snugly fitted in. There is the double basin sink which looks like part and parcel of whole setup, next to which is a dishwasher. The dark surfaced glassy shining square patch in the centre of the kitchen cabinets wall is actually the stove without the so familiar rings but whose plates are only indicated by red glows as various plates are turned on. On the wall above the stove is a complicated contraption which actually is the control panel of the stove and grid. All the cupboards on this wall are fitted with drawers on top for the convenience of cooks, who have easy access to various items. Above it is a micro-wave cooker cutely fitted in the cupboard style whose colour scheme matches everything in the room. On one side of the wall, between the dining room door and that leading to passage leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms, is a wall high double door fridge next to which is also a waist high deep freezer, below the continuation of the glass cabinets. At various points on the Formica topped cupboards are placed various containers, bread bin, fruit and vegetable baskets, labelled food canisters, spice rake, a radio with both cassette and CD players and other items are arranged for people`s convenience.

In the kitchen, there is an immaculately western style set folding table with six place mats on which are set various cutlery, dinner plates, porridge bowls, bread plates, tea cups and saucers and neatly folded serviettes tucked on the forks on each place mat. Chenai is busy putting serving dishes on the table while at the same time attending to her cooking pots on the stove.

Her husband, James and the kids are already settled at the table ready to start on the meal. She brings the fresh fruit juice jug and milk jug and sets them on the table. She brings in the oatmeal porridge bowl and straight away serves the kids and sets the bowl in front of her husband for self service. She then pours freshly made fruit juice into the kids` glasses as she has to ensure her kids take the required amounts as some tend to select what foods to eat. She requests her husband to pray for the food. James puts away the papers he has been browsing through, on the cupboard behind him, and prays. It is family`s policy to take turns at praying for food regardless of age.

After the prayer, everybody embarks on the meal in total silence. Chenai quickly places the various bowls with various foodstuffs covered with transparent glass lids showing what is within; such as scrambled eggs, bacon, grilled sausages, mixed fruit salad, toast, butter, marmalade, bread and sugar. The teapot, snugly covered in a fancy old fashioned woollen tea-pot cover, is put on a central table mate next to serving dishes. She joins the family in breakfast, as her husband, who had been eating ravenously, takes a second helping of bacon and eggs and comments on his wife`s culinary skills.

Uh, honey! This is quite delicious! I like it when you constantly take over the cooking and show those unique culinary skills, no one else equals you, which attracted me during our courtship period. You are unique, my darling! James says appreciatively, licking his lips with his tongue at the homemade marmalade which has remained tucked at the edge of his mouth.

Oh! Liar! You never learnt of my cookery skills until very much later, when we got engaged! Why don`t you just admit that my outside beauty casings and educational background were my major attractions? Chenai rebukes her husband jovially in a playful manner.

James critically appraises his very beautiful wife, as if with a new insight. For some reasonable time, he gazes at her adoringly, mesmerized with her stunning dazzling beauty. He gulps down various mouthfuls of air in dazzled stance, as he gaps at her stunning beauty, as if he is seeing her for the first time. She can easily be mistaken for a Tswana woman in every sense, a fact which is highlighted by her slim waistline and bulging hips. James enjoys teasing her by pinching at her protruding hips telling her to remove pampers stuck in her sides. This is a joke often shared, which if done in privacy, always ends in highly erotic physical exertions.

James vividly recalls, how dazzled by her beauty he was, when he first met her. She had stood out unique, overshadowing all other female participants in that Breakfast Briefing financial meeting, conducted by the Reserve Bank governor, they were both attending then. He can still feel the tingling goose pimples of excitement erupting, exciting his uncontrollable adrenalin to high uncontrollable levels, as he had felt then. What a remarkable beauty, his wife is! Her beauty is so remarkably outstanding, that he has never had enough of it; like that of sunset beauty in glamorous green mountain sceneries. She has not changed much since then, he realizes. His own beautiful wife! Yes! Indeed his adorable wife! How lucky he feels each time other men turn their heads in appreciation and envious adoration, as they move together. Wherever they go, heads turn. She is so loving and caring too. What else can a man yearn for really? What an invaluable treasure, James realizes he has at his finger tips! In a dazed moment, he rebukes and chastises himself, feels a sense of shame due to guilty conscience; but shakes himself out of it with a slight shiver.

Chenai is a ravenous beauty envied by many. She is very light in complexion with very long hair almost reaching her waist when combed straight down. Her complexion is so light, so much that many mistake her for a coloured or foreign national. Her hair is always done in intricate styles and patterns that people find too difficult to keep abreast with. That hair stylist she uses is a unique talented one, who surpasses all. Chenai is of middle height and maintains her body weight and figure, by keeping vigilant care of her diet and regular exercises. Her always shiny laughing eyes were from the very beginning his major attraction. They always reflect warmth and act as rays of morning sunshine on a very cold winter day. She has sharp pointed nose, whose beauty is highlighted by the dimples, which dent her full cheeks and a thin wrinkle folding on the left edge of her nose, each time she smiles.

Of course, that is true; but our love grew deeper as I began to discover more of your hidden talents! You are a treasure my love! I just don`t know what I would do without you, my darling. As he talks, his youngest son looks at him critically, then drawing his attention, he points out.

Daddy, you have marmalade smudge on the edge of your upper lip! he points out with a sleek mischievous grin.

Thanks my dear Rick for bringing that to my attention. That is why I love you my son! You are so observant all the time, a characteristic crucial in every man. James says, taking his serviette with one hand, while the other pats the bald head of his five year old son. Richard is sitting next to him on the right side of the table. As he dabs his lips awkwardly with his left hand, the smudge remains tucked on the edge of his mouth. Feeling really exalted by being praised by his father, Richard examines his father critically and shakes his head profusely.

Oh! No! Not so good daddy! The marmalade is still there! Oh! You are only spreading it even further! Ugh! Richard twists his mouth in seeming disgust.

Oh! Let me remedy the problem my dear! his father says, but is interrupted by his wife.

Wait! Hold on for a moment! Instead of removing it; you are going to spread it further, if not all over your face! You are no different from your very wise Rick here whom, we always caution to be careful. Chenai playfully chastises her husband to the enjoyment of his kids, who splatter into spontaneous laughter. Like father like son indeed! James groans and grunts in his throat to this playful rebuke, while the four kids giggle behind their palms at their father`s expense.

Oh! James exaggerates his hurt getting carried away by the game.

Then clean him up as you always do to me! Richard interjects, looking at his father with sheepish mischievous looks grinning from ear to ear. Richard looks at his siblings in conspiracy, as Chenai stands up. He knows they rely on him for provoking interesting circumstances. Richard is really enjoying this. He looks at his father sheepishly covering his mouth with his palms all eyes popping out, as he gazes at him expectantly. Then, he smiles mischievously at his mother, with an expectant encouraging look as she goes towards his father, with her serviette folded over her forefinger. He looks like the cat licking at the milk from its whiskers.

Hey! What are you doing now? Are you ridiculing me in front of my kids and domestic help like that darling? James complains like a chastised bull as he raises his arms, as if to wade off unwelcome missiles.

No such thing, my love! I have done no such thing. They also make mistakes, don`t you guys? Chenai asks looking round the table at each kid in turn.

Yes we always do so. They all answer jovially joining in the fun.

As you can see through the window, Dorothy is busy with her outside cleaning chores. She is not here. I would not dare do that in her presence, would I? After all I am not the one who pointed that out. Chenai pokes fun of him as she draws closer to him, her table napkin tucked around her finger ready for action. Or should I let Rick do the honours, my love?

All splutter into spontaneous laughter, as Richard stands up pompously imitating his mother`s stance ready for action. James grimaces, looks around the table at his kids all giggling behind their palms expectantly and sort of relents, as he mumbles to himself in undertones.

What a fate worse than having an unpleasant soiling mud bath? he groans under his breath. Eh! Eh! Eh! James exclaims raising his palms, as if wading off unwelcome company. Keep off! I said, Keep off!

Why? Chenai enquires innocently as if not aware of what he is referring to.

I am referring to Richard! You better keep off young man! James chides his overzealous fervent son. This incites another explode of laughter from the other three kids.

Oh! Don`t worry Daddy! I really can do it neatly. Just wait and see! Ricky maturely refutes, pacifying his father to the immense amusement of all.

No! Not you young man! Oh! Him of all the devils! It is better I do it on my own. James complains putting on a tortured face for the benefit of his kids. He points to his wife and says; You also better keep away!

Hey! Just sit still and let me remove that speck of jam from your lips dear. Why make a farce of such a minor thing, as if it is the first time I have attended to your personal needs? I have to constantly attend to your screwed ties, skewed collars, difficult to pin cuff links; you name it! With an experienced dab, Chenai removes the sticky remains with her serviette. She puts a drop or two of water on her serviette then removes the sticky remains from his face and finally pats it playfully to the intense amusement of the kids who clap in jubilation, as James grins absurdly. James endures the incident, as if under great duress and sufferance. He grunts with subdued displeasure for their benefit.

There you are spic and span, all smart and sparkling clean as always! What would your subordinates think when, they see you with marmalade all smudged all over your face? After all, it is your policy to ensure that you always dress for success. As Brian Tracy said surely, ‘Image is very important. People judge you by the way you look on the outside.’ Are you not the one who is always saying so and upholding that? Chenai pacifies him.

Oh! You! pointing a menacing finger at her; James grins under his laughing breath as he imagines himself getting into his office, all smudged up in marmalade jam. He smiles with humour. That will be the day for he is always fussy about his general outlook and appearance. Facial beauty he might lack but smartness, wearing first class designer clothes and elegance; none would equal him. That he can guarantee. To ensure that immaculate appearance, he is a fanatic of mirrors and always has one in his briefcase for constant checks regularly in case he goes to places lacking such beguiling finale. Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world according to George Bernard Shaw, which has become James` policy.

Wow! You are not yet through with it mummy! claps rollicking Ricky in an excited fancy as he looks at his father in amused expectation.

What now? James asks in concerned agitation, looking at his son with wearied impatience, as if dreading oncoming unwelcome suggestions. Is their last born such an unwelcome thorn in the butt one would wonder? His face is looking at his son with a weary face, as if he is expecting boring childish indulgence. He straightens and sits upright, as if preparing himself to resume with his disturbed meal peacefully. He shrugs his shoulders dejectedly, looks at his son, his wife then makes as if to pick up the discarded fork and knife he had set down on his plate, when he had offered his face for the cleaning up session.

Don`t look so scared daddy! She has forgotten the crucial pacifying kiss she always gives us afterwards! Ricky exclaims jumping up and down his chair, as he flaps his palms up and down with enthusiastic excitement.

In compliance Chenai drops a fleeting flippant kiss on the corner of James` upturned mouth in a pacifying gesture, as she straightens to go and resume her breakfast.

There you are! Are you satisfied now? Chenai asks Richard smiling. Richard shakes his head in disappointment. She looks at him in incomprehension.

Oh! Not quite mummy! You can do a lot better than that really! Richard says enjoying immensely his initiated early morning games he in most cases enjoys manipulating. Chenai quickly pecks a stolen kiss right on James` expectant lips with exaggerated splendour for her son`s benefit.

"Umnwa-a! Have a good day, my love!"

The deep ensnaring rich erotic fragrance of the expensive perfume she is wearing overwhelms James with intense longing, that he raises his arms to embrace her for better position. James tries in vain to deepen the token kiss, as Chenai quickly evades his intended embrace by slipping out of his arms like a slippery eel, with full intention to return to her seat at the opposite end of the table.

That is being very unfair darling! Definitely you cannot expect me to be satisfied with that! You always do a lot better than that to our young Ricky here. Is that not so Ricky? he asks as he grabs hold of Netsai to detain her from leaving his side turning the tables against her, taking advantage of the situation and eventually ends up having the upper hand. Richard in defiance to his mother`s rebuking stare answers jubilantly with his palms on his cheeks with his elbows leaning against the edge of the table; he is hoping to be subjected to some early morning entertainment to his mother`s embarrassed disadvantage.

It definitely is not, Daddy! She is cheating on you. Richard answers in a very mature voice. Surely you can do even better than that Mummy! Playful Richard is now really enjoying the early morning fun. Breakfast is purely their family treat, when they pass all sorts of jokes in preparation for the new day. That fun is what entices them to reluctantly leave their warm cosy beds, when woken up at early hours.

James stands up and takes Chenai`s chin in his grip and thoroughly kisses her to all the kids` jubilant cheering. James gets carried away and starts passionately kissing his wife in earnest deepening the playful fancy, forgetting his gapping audience. He tightly grips her in an erotic embrace as he devours her, which sends his audience into total stunned silence. Elvis deliberately coughs; warning them of their unwelcome presence. James realizes his surroundings and returns to his senses.

Hey! You two! When shall you grow up really? Don’t you have enough of each other when you are all alone? Your food is getting cold! Elvis their first born rebukes them maturely. He looks with an accusing eye at his entranced young brother as if to say, ‘Look at what an embarrassing situation you have created!’

Please Daddy! Do not forget that our teacher told us to come early for our drama rehearsals today? Thelma cautions afraid their lovemaking might delay them from leaving earlier as agreed on.

Wow! How amazing both of you performed! That was both amazing and super! entranced Irvine comments, clapping his palms together jubilantly.

Wow! That was great! Fantastic! Most entertaining indeed! It was just like it is on movies! Richard exclaims with an entranced glance.

Obviously your mother needed to be punished for treating me like a small toddler. James answers, in embarrassment trying to cover for his unorthodox