The Will

By Chimuka Malambo

(based in an African set up) 

Following the death of Bashi Nana and bana Nana,  the family gathers at the family estate to discuss the apportionment of the estate.  The sudden arrival of a lawyer disrupts the meeting. 

Follow the short story as we see whether law or tradition will triumph, with a few twists along the way. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Jun 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9783743865129

Book preview

Chapter 1

The mourners crowd into the private living room space by the farmhouse to discuss the apportionment of the estate. Over twenty people occupy the room with the main speaker been the eldest male member of the family. The men occupy the sectional couch with most of the ladies settled on the carpet.

‘Settle down everyone.’ The octogenarian speaks softly, ‘though we have just laid to rest our brother and wife, we sadly have to do this now to allow everyone who needs to travel back to do so appropriately.’

‘eh..he.’ a murmur is head from the crowd. The three children send disapproving looks towards the area of the sound.

‘Firstly, we need to review the assets and items, and then we can go further.’

Nods go all around the room, when an uninvited party interrupts the discussion as a formally dress lady steps into the room. ‘my apologies for the intrusion.’

‘Natasha,’ Bupe, the middle child to the deceased speaks up, ‘it’s a family meeting. You’ll have to excuse us for a bit.’

‘Yes. I understand. My apologies everyone, but I’m actually here from Kapesa and associates to make the will of the deceased known. I was informed the isambo lya mfwa was today, and wanted to make their wishes known before anything is decided.’

‘this is improper.’ One of the matrons speaks