NK Hatendi

“The first day” by NK Hatendi

Sarai entered the office building and followed the signs to the 2nd-floor reception area. Her new skirt felt tight as she strode confidently along the corridor, trying desperately not to skid on the polished wooden floors. Elated that she had managed to get through two interviews and a psychometric test, she was prepared to start her dream job. Sarai entered a large room tastefully decorated with large circular abstract artwork on one wall and a smart office chair behind an imposing teak desk. There was a fantastic view across the city thr...

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“Life can be so cheap” by NK Hatendi

Every night Mbuya would barricade herself behind a flimsy wooden door. Late one evening, she heard a commotion outside before a bottle flew into her front room, scattering shattered glass everywhere. Smashing on her stone floor, it exploded into a ball of flames. She screamed in flames leaping up to the ceiling and engulfing her cheap furniture. Clouds of smoke enveloped her. She choked and spluttered, quickly realising that fighting the fire was futile. Hastily gathering a few belongings, Mbuya dashed through the smouldering door. Mbuya r...

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“The shattered dream” by NK Hatendi

The trip had been in the planning for nearly five years since Nhamo went to study in the States.  As the affordability factor loomed its ugly head, it was decided that Tino, the elder brother, would represent the family at the graduation of the first person to get a foreign degree.   "It's a pity we can't all go. The airline tickets are so prohibitive. Be sure to send us all the exciting news about Nhamo's big event," said Father. "And don't forget to take all your paperwork. We don't want you detained or denied entry at Immigrati...

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“Take life for granted” by NK Hatendi

Meeting his cousin Sebastian after so many years was an eye-opener. Initially, Simba had been unenthusiastic about hosting anyone who would have to share his creature comforts. "It will be fun! You spend too much time on your laptop. Sebastian is so looking forward to coming to the city, and we were hoping you could get to know him better. After all, he is your first cousin!  Show him around for the two weeks he will be here." "But Mum, I don't have anything in common with Sebastian! What am I expected to do with him?" "I hope you wi...

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“Unfulfilled ambitions” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #105

The minute I heard about their plans to live with their daughters abroad, I knew I would soon be unemployed. I dreaded returning home and finding means to support my family in the rural areas, my sibling with school fees and my welfare. Since I was fifteen, I had been a housemaid for my father's younger brother and his wife, Baba and Mai, virtually a surrogate daughter. Martha had migrated to South Africa, with the elder one Ivy, now in the UK. None of them would ever come back, although they came separately on their annual visits before Cov...

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“The dilemma” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #104

I should never have answered the door. I had been enjoying an afternoon of silence, thinking the young family upstairs had gone out with their tricycle riding toddler when the door knocking started, becoming more frantic as I approached it."I am so glad you are in! Please, close the door quickly! Have you got something to push against it? He may try and break it down!"I bolted the door as Lara, my neighbour frantically began pushing the sofa against my main entrance. I automatically started helping before questioning her."Lara, slo...

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“The big lie” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #103

Natsai would never have admitted she was a hoarder. But since recently downsizing to a smaller flat, she realised she had a lot of excess baggage in her life. Brand new kitchen utensils and even clothes were still in their original packages, unused. Books were her greatest weakness. Some had never been read, and she couldn't remember what had driven her to purchase or collect some of the genres; for example, she had never been a great science fiction reader. Some, Natsai recalled, had been passed down by her much older sister Chipo who, in h...

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“Brotherly love” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #102

The church community's social worker Shungu walked into her office after a weekend when she could have done without all the family drama in preparation for her brother Frank's wedding. She loved him, but there was a limit to her filial concern as she hosted relatives waiting to play their part and rescue the family name from yet more shame. Frank, the only son, had been indulged from day one by his parents, who were oblivious to his immaturity and sense of entitlement. He always knew someone would bail him out even when he was forced to marr...

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“The way we were” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #101

"Golden Years is seeking volunteers who can spend one hour a week or fortnight to join a Community Visitors Project. Volunteers can make a difference in people's lives by visiting isolated and lonely people in an Aged Care Home. Are you interested? Contact us through our website, www. goldenyears.gmail.com." Sekai first saw the advert in a monthly newspaper in the local library and initially took little notice of it. She had heard about the Golden Years Aged Care Home at school in the Interact Club. Her classmates had, however, decided aga...

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“Life is too short ” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #100

Anesu was busy in the kitchen, concentrating on putting the last-minute touches to the lunch on the patio when the back door was flung open, letting in a warm gust of air. Her two boys rushed in and charged upstairs like a herd of elephants and, in fits of giggles, tugged each other's shirts as they raced into their bedroom. "Can you please make less noise! I'm stressed as it is!" "Sorry, Mum. We’re going to get ready for Grandma's visit!" Anesu hadn't seen her for a week after their tense phone call when her mother had been snappy and so...

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“He was a good man” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #99

The crowd of mourners started gathering when the message hit the airwaves. Some had heard through the grapevine, and others were neighbours who had never stepped into Errin's yard when he was alive. His widow was in the main lounge, watching the sunset reddening the distant horizon through the French windows, as she sat cross-legged on cushions, like the traditional African wife she had always been. Her young sister and other close relatives were hovering around trying to console her. They watched the proceedings and who was coming in and ou...

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“An unwitting accomplice” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #97

It all started with a frantic tapping on my bedroom window just as I was falling asleep after late-night bingeing on various TV channels. I initially subconsciously blocked the noise out, thinking it was noise from upstairs, where a new couple had moved in over a week ago. But the persistence was hard to ignore as I tried turning over in search of a warm spot while nestling under my duvet. A flash of light crossed the blinds, accompanied by continuous tapping. Scrambling out of bed in frustration, I peered through a slit in the blinds and sa...

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“The uninvited guest” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #96

The back door was ajar. Fatima didn’t recall leaving it open in her early morning rush to get to work. In the corridor was a whiff of her bath salts mixed with the potpourri she had burnt the night before. Nothing else was out of place.  After placing her bag on top of the footstool by the door, Fatima saw a worn pair of woman’s shoes in the passage. She approached them with their stale fishy odour becoming very distinct, and Fatima gingerly picked them up with a plastic bag and placed the battered pair near the back door. A trail of we...

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“The truth will out” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #95

The family had dispersed after the reading of the will. It was pretty clear a few had left brimming with discontent. Some thought they had been bequeathed more than expected, and others couldn't understand why Tanaka had left them nothing, yet, he had led them to believe they had been close. The one remaining child Chipo and the grieving widow Marya were well provided for, from the vast wealth accumulated over years of wheeling and dealing. As the cars and their occupants were leaving the courtyard, since nothing was left to discuss, Marya ...

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“The mind can be so fickle” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #94

Baba Musoro woke up one morning with a splitting headache and a fever. All night, he had felt hot then cold. Now it was muscle aches and tiredness. He had tried the usual home remedies to no avail. There was no option but to go to the local clinic. Baba Musoro had lived in his village for as long as he could remember. His family were renowned tobacco leaf farmers and elders in the village. But one thing which set Baba Musoro apart and was always a bone of contention was his opinion about girl's education. The local council had opened a pr...

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