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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2020
Submitted to Contest #78
The bus terminus by the Market Square was swarming with people exerting pressure as they tried to board the remaining rural buses before it was too late to embark on long-distance journeys. Some had decided last minute they were not staying in town and instead would join their families for Easter. As the travellers got more rowdy and agitated, bus drivers revved their engines to attract attention, under the pretence they were on the move. It was a typical African market scene with vendors weaving their way in and out among the vehicles belch...
Submitted to Contest #77
CW: covid related death Lindiwe hurriedly closed the front door of her lodging, in anticipation of her sister's call. It had been snowing all night and would probably continue all day. Heading for her attic bedsit, she passed through the communal kitchen, waded through an overflowing kitchen sink before retrieving her mug which someone had unceremoniously left unwashed among the mess from the night before. This was becoming a recurring problem; her housemates using her stuff and leaving it discarded in the communal space. There was...
Submitted to Contest #76
“Are you going to answer the door? Whoever it is, is being very persistent.” Vincent continued lounging on the sofa engrossed in watching a cricket match, with no intention of getting up. “I’ll go. I am not expecting anyone this afternoon,” said Zodwa. “Are you?” “No, it’s my day off. I was expecting peace and quiet. Find out who it is.”Zodwa returned to the lounge, escorting a young woman clutching a designer handbag to her chest. She was of average height, youthful, dressed in a loose-fitting top and jeans. Her Brazilian shoulder-len...
Submitted to Contest #75
"Good afternoon. Compliments of the Season! Is this Mrs Tsika? My name is Mwadiwa Sango of Singer Migration Services. Your son contacted our firm by email, and I am following up your request for preliminary immigration advice. Do you have a minute or two, so we can talk?""Compliments of the Season to you too Mwadiwa. Call me, Sheila, that's my first name. Temba mentioned that he would contact an agent to speak to me, I wasn't expecting such a quick response. Yes, I can talk.""From his email which you were copied in, I understand that yo...
Submitted to Contest #74
One minute, I had worked through my New Year resolutions which included moving to a neighbouring state to pursue a lucrative job in real estate. The next, there was an ominous silence after the signal died during a call from my aunt. She sounded more distressed than usual. I hoped she would not change her mind about selling her property. I needed the deal closed before 31 December. Although Aunty Herriot had a son, David, somehow I had become her surrogate daughter since her husband died in a car crash. I didn't have a problem with this setu...
Submitted to Contest #73
Just when Busi was preparing to head home for the Christmas holidays, her state border closed. Covid-19 cases in her hometown were spiraling out of control, followed by a pervading panic. Goodwill slowly evaporated as people’s well-laid plans went up in smoke. She had planned her trip relatively late due to last-minute deadlines imposed by her boss, one of those who were under the impression that one could always coerce a single woman with no family to do overtime.With the pandemic, Busi was now addicted to checking her internet, as the numb...
Submitted to Contest #72
An official-looking letter arrived in the letterbox, nestled among junk mail advertising the Christmas season specials. Inside Shupi found a summons to attend the reading of a will at a well-known local solicitors’ office in town. “Do you have any idea of who your benefactor is?” “Your guess is as good as mine Bill. I don’t know anyone who has died recently in our family. Certainly not anyone who would want to mention me in their will.” The meeting was in an imposing historic red brick building owned by Cookson and Mupane Solicitors. Bill r...
Submitted to Contest #71
‘’Thank you, Ma’am, for your patronage. We can always rely on you to support a local small business such as ours,” said Ben, ushering the customer out of the front door, carrying a birthday cake for a children’s party. Ben returned to the back office and was accosted by Nyasha one of his more senior and portly employees. “Boss, I remembered something while you were talking to the last customer,” said Nyasha. “Yes. What’s the problem?” “Well, two or three people came in asking for our speciality chocolate chip cookies.” “And?” “Boss I can’t ...
Submitted to Contest #70
“Baba mentioned in passing that if we are serious about a future together, we need to visit his sister Aunt Bertha. She is the fount of wisdom on cultural matters and traditions on my father’s side of the family. You have met her before, and she likes you. This will be a more formal visit. You know how the old folks like to follow our culture,” said Chipo. “Chipo, I don’t know about this. You know my views on following things blindly. We’ve discussed this before. Why do I sense you are trying to wear me down?” “Mudiwa, it’s an opportuni...
Submitted to Contest #69
“What time are the guests coming this evening?” Mama asked, busy in the kitchen, putting the last-minute touches to the celebratory meal. Glued to the screen, Baba was oblivious to the question. “Is it 7 o’clock? Some people are bound to arrive early.” Raising her voice, Mama said, “Aren’t you supposed to be sorting the barbecue outside Baba? What are you still doing on your laptop? Close it for goodness sake. You always leave everything to the last minute!” “Don’t fuss woman! I have just finished answering my work emails, and I have ...
Submitted to Contest #68
It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. Her grandparents’ rural homestead was still intact. The cluster of three-pole and mud huts had survived the test of time. Kundai’s reminiscing was drawn towards the heart of the smallholding, a circular kitchen with its thatched roof, black with soot where the smoke from the wood fire had swirled upwards and escaped from the open hearth. Opposite stood the square-shaped sleeping quarters with a sitting room, all under a corrugated iron roof held do...
Submitted to Contest #67
“I am disappointed in you taking the easy way out. Having a meltdown over the phone just because I was sharp with you is not going to solve anything. You asked me to come for the weekend to talk through your predicament which I am beginning to think could have been avoided,” said Sandy, sensing that it may not have been such a good idea to come in person.“I don’t need a lecture, Sandy. Now that Godfrey has left us alone, I will fill you in. You are supposed to be here to help me out as my friend. Like old times! At least give...
Submitted to Contest #66
Botoro had been the centre of attention after reporting his visit to meet an official at the Department of Services and speak his mind. Now slumped precariously under the msasa tree; he was stone-cold to the touch. No one had noticed when his soul departed. Life at the old people’s home had its routines. After completing the daily duty roster, the residents would sit in the shade day in and day out, Botoro among them. Despite the persistent warnings from the Superintendent on the hazards of smoking untreated tobacco, the smokers continued t...
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