This time, he was the one initiating calls. Japheth found himself keeping odd hours, staying awake long past midnight just so he could catch Kaweme during her afternoon breaks in America. He no longer cared about sleep. Her voice had become its own kind of rest. Luyando had caught him more than once pacing the […]

Kaweme stirred awake, blinking against the soft stream of morning light seeping through the curtains. For a second, she wasn’t sure where she was. But then it all came rushing back, the note, the fear, the comfort of Japheth’s arms, and finally, the quiet of this unfamiliar but strangely calming space. She was in Japheth’s […]

Luyando pushed open the door to Japheth’s office and let out a low whistle. “My God, this view is mind-blowing at night.” Japheth looked up from his desk, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s mind-blowing during the day too.” Luyando strolled to the window, hands in his pockets, gazing out over the glittering […]

It had been two weeks since Japheth resumed officially in the CEO’s office. Four days since he started seeing the cracks no one else seemed to care about. Discrepancies in approvals. Contracts that didn’t add up. Signatures on things that should never have left the boardroom. He wasn’t even sure what his new title meant […]

Japheth sank into the seat beside Mwila, dropped his bag, and let out a deep sigh that seemed to come from somewhere beneath his ribs. Mwila leaned in, eyes wide. “Ah, so it’s that bad?” “Not bad,” Japheth muttered. “Just unexpected. I’ve been moved to the CEO’s office.” Mwila’s brows shot up. “Say what now?” […]

Three months later   The will had been a bombshell. Her father, predictable in life, unpredictable in death, had left his title to his oldest living child. His position as Chief Executive Officer belonged to Kaweme now. It was supposed to be Musonda. It was always supposed to be Musonda. Everyone knew that. Even she […]

At home, the silence was soothing. Japheth set the rice on the fire while Luyando went straight to take a long, steaming shower. When he emerged, they ate at the dining table like old college roommates, no fancy table settings, no conversation at first, just eating and breathing. Then Luyando spoke. “You wouldn’t believe the […]

The moment Kaweme stepped back into the house, she felt the pain all over her again. The soft buzz of conversation in the living room was no longer the murmur of sympathy,  it had turned into an undercurrent of tension. People shifted uneasily on sofas, speaking in hushed tones. Family members who had once exchanged […]

They were quiet the entire ride back, the car humming through the most serene suburb in Lusaka. Japheth parked just by the gate but didn’t immediately unlock the doors. Kaweme turned to him. “Thank you,” she said, voice low. “I feel… lighter.” He looked at her for a moment, then spoke. “Remain in the car […]

Two months later   The ache didn’t lessen by the day, instead she was going through the different stages of grief. Some days were easier than others. Today was one of the very hard days. Kaweme sat quietly at the front row of the auditorium, holding her little brother’s hand as though her grip alone […]