My name is Anashe Mombe, l'm a 16-year-old girl. l am the first born in a family of three girls. The second born being Tinevimbo Mombe aged 11, and Nenyasha Mombe aged 6. l was born and bred in the city of Gweru. My father, Mr Mombe, is a mere policeman whose salary is enough to feed us for half a month only. To help my father with the bills, my mother started vending in town. It is funny because sometimes my father and his team would be sent to chase out vendors from town, and on several occasions my mother would come home angry complaining that she was chased by my father. My parents can not afford much but growing up in a family filled with love is all l could ask for.
"Anashe wakura mwanangu" l would smile all the time when my mother said this as she was welcomed by the divine smell of spinach and the spotless house. A smile filled with joy was a way of showing her love as she took out a pack of chips for us to share. Doing house chores is my hobby because I believe that there is no other place like home. A three roomed old house with old furniture that my father got from Auctions in town is the place l called home.
My father, as tired as he would be, would make sure that before he goes to bed, would ask us about school. He never wanted us to live a poor life in future so he dedicated all that he could to our success.
One Sunday afternoon after church, as my sisters and l were watching cartoons and l heard my mother crying in her bedroom. l could hear my father shouting but l could hardly hear what he was saying. Tinevimbo quickly switched off the television so she could clearly hear what was happening. "Tinevimbo why did you switch it off the television? can't you see Nenyasha is watching?" I said angrily. The truth is I did not care whether Nenyasha was watching her interesting program, all I wanted was to prevent them from hearing what my father and mother were saying. She was too young to understand, we were all too young to understand. "But sisi Anashe, l wanted to…" before she could finish l grabbed her hand and Nenyasha's and took them. During that time, I realized that I had graduated to be a deputy parent.
As l went back inside and l heard my mother crying. I felt a sharp pain inside my heart. I loved her so much such that I never imagined someone hurting her. I heard her saying 'Kill me Joseph, zvirinani ndifire pamberi pevana vangu.' l cried silently. I did not know who to tell what l was feeling. I could not tell my young sisters because I was afraid to hurt them. I wiped my tears and sat quietly. My father opened the door and left the house without saying a word to me. I ran to my parent's bedroom and found my mother crying, lying on her bed. l looked at her and tears flooded in my eyes. I gave her a hug and told her that she was going to be okay. All I wanted was to take her pain away and heal her. I always wanted to see her happy. She was my inspiration in so many ways, and seeing her crying was something I never imagined in my life. The day passed, we slept, but I was having a heavy heart.
I woke up early in the morning, as usual, and prepared for school. I made black tea for my sisters but there was no bread. I did not know what to give my sisters. Knowing very well that by this time my parents would have left for work, l looked at my siters and said, "don't worry, I will make a plan." l opened the main door and as l saw my mother's only pair of sandals on the door mate and l knew she was still in the house. I went back inside and opened the main bedroom door and l found her lying on her bed. She had bruises on her face, and she was crying silently. I realized that she was beaten again during the night.
"Amai why don't you leave him and run away" she smiled and said "Ndirinherera handina wekuchemera"
Suddenly the door was opened. It was my father. In a harsh voice, he said "Anashe get out! Are you not tired of hearing her cry?" What wrong has she done? Why are you killing her physically and emotionally? I shivered in fear and anger while my tears ran down my cheeks. If she had parents and a place to go would he do this to her? I asked myself.
It is sad to think that this is the life that many women are living in this world. Husbands are abusing their wives, treating them like they are not humans. Young girls should choose husbands wisely and be able to stand up for themselves
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