The longing for a thrilling movie pushes Moyo out of the flat, but no movie can thrill the bachelor if he doesn't meet his future partner at the cinema. Stepping into his Toyota Yaris car this Thursday evening, he looks up the sky and declares that the gathering clouds won't prevent a jolly evening ride to the Bulawayo Mall.
"Luck may smile on us today." He cruises out of Rhodesville Estate and heads towards the highway to pick up his friend Richard.
After descending a ramp, an old woman flags him down. "Lift, please," Audrey says.
Moyo ignores her at first but then marches the brake on seeing her heavy luggage. Her long face suggests she's been waiting for long. This woman will be in trouble on this desolate road should the rain begin to pour. He reverses and slides down the side-window. "Where are you going ma'am?"
"Morningside." She points at the highway.
Moyo touches his barren chin, weighing his options whether to take her to the familiar area which isn't far off. Doing so, he'll earn a few bucks with which to fuel his car. It's not uncommon for private car owners to offer impromptu taxi services to shore up their income in economically troubled Zimbabwe. Besides, he'll be helping a senior Bulawayo citizen, as her lilac beret and knee-length gown hint at.
The lad eyes the small screen on the dashboard – 5:43 pm. There's enough time to drop her off before linking up with Richard. "Okay, I'll take you there." He alights from the car and begins to move her three bags into the boot, one after the other.
While he's at it, Audrey becomes uneasy. "Please, let's discuss the fare. Many of your colleagues have turned me down already. I don't want arguments when I get home."
"Don't worry, Mama. It's getting late. This part of town is dangerous around this time. When we get there, give me whatever you have." He drops the last bag and slams the boot shut.
Audrey raises her eyebrows at the young man and then moves close to the back door which Moyo comes around to open before returning to the driver's seat to kick-start the engine. Peering into the rear-view mirror to be sure she's comfortable, he finds her face creased up. Apparently, she's still surprised at the seriousness he accords a trip for which he's yet to negotiate a fare.
"May the good God bless you, my son."
"Amen."
"Thank you so much."
"It's alright ma'am."
After a brief quiet moment, Audrey gets talking as soon as the car veers into the highway. "You know I've been standing there for over two hours. Your people are either ignoring me or charging too much until God brought you my way. Maybe they think I'm rich."
Moyo repositions on the chair and peeps into the rear-view mirror. "Yes, fuel is a big problem in Bulawayo. People suffer a lot every day."
"They mustn't kill us all because of fuel issues. We have other things to spend money on." Her soft voice tails off as she looks out of the window, seemingly peeved at public officials. "We don't even know what the government is all about these days."
Moyo listens as the woman laments over the cost of living. Things must be tough for her, as it is for most city dwellers. But if someone living in upscale Morningside can complain so bitterly, what should the very poor ones in the hinterlands do?
That she's bashing taxicab operators isn't surprising though. Those guys now make it a habit to charge commuters unfairly, especially in the evenings when the masses rush back home from work.
"Are you always going this route?" She cuts into his thoughts.
"No ma'am, I'm not a taxi driver. I'm just helping."
Yes, Moyo isn't a taxicab operator. He's a filling-station attendant and a bachelor who manages his income well. He returned earlier from work and thought of fishing around for a potential spouse, targeting the cinema where ladies throng.
As always, Richard gets the nod as the one to bring along. He's the specialist who knows how to approach ladies, having been a catcher since high school. Thirty-two years old but lady-shy Moyo needs his friend's gravitas to win over a fitting partner. Toying with ladies' hearts or purposeless flings aren't top on his wish list.
After speeding through the highway during which Moyo observes the light traffic, they soon arrive at Audrey's house on Western Street, a Morningside suburb. He parks the car by the roadside and reclines on the headrest. "Here we are, ma'am." His eyes bounce off the dashboard to check the time: only seventeen minutes spent.
"Press the horn, please. Someone is indoors."
The lad hits the steering wheel thrice, bending his torso to see who'll emerge from the house: a decent three-bedroom bungalow – the first of twelve others on the street, all of the same size and structural design. Each house is demarcated from the next by a barbed brick wall, but Mama's building has a lush lawn in front and a metallic-red entrance gate. Her neighbour's house is ungated.
Walking through the lawn and emerging from the compound is a young lady with a beautiful face, long and slender neck, artistic shoulders, slim waist, bulky hips and long legs. As she makes for his Yaris, Moyo's jaw drops gawking the damsel whose tall frame and graceful gaits are worth a second look. Even a fifth.
He purses his lips and raises one brow, observing her facial semblance with the old woman. Is this her daughter?
"Mauya," Sheline greets as Audrey exits the vehicle.
Audrey hugs her, calling her name before saying a short prayer.
That greeting isn't uncommon in the locality, but the voice uttering it this evening is one a man should listen to several times. He jumps out of the car, makes for the rear and brings out the first bag which he places on the pavement, close to Sheline.
She nods at him in greeting.
"Hello." Moyo raises his right-hand for a handshake, but she'll rather pick the bag which she takes inside, flashing a demure smile to dispel any thought of a snub. He brushes it off and quickly offloads the other bags.
While Audrey counts currency notes from her purse, Moyo watches with parted lips as Sheline moves to and fro. Could this be the reason he brought this old woman home?
"Take this, please," Audrey says, stretching out a hand.
"Ma?" He turns around, wiping his forehead as if recovering from a trance.
Instead of receiving the cash, Moyo casts a scrutiny glance across her face, hoping to scoop her reaction to his drool over the pristine beauty nearby. Does she notice the pounding heart beneath his blue t-shirt?
But Audrey's inexpressive face says little to encourage him towards her daughter nor does it warn him to steer clear. Unsure what her reaction would be should he go after the young lady, Moyo waves both hands and shakes his head vigorously. "Don't worry ma'am. You don't have to pay me. I'm happy to have brought you home safely."
"Uh?" Her brows rise as a hand rests on her chest. "You reject the money despite the high cost of fuel?"
"Ma, I have a mother like you at home. Don't worry about paying." Moyo continues to shake his head.
Eyes gleaming with tears, Audrey takes a studied look at him and then keeps the money.
Arriving to take the last bag, Sheline watches as her mom appreciates Moyo's generosity. She peeks at him and then looks away, wary of locking eyes with him.
"What's your name, my son?" Audrey finds her voice.
"I'm Moyo. Moyo Malvin."
"You don't know what I went through while trying to get a taxi there in town." She heaves a heavy sigh, crumpling her already wrinkled face. "Yet you won't accept money from me. God will bless you beyond expectation."
"Amen, Mama." Moyo stretches out his hands in appreciation of the prayer, but his eyes stay fixed on the girl who now looks uncomfortable with his recurring glances.
She must be the only one living with the woman; otherwise, someone should have helped with the bags.
"Ah, may you never lack in your life." Audrey continues.
"Amen."
"Let me go now, ma. I'll come and check on you again," he says half-heartedly.
Moyo observes the consternation on Audrey's face which queries the need for a second visit. But the old woman ought not to be surprised, his roving eyes should announce that her daughter is of interest. Isn't that a standard notion when young folks of opposite sex meet?
Standing enthralled by his taxicab, ready to make a reluctant exit from the area, Moyo returns Audrey's goodbye wave afterwhich she plods into the house. Sheline waits till her mother steps through the gate before she locks it up, consciously avoiding a wave back at the mystery man.
Moyo holds no grudge with the young lady's stance. Morningside is known for its pretty ladies, many of whom are difficult to approach. But this one isn't cocky. Her glowing face aside, her figure is too pleasing for anyone to defer a proposal.
Moments after mother and daughter have returned into the house, Moyo scans the neighbourhood for landmarks that would make it easy to navigate his way here.
The street, a close-ended four-lane tarred road, has houses on the left side. A large bush area spread opposite. Lampposts dot the roadside at regular intervals. Since they're lit already, he won't have a problem hanging around at night. A narrow path leading to the next street hints he can always walk in to check on Sheline, in case his car has issues as it sometimes does.
He then makes conscious notes of the pavements, streetlight poles, roofing designs, billboards and more, even gauging the dimension of Sheline's building, noting the wall-colour, gate patterns and other stuff. The zealous man won't leave anything to chance. He drives off after okaying the memory map of the locality.
Zipping through the highway, mirages of Sheline form on the road, drifting his mind off as he recalls events. "Oh, Sheline!" Behold a young lady in all her youthful glory. Graceful walk and alluring looks. A special mama's girl breed. Just a glance from her made him forgo his service charges to her mom. There must be something about this young lady he just can't wish away.
But facing facts, what if she's neck-deep in her studies or even engaged to be married to someone? Isn't it naïve of him to have waived his charges without a second thought? Aww, old foolish habits are returning – those habits that make him act silly in the presence of pretty ladies. He should have at least asked the woman for a token.
But then the old woman got emotional with his open-handedness, a sign that his gesture touched her heart. Also, she didn't frown while watching him gawk at Sheline. Does it mean the girl is single and open for a relationship? Of course, it does. It might even be a subtle green-light encouraging him to make a move. Such an old woman won't complain if one expresses a desire to date her daughter. Maybe she'll even be in support. There's no harm in trying.
For all he cares, the girl is unattached. How could she not be? Vivacious and calmly, her carriage speaks volumes about her inner peace. Such a raw gold needs further probe. And with her by his side, those frequent fruitless cinema visits will seize for once.
"Happy days are here at last." Moyo tightens his fingers around the steering wheel. This opportunity mustn't slip him. Never. Richard can go to the cinema alone if he so wishes.
Moyo rings up his friend. "Hey, man. I'm not showing up."
"What! I'm dressed up and waiting for you already."
"Go dress down."
Richard grumbles for a bit. "Why...why the sudden change?"
"I found something good. Something I've been looking for all these years."
"You got a new job?"
"Far better than that. I met an amazing girl in Morningside."
"You stood me up because of a—"
"You need to see her to know what I'm talking about. Twenty-four-carat gold." Moyo drawls.
Richard sniffs heavily and then breaks the silence. "She had better be a good catch or else I won't forgive you for spoiling—"
"Can't wait to start working on her. See you soon, man."
"Good luck with this one."
Moyo drops the call and sinks his lips in, lost in the moment of truth. Yes, he needs lots of goodwill to hook this Morningside lady. For a start, he isn't handsome, charming or effortlessly diligent. Five feet and six inches, dark-skinned and of slim build, he doesn't get a lot of attention from ladies.
Even back in high school, no girl considered him their seventh choice for a boyfriend. Until he left, he dated none. That he wasn't one of the smartest ones didn't help matters. And there wasn't enough cash at home for feeding let alone handing some to a schoolboy to flaunt at girls.
"We don't have enough to send you to the university," Pa Malvin told his son Moyo in Grade 12.
The man didn't need to announce, anyway. Providing for Moyo and his two brothers had been a struggle. Young Moyo forwent the dream of getting a university degree, setting his eyes on being an entrepreneur instead.
"Bulawayo mansions are not built by people with two heads." He would repeat his mantra often. "Self-discipline is all I need."
But to be an entrepreneur, take-off capital would always be an issue. Where better-experienced people struggled to get loans, no bank would dole funds to high school graduates.
Bent on breaking the generational poverty at home, Moyo got hired at Emerald Station as a fuel-pump attendant – a company where he's been working for twelve years, during which he got promoted twice, rented an apartment and bought a car.
After living alone for three years, he set eyes on getting a partner. Most of his friends were settling down, and his mom wanted a wife by his side – to keep him focused.
"What's stopping you from marrying?" The Shona woman then asked.
"When I find the right girl, Mama, I'll bring her to you. I want a beautiful one so that I'll have beautiful children."
"A real woman that understands you is all you need. Don't go after beauty alone. Be careful not to marry a woman that will give us problems."
Sheline, this new Morningside prospect, meets all the criteria. She suits as a decent woman by one's side. Nice to look at and pleasing to the eyes, one can't go wrong marrying such a woman.
Moyo chuckles as he hits a button on the dashboard, bringing the City FM station to life. He cruises to Rhodesville Estate with reassurances that the missing puzzle in his life will soon snap into place. If he can win Sheline over, he'll shame those who think only handsome faces can marry beautiful ladies, those who think only a hefty pocket can win damsels. For once he'll silence those who underrate him.
As soul music blares from the radio, the deejay slots in a new tune which resonates with the only thought in Moyo's head: 'You've found a wife.'