chapter 7

Harare

Knowledge Mutemba

It’s been seven months since Knowledge went to South Africa celebrating her friend’s birthday. Things were looking good at the tobacco firm where she just started working. She was thinking of her friend on what she will be up to in London. She thought, for someone like her London she just sees it on TV, she will never be able to go there. Yes she is still young and has landed a good job but she has lot of responsibility to waste money on trips. She was still deep in thought when she heard a knock at the door, it was Fortunate her colleague.

"Hawu, Knowledge, why are you not answering your phone, I have been calling and calling with no answer."

"I am sorry Fortch…" that’s how Knowledge calls her colleague. "I was busy looking at these figures, the CFO wants me to present to the board next time and some of this numbers are not adding up."

"Wow, presenting to the board that is a good move girl, well leave those numbers for now and let’s go and have lunch. Some of us need to eat you know?"

"I did not realise that it is lunch time already. You are right, it does not help me to crack my skull on something that I cannot change. Numbers you add up or you don’t, this girl is going to eat. Speaking of lunch, where are we going to eat today?"

"Let’s go to Mangi’s place, I heard she sell Sadza with Pilchards Stew and Vegetables and it's something to die for. And you know I love Sadza, it’s good to eat not these foreign dishes that we have to close our eyes to eat them."

"C’mon Fortch, is not that bad, anyway let’s go to Mangi’s place, I am starving."

Knowledge and Fortunate were crossing the road when a car out of nowhere came speeding and nearly hit them.

"Look where you are going Benzi," it was the driver of the car

"Benzi, did that guy call us benzi, who does he think he is?" Benzi means fool in Shona and the two ladies felt violated.

"Well don’t worry, I know that guy, he is a friend of Freddy the one who works with us. We should teach him a lesson when he comes to the office."

"You mean that Freddy, no wonder that guy is like that, is just  like Freddy to have a friend like that guy who just called us benzi."

There was a long queue at Mangi’s place. Probably the place is taking many people out of business. The ladies were not worried to wait on the queue especially for the food they were about to eat, it was worth it. While they were on the line, Knowledge’s phone rang, when she checked it was international. She started panicking, she was supposed to have sent an email to an international client about the next stock and she hasn’t. She just prays that the client did not call her boss before he calls her.

"Hello, Knowledge speaking," she answered the phone.

The voice on the other end repeated after her.

"Knowledge how on earth has you become boring especially when you answer the phone."

"Who am I speaking too?" Knowledge was trying to establish who the person is calling.

"It’s me girl, Miranda your friend from tertiary. Oh don’t tell me you have forgotten all about me, it will be sad."

"Oh my God Miranda, I did not expect your call. It has been how many months, seven since we last saw each other. How are you and how is London treating you?"

"I am good but I miss home, and I miss my friends especially you, which brings me back to the nature of this call."

"Ok Miranda, how are things and what do I owe this call?"

"Well friend, I am calling to let you know that I will be flying in to Harare next week. The reason for my call is for you to prepare yourself and some talents because we will be partying every day when I come home!"

Partying? Knowledge was really surprised that her friend has not lost her old habits of partying. She cannot be able to partying, she has lots of work to go through and she feels like she has outgrown parties.

"I cannot wait to see you Miranda; I will introduce you to another friend that you will like."

"If it is a boy, I would not mind, bye friend." Miranda hung up and Knowledge was still puzzled by Miranda’s call. She cannot just call to let me know she is coming to party. There is more to this story.

"Is that the Miranda who was your bestie and roomie in varsity?" It was Fortunate asking.

"Yep the one and only Miranda."

"Knowledge, you don’t look excited for someone who is your friend and haven’t seen in awhile."

"It is not that Fortch, is just that I am worried her being here it will distract me from concentrating at work and there is a lot on my plate, I don’t have time for parties. And I think there is more to her story, given her reputation."

"Oh… you are still thinking of what went down in Cape Town right? It has been a while now. Besides she is your friend and you know that she is wild. Just try to accommodate her for the days she will be here and if it will make you feel at ease, I will join you."

"That would help, but you don’t know Miranda, she is pain, I tolerated her because she used to help me with many things which I could not afford since I was poor and she likes me the way I was. I love her as a friend but I think she might be in trouble. I guess I will have to wait until she arrives then I will get my answer."

They were next in line, and they ordered their food, went and sit down at the table waiting for their food. It was worth walking to Mangi’s Place. The food was divine and Knowledge could see that her colleague was enjoying her food.

"Mmmmm, you know what Knowledge, it was Fortunate speaking to her colleague, I think we should throw a welcome party for Miranda, invite few guys from work and some of your former varsity mates. What do you think?"

"What? A party? No way…although something that Miranda would love but I don’t think is a good idea. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with my friend but party would not work. Try something else although Miranda is gonna love you for this."

"Knowledge, you must live and stop hung up on the past. Cape Town happened and now is gone. I thought you guys are tight. A bit of fun won’t hurt anyone. Besides, maybe your friend needs some cheering up. You don’t have to worry about arrangements….Ms Fortch is here to see to it that all arrangements are done. All you need to tell me is what your friend is like, what she loves to eat, drink and music and all is done. Also give me contact numbers for all the people you would like to invite. I am telling you, your friend is going to love you for this. Maybe this will work to close the Cape Town chapter."

"You know what Fortunate, since you are so persistence, go and organise that party but make sure you organise it on Friday after work. I cannot do a Saturday party as I might struggle to wake up on Sunday. You just don’t know what you are opening yourself into. And you are right, Miranda will love it and she will love you that you came with an idea of throwing her party."

"Look at the time, we need to go back.  I still have to finalise that financial document and if I want to be at that party next Friday I better complete the document otherwise The Horse will make me work on weekends." The horse is the Chief Financial Officer at the Benson. That’s how everyone else calls him. The name came because of his love for horses.

The two ladies walk back to their office and Knowledge picked up where she left off bit she was struggling to understand the balance sheet. Something is not making sense here. She was thinking and immediately she had an idea that it’s better she asked from the Company Secretary to give her all the company financial statements for the past ten years. There was lot of funds which was not accounted for and she was sure that funds were not being used properly or someone did not record the true state of Benson finances.

Luckily she is good friend with Company Secretary, it won’t be difficult to get those records although is going to cause her a lot of time to get through ten years records. Knowledge dialled the number to the Company secretary and she explained to her what she is looking for and the lady on the other line said she should not worried as she will get the records by end of the day.

I will have to work even at night to be able to finish all this work as it is not an easy task. Anywhere is not like I will be going to someone when I get home. She suddenly thought of Cape Town, the good time she had until that moment when Miranda walked in on her with Sizwe while they were holding each other. Miranda was so upset where she insulted her in front of everyone. Miranda also went to shame Knowledge about how poor she is and being an opportunist. Knowledge did not know that Sizwe and Miranda were on a relationship.

She was still thinking of Sizwe when a mail came in.  It was from the company secretary and she was happy that it did not take long before she received the documents. She started to compare year by year for the last ten years, even month by month.

I need to be patient working on this. What I might uncover might not look good to some top people and I will have to find ways to deal with it.

Her door open and in walked the CFO. Knowledge was startled when he sees him inside her office?

"I knocked and there was no answer, so I let myself in. how are you keeping up Knowledge?" The CFO asked. "You look like a beautiful young woman with a whole future ahead of you and we would not want you to lose all of it, won’t you say Knowledge?"

"Sir, I am not sure if I am following you?"

"Let me simplify for you, those documents you ordered, leave them as they are if you know what I mean."

When she started she was told about the Horse and what he is capable of.  She was confused that the company CFO does not want anyone to find out how the financial documents are not up to date.

"Sir, I don’t want to cause trouble but I picked up some irregularities and since you asked me to prepare a document for next week board meeting, I thought I should look at all the financial records of the company for the last ten years sir. I did not realise that some documents are classified. Sir, you asked me to prepare a financial document for the meeting that is taking place next week and you don’t want me to look at the previous year’s records, if you don’t mind me asking sir, how am I supposed to compile that document if I don’t have information?" Knowledge was feeling a bit irritated. She did not like the man standing in front of her but she does not have any choice as the man also own half of the company.

"Hold your mouth young lady that is no way to talk to me. If you still want to continue working here, you will stop looking at those records. And about the financial report that I asked you to do, please don’t bother as I have asked David to do it. You can continue doing what you normally do and insure the company books are up to date. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes sir," Knowledge looked a bit pissed but the job at the Benson meant a lot to her and her family, she cannot afford to lose it.

"Thank you," It was the Horse leaving the office.  "And Knowledge, don’t work so hard, it will kill you," The Horse closed the door and Knowledge was fuming.

She had lot of questions about the CFO. Why does he not want her to look at those financial records? What is he hiding? Does it have something to do with accounts that she picked up while working on financial statements that seems to link bank to the CFO? She vowed to get at the bottom of that but not now since The Horse will be keeping a close eye on her. She will let the dust to settle and start investigating later.

It will not take long time to find out, she has a friend who works with Zimbabwean Revenue Service, and she will ask a favour from him.

Oh my God, look at the time, is almost six o’clock.  Knowledge switch off her laptop bag and put it inside her laptop bag, close her office and go to the parking lot.  On her way out she realised the CFO is not yet gone and is unlike him as he leaves early on Friday. She did not care much, all she was thinking off was to go home and have a nice bath then go out with her friends. It was a long week, a little partying will do.

As she was busy reversing, she noticed the CFO also going to his car and he waved a hand towards her and she waved back. There was something she does not understand with him but she will not let him intimidate her if that’s what he is trying to do. She got on the road and off she go.

Knowledge’s House

Knowledge stays in a lovely suburb just outside of Harare. She moved in two years after she started working to be closer to work. She still goes and visit her family in the village during the weekend or holiday if she does not have plans with her friends. She shares a three bed room with her two older sisters who are working in town as hawkers. She thought since she has a better job, it will not be good for them to rent somewhere else. Knowledge and her sisters get along and they are proud to have a younger sister like her.

When she arrived at home she finds her sister Regina cooking. "Evening sis, I can smell your cooking from outside. What are you cooking for us tonight?"

"Evening, Knowledge. Where is your phone? You know we have been so worried; we were calling you since four o’clock with no answer."

"Calling me? My phone is right here with me," Knowledge took out her phone from her hand bag and realised is off. "Argh, the battery is gone no wonder you could not reach me. Where is Betina?"

"Betina went home, hence I was calling you. We received a call from Dad, mom is in hospital. She slipped and sprain her foot when she was working in the fields."

"Is she okay? Which hospital is she admitted to?" Knowledge was now restless. She is very close to her mom and she does not want to hear anything about her.

"Dad said she will be okay, I guess we will here from Betina, she will be visiting her at eight o’clock which will be the visiting hours. Sit down I will run a bath for you." Regina still treats Knowledge as a kid and she does not want to see her younger sister doing any house hold chores.

"Finish cooking, I will run the bath myself," Knowledge went upstairs and closed the door behind. She was worried about her mom. She put her phone on the charger and went and run bath. She sat on the bath for almost an hour soaking her body. She felt better wen and get dressed and when she went down stairs, Regina was setting the table.

She went and dish food and sits down at the table. She hardly touched her food and then she heard the landline ringing. She went to answer the phone and it was her friend who was letting her know that she is on her way to come and pick her up as they were going out together. She cancelled her friend and tells her that she is not well and hanged up the phone.

"Why did you lie to you friend? Go out, it will do you good. Worrying about mom won’t help you. Don’t worry, Betina will call as soon as she arrives in hospital," Regina tried to cheer her up.

"No, it's okay," She left the food and went to her room and throw herself on her bed.