Dysfunctional Family - Season 1 - Episode 9

Episode 4 years ago

Dysfunctional Family - Season 1 - Episode 9

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“In short you are offering me a bribe, Mr. Musongo?”
“Kind of, yes. Look here, am not the corrupt type that bribes people but am really desperate here, Mr. Sinkala..just try to see things from my perspective.”
“Which is?” Mr. Sinkala reluctantly asked while leaning back in his chair and twirling a pen between his fingers.
Donald deeply sighed.

In order for him to take Lubesha to a new school, he needed a written statement to say Lubesha’s behaviour could be condoned but in this case, all Mr. Sinkala scribbled on the transfer form was negative stuff. The head teacher made certain he painted Lubesha as a notorious trouble maker who initially appeared to be innocent..he was what people call a ‘snake in green grass or a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

Donald took another glance at the statement and shook his head. “You know none of the things you’ve written here about Lubesha is true, right? That chamba incident was ugly, I agree. You know teenagers get caught up in such scandals but I promise Lubesha isn’t as bad as you’ve portrayed him to be.”
“Convince me otherwise, Mr. Musongo.”
Donald took a deep breath. “Fine.. The boy has been through a lot at his tender age. First his mother murdered his father then she committed suicide. On the same day! As if that wasn’t enough, Lubesha travelled all the way from Uganda to Zambia just to get arrested on his first night in the country, mistaken identity.. To add icing to the cake, his aunt, my wife Juliet, treats him like an outcast. You saw how she behaved with him last time. Now,” Donald leaned closer. “as I said earlier, am willing to pay you a thousand kwacha if you portray Lubesha as a good boy.”

“You mean if I lie?”
“That’s not the point!” Donald found himself banging on the table and impulsively apologizing. “Please don’t be stone hearted, Mr. Sinkala, show some mercy.”
Donald’s tale had touched him so Mr. Sinkala grabbed another form and began writing praises for Lubesha. “For the record,” he said. “Am only doing this because I feel for the boy. And please keep your money and use it for something better, I don’t take bribes.”
“Thank you..God will bless you.”
When Donald was gone, Mr. Sinkala remained talking to himself wonderingly, “Some people have a heart of gold. That much love for his wife’s nephew? Wow! I wish I loved my wife’s nephews and nieces as much as that man loves Lubesha Pondamali.. Maybe I should take a page outta Donald Musongo’s book and become a better man, husband, father and uncle.”

Since term 3 was almost coming to an end, Lubesha had to wait for the following year in order for him to go to boarding school. He kept on counting the days left and the new year seemed to be ages away when it was only a month and some weeks away.
Alice had already sat for her grade 7 final exams and was convinced she was going to pass. Amos sat for his final exams too and when Donald asked him if he was going to pass, he replied with an attitude. “Am not an examiner, Dad. I don’t know and honestly don’t care.”


Donald just shook his head..he knew this son of his was a lost cause and his wife had played a huge role in him turning out like this cause she was the one who had practically raised the kids while Donald had been hustling out there. Schools closed and December brought with it so many painful memories to Lubesha.

For the past four years, him and his late parents had been going on vacation every December. Just last year, they’d gone to Cape Town for Christmas. Oh how much he missed them.

“May your souls rest in eternal peace, mum and dad,” he would mutter at night. “I miss you so much but I promise to work hard and make both of you proud. Love you…” Juliet on the other hand was as eager for schools to open as was Lubesha. She just wanted him to get out of her sight cause lately whenever she saw him, she could feel her blood boil and thus she feared she would commit murder one of these days.

Christmas and New Year celebrations were a bang as Donald was on leave so Juliet couldn’t mistreat Lubesha no matter how hard the urge to do so gripped her. She would see Lubesha laughing with Alice and would think, God, I despise this boy!

A week before schools could open, Donald took Lubesha and flew with him to Livingstone where they went to Hillcrest Technical School to look for a place for Lubesha. Luckily, they scooped one and Lubesha was given an acceptance form.

“How do you like the school?” Donald asked Lubesha as they toured it.
Lubesha enthusiastically said, “I love it. Thank you so much, uncle Donald. You do so much for me that I don’t even know how I’ll be able to repay you.”
Donald crouched before him. “You wanna repay me, champ? Work hard, that’s the only way to repay me.”
Lubesha smiled. “I promise to work hard then.”
“Good..and in case you didn’t know, children are an investment so am investing in you. Nobody knows tomorrow, Lubesha.”
Back in the motel that she had booked, Juliet estimated Donald and Lubesha had left Hillcrest by now. She too had flown to Livingstone after them so she took a cab to the school and went straight to the principal’s office. She introduced herself to the principal and was offered a seat.
“How may I help you, Mrs. Musongo?”
“I think am the one who’s here to help you, ma’am.” “How so?”
“Am here to offer you a deal you can’t deny.. I’ll give you K6,500 cash if you do one simple task for me.”
“Really?” Principal Zimba wasn’t interested but feigned interest anyway. “And what would be that task?”
“I presume a man and child were here earlier, looking for place…” She described Donald and Lubesha and even mentioned their names. “right? Well, all I want you to do is make sure the boy gets in some ugly scandal after he starts school here..the scandal must be so ugly that he must be expelled. It’s that simple.”


Principal Zimba had never seen such a despicable and dull person before. “K6, 500 is change to me, Mrs- what’s your name again?”

“Juliet Musongo,” said Juliet irritably. “Alright, I’ll give you K10,000.”
“Deal..but I want K5,000 down payment.” Juliet beamed. “Fine..but I don’t have that cash on me right now so I have to go and withdraw.”

“Am a patient human being.”
Juliet was all smiles as she left the office for the nearest ATM where she withdrew K5,000 from her secret savings account and then went back to pay the Principal in cash without even bothering to ask for a written statement.

“Can I have your number for in case I want to contact you?” Juliet asked Principal Zimba.
“Why don’t you just give me yours instead, Mrs. Musongo?”

“No problem..” Juliet scribbled her phone number on a piece of paper and stood. “It was nice doing business with you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”

Principal Zimba couldn’t believe her luck that she couldn’t stop herself from doing a happy dance was Juliet was out of sight. Her salary was weeks away and she was dead broke thanks to the holidays and here came a woman willing to donate K5,000 on a silver platter.

Silver platter? Of course. Principal Zimba would never jeopardize any pupil’s education much less get anyone intentionally expelled.

Juliet had just been conned.

Principal Zimba smiled as she counted the money. “My God, that woman is dumb and naive!”

Meanwhile Juliet got on a plane and flew back to Lusaka.

“Where are we going?” Lubesha asked Donald.

They were on a taxi.

Donald said, “We are going to the museum..they’ve got nice stuff for you to see. Would have taken you to the Victoria Falls but that wouldn’t be fair to Alice and Amos so we’ll see the Falls together with them. I don’t know when though.”

“The musuem is just fine, uncle.”
Donald and Lubesha flew back to Lusaka the next day. Juliet kept on bubbling with laughter inside. She knew Donald could forgive Lubesha for getting expelled once but twice?
How I can’t wait for all hell to break loose.
Alice’s results came out a few days later and she passed with flying colours. Donald and Juliet were so thrilled that they showered her with gifts much to Amos’ annoyance. Nobody had showered him with that many gifts when he had passed his grade 7 final exam..barely passed is the correct phrase though.

A week later, Donald found himself driving his whole family to Livingstone.
“I don’t even know why you’re so eager to come with us,” Donald had mocked Juliet at home before they’d hit the road.
“I don’t wanna miss the fun of sending that plague away,” she had simply replied.
“And who’s gonna watch over the house while we are away, Juliet?”
“That’s taken care of already,” she brushed a light kiss against his lips. “Our maid is back from the village so she and her boyfriend will play caretaker for a day or two.”

In his seat, Lubesha felt nervous..his heart rate was escalating with each passing second.
“I feel like Harry Potter on the Hogwarts Express for the first time, going to Hogwarts School.”

Alice and Donald laughed as they were the only ones who got the joke.

The drive from Lusaka to Livingstone took 6 hours and some minutes.

They arrived at Lubesha’s school and all the necessities were taken care of. It was time for the goodbyes.

“You take care and be a good boy,” said Juliet mockingly while craning her neck hoping to see Principal Zimba somewhere. “We don’t want to hear you’ve been expelled for starting a riot or something.”

“Juliet,” Donald scolded. “Be sensitive.”
“What? He was expelled from the previous school, wasn’t he?”
“You’re unbelievable,” he mumbled before giving Lubesha a manly hug. “Take care.”

“I will.”

“I’ll miss you, cousin,” Alice said.
“Me too, Alice.”

Amos awkwardly said, “Ah..see you, Lubesha. Your absence will be felt in one way or the other.”

Juliet rolled her eyes.

As he was led to his dormitory by one of the teachers, Lubesha couldn’t believe he was finally here..Would be miles and miles away from his wicked aunt. All thanks to his kind uncle.

‘May God abundantly bless you,’ he inwardly prayed.

Meanwhile back in Lusaka some days later, Juliet held Amos’ statement of results in her hands and screamed.