Meaning of all Shona words

Mwanangu - my child

Baba - Father

Zvimwe hazvitaurwe - Some things are better left unsaid.

Vakuru - Great one

Ndibatsireiwo - Help me

Paita varoyi pano - There are sorcerers/witches among us.

***

The feeling is overwhelming; hair standing on end, spine crooked and icy cold. If anything, the wind calmly howling makes it worse. A tiny drop slapped my chapped, cocoa skin. My forehead was drenched. The soft patter that was created by my feet colliding with the drought-stricken ground gradually drowned under swooshing of the wind as I came to a halt. It wasn't voluntary, I had lost all motor functions.

The unforgiving darkness had swallowed me whole, spat me out and devoured me again countless times. The deadly fear I initially had was now transformed into immeasurable dread. With my eyes fastened shut, I waited for my destruction. A demise of my own making. A moment of laughter had turned into ten, overshadowing the threat that came with night travels. Any moment now.

My eyes flew open, slowly taking in as much light as they could scavenge in the dead of the night. I was still glued to the spot and the evil was gently creeping in; the tingling of my skin was evidence enough. The tall trees swaying in the wind were like masquerades on their majestic stilts. The sudden cracking of bones in the distance snatched my attention. I could not even let out the cry that was burning at my throat. The rhythm of my heart against my chest was about to tear it open.

A shadowy figure emerged from the confines of the dancing grass, a human leg in hand. A soft hissing constantly escaping his, or its lips. I felt myself becoming light-headed, a heat that was non-existent before engulfed my entire body and in mere seconds I was unconscious.

***

The unrelenting savannah sun seared my skin as I scanned the perimeter for some nearby shade. It had been two days now since my encounter with a devil. I had not told anyone about it, God forbid I tell anyone. The memories plagued my mind, I had been restless, occasionally trailing off during conversations with Mama and had almost cracked. But God forbid I crack. Mama, Papa and my two little brothers are all the family I ever knew. We led a simple life; Mama a tailor, Papa a humble farmer and I was confused and at the brink of adulthood.

The post-traumatic stress was eating at me, gnawing me bit by bit until there was nothing but a dark void left. Days went by and I simply just let life slip away. It was only getting worse and worse by the day. I was afraid of the night and lay awake, contemplating being consumed by a devil.

'You're not well, my son.' Mother said, looking awfully distraught.

She was right. My skin was pale and my eyes sunken from the excessive fasting they had endured.

'Don't worry about me, Mama. I'll be fine.' I replied, my lips awkwardly bending into a forced smile.

'I know you saw something,' she started. My smile immediately disappeared. 'Don't say anything mwanangu.' She continued.

'But mother-' I said before she viciously shook her head in disapproval.

I had been pacified, and rightfully so. God forbid I say anything. My father's character and my mother's were contrasting. My father would not let me rest until I had revealed my secret, the anomaly I had encountered that ill-fated night. We had been ploughing the fields, in preparation of the terribly late rainy season. The heat tormented us but we soldiered on. After some afternoon chatter and a few drinks, my father pulled me away from the others and I knew instantly what he wanted to know.

'Let down your burden, Taku.' He insisted.

'Baba, but-'

'I am a grown man; I can keep a secret.' He interrupted.

I was unable to deny his request, he was passive aggressive about it. My mind was racing, my heart pounding. The fear I had felt on that day came flooding back in. the terror in my eyes was enough to show for it. God, was I going to crack?

***

He stood there, mouth ajar and eyes almost escaping their sockets. He had not yet given a single comment. He was still in shock. I was waiting for him to comment but he never did. All he did was stare. We proceeded with our task as if nothing had been said. the burden that had been tugging at me was now relieved.

The night was illuminated by a bright, full moon. Darkness was overpowered tonight. The sky was ablaze with an array of beautiful stars, it was as if day had overtaken night. Everyone was outside, mesmerized by the whole spectacle, the masquerade perfomance. Bells were clanging in beautiful rhythmic unison. From the painted faces, the red dust being flung around in the air to the eerie chanting, the night could not go any better. My friend and I had found a tall anthill behind the crowd which gave us a nice elevated view of the entire proceeding. I hadn't been past the homestead threshold since the encounter, I had been too terrified to leave the comfort of home but Tendai, my best friend and only companion loved the showcase more than anything else. Missing it would result in a tragedy as far as he was concerned.

The hand that was now resting on my shoulder wasn't his. Tendai's hands were both in view, he never could resist dancing along with the masquerades. There was no one else on the mound except for us. My stomach knotted and goosebumps immediately littered my skin. I did not want to look, for I feared what I would see. The fingers now dug into my arm and keeping a straight face was now beyond difficult. I let out a grunt but Tendai did not notice, he just cheered more for the masquerades. I was snatched from his presence without him even turning a hair. The clanging of bells and cymbals, the myriad of happy laughs grew fainter and fainter. I was face to face again with a devil. A horned beast that bore the face of someone who I knew too well. I was both perplexed and petrified. How was this large congregation not seeing me getting dragged from their midst against my own will? I fell to the ground and my back slammed the earth. The hissing sound began but this time it was accompanied by a few words.

'You should have kept your mouth shut. Zvimwe hazvitaurwe.' He sneered.

'Sorry, Vakuru. I'll never make that mistake again.' I said trying to pick myself up, I failed miserably.

'You'll have to pay for the damage that has already been done.' The strange man said.

The evil smirk on his face shone in the moonlight and further intensified the moment. He pulled out a knife with two sharp points and strange traditional markings on it and pointed it at my almost lifeless body. He instantly started chanting in the native tongue. I tried to move anything, even a finger would do. I just wanted to break free of the invisible shackles that were binding me. The music and chanting of the masquerades droned on, oblivious of the evil that had penetrated their humble gathering. I could not even feel myself breathe but I fought on, trying to make the slightest of movement, everything was now jumbled up into one enormous swirl in my head; the chanting of the horned man before me, the masquerades and the rhythm of the night. I could not feel anything at all until at last I heard my voice echo across the plane field.

'NDIBATSIREIWO!' I shouted.

The chanting came to an abrupt stop along with the music and incessant chatter. The night was tranquil once again. Everyone's eyes were on the masquerades.

'Paita varoyi pano.' They said in unison.

I let out a long sigh of relief as it then seemed like everyone could see what was going on. In a matter of seconds, commotion had already ensued. It was hard to follow all that was taking place at once. The horned man was being punished for his gruesome act of witchcraft. I could not watch as the entire angry mob pounced. My heart was content, justice was being served. Suddenly the cloak the man had on made a swishing motion and then he disappeared into thin air.