Chapter One of ‘Outside Zim Borders’…a much longer story from Pauline Machengo.

Outside Zim Borders

story by Pauline Machengo

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Note edited – by Mr Walker of Friends of Pakati (actually very little editing at all)

Chapter one

“Babe please don’t go. We can do something here in Zimbabwe. We can start another business together, I mean I can help you do something” That was my boyfriend Chris trying to convince me to stay in Zimbabwe when I told him I’m leaving for South Africa. Things in Zimbabwe were not good. The economy was very bad. Yes you could start a business but you couldn’t get anything from it. Inflation was the order of the day. Prices for basic commodities were skyrocketing everyday. I couldn’t stand my own country. I wanted something better for myself and my family. My parents had played their role by giving me an education, so now it was on me to choose the life I want to live. I was not going to stay in Zimbabwe and suffer. I had a chance to go for greener pastures in South Africa. My sisters were there so why would I stay in such poverty. I wasn’t going to listen to him and let him ruin my plans never.

“Look babe, the situation here in Zimbabwe is not going to be okay anytime soon. I can’t stay here. I have a chance to go to South Africa so why should I stay here? See I love you and it’s hurting me parting ways with you but this is my life. I need this” l told him this trying to make him understand. I mean if he loves me that much he could come with me right?.

“If you love me the way you’re saying it then don’t go Tashy (Pauline’s nickname). This is our country, we can manipulate the little resources we have. I have many business ideas but it needs your brilliant ideas and your smart brains babe. I can’t do this alone”

Okay I know Chris very well. He can sweet talk you into something that you can regret later. His sweet words were my weakness. I was about to give in into his ideas but no, my mind was already in Cape Town, South Africa. I could see myself roaming the streets of Cape Town and have some brunch into its restaurants. I was daydreaming about Cape Town so I was not going to let someone like Chris took away my dreams and fantasies. I was not going back.

“Chris I can always come back babe. I need this. I have a life to figure out so please don’t do this to me. Try to understand my love” “Understand what Tashy?! Understand what?! We are suppose to get married soon but now you’re talking about South Africa. How are we gonna proceed with our plans whilst you’re there?. Tell me I’m wasting my time with you Tashy, tell me!”

“Jeez Chris, what’s wrong with you?. I’m explaining things here. Tell me how does this whole thing affect our relationship. We can be still lovers. Long distance relationship ain’t that bad”
“You know what Tashy, do whatever you want but this is the end of us. I’m not doing this with you. We are done.”

Just like that I lost my lover. Why, why, why? Well it happens, I didn’t care whether I was going to lose this dude or not. I was not going to stay in Zimbabwe. Chris could go for all I care but Cape Town hahaha – I was going to find another lover there maybe better than Chris, who was the love of my life. He was there for me since I was in high school. He was the reason I live😃😃.

My parents are the true reason I live. Chris was so loving and caring. Losing him was going to be hard for me. Given another situation, I was going to choose him over that, but not this South Africa situation🙈🙈. l was going to find another lover as soon as I land in or on my way to Cape Town..

I checked my ticket once again to make sure that the dates and time for my departure were correct. I smiled and kissed the ticket. Cape Town here I come! Chris can go to hell..

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Hie guys this novel is about what I came across in Cape Town. I hope you will enjoy….

Here is the thing….I, Mr Walker, author of Friends of Pakati, have been wondering about Pauline’s story since she first sent it to me – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/04/18/saturday-star-profile-of-former-pakati-student-pauline-machengo-part-1/ plus https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/04/23/profile-of-former-pakati-student-pauline-machengo-part-2/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/05/03/profile-of-former-pakati-student-pauline-machengo-part-3/ – I thought there could be much more behind all this. Digging a little deeper, it seems I was right….and as a script-writer, she certainly knows how to tell a good story already.

I persuaded her to think about it, and soon after, she sent me this, Chapter 1 of her experiences in South Africa. it will be a ‘warts and all’ tale, and I dont yet know how many chapters there will be…She did post this first part on her Facebook page a few days ago too, but following discussions, she has agreed all future chapters will be here on Friends of Pakati first! An Exclusive!!

Pauline is very keen that Friends of Pakati – and by extension the two schools – should benefit in some way so we jointly thought how to do this…here is the plan (which may change depending on how this works…)…

If you, the reader, want to find out what happens in the next chapter (already written and waiting to be edited) then please donate a few US$, UK£, Euros, ZW$, SA Rands, Botswana Pula or whatever currency from anywhere in the world…to http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati maybe just 2, 3 or 4 or 5 US$ or equivalent, then each time I see the equivalent of UK £20 (approx US$25) added in, we will publish the next chapter. It can come in small amounts or larger, we dont mind. Lets see how long it takes to get chapter 2 published first….here is hoping we can push her to writing more very soon!👍😁