Jamani Bamkubwa Tamu

Bibi kept urging me to get ready quickly for the trip. My Mamkubwa came to our village in Handeni, Tanga, to greet my grandmother, who is her younger sister. That’s when she found me at home. I wasn’t studying then. When she asked, she was told I had completed seventh grade with excellent results, but there was no money to buy school supplies like uniforms or to pay the bus fare. My mother was at home an alcoholic and often stayed at the bar; I mostly stayed with my grandmother.

Honestly, I didn’t know what the future held. When Mamkubwa came from Moshi town to greet my grandmother, she was very impressed. She appreciated my hard work, my intelligence in school, and my beauty. After a while, I went out with grandmother, and when Mamkubwa saw me, she said, “Why don’t you wear the dress I sewed for you? You are going to the city, you know.”

Mamkubwa smiled and said to my grandmother, “Don’t worry, sister. We are going with my own car directly home. There’s no one there who will check what we wear; Kilamtu is busy with his affairs.”

“Oh! That’s good. But Sharon, my granddaughter, I know you’re not arrogant and behave well. I just want to urge you to keep your good manners as you had here, okay? My dear child, stay away from your mother for now; she can’t help you. Be thankful that your Mamkubwa came for you. This is a blessing, the luck you have. You are now going to school and should respect the chance to open the light of your life, which was dark before. My child, thank you very much.”

She went close to Mamkubwa and held her hands, and Mamkubwa replied, “Don’t worry, sister. This is my responsibility. She is my child; she is in very safe hands.”

“Thank you, my child.”

“Okay, Sharon, put your bag in the car, dear, then get in quickly because time is running.”

“Okay, Mamkubwa.”

I put my bag in the car and then entered too. Mamkubwa finished saying goodbye to grandmother, then got in the car. We started the journey. Honestly, I had never left my region before, so I was very excited to travel, especially watching the trees recede behind us, feeling very happy. We traveled a long way and finally arrived at a place called Chalinze, where we stopped briefly. Mamkubwa asked if I needed to go to the restroom, and I said no.

She went herself and on return asked, “Do you want anything, dear? Shall I get you soda? Don’t be shy.”

“No, Mamkubwa. I’m fine; don’t worry.”

“Alright, let’s go, driver.”

The driver took us to Dar es Salaam. It was around two at night. We arrived at Mikocheni, where Mamkubwa lives. At a beautiful gate, the driver honked and after a while spoke with the security guard who opened for the car to enter. We entered a large area that stretched almost to the house. It was very neat and beautiful. Everything was covered in lush greenery, with roses and bougainvillea growing. There was not even a drop of dust, and the place was very tidy. The driver parked, we got out, and Mamkubwa called the workers and told them, “Receive her bag and prepare her room. Sharon, welcome home, dear. Feel at home, okay?”

“Thank you, Mamkubwa. Your home is very beautiful.”

“Oh, thank you, dear.”

Then Mamkubwa went inside to her room. As we got out, the driver took the car to the parking area. I was welcomed by Mamkubwa’s worker and was taken to the room. After a short time, someone called me.

“Sharon, let me show you your room, okay?”

“Alright.”

I stood up and followed him to the room. Upon entering, he opened the door and said, “Sharon, this is your room starting today. Is there anything you want added or removed?”

I looked around and then replied, “So I have this whole room to myself?”

“Yes, everyone has their own room. Don’t worry.”

“Mmm! That’s very nice.”

“Okay, welcome Sharon.”

“Thank you.”

“If you need anything, call me. I’m in the kitchen. You can also use the bathroom now; the towels are there. Food will be ready soon.”

“Okay.”

“My name is Dada Mwanaidi.”

“Thank you, Dada Mwanaidi.”

She smiled and left. I was amazed. The room was really large and beautiful. There was a nice bed, a cabinet, a dressing table, a shoe rack. The room was very clean with pretty curtains. I went to the bathroom to wash and changed clothes. After changing, I heard a knock on my door. I went to open it. It was Mamkubwa, who had also finished bathing and changing. She was wearing a t-shirt and skin-tight pants, with white slippers, and said, “Dear, let's go to the table and eat together. We always like to be together. Let's go.”

“Okay, Mamkubwa.”

I went out, and we walked to the dining room. When I arrived, I found Bamkubwa already seated ready to eat. I greeted him respectfully, “Shikamoo.”

“Marhabaah, hujambo?”

“Sijambo.”

Then Mamkubwa said to me, “This is Bamkubwa, Sharon.”

“I’m glad to meet you.”

“He is my husband, Sharon. I told you I had come with him. He is my younger brother’s child; my younger brother’s child lives in Tanga and is named Sharon. This Sharon here is my husband, Bamkubwa.”

I nodded, and Bamkubwa said, “Okay, welcome Sharon. Feel at home, okay?”

“Thank you, Bamkubwa.”

We sat and started serving food. The home was truly beautiful, even the food prepared was very nice and delicious. After finishing, Bamkubwa stood up, said goodbye, and went to sleep.

“Good night, Sharon.”

I was surprised because when he said goodbye, he blinked at me, then left. I responded nervously, “Thank you, and good night to you too.”

I began clearing the dishes from the table to take them away, but Mamkubwa told me, “Stop that. That’s not your job. Go to your room and sleep. Good night, dear.”

She left for her room, and I got up and went to mine for sleep. Although I was wondering what the meaning was of that wink from Bamkubwa, I decided to set that aside and went to sleep in my room.