One cold evening, it rained heavily. Thunderstorm and lightning struck the village like it had come for vengeance. The roof of Chala's house leaked and water started dripping all over. Emmanuel cried out to his mother.
"Mum, look at the roof"
Amala took Emmanuel in her arms and comforted him.
"Don't worry my son, daddy will come fix the roof"
He nodded his head and smiled. He knew that as long as he had his mother, everything will be okay. Chala arrived a few minutes later. His clothes were dripping. The rain had begun when he was coming from work. He looked at his wife and children. He felt so hurt by the kind of life he was putting them through.
"Welcome home Chala, Emmanuel has been complaining of the leaking roof" said Amala.
"Don't worry my child, let me fix it for you"
Chala climbed up the roof and tried to mend the roof. It was beyond repair, he could not fix it by himself. He had to come down and explain the situation to his wife and children. He instructed Amala to take their children to his next neighbor, Niru. The five of them walked for a short distance under the cold rain to Niru's house.
"I am sorry for disturbing you my brother but can we stay here just for one night then we'll leave tomorrow morning," Chala requested.
"That is okay Chala, What are brothers for?"
They entered the mud house and stayed for the night after taking black tea. Amala however had a very heavy heart. She was feeling bitter because of the kind of life her husband was putting them through. She was tired of this suffering in the name of love.
They rose up early the next morning, thanked Niru for the stay and headed home. Chala then hurriedly went to seek for someone to repair their roof. He came back with some yam which Amala prepared.
Days went by but life got worse by the day. The family of six had to survive with just one meal a day. Amala had to work harder together with her husband. They could stay in the farms the whole day but still return home with very little. The money only sustained them for the day.
Mary felt so sorry for her parents. She was now the eldest since Ninke left for greener pastures. She decided to hawk oranges in the evening when she comes back from school. Her mother was very proud of her and encouraged her. She was successful for two days but when Chala learnt of what was going on, he stopped her from continuing.
"Mary you know that I want the best for you, just focus on your studies now, your mum and I will mana..."
"How will we manage Chala, we are barely surviving right now," Amala interrupted before he could finish.
Chala was shocked by his wife's attitude. There was nothing he could say anymore. They were suffering as a family but he did not want his children to face what their parents are facing. He shook his head sadly but rubbed Mary's shoulder. He then gave her a smile that everything will be okay soon.
Chala could at times bring home some flour and his wife prepared porridge. That is how they lived, from hand to mouth. One night Emmanuel developed very high fever. His parents rushed him to the hospital. The doctors refused to tend to him because they wanted some money first. Chala had to go to the place where he worked and ask some money from the farm owner. He was given the money as a loan and he hurriedly left for the hospital.
Little Emmanuel was treated but Amala was very disturbed. Her own husband could not even afford basic health .She made a choice that evening.
"I cannot take this anymore," there came Amala's voice.
"It is not easy everywhere we are not the only ones, Amala," said Chala emotionally.
"I don't care; you have never kept any of your promises to me."
"We have children, who is going to take care of them when you leave?"
"Can't you take care of your own children?"
"I can't survive without you, please don't leave."
"You were born until you become a grown up without me, I am sure you will be fine," Amala's voice was full of anger.
"Please consider your children."
"You take care of them they are also your children; I just need money and riches not a poor church mouse like you."
"Why are you so selfish, between riches and love you prefer riches?"
"Chala, this poverty has affected your brain. There is nothing like love with no riches," Amala said and laughed sarcastically.
"Try to reason with me, the children still need you…"
"I have made up my mind, let me go!"Amala shouted at Chala.
"Think about this very well, you will regret later. Please stay for the children even if you don't love me."
"I can't stay I'm fed up with you and your poverty."
"Please Amala , please I beg you," Chala knelt down on both knees hot burning tears rolling down his masculine face.
He held Amala's hand and looked deep into her eyes. She removed his hands and opened the door. She left without looking back. She fastened her pace carrying all her clothes in her bag. She felt as free as a bird let out from its cage and with an expressionless face, she heaved a sigh of relief. That was how Amala left to an unknown destination.
Chala was left alone still kneeling down. He seemed to have lost all his energy, he could not even stand. He just sat down in disbelief. Is it my fault that I'm poor? Am I to be blamed for this life I'm living? What did I do wrong to deserve this cruelty? He felt a sharp pain on his chest. He could not come to terms with what had transpired.
Several days passed by and there was still no signs of Amala. Chala still believed that one day she will change her mind and come back home. Taking care of the children was not easy for Chala. His lastborn, Emmanuel cried his eyes out every day claiming he wanted his mother. It was not easy convincing the toddler that his mother was no longer with them. His two other children Mary and Leah were more understanding. He was now both a father and a mother to his three children. He had to cook, wash their clothes, take them to school, bathe them and still go to work on the farm.
The economy was drastically coming down. The leaders did not seem to be bothered at all. The common mwananchi was affected so much by the sudden decrease in the economy. Food became too expensive, only few could afford. Water was a major concern. Finding clean water was like finding gold. Those who dug boreholes were a bit safe. The water provided by the government was no longer safe for drinking. People had to persevere though this led to outbreak of cholera that rendered many hopeless as mortality cases increased by the day. The wild animals were at a higher risk as they were overcome by draught, food was very scarce. The people from Enkene village had to depend on the food aid. This included bags of rice, wheat flour, maize flour, beans and maize. These were able to sustain them for a bit longer.