ISSUE #1

24
She was caught off guard by the tone of his question. “Well, I went to the Warwick
Business School of Business, then I came back here. I finished about two years ago.”
“Came to help out our country too?”
“You can say that. My father had already secured a position for me at his construction
company, but business was struggling, so I decided to find another territory to explore.”
Mufaro left out the part about her unwillingness to have everything handed to her on a silver
platter by her father.
“So, what are you doing now?”
“I’m trying to open a consulting firm to help female entrepreneurs.”
“That’s very noble of you.” Fadzai took another sip of his champagne and looked
away. He bit his lower lip. Mufaro could see the yellow-stained teeth from cigarettes. His hair
looked like it was slowly dying on his head.
“It’s so hard to get funding, particularly for women. That’s one thing I will try and solve
when the company is up and running.” She did not want to tell him too much of her
business, but she wanted to drive the conversation forward instead of standing in awkward
silence.
“Funding? Can’t your father help you?”
I?”
“I refused to let him help me. I wanted to do it alone. Can’t be spoon-fed till I die, can
“Wow! You should appreciate what you have. I bet your life is like Christmas
everyday,” he retorted bitterly. Fadzai started to back away from her. “You know what, I
think I’ll get some more food. It was nice catching up with you.” He was now a few steps
away from her.
“That is a good idea. It was nice talking to you too. We should speak again before
you leave,” she said politely, even though she was put off by his tone.
“Sure,” he replied, not convincing anyone.
The jazz band finished playing a song. A few people who were paying attention
applauded, as the saxophone play took the lead into the next song. Mufaro smiled in
approval and moved towards the stage, drawn towards the music. She heard her mother
calling her from across the room and could not avoid returning to her parents. They were
speaking to a chubby, charcoal-skinned man with a thick beard. He had a layered neck that
sat heavily on his chest.