Lost Souls

The Sumanis

Martha stifled a yawn as she zipped Silengo’s schoolbag. “Finish up your cereal, baby.”

Silengo mouthed a spoonful of cereal. Her cheeks swelled as she chewed.

Brian looked at Martha and they both laughed.

“Baby, I didn’t mean eat everything at once,” Martha giggled.

Brian shook his head and sipped his coffee. “Are you excited about your first day of school, Sisi?”

Silengo nodded excitedly. She quickly swallowed and said, “I can’t wait!”

“First day of school. It’s a big deal.” Martha grabbed Silengo’s juice bottle out of the fridge and put it in the pocket of her schoolbag. “All done.”

“I’m ready!” Silengo announced and she jumped out of her seat.

Martha glanced at the wall clock. “The school bus will be here any minute. I’ll walk you out.”

“Okay,” Silengo straightened her skirt.

“Give daddy a kiss before you go,” Brian said.

Silengo stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Brian’s cheek.

“Who is the most beautiful girl in the world?” Brian asked.

“I am,” Silengo answered. She had curly brown hair that had been tied in two puffs. She had honey brown eyes that were the image of innocence and a face that melted your heart.

“And who does daddy love the most?” Brian asked.

Silengo broke into giggles, giving Martha a look.

“Don’t look at mommy, answer me,” Brian laughed. “Who does daddy love the most?”

“He loves me more than mummy,” Silengo covered her mouth and cackled.

“Brian, you need to stop telling her that!” Martha placed both hands on the kitchen table.

Brian laughed and planted a kiss on Silengo’s head. “Have a great day, princess.”

“Thanks, daddy,” Silengo said.

Marth picked up Silengo’s bag off the kitchen table and shook her head. “Don’t forget who cooks your meals, babe.”

“I’m only teasing!” Brian couldn’t stop his smile.

“Let’s go, baby. The bus will be here any minute now.”

The Phiris

“Dylan! Masuzyo! Hurry! The bus will be here soon!” Mutinta yelled.

Oscar, who was sitting at the kitchen table, cleared his throat and flipped through the newspaper.

“I swear these boys will drive me crazy,” Mutinta complained. “Dylan!”

A faint answer came after several seconds. “Coming!”

“How long does it take to get ready?” Mutinta wondered. “They’ve been crying to start school and now they’re going to be late.”

Oscar scratched his moustache and continued reading his paper.

“Masuzyo!” Mutinta called out again. “I swear these twins will-.”

“Here! We’re here!” Dylan said as the boys rushed into the kitchen.

“Come on, the bus will be here soon,” Mutinta handed them both their school bags.

“Did you pack my favourite?” Masuzyo asked.

“Yes,” Mutinta answered. “Come on.”

“What about my favourite?” Dylan asked.

“Yes,” Mutinta motioned them towards the door.

“Wait, I forgot something,” Dylan came to a halt.

“What?” Mutinta was growing impatient. “You’re going to be late.”

“I forgot to tell you how pretty you are, mum,” Dylan said.

Mutinta’s heart melted. They drove her crazy, but she loved them to her core. She knelt down and hugged them both. “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too,” the boys said.

She kissed both their cheeks. “Be good today, okay?” They nodded. “Say goodbye to daddy.”

“Bye, daddy.”

Oscar waved at them, his eyes never leaving the paper.

The boys looked dejected.

“He loves you,” she assured them. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”

The Mumbas

Tamara cut the sandwich into half and then packed it into a lunch box. She put the lunch box into the school bag, placed an apple inside, and tried to stop the tears that threatened to fall. He should have been here. Mwamba was the best husband a woman could have ever asked for. She had considered herself lucky when she married him. There weren’t many men like him walking around. Then one fateful night, a car crash claimed his life, months before she gave birth. He missed all of Joshua’s big moments. From his birth, to his first steps, his first words, and now his first day of school. It broke her heart that Joshua would have to go through life without the guiding hand of his father.

“Are you okay, mummy?” Joshua’s small voice asked across the kitchen table. He was the spitting image of his father. Same light brown skin, same small brown eyes and a round jaw.

“I’m fine,” Tamara didn’t notice that she was crying. She wiped away her tears. “I just miss daddy."

Joshua’s face fell. “I wish he was here, too.”

Tamara zipped the school bag. “Did you enjoy breakfast?”

Joshua nodded delightfully.

“Good, let’s go.”

He hopped off his chair and took hold of Tamara’s hand as they walked out.

LATER THAT MORNING

The Sumanis

Martha sprayed perfume onto her wrists and then rubbed them together. She picked up her hairbrush and ran it through her Peruvian wig.

Brian, watching from the bed, smiled. “You look good, babe. Where are you going?”

“Nowhere,” she smiled.

“You mean you’re looking good for me?” He sat up.

Martha looked over her shoulder at him and batted her eyelashes. “Of course.”

Brian jumped off the bed. With a smile pasted on his face, he made a beeline for her. He took her into his arms and just as he was about to kiss her, her phone rang.

Martha glanced at the phone.

“Ignore it,” Brain said, attempting to kiss her again.

She dodged him and giggled. “What if it’s someone important?”

“They can wait,” he whispered.

She laughed and wiggled her way out of his arms. “Let me tell them I’ll call them later.” She picked up her phone. “It’s Silengo’s school, babe.”

Brian placed both hands on his waist. “The school? Did something happen?”

“I don’t know,” she answered. “Hello... yes, this is Mrs. Sumani... yes, Silengo is my daughter. Did something happen?”

Brian watched his wife’s face morph into the picture of horror. He watched as the phone fell from her hand and smashed on the floor. Immediately, his heartbeat increased. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

Martha covered her mouth is shock, tears running down her cheeks. Her body made jerking movements as she cried.

“Babe!” Brian held both her shoulders. “What did they say?”

Martha looked at him as though she was about to deliver the worst news. “Silengo...”

“What about her?” Brian shook Martha.

“The school bus...,” Martha wept. She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Her baby, whom she’d kissed goodbye this morning, was gone.

“Babe,” Brian’s eyes watered, “say something!”

Martha dropped to the floor and hugged her knees. “The school bus...”

“What about the school bus?” Brian felt like he didn’t want her to answer.

“It crushed... and... there were no survivors.”

Brian took a step back. Suddenly, he could hear his own heart beating loudly in his ears. It felt like the room was spinning and he couldn’t catch his breath. His baby, his only baby, whom he knew he would one day walk down the aisle... was gone.

The Phiris

Oscar opened the front door and walked into the living room. He was running late for a very important meeting and had left his work phone behind.

“Mutinta, can you bring me my work phone? It’s on the kitchen table.” He glanced at his watch in irritation. The investors would not be happy. “Where is this woman?” He walked across the living room and into the kitchen where he found Mutinta wiping away tears.

“What’s the matter with you?” He asked. He spotted his phone on the kitchen table and picked it up.

“You know, all those boys ever wanted was your love,” Mutinta wiped away her tears.

“Is that what you’re crying about?” Oscar asked. “You’re so dramatic. They know I love them. Look at this house. They have every video game imaginable.”

“Love is not things!” Mutinta yelled. “You need to tell them how you feel! You need to hold people close.”

“I don’t have time for this.” Oscar turned to leave.

“You don’t have time for things that matter!” Mutinta followed him. “Now they will never know if you loved them.”

Oscar turned to face her. “If you’re planning to take my kids for me, you will lose in court. I have the money to hire the best lawyers.”

Mutinta laughed. “They are dead, you fool!”

Oscar froze. “What did you do?”

“The school bus was hit by a truck,” Mutinta told him. “You would have known sooner if you didn’t ignore my calls on your way to work.” She turned and headed for their bedroom.

“What-,” Oscar’s heart began to pound.

Mutinta stopped in her steps but didn’t turn to face him. “You know, I always had to reassure them you loved them.”

Oscar’s tie suddenly felt too tight. He quickly untied it, but it felt like he was running out of breath. A sharp pain shot through his chest.

“What kind of father barely has time for his kids?” Mutinta asked.

Oscar held his chest in agony, fearing the worst. He wanted to call out to Mutinta for help, but he couldn’t speak. It felt like his heart was being squeezed and he was running out of breath. He held his chest tighter, and he collapsed on to the floor.

Mutinta turned to face him, “Oscar!”

The Mumbas

As soon as Tamara’s sister parked the car, Tamara jumped out and was running towards the hospital entrance. Mildred, who was eight pregnant, hobbled out of the car. She locked it and walked towards the hospital’s entrance. Jack, their brother, arrived as well, falling into step with her.

“Where’s Tamara?” he asked Mildred.

“She ran inside,” Mildred answered.

“Let me find her,” Jack said.

“I’ll catch up,” Mildred said, waving him off. She couldn’t wait to give birth. Pregnancy had its limitations, especially in a crisis like this.

Tamara rushed to the reception. “Hi, um, a school bus was hit by a truck and brought all the kids here,” she blurted. “I need to see my son. Joshua Mumba. Please!” Her heart was racing, her hands were shaking, and she couldn’t stand still. She felt like she wanted to pee.

“Um...,” the receptionist adjusted her specs before typing something into her computer.

“Please, I nee-I need to see my son,” Tamara said.

The receptionist took off her glasses and dropped her gaze after her findings on the computer.

“He’s six years old,” Tamara said. “He’s a handsome, bright boy. And he loves Spiderman. I need to see him, please. Where is he?”

“Madam, please have a seat,” the receptionist said. “The doctor will be with you in a moment.” She picked up her phone and made a whispered call.

Tamara took a seat, but she couldn’t sit still. She prayed it wasn’t true. Joshua was her whole life.

Jack walked in and as soon as he saw her, he took the seat next to her. “What have they said?”

“I’m waiting for the doctor,” Tamara answered.

“Okay,” Jack said. “I’m here.” Tamara nodded.

A door on the far right opened, and a man dressed in a white lab coat walked out. Behind him, a couple in tears, walked out. The husband was consoling the wife.

Tamara jumped to her feet. “Doctor!” she said, tears dancing in her eyes. “Where is my son?”

“Madam, please come to my office,” he said.

“No!” Tamara’s bottom lip trembled. “Just tell me where my son is so I can see-.” The stopped herself from crying. “So I can see him.”

“Madam, I need to speak to you privately,” the doctor insisted.

“Let’s go,” Jack said. He took hold of Tamara’s hand and led her to the office.

As Tamara sat down, her heartbeat increased, so did the fear she felt. Jack sat next to her.

The doctor sat across from them. “Your son, as you know, was one of the victims of a horrific accident.” He interlocked his fingers on the desk and sighed deeply, shaking his head. “He and the other children were all rushed here. Our entire team did their best... their very best.” He paused and wondered why he ever chose this profession. “But...” He let out another sigh. “The children all passed away, including your son Joshua.”

“No!” Tamara cried. “No!” Jack tried to touch her, but she edged away. “I want to see my son! He’s my only son! Do you understand what he means to me? Everything! He means everything!”

“I am so sorry for your loss,” the doctor said.

“What loss?” Tamara asked. “I want to see my son.”

“Sis...,” Jack said.

“No, Jack!” Tamara shook her head. “No!” Before she knew it, she was crying and Jack was holding her.

***

Written by Chibilika J Moono

Inspired by the shooting at Robb Elementary School. RIP to all the precious souls that were lost.