Online Reporter
Fadzayi Maposah-Correspondent
Finally today, I get to share the park story that I promised. I had an appointment to meet someone. As soon as I got off the bus, I called that I had arrived.
He was not yet in town. He had told me that he had issues to attend to out of town so I had come prepared to wait, wait just a bit though. He told me that I could get somewhere comfortable to relax, while I waited for him. So I then decided that I would wait for him in the park in the middle of town, Africa Unity Square.
I had a book, I could read. I had my water bottle, in case I got thirsty, I was covered. If I got hungry, I had my maputi to snack on. Handbags are treasure chests.
The square was full, it was towards lunchtime. There were people seated on the green lawn. Others sat on the benches. I tried to identify a spot as I walked. Although I had a scarf that I could sit on, I wanted to look for a bench. After the bus ride, the square was a good environment, plenty of fresh air.
The trees provided good shade. It was a bit windy so I was looking for a spot that had a combination of both sunshine and shade. Have you ever experienced that moment when you identify what you want and you begin acting very quickly while at the same time hoping that no one gets there before you? That’s exactly how I felt when I saw an empty bench with the settings that I wanted.
As I walked to the bench, along the paved pathway was a man walking from the other side. He was walking so fast that I told myself that he would go past the bench and I would get to decide which side I wanted to sit on.
We got to the bench at the same time. As if racing to sit, he quickly sat down. I greeted him and then took out wipes from my loaded handbag and then began to wipe the side I would sit. He spoke slowly as I wiped the bench: “Manje isu tanga tatogara Ambuya, handiti dai matopukuta nepangu”. (Now I am already seated, you could have wiped the whole bench including my space.)
I offered to wipe his side as well, but he simply smiled and said he was covered since he was wearing dark colours. I reached for my little book to read. He was on his phone.
There was so much activity. Seated along the pathway, people of all sizes walking at different paces, went past us. Some sat in pairs, groups on the greens. Some people would not sit, they stood as they waited. Vendors selling different wares walked the length and breadth of the square. There were photographers ready to capture moments so that they could become memories to look back at later.
Seated on the bench, I managed to get snippets of conversations that those passing by had. There were some people who had exchanged lunch hours to meet up with relatives who were in town. Others were rushing to get medicines from the pharmacy while others were taking lunch to their loved ones.
There were liars, who although they were walking in the square, told the person on the other end that they were walking in one of the residential areas and would be home soon.
Someone who knew the gentleman that I sat with approached the bench. After a firm handshake he asked my bench mate: “Urikuitei pano?” (What are you doing here?) Even before he could answer he had another question coming: “Ko unotombouyawo pano?” (So you occasionally come here? It was like we had just received a visit from investigators. “Muri mese?” (Are you together?) I could feel his gaze heavy upon me. Three questions in quick succession. Before the man could answer, the investigator’s phone rang and he shouted out “See you”, before he said, “Hello” on his phone. I continued to stare at the words in my little book.
My bench mate laughed and then said “Munhu!” He went on to say that he had not received an opportunity to answer any of the questions, but it had reminded him of a time that he had been at a complex that included doctors’ rooms and while outside he had bumped into someone he knew who had asked him similar questions. He said that there are people who always look for a story everywhere. He said it never appeared enough just to ask a person how they are, people were quick to find out what someone was doing at a particular place. He said that anyone who had anything to hide would not sit on an open park bench. I agreed. Then it was back to the book and the phone. I was the first to leave when my “someone” arrived.
Everyone in the park like in the whole world carries their own story. Others have sought places to sit while others are standing or even walking. The pace at which we do things is determined by the issue that we are dealing with.
Just because you sit on a park bench waiting for someone does not mean park benches are for waiting for people. Their use is determined by the ones who are on the bench. For the vendor, it may be a good market place, while someone has discovered that is a good spot for group discussions.
Others have found a good spot to rest. Aspects of life or health that are addressed by the same space are different. Do not be quick to judge the one who appears slow, you may be surprised that they are happy that they are now able to walk.
As you see people, be sensitive, and do not ask questions like you are history taking for a diagnosis.
By the way, it’s the last weekend of the school holiday. As the children go back to school, they need calm parents and guardians! Take care of your emotional state. I recommend a few minutes in a calm park for peace of mind.
Sit on the bench, sit on the green grass, and walk through the park. Do not use the opportunity to ask questions from the park bench! Understand why you are there. Best wishes for the new term! Remember being the last term of the year, the learners already have a lot of pressure.
