Part Two: Love Letter by Khumbulani Malinga
Compiled and edited by Ndaba Sibanda, the contributors to this rich and screamingly spellbinding text equally burst into their literary spaces and pages with a dazzling, delightful and different magic that keeps the reader banqueting, drooling and awe-struck. In part two Khumbulani Malinga marks his royal entrance with his Love Letter.
Introduction
This is an anthology of eight hypnotizing short stories whose language, themes, styles, depth, diversity and handling all make them extraordinarily fresh, imperative and haunting. The collection The Smell of Betrayal: You Sting My Heart presents a profound exploration into the pervasive and malignant nature of betrayal, portraying it as a malicious force that infiltrates and corrodes interpersonal relationships, societal structures, and individual psyches. The evocative language underscores the chaotic and negative impact of betrayal, depicting it as a metaphorical carcinoma that demands vigilant resistance and collective condemnation. Through vivid imagery and poignant observations, the compilation elucidates how betrayal manifests as a catalyst for upheaval and emotional turmoil, leaving a trail of devastation and despair.
Characters and their charm
Featuring mainly youthful and lively characters like Nomsa, Jim’s cousin; Violet, Jim’s love and Belinda’s friend, Khumbula weaves a thought-provoking story of love, relationships, treachery, pretention, overzealousness and superficiality.
Entwined within the humor of Love Letter lies a poignant exploration of language and human connections. Violet, nestled in her bed, endeavors to find solace in the literary appreciation of Chinua Achebe's work, seeking refuge in the narrative of a past encounter. Two years ago, amidst the revelry of a social gathering, Violet, accompanied by her companions, found herself immersed in the rhythmic sway of the dance floor, effortlessly embodying the "bhowesa-get down" style, capturing the spotlight with her grace and charm.
Amid the vibrant atmosphere, a figure cloaks in oversized jeans and heavy chains approaches Violet, his demeanor brash and presumptuous. Resolute in her commitment to authenticity, Violet's encounter with the brash suitor merely reaffirms her principle of engaging solely with individuals who embody originality. It is amidst this backdrop that Jim, a figure who seeks to exude class and charm, enters the scene, clad in a beige suit and white python skin shoes. Their exchange, which is seemingly characterized by mutual respect and congeniality, culminates in the exchange of contact information, signaling the potential for a genuine connection.
A rare love that blooms out of a ruse
However, the unfolding of events takes an unexpected turn as Jim's prolonged silence prompts Violet's apprehension, leading her to reach out in search of reassurance. Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy presence lurks in the background, as Nomsa, an imposter and manipulator, weaves a web of deception and fabricating love letters under false pretenses.
The revelation of Nomsa's deceit casts a veil of confusion over Violet and Jim, challenging the authenticity of their burgeoning connection. Yet, amidst the turmoil, their genuine bond prevails, transcends Nomsa's conspiracies and ploys. The writer describes how the lovebird’s love blossoms, and how it is resilient even in the face of adversities.
Quotations and emotions
The following quotes encapsulate the essence of human emotion and vulnerability, evoke a longing for introspection amidst the tranquil embrace of nature:
"The author will die if I didn’t set him free from this penitentiary of loneliness.
"The one who invented out of sight out of mind must have been out of his mental asylum."
"Nomsa and Belinda were tried, tested and trusted by my parents."
"I felt love ooze out of my body and drowning me in a sea of eternal longing."
"If any lady had proposed love the way you did to me; I’d have called her Jezebel."
"Red roses will remain red on the rocky rockeries."
Stylistic devices
One of the stylistic devices that Khumbulani capably fuses into this story is a simile.
"Like metal and magnet, we attracted each other at a twinkle of an eye." This simile suggests a strong and immediate attraction between two individuals, emphasizing the magnetic force of their connection.
"We have come to a point where we are inseparable like the Siamese twins." Here, the simile compares the inseparability of the two individuals to Siamese twins, emphasizing the closeness and interconnectedness of their relationship.
"The exam fever infiltrates and courses through my veins like white lightning." This simile richly portrays the intensity of the exam fever, likening it to the rapid and electrifying spread of white lightning through the speaker's veins, conveying a sense of urgency and intensity.
"I glowered at the boy as he coiled himself like a wounded snake. He shuffled away." This simile compares the boy's movements to those of a wounded snake, suggesting a sense of danger or threat in his demeanor, which causes the speaker to react with hostility.
Malinga also uses language metaphorically.
"If any lady had proposed love the way you did to me; I’d have called her Jezebel." This metaphor compares the manner in which love was proposed to the speaker to the biblical figure Jezebel, implying that it was aggressive, manipulative, or morally questionable.
Correspondingly he employs personification, for instance he writes:
"The October sun was already scorching the land with lashes of angry hot rays."
This personification attributes human-like qualities (anger) to the sun, enhancing the description of its intense heat and emphasizing its impact on the environment.
Use of a song or a poem
Additionally, Khumbulani shrewdly incorporates poetic language and imagery to convey emotions, ideas, or experiences.
"Sweet Violet Perky like a rose in spring
You sting my heart but I wouldn’t cry
I would only sing Phantom of my vision
Full of love with no season
Like Chipangali, you store my treasure
Seeing you, gives me pleasure"
The story covers themes like love, betrayal and readjustment. There is a great affection and emotional attachment between Jim and Violet. It is evident and palpable in the story. Violet confesses:
“...Within some minutes, I found myself engaged in a friendly conversation with Jim. When the party was over, I saw myself exchanging phone numbers and e-mail addresses with Jim. Jim called me every day around twenty-one hundred hours, such that my parents became worried about my academic studies. My mother even asked how I managed to handle a love affair and schoolbooks at the same time. In answer, I told her that Jim and I were just friends.”
“.... On the fourth night, I summoned up all my feminine courage and dialed Jim’s number. To my relief he was in Harare to oversee one of his father’s companies. So I was certain nothing horrible had befallen ‘my Jim.’ The one who invented the saying ‘Out of sight, out of mind', must have been out of his mental asylum. Although out of sight, Jim was never out of my mind. During the course of the week that followed, I was struck by a certain ailment which psychologists termed “missing you” and the only cure was to see the person I missed.”
The excerpt portrays a profound sentiment of affection and emotional connection between the characters Jim and Violet. The language used suggests a deep emotional bond that transcends mere friendship. Violet's confession highlights the development of their relationship from initial acquaintance to a deeper emotional connection. Despite initially concealing their romantic involvement from others, their frequent communication and Violet's expression of missing Jim all indicate a strong emotional attachment.
Betrayal
Betrayal refers to the act of breaking trust or confidence placed in someone, often through deceit, disloyalty, or treachery. It involves violating the expectations or commitments within a relationship, leading to feelings of hurt, disappointment, and a breach of loyalty.
Nomsa betrays her cousin Jim and her friend Violet. She impersonates each one of them and writes them love letters.
“... “Violet you’re the apple of my eye. If any girl had proposed love to me the way you did, I’d have called her a Jezebel, but with you it’s different. I love you too Violet.”
The theme of betrayal is evident through the actions of Nomsa, who deceives both Jim and Violet by impersonating them and composing love letters under their identities. This act of betrayal causes confusion and doubt within Violet regarding Jim's sincerity, as evidenced by her questioning his involvement in the exchanged letters. The revelation of Nomsa's deception leads to a significant emotional upheaval and challenges the trust between Jim and Violet.
Re- adjustment and moving forward
Re-adjustment refers to the process of making changes or adaptations to one's thoughts, behaviors, or circumstances in response to new information, challenges, or experiences. It involves re-evaluating one's perspectives, making necessary adjustments, and moving forward with resilience and determination.
Despite the predicament Jim and Violet go through, they decide to re-adjust and embers of love flare even more.
“...The jungle in my mind began to clear. So it was Nomsa who wrote both letters. As my eyes met Jim’s, the spirit of love would never let us miss its anointing. Like a metal and magnet, we attracted each other at a twinkle of an eye. We embraced and kissed. On that day, our romantic relationship commenced. Our love blossomed and we’ve come to a point that we’re inseparable like the Siamese twins.”
Despite the betrayal they experienced, Jim and Violet choose to re-adjust their perspectives and relationship. They confront the situation together, seeking clarity and understanding and come to the realisation that Nomsa orchestrated the deception. This awareness allows them to overcome their doubts and reaffirm their love for each other. This demonstrates the theme of re-adjustment as the characters adapt to the challenges they face and choose to move forward together.
About the author
Khumbulani Malinga is a devoted and dynamic writer and a businessman who founded a recording studio in Johannesburg and has assisted a number of artists in Zimbabwe.
About reviewer
Maina Wahome, a polymath from Kenya, distinguishes himself as a linguist, educator, author, playwright, and poet. Having obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. Arts) with a specialization in English and Literature from Laikipia University in Kenya, he is currently immersed in the pursuit of a master's degree in applied linguistics at Universitas Diponegoro in Indonesia. Wahome's academic pursuits in linguistics are wide-ranging, spanning phonology, morpho-syntax, cognitive linguistics, and the intricate realms of natural semantic metalanguage. His scholarly contributions extend beyond research articles, encompassing literary creations that transcend traditional academic boundaries. In addition to his linguistic endeavors, Wahome showcases his creative prowess through a diverse collection of literature, including novels, plays, and anthologies of poems. This multifaceted academic journey reflects a commitment to both the analytical depth inherent in linguistic exploration and the boundless creativity flourishing within the realm of literature.