Shadows of Love by Egara Kabaji

Truly soulful

Stolen Laughters: A Tale of Love & Betrayal – A Reading of Egara Kabaji’s ‘Shadows of Love’

What does one gain by being in love really? Is it the pleasure of being and laughing with each other? Or the wonderful feeling that our tears are washed away by another person? Is it the pain of being betrayed by those we love? Or the worried feeling and anguish that consume us when we miss or lose them? Honestly, do people find love to gain or lose even more? And is love a game of trial and error where one has to fall many times before rising? These are issues that Egara Kabaji, a professor of Literary Communication, based at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, explores in his novel “Shadows of Love”.

In the story, Mwende, a student at Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST) falls in (and out of) love several times. Every love affair or relationship she is involved in gives her pleasure and pain in equal measure. A clear indication of the bitter-sweet taste of love. It is also a constant reminder that whoever desires to love (or laugh) must be ready to cry.

Firstly, she falls for Chris, a brilliant young lecturer in the department of English at her University. Her teacher to be specific. He showers her with immense love and care as he takes her to places. At first, she is reluctant to accept his love for various reasons. First, she is afraid that people will talk because he is her teacher. Second, she is not sure of his intentions.

Probably, she thinks that he wants to take advantage of her. And lastly, she claims that she has been focused on her studies so much that she has never had time for a boyfriend. However, she eventually gives in and starts going out with him frequently. However, the titanic ship of their love hits an iceberg of problems when they are confronted and beaten mercilessly by three women in a club. One of the women claims to be Chris’s wife whom he had abandoned or neglected. Mwende is seriously injured and hospitalized for several days.

Secondly, she falls for Kassim. He is a graduate, who had failed to secure a job, and had resorted to taxi business. She knows him through Chris as he carries them around. Kassim saves Mwende’s life when she is attacked. He drives from Kakamega to Webuye at night to pick and rush her to hospital. He checks on her regularly and informs her mother and university about her predicament. He even pays her hospital bill as her mother is unable to do so. With the help of Aisha, his wife, he gives her food. He gives her money too for upkeep.

These acts of kindness endear Mwende to him. She sees him as a kind, humane, caring and loving soul. She eventually falls for him. She opens up her heart and feelings to him. He marries her as a second wife. His Muslim faith allows it. His wife, though uncomfortable, allows it. For her, probably, her husband’s happiness is paramount. Is this what submission is about?

Thirdly, Mwende falls in love with Nabson. He is a charming and sophisticated lawyer who, sometimes, is too arrogant, boastful and stylish to a fault. Their love happens when Kassim finds a job in South Sudan. He stays there for a year. First, like many relationships, they begin as friends. Slowly, the friendship blossoms into love. Finally, they move in together. It is worth to note that what pushes her into loving Nabson are two things: Long distance from Kassim and wrong advice from friends. Indeed, long distance kills most relationships. Also, unsolicited advice from friends and strangers is potent poison that breaks hearts and scatters people’s dreams. It happens to Kassim when he returns home secretly, hoping to surprise his loving wife.

Unfortunately, he finds Mwende cuddling on the couch with another man- in his house! Instead, he is the one that is surprised. Completely heartbroken. He is shown dust!
Mwende eventually breaks up with Nabson. Her life with him turns out to be painful, frustrating and troublesome. First, Nabson is too possessive and insecure. He cannot stand it when she talks to another man, leave alone Kassim whom he describes as a failure. He is also a shameless liar and temperamental. She later learns that he already has kids with another woman who he has neglected. When he drinks and gets attacked by thugs, he frames Kassim. He goes to an extent of bribing the police to arrest him. He loses the case afterwards.

Mwende’s marriage to Nabson is tragic. She desperately reaches out to Kassim for help even after betraying him. He had relocated his family to Kitale to start a new life on a bigger farm. She runs to him, begging to be taken in as a house help. Kassim is mad at her. He is ready to throw her out. However, Aisha, his ever caring, charming and understanding wife, intervenes. Instead, Kassim re-marries her. He forgives and forgets what she had put him through. Is this how a good man should be? Swallow your vomit with real appetite as if nothing happened?

Kabaji raises a number of issues in this book. First, it is evident that the business of loving someone is painful. In fact, those who fall in love sign up for four things: Lies, Obsession, Violence and Exploitation (LOVE). Very little is gained when you love another person. For instance, Kassim is betrayed by Mwende despite all the sacrifices he makes for her. He saves her from the jaws of death and takes good care of her after marrying her. But she goes behind his back and loves Nabson, and even bears a child for him. A thankless and boastful fellow that has never done anything for her.

It is even sad to note that after marrying her, she is not ready and willing to bear him a child, something she easily does for another man. An angel she knows very little about. Mwende also suffers a series of heartbreaks as she moves from one man to another.

Betrayal is another issue that is evident in the story. Mwende is first betrayed by Chris. He promises her heaven only to land her into problems when she nearly loses her life. After Chris, comes Nabson. A liar and boastful fellow that is all over her yet he has neglected his child elsewhere. Mwende betrays Kassim when she accepts Nabson. This is necessitated by the long distance between her and Kassim who is in South Sudan and the pressure from her friends. They tell her that since Kassim belongs to Aisha, she needs a man of her own.

Moreover, Nabson, in attempt to win her, insists that she is too beautiful to be a second wife to a taxi driver, a low-life definitely. What we learn here is that a woman can still leave a man no matter the sacrifices he makes for her. Another thing is that it is disastrous to plant a mango tree by the roadside and leave it unguarded. Someone will help themselves to some mangoes even if they are not ripe. That is what befalls Kassim. After betraying Aisha — making her cry for bringing in a second wife of course. Honestly, is Kassim’s misfortune a punishment from the gods for hurting an innocent woman?

Another contentious issue that Kabaji explorers is polygamy. What is the place of polygamy in the modern age? Is it sustainable? Can a man sustain two wives and serve them adequately until they are satisfied? Are young women, who cannot even share boyfriends, willing to be married as second wives? In case they do, do they love the man or his resources? Can women allow their husbands to marry second wives? And for a man, is a second wife an asset or liability? Does she come to build or break the man? Mwende, in many ways, is a problem to Kassim. She takes away his attention. She consumes his resources. She breaks his heart. She runs after him to keep tormenting him. How does a man, however kind-hearted and forgiving he may be, live in peace with a woman who had abandoned him for another man before? It takes more than special prayers to manage that.

It is also important to note that Mwende is the one that proposes to Kassim. And, interestingly, he accepts. Why is it difficult to reject her proposal? Does it mean that man is naturally weak before a woman and must dance to her tune all the time? Or when a woman loves and wants a man, there is nothing he can do? He must submit? Does this explain why a man is forever on his knees, begging and worshipping a woman?

Finally, it is important to note that despite what happens between Mwende and Kassim, they end up together again. This clearly shows that destiny can never be changed. He walks away quietly without a fight when he finds her with another man. This underscores the fact that violence is no longer necessary in solving disputes. One can walk away and still win. Right?

Later, she looks for him, falls to her knees and begs, when her world is shattered. This also underscores the need for forgiveness. However, it also raises questions about a man’s character in the face of betrayal. Should one fight to protect his territory from predators or walk away. Is walking away a sign of cowardice or strength really? And why should a man take back a woman who had left him for another? Is that what forgiveness is all about or simply lack of options?

This book, written in simple and clear language, with a beautiful blend of various stylistic techniques like imagery, irony and flashback for taste, delivers a powerful story of love, pain, betrayal, poverty and forgiveness. It depicts Kabaji as a master storyteller with a rare gift of weaving captivating tales.

You should read it. You must read it.

Wafula Khisa

A book well written..naivety, real love,betrayal and forgiveness all portrayed in an interesting way..such a page turner.