Tapiwa was relieved to discover that a carriage was departing for Karoba the next day, so she purchased a ticket before heading to the inn for a good night's rest.
Tapiwa checked into two inns and was quite unlucky because they were both very full.
In the end, she went to an inn as a last resort, given how awful that inn was.
According to persistent rumors, the inn's business had been declining for the past two years, and it was only a matter of time before it collapsed.
When she entered the inn, the shock of seeing the place in person was so intense that her jaws dropped to the ground.
"Welcome guest. How may I assist you?" a middle-aged obnoxious man with no vitality asked.
Tapiwa chided herself internally, 'Maybe just disappearing and sleeping inside the store space bedroom would have saved me from all this trouble!'
She confronted the man with a forced smile and replied, "I want a room."
Hearing that, the man's eyes sparkled. "Do you really want a room?" he asked.
And Tapiwa saw the joy, horror, and bewilderment in his eyes as he asked this.
"Umm, just give me your best room, and I am not joking!" she emphasized, hoping to get served quickly so that she may rest and leave as soon as dawn arrived.
The man's face brightened as relief washed over him. Tapiwa even noticed the man become energized, which was amazing.
When she saw him like this, she couldn't help but think about herself a few months earlier, 'I guess I shouldn't be too biased.'
"Certainly, please come this way!"
The man abruptly transformed into a chattering box, which astounded Tapiwa and even made her grin during the process.
The inn was vacant and without visitors, which was frightening given that anything may happen at night.
Tapiwa's heart didn't bleed when she paid for the accommodation, which wasn't particularly expensive.
After receiving the money, the man inquired, "Should we prepare some food for you?"
"No, I don't need some food," Tapiwa said, shaking her head. "Please bring me some hot water for a bath," she requested.
"It'll be there in a minute."
Tapiwa was then led to the room she had paid for. The accommodation was clean and immaculate, and the air was not stuffy.
Tapiwa sat on the chair while she completed the meal she was carrying with her instead of hurrying into the store space.
Someone knocked on the door half an hour later, and Tapiwa went to open it for the visitor.
The visitor was a considerably younger woman, maybe in her twenties, and Tapiwa could tell from her appearance that she wasn't a staff member but was possibly related to the inn's owners.
There was also that older man who brought buckets of water and Tapiwa led the crew inside.
The elder man and another younger man left the room once the water was securely inside, while the lady stayed.
"I apologize for intruding on you in this manner. When I learned that someone was staying at the inn, I became flustered. I hope you will forgive me for my hastiness," the lady said, shame visible in her eyes.
Tapiwa was irritated when she observed that this lady didn't seem to be going anywhere at any given time when she needed to take a bath and rest.
However, Tapiwa was moved when she saw such a lady dropping her head to apologize.
It was difficult for privileged females to lower their heads in this manner. She had no idea why this lady was here, but whatever she was here for was most likely serious.
Tapiwa forced a grin as she gazed at this invader and remarked, "It's alright. I'm curious why you're here and what you expect from me!"
The lady reddened with shame as she heard this, but she couldn't help herself. Would she merely harass every customer that stays at the inn if she wasn't in such a desperate situation?
"Do you mind if I sit with you for a minute? I swear I won't annoy you too much!" the lady begged Tapiwa.
Tapiwa acquiesced after determining that whatever the lady desired was most likely serious based on her demeanor. It won't harm to have a seat and listen.
"Sure, please take a seat!"
Tapiwa offered the guest the chair as she sat on the bed.
"I apologize once more for intruding on you, but I really have no other choice."
"All right, I get it. So, how can I assist you?" Tapiwa asked, turning to face the lady.
When she saw that Tapiwa was actually eager to give her a chance, the lady breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm Chipo, and this is my inn. My mother passed it down to me before she died a few years ago. And ...…."
Tapiwa had no idea that deciding to relax for the night would result in her sitting there listening to another woman give her a brief overview of how dreadful life had been to her.
Tapiwa didn't rush Chipo, instead allowing her to spill her heart out. One of the reasons she was doing this was that the empire she planned to build would be based on women and satisfying their needs.
Counseling is one of the services that ladies would require. Moving on was difficult when your heart was suffocated. Having someone to listen to your problems and concerns might help to alleviate depression. And it was really healthful and beneficial to the body.
"Oh, so it's like this!" Tapiwa sighed in sorrow after hearing Chipo's narrative.
"Yeah, so no one has been willing to stay here for a while now. So, when I heard that someone was available, I decided to visit you."
"So, what exactly do you want from me?" After all, Tapiwa had no idea why Chipo would bother telling a stranger about her life until now.
Chipo stared blankly at Tapiwa and said honestly, "Madam, can you buy the inn from me?"
Tapiwa stared at Chipo, perplexed, as she heard this. Heh, where would she acquire the money to buy such a run-down inn?
"I'm afraid that's not doable. I don't have any plans to run an inn, especially this far away from home," Tapiwa politely declined.
She was now bankrupt and had no way of purchasing property from anyone.
"This…."
"Do you lack money?" Tapiwa inquired, interrupting Chipo halfway.
Chipo replied sheepishly to Tapiwa, "It's not that I don't have money, but honestly, I don't have any more ideas at all. At the very least, if I were to sell the inn, I should give it to someone I care about."
When Tapiwa heard this, she raised the corner of her mouth in a sly smile and said, "And what makes you think I'm a good person?"
Chipo said with a shrug, "It's just a gut feeling."
'What a stupid youngster!'