Tapiwa finally met the artisan that she had heard so much about from Chipo. And truly, just seeing the man was already enough for her to trust in him and also be relieved enough to give an order.
Tapiwa's business had not started yet. But all plans were already in motion.
From the day she left her estate and traveled to Karoba. She had been slowly gathering all the things that she needed to get the job done.
When they finally got seated, Chipo introduced them to each other and after that, Tapiwa began to talk business with Uncle Farai, the artisan.
Tapiwa registered a business that was going to center around women. Her main goal was to help these women, including herself. To be financially independent and not rely on others, especially men who can wake up with another woman and never feel guilty about it.
She experienced it firsthand and honestly; it still bothers her even to this very day.
And for her to see these dreams coming true, she needed projects that could be done. Workshops to be open where these women can invest or work on projects to earn money.
Three villages surrounded her, plus Namwapa, the nearby town. Life wasn't easy actually for either men or women. But she was biased and would always look at the women rather than the men.
She also recalled just over one month when she was still an ordinary person living frugally so that she could live longer and have food, even during bad times.
She couldn't go to work. Apparently, there were only a few places where women could work; a brothel or street food stalls.
To open a food stall; one would need at least a unique recipe that would draw people over. Only that way would one recoup the costs of doing business and earn some profit.
She didn't want to take any unnecessary risks and lose her life savings. She was too clever for that.
Most women, especially in these villages, would risk it all on their husbands, by being housewives who take care of the family while the man goes out to work.
At the same time, they would be busy nurturing gardens and poultry. Which would be another source of income if they couldn't eat it all.
And most people, whether men or women, were mostly farmers in these villages. And if there wasn't any rain, it was obvious that everyone's livelihood would be doomed.
And what Tapiwa wanted to change was the habit of following the same trend and just doing something different. Instead of focusing on just one stream of income, she wanted to provide a variety. That way, if one fails, then there would still be a backup plan for survival.
In that way, even if another drought hits them really hard, they would still be able to survive through it all and never sleep hungry.
And if it was before, she would still be scared, not knowing what to do. But things had already changed and honestly, she was looking forward to that.
However, in the name of doing projects, she didn't want to start with a project that would drive herself or others crazy.
She wanted to start with what others would call simple, for it only required manual labor and the whole project would last roughly a week if everyone worked together very well.
In that way, not only would people get bored but as long as the final product sells well, the women can pocket their money as soon as possible.
And as long as they took it well, she was confident enough that they would soon be joining her club without worry or suspicion of investing.
With the money that she currently had, she could invest in the business herself, but one shouldn't be too greedy. And, since she vowed to do good, she was going to follow her vow and make sure not to mess up.
Tapiwa talked with Uncle Farai about what she wanted, which was basically some wooden containers around 500ml that were wide and easy to use.
She was going to be using these containers to store the product she was thinking of making as soon as she returned home.
Whilst talking to Uncle Farai, the prices were discussed, and the two negotiated until they reached a satisfactory amount.
Since these containers can be used for a variety of purposes, Tapiwa ordered five hundred of them at once and was planning on ordering more in the future.
And since her business order was huge, Uncle Farai warmed up to her.
She wasn't in such a huge rush to get the containers at the moment, which was why in the contract, she agreed to come and collect them in one month.
At least around that time, she was confident that the first phase of her project would at least be done. Besides, she would also be taking that time to come and check the inn whether it would be completed or not.
Since she was going to be returning to Guche in a month, it was better to do everything once.
Tapiwa paid for the deposit without a frown on her face, something she used to do before when her total savings were just mere bronze coins.
Being a goldenaire as she was now, Tapiwa was much more relaxed when it came to money.
After dealing with everything, Tapiwa and Chipo bid Uncle Farai goodbye before leaving the village.
As the two were minding their own business, walking and talking with smiles on their faces, making their way to the awaiting carriage that they had hired back in Guche when they came, they suddenly came across a fiery drama.
"Who are you to mind, my family business?"
"No matter how angry you are, Madam, this isn't how you should do it!"
"Heh, aren't you just saying this just because these useless people aren't from your family? Since you pity them so much, how about you take them in and feed them?"
Tapiwa stood frozen as she witnessed something she hadn't seen in a very long time.
In front of her, several people were gathered and all of them were pointing towards a short and dark-skinned woman. Besides, the woman was tall, no, it was probably a woman with a giant physique. She wasn't the normal kind of woman she got to see every day.
And besides this giant woman, who had been turned into an animal at a zoo and was lowering her head, were three children, all of whom were girls.
Just by looking at the three girls, Tapiwa could see how they looked after the giant woman, but with how skin and bones they were, it was also noticeable how maltreated they were all.
Just looking at them, her heart thumped furiously, and it ached so badly for them. She didn't know that the mother and daughters did for them to be treated that way but her aching heart made her want to get to the bottom of it.
And so, she who had always loved minding her own business, found herself taking more steps forward and opening her mouth asking, "How much would you sell them for?" shocking every single person that was watching the drama.