Life in the village followed the rhythm of nature.
Each morning began with the crowing of roosters and the lowing of cattle leaving their kraal for grazing.
Nalubamba woke before sunrise to prepare breakfast.
She cooked nshima and sour milk while Tobela helped Mwiya drive the cattle toward the grazing fields.
MaSimukonda sat near the cooking hut, watching everything quietly.
Days passed peacefully.
Every evening the family gathered around the fire, sharing stories about village life and the traditions of their people.
One night, Mwiya spoke about the sacred ceremony known as the Lwiindi Ceremony, where chiefs prayed to the ancestors for rain and protection.
MaSimukonda listened carefully.
She nodded often.
"You are lucky," she said to Nalubamba. "Your home is peaceful."
Nalubamba smiled politely.
"Yes," she replied. "Peace in a home is the greatest wealth."
Weeks passed.
MaSimukonda began to look more comfortable each day.
She no longer spoke about finding land.
She no longer asked about farms for sale.
Instead, she relaxed near the fire each evening as if she had lived there for years.
Nalubamba noticed this change.
But she said nothing.
Because in Tonga culture, patience is a virtue.
Yet deep inside her heart, she felt something was wrong.