Two days after Mwiya left, the atmosphere in the homestead began to shift.
It started with small things.
MaSimukonda stopped calling Nalubamba "daughter."
Instead, she began giving instructions.
"Nalubamba, bring water."
"Nalubamba, cook again."
"Nalubamba, I need more milk."
Nalubamba obeyed quietly at first.
But the tone in MaSimukonda's voice had changed.
One afternoon, Nalubamba returned from the garden carrying vegetables.
She found MaSimukonda sitting near the food storage hut.
"What are you doing there?" Nalubamba asked gently.
"I am checking the maize," MaSimukonda replied.
"Checking?" Nalubamba asked.
"Yes. We must know how much food is available."
Nalubamba felt a chill run through her body.
We?