Birungi Restored

Mwesigwa Returns from Hong Kong

I smiled at Birungi as my eyes peered through the glass that hid my face from view.  “You are smart”, I said; competing with the humming sound of the hair drier.  I had offered to escort my friend to the salon for a concoction of beauty treatments designed to celebrate Mwesigwa’s return from Hong Kong.  I could not help but notice how happy and glamorous Birungi looked, compared to the dull haggard woman that Mwesigwa had hugged ‘bye’ at the airport two weeks ago. 

The hair stylist had selected the perfect style to match Birungi’s pink fish-shaped dress.  As I continued to admire her eye-catching appearance, my husband called to say that he would be in the car park within fifteen minutes.  We had agreed that he would take me out to the Hilton for dinner.  Hair nicely set, faces exquisitely made up, perfume sprayed all over; and lo and behold, we were headed for the car park.  “You ladies look amazing”, my husband said, as soon as he set eyes on us, giving me that sweeping look that had won my heart several years ago. 

“I will call to let you know once Mwesigwa lands”, Birungi promised as she dashed off to her car.  And as she disappeared into the traffic, I had no doubt that her husband was about to be pleasantly surprised.  For the teary wife he had left behind had been restored to the radiant ebony-coloured beauty she had always been.  Only that this time, the glow was more than superficial, it was a shining light illuminating from deep within the heart of a woman who had just learnt how to forgive!  At long last, the ‘Unforgiveness’ Beast had been tamed.