For over two years, 25-year-old Racheal Banda expertly juggled herself between two men, namely Isaac Phiri, 25 and his cousin, Francis Mulenga, aged 27.
Without any suspicion that she was cheating, Isaac and Francis, both showered Racheal with gifts, kindness, and girlfriend allowances and in return, she provided them with unrivaled waist entertainment without protection, eventually leading to her pregnancy.
As a caring boyfriend, Francis even rented Racheal a house in Mandevu Compound where he would visit and sometimes spend nights, but unknown to him, his rival Isaac would also visit.
During the time of pregnancy, Racheal was so convincing to her two lovers that they each believed he was the father of her unborn child.
According to Zambia observer, following the child’s birth, each man named the boy and Racheal continued to play them by getting two under 5 cards which she presented to them.
After three months, Isaac threw a big party for the birth of his son where he announced his intentions to marry Racheal and before long, all marriage formalities were concluded and the two moved in together.
But to Isaac’s shock, there had been a strange number that was consistent in calling his wife.
Suspicious, Isaac retrieved number from his wife’s phone and called it, that is when the truth was revealed.
Francis, the man on the other side, told Isaac that he had been calling to check on the wellbeing of his child whom he had supported from the time its mother was pregnant.
Confused about the revelations, Isaac took the matter to the Matero Local Court for Racheal to reveal the true father of the child – it is there that the full details of the love triangle were uncovered.
In court, Isaac testified that during Racheal’s pregnancy, he natured her cravings, supported her financially and even made sure he had bought all the required things that both the baby and the mother was going to need as the two were even staying together at the time.
And when she delivered, Isaac even threw a big welcome party for the baby at three months, who he named Blessing Phiri.
“My mother loved this child very much because he was going to be her first grandson, and when the child was three months, I decided to marry her, so her family decided that they charge us both for damage and dowry together, and I paid some money towards it and brought her in my house, in June last year,” said Phiri.
Under intense interrogation, Racheal told Isaac that he was not the true father of her son.
“I have spent a lot on the child which she should pay me back. The child is now one year six months and another man claiming to be the father has come to claim him.
“When she was admitted at UTH, she got permission that she was going to see her mother in Chibombo when in fact she was going to see Francis.
In the meantime, Francis told the court Racheal had told him that he was the father of her child right when she discovered she was pregnant.
Francis explained that he bought all the needed necessities for the child and even took care of Racheal during the time by keeping her in his home. I never knew that she had another boyfriend because I thought she was only mine.
“Even all family members knew me, she even delivered at my house and it’s my neighbour who helped her deliver.
“I even booked a taxi to take her to the hospital later.
“I named the child Francis Junior, after me and she showed me an under Five card to prove he was mine. So how was I supposed to doubt her?” Francis asked.
As for Racheal, this is what she had to say; “I admit that I told Isaac Phiri who is my husband that he was the owner of the pregnancy, but I had a boyfriend that impregnated me and I used to double cross the two. I am only asking for forgiveness from him,” she said.
Breaking down in tears, Racheal wished the child was Isaac’s and not Francis’ because the former had even taken a step of marrying her.
“But I love Isaac Phiri more than Francis Mulenga because he is more caring both to me and the child.
“His family is so supportive and loved the child. It was only unfortunate that it was not his.
“The problem with Francis Mulenga is that he hides his family from me, and he is not as supportive towards the child,” Racheal said.
During the court session, the child, who is now 1 year and six months was seen crying for Isaac who he calls as daddy and not the biological father.
The matter which was before Magistrate Lewis Mumba was adjourned to allow Racheal to bring the two under five cards.
Unfortunately for Banda, her two-card game has led her to lose two men at a time- her husband, Isaac who divorced her, and Francis who is now married to another woman.
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