AT THE SANGOMA’S PLACE ***Alpha’s face transformed back to normal and his eyes also turned back to normal, he blinked three times then he sneezed....he looked around and he found everyone looking at him except for Gaza who’s still passed out....right then Gaza coughed opening his eyes....Mahlebezulu helped Gaza to sit up and Alphalette just looked at him intensely....Alphalette moved his eyes and looked at the sangoma and he clapped his palms together bowing his head a little*** Alpha: thokozani Sangoma: thokoza Mkhulu ***Alpha then did the same thing to his uncle*** Mabunda: thokoza Mkhulu ***He then did the same thing to Mahlebezulu and Mahlebezulu laid on the floor on his side*** Mahlebezulu: thokoza baba ***he said clapping his hands together then he sat up and kneeled on the floor facing down....he’s now scared of Alpha after what he witnessed.....Alpha then looked at Gaza for some time then he clapped his palms together*** Alpha: thokozani ***Gaza swallowed hard....it was the look he has on his face that scared him *** Gaza: thokoza Mkhulu ***Mahlebezulu rolled some tissue for Gaza and he wet it with some water and he handed it to him telling him to wipe off the blood....he did so with Alpha still looking at him intensely*** Alpha: why don’t you want to get rid of it ***he said out of the blue and Gaza swallowed hard*** Gaza: you won’t understand Alpha: so it’s for power and wealth Gaza: like I said you won’t understand Mabunda: what are you two talking about Alpha: the is someone who can help you and I know you were told that but you don’t want to get rid of it...why Gaza: I don’t want to get rid of it and my reasons shouldn’t matter....the fact is I don’t want to get rid of it period Mabunda: you don’t want to get rid of what....what are you two talking about Alpha: so you rather sacrifice Tshimo’s safety for that evil thing in you Gaza: sacrifice Tshimo’s safety how....how is me loving her, marrying her and having kids with her sacrificing her safety Alpha: you know what those kids with have....you don’t even know how her pregnancy will be like Gaza: and how is that your business....you don’t see me sticking my nose in your business with Masai Alpha: that girl is innocent Gaza....she doesn’t deserve what you’re about to put her through Gaza: and Masai deserves to be in a polygamist marriage....she deserves to be married to a man who has a merman spirit inside of him ***Alpha kept quiet*** Alpha: I now know that it wont happen Gaza: because they just showed you now.... but you were willing to put her through that rubbish even though she’s sick....you were willing to put her through sh*t by marrying another woman to pay off a debt so don’t sit there and act like you’re a saint Alpha: you still don’t see anything wrong with what you’re about to put Tshimo through Gaza: im not putting her through anything...... I love her and I will make her mine....we will build a family together and nothing will stop me except her from giving her that Alpha: are you even listening to yourself Gaza: kahle nje Alpha: if you love her Gaza you will get rid of that thing...its gonna destroy you....it doesn’t have good intentions Gaza: you’re a fine one to talk Alpha: don’t even go there Gaza: why....you’re here judging me maybe I should start judging you by your past Sangoma: ok that’s enough boys ***Gaza and Alpha looked intensely at each other*** Sangoma: there’s no need for all this Mabunda: what the hell is going on!!! ***Alphalette sighed and he looked down*** Alpha: Gaza was put something evil inside of him by the witchdoctor paid by your sister and his mother in law....he was experimenting with him and he ended up putting something beyond this world inside of him.... They wanted to turn him into something evil they could use for their own selfish reasons but they invited something evil...they opened a gate way for something evil ***Gaza clenched his jaws looking down as his father swallowed hard with his eyes popped out and Alphalette got up and he walked out....the sangoma sighed and he also got up and followed Alphalette...he found him sitting on a benched under another tree*** Sangoma: I know you care about him....a lot ***he said sitting next to him*** Sangoma: his wife made him feel weak....she bruised his ego and made him feel like he’s not man enough and now he experienced a great deal of power and you think he’ll let it go just like that....he feels invincible Alpha: but Tshimo is the one who’s gonna suffer Sangoma: and why does it bother you so much ***he didn’t answer him*** Sangoma: you think you fell for her the first time you met her right? ***Alpha didn’t say anything and the Sangoma chuckled*** Sangoma: well you didn’t.....what you felt when you met her is all orchestrated by her foolish ancestors and father .....you know where your heart is.......you late father fought hard for you not to go through what he went through...he wants you to be happy and to make your own choices that’s why he changed your fate or whatever it was and made her meet your brother instead Alpha: all im saying is she doesn’t deserve what she’s about to go through Sangoma: and the mother of your child deserves your merman....and also seeing her child talking to his ancestors as if it’s a normal thing at that young age....im sure she didn’t grow up in a family full of sangomas and now she has to adjust to this life just because she loves you, you know how you got that merman....you sacrificed a lot to have it....it wasn’t a gift from your ancestors but something you went to seek...but you want to judge your brother.... ***he shook his head*** Sangoma: your merman wasn’t this calm before....you know what you had to do to tame it ***Alpha swallowed hard*** Alpha: lets not visit the past please Sangoma: then stop judging your brother....he supported you and its your turn now...i don’t approve his decision but its his decision to make and im sure he knows all the consequences that comes with that decision ***Alpha clenched his jaws....that thing it evil...what happened to Marina horrified him cause that’s his wife, the mother of his son but he broke her like that he asked himself what will he do to Tshimo if she messes up....death was even better than what she went through all because she cheated “he thought”**** Sangoma: you have a special gift....a serpent of clear water....the great Nkanyamba....you haven’t even experienced 30 percent of your gift and you also have the merman....you should be focusing on your family and your gift but here you are worried about another woman....indeed humans are ungrateful most of the times Sangoma: did they show you how it saved him from a serial killed in the forest right after he escaped from that evil hut ***Alpha sighed and he nodded*** Sangoma: he would’ve died by the hands of that evil man but it took over and saved him...whether it was for its own twisted reasons or not but it saved him....it was either him or that evil man that killed for fun and trust me if he didn’t have that demon inside of him he would be dead for real now...buried along with those victims that killer buried there ***the sangoma sighed and Alpha swallowed hard*** Sangoma: your brother’s girl is not your business and you being worried like this about her will cause a rift between you and your brother and soon the rift will be between you and the mother of your son...are you prepared to lose her Alpha: I love Masai....she’s my life Sangoma: but you’re here worried about another woman.....you don’t even see the bigger picture here Mkhulu.... ***he got up and walked away whistling and Alphalette sighed*** Alpha: this old man knows a lot for my liking.... ***he shook his head*** Alpha: eish . . . INSIDE THE ANCESTRAL HUT ***the Sangoma walked in*** Sangoma: Mahlebezulu go and prepare cleansing water for him....he’ll steam first....he can’t go to the river gogo would be furious and she might kill us because of that demon....ku labeka a fembiwa a noveni ( he needs to be exorcised in a forest ) first before I can take him to the river for a serious cleansing but since he doesn’t wanna get rid of it im not about to take chances with our lives by angering gogo ***Mahlebezulu swallowed hard*** Mahlebezulu: thokoza baba ***he said clapping his palms together and he got up and walked out of the hut*** Sangoma: are you ok Mabunda Mabunda: I need some air...its too hot in here and I need to use the toilet...i think I have a runny stomach ***he said getting up and walking out with his left hand on his stomach and the sangoma sighed.....he took different containers filled with muthi and he put them down then he sat down and started mixing them in one container for Gaza*** Sangoma: he’s not taking this well....keep an eye on him Gaza: I’ll talk to him Sangoma: talk to your brother also ***Gaza sighed*** Gaza: maybe we need some time apart Sangoma: no you don’t....the only person that can help you tame that thing...well if it can be tamed your brother knows him.....you gonna need his support son....leave this thing of him being the one that is supposed to marry your girl alone cause she has fallen for you....and to tell you the truth its not love he’s feeling for her...you know where his heart is....that’s what her foolish ancestors and father wanted to happen when they meet for the first time, for them to feel like its love at first sight....there’s no love at first sight here its just manipulation so relax and focus on the bigger picture and stop fighting your brother man....yeeerrr ***he shook his head*** Sangoma: I reminded him about the past so don’t worry....you two will be fine ***Gaza swallowed painfully*** Gaza: she was supposed to marry him ***this was not sitting well with him*** Sangoma: not for love but for duty Gaza: he has fallen for her I know....what if.... Sangoma: he loves his soul mate and he’s not prepared to lose her for anything or anyone....remember there are also evil forces involved....her father....he’s alive and manipulating everything....he’s angry that she has fallen for the wrong brother....he’s gonna try to cause chaos between the three of you ***Gaza looked down...he asked himself how this man knew so much *** Sangoma: your uncle wants you and your brother to be happy...to experience happiness...something he never got to experience fully, by making sure you ended up with women good for you but this world is full of evil people....your own blood betrayed you and a demon was put inside of you messing up his plans, but he fought hard for you to meet that girl cause she’s good for you but not for your brother cause he wasn’t gonna marry her for love.....why do you think the mother of his child she fell pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby even though doctors said they both won’t make it Gaza: it doesn’t change the fact that her ancestors want Ntsako and not me Sangoma: its her father’s ancestors and remember tatane wa yena angahlaolang.....na yena ntombi anga bikiwang ka bona....( her father didn’t pay for damages and the girl wasn’t introduced to her father’s ancestors too) they don’t have any claim to her but they still want to claim her nxa....if it was her mother’s ancestors who wanted your brother to marry her I would understand but them..... ***he shook his head*** Sangoma: hei ta vuya lamsaveni ( this world is hectic )....witches never sleep or rest ***he said as he continued to mix herbs in one container*** Sangoma: so tshikani kulwa engaku metembyana ( stop fighting like dogs) and fight this together man...mekhegorile na swekanda swa ku tala malevu ( you’re old with faces full of beards) but you fight like school children ____ HILLS ( NARRATED) *** Mpande walked to the steps instead of the elevator dialling Heath’s numbers on his phone*** Heath: sho Roots Mpande: sho...i need a favour fast fast man Heath: ok im listening Mpande: im about to beat the crap out of someone who disrespected me in front of someone.... ***he paused a bit*** Mpande: so can you mess up the CCTV footage on this complex im in right now....i won’t kill him but I wanna teach him a lesson he will never forget ***Heath chuckled*** Heath: who pissed you off Mpande: I’ll tell you all about it some other time so can you do that for me Heath: give me the address...I’ll let one of my boys handle it...im about to attend a meeting..... Mpande: ok thaa foza...shap ***he dropped the call and stopped climbing down the stairs and he send him the address then he rushed out....he found Tarek pacing up and down talking on the phone looking angry....he upped his pace to him angry as hell and he grabbed his right shoulder turning him around to face him roughly and a punch landed on Tarek’s face and he fell flat to the ground...then Mpande got on top of him and he punched him repeatedly with Tarek trying to block his punches but it was a futile thing to do especially if you are caught off guard*** Mpande: ungijwaela amasimba msunu wakho!! ***he said throwing in punches until Tarek couldn’t block them anymore....he punched him one last time then he got up from him and he kicked him severally until he heard voices not far of women talking and he moved from him and rushed to his car....he quickly opened it and he got in closing the door not satisfied....he heard screams and he clicked his tongue....he took out his handkerchief and wiped the blood on his knuckles*** Mpande: nxa....he’s f*ck*n lucky....b*stard!!! ****he watched the whole scene from his side mirrors until he saw Hills approaching the scene....he got out of the car as Hills screamed when he saw Tarek on the ground with a bloody face...he was still conscious and a woman is busy on the phone calling the paramedics*** Mpande: Ntabeni!!! ***he called her and she raised her head as she was about to kneel next to Tarek *** Mpande: asambe ( lets go) Hills: Mpande he’s... Mpande: ngithe asambe....manje!! ( I said lets go now) ***Tarek raised his hand*** Tarek: don’t go please ***Mpande walked to her just as Tarek held her leg*** Mpande: fuseg!!!....let go of her shlama ***he said angrily and Tarek let go of her leg*** Woman: haw abuti cant you see he’s hurt....there’s no need for you to be this rude Mpande: uyaphapha nempandla ( you’re too forward with your bald head) Woman: askies Mpande: I don’t know why ungano kera ichiskop ( you don’t just cut all your hair off) cause hairline is gone ngapha uyaphapha nobubi ( on top of it you’re too forward with your ugly self)....concentrate on the patient and keep your mouth shut mpandlane ( baldy) Hills: Mpande.... ***she said reprimanding him*** Mpande: lets go ***then he looked at Tarek as they helped him sit on his butt*** Mpande: izintaba kphela ezingahlangani lova....usazonya ***he said with a scary look on his face and he grabbed Hills’ hand and pulled her to his car with her looking back at Tarek*** Hills: Mpande wait...he’s.... ***she said trying to pull back her hand *** Mpande: Ntabeni!!! ***He said firmly looking at her with a pissed off look on his face and she swallowed hard....he opened the door for her and she got in with a worried look on her face.... then he closed the door and went to the driver side and he got in and started the car and he reversed and drove away*** . . . BACK AT THE PARKING LOT Woman: wannyela that guy nxa...all I said was he shouldn’t be rude ga fetsa yena o tlompotsa masepa (and he decides to tell me sh*t) ***she said angrily*** Woman: sa wara abuti an ambulance is on its way ***She said to Tarek who was wiping his bleeding nose with his shirt he just took off*** Woman2: I wouldn’t even be surprised if he’s the one who did this to this poor guy ***they saw security rushing to them....another tenant called them*** Woman1: nx bona fela le bontsho ke gona ba tlang....nxa useless Woman2: mxm oho ba useless ba ( they are useless these ones)...you can even bribe them to enter dimpya tse ( these dogs) Woman1: something needs to be done about them...the first ones were top class but these ones are useless Woman2: did you see who did this to you abuti ***Tarek ignored them and he slowly blocked his nose from all the bleeding....he could tell by the blood still coming out and the pain that it was broken....he searched for his phone and one of the woman went to pick it for him and he called his friend but he didn’t answer his phone*** Security: what happened here Woman1: we should be asking you that....askere its your job to guard this place ***she said with an attitude*** Security: haw sister we were busy by the gate that’s why im asking Woman1: im not your sister wena ***they continued to argue back and forth and Tarek just closed his eyes as the pain accompanied by a headache got worse....he laid back down and waited as he heard sirens of an ambulance getting closer*** ____ AT AMO’S HOME ***Jabu was called by Amo’s mother to come they have something important to talk to him about so he decided to take along Ray cause he’s the sensible and matured one.... He doesn’t know what he’s been called for and taking Heath with him and knowing how short tempered he is, all hell might break loose if they piss him off.....They parked the car outside the gate, they can see mourners outside sitting and drinking tea with scones*** Ray: are you ready ***Jabu sighed*** Jabu: if they say they are burying her let them ***Ray nodded*** Ray: and if they want you to bury her ***Jabu kept quiet*** Jabu: I don’t know big Ray...eish I don’t know ***Ray sighed*** Ray: ok lets go hear what they have to say ***they got out of the car and wore their jackets and Ray locked the car and they walked in.... people inside the yard looked at them some are even whispering among themselves *** Woman1: what if he sacrificed poor Amo for riches....i mean look at that car and the clothes he’s wearing ***she whispered to his friend*** Woman2: mmmmh and I heard he even kicked her out of his house right after their daughter died Woman1: e re wayaka ( say you’re lying) Woman2: im telling you Woman1: yho ***she clapped her hands dramatically.....Jabu and Ray greeted the ones closer to the door and they walked inside...the room became quiet instantly as they entered.....They greeted and the people inside the room greeted back and they sat down....One woman got up and he went to the bedroom where Amo’s mother is and whispered to her that the husband is here and Amo’s mother instructed her to let them in...it was only Amo’s mother, her uncle and aunt inside the bedroom*** Woman: you can come in ***she said to Ray and Jabu who felt uncomfortable with how tense things have become since they got here...they got up and followed her...they got inside the room and they greeted sitting down and things got more intense....Jabu sighed and he looked down and played with his wedding ring waiting.....Ray cleared his throat*** Ray: my elders ....we came as soon as we heard you wanted to see him Man: why come now....isn’t he the husband...so my sister had to call him for him to show his face Ray: with all due respect Jabu and Amo were separated and your sister knows that....a meeting was even held by both families and your niece did and say the unthinkable.....you were not there so don’t talk about things you know nothing about ***he said with a firm tone*** Woman: but she was still his wife...they had a child together....we heard he was even arrested as a suspect for her murder and more importantly where are your elders, they should be the ones here with him ***Jabu clenched his jaws*** Ray: I am his elder and if you have a problem with that then we can just leave ***he then looked at Amo’s mother*** Ray: Ma you called us here Amo’smother: Jabulani Jabu: ma Amo’smother: I know you and my daughter had your differences ***Jabu wanted to laugh at that statement*** Amo’smother: ....after the death of Jabulile things got worse but I know you loved her....you fought for her...you fought to make her your wife when her father..... when her father was against the idea.....She was a happily married woman who glowed until the devil entered your marriage ***she sighed and Jabu clenched his jaws still looking down *** Amo’smother: I will not lie and say Amo was perfect and a saint...a lot happened which you know about....so as Amo’s mother I want you to bury her....i think this is the closure you will need my son...it is the right thing to do ***Jabu raised his head to look at her with a frown on his face and he saw her wiping her falling tears off *** Amo’smother: I know you didn’t kill her.....i was there when those thugs pointed the gun at us....the leaders voice is imprinted in my mind...his aura was evil...it was like he was the devil himself....i feared him more than I feared the gun he pointed at us with ***Jabu looked down frowning while Ray listened carefully*** Ray: is there anything else you remember about them....a tattoo or ring or something ma ***she shook her head no wiping her falling tears*** Uncle: why....onyako timetsa motlhala ( you want to get rid of the evidence) Amo’smother: Tshepo.... ***she reprimanded him then she looked at Ray*** Amo’smother: Whoever killed my daughter knew what he was doing...that wasn’t just a robbery....she was the target Uncle: her wedding ring was also taken now why would a thug take a mere wedding ring heh... unless it held sentimental value to that person Jabu: that ring cost R35 000 and it didn’t hold any sentimental value to her because she still cheated wearing it so why should it hold such to another person ***he said looking at the uncle*** Uncle: heh...30 what.... **** Amo’s mother and aunt gasped*** Uncle: that ring needs to be found.....the police need to find it now!!! ***Ray just shook his head looking down....this uncle was just something else “ he thought”*** Jabu: why didn’t you tell the police about Mondli...why isn’t he a suspect too...you know what happened between them and.... ***he breathed out to calm himself down*** Jabu: your daughter hurt me deeply ma.....Jabulile died because of her... ***Amo’s mother looked away*** Uncle: hei hei how dare you say that about Amo....you killed my niece now o tlo bolela ka di hurt mo ( you’re busy talking about being hurt) ***Jabu frowned looking at the uncle*** Jabu: woooh uncle....nna lwena a re jajane first of all.... (you and I don’t know each other first of all) Ray: Jabu.... ***he tried to stop him because he could see he was now angry*** Jabu: ema pele big Ray ( wait big Ray).....die uncle is out here talking as if he knew Amo.... why don’t you ask your sister gore what did her daughter do heh....she was going around sleeping with cultists that ended up killing my daughter as a sacrifice...if I wanted her dead I could’ve killed her then and ka yo pantita ko suncity ( and go serve my time in jail) but I let her live and only asked for a divorce Ray: Jabu... Jabu: ma the fact that you said you know I didn’t kill your daughter means you went out to consult ....i know it’s the reason you’re saying I should bury her since she’s still my wife cause if you suspected I was responsible I wouldn’t have been allowed to enter into your yard....what im seeing is o batla go fitlha botlhaswa ba ngwana gao le diketso tsa gae tsa bosatane using me....ke playground nna ankere ( you want to hide your daughter evil doings using me...im a playground right) ....people use me and I should just forgive and forget....no one cares about what your daughter put me through...ke chipi nna ( im made of steel) I don’t get hurt right ***Amo’s mother just cried*** Woman: mokgwenyana ( son in law).....i think we should let bygones be bygones...Amo is gone.....what we should be focusing on is laying her to rest so we can all heal and move on....gore what she did or didn’t do doesn’t matter now...she’s gone Uncle: you’re not the first man to be hurt by their wife....lenyalo ga se papadi seun (marriage is not for the faint hearted son) so bury your wife....o monyetse wa re ( you married her and said) through thick and thin....for better or for worse so ke yona worse e ( so this is the worse part) ***Ray looked at the uncle with an intense look *** Ray: ok we will start with the funeral arrangements then...we will keep you updated ***he said and he got up*** Ray: let’s go Jabu ***Jabu also got up *** Uncle: just like that Ray: is there something else Uncle: we need to discuss the funeral arrangements....where she will be buried....her casket....food and drinks and which funeral parlour you’re going to use.....my niece can’t use just any funeral parlour....we have a standard we have to keep...she’s married to a rich man so people need to see that Ray: will you pay for all the things you just mentioned ***the uncle looked at Amo’s mother then at Ray*** Uncle: he’s the husband so he has to pay for everything ***Ray looked at him for a while until the uncle swallowed hard and looked away and that’s when Ray looked at Amo’s mother*** Ray: ma we will keep in touch ***Jabu looked at the uncle intensely too until the uncle felt uncomfortable then they walked out*** Amo’smother: Tshepo keng ka wena mara ( Tshepo what’s wrong with you) Tshepo: what did I do Amo’smother: couldn’t you just keep quiet Tshepo: keep quiet for what....he has to bury her.... we wont bury my niece like a pauper while she’s married to a rich man...never and plus we are not even sure if he’s responsible or not Amo’smother: he’s not Tshepo: you don’t know that...maybe ngaka ya gao ( your traditional healer) lied to you ***Amo’s mother sighed and she laid down ignoring her brother*** Woman: Tshepo wena wa lapisa man aarg.... re boletse pila and wena wa senya dilo ( we spoke about how we are going to handle the talk and you decided to ruin things) Tshepo: a ke tlo tella ke bafananyana nna....they think just because they have money re tlo utlwa ka bona...never ( I will not be disrespected by small boys....they think just because they have money we will take whatever they say...never) Woman: no wonder your wife left you....you have no sense at all Tshepo: ke tlao botsa ditaba tsa gao wa swaba le dichubaba tsa memeza Amo’smother: hai man enough!!! ***they kept quiet and Uncle Tshepo got up and he walked out looking angry*** Woman: askies man.... Tshepo le yena wa tena....as long as they agreed to bury her im sure this will stop people from speculating rubbish about her ***Amo’s mother didn’t say anything*** . . . TO BE CONTINUED.... #TO-DARE-IS-TO-DO