AT JABU’S HOUSE

NARRATED

Jabu: you sure she won’t remember that Sbu is the one that shot her ***its only now he’s asking about her and whether erasing her mind worked or not….he’s been dealing with his daughter’s death that he never cared about anything else*** Ray: Ruu said she won’t.... she was told that fake Christian is the one that send people to shot her as soon as she woke up ***Jabu sighed*** Jabu: ok…. So how did her mother take the news Ray: she just cried and emphasized on how much she warned her bla bla bla…..anyway you good Jabu: aah I’ll be fine....how is Mj, I heard he broke his leg Ray: mxm that mumu ( fool) he’ll be fine....MJ is troublesome and dad can’t handle him anymore... as soon as he finishes writing he’s coming this side so I can keep a close eye on him ***Jabu chuckled*** Ray: now on a serious note…. how are you doing ***Jabu sighed*** Jabu: taking it one day at a time Ray: that’s good...that’s good and Sbu how is he ***Jabu sighed again*** Jabu: he’s locking himself in his room and doesn’t talk to anyone.....i don’t know what to do anymore Big Ray....he goes to see the therapist we got for him and he just sits there and say nothing until the session ends….i know I’ve been upsent and sh!t but…. ***Jabu sighed*** Ray: im worried about him man.....something needs to be done before he does something bad to himself Jabu: yeah....i don’t even wanna sit him down and talk to him cause it ends up in a fight so yah Ray: you’re also going through a lot man Jabu: even Mshikaro has failed to make him talk or see that what he did was wrong Ray: all will be well bros... Jabu: yeah I’ll believe it when I see it happening ***Ray sighed....well they talked some more***

----------

AT ALPHALETTE’S HOUSE

***They just finished eating and now Kgosi went to lie down a bit and Alphalette is in his Ndumba ( ancestral hut) meditating when it suddenly became quiet and he slowly opened his eyes cause he could feel he wasn’t alone anymore*** Alpha: Kokwana wa xinuna ( grandfather) ***he said bowing his head*** Granddad: U kwihi ntukulu wa mehe wa xinuna ( where is my grandson) Alpha: wihi Kokwana ( which one grandfather) Granddad: ngwana wa wehe (your child) ***Alpha swallowed*** Alpha: U na manana wa yehe ( he’s with his mother) ***the grandfather looked at him and shook his head*** Granddad: Hikokwalaho ka yini u hlwerisa Ntsako heh? ( why are you delaying Ntsako) Alpha: Ndzi ta ngutivisa Kokwana ( I’ll introduce him granddad) Granddad: U sinya nkarhi man…..U lava ko vona yini!! ( you are wasting time...what do you want to see ) ***he said with a firm tone*** Alpha: Na metwa Kokwana ndzi ta ngutivisa( I hear you granddad I’ll introduce him ) Granddad: daas right yi sona ( alright) ***then he disappeared and Alphalette sighed rubbing his face....he took his phone and made a call*** Voice: Tivula rha mehe ( my first born) ***he chuckled*** Alpha: Mhani (mom) how are you Mother: ngiyaphila wena sthandwa sam ( im good and you my love) Alpha: roku rixaku mhani ( im good mom) ***he didn’t sound convincing…..he sighed rubbing his head*** Ma: wenzeni ( what did you do) Alpha: I come bearing good and bad news Ma ***she kept quiet a bit*** Ma: are you sick?? Alpha: I never get sick Ma you know that Ma: then what is it ***he sighed*** Alpha: you remember I told you that the ancestors said i have a boy child out there ***she kept quiet a bit** Ma: yes...tell me you have found him Alpha: he actually found me Ma: heh....how old is he for him to find you Alpha: one year three months or four Ma: heh Alpha: you know the mother Ma Ma: I do??? Who’s that ***Alphalette swallowed hard*** Alpha: I met her two years ago and we ummm... ***he cleared his throat*** Alpha: yeah and I kicked her out like she meant nothing....i treated her like garbage Ma....i wasn’t on the right state of mind, it was that time I found out about Stevens and Helga so I just wanted to offload but I ended up leaving my seed in her Ma: why are you beating around the bush...who is she Ntsako Alpha: Masai Ma: who’s Masai....i only know the Masaai people in Kenya...or you impregnated a foreigner Ntsako Alpha: im talking about Masai, Steven’s fiancé Ma: ithi uyadlala ( say you are kidding) ***he sighed*** Alpha: im not... im just glad she didn’t abort ma, I mean she didn’t even know where to find me and she still kept the baby makes her amazing in my eyes ***his mother didn’t say anything*** Alpha: she’s not playing us and she’s not moving from one brother to the other so don’t be hard on her Ma: so thats why she ran away that day…...does Steve know Alpha: yes Ma: no wonder he’s hardly home since the engagement party Ma: what’s his response...i hope you two didn’t fight Alpha: I don’t know I haven’t spoken to him Ma: as if you would mxm....yazi you two will kill me with a heart attack....yho yaqala inkatazo manje ( now trouble has started) Alpha: I didn’t plan this Ma....i met her two years ago unlike him who slept and impregnated my then fiancée Ma: now I see why you’re telling me all this over the phone....mxm im too old for this ***then she dropped the call and Alphalette breathed out***

IN KGOSI’S BEDROOM

Kgosi: what did she say... ***he sighed*** Kgosi: did she ask about me ***Cole kept quiet a bit*** Kgosi: so she didn’t Cole: she’s still a bit out of it and she was worried about Gauta Kgosi: what did the doctor say ***he said changing the topic*** Cole: she’s gonna be fine and so will the princess Kgosi: that’s good and how’s Gorata Cole: she’s getting discharged tomorrow Kgosi: that’s good Cole: and the paw-paw were here asking questions, they asked Gorata some questions and they said they’ll come tomorrow to talk to Dee Kgosi: mxm those stupid fools....they called me on my way here....nx as if they’ll even search for Collins or find him Cole: we will find him don’t worry Kgosi: Tirelo said he’s in plain sight....we should look at obvious places Cole: so you two talked Kgosi: yeah sort of ***he sighed*** Kgosi: it was intense and scary man.....i’ll tell you all about it when we meet Cole: damn Kgosi: I swear Alpha wa loya man...struu ( alpha is a wizard) ***Cole laughed*** Kgosi: I swear to you Cole: I need to see this guy Kgosi: you wouldn’t tell he’s a sangoma but the sh!t he does ***he whistled and Cole laughed*** Cole: so Richie blessed yall ***Kgosi sighed*** Kgosi: yeah Cole: that’s good...ooh before I forget the King was asking about you Kgosi: I’ll call him....how are things at the royal homestead Cole: sad mfowethu....Mmapula’s daughters are walking corpses Kgosi: Motlalepula man not Mmapula Cole: six no nine kuya fana ( same thing) ***Kgosi chuckled....anyway they talked some more until they ended the call then Alpha knocked and walked in*** Alpha: you need to start with meditation Kgosi: heh...mediwhat?....i don’t do those yoga things nna....im a straight dude Alpha: eish yah neh....ignorant and foolish people of high status ***he shook his head and walked in closing the door*** Kgosi: se se salang im not doing yoga finish.... ga ke tlo donosa (im not about to stick my ass out) in questionable positions wearing tights Alpha: o xedayela....xe namnam ( you’re a fool) Kgosi: tsek!! ***Alpha laughed sitting on the bed so he can explain ***

----------

LORRAINE MPOFU

***I took a deep breath as we approached Jabu’s place cause I don’t know what to expect, not from Sbusiso but from Jabu....i just hope he doesn’t kick me out cause that would be embarrassing and a bummer for Sbu cause he sounded like something big is bothering him....the car stopped and the uber driver turned and looked at me*** Driver this is the address mam Me: yeah ummm please wait a bit and let me check if there’s someone inside ***he nodded and I got out and went closer to the gate and pressed the intercom....rich peoples things in the township....mmmh*** Voice: yah ***ooh Lord he’s home*** Me: hi its Lorraine Jabu: heh?? Me: umm its Lorraine ***I saw the gate opening....ummm ohk....i went to the driver and thanked him whilst paying him and I took out my bag and walked in....as im approaching the door it opened and there he is....damn he looks like sh!t*** Me: hi ***you can see he’s shocked to see me*** Jabu: hey...come in ***I walked in and we went to the lounge and I put my hand bag on my lap and my traveling bag on the floor*** Jabu: you look good ***ummm ohk*** Me: thanks....well you look rough ***he chuckled....wow I never thought we would ever be this awkward towards each other*** Jabu: life happened ***he shrugged his shoulders*** Me: im... im sorry for your loss ***I hope I don’t open his healing wounds....well that’s if they have started healing*** Jabu: sho ***then silence...ohk this is awkward yho*** Me: ummm im here to see Sbu is he in ***he frowned*** Jabu: umm yeah...why...is everything ok Me: im about to find out ***he gave me a confused look*** Me: he called me sounding hurt or sad....he asked me when im coming this side and since I won’t be around by the weekend I thought I should come today instead ***ok why am I explaining myself like this....his mother walked in from the backyard wiping her hands and when her eyes landed on me she smiled widely and I returned the smile getting up and we met half way and hugged*** Ma: how are you ntombi Me: ngiyaphila ma...nina ninjani ( im good ma...how are you) Ma: mxm…. ***she said shaking her head looking sad*** Ma: aah…. im taking it one day at a time ***then she looked at Jabu*** Ma: did you offer her something to drink Jabulani Jabu: she knows where the kitchen is ma ***wow...ohk....he said getting up*** Jabu: you can go check on him in his room Ma: Jabulani!!! ***she warned him but he just walked away...ohk I need to see Sbu and leave this place*** Me: let me go see Sbu ma ***she breathed out*** Ma: don’t mind him....he’s.. Me: don’t worry ma I understand...let me go see Sbu ***I said stopping her and she nodded looking sad and I went up***

----------

NARRATED *** Lorraine knocked on the door and Sbu told her to come in thinking its his grandmother and when his eyes landed on Lorraine he quickly sat up looking at her surprised*** Lolly: hi ***she waved at him briefly with a smile on her face*** Sbu: you....you’re here Lolly: yeah....you got me worried so I took the first flight available this morning ***he swallowed hard getting emotional*** Lolly: can I sit ***he nodded and she did then she breathed out*** Lolly: what’s going papa....you sounded worrisome over the phone ***he kept quiet a bit*** Sbu: I did something horrible sisi Lolly: ok umm how far along is she ***Sbu frowned*** Sbu: huh Lolly: the girl you impregnated...how far along is her pregnancy ***Sbu frowned some more then his face relaxed*** Sbu: I didn’t impregnate anyone sis ***she breathed out*** Lolly: ok then what did you do papa...please dont tell me you tried drugs Sbusiso ***he kept quiet a bit*** Sbu: I almost killed someone ***her eyes popped out*** Lolly: ini? ( what) Sbu: I was angry and I couldn’t control my anger....all I saw was red sisi and I just wanted her dead Lolly: her? ***he nodded*** Lolly: who is it Sbu ***she said as calmly as possible*** Sbu: ma....Amogelang....papa’s wife ***She froze a bit*** Lolly: what did she do ***he was pleased by her question instead of trying to reprimand or judge him*** Sbu: she’s the reason Lile died and she....she forced herself on papa when he was drunk ***her eyes popped out*** Lolly: please explain so I truly understand ***Sbu sighed and he explained everything and by the time he was done he was a crying mess.....Lolly held him tight as she also cried until he was left with only hiccups....she wiped her tears off and kissed his forehead multiple times*** Lolly: its ok papa....its ok....im here now and everything will be fine

----------

*** Lolly stayed with Sbu until he fell asleep then she went downstairs and found Jabu’s mother watching tv while drinking tea*** Ma: how is he ***she sighed and sat down*** Lolly: broken but uzobaright ( he’ll be alright) ***she nodded*** Ma: but did he manage to talk....you know ***Lolly nodded and Jabu’s mother sighed*** Ma: hai kunzima ( its tough) Lolly: he’s gonna be alright mama don’t worry Ma: hai I hope so...i cooked go and dish for yourself ***Lolly got up and walked to the kitchen***

----------

SHALATE ( HILLS)

***My life neh.....anyway I made an appointment with a lawyer Moera recommended to me and I hope he’ll help me get out of this marriage even though she suggested I wait for Ma to come from her overseas trip before I make any decisions ....Well Moera and Masai are against me making decisions while im hurting like this cause they know I love Tar with my all but its not like he just cheated, he also want to take his side chick as his second wife and I can’t have that....i cant share him so since the dish is pregnant and I know I can’t give him a child then I’ve rather remove myself from the equation.....im used to people hurting me so I should have known that he’ll also hurt me....if my own mother can break and fail me dismally then why wouldn’t Tar also do the same*** Voice: hi ***I jumped startled and my hand instantly went to my chest...sh!t this nikka nearly gave me a heart attack*** Me: don’t …. ever do that ok!! ***I said not even looking at him and continued searching for affordable apartment since I stopped when I fell deep into my trail of thoughts*** Tar: I just greeted you Shale Me: hi...happy now ***im still not looking at him....i need to start to learn to live without him straight....i need to*** Tar: so things have gotten to this huh....you disrespecting me like this...im still your husband Shalate and will remain one till death *** mxm I just ignored him*** Tar: ngikhuluma nawe man Shalate!!! ( im talking to you man Shalate) *** breathe Shale....deep breath*** Me: respect is earned Tarek not demanded....you’ve lost all my respect so deal with it ****I said still not looking at him....i love this man but he broke me....i don’t think I’ll ever recover*** Tar: so you’ll be like this until when....you do know sooner or later you have to accept the way things are and we need to find common ground and make things work Me: you’re delusional shem ***I said turning my head to look at him*** Tar: askies Me: this.... ***I moved my hands between me and him*** Me: died when you decided to cheat and get her pregnant and it got buried when you decided to take her as the second wife ***he clenched his jaws*** Me: I’ll never forgive you Tarek...you just showed me how you really feel about me....i guess your mother was right all along....she did say you’ll leave me for a woman who’ll give you a child and it has happened ***I said wiping my falling tears*** Tar: we will never be over Shale....you are my wife and it shall remain like that until death do us apart ***then he walked away....nx f3#k him...he can go to hell for all I care nx....i wiped my tears off and continued to search for an apartment***

----------

AT JABU’S HOUSE

LORRAINE

***im busy in the kitchen warming up my milk looking at my phone for the hundredth’s time hoping and praying that Kenny calls me....i miss him but my pride wont allow me to call him....i hope and pray that me coming here will not break us up....i had to be here for Sbu and im glad I did cause I could see he trusted me.... I mean his grandmother said they send him to talk to some therapist they trusted and he just went there and said nothing, so the fact that he opened up to me means he trusts me and im glad I didn’t let him down....i turned when I felt a figure standing by the door and it’s Jabu (sigh)*** Jabu: what did you say to him...today was the first time he sat with us since…. Me: I just listened without being judgmental ***I said shrugging my shoulders and took my cup as he walked further in...i walked passed him and I felt his hand stopping me*** Jabu: I heard you’re now dating your ex-husband’s brother ***he said letting go of my upper hand*** Me: yeah...he’s the best so far Jabu: o bona go le xap wena ( do you think its appropriate) ***sigh*** Me: appropriate for who Jabu: how sure are you that he’s nothing like his brother Me: im not sure but who knows maybe I got married to the wrong brother in the first place Jabu: you didn’t just say that Me: what is it Jabu...yes Kenny is Bheki’s brother and yes we are dating and yes I love him Jabu: do you?? ***he said giving me an intense look*** Me: yeah I do ***he looked at me for some time*** Jabu: mmmmh if you say so ***then he went towards the fridge and I just walked out of the kitchen....mxm whats that “mmh if you say so” he just did....Jabu can be an a$$ sometimes nx...the intercom rang and I went to answer it*** Me: ke mang? Voice: Lorraine….baby??? ***my eyes popped out*** Me: Kenny ***he breathed out*** Kenny: im sorry please let me in Me: how….how did you… Kenny: I booked us into a hotel I came to pick you up *** “ say what now”*** Jabu: o bloma hier...Sbu needs you so chaela dai moegoe a vaye….a gona ko o yang finish and klaar ( you are staying here….Sbu needs you so tell that fool to leave….you are going nowhere) ---------- TO BE CONTINUED….