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10
10THE MOHLALA HOUSEHOLD
The bishop enters the house rushing. He greets his guest and sits to chat a little bit with both Mfundo and the guest before he invites the guest into his home office. He shows her to a seat and offer her something to drink, she politely declines and continues to start telling the reason for her visit.
Boipelo: something has been bothering after the funeral and everything. I contemplated a lot and sat on it for a while but in the end, it felt right for me to bring this back.
She takes out a small envelop from her purse and slides it across the table to the bishop’s hands. With a confused look, the bishop takes the envelop and looks inside only to be met by a check, a signed check he’d sent as condolence money to Itu’s family. He swallows and looks at Boipelo.
Bishop: Mme, this was due to you and your family to help with the funeral arrangement and everything that comes after it. seeing how you’re here to return this, I don’t know how to feel.
Boipelo: I’m sorry too. I know this may look insulting and very disrespectful, but it is in the purest form and with no ulterior motive that I am bringing this back. This is a lot. My daughter worked for the church and devoted her talent for the house of the Lord, getting such a big amount of money as condolence money kind of puts pressure on me. I don’t want you to feel bad about any of this. I just cannot accept it--- it’s just too much and I don’t think Itu needs to be paid for working for the church, after all she was serving the Lord. I am really sorry to do this again.
Bishop: I understand where you’re coming from. I would have like if you accepted this, at least it would make me feel better for missing the burial ceremony but if it’s your will to do things like this, then… let me free you and accept the money back.
Boipelo: thank you so much bishop. May the merciful god keep on poring blessing upon blessing in your life.
Bishop: I wish and pray for the same with you and your family. The church has lost a great resource, your daughter was such a humble soul. Now I’m just sitting here wondering where in the world would I find another diligent and dedicated worker like her. Kids these days are very unattainable.
Boipelo: what if I were to suggest someone?
Bishop: do you have anyone in mind?
Boipelo: my youngest daughter, she’s currently sitting and doing nothing. This would be a great opportunity for her, to learn something new and discover the Lord.
Bishop: that’s great then. As long as she’s good as her sister, everything shall be fine.
Boipelo: I will pass the news on to her and see where this lead.
Bishop: well, I’ll wait to hear from you then but not any later that the end of this week.
Boipelo: yes bishop.
Bishop: well then if that’s all, I'd like to get some rest and work through a few things, let me walk you out.
Boipelo: yes
Bishop: when are you coming back to work?
Boipelo: I talked to the first lady, and she gave me one more week.
Bishop: that’s good news, I thought you’d quit.
Boipelo: how could I after everything you’ve done for me and my family…
They both walk out of the study a bit lighter than they had entered. Mfundo watches her husband as he ushers the lady out of their house. It’s a bit dark outside and she feels kind of bad that they did not offer to take her back, but there’s more pressing matter she needs to take care of in her home. The bishop makes it back in a minute and join his wife in the living room. He had this unreadable look on his face too. Quite smug and sneaky too.
Mfundo: what’s happening with you?
Bishop: nothing… I just had quite a great day or so to say…
Mfundo: well, I didn’t and it’s because of you.
She lowers the high neck dress she’s wearing so her neck shows. She has red bruises all over from the shoulders up. The bishop gasps at first glance and immediately looks around to check if anyone saw the. He takes Mfundo’s hand and drags her to their bedroom to talk privately.
Bishop: what is that about? What happened to your neck? What are those scars?
Mfundo: I said it's all because of you.
Bishop: what do you mean because of me? What have I done now?
Mfundo: you know what you have done. The master did this to me and he told me you know the reason. I got punished today for your wrongdoings. Tshepang, what happened today with that Lesego girl?
Bishop: what do you mean?
Mfundo: the master knows damnit!! He knows!! What the hell did that girl do? Do you know how hard I had to work to appease him? Do you know how painful it was handling being strangled for something you did not even do? Knowing how dangerous he can be and what he’s capable of. How can you be so careless?
Bishop: I’m sorry… I apologize, I am sorry. I did not know she told anyone about us or the things we do. How was I supposed to know though, I am not some psychic for crying out loud!!!
Mfundo: how dare you raise your voice at me when you’re clearly the person at fault here? Aren’t you even a little apologetic? You know what I am not even going to try and reason with you!! You go face the master by yourself and work things out! Leave me out of it!!
Nomfundo storms out of the bedroom in flames leaving her husband behind. After suffering such torture and everything she has sacrificed for Tshepang she cannot believe he has the nerve to act like that in front of her or even have the courage to raise his voice at her. Just who the hell does he think he is?!!
LESEGO’S HOUSE
Cindy sits side by side next to Lesego a little thrilled about the news she’s just told her.
Cindy: are you sure the bishop said he wants to see me?! I mean me. The whole me?
Lesego: yes, and it’s nothing to be excited about. I wouldn’t---
Cindy: girl stop. Don’t try to dim my light. Do you know how many nights I stayed up praying for a day like this? This is a dream come true for me.
Lesego: you really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, do you?
Cindy: do I have to know though?
Lesego and turns to sleep on her back. Memories of what occurred earlier in the bishop’s office attack her. She abruptly springs up and leaves the room slamming the door behind her without a word.
THE MALEKA HOUSEHOLD
Reitu sits gawking at her mother with a mad look on her face showing she’s not very welcoming of the news she just shared.
Boipelo: this is for your own good. I don’t want to hear stories or excuses.
Reitu: I really don’t like that place. I don’t see myself setting foot in that place!! The same place that stole Itu from us! I refuse!!
Boipelo looks at her and holds back slapping the living lights out of her. She sighs and stands up to leave.
Boipelo: I am not going to argue with you over this. You will do it! end of story!
She takes her cup filled with her favorite green tea and leaves the common room retiring to bed.
Boipelo: I’m heading to bed, don’t forget to switch the lights off and the TV. And don’t sleep on the couch. Lower the volume also.
Reitu: okay, so many things…
Boipelo: you know sitting still and not chatting back never hurts…
Reitu: I’m sorry, have a good night sleep. See you in the morning.
She disappears out of sight without an answer. Reitu adjusts her sitting position and focuses back on her TV show. A cold breeze attacks her nape, and she looks around feeling a little eerie mood before leaving to check if all the windows are locked. In the far darkness just next to the gate, she sees an unfamiliar figure. She adjusts her eyes to look at the person, but they disappear before she can take a second look. Scared and a little shocked, she switches off the TV and lights and goes to bed too.
THE MOHLALA HOUSEHOLD
The bishop struggles to breathe as the half human half snake creature pins him against the wall chocking the living hell out of him making sure to break a rib or two in the process. The creature seems livid, something he has nerve seen before or encountered with when dealing with it.
The master: things were going so well; you just had to go and ruin things. Do you know how hard that girl works for you? You don’t !! but you had the nerve to talk to her the way you did!! For your knowledge, out of the 2 of you, you’re the one with the easiest task.
He lets go after a good 2 minutes of staying on his throat. Blood oozes from both his nose and ears showing the impact of the damage. The creature slithers back to its cage and leaves the man gasping for air on the floor.
Bishop: I apologize for my short mindedness. I shouldn’t have and I never will. I get it now. Mfundo is just as important for this to work. From now on I will not move forward or act on anything without consulting the two of you. I will take time to think things through before I act. Tomorrow, please visit my office around the late evening. I will have a gift for you. She’s someone who saw and heard things she shouldn’t have. I think you will enjoy her. It has been a while, I know… and Lesego too, you can have her if you want. There’s already new fresh blood. This is my way of showing remorse… I apologize. Again, I ask for forgiveness.
The bishop offers his last bow and sits like that for a minute. He stands up and leaves the basement a little discombobulated and in pain.
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