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11
11THE MALEKA HOUSEHOLD
Boipelo enters the kitchen fending Reitu already up and cleaning. She looks disturbed and nothing like she looked yesterday. Boipelo pulls a chair and sits down without saying a word. She observes her daughter’s actions and finally speaks on them after a few minutes.
Boipelo: you don’t have to push yourself to do the chores if you don’t feel like it.
Reitu: I’m fine.
Boipelo: no, sit down I want to talk to you.
Reitu pulls achar too and sits down facing her mother. After that mysterious shadow last night, she couldn’t rest. She was up most of the time through the night, something was not right, and it was bothering her.
Boipelo: are you upset about last night? About the church and everything?
Reitu: not necessarily. You already decided on that, so I don’t think I have a say.
Boipelo: that may be the case, but I would like to hear what you---
Reitu: I doesn’t matter MA; I will do it.
Boipelo: that’s not how I meant it. after losing your sister and everything, I had some epiphany about something. I realized how you’re home all day and not doing anything, because the school part is not working so well, I thought you’d try something out in the meantime so that if going to school doesn’t work out—you have back up and won’t suffer as much should I die.
Reitu: why are we talking about your death?! Are you planning to leave me too?
Boipelo: that’s not the case, I am just making an example. This is a situation you cannot avoid in the future.
Reitu: I know! But doesn’t give you the right to prepare me for it so soon. MA, we just lost Itu not long ago, how do you think it makes me feel that you’re already talking about your death and preparing me for it? how would you feel if I did the same?!! How would you like it if I talked the way you are to me right now?! I don’t want to talk about this now! I just can’t---
Reitu storms out of sight leaving Boipelo confused and with a lot of questions.
Boipelo: I still had a lot to say…
LATER THAT DAY
THE HOLY GRAIL MINISTRIES
Lesego who’s in bad shape and hasn’t been sleeping very well for a couple of days walks ahead of Cindy who’s squealing with excitement as they walk closer and closer to the bishop’s office.
Cindy: oh my God, Oh my God!
Lesego: will you calm down?!
Cindy: maybe if you tell me where you went yesterday…
Lesego: that’s none of your business!
Cindy: as much as mine is not yours
Lesego: at least behave inside!
Lesego stops and inhales in front of the bishop’s office. She takes a few seconds to herself preparing herself for whatever situations she may find inside. The last time she was here things didn’t go too well so, coming back here again reminds her of very unpleasant memories. She knocks and enters the room after command to do so. Inside the bishop sits on his chair but with a visitor who seems unfamiliar but very comfortable with the place judging by how he sits. The man smirks at her and lets both the girl sit down. The mysterious visitor looks at her intensely making her a little uncomfortable while Cindy sits chilled with a very welcoming expression conveying how glad she is.
Bishop: oh, you’re finally here, we’ve been waiting.
Lesego: oh… I did not know; I am sorry for being late. We had something to do before coming here.
Bishop: no, it is totally fine. The dreams? Are they still bothering you?
Lesego: not really.
Bishop: with that face you could’ve fooled me… so, this us Cindy? The friend?
Lesego: ye—
Cindy cuts and introduces herself leaving Lesego a little bummed and shocked, but this sudden wave of energy Cindy is suddenly exuding.
Cindy: yes, bishop. It is an honour to finally meet you. I am Cindy Mahlaba, I have been by Lesego’s side helping here with everything for as long as I can remember. I cannot believe I finally get to see you and have such a meaningful conversation with you. It has always been a dream of mine to sit this close to you and have a conversation. You really inspire me to be a better person every day.
Bishop: you reckon?
Cindy: yes. Every time I face hardships, I always ask myself, ‘what would the bishop do?’ in this situation. And every time I find the right solutions and leave the complications unscathed. I am so starstruck right now I am probably rambling but that’s just another way to show I’m surprised I am to be invited into your presence.
Bishop: you really work hard, don’t you?
Cindy smiles brightly looking at the bishop and a little lost on how to take the statement because it did sound a little insulting and somewhat a compliment at the same time.
Bishop: do you mind if I steal your friend for a moment Cindy, I have things to run past her before going home.
Cindy: not at all, bishop.
The bishop stands up faking a smile and signals Lesego to follow him leaving his office. Cindy sits side by side next to the stranger who was never introduced to them. She peeks at him, and he has a dazingly handsome face, an unfamiliar face, a face he’s never seen in the congregation before. She shuffles and turns to the man to introduce herself.
Cindy: the bishop is such a great man, isn’t he?
Guy: maybe.
Cindy: yeah… I am Cindy by the way as you’ve probably heard. I’ve been with the ministry for as long as I can remember. I do trivial work around here with my friend Lesego, the one who just got out with the bishop. But I’ve never seen you here before, are you related to the bishop or do you go here too, or maybe you’re new?
Guy: none of those and also…you’ll never ever see me again.
Cindy: excuse me?
Guy: look into my eyes.
Cindy hesitantly looks up at the man’s eyes. Within a second, she passes out falling on the floor. The man like creature reverts to its original form and starts hissing surrounding the girl.
FROM THE WINDOW
The bishop has his one hand over Lesego’s mouth and the other on her neck forcing her to look directly through the window to witness what is happening inside the room.
Bishop: say a word, and that could be you! I meant it when I said keep your business with me a secret. Running away won’t help you. You can die just by a snap of my fingers. I won your life now. Don’t think of doing anything stupid. What to you think happened to your friend, Itumeleng? Bitches who don’t listen meet their fate a little earlier.
Lesego muffles on the man’s hold as she can’t breathe properly with the hand over her mouth. Tears stream down her cheeks as she thinks of Itumeleng. Her head starts to ache a little bit as her memories are scattered all over the place. Her mind drifts off to her life before the church and the bishop, she hyperventilates as a panic attack overcomes her taking all power from her legs and will to stand on two feet. Guilt eats her up and she feels herself fading away slowly until lights out for her.
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