Name: Man of God
Author: Miracle A.N

21

21
THE MOHLALA HOUSEHOLD
The house feels a little unfamiliar and cold this particular morning as Boipelo walks up the stairs to the room where she usually starts her day. She walks past 3 more rooms and knocks on the 4th door. A disturbed looking man opens the door and keeps it on his hold not letting her get inside or get the slightest look inside the room.
Boipelo: oh, Man of God, good morning. Am I disturbing you?
Bishop stands still, guarding the door and looks too zoned out to even answer Boipelo’s question. Her smile disappears as she looks at him with confusion and worry. He doesn’t look the same, he doesn’t look like he usually does, and normally, he’s not here at this time of the morning.
Boipelo: is something perhaps wrong?
Bishop: no…no, just give me some time. You don’t have to change the bed sheets or clean the room today, or at least until I say so. There’s been a few changes. You can be dismissed.
He shuts the door on her face and goes back inside and throws himself on the bed facing the ceiling. Boipelo leaves the door with confusion driving her a little fuzzy. Today is not going to be a good day.
INSIDE THE ROOM
The Master: what is this mood? I thought this is what you wanted. I’m a little disappointed you know…
Bishop: are you being serious right now? Really?
The Master: what?
He laughs fuelling the now widowed man. The bishop charges at him with a golf club in his hand. He swings it towards the master but fails as he grabs it and throws it on the floor.
The Master: that’s not so smart of you. That better be a mistake because I won’t allow that again. You get ready, you have school kids to entertain.
Bishop: you son of a bitch!!
The Master: yes, I am. Stop being pathetic and pull yourself together. Nomfundo is not the first woman to die. She’s not the only one whose blood is on your hands. Stop being a sissy and prepare for the long day you have ahead.
Bishop: but—but… she did not deserve this. I did not initiate this; this is not what I meant. This is not what I wanted.
The Master: there’s nothing you can do about it now. it’s not like I can resurrect the dead. You get ready, I’ll see what I can do about the body.
Bishop: what do you mean?
The Master: exactly what you’re thinking right now.
Bishop: no… no! I’m not allowing that.
The Master: then what do you propose, have your pathetic helpers come in here and see here like that. Then I’ll have to kill them all. I’ll have a feast then, let them come. It’ll all be on you.
Bishop: don’t touch her!! I won’t have anyone come in here. I’ll figure something out by myself. Just don’t do to her what you did to the others. That’s the least I can do for her please…
The Master: oh, that… that’s not what I meant. I meant I’d stage something, a car accident rather to disguise her death. I long finished with her. Why do you think she never wanted kids? Hell, you’re gullible!
Bishop: what?!
The Master leaves the bedroom back to his basement careful not to be noticed. He gets a glimpse of Boipelo in the kitchen humming and stops to watch her for a few seconds and leaves just before she turns to leave the kitchen for the laundry room. Meanwhile, the bishop lies thoughtless and out of body next to Nomfundo’s body. He sits upright and cups her face, her body has gone cold, she looks pale but still admirable and beautiful like she’s going to open her eyes. He looks at her for the longest time before he leaves for the bathroom.
LOVEDALE HIGH SCHOOL
After yesterday’s announcement about the bishop’s visits to her school, Isa sits anxiously biting her nails as it’s only a few minutes from assembly time. A person she did not expect enters the room and passes past her without a word. The same girl who was her friend just a few months ago, Emihle, the same girl she visited the bishop’s office with. She turned on her and dropped her and their friendship leaving her hanging high and dry. After that one evening at the bishop’s office, things never returned to normal between them. They’re just as good strangers now.
Isa: you know this look doesn’t suit you.
Emihle looks at her and says nothing. She puts her head down on her desk and naps. Isa walks up to her and pulls her by her hair making her to face her.
Isa: ignoring me?! I’m talking to you!!
Emi: I’m sorry… please… let me go… I’m sorry. I didn’t tell anyone—I won’t!! Please let me go!
Emihle rushes out of the classroom after grabbing very much unneeded attention towards Isa. She looks around and goes back to her seat annoyed and feeling betrayed by her ex-friend.
Isa: what the **** re you looking at?!! Go back to your seats!!!
The bell rings and the learners shuffle all across the school walls making their way to the assembly hall.
THE ASSEMBLY HALL
Things are a little different today because everyone’s favourite hero is coming to school. Within a few minutes the hall is filled to maximum capacity by the population of Lovedale High School. Screams, whistles, and applause fill the room as the bishop walks out up front onto the stage, followed by 2 other people he brought with him. The school principal stands by the bishop’s side and takes the mic, introducing the man and his companion later handing the mic to the bishop to say a few words.
Bishop: Hello Lovedale!!
Again, noise fills the room as the crowd welcomes the bishop with warm hands. They settle down after a few minutes as the bishop begins his speech, later playing Bible trivia with them, and awarding some with gifts and so forth.
LOVEDALE HIGH GIRL’S BATHROOM
Emihle stands holding onto the door as Isabele stands in front of her, throwing some very hurtful words at her disguised as an apology.
Isa: oh God! Will you stop crying? It’s not like I did not apologize. I did! I did! I am sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have, I don’t know why I did that. Maybe it’s because I am so angry with you but still miss you. You ghosted me, disappeared on and avoided me everywhere. You stopped sharing a desk with me, stopped taking to me. What did you want me to do? What did it do to you? Why did you stop hanging out with me? Why did you stop being friends with me?!
Emi: I’m sorry. My aunt… my aunt said that—I am sorry…
Isa: Emi!!!
Emihle breaks down again and cries. Only this time she cries without letting a sound out. An unexpected visitor interrupts them. Isa backs away from Emi and looks at the person entering the bathroom. It’s the same person she once saw at the bishop’s office. Her chest and throat go dry. She coughs wandering her eyes around the room trying to avoid the person, but she approaches her.
Reitu: it’s you right… it is you, isn’t it?
Isa: you have the wrong person.
Reitu: what person?
Isa looks away realizing she just lost the mind game and gave it away that she does recognize Reitumetse.
Reitu: the girl from the bishop’s office. I know your face. What are the odds that we meet again?
Isa: well… I don’t really care. I have to go. Bye.
Isabele rushes out of the bathroom leaving Reitu a little surprised and shocked. Emihle walks out of the bathroom stall looking lost and a mess. She goes to the sinks and washes her hands, patting her face dry to look representable before leaving the bathroom. She encounters Reitu as she’s about to leave the place.
Reitu: are you friends with her?
Emi: y-yes… not anymore.
Reitu: do you perhaps know why—
Emi: please... please... don’t hurt me—I promise I won’t tell anyone, I did not tell anyone—please…
Reitu: hey, hey… I am not going to hurt you. Relax, you’re safe with me. I am not a bad person. Come here.
Reitu holds the little girl close and hugs her so tight that her own sorrows subside. Her heart shatters as the girl keeps crying, now audible on her chest. She rubs her back trying to calm her down before they both leave the bathroom going to a quieter space and not the assembly hall anymore.
45 MINUTES LATER
LOVEDALE STUDENT’S LRC OFFICE
Reitu: you’re such a beautiful being, in and out… I am sorry that such a thing happened to you.
Emi: thank you aus’ Reitu, that means a lot. I haven’t had the time to talk about this with anyone besides my aunt, but now that you’ve heard me. I do feel a little better.
Reitu: that is what I am here for. And if you need anything just--
Reitu’s phone vibrates bringing her to a halt in her speech. She checks, and it is a text message from Ntando reading, ‘where r u? the bishop is done, it’s time 2 go’. She reads the text and sighs putting her phone back in her pocket.
Reitu: uhm… I have to go, that was my colleague just now.
Emi: okay…
Reitu; but you know you can call me or text me anytime, right? That is what I’m here for. I’m looking forward to this weekend.
Emi: me too, I’ll talk to my aunt and get back to you.
Reitu: okay, then… I’ll wait to hear from you. Bye... and please—anytime, call me if you need help.
Emi: thank you, I will.
Reitu stands up and leaves the room, she stands by the door one last time and looks at Emi, she closes the door and leaves rushing to where the bishop and Ntando are currently waiting. She whips out her phone and scrolls through her contacts and texts someone.
[on text]
Reitu: I think we may have found something.
----------------------------------
She puts the phone back in her pocket as she approaches the car. She gets in ready to get scolded by the bishop, but he doesn’t say anything.
Ntando: where were you?
Reitu: hanging out with a friend. I met someone I know. Sorry.
Ntando: well, it would’ve been better if you alerted us before disappearing like that.
Reitu: again, I’m sorry.
Ntando: fine.
Bishop: just drive. Stop fighting and drive.
Reitu takes a glimpse of the bishop who looks so drained and out of enthusiasm. He looks different, he looks—empty. No emotion or whatsoever. She sighs to herself and minds her business while Ntando brings the engine to life taking them back to church.