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22
22LATER THAT DAY
THE MALEKA HOUSEHOLD
It’s dinner time and one person at the table is playing with their food while staring blankly at the wall. She looks disturbed and deep in thought. Reitu looks at Seipati, she eyes her back, and they look at Boipelo at the same time.
Seipati: is there something wrong with the food… aunty, are you okay?
Boipelo: oh… yeah, y-yeah… just had a long day. The food is great. I just have an upset stomach; it may be indigestion… I had a big lunch.
Reitu: are you okay? Do we even have medicine for that?
Reitu gets on her feet quickly and starts rummaging through the drawers and cabinets for anything that’d help with pain.
Seipati: aunty…
Boipelo: I’ll turn it early, I think I’m--- you know what… I am alright. Don’t worry. You guys finish up here and go to sleep too. I won’t be needing tea tonight.
Reitu: MA, Ma?
Boipelo leaves the table without a word and goes straight to her bedroom.
Seipati: do you think it’s serious?
Reitu: what’s that supposed to mean?
Seipati: nothing, just asking…
Reitu: don’t try to jinx things.
Seipati: sorry.
Reitu gets back down and continues to eat with a little less appetite as she worries about her mother. She stops halfway and gets busy with the dishes while her cousin giggles away on her phone. She cleans the kitchen spotless and leaves for bed too, today was eventful enough for her and she needs to recharge for tomorrow, because there’s a whole lot ahead that she must fight.
THE MOHLALA HOUSEHOLD
An unbothered creature and a frustrated man fuelling with anger sit across each other. One is trying to bargain with the other, while the other is not even invested in the conversation. The losing party gets on his knees and begs feeling a lump in his throat and unending rage.
Bishop: please... please. I beg of you. Let me bury her. She does not deserve this. What will I say to the congregation. What will become of me?
The Master: I can take care of the congregation part… the other part no! that’s not what we agreed on… Nomfundo will not be buried! And that’s final!
Bishop: I will do anything!! Just about anything… let me have this.
The Master: no… bargaining won’t take you anywhere. Stop embarrassing yourself and stand up. I thought you were expecting a visitor.
Bishop: I—
The Master: I’ll make myself scarce. Enjoy yourself as much as I will!
The bishop springs up from his knees at the sound of the intercom indicating there’s a guest at the gate. He takes a single look at the person through the front camera installed at the front gate and rings them in before opening the front door to open them in.
Isa: wow!! Your house is this big?! My house has nothing on this!! Oh my God!
The young girl rushes into the house and immediately runs her eyes on every wall there is in this house scrutinizing everything.
Isa: how much did this cost? It’s so big. I wish I’d live in such a place someday.
Bishop: you would, if you weren’t so hyper and energised to even listen to me.
Isa: I’m sorry, when you invited me here, I didn’t think your house would be this gorgeous. The pictures online are not doing it any justice.
Bishop: calm down, will you?
Isa: oh… is she here?
Bishop: who?
Isa: uhm… the first lady.
The bishop feels his mouth run dry. He swallows the lumps on his throat and blinks back the tears threatening to escape his eyes.
Bishop: no...
Isa: she doesn’t deserve you and all of this. How could she even do that do you? She is a vile woman.
Bishop: it’s all over now so you don’t have to curse her out.
Isa: I’m here for you, you don’t need her. She will regret ever leaving you. I will make her regret it.
He looks at her intensely feeling a little sorry that he’s duping her and lying to her. She’s still so young and has a lot ahead of her. Maybe if he had kids with Mfundo one would at least be this girl’s age. Had circumstances been different he wouldn’t be out here giving his body, mind and soul to the devil while dragging a lot of other people into it, breaking up families and causing such pain, but who is he? He doesn’t have a choice, things have gone too far, they can only go forward from here, the end isn’t so great, but this is the path he chose. No one else is gonna lie on the bed he made besides him—so…
Bishop: I want a baby.
Isa: what?
Bishop: she never gave me kids, she always denied me one, she refused no matter how long and hard I begged. Only to find out later that the guy she ran away with was the father of her kid. She had a child with someone.
Isa: I’m sorry… I did not know.
Bishop: it’s okay, it’s not your fault. Just say you’ll do it.
Isa: okay…
Bishop: are you sure?
Isa: let’s have a baby. We’ll raise him to be great, he’s gonna be the next leader of the ministry. Life will work out just well and we’ll forever be happy. I can’t wait!!
He approaches her with a sad smile on his face and hugs her close and tight stalling to blink away his tears. She unravels the hug and pulls the man to her face with much hunger and vigour. The bishop lets in and forces himself to enjoy the company as he was instructed to.
THE FOLLOWING DAY
THE MALEKA HOSUEHOLD
Reitu sits across her mother as they sip on their respective hot beverages before leaving for work. Boipelo still doesn’t look too good, she has gone a little pale too. She looks like she’s forcing herself to move. Reitu looks at her once and swallows her words.
Boipelo: say it.
Reitu: say what?
Boipelo: what you’re thinking… I know you.
Reitu: I don’t want to upset you.
Boipelo: save it then… I also don’t want to be upset.
Reitu: but Ma—are you sure you’re good to go to work? Your face doesn’t look too good.
Boipelo: maybe I’m coming down with something… it’s not a big deal.
Reitu: but last night you said you had an upset stomach.
Boipelo: that too but I’m better now.
Reitu: if you say so…
Reitu gets on her feet and puts the cup away, gets her bag and gets ready to leave for work.
Reitu: see you later…
Boipelo: have a great day at work.
Reitu: not looking forward to it but thank you… you too.
As soon as Reitu steps out the door Boipelo let’s out a cough she’s been holding in her presence. She has her hand on her chest, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as not to spread the particles any further. She looks as if she’s in pain. As if that’s not enough, she rushes up from her chair to the bathroom in a flash where she kneels and lets it all out, all bloody. She assumes the position for a good minute before standing up to rinse her mouth and wash her hands before flushing. Her eyes meet Seipati’s as she turns to leave the bathroom.
Seipati: aunty…
Boipelo: Patty...
Her voice comes out as a defeated and pleading whisper while Seipati’s trembles and tears fall as she stands frozen at the door not knowing what to do.
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