.jpeg)
29
29DAYS LATER
THE MALEKA HOUSEHOLD
Kutlwano throws herself at Boipelo the moment she steps inside the house. Her eyes are all teary and her breath is unstable. She cries engulfing her in a tight hug while she mumbles something no one can hear. Boipelo consoles her by rubbing her back feeling tears threatening to come out too. Kutlwano pulls out of the hug and sits down next to Boipelo holding her hands into hers gently rubbing them.
Boipelo: its okay... it is going to be fine.
Kutlwano: this is so shameless of me. You’re the sick one, I shouldn’t be crying in your arms. I should be the one consoling you not the other way round.
Boipelo: but you’re human, right? I understand and relate to your tears. You can vent out on me.
Kutlwano: you’re so strong. I admire you.
Boipelo: I learnt to be when I had no choice at all. We all are I believe, there’s always going to be that one situation that’s gonna crack it up for all of us.
Kutlwano removes her hands from Boipelo and looks her in the eyes. She sighs out loud, gets all teary but blinks them back. Boipelo scoots next to her and hugs her this time. She pulls out of the hug and faces her.
Kutlwano: so, what did the doctors say again?
Boipelo: she suffered great trauma and shock from the car crash she was involved in which resulted to her hurting her brain, hence she’s where she is now or who she is...
Kutlwano: I see...
She says showing no emotions at all and looks down.
Boipelo: but sesi... how do you feel?
Kutlwano: what can I say? I’m afraid... I fear a lot. My daughter has always been someone who loved things. I thought sending her here would tame her a little bit but look now—not that I blame you.
Boipelo: I hear you. What are you going to do?
Kutlwano: I’m taking her home with home.
Boipelo: but—
Kutlwano: I know... I went through a lot with my husband about this. I fought him with everything in me, he wanted nothing to do with her. He’s too afraid with his fragile dignity. He’s afraid people are not going to respect him because of this but—I can’t burden you any longer.
Boipelo: I wish I had something better to say or even a way to console you but who am I? It’s okay, you can take her.
Kutlwano: thank you for letting me do this.
Boipelo: you don’t have to thank me for anything.
Kutlwano: but still...
Boipelo smiles faintly and so does Kutlwano.
Kutlwano: do you know who she was with when it happened?
Boipelo: no...
Kutlwano: not even the slightest idea?
Boipelo: I’m really sorry...
Kutlwano: it’s okay, but you--- how are you feeling?
Boipelo: I’m in pain, I try to wear a neutral face around the girls all the time to mask everything but I am going through a lot. My sleep schedule is all over the place too.
Kutlwano sighs not knowing what to say and nods her head.
Kutlwano: where is she?
Boipelo: Reitu’s room, let’s go...
Kutlwano stand sup and offers her hand to Boipelo to help her up. She looks at her elated and takes her hand. She follows behind her, they knock in the now noisy room and enter. As soon as Seipati sees Kutlwano she throws the doll she has on her hands and runs to her hugging her tightly and pulling her by the dress to come and sit down with her. She shows her the books she’s been coloring and brags about other small things kids her ‘age’ would brag about. Kutlwano smiles at her and a tear drops from her eye. She quickly wipes it and focus on her ‘little’ girl.
Kutlwano: did one time successfully, sure I can do it again. Maybe better this time.
Boipelo smiles at her and brushes her shoulders before leaving the room abruptly. Reitu looks at her mother and her faces drops. She decides to give her privacy and join her aunt and her cousin.
Seipati: this one, aunty bought it for me!! Reitu has the same. We’re twins!!
Kutlwano: that’s so pretty, do you think she can also buy one for me?
Seipati: no... she’s doesn’t have money any more.
Kutlwano: can you borrow me this then, I want to draw too..
Seipati shifts away from her mother close to Reitu. She whispers in her ear then comes back to her mother.
Seipati: here, you can have it. We’ll play with our Barbies then.
Reitu smiles at her and chuckles to herself. Kutlwano accepts the pack of crayons her daughter hands her. She looks at her as she stands up grabbing her doll also pulling Reitu to the other side of the room to play.
THE POLICE STATION
Gina and one other detective look the bishop deadly in the eyes. He’s been saying very less humanly possible things ever since he cane in here.
Gina: so, you expect us to believe that you were forced to do everything you did. It was never out of freewill.
Bishop: how many times do I have to repeat that?!
Det.: I don’t think you understand how serious this is.
Gina: he doesn’t... he thinks we’re playing here.
Gina pills out multiple photos of women who fell victim to his evil ways. She places them on the desk one by one while saying their names in order of disappearance.
Gina: these are your most current victims. Your wife, a school girl, and 3 ladies who worked at your church. Do you have anything to say?
Bishop: everything I said before is true. These people were specially picked out by The Master. I executed him orders. You should be out there looking for him not here asking me senseless questions?!?!
Det.: you went as far as even killing your wife!!! You are not human!
Gina stands up to leave the room feeling a little frustrated with the man they’re questioning.
Gina: the prosecutor will have a field day with you at court. You’re going down! I’m gonna go to the hospital now because I cannot handle this anymore. You have fun! I’m done here...
THE HOSPITAL
Reitu stands nervously at the reception while trying to pleads with one of the nurses to let her in to see Kwanele even if it’s just for a second. The nurse who has been saying the same thing for over 5 minutes now gradually changes her tone showing her how serious the matter is.
Nurse: Ma’am, I do not care about your relationship with the patient. It is protocol not to let anyone see the patient except his caregiver. Mr Dikana is in a coma and we can’t let anyone into his room. Please leave, I have to get back to work!!
Reitu: I know but—
Nurse: do you want me to call security on you? Because I will, trust me I will.
Reitu: can you at least have these displayed inside his room?
She tries to hand her flowers with a get well soon card but she pushes the away from her hand with her clipboard.
Nurse: outside environment is not allowed into— you know what, I can't do this anymore... security?! Security!?!
Their conversation is disturbed by someone she knows. She looks at her, she greets and goes on to talk to the nurse. The nurse disappears and comes back with a lady looking to be in her early 50s or so. The lady immediately hugs Gina and looks relieved to see her. Reitu takes her broken heart away from the scene and walks to sit down on nearby bleachers. She looks at Gina as she walks hand in hand with the woman into the ward she believes Kwanele is in.
The Nurse comes to her.
Nurse: I think it’s time you really leave now... this isn’t a good look on you.
Reitu looks the lady up and down and sits still not moving an inch. The Nurse sighs and shakes her head strutting away from Reitumetse.
A FEW MINUTES LATER
Gina runs put the corridors to the first desk yelling for a doctor to come help while the pretty woman whom Kwanele looks just like runs behind her losing energy to keep in with each step.
Gina: someone please!??! Help!! Help!! Doctor!!! Nurse!!!
A doctor rushes to the scene followed by the nurse from earlier. The woman sinks down on the floor and cries while Gina tries to hold her back up.
Please log in to submit a comment.