17
TWO QUEENS IN MY CASTLE 17KABELO
Not even once have I thought I'd accept money from a woman while I'm in a state like this. I believe I can hold my fort as a man but I've failed dismally. I'm broke, I don't even have a cent to my name and my debt is due.
"This isn't the time to be proud. We all need a helping hand sometimes," Thandeka puts the cash in my hand after I refused several times. This makes me feel vulnerable and incapable as a man. How would she look at me after this knowing I can't make a plan for myself?
"I'll pay you back," I finally put the money inside my pocket.
"It's okay you don't have to be pressured. I understand your situation and you don't have to feel somehow, it's me," she rubs my shoulder.
"I still owe Bongani the money for my bail," I heavily sigh.
"Yeah but at least now you owe people who are close to you. People who care about you and won't knock on your door with threats. Kabelo no man is an island and you'll pull through. You're just going through a tough phase and there's no need to feel embarrassed to ask for help," she says.
"Thanks. I don't know what would have been of me had you not helped. At least now Chopper will get off my back," I say. The man has been sending me texts reminding me of the due date. He even did it on the funeral day.
"Yeah," she leans forward for what seemed like an attempt for a kiss but I opted for a hug instead. I'm not in the right state for anything romantic or sexual and I don't want to lead her on. Oratilwe's presence cuts the hug short, she takes a seat opposite us.
"Sis Thandeka," she greets.
"Hi Ora. I was actually on my way out. Take care Kabelo I'll see you around," she gets up and takes her bag. I'll be seeing more of her now that she's back at her mother's house.
"Thanks for dropping by," I walk her to the door.
"Abuti can we talk?"
"Sure," I return to the couch.
"There's something I wanted to talk to you about. I'm sorry I didn't say this earlier but it was for the best," she says.
"What's going on? Don't tell me that you're back with that old man of yours. I swear this time I'll..."
"No I'm not. After everything that has happened I'd be mad to do that. What I want to tell you is really important but I know it'll probably drift us farther apart," she fiddles with her fingers.
"Just get to the point. Ma is gone and staying mad at you won't do me any good," I say.
"The night Ma died, we were attacked."
"Yeah I know that," she has told me before so I don't get the point.
"We were attacked by someone you know and...and...Ma got raped," tears start rolling down her face. Maybe I didn't hear the last part well but I can't help but get palpitations. My mother got raped and died and I'm only finding out now?
"I don't think I heard you," I stand.
"Chopper raped me and that's why she died. She was traumatized and couldn't bear the pain."
"Chopper? The same Chopper I owe?"
"He's Jimmy's older brother and he was avenging him for what you did."
I don't even want to hear anything else. I grab my bucket hat from the couch and storm out. To think I was going to pay him today makes me sick. He paid himself for taking my mother's life and I'll not let this go just like that.
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ORATILWE
Kabelo walking out that door gives me mixed feelings. Maybe I should have called Bongani, Yolanda and Thandeka first before doing this. I can't stop him so maybe they would have. I've lost my parents in a period of one year and the chances of losing my brother are high. He's going to confront a dangerous man unarmed, the same man who didn't have a conscience when forcing himself on a woman old enough to be his mother. I fear what he might do to Kabelo, he'll chop him up like his name says.
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YOLANDA
It has been two days since we laid Ma to rest. I haven't checked on Kabelo because I was swamped at work so I'm headed there now. His phone just rings but goes unanswered and I worry about him. I knock a few times before Ora opens.
"Hey," she looks drained.
"Hi Sis Yolanda," she steps out the way so I can come inside.
"If stress was a person. What's going on?"
"I came clean," she says.
"About that thing?" She nods.
"And?" I ask concerned.
"Kabelo has since been gone to confront him and he hasn't been back. It's been hours Sis Yolanda and I'm worried. What if he got killed and dumped in a ditch somewhere?" She's shaking.
"Yoh Ora," I'm beginning to think the worst too.
"Let's go look for him," she says.
"Are you crazy? What could we possibly do there?"
"Kabelo is my brother and I won't let him die. He's the only one I have left," she attempts to leave but I pull her back.
"You should have stopped him before he left the house. We need a better plan," I say.
....
....
KABELO
I've since been sitting outside on the stoep waiting for him. My mother's death cannot be in vain, not while I'm still alive. His car finally drives in, I'm ready to face him. He jumps off his 4×4 and plasters a smirk on his face when he sees me.
"So you finally showed up?" He laughs
"My mother was innocent in whatever I did. I'll not let you walk free," I step closer.
"I hope you have my money."
"You'll find your money in hell," there's no way I'm paying him.
"Oh! So you have the balls to stand up to me? You know I won't hurt you but I know where Yolanda and Thandeka live and I know how you care for them."
"I dare you to hurt either of them."
"And what are you going to do?" He lifts up his jacket and reveals his gun. I'm not frightened. If avenging my mother means dying then so be it.
"Come and fight me like a man you coward," I roll up my sleeves.
"I enjoyed her, she was tight." His statement sends me off rails. I find myself on him, throwing punch after punch that his gun slips out of the belt. He's a coward hiding behind a weapon and today I'm going to end him.
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