7
THE BRACELET 7WARONA
The bleeding has stopped but the abdominal pains haven't. My period is two weeks away so it can't be the period pains. I even had to skip work to nurse my pain hoping it'll all go away and I wouldn't have to visit the doctor.
Mom: Wawa, what's wrong?
Me: I'm just not feeling okay but I'll be fine
Mom: Suddenly you're not fine? What has that boy done to you?
Me: His name is Tumelo and he hasn't done anything to me. What do you always think the worst of my man?
Mom: Your man? What exactly has he done to show that he's your man?
Me: Mommy please I'd rather not argue with you about this
Mom: Wawa when will you open your eyes? You have a perfect suitor yet you're turning him down
Me: I'm not dating that arrogant man who thinks everything is about him
Mom: He's of your standards
Me: Still I wouldn't live a single day and be happy. Why can't you just accept Tumelo? Dad has no problem with who I date
Mom: Because he doesn't live with you that's why
Me: Stop it, mama
The pains become worse than before and I can't take it anymore. I need to see the doctor
TUMELO
After taking Warona home I go into the house to see what's for breakfast. They're all sitting around the table laughing, I guess I'm the odd one out.
Me: Good morning
Kabelo: Brother, I see your girl spent the night here
Me: Yeah so?
Mom: Your grandmother left very early
I open the breadbin and there's no bread left. They just left the plastic in there with bread crumbs and I know it was on purpose
Mom: Go buy bread. There wasn't enough for you
Me: I'll be fine
Kabelo: If you brought at least something to the table we would have thought of you
Me: It's okay, don't stress about it
Ofentse is the one quiet because I know she doesn't agree with what they're doing but has no say. I walk out to check if that stack of money is still there. I kneel on the floor to confirm if the bank notes are real or it's just in my head. I can feel it with my hands and smell it.
Me: This money is more than enough to feed myself
The snake appears at my feet unexpectedly. This time it's changing into that woman who always appears naked and I've already gotten used to seeing her bare.
Me: I appreciate the money but not at my woman's expense. I hated seeing her in pain last night so please just use me
Her: Who are you to make such demands?
Me: If she's going to be hurt in the process then I don't want the money
Her: A deal is a deal. You made a deal with the devil yesterday and you can't just change the rules
Me: I can. Anyone else can get hurt but her
Her: Then who?
Me: I wouldn't care
Her: Get me virgins and I'll make it worth your while
Me: What? Where am I supposed to get virgins?
Her: That's not my problem. If you want me to stay away from Warona then you'll do exactly what I say. This money will double, even triple and you'll be able to do the things you only dreamt of.
Me: Why not let me get you a man since you're a woman?
Her: Who said I'm a woman? I can be whatever I want to be
Me: Fine but I don't want blood on my hands. No one dies
Her: If I wanted them dead then Warona would be cold as ice in a morgue as we speak
Me: I don't ever want to see you slithering your way in between her again
Her: Get me what I asked for and all your desires will be at your feet
Me: I want a job
Her: Get me the girl
I immediately put the money away and take a bath. I need new clothes to look the part if I'm going to get at least one girl today.
DIMAKATSO
My father has yet again let me down and failed to come see me yesterday. It's been almost two months now since I asked him for money for my needs but all he does is lie and break his promises. I can hardly remember anything from today's lesson and if I continue like this, I'll definitely repeat a grade. I had a few coins left and I needed something to drink. Counting my coins, I make my way to the shop with my head bowed. I bump into a guy and everything just scatters. What a way to end my already bad day
Him: Oh I'm sorry
Me: You see now. I don't even know where some of it rolls to
I look around to spot it but I guess it's my loss
Him: Let me pay for whatever you needed
Me: No I'm fine
Him: Please allow me
Me: I just wanted a drink
Him: How about I get you a drink and something to eat
Me: I didn't I'm hungry, did I?
Him: You don't have to be rude I'm just trying to be nice
Me: Okay fine but just know that I'm not going to give you my number after this
TUMELO
I feel really bad for the things I've gotten myself into. If grandma Abigail had taken back her bracelet, I wouldn't be here trying to trap other people's children. This girl looks really really young and I wouldn't be surprised if she just started high school this year. I can tell by the way she carries herself and how her boobs are not fully developed that she's still in the dark about a lot of things. She is someone's child and here I am trying to ruin her for my own personal gain. I didn't choose this life and in this situation I'd do anything to protect Warona from harm.
Me: I'm Tumelo
Katso: Dimakatso
Me: It's lovely to meet you. So you live around here?
Katso: Yes not far from here
Me: Alright. You look really young though how old are you
Katso: I'm 14
Me: 14?
Katso: Yes
I'm no pervert. I'll have to figure out another way to find a girl who is still intact because this right here is illegal. I could go to jail for this and what kind of a man would it make me to take a 14 year old girl to bed? I'm not a monster
Me: I guess I'll see you around. Enjoy your food
Katso: Thank you
I leave her there with the guilt inside of me. What exactly have I turned into?
Katso: Tumelo!
I am already on the other side of the street when she calls out my name. I turn around and there she is running after me
Katso: Listen maybe you can take my number and call me if you want
Me: Why? Dimakatso I'm too old for you
Katso: Okay let me take yours then
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