11
THE BRACELET 11TUMELO
Things took a nasty turn very quickly. Warona didn't tell me that she's coming tonight and I'm not saying she should have but why did it have to be tonight? Now my relationship could be approaching the end because of a stupid mistake that has come back to bite me. I'm about to kneel in front of her and apologize, explain, but Dimakatso stands in front of me shaking her head.
Katso: Use your advantage. You doubt the power of your bracelet too much, Tumelo
I glance at it before rubbing it. Everything just goes in slow motion and I cannot understand what is happening.
Katso: Time has been frozen, Tumelo. For this you will have to choose wisely what you want to do. You can either erase her memory for everything that happened five minutes ago or you could just tell her the truth
Me: I can't tell her the truth it'll hurt her.
Katso: Remember, the favours in your advantage will need to be paid for
Me: With what?
Katso: I don't know. Here i am stuck in his world while my body is lying in a grave somewhere. Perhaps you will have to find another victim to appease your master
Me: I want to erase her memory. I shall deal with the consequences at a later stage
Katso: May it be so then
They both fall back into consciousness and I can tell how Ofentse is shaking in her boots. She isn't affected by all this so she won't understand why Warona will suddenly act normal but that's the least of my concerns
Me: Hey baby. I didn't think you're coming tonight
Warona: Yeah I wasn't coming but my mom isn't home so the house is boring
Me: Ofentse was just leaving
Warona: Hi
Ofentse: Hi
She looks at me in confusion but now isn't the time to ask questions so she just walks out. I lock the door and give my woman a hug. I was so close to losing her so I need to start being careful in everything I do.
Warona: Did she have tears in her eyes or I'm Imagining things?
Me: She fought with my brother
Warona: Okay. At least I'm not here to fight with you but to do other things
Me: Listen I have good news
Warona: Yeah
Me: I have a promising job coming my way so I will be moving out next week
Warona: Really?
Me: Yes. I'm so happy and I know we'll have peace of mind without my mother shouting all the time
Warona: So where are you moving to?
Me: I'm not sure yet but not too far. As much as I want progress, I'm still a township boy so for now I'll keep it local
Warona: I'm so happy for you baby. I love that something positive is at least happening in your life. Come here
She takes me into her arms, only if she knew the things I did to get here.
[TWO WEEKS LATER]
I have finally moved into my new place. I love it here and everybody just minds their own business unlike back at home where my every move was watched. I got a couple of new furniture and left the ones I didn't need anymore back home. Warona is more excited than I am to be in a new scenery without my mother's drama. Maybe this way her mom will start to accept me once she sees the progress in my life. No woman would want to see her daughter being with a man who has no direction in life and her concerns were understandable.
With my simple lifestyle, the money I have is more than enough. I never thought my life would turn out this way, in fact I never had a chance to imagine how my life would turn out. There's no use overthinking this because nothing I do will ever change my situation.
I need some groceries so I use this opportunity to get some air and maybe I could even spoil myself. I have lunch first before I do the grocery shopping. Warona loves to cook and last night I asked her to send me a list of the things she might need when cooking. If she hadn't, honestly I would have only gotten meat, spice and veggies then went back home. As long as my meat is seasoned then I'm good to go, anything else I have no business with.
Certain voices behind me catches my attention. No one can convince me otherwise, I recognize those voices like the back of my hand. Even so, I'm reluctant to turn because I'm hoping it's not what I think it is. Slowly I turn and the two people I'm now looking at look exactly like my parents. I know I last saw them 20 years ago but who could possibly forget the faces of their parents? Tears are almost falling off and what will I possibly say because their little Tumelo died 20 years ago? They'll think I'm crazy and probably make a run for it.
They're now a bit older but still, I can see the distinct features in them like my mom's smile and my dad's bushy eyebrows. Even after so long they still love each other and that makes my heart melt. I have no idea how to approach them but I can't just stand here and watch them leave. I need to say something
Me: Hi, I'm sorry to bother you but aren't you Mr and Mrs Makapane?
Mom: We are and you are?
Me: Oh my name is Tumelo, Ma
The smile she had on her face disappears for obvious reasons. She's thinking about her little Tumelo not knowing that it's me in someone else's body
Me: Did I say something wrong?
Dad: Forgive my wife. We had a son named Tumelo but he passed away 20 years ago. The pain will never go away
Me: I'm sorry for your loss
Dad: How do you know us?
Me: I was Tumelo's friend. He was my namesake and we were very close
Dad: Oh is it?
Me: Yes. I have a sharp memory that's why
Dad: Maybe we could have lunch one time
Me: I'd love that so much, dad. Thank you
Dad: You're welcome, son
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