12
THE BRACELET 12NARRATED
The three of them have long anticipated the lunch. The nerves are flying high and it's no secret that everyone is nervous about something different. Tumelo knows the truth and that's what unsettles him the most. He can't tell his parents the truth without ruining the slight chance of getting to spend time with them again. His parents on the other side are nervous to be spending time with their son's childhood friends and probably get to know what they've been up to.
The mother has prepared what used to be Tumelo's favorite dish, fried chicken and rice. He wouldn't end the week with demanding it and his parents always had to make sure the meal was on the table at least once a week.
Mom: Do you think he'll love it?
Dad: I don't understand why you're worried. He's only coming for lunch not for an interview
Mom: Our Tumelo would have been his age. The fact that they share a name makes matters worse
Dad: It's okay my love everything will be fine
Mom: I can't help but wonder how he would have turned out. Do you think he would have been a good boy in his teens?
Dad: Why are you overthinking this? Our little Tumelo is gone forever and there's nothing we can do about that. Let's just enjoy the lunch with his friend and forget about everything else
Just then, there's a knock on the door. She fixes herself before opening. Her first sight to him, she visualizes how her son would have looked like, how he would have carried herself and if by now she would have been a grandmother. They exchange hugs and she leads the way to the dining table. Tumelo can't help but smell the fried chicken that he used to love back then. He believed no one did it perfectly like his mom and he's overjoyed to get to taste it once more
Tumelo: I'm blessed to be able to taste the famous fried chicken Tumelo couldn't stop talking about. Every time he came to my place and my mom cooked, he'd go on and on about how no one would surpass your cooking skills
Mom: Is that so?
Tumelo: Yes. That's why I even know that fried chicken was his favorite
Dad: How come I don't remember you?
Tumelo: I wasn't the type of child to move around a lot. He usually visited me and we'd play video games or watch TV
Dad: That's nice. Sometimes I hope he was that type of child. Maybe he would still be alive today
Tumelo: What do you mean?
Mom: His death is still a mystery to us and how do we find peace without knowing what really happened?
Tumelo: Is it about what happened to the river?
That wasn't supposed to come out, at least not in that manner. His parents fall into a confused moment and wonder how Tumelo still remembers such details though this happened 20 years ago. Their eyes fall on the bracelet that they believe took their son's life and immediately tensions arise.
Mom: That thing. Why do you have that thing on your wrist?
Tears roll down her face and she gets on her feet
Dad: It's the same bracelet Tumelo had the night he died. Did you also pick it up at the river?
Tumelo: Ma, dad, I wasn't completely honest with you
Dad: What's that supposed to mean?
Tumelo: His spirit is with me
Mom: No! Don't say that about my son. How dare you come in here and utter nonsense?
Dad: Give the boy a chance, honey
Mom: No! My son died 20 years ago and why would his spirit be lurking around until now?
Tumelo: Because he's not at rest
Mom: And how do you know that?
Tumelo: Because he's in me
They're both shocked and as much as they're also terrified, they can't miss this opportunity to finally learn the truth about that fateful night
Tumelo: When Tumelo picked up this bracelet from the river that day, he didn't know it would change his life forever. It was just harmless fun had by kids and honestly I think what happened wasn't fair at all. He never asked for any of this and more than anything he wanted to live. Ma, you told him to throw it away after dinner that night but he went and picked it up from the trash can. He just loved how fascinating it was and no harm was intended. When he went to bed, he didn't know the bracelet would turn into a snake that invited itself in his bed. That's exactly what he tried to warn you about but he was too scared to go into details. You thought he was hallucinating but he wasn't, the snake killed him and since then, his spirit has never found peace. Even I don't know how to end all of this and when I saw you at the mall the other day, I was so happy
Dad: You mean our son is in you?
Tumelo: Yes
Dad: Prove it
Tumelo: You held him in your arms before he collapsed
Tears roll down their faces and they never thought they'd have to relieve the pain once again. 20 years was not enough to heal them but at least they got to forget a little bit. Now everything is coming back in every little detail and how are they supposed to react?
Tumelo: Please, I need to see where his body is resting. Please take me to the graveside maybe then things will work out
Mom: What if everything gets worse?
Dad: Honey, what's the worst that could happen more than this? Aren't you the one who was crying for closure? Maybe this is the only way to finally put his behind us
Tumelo: I can never be sure it'll work out but it could be a start. I'm the only one who has full control of him and maybe I can put him to rest. 20 years is a long time and honestly, I also need my life back. He's inside of me and there are certain things I'm no longer able to do because of him. Please, allow me to do this
Dad: We will take you to the cemetery. Anything to make our little boy rest in peace
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