THE REUNION Johannesburg comes alive at night. The city bubbles as fun seekers and night crawlers prowl the streets and empty into the many fun places and locations. From shebeens and pubs to fancy cocktail lounges and clubs, the city has something for everyone. Black and white folks, coloured folks and Asians mingle as the night runs its course. Lerato alighted from the cab and reached into her purse to pay the 50 Rands fare. The driver received the crisp note from her and drove away. Lerato turned and walked into Fizzy bar, a sprawling and popular joint in Norwood axis of the city. Fizzy bar is very popular with the northern suburbs affluent residents and offers fat sofas, chunky bricks, soft blues music and a top-of-the-range selection of cigars, cognacs and whiskies. The adjoining grill-house restaurant specializing in steaks adds to its allure. The bar, owned by a white couple was made even more popular by deejay Madbeatz who occasionally used the venue for his live PhatJamz music program. Neon lights glow all around the exterior of the bar. It is one of the elite bars in the city patronized by the young middle class South Africans. Lerato sat down at an unoccupied table. The tastefully decorated interior was warm and welcoming. A small kareoke bar was on her extreme right. From her position she could see three white men and four black young ladies smoking shisha. Songs from the smooth voiced South African diva Ressa alongside a mix of Nigerian continental hits entertained the night revelers. Lerato tapped her right foot to the beats of Oliver twist by by Dbanj and was delighted when Dorobucci by the Mavins crew came on. Patrons sat around tables stocked with variety of drinks, snacks and cuisines attended to by waiters in blue cotton outfits. A young man with matted hair glanced at her direction, Lerato saw his eyes hovering around the tips of her boobs. She gave him a harsh stare and he quickly averted his eyes. She admitted to herself that her low necked blouse exposed her cleavage and her short skirt which gave full prominence to her creamy laps was capable of igniting amorous thoughts in the mind of any man. She gazed at her table. A 48 inches round and ½ inch thick round glass table with a central leg. Three wine glasses lay inside a flowery tray. Two side-plates found refuge in the center of the tray. “You are welcome miss. The menu’s is on the table” A dark skinned waiter with a nice professional smile which exposed her gap tooth was standing in front of her, waiting to take her order. “I am waiting for a friend. So I don’t wanna order yet” She replied. “Alright miss” “Wait...give me a bottle of Sherry with ice on the block” She ordered. While she waited for the waiter to bring her drink, Lerato took up the menu outline on the table and studied it. A variety of cuisines were on the list. Chakalaka, potjiekos, voetkoek pastry, Boerewors sausage, Bredie stew, Frikkadel meatball, Bobotie, Biltong, a variety of fruit desserts, the ubiquitos fried rice and salad, Karewa, the Zimbabwean fish tailsoup, different brands of wines and the homemade castle lager beer. The price tags on the dishes were on the high side as expected in a classy bar, the minimum being R300. The waiter soon appeared with her cold drink. The waiter spoke in an accent that gave her away as being either Zulu or Xhosa. As Lerato poured her drink into the tumbler she wondered why Tebogo was taking long to come. This meeting was at his instance. The last time they met was five years ago in Soweto. Tebogo was the man she loved before fate played a cruel joke on her. Lerato was a pretty young lady of twenty three years with an oval shaped face that housed two tiny eyes that sparkled when she was excited, a floppy nose and a sharp chin. Her high cheek bones were a prominent feature on her face. She was slim with long slender legs that gave her the resemblance of a Barbie doll. “If Tebogo doesn’t turn up before I finish this drink. I will head back home.” Lerato said to herself and pricked her ears to catch the drift of the discussion by the occupants on the table next to hers. Two gentlemen in black suits were in a heated discussion of President Zuma’s handling of the Nkandla crisis. One saw nothing wrong while the other who appeared to be a Julius Malema follower was calling for the president’s resignation. “Lerato my sweetheart! Is this you? I have been searching for you all these years. Please where are you? Let’s meet!” Tebogo had gushed over the selfie that she posted on her instagram earlier on in the day. How he managed to get across to her was a mystery. He had followed her and she followed him back. They chatted and he begged her to meet him in this upscale restaurant in this part of Jozi city. How time flies! The last time they met, he was a broke taxi driver. The music in the bar was turned up a notch higher. More customers arrived filling the empty seats, a few were already on their feet with their partners on the dance floor. Lerato was ready to leave, a young unchaperoned lady at a public place in Joburg city at night was very vulnerable to attack by miscreants. “Lerato!!!!!” the loud booming voice came into her ears and she quickly turned towards the direction of the voice. Tebogo was rushing towards her. She stood up and gave a broad smile, he walked up to her and scooped her into his arms giving her a bear hug that lasted for a long while. A few bored looking customers glanced at them and watched the scene with knowing eyes. There was nothing spectacular about lovers meeting in public places in the Johannesburg city. It was a common place occurrence. Lerato looked at Tebogo, he hasn’t changed much. Tall, round face with a scar on the left cheek, jovial eyes and a muscular body frame. He was wearing a brown tweed jacket over a white polo top and black denim jean trouser. “Ngiyakwemukela” she welcomed him. “Ngiyabonga kakhulu!” “kulungile, I am so happy to see you after all these years” Tebogo said excitedly. They sat facing each other on the table. He still had that boyish grin and infectious spirit that she so much loved back in the days. “I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a flat tire by Lungi park so I had to take a little time to fix it. What up with you? How has life treated you over the years?” Tebogo began probing. “Well, it has been a mixture of highs and lows my dear. I still recall what the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe wrote in his book ‘No longer at ease’ saying that, life is like a bowl of wormwood which one sips a little at a time” “Oh, I remember you were a literature enthusiast, Do you still write those poems Lerato?” “I rarely write nowadays but once in a while I scribble down something” The waiter was already standing beside them waiting for their order” “Bring us everything in the menu, inenekazi lizokhokha konke” he announced with a loud laugh. “Don’t mind him, bring me everything, this gentleman will pay for everything, umnumzana uzokhokha konke” she replied back bringing a fresh dose of laughter from him. They were both enjoying the convo. They both settled for a plate of rice with Biltong and dew drops drink. “So how were you able to track me to my instagram page?” Lerato asked in between a mouthful of rice. “I don’t even know. I was just doing a random search on the site when I came across your picture and I knew right there and then you were a familiar person. I had the strong feeling that I have seen you somewhere before but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until I asked you for a follow back and we began chatting” “Eish. how nice!” Tebogo was suddenly leaning over to her….”Lera, we should continue from where we stopped. I am still single!” She rolled her eyes and said with a sigh of resignation “Tebo I shouldn’t be having this conversation with you…I am engaged” “You mean you are in a serious relationship right now?” Tebogo demanded. “Tebo, it has been five long years. I am engaged to Dr Ben Sipliwo!” she raised her left hand and showed a silver coloured ring around her third finger. This came as a shock to Tebogo who stared at her speechless. Lerato lowered her eyes and began fidgeting with her long slender finger nails. She had broken her promise. ********************************* They first met six years ago in the province of Mpumalanga. Lerato was living with her maternal aunt family. She was there to help with the house chores and help her aunt take care of her three young kids. One day on her way back from the market, she boarded a cab home. As they journeyed, passengers disembarked along the way leaving her as the sole passenger in the cab. When they got to the road junction where she wanted to alight, she discovered to her dismay that her purse containing R250 notes was missing. The purse may have probably been stolen by a pickpocket in the rowdy Roverburg market. She had no money elsewhere to pay the R30 fare to the driver. Lerato had began sobbing as she tried to explain the loss to the driver. The driver was a young man with handsome features. He got out of the driver’s seat and started comforting her. He looked deep into her eyes. She saw eyes full of compassion. That was the moment, she felt an emotion that she had never felt before in her 18 years old heart. It was love. He pulled her to himself and calmed her down, he told her not to worry about the fare. He introduced himself to her as Tebogo. He was 20 years old. Tebogo drove her from the junction straight to the shanty house where she lived. They didn’t talk much. She didn’t want him to leave her but she couldn’t voice it out. She knew right there and then that she would see him again. He came around the next morning. She was preparing her cousins for school. Her aunt had left for work in the cotton mill where she was a unit supervisor. Tebogo drove her and her cousins to school. On their way back, the magical feeling grew intense. He drew her to himself and quickly kissed her. It was a stolen kiss, Lerato liked it. It was her first kiss. They were both in love. Their love blossomed and they saw each other every day. Tebogo told her that he was saving money from his taxi job to pay for his university education. He bought little gifts for her including the big watermelon sold by the Indians at the city mall which was her favourite fruit. Then one day she received an urgent message to come back home. Her dad was dying and her mother needed help. Lerato let Mpumalanga for Soweto without a chance to say goodbye to her sweetheart. This hurt her, her soul pined for him. Lerato’s father; Mr Paul Kopano was a mine worker in the gold fields of Wittswaterrand in Gauteng province. He left the job to attend to his failing health. The doctor had diagnosed him with acute respiratory tract infection which was a result of long exposure to gold dust. He was told to stop working in the mine if he wanted to live for a few more years. This was devastating news to Mr Kopana, the R60,000 monthly salary was what his family lived on. His wife was a petty trader, his 13 years old son Mpho was still in secondary school, his daughter Lerato had just finished secondary school and was looking forward to going to university. He returned to his modest home in Soweto. He became bedridden and spent all his savings on his health. Lerato settled for a hard life in Gauteng province. She was cut off from communication with her sweetheart, she didn’t have a phone. She wished for a change of circumstances. She prayed for God to heal her father so that she can return to Mpumalanga. Her heart was still with Tebogo, surely he would look for her, he will find her out. She would wait. The months rolled by, then Tebogo appeared. He knocked at the front door of their home. Her happiness was complete. Tebogo accused her of abandoning him. She explained the circumstances that led to her abrupt exit from his world. Tebogo as usual showed understanding and empathy. He forgave her. It was a special day for her. She clung onto him. She swore never to leave him. He promised to marry her. He needed just few more years to make money. The euphoria of the reunion led them to a room in a dirt cheap Soweto hotel. They made love. It was her first time. Tebogo left promising to visit her from time to time. He gave her some money to use in taking care of herself. He never came back. She waited. She planned on sneaking out to visit him in Mpumalanga but the opportunity never presented itself. The longing turned to disappointment and then to excuses and finally to anger. Six months went by. Lerato lost hope. Dr Ben Sipliwo appeared on the radar. He had met her in the hospital where they had taken her dad for treatment. The doctor was kind to her and took special care of her dad. The doctor had a curious way of looking at her that made her feel awkward in his presence. On the day her dad was to be discharged, he called her into his office for a long talk. He told her he loved her. He wanted to marry her. He was a widower and had lost his young wife to the cold hands of death just after two years of marriage. He was 35 years old, 15 years her senior. He promised to send her to university to study whatever course she desired. Lerato was overwhelmed and couldn’t give a reply. He asked her to think about it. Dr Sipliwo then started visiting her home to check up on her dad. He bought gifts and food stuffs for them on each occasion. The doctor became the financial pillar and benefactor of her family. One day, Lerato’s parents called her aside and bluntly asked her to marry the doctor. They said the doctor had requested for her hand in marriage and that they had given their consent. Marrying Dr Sipliwo would be an escape from poverty and uncertain future. Doctors were top earners in South Arica, with an average annual salary of R415,663 her future will be secured. Lerato deferred to their wishes, family came first before love. Saying “Yes” was a choice for a better life for her ailing father, her broke mother and helpless brother. She agreed to marry the doctor on a condition; he would allow her to finish her university education first before marriage. The doctor agreed. An engagement ceremony was held. Dr Sipliwo spared no expense in making her family comfortable. Her parents moved from their home in Soweto to a nice and cozy apartment rented by the doctor in Johannesburg. Lerato secured admission in university of Johannesburg to study law. She graduated After four years and picked up a job offer with a law firm. ************************ Her wedding with Dr Sipliwo was coming up in one month time. Tebogo appeared out of the blues on her instagram page and requested for a meeting at this bar. “Do you love him?” he finally asked. Lerato looked up from admiring her her nails… “Love is out of the question Tebo. He is going to be my husband. He sponsored my education, he took care of my father’s ailment and supported my family at our trying times. I owe a lot to him. I like him.” “That is the word “like!” You don’t love him. Lerato do you know that I have been keeping myself for you all these years? I declined to enter into relationships because I knew for sure that I will be meeting you again. But here you are, you have broken your promise and got yourself engaged to someone else out of mere sentiments!” Tebogo accused her in a wounded tone. “You abandoned me!” “I didn’t abandon you! After my visit to you, I passed through a most difficult period of my life. I got robbed, my cab was stolen at gun point by car jackers, I was lucky to escape with my life. My savings was not enough to get me a fairly used cab. I wallowed in depression and joblessness for close to a year. But I still loved you Lerato, you were always on my mind. I just couldn’t come to see you in my poor state. I went to work in the mine field to raise money to buy another cab. Look at my hands”, Tebogo raised his two palms at her. She could see bruises and scars that indicated evidence of hard manual work. “I was lucky to be on good terms with Engineer Kerkhof my Afrikaans supervisor. He was impressed by my dedication to work and invited me one day to dinner at his home. I met his lovely family. I relayed to him my plans of getting a university education. The kind hearted man recommended me to his friend who had a private engineering firm in Cape town. I began working there. The salary was very good. Within one year I had saved so much. My boss gave me liberty to embark on my studies which I did in the University of Cape town while combining it with my work. I graduated last year and got elevated to the position of a manger by my boss. I came looking for you at Soweto but I was told you had moved out. The neighbours didn’t know your address. I went to Mpumalanga, your aunt and her husband are not living there anymore, so I lost all contact with you! Lerato…Ngiyakuthanda!” he passionately declared. “I am sorry, Tebogo, I can’t, I have given Dr Sipliwo my word, we are engaged. What is left is the church wedding that is taking place soon.....i’ll have to leave now” The emotional outpouring was overwhelming her. “But you gave me your word! Look at me Lerato, I am rich, I am comfortable. I can give you the type of life that the Dr can’t. You belong with me not him! For God sake, we are in the modern South African society where you have the right to marry out of love, not out of family obligation!” “Ngempela? Please don’t contact me again.” Lerato said and stood up to her feet. She grabbed her bag and walked out abruptly. Tebogo followed her immediately quickening his steps. He caught up with her at the roadside. “Wait for me Lerato, don’t do this to me!” he grabbed her arm and pulled her to himself. The lady was sobbing. Her sobbing brought back reminiscence of the first day they met, when she was sobbing over her lost purse. “Look at me Lerato, I swear to God, I love you! Don’t cry, everything is going to be alright. He brought his palm and began wiping the hot burning tears that were cascading down her cheeks. He held her and she leaned her slender frame against his muscular and sturdy body. Lerato felt the twitching of her stomach and the wobbling of her knees. This was the man she first loved, this was the man who made her a woman. The longer she stayed in his arms, the more difficult it would be to keep up with her resolve. She was torn between love and her obligation to the kind doctor who rescued her and her family from the depths of poverty and affliction to a life of affluence. Going back to Tebogo will be devastating to the doctor. It will break his heart, it would be an unkind cut. Tebogo brought his lips to kiss her to seal his conquest. Lerato felt her body was melting…dissolving into his body…no….this had to stop. Lerato suddenly dis-engaged herself and shouted “No! Goodbye Tebogo!” She ran with a remarkable agility, her feet were pattering on the smooth road pavement. Tebogo stood deflated watching his love running away from him. He bit his lower lip in a bid to stop the tears that were threatening to stream down his eyes when he heard a loud scream. ******************************* The car had veered off the road and had rammed into the lady who lay dead on the ground. The police patrol team was all over the scene, the white man with a brown dyed hair was being handcuffed. He was the driver o the car. He was shouting invectives at no one in particular. It was obvious, the man was drunk. The lady lay on the ground, a young pretty lady, an engagement ring was on her finger. Her skull was smashed open by the impact of the hit. The red crimson coloured liquid was seeping out of her head and forming a bloodied pool on the ground. An ambulance wailed from the distance as it approached the scene. The passersby had formed a small circle around the body of the lady. “Leratooooooooooooooo!! Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!” Tebogo screamed. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” The young man shouted and threw himself to the ground in a move that expressed the depth of grief in his heart. The medics jumped out of the ambulance and bent over the body on the ground while the others rushed to attend to the man wailing on the ground. The police fired several shots in the air to clear the crowd. A white cloth was thrown over the body. The body was placed in a black body bag and zipped up. The medics placed it on a bier and carried it into the back of the ambulance. The siren wailed as the ambulance negotiated its way into the bubbling night streets of Johannesburg. THE END ******************** Zulu glossary. Ngiyakwemukela = welcome, Ngiyabonga kakhulu = thank you very much , kulungile = youre welcome , inenekazi lizokhokha konke = this lady will pay for everything , umnumzana uzokhokha konke = this gentleman will pay for everything , Ngempela = really, Ngiyakuthanda = I love you. mynaijastories/reunion/
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:43:20 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015