2010

Maboko 

We’ve just finished our run on this track. Tebza is getting fitter by the day and I hear that she is one hell of a netball player. All the senior netball players sing her praises. I must grab my boys and go watch her at a game one of these days. It will be quite exciting to see her jumping and running up and down a netball court in those short and tight dresses that they wear. Hmmm…

It’s been a tough few days since we came back from the 18th birthday party. Ona’s parents arranged for Gwen to be transferred to a hospital here in Tholoana Kingdom. She is recovering well in hospital. Cam unfortunately passed away and we will be attending his funeral this weekend. His parents tried to pull the “irresponsible black parents” card on Ona’s and Khotso’s parents, then they were reminded of their position in this country. Cam’s tragic passing didn’t even make the news. But Ona, Khotso and I got an ass-whipping from morena. Mme Kea tried to tell morena that it was a car accident and there was nothing that we could have done to prevent it. She screamed and yelled that morena leaves us alone, choose a different punishment, but refrain from whipping us. But he heard none of it. He took his whip and whipped our asses then made us do the garden for the weekend. I understand morena’s position. This is not a good look on him. He spent money so we could all enjoy the twins turning eighteen, then a dead body was brought back to Tholoana Kingdom from that enjoyment. 

Tebza has really been here for me. She goes to see Gwen, goes to her teachers every day and makes sure that Gwen is updated with school work. 

…

Today is Saturday and it is Cam’s funeral. After this run, we are getting ready for the funeral. We are walking around the track now to warm down and catch our breath as we chat.

“How are you feeling about the funeral?” Tebza asks me. 

“It’s sad. But we will get through it.” I tell her. 

“I’m so sorry, my love. And I feel so bad for Gwen. She’s not dealing well with this death.”

“It was her boyfriend. I can’t imagine losing you. I’d probably lose my mind as well.”

The thought of this alone makes me nervous… my stomach is in knots and a cold shiver runs down my spine. 

“Hey” She says as she holds my arm. 

I look at her. 

“Look at me. I’m here. Don’t let your mind take you there. Just hold me instead.” She says. 

I hug her. I pick her up and spin her around. We kiss. 

I drop Tebza off at home to bath and change. 

“I’ll pick you up at 8am, love.” I tell her. 

“Okay, my angel.” She says. 

We kiss and she gets out of the car. 

I drive off and head home. 

I quickly shower and wear my black suit. Gwen is ready and in her wheelchair when I get downstairs. She’s already crying and we are not even at the funeral. 

“Are you ready to go?” I ask her. 

She sniffs and nods her head. 

“Are you sure you are going to be okay?” I ask her. 

She doesn’t answer me. 

Okay then. 

I wheel her to the car and help her get into the backseat of the car. I put her wheelchair in the boot. We drive off too pick up Tebza. 

Tebza is standing outside wearing a very nice black dress, black stocking and black heels. She has her braids tied up into a bun. Tiisetso is standing next to her, but she is not dressed for a funeral. She is probably just standing with Tebza and waiting with her as Tebza waits for me. 

Tebza climbs in the car and Tiisetso greets me. 

We leave. 

We meet up at Cam’s parents’ house, all matric students convoying to the gate. Kabelo caught a lift either Zakes because he is the only one who does not have a car. The Mohale twins are driving in one car because they go everywhere together anyway. 

The funeral cars and family cars take off. We convoy behind these cars. Gwen is crying in the backseat. Tebza keeps looking at me then she looks out the window. I hold her hand and she squeezes my hand. 

We get to the church and we park our cars. Tebza gets the wheelchair out of the boot and I help Gwen get out of the car. As soon as she is on the wheelchair, Tebza pushes her and I walk next to them. 

The Mohale twins see me and walk up to us. We greet each other and everyone basically treats Gwen like a widow. I really don’t like this. I don’t. They were not married. But Gwen is sensitive and we must let her grieve her way. 

“Please take me to his family”, Gwen asks Tebza. 

Tebza nods her head. She hugs me then she wheels Gwen to inside the church. 

As soon as they have left…

“Dude, are we going to need to do a cleansing for Gwen after this? She’s even wearing a doek and shit?” Ona asks me. 

“Trust me, this entire situation is pissing me off. He passed away two weeks after I found out that they were fucking. Now she’s a mess and is behaving like a fucken widow.” I’m actually being honest. 

“Thank God Cam was white… otherwise Gwen would have grieved on a mattress for him.” Ona.

“And Gwen is fucken sensitive. If we even tell her that what she’s doing is shit, she will take five years to recover from that.” I say. 

Ona and Khotso just look at me. 

We head to the church and I find Teboho sitting alone on some random bench in the church. I go to sit next to her. I hold her hand and she smiles at me. Ona and Khotso sit next to us. The girls in our grade sit in front of us – they occupy the three benches in front of us. The guys in our grade fill up our bench then fill up the four benches behind us. Our educators are all here as well as our headmaster. 

“Are you okay?” I ask Tebza. 

She nods her head and tells me that Gwen wanted to be alone with the family. Gwen is really going to annoy me. 

The funeral is sad. Tebza and I hold hands throughout the service. At the end of the service, we are told that we will come back from the cemetery and eat at the church. Gwen texts me and tells me she will be traveling with Cam’s family. I offer the Mohale twins to drive with us. We can use one car because we are all coming back here afterwards anyway. 

I drive and Tebza sits in the front seat. The twins sit at the backseat. 

We get to the cemetery and we all see Cam’s coffin go down six feet underground. This is when everyone releases a sniff and tear. The school choir is here and they are singing as the coffin goes down. The family is then called to throw white roses into Cam’s resting place. The choir sings as this happens. I hear a sniff coming from Tebza and when I look at her, she is actually crying. I hug her and she lets me.

We all leave afterwards and at the church, Tebza sits with me the whole time. She is the only grade eight here and our matric girls don’t really like her. Gwen has her grade nine friends here who are here to support her. She is a widow mos. So we all chill with Tebza. Kabelo joins us as Zakes also approaches us.

“Sho“, Kabelo greets us. 

We all greet him. 

“I didn’t know that you knew Cam”, Kabelo says to Tebza. 

Tebza just looks at him. Then she looks away.

“Is she mute?” Kabelo insists on this conversation. 

“Scholarship, it’s too hot for your shit.” Ona says. 

I know he likes Tebza because he does defend her well. And I appreciate that about him. 

Kabelo never has anything clever to say back to Ona. So he is quiet. 

At about 2pm, we decide to go and have fun in the township. Tebza tells us of her cousin’s lounge. They play mood music and serve alcohol. She says if we buy alcohol, she will ask that he plays our kind of music. We all agreed. She spent five minutes on the phone and told us that her cousin is expecting us. The next thing we know, all the guys in our grade convoy to the lounge with us. 

It really is a shebeen vibe. But it’s clean at least. We can more than afford the alcohol, so we ask them to keep the tabs running. There is a proper after tears taking place here. 

Tiisetso arrives with friends – friends from her school and from the township. Each girl is willing to make guys in here happy and the guys are very pleased with their stock. 

This party goes on all night. 

“Would you like us to go somewhere quiet? Just be together?” I ask my beautiful girlfriend. 

“Sure.” She says.

I tell Ona that I’m headed to a hotel with Tebza. He says okay then Tebza and I leave. 

We arrive at a hotel and I pay for a room.

“Come here”, I say to her as she takes off her heels. 

She smiles and walks towards me. 

I hug her and we start kissing. She is the one who starts unbuttoning my shirt and unbuckles my belt. I unzip her dress then it falls to the ground. I pull down her stockings and now she is naked in front of me as I am naked in front of her. 

“I’m going marry you, Teboho Tlou. I will make you my Mrs Seete.” I tell her. 

“I will marry you, Maboko. I will be your Mrs Seete.” 

I lift her up and put her on my hips. We kiss and I throw her on the bed. And yes, we make love to one another. 

We fall asleep afterwards. 

In the morning, I see a missed call from Ona. I call him back. Tebza is still passed out. 

“Sho“

“Sho“

“I just saw your missed call. What’s up?” 

“Yeah. Tiisetso has been arrested. We managed to get her out. She and Linda had a round two of the party and Tiisetso beat the shit out of Linda. Linda is in hospital.” 

I am laughing because Ona is laughing as he tells this story. But I’m very worried. 

“Where is Tiisetso now?” I ask. 

“At home. She told us to take her home when we left the prison.” Ona says, still laughing. 

“And Linda? Is she badly hurt?” 

“She’s in hospital, but she’s alive.” Ona says, still laughing. I honestly cannot help but laugh too. 

“Let me wake Tebza up. I’ll take her home then meet up with you guys.” 

“Sho“. 

I try to wake up this beautiful lady next to me. 

“Hhayi! I’m sleeping”, she fights me. 

“You need to wake up. It’s getting late”, I say.

“Maboko, I just need five minutes more.” 

I laugh at her. I know she will be grumpy when she wakes up, but I wake her up until she sits up and looks at me as if she is about to beat me up. 

“Your sister was arrested yesterday”, I tell her. 

Her eyes almost pop out of her face. 

“But the twins got her out.” 

“What did she do?”

“She beat the shit out of Linda. Linda is in hospital as we speak.” 

She jumps out of bed and starts getting dressed. She phones someone and puts them on speaker. 

“Teboho”

“Tiisetso, are you okay?” 

“I’m fine. You must come back quickly. Mom is on her way back from ngono’s house.” 

“Yes, I’m coming.” 

“Shup. Please tell Ona and Khotso that I said thank you so much for getting me out of jail last night.” 

“I’ll let them know. I’m on my way home. See you now now.” 

I just laugh and get dressed. 

“Have you spoken to Gwen?” She asks me. 

I shake my head. She frowns at me. 

“I’ll speak to her at home. Let me get you home.” I say. 

As we drive back to the township…

“By the way, please be my matric dance date?” I ask her. 

She laughs. 

“Please?”

“Maboko, my parents would never let me. You know that.” 

“But we can work around it. I’ll make sure that I buy you everything you need. Just come up with something that you can disappear all weekend with. I’ll take care of the rest.” 

She looks at me. 

“Please baby”, I ask as we park outside her gate. 

She nods her head then kisses me. 

“I love you.” 

“I love you, Maboko.” 

She climbs out the car and makes her way to the house. I drive off to meet up with my friends.

…

Present Day

Today, we are burying my mother. She got shot on my wedding day. I feel sick more than anything. We found Khabane hiding in the cupboard in her room and had Mohale in his arms. He told us that my mom put him and Mohale in the cupboard and told them to not scream until we come in here. Our hearts really broke. I saw Ona ready to murder someone that night. The next day, it was reported that Linda’s mother, Zandile Khumalo, orchestrated that shooting and she was arrested. We already know that she’s not going to make it. I know my friends. I know their parents. Their son was in danger. They will make sure that my mother gets justice. Kabelo is in hospital fighting for his life and Linda is right by his side while also trying to get her mother out of prison. 

Tebza just finished dressing up Khabane. We are about to leave our room for the funeral. She hugs me, holding me in her arms and having my head on her shoulder. I cry and she lets me. Gwen has been sitting on the mattress all week to mourn my mother. Dise ran around with Tebza and helped her put the entire funeral together. Dise’s and Tebza’s mothers kept everyone fed and made sure that today, my mom will be taken to her resting place with dignity. Dise and Ona have been sleeping over and really have been here for us. Khotso has been here too. His chemistry with Tiisetso seems to be sparking again and it was an interesting distraction from time to time. I worry a bit because Gcina seems a bit – I don’t know – I just think that we have another Fikile in our hands and there is a reason why Khotso and Fikile did not work out. 

Gwen has been falling apart and with each day, she gets worse. Refiloe’s arrival with Mason messed her up even more. I made Refiloe sleep over here. Mason stayed at the royal house with Khabane and Mohale.  Mama was Refiloe’s mother as well. Gwen might not know it, but it doesn’t take away the fact that Refiloe has every right to bury her mother. 

My mother told me that she had Refiloe very early in her life, so our grandmother has always been the one who raised her. She said she extends herself with Gwen and me because she believes that we are her second chance at parenthood. She always said that she didn’t get it right with Refiloe, but she hopes that by getting it right with us, we will make sure that Refiloe knows that mama loved her too. I have always been tight with Refiloe. She moved to the UK, but she and I kept chatting on social media. I know that she chats with Tebza too and this is one of the many reasons that I love Tebza. Everything that is important to me is equally important to her. 

We are in the TV room now and my mom’s coffin is here in front of us. Tebza is on the mattress with Gwen as a sign of respect to her mother-in-law. Tebza’s mother and sister are sitting next to her. The priest prays, then my mother leaves our home guided by a hymn. Regodise is the one who is singing and my goodness, her voice is beyond heavenly. She makes all of us cry and the funeral has not started. Her voice is so beautiful that we let her sing by herself. Everyone else just hums and I wish they could stop because even that is not competition enough for Dise’s voice. 

My father and I are right behind the coffin. Gwen and Teboho are behind us and Tebza has Khabane in her arms. Refiloe walks with Mason behind Gwen and Teboho and I think that she is crying too. Everyone else follows us out of the house. 

Tebza took care of the funeral arrangements. She was honestly the strongest one out of all of us. Dise helped her a lot and I’m so grateful. We drive into the cemetery and the setup is out of this world. There is a tent for family where I sit with the family. Here, it is just couches. On the couch in front of the coffin and mama’s portrait (on stage), I sit on one couch with Gwen, Refiloe, Tebza, Mason and Khabane. Khabane is sitting on top of me. Mason is sitting on top of Tebza. Gwen is extremely uncomfortable and sits right at the end of the couch – next to Refiloe. Our father and Lebo sit on a couch next to us. The Mohale twins and their partners sit behind us. Family we haven’t seen in years sits on these couches as well. Morena Mohale and his wife sit on a couch next to their kids. Tebza’s parents are also here with us and Tiisetso. The couches and tents are all black. Regodise has a space reserved next to Ona, Khotso and Mohale. But she is singing as people get seated in their chairs. 

There is a second tent a few meters away from us. It’s also black, but their couches are grey. There sits educators and the department of education (the reps that are here). 

All these other people are in the third and fourth tent sitting on Tiffany chairs. 

The service is very short. There were speeches, but we were done in two hours. Now, we go and pour soil in the grave. This part is surreal and Regodise’s voice forces you to really feel the feelings in their completeness. Ona and Khotso also sobbed. Mama raised us three like brothers and they too also feel like they have lost a mother. I breakdown and I feel Tebza holding me, pulling me back. She hugs me and walks me back to our seats. Khabane and Mason are now sitting with Ona and Dise. I get to our seats and I cannot help but cry so much more. Tebza just rubs my back. 

…

People are back at my mother’s house and there is a catering company that is serving people. Tebza’s mom is in an apron and a spoti, bossing everyone around. I laugh because this woman doesn’t know how not to be strict. Regodise’s mother is also in her element. She made sure that there is gemere and umqombothi. So many of these older men have tried to ask her out on a date, but she spews voetsek out of her mouth as if she owns a tavern. She is also in an apron. But she is wearing a doek instead of a spoti. She is very efficient and she is making sure that everyone is fed. I must buy these women something small just to say thank you. 

The Mohale twins and Zakhele are in blue overalls working and pushing stuff and just being busy. Tebza has Mohale on her back because everyone is suddenly busy. I don’t even know when Tebza and Dise got rid of their heels and got into sneakers – and Ona’s and Khotso’s mom – and aunt Nosi… where were these sneakers all this time? Khabane and Mason are in my room playing Khabane’s playstation. Dise and Tebza don’t even want to see the boys playing outside the house. Refiloe has made good friends with Dise too, so she is helping with the serving of food and tea and alcohol and and and… Gwen is sitting by herself and typing on her phone. I go to Tebza and hug her in the kitchen. Dise and Refiloe look at us. They walk out and take glasses, juice and baked scones with them. I don’t even know where these came from. 

“We have scones?” I ask her. 

She giggles and says, “Dise’s mom made sure that we are sorted. She baked all night with my mom.” 

Wow. This is a family. 

I hug her and say, “Thank you for everything, baby. You’ve been amazing.”

She smiles at me. 

“Maboko”, Ona’s mom calls me. 

“More toilets have arrived. Mr Tlou is saying that we should put two on the street so we don’t crowd the yard. Is it fine?” She asks me. 

I nod my head. Then she’s gone. 

I take Mohale off Tebza’s back and hold his hand, making him stand on his two feet on top of the kitchen counter. 

Gwen walks up to us. She looks at us and says, “Thanks for everything, Tebo. You’ve really been great”. 

Tebza smiles at her. 

“You two don’t have to stay here anymore. I’m going to be okay on my own.” Gwen says. 

Tebza and I look at her a bit confused. 

“I’m just saying that I understand that the two of you need to go back to your lives. You just got married and KB needs to adjust to a normal environment again.” 

“Don’t you want us here anymore?” Tebza asks. 

This is my mother’s house. Gwen mustn’t try me. We will leave when we are ready to leave.

Gwen walks away from us. 

“We need a – 

Now people are just coming and asking for things. Tebza tells me to go upstairs and rest with Khabane, Mason and Mohale. She will take care of everything. 

“Everything okay?” I hear Dise ask Tebza as I walk away, so I stay put and listen.

“I don’t know.” Tebza. 

“Keng?” Ona’s mom asks. 

“I think Gwen wants us to leave”, Tebza. 

“How long are you going to be here for?” Ona’s mom. 

“I don’t know. I can’t exactly rush Maboko. This is his home.” Tebza. 

“You going to see sides to people that you never knew existed. Be very careful.” Auntie Nosi says. 

Someone raises the volume and it’s the news telling us that Zandile Khumalo has been denied bail. Her trial will be in the next three months, so she will be held at Tholoana Female Prison until then. She is charged for the murder of Lydia Seete, the attempted murder of Kabelo Tsilane and the public violence that took place at the Seete wedding.

My phone rings and it’s Linda calling me. I look at my phone and not answer it. 

I feel hands on me. Tebza is hugging me from behind. 

…

Today is a new day. Tebza is not in bed and Khabane’s foot is on my face. I get out of bed and make my way downstairs. I find Tebza preparing breakfast and has already set the table where we will be eating. The helpers are helping her, so I walk up to her and hug her. I love this woman man. 

“I want scones and coffee”, I tell her. 

She laughs and gives me three scones then prepares me a cup of black coffee. Perfect.

Khabane comes down the stairs running and sits on top of me, helping himself to a scone.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask him.

He nods his head. 

“Are you okay, baby?” Tebza asks me. 

“Close your eyes”, I tell Khabane. 

He knows that I’m about to kiss his mom, so he closes his eyes with his hands. 

Tebza and I laugh then we kiss. 

“Okay, you can open your eyes now” I tell him. 

He does.

“Breakfast looks good, baby. Thank you”, me. 

She smiles at me. 

“I made the full payment for the completion of the house. I told my guys to prioritize the house, plus it’s my company that’s doing it. We should be able to move in within the next three months.” I tell her. 

“You know that I don’t mind helping with payments for the house, right babe? I started the project anyway.” She says. 

“I want to do this for us”, I say. 

She smiles and says thank you. 

“I was thinking that while we wait for the house to be completed, we could live here. Tiisetso can move into our flat if she’s ready.” I say. 

She looks at me. 

“What’s wrong?” I ask her. 

“Have you spoken to Gwen?” She asks me. 

“This is my mother’s house. Gwen is not bullying me out of my mother’s house. I have every right to be here.” 

“I just don’t want you guys to fight because of us being here. Khabane and I will support whatever you decide. Just talk to Gwen, okay?” 

“Don’t worry about Gwen. Leave her to me. Are you okay with being here for three months?” 

“As long as you are here with us. You are our home.” She says. 

I kiss her. 

“Daddy!” 

“Eyes closed”. 

He quickly closes his eyes. 

Tebza grabs Khabane and tells him that they need to go bath. They go upstairs and Gwen climbs down the stairs. She sits at the eating table by herself. I go to the table too and dish up some fruit and yogurt for myself. 

“Tebza really knows her way around the kitchen”, Gwen says as she eats. 

“One of the many reasons why I love her.” I say. 

“I’ll miss you guys when you leave tonight”, she says. 

“We not going anywhere for a while”. I say. 

“Don’t you have a life to get back to? I’d like some space.” 

“This is my mother’s house. I don’t need to explain my stay to you.” 

“You left here years ago. I’m the one who stayed with mama. Why don’t you go back to wherever you’ve been all these years?”

“I thought you were just living at home with mom because you didn’t want to grow up. I wasn’t aware that you had your eye on an inheritance.” 

“I deserve this house. It is rightfully mine and I want it. I stayed with mom all these years, listening to mama complain about everything, enduring what you ran away from. Then she died because of your inability to choose one woman and stick to her.” She says and this genuinely hurts me. I stop eating and look at her.

“Linda’s mother called out the hit because she was upset that you left her daughter. Your deeds followed you and left our mother dead. The decent thing is to leave her house in peace. We both know that bullet was for you, Tebza or Khabane. Not mama.” 

I stand up. I take my plate with me and walk to my room. I stand at the staircase and look at her. Then I tell her, “I’m not leaving. I know I have to be mindful of my words or I’ll throw you back in the looney bin, but I will say this… I will stay here until I want to leave. Don’t make me involve lawyers because we all know you can’t even afford one without my money”. 

I walk up the stairs before she can even respond.