LUXOLO

Weeks later everyone is still busy securing their houses, businesses, and place of worship for the upcoming war that is still making rounds. Everyone is living in fear, people are even scared to go to the malls, towns, and clubs. Sol have also been tightening security in his club, the fence is now an electric one, including the doors. The guards are fully armed this time around, and their uniform have changed, I don’t know how Sol did it, but their uniform is bullet proofed, and they also use double glass face shields now, and now there’s a limit of how many people are allowed in the club, and again they strip you off your clothes, and check if you don’t have any weapon with, they even check us the workers too. I’m just glad that, there are no longer many people coming here this club is so chilled now, I mean I can now concentrate on work without being disturbed, but the girls still can’t stand my sight, they just can’t stand me, I don’t know why or what I did to them for them to hate me this much, and it looks like they’ve recruited Mapule too in this hate game of theirs, if only they knew that I never lose sleep because of them, I even snore.

Lindiwe left for Colombia 3 days ago, and I already miss her. Hopefully by the time the war starts she would’ve come back, well 2 months it’s a long time I was so used having her around, she was like a sister to me. Before she left, she taught me how to use different guns, and told me their names she was training me secretly though every day for 8 hours, and in a very secluded place, I’m not a pro yet, but I mos def can shoot to kill. And in order for you to get there, you must pass streams jump a very huge deep hole, and pass by the forest then tada you’ve reached your destination, that place can be a good hide out for this coming war, it’s a little bit scary I know. But knowing my mother, she would never go there. It’s actually a huge house, it has no furniture, but it’s full of guns, and all kinds of illegal things you can think of, I’m sure those weapons were used by a certain army, well, I don’t know how they ended there though. Anyway, Lindiwe said that no one knows this place except for her, and her deceased boyfriend Papi. May his soul rest in peace, but how will it when he was brutally killed, and Lindiwe had to witness her boyfriend being killed, on top of that they raped her. They made her boyfriend watch her being raped before killing him. But she avenged his boyfriend’s death, or, so I thought because she said something about last man standing, and that’s another reason why she went to Colombia she wants to finish what the Colombians started. Oh, well, best of luck to her, and I know that she will conquer the battle.

I get home tired from going in circles in town looking for authentic fabric for my mother, I don’t even know what that is, phela I’m not familiar with different kinds of cloths. My mom is actually packing guys, and she is humming a song dancing I wonder where is she going.

“Mama.” She stops packing and turns to look at me, a huge smile plastered on her face.

“Nono.”

Me: “Why are you packing?” She looks at me confused.

Her: “What do you mean why am I packing? Didn’t you tell Lee to tell me to pack because you are moving me out of this place, and sending me to a place of safety due to this upcoming war?” Here’s another thing, ever since the shoot out took place, and the message was sent my mother never goes out, ever. It even came to a point where she wanted me to resign at work because the world is suddenly dangerous, and she doesn’t want to lose me. Yoh, I had to assure her that nothing will happen to me, and boy it took a lot in me to convince her, but she understood, urh…m. Nope, she never understood, but ke…

Me: “I did? When?” I don’t remember talking to Lee, the last time I spoke to him was weeks ago when he brought us here.

Her: “Are you really asking me that Nono? You are actually telling me that you don’t know about this?” I scratch my head.

Me: “It must’ve slipped my mind,” I will have to talk to Lee about this. How dare he?

Her: “Oh, my poor daughter. You have a lot on your mind, and I understand if you’ve forgotten it happens to a lot of us,” I nod. Well, in this case it’s different because I don’t remember giving out such an order.

Me: “I guess. But why are you packing your whole closet?” Sitting on top of the bed.

Her: “Because we don’t know when this war will be over Nono. What if it takes years?”

Me: “Well, you could always sew, or buy new clothes mus.”

Her: “I honestly don’t like clothes that I sew myself, I prefer something that I bought, and I bought all of this, but I will surely see dresses for you,” I laugh. Right. “Where exactly are you taking to me?” I don’t know.

Me: “Urh…m. It’s a surprise Mama, you will see where you are going, and I have no doubt that you will love it there,” she nods giving me a smile, and continues packing. Dammit Lee. What game are you exactly playing?

Her: “Anyway, did you find the cloths that I’ve sent you for?”

Me: “Nope. Police were closing shops in town, and they asked us to leave they want to do some searches in some of these shops, so I also came back.”

Her: “What? These police are failing to attend important matters, but they are too quick to attend shops? I’m sure they are searching foreign internationals.”

Me: “Nope. They are searching all shops, including Woolworths too.” I had to lie because I know that she will send me back if I tell her the truth.

Her: “That’s bad. Aren’t you going to pack? Or are you already done?”

Me: “I haven’t started Mama, but I will soon. And besides I’m not going with you, I still have things to take care off.”

Her: “Like what?”

Me: “Like pleading with Sol to give me another leave, but unpaid one for that matter. Then I will join you shortly.”

Her: “Oh, I see. I will pray for your boss to grant you one. So, what will I be doing there apart from going there for safety?”

Me: “You will see, I’m sure there would be something to do, and they will buy you a new sewing machine. Who knows, maybe you will make yourself money if you sell our South African clothes there.”

Her: “I like that, it will really keep me busy.”

Me: “Let me leave you get done with packing.”

Her: “Okay, and I’ve wasted time already talking to you. I’m supposed to be leaving 3 hours from now,” I choke on my saliva.

Me: “What? Tha… Well, I didn’t realize that time is moving so fast, I’ll be right back I need to make a quick call,” I get up from her bed, and walk out of her room. I get to mine, and I dial Lee’s numbers he answers on the 4th ring.

“Missing me?”

“You wish. What game are you exactly playing Lee?”

Him: “Game? What are you talking about?”

Me: “Where the hell are you taking my mother? And how dare you tell her to pack without even consulting me?”

Him: “I was just following orders,” I chuckle.

Me: “Orders? Who gave you those orders?”

Him: “The main man, indoda yendawo.”

Me: “Who on earth is that?”

Him: “Malum’z.” What? Who is this Malum’z, and why would he want to take a mother to a place of safety? I mean, who gave him the go ahead? This is fucked up.

Me: “Who on earth is that Lee? Are you gambling with my mother’s life?” He laughs, he finds it all funny.

Him: “Relax, no one is gambling with your mother’s life. The boss just want to her safe, you don’t have to worry about her, and trust me when I say that nothing will harm her.” As if that’s easy trusting someone, trust is earned.

Me: “I don’t believe you Lee, and my mother is not going anywhere.”

Him: “You don’t get to call the shots, only the boss can. Not unless you have a safe place where you can take her too.” Sighs, there’s none.

Me: “Fine. But I still don’t trust you, and why would your boss want to save my mother?”

Him: “Because you are his.”

Me: “What? You must be out of your mind. I’m no one’s property, no one owns me,” he laughs.

Him: “He does, you just don’t know it yet. So long, tell your mother to get done packing I’m on my way,” he hangs up before I can even respond. Who exactly is Lee working for because I’m 100% positive that it’s not Sol, unless he is working for Tk! Nah, that wrinkled paper is too arrogant. I wonder who is he working for, but funny enough I trust him, I trust that he will keep my mother safe plus they are the best of friends lately, I wonder what do they converse about. I lie on my back, and close my eyes, I know that one way or the other he will pop up in my mind. Sometimes I feel like he is present, he is with me, watching me. It gets kind of creepy at times. Ai, sengahlanya nou.

★»★«

TSAKANI

Everyone is done loading their luggage into the sprinter, I have hired a sprinter to accommodate all eighteen of them (my brothers, their wives, their in-laws, and their children) they all came to my mother’s house, I’m sure my mother told my brothers that I’m moving her

and Sabelo to a place of safety hence they also came here. Yazi, I don’t understand why they came here. They could’ve just bought plane tickets, and fly to wherever with their families, but no. They all want to be rescued by their little brother old as they are, if they run to me then whom am I supposed to run to? I swear their wives are dating gays, I mean they don’t even know how to throw punches, well Hlulani does but when pushed to his limits. 

I wonder how did bubbles take the news of knowing that her mother is leaving, and no one had the audacity to inform her about it. I can actually see her flaring her nose right now, and raising her brow in anger, her eyes twinkle when she’s angry. Yah neh, you see I even notice the slightest things about her. Anyway, we are going to meet up with Lee at the garage so that bubbles mother can join the rest, hehe I also wonder what will my mother say when she sees bubbles mother, at least she won’t get time to throw questions my way, besides Paul will be the one who will be driving them to the airport because I have things to take care off.

An hour later we are parked at the garage, and Lee haven’t arrived yet, I wonder what’s taking him so long. I take out my phone, and call him he answers on the 2nd ring.

“Yoh, give us 3 minutes TK there’s a human piano making noise here causing me a headache!” I laugh, and I know exactly who it is.

“Ayt,” he hangs up. My mom comes back with some girl, she’s beautiful I don’t want to lie to you. She has meat in all the right, I guess she’s the church girl judging by her outfit, Long skirt, cardigan, and a doek covering her head. But the connection ain’t there, none whats so ever. She ain’t the one.

“Boy, this Amogelang the girl I’ve been telling you about, and Amogelang this is my son Tsakani. You know boy I found Amogelang inside the shop, and I told her to come with me so that she can meet with you.”

Me: “After meeting me, then what?” My mother’s smile vanishes, and so is Amogelang’s.

Her: “Be nice son. You don’t have to show her that you are rude, try accommodating her.”

Me: “No. I don’t want to accommodate her, I’m sure there’s some young man fearing God in your church having his eyes on her, Mama please. Each to their own, she cannot date her opposite, omunye no munye ku lane yakhe.” My mom looks at me astonished. “Vaya baby girl asikho I story sakho,” she quickly turns on her heels, and walk away.

Mom: “Mara wena zindlebe zaka yihlo, did you really have to embarrass me like that? Hhayi, u rude shame that poor girl was ready to cry, u rude boy yuhhh. No wonder you are single, no girl can stand your rudeness. Wuhhh, who do you take after mara wena?”

Me: “I take after a distance relative maybe,” shrugging.

Her: “Sewuyanya manjer. Do you know your distance relatives?”

“Language Mama. Leave him Ma, he will die single.” Hlulani says appearing behind us. Mxm… My dick throbs, she’s here and now with no absolute doubt I’m sure that he’s mine. But I will not introduce her to the family just yet. And she is making noise busy exchanging words with Lee, we all turn to look at their direction, and she is indeed exchanging words with Lee, Lee is frustrated. I see Lee whispering something in her ear, and she looks our direction, and whispers back to Lee, he laughs. I wonder what are they whispering about.

Mom: “And who are those people? Never mind Lee, and the old woman. Who is this noisy girl?”

Hlulani: “I wonder too.” They finally get to us, and they greet. We respond, the others are peeping through the windows.

“TK. Can I talk to you in private?” She flares her nose.

“First, let’s bid goodbye to these people here then we will talk,” winking at her, and she rolls her eyes.

Mom: “Whoa whoa, who is she and why would she want to talk to you in private? Don’t tell me that she’s your girlfriend!” Lux tilts her head, nose flares, and she’s about to say something when Lee pulls her away from us. I know that she was going to tell my mother where to get off without even flinching, or showing any remorse. I chuckle, and shake my head.

Hlulani: “I like her, I really do. She will fit in just fine, and a lot of people will learn to stay in their lanes,” he laughs. “Can I help you with your bags Ma?”

Mom: “No. She has hands she can carry the bags herself, and I wonder where is she going.” Lux Mom is just standing there looking at her barking.

“You need to learn to watch your tone, and teach yourself how to talk to people. You are a grown woman to be talking in such manner, you don’t even have to worry yourself about me because I did not ask to be brought here, I can always go back to my house no one chased me. And again, what exactly is it that you are teaching these kids? Your son is offering to help an old woman with her bags, and you tell him straight up not to because I have my own hands? Your parenting skills are really questionable. Lee, please take me back to my house because no one chased me there.” She is already on her heels walking away. I look at my mother, and she is speechless.

“Wait Ma, you don’t have to leave. You can always come with.” Sabelo interferes, I still don’t understand why did my mother give us different names, we are all Tsonga’s mus.

“No. My mother is not going anywhere with you, clearly she is not wanted.” Lux says helping her mother with her luggage.

Me: “Luxolo!” She stops on her tracks, and slowly turn to look at me. “Sabelo, go and take those bags and load them in the sprinter time is not standing in one place.” Lee is busy laughing from a distance.  Lux sends a deadly stare my way, and a grin plasters on my face. “As I said, we will talk.”

Her: “I hope you are covered insurance wise, and your mother better not hlukumeza my mother, or else I will hunt her down.”

Me: “And I believe you. Why are you wearing leggings?”

Her: “How is that any of your business?”

Me: “At least tell me that you are not wearing any underwear.”

Her: “Fuck maarn wena!” I laugh.

Me: “Let’s go, and bid those people goodbye’s.”

Her: “Your mother neh?”

Me: “Don’t worry about her, she will do just fine. Can I hold your hand?”

Her: “For what? It’s not as if like we are a couple or something.”

Me: “But we had sex mus, raw for that matter. What does that tell you?”

Her: “It tells me nothing, it tells me that it was just sex,” I put my hands on her ass.

Me: “I can always finger fuck you right here, right now. You know right?” She rolls her eyes. We get to the sprinter, and bid goodbye to everyone.

Hlulani: “She’s the one TK, she’s the one for you.”

“But I don’t like her,” Okuhle, Hlulani wife says.

Lux: “And you think I like you? You think I give a shit whether you like me or not? Baby girl there are a lot of women hating on me sitting on the benches waiting for me to give a fuck. You can gladly join the queue, and keep it moving sis.”

Mmathabo: “And as for me, I like her, a lot. You see this one, she’s a gintsakazi, a tsotsikazi, a perfect match for TK. When I come back, we must hook up, finally some sister wife who wouldn’t tolerate bull shit, in fact give me your numbers,” she hands Lux her phone, and bubbles punches in her numbers, I look at my mother, and she is looking straight ahead, you can see that she’s on a verge of crying.

Me: “Well, have a safe trip everyone, we will keep in contact.” I’m about to close the door.

“Everyone down!” Lux tells us before we can all register what’s going on, bullets are flying in the air. I don’t know how, but she manages to get hold of my gun that was attached on my gun holster, she rolls down on the ground, and the gun goes off twice, then bursting of tyres is heard from a distance, and some screeching. She gets up from the ground, and starts running Lee is behind her heels with a gun in his hand.

Me: “Is everyone okay?”

Them: “Yeah, we are.”

Me: “The kids?”

Them: “Yes.”

Me: “Okay. Paul drive.”

Mmathabo: “Be safe, and tsotsikazi is for keeps keep her safe!” Paul roars the engine to life, and drive off. I run after Lux & Lee, as I’m approaching the scene there’s a crime scene tape, and the car is beyond repair, it has burnt into flames. The police were too quick to attend the scene, of course they are because there’s a police station near by.

“What happened?” I ask one of the police.

“Faulty car wires, people don’t like servicing their cars.” I nod, and walk away. I wonder where is Lee & Lux, but I’m positive that they are safe wherever they are. Lux’s instincts kicks faster than any other instincts I’ve ever seen, she’s fast too, and when did she know how to use a gun, and aim? I’m impressed. The excitement I’m feeling right now, it’s fucking awesome. My phone rings, and it’s Lee.

Me: “Where the hell are you?”

Him: “Buying food here at steers. Man, why didn’t you tell me that this girl is a bad bitch? A whole mother fucking gangster?”

Me: “I didn’t know man, I only saw her in action today, man she’s good, very good.”

Him: “I’m impressed man. And the garage footage have been taken care of, don’t worry. Get your flat ass here man.”

Me: “Do you have any idea who were they?”

Him: “None man, but babhodile feder feder. He hangs up. Damn! I wonder who were they, and who sent them.