Midnight Kiss
1
Mmagwe Thoto’s troublesome rooster cried for the last time at twilight, just as Lesedi walked past the yard with an empty water bucket swinging lightly at her side. The sound followed her for a moment before fading into the evening air. She glanced toward the group of girls playing along the gravel road, their laughter loose and careless, and for a heartbeat she wanted to join them but the sun sinking low reminded her of the plans she had.
She tightened her grip on the bucket and quickened her steps.
Moments later, she reached the banks of the Okavango River end slowed down looking at the two girls were already fetching water. They turned as she got closer and smiled widely surprised to see her.
“Lesedi mma!” One of them called out. “It’s been a while since we last saw you.”
Lesedi smiled back. “My parents and I went to visit my aunt in Shakawe. We only came back last night.”
Sabo laughed and tilted her head to the side. “You even look lighter. Is it true they have flat-screen TVs there? The kind you can talk to?”
Lesedi laughed. “I don’t know. My aunt’s TV doesn’t talk back.”
The girls burst into laughter, their voices echoing gently over the water.
Lebo shook her head. “Don’t mind Sabo Lesedi. You look lighter. I heard their water is different from ours.”
Lesedi shrugged. “It tastes only a little different.”
From the corner of her eye, Lesedi noticed movement at the far end of the riverbank. She looked over and a smile started as Tiro stepped out from between the bushes.
The other two girls followed her gaze.
Lesedi quickly looked away and stepped closer to the water’s edge. Sabo, however, did not hide her reaction. She blushed openly, staring at him. Tiro was not only handsome, he was the kind of handsome that felt unreal, like something borrowed from a movie screen. His skin was dark and smooth, his eyebrows thick and expressive, his features so perfectly balanced they looked like God had taken the most time crafting him. He had full lips with a neatly growing beard. Sabo’s smile grew wider, everything about him demanded attention.
Lebo giggled lifting her bucket onto her head and sighed. “Sabo, let’s go. You know how your mother is.”
Sabo cleared her throat and glanced at Lesedi, who was dipping her bucket into the river. She lifted her own bucket, placed it on her head, then flashed Tiro a shy smile before walking away.
Tiro waited until they disappeared down the path, the sun slipping lower and lower into the horizon.
“Hi…”
The sound of his voice sent a shiver through Lesedi. The hairs at the back of her neck rose as excitement bloomed in her chest. She turned to him, and when he smiled, she giggled before she could stop herself. He walked over and lifted her easily off the ground. She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
As soon as he set her down, his lips found hers. Lesedi closed her eyes, and the world stilled around her. All she could feel and hear was him, his strong arms, the warmth of his big body, his breathing. He squeezed her waist as their mouths moved together. He finally pulled back and she smiled up at him whispering.
“Hi back.”
Without a word, Tiro filled her bucket and lifted it effortlessly with one arm. “Let’s go.”
He stretched his hand out to her and Lesedi held him.
They walked away from the river together, stopping minutes later at their usual place beside the old truck shell that had been there for as long as Lesedi could remember. Her father always said it had been left behind by white men who once owned the land. Now it was nothing but rusted metal, stripped and broken, but to them it was a sanctuary.
Tiro climbed into it first and helped her in. They lay back, staring at the stars beginning to scatter across the sky. Lesedi rested her head on his chest and breathed in.
“I missed you.”
Tiro kissed her forehead. “Me too. I saw you arrive yesterday. How is your aunt?”
She hesitated then took a deep breath almost scared to say. “I heard Mama telling her they want me to leave here.”
His heartbeat quickened beneath her ear.
She lifted her head to look at him. “I don’t want to go. I want to be with you.” Tears burned her eyes.
Tiro reached up and pinched her cheek gently. “I’ am going to sell one of my father’s cows. My sister’s husband will help me get a job. We will elope and stay there while I save to marry you.”
“My father will never accept you.”
“If I have the money-”
“He will never accept you.” Her voice quietened “I shouldn’t even be with you.”
“Sedi-”
“I will make a plan. I promise.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Tiro brushed them away.
“We are going to be fine. I love you more than life itself. Nothing makes sense without you.”
He held her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
Lesedi sniffed scared to say more that had been discussed with her aunt. Tiro leaned down, his lips brushing her neck and her breath caught as she clutched the back of his shirt. Her mouth on her neck weakened her and her chest rose up and down. Tiro moved up to her lips kissing her again gently getting on top of her. Lesedi caressed his strong arms and somehow with him on top of him, she could barely feel his weight. Her nipples hardened against her top as Tiro settled between her legs making her skirt roll up to her waist. Their breathing got even heavier as he rubbed his erection against her. Her cl.it throbbed with every rub. Moments later he pulled her panty to the side, his fingers slipping between her wet folds.
Lesedi’s breath caught at the pressure of his thumb against her sensitive spot. Her insides tightened the more he massaged the spot, her toes curling. She pulled her face back and looked at him moving her waist beneath his thumb. Light rain drops dropped on them and Tiro pulled his hand away unzipping his pants.
Lesedi emotionally looked at him and he kissed her again rubbing against her entrance then slowly slid inside her. She wrapped her legs around him and as if they had turned into one being, they moved together.
***
Rain started falling hard and Mmagwe Lesedi walked into Lesedi’s room, holding the candle high above her head. She looked around, swallowing hard. The room was empty.
She turned and bumped into her husband. He breathed out in fury.
“Rragwe-”
“Where is she?”
“She went to fetch water,” Mmagwe Lesedi spoke quickly, her voice laced with fear. “She will be back just now.”
“She left before the sun could sink!” He roared. “Now it is raining! Where is she?” His voice shook with anger. “Is she with that boy?”
He shook his head. “If…”
“Let us just wait and-”
He walked away. His feet hit the ground hard as he crossed the yard. He picked up his axe and stepped into the rain.
Mmagwe Lesedi’s heart pounded. She whispered under her breath. “Help me, Lord…”
She stood underneath the shade in front of the house waiting. Moments later, Lesedi came through the gate soaked in rain, her bucket of water balanced on her head.
Mmagwe Lesedi walked straight to her.
“Where are you coming from?”
“I went to fetch water. The rain started and-“
“Until this time? How long does it take to fetch water, Lesedi? I saw Sabo passing here. She went there before you! Exactly where were you fetching your water?”
She moved closer and lowered her voice. “Were you with him?”
“Mama-“
“Were you?”
Lesedi put the bucket down. Tears filled her eyes. “If I run away with him maybe-“
“Run away to where?” Her mother snapped. “Your father will kill you. What is wrong with you?” She shook her head. “That useless boy will drag you into poverty. What is it about him?”
“I love him.”
The slap came hard and fast.
Lesedi stepped back, her lips shaking.
“If I ever hear you say that again..” Her mother lowered her voice. “I will finish you. Do you understand me? Get inside. Your father has went there… I don’t even know what to think.”
***
Kgosiemang walked towards the small hut inside Tiro’s father’s yard. With every step, his anger boiled. He reached the door and kicked it open violently.
“Tiro!”
Rragwe Tiro turned startled and dropped the shoe he was sewing.
“Uhu!”
“Where is that retarded son of yours? Today I am going to finish him off!”
Rragwe Tiro stood up and walked outside.
“Tiro is not here.”
They both turned as footsteps approached. Tiro froze in his tracks. Kgosiemang immediately took off, charging towards him. Tiro spun around and ran. Kgosiemang hurled the axe with all his strength and missed Tiro by an inch.
Tiro ran faster, jumped over the fence, and disappeared into the darkness.
“Boy! If I ever catch you with my daughter! Count your days! Do you hear me? Count your days!”
Kgosiemang walked over, picked up his axe and marched towards Rragwe Tiro.
“This is your last warning. The next time I come here because of your street dog chasing my child, I will burn you and this filth you call a house. Nxa!”
He walked away spewing insults.
Rragwe Tiro stared in the direction his son had run off to shaking his head in disbelief.
More than ten minutes later, Tiro quietly walked inside the hut removing his muddy shoes.
His father stared at him.
“Why won’t you leave that man’s daughter alone? Aren’t there other pretty girls in this village?”
Tiro wiped his wet face.
“Papa… can I please sell one cow? Mompati’s husband said I could go to Maun with Lesedi, and he will help me find a job.”
“You want to elope with another man’s child?”
“Please. I will pay it back once I start working.”
***
Rragwe Lesedi stormed into his yard and dropped the axe with a loud thud. He pushed the door open and looked at Lesedi sitting next to her mother.
“Where were you?”
Lesedi rose slowly and stepped back.
“I-”
“Go and pack your bags. I am taking you to Gaborone.”
Mmagwe Lesedi jumped to her feet.
“Kgosi, we agreed we would wait for her bride price from-”
“I trust my friend. His son can come and pay magadi later. For now, Lesedi is going. I have spoken and that’s final!”
Lesedi’s eyes widened.
“Since she wants to be a woman so badly.” He continued, his voice stern. “She might as well go and be a wife. My friend’s son is successful. He lives in the city. I am taking her now.”
The room fell silent as they looked at him.
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