Midnight Kiss
2
The following morning, Tiro walked into his father’s kraal. Out of the seven cows inside, he went straight to the fattest one. The others shifted instinctively as he skilfully led it out.
His buyer studied the cow carefully.
“I was expecting to see your father.”
“He has already left to deliver the shoes he was fixing last week.” Tiro cleared his throat. “This is the cow.”
Rre Tisetso stared at the animal, then at Tiro.
“I can give you P2000 for it.”
“What?” Tiro frowned. “But we discussed P6500.”
“Boy, do you even know how much that is?” Rre Tisetso laughed mockingly. “Even your father has never seen such money in his life, and you think I will just give you P6500? Are you crazy?”
Tiro clenched his jaw. “This cow is fit and fat. You know its worth the amount that much, it’s a Brahman!”
“Give me that bull as well and I will give you P5000.”
Tiro felt his throat dry. Rre Tisetso stepped closer.
“You should be glad that I am even offering you so much.” His tone turned cold. “You are not going to get rich through me, boy.”
“My father said-”
“I don’t care what your father said.” Rre Tisetso cut in. “I would tell him the same thing. Look, take it or leave it. Right now you are starting to waste my time.”
He clicked his tongue and walked around the cow slowly.
“You peasants are all the same. Big dreams, empty hands. What makes you think I would ever give you so much of my money? You are very foolish. Did you even go to school?”
Tiro said nothing.
Rre Tisetso stopped and chuckled.
“Unless…” He lifted his eyes. “Is this about Kgosiemang’s daughter?”
Tiro stiffened.
“I hear you have been around after that girl. I didn’t think you were that brave or that foolish.” He shook his head. “You? Kgosiemang’s son-in-law?”
Tiro stared at him silently, his chest rising and falling at a rapid speed.
“That man is above your father’s income.” Rre Tisetso went on. “He drinks tea in Gaborone with men who work in tall buildings. And you?” He gestured around the kraal. “You smell of cows and dust. You think he would ever accept dirt like you into his family?”
Tiro’s fists tightened at his sides.
“You selling your father’s cows will never make you enough. You are an idiot.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out money.
“P2000. That is what this cow is worth to me. Take it, or I walk away. Then you can go explain to your father how you lost a buyer.”
Silence settled between them. The cow shifted, lowing softly.
Tiro swallowed hard. His chest tightened as he thought through his options. Another day he wasted meant another day of losing her.
“Fine.”
Rre Tisetso smiled, satisfied.
“Wise choice.”
He counted the notes into Tiro’s trembling hand and took the rope.
“Remember, people like Kgosiemang don’t marry their daughters to men like you. They marry them to men with power. People like you also marry other peasants who are just like you.”
Tiro stood still shaking, the money burning in his palm.
He knew his father would be deeply disappointed.
But he also knew he had no other choice.
*
Tiro walked inside his father’s hut breathing heavily. He picked his small bag and shoved a few of his clothes inside. He changed and wore the clothes he had bought a few years ago that he barely wore unless it was for a special occasion. A soft knock came through the door. He quickly put on his t-shirt and opened. Sabo smiled looking at him.
“Hi Tiro.”
He looked behind her then back at her.
“Sabo, how can I help you?”
Sabo smiled shyly. “Uh, can I come in?”
“I am busy-“
“Lesedi sent me.”
His facial expression immediately softened. “Where is she?”
“Can I come in?”
He sighed then moved and she walked in. Sabo looked around the small hut then looked at Tiro as he turned to her.
“Where is she?”
Sabo breathed out. “I heard that her father almost hurt you yesterday.”
“Sabo-“
“Why be with someone who is going to get you killed one day? You deserve better than that.”
“I am busy right now.” He opened the door. “You can leave.”
Sabo stared at him then took off her dress remaining nude. “I can make you happy.”
Tiro’s frown deepened. “Are you crazy? Put on your dress!”
“What? Don’t act fresh. You know I can make you happy.”
Tiro picked her dress and gave it to her.
“Dress up and leave. I don’t want you. I never did.”
“Tiro-“
“You are wasting my time. Get out.”
Feeling embarrassed, Sabo angrily took her dress and put it on. “Ok then. I am going to tell everyone you r.aped me!”
Tiro clicked his tongue and picked his bag then walked out. Sabo ran after him.
“She left! She is not there anymore! Her father took her to the man who is going to marry her.”
Tiro ignored her walking even faster. Sabo screamed even louder.
“She is gone! You won’t find her! You will never find her!”
Sabo stopped as he disappeared out of the sight. Tears burnt her eyes and she looked around glad Tiro’s father stayed away from everyone else. She fixed her dress and walked away headed back home.
***
Mmagwe Lesedi hung the clothes she had been washing outside in the morning son while humming to herself. She finished up then frowned at Tiro walked through the gate headed straight towards her. She rubbed her wet hands on her dress.
“What do you want?”
“Dumelang.”
“Didn’t my husband warn you yesterday?”
“He did. I know you do not approve me being with your daughter but I love her. I love her more than anything. Right now I don’t have much but-“
“Lesedi is not yours to love.”
“I-“
“She is not here. She is gone. We found her a perfect man and we took her there. As we speak, she and her father have arrived in Gaborone where she is going to start her family. You could never give my daughter a good life. You are too poor, you reek of poverty.”
Tiro’s chest tightened. “She is where?”
“In Gaborone! With a good city man. He will take good care of her. Your lies will never bother my child ever again. Please leave. I have nothing for you here.”
Tears burnt his eyes. “I..” He tried to find the right words to say but words escaped him.
“GO!”
He stared at mmagwe Lesedi momentarily and a tear rolled down. He slowly turned and walked out of the yard feeling his world fall apart around him. Tears blurred his sight as pain weakened him. Each step he took felt heavier than the previous one. He rubbed his eyes tearfully. Gaborone… that meant he would never see her again unless…
A thought lit up his brain and he stopped walking. He could go after her, after all, he had the P2000. The more he thought of it, the more it actually made sense. He didn’t know anyone there neither had he ever been there but the police usually helped find people. They would help him find her. He rubbed his eyes and laughed with hope then rushed off.
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