Khumo: the arranged wedding

ONE

           KHUMO MORAPEDI

This moment has finally arrived. Who would have thought that, Khumo Naomi Morapedi. Daughter of Motlalepula and Joseph would be writing her matric final exams soon. I will admit it's been hard, it's even harder when your parents earn peanuts. Most of the people from Metsing work in the city. More like the men leave their wives with kids, to find work at the city of gold. The funny thing is that, the only gold those men actually bring back home, is other children from their “other” women.

Everyone knows everyone around here. The life at Metsing is really not that bad as it was a few years ago. We have improved. Schools have improved. A lot of things are not similar like they were.
We now have two clinics instead of only one like we used to and a hospital. Our primary and high schools have also been improved. Life is much more bearable right now unlike before. The only “good” thing we had back then is water. No matter how dry and hot it gets, our water never depletes.

My mom decided to surprise us by visiting us this week. Unfortunately my dad could not make it. He had to work. My mom is a bulldozer. She likes being in charge. It's either her way or the highway. I have no idea how my dad has managed to tolerate her for this long. I can already see some of her traits in Keneilwe. She's only 15 years but she's such a bully!
My parents were only blessed with two beautiful girls. Me and Keneilwe.
I'm more close to my dad, we best friends. If I had to choose between my mom and dad, I would without a doubt choose my dad. Neilwe is mom's favourite. Papa does not have a favourite. He tries by all means to treat me and Neilwe equally. My mom though, that one adores Neilwe more. She does not even hide it from me that she adores her more.

It's Monday morning and I'm already up, getting ready for school. Life would be much easier if only Keneilwe would help as well but she's a princess who has servants serving her. I have to get up early, to make the fire outside to get our bathing water hot. Yes we have electricity but we only use it to light inside the house and that any food that is in the fridge does not go to waste. I hate Mondays with everything in me. I heard my phone vibrating under my pillow. I took it from under the pillow only to find a missed call from one of my cousin's, who have made it in life. If it's important she'll call again, I said to myself. Just when I stood up, the phone vibrated again. I picked up.
“Cuzy!” she happily said.

“Someone is happy.”

“Eya. Ke itumetse ngwana ko gae. I got another presenting gig.”

You see what I mean. Some people are destined to live their lives as they see fit. Things go accordingly. Then there's the likes of me. I'm truly happy for her though. Out of all our cousins, she's the realest one.

“I'm so happy for you ngwana ko gae. I truly am.”

“I know sweety. I'll come and visit you next month.”

“I can't wait to see you! Cuzy I have to go now. Kick some ass on your new job.”

“Wa nkitsi wena cuzzy. Good luck for your finals cuzzy. I'll send you some money later on.”

“Thank you cuzy. But you really don't have to send the money. I know your mom is also depending on you. You can se...” before I could finish off my sentence Neilwe snatched my phone.

“Cuzy thank you so much for the money, it helps so much around the house. Wa itsi le wena gore batsadi ba amogela di peanuts.” Keneilwe said to Neo.
I just looked at her with shock. I could not believe this child.

I got up and went outside to start the fire but it looks like Motlalepula had already started on the fire, since the water was now warm. “Tota Khumo ha o tsoga ka nako e, wa go nyalwa ke mang ngwanaka?” (If you're only waking up at this time, who is going to marry you my baby?) She said that removing the pot that had porridge in it.

“Mama kgale ke tsogile. Nne ke bua le Neo.” (I've been awake for a while now. I was talking to Neo.)
I can't believe this woman. So she's more concerned about me not getting married because apparently I woke up late. Instead of worrying that I'll be late for school. Wonders will never end! “Mama I'm going to bath. I don't want to be late for school.” I left her outside and went to our room to bath. Neilwe was sleeping again. This child is not serious. “Yeyi! Yeyi! Yeyi Keneilwe o robetse motho wa modimo?!”

“Eish modumo ke wa eng jaanong Khumo?!”
Wow. Motlalepula will deal with her spoilt brat. I don't have time to deal with her child. I just can't.

After bathing I went to the kitchen and quickly ate my porridge then took my lunchbox and left. I won't be late for school because our “royal highness” princess Keneilwe thinks the world revolves around her. Never!
As I hurriedly walked, I nearly tripped and fell but someone quickly caught me. “Are you okay?” when I looked up it was Otsile. I shyly smiled and shook my head yes.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Otsile asked.

“I don't want to be late for school. Mama would kill me.”

“You won't be late Khumo. You still have twenty minutes before the bell rings. Besides she will kill, Keneilwe since she's the one who will be late.”

I laughed at the last statement. He stopped walking and looked at me. “What's funny?”

“Mama would die first before she touches an inch of hair on Neilwe.”

“Is that so? Then you're also safe akere.”

Yeah right. She would beat me into a coma. I said to myself. Otsile was just staring at me. “What's wrong?”

“You said your mom would beat you into a coma.” Shit! I said that loud didn't I?

“You probably didn't hear me well.”

“If you say so Khumo. Let's go.”

At school I kept on looking around hoping to spot Neilwe but I didn't see her anywhere. I hope she didn't arrive late. I saw Bianca and her squad making their way to me. I rolled my eyes. I'm not in the mood for them today.
“Look guys it's the one and only Khumo who thinks she's pretty.” her friends started laughing.

For matriculants they sure are very stupid and childish. “What do you want Bianca?”

“You don't get to ask me questions. I do that do you understand?”

“I really don't have all day ladies. Either you tell me what you want or move away from me. Simple!”

She looked at me as if I stole her favourite jeans. I usually ignore her and her crew but I guess today the devil in me is out to play.
“Stay away from Otsile. He is mine and mine alone.”
Okay now it was my turn to look at her as if she punched me in the face. Otsile is a dream. He is handsome and has a nice voice. He is the most wanted boy at school. So I don't know why I'm shocked that Bianca wants him for herself.

“I don't know what you talking about.”

“You think I didn't see you, giggling with him this morning?”

“Oh that? I just walked with him, not a big deal.”

“I don't care!! You don't walk with him, you don't look his direction you don't even breathe the same air as him. Understood?” she left after that million dollar speech.

I stopped trying to find Neilwe and went to join my friends. “O batlang Bianca?” Tidimalo asked.

“I must stay away from Otsile.” Tidi and Itsanang laughed.

“Does she know that you two share a table at the English class?” Itsanang.

“I have no idea. All I know is that madam over there told me that, I must not even breathe the same air Otsile breathes.”

“Who does she think she is?! Is she married to him.” Tidi.
Tidimalo is the loose screw between us. I have no idea why she was named Tidimalo, when she's a loudmouth.

“Did you guys see Neilwe?”

“Nope. You know I sometimes wonder if you two are really siblings.” Tidi.

“Trust me I sometimes ask myself that.”

The bell rang and we went our separate ways.