Scars and Nightmares

chapter 20

Goitsimedi ‘GM’ Tholo

Things have been very awkward in the house between all of us. Sedi avoids me every chance she gets. KB does as she pleases, she's almost done with her exams and she's losing her focus. I couldn't understand what her problem was with me; I tried to crack my brain to think what I could have done or said to get her to act how she's acting but nothing comes to mind.
   I had a job interview at a new restaurant in Clearwater mall around 09h00. I had no clue what to wear, KB would be helping me out but she's not talking to me. The door opened and Sedi walked in holding her tie and school shoes. Maybe she could help me out–
“Sedi what must I wear for my interview?”
“We both know that I'm just as clueless as you when it comes to clothes.”
She was right, I breathed in and out then walked to the bed and shook KB.
“Hmm..”
“Wake up and help me out.”
“Mhmm...” she tossed then faced another direction. I shook her again then she kicked the blankets off her.
“Keng?”
“I have an interview do you mind helping me out?”
“Goitsimedi you're old enough to choose what to wear.” she pulled the blanket over her head.
“KB for how long are you planning on ignoring me?”
“Get over yourself Goitsimedi, not everything is about you.”
“Maybe if you told me what I did I could apologize?”
She looked at me with a bored expression.
“Please leave I want to sleep.”
“Wow!” I turned to the wardrobe and chose what I hope was okay for the interview. I looked at KB one more time then got dressed. I heard the door close as I got dressed, I ran to the window, it was Sedi leaving. She didn't even say goodbye, what was happening?

“Goitsi are you in there!” Thobile said while knocking. I opened the door and she smiled at me.
“Thanks for coming Thobile, I don't want anything hectic just something simple.”
“We don't have time for anything hectic babe, I'll try to do your brows and maybe some eye shadow because I have to get ready as well.”
“No problem..” I wanted to ask her where Mabutho was but pinched myself not to. I have not seen him in a while. I mostly had afternoon classes or tests.
“I saw Sedi walking to the stop sign alone where is KB?”
“She’s not writing today.”
“Soon she'll be done with her exams and going out to party!” I stared at Thobile then she laughed. “I’m being honest.”
“She’s not even speaking to me.”
“What did you do?”
“That’s the thing I have no idea Thobile. Just out of the blue she stopped speaking to me.”
“You must have done something, ask her until she gives in.. it can't be healthy to live with someone who doesn't speak to you.”
“Mhmm, so how did things go with your sister?”
“Ahh that one!” we laughed out loud.
“That bad?”
“Babes, you don't want to know.. she should've taken drama classes ngeke yoh.”
“I don't have champagne, we'd be toasting to dramatic family members right now.”
“We need to go out this Friday. Amapiano session at club nudity this Friday!”
“I can't leave my siblings alone you know that Thobile.”
“Konje... I'm done go look in the mirror.”
Thobile knew her story, I didn't look like a clown. I always looked like one after applying makeup. I have watched so many makeup tutorials but it's always a disaster!
“The day you open your beauty spa, I'll be the first in line to get pampered! I love it.”
“I’m glad you love it. Listen you're going to be in charge of catering at my wedding! I just need to find a man though.”
“My outfit is not too over the top right?”
“You’re perfect, not too much. Just right... I have to go now, I forgot to lock.”
Perfect opportunity to ask about Mabutho! “Where’s your brother?”
“Mabutho has been doing the early shifts so his already at work.”
“Okay.” I walked her to the door, then came and placed everything in its place then left...

Rachel Ndlovu

“Mokgadi are you sure we're at the right place?”
“I have been here before but it looks a bit different than when I was here.” we were deep in Alex looking for a man called Madlabantu, to help me out with my Okuhle situation. We once went to one in Limpopo but there was no time to drive all the way to Limpopo. We had to do this now before it was too late. I have not seen Okuhle in a while but I know when she returns she will not stop, more reason for me to strengthen myself and my marriage. I was not going to lose Terrence because of a ghost– never!
   “Mokgadi let's just ask where this man lives, aowa.. we've been walking in circles for a while now. I only got half a day off remember I still need to go to work.”
“You don't ask directions when going to such places wena Rachel. I'm sure we're not far.”
“Aowa...” Mokgadi stopped walking and stared at me with annoyance all over her face.
“Don’t forget that I'm doing this for you, I didn't kill anyone.”
“Mokgadi!”
“Stop complaining let's go.”
“You might not have killed him but you helped burn him.”
“I never said I didn't.”
We continued arguing as we walked around looking for a green house that had a pale blue mud house next to it.
“Wena Mokgadi, how did you find out about this Madlabantu? Does he eat people?”
    “Ask no questions and hear no lies, keep walking and stop asking me stupid questions.”

I walked behind my sister wondering why someone would be called Madlabantu, it made no sense. I hope I won't have to sleep with him to get help. How did Mokgadi even know about this place?
“Yah!”
I looked up to see what had Mokgadi excited; I finally saw the green house. I let out a sigh from relief. I was exhausted from all the walking we did. I'm glad we left the car at home.
  One could smell the mphepho all the way from the gate! We sat on a bench outside the mud room and removed our sneakers. We heard him chanting loudly in the room. I looked at Mokgadi who looked very calm. This one was definitely a witch! Weird things made her calm, she was definitely part of the witchcraft gang.
“Oh yes!” a strange looking man said coming out from the mud room. “Oh yes!” he repeated the same words more than once while staring at the gate. He was a short man with a round face and tiny eyes. His lips were pouted and had a black colour on them. He was very weird looking; one could not stare at him for more than five seconds!
   “Come in.”
We followed him in, there were snake and crocodile skin around the room. The place smelt just as bad. I had no idea if it was fresh blood and urine that was lingering in the air or what. He instructed that we sit on a dried cow skin that he had turned into a mat. Hygiene was not part of his plans!
      The chanting began, we had to clap our hands while saying ‘makhosi’ the whole time. He drank a red liquid from a tiny bottle then spat in the fire that was dying down– the fire came to life immediately and lit the entire room. I wish he had not done that, I could see everything clearly. My skin crawled.
“You will find no peace! Peace is something you won't know.” he said startling me.
“You will find no peace!” he repeated staring at me.
“What are you talking about mkhulu?”
“You know what you did and you will be haunted forever!”
Mokgadi and I, exchanged looks then looked down as he changed. His pupils had turned into snake eyes; out of fear, I moved back and attempted to run but I suddenly couldn't move my legs.
“Her family were very powerful and praying people. You will visit all kinds of people but they won't help you.”
“Thokoza mkhulu.”
“The previous man you went to did not tell you everything you needed to know.”
“Thokoza mkhulu.” Mokgadi and I said.
“I can't really read what she has in store for you because she's blinding me from reading her. Her pain is blinding everyone from reading her.”
“Thokoza mkhulu!”
     He turned to face Mokgadi then shook his head and turned and to my direction.
“Go behind that curtain; undress then get into that medium sized dish.” I did exactly as I was told the the curtain moved, he came in holding different bottles. I hid my boobs and he chuckled.
“I’ve have seen a lot of those to last me until I take my last breath.” he said without looking at me. He mixed coloured powders and herbs in a dish and squeezed something clear that looked like oil but had a foul smell, into the mixture; he lit more mphepho and held it above my head while burping loud. Once that was over, he made small cuts on my shoulders then took some of the mixture– rubbed it over my body as well as onto the cuts on my shoulders. I was tense throughout wondering what he was going to do to me. He took his time rubbing it over my boobs going all the way down to my thighs.
“What are you doing?”
“Shhh, just relax.” he continued rubbing the mixture all over my body, especially my boobs. I couldn't understand why a woman wasn't doing this.. he told me to stand and I did, no question asked.
“Wrap yourself with this then drink everything in that cup. Once you're done get dressed and leave.” before he left he looked at me one more time while shaking his head, “ this is only a temporary solution, you know what to do.” then he left.

*
*
*

“How do you feel?”
I closed my eyes then opened them again. Mokgadi was kneeling next to me in my room.
“What’s going on?”
“You were tired when we came back and you took a nap.”
“Nap?” all I remembered was Madlabantu telling me to stand, then drink some bitter.. smelly herbs in a cup, which I did but everything else after that is cloudy.
“What happened in that room Mokgadi?”
“Nothing, he just strengthened you, that's it.”
I didn't know if at that point I could trust my own sister. I nodded then tried to stand but my legs were still painful.
“Why can't I move my legs? I need to get to work.”
“Don’t worry I told them that you won't make it, you twisted you ankle..”
“Mokgadi!”
“My job is done here I'm going back home tomorrow.”
    “How did you meet him?”
“Don’t forget to drink those herbs and to chew some of them.” she stood up and left.

Mokgadi was hiding something from me.