LIFE IMAGINED

01

LIFE IMAGINED
01
ZESULWA
He looked over at the tiny coffin one more time and he couldn’t stop his tears. He just let them fall. He is still finding it hard to believe that she is really gone. Why won’t he catch a break for once in his life? Why do things always have to rain harder on him? His mother named him “Zesulwa” meaning tears were wiped, which tears were wiped? Because he has lived his entire life either crying or begging. He does not know the feeling of happiness or joy; his life is forever subjected to pain and misery. His peers are living the best of their lives while he is stuck here, his life is on a standstill. Where would he even start when he wants to better his life? He has nothing and no one to turn his back to. He is all alone. If only he had someone whom he could at least run to when things get tough, oh who is he kidding? Things are always tough for him. He snaps out of his thoughts when the pastor is saying “ashes to ashes “, and it dawns onto him that she is really gone, she was so young. He wants to scream so bad, but his voice just won’t come out, all you can see is the tears streaming down his face. One of his neighbors holds his hands, and mimes “It’s going to be okay”. But will things ever be okay though?
The pastor wraps up everything and everyone retires to their home, they would be going back to Zesulwa’s home for food and refreshments but what would he feed them? Him alone finds it hard to find something to eat. He walks slowly to his home, and he arrives. He pushes the door open since it wasn’t locked. It’s no use locking the door anyway because it is not even in a good condition. Anyone from outside can see what you are doing inside. He sits on the old torn couch, it is the only couch in the room, it has been there since he can remember. He looks at his parent’s picture hanging from the wall and feel a bit of happiness, but it quickly goes away when he remembers the events of today. How does he get over the death of her daughter? She was only a year old. She was the only good thing happening in his life and now he is back to square one. Her mother? He also doesn’t know where she is. She came to give him their baby girl and left, he had been raising his daughter alone for a year and she has now left him. He tried by all means to give his daughter a stable and healthy life, but he had little success  doing that, having no job or education is also making things worse for him.
“Zesulwa, woza uzothatha”(Zesulwa, come and take), one of the kind neighbors, shout for him. He stands up and goes outside, he sees MaMdluli holding a big lunchbox and he knows she has bought him food. He has not eaten the whole day; he goes over to her. She gives him the food and he smiles showing gratitude towards her. Mamdluli pities him, she tries by all mean to bring him food everyday because she knows he is all alone. His parents died leaving him all alone and he has lost his daughter.
Mamdluli: Everything will be okay my boy, do not lose hope. God has a plan for you.
He shook his head at the God part, he has never seen any signs of God in his life. If he has a plan for him then why would he let him suffer like this?
Mamdluli:If you need anything, my door is always open for you. You know that right?
He nods, she is right. Mamdluli has basically became his mother over the years. There was a time when she wanted to take him in and raise him as her own, but her husband wouldn’t have it, even now he is not okay with his wife caring for Zesulwa like this.
“Mama uyakubiza ubaba”(Mom dad is calling you), says one of her children. She sighs and tells her she’s coming; she knows her husband is going to talk for hours because he has surely seen her  giving food to Zesulwa.
Mamdluli:I have to go, but I will check on you before I sleep, okay?
He nods and Mamdluli walks away, he also goes back inside. He opens the lunchbox and start digging on the food given to him, he leaves some for later just in case he gets hungry again.
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Mamdluli’s husband, Mkondi is looking at his wife waiting for an explanation, he has told her multiple times to stop giving that boy food.
Mkondi:Sekumele ngize ngithini kuwena Mamdluli? Kunini ngikukhuza ngalomfana?( What more do I need to say to you Mamdluli? For how long I have been warning you about that boy?)
Mamdluli: Baba, uyazi ukuthi u Zesulwa akanamuntu la emhlabeni. Angikwazi ukumuyeka ehlupheka yedwa ekubeni ngingakwazi ukumusiza. (You know that Zesulwa is all alone in this world. I can’t just let him suffer alone when I could do something to help).
Mkondi:You are not God, you can not save everyone. I do not want to see you with that boy anymore. He is an old man; he can take care of himself. Ontanga bakhe bayasebenza(his peers are working) while he is crying and moping around like a woman.
Mamdluli:Kodwa uyawabamba amatoho(But he holds piece jobs here and there), it’s just that people do not have the patience for him because of what he has. And I will not stop helping him, ngabe angisesiye umuntu wesifazane mengingayeka ingane yomfazi ihlupheka yodwa(I would not a woman anymore if I could leave another woman’s child suffer). You will have to deal with it Mkondi because there’s nothing you can do to change my mind.
Mkondi:Aybo ukhuluma nami kanjalo?(Are you talking to me like that?)
Mamdluli stands up ready to leave the room. She won’t sit here and listen to her husband talk bad about Zesulwa, that boy never bothers anyone. He is so respectful.
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ZETHEMBISO
She fills the last bucket and when she’s done, she puts it in the wheelbarrow with the other two buckets, she pushes the wheelbarrow back to her home and she finds her dad outside waiting for her. He meets her halfway and helps her with getting the buckets filled with water inside. After they are done, they sit down.
Zethembiso:I think this water is enough to last us for a week baba, kukude la okukhiwa khona amanzi.(Where we get water is far).
Baba:Yes  you’re right my daughter. Anyway, have you heard anything from your sister?
Zethembiso rolls her eyes at that question, her sister is always bringing trouble. She hasn’t been home for nearly two (2) years now, no one know where she is.
Zethembiso:But dad you know Zanesipho, she will come back when she feels like it. Mina I won’t worry about a 25-year-old who acts like she’s 15. She should grow up.
Baba:There are rumors circulating that she has a child, kusho abaye bamubone(says those who see her).
Zethembiso laughs and claps her hands.
Zethembiso:And where is that baby?
Baba:They say she left the baby at the father’s place.
Zethembiso:I will not be surprised, kufana naye vele lokho(that is so like her).
Her dad takes a deep worried breath, he is really wondering if Zanesipho has a baby that she left with a man. He will be so disappointed at her.
Zethembiso:Nani kodwa bazali ngiyanijaja mina(I also blame you parents). The names you give to children are what makes them to behave in a certain way.U Zanesipho isiphi isipho afika naso ngaphandle kokuhlupha nje?(What gift did Zanesipho bring beside trouble?)
Baba:Mntanami oke uthule nje kanye, ngiyakucela. (my child for once just be quiet, I beg you).
Zethembiso:Bengizisholo nje.(I was just saying).
To be continued………