LIFE IMAGINED

04

LIFE IMAGINED
04

MBONGENI

Nozipho:What do you mean you want to sell your father's car Mbongeni?
Mbongeni:Mama that car has been sitting like that for years.
Nozipho:It is the only thing I have left of your father Mbongeni.
Mbongeni:Kodwa mama uyabona ukuthi siswele kanjani la ekhaya (But mom you see how much we suffer here at home).
Nozipho:I know my son but I am trying, you know that. I help around in people's houses.
Mbongeni:This is too much mama, I am selling that car. I can't even spend time with my girlfriend because I don't have a room. Do you know how embarassing that is?
Nozipho:So this is about a girl? If that girl loved you she would understand your situation.
Mbongeni:She has been understanding for a year mama and I fear she will leave me because I don't do anything for her.
Nozipho:This girl is not good for you Mbongeni, look now you even want to sell your father's car.
Mbongeni looks at his mother and sighs, he can't lose Zethembiso. Yes she's got a sharp tongue and her words hurt him sometimes, but he loves her and wants to marry her. Even though he doesn't know how he will even take care of her because he has nothing. She was right, she is almost 30 years old and have never had a stable job in his life. Things are tough around here, everyone is trying to make ends meet. You're lucky if you get to relocate to Durban, because it means you're going to be successful. He wears his worn out , old shoes.  He tells his mother that he's going to try looking for a small job @ KwaMathe Supermarket. KwaMathe is like the village's mall, everyone gets everything they need there. The Mathe family is the richest, so he hopes they will give him a job. Even if he is a cleaner, he doesn't mind. As long as he gets money to provide for his mother & girlfriend. He arrives and he can see the workers pacing up and down, "they are lucky they have jobs" he thinks to himself. He tries to enter but the security at the gate stop him.

Security: You're here to buy something?
Mbongeni:What is that supposed to mean?
The security looked at him and said nothing, he told him to go ahead. Mbongeni entered and looked around hoping he gets to see someone whom he can talk to. He walks over to the lady behind the counter and greets her politely.
"How may I help you?"
Mbongeni:I am here looking for a job Sis. I can do anything please. I'm begging.
"The lady of this shop is the one who does the hiring. Come let me take you to her."
Mbongeni followed her as she led him to Mrs Mathe".

Mrs Mathe: If you're here then who's behind the counter attending to customers?
"I'm sorry mah, I brought this man here".
Mrs Mathe:Go back to work.
The lady rushed back to her working station, she doesn't want to lose her job.
Mrs Mathe:How may I help you?
Mbongeni:My name is Mbongeni and I came here looking for a job. I can do anything.
Mrs Mathe looked at him up and down bored.
Mrs Mathe:Did you even bath today? Look how dirty you look, your clothes are dirty and your shoes. And you expect to work for me? Do you see how amazing I look?

Mbongeni looked at his shoes embarrassed, his toes were peeping out. His clothes were old and even lost it's quality, he didn't have time to think of that as he has a lot of problems. Looking clean and smart is the last thing on his mind.

Mrs Mathe:But it is your luck though because I needed someone to do my garden today. Do you know how to?
Mbongeni:Yes I know how to.
Mrs Mathe: Good, I will fetch tools for you inside so you can start working.
Mbongeni smiled and thanked the Gods for this opportunity. Surely he will get paid, he will buy something nice for his mother to eat.
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ZESULWA
They give him one last punch that sends him flying across the room, his face is bloody from all the blows he has received. He remains lying on the floor, unable to move. They kick him again repeatedly while laughing. One of them speaks.
"Konje ismungulu lesi, yikho ungezwa noma ekhala( He is a mute, that's why you don't even hear him crying).
The other guy laughs and turns Zesulwa to face them, "I hope you're also not deaf. Zungu wants his money. Your deadline has arrived."
They started to ransack everything in the room. One of them sees a roll money under the mattress. He takes it and counts it.
Zesulwa, still from the floor lets out a muffled cry when he sees them taking his last money, that makes the guys to laugh.
"Uyakhala noma uyahleka? Mina angazi( Are you crying or laughing? I don't know).

"How much is that?", one of them asks.
"It's R1300"
"Let's take it back to Zungu".

They give him one last kick and laugh at him again. They go out and kick the door on their way out, making it to detach completely and fall..

Zesulwa picks himself up from the floor with his face completely unrecognisable. He knew Zungu would come looking for his money but he didn't think he would send people to assault him. They just took his last money, he had hoped that it would last him for months if he doesn't find another job soon. And now they have taken it, leaving him with nothing. They broke his door, he looks at it on the ground and wonders how he will put it back. He had just patched it up with  the planks he got from MaMamdluli. No use feeling sorry for himself though, this is his life. One way or another something bad will always happen.
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ZETHEMBISO
She is coming back from work and is tired, she can't wait to arrive at home and take a nap. She sees Mbongeni coming towards her and mentally rolls her eyes.
Mbongeni: Sthandwa Sami. How are you?
Zethe:I am good babe. How are you?
Mbongeni: I am good too.
Zethe:Why do you look so excited?
Mbongeni:*Smiling* I had a job today.
Zethembiso:That is good baby, did they pay you?
Mbongeni:Yeah they did. Look.
He takes the money from his pocket, Zethembiso snatches it and counts it. She takes R500 and leaves him with R200. Mbongeni wondered what she is doing.
Mbongeni: Zethembiso what are you doing now?
Zethembiso:This is my girlfriend allowance. I have been tolerating your broke ass for a year and you don't even want to give me some money.
Mbongeni:But Zethe, I was going to buy food for my mother. What will I do with R200? You know how poor we are at home. Every cent counts.
Zethembiso:* She raised her hand hand in the air* This is not the time for you sob family stories Mbongeni. When will you stop being weak? You are weak Mbongeni. Be a man. You know what? Let me leave, I will see you.
She turns to walk away.
Mbongeni:You don't even give me a hug or a kiss?
Zethe looks at how dirty he is and shakes her head. She walks away leaving Mbongeni wondering if she really love him.
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YABATHA

He is sweeping the leaves from the yard and his phone rings from his pockets. It's his mother, he smiles and answers.
Yabatha:Mama how are you?
Mama:I am good my son. Listen, Sizwe's shoes are now old and worn-out; today he had to wear his flip flops to school. Please send money so he can get new shoes.
Yabatha sighs, his mother is always wanting money from him. Where does she think he work?
Yabatha:Mom you know I'm just a garden boy. Where will I get money in the middle of the month?
Mama:I knew going to Durban will ruin you. You're enjoying nice life alone, you have forgotten about your siblings.
Yabatha:*strained voice* I will send the money mama, no need to threaten me emotionally.
Mama:I am not threatening you Yabatha. I told you that your brothers look up to you. How will they feel when they learn that you refused to buy them new shoes?
Yabatha:I will send the money. Bye mama.
He drops the call and sends the R600 Mr Green gave to him yesterday. He hopes it will be enough. Now he is left with no money for the whole month. His mother is draining him emotionally as well, he's already got a lot going on and she's adding on to the stress. He continues working and hears a car hoot outside, he hurries to open the gate and notices that it's Mrs Green's car. He becomes happy instantly at the fact that she's back because he will also get a break from Mr Green..
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To be continued..