Lizolile
Manelissi is the reason I am currently sweating with a full trolley and a list for errands I have no business running. Inoba ucinga sikhaphe yena apha emhlabeni.
I was supposed to go into town to buy a bottle of brandy but grandma heard now it's turned into a grocery list.
"Lizo!"
People really just yell your name in public like that. I turned my head around preparing to pretend to know and care about whoever it is.
"Hey..... Sino!"
He and my brother used to be close. His relatives lived in the same village as my grandmother so they would meet when he went there for holidays. His parents used to have a house five minutes away from ours so whenever my brother visited they would team up to annoy me.
"It's been a while, little boy."
He ruffles my hair like I'm still twelve or something. I push his hand off my head and he acts shocked.
"You think you're grown now huh?"
"Yeah,. You can't do that anymore. I'm not small anymore, I will stab you."
He giggles when I do stabbing motions with my hands
"Yeah, whatever fool. What are doing?"
"My brother turned me into his slave, as usual."
He laughs again when I roll my eyes.
"Yeah, let me help you."
He snatches the list from my hands and looks at the items I had already ticked off. We filled the trolley some more and went to the till after I bought myself some items. I have my dad's card, it's a sure thing I'm going to take advantage of that.
"So how's your brother?"
We were now at liquor store buying the brandy and whiskey. I guessed he saw the P.S, it's my brother's favourite candy. Migcobo asked me to buy it. I hate them.
"He's good I guess."
"Oh..." He seemed to not be satisfied by my response. .
When we were on the ride back home I told him he could no just ask him himself because he was there. He didn't give an answer but I am not good at prying so I let it be.
When I got there my dad already had a task for me. I could tell by the way he had his hand on his hip. What if I didn't get out of this car. Pops was already knocking on the window for me to open.
" You didn't ruin my car, did you?"
I could have gotten robbed sir
"No Poppy, here's your card."
He looks at the passenger seat and sees the company I kept.
"Who are you,? Unamakhwenkwe Lizo kwedini?"
Ew no! My man doesn't even know my name. Maybe Trevor told him
"Awundiboni na tat'uKumkani?" Sino came to the rescue, giving the laugh you give old people who think they are funny. He got out of the car and made his way to my dad with the widest smile in his face.
" Sino? Is that you?"
My dad smiled back opening his arms to hug him. Some people came and help get the items out of the car.
"In the flesh Mr K."
"He was Mo's friend." I helped my dad out because it was clear he didn't have a clue how he was supposed to know the boy.
