Summertime Vibes

(3) BACK WHEN WE THE WERE COOL KIDS

"Djimmy!"

A girl rushes to the gate and presses the disk against the small mechine on the edge of the gate. The mechine beeps. She opens the gate and I hug the last born of my aunt's children. Her elder sister rushes towards me followed by some of her friends. Another round of name calling and hugs happens before we start walking to their flat.

We come across a glass block window on our way to the first floor of the building. I miss this place. Through the glass I get a view of the washing lines. My mind flashes back to the days we payed ball and messed around on this ground. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth before we continue to walk. Remembering the good old times as I pass by some memorable features in the building.

I reach the third floor. My cousins follow behind me with the bag they volunteered to carry. If I remember, my aunt's flat must be in the corner of this floor. I get the attention of some kids who are currently playing with marbles and toys. Some of them are Mary's friends. I knew that because one of them is giving Mary an update on the game they are playing.

I reach the entrance of the flat. They have a doorstep that has 'Welcome' written on it. I look ahead. A dim passage seperates the living room from the entrance. I hear voices coming from inside the flat. That must be Alex and Jackie.

I miss these people.

The eldest of my cousins made a big impact on my childhood. I go back to the time my family moved to the building. Mary was too young to remember and Ester had just started grade R. Alexis and Jacques were my main influencers back in those days. They taught me how to have fun. Skipping ropes, marbles and hide and seek. There wasn't time to feel bored at all. Card games, X and O's, hang man and cops and robbers. Melissa and their friends that came over only made it better. I was there when they became obsessed with Jay Z, Eminem, Tupac and other rap artists in the music industry. I was there when Tyron pretended he was kissing a girl. Facing one corner of the block, his hands around his waist making soft moans while everyone bursts into laughter. I was there to hear Mpilo's version of Pinky-pinky when there was a power outage in the building. Then they chased us around the building while playing one of Micheal Jackson's song Thriller. They knew we were close to breaking down because we watched the music video the night before. The thrilling adventures outside the building and the park visits. They taught me about taking risks and having no regrets. And even though we had our shallow moments. There was one thing that never changed. They were the best cousins in the whole wide world.

The smell of damp laundry lingures around my nose as I walk through the narrow passage. I've been longing for this smell. It adds to the smell of dusted old carpets which smells like home. I present myself to the people who were in the living room. Feeling a little bit shy because it's been quite a while since I visited this place. And of course, Tyron was sitting so comfortably on the couch.

"Jambo." I greeted everyone in Swahili.

The people in the living room are my uncle Mustafa who was standing a few meters beside the couches where Alex, Jackie and Tyron sat facing the tv. DaMwadju was lying on the double bed behind the curtain which was halfway open.

They all turn their heads towards me.

"Djimmy, how are you?" Being the responsible uncle, he asks.

"I'm okay." I reply. Knowing who my uncle is. I prepare myself for everything that was going to be thrown my way. Also trying not to say or do anything embarrassing in the presence of Tyron.

"Djimmy, can't you see that you are getting fat." He tells me straight. "You must gym. See your cousins play soccer everyday but you just in the house sitting on the couch and watching tv the whole day."

Like, this bitch. The nurve too. I literally just went head over heels away from a place where they lower your self-esteem and tell you what to do just to be welcomed by this...person. Like seriously. What does he know? No wonder everyone in the family has a grudge on him.

I sigh and utter a brief. "Ok." Because there's nothing I can do but to accept whatever advise an elderly gives me no matter how they give me. And I wasn't going to lose my reputation as the polite child because of him. No, not this guy.

"Mwadju, mi na enda." He tells his neice that he is leaving in Swahili. "Mubakiye salaama." He wishes for us to stay well as he leaves the flat.

DaMwadju switches off from her phone and goes to check on the stove. The rest continue to watch the programme that was on the soccer channel while having their phones in hand.

~~~~~

The evening rays begin to fade as day turns into night. The living room in my cousin's flat becomes aesthetically dim as we vibe together.

"I'm tuning you, check. What channel are we on?" Alex asks, he blocks Tyron from pressing any buttons on the DStv remote. A short silence is experienced as they wait for my answer.

"It's a soccer channel, njeh." I answer, trying to be smart.

"Yha, but what channel though?" Jackie asks in a reassuring way.

"I wanna know the name?" Alex asks immediately after Jackie.

"S...S...5." I say.

A disappointing groan comes from one of my cousins mouth.

"But he was close though." Tyron says.

"Haai, you check. His Bali's skrick. Doesn't wanna pay for DStv. He doesn't think of his laaities future." Jackie exaggerates. I still don't like being called a small boy even though I'm the youngest in this conversation. But imma let it slide since that's not the whole point of the conversation we were having.

"But don't worry cuzie. Now you with us, baba." Alex says. "We gonna get you right. Organise a cherry for you and make you..."

"Wait, you telling me he's never lost his v-card yet." Tyron frowned, astonished. "Ehh!"

"I've done some things." I quickly defend myself.

"What?" Jackie asks. "What?" He doesn't believe what he hears, bringing his ears close to me. Cousins can be so annoying sometimes.

"I bet you don't even have a cherry." Alex comes at me again.

"Who said I don't?" I ask. "Huh."

"Oh yha, what's her name?" Jackie asks.

"Her name's Rasa." I lied, Rasa was my first crush back in grade eight. They forced me to lie so I gotta move with the conversation. "And she's Indian!"

Alex and Tyron chuckle while Jackie shakes his head. "Lies, lies." A round of knocking on the door is heard. I'm pretty sure everyone heard that while daMwadju is glued to her phone.

"I don't know what it is that you'll got going on..." Alex grins. "...but let me tell you, charoas stick with charoas."

"Yha, it's just how they are dawg." Tyron continues from Alex's sentence.

"Let me get the door." I stand up after hearing the next round of knocking on the door. I leave Alex and Tyron laughing about their theory while Alex continues to play a game on his phone.

"Mamzie said you must go buy..." I open the door in the middle of a saying coming from a very familiar voice from outside. My heart skips a beat.

Piercing screams were heard throughout the block and even the living room. A rush of excitement fills my body.

"Yeyi, umsindo." Tyron yells in Isizulu.

"Tyron, mamzie said you must go buy electricity." The girl I'm holding hands with tells her brother before we run away.

The sound of giggles and flip flops clapping the floor is echoing throughout the empty block. We rush down the steps. Racing to her flat with excitement. We can't let go of each other's hand because we've been apart for too long. After all, we are best friends.