Easier

Meet Love

He waits for me while I pee. We walk back to the lounge where we sit down on the couch opposite his parents.
“Mama, this is my company Refilwe, Fifi these are my parents and little  sister Reatile.” The stranger.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Finally, the ladies from church will stop asking for your numbers.” Reatile.
“Please behave.” Their mother.
I focus on the tv show until my phone rings. It’s Zamo, I forgot to text her not to come anymore.
“Zamo, how are you?”
“I’m good mama, we are 2 minutes out.” Zamo.
“I should’ve texted you, his fine. His parents are here.” I get up from the couch, the stranger and his parents are staring at me.
“Come out and see.” Zamo laughs. I turn around to look for the keys and I bump into the stranger.
“I thought we agreed.” He says giving me the keys.
“Let’s go.” I pull his hand out the door.
I open the gate and Zamo drives in  followed by a fancy Beamer.  Kea gets out from the driver’s side of the Beamer, and she give me a hug.
“Hey Butana’s baby girl. My future sbali how are you do you still remember me?” Zamo and I laugh.
“Keabetswe Mtolo, whose car is this?” I ask.
“I’m good sis, how are you? Are you also visiting us?” The stranger.
“I am good as you can see, I was getting food and I saw Zamo and the brat, I figured why not join them.” Kea.
“Keabetswe,  does Butana know you are driving a man’s car?” I tease.
“Hai wena, you were also on a s’fuba.” She laughs taking Lesedi out from her seat. They walk into the house.
“Where are you going?” I ask behind them.
“Leave them,  where is her bag Zamo?” The stranger asks. Zamo opens the boot, he takes the bag and platter. He takes them to the house.
“Your clothes? ”Zamo.
“Let me put them in the car. I take out the car seat and put it in my car. I really need to buy my own car seat.” We laugh, the stranger joins us again, we greet Zamo who drives out. We join his family and Lesedi runs to me.
“Hello mama’s princess, unjani?” I greet her giving her kisses.
“Daddy.” She gets out of my embrace pointing at the stranger.
“No, uncle.” I tickle her and mouth a sorry to the stranger.
“Come to Daddy.” The stranger picks her up and throws her in the air, she laughs and squeals.
They leave the room, and the chatting continues. Kea and Reatile dish up an hour later, the stranger has Lesedi’s doll on his back. I take pictures, so does Kea and she posts one. “Whatever prayer my sister said, God hear me.” Kea’s caption. On the picture the stranger is looking into Lesedi’s eyes, he has her in his arms.
“Karabo ka Leago.”
“Refilwe am I not your sister?” Karabo.
“You are, what’s up?”
“Why was I not invited to your man’s? but Kea has been?” Karabo.
“So dramatic, Karabo I will call you later,  dinner at your house on Friday with the girls?”
“I am still angry. I love you.” Karabo.
“I love you more.” I hang up the phone and reprimand Kea for her post.
“Sbari,  do you have a problem with me posting you on socials?” Kea.
“Sbari Kea?” I ask annoyed, His parents laugh.
“Yes, your potential ke my Sbari. Akere Sbari.” Kea.
“I don’t mind.” The stranger.
“Thank you for the food. Let me go be a house girlfriend. Family it was nice to meet you, next time invite me early. Please look after my sister, she’s the sweetest.” Kea. We laugh, the stranger places a sleeping Lesedi on her sponge. We walk Kea out.
“Hey love,  I am on my way. I was at my brother in law’s house.” Kea says on the phone, she hangs up and gives me a hug.
“I am happy you are happy again.” Kea whispers.
“Drive safely, tell Trevor he owes me.”
“Sbari take care of my brat and sister.” She says getting into the car. She hoots once and drives off.
“She’s a character that one.” The stranger.
“Too much,  my dad would go crazy knowing she’s here after he dropped her off in the Free State.” I laugh.
“What? Why is she here then?” He asks shocked.
“Mjolo the dating.” We laugh getting into the house. His sister is washing the dishes, I help her dry them and I pack them.
“How long have you been dating him?” Reatile.
“We are not dating.”
“Hmm, okay. Has he told you about his illness?” Reatile.
“Yes, he did.”
“And you will stay with him even when his in battle?” Reatile.
“Yes, I will be here for him.”
“Some days get pretty hard.” Reatile.
“I can only imagine how horrible it must be for him, I can’t comprehend being sad and not be able to do anything to change it, I will make mistakes handling situations but I’m only human. I can only hope that he will bear with me as I learn.”
“Thank you.” The stranger says giving me a hug. I didn’t hear him entering the kitchen.
“You still want to tell me that you are not dating. I’m being played.” Reatile.
We laugh going to the lounge,  the stranger makes tea for his mother and brings wine for us. “You can’t drink that.” I say taking his glass, his parents raise their eyes.
“I forgot;  I will get water.” The stranger.
“I’d like some juice as well.”
We have juice while he chats with his sister. They leave at 3 pm. We are left watching tv with Lesedi who is on his chest, I can’t help but feel sad for her.
She must be missing Bongs. The stranger pulls me to his shoulder, and he give me a tight squeeze. “Thank you for coming back for me.” He says.

Lerato, Lesedi Le Kganya