Raindrops

Gangster Love

Intando's story is more straightforward. He grew up a rich kid with a gangster for a father. He went to boarding schools until he turned 14. His father said it was the best option. When uncle Lionel argued his father would say it was to keep him safe. But that was not because he couldn't protect himself. He knew how to fend in the underworld better than the most feared criminals.

In school people who weren't in his class thought he was mute. Not a word, all they would witness was the occasional smile. He only ever spoke with his friends or class.

Aqhama's story is quite the opposite. He grew up in the countryside, rural Eastern Cape. The boy had a humble upbringing. It all changed when he lost his mother and had to move to the township with his aunt. He was cool with his aunt and cousins. His aunt's children viewed him as a big brother but the problem was her husband. Her husband was a street thug that was abusive to his family. From the age of ten the man made an effort to show that boy how terrible people can get. He taught him everything he knew about the streets.

After the death of her husband she helped him apply for sports scholarships and he was accepted.  He quickly became popular as a quiet swimmer and runner. He never spoke to any of those students even though they tried. Many knew him but he knew one, Intando. A brown skin boy with the softest looking skin. Whenever he smiled he'd expose those pearly whites and brighten up Aqhama's day.

This is how the story goes. Aqhama made sure his academics were sorted, practiced everyday and captured a smile or two from Intando everyday. He would gaze at the boy from afar. He heard from the grapevine that the boy's father was one of the most dangerous men in South Africa. He stayed away for two and a half years until one particular day. The boy smiled at him, Intando smiled at Aqhama.

Intando had been dared to talk to him. To try and see if he had teeth. Intando went up to him and said hello. He got a thousand rands each from all his friends. He made the stone boy laugh. What his friends didn't know was that from that day on he became addicted to his voice. Everyday he would say hey. They'd smile at each other occasionally. Aqhama would go back to his flat and fantasise about the boy.

June of their final year of high school, last day of second term exams. An event that would bind them forever occurred. It started out very hot but as the day went on clouds covered. Aqhama had gone to practice swimming after he had completed his Xhosa exam. After the sky rumbled for the first time Aqhama got out of the pool. After washing up and collecting all his property, he made his way out of the school gym.

When he got to his classroom he caught a glimpse of that beautiful face. But the owner seemed to be in distress. The boy was facing the front of the class. He saw who the culprit was. It was a teacher that was known to make girls uncomfortable. He was approaching Intando, making him uncomfortable. Aqhama could not let that happen. He retrieved an okapi from his school bag and approached the room.

He asked Intando if he was alright, the boy shook his head no.  The teacher boasted about how he had been able to get into the pants of any learner he wanted whether they liked it or not. He told him about how he was gonna have his way with this boy, his boy and there was nothing him or Rahquise daddy could do about it. But oh was he so wrong, about both of them.