I'm Gonna Be Ready

Birds eat on the ground

Vuyo Pov
I park the rented car outside my grandparents house. There’s other cars In front of the yard, Laughter and kids running around the yard, just as it used to be growing up, it feels like home.
I take my cap off and shades, and grab the gift bag from the front seat , then I lock the car, a lot has changed, I see the gate my uncle tried cheating me with, he said it was 20k and when I refused to pay.
“Sorry uncle.”  A little boy runs past me pushing me a little, I acknowledge him and an older one greets and chases after the boy. Oh, the gate, turns out. We only needed to pay twelve thousands rand. The rest would have been for a good time.
“Vuyo, is that you my boy?” My grandmother drops her glass and almost runs to me, if it wasn’t for her limp. I would call it running, she embraces me and squeezed the bag, I got for her.
“Mawe, don’t cry please. I am home and safe.” I hug her, she starts sobbing in my arms, I rub her back and kiss the top of her doek.
“What have you been eating? Did they not pay for your food? You are so skinny.” Mawe spins me while touching my face.
“Vuyo my boy, why didn’t you tell us that you were coming home? I would have fetched you.” Uncle John, the family drunk, who knows everyone’s business and speaks fluent English, Swahili and sweet talking, he can sell you a stone, he used to be an actor and travelled a lot, if you want information buy him a beer and he will sing.
“Fetch him with what malome?” My cousin Vusi taunts.
“Vusi, birds fly high in the sky, but they eat on the floor. Remember I don’t have a relative raising my son.” The music stops, everyone on the table stares in our direction. Uncle John pats my shoulder, he whispers that he is happy to see me, then he walks out the yard whistling.
“Malome, whose child?” my cousin’s ask.
“Vusi what’s he talking about?” my aunt’s ask, Vusi runs out the gate without answering.
“Show is over, play the music please.” Vusi’s mother shouts.
“Come sit down my baby. Let me feed you.” Mawe pulls me to the table. There’s whispers around the table, people asking whose son. My other cousin’s come to the table to greet me, I am introduced to their girlfriends and children.
It’s been 5 years since I left and the drama is still the same. I guess, this is it, welcome home Vuyo. I sadly smile, my mom is the only one missing from the table. I wish she got to see me graduate and work as a software developer, we used to dream about all the new tech I would get her.
“I know you don’t like vegetables, I dished up a spoon of each, like Mathapelo would do for you.” Mawe says.
“Hmm. Thank you.” I swallow the lump in my throat and nibble on the vegetables.
“When do you go back?” Dudu asks.
“I am not sure yet.” I leave it at that. She is Vusi’s mother, she invites herself to our family lunches, behaves like a makoti. She fought with my mother for years, she always compared Vusi and I. Her asking me questions is very suspicious.
“Did you loose your job? Is that why you downgraded your car?Vusi can get you something at his chiysanyama or even the car wash. His doing well for himself.” Dudu brags.
“We will talk about jobs later, what would you like to drink?” My aunt Matshepo saves me.
“I will come with you, I need the bathroom.” We get up and she takes my plate with us, I hardly ate.
“I am packing these up for you, I know you won’t sleep here. Thank you for coming, Mawe missed you a lot.” Mathapelo.
“I missed you all, I will come sleep over tomorrow, when then others have left.” I give her tight smile and excuse myself to the bathroom. I wash my hands and stare at my reflection on the mirror.
“Mathapelo, I am leaving now.” I call out leaving the bathroom.
“Leaving so soon? We want to hear all about your trip.” Matshepo .
“Yes, I am very tired.” I partially lie. Walking into my mother’s bedroom, put me off. Mawe hasn’t changed a thing. I rush out of the house and greet everyone. Mawe and Mathapelo walk me out. I promise to come back tomorrow afternoon and I drive off to my mother’s house.

Love and light.