I'm Gonna Be Ready

Yho!!

“The boss is here, Lewatle where’s my champagne?” Sabs shouts from the door to Lewatle’s store still on the live.
“Sabelo, you know I am older than you?” Lewatle.
Sabs takes off his sunglasses and dramatically holds his chest, asking who is Sabelo. The store assistant and I laugh. Sabs chases Lewatle out the store.
“Ore, how are you? I love the body.” The assistant says.
“Its the gym, I’m trying to look like Lewatle.” We laugh. The two come back after a few minutes, Lewatle goes live on her social showing off my outfit, she says it’s a limited edition and only the first 20 people to preorder can get.
In 30 minutes the store is full of people wanting to place orders first. I am at the till taking payments. Some people ask for pictures with me, saying for the outfit. I know it’s a lie, I agree nonetheless.
Mama calls me and asks that I bring some spices and juice on my way back because Anele is at the house. Sabs and I leave Lewatle to buy mama’s list, the we drive to the house.
“Uthena uBhuti sizomlanda ,uAnele.” Sabs sings the wedding song, from the kitchen door, I join in and mama ululates.
“Ore only you can get your mother in this mood.” Abuti Oratile says.
“I can’t help it, I’m the cool kid. Sis Anele how are you? Congratulations.”
“I am good and how are you? Thank you.”Anele, I try to hug her but she tenses up, i leave her.
“I am good, I wanted to ask you and Abuti, the baby furniture should I take it back to the shop or are the items you want?”
“Are you sure you want to give it to us?” Anele.
“Yes, only if you want it.” She nods and says yes. Her nod is not convincing. Lewatle says he will ask Papa to transport it to Anele’s house in the week. Sabs takes a nap and I help mama with the lunch, soon Lewatle comes back, I help mama set up outside, mama asks me to call Anele and Sabs. I wake Sabs up and we walk to get Anele, she is on the phone. I walk out but Sabs pulls me back and signals me to be quiet.
“Imagine she wants my alive baby to use her dead baby’s things, what does she take me for friend.” She laughs and responds with a yes friend. It hurts my heart that she didn’t tell me to my face but I walk out of the house and smile.
“Where is Anele?” Abuti Lereko asks.
“I don’t know.” I don’t look at his eyes, He jogs to the house. There’s shouting in the house before Lereko calls me from the door, I shake my head. Papa gives me a questioning look which I avoid by eating.
“Ore come here!” Lereko.  I ignore him, he walks back into the house and comes out with Anele following him. I skip a breath to chase the tears away. Sabs squeezes my hand from under the table.
“Ore what did you hear in the house?” Abuti asks. Standing next to me.
“Uhm, nothing.”
“The truth please.” Abuti.
“I don’t want trouble, Abuti sit down. I am leaving tomorrow morning and I will only see you after Christmas. Please.”  I plead, my voice is shaky.
“Oresiametse!” Abuti.
“Anele told her friend that Ore wants to give her dead child’s to things. And that she would send the friend pictures of Ore who last weight because, Langa moved on.” Sabs. I punch him.
“Ouch.” Sabs cries out, I clear my throat.
“I didn’t mean it like that, I just..” Anele.
“Sis Anele, it’s okay.  I understand, I am  the one who is sorry. Abuti it’s really nothing, please let’s eat.”
“It’s a big deal for me Ore, if Anele can’t be your sister, then we are not safe as a family. How do I trust that anything good you do for us, she will not tell strangers and laugh about it?” Lereko is upset, he shouldn’t be this touched though. It’s her choice.
“We are okay Abuti, I really understand. Come with me.” I get up from my chair and I take his hand. Mama asks where we are going, I only laugh, we walk to the beach which is 2kilo’s from our house. I take off my shoes and sit on the sand Abuti joins me.
“Remember you used to bring me here whenever I was upset?” I poke his shoulder.
“I remember, thank you. Anele was on a video call laughing about the baby things and the fleece mama bought her. She said she would give them away when she got home.” Lereko.
“I know, it’s really okay Abuti. There’s a children’s home we donated to at Miits, Sabs and Nelly will give them. I know you love Anele and you are hurt but maybe she is not used to people getting her gifts and keeping things private.”
“That’s stupid, I hate that they were talking about your son.” Lereko.
“I know I am your favourite person but don’t loose your love for me, I’m over people talking about me, they will forget eventually.”
“I am sorry. I feel bad because I brought her to our house.” Lereko.