Remedy

9. Building

The following day, I asked Seyiso to accompany me to get a few things from the stores.

The mall’s cool air was a welcome change from the stifling heat outside. I followed Seyiso as he navigated through the sliding glass doors, his presence like a calm anchor amid the bustling crowd. Today’s mission was to gather some essentials: stationery, toiletries, and maybe a few clothes for my new life at university. But as soon as we stepped inside, my usual indecision began to take hold.

“So, where should we start?” Seyiso’s voice was a soothing contrast to the cacophony around us.

I glanced at the list I’d scrawled on a crumpled piece of paper. “Let’s start with stationery. I need notebooks and pens.”

Seyiso led the way to a store packed with an array of colorful notebooks and pens. The sheer number of choices made me feel overwhelmed, and I found myself hesitating at every turn.

Seyiso picked up a bright blue notebook and handed it to me. “How about this one?”

I took it, my fingers brushing the cover. “It’s nice, but what if it’s not the right size or color? What if it gets dirty?”

Seyiso’s smile was reassuring. “It’s okay if you want more than one. We’ve got time.”

His patience was a relief. Slowly, I started making decisions, picking out a few notebooks and pens. Seyiso followed along, occasionally offering suggestions but always allowing me to choose.

As we moved to the toiletries section of a large department store, I faced a similar dilemma. Standing in front of rows of shampoo bottles, I picked up and put down various options, unsure of what to buy.

“You seem pretty knowledgeable about this stuff,” I said, holding up two different brands.

Seyiso shrugged. “My mom used to handle all the shopping. She passed away when I was young, so I had to learn a lot on my own. I guess it stuck with me.”

I felt a pang of sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that. My parents had me later in life, and they’ve always been so supportive. They’re still very much in love with each other, and I sometimes wish I had a relationship like that.”

Seyiso’s gaze softened. “It sounds like you have a great relationship with your parents. Sometimes, the support we get from family helps us more than we realize.”

Our conversation drifted to other topics as we shopped. After hearing him last night,  I had to  admire his ability to connect with people through music. In contrast, while I was a versatile musician, singing had never been my strong suit. It was something I worked on but never felt quite confident about.

At the clothing store, I wandered through racks of clothes, feeling a bit lost. I held up various items, unsure of what would suit me. Seyiso observed from a distance, his presence comforting.

“This dress would look good on you,” he said, holding up a simple yet elegant piece.

I took it and looked at myself in the mirror. “I’m not sure. Red? Bold colour. What if it’s not the right style for me?”

“Sometimes you surprise yourself when you try something new,” he said with a reassuring smile.

With a small nod, I decided to try the dress on. When I came out of the fitting room, it fit perfectly, and I felt a surge of confidence. “I think I’ll get it. Thank you.”

Seyiso’s smile was genuine. “I’m glad I could help. It’s been nice spending the day with you.”

As we walked toward the parking lot, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw a text from my mom asking where I was. She and Tata had decided to have lunch at a nearby café, and they were curious if I wanted to join them.

I turned to Seyiso. “My parents are at a café close by. Would you like to join us for lunch? It might be nice to continue the day.”

Seyiso hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Sure, that sounds good.”

We walked to the café, and as we entered, I spotted my parents at a corner table. Mom’s face lit up when she saw me.

“Raiah!” she exclaimed, standing up to give me a hug. “I’m so glad you could join us. And who's your friend?”

"This is Seyiso. Seyiso, these are my parents." Seyiso smiled and greeted my mom.

My mom’s warmth was immediate, and she greeted Seyiso with genuine enthusiasm. My dad stood up more slowly, his expression thoughtful. He extended a firm handshake.

“Mr. Ngesi,” Seyiso said politely, shaking my dad’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Dad’s grip was firm and his demeanor cautious. “Nice to meet you, young man.”

We all took our seats, and Mom quickly ordered drinks while chatting animatedly about everything from the local art scene to my dad's latest jokes and mishaps. Seyiso and Dad exchanged polite conversation, though I could sense an underlying curiosity in my dad’s tone.

“So, Seyiso,” Mom said, leaning forward with interest, “Raiah is all about music. Are you studying music too?”

Seyiso’s eyes brightened at the question. “Music has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started performing in high school and continued in university. I sing. It’s something I’m passionate about but unfortunately I'm not studying it. Im doing Computer Science.”

Mom’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “That’s wonderful! Raiah has always been musically inclined too. She plays a lot of different instruments, though singing isn’t her strongest suit. And it's okay, I'm sure you love Computer Science too.”

I chuckled. “True. I try my best.”

Dad, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “Music can be a powerful outlet. It’s impressive that you’ve pursued it even though it's not your main study.”

Seyiso nodded, appreciative of the recognition. “Thank you. It’s been a journey, but it’s something I love.”

As we ate, the conversation flowed more naturally. Seyiso shared stories about his performances and his ambitions, while my parents talked about their life experiences and interests. It was clear that Mom was genuinely fond of Seyiso, her admiration evident in every gesture.

Dad’s initial reserve seemed to soften as he learned more about Seyiso. By the end of the meal, he was more relaxed, engaging in the conversation with a bit more ease.

“So, Seyiso,” Dad said as we finished dessert, “How do you balance your studies with your music?”

Seyiso smiled. “It’s a juggling act, but I enjoy it. Music is a big part of who I am, so I try to make time for both my studies and my performances.”

Dad nodded thoughtfully. “It sounds like you’ve found a good balance.”

As we prepared to leave, Mom gave Seyiso another warm hug. “Thank you for joining us today. It was lovely to get to know you better.”

Dad extended his hand once more. “Yes, thank you. It was good to meet you.”

As Seyiso and I walked back to the car, I glanced at him with a smile. “I’m glad you could join us. It was nice seeing you interact with my parents.”

Seyiso’s smile was genuine. “I enjoyed it. Your parents are wonderful. You can see that love lives in your home by the way they interact with you. The way they interact with each other.”

Driving away, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. The day had been more than just shopping; it had been about building connections and understanding each other better. Seyiso’s presence had made the day special, and my parents’ approval added a comforting sense of validation.