I'm Gonna Be Ready

No trend

Ore

I don’t know why I give Nkosi and his sister so much power over me, I try to regulate my breathing but I fail, the gasps come out involuntarily. I close my eyes and try a breathing exercise, the hoodie feels heavy. Vuyo speaks then lifts me up. My chest feels tight and I feel sleepy. I wake up alone in a hospital room, it’s dark outside. I slowly get off the bed and I feel light headed. “Miss Letswheni, careful.” The nurse assists me.
“I’ll call your family and bring your discharge papers.” She walks out, the door opens. Vuyo comes to view first.
“Please don’t ever scare me like that again, how are you feeling?” he asks helping me with my shoes and hoodie.
“I’m okay, I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“The doctor wrote you anti anxiety medication and iron supplements, your Hb is low. Please book an appointment with a therapist of your choice.” The nurse.
“Thank you, enjoy your evening.” I greet.
“Will you be okay to walk or should I pick you up?” Oratile.
“So much drama? I can walk.”
“Hop on my back.” Vuyo squats. I laugh and hop on.
“Ore, the sangoma said use the tip of a spoon and you used the whole packet.” Lewatle, we all crack up. Oratile opens the backseat for me.
“Will you be okay with him or do you want to go to my house?” Oratile. Vuyo’s eyes are full of concern.
“I will be okay with him.”
“The chest is very comfortable.” Bubu and Lewatle laugh.
“My man, we will talk tomorrow.” Oratile fist pumps Vuyo and Jr.  He and Lewatle drive off, Jr follows behind them. Arriving at the hotel it’s 11pm. I take off my clothes and leave my vest and underwear the I get into bed.“Are you comfortable? Vuyo asks. He is in his sleep shorts and vest, for the first time, I am really taking him in, he is medium height, with broadshoulders, packed chest and flat abs, his got a brush haircut, a face full of trimmed beard, a pointy nose, bushy eyebrows, big brown eyes, his got beautiful white teeth and beautiful hands, clean cut nails.
“Do you go for hand treatments?”
“No, is everything okay?” he asks looking at his hands with a frown.
“Yes, you have beautiful hands.” He laughs and gets into bed.
“Can we go to Pretoria tomorrow or do you have things to do?” He asks.
“Papa wanted to see you, maybe after your meeting?”
“I am meeting him as your what?” Vuyo.
“What are you to me?” he tickles me.
“Sleep on it and let me know.” He kisses my forehead and switches off the lights.
“Did my medical aid pay for the treatment?”
“Sleep Ore.” I sigh and close my eyes and sleep. I wake up to Vuyo whispering on the phone. I get up from bed and take a shower, his still on the phone when I finish. I see missed calls from Lewatle and mama. I call Lewatle and I ask her to meet us at home later. “Papa, hi. My friend is in town can we come meet you at the house later?”
“Nana, I am happy you got back to me. Are you okay?”Papa.
“I am good.”
“Later time are you thinking?” papa.
“Around 11am. They are going back home tonight.”
“Okay my angel, see you later.”
Vuyo gives me a hug then he hangs up.
“Morning nana, I’m sorry about the long call.”
“Morning. It’s okay. Papa will see us around 11. What time are you seeing Abuti?”
“We spoke already, 11am sounds fine.” We go have breakfast and meet Bubu and Jr at the dinning Hall.
“We are meeting Ore’s parents at 11.”
“Alright.” Jr. I frown looking at my phone. I was sure I would be receiving calls from journalists by now.
“What is wrong?” Vuyo.
“I’m not trending.”
“Apparently money works as a superpower for Batman only.” Jr laughs. I am left even more confused.

Lerato.