I'm Gonna Be Ready

A friend

Vuyo.
I pull up in front of Ore’s house. I see Oratile’s car parked outside.  He comes to the gate and gives me a bro hug. He greets us and opens the gate. Ore locks the car, she walks behind us, Oratile leads us to the back yard.
“Papa, this is Vuyo’ the red car drivers his brother Jr and wife Bubu.” Oratile introduces, Ore has been standing next to us.
“Afternoon, please have a seat. Nana how are you?” her dad.
“I’m fine thanks.”Ore.
“Ore, bring drinks for your guests. I’m Lereko her other brother.” Lereko. I dismiss his handshake by taking Ore’s hand.
“They are good, we ate before coming here. Is Anele in the house?” Ore.
“Yes, she is watching TV.” Lereko.
“Lewatle please come with me inside, I need my laptop in the bedroom. Don’t want to look at her and make her feel uncomfortable.” Ore.
“Ore, we have guests.” Her mother. They get up with Lewatle and follow Ore inside.
“Vuyo, what are you to my child?” her dad.
“A friend.”
“A friend who pays hospital bills and clears her name?” her dad.
“Yes sir, a friend who protects and makes sure that she is comfortable and feels loved on her low days.”
“The last boy who flexed his power almost killed my child. How are you different?”
“I could sell myself to you and you wouldn’t believe me sir, I ask that you give me the benefit of the doubt from last night’s events and sir can decide for himself in a few months how different I am, maybe we can have another meeting?”
“I will do so, thank you. She loves acting tough but she’s soft, please treat her softly.” He dad.
“My grandmother would help you roast me if I treated her any other way.” I honestly answer. Her mother walks to us with a tray of water and juice, Lewatle has glasses, Ore and Bubu have her bags. I get up to assist Ore. Anele I’m assuming is behind us. We take the bags to the car and join them after.
“Hi, I’m Anele. We didn’t get introduced.” Anele gives me her hand .
“I know you.” She laughs shyly.
“Are you the guy who took Ore to the hospital? Let me check the picture, you are handsome in person.” Anele scrolls through her phone, Oratile gives me a knowing look. I drink my water and smirk.
“No man, Ore was trending with the Langas. There’s nothing here.”
“Are you sure she was trending? Bubu did you see Ore online?” I taunt.
“No, she wasn’t. Sis Lewatle did you see anything?” Bubu.
“Nothing from my side your honour.” The 5 of us laugh.
“She was, my sister sent me a text to check it. Let me ask her.” Anele.
“Guys let us go before I say something and I’m accused of hating her.”
“Anele we spoke about this, you and..” Ore interruptes Lewatle.
“Its okay Lereko, I’m the problem right, I instigate and provoke her. She’s pregnant don’t fight her.” Ore.
“No nana.” Her mother.
“Papa, I will call you.” Ore gives her dad a huge we get up and shake hands.
“We are hosting a baby welcome for Anele, I thought we would talk before you went back.” Her mother.
“I’ll be working.” Ore says, her mother tries talking to her, she quickly hugs Oratile and Lewatle then they walk us to the car.
“Take care of my girl.” Oratile.
“You know I will. I will call you about the mats.” I wink.
“Yes please, I also want pictures like Ore.”
“Please send the payment to me, I don’t trust both of you to pay my bestie.” Ore smiles, her smile not reaching her eyes.
“I will send the money.Travel safely, please call when you get home. I love you nana.” Oratile.
“I love you more.” I open the door for Ore in the back. Jr drives to the hotel to check out and then the airport to take back the car.

Lerato.