I'm Gonna Be Ready

Love potion

Ore
“Ore, I tried calling you, your phone is off. I don’t like the tension between us nana. Please call me so we can talk, love mama.” I laugh reading the text from my mother.
“That laugh?” Vuyo asks, we are at the airport buying tickets.
“My dads girlfriend is being her self.” I show him the text.
“It doesn’t sound funny.” He frowns.
“It is funny, I am a twin, my brother was a sickly baby, he stayed in the hospital for months. I was always a papa’s girl. My twin  passed away when we were 5. He got ill and went to the hospital, he never came back. Mama got depressed and she started resenting me. Oratile and Lewatle took care of me, Lereko was the cool brother. Mama would apologize over the years for treating me badly, shouting and me and wishing I was the dead twin. When I was 10 she tried drowning me in the bathtub, Lewatle and papa saved my life that day.”
“No, Ore. I am so sorry.” He gives me a hug.
“Ag, I’m okay. Boarding school helped me. That drowning incident made me hate my name, Simpiwe. Can we move you in tomorrow?”
“Dont do that, I need to make sure you are okay.” Vuyo.
“Get a room love birds.” Jr. I pull Vuyo and I put my arms around his neck and I start kissing him at first he is shocked but he soon kisses me back.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Jr pushes us.
“The luggage is checked in, our flight leaves in 20minutes. I confirm we are sleeping at my house.” Bubu. Vuyo looks at me for confirmation.
“No, I’m going to see my love.” Bubu frowns, Vuyo laughs.
“You have a boyfriend?” Bubu asks confused.
“Mawe.” Vuyo corrects, I smile. The gate opens and we get in the plane, I lay my head on Vuyo, his on the window seat. After landing, Vuyo drives to Jr’s house. “Thank you for coming, I’m sorry the trip was short.”
“Girl, I got 2 outfits from thee LewatleSims. I will come help you tomorrow, please rest.” Bubu.
“You too,bye.”
“Makoti wa Mathapelo, go with your man.” Jr playfully pushes me to the door. Vuyo Drives us to his grandmother’s house.
“Sthandwa Sam, how are you?” I hug Mawe.
“I’m good Sesi, are you hungry? I made sweet potatoes.” Mawe.
“I need to quickly take off my shoes and I will join you.” She nods and takes out a dish, I go to Vuyo’s bedroom and take off my sneakers and the sweater. “How are you feeling?”Vuyo.
“I’m numb, ask me later.”
“Okay, I’ve got work then I’ll join you.” Vuyo pecks my forehead.
“Mah, I hope you don’t mind me wearing shorts and a vest. I didn’t take any clothes at home.”
“This is your home, I have a bag full of clothes we can find you something. But first eat and tell me how was home.” Mawe.
“Home was okay, we got Olorato a tombstone.” I show her pictures on my phone. Oratile video calls me.
“Abuti, sorry I didn’t call.”
“I knew you wouldn’t , Vuyo told me you are home. How are you feeling?” Oratile.
“I am okay. Mah made sweet potatoes, we sitting under the tree shade. Say hi.”
“Dumelang, Ore you are in vests at your in laws?” Oratile.
“Abuti, leave my baby. She can walk around naked here.” Mawe.
“Yho, let me not get involved, nana. I will talk to you later. I love you and don’t give the old lady problems.” Oratile.
“Bye my love.” I hang up and tell Mawe about the trip home. She encourages me to pray, we make beaded traditional attire shoes. I offer to cook for Mawe, I make papa, gravy and wors, Matshepo comes back from work at 6pm and she makes a carrot salad.
“Your favourite girl is back I see.” Matshepo.
“Tshepi, you want these kids to fight.” Mawe throws a cushion at her.
“I’m joking mama.” Matshepo laughs. Vuyo asks for food, I dish up for everyone and I only have the sweet potatoes.
“We don’t need love potion, Vuyo already loves you.”Matshepo comments on me not eating.


Kganya.