SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 3

RELEBOGILE

It was simple.
After making my way from the gym, I took a drive around, looking for protein shakes and Powerades to buy knowing very well Lebone wouldn't waste her time buying those.
On my way, I found her getting mugged - as to why this generation of kids thinks it's okay to mug old and vulnerable people beats me.

I can't believe it. I can't believe I found her after wanting to start, but never had the time to.
I took it upon myself to drive her to her home. She said she lives in Soweto and she was trying to catch a taxi before those thugs came.

"You can turn right." She says.

I change my direction, following her instruction.
After making two lefts, we finally make it to her house. It looks like a really nice and humble home. Simple, but humble.
Before she makes her way out, I lock the car.

"Haibo!" She exclaims.

You should know me by now. I am Relebogile Ignatius Kunupi.
Kunupi. I hate that surname, but it's still mine. I'll never carry it with pride, but I was born with it.
I'm a weirdo, and I'm doing what my old, weird self would do - except this weird act right here is for a very good cause.

I need answers from her.

Relebogile: "What's your name, ma?" I ask, trying to sound less demanding. She frowns in confusion. "Ma, please. Please answer the question." I calmly say.

"What are you going to do to me? I have children." She asks, still sounding terrified.

Relebogile: "I won't do anything to you, ma. I promise you."

"Okay. My name is Tshegofatso Morake." I look at her and for some reason, I become weak.

Relebogile: "Do you-do you know Onalerona Kunupi?"

She freezes. But I can see in her face that she knows him and she's trying to recall the memories with him.

Tshegofatso: "Yes. Yes, I-I-I-I-I know him." She finally mutters after the two-beat long silence.

"Why?" She asks, with her soft voice sounding defeated. She takes a good look at me and her jaw drops. "Are you his son? I can see the resemblance."

Relebogile: "Yes, I am."

Tshegofatso: "You look just like him--"

Relebogile: "How do you know him?" I jump in, wanting to get the answer I've been looking for.

Tshegofatso: "Young man, please let me leave. I've got children waiting for me." She pleas.

Relebogile: "Not until you answer this question, ma." I assert.

Tshegofatso: "What do you want from me?"

Relebogile: "Were you involved with him? Please. Please just answer this question and I'll let you go."

I can see that she's so desperate to leave yet she looks so ashamed.
She drops her face and looks back at me.

Tshegofatso: "Your father and I were once in love, but I knew he was married. He looked just as handsome as you and I couldn't resist his charms. Before I moved here, I lived in Pampierstad in the Northern Cape and he used to go there to visit me every month end. He said he lived in Christiana."

Relebogile: "So you were his mistress?"

Tshegofatso: "Yes, but I'm not proud of it either. One day, I fell pregnant and I told him. He told me to keep the baby and so I kept it. I then gave birth and he was there, until..."

Relebogile: "Until what?" I ask, eagerly waiting for an answer.

Tshegofatso: "The nurses told me he already took my child before I could see the baby. I've spent years looking for Joseph to just give me my child back, but he I never found him. He never told me where in Christiana he lived, so it was hard looking for him. I kept looking for my child until I just couldn't anymore." I could see the tears dropping down from her eyes.