Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 19

As I hit the freeway, the reality of my life hits me like a wave. I’m driving a luxury car to pick up his little brother from school, while my man is out playing taxi marshall, in one of the most dangerous parts of the Pretoria. The contrast couldn’t be sharper, and it makes me feel unsettled. But Qhawe’s family... They’re different, so unlike any wealthy family I’ve ever known. They still live as if they’re in the township despite all their money.
I take a deep breath and try to push the thoughts aside as I pull up to Lebohang’s school.
My phone starts ringing, its an unknown number, “Hello” I answer.
“Mama slow down you just passed me” says Lebohang and hangs up, I slowdown and park in a parallel parking spot. How did he get my number? I step out and look around.

I look around and look down at my phone. When I look up I can see him, he has the biggest smile on his face, he’s pulling the White girl’s hand, oh no please don’t tell me he’s introducing me to his girlfriend before his own parents even know her name?
I smile as he walks up to me, he comes in for a hug, “How are you my boy?” I ask.
“Ngiyaphela mama, I wanted to introduce you to someone” he says smiling, “This is Isabella” he says smiling, he’s definitely in love. He looks at her the same way Qhawe looks at me. “Tho…Thobela”(Hello) she says in broken voice. I give an upside down smile and go in for a hug she’s surprised, I let go of her.
“You don’t have to greet me in Pedi, I’m actually not Pedi, like him, I’m Xhosa so you would’ve said Mholweni” I say.
“Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t know, he said he’s Pedi I tried learning a bit” she says sad.
“No. No. No. you did just fine, but you don’t have to try so hard” I smack Lebohang’s arm, “Why would you put so much pressure on her?” I smack him again, “I’m not his mother by the way” I say.
“My brother asked if she could marry him and she said yes, but in 6 months, sooooo…. We just waiting” he says.
I can’t believe he told them, “So Isabella, how did you meet Lebohang?” I ask.
“Actually met him through my dad, he was doing some business deal with his father and then we saw each other and then one day at school, while we me and my friends were walking to our morning class, some guys were cat calling us and tried to get our numbers, he just showed up out of nowhere and said, I’m his girlfriend then they just backed off” she says, he’s smiling, I’m so proud of him, “Then later that night, he texted me and asked me out, we have been together ever since” she looks up at him

I just wanna clap my hands and jump up and down, but there’s a more pressing question, “Did you give him your number?” I ask.
She shakes her head, “He just texted me, I asked him where did he get my number and even today he still hasn’t answered me”.
He’s just like his brother, “His brother did the exact same thing to me” I say. I like her she’s very polite and cute too, she pushes up her glasses, “Do you want a ride?” I ask.
“No my mom just got here” she says hugging him and quickly pecking his cheek, a black Rolls Royce Cullinan drives past and stops a few feet away. So do all the kids from this school have money? She gets into the Rolls Royce and it hoots at us, given they do business with Qhawe’s family, it wouldn’t be too surprising that they know each other.
We wave, “I like her”
“Good, I thought you wouldn’t” he says.
“Why is it important that I like her?” I ask.
“Because if you like her then I won’t have an event like what happened to Thapelo’s last ex” he says.
“What…”
“Hello” says a woman’s voice interrupting me.
“Yes hello, how can I help you?” I say.
She’s a white woman with blond hair, and sunglasses in her hair, “I just wanted to apologize for earlier this morning with the hooting” she says.
“Oh you’re the woman who claimed I threatened her” I say arms folded.
“Yeah, I was having a bad morning” she says a bit remorse.
“Hello Mrs. van der Merwe” says Lebohang.
Oh she’s his teacher, “Hello Lebohang” she says waving.
He gets in the car, something in me tells me, that’s my cue to get in because he wants to leave. “OK, all is forgiven, even though I know you are being forced to do this” I say.
She holds her hand out, I smile, “No” and get in the passenger.