SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 21

RELEBOGILE

DECEMBER

Lebone and I slept over at my mother's place this weekend and I'm surprised she's the one that wanted to go there so bad. On Sunday we have to go to Potchefstroom for Mmabatho's lobola negotiations which is happening in two weeks. Mama suggested we went there so I could meet my other family members in person since they only know about me.
I think she's starting to love my mom more than my mom loves her. I could see them bonding while they were cooking last night and that image made me so happy.

There's been a thought that kept me up since 4AM and I've been up for an hour now. It's the thought of seeing Rangwane Thomas.
Well, Gontse called me last night and told me that he and Rangwane came back from the UAE and Rangwane wanted to see me.
I found it weird because him and I have never spoken that much since I moved to Cape Town to pursue my rugby career.
He wasn't even there at his own brother's funeral. I'm sure he was at Felicia's funeral since they were buried on the same day.
If it wasn't for Felicia's mother demanding her body, we would have buried Felicia first and then buried my parents thereafter. I mean, my dad and his wife.
And that's what kept me up. I think I should go see him.
I have some questions I wanna ask, maybe he knows about Itumeleng's disappearance since him and Boetie were actually close because of the taxi industry.

She suddenly snores.
I chuckle at the sound of her sudden snoring. And worst part is, she looks very peaceful.
But this is my future wife and I love her.
I love her with everything in me.
Everything that I'm doing now, I want to do it for us to have a better life. A life with peace and harmony.
I want our children to grow up knowing that their parents love them and love each other. I want them to grow up in a healthy, spiritual environment, like the way Kgomotso is trying by all means to make the kids grow up in a healthy home.

__________

I couldn't help myself.
I wrote a note and left it on Lebone's bedside saying that I'd be back.
Maybe when I come back from Thomas' house, I'll come back with groceries.

I enter the driveway as the gate opens.
I don't like how Rangwane's mansion looks but hey, as long as he has millions of rands through his businesses.

I find Gontse right by the garage as I come out of the car.

Gontse: "Howzit, boet?" He says as he dabs me up.

Relebogile: "Sho."

Gontse: "How have you been, man? We haven't seen you in a long time."

Relebogile: "I've been doing alright. Hanging in there."

Gontse: "At 7 in the morning, though?"

Relebogile: "There was no better time than now, Gontse. Is your father awake?"

Gontse: "Always is. Come inside."

I follow him inside and this house is empty!
No couch, no TV...
Are they moving out?

We find him by the backyard, seated on a stool. A bottle of Hennessey is next to him on the ground.
Bojalwa so early in the morning?
But then again, he is a Kunupi and it makes sense to him.

Gontse: "Papa."

Thomas: "Yes?"

Gontse: "Rele is here."

He turns around.

Thomas: "Ah, seun."

Relebogile: "Rangwane."

He stands up and comes to me and shakes my hand.
He looks oddly happy.
I'm sure he's tipsy.

Thomas: "How are you?"