SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 23

TLHALEFO

05 JANUARY 2019

I really can't believe this is happening.

It was on this day, exactly a year ago that Ma was laying on her mattress crying for Papa Sego like there was no tomorrow while she was pregnant and now she's here packing our clothes and shoes and things with Lefika on her back, preparing us to move out while Mo, my siblings and I packing all that we can.
Crazy how things can change within a year.
Papa Rele and MaLebone moved to Japan yesterday, but Mo is still with us because they said she needs to finish school here first.
Honestly, I didn't want Mo to leave because I'd be really bored in the house, or wherever it is we're moving to.
Ma said she already sold the furniture and she's already hired people to set the place up for her.
She's an interior designer so I trust that our new home will be much better than this one. She took that huge portrait to the new house too.

I look around.
This feels like a deja vu moment. It feels so surreal.
It's like we've entered a new beginning or something. And somehow it's like it's something I'm familiar with.
This place is emptied out completely.

Tiyane comes running downstairs.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

Tiyane: "Ma sent me to go open the gate."

Tlhalefo: "Open the gate for who?"

Tiyane: "None of your business."

This girl has grown to be cheeky.

Just then, Ma comes downstairs too.

Ma: "Are you done packing?"

Tlhalefo: "Almost. I just have to pack the utensils and then I'm done."

Ma: "Okay then. The truck is coming an hour."

Tlhalefo: "An hour?"

Ma: "Yah."

Tlhalefo: "Then who are you opening the gate for?"

The door opens and he comes in with his baby.
Oh hell no!
Him?!

"San'bonani."

I immediately drop the plastic and make my to Mo's room.

Ma: "Tlhalefo, come pack these utensils now!"

She grabs my arm.

Ma: "The utensils."

Tlhalefo: "So you couldn't bother informing us that he's coming too?"

KGOMOTSO

I owe him no explanation and I don't like his tone. I don't like it one bit!

Kgomotso: "Tlhalefo, the utensils. Now."

This is the first time Simphiwe ever sets foot in my house and he's acting like he comes and leaves this place as he wants. I don't appreciate this one bit!

Kgomotso: "Now!"

He aggressively pulls his arm and goes into the kitchen.
I'm so embarrassed that Simphiwe has to see this.
I lead him outside.

Kgomotso: "I'm so sorry Phiwe."

Simphiwe: "No it's okay, baba."

He reaches for a hug.

Simphiwe: "How are you feeling about the big move?"

Kgomotso: "Yoh, you have no idea how much I want to leave this place and just start afresh in my house." He laughs.