JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

51

BAFANA

It has been a week and mom is nowhere to be found. Gogo was discharged yesterday from the hospital and she has staying over at bab'Nxumalo's house as per bab'Nxumalo's offer. Bab'Nxumalo also suggested that the kids be fetched from Northern Cape and join Gogoh at his house. I fetched them and dropped them off. I'm now driving with Sqalo to my friends.

Sqalo: "What is going on?! I'm not stupid! Mom is missing. Baba and dad both are in hospital after being shot and we keep being moved around like some toys! Yini ngempela?!" Okay he's mad. Sqalo is a person who rarely gets mad, he is always playful and being silly so I know he won't let this go until I tell him everything.

Me: "I will explain everything to you later man. For now, I'm going to some of my friends who are helping me find mom."

Sqalo: "You mean to tell me that mom has been missing since last week?!"

Me: "Yes!"

Sqalo: "I want to know everything NOW!" I huff and park on the side of the road. I start narrating everything I know.

Sqalo: "Why was I kept in the dark?! You guys were willing to keep this whole charade a secret until when?! Until mom and dad both die?! Huh?! Who knows? Maybe mom is already dead wherever she is!"

Me: "Calm down man! Mom is fine, we will find her." Just as I sit listening to him shouting at me, my phone pings. I check and it's a message with an address. I call the number but it deems futile as the voicemail person says the number doesn't exist.

Me: "Bafo, you can shout at me later but I think we have found a lead." I say starting the car and drive off to Gede's house.

**************

Me: "Aunt Portia?!"

Aunt P: "Listen my love, there is no time. Take your mom and aunt then leave! These people should be back in about 20 minutes."

Me: "Aren't you supposed to be coming with us?!"

Aunt P: "No! Now, leave!" I quickly follow the guys out. We had arrived in three cars, Sqalo volunteered to drive with Sboniso and they are the ones who were to drive with mom and aunt while me and the rest of the guys used the other two cars.

As soon as we see that the building is on fire, we drive off.

Gede: "We are being followed, don't drive to any of our places. Lead them to the park." I do just that. Right now I'm just glad that Sboniso and Sqalo long left with mom and aunt Lihle. My phone rings on my lap and Gede answers it for me.

Gede: "Nxumalo says drive to the park and park there." I do just that. Soon after that we hear crashing sounds from the road. My phone rings again.

Me: "Baba!"

Bab'Nxumalo: "You can go home now." Gede offers to drive this time around. He drops me off at home.