Twisted Tangles

Chapter 13, Graceful Thoughts

Saturday, 8th of June 2019

Waking up on a beautiful Saturday morning was so grateful to feel, a chance to wake up again. One of the biggest gifts I've learnt to appreciate and not take it for granted was my life, what a day to be alive and recovering.

It was unusual of me not to feel any trauma from what happened on Thursday night, receiving that bullet shoot right through my shoulder was excruciatingly painful. The muscles surrounding my shoulder shook abruptly like jelly followed by an immense pull which hurdled me to the ground. That fall was as hard as Randy Orton's killer move, the RKO, I ate the concrete clean that's for sure.

At first it felt like a simple punch to the chest but the moment I tried to get up, it finally kicked in. It was like the rules of drinking alcohol, the faster you drink, the quicker your legs will give up on you in an instant but this time it was like downing the whole bottle at one go. Everything seemed fine under control until all your senses turn their backs against you and from there it's gates for you.

That was me right there, the moment my body turned against my brain what else could it do but surrender? I won't lie it felt like I was on the line between life and death, it was quite fascinating to be in that situation because I don't remember a single thing but Rosalià and Natalia's voices scream in the open.

The moment every light entering my eyes started to dim, I had no control over it. It was like staying up late on your phone about to enter a fight against your eyelids but this time you don't even stand a chance to make it to round two.

That was my body right there, acting like eyelids, letting me down as I struggled to try and stand back up, but I was defeated. It was a chance for me to say that I departed away from the light at the end of the tunnel rather than approaching it.

Was I scared? Of course, I was, I mean you've been shot, you don't know whether you're about to take your last breath or pass out to wake up and live another day. Nonetheless, who the hell wanted to kill me and for what benefit? Was it something I did? I was confused and angry at the same time, but it was of no use in opening a case, because I don't remember seeing anything besides the gun sticking out of the van.

Either way it's in the past so there was nothing else I could do but to thank the lord for granting me another opportunity to live. As I wondered around in my thoughts that morning, back in Walvis Bay, Rafael was about to be discharged from the Welwitschia Hospital.

In the hospital rooms Rafael was accompanied by Denver Gilbert, Rafael seemed much better than he was yesterday. He was rested well on the bed with the nurse monitoring his checklist on her clipboard while Denver stood right besides him. "So, you're all set to go Mr Williams, your body has been hydrated and your bruises have been attended to, with no broken bones but only two rib contusions." The nurse said while screening through his checklist one more time.

Rafael and Denver seemed confused, "A contusion?" Rafael asked confusedly, "Oh sorry I meant to say that your blood vessels broke so your skin is going to be discoloured because of the blood that leaked from it. Your skin will turn normal within the next three to six weeks.", "Ahhh okay I see." Rafael said understandingly nodding his head.

"Alright let me just remove the drip of your hand and you'll be ready to go." The nurse said before putting the clipboard away as she began to carry out her task. "Hey man thanks for bringing me here, I was definitely gonna to die yesterday if it wasn't for you." Rafael said smiling at Denver.

"Anytime man, it's the least I could do for an old friend." Denver said with his arms folded, "Okay so we're done here, there's nothing much left to do but my paperwork so enjoy the rest of your day gentlemen." the nurse said after she had finished her task and walked out the room.

"So, what's your plan from here?" Denver asked Rafael laid upon the bed. "Wait before I answer that question, what's in that plastic bag?", "Oh this? I bought you clothes to wear once you were going to be discharged." Denver said lifting the plastic bag placing it on Rafael's bed. "Awe? Thanks, man, I didn't even think about that. So where are the rest of my clothes?" Rafael asked Denver raising up his eyebrow curiously.

"I threw them away and I bought you a pair of socks and slippers. I'm not sure if you'll be able to walk because your feet look pretty bad." Denver said lifting his blanket to glance over at his feet. "Damn bro, I know we weren't as close ever since we moved to different high schools back then but it's great to link up with you again." Rafael said sympathetically.

"Don't sweat it bruh, those are long time things. Now we're done with matric, let's focus on the present so we can secure the bag in the future. I've got big things to achieve my bruh." Denver said grinding his hands against each other. "Huh okay, good to know bro, all the best." Rafael said reaching out to the clothes in the plastic bag "I'll wait for you outside while you get dressed." Denver said as he was about to turn around.

"Nah it's cool you can stay." Rafael insisted, "I don't want to see your junk fam." Denver replied quickly, "Bro if I had something to hide I would've told you to follow the nurse when she walked out, otherwise we both know what's on our bodies. Unless maybe you're the one who's got something to hide, Denver, hmmm?" Rafael said with a smile on his face tilting his head as he looked at Denver.

"Hey mahn! What are you trying to say?" Denver asked in a funny tone while Rafael got out of bed reaching out for clothes as he began dressing while Denver's face turned into disgust. "Well all I'm saying is, wait, didn't you buy a pair of underwear?" Rafael asked as he searched through the plastic bag.

Denver frowned looking at Rafael, "Just dress up I didn't have that in mind.", Rafael stopped searching and carried on dressing into his pants, "Argh doesn't matter, wearing pants without underwear is actually cosy." Rafael said while tying up his grey sweatpants.

"I love the outfit man, it looks good on me, I mean look at this print." Rafael said holding his pants, "Bruh just get dressed I'm not your girlfriend." Denver said pulling out his phone. "By the way don't forget I'm still bi, I haven't changed ever since ma man." Rafael said putting on his hoodie

"Ah, good to know. I chase cats only sorry." Denver said distractedly while using his phone. "Okay cool I'm ready, let's bounce." Rafael said as he checked around to see if he missed anything. "It's about time bruh, you talk to much, now I'm doubting If I should've stopped to see a body laying on the side of the road." Denver said putting his phone back in his pockets.

"Argh please, you were gonna stop any ways, you've always liked anything that seemed unusual back in primary." Rafael said chuckling as he walked over to the door followed by Denver. "You know one thing that has me stressed out is my car, I wonder where those motherfuckers left it is cuz I have to rush back to Windhoek ASAP." Rafael stressed as they walked out of the of the hospital.

Walking out of the doors entering the lucky day of sunlight was the least Rafael could appreciate while Denver led the way to his car. "Do you know who did this to you?" Denver asked taking out his keys for the car, Rafael was about to answer before he realised the actual reason to why he was following the van when they left Blake's place.

"Uhm, some guys were stealing Blake's stuff from his place and I followed them. Eventually they realised and ended up slowing down pointing a gun at me from their window and just like that I stopped my car and I was kidnapped at the Western bypass in Windhoek." Rafael said opening the passenger's door. "So why the hell were you chasing after Blake's stuff, that guy always seemed sketchy. I never liked him ever since he dropped out of school." Denver nagged while he started the engine and drove off.

There was a bit of silence before Rafael replied as they drove away from the hospital, "Well you don't have to worry about that coz he was a drug dealer and now he's dead. I don't know who killed him, but Julien and I cleaned out his place and donated it to charity." Rafael said while looking out the window.

They both starred into the open as Denver drove down the street, it was silent for a bit until Rafael had replied, "Damn, I don't know what to say but what about Julien, was he also involved?" Denver asked curiously, "Well, he probably thinks I'm dead coz he was the last person I called the moment I was hijacked but he didn't pick up." Rafael said in an upset tone.

"Damn, well you should call one of these shuttles that go to Windhoek, I think it's Mclune's shuttle and I'll buy you a tama to use in the meantime." Denver said handing over his phone to Rafael, "Here call them and find out if there's space for you to leave today.".

Rafael received Denver's phone in his hand and attempted his password incorrectly, "What's your password?" he asked, "Aye, I'm not telling you, bring it here so I put my Touch ID." Denver said glancing over to his phone in Rafael's hand as he placed his thumb on the finger print scanner unlocking his phone.

Denver's phone unlocked displaying a wallpaper of him and Tangeni in the background of the screen, Rafael knew he had saw this Tangeni guy from somewhere, but it just couldn't ring a bell. "Who's this guy you're with on your wallpaper?" Rafael asked, "Oh that's my bruh Tangeni, we've been best friends since I moved to coast in high school."

Rafael nodded his head slowly, "So he was the guy who was with us yesterday?", "Yeah that's him." Denver replied instantly. "Aha." Rafael said slowly realising to himself that it was him, Rosalià's New Years fling, the same hunk from her Instagram stories.

Rafael then went to his photos digging through Denver's pictures, he saw Denver and Tangeni together with two other females by the beach having a great time. Rafael zoomed into Tangeni admiring his physique until he realised that the girl, he was standing next to was Rosalià, they were taken last week Friday on the 31st of May.

"Mmhmm." Rafael hummed nodding his head, "Did you find the number? Denver asked entering the B2 road en route to Swakopmund. "Is Tangeni dating or seeing anyone Denver?" Rafael asked closing the photo application switching over to the internet searching Mclune's shuttle services.

"What's your business etche?" Denver asked surprisedly glancing over to Rafael. "Oh, nothing he just seems like a hot guy so I mean who wouldn't want him?" Rafael said childishly. "Lol okay, good for you." Said Denver shaking his head. "Did you find the number?" Denver asked Rafael, "Uhm, yeah, let me just call and find out." he replied placing the call.

As Denver drove down the B2 road, Rafael was unfortunate to not gain a seat but to only reserve a seat the following day. "Ahh shit, they're fully booked for today, so I reserved a spot for tomorrow." Rafael stressed out, "Why don't you just take the minibuses at the service station then?" Denver asked.

"Bitch, do I look like I'm in the mood of being kidnapped again?" Rafael asked rhetorically, "What are you trying to say? Those minibuses are safe and convenient for anyone who feels like going to Windhoek." Denver argued back, "Fam, I already reserved a seat for tomorrow's bus so imma crash at your crib for tonight." Rafael said insistently.

"I'm not going to let you crash at my crib knowing that you can leave today with the minibuses. I'm taking you there right now because you're not giving me a valid reason." Denver commanded as he increased his speed over taking traffic in front of them.

"Bruh who's GTI is this that you're driving so fast like this?" Rafael asked looking at the speedometer increasing in speed. "Don't worry about that, I don't steal cars. I've been doing forex for some time and that thing came through with my sweet ride bossa." Denver said cheerfully.

"Are your serious man?! Forex got you this car?!" Rafael asked shockingly, "Mmmhmmm!" Denver hummed while turning up the house music playing through the speakers. Rafael laughed while looking around the car admiring the interior, "Shit man, I'm proud of you. Not even a year has passed since matric and you're already hitting milestones!" Rafael yelled in admiration.

"Hey man sit still! Is it your first time to be in a Mk 6 R or what? This is not a GTI my friend. My next buy has to be a house along this beach that you see here, I swear I never get tired of the view whenever I pass by Langstrand." Denver said stretching his arm across the dashboard pointing out to the beautiful owned property and before it was the magnificent Atlantic Ocean.

"Passing by this area motivates me to work harder because one day Rafael, one day I tell you, I'll be living in a big house watching the waves wash up the beach every evening with my girlfriend while we sip on expensive bubbles. That's the life I'm definitely going to live in 5 years at least down the line." Denver said excitedly.

"Well I wouldn't be prouder of you man. I like it, keep it up. I just wish I knew where I was headed to be honest, life still has my head twisted in different directions. Like who the hell is Rafael Williams and what the hell is he doing with his life?" Rafael said in a discouraged tone. It was silent once Rafael had finished his sentence; Denver was silent keeping his eyes on the road before he opened his mouth to reply before he was cut off by Rafael.

"You know what? Just forget I told you that, I've got a few things in mind so I'll just have a look at that.", Rafael said letting out a sigh as he looked out into the distance of the ocean. "No man let me tell you something. It's normal for you not to know what you want yet. It's normal to see others start before you because your time of greatness will come to shine at some point. All you need to do is stick to your lane until you end up in the fast lane because every dog has it's day." Denver said in a motivational manner pounding his left hand onto Rafael's chest enthusiastically.

"Ok ok, fine, that actually made me feel better. Thank you, Mr Gilbert, you know your dad was quite the motivational speaker in maths, especially the first test we wrote, and we all got zeros back in 7th grade." Rafael chuckled clapping his hands, "Yeah I'd say that he has played an influence on me, the only thing I hated was when he got a new job this side. I didn't want to leave but well what could I do?" Denver questioned shaking his head.

"Look bro, sometimes you just have to wonder what life would be like if you had done things differently or said something different to people or situations in the past. Would you rather take the option of finding out for the better or the worse back then if you're already settled with what you have now? Basically, what we do now defines our future so keep blessing up and forget about the past because there's nothing you can do about it." Rafael advised Denver as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Well damn that really went through me. Thank you, bro, there's really nothing much I can do about the past but learn from it and focus on the future. I won't forget this anytime soon." Denver replied happily. "It's the least I could say man, otherwise, why are we going to Swakopmund?" Rafael asked changing his tone. "Bruh? You thought I was joking? You're taking the minibuses!" Denver said out aloud before glancing over to Rafael.

"Bruh nuh-uh, don't do me like this. Nah man, you're violating my rights by harassing me." Rafael complained while Denver chuckled, "Do you even know what harassment is?", "Yes, you're forcing me to do something I don't want.", Denver glanced to Rafael for a second, "Hella, just say you don't want to go back to Windhoek." he said accusingly.

"Ohk fine I don't want to go just yet. I want to embrace the coast and ease my mind from the trauma I've just gone through." Rafael said in relief, "Yeah neh? Enjoy the bus my friend, it's where we're going.", Rafael looked at Denver in shock about to speak before Denver said "I'm just kidding, we're going to Tangeni's place for a barbecue." he said in assurance.

Rafael was relieved to hear that from Denver as he stretched out his legs, "Ogg, a braai would be best for me right now, I'm starving man, I hope he already started." he said in a high pitched tone while yawning. "My bruh can braai, it's almost lunch now so once we arrive there, he'll most probably be done." Denver said checking the time on his wristwatch.

"Awe cool, so is it only gonna be us three or what?" Rafael asked, "Nah, you're gonna have to move and seat at the back once we reach Swakop to pick up my girl" Denver said commandingly, "What the hell is wrong with you? I was here first and I ain't moving for nobody." Rafael appealed to Denver, "So once we pick up my girl, we'll buy some liquor and then we'll link up with Tangeni and Sandra at his crib." Denver said ignoring Rafael.

"I swear bruh I thought you changed but you didn't, you always left a nigga out as a third wheel all the damn time. This time I'm 5th wheeling like seriously bro." Rafael complained, "Bro the minibuses are waiting for you if you don't want to pull up so choose what you want now." Denver said with no emotion.

"If that's the case take me to the service station then, I'd rather die than 5th wheel." Rafael said annoyedly while Denver laughed at him, "Look man, my girlfriend is very accommodating so I'm sure she'd vibe with a guy like you. I'm just not sure about Sandra, if she doesn't like you at first impression then you'll never vibe." Denver said addressing Rafael.

"Okay cool, I mean who doesn't like me darling? I'm like the life to any thing." Rafael said in a silly contemptuous tone as they kept driving down the B2 road en route to Swakopmund. Rafael and Denver weren't as close back in primary but ever since to their unusual reunion maybe things could change for the better, like I mean is there anyone who becomes angry whenever they're at the coast?

Meanwhile back in Windhoek, as Julien waited to be discharged from the Roman Catholic Hospital, he laid there on his bed speaking to Stephanie seated by his bedside until a knock on the door had disrupted their conversation. "Yes, come in." I said looking to the door past Stephanie, the door opened slowly and to my surprise it was her, I was mesmerised to see her once again up and standing.

I feared that she was dead the moment I fell unconscious, then I wondered to myself, how exactly did the doctors rescue me? It left me curious but then I wanted to find out how she was doing as she entered the room walking on crutches, "Hi there." said Ivy faintly as she turned around to close the door.

"Wow, I'm glad to see you're up. I'm so jealous of you right now." I said in a pampered manner, "Oh my, are you okay? Come have a seat over here my dear, I insist." Stephanie said standing up from her seat offering it to Ivy, "Thank you miss." Ivy said in appreciation, "No need to thank me dear it's the least I could do, by the way honey did you want coffee or tea?" Stephanie asked me, "Uhm, coffee would do really, and how about you Ivy?" I asked looking at her.

"I'm fine thanks, I'm actually on my way out. I came to say goodbye." Ivy said looking at both as she spoke, "Alright then I'll be back." Stephanie said exiting the room.

Ivy turned her head away from the door facing me, "Is that your mum?" she asked, "You guessed it." I said smiling, "Wow, she's really nice, I like her." she said smiling back to me. It was silent for a few seconds as we shared smiles at each other, "You know I'd like to apologise about the incident the other night and anything I've done to hurt you." I said apologetically.

She didn't seem too keen to answer as she took a while to reply, "It's okay that doesn't matter. I mean we practically don't know each other so well but it would've been nice to know you more, but I don't think I want to anymore." Ivy said, judging by her tone I could tell she was hurt and didn't want to talk about it. "You know my parents want to open a case on what happened to find the person who did this." She said afterwards changing the topic.

I stroked my chin wondering whether it was best to go ahead with it, but I wasn't up for it. "You know what? How will we find those people? It was more like a hit and run you know, and the van didn't have number plates so how on earth will the police officers smell that the van is somewhere in Wanaheda or wherever?" I questioned.

My questions were left unanswered causing a pause of silence between us until she nodded her head saying "You actually have a point; I'll just talk them out of it. By the way I'm leaving to South Africa from here and I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.". In my head I saw this coming and I couldn't do anything about it, Ivy was a great person, it was a shame she was leaving because I enjoyed my time with her.

I didn't respond to her, I looked down and didn't know what to say. Once Ivy stood up from her chair, I looked up to her and she looked back, "Get we'll soon Julien." she said before turning around heading to the door and out she left.

I remember Ajax warned me about losing focus on myself but right now I was confused. Did I begin liking Ivy for looking out for me or did I like the fact that she looked out for me when it had nothing to do with her? It was confusing but I let it go, she stopped feeling the bond we had developed together, and it was time to call it quits moving along into our different paths.