Collection of Old Stories

The Cry of a Childless Woman

The wedding was attended by the whole village. There was plenty to eat and drink. Children and adults were all there. Kenosi was looking like an angel. Her white gown against her black African hair was breathtaking. The gown itself, was designed to reveal her true African body, very symmetrical curves and firm breasts, not dropped by a child. The groom Tumisang was decorated in a three piece suit. Tall and handsome, as always. It was the wedding of the century. 

“Rose please continue being a good girl in boarding school,” Kenosi instructed her adolescent daughter. 

“I will not disappoint you mama and papa,” she replied. 

Tumisang just smiled and kept quiet. He was very pale and of late have been a regular at the doctor’s office. After dropping her off at school, they drove to the doctor’s office. He was given his medication and they went back home. In the two decades since they got married, they have always stood by each other no matter what. The real test to their marriage was Kenosi’s three consecutive miscarriages. Tumisang stood by her lady despite everyone saying she is no good. Rose was their blessing. 

It was in August. The wind tossed dust around, the temperatures were still a bit low. That morning the sun never greeted the Earth. Dark clouds covered the sky. Tumisang had been in hospital for a month. As usual Kenosi and her daughter went to check on him. 

“I regret to inform you that your husband....” the doctor started to say but Kenosi interrupted. 

“Tumie!” 

“No! Where is my father?” Rose cried. 

It was sad. He was buried a week later. He died from lung cancer, got from the Nickel mines in South Africa. Rose blamed this on the mother. 

“You killed him, you wanted all his fortune,” she said. 

Rose went back to school. She was different. She started bunking classes and sleeping around. When her mother was called she disowned her in front of the school. 

“You are not my mother,” she said. 

“Rose my child, please do not do this to me,” Kenosi cried. 

Not long thereafter, Kenosi was informed that Rose left school. In her final year of senior school. She was eighteen, as such the police said they could do nothing to force her to go home. She stayed with a boyfriend in Gaborone. 

In an instant, Kenosi was reduced from the African beauty to a pale lean figure. She never slept. She tried to ask her brothers and in-laws to intervene but they said she is irresponsible. Five years passed, but to her it was like five decades. Her health was fading. She resigned from her job and relied on Tumisang’s life insurance payout. She was very weak. She had to cook for herself, wash her own clothes and maintain the large mansion her husband left her. It was all too much. 

“God, what did I do to you for you to take away my husband and daughter?” she often cried out. 

All the in-laws and her siblings refused to send their children over to help the poor woman labelling her as incompetent. 

Kenosi, the childless woman, cried more for the child she did not have more than she did for herself. She lost weight pondering over her safety, whether she has eaten, whether she had something warm to wear at night and if she were happy. She was deep in thought when she was startled by the ringing telephone. 

“Mama, I am sorry I wronged you,” the caller said. 

“Thank you God for answering the cry of me the childless woman,” Kenosi broke down. 

She came with two hungry looking children and one resting inside her womb. It was obvious the children had different fathers. The cry of the childless woman was answered with four children.

The Unspoken Truth About Me

I slept peacefully. All the exterior doors in the house were locked. I felt safe within the protection of the armed burglar alarm. My subconscious mind registered a door opening somewhere. Footsteps. They were real. That cologne. I did not stir. I felt my blankets flying away from me. It was midsummer, so I slept with only my panties. He reached for my mouth and panties. Screaming would not have helped so I silently the endured the three hour ordeal. 

“If you tell anyone about this, you will go join your mother in hell,” he said before walking out. 

My marks at school were good. I was a top student. Students and teachers loved me for my personality. Everyone could come to me for help and I would help them with whatever, academic or personal. That one night changed my life. It was the beginning of many similar nights. He would go out with his friends, drink then come back home to his sex machine. I decided not to let anyone know about this. I went to the pharmacy to purchase contraceptive pills which I took everyday without fail to guard against pregnancy. 

“How is life since your mother’s passing?” asked Mrs Dube, my class teacher. 

“Life is very fine,” I responded sounding happy. 

Mrs Dube was the only one who knew me well. Nonetheless, like everyone else, she could not notice that inside I was falling apart. My own father raping me every night. I ensured my marks stay as good as they were to protect my shameful secret. I had contemplated taking my life but decided against it after hearing my moral teacher talk about suicide. 

As usual I prepared supper. This time, however, I had procured a deadly poison which cannot be traced. I cooked his favourite meal; rice, soup and chicken. In his, I dropped a bit of the poison. He raped me as usual that night. By morning he was among the ancestors. I woke up, took a long prayer and showered. Thereafter, I called my neighbours and informed them of my loss. I cried. They were touched. My tears were of joy. I wanted those 

women to congratulate me, but they kept offering their condolences. 

The funeral passed. I had to go live with my aunt. Because of the ordeal, I never looked at a guy. I despised them all. I went to church in all my free time. God forgave me for my sins in exchange for a lifetime devotion to him. I wanted nothing to do with men. I finished my studies and got a Masters Degree in Social Work. I helped children who went through the same thing as I did find help. I wanted to be celibate for life. 

“You may kiss the bride,” announced the pastor. 

I looked in his eyes. I saw love. He was the only man who managed to make me break my promise lf celibacy. It was a blessing from God as appreciation for my devout service. We had two children. They were very beautiful.

Lies That Bind

The door was closed but not locked. She slipped in unnoticed. She had already found the documents she was looking for and was about to leave the room when a silenced pistol vomited twice into her chest. She staggered forward, felt dizzy and fell down like a sack of salt. 

“The truth will out,” she said with his last breath. 

“I have vowed to protect the truth at all cost, any nose peeking where it is not supposed to will be erased,” James said to the lifeless corpse. 

Ramcrosoft Corporation was the biggest technology company in the city of Tsabong. Its employees were one of the most qualified in the region. The Board of Directors for the company had passed a resolution not to hire anyone related to the Board of Directors to ensure the autonomy of the administration. The chairman of the Board dialled a number. After three rings a female voice answered. 

“That post of Senior Accounts Officer should be given to a young man called James,” he instructed the Head of Human Resource. 

“But Sir, we need to be transparent and fair,” replied Susan. 

“I have studied his CV, he is perfect,” he said as he hung up. 

The chairman had played his game well. He had infiltrated the management and was influencing their policies. Although from a distance they appeared as if they benefited the company, they ripped it off of millions in annual profits. The impact was cushioned by the increase in stock turnover, so the share price remained competitive on the Tsabong Stock Exchange. James bought property in his mother’s name with his share. The chairman stashed his in some numbered Swiss investment account. They were good. Susan was suspicious nonetheless. She believed James and the Chairman had a business agreement of some kind. 

“I will expose this conspiracy,” she vowed to herself as she set to James’ office. 

“The body of Ramcrosoft Head of Human Resource was discovered in an alley behind Tsabong International Convention Centre,” the reporter read out the news. 

The Chairman stood up and went to the radio. He turned down the volume. 

“Are you sure you eliminated all the evidence?” he directed the question at James, who sat caressing his glass of whiskey. 

“Father, I am very precise,” replied James. 

The chairman had not believed it when he found out a week earlier. James was that son he neglected. They finished their drinks. They were bound, hand and foot by their conspiracy to hide this fact. If it ever made it through to the Board of Directors, they were all ruined. 

James’ funeral was a fancy affair. His mother wore a designer dress and his father did not set foot there. He was hijacked and shot. All the lies, the secret won him a first class ticket to the cemetery. The mahogany casket was glossy and elegant. 

“Sorry son, these are lies that bind a man to take action to protect them,” the chairman said as he walked away from the grave. With the millions in Switzerland, he was a happy man. The truth buried in two coffins at the Tsabong City Cemetery.

Playboy Gets Caught

She lay in his arms. Her hair tucked in underneath her shower cap. As the sun ascended above the horizon, her lips curved in excitement. She kissed him. It had been a night well spent. They had surrendered their sexual purity to one another. They had been together for a week. The picture of the future he had painted for her prompted her to drop her pants. 

“Why haven’t you called me in a week?” Dineo asked him some days later.

“I have been in a very urgent project at work,” he replied, the charming words gone. 

He had gotten his piece of this cake, many were out there. He locked his office and went hunting.

David and Mercy made a cute couple. They had been together since high school, eight years before. It was a match made in heaven. They had stuck together, like finger and nail, through thick and thin. 

“Cancel all your plans tonight my love,” David told her.

“Where are you taking me my dear?” she asked.

“It’s a surprise,” he said as he washed down the breakfast she had prepared for him with a cup of coffee.

“You know I hate those,” she complained.

He engulfed her in his arms. She sank her head deep into his chest and clung on to him like she was about to lose him. They went to the prestigious Digawana Hotel for dinner.

Club Cat was the place where you could find the best of Digawana girls. They came from all ends of this city and convened here. David had been sitting at the bar for some minutes. Mercy knew he was working late. He spotted her. She was tall and slender. Her dance moves gave him wild imaginations.

“Hey, I’m alone don’t you wanna be mine?” David asked her.

“I’m thirsty, wet me,” replied the beauty, called Palesa.

“I was thinking we could have our private party upstairs,” he suggested.

He called Mercy and told her he is sleeping over at work as he had a pressing task. She believed him. It was his usual tactic. He went back to his pressing task, Palesa.

He was sure he heard some movement. David left her task for that night, Refilwe, sleeping peacefully. He peeked outside but saw nothing. Then there was a soft knock. It was three o’clock in the morning. The gun was pointed at his temple as soon as he had opened the door. It was Palesa. He had thought she will go away after he chased her from his office earlier. She was pregnant. There was a small struggle for the gun. Gun shots disturbed the empty night. The police found one dead body and two seriously injured ones. David was short in his torso and the doctor believed he would survive. Refilwe’s arm was blown to bits by three bullets.

Mercy was by his side when he woke up. Her eyes were heavy and red. She had been crying. 

“So you were always at ‘work’?” she asked, pain weighing her voice down.

“I’m sorry my love,” David replied.

“You are mine forever, I’ll be by your side till death do us part,” she said.

After a week he was discharged from the hospital. He died of a heart attack a week later while making love to Mercy. 

“I told you I’ll stick by you till you die,” she whispered with a smile before closing the coffin.

My Relationship with God

Every weekend Club Hell in Miami was where you could find me. I went there from Friday until Sunday. We danced, drank and got down with cute ladies in bikinis. Drugs were the icing on the cake. From ecstasy to Heroin to marijuana. It was the life. I never had time for anything else other than my wild life and my job as an archivist at the Florida Centre of Archives and History. 

“We want you to go to Tibet to find a bit on their culture,” my supervisor told me one morning. 

“For how long?” I asked uninterested. 

“Minimum of three weeks,” he said. 

I was so infuriated. I decided to be there and back in that three weeks, not a second more. 

I was going to miss my wild life. That Friday I partied and had some fun with the ladies for the last time in three weeks. 

I arrived in Lhasa at sunset. It was too quiet for my liking. I had an early night because I was due at the monastery in the morning. The bed I slept in was very rigid and the hotel did not have many luxuries found back home in Miami. I was very furious. For dinner I was forced to have rice with soup and butter tea. It was disgusting. Nonetheless, the night passed. 

By the time the sun kissed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, I was up. Smoking my pipe of marijuana for inspiration and energy. I quickly took a shower, had breakfast and a glass of brandy before heading to the monastery. Upon arriving, I noticed a group of monks seated in an awkward position. I observed silently, occasionally sipping from the bottle inside my jacket. Then their leader, referred to as a Lama, shared with them some message. They talked in their native Tibetan. After that session, I went to the Lama. 

“Hello Sir! I am John from Miami,” I said. 

“I was expecting you here before sunrise, I’m Tsering,” The Lama said. 

He taught me about the culture of Tibet which is based on Buddhism. He taught me many things which made a lot of sense. He told me about Buddha. We started by learning the Four Noble Truths in the first two weeks. I discovered how I have been off path, messing the life God gave me. I realised all that partying and drinking were actually the reason for my lack of peace. I was excited to learn that God has given us a way to stay in his way through our great founder Siddharta Ghautama. I called Miami to ask for an extension of a month. 

By the time I learnt the Path of Enlighntenment, I had already quit smoking marijuana and drinking. I smoked cigarettes only. Every morning and evening, I started meditating to communicate with God. The more I meditated, the more he showed me his way. It felt so nice to actually have a personal relationship with God. Upon arrival in Miami, I was promoted to the Senior Archivist on Tibet. Thanks to God’s guidance and my close relationship with him, he sent me a wife and blessed us with a son, whom I named Tsering after my mentor. To date, I am with God everywhere and I talk to him every day without fail.

Lost in America

I was overcome by euphoria. I had always wanted to go to America since I was a little girl. I can still recall vividly the memories of the endless hours I spent in front of the mirror applying make-up to impersonate the American models. When I was recruited to go and be a model at the New York based Broadway models, I almost passed out. Preparations went well. Since it was going to be a long flight I wore my skinny jeans, sneakers and a jacket. My curves were exposed and I was a proud African in pursuit of the American dream. 

The Boeing 777 bound for New York took off at eight in the evening from Johannesburg. I was flying first class, courtesy of Broadway Models. On the way I watched a movie, slept and read a book. I was too ecstatic to eat much, although I accommodated more champagne than necessary. 

“Please secure your seat belt madam we are about to land,” said the slim hostess who woke me from my nap. 

My head was in pain. I passed through passport control with God’s might only. When I got outside I found a bus and boarded it without question. Instantly I dozed off. 

“Miss this is the end of the trip,” the bus driver said. 

“Where are we?” I asked as I opened my asked. 

“This is Atlanta lady, now get off my bus,” shouted the driver. 

I reached for my handbag. Emptiness. I sobered up within the blink of an eye. I was in a city I have never heard of, had lost my luggage, my handbag and most importantly my papers. The bus driver was not of any help either. 

“African monkey, there is a zoo down the road,” he shouted as he drove away. 

I could not call my agency. Everyone I asked for help ignored me. I had no money to return to New York as I had lost my property. Tears assembled in my eyes, hunger crept in too. The light jacket I had on was no match against the Georgia cold. Nobody wanted to help me. The whites because I was black and the blacks because I had an African accent. Some young man came my way. I asked for his help. He promised to help me and asked me to follow him. He led me to a dark alley. Halfway through, he produced a knife and opened my jacket. He tore off my top and bra with it. I screamed! 

“I am going to ask you one more time, where are your papers?” asked the fat police officer who had rescued me. 

“I have already told you,” I replied. I was now sobbing. 

“I am going to have to arrest you,” the officer said. 

A waterfall erupted in my eyes. I could not believe I was going to be arrested. I took off my belt, shoes, earrings and watch before proceeding to my new room. A structure of metal bars. 

“Monkeys belong in cages,” the officer ridiculed me. 

It was some hours later when Fat Face came for me. He was serious and professional this time. A certain Mr Henry had come for me. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience Ms Neyo,” Mr Henry said. 

“It is Neo,” I blurted out. 

All my papers were with Mr Henry. He had collected them from the airport when I had not shown up as well as my luggage. I smiled as I arrived in the beautiful building of Broadway Models. I swallowed one sip of wine as the sun set, living the American dream.

Birth of a Child

It was extraordinarily quiet that night. It was a dark November night, with a cool breeze caressing the vegetation. Katlego had just switched off the paraffin lamp in her room when she felt the first contractions. The pain was agonising. They lasted for ten long seconds. A tiny scream managed to escape her mouth as the waters broke. It was time. 

“Go and call your brother to take your sister to hospital,” instructed Dineo to her last born son. Turning to Katlego she said, 

“How far apart are they my daughter?” 

“H...u....rrrrrrrry up!” replied Katlego. 

Katlego felt nauseous and tired. Her face and limbs were firm. Her breasts were very round and full. Dineo summoned her for questioning, 

“When last did you have your menstrual period?” 

“About seven weeks ago,” Katlego replied with a shaky voice. 

“Who duplicated themselves in you?” the questioning continued. 

The girl was reluctant to say out the name of her lover. After five hours she told her mother everything. Poor and deserted by everyone as they were, it was going to be difficult for them. 

If Dineo’s husband was alive, he would have gone to the boy’s family to demand compensation for damages. The only family she had left were her three children, everyone chose to rip them of their inheritance and desert them after the passing of Dineo’s husband. What made this more difficult was that Katlego was carrying royal blood in her womb. The bee owning the sting was thrown heir Prince Thabo. He had made it clear to Katlego that he wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy as he was afraid his father’s would erupt like a volcano and swallow all his aspirations to be chief in the future. They were going up Mountain Everest barefoot and wearing nothing but summer dresses. Dineo got a job while Katlego stayed home and took care of her mother’s house. They managed to prepare for the coming of this child. 

Chief Kgotla was disturbed. He was awoken by a weird dream. In the dream his grandfather instructed him to rush to the hospital to get his blood. He summoned his traditional doctor. 

“Chief, the ancestors are angry,” the doctor began. “we have a member of the royal family who is arriving today.” 

“Let us rush to the hospital at once,” the chief said as he stood up. 

Upon arrival at the hospital, they discovered only one child was born that night. Chief Kgotla did not want to believe that the child was royal blood. The mother wore tattered clothes and the grandmother’s legs appeared like snake scales. However, the traditional doctor felt it the minute he saw the child that he was of royal blood. 

Dineo smiled as she watched her grandson, Lesego, play with his cousins. She was having her daily walk evening walk with the Queen in the palace garden. The birth of child took them out of poverty. Dineo and all her children now lived in the Palace because Katlego was married to Prince Thabo. Envy and jealousy engulfed Dineo’s siblings. 

“So what are you most thankful for in your life,” the Queen asked Dineo. She replied, 

“The birth of a child.”