Out of the closet

Years went by, and puberty invaded our bodies. It didn’t do anything to Lerato’s body, but Lord did it change mine. It gave me curves that led people to give me unwanted stares. During this phase, Lerato adopted this tomboy aesthetic which suited her body type since it was masculine-like. On the other hand, I tried to cover my body shape. Lerato would encourage me to embrace my body as it was beautiful just the way it was.

We both had lots of admirers. Lerato was admired by both genders. Some people thought that Lerato and I were an item since we rejected those who scouted us. After we both turned 16, Lerato suggested that we get ‘Love & Light’ tattoos on our wrists. I was sceptical because of our parents, but Lerato assured me that she had a plan that would deviate them from the tattoo, so I agreed, and we got the tattoos.

We arrived at Lerato’s home, and my mom, her parents and brothers were watching Family Feud. They were laughing and trying to figure out the numbers with the corresponding answers on the board. We entered the dining room and sat down as normal as we could.

However, I was so awkward around my mom that she became suspicious of my behaviour. 

So she asked, “Khanyi, are you alright my baby?”.

I nodded yes.

They asked her a follow-up question:  “Then why are you acting so weird”.

Without any warning sign, Lerato let the cat out of the bag and said, “That’s probably because we went and got tattoos.”

Lerato’s dad paused the television, and everyone was dead silent.

She continued and said,  “Also, I am lesbian”.

Everyone had these dead expressions drawn on their faces except Lerato’s father, who said, “Okay ntombami, wait kambe what’s lesbian?”

One of Lerato’s brothers responded, “Basically, she’s saying that she is attracted to girls and not boys”.

Her father was unbothered he just said, “mmmm, I see,” then played the television.

Everybody in the room simmered down and continued watching the show as if nothing happened. We were all laughing, making jokes and teasing each other. And just like that, Lerato was out of the closet.

The news spread like wildfire, and Lizwi wasn’t happy. His chances of getting with Lerato somehow vanished.