Outside, Petrous and Moipone were also arguing, trying to find a solution that would please everyone.

“Even though I love my niece and want her to be happy, I am with her mother on this one. It is shameful what that child is doing,” Petrous exclaimed to Moipone.

“But we must support that child, Mologadi is too stubborn and cares too much about what people will say than she cares about the feelings of her own child. Brother it is up to us to show that girl support,” said Moipone.

They stayed in the backyard a few minutes discussing the matter and still they didn’t find a solution. Maybe Bophelo just had to break up with Peter. Mologadi was never going to accept him and Petrous was starting to see the picture Mologadi was painting. Moipone seemed to be the only one who believed they should let Bophelo marry the man she loves. There was a lot of commotion.

Moipone stood up, tired and angry and Petrous just sat there. Oratile was rejoicing at Bophelo’s misery while everyone else was sad. Mologadi was not answering her phone and Moipone didn’t know where she was. No one had seen her and Moipone was frustrated because she thought her younger sister was acting childish. There was chaos in the house and Oratile kept blaming Bophelo.

“Brother I am way too old for this. Mologadi is acting like a child, Rati and the others keep shouting and Bophelo won’t stop crying. Hai maan! Mologadi should just accept her child’s decision!” she said to Petrous, sounding very tired and angry.

“Sesi, I see what Mologadi sees and understand how she feels. Bophelo is her only child and she has so many dreams for her. If she marries a man her mother does not want, then it will break her heart,” Petrous said.

“But what about what Bophelo wants? Mologadi can’t stand in the way of her happiness for ever. I know she is her only child but then she won’t have any child if she pushes Bophelo away.”

Petrous and Moipone talked for a long time until they decided on a solution that would benefit everyone.

In her room, Bophelo laid on her bed with her face buried in her pillow. She kept crying and crying. She really loved Peter but without her family’s support and permission, she would not be able to marry him. What was her life without him? She was sure enough her mother would never accept him. Even though he was the love of her life, Mologadi would not agree to that. Oratile’s words were so loudly spoken that they were all Bophelo could hear.

She woke up with her face covered in tears, she took her cell phone and called Peter. She was so sad. She called him over and over again but he did not answer. This was the worst time for her but she decided to face her family. Locking herself in her room was not going to help her and the more she stayed inside the sadder she became.

She opened the door of her room and went to sit in the lounge with her cousins. Rati was already on her way home when Bophelo walked in. She said goodbye to everyone and opened the door. Right in front of her at the doorstep was Mologadi.

“Mama!” exclaimed Bophelo wiping her tears. Mologadi just looked at her and clicked her tongue then looked at Tsietsi.

“Tsietsi ngwanaka, go and call your mother and uncle for me,” he ran out and came with Moipone and Petrous.

“Ngwanamma, you’re back! Where exactly where you? Why did you just storm out of here like a teenager!?” asked Moipone.

Mologadi apologised and sat down, asking everyone else to sit down with her.

“Sesi, Buti, I went to the church to ask the church ladies to come and help me pray for Bophelo. After what she told us, I realised she must be possessed,”

“Mama I am not possessed; I truly love this man and…” said Bophelo.

“No! No! Bophelo! If you are not possessed then you are under a spell. How can a man want to marry such a young child?”

“Because, mama, he loves me as much as I love him. And if you truly love me then you will let me marry him. He is a great gentleman and if you get to know all about him you’ll agree that he should marry me,” Bophelo explained to her mother and for a long time they stayed there discussing the matter.

Tsietsi and Nareadi ended up leaving and everyone was still discussing the matter. It took a long time for Mologadi to finally agree that she should let Phelo decide on the man she wants to marry. It was only when Bophelo started telling her mother how great Peter was and when she started crying again, that she agreed to think about it.

Bophelo cried so much her cheeks turned red and she would not stop. She was really sad and that was when Mologadi realised the sadness and heartache she was causing her child. Moipone tried comforting her but still she did not stop, so she took her to her bedroom for her to rest.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think Bophelo is bewitched?