On the athletes day I was so exhausted as I was participating in a 200m. A taxi taking me home seemed to be moving slowly. It took long but eventually I got off at a four way stop. I walked towards a STOP sign. I turned my head to my right side and I saw my niece, Asa with her friends. She leaned against an old car. She ran as quickly as she could towards my direction.

Asa was my older sister’s daughter of about seven years of age. She always kept her mouth doing daily business, talking. I sometimes ignored her as you know nothing of a person of that age can make sense.

I gave her my kit bag. The sun was hot and made me feel much weaker and thirsty. We strolled as she kept talking but I was in no good mood to talk.

“Uncle, your bag is so heavy,” she said trying to get my attention

“If it’s too heavy for you, you can give it back to me,” I said grabbing it.

I tried to walk faster. Not only was my kit bag was heavy now but my legs too. I was a bit lame as there was a pain on my left leg’s calf. The more I got closer to my home, the further the gate seemed to be moving away.

My niece rushed forward to open the gate and I left her behind to close. The house was cream in colour, with a red roof. It was a three-room RDP house which was then extended to six rooms.

The only person I was thinking of was my father, who always kept me busy. Luckily he was not there. I greeted my mother and my sister Zintle, Asa’s mom.

They were busy in the kitchen preparing supper. Zintle was in her late 20’s. She was doing a Human Resource course at a nearby college Goldfield FET. She was chubby and quiet, unlike her daughter.

Mirriam, my mother was unemployed. She had her little spaza shop. She had many friends whom sometimes would help her to do the house chores and keep going the spaza shop.

Both my mother and sister greeted me back without an extra word. I told my niece to serve me with water. I walked lazily to my bedroom. I sat comfortable on the edge of the bed. My niece popped in unexpectedly to hand me a glass of water. I sipped and slumped over my bed. I fell asleep quickly like I had taken sleeping pills.

I started dreaming.

In my dream it was a Friday and Mpho was with her friends Lisa and Zinzi. They were on their way from school. Lisa usually left her school bag behind at her boyfriend’s place, Abongile, who lived near their school.

Abongile was working as a manager at PEP. He was from a rich family but having recently built his own house. He was just a humble guy and loved Lisa with all his heart.

The three friends were given homework by Mr Glen, their Maths Teacher. The students described Mr Glen as a man who never liked seeing them relaxed. He loved his job so much. I guess if he had a woman, she would probably take second place.

Lisa took Mpho’s pencil case unnoticed as she was carrying Mpho’s school bag. Lisa threw two, three words into the conversation. They were talking about how sadly the story of Romeo and Juliet ended.

***

Let’s chat: Why do you think Lisa stole Mpho’s pencil case?