But the storm is over now. I can lie here on the grass and stare up at the night stars. I can think about Refilwe.

Inside my house, my parents stumble about like survivors of a hurricane. Larona is away, at the hospital in town, where his wife Mmegi has delivered a baby boy. He is not my brother’s true son. He is not my true nephew. They have called him Bokamoso – the Future.

Already the whispers are loud around Boseja. “Yes, married in January and now June the baby is here. That is not nine months.”

And even worse whispers. “But I have heard other stories. The child will not look like Larona. No, he is not the real father.” Lying under the stars, I shake my head. Even after all these months, I am still shaking my head at them. Shameful, immoral Mmegi who is now my sister-in-law! Foolish Larona who has sacrificed himself and our family name!

But today I spoke to Refilwe for the first time! There beside her mother’s meat stall with the blood and the flies.

I said, “My name is Itseng.”

She said, “I know. And my name is Refilwe.”

“I know.” I answered, “I wanted to speak to you for such a long time.”

My tongue did not tie up in knots. And our eyes were speaking to each other too, far beyond our words. My eyes told her, “You are the only girl for me. One day, when I leave, will you come with me?”

And her eyes answered, “I would go anywhere with you.”

So what do I care if the people of Boseja look down on Refilwe and her community? What do I care if the people of Boseja whisper that the Highway folk have no morals and no dignity? They cannot know what is in Refilwe’s heart. Nor in the heart of anyone else.

What right do they have, the people of Boseja, to shake their heads and wag their tongues? Who are they to judge?

The stars twinkle their secrets. And it comes to me suddenly, like a revelation. Like a bolt of lightning from the dark heavens: Yes, and who am I to judge? What right do I have to shake my head at Larona and Mmegi and their new-born son? I am behaving just like the gossipers of Boseja! And that is not right I do not know what is in my brother’s heart. Nor in Mmegi’s heart.

My brother has done what he believes is right. I don’t think we will ever know who the real father is. There are rumours now that Mmegi was waylaid beside the river, forced against her will. Perhaps that is true, perhaps not. My brother refuses to speak of it.

It will stay a secret forever, I suppose. But that is how life is. Some secrets will never be known.

That is not important now. This is the important thing: a baby is coming into our home and he needs love and care and a family. Who knows what he will become one day? Who knows what his future might be?

All I know is: I will be a good uncle to Bokamoso. I will treat him as though he is flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood.

I will protect him while he grows – until it is time for me to leave Boseja and explore this wide amazing world. With Refilwe by my side.

Tell us what you think: Itseng dreams of travelling one day. What dreams do you have for your future? And, how did you enjoy the story?