The sun has risen! I just woke up, and dust off my tote bag which I made it my mattress. I fold my coat which I made it a blanket to cover my cold feet, I also dust my trousers which I made them my pillow. I slept beneath the street lights and the moon.

I moved to the city, carrying my bag I was just walking with no direction and my instincts were allowing me to. I lend to the Cape Town commuter belt. The place was such a beautiful and a serene place. You could even hear a falling pin. As I was walking down the street I saw a parked yellow bakkie next to the market. As I was getting closer there was a man taking large boxes inside the market.

I remembered the soul raised me used to say “always help the elders you might gain blessing.” I consciously said “Hey sir I would love to help out” then I begin grabbing those heavy boxes and getting them inside the market.

He smiled and said “Thank you son”

I asked “Is this your own market?”

He replied “Yes it is son.” We continued with working until he burst a question. “By the way what are you doing here? Your peers are at school”

“Well I’m just a prodigal son, I’m looking for my mom she left me when I was six months old”

“That’s sound crazy do you know her name? or do you have her photo? I know a lot of people here in Cape Town I might help you”

I could feel my hopes were getting too high I put down the box I was carrying and I took out the photo and I showed to him. The excitement was written on my face as if I already found her then I gave the details about her.

“She is Gloria… Gloria Wellem she’s the one in the photo, we really look alike don’t we?”

After I gave the snap to him I continued with picking up the boxes. I was still carrying the box when he said with low pitched voice “Jesus! This is my wife!”

I couldn’t control my shock I dropped the box I was carrying it felt like I was seeing a ghost I wanted to run! We stood there both shattered just starring at each other. After our nerves becomes relaxed he begins to explain

“Well she never said she left son at home she came here long time ago, when I met with her she was looking for a job, she defined herself as an orphan I took her to my house, after my first wife passed away. I fall in love with her and we got married”

It sounds like a dream I just couldn’t wait to see my mom I confidently said “Can you please take me to her I just want to see her”. I jump at the back of the bakkie and he drove off to his place, where my mother was!

I stood at the gate while waiting for him pick some stuff in the car and I was getting more anxious.

It’s such a big house is mama really leaves here? How dare she is! back at home she only left one hut and it’s roof is made with husk of plants which were already sifting through. And it was covered with tracks on it’s body any day the hut could collapse. I was just wondering to myself.

We got in the house he was just shouting “Gloria! Gloria! Come here now!”

She was coming from the bathroom drying her hair with large towel I could tell she just took a bath, immediately she saw me she bowled over as if she could run or she’s seeing a ghost.

“Do you know…” before her husband even finished she talk over him.

“No I don’t even know this child! why is he even here?” she said aggressively

“I recognize this face aren’t you the lady I saved from the mugger on the other day?” I asked her

I could see it was her, the black wart on the corner of her left eye was still there which looked familiar with the one in the photo.

She was just trying to run away with everything she just couldn’t admit that I’m his son. She never replied

“Mama I’m your son Daluxolo the one you left with your mama, see how grown I am, and granny your mom she’s no more she passed away due to heart attack. I thought I would see you on her funeral but I was all alone preparing for the burial and consoling my self. I needed you mama”

As I was saying those words I was in great affliction, and sniveling. I then wiped my tears and continue. “Mama I could see you not happy for seeing me here, I never meant to ruin things for you. I’ll go back home I’ll just go to granny’s grave and tell her you still alive so she can at least sleep at ease.”

The house was tense no one wanted to say anything. Then I made my way out getting back to the street on the way I couldn’t hold myself I cried to the core.

I kept on looking back as if she’ll come and fetch me and said “Son I’m sorry get back home”

But that was just an imagination!