#8: Confessions of A Xhosa Girl 2 We got to the bookshop, Metaphor gave us a warm welcome. He then wanted to talk to me in private. Whats up? I asked. Ive got good news for you. My friend managed to find your moms address, he said. I hugged him, I was so happy. Thats good to hear, thank you very much, I was ecstatic. Wheres the address? I asked. You will have to meet with him, he said. That can be arranged. When is he off? I asked. Tuesdays and on the weekend, he said. My shift ends at 1pm. We can arrange to meet somewhere, I was so happy. Ill tell him, Metaphor smiled. Thanks again, I hugged him. I was so relieved. I went to join Raymond. We looked at a few books. He bought me two books, his fascination with books was amusing. He offered to take me to home. So I couldnt let him down after he bought me books. He drove me home, when I got there Vanessa was listening to music. Wheres Puleng and Sihle? I asked. Puleng is at work and Sihle is still at school, she said. What happened last night? I asked. We had a great time, we should do it more often, she said unashamedly. I woke up in my bed, I was at your friends apartment. How did I end up here? I asked. I told you that we called our driver for you. You can ask Puleng and Sihle Vanessa, I had an incredible time last night but some things dont end up. I remember you half naked, kissing me. I was also half naked. What happened? What?! I kissed you? When? Last night, I wanted to ask you today. Didnt we kiss? No! Ill take it as a compliment that youre fantasizing about me No, no, no - Im not fantasizing about you, I never ever fantasized about you. Im not crazy either, Im sure that happened Why would I lie to you? Maybe you were hallucinating Hallucinating? I dont hallucinate when Im drunk, my vision gets blurry but thats it Then what are you trying to say? Im trying to say that something happened between us and I want to clear things Clear things then Whatever happened, happened. Lets not ever talk about it and hopefully that doesnt happen again Nothing happened Yoliswa Puleng and Sihle finally got back. They told me how drunk I was last night. Hakeem came to the apartment, he came to drop my mothers photo. I didnt even notice it was missing. I was in my bedroom. Shes beautiful, Hakeem looked at my mothers photo. Just like you. Im sorry for not returning it as soon as possible, he said. Thanks, I snatched the photo from his hands. Is she alive? He asked. Its none of your business Hakeem, I said. You always keep me in the dark with most of the things happening in your life, he said. Probably because I dont owe you anything, I said. Youve changed, he sat next to me. Change is good Yeah but I like the Yoliswa I first met more What are you trying to say? That youve changed Youve also changed Hakeem How? You dont call much often, you hardly visit and youre cold Cold? Your eyes arent as warm as - Yoliswa, hold up. What are you saying? What are you saying Yoliswa? I dont have to repeat myself Hakeem Ive been nothing but good to you. But you showed me a side of you that I wasnt willing to accept Oh? Lets face it, we were just friends. I might or might not have wanted more We both know you wanted more At some point Hakeem come on man Okay, yeah. But now youre not that girl I used to kick it with Thats why youre keeping your distance? Im a busy man Yoliswa and Im not your boyfriend, remember? Look, I dont like keeping a lady waiting, I have to get going Lady? Yeah, I just met a really cool girl. Were not an item but were taking things slow Wow, thats good Take care Yoli You too Hakeem It was clear that Hakeem moved on. Not that it phased me or anything. As I was laying on my bed, I remembered Metaphor doesnt know where I live or my digits. I decided to take a long walk to the bookshop. I was tired of always going to the bookshop to maintain contact with him, he has been asking for my number or my address for a while now. When I got to the bookshop, they were closing. Yoliswa, what are you doing here? Because were closing, said Metaphor. I forgot to give you my phone number. I want you to give me a call when your friend approves of us meeting, I said. So you finally came to senses, he said. Do you have a cellphone though? I asked. Just because I live on the streets, doesnt mean Im technology unaware, he laughed. Technology unaware? Whatever man, this is my number, I entered my number on his phone. Thanks. Im heading home right now, do you wanna accompany me? He asked. Really? Of course not, I said. I was just kidding Oh. I would like to see where you stay though but Im scared Of what? Street kids Theyre completely harmless Okay So youre coming with me? Its not like I have anything to do but Im really scared Im here, you dont need to be scared Wow, look at you Metaphor took me to his home. On the way, we walked pass a lot of street vendors. He took me to a really dark staircase. Im not getting in there, I said. Its not as dark as it looks inside, he said. I stood outside, he went down the staircase and shouted, You can see me from there, I know. Its not as dark. Come on. With caution, I walked down the stairs. The walls had a lot of graffiti. It wasnt that dark inside. The place was really neat, a pile of cardboards were neatly placed in the corner. Make yourself comfortable, smiled Metaphor. There were torn couches, a rusty two plate stove, an old microwave and an old cupboard. You have a two plate stove, do you have electricity? I asked. He laughed, No, Vixen just likes to collect random things. Shes hoarding this place but dont tell her that, he said. Wheres everyone? Out Is Vixen your girl? No, shes just sharing this place with us until she gets a place to stay. Shes beautiful though. It wasnt easy for her to find a place in these streets because some guys want something in return. I wont lie, Im training the guys I live with. When Vixen arrive, they wanted to smash her. Its typical male behaviour but they cooled down How the heck do you do this? Its like youre helping everyone I love helping others, I feel complete when I help others Thats good to hear Tshepo Tshepo? Thats your real name Metaphor, isnt it? So you remembered? Why wouldnt I? Come on. So what will you do about your little brother? I will find him when I have a proper roof over my head I feel like I owe you Its nothing really Ill return the favour, youre helping me find my mother, its only right that I do the same If you say so Shortly after a girl arrived. This is Vixen, the girl I was talking about, said Metaphor. Hey Vixen, Im Yoliswa, I shook her hand. Nice to meet you, she smiled. Vixen was a really beautiful girl, I dont know how she ended up on the street. She was dressed well. When did you start living here? I asked. This weekend. I met Metaphor in the bookshop, I asked him if he knew a place I could stay for a couple of days. I didnt have money, he said I can live with him and a few friends. He was nice but I didnt take the offer right away. I went around looking for a place and oh my goodness, guys out here are douchebags. I went back to the bookshop, and now Im here, said Vixen. Where are you from? I asked her. Aliwal North, she replied. Im from East London, I said. As soon as we found out that we were from Eastern Cape, it was just craziness after that. It was like we were old friends catching up. She told me that she ran away from home because she wanted to follow her dreams of being a musician. She saved money to go to Johannesburg, her story is very touching. Her mother passed away, she lived with her older sister and her sisters friends. I later went back to my apartment. I was so tired. I wanted to have an early night but that cant happen with these girls around. Just when I wanted to nap, I heard familiar male voices. It was Raymond and Kwame. Vanessa came to wake me up. I lazily got out of bed, I was wearing my PJs. Youre in PJs? Its so early, said Kwame. They had two bottles of vodka. I have an early morning, I have a shift at 8, I said. They all booed me. Really guys, I dont want to be up all night drinking, I said. Just one or two shots, said Raymond. I cant, I went back to my bedroom. They booed me. Raymond went to my bedroom. Are you really going to sleep? He asked. After I reach page 30, yeah, I was reading my new book. Page 30? Wow, its like youre a reading machine, he said. Have you read your books? I asked. Uh...not really, I was busy. Maybe tomorrow, he said. Okay, please close the door when you leave, I said. Hows your day looking tomorrow? Why are you asking? Im just asking It depends, I dont know. Im meeting someone if the person agrees to meet up Who wouldnt wanna agree to meet up with you Oh well... Have a good night Yoliswa You too Raymond I was hoping Metaphors friend agreed to meet up with me. Vanessa also had a shift tomorrow. I kept thinking about Vixen, maybe tomorrow I can sway the girls into letting her stay for just a few days. The streets arent safe for such a beautiful girl. The next morning, I found Sihle blacked out on the floor. Vanessa and Puleng were nowhere to be found. I woke Sihle up. Sihle wheres Vanessa and Puleng? I asked her. She just shrugged her shoulders. What do you mean you dont know? Werent you all drinking together last night? I asked. Whats the time? I need to get ready for my lecture. They left with Kwame and the other guy, I forgot his name, she said. I tried calling Vanessa but I directly went to voicemail, Puleng too. I just got ready for work, if she doesnt go to work or comes extremely late, shell get fired. I tried my best. I took a cab to work. When I arrived at work, Vicky asked Vanessas whereabouts. Everyone was asking me as if I knew where she was. I tried calling her again but it went straight to voicemail. I went back to work. At midday, Vanessa entered the restaurant with Raymond and Kwame. She was so chilled. Where were you? I asked her. She just started laughing, tears rolled down her face. She was safe, dont worry, said Raymond. Vicky called Vanessa to her office but she said she doesnt want to go to her office because she knew she was going to get fired. Vicky fired her in public, it was really humiliating but Vanessa didnt care. I could feel a cold stare from Nosipho. I went to speak to her. Whats up? I asked. What is he doing here? She asked. Raymond? I dont know. This is a public restaurant, Ill take a wild guess and say maybe hes here to eat, I said. Raymond came over, he put his arm around me and said, I read the book. I couldnt believe him, in front of Nosipho. I hope we go to the bookshop soon. I had a great time with you. Oh hi Nosipho, he said. Hey, Nosipho replied. Youre looking good, he said. Thanks, said Nosipho. Raymond kissed my cheek and said, See you soon, and he left. I just froze, I didnt know what to do or say. So you guys are dating? Asked Nosipho. I dont know what just happened. Im not dating him, I said. You dont need to explain anything to me, she walked away. But Im not dating your ex. I dont know what just happened Nosipho, I tried justifying myself but Nosipho didnt hear me out. I felt Vanessas arm around my neck. Whats wrong with her my friend? She asked. She thinks Im dating her ex, I said. Shes childish, leave her, said Vanessa. What are you going to do now that you got fired? I asked. I was about to tell you, I got a job at Club Diamond. Ill be working there as a promoter. Ill get paid triple the money I get here in just one day, she said. Oh, Im happy for you, I said. My day was just weird. I dont know what happened.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:51:09 +0000