What it takes to be a man by Mawande Kamsholo Episode 5 Sappo and Nana found Ziyanda washing the giant pot she was told to borrow near a water tank. When she heard someone coming she looked up startled as if she was expecting someone else, when she saw Sappo and Nana she ignored them and focused all her attention to the pot. Nana was aware of her surrounding as she winced at unfamiliar sight like goat pellets and wet dog poo. The back yard was far larger than it looked from the front, a few more swings of her head, Nana found a pig roaming around about 9 metres away and instantly firmly gripped Sappos arm in fear, who from the grip winced trying to pry Nanas hand of but Nana wasnt letting go. Ouch, you hurting me Nana, she screamed. It is okay, the pig wont hurt you, besides you hurting the little girl. Ziyanda looked up rinsing the pot under a tap on the water tank. Nana let go but she was clearly out of her element and was growing uncomfortable by the minute. Although Sappo feared as much as her older companion, she held it together and she definitely needed to tell the girl she was not little. Look, this is Vuyolwethu aka Nana, I am Sapokazi better known as Sappo and for you information Im not little, Im 15 full. There was an awkward moment of silence that Nana filled with screams, It looked at me! Make it stop looking at me. Ziyanda with a broad grin on her face picked up a dried up dog poo and threw it at the pig. Sappo heard Nana mouth, Eeuw! As much as it was a discomfort to watch someone handle animal excrement for Nana it was a relief to see the pig run the opposite direction when the poo hit it. Im Ziyanda and thats my best friend you just made me chase away, she was all smiles. All of a sudden her smile faded and she got back to what she was doing, when the girls looked back, Sappo saw her aunt peering through the back kitchen door. She asked Ziyanda if she was done with the pot and she gave a nod taking it to her, when Ziyanda handed the pot to her, she grabbed her hand and pulled her closer whispering something to her before taking the pot. Ziyanda came back in a more dampened mood than before. I will have to get some wood for tonights cooking fire, will be back soon. We will help you! Sappo offered shaking off Nanas hand that held her back. No! You dont understand, it is you she is trying to get me away from. Please go inside she is expecting you. Sappo was the youngest of all the Cape Town crew and if Mawande wasnt there she would have been the smartest too. Ziyanda was acting so awkwardly even Nana had forgotten about her fear of nature and dragged the reluctant Sappo inside. AJ and his gang didnt bother chasing after us, they kept their brisk pace and moved towards our village. Mawande was exhausted and was really relieved he wasnt going to rely that much on his legs to stay alive again. Despite their slower pace we needed to get to the village first to get dad and the others so we could get out of there. When we approached the village, there were people everywhere and by the looks of things we were the subject of the heated topic, when everyone saw us coming, they dispersed into their different homes. By the time we were actually inside the village we had the dusty street to ourselves, and sure enough spied on behind curtains. We got to the house where we believe we left the others but there was no one, Lwazi went around the back and Mawande and Tanaka looked out for AJ and gang at the gate while I and Siphelele went inside. The house was built like a loaf of bread - one long house with one big room in the middle and bedrooms on either sides. When inside, at the far end you could see and tell by appliances that was the kitchen then here by the door were sofas and plastic chairs to welcome people. At each side of the room were passages caving in - to bedrooms I assumed. Where is everybody? I asked Siphelele but I was expecting anything until he said. I think I heard something on your side of the passage. I was standing on the right hand side of Siphelele but I wasnt sure I wanted to check it out. One of the major reason was the fact that the sun was blazing hot outside but both right and left passages didnt seem to have much light, and the silence was like the cherry on top of a very scary situation. What if those eyes were waiting in those passages, I couldnt bring myself to look at the passages. Confined in my own thoughts I didnt notice Siphelele raiding the kitchen, finding a pot of meat he entered the passage and my fear disappeared when I saw how cool he was I felt a surge freedom from a fear. In the passage we realised the were only 2 doors in the passage, meaning the were only two rooms on that side of the house, I was leading and very much cautious. When all of a sudden I heard a fragile voice call out to my name. Mhlobo! Come here my grandson, the old womans door was still a few steps ahead from, was way out of view but my mind was flooded with relief to ask question like how did she know it was me? or how did she know I was approaching? The room was on the street facing side of the house while another door faced it, but it was closed. The room was lit by only onecandle and all the windows were sealed up. It had quite a few unpleasant odours and was filled with sorts of creepy junk, the stuff youd expect only a spiritual healer to have. I dont have much time. The old lady coughed out. Listen, she continued, dont talk. I will die soon and so will all your fathers, we will all die at some time tonight. She stopped to breathe heavily, I could think of at that time was this woman was nuts but I let her continue. When we do pass on, take a cow from the kraal and leave the village. Do not make the mistake of returning to this village, dont even stay for the burial of your father or mine. The cow you will take with you must remain alive so your enemies can never find you. And do me one last favour, take care of Ziyanda for me, she is the only reason I have lived till this day. I turned and looked at Sipheleles face, I thought he was shocked as I was but when I followed his eyes, I saw what he saw - an orange snake. Reflex kicked in and with the single moment I blinked it was gone, turning around to run out I bumped into Siphelele and he just fell to the floor like statue would. And even after impact he maintained his pose - like a real statue. He is dead, and it is your fault. It sensed your doubt and now you have you proof. Go! Before she returns. I ran out of the room and straight ahead in the other passage were those eyes I saw earlier and man they couldnt have chose a better time to scare the heck out of me even though I was running the passage seemed long and when I finally got out of it, the door seemed further than it looked. When I finally reached the door, I grabbed the door frame and launched myself out. Man! Those rays of sunshine felt good until I hit the ground. Junior! Tanaka pulled me up and dragged me to away but I was a bit disorientated from the fall. Mhlobo! What happened to him? I knew that voice and before I felt myself drift into unconsciousness I remember trying smile. Sappo was alright. {The}CrucibleOne...[>^¥^
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:13:34 +0000
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