TWO YEARS AGO
IN GULUBANE VILLAGE
Royalty's POV
Im sitting on this big rock looking at this frsh wet soil. Just a few minutes ago, people were here, the graveyard was so overcrowded with people putting my parents I'm these pits and put soil on top covering them. I tried to stop them, trust me, I tried, but I couldn't overpower them because they were a lot.
Now everyone has left, and I'm left here alone, and I hate that's it's now starting to sink in that they are gone for real and forever, and I will never see them again.
Me: "but you will come back right, dad, mom, you will come back to me because you know that I'm alone in this cruel world and I won't survive without the two of you."
Me: "i'm sure people are already eating and rejoicing that you left me. But why did it have to be now when I had just finished my course? We agreed that I'll finish my studies, then I'll work and build you guys a house. The one and only beautiful house in this village but no, you two decided to break your trust. Why?"
I started to cry again. It still feels like a damn dream, and I keep hoping that I'll wake up and go back to reality. The tears have dried, and I have none left, I'm now left with o de hiccups because now I'm crying silently. Who am I going to build that house for when I start working since they are gone.
I stood up, ready to leave, since it's late now. It's even dark, and I'm not even scared because I'm at the graveyard. I mean why should I be scared because this is now my parents' home and it has always been other people's home too.
I walk for like 10 minutes on a distance of like 3 minutes minimum because I'm walking slow. I don't even feel like going home at all. I mean, what is there left for me because the two people I had in my life have left me, and they are never coming back. I got back and I went behind my small round room and I sat there.
I didn't even sleep a wink and when it was in the early hours in the morning the uncles and aunts called for a meeting that's when I went inside our small flat one room which we use as a kitchen. I just sat down looking on the floor or rather staring because I'm not looking at anything to be specific, and to make matters worse, I'm not even in the mood for this so-called meeting.
Uncle ¹: "So everyone knows the reason behind this meeting, which is about the question who will take Royalty in since she is now alone?"
Everyone kept quiet for a moment until one decided to break the silence that could be cut with a knife.
Uncle 2: "well, I'll speak for myself, I can't take her in because I myself I'm struggling to take care of my family so adding another member won't be a good idea."
Aunt 1: "Well, my house is small, and so I can't accommodate her, I mean, my two daughters are already sharing a room, so I can't."
Aunt 2: "well, same as me I'm in a lot of debts and if I add another member in my family it means I'll have to work ten times harder which I can't do because I'm old.
These people, I can hear all their stupid excuses trying to explain themselves as to why thy can't take me in which is all nonsense because I already know they don't want me, it was and it's never a lie that they don't like me so obviously they won't start today just because I'm an orphan.
Uncle 2: "But you, you can take her in. I mean, your house is the one that is bigger than everyone else. "
Uncle 1: "I have a lot of visitors currently, but when they leave, which I don't know when, that's when I'll consider taking her in."
Uncle 3: "And besides, you can also take her in, I mean, you only have 2 children, and your house is 5beroomed."
Uncle 2: "What, noooo, my wife won't be happy at all, and you know her. I don't want her to stress because she is pregnant. "
Aunt 1: Wow, when were you going to tell us that we are going to be aunts again?"
Uncle 2: "I'm sorry, I just wanted her to pass the first trimester first. You know it's always the fragile stage,"
Aunt 2: "I'm so happy, my brother."
Uncle 3: *I can't wait to be an uncle/dad again. Congrats, my man. "
Aunt 2: "We've an addition to the family, God is great."
I'm just looking down as they are busy rejoicing and smiling about this good news, yes indeed it is good news. I mean, what could be more joyful than being pregnant? I mean, a child is really a big blessing from go, which I doubt I have ever been one.
Me: "If you are done, you can leave bo malume and aunt."
I said with a very calm voice. The other ones stay in Francistown , the others in Gaberone, and one of the uncles stays not far from Gulubane, which is in Borolong.
They both turned and looked at me as I was also looking at them, and I've just realised that my other aunt is not here, the third one.
Me: "I mean ypu have work and a whole lot of things which needs your attention already, some of you stay far away, Gabs is too far so you will need to get on the road now to arrive before its dark."
Uncle 2: "But we haven't decided who will take you in, let's just ......"
I can see right through him what he is trying to do, and I'm not going to entertain him. He should just leave me in peace, not in pieces.
Me: "Don't worry, I'm a big girl now, so I'll take care of myself. I'll work at drought so I'll survive. Please drive safely."
They started exiting the house one by house until they were both gone. I stayed in here for about 2 hours, and when I was about to go out, I heard people still talking outside. When I got outside, I found some elderly people busy trying to clean the places and pots and sweeping also. One of the women is or, let me say, was my mama's friend.
Me: "Mma, you can go, I'll finish all this. I mean, I won't be doing anything, so I'll get to destruct myself from thinking but cleaning around."
Mma ka Lebo: "are ypu sure my daughter? "
Me: "yes mma, I'm 💯 sure."
Mma ka Lebo: "don't lose hope ok, God will intervene".
Me: "Thank you mma, God bless you."
She went and told the other ladies and they all left, now it's just me and me, no one else. I went and started by washing the big pots after that I sweeped the yard. Around past 1, I was done with everything so I called the police asking for help to deliver the utensils that we borrowed, lucky the police landlines got answered by someone I know.
Me: "good day uncle, its me Royalty. I finished washing the utensils we had borrowed, so I'm sincerely asking for transport to deliver them. "
Policeman: "the police van is now around but worry not I know ypu might not find someone to help you so I will send my daughter with my open truck , just find a man to help loading the things especially those big pots".
Me: "era, dankie." (Ok)
I dropped the call, and i sat down. I'm gonna have to make a plan because if I find someone they will want to be paid of which I can't because I don't have money. I used the money I had to plan my parents' funeral, and now the only money I'm left with can only last me for less than a week.
For sure 10 minutes later Ava cane and she helped me to deliver the things and we spend the whole day together. She is not my best friend but she is just a friend more like a sister. We just happen to get along but now she is staying in Gabs and I only see her like once in a month. She is already working and here i am, still stuck in this village scared to go to the cities and try to adjust to the lifestyle that side.
Me: "it's past 4 now Ava".
Ava: (smiling) "I know, I'm just enjoying staring at the stars with you."
Me: "Oh yeah, they are beautiful. Ypu know, a lot has changed in Gulubane."
She just chuckled as she looked at me.
Me: "But only one thing remains the same, that is me. I haven't changed, not even a little bit."
Ava: "What are you actually doing here. Come, come to Gabs with me."
Me: "I can't Ava, there is no one there for me. I'll be alone there".
Ava: "but you are alone even here, its just the same".
Me: "no its not the same, I know everyone and how to survive here but I know no one in Gaberone and how people survive there".
Ava: "well, ypu will be with me, at least consider it please".
Me: "I'll think about it"
Ava: "look, let me go before my father gets worried because I left my phone".
Me: "speak of the devil and he calls"
We both laughed as I aave her the phone and answered.
Ava: "it's me papa....yes...no I was just comforting her that's all....yes ntate....OK now now". (Daddy)
Me: "I'll see ypu around."
Ava: "sure please think of what I said".
Me: "I'll"
I look at her as she enter inside her father's car and drive away. I went into the small kitchen and boiled some water that I drank it the way we drink tea. When I finished, I went to my room and read a novel just to try to sleep.
I don't know when and how I slept, but I wake up in the morning around the past 8. I checked if my phone's battery is still ok, but it was now off, so I took the small solar and battery and then connected everything that needed to be connected, and I put my phone on charge. I went and sat where I used to sit with my mother just talking and being the baby that I was.
Days went by and became weeks. Nothing changed because I was still alone with no one to talk to. I couldn't even eat properly. All I could eat was soft porridge that I would cook with maize meal, salt, and a little cooking oil.
Me: "Where is this heavy rain coming from?".
I said as I ran inside the house and closed the door and looked outside through the window. It's raining cat and dogs outside and I'm scared this small kitchen might be destroyed with me inside.
Me: "Who still continues driving when it's like this?"
I'm surprised because the car is even coming in this yard. It parks near my bedroom and so I decided to open this door here. As soon as he saw that I opened this door the person opened the car door and rushed towards me , I'm shocked because it's a man, probably in his early 30s.
I couldn't say anything but just stared at him. He is wet but not that much but still you can't be comfortable in these clothes. Sometimes, I can be stupid. What is he doing in here, I mean, he could be a kidnapper who knows.
"Dumelang". (Hello)
Me: "Who are you looking for?"
"I .....I.....I'm.....I....mean....."
*To be continued.........*
*STAY TUNED*