VOICE OF THE DEAD

At the preschool… Rehano drove through the gate, she could see the teacher and the principal standing outside while Ranewa screamed, rolling on the ground and kicking, she grabbed a handful soil and threw it at the teacher. It was impossible to deal with her when she was in this state, Rehano couldn’t think of the right words as she got out of the car, she paced over to them and picked her up while she was crying and kicking then she placed her in her car seat and fastened her seat belts, she didn’t stop crying though. She carried on crying and slapping herself unable to get out of the car seat. The embarrassed mother closed the door and walked back to them as the class teacher bent over dusting her legs. She stopped in front of them holding back her tears not even sure what to say, she knew very well to other people she was just one those parents, the “stop it Junior” type of parents. Rehano: I’m sorry… Principal: I would say we should go inside the office and talk but she is having a fit and I wouldn’t advice you to leave her alone, but um, when you said she has ADHD I didn’t imagine it would put other children in danger or disrupt learning for other students. She is just 2 years old but she is difficult to control , today`s fit started because the teacher told her to use a red crayon to color a tomato. She wanted to use purple and as soon as the teacher told her a tomato is red she kicked the crayon container and pushed anything and everyone on her way including other children. I cannot carry on putting other children in danger so I’m sorry to inform you that we are not equipped for her kind of special needs. We have to let her go, as a kind gesture you wont have to pay the school fees balance. She handed her a letter and a file of Ranewa`s school work. Rehano: Thank you, I understand things from your point of view, you have the responsibility of keeping the school a safe environment for every student. (to her class teacher) Im sorry. Her: its ok, I hope you’ll find help or home school her until she is able to socialize. Rehano: Children under 6 are not recommended medication, they suggested therapy but we can not afford it right now, but thank you. She hurried back to the car as the engine continued running, she couldn’t turn it off or else she would need someone to jump start her, quite embarrassing. She got back in the car and closed the door then she drove out, she noticed there was silence and looked back, Ranewa was asleep with soil all over the hair she spent 30 minutes preparing just this morning. Now that she was stuck with her, she wondered what next, knowing Ranewa she wouldn’t last 30 minutes at the mall before getting struck by a car or wondering off with a stranger , even ruing other people`s bales or annoy customers. She just had to collect her bales and go back home. The frustration of going home knowing she would now deal with that woman didn’t make it easy either, if she ever had a sister she would advice her not to ever stay with in laws. At Rehano`s in law`s Art`s mother and his sister chatted sitting under the mophane tree…Rehano drove through the gate and they looked at her with the corner of their eyes. Mma Art watched her as she stepped out of her son`s car and walked over carrying her crazy child…she didn’t believe this mental case was her son`s child, they didn’t have madness in their bloodline. It was infuriating how you work so hard as a mother to raise a responsible child only for another woman to enjoy the fruits of your labor, it wasn’t easy raising Art with his stubbornness only for this woman to take him. He was her king, the only man in her life. Rehano: Dumelang {Hello} She didn’t respond, she wasn’t going to, not after she cooked yesterday and never dished for her, she was in her yard, using her son`s hard earned money and yet had the audacity to not dish for her. Sister: (low voice) Ee Rehano narrowed her eyes picking on their negativity, it still didn’t make sense why they hated her so much, but whatever it was she wasn’t going to let it steal her peace. She turned around and walked towards her husband`s one room. She unlocked the door and walked in then she laid her daughter down before cooking for the oldest. As soon as she lit the stove there was a knock on the door, she sighed and opened to her mother in law standing at the stoop. Her: I need to use Art`s car to go get milk at the farm. Rehano: No problem, (opened her hand) as long as you give me fuel money. I am tired of fueling the car and you people using it until it stops, yesterday you left it at the mall because it didn’t have fuel and I had no way of transporting my bales back at home or picking up the children from school. If you use the car fuel it, I have children and its important to have fuel at all times in case one of the girls gets sick. Her: My son never gives me anything because of you, o ja madi aga ngwanake, before he met you he took care of me. Where do you want me to get the money? And even if I had it I wont pay to use my sons`s car. Where were you when I was sending him to school? Rehano: I cant give you the car because it doesn’t have fuel, I have to put my children first. I don’t know when Art will be home and I wont be working until then because Ranewa has been expelled from school. I wont have the money to fuel, the little money I have ill be picking Rafiwa from school, she just started Standard one she cannot come home by herself and the school is very far. Her: heela mma, can I have my son`s car? Its my son`s money anyways, you’ve come to destroy this family. Gompieno jaana Art`s ATM cards stay with you, month end you go shopping as if you’re the one driving cross country, there is something you’ve done to my son and I will find out. My pastor is praying for my son. Rehano: I wasn’t raised to argue with elders but if you keep pushing me one day I will say horrible things to you, I contributed to this car too. I sold my bales and topped with 20K, Don’t belittle me, I’ve tried to make you love me but you will never love me or understand why my children need the car more than you. I don’t dish for you because you said I cook rubbish… Art leaves the card with me because I’m his wife and he wants his children to eat and dress even in his absence. He gives you mother allowance its not my fault you want all his salary. Ma Art pushed the door open and walked in the house then she grabbed the car keys on the table, Rehano`s anger rushed through her blood but as much as she wanted to snatch those keys, for Art`s sake she watched her mother in law walk out. Rehano: can I take my bales from the boot? She stepped out and followed her but her mother in law and sister in law locked the doors and drove off. There was no question those bales wouldn’t come back enough, tears filled her eyes as she walked back in the house and packed her bags. At the boarder… An 18 wheeler truck with bold letters, “ Belay Transport and logistics” joined a long queue of trucks waiting to go through the boarder. It was easy getting out of Zambia but as always Botswana boarder authorities were the most difficult to pass through with their thorough searches that take forever to go through…for the first time after agreeing to carry this package hidden underneath wheels a lightening of fear struck him , he turned looking at his assistant who was visibly shaking. Of course he was equally scared but as the driver he had to mask it. Art: Relax, stop fidgeting This was his first time sneaking a package through the boarder, a package worth 200K or jail time, losing his job and family, but he needed to take this risk. It was just a one time thing, he just had to buy a plot for his wife and daughters. It wouldn’t be long before his mother and sisters pushed Han back home and he couldn’t afford that. He stepped out of the truck while waiting for other truck to get cleared , then he walked towards the tree nearby as he dialed Rehano. Rehano: hello? She never answered him with a mere hello unless something happened again. Art: Hey, just arrived at the boarder. Rehano: I’ve packed my things, I’m going back to my mother`s house, I wasn’t chased you know. I cannot deal with this bickering anymore. Art: Hun listen, as soon as I arrive we are going to buy a plot. Remember that plot with a 2 bedroom house? We are going to see it, I promise. I borrowed a loan from work. They will be deducting installments from my salary but at least you’ll be staying in our own house with our daughters, I will finalize this before my next trip to South Africa. From here I have a week in Maun with you guys , ok? Rehano: but I don’t think that plot is still available, we saw it 3 years ago and it wasn’t that expensive especially because it already had a nice house, but its fine we can still find another one. Art: I will confirm if its still available, but you’re probably right. There is no way its still available. Rehano: I will start searching too, what’s our budget? Art: 150k downwards Rehano: 150K! babe we cant pay back 150k, and obviously it will have an interest, why get so much? Art: Don’t worry about it, please let me worry about finances ok? I got this. How are the girls? Rehano: (sighed) Ney has been expelled so I’m home with her. Your mom and sister got the car with my bales, at this point I don’t care about the fuel I hope my stock comes back enough. Art: I will talk to her, you’re dealing with them for the last time this week. Next week you’ll be in your own home, I promise a utwa babe? Rehano: (smiled) Ee rra Art: (smiled) Otherwise how is my girl? Rehano: (blushing) I’m fine, I just miss you especially at night. Your side of the bed is cold. Art: I will be with you tonight , it will take roughly 6 hours to arrive in Maun, and I’m taking you out for dinner, as soon as the money I’m expecting reports. Just the two of us. Rehano: (giggled) I cant wait Art: (smiled biting his lower lip) Ga o mo period akere? Eish I miss you so bad At Art`s house Meanwhile on the other end of the call she blushed gently dusting their daughter’s hair, he just always had a way of making her feel better… Rehano: I’m 2 weeks away from that so you’re lucky. Art: Good, drop the girls at your mom`s before you pick me from work. I want to spend the night with you first. This is why I want a bigger house for us, I cant keep covering your mouth anymore because I love the sound of your voice when I get inside you especially when its been 2 full months since I’ve been down there. Koore monate wa yone ke times two. Rehano: (laughed) Art bathong, ija Art: I have to get back to the truck, (softly) and Mrs. Art? Rehano: (smiled blushing biting her nail tips) Rra? Art: I swear I’m going to reward you for your patience, I know my family is having a difficult time accepting my priorities but it wont affect you anymore. I’m going to put an end to it. Rehano: Thank you Art: I will call you back . I love you ok? Rehano: I love you too. Bye Art: ah-eh I didn’t get a kiss She smiled blushing and kissed the phone.. Art: good girl, sharp Rehano: (laughed) Sharp. She hung up smiling and put the phone down then she begun cleaning her daughter`s hair with a smile on her face, from here she had to get ready herself, shave and get her hair done, do something long or else he would choke her tonight…he always wanted something to pull her with and if she had a short hairstyle like this he would grab her neck and this man was not afraid to choke the life out of her , collapsing didn’t save her p*ssy either, he would just carry on her until she got up to him filling her up with his DNA. At the boarder… Meanwhile Art hung up with a little smile and searched for that seller's number, there was no way this property was still available but it was worth a try, It was next to a primary school, his daughter wouldn't walk for long. Woman: hello? Art: Hi, I saved your number last year when you were selling a plot. Is it still available? Woman: Yes, it is. Art: how come no one bought it? It's cheap and next to a school. Woman: You know Africans Art: what about Africans? Woman: Uh, it’s a long story, but I feel like people just want me to price it lower. I’m willing to go low though. I just want to get rid of it now because I’m not staying in it. Its no longer 150K. It's 80k because you will have to renovate the house. Art: you didn’t put a tenant in such a beautiful house? Woman: uh, I just cant manage, I’m sick and tenants don’t pay…cant you pay a little fee just so I don’t sell it? There is someone who wants it badly. Her loan might be approved anytime. Beat her to it and pay deposit it. Art: I cant pay until my wife has seen it, you know the head does whatever the neck orders…so is it yours or you’re selling to someone? Woman: It's mine, but the neighbors are jealous, so every time someone tries to buy, they tell them all kinds of funny stories, then people don’t buy. Don’t even give them attention if they try you. Art: what kind of stories? Woman: just badly named me, saying horrible things, they gossip about me, uh you know uneducated Africans. Art: alright, I will give you a call tomorrow and come view the property before we can proceed. Woman: Bye, i will remind you if you forget to call. Bye He hung up and walked towards the authorities as they approached his truck, his heart pounded as two other officers approached with sniffer dogs. The active dogs barked, pulling the officers and waggling their tails. The officers removed their leashes and released them. The dogs ran to the truck and surrounded it, sniffing around. How the hell did they bring sniffer dogs today of all days? He could hear his heart beating and its vibrations through his ribcage as they all waited. At the boarder Art took a deep breath and calmly exhaled the fear out of his chest, him acting nervous would make this whole thing worse and by him relaxing his assistant also relaxed. He put his hands in the pockets waiting, then a female officer walked by… Art: (smiled) Hey, what’s going on, sniffer dogs and extra authorities? Did something happen? She turned and their eyes met, then she smiled even more unable to resist as she walked over to him. Her: Oh hi Art, um, there is an operation going on. Its not a big deal, we have a tip of some trucks smuggling drugs . Art: you know my name? Her: yeah, I work here so you don’t know me? Art: there are so many of you so its hard to keep a record. Her: Ouch, I guess I don’t stand out, by the way I’m their superior here, and nna I know you because you’re very handsome and you have a unique nice name, you’re a true work of art, I named my 1 year old Art because I liked you. I’m not with the father by the way. Art: (laughed) Thank you. You should tell my wife I’m handsome she says I’m ugly and I shouldn’t even be sure. When I have just a had a fresh haircut she looks at me with the corner of her eye, like giving me that evil look (laughed) if she is in a good mood and she decides to compliment me she would rather say “ o botokanyana jang”. Her: (laughed) She sounds like me, anyways I have to go. Art: Alright, cant you tell those guys to let me go, I been waiting here for too long and the dogs aren’t picking anything. I’m supposed to be in Maun the next couple of hours. She turned around as they both looked at the dogs, they weren’t sitting to indicate drugs but they weren’t leaving either, almost as if they weren’t sure. they ran around the car and eventually both sniffed around one tire, thee tire. He swallowed a big lump as they eventually ran to the other tires again, “ Although dogs have an excellent capacity to sniff things out, they cant sniff through watertight and airtight containers, unless my hands contaminate the outside of the container which we will never know until the dogs spot this.” The sender had assured him just before putting the contraband in the wheel. Her: Oh, looks like they are done. Art: Finally. He walked towards the truck and got in then he moved the truck through for clearance. At the neighbor’s Later on Rehano picked the mirror and looked at herself smiling while the dresser stood behind her braiding the last one with a baby on her back. She stepped back and neatly put all her box braids behind her before bending over to pick pieces of hair. Her: you helped me by coming, I didn’t know where I would get the baby`s diapers. Rehano stood up still admiring herself on the mirror then she took out the money and handed her. Rehano: thanks , you know your thing. One thing I love about you is that you don’t make them too tight but they’re beautiful and neat. Cant wait for Art to come now Her: why do you always do box braids whenever Art is about to arrive? Rehano: No, I do not Her: you always do, and you always ask me not to make them too tight. Rehano: because I don’t want a headache, (laughed) Art like hanging hair Her: (laughed) I suspected so, mma kana your mother in law goes around telling people that you control Art and you don’t share food with them, she told my mother this yesterday when she checked on her. She says his ex was better because she gave her money and washed her clothes, gatwe his ex would come to clean every weekend a dira washing. Rehano: Too bad her son chose to marry me, mme let me go before Ranewa troubles her sister. Her: bye She walked towards the small gate and into their yard , as soon as she walked in her oldest daughter smiled holding her waist. Rafiwa: Chosss! Kante ne o ile moriring? Rehano: Gake tswe moriri Fifi, I had an appoint with my hairdresser Rafiwa: but its not a salon Rehano: your negativity will not bring me down, my husband is coming and he is going to tell me I’m beautiful. You single people better stop being jealous. Her daughters laughed at her as she spoke with an attitude turning her head side ways like she was in a beauty contest. Ranewa: I want daddy Rafiwa: so why do we have to go to granny first? Why cant we go pick up together as usual Rehano: Just get ready Rafiwa: he says he is going to take us on a date too, just us without you. Rehano: (laughed) which is why you shouldn’t be jealous when its my turn. Go get your shoes guys.. They bent over checking under the bed for their shoes, Ranewa`s eyes landed on a toy and she picked it up and played with it while her big sister put on her shoes. Rafiwa: this one is always easily distracted She got her little sisters shoes and put them on her feet. A car stopped outside, she got her children`s bag and stepped out. Her mother in law stepped out from the passenger seat , Art`s ex girlfriend stepped out from the driver`s side and the sister from the back. Meanwhile Art`s ma scoffed as Rehano walked over, she could imagine the pain she felt seeing his ex. The sister got the groceries the ex had bought them. Rehano: I need the keys The ex slowly stretched her arm and handed her the keys looking at her mockingly, the sister waited for her to say a thing even one word, so did the mother, but she got in the car and parked the car in front of the house. Rehano: Girls ? lets go. Her daughters ran out then she locked up and got in the car before driving off. It wasn’t worth it to say anything, she would be out of this place in a couple of days. At the Adebiyi autos. Later that afternoon Art slowly pulled over besides the auto shop, he opened the truck door and hopped down the truck holding his tshirt, two guys walked out as he put on his tshirt. Man1: (accent) we have been waiting for you Man2: (walked towards the wheels excitedly) We should do this again, we are expec- Art: ei, don’t touch my truck…ok? The guys stopped and looked at him as he glared at them, they stopped smiling and swallowed…. Art: You forgot something very important Man1: (remembered) Oh yeah, of course! I’m sorry Art: make it quick. He directed the other one back to the office, the man ran back and came with a bag which he handed Art, Art threw it up the truck as his assistant caught it and begun counting while sitting inside the truck. Art turned to the tire of the truck and took a leak while the guys stood by quietly. Assistant : (looked down at them) we are good, its 200k Art: alright, give me that package The assistant dropped the contraband, Art caught it and threw it over to them as they staggered back catching it. Art followed them inside the office where they closed the door, slashed the package with a knife and sighed in relief. Man1: Thank you Art: sure , delete my number. He turned around and grabbed the lock to leave. Man: wait, you’re a cross country driver right? Art: yeah, Man: when are you going to south Africa? Can we make another deal? 300k this time, there is demand is SA. Art: No, I’m not going to ever do this again. Man: How about 500k? and then we give you one of our best cars in stock on top. This is good money my friend, what you just delivered here is worth 1 million, and he gave you 200k. I can pay you more to deliver for me around the continent. Art: no man, I’m good. Man: if you ever change your mind I’m here Art: I wont change my mind. Have a good day He walked out and jumped in the truck then he counted the money again and handed his assistant 50K, He smiled and put it in his bag. Him: going to buy a car! Art: Don’t drink and drive wena monna They laughed as he started the truck and maneuvered into the road as the traffic paused for the huge truck to join the road. At Belay transport and logistics.. Art joined the other 18 wheeler trucks and parked on his spot, they jumped out and walked towards the offices where he submitted the book and keys for the truck inspection then he headed to the drivers` rest rooms where he unlocked his room and hung his bag on the hook, he pulled out his t-shirt and headed to the shower at the back. At Rehano`s mother`s Meanwhile Rehano picked her daughter and stood up as her mother laughed. Rehano: mama the mma get her Her: (laughed) ba tsholelwang! Rehano: I hope she wont trouble you Her: Ranewa is very easy to be with, those teachers are just overreacting. Its not like she has bipolar, even bipolar is easy to manage as long as you understand. (to her) come to granny…come Her mother got Ranewa then she jumped in the car, Ranewa burst into tears then her gran took out her phone, Ranewa`s attention shifted to the phone as she smiled and laughed with tears on her cheeks. She slid down her gran and sat on the blanket watching videos and laughing Rehano: (holding the steering wheel) ijoo I don’t matter anymore They both laughed as she drove off. At Belay transport and logistics Later on Rehano parked the car and stepped out as she threw her head back pushing her hair to the back, she walked in through the reception and the receptionist smiled. Her: uh ma`am Art is supposed to sleep 2 hours before going home, he gets paid for sleeping that 2 hours and you’re here to pick him so early Rehano: I’m just here to make sure he sleeps well, rub his back and massage his back Colleague: (passing by) Sometimes I feel like drivers are valued more than us mo company tsa transportation, bo Art have rest rooms with single beds, air cons and showers, plus they get paid to sleep, if I get caught sleeping I get fired, now they are allowed to be serviced by their wives Rehano: (laughed) kgantele tabe gotwe le ba ise dijo ko di rest room They all laughed as she walked out. Rehano: people bye, I have to go see my man, ke mo shwele gore Receptionist: bye Mrs Art! She walked through the exit door heading to the rest rooms. There were about 30 rest rooms. It looked like a little B&B on this side with nice little air-conditioned rooms. She walked towards room 12, that’s Art`s room. She took a deep breath and knocked before checking herself out, the door opened and she looked at him. He had just stepped out of the shower and he was dripping, his eyelashes were wet even his lips, she smiled blushing looking at his chest, if she had a favorite part of his body. He was his chest, wide chest and a flat tummy with a deep bellybutton and of course, the way his. Then he lifted the towel, he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside then he closed the door, put his hand behind her head and kissed her. She closed her eyes as he kissed her neck and drooped the towel. He stepped back and picked a bag which he emptied on the bed as bundles of P200 notes dropped. Art: It's all yours, count it. She froze looking at the bundles, then she bent over and counted them, her heart pounded as she reached 150K then she felt her skirt lift. He pushed her panties aside and #Removed