VOICE OF THE DEAD

AT THE NEW HOUSE

Art held Rehano`s hand as they walked along what used to be the drive way, the grass had grown tall and clearly hadn’t been cut in years.

Art: Your legs are going to be itchy, this grass is way too long. Hop on my back.

He bent backwards as she hung her arms over his shoulders then he bent forward and piggybacked her as they followed the seller.

Art: So Marea, you said this is yours right?

Her: yes

Art: why did you move? It seems like a nice neighborhood.

Her: I got really sick and needed to be around my family, so I moved back in with my parents.

Art: Ok,

Resting on his back Rehano smiled looking at the yard, it looked way more beautiful than the pictures showed. The house looked intact from the outside, the walls hadn’t cracked and the windows were not broken, this was a sign of a good neighborhood because in other hoods they would have long harvested the doors, windows and left the bricks only, but even the curtains had aged there, they were just tattered. They reached the front of the house then Art bent backwards putting her down as the lady took out the keys.

Art: Do you have children?

Marea: (laughed nervously) You sure ask a lot of questions.

Art : Do you have those papers I asked for? I just want to be sure before I pay, I don’t want to be scammed, nowadays women are way ahead with these things.

Rehano elbowed him, he looked at her and she frowned giving him that look, thee look that only him and the children knew what it meant. It was the kind she gave them when they went out of line while they were with other people and she didn’t want to audibly scold anyone. That look was actually louder than words. Hr sighed and kept quiet.

Her: I’m not scamming you, this is my plot. The papers are here..

She paused unlocking and handed him papers that were rolled up then she turned back and unlocked the door. Art got the plot certificate and read, checked her ID and frowned, the plot was in someone else`s name, a man, but their last names were the same. Before he could ask under the copy of her ID he found the marriage certificate and in community of property certificate followed by a death certificate for her husband. Guilt struck him for even considering getting scammed when she was just a poor widow who probably struggled after her husband`s death. Rehano gave him that apologize look, he sighed and looked at Marea.

Art: I’m sorry about your husband .

Her: its ok

Art: what happened?

Rehano: babe come on,

Art: I’m just making conversation, things are a little awkward right now. Why can't we all relax?

Rehano: you’re literally making them awkward by asking private things,( to her) please excuse my husband.

Her: Its ok, you can go in

She pushed the door open and stepped back, she glanced inside through the torn part of the curtains and swallowed a big lump.

Art noticed the neighbor who was raking had stopped and stared at them almost as if they were expecting something to happen or something, so did the other neighbor... Or maybe they were just curious about their new neighbour, he brushed it off and walked in.

Rehano smiled looking at the large sitting room, it was dusty and it smelled like mold but as a interior design fanatic she could see her new ceiling from the change she would have after paying, the new painting , floor tile and the mounted tv. She hurried in the kitchen and yes, just as she thought, it needed renovation. She walked in the second bedroom and all she could see was her children`s twin beds and their toys at the corner . She stopped by the bathroom and flushed, to her surprise it actually flushed.

Rehano: oh there still water..

Art checked the electricity and the lights switched on, he smiled impressed then they walked towards the main bedroom. Art stood at the door and smiled admiring the smile on Rehano`s face as she walked in the bedroom and turned around smiling, but her smile quickly stopped as she lifted her eyes above the door and covered her mouth with both hands.

Art: what?

Rehano: (whispered) Noga!

Her heart pounded as she stared at a big black snake thick as an arm , it was so long its tail was still on the floor while its head was on top of the door, it slowly slithered along the door staring right at her with its two round eyes, its split tongue hung out as it hissed loudly. Art held his breath and remained still but as soon as Marea saw the snake she screamed startling it and ran out. It rolled down and almost snapped at Rehano as she staggered back and fell screaming.

Art: Babe please don’t scream, snakes have poor eye sight so don’t scream or it will come for you…Stand up and stand still. Make sure it doesn't spit at your face.

He took out his phone and dialed wildlife then he turned around looking for something, a stick or something! But there was nothing, then he heard it hissing again and Rehano screaming! The thought of her getting bitten rushed his blood as he wondered around looking for something!

Rehano: (crying) It can see me! Its coming !

Art picked a metal rod and ran into the bedroom where he poked its tail to get its attention, it rolled around and faced him as he slowly walked backwards into the back of the bedroom and signaled her to get out, but when she took s step towards the door it turned back to her and hissed again, he ran to her side still holding the rod and stood in front of her as someone picked his call.

Voice: Maun wildlife, may-

His phone battery died, he put the phone back in the pocket as Rehano tearfully stood behind him while he held the rod pointing at it keeping her behind him.

*

*

All reactions:

60K

Keba Phinah Manyeke, Unity Firstlady Skelemani and 60K others

3.1K

46

Like

Comment

Share

View more comments

Top fan

Medys T. Mbulawa

Wat the f**k!!!

Like

Reply2w

Write a comment…

Two Wrongs In Maun

·

Voices of the Dead

#3

At Art`s mothers

Later on Art drove through the gate with Rehano on the passenger seat holding the bag to her chest, he smiled trying to get the money bag, still in her sleep she held it tightly. His smile dropped when he recognized his ex sitting with his mother and sister. He stopped the car not far from the tree and walked over to them.

Meanwhile the ex stopped folding his mother`s clothes and looked at him as he angrily walked over, hopefully this time he wouldn’t just threaten her, she needed that slap so they could have something to talk about, maybe something for him to feel guilty about.

Mma Art: (lowered her voice) just relax, he wont do anything to you in my yard.

Sister: Gape she is our visitor

Art approached but he knew he had put that temper under control, his chest was full and he could barely breath but he pulled an empty chair and sat next to his mother.

Art: (popped his knuckles) dumelang

Her: o teng papa? I didn’t know you’re coming, sale o nyala you don’t discuss anything with me. Do you really think a wife can replace your mother?

Art: (glanced at the ex )I need to talk to my mother in private, can you please excuse us.

She took the clothes inside, Art shook his head and leaned back, as much as he was pissed he didn’t want to say anything he might regret later , he scratched his eyebrow quietly for a second then he leaned over looking at her.

Art: do you really think it’s a good idea to bring my ex here knowing my wife stays here too?

Her: she came to help me, she cooks and cleans for me, something your wife is failing to do.

Art: My wife is not a maid, but I know she wouldn’t mind to help around if she was appreciated, I wont even defend her against you because you have never liked her.

Her: but you still cant tell me who can and cannot visit me, if you don’t like my guests then take your wife and leave my yard.

Art: consider it done.

He stood up and walked in the house then he headed to his mother`s bedroom where the ex was sorting her clothes in the wardrobe.

Art: I really hope you don’t think disrespecting my wife will make me love you. This is by far the lowest thing you have ever done, I thought you had class. Now I’m ashamed of myself for ever laying with you, but as they say if you lay with dogs you should be ready to deal with the ticks. Do you really want to be a tick?

She looked down and swallowed putting his mother`s clothes away.

Art: look at me…(she looked in his eyes) do you?

Her: No, but I’m not here for you. We dated for a years, I bonded with your mother, I was part of the family. I understand that you want your wife to be loved but I cant help it if your family loves me, I will always be part of this family. Funerals, weddings and things like that, if your mother invites me I will be here so your wife better get used to seeing me.

Art: My wife doesn’t have a problem with you, I have a problem with you. I dumped you because I don’t love you and seeing you around my family makes me sick. Is that clear enough?

Her: I did not cheat on you, you need to heal. You still love me, you’re just like a lot of married men who are in love with their ex`s but settled for “wife material” she cant even take care of your own mother, I have to come clean for her and cook .

He took a deep breath and put his hands in front of his face before smiling defeated, he tried to speak but this wasn’t even upsetting, he laughed and walked backwards.

Art: (pointed at her) You’re sick

He turned around and walked out, she could still smell his cologne around the room, seemed he had only got better after their breakup, she moved the curtains and noticed Rehano getting out of the car then she hurried out tucking a bit of her dress on her panty and unzipped her dress at the back before messing her hair.

Meanwhile Rehano closed the door, Art stepped out of the house, the ex followed behind fixing her hair shamefully and sat down, his mother fixed her dress shoulder.

Rehano leaned against the car and folded her arms, you can never be 100% when it comes to this gender but for some reason it didn’t feel right especially when she glanced at her as if she was trying to make sure she saw her, but then Art was a true fucker, he would never c*m that quick especially after having her for hours. She looked in his eyes as he approached, he looked more angry than “I just f****d my ex”. In fact he had that scary angry face he just stopped in front of her and grabbed the door handle behind her, she moved aside then he opened the door for her.

Art: Lets go see that plot.

He looked upset so she just got in without a word, he closed the door then he started the car and drove out. He took a deep breath and sighed.

Art: I’m sorry my mother brought her over, I really wish I had a family like yours. I don’t see your family or even cousins entertaining your ex. I did not expect her to be home, I’m shocked.

Rehano: (laughed) that’s what you’re angry about? She has been coming over whenever you’re gone, yesterday she drove our car too.

He pulled over and stopped the engine then he turned and looked at her.

Art: she did what? Why didn’t you tell me?

Rehano: because, come on. I didn’t want you to get angry. We are moving out, its not worth getting angry about or letting it ruin our mood. It hurts me that your family doesn’t like me but I appreciate your love and respect, at least your father and his wife love me. I also know that your family is just using her to hurt me, after a couple of years she will realize that she is being used. Cause I’m sure if she had a boyfriend or husband she wouldn’t do that, ex's who haven't moved on find nothing wrong with it. If she was in love ot married she would be busy with her inlaws. She is not the first, some women do that. She is just depressed. She will heal without me saying a word to her. (Softly) Did anything interesting happen when you two were inside? She walked out fixing her hair.

Art`s face dropped sadly then he leaned back and looked outside the car disappointed, she sighed and leaned over turning his face back

Rehano: I’m sorry…forget it. I can see I’ve just hurt you, I don’t know where that came from.

He swallowed looking at her as she jerked up her body and kissed him.

Art: Waitse go raya gore its true, families can ruin marriage , I never thought you could ask me that, not that I blame you. I caused all these by marrying you before having a place of my own but I had to choose between buying a house or making you my wife, I chose you.

He reached over her cheek and baby kissed her.

Art: and now I’m going to give a home you deserve, the peace and harmony you deserve. I never ever want you to doubt me like that, I know better.

She smiled blushing then he kissed her again.

Art: (softly) and I didn’t do anything with her, it didn’t even cross my mind but if she really pretended to fix her hair then I know how women can be wicked to one another. I’m going to be very careful around her and my family, I'm so glad I’m taking you out of this situation.

Rehano: yes , (smiled) and we have to deposit this before lose it nka peka

He leaned back and started the car as they laughed then he drove off .

At the ATM machine …

Later on Rehano got back in the car with the deposit receipt while Art talked to the phone. A sharp pain struck her swollen vjay as she clenched her jaw leaning back. She smiled looking at his lips as he talked to the seller, he put her on loudspeaker and touched her thigh at the same time.

Seller: im on my way to the plot, just wait for me at the main road

Art: im driving ,you will find me there

Seller: no, just wait for me.

Art: ok, bye

He hung up and looked at her, she smiled back excitedly , he flushed her with that handsome smile and drove off with his hand on her thigh, how she loved that feeling of his hand on her thigh. At some point he would lift his hand from her thigh and poke her tickling her, or as he says “ checking if she still got it” , she would flinch trying to block his hand before it tickled her then he would put it back on the gear stick.

Art: (smiled and tickled her) Wa reng?

Rehano: (laughed blocking his hand) akere sepe the rra uh mxm

A few minutes later they waited on the side of the road for a few minutes..

Art: kante why is this lady insisting on escorting us?

Rehano: lets just go.

He started the car and they joined the road to the property, a few minutes down the road they could see the roof, to his surprise the house seemed to be in good shape.

He stopped at the gate and they stepped out, the gate was locked and there padlock even had rust. It was a nice 2bedroom house, he hadn’t seen the inside but he could tell it was nice…Rehano smiled looking at the huge tree besides the house, this is where her girls would hang their swing and play mantlwane. She turned checking out the neighbors, she was hoping for sweet neighbors, the type that wave and greet you in the morning and check on you when you’re not well. The neighbor on the left smiled and waved greeting them, they waved back smiling.

Art: lets greet everyone and ask them about the neighborhood, I need to know if I should buy dogs because I want you girls to be safe.

Rehano smiled impressed, that’s Art, always friendly and getting along with everyone, they held hands and walked towards the neighbor who was collecting water by the tap.

Art: dumelang

Neighbor: dumelang, le teng?

Rehano: re teng

Art: My name is Art, this is my wife. We are planning to buy this house here and we just wanted to greet everyone and just know how the neighborhood is, ga le tshwenngwe ke magodi and things like that.

The lady looked at them for a second then she closed the tap and folded her arms walking closer to the fence.

Her: (lowered her voice) Im not trying to scare you or anything okay but-

The seller honked continuously as she parked behind their car, they all turned around and looked at her as she rushed over hopping over the tall grass.

Her: Hello!

She stopped next to the couple and smiled…

Her: dumelang

All: dumelang

Art: (to the neighbor) you were saying?

The neighbor looked at the seller reluctantly and smiled nervously.

Her: I was just saying we have normal house breakings maybe once a year, we cant say there is nothing-nothing cause there is theft everywhere, but it's a good neighbourhood.

For some reason, to Rehano, this didn’t match how this lady closed the tap, walked over and lowered her voice, plus she didn’t seem comfortable with the seller…but then maybe she was just being paranoid. This was a giant step in their life and she was bound to panic, she assured herself as she smiled.

Art: well, thank you so much. Have a good day

Neighbor: bye

They turned around and walked to the gate. The seller unlocked and led them in the yard.