A few weeks have gone by. Petro never heard from Leseli within that span and he was getting worried. The little girl acted weird, and so did Teboho. How did they know each other? was there some sort of chemistry between the two or was it more than he could contemplate?
Petro wondered in his heart, however he knew better!! Although he knew where Leseli stayed, he wanted her to come voluntarily. He texted her a few times, she never replied!! At least she called Petro's wife regularly, that meant the possibility of sickness was ruled out.
On the other hand, Leseli was having a mental battle!She wanted to understand the feeling she had when she saw that guy.... unfortunately she did not even catch his name. She decided therefore to drown all her energy and thoughts in school work.
By daylight she could keep her mind occupied, though at times she would see his smile in her mind. It was as if his image was imprinted!
She felt ashamed to call her friend Petro... although there was no reason for that, her taking off that day was very childish, yet inevitable.
One of the days as she was hurrying to the lab, she met her senior Mrs Sepiriti, although they had in common, they were not enemies. she invited her over to her place saying she was leaving for Lesotho in a few days and wanted all her homies to be around. Les accepted the invitation and hurried off to the lab.
_ _ _ _ _ _
That day, after they returned from the beach, Teboho had said little or nothing at all to his friend. Lucky was positive that it wasn't one of those silent treatments, but his friend seemed to be in a warfare.
He was engaged....that Lucky knew. That's why he was quick to eliminate the possibility of his friend falling in love. Yet he knew that Stebo (as he called him) was never a man who believed in love.
Even when they arrived in South Africa, his mood never changed. Upon their arrival at Moshoeshoe II international airport, they met Teboho's fiance. Teboho looked more irritated and gave the ugliest smile in the world. of course only lucky realised this! He didn't say a word as he decided to leave separately.
Teboho's fiance, Nthabi wasn't bubbly by nature. She was a very reserved and arrogant girl. she came from a rich family and had a good job. Being a managing director, she liked giving orders, even to her siblings and friends.
Around her fiance, she was an angel. These two did not fall in love; Teboho's parents betrothed her when she was born and they have interacted from high school until they were both adults.
Teboho liked a few things about her, but at that very moment he saw nothing!!he forced himself to chuckle to cut off the tense atmosphere. Nthabi's look was sharp but short. He knew he was wrong for not running to her, giving her a hug and a peck on the cheek! he messed up!! no, his mind messed up. His heart somehow felt empty towards this woman who was soon to be his wife!
Both of them had been used to the idea of being a future couple that they were accustomed to each other's personas.
Yet somehow Teboho felt uncomfortable for the first time. Although he maintained his calm posture, he felt uneasy. he wanted to be alone...but every time he closed his eyes he could see her surprised emotionless face; "Priceless" he thought to himself.
They drove in awkward silence. Nthabi was mad that Teboho seemed to be too engaged with his thoughts than her...but she consoled herself that his budding agri-business could be the reason. She dropped him home after reminding him to leave work clothes at the the farm. she barely heard a word from him except nods and a few "Mh" here and "aha" there.
His behaviour was uncalled for, and strange even to himself. he was still mesmerized with that voice which asked why his Sesotho was so fluent.
shaking his head he entered the house, and took a bath... He was awoken from his nap by a ringing phone:
"Hello; I just arrived home. Come on dad don't get so mad. it's bad for your health. I'll come right away."
He frowned at the phone as if it would give him answers. Nthabi never informed on him for any kind of behaviour...Why now? He stretched as he left the house, man! It was so cold outside. He has forgotten the fresh cold air which came from the mountain peaks white with snow. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, ah!!home.
He did not bother driving, as he headed towards the next two neighbouring houses. His father was visiting his brother.
He did not bother knocking, he bugged in like a mad man. He was penting non-stop as he felt the effect of the cold air in his lungs. It was late autumn here, yet some of the highlands were already basking in the glory of snow.
He entered the kitchen without a word to either his sister in law or his father; poured himself a glass of water and took a few gulps. It was only afterwards that he recovered his voice and breathing, and joined the rest of the family with a smile.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Back in Cuba, Leseli felt she has recovered from the alien emotions that nearly terrorised her usually calm self. She has talked to Petro on many occasions and even made acquaintances with her classmates and neighbour.
It was Friday afternoon when she called her parents on skype: "Mom, dad, your princess is here. how are things back home?"
"Hello Les," his father said holding a large mug.
"Hello baby, how is my child doing? everything is going well here." her mother 'Mabohlokoa said. "your grandfather was here a few days ago. He wanted us to relay his message to you."
"What did he say Mom? is grandfather Ok?"
"Honey, tell your daughter what your uncle said."
"uh..You only want to disturb the warmth this coffee is giving me," Francis said stroking his wife's cheek tenderly. "Leseli, your grandfather came here to ask for forgiveness. He said to us what he feels is shame...but towards you he has committed a grave sin that he cannot even face his death when it comes."
"Mom, dad, please let's let the bygones be the bygones. let's all leave the bad with past and move on. I'm sure grandfather has seen the err of his ways and that his greed has torn our family apart." tears were swelling in her eyes. "Its already been so many years ago. and I have recovered from the trauma. nothing good came from that bitter past, please let's all let this slide and be happy."
Her mother touched the screen as if she was touching her daughter's cheeks, Francis on the other hand exited the house and headed to his kraal. He never knew how to handle his emotions; especially before these two ladies.
After ending a call with her parents, Leseli felt serene and drifted away to the land of dreams.
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