Leseli starred at Molemo with her huge beautiful brown eyes. She was mainly interested because the story she was hearing was far from the current man before her. From the first time they met, she anticipated he was an heir of a rich family.
Molemo gave her a heart-melting smile, but proceeded with his story:-
"The little boy stood like a sore thumb among other kids. Not only was he cute; but he was intelligent too. His mother gave took him out to villagers often. They could help with the harvest and other duties when he was not at school.
Speaking of school, the little boy took a school bus with other students to the city. Most farmers were also rich beacause they were the backbone of the economy. Yet they lived a very simple social live.
Harm to one was harm to everybody.
Molemo's father continued working in the mines. His entire family still had no clue about his kid untill he was eight years old....
Les, I still recall that day vividly. My dad was to arrive. My mom went into town. They were to meet up and come home together. I remember waiting til the next day. I was at the neighbour's house and since my mom never let me sleep over, I felt restless. The following day police officers showed up and talked to the elders.
They said nothing to me for two days. I was nuts. I have never in my life been separated from my mother and I had a feeling that something was wrong. I cried a lot, at the end my eyes grew red and puffy and could not produce any tears.
I was called by the chief and other village elderly women who told me that my mom and dad were no longer with us; they were involved in a car accident and passed away right on the spot.
You can imagine the pain and despair I felt. I had totally no body. I didnt know anyone of the relatives. Word got to them that my parents had an eight year old kid and they figured I would be a key to the inheritance.
One man and woman who claimed to be my biological aunt and uncle came to live with me. But in twoo weeks time everything at home had turned sour. I was only fed pap and cabbage, and even denied education on the note that men had to grow to take responsibility of feeding their famillies. I was forced to herd some cows- I had no idea who they belonged to.
My parents were burried and afterwards it was will-reading. My paternal family believed theh were left with something, but they were not left with a dime.
The will had a few lines:
1. Son, if the lawger reads this, it means we can no longer be with you physically. but fret not for our love for you will never change. Listen and obey uncle Mosiuoa and aunty. from now they will be your parents.
2. We leave our son everything we own, and live him in the hands of the Mosiuoa family. They are the God parents of Molemo though he never met them. They will take care of everything untill he is of age.
3. To our famillies, you did not have to bother to pretend to show concern at the funeral. we know you never cared about us.
....
With this words tears were flowing on his cheeks and his voice and lips were trembling a bit.
Leseli was no better. She sat on the edge of the couch looking sympathetically at the man before her. She reached out and held his hands in her own.
They might have been strangers but he was opening a world Les never thought she could explore. Her heart and her emotions were all over the place. No matter how she tried to look at it; even at 100 she would still need her parents !