My family were amazed to see me walking down the stairs and ready for church, they all smiled at my come back, moms eyes were filled with tears all of the sudden, then father came to me and I got closer to him and he pulled out his bible and gave it to me and I did not take it but I also pulled out mine and showed it to him, he then smiled and said.
"Are you ready to give God all the Glory?"
"Yeah, I am ready." I said.
Mom and Musa joined us when father hugged me; they both joined in our hug as they all hugged me.
"Let's go family… let's go and give praises to the Lord." Said mom.
Father drove us to church as the family head; it was a great and wonderful service indeed. My fellow beloved brethren in Christ were so glad to see me back in church after I have been so absent for a long period, I locked myself in at home in my room thinking of how peoples reaction would be, how their eyes would glance at my unstable situation but no, they did not see a cripple guy they still treated me the same.
Well the female brethren new my story and they wanted to show some compassion, well that compassion wasn't just any compassion it had ulterior motives, mm who would have thought a sister making a move on the poor brother who's girlfriend took off and went to Paris, yeah story of my life, some sisters can be desperate here at church, just that we brothers have already eyed some sisters yeah which aren't even close.
I kept my cool didn't want to course any trouble and break their hearts; they sure know how to make a brother feel welcome.
"Mm Mon… did I rescue you or you were enjoying their company?" Trevor probed.
"Thanks for saving me… why hasn't any guy here in church wed any of these sisters?"
"Maybe they are waiting for you…" he teased.
"Seriously now…"
"Come on, the ladies are just glad that 'Brother Joseph' is back in church and might want to put a ring on one of us…"
"Do you want me to spill this tea on your fancy suit?" I said.
"Whoa… hold it right there brother, am just stating the facts."
"Would you ever stop mocking me?" I asked.
"Ok, ok, but let's admit it man… there must be a sister you must have liked there… admit it."
"Hold on a second… you sent them to me… didn't you?" he was trying to deny it but it was written all over his face that he set me up, trying to get me, get one of those girls. "Seriously Trevor, what were you thinking… they are my sisters in Christ, why should I date any of them?"
"Come on Joe, the sisters are fine and… and I was just trying to help a friend out." He said.
"Thanks for trying, but I can get myself a woman if I want to, stop what you are doing, you are ruining my reputation as a brother here in church."
"Ok, I'm sorry there you have it… I just don't know when you are going get out of that shell of yours…"
"…What shell?"
"Lets face it brother Lindy isn't coming back, and all you have to do is find yourself a fine sister and move on." He said.
"I don't care, about what you say, I still have feelings for her and until I have found out that she has moved on I will try and get my life in order."
"What kind of love portion has that girl given you; you are so stuck up to her…" he said.
"Oh so you think she has given me something huh?"
"I don't get you my friend, you are always sobbing about this Maseko girl, according to my speculations she has moved on probably had wed a French guy…" he assumed.
"What, what are you saying…"
I almost punched him on the face, I got all so worked up, and I even forgot that I was in church, but I kept my cool it's not a right thing fighting in church.
"Oh, he has finally come out of his shell… I see you wanted to punch me for telling you the truth, she was a fast mover and probably now, maybe she has dated approximately 3 (three) guys after you."
I was breathing heavily I did not expect this kind of reaction coming from my best friend, punching him wouldn't resolve what he had just said but would only make things worse. The only thing I could only do is get out and move away from him. I took my cane and took a walk, mom saw that I was upset; I just looked at her and told her that I am taking a walk at the park; I just wanted to breathe and calm myself down, as I sat on the bench and watched people enjoy their lives it pained me to be alone, I was a loner I did not have a friend nor girlfriend to talk about my fears and how I am feeling deep inside, I somehow wanted to cry, but it's said real man don't cry but pain doesn't choose whether you are strong or weak, but when it attacks you, you feel weak and numb because it goes straight to the heart like thorn bush piercing your foot.
People are full of life out there, they are happy, they smile, they play and they enjoy life, worries are not written on their face or for-heads, neither problems nor sorrows are showing on them, but all you could see is joy written on them. Somehow Trevor got back into his senses and he went to mom and asks her where I said I was going, because she was the last person I spoke to when I left the church yard. He came driving and by the look of things he was totally searching for me. He found me drawing, drawing the beautiful people of the Lord, all I could see at the park was art, and art is all I'm about.
"Hey that's one beautiful drawing there." He said.
"Yeah it is."
"Am glad you have found your groove back." He said.
"Yeah,"
"You are talented man, please don't throw that away," he said.
"Who said I was going to throw away my passion?"
"No one, it's just that… all I'm trying to say is I am sorry my friend, I shouldn't have lashed out like the way I did…" he apologizes.
"Is that all?"
"I am sorry, I was stupid I know how you have always felt about her and it was totally immature of…"
"… You, of all people should understand better…"
"I know man that's why I am apologizing." He said.
"Oh, you came to apologize; its ok… and next time please don't talk rubbish about Lindy again."
"…I won't, look Mon… I have always had this imagination in me, which someday you and I will wed on the same day." He said.
"Really,"
"Yeah, so I guess my imagination won't prevail because Lindy is not here… I guess you have to be the best man then."
"What, you are engaged… when did this happen?"
"After you have just left… I realized that life is too short, I didn't want to experience the same pain you have gone through." He said.
"Wow my friend I am happy for you."
"Thanks, I pray that you also find happiness, someday and I won't rest until you find closure."
"Really now, just like the stunt you pulled a few minutes back?"
"Come on, I was only trying to help." His facial changed.
When I arrived home, I painted the drawings that I had drawn from the park, and I continued with my passion. As the sun shone for us and became a new day, I did all that, throughout the days even on the sunset, I would continue to paint.
Mr. Ngozi paid me a visit to see, how well I was doing, he was amazed to see the work I've done so far, he did not waste any time, he signed me a cheque this time around it was R200 000, 00 I asked him, why this huge amount, he told me that, it's nothing, I have to continue painting, he wants to take me to the next level. Things were almost doing fine at home, ever since I started to paint there were smiles on everyone's face. Musa was moved from the Technical College and enrolled to the same varsity I used to study in.
He did not want expensive things like I used too when I was trying to impress Lindy he would take a taxi to campus only when his late and sometimes ride on his bike,
One day on a faithful day when he decided to ride on his bicycle, he was coming back from campus when he got into the house; in a rush he was breathless when he found me stretching my legs.
"Jesus Moos, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"No…" he tries to catch breath "You won't believe who I have just seen" he said.
"I won't believe you? Why don't you just tell me, who you saw cause I'm not a prophet,"
"Please don't freak out." He said.
"Why don't you just tell me now? Because the suspense is killing me,"
He took my squeeze bottle and drank the water out of if, I got up and placed my hand on his fore head just to check if he wasn't hallucinating, his heart was beating so fast like stallions were having a race on his chest.
"You seem fine, and then what's freaking you out?"
"I saw… I saw Lindy."
I wasn't expecting this kind of surprise, my heart then began to beat faster, I started to sweat, it was like I was being diagnosed by infirmity, and he too stood up and checked on me.
"Bro… are you alright?" he said.
I kept silent for a while and I looked at him.
"Are you sure you saw her or you just assuming it's her." I said.
"It is her… I waved my hand to see if she knew me and, and she smiled and waved back, I know it's her." He said.
It took me some days to go and check if it was really her, perhaps her aunt did tell her that I did make it out alive that's why she has come back for me, or maybe if I would go, what if that scumbag, good for thing moron called Vusi decides to shoot me dead this time, will it be worth it?, should I watch my back every time whenever I'll be with Lindy? if this are the consequences of falling in love with the wrong girl, so be it, I'm going to take my chances, I've been longing for this day of meeting my dream girl, from birth we were made to be together, it's just that, there were hindrances along the way that I couldn't be with her.
It's been 4 years since I had, had the accident and Lindy has not decided to come back to South Africa. Some people take time to heal, maybe her staying in overseas hasn't made her come to terms of leaving her mother land, her birth place, were her roots are. I have to take a stand and be a man, if I wasn't scared 5 years ago, my calculations tell me that I should have been married with one child or two maybe in less than five months my friend will be getting married and I'll be stuck here with brushes and paint, still deciding on what to paint, other than that there would be nothing left for me, I took my focus and gave it all to my paintings, that's the only thing that keeps me going. I was doing well on my career, my life was in order I had built a career out of my passion of art. On Musa's birthday I thought I should surprise him and buy him a second hand car from the garage, it wasn't that old, I bought it just to show him my appreciation of all his effort that he has done for me all this time, all of the support I had to show him that I cared too.
He was so happy and very pleased when I surprised him with the car; it was a pleasant gift from his one and only brother. Trevor bought him more gadgets, spy equipment's, I wondered who then was he going to spy, I was no longer in hospital and Lindy was almost getting out of the picture, but when Trevor and Musa join forces they may always surprise you.
I enjoyed myself having had my family and friends joined all together on my younger brother's 22nd birthday and also his last year in varsity it was excessive. Then Trevor had something on his sleeve he always had something. I somehow wished that maybe if he would only been a Private Investigator he would definitely be good rather than being an Architect.
"Hey, do you know that Moos has a girlfriend?" he probed.
"What do you think?"
"Mon… you can't answer a question with a question!" he said.
"Oh, sorry my bad… but what do you think?"
"There he goes again… what I think about what?" he asked.
"How can it be possible that you might be the first to know and I should remain last?"
"Oh, I see what you are doing; you are rubbing it in on my face." He said.
"No, not really…"
"… When did you find out?" he asked.
"Can't remember, you know me, I've got amnesia I can't seem to remember each and every little detail."
"So I assume your blankness has also made you forget about what Moos has mentioned recently?" he said.
"And that would be what exactly?"
"It's been weeks now since the lad had told you about Lindy's return." He said.
"How sure are you that it's Lindy that he had seen?"
"Why would he lie about something so sensitive? Think Mon…" he said.
What he said hit me, what if it's her, but then why she hasn't come around to my place or made contact to any of us?
"Well, have you got any closer to her house to confirm if it was really her?"
"I have seen her, but I haven't got any close to see if it was really her." He said.
"So you are not really sure if it was her that you saw."
"Of course I'm sure… I saw her across the street." He tries to explain.
"Gentleman" Mercy imposed on our conversation. "What are you quarrelling about, on this lovely evening?"
"Ask your fiancé here."
"You don't need to get rude with her buddy." he replied.
"No babe, its ok I'm sure he didn't mean it… right J.R?" she said.
"Am sorry… please forgive me… it's been a while I don't even remember how I should be towards a lady."
"You know what, you need to sort yourself out, and we can't live in fear and put our lives on hold because of you!" he lashes out.
"Baby, he did apologize…" she said.
"...I didn't ask, neither any of you, to press the pause button on your lives."
"… Oh so this is the 'thank you' we get huh?" he said.
"… What is the matter with you two?" she probed.
"I'll tell you what's the matter, your fiancé here keeps on bringing information about Lindy, busy telling me that he has seen her…"
"… Seen her, where?" she asked.
"Go on, ask him, and ask him the very same question I've been asking him."
"Baby, where have you seen Lindy?" she looks at him.
"Few days back…" he said.
"… But why haven't you said anything?" she asked.
"Why are you quiet, has the chick caught your tongue my friend?"
"J.R, would you please do me the honors of shutting up… babe I saw Lindy, I know it's her, I was just telling my friend to go and speak to her… baby in no time we will be getting married and this guy is a loner." He said.
"But babe, how sure are you its Lindy." She asked.
"How sure are you?" I probed.
Musa saw our little misunderstanding between the three of us and he came to us just too understand what was all the quarrelling about.
"I know its Lindy" he said. "I can spot Lindy from a distance even though it can be 10 years without seeing her, I know Lindy."
"Um… excuse me" he said "you guys are causing a scene on my birthday party…"
"We are so sorry." Mercy apologized.
"Yeah sorry Mon…" I said. Trevor did not apologize.
"Go on; ask the lad, when has he last seen her." he said.
"… Whoa, whoa… you guys are causing a scene because of Lindy? Is there a single day where you can just forget about her?" Musa lashed out.
"Hey birthday boy" called out her girlfriend. "We're waiting for you here."
"Go on, your woman is calling you" said i.
"I'll attend her, you guys should stop, you really need to stop am sure wherever Lindy is right now she's busy exchanging ear-butts and all because of you." Musa said.
"And maybe we can put an end to all of this." said Trevor.
"What do you mean?" asked Musa.
"Yeah and how do you plan we do that?" I probed.
"Please babe, don't tell me you want J.R to go there." said Mercy.
"Well, am sorry to disappoint you my love, that's the plan I had in mind" he said.
"You are kidding right?" asked Mercy.
"No am not." he said.
"Nah… you forgot to say am joking." said i.
"That's the only solution, if you don't go… I mean if we don't go we'll never know, let's just go and see if it really is your woman or not."
We gave it a thought for a while and it was already late, they beg off me until I finally gave in. that same night we went to her place. My heart was beating so fast that you could swear that a bunch of stallions were on a race track. I didn't know what to say when I reached that place; I also have unanswered questions of my own. What will I say to her, all this time I was alive and I never cared to contact her just to inform her about my whereabouts but I remained silent. It will freak her out. She'll be seeing a ghost I don't have the courage to stand her rage, what will I say, what will I do?
"Ok we are here now… who's going to ring the bell?" asked Musa.
"Am not going to ring." said Mercy.
My mind wasn't really there, a part of me was happy that I was going to see her and a part of me wasn't, they were giving each other gestures about me, I could see but then ignored them. In my mind, only happier time's memories were busy playing in my mind, what got me back to them was when they all laughed at me, including Luthando, Musa's girlfriend.
"Your brother is riding on cloud nine babes." she said.
"J.R, J.R" Musa called "Wake up, stop dreaming… we are here now, who's going to ring the bell?"
"Why then are you looking at me?" I asked.
"Come on Mon… we have accompanied you here…" said Trevor.
"So, if you have accompanied me, what gives you the right to make me ring the bell?" I said.
"Your attitude sucks, do you know that?" said Trevor.
"I thought you said they are the best of buddies…" said Thando.
"… They are, nothing can separate them, they just like on getting on each other's nerves." Musa said.
"Yeah, I see maybe I should resolve this." she pointed at us. And she rang the bell at the gate, and all of the sudden we all kept quiet and within a minute a lady spoke through the intercom, I felt like I was dreaming, they all looked at me, It felt like the car was shrinking me in, my hair felt like it was running away, my mind and heart did not want to believe what I have just heard with my ears.
"Oh hello, are you still there?"
All of the sudden when she spoke, everyone was quiet, the radio was switched off, we were all stunned but thank Musa with her cleaver girlfriend, she is definitely something else.
"Um… hi… Luthando here, do you mind if I may come in?" she said.
"Luthando, where are you from if I may ask?" said the lady.
Her accent had changed, she didn't speak the way she used too, the way I remembered the way she did, and she was different. We kept on telling Luthando to carry on, and yeah she kept on until she ended up opening the gate. And again at the door we got stuck again but this time Mercy wanted to give her friend a surprise of her life. When she opened the door she screamed 'surprise' and yeah she was surprised.
"Lindy oh dear, I am so glad to see you." Mercy said.
She was stunned, the look she gave her, it was like she was seeing her for the first time, and they all popped out one by one, introducing themselves. They were shocked about her reaction towards them, if they are shocked what about me, I only gazed at her through the curtain window, it was her, but why was she acting like that she has never saw them before. She told them to take a sit and relax; maybe they were on the wrong house. The door was not shut or locked. I then decided to jump out of my comfort zone and try to make her remember.
"Evening, I don't know how I should say this nor do this?" I said.
"Whoa… whoa its three guys here, in my house and two girls, are you guys trying to mugg me or what?" said Lindy.
"Mugg you; do we look like thugs to you?" asked Musa.
"What should I think, a girl spoke, claiming to be Noluthando through the intercom and now she pops up with three other people…" she was exaggerating.
"Hold it," said Thando "Look I am not Noluthando, I'm Luthando and I actually don't mind because you really don't know me…"
"I don't know all of you guys, please leave and it's already late in case you haven't noticed." she said.
We sat down and asked for coffee and tea accompanied by biscuits. Mercy did not waste any time she knew all where the things were, and the woman who is in Lindy's body just laughed and said.
"I can see that you are all no strangers to this house."
"Yeah, we are not." said Musa "but I just don't get it… were you also involved in a motor vehicle accident?"
"Why do you say that?" she probed.
"Because you seem to have lost your memory…" said Trevor.
"I wasn't involved in any accident and my memory works perfectly fine…" she replies.
"Well then, if it works perfectly fine" says Thando "Why then can't you recognize the faces around your lounge?"
"Let me explain…" she said.
"What is there to explain" I said "I am the one who was involved in an accident, but when everything was shown to me I tried hard to remember, but here you are, you went to Paris for 4 years and you have been brain washed."
She shook her head, we were causing a lot of strain towards her, and I saw that she wasn't managing at all. I then decided to sit next to her and hold her hand thinking that maybe she might feel what we once felt for each other but it was all in vain. She tried to talk but we wouldn't let her speak because whatever she wanted to say sounded unreasonable.
Everyone tried to make her remember everything, they all said their pieces like a poem, and then after a while Mercy saved us from trying so hard to make her remember.
"She's not Lindy." she said.
"What," we all exclaimed. "She's Lindy, I don't know what kind of truck or train had hit her but I won't stop until she remembers…" I said.
"J.R," Mercy cried out.
"J.R" she said. "You are J.R?"
"Yes, I am J.R, who do you think I was?" I said.
"Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you are J.R." she smiled.
"Oh my God she remembers." said Musa.
"You must be Trevor, Mercy and Musa 'Moos' the three Musketeers." she said.
I was glad that she remembered, we clapped hands and hugged that she remembered, but Mercy wiggled her head, she was disagreeing with us. It was like she wasn't happy about seeing her friend, what surprised me most was that she was so happy to see her when she opened the gate for us but now she was shaking her head.
"Mercy what's wrong" I said "Your friend does remember come on celebrate with us."
"No, I can't…" said Mercy.
"Why not…" asked Musa.
"Why are you not rejoicing with us babes?" Trevor probed.
"Because, she is not Lindy…" said Mercy.
"If she is not Lindy, then who is…"
"I'm Silindile… Lindiwe's twin sister you…" she said.
"You… you are her twin." I don't know what happened, my head was all over the place, I thought everything was over, I don't know why Lindy did not tell me that she had a twin sister, perhaps she did I kept on knocking my head. Why is it that when I try to reach something and it will drift further apart from me. She came to me and placed her hand on my back.
"Hey, I'm sorry but I wanted to explain to you guys, but you were all so trilled thinking that I am Lindy, which I'm a half of her… please don't be mad." She said.
"I'm not am just disappointed that's all." I then took my cane I was about to leave, everyone saw the sorrows that had filled my heart; it was written all over my face that I wasn't happy at all.
"Hey," she said. "What kind of love portion have you given my sister?"
"I beg your pardon please." I wanted her to repeat what she had just said, not because I didn't hear her correctly but, I wanted to understand. What love portion was she referring to, I am a Christian guy, and I don't use charms but only the word of the living God.
"Our friends and family and almost half of everyone who is related to us, know that you are dead, but living inside Lindy's heart, what kind of love portion did you give my sister?" she yelled.
"I only showed and given her love, nothing more and nothing less.