The rain had stopped and sun’s rays were beaming hurriedly through the rusty roof. Birds were melodically chirping welcoming the new wet earth. People came out of their houses to greet the new earth, the blanket that so nutritiously hugged their crops. It had been washed off the dust by the rain, their only hope in life. Without rain the people of Ditau village had no hope for survival. It was their redeemer, their liberator from starvation, from desperation. Now their crops can grow just in time for the harvest, and their livestock can graze with ease and develop with ease. The mood in the air became happy at once to accommodate the rainy season.
Katlego was unhappy when the rain stopped. It was supposed to be in turn her redeemer and she would not have to go out as she wished. She had just discovered the new skimpy dress her stepfather brought for her. It meant that tonight she really had to go to work. She had an unusual occupation which no child should go through. She should be doing homework since it is a school night but she does not even go to school anymore. Moses made her drop out so she can concentrate on serving him all day. He then told her to tell her mother that she did not want school. Her mother did not care otherwise, besides, she was never home. A ray softly hit her forehead which besides being big graciously suited her head and frail tall figure, tall for her age. She had to prepare to go out and be violated by old desperate men. She was a prostitute. Not by choice. Whenever they ran out of money because of his excessive drinking she had to keep the fountain running.
She heard her favourite song playing on one of her neighbours’ radio next door. She immediately jumped up, careful not wake Moses up and then she moved as if she was melting away with the song. Secretly she wished it would happen. She usually had bizarre feelings that her favourite song would carry her away, divide her soul into each individual note and she would never come back to this forsaken world that had nothing to offer her. It hit the bridge and she went crazy. The group was called Re bina; as we dance. The front man had an extraordinary voice that made the song perfect. She wished to one day meet him. One day. She made one last turn only to meet with the angry yet admiring eyes of Moses. Her heart skipped a beat. She hoped he was not awake because of her.
‘Dancing are we? Keep that happy mood up. We have no money. Remember to behave, I do not want the same encounter we had the last time. I do not have the time and energy to explain your actions to our best customers.’ He gave her a slight wink.
Katlego remembered the words to her song; Ngwanyana, mosadi, se ba letelele. Kgokgontsho ya gago a e fele: Girl, woman, do not allow them. May your oppression end. If only she was strong enough to generate these words to him, to the world. She felt little. She was little. Look at him, she could never go against that giant, she thought to herself. But then an empowerment rushed within her. She felt in the heed of the moment, fearless.
‘No!’
‘What did you say?’
She hesitated, ‘I cannot do this anymore, I do not want to go out, and I do not like my job. I want to go back to school, and you cannot make me wear that. I refuse!’
‘You ungrateful little donkey! I will let that slide but if you are not in that dress in five seconds, I will-’
She interrupted, ‘you will what? Hit me? I think I am used to it. I am used to it. And I am not going to be abused by you any longer! You sick man. Even if you beat me up, I will call the police to show them my scars and new wounds.’
Katlego felt proud of her self, as her fearless rage was building up.
The door opened and there stood her mother’s bleak figure at the doorway. Her heart jumped. Katlego wondered weather her mother had overheard her fight with Moses. Keddie stood there watching the both of them in shock. She jumped at Katlego,
‘Oh my little girl, my apple, my Katy! You look so grown up.’
So she did not overhear them. She was so disappointed. Moses could have been exposed once and for all. But she felt relieved to see her mother, now she really did not have to go out on her stepfather’s business. And it was about to get really nasty. Her mother was also acting unusual; she never hugged her whenever she came back. She looked and seemed different. Katlego could not put her finger on it though. Moses put on a happy face,
‘Baby, why are you home so soon? I was not expecting you for a few months.’
‘Moses, I almost did not see you there. Hi. You seem disappointed.’
‘Oh, no-no-no just surprised.’
Moses saw a worried look in his wife’s eyes. They had a piercing look and not the normal warmth they usually had. She had not heard their conversation so what was wrong he wondered.
Katlego put her mother’s luggage in their bed room and Keddie handed the both of them gifts like she usually did from the town. They had a little family moment except Katlego kept stealing a glance over at Moses with a threatening look. Her adrenaline had dried out but her passion was even more intense. Moses looked away every time their eyes met. He was afraid he would strangle her anytime.
