With every sunset comes a relief "another is over!". But the thought of waking up to another day with no food, no water, no decent clothes brings an aching pain to one's heart. In situation such as these, one need a family, people to call his own... to help tackle each day with courage. But where do outcasts like me find a family? I count my self among the lucky because out in these dangerous and unforgiving streets, I've managed to find myself a family of my own.
A summer night seems shorter compared to a winter one. Sure, we didn't have to share a dusty worn out blanket but short nights meant long days, and in these long days more crime activities to help feed our tummies. That made m prefer cold, excruciating buy short winter days.
"Tshego... Tshegofatso! I'm just hungry " that was Thami, the youngest. We haven't eaten for two days. My tummy was growling and to make matters worse, I could kill for a blunt. I couldn't remember the last time I had one. "Bro! What's the matter with you! Get ready! The usual spot isn't working anymore. Let's try our luck elsewhere today" Lufuno called me back to the land of the living as I was letting my mind wonder, thinking about things to do once I get hold of a blunt. Lufuno... he's the black sheep of the family. I guess every family have those. He really liked playing the boss of me. The dude is violent and mischievous, I don't know how do I put up with him. Sometimes he forget that he was just a country bunkin from Venda before he met Thami and I. He had no one up until we found him half dead beaten by some rookies. Thami forced me to take him in, and that was so. I nursed him back to life and now he thought he was the head of my family. "Tshegofatso!" Are you listening?" Said Lefa as he planned our mini heist. It wasn't much of a heist really, just a pety crime.
We were then ready for a mission and set to go. "Where is Thami going, you ought to stay here until we come back!" I exclaimed . "Let the dude come for pete's sake! He must learn to fend for himself!" Said lufuno. "Tshego is right. Thami is still young" off we went and Thami waved us goodbye.
And there we were awaiting our next victim. I could feel the adrenaline rush pumping in. The lane by the pond was much better than the passage between the dilapidated buildings. I had hopes that we weren't going to sleep with empty stomach. A man dressed casually came passing and just when we were ready to attack, a group of teenagers passed by chattering.
Few minutes later, an alluring, beguiling, bewitching petite lady walked by by heavenly so. With a blink of an eye, the guys rained as ambush to her. Lefa searched her whole body whilst lufuno poured insults on her. I stood there frozen as I watched Lefa search her whole purse. Tears were flowing down her peachy red cheeks. Her perfect slender lips tried to utter some words but trembled instead. I couldn't stand watching Lefa place his filthy hands down her hourglass shaped body. "That's enough Lefa!" I commanded swallowing the lump on my throat. "We got what we wanted, didn't we? Now let the poor lady go!" The poor lady ran like a bullet, leaving one of her stiletto shoe, reminding me of a certain fairytale I once read.
From the crime scene, we took off our baklavas and went to the nearest supermarket. People held their purses as firm and close as they could. The security guard kept following us in every isle we went. The stares we received were shaming. I learnt to het used to that but one thing I couldn't get used to... "filthy Hobos" said an old woman with a hunch on her back. Lufuno tried to go and tell her off but I called him back to order. The insults were one of the most reasons I got tired of begging in the streets... one of the reasons why I resorted into smuggling.
We arrived at our hangout sport... safe to call it our home because it provided us with everything a home has to offer except a roof ontop of our heads. Thami was nowhere in sight. Looking for him was the last thing in my mind. Flashbacks of the smuggling event haunted every blink in particular. So vivid as though I was watching a movie. I kept on wandering what would have happened if I had met the lady under different circumstances. How I wished she said something. Maybe that would have helped me to not imagine how her voice sounded like.
Lufuno and Lefa kept on talking about their prosperous day. Lefa snatched a pack of buns from Lufuno as he attempted on eating them. "These are for Thami". "Where is he anyway" Lufuno said shrugging. "It's getting late, he should be back by now. Let's go look for him" he added. "No" I said. "Where will we begin looking for him in these streets? He knows his way here, he'll be back soon"
How I wish I listened to Lufuno. Thami never showed, we begun searching for him in the morning. My heart was broken when I heard that he was electrocuted on the railway trying to get the free rides. "Stedge... stedge!" Bellowed Lufuno. "He better not cross his ways with me otherwise I'll send him to his ancestors" he added. We all knew that Stedge was behind it all. He's the one that recruit his peers into joining "isphalaphala" that's what he calls the train free rides. I honestly fell like hunting him till I find him so I could crush hi little skull. But it was no use so we rab to the hospital where Thami was admitted.
I thanked my ancestors that the damage was minor and that he was still alive. Plenty die during these rides but they never learn their lessons.
I was sitting at the hospital's waiting area when I saw her, my golden girl. She looked prettier in a uniform. My blood veins dilated and I coul feel the adrenaline rush. I felt like going the to say hello but I couldn't. She seem like she was on duty
