Chapter 5 Mama

"We must leave now....come," said Major Ngubane.

Ofentse turned from the majestic scenes that had captured him and took on the peculiar sight in black and white stripes.

"Its only a short distance away," and true to Chips word, after cutting through a barrage of trees and stepping over a few boulders, the barracks appeared before his eyes.

It was fenced, and within the fencing; grass, stables, and zebra's. Alongside the stables instead of sand and grass, grey stone fought with grey stone to be part of the flooring. The large structures were made of steel and brick. A massive warehouse next to a row of office buildings.

On poles were flags and lights of blue and red. At the gate was a guard.

The guard stared at him as if he was an anomaly. He didn't bother to hide his scrutiny of the newcomer. The gate was opened while every item of clothing was properly eyed; from the shoes that didn't look store bought, all the way up to the scar on his face.

Then, a hand was placed on the spear Ofentse held.

"I'll take that, you'll get it on your way out."

The three on the zebra said nothing as they passed through the gates.

"Do you have anything to declare?"

Ofentse seemed puzzled.

"Do you have any dangerous weapons, items that are destructive, like bombs etc?"

"No"

The man turned, " Major don't you think we should search this one?"

Without looking back she shouted, " let him be."

"We'll give you the benifit of doubt, but you should leave that bag here, that too you can collect on your way out."

But, instead Ofentse opened the haversack and pulled out a small bag with leather strings.

"This stays with me," he placed inside his coat.

"What is that?"

"I believe as it is not a dangerous weapon, none of your business."

"Major," shouted the guard, " really think we need to search this one, maybe we can find his attitude and remove it for him."

In an office, Harry called out to Ofentse, " come over here."

In front of a desk with papers and other stationary items, Harry sat.

"Read and,sign."

Deciding he would not resist even though he disagreed, he signed. On his mind was finding his mother.

"I'm done here major, should I escort our guest?"

"No its fine, Captain, let the Sargent handle this."

She faced Chip.

"Sargent please get him a large zebra so that he makes it into the city before dark"

"I haven't ridden a zebra before."

"You've ridden a horse?"

"Yes," replies Ofentse.

"Good, its the same thing, except now your horse has décor," she laughed, "or as we say here in the mountain range rangers, we only use horses that have earned their stripes."

Harry joined her in laughter.

The very large zebra arrived, well built and muscular.

After a few false starts in trying to get into the saddle, the spear went back to its owner, and the two left.

"What is the meaning of your name? I haven't heard it before?"

"Some say victor others say winner."

"How appropriate," said Chip.

"In what way?" asks the big man.

"Ever heard of our national sport, battle ball?"

Ofentse shook his head.

Battleball is a game that Lake City goes gaga over, players get paid well too, exceptionally well."

"Let me be straight with you, when people see you word is going to get around to the wrong people, and hopefully the right people. You're a huge guy, still young and yet probably the size of Monsta.

Monsta plays for the Neanderthals, and the Neanderthals are owned by Moneybags. The wrong people, you following?"

"Not quite," answered Ofentse.

"This moneybags character is going to want to hire you for his team, and if you accept you have made a big mistake. Let's just say I'm giving you a heads up. Moneybags is a crooked man, and crooked mayor. Watch out for him."

"Thanks, but I may not ever meet the man, I'm not sure I'll be here another day. Why would he want me I've never heard of the game let alone played?"

"Monsta is getting old, his team has won the championship five years in a row, he doesn't have many years left in him.

Moneybags could have you fit and skilled in a year, and he probably knows about you already."

"What, how?"

"The captain is a Neanderthal fanatic. That is why Major Ngubane made me go with you.

She is not a Battle ball fan and she dislikes Moneybags. She knows Harry will try to influence you."

"I don't see myself playing this game."

"Very well, I just wanted you to know because Moneybags usually gets what he wants."

They continued moving between the trees, darkness making a small statement at this point. They had been moving at a steady pace, so that the distance was eaten up without much time being consumed.

"Ofentse, it has been a pleasure meeting you, but I am to leave you here.

At the montane barrier, Chip pointed, towards a set of stair's.

"Your path is lit all the way, just follow it down the mountain until you get to a bridge cross it and you will be in the street leading to Langa street."

"I am grateful for your help and guidance, thank you Chip of the mountain range rangers."

Ofentse handed over the reigns.

"Hey, where's you friend? Aren't you worried he won't find you?"

"She'll find me."

The yard was bare, the grass down to minimum, and the gate was rusted along with the wire mesh barrier around the property. Ofentse opened the gate which took some time to figure. The hinges squeaked, which led to a window curtain being opened, shedding light in front of it.

Soon after the door opened and a boy in his early teens dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with the word Eish, printed in front.

"Good evening."

"Hello," answered the boy

"Why are you looking for her?

"Please," says Ofentse, " I have travelled a long way to find this woman."

The boy stood for a brief moment with an awkward expression on his face, then.

"Mama," he shouted.

He needn't have, because a woman appeared alongside him in floral doek and blanket over her shoulders. She looked weak

She looked weak, with little flesh.

"Who is it?" She asked before turning to the stranger who had appeared at the door. She strained her eyes trying to focus, thus the physical frame of the man began to jog memories long forgotten.

Could it be, no it isn't, not her husband.

As the reality sank in, emotions bubbled forth that she couldn't contain. Her hands were quickly raised to cover her mouth as she gasped.

"What's wrong mama?"

A loud cry was heard, a woman in genuine anguish, because her wale sounded as if someone had found out that a loved one had passed.

"Mama."

She tried to move forward, but had no strength, she paddled back slowly, seeking support.

Ofentse rushed forward as he thought the woman would fall, and fall she did. But only into the arms of the two males.

"Ofentse?" She pleaded with her eyes.

"I am Ofentse."

The woman lapsed back into her cries. Before she said, "my son, Ofentse."

"Mama,"

"Mama? Asked the boy.

Ofentse now with tears in his eyes bent down and held his mother.

To the boy she didn't respond for she was in a sea of joy salted with pain.

After sometime she released him, pushing him an arms length away to look closely at the man that still held her hands. It was really her baby after so long grown into this her son before her.

"Come," she sat down on the couch, "sit, she pat the cushion next to her.

"I have so many questions, I don't know where to start. "How is your father?

Couldn't he make the journey?"

Ofentse bowed his head and lowered his eyes.

"He no longer walks the earth."

"No," she gasped, "how?"

"An accident."

She sat silently for a moment before looking up at him.

"What happened to your face?"

"Same accident.

"Where are my manners? Ofentse this is my son Dumisani. Dumisani my first born Ofentse."

The boy took the hand of his mothers eldest son and shook it vigorously.

"Nice to meet you big brother.

"Good to meet you too."

Trifena smiled as she watched their engagement. She had resigned herself to never seeing her first born again, but here he sat next to her, a miracle if she had ever asked for one.

She was openly pleased.

"You must be hungry, when last have you eaten?"

"A few hours, not very hungry."

"Come my child, help your brother, show him the bathroom, fill water."

"Okay," Dumisani jumped up excitedly.

Before Ofentse entered the bathroom, Trifena took him to the bedroom.

"You will sleep here, in this room with Dumisani. He can take the floor, you can sleep on the bed."

"I'll take the floor, I have a sleeping mat, he was looking at the bed wondering how anybody could sleep comfortably on such a contraption.

"Your sister is next door watching TV, you'll meet her soon, she sleeps with me."

"I have a sister?"

"Yes you do, she is seven years old and her name is Thandi," she smiled, "Thandeka actually," she said in a soft voice that seemed to require much effort.

When Dumisani had done explaining and helping, Ofentse closed the bathroom door and the questions began.

"Is he really your son, how come you never told me?"

"I thought he was lost to me forever."

"Where is he from? How come his so big?"

"A place far to the north, where his father's people who live off the land and hunt Buffalo, grow to be very big."

Dumisani was about to ask another question but was interrupted, by the door opening.

A little girl with plaited hair, yellow ribbons and a polka dot dress.

"Mama," the girl had a covered bowl in her hands, "Olga sent you some biscuits she made."

She closed the door and passed the bowl to her mother.

"Mama, Olga's baby is getting big and she's cute."

She climbed onto the couch and sat next to her mother.

"How lovely, you must tell Olga I say thank you. She is far too kind."

Trifena placed a hand on her daughter, "Thandi, we have a visitor."

"Who mummy?"

"Your brother."

"My brother," she laughed, " Dumisani is not a visitor."

"Another brother."

"You had a baby."

"Yes, but not now, a very long time ago."

"Where is he?"

"In the bathroom."

The questions continued with Dumisani joining in until, the bathroom door creaked.

A few seconds later, Ofentse appeared. Thandi seemed fearful for she moved closer to her mother.

"Hello," said Offense hand out, while showing chiselled white teeth. His voice was low and gentle, "you have a pretty name for a petty girl."

Thandi smiled and allowed her hand to be swallowed up by her big brother.

Trifena stood, "come my child, let's get some food into that gut of yours. How long have you been travelling?"

"A number of months."

"Months! Where is this place other side of the planet!?"

Tea was served after, and the family gathered around for chit chat, snacking and staring at the new person in their midst.

A little later Dumisani, and Thandi went to bed.

"Ofentse, it seems you have arrived on time."

She sat still for a while, before she looked into his eyes.

" I have breast cancer," she smiled then sighed, I wonder why they still call it breast cancer, even after they remove your breast. I don't have long to live."

Ofentse moved to the couch and sat next to her taking her hand in his.

"Is there nothing that can be done. What does your medicine woman say,?"

"Medicine woman, samgoma, doctor, oncologist, I've tried them all. None give me hope."

"I have just met you, no, how can I lose you?"

Offense's eyes were moist, "there must be something that can be done."

"I have been fighting this disease for years, but it seems the more I fight it the stronger it becomes. I went into remission for a solid four years, but when it came back it came back with a vengeance, destroying my body beyond repair."

She put her hands on his head and caressed him gently.

"I need you to be strong for your siblings. I know I'm asking for much but," she paused and looked up to the ceiling, " Ofentse they are still young, innocent, unaffected by death. This is a burden I can no longer carry. Please, look after my babies Ofentse, help them grow up with a fighting chance."

"Mama," of course I will help, I will do everything I can."

"Mary, my niece will help you. She has all my affairs in order."

She smiled, "you have a good heart my child, just like your father, I can see."

Ofentse lowered his head and cried in his mother's arms.