Whispers of the Forgotten Episode 4

Things became worse in Thabiso's life. Neo visited Lerato and found her having a drink while watching TV. “Friend, be careful of Thabiso, I think he's going to do something stupid,” said Neo. Lerato found herself wondering why Neo had said that. “I broke up with that person, we're no longer together, I don't even know what he did.”

“Thabiso fights people. Yesterday, he fought with everyone,” said Neo, looking scared.

“Thabiso needs help, I need to help him,” said Lerato.

“No, break up with him,” said Neo.

“Thabiso needs help; we need to make an appointment to meet with a counsellor,” said Lerato. Neo wasn't happy about that. “I don't think Thabiso needs help; that person is stubborn.”

“You don't have to give up,” said Lerato.

“Friend, I'm helping you here. I don't want you to be near him,” said Neo.

“Do you think he won't listen to me?” Asked Lerato. “That person is stubborn,” added Neo. Lerato had hope that Thabiso would change and become like other people. “I still have hope that he will change. I need to find out why Thabiso is behaving like that.”

“Stay away from him. Thabiso will kill you; break up with him.” Lerato decided to visit Thabiso.

Thabiso’s mind was under pressure every day, which was something that was not working well for him. He thought that Mali and Neo were gossiping about him, so he went to the store and bought a gun. 

“Can I help you, sir?” The salesman asked. “Brother, our town is not safe anymore,” Thabiso said.

“This crime is dangerous,” the salesman added. The salesman knew very well that people buy guns because of crime.

“You sleep at night with one eye open. We need protection,” Thabiso said. “Sir, what kind of gun do you need?” The salesman asked. “I need a gun,” Thabiso smiled.

“Have you ever gone to a shooting range?” The salesman asked. “I’m going to the police station tomorrow to get a certificate and training,” Thabiso said, looking so confident.

“I understand, sir,” said the salesman. The salesman sold him the gun.

“Thank you, sir, stay well,” said Thabiso as he walked out the door. Thabiso was not in a good mood, as if he had a mental disorder.

During the work, everyone was busy; Mali was loading bricks with Thabiso. “Thabiso, you look sad,” said Mali. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“You don’t look well,” said Mali, worried.

“What do you mean? I keep telling you I’m fine,” said Thabiso.

“Thabiso, you’re my friend, what’s bothering you so much?” Mali asked. Thabiso stopped loading bricks. “Are you crazy, man? I keep saying I’m fine,” said Thabiso, looking annoyed. “How about we get a drink?” Mali asked.

“No, I don’t need a drink, I want to be alone,” said Thabiso. Mali was surprised.

“Are you refusing my invitation?” Mali asked.

“I have reasons, sir,” said Thabiso.

“I need to help you. I don’t want you to be like this.”

“What are you talking about? You and Neo are gossiping about me, do you think I’m stupid?” Thabiso asked. “We want you to get help; it doesn’t mean we’re gossiping about you,” Mali said. “Your day will come, all hell will break loose,” Thabiso admonished him. Mali was very worried by that statement, wondering what Thabiso was up to.

Lerato visited Thabiso at her home. “Can I help you, Lerato?” Thabiso asked. “I’m really worried about you,” Lerato said. “You told me you didn’t want anything to do with me, so you’re worried about me?” Thabiso asked, angrily. “Stop being angry,” Lerato said. “What do you want me to do? You decided to break up with me, so today you care about me,” Thabiso said. “I want you to get help. I spoke to Neo yesterday,” Lerato said. Thabiso got angry, thinking that Neo was gossiping about him to Lerato. “What do you mean?” Thabiso asked and clenched his fist. “Please don’t be angry,” Lerato said, looking terrified. “Go away! I don’t want to hear anything from you,” Thabiso said and got angry. 

“I’m not leaving until I hear your solution regarding your problem,” Lerato said and sat down. Thabiso looked at her and clenched his fist again. Lerato thought that Thabiso had made up his mind and would be happy to see her. “I told you to get out of my house,” said Thabiso. Lerato wasted no time; she left.

When Lerato got home, she felt scared, wondering what would happen to Thabiso. Her heart ached.

“I need to help Thabiso; he is in trouble,” said Lerato to herself. Another heart told her to write him a message. “I shouldn’t have broken up with him,” said Lerato to herself. Lerato called Thabiso but couldn’t reach him.

Thabiso was sitting in the bedroom loading bullets and cleaning the gun. His thoughts were far away, and his heart was bleeding with pain. While he was cleaning the gun, he received a voice message on his phone and listened to it.

‘Darling, just know that I still love you; what I was doing was to help you. I saw how you were in that situation. I don't want you to be in trouble and end up beating or killing people. We’ll talk tomorrow. Just know that I still love you, tomorrow we’ll have dinner.’ Thabiso hung up the phone and changed his mind about what he had been thinking.

Brian Makara, 2025