Whispers of the Forgotten Episode 1

 Thabiso Nthatisi was a quiet person. Thabiso grew up in difficult circumstances; his father worked in the yard, and his mother worked for white people by cleaning and tidying their houses. It was difficult for them to make ends meet because both parents earned a small salary. Crime was rampant in their area, called Platberg. This area was not safe due to the high crime rate; many people were worried about the crimes that were happening there. Thabiso was still young at the time; he was watching television with his parents and his best friend Thabang. While they were sitting, thugs attacked them, and Bra Killer kicked the door open. “Who is kicking my door?” Tefo asked. These thugs came in. His parents were terrified. “No one is doing stupid things. We want money! Where is it?” Ta Mike shouted and pulled out a gun. “We don’t have money,” Tefo said, his voice trembling. In the blink of an eye, Bra Killer approached Tefo and punched him. It was like death had struck the house. 

Thabang and Thabiso hid under the table. “You can’t tell us you don’t have money!” Bra Killer shouted. “Please don’t kill us. I’ll bring you the money in the bedroom.” Tebello knelt down and held back tears. Tefo was angry and felt that he would fight those criminals. While he was watching them, he approached Bra Killer and choked him, he was protecting his family. This made Tebello brave, and she started fighting them. This made Bra Killer angry, and he pulled out a gun. That's when he shot Tefo and kicked Tebello in the stomach until she couldn't breathe. 

Thabiso and Thabang were watching everything that was happening. “Who do you think you are?” Bra Killer said and hit Tebello with a gun on the head, and blood gushed out. Tebello was trying to protect her husband, but her life ended tragically. Bra Killer and Ta Mike bashed Tebello's head against the wall, and she couldn't fight back; she died. The criminals ran away. Thabiso approached his parents; he was very hurt and looked tired. “Wake up, I need you,” Thabiso cried. 

Thabang ran away, leaving his friend there. It was a sad moment for both of them. “Are you running away?” Thabiso asked. “Those people didn’t come back when we were dead,” Thabang’s voice trembled. “I’ve seen you being a coward. I don’t know what kind of person you are,” Thabiso cried. Thabang didn’t answer him; he left. Thabiso and Thabang were about seventeen years old at that time. Thabiso looked at the bodies of his parents, his heart aching as if it were pierced by a spear. “Mother and father, wake up. Why is the world so cruel?” Thabiso cried.

Thabiso grew up eating from a garbage can, and he began to feel sad when he remembered his parents. Thabiso dropped out of school and started looking for money to buy food. The town of Platberg was bustling at that time, and Thabiso was wearing torn clothes. “Mother, please give me money so I can buy food,” Thabiso begged another woman. “Hey, you boy, I see you want to go, smoke weed, and break in,” said the mother. Thabiso started to get angry and wondered why his parents had died in such a cruel way. His parents loved him very much and were his favourites; this matter depressed Thabiso.

After a few years, Thabiso got a job as a driver and with the help of a pastor who picked him up and made him a driver’s license, he saw that he had a life and fell in love with a kind and beautiful girl, Lerato. 

Lerato found out that Thabiso needed help. Thabiso was playing PlayStation with his girlfriend. “I’m going to win again today,” said Lerato, laughing. “We’ll see,” said Thabiso, looking at her. Thabiso didn’t want to be defeated in his life.

“What are you doing?” Thabiso said.

“I told you I am the champion. This angered Thabiso, and she fought Lerato after she defeated him.

“Who do you think you are?”

“Stop it, Thabiso. Why are you angry?” Lerato was surprised. Thabiso broke the PlayStation. Lerato wondered why Thabiso did that. It was hard for Thabiso to live with other people. He loved his parents. “Thabiso, please calm down!” Lerato said and became angry.

“This is my PlayStation. I bought it with my own money.” Thabiso looked at her with a frown. Thabiso was angry all the time. At school, he had no friends after the fight with Thabang. He was always alone and a bad person. When people made jokes, he would fight them.

The sun's rays shone brightly in their yellow beauty. Thabiso woke up and got ready to go to work. While he was brushing his teeth, he received a call from his girlfriend. It was not good news. Lerato realised that their relationship was not going well.

“Hello Thabiso, I hope you are well,” Lerato greeted. “I am well, my dear. I was going to call you so we could fix things.” Thabiso smiled.

“Thabiso, I don't know how to say this, but we have been in a bad relationship. Problems have befallen us, and I don't want to end up getting killed.” Thabiso's heart ached, and he didn't know what to do. He thought everyone hated him and no one wanted to be friends with him.

Brian Makara, 2025.