Whispers of the Forgotten episode 5

 It was a normal day, Thabiso picked up Neo and Mali as usual. “I’m glad to see you happy,” said Mali. Thabiso was singing. “Lerato has sorted things out with me,” said Thabiso. “Lerato is brave,” Neo said, and he laughed. “Don't start with your jokes, man,” said Mali. “I don’t know what Lerato sees in Thabiso,” Neo laughed again. “In other words, are you in love with Lerato?” Thabiso asked. 

“Thabiso man, I can’t do that. Lerato is my friend,” Neo said.

“I see you’re attracted to her,” Thabiso said. “Neo is Lerato’s friend. Do you think he would do that?” Mali asked. Thabiso picked up the phone and called Lerato; her phone was off. “Lerato doesn’t have time for you,” Neo laughed. “Guys, I forgot to take my lunchbox. We have to go back,” Thabiso said.

“Thabiso, we are running late. Are you aware of the time?” Mali asked. Thabiso turned back. 

“Man, I love Lerato with all my heart,” Thabiso said, looking at Mali. When Thabiso got home, he took the gun and the lunchbox.

Thabiso thought Neo was having an affair with Lerato. Thabiso loved Lerato with all his heart. “Don’t worry, guys. We won’t be late for work,” Thabiso said. “Man, did Lerato agree to have an affair with you again?” Neo asked. “Yes, Lerato is my girlfriend,” Thabiso said, and he was smiling. Neo didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t in love with her. “Are you in love with her?” Thabiso asked. “No, I was wondering,” Neo said. Thabiso stopped the truck. “What are you doing, man? We need to be on time at work,” Mali said. “Hey man, what are you doing?” Neo asked. “Listen here, you idiot. Lerato is mine,” Thabiso said. “What’s your problem?” Mali asked, looking very scared. “Man, I was just joking, let’s go,” Neo said. 

Thabiso pulled out a gun.“Are you in love with Lerato?” Thabiso asked and pointed a gun at Neo.

“I said I wasn’t in love with her.”

“You’re a liar, you moron!” Thabiso shouted and became aggressive. This brought back a pang of conscience, and it seemed death was on the door. “I said I wasn’t in love with Lerato,” Neo said, his voice trembling. “I won't repeat myself again. I’m going to ask you this question again.”

“Thabiso, please wait, man,” Mali said, sweating. “Shut up! I’m not talking to you!” Thabiso shouted. “I swear on my mother's grave, I have no relationship with that person,” Neo said, his voice trembling. “Then why did she hang up?” Thabiso asked. Neo couldn’t answer because of his conscience. Thabiso pulled the trigger, the bullet went into Neo’s head, and he bent his head over Mali. Mali was sweating and opened the truck door and threw himself down; blood was on his shirt. Thabiso fired again, and the bullet missed Mali and hit a tree. Mali saw that he was being followed and ran away, and Thabiso got out of the truck. “Stop there,” Thabiso shot again at the sky. Mali fell.

“Why are you running away?” Thabiso asked. Mali didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t look back, run. What happened in the truck ends here,” Thabiso said. Mali ran away. Thabiso got in the truck and returned with Neo’s body.

Mali arrived at work with his pants wet  “Why are you running from? Where are Thabiso and Neo?” Hlanaka asked. Mali could not speak; he was terrified.

“I’m asking you a question, man,” said Hlanaka. “I don’t want to say anything, man,” said Mali, crying. “Man, look at your shirt, it is bloody. You’re in trouble,” said Hlanaka, approaching him.

“I said I don’t want to talk!” Mali got angry. In the blink of an eye, a truck arrived, roaring. Everyone was afraid to see Mali in that state. “Oh my! Here comes the devil,” said Mali, running away. The other workers were waiting to see what would happen.

Brian Makara, 2025.