The Echos of Silence Episode 2

 The drops of rain were falling; Lefa was shaking from the cold he had caught. “I need to have something to eat,” he said, glancing around for anyone nearby. He was hiding under a tree when a woman walked past. Spotting her, Lefa took out a knife. “Hey! Wait there,” he shouted, emerging from behind the tree and running after her. The woman screamed. Lefa chased her and managed to catch her. “Why are you running?” he demanded. “Please, don’t hurt me,” the woman, named Charlotte, sobbed. Lefa threatened, “I won’t hurt you, but if you do something stupid, I am going to hurt you. Where is the money?” Charlotte stared at him, terrified. She felt a mix of pain and pity. “You don’t have to do this. I will go with you and feed you. You are too young,” she pleaded. “Too young for what? They will find you lying here in a pool of blood, don’t test me,” Lefa pointed her with a knife. “Okay, I am sorry. I will give you money,” Charlotte said. Lefa took all her money and left her. This woman wanted to follow him, but it was difficult. This woman decided to tail him and realised that Lefa was staying in a shack alone, the shack was not in good condition, she was determined to call the police, but she didn’t.

Mrs Mokoena was busy writing the notes on the chalkboard. Learners paid attention to the board and wrote notes. Lefa was looking outside through the window, thinking about what he was going to do. “Lefa?” Mrs Mokoena asked, putting the chalk on the table. Lefa didn’t answer her. “Lefa, I am talking to you. I will take you to the principal,” Mrs Mokoena insisted, fixing her glasses. “Sorry, ma,” Lefa jumped. “I need you to write these notes. What is wrong with you?” By that time, Lefa was in high school. It was difficult for him to survive; he grew up alone without his mother. “I am sorry, ma, I will write them,” Lefa said, taking out his book in the bag. Mrs Mokoena scanned him for seconds. Lefa realised that. “What is wrong, ma? You told me to write,” Lefa said. “If you need to talk to me, I will assist you,” Mrs Mokoena said. “No thanks.” Lefa continued writing.  Mrs Mokoena gave the class an assignment to write a narrative essay. “Okay, class, I am giving you this assignment. Please write a narrative essay about your life. I need it tomorrow,” Mrs Mokoena.

Later that day, Lefa was busy writing his essay and heard someone knocking. He opened the door and noticed Charlotte carrying grocery. “It’s you again?” Lefa asked. “Would you let me in?” Charlotte asked. “What do you want from me?” Lefa sked. “I wanted to call the police on you, but I didn’t. I noticed that you need someone who will love you. As a parent, I decided to bring this food,” Charlotte said. Lefa’s tears rolled down. He scanned her and allowed her to enter. “I am so sorry for mistreating you,” Lefa said. “Don’t worry about that, I am a social worker, and I can see from a distance that someone has a problem,” Charlotte said. “My mother died when I was 10 years old,” Lefa cried. “I am so sorry to hear that,” Charlotte said. “They used to bully me, I used to rob people so that I could eat,” Lefa said. “I can see you are busy with homework.”

“I am writing an essay about my life,” Lefa said. Charlotte poured a cold drink, and they sat and drank. “Essay is about creative writing, I know you are going to master it,” Charlotte laughed and hugged him. Lefa felt the love. Charlotte helped Lefa with the homework.

The day of the big moment arrived for Lefa. Mrs Mokokena was standing in front of the class, addressing the learners. “I hope you did my work,” Mrs Mokoena smiled. Lefa was ready to present his essay in front of the class. “I will start with Lefa Tsiu to present the essay, and I hope you wrote a good narrative essay.” Lefa stood, holding his page, and he was walking with confidence. He presented his essay to the class, and Mrs Mokoena was impressed. “This is what I  am talking about,” Mrs Mokoena said, clapping his hands. The whole class cheered and applauded him. “I am so glad, class, and I hope you will write the best essay like me.” Mrs Mokoena advised Lefa. “Tsiu, you have a special gift, a gift of writing,” Mrs Mokoena said. Learners paid attention to Mrs Mokoena; some were clicking pen. “It is time to write a book and show the nation your skills.”

“Do you think so?” Lefa asked. Mrs Mokoena approached Lefa and held his hand. “I see potential in you; you are no longer a child who used to fight,” Mrs Mokoena insisted. “Thank you, ma, I will try that. I am aware of that,” Lefa smiled. “The future is in your hands.” The class applauded for Lefa and encouraged him to pursue his dream.

Lefa joined a drama group, and after the rehearsal, he had a conversation with the director. “I am impressed by your creativity. I need people like you,” Director of Creative Theatre Thabang said. “I thank you, sir. I won’t disappoint you,” Lefa smiled. “Drama is something special, with it we can teach the nation,” Thabang said. Lefa realised that he can be someone different, unlike his anger. “Sir, I would like to write a script with you,” Lefa suggested, looking unsure. “Are you serious?” Thabang asked. “It is time to use my creativity and write the best scripts for this group,” Lefa insisted. Thabang was impressed by that statement; he nodded. “This is impressive, and it shows that I will have you as a playwright,” Thabang smiled. Lefa knew what he was asking for; he knew that he could use his talent as a creative writer to entertain people. The group was excited to have someone who would help Thabang.

Lefa decided to focus on his schoolwork, and he managed to pass Grade 11; he was in Grade 12. Everyone was ready for Matric Dance. Lefa was standing at the door of the hall watching everyone entering the hall with their parent, his heart became heavy. “I wish my mother were here to be with me,” he said. Within the blink of an eye, he saw a gorgeous woman; this woman was dressed up, and it was Charlotte. “I didn’t expect to see you,” Lefa jumped with excitement. “This is your important day, and I told myself that I will be with you,” Charlotte smiled, hugging him. “I don’t know how to thank you, you even bought me this Jewish,” Lefa turned, showing her. “I want you to be a gentleman,” Charlotte said. Lefa enjoyed the Matric dance with Charlotte; they danced and had drinks. During that moment, Charlotte asked Lefa a disturbing question. “I want to ask you something.”

“You can ask me,” Lefa said. “From the moment I saw you, I realised that you need a mother’s love,” Charlotte insisted. Lefa became shocked. “How can you ask me that?” Lefa asked. “I haven’t seen your father. Where is he?” Charlotte asked, changing the subject. Lefa didn’t answer her. He kept dancing. Charlotte scanned him, wondering what had happened to his father.

Brian Makara, 2026