The Echos of Silence Episode 3

Lefa was deep in thought about his father, his mind drifted far away, his face tight with concern “Since I was  born, I haven’t heard anything about my father,” he said, scratching his head. Lefa thought that Tseleng might know something, he paid a visit. Tseleng was watching TV, laughing alone, she heard someone knocking on the door. “I don’t expect any visitor, who could that be?” Tseleng stood up and and opened the door. “Ausi Tseleng, I need to ask you something,” Lefa said, waiting to enter at the house. Tseleng was shocked, staring him.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said. Tseleng allowed him to enter and they started to have a heated conversation. “I want to know  about my father,” he  said. Tseleng froze. “What do you want to know about him?” Tseleng said, looking confused. “Who is he?” Lefa stare at her. "I don't think I will answer you," Tseleng froze. Lefa slammed the table with a fist. "You are lying... You bastard." Tseleng wiped his hands with her dress, trying to avoid him. "You do," he stepped closer to her. "I can see it in your eyes, just tell me." Tseleng was shaking. The room became silent. "Your father is in Mangaung," she said, shaking. Lefa didn't respond to her, he slammed the door.

After a moment, Lefa found out about his father, he headed to Bloemfontein to find the closure, Lefa was aiming to find him. “Hello, where is Tau living?” Lefa asked a person on the street. “I don’t know, ask around.” Lefa stumbled, he was angry. Lefa asked around until he find him, it was late and he was tired, his mouth was dry, as if he hadn’t had water in days. Tau was sitting and listening to a radio, he saw someone entering his yard, he was wondering who could that be.

“Are you Mr Tau?” Lefa asked, scanning him. “How can I help you?” Tau asked. “I am looking for my father, his name is Tau,” He insisted. Tau was surprised, he looked side-by-side, he couldn’t answer him. “Sir, are you Mr Tau?”Lefa asked again. “You are mistaken sir, I am Brian,” Tau said, hiding his shame and he returned to his chair. Lefa’s heart was pumping fast, he was aware that this is his father, he followed him.

“I don’t have time to play, I asked around and people pointed to this house,” Lefa said. “I have already answered you,” Tau said. Lefa glared at Tau, he was aggressive. “You can deny it all you want,” Lefa said, his voice shaking. “But I know… I know you’re my father.” He added. “You are choking me,” Tau said, struggling to breath. Lefa allowed him to explain himself.

“I am so sorry for rejecting you,” Tau’s tears rolled down, he was determined to unite with his son again. “Why did you reject me?” Lefa asked. “Your mother had an affair with someone else.”

“So you decided to leave him?”

“It was not my intention, it was complicated,” Tau stammered. “You are lying… you bastard, I struggled after my mother’s funeral. Tau was shocked, his eyes were wide. “Your mother is dead?”

“How can you ask me that?” Lefa clenched his fist. “I am so sorry about that.”

“You  didn’t bother yourself to visit me, you decided to stay here. I grew up without a father figure, people laughed at me and some bullied me,” Lefa said, his tears rolled down. Lefa turned away and left him.

 

Lefa had a depression, he decided to drink alcohol, that night he was at Silva Tavern. People were dancing on the floor, some were playing pool. Lefa was intoxicated, he was leaning against the counter, sipping his alcohol. “Refill this glass, I want more,” He requested. A barman noticed that Lefa was drinking excessively. “You are drunk, I can’t refill,” Barman said. Lefa smashed a glass against the wall, he clenched his fist, ready to fight. “You can’t tell me that, I have a money to buy,” Lefa said.

“Hey! You are going to pay for that,” Barman approached him, he grabbed him. “You are hurting me, you can’t treat your customers like that,” Lefa said. Barman threw him outside the tavern. Lefa was staggering in the middle of the road, distracting the drivers. “Hey! Those cars will run you over!” Someone warned him to walk on the side of the road. Lefa saw him and approached. “Who do you think you  are?”Lefa asked, he threw up. “You are too drunk, you need to go and sleep.”

“You can’t tell me that,” he said, Lefa walked away, he was still staggering and he slept on the side of the road. Someone picked Lefa and left him at his shack. Lefa found a professional help of social worker, he went to rehabilitation center and came back.

 

Lefa remembered what Mrs Mokoena said, he went to the school to meet her. Mrs Mokoena was happy to see him. “Lefa Tsiu, I am so happy to see you,” Mrs Mokoena said. “It is a good pleasure to meet you,” Lefa smiled. “How can I assist you and how is life after matric?” She asked. “I am still alright ma, I have decided to write a book,” Lefa insisted. “Wow, I am so glad to hear that, I promise you. You are going to make money because of your creativity,” Mrs Mokoena applauded him.

“The world needs to knows that I am no longer a “fool”, I am an author,” Lefa thrilled. Other teachers stood and applaud for him. “This school will be the first to read your book.”

“I hope so ma, I am going to make my mother proud,” Lefa smiled.

 

Later that year, Lefa was writing his first draft, he was staring at a laptop he got from the sponsorship, a cup of tea was besides the laptop. “With this manuscript, I am going to make it in life,” he said and took a sip. Lefa was busy writing a story about gangsters and the danger of being involved. Charlotte knocked. “I hope it is Charlotte, come in!” Lefa said. Charlotte saw Lefa staring at the laptop, he had already told her about the book. “I like the fact that you are proceeding with the book,” she sat next to him and smiled. “I am serious and I know South Africa will honour me,” he smiled, looking at her. “Show the world and make your mother proud.” 

“Watch the space, I am going to nail it.” Lefa was excited, and Charlotte gave him ideas.

Brian Makara, 2026.