Luyando, Book 1, Episode 5

By Brian Ngoma

LUYANDO: EPISODE 5

The day Luyando called Josi to tell him that she had been accused of being a prostitute for the third time, he wanted to tell her about how he was swindled by some guys who promised him a car but never came. he couldn't because she was sad and in a dark place. Josi was a type of brother who wanted his sister to be happy even if it meant not telling her his deepest fears and anxieties. When their parents died, Josi was Nineteen years old and Luyando was only ten. He vowed to take good care of her and he did. Her happiness was the one thing that mattered to him. When he found his job out of the city, he could not bear leaving his sister. It was one of the hardest things he had experienced.

'So you are telling me that you bought a BMW, ', Josi asked his friend over the phone. 'Yes I did my friend', The man answered. 'I also wanted to get a Nissan X-trail from these guys I trusted but they got my money and ran away', Josi continued. 'You should report the matter to the police', 'Yes I did that, but you know our system, it is very slow if you are not giving them something', 'Yes everyone knows that'. It was during this conversation that he told his friend to pass through His house in the city and check on his sister and grandmother. His friend did like he was told. 'I passed through your place my brother, I met with your sister but didn't have a chance to meet grandmother', said Josi's friend. 'Thanks I appreciate, I’ll be going to the city in a few days, I’ll see you when I come my friend'. 'Alright, take care', 'goodnight'.

Seeing Josi in a drainage laying hopelessly was very traumatic to the two women. When the woman told them that there was a man badly beaten, they ran towards the people and all they could hope for was that it was not their own Josi. Unfortunately, it was him who was beaten and he wasn't moving. Luyando screamed for help, 'Can someone please get a car! One person replied, 'There is the car'. They told everyone to move backwards as two men carefully carried him to the car. Luyando and her grandmother got into the car together with the driver. The two women were crying from the neighborhood to the hospital. They reached the hospital, Luyando hurriedly went to get a medical personnel. They came with the wheelchair. They put Josi on the wheelchair and headed back into the hospital. Luyando remained to sort out the taxi driver but he declined saying that he only helped, he didn't expect any money. She went back inside and found her grandmother at the reception crying. 'I have been told to wait, but one of the nurses said he’s in bad condition, all we can do is pray', said Luyando's grandmother. Luyando could not say any word. She just sat there with her grandmother looking confused and was thinking about who could have done that to her brother.

Priscila heard about what had happened. Without hesitating, she took care of her business and followed Luyando to the hospital. She found them at the reception. When Luyando saw Priscila she dropped her tears. The two women knew they were not in a good place but Priscila knew her friend needed her. She sat next to her whilst holding her hand. 'I know this is not a good time or place but I want to clear things between us Luyando', Priscila said. 'Not now Priscila please', Luyando replied. 'But it’s hurting me knowing that you are mad at me Luyando, I met those three women after they accused you, not before', 'But why did you meet them Priscila', 'That’s what I wanted to tell you last time but you couldn't let me, I went there to clear your name'. Luyando looked at Priscila with eager and grateful eyes. 'You did that for me Priscila', Luyando asked curiously, 'Yes Lulu, I couldn't take it people accusing you of something I know you wouldn’t do so I had to talk to them’. The girls looked at each other and were thankful for having one another in their lives.

The nurse came and told them that Josi was now stable but had sustained serious injuries. He would need to be at the hospital for a couple of days. The women were glad that he was alive. Luyando and Priscila went outside to get some food for their grandmother. 'I heard about Angela', said Priscila, 'Tyson told me', 'I knew he would', replied Luyando. 'On second thought, I haven’t told him that Iam at the hospital, will you tell him for me, I do not want to seem needy', said Luyando. Priscila tried to call Tyson but went direct to voicemail. They both assumed he was busy with something. 'So are you two dating or what?' asked Priscila, 'I wouldn't call it dating, it’s just been a series of unpleasantness, now there is Angela', replied Luyando. 'But you like him, don't you?' Priscila probed further, 'Yes I do but it’s scary, what else don't I know about him?' Luyando worriedly answered. When they bought some food, they went back inside and gave their grandmother something to eat but she refused to have anything. She only wanted to see her grandson.

'You can now see him, let me direct you to where is resting', the nurse said. The women got up and anxiously followed the nurse. They found Josi lying on a bed in bad shape. His face was hardly recognizable and he’s eyes so swollen shut. He had a couple of stitches on his face and plaster casts on his right hand and leg. 'He cannot talk, we have sedated him to ease the pain', the nurse told them. The women looked at Josi in disbelief. Priscila told Luyando that they had to report the assault to the police and provide necessary information regarding the incident. They went together at the nearest police station and reported. The police officers also told them to report to the police station in the compound where the incident had occurred.

During their stay at the hospital, a particular male nurse took interest in Luyando's family. He would come check on Josi and ask how everyone was doing. Luyando’s grandmother thought his face looked familiar but she could not remember where she had seen him. She was just glad that because of him, her grandson was making a quick recovery. 'So how's my patient today?', the male nurse asked. Luyando looked at him and looked away. her grandmother answered, 'he’s fine, he’s eating now but doesn't talk much'. 'he’s getting there, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask', he left the room. 'This nurse is kind, he has treated us so well, I wonder why', Luyando's grandmother said with a sigh. ‘He’s just doing his job grandmother’, Luyando said.

It was Luyando's turn to go home and check on things. She reached home and called Priscila to tell her that she was home. She took her much needed bath and had something to eat. When she sat down to rest, she called her grandmother to ask how Josi was doing since she left. Her grandmother told her that he was doing fine and that they were now talking. She was relieved to know that her brother was feeling much better. She knew that in no time, he would be discharged.

She started dosing on the couch but was disturbed by a knock on the door. She went to check on the door and found a woman she had never seen before. 'Is this where Luyando lives? asked the woman, 'Yes Iam Luyando', Answered Luyando. 'Iam sorry to disturb you, Iam Angela, can I come in please', Angela asked Luyando. 'Yes come in'. Luyando didn't know what Angela was doing at her place. She was the last person she expected to see on a day like this. 'What can I do for you Angela?', Luyando asked as they both sat down. 'I know I destroyed things between you and Tyson, I didn't mean to, I never knew that he had a girlfriend', replied Angela, 'OH we weren't even a thing Angela, I haven’t even talked to him in days', Luyando told Angela. 'So you are telling me that Tyson is not here?', asked Angela. 'What do you mean he’s here?' Luyando asked, 'Tyson hasn't been home for days and I assumed he was staying with you', Angela answered.