Written By: Oratile Ndimande
A young man is recalling an embarrassing, surreal moment with a friend. He is still trying to process what happened that day…
Young man:
It was just a regular day to run some errands in town and I saw that everyone around me was quiet, which was strange because town is usually so loud and busy. I didn’t pay too much mind to it. I was relieved for a bit; I don’t like being in town, but I had started working that month to save some money for some music classes I’d been wanting to take. But then I felt uncomfortable and soon I released that people were staring at me. Was my phone making a noise? Did a pigeon shit on me? One woman’s eyes were open so wide I thought she is starring at my naked self. But I know I left the house dressed. I had my favourite top on that day. It wasn’t until a little boy pointed at me and his father pulled him away and covered his eyes that I felt inclined to stop and ask around me.
“Elders, Is there anything wrong with me? Is there something on me? What is happening?”
No one said a word. Did they not hear me, or did they just not want to respond? Their silent stares left me itchy. I rubbed my neck hoping it would help me relax. But I only grew itchier and itchier, nothing was on me, but I found myself scratching and hitting myself. But nothing was one me, what was on me? Perhaps these people could see what I couldn’t.
“hello? Please tell me what is on me?”
My question was met by a single laugh from some guy at the back, next to the hair salon. My heart sank when I heard the laugh growing, spreading. Some one guy become some group of guys. And then some guys and girls. And some men and woman. And then a child, and then some children. And then the whole street was cackling, giggling, hallowing, hollering…
I can still feel their laughter, you know. I can see every “HA” and “Bonang!” flying and chasing for me, and digging into my back, into my face. My teeth feel cold again, colder than a glass of milk. After a while that was all I could think about, milk white and butter yellow teeth biting and joking at me. Milk white as I lost consciousness.
Please, tell me. Why where they laughing? What did they see? What are you seeing now? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on me now? Please, just tell me…
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