Manuela Cardiga's Blog, page 57
October 9, 2014
PAWNING PEARL Part 10
At the Shopping Centre Simon herded them towards a very reputable department store. They took the escalator up to the Children's Wear department. There a very charming lady with long scarlet nails and a hairstyle that made her look like Marge Simpson helped them select the school uniforms for the children, then the school shoes.
"Will that be all Sir?" Big Hair had studiously avoided Pearl, having sniffed out instantly where the buying power lay.
"Pearl? Is there anything else the children need?"
Pearl hesitated, looking at the clothing piled up in the sales woman's arms. "Underwear? Pyjamas, maybe?"
"Jeans!" Cried Isaiah, "And a football!!" He cringed under Pearl's reproving gaze an added "Please?"
Simon grinned "Every boy needs a football!" he hunkered down to look Thali in the eye.
"And what would you like?"
Thali looked at him with serious round eyes. "A doll, and a book, and a piggy-back ride."
Simon nodded. "Seems very reasonable, yes. Very wise choices."
He rose to his full height and turned to the woman with a smile. "Miss Chabalala will decide what to buy for the children, Madam, and how much to spend. I am her servant, her driver."
The woman's cheeks darkened. "Of course Sir. Madam, if you will follow me?"
It was FUN. Simon had to admit, shopping was fun.
Helping Isaiah decide between Spiderman and Batman pyjamas.
"Well, Batman is COOL, but he doesn't have a SUPER POWER."
"Well,Isaiah, that is what makes him cooler. He makes do with BRAIN POWER. Anyone who works hard can be a hero like Batman."
"Mr. Simon, you are all right!" And Isaiah solemnly high-fived him.
There was one dizzy moment when the sales woman handed him the tally and took his card;when the world seem to spin dizzily out from under him, but he had caught a glimpse of Pearl's glowing eyes and his stomach settled down.
Across the corridor from the department store was a Toy Store, and Isaiah charged in heading straight for a large bin filled with footballs, followed by an anxious Pearl.
The argument started immediately.
"Little boys do not need hand-stitched leather footballs!" Pearl tapped at the label, then reached into the bin and pulled out a rubber version with a much more acceptable price tag, Simon noted with approval.
Still he found himself saying in an indulgent tone: "Now, Miss Pearl...It is the boy's first football!"
Pearl's eyes acquired that flinty glaze he'd learnt to dread. "Mr. Thambisa, I will not have these children ruined by over indulgence, Sir. I will not allow it."
He lowered his eyes and mumbled, turning towards Thali who had a doll under one arm and a garishly coloured pop-up book under the other. "This Lady knows what she wants," he smiled. Thali smiled back shyly, and nodded.
"Now," he cried, "I am very hungry! We have not had lunch and I am a big man." He lowered his eyebrows in a mock frown, "And I need my food. Where would my children like to eat?"
"MACDONALD'S!" Shouted Isaiah.
"YES! YES! PLEASE!" cried Thali.
Simon Thambisa winced. He looked above the children's heads at Pearl, wordlessly asking for approval before yielding to the request (he was a fast learner) and was astounded to find the same excitement in her smile. He sighed in resignation.
"All right, my children, MacDonald's it is."
Later, cramming bags and packages and children into the Merc, Simon remarked to to Thali: "You are very right, it is too tiny."
"No, it isn't. It is cosy-cosy, just right!"
Simon grinned "In you go Miss Thali! And don't think I have forgotten that I still owe you a piggy-back ride!"
MC
TO BE CONTINUED
"Will that be all Sir?" Big Hair had studiously avoided Pearl, having sniffed out instantly where the buying power lay.
"Pearl? Is there anything else the children need?"
Pearl hesitated, looking at the clothing piled up in the sales woman's arms. "Underwear? Pyjamas, maybe?"
"Jeans!" Cried Isaiah, "And a football!!" He cringed under Pearl's reproving gaze an added "Please?"
Simon grinned "Every boy needs a football!" he hunkered down to look Thali in the eye.
"And what would you like?"
Thali looked at him with serious round eyes. "A doll, and a book, and a piggy-back ride."
Simon nodded. "Seems very reasonable, yes. Very wise choices."
He rose to his full height and turned to the woman with a smile. "Miss Chabalala will decide what to buy for the children, Madam, and how much to spend. I am her servant, her driver."
The woman's cheeks darkened. "Of course Sir. Madam, if you will follow me?"
It was FUN. Simon had to admit, shopping was fun.
Helping Isaiah decide between Spiderman and Batman pyjamas.
"Well, Batman is COOL, but he doesn't have a SUPER POWER."
"Well,Isaiah, that is what makes him cooler. He makes do with BRAIN POWER. Anyone who works hard can be a hero like Batman."
"Mr. Simon, you are all right!" And Isaiah solemnly high-fived him.
There was one dizzy moment when the sales woman handed him the tally and took his card;when the world seem to spin dizzily out from under him, but he had caught a glimpse of Pearl's glowing eyes and his stomach settled down.
Across the corridor from the department store was a Toy Store, and Isaiah charged in heading straight for a large bin filled with footballs, followed by an anxious Pearl.
The argument started immediately.
"Little boys do not need hand-stitched leather footballs!" Pearl tapped at the label, then reached into the bin and pulled out a rubber version with a much more acceptable price tag, Simon noted with approval.
Still he found himself saying in an indulgent tone: "Now, Miss Pearl...It is the boy's first football!"
Pearl's eyes acquired that flinty glaze he'd learnt to dread. "Mr. Thambisa, I will not have these children ruined by over indulgence, Sir. I will not allow it."
He lowered his eyes and mumbled, turning towards Thali who had a doll under one arm and a garishly coloured pop-up book under the other. "This Lady knows what she wants," he smiled. Thali smiled back shyly, and nodded.
"Now," he cried, "I am very hungry! We have not had lunch and I am a big man." He lowered his eyebrows in a mock frown, "And I need my food. Where would my children like to eat?"
"MACDONALD'S!" Shouted Isaiah.
"YES! YES! PLEASE!" cried Thali.
Simon Thambisa winced. He looked above the children's heads at Pearl, wordlessly asking for approval before yielding to the request (he was a fast learner) and was astounded to find the same excitement in her smile. He sighed in resignation.
"All right, my children, MacDonald's it is."
Later, cramming bags and packages and children into the Merc, Simon remarked to to Thali: "You are very right, it is too tiny."
"No, it isn't. It is cosy-cosy, just right!"
Simon grinned "In you go Miss Thali! And don't think I have forgotten that I still owe you a piggy-back ride!"
MC
TO BE CONTINUED
October 7, 2014
CONVERSATION WITH IVAN
Rumi knew if you give yourself to the dance - which is love you know?- if you give yourself to love you have to choose to be a fool.
We choose because only fools can dance on clouds and believe hoopoes talk to God; and we are fools because we see not what is real, but what SHOULD be true
But has to be a choice, or it would be meaningless. Being born a fool is just not enough. You have to choose to be one.That is what makes it so painful, and so extraordinarily wonderful, so like looking into the mid-day sun with wide-open eyes
Make sense?
In a silly-billy foolish way?
MC
We choose because only fools can dance on clouds and believe hoopoes talk to God; and we are fools because we see not what is real, but what SHOULD be true
But has to be a choice, or it would be meaningless. Being born a fool is just not enough. You have to choose to be one.That is what makes it so painful, and so extraordinarily wonderful, so like looking into the mid-day sun with wide-open eyes
Make sense?
In a silly-billy foolish way?
MC
October 6, 2014
PAWNING PEAR Part 9
They trooped downstairs to the underground garage where Mr Simon Thambisa's treasured motor car resided in solitary splendour. Mr Thambisa could have turned a pretty Rand hiring out space in the cavernous garage in crowded down-town Hilbrow, but he chose to keep it all for himself and his baby car...
It lay under a heavy specially tailored canvas cover, and Mr Thambisa whisked it off with pride.
Underneath gleamed a gorgeous slick metal-muscled mean-machine...
A Mercedes Benz Slk convertible, black as a panther, twice as fast. NOT that Mr Thambisa had ever actually driven it very fast at all. He was a conscientious driver, and a stickler for safety and the speed limits. Besides, he had hardly ever driven it at all. He came down occasionally and drove it around inside the huge empty space of the underground garage, the rest of the time he drove his battered old Toyota van on his regular business. He had no leisure, and the Merc sent out the wrong signals to people he intended to negotiate with, and attracted the wrong kind of attention to him as a man.
Beside him, Isaiah's mouth dropped wide open in a most satisfactory way:
"WOW! Man! WOW! That is MEAN! WOW!"
Simon Thambisa smirked "Yes...Isn't it?"
Peal and Thali, however looked singularly unimpressed.
"Sir, Simon, I mean, are we all going to fit in? It looks a little small!"
"Yes!" Thali chimed in, "TINY!"
Simon Thambisa was most offended. This car was the only sign of wealth he had allowed himself, his congratulatory pat in the back; his one indulgence, his one vice, the one fantasy he's cared enough to realise as a man who'd struggled up from a hard, bitter, love-starved childhood. It was his "I love you" card to himself...
"It's a very good size indeed! It has plenty of leg-room, and it is very comfortable to ride, in the back seat too. It is just right!"
"YES!" Isaiah's eyes gleamed with excitement, "Let's ride!"
"Well..." Pearl looked dubiously at the low-slung sports car. "It's so close to the ground! Is it safe?"
"Miss Chabalala, it is the very best German engineering and the suspension system is unrivalled. Also the safety statistics..." He was explaining his baby! Justifying it. He sounded like a used car salesman instead of the proud owner of an incredible machine. He took a deep breath, went around to the passenger side and opened the door, slid forward the passenger seat and gestured the children in.
Isaiah was first of course, and thali followed slowly, wrinkling her nose.
"It smells strange."
"It is the new car smell," explained SImon Thambisa proudly. "There is a spray..."
"Why is the seat covered in plastic?" Thali asked, wriggling her bottom and producing the most annoying squeaky sound. SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK
Simon gritted his teeth and replied: "It is Argentinian leather, the finest leather. The plastic protects it."
"Oh!" Thali nodded understanding. "it is pretty. But it is sad."
"Sad? Why sad?"
"Well if it was less fine you could enjoy it with out being afraid. This way you have the bestest sweet in the world, and you never take off the wrapper. It is sad."
Simon Thambisa helped Pearl into the passenger seat, closed the door, and got into his beloved car without a word.
With one casual observation Thali had invalidated his whole way of life. He saw himself as if though a magnifying glass that had suddenly focused, and focused on something he did not want to see.
It was all meaningless, if he couldn't bring himself to take off the wrapper, savour the sweet.
It was all for nothing if he didn't live, love...
He adjusted the rear-view mirror, saw the two children in the back. Isaiah's breathless anticipation, Thali's delicate frame; and next to him, the bestest of all, Pearl.
"Ok, boy and girls! Are we ready to go? Lets take this show on the road!" and he revved up the engine and drove out of his garage into the Johannesburg city streets, not trying to hide; driving a fast car, with a treasure inside.
TO BE CONTINUED
Manuela Cardiga
It lay under a heavy specially tailored canvas cover, and Mr Thambisa whisked it off with pride.
Underneath gleamed a gorgeous slick metal-muscled mean-machine...
A Mercedes Benz Slk convertible, black as a panther, twice as fast. NOT that Mr Thambisa had ever actually driven it very fast at all. He was a conscientious driver, and a stickler for safety and the speed limits. Besides, he had hardly ever driven it at all. He came down occasionally and drove it around inside the huge empty space of the underground garage, the rest of the time he drove his battered old Toyota van on his regular business. He had no leisure, and the Merc sent out the wrong signals to people he intended to negotiate with, and attracted the wrong kind of attention to him as a man.
Beside him, Isaiah's mouth dropped wide open in a most satisfactory way:
"WOW! Man! WOW! That is MEAN! WOW!"
Simon Thambisa smirked "Yes...Isn't it?"
Peal and Thali, however looked singularly unimpressed.
"Sir, Simon, I mean, are we all going to fit in? It looks a little small!"
"Yes!" Thali chimed in, "TINY!"
Simon Thambisa was most offended. This car was the only sign of wealth he had allowed himself, his congratulatory pat in the back; his one indulgence, his one vice, the one fantasy he's cared enough to realise as a man who'd struggled up from a hard, bitter, love-starved childhood. It was his "I love you" card to himself...
"It's a very good size indeed! It has plenty of leg-room, and it is very comfortable to ride, in the back seat too. It is just right!"
"YES!" Isaiah's eyes gleamed with excitement, "Let's ride!"
"Well..." Pearl looked dubiously at the low-slung sports car. "It's so close to the ground! Is it safe?"
"Miss Chabalala, it is the very best German engineering and the suspension system is unrivalled. Also the safety statistics..." He was explaining his baby! Justifying it. He sounded like a used car salesman instead of the proud owner of an incredible machine. He took a deep breath, went around to the passenger side and opened the door, slid forward the passenger seat and gestured the children in.
Isaiah was first of course, and thali followed slowly, wrinkling her nose.
"It smells strange."
"It is the new car smell," explained SImon Thambisa proudly. "There is a spray..."
"Why is the seat covered in plastic?" Thali asked, wriggling her bottom and producing the most annoying squeaky sound. SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK
Simon gritted his teeth and replied: "It is Argentinian leather, the finest leather. The plastic protects it."
"Oh!" Thali nodded understanding. "it is pretty. But it is sad."
"Sad? Why sad?"
"Well if it was less fine you could enjoy it with out being afraid. This way you have the bestest sweet in the world, and you never take off the wrapper. It is sad."
Simon Thambisa helped Pearl into the passenger seat, closed the door, and got into his beloved car without a word.
With one casual observation Thali had invalidated his whole way of life. He saw himself as if though a magnifying glass that had suddenly focused, and focused on something he did not want to see.
It was all meaningless, if he couldn't bring himself to take off the wrapper, savour the sweet.
It was all for nothing if he didn't live, love...
He adjusted the rear-view mirror, saw the two children in the back. Isaiah's breathless anticipation, Thali's delicate frame; and next to him, the bestest of all, Pearl.
"Ok, boy and girls! Are we ready to go? Lets take this show on the road!" and he revved up the engine and drove out of his garage into the Johannesburg city streets, not trying to hide; driving a fast car, with a treasure inside.
TO BE CONTINUED
Manuela Cardiga
October 5, 2014
PETER CAME TO VISIT
It ain’t easy, girls,
Working at a lupinar,
Selling your tushie
For a bent dinar…
And talking
About bent!
I could tell
You some stories!
Just the other day
Guy comes in,
Wants to bless me.
Bless me, I tell you!
So I say to him:
"Looky here!
My here job
Is to deal
With your prick,
So if you are sick
You go to a physician
If you a goddess freak,
You go to Magna Mater
I ain’t here to deal
With religion!"
So he says to me,
He says, "you just
Don’t understand.
I’m here to save
Your soul!"
"My WHAT?"
Says I,
"Why", he stuttered,
"Your soul!"
"What the fuck’s
A bloody SOUL?"
(I was getting miffed)
So he muttered
Some shit
About the Holy Spirit
Coming down?
And I says to him,
I says,
"All I knows about
Is pricks
Coming UP!
So you pays
Your sestertius
Or you get
The Hades out!"
So he goes
All pie-eyed
And mutters
Some stuff,
And the truth
Of the matter is
I ain’t had a spot
Of real business
Since.
The last one
Was a legionnaire?
Starts to cry
Says he sees Heaven
In my eyes.
So now they
All come visit
Peer into my eyes
And all lie about
And cries
About their sins?
All fine and good;
Gives my back
A bit of a rest and all,
And as long as they
Keep leaving
Their gold...
They all want
Revelation?
SOLD!
MC
Working at a lupinar,
Selling your tushie
For a bent dinar…
And talking
About bent!
I could tell
You some stories!
Just the other day
Guy comes in,
Wants to bless me.
Bless me, I tell you!
So I say to him:
"Looky here!
My here job
Is to deal
With your prick,
So if you are sick
You go to a physician
If you a goddess freak,
You go to Magna Mater
I ain’t here to deal
With religion!"
So he says to me,
He says, "you just
Don’t understand.
I’m here to save
Your soul!"
"My WHAT?"
Says I,
"Why", he stuttered,
"Your soul!"
"What the fuck’s
A bloody SOUL?"
(I was getting miffed)
So he muttered
Some shit
About the Holy Spirit
Coming down?
And I says to him,
I says,
"All I knows about
Is pricks
Coming UP!
So you pays
Your sestertius
Or you get
The Hades out!"
So he goes
All pie-eyed
And mutters
Some stuff,
And the truth
Of the matter is
I ain’t had a spot
Of real business
Since.
The last one
Was a legionnaire?
Starts to cry
Says he sees Heaven
In my eyes.
So now they
All come visit
Peer into my eyes
And all lie about
And cries
About their sins?
All fine and good;
Gives my back
A bit of a rest and all,
And as long as they
Keep leaving
Their gold...
They all want
Revelation?
SOLD!
MC
New Review for "MANscapes - Journey into Light"!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Written with poetic flair.October 4, 2014
By Lynelle "Aspiring Writer"
This review is from: MANscapes (Kindle Edition)
I received the book from the author for an honest review.
What an incredible story. Written with so much thoughtfulness and poetic flair that you could not help but to connect on a deeper level with the main character. Clara Nova's story is heartfelt and touching, her struggles to be her own woman was just so believable.
Raped at the age of eighteen, Clara had no other option but to marry the man when she became pregnant. Not only did he rape her body, but raped her mind, and her emotions, so that she was lost for everyone, except him.
When she finally woke one morning with the realization that she is more than a victim, she returned as this very strong intelligent woman with a passion and drive that would not allow her to be a victim anymore. With this realization her journey of self discovery began, and together we walk with her through this growth. Watch as she discover love for the first time, enjoying the desire and passion of her art and awakening between the crisp white sheets.
I really love the name of the book, Manscapes. What a brilliant way of describing Clara's journey as she grew into this passionate being. Mapping out her desires with oils and brush.
When Johnny Walker walked into her life she had awaken fully. His brooding ways had sat her aflame, and he taught her about lovemaking. But he too, had some demons to fight, demons that stood in their way of happiness, and at the end he made a choice.
With the death of her husband, she learned more startling news, helping her daughter to face her own fears, both becoming independent in the process.
I loved Winston's character, his character was always in the background, but yet his presence couldn't be denied. His silent strength a witness to his graceful persona.
Really a very good story with an in-depth look of a mature woman as she get to know herself, her strengths, and fears and deals with everything that life threw at her.
Written with poetic flair.October 4, 2014
By Lynelle "Aspiring Writer"
This review is from: MANscapes (Kindle Edition)
I received the book from the author for an honest review.
What an incredible story. Written with so much thoughtfulness and poetic flair that you could not help but to connect on a deeper level with the main character. Clara Nova's story is heartfelt and touching, her struggles to be her own woman was just so believable.
Raped at the age of eighteen, Clara had no other option but to marry the man when she became pregnant. Not only did he rape her body, but raped her mind, and her emotions, so that she was lost for everyone, except him.
When she finally woke one morning with the realization that she is more than a victim, she returned as this very strong intelligent woman with a passion and drive that would not allow her to be a victim anymore. With this realization her journey of self discovery began, and together we walk with her through this growth. Watch as she discover love for the first time, enjoying the desire and passion of her art and awakening between the crisp white sheets.
I really love the name of the book, Manscapes. What a brilliant way of describing Clara's journey as she grew into this passionate being. Mapping out her desires with oils and brush.
When Johnny Walker walked into her life she had awaken fully. His brooding ways had sat her aflame, and he taught her about lovemaking. But he too, had some demons to fight, demons that stood in their way of happiness, and at the end he made a choice.
With the death of her husband, she learned more startling news, helping her daughter to face her own fears, both becoming independent in the process.
I loved Winston's character, his character was always in the background, but yet his presence couldn't be denied. His silent strength a witness to his graceful persona.
Really a very good story with an in-depth look of a mature woman as she get to know herself, her strengths, and fears and deals with everything that life threw at her.
October 2, 2014
PAWNING PEARL Part 8
Decently clothed and wallowing in chagrin, Simon Thambisa did not hear the first knock.
"Mr. Thambisa, Sir?" Pearl called and knocked again, "Are you well?"
Simon cleared his throat: "I am well, Miss Chabalala. I am resting."
A long silence followed his curt reply, then another timid knock.
"Sir, may I come in?"
Simon sighed. He got up, walked to the door and opened it.
"Yes? What is it?"
Pearl stood looking oddly uncertain. "I need to speak with you, Sir. To apologise."
"Apologise?" This sounded good...Sounded like the soothing balm his male pride sorely needed! Simon stepped back and aside, letting her in.
"Yes, Sir, I am sorry. You see..." She looked up at him, "Sir may I sit down?"
He nodded and gestured at the freshly-made bed, and Pearl sat down, primly folding her hands on her lap. "Sir,the reason we came back...We were on our way, and Thali asked what people do in church, and I said: we thank God."
Simon made a brusque gesture, then waved her on.
"Thali said, what she wanted to thank God for was you, and then I knew we could not go without you, Sir."
"Miss Chabalala..."
"Please Sir, let me finish. You don't want to go, I see that, and there will be reasons, and good and righteous ones - and I think the reason I wanted you to go...I wanted to feel like a family, Sir. I was selfish. I was thinking of what I wanted, not what was right. So I want to apologise."
"Pearl." How right her name sounded, "Pearl, when I was a small boy my parents belonged to a church. It is not a good memory for me."
"Sir I understand that now. I realised, when Thali spoke, that what I wanted to thank God for was you, also." She lowered her head and examined her hands.
"Pearl, I was thinking, Isaiah told me you want him to go to school."
She lifted her head, her expression brightening: "Yes! And Thali too. I am taking them tomorrow. To the school, and to the doctor."
"They need things; school uniforms, shoes, so I think we go to the shopping centre this afternoon, and buy what they need?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Simon, please Pearl, Simon."
"Yes, Simon! I am thinking you need some things too, Sir. Simon, I mean, Sir!" She giggled. "Some new underwear?"
TO BE CONTINUED
"Mr. Thambisa, Sir?" Pearl called and knocked again, "Are you well?"
Simon cleared his throat: "I am well, Miss Chabalala. I am resting."
A long silence followed his curt reply, then another timid knock.
"Sir, may I come in?"
Simon sighed. He got up, walked to the door and opened it.
"Yes? What is it?"
Pearl stood looking oddly uncertain. "I need to speak with you, Sir. To apologise."
"Apologise?" This sounded good...Sounded like the soothing balm his male pride sorely needed! Simon stepped back and aside, letting her in.
"Yes, Sir, I am sorry. You see..." She looked up at him, "Sir may I sit down?"
He nodded and gestured at the freshly-made bed, and Pearl sat down, primly folding her hands on her lap. "Sir,the reason we came back...We were on our way, and Thali asked what people do in church, and I said: we thank God."
Simon made a brusque gesture, then waved her on.
"Thali said, what she wanted to thank God for was you, and then I knew we could not go without you, Sir."
"Miss Chabalala..."
"Please Sir, let me finish. You don't want to go, I see that, and there will be reasons, and good and righteous ones - and I think the reason I wanted you to go...I wanted to feel like a family, Sir. I was selfish. I was thinking of what I wanted, not what was right. So I want to apologise."
"Pearl." How right her name sounded, "Pearl, when I was a small boy my parents belonged to a church. It is not a good memory for me."
"Sir I understand that now. I realised, when Thali spoke, that what I wanted to thank God for was you, also." She lowered her head and examined her hands.
"Pearl, I was thinking, Isaiah told me you want him to go to school."
She lifted her head, her expression brightening: "Yes! And Thali too. I am taking them tomorrow. To the school, and to the doctor."
"They need things; school uniforms, shoes, so I think we go to the shopping centre this afternoon, and buy what they need?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Simon, please Pearl, Simon."
"Yes, Simon! I am thinking you need some things too, Sir. Simon, I mean, Sir!" She giggled. "Some new underwear?"
TO BE CONTINUED
October 1, 2014
HEARTS SKIP A BEAT
What if
You were born
In the right time
And the right place
And somehow
Fate managed
To displace
You?
What if
You turn left
At the intersection
And the love
Of your life
Turned right?
What if
Years and fears
And many tears
Later
You meet
On a city street
Or just nod
Or greet
On a bus?
Do you kick up a fuss?
Do you scream:
Stop!
Come back!
The thing we’ve
Been looking for?
It's us!
Manuela Cardiga
You were born
In the right time
And the right place
And somehow
Fate managed
To displace
You?
What if
You turn left
At the intersection
And the love
Of your life
Turned right?
What if
Years and fears
And many tears
Later
You meet
On a city street
Or just nod
Or greet
On a bus?
Do you kick up a fuss?
Do you scream:
Stop!
Come back!
The thing we’ve
Been looking for?
It's us!
Manuela Cardiga
PAWNING PEARL Part 7
Simon Thambisa lay stubbornly on his bed listening to the sounds of Pearl and the children having breakfast, getting dressed, getting ready to leave the house.
Finally the front-door closed with a resolute snap and he got up.
A strange and deadly silence filled the rooms. No breath stirred the air, no sound; for the first time in weeks Simon found himself alone, in an empty house.
He hummed with resolute cheerfulness and stepped into his shower, filled his hands with a pine-scented shower-gel (extravagance!) that Pearl had brought and lathered up.
He was compelled to raise his voice above the pattering water in a discordant yell to show himself (and the neighbours) that Pearl Chabalala could go to hell for all he cared, but he was NOT going to church. He was right here, in his own house. Master of all he surveyed, purveyor of his own fate.
Fortified by his shower, he stalked in naked splendour to his bedroom.
How he had missed this freedom!
He was proud, proud to be a solitary man.
He stopped before his mirror and flexed his muscles.
Yes! He was a loner by nature…
The He-Leopard, the great Bull Buffalo…
He heard a noise behind him and turned to find himself preening before a fascinated audience.
Isaiah looked impressed; Thali with a finger stuck in her mouth, not so much.
He bellowed in alarm like the aforementioned buffalo, and tried to gesture them out - even as he covered himself. “Out!” he screamed, “This is my bedroom! GET OUT!” His voice sounded squeaky and high pitched to his own ears.
The children turned tail and ran, leaving him shaky and in the throes of a devastating wave of embarrassment he had though he would never again experience, since he had left his gawky teens behind and filled out into a man to command respect.
.
To add to his mortification he hear Thali say: “Mamma Pearl, Mr Simon is in a very bad mood. It must be because he has a little wee-wee thing like Isaiah’s. Do all boy’s have wee-wee things like that?”
Pearl’s answer was unintelligible, and Simon Thambisa resolved never to leave his room.
Never, never ever again, not while he still had breath.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
Finally the front-door closed with a resolute snap and he got up.
A strange and deadly silence filled the rooms. No breath stirred the air, no sound; for the first time in weeks Simon found himself alone, in an empty house.
He hummed with resolute cheerfulness and stepped into his shower, filled his hands with a pine-scented shower-gel (extravagance!) that Pearl had brought and lathered up.
He was compelled to raise his voice above the pattering water in a discordant yell to show himself (and the neighbours) that Pearl Chabalala could go to hell for all he cared, but he was NOT going to church. He was right here, in his own house. Master of all he surveyed, purveyor of his own fate.
Fortified by his shower, he stalked in naked splendour to his bedroom.
How he had missed this freedom!
He was proud, proud to be a solitary man.
He stopped before his mirror and flexed his muscles.
Yes! He was a loner by nature…
The He-Leopard, the great Bull Buffalo…
He heard a noise behind him and turned to find himself preening before a fascinated audience.
Isaiah looked impressed; Thali with a finger stuck in her mouth, not so much.
He bellowed in alarm like the aforementioned buffalo, and tried to gesture them out - even as he covered himself. “Out!” he screamed, “This is my bedroom! GET OUT!” His voice sounded squeaky and high pitched to his own ears.
The children turned tail and ran, leaving him shaky and in the throes of a devastating wave of embarrassment he had though he would never again experience, since he had left his gawky teens behind and filled out into a man to command respect.
.
To add to his mortification he hear Thali say: “Mamma Pearl, Mr Simon is in a very bad mood. It must be because he has a little wee-wee thing like Isaiah’s. Do all boy’s have wee-wee things like that?”
Pearl’s answer was unintelligible, and Simon Thambisa resolved never to leave his room.
Never, never ever again, not while he still had breath.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
September 30, 2014
PAWNING PEARL 6
Simon Thambisa woke with a start. Someone was watching him. He sat up slowly. At the foot of his bed sat the scruffy boy, cross legged, with his feet on Simon's comforter, no less!
"What are you doing?"
The boy's eyes were wide and round. Little owl eyes in a narrow ferret face. Really not an attractive child!
"Mamma Pearl said I must watch you, learn from you. She say you are the greatest man in the world."
Simon's mouth dropped open.
"She did'"
The boy nodded solemnly, and his eyes got impossibly wider.
"Yes. She said if I become a man like you, she will be proud. I like Mamma Pearl. A lot."
"Yes, so do I." Simon found himself replying.
"I do anything, anything to make her proud."
"Me too."
The boy sighed. "She wants me to go to school. She told me this morning. Why can't women be proud of us with out we got to do stuff we don't want to, like go to school?"
"I know..I know...Women, they are terrible."
"But wonderful too."
"Yes," agreed Simon with a heartfelt sigh, "That too."
They sat in bewildered silence contemplating the mystery of women, and the chaos and trouble they brought into a in a reasonable man's life.
"Well," said Simon, after a while, "We must band together. Help each other, or these women will make fools of us."
The boy nodded vigorously. "Yes, Sir! That is a good plan!" He hesitated, "But Mr Simon? I think maybe we be fools already."
Just then there was a knock on Simon's door.
"Come in!"
Pearl shyly peeked around the door. "Sir? It's time for breakfast...I thought as it is Sunday, Sir, we could take the children to Church? And after, I would pack a lunch? We could go to Lion's Park?"
"Church? I don't go to church! On Sundays I do inventory, and the books...I don't have time in my life for church and Parks. I am a businessman, Miss Chabalala."
Pearl's eyes acquired a flinty cast.
"Of course Sir. I am only a maid, Sir,and I don't decide what businessmen do with their time. It was only a suggestion, Sir. Come Isaiah, leave Mr Thambisa alone. He is a busy man."
The boy, (Isaiah) jumped up and followed Pearl's indignant skirt out of the room.
Simon Thambisa lay back and stared at his ceiling.
CHURCH?
Enough was enough.
This is where he would draw the line. He was a man, this was his house, his life.
He would decide.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
"What are you doing?"
The boy's eyes were wide and round. Little owl eyes in a narrow ferret face. Really not an attractive child!
"Mamma Pearl said I must watch you, learn from you. She say you are the greatest man in the world."
Simon's mouth dropped open.
"She did'"
The boy nodded solemnly, and his eyes got impossibly wider.
"Yes. She said if I become a man like you, she will be proud. I like Mamma Pearl. A lot."
"Yes, so do I." Simon found himself replying.
"I do anything, anything to make her proud."
"Me too."
The boy sighed. "She wants me to go to school. She told me this morning. Why can't women be proud of us with out we got to do stuff we don't want to, like go to school?"
"I know..I know...Women, they are terrible."
"But wonderful too."
"Yes," agreed Simon with a heartfelt sigh, "That too."
They sat in bewildered silence contemplating the mystery of women, and the chaos and trouble they brought into a in a reasonable man's life.
"Well," said Simon, after a while, "We must band together. Help each other, or these women will make fools of us."
The boy nodded vigorously. "Yes, Sir! That is a good plan!" He hesitated, "But Mr Simon? I think maybe we be fools already."
Just then there was a knock on Simon's door.
"Come in!"
Pearl shyly peeked around the door. "Sir? It's time for breakfast...I thought as it is Sunday, Sir, we could take the children to Church? And after, I would pack a lunch? We could go to Lion's Park?"
"Church? I don't go to church! On Sundays I do inventory, and the books...I don't have time in my life for church and Parks. I am a businessman, Miss Chabalala."
Pearl's eyes acquired a flinty cast.
"Of course Sir. I am only a maid, Sir,and I don't decide what businessmen do with their time. It was only a suggestion, Sir. Come Isaiah, leave Mr Thambisa alone. He is a busy man."
The boy, (Isaiah) jumped up and followed Pearl's indignant skirt out of the room.
Simon Thambisa lay back and stared at his ceiling.
CHURCH?
Enough was enough.
This is where he would draw the line. He was a man, this was his house, his life.
He would decide.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
September 28, 2014
PAWNING PEARL Part 5
Simon Thambisa came to on his couch with a damp cloth on his forehead, and a worried looking Pearl bending over him.
"Simon..." He pushed himself up and she fell back.
"Sir...Are you well?"
"Yes...a dizzy spell... A dream..."
Behind Pearl a tiny face peeked. Simon gasped.
"Oh! Not a dream..."
"Sir?"
"The children, these children..."
"Oh Si-Sir, they were so hungry! I have never seen people eat so much!"
Simon felt faint again. Locusts! She had invited a swarm of locusts into his house.
"Miss Chabalala, this is just not done." he began, even as Pearl lay a gentle hand on his forehead.
"Sir, you feel a little warm. You may be coming down with the flu. I am making you some hot tea and putting you to bed."
"Miss Chabalala, the children-"
"Now Sir, don't you worry, I will look after the children. You must worry about yourself, about getting well."
She was helping him up off the couch, wedging her slight shoulder under him, guiding him out of the lounge and into his room.
She sat him down, and untied his shoes. Simon lay back dazed, silenced; unmade by the tender concern in her touch, her eyes, her voice.
"Miss Chabalala about the children..."
Pearl stopped at the door and turned "Sir...Even now, ill as you are, your first thoughts are for these little orphaned ones," her eyes glimmered with tears, "I cannot tell you how I admire you Sir. You are a great man."
***
Half way through the night Simon heard a fearful cry, a soft weeping, then a gentle voice. He rose, and walked on are bare feet down the corridor. In the lounge, on his beloved couch, was the boy, fast asleep under a blanket (and an unlovely sight indeed!) with his mouth agape and his feet jutting out.
Simon followed the murmurs and stood outside Pearl's door. He hesitated then pushed the door open. Pearl sat on the side of the bed, cradling the child. Rocking her, humming a little song, making strangely comforting nonsense sounds.
Simon Thambisa felt a wave of envy (or was it jealousy?) overtake his mighty frame. He wanted to be small, frail and afraid, if that would make Pearl Chabalala hold him that way.
Soon the child was asleep, and Pearl gently eased her down onto the bed, tucked the comforter tenderly around the tiny face. She stood and taking Simon's hand silently led him into the kitchen.
She set the kettle to boil, and prepared the teapot. "I am sorry we woke you, Sir, and you so ill, but Thali is so afraid." She set the mugs on the table, and poured in the tea. "Bad things happen to little ones on the streets, you see."
Simon bowed his head in shame over his steaming tea."I am much better now, yes, much better...And the little one is safe here, always. Tell her that, tell them both. Tell them they can stay."
"Oh Sim- I mean Sir! You don't know what this will mean to them! I thought you would let them stay a week, until we could get them to an Orphanage, but this...Oh Sir!" Tears were running down Pearl's cheeks. "Sir, you are giving them a home, a family."
Simon Thambisa made incoherent sounds deep in his throat.
Pearl took his hand, pressed it to her forehead."I love you Sir, respectfully, forgive me Sir,.." And Pearl cried and cried, tears of joy that somehow wounded Simon's heart deeper than cutting knives.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
"Simon..." He pushed himself up and she fell back.
"Sir...Are you well?"
"Yes...a dizzy spell... A dream..."
Behind Pearl a tiny face peeked. Simon gasped.
"Oh! Not a dream..."
"Sir?"
"The children, these children..."
"Oh Si-Sir, they were so hungry! I have never seen people eat so much!"
Simon felt faint again. Locusts! She had invited a swarm of locusts into his house.
"Miss Chabalala, this is just not done." he began, even as Pearl lay a gentle hand on his forehead.
"Sir, you feel a little warm. You may be coming down with the flu. I am making you some hot tea and putting you to bed."
"Miss Chabalala, the children-"
"Now Sir, don't you worry, I will look after the children. You must worry about yourself, about getting well."
She was helping him up off the couch, wedging her slight shoulder under him, guiding him out of the lounge and into his room.
She sat him down, and untied his shoes. Simon lay back dazed, silenced; unmade by the tender concern in her touch, her eyes, her voice.
"Miss Chabalala about the children..."
Pearl stopped at the door and turned "Sir...Even now, ill as you are, your first thoughts are for these little orphaned ones," her eyes glimmered with tears, "I cannot tell you how I admire you Sir. You are a great man."
***
Half way through the night Simon heard a fearful cry, a soft weeping, then a gentle voice. He rose, and walked on are bare feet down the corridor. In the lounge, on his beloved couch, was the boy, fast asleep under a blanket (and an unlovely sight indeed!) with his mouth agape and his feet jutting out.
Simon followed the murmurs and stood outside Pearl's door. He hesitated then pushed the door open. Pearl sat on the side of the bed, cradling the child. Rocking her, humming a little song, making strangely comforting nonsense sounds.
Simon Thambisa felt a wave of envy (or was it jealousy?) overtake his mighty frame. He wanted to be small, frail and afraid, if that would make Pearl Chabalala hold him that way.
Soon the child was asleep, and Pearl gently eased her down onto the bed, tucked the comforter tenderly around the tiny face. She stood and taking Simon's hand silently led him into the kitchen.
She set the kettle to boil, and prepared the teapot. "I am sorry we woke you, Sir, and you so ill, but Thali is so afraid." She set the mugs on the table, and poured in the tea. "Bad things happen to little ones on the streets, you see."
Simon bowed his head in shame over his steaming tea."I am much better now, yes, much better...And the little one is safe here, always. Tell her that, tell them both. Tell them they can stay."
"Oh Sim- I mean Sir! You don't know what this will mean to them! I thought you would let them stay a week, until we could get them to an Orphanage, but this...Oh Sir!" Tears were running down Pearl's cheeks. "Sir, you are giving them a home, a family."
Simon Thambisa made incoherent sounds deep in his throat.
Pearl took his hand, pressed it to her forehead."I love you Sir, respectfully, forgive me Sir,.." And Pearl cried and cried, tears of joy that somehow wounded Simon's heart deeper than cutting knives.
Manuela Cardiga
TO BE CONTINUED
