Journey to Montagu

The benign influence of pure air covered the entire Montagu area, unlike the contaminated air of Joburg city where I came from. The city of gold had left me with bittersweet memories I chose to wipe out from my mind, however there was one thing I could not seem to forget which was my mother’s cooking. I especially loved the manner in which she would prepare ”bohobe” they call it in my Sotho language. Made from a combination of flour, yeast, and sugar, served with my favourite boerewors, minced meat combined with spices and wrapped with animal skin into a long roll. Deep down I knew that she would do alright on her own. She was a sophisticated, strong, independent woman who was capable of taking care of herself.

“If your father gives you any troubles, you call me alright!” Said my mother, with a compassionate look on her face.

She somehow still saw me as her little girl.

A part of me wanted to burst out laughing but I kept my self at ease.

“I will be okay. Don't worry yourself needlessly. I have waited a long time for this moment. All that I need from you is your support and I’ll be fine.” I said.

My mother smiled, tears filled in her eyes. She walked towards me, then squeezed me tightly.

“Be safe my child. May God be with you on this long journey.” She said, then kissed me on the forehead.

As soon as I was about to leave, my mother stopped me then gave me two food container, one was packed with slices of bohobe, another contained tender cooked tripe.

I smiled.

"Thank you." I said.

I placed the food containers safely in my white sedan car.

Patricia waved goodbye as i began to drive away.

I took constant breaks as the journey was 14 hours long. I could not take it anymore, I wanted to arrive as soon I could. Relief came to my heart when I noticed that I had reached my destination. As I entered the cold Montagu area, I noticed heavy mist covering the hex mountains. So white, yet mystical. I developed a great desire to further explore the region. The terrain captured my mind and I immediately developed a desire to climb to the top of the mountains as I enjoyed hiking.

During my adolescent phase, I had developed a strong yearning of finding my "mysterious" father. All that my mother had ever told me was how taken aback she was when my father abandoned us as he seemed like a noble man with good morale.

Finding an apartment to rent was not as difficult as I assumed it would be as many options were open for me. Thanks to the internet. I found the best affordable room at a price of R2000 rand only. Not something you come across everyday when searching for accomodation in Capetown. The room was small in size, the paint on the walls was fading, however there was electricity and the water was safe to drink. Unfortunately I had to share the toilets with other tenant's, something I was very much uncomfortable with.

On the first night of my arrival to Montagu, I found sleeping to be difficult. The bed was too hard, the pillows were too soft. The second night was better, I managed to sleep after playing my music tunes. On the third day, I went to the food market to get fresh vegetables to eat for dinner. The people were friendly, a tall charming man even offered me a lift home. I turned him down even though he seemed harmless. The fourth day arrived, I had a longing to get out of the house. I put on my running shoes and sweatpants then began to jog around the neighbourhood for at least 45 minutes. I then returned back to my small room.

One night as I was taking my usual runs in the cold street’s of Montagu , I noticed a dark peculiar shadow laying on the side road. I got closer only to discover the horror that would change my life entirely. The shadowy figure was an injured men. His facials indicated that he was about sixty years of age. The greyish beard on his wrinkled face had been covered with blood. It seemed as if he were fighting with an animal, his face was covered in scratches down to his chest area. I grabbed his hand to check for a pulse, fortunate enough it was still pounding which meant that he was still alive. My rented room was close by. I ran back to get my car, I drove quickly to where the man was laying, grabbed him slowly and carefully then put him into the car. The man was trying to say something but I could not hear what he was saying as he was not speaking properly.

"I can't hear you." I shouted.

The man kept quiet but he did not stop groaning. That caused me further worry.

I started the car, then drove all the way to the nearest hospital. I begged the staff nurse who was attending the man him to contact me as soon as he's condition had become better. Even though the man was a stranger, I felt a great deal of sympathy for him.

The following day around 4pm, I received a call from the nurse had been attending him the entire night as I presumed.

I was a bit anxious when I answered the call. I needed to hear something good.

“The patient you brought in yesterday is doing much better. We are discharging him today, will you be able to collect him from the hospital? “Asked the nurse.

I felt slightly awkward but remained loyal to my promise.

"Yes I will come. Can you please contact me as soon as he is discharged.”

"I will do so mam." Said the nurse, before ending the call.

Two hours later I received a call that the man had been discharged. I drove all the way to the hospital that very moment. The nurse led me to ward 10, where the man sat with other patients in their own beds waiting to be picked up. I could see that he was doing better. The smile on his face widened as I entered the room. Painful memories began to torment my mind as I was approaching him. I could remember the horrific car accident that had nearly ended mother's life. Patricia stayed in the hospital for a week. Each day was unbearable. I nearly lost the queen of my heart. I was only twelve years old at the time, but that is a story for another day. The stranger besides me had been staring at me from the moment I had stepped inside the ward till I took a sit next to him. The nurse gave him a prescription of the pills he had to take for the pain.

The man and i left the hospital as soon as the nurses were completely done with checking him. I felt relieved as I could not stand hospital's. The ward had a horrible scent of pills. Peracetamol pills, that is.

“Thank you for saving my life." Said the man.

He's beard seemed to cover his lower lips. I wondered how he was able to drink anything with his mouth. Imagining it felt like a nightmare. I felt as if I was suffocating, unable to breath from the image. I cleared my mouth, but could not speak right away. I observed the man for a while, his skin was very dark, his eyes wide and big. He did not seem afraid, but rather calm. He trusted me, which I found to be strange. Some people would tell me that I have eyes of a killer which always brought me insecurities.

"My name is Benjamin Temo but you can call me Ben” Said the man, stretching his hand toward me. I gave him a handshake and a smile.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lebohang, but you may call me Lebo." I said.

Ben smiled.

"Do you have a family close by? Perhaps I could drive you to them."

Tears came running down from Ben’s eyes all the way to his cheeks. Seeing that made me feel slightly uncomfortable for a while.

Ben leaned over to my chair to offer me a hug.

I sat still feeling akward.

“Is there anything you would like me to do for you?" Ben asked, looking directly towards me. I could not help but smile.

I felt the man's adoration, for a second I wished he was my father.

I then looked at the man's bandaged hand, I felt a strange pain in my heart. My smile disappeared.

Here’s a sick man who had gone through great trauma, yet he was asking what he could do for me. I felt great pity toward him. I fought to hide my feelings from him, but not my intention.

“Perhaps you could help me find someone. I’m trying to locate my father, all that I know is that he’s name is Chris Debeer at least that was what my mother told me.

You see I never knew him and I don’t have his photos. They all burned in our old house while I was still a baby. At least that was what I was told growing up.” I explained.

I hoped Ben could offer me the help I very much needed.

“The name sound’s familiar. I think I know where he stays. I can take you there."

“Really? Oh yes please!" I screamed. "That would be helpful, but first let me get back to my place then we will go look for my father."

Ben agreed.

I felt hopeful but remained weary.