章節 21: 20
A FACE IN THE CROWD
20.
After the meeting which heilded no fruit. Tiro knocks at my door. I let him in.
The room mess has been cleared out. I had my room redesigned by katlego. New paint, curtains, bed, frame and designs. It took a whole day to tame. Katlego know guys who did it perfectly. I love the new design. My keys were changed too. I've got a new lock owned by me alone.
Tiro looks around the room fascinated.
Tiro: This is life, sis.
It's the first time he recognizes me as "sis".
Me: Why do you want to see me?
Tiro: ooh! It's about the whole Dad issue.
Me: what about it?
Tiro: I may not live here with you guys but I've seen how you're being ill treated from an infant age. I watched you grow being maltreated by Dad, Your mom and everyone else and I'm now bothered on why you have decided to spend your hard earned money on a father that never looked at your face for once. He didn't care about you.
Me: So you saw all that and you were quiet too? You knew I was maltreated here and you ignored it till now? Me, your blood sister? How could you?
Tiro: what was I to do? If your birth parents couldn't love you, what was I to do?
Me: so what do you want from me now?
Tiro: I come here with good plans. I've got this crypto business going on. I only need big funds like the..the 550,000bwp you're going to waste on Dad. He won't make it even with the transplant. He'll only stay for a few years and still die. Why not invest in my business and you'll get paid 6million in less than six months. Leave baba, he's an old man. You're young and you've got a long life to live. You've got big plans. Leave Baba, he didn't even treat you right...
I share a loud laugh. My step brother is a funny man.
Me: I'm just laughing at you. You're a father yourself. You've got two boys yourself and you're saying this trash. Truly when they said that being older doesn't mean you're mature and smart, they were right. My brother, you're thirteen years older than I am but you're still immature.
Tiro: what? I won't allow insults from you toddler.
Me: you are the toddler here! Put yourself in Baba's shoes and imagine your boys abandon you for the same rubbish you're telling me now, how would you feel? You're a father yourself, put yourself in dad's shoes!
Tiro: Now I know why you were being ostracized by your own family. You don't think big at all. You're too emotional and that's why you'll remain ostracized, ugly duckling! They'll keep on using you till you rot and perish!
He cursed at me and left my room.
I think about all he said all night.
I even confided in katlego and tshepo and they advised me to do what's on my mind.
My mind was made up. I'll clear Dad's medical bills and leave the rest to fate.
.
.
.
The next morning I went to the hospital before the studio.
"Mom, I've cleared the hospital bills," I said, entering Dad's ward.
Mom looked up, surprise etched on her face.
"Precious, you shouldn't have done that. You have a bright future ahead. You should invest in yourself, not old parents like us."
"I want Dad to focus on healing, not worrying about bills," I replied.
Mom's eyes dropped.
"I've already told him. He didn't want you to spend your money on him. He regrets not being a good father to you."
"Please, Mom, let him concentrate on recovery. He can make it up to me later, not while he's sick."
Mom nodded, tears welling up.
"Precious, I'm sorry. I was wrong to treat you poorly. I thought about the past and realized we unfairly favored some children over others. You're our child, and I love you."
My eyes stung as I hugged her.
"It's okay, Mom. It's in the past."
"I'm sorry for not being part of your life. I didn't know about your art passion. You're working with Meetsi Mokotso, right?"
"How did you...?"
"Katlego told me. I'm proud of you, Lesedi."
I smiled, feeling a weight lift.
"Thanks, Mom. Means a lot."
Dad stirred, opening his eyes.
"Lesedi...thank you," he whispered.
I held his hand.
"Focus on healing, Dad. We'll talk later."
As I left for my apprenticeship, I felt a sense of peace.
Mom's apology healed old wounds.
Maybe, just maybe, our family could start anew.
"Hey, Meetsi!" I greeted my mentor. He told me to stop calling him "sir" and just call him his name. We're on name basis now!
"Morning, precious! How's your dad?"
"He's undergoing surgery today."
Meetsi smiled.
"That's wonderful! Family is complicated, but forgiveness is powerful."
I nodded, feeling grateful.
"Time for a good surprise!"
Meetsi's smile hinted at a surprise, making me nervous. Did he just say 'surprise'?
"What is it, Meetsi?" I asked.
He handed me his laptop, displaying his business page on social media.
My jaw dropped.
There, on his page, was my masterpiece – a live portrait of a father on his dying hospital bed.
The painting depicted my family's painful reality: Dad lay helpless in an hospital bed, while Mom and siblings turned their backs.
Only a malnourished dog showed compassion, licking his face.
But people loved it.
Comments poured in: "Powerful!" "Heart-wrenching!" "Masterpiece!"
Buyers offered millions.
I couldn't comprehend.
"How...why do people like this?" I stuttered.
Meetsi chuckled.
"Your art speaks volumes, precious"
He called out to his assistant.
"Luciana, get my manager on the phone."
"Manager?" I repeated.
Meetsi nodded.
"Yes, Lesedi. You need professional representation."
Luciana entered with a bottle of water.
"Here, precious," Meetsi said.
I took a sip, trying to process.
Meetsi continued.
"My manager will help create a new image for you – social life, personality, the works."
"He'll set up your business page, and we'll sell your artwork to the highest bidder."
My mind reeled.
"This is too much," I whispered.
Meetsi's expression turned serious.
"Precious, your talent deserves recognition."
"Are you ready to take your art to the world?"
I nodded, still in shock.
Meetsi smiled.
"Good."
The painting, once a reflection of my pain, had become a doorway to success.
But was I ready for the spotlight?
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