Tell my dad
I am his bona-fide son
One of his flesh and blood
His replica and all

Tell my dad
Because I tend more to my mum
Doesn't change the fact
He is my number one friend

Tell my dad
I worship the path he treads
He is my own super hero
My trusted ally

Tell my dad
Every step I take in life
His words lead the way
His frowns directs

Tell my dad
He is my role model
His memories will I cherish
His achievements will I protect

Tell my dad
My son will take after him
My generation will learn from him
My daughters will love him

Tell my dad
I have sworn
To uphold all he stands for
The truth inclusive

Tell my dad
My awesome father
I'll make him proud
So help me God

Copyright
All right reserved

Armstrong Prosper
©2016

For those who don't understand Spanish, here is the translated version of my poem.

We hold the pen
to write and teach
our words our bond
so read and be filled

the truth be told
the world is lost
but would we sit
and let it drown?

so teach the world
let's sit and talk
for none is lost
our world we'll regain

Copyright
All rights reserved

Armstrong Prosper
2017

Wow!!!

This story has kept me on my toes and a lot of lesson has been learnt. I think Promise is the daughter of the President! And oh! my deepest condolences to Mr. Vict-vames.

Victor I want to draw your attention to some people who are posting your stories on rogue sites and WhatsApp groups! I don't know if you personally allow it but I could track some of those people electronically for you bro! You work hard for this mehn!

#peace

This is a hit!! So captivating and hilarious that I woke people in the next room with my laugher. You are amazing! #Please don't let this gift go unnoticed. Channel them to the right sources.

Thanks for sharing this

Fidelismaria:
Hmmmm
U rushing tins man
I personally tink its too early to propose
Marriage is nt sumtin u rush



Sch relationship is nt so complicated as working class relationship

I tink u shud have taken tins slow


No finish dis story now cos dere re lots of unexplored angles

I dnt to see dthy pregnant nd pardoned

I want to see promise hookin up wit victor

I want to see Mirabel breaking up wit victor

No love is perfect


Victor nd Mirabel love is way too perfect to b true

Check out the title of the story. I think that is the direction the writer wants it to tend to.

Marshalrhino:


finally vames, good job

You deserve a big slap... Do u have to quote the whole post?

* * *
Busi ran back through the school gates. She waited until he had gone around the corner before she went back out onto the street. Her watch said two forty-five. He wasn’t coming. Why would he? But then she heard that familiar, thump, thump, thump of the bass beat pounding out onto the road through the open windows of Parks’s taxi and her heart leapt. And when Parks pulled up next to her she went straight up, put her head through the window and kissed him. It was so bold, so brave. It made her feel like a grown-up. And he kissed her back.
“I’m in luck,” he said, a big grin on his face. “I thought it was too late. I thought I’d missed you. To think, if I had come five minutes later you might have gone. Now get in, I’m hungry.”
“Khentakhi?” she laughed. She was so happy.
“Let’s try some place new,” he said, as she looked back expecting to see the gaadjie. But today they were alone. “He was annoying me,” laughed Parks. “I dropped him at the last traffic light. I booted him out. He’s probably lying on the pavement right now.”
“Serious? You kicked him out of the taxi?”
“No, I’m just teasing you. I like teasing you.” He winked at her. “I like kissing you too.” As they drove he reached over, opened the cubbyhole and took out a CD, “Hey, I got you some new music.” He slid the CD into the player. It was Ringo – the musician she had told him about when they were at the beach. “Sithandwa sam …,” she sang along.
“You like it?”
“I like it!” The fear had gone. She had been stupid to be nervous of him. Now it felt like they had known each other forever.
“Now, where are we going for lunch? You can pick anywhere. Remember I’m not just a taxi driver. I’m also an entrepreneur,” he laughed. “Money is no object.” But Busi didn’t know any of the fancy places. She knew KFC and Steers. That was all. And they had been to KFC.
“Steers,” she said.
“Steers it is,” he answered. “But next time it will be somewhere fancy … after sunset.” He looked at her. “There will be a next time?”
“Yes.”
She wanted to tell him she loved him there and then. She had to hold the words in before they came bursting out. No, she would wait until they were somewhere romantic … at night.

Sorry about the delay... I have been quite busy.
The next chapter comes soonest.

* * *
It was no use pretending that she was working in class. She hadn’t written a line since she got to school. When the Maths teacher, Ma’am Ratsibe, walked around the class checking their homework, Busi hid the page she had been writing on under her arm. “I left my Maths book at home,” she lied. She didn’t want the teacher to see what she had drawn on the page of her workbook – a heart with their names inside it.
It was foolish, she told herself. She would never see Parks again. It had been one wonderful afternoon. That was all. But she couldn’t help hoping that he would be there again, waiting at the gate after school. All she could think of was the feeling of his lips on hers. She was bubbling over like the champagne they drank. Every few minutes she looked out of the classroom window to see if he was there, waiting. But the road was empty. It was too early, she told herself. He would come later.
* * *
When the final siren went all the students pushed to get out of the gates and into the taxis. The drivers were the bullies of the road, hooting and shoving to get in front of each other. She searched for Parks’s taxi. But he wasn’t there and her heart sank. She couldn’t wait again – not with Unathi around watching her every move. So she decided to walk home. It wasn’t that far, and she would save the taxi fare. She could buy herself something nice with the money – some lip gloss for when she next saw Parks. She would show him that she wasn’t a silly little schoolgirl.
She watched as the taxis left one by one, bursting with schoolkids crushed together. School ties came off and shirts were pulled out and hung loosely over the guys’ pants as they got comfortable on the way home. She waited until the last of them had gone and then she started to walk, really slowly, down the road. But she got only a few paces when she heard a familiar voice.
“Do you want me to carry your bag?” Unathi was there again, following her like a lame dog. She was angry now. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? “Why didn’t you take the taxi?” he asked.
“Why didn’t you?” she answered.
“To save the fare,” he said. But she knew that wasn’t the reason. He was looking out for her. And she wished he wouldn’t.
“To go to Jozi to see your girlfriend?”
“I’m telling you, I haven’t got a girlfriend. Thumi and I broke up. Why won’t you girls get it? The way you go on, anyone would think mna ndingudlalani.”
“Aren’t you?” As she spoke she kept looking up and down the street for Parks.
“You waiting for someone?” Unathi asked. When she didn’t answer he reached out and took her bag, heavy with books. “I’ll walk you home. It’s not safe to walk alone.”
What if Parks saw her walking with Unathi? What if he thought Unathi was her boyfriend? Would he drive on? “Oh,” she said, pretending to have just remembered something. “Yhini Bawo,I forgot, I was supposed to stay behind to get help with my Maths. You go on ahead.”
“I can help you.”
“Thanks, but Ma’am Ratsibe is waiting,” she said. “She’s expecting me and I’ve already been in detention twice for not handing in my homework.” Unathi looked at her strangely, then handed back her bag and turned and walked away

Chapter 5
“What happened to you yesterday?”Lettie asked Busi the next morning.
“Yes, girlfriend. Aren’t we good enough for you anymore?” Asanda joined in. “Are you just interested in mennow?”
“I had cramps again,” lied Busi.
“Shame, are you feeling better now?”
“I’m fine,” said Busi. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait. I had to get some Panados. Then I went home to bed. You were taking so long with Mr Ntlanti …” Then she remembered Unathi. He had seen her get out of Parks’s taxi and he might have told them. Was that why they were looking at her like that? Was this a test? She would be shown up for the liar she was. And there was Unathi now, coming across the school yard towards them.
“Busi wasn’t feeling well yesterday afternoon,” Lettie announced. “She went home to sleep.”
“You see, you needn’t have worried,” Asanda said to Unathi. Then she turned to Busi. “Unathi was soworried.” She winked at her friend.“Utatamkhulu.You should have seen him,” she added, imitating his voice. “What if she’s been kidnapped? What if she’s in hospital?”
“Every ten minutes,” laughed Lettie.
Busi looked at Unathi, hoping and praying that he would keep his mouth shut. When he spoke she looked away. But all he said was, “I hope you’re feeling better now.”
“Yes, thank you,” she mumbled.
“Unathi thought you might have been kidnapped. He kept telling us some rubbish about a taxi he saw cruising around the school yesterday,” said Asanda, punching Unathi on the arm affectionately.
“Hey, I thought you had other things to worry about, Unathi,” Busi said, trying to change the subject. “Like that girlfriend of yours in Jozi. How is she, by the way?” But Unathi didn’t answer. And she didn’t push it. She didn’t want to make him angry or he might tell her friends about Parks.
“What you doing later?” Lettie asked as they went back into class. “Do you want to come shopping with us?”
“I think I’m going to take it easy,” said Busi.

This is a classic work of heart. Keep up the good work, although its coming years after.

* * *
Parks pulled into the parking lot in front of the water slides. He grabbed the KFC bag from behind his seat. Then he opened the tub and tossed a piece of chicken at the gaadjie, like he was a dog. “To shut him up,” he laughed.
There were other couples strolling down the beach, hand in hand. As they walked down onto the sand, Parks put his arm around Busi and pulled her close. The comforting warmth of his body next to hers made her want to cry. Her granny gave her a quick hug sometimes. But her mom and dad – she couldn’t remember the last time they had hugged her, or held her close. They had been gone for so long. And she realised how lonely she had been.
The sea was pearly grey and still, like the sky. Not a wave in sight. Like a magician, Parks pulled one thing after another out of his bag of tricks: a blanket, two glasses, a bottle of champagne, KFC.
“Let’s celebrate,” he said, filling their glasses. Busi had never had champagne before. It was what movie stars drank. She had only had a sip or two of beer at a tavern once, with a boy who couldn’t afford to buy her a Savannah.
“What?” she said. “What are we celebrating?”
“You. We’re celebrating you.” Parks leaned over and kissed her cheek.
* * *
When they got back into the taxi to go home, it was getting dark. They had splashed in the shallow water. He had picked up shells for her and told her she was clever and funny and beautiful. The champagne made her feel dizzy with love. Not even the gaadjie’s coarse voice irritated her. And when Parks stopped at the end of her road he leaned over and took her hand. “I’ve had such a good time,” he said. “You make me happy. You’re my sugar baby, Busi – so sweet and so cute.” Then he kissed her on the lips.
It was different from awkward schoolboy kisses. This was dreamy. His lips were soft and warm and firm. She was lost. When his cell phone beeped with a message, he pulled away, reluctantly. “I could do this all night,” he said. “But I’ve got some business to attend to …”
“Bye, cutie pie.” The sound of the
gaadjie’svoice startled her. It was the first time he had spoken. He was waving his fingers at her and licking his lips. He had watched them kissing! Ugh!
After Parks had left Busi stood and gazed down the road after him. She felt dazed, like she had just woken up and didn’t know where she was. She was still lost in the clouds when Unathi came up behind her. He jolted her out of her dream world and back to the cold, dirty street. “I didn’t recognise the taxi,” he said. “Or the driver.”
“A friend,” Busi said quickly.
“Of your father’s?” Unathi’s voice was bitter. And when she didn’t reply, he added, “Lettie and Asanda were worried when you didn’t pitch for soccer.”
“I don’t see them here?” she said, looking around, “What are you, their messenger boy?” They were cruel words and she saw that she had hurt him. But he deserved it, stalking her like that. She turned her back on him and started to walk home.
“Be careful with your taxi driver,” Unathi called after her. “Be careful, Busi. Remember Ebenezer. Sometimes people aren’t what they seem.”

To be continued...

Your comments would be highly appreciated: .....

UPDATE COMES TOMORROW

* * *
Parks was true to his word. He stopped and got Khentakhi to take to the beach – a
Streetwise Feast. And not just R29 airtime – R110! She had never had so much before. How could she thank him?
“Aren’t you going to call your friends now?” he teased her. They were coming up to Sunrise Circle. She could see the beach.
“Later,” she said. She liked the way it sounded so casual and grown-up. She didn’t want to be a silly schoolgirl with him, on the cell to her friends all the time, talking nonsense about boys and stuff that wasn’t important. No, phoning Lettie and Asanda was the last thing she wanted to do right now. * * *