19/02/2025
Part Two: "Naledi mo Puleng
The rain had become a torrent, like a wild beast clawing at the earth. The sky above Gaborone was thick with dark clouds, each one threatening to swallow the sun. The streets had turned into rivers, and the air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and impending danger. It was a storm like no other, one that had brought the entire city to a standstill.
Naledi had never seen rain like this before. The heavy downpour had started in the late afternoon, but by nightfall, it had escalated into something terrifying. The gutters were overflowing, and the streets had become flooded in minutes. The road she was on had become impassable, and cars were stuck, their engines sputtering in the rising water. She had been trying to make her way home, but now, with every step, she sank deeper into the flooded path.
The bitter taste of betrayal still lingered on her tongue. Thabo hadn’t just canceled their Valentine’s plans—he had left, completely. The message on her phone had been the final blow. “Sorry, I can’t make it. Happy Valentine’s.” No explanation. No apology. No warning.
She had stood there, staring at her phone, the words searing into her chest. It wasn’t the first time he’d disappointed her, but tonight, it felt like it was the last straw. Alone, in the midst of the storm, she had started walking aimlessly, hoping to find a sense of peace, a moment of clarity. But all she found was chaos.
Now, she was trapped in it.
The water had risen to her calves, then to her knees, and Naledi was starting to feel the current pushing her down. Panic bubbled in her chest as she realized she was no longer just walking through the rain—she was fighting it. The slippery ground beneath her feet was unstable, and every step became more difficult as the water surged higher.
She stumbled, losing her balance, and the water rushed around her, tugging at her clothes. Her breath quickened, the storm drowning out everything else—her thoughts, her fears, even her own cries for help. There was no way out. She was alone.
Just as she felt the weight of it all bear down on her, a voice broke through the storm, clear and commanding.
“Hold on! I’ve got you!”
Naledi spun around, her eyes wide with disbelief, but through the rain, she saw him—Lebo.
He was there, standing in the middle of the street, his silhouette barely visible through the downpour. His hand reached out toward her, and she didn’t even hesitate. Grabbing his hand, she felt a surge of warmth spread through her, like the first breath of fresh air after a suffocating moment.
Lebo pulled her to him, his grip firm and unyielding. She could barely speak, her words lost in the storm, but somehow, in that moment, she didn’t need to say anything. His presence was everything she needed.
“Come on,” he urged gently, his voice a steady calm in the chaos. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
With surprising strength, he helped her navigate through the flood, his hand never letting go of hers. Each step was a struggle, the water pushing against them, but Lebo’s calmness kept her grounded. Her heart raced, not from fear anymore, but from something else—something she hadn’t felt in a long time. His warmth, his care, the way he was leading her through this storm like it was nothing.
They reached the nearest building, a small café on the corner, where Lebo quickly ushered her inside. He guided her to a booth by the window, his hand resting on her shoulder, a gesture of reassurance. The café was warm, a welcome contrast to the storm outside. As they sat, the sounds of the storm outside became muffled, and for the first time that night, Naledi felt safe.
Her breathing slowed as the panic receded, replaced by a quiet sense of relief. She looked up at Lebo, her heart still racing. “How did you find me?”
He shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes, though his expression was serious. “I saw you in the street, and I couldn’t just walk away. Not with this storm. Not with you out here alone.”
Naledi felt something shift inside her, like a weight lifting from her shoulders. It wasn’t just the relief of being out of the storm—it was something deeper. Something more intimate. The way Lebo had appeared out of nowhere, his concern for her more than just a passing kindness. It was real.
Lebo leaned in, his voice low and steady, “I won’t let you go through this alone.”
The words hit her harder than she expected, sinking deep into her chest. There was sincerity in his eyes—an honesty she hadn’t realized she craved. He wasn’t just here to rescue her from the storm. He was here because he genuinely cared.
They sat in silence for a while, watching the rain pour down outside. The café was warm, cozy, and for the first time that evening, Naledi didn’t feel so alone. She could hear the faint sound of the storm as it raged outside, but inside, it was just the two of them, the storm finally quieting in her heart.
“Thank you,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “I don’t know what
