Brother, Friend and Muse.

He has always been there. We shared a roof for the first seven years of my life. It wasn't always pleasant - but it made all the difference in the world between being a lonely only child and having a companion. I have this memory - rather vague, but intense nonetheless. It was back in pre-primary school - I think we were five years old or so. I had always been the whiner between the pair of us, but that day was different: he was sobbing slightly and I walked up to him, knelt down before him and asked him why he was upset. I cannot for the life of me remember what his reason was, but that was the first time I had seen him vulnerable, and quite possibly the very last.

He carried me through pre-primary school. I don't actually remember this happening, but he would complete my tasks for me when I couldn't, I was told. I do remember that I was complete shit and basically everything, though - but nothing occupational therapy couldn't fix.

We both made it to primary school. He carried me all the way to grade 7 too; socially this time, though. There were rumours that I was gay circulating - and he never once entertained them. He never tried to stop them, but he had my back through and through. I never had a lonely break at school, never went without a friend. He stepped in when I had minor scruffles with bullies, shared sweets from the tuckshop with me. He never said it, but he loved me.

High School started off on a bit of a bad note for me. I hadn't gotten into Christian Brothers' College as intended, and wound up surrounded by the same faces from primary school. In a nutshell, the "gay" rumours followed me to high school - but he still never entertained them. He stuck by me, through and through, yet again.

In grade ten, I finally managed to step out of my shell and open myself up to the world around me - and it paid off. Lebsie le Awesomish (then Studelicious - I know; lame . . . hold the judgement . . . That alias was soon replaced by "The-Heir-O-la-Macabre" when I entered my dark rebel phase) was born - and I could never have done it without him. Him and the rest of our clique formed the Langenhoven Player's Club, and made me their PIT (Playa In Training) - and soon there after I had my first kiss... Memories.

We grew up, and grew closer over the subsequent years. He still checks in on me from time to time to make certain that I'm not losing it out here in the wilderness. Even though we were born six months apart, share two very strong, very independent mothers and come from a very diverse and insanely unique family; even though our destinies differ astronomically, and we may not agree with some of the life choices we've made since we've been geographically separated . . . He is still my brother.


So to my AMAZING bro-cuz, Itumeleng Alvin (YES! As in the Chipmunk) Tlou - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,

Lebogang Tlou

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