TR❤️Yellow Melo❤️…..Till we meet again friend🌸
- Oyetola Babarinde
- Jul 1, 2022
- 4 min read
16.06.2022 was a terribly sad day for everyone who knew and loved Tumelo Ramoleta, Melo to most people. I feel everything, denial, anger, pain, nausea, stomach cramps. Name it! I feel it. I have had this post in my draft for a while but was struggling to post it because it meant I am finally agreeing that I will never see or hear from you.
To me she was more than a friend and she made sure I knew how much I meant to her. This applied to everyone she met. She loved without any reservations. I am really struggling to accept this. Why! I really thought we had time😞.
First time I met Melo was in university during my first year. We weren’t close at the time just acquainted as fellow course mates. On numerous occasions, we either met at student get together events, residence corridor or at the canteen. I really hate that I have to write this in past tense. I am basically accept this!
The genesis of our friendship was during my postgrad first year in 2016. She was my senior, she was in her second year postgrad in Radiopharmacy.
In times of heartaches, school stress, family drama, fun times…basically in all situations, she would be there to show her love and support.
She wasn’t a very serious person 😂. Everything was a joke and every situation was opportunity to look on the brighter side. She was so carefree to a point that you would be more angry at a situation affecting her than she was😂. She would just look at you with her tiny eyes and just laugh or dance. Zero care in the world for drama.
My honey loved her beverages ok! And she would make sure she has a glass of something in hand. She wanted to party on a week day? she would😂.
The Oye who is willing to be a little more adventurous, was formed from the friendship I shared with her. She really emulated the “You Only Live Once” slogan in all aspects of her life.
Family was everything to her especially her little girl. She adored her and made memories with her. Ofcourse that cannot replace the presence we wish Melo should have in her daughter’s life, but I am glad the little time Melo had made, you made sure your daughter knew how much she is loved.
One of my favorite memories was from a night in 2016. Guys! 😭😂. We were just young and free and if I had not met Melo, I am very sure I would have been locked up in my residence room watching series that day. We decided with a few other girlfriends to have dinner at the mall close to school.
We arrive and as usually we were well known there😂💀 as regulars especially on days pizza, sushi and cocktails were half price. We ate and drank, I don’t know how many cocktails. Only to realise the restaurant is about to close and we had no transport back to school. Mind you this was a week day and we had students to lecture the following day!
Finally we walk out of the mall looking for a taxi that could take us back to campus. This was a mission as we did not have Uber in that area at the time(yeah the ghetto💀). As we waited as group of tipsy laughing friends, Tumi stop or approached a bakkie to drop us off at campus. She sat in front while the rest of us we at the back of the bakkie, laughing at out situation because that was risky as hell. This is what the bakkie looked like and we just laid flat hoping to not die 😂💀.?
Finally arrived campus. The gentle men were nice and dropped us off at our residence, we dispersed to bed for our day. Which was hard to wake up for. This is just one of many 😂 chaotic nights.
My memory of her didn’t just include crazy nights, but also supportive ones. I mentioned an operation I had to go for and she would call non stop to check on me. That was who she was.The support and care she showed was effortless.
The day before you were put to rest, I was packing my bags for the travel as I left for work. While I did that I dropped a bottle of perfume which broke, I screamed so loudly and started crying so much. It was very apparent that it wasn’t the perfume bottle but I was just realising that oh crap I am going to bury you. Why?! How?! We are young! Oh Chomi I just couldn’t be strong I just wanted you to call and say “tada I was joking I am here let’s go eat shisanyama”
Your funeral was one I had hoped would help me accept you are gone forever, but I know this is one loss I will take time accepting. You are loved and I wish I could send you a text telling you how much people showed up to pay their respect. There were way more people than I have pictures for.
She loved pictures and kept memories. I went through her Instagram page and it just showed how much she loved loving. Your Instagram page had more pictures of her showing love to other than pictures of herself.
To my dear Tumelo Matabeta Hopewell Ramoleta, I love you, I will miss you, I will hold the moments we had very dear to my heart and cherish them forever. You taught me to love freely and live for me with not care in the world and I will do just that.
Till we meet again in the house of the Lord.
Rest well my dear Yellow Melo Ayomide.
I Love you❤️, from your Nigerian Jollof Kamogelo ❤️.
Life is short I have always known that but after Tumelo’s passing I think it struck me even more.
Be Kind, spend time with those that matter to you, make sure they know you love them, live your life for you and no one else. Please avoid people that will hurt you, no time to entertain madness please abeg.
It’s a new Month. Happy New Month❤️. Stay blessed.
With Lots of Love,
Òyètola
I didn’t know her but I can tell she was a beautiful soul❤️❤️❤️ May her sweet soul rest in Peace.