Zi

yanda-
Mayt
heBl
essi
ngscont
inue

Pr
ologue

Lif
eisn'
talwaysasitseems.We'
real
waysexpected
toholdonnomat terwhat
.AsIwastol
donmy
weddingdaybymymom' saunt
s"mosadiotshwara
thi
pakabogale"(awomanholdsthekni
feonit'
s
sharpedges).

Itseemsl i
kei thasalwaysbeenl i
ket hatforme.Al l
myl ifeI
'vehadt of i
ghtf
orever ything,nothingcame
easyf orme-notevenmybi rt
h.Mymostf avouri
te
personi nthewor ld,mygrandmot herKhanyi ,
namedmeZi yandameani ngmayt heblessings
continue.Myownmot herhowever ,namedme
Dikeledi(t
ears),becauseappar entlynothingbut
sorrowandhear tachecamef rom myexi stence.I
guesst hatexplainswhyIhaveneverf el
therl ove,
unlikemysi st
erwhosebeent hef
ullrecipientofher
l
oveanddevot edaffect
ion.Thatpr
obabl yexplai
ns
whyshewasnamedThando.Icoul dnever
under standhowsuchal ovingwomanl ikemy
grandmot herwouldbirt
hsuchanevi l womanl i
ke
myownmot her.Iaskmyselfevennow, 25year s
afterIwasbor nwhyshehat esmesomuch, but
thenal lIevergetfrom t
hatansweri s"ifitweren't
foryou, thingswouldbegoi ngaccordingt oplan".

Idon'
tknowwhi chplanthatis,nordoIwantt of
ind
out,
insteadIam stuckinal ovelesssixyear
marri
age.That'smyshor tsadst ory,
ZiyandaNqobo,
wif
et oprominentmilli
onair
eLanga" Dynami t
e"
Nqobo.

Chapt
erOne

Myal ar
m cl
ockringsatexactl
y6:
30inthemor
ning.
I'
m sousedtowaki ngupatthi
sti
me.You'r
e
probabl
yaskingyoursel
fwhyamar r
iedwomanli
ke
myselfdoesn'
tgetupear
li
er,
right
?Wel
l,
Ihaveno
chi
ldr
en.

Yes,I'
m 25yearsoldwithnochildrenitsounds
crazyIknow.I'
m notbarrenoranythingli
kethat.I
gotmar r
iedattheageof19andf el
lpregnantat20.
Ihadaspont aneousmiscarr
iageat19weeksof
pregnancy,t
ilt
hisdaythedoctorshavenoi dea
whatcausedi t
.

LangaandIhavebeent ocount l
essspecial
istsfor
twoyearst ryi
ngtohaveachi l
dofourownaf ter
beingpressur edbymymot hersinceshesaysa
manl i
keLanganeedsanhei randt hatamar r
ied
womanwhocannotconcei vei
susel ess.
Somet i
mesIwi shIcoul
djusttel
lhert omarry
Langaher selfbecausehe'
sthegol denboy
accordi
ngt oher .

Anyway,
asIwasabouttol
eavemybedsideLanga
gr
abbedmyar
m andrubbedmythi
gh.Iknowthat'
s
asignthathewant
stohavesomemor ni
ngglor
y,
notthati
tevenmakesadi
ffer
encebecausewe
al
waysdot hesamethi
ng.

Me:Langa,
we'regoingt
obelat
eandr emember
you'
resi
gni
ngof ft
heKennedydealt
odaysoyou
havetobeear
ly.

Langa:Kennedycanwait
,Zee.Besi
des,I'
m never
l
ateyouknowt hat
.I'
l
lbequick,
Ipromise.

Quickhewil
lmostdef i
nit
elybe.Onewouldassume
aft
erbeingmarri
edforsixyearsIwouldhave
enoughsexualexper
ience,butLanganeverl
ast
s
mor et
hanfi
vemi nut
es.So, Il
ethi
m me.

Langa:(
groani
nginmyear )"
Baby,you'
resogood.
Youalwaystastesogood.Pr
omisemeI '
mt heonl
y
onewhoeat sthi
samazingpussy.
"
Withthatsai
d,hewasdone.Igotupandwentt o
theshowertodomymor ningrout
ine.Ineverr
eal
ly
bothermuchwi t
hmakeupbecauseIhavegoodski n.
Igrewupasabi tofatom boysoIneverhadthe
ti
met obeint
erestedi
nmakeup.

Ijustputonsomer edmacl i
psti
ckandmyt i
ght,
l
ongr eddresswithasmallsli
tattheback.It
'sone
ofmyf avouri
tesgi
ventomebyPor t
ia,oneofmy
bestfri
endsonmybi r
thdaylastyear.She'
snever
seenmei nitbefor
esoshewoul dbever yhappy.I
greetMam' Masango,ourhel
perwhost ayswi t
hus
butleavesonweekends.

Me:"Goodmor
ning,
ma.Unj
anikodwa(
howar
e
you)
?"

Mam' Masango:"Sawubonamntwanami.
Ngiyaphil
a,wenaunj
ani(Goodmorni
ng,
mychi
ld.
I
'm wellandyou)?
"
Me:
"Ngir
ightma(
I'
mfi
ne,
ma)
."

Langacameoutoft hemast
erbedr
oom asIwas
grabbingbreakfastmademyMam Masangoas
usual.Hejusttookanappl
e.

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyoueat
ingbr
eakf
astt
oday?
"

Langa:
"Iwi
shIcoul
dbabe,t
hankst
othathot
sessi
onI'
m sl
acki
ngabitt
oday"
.

IwassoembarrassedIwasbl
ushingwhi
lel
ooki
ng
down.HowcanhesaysuchinfrontofMam'
Masango,
though?

Me:"hayi(
no)manLanga,howmanyt
imesmustI
t
ellyounotinf
rontofMam Fl
ora?
"
Langa:"
Sor
ry,
babe.Anywayl
etmer
un.Byebabe,
ByeMama."

Heki
ssedmeonmycheekandl
eft
.

Mam'Flor
a:"
Haibo(no)Zi
yanda!Whywouldyou
embar
rassMr.Langali
kethat
?He'syourhusband
andmanofthehousekodwa."

Me:"Sorrymama,kodwaitwasn'tmyintent
ion.You
knowIliket
oshowyour espect
.Langaknowshe
cannotsaystuf
fli
kethati
nyourpresence."

Mam' Masango:"haibo(no),don'tbesill
y,Ziyanda.
Anyway,Iassumet hingsaregettingbetterbetween
t
hetwoofyou?Whenar eyougoi ngt otr
yagai nfor
achil
d,mtwananami( mychi l
d)?Yazi(youknow)
i
t'
sbeenawhi leandyou' r
enotget t
ingyounger .
"
Ihatei
twhenpeopl easkmethatquesti
on,al
though
IknowMam' Masangomeanswell.Iconfi
dei
nher
aboutever
ything.

Me:"Ah,ma.Siyazamakodwa( Wet rybut

)it'
snot
happeni
ng.It
'snotli
keIdenyLangaanybedr oom
act
ivi
ti
es,butit
sjustnothappening.Maybeit'
sjust
meanttobe.ImeanIhaveal readyacceptedthat
maybewe'renotmeantt ohavechildr
enofour
own."

Mam' Masango:"Yebo,
Ihearyou,mychi
ld.Kodwa
putever
ythingi
nGod'shands.OnlyHeknows.You
wil
lbeblessedwithachil
dofyourownsoon.Ihad
avisi
on.
"

Mam'Masangoisaprophet.Sheseesthings,
mostl
yshecanpredi
ctt
hingsbeforetheyhappen.
Shehaspr
edict
edalotofthingsi
nmyl if
e:when
Langahadanacci dentandwasshotbyhi j
ackersa
yearago,whenThandol ostherdaughterdueto
beingpoisonedandwhenIhadmymi scarri
age.I
guessthat'
soneoft hereasonswhyIf eelsoclose
toher.She'sachurchladyandI '
m apr ayerwarri
or.
Itr
ybyal lmeanstomakei ttochurchasmuchasI
can,butshenevermi sseschurch-ever
.

Me:"Haibo(no)ma.Pleasedon'
tgetmetooexcited.
Idon'twanttogetmyhopesupandLangaal so
stoppedaskingaboutthewholebabythi
ng.
Besides,Iam makingprogr
essandstoppedtaki
ng
antidepressant
s.Idon'
twannagobackt othat
phase."

Mam' Masango:
"Trustme,Mntwanawami( my
chi
ld)
.Youknowmyvi sionsareneverwr ong.
Anyway,gotoworkbeforeyougetfir
ed.Youknow
you'
regett
inganewbossnamhl anje(today).
"

Ohyes,
Inear
lyf
orgotaboutt
hat
.Myol
dbossgot
fi
redfrom t
hecompanybecausehewas
embezzli
ngmoney.Weal lknowwe'regett
inganew
bosstoday,butwehavenoi deawhoi ti
s.Ijust
hopeandpr aythathe'swaybet t
erthanMr .
Mahlangu.Hewassuchanasshol e,f
orevertouchy
andhadanendl esslistofsexualharr
assment
accusati
onsfrom myf ell
owempl oyees.Oh,yes.

InevertoldyouwhatIdof oralivi
ng.Well
,I
'm an
archi
tectatoneofthebi ggestconst r
uct
ion
compani esi
nSout hAf r
ica,BrennerConstr
ucti
ons,
ownedbyMr .Wil
lem Brenner ,oneofSouthAfri
ca'
s
mostsuccessfulBill
ionaires.

Idi
dn'twantt
oworkf
oroneofLanga'
scompani
es,
I
wantedtohavemyownsuccessandnotonl
ybe
knownashiswif
e.

Isai
dgoodbyetoMam' Masangoandonmyway
dri
vingt
owork,
Icouldn'
thel
pbutwonderwhatshe
meantbyhervi
sion?Imadeamentalnot
ethatI
neededt
oaskherabouti
taf
terwor
k.

AsIwasenteri
ngmywor kpl
acegetti
ngreadyto
par
k,Inot
iceever
ythingischanged.Thewhole
bui
ldi
nghadnewpai nt,di
ff
erentcol
ourseven.What
sur
pri
sedmewast henameont hebui
ldi
ng.

PZConst ructi
ons.I'
m soconf used,perhapsItook
aturnatthewr ongstreet.Idecidet oaskoneoft he
securi
tyguardsbeforeIent ered.IseeNt atePhiriis
standi
ngatt hegatereadyt ocheckmyaccesscar d.
He'sbeenwor kingforBrennerf orover20year s.I
alwaysaskhi m whenhewi l
lretireandhekeeps
sayingassoonashef indsawi fe.

He's45,nochi
ldr
enandnowi fe.Ineverbothered
toaskwhybecauseitj
ustseemedl i
keasensi t
ive
i
ssuewhenhespokeabouti t.Heget stearyeyed
wheneverwespeakofchil
drensoIdon' tbot
herhim
abouti
t.
Me:"Thobel
aNtatePhi
ri
.Lekaena?(
Goodmor
ning,
Mr.Phir
i.Howareyou?
)"

NtatePhiri
:"
RegonanalekaeMmeNqcobo?(
I'
m
wellthankshowareyou,
Mr s.Nqcobo?
)"

Me: "
aowa, r
egona.Godi r
agalaengfa?Kebona
l
ebitsol aBrennerletl
ogil
emobui l
ding.Af
akemo
plekenger i
ght ?(
I'
m well.What'
shappeninghere?I
seeBr ennner'snamei sofft
hebuil
ding.Am Iatt
he
ri
ghtpl ace,
though? )
"

Ntat
ePhi ri
:(l
etti
ngoutasl i
ghtlaugh)"ee, gonao
mot engmma.Kekwel ebareBr enneror ekisi
tse
company.Renal ebossoemphya.Kenol eboga
Modimogor egar er
ekisalerena(Yes, you'remost
defi
nitel
yatther i
ghtplace.IheardBr ennersol d
thecompany.Wehaveanewboss.Ij ustthank
Godhedi dn'tsel
lustoo)".
Hel
etsoutanot
hersl
ightl
augh.

Iwaspuzzl edsi ncenoonewast ol

daboutthis.I
mean, I'
m oneoft heheadar chi
tectshereandI
didn'
tevengetaheadsup.IassumedevenPor sche
(Port
ia)woul dknowaboutt his,butsheneversaid
anythingatallthisweekend.Ifsheknewnot hing
thenitmeantnobodyknowsanyt hing.Por
schei s
thego- t
o-gi
rlforallnews.

Me:"
aowa,agonabothataNtat
e.Ereketseneketla
gof
aupdategeketlogel
agae.(Al
ri
ght,
nopr obl
em,
si
r.Letmegoin,I
'
llgiveyouanupdat
ebef oreIgo
home.)
"

Ntat
ePhir
i:
"aowa,skaitshwenyangwanake,Bosso
enchaererodirabraaigaf et
sadimorni
ngbrief
ing.
Rokwabosekaona.( No, don'
tbot
heryoursel
f
aboutt
hat
,mychi l
d.Thenewbossi shosti
nga
braaif
orallofusaf
terthemorni
ngbr
ief
ing.We'
re
goingtohaveagoodt i
mewiththi
sone.
)Icanfeel
i
tinmybones. "

Okay,nowIwasevenmor epuzzl
edaboutt hisnew
boss.Fi
rst,hebuysthebusinesswithoutletti
ngus
al
lknow, changesthenameandbui l
dingallinone
weekendandnowhe' shosti
ngabr aaiforallofhi
s
employeesont hef
irstday?Talkaboutapeopl e
pl
easerIthoughttomysel f
.

Me:"
goloki
legeh.Er
eketsenar etl
abuant
ant
e(No
pr
oblem t
hen.Letmego,
we' l
ltalk,
sir
.)
"

Nt
atePhi
ri
:"
Gant
lengwanake(
Gowel
l
,mychi
ld)
."

Idr
oveinandIseeevent heparki
nghaschanged.
Weallhaveourpersonalparki
ngspaceandminei
s
al
waysnexttoPorsche.Ievenseeourparki
ng
nametagshavebeenupgr aded.Hmm, t
hisnew
bossi
sreal
lygoi
ngoutt
oimpr
essus.

Igoupwi t
ht heliftt
othe7t hfloorwher eIwork.
Porschealsohappenst obemyPAandr eport
sto
thebossaswel lsinceIwor kedcl osel
ywi t
hMr .
Brenner,especiallyaft
erhef i
redMr .Mahlangu.I
j
usthopeever ythingworksoutr eallywellandthatI
don'tgetassignedanewt eam.Whati ft
hisnew
bosshat esmeandmakesal lunnecessar ychanges?
Yout hi
nkt oomuchZee.Youj ustgotof fyourmeds
withyourther apist'
sapprovalamont hago.Don't
overthi
nkandgi veyourselfaset back,Ithi
nkto
mysel f
.

It
akeadeepbreathandgetoutoft
helift
.I'
m met
bybrandnewcolour
sandPorsche'
sdeskal so
l
ooksbrandnew.Iseethenameacrossherdeskas
well
;PZConstr
ucti
ons.Whothehel
listhi
sPZ?

Porsche:"Hai
boZee!Youfi
nal
lydeci
dedt
owear
thatdressIboughtyouont
heverysamedaywe
getanewboss?Hehe, whydoIgetafeel
ingyou
arehidi
ngsomethingfr
om me?Imeanyou'reone
oftheheadarchi
tect
ssother
e'snowayyoudon't
knowwhot hi
sMr .PZis.
"

Ai
,Por
sche.Sheal
wayshassomet
hingt
osay.

Me:"aowa(no)manZee.Tlogel
a(st
opthi
s)
nonsense.WhywouldIknowwhohei s?I
'mjustas
cl
uelessasyouarenjena.
"

Porsche:"
Ahchomi mara(ah,butfr
iend).Phel
ale
wenaoMr s.Secr
ets.Ij
usthopehe'syummyashi s
namesoundsandIr eal
lyhopethePst andsfor
"Pi
pi"(Peni
s).
"Sheletsoutahyster
icallaughandI
can'thel
pbutlaughtoo.

Me:"
Por
sche,
stopi
tman.You'
remar
ri
edhao.
"
Porsche:"aowamanRober twatsebagor eamehl o
ayageziwamos( No,manRober tknowst hatyou
needtocl eanseyoureyesoncei nawhi le).(
Shelets
outanotherhysteri
callaugh)Somet hingmustbe
fi
shyaboutt hisnewPi piboss,
Imeanmydesk
mganihasbeenr e-
arrangedandheputmy
favouri
tecolouredpensandpenci lsoni t
.What '
s
evenwei rderi
sthatIfoundsunflower sandjell
y
babiesonmydeskandyouknowt hosearemy
favouri
tes."

Me:"Perhapsyouhaveasecretadmir
er.Imean
everyonehereknowswhatyoulikeandmost
cert
ainlywhatyoudon'
tli
ke.
"

Porsche:
"Maybeyou'
rer
ight
.Letmegi
veyout
he
benefi
tofthedoubt
."

Justasweweretal
king,Nozicamef r
om the
boardr
oom'
sdir
ectionandaskedt hatever
yone
makeittot
heboardroom.Surpri
singl
yallmajor
staf
fmember sfr
om allf
loorswerethere.JustasI
wasabouttoenter,
Ireceivedatextfr
om Langa" Hi,
babe.Enj
oyyourday.Youar elovedMr s.N."AsI
wasabouttoputmyphonebacki ntomybag, Ihear
avoice.I
tsoundssofami l
iar
.

Voi
ce:
"Goodmor
ningt
oal
lofyou.
..
"

Porsche:(
whi
sper
ingi
nmyear)"Oh,
mygosh,
Zee!
Bonakemang!(Lookwhoi
tis)
"

AsIlookupoureyesmeet .Ican'
tbel
ievei
t!What
's
hedoingher
eafteral
ltheseyears?!I
tcan'
tbe!
Chapt
erTwo

Aspeoplewer eleavingtheboardroom aft

erthenew
bossaddressedus, theywer emakingthei
rwayto
thegardenforthebraai.Hesaidnowor ktoday.I'
m
sti
lli
nshock,asI '
ml i
teral
lyshaki
ngbutt r
yingso
hardnottoshowi t.Ifeelmyheartatthepitofmy
st
omachandIf eell
ikewordsar eabouttofai
lme.
Porschehasbeentalki
ng,butIcouldn'
tevenhear
whatshewassaying.Itisal
mostasi fIhadzoned
out
.

Por
sche:
"Hel
lo!Ear
tht
oZi
yanda!
"

Me;"Sor
ry,
Por
sche,
neor
engna(
whatwer
eyou
sayi
ng)?
"

Por sche:"
Kengokareobonespokona( Whydoesit
seem l i
keyou'
vejustseenaghost)?I'
vebeen
talkingtoyohfort
hewhol e20minutes.Canyou
Phi l
aisback?ImeanIwoul dalsobeshockedifmy
highschoolsweetheartwhovanishedintot
hinai
r
camebackyear sl
aterandbecamemynewboss. "

Me:"
ai,
Port
iamanlewenaobj
angna(whyareyou
l
iket
hisatt
imes)
?Let
'sgobef
orehecomes
t
owardsus.
"
AsIwastr
yingt
osqueezet
hroughthepeopl
e
l
eavi
ng,
Isawhim comi
ngtowardsus.

Por
sche:
"Tool
ate,
chomi(
fri
end)
."

Phil
a:"
Ladies.Whatapl
easantsur
pri
set
oseeyou
agai
n.It'
sbeenwhat?10years?"

Porsche:"
ah, Phi
lalewenaor at
abocl ever(youli
ke
beingcleversomet i
mes).Iwoul
dn'tbesur pri
sedif
youboughtt hiscompanyonpur posebecase
Ziyandawor ksherenow.Kengokar eyou'vebeen
stalki
ngusbj ana(haveyoubeenstalkingus)?"

Phil
a:(
laughi
ng)"aowa(no)Por sche,whywouldIdo
that?I
'
m amanofmanyt alents.Didyouli
kethe
fl
owersandt hesweet
s?Stillyourfavour
it
eI
presume?"
Porsche:"
Hehe!( Cl
apping)kammao( onaserious
note)
!Youst il
levenremembermyni ckname.Aowa,
Il
ovedt hem.Keal ebogahlePhila(t
hankyouso
much, Phil
a).Iseesomet hingsneverchange.Le
gonaIseeyourr i
ngfingeri
snaked.Gaonamosadi
na(Don'tyouhaveawi fe)
?"

Phi
la:
"ah,Porsche,
wai t
se(youknow)man.Zeehas
al
waysbeenmywoman.I '
vebeensayi
nggoreone
dayI'
m goingtomar r
yher.
"

Hekeptt al
kingtoPorschewi
thouthiseyesleavi
ng
mi ne.Ikeptlooki
ngdownIevenf el
tli
keIwasabout
tof aint
.Ifel
tmyf or
eheadwasabi tsweaty.I
coul dn'
tseestrai
ghtandmyvi si
onwasaboutt obe
blurry.

Imissedast
epandri
ghtt
her
ehecaughtme.Hi s
touchmademefeel
thi
sweir
dfeel
ingIhavenever
feltbef
ore,notevenwi
thLanga.Itfel
tso
electr
if
ying,If
eltsomanyweir
df eeli
ngsgoi
ng
throughmybody.Hi seyespi
ercedmi neandIf
elt
goosebumps.

Porsche:"aowaZeemankgant ekengna( Zee,

what'swrongwi t
hyou) ?Owi sakeng( Whatmade
youf al
l)
?Wabona( yousee)Phi l
atheeffectyou
haveonmyf r
iendesal eteng(issti
llt
here)?
Besides,you'r
eal r
eadyl at
enow.Zeei smar ri
ed.Si
x
yearsnowsi nceyouf ai
ledtoshootyourshot .
"

Me:"
Porschemanlewena.I
'
mfi
neIj
ustf
eltabi
t
di
zzy.I
'
m okaynow."

Phi
la:
"P,
doyoumindgivi
ngyourgorgeousf
ri
end
andIamomentofpri
vacypl
ease?"

Porsche:"
hehe,P-
man.Skar
eIneverwar
nedyou
(Don'
tsayIneverwar
nesyou)
.Langakesegaf
isa
monnashem ( Lungaisacrazymanshame) .But
onlybecauseyouholdasof tspoti
nmyhear tIwil
l
l
eave.Chomi, r
etlabualat
er(Fri
end,we'l
ltal
kl at
er)
.
WenaPhi l
a,(st
ari
nghimi ntheeyeandpoi nt
ingher
fi
ngerathim)don'ttr
ytokidnapmyf r
iend."

Shewalkedout
.Iwasst
il
lfeel
ingsohotnot
knowi
ngwhattodo.

Phi
la:"
You'
rest
il
lasbeaut
if
ulaseverYaya.
"

Phil
ausedt ocallmeYayawhenwewer einhigh
school .Hewasf iveyearsolderthanmeandwe
start
eddat ingwhenIwasi nGrade8.FunnyIknow,
hewasi nmat r
icandaf terf
ouryearsofdatinghe
j
ustdi sappearedwi thoutatr
acewhenIf inushed
mat r
ic.Iwashear t
broken.Weneverevensl ept
togethersinceLangawasmyf ir
st,butwhatwehad
wasamazi ng.
Thatwasthecl osestt
hingtolovethatIhaveever
known.Hebr okemyhear tandIhaveneverbeen
thesamesince.Ihadament albr
eakdownandI
wasforcedtomar ryLangawhenIwasj ust19,
whichi
sast oryforanotherday.

Me:"
Whatdoyout
hinkyou'
redoi
ng,
Phi
la?
"

Phi
la:
"Whatdoyoumean,
Yaya?
"

Me:"Don'tactstupid.Youdi
sappear
edforseven
year
sandnowyouwantt oactl
ikenot
hing
happened?Youj ustpit
chupoutofnowhereand
suddenlyyou'remyboss? !"
Iwasfumi
ng.Idi
dn'
tevenr
eal
izeIwasr
aisi
ngmy
voi
ce.

Phil
a:"
Pleasecal
m down,Yaya,
I'm beggi
ngyou.I'
m
sorr
yforwhatIdidbeli
evemeitwasnevermy
i
ntenti
on.IdidwhatIhadtodo,onedayyouwi l
l
under
stand.Look,
letmetakeyououtforlunch
aft
erworkandwecant al
kabouteveryt
hing."

Heputhi shandonmyf aceandIdidn'tevenreali

ze
Ihadt earsinmyeyes.Thel astti
meIf el
tthi
smuch
painwaswhenIhadt omar r
yLanga.Ihadj ust
recei
vedal ett
erfrom Phil
atell
ingmehe' ssorr
yand
howhewi shedhewast heonemar r
yingme.I
couldn'tevenspeak.Itookadeepbr eathandwi ped
myt earsoffmyf ace.

Me:"
Ineedsomeair
.Pleaseexcuseme.
"Ist
ormed
outoft
heboardr
oom andrantowardst
hebathr
oom.

Porsche:
"Chomidi
ntshangbj
anong(
Fri
end,
what
's
wrongnow? )"

Idi
dn'
tevenwantt
otal
ktoanyone.
Iwassobbi
ngi
nt hetoi
letwhenIsawt
hedooropen.
Iknewi
twasPorsche.Sheknowsmetoowell
.
Porsche:
"Aowachomikgant ewhathappened?Ijust
sawyour unpastme.Phi l
aevenlookedsadar eke
tl
ogochecka( Phil
aevenlookedsadandaskedme
tocomecheckonyou).Skal l
ahle(Pleasedon'
tcry)
.Whatdidt hati
diotdo?Ketlomot r
apawai t
se(I
'm
goingtobeathim uo,youknow).
"

Me:"Aowa( no)Porsche.Howcoul dhedothisto

me?Howcoul dhejustrockupaf t
ersevenyears
l
ikenothingeverhappened?Hebr okemyhear t
,P.
Bona(look)nowallthatpainiscomingbackand
mylif
ewasj ustfi
newi thouthi
m."

Porsche:"
Webothknowyourli
fei
sn'tfi
ne,myf r
iend.
YouandLangahappenedasamat terof
convenienceman.Youknowyoudon'tloveLanga.I
meanyoudi dwhatyouhadtodoandl i
kehesai d,
hedidwhathehadt odo."
Me:
"Hesaysweshouldgooutforl
uncht
odayso
t
hathecanexpl
ainever
ythi
ng.
"

Por
sche:
"so?Wenaor
eng?
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
P.Imeani
t'
sbeenyear
s."

Porsche:
"HaimanZeeskambor aassebli
ef.Idon'
t
wanttoseeyoucyingallweekandgoingbackto
l
ivi
ngonpi l
ls.Webothknowdeepdownyouwanna
go.Hearhim out
.Youreall
yhavenot
hingtolose
akere?Besi
des,youneversaynotof
reefood."

Me:
"Iguessyou'
rer
ight
."

Porsche:
"Now,l
et'
sgobeforebafet
sadij
o(let'
sngo
backbeforet
heyfini
shal
lthefood)
.YouknowI
l
ovemeat .Pl
us,Isawsomegoodwi neonthe
tabl
es.Areyerout l
wamonate,otl
all
amor ago
(
Let
'
sgohavesomef
un.You'
l
lcr
yaf
ter
war
ds)
."

Iwal
kedoutfi
xingmyfaceandhuggedher
l
aughi
ng.Shealwaysknowswhattosaytomake
mefeelbet
ter
.

Me;
"Thankssomuch,
Por
sche.Kaor
atachomi(
I
l
oveyou,fr
iend)
".

Porsche:"
Lennakaor at
achomi( Il
oveyoutoo)you
knowmos. "Wewal kedoutandmadeourwayt othe
Garden.Therewer etabl
esfullofal
lki
ndsofmeat
andcheese, snacksandsomegoodol dwine.We
evenhadabarwi thbarmenmaki ngdif
fer
ent
cocktai
lsforus.IoptedforaMoj i
toandPorsche
decidedonsomer edwine.

Porsche:"
Yoh, Zee!Morout
lwamonatemfanaka
(Wow, Zee!We'resogoingt
ohaveagoodtimefrom
nowon) .Mr .Brennerneal
eupti
ghtl
ekgoalel
a(Mr.
Br
ennerwasver
yupt
ight
,thatwhi
teman)
.
Hedi dn'
tevenhostafarewellpart
ynyanaforus.
CheapskateyaleBil
li
onnairesalewaebonakae
wena?Bonanour ej
abodiCamember tandblue
cheesewi t
hChardonnay.Robbi eotl
antshwar el
a
koyagaeket agil
weshem ( Robbiewil
lhavet o
forgi
vemebecauseI '
m goingt ogethomer eal
ly
drunk)."

Webot hlaughedandl ist

enedtosomemusi c.I
mustsayMr .Brennerwasabutupt i
ght.Henever
madeanychi t
-chatoraskedaboutyourli
fe.Isaw
Phil
aeyeingmewhi letal
kingtosomeofour
col
leaguesandIj ustblat
antlyi
gnoredhim.Perhaps
thi
snewchapt erisexact
lywhatweneed.Onl ytime
wil
ltel
l.

Phi
la

AsIwast
alki
ngt
osomeshar
ehol
der
sand
coll
eaguesandlist
enedt otheirbori
ng
conversat
ionswhil
epr etendi
ngt obeint
erest
ed,
I
keptsteal
inggl
ancesatZi yanda.Damn, t
hiswoman
i
sevenmor ebeaut
ifulthanthelastti
meIsawher .

Imean, I
'vebeenstalkingherpict
uresandshe
l
ookswaybet t
erinrealli
fe.Herbodyisevenway
mor egorgeous;thosecur vesandbeaut i
ful
,per
ky
breasts.Shehasal waysbeenont hefull
ersi
deand
Ireall
ydonotmi nd.Ilovedherandstilll
oveherjust
thewayshei s.

Seeinghercrymademyhear tbreakintoa
thousandpieces,I
'
veseenhercr ysomanyt imes
andIvowt onevermakehercr yagain.Thatr i
ngon
herfingermeansnothingt
ome.Ipl anonwi nning
herbacknowf ullf
orceandthere'snothingstoppi
ng
me.

Thatcheat
ingassholehusbandofher
swi
llbea
thi
ngofthepast,Ij
usthavetopl
aymycar
dsr i
ght
.
HowdoIevenbegi
ntot
ellhert
hatherver
yown
par
ent
sarether
easonf
orthismess?
Chapt
erThr
ee

Zi
yanda

Wewer ehavingsomuchf un,well,Porschewas

havi
ngf unforthebothofus.Ami l
lionthoughts
keptgoi ngthroughmymi nd.Ifeltveryuneasy
becausePhi lakeptsteal
inggl ancesatmeand
smili
ng.Thecockt ail
swer enowsi nkingin.Iwason
myt hir
d, Idi
dn'twanttooverdoi tsinceIwillhave
todriveandpr obablyhaveanot herdr i
nkt oavoid
cryi
ngl ateronduringmyl unchwi t
hPhi l
a.Yes, I
havedeci dedt ogohearhi m out.

Por
sche:"Mgani(fr
iend)
,yaziwe'r
egonnaenjoy
worki
ngwi t
hournewbossPi pi(Peni
s)"
.Shewas
l
aughinghyster
ical
lyandIcouldn'
thel
pbutlaugh
aswell.Por
schealwayshadsomet hi
ngfunnyto
say.

Ziyanda:"Haichomi(nofr
iend)man.You'l
lgetusin
trouble.Skamobi t
sabjaolewena( Don'
tcal
lhim
that).Whatifsomeoneoverhears?
"

Porsche:
"Skawarawenaman( Don'
tworry).O
st
ressathata(
Youst r
esstoomuch) .Iwi
llj
ustcall
hi
m BossPandpeopl ewillt
hinkit
'sshortforPhi
la
butyouandIwillknowit
sshor tf
orPipiakere.
"

Webothl
aughed.Imustadmit
.Iwasinst
it
ches.
Por
schecanreal
lymakeyourdayandnoonehates
her
.

Porsche:
"Heyspeakingofwhi
ch,si
nceyounever
gottotast
ehispipivel
e,ar
en'
tyouthi
nki
ngof
tast
inguMageba? "
Zi
yanda:
"HaiPor
scheman.St
optal
kingl
ikethat
.
I
'm marr
iedyout
hatandnaweyou'
remarri
edtoo."

Porsche:"So?There'snoharminimagini
ng.Imean
l
ookati tpokingthroughhissui
t.Hi
sMandi ngo
screamingatyousayi ng"comeeatmeYaya, Idare
you".Shewasl aughingsomuchIj ustcoul
dn'thel
p
buttojoin.

Zi
yanda:
"Wabona,Porsche(Yousee,
Porsche)
.
Stopi
tman.Besi
des,youknowverywellI
'venever
putapeni
sint
omymout h.
"

Shel aughedevenharder
.Luckil
ymusi cwas
playingandmostpeopleevenst uckupNoziwasa
bitti
psy,sonobodyevenbot her
edtost ar
e.Nott
hat
Porschewoul dcareanyway.Porschewasso
shockedshej ustcoul
dn'
tstoplaughing.Shewas
l
iterall
yintear
s.
Porsche:
"AowaZee(No,Zee)
.Kganteyouwer
e
ser
ious?NnaIhonestl
ythoughtyouwerej
oki
ng.So
youmeant otel
lmeLit
tl
eLanganevergoesdown
onyou? "

Me:"No".Isai
dthatwit
hali
ttl
ebi tof
embar r
assment,mostl
ybecauseIki ndoftol
dher
thatLungaisn'
tverybi
gdownt here.NotthatI
wouldknowbecauseI '
veonlysleptwithhiminmy
enti
reli
fe.

HispenisisallIknow.Idon' tevenknowIf el
t
embar r
assedsomuchr eall
ybecausethathas
neverbeent henormf orme.Ial waysthoughtonly
pornstart
sandf reakypeopl eli
kePorschedosuch
thi
ngs,Imeanherhusbandi swhi t
eandtheperfect
equival
enttoChr i
stianGrey.Theyevenhavea
secretpl
ayr oom wher etheydot hi
ngstoeachot her
whent hekidsaren'thome.

Por
sche:
(shocked)"AowaZee(
No,
Zee)
.Lungake
wasteyaMonnawaitse(Lungaissuchawast
eofa
man,youknow).He'
stoohottobesuchaborein
bed.ImustaskRobtogivehim someti
ps.
"

WiththatsaidIjustchangedt hetopic.Iwasf eel

ing
abituncomf ort
abl ethatwewer edi scussingmy
dullsexl
ifeatawor kfunctionandpl usshewas
getti
ngalitt
letoot i
psyf ormyl i
king.Idecidedthat
wehadbot hhadenought odr i
nkf orthedayandI
beggedPor schetodr inksomewat ersot hatshe
canbeabl etodrivehome.Justaswewer egetti
ng
bottl
esofstil
lwat erfrom thebar,Philacame
towardsus.

Me:( mumbl i
ngtomyself)"
Oh,nkosiyami(Oh,my
God)."Ijustst
art
edfeel
inguneasyandt r
embli
ng
again.Ididn'
tknowablastfrom t
hepastcouldhave
suchanef f
ectonaperson.Hiscolognehi
tmy
nostri
lsfrom amil
eaway.Damn, Ihadeven
for
got t
enhowhotPhi l
aactuall
yis.
Tal l
,darkandmostdef i
nit
elyhandsome.Hehasal l
thefeaturesyouwouldlookfori naman.Onet hi
ng
aboutPhi l
awast hathedressesr eal
lywelland
takesgroomingsuperseriously.Soseriousthathe
getspampersessi onsatthespaever yweekorso.
Heusedt odothatwhenwewer edat i
ng.

Iwasneveragi rl
ygirl
,untilhecamealongand
i
ntroducedmet osucht hingsandnowIcannotget
enoughofspat reat
ment s."Yourskini
syourbest
assetinli
fe,
soyoual waysgot talookt
hepart
"he
al
waysusedt osay.

Phil
a:"
Ladi
esmant
ombazana.Nigr
and(
Areyou
good)?"

Porsche:
"Ah,Phi
lahowcanr eskabagr andol
e
bossoedeseso( Oh,Phi
la,howcanwenotbegpod
whenyou'resuchanawesomeboss) ?I
fyoukeep
upthegoodwor kImightneverret
ir
e."
Helaughedwhil
elookingatme.Healwayshadthis
manly,cont
agi
ouslaughthatwoul
djusthypnot
ize
you.I
twasunforget
table.

Phila:"
Ai,Porsche,somethingsneverchangeakere
(ri
ght).Anyway, si
nceitsal
mostknockof ftime,I
want edt oaskyouZeei fwecoul ddri
vetolunch
togetherinmycar ?IpromiseI '
llbr
ingyouback."
Withaf riendl
ysmi rkonhisfacehekeptast rai
ght
facewi thouttaki
nghisgazeof fme.

Porsche:
"Ah,wabonabjanong(Youseenow) .
Lungaotlogot r
apawena(Lungaisgoi ngtobeat
youup).Otloswaosoet sedimill
ionsfrom t
his
companykaoj wetsa(
You'l
ldi
ebefor eyoureapthe
mil
lionsf
rom thi
scompany,I'
mt el
lingyou).
"

Phi
la:
(l
aughi
ng)
"Aowaman( No,
man) .Skampot
sa
kadibhar
ipl
ease(Don'
ttel
lmeaboutidi
ots,
pl
ease)
."

Me:(sl
ightl
yannoyedatt hefactthathejustcalled
myhusbandani di
ot)"
Pleasedon'tcal
lpeopleyou
don'
tknowi di
ots.Andbesides,i
t'
syourf i
rstdayas
thebossandIdon' twantpeopl
et ogetthewr ong
i
mpr ession.I'
m amar r
iedwomanaf t
erall
."

Phil
a:"
Ididn'tmeantooffendyouYaya.Andwho
saidIdon'tknowLunga?It ol
dyou,I
'
m amanof
manyt al
ents.Anyway,IguessIwil
lmeetyout
here.
I'
l
lsmsyout hedet
ail
s.Ciao,l
adi
es.
"

Porsche:"
Ah, Zeechomimanl ewenaor atagoba
seri
ous(Oh, Zeefri
endman, youli
kebeingtoo
seri
ous).Bonanowof etsagobahecti
cbjang(Look
howhect i
cthatwasj ustnow).Rel
axernyanaman
(Rel
axabi t,
man) .
"

Iwasabi
tannoyedandal
lmyangert
owar
dsPhi
la
camebacknje.Weheadedtotheparki
ngl otand
sai
dourgoodbyes.ThankgoodnessPorsche
sober
edupotherwiseIwoul
dhavehadt odr i
veher
home.

AsIsatbehi ndt
hesteeri
ngwheel ,contemplati
ng
whatI '
m aboutt
odo.Ijustcouldn'
thelpbutf eel
guil
ty.Ihavenoideawhynje, butt
hef eel
ingjust
creptuponmel ikeIhadmur deredsomeone.

Idon'tknowwhybecauseLungawon' tevenbother
tocallorcheckuponme.Al lhedoesissendmean
smsever ymor ni
ngassoonasIar r
iveatwork.One
wouldsweari t
'sprobabl
yanautomatedsms
becauseheal wayssendethemessageat8o' cl
ock
exactl
yinthemor ning.MyphonebeepedandI
checkedit.

Ansmscamet hr
oughfrom anunknownnumber .
"
Let'
smeetatCuppaccino'
sinMenlyn.PS:Inever
f
orgotyourf
avouri
ter
estaurant
.P.Iknewright
t
her
eandtheni
twasPhi
la.Thi
sseemsabitf
reaky.
Hedi
dsayhewasamanofmanyt al
ent
s.

DeepdownIcouldn'thel
pbutsmil
e,yetIhada
weir
dfeel
ingabouthim.Somethi
ngabouthisaur
a
j
ustdoesn'
tseem quit
eright
,whi
chmakesmeask
myself
:Howonear t
hdi dhegetmynumber ?
Chapt
erFour

IdrovetowardsMenlynParkinglevelG5.Itseems
quit
epackedf oraworkday,butthenMenl ynis
alwayspacked.Atleasthechoseapl acenotvery
farfr
om home.Menl ynisn'
tthatfarf
rom Equestri
a.
IfIhadknownIwasgoi ngt
obesomewher eaft
er
workIwasgoi ngtobringsomef l
atshoeswi thme.

I'
m sti
lli
nmyheel sandyouknowver ywellheel
s
andalcoholdon'
tmix.Iam abi
ttir
edand
over
whelmedandal lIwanttodoistakealongbath
andsleepwhenIgethome.Iwal ktowardsthe
ent
ranceofCuppaccino'
sandasIwasaboutt
o
ent
eroneofthewaiterswal
kri
ghtuptome.

Wait
er:
"Goodaf
ternoon,ma'
am.Yourdat
eis
awai
ti
ngyourarr
ival.MayIt
akeyouthr
ough?"

Me:
"Al
ri
ght
,thatwoul
dbel
ovel
ythankyou.
"

Aswewer ewalkingt
hrought her
estaur
antInot
iced
i
twasn'tthatpacked.Thesidewher ePhi
lawas
si
tt
ingwasempt y.Oh,gosh,didt
hismanbooka
wholesectionoftherest
aurant?WhatisPhil
a
pl
ayingat?

AsIappr oachedthetable,Phi
lagotuptopullmy
chairforme.Iwasi nawe.Lunganeverdoest hat
formewheneverwegooutt oeat.Notthatit
'sever
aromant i
cgest ur
e,weal wayseatoutwheni t
'sa
workfunction.Ican'
treall
ymissanyoft hosest upi
d
functi
onsbecauseI '
mt hemi l
li
onai
re'
swi f
e.I
blushedabit,
Iguessi
t'
sanaut
omat
icr
esponset
o
romanticgest
ures.

Phil
a:"I'
m sogladyoucouldmakei t
,Yaya.Gosh,
youlooksobeaut i
ful
.Oh,IorderedaMoj i
toforyou
forstarter
s.Iknowit
'syourf
avourit
e."Hegaveme
asmi le.Thismanhastheperfectsmilewit
hperfect
,
sparklyteeth.

Me:"
uhm, t
hankyou.Iseeyouneverf
orget
.Di
dyou
bookthi
swholesecti
on?"

Phil
a:(
fai
ntlaugh)
"Yes,It
houghtofbookingthe
wholerest
aurantforyou,butknowingyouyouwere
pr
obablygoingtor unawayifIdid.Iknowyouhat
e
at
tenti
on."

Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)"
Your
eal
lydi
dn'
thavet
o,Phi
la
r
eal
ly.
"
Wai
ter
:"
MayIt
akeyouror
der
s?"

Phi
la:
"MayIpleasehavet
heNachospeci
alwi
tha
gr
eeksalad,
please?"

Me:"
I'
llhavet
hepast aAlf
redo,
wit
hli
ngui
niand
ext
racheeseplease.Thankyou"

Phil
a:"
Youstil
lloveAlf
redo.IguessIdidn'
tmake
thewrongmovebychoosi ngyourfavouri
te
rest
aurantaf
terallt
heseyears."

Me: "
Canwecutthesmall
talkandgettot
hepoi
nt
please,
Nkosenye.Whyam Ireal
lyher
e?Whydi
d
youcomeback? "

Phil
a:"
Yoh(Wow),
youhaven'
tchangedabi
t.Iknow
whenyoucallmebymysecondnameyoumean
busi
ness.
"
Me:"I
fyou'r
enotgoi
ngt oanswermyquest
ionst
hen
I'
mleaving.
"Iat
temptedtogetupandheheldmy
hand.

Phila:"
Okay, BonaZee(Okay, l
ookZee).I
'm sorr
y.
Pleasedon' tgo.Iwil
lexplai
neveryt
hingtoyou."I
satbackdownandt ookasi pofmydr i
nk.Iwas
gettingsof r
ustrat
ed.Thismanwoo' smeaf terall
theseyear sandI '
m amar ri
edwomanf orcryingout
l
oud." Okay, It
hinkwhatyouwantt oknowi swhyI
l
eft.Iwi l
lexplai
neverythi
ng."

Me:"
well
,don'
tkeepmewait
ing.Ti
meisrunni
ngout
phel
a.Ihaveamanwait
ingformeathome."

Phi
la:(
deepsigh)"
Zee,Il
eftbecauseIhadtookay.I
di
dn'thaveachoice.Doyour ememberwehadt o
meetupont helastdayofyourmat r
icexams?You
weresoexcitedandIhadt ol
dyouIhadasur pr
ise
foryou?
"Inoddedinf
rust
rat
ion."
Well
,thatday,
I
hadhadplannedtopr
oposetoyou,Yaya.
"

Me:(shocked)"
whatdoyoumeanPhi
la?Idon'
t
understand.
"

Phil
a:"
Rememberfewweekspri
ortothatIhadbeen
aski
ngyouifweweret
ogetmar r
ied,
whatkindof
ri
ngwouldyoul
ikemetogetyou?Andyousai d.
..
"

Me:(i
nterrupt
inghim)"Anyt
hingwi thachampagne
di
amond. "Isaidthi
swi t
htearsthreateni
ngmyeyes.
Allt
hiswhi l
eheneverlethiseyesof fme.Icouldn'
t
understandwhyPhi l
awast ort
uringmel iket
his.

Phil
a:"
IhadaskeduGog'Khanyif
oryourhandi n
marri
age.Shesaidshewouldspeaktoyourpar ent
s
andmaket hemagichappen.Icoul
dn'tspeakto
yourParent
sYaya,becausewebothknowver ywell
theyneverl
ikedme.ImeanIwasn'texactl
yfrom a
ri
chf amil
ylikeyou.Ihadameetingwit
hGogot hat
day.Shewassupposedt oletmeknowwhatyour
parentssaidaboutthewholethi
ngsothatIcould
fi
nali
zethel obol
a.Ihadalr
eadysavedupR10000.

Itwasn'tmuch, ImeanIknewyoudeser vedt hebest,

butIhadpr omisedmysel fthatIwoul dgi veyouthe
bestonceIgr aduated.Anyway, Iwalkedi ntoGogo's
house,butshewasn' talone.Iheardvoi cesint he
l
ivingroom andi tseemedl ikeshewashavi ngan
argumentbecauseIhear dlot
sofvoi ces, soI
decidedtoeasedr opf rom thekitchen.Iover heard
hertell
ingyourpar entsaboutourpl ansandt hat
therewasnot hi
ngt heycoul ddoabouti t.Shesaid
thatIwasyourchosenoneYayaandt hatifthey
i
nterfer
edshewoul dt el
lyout heirbi
gsecr et
.

ThatwaswhenIhear dyourmom sayi ngyouwer e

alr
eadypromisedtoLungaandt hatshewast r
ying
todest
roythei
rwhol eplan.Yourdadagr eedwit
h
yourmom andj ustwhenIwant edtohearmor eI
acci
dental
lydroppedamugandt heyheardme.
Theycamer ushingt
otheki
tchenandtheywereall
shockedtoseemeandmusthavegat heredthatI
heardever
ything.

Yourmom sai dIwasaliabi

li
tyandt hatshecouldn't
l
etmel eaveGogo'shouseinonepi ece.Shet r
iedto
grabme, butGogoshoutedatmet or un.Ir
anas
fastasIcouldYaya,Imeanyouknowver ywel lt
hat
Iam notacowar d.If
acethi
ngsl i
keaman, butI
fearedf
oryourlif
eandIcouldn'tl
etthem killmeso
IranasfastasIcould.

Icouldn'tevengotomyhousebecauset hat
'st
he
fi
rstplacetheywoul dcomel ooki
ngsoIwentto
hideatSbu' shouse.Itri
edcall
ingyout
hatdayandI
knowyouwer ebusywi t
hexamsbutItri
edmyl uck.
Youobvi ouslyweren'tansweri
ngandri
ghtthen
Gogof oundme.Shet oldmeIhadt odi
sappearfast
.

Myl
if
ewasi
ndangerasyourpar
ent
shadal
ready
paidpeopletocomeandki l
lme.Shegavemesome
moneyandIhadt odi
sappear.Imadeanoat hto
Gogot hatIwoulddi
sappearandIwoul dcomeback
onlywhent hi
ngshaddieddown.Whi chiswhyI
askedhert ogi
veyouthatlet
teronyourwedding
day.Itbrokemyhearttol
eaveyou,Zeebaby, butI
hadto.Youhavenoi deahowIneverr ecover
edtil
today.

Ical
ledGogoaf ewweeksagoandIt oldhert
hatI
cannottakei
tanymore.Thefactt
hatyouweresol
d
toanothermanwhil
eIwasal i
vesickensme.Ihad
tocomebackYaya,Icamebackf oryou.Icame
backforwhat'
smineandI '
m notl
eavingever
agai
n."

Hesaidthatwithtear
srunni
ngdownhi scheeks.
Thelastti
meIsawhi m cr
ywaswhenhi sfather
waskill
ed.Allt
hiswhil
eIwastr
yingsohar dtocry
butt
earswer estr
eamingdownmyf ace.Ij
ust
coul
dn'tbel
ievewhatIwashear
ing.
Phi
la:
"Saysomet
hingYaya,
please.
"

Me:"So,Gogoknewal
lal
ongwher
eyouwer
eand
nevertol
dme? "

Phil
a:"
Itwasforyourowngood, Zee.Wehadt o
keepitasecretot
herwi
setheywer egoingtoki
llme.
Lordknowshowmanycount r
iesI'vehadtoski
p
unti
lImadesur et
hatmynamewasahousehol d
name.Nowyourpar ent
scan'ttouchmdi keandthey
knowt hatver
ywell
.Thati
swhyIcameback. "

Me:"
This..Thi
ssecretyouover
heard.Whati
sit
?
Whatissobadt hatmyownpar ent
swantedtohave
youkil
led?"

Phi
la:
"Ican'
ttel
lyou?
"
Me:(r
aisi
ngmyvoi ce)"Don'
tfuckwithme,
Nkosenye!Don'tyoudarefuckwit
hme!Youcame
backandnowyou' retel
li
ngmehal fstor
ies!My
wholemar r
iageisbasedonal i
eandyour ef
uset
o
tel
lmeeverything?!
"

Ijustfel
tli
keIhadbeenbet rayed,byPhila,Gogo,
myownf amil
y.Everyone.Angerandr esent
ment
creptupinthepitofmyst omachandIwasst arti
ng
toshake.Icoul
df eelmybl oodpr essureri
sing
whichcausedmet ostartsweat i
ng.

Phil
a:"
Ican'
ttel
lyoubabe.I'
m sorr
y.Gogosai
dshe
wouldtel
lyouhersel
fwhent heti
mecame.You
shouldgi
veheracall.She'
sexpecti
ngit
."

Icannotbel
ievejusthowcal
m Phi
lai
sri
ghtnow.I
s
heheari
nghi mself
?!

Me:
"Thi
sisj
ustawast
eoft
ime!I
'
mleavi
ng!
"
Igotupandgr
abbedmybagfrom t
hetabl
e.AsI
wasabouttol
eavehegr
abbedmyar m.

Phil
a:"
Wait
,there'
ssomethi
ngyoushouldknow.
Yourhusbandisntwhoyouthinkheis.He'
skeeping
secr
etsfr
om you,Yaya.Secr
etsthatwil
ldest
roy
yourmarri
age."

Me:"
Whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
,Phi
la?Di
dyou
comeher
etorui
nmyl i
fe?
!"

Phil
a:"
Iwouldneverdot
hatt
oyou,Zee.Whenyou
gethome,askhim whoi
sNkosi
yabo."

Iwassoast
oni
shed.I
sthi
sguybei
ngf
orr
ealr
ight
now?

Me:"
Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thyouNkosenye?
!
Ar
eyout
ryi
ngtobefunny?Thatwasthenamewe
wer
egoi
ngtogi
veourfir
stbor
nson."

Phil
a:"Hur t
ingyouwasneverandwi l
lneverbemy
i
ntention,Yaya.Justaskhimthatonequesti
onand
hi
sreact i
onwi l
lgiveyoutheanswer.
"

Me:
"I
'm notgoi
ngt
oli
stent
oanyshi
tanyf
urt
her
."

WiththatsaidIjustst
ormedoutoftherefeel
ingso
enraged,confusedanddamnrightupset.Phi
lajust
comesbackoutofnowheranddumpssomuch
baggageonme? !Howt hef
uckwillIhandl
ethis?

I'm notstrongenough.Ikeptwal ki
ngwi tht ears
fl
owi ng.ThewayIwaswal kingsof astIevenf orgot
Iwaswear ingheels.AsIgottot hepaypoi ntIpaid
formyt icketwithmyhandsshaki ng.Myf acewas
redandIdi dn'tevennoti
ce.Ifeltami gr
aine
creepinguponme.Iheadedt owar dsmycar ,
openedthedoorandsatinfrontofthestear
ing
wheelandIjustl
etital
lout
.Iwailedwithoutany
carei
nthewor l
d.Isuddenl
ytobreathe.

It
ri
edtodosomebr eat
hingexer
cises,
butI
st
ruggl
ed.Ihear
dabangonmywi ndowandwhenI
l
ookeditwasPhil
a.Thi
sdudeevenf ol
lowedme
af
teral
ltheshi
thedumpedonme?

Phi
la:
"Opent
hedoor
,Zeepl
ease.
"

Me:"
Leavemealone,
Phi
la.
"Witht
hatsai
dIdr ove
of
finsomuchspeedIdon'
teventhi
nkIreal
izedI
wasspeedi
ng.
Chapt
erFi
ve

Imanagedt ogethomeandIdon'tevenknowhow
becausemyeyeswer ebli
ndedbymyt ears.I
managedt owipemytearsoffmyfaceandcalm
down.Ilookedinmyrearvi
ewmi rr
oranditisso
obvi
ousthatIhadbei
ngcryi
ng.Myeyesar
eal
most
swol
lenshut.Per
ksofbei
ngli
ghtneh.

Mybr i
efandsurpr
isi
ngconversati
onwithPhil
a
consumedmyt houghtsthr
oughoutthewholedrive.
Imanagedtogetmyphoneoutofmybag.20
missedcall
sand10t extmessagesandnumer ous
WhatsApptext
s?!Eh,myphonewasonsi l
entthat'
s
probabl
ywhy.Ichecktheti
mebef oreopeni
ngmy
messages.

It'
s18:00I'
m surpr
isedtofindLunga'
scarparked.
He'shomeear l
ytoday,t
hat'safi
rst
.Iscrol
lthr
ough
myphoneandIseet womi ssedcal
lsfr
om Porsche,
onef r
om Gogo,mxm mustbeherconsci ence
tal
kingtoher
,onefrom Lunga.

Itmustbeaboutt orai
ncatsanddogsbecause
Lunganeverreal
lycall
sme.Ther estarefr
om an
unsavednumber.Ireadthetext
sandInot icethey
arefr
om thesameunsavednumber ,Igat
herthey
areal
lfr
om Phil
a."Zee,pl
easeansweryourphone.
I'
m worr
iedaboutyou."

"It
riedfoll
owi
ngyout
oseeifyou'
reokay,butyou
outdrovemewoman.Wheredidyoulear
nt odri
ve
l
iket hat
?"

"Pleasecallmewhenyougett
hismessage,
I
promi sei
t'
sthel
astone.
"

Mxm, Idon'tbot herreadi

ngther estandIdecidenot
torespond.IopenmyWhat sAppandIseef ew
messagesf rom Por sche"Zee,chomiansweryour
phonebat hong.Phi l
ai sworr
iedsickaboutyouhe
saysyouwer ecr yi
nghysteri
call
y.""I
fyoudon't
respondwi t
hinanhourI '
m comingt oyourhouse.
Kewor ri
edhl e."Iseeshe'sonli
neandIdeci deto
textherabriefmessage: "I
'mfine.Talktomorr
ow.
Sorryforworr yi
ngyou. "
Ideci
detoputupabravef
aceandf
acemyso
cal
ledlyi
nghusband.

Iopenedthedoorandj ustasIsteppedinI '

m met
byaver yunusualsceneIhaveneverseenbef or
e.
There'
sfoodlaidoutont hetabl
e,withcandlesand
champagne.Ievenseeabunchofr edrosesonone
si
deoft hetabl
e.Whatt hefuckisthis?I
sLunga
cheati
ngonmenow?I shehavingacandl elight
dinnerwit
hhisbitch?

Hewal
ksoutofthekit
chenweari
nganapronwith
somef
louronhi
sface.Iassumehewascooking.
He'
sagoodcook,al
thoughhehasn'
tcookedf
orme
i
nyear
s.Maybehe'str
yingtopoi
sonme.

Lunga:
(smi
li
ngbr
oadl
y)"Goodeveni
ng,mywif
e.
Welcomehome.I
'
vebeenawaiti
ngyourar
ri
val
."

Heki
ssedmeonmycheek.Il
ookathi
m wi
thso
muchshockwri
tt
enonmyf ace.Who'
sthi
smani
n
f
rontofme?Thi
scannotbemyLunga.

Lunga:
"Oh,
honey.Don'
tlooksoshockedhai
bo.
Can'
tIspoi
lmywi f
e?"

Me:"
Lunga,whatisallt
his?Areyouokay?Ar
eyou
dyi
ng?Pleasedon'tdayyou'
redying.
"

Lunga:(
laughingamused)"ComeonZee.Iwantus
tocel
ebrate.Thisdi
nnerisalsotoshowyouhow
muchIappr eciat
eyou.Iknowt hi
ngshaven'
tbeen
thesamebet weenusf orawhilenowandIwoul d
l
ikeustochangeal lt
hat.Ireal
lyl
oveyouZiyanda
Dikel
ediNqobo.Iwantust oputthepastbehindus
andcreateanewchapt er.
"

Ist
aredathi
m andsomethinginhishazeleyestel
ls
methere'
ssomethi
ngthat
'snotri
ght.Mygr andma
al
wayssaidawoman'sfir
stthoughtabout
somethingisusuall
ythecorrectone.SoIam
fol
lowi
ngmygutf eel
ing.Per
hapsher eal
lyi
str
ying
tochange.Ijustdon'
tknow.There'sjustsomet
hing
aboutthelookinhiseyesthatIcannotputmy
fi
ngeron.

Lunga:"
Sit
,please.Di
nneri
sservedbyyour
gorgeoushusband."Hepul
ledmychairformeand
smiledashemadehi swayt oki
tchenI
'
m assuming
togetthefood.

Hehe,Modi mowamakat sashame( Godisfullof

miracl
es).Thet abl
eset
ti
ngseemssopr ofessional
withproper,redandgol
dtabl
esets.Redismy
favour
itecolourbythewayandI'
m surpri
sedhe
remember sal lt
hat
.Hecamebackholdingtwo
smalldishes.

Lunga:
"Herei
sthestar
ter
,mylady.Garl
icglazed
prawns.Bon'
Apeti
te.
"Hepouredussome
champagneandsatdown, whi
lehol
dinghisglass
upforatoastwhi
leIdot
hesame."
Tonew
begi
nnings"
.

Me:"Uhm,tonewbegi
nnings.
"Wemakeatoastand
si
p."So,youmindt
ell
ingmewhatt
hisi
sreal
ly
about?"

Lunga:"
Ipromiseyoubabe,I
'm notdyi
ng.Isecur
ed
thedealtoday.We'
regoingt
omakebi l
li
onsf r
om
thi
scontractZeebaby.AndI'
mt aki
ngthi
schance
tofi
xthingsbetweenyouandI."

Me:"
Congr
atulat
ions,
Lu.Imeanyouknowyou'
re
goodatwhatyoudo."

Lunga:
"Thankyou,
love.Soaboutus,
whatdoyou
say?"

Me:
"uhm,
sur
e.Wecanf
ixt
hings.I
'
mjustnotsur
e
what
'sbr
okent
hough.
"

Lunga:"
Comeon, Zi
yanda.IknowIhaven'
tbeenthe
besthusbandever,Ij
ustwanttomakeitallupt
o
you.Let'
sstar
tacleanslat
estart
ingnow."

Me:(Isatther
eandhadaf l
ashbackofmy
conversati
onwi t
hPhi
la)"
Cleansl
ate,
right
?No
secret
sr i
ght?"

Lunga:"I
'
m anopenbook,ZeeandIknowf orsur
e
you'r
eoneaswell.Iknowther
e'snot
hingyoucan
hidefrom me.
"

Thatst
atementmademecr
inge.Hesoundssosur
e.
Whywoul dhesayt
hat
?

Me:
"Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?Whatdoyoumean?
"
Lunga:"
Oh,uhm,Ijustmeanyou'
remywi feZee.I
knowyou."Heletoutasli
ghtl
augh."Comeon, l
ets
eatup.Ihavemoresurpri
sescomingup."Hepicks
uphisglassandtakesasipofhi
schampagne.

Me:"
Speaki
ngofacl eansl
ate,whoisNkosi
yabo?"
Hechokedonhi schampagneanddropstheglass
onthet
ablecausingitt
ospil
lnear
lydroppi
ngthe
gl
assonthefloor.
Chapt
erSi
x

Wi ththatsai
d,I
'm st
illl
ookingathim hardlybli
nki
ng.
Itissaidthataperson'seyesholdthetruthand
rightthereandthenLungapr ovedtomet hatther
e
i
smor etothisNkosiyabothanmeet stheeye.He
can'tevenlookatmeashet r
iest
odr youtt he
spill
edchampagneont hetableclot
h.

Me:
"I
'm aski
ngagai
n,whoi
sNkosi
yabo?
"
Lunga:
"Hao,baby.Ushokanjani(
Whatdonyou
mean?Angithit
hatwast henamewedeci dedon
givi
ngourfi
rstbornson?Whywoul dyouaskme
that
?Haveyout akenyourmedst oday?
"

Thisl
itt
lef
uck.Suchal
owbl
ow.I
shei
nsi
nuat
ing
thatI
'
m crazy?

Me:
"YouknowverywellI
'
vestoppedt
aki
ng
medi
cati
onforamonthnow."

Lunga:(
looki
ngf
ullofr
egr
etreal
izi
ngthatst
atement
j
usthurtmedeeply.
)"I
'
m sor
ry,Zee.Idi
dn'
tmeanit
l
ikethat
."

Me:"OfcourseLunga.Younevermeanit
"l
iket
hat"
.If
youbot her
edtocomewi thmet omyther
apy
sessionsyouwoul dknownottoever"
meanitli
ke
that
".
Lunga:
"I
'm sorr
y.You'
reri
ght.I
'
m wil
li
ngtomakean
eff
ort
.Tellyouwhat,whydontyougochangeandI
wil
lbri
ngoutthemai ncour
sesolong?"

Me:"
Don'
tbother
,I'
vesuddenl
ylostmyappet
it
e.I
'
m
t
ir
edanyway.Goodnight.
"

Lunga:
"Hao,Zee,St
handwa(
love)
,youhaven'
teven
openedyourgif
tyet.
"

Me:(
whil
ewalkingaway)"
I'
llopeni
ttomor
row.
You'
renotdyi
ng,Right
?"

Iwalkedupt othemast erbedroom andshutt he

doorbehindme.Iputmybagonmybedsi deand
tookoffmyheel s.Myfeetar ekil
li
ngme, notto
mentionmyhead.Ideci detotakeaquickshower
beforegett
ingi
nt obed.Somet hingaboutLunga's
react
ionwhenIaskedhi mthatquestionconfirms
mysuspi ci
ons:heisindeedhi di
ngsomet hingfrom
me.IhavetogetPhi
latotellmemoreabout
Nkosi
yabo.Wit
hallt
hoset hought
sponder
ingmy
headItookt
wopainkil
ler
sandmanagedt odozeof
f.

Lunga

Iwatchedhercar
efull
yasshemadeherwayt othe
bedroom andwait
edf orhertocl
oset hedoor.Shit
,I
nearl
ywetmypant s.Wher ethefuckdidthat
questi
oncomef r
om andsi ncewhendoesZee
questi
onme?Coul dthatbitchbefeedingher
i
nformati
on?Idecidetocallher.

Lunga:
"Yeywena.WhyisZeeaski
ngmequest
ions
al
lofasuddenaboutNkosi
?

Woman:Whatar
eyouonaboutLu?Howshoul
dI
know?
Lunga:"Yeywena, sfebendi ni(
Hey,youbit
ch).
Ungazongi hlanyisawezwa( Don'
tmakemego
crazy,youhearme) ?I fIfi
ndoutyouhadanyt hi
ng
todowi ththis,Iwillwipeyouof fthefaceofthe
earthandever yonewi llf
orgetyoueverexi
sted,
siyazwana( arewecl ear)?
"

Woman:" I'
m ser
iousLubaby.Iwouldneverdothat
toyou.Besides,
Zeedoesn'tevenknowthatname.
Sheknowshi sothername.Everyoneknowshim by
Banele.Comeonnow. "

Lunga:
"I
'm seri
ousBeli
nda,Ican'
taf
for
dtohavemy
marri
agecollapse,
especi
all
ynotnow."

Woman:"Comeon, Iknowt
hat.Don'
trui
nthi
ngs.
Besi
des,Imissyou.Whenareyoucomingto
ser
viceme?"

Lunga:
"I
'l
lcomebyt
omor
rowatl
uncht
ime.Usual
spot.Don'
tdi
sappointme.YouknowwhatIdot
o
peoplewhodon'tl
istent
ome."

Woman:
"Iknow,
baby.Iwoul
dneverbet
rayyouli
ke
t
hat
.Seeyoutomor
rowthen.Goodni
ght
,Ilove-
".

Ihungupbef oreshecoul devenfinisht

hatl ousy
sentence.Shit
.Someonei ssnoopi ngaroundand
tryi
ngtomakeZeeawar eofshi
t.Ifshefindsout,al
l
thiswouldbef ornot
hing.Ican'
tloseZee, Ican't
.I
rubmyf oreheadinfrustr
ati
onanddeci det ocall
Tony,myI Tguyandr ighthandman.

Lunga:"
Tony,kenal
ejai
ve(Ihaveaprobl
em).I
needyourexper
ti
seandit
'samat t
erofur
gency.
"

Tony:"ShoBozza(
Sur
e,Boss)
.Coul
dn'
tthi
swait
?
Gapekej amaraomo(
I'
m busychowi
ngassri
ght
now)."
Lunga:"Yewena,
ungazonginyanyi
sawezwa(Hey!
Don'tannoyme)?Ijustsai
dthi
sisamatterof
urgency."

Tony:
"Shosho,
HadeBozza,
(Sur
e,sur
e.Sor
ryboss)
.
Whatdoyouneed?"

Lunga:"
Ineedyout
ohacki nt
oZiyanda'
sphone.I
suspectsomeonei
sfeedingheri
nformati
on.She
askedmeaboutmyson. "

Tony:"
Eh,
eh,eh.Kejai
veeser iousmos, Bozza
(Thisi
sareal
lyser
iousproblem, boss)
.Bona(look)
,
givemeanhour.Iwil
llookintoit.
"

Lunga:"Sho(Sur
e).IknowIcanal wayscounton
you."Ihungupandt ookasipofmychampagne.
Fuck,Ineedsomet hi
ngstrongerthanthi
s.Idecided
toti
dyupsi nceal
lmydi nnereff
ortswenttowast e.
Idecidedtogotomyst udyanddr inkmywhi skey
ther
e.Isunkdeepint
othought
s.I
fZeef
indsout
aboutt
his,
I'
m adeadman.
Ican'tl
oseherforabit
chlikeBeli
nda.Imeam, I
onlyhadsexwithhertohaveanhei rsinceZeewas
struggl
ingsomucht otal
lpregnant.Besides,itwas
allmydamnmot her
'si
dea.Shepr omi sedmeal l
woul dworkout
.Imadeament alnotet hatIhadto
seehersoonsoshecoul dexplainallthisshittome.
Chapt
erSi
x

Lunga

Myphoner angandIcheckedthet ime.I

t'
s6am.I
musthavedozedof fonmychai ri
nmyst udy.My
whiskeybott
lei
shal fempt
y.Ei
sh, Imusthave
drankalotmorethanIshouldhave.Myheadi s
ki
lli
ngmenott oment i
onmystiffneckandsore
back.Myphoner ingsagai
n.It
'sTony.Shit
.So
manymi ssedcal
ls.
Lunga:
"Tony"
.

Tony:"
Bozza,aowakgalekegobel el
abanna(Boss,
I'
vebeencall
ingyou,man).Ebilemediyajae
nkwatetseerekamoj ol
la(Mygi r
lf
ri
endiseven
angryatme,shethinksI
'm cheati
ng).Bonanouo
l
etseant i
masebonomonna( Looknowsheeven
ref
usedt ogi
vemesomepussyal lnight
).
"

Ichuckl
ed.Tonynayemanai
.

Lunga:
"Sor
ryman.Iwillmakei
twort
hyourwhi
le.I
wil
lsendyousomethi
ngt omakei
tuptoher
.Now
gi
vemewhatIaskedf or.
"

Tony: "
ShoshoBozza.Seemsl i
kesomeonei s
i
nt er
est edinyourwife,
Bozza.Keshebi
le(Ichecked)
andshehadnododgyact i
vityunti
lmaobane
(yesterday).There'
samanwhokeepst exti
ngher
andcal lingher.Imadeafewcallsandseemsl i
ke
theyevenhadlunchmaobane( yester
day)ko
Menlasdaarsobajabodipr awnsledispaghett
iwa
bona(atMenlyneatingpr
awnsandspaghet ti
).Ko
daaiplekyamaI t
ali
anbarengkeCuppacci no'
s
(TheywereatthatIt
ali
anplacecall
ed
Cuppaccino'
s).
"

Myhear tst
art
edt obeatfast
er.Isuddenlyhada
mill
iont
hought spersecondrunningthroughmy
mind.CouldZiyandabecheatingonme?Nowaysi t
can'
tbe.Ireali
zeTonyhasbeencal l
ingmyname.I
nusthavezonedoutf orasecond.

Tony:"
Bozza?Osal
edaar
?(boss?Ar
eyoust
il
l
ther
e?)"

Lunga:
"Jakesal
ehier(
Yes,
I'
m st
il
lhere)
.Who's
thi
smant hat
'st
aki
ngmywifeoutfordil
unch
now?"
Tony:
"Kediannemanwadizakabar engkePhila
(I
t'
ssomeguywho'sloadedcal
ledPhil
a).Phi
la
Zwane."

Isuddenlyfel
tami l
li
onf eel
ingsrushi
ngthroughmy
body.Anger,i
nsecuri
ties,butmostlyfear
.Phil
ais
back?Kanjani(how)?ImeanZi yanda'sparent
s
madedoubl esurethathewoul dbegonef orgood.
Theytoldmehewasdeadandt herewasnot r
ace
ofhimforthepastfewyear s.Howcoul dthisbe?

Lunga:
"ShapTony.Thanks.Iwi
llsendyou
somethi
ngnyanaforallyouref
fort
s."

JustasIwasaboutt
ohanguphetel
lsme
somethi
ngevenmoreworr
ying.

Tony:
"Wait
,Bozza.Ther
e'smore.Itseemsasifhe
hasboughtMr.Brenner
'sconstr
uctioncompany.Ke
thenewCEOandowneryat eng(He'sthenewCEO
andowner
).Ebil
ehehaschangedt
hename.KePZ
CONSTRUCTIONSnou(I
t'
scall
edPZ
CONSTRUCTIONSnow).
"

Fuck!Thi
scan'
tbe.Phi
lai
sZi
yanda'
snewboss?
!
Whatthefucki
sgoingon?

Lunga:
"Tony.Thanksman.Lookintohim.Findout
al
lyoucanandf indoutexact
lywhathe'sdoingwi
th
Zeeandwhathe'splanning.
"

Tony:
"ShoshoBozza.I
'
m oni
t.
"

Ihungupandl oggedintomybankingappand
tr
ansfer
redani mmediatepaymentofR50000to
Tony.IfZiyandaislyi
ngtomeI'm scr
ewed.Imight
havebeenherf i
rst
,butGodknowsIcan'tcompete
withPhil
a.
Icheckedthetimeandit's6:30.Zeemustbeupby
now.SoIdeci dedtogotoourbedr oom.Iwal ked
i
nandIheart heshowerrunni ng.Thi
sisagood
ti
meformet osnoopt hr
oughherphoneandsee
whatthefuckthisPhi
laisplanningwithZee.

Icheckherphone.Iseel
otsofmissedcall
sf r
om an
unsavednumber.Itmustbethatasshol
e.Icheck
hermessages.Mostofthem fr
om himtell
ingher
he'
ssorryandaskinghertoanswerherphone.

Thereisonemessagethatcat
chesmyeye." Yaya,
pl
easedon'trunawayf
rom me.Pleaset
hinkabout
whatItol
dyouaboutyourhusband.Iwi
llseeyouat
worktomorrow,P.
"Oh,sowe'r
eusingpetnames
now.Yayawamasi mba.

Andwhatt hefuckdi
dhet el
lheraboutme?Icheck
herWhat sAppmessagesandIseeaf ewfrom
Porsche."Chomihl
e,answeryourphone.Phi
latol
d
meyoul eftthemal
lcryi
nghyster
ical
lyandhe's
worri
edaboutyou.Ifyoudon'
tansweryourphone
I
'm comi
ngthere".Mxm.

Ial
waysknewPor schedidn'
tli
keme,buttosuppor
t
mywifehavinganaffai
r?That'
sjustl
owofher.I
don'
tevenknowwhatRober tseesinherass.

Zi
yanda:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmyphone?
"

Lunga:
"Zee,
baby.Youst
art
ledme.Di
dyouhavea
goodshower?"

Ziyanda:
"Don'
tdodgemyquest
ion,
Lunga.Ngi
the
uyenzaningephoneyami
?Areyouspyi
ngonme
now? "

Lunga:
"Comeon,
Ziyanda.Iwasjustchecki
ngt
he
ti
me.Noneedtobesodef ensi
ve.
"
Ziyanda:
"I
'm notbei
ngdefensi
ve.Youcouldhave
usedyourphonet ochecktheti
me.Anyway, could
youpleaseexcuseme.Iwoul dl
iketogetdressed."

Lunga:"
Hao,Zee.You'
remywife.Whywouldyou
feelt
heneedtohideyourbodyfrom me?
"

Ziyanda:(
chuckling)YaziuyamangazaLunga
Nqcobo( Youar esof ul
lofsurpri
sesLungaNgcobo) .
Eversincelastnightit'
s"you'r
emywi fet
his,you'
re
mywi fethat".Kantiungenweyi ni(
Whatonear th
hasgot t
eni ntoyou)?ThroughoutourmarriageI
neverandImeaneverdr essedinfr
ontofyou.You
havebasical l
yneverseenmenakedorever
botheredtoseemenaked.Manj e(now)you're
tel
li
ngmet his?"

Zeewassocoldtowardsme.Ideser
vedi
t.I
'
vebeen
adickt
hroughoutourmar
ri
age.
Lunga:"
ComeonZi yanda.IknowIhaven'tbeenthe
besthusbandbutIwasser i
ousaboutusf i
xingt
his
marri
age.IloveyouZeeandIam preparedtoshow
you."

Zi
yanda:"
Well
,goodluckwi
ththat.Nowplease
l
eave.You'
remakingmefeeluncomfort
able.
"

Islowlygotupf rom t
hebedandpl acedherphone
onherbedsi de.ThislookI'
m seei nginZee'seyesis
oneIhaveneverseenbef ore.It'
sal mostasifshe
reall
ydoesn' tcareaboutwhatIdo.Inol ongersee
thatlookofyear ningtobel ovedi nhereyesand
thatscar esme.TheZeeImar ri
edwoul ddo
anythingf ormesi mplybecauseI '
m herhusband.
Now, thisoneI '
m seeingher eissomeone
compl etelydif
ferentanditscarest heshitoutofme.
I'
ml osingmywi fe.Islowlywal kedt ot
heensui te
bathroom wi thmyheaddown.Bef oreIentered
remember edwhatTonyt ol
dmeandIdeci dedto
testZee.
Lunga:
"Howcomeyounevert
oldmeyouhavea
newboss?"

Zi
yanda:
"Youneverasked.
"

Andjustl
ikethati
twasconfi
rmed.Iam aboutt
o
l
osemywi f
eandIcan'tl
ett
hathappen.Ineedt
ogo
seeMaasi nyester
day.

Zi
yanda

Mxm Ididn'tsl
eepverywel ll
astnightandIwokeup
i
naver ycrankymood.Tomakemat t
ersworse
Lungaisaskingmef unnyquest i
onsandIf ound
hi
m snoopingt hr
oughmyphone.Iknowhewas
l
yingaboutcheckingthet i
mebecauseIknowhi m
whenhe'slying.Heraiseshislef
teyebrowwhenhe
i
slying.Andbesides,IfoundmyWhat sAppchat
withPorscheopenedandi tconfi
rmedmy
suspi
cions.

Mxm.Mencanr eall
yannoyyou.I
'
vebeenwit
hthis
manforsi
xyears.He'spr
obabl
ytoldmesi
xtimes
t
hatI
'
m beauti
ful,
whichamountstoonceayear
.

Hehasneverr eall
yseenmenaked, Imeanwe
alwayshavesexont hebedunderneat
hthecover
s
sowher ewouldhehavefoundthetimeto
appreci
atemybody?IknowI '
m abitbigandonthe
chubbyside,buti
fmyownhusbandcan' ttel
lme
I'
m pret
tythenitmeansI'
m not
,ri
ght?

Ididmymor ni
ngrout
ine,
lot
ionedmybody.I
decidedtowearmybl uemaxi dr
esswithflat
stoday.
Itmightnotreal
lybeaveryproperpr
ofessional
outfi
t,butI
'
m soannoyedandabi tdepressedtoday.

I'
m noti
nt hemoodfordressi
ngup.Ilookatmyself
i
nthemirror.Iact
ual
lyl
ookquitegoodifImustsay.
Thisdressaccent uat
esallt
hegoodpar t
sofmy
body.Mycl eavagemi ghtbeabi
texposed, butI
real
lydon'tcare.Iputonalowcutsleevelessdenim
j
acketont opandmademywayt othekitchen.I
foundbreakfastmadeasal waysbyMam' Masango.
Ismiled.

Me:
"Sawubona,ma.Kunj
ani(
Goodmor
ning,
ma.
Howareyou)"

Mam'Masango:"
hai,I
'm notsowel
ltoday,mychi
ld.
Ihadabaddream aboutyouandIstruggl
edto
sl
eepevenaf
terIprayedlastni
ght
."

Me:(
puzzl
ed)
"Hao,
ma.Whathappenedi
nthe
dr
eam?"

Mam' Masango:"
Iwast
oldmyspir
itint
hedream
ukuthit
heti
mehascomef ort
hetr
uthtobe
reveal
edtoyou.I
twon'
tbeaneasyjour
neyonceit
's
r
eveal
ed.Ther
eisdangerapproachi
ngmnt
wana
wamiandyouneedtotrustPhil
a.

Iknowhel ef
tyouwhenyouneededhi m most,but
thereisar easonwhyhei sbacknow.Allshal
lbe
revealedsoon.Butaboveal lel
serememberthis:mr
.
Lungai snotwhoyout hi
nkheis,butt
rustPhi
la.He
willhelpyout oreachyourdesti
ny.
"

Seemslikewei
rdshi
tishappeni
ngt
omelatel
y.
Thisi
sthesecondti
meIhearsomeonet
ellme
aboutLunga.Whati
sgoingon?

Me:"
Wai
t,ma.You'
reconf
usi
ngmenow.Andhow
di
dyouknowaboutPhil
a?Inevert
oldyouabout
hi
m."

Mam' Masango:
(l
aughi
ng)"
Ziyanda,youfor
getI
knowthingsbef
oreyoufi
ndoutaboutthem andI
seethi
ngsbefor
etheyhappen.Allshal
lbereveal
ed
mntwanami(mychil
d).Andmakesureyougosee
yourgogot
oday.She'
sexpect
ingyou.
"

Me:(chuckli
ng)"
Ikeeoforget
ti
ngaboutyourspir
it
ual
skil
lsyazima.OkayIwi l
ldothat
.Iwil
lgoseeGogo
today.Ngiyabonga(Thankyou)f
orbreakf
ast.Let
mel eavebeforetr
affi
cgetshect
ic.
"

Mam'Masango:
"Al
ri
ght
,mybaby.Hambakahl
e(Go
wel
l)
."

Iwalkedoutanddr ovetowor k.Al

lal
ongthewayto
workIjustcouldn'
thelpbutthinkofwhatMam
Masangot ol
dme." TrustPhil
a".Ai
,al
lthi
sismaki
ng
metenseup.Igott othegateandsawNt at
ePhir
i.
Thi
smanal waysbrightensupmydaynomat t
er
what.

Nt
atePhir
i:
(smi
li
ng)"Dumel
amosadiomobot sana.
Otsogi
lel
ehono(Goodmorni
ng,
beauti
full
ady.Are
youwel
ltoday)
?"

Me:
"DumelaNtat
ePhi r
i.Ketsogi
lel
ena(Good
mor
ning,
Mr .Phi
ri
.I'
m well
,andyou)?"

Ntat ePhi r
i:"
Aowamme, r
et sogil
e(I'
m well)
.Ol e
tshwer ebjangMonnaomoswa( How'sthenew
bosst reat
ingyou)?Gaper enamasecur i
tyledi
cleaner srekwabosekudu( He'streat
ingust he
secur i
t yguardsandcl eanersreall
ywel l
).Or efi
lel
e
diincr ease(Wegotani ncrease).Akat shepagore
l
et satsilenalekaf i
hlaphelaBr ennernal engame
kudu( Ineverthoughtthisdaywoul dcomesi nce
Brennerwaspr et
tysti
ngy)."

Webothlaughed.Ican'
tbeli
eveI
'
m act
ual
ly
gossi
pingwit
hNt at
ePhiri
.

Me:
"AowaNtat
e,kedi
tabatsebotsetseo.Keakgol
a
ket
hatoyaModimo(Oh,si
r.That
'sgoodnews
i
ndeed.Ibel
ievei
t'
str
ulyGod'
swi
ll
).
"

Ntat
ePhir
i:
"ee,
kennetengwanaka.Obel
elet
sat
si
l
eleboseakere(Yes,
that
'st
rue,
mychil
d.Havea
gr
eatday)
."

Me:"LelenaNt at
e(Yout oo).
"Ismil
edandwaved
andwavedgoodbyeasImademywayi ntothe
parki
ngl ot
.Igotoutandmademywayupt heli
ftt
o
fl
oor7andasusual ,Porscheisherusualchir
py
self
.Shei sal
waysear l
y, Imeanalways.Shehas
alwaysbeent hepunctualoneamongstt hefourof
us.JustasIwaswal kingoutoftheli
ftPorsche
camer unningtowardsmeandgavemeahug.

Porsche:"Chomihl
eoshap( Fr
iend,ar
eyouokay)?
Gapel ewenaodr amati
cbathong(Youcanbeso
dramaticattimes)
.Wanor emaezar egof
onela
(Youjustdecidedtoi
gnoreusallwhenwetri
ed
call
ing).Dint
shang(What'
sup)?"
Me:"
_Goodmorni
ngtoyout
oo,
Por
sche.Howar
e
youthi
smorni
ng?"

Porsche:
"mxm.Wabona( Yousee?
).Don'
tyoudare
changethesubject
.Keemekawena( I
'
m wait
ingon
you).Etl
akatsona(Outwit
hit
).
"

Me:"We'
llt
alkl
aterman.Ineedtogetbr
ief
edonmy
upcomingproj
ects.Ret
labualater(
We'l
lser
iousl
y
tal
klat
er).
"

Porsche:
"Al
ri
ght .Asl
ongasoleshapaker e
ngwaneso(Asl ongasyou'
reokay,
sister
).
"She
gavemeanot herhugandNozicamet owardsus.

Nozi:
"Zi
yanda,wecannotbewait
ingonyouf orever
.
Thebosswant stoseeus.Pl
easehurr
y,notallofus
haveami l
li
onair
ehusbandtofal
lbackon."She
cl
ickedhertongueandJustasshewasaboutt o
wal
kaway,
Por
schedeci
dedt
oat
tackher
.

Porsche:"Hai,waitsel
enabanyananyanabago
tswazul ul
andl etenagampe( Youknowyougi rl
s
from Zululandar ever
ydisrespectf
ul).Gal
ena
bannabagol ef amonatekoDur bankwaot swang
teng(Don'tyouguyshaveni celookingmenwho
canshagyouwel linDurbanwher eyoucomefrom)?
Ophel aol enegat i
veNozi(You'r
ealwaysso
negative,Nozi).NowonderModi moogof i
lemmele
wamokeker epasesi (NowonderGodgaveyoua
chickenbody) .
"

Icouldn'
thel
pbutl
aughatt
hatst
atementand
Porschedeci
dedtoj
oini
nwhil
eNozilooked
annoyed.

Nozi
:"
Sorr
y,butIdon'
tspeakbushl
anguage.What
t
hehelldi
dyoujustsay?"
Por
sche:"
GoasksomeonewhospeaksBush
l
anguage.Goon,
don'tkeepthebosswaiti
ng."Nozi
wal
kedawayhuffi
ngandpuf fi
ng.Ihavenoidea
what
'swrongwuththi
sgirl
.Shehasneverlikedme.

Iwalkedintotheboardr
oom andPhi l
awassit
tingin
hischairr
ightacrossus.Hiseyesfol
lowedmeall
thewayunt i
lItookaseat.Nozijustl
ookedatme
withredeyes,ful
lofhate,
butIjustwasn'
tbothered.

Me:
"Iapol
ogi
zeforbei
ngl
ate.Ihadnoi
deawehad
ameeti
ngschedul
ed."

Nozi:
"Youwoul
dhaveknownifyouhadn'
tbeen
gossi
pingwi
ththeof
fi
cehel
p."

Thi
sbit
chisreal
lyst
art
ingt
oannoyme.Phil
a
st
eppedin,
Iguesshesawtheannoyedl
ookIhad
onmyface.
Phil
a:"
Nozi,suchbehaviourwillnotbetoleratedand
youwillnotaddressemployeesassuch.I fyou're
unhappywi t
hanyt hi
ngtakeitupwi thHR.Iwi llnot
havesuchunpr ofessi
onali
sm displayedespeci al
ly
i
nmypr esence.Areweclear?"

Thesternnessi
nPhil
a'
svoicef
right
enedNoziabit.
Rightt
hereandthensher
egret
tedherli
tt
lebi
tchy
outbur
st.

Nozi
:(
looki
ngdown)
"Yes,
sir
.Iapol
ogi
ze.
"

Phil
a:"
Good.Wecanconti
nue.Shaunwi l
lbet
aki
ng
ourminut
esforthi
smeeti
ng.Infrontofyoui
syour
prof
il
eandassignmentwhi
chwillkeepyoubusyfor
thenextf
ewmont hs.
Nozi ,youwillover
seethenewWi lburTownhouse
projectinPretor
iaEast
.Thedr awi
ngsneedt obe
donebyt heendoftheday.Youwi llspeakt
oMr .
Wilburandhi spart
nerregar
dingthenewdesi gns
t
heyr
equi
re.
"

Nozi:
"Excusemesir,
butIhadal
readysubmi
tt
edmy
draf
tsforthedesi
gnsandMr.Br
ennerhad
approved.
"

Phil
a:(
annoyed)"
Well,
incaseyouhavef orgott
enI
boughtthi
scompanyf rom Mr.BrennerandMr .
Wil
burandhi spart
nerrej
ectedthedesigns.They
sai
dandIquot e"
theywerenotwhatt heywer e
l
ookingfor
."

Nozi
:"
That'
sri
dicul
ous.I'
m oneofthebest
desi
gner
shereandIbettheylovedmydesigns.
Ther
emustbeami st
ake.
"

Phil
atightenedhisjawandt ookadeepbreat
hand
l
etoutasi gh.Wewer eal
lsoquietandyoucoul
d
seePhilawasr eall
ygetti
ngannoyedbyNozi
chal
lenginghim, especi
all
yinfr
ontofhisnewstaf
f.
Phil
a:"
Ms.Sibanda,Iam verycapabl
eofr unni
ng
thi
scompany.I fyouhaveapr obl
em withyour
proj
ectIwouldbemor ethanhappyt ogiveyou
somethingelse,t
hedesignandconstructi
onoft he
newcompl exinrandburgperhaps.Icanseet hat
thi
sprojecti
sclearl
ygoingtobeapr oblem-f
orALL
ofus."

Nozisuddenl
ylookedsur
pri
sedandhadhereyes
wideopened.

Nozi
:"
No,
sir
.Iwi
llt
aket
heWi
lburpr
oject
."

Phi
la:
"I
t'
snotupf
ordiscussion.Shane,
youwill
swapwithMs.Si
bandaeffecti
veimmediat
ely.
"

Nozil
ookedsoannoyed.I
fshedidn'thavesucha
bi
gmout handwasn'tt
ooful
lofherselfnoneoft
his
wouldhavehappened.
Phil
a:"Anyway,Ziyanda,youhaveanewpr oj
ect
.Mr.
Brennerisret
ir
ing,hencehesol dmet hi
scompany
andher ecent
lyboughtahugepi eceofl
andinCape
Townandwoul dli
ketobui l
dhisr et
ir
ementhome.
Hestrict
lygavemei nstr
uctionstogiveyouthi
s
proj
ect."

Me:(
eyeswideopenandshocked) "
uhm,wow.I
wouldbehonoured,exceptIcannotst
artdesi
gni
ng
anyt
hingunt
ilIhaveseent hearea.
"

Phil
a:"
Whichi
swhyyou'r
egoingtoCapeTownon
Fri
day.I'
l
lbecomingwi
thyou.I
nstr
uct
ionsf
rom Mr
.
Brennerhi
mself
."

Iwassoshockedbutecstati
c.ImeanIwasn'tr
eal
ly
cl
osewi t
hMr .Bbutweworkedreall
ywellt
oget
her
.
Beli
eveitornotIam r
eal
lygoodatwhatIdoand
I'
m gladmyf or
merbossacknowledgedt
hat.
Alt
houghmeleavi
ngwi t
hhimf orCapeTown, I
doubtt
hatwasaninstr
ucti
onfrom Mr.Brenner.
Noziwasrat
hersourunl
ikethefi
eryatt
it
udeshe
hadthi
smorning.

Phil
a:"
Allyourprevi
ouspr oject
swi llbehandedover
toThato.Youwi l
lbewor ki
ngsol elyont hispr
oject
.
Youonlyhavet woweekst ocompl eteit,Zi
yanda.
Thatisallonmysi de.Youmayl eave,thankyou."

EveryonegotuptoleaveexceptPhi l
a.AsI
att
empt edtogetup,hecamer ushingtowardsme.
Hehel dmyhadandst aredintomyeyes.Ihadt o
l
ookupbecausehe' ssot al
l.Somethingabout
Phil
a'stouchalwaysmademef eelsafe.

Phil
a:"
Doyouhaveami
nut
e,Zee?Iwoul
dli
ket
o
tal
ktoyou,
please?
"

Me:
"Sur
e."
Helookedatmesur
pri
sedforthefactt
hatIdidn'
t
hesi
tat
e.Ihavet
oadmitImyselfam al
sosurpri
sed.

Me:
"Wecan'
ttal
khere.Peopl
emi
ghtgett
hewr
ong
i
mpressi
on,
especi
all
yNozi."

Phil
a:"
Ah,l
oyo.Leavehert
ome.She'
sacti
ngup
becauseIt
urnedherdown.Shewasfl
ir
ti
ngwit
hme
andshe'sj
ustnotmytype.
"

Il
aughedatthatstat
ementandweheadedtohis
of
fi
cewhichisrightacrosst
heboar
droom.He
cl
osedthedoorandt ookbot
hmyhandsinhis.

Phil
a:"Zee.What
'sthematt
er?Ar
eyouokay?Iwas
worri
edsickaboutyouandwhyhaven'
tyoubeen
answeringmycall
s? "
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.Iwasjustover
whelmedbyeveryt
hing
youtol
dme.Itjustdi
dn'tmakesense.I
'
m sor
ry"
.

IlookeddownandIcouldseehowsadand
disappointedhewas.Hi
seyesweregl
it
ter
ingwi
th
tearsandIcouldseehewastryi
ngsohardnott
o
l
ett hem fall
.

Phila:"
I'
m sorryZee.Ireall
yam.Whateverhappens
pleasedon'tshutmeout .Iwoulddoanythingfor
you, youknowt hat.Let'
sgothroughthi
st ogether,
please.Ijustfoundyouagai nandI'
m notpr epared
toloseyou. "

Istareddeepinhiseyesandt hesinceri
tyi
nhis
voicemademef eell
ikeeveryt
hingwillbeokaywi
th
him byside.Ichoosetotrusthim,li
keMam'
Masangosai dIshould.

Me:
"Okay.It
rustyouPhi
la.AndIt
rustt
hatyou
wouldn'thur
tmei nt
ent
ional
ly.I
t'
sal
ottogetover
,
whi
chi swhyI '
m goi
ngtoseeGogotodayaft
er
work."

Phi
la'
sfacesuddenl
yli
tupandhesmi
ledbr
oadl
y.
Hegavemeahug.

Phil
a:"
I'
m sogl
ad.We'l
lgett
hrought
hisZee,
you'
l
l
see.CanIcomewithyoutoseeGogo?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
Phi
la.
"

Phi
la:
"pl
ease?Ipr
omi
seIwon'
tannoyyou.
"

Il
aughedal
it
tl
e.

Me:"
Okaythen.Letmeheadbackt
owor
kbef
ore
Nozist
art
sspreadingr
umours.
"
Phi
la:
"Okay.Seeyoul
atert
hen.
"

Il
eftPhi
la'
sof f
iceandfel
tasenseofr
eli
ef.Idon'
t
knowbutitjustfel
tsogoodtohaveadecenttal
k
wit
houtbeingangryathim.

AsIwalkedtowar
dsmyof f
ice,myphoner
ang.I
t'
s
Gogo.Isighbef
oreIanswerit
.

Me:"
SawubonaGogo.Unj
ani(
Hel
lo,
Granny.How
ar
eyou)?
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Weh!Nanguuyaphi l
aumnt wana
wakhoJehova(Wow!Yourchi l
disindeedali
ve,
Jesus)!Weh,Zi
yanda.Uyangi
zibayini(
Areyou
avoi
dingme)?Anddon' tyoudareli
etome."

Me:
"Ca(
no)
,Gogo.Icoul
dneveri
gnor
emymost
f
avour
it
eper
soni
nthewor
ld.
"

Icoul
dhearherl
aughi
ngal
it
tl
ebi
tovert
hephone.

Gog'Khanyi
:"That
'sgoodtohear.Nowl
et'
sget
downt obusi
ness.Phil
aexplai
nedtomethathe
spoketoyou.Howar eyoufeel
ing?"

Me( deepsigh):"
TobehonestGogo, I
'm angryand
confused.I '
m angryatyou,myparent
sandPhi la
butmost lyIam disappoint
edGogo.I'
m
disappointedthatyounevertol
dme.Youl iedtome
al
lthistime."

Tearsweret
hreat
eningmyeyesasIwalkedint
omy
offi
ceandcl
osedthedoorbehi
ndme.Isatdownon
mychairwit
hmyf oneinmyhadwhil
ewi pi
ngmy
tear
soffwit
htheother.
Gog'Khanyi
:"Iunder
stand,mychil
d.ButIshal
l
expl
aineverythi
ngtoyouwhenyoucomeseeme.
Uyezanamhl anheangithi(
You'
recomingtoday,
ri
ght)?
"

Me:
"_Yebo,
GogoI
'
llbet
her
e."

Gogo'Khanyi:"
Good.Nowwi pethosetearsoffyour
face.It'
sti
mef oryoutobestr
ong,mnt wanami( my
chil
d).AllIhavebeendoingal
lthoseyear swas
preparingyouforwhatstocome.Best rongZiyanda.
Afterthestorm comesabeauti
fulsunshineand
alwaysr ememberwhyInamedyouZi yanda."

Ismiled.Gogoal
wayssayst
her
ightt
hings.Iguess
wisdom comeswithage.

Me:
"YeboGogo,
Iwi
lldoso.
"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Good.Anddon'
tfor
gett
obr
ingmyson,
Phi
lawit
hyou.Seeyousoon.
"

Shehungup.Seemslikethisi
sgoi
ngt
obeal ong
day.SoIdeci
dedtogot hr
oughmypor
tfol
ioand
checkoutmynextassignment.
Chapt
erSeven

Lunga

I'
m atworki
nmyof f
ice,butIstil
lcan' tconcent
rat
e.
I'
vebeenpacingupanddowneversi nceIgothere.
IevenaskedmyPAt oreschedul eallmy
appoint
mentsfortoday.Everythingsuchamess
now.IhopeTonycangetmet hei nfoIneedon
Phil
a.Ican'
taff
ordtoslipupt histime.

Myphonebeepsandi t
'sansmsf r
om Bel
inda.A
pict
ureofheri
nalacy,bei
geli
ngeri
ebodysuitwit
h
thecapt
ion"Comeeatme."Igothardi
nst
antly.
Don'tgetmewrong,Il
ovemywi fe,
butBel
indacan
dothingstomethatZeenevercoul
d.She'
salot
thi
nnerthanZeeandnotupti
ghtunli
keZee.Igrab
mykeysandheadoutt oourusualspot
.

Iarr
iveattheSandtonHot elandenterourusual
room.Room 226.Iopent hedoorandIf indherwit
h
herlegsspreadopenont hebed.Ishutthedoor
behindmeandwi t
houtsayi nganyt
hingIgotonmy
kneesont hebedanddugi ntoherj
uicypussy.
Damn, thi
sbitchdoesthi
ngst omenowomanever
could.

Bel
inda:
(moani
ng)"
uh,Lubaby.Yourt
onguei
sso
good.Suckt
hatpussybaby.
"

Iwastenotimeandt akeof
fmypants.Isl
idemy
dicki
nsideherpussyandpoundherli
kecrazy.I
wastenotimeandwi thi
nfi
veminut
esI'm done.I
've
al
waysknownt hatIdon'tl
asti
nbedhenceIhavet o
enti
cethesebit
cheswi t
hmoney.Beli
ndahada
disappoint
edlookonherfacebecauseshedidn'
t
cum butIdon'tgi
veafuck.Igotupandwi pedmy
dickwithatowelandthr
ewi tatherandputmy
pantsbackon.

Bel
inda:
"Baby,whenar
eyouandIandNkosifi
nal
ly
beafamily?Imeanyoupromi
sedyou'
regoi
ngto
l
eaveher."

Igotupver
yir
ri
tat
edatt
hatquest
ion.

Lunga:
" YewenaBelinda.Howmanyt i
mesMustIt ell
younott oaskmest upidquest i
ons?Youknowver y
wellZi
yandai smywi f
eandIhavenoi nt
entionsof
l
eavingher .Youbetterstayinyourfucki
nglanei f
youknowwhat '
sgoodf oryou.Besi
des,she'syour
fr
iend,yourbestfr
iendatt hat.Youshouldreall
ybe
ashamed, youknow. "

Shesuddenl
ygotangr
yandgotupf
rom t
hebed
ver
yqui
ckl
y.

Beli
nda:(
rai
singhervoice)"
Lunga,youhavenoright
tospeaktomel i
kethat!I
t'
snotli
keImadet hat
chi
ldonmyown.I tt
akestwo!

Iwasseri
ousl
yget t
ingir
ri
tat
edbyt
hissupi
dbitch.I
walkeduptoherstari
ngherint
heeyeandgrabbed
herbythet
hroat.

Lunga:"Whot hefuckdoyout hi
nkyouare?Thatwil
l
bethelasttimeyoueverspeakt omel i
kethat
,
wezwa? !I
'vetoldyoucount l
esstimesthatyou
cannotandwi l
lnevermatchupt oZee.She'sway
outofyourleague.You'rejustawhor ewho
happenstobet hemotherofmyonl yson.Theonly
reasonIhaventsl i
tyourthroatandfeditt
opigsis
becauseofmymot her
'sfondnessofyou.Stayin
yourlaneBelinda,Iwon'ttel
lyoutwice.
"
Irel
easedmyhandsf r
om hert
hroatandthr
ewher
ontotheground.Itookoutafewnotesandput
them onthesidet
ablenexttothedoor.

Lunga:"
Theroom i
spaidfor.Youcanst
ayhereunt
il
checkoutt
ime.Buyyoursel
fsomethi
ngtocl
eanthat
dir
tysoulofyour
s."

Ishutthedooronmywayoutandl ef
thercryi
ngon
thefl
oor.Thisiswhathappenswhenyouhavekids
withwhores.Igotint
omycaranddeci dedonmy
nextstop,avisi
ttomymot her
.

Zi
yanda

I'
vebeenbusytryi
ngt ofi
gureoutideasandplans
thatMr.Br
ennerwoul dli
ke.EventhoughIhaven'
t
seentheplace,
Ididgetaf ewpictur
esinmy
portf
oli
oofthesurroundi
ngt hatt
hehousewillbe
buil
ton.Ididn'
tevenhavemucht oeatsi
nceIwas
coupedupi
nmyof
fi
cesi
ncet
hismor
ning.

Porscheevenbroughtmel unch,shecouldn'tj
oin
mei twasahecticdayofwhi chI'
m glad.Iam not
readytofaceherandtel
lheraboutever yt
hing.
BeforeIknewiti
twas4o' clock.Knockofftimeis
alwaysthebestti
me.AsIwaspacki ngmybagand
mydeni mjacket
,someoneknockedonmydoor .

Me:
"Comei
n."

Phil
awalkedi
n.Hiscol
ogneissostrongi
thi
tmy
nostr
il
sinani
nstant
.Ther
e'snot
hingbett
ert
hana
manwhosmel l
sasgoodashel ooks.Hesmiled.

Phi
la:
"Hey,
Iwasthi
nki
ngsi
ncewe'
rebot
hgoi
ngt
o
Gogo,wecoul
duseonecar
?"

Me:
"Hai
,Phi
lanowyou'
repushi
ngi
t.Whatwi
ll
peopl
esaywhent
heyseemei
ntheboss'
scar
?"

Phil
a:"
Rel
ax.Noonewi l
lseeyou.Wecanexit
toget
herandbesi
des,ever
yoneisal
readygone
home.EvenPorsche.
"

Me:
"Okay,
buthowwi
llmycargett
omyhouse?
"

Phi l
a:"
YaziZee.Youasktoomuch.I'
l
lgetFrankto
takeittoyourhouse.Yourhubbywon'tnot
icea
thing."

Me:"
Frank?Heheyouhaveadr
ivernow?I
tmust
f
eelgoodtobebawli
nginmoneyneh?"

Phil
a:(
laughi
ng)"
HaiZeenawe.It'
snotl
ikeyou'
re
notbawlingyour
self
.Angit
hiyoumarri
eda
mil
li
onaire?Anyway,l
etsgoyouknowtraff
iccanbe
anightmareinJozi
."
Wewal kedoutofmyoffi
ceandi
ndeeditwasempt
y.
Everyonewasgone.Wemadeourwaydownt hel
if
t
tothebasementpar ki
ng.Wewalkedt
owardsa
Mer cedesG63.

Thi
sisoneofmyf avourit
ecar s.Phi
lausedt
olove
Mercedesandhewoul dsayonedaywhenI '
m hi
s
wif
e,hewouldbuyt hi
scarf orme.Funnyenough
i
t'
sred,myfavouri
tecolour.Iturnt
olookathi
m
wit
har ai
sedeyebrow.

Phi
la:
"What
?"(
Smi
li
ng)

Me:"
Really,Nkosenye?Ar
edG-
wagon?Whata
coi
ncidence."

Phil
a:"
It
'snotacoi
ncidencemylove,Iboughtt
his
caramont hago,f
oryou.Oneofthesedaysitwil
l
beyours."
Ismi
ledasheopenedt
hedoorf
orme.

Me:
"Somet
hingsneverchange.
"

Aswedr oveoutofthegat e,
NtatePhir
iwaswaving
goodbye.Forsomer easonIjustfel
tgui
lt
yforbei
ng
i
nanotherman' scarafterworkhoursi
nsteadof
goi
ngst r
aighthome.

Lunga

Iwalkedi
ntomymother
'shouseshouting.Iwas
consumedwit
hangerandfrust
rat
ion.Ihateitwhen
thi
ngsdon'
tgomyway.It'
stimeforsomeanswer s.

Lunga:"
Ma!Maweh!Ukuphi(
Mom!Mom!Wher
ear
e
you)?
!"
Zodwa:"YeywenaLungaNqcobo!Thisi
smyhouse
andyou'rest
il
lachil
dkimi(
tome).Ungazongi
rasel
ala(You'
rebusyshout
ingher
e)!Usangeneyi
ni
(Areyoumad)?!"

Lunga:
(headdown)"
Ngi
yaxol
isama(
I'
m sor
ry,
mom) .
"

Zodwa:"
Wozalana(comehere)andcometel
lme
whyyoupitchupunannouncedandwhyyou'
re
shout
ingli
keamadman? "

Lunga:
"Ma,
Phi
lai
sback.Yout
oldmehedi
edma.
"

Zodwal ookedsoshocked.Mor eli

keshewasin
disbel
iefwit
hhereyeswi deopen.Sheslowl
ytooka
seatnottakinghereyesoffLunga.
Zodwa:"
Ushokanj
animfanawami(
Whatdoyou
mean,myboy)?Whatoneart
hdoyoumeanPhi
lai
s
back?
"

Lunga:"Exactl
ythat.Andhe'
sal r
eadywor medhis
wayintoZi yanda'
slif
e.He'
sthenewCEOandowner
ofBrenner'scompanyma.Theywentoutf orl
unch
yest
erdayandhe' sevencontactingher.Shecame
backfrom lunchwithhimlookingdiff
erent.She
evenaskedmeaboutNkosi yabo.Ma, I
'mlosingit
.I
can'
trisklosingZee."

Zodwalookedevenmor edi
str
essed.Seei
ngher
songoingonli
keastarkravi
ngmadper sonjust
brokeherhear
t.Shegotupandhuggedhi m asa
wayofconsoli
nghim.

Zodwa:"
Khulul
ekawenamf anawami (
Relax,my
boy)
.Iwillf
ixt
his.uNomsai stheonewhot ol
dme
shegotri
dofPhi l
a.Besi
des,wedon'tknowwhat
sheknowsangithi.Shedoesn'
tevenknowt he
wholestoryofthisarr
angedmarri
age.Relax,i
twi
ll
allworkout.I
fallel
sefai
ls,wewil
lhavetovisi
tour
famil
ysangoma.Zi yandaisungr
atef
ulmanyesses.
She'sbarr
enngaphaandnowuf unaukuk'
jikel
a
(nowshewant stoturnherbackonyou).
"

Lunga:
"Ma,I
'
vetoldyoucount
lesst
imesnott
otal
k
aboutuZeel
iket
hat.
"

Zodwa:"Okay,sor
ryke.Si
t.Letmemakeyousome
food.Yourfavour
it
epapandmnchusu."

Lungasmiledandsatdownwhilehismothert
ook
outacoldbeerforhi
minthefr
idge.Hefel
trel
ieved
l
ikeever
ythingisgoi
ngtof
alli
nplace.Hi
smom has
neverl
ethim down.
Chapt
erEi
ght

Zi
yanda
Ther i
detomygr andmot her
'splacewasver ynice.I
wasevenl aughing.IfeelsomethingwhenI '
m wit
h
Phil
a,amomentofpeaceandser enit
y.I'
m carefr
ee
withhim andt hat'ssomet hi
ngI'veneverfeltwit
h
Lunga.Onceagai nI'm compar i
ng.Couldt hi
smean
thatIwantt ogetbackt oget
herwi t
hPhi l
a?Anyway,
wef i
nall
yar ri
veatGogo' shouse.Isti
lldon'tget
whyshel ivesinsuchabi ghouseallalone.

Thando,mysi ster,evenoptedt ohaveoneofher

ki
dsst aywit
hmygr anny,butapparentl
yherki
ds
arejustasi
ll
-manner edasherandshesai dthey
wouldmakeherol dbef or
ehert ime.My
grandmotherisn'tyourtypicalgranny.

Yes,sheloveschurchandat tendsoften,
butshe
l
ovesherwi ne,
anyr edwi ne.Shelovesherspace,
goingoutwithhergirlsquadandevengambl ing.I
don'tevenknowwhyshel ovestogambl esomuch
becauseherhusbandl eftheraheftysum ofmoney
andherr
eti
rementf
undwasal
soahugeamount
.

Sher eti
redasaProfessionalNurseattheageof50,
sayingshehadhadenoughofseei ngbloodandill
people.Funnyenoughsher unsami nicli
nicher
e
forpeoplewhoareinjuredori nneedofmedi cal
att
ent i
on.

Aswewalkedi
n,Phil
ahadacut edecor
atedgif
tbag
wi
thawinebot
tlei
nit.Ai,
theset
wousedt oget
al
ongl
ikeahouseonf i
re.

Me:"
Knock,
knock.Gogo,
sesi
fi
kil
e(We'
reher
e,
Gogo).
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Wozaningaphael
ounge(
Comet
othe
l
ounge)
."

Wewal
kedi
ntot
hel
oungeandshehadherf
eetup
ont
hemi
nit
abl
ewi
thagl
assofwi
nei
nherhand.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Haibo!WehPhi
layouhavegrowninto
arealman!Bonaseumudenj ane(Lookhowtal
l
you'
vebecome) .Comegivemesomesugar ."She
smil
edbr oadlyandopenedherarmsandPhilawent
tohugher .

Me:(
rol
li
ngmyeyes)"Oh,
don'
tmindme, your
gr
anddaught
er.Pr
etendasi
fI'
m notevenhere.
"

Gog' Khanyi:
"HainaweZeeunehaba( You'r
eso
j
eal ous,Zee).Youcan'tbejeal
ouswhenyouseeme
often.Ihaven'tseenuPhi l
ainyear
s.Wenayou're
oldst ock.Unjanikodwamf anawami(Howar eyou,
though, myboy) ?IseeItal
yhasbeentreati
ngyou
wel l
."

Phil
a:"
Yebo(yes)ma.Thi
sisf
oryou"
.Handi
ngher
thepaperbag.
Gogoopenedthepaperbagwi
thsomuch
exci
tementl
ikeasmallki
d.

Gogo'
Khanyi:
"Yoh!Pinotage2016.Hehemfana
wami (
myboy) .Ialwaysknewyouwoul dt
urnout
j
ustfi
ne.Sitmychi l
dren,sowecangetdownto
busi
ness.IcanalreadyseeZiyandai
sgett
ing
i
mpatient
."

Ijustr
oll
edmyeyes.Wewentt othediningareaand
tookourseat
s.Iwassuddenl ynervousandmy
heartwasbeati
ngsof ast
.Idon'tknowwhatt o
expectandI'
m suddenlynotsosur eIwanttoheari
t.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Alri
ght.BeforeIstartZi
yanda,Iwant
youtoknowt hatIdidwhatwasbestf oryou.Ialso
needyout oremembert hatwhatI '
m abouttotel
l
youdoesn'tdef i
newhoyouar e.Letmest artwit
h
Phil
a.Thatdayhedi sappeared,heoverheardan
ar
gumentIhadwi
thyourpar
ent
s.

Theywant edtomar r
yyouof ft
oLungamucht omy
dismay.Ir efusedandtoldthem aboutLunga'
s
i
nt eresttomar r
yyou.Theywant ednoneofit.Phi
la
overhear dyourmothertell
ingmet hatIam r
uini
ng
theirplan.

Yousee,Zi
yanda,mychild,
yourfatheri
snotyour
bi
ologi
calf
ather.Oneti
meyourmot herwenttoa
par
tywithherfr
iends,
Idon'tevenknowwhere.

Thepartywasf orA-l
ister
s,t
hewho' swhoofSouth
Afri
ca.Oneofthemenappar entl
ydruggedand
rapedheratthatpart
y.Shewokeupononeoft he
bedsnakedanddi sorient
ed.Shedoesn'tknowhow
shegottherebutshecoul dtel
lthatshewasraped.

Yourf
at heraskedhert
ogotot
hepartyonher
behal
f,soshenevertol
dhi
m aboutwhatt
ranspi
red
thatni
ght.Shestar
tedf eel
ingsickafewmonths
l
ateranditwasconf i
rmedt hatshewaspregnant.I
beggedhernottoabor tbesidesitwast
oolateand
toodangeroustoabort.

Iwasshaki ngsomuchIdi dn'

tevenreal
izeIhad
tear
sr unningdownmyf ace.Ionl
yreali
zedwhen
Phil
atookmyhadi nhisandstart
edrubbingmy
back.Icoul dseehowpai nfult
hisst
orywasevento
mygr andmot herbecauseshewasal socryi
ng.My
grandmot herisnotonetocry,sowhenshecr i
es
youmustknowi t'
shect i
c.

Me:(i
nashakyvoi
ce)
"So,
I'
m apr
oductorr
ape.I
'
m
arapechi
ld.
"

Sayingthatmadefeelsogut
-wrenched.I
tli
ter
all
y
fel
tli
keashar pkni
fewasbeingshovedinmygut
andbeingtwistedsl
owlyt
oenforceeverl
asti
ngpain.
AllthiswhilePhi
lahadmyhandi nhisandhiseyes
wer egli
steningwit
htearswhil
ehewast ryi
ngto
forcethem backin.AfterImadethatst
atementhe
l
ett hem fal
ldown.Iguessitbr
okehim asmuchas
i
tdi dme.

Phila:"
No,Sthandwasami (Mylove)
.Pleasedon' t
eversayt hat
-everagai
n.You'r
eaproductofGod.
Yes, howyouwer econceivedwasanevi l
deed, but
youwer emeanttobehere,ri
ghtonthisearth,
Ziyanda.Youwer emadeandcar vedjustforme. "

Itri
edtoletgoofhishand,buthet i
ghtenedhisgrip.
Iguessthatwasasi gnofreassurance.NowwhenI
thi
nkofallthathappened,i
tallmakessense.My
wholeli
fewasal ie.Myownmot herresent
smeand
haseversinceshef oundoutaboutmyexi stence
withi
nherwomb.Igeti t
,Imeanwhowoul dlovea
rapechil
d?

Me:
"So,
howdoest
hisal
lfi
tint
omebei
ngar
ranged
t
omar
ryLunga?
"

Gogosighedandl
ookeddown.Thel
astt
imeIsaw
hert
hisdefeat
edwasduri
ngwhenmygrandf
ather
di
ed.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
IbeggedNomsanott oletyoumar r
y
thatman,butshewassosoughtonmar ryingyouto
him andtheonlywayt odothatwastothreatenme.
ShesaidifIdon'tal
lowitt
ohappen,shewoul dtell
youabouttherape.

Sheknewj usthowmuchIvowedt opr ot

ectyou.I
couldn'
tletyoufindoutbackthenespeci al
lywhen
youhadj ustfi
nishedmat r
ic,
thi
ssecr etwasgoing
tobreakyou, mybaby.Ijustcoul
dn'thandlethat.
Besides,
yourf ather
'sbusi
nesshadt akenahuge
knock.

Appar
ent
lyyoursi
sterThat
oandhert
henboyf
ri
end
hadhackedint
ohisbusi nessandst oleoverfi
ve
mil
li
on.Thatcr
ippl
edhi sfinancialst
atusandthey
bot
hcouldn'
thandlethat.ThatwaswhenZodwa
andyourmothercameupwi t
hapl antoletyou
marryLungaandinturnLungawoul dpayR5
mil
li
onrandanddisguisei taslobolaforyou.
"

Iwasinsomuchdisbel
ief
.Am Iar
oyal
?Whatmor
e
coul
dpossi
blyphasemenow?

Phi
latensedupabit.Iguessthet
houghtofyour
gi
rl
fri
endbeingsol
dt oanothermaninexchangef
or
R5mi l
li
onwouldmakeanyonecr i
nge.

Itri
edtomakesenseofi tall
.Gogot ri
edconsol i
ng
mebutIj ustcouldn'
thearit.Themor eshekept
tal
king,wasthemor eIjustfreakedout.Iwas
suddenlyhyperventi
lat
ing,Ifeltmywholebodyheat
upandsuddensweatdr i
ppingf r
om myf orehead.I
fel
tmychestcl osingupandt hemor eIt
riedto
breathe,wasthemor emybodyr ef
usedtocompl y
wi
thmywi
shes.

Gog'Khanyi
:(
shaki
ngme)
"Zi
yanda!Mybabycanyou
hearme? "

Phi
lai
ntheot
herhandkeptsl
appi
ngmesl
ight
ly.

Phil
a:"
Sthandwasami!Focusonme.Canyouhear
me?Pl easebr
eat
he,Zee,breat
he!Ma,
kant
iwhat
's
happeningtoher
?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
She'
shavi
ngoneofherpani
cat
tacks.
Letmegogetsomewater
."

IsawGogoget t
ingupandwal ki
ngt otheki
tchen.
Herimageseemeddistantandfading.Thenext
thingIcoul
dn'
tseeanythi
ng.Everyt
hingwaspi t
ch
black.
Chapt
erNi
ne
Zi
yanda

Iopenedmyeyessl owl
yafterhear
ingvoices.My
headfeel
ssoheavy, mythr
oatisdryandmychest
feel
ssoheavylikeIswal
lowedsomet hi
nghuge.I
seeablanketonmeandmyshoesar eoffmyf eet
.

Phil
a:"
Howl ongast
hisbeengoi
ngon?Younever
tol
dmet hatshewassuff
eri
ngfr
om Anxi
etyand
Depressi
on,ma."

Gog'
Khanyi:
"Ei
sh,bekunzi
mamnt wanami(I
thas
beenreal
lyt
ough,mychi l
d.)Shehasbeenthrough
alot
.I'
m sor
ryInevertol
dyou, butwhatcoul
dyou
havedone?Youwer ehalf
wayacr osstheworl
d."

Phil
alookedatmewi t
hhiseyeswi
deopenandhi
s
faceful
loffearandworr
y.
Phi
la:
"Hey,uzi
zwanjani
,St
handwasami(
Howar
e
youfeel
ing,mylove)
?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Letmegoandmakesomef
oodand
gi
veyoutwosomespace.
"

Shel
eftandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Me:
(holdi
ngmyheadtr
yingt
ogetup)"
myhead
f
eel
slikeI'
vebeenr
undownbyatrai
n.Myt
hroat
f
eel
ssodr y.
"

Iat
temptedtogett
heglassofwat
eronmybedsi
de,
butPhi
labeatmetoit
.

Phi
la:
"Rel
ax.Letmegett
hatf
oryou.
"
Heheldtheglassformewhi l
eIsippedsomewat er
withastr
aw.Phi l
aissuchagent leman.Thel ast
ti
meIhadapani catt
ackMam' Masangowast he
onewhohel pedmewhi l
emyownhusbandsai dI
wasseekingattenti
on.Hesayst hatdepressionisn'
t
forbl
ackpeopleandcl ai
medIwasusi ngitinorder
toavoi
dbear i
nghim chil
dren.

Phil
aputthegl
assbackdown, t
ookoffhisshoes
andcamet ol
ienextt
omeandhel dmei nhisarms
andputmyheadonhi schest
.Allt
hisfeel
sso
for
eignyetmybodyrespondssowelltoit
.

Wel ayinsilence,notsayinganythingt
oeachot her
,
asIlist
enedt ohi sheart
beat.Thatusedtobeour
favouri
teposi t
ionbackint heday.Hewouldjustlay
i
nbedandhol dmeaf terwewer ekissi
ngabit.One
ofthenicethingsaboutPhi l
aisthathenever
rushedmei nt oanythi
ng.Yes, wewouldkissand
touchher eandt here,
butweneverdi danythi
ng
beyondt hat.
Ij
ustthoughtofeveryt
hing.Mylif
ewi t
hPhi l
awas
soperfect
.Hewasmyper fectmani nanimper f
ect
worl
d.Andnow, it
'sabouttobedisastrous.Therei
s
nowayhecanwantmenow, notaft
erknowi ng
whatheknowsnow.Ist art
edtensingupandIj ust
cr
ied.

Phil
a:"Hey,pl
easedon' tcry,
Sthandwasami .Yaya,
pl
easengi yakucel
amunt uwami( Please,
I'
m
beggingyou, mylove).It
'sallgoi
ngt oworkoutj ust
fi
ne.Uzobona( You'l
lsee).Ijustneedyout otrust
me."

Me:"
Ho..how?Kanj
ani(How)Phi
la?I
'
m basi
cally
damagedgoods.Howcanyoustil
lwantmeafter
knowingthatmymotherwasr
apedandthat
'showI
wasconceived?
"

Sayi
ngt
hatoutl
oudj
ustmademef
eeldi
sgust
ed
wit
hmysel f
.Idon'tevenknowwhy, ImeanIdid
not
hingwrong.Theonl ysinIcommi t
tedwasbeing
bor
n,andIwi l
lbeaconst antr
eminderofthepai
n
mymot herwentthrough.

Phil
a:"
ComeonYaya.Youhonestlythinkt
hisnews
i
snewt ome?Gogot ol
dmeyear sagowhenwe
star
teddat
ing.Shesai
difIwasseriousaboutyou
sheneededtoknowifIwasther
et ostay.

Shetoldmeandt hatmademel oveyouandwantto

prot
ectyouevenmor et
haneverbeforet
hat.I
t
di
dn'tchangeanythi
ngthenanditmostdef
ini
tel
y
won'tchangeanythi
ngnow."

Hehel
dmetighterandkissedmyfor
ehead.Wow.
Thi
sguyi
sfullofsurpr
iseshey.

Me:
"But
,Lunga,
mypar
ent
s-"
Phil
a:(
int
errupt
ingme)"That'st
heleastofour
worri
es,Sthandwasami .Allweneedtodonowi sto
getyouthenecessaryhelpt odealwi
ththi
s.Lunga,
hi
smom, yourparent
s,leavethatal
ltome."

Me:(
Breat
hingasighofrel
ief
)"Youwon'
tki
llt
hem or
anyt
hingl
ikethat
,ri
ght
?"

Ilookedupathi
m andhehadt
hisf
unnygr
inonhi
s
face.

Phi
la:
"Hai
bo,Sthandwasami(Mylove)
,haveIever
ki
ll
edanyone?Don'tyouwor
ryaboutathing.Iwon'
t
doanythi
ngli
kethat.Ipr
omi
se."

Thewayhesai
dthat
,sononchal
ant
.Ij
ustdon'
t
bel
ievei
t.

Me:
"Okayt
hen.Thewayyoukeepcal
li
ngme
Sthandwasami.I'
m marriedPhi
la.Whatar
ewe
doingkahl
ekahle(exact
ly)?"

Phil
a:"
Ther eyougoagai
nment i
oni
ngthatguy
agai
n.He' sanon-f
act
or.It
oldyouI'
m heretotake
youbackandImeantever yword.Youjustsi
tback
andwat ch."

Hekissedmyf orehead.Thesmel lofhiscol

ogne
andhuswar m armsjustmademef eell
iket
he
fut
ureisbright.Icanfeel i
t.Ihavealottoget
thr
ough,butIknowIwi llbeabletodoi t
.Ihave
beenthroughal ot,whatmor ecanbreakme?

Gog'Khanyi
:(
knocking)
"Koko,ngingangenana
(Knockknock,mayIcomei n)?Phelaangi
funi
ukubonaabantwanabamibanqunu( Idon'
tneett
o
seemyownchi ldrennaked).
"

Webot
hlaughed.
Phi
la:
"Hai
bo,
gogo.Youcancomei
n."

Gog'Khanyi:"
Hai,onsecondthoughtsletmerat
her
not.Umamezal awami( mymot herinlaw)al
ways
usedtotellmet hatapersonshouldnevermakeita
habitt
oent eramar r
iedcouple'
sbedroom.Ukudla
sekuready( Foodisready)
.Ningeza(Youmay
comedown) .

Ihear
dfootst
epsmovi
ngfurt
heri
ndi
cat
ingshe
waswalki
ngdownthest
air
s.

Il
ookedatPhi
laandhewassmi
li
ng.

Me:
"Gogot
hough.Real
ly?Mar
ri
edcoupl
e?"

Phi
la:
"Onest
epatati
me,babywami(
mybaby).One
st
epatatime.Comel
et'
sgodownst
air
sbef
ore
uGogocomesback.Youmustbest
arvi
ng.
"

Comet othi
nkofitIhar
dlyateanyt
hingtoday.I
actual
lyam st
arvi
ng.Weheadeddownst ai
rstothe
dini
ngareaandIsawGogohadal r
eadydishedup
forusandopenedherbottl
eofPinotage.

TheonePhi
lagotforher
.Shesawuscomi ngand
shesmil
edbroadl
yopeningherar
msf ormetohug
her
.Youwouldswearshewasn'ti
ntearsawhil
eagi
.
Wehugged.

Gog'Khanyi:"
Oh,mntwanawami(mybaby)Howare
youf eel
ingmanje(now)?Ipr
omiseyou,
youwil
lget
throughthis,mybaby.RememberwhyInamedyou
Ziyanda."

Me:(Ismi
ledfaint
ly.)
"Yebo(Yes)
,Gogo.Iwi
llbe
okay.Let
'seat,
I'm st
arving.
"
AsalwaysPhi
lapull
edthechai
rformeandIsat
.I
l
ookedupathim andsmil
ed.Gogowasstar
ingat
ussmil
ing.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Uyabonake( Youseenow) ,Zi
yanda.
That'
showamanshoul dtreatyou.Notthatlousy
Lunga.Allhe'severcapableofdoingi
smaki ngyou
crymxm.Speaki ngofwhich,hehasbeencal l
ing.I
tol
dhim you'renotwellandthatyouwillbesleeping
heretoni
ght.Hei nsi
stedoncomi ngandIt ol
dhi mif
heeversetsf oothereIwil
lunleashmygunonhi m.
Sorelax,hewon' tbecoming."

Heari
nghersayingthatactual
lymademel augha
bi
t.Iwasabitreli
evedthatIwon'tbespendi
ngthe
ni
ghtathome.I'mjustabitsadbecauseIdidn'
ttel
l
Mam'Masangot hatIwon'tbecomi nghome.Poor
womanprobablycookedf ornothi
ng.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Oh,Icanseeunestr
essngo(you'
re
st
ressingover)Mam'Masango.Don'
twor
ry,Ical
led
herandtol
dheryou'
resl
eepi
ngher
eandIgaveher
theni
ghtoff
."

Il
aughedabi
t.

Me:"
Haibo,
Gogo.Si ncewhendoyougive
Mam'Masangoi nst
ructi
ons?Shewor
ksformeand
she'
syourfr
iend."

Gog'Khkanyi
:"
Exactl
y.MYf ri
end.Khul
uleka(
Rel
ax)
.
Enoughaboutallthi
s.Let'
sprayandblessourf
ood
beforemywineishisa(get
swar m).
"

Phi
laandIchuckl
ed.Gogomadeapr
ayerandwe
st
art
eddiggi
ngin.

Gog'khanyi
:"
So,Zi
yanda,
mychil
d.Haveyoust
art
ed
packingforyourt
ri
ptoCapeTownwit
hPhil
a?"
Wow.Sheevenknowsaboutthat
.Theset
wot
alk
aboutever
ythi
ng.I
t'
sal
it
tl
eannoying.

Me:"HaoGogo.I t
'sonl
yTuesday,andbesi
des,
we'
re
onlyleavi
ngFridayaft
erworkandthetr
ipi
sonlyf
or
twodays.SizobuyangoSunday(We'recoming
backonSunday) ."

Phi
la(
chi
ppi
ngin)
:"
Actual
lySt
handwasami(
My
l
ove),
we'
reonl
ycomingbackonMondayeveni
ng.
"

Il
ookedathi
m sur
pri
sed.

Me:
"Oh,uhm okay.Ifor
gottobookat
icket
.Ihope
t
hey'
llhavespaceforus."

Gogo:
(chuckl
ed)
"YaziwenaZi
yandayoucanbeso
sl
owatt i
mes.Ucabangaukut
hi(
Youreal
lyt
hink)
youwil
lbebookingfl
ight
swit
hPhil
abyyourside?
"
Il
ookedather
,thenatPhi
laconf
usedandr
aised
myeyebrow.

Phi
la:
"Khul
ulekaSt
handwawami(
Relax,myl
ove)
.
We'
regoingtobefl
yingi
nmypri
vatejet
."

Di
dhej ustsayMYpr i
vat
ejet?Wow.Phi l
amustbe
l
oadednow.ImeanIknowLungai sloaded,
buthe
al
wayshi r
esaprivat
ejet
.Hedoesn'townone.I'
m
i
mpressed.From apoorkasiboyt
oar ich
mil
li
onair
e.

Me:
"Howr
ichar
eyou?
"

Helaughedwit
hhishandcover
inghi
smout
htr
ying
nottospi
llf
ood.

Phi
la:
"I
'm notr
ich,
Sthandwasami
.I'
m wel
lof
f.
"
Me:
"Hmm.Modestar
ewe?
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Andthat
'soneoft
hereasonswhyI
havealwayslovedhi
m.Youtwowillmakegr
eat
parent
sonedayuzobona(you'
l
lsee)"

Thatlaststatementputabi tofadamperi nmy

mood, butItriednottoshowi t.I'
vehadsuchan
emot i
onalturnofevent stodayIreall
ydon'tneedto
cryanymor e.Thiswi neisgoingdownwel l
, Phi
la
mustknowhi sstuff.Aft
erall,hewashidi
ngouti n
Ital
yallt
heseyear s.Youcanevent el
lbytheclothes
hewear s.Allhissuitsseem custom madeandhave
thatIt
ali
anf eeltoi
t.

Thethreeofushadsuchagr eatti
me.Itf
eltso
goodtobeinmygr anny'
spresenceasalways,but
thi
stimeitwasext
raspecialbecausePhi
lawas
ther
e.Justl
iket
hegoodol ddayswhenPhi l
awould
befi
xingsomethi
ngbr
okeninthehouseformy
gr
annywhi l
esheandIcookedtoget
her
.

Wewoul dalwayshavedi nnertogetherwit

hPhi la
wheneverIcamet ovi sit.Sowhati fI
'm aproduct
ofrape?Itr
eallydoesn' tdefineme.Yes, i
tstings
l
ikeabitch,butatleastIam sur r
oundedbyl oving
andsupportivepeople.Ist i
lldon'
tknowhowPhi l
a
andIaregoingt owor kout .Whatam Ievensayi ng?
We'renotevenacoupl e.IguessI '
llhavetotrust
him asGogoandMam' Masangokeepsayi ng.

Afterdinner,Gogosai dshewant stohaveanear l

y
nightsoIof fer
edt ocleanup- wellPhil
ainsistedon
helpingme.Imadeament al
notet oaskPor scheif
thisiswhatlovei sbecausesheandRober tliter
all
y
doever ythi
ngtoget her.SpeakingofPor scheshe
musthavebeenbl owingmyphonet hi
nkingI '
m
i
gnor ingher.Wehaven' tspokenalldayandI '
m
prett
ysur eshewi llbegi vi
ngmeapi eceofhermi nd
tomor rowatwor k.
Ir
eali
zePhilahasbeenwi
pingaf
terIwashedand
heisstar
ingatme.

Phi
la:
"UcabanganikangagaSthandwasami(
What
ar
eyout hi
nkingof,mylove)
?"

Me:"
Oh,j
ustt
hinki
ngaboutPorscheandhowshe
pr
obabl
ythi
nksI'mignor
ingher.
"

Phil
a:(
laughi
ng)"Relaxaboutt
hatone.She'sbeen
yourfr
iendsinceforever
.Youshouldbeusedtoher
bynow.Don'tfrettoomuch,you'
llmakeituptoher
atworktomor r
ow."

Me:"
Iguessyou'
reri
ght.Speaki
ngofwork,
Idi
dn'
t
br
inganyclot
hesfortomorr
ow.Iwon'
tevenmakei
t
i
ntimetogohomeandchange. "
Phil
a:"
Leavethattome.I
'l
lcal
lFrancesca.Si
nce
we'rei
nSandtonwecandr opbySandt onMall
.She
ownsoneoft hebouti
que'
sther
e.She'llmakeaplan
forus,don'
tworry.
"

Eish,t
hisguy.He'sdoingt
hingstomeyazi.His
thoughtf
ulnessandunderst
andingnat
ure.Old
habit
sdiehar dIguess.

Me:
"Thankyou.
"

Phil
a:"Don'tyouworrySt handwasami.Thedishes
i
snot hing.Mywomanshoul dn'
tdoeveryt
hingin
thehouse.Mydut yistobeyourbetterhal
f,todo
everyt
hingwi t
hyoubyyoursi de.Mywomanwi ll
neverbeasl ave,
especiall
ywhileI
'
m ali
ve."

Me:"I
'
m nottal
kingaboutt
hedishes.I
'
mt alki
ng
aboutyou.Thankyouforbei
ngsounderstanding
andkindtome."
Phil
a:"
I'
m onlynicet othoseIl
oveSt handwasami.
Youarethet oprecipientofal
lthat
.(Hesmi l
edand
gavemeawar m hug.)Let'
sheadtobed, i
t'
sget
ti
ng
l
ateandIdon' twantmynewst afftothinkI
'm
al
readyslacking.

Igavehi
m awei
rdl
ook.

Phi
la:
"Yi
ni(
What
)?"

Me:"Yousaid"l
et'
s"got
obed.Areweser
iousl
y
goi
ngt oshareabed?Worstpar
tinmygogo's
house?"

Phil
a:"
Oh,yesSt
handwasami.Ipai
dR10000lobol
a
al
readybackint
hedaysopracti
cal
ly,
you'
remy
wif
e."
Helaughedinsuchasini
stermanner.Philathough.
Idi
dn'twantt
oovert
hinkaboutshari
ngabedwi th
anot
herman-myexont opofthat.ButIdecidedto
l
ethim be.

Me:"
You'
rej
ustl
uckyI
'mi
nnomoodt oargue.I
'
m
onl
yshar
ingabedwit
hyoubecauseoft
hat.
"

Phil
a:(
chuckl
ing)
"Deepdownuyazi (
youknow)t hat
you'
reshari
ngabedwi thmewill
ingly.Butdon'
t
worry,
Iwon'tdoanythi
ngtoyou,Ipromise."

Weheadedupst ai
rstooneoft hebedrooms,the
oneIwassl eepinginearl
ieron.Itact
uall
yusedto
bemybedr oom wheneverIcamet ovisi
t.Gogo
di
dn'tchangeitmuch, shealwayssaysyoucan
neverputapr i
ceonmemor ies.

Phil
atookhishi
sclothesof
fandwasonl
ylef
tinhi
s
underwear
.Icoul
dn'thel
pbutadmi
ret
his
mast erpiecestandinginfrontofme.Hehad
muscl esi nallt
her i
ghtplaces-
nottoobuf f
,hewas
j
ustper fectlycarved.Whichtell
smehewor ksout-
ALOT.Isawhi speni spokingoutfrom his
under wearandI 'm notveryexperi
encedonsi ze,but
Icant elltherei
sonehugesnakeunder neathall
thatcloth.

Porschealwayssaysyoucanest imat
eaman' s
penissizebycheckinghisbul
dge.Igul
pedand
swallowedhar d,
all
thisismaki
ngmesuper
uncomf ort
ableandIthinkhenot
icedbecauseIwas
sti
llf
ull
yclothedwithoutmyshoes.

Phi
la:
"Don'
ttel
lmeyou'
reget
ti
ngi
nbedwi
thyour
dr
esson."

Ilookeddownandfi
ddledwi
thmyhands.Ial
ways
sleepinmypajamasandmyownhusbandhasn't
reall
yseenmenaked,sohowwil
lIevenbegi
ntodo
thiswit
hPhil
a?
Phil
a:(
walkingt owardsmeandhol di
ngmy
hands)"
Yini,Yaya( Whatisit,
Yaya)
.Talktome.I
tol
dyouIwon' ttouchyouandImeanti t.Ireall
y
wantto,butIwon' t.I
'm apati
entman,soi fit
'ssex
you'
rewor r
iedabout ,rel
ax.Wewon'tdoanyt hing.
I'
m notthatkindofman, youofal
lpeopleshoul d
know."

Me:(l
ooki
ngdown) "
It
'snotthat.I
t'
sj ust..
.I'
venever
..
.
I'
veneversleptnakednexttoamanbef or
e.And
youandIbot hknowI '
m notexactly" sexy".We'
ve
bothgrownandI '
m nott hesamesi zeIwasback
then,
I'
m bigger.Alotbigger.
"

Phi
la:
"Heh,Yaya.Lookatme.(
Islowlyl
ookedupat
hi
m)it'
sme, Phil
a.YoumeantotellmethatLunga
hasneverseenyounaked?"

Isl
owl
ylookeddownagai
nandshakedmyhead.
Phil
a:"
Sthandwasami( Mylove)
.Thati
diotdoesn'
t
knowbeaut yevenwhenit
'sstar
inghimintheeye.
You'r
ebeaut i
ful
,you'
veal
waysbeen.You'remy
beauti
fulBBBW. "

Il
aughedatt
hat
.

Me:
"BBBW?Real
ly?Youwat
chpor
ntoomuch.
"

Phil
a:(chuckling)"
Itactuall
yst andsf orBig,
Beautiful,Bol
dwoman.You' r
eat r
uedef i
niti
onof
beauty, Yaya.Don'
tletanyoneel setellyou
other
wi se.Andbesi des,whatki ndofmanwoul dI
beifIal l
owedyout osleepnakedwi thmei nyour
stat
e?I '
m notanani mal .Justtakeof fthedressand
sl
eepi nyourunder wear .It
'sgoingt obel otmore
comfor table.
"

Iguesshehasapoi
nt.Isl
owl
ytookof
fmydr
ess
notevenlookingathim.Iwasshaki
ngabi
t
becauseIwasner vousAF.Hemustbesousedto
beauti
fulI
tal
ianwomenshapedl i
keger
mancars
andhereIwas, ahippo.

Phi
la:
"Youlookbeauti
ful.(
Heki
ssedmyfor
ehead)
OneofthesedaysIwillshowyouhowt
oappreciat
e
al
lthi
s.Comel et
'ssl
eep."

Heheldmyhandandwegoti nt
obed.Heputmy
headonhischestandheldme.Ineedtogetusedt
o
thi
s.I
t'
ssuchanicefeel
ing.

Phi
la:
"Il
oveyouZi
yanda.
"

Me:
"Il
oveyout
ooPhi
la.Ial
wayshave.
"

Sayi
ngitbackfel
tsor i
ght.Fort
hefi
rstt
imesince
Phil
aar
rived,
Ididn'
tfeelanysenseofgui
ltor
bet
rayalt
owar
dsmyhusband.Couldthi
sbeast ar
t
toawholenewjour
ney?Imostcer
tai
nlyhopeso.
Chapt
erTen

Lunga

It
's23:00atni
ghtandI'
vebeendr i
nki
nginmyst udy
sinceIgotbackfr
om vi
sit
inguMa.Ican'teven
focusmuchnowadays,li
kewhatt hefuckis
happening?Masaidshewoul daskhersangoma
formebutallthi
sshi
tisstressi
ngmet hefuckout.

Iwasf i
nal
lyfal
li
nginl
ovewi t
hZee.Imeanshe' sa
bi
tfatbutnothi
ngthegym can'tf
ix.Shejustmakes
myhear tf
eelsowarm andfuzzyandIcan'tbel
ieve
Inevernoti
cedhowbeautif
ulhersmi l
eis.

Eversincehergrandmothercall
edt otel
lmet hat
Ziyandaisnotwellandwillbesleepingatherhouse
tonight
,I'
vebeenfeeli
ngagitat
ed.Damn, that
womancanbeexasperat
ing.Iknowshehasnever
l
ikedme,shehasmadeitapointtoshowmeshe
j
usttol
erat
esme.

Eversi
ncet hatfuckerPhil
amadeamagical
appearance,Ihaven'tbeensl
eepi
ngwel
l
.Ican'
t
evenfocusatwor k.

Tomakemat ter
swor seTonycan'tseem tof
indout
anythingaboutthi
sguy.Allhisi
nformati
onseems
tobepr ot
ectedbyfir
ewallaft
erfi
rewall
.Whatthe
hel
lishehi di
ng?Ineedenoughi nfor
mationto
convinceZeehe'sbadnewsbef orehemakesa
moveonher .

IaskedTonyt oaskaroundandseewhathecan
fi
ndoutabouthi m.Ikeepdial
inghernumber
hopingthatmaybeshewoul danswerbutitj
ust
ri
ngsunanswer ed,
soIdecidetosendhera
messagei nst
ead.Maybeitmightrei
ncar
nateher
l
ovef orme.
Phi
la

It'
s2am inthemor ning.I'
m wokenupbyZee' s
phoner i
ngingof fthehook.Shame, she'
ssound
asleepandcan' tevenheari t.Today' semotional
eventsprobablywor eherout .Herphoner i
ngs
againandIchecki t.Mxm it'
st hatfuckerLunga.I
decidetoputitonsi l
entandansmscomest hrough.
LeBhar idoesn'tgiveupst ruandsi ncewheni she
soper si
stentandcar i
ngwheni tcomest oZee?The
smsr eads" Mydar li
ngZee.Ihopeseur ight
.uGogo
toldmet hatyou'renotwel l
.I'llcomeseeyou
tomorrowatwor k.Iloveyou. "Mxm.Thi sguyi s
testi
ngmybal ls.Ideci detodel et
ethatsms.Zeei s
mi neandIwi l
lmakesur eshel eaveshi scheating
ass.

Ikeepbr
ushi
ngherbeauti
ful
,sweetfacegentl
y.
Looki
ngatherr
ightnowinhersexyunderwear.
Damnshe'ssosexy.She'
sal
waysbeenabi ggirl
,
butseei ngherbeaut if
ulbustybreastscuppedinher
braandherbeaut i
fulbi
gandcur vyass, Ij
ustcan't
wai ttofinall
ymakel ovetoher.Iwillmakesuret hat
i
tf eelsliketheveryfir
stti
mef orher.Ourveryfir
st
ti
me.I 'vebeenget ti
nghar dsomanyt i
mes
throughoutt henightandIcanhonest l
ysaythatI
don' twishfort hi
smomentt oend.Il oveZeeso
mucht hatIwi shIcouldjustkeephert omyselffor
alleternity.

Gog'
Khanyi

Ihavebeent ossingandturningallnight.I
tbr oke
met oseemypoorZi yandasobr oken,itli
terall
yfel
t
l
ikeapi eceofmyhear thadbeenr ippedof fandcan
neverbeputbackt ogether.Onet hingIam sur e
greatf
ulf oristheweightthathasbeenl ift
edof fmy
shoulder s.Inolongerhavetocarrysuchaheavy
secret.Smal ll
iesbecomebi ggerli
esandgi vebirt
h
tosecr ets.
Nowthatthat
'
soutoftheway,Ihavet
odealwi
th
t
hatcheat
ingbast
ardLunga.Hedoesn'
tknowme
t
hatone.Onesecr
etdown,onemor et
ogo.

Icheckthet
imeandi
t'
s3am.I
t'
sti
mef
ormy3am
prayer
:

"DearLord,TheFat herofJesusChr ist

.Youar ethe
Messi ah,
theGodofMer cy,theGodofgr ace.You
makeever ythingseem possi bleinani mpossibl
e
wor l
d.Ihumbl emysel fbeforeyoul ordandaskyou
topleaseprotectmybabyZi yanda.Pr otectherfrom
allevi
landdangerandmost ly,grantherallthe
blessi
ngsshedeser ves,ohLor d.Pleaselether
overcomet hishurdleinherlife.Ithankyouonce
againoh,Lor dforbringi
ngPhi labacki ntoherli
fe.I
askyout opleasegr antmemor eyearstoseeher
andherchi l
drenthroughl if
e.InJesusnameIpr ay,
Amen. "

Zi
yanda
I'
m wokenupbyGogobangi ngonthebedroom
door.Imusthavereall
ybeenoutofi
tformenott
o
hearmyalarmr i
nging.

Gogo'
Khanyi:
(knocki
ngont hedoor )
"Vukanini
na
(Wakeup,youtwo).Isi
khathisokuyenzaabezukulu
bamises'
pheli
le(Babymaki ngt i
mei sover)
.Timet
o
gotowork.Hambanini yoger ezanjengabanye
abant
u(Goandhust lelikeotherkids).
"

Phi
laandIburstouti
nlaughterasweheardher
wal
kingaway.Ireali
zedmybr awasexposedandI
pul
ledthesheet
supt ocoverme.

Phil
a:"
Morning,SthandwaSami(Myl ove)
.Youcan'
t
hi
dewhatI '
vealreadyseen.Imustsay,youl
ook
goodhalfnaked.Ibetyoulookbett
ercomplet
ely
naked.
"
Hesmil
edandki
ssedmycheek.Icoul
dn'
thel
pbut
bl
ush.

Me:
"Goodmor
ningt
oyout
oo.
"

Phil
a:"
Bef
oreweheadouttogetr
eadyforwor
k,I
needtodi
scusssomet
hingwit
hyouSthandwa
sami."

Isatupst
rai
ghtandl
ookedathi
m.

Phil
a:"
Nowt hatwe'r
et ogether,Ineedyoutodoone
forme.Pleasestopsleepingwi thLunga.Ican'
t
shareyouwi t
hanyoneandl eastofallhi
m."

Ilookedathim surpr
ised.I
t'
snotl
ikeIact
uall
ylook
forwardtosleepi
ngwi t
hLunga,butI'
m st
il
lhungup
ont hetoget
herpart.
Me:"
Oh,sowe'
retogethernow?Idon'
tremember
youaski
ng.
"Iblushed.

Phil
a:"
Idon'
thavetoask.Al
li
ngoodtimeSthandwa
sami(Mylove).Youj
ustwai
tandsee.So,
dowe
haveadeal?"

Me:"
It
'sokay,Phi
la.Yes,wehaveadeal
.Iwon'
t
sl
eepwithhim,Ipromise."

Hesuddenlyhadexci
tementwr
it
tenal
loverhi
s
f
ace.Hekissedmycheekandhuggedme.

Phil
a:"Thankyou,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Let
sgo
getready."

Wegotup,madethebedtogetherandwentto
separat
ebat
hroomstogetready.Phi
laof
fer
edand
Iguesshedi
ditoutofr
espectsincehesawhow
uncomf
ort
abl
eIwasbei
nghal
fnakedl
astni
ght
.

Wesai dourgoodbyest oGogoandofcour seshe

packedussomel unchandmadeuspr omiseto
bri
ngherTupper wareback.Wemadeourwayt o
SandtonMal landent eredNicci
,oneofthe
bouti
quest hereandwewer emetbyFrancesca,the
owner.Shel ooksqui tethi
n,wit
hlong,
blackhair
andgor geousskin.Shemustbei nherlat
e50s, but
wit
hgor geous,longl egsli
kethatonecan'
ttell
.

Fr
ancesca:
"Mamba,
sogoodt
oseeyouagai
n."

Mamba?Yohhaike.Phi laneverceasestoamaze
me.Imadeament alnot
etoaskhi m aboutthat
name.ShekissedPhilaonbothcheeks.I'veseen
thi
skindofgreeti
ngonItal
ianmovies.Ineedt oask
Phil
aaboutIt
aly.I'
veneverbeenthere.

Phi
la:
"Fr
ancesca.Thef
eel
ingi
smut
ual
.Iwoul
dlove
tochat,butmybeauti
fulDea(
GoddessinItal
ian)
ZiyandahereandIneedtogettowork.Youknow
Jo'burgtr
affi
cisani
ghtmareandweneedt omake
i
tt oPret
oriai
nanhourandahal f
."

Fr
ancesca:
"Ofcour
se,
ofcour
se.
"

Shet
ookmyhandandki
ssedt
hebackofmypal
m.

Francesca:
"Soyoumustbet helovelyZiyanda.
Mambahast oldmesomuchaboutyou.Hmm,
you'r
equiteadea(goddess)indeed.Mambanever
l
ies.Anyway,Iknewyouwoul dbei nahur r
y,
Mamba, sotheoutfi
tsar
epr eparedforyouinthe
fi
tti
ngrooms, asr
equest
ed."

Phil
a:"
Thankyou, Francesca.Icanal wayscounton
you.Sthandwasami ,let
'sgogetdr essedquickl
y.
YoufollowFrancescat oyourfi
tti
ngr oom.Wewi ll
meetagainouther einaf ewmi nut
es. "
Ifol
lowedFrancescat
ooneofthefit
ti
ngr
ooms
whil
ePhilawenttooneonhisown.Heseemsto
knowhiswayar oundt
hisst
orewhichmeanshe
comesher eoft
en.

IthankedFrancescaandclosedthedoor.There
wasasui tcoveronthebench.Rightnextt
oitwas
Goldstrap-
onheelsandagor geousdiamond
necklacewithasmallnot
et hatr
eads"Ican'
twaitt
o
seeyoui nthi
s.Iknowyou'l
llookamazingini
t.P"
Okay,
Phil
aiscl
earl
yamanofmanytal
ent
stohave
beenabl
etopul
lthi
sof
fwhi
lesl
eepi
ng.

Iopenedt
hecoverandsawt
hisbeaut
if
ul,
redrucheddr esswit
habel tt
hatgoestoonesideof
thewaist.I
'
mi nawe.Phil
aisjustamazi
ng.Iputit
onandIcan' tbeli
evehowwel li
tfi
tsme.Eventhe
shoesaremyexactsi ze.HowdoesPhi l
aknowmy
sizebecauseInevertoldhim?Hecan'tbethat
obser
vant
.

Francesca:"
Dea,comenow.Mambai sharassi
ng
me.Het hinksIgotyouki
dnapped.Youneedt ogo
now.Chopchop.Ohandl eaveyourol
dclothesin
ther
e.Iwilltakecar
eofeveryt
hing.
"

Francescaseemsl i
keyourtypicalItal
ianmaf i
alady
withtheout f
it
,highheels,j
eweleryandal l.Not
forget
tingthehair.Shequiteacoar sevoice.Must
bef r
om allthesmokingbecauset heci garett
escent
i
sn'thar dt
omi ss.Otherthanthat,sheseemsl i
kea
veryniceladywithabubbl ypersonal i
ty.

Igotoutandf oundPhi l
awear i
ngar eall
ynicenavy
suitthathasI t
ali
anwr it
tenalloverit
.It
alymust
reall
yf eell
ikehomef orhim.holdingadi f
ferentbag
thant heoneIhadwal ki
ngi nhere.Hisfacel i
tup
whenhesawmeandIcoul dn'thelpbutsmile.I
mightnothavemuchconf i
dencewi t
houtclothes,
butwear i
ngsomet hi
ngt hatmakesmef eelgood
makesmef
eelconf
ident
.

Phil
a:"
Youl ookamazingSt
handwasami.Awu
shayeitur
nar oundl
aphosoIcanseeyouproper
ly.
"

Ilaughedandhi
ssi
ll
yrequest
,butIdi
ditanyway.I
mustsay,itf
eel
ssogoodhavingamanappr eci
ate
thewayIlook.

Phil
a:"
Ican'
twai
ttoshowyouof f
.Let
'sgo.
Francesca,
Ioweyouone.Iwi
llsendpaymentl
ater
on."

Francesca:
"Don'
tbesil
ly.Takethi
sasawel coming
gi
fttothelovel
yDea.Don' tbeastranger
.Ciao
Bell
a(Goodbye,beaut
if
ul)."

Shewavedgoodbyeblowi
ngakissatusandwe
madeourwayoutofthemall
.Lucki
lyver
yfew
peopl
eweremaki
ngt
hei
rwayt
othest
oressono
onewoul
dnoti
ceme.

Wemadei tt
owor kandgreetedthesecur i
tyguar
d
ondutyf ort
oday.Ntat
ePhi r
iisoffonWednesdays
sothankgoodnessIdodgedt hatbullet.Ihave
madesuchagoodi mpressiononhi m Iwouldn'
t
wanthimt othinkanyl
essofmenow.Wegott othe
basementpar ki
ng.Phi
latookoutagi ftbackfr
om
thebackseat.Thismanwi l
lkeepmeonmyt oes,he
neverrunsoutofsurpri
ses.

Me:
"What
'st
hatnow?
"

Phi
la:
"Justsomethi
ngt
omakePor schesmi
leso
shedoesn'taskt
oomanyquest
ions."

Me:
"Hao,Phil
a.Youcan'
tbespoi
li
ngmyf
ri
endssoo
much.Besides,
you'
remymanandshehashers.
"
Phil
a:(
smil
ing)oh,soI'
m yourmannow.Hehe
Sthandwasami( Mylove)Youjustmademyday.
You'r
eclai
mi ngme.Let'
sgobef or
epeopl
eseeus.
Goupt hel
iftfi
rst
,I'
l
lseeyouinabi t
."

Me:
"Okay.
"

Iheadeduptofl
oor7asal ways.ImustsayIreall
y
l
ookgood.Iam inlovewiththi
soutfi
t.It
hinki
t'
s
becausePhil
aboughtandchosei tf
orme.This
feel
samazing.I
tfeelsl
ikeI'
minmyownRomant i
c
movie.

Chapt
erEl
even

AsIgotoutoft heli
ftIwasmetwi thanunusual
scene.Lungawassi tt
inginthewaiti
ngar
ea
oppositePorsche.Isuddenlyfel
tmysel
fbeing
overcomebypani c.WhatifheknowswhatIgotup
tolastnight
?Howwi llIexpl
ainmenotcomingback
hometochangef
orwor k?Ithoughtofgoi
ngback
i
ntot
heli
ft,
butPorschealr
eadysawme.

Porsche:
"Chomihl
e(Friend)
.Kgal
ekeemekawena
(I
'
vebeenwai t
ingonyou?.Et l
amo(Comeher
e).I
haveyourmessagesri
ghtherewit
hme."

Wow, thanksf orexposingme, Porti

aWi l
li
ams, I
thoughtt omyself.AsIwal kedtowar dsPorscheI
couldseeLunganot i
cingme.Heputhi sphone
backinhi spocketsandat temptedtogetup.Hehad
abunchofl ill
iesinhisotherhand.Hel ooked
dreadfulwithdarkcircl
esunder neathhiseyesand
hesmel ledli
keashebeen.Thi si snottheLungaI
know.

Porsche:(Whispering)"
Goodmorninghl
e,
Khumbul '
ekhaya( Imissmyhome).Monnawagoke
ol
eogoemet se( Yourhusbandhasbeenwai
ti
ng)
."
AiPor
ti
a.

Iwal
kedt
owar
dsLunga.

Me:"
Lunga.Whatasur
pri
se.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?"

Lunga:"
Icamebytoseei
fyou'
reokay.Iboughtyou
these.
"(Handi
ngmethef
lower
s)

Me:"Thankyou,butyoudi
dn'
thaveto.I
'
mf i
ne.You
couldhavejustcal
led,
youknowinst
eadofdri
ving
al
lthewayher e.
"

Lunga:
"Idi
dcallyou,butyouneveranswered.
Besi
des,CornwallHi
lli
sn'tt
hatf
arfrom home."

Me:
"Oh,
sor
ry.I
tmusthavebeenonsi
lent
."
Ifeltali
tt
lebitguil
tyf
orlyingtohim.Hest oodthere
forawhi l
est ar
ingatme.I'm notusedtoLunga
staringatmel i
kethat
.I'
m notusedt ohiml ooki
ng
atmeatal l.Idon'
tknowi fmaybet her
e'ssomething
wrongwi thmeorwhatwhi chcausedmet ofrowna
bit.

Me:
"I
sther
esomet
hingwr
ong?
"

Lunga:
"Thatdr
ess.I
treal
lyl
ooksgoodonyou.
"

Me:"
Uhm,thankyou.Ihavet
ogett
owor
know.I
'
ll
seeyoul
ater.
"

AsIsai dthatPhil
acameoutoft hel i
ft
.Onecoul
d
tel
ljustbyhisamazi ngscent.AsIwasstari
ngat
him, Lungadidtheunexpected.Heheldmebymy
faceandki ssedme.Iwassosur pr
isedand
shockedIpul ledoutandhehuggedme.Lungahas
beenact
ingreal
lyweir
dthepastfewdays.Thenext
thi
ngIdi
dn'tseePhil
aanymore.Itur
nedmyhead
andsawhim walki
ngtowardshisoff
ice.

Me:"
Okay, byenow,
Lunga.Ngi
zokubonal
ater
,
angi
thi(
I'
llseeyoul
ater
,ri
ght
)?"

Lunga:"Sure."Hewalkedawayl ookingrather
disappointed.Iwasn'tevenconcernedabouthim.I
wasr at
herwor r
iedaboutPhil
a.Dammi t
,howdoI
explai
nt hatkisstohim?ImeanIj ustclaimedhim
thismor ni
ngandnowhesawmeki ssi
ngmy
husband.Thi sisalotmor emessedupt hanI
thought.Ihavet ofi
xthis.Iatt
empt edtowalktohis
offi
ce,butPor schestoppedme.

Porsche:"
Hehbanna, Khumbul'
ekhaya!Okasendir
i
sone( Youcan'tdothistome).Youavoidand
i
gnor emycall
s, youwalkinherelooki
ngli
kea
mill
ionbucks,yoursemi dr
unkuselesshusband
decidestobri
ngyouf lowerswhichtel
lsmeyou
di
dn'tsleephome, yourex
boyfri
end/boss/boyfri
endt obe/husbandtobe
gi
vesmet hi
scut eGivenchyhandbagasagi f
t
probablytotr
yandsmoot ht al
kmei ntonotbei
ng
madatyouandyour uinallofitbykissi
ngyour
husbandi nfr
ontofhi m?Outwi t
hit
,Zee.Goetsa
galaeng( What'
shapoeni ng)?Andyouwon' tdodge
met hi
st i
me."

Me:"
I'
llexplai
never
ythi
ngdur
ingl
unch.Or
derus
somepi zzaorsomethi
ngandcometomyoffi
ce.
"

Il
efthert
hereandhurr
iedtoPhila'
soffi
ce.I
knockedsof
tl
y,buthedidn'
trespond.Iknocked
again.

Phi
la:
"Whoeveri
tis,
I'
m busy.
"

Okay,
that'
scold.Ideci
det
otakemychancesand
openthedooranyway.
Phi
la:"
Itol
dyouI
'
m busy.
"Hesai
dthatwi
thouteven
l
ookingatme.

Me:
"Phi
la,
canwet
alk?
"

Phil
a:"Notnow,Mrs.Nqcobo.Ihavei mport
ant
matterstosett
leri
ghtnow.Perhapsl at
er.(
Hedi al
ed
hi
swor kphone)Mrs.Wil
li
ams, pleasedon'
tlet
anyonet hr
oughtomyof fi
ce,unlesstheyhavean
appointment.
"

Por
sche:
"Sur
ethi
ng,
Mr.P"

Hesti
lldi
dn'
tevenlookatme.If el
tdyi
ngr i
ghton
t
hatfl
oor.Hi
mi gnori
ngmef lat
lywassopai nf
ul,
I
j
ustfr
oze.Ithi
nkher eal
izedIwasstil
lther
eandhe
l
ookedup.
Phi
la:
"Ar
eyoust
il
lher
e?"

Okay, wow.Thatwasj ustthei cecream t i

p.At ear
betrayedmeandf elldownmycheeck.Thef l
ower s
i
nmyhandsf el
lonthef l
oor .Ihadevenf or
gottenI
sti
llhadthem.Ididntevenbot herpickingthem up,I
Don'tevenli
kelil
li
estobegi nwi th.Ij ustopened
thedoorandr anout.Ididn'tevenbot hercl
osingit
behindme.AsIwaswal ki
ngt owardsmyof fi
cewith
myheaddownt r
yingtowi peawaymyt ear
s,I
bumpedi ntoNoziphowal kingt owar dsme.I
assumeshe' sheadedt oPhi la'
soffice.

Nozi
:"
Wel
l,wel
l,
wel
l.I
fiti
sn'
tli
tt
leMs.Sunshi
ne,
t
heboss'
pet.
"

Me:
"Oh,woul
dyoujustf
uckof
fandl
eavemet
he
f
uckaloneNozi
pho!
"

Att
hatpoi
ntIdi
dn'
tevencar
eifshesawmecr
ying.
I'
m aver ysoftperson,butifyoumakemeangr y,I
blowup.Gogoal wayssai dI'm ati
ckingtimebomb
andonedayIwi llexplode.Icarri
edonwal ki
ngt o
myof ficeandshutt hedoorbehi ndme.Isati nmy
chairandsobbed.ThePhi l
aIsawr ightnowi soneI
haveneverseenbef ore.I'
veseenhi m becomea
monst erwithotherpeopl ebeforeinthepast,bit
neverwi t
hme.Coul dthisperhapsbet he' Mamba'
Francescawasr efer
ri
ngt o?"

Lunga

AsIwal kedbackt omycarf r

om the7t hfl
oor ,
Iwas
l
eftdefeated.Zeelookedsodiff
er ent,
almostasi f
she'sglowing.Imeanshehadawhol enewout fi
ton.
Icantellmyt hesmell.Newclothesalwayshave
thatcertai
nsmell.Ihaveneverseenherr adiateso
much.Coul ditbethatInevernoticed?Isawt hat
fuckerPhilaandthewayhel ookedatmewhi l
eI
washuggi ngZeehasconf ir
medmysuspi ci
ons.
Thatguyi souttogetwhat'smine.
WhatsurprisesmeisthatIdon'
tseeZee'
sRange
Roverparkedheresomyquest i
onis,
wheredi
dshe
real
lygoyesterday?IneedsomeanswerssoI
deci
detodi alTony.

Lunga:"
Tony,i
njayami(mydog)
.Ineedyoutot
rack
Zee'
scarforme.Checkit'
swher
eaboutsfr
om
yest
erdayaft
ernoonti
lnow."

Tony:"
Shobozza(
Sur
e,boss)
.Hol
donl
etme
check.
"

Af
teraboutf
ivemi
nut
eshegavemef
eedback.

Tony:"
ShoBozza( Sure,boss).Yester
daythecar
waspar kedatherworkplace,butat3pm thecaris
seenmovi ngforabout30mi nutesandwaspar ked
attheCenturi
onDam.I t'
sstil
lparkedther
e."
Whatt
hef
ucki
sZee'
scardoi
ngatCent
uri
onDam?

Lunga:
"Whatthehel
lishappeni
ng?Al
lthi
sdoesn'
t
makesense."

Tony:"
Don'
tst
ress,Bozza.IcangetTswai
zat
olook
i
ntoitandgogetitcheckedout.
"

Lunga:
"Shot
hanks,
Tony.Icanal
wayscountonyou
Brayami.
"

Ihungup.Ideci
dedtodri
vet
owor
kwhi
leIt
hinkof
al
lthi
scrazyshi
thappeni
ngt
ome.Mahadbett
er
comeupwi t
hapl anandf
ast
.
Chapt
erTwel
ve

Zi
yanda
Afterthi
smorning'sevent s,It
riedworkingona
previewtoshowMr .BrenneronFr iday.Despit
ethe
migraineIf
eelcomi ng,Imanagedt odosomet hing.
AsIwasdeepi nt houghts, Porschewal kedi
nwi t
h
twoboxesofDebonai r
sPi zza,twobot t
lesof
sparkli
ngwaterandsomecar amelchocol at
e
cupcakesfrom Wool worths.Talkaboutcomf ort
food.

Sheputt
hef
oodont
het
abl
eandst
aredatme.

Porsche:"
Ker eadygewenaolereadygobuwa
akerechomi( I'
mreadywheneveryou'
rer
eadyt
o
tal
k,fr
iend).
"

Shekeptquietandst art
edeat
ing.Ialsostar
ted
di
ggingin.Seeingthatfoodmademesuperhungr y.
Imadeadeepsi gh.Itol
dhereveryt
hingthat
happenedyesterdayatGogo'shouse, i
ncl
uding
shar
ingabedwi
thPhi
la.

Allthiswhi l
esheneveri nterr
uptedme.Porsche
mightbet al
kati
ve,butshesagr eatandatt
ent i
ve
l
istener.Isti
llaskmyselfwhyshenevermaj oredin
Psychol ogyinsteadofPubl i
cRelati
ons.Icouldfeel
thetearsbul di
ngupagai nandassoonasmi nefel
l
offmycheek, shecriedtoo.

Porsche:"Oh,chomi(f
ri
end).Ihopeyouknowt hat
keagor atahle(Il
oveyou).Youmeansomucht o
meandt hatdoesn'
tchangeanythi
ngakere.You'r
e
beauti
fulandsmar tandyou'rej
ustsi
mply
amazing."

Me:(wi
pingmyt
ear
s)"
Thankyouchomi
.Lenna
keagorata.
"

Por
sche:
"Enoughaboutthesadstuff
.Now,
tel
lme
whyyouwerecryi
ngthismorning.
"
Me:"
Whot
oldyou?Ai
,mar
aPhi
laonal
emol
omo.
"

Por
sche:"
Actual
ly,
IheardNoziboast
ingaboutit
.
Shewastel
li
ngeveryoneint
heoffi
ceunti
lItol
dher
wheret
ogetoffl
eboer -
fi
gur
e(fl
atassfi
gure).
"

Il
aughedoutl
oud.Por
schei
sfunnyshame.

Me:"Chomiman.Otl
ogel
anengdii
nsul
ts(
When
wi
llyoustopwi
tht
heinsul
ts)
?"

Porsche:"
Thedayshedi
es.Nowoutwi
thi
t.What
happened?"

Me:"Wel l
,Lungacameunanouncedandstarted
acti
ngweirdandkissedmeoutodtheblue.The
nextthi
nghehuggedme.Ifigur
edPhil
ami ghtbe
upsetsoIwenttocheckonhim andt
otrytalkingt
o
hi
minhisoff
ice.You,Porsche.Hewascol
dAF.He
di
dn'
tevenbotherl
ookingatmeorheari
ngwhatI
hadt
osay."

Porsche:
"Byanonglewenayoujustl
efthi
sof
fi
ce
l
ikethatwallaallmor
ningmorni
ng?"

Me:"
WhatwasIsupposedt
odo?Hebasical
lyt
old
metofuckof
finamorepol
it
emanner
."

Porsche:"
Ai, wai
tse(youknow)Zee, oslowchomi
yakashem (youcanbesosl owattimesmyf riend)
.
IfIdi
dn'tl
oveyouIwasgoi ngtodivorceyoul ong
ti
menana.I fIwer eyou,Iwasgoingtolockt hat
door,t
akeof fmydr ess,putonel
egont opofhi s
desk,di
ponef i
ngerinmypussyandl i
ckitandask
himifhewassur ethathewantedmet oleave?"

Ijustbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.Porschei
scrazy.Ij
ust
knewshewoul dsaysomethi
nghil
ari
ous.Porsche
alwayscomesupwi t
hthemostr i
dicul
ousideas,
j
ustlikeherni
ckname.Backinhighschool,oneof
theteacher
susedtofl
irtwi
thhersomuchbecause
ofherbody.Sheisnotbigandnotsmallei
ther,wi
th
averypetit
ebody;smallbr
east
sandani cesmal l
asswi t
hcutecur
ves.

Thatt
eacherwasqui t
eaper vert,butPorschecould
handl
ehi m.Soonedayhesai dt oherthatherbody
i
ssouni que, t
inyyetcomf ort
ableandi tcanmake
anymanr eachhismaxi mum speedwi thi
ngless
thanami nutejustbydr i
vingher .Hesaid"your
bodyissobeaut iful
lydesigned,justli
keaPor sche".
Hernamei sPorti
a,shethoughti twouldbeagr eat
combination,soitstuckli
kegl ue.

Porsche:"Wenawat shamekashame( Youlike

pl
aying).NnaIdon'tplaywaitselewena( Idon't
ol
ayandyouknowt hat)
.Somegoodol dZiyanda
pussywi l
lstophimf r
om thi
swhol esulki
ngepi sode.
Onaser iousnotethough,he'
llgetoverit
.It
'snot
l
ikehedidn'
tknowyou'r
emar ri
edandt hathe
wouldn'
thavetocompetewithyourhusband.Thi
s
i
sagr eatwaytoseehowf arhe'
swi l
li
ngtogotobe
wit
hyousohe' l
lcomearound,you'
llsee.
"

Me:"hai
,maral
ewenaPor schewaebitsa
competi
ti
on(No,man,Por
sche,you'
react
ual
ly
cal
li
ngitacompeti
ton)
?"

Por
sche:
"Iti
swhati
tis,
sesi
."

Me:"Iwant edtoaskyou, howdoyouknowt hata

mani sreallyi
ntoyouandnoti nfatuatedbyyou?I
meanPhi lahasbeent hemostcar ingand
understandingpersoneversincehecameback.I
meanl astnightaft
erdinnerhehelpedmet i
dyup
andwasht hedishesandt hi
smor ning,hehelped
memaket hebed.Gett his,heorganisedmywhol e
outf
itformeatNi ccisi
nceIcoul dn'tgobackhome
andchange.He' sfri
endswi tht
heowner .
"
Porsche:( Fl
abbergasted)
"Eng?!Thismani sl
oaded
mos.Heal waystoldyouhewoul dmakeenough
moneyf oryousot hatyouwouldn'
thavetowor k.
Letsatsilagohlabelangwanyana( Bet
terdaysare
comi ngf oryou,
girl
).Anyway,well
,amanwho' s
reall
yinl ovewit
hyouwi l
lshowit
.Hewi l
lgotot he
endoft heoceanj ustforyou.

Hewi llneverputyoudown, neverhar m orhurtyou

i
nt ent
ionall
yandmosti mpor t
antl
y-he'l
lneverabuse
you.Amanwhol ovesyouwi l
lneverbet rayyour
trust,
putyoudownandwi llalwayslistentoyou.In
thiscase,webot hknowthatPhi l
alovesyou, gi
rl
.
Heal wayshasandhehasneverst opped.Hehas
comebackt otakewhatshis.Thequest ionis:Are
youpr eparedtogoalloutandchoosehi m? "

Wow.Por schehassai
damout hf
ul.Whatshe
descr
ibedisquit
etheopposi
teofLunga.
Me:" Iam,fr
iend.I'
vebeenwithLungaforsi
xyear s
now.Sur e,
Ididn'tl
ovehim,butItr
ied,
Ireal
lytr
ied.I
feell
ikeIhavesacr i
fi
cedsomuchf orhimthatiti
s
reall
ytimeformet ochooseme. "

Por
sche:(ul
ulat
ing)"
Modi moleBadimobaphela
l
ena(Godandt heancestorsar
ealive,
guys)
!Ihave
wai
tedforyoutosaythateversinceyougot
marr
iedtotonkielaLunga."

Shegotupandstar
teddanci
ngandsnappi
ngher
fi
nger
sinajol
lyway.

Porsche:
"Bytheway,oebonetonkiyagao?Yesses
neankgabj al
amonna( Gosh,
hesmel l
edli
ke
seri
ousbooze).Kesuregaasohlapethismorni
ng
(Ibethedidn'
tevenbot
hertobat
hethismorni
ng).
"

Shel
aughedoutandcausedmetoburstoutin
l
aught
erunti
lIwasi
ntears.Wedidn'
tevenreali
ze
wewerebeingabi tl
oud.Thenextt
hingweknew,
myoffi
cedoorflungopenanditwasNozi.Thi
s
chi
ckissoannoyingokare(l
ike)awoman's
monthl
yperiod.

Nozi:"
Lunchtimeisoverandnihlelil
ana(you'
re
sit
ti
ng)makingnoise.Wena,Por
tia,who'
smi ndi
ng
thedeskwhileyou'
reheregossi
ping?"

Porsche:"Ai
,ai
,aiman.BanyanabagotswaDur ban
l
ebj angna(Whatkindofgir
lsar
eyougirl
sfrom
Durban)?Youshouldreal
lygobackhomesome
ti
meandgot othebeachohlapasenyama(andgo
removeyourbadl uck)
.Youmightcomebackanew
person."

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
aughevenf
urt
her
.

Nozi:"
Mxm.WenaZiyanda,
thebossi
slooki
ngf
or
you.Probabl
ywant
stomakeyoucryagai
n."
Shecl
osedt
hedoorandl
eft
.

Por
sche:"Oneofthesedaysmysize3f ootwil
lbe
upherass.It
oldyouhewouldcomear ound.Osa
emetseng?Gobeforehechangeshismind.I'
l
lclean
upherebefor
eIheadbacktomyst ati
on."

Ifixedmydr essalitt
lebitandwalkedout.Idr eaded
l
ooki ngathi mt hewholet i
meIwaswal kingt ohis
office.Ireal
lywon'tbeabl etohandleanothercol d
responsef rom him.Whi lewalki
ngtowardshi s
office,Nozigavemeasmi rkandIjusti
gnor edher .
Oneoft hesedayst hi
schi ckwil
lbetherecipientof
mywr athItellyou.Ireachhisoffi
cedoor.Myhear t
startsracing.Itakeadeepbr eathandknocksof tl
y.

Phi
la:
"Comei
n."

Iwal
kinandIseehi
mlooki
ngsosad.Okay,
thi
sis
tot
allydif
fer
entf
rom t
hePhilaIsawt hi
smor ni
ng.I
don'tevenknowwhattosay.I'
m actual
lyafr
aidof
sayi
nganyt hi
ngsoIjustst
areathim aft
ercl
osing
thedoor.

Me:
"Nozisai
dyouwer
elooki
ngf
orme.
"Isayi
na
l
ow,shakyvoi
ce.

Hegotupandwal kedtowardsme.Heheldbothmy
handsandbenddowni nf r
ontofmeonbothknees.
Awholemanont heofficecarpeti
nanI
tal
iansui
t.
Tal
kaboutremor
sef ul
.

Phil
a:"Sthandwasami( Mylove).I
'mreall
ysorry
aboutwhatIdi dtoyouearl
ier.Ir
eall
yshouldn'
t
have.Ifeell
ikecomplet
eshi t
,especi
all
yafterNozi
hasbeent ell
ingever
yoneshesawyoucr yi
ngand
yourfacewasr edandswollen."

Mxm.Nozi
phohasbeenonmyasssi
ncedayone.I
real
lyneedapl
ant
oputheri
nherpl
aceorel
seone
ofusmustgo.

Phila:"It
'sjustthat
..
.WhenIsawyouwi t
hhim Ifelt
sojeal ousandwhenheki ssedyouIjustcouldn'
t
handl eit.Iknowhe'sstil
lyourhusbandandIhave
tosor tldrespectthat.I
'
m sor r
yforbeingso
chil
dishabouti t,butImeantwhatIsai d.Iwon'tbe
abletoshar eyou,babywami( mybaby).Yaya,
pleasef orgiveme.Iwon' tdoitagai
n,Ipromise."

Looki
ngdownathi m,Iact
uallysawtrut
hinhi
seyes.
MyGogoal wayssaysthatyoushouldseekt
he
tr
uthinaperson'
seyes.AtthatmomentIsaw
nothi
ng,butt
hetrut
handr emorse.

Me: "I
t'
sokay,Nokosenye.Ij
ustfel
tsopai nedwhen
yout reat
edmei nsuchacol emanner.Pleasedon'
t
doi tagai
n.YouknowIcr yeasil
y.Ifor
giveyou.Now
pleasegetup.That'
sadesi gnersui
tbakithi(
for
goodnesssake) .
"
Helaughedsoftl
yandther
eitwas.Ther
adi
ant
,
happyfaceI
'm usedt
oisback.Hegotupand
huggedme.

Phil
a:"
Thankyou,St
handwasami( Mylove)
.I
promiseyouthi
swil
lallbeoversoon.Youj
usthave
tobearwit
hhim ali
tt
lelonger
."

Me:"MayIaskwhy?Imeanyou'rebackandmy
famil
yisnol
ongerathreatt
oyousowhycan'tIj
ust
packupandleavehi
m andbewithyou?"

Phil
a:"BecauseLungai sdanger ousSt handwasami .
Bothhi m andhismot her.I
'm notaf r
aidofthem, but
I'
m afrai
dt heymightdosomet hingtoyoui fthey
fi
ndoutaboutus.I 'm sti
llt
ryi
ngt of i
gureoutwhyhe
i
ssohunguponmaki ngyoust aywi t
hhim.I'm
workingoni t,
Sthandwasami .Justpleasebe
pati
entandhangi nthere.Ipromi seyou'l
lbemi ne
off
ici
all
ysoonandthist
imeI'
m notwast
ingany
ti
meI'm marr
yingyouonthespot
."

Il
aughedalit
tl
e.Phil
athough.I'
m notsurei
fI
wouldbereadytojumpfrom onemarriaget
othe
next
,butwewillsee.

Phil
a:"
Oh,
bytheway.Iseeyouhaveatherapy
sessi
onschedul
edtomorr
owwithyourtherapi
st.
CanIcomewi t
hyou?"

Il
ookedathi
m puzzl
edandmadeaf
ace.

Me:
"Howdi
dyouknowaboutt
hat
?"

Phil
a:"
Itol
dyou,
Yaya.I
'm amanofmanyt
alent
s.
Sti
ckwithmeandyou'l
lsee.
"
Okay.Iseeher
eall
ywantst
odothi
s.Onl
yGogo
hasbeentoasessi
onwithme.Nooneel
se.Not
evenLungahasoff
eredt
ogowithme.

Me:
"Okayt
hen.Youcancomewi
thme.
"

Hesmi
ledbr
oadl
yandki
ssedmyf
orehead.

Phil
a:"
Thankyou,St
handwasami.Gobackt oyour
of
ficebefor
etheoff
icegossi
pst
arts.I
'
llseeyou
l
ater.
"

Hewi nkedatmeandIwal kedout.Iwalkedbackto

myof fi
ceandgaveNoziasmi rk.Shethoughtshe
coul
dmaket hewholeofficegossipaboutmeand
getawaywi t
hit?Shame.Icoul dshewasi rri
tat
ed
bymysmi l
eandThat olookedatmeandt henather
confused.Igotintomyof fi
ceandclosedt hedoor
behi
ndme.Ismi l
edjustthinki
ngaboutPhi l
a.I
guessI'minlove.Ideci
det otr
yandf i
nishaf ewof
mydesi
gnpr
oposal
sbef
oreknockof
fti
me.

Zodwa

Ifi
nall
ydeci
dedtocallNomsatoaskherabout
Phil
a.Sheowesmeagoodexpl anat
iont
hisone.
Angazongij
waelakabi.Herphoneri
ngstwiceand
sheanswered.

Nomsa:"
Ufunani(
Whatdoyouwant
)?"

Zodwa:"
Haibo,Nomsa.That
'snowayt
ogr
eetyour
fel
lowsi
sterman.Kant
iyi
ningawe?
"

Nomsa:(I
rr
it
ated)"
Ngi
the,
ufunani(
Isaidwhatdo
youwant)
?I'
m busyZodwaandIdon'thavet
imefor
chi
tchat
."
Zodwa:( Cl
appinghandsmucht oNomsa's
annoyance)"Heh!WehMa( Wow) !Soit
'st
ruewhat
theysay?Imaliiyagezana( moneychangesa
person)shame.Notsol ongagobeudi ngaifi
ve
mill
ion(youneededf ivemi l
li
on)fr
om meandnow
thatyougotityou'reactingli
keyou'r
ebettert
han
me? "

Nomsa:"Ag,YaziniZodwa(youknowwhat ,Zoswa).
Thatwasyearsago.Andi twasn'tyourmoney, i
t
wasyourhusband'smoney.Soi fyou'renotgoing
totel
lmeanythingvaluabl
eduringthisphonecall
ofyours,
I'
m hangingup."

Justasshewasaboutt
ohangupZodwashocked
herwit
hsomenews.

Zodwa:"
Yeywena.Whydi
dn'tyout
ellmePhi
lai
s
back?Youtol
dmehedied.
"
Nomsawasst
art
ledandkeptqui
etf
orawhi
le.

Zodwa:"
IseeIgotyourat
tent
ionnowthatt
hat
smartmouthofyouri
soutofwords.
"

Nomsa:"
Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?uPhi
ladi
ed.I
madesur
eofthat.
"

Zodwa:"Well
,it
'seit
heryouthi
nkI'
m st
upidorthe
Phil
aZwanet hat'
sintownmustbeani mpersonat
er.
Ungazodlal
angamiNomsa( Don'
tmesswithme,
Zodwa).Wehadadeal ;Yout
ookthemoneyi n
exchangeforZiyanda.Nowthatboyi
sbackand
messingupallourplans.

Youknowt hatZiyandahasr oyalbl

oodandLunga
needstosacrifi
ceherfirstbornsoninordertostay
ri
ch.Ifthatdoesn'thappen,unyil
ekesisi(you'
rein
shit
,si
ster)
.Don'tmakemer evealyourbigsecret
yezwa?Webot hknowyouhadanaf f
airwithChief
Bekumuzi
'
ssonandi fyourhusbandf
oundouti
t
wasallal
ie,
Ican'
timaginewhathewouldt
oyou."

Nomsakeptquietf
orawhilebreat
hingonthe
phone.BynowIcantel
lshe'sscar
ed.Ther
e'sno
wayoutforher
.

Nomsa:"
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme,
Zodwa?
"

Zodwa:"Idon'
tmakethreat
s,sweet
heart
,Imake
promisesandunli
keyouIkeepmine.Don'tmake
mer epeatmysel
fNomsa.Fixthi
sorelseyou'
llf
ind
yoursel
fonthestr
eet
."

Ihungupwi thmuchsatisf
acti
ononmyf ace.Now
thatIhaveNomsawher eIwanther,shejusthasto
fi
nishthejob.Itookasi
pofmychampagneand
decidedtobaski nmygl
ory:Zodwa-1,Nomsa-0.
Theydon'tcallmeZodwaNqcobof ornothing.
NomsaBhengu

Afterreceivingt hatunpleasantcal
lfr
om Zodwa, I
j
ustcoul dn'tt hi
nkst r
aightanymore.Ievenhadt o
cancelmymeetupwi thmygi r
ls.Whatthehellis
thatlowlifePhi ladoingbackher e?Ispecifi
cal
ly
toldRonzat okillhim.Imademyi nsr
uctionsvery
clear.Ihavet ogethol dofhi m,Idi
dntpayhi m R50
000f ornot hing.SoIdeci dedtomaket hecall.

Ronza:
"Shosho,di
mamzo.Kuhambani(
Sur
e,sur
e,
ma.What'scooki
ng)?
"

Nomsa:"
Yey,
wena(hey,
you)
,Ronza.Di
mamzowa
masi
mba!Whycan'
tyoudoanyt
hingri
ght?
"

Ronza:"
Hao,
Dimamzo,
jai
ve(
what
'st
hepr
obl
em,
ma)?"
Nomsa:"Di
dn'tIgiveyouspecif
ici
nstr
uctionssi
x
yearagotogetridofPhi l
a?Nowwor disthathe'
s
ali
veandwellandr i
ghthereinSout
hAf r
ica.Kant
i
whyniuselesssoni naabafanabasekasi(Whyare
youkasiboyssousel ess)
?"

Ronza:(Puzzl
ed)"Ei
sh, Di
mamzo.Hade( sor
ry),
I
gaveSox20kt odot hejob.Ihadaj obt
odot hat
nightandIcouldn'
tbeatt woplacesatthesame
ti
me.Hade, Di
mamzo( Sorry,
ma) .
"

Nomsa:(Inf
uri
ated)"
Yazi,Ronza(
Youknow, Ronza).
Don'tpi
ssmeof fmorethanyoualreadyhave.Fix
thi
smess.I'
m givi
ngyout wodays.Gof i
nishthejob.
Callmewhenyou'redone."

Ronza:
"Shosho,
dimamzo.Iwon'
tletyoudownt
his
t
ime."

Nomsa:"
Oh,
andRonza.I
fyoudar
efuckupt
his
t
ime,
I'
llgetr
idofyoumysel
f.
"

Ihunguphuff
ingandpuff
ingi
nfrust
rat
ion.Ishoul
d
havehandl
edthi
smyselfwhenIhadthechance.
Chapt
erThi
rt
een

Zi
yanda

It
'sknockoffti
me.Thi sdayhasbeenabitt
oobusy
forme, emot
ionall
y.AsIpackmybagandt hinkof
goingbackhome, Isuddenlygetbor
edthi
nki
ngof
spendinganothernightwit
hLunga.ImeanIsti
ll
needtof i
ndoutwhyIwasmar ri
edofft
ohim.AsI
walkedoutofmyof ficeathoughthi
tme.Oh,no!My
car.Howwi l
lIgethome?Justt henPhi
laappeared.

Phi
la:
"Youtooklongenough.Ij
ustwant
edt
obri
ng
youyourcarkeys."Hesai
dthatwavi
ngmykeys
wit
hhisindexfi
nger.
Me:"
Howdi
dyoudothat
?Imeanmycarwasn'
t
her
ethi
smorni
ngwhenwegotback.
"

Phi
la:
"Fr
ankdr
oppedi
toffanhourago.It
oldyou,
I
'm amanofmanytal
ent
s."

Ismi
ledasIt
ookmykeysf
rom hi
m.

Phi
la:"
I'
m goi
ngtomi sssl
eepingnextt
oyou.I
t
won'tbeformuchlonger,
Sthandwasami.
"Hesai
d
ki
ssingthebackofmyhand.

Aswewalkedoutt
owar
dst
hel
if
twebumpedi
nto
Por
sche.

Porsche:"
Hell
o,bar
atani(
lovebir
ds)
.Whatal ong
daythishasbeenbakit
hi(
guys).Bytheway,chomi,
Bel
indaandKeleaskedifwecoulddol unchor
dinnertomor
rowevening.Si
nceyouwer en't
respondingt
otheWhat sApptext
stoday,Isaidwe'
d
dodinneratyourhousetomorrowevening.
"

AsIwasaboutt oanswerIsawPor scheroll

ingher
eyesandPhilati
ghtenedhi
sjawatt hatst
atement.
What'supwithhim bytheway?He'sneverliked
Beli
nda,butdoeshehaveapr obl
em withKele?

Me:
"Ah,
it'
sokay,
chomi.I
'm goingtother
apysoI
mi
ghtbeabitdel
ayedbutdinnersoundsfun.
"

Por sche:
"FunkaBelindaI 'm notsur
e,butanywayI
'l
l
bringthefoodanddr inks.Wenahost erfela(
You
j
usthavet obethehost ).Beli
ndakeptinsi
sti
ngon
thismeetupf orwhataki t
si(Idon'
tknow).But
anyway, I'
m skti
red.I'
llseeyouguyskaosane
(tomor r
ow).Byeee."

Weal
lwentoursepar
atewaysi
ntoourcar
s.Imust
sayIf eelabitsaddenedt hatI'
m notleavi
ngwi t
h
Phi l
a.Callmewei rd,butt
hat'sjusthowIf eel.I
drovehomel ist
eningtosomer nbmusi c,
buteven
thatmademymoodqui tesombr e.Forsomer eason
i
tf el
tlikesomeonewasf oll
owi ngme.Thi sred
BMW wasbehi ndmeandever yti
meImadeat urn,
sodi dt hedri
ver.OnceIturnedar oundthecor nerof
myhouse, thecartookat urnintoanotherstreet.
MaybeI 'mjustovert
hinki
ng.

Igoti nt
ot hehouseandwasmetwi thalovel
y
aroma.IseeMam' Masangocookedal ovel
ymeal
tonight.Onceagain,Iam metwithadecorated
dinnertable,wit
hwhi t
erosesononesi deofthe
table.Itr
iedtolookaroundandseei f
Mam' Masangowashome, butIassumeLungagave
heranear l
ynightof
f.Lungacamef rom t
hekitchen
wear i
ngaver ynicetuxedoandabot tl
eofwinein
hishands.

Lunga:"
Goodeveni
ng,
mydar
li
ngwi
fe.
"
Heki
ssedmycheekwhi
chcaughtmebysur
pri
se.
Whati
sLungapl
ayi
ngat?

Me:(
skept
ical
)"Uhm,
hi.
"

Lunga:
"Howwasyourday?
"

AsIwasaboutt
oanswerhecutmeof
f.

Me:
"I
twas-
"

Lunga:
"Youknowwhat ?Don'ttel
lmenow.Ir
anyou
abubblebath,sogotakeabaththenyoucantel
l
meallaboutitdur
ingdinner
."

Il
ookedathi
m andhel ookedmuchbett
erthant
his
morni
ng.Hesti
llhadsomeeyebags,butheseems
tohavecleanedup.Ismiledandwalkedtowar
ds
thebedroom.Iputmybagonmysi deofthebed
andtookof fmyshoes.JustasIt
ookoutmyphone
tochargeitabit
,Ir
eceivedamessagef r
om Phul
a
whichbroughtabroadsmi l
etomyf ace.
"Ihopeyougothomesaf ely,Sthandwasami( My
l
ove) .Idontmeantoscareyou, butthere'sar ed
BMW f ol
lowi
ngyou.I'
m oni t
,dontwor ry.Ifyousee
i
tt omor r
owonyourwayt oworkpl easecal lme
rightaway.Ican'
twaittoseeyout omor r
ow.
Goodni ghtmamawebant wanabami( Goosni ght
,
mot herofmykids).
"

Ismiledandputmyphoneont hecharger
.Igoti
nto
thebathr
oom andt her
eweresmal
lscentedcandl
es
allar
oundthebathtubandsomewhiterosesonthe
bubblesint
hewat er.

Thisguyandwhit
eflowers.Igeti
nthewaterand
forsomereasoni
t'
swarm.Howdi dheknowI
wouldbehomeatthisti
me?Per hapsheti
medme.
Letmenotpondermymindtoomuchabouti
t.I
havehadalongdayandabubbl
ebathi
sjustwhatI
need.

Phi
la

Ifi
nall
ygotint
omyhouseaf tertalki
ngtomy
brot
her,Sbusi
so.Hecalledonmywayhomeand
tol
dmet here'
saredbmwf oll
owi ngZeetodayon
herwaybackhome.Lungahassenthi sstupi
d
l
apdogt oaskquesti
onsaboutme.Mypeopl e
i
nformedme.I '
m notreall
ywor r
iedabouthim,but
I'
m surpr
isedaboutthi
sonei di
otwhogoesbyt he
nameRonzat hattr
iedshootingatmewhi leIwas
dri
vinghomeaf ewmi nutesago.

Luckil
ymycari sbul letpr
oof,andIal sogotFrank
toorganisebull
etpr oofwindowsforZeeyest erday
andhadhercar 'strackerdumpedr ightnexttothe
Centuri
onDam.Lungai ssuchani diot.Howcan
youputonet rackerinyourwi f
e'scar ?Anyway,Igot
Franktoorgani
setwotracker
sinZee'scarsot
hatI
am abl
etot r
ackhermovement si
ncaseof
emergency.Idon'
ttr
ustanyonearoundher
anymore.

IjustgotherbackandIam notwi l
li
ngtoloseher
agai n.Sbucheckedt heCCTVontheroadwhi leZee
wasdr i
vinghomeandi tseemsasifLungaalso
sentt hatTonyidi
ottofol
lowZee.I'
l
ldealwit
hhi m
l
at er.RightnowIhavetodealwit
hthisRonza
mot herfuckerwhom Ishovedi
nmyboot .Hehad
bet t
ertellmewhosenthi mtoshootatmebef oreI
ki
llhi m myself
.

Igotintothehouseandl eftRonzaint heboot

.I
wanthimt lbeterr
ifi
edf oral i
tt
lewhi l
esowhile
waiti
ngf orSbutoarrive,Igottomyst udyand
pouredmysel fsomewhi skey.Idecidedtosend
uYayawamiamessage.Event houghshewon't
respondbecauset hatidiotmightbehover i
ngover
her,butI'
m gladshe'ssaf e.
Af
terashortwhi
leIhear
dSbu'
scarpar
kingi
nmy
dr
iveway.

Sbu:(enter
ingt
hehouse)"
Eh,
Mamba.Wozaman.
AnginaubsukubonkeCome,man.Idon'
thaveal
l
ni
ght)."

Phila:(
wal ki
ngtowardstheki
tchen)"
Nawewar asa
kangaka( Di
dyouhavet omakesomuch
noise,t
hough) ?I
t'
snotli
keyou'r
enotsleepi
ngover
tonight.Sharongaveyouapasst oni
ght,mos
(ri
ght)?"

Sbu:(laughing)"Hai,bafo(Hey,br
other
).Nawewa
khulumaasi fngihlal
angikuhousear rest
,yini
(You'r
er al
kingasi fI'
m alwaysonhousear r
est)
."

Phi
la:"
Ushadil
e,baf
o(You'r
emarri
ed,br
other).
Marri
ageequalstohousearr
est
.HousearrestIcant
wai
ttobeundersoon.
"

Sbu:"Hehe.Bonaunj
ani(Lookatyou)
.You'r
eso
whippedandyouhaven'teveneat
enthatpussyyet
.
Haishem.Ziyandamustbesomet hi
ngspecial
."

Phi
la:"
Mxm.Stoptal
kingaboutmywife'
spussy
manandgogetthatfuckerf
rom t
hebootbef
orehe
suf
focates.
"

Sbu:(
laughi
ng)"Ngi
yaxol
isabafo(
Sorr
y,Br
other
).
Bengizi
dlal
elanj
e(Iwasjustpl
ayi
ng)
."

Hewal kedoutandt ookRonzaout .Ronzawashand

ti
edandbl i
ndf ol
ded.Ialsotapedhi smout hsothat
hewoul dn'
tmakeanydi st
urbances.Il i
kedrivi
ngin
peace.Hehadabl ackeyeandi twasst ar
tingto
cl
oseupabi twithabloodymout h.Ipull
edoverand
managedt or oughhim upabi tafterhetri
ed
shooti
ngatme.Thef uckerevendent edmycar
becausehef
ail
edt
ohi
tthebr
eakssoonenoughnxa.

Sbu:(slappi
ngRonzaar oundabit)"Yeswena!
Uzokhul uma(ar
eyougoi ngtot
alk)ormustIshoot
i
toutofyou? "HethrewRonzar oughlyononeoft he
chair
sandt ookouthisgun.Hepoi nteditatRonza's
faceandcockedi t
.Allt
hiswhil
eIjustsatt herewith
mygl assofwhiskeyinmyhandwat chingsilent
ly.

Ronza:(
cryi
ng)"
Pl.
.Please,man.I
'
m sorr
y.Neke
nochunaspanesakafela(Iwasonlydoi
ngmyjob)
.
Ihavenothi
ngagai
nstyou."

Sbu:(
Reel
ingatt
his)"Youhearthatbafo.Kest
uur
boydiedi
ng(Thi
sthingisaservantboy).Whosent
you?"

Ronza:
"No.
.No.
."
Sbu:"
Khulumasdididi(
Talk,youi
diot
)!
"Hesai
dthat
whil
ehitt
inghisheadwiththebackofthegun
causi
nghi mtomoanouti npainasmor et
ear
sfel
l
fr
om hischeeks.

Ronza:"KeNomsa( It
'sNomsa) .NomsaBhengu.
Bona( Look)man.Ihadnoi deayouwer ethePhi l
a
shewast al
kingabout.Iwasor der
edt okil
lyousix
year
sagobecauseyouwer edi st
urbingherplansto
getherdaught ertomarryLungaNqobo.My
assi
stantdidn'tgett
hej obdonebecause
apparentlyyouhadal r
eadygonemi ssi
ngbyt hen,
soIhadt olietoherandt el
lherthatIhadkill
edyou.
Look,it'
snothingpersonal,
man.I t
'sjustbusiness.
"

Sbuwaspacki ngupanddownt ell

ingt
hisguyal l
kindsofshi twhi l
ehit
ti
nghim everynowandt henin
theprocess.SoNomsa, Zee'
smot hersentoneof
heridiot,unprofessi
onalstocomeandki l
lme.They
don'tcallmeMambaf ornothing.Shejustpokeda
snakei nit'
shol eandnowi t'
stocrawloutand
at
tack.

Phil
a:"
Manj
e(So),whydoesshewantmwdeadso
badl
y?Whatisthi
splanshekeepst
alki
ngabout
?"

Ronza:"
Idon'tknowmuch, butsomethingabout
Ziyandabeingofroyalbl
oodorsomet hing.Look,
that'
sallIknow.I
'm sosorr
y.Pleasedon'tki
llme."

Sbu:"Hmm.We' llletyougounderoneconditi
on:
Youhavet ogot oherhouset onightandplantt
his
somewher ewher etheywon'
teasilyfi
nditi
nher
house.Preferablyunderneat
hthet abl
eorcouch.
Youwi l
ltel
lherwhatwedi dtoyoiandwhyshe
shouldstopsendi ngment ocomeandt r
ytokil
lmy
brother
,otherwiseMambaandCobr awil
lcomeout
foranattack.DoImakemysel fclear?
"

Ronzawasnoinsomuchpainandt her
ewasfear
i
nhiseyes.Nomsasentt
hisweakl
ingsnit
chass
bi
tchtocomeandkil
lme?Mxm.Shecouldhave
donebett
er,
act
ual
ly,
sheshoul
d'vedonebet
ter
.

Ronza:
"Ye.
.Yes,
Cryst
alcl
ear
."

Sbu:"
Unf
ort
unately,
Ican'
tletyouwal
koutofher
e
i
nonepeace.IhavetoSendoutamessage."

Het ookthegunandshotRonza' slef

tfoodandl eft
arm.CausingRonzat oscream outi nagony.He
unti
edRonzaandt hrewhim aR100not ef orataxi
.
Hewoul dhavet ohikeatleastt wohour sbef orehe
fi
ndsat axiatt
histime.Hecan' tevencatchan
Uberbecausewet ookoutal lthemoneyf rom wall
et.
Hecouldn'twaittogetoutoft herejudgi
ngbyt he
wayhewasr unningwi t
hthatl imp.Hopef ull
yhe
won'tbl
eedoutbef orereachi nghi sdest
ination.

Phi
la:
"Ah,
naweSbudi
dyoureal
lyhavet
oshoot
hi
mr i
ghther
e?Onmywhit
ecarpet
?You'r
eso
messysomet
imes.
"

Sbu:"
Hademfwet
hu(Sor
ry,mybr
other
).I
'
llgeti
t
cl
eanedupf
oryou.NowIneedadri
nk.
"

Wewalkedt
omyst
udywi
thmeshaki
ngmyhead
behi
ndhim.
Chapt
erFour
teen

Zi
yanda

Ifi
nall
ygotdonewit
hmybat handputonmysi lky,
pi
nkpaj amasanddeci
dedt
oj oi
nLungafordinner.
AllIwasint
erest
edi
natthi
spointwasthefood-
nothi
ngelse.

Lungawassit
ti
ngi
noneoft
hechai
rsandgotup
i
mmediatel
ywhenhesawme.
Lunga:
"Howwast
hebat
h,madame?Comeandt
ake
aseat.
"

Hesignal
ledformewheretosi
tanddi
dn'
teven
bot
herpulli
ngoutt
hechairf
orme.Somuchfor
bei
ngromant i
c.

Itookaseatanrhepouredmeagl assofwi ne.The

conversat
ionwasrat
heruninteresti
ng.Allhedid
wasaskmeaboutmyday, myf r
iendsandf rom
therewejustat
einsil
ence.AllIdidwasj ustthi
nk
ofPhil
aandt hewayhemademef eel.WhenI '
m
withhim wehavesomucht ot al
kabout .There'
s
neveradullmoment.WithLungaont heotherhand,
everyt
hingseemsli
keit'
sforced.

Weateunti
lwewer edonewi
thdesser
t.I
twasa
r
eal
lygoodmealandIt hi
nkMam'Masangoshoul
d
t
akeallt
hecredi
t.
Hetriedmakingconversat
iononceagain,butmy
mindj ustwentbl
ank.Idon'
treal
lyhaveanythi
ngi
n
commonwi thLungaandsadly,i
ttooksi
xyearsto
real
izethat.

Me:"
Thatwasaver
ylovel
ymeal
,Lunga.Thank
you.
"

Lunga:"
I'
m gl
adyouli
kedit
.Letmeputt
hedishesi
n
thedi
shwasherandyouandIcantaket
hispart
yto
thebedroom,whatdoyousay?"

Hesaidt hatl
ikehewouldmakei
twort
hmywhil
e,
rubbi
ngmyhand.Iqui cklyr
emovedmyhandf
rom
underneathhisandgotup.

Me:"
It
'sbeenalongday,LungaandI'
mt i
red.
Besi
des,I
'm onmyperiod.Per
hapsnextt
ime.Let
megot obed.Wewillt
alktomorr
ow."
Il
efthi
m st
andingrightt
hereandthen.Per
haps
Gogowasright
.Itisti
mef ormetochoosemeand
whatIwantandrightnowIknowt hatIwon'
twant
Lunga.

Igottothebedroom andr eceivedamessagef rom

mymot her."
Weneedt otalk,Ziyanda.Whydon't
youevencallorvisi
tanymor e?Cal lmeassoonas
yougetthismessage.Mom"Whatwast hatal
l
about?Ideci
dednott oreplynorcal lherandprayed
i
nstead.Igoti
ntobedandf ellasleepminutesl
ater.

Lunga

Afterdi
nner,Isawherwalki
ngbacktothebedroom.
Imeansi ncewhendoesZeesaynot osleepi
ngwi t
h
me?AndIbetshe' snotevenonherperi
od.Sheis
l
yingwhichconf i
rmsit
:She'
sfucki
ngthatasshole.
Itri
edmaki ngconver sati
onbutshewasj ustoffand
seemedsouni nterestedineverythi
ngIsai d.WasI
reall
ysuchahor ri
blehusbandt hroughoutour
mar ri
age?What 'swor seisthatIcan'teventrackher
wher eaboutsanymor esincehercart rackerwas
foundnextt othwCent ur
ionDam.Imusthave
under est
imatedPhi l
aZwane.Goodt hi ngIgotTony
foll
owi ngher.She'
st oonaivet onoti
ceanyway.I
gottacalluMat omor row.Thisisgettingoutofhand.
Philaneedst odieasi nyesterday.

NomsaBhengu

Iwasj
ustaboutdonemaki
ngdi
nnerwhenIhear
d
l
oudbangi
ngonmydoor .

Nomsa:"
Ubanimanebusukukangaka(
Whoi
sitat
t
hist
imeofni
ght)
?!"

Igott
heshockofmyl
if
easIopenedt
hedoor
Ronzaf
ellr
ightonmyki
tchenf
loor
.Ther
e'sso
muchbloodandheseemstohavebeenshot.

Nomsa:"
Yini(
Whatisi
t)?
!Whathappenedt
oyou
wena?
!Whodi dt
his?"

Ipi
ckedhi
m upanddr
aggedhi
m ont
oachai
r.

Ronza:
"Wat
er.Ineedwat
er.
"

Helookedsoweak.Mybiggestf
earwashim
droppi
ngdeadonmyf l
oor.Howam Igoi
ngto
explai
nthi
stoKhaya?Hecouldwalki
nanyminut
e
now.

Ronza:
"He.
.Theyt
oldmet
ogi
veyouamessage.
"

Nomsa:
"Who?
"
Ronza:
"Cobr
ale(
and)Mamba.
"

Isuddenlyf
eltl
ikemychestwasabouttoclosei
n
andIfeltasuddenheatwavegoi
ngthroughmy
body.

Nomsa:"
Kanj
ani(how)?Thosetwowerethemost
f
eareddrugl
ordsinSouthAfr
ica.Wor
disthey
r
eti
redmos?"

Ronza:"
Phi.
.Phi
lai
sMamba.Hi sbrot
herisCobra.
Theytol
dmet otel
lyoutostophar
assingthem or
el
sethey'r
ecomingforyou.
"

Rightthenandt her
ehepassedoutandt hegl
assof
waterf el
lfr
om hi shand.Fuck.Thi
sismessy.I
decidet ocalloneofmyboyst ogetRonzasome
medi calatt
ention.Ineedtosortoutthi
smess.Phil
a
can'tbeMamba.Ther e'
snoway.Ihavet olet
Zi
yandaknowshe'sdeali
ngwit
haruthl
ess
motherf
ucker
.Maybethenshewil
lst
openter
tai
ning
hi
m.Idecidetosendheramessageandcl
eanup
al
lthi
sbloodbefor
emyhusbandcomesbackf r
om
work.

Zi
yanda

It'
sThursdaymorningandLungai sn'tonhissideof
thebed.Idon'
tevenheart hewaterrunninginthe
bathroom whi
chisagoodsi gn.I
'm notinthemood
foranyawkwar dsil
ence.Igotr
eadyanddi dmy
mor ni
ngrouti
ne.I'
m sett
li
ngforajumpsui ttoday.

It'
sbri
ghtbl
uewithal acetopandabowt i
edonmy
waistsi
de.It
'sabittightprobablybecauseofmy
bigthi
ghsandbums.I '
m asi ze38,alotofpeople
comparemet oAshleyGr aham.We' remor eorless
thesamesize,I
'm sl
ightlybigger.I
'
ml ightin
complexi
on;soli
ghtt hatIturnredwhenI 'm angr
y
orsad.Idon'
tknowwhyInevernot i
cedr he
di
ff
erencesbet
weenThandoandI.She'
ssli
ght
ly
dar
kerandsoaremyparent
s.I'
mt heonl
yli
ghtone
amongstthem.

Thisout f
itf
ortodaywi llmostdefinitelymakeme
evenbr i
ghter.Iset t
leforar edcourtt oehealanda
redfeatherclutchbag.Por schesaysIover doitwith
theredatt i
mes, butIcan'thelpi
t.It'
smyf avourit
e
colour.Ihaveni cethinglonghai r
,butIcuti tshor
ta
fewmont hsago.Nat ur
ally,myhairiscur l
ysoI
don'tdomucht oi totherthanstraight eni
tmostof
thetime,buttodayI mleavingitcur l
y.
If
ini
shmyl
ookof
fwi
thr
edmat
tel
ipst
ick.

Imademywaytothedi
ningar
eaandMam'
Masangomadebr
eakf
astasal
ways.

Me:"
SawubonaMa.Unj
ani(
Goodmor
ning,
ma.How
ar
eyou)?
"
Mam' Masango:(
smili
ngbr oadl
y)"
Yebo
MntwanamiGoodmor ning,mychil
d).Awusemuhle
baki
thi(
Youlookbeauti
ful)
.Areyoutryi
ngtosweep
Phil
aoffhi
sfeetorwhat?"

Me:(
blushi
ng)"
No,
ma.Ij
ustf
eltl
ikewear
ingt
his.
I
sitt
oomuch? "

Mam' Masango:"
No, no,no.Don'
teventhi
nkof
changing.Todaytheywi l
lal
lseewhatabeautif
ul
Afr
icanwomanl ooksl i
ke.You'
rereal
lybeaut
if
ul.
"

Me:"Thankyou,ma.Bef
oreIforgett
hegir
lsare
comingfordinnert
oni
ght.Apparent
lyBel
inda
i
nsisted.
"

Isawherf
acechangesuddenly.Shehadadeep
fr
ownonherfaceandstoppedeating.
Mam'Masango:"
Hai,Isometimesaskmyselfwhat
youseeinafr
iendl
ikeBelinda,mychi
ld.Justbe
car
eful
.She'
snottobet r
usted.
"

Me:(puzzled)"
Whatdoyoumeanma?Ar
eyou
t
ryi
ngt otellmesomet
hing?
"

Mam' Masango:"No,Ziyanda.Justt hatyoushoul

d
beverycar ef
ulofher
.Shehol dst hebiggestsecr
et
thatwil
lendyourmar r
iage.Althought heendof
yourmar r
iageisnearandinevitable,shewil
lbethe
causeofit."

Wow.Somuchhashappenedi naweekandnow
shetel
lsmethi
s?What'
shappeni
ng?Wit
hthatsai
d
shegotupandstar
tedcl
eani
ngup.

Mam'Masango:"
Youhadbet
terl
eavebef
oret
raf
fi
c
cat
chesyou,mybaby.Andr
emember,pl
easebe
car
efulonyourwayt
oworktoday.
"
Shegavemeaf aintsmi l
eandl ef
tdort hekitchen.
Hai,Idon'
tknowhowt ofeel aboutthis.AsIwas
abouttoleavet hehousemyphonebeepswi than
smscomi ngt hroughf rom Phila."Goodmor ning,
Sthandwasami .Can'twaittoseeyou.Remember ,i
f
youseeanyt hingunusual ,callmei mmedi ately-P."
Somuchf ormor ningtexts.Allthisisfreaki
ngme
out.SuddenlyI'm nervousashel l
.Igeti nmycar
anddr i
veoff,butIcan'thelpbutcheckmyr ear-vi
ew
mirrorasifIowepeopl emoneyandt hey'r
eoutt o
getme.

Afterabout15mi nutesofdr i
ving, Ihaven'
tseen
anythingunusual .Itakeadeepsi ghandputon
somemusi c.Istopatar obot, butf unnyenoughon
myl eftIseear edbmw.I tl
ooksl ikesamebmwt hat
wasf oll
owi ngmeyest erday.What 'sevenfreakieris
thatthewi ndowsar ealldark,Ican' tseeanythingin
thecarbutIbett hepersondr ivi
ngcanseeme.I
decidetot estyt heoryandseei fhe'sreall
y
foll
owingme.Ihi ttheacceleratorandspeedof f,as
Ichangelanessodoeshe.I'
m agooddr i
verthanks
tothoseadvancedri
vingl
essonsItookbackin
varsit
y.So,thi
sconfi
rmsthatIam i
ndeedbeing
fol
lowed.Itrynott
opanicbutfeari
slurki
ng.I
decidetodi
alPhil
a'
snumber .

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
."

Me:"Nkosenye,he'
sfol
lowi
ngme.
"Isaidthatin
suchashakyvoi cewit
hmyeyesontheroad,all
thankstobluet
ooth.

Phil
a:"Don'tworry,
Sthandwasami(Mylove)Sbuis
onhi stai
l.Youjustfocusonther
oadanddon't
panic.Iwillseeyousoon.I'
m wai
ti
ngforyouinthe
basementpar ki
ng.
"

Me:
"Okay.
"
Phi
la:
"Il
oveyou.
"

Me:"Il
oveyoutoo.
"Ihungupanddeci detoputal
l
t
hingsinGod'shands.Aft
erafewmi nutesImakea
t
urnandar r
iveatt
hegateandIseether edbmw
t
akingadiff
erentt
urn,wi
thablueMercedes
f
oll
owinghim.IguessthatmustbeSbu.

IgreetNt at
ePhi r
iashesbackondut ytoday.He
l
etsmei n,not imeforchitchattoday.Igettomy
parkingspacei nthebasementandi ndeedPhi l
a
wasr ighttherewai t
ingforme.Hegotoutofhi scar
asIwaspar king.Igotoutandwentt ohughi m wi
th
tearsinmyeyes.Iwasl i
teral
lyshaking.Iguessit
mustbeanaf tershock.Whocoul dbef oll
owingme?
I'
mj ustanor dinarygir
l,l
ivi
nganor dinaryli
fe.

Phil
a:(br
ushi
ngmyback)" Shhh,I
t'
sokay,
Sthandwasami(Mylove).You'
resaf
enow.And
you'r
eshaki
ng.Youcan'tbeseenli
kethi
s.Bona
ubusobakho(Lookyourface)i
ssored,youl
ook
l
ikeat
omat
o."

Il
aughedwhi
let
ryi
ngt
owi
pemyt
ear
sof
fmyf
ace.

Me:
"Phi
la,
you'
renotf
unny,
youknow.
"

Phil
a:"
Tellyouwhat,l
et'
sheadt
omypl ace.Wecan
comebackaf teranhourort
wo.I'
l
lexpl
ain
ever
ythingtoPorsche.
"

Me:"No,
Phil
a.Whatwi
llpeopl
esaywhentheysee
ustoget
her
?Andwhati ft
hatguycomesbackand
fol
lowsus?
"

Phil
a:(
chuckli
ng)"
Relax,Sthandwasami(Mylove).
Noonewillseeustogetherandevenift
heydo,they
knowbett
erthantoquestiontheboss.
"
WegotinhiscarandItr
iedsomucht ohidemy
f
ace.Luckil
yPhi
la'
swindowsaretint
edaswelland
Ntat
ePhiriwasalr
eadyfarf
rom t
heinter
com.

Phi l
ajustputhi
sf i
ngerpri
ntontheaccessmachi ne
andwewer eoff.If
eltabituneasyandIkept
l
ooki ngoutthewindow, butPhil
akeptbrushingmy
thighasasi gnofreassurance.Hisf
ingerskept
movi ngupanddownonmyt hi
ghsendingforeign
signalstomybody.Mybodywasonceagai n
betrayingme,butinani ceway.
Chapt
erFi
ft
een

Wedi dn'
tdri
veverylong, aboutf
if
teenortwenty
mi nutesandweent eredBl ueVall
eyGolfEst
ate.
Wow.ImeanIl iveinani ceestat
einEquestri
a,but
thisisquitePosh.Philareall
ydidwellf
orhimself
.
Hemusthaveseenmyj awdr oppedwhenhe
startedtal
king.
Phil
a:"
Sthandwasami(Mylove)cl
oseyourmout
h,
fl
iesmightjustf
lyi
ntoi
t.
"

Ihi
thi
m pl
ayf
ull
y.

Me:"
Ican'thel
pit
,Phil
a.Thesehousesar
eamazi
ng.
Theviewhereisoutofthi
sworld.Thi
swhol
epl
ace
j
ustscreamspeace,youknow."

Phi
la:
"Doyoul
ikei
ther
e?"

Me:
"Il
ovei
t!
"

Phi
la:
"Goodbecausesoonyou'
l
lbel
ivi
ngher
e."

Aft
erashortdr
ivepassingamazingmansi ons,
we
par
kedri
ghtinfrontofthisonewhichIassumedis
hi
s.Oh,t
hisismagical.It
'sareal
lybeaut
if
ul,
moder nhouse, withanopenf l
oorplanand
expansivewi ndowst hatallowl i
ghtinthehouse.
Thegl assbal coniesjustdoi tf
orme.Nott o
ment i
ont hepoolar ea.I'
mi nawe.Whatshocked
mei sthatt hereareaf ewbi g,buff
edmeni nsuit
s
walkingar oundhi syar d.Aboutsi xofthem.What
doesPhi l
ar eal
lydof oral i
ving?Ihavet oaskhim
beforeweheadbackt owor k.

Me:
"Wow,Phi
la.Thi
sisamazi
ng.You'
vedonewel
l
f
oryour
sel
f.
"

Phil
a:"
Letmecor
rectyout
here,
I'
vedonewel
lforus,
babywami,f
orus.Comeletmeshowyoutoyour
soontobehome."

Me:"Bytheway,whatar
eallt
hesemendoing
aroundyourhouse?Don'
ttel
lmethesear
eyour
bodyguards.
"
Phil
a:(Chuckl
ing)"
Yes,
Sweet
hear
t.Theyar
emy
bodyguards.
"

Me:"
Whatonear
thdoyoudof
oral
ivi
ngbesi
dest
he
company?
"

Phi
la:
"I
'l
ltel
lyoulat
er,St
handwasami.Letmet
ake
youonat ourofyoursoontobenewhome."

Wewal kedhandinhandi ntothehouse.The

majest i
cbeautyinthis.Ireall
yneedt henameofthe
archit
ectnottoment iont heinteri
ordesi
gnerwho
designedt hi
splace.Theki t
cheni ssobigwithr
ed
andbl ackcupboards.I tevenhast woovensand
enoughspacet ocookupast orm.

There'
sevenasmallwi
necabi
neti
nher
efi
ll
edwi
th
di
ff
erentki
ndsofwi
ne.
Theoneloungeissonsophi
sticat
edwit
habeaut
if
ul
fl
oorandlovel
yredcouches,notfor
get
ti
ngt
he
whit
efeat
hercarpet
s.Theot herloungeseems
moreli
keaboy'sroom becauseithasaplayst
ati
on
andgameareaandi tl
eadstothepoolarea.

Iguessitishismancavewhenhe' swithhisfriends.
Seeingthishouseandcompar i
ngi tt
oLunga' syou
canactuallytel
ltheagedi ff
erence.Lungai sei ght
yearsolderthanmemaki nghi m 33,andPhi l
ais
onlyfi
veyear solder,t
urni
ng30i nDecemberon
Christ
masDay.Yes, Lungai snotmuchol derthan
Phil
a,butt hedi
fferenceissoobvi ouslookingat
thei
rsenseofst yle,fr
om thewayt heydr esstot he
housest heyown, evenwhatt heydr i
nk.

Al lIseeinhereisawi der angeofexpensivewines

and50yearol dwhiskeys.TheI t
ali
anshavesome
realtasteinwineandf ood, muchli
kePhi l
a.Inever
forgothisbirt
hday.Don'tgetmewr ongIlovemy
house, butiti
sn'
tmyst yle.Lunganeverbot her
edto
askmewhatki ndofhouseIwoul dlike,
Ijustmoved
i
nwi t
hhi m assoonaswegotmar r
ied.
Iguesshe'sthetypical
,tr
adit
ionalZul
uman.There
Igoagain,comparingthetwo.Ineedt oaskDr.
Steinaboutwhat'
shappeni ngtomeandwhyIkeep
doingthisl
aterontoday.Ithassomanyr oomsI
don'tt
hinkI'
l
lbeabl etoseeallofthem i
nthese
heels.

Me:
"Phi
la,
yourhousei
stoobi
gforme.
"

Phi
la:
"Hao,kanjaniSt
handwasami(
Howso,my
l
ove)?Itwon'
tfeeltoobi
goncewehaveourown
ki
dsrunningaroundhere.
"

Heari
nghi m saythatdampenedmymoodal it
tl
ebit
.
Thechi l
drentopi
calwaysmakesmesad.Ihaven' t
beenfalli
ngpregnantforfiveyearsnow.Al otof
peoplesayit'
sGod'swi l
l,butperhapstheyjustsay
thi
ngsl i
kethattoeaseaper son'
spai n.I
'm
guessingPhilasawmyf acechangingandhe
st
oppedt
olookatme.

Phil
a:(
cuppi
ngmyface)"
Sthandwasami(mylove)
.
Lookatme.What
'swrong?DidIsaysomethi
ng
wrong?"

Ireal
lydi
dn'
twanttodampent hemoodbyt al
king
aboutmydepressi
ngstateofmind.Iwi
llhave
enoughti
metodot hatl
ateronduri
ngmyt her
apy
sessi
onwithDr.St
ein.

Me:" I
t'
snothi
ng.Let
'sgocheckoutthegarage.
You'vealwaysbeenasport
scarfanati
c.Iwouldn'
t
besur pr
isedi
fyouhaveastashofcarshiddenin
ther
e."

Hegavemeani nquisi
ti
velookanddecidednotto
askaboutit
.Hetookmyhandi nhisandwewal ked
towardst
hegarage.There'
sadoorr i
ghtnextt
othe
kit
chenwhichr
equiresapassword,butthi
sone
seemsbiometr
ical
lyencr
yptedsi
nceheopenedt
he
doorusi
nghishand.Hmm, peopl
ehavemoneyout
here.

Phi
la:"
Thi
sismysmal
lcol
lect
ion,
SthandwaSami
(Mylove)
."

Small?Real l
y?Suchanunder statement.Hisshort
i
ntroductiontohismobi l
ecoll
ectiondoesn'tr
eall
y
doitmuchj ust
ice,
butthat'
sPhila,alwayshasbeen
modest .Iseeapowderbl ueBMW 2Ser iesGran
Coupe,aBl ackMer cedesBenzGLE300SUV, aRed
Ferarr
i812GTS, aredLambhor giniCentar
io,
a
BlackAudiQ8andar edGolf7R.

Alli
nal lI'
m counting8carsincludi
nghisG63.Wow.
Suddenl yLunga'spocketseemssmal lcomparedt
o
Lunga's.Hehasf ourcarsparkedinourgar
age,
i
ncludingmyRangeRoverEvoquewi t
honlyoneis
aMer cedescoupeandt herestareVWs.What
surpr
isesmei sthatallt
hespor t
scarsarer
ed,my
f
avouri
tecolour.Nowyoucanimaginehowhuge
t
hishouseis,seemsli
ket
hebiggestI'
veseen.

Me:
"Nkosenye,
thesear
ewayt oomanycarsf
ora
mannjena.Andwhyareal
lthespor
tscar
sinher
e
r
ed?"

Phila:(
laughi
ng)"I
sthatatrickquest
ion,
Sthandwa
sami( mylove)?Theyremindmeofyou.Ibought
them withyouinmind.EveryoneknowsRedi syour
favouri
tecolour
."

Wow.Hear i
nghim sayt hatbroughttear
stomy
eyes.HowRomant ic.EveryoneexceptLunga
knowsmyf avouri
tecolour.He'sneverbother
edt
o
noti
ce.Oh,ther
eitisagain,thenastyhabitof
comparisonbetweenmycur renthusbandandmy
soontobehusband, hopefully.

Phi
la:
"Ungakhal
i(Don'
tcr
y),
Zee.Uyazi
(Youknow)
i
tpai
nsmet
oseeyoucr
y."

Me:"
I'
m notcryi
ng,I
'
mjustindi
sbeli
efthatyoustil
l
remembersuchthi
ngsaboutme.Icannotbelieve
yousti
lll
ovemeevwnafteral
ltheseyears;af
teral
l
I'
vebeenthr
ough."

Phila:(Pul
li
ngmecl osertohim whi l
eholdi
ngmy
hands)" It
oldyou,Yaya,I
'mi tforthelonghaul
.I
promi sedyouyearsagot hatyouwoul dbemywi f
e
andI '
ddoever yt
hingforyousoyouandour
childrenwouldn'
thavetosuf fer.AndIdidit
,al
lthi
s
i
sj ustforyou."

I
'
mt ouched.Phil
aisthetr
uedef
ini
ti
onofl
ove,
a
l
ovethatneverexpi
res.

Phi
la:
"So,
doyoul
ikei
t?Doyoul
iket
hehouse?
"
Thelookinhiseyes,
showedhowpr oudheisofhi
s
accompli
shmentsandf orsomereasoni
tseemsas
i
fhe'ssearchi
ngforapprovali
nmine.

Me:"Areyouki
ddi
ngme?Iabsolutel
yloveit
.Allt
he
col
ourschemes.Thered,
whit
eandbl ack,
theyjust
doitforme.Thi
sist
heexacthouseIwouldwantt o
l
ivein."

Hesmi l
edbroadl
yandkissedmycheek.Hewasso
exci
tedandgladli
keafouryearol
dboywho'
sjust
beengivenalol
li
pop.

Phil
a:"
Iknewyouwoul dl
oveit
.Come,l
et'
sgot
othe
bedroom, Ineedtochangeandsodoyouandmake
ussomet hingtoeat.
"

Me:"
Hao, howam Igoingt
ochange?Idi
dn'tbr
ing
anyclot
hes.Andbesides,
wer
en'twesupposedto
gobacktowork?"
Phi
la:"
Ican'tl
etyougobacktoworkri
ghtnowunti
l
wefindoutwho'sthi
sguythat'
sbeenfol
lowi
ngyou.
Come, l
et'
schangefi
rstandwe'
llt
alksomemore.
"

Wewalkedupst
air
sandofcoursether
eareso
manydoorsuphere.Wewal
kesintooneofthe
bedr
oomsofwhichIassumeisthemaster
bedr
oom.

Phi
la:"
Welcome,
tot
heLoveDen,
Sthandwasami
(Mylove)
."

Ilaughed.Loveden?Really?Ifel
tati
ntofjealousy
thinkingperhapshe'
sbroughtsomewomenher ei
n
his"loveden"butIdeci
denott oent
ertaini
t.This
bedr oom i
shuge,withanen-suit
ebathroom t
hat's
todief or
.Itevenhasawal k-
incl
oset
.I'veal
ways
want edone.
Phi
la:
"Woul
dyoul
iket
otakeat
ouroft
becl
oset
?"

Idecidet oImeant hi
sisever
ygirl
'sdream,right?I
walkedi nandsawawhol esi
defil
ledwithsuits,
j
eans, sometshi rtsandothercl
othesandIassume
i
tshis.Al lhi
scl othesarepackedinsections:jeans
wit
hj eans, t
-shi
r t
ssepar at
efrom workshirt
s.I'm
notsur pr
ised,though.Phi l
ahasalwaysbeenver y
neat,evenneat ert hanme.He'sabi tOCDifyouask
me.

Whatsur pri
sedmei stheot hersi
deofthecloset .It
hadwomen' scl ot
hesandl otsofshoes.Lotsof
dresses,evenonesi defullofsneakersandt akkies,
hoodiesandj eansandshi rts.Oddly,
mostoft he
i
temsandshoesar ered!Oh, wait
!CouldPhilahave
boughtmeal ltheseclothes?Noways, hesur ely
can'tbethatper si
stentlyromant i
c.Allt
hesei t
ems
havet agson, whichconf i
rmsmysuspi cion.

Phi
laont
heot
herhandhadhi
sbackonmeand
completelychangedhiswor koutfi
t.Hesett
ledfora
si
mpl eJean,andwhi t
eT-shirtwithapai
rof
sneakers.Ihaven'
tseenhimi ncasualclot
hesever
si
ncehecamebacki ntomyl i
fe.Thismanlookslike
arealGod.Onceagai n,seeinghim sohandsome
sentelectr
if
yingsi
gnalsthroughmybody.I
deci
dedt ocomebackt oear th.

Phi
la:
"Ar
en'
tyouchangi
ng?
"

Me:"
Areyour
eal
lyt
ell
ingmet
hatal
lthesecl
othes
ar
emi ne?
"

Phil
a:"Yes,Sthandwasami(Myl ove)
.Itoldyou,thi
s
i
sOURhousenow.IhopeIdi dn'toverdoitwit
hthe
redclothes."Hesmiledatme.Ther eitisagain,
thatcute,di
mpl esmil
eofhi
sr eveali
nghisperfect
teet
h.

Me:
"Il
ovet
hecl
othes,
Phi
la.Thankyou.
"
Phila:
"Letmel eavet
ochange.Ij
usthavetomakea
quickcall.Getcomfort
abl
e,youcanputthat
j
umpsui tbackonl at
erwhenweheadoutt oseeDr
.
Stein.
"

Hewi nkedatmeandl ef
ttothebedroom.It ookoff
mywedgesandj umpsui tandsett
ledforapairof
l
eggingsandaT- shirtwithsl
ipper
s.Hesaidget
comfortable.We'
regoingt obespendi
ngaf ew
hoursher esoIdon'
tneedt odressup.I'
m stil
lso
shockedast ohowt hisguygetsmysi zeri
ghtt ot
he
T.Iwal kedoutOftheclosetandsawhi m ont he
phone.

Phi
la:
"Shosho,
Mf o.Takehi
mt othewarehouseand
makesurehesings.Keephi
mt hereforafewdays
andmakesurehesf edbutt
iedup."

Hehungandt
urnedar
oundcaughtmest
andi
ng
t
herestar
ingathi
m.Hedi dn'
tseem shockedor
worr
iedatall
.What'
sal
lthist
alkofwarehousesand
t
yingpeopleup?

Phi
la:
"Hey,
Sthandwasami.Come,
let
sgosoIcan
makeussomet hi
ngtoeat
."

Hegavemeawi desmi
le.Ideci
dedIwoul
daskl
ater
aboutal
lthi
sst
uff
.

Me:
"Okay.Whowast
hatovert
hephone?
"

Phi
la:
"Oh,
thatwasSbu.
"

SbuisPhil
a'
stwinbrother
.Theyar
euni
dent
ical
,
though,
butequal
lyhandsome.

Me:
"Sbuasi
nyourt
win,
Sbu?
"
Phi
la:(
laughi
ng)"
Yes,
Yaya,
theSbuda.
"

Me:"
Wo.Ihaven'tseenhi
minfor
ever
.Howi
she
doi
ng?I
shest i
llafuckboy?
"

Phil
a:"
He'sgood.He'sbeenbasedi
nCapeTown
henceyouhaven'tseenhiminawhil
e.Aft
erIwent
i
ntohidingheprett
ymuchhadt odothesame.He'
s
marri
ednow. "

Me:
"Noways.Sbu?Mar
ri
ed?Towhom?
"

Phi
la:(l
aughinghar
d)"Hao,he'
salsohuman,
Sweetheart
.Hemar r
iedSharonfr
om hi
ghschool
."

Iwassoshocked.Thehel
l?
!Shar
onVilakazi
?The
bull
ywhousedtotormentmeunt
ilPor
sche
knockedoutt
woofherteet
handsetherhaironf
ir
e
oncei
nGr
adeel
even.

Me:"
Thatgi
rlusedtobul
lyt
heshitoutofme.How
di
dheendupwi t
hameangirll
ikeher
?"

Phil
a:"
Ah,matt
ersofthehear t
,Sthandwasami.
She'st
reat
ingSbuwel l
,though.Theyevenhavefi
ve
yearoldt
wingir
lsnow.You' l
lgetachancetoknow
thenewher.You'
llsee.
"

MeandShar onbei ngbesti

es?Noway.Anyway, we
headedt othekitchenandhet ookoutt wowine
glassesandpour edussomeChar donnaywhichhe
tookoutfrom thef ri
dge.I
'
m notr eal
lybigonwines,
butthisonet ast
esasdi vi
neasi tsmel l
s.Mustbe
anI t
ali
anthing.Iknow, whodrinkswi neat10am i
n
themor ni
ng?Don' tj
udge.

Het
oldmet osi
tdownandr
elaxasheswit
chedon
t
hestoveandmadeusaqui
ckmeal.Heremembers
myobsessionwithPast
aandmadeussomePast a
Al
fr
edo.Seeinghiminanaprongavemenast y
t
houghts.Iwasneveronetofant
asi
ze, butIdo
wat
chpor nonceinawhileandthestuffIhaveseen
t
here.I
'
m surpri
sedpeopl
edosucht hings.

Iofferedtosett
hetabl
esincehedidn'twantme
doinganythingel
seotherthanwat
chhi m.We
fi
nallysattoeat
,Isai
dal i
ttl
epr
ayerforusandwe
dugi n.

Me:
"So,
ar eyougoingt
otellmewhati
tisyour
eal
ly
dof
oralivingori
sitmeanttobeasecr
et?"

Het
ookadeepsi
gh.

Phil
a:"Sthandwasami(Mylove).Myi nt
enti
onisto
neverlietoyouorkeepsecret
sf r
om you.Iknow
thateveni fIwer
epooryouwoul dsti
lll
oveme
regardless.Ij
usthopet
hatwhatI '
m abouttot
ell
youdoesn'
tchanget
hewayyouf
eelaboutme.
"

Ifel
tmyheartsinkt
ot hepitofmyst omach.Idon't
knowifIam pr
eparedt ohearwhathe' saboutto
say.Whati
fhe'sakil
lerorsomet hing?Imeant hese
ri
chesdocomeatapr i
cesur el
y.But,wil
lwhatever
hetell
smechangewhatIf eelabouthim?
Chapt
erSi
xteen

Isatonmychai
rfrozen,
star
ingatPhi
lawi
thahuge
l
umpi nmythr
oat.

Phil
a:"WhenIleftSouthAfri
ca, Ihadnot imetosay
goodbyetoSbuormymot her.AsyouknowI
couldn'
tevensaygoodbyet oyou.Gogoor ganised
everyt
hingforme, aonewaypl anetickettoIt
aly.
Luckil
yIhadf i
nishedmyEngi neeri
ngdegr eeandI
wasaboutt ograduate.Igottodomyhonour s,and
Gogohador ganisedforPierroRicciandt otakeme
underhiswingandl ookafterme. "
Thatname.Itr
ingsavivi
dbell
.I'
veheardit
somewhere.Ij
ustcantcan'
tputmyfingeroni
t.

Phil
a:"
Pierr
oi sFrancesca'shusband,theonewho
onestheNi ccibouti
quei nSandton.Heisalsothe
bigbossoft heSicil
ianMaf i
ainItal
y.Gogosoldhi m
yourgrandfather'
sbusinessaf t
erhedied,sointurn
Pier
robecamet hebiggestdruglordinSouthAfrica.
Hecont r
olsallthesebigshotwannabeesi nSouth
Afri
ca,i
ncludingyour" f
ather"andLunga'sfat
her.
Theyallwor kforhim,buthavenevermethi m."

Iknewi t.Ir
ememberseeingadocument aryabout
thi
sPi erromanont vabouthisbusinessesand
drugs.Hesai dt
heywer ejustassumptionsbecause
he'saver yri
chgiyandmostI tal
ianscan:tst
and
him beingtheri
chestmani nItal
y.

Wai
t,somygr
andpasol
ddr
ugs?MydadandLuga'
s
fat
heraredrugl ords?What shappeninghere?Does
thi
smakePhi l
aadr ugl ordt
oo?Andwher edoes
Gogofitint
oal lt
his.Allthi
sismaki ngmesodi zzy
andmaki ngmel osemyappet i
te.Iwasjustinso
muchdi sbel
iefthatIjustkeptquietandst
aredat
him wi
thmyeyeswi deopen.

Phil
a:"Yourmot herandLunga'smothermetatone
ofthepar t
ies.See, t
heyhaveallt
hesebusinesses
buttheyareadi sguiseforadr
ugempi r
eownedby
Pier
o.Pi errotookmeunderhi swingandt aughtme
everythi
ngIknow.Iwor kedforhi
mf oryearsunti
lI
decidedtor et
irelastyear.
"

Me:"
Sowait
,youmeant
otel
lmeyou'
resomeki
nd
ofdr
ugl
ord?"

Phi
lal
etoutasl
ightl
augh.

Phi
la:
"No,
Sthandwasami
(myl
ove)
.I'
m al
egi
t
businessman.Yes, Ir
anPierro'
soperationwhenI
wasi nItalyandIdohaveaf ewconnect i
onst i
edto
him, butthat'
sit.Allmybusinessesar epureand
l
egi t
.Sbuj ustrunsmyf i
nancesaswel lasPi err
o's
account s.Hemakessur ethatPierr
o'smoneyi s
cleanandl egit
.IswearIam notdeal ingindr ugs.
Everywannabedr uglordinthiscountryknowsme
asTheBl ackMambaandSbuasTheCobr a.Wear e
feared,Sweethear t
.Weonl yharmt hosewhohar m
usort hosewel ove.I'
m notagangster,alt
houghI
dohaveganst ertendencies.
"

I'
veneverbeensoshocked.Honest
ly,
not
hingcan
shockmenow.I '
veheardital
l.

Me:"
Whydot
heycal
lyouguysbysnakenames?
"

Phil
alaughed.Ithinkhewasi nt
riguedbythefact
thatIwasn'tshowinganysignsoff eart
owardshim.
Iwasr athercur
iousaboutallt
his.Thisi
sthekind
ofstuffyouseeinmovies.
Phila:"
Theycal lusthatbecausewehadt ocreatean
ali
assot hatpeopledon'trecogni
zeusf orsafety
reasons.Mostpeopl einthedrugwor l
dar e
danger ous,evenMi nist
ersandPresidentsareon
Pierro'
spayr oll
.I'
mt heMambabecauset heMamba
canki llyouslowly.I
t'saverydangeroussnake.Sbu
i
st heCobr a,becauseheat t
ackswithoutwarning.
Youknowwhatahot headSbui s,buthe'smoreof
thepr ofessi
onalwheni tcomest okill
ing.
"

Heari
nghim saykil
li
ng.Sot
heydoki
llpeopl
e.My
eyesgrewwider.

Me:
"So.
..Doyou.
..Doyouki
llpeopl
e?"

Phil
a:"Notr
eall
y,St
handwasami .Idon'
tki
llpeopl
e
forfun.Iki
llwhenIhaveto.Thisisadangerous
businessandyoucannotent eri
torleavei
twi t
hout
kil
li
ng.Butyouhavenot hi
ngt owor r
yabout.Idon'
t
ki
llpeopl
eformut
hil
ikeyourhusband.
"

Isatt
her
ewi t
hanast
onishedlookonmyf
ace.I
t
al
mostrenderr
edmespeechless.

Me:
"Ushokanj
ani(
Whatdoyoumean)
?"

Phila:(
sigh)"
Zee,Ididn'
twantt otel
lyout
his,but
yourhusbandi sadrugdealer,samwashi sfather
.
Yourmot heri
nl awisaverywi ckedwoman, which
I'
m sureyouknowver ywel
l.Icanonlyimaginethe
shitshe'
sputyout hrough,
Sthandwasami( My
l
ove) .
"

Isuddenlyhadaf l
ashbackofZodwahi t
ti
ngmeso
hardwithabeltsayingI'
m ausel
ess,barr
enwoman.
Ihavenevertoldanyonethatandseei
ngt hatPhi
la
haskil
ledbefore,
hemi ghtj
ustkil
lher
.She'snever
l
ikedme, butIdon'
twishdeathuponher.
Me:
"Thi
sisalottot
akein.Sowhenwast
hel
ast
t
imeyoukil
ledsomeone?"

Phil
a:"
Notsol ongago.(Lookingdown)Theguywas
sentouttokillmebymyenemi esandIj usthadto
ki
llhi
m Zee.Hecameatmybr otherandI ,
worstpart
hehadkidnappedSbu' stwins.Icouldn'tall
owt hat
.
Webot hcouldn't
.Soweki l
ledhi m.Ishothi minthe
head.Idon'tevenregr
etit
.Youcomeatmeor
anyoneIloveandIWI LLkillyou."

Hesaidt hatwit
hthisdar knessinhi
seyescausing
hi
spupi lstodi
alate.I'
veneverseenthi
ssi deof
Phil
a.It'
ssendingshi versdownmyspi ne,buti
t
doesn'tchangeanyt hingabouthowIfeel.Asa
matteroffact,
it'
smaki ngmelovehim evenmore.

Phil
a:"
So,
whatdoyouthi
nkaboutwhatIj
ustt
old
you?Aboutmypast
,aboutmyli
fe?
"
Heaskedmet hathol
dingmyhand.Icoul
df eelhi
m
shi
veri
ng.Iguesshe'
sworri
edIwon'tt
akeitwell
andrej
ecthim.HowcanIwhenhe'sacceptedme
wit
hallmyflaws?

Me: "
Nkosenye, thi
schangesnot hingbet
weenyou
andI .Ihavelovedyouwhenyouhadnot hi
ngandI
sti
llloveyou.Iloveyouevenmor enow.Youdid
whatyouhadt odo.There'snothingwrongwit
h
protectingyourlovedones,butpleasedon'
tmake
thi
ski ll
ingpeopleahabit
."

Hesmi l
edandsighedwit
hrel
ief.I
'm sopr
oudof
hi
m, t
houghandI '
m most
lyhapphthathe'
sopen
wit
hmeandchosenott ohidethisfr
om me.Wegot
upandtookthedishest
othedishwasherand
cl
eanedupthetable.

Wet ookt hebottl

eofwi
net
ot heCinemawithsome
snacks.Oh, yes,
hehasani
n-houseCinema.It
's
real
lyniceandcosy.MyPhi
lahasdonesowel lfor
himself.Fr
om akasiboyt
oasophisti
cat
ed
businessmanwhowear scustom madesui
tsand
chil
lsinhisownin-
houseCinema.Howamazingi
s
l
ife?

Heaskedmet opi ckamovi eandIopt edf orPr et

ty
Woman.Yes, i
t'
sanol dmovie,butI'm anol dsoul
andIloveJul i
aRobet s'movies.Isatwi thmyl egs
ontopofhi sandhekeptbr ushingmyt highs.once
againIgotwei r
df eeli
ngseverytimehisf ingers
str
okedmyt hi
ghs.I tsentweir
dsi gnals,especi al
ly
downt here.Itreallymustbet hewi ne,sinceI '
m on
myt hi
rdgl assalready.Hekeptst eali
nggl ancesat
meunt il
Ideci dedt oaskhim whatt hat '
sal labout.

Me:"
You'l
lloseyoureyesi
fyoudon'
ttel
lmewhy
youkeepstari
ngatmel i
kethat
."

Phil
a:(
smil
ingandl i
cki
nghisli
ps)"I
'
mj ustst
ari
ng
athowbeauti
fulyouare.I'
m sobl
essedtohaveyou
i
nmyl i
feagain,Yaya.Notmanypeoplegetsecond
chancesatlove.Whi
chi swhyIcan'
thol
di ti
nany
l
onger.I
'vebeenwantingtodothisf
rom t
hedayI
sawyoui nt
hatt i
ght
,reddressi
ntheboardroom.
"

Witht hatsaidhepul l
edmeupandpl acedmeon
topofme, spreadi
ngmyt hi
ghssot hatIcan
posit
ionmysel fontopofhim.Hehel dmyf acewith
bothhi shandsandl eanedcloser.Hislipsmetmi ne.
Heki ssedmei nsuchamagi calway.Ourt ongues
werecommuni cat
ingwitheachot her
,itreal
lyfel
t
l
ikeourt ongueswer edoingthechacha.Thel ast
ti
meheki ssedmel i
kethatwasthedaybef orehe
l
eft.Imustsay, hi
skissi
ngisevenbet ternow.

Hestoppedtoki ssmyneck,andusi nghi

steetht
o
bit
emeabi t.Ileanedmyheadasi detogivehi
m
moreaccesst odowhathewant st omyneck.He
keptpl
anti
ngki ssesonmyneck, whilest
roki
ngmy
backwit
hhismascul i
neandsofthands.

Me:(
moani
ng)"
Oh,
Nkosenye.
"
Icouldfeelhi
spenispoki
ngmef rom i
nsi
dehis
j
eans.Thi si
smakingmef eelsoweir
d.If
eelsowet
downt here,
almostl
ikeIwetmyself
.Whil
eheput
hismout hbackonmyl i
psIpull
edbackand
stopped.

Phil
a:(
puzzl
ed)"
What
'swr
ong?Di
dIdosomet
hing
wrong?"

Me:(
Embar
rassed)"
No,
it'
snot
hing.
"

Isuddenl
yfel
thotandmycheekspr
obabl
ylookr
ed
ri
ghtnow.

Phi
la:(
smi l
ing):"
Sthandwasami( Mylove)
,whati
s
i
t?Look,yourfaceissor edr
ightnow.Don'tbe
embarr
assed. "
Me:(
Looki
ngdown)"I
t'snotthat,i
t'
sjustt
hatIf
eel
wei
rddownther
e.It
hinkngizicamele.
"

Phi
lal
aughedsohar
dheal
mostcr
ied.

Phila:
"Rel
ax,St
handwasami (Mylove)
.You'
rewet
.
Ithappenswhenyou'r
esexuallyar
oused.I
t'
snota
badt hi
ng,i
tact
uall
yfeel
snice."

Ni
cei
tisi
ndeed.

Phi
la:
"Wecanst
opi
fyouwantt
o."

Me:
"No,
wedon'
thavet
ost
op.Let
'scont
inue.
"

Phil
aplantedwetkissesallovermyfacest
art
ing
fr
om myf orehead,
tomynose, t
obothmycheeks
andthenkissedmedeepl yagain.Thi
sti
mealitt
le
roughly,
butinagoodway.Lungahasneverki ssed
mel i
ket
his-
ever.Por
schealwayssaysthatyoucan
tellhowgoodaman' sdickgameisbythewayhe
kissesyou.Judgingfr
om thi
sexperi
ence,Phi
la
mustbegoodi nbed.

Het ookoffmyshi rtsofastandkeptkissi

ngme.
Hef l
ippedmeovert oli
eonmybackashegoton
topofme.Heunhookedmybr aanditdroppedon
thefloor.I
'
veneverbeenseennakedapar tfrom my
fri
ends.It'
smaki ngmef eelabitwei
rd.Itri
edto
covermybr east
swi t
hbothmyhands, butPhil
a
gentlyremovedmyhandsf r
om mybr easts.

Phil
a:"
Rel
ax,St
handwasami(Mylove)
.Thisisme,
Phil
a.Youdon'
thavet
ohidethebeaut
yGodgave
you.Iwantt
oseeyou.Iwanttoseeal
lofyou."

Hispupi
lsweredi
alat
edandhiseyesseemedso
small
.If
igur
edIshouldal
lowhimtodevourme.I
putmyhandsonhisbackashecuppedbothmy
breasts.I'
m aDDcup, sot
heydon'tf
itinhishands.
Hekissedmyneckgoi ngal
lthewaydownt oeach
ofmybr east
s.Hel
ickedmyni ppl
esi
nci r
cular
mot i
oncausi ngmetomoanunexpect edl
y.

Me:
"Oh,
Phi
la.Thi
sfeel
sso.
..Sogood.
"

Phi
la:(
Moaninginbetweenkisses)"
It
'smyjobto
makeyoufeelgood,st
handwasami( mylove)
.
Pl
easeall
owmet odot hat
."

Hecont i
nuedtoki
ssmybr easts,thenhekissedmy
bell
yallthewaydownt omywai st.Myt oeswere
curl
edupandIwasf eel
ingsof lushed.He
att
empt edtot
akeoffmyl eggings, butIqui
ckl
yheld
hishands.

Phi
la:
"Yaya,pl
easelookatme.Lookatme,
st
handwasami ."(
Iopenedmyeyesandlookedat
hi
m.Hi seyesfi
ll
edwithhotdesi
re)"
Iwon'
tdo
anythi
ngyoudon'twantmet odo.Ij
ustwantto
makeyouf eelgoodwithouttaki
ngmyclothesoff
.
Trustme.Doyout rustme? "

Inodded.Whatishet
alki
ngabout
?Howcanhe
makemef eelgoodwi
thoutt
aki
nghiscl
othesof
f?

Hetookof
fmyl eggi
ngsandpant i
esallatt
hesame
t
ime.Iwassoembar r
asses,I
'veneverhadaman
l
ookatmyvagina.Lucki
lyIshaved,Ial
waysshave.

Phil
a:(wit
hhi sfacestar
ingatmyvagina)"
Lookat
me,Sweet heart.Pl
easelookatme."Il
ookeddown
athim wit
haf lushedface."
Youhaveavery
beauti
fulpussy, St
handwasami."

Icoveredmyeyes.Hest ar
tedl
ickingthetrai
lsof
myvagi naslowl
y.If
eltsoweir
d, sohot,li
keIwas
nolongerincontr
olofmybody.Hespr eadmyl egs
fur
therapartandpart
edmyvagi nalips.Heputhis
tongueonmycl i
t,f
li
ckingitupanddownandi n
cir
cularmotions.Il
etoutinvoluntarymoansand
screamsandputbot hmyhandsonhi shead.This
feel
ssomagi cal
.Ineverknewaper son'st
ongue
coulddosomuch.Heputhi smout honthe
entranceofmycoochi eandat ei
t.Ilostmymind
andf el
taninstantheatwavecomi ngoverme.

Me:
"Oh,
Nkosenye,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
ome?
!"

Phil
a:"
I'
m eat
ingyourdel
ici
ouspussy,st
handwa
sami(mylove).I
'
m makingyoufeelgoodasI
promised.
"

Icoul
dfeelmybodyt
enseup.

Phi
la:
"Comeformebaby.Shit
, youtast
esogood.
Comef orme,
mylove.Leti
tallgo."
Ifel
tsomet hi
ngIneverf
eltbefor
eovertakemybody
andIr el
eased,causi
ngmet oshake.Icover
edmy
face.ImeanIjusthadmyf i
rstorgasm onPhi
la'
s
face.Hecleanedmeupwi thhistongue.

Phi
la:
"Lookatme,
Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
."

Il
ookedathi
m withembarr
assmentwri
tt
enal
lover
me.I'
m complet
elynakedt
otopital
lof
f.

Phil
a:"
You'r
esobeauti
fulwhenyoucom,
baby.No
needtofeelembar
rassed.
"

Me:"
It
'sthef
ir
stt
imethat
'severhappenedt
ome.I
don'
tknowhowtolookyouintheeyes."

Phil
a:"
Itol
dyou,Yaya.Thi
sisme.PhilaZwane.I
t's
al
waysbeenme.I '
veneverchanged.Andyoudon't
havetohideyour
selffr
om me.You'r
esobeautif
ul,
Sthandwasami.Shi
t.Yourbodywasspeci
all
y
carvedj
ustformetodevour.Lookhowhar
dyou
mademe. "

Hesai
dthatpoi
nti
ngathi
spant
s.Il
aughed.

Phil
a:"Come,let
'sgetyoudressed.Sbuiscomi
ng
overandafterwardswe'r
eheadedt oyour
appointment.
"

Hehel
pedmegetdr
essedal
lthi
swhi
lehewas
smi
li
ngli
keal
it
tl
eki
d.

Phil
a:"Imustsay,I'
m honour
edtohavegivenyou
yourveryfi
rstorgasm.OnceImakelovetoyou,
you'
llneverl
etgo.Iwi l
lshowyouwhatyou'vebeen
missingouton."

Wemadeourwaybackt
ohi
sbedr
oom andI
changedbackintomyj umpsuit,
butdecidedon
weari
ngpumpsi nstead.Nousef orheel
swhenI '
m
notgoingt
owor k,r
ight.Hejustchangedhisshirt
si
nceitwasabi twetthankstomyvagi na.He
washedhisfaceandwewal kedbacktothelounge.

Me:
"Phil
a,howcomeyoudi
dn'tgoal
lthewaywit
h
me?Ithoughtal
lmendoi
tonceawoman'snaked."

Phi
la:
"Becauseyou'
renotr
eady,
Sthandwasami
.
AndI'
m notallmen.
"

Heki
ssedmeont helips.Justt
hensomeone
wal
kedinshout
ing.Iassumeit'
sSbu.

Sbu:(
Shout
ing)"
Eh,
baf
o.Ukuphi(
Wher
ear
eyou)
?"

Phi
la:"
Sil
anaelounge(
We'
rei
nthel
ounge)
,man.
Naweuyarasa(
You'r
emaki
ngnoi
se)
."
Hewalkedint
heloungeandsawPhil
aandIsitti
ng
onthecouchnextt
ooneanother
,hol
dinghands.
Phi
laissomuchintoPDA.I
t'
sgoingt
ot akealotof
get
ti
ngusedto.

Sbu:( Shoutingwithhandsonhi shead)"

Yoh,
yoh
yoh!Qhawekazi( Her
oine)!Kudlal
angikakuboni(
I
haven' tseenyoui nf
orever).Wher
ehaveyoubeen
hiding?Bef oreyouanswert hat
,gi
vemeahug
please, Sist
er-
in-
Law."

Il
aughedandPhi
lashakedhishead.Il
etgoof
Phi
la'
shandandgaveSbuahug.Sbul etgo,
hel
d
myhandandspunmear ound.

Sbu:"
Yoh,mara.Ishould'
vepi
ckedyouwhi
leIhad
thechance.Ah,Bafo,
seudlakamnandiman(Ah,
Brot
her,youhaveagoodmealher e)
.Youl
ookgood,
Qhawekazi(Heroi
ne).
"
Ij
ustlaughedoutloud.Sbuhasalwaysbeensucha
fl
ir
tandcharacter.That
'swhatal
waysgothiminto
tr
oubleatschool.He'
sthetot
alopposi
teofPhi
la,
buttheygetal
ongl i
keahouseonf i
re.

Phi
laontheot
herhandwaslesst
hani
moressed.
Hepull
edmebacktothecouchawayf
rom Sbu.

Phil
a:"
Hai,manSbu.Thisi
smywoman, man.You
haveyourownwoman.Youshoul ddothatto
Sharon,notZeeman,voet
sek.(
Pissof
f).
"

Sbu:(l
aughing)"
Hade,
manbafo(Sorr
y,.
man,
brot
her).I
t'
snotabadthi
nguk'
gezaamehlo(
tol
ook
)onceinawhi l
e."

Phil
a:"Mxm.Tel
lmeaboutt
hatl
oserTony.What
's
thestatus?
"
Sbu:"
Eish,hesangl
ikeacanarythatone.Aft
erI
gavehim someahocktherapy.Youdon'twantt
o
excuseQhawekazi(
Heroine)?"

Ilookedatthem t
alki
ngaboutmei
nthi
rdper
son
l
ikeI'm noti
ntheroom.Men.

Phil
a:"
Rel
ax.Sheknowsever
ythi
ng.Idon'
twantt
o
keepsecr
etsfr
om her
."

Sbuwassosur
pri
sed.

Sbu:"Andshest il
ldecidedtostay?Wow.Nkosi
'yami
(Mygoodness) .uMamai sgoingtobesohappy.
Qhawekazi( Heroine)
,you'r
eoneofakind.Phil
ahas
nevertoldanyonehe' sdatedabouthi
sli
fe.Hel
l,I
don'teventellSharonaboutwhatIdo."
Hear
inghi
m saythatstungabi
t.Howmanygi
rl
s
hasPhi
ladat
ed,r
eally?

Phi
la:
"Hai,
manSbu.Getwit
htheprogram.Wehave
anappoint
menti
nhalfanhour
,dude."

Sbu:"
Shosho.Okay, sohet ol
dmet hathe's
Dynami t
e'sITgur u.Imustadmi the'sreall
ygood,
butnotthatgoodt ofindoutwhoyouar eandwhat
youdoexact ly.Het oldmeever ythi
ng, howLunga
knowsaboutyouandZeeandsenthi mt ofoll
ow
Zeesincehef oundoutt hathertrackerhasbeen
removedf rom hercar .Healsogoti nstruct
ionsto
hackherphone.Weneedt ot r
eadcar efull
yand
moveont oasecur eplan,bafo.Especiallynowt hat
Lunga'smom mi ghtal sobeplanninganat tack,
alongwithNomsa. "

Allt
hissoundsli
keafuckedupmovi e.Lunga
knowsaboutPhilabuthe'
sneverevenaskedabout
him.He'salotmoredanger
ousthanIt hought
.
Phi
la:
"Okay,
let
'scat
chupl
ater
.Ihavetogo
somewherenoZee.Keepmeposted.
"

Sbu:
"Don'
tworr
y,you'
l
lfi
ndmeherewhenyou
comeback.ByeQhawekazi(
Her
oine)
."

Iwavedgoodbyeathim whi
leshaki
ngmyhead.
Phil
aandIwalkedhandandaswewer eaboutto
geti
ntot
hecarIfoldedmyar msandst
aredathi
m.

Phi
la:
"Yi
ni(
What
)?"

Me:"
Youdon'tt
hinkI'
m goi
ngtoletyoudr
ivemeto
myappoi
ntmenti nyourMerc,
doyou?Let'
staket
he
gol
fandI
'm dri
ving.
"

Phi
la:(
laughi
ng)"
Barel
yaweekwe'vebeentoget
her
andyou'r
ealr
eadybossi
ngmearound?Okay,
ma'
am.
"

Iwassoexci t
ed.Hetookthecarkeysandgave
them tome.Igotint
othedri
ver'
sseatandstart
ed
thecar.Thepowerinthi
scar.Ican'
twaitt
ofeelthi
s
beauty.AsIwasabouttoheadoutIseePhi l
ajust
smil
ingwi t
houthi
sseatbel
ton.

Me:"
Seat
bel
t,pl
ease.
"

Phi
la:
"Kasimendon'twearseat
bel
ts,
Sthandwa
sami(Mylove)Butf
oryouI'l
ldoanyt
hing.
"

Icli
ckedmyt ongueandhel aughedsqueezi
ngmy
cheek.Idroveoutthegat
einhi ghspeed,
nottoo
high.Thi
scarfeelsamazing.
Chapt
erSevent
een

Wef
inal
lyar
ri
vedatDr
.St
ein'
sof
fi
ce.AsIwas
par
kingthecarIswi
tchedofft
hei
gnit
ionand
l
ookedatPhil
a.Helookedatmewithsomuch
sur
priseandpri
de.

Me:
"What
?"

Phil
a:"Wheredidyoulear
ntodr
iveli
ket
hat?
Uyayishayaimoto,St
handwasami.(
youcanreal
ly
dr
ive,myl ove)
"

Ismi
ledandbl
ushedatt
hesamet
ime.

Me:"
Gogot ookmef oradvanceddri
vinglessons
backinvarsi
ty.Shesaiditwouldhelpmeoneday
i
ncaseIf i
ndmyselfinadanger oussit
uati
on."

Phil
a:"HeheuGogoisarealgangst
eryazi.Ineedto
thankherproper
ly.Come,l
et'
sgetinsi
de.I'
m sure
Dr.Steini
sawaiti
ngourarr
ival
."
Wegotoutoft hecarandwalkedupt hestai
rs.All
thi
swhi l
ePhil
akeptholdi
ngmyhandandbr ushi
ng
i
twi t
hhisthumb.Imustsay,reachi
ngthislevelof
PDA( Publi
cDispl
ayofAffect
ion)i
sreall
ynice.We
walkedinandwef oundDr.Stei
nalr
eadywai ti
ng.
Shegotupt ogreetus.

Dr.St
ein:"
Hi,
Ziyanda.Howar
eyout
oday?
"She
huggedme.

Ziyanda:
"Hi
,Dr
.I'
m wel
l,
thanksandhowar
eyou
today?"

Dr.St
ein:
"I
'm muchbett
ernowthatIgettofi
nall
y
meettheperi
sist
entgent
lemaninyourli
feinperson.
YoumustbePhi l
a,ri
ght?
"ShakingPhil
a'shand.

Phi
la:
"Yes,
pleasur
etomeetyou.
"
Okay,whatdi
dshemeanbyPersi
stent
?Whatdid
hedonow?Igavehim af
ir
mlookbeforet
urni
ngto
Dr.St
ein.

Me:"
Whatdoyoumean'fi
nal
lymeettheper
sist
ent
gent
leman?
"Il
ookedatheri
nqui
sit
ivel
y.

Dr.Stei
n:"
Oh,hekeptcall
inganddemandedt o
speaktotheDoct ort
hatsavedhiswife'
slif
e.He
pract
ical
lytol
dmehewi l
lbesitt
ingintodaywith
you.Imustsay,he'squit
esomet hi
ng."Shewinked
atme."Please,t
akeaseat,bothofyou."

WesatdownandPhil
aheldmyhand.It
hinkt
his
t
imeitwasmoreaboutr
eassur
ance.

Dr.St
ein:"So,
whathaveyoubeenupto?What
's
new,besidesyourhi
ghschooll
ovecomi
ngback?"
Dr.Stei
nhasal waysbeenverywar m and
welcoming.Shehast hi
sreal
lylovel
yandi nvit
ing
smilethatjustmakesyouopenupwi thoutfeeling
bad.It'
sherjob,t
hough,butshemakesi tfeell
ike
we'refri
ends.

Itookadeepsi ghanddecidedtot el
lhereveryt
hing
thathappenedf r
om fi
ndi
ngoutt hatI'
m achildof
rape,tofi
ndingoutthatMymar r
iagewasact uall
y
arranged,t
of i
ndingoutmyhusbandi sar i
tualki
ll
er
andf i
ndingoutaboutPhil
a'spastandbeingapar t
ofhispresent.

Allt
hiswhi
leI
'
vebeent
eari
ngupandwipingmy
tear
s,bl
owi
ngmynosewhilePhi
lahasbeen
brushi
ngmybackandhol
dingmyhandthroughi
t
all
.

Dr
.St
einhasbeenherpat
ientsel
f,t
aki
ngnot
es
whi
lenoddi
ngherheadandaskingmehowal
lthi
s
makesmefeeli
ntheprocess.

Dr.Stei
n:"
Well,
Zi yanda,
thatisawhol el
ottodigest
i
naspaceofaf ewdays.Imustsayyou' r
emaki ng
i
mmensepr ogressandyoul ongerbreakdown
easil
y.However ,Ihaveaquestion:Haveyout ol
d
Phil
awhyyouwer eonanti-
anxi
etyanddepr essi
on
medicati
on?"

Myhear tstartedbeatingsof ast.Dammit.

Psychologi
st sandthei rwayofper suadi
ngyouto
talk.Ihat
et heirr
easoni ng,eventhoughIknow
she'sri
ght.If el
tli
keIcoul dpassoutanymoment
from now.Nobodyknowst hewholetrut
h,noone
exceptDr.Stein.IthinkImusthavezonedoutf ora
secondbefor eDr.Steinbr oughtmebackt oeart
h.

Dr
.St
ein:
"Zi
yanda?
"
Me:
"I
..Uh.
..No.
..No,
Ihaven'
ttol
dhi
m."

Dr.St
ein:
"I
t'
simportantt
hatheknows.Remember,
hetol
dyouever yt
hingabouthi
m, soi
t'
sonl
yfai
rhe
knowseveryt
hingaboutyou,notso?"

Itookadeepbr
eat
h.She'
sri
ght
,though.What
'sa
rel
ati
onshi
pwit
hsecr
ets?

Me:"Okay."(Ilookedatphil
aandst art
edshaking.
Phil
aj ustkeptsqueezedmyhandandr eassur
ed
mebyt el
li
ngmei t'
sokay.)"Well
,whenIwas19I
hadami scarr
iage.Ihadnoi deaIwaseven
pregnantbecausewehadbeent ryi
ngforalmosta
yearandnot hingwashappeni ng.Philagotso
fr
ustratedwi t
hmeandal lIdidwascookl amband
hejustcamehomemoody.So. .
"

Ist
art
edtear
ingupandshakingi
ntheprocess.
Phi
lahandedmeatissueandsqueezedmyhand.
Me: "
So,Itri
edmaki nghimfeelbet
ter.Imean, asa
19yearol dwife,whatdoyoudot oyourhusband
whocomeshomeangr yandupsetfornor eason?I
askedhim whatt heproblem wasandhowIcoul d
help?Hesai dIhadbetterkeepmymout hshut ,
soI
did.Hel ef
tandheadedt oourbedroom, whi l
eI
dishedupf orhim andputtheplat
ebef or
ehi m on
thedinnertabl
e.

Ihopedt hathehadpr obablycal meddown.He

camebackdownevenmor eirr
itated.Ididn't
understandwhatIhaddonewr ongandsoIdi dn't
wantt oupsethi m bysayinganyt hingmor e.Hesat
downonhi schair
,tookonebi t
eofhi sfoodand
start
edt ell
ingmewhatausel essbi tchIwas.He. .
Het hr
ewt heplateacrossthetabl eandi thi
tmy
face.Ifelldownf rom mychai rwi thmyf orehead
bleedi
ng.Hecameatmeandst ar t
edi nsul
ti
ngme
sayingIam bar renandusel essandhowhewi shed
hehadmar ri
edawomanher eallyloved.
Heki ckedmecont inuouslyli
keausel essdog,and
wasonl ysati
sfi
edwhenhesawt hatIwas
unconsci ous.Ididn'tevennoticethatIwas
bleedingdownt herebecauseIhadpassedoutby
then.Iwokeupt henextdayi nhospi talwit
ha
fract
ur edri
b,swol l
enf aceandabl ackeyewi t
hhim
nexttomeandabunchofsunf l
owerswi t
hahuge
TeddyBearwi thasmal l"
I'
m sorry"cardnextt
oit.

Iassumedthatwashiswayofapol ogi
zingf or
beati
ngmeupl ikeadamndog,butt hedoctor
confi
rmedthatIwas12weekspr egnantandso
muchdamagewasdonet omyabdoment hatIlost
mybaby.Tomakemat ter
sworset hefuckertold
thedoctort
hatIwashij
ackedandnear l
yraped.
Whatkindofmonsterdoesthat
?"

Itf
eltsoreli
evi
ngtofinal
lygett
hatoffmychest
.
Phil
aont heotherhandwasi nsomuchpainhe
couldn'
thideit
.Heclenchedhisjawandti
ght
ened
hi
shandar oundmine,notreal
izi
nghewasdoi ngi
t
abitt
oot i
ght.Atearescapedfrom hi
seye.
Whateverhe'
sfeeli
ngatthismoment ,
Ifeeli
ta
mil
li
ontimesmor e.

Me:"That
'snotal
l.Ihadtost
ayim hospit
alfortwo
weeksbecausethedamagewassobad.Ihadt oli
e
toPorscheandgogoandgowi thhishij
ackingstory
becauseIwassoaf rai
dofwhathemi ghthavedone
next.Myparentsandownsisterneverbotheredto
comeseeme.

Ireall
yfeltsoalone,sohelpless.Por schewasreal
ly
thebest.ItoldMam' Masangoexact l
ywhatLunga
saidIshoul dtel
lher,butshedi dn'
tbelievemyli
e
onceIgothome.Shenur sedmebackt oheal
th.I
recoveredf ewweeksl at
erandt hi
ngsseemed
better
,untilhi
smot hercamet ovi si
t.Shenever
l
ikedmesoIwasusedt oheri nsult
s.

Shesuggest
edt
hatLungat
akeasecondwi
fe,
andI
ref
usedsoshesaidshewoul dteachmeal esson.
ShetookoneofLunga'
sbel t
sandkepthitt
ingme
wit
hthemetalsi
deofit,
til
lIendedupwi t
ha
concussi
on.Thi
st i
meInevertoldanyoneaboutit.
Iwasandstil
lam sopet
rif
iedofthatwoman.

Ihadsomanybr uisesonmybackt hatIhadt o

wearfull
ycoveredclothesfort
woweeks.Af ter
thosetwoinci
dent sIj
ustlosti
t.Ihadament al
breakdownandt hat'
swhenPor schef or
cedmet o
comeseeDr .Stein.Shesavedmef rom myself.
"

Phi
laj
ustpul
ledmecl
oserf
oranembr
ace.

Me:"Iwasi nahorri
blest at
e,Phil
a.Everyone
thoughtitwasbecauseoft hemiscarr
iage, butIj
ust
l
ostit.Icouldn'
teatorf aceanyoneformont hs.
Thingsgotwor sewhenIsl i
tmywr i
stsint hebath
tubwhenIj ustcouldn'thandlel
if
eanymor e.That
waswhenLungadeci dedtobeal it
tl
eni certome,
butitjustdidn'
thel
p.Ihadt ogetonmedi cati
on
andhavebeenoniteversi
nce.Ij
ustst
oppedt
aki
ng
themedslastmont
h."

Phi
lahel
dmecl oserforanembr
ace.Hisbodywas
abi
ttense,
buthet r
iednott
oshowit.

Phil
a:"
So,youmeant otel
lmet
hatthedoct
orwho
tr
eatedyouneverqueri
eddomesti
cabuse?Even
aft
eryouhadr et
urnedafewweekslat
erwi
theven
morebruises?
"

Me:(
sni
ffi
ngi nhi
sarms)"No,Ineverevenasked.I
wassoter
rif
iedofhim,
IthoughtifIaskedf
orhelp
hewasgoingtokil
lme.Nottoment i
onZodwa."

Phil
akeptquietforawhil
e.Al
lthi
swhileDr.St
ein
waswatchingusandhadst oppedtaki
ngnotes.
Aft
eraveryshortdeafeni
ngsil
ence,Phi
ladeci
ded
tosaysomething.
Phi
la:"
Iassumeyousti
llhavet
her
epor
tfr
om bot
h
i
nci
dents,r
ightDoc?
"

Dr.Stei
n:"
Yes,i
t'
sstandardpr ocedurethatt
he
pati
ent'
spsychologi
stgetsinformationofthe
pati
ent'
sprevi
ousmedi calreportstoformulat
ea
properdi
agnosisbefor
est art
ingtreatment.
"

Phil
a:"
I'
m goi
ngtoneedthoser
epor
tsandacopyof
yourther
apysessi
ons.
"

Dr.Stei
n:"
Mr.Zwane,
Icannotdot
hat
.It
'sagai
nst
poli
cy..
."

Phil
ashotheraster
n, bewi
lder
edlookbefor
eshe
coul
dfini
shhersentence.Dr.Stei
nfi
guredit
'sti
me
tocomplybefor
eshegotamout hf
ulf
rom Phil
a.

Dr
.St
ein:
"Ofcour
se.Letmegett
hem pr
epar
edf
or
you.Iwi
llaskmyPAt
oemai
lthem t
oyou.
"

Phi
la:
"Thankyou.Iwi
llsmsyoumyemai
laddr
ess.
"

Dr
.Stei
n:"
Ofcourse.Thati
sallf
ortoday.Wehave
madeimmensepr ogr
ess.Letmeleaveyoutwofor
af
ewmi nutes.
"

Shegotupfr
om hercouchandlef
tther
oom.I
fi
nall
ycomposedmyselfandgotmyheadof
f
Phil
a'
schest
.Myf acewassoredandmyeyes
swoll
enfr
om allt
hecryi
ng.

Phi
la:
"Ar
eyouf
eel
ingbet
ter
,St
handwasami
?"

Hesai dthathol
dingmychi nwi
thtwoofhisfi
nger
s,
star
ingmei ntheeye.Isawsomethi
ngi nhi
seyesI
haven'
tseeninalongt i
me,notsi
ncehisfat
herwas
murderedinHighSchool.Isawthelookofa
powerl
essman,hi
seyesgl
ist
eni
ngwithtear
sas
theyt
hreat
enedt
ofal
ldownonhischeeks.

Me:"I
'm okay,Phi
la.I
t'
sjust.
..Ihaven'tt
oldanyone
aboutallofthi
s.I
t'sokayifyou'r
ethinki
ngof
l
eavingme.I '
mtoodamaged. "

Phi
la:
"Lookatme, Ziyanda.Youwillst
opwi t
hthis
br
okenstatementofyour s.You'
remyQueen, t
he
l
oveofmyl ife.Iloveyouwi thal
lofme.Iwoul dsti
ll
l
oveyoueveni fyouhadcutof fyourlegs.Il
oveyou
somuch, Zee.

Itpainsmet oseehowmuchyou' vegonethrough

andIcoul dn'
tbet heret
opr ot
ectyou.Ipromiseyou
from nowonI '
m goi ngt
opr ot
ectyouwi t
hallofme.
Itist
imet oendt hi sshi
tonceandf oral
l.Asof
today,you'r
enol ongergoingbacktothatuseless
Lunga.You' r
est ayingwithmef r
om nowon, start
ing
today."
Il
ookedathi
m puzzl
ed.

Me:"But
,won'thecomeaf t
erme?Af t
erus?What
aboutMam'Masango?Zodwa?Oh, no!Zodwawi l
l
comeafterme, Iknowshewil
l!Andmymot her!
Whataboutmycl ot
hesandst
uff?!Oh,gosh,Phil
a
I'
m scar
ed!"

Ist
artedcr
yingagainthinki
ngofal
lthehor
ror
Zodwapromi sedtodotomeshouldIeverthi
nkof
l
eavingherpreciousson.

Phi
la:
"Yaya,
doyout
rustme?
"

Me:
"Yes,
yes,
Ido.
"

Phil
a:"
That
'sallyouneedtodo.Don'
twor
ryabout
usel
esspeople.Iwil
lhandl
ethem.Andasfor
clot
hes,i
tseemsyouhavef orgot
tentheclosetful
l
ofclot
hesIgotforyou.Ifyoudon'tli
kethem I
'l
lget
younewcl ot
hes,anythi
ngyouwant .Don'
tworry
aboutMam' Masango.Shecancomel i
vewit
husi f
that
'swhatyouwant .Al
lIneedfr
om youi stotr
ust
me."

Itookadeepsigh.Phil
ahasneverletmedown-
ever.
Idon'thavemuchtoloseandbesides,
anywher
eis
bettert
hanhome.

Isuddenl
yremember
edthatIhaddinnerwi
tht
he
gir
lsandtheywer
esupposedtocomet omyhouse.

Me:"Oh,Phi
la.If
orgott
hatthegi
rl
sandIwere
supposedtomeetupf ordi
nneratmy,
well
,Lunga'
s
house."

Phil
a:"
It
'sokay.Theycancometoourhouse.I'
ll
for
wardyout headdressandt
heycancome, butI'
m
warningyou.Anyfunnybusinessfr
om Beli
nda,and
she'
sout .Idon'
ttr
ustthatbi
tchandneit
hershould
you,Sthandwasami.Beverycaref
ulofher,pl
ease.
"

Hewassoserious.Whati
sitwi
t hpeopl
ewar
ning
meaboutBel
inda?Am Ithatbl
ind?

Me:"Okay,
Ipromi
seIwi
llwat
chher
.Thankyouf
or
al
lthis,
Phil
a."

Phi
la:
"Anythi
ngforyou,
Sthandwasami
.
Ngi
yakuthandayezwa?"

Me:
"Il
oveyout
oo.
"

Phi
la:
"Let
'sgohome.
"

Home.Feel
ssogoodt
ohearhi
m sayt
hat
.Our
home.Wel ef
tDr
.Stei
n'sof
fi
ceandhedeci
dedto
takeoverthewheelaswedrovebackt
ohishouse-
well,
it'
sourhousenow.
Chapt
erEi
ght
een

Phi
la

Aft
erashor tdr
ivebackhomef il
ledwithsi
lencewe
fi
nall
yarri
vedhome.Ididn'tevenbotherpl
ayingany
musicinthecar,asIwasf i
ll
edwi t
hsomuchr age.
I
'm notangryatZee,I
'm pi
ssedof fatt
hat
motherf
uckerLungaandt hatsaggy,oldbi
tch
Zodwa.

Clearl
ytheydon'tknowt heBlackMamba.Iknow
GogoandIagr eedononepl an,
butthi
sshitis
gett
ingti
ri
ng.I
'llhavetocallherandtel
lherI'
m
movinginfort
heki ll
.Everyonewhowasi nvol
vedin
hurt
ingmyZeewi l
lfeelmywr ath,
eventhatusel
ess
doctorwhoprobablygotbr i
bedbyLungat okeep
hermout
hshut
.

I'
l
lleavethatbi
tchBeli
ndaforlast
.Noonemesses
withmyZeeandget sawaywithit-
noone.Zeeon
theotherhandhasbeenr at
herquiet.Ipar
kthecar
andswi t
chof ft
heigni
ti
on.

Phi
la:
"Zee,
areyouokay?You'
vebeenawef
ull
y
qui
et.
"

Zi
yanda:
"I
'm okay,
Phi
la.I
'
mjustabi
tti
red.
"

Phil
a:"
Wecanal wayscancelt
hisdi
nnerdat
ewit
h
yourfr
iends.Youmeanmor etomethanthem-
no
off
ence."

Zeelaughedal
it
tl
ebi
t.Atl
eastImanagedt
omake
hercrackasmi
le.
Ziyanda:"
No,Phil
a.I
t'
sokay.Perhapssomegirltal
k
i
sj ustwhatIneedri
ghtnow.Theywon'tevenstay
thatlong.
"

Phil
a:"
Good,
becauseIwantyoual
ltomysel
f
toni
ght.Nof
unnybusi
ness.
"

Herphoner
angandshef
rowned.

Zi
yanda:
"I
t'
sLunga.
"

Phil
a:"
Ignor
eit
.Remindmetogetyouanewphone
andnewnumber .I
t'
sti
metocutti
eswit
hthatguy.
Forgood."

Zi
yanda:"Iguessyou'
reri
ght.Letmebl
ockhi
mfor
nowsincet hegi
rlswil
lbecommunicat
ingwi
thme
i
ncaset heygetlost
."
Phi
la:
"Good.Let
'sgeti
ntot
hehouse.I
'
llr
unyoua
ni
cebath."

Wewal kedhandi nhandi ntothehouse.Luckil

ySbu
wasint hestudycatchinguponsomewor k.Ihad
text
edhi m befor
ewel efttheoff
iceandbriefedhi
m
aboutthesi t
uati
on.I
t'
st imetounleaseCobr aand
theBlackMamba.

Lunga

Idi
aledZee'
snumberagainforthefif
thti
me.Itjust
goesmute.Didt
hisbit
chjustbl
ockme? !Myl i
feis
amessr i
ghtnowandwor stpar
tIcan'tgethol
dof
Tony.I
t'
ssounli
kehim.Imean, wit
houthim Iwon't
haveanyaccesstoanythi
ngaroundZee.

Hisassi
stantisnotasgoodashim.Ican'
tfunct
ion
r
ightnow.Theonl yinf
ormati
onhecoulddishout
wasthatZee'scarwasparkedatworkeversi
nce
thi
smor ni
ng.It
'ssti
llpar
kedt
herewhichmeans
shemusthavel ef
tusingsomeoneel
se'scar
.I'
m
tot
all
yfucked.

PerhapsIcanuset hatbit
chBelindat ogetmesome
i
nfoonwher eZeeisandwhatshe' supt o.They
weresupposedt ohavedinnerher etoni
ght,but
evenMam' Masangodidn'
tcookorpr wpare
everythi
ng.Ifucki
nghatenotbeingi ncontr
olof
anything!Masaidshewoul dfi
xt hisshi
t.Why
hasn'tshedoneanythingyet?
!Ideci detocall
Beli
nda.

Bel
inda:
"Hey,
Baby.
"

Lunga:
"Bel
inda,
ukuphi(
Wher
ear
eyou)
?"

Bel
inda:
"That
'snotaver
ywarm greet
ingespeci
all
y
si
nceyouhaven'tseenmenoryoursoninawhile.
"
Lunga:"
Yeh,wenaBel
inda.Don'
tfuckwithmeokay?
I'
m notint
hemood.Ngitheukuphi(Isai
dwher
ear e
you)?!
"

Bel
inda:
"Geez,
noneedtobesoaggro.I
'
m onmy
waytomeetupwiththeGi
rl
sfordi
nner.
"

Lunga:
"What?
!Whi
chgir
ls?Wher
e?Wer
en'
tyou
supposedt
omeetupatmyhouse?"

Bel
inda:
"Yes,butZeechangedthel
ocat
ionatt
he
l
astminute.I
'
m headedthereri
ghtnow.
"

Lunga:"
HeheuZeeuyang' nyel
aman.Ahedoesn'
tgo
toworkandnowshei sn'
tcominghome,busy
hosti
ngdinnersatherboyfri
end'
spl
ace!Sendme
thataddr
ess."

Bel
inda:
"Hao,
kant
ithi
sisaboutZee.You'
rest
il
l
chasi
ngaf
terher
.Shedoesn'
twantyouanymor
e."

Lunga:
"Weh,
Belinda,Sfebendini(
youbi
tch)
.Isai
d
sendmethelocati
oni fyouknowwhat'
sgoodf or
you.Ot
herwi
se,don'tevercal
lmeagain.
"

Ihungupbef oreshecouldsayanythi
ngelse.I'
m
fuming.Bel
indadidn'
ttakel
ongt osendtheaddress
ofwheretheywi l
lbetonght
.ThatdickPhil
awon't
knowwhathi thim.I'
m comingtogetwhat'
smine,
bro.Itakemycarkeysandt akeagulpofmy
whiskeyandleavethehouse.

Nomsa

I'
vebeent r
yingtocont actZiyandaallbloodyweek
andshe'sbeeni gnori
ngme.Idon' treal
lyblameher
,
ImeanI '
vebeensuchahor ri
blemot hertoheral
l
herl
ife.Ineedtof i
xallthisbeforeshithappens.I
canfeeldeathlurki
ngi nmypr esenceandIwouldn'
t
wantt
odi
ebef
oremaki
ngamends.

Mybi ggestmistakewasselli
ngmydaughtert
o
Zodwaandherson.Al lhersonsdi
edandLungais
theonlyonelef
t.HowIwi shIcoul
dturnbackt
he
ti
meandmaket hingsri
ght.Nowmysinsare
haunti
ngmeandIdon' tknowwhatt odo.

ThatbitchZodwai sonmycase24/ 7.Doesn'

tshe
haveal if
ethough? !Ifshe'
snotcal
li
ngshe'
s
sendingmehar assingmessages.Letmecallher
andt el
lherI'
m out.Idon'twanttost
eponMamba' s
toes.I'
veheardwhatheandCobr adotothosewho
screwt hem over.

Al lI'
vebeendoingallweekeversinceRonzacame
her ethatni
ghti
sdrinkandthink,
dr i
nkandthink.
Khayai sawayonbusi ness,
thankgoodnessnot
thathe'severhomeandThandoandherbr atshave
beenbot heri
ngmef ormoney.Sincewheni smyl i
fe
suchamess?Idi alZodwa.
Zodwa:"
Pleaset
ellmei gol
olakholokunuka(
your
smell
ycunt)hasfinal
lyfi
xedthismess."

Nomsa:(Sigh)"
YaziniZodwa(
youknowwhat
Zodwa).Awomanofyourcal l
ibr
eshouldlear
nhow
tospeakproper
ly,
man.Yourfoulmouthisreal
ly
unatt
ract
ive.
"

Zodwa:(annoyed)
"Youdidn'
tcal
lmef
oracrash
courseonmannerisms,Nomsa.Nowtal
k.Idon'
t
haveallni
ght.
"

Nomsa:"Look,I
'
m done.Iwantout.Ican'
tdothis
anymore.Zeedoesn'
tdeservesuchhappeningto
herandyouandIbothknowyoursondoesn' t
deser
veher .
"

Zodwa:(l
aughinghyst
eri
cal
lycausi
ngNomsatorol
l
hereyes)
"Heh!NomsaBhenguhasf oundGod.
Sincewhendoyoucar eaboutyourdaught erand
herwellbeing?Yeywena.Don' tfuckwi t
hme
Nomsauyangi zwa(doyouhearme) ?!It
hinkit'
s
ti
mef orKhayaandIt ohaveal it
tlechataboutwho
Ziyanda'srealfat
heris.Ibetyourmot herwi l
lbeso
angrytoheart hatyouactuallyli
edaboutbei ng
raped.Let'
sseehowshewi l
lfeelwhenIf inall
ytel
l
Khayat hatyouhadanaf fai
rwithKingBekumuzi
Gumede' ssonandwhenhecoul dn'tchooseyou
overhiswi f
e,youcriedrape."

Iwassodrained.Ij
ustdi
dn'
tcar
eanymore.I'
ve
beenabusedmyZodwaf orwaytool
ong.I'
mj ust
exhaust
ed.

Nomsa:
"Dowhatyouwant ,
Zodwa.Justdoit.
You'
vebeenthr
eateni
ngmef orsi
xyearsnow,sodo
i
t.Nowisyourchance,
Idon'
tgiveafuckanymore.
"

Zodwa:(
sur
prised)"
Weh,Nomsa.It
oldyou,
Idon'
t
makeemptythreat
s.Yout
hinkI
'
m bluf
fi
ngangi
thi
."
Nomsa: "
Doitman, Zodwa.YouhaveKhaya' s
numbersowhydon' tyoujustsendhi m amessage
abouteveryt
hing?!Meanwhi leIwil
lalsotellDavid
thatyousacri
ficedallyourchil
drensincetheywer e
Mal eandLungabeingt helastborn,yousacr i
fi
ced
hismanhoodf ormdevat obecomer icherangit
hi
(ri
ght)
?Thatwaywewi l
lallbeeven.
"

Zodwagr
ewscar
edandkeptqui
etf
orasecond.

Zodwa:
"Youwoul
dn'
tdar
e!"

Nomsa: "
Iwould.It
'sti
meIdor i
ghtbymydaught er
,
whichIcannotsayt hesamef oryou.You'r
eawi t
ch,
ZodwaandIcan' twaitforBlackMambat ohear
aboutthi
s.Pierr
oisgoi ngtoexecut
eyourhusband
oncehef i
ndsoutwhatyouandLungaar etryingto
dowithKennedy.Don' tfuckwit
hmeZodwa, Iknow
al
lyoursecretsandIhavet heupperhandnow. "
Zodwa'
sheartwasbeat
ingsof
astyoucoul
dal
most
heari
tovert
hephone.

Zodwa:"
Wait,Nomsa.Ukhul
umangani(Whatare
youtal
kingabout
)?WhatdoyoumeanMambaand
Cobra?Andhowdoyouknowaboutt heKennedy
deal
?"

Nomsa: "Youshouldknowbynowt hatIhavemy

waysj ustasmuchasyouhaveyour s,Zodwa.I
meanPhi l
aisMambaandCobr aishistwinbrot
her
Sbu,youi di
ot.Nowyou' vereall
ymessedup, Zodwa.
Youandyoursonar epl
anni ngtoover t
akePierr
oby
steal
inghisdeal er
sandcl i
entswi t
hKennedy.He' s
goingtocomef oryou.Isti
llhaveachancet o
redeem mysel fandI'
m goingt otel
lZeeeverything.

I
'm goi
ngtotel
lherhowyouforcedLungatomar
ry
hersothatyoucansacr
if
iceal
lherchi
ldren
becauseofherroyalbl
oodli
ne.I
'
m goi
ngtotel
lher
howyouputaspel lonLungasohecouldbeather
toapulpsothatshemi scar
ri
esandyouusedthat
foet
usformorepowerandmoney.

I'
m goi
ngtot el
lherhowyougotBelindaonyour
payrol
ltosl
eepwi t
hLunga'sbrot
herandcl ai
mt hat
thechi
ldisLunga'sson.Youhaveruinedmyl if
e
andnowyouwantt oruinZi
yanda'
slifeevenfurther
.
I'
m donewithyou,ZodwaandI '
m abouttoserve
youonasi l
verplat
tertoMamba.Gameover ,bi
tch.

Ihungupbef oreshecouldsayanythi
ngandIt ook
asipofmychampagne.Ineedt ogoseemymot her
tomorrowandconf essmysins.Zodwat riedcal
ling
meback, butIswit
chedoffmyphone.I tfeel
sgood
tohaveallthepowerforonce.Redemptionfeels
real
lygood.

Zodwa
Itr
iedcall
ingandcalli
ngNomsaagai nbutitjustl
eft
mest rai
ghttoVoicemail.Whodoesthatwhore
thi
nkshei s?Howdoessheknowal lmysecrets
kanje?I'
ml i
ter
all
yshakingandhavingpalpi
tati
ons.

Itryt
odr inksomewaterbutthegr i
pletlooseand
thegl
assf ellt
othegr
ound.Ifellont
ot heground
andtr
iedt ocomposemyself.Ineedagamepl an
andquickly.Ihadnoi
deaMambaandPhi l
aarethe
sameper son.

I'
mt r
ulyfuckedandnowIcan' tcont
rolNomsa
anymor e.Ineedtothi
nk.Perhapswecanmake
anotherdealwiththeSorcererandPhilawon'
tcome
aft
erme.Ideci detocallLunga.

Lunga:
"YeboMa.(
yes,
ma)
"

Zodwa:"
Comet
omyhousenow.Wehavea
pr
obl
em.
"

Lunga:"
Ican'
ttal
know,ma.I'
m onmywaytoPhi
la'
s
house.Zeeist
hereandIneedherwi
thme.
"

Ist
art
edt
opani
cmor
e.

Zodwa:
"No,
wai
tLungadon'
tgot
her
e!Phi
lai
s..
."

Icoul
dn'
tevenf
ini
shmysent
encebef
orehecutme
off
.

Lunga:
"I
'l
lcomeseeyout
omor
rowma,
aft
erIdeal
wit
hthi
s."

Hehungup.Oh, Nkosi
yami(oh,mygosh)
.Whatdo
Idonow?Itrytocal
lhi
m againbuthi
sphonegoes
str
aightt
ovoicemai
l
.Oh,no.Lungaiswal
king
str
aightint
oat rap.Nginyi
lestr
aight(I
'
mi nseri
ous
shit
).Ican'
tloseanotherson,myonl yson.Ican'
t.I
can'
tbearanymor eofthi
sfrust
rati
onasIsob
l
oudlyont hefloor.
Chapt
erNi
net
een

Zi
yanda

Igotoutoft hebat htubandf ixedmysel fasI

prepar edfordinnerwi t
hthegi rls.Ther e'
snoneed
todr essupsoIputonacr opTeewi thblack
l
eggi ngsandsl ippers.Lucki l
yt histshi r
tisn't
showi nganypar tofmybr east sort ummy.I
woul dn'twantSbut ogetthewr ongi deaaboutme.
Philaist hesweet estman.Hel i
terall
ygot
everythinginmysi zeandexact lywhatIl ike.I
noticedIhaven' tbeeneat i
ngpr operlynowadays.All
thisstressistakingi t
stollonme.I 'm sohappyhe's
bymysi de.Icheckmyphonef oranymessages
from thegi r
lsandInot ice8Mi ssedcal lsandone
messagef rom mymot her."Ziyanda, mybaby,
pleasecallmeback.It'
surgent.Iknowwe' r
enot
thatcloseandit'
sallmyfault
.Pleaseall
owmet o
fi
xit.CallmeMybaby. "That'
swei rd.Mymom
call
ingmepet namesandsoundi ngsosi ncere.
That'sveryodd.Perhapsshe'
sdyi ngorsomet hi
ng
l
ikethat.Ichoosetoignor
eher .I'
l
ldealwithher
anothertime.

Phi
lawal
kedi
nwi
thasmi
leonhi
sface.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami( mylove)
.Yourfr
iendsar
e
her
e.Porschespeci
all
ytol
dmei fIdon'
tcomeback
wit
hyouwi t
hin2minutesshe'
sgoingtoburndown
myhouse".

Il
aughed.Oh,
Por
sche.

Me:
"Okay,
I'
m doneanyway.Let
'sgo.
"
AsIwalkeddownt hest air
sIsawPor schestanding
i
nthemi ddl
eoftheki tchenhol dingplateswithfood,
whi
leKeleisbusypour ingsomewi neinglasses.
Bel
indaont heot
herhandwasl ooki
ngar oundwi t
h
aweirdl
ookonherf ace.I t
'sbetweendi sgustand
aweorrathersur
prise, Ijustcan'tt
ell
.

Porsche:
"Whoo!It
'saboutdamntime,"
Sthandwa
sami"(i
mitati
ngPhil
a).Comehelpmewi t
hsetti
ng
upthedinnertabl
esinceBeli
ndaasenamat sogo,
ngwaneso( si
nceBeli
ndadoesn'
thavehands,my
si
ster.
)"

Phi
la:(
chuckl
ing)"
Wel
l,
that
'smyqueuel
adi
es.
Shouti
fyouneedanyt
hing.
"

Heturnedtomeandwhi
sper
edi
nmyearbef
orel
eft
f
orhisstudy.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami
,don'
tfor
getwhatIsai
dabout
yourf
ri
end.
"

Wi t
ht hatsai dhewal kedawayandl ef
tus.Icar r
ied
twopl ateswi thpizzaandPor schecar ri
edanot her
twowi t
hsal ads,whi l
eKel ecar ri
edt wogl assesto
thedinnert ableandwentbackt ogett heot hertwo.
Allthi
swhi leBel i
ndai ajuststandingl ooking
around, leavi ngPor scher atherannoyed.Icoul dn't
helpbutal sof eelat adbi tannoyedt oo.Imeani t'
sa
bitrudet owat chpeopl epreppingf oodwhi l
eyou're
j
ustst andi ngdoi ngabsol utel
ynot hing.

Porsche:
"Eh,
QueenEli
zabeth,
Rekopaatleastotle
l
e(atleastbr
ing)t
hebott
leofwineandi
cecant oe.
(Pl
ease)"

Kel
e:"
Yes,kgant
ewhyveleosadi
resepe,
Bel
inda
(Whyaren'
tyouhel
pingout
)?"

Bel
inda:"
Oh,
sor
ryman.I
'
mjustadmi
ri
ngt
he
beautyoft
hishouse.Imean,I
'
m askingmyselfhow
Phil
aaffor
dsallt
his.Mustbethebenefi
tsofcri
me."

Wow.I '
m usedt oBel indatalkingshitbutthat'
sjust
alowblow.Kel e,Por scheandmysel fwe'reabi t
dumbst ruck.Ithinkthat '
sbecausesheusual l
y
saysshitwhenshe' shadabi ttoomucht odr i
nk.A
partofmef eelslikeshedoesi tonpur posesoshe
canblamei tont heal cohol.Por scheont heother
handhasal wayssai dt hatBelindahasal waysbeen
j
ealousofme.I 'm star t
ingtobel i
eveit.

Porsche:"Heh!Belindaweh! (
clappinghands)Kopao
skaret enaplease( Don'tannoyus) .Youjustr
ock
upher eandbar elytenmi nutesyou'vebeenhere
you'r
et hrowi
ngi nsultsintheman' shouse.Theman
whoi nvit
edyouher e.Gaoswabewai t
se(Youreal
ly
havenoshame) .Kanawai ti
balagor e(You'
re
for
get t
ingthat)yourlifeisamessandyoudon' t
evenknowwhof atheredyourchild."
Okay,
thi
sisaboutt
ogetoutofhand.Bel
inda
knowsbett
ert
hantoar
guewithPorsche.

Kele:
"Okay,l
adi
es,please.Canwejusthangouthl e?
ImeanBel i
nda,you'
retheonewhokepti nsist
ing
thatwehookupt onightandnowyou'rebeingnasty.
Ithi
nkyoushoul dapologi
zetoZee,pl
ease."

Beli
ndalookeddownandIt hinkshewasabi thur
t
myPorsche'scomment .Porschestookdwithher
handsfoldedandhereyebr
owsr aisedlooki
ngat
her.

Bel
inda:
"Kel
ei sri
ght.I'
m sor
ry,Zee.I
'
vejustbeen
st
ressedlat
ely.Idi
dn'tmeant otakei
toutonyou."

Kel
e:"
See,
probl
em solved.Let
'senj
oyoursel
ves,
l
adi
es.Wehaven'tseeneachotheri
nforever
."
Kele,
shor tf
orKelebogil
e.She'salwaysbeent he
peacemakeri nt
hegr oup.Abookwor m, alsoan
Accountingmajorli
keSbuwhogr aduatedwi thCum
l
audeandanhonour sdegr ee,andat ot
alsuckerf or
romance.Shewear sglasses,buthassucha
beauti
fulface.Shehasabi gafroandneverwear s
weaves.Shehasat inywai standcurvesf ordays.I
j
ustador eherspi
rit
.Itbri
ngscal mnesst ot hegroup.

Me:"
Itot
all
yagr
eewi
thKel
e,guys.Let
'senj
oyt
his
ni
ght.
"

Wesatdownandgr abbedsomef
ood,butIcoul
d
al
readyt
ellPor
sche'
smoodwasalreadyrui
ned.

Me:
"So,
Kel
e,howar
ethi
ngs?I
t'
sbeenawhi
lehey.
"

Kel
e:"
Oh,well
,sameol
d,sameold.Br
ianhasbeen
i
nandoutofjobshey,
butItryt
okeepthefami
ly
t
ogether
.Lucki
lyKPMGhiredmeamont hagoand
t
hesal
aryi
sgr
eat
."

Me:"
I'
m sogl
ad,man.Andhow'
sThat
o?I
'
m sur
ehe
t
alkstoomuchnow."

Kel
e:(
laughi
ng)"
He'ssoadorbsnowhey.Imean
he'
squit
eahandfult
hough.Ineverknewthreeyear
ol
dshadsomuchener gyt
olastthem ali
fet
ime."

Shesaidthatasshepassedherphoneontoal
lof
usshowingushispict
ures.Shejustli
ght
supwhen
shetal
ksaboutherson.It
'ssoadorabl
eandIcan'
t
waitt
ohavemyown.

Por
sche:
"Speaki
ngofki
ds,
how'
sBanel
e,Bel
inda?
"

Beli
ndaseemedabitcaughtbythatquest
ionand
tookawhil
ebefor
esheanswer ed.
Bel
inda:
"He'
sgood,
hey,
real
l
ygood.
"

Por
sche:
"Kanahowol
dishenow?Fi
ve?
"

Beli
nda:"yes,
kgantewhat
'swi
tht
hemi
ll
ion
questi
ons,Porti
a?!
"

Wow.Okay.Bel i
ndajustseemst oneverl i
ketal
king
aboutherson.Ifi
ndt hatsoodd.We'venevereven
seenhispict
ures.Ineverreal
lyask.Iguessshe's
ashamedbecauseshesaysshedoesn' tknowwho
thefat
herisandhewasaoneni ghtstand.
Apparent
lyBaneleli
veswi thherauntinCapeTown,
whil
esheliveshereinPr et
ori
a.

Porsche:"
Calm down,
sesi.We'
rej
ustmaking
conversat
ion.Whydidyousuggestt
hisdinneri
f
you'r
egoingtobesogr umpyanyways?"She
cl
ickedhertongueandpouredussomemor ewine.
Kele:
"Anyway,
Zee.Isawsomeguar
dsar
oundt
he
house.What'
sthedealwi
tht
hat
?"

Whilewe'reconver
singBeli
nda'
sphonekeeps
beepingandshe'signor
ingherphoneand
eventual
lyswit
chesitoff
.Mustbeapersi
stentexor
somet hi
ng.

Me:(sl
ightl
augh)"Oh,
that
.Phi
lal
ikesbei
ngsaf
e,
youknow.Nothingmajor
."

Ideci
detocutmyanswersasshortaspossi
ble.I
don'
tthi
nkitwoul
dbeappropri
atet
otel
lthem why
Phil
ahassomuchsecuri
tyaroundhim.

Beli
nda:
"Speaki
ngofPhi
la,
Zee.Areyouguys
toget
herorwhat?Andwheredoesthatl
eave
Lunga?"
Belindawasr at
herinquisi
ti
vetoni
ght.Itmademe
feelabituneasy,butIwon'tshowit.Iremember
Phila'
ssternwarning.Somethingi
sn'trightabout
Belinda.AsIwasaboutt oandwer,Porschej umped
ri
ghti nanddidthetalki
ngforme,whi chI'm grat
eful
for.

Porsche:
"Well
,sinceyoureal
lymustknow,Phil
a
andZeear eanitem nowandLungaisathingofthe
past.Si
nceyou'vealwaysfoundhi
m hot,Bee,
you
canhavehim now.He' sal
lyour
s."

Itr
ustPor
schet
othr
owal
owbl
owatsomeoner
eal
quick.

Kele:
"Wel
l,I
'
m happyf oryou,
Zee.I'
veneverreal
ly
l
ikedLunga.Ifyou'
rehappythenI'
m happy.
"

Bel
inda:(annoyed)"Kgant
eZeegaakgonego
i
pol
ella(can'tZeespeakforher
sel
f)
?"
Porsche:
"Shecan,butIj
ustl
iket
alki
ngonher
behalf
.Ihaveallni
ghtyouknow.
"

Belinda:
"Well
,I
'veneverwantedLunga.And
besides,whowoul dwantatwo-minut
enoodle?I
al
sodon' tapproveofyoufucki
nganexwhileyou'
re
sti
llmarri
ed,Ziyanda.
"

Kel
e:(
shocked)"
Bel
i
nda!
"

Porsche:"It
'sokay,Kele.I
'
vegott hi
s.Noonecar es
whetheryouappr oveofanyt hingornot
.Zeedoesn't
needyourappr oval.Legona, howdoyouknowhe' s
atwomi nutenoodle?AsIr emembercorrect
lyZee
hasneverl aidoutherbedroom issueswhenever
we'r
et ogether.
"

Por
schekepthereyesatBel
indawhi
leBeli
nda
l
ookeduneasy.Shelookedl
ikeshewasthi
nki
ngof
somet
hingt
osayunt
ilshest
oodup.

Beli
nda:"Ag,wenaPor ti
aobusykadi20quest i
ons
toni
ght(Oh, Porti
a,you'
resobusywi t
h20quest i
ons
toni
ght).Sincewhenol edetecti
ve(Sincewhenar e
youadet ective)
?Anyway, pl
easeexcuseme, Ineed
thebathroom.Ekokae( Whereisit
)?"

Kel
e:"
Come,
I'
llshowyou.Iwentt
her
ejustwhenI
ar
ri
ved.
"

Theybot
hlef
tthet
abl
eandPor
schekeptst
ari
ngat
them.

Porsche:"
Somethingi
sfi
shyaboutthatski
nnybi
tch.
Idon'tt
rustherZeeandnei
thershoul
dyou."

Me:"
Youknow,
Phi
lasai
dthesamet
hingt
ome
ear
li
eron.
"
Porsche:
"Hehe,
Somet
hingisupandI
'
m goi
ngt
o
fi
ndoutonewayoranother
."

Wekeptsi ppingonourwi neandIfi

ll
edheri
nona
fewdetail
s,includinghowPhi l
aatemycoochie
earl
ieron.Istil
lcan'tbel
ieveIcameonhisface.She
welcomedmet ot heorgasm clubwi
thahighfive.

Phi
la

I'
mi nthestudywi thSbuandhej ustpl
ayedmea
recordingofthephonecal lbetweenNomsaand
Zodwa.Thoset wobit
chesar egoingtofeelmy
wrath.Nowt hatwef i
nall
yknowwhyZi yandawas
forcedt omarryLunga,shecandi vorcehisassand
wecangetmar ri
ed.Ican'ttel
lZeeaboutBel i
nda
andt hatbastardchil
d,notrightnow.What '
sworse
i
st hatthesoni sn'
tevenLunga' skid.SoLungais
actuall
yi mpotent.
That'ssomef uckedupshi t
.I'vealwaysknownnot
totrustthatbitch,butmyZeeal waysseest hegood
i
npeopl eandi twil
lrui
nheroneday.Ihear ed
Lungat elli
ngGogoZodwahe' sonhi swayher e.Let
him come.I 'm waiti
ngforhim.Ialreadyt oldoneof
myguyst opreparetoshoothi mrightatt hegate.I
can'taffordhim beingshotrightinfrontofmy
house.Thatmi ghtj
ustscareof ft
hewomen,
especiallyZee.Idon'twanttoexposehert othat
kindoflife.She' swaytokf r
agileforthat.SbuandI
decidetocat chupwhi lesippingonsomewhi skey,
pati
ent l
yawai ti
ngacal lfr
om oneofmyguyst ell
ing
met hatit'sdone.Ican' twai
tt ooffi
cial
lygetr i
dof
thatleech.

Bel
inda

Ihadtothinkofawaytogetoutofthatmessy
si
tuat
ion.Inearl
ybl
urt
edoutthatI
'mf ucki
ngLunga.
Tomakemat t
erswor
sehe'sbeencall
ingand
t
ext
ingme.

Kele:(
Whisper
ing)"
What'
sthehel
liswr
ongwit
h
you,Bee?Whydi dyoudothat
?Wagafa(ar
eyou
crazy)
?"

Bel
inda:(
annoyed)
"Kel
eman,skatl
akagont
enal
e
wena(Don'tyoual
soannoyme.)
"

Kel
e:"
I'
mt r
yingtohelpyouhere.I
fyoucontinuet
he
wayyou'
regoingon,yoursecr
etwillbeout
."

Bel
inda:
"I
sthatso,
Mrs.GoodyTwoshoes?
"

Kel
e:"Bonaf
a(lookher
e)Bel
inda.I'
m yourfri
end
andwhatyou'
redoingt
oZeeisnotr i
ght.I'
m gi
ving
youachancetowalkawaybeforeeveryonegets
hurt
."
Shewal kedawaycl icki
nghertongueandIcouldn'
t
bebother ed.She'sannoyingasfuckact
ingl
ike
she'sbetterthaneveryone.Zeehasalwaysbeen
l
itt
lemi ssperfectandnowt hatShe'
swithPhil
a,i
t'
s
myt urntobeMr s.Nqcobo.

Igotint
hebathroom andswit
chedonmyphone.I
checkmymessagessi ncehe'
sbeenblowingupmy
phone."
Wherethefuckareyou?""Comeout.""
The
guardswon'
tletmein."Ideci
detocal
lhim.

Lunga:
"Whyt
hefuckhaven'
tyoubeenanswer
ing
mymessages,Bel
inda?
!"

Bel
inda:(
whisper
ing)
"Sorr
y,Icoul
dn'tanswer
.I
di
dn'twantt
hem togetsuspici
ous.
"

Lunga:
"Ngi
thecomeoutnowsot
hatIcangeti
nto
yourboot
.Ican'
tgeti
n-"
Hecouldn'
tevenfi
nishhi
ssent
encewhenIhear
d
t
hreegunshots.Ipani
cked.

Bel
inda:
"Lunga?
!Lu?!Oh,
myGod,
Lupl
easeanswer
me!Areyouokay?!
"

AsIbur
stouti
ntear
ssomeonet
ookoverhi
sphone.

Voi
ce:"
Takethi
sasawar
ningf
rom Bl
ackMamba.
You'
renext
."

Thel
inewentdeadandIsuddenl
yfel
tli
keI
'
m about
topi
ssmyselfwhi
leshaki
ng.
Chapt
erTwent
y

Zi
yanda

Kel
e,Por
scheandIwer
echat
ti
ngawayasal
ways
andenj oyi
ngoursel
vessomucht hatweactual
ly
forgotaboutBel
indaforasecond.Wewer ehavi
ng
Chocolatecakefordesser
twhenBelindacame
stormingdownthest ai
rsi
ntears.

Me:
"Bee,
areyouokay?
"

Bel
indawasi
nser
ioust
ear
sandst
ruggl
edt
ospeak.

Por
sche:
"Hao,
Beel
ewena.Buaman(
Tal
kman)
!Go
swi
lemang(Whodi
ed)
?!

Seemsl ikesomeoner eal

lydi
ddiebecauseshe
wailedevenmor e.I'
veneverseenBelindal
iket
his
before.It
'shear
tbr
eakingtoseeanotherwomancr y
l
iket hi
s.Oh,no.Shecan'tpossi
blydr
iveint
his
stat
e.Letmecal lPhi
la.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.
Me:"Phi
la,
canyoupl easedropBeli
ndaoffather
house?Shecan'tpossi
blydri
veli
kethi
s.She'si
na
st
ateandIdon'tknowwhat '
swrong."

Phi
la:
"Noworri
es,St
handwasami(Mylove)
.Sbu
wil
ldr
ivehercarwhi
leIdr
iveherhomeinmine.
"

Me:"
Thankyousomuch.I
'
mr eal
lysor
ryt
o
i
nconveni
enceyoul
i
kethi
s."

Phil
a:"
It
'sokay,babywami.Besides,
Mooi
kloofi
sn'
t
thatf
arfrom here.We'
recomingnow."

Ihungupt
hephoneandbr
eat
hedasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

Me:"
Bee, i
t'
sokay.Phi
lai
sgoi ngt
otakeyouhome.
Sbuwilldri
veyourcarsothatyoucanbeabl
etogo
toworktomorrow."
Bel
indawasn'tevensayinganyt
hing.Shewasjust
noddingwhi
chIt ookasasignofsayingthankyou.
Shewasstil
lsobbingthough,waylessthanbef
ore.

Phi
lacamewi
thSbu.

Sbu:"
Ladies.Let'
sgoBee-Bee.Oskallanenana
(Don'
tcry,baby).Whomeveritist
hatdiedneele
nakoyagae( Itwasprobabl
yt i
meforhim/hert
o
die)
.

Sbuthough.Howinsensi
ti
ve.Porscheontheot
her
handwasintri
guedandsil
entl
ylaughing.

Me:
"Sbumar
a.Don'
tbel
iket
hat
."

Sbu:(wi
thasmirkonhisf
ace)Okay,sor
ryke.(
He
rubbedBel
inda'
sback.
)Mfedikeytsakol
oinana
(Gi
vemethecarkeys,
baby.
).Let
'sgetyouhome
saf
ely.
"

Allt
hiswhil
ePhi
lawasjustdi
sint
erest
ed.They
bothlef
tandIwasl
eftwit
hKeleandPor sche.

Kel
e:"
Wow,guys.I
t'
snotnicet
oseeBel
indal
iket
his.
Whatdoyouthi
nkhappened?"

Por
sche:"
Kar
ma.
"

Me:
"Por
schemar
alewenabeser
ious.
"

Porsche:"
Whosai
dI '
mjoki
ng?"Shesaidthat
si
ppingonherwinenotcari
ngaboutBel
indaorhow
shemi ghtbef
eel
ingatt
hispoi
nt.

Kel
e:"
Ai,
guys.Letmel
oveandl
eaveyou.I
'
llcheck
upBeetomorrow.Besafeonyourtri
pt oCape
Town,Zee.HavefunandshowBr ennerwhatyou'
re
madeof."Shesaidsmil
ingandgavebot hPor
sche
andIhugs.Iwalkedheroutandshedroveoff
.

MeanwhilePorschewasjustsi
tt
inginherchai
r,
unbother
ed,dr
inkingherwi
ne.Istoodlooki
ngat
her.

Por
sche:"
Keng(
what
)?Obat
la(
Doyouwant
)some
morewine?"

Me:(chuckl
ing)"
maraobj
angwenaPort
iaWi
ll
iams,
heh(WhatkindofPer
sonareyou,
Por
ti
aWil
li
ams,
huh)
? "

Por
sche:
"I
'm apersonwholovesyouverymuchand
whocannotpret
end.Nowst opcomplai
ningand
gi
vemeat ourofthi
sgorgeousmansion.
"
Ilaughedshaki
ngmyhead.It
'snouset el
li
ng
PorschewhattodoorhowtofeelaboutanyonesoI
l
etherbe.Wegotupthestair
swithourwi ne
glassesi
nourhandsasItookheraroundt hehouse
foratour.

Phi
la

Beli
ndagoti ntothecarandIdr oveoffandSbu
camef oll
owingaf t
erwards.Thi sismychancet o
getthisbi t
chtocutherni cegirlact.Weal lknow
shehat esZee.Somucht hatshewant stot ake
everythingawayf r
om her.Shedeci dedtosi tatthe
back,pr obablysoshecanmour nherlousy
boyfri
endi npeace.Aswedr oveoutoft heest at
e,
therewer ePar amedicsont hesceneat t
endi ngto
thatfuckandhi scarwasbei nginspectedbyPol i
ce.
Ithi
nkshesawt hatasconf i
rmat i
onthathemi ght
bedeadandst art
edcryingagain.Mxm, Lunga
though, whateverhappenedt oBr o'
sbeforehoes?
Phi
la:
"So,
youwantt
otal
kaboutwhathappened?
"

Sheshookherheadtryi
ngt
owipehert
ears.Ikept
l
ookingathert
hroughther
ear
viewmir
ror
.Jah, neh.
Fakeassbit
ch.

Phil
a:"
Youknow,youcancutt
heact ,Bel
inda.I
knowyou'r
efucki
ngLungaandt hatyouhaveason
wit
hhi m.Whatbaff
lesmeisthatwhydon' tyouend
yourfakef
ri
endshi
pwi t
hZi
yanda? "

Shelookedatmesoshockedwi
thhereyeswi
de
open.

Phil
a:"
Now,answermebefor
eIputabullett
hrough
yourheadandfeedyout
ocrocodi
les,
joushit
."
Chapt
erTwent
yOne

Zi
yanda
ItookPorscheonat ouraroundthehouseandshe
absolutel
ylovedit.Iwasjustfal
li
ngdeepinthought
evernowandt henthinki
ngaboutBeli
nda's
behaviour.

Porsche: "
Tjo!Wabonachomi( Wow!Justlook
fri
end) !Mokeser i
ousupgr ade(Thi
sisaser ious
upgr ade).Kekamokgwaoj oyejewangkat eng
(Thisishowyoul i
veandenj oyli
fe)
.Bonaf ela(Just
l
ook) ;Abet terlooki
ngman, abi
ggerhouse, afatter
bankaccountANDPi pietona(Abiggerdick)!Itold
youl etsatsilagohlabelangwanyana( It
oldyou
betterdaysawai tyou,gi
rl
)."

Webot
hlaughedandcl
ickedourgl
assest
oget
her
.

Porsche:"Speaki
ngoftheD, omofaneng( whenare
yougivingitup)?GapeI'm pret
tysur
ehi sbal
lsare
blueasf uck,manZee.Lewena( youalso)youneed
t
oexper
iencesexyamannet
e(r
ealsex)
."

Me:(
Blushing,f
eel
ingali
tt
lef
lushed)"
Hai
,man(
no,
man)Porsche.I
t'
ssti
llt
oosoon."

Porsche:"Toosoonka( i
n)2020?!Haowawena( no,
man) .Didyouf orgett
hatRobandIhadsexont he
fi
rstdate?Andbesi des,i
t'
snotli
keyoudon'tknow
Phil
a,thisisjustoneofthosetobeconti
nued
phases.Ihonest lydon'
tseethereasonyou'
restil
l
waiti
ng."

Por
achedoeshaveabitofapoi
nt,t
hough.WouldI
beabitofabi
tchi
fIdi
dsleepwit
hPhilathough?

Me:
"Ihearyou,chomi(
fri
end)
.Ij
ustdon'
tknowi
f
ke(
I'
m)r eady,
hey."

Por
sche:
"Noonei
severr
eal
lyr
eadyf
orever
ythi
ng,
fri
end.Sexeyakadif eel
ings,wantshwar
a(youget
me) ?Notdit
hought s.That'
swhyonnal eodryso,
tshwanetseojesekukueo( That
'swhyyou'
resodry,
youneedt of
eedt hatvagina).
"

Sheburstouti
nlaught
erwhichl
eftmeabit
embarr
assed.Ij
usthadtochangethesubj
ect
.

Me:"
Anyway,
didyouhaveanyt
roubl
erunni
ngt
he
of
fi
cealonet
oday?"

Porsche:"Skachangersubj ect( Don' tchanget he

subject)
.Thi nkaboutwhatIsai d.Weshoul d
seri
ouslygol inger i
eshoppi ngsoon, it
'shight i
me
yougott hoset i
tt
iesouttopl ay.Ag, howwel ldo
youknowme?Ibasi call
yam t hef aceoft he
company, baby.Itwasj ustabi thect i
cbecauseI
havet odealwi t
hplacingnewst aff.Mr .Pis
merginghi sconst ruct
ioncompanywi thus, hence
herevampedt hewholebui l
di ng, sowe' r eexpecti
ng
newst affka( on)Monday.Yourboyf ri
endwa
nkolota(
owesme) ,
sinceI'
l
lberunni
ngthe
companyl e(
even)tomorr
owsinceyou'
rel
eavi
ng
beforenoon.
"

Phil
at hough.Iguesshemustber eall
yr i
chtobe
growingthecompanysosoonaf t
erhisar ri
val.And
what'sthisIhearnowaboutusl eavingbef orenoon?
IthoughtI'dbeheadingforworktomor r
ow.Thi s
wholet hi
ngofhim makingdecisionsf ormedoesn' t
si
tverywel lwit
hmeandIneedt osi thim down
aboutit.Thelastt
hingIneedistohaveanot her
Lungaonmycase.

Me:
"We'r
eleavi
ngbef
orenoon?Kanj
ani(
How)
Por
sche?"

Porscheseemedlikeshel
etoutal
it
tl
ebitmore
thansheshoul
d'veandseemedabitregr
etf
ul.

Por
sche:
"Ei
sh,
lennakaphaphaman(
I'
m wayt
o
foward,man).Oril
ekeskagobotsa(HesaidI
shoul
dn'ttel
lyou)
.Ke(I
t'
sa)surpr
isesoact
surpr
ised.AndDONOTt el
lhi
m It
oldyou.

Iwasevenmor
econf
usedt
hanwhenshest
art
ed.

Me:
"Ushokanj
animanje(Whatdoyoumeannow)?
Sur
pri
seforwhatbecauseI
'
m pit
chi
ngforBr
enner
?"

Por
schequi
ckl
yshutmedown.

Porsche:"Ey,ey,ey,Zee.Kaokopat oe( Please,I'

m
beggingyou) .Tswamogonna( Leavemeal one).
Kar eke( Isai
di t
'sa)sur pri
sesoactsur pri
sed.
Enoughquest i
onslewena.I t
'sbadenoughIhave
todeallemoget eola( thatasshole)bar engke
(cal
led)Nozionadai ly.Yesses( Dammi t
)thatgirl
want apisa(wear smeout ).Shecan' thandlethe
factthatBossPor omet se(sent)everyoneanemai l
withstri
ctinstructi
onst odoasIsayt hesetwodays
unti
lyouguyscomebackonMonday.Ker ebonaI
evenhostdimorni
ngbri
efi
ngnet(
just
)forcontr
ol.
Gollasehl
akosakadaarso(I
'
minchargethere)
."

Il
aughedsohar dimagi ninghowtoughshemustbe
onNoziandhersi dekickThato.I'
m prett
ygladI
won'tbeseeingthosetwof orawhile.Ihavenoidea
howShanedeal swiththem.Ij usthopeNozi
doesn'tst
artspr
eadingr umoursaboutPhilaandI.

Me:"
Ijusthopeshedoesn'
tspreaddir
umour
ska
nnale(aboutmeand)Phil
a,youknow."

Porsche:
"Wena,odlall
aNozipho( your eal
ly
underest
imateNozipho).Shehasal r
eadyst art
ed,
butyouknowme.It oldherwher etogetof fshame.
Anyway,gobal at
a(it
'sgett
inglate).I
'm sureRob
mustbewor noutwi t
hthekids.Letmegobef orehe
star
tscomplaini
ng.Wai t
sebannabababj ang( You
knowhowt hesemenar e).
"
Itisgetti
ngr atherlate.11pm andPhi laissti
llnot
backyet .I'
m st art
ingt owor ry.I
tisn'tverysafeout
thereespeci all
yatt hist i
meoft henight .Porsche
andIhuggedandsai dourgoodbyes.Ideci dedto
cleanupabi tanddot hedi shesinthesi nksince
theywer en'tthatmany, j
ustaf ewpl atesandsome
winegl asses.Itidiedupandwentt osi tint
he
bedroom.Lucki l
yPhi l
ahasat vinher esoIdon't
havet ocurlupont hecouchi fIwantt ocatchupon
somet vt i
me.Ir ealizet hatIhadl ef
tmyphonei n
herewhent hegi rl
sar rived.

IcheckmyphoneandIhave20mi ssedcal lsand

dozensofmessagesf rom bothmymot herand
Lunga'smot her.Idecidet
oi gnor
et hem al l.These
twoar eprobablyteamingupagai nstmet ryingto
getmet ogobackhome.Ibr ushedmyt eeth,
posit
ionedmysel finthebed.Iswi t
chedont hetv
hopingtocat chupont heRiverandcameacr ossa
dist
urbingheadline:"
Prominentbusi nessman
LungqNgcoboshott hreeti
mesi nt heear lyhoursof
theeveni ng".OhmyGod!Ist art
edt opanicand
tearsfelldownmyf aceinvoluntaril
yleavingmy
visi
onabi tblurr
ed.Coul dthi
sbePhi l
a'sdoings?I
dialhisnumberandi tgoesunanswer edst r
aightto
voicemai l.Didhereall
ymeanwhathesai d?" I
fyou
comef orthosewhocomeaf terandmyt hoseIl ove,
IWI LLkillyou."Hiswor dskeptpl ayi
ngl i
keanol d
recordIcan' tseem t
of orgeti
nmyhead." Please
Lord,letthisnotbetrue."Ithoughtt omysel fand
saidasi lentprayer
.

Phi
la

Phi
la:
"Iaskedyouaquest
ion,
sisi(
sist
er)andyou
bet
teranswerme."

Bel
inda:(
rat
tl
ed)
"I
..I
..
.Phi
la-
"

Phi
la:
"Mr
.Zwanet
oyou!
"
Beli
nda:"
Mr .
.Mr.Zwane.Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowwhat
you'
retal
kingabout
."

Hehe, thisbit
chi spl
ayingwi t
hfir
e.LuckilyI'mina
goodmoodt oday.Iel
imi natedthet hr
eattomyand
Zee'slife,soIwon'tki
llherj ustyet.Idecidedt o
playsomeOper aMusic.Pi errotaughtmet hat
Oper asingerssingtoaper son'ssoul,andhe
alwayspl ayeditinthebackgr oundbef orekill
ing
tr
aitors.Itsoothesmeal ottoo,sowheneverIwant
tocalm mysel fdownIpl aysome.Myf avourit
e
Oper aar t
isti
sLucianoPavar ott
iandIdeci deto
playmyf avourit
esong' NessunDor ma'.

Phil
a:"
Doyouknowwhatt heItali
anMafiadoesto
tr
ait
orslikeyou?Especi
all
ywhor eswhogoar ound
acti
nglikewivesfor
gett
ingtheirpl
ace?
"

Shej
ustst
aredatmewi
de-
eyed,
asmut
easaf
ish.
Phi l
a:"Theyinviteallthemaf ialeadersandt hei
r
wi vesf oranicedinnerpar tyandbeheadyoui n
frontofever yone.Ifyoul i
e,theycutyourt ongue.I
f
youst ealfr
om them, theycutyourar m orboth
dependi nghowmuchyoust ole.Ifyouf uckwith
theirwomen, theycutyourdi ckoff,butinyourcase
sinceol emagosha( sinceyou' r
eapr ostit
ute)t
hey
cutyourheadof fandsendi ttoyourlovedones.
Ther estofthebodyget sbur nttoash.Youdon' t
deser veapr operfuner alandyousi mpl ybecome
anot herJohnDoe. "

Shelookedreal
lyscar
edl
ikeshe'
saboutt
opi
sson
myleatherseat
s.

Phil
a:"Oskabewat enyela(
don'tyoudareshi
t
yourself
)onthoseseats.Ij
ustgotthiscarl
ast
weekf orZee.I'
dhatetorui
nitkanyoyaoyago
kga(I'
dhatetoruinitwit
hyourfoul-
smell
ingcunt
).

Iwasdr
ivi
ngt
hegol
fseven.Zeel
ikest
hiscarandI
don'
twantherr
uini
ngi
t.

Wegottohergat
e.Hmm,areall
yniceamdposh
nyananei
ghbour
hood,
butr
athersmall
Townhouses.

Phi
la:
"Opent
hegat
e."

Bel
inda:(
cryi
ng)"Pl
ease, pl
easedon'
tkil
lme.Oska
mpolayahle(
Don'tkil
lmepl ease)
.IPromiseI
'
ll
st
ayoutofZee'sli
fe.AllIwantedwastobenumber
oneinLunga'
sli
fe."

Phil
a:"
Beli
nda,Ireal
l
ydon'thaveallni
ght,
youknow.
Keril
e(Isaid)openthegate.Andophumul e
mami naaoamasepa( Andwipethatshi
tt
ysnotof
f
yourface)
."

Sheopenedt
hegat
eusi
ngherr
emot
e.Ipar
kedt
he
carandSbuparkedr
ightnextt
omeandgotoutt
o
takeasmoke.

Phi
la:
"Et
swa(
Getout
).
"

Beli
ndawalkedoutshakingli
kealeaf.It
'ssovi
sibl
e
evenatthi
sdarkhour,especi
all
ysinceshe'
sski
nny
asfuck.

Sbu:
"Ai
,Mamba.Nnaakit
siDynamiteobonaeng
momonna( Idon'
tknowwhatDynamiteseeshere,
man).Mokeker
epeomoserious(she'
saserious
ski
nnychi
cken).
"

Webothlaughed.Myphoner
ang.I
twasZee.I
deci
dednottoansweri
tandf
ini
sht
hisni
ghtof
f
wit
hawar ni
ng.

Phi
la:
"Bonamo,
Bel
inda(
Lookher
e,Bel
inda)
.You
hadbet t
ercomecl eantoZeeabouteverythi
ngyou
havedonet oher .I'
m notgoingtodothedirt
ywork
foryou.IfIeverseeyoucomi ngnearherand
throwinginsultsatherli
keyouwer edoingtoni
ght
duringyourdi nnerpart
y,I
'l
lcutyourfucki
nghead
offandf eedittoyourbastardson,uyangi
zwa(do
youunder stand)?"

Bel
inda(
shaki
ng)
:"
Ye.
.Yes,
Iunder
stand.
"

Phil
a:"Good.Nowyou'llsendheranicemessage
apologizi
ngforyourbehaviourandforcal
li
ngmea
cri
mi nali
nmyownhouse.I '
m gi
vingyouaweekto
comecl eanother
wiseyou'llmeetyourboyf
riendi
n
hel
l.Sbu, arevaye(l
et'sgo).
"

Sbu:"
Byebye,
nana.
"

Wegotint
hecar
,leavi
ngBel
indascar
edashel
lon
t
hedri
veway.Noonemesseswi t
hMambaand
get
sawaywi
thi
t.

IdroppedSbuof fathishouseandl eftf

ormi ne.He
want edtosleepoveragai n,butIwanttobeal onei n
myhousewj thmywoman.Hehashi sownwi fe,
man.IDon' tgetwhyhehar dlywantstosleepat
homei fhel
ovesShar onsomuch, butanywayI '
ll
havef rankdrophi scarofftohimfir
stthi
ngi nt he
mor ning.I
t'
slikehedoesn' thaveanyothercar s,but
Iguessyoucan' tseparat
eamanf r
om histoys.

Iparkedmycari
nthegarageandwalkedin.Isee
Zeecleanedupabi
t.Iheadedupstai
rsandfound
hersobbingont
hebed.Iquickl
yrushtohersi
de
andgotonmyknees.

Phi
la:"
Yaya,babywami(mybaby).Yi
ni?
Kwenzalakal
eni(
Whathappened)
?"

Zee:
"Di
..Di
dyou.
..Di
dyouhavehi
m ki
ll
ed?Lunga,
di
dyouhavehi
m shot
?"

Myhear tst
artedr
acingfast
erthanusual.Howt he
fuckdidthi
sgetonthenewswhenIgavest rict
i
nstructi
ons?Peoplearegoingtolosethei
rjobsin
theam!HowdoIgoaboutt his?Istar
edatherin
theeyes.Iknowbett
erthantolietoher.I
'm so
confl
ict
ed.DoIcomecl eanorl i
etoher?WhatdoI
do?
Chapt
erTwent
yTwo

Phi
la

Ziyanda:"
Iaskedyouaquest
ion,
Nkosenye.Di
d
youhaveLungashot?"

Phi
la:
"No.Idi
dn'
tdoi
t.
"

Zi
yandal
ookedatmef
orawhi
lebef
orespeaki
ng
again.Herfacei
ssor ed,Iactuall
yfeelashamed
forl
yingtoherri
ghtnow.ButIcan' thavehermad
atmewhenIhavesuchagr eatweekendpl anned
forus.Callmeselfi
sh,butatleastI'
m sel
fishwit
h
herfeel
ingsinmind.

Zi
yanda:"
But,butt
heysai
dhewasshotr
ighther
e
out
sideyourestat
e."

Mxm.Stupi
djournali
sts.It
houghtIpai
dthat
f
ucki
ngmayort omakesur ethi
snewsdoesn'
t
r
eachpeopl
e'sears.Ishoul
dhavedonethismysel
f.

Phil
a:"
Peoplegetshotandkill
edeveryday,
Sthandwasami( Mylove).Maybehewasf oll
owing
oneofyourf r
iendshereorsomethi
ng.Besi des,
whyar eyousowor kedupaboutthi
sguy?Hedi dn'
t
l
oveyou, Zee.Ido.
"

Zi
yanda:
"Iknow,
it'
sjustt
hat
,Idon'
twi
shdeat
h
uponhi
m oranythi
ngli
kethat.He'
sal
lI'
veknown
forsol
ong,
Ijusthaveasoftspotf
orhi
m, Iguess.
"

Hearinghersayt hatmademef eelapangof

jeal
ous.Really,Zee?Thi sguybeatyout oapul p
andyoust il
lhaveasof tspotf
orhi m?!Ijustthought
sil
ently. Idon'twantt oupsetheranyf urthersoI
justl
etherbeont hat
.Soonenought hi
ssof tspot
yamasi mba( thissoftspotshit
)wi l
lbeover .I'
ll
makesur eofi t
.

Phi
la:
"Iunder
stand.List
en,
geti
nthecovers.Let
megobr ushmyt eet
handshowerabit
.I'
llbewith
younownow, okay?"

ShenoddedasIgotupf r
om t hef l
oorandkissed
heront heli
ps.Shegotint hecover sandIgotin
thebat hroom,andtookashower .AsIgotoutI
recei
vedanemai lf
rom dr.Steinwi t
hthereports
from thet i
meZeewashur tandi nhospit
al,
tothe
sessionsshehadwi t
hher .I'
lldealwitht
hese
f
ucker
saf
termyweekendwi
thZee.

JustasIwasabouttol
eavethebat
hroom,Sbu
cal
ledme.Yesses,
man.Thisguyakana(doesn'
t
have)t
imi
ng.Ianswered.

Phil
a:"
Sbu,yi
nimf
o(whati
sit
,br
o)?Ineedt
o
cuddlewi
thmywifenow.
"

Sbu:"
Hademan,
Mamba.Di
dyoucheckt
henews?
"

Phila:"
Nah,Igoti
nher
eandfoundZeecryi
ng.She
tol
dmeabouti t.What
'swor
sesheaskedmei fI
kil
ledhim.
"

Sbu:
"Eh,
eh,
eh.Wenawat
hini(
whatdi
dyousay)
?"

Phi
la:
"Isai
dno.
"
Sbu:"
Ah,ah,
ah,Mamba.Uyabonakele(Yousee
thi
s)?Thedayshefi
ndsoutyouwereinvolved
uzobonaamasi
mba(you'
llseeshi
t)I
'
mt ell
ingyou.
"

Phil
a(sigh):"
I'm wil
l
ingtoriski
t,mfwet hu.Igot
suchani ceweekendpl annedaheadf orher,Ij
ust
real
lyneedhert olovemeagai n,youknow.I '
ve
beencompet ingwiththisdi
ckf oryearsandnow
thathe'
sdeadIdon' tneedtocompet eanymore."

Sbu:"
Ini(
what)
?!Dead?!Akaf
angal
orubbi
sh(
that
rubbi
shdidn'
tdi
e).He'
sinacomaaswespeak."

Igotsofr
ustr
atedthatIbangedmyfi
stont
hewal
l.
Thepaindoesn'
tevenmat t
ertomenow.

Phila:"
Nawe, whydidn'
tyoustartwit
hthat
?Why
didn'tyoustartwit
h'Mfo,akaf
angalorubbi
sh'
(Brother,
thatrubbi
shdidn'tdi
e)?"
Sbu:
"Hade,man,Mamba(Sor
ry,
Mamba,
man)
.I
wasn'
tthi
nkingst
rai
ght
."

Phil
a:"Kugrand(It
'sfi
ne).I
'l
ldealwit
hhi m when
I
'm backfr
om CapeTown.Don' tf
orgettofeedthat
i
diotTony.I'
llseehim whenI'
m back."

Sbu:
"Shosho(sur
esur e)Mamba.Letmegobefore
Shar
onskinsmealive.Appar
ent
lyI
'vebeenhavi
ng
anaff
air
."

Ilaughed.Serveshi
mr i
ghtf
ornotsl
eepi
nghome
forawhol etwonight
s.Ihungupanddecidedt
o
dialBl
azer.

Bl
azer
:"
Shosho,
Groot
man(
Sur
esur
e,Bi
gman)
."

Phi
la:
"Yey,
wenaBl
azer
.Di
dIj
ustpayyou250kf
or
l
amasi mba(
thi
sshi
t)
?!Whyi
sthatf
uckerst
il
l
al
ive?
!"

Blazer
:"Hadegrootman( Sorry,Bi
gman) .Flopo,
daaimankel edi ehard(Problem i
sthatman
doesn'tdi
eeasily).Kemoshapi l
ethreebull
et,ka
mot hubalehlogo( Ishothimt hr
eeti
mes, Ieven
bl
ewhi mi nthehead) .
"

Phi
la:
"Shap.Ret
lar
ingal
ater(
Sur
e.We'
l
ltal
klat
er)
."

Blazer
:"
Kemof ell
etsekohosidaar(
Shoul
dIgot
o
thehospit
alt
ofini
shhim off
)?"

Phil
a:"
No,heprobabl
yhasguardsonstandby.
Besi
des,Idon'
twanttocauseunnecessar
y
at
tenti
on.Momaezef ornow(Leavehimfornow)
."

Bl
azer
:"
shosho,
groot
man(
Sur
e,sur
e,bi
gman)
".
Ihungupandwr appedmyt owel onmywai st.I
walkedi ntothebedr oom andf oundZeesl eeping
peacef ul
lywi t
hthet von.Shame, l
ookhowr edher
faceisf r
om al lt
hecr yi
ng, i
tamatilami(myt omato).
Shet urnedt otheothersi deandhercr optop
revealedapi eceofherf lesh.Gosh, thi
swomani s
beautiful.WheneverIseehwrIj ustgetaninstant
hardon.Ican' twaittomakel ovetoher,toshow
herhowar ealmanappr eciatesabeaut i
fulbodylike
hers.

AsIwasaboutt ogetint
othecovers,herphone
rang.Icheckedandt hecall
erIDread"Mama
Lunga".Mxm it
'sthatsaggybit
chZodwa.Ideci de
toanswerandt auntherabit.

Zodwa: "
YeywenaZi yanda!Kuniningifouna(I'
ve
beencalli
ng)!Ngiyazi(Iknow)you'vemovedon
wit
hyourdr uglor
dboyf riend,
kodwa( but)can'
tyou
atleastansweryourcallorcomet oseeyourdyi ng
husband?Kant
iipi
pieshai
kwenzaubenj
e(I
sthi
s
hownewdi ckmakesyoufeel
)?"

Thiswoman.Nohi , howar eyou.Justski

pping
str
aightt
oinsul
ts.She'srudeasf uck.Ir
eal
lydon'
t
knowwhatMdeva( David)sawinher .

Phil
a:"
SawubonaZodwaNqcobo.Unjani(
howare
you)youli
tt
lethi
ef?Orshoul
dIsayumthakat
hi
(wi
tch)?Whichoneisi
t?"

Shewentsi
lent
,butIcoul
dsenset
hef
earont
he
phone.

Zodwa:"Sa.
.sawubona.Ngi
khul
umanobani(
who
am Ispeaki
ngt o)
?"

Phi
la:(Chuckl
ing)
"Yazi(
youknow)forsucha
di
srespectf
uloldthi
ng,youshoul
dknowbettert
han
tohumbl
eyourselfaf
teri
nsult
ingmywife.It
'sabit
l
atedon'
tyouthi
nk?Anyway, letmecutthechit
chat
.ThisisPhi
la,Mambat oyou."

Shewentdeadsi
lent
.Icoul
dsenseanounceof
regr
etcr
eepi
nguponher.

Zodwa:"
Oh,Philamfanawami( myboy) .Unjani
kodwa(howareyou) ?Ngiyaxol
isa(Iapologi
ze)for
behavi
ngsobadl y.I
'mjustsostressedyouknow,
myonlysurvi
vingchil
dislyi
nginhospi t
aland-"

Idi
dthatevenbot
herl
ist
eni
ngt
other
estofhershi
t.

Phi
la:"
Yazi
ni(Youknowwhat
)Zodwa,cutthe
bul
lshi
t.Ungi
tshel
aamasi
mba(You'
retel
li
ngme
shi
t)ri
ghtnow.Amasimbast
rai
ght(
Strai
ghtup
shi
t)!
"
Iwasstar
ti
ngt
ogetsowor
kedup,If
orgott
hatZee
wassoundasl
eepf
oramoment.

Phil
a:"
Lalel
ala(Li
stenhere)
, maufunaukuphi
la(i
f
youwantt oli
ve)t
oseeanot herday,youhadbet
ter
adressZeewithrespect
,uyangizwa(doyou
underst
andme) ?!
"

Zodwa:"
Ye.
.Yebo,
Ngi
yakuzwa(
ye.
.Yes,
Ihear
you)
."

Phila:"
DoNOTmakeyourusel esssonourpr obl
em
andi fIwereyouIwoul dstopcal l
ingZee.I'
m
war ni
ngyou, I'
m goingawayf orawhi l
esothat
givesyout imetopr actiseyourapol ogyspeechto
Zeef orallt
heshi tyouputhert hrough.WhenI
comebacki thadbet terandIhadbet terf
indyou
dressedf ortheoccasi on,otherwiseyouandyour
sonwi llmeetinhel l
,uyangi zwangi t
hini(
doyou
hearwhatI 'm saying)Zodwa? !"
Zodwa:
"Yebo,
mfanawami(
yes,
mychi
ld)
."

Phi
la:
"Mambatoyou.Ki
ssli
tt
leLungagoodni
ghtf
or
meneh."IhungupandZeewokeup.

Zee:
"Whatt
imeisit
?Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
oatt
his
ti
meofthenight
?"

Phil
a:"
NooneSthandwasami(
Myl ove).Come, let
's
sl
eep.Wehavealongweekendahead."Ikissedher
cheekanddozedoffwi
thmyarmswr appedar ound
her.
Chapt
erTwent
yThr
ee

Zi
yanda

Iwokeupwi
thPhi
la'
sar
mswr
appedar
oundmy
waist.Hi
sfacewasonmyneckandhi sthi
ngwas
pokingme.Itmademef eelsoawkwar
dandi tj
ust
fel
tsohuge.Itri
edtowigglemysel
foutofhisgri
p,
buthejustwoul
dn'tbudge.

Me:
"Phi
la.
"

Phi
la:
"Hmm.
"

Me:
"Letgo.Ineedt
opee.
"

Phil
a:"
Ha,butSthandwasami(
myl
ove)
,it
'ssonice
cuddli
ngwithyou.You'r
emyownhumant eddy
bear.
"

Me:
"Phi
laman.
"

Phi
la:
"Okayke(
then)
."
Hefinall
yletlooseandIgotupandwentt opee.I
satonthet oi
letseatthi
nkingofLungaandhow
heart
brokenhi sevil
mot hermustber i
ghtnow.I t
's
pret
typainfulknowingyouronl ychi
ldthatyou'r
e
l
eftwithisont hebrinkofdeathandit'
sprobably
yourfault
.Igotdoneandwashedmyhands.AsI
gotbacktot hebedroom, IfoundPhil
ahadal r
eady
madet hebed.Hawu, hewassoundasl eepaf ew
minutesago.

Phi
la:(
sit
ti
ngonthebed)"
Goodmor
ning,
Sthandwa
sami(Mylove)
.Ulel
enjani(
Howdi
dyousleep)
?"

Me:(Smi
li
ngli
kealovest
rucki
diot
)"Goodmor
ning.
Isl
eptwel
l,
thankyou,
wena(andyou)?"

Phi
la:
"Howcam Inotsl
eepwel
lwi
thagoddessby
myside?"
Me:(Blushi
ng)"
Hayi(
no)
,man,Phi
la.I
t'
stooear
ly
f
orthis.Whatti
meareweleavi
ng?
"

Phil
a:"
It
's7am now.We'
rel
eavi
ngat8t
othe
ai
rport
."

Me:"
Eish,
butIhaven'
tpackedanyt
hing,Phi
la.Why
di
dn'
tyouwakemeupandr emi
ndmel astnight
?"

Phil
a:"
Don'tworryaboutpacki
ng.Yougoandt
akea
shower.Betteryet
,howaboutwet akeone
toget
her?
"

Ifel
tabitweir
daf t
erthatquesti
on.I'
veneverdone
thatbef
ore.Won'titbeawkward?Por scheal
ways
sayssexintheshoweri snice,
butarewer eadyfor
sexthough?Isti
lldon'tknow.Ithi
nkhesawt hat
somethingisent
hr al
li
ngmymi nd,andhedeci ded
tospeak.
Phi
la:
"St
handwasami
,(myl
ove)
.Pl
easel
ookat
me.
"

Il
ookedathi
m hesi
tant
ly.

Phila:
"Doyout
rustme?Ineedyout otrustme,
Yaya.Itol
dyou,Iwon'tsoanythingyou'
renotr
eady
forandImeanteverywor d.Whathappenedtothat
Ziyandawhowascar efreearoundme?TheZee
whowassoconf identaroundme? "

Iwantedt
otel
l hi
mt hatLunga,mymotherand
Zodwaandkil
ledallthat
,butIdon'
twantt
odwell
onthepast
.

Me:"Idotr
ustyou,Phil
a.Ij
ustdon'twanttorush
thi
ngsmaki ngyouloseint
eresti
nme."Ilooked
downt ear
y-eyed.
Phil
a:(walkingtowardsmehol di
ngmyhands)" Zee,
Il
oveyou.Ihavenoi ntent
ionsofleavi
ngyou-ever.
Thesooneryougetusedt othatthebett
er.Ijust
wanttoshowerwi t
hmywoman.Ipr omiseIwon't
doanyt hi
ngf unny-
unlessyouwantmet o.
"Hegave
met hatcheesy,perf
ectsmi l
eofhis.Icouldn'
thelp,
butreturnthegesture.

Me:"Okay.Let'
sgo.Wewal kedi
ntothebathroom
hand-in-
hand,andhewast ednotimetaki
ngof fhis
bri
efs.Thisisactual
lythefir
stt
imeIseehi m naked.
Icouldn'
thelpbutstar
eandmymout hopened
i
nvoluntari
ly.

Phi
la:(Smil
ing)"
Closeyourmout
h,st
handwasami
(mylove).
"

Iquickl
ybroughtmyselfbacktoear
th.Thesi
ghtof
hispenisl
eftmefeeli
ngflushedwhi
chintur
n
causedmyf acetotur
npi nk.
Phi
la:
"Bonaunj
anikodwa,
tamat
ilami(Lookatyou
now,mytomato)
.Come, l
etmehelpyouundress.
"

Hetookoffmycl othesstar t
ingwi thmycr optop,
thenwentformyl eggingandheevent uall
ytookoff
mypant i
es.Iwasn' twearingabr aasIlearntalady
shouldneversleepi nabr a.Now, I'
m offi
cial
ly
naked.I'
m standingi nfrontt hisperfect
lycarved,
tal
l,
darkchocolatemanwhi lemybi gboobsar e
hanging,
andmybi gassandt hi
ghsar eexposed.

Ican'
thelpbutf eel
soinadequat
er i
ghtnow.Iask
myselfeverydaywhatonear t
hhelikesaboutt
his
body.PerhapsIneedacr ashcourseonself-
confi
dencebecauseonet hingIknowaboutPhil
ais
thathehardlyli
es.Ifhesayshelovesmybody,
thenheprobablydoes.

Wegoti
ntot
heshower
,andl
ucki
lyi
t'
sbi
gandwi
de
enought ofitsixpeopl ei nher e.Idon'thaveto
worryabouthowwewoul dfitinhere.It'
sgotat i
ny
benchi nonecor ner.Her ant hewaterandst ar
ted
washingmyback.Ther e'
sj ustsomet hi
ngabout
thi
slevelofi nti
macyt hatIf eelnotevensexcanbe
compar edto.Bei ngcompl etelynaked,both
physicall
yandemot i
onal lyinf r
ontofthemanyou
l
oveandyoursoul sbeingi ntertwi
nedwi t
hone
anotheristot al
lyamazi ng.

Hewental lt
hewaydownwi ththespongeand
somef oam tomybums, t
henhet urnedmear ound
andstartedwashingmybreastsslowly,goi
ngall
thewaydownt omycoochie,sendi
ngsignalsall
overmybody.Phi la'
shandsmusthavebeen
creat
edbyGods, Imeanhowel sedoIexpl ai
nhis
handsbei ngabl
etodoallthi
stomewi t
hout
penetr
ation?

Ashekeptwashi
ngpar
tsofmybodywhilestar
ing
atmethr
oughoutt
hewhol
eprocessandhiseyes
neverleavi
ngmi ne,i
t'
sal
mostasifhe'
slooki
ng
deepintomywoundedsoul ,
searchi
ngforawayto
heali
tper manentl
y.

Hel eaneddownandki ssedmeandIr eciprocated

withoutevent hinkingt wice.ImustsayIam get ting
betteratthiski ssingt hi
ng.Ourt ongueswer e
maki nglovet ooneanot her,t
hewat ermadei tf
eel
l
ikedr oplet
si frainsl owdanci ngonourski n.He
touchedandcar essedmybr eastsandIt ouchedhi s
rockhar dabdomen.Ani nvolunt
arymoanescaped
mymout hi ntohi s.Ithoughtofdoi ngthe
unthinkable-Iwant edtot ouchhisMandi ngoas
Porschecal lsit.Sheal wayssaysmenf eelnice
whenwomendoi ttothem soIt houghtwhynot ?
Letmet r
yit.

Wewer estil
lkissi
ngandt ouchi
ngoneanother,
and
Iletmyhandt raveldowntohiscrot
ch.Istar
ted
touchi
nghispeni sandrubbingi
tupanddown.The
sizeofthi
sthing!Iswall
owedhar dt
hinki
nghowi t
woul devengoi ntomethedaywehavesex.Phi la's
breathi
ngstartedtochangeashewasbr eathing
fasterandfaster.ThemoreIrubbedhisdi ck,the
fasterhi
sbreat hi
nggot.Doingthatmademef eel
wetdownt her e.Thi
sisatotal
lynewexper iencef or
me.HowIwi shitwastheveryfi
rstt
imef orus.He
brokethekissandbr eat
hedoutloud.Ilookedat
him andhiseyesbecamesmal l
er.

Phi
la:
"Shi
t,Zee!Ungiyenzani(
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
tome)?"

Ismi l
edashismouthtr
aveleddownt omyneck.
Hest art
edki
ssi
ngmyneckandsucki ngoni t
,whil
e
hisonehandwasonmybeast ,hisotherhandwas
goingdownt omycoochie.Her ubbedmycl i
tin
ci
rcularmoti
onsanditdrovemeovert heedge.My
headt i
lt
edbackwhil
eIwasst i
llrubbi
nghisdick.
Hei nser
tedafi
ngeri
ntomypussyandIwentwi l
d.

Me:
"Oh,
Phi
la.
"
Phil
a:"
Shit
,St
handwasami(
Mylove)
.You'
reso
warm.Comef ormebabywami(mybaby)
.Come
fordaddy.
"

Ashisfi
ngerkeptgoi
ngfasterandf
asteri
nsi
demy
pussy,
Ialsorubbedhi
sdick,goi
ngfast
er.

Phi
la:
"Damn,
Zee.Yourhandsar
emagi
c,baby.Let
i
tal
lgo."

Ashewaswhi sper
inginmyearIf eltmybodytense
up.Hewasal sogr oaningmoreandmor eand
breat
hingheavier
.If el
tawar m wavefl
oatthr
ough
mybodyandIr el
eased, f
eel
ingsohotIendedup
twit
chingabit
.Hegr oanedinmyearwhi l
e
rel
easi
nghiscum onmyhand.

Phil
a:"Shi
t,St
handwasami(Myl
ove)
.Yourhandis
tal
ented.Ican'twai
ttot
ast
emoreofyousoon.
"
Icouldn'
thelp,butblush.Thi
smant hough.Atleast
Iwasn'tfeeli
ngwei r
dbeingnakedwithhim
anymor eatthispoint.Hetur
nedaroundandi twas
myt urntowashhi sback.He'squit
et al
lsoIhadto
ti
ptoeal it
tl
ebit.Ifthisi
swhatlovereal
lyfeel
sli
ke
thenIdon'teverwantt hi
stoend.
Chapt
erTwent
yFour

Phi
la

ZeeandIgotouttheshoweraft
erthatintense
sessi
on.Damn, t
hiswomanisbeautifulandIcan'
t
waitt
omakehermywi f
e.Ihavetodot hatassoon
aspossi
ble.Ti
mewai t
sfornoman, r
ight?

Wegotdressedincasualcl
othes,Ipackedmybag
andshealsopackedherswiththeclothesIbought
hert
heotherday.Ifi
twasn'tforFrancesca,I
woul
dn'thavebeenabletopulli
toff.Asshewas
busypacki
ngthelastbi
tsi
nherbag,
Ijustcoul
dn'
t
hel
pbutstareatheri
naweandshenoticed.

Ziyanda:
"Yi
ni,
Phil
a(whati
sit
,Phi
la)
?You'vebeen
stari
ngatmef orawhi
lenow.Ismyoutf
itnot
okay?"

Iwal
kedt
owar
dsherandhel
dherhandsi
nmi
ne.

Phila:"
Youlookabsol utel
ybeautif
ul,St
handwasami
(Myl ove)
.Eveni fyouchangedandgotnakedyou' d
sti
llbejustasbeaut i
ful,i
fnotmor e.I'
mjust
starti
ngatyouwonder ingjusthowluckyIam.Iam
thankfult
oGodf orbringi
ngyoubacki ntomylif
e,
Yaya.I '
m notperfectandmyl i
fecanbemessy, but
knowi ngthatyoulif
emej ustasIam makesallthi
s
mor eworthwhile.
"

Icoul
dseeshewasget
ti
ngt
ear
y.
Ziyanda:
"Il
oveyou,Phi
la.Andspeaki
ngofGod,
you'r
egoingtostar
tprayi
ngwit
hmeangithi
?"

Phi
la:
"Ei
sh,wakingupatmi
dni
ghtand3am.Foryou
I
'l
ldoanythi
ng."

Ziyanda:
"Good.Oh,Ial
mostfor
gottoask.Nowthat
Lungaisinhospit
al,what
'sgoi
ngtohappento
Mam' Masango?"

Phil
a:"Don'
tworr
yabouther
.Sbui sonhiswayto
Lunga'shouseaswespeaktofet
chher.Shefinal
ly
agreedtostaywi
thuGog'
Khanyi,
eventhoughshe
saysit'
sgoingt
obeforali
tt
lewhile.
"

Zi
yanda:(
Breat
hingasi
ghofr
eli
ef)"
That
'sgood.I
wasworri
edabouther
."

Phi
la:
"Come,
bef
oreFr
ankst
art
sget
ti
ngi
mpat
ient
wi
thus.
"

Itookbot
hourbagsandwewalkedoutofthe
bedroom andmadeourwayout
sidet
oFrank'
scar
.

Zodwa

Seeingmysonsobr okenl i
kethat,
lyinglikea
uselessvegetablemakesmesoangr y.Soangr y
thatitmakesmesi ck.Howcoul dPhi l
adot hi
sto
myson?Whydi dn'
thecomef ormeatl east?Thisis
allsuchamess.I '
m onmywayt ohishouse,
perhapsIcangetsomet hi
ngtouseagai nstZiyanda.
Myson' sli
feandef fortscannotgot owast elikethi
s.
IfhediesI'
m sur el
ydoomed.AsImademywayt o
mycar ,myphoner ang.I t
'sBeli
nda.Yazi( youknow)
thisbit
chhasnot i
mi ng.Idecidetoansweranyway.

Zodwa:
"Uf
unaniwena(
Whatdoyouwant
)?"
Belinda:(Shakyvoice)"Ma,weneedtot
alk.Phi
la,
Mambat hreatenedme.HesaidifIdon'
tstayoutof
Ziyanda'sli
fehewi llmakesur
eIendupjustli
ke
Lunga."

Zodwa:
"Hai,
Beli
ndaman.Si
ncewhendoyouget
scar
edoffsoeasil
y?"

Bel
inda:
"Si
nceIsawhi
minper
son.He'
sdanger
ous
man."

Ithenthoughtofapl
an.Thi
smi
ghtbemyl
ast
resor
t.

Zodwa:
"Don'
tworr
y,mntwanawami(mychild)
.
Cometomyhouse.We'l
lfi
guresomethi
ngout.I
haveafewthi
ngstodo.I'
l
lseeyouther
e."

Ihungupandmademywayt
omycar
.Igoti
nthe
backandtoldthedri
vert
ot akemet oLunga's
house.AssoonasIgott hereIfoundFlorah
packi
ngherbags.Goodr iddancetobadr ubbi
sh.I
neverl
ikedheranywayandI '
m suresheleftwi
th
someofmyson' sthi
ngs.Iopenedt hedoorand
sawhercarryi
ngherbags.

Zodwa:"Ya,
Flor
ah.Bar
elyadayt
hatmysoni
sin
hospi
talandnowyou'r
erunni
ngaway?
!"

Sheseemedunbot
her
edbymypr
esence.

Mam'Masango:
"Sawubona,
Zodwa.Unaj
anikodwa
(
Hel
lo,
Zodwa.Howar eyouthough)
?"

Zodwa:"
Heh!Ucabanganiwena(
Whatdoyou
thi
nk)
?"

Mam'
Masango:(
chuckl
ing)"
Weh,
Zodwa.Your
eal
ly
t
hinkngiyakusabane( I
'
m afr
aidofyou) ?Youand
t
hatSorcererQueenofyoursdon'tscareme.Your
muthidoesn'tworkonme.Now, pleasemoveoutof
mywaysoIcanl eave.
"

Zodwa:( Annoyedandfrustrat
ed)" Mxm.Ucabanga
ukuthiunqonowenane( Your eall
ythi
nkyou'r
e
betterne)?Oncegousetf ootoutt hatdoor
,don'
t
bothercomingback.AndI 'm prett
ysureyou'r
e
goingtocatchat axiwi
ththosehi deosbigbagsof
yours."Isaidthatl
aughingoutl oud.

Mam' Masango:( Calmly)"

Yazini,Zodwa(Youknow
what,Zodwa),thisisyourlastchancet orepent.
Yourdaysar ecomi ngmuchsoonert hanyout hink.
It
'sbadenoughwhatyoudi dtoLungaandal lyour
otherchi
ldr
en, nottoment i
onZi yanda'
sunbor n
chil
d,butyoucanst i
llf
ixt
his.Godi sgivi
ngyoua
chancetofixitbeforeyourancest orst
urntheir
backsonyou.Fi xthisandfixthissoon."
If
eltachi
lldownmyspineasshesaidt
hat.She
at
temptedtowalkawaybutIst
oppedher
.

Zodwa:"
Mxm, Fl
orah,
youwil
lneverunder
standme.
ButhowcanIexpectyout
ounder st
andanythi
ng
aboutchi
ldr
enwhenyoufai
ledtohaveyourown?"

Shetur
nedtolookatme.Shecamecl oserandheld
myhand.Ifel
tlikemyhandwasbur ning.Itri
edt o
l
etgoofhergri
p, butsheheldmest r
ongly,l
ooking
meintheeyesandi tfel
tli
kehereyeswer esti
nging
mine.

Mam' Masango:"Menothavi ngchi ldr

enwasGod's
will
,Zodwa.Itdoesn'thelpyout hrowingiti
nmy
facebecauseI'm doingtheLor d'
swor k.Youont he
otherhand,aregoingtosuf f
erf i
rstbeforeyoudi
ea
slow,pai
nfuldeath,Zodwa.Youseet hepainoff
ire
you'r
efeeli
ngnow?You' r
egoi ngt odiethesame
way.
You'regoingt obeburntal
iveandwat chyoursel
f
takeyourl astbreat
h,Mazet.Youknow, gr
owi ngup
you'vealwaysbeengr eedy,al
waysbeendr awnt o
thenicelifeandyoudi dwhateveryoucouldtoget
thattasteofsuccess,nomat t
erthecost.Now
you'regoingt osuff
erandevenGodwon' tbe
l
istening.
"

SheletgoofmyhandandIscr
eamedoutinagony
andIwasleftwi
thdar
kmarksfr
om herf
inger
marksonmyar m.

Shel
ookedatmeonel
astt
imebef
oreshel
eft
.

Mam'Masango:"
Tel
lDavi
dthetruthabouttheson
yousoldwhenheandLungawer eborn.Tellhi
m
thet
ruthaboutt
hesonheneverknew, bef
oreit
's
tool
ate.
"
Iwasl eftshocked.Howt hehelldoessheknow
aboutt hat?Ther e'snoway.Coul dtheSourcererbe
deali
ngwi t
hhert oo?Iwasl ef
tinsucha
devastatedst ateaf t
ershebur nedmyhandwi thher
j
ujumagi cshit.Ideci dedtowal kintoLunga'
s
bedroom andt akeadr essthatseemedl i
keZiyanda
worenotsol ongagoj udgingbyt hesmellofit.I
putiti
nmybag.Ther e'snowayIam goi ngtogo
downwi thoutaf ightthateasil
y.WhatcanIsay?
Oldhabi tsdiehar d.

Zi
yanda

Phil
aandIf i
nal
lymadei tt
ot heairportalthanksto
Frankwho'squit
efunnyandchat ty,actuall
y.Phila
i
ssoni cetopeoplewhowor kforhi m.I'venever
seenhimtalkdownt othem orbeingnast ytothem
eversi
ncewegott ogether
.Wegotoutoft hecar
andIwavedgoodbyet oFrankasPhi l
at ookour
bagsfrom t
heboot .Wewal kedtowardst his
beauti
ful
,hugeplanethathad"Yaya"wr itt
enoni ti
n
Gol
d.OhmyGod.Henamedhi
spr
ivat
ejetaf
terme?
Wow!

Me:
"Phi
la!Thi
sisamazi
ng.Younamedi
taf
terme?
"

Phi
la:
"That'
snottheonlyt
hingInamedaft
eryou.
Come,let
'sgoin.There'
smoretocome."

Ismiledbroadlywal ki
ngintothejet.Thisi s
absolutel
yamazi ng.Redl eatherseatswithgol d
andbl acki
nteri
or.Absol ut
elyamazi ng.Phi l
areall
y
hasst yl
e.I'
veneverf l
owni nsuchl uxury,onlyin
businessclasswi t
hLungaaf ewt i
mes.Thi si s
quit
eanupgr adeasPor schesays.I tneedssome
gett
ingusedt o,r
eally.

Thehost esscameandaskesuswhatwewoul dl
ike
todr i
nk.IoptedforaMojit
owhil
ePhi
laorder
eda
glassofGl enmor
angiePri
de1978Si
ngleMalt
Whi skey.Thehell
?!Thosebot
tl
esgofor180kapop.
Phil
at hough.Ineedt ohaveawor dwithhim about
hismoneyspl ashingtendencies.It
'snotright
spendingsomuchmoneyonal cohol.Ireali
zed
thatwehaven' teatenanybr eakfastwhenPhi la
orderedaniceandgr easyEngl i
shbreakfastforus.
Thisisthelif
ei ndeed,butquest i
onis,wil
lIbeable
tofiti
ntoPhila'slavi
shlif
estyle?
Chapt
erTwent
yFi
ve

Wef i
nall
ylandedattheai r
port
.Imustsay,itfeel
s
real
lygoodnottogot hr
oughtheair
portandwai t
fort
heplanetobef il
led.Wegotoutandt hesun
wasblazinghot.Andyes, Itur
npinkorredhowever
Phil
asaysitwhent hesunbur nsmyskin.Iforgot
tobuysunscreen.Imadeament alnot
et ogetitas
soonaspossible.

Philat
ookourbagsandwewer emetbyaver ytal
l
Chaperonewhogreet
edPhilabyMr.Z.Iassume
he'soneofPhi
la'
sdri
ver
s.Thecarwewal ked
towardswasablackMercedezBenzGLB250, wit
h
thewordsZwaneChutt
leSer
viceswr
it
tenonthe
side.I
sther
eanyt
hingthi
smandoesn'town?

Mandla,t
hechauffeur,
openedthedoorf
ormet o
getinwhi
lePhil
aputourbagsintheboot
.Whata
gentl
emanthisguyis.Myheartmelt
severyti
mehe
doesachival
ri
sti
cdeed.Hegotinandsmiledwhil
e
holdi
ngmyhand.

Me:
"Wher
eto?
"

Phi
la:
"Togetyoupamper
edup.
"

Igavehi
m aquest
ioni
ngl
ook

Me:
"ButIt
houghtwe'
reheadedt
oBr
enner
?"

Phi
la:(
Chuckl
ing)
"Leavet
hatf
ort
omor
row,
baby
wami
(mybaby)
."

Ikeepaski
ngmyselfwhatPhil
aisupt oexactl
y.
Porschesai
dI'
minforarealsurpri
sethi
sweekend,
soperhapsthi
spampersessi
oni sthefi
rstofmany.

Wearri
vedattheGrandKloofBouti
queHoteli
n
Fr
esnaye,
whichis1km fr
om Mi l
tonBeach.Thi
s
pl
aceismagnifi
cent
!I'
minabsoluteawe.Reminds
meofPhil
a'shousebecauseithasalotof
si
mil
ari
ti
es.

Mandl aopenedt hedoorf orusandaswegotout ,

Phil
at ookourbagsf r
om theboot .Hecaughtme
baskinginaweoft hisbeauti
fulplace.Theserene
vi
ewwi l
lmakeyouwantt ostayforeverandtheair
seemsf resherhere.Maybei t
'salli
nmymi nd.We
walkedinandl ooksl i
ketheywer eexpectingus.
Therewer etwoladi esatrecepti
on,looki
ngawefull
y
youngt orunthisplace,butIguesssuccesshasno
age.
Recept
ioni
st1:"
Goodday, Mr.Zwane.Gl
adto
fi
nal
lybeofyouracquai
ntance.Goodday,Mr
s.
Zwane.Lovelyt
omeetyoubot h."

Hmm.SoI '
m Mr s.Zwanenow?Ideci dednott o
protestandgaveherasmi l
e.Theot herl adyont he
otherhanddi dn'tevengr eetme, shegr eetedPhi la
withsuchabi gsmi leIcouldl i
terall
yseet hebackof
hertongue.Shehel dPhila'
shandal i
ttl
et ool ong
formyl i
king, andheseemedt onot i
cet hatt his
chicki sfl
irtingwi t
hhim sohej ustremovedhi s
handf r
om her sandputhi shandbacki nmi nesi nce
Iwasst andi ngt ohi sr
ight.Meanwhi l
e, shewas
l
ooki ngatmewi thasor tofdi sgustedl ook, eyeing
mef rom t opt ot oe.Phi l
adi dn'tpickitup, butIdi d
andi tmademef eelsouncomf or
tablewhi ch
causedmet ot enseup.Wi l
l allgir
lswhof indPhi l
a
attr
act i
vel ookatmel i
keI '
mj ustsomef atgi r
l?The
fi
rstrecept ionist, f
inal
lyloggedusont ot heirsystem
andgaveusr oom 105whi chseemst obeont he
l
astf loor.
Recepti
oni
st1:"
Hereareyourkeys, Mr.AndMrs.
Zwane.Lerat
ohere(point
ingatt hesecond
Recepti
oni
stwit
hanast yatti
tude)wi l
lescor
tyouto
yourroom.I'
l
lgetaconciergetot akeyourbags.
Pleasedoenj
oyyourstay.
"Shegaveusawar m
smile.

Phil
a:"
Thatwon'tbenecessary,
ma' am.I'l
lcarr
ythe
bagsmyself.They'
rer
eallynotthatheavy.Thank
youforyourkindassi
stance.
"

Wewal kedtowardsthel i
ftwhi l
ebi t
chyLer ato
walkedinfrontofus,compl eteyignor i
ngmy
presence.Thewhol eti
mei nt hel i
ftshewasbusy
tel
li
ngPhilahowwonder f
ult hisLodeHot eli
sand
howmanymenl i
kehiml eaveher ewi t
hwoment hey
endupmar r
ying.Hehe, t
hisbi tchuyangijwaela(is
messingwi t
hme) .Thewhol et i
mePhi l
awasqui et
andsqueezedmyhadl ndbecausehecoul dseemy
faceturni
ngpink,notfrom blushing, butfrom pure
angerandi r
ri
tati
on.Wef inall
ygottothelastfl
oor
andasusualLer atowal kedinf r
ontofus,butthi
s
ti
mei t
'sli
keshewasst rutti
ngherstuffandshaking
herassal i
tt
lebitforPhilatonot i
ce.JustwhenI
thoughtthenightmarewasover ,sheactedli
keshe
droppedheraccesscar dthatwasi nherhand.
Don'ttheyusuall
yputt hosear oundthei
rnecks?
Thisbitchi
st est
ingmeshame.Shebentdown
exposingherasssi nceshewaswear ingaskirt
whichwast ooshor tformyl iki
ng.

Ler
ato:
"For
giveme.Icanbesocl
umsyatt
imes.
"

Phi
lal
ookedratherannoyedwit
hhisjawti
ght
ened
andhekeptastrai
ghtfacewit
houtsayi
nganyt
hing.
Aft
erwhatfel
tli
keforeverwegott
oourroom.

Ler
ato:
"Her
eisyourroom,
Mr.Zwane.Idohope
youenj
oyyourstay.
"
Asshewasaboutt
owal
kaway,
Phi
laf
inal
lyspoke
up.

Phi
la:
"Uh,
bef
oreyoul
eaveLer
ato.
"

Lerat
oqui
ckl
ytur
nedwi
tht
hebi
ggestsmi
leonher
face.

Phila:"
Pleaseapol
ogizet
omywi f
efordi
srespecti
ng
herf r
om themomentwewal kedint
hatdoor.I
'm
prettysureyourmotherdi
dn'
trai
seagoodlooking,
youngl adyli
keyouukuthengi
saumsunuwakhe( t
o
sellherass)towealt
hymenl i
keme."

Ler
ato:
"I
..That
'snot
..
."

Phil
aint
err
upt
edherbef
oreshecoul
dfi
nishher
sent
ence.
Phil
a:"
I'
m notdone,yet.Surel
ythisHot
elhasa
poli
cyagainstr
udebi t
chesl i
keyouandthei
r
tr
eatmenttowardsguest s,
am Icorr
ect
?"

Lerat
o:(Nowlooki
ngser
iousl
yembar
rassed)"
Ye.
.
Yes,si
r.Theydo."

Phil
a:"Good.Nowdon' tf
orgetthatthisplaceyou'
re
workingatisthereasonyoucanaf fordthatfake
shi
thai ronyourheadandt hathi
deousmakeup
you'
rewear i
ng.Youhadbet t
erstartrespect
ing
yourselfandthebrandofthishotelthenexttime
youthinkofthrowingyour
selfatoneoft heguest
s.

Nowt hatwe'
reclear
, i
fIeverseeyoudisrespecti
ng
mywi fel
iket
hatagain,Iwil
lhaveyoufir
edwi th
i
mmedi at
eeffectandyouwi l
lcrawlbacktotheshit
holeyoucamef r
om.NowIbel i
eveanapol ogyis
needed.Don'
tkeepuswai ti
ng."
Wow.I '
m sotouched.Nomanhaseverst oosup
formel i
kethat-
ever
.Iwassof lushed,
notbecause
Iwasembar rassedforLer
atobecauseIdon'tgi
vea
fuckhowshef eels,
butbecausethewayhest ood
upf ormejustmademewanthi m evenmor e.Iam
trul
yloved.

Ler
ato:(
looki
ngdowni ntears)"
I..I
'm sor
ryMr
s.
Zwane.I
twi l
lneverhappenagain."

Phil
a:"
Yea,you'r
emostdefini
telyri
ght.I
twon'
t
happenagain.Idon'twanttoseeyouanywhere
nearmywi fethi
sweekend.IfIsomuchasseeyou
star
ingather,I'
l
ldr
opyouof fthisbal
conymysel
f,
uyangizwa(doyouhearme) ?"

Ler
ato:(
looki
ngdown)Yes,
Mr.Zwane.
"

Phi
la:
"Good.Youmayl
eavenow.
"
Ler
atowalkedawayinshame.Ididn'tf
eelbadfor
her
.I'
m sot i
redofpeopleact
ingl
ikeIdon'
texi
st
j
ustbecauseI'm abi
tbiggert
hanthem.

Me:
"Wast
hatnecessar
y,t
hough,
Phi
la?
"

Phila:"
Ofcourse,
Sthandwasami(mylove)
.You
didn'tthi
nkIwasgoingtol
etherofft
hehook,
did
you? "

Me:
"Iguessnot
.Thankyou.
"

Phil
a:"Youdon'
thavetothankme, St
handwasami
(Mylove).AndI'
mr eal
lysor
ryyouhadt o
experi
encethat
.Shebet t
erbehaveother
wiseI
'
llget
herfi
red."

Me:"Thatwon'
tbenecessary,
Phi
la.Noonehas
everdonethatf
ormebef or
e."
Phi
la:
"That
'sbecausenotever
yonei
snamedPhi
la
Zwane."

Hekissedmyl i
ps.Wewal kedi
ntoourr
oom andoh
themajesti
cSeaViewjustmakesyoureal
ize
heavenreal
lydoesexi
st.

Phi
la:
"Doyoul
ikei
t?"

Me:
"Il
ovei
t.
"

Phil
a:"
Good,nowgoandchangeint
oyourrobe.
Theladieswi
llmeetyoudownatt
hespa.They'
re
expect
ingyou."

Heorganisedawholepampersessi
onf orme.Wow,
Phil
a.Porschewasright
,amanlikethi
sdeserves
pussyeveryday,
howeverandwheneverhewantsit.
Me:
"Andwher
ewi
llyoube?
"

Phil
a:"
I'
llbedownatthebarcatchi
nguponsome
work.(Heki ssedmeontheli
ps)Seeyoui
nthr
ee
hours,Sthandwasami(Mylove).
"

Heclosedthedoorandlef
t.I
sthishowlif
ein
Phil
a'
swor l
dwillbel
ikeal
ways?Ilovei
tapar
tfr
om
bi
tchyhotelgi
rl
s.

Chapt
erTwent
ySi
x

Zi
yanda

IchangedintomyrobewhichIfoundhangi ngint
he
bathr
oom.I thadanotei
noneoft hepocketswhi
ch
read"Enj
oyyourspasessi
on,there'smorecome-
LoveP".Ismi l
edt
omyselfthi
nkinghowl uckyIam.
Iwal
kedoutwit
hmyaccesskeyi
nmypocketand
myphoneintheot
herone.

Ididcheckmyphonef orafewmessagesbef or
eI
l
eftther oom.Ionl
yrespondedtoonemessage
fr
om Por schetel
li
ngmeImustenj oythi
sweekend
andgi veitup,
ai.Therestwerefr
om mymom
bl
owi ngupmyphonewhi chIchosetoignore.I
'm
notreadyt oal
lowhertorui
nmymoodt his
weekend.

AsIgotouttheli
ft
,Iwalkedpastrecept
ionsi nce
thespai
sont heopposit
eside.Leratolookeddown
whenIwalkedpastherandherf aceseemed
swoll
enwithhereyesred.Servesherrightthough.
Imademywayt othespaandwasmetmyaver y
cute,
pet
it
elady.

Lady:
"YoumustbeZi
yanda.We'
vebeenexpect
ing
you.
"
Anotherl
adycamet owar
dsmeandof feredmea
glassofchampagnewhichIgladl
yaccepted.The
l
adysaidhernamewasSi mone.Iassumeshe' s
colour
edsinceshehasgreyeyes.

Si
moneusheredmet omyseatandIsawthatt
her
e
wereonl
yfi
veladi
esinhere.Thewomenwhowork
i
nthespaarea.Idon'
tseeanyoneel
se.

Me:
"Wher
ear
ether
estoft
hepeopl
eifImayask?
"

Si
mone:(Chuckl
ing)"
Mr.Zwanegaveusst
ri
ct
i
nstr
uct
ionstopamperonlyyou.
"

Iopenedmyeyeswi
dei
nshock.

Me:"
Arwyoutel
li
ngmet
hatPhi
labookedt
hiswhol
e
spaforme?
"
Simone:"
Yes, l
ove.He'squit
esomething.Imean
myboyfriendcan'tevengetmeabooki ngtoaspa.
Notevenher ewher eIwor
k!"Shesaidthatrol
li
ng
hereyeswi t
hacut e,di
mpledsmil
e.Ijusthadto
l
aughaswel l
.

Shewassoni cetome.Theyal lt
reatedmewel l
.
Aftermyfacialandmanicur
eandpedi cur
e, I
proceededtothewaxdepartment .Ithurt
sl i
kehell
,
butit'
sworthit.Nowitwastimef orthefullbody
massage.Appar entl
yPhil
abookedmeasmany
massagesIcanget .Ift
hisisgoingt obear egul
ar
thi
ng,I'
mr eal
lynotcomplai
ning.

NomsaBhengu

I'
vebeenanxiousforaf
ewdaysnow.Ikeep
l
ookingovermyshoulderever
ywher
eIgo.Mysins
arer
eall
ycatchingupwit
hmeandnowZi yandai
s
maki ngitworsebynotanswer i
ngmycal l
sor
returninganyofmymessages.I '
vedeci
dedtogo
visitmymot her.I
t'
sabouttime.Ienter
edthehouse
sincet hedoorwasn'tl
ockedorclosedandtomy
surpriseIfi
ndhersitti
ngwithMam' Masango
wat chingtvoversomewi neandtea.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Weh!Nomsa!Doyouwanttoki l
lme
na?Whydon'tyouknockl
ikeanormalperson?
Phel
aawusahlal
ilana(
Youdon'
tli
vehere
anymor
e).
"

Nomsa:
"Sawubonama.Ngi
yaxol
isa.Sawubona,
Mam'Masango."

Mam'Masango:
"Yebo,
Mntwanami(mychi
ld)
.
Unj
anikodwa(Howareyouthough)
?"

Nomsa:
"Ngir
ight(
I'
mfi
ne)
."
Mam'
Masango:
"Hmmm.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Weh,Nomsa.Younevervi
sitme-
ever
.I
onlywelcomedyousinceyoukeepbl
owingupmy
phone.Manje,uf
unaningempel
a(Whatdoyou
real
lywant)
?"

Nomsa:(l
ooki
ngdownandfi
ddli
ngmyhands)"
Eish,
ma.Ngisenki
ngeni(
I'
mint
roubl
e).

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
That
'sobvi
ous,other
wiseyouwoul
dn'
t
beher
e.NowKhuluma(Talk).
"

Nomsa:"Ei
sh,ma.Ineedtocomecl
eantoZi
yanda.
Ihavetotel
lherever
ythi
ngandbef
oreIdot
hatI
needtocomecl eant
oyou."

Mam'Masangomadef
unnysoundsandkept
bur
ping.
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
I'
m allear
s."Shesi
ppedherwi
newhi
le
Mam'Masangosippedonhertea.

Nomsa:(Deepsi
gh)"Ihadanaf fai
rwithBonginkosi
Gumede.That'
showZi yandawasconcei ved.
WhenItoldhi
m hesaidhewel comest hechil
d,but
cannotl
eavehi
swifeforme.Ir eall
ylovedhim, ma.
Itr
ulydi
d.IwaspreparedtoleaveKhayaf orhim."

Iwasnowi nsomuchtear
s,butuMaj
ustl
ookedat
mewithoutanounceofpi
ty.

Gog'
Khanyi:"
Hao.Sesephel
il
eist
orysakho(
Isyour
st
oryfi
nished)?
"

Thatcausedmet
owai
levenfurt
her
.Ifmymom
doesn'
thelpmeI
'
mtr
ulyfucked.
Gog' Khanyi:
"Yazi,
Nomsa( YouknowNomsa) ,your
crocodi l
etearsare25yearstool
ate!My
granddaught ercarri
essomuchwei ghtonher
shoul dersbecauseofyou.Ihadtotellhershewas
apr oductofr apefewdaysagomeanwhi l
eyou
l
ied!"

Gogowasnowroar
ingwit
hangerandshecharged
atmepunchi
ngmeinthefaceandIf
elldown.

Mam'
Masango:"
Cal
m down,
Khanyi
sa.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:(Fuming)"
Cal
m downsemoerman!
Wena,Nomsa.DidIrai
seyouukubai
sif
ebe(
tobea
whor
e)?!
"

Iwassoscar
edIshookmyhead.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Khul
umaman(
Tal
kman)
!!
!"
Iwassoscar
edIl
it
eral
lyf
eltt
hegr
oundshake.

Nomsa:
"No,
mama.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Dammi t,man!Getup!Susaigolol
akho
(
removeyourstinki
ngpussy)from myfloorandtel
l
mewhyyouf orcedZiyandatomarrythataweful
man?!

Nomsa:( Sobbi
ng)"Thandoandherboyf r
iendused
tostealmoneyfrom thebusinessandendedup
steal
ingR4mi l
li
onleavingusbankrupt.Zodwa
offer
edust hemoneyi nexchangeforZeetomarry
Lunga."

Icoul
dseemymot herfumingwi t
hangerandher
eyesbewilder
edl
ikeaLi onthat
'sjustwant
stofeed
onhisprey.NextthingIknewshet hrewanot
her
punchatmeandIf el
ldownonceagai n.
Gog'Khanyi:"
Isai
dgetupfrom myfloor
!Sowena
yousacrif
icedyournormalandvir
gindaught
er
i
nsteadoft heonewhowr ongedyouandyousold
hertouZodwa? !"

Nomsa:"
Ma,Zodwadidn'
twantThando.She
i
nsi
stedonhavi
nguZee."

Ididn'
tevensayanyt
hingfur
ther
.Bl
oodwasoozi
ng
fr
om mynoseandIwasi nsomuchpain.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
I'
m waiti
ngforanswers,Nomsa.Tel
l
mewhyyour eal
lysoldmychildt
ot hatwoman!
Whatwasherplanwithmydaughter ?
!"

Nomsa: "
She..ShemadeapactwithaSorcerer
.Zee
hasroyalbl
oodf lowi
ngthr
oughhervei
ns,soLunga
sl
eepingwithherasavirgi
nwasawayf orhimt o
act
ivatemorer i
ches.Theywer
egoingtosacri
fice
al
lherchi
ldr
ent
okeept
hemoneygr
owi
ng.
"

Thisti
memymot herwasbeyondbewi
lder
ed.She
thr
ewanot herpunchatmeandIfel
lonthefl
oor.I
str
uggledtogetupthist
imeandmyeyeswer e
gett
ingheavier
.

Mam'Masango:
"Hai
bo,
Khanyi
sa!Seumbul
ele(
You
ki
ll
edher
)!
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Ineedasmoke.Ican'
tdealwi
tht
his
shi
t.
"

Ihear
dfootst
epsf
rom t
her
eal
lIsawwasdar
kness.
Li
ghtsout
.
Chapt
erTwent
ySeven

NomsaBhengu
Iwokeupont hecouchwi thmyheadf eeli
ngheavy.
Icouldbarelyopenmyeyes.AsIt ri
edtoopenmy
eyes,Inot
icedmyl efteyefail
edme.It r
ied
touchingi
tandmywhol eleftsidewasswol l
en
i
ncludinghalfmyl i
ps.Tear sstar
tedflowingdown
myf acewhenIr ecallwhatmymot herdidtome.
Yes,Ideserveit
,wholeheartedl
y.Inevert reat
es
Ziyandari
ghtthewayamot hershould.

Mam' Masangowasbusynursingmywounds.How
oddislif
e?I'
veneverbeenni
cetothiswomanand
yetheresheisnursi
ngmebackt operf
ect
ion.

Mam' Masango:(whi
leput
ti
ngacl ot
hwit
hsomei ce
i
ni tonmyswol l
enpart
s)"I
'm gl
adtoseeyou'
re
awake,mntwanawami( Mychi l
d).Howareyou
feeli
ng?
"

Nomsa:"
I'
minpai
n,ma.
"
Mam'Masango:"
Khul
uleka(Rel
ax).I
'l
lgetyouone
ofyourmot
her'
shangoverpi
ll
s.Theywil
lhelpalot
wit
hthepai
n."

Isatt
her
econt
empl
ati
ngwhetherornotIshoul
d
j
ustapol
ogi
zeandr
edeem mysel
fevenfurt
her.

Nomsa:"
Ma,I
'
m sosorr
y.I
'
veneverbeenniceto
youandnowlookhowmyl
ifehast
urnedout.
"

Mam' Masango:"Shh,relax,Nomsa.I t
'salli
nthe
past.You'r
etryingtor edeem yourselfnowand
that
'stheonlyimportantt hi
ng.Doyout hinkatmy
ageIhavet i
met obemadatpeopl ewhoar erudet
o
me?"Shel aughed,maki ngmef eelevenmor e
awkwar d.

Gog'
Masango:"Luke17:
4-5says"Sowat ch
your
sel
ves.“
Ifyourbrot
herorsi
ster
sinsagainst
you,r
ebukethem;andi ft
heyrepent
,for
givet
hem.
Evenift
heysinagainstyouseventi
mesi naday
andseventi
mescomebackt oyousaying‘Ir
epent
,’
youmustforgivet
hem. ”Idon'
thateyou,Nomsa.I
canneverhateyou.
"

Il
ookedupandsawmymotherwal
kinf
rom
out
sideandIj
umpedi
nfear
.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Relax.I
s'khathisok'shayanases' phel
il
e
(Ti
met obeatyouupi sover )
.I'vedeci dedtohelp
you.Nextti
meyouf uckupdon' tsellyourki
ds,
Nomsa.Zeei sveryhappyr i
ghtnowandPhi l
a
makesherver yhappy.I fyouinterfereandconcoct
wit
hZodwaeveragai n,uzonyauyangi zwa(you'l
l
shi
tyoursel
f,doyouunder st
and) ?"

Nomsa:
"Yebo,
ma.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
You'
rel
uckyFl
orahi
shwr
eot
her
wise
Ngabekudal
angacedangawe(
Iwoul
d'vebeen
donewit
hyoulongago)
."

Mam' Masango:(
Laughi
ng)"
Hai
,Khanyi.You'
rea
prayer
fulwoman,man.Youmustleaveyour
gangstert
endenci
esbehi
nd.
"

Gog'Khanyi:(
Laughing)"
Iwilli
fyoujoi
nmei n
dri
nking.
"Theyl aughedtogetherandIwaseven
scaredtolaughwiththem.

Mam' Masango: "

Yazi ,Khanyi
sa.Ikeephavi ngthese
vi
sions, man.Ziyandai sgoingtobebl essedwitha
chi
ld, t
winsinfact,butnowt hereisgreatdanger
l
urking.Zodwawi llnotstopunti
lsheget swhatshe
wants, evenwithPhi l
ainacoma.AndwenaNomsa,
you'r
eof fthehook, kodwaPhilaisbloodyangryat
youf orsendingsomeonet otr
yandki llhi
m.You
shouldknowbet t
ert hantomesswi t
hhi m."
Gog'Khanyi:
"Uthini
,Flora(
whatareyousayi
ng,
Fl
orah)?!I'
m goingtobeaGr annyagain?Oh,
Nkosi'
yam (MyGod) .MyZeeisgoingtobeblessed
wit
hagi ftwe'vebeenl ongwai
ti
ngfor.
"

Mam'Masango:
"Al
lisnotoveryet
.Youneedtof
ind
Zi
yanda'
sfat
herbef
orethesechil
drenar
ebor
n."

Ij
ustfel
tasurgeofpanic.I'
m notr
eadyt
otal
kto
Bongi
nkosil
etalonet
ellKhayawhatIdi
d.They'
l
l
ki
llme.

Zi
yanda

Icheckedt heti
meandi twas6pm.If eltso
rejuvenati
ngaftermyspaday.Gosh, Isoneeded
that .It
hankedtheladiesf orthei
rwonderf
ulservi
ce
andIwal kedbackt other oom.Thankgoodness
Ler atowasn'
tthere,
nott hatIcareanyway.Ifeelso
freshIcoulddoj umpingj acks.Igoti
ntotheroom
andfoundabeaut if
ulreddress,accompani edby
l
ong, di
amondear ri
ngsandamat chingnecklace,
nottomentionthediamondst i
lett
oswi t
hanot eon
i
t"Getready,Ican'
twai tt
oseeyoui nthis.Meetme
attheBar-
LoveP. "Ijustsmil
edt omysel f
.What
di
dIdot odeservesuchaman?

Ipickedthedr essupandwor eiti

mmedi atel
ysince
Icleanedupatt hespabat h.Wow!Philai sindeeda
manofmanyt alents.Thisdressissofigur e
huggingandf itsjustri
ght.It'
sabeauti
f ulsilky
dressthatgoesal lthewaydownt omyankl eswith
alongslitatthebackj ustupt obelowmybums.
Judgingbyt hef eelofi
titmustcostaf or t
une.I
ti
edmyhai ri
nasi mplebunandwor er
edl i
psti
ck.

Iwalkedoutofmyroom andheadedtothebarand
therehewas.Sit
ti
ngnexttothebari
nagor geous
black,but
tonupI
tal
iant
ux,chatt
ingt
othebarman.

Ist
oodt
her
eacr
osst
her
oom admi
ri
nghi
m.He'
s
suchabeautif
ulman.Hesawmeashescanned
hiseyesacr
osstheroom andsmiledi
mmedi at
ely.
Therewereafewpeoplearound.AtLeasthedidn'
t
booktheenti
redini
nghal
l.Iwalkeduptohim and
hestoodup.Hegavemeaki ssandputhisarm
aroundmywai st
.

Phi
la:(
Whisper
inginmyear
)"Youlookbeauti
ful
,
mygoddess.(Tothebar
man)This,Jake,i
smy
l
ovelywif
e,Zi
yanda.
"

Phi
laandt
hiswi
fet
hing.

Jake:"
Lovel
ytomeetyouma'am.Ever
ythi
ngi
sset
,
Mr.Zwane.Please,
fol
lowme."

Il
ookedatPhi
laconf
used.

Me:
"It
houghtwewer
ehavi
ngdi
nnerher
e,Phi
la.
"
Phil
a:"
Youthoughtwr
ong,mygoddess.Toni
ghti
s
aboutyouandIwantitt
obeveryspeci
al.
"

Wef ollowedJaket oanel evatorjustbehi

ndt hebar.
Wewentup.It houghtthatourr oom wasont he
l
astfloor ,Iguesst hi
shot elhasmor etoitthat
meetst heeye.Ast helif
topenedwef ound
ourselvesont herooftop.Ther ewasabed
decorat edwi t
hsomer edr osepetals,ani
ceand
rounddecor ateddinnertabl eandacr oss,af i
repl
ace
withthef irealreadystarted.Wow.I '
veseensuch
onmovi esInevert houghtIwoul dbet hestari ni
t.I
l
ookedatPhi l
aspeechl essandyes, t
hewat erworks
began.

Phi
la:(
wit
hhi
sthumbonmychi
n)"Don'
tcry,
Zee.
Youknowwhatt
hatdoest
ome.Come,let
shave
di
nner.
"
Hehel dmyhandandopenedmychai rasIgott o
thetable.Jakewastheret
obeourwaiterforthe
evening.Everyt
hingseemssoper
fect
.Ij ustdon'
t
wantt henightt
oend.

Me:
"Phi
la,
thi
sissobeaut
if
ul.
"

Phi
la:
"Thebesti
syett
ocome,
Sthandwasami(
my
l
ove).
Chapt
erTwent
yEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Thenightwassopeacefulanditfel
tli
kethesun
andthemoonwer eouraudience.Nothingel
seand
nooneelsematter
edatthisverymoment .This
wastheopeningsceneofourownmovi eandIwas
l
ovingeverymoment.
Thewi nekeptflowingandPhi l
alookedso
handsomeandyummy.Hekeptr ubbingmyhand,
sendingtant
alizingsignalstoimportantpar t
sofmy
body.Thewaywel ookesateachot her,
itfeltl
ike
oursoulswerecommuni cati
ng.Fort hefir
stt i
me
sincewegott ogether ,
itfel
tli
kemysoulwas
reassuri
nghis,tell
ingitthatit
'sti
me, t
hatI'
m hi s-
forever
.

Wewer edoneeatingourmai ncourseandwewer e

havingdessert,whichwast hebestchocolate
puddingI '
veeverhad.VusiNova' sThandi we
playedinthebackgr ound.Ididn'
teventhinkof
askingwher ehegott het i
met oorgani
seal lt
his,
but
i
twast hemostbeaut i
fulthi
nganyonehasever
donef orme.NowIr ememberwhenhet oldme
backint hedaythatonedayhe' l
lmakesur ethathe
hasenoughmoneyt oensur eIneverhavet oaskfor
anythi
ng.Ri ghtnow, evenifwewereinashackI 'd
stil
lbehappy.
Hegotupandaskedf ormyhandsowecoul d
dance.Justsl owdancing,
barel
ysayi
ngmuchand
burryingourheadsineachother
'sski
n.His
colognewashypnot i
zingmeandhi sl
ipswere
cravingformine.

Phila:"You'resobeautif
ul, Sthandwasami( myl ove)
.
Don' tletanyonet el
lyouot her wi se.I '
vewaitedso
l
ongf orthismoment ,
Yaya.Sol ongt hatever yt
hing
Idid, Ididjustforyou.Iwant edyout obepr oudof
me, tol ookatmeandseet hef at herofyourchi l
dren,
yourpr ot
ector,yourhero,yourl overandyourbest
fri
end.Iwantt ol oveyousomucht hatevent he
wor di t
selfbecomesj ealousofmyl ovef oryou.I
wantt omakeyousohappyt hatyouwon' tf
eellike
you'reonear t
hanymor e.I fIcoul dbuyheaven, I
woul dj ustsoyoucoul dlivet her eandbemi ne
forever .Iloveyou, MaZwane, andI 'm neverlett
ing
yougoeveragai n."

Att
hispoi
ntIwasi
nsomucht
ear
s,i
treal
lyf
eltl
ike
hewasr ecit
inghisweddingvowshey.Wi t
hthat
said,heputhisli
psonmi neandwekissed.Once
againourtonguesweredancingtot
hesamet une.
Itwasmor elikeourt
onguesweredoingtheRumba.
Somagi cal
,sopeacefulandsoseducti
ve.

Me:"
I'
mr eady,
Phil
a.Makelovetome,pl
ease.I
wanttogivemysel
ftoyou-
allofme.
"

Wi t
hthatsai
dhedidn'
thavetothinktwice.We
madeourwayt othebed.Istoodatt heendofthe
bedandr emovedmydress,asitdroppedonthe
fl
oor.Iremovedhisj
acketandthenhi sshi
rt
.I
proceededtohi
spants,
allt
hiswhi l
ehewasj ust
stari
ngdeepintomyeyes.

Itookof
fhi
sunder wearunt
ilhewascomplet
ely
naked.Heproceededtounhookmybra,andthen
removemypanties.
Atthispoi ntwewer est andi ng, nakedl ookingat
eachot her.Ther e'sj ustsomet hingaboutseei ng
someoneyou' reinl ovewi thnakedi nfrontofyou.
Thatlevelofintimacyi sver ydeep.Yougi veup
yourent i
resoulinexchangef orhis, sohecoul dbe
theownerandl ocki tawayi nhi shear t.That'swhy
whenbr eakupshappenandpeopl ehur tone
another,youf eelaheavypangi nsideyourhear t.
Youliterall
yfeelyourhear tbei ngt ornapart.It hi
nk
that
'sthesoulyoupr omi sedt opr otecttryi
ngt o
escapef rom thet ai
nt edcl awsofyourhear t.
Mendi ngabr okenhear ttakesagesbecauseonce
thesouli sdeeplyhur t,there'snot urni
ngback.

Ilayonthebedandashegotont opofme,
MAJOR' sThi si
swhyIl oveyoupl ayedi
nthe
background.Thisfeel
ssomagi cal.Thi
sishowmy
veryfi
rstti
meshouldhavef eltl
ike.Butnowit'
sli
ke
I'
m areincarnat
edvir
gin.Igettogi vemysel
fto
Phil
ajustthewayIhadi magi
nedi twouldbeal
l
thoseyears.
Heki ssedmesl owlyandgent l
y,t
ouchingand
caressingmybodywi t
hsomuchcar easi fI
'ma
vaset hatwouldbreakifhemadeonemi stake.I
rubbedmyhandsonhi sback,theheatofhisbody
mademegetwet t
er.Heki ssedmesl owlyonmy
neck, makinghiswaydown.

Hesuckedgent lyonmybr east

sandmadetrail
sof
kissesonmyt ummyal lthedowntomywaist.Ny
toescurledi
nvoluntaryashewentdownt oki
ssmy
coochie.Heslowl yli
ckedmycl i
tandmadehis
mout hdownt otheent ranceofmypussy.Heate
meunt il
Icouldn'thol
di tanymore.

Phi
la:
"Il
oveyousomuch,
Ziyanda.
"

Zi
yanda:"
Iloveyout
oo,
Phi
la.Iwantyounow,
pl
ease.
"

Phi
la:(
Movi
nghi
sfi
ngeri
nanoutofmypussy)"
Tel
l
mewhatyouwant
,Yaya.Whatdoyouwantmet
o
do?
"

Zi
yanda:
"Iwantyout
omakel
ovet
ome,
please.
Pl
easemakelovetome.
"

Wit
hthatsai
d,heslowl
ymadehiswayuptomy
mouthandki
ssedme.Heent er
edmeandmygosh!
I
twassopainfult
hathest
ruggl
edafewti
mes.

Phil
a:"
Rel
ax,
Sthandwasami (
myl
ove)
.Rel
axyour
bodyandyouwon'tf
eelpai
n."

Lungawasnot hi
ngcompar edtoPhi
la.Ir el
axedmy
bodyandheent er
ed.Thef i
rstf
ewstrokeswer ea
bitpainful
,butashewentonIwasover comeby
pleasure.Whowoul d'vet
houghtmyf i
rsttimewith
Philawouldbeonar ooft
opovercandlelightdi
nner
withthestarswatchingusandthemooncapt ur
ing
thismoment ?Hesl owlymadelovetomel i
keit
washi
slastt
ime.

Phi
la:
"Il
oveyou,
Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
.

Zi
yanda:"
Iloveyout
oo,
baby.
"

Hewr
appedmei
nhi
sar
msanddozedof
f.
Chapt
erTwent
yNi
ne

Zi
yanda

IwasawokenbyPhi l
akissingmyneckandt he
ri
singsun.Itmustbemor ningalr
eadyandI
'm so
exhausted.Phi
lagetwakingmeupdur ingt
henight
tohavesomemor esex.Mycoochi ei
ssosoreI
don'tt
hinkIcantakeanymor e.

Phi
la:(
Smi
li
ng)"
Goodmor
ning,
Beaut
if
ul.
"
Me:
"Goodmor
ning,
handsome.
"

Phi
last
art
edtouchi
ngmedownt
her
e,r
ubbi
ngmy
cl
it
.Noways.Notnow.

Me:
"Hayi
,BabyIcan'
tyoh.Kubuhl
ungu(
It
'ssor
e).
"

Phi
la:"I
'
m sorr
y,l
ove,
justal
it
tl
ebi
tnj
ena.Kancani
(al
it
tlebit
)pl
ease.
"

Me:"Nope.NopeandNope.Besi
des,wehavetoget
up.Thesuni saboutt
ocomeandwecan' tbeseen
walki
ngdownwi thourcl
othesf
rom l
astni
ght.
"

Phi
la:(sigh)"
Alr
eadyseuyangi
nci
shangefi
rstday
(Al
readyyou'rerefusi
ngmesexonthef
ir
stday.
)
Haike( oh,wel
l)
,let'
sgo.
"
Wewor eourcl
othesbackonandmadeourway
downtheli
ft
.Iwasr eal
lyhopi
ngnoonewoul
dsee
usandlucki
lynoonesawus.

Wemadeourwayt oourr
oom andIwasjusthopi
ng
tocatchuponsomesl
eep,butnope,
Mr.Zwanehad
otherideas.

Phil
a:"Woza(
come),Zee.Comel
et'
sshower
.We
havelotst
odotoday.
"

Me:(
sigh)"
Hayi,
man, Baby.Youworemeoutand
nowIhavetogetup.That'
sjustnotf
air
."

Iwassul
kingbuthej
ustwasn'
thavi
ngi
t.

Phi
la:
"Ipr
omi
seyou,
youwon'
tregr
eti
t.Comenow,
l
et'
sgoshower.
"
Igotuprel
uct
ant
lyandf
oll
owedhi
mtot
he
bathr
oom.

Phi
la:
"Byt
heway,I'
vefi
nall
ybeenupgr
adedt
o
uBabynow.I
'
ml ovingi
t.
"

Ihithi
schestplayfull
y.Wegoti nt
otheshowerand
gotready.Wemadeourwayt othediningareaand
atewithotherguestsatleast.Jakewasn' taround
soIassumehewasof fsinceitwasmor ni
ng.We
ateanicebreakfast,
pancakes, sausages,fr
iend
eggs,bacon,theworks.

Imostdef i
nitel
yneededthisaftertheni
ghtIhad.
Weopt edformimosas.Iknow, ri
ght?I
t'
sbarely
noonandher ewear eindul
gdinginsomeal cohol,
butIdon'tmind.We'renotwor ki
ngyetandi t
'sonl
y
oneglass.Ineedabi tofener
gyf orwhenwego
seeMr .Bupnnertoday.
Iquickl
yturnonmyphoneanddeci detocheckup
onsomemessagesandgeti ntouchwiththeworl
d,
Istumbleacrossonethatreall
ycatchesmeof f
guard."Hey,Zee.Pl
easeforgi
vemef ortheother
night.Nowor dscanexpl
ainmyappal ingbehavi
our.

I'
mr eal
lysorryforacti
ngwei r
dandmostespecial
ly
forcall
ingPhilaacriminali
nhisownhouse.Once
again,I
'm sorr
y-Bee".I
tdidn'
tseem verygenui
ne,
butanywayIj ustleti
tsli
de.Atleastshe
apologi
zed, t
hough.Ifrownedwhi l
elooki
ngatthe
messageandPhi l
anot i
ced.

Phi
la:
"Whati
sit
?"

Me:"
Ag,Beli
ndasentmeaweirdmessage
apol
ogi
zingfort
heotherni
ght
."

Phi
la:"
Hmm.
"
Hecarri
edoneati
ng.Ican'
tshakethef
eeli
ngthat
somethi
ngisser
iousl
yoffwi
thBeli
nda,butI
'l
ldeal
wit
hthatanot
herday.

ZodwaNgcobo

I'
vebeent hinkingal lnightonwhatt odot ofi
xthis
messI '
mi n.Ther ehast obeawayi nwhi chIcan
fi
xthis,t
her e'salwaysaway.Adoni a,mySpi r
it
ual
l
eaderandagr eatSor cererpromisedmet hat
thi
ngswoul dwor koutyear sago.Nowher edidshe
ment i
onPhi la'sreturn,soIhavetogoseeher .I
cannotwai ttildawn, ast hi
sisamat terofurgency.
Beli
ndacameher eyesterdayasrequest edandI
deci
dedt ogowi thhersi ncesheknowsever yt
hing.
She'salotst rongert hanZiyanda,hereinthedark
world,whichi swhyIchosehermysel f
.

Bel
indaandIgott
oAdoni
a'
shouseandt
ookof
four
shoesbeforeweenter
edherhut.Wef oundher
wait
ingforusinhertr
adi
ti
onalsangomaatti
reand
beadscoveri
ngherface.

Adoni
a:(
Deepvoi
ce)"
You'
rel
ate,
Zodwa.Youknow
Ihat
ebei
ngkeptwai
ti
ng.
"

Zodwa:"
Sorry,
Adonia.YouknowIhaveasonwho'
s
i
nacr i
ti
calcondi
ti
oninhospi
tal
.Ihadtodr
opby
ther
efi
rst.
"

Adoniast
art
edmakingherf
unnysoundsand
sneezi
ngasusual
.

Adonia:
"You'
vesummonedmeout si
demywor ki
ng
hourswithyou,soIhavetofi
neyou.Khi
pa
i
thousandrandui bekel
a(Takeoutonet
housand
randandputithere).
"Shesaidpoi
nti
ngdown
befor
eherknees.
Zodwa:(Shocked)"
Haowa,Adonia.Manjeseuiri
p-
off(
You'
vebecomear ip-
offnow).SincewhendoI
havetopaysomuchf orconsul
tati
onwithyou?
!"

Adoni
a:(
funnysounds)"Yeeeyi
!Youei
thert
akei
t
orl
eaveit
.Idon'
thavealldayandyouknowyour
wayout,
angit
hi(
right
)?"

Igotsoirr
it
atedandt
ookoutt
hemoneyanyway.I
real
lyneedthemoney.

Adonia:(Chuckl
ing)"Yourloveformoneyand
obsessionwithgreedwi l
lgetyoukil
led,
Zodwa
Nqcobo.Nowt alk,
ufunanikimi(whatdoyouwant
fr
om me? "

Zodwa:"
Youknowwehadpl ansandnowtheyseem
toberui
ned.Ziyandal
eftmyboy.He'si
nhospit
al
fi
ght
ingforhi
slif
eandit'
sal
lPhi
la'
sfaul
t,mysecret
i
sabouttobeexposedandIcannothavethat
.
Davi
dwi
llki
llme.
"

Adoni a:
"Hmm.Wecanal waysputaspel lonDavid.
Leavehi mt ome, howeversi nenki nga(wehavea
problem).Phi l
aisZiyanda'schosenone.Thei rlove
i
swayst rongerthanbeforeandt heyar ebot
hhighly
favouredupt here.IfIdothis,there'sahighchance
i
tmi ghtbackfir
eandi twil
lmessupmywhol eaura,
Zodwa.Myancest orscoul
dt urnt heirbackson
me."

Zodwa:(Annoyed)"
Yourancest
orstur
nedthei
r
backsonyoual ongti
meagososavemet he
speech.Willyoubeabl
etodoitornot
?"

Adonia:"Yes,itcanbedone.Zi yandaispr egnant

aswespeak, butshedoesn'tknowi tyet.That
gi
vesmeanadvant agetoconsul twit
hthe
underworld.Icant r
yandt akethosebabi es'soul
s
befor
et heirevenbornandsi ncebothherandPhi la
haveRoyalbl ood,yourbusinesseswillbe
st
rengt
henedevenbet
tert
hanbef
ore.
"

Iopenedmyeyeswi
dei
nshock.

Zodwa:"
Ziyandai
spregnant
?Butyoutoldme
she'
sbarr
ennowsincethemiscar
ri
age.
"

Adonia:
"Theancestorshaveamazi ngways,Zodwa.
She'
spr egnantanddon' tf
orgetthataf
tert
he
miscarr
iageyousacr i
fi
cedLunga' smanhood
completelysohe'sbasical
lysteri
le.Idon'
tknow
whyyou' r
eactingsosur pr
ised."

Ag,Adoniaisfr
ustr
ati
ngmenow.Shedoeshavea
poi
nt,butevenaft
erdoingthatsheassur
edmewe
wouldfi
ndawayt ogetZiyandapregnant
.Didshe
per
hapsl i
etome?

Zodwa:
"WhatdoyoumeanPhi
lai
sal
sor
oyal
?"
Adoni
a:"
Imeanexact
lyt
hat
."

Zodwa:
"Okay,
doi
t.
"

Adonia:
"ButImustwar nyou,i
fthi
sbackf i
res,it
'sa
l
ifeforali
fe.IfZiyanda'
sbabi
essur iveandar e
born,t
henIhavet otakeali
fefrom yourside.A
pure,i
nnocentli
fe.Sinceyou'
realltaint
ed, i
tleaves
yourgrandchi
ld."

Bel
indawassoast
oni
shedshedeci
dedt
ospeakup.

Bel
inda:
"No!Ican'
tletyouhavemyson!
"

Zodwa:"Oh,t
hul
anawe( Keepqui et
)!It
'snotlike
he'sLunga'
ssonanyways.Hadyouwai t
edyour
turnyouwould'
vefal
lenpregnantforhim as
planned.Besi
des,
you'resti
llyoung.You'llf
all
pr
egnantagai
ninnot
ime.
"

Beli
ndahadt ear
sf all
ingdownhereyes, butIwasn' t
bothered.Noti nthel east.Isacri
fi
cedallmy
chi
ldrenexceptPhi lat ogettowhereIam.Al lfour
ofthem andshet hinksthatbecomi ngri
chiseasy?
Youneedt osacrifi
ceal if
einordertohavet hel i
fe
youwant .Il
ovemygr andson,butBeli
ndawi llhave
tosucki tup.Lifeist ough,sheshouldknowt hatby
now.
Chapt
erThi
rt
y

Zi
yanda

Afterbr
eakfast,Phil
aandIwentt oThePoint
ShoppingMal ldri
venbyMandl aofcourseandhe
gavemehi sbl ackcard.Hetoldmet ogocrazyand
thathe'
stakingmeshoppi ng.Iwasabi tskept
ical
atfir
st,
ImeanIhaveneverr eal
lyspentaman's
money.
AllLungausedtodowasgi vemeamont hl
y
all
owanceofR50000t obuynecessiti
esaroundthe
house.Porschealwayshasherhusband'scard
si
nceheneveral l
owshertospoilher
selfwit
hher
salaryandshealwaystel
lsmethatyoushould
neversaynot oaman'smoney,especial
lyi
fhe'
s
yours.Well
,Ideci
dedtousethi
schanceandIwent
crazy.

Iwalkedshoptoshopwi t
hPhi labymysi de,fi
tt
ing
clot
hesandshoes.Imustsayt hisret
ailt
herapy
feel
ssogood.Ineverknewt hatspendingmoney
couldmakemef eelsogood.Iwant edtotryout
somemakeupandl inger
ieforachangewi thout
Phil
afoll
owingmesoIaskedhi mt ogogetsome
coff
eeandIwoul dmeethi m atoneofthe
rest
aurant
sonceIwasdone.Lucki lyhegave
MandlathemanybagsIhadf r
om shoppingsoI
couldwalkfr
eel
yandst artal
loveragain.
Iwentt oMaqSt oreandaskedf orsomemakeup
ti
psandt heydidmymakeupf orfree.Ilooked
reall
ydifferent,butamazi ngl
ygor geous.Inever
reall
yfeelgor geousorconf i
dentaboutmysel f
,butI
fi
guredifIwantt ofi
tint
oPhi l
a'sli
fe,I
'dhavetotry
diff
erentthingssomehow.Ican' tgoplainand
naturalforever,right
?

Iboughtallt
hemakeupIneededandheadedt ot
he
l
ingeriebout
iqueopposi
tethest
ore.Iwasj
ust
cl
uelessaboutallt
hesethi
ngsandmostofthem
j
ustlookedli
kespiderwebsandhardl
yanyt
hingin
mysi ze.

Iaskedt hemanagert ohel pmeoutinpi ckingout

somel ingeri
eandl ucki
lytheyhadawhol esection
forplussizewomen.Atl easttheseit
emsl ookedas
sexyast heonesf orsmal l
erwomen, j
ustabi t
bigger.Ididn'toptforf
itt
ingssinceIdidn'twantto
keepPhi lawaiti
ngtoolong, ImeanIhadbeen
shoppingf oroverfourhour snowandmyf eetwere
gett
ingsore.Itookaf ewreditemsandsomebei ge
andblackonest oo,
alllaceofcourse.Allmenlove
l
aceyunder wear.Idon'tevenseethepointof
l
ingeri
esincethewhol epointistohavehimtakeit
off
,butIdecidedtogowi thitanyway.

Igottothet
il
landplacedmyi t
emsont hedesk.I
greet
edthegir
lwhowaspr ocessingmyi temsand
shelookedr
eallyyoung,
probablyinherear l
y20s
l
ikebit
chLerato.Anyway,shedidn'tgr
eetmeback
andsoundedXhosabecauseshewast alkingonthe
phone.Howr ude.

Idecidedt okeepqui etandwatchher.Icouldhear

howshewast elli
ngwhoeverwasont hephonet hat
ther
e'saf atgirlstandinginfr
ontofherbuying
l
ingeri
e,aski nghim/ herwhatkindofmanwoul d
wanttofuckapi gl ookingl
ikeme?Imean, I'm Zul
u,
butIcanunder standXhosaher eandthere,
especial
lywhenI 'm beingi
nsult
ed.Ithi
nkshej ust
assumedt hatIwascol our
edandcouldbarelyhear
herhenceshedeci
dedt
oswi
tchl
anguagesi
nst
ead
ofspeaki
ngEngli
sh.

Ical
ledtheManagerf r
om t
hest
orer
oom andI
coul
df eelangercr
eepi
nguponme.

Manager
:"
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em,
ma'
am?
"

Me:"Yes,thereisapr oblem, El
mar i
e.( Igother
namef rom herbadge)Idon' tappr eciatetheway
I'
m beingtreatedbyt hi
syoungl adywhoseemst o
bepartofhourst aff.Ir eall
yli
keyourst uffandas
youcanseeInear l
yboughtt hewhol est or
e,but
becauseI '
m beingt otallyignoredasacust omer
andbei nginsultedandbodyshamedbyaf el
low
womani nyourst ore,I'
llhavetot akemymoneg
somewher eelse."

El
mar
iewasver
ysurpr
isedandupsetatthegi
rl.I
si
mpl
ystor
medoutofther
ewithoutevenhear
ing
herout.Icouldfeelmysel
fshakeandt
ear
s
thr
eateningtofal
ldownmyf acewhenImetPhi
laat
Whoolwor t
hsfoodhavingacupofcoff
eeatt
he
cafewiththenewspaperinhi
shands.

Me:
"Let
'sgo.
"Idi
dn'
tevenr
eal
izeIwascr
ying.

Phi
laqui
ckl
ygotupandhel
dmyhands.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
myl
ove)
,what
'swr
ong?
"

Me:
"Not
hing.Canwepl
easej
ustgo?
"

Phil
a:"
Notunti
lyout
ellmewhomadeyoucr yl
ike
thi
sandmadeyour uinthi
spret
tymakeupofyours.
Nowt el
lme,who'sf
aceam Ibreaki
ng?
"

Igi
ggl
ed.It
ookadeepsi
ghandt
oldhi
m ever
ythi
ng.
Ihonestl
yjustwantedt oleavethemallal
ready.I
real
lyli
kedElmarie'
sitems, event
houghtheygof or
aboutR500api ece,buttotall
yworthi
t.It'
sjusta
shameshehassuchani l
l-manneredgir
laspartof
herstaff
.

AfterItoldPhi
laIcoul
dseehimtight
enhisjawand
getti
ngwor kedup.Iknowthatl
ookallt
oowell.I
sawi twhenhet ol
dLerat
owheretogetoffand
seemsl ikehe'
sabouttodoitwi
ththatl
it
tl
egir
ltoo.

Phil
a:"
Let'
sgo.Showmet hest ore."Hesaid
grabbi
ngmyhandandwal kingf asterwit
hme.My
heartwasbeat i
ngsof astandIdon' tevenknow
whyI '
m scaredbecauseIdi dn'tdoanyt hingwrong.
Aswebot hent er
edthest ore,wef oundElmari
e
furi
ouslyremovingtheitemsIwant edtobuyfrom
thecounter.Iassumeshewasaboutt oputt
hem
back.

Phi
la:
"Goodaf
ter
noon,
ma'
am.Ibel
ieveoneofyour
st
affmember
swasver
yrudet
omywi
fe.
"

El
mar
iel
ookedsoshockedandi
nti
midat
ed.

El
marie:
"Ah,yes,
sir
,I.
..Ideal
twi
ththesit
uat
ion.
OnceagainIdoapologizeonherbehal
f.
"

Phi
la:
"Pl
easedocal
lherf
orme.
"

El
mar
iel
ookedabi
thesi
tant
.

Phi
la:
"I
mmedi
atel
y."

Hegaveheraster
nlook.Iknowt hatl
ook.Ical
lit
t
he"Don'
tfuckwit
hmel ook"buthedoesn'
tknow
t
hat.El
mariewenttothebacktocallt
hegir
lwho
l
ookedl
ikeshewascrying.
Phi
la:
"Weh,
Ntombazana(Hey,
gir
l)
.Ubanii
gama
l
akho(What'
syourname)
?"

Shelookedsoscaredri
ghtnowandIf
eltali
tt
lebad
forher
,butshehadnorightt
oshamemel i
kethat
,
especi
all
ysinceshedoesn'
tknowme.

Gi
rl
:"
Mynamei
sAphi
we,
Nomzane(
sir
).
"

Phil
a:"
Oh,sonowyoucancal
lmesir
,butyou
di
srespectmywif
ewhenyou'
rej
ustamerecashi
er?
Youdoknowwhatyournamemeans,angit
hi
(r
ight
)?"

Gi
rl
:"
Yes,
sir
.ItmeansGi
ft
."

Phil
a:"
Wel
l,you'
recl
earl
ynotowninguptoyour
nameatall
.Sohere'swhat
'sgoingt
ohappennow:
you'
regoi
ngt ocat
chataxibacktoyourl
it
tl
esmal
l
t
ownandexpl
aint
oyourmot
hert
hatyougotf
ir
ed
f
orbei
ngr
udetotheBl
ackMamba'
swife.
"

Aphiwewidenedhereyesi
nshockasifshej
ust
real
izedwhoMambai s.Couldhebesowell
known
thatevensmallt
imegir
lsl
ikeAphi
wehavehear
dof
him?

Phi
lat
ookouthiswal
letwhi
leElmari
e,Aphi
weandI
wer
ejustst
ari
ngathi
mi nsi
lence.

Phi
la:"
Howmuchwer
eyouear
ningher
easyour
sal
ary?"

Aphi
we:"
Eight
..
.Ei
ghtThousandRand,
sir
."

Phi
la:
"Wel
l,
nowyou'
vejustl
ostyourdail
ybead.
Her
eisR5000andconsi
derthi
syourlastsal
ary.
Gohomeandgivei
ttoyourmotherandstart
l
ooki
ngforanewj
obonceyou'
ver
ecol
lect
edyour
manner
s."

Hesaidthatholdi
ngouthi shandwitht
hemoneyi n
i
t.Aphiwesl owl
ytookthemoneyandputi ti
nher
smallwaistbagwithoutevenlooki
ngPhil
ainthe
eye.

Phi
la:
"No,
Ibel
ieveyouowemywi
feanapol
ogy
bef
oreyougo.
"

Aphi
we:(
looki
ngdown)"
I'
m sor
ry.
"

Phi
la:
"Nowl
eavet
hisst
ore.You'
ref
ir
ed.
"

Aphi
westor
medoutcryi
ngwhi
leEl
mar
iej
ustst
ood
t
heredumbf
ounded.
Phila:
"Nextti
mechoosestaffwit
hHumanRelati
ons
ski
lls.Mywi fereal
lyl
ovesyourstor
eand
everythingi
nit,
Elmari
e.Don'tr
uinyourbr
andby
hir
ingl owli
fegi
rls.
"

Elmar
iewassoembarrassed,
youcouldseei
tinher
eyesandi
nherfaceashercheeksseemedfl
ushed.

Elmar
ie:
"Yes,
sir
.Myapol
ogi
es.I
twon'
thappen
agai
n."

Phi
la:
"Howmuchdoesheri
temscost
?"

Elmar
ie:(Goi
ngbehindt
hecount
erandchecki
ng
thet
il
l)"R3500,
sir
."

Phil
atookoutsomemor
ecashnot
esandhanded
toElmari
e.
Phila:"Her
e'sR10000cash, foryourhospi tali
tyand
forbei ngsonicetomywi fe.Yourst oreseems
ratherempt yofcustomersforastoret hathassuch
beaut i
fulit
ems.Rememberoneoft hekeynot esto
Busi ness,El
marie:Thepeopleyouhi reAREyour
brand.Fi xthatandcustomer swil
lbef looding.
Haveani ceday."

Wi t
hthatsaid,welef
tElmari
estandingbehindher
countershockedtothecore.Phil
aheldmyhandas
Icarri
edmypaperbagandwewal kedbackt othe
car.Il
oveitwhenPhi l
astandsupf orme,butIcan't
helpbutfeelreal
lybadnow.Wi l
lIgeteveryone
fi
redforbeingrudetowardsmenow?Maybei fI
l
osewei ghtthenallt
heseprobl
emswoul d
disappear
.

Phi
la

Wegotint
othecarandMandladroveof
f. Ihat
ei t
whenZeecri
es,
especi
all
ybecauseofot
herpeople.
Ican'tj
ustsitbackandrelaxasamanwhi lesome
uselessbit
chdecidestober udetoherf orno
reason.IjustwishZeewoul dseewhatIsee.I
wishshecoul dappreci
ateherbodyasmuchasI
appreciat
eit.Idon'
tcareaboutthin,assless
women.Il oveZeeandI '
veal wayslovedher .

Icanseehowupsetanddownshei sri
ghtnowand
Ij
usthopethisdoesn'
trui
nthenextphaseofthe
plansIseti
nmotionforher.Af
tert
hisweekend,
uYayawamiwi l
loff
ici
all
ybemyf i
ancee.
Chapt
erThi
rt
yOne

Zi
yanda

Imusthavebeendeepi nthoughtbecauseIdidn'
t
evenreali
zethatwehadreachedourdest i
nat
ion.I
l
ookedoutt hewindowandsawsomer eall
y
beaut
ifulhouses,muchl
ikewherePhilali
vesback
i
nCent uri
on.Iseeahugeboar dacrossthegate
"
LangebaanCount
ryEst
ate"
.

Hmm, i
tseemsl i
kear eal
lyni
cesuburbforr
ich
people.Niceandquiet.Thesehousesareso
beautif
ulandseemsl ikeever
yonebuysahugeacr e
oflandatahef t
ypri
ce.Theseowner smustber i
ch
becauseonewoul dn'tbuyR3mi l
li
onlandoncredit
,
ri
ght?

Phi
la:(
Squeezi
ngmyhand)"St
handwasami(
my
l
ove).Sesi
fi
kil
e(We'
vear
ri
ved)
."

Hegavemeasmi leandIjustr
eturnedaf aintone.I
wassodownafterthewholeAphiweepi sode.First
Ler
atoandnowAphi we.Ican'
tsayt hatit
'saCape
Townthi
ngbecauseevenNozipho, mymom and
mysist
er,
evenBeli
ndamakecomment saboutmy
wei
ght.

MaybeAphi
wewasr
ight
,Iam af
atpi
g.Maybe
Phil
aheardever
ythi
ngGogotol
dhim andmy
ther
apysessi
onsdidn'
tdomejusti
ce,andfel
tbad
forme.Maybehe'swithmebecausehefeelssor
ry
forme.

Icouldn'
thel
pbutrel
easeateardownmycheek
that
'sbeendyingt
oescapemyeye.Wewer esti
lli
n
thecarandMandlawentoutandopenedmysideof
thedoor.

Phi
la:
"Babywami(
mybaby)
,tal
ktome.Yi
ni(
What
i
sit
),Zee?"

Me:
"I
t'
snot
hing.Let
'sgo,
I'
m sur
eBr
enneri
swai
ti
ng
f
orus.
"

Iatt
emptedtogetoutoft
hecar
,buthegr
abbedmy
arm gent
ly.
Phi
la:
"Zee,
tal
ktome.Pl
ease,
don'
tshutmeout
."

Me:( Deepsigh)"
I'
mjust,I
'mjustnotokay,Phil
a.
Everywherewegopeopl elookatmef unnyandcal l
menamesbecauseofmysi ze.Imean, youknow
I
'veneverbeensmal landIwasjuststarti
ngtolove
mysel fandnowthishappens.Willi
talwaysbel i
ke
thi
s?Doesbei nginyourli
fecomeatthispr i
ce?"

Icouldseet
hatthelastst
atementbr
okehim.He
frownedandhiseyeswereshinywit
htear
s,buthe
foughtt
hem back.

Phi
la:"
Sthandwasami(mylove).Youmeanso
mucht ome.I fonl
yyouwouldletmepr
otectyou
andloveyou,thenyou'
l
lseethatl
ovi
ngyoursel
fwil
l
aut
omat i
call
yhappen.

Iwantt
oloveyousomuchthatIwanttosetoffa
chai
nreact
ionofbl
essi
ngsi
nyourli
fe,
Ziyanda.
Pleasedon'
teverl
etl
owli
fe'
stel
lyouthatyou'
renot
beauti
ful
.Youhaveanint
imidat
ingpr
esence,
Sthandwasami.

Your adi
atebeautyonalll
evel
sanditmakespeople
j
ealous.Pleasedon'tbeneagti
ve.Ihavesomuch
plannedforyouthisweekend,sopl
easedon'tal
l
ow
cockroachesinhumanf or
mt orui
nallt
his.
"

Il
aughedabi
tatt
hatl
astst
atement
.

Me:(
Wipingmytear
soffmyf
ace)"
Okay.
Ngi
yaxol
isa(
I'
m sor
ry)
."

Phil
a:"
Don'
teverapologi
zeforbeingyou,
Sthandwa
sami(Mylove)
.Andi fyou'
rethi
nkingofl
eavingme
j
ustknowthatitwil
lneverhappen.Iwon'tal
low
that
."
Hesmi l
edandwegotoutoft hecar.Mygoodness.
I'
vecriedsomucht hi
sweekI '
m surePhil
athi
nks
I'
m acr ybaby,
man.Wewal kedtowardsahuge
pieceofvacantlandandbehinditi
ssomewoods
andtrees.

Iseeaboar dri
ghtinthemiddleofthi
slandwe're
standi
ngon" Pam GoldingProper
ti
esR4500000
SOLD" .Okay,nowI'm conf
used.PerhapsBrenner
boughtitl
ongbef or
ehedeci dedt
ohiremeto
designahousef orhi
m.

Phil
a:(Looki
ngatmesmi
li
ng)"
Whatdoyout
hinkof
thi
splace?"

Me:
"Il
oveit
.It'
ssopeacef ulandthemountai
nview
i
samazing.Icanimaginemysel fdr
inki
ngcoff
ee
ont
hebalconyoverl
ookingthesea."

Phi
la:(
smi
li
ngevenmor
e)"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ikei
t
becausei
t'
syour
s."

Myeyesgr
ewwi
deri
nshock.

Me:
"Idon'tunder
stand,
Phil
a.Whatdoyoumean?
Di
dn'tyousayBrennerwantst
oreti
reher
e?"

Phi
la:(
Chuckli
ng)"Comeon, Zee.Brennermovedt
o
Swit
zerl
andri
ghtafterIboughtthecompany.Do
youhonest
lythi
nkagr umpyBi l
li
onair
eli
kehi
m
wouldwanttosett
ledownandr etir
einCape
Town?"

Il
aughedatthatst
atement.Hehasapoint
,though.
Brenneri
sorigi
nal
lyfr
om Swit
zer
landsoi
tmakes
sensetoret
ir
einyourhomeland.

Phi
la:
"Iboughtt
hisl
andf
oryou,f
orus.I
t'
sgoi
ngt
o
beourholi
dayhome,wel
loneofmany.Iwant
edt
o
surpr
iseyouandIdi dn'
twanttoruinitbytel
li
ngyou
ri
ghtaway.Thehouseyou' redesigningisn'
tfor
Brenner,
butf orus.Thi
sisyourproject,
Sthandwa
sami(Myl ove).Iwantyoutomakeournewhouse
ourhome. "

Igottear
y-eyedonceagai n.Ir eal
lyneedtoworkon
thesewaterwor ks.Themakeupi ssor ui
nedri
ght
nowIevenwi pedi tof
fwithsomewi pesonourway
here.Phil
aissot houghtf
ul,t
hough.Spending4.5
mill
iononapi eceofl andjustl
ikethat?

Me:"
It
'ssobeaut
if
ul,
Phi
la.Il
ovei
tsomuch.Thank
you,
baby."

Phi
lal
eaneddownt
oki
ssme.

Phi
la:
"That
'snotal
l.Ther
e'smor
etocome.Fol
low
me.
"
Ist
hereanythi
ngt hatcantopthis?Wewal kedhand
i
nhandt owardsthewoodsbehi ndthelandPhila
j
ustboughtforus.Ir eal
lyam notafanofwoods
andtr
ees,ImeanI 'veseenenoughhorrormoviesto
l
astali
feti
me.

Me:"Hayi
,Phi
la.Akunai
nyokalapha(Aren'
tther
e
snakeshere)
?YouknowI '
mt err
if
iedofnature.
"

Phi
la:(
Chuckl
ing)"Zee,
I'
vejustf
oundyouagai
n,
whywouldIofferyoutosnakes?Besi
des,
I'
mthe
bl
ackMamba, don'tworr
y."

Me:
"Okay,
buti
fIseeoneI
'
mrunni
ngaway.
"

Phil
alaughedatmesohar d.Reallythough?Aswe
werewal ki
ngIsawat rai
lofredrosepet al
sleadi
ng
ustowardssomegr assinwi t
ht r
eessur r
ounded.
Aswegotcl oserIsawabi g,redblanketwit
h
beauti
fulredandwhitepil
lows.
Therewasani cebucketwit
hsomechampagnei nit
,
withanot
heronenexttoitwithadiff
erentbot
tl
eof
wineinit
.Twowi neglasseswereaccompaniedby
al
lkindsoffoodandfruit
s,f
ingerf
oodanddel i
cious
l
ookingdessertswi
thsomechocol at
esofcourse.

Hehe, Phil
aisi
ndeedamanofmanyt alents.
Organisingapicni
cwi t
houtbeingphysicall
y
present.Iwasi nt
otalawethatIevenf orgotabout
Philaforasecond.Iwasst anding,
lookingaround
andassoonasIt ur
nedt ol
ookathi m,hebent
downononeknee.I shedoingwhatIt hinkhe's
doing?!

Phil
a:(Ononekneewi t
hanopenr i
ngboxi nhis
hands)"Zandil
eBhengu,fr
om thefirstmomentI
l
aideyesonyoui nthatcut
e,navyschooluni f
ormI
knewthatyouwoul dbemine.Fr om thatday
for
wardIcalledyoumywi fe.I'
mr eall
ysorryi
ttook
mesol ongtofinal
lydothi
s,tofi
nallymakeyour
dr
eamscomet
rue.

Iloveyousomucht hati tdr

ivesmecr azy.
WheneverIwakeupi nt hemor ningyou'r
ethefirst
thingIthinkofuntilthesunset si nt
heevening.
Yourbeaut i
ful,
cont agiouslaughset smysoulon
fi
re.Yourbeaut if
uleyesmakemer eal
izethatyour
souli sj
ustasbeaut ifulasyouar e.Yourperfectly,
car vedbodymakesmer eal
izethatGodtookhis
ti
met odesignyouj ustforme.

Thissecondchanceatlif
e,atloveprovesthatyou
andIaretrulymeanttobe.Iwoul dli
ketostartthi
s
newchapt eri
nmyl if
ewithyouandshowyout he
world.I'
l
lbuyyout heworldifIhaveto.Yayawami
(myyaya),Sthandwasami( mylove),Qhawekazi
(Goddess),makemet hehappiestmanonear thand
sayyou'l
lmar r
yme.
Chapt
erThi
rt
yTwo
Zi
yanda

Phil
awasonhi sonekneewi t
habeaut i
ful,
pear-
shapedRoseGolddiamondr ing.Ihadtears
str
eamingdownmyeyesandmyhear twasbeating
sofastoutofj
oy.Thankgoodnesshe' sjustwearing
ajeaninst
eadofanI t
alianSuitthisti
me.Butthen
whogoesdownont heirkneei nthemiddleofthe
woodsi naGStarRawout f
it?Isweart hisguy
doesn'
twearthesameout f
ittwice.

Phi
la:
"WhatdoyousaySt
handwasami(
myl
ove)
?"

Me:(
cryi
ng)"
Yes,
Yes,
ngi
yavuma(
Iagr
ee)
."

Hegotupfrom thegrassandplantedapassi
onate
ki
ssonmyl ipsandhuggedme.Thenheputt he
ri
ngonmyf inger.Isweart
hisisthemostbeaut
iful
ri
ngI'
veeverseen,sosimple-
yetelegant
.Il
ove
howPhil
aget sme.
Phil
a:"Ngi
yabonga,
Sthandwasami( Thankyou,
my
l
ove).Thankyousomuchf ormakingmet he
happiestmanintheworld.Iswearifi
twereupto
me,thisweekendwouldlastfor
ever.
"

Heki ssedmeagai nandwecel ebr

atedwi t
hourown,
privatepicnicint
hewoods-afewkilometersaway
fr
om ournewl yboughtl
and.I'
m offi
cial
lyaland
owner !Justaweekaf t
erPhil
ahasbeeni nmyl i
fe
andI '
m engagedandnotyetdi vor
ced.Myl if
eis
crazy,Itellyou.

Me:
"But,babywami(
mybaby)
,I'
m notdi
vor
ced
f
rom Lungayet.
"

Phila:"
Youleavethatt
ome,Sthandwasami.Let
's
enjoythismomentwehavesomewher eel
setobe
tomor r
owafternoonbef
oreweheadbackhome."
Hmm, anothersur
pri
secomi
ngup?Whatcoul
d
possi
blytopthi
s?

Gog'
Khanyi

It
'sbeennearlytwodayssinceNomsapi tchedup
heretoconfesstohersins.I'
m nothappy,butI
mustsayI '
m proudofherforfi
nall
yowningupt o
herdeeds.It'
snevertoolateastheysay,kodwake
(But)I
t'
sti
mef orhertogobackhome.Ineedmy
spaceman.Fl orahandIcanbar el
ygossipwithher
depressi
ngvibeallovermyhouse.

Iwalkeddownt hest
air
sandfoundFl
orahand
Nomsachat ti
ngawayandlaughi
ngli
keoldbuddi
es
i
nt helounge.Nomsacanevenshowherteethnow
soIguesst hebrui
seshaveonherf
acehave
healed.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Sani
bonaniabant
ubami(
Hel
lo,
my
peopl
e).Zir
ightzigi
rl
s(Ar
eyougi
rl
sal
ri
ght
)?"

Mam'Masango:"Hai
,Nomsawasjusttel
li
ngme
aboutThando'
schil
dren.Kodwat
hosekidsar
ea
handful
."

Gog'Khanyi:
"AbigonehenceIdon'twantthem her
e
unt
iltheylearnsomemanner sandhowt obehave.
Nomsa, youshouldtakethem i
nnowsi nceThando
i
sbackondr ugs.Iwouldn'
twantthosekidstoend
upli
keher ,orevenworse.
"

Nomsa:(
looki
ngdown)
"Yebo(
yes)ma.I
'
llf
etch
t
hem t
oday."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Speaki
ngoft
oday,
it'
sti
mef
oryout
o
gobackhome-TODAY.
"

Nomsast
art
edt
olookver
ywor
ri
ed.
Nomsa:
"Kodwa(
but)ma,I'
m notr
eadyt
ogoback
home.Khayawi
llki
llme.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Noonei severreadyforanyt
hing.I
wasneverreadytohaveyouandnowl ookathow
wellyoutur
nedout.Nowpackyourbagsandhead
onout .I
twaslovelyseei
ngyou, mydaughter.
"I
gaveherasmi l
e,butshejustret
urnedafrown.

Mam'Masango:
"Beli
evemewhenIsayt hi
s,chi
ld,he
won'
tkil
lyou.I
nfacthisreact
ionwil
lsurpr
iseyou.
Gofet
chyourgrandchi
ldr
enandt hengohome. "

Nomsadr aggedherf eetof

fthecouchandsaidher
goodbyes.I'
m sogl adshe'sgonenow.Ineedto
catchuponsomef ewt hi
ngsli
kefi
ndingZi
yanda'
s
fat
herbeforePhil
apaysl obol
a.Hewant st
opay
l
obolaasi nyest
erdaysoIhadbet t
erbequick.I
wentthroughmyemai l
sandcameacr ossanemail
Phi
laf
orwar
dedme.

Itwasawhol efi
leofZi yanda'stherapysessions
withDr .Stein,i
ncludi
ngt womedi calreportsfr
om
twoi ncidents,wit
hpict uresofZeeat tached.Her
bodyandf acewer esobr uisedandIcan' tbel
ieve
howZodwacoul ddot hisrightundermynose.Her
uselessassandherl owl if
esonwi llregrett
heday
theyevermetmyZee.Bazonyaamasi mba
wok'shisa( They'
llshitsom ver yhotshi t
).Butfor
now, Ineedt ostartwi t
ht hisDr.vanSchal kwykwho
refusedt oreportthesei ncident
s.

Mam' Masango: "

YaziniKhanyisa(Youknow
Khanyisa) ,
weneedt oactf ast
.Timei snotonour
side.Zodwaal readywentt oconsultAdoniaandwe
needt ofindZiyanda'sfatherfast
.Phi l
a'
spaternal
familyareal soseekinghim andhe'stoostubborn
toagreet oitrightnow.Zi yandaneedsthe
welcomi ngcer emonyt obedoneassoonas
possible,otherwiseIforeseedanger.Zodwawon' t
stopunt
ilshehasmoremoney.She'
stoosupi
dto
evennot
icethatAdoni
aist
aki
ngherforar
ide.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yazi(Youknow)t hatwomani
sthe
devi
lher
sel
f.Uyanginyanyi
sa(Shemakesmesick)
.
Letmedealwit
hherf ornow."

Ideci
detocallher
.She'
smessedwit
halotof
peopl
e'sl
ivesandthi
sti
meshehasgonetoof
ar.

Zodwa:
"ZodwaNqcobohel
lo?
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"Yah,Zodwa.Moneychangespeopl e
neh.Youcan' tevenrecogni
zemyvoice.Injani
kodwa, magosha( Howareyouthough,you
prosti
tut
e)?"

Zodwa:(
annoyed)"
Khanyi
sa.Uf
unani(
Whatdoyou
want)
?"
Gog'Khanyi
:(Chuckl
ing)"Icanseeyou'
renotinthe
moodt ocatchupsoI '
llgetst
rai
ghttot
hepoint.
Yekelaamasimbauwayenzawo( St
optheshityou'
re
doing)bef
oreIburnyoual i
ve.Iknowyou'r
ebusy
tr
yingtokil
lmyunbor ngrandchi
ldr
en,Zodwa.So
I'
m goingtoaskyouonemor eti
metostoptheshit
you'r
edoing."

Zodwa:(
wentsil
entforawhi
le)"
Ihavenoi
deawhat
you'
ret
alki
ngabout,
Khanyi
."

Gog'Khanyi:"
Alright
.Seuziyenzai starri
ngangi thi
(You'react
ingl i
kethestarri
ng, ri
ght)?Seuzobona
ngami( You'l
ljusthavetowat chwhathappens) .I
'l
l
takeeverythi
ngf rom you:starti
ngwi t
hal lthe
businessesyoursonowns, allt
hatwi l
lbel ef
twi l
l
behishouseandaf ewcar s,thenafterthatI'
m
comi ngforeverythi
ngyouhave.I '
l
lcleanyouout
unti
lyoucan' tevenaf f
ordal oafofbr eas,Zodwa.I
warnedyou.Youshoul dhaveknownbet terthanto
sacr
if
iceZi
yanda'
sfi
rstchi
ld.
"

Zodwa:
"Wai
t,Khanyi
!"

Ihungupbeforeshecoul
dfi
nishherst
upi
d
sent
ence.Idial
edSbu.

Sbu:
"Ola,
Magriza(Hi
,gr
andma)
.Kuhambani
(What
'scooki
ng)?"

Gog'Khanyi:
"Yeywena(Heyyou)!Ungazongi
nyel
a
(Don'tt
ellmeshit
).UbaniuGogowakho(Who'syour
grandma) ?
"

Sbu:(Chuckl
ing)"
Ngi
yaxol
isamama(
Sor
ry,
mama)
.
Zi
khipani(What'
sup)
?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
GetvanSchal
kwykr
eady.Meetmeat
t
hewar
ehouse.
"

Sbu:
"ShoshoGangst
ergogo.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Voet
sek.
"Icl
ickedmyt
ongueand
hungup.

Mam'Masango: "
YaziKhanyi
.JustwhenIthought
you'
vechangedyougobackt oyouroldways.Why
ungayekel
ilabafana(Whydon'
tyouleavet
heboys)
todealwi
ththis?"

Gog'
Khanyi:
"Youknowthi
sisper
sonal
,Fl
orah.I
f
youwantthejobdoner
ight
,youhavet
odoi t
your
sel
f.
"

Mynamei sKhanyisaBut
hel
ezi
,andIdon'
tgi
ve
secondchances.
Chapt
erThi
rt
yThr
ee
Zi
yanda

It'
sSundaymor ning,andI'
m soexhaust edall
thankst oPhila.Hekeptmeupal lnight
, doi
ng
thingst omeIhaveonl yimagi nedinmydr eams.
I'
m pr ett
ysureallotherguestshear dmebecauseI
wasscr eamingsomuchIj ustcouldn'tkeepqui et
.
Por schewassor i
ght,Phi
lareallyis"BossPi pi
".I
nevert houghtmeni nrealli
fehadsuchhugedi cks.
Itriedtogetloosefrom hisgrip,buthet i
ghtenedit.

Me:
"Phi
la,
man.Ineedt
opee.
"

Phila:"
Camel
aumbedo( peeont
hebed)justl
ikeyou
didlastni
ght
."HelaughedandIcl
ickedmytongue
forcingmywayoutofhisgri
p.

Me:"Uyabor
ayazi(You'
resobori
ng,
youknow).
"My
cheekswereget
tingredfr
om embarr
assment
.
Phi
la:
"I
'm ki
ddi
ng,l
ove.Yousqui
rt
ed,i
t'
snotpee.
I
t'
sperfectl
ynor
mal whenamanhit
syourg-spot
."

G-spot,squi rti
ng.Thosear ePorsche'
sterms.I
madeament alnotetoaskherabouti t.I'
m starvi
ng.
It
's7am andweneedt ogetupanyways, apparentl
y
we'regoi ngsomewher etodayandwe' l
lbeleaving
fr
om t heretot heAi r
por ttomorr
owmor ning,which
meanswe' r
echecki ngoutofher etoday.Ican't
wait,honest ly.Thishot elisamazing,
butImi ss
homecookedmeal s.Ikeptwaki nguoi nthemi ddl
e
oftheni ghtst ari
ngatmyr i
ngfi
nger.Ican'tbel
ieve
I'
m soon- to-beMr s.ZiyandaZwane.Li fecanwor k
i
nmyst eriouswaysIt ellyou.

Phil
agotupandjoi
nedmei ntheshowerandof
coursewehadaquickiebef
oreweheadedourfor
breakf
ast
.Whil
eeatingbreakf
asti
nthedini
nghall
,
IsawSimone,t
hegirlwhowassonicetomedur i
ng
myspat r
eat
mentandIwant edtogi
veherandall
si
xotherladi
esthegi
ftsIboughtfort
hem.Noone
haseverbeenthatni
cetomebef ore.

Theyal lseemedsogenui neandIwant edtot hank

them foralltheireff
orts.Hear ingSi monet el
lme
thatherboyf ri
endcannotevenaf f
ordt otakeher
outorgetheraspavoucher ,
Ideci dedtogett hem
allmacmakeupvoucher sandl ingeri
evoucher s
from Elmarie'sboutique-allsi
xoft hem.Icont acted
herviaemai landshewassopl easedandkept
apologizingforAphi we'sbehavi our ,
butIwasover
that.Shewasni ceenought ogett hevoucher s
deli
veredt othehot elforme.Il oveEl marie's
l
ingerieandI '
m mostdef init
elycomi ngbackagai n
tobuyf rom hert henextt i
meIcomebackt oCape
Town.I tcostmeabi t
,andt histimeIdeci dedt ouse
moneysavedi nmybankaccountwhi chPhi l
aused
togiveme.

Ihavenousefori
tanyway.Iwanttostar
tona
cleansl
atesoIal
sotoppedt
heirgi
ftbagswit
hR10
000each.Alli
nallIspentaboutR100000.They
real
lydeser
veit
.Idi dn'
teventellPhi
labecausehe
wouldprobabl
yfli
pi fheheardthatIspentmoney
Lungagavemei nsteadofhis.Menandt hei
regos.

IaskedSimonet ocomeovert oourtabl

e,andshe
wasabi thesi
stantatfi
rst
,butevent
uall
ycameover.
Itol
dhertomeetmei nthefoyerwit
htheother
member sofherSpat eam bef
oreIcheckout.Phi
la
wasn'tbother
edmuch, butIbethadSimonebeena
man, hewouldhavebeen.

Wewentbacktothehotelandpackedourclot
hes
andonourwaydownt heli
ftwefoundBit
chyLerato
i
ntheli
ft
.Talkaboutawkward.Shelookeddown
asweenter
edtheli
ftandPhil
astart
edchatti
ngto
her
,whi
chIsuspecthewasdoi ngonpurpose.

Phi
la:
"Goodmor
ning,
Ler
ato.Howar
eyout
his
morni
ng?"
Lerat
o:(shakyvoi
ce)"Goodmor ni
ng,Mr .Zwane,
goodmor ning,
Mrs.Zwane.I '
m well
,thanksand
howar eyoubothdoingtoday?"

Al
lthi
swhileherheadwasboweddown.Wow.Talk
aboutawhole360degreet
urn.Phi
lacanhumbl
ea
bi
tch,
Itel
lyou.

Phil
a:"
We' r
edoingfine,
thankyouandasyoucan
seeMr s.Zwane'sfi
ngeryouwereri
ght
.Thishotel
doesmakemenl ikemel eavewi
thwomentheydo
i
ntendt omarry.
"

Icoul
dhearLer
atoswal
lowi
nghardaf
tershetur
ned
herheadt
olookatmyri
ngfi
nger.Phi
lathough,
he
canbetoomuchsometi
mes.

Thel
if
topenedandwef
inal
lygotout
.
Ler
ato:
"Congr
atul
ati
ons,
Mr.AndMr
s
Zwane.Ihopeyouhaveagr eatj ourneyhome. "
Shel ef
tabr uptl
yandmadeherwayt otheot her
sideoft hehotel, probabl ytoavoi dembar rassment.
PhilacheckedusoutandIsawSi moneandt he
otherladiesstandi ngi nf rontoft heSpadoor .I
wentt othem andgavet hem t heirgiftbags.The
l
ookont heirfaces, theywer esohappyt hatthey
evencr i
ed.Theycoul dn' tstopt hankingme.I
huggedt hem allonceagai nandIl ef
t.Itfeltso
goodt odosomet hingr eal l
ynicewi t
houteven
expectingsomet hingi nr eturn.IdohopeLer ato
l
ear nsfrom thisexper ience;i tdoesn' thurttobe
kind,youmi ghtj ustgetmor ethanyoubar gained
foroutofi t.

Gog'
Khanyi

Igott
othewar
ehousef
ir
stbefor
eSbu.Thi
sboyis
al
wayslat
eman.Ideci
detotakeasmokeout
side
whi
lewai
ti
ng.Af
teraboutt
enmi
nut
eshear
ri
ved.

Sbu:"
Hade(Sorr
y),Gog'G.Igothel
dup.Wehadt o
packsomeextraclot
hesforthetwinssi
ncethei
r
goingtobest
ayingwithuMaf rom nowon.You
knowhowShar onissometimes."

Gog'Khanyi
:"YaziSbuuyang'nyel
ashame(You
know,Sbu,you'r
efullofshi
t,shame)
.I'
m notyour
gogo."

Sbu:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Angit
hiImouldedital
it
tl
ebit
.
Gog'GforGogoGangster
,uyabo(yousee)?
"

Ichuckl
ed.Thi
sboyshoul
dcounthi
sbl
essi
ngs
si
nceItakehi
m asmyownson.

Gog'
Khanyi:
"St
opplayi
ngandlet
'sgetdownt
o
busi
ness.Masingene(Let
'sgoi
n)."
Igoti
nt hewarehouseandf oundafat,whit
elady
wit
haDoct or'
scoatonwhi chIassumei sDr.Van
Schalkwyk.Nexttoherisayoung, l
ightski
nned,
thi
nboywhol ookslikehe'sbeenher efordays
j
udgingmyt hesmell hereeksof.Thesmel lcoul
d
makeanyonepuket heirgut sout.

Gog'Khanyi:"
Hayi(no)man,
Sbu.Whydi dn'tyoulet
thi
sboyhaveaguar dtol
ookafterhi
m?Bonase
kunjanelana(Lookhowtheplacelooks).Kunyuka
amasi mbalanamanyesses(Itsmellsli
keshitin
here,man).You'resomessysomet i
mes. "

Sbu:
"Ah,hade(sor
ry)Gog'
G.Ihadahect
ic
weekend,ei
sh.uSharonkeepsmeonmytoes.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Yazi,
thatstupi
dslayqueenofyour s.I
askmyselfwhyyoudumpedal ovel
ygirll
ikeuKel
e
forher,
butthat
'satopicforanotherday."
Sbu:"
Eish,
matt
ersoft
hehear
t,Gog'
G.Anyway,
whatwouldyouli
kemetobri
ngfort
hiswhi
te
bi
tch?"

Gog'Khanyi:
"Br
ingmeanaxeandahammerand
somegl oves.Idon'
thaveal
lday.Makusheshwe
(Let
'
shur ryup).
"

Sbuwentt othest oreroom andbroughtmewhatI

askedforom at roll
ey.Iputmygl ovesonwhi l
eDr.
VanSchal kwykl ookedscar edasfuck.Thesmal l
boyont hechai rnexttoherwaspet rif
iedwithhi
s
mout hsti
lltapedandhi shandsti
edbehi ndhim.Dr.
VanSchal kwyk'shandswer eal
sotiedsoIremoved
thetapefrom hermout handshecr iedoutinpain.

Dr.v.Schal
kwyk:"
Please,
please.Idon'
tknowwhat
youwantf r
om me,butIhave3mi ll
ionr
andinmy
bankaccount.Youcanhavei t
.Youcanhaveitall
i
fyouj
ustpl
easel
etmego.
"

SbuandIl
aughedsohar
ditmadeherevenmor
e
scar
ed.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Doyouhearwhatthi
sbitchi
ssayi
ng?
She'
ssayi
ngshecangiveusi3Mi
ll
ionmfanawami
(myboy)
.Doweneedi t,
kodwa(t
hough)?"

Sbu:"
Hmm.Nah, wedon'
tneedi
t.Sinawoama
mil
li
onthina(Wehavemil
li
onsal
ready).Siama(
We
ar
e)Bil
li
onair
esthina.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Didyouheart
hat
?Wedon' tneed
money,whi
tebi
tch.Wepract
ical
lywi
peourown
shi
twit
hdoll
arbil
ls.
"

Dr
.v.Schal
kwyk:"
Thenwhatdoyouwantf
rom me?
Whyam Ihere?
"
Gog'Khanyi
:"
Goodquest
ion,vett
ie(
fat
ty)
.You'
re
her
et omeetyourmaker
, Luci
ferhi
mself
.Anylast
words?"

Dr.v.Schal
kwyk:
"MyhusbandisaPol
iceChief
.
He'l
lfi
ndmeandyou'regoingt
oroti
njail
!"

Gog'Khanyi:(Chuckli
ng)" Yazini
naifebezabel ungu
nidinakabi( Youknowyouwhi t
ebitchescanbeso
annoying).Ihavemi ni
stersonmypayr olland
you'retel
li
ngmeaboutyourl ousyhusbandPi eterv.
Schalkwyk, ChiefofPoli
ce?Heknowsyou' r
eher e.
Infacthewasmor ethanwi l
li
ngtogi veusyour
l
ocat i
on.Whi l
eyouwer eatwor kstealingmor e
kidneysformoneyt ofeedyoureatinghabi ts,he
wasbusyf uckinghisgirl
fri
end."

Icoul
dseeIhi
taner
vebecauseshest
art
edwai
l
ing
l
ikeababy.
Gog'Khanyi
:"IwishIcouldgiveyousome
counseli
ng,butI'mrunningoutoft i
me.Yousee,
youtookmoneyf r
om LungaNgcobonott orepor
t
him abusi
ngmydaught er,
ZiyandaNgcobo.Do
thosenamesr ingabellinthatfatheadofyours?
"

Dr.v.Schalkwyk:(
wideeyed)"
Look,I
'
mr eal
lysorr
y.
Het hr
eatenedtokil
lmeifIrepor
tedit
.Please,l
et'
s
t
alkaboutt hi
s."

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Talki
ngti
mei sover
,vett
ie.You'
rea
di
sgracetowomanki nd.Youmakemi l
li
onsoff
hi
dingdomest i
cabusefrom mil
li
onai
resand
dr
uglords.It
'sti
meforyoutodie."

Shekeptbeggingmeandscr eamingasIstar
ted
choppingherlegsabovethekneewi thmyaxe.
Bloodwasoozi ngal
loverthefloorandshepissed
hersel
f.Li
ttl
eboynexttoherwassoscar edhis
eyeswer
ewi
deopenandhewasdeadqui
et.

Dr
.v.Schal
kwyk:(
weak)"
Plea.
..Pl
ease.
..For
give
me."

Gog'
Khanyi:
"YoucanaskGodf ort
hat.Bef
oreyou
gotohell
,sayhiNtandoButhel
ezi
,theMi
ghty
Gori
ll
aforme.He'smyl at
ehusband.Byebye
now."

Itookthehammerandsmashedherheadi nso
hardthatbl
oodsplashedacrossther
oom,leavi
ng
somebl oodspat
sonal lofus,i
ncl
udi
ngtheli
ttl
e
boynexttoher.

Sbu:
"Ah,
ah,
ah,Gog'
G.Ihavetobei
nCapeTowni
n
twohour
s.NowIreekofbl
oodmanj
e."

It
urnedt
othel
it
tl
eboyandr
ippedof
fthemout
h
t
apef
rom hi
sli
ps.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
YoumustbeTony,
angi
thi(
ri
ght
)?"

Tonyj
ustnoddedi
nfear
.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Good.Younowwor kf
orme.Lunga
andZodwaar enolongeryourbosses.Youfuck
wit
hme, Iel
iminat
eyou,uyangizwa(doyou
underst
and)?"

Tonhj
ustnoddedagai
n.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Good.Nowgetupandt akeashower.
You'l
lfi
ndnewclothesonthebed.Weh,Sbu.Get
Blazerandt
heguyst ocl
eanupthismessandmake
sureyoudil
uteherbodyi
nacid.Notraces,
angit
hi
(r
ight)
?"
Sbu:
"Shosho,
Gog'
G.Not
races.
"
Chapt
erThi
rt
yFour

Zi
yanda

Phil
aandIl ef
tthehot elandwentst r
aighttothe
ai
rport.Ithoughtwe' regoingbackhome, butI
guesshehadonemor esur pr
iseinstoreforme.
Wedi dn'tevenflyforthatlong,abouttwohour sto
beexact .Philakeptbr ushi
ngmyt hi
ghandki ssi
ng
met hroughoutthef l
ightsoIcoul dn'
tgetmuch
sl
eep.

Wel andedandmadeourwayt oourcarwhi chwas

awaiti
ngusatt heairport.Yetagainanot her
Mercedeswi t
h" ZwaneShut t
leServi
ces"wr i
tt
eni
n
Gol
dont hesi
de.Iexpect edadrivertocomeout
andopent hedoorf orusasusual ,buttomy
sur
pr i
seSbucameoutoft hedr
iver'
sside.
Surpri
sedIam r eal
lysinceIhavenoi deawhathe's
doi
ngher
e.

Sbu:"
Qhawekazi(
Heroi
ne)
.Congr at
ulat
ionsand
welcometotheZwanefamil
y."Hegavemeat ight
hug.

Phil
a:(Clear
inghisthr
oat
)"Hayi,
manSbu.Kunini
ngikutshela(I
'vetol
dyoucountl
essti
mes)about
huggingmywoman.YouhaveShar ont
ogiveyou
asmanyhugsasyouwant .Speaki
ngofShaz,uphi
(whereisshe)?"

Sbu:
"She'
satthehouseno(wit
h)ma,prepar
ing
l
unch.Well,t
heChefsar
eprepari
nglunchsoIdon'
t
knowuyenzaniyena(
whatshe'
sdoing).
"

Ag,Igotannoyed.Somet hi
ngtell
smeI'm goingto
seeSharonof t
ensincewe'l
lbasi
call
ybesisters-
in-
l
aw.Ist i
lldon'
tknowwher ewe'r
egoingandI '
m
get
tingreall
yimpati
ent.Phil
atookourbagst othe
bootandlef
tsomeinthejetsi
ncewe'
reheaded
backtoPret
ori
atomorrow.Wegotint
othecar,
Phil
aandIattheback,whil
eSbuwastheone
dri
ving.

Me:
"Nkosenye,
wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"

Phil
a:(Chuckl
ing)"Hawunomor e'
Babywami
'(My
baby)?I'
m backt o'Nkosenye'
now?"

Hegavemeaf
rown.

Me:
"Comeon,
now.Si
yaphi(
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng)
?"

Phila:
"We'regoi
ngtomymother'
shouse.It
'sti
me
toof f
ici
all
ymeetyournewMother-
in-
lawaf
teral
l
theseyears."
Ag,Philaandsurprises.Whydi dn'
thet el
lme
beforeweleftt
hehot el?AtleastI'
m wearingamaxi
dresswithsandals.I'l
lgetali
ghtjerseyandadoek
from t
hebootbefor ewegetintothehouse.Ican' t
disr
especthismot herbywalkinginwi t
hadr ess
thatexposesmybr eastsli
kethis.

Me:"
Whydidn'
tyout
ellme,
though?Iwasgoi
ngt
o
wearsomet
hingmor
eappropri
ate.
"

Phil
a:(
Chuckli
ng)"Khulul
eka,Sthandwasami
(Rel
ax,mylove).Youlookfine.Besides,
mymom
i
sn'tt
hatt
radit
ional
,youknow. "

Me:"
Stil
l,
Nkosenye,
Ican'twalkinl
ooki
ngli
kethi
s.
Lookatmyboobs.I'l
ljustgetajer
seyanddoek
fr
om thebootbef
orewegoi n."

Phi
laandsbul
aughed.Thesetwocan'
tbeserious,
man.Thisi
sn'
thowuGogor ai
sedme.Wedr ovefor
awhi l
eandarri
vedinLaLuci
a,Durban.Thehouses
hereareabsol
utel
yamazing.Thisfamil
ymust
real
lyhaveathi
ngforafl
uentsuburbs.

Sbuwai tedf ort

hegat etoopenandi tseemsl ike
someonef rom theinsidewat chesyoufrom the
camer asatt hegat ebeforetheyletyouin.The
gatesopenedandOh, mygoodness.Onceagai n,
I'
mi nawe.Thi shousei sreallyhuge,amansi onin
fact.Ther eisar eall
ybiggar denwithplentyof
fl
ower sallover,withwat erfountai
nsbef oret
he
entranceoft hehouse.I tlooksjustli
ket hose
housesf rom RealHousewi vesshows.

Sbupar kedr i
ghti
nfrontoft heentr
anceandgotout
.
Hewentt ot hebootandtookoutourbags.NowI
wassoner vous.Iqui ckl
yr emember edthatI
neededadoekandl i
ghtjerseyandst oppedSbu
beforehewenti ntot
hehousewi thourbags.I
quickl
yputt hem onatthebackoft hecar ,Phi
la
keptlaughingatmeandIj ustshothim adeath
st
areandhekeptqui
et.

Phi
la:
"Comeon,
Zee.Don'
tbener
vous.Let
'sgo.
"

Hehel dmyhandandwewal kedin.Thishousei s

majesticandver ywellfitforaqueen.I thas
stai
rwaysonei thersidegoi ngup.Ever yroom
seemst oolargef orme.Whi lewewer ewal kingin
wewer emetbyt wot oddlerswhol ookalike.I
assumet hesear ePor t
iaandSbu' stwingi r
ls.They
cam runningatPhi laandIandhehuggedt hem
both,carr
yingt hem andt hrowingthem uponeaf t
er
theother.Itf
eel sr eal
lygoodseei nghi m withkids.
He'l
lmostdef initelymakeagoodf atheroneday.

Twi
n1:"
Uncl
ePhi
la,
whatdi
dyoubr
ingus?
"

Twin2:"No,I
'm morei
nterest
edinknowi
ngwho
thi
sladyis.Ubanikel
o( Who'st
his)
?"
Okay,
thesecondoneseemsal otmoref
orwar
d
thant
hefi
rstone.Theylooksoali
ke,
Ihavenoidea
howtheyt
ellt
hem apart
.

Phil
a:"
Yourparent
sdon'
tteachyouanyt
hing.Buhl
e,
Kuhle,whatdowesaywhenwehaveaguesti nthe
house?"

Twi
n1:"
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,mynamei
sNobuhl
e."

Twi
n2:
"Hel
lo,
I'
m Nokuhl
e.What
'syourname?
"

Ismi
led.Theyar
ereal
lyador
abl
e.Theyhave
Shar
on'sf
aceandNokuhlemostdef
ini
tel
yhas
Sbu'
schari
sma.

Me:
"Hel
lo,
mynamei
sZi
yanda.
"
Nokuhle:
"AuntyZi
yanda, ar
eyougoi ngtobeour
newaunt y?Phel
aumal umePhi lauyaborekayoh
(UnclePhil
agetsbored).Andbesi des,i
t'
sreall
y
ti
ringpl
ayingwit
hNobuhl eallthetime.It'
slike
playi
ngwi t
hmyself,
butamor eboringme, you
know.Yooh!Umuhl e(You'resobeaut i
ful
).Inwele
zakhozemampel a(Isyourhairreal)?
."

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
augh.Ki
dshey.

Phil
a:"
That
'senoughnow.Gopl
ay,
youcancome
speaktoaunt
yZeelater
.

Nokuhl
e:"
Okay.Seeyoul
ateraunt
yZee.
"

Ismil
edastheyl
eft
.Ki
dsar
etoogor
geous.Phi
l
a
tookmyhandinhi
s.

Phi
la:
"Come,
let
'sgoseeuMa.
"
Iwasget ti
ngner vousalloveragai n.Wewal ked
i
nt othekit
chenandIsawPhi la'smot herseatedon
oneoft hehighchai r
s.Thi swomanhasal ways
beenbeaut if
ul.Faircompl exion,whichmakesme
thinkPhil
aandSbugott heirdarkercompl exi
on
from thei
rdad.She' snott hatbig,alit
tlesmaller
thanme, buthascur vesf ordaysandabeaut i
ful,
bigafro.Shesmi l
edasIappr oached.JustasIwas
aboutt ogreet,Shar
onat tackedmewi thahug.I '
m
notevensur ehowIf eel
abouthersi nceshebul li
ed
meal mostt hroughoutmywhol ehi ghschoollife.It
becamewor sewhenPhi l
al ef
t.

Sharon:"
HeyZee!Wel comet othef amil
y,si
s!Wow!
Youhaven'tchangedonebi t.Wher e'
sthemake-up,
babe?Andwhat 'swiththedoek?Imeani t'
s30
degreesoutsi
de.You'reevenstillt
hesamesi ze,
gir
l.
Imusthookyouupwi thmyst yl
ist,gi
rl
.Yoicannot
bemar ri
edtoaBi l
li
onaireandstil
ldressli
kethat
.
It
'ssogoodt oseeyou."
Igotsoannoyed,
butItr
iednott
oshowi
t,mor
e
especi
all
yinfr
ontofPhi
la'
smom.

Phil
a:"
Yey,
wena,Shar
on.Stopharassi
ngmywi fe,
she'
snotyourf
ri
endwena.Especial
lyaft
eryou
madeherli
fehel
linhi
ghschool
."

Sharonseemedpr
ett
yunbotheredandunapol
ogeti
c.
Sti
llt
hesameoldSharon,
justabitmor
eannoying.

Sharon:(Giggl
ing)"Oh,that.Comeon, Zee!Areyou
sti
llupsetaboutthat?Wewer ejustki
dsbeingkids,
ri
ght?Andbesi des,i
thappenedanxientyear
sago
andyou'restil
lali
ve,ri
ght."

Whekeptbli
nki
ngandsmi l
ingandthrowinginher
annoyi
nggiggl
e.Sharonhasal wayshadat hin
voi
ce.Peoplewit
ht hi
nvoicestendtogetannoying
asfuckwhentheyjustcan'
tstoptal
king.Ithought
havingkidshumbledher,
butwell
,Iwaswrong.I
sti
lldon'
tknowwhatSbui sdoi
ngwithhert
hough.I
j
usthavet oaskoneofthesedays.

Sbu:(Holdi
ngabot t
leofbeeri
nhishand)"Hayi
,
man, Shaz.Getawayfrom Zee.You'r
e
overwhelmingher.Uzongibangel
aisi
cef
e,yazi
(You'
llendupirr
it
ati
ngme) .
"

Shar
on:
"Sor
ry,
baby.
"

Phil
agaveherast
ernl
ookandshemovedaway
fr
om me.

Phi
la:
"Sawubonama(Hel
lo,
ma).Ngikulet
hel
e
umakotiwakho(I
'
vebr
oughtyouyourdaught
er-
in-
l
aw)."

Shehuggedhi
m.
Phil
a'smom:"Yebo,mf
anawami(Hell
o,myboy).
Sukalanangimbonekahl
e(MoveoversoIcan
greetherpr
operl
y).
"

Phi
lamovedoutoftheway,whi
lehi
smom st
oodup
andopenedupherarmsforme.

Phi
la'
smom: "Zi
yanda,mntwanami(
mychil
d).
Wozalankgikubukekahl
e(ComeheresoIcansee
youproper
ly)
."

Shegavemet hewar mesthugever.I

tmademe
feelsoemot
ionalbecauseI'
veneverr
ecei
vedahug
from myownmot her.

Me:
"Sawubona,
ma(
Hel
lo,
ma)
."

Phi
la'
smom:
"Unj
ani
,kodwa(
Howar
eyou,
though)
?
Awusemuhl
e(You'
resobeautif
ul)
.Youmusttel
l
Shar
onwhattoeat
,she'
sallski
nandbones.
"

Shel
ightoutal
aughandIjustsmil
ed.Il
ookedover
andSharonwasrol
l
inghereyes.

Phil
a'
smom: "
It'
ssogoodt oseeyouagai n.
Congrat
ulat
ionsont heengagement.Ihopemyboy
hasbeenmaki ngupf oral
ltheti
mel ost
, i
fyouknow
whatImean."( ShewinkedatmeandIj ustblushed)
"Ungastr
essi,yezwa(Don'tst
ress,
okay) ?Allthe
Zwanemenhaveaver ygoodstamina."

Yoh!Iwantedt
odigahol
eanddieri
ghtther
e.My
cheeksf
eltsohot
,Idi
dn'
tknowwhattodo.

Phil
a:"
Hayi
bo,
ma.You'
reembar
rassi
nguZeemanj
e
(now).
"
Phi
la'
smom:"Okay.I'
l
lstop.Weh, Shar
on.Get
Zi
yandasomethi
ngtodr i
nk,Ineedtohaveaqui
ck
wordwit
hPhil
arealquickl
y."

Phi
laandhi
smom lef
tfort
hedini
ngar
eawhi
leI
waslef
twit
hSbuandSharon.

Shar
on:"So,Zee.What'
sli
fel
ikeasanarchi
tect
?I
can'
timaginemyselfsl
avi
ngof fdoi
nga9-5dayjob.
Iwoulddie,hey.
"

Irol
ledmyeyesint
ernal
ly.Thi
sbi
tchisreal
ly
condeacendi
ng.AsIwasabouttotel
lherwheret
o
getoff,
Sbusavedme.

Sbu:"
Shaz,pl
easegocheckont
heki
dsandunpack
thei
rclot
hesi
nt hei
rroom.
"

Shar
on:
"ButI
'
m st
il
lcat
chi
ngupwi
thZee,
baby.
"
Sbu:
"Iwon'
taskyouagai
n."

Hegaveheradeathst
are.Shegotupandl
eft
.
Oj
ay,whatwasthatal
labout
?

Sbu:"
I'
m sosorr
yaboutt
hat
,Zee.Shar
oncanbe
annoyingatt
imes.
"

Hesaidashegavemeagl assofwi
ne.Hecalled
herannoyi
ng.Ithoughthewasheadoverheel
sin
l
ovewi t
hher,t
hough.

Zi
yanda:
"Howdi
dyouandShar
onendupt
oget
heri
f
Imayask?"

Sbu:"Ei
sh,Zee.IswearIdi
dn'tplani
t.Icheat
edon
Keleandshef oundoutandleftme.SoIhadno
choicebuttosti
ckwithShar
on. "
Wai
t,what
?SbuandKel
e?Ithoughtitwasa
r
umour.Peopl
ecanr
eal
lykeepsecrets,
hey.
Chapt
erThi
rt
yFi
ve

Zi
yanda

Honestly,somuchhashappenedt hi
sweek.Seems
l
ikeeveryseconddayasecretcomesout .My
grandmotheralwayssayssmalll
iesproducet
he
biggestsecret
s.

Ziyanda:
"Comeagain,Sbu?BecauseIdon'
tthi
nkI
heardyoucorr
ectl
y."

Helookeddown.I'
veneverseenSbusoashamed,
atl
eastnotsi
ncehighschool
.
Sbu:( Deepsi gh)"Eish, Zee.Lendabainzimakimi
(Thisissuei ssoheavyf orme).IdatedKelebacki
n
Mat r
ic.Youguysdon' tknowbecauseshesai dshe
woul dt el
lyouguysonceshewassur eaboutme.I
l
ovedher ,Zee.Ist il
lloveher .ImeanIt ookher
vir
ginityont heni ghtoft hemat ri
cdance.She
mademef eelsomet hingnoot herwomaneverhas.
Thingswentwel lthatwecont i
nuedtodatethe
fol
lowi ngyeari nVar sity.

Wewer edoingt hesamecour sesoitwasr eall

y
easytoseeeachot herandspendt imet oget
her.
Onenight,
whi l
eKel ewenthomef ortheweekend, I
metSharoninacl ub.Iwasj usthavingagoodt ime
withmyfri
endsandsheandherf r
iendsaskedt o
j
oinus.Iwasn' tevenat t
ractedtoherinanyway,
Zeeandshehadbeenmaki ngpassesatmesi nce
Grade8.So, wewer ehavingagoodt i
meand
dri
nksweref l
owi ng.

Iwassodr
unkIdon'
tevenknowhowt
hef
uckwe
gottomyf l
atandhowweendedupsl eeping
together.Ialwaysrememberf uckingagirl
, Zee,no
mat t
erhowdr unkIget,butthi
snighttil
ltodayI
rememberf okol(
fuckall)
.Kelecamet omyf l
atto
surprisemet hatmorning.Iwassooutofi tthe
doorwasn' tevenlocked.Shewal kedi
nandf ound
SharonandInakedi nbedt ogether.

Thelookonherf ace,Zee.Shewassobr okent

hatI
sti
llr
ememberhowshel ookedatmet hatday.I
tri
edtofixthi
ngs,butshewoul dn'
tbudge.I nst
ead,
shegotmar riedt
othati di
otofher
s.It r
iedbreaki
ng
thi
ngsoffwi t
hShar on,butshetol
dmeshewas
pregnanttwomont hslater.SoIhadtodor i
ghtby
herandmar r
yher.
"

Zee:
"Wai
t.You'
vebeenmar
ri
edsi
xyear
snow,
but
thet
winsar
eonlyt
hree.
"

Sbu:
"Shehadamiscar
ri
agefewmont hsaf
terwe
gotmarr
ied.Westr
uggledf
all
ingpr
egnantaft
er
that.Wehadt hetwinsviaIVF.Ij
ustneededt ofi
ll
thatvoidsobadlyandmygi rl
smeaneverythingto
me.Shar onont heotherhandismywife,butthi
ngs
aren'tasgoodastheywer ewhenIwaswi thKele.I
l
oveShar on,butI'
m notinl
ovewithher
."

Me:
"Wow, Sbu.That'
samouthf
ul.You'
ret
ell
ingme
t
hatyou'
veneverseenKel
eeversi
nceyougot
marr
ied?
"

Sbu:(Deepsi gh)"Wehookeduponeni ghtafter

havingluncht ogether,afewmont hsafterIgot
mar r
ied.Wesl epttogetheraf ewt imes.Iwas
preparedroleaveShar onuntilKel etol
dmet ostay
awayf rom her.Ihaven' tbeenokaysi nce.Itryby
al
lmeanst obeagr eathusband, buteverytimeI
havesexwi t
hShar on,Ijustimagi nehavi ngsexwi t
h
Kele.Ican'thel pit
.Ievensl eepatPhi l
a'shouseat
ti
mesj usttoavoi dseeingShar on.IknowwhatI 'm
doingjustisn'tri
ghttowar dsher ,butIcan'thelp
howIf eel
."
Wow.Sbuhasbeengoi ngthroughashi tl
oad.This
wholethingwit
hSharondoesn'tmakesense.I
wouldn'tbesur
pri
sedifshefakedital
ljustforhi
m
tomarryher.Keleontheotherhandisone
secr
etivebit
ch.

Phi
la

Maaskedmet ogowi t
hhert othediningar ea.I
assumeshewant sust ofi
nalizel
obol atal
ks
becauseIwanttopayLobol abyt heendoft hi
s
week.There'
snousewai t
ing.IalreadygotZee
divor
cedtoLungaevent houghshedoesn' tknow
yet.Ihaveconnect
ionsandIdon' tneedhi mi nour
l
ivesanymore.Hecankeepever ythi
ngsi ncethe
l
ousyassholedidn'
tevenbot heraddingZee' sname
toanythi
ngheowns.Fucki ngcowar d.

Phi
la'
sMom:
"Mf
anawami(
Myboy)
.Youneedt
o
gofindyourUncl
e.He'
stheonewhoneedst
odo
thenegoti
ati
onsf
oryou.
"

Phil
a:"
Hawu,ma.I'
vealr
eadyspokent
oUncl
eMzi
,
angi
thi.Hesai
dit
'sfi
ne,he'
l
ldoit
."

Phil
a'sMom:(Shaki
ngherhead)"YouknowwhoI
'
m
tal
kingabout
.ImeantyourFather'
sbr
other
."

Isuddenl
ygotsowor
kedupandangr
y.

Phil
a:"Noma!Youknowwhatt heydidtous!Ican
neverforgivethem forwhatt heydidtous!They
ki
ll
edourf at
herandl eftustof endforour
selves
andnowt hatwear esuccessf ultheywanttocome
backintoourl i
ves!Cha( no)ma.Angekengii vume
keleyo(Iwon' tal
lowt hat).
"

Phi
la'
sMom:
"Nkosenye,
Iknowyou'
rever
yangr
y
andIunderstandyourpai n.Youhavet olethim do
thi
s.Ziyandahast obei ntr
oducedt oyourFather'
s
famil
yandt heyhavet odoacer emonyf orher.You
knowthatver ywell
,Nkosenye.I fyoudon'tall
owit
tohappen,allhel
lwillbr
eakl oose.You' l
llosezee
andyourchildrenwon'tmakei t.
"

Iwassuhur tandfrustr
ated.Everyti
meIfi
nd
happinessandpeacesomet hingcomesupand
tr
iestodestr
oyit.Iletoutatearfr
om myeye.This
i
st oomuchf orme.Ican' tf
orgi
vemyuncle-
ever
.

Phila'
sMom: "Mf
anawami,
youknowt hatyou'
re
royal.Youknowyouhavetodothi
s.It'
sjusta
ceremonyandhehastobepartofyour
negotiat
ions.
"

Phi
la:
"Buthewasn'
tapartofSbu'
snegot
iat
ions,
ma.
Andheturnedoutf
ine.
"
Phil
a'
smom:( Chuckli
ng)"I
fyouthi
nkhe'sfi
nethen
youaren'
tassmartasIthoughtyouwere.Their
marri
ageisn'
tri
ght,
Nkosenyeandweal lknowit
.
Sbudoesn'tl
oveher,andbesi
desyour
si saspecial
casebecauseZeeisroyalt
oo."

Myeyesgr
ewwi
derduet
oshock.

Phil
a'smom: "Gogowillexplai
neveryt
hingtoyou
whenyougobackhome.Butpl easeli
stentome,
Nkosenye.Pl easedothis,foral
loursake.Your
fat
herhasbeent r
oubl
ingmei nmydreams.I fyou
don'tf
orgiveyouruncle,yourangerwil
lgrowand
you'
lltur
nagai nstt
hewomanyoul ove.Thinkreal
ly
hardaboutthis,Mfanawami( Myboy).
"

PerhapsuMai sri
ght
.Gr owi
ngupwi thoutafather
andhavingtohustl
einthest
reetswast oopainful
forme.Idon'tknowifI
'
llbeabletoforgivehi
mf or
that
,butIhavetodowhatIhavet odof orZeeandI
tobetogetheratl
ast
.
Phi
la:(
Swall
owi nghar
d)"
Alri
ght,
ma.I'
l
ldoi
t.I
'
llgo
l
ookforthem sometimenextweek.
"

Mymom wassohappyshesmi
ledbr
oadl
yand
gavemeahug.

Phila'
smom: "Ngi
yabonga(Thankyou),
Nkosenye.
I'
m gladtoseeZeeisgetti
ngridofyour
stubbornness.
"

Webot hl
aughed.I'
lltr
ymybesttosuckitupwit
h
thatf
amilyofmine,butaf
termynegot
iat
ions,
I
swearI'
m donewiththem.

Afteralongandemot i
onaltal
kwithmymot herwe
wentbackt othekitchentojoi
ntherestofthem.I
foundZeemaki ngsomepapwhi leSbuwashavi ng
abeerchattingt omywi f
e.Ai,Sbuisgett
ingtoo
comf or
tabl
ear oundmywi f
emanje(now).
Phil
a'
sMom: "
Hawu,makot
i.Youreall
ydon'
thave
tocook.Thechef
shaveal
readyprepar
edfoodfor
us.
"

Ziyanda:"
Ngiyaxol
isa(I'
m sorry)ma.Philasai
d
he'ssotir
edofposhf oodandIf i
gur
edIwould
makepapsi ncetheChef sdidn'tmakeany.Ihope
youdon'tmind."

Ismil
edwhi l
elookingather
.Thiswomani sso
beauti
fulandthoughtf
ulanddoesn'
tletmoney
changeheratall.Sheremainsahumbl esoul
.

Phil
a'smom:"Notatall
,mychil
d.Ihaven'thadpap
i
nal ongti
meandShar oncan'tevenl
if
taspoonor
fr
yanegg.( Whisper
ingtome)Youchosewel l,
mfanawami( myboy).Yourfatheri
ssurelyproud
ofyou."
Ifeltt
earsi
nmyeyesasshesai dt
hat.Iwas
robbedofanor malchil
dhoodwhenmyFat her'
s
brotherki
ll
edhi m becausehewasnextinlinet
othe
throne.Athr oneheneverevenwanted.I'
llbe
damnedi fIletmychi l
drengrowupwithoutmeas
theirf
ather
.
Chapt
erThi
rt
ySi
x

Zi
yanda

Itwasdinnert
imeatMr s.Zwane' shouse.Thi s
houseissobeautif
ulandi nvi
ti
ngt hatyoufeelat
homei mmediatel
ywhenyouwal ki n.Iof
feredto
setthetabl
eandpr acti
callybeggedShar ontohel p.
Ireal
lywishIhadn'tbecauseshekeptcompl ai
ning
abouthernail
s.Thi sgi
rlissol azy,Iki
ndof
underst
andwhySbuhat esspendi ngti
mewi thher .
Sheneverdoesanyt hi
ng- ever
.

Ievenhear
dfr
om Phi
la'
smom t
hatshehi
redt
wo
nanniesforherkids-bef
oret heywer eevenbor n!
Talkaboutwastingmoney.Theconver sati
on
betweenherandIwasn' tfl
owi ngeithersoIjust
decidedtokeepqui etwhil
eshet oldmeal labout
thesecountri
esshevi si
tsjustt ogoshoppi ng.She
evenhasal i
ttl
ecliquewi t
ht hewi vesSbu's
coll
eaguesandsuggest edt hatwedol unchand
shoppingsomet ime.Wai ttilPorschehear sabout
thi
s.

Icarr
iedthefoodt
othediningtabl
ewit
hShar on'
s
rel
uctance.Foodwasservedandwest art
edeati
ng.
Phil
a'
smom keptaskingmeaboutmyl ife,myjob
andtoldmehowShar onrefusestowor
kand
i
nsteadkeepschowingherson'smoney.

Shar ondidn'
tseem tocaremuchassher oll
edher
eyeswhileeatinghersaladandkeptdri
nkingli
ke
wineisgoingoutofst ock.Sbudidn'
teventryt
o
defendhiswife,i
nsteadhelaughedatevery
statementhismom madeaboutShar on.Thet wins
ontheot
herhandwereenj
oyi
ngt
hef
oodandkept
aski
ngwhatpapis.

Ihavenoi deawhatShar onisfeedi

ngthesekids.
Nokuhlekeptaskingmequest ionaf
terquesti
on
whichIdidn'
tminduntilPhil
a'smom toldthem t
o
goplayinthei
rplayroom.

WehaddessertandIoffer
edtodot hedishes.
Phi
lawasreall
yimpressedwit
hmyef fortsandso
washismom.Phi l
a'
smom i nsi
stedtotalktome
andsai
dSharonshouldcleanupandputt hedishes
i
nthedishwasher
.

Shewassoannoyedbutt r
iedtofakeasmi le.Thi
s
womanandherr esi
stancef orhar
dl abour
.Phila'
s
mom askedt hatwet akeawal koutsidesoshe
couldt
alktome.It ri
edt ofindoutfrom Phi
lawhat
thi
sisallabout,buthej ustshotmeat humbsup.
Wewentoutt othegar
denandit
'ssoni
ceand
peaceful
.Ithassomanyli
ght
sthatyouevenf
orget
thati
t'
snightti
me.

Phil
a'
smom:" Ziyanda,I
'm sogladthatyoumade
yourwaybacktomyson' sar ms.Het oldmeal l
aboutwhatyou'
vebeent hroughwiththatcruelman
andthatevi
lZodwa.I '
mr eal
lysorr
y,mybaby,
kodwa(but)t
hewor sti
sovernow.Yourki nghas
savedyou,Zi
yanda."

Ifel
tsoemotional.HowIwishmyownmot
herand
Icouldhaveatalkli
ket
his.

Phil
a'smom:"Iknowt hatNomsahasn'tbeenthe
verybestt
oyou,butpleasedon'tl
etangerandhurt
consumeyou.Gi veyoursel
fti
met ofor
giveher.I
wantyoutoknowt hatI'
m herewheneveryouneed
total
k.
Ineedyout oknowt hatPhil
acanbepossessi veat
ti
mesandheget sreall
yangryatti
mest hathe
shutseveryoneout.Ineedyout obest r
ong,
Ziyanda,mntwanawami( mychil
d).Philahashis
demons, butsometimeshemayhur tyou
unintent
ional
ly,
butonet hi
ngforsureishe'l
lnever
l
ayaf i
ngeronyou."

Thi
sisgett
ingr
eal
lyscar
y.Whatdoesshemeanby
hehashisdemonsandheshut
severyoneout
?

Me:"Yebo,
ma.Ihearyou.IlovePhi
lawi
thal
lofme
andIaccepthi
sfl
awsj ustasmuchasheaccept
s
mine."

Phi
la'
smom:"That'
swhatIl
iket
ohear.Youmust
comevisi
tmeagainsoon.Shar
onuyavil
apha(is
l
azy)shame.Ifeart
hoseki
dsmightt
akeafterher.
"

Webot
hlaughedoutl
oudandwal
kedbacki
ntot
he
house.Itfeel
ssogoodtobeaccept
edwi t
hal
lmy
fl
awsf oronceinmyli
fe.Ican'
twai
ttoseewhat
thenextchapteri
nmylif
eholds.

Weal lwenttobedaf t
erchatt
ingupast
ormf or
hours.Itfel
treal
lyweirddri
nkingwi
newithPhi
la'
s
mom butsher emi ndsmesomuchofGogo.We
headedt obedandIr eal
lyexpect
edt
osleepina
separateroom fr
om Phil
abuthewashavingnone
ofit
.

Thankgoodnesshismom' sroom i
satthefarend
ofthecorr
idor
,whil
eourroom wasr i
ghtnextt
o
SharonandSbu's.Ift
hismanr eal
lyt
hinkswe'r
e
goingtoshaginhismother'
shousehehasanot her
thi
ngcomi ng.

Hest
art
edt
ouchi
ngmeasexpect
ed.

Me:
"Hayi
,Phi
la.Noti
nyourmot
her
'shouse.
"
Phi
la:
"Ah,
wat
imanaman(
you'
rest
ingy)
,Zee.
"

Il
aughedoutl
oud.

Me:
"Si
ncewhendoyouspeakt
swana?
"

Phi
la:
"Si
nceI
'
vebeenspendi
ngsomuchtimewi
th
Por
sche.Shewar
nedmet hatyou'
ddot
his.
"

Ai,PhilaandPorscheandPhi
laandGogo.Those
rel
ationshipsar
ejustawkwar
dnje.Theyt
alkabout
everything.

Me:
"Ist
il
lwon'
tsl
eepwi
thyou.
"

Phi
la:"
Alr
ightthen.Butyouknowmybedr
oom
pol
icy,noclot
hesinthebed.
"
Oh,Phi
lathough.It
ookoffmypaj
amas,swi
tched
offt
heli
ghtandgotinbed.Hel
eftt
hetvonand
swit
chedonhissidel
amp.

Me:
"Phi
la,
aren'
twesl
eepi
ngkant
i?"

Phila:"
I'
vewai t
edsevenyear stohaveyou, baby
wami (mybaby) .I
'm notlet
ti
ngt hi
smomentpass
meby.Heki ssedmesopassi onat
elyandwent
str
ai ghtdownt omypussy.Thi smanknowshowt o
acti
vat eallmygirl
yparts.Heat emeoutr ealgood
andj ustli
kethatIgavein.It r
iedmybestt obeas
quietaspossi bl
eandwemadel oveallni
ghtlong.

Themor ni
ngcameandPhi lawokemeupat6am.I
fi
guredwe'r
egoingbacktowor ksinceit'
sMonday.
We'vebeenslackingal
otthesepastf ewdaysandI
can'
twaittobebackattheoffi
ce.Ir eal
lywoul
dn'
t
copedoingnothingal
ldaylongli
keShar on.
Wegotupandt ookashowert ogether,
yesi t
's
becomeanor mt ogetcl eanedupt ogethernow.We
foundSbuandShar onreadywhenwegot
downstairs.Phila'smom waswai ti
ngforus
probabl
yt oprayf orusandt ellustodrivesafely.
Thetwinswer en'tevenawakeandShar ondidn't
l
ookbot heredthatshewasl eavingherkidsbehi nd
andwoul donlyseet hem duri
nghol i
days.

Phil
a'smom prayedforusandwewer eof f
.Wehad
adrivert
akeustotheai r
portsi
ncewe'r
eallgoing
backtoPretor
ia.Ireal
lywasn'tl
ooki
ngforwardto
conversi
ngwithSharoninthejetsoIoptedtosit
ri
ghtnexttoPhil
a.

Me:
"Babywami(
mybaby),younevert
oldmeabout
t
heZwaneSchut
tl
eSer
vices."

Phi
la:(
sippi
ngonhi
swhi
skey)"
Oh,
weowna
Schut
tl
ecompanyandhavebranchesinJo'
bur
g,
CapeTownandDurban.Mom runstheoneinCape
Townfrom homet
okeepbusy.
"

Me:
"Howdoyoumanagesuchabusyl
if
e?"

Phil
a:(
chuckl
ing)"
Wehir
epeopl
e,l
ove.Theyrun
mostofourcompaniesf
orus.Wekeeptabson
them,t
hough.
"

IlookedatSbuandShar onandt heyweren'

teven
holdinghandsorspeaki ngtoeachother.Comet o
thinkofitIneversawt hem hol
dhandsorevenki ss
yesterday.MaybeSbui sn'
tmuchofaf anofPDA.I
washopi ngI'dhardlygettoseeSharon,butPhil
a
droppedabombonme.SbuandShar onbought
l
andatPhi l
a'
sestate,sothey'
rebuldi
ngtheirhouse
aswespeak.Yep, we'r
egoingtobeneighbours.I
can'tsayI'mthri
ll
edt ohearabouthowIneedt o
dressbet t
erandhowIneedt ofi
xmynai ls.
Anywau, wef inall
ygott otheai
rportandasti
redas
Iam, Ican'taffor
dt ogohomeandsl eepnow.
Appar ent
lyPhi l
a'smer gi
ngourcompanysowe
needt oprepar eforthelaunchthat
'shappeni
ngthi
s
Saturdayeveni ng.That '
sfourdaysaway.When
youhavebi l
li
onsi nyouraccountI'
m pret
tysure
thatanythingcanhappen.

SbuandShar onmadesepar atewayswhil

ePhi l
a
andIwentt owork.Wegr eet
edNt at
ePhir
ias
al
waysbef oredri
vingin.Wemadeourwayt ot he
l
iftanditwasawefullyquiet,
ImeanevenPor sche
wasn'tatherdesk.IlookedatPhi l
aandhejust
shruggedhisshoulders.Wemadeourwayt ot he
boardroom andassoonasIopenedt hedoora
wholecrowdshout ed"Surpri
se!"

Por
sche:
"Whoochomibat
hong!Imi
ssedyouso
muchMrs.Pi
pi.
"
ShegavemeahugandgavePhi l
aahug.Okay,
theyhostedawhol esurpri
secongr atul
atorypart
y
forourengagement .I'
m pret
tysuret hi
swasal l
Porsche'
sidea.Iscannedt her oom andeveryone
washappy- exceptNoziandThat o.Theycoul dn'
t
evenfakeitbutIdidn'
tgiveaf uck.I'
m allowedto
behappywi thoutfeel
ingguil
tyabouti t
.

Me:
"Phi
la!Youknewaboutt
hisandyoudi
dn'
ttel
l
me?
"

Phil
a:"Hawu,
Sthandwasami(myl
ove)
.Ihad
absolutel
ynoidea,
Iswear
."

Hesmil
edandkissedmycheek.Thest af
fcameto
gi
veusbothhugs.Porschepul
ledmet oheras
Phi
lawentt
omi ngl
ewiththeot
hercol
leagues.

Porsche:
"Chomihl
e,wehavesomucht
ocat
chup
on.Letmeseethatri
ng.
"
Shepul ledmyhandt olookatmynewr ingandwas
i
nt otalawe.Onet hi
ngIl oveaboutPor
scheisshe
can'tpretend.Shehaet hatgenui
nepersonal
it
yand
warmt hr adi
atesf
rom herfacewhenevershe'
s
genuinelyhappyorexcited.

Porsche:
"Ao(Oh),
man!BossPkel epar
atoe(Boss
Pistheman) !Pl
ease,pl
easetel
lmeomof i
lekuku
toe(youhavehim somepussy)!
"

Il
aughedsohar
dIgenui
nel
yfor
gott
hatwewer
e
ar
oundpeopl
e.

Me;"
Porscheman.We'llt
alkabouti
tlat
ertoday.I
havelot
stotel
lyou.Comet omyhousel at
eron."

Por
sche:
"Youai
n'tgot
taaskmet
wice.
"
Me:
"Bj
anong(andnow)
?Whydoesi
tseem l
ikeyou
madewaytoomuchfood?
"

Porsche:
"Oh,aker
ethestafffr
om theconstr
ucti
on
sidearecomingtoday.SoIwantt hem t
oknow
goreBossLadyot emgbaskal ekanonsense(that
therei
saBossLadyandt heyshouldn'
ttr
yany
nonsense).Youmustmar kyourterri
tor
y,gi
rl
."

Oh,PortiaWi l
li
ams.AsIwasl augingather,
af ew
peoplewal kedin.Somef ewmal esandsomef ew
females,butonet hatcaughtmyeyewast hi
s
part
icularone.Shehadar eall
ylongweavet hat
wentallthewaydownt oherbums, shewasr eall
y
tal
landl ookedlikearealmodel.Shewasdar k,but
hadflawl essskinandhadr eal
lyl
ongheelson.

Luckilyshehasajeanandvestonot herwisemen
andwomenwoul dhavebeendr ool
ingalloverheri
f
theysawherlegs.Everyoneli
teral
lyst
opped
tal
kingthemomentshewal kedin.Iswal l
owed
har df eel
ingabitinadequat e.Icouldn'thelpbut
feelt hatsheandPhi lakneweachot herbyt heway
hel ookedather .Thewayshesmi l
edathi m asshe
fl
ippedherweavemademef eelverysmal l.Thank
goodnessPor schedi dn'tnoti
ceat hing.Outofal l
thepeopl ewhocamei n, pr
obablyabout20t o30
peopl eorso, Ionlynoticedher.Ilookedoverat
Phi l
aandhehadshockandsur pri
sewr i
tt
enal lover
hisf aceashel it
erall
yf rozewhenshewal ked
towar dshim.Whoi sthisnewwoman?Am I
alreadybei nginsecure?
Chapt
erThi
rt
ySeven

Zi
yanda

Ikeptstarri
ngatthistal
lchick.I
fyouknowMar i
a
Borges,thenyou'l
lknowhowbeaut ifult
hisgi
rli
s,
alt
houghIcoul dli
teral
lywipeoffal
lthatmakeup
fr
om herf ace.Sheseemst oweartoomuchmake
up.Ijustcr i
ngedasshehuggedmyman.Jeal ousy
i
sar ealbitch.Il
it
erall
yzonedoutfrom Porsche
andshef
inal
lynot
iced.

Por
sche:
"Hel
lo!Ear
tht
oPor
ti
a!"

Me:"
Sorr
y,man,
Por
sche.Neor
eng(
Whatwer
eyou
sayi
ng)
?"

Porsche:(Clappinghands)"Bathong(Goodness),
Zee!Twomi nutesfel
ayamanyobi setseonale
monaso( Bar el
ytwomi nut
essinceyou'vehadsex
andalreadyyou' resojeal
ous)?Kaet shabapipiya
Phil
ashem ( Phila'
sdickmustbedoi ngthethi
ngs)"

Me:
"Mxm, Por
sche,man.Tl
ogel
anonsense(
Stop
wi
thyournonsense)
."

Phi
lacli
ckedhischampagneglasswit
haspoont
o
si
gnalthati
t'
sti
mef orat
oast.Callmecr
azy,
cal
l
meinsecure,
butIkeptl
ooki
ngatMs.Modelover
there.Ican'
tshakethefeeli
ngthatthere'
smoreto
herthanmeetstheeye.Phi l
ajustlookedalit
tl
ebit
nervousformyliki
ng.Hel aughsal i
tt
leinbet
ween
wordswhenhe' snervousandbelieveme, Hehardl
y
getsnervous.

Phi l
a: "
Attentionever yone.Thankyousomuchf or
j
oi ningust oday.Myf ianceeandIar ever ypleased
toseesuchawar m st affbehi ndus.Fi r
stly,I'
dl i
ke
tot hankMr s.Por ti
aWi ll
iamsf oror ganizingt his
par tyandf orhol dingt hef or twhilemybeaut iful
fi
anceeandIwer eaway.( Por schegaveabowaf ter
Phi l
asai dt hatandt heyal llaughedexceptNoziand
That o)I tbringsmegr eatj oyt obeapar tofyou.I
don' tcallyoucol leagues, we' r
eal lfami l
y.It rust
thatyou' llacquai ntyour selveswi ththenewt eam
from t heConst ructionsi deoft hings.Ther estof
thet eam wi lljoinust omor rowandasyoual lknow,
Sat urdayeveni ngwi l
lbeourof f
iciallaunchpar ty,
sopl easest i
ckt ot het hemeandbedr essedt ot he
occasi on.Oh, andpl easebr i
ngyourdat eswi th!"
Everyonelaughedonceagain-
exceptThat oand
Nozi.Thoset woandthei
rli
ttl
ebitchfest.They'
ll
surel
ydieyoungf r
om al
lthebitt
ernesstheyhave
brewinginsi
dethei
rfi
lt
hyhearts.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
,pl
easecome
cl
oser
."

Hehel douthi slefthandandsi gnal

edformet o
comecl oserwhi lePorschepushedmegent l
y
towardshi sdirecti
on.Shepr obablynoti
cedhow
awkwar dIf el
t.Iwasn' tevendr essedforthe
occasion.Iwasi naf l
or almaxi dr
essandr edheels,
butIstil
lwoul dn'tbetallenought oreachLittl
eMrs.
Poleoverher e.Iwal kedcl osertoPhil
aandIwas
standi
ngnextt othetallgirlnow.Shedi dn'teven
moveani ncht ogivemesomespace.

Phi
la:(
Holdingmywai st)"
ThisshowsthatIhave
i
ndeedchoset heri
ghtfamily.Thankyouforbei
ng
apartofourcelebr
ati
onandf orchoosi
ngtocome
andcelebrat
eourl ove.Thiswomanoverher e,
the
l
oveofmyl i
fe,myhear t
'skeeper,
uQhawekazi wami
(Myheroine),wil
lalwaysbemysmi lekeeper
.
(Peopl
ewer eaww- ingashesai dthat)
.Ihopetosee
yousoonatourweddi ngwhichisamont hfr
om
nowon.Cheer s"

Pil
at hough.Icoul dn'
thelpbutsmi le.Heal ways
sayst herightwor ds,Ireall
ywonderwhathe' l
lsay
ashisvowsonourweddi ngday.Speaki ngof
weddi ngday, didhej ustsayamont hfrom now?I '
l
l
askhi m aboutt hatabi tl
ater.Iwant edtowiggle
mysel ffr
om hi shand, butheheldmywai stf
ir
mly
andmademet urnt olookatLitt
leMr s.Pole.Gosh,
Ifeelsowei rd.She' sevenabi ttal
lerthanPhila.

Phi
la:"
Sthandwasami(Mylove)
,I'
dli
keyout
omeet
NatashaMot hupi
.She'
l
lbethenewCFOofthe
company."

Okay.
..CFO?Thatt
ell
smeshehasbr
ainsIguess.
Mothupi
?IexpectedsomeAmer icanorNiger
ian
sur
name.Sher eall
ydoesn'
tlookfrom ar
oundhere
wit
hthatfl
awl
essski n.

Natasha:(Smil
ing)"I
t'
sapl
easuretomeetyou,
Ziyanda.I'
veheardsomuchaboutyouandmy
goodness,ever
ythingwasspoton.MyGod, you'
re
beautif
ulandhowonear t
hdoyoumanaget hose
curves?!Icoul
dneverhey!"

Shegaveal oud,annoyi
nglaughwhil
ePhi l
ajust
smiledlooki
ngatme.Thef uckiswrongwi t
hthi
s
tadpole?Didshejustcal
lmef ati
ndi
rect
ly?!And
what '
switht
hefakeAmer i
canaccent?

Me:"
Samehere,
hey.Idon'tknowhowImanagemy
cur
ves.Imean,Icoul
dnevermanageyourhei
ght
aswell
."

Igaveaf
akesmi
leandshel
aughedevenhar
der
hit
ti
ngPhil
aplayfull
yonhischest
.Hehe,
this
womani st
estingme.Di dGodbri
ngheri
ntomyl
if
e
totestmypreserver
ance?

Phil
a:"I'
m gladyout wohavef i
nal
lymet.Anyway,
Sthandwasami( Mylove)
,letmegettowork.There
areaf ewlogi sti
csIneedtosortoutwit
hNatasha
beforewest artworki
ngkusasa(tomorr
ow).I'
llsee
youlater."

Hekissedmesopassi onatelyandIki ssedhi m

back.Ididn'tevengetf l
ushedf rom embar rassment
thi
sti
me.Ipul l
edoutandNat ashawasj ustgivi
ng
mehercr eepysmi le.Theyl efttheboar droom and
wenttotheiroffi
ce.Apar tofmer eall
ywant edto
beaflyont hatwall,butIfiguredhe' dtellmeal l
aboutiti
fher eall
ywant edt o.

Por
sche:
"Al
ri
ght
,peopl
e.Backt
owor
k!"
Peoplel
eftt
heboar
droom onebyoneasNoziand
ThatogavePor
scheandIweirdl
ooksandst
arted
makingcommentsasusual.

Nozi:"Mxm,l
oucabangaukuthi(
thinksshe)owns
thecompanyjustbecauseMr.Zwaneoutherin
charge.Thehippothi
nksjumpsfrom one
mill
ionai
ret
othenext.MustbesomeMar abast
and
Muthi."

AsNoziandThat
owereaboutt
oleavePorscheput
herar
m agai
nstt
hedoor
,bl
ocki
ngthefrom l
eavi
ng.

Porsche:"
Sho, Magosha( prostit
ute).Or engMona
na(Jealous,aren'
twe)?Anyway, l
etmecor rectyou
ri
ghtthere:1.Idon'townt hiscompany, butIown
manyhot elsininthiscount r
yallthankst omy
l
ovinghusband.2.Yes, Iwasi nchar geandyou
hadbettergetusedt othatbef oreIwipet hefloor
wit
hyourcr ookedt eet
h.3.Shedi dn'
tjumpf r
om
oneMi l
li
onairetothenext ,sheisaboutt omar r
ya
BILLIONAIRE,butgakemakale( I
'
m notsurpr
ised)
.
Mat hsandreadingdon'
tseem l
ikeyourthi
ng.And
l
astly,i
fyoudar emakeanymor efunnycomment s
towardsZee,I'
llmakesureShaundumpsyour
deformedass!"

Nozisuddenl
yst
ruggl
edt
ospeak.

Nozi
:"
I.
..Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
."

Por sche:"Mxm.Gakenanakoyamasepanna( I
don' thavet i
mef orshit
).AndwenaThat o,yousee
thisr i
ng( poi
ntingatmyr i
ng)thiswillbethe
closestt hingyou'l
leverseet oaringsinceot l
oba
l
ef etwaf ela(si
nceyou'llendupbei ngaspi nst
er).
Ifyoukeepbei ngthisbitch'
ssidekickyou'l
lnever
findl ovekaobot sa(I
'mt ell
ingyou).Haveani ce
daynowgi rl
s."

Shef
lashedasmi
least
heyl
eft
.
Me:
"Kannet
e(Real
l
y),
Por
sche?
"

Porsche:
"Thesooneryoul earnt
ospeakyourmi nd
andactlikeawife,t
hebetter.Bathobatlat
logel
a
goonyat sangwaneso( Peoplewil
lstop
underminingyou,si
ster
).Nowl et'
sgetbackto
work.It'
salmostknockof fti
me.I '
l
lseeyoulat
er.
"

Iwentt omyof f
iceasshewentbackt oherdesk.I
can'thelpbutnoti
cethatPhil
a'soffi
cedoorissti
ll
closed.HeandTadpol ehavebeeni nthereforqui
te
somet ime.Idecidetoburymysel fi
nthoughtsof
thispastfewweekend.Atl eastsomethinggood
cameoutofi t.

Phi
la

WhenIsawNatashawal
kingint
otheboar
droom I
wasdumbst
ruck.Whatt
hef ucki
sshedoingback
i
nSout hAfri
ca??Wor stparthowt hehel ldi
dshe
getaposi t
ionatmycompany? !NatashaandIused
tobef uckbuddiesbackinI t
aly.Istoppedsl eeping
withheroverayeargo.I 'm amanwi thneeds,
theresnowayIwoul dhavebeenabl etosurvive
sevenyear swit
houtsext hough.Idi dn'tandstil
l
don'tloveher,t
hough.Shewasj ustast r
ess
rel
ieverandsomehowi nhersmal lmi nd,she
thoughtthatwewoul dendupt ogetheroneday.

Ihadtogetheri
nmyoff
icesoIcoul
daskherwhat
thef
uckshe'supto.

Phi
la:(
Closi
ngthedoor
)"Whatt
hef
uck,
Nat
asha?
!
Whatareyoudoingher
e?"

Natasha:"
P,man.It
houghtyouwoul
dbehappyt
o
seeme. "

Shecamet
owar
dsmeandt
ri
edt
otouchmysui
t,
butIyankedherar
msawayf
rom me.

Phil
a:"
Gettothefucki
ngpoi
ntandt
ellmewhatt
he
fuckyou'
redoinghere?"

Iwasf
umi
ng.Thi
sbi
tchi
sget
ti
ngonmyner
ves.

Natasha:
"Geez,you'
resoboringwhenyour
eser
ious.
Sbuemployedme.Hewasr unni
ngoutofti
meand
hadnosuitablecandi
date,
sohehi r
edme."

Fuck!Sbuuyenzaamasimbamanje(Sbuisdoing
shi
tnow).Whyt hefuckwoul
dhehiremyexf uck
buddywhenI'm aboutt
omarr
ytheloveofmyl i
fe?!
Ideci
detocallhi
m.

Phil
a:"
Wena,stayri
ghtt
her
eandkeepyourf
il
thy
handstoyoursel
f.
"
Sbu:
"Shosho,Fozas(
SuresureBr
other
).
Kuhambani(What'
scooki
ng)?
"

Phil
a:"
YeywenaSbu.Yinil
amasi
mba(What
'swi
th
thi
sshit)
?WhyisNatashaher
easmynewCFO?"

Sbu:
"Ah,l
oyo(thatone).Hadebafo(Sorr
y,br
other
),
shewasmyonl yoption.It
'shar
dfindi
ngsomeone
wecantrustandyouknowwedon' tjustl
etanyone
i
ntoourcir
cle.
"

Phil
a:"
That'
snotgoodenough.Findmea
repl
acementASAP.Idon'twantawhoreworki
ng
withmyfinances.I
fyoucan'
tfi
ndanyone,
thenyou
dothejob!"

Sbu:"
Eish,maranawePhi l
a.It'
snotli
keyousti
ll
havethehotsforher,baf
o( br
other
).Imeanama
ki
losseahambi lelapho(she'
soverused)
.She'
s
sl
eptwi t
hallofourguys,man."
Phil
a:"
Idon'
tcar
e.Idon'
twantherher
e.Idon'
t
tr
usther.
"

Sbu:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Alr
ight
.Givemeaf
ewweeks.I
'
ll
fi
ndyousomeonequalif
ied.
"

Phi
la:
"Shar
p."

Ihungup.

Nat
asha:
"IseeIst
il
lhaveanef
fectonyou.
"

Phil
a:"
Mxm.Don'
tfl
att
eryour
sel
f,Nat
asha.Idon'
t
fuckwhor
es.
"

Natasha:"
Butyouusedtol
ikef
ucki
ngme,ri
ght?We
couldjustpi
ckupwherewelef
toff
.Imean,I'
m
sur
eyourf
atgi
rl
fr
ienddoesn'
tmakeyouf
eelwhatI
canmakeyouf
eel.
"

Isl
appedhersohar
dshenear
lyst
umbl
edonmy
desk.

Phil
a:"
Let'sgetonet hingstr
aight
,Nat asha.You
andIwer enevert ogether
.Itwasjustsexand
nothi
ngmor e.You'llr
espectmywi fe,youhave
nothi
ngonher .She'smor eofawomanyou' l
lever
beandi fIhearyoui nsult
ingheragainI '
l
lfucki
ng
chopyourt allassandsendyourbodypar t
sbackto
yourhomet own.Youhaveaf ewweeksher e.Don't
fuckup.Uyangi zwa(Doyouunder stand)?!"

Nat
asha:(
Hol
dinghercheek)"
Yes.
"

Phi
la:
"Nowgett
hef
uckoutofmyof
fi
ce.
"
Sheranoutasquickasshecould.Isatonmydesk
andpouredmyselfsomewhiskey.Ineedtocome
cl
eantoZeebef or
eallt
hisbl
owsupi nmyface.I
don'
ttr
ustthatbit
ch.

Gog'
Khanyi

Nowt hatIsort
edoutthedoctor,
it'
stimefort he
nextphase.I'
m goingtostr
ipZodwaofever ythi
ng
shehasandl eaveherwit
hnot hi
ng.Shewi llsuffer
fi
rstbefor
eshedies.IdecidetocallTony,hewor ks
formenow.

Tony:
"Shosho,
magr
iza(
Sur
e,sur
e,gr
andma)
."

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Yazini
naabafanabamcaneanil
alel
i
(Youknow,yousmallboysdon'
tli
sten)
.Whot
old
youtocallmeMagriza(gr
anny)
?"
Tony:"Hade,magri
za(Sorr
y,granny).Nnaba
nthuti
legorekehlompebagol okogae( Iwas
taughttorespectmyelder
sathome) .Especial
lyba
gotshwanal ewena(Especial
lyelder
slikeyou)
.
Phelaokansat anousoandgakenal emfana
nyana( Iknowyoucanki l
lmeanymomentandI
don'tevenhaveason)."

Ichuckl
ed.Tonyisaveryfunnyboy.He'
sasweet
boywithver
ygoodI Tski
ll
s.Pit
yhefoundhi
msel
f
worki
ngforadickl
ikeLanga.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Shapareri
ngebesi
ghei
d( Let
'st
alk
busi
ness).Ontshwaret
seeng(Whathaveyougot
forme)?"

Tony:"Shosho,Magriza(
Suresure,Gr
andma).All
Lunga'
sbusinesseskopitor
idaar(i
nPret
ori
a)have
beenshutdown.Igotsomef ewnyaopeboys
(Junki
es)toti
poffthecopsandit'
soneoperat
ion
down."
Gog'
Khanyi:(
Chuckl
ing)"
That'
sgood,mfanawami
(myboy).ThatwasLunga'sbi
ggestoper
ati
on.I
'l
l
sendyouthemoneynow. "

Tony:
"Shosho,
Magr
iza(
Sur
e,sur
e,Gr
anny)
."

Ihungupandwir
edR100000toTony.Istarted
hummingmyfavour
it
esong"
Modi moal eteng"and
si
ppedonmywine.Meanwhil
eFlorahkeptlooki
ng
atme.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yini(
whati
sit
),Fl
orah?
"

Mam'Masango:"
Not
hing.I
'
mjustwonder
ingwhen
you'
l
lchange.
"

Gog'Khanyi:
"Yazi
,youusedt
obeaseri
ouspartygi
rl
unt
ilyoulist
enedtoGod.PhelaGodut
hiniphuze
kodwaningadakwi(
Godsaysyoumaydri
nk,but
notgetdrunk)
.Howelsewasheabl
etomakewine
backintheday?"

Fl
orahl
aughed.

Mam'Masango:"
Hayi,manKhanyisa.Youknow
ver
ywellIst
oppeddr i
nkingl
ongago.Ipr omi
sed
myhusbandI'dnevertouchal
coholeveragai
n."

Gog'Khanyi:"
Yourhusbandi
sdead,mngani(my
fr
iend).It
'sbeenyear
sman.Whenar eyougett
ing
some?Ordoyouhaveabat ter
yoperat
edfri
endI
don'tknowabout?"

Fl
orahwasget
ti
ngr
eal
lyembar
rassedshame.

Mam'Masango:
"No,manKhanyisa.Idon'
tdot
hat
.
YouknowverywellIhavedevot
edmylif
etomy
cal
li
ng.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"Don'
tst
ress.I'
l
lgetyouoneasagift
foryourbi
rthdaysi
nceit'
scomingupsoon,neh.
Youneedt ocum onceinawhile,youknow.
"

Mam'Masango:
"Hayi
,hayiZodwa.Letmegot
o
chur
chbefor
eyoucorruptme."

Il
aughedsohar
d.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Alr
ight
.St
evewi
lldr
iveyou.Byebye!
"

Ai,Fl
orah.Ist
il
laskmysel
fhowwecanst
il
lremai
n
bestfr
iendswhenwe'r
esodif
fer
ent
.
Chapt
erThi
rt
yEi
ght

ZodwaNgcobo
WhenChi nuaAchebecameupwi t
htheti
tle"Thi
ngs
FallApart
"forhi
snovelhesur
ewasn'tl
ying.Izi
nto
azi
hlangani(Thi
ng'sar
en'
tgoi
ngwell
)formeandi t
seemsl i
keit'
sgett
ingwor
sebytheday.

David'
sbusi nessisdoingokay, butnowLunga's
suff
ering,evenwhenhe' sinacoma.Hi sside
businessinPr et
ori
ahasshutdown.Ican' tevenget
i
tupandr unningagain,apparentl
ytheygotstri
ct
i
nstructi
onsnott owor kwithLungaeveragain.
Inst
ructi
onsf rom t
heBl ackMamba.

Hospitalbi
ll
sar epi
li
ngupbythedayandIcan't
keepup.Imi ghthavetousehismainbusinessas
coll
ateral
.Oh, Nkosi
yami(
MyGod) ,i
fonlyIhad
chosenadi ff
erentpat
hinl
if
e,buti
t'
stoolatenow.I
justhopeLungacanwakeupandgethi slong
deservedrevenge.
Beli
ndanayeont heotherhandkeepsdemandi ng
moneyf rom me.Lomnt wana(Thi
schild)isgoing
tobethedeat hofme.Sheevenhadt omoveoutof
herapartmentsinceLungacan'tpayforitanymore.
Sheandherbr atarestayingwit
hmenowandyou
wouldthinkthatshewoul dmakeanef f
orttodo
somethingaroundt hehouse!

Zodwa: "
Yazini(Youknowwhat )Beli
nda!Allyoudo
alldayisdri
nkandeat !Ekseniuyaphuza,emini
uyaphuzanasebusukuuyaphuza( inthemorning
youdr i
nk,i
nt heafter
noonyoudr i
nkevenatnight
youdr i
nk)!Lungai slyi
nginacoma, manf or
goodnesssake!Getof fyourassanddo
somet hi
ng!"

Bel
inda:
"Ngi
yaxol
isa,
ma(
Im sor
ryma)
."

Shegotupandcleanedupabi
t.Yesses!Even
Nomsahasblockedmynumber.Kur ough.
Myphoneri
ngsandIanswerwi
thoutchecki
ngt
he
cal
lerI
D.

Zodwa:
"ZodwaNgcobo,
hel
lo?
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yebo(
Yes)
,Mazet
.Unj
anikodwa(
How
ar
eyou)?"

Zodwa:
"Khanyi
sa,
allt
hisi
syou'
redoi
ng.Icanf
eel
i
tinmybones."

Gog'Khanyi:(l
aughing)"Youdon' thavetofeelany
bones, sl
imandini(youidiot).Itol
dyouI '
m coming
foreverythi
ngyou'vegot .Everheardoft heProver
b
"Sinsoftheparentsfallont hechil
dren"?Itol
dyou,
Mazet .I'
m comingf oreveryhingyou'vegotandI'm
justgetti
ngstart
ed.Repentorel seyou'l
lfi
nd
yourselfuyiS'
gidl
awaar( homeless).
"
Shehungup.Theremustbeanot
herwayIcanfi
x
thi
s.Irubmyheadinf
rust
rat
ionasIt
ryt
othink.
Fuck!

Zi
yanda

It
'sfi
nal l
yknockof fti
me, nott
hatIwasdoing
anythingtoday,reall
y.Iwasj ustdeepint
houghtal
l
day,thinkingofmyper fectweekendandTadpole
Natasha.Al lIevermanagedt odof orworkwas
fi
nalizethedesignf orournewhousei nCapeTown.
Ijustcan'twait
.

Iheadedoutofmyof
fi
ceandfoundPor
sche
al
readywait
ingf
ormeatr
ecepti
on.

Porsche:(
wit
hherhandbagal
readyonherar
m)
"Hao,Zee.Kgal
ekeemekawenahl e(I
'
vebeen
waiti
ngonyou)"
.
Me:"
Askies,
fri
end.Il
ostt
rackofti
me.Besi
des,ke
saemetsePhil
asincewegothereusi
nghi
sdriver
."

Por
sche:
"Ai
,banna(
Oh,
men)
.Mof
onel
e(Cal
lhi
m).

AsIwasaboutt odot hat

,hewal
kedoutlooki
ng
rat
heranxious.Idon'
tknowifhe'
sworr
iedor
scared,
Ijustcan'
ttel
l.

Phi
la:"
Sorryt
okeepyout
wogor
geousl
adi
es
wai
ting."

Porsche:
"Hey,
wena(Hey,
you)
.Wat
chyourmout
h,
I
'm marri
edphela.
"

Weal
llaughed.
Phil
a:"
Hey,baby.Whydon'tyougowit
hPorsche
andI'
llmeetyouatthehouse?Sbuisonhiswayto
fet
chmesi nceFranki
sbusywither
rands.
"

Porsche:"
Wabonakegor atel
aeng, BossP( Doyou
seewhyIl oveyou,BossP)?Ot houghtfulgampe
(you'
resothoughtf
ul).Zee,
ar etsamayepl ease
(l
et'
sgoplease).Mgozi(gossi
p)i swait
ingf orus.
"

Il
aughedandkissedPhil
agoodbye.Hereal
lyl
ooks
muchdif
fer
entfrom whenwearri
vedher
e,butl
et
menotdwellonit.

Wemadeourwayoutoft hel
iftandfoundSbu
al
readypar ki
nghiscarwaiti
ngf orPhil
aIguess.
Wegr eetedhim andgoti
ntoPorsche'sVW Tcross
andleft.

Asweweredr
ivingshejustcouldn'
twaitf
ormeto
di
shoutt
hedetail
s,butIwouldn'
tbudge.Ineeda
col
dgl
assofwi
nef
oral
lI'
m aboutt
otal
kabout
.

Wearri
vedatPhi
la'
sest
ateandasal
waysPor
sche
wasveryi
mpressed.

Porsche:
"Yoh,chomi(wowfri
end)!Ekeupgradee
seri
ousbathong(Thisisaser
iousupgr
ade).And
then?Bannabadithunya(What'swi
ththe
gunmen)?"

Ai
.Ican'tkeepsecr
etsf
rom hersoImi
ghtaswel
l
t
ellher
.

Me:"
KebaPhila.Aker
ehe'
saprominent
busi
nessman.Heusedtobeadrugl
ord.

I
nst
eadofbei
ngshockedshel
aughedhyst
eri
cal
ly.
Me:
"What
'ssof
unny?
"

Porsche:"
Eh,banna.Kgant
eoserious(
You'
rebei
ng
forreal
)?Iyo(wow)Zee.Yourl
if
eemonatehle
(pl
ease).Adoptme."

Il
aughedatPor sche'
scr azi
ness.Wegotinthe
house.AndIjustcan'tgetenoughoft
hebeauty.It
al
waysf eel
sli
ket heveryfir
stti
meIwalkedi
nhere.
Funny,hey.Iwalkedinher eaweekagoasMr s.
Ngcoboandnow, Icomebackasf ut
ureMrs.Zwane.
Li
fe.

Iwenttot hekitchenandgotacol dbottl

eofwhite
wineoutt hef r
idge.Phil
aalwaysf i
ndstheti
met o
putsomeal coholinthefri
dge.Anyway,Itookt
wo
glassesandpour edsomef orPorscheandIaswe
satont hecouch.Shedi dn'tevenbothertoswi
tch
ont hetvsinceshej ustl
ikesgossip.
Por
sche:(
moaninginhermouth)"Wineeemonate
bj
angchomi(Thi
swineisdivi
ne,f
ri
end).Emar
uru
gamonatehl
e(It
'ssoniceandcol
d).
"

Al
lthankst
oPhi
laandhi
sfi
net
ast
einwi
ne.

Por
sche:
"Ar
eye(Let
'sgo)
.Et
lakat
sona(
I'
m
wai
ti
ngonyou)
."

Istar
tedfrom t hebegi nning,tel
li
ngherever ything
fr
om Phila'sdrugdaysi nIt
alyandhowhegother e,
tomyf abulousweekendandhowIf i
nall
ygotl aid
good.Idi dn'tevef or
getr oment i
ont hewhol e
AphiweandLer atosaga.Ievent oldheraboutwhat
Sbutoldmeabouthi m andKel e,andItoldher
aboutthedr eadf ulShar onandhowshedi dn'teven
haveanounceofr emor se.Itoldheraboutt he
cherr
yont hecake, whichisShar onandSbu
comingtol ivecl osetous.
Porsche:(clappinghands)" Kammao!Gwanyewa,
gwanyewamol i
feng( I
t'sreall
yhappeni nginli
fe)!
War eBossPi piogoj elekor ooftopkaf i
rstt
ime,
chomi( Areyout ell
ingmeBossDi ckchowedyouon
therooftopf oryourfirstti
me) ?Aowa, Diemanke
l
eparashem ( Thisguyi sboss, shame) .Imean, I
thoughtwhi tepeoplear eromant ic,butowagao
(yours)i
st heboss, hey!"

Il
aughed.Por
schet
hough.

Me:"
Ja,chomi(Yes,f
ri
end)
.Itwaseeal
lyawesome.
Tomaket hi
ngsworseIpee'
edonthebed.Hesaid
i
t'
scall
edsquir
ting.
"

Porschel
aughedsohar
dshenear
lychokedonher
wine.

Porsche:
"Haowawena(No,man).I
shereal
lyt
hat
good?Wowman.Gi vethatmanabel
ls,
wakwa
(Youhearme).Bjanongwenayouhavetostepup.
Youcan'tal
wayslethi
minit
iat
e,youhavet
odot he
thi
ngslewenaanZee.Hesucksonyourcoochieso
l
ewenat shwanet
seomonepi pieo(youal
sohave
tosuckonthatdi
ck).
"

MyeyesgrewwiderasIwasastoni
shed.I
'
venever
donet
hatbefor
e.Iswal
lowedhardi
ntheprocess.

Porsche:
"Skantomol
elamahl
o(Don'
tst
areatme)
.
Trustme,allmengowildf
orabl
owjob.
"

Me:"
Bjanong(
So)howwi
llIknowi
fIm doi
ngi
t
r
ight
?"

Porsche:"Oh,you'l
lknow.He'l
ltel
lyou.Allthose
ti
psI'vebeengi vi
ngyoushouldcomei nhandyri
ght
now.Skawar a(Don'twor
ry)
.I'
llsendyouaPDF
bookt hatteachesyousomesexual techni
queson
WhatsApp. "
I'
l
lhavetoreaditassoonaspossibl
e.Speakingof
Phila,
He'sst
il
lnotbackyetf
rom work.MaybeI
shouldaskhimtobringussomefoodsi ncewe'
re
catchi
ngup.JustasIwasaboutt ocallhim,
he
walkedinwit
hSbu.

Me:"
Hi,
Sthandwasami(
Mylove)
.Sor
ryI
'm abi
t
l
ate.Westoppedbyt
ogetyousomef
ood.
"

Igotupandwentt
ohi
m whi
lePor
scheswi
tchedon
thetv.

Sbu:"
Qhawekazi
,Por
sche.
"

Por
sche:
"Sho,
Sbuda"
.

Me:
"Hi,
Sbu.Iwasjustaboutt
ocallyouandask
t
hatyouor
derussomef ood.Thanksbaby.
"
Iki
ssedhi
m ont
hecheek.

Phi
la:
"We'
llbeinmystudy,
Sthandwasami(
my
l
ove).Cal
lifyouneedanyt
hing.
"

Theylef
tandwenttohisst
udy.Theyboughtus
someDebonairsPi
zzasoIgotPorscheandIafew
sl
icesandwesharedaplat
e.AsIwentt osi
tback
onthecouch,
sherefi
ll
edourgl
asses.

Por
sche:
"Hehe,sobj
anong,chomi(sonowf r
iend)
.
OreSbudaleKelenebadibetha(You'
resayi
ng
SbuandKeleusedtodat
e)?"

Il
aughedjustt
hinki
nghowshadyKeleis.Keepi
ng
suchasecretf
orsolong,
though.Makesme
wonderwhatelseshe'
shi
ding.
Me:"
Skar asalewena( don'
tmakenoi se)theymi ght
j
usthearus.Yes, apparentl
ytheydatedsince
Matr
ic,buttheydidn'
tlastverylong.Sbuor e(says)
hewokeupi nbedleSharon.How, hedoesn'tknow.
Shefoundt hem i
nbedt ogetherandlef
thim ont he
spot
."

Porsche:(
Clappi
nghands)"Hehe!WareKel
eo
breaki
lekeSbuvele(
You'r
esayingSbuwasKel
e'
s
fi
rst)
?Wow. "

Me:"That'
snotal l
.Hewant edtowi nKeleback,but
Sharonclaimedshewaspr egnant.SoSbut hought
i
twoul dbebestt omarryher.Appar ent
lyshehada
miscarri
ageaf ewmont hslater
,andhehookedup
wit
hKel ethatsameyear .Theyhadsexaf ewtimes,
butKeleendedi tandgotmar ri
edBr i
an.
"

Porsche:"Eng(What)?
!Ehbann( wow)!Keleke
tsot
sieser i
ousmos( Kel
eissl
eezy).Mymom o
nnaar e(alwayssays)'
Sti
ll
ewaters,
diepergr
ond'
(
Qui
etpeopl
ehaveal
otofsecr
ets)
."

Nowt hatIt
hinkofi
tKelehasal waysbeenthe
peacemakerandtheonegi vessoundadvice,
the
quietandcal
m one,butneverdivul
gesanyofher
secrets.

Me:"Iguessyou'reri
ght ,butIjustcan'
thel
pbutfeel
sorryforSbu,hey.He'ssobr oken,Imeanheand
Sharonhavebeent oget herforlikesi
xyears,
but
they'
renotevenaf f
ectionatetowar dseachother
.It
seemsasi fthey'
reforcingit,youknow."

Por
sche:
"Wel
l,
nnaI'
veneverli
kedSharonandI
'
dbe
moret
hanhappyt
oplaymat chmaker.
"

AsIwentt
otheki
tchent
ogetsomemor
ewi
ne,
Por
schecal
lsme.
Por
sche:
"Zee,
tlaobone(
comesee)
!"

Irantothel
oungethi
nki
ngshesawsomethi
ng
hecti
candIsawtheNewsHeadli
nes:"
Promi
nent
BusinessmanLungaNgcoboawakeaft
eraweek
l
ongcoma" .
Chapt
erThi
rt
yNi
ne

Phi
la

SbuandIgoti nt
omyst udyandpour edoursel
ves
somewhi skey.I
'm st
ressedasf uckri
ghtnow.
ThisNatashashithasgotmeonedge, butnot
hing
beatshowSbuI sfeel
ingrightnow.

Phi
la:
"Wannat
alkabouti
t?"

Sbuhadhi
shandsonhi
sheadwithhi
sfacedown.
Ihat
eseei
ngmybrot
herl
iket
his.
Sbu:"
Eish,Bafo(
brot
her).Angikho(I'
m not)happy,
man.Shar ondoesn'
tmakemehappy.I '
vetried,
youknow.I '
vetr
iedtoloveherforsixyears,even
aft
erthegirl
swereborn,ItookhertoHawai iasa
wayt oreki
ndlet
hespark,buttr
uthistherewasno
sparktobeginwit
h."

Phi
la:"
Eh,foza(br
other)
.Kant
ikur
oughkanj
e(I
di
dn'treal
izei
t'
sthisbad).
"

Sbu:
"Ei
sh,
youhavenoi
dea.
"

HesawZeeandPor schet
alki
nginthel
oungeon
themonitoronmylaptopsi
ncether
earecameras
allovert
hehouse-
exceptt
hebedroomsofcour
se.

Phil
a:"
No, man,Sbu.Kucalaniniubukaabafazi
bekhuluma(Sincewhendoyouwat chwomenwhi l
e
thei
rtalki
ng)
.That'seavesdr
oppingman, ci
sha
l
ent
o(Swi
tchof
fthatt
hing)
."

Sbu:"
Lal
elaman(
List
en,
man)
.They'
ret
alki
ng
aboutme."

Wehear dZeetal
kaboutwhatSbutol
dherabout
him andKeleandShar
oninthemix.Seemsl i
kehe
wasn'tbot
heredmuchunti
lheheardPorschesay
shecanplaymat chmaker
.

Sbu:(Jumpingup)"
That
'si
t!Por
schecanhel
pme
getuKeleback!
"

Phil
a:"
Hayi
,man.Sbu.It'
sabittool
atefort
hat.
She'
smar r
iedandnaweyou'remarr
iedandther
e
ar
ekidsinvol
vedangi
thi(
right
).
"

Sbu:
"Phi
la,
man.Comeon, baf
o( br
other
).Isee
howyouandZeelookateachotherandthat
'show
Kel
eandIusedt
obe.Iwi
shf
ort
hatnami
."

Phil
a:(Deepsigh)"Ihearyou,bafo(brot
her
).Eish,
thi
sthingistoughbecauseyou' l
lhurtShar
oninthe
process,butke,whoam It ostepinthewayof
l
ove? "

Sbu:
"Ican'
twait
,Bafo(
Brot
her)
.Ican'
twai
tto
makehermi neagai
nandthi
sti
meI'l
lmakesure
shedoesn'
tgetawaythi
sti
me."

Phil
a:"
Hayike.Manj
ear
en'
tyougoi
nghome
toni
ght?"

Sbu:
"Hawu,
seuyang'
xoshamanj
e(Ar
eyouki
cki
ng
meout)?
"

Phi
la:
"Nah,man.Ngi
funaukudlai
ragongepeace(
I
wanttochowassinpeace)wi
thoutwor
ryi
ngabout
yoursor
ryass.
"

Sbuchuckl
edandt
ookanot
hersi
pofhi
swhi
skey.

Sbu:
"Al
ri
ght
.Letmegetsomepi
zzat
hen
ngi
zohamba(I
'
lll
eave)
."

ZodwaNgcobo

Igotacallfrom Lunga'scurrentdoct orsi

ncevan
Schalkwykwentmi ssing.Hesai dLungai sawake.
Ij
ustcouldn'twaittogettheret oseemyboy.
Beli
ndawant edtocome, butIl eftherlazyass
behind.Irushedintohisroom andj ustbefor
eI
couldspeakt ohim,hi
sdoct or,Dr .Manyane
stoppedme.

Dr.Manyane:Goodevening,Mrs.Ngcobo.MayI
haveawordwi t
hyou,please?"
Zodwa:
"Can'
titwai
t,Doc?I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
his
moment."

Dr.Manyane:"I
'
m afrai
ditcan'
twait
.Yourson's
hospi
talbi
lli
sinareas.Weneedani mmediat
e
paymentofR637000, otherwi
seI'
m afr
aidhe'
ll
havetobet r
ansfer
redtoapublichospi
tal
."

Ist
art
edpani
cki
ng.Wher
eam Igoi
ngt
ogetso
muchmoney?

Zodwa:
"Butdoc,we'
veal
readyspentoverR1mi
ll
ion
thi
spastweek.
"

Dr.Manyane:
"I
'm af
rai
dyouknewt her i
skswhen
youenter
edthishospi
tal,
Mr s.Ngcobo.Yourson
cancel
edhismedicalaidamont hbef or
ehegot
shot,
ther
efor
eifyoucannotmaket hepayment
befor
eyouleavehere,we'
llbetransferr
inghi
mtoa
near
bypubl
ichospi
tal
."

Itfel
tli
kemyworl
dwasbeingshat
ter
edpi
eceby
piece.Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ng.

Zodwa:"
Okay,t
hankyou,
doc.Letmemakeapl
an.
I
'l
lspeaktoyousoon.
"

Hel eftt
omakehi sr
oundsandIneededt omakea
fewcal l
s.Ideci
detocheckonhi ssidebusinessi
n
Jo'burg.Surel
ytheysoldenoughdrugst omakea
milli
onthisweek.Turnoverperweeki susual
ly1.
5
milli
onperweek.IcalledSti
x,Lunga'smainmani n
Alex.

Stix:
"Shoshomamazala(mama) .Eish,youcal
led
meatabadt ime.Copscameandr aidedus.They
tookeverythi
ng,i
ncl
udi
ngthestashofmoneywe
wer ehidi
ng.I'
mlooki
ngforcoveraswespeak."
If
eltabi
gpanghi
tmychestandInear
lycol
lapsed.

Zodwa:
"What
?!Howmuchmoneydi
dtheyt
ake?
"

Sti
x:"
Theyt
ookoveramill
ion.Hademamazal
a
(Sor
rymama).We'l
ltal
k."

Thiscan'tbehappening.IonlyhaveR50000i nmy
accountandIhadt ogi veAdoni
amor emoneyfor
ri
tual
s.Ihavenochoi cebuttobegandIhate
begging.Idecidetocal lNomsawit
haprivat
e
numbersi ncesheblockedme.

Nomsa:"
NomsaBhengu"
.

Zodwa:"
Nomsa,
it'
sme.Pl
easedon'
thangup.
"

Nomsa:
"Heh!Todayyou'
rebeggi
ng.Youandt
he
wor
dpleasehaveneverbeenf
ri
ends.Uf
unani
(
whatdoyouwant)?"

Zodwa:"
Ngidi
ngai
sizol
wako(
Ineedyourhel
p).
"

Nomsa:"Igott
hatassoonasyousai
dthewor
d
'
please'
.
"

Zodwa:(Deepsi
gh)"Pl
easel
endme700k.Lunga's
hospi
talbi
ll
sarepi
li
ngupandhisbusi
nessesar
eall
dyi
ng.
"

Nomsa: "
Sorr
y,Zodwa.I '
dl ovetohelo,butI'
mt r
ying
tobecomeanewper son.Ican' tassociatemyself
withpeoplel
ikeyouanymor e.Youmademy
daughter'
sli
fehellandf orthat,
Ican'thelpyou.
Pleasedomeaf avour.St opcal l
ingme. "

NomsaBhengudoesn'
tevenwantt
ohel
pmeaf
terI
gr
ovel
ledl
ikeapoorper
son.I'
mf ucked.IandI
mademywayt oLunga.Thankgoodnesshi seyes
ar
ewideopennow.

Zodwa:
"Lunga,
mnt
wanami
.Unj
anikodwa?
"

Lunga:
"Whoar
eyou?Wher
eam I
?"

Oh,
myGod!Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ng.
Chapt
erFour
ty

It
'sSatur
daymor ning,whichmeanst her e'
sonl ya
fewhoursleftti
lthel aunchpar t
y.Ididn'tdomuch
sincePorschehandl edever yt
hing.Thisgirli
st ruly
heavensent.Ihaven' tseenmuchofTadpol e
Natashawhi chisgr eatforme.Eversi ncethatday
Philahasbeenabi tweird,butItr
ynott odwel ltoo
muchoni t.Hepr obablyhasal otgoi
ngonpl ust he
l
aunchandal l
.
I'
m evengl adallthi
sishappeningsofast,si
nce
Phil
at oldmehegotmedi vor
cedfrom Phil
awi t
hout
him evenbei ngawakeorpr esent
.Idon'tknowhow
hedidt hat,butI'
m notcomplaini
ng.Justthathe
l
ikesdoi ngthingswithoutconsul
ti
ngmeatt i
mes
anditscar esme.

Por
sche:
"Hehe,
chomi(fri
end)
.Yourmanbet
terpay
mepasel
la(abonus)af
ter
t
oni
ght
.I'
vewor
kedmyassof
fnj
ena.
"

Il
aughed,
aiPor
sche.

Me:
"Don'
twor
ry.I
'
llmakesur
ehegi
vesyouani
ce,
f
atbonus.
"

Por
sche:
"Iinvi
tedKeleandBelindat
othelaunch.I
onl
yinvi
tedBelindabecauseIknowKelewasgoing
t
oaskheri
fotlotl
ana(she'
sgoi
ngtomakei
t)
.To
myi
rr
it
ati
on,sheaccept
edthei
nvi
tat
ion.
"

Shesai
dthatr
oll
inghereyes.

Me:
" Tobehonest,
I'
m notl
ooki
ngfor
war
dtoseei
ng
Bel
inda,youknow.Aftert
heot
herni
ght
,ai
."

Porsche:
"You'
vegotmeinyourcorner
.One
mistakeotlonyel
a(she'
l
lshi
ther
self)
."

Il
aughedatt
hatl
astst
atement
.

Por
sche:
"Speaki
ngofKel
e,Sbuaskedmet
opl
ay
matchmaker.
"

Me:
"Hehbanna!Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Porsche:"
Keril
eamf ehundredgori(
nehundred
thousandrand).Iwasjoki
ng,butwell
,heagr
eed
andwi r
edmet hemoneysamet i
me."

Me:( Laughi
ngsohard)"
Bathong(
Goodness)Por
ti
a
Will
iams!Exploit
ati
onekana(somuch
expl
anat i
on)?!
"

Porsche:"
I'
mt r
yingtosaveformykidsphel
a.They
needtohavet heirownhousesandcarsatleast
whent heystartworki
ng.Idon'
twantthem tosuff
er
l
ikeIdid."

Porscheonlyhasonechi l
dwi thRobert,athr
eeyear
oldson,whileRoberthasa16yearol ddaught er.
Shecallsbothofthem herkids.It
'sprettywei
r dfor
achild9yearsyoungerthanyout ocallyoumom,
buttheyseem tohaveitallundercont
r ol
.How
Porschegott obeamom t oa16yearol disast or
y
foranotherday.
Por
sche:
"Butanyway,
Ideci
dedt
ohel
p."

Me:
"Howar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
hat
?"

Por
sche:
"Justwat
chchomi(
fri
end)
."

Justthen,TadpoleNatashawal kedinfr
om t
heli
ft
wearingaver yshor
tdress,nobr aandmostli
kel
y
nopant i
es,withver
ylongheels.Shecamei n
holdi
ngaf il
eunderherarm, t
wocupsofcol aanda
plast
icbagf r
om BurgerLingIfIdidn'
tknowbett
er
I'
dsayshecameher eonami ssion:t
oseduce
someone.

Nat
asha:
"Hel
lol
adi
es.Longt
ime,
nosee.
"

Por
sche:
"Wel
l,
youknow.Nonewsi
sgoodnews.
"
Natashalaughed.Ther
eist
hatannoyi
ngl
augh
again.Ican'
tsayImissedi
t.

Me:
"So,ar
en'
tyousupposedt
obewor
kingonf
loor
f
our
? "

Nat
asha:(Fl
icki
ngherlongassweavewit
hhervery
l
ongnail
s)"Oh,yeah,
Iam, butI
'
m her
etoseePhil
a."

Oh,
sowe'
reonf
ir
stnamebasi
snow?

Por
sche:
"It
hinkyoumeantt
osayMr
.Zwane.
"

Natasha:
"Oh,no,honey.Phil
aandIgowayback.
There'
snousei nmecal li
nghi
m Mr.Zwane.
Anyway,letmegot hrough.Youdon'
tmind,
doyou
darl
ing?"
Shesai
dtr
yingt
otouchmyhai
r,butIpul
ledback.

Me:"
Actual
ly,
He'sbusyr
ightnowandyoudon'
t
haveanappoint
mentso.
.."

Idi
dn'tevengett
ofi
nishmysent
enceandshe
i
nter
ruptedme.

Natasha:"Oh,honey.IknowI 'm hot,butt

here'
sno
reasonforyoutobei nsecure.Imeanyou' vegot
enoughgoi ngonasi ti
s,li
kewor ryi
ngaboutyour
weddingdr essf
it
tings.Seeyounownow. "

Didt
hatbi
tchj
ustsaythatt
ome?Por schewas
fumi
ngandfort
hefir
sttimeshewasquiet
.

Me:
"Di
dyouhearthat
,Por
sche?Di
dyouhearwhat
t
hatbi
tchj
ustsai
dtome?"
Porsche:
"Heh!Modi
mokal ekwa!(
God, I
'm being
test
ed).Ntweesimpl
e,Zee(Thi
sthingissimpl e,
Zee).Tshell
ampyapoison(Poi
sont hedog)."

Me:"
Hayi,
man,Por
sche.Aremoshebenje(Let
's
j
ustkeepacl
oseeyeonher
).Let
'sl
eaveherfor
now."

Porsche:
"Wareng( What)
?!Leaveherint
hatoutf
it
alonewit
hyourmani nhi
soffi
cekadij
onogal(Wit
h
foodontopoft hat)
?!Odlal
akamol l
o(You'
re
playi
ngwithf
ire)."

Me:
"It
rustPhi
la,
Por
sche.Don'
tbenegat
ive.
"

Porsche:"Al
ri
ght
,Mrs.'
Itr
ustmyman'.Onepi eceof
advice:Bannakedimpya(Menaredogs).Ifyou
thr
owaboneathi m,he'
l
lmostdefi
nit
elyeatit
.Just
saying."
Okay,nowI'
m get
ti
ngreal
lyconcer
ened.Shoul
dI
real
lygoandcheckonhim?

Phi
la

Iwaswor kingonsomel ogisti

csandmyspeechf or
toni
ght.Al ltheplanningwentwel lallt
hankst
o
Porsche.JustasIwasaboutt ocallmywifet
o
comet omyof f
iceforsomel unch,Natashawal
ked
i
nwi thoutevenknocki ng.Thebitchisevenweari
ng
averyt i
ghtandver yshor tdressandhadsomef ood
i
nherhands.I t'
squiteclearwhatshecameher eto
do.Thedi srespect
.

Phila:
"Whot
hefucktol
dyoutocomei
n?Didn'
tthey
teachyoumannerswhereyoucomef
rom?
"

Natasha:"
Hel
lotoyout
oo,
P.Ij
ustt
houghtyou
mightbehungry.
"
Phi
la:
"Iam hungr
y,butnotf
oryou.Gett
hef
uckout
ofmyof f
ice.
"

Natashatookoffherdr
ess,exposi
nghersmall
br
eastsandperfectl
yshavedpussy.Igothar
d
i
nstantl
y,butI
'
m notabouttogivein.Il
ovemywif
e.

Nat
asha:
"Thesooneryoust
opplayi
nghar
dtoget
,
t
hebett
erthi
ngswillbef
oral
lofus,P.
"

Shecamet owardsmeandt r
iedtot
ouchme,butI
slappedhersohardshef
ellonthef
loor
.Igotcl
ose
toherandputbothmyhandsonhert hr
oat
.

Phil
a:"
Whatt hefuckdoyouthinkyou'r
edoing?Do
youthinkIgoaroundhiri
ngslutsli
keyou?!Youhad
bett
erlist
enNatashaandthistime,l
etitst
ickint
o
yourempt yheadbecauseIhaterepeati
ngmysel f
.I
don'
twantyouandyoubet t
erstopcomi ngint
omy
housel
ikeyou'
remywi
fe.

Youdon'tdeservethatti
tleandyouneverwil
l!Now
getthefuckupandputonyourcheapout f
it
.Take
yourfucki
ngfoodwi thyouaswel l
.Thenexttime
youcomei nhere,ithadbetterbebyappoi
ntment.
Getyoursel
fsomedi gni
tyandself
-r
espect
,sfebe
ndini(
Youbitch).
"

Ilethergoandshequicklyputherdressbackon.
Herstupidweavewasamessandsomeoft hecol
a
spil
ledonherdress.Shepi ckedupherfoodand
ranoutofmyof fi
cecrying.Idon'tf
eelbadfor
l
ayingmyhandonher ,Ifeelli
keshi
tforal
lowi
ng
mybodyt orespond.Mydi ckbel
ongstoZeeand
onlyZee.

Justt
henZeewalkedinasIst
oodt
her
eover
come
wit
hshockandpanic.
Zee:"
What'
sgoi
ngon,
Nkosenye?uRi
ght(
Areyou
okay)?"

Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.

Phi
la:
"I
'm.
.I'
mfine.Iwasj
ustaboutt
ocal
lyout
o
comeoverforl
unch.
"

Shelookedatt
hetabl
eanditwasamess,
andsaw
thespi
ll
eddri
nksonthef
loorandt
henl
ookedback
upatme.

Zee:
"Whathappenedher
e?Whydi
dNatashal
eave
yourof
fi
ceinsuchamess?Wait
,whydoyouhave
aboner,Nkosenye?
"

Oh, shi
t.Thisisi
t.Zeeisgoi
ngt
oleaveme.I
'
m
fuckingshakingr
ightnow.
Zi
yanda

Istoodthereinshockanddi sappoint
ment.Imean
Phila'
sreact
ionpr ett
ymuchsaysi tall
.Natasha
stormedoutofher ewit
hherhairoutofpl
ace,
cryi
ngandherdr esswrinkl
edwithstai
nsunlike
whenshear rivedhereaf ewminutesago.

Me:
"Iaskedyouaquest
ion,
Nkosenye.
"

Phi
la:(
shaken)
"St
handwasami( Mylove)
.Let
'ssi
t
downandtalk,
ngiyakucel
a(pl
ease)
."

Iwasst ar
ti
ngt oshakeandf el
tmybr eat
hing
change.Ididn'tevenreali
zemyf acewast ur
ning
pink.SoPhi l
aischeat i
ngonmewi t
hms.Per fect
?
Hewal kedtowardsmeat t
emtpi
nghol dmyhands.I
tri
edtowalkback, butmybodyf ail
edmeandI
foundmysel fonthefloor.
Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
myl
ove)
.Zee,
tal
ktome.
Canyouhearme?!
"

That
'st
hel
astt
hingIhear
d.

Phi
la

Ifeelli
keshit.Zeewasont hefloorandwasn't
movi ng.Thisisal
lmyf aul
t.Ishould'
veputthat
bitchinherplacethemomentshegother eandlook
now.Zeewal kedinonmewi t
haboneranda
messedupdesk.Whatdoest hatlookl
iketo
someonewhowoul d'
vewalkedinonmel i
keZee?I
placedheronmycouchandt ri
edt owakeher.
Afterawhileshefinal
lywokeupandIt riedtomake
hersitstr
aight.

Phi
la:"
Oh,thankGodyou'
reawake,
Sthandwasami
(mylove)
.Phuzaamanzi(Dri
nksomewat er
).
"
Itri
edgivi
ngheragl
assofwat
er,
butshewoul
dn'
t
takeit
.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Pl
ease,
tal
kto
me.
"

Ziyanda:
"Am Inotgoodenough, Phil
a?Barelya
weekwe' vebeenengagedandyou' realr
eady
fuckingsomet hingpole.I'
vealwaysknownt hatI
'
m
notthehot t
estgirli
ntown,butforyout odothatto
meespeci all
yrighthereinyouroffi
ce,hurt
s.I t
hurtsbadly.
"

Iwassodisappoint
ed.Shedi
dn'
tevengi
vemea
chancet
oexplain.

Phi
la:
"Zi
yanda.
..
"

Zi
yanda:
"No,
Phi
la.You'
vegott
heper
fectbody,
the
perf
ectl
ife,whi
chIdon'
tfi
tinto.Andnowyouhave
managedt ogetthet
ypeyou'veal
wayswant ed,
ri
ght?It
'sbadenoughshetellsmehowf atIam
ever
ytimesheseesme, buttofuckher
,Phil
a? "

Phi
la:
"Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thher
..
."

Ziyanda:
"Pl
easel
eave.Ineedtobeal
one.Oh,
I
forgott
hisi
syouroff
ice,
I'
lll
eave.
"

Sheat
tempt
edtogetup, butIst
oppedher.I'
l
lgo.
Youst
ay.AsIapproachedthedoor,Ideci
dedto
gi
vehermytwocents.

Phil
a:"
Thedayyoureali
zej
usthowmuchIl oveyou
wil
lbethedayyouunderst
andthatIwoul
dnever
cheatonyou.You'r
etoobrokent
oreal
izej
usthow
amazingl
ygorgeousyouare.
"
Iclosedt
hedoorandl ef
t.Whathur t
sthemosti s
thatsheneverevengavemeachancet oexplai
n.
Lovedoesn'thurt
,peopl
edo.I'vegottosort
Natashaonceandf oral
l.Ican'tl
oseZee,Icant
.

Zi
yanda

IsatonPhi
la'
scouchsobbingmyhear tout.How
couldhe?JustasIwail
ed,myphoner ang.It
's
Gogo.Ihavetotakei
tsinceIhaven'
tspokentoher
i
ndays.

Me:(
Sobbi
ng)"
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)Gogo.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
WehZi
yanda.I
yangzi
bayi
ni(
Areyou
i
gnor
ingme)?"

Me:(
Sni
ff
ing)"
Cha(
no)Gogo.
"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yinimanj
e(Whati
sitnow)
?Ukhal
elani
(
Whyareyoucr yi
ng)
?"

Me:
"I
t'
snot
ing,
Gogo.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Yazini(
Youknowwhat )
,Zi
yanda?I
canst
il
lbeattheshitoutofyout
hroughthephone,
nowoutwithit.
"

Me:"I
t'
sPhi
la,
Gogo.He.
..He.
..Uyang'
j
olel
a(He'
s
cheati
ngonme).
"

Gogolaughedoutsohar
dIf el
tsost
upid.HereIam
pour
ingmyheartouttoherandshe'
slaughi
ng.

Me:
"I
t'
snotf
unny,
Gogo.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Okay.Whatdoyouwantmet
osayke
(
then)
?M'
yeke(
Leavehi
m)"
.

Me:(
Puzzl
ed)"
Gogo?
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Angi
thi
,uyaj
ola(
He'
scheat
ing),
so
l
eavehi
m."

Me:
"I
t'
snott
hatsi
mpl
e,Gogo.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Hawu,
Ziyanda.Yousawhi m angi
thi
(r
ight)
?Youcaughthim ontopofanot
herwoman
angit
hi(r
ight
)?"

Me:"
Well
,no.Natashawalkedoutofhi
sof
fi
cewit
h
herdr
essandhairmessedupandwhenIwalkedi
n
hehadaboner,
so...
"

Gogodi
dn'
tevenwai
tformet
ofi
nish.
Gog'
Khanyi:
"Ut
hiubani(Yousai
dwho)
?Nat
asha?
AsinNatashaMothupi?
"

Seemsl
ikeGogoknowsever
ythi
ng.

Me:
"Yebo,
Gogo(
Yes,
grandma)
."

Shelaughedevenharderandevencall
ed
Mam'Masangot ocomehearthestory.Iwant
edt
o
hangupr i
ghtt
hereandthen.

Me:
"Gogo,
thi
sisn'
tfunny.
"

Gog'Khanyi:
"Weh,Fl
orah!Li
stentoZee.UthiuPhi
la
uyajola(
ShesaysPhi l
aischeati
ng).List
entothi
s,
uthiujol
ano( he'
scheati
ngonherwi t
h)Natasha
Mot hupi
."
Whil
eGogowasinst
iches,Mam'Fl
oraht
oldhert
o
st
oplaughi
ng.What
'ssofunny?

Me:
"Gogo,
you'
remaki
ngmypai
naj
okenow.
"

Gog'Khanyi:"Okay,okaykeh( t
hen).Letmest opand
beser i
ousf orami nute.You'r
enotserious,Ziyanda.
Soyousawhi m withabonerandassumedt hat
uyajol
a( He'scheating)?Lalel
alantombi(li
sten
here,girl
),i
fuPhilawant edtocheat,
hewoul d'
ve
donei talongt i
meagoandNOTi nhisoffi
ce.That
gir
lisaknowmagosha( prost
it
ute)i
nexpensive
hair.Youshoul dknowbynowt hatheisn'
tinto
thoset ypeofgirl
s."

Isuddenl
yfel
tsobadaboutmyr
eact
ion.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Didyouatl
easthearhi
m out
?"
Myhear
tsankevendeeper
.

Me:
"No.
"

Gog'Khanyi:"
Hayi ,Ziyanda.Youhavealott ol
earn.
Everyti
meyout hinkhe' scheati
ngonceyou're
mar r
ied,areyougoi ngt owalkawayandcr yl
ikea
baby?Lal elala,you'rehiswife-
to-
be,atit
lehe
choset ogiveyouandonl yyou.Stopgivi
ngthese
l
owl ifebit
chesar easont ogettoyou.Showt hem
thatyou'r
eagoddess, adivaandyou'r
eher eto
stay.
"

Me:
"Ihearyou,
Gogo.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Tel
lPhil
atogetyouagunsot hatnext
ti
meyouthinkhe'scheati
ng,
justconf
rontthebi
tch.
Peopl
ealwaystellt
hetrut
hunderduress.
"
Ichuckl
edatt
hat
.Gogocanbesocr
azy.

Gog'Khanyi
:"Now,st
opcryi
ngandgof i
xyour
nonsense.Subaweak( Don'tbeweak)
,man.Am I
theonlywomanwi thbal
lsinthi
sfamil
y?Yesses
man.We' l
ltal
klat
er.Byebye!"
Chapt
erFour
tyOne

Zodwa

Ihadt obr ingLungabackhomesi ncewecan' t

aff
ordal lt
hemedi calbi
ll
sanymor e.Si nceallhi
s
businesseshavecr umbled,I
'vehadt osellhis
house, atlessthanmar ketvalueatthat.Selli
ngmy
son'
shouseatR250000whenheboughti tatR3
mil
li
oni sn'twhatIpict
uredmyselfdoi ngatthisage.

Bel
indacamedownt
hest
air
s,f
rom adi
ff
erent
di
rectiont
hanherbedr oom.Whyi sshecoming
fr
om mysi deofthecor r
idori
nsteadofhers?I
decidednottodwellonBel i
nda.Ihavebigger
problemsthanherrightnow.

NomsaBhengudi dn'
tevenwanttohelpmeaf t
erI
oncegaveherR4mi l
li
on.Somebi t
chesarereal
ly
ungrateful
.Sinceshedidn'
twanttohelpme,I
decidetoplayGodwithherli
fe.Idial
esher
precioushusband'
snumber .

Khaya:"
KhayaBhengu.
"

Zodwa:
"Hi
,Khaya,
it'
sZodwaNqcobo.
"

Khaya:
"Oh,
Nkosiyami(MyGod)
.Angi
namal
i(I
don'
thavemoney),Zodwa.
"

Wow.Soever
yoneknowsI
'
m br
oke,
now?
Zodwa:"That'
snotwhyI 'm cal
li
ng,Khaya.Ihave
newsaboutyourwi feanddaught er,Zi
yanda.
Nomsal iedtoyouallthoseyearsago.Shehadan
aff
airwithBonginkosiGumede.Zi yandaishi
s
daughter."

Khaya:
"Ar
eyoudone?
"

Wow.That
'snott
her
eact
ionIexpect
ed.

Zodwa:
"Whatdoyoumeanam Idone?
"

Khaya:
"Yazini(Youknowwhat )Zodwa?Pl ease,
don'
tcallmef orbul
lshi
t.Don'tt
ellmeshitIalready
know.Saveyourai rt
ime,you'
regoingt
oneedi t.
Andstoptryingallt
hesetacti
cstoaskformoney,
man.Havesomesel fr
espect
."
Wit
hthat,
hehungup.Icanof fi
cial
lysayI'
m att
he
l
owestpointi
nmyl i
fe.Peopl
ewhower eonce
l
owerthanmel aughatmenow.

Phi
la

I'
vebeenlookingalloverf orNatashaandt hatbitch
i
snowher et obefound.IswearonceIf i
ndher
she'l
lbenextont hemi ssingperson'
slist.Thank
GodZeeandIt ooksepar atecarstowor k.Igotrid
ofthatRoverthatuselessexhusbandofher s
boughther .Ineedtobuyheracart hatshel oves.
Anway, I
'm sureshe'
shomenow.Thel aunchpar t y
i
sonehouraway.Iwal kedinandf oundherdr essed
alr
eady.Thi swomani sgor geous.Sheal ways
makesmeweak.Thatgol dfi
gurehuggi ng,sil
ky
dressthatexposeshercl eavage,wit
hahi ghsl i
tin
fr
ont.I'm soproudtocal lhermywi fe.

Zi
yanda:
"You'
reback.Canwet
alk?
"
Phil
a:"
Yes,
butbef
oreyousayanyt
hing,
I'
dli
ket
ogo
fi
rst
."

Zi
yanda:
"Okay.
"

Phila:"
Zee,Iloveyousomuchi tscaresme.Ihave
nevercheat edonyou-notthenandmostdef ini
tel
y
notnow.I 'm manyt hi
ngs,butnotacheat er.Ineed
tobecompl etel
yhonestwithyou:Nat ashaandI
wer esexbuddi esbackint
hedaywhenIwasi n
It
aly.Ineverl ovedherandIsti
lldon't
.Ist opped
sleepingwithheroverayearago, Sthandwasami
(myl ove)
.

Shecameont omet odayandIt ol

dherwheret oget
off
.Iwassopi ssedIbeattheshitoutofher
.I'm
pi
ssedthatshetri
edthatespeci
allyatmy
workpl
ace,butonethingI'
m sur
eofIwoul dnever
di
srespectyouli
kethat,St
handwasami( mylove).
Whatdi
sappoi
ntedmet
hemostisthatyoudidn'
t
evengi
vemeachancet
oexpl
ain,youjustassumed
thewor
st.

IfGogodi dn'tr
eassureyou, youweren'
tgoingt o
hearmeout .Ifyouwantt omar r
yme, youhavet o
communi cate,
Zee.I nmar ri
age,
youdon' tj
ustwal k
awayf r
om oneanot her.Ineedyout oknowt hatI
choseyou:outofal lt
hewomeni nthewor l
dIst i
ll
camebackandchoseyou.You' resobeautiful,
Zee,
butyouj ustdon'treal
izeit
.Woment hrow
themselvesatme, butIsti
llwantyou.You'regoing
tobeexposedi nthelimeli
ghtwhenyou' r
ewi thme, I
needaconf i
dentwomanbymysi dewhowon' t
throwaf iteveryti
meawomant ri
estocomeont o
me. "

Ziyanda:(Lookingdown)" I
'
m sorry,babywami(my
baby).Ngi yaxoli
sa(I
'm sorr
y),Mkhonto(cl
an
name) .Ipromi setodobetter.Ipromisetotr
eat
youlikethemanyouar e.I'm sor
ryIdoubtedyou.
I'
m notangryaboutyourpast
.It
'sj
ustt
hat
-your
past.Pleasef
orgiveme."

Ismil
edandmyf acel
itupasshesai
dthat
.She
cal
ledmebymycl anname.Nowomanhasever
donethat
,exceptmymot her
.

Phi
la:
"So,
I'
m Mkhont
onow?
"

Zi
yanda:(
Blushi
ng)"
Idi
dsomer
esear
ch.
"

Phi
la:
"Well
,Iappr
eciat
eit
,St
handwasami(myl
ove)
.
Ngi
yakuthandayezwa(Il
oveyou,
okay)
?"

Ziyanda:"
Iloveyout
oo.Nowpleasegogetready.
Porscheisgoingtobemadatusifwe'
relat
e
tonight
."
Igaveheraki ssandquickl
yr anupstai
rsandgot
ready.Af t
erhal
fanhourIwasr eadytobesideby
sidewithmywoman.Thet hemei sGoldandBlack,
andwel l,
mysui tsaysi
tall
.Ican'twaitto
i
ndr oduceuYayawami( MyYaya)t otheworld.

Zi
yanda

Aftert
odayIl earntthatIneedtogrowsomebal ls
asGogosai d.I t
'shightimeIlearntogrowat hick
skin.Well,Iguesst hiswasPhi l
aandI 'sf
irstoffi
cial
fi
ght.Wi t
hl ovecomesgr owt
hast heysayandI 'm
readytogrowandbet hewomanPhi l
aneedsmet o
be.Philaist heonedr i
vingustonighti
nhis
Lambor ghi
ni .I'm notaf anofsmallcars,
butt he
horsepoweroft hisbabyi smakingmehor ny.

Wef i
nallyar
rivedatourvenuefort
heevening;t
he
RoyalElephantHotel
.Iseesomanypeopl eout
her
e,ar edcarpetandasectionwherewetake
pi
cturesbeforewegoi njustli
keontvdur
ing
cel
ebr
it
yevent
s.

Speaki
ngofcelebri
ti
esIseeacoupl eofcelebrit
ies,
evenonesIlove.Lir
a,Zonke,AmandaBl ack,Ntsiki
Mazwai,andsomanymor ethatIl
ostcount.Ihave
tobehavemyselfandtrynottoactl
ikeagr oupie.
Phil
aopenedthedoorformeandIst ar
tedtopani c.
Ihateatt
ent
ion.WhatifImessuport r
ipandf all
?

Phi
la:(
Whi
sper
ingi
nmyear)"
Relax,
Sthandwa
sami(Myl
ove)
.Justf
oll
owmylead.
"

Itookadeapbr eathandwal kedwithhim.Somanu

camerasflashingandpeopl ewatchi
ng.IseePhi l
a
smili
ngsoIt r
iedsmi l
ingtoo.Thesel i
ghtsand
camerasar esobr i
ghtIdon'tknowhowpeopl e
handlei
t.West oodbehindabi gwallpaperwit
hthe
company'slogopr i
ntedprobablyami l
li
ontimes.
Wesmi l
edandt ooksomepi ctur
estogether.He
whisper
edi nmyear .
Phil
a:"
Youneedtostandoverherealonef
orafew
seconds,
Sthandwasami(myl ove)
.Theyneed
photo'
sofyoualone.
"

Helef
tmysidetostandasi
deashewat
chedme
posefort
hepi
ctur
es.

Itr
iedtochangeposesandsmil
esasmuchasI
could,mimi
ckingthecel
ebsont
v.Hecamebackt
o
mysi deandwhisperedt
omeagain.

Phi
la:
"Youdidgr
eat
,babywami
(mybaby)
.Myt
urn
now.Iwon'tbel
ong.
"

Istoodasi
deandwat chedhim poseforthe
camerasinhisbeaut
ifulbl
ackItal
ianbut
tonsuit
,
wit
hgol dl
ini
ngandgol dbutt
ons.Thismani sa
god,man.Hecamebackt omysi deandIcould
hearthephotogr
aphersshouti
ng"Whoi syournew
woman,
mr.Zwane?
""Wher
edi
dyoumeether
?"

Phi l
aandIj ustignoredandwal kedintot heHot el.I
guesshe' susedt osuch.Wewal kedi ntot hehall
andmygoodness, Porschedi dsuchanamazi ng
job!Thedecori st odiefor.Eachr oundt ablehas
i
t '
sownst yleandcanaccommodat eaboutt en
peopl e.Ther ewasmusi cplayi
ngandabandon
stage, whilewai terswer ewalkingar oundwi th
fingerf oodandchampagnegl asses.Ther ewer ea
fewpeopl eher e,butIonl ynoticedPor sche.Isaw
herappr oachingusandasal ways, shel ookst odi e
for.It'snicehavi ngat inybodyl i
keher sbecause
youcangetawaywi thpr et
tymuchever ything.She
opt edforast raightupt histime.Ver ydifferent,but
suitsherovalshapedf ace.

Porsche:
"Oh,t
hankGodyouguysar ehere.Iwas
star
ti
ngtogetr eal
lybor
ed.Aowa( No),Phil
a,whyo
sarefa(whydi dn'
tyougiveusa)warninggore
(t
hat)yourcol
leaguesbaboraso(aresobor i
ng"
Webot
hchuckl
ed.

Phi
la:
"Well
,hel
lot
oyout oo,
Porsche.Ilovewhat
youdi
dwi t
htheplace.Youshouldconsidera
car
eerchange.
"

Porsche:"
Stopplant
ingt
hought
sinmymi
nd,
P.I
mightjusttakeyouuponthat
."

Weal
llaughed.

Phil
a:"
Letmeloveandleaveyoul
adi
esf
orabi t
.I
havetosayhitoafewpeople.Ar
eyougoingtobe
okayonyourown,Sthandwasami(Myl
ove)?"

Me:
"Don'
twor
ry,
I'
m abi
ggi
rl
.Yougoahead.
"
Hesmi
ledandki
ssedmyl
ips.

Por
sche:
"Yoh,mara.Newloveemonat
ehl
e(New
l
oveissonice,
though)
."

Me:(chuckl
ing)"ai
,Por
sche,mara.YouandRob
areal
wayski ssi
ngandyou'vebeentoget
herf
or
year
s."

Porsche:
"Ag,t
hat'
sdifferent.Robkelekgoa(Robis
white)
.Everydayfort
hem ke( i
s)romanceday.If
i
t'
sMonday, wecelebrate,hecanevenbuyme
fl
owersjustbecauseke( it
's)Sunday.
"

Wel
aughedsohar
d.

Me:
"Speaki
ngofRob,
wher
eishet
oni
ght
?"
Porsche:
"Ag,Bai
leyi
sn'tf
eel
wellt
oni
ghtsoRob
off
eredtostayleena(wit
hhim)andgavememy
chancetoshine.
"

Oh,
Por
schet
hough.

Me:
"Di
dyouseeal
lthosecel
ebr
it
ies?
"

Porsche:
"Yes,
babe.Bett
ergetusedt
othi
sli
fe.I
t'
s
abouttobeabumpyr i
de."

Shesaidasshesi ppedonherwi ne.Justt henKele

andBelindawal kedintogether.Kel elooksso
beauti
fulasal waysinhernat uralafr
ot iedint
oa
bun.Toni ghtshe'ssurpr
isinglynotwear i
ngglasses
andIthinkthisistheveryf i
rsttimeIseeher
wit
houtt hem.Inevernot icedhowgor geousher
hazeleyesar e.She'swear i
ngabl ack, sil
kydress
wit
hasl ightonherr i
ghtthight hatexposesher
beauti
fulcurves.Shehast hosesmal lboobs, small
waist
,butbigbum andbigcurveskindofbody.
Onewoul dbeshockedtohearshehasaf i
veyear
ol
d.Bel i
ndaont heot
herhandjustlooksli
kea
j
unkieonsteroi
ds.Shelooksal ott
hinnerthan
usual,
butwell,
Iguessshetri
edt ol
ooknicef ort
he
occasi
on.

Kel
e:"
Heyguys.
"ShegavePor
scheandIhugs.

Bel
inda:"
Hey.
"Shej
ustgaveusaf
aintwave.
Okay..
.

Porsche:
"Kel
e,ngwaneso( si
ster)
,bonaomont l
e
j
wang( Lookhowgor geousyoul ook)!I
'
venever
seenyourbeauti
fuleyes,sesi(si
ster
)andthatbody!
Mfedikhefatseo(Givemet hosecurves)!
"

Kel
elaughedshyl
y.
Kel
e:"
Thankyou,
Por
sche.It
ri
ed.
"

Porsche:
"Aht
logelabomodestngwaneso(
stop
wit
ht hemodesty,
sis)
."

Me:
"Bel
inda,
howar
eyou?
"

Beli
nda:"Ah,
whatcanIsay?I'm doi
ngokay.
Congratsontheengagementbytheway.It'
snot
everydayagirll
ikeyouget
sengagedtwi
ce,ri
ght
?"

Andther
eshegoesagai
n.TheoldBel
indai
sback
andaboutt
ofuckupoureveni
ng.
Chapt
erFour
tyTwo

Zi
yanda

Somet
imesIaskmysel
fwhywe'
reevenf
ri
ends
wit
htheli
kesofBel
inda.She'
sbarel
ybeenher
efor
f
iveminut
esandalr
eadytalki
ngshit
.

Porsche:
"Heh?!War engBeli
ndawaSf ebe(What
di
dyouj ustsaybit
ch!Buagape( sayt
hatagain)
andI'l
lgetsecur
it
ytoescortyouout.Gar enanako
yamasepa( Wedon'thavetimeforshi
t)toni
ght.
"

Me:"I
t'
sokay, Porsche.Igott
hi s.Yazini(Youknow
what)Bee.Al lI
'veeverdoneinl i
fei
sbeni cetoyou,
butyou'vebeennot hi
ngbutar ealbit
cht ome.Yes,
Imightnotbet hemostbeautifulgir
lint heworld,
butatleastI'
m notmi ser
abl
elikeyou.Youbet ter
behavet oni
ghtorI'l
lsendyoubackt ot hetrashyou
j
ustcrawl edoutof.Iwon'tst
andyourshi ttoni
ght.
"

Kele,
Por
scheandespeci
all
yBeli
ndawereshocked.
I
'vehadi
twithpeopl
emoreespeci
all
ywomen
walki
ngal
loverme.
Por
sche:
"Hehe,
Ili
ket
hisnewyou,
babe.
"

Bel
inda:"
Askies,Zee.I
'mjustst
ressed.Idi
dn'
t
meant otakeitoutonyou.
"

Ziyanda:
"I
'm noti
nterest
ed.Justbehaveandi
fyou
can'tj
ustkeepquiet.
"

Isai
dthatsi
ppi
ngonmywi
ne.

Por
sche:
"Jane.Modimoodi r
amehlol
o(Goddoes
wonder
s).So,Kel
e,kanayousai
dyouworkat
KPMG,ri
ght?
"

Kel
e:"
Yes,
Ijustst
art
edamont
hago.Why?
"

Por
sche:
"Justwai
tandseeI
'
llt
ellyouwhy.
"
JustthenSbuwal kedi nlooki
ngsohandsomewi th
Sharonbyhissi de.Evenabl indper
soncouldsee
howShar onwascl ingingontohim.Shehasan
overthetoplongandcur l
yweaveonwi t
havery
shinygolddress.I tprobablycostafor
tunebutit
mostdefini
telyisn'tclassy.

Sbu:
"Hey,
ladi
es.Kel
e,okae(
howar
eyou)
?"

Oh,no.Sbui
smakingi
tsoobvi
oushowher
eal
ly
l
ikesKel
e.Thi
sni
ghtwon'
tendver
ywell
.

Kel
e:(
blushi
ng)"
Hi,
Sbu.Keshap(
I'
mfi
ne)
."

Sharon:(
annoyed)"
Hel
lo?
!Isn'
tanyonegoi
ngt
o
greetme?!
"

Porsche:
"Shar
on,kegonaotsena(youj
ustwal
ked
i
n).You'resupposedt
ogreetus,
li
keyourwel
l-
manner
edhusbandj
ustdi
d."

Sbu:
"I
'l
lseeyoubi
tlat
er,
ladi
es.
"

Shar
on:
"Hawu,
Sbu.Letmecomewi
thyou.
"

Sheat
tempt
edt
ogowi
thhi
m,buthest
oppedher
.

Sbu:
"Chil
lwi
ththel
adies,
I'
llseeyouj
ustnow.
"He
l
eftwit
houtevengi
vingherakiss.

Shar
on:"So,whatar
edr
inki
ng?Youguysl
ookni
ce.
Youtr
ied,shame."

Ir
oll
edmyeyes.Thi
swomani
sannoyi
ng.

Porsche:
"Retlabonadinewspaperdir
engkaosane
akere(We'l
lseewhattheNewspaperssay
t
omor
row)
?They'
l
lbet
hej
udges"
.

Aswewer et
ryingtoabsor bSharon'spresence,
Tadpol
eNatashawal kedi nwit
hridicul
ouslyhigh
heel
sandalongdr esst hathasasl i
tuptoherwai st
.
Youcanseeherbutcheeks.Cant hisni
ghtgetany
worse?Shewal kedupt ousaseveyonet r
iedto
i
gnoreher
,exceptShar on.

Nat
asha:
"Hel
lo,
Ladi
es.You'
rel
ooki
ngni
cet
oni
ght
."

Por
sche:
"Ja,
Nat
asha.
"

Sharon:
"MyGod.Il oveyourdress.I
t'
ssoclassy.
Andyournail
s,gir
lyouneedt ogivemethenameof
yourbeaut
ici
an."

Natasha:
"I
'dl
ovet
o,butIdoubtyou'
dbeablet
o
af
forditj
udgi
ngbyyouroutfi
t.Excuseme.
"
Shel
eftusasPor
scheandIbur
stouti
nlaught
er.

Shar
on:"Letshegaengl
ena(
Whatar
eyout
wo
l
aughingat
)?"

Porsche:
"Kanawhatwasyourfavouri
tel
inebacki
n
hi
ghschool ?"
Stayi
nyourlane,gi
rl
.Bonanou(Look
now)thatli
neisfol
lowi
ngyou."

Webothlaughedsohardwewereintears.Ieven
sawKelelaughi
ngali
tt
lebi
tunt
ilSharongaveup
andl
eftus.

Wesatandspokeforawhil
eandIexcusedmysel f
tothel
adi
esroom.Ineededtoreleaseallthi
s
champagnesi
ncewehadn'tstar
tedt henightyet.
AsIwasabouttowalki
ntothetoil
ets,Phil
apulled
me.
Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(mylove)
.Uyaphi(Wher
ear
e
youheaded)
?We'reaboutt
ostartnow.
"

Me:"
Iwon'tbel
ong,
babe.Ij
ustneedt
opeer
eal
qui
ckly.
"

Phi
la:
"Okay,
don'
tbet
ool
ong.
"

Heki ssedmeandIwenti n.Af

terdoingmyl ady
business,Iwenttowashmyhands, andTadpole
Natashawal kedoutofoneoft
hecubi cl
esand
st
oodnextt ome.Howconveni ent.Isthist
hepart
wher esheknocksmyt eet
houtforsteal
ingherman?

Nat
asha:
"Yout
hinkyou'
real
lthat
,don'
tyou?
"

Me:
"Excuseme?
"
Natasha:"
mxm.Don' tt
ryacti
ngst
upid.Onagana
gorePhil
aakannalet l
ouyagolekanalewena
(Youreal
lythi
nkPhi
lacanstaywit
hanel ephantl
ike
you)?"

Me:(Chuckl ing)"Hao, kgant ewakgonagobua( Oh,

soyoucanspeakyourl anguage)?It houghtyou
hadbur iedTswanaal lundert hatfakeAmer ican
accentofyour s.Andyouguysr eallyneedtogeta
wholenewl ineofinsul ts.Thisthi
ngaboutmysi ze
i
sser i
ousl yget t
ingold.Youshoul dr eal
lysave
yourselfsomeoft hedi gnityandli
ttleselfr
espect
youhavel eft
,judgingbyt hosemar ksonyourneck
youtriedt ohidewi thyourr idi
cul
ousl ythi
ckmake
up.Idi dn'tstealanyone.Soi fyou'llpl
easeexcuse
me,myf ianceei swaitingf orme."

Shecl
ickedhert
ongueanddeci
dedt
ospeakasI
wasabouttowalkoutoft
hedoor
.
Natasha:"
Well
,si
nceyouthi
nkyou'
vegotitallunder
contr
ol,youwouldn'
tmi
ndplayi
ngstepmom to
Phil
a'sson,woul
dyou?Imeant woyearoldscan
bequiteahandful.
"

Shegavemeasmi rkasIwasst andi

ngri
ghtt
here
i
nshock.Nah, she'
stesti
ngme, ri
ght.Gogot
old
menottotrustherandifPhil
areall
yhadason,he
woul
dtellme.Idecidedtoenjoymyevening.I
won'
tshowhert hatImightbel
ievewhatshetol
d
me.

Iwal
kedoutandfoundPhi
lawai
ti
ngf
ormeout
side
thel
adi
es'
toi
let
s.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(Mylove)
.Ar eyouokay?I
sawNatashawal
kingoutofher
e."

Me:
"Don'
tst
ress,
I'
m okay.
"
Phi
la:"
Ipromi
seyou,babywami (
mybaby)
.She'
l
l
behistor
yaft
ert
hiseveni
ng,t
rustme.
"

Me:
"It
rustyou,
Mkhont
o."

Hesmi ledandIsi de-eyedNat ashawhowasst aring

atuswi thasmi rkonherf ace, butIdecidedt ogive
Philaani ce,passionat eki
ssjustt oirr
it
at eher.
refuset ol etsomevai ngirlwalkalloverme.We
tookourseat sast heMCst ar
tesgr eeti
ngus.By
now, ourt abl
eonl yhadsevenpeopl esinceKele,
BelindaandPor schedi dn'tbr
inganydat es.
Nat ashasqueezedher sel
finatNozi '
stabl eand
keptgi vingmewei rdlooks,butItrulydidn'tgi
vea
fl
yingf uck.

SbukepteyeingKel
ethewhol
eti
meandIt
hink
Shar
onnoticed.

Kel
e:"
Who'
sthatt
allgi
rlbyt
heway?
"
Porsche:
"She'
sabouttobeat hi
ngofthepasti
fyou
agreetoPhil
a'
soffer.Howwoul dyouliket
obePZ
constr
ucti
ons'newCFO?Benef it
sincl
udingan
apart
mentandasal aryof100kamont h?"

Kele'
seyesgrewwi
derduetoshockwhileSharon
l
ookedannoyed.Sbuwasanxioustohearher
answerjudgi
ngbythewayhi
seyeswer egluedto
her.

Shar
on:"
Hawu,
Phi
l
a.Ar
eyour
unni
ngachar
it
y
now?"

Sbuqui
ckl
yrepr
imandedher
.

Sbu:
"Voet
sek,
Shar
on?
"

Shequi
ckl
ykeptqui
etandl
ookeddown.
Por
sche:
"Ineedananswerasi
nnow, Kel
e.Or eng
kat
abae,mychomi( Whatdoyousay,myfr
iend)?
"

Kel
e:"
I.
..Okay.Iaccept
."

IcouldseehowSbu' sf
aceli
tupashesmi l
ed.
Beli
ndajustkeptdri
nki
ngpayingnomi ndtous.
PorschenoddedtoSbuwhichI '
m assumingisa
si
gnalofherplanthatwor
kedwel l
.

TheMCi ntr
oducedthemai nstaffmembers,
star
ti
ngwiththeconstruct
ionstaff
.Whenhegotto
theCFOpositi
on,Natashapositi
onedher
self
,but
shedidn'
texpectt
hebombshel ltheMCwasabout
todrop.

MC:"
Pleaseal
lowmetoint
roducet
henewCFOof
PZConstr
uct
ions,
Mrs.Kel
ebogi
leMol
efe.
"
Aspeopl
ewereclappi
ngNatashaquickl
ysatdown
i
nhumili
ati
on.Kelewasj
ustinseri
ousshock.
Shame,myfri
end.

Por
sche:
"Well
,whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or?Thest
age
i
syours,
fri
end.
"

AsKel egott othestage,Sbu' sf acewasbeemi ng

wit
hpr ide.Heevenst oodupt ocl apevenfur
ther.I
thi
nkatt hatpointtheonlytwopeopl ewhomat ter
ed
wereKel eandSbu.It hi
nkt heonl ycl
apshehear d
atthatpar t
icul
armoment ,wasSbu' s.Weeven
for
gotaboutShar onwhoj ustcoul dn'
tstandi
t
anymor eandst ormedoutcr ying.Sbudi dn'
teven
att
emptt ogoaf t
erher.Ouch.Ihopemymar r
iage
wit
hPhi l
adoesn'treachthatst age.Itmustbe
painfulasfuckbei ngmarriedt osomeonewho
doesn'tloveyou.
Chapt
erFour
tyThr
ee
Zi
yanda

SinceShar onstormedoutofher eaf ewmi nutes

ago, Sbubecamemor erelaxed.Heevenwentt osi
t
nextt oKeleandj ustcan'tstopsmi l
ingather .I
can'thelpbutfeel abitbadf orher.Nat ashaal so
stormedoutofher einadr amat i
cstat e,butIdon't
care.I t
'snotnicefindingoutataneventyou
plannedonr uiningthatyouyou' refi
red.

Everyoneont heConstructi
onsi dewasi ntroduced,
andt hent heArchi
tecturestaffwasi nt
roduced,
l
eavingPhi l
aandIf orlast
.Idon' tknowwhyI
wasn' ti
ntroducedalongwi thNoziandt herestof
thecr ew,butIguessIhavet ogetusedt obeingthe
Boss'swi fesoon.TheMCi ntr
oducedPhi l
aast he
ownerandCEOofPZConst ruct
ions,andhepul l
ed
myhandsot hatIcouldwal kupt othest agewi t
h
him.I 'm sonervousrightnowIcoul dreall
ypi ss
mysel f.Wegotupt othestage, mucht oNozi 's
annoyance,
butIj
ustsmi
led.

Phila:"
Goodeveni ngladiesandgent lemen.Thank
youal lforjoiningustonight.Tonightismor ethan
justacel ebrationofourcompany, i
tismoreabout
i
nvitingyoui nt oourl
ives.Thi swomanr ighthere,i
s
ZiyandaBhengu, myfiancee.Shei salsooneoft he
headAr chitect sofPZConst ruct
ions.Nowyouget
toseewho' st hebeautif
ulwomanbehi ndmysmi l
e."

Peopl ewer elaughingandIcoul dseethatmor e

fl
asheswer egoi ngoffandr eport
ersweretaki
nga
whol elotofpi ct
ures.Itri
edt osmilebutthefl
ashes
wer esodi aturbi
ngt omyeyes.Phi l
ajustseems
l
ikesuchanat ural
.He'sal waysbeenone, doi
ng
publicspeaki ngandwast heheadboyatschool
wit
hSbuast hedeputy.Sbuneverhadapr oblem
beingoutoft helimeli
ght.Hej usthashisownway
ofdoi ngthings.

Phi
la:
"I
'dal
sol
iket
oletyouknowt
hatyou'
rei
nvi
ted
toourweddingwhichwil
lbet aki
ngplaceon
Satur
day,20thMarch.Ican'twaitt
omaket hi
ngs
off
ici
alandonthatnote,
pleasedon'tbothermy
wif
e,she'
sveryshy.Enjoytheevening."

Theyclappedhandsandwewal kedoffthestage
wit
hhi sarm onmywai st.Hesaidwe'regetti
ng
mar r
iedont he20thofMar ch,t
hat'
smybi r
thday!
That'
st heleastofmypr oblems,i
tsl
esst hantwo
mont hsaway!Kodwa( But)Phil
aandhi shabitof
doingthingswi t
houtnotif
yingme.I'
lldealwithhim
l
ater.

Itwastimef orthemai ncour seandwehadt odish

upforour sel
ves,buffetstyle.Sbuwenttodi shup
forKel
e, whil
ePhi l
awentt odishupforPorscheand
I.Beli
ndadeci dedtol eavesayingshewasntf eeli
ng
well
,butweal lknowt hat '
snottrue.I'
mjustglad
sheleftus,wedon' tneedanymor enegat
ivi
ty.

Por
sche:
"So,
Kel
e,chomi
nai
za(
myf
ri
end)
,wenal
e
Sbul
adibet
hanou(
areyouandSbudat
ingnow)
?"

Kel
ewasbl
ushi
ng.Por
schet
hough.

Kel
e:"
Haowa(
no)Por
ti
a.We'
rebot
hmar
ri
ed.
"

Por
sche:
"Marri
edtotwoequall
yuselesspeopl
e.I
meanweneverseeBr i
an.Hedoesn'tsuppor
tyou.
Hewasn'
teventhereonyourgraduati
onday.No
har
dfeel
ings.
"

It
rustPor
schet
obehar
shandst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt.

Kel
e:"
Por
ti
a..
."

Porsche:
"Lenamaraleganannet
engwaneso( You
guysdon'tli
ket
het r
uth)
.Bonaoblusherbjang,
maraer ekegotlogel
e(Lookhowyou'r
eblushing,
butl
etmel
eaveyou)
."

Af
terawhi
lePhi
lacamewi
thourf
ood.

Phil
a:"Here'
syourfood,
beautif
ull adi
es.Thi sidi
ot
here(pointi
ngatSbu)wasn'teveni nter
estedin
cat
eringf oryou.Al
lhe'
swor r
iedabouti sKel e.
'
Keledoesn' tl
ovemushrooms, shel i
kespotatoes.
Oh,shehat esmayonnaise,
butl ovescarrots.It'
s
goodf orhereyes'
."

Hesai dt hatashewasi mitat

ingSbuandwe
l
aughedoutl oud,i
ncludingSbu.Kel ewasj ust
smili
ngl ookingdowni nembar rassment.Ir eall
y
don'
tknowhowPor schedoesi t,butshe'sjustgood
atever yt
hingshedoes.Wedugi ntoourf oodand
thealcoholkeptcomi ng.Theconver sat
ionwas
fl
owingsowel l,
evenKel ewasst art
ingtobecome
morer elaxed,gi
ggli
ngatever ythi
ngSbui ssaying.
Theguysgotupagai nt ogetussomedesser t.
Phil
al efthisphoneont hetablenextt omeandi t
beeped.Icheckeditoutofcur i
osi t
yandIwas
shockedtothecore.It
'sansmst hatcamet hrough
fr
om Natasha"Ihavenoi deawhtyou' r
ebeingso
meant ome.IguessI '
llseeyoui ncour t.I
'm suing
youforchi
ldmaintenance,andI '
llmakesur eyou
nevergett
oseeyourson- ever!Nat asha".

Hedi dn'tsavethenumber ,
butcl
earlyi
tsfrom her
sinceshement ionedhernameatt heendofthe
message.Isuddenl yfrozeandzonedoutdeepi n
thought.Thiscantbe.She'sbluff
ing,r
ight
?
ProbablyseekingPhil
a'satt
ent
ion.Porschenot i
ced
howwi thdrawnIbecame.

Porsche:
"Chomi
,dint
shang(
Fri
end,
what
'sup)
?O
shap(Areyouokay)?
"

Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhattosaysoIshowedhert
he
messageandshepassedt
hephoneovert
oKele.
Porsche:
"Ah,orat
agowar akabomagoshalewena,
Zee(Youlikest
ressi
ngoverbi
tches,
Zee)
."

Kele:
"Iagr
eewit
hPorsche,Zee.Thi
sgirli
str
yingt
o
gri
ndyourtit
s.Etswadaar(Leavei
t)
."

Iguesst
hey'r
eright
.Letmeleavei
tfornowand
enj
oytherestofthi
seveni
ng.

Sbu

ThemomentIwal kedintothelauchvenueandsaw
Kele,Ijustknewshewast heonef orme.Seeing
herint hatbeauti
fulblack,sil
kydressIboughther
fewyear sagoj ustmademyhear tjumpforj
oy.I
knewt hatIdidn'thaveanymor eti
met owaste.I
evenf orgotaboutShar onf r
om thatmoment .Cal
l
mesel fishandcr uel,buttobehonestIjustnever
l
ovedShar on.
Thinki
ngaboutKelebeingunder neat
hthatusel
ess
j
unkieahecallsherhusbandj ustmakesmecr i
nge.
Iknowhe'sajunkiebecausehebuysf r
om oneof
Pierr
o'sboysherei
nPr etor
ia.Theassholeeven
steal
smoneyf rom heraccountjustt
ofeedhis
habit.

Hehasn'tworkedadayi nhi
sli
feandhe'sjust
makingmypoorKel egobankrupt.Idon'
tgetwhy
shedoesn'
tleavethati
diot
,butIguessshe
probabl
yasksherselft
hesamet hingaboutShar
on
andI.

Ikeptwhisperi
ngsweetnot hi
ngsi nherearandI '
m
real
lysur
prisedbyhowopenmi ndedshei st
onight.
Foronce,she'snotthrowingi
nsul tsatmeand
beggingmet oleaveheralone.I nstead,she'
sall
overme.Ievenmanagedt okissherhandand
she'
sbeenbl ushingallni
ghtlong.We' r
eso
wrappedupi nourownbubbl e, wedi dn'
teven
noti
cehowPhi l
a,PorscheandZi yandawer estari
ng
atus.

Porsche:
"Yoh,aowaaowa(Oh,nono)
.Gaket l
o
tshwarakeresenna(
I'
mt heoddoneout
). Keya
tsamayannashem (I'
mleavi
ng).
"

IhuggedherandsodidPhil
aandwebot hthanked
herfort
oni
ght.Hepromisedherawelldeser
ved
somethi
ngforheref
fort
s.Porschel
eftandthen
ther
ewerefour.

Itwasgetti
ngratherlat
eandt hankGodt he
j
ournal
istslef
tsinceZeeandKel ehat eatt
ention.I
j
ustcan'tgetenoughofmybeaut i
ful,Nubianqueen.
Idon'
tevenwantt hisnightt
oend.I 'm hopingshe
spendsthenightwithme, butIdon'twantt oask
andscareheroff.

Phi
la:
"Foza(
Brot
her)
,si
yaekhayamanje(
we'
re
goi
nghome).Niyezaorkanj
ani(
Areyout
wo
comi
ngwi
thorwhat
)?"

BothZeeandPhilalookedatus.Ididn'
tknowwhat
tosayhenceIdon'twantitt
oseem li
keI'
mt aki
ng
advantageofat
ipsywoman.Bef oreIcouldanswer
,
Kelebeatmetoit.

Kel
e:"
Yes,
we'
recomi
ngwi
thyou.
"

Zi
yanda

Thewor d"Shocking"doesn'
tdescri
bewhatcame
overmewhenKel esaidshe'scomingwi t
hSbut o
ourhouse.Tj o(wow),Iguessquietgi
rlsaref
ullof
surpri
sesindeed.Sheseemedabi tti
psyformy
l
iking,butIguessshe'sabiggir
l.SheandSbu
probablyhookupever ynowandt hensowhoam I
tojudgeorinterf
ere?
Wel ef
tthevenuei nseparatecar s.Philadroveus
i
nhi sLamborghini,whil
eSbudr ovebehi ndusi nhis
BMW.Wel eftKele'scarattheHot elasPhi lasaid
Frankwouldcomef etchit
.PoorFr ank,though.I
haven'
theardhim compl ain,Iguesshi sservices
mustcomeatahef t
yprice.

Wear ri
vedatourhouseandhonest l
yIwasabi t
ti
redandIwasn' tinthemoodforsomecof feeor
chitchat
.It houghtSbuandKelewoul dchil
land
tal
kintheloungeorsomet hi
ng,butt
heywent
strai
ghttothebedroom Sbuuseswhenhe' shere.
Keleman!Ihavet oaskheraboutt
hist hi
ng
betweenherandSbut omorr
owmor ning.

PhilaandIgotinthebedroom.Iwi pedof fmymake

upandIdoubtI '
dwearanyagai naftertonight.It
seemsl i
kesomucht rouble.Ibr
ushedmyt eeth
andgoti nt
obed,thi
nkingPhil
awoul dletmer est
tonight
,butno.Notwhi l
eMkhont oisawake.He
kissedmesl owl
y,sopassionat
ely.Thewayhewas
t
ouchi
ngmei tfel
tli
kei
twashi
swayofapologi
zing
f
orearl
ytoday.Wemadesweetlovel
ikei
twasthe
l
astt
ime.

Ont heothersi
deoft hewal l
,Scr
eamswer efi
ll
ing
theroom andover poweringthewholehouse.Hehe,
InevertookKeleforascr eamer,youknow.ButI
guessshe'sfullofsurpri
ses.PhilaandIl
aughed
outloudwhenwehear dwhatwashappeni nginthe
otherroom.Itwasabi tawkward,butwemanaged
todozeof faf
terawhi l
e.
Chapt
erFour
tyFour

Zi
yanda

MorningcameandIf el
tti
redashell.Phil
akeptme
upallni
ght,
nottomentionKelescreamingallnight
.
Al
lIwantedtodowassl eep,butIhadtogetupand
makesomef oodforourvisi
tor
s,butPhil
ahad
al
readybeatmetoit.He'salwaysbeenanear ly
bi
rd.Ihavenoi
deahowhedoesi
t.

He'swear i
ngoneofhi sgym out fi
ts.Oh, yes,I
forgottomentionhe'sgotani ndoorgym heuses
fewt i
mesaweek.EvenSbuj oinshi m whenhe's
here.Idon'tknowwhyhel ikesi tsomuchher e
sincehe'salsogotagym i nhishouse.Iguess
Sharonmustbet hatunbearablet ol i
vewi t
h.Igot
downst ai
rswearingPhil
a'sshi r
tandl eggings
underneath.Idon'twantSbut ot hinkI'
m nota
properwifeforhistwinbrother.

Ifoundhim makingsomeomel et
tes,pancakesand
somef r
uit
sandyoghur t
sonthetablewithsome
j
uiceandofcourse,someMi mosas.IfIdidn'
tknow
bett
er,I
'
dsayPhilaisturni
ngmeintoanal cohol
ic,
though.

Me:"
Goodmorni
ng,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
".Iki
ssed
hi
m onhi
sli
ps.
Phi
la:
"Mor
ning,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
."

Me:
"Hawu,
Phi
la,
somuchf
ood,
kodwa.
"

Phil
a:(Chuckli
ng)"
It
'sacelebr
ator
ybreakf
ast,
Sthandwasami( Mylove)
.Sbuhasf i
nall
yfoundt
he
l
oveofhi sl
ife.
"

Me:"
Yoh( Wow),baby.Ubazwil
eizol
oebusuku(Di
d
youhearthem l
astnight
)?YessesuKel
euyarasa
(i
snoisy)
."

Phi
la:
"Hayi
,St
handwasami
(Myl
ove)
.Don'
tgossi
p,
man."

Me:
"Al
ri
ght
.Speaki
ngofKel
e,wher
eisSbu?
"
Phil
a:"
Ilef
thimi
nthegym,
hemustbeonhi
sway
outbynow. "

Whilewewerechatti
ng,Kel
ecamer unni
ngdown
thestai
rsi
nlastni
ght'
soutf
itandherheel
sinone
hand.

Phil
a:"
Hawu,Kel
ebogi
le.Wher
ear
eyour
ushi
ngof
f
to?Ijustmadebr
eakf
ast.
"

Kel
e:"
Sor
ryguys,
Ireal
lyhavet
ogo.
"

Keleseemedreal
lypani
ckyandscar
ed,
whichi
s
highl
yunusual
.Justasshewasabouttor
unout
thedoor,
Sbucame.

Sbu:
"Hawu,
Kele,
Thembalami(
Myhope)
.Oyakae
(Wher
eareyougoing)
?"
Kel
e:(Shaky)"I
..I
'm sor
ry,
Sbu.Thi
swasami
stake.
I
'mreall
ysorry,butIhadtogo.
"

Asshewasaboutt otur
nbacktot hedoor,she
accident
all
ydroppedherphoneandheel s.She
droppedont hefl
oorandbursti
ntotears.Sbuwas
abouttogot oherandholdher,butIof
feredto
i
nstead.Keleneedssomegi rlt
alkri
ghtnow.

Me:
"Letme,
Sbu.Kel
e,comewi
thme.
"

Wetookawalkoutsi
deandwenttositonthepati
o,
l
eavi
ngPhilaandSbuint
heki
tchen.Iwoul dn'
t
wantSbueavesdr
oppi
ngonourconversati
on.
Meanwhil
eKelewasshaki
ngandsti
llintears.

Me:"
Kele,
keng,
chomi(
whati
sit
,fr
iend)
?Bual
e
nna(Tal
ktome)."
Kele:
"Zee,Ishoul
dn'thavedonewhatIdi
d.I
shouldn'
thavesleptwithSbu.Ishoul
dn'
thave
spentthenight.
"

Moret
earsfel
ldownherf
ace.I
'
veneverseenKel
e
sodi
str
aughtbefor
e.I
tbr
eaksmyheart
.

Me:"
Kele,
whyar
eyoucr
yingandshaki
ngsobadl
y?
I
sitBri
an?"

Shekeptqui
etf
orawhi
leandf
inal
lynoddedi
n
di
str
ess.

Me:
"Doeshehi
tyou,
Kel
e?"

Shelookedatmewi thsomuchpai ninhereyesand

cr
iedevenfurther.Oh,
myGod.NowonderKel eis
al
wayssowi thdrawn,thatf
uckerbeatsherup.
Me:
"Kel
e,howl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?
"

Kele:
"Forawhil
enow.Pret
tymucheversincewe
gotmar r
ied.I
tgotwor
seovert
hepastyear.
"

Wow.

Me:
"Doeshehi
tThat
o?"

Shenoddedherheadi
nshame.Thatbast
ard.

Me:
"Yoh,
Kel
e.Youhavet
otel
luSbu.
"

Kel
e:"
No,
please!Pl
easedon'
ttel
lhi
m anyt
hing.
"

Me:"Okay,
butatleastletmehel
pyougetoutofthi
s
si
tuati
on.Thisisobviousl
ynotheal
thyforyouand
i
t'
smostdef i
nit
elynothealt
hyforThat
o."
Kel
e:"
Okay,
butpr
omi
semeyouwon'
ttel
lSbu.
"

Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obeat
oughone.

Me:"
Ipr
omise.Nowwi
pethoset
earsoff
.You'
re
goi
ngtomakeSbuhol
dyouhost
age."

Shesmil
edandchuckl
edal
it
tl
ebi
tasshewi
ped
hert
ear
soffherf
ace.

Me:
"Hehe,l
ewenaKelewar ockaman(yourock)
.
Whydidn'
tyout
ellusaboutyouandSbu?"

Kele:(
Smi l
ing)"Ag,chomi( fr
iend)
.Iwant edtobe
surehe'stheone, youknow.Butaf terIcaughthim
withSharoninbed, Ijustlosthope.Het ookmy
vi
rgini
tyandt henwhenIwasn' taroundhet ookthe
fi
rstchancehegott osleepwi t
hher."
Oh,mypoorf
ri
end.Somet
hingst
il
lisn'
tri
ghtabout
t
hisst
ory.

Me:"
Ai,
Sharonleena.I'
l
lhavet
osor
therout
.Don'
t
youworryaboutat
hing.
"

Kel
e:"
Ist
il
lhavet
ogo.
"

Me:"Ican'
tletyouleaveint hi
sstate,babe.Atleast
stayforbreakfast
.Besides, Thatoiswithyourmom
fortheweekendandi fBriancal l
s,I
'l
lanswer.Oka
sefeSbumonat eso(youcan' tgi
veSbusuchani ce
ti
me)t henleavehim hanging."

Shelaughedoutl
oud.I
t'
sgoodt
oseeherdi
mpl
ed
smil
eagain.

Phi
laandSbucameoutoft
hehousewi
thal
lthe
foodtothePat
io.IassumeSbupeepedandsawus
l
aughingandtookitasthegr
eenli
ght
.Somuchfor
havi
ngahousemadeoutofgl ass.

Phi
laki
ssedmeonmycheekandpl acedthefood
onthet
able.Sbuj
ustl
ookedsodepressed.Love
canmakeyoudofunnythi
ngs,
hey.

Sbu:
"Kel
e,mayIhaveawor
dwi
thyou,
please?
"

Kel
e:"
Sur
e."

Justast
heygotupPhi
la'
sphoner
ang.Hespoke
bri
efl
yandhungup.

Phil
a:"
Thatwasthesecuri
tyguar
d,Bafo.Sharon
ubangaiscene(i
scausi
ngascene)atthegate.You
needtohidenowbeforeshedri
vesinhere.Zeeand
Iwil
lstal
lher.
"
Kel
estart
edshaki
ngagai
nandSbupul
ledheri
nto
t
hehouseandtheydi
sappear
edof
ftowhoknows
where.

Me:"Hehe,
Phi
la.Yourbr
otherdoesn'
tsl
eephome
andnowyouandIar eatagteam?Aowayou'reon
yourown."

Phi
la:
"ngi
yakucel
a,St
handwasami(I
'
m beggi
ngyou,
mylove).Ipr
omise,I
'
llmakei
tuptoyou.
"

Me:
"Youbet
ter
."

Justthensomeonecamedr ivi
ngintotheEstatei
n
highspeedinaBMW Coupe.I m assumingit'
s
Sharon.Shewal kedoutinablondeweave, with
hugeshadesandat ackydesperat
ehousewives
fl
oraloutf
ithol
dingapi nkbag,andapuppypug.
I'
m star
ti
ngt ot
hinkthisbit
chwant stobewhi t
e.
Shewalkedt
owar
dsf
umi
ngi
nherpeept
oebl
ue
st
il
ett
os.

Phi
la:
"Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Shaz.Ngi
ngakusi
za(
CanI
hel
pyou)?"

Sharonst
oodinfr
ontofuswi t
hherpugi
nherar
ms,
whil
etappi
ngherfoot
.Ijustcoul
dn'
thel
pbut
chuckl
eabit.

Sharon:"
Ungazongihl
anyi
sa(
Don'tpi
ssmeof
f)
Phi
la!Iphii
ndodayami(Wher
e'smyman)?
"

Me:
"Hawu,
Shar
on.Dowel
ookl
ikeSbu'
skeeper
s?"

Sharon:(f
uming)"
Yey,
wena,
youdumbf
uck,
wasI
tal
kingtoyou?"
Phil
a:"Shar
on!You'l
lnott
alkt
omywi
fel
iket
hat
,
uyangizwa(doyouhearme)?!
"

Shar
on:
"Don'
tfuckwi
thme, Phil
a.IknowSbui
s
her
e.Hi
scaristhenout
side!"

Yoh.Menarestupi
d.Coul
dn'
thej
usthi
dehi
sdamn
cari
nthegarage?!

Phi
la:
"Yeywena,
Shar
on.Ngi
the(
Isai
d)Sbui
sn'
t
her
e."

Sharonlostallcont
rolofher
sel
f.Sheletherpuggo
onthefloor,
reachedforherbagandtookoutagun
andpointeditatus.

Sharon:"
Sinceal
lofyout
hinkI
'm anidi
ot,
per
haps
thi
swillgetyout
alki
ng!Now,onelastt
ime:Wher
e
t
hef
ucki
sSbu?
!"

ThenextthingIsawPhi l
a'
sgunmenwer e
surr
oundinguswi t
hdi f
fer
entki
ndsofguns.Phi l
a
warnedShar onnottodoanythi
ngstupid,but
Sharonwassoangr y,shetookastepfurther
.Next
thi
ngallIheardwast wogunshotsgoi
ngof fone
aft
ertheother.
Chapt
erFour
tyFi
ve

Phi
la

Sharondecidedtocomeher ef
orashi tfestand
nowever yt
hingisafuckingmess.Shet ri
edt o
shootZee,butIquickl
yjumpedi nfr
ontofher .Asa
resul
t,sheshotmei nthearm.Whi leBlazertook
theshotandwoundedShar onimtheshoul der.Sbu
andKel ecamerunningoutandf oundusbot hon
thefl
oorwi t
hbloodeverywhereont hefloor.
I
twasn'tmyf i
rstt
imebeingshot ,
butforZeetosee
t
hatjustpissesmeof f.Sharonhast ogo.Sbuhas
t
oputhi sbitchonat i
ghtleash,other
wiseuzof
alo
msunu( Thisassholewil
ldie).

Zi
yanda:
"Oh,
myGod!Shar
on!Whathaveyou
done?
!"

Sharonl
ookedatSbuandsawKel
enextt
ohi
m and
wail
edimmediat
ely.

Shar
on:(
cryi
nghyster
ical
ly)"
Lookwhatyoumade
medo,Sbu!Ismyloveforyounotenoughfor
you?
!"

Seeinghersobrokenmademeabi tsad.Ithur
ts
l
ovingamanwhor eal
lydoesn' tl
oveyouback,no
matterwhatyoudo.Kel eont heotherhandwas
cr
yingandSbuwasatcr ossroads.Mygunmen
werestandi
ngbybutIt oldthem tododamage
contr
olbefor
ecopscomerushi
ngi
nhere.Ineedt
o
getouri
nhousedoctor,
Draket
ocomesortusout
befor
ethisbi
tchbl
eedstodeat
honmyfloor
.

Ical
ledFranktobri
ngKele'scaroverheresoshe
couldgohome.Sbuwant edt odri
veher,butshe
assuredusthatshewouldbeokay.Zeehel pedme
getuoeventhoughIwasn'tinmuchpai n.Sharon
ontheotherhandkeptscreamingmucht oour
annoyance.Ithi
nkshe'
sfakingit,
butheywhoam I ?

AssoonasKel eleft
,Drakewalkedinwithhi
s
medi calki
t.Drake,i
smyhi ghschoolfri
end.Weal l
callhim Drakesi
ncehel ooksli
ketherealdr
ake,but
hisrealnamei sThabiso.Hef ol
lowedhispassi
on
formedi ci
ne,soweusehi mf oranymedical
att
ent i
onweneed.Andyes, itcomesatapricej
ust
l
ikeever yt
hingelse.

SincewellShar
onwasscreami
nglikeadamnbi
tch
andbleedingonmywhit
ecouch,IaskedDr
aket
o
at
tendt
oherf
ir
st.

Sharon:(Snif
fing)"Sbu,SbusisoLethukut
hul
a
Zwane!Doyouseewhatyoumademedo?Al lt
his
i
syourf ault
!Al lofit
!Ifyouhadj ustcomehome
i
nsteadofgoi nghomewi ththatwhoreIwouldn'
t
havedonet his!"

Zeewasget
ti
ngser
iousl
yir
ri
tat
ed.

Zee:"
Sharon,voetsek(
pissoff
),man!Sbumakeher
shutup,please!Mymani sbleedi
ngouther
eand
you'r
esayingthisisal
lSbu'sf
ault
?!Uyagul
a
(You'
resick)wenashame. "

Sharon:
"Hayi,naweMaf i
kizol
ouyadina(Youjust
cameyesterdayandalreadyyou'r
eti
ring)
.Who
sai
dheshoul dtryandbeaher o?!Iwastryi
ngto
shootyou!Iknowyou'retheonewhoputhi m upto
thi
s!Keleisyourfri
endafteral
l!
"
Sbu:(
Fuming)"
Shar onfokofman!Sincewhendo
youactl
ikeadesperatebit
chfol
lowi
ngmear ound
andshooti
ngpeople,heh(huh)
?!"

Sharon:"Sbusi
so!You'
l
lnott
alkt
omel
iket
hat
!I'
m
yourwife!"

Sbu:"
Yazi
ni(
Youknowwhat )?Whoar ewefooli
ng
here?Webothknowthatithasn'
tbeenworki
ng
betweenusf
oryear
s,Sharon.Idon'tl
oveyou,I
neverdi
d.Iwantadi
vorce."

Yoh,Sbuj
ustdeci
dest
odr
opahugebombshel
lon
al
lofus.

Shar
on:
"Youdon'tmeant
hat
,Sbu.Youknowyou
l
oveme,please.
"
Sbu:"
Eh,Drake.Pleasegi
vehersomethi
ngtomake
hershutt
hef uckupandsleepthr
oughoutt
he
ni
ght."

Wit
hthatsai
dhetooksomewhiskeyandpour
ed
hi
mselfsomeandwenrout
side.

Gog'
Khanyi

It
'sbeenawhi lesinceI'
veheardf r
om Zodwa.I
can'tevenkil
lherbecauseFl or
ahsaysmyhands
willbetai
ntedifIdo.Noneofuscanki l
lhermxm.
FlorahsaysthatZodwa' sdeathiscomingsoon,
we
j
ustneedt obepat ient
.

Theper sonwhoi smeantt okil

lheri sonewho
comesf rom herwomb.What everthehellthat
means.I tcan'tbeLunga,becausesheconf i
rmed
thati
t'
snothi m.Fr om myknowl edgeallherkids
diedandLunga' stheonlyoneleft,butwhoam Ito
ar
guewi
tht
heGods?

AnywayFl or
ahhasgonet ochur chtohelpoutsome
peopleai.Shegoest ochurchal mostever yday.
Yohhai.I'm sogladshe'snothomet oday,itgi
ves
met i
met oenj oymynewBen10ToyBoyTony.
Yes,we'vebeenf ucki
ng.ALOT.Hekeptmaki ng
passesatmeandonedayIj ustgaveintotestthe
watersandmygoodness!I 'veneverhadmi nd
bl
owingsexl ikethatbefor
e!Notevenmyusel ess
deadhusbandwoul dfuckmybr ai
nsoutlikethat!

Tonyi sabi tont heskinnyside,butIloveaman

whocanwor kmycur vesoutlikehedoes!Ihadj ust
quicklywentt ot heki
tchent ogetussomei ce.
Wat chingallthispornhast aughtmeaf ewt ri
cks.I
haven'thadsexi ntenyears!Ir el
iedonmy
vibrat
or s,
butt hankGodf orTonyI 'm notgoingback
thereanyt i
mesoon.

Igotbacki
ntomybedr
oom andf
oundhi
mlyi
ng
naked,face-uponmybedwi t
hhishuge,l
ongdick
standi
ngup.Her ubbeditgentl
yashesawme.I
tookoffmyr obesinceIwasnakedunderneat
hand
gotontopoft hebedwi t
hthebowloficeinmyone
hand.Ist r
okedhi spenisgentl
yandputanicecube
onhispeni s,str
okingitatt
hesamet i
me.

Tony:(Moaning)"Yesses,
Gog'G!Onket
sangmar
a
(Whatareyoudoingtome) ?"

Iputonei
cecubei
nmymout
handsuckedonhis
peni
swhil
eatit
.Themor
ehemoanedthef
ast
erI
got.

Tony:
"Yoh,nnammaweh( Ohmygoodness)
!Neo
l
ekaebophel obakabohl
e(Wher
ehaveyoubeen
al
lmyl i
fe)
!"

Hetur
nedmeoversoIcouldli
eonmybackand
ki
ssedmesopassi
onat
ely.Inallmyl
if
eI'
venever
beenki ssedsogood.I t'
snicebeingali
veinthe
21stCent ury.Thankt heLor dforsavi
ngmet o
witnesst hi
smoment .Hewentdownt osuckmy
breasts.Imi ghthavegi venbir
thtoNomsa, butmy
breastsar esti
llper
kyasat eenager.I'
m abig
woman, abitsmal l
erthanZee, butwe'
rebothbust
y
andcur vy.Het r
avell
edhi sl
ipsdownt omynavel,
l
ickingmeal lt
hewayt omypussy.

Gog'
Khany:"Oh,Nkosiyami(Oh,myGod) !Mfana
wami uyay'
shayaint
oyakho( Youknowyour
busi
ness)!Whooo!Monant weo( Li
ckthatt
hing)
!
Eati
t!Keyagaokaof ela(I
t'
sallyour
s)!
!!
"

Hecamebackupandki ssedme.I tfeel

ssogood
totast
emyowncum.Oh, Lord,pl
easedon'ttake
menow.Ihaveal ottolivefor!Heputona
condom andinsertedhimselfi
nme.Oh, Ican'tget
enoughofthi
spl easure.IfIwasstupidli
keNomsa
Iwouldgivet
hisboyal lmymoneyI '
mt el
li
ngyou.
Gog'
Khanyi:(
Moaning)"
Oh,uh,
Tony!Shi
t!Fuckme!
Takemerightnow!I'
m al
lyour
s!"

Tony:
"Mpotseonyakakegodir
eng,Gog'
G( Tel
lme
whatyouwantmet odotoyou,Gog'
G).Omf a
monatesan(Yougivei
ttomerealgood)
."

Gog'Khanyi:
"Ngii
funayonkelent
oyakho(
Iwantal
l
ofyourdick).Iwantyoutofuckme."

Tony:"
Obat l
akegonyobe,
babyG(Youwantmeto
fuckyou,babyG)?EreTonyagof
emonatesan
(LetTonygiveyouani
ceti
me).
"

JustasIwasaboutt
orel
easeIhear
dal oudbang
onthedoor
.Fokman!Who' st
hispersondist
urbi
ng
meatthist
imeift
heday?!

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Tony,
skat
loga,
man(
don'
tgetof
f).
Fel
let
sahl
e(Fi
nishup)
."

Lucki
lywewer
ebothnear
ingourcl
imax.Hewent
fast
erandf
ast
erandwebothcameatthesame
ti
me.

Tony:"
Fok,magogo( Fuck,
granny).Wadibusa,
yesses(Yourock,damn)!Lemediyakagaemf e
monateso( Notevenmyowngi r
lf
riendgi
vesi
tto
met hi
sgood)."

Ismil
ed.IguessIsti
llr
ockaft
eral
ltheseyear
s.
Thankstopussypower.Igotupandgordressed
qui
ckly.

Tony:
"Oyawaar(
Wherear
eyougoing)?Gar
e
shaperoundt
wo(
Let
'sgof
orroundtwo).
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Hayi
,manTony.Getdr
essed.
Someoneisbangi
ngdownmydoor
.Youneedt
o
l
eaveasap.
"

WhatIl oveaboutTonyisthathesti
llr
espectsme
outsidethebedroom.Hequi ckl
ygotdressedand
gavemeapeckonmycheekbef or
ewel eftmy
bedroom.Asweappr oachedthekit
chendoor
Florahopenedthedoor.

Flor
ah:"Hawu, Khanyi
sa.uNomsahasbeen
knockingf orovert
enminut
es.Whybeungavul
i
(weren'tyouopening)
?"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Hayi
,man.Iwasstil
lbusytaki
ngcare
ofsomebusiness.Iwasestudy(i
nthestudy)and
youknowhowf arthati
sfr
om thekit
chen."

Flor
ahopenedhereyeswi
del
ybef
oresheasked
andpoi
ntedatTony'
spant
s.
Flor
ah:"
ManjeMfanawami(So,
myboy)
,whyi
s
yourzi
pnotcl
osedproper
ly?
"

Yoh!uFl
orahuyaphapha(
Flor
ahi
snosy)man.
Chapt
erFour
tySi
x

Gog'
Khanyi

Eish,
Florahj usthadt oburstmybubbl eand
embarrassTonyl ikethat.Idi dn'
tevenbother
answer i
ngher ,i
nst eadIjusttoldmyToy- Boyt o
l
eave.Il etNomsaandFl orahi nandasusual ,
Nomsawascr ying.Ai ,Seng'khatheleukudlal
auDr .
Philmanj e(I'
m sot ir
edofpl ayingDr.Philnow).
Theset wowantt odampermymoodaf terthathot
sessi
onwi thTony.Iwentt ot hekit
chenandgot
Twogl assesandabot tl
eofr edwine,andor ange
j
uiceforFl orah.

Iwal
kedi
ntot
hel
oungeandshej
ustgavemea
wei
rdl
ook.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Yini
,manj
e,Mngani(
Whati
sitnow,
fr
iend)?
"

Mam'Masango:"
Janeh,Jesusiscomingsoon.
Wenaseulalanabaf
ana,Khanyisa(
You'r
esleepi
ng
wi
thsmallboysnow,Khanyisa)
?"

Gog'
Khanyi:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Youwouldn'
tcal
lhim
smal
lifyousawwhat '
sinbet
weenhisthi
ghs."

Fl
orahandIbur
stouti
nlaught
er.

Mam' Masango:"
Hehe.Thedayt
hatgi
rl
fr
iendofhi
s
comesforyou,uzonya(
you'
l
lshi
tyour
sel
f)I'
m
tel
li
ngyou."
Gog'
Khanyi
:(laughi
ng)"
Maseuthukana(
Whenyou
st
artswear
ing)Iknowyou'
reser
ious.
"

Mam'Masango:
"She'
sunst
ablet
hatone.Iguess
what
'sbet
weenhislegsmustbepr
ett
yaddict
ive.
"

Weburstouti
nlaught
eragai
nandNomsast
art
ed
cr
yingagai
n.Irol
lwdmyeyes.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Oh,Nkosiyami(
MyGod)
.YiniManje,
Nomsa(Whatisi
tnow, Nomsa)
.Seukhal
elani
(
Whyareyoucrying)
?"

Nomsa:(Snif
fi
ng)" I
t'
sKhaya, man.Zodwacal led
hi
m andtoldhim everyt
hingr egardi
nguZee.He
di
dn'
tevenseem bot hered.Hesaysheknewal l
al
ong,hewasj ustwaiti
ngf ormet otellhi
m.He
j
ustpackedhisbagsandl eft
,ma.Hesai dhe'sin
l
ovewithanotherwoman, mycousi n,Shir
ley,
man!
Hesayshedoesn' tevenseear easonwhyhe
shouldhangont othi
smar ri
age.Hecal l
edmwa
fai
lure.SayingIgavebir
thtoaj unkieandabast ar
d
chi
ld.Hesai dIcankeepthehouseandt hecarsand
50%ofwhatweownandt hatIshouldn'
teventryto
contestthedivor
ceashe'shappy.I magine,ma!
Aft
eral lwe'
vebeenthroughhej ustpacksupand
l
eaves!"

It
ookasipofmywi ne,
whi
leFl
orahshookherhead
dr
inki
ngherj
uice.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Seucedi
le(
Areyoudone)
."

Nomsa:
"But
,ma.Youdon'
tunder
stand.
..
"

Gog'Khanyi:
"Yey,yey,yey,Nomsa!Ungazo
ngit
shelaamasi mbawezwa( Don'
ttel
lmeshi t
,you
hearme) ?!Uzelanakwamiukukhal el
aidotiye
ndoda( Youcameal lthiswaytomyhouset ocryfor
arubbishofaman) ?!Lalel
alana(Li
stenhere)and
youbet terl
istengoodbecauseIhat erepeati
ng
mysel f:Youdon' tneedthatasshol
e,man.He
practi
callygaveyouever ythi
ngonasilverplatt
er!
Manj ewenaukhal el
ani(whyareyoucrying)?!
Ukhalelaipipiyok'swhabana(Areyoucryingfora
wrinkleddick?!"

Fl
orahcoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
aughoutl
oud.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Wher ewasKhayawhenyougavebi rth
tomygr andkids?Wher ewashewhent heyhad
schoolmeetingsandspor tpracti
se?Wher ewashe
whenhi ski
dsneededhi m most ?Whi leyouwer e
busywi t
hmani 'sandpedi'
s,hewasawaydoi ng
whoknowswhat !WhenThat ost ar
teddoingdrugs
asanescapebecausebot hpar entswereabsent,he
wasnowher et obefound.WhenZeewasgoi ng
throughthemostnei t
herofyouwer ethere!So
please,I
'
vehadenoughoft ears,bakit
hi(For
goodnesssake) !"
Nomsa:(
Deepsi
gh)"
Yebo(
Yes)
,Ihearyou,
ma.
"

Gog'Khanyi :
"Good.Nowyou' regoi ngt owipeof f
thoset ears,andf i
xyourdamnl i
fe, man.You' r
ea
beaut i
fulwomanwhohasmadepl entyofstupid
choices, butit
'snottool at
e.Notwhi leI'
m al
ive.
We'regoi ngt oseemyl awyerandgetyourdi vorce
fi
nalizedt omor r
ow.Fr om therewe' regoingtosee
Zeeandyou' dbet t
ertellhert
het ruth.Yesses, niya
khatazaman( you'
reexhausting).Youneedt owor k
onthi sshitofyoucr yi
ngwhenshi tgetsreal
!"

Fl
orah:
"Ai
,Khanyi
sa,
nawe.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Nowphuzal
ewinebef
orei
shi
sa(
Dri
nk
t
hatwinebef
orei
tget
swarm).
"

TwodaysLat
er
Zi
yanda

It
sbeent wodayssi ncethewhol ei
ncident.Imust
sayI'veneverbeensoscar edinmyent irel
if
e!
Seeingagunpoi nt
edatmewasj ustroughashell.I
haven'tbeenabletosleepwellforthepasttwo
nightsandPhi l
akeepssayinghe'sgettingbett
er.
He'swear i
ngashoul dersl
ingnow, soitseemsasi f
hisshoulderisgetti
ngbett
er.

Sharonont heotherhand,hasbeenashi t
tymess.
Sbuhasbeenst ayingherewithusandIdon' tmind
atall
.Shar onhasbeencalli
nghim nonst op
blowinguphisphonewi thover50mi ssedcall
sand
text
saday.She' sbeeninhospitaleversi
ncethe
shooting.

Apparentl
ythebull
etbrokehercoll
arbonesoshe
hastostayinhospi
talf
orawhi l
e.Igetthefeel
ing
SbuaskedDr aket
oputherthereforlongerf
or
peaceofmind.Ihaven'
tgonet oworkintwodays
andnei
therhasPhi
la,
undermyst
ri
cti
nst
ruct
ions.

Iexplai
nedeverythingtoPorscheandasusual,she
wantsallthegor
eydet ail
s.She'scomingoverfor
di
nnerlateronandsi nceKel
ehasbeenwor kingfor
Phi
la,we'regoi
ngt oseemor eofhernow.

Sbuont heotherhandhasbeenar ealmess.He

hardlyshowers,
allhe'sbeendoi
ngforthesepast
fewdaysi smopear oundandaskaboutKelesince
she'sbeenignor
inghim.Iwoul dal
soignorehimif
hiswifeshowedupwi t
hagun.

AnywayIwalkedtowardstheloungetoaskthem
whattheywouldli
kemet opreparef
ordinner.Phi
la
i
schi l
li
ngwit
hhissli
ngandsomebeeri nhisother
hand,watchi
ngsomesoccer.Sbual sohasabeer
i
nhi sonehandbuthisphoneintheother.He
keepschecki
nghisphoneevertwosecondst osee
i
famessagef rom Kel
emightpopup.Shameman.
Me:
"Whatwoul
dyouboysl
ikef
ordi
nner
?"

Phil
a:"
Anyt
hing,
babe.Asl ongasi t
'smadebyyou.
"
Hegavemeasmi l
e,butSbujustsatthere.AsI
wasabouttowalkbacktothekitchen,Sbucame
runni
ngaft
erme.

Sbu:"
Zee,
wai
tup.Whenl
astdi
dyouspeakt
o
Kel
e?"

Me:
"Lastni
ght
.Why?
"

Sbu:
"Comeon, Zee.Youknowshe'sbeenignor
ing
me.Atl eastcallhernowandaskhertocomefor
di
nner,please,I
'm beggi
ngyou.
"

Me:(Deepsi
gh)"
Okay,I
'
m notpr
omisi
nganyt
hing,
butl
etmetry.
"Idial
edKel
eanditr
angacoupl
eof
t
imesbef
oresheanswer
ed.

Kel
e:"
Hey,
Zee.What
'sup?
"

Sbu:(
Whi
sper
ing)"
Putheronspeaker
."

Iputheronspeakerandr
oll
edmyeyesi
nthe
process.

Me:
"Ag,
not
hingmuchhey.
"

Kel
e:"
How'
sPhi
ladoi
ng?
"

Me:
"He'
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
,hey.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

Kel
e:"
I'
m okayIguess.
"
Me:"
So,li
sten.I'
m host
ingdi
nnertoni
ght
.Wanna
j
oin?It
'sjustyou,Por
scheandI.
"

Kel
e:"
Idon'
tknowZee.Wi
llSbubet
her
e?"

Sbulookedatmeandsi
gnal
edano,
shaki
nghi
s
head.

Me:
"No,
hewon'
tbeher
e.Doyouwanthi
m her
e?"

Kel
e:"
Honest
ly,
no.Notaf
terwhatShar
onsentme.
"

Me:
"What
?Whatdi
dshedot
hist
ime?
"

Kel
e:"
Uh,not
hing.ForgetIsaidanyt
hing.Okay,
I'
ll
comeby.Seeyoulaterthen."

Shehungup.Yoh,
Shar
ondoesn'
tgi
veup.Shehas
seri
ousl
ygonepsycho.Al othashappenedt his
week.Somuchhashappenedt hatIevenf or
got
aboutNatasha'smessage.Ididn'tevenconfrontor
askPhil
aabouti tandhedidn'
tment ionanything.I
guessIreal
lydohavenot hi
ngtowor r yabout.Just
asIwast hi
nking,Sbugrabbedhiskeysandwal ked
tothedoor.

Me:
"Sbu!Uyaphi(
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng)
?!"

Sbu:
"Toseet
hatbi
tchShar
on.
"

Hebangedthedooronhiswayout.I
'
vehonest
ly
hadenoughofdramaforonel
if
eti
me.

Sbu

Idr
ovetothehospi
tali
nhi
ghspeed.I
'
m sosi
ck
andti
redofShar
ontryi
ngt
ocontr
olmeli
keI
'm one
ofherki ds!Wher ethefuckdoesshegettheball
s
tothr eat
enKel e?!Istormedintot
hehospital
,not
givingaf lyi
ngf uckaboutvisi
ti
nghours.Iwent
straightintoherpr i
vateward.

Shar
on:
"Hey,
baby.Iwashopi
ngyoumi
ghtcome.
"

Idi
dn'
tevenwaitanyfurt
her.Icl
osedt
hedoorand
wentst
rai
ghtf
orherthroat.

Sbu: "Yazi( Youknow)wenaShar on,ung' j

waela
amasi mba( You'refullofshi
t).Yout hi
nkyoucan
justthr eatenKel eandgetawaywi t
hi t
?!Idon' tlove
you!Idon' tfuckingloveyou, sf
ebendi ni(you
wor e)!Thesooneryougett hatintoyourheadt he
better !IfIever ,Imeaneverf indoutyoueven
breat hedawor dt oKeleagain,uzonya( you'l
lshit
your self),
uyangi zwa( youhearme) ?
!I '
llfuckyou
upsobadl yf orgetti
ngyou'rethemot herofmy
kids!"
Il
etgoofhert
hroatandshecoughedbr
eat
hlessl
y.

Sharon:"Sbu,
please.I
'm sorr
y.I'
lldoanythi
ng,
just
don'tl
eaveme.I fyouwanttomakeheryour
secondwi f
eI'
llagr
ee,j
ustpleasedon'tl
eaveme."

Il
ookedatheri
ndi
sgustandsl
ammedt
hedoorand
l
eft
.

Zi
yanda

Itwas6pm alreadyandasusualPor scheis

punctual
.Sbucamebackanhouragol ooki
ng
furi
ous.PhilaandIdidn'tbothertoaskhi m what
wasupsowej ustlethim be.Atleasthewentt o
takeashower .Oneposi t
ivethingcameoutofhi s
visi
ttoSharontoday.Por scheandKel ewal kedin
andasal ways,Porschebroughtusani cebot tl
eof
wine,Chardonnaythisti
me.
Kelehel
pedPorschesetthetabl
e,whi
leIwentt
o
cal
lSbuandPhilafr
om thelounge.Thi
ngswereso
awkwardatf
ir
stbecauseIhadl i
edtoKeleandt
old
herSbuwasn'
tgoingtobeher e.

Kel
e:"
Ithoughthewasn'
tgoi
ngt
obeher
e.I
'
m
l
eavi
ng."

Sbu:
"Kel
ewai
t.Pl
easedon'
tl
eave,
I'
m beggi
ng
you.
"

Andt
hent
hesoapi
econt
inues.

Kel
e:"
Ican'
tbeher
e.Ican'
t.Shar
on.
..
"

Sbu:
"I
'm di
vor
cingherf
oryou,Kel
e.Pleasedon'
t
l
eaveme, I
'
m beggi
ngyou.I'
lldoanyt
hing.
"
Heevenwentdownonbot hknees.Wow.He'son
t
hefloori
nhisGStarRAW jeans.Thesemenhave
athi
ngforexpensi
vej
eans.

Kel
e:(hesi
tant
ly)"
I.
.Ican'
tpr
omi
seyouanyt
hing,
Sbu.
"

Sbu:"
Justgi
vemeyourt i
met oni
ght,pl
ease.I
promiseyouIwon'
tletanyonehurtyou.
"

Kel
e:"
Okay"
.

Theycamet
ojoi
nusatt
het
abl
e.

Porsche:"
Janeh.Gomonat egoj ol
agaZwane( I
t'
s
sonicetodateoneoft heZwanes).Bannabateng
banor apelabarapet
se(Themenwi llbegyout
il
l
ki
ngdom come) .
"
Wealll
aughedoutl
oud.Wesai
dGr
aceandst
art
ed
eat
ing.

Phi
la:
"So,Kel
e,howisitgoi
ngatt
hecompany?Ar
e
yousett
li
nginalr
ight
?"

Kele:
"Oh,yes.Thankyousomuchforthe
opportuni
tyonceagai
n,hey.I
'
m enj
oyi
ngi tsofar
andtheapar t
mentandcompanycar.Mysonj ust
l
ovest hebigbedr
oom hehasnow."

Foraverysmar tgi
rl
,Kelewassur el
yst upidto
marryaguyli
keBr i
an.Heneverwor ked-everandI
knowCharter
edAccount antsearnadecentamount
ofmoney.WhatIcan' tunderst
andi st hatshe
doesn'
townahouseofherownaf terwor ki
ngforso
l
ong.ThisBrianguymustbechowi nghermoney.
Probabl
ybeatingherupf ori
t.Ididn'tevent el
lPhil
a
orSbuaboutthat.Ican'tbet
rayherl ikethat.
Kelewaswear i
ngascarfaroundherneckwithher
worksuiton.WhatIcantunder st
andiswhyshe
doesn'
tatleastt
akeoffherjacketsi
ncei
tssuper
hot.Shewasevenst ar
ti
ngt osweat.

Sbu:"Kele,Thembalami(Myhope)
.Whydon'tyou
takeoffyourjacket
?Itseemsli
keyou'
reget
ti
ng
real
lyhot."

Kel
est
art
edt
obecomer
eal
lyuncomf
ort
abl
e.

Kel
e:"
No.
..I
..I
'
mfine.I'
m abitchi
ll
yanyway.
"
(Wi
pingt
hesweatoffherf
orehead)

Porsche:
"Aowa( no)
,man,Kele.Bonaor ot
ha
sethi
thobjang(Lookhowyou'redri
ppingofsweat
).
Tlabesawel adi
jo(Yoursweatwil
lfal
lint
othe
food).
"
JustasPorschewasaboutt
otouchherscar
f,Kel
e
stoodupandmadeascene.

Kel
e:"
Isai
dleavei
tnowf
ucki
ngdr
opi
t!
"

Wewer eal
lsoshocked.Thi
sabuseshi
twasmuch
deepert
hanIthought
.

Por
sche:"
Eh.
"

Sbunoti
cedshewasuneasyandkeptwonder ing
whyshewasappr ehensi
veabouttaki
ngof fher
j
acketandremovingherscar
ffrom herneck.
Thosearesignsofabuse.It
hinkhenoticedittoo.

Sbu:(
Standi
ngup)
"Kel
e,t
akeof
fthatj
acket
."
Kel
e:"
No!Youcan'
ttel
lmewhatt
odo,
Sbu!
"

Sbu:"
Kel
e,i
fyoudon'tremovet
hatj
acketandshow
mewhatthatfuckerdi
dtoyou,
I'
l
lri
pthatj
acketof
f
ofyoumyself
."

Sbuwassoseri
ous.He'sal
waysmakingj
okesand
l
aughi
ng,I
'veneverseenhi
m soangr
y.

Kele:(
pleadi
ng)"Please,pl
easedon'tmakemedo
thi
s,Sbu.I'm beggingyou.He'l
lki
llmeifhef
inds
outItol
danyone. "

Sbudidn'twai
stt
imeandwentclosertoKele,but
i
nsteadshegotfr
ight
enedandst eppedback.All
thi
swhilewe'r
ewatchi
ngthem l
ikeasoapiebeing
unfol
ded.

Sbu:(
Sof
tl
y)"
Iwon'
thur
tyou,
Kel
e.Icoul
dnever
l
ayahandonyou.
"

Kelel ookeddowni nshamewi tht earsst reami ng

downherf aceandr emovedherj acketf irst
.
Por scheandIgaspedi nseriousshock, whil
ePhi l
a
andSbuhadt heirf istsandj awscl enched.She
removedherscar fnextandwegaspedevenf urther.
Justaswhenwet houghtshewasdone, she
removedhert opnext .Therewer esomanybr uises
withdi ff
erentcol our sonherneck, armsandbel ly.
Thiswhol eprocessmustf eelreallydaunt i
ng
becauseshecr iedsohar d.Por scheandIhugged
herwhi l
eSbuj ustcompl etelylostit.Hest arted
throwi ngthingsar oundl eavingusl adi
essoscar ed.
ItookKel eandPor schet ot hest udysi ncei t
'scloser
totheki tchen, whi l
ePhi lapinnedSbut ot hewal l
withhi sonear m, for cinghi mt ocal m down.
Por scheandIwer eal soi ntearsImeannoone
want st oseeaf riendbr okenl i
ket hatal lbecauseof
amanshedevot edherl i
feto.
JustwhenIt
houghtthi
snightcoul
dn'tgetany
worse,
oneofPhi
la'
sgunmencamet owardsme
wit
hanenvel
ope.Ilookedupandsawi twasBlazer
.

Bl
azer
:"
Fir
stl
ady,
acour
ierdr
oppedt
hisof
f.
"

Hegavemet
heenvel
opeandhel
eft
.

Iopeneditandmymout hwentopenvol untar

il
y.It
wascour tsummonswhichr eadasf ol
lows:These
papersproveasasummonst othecour tf
orchils
maintenanceduetoappearon20Mar ch2020.
Plai
nti
ff:NatashaMot
hupi,Defendant:Phil
aZwane.
TadpoleNatashahasgonet oofar.Thisiswar,
bi
tch.
Chapt
erFour
tySeven

Zi
yanda
Ifeelli
kediggi
ngahugehol eandj ustst
ayingther
e
forever
.I t
'sbl
owafterblowwheneveryou' r
ein
Phila'
slif
eIguess.Sbui samess, Keleisinamess
andnowI '
m honest
lyjustpissed.I
fPhilareal
ly
doesn'thaveasonwi t
ht adpoleNatashathenwhy
i
sshesummoni nghi
mt ocour t?

Por schehelpedmecoverKel e.Shei sinnost ateto

drivehomeandwej ustcan'tal lowhertogoback
homet othatasshole.Wet ookherupst airstothe
bedr oom shewasi nwit hSbut heothernight.
Bef orewegotupt hest airsIsawSbul ookingdown
cryingwi t
hPhilanexttohi m att hedinnertable.I
didn'tevensayawor d,Ijusttossedt hepapers
alongwi ththeenvelopedt oPhi laandwentupst ai
rs
withPor scheandKel e.Por scheandIgotKel ein
bed.Shewasi nsuchast ate,Ihadtogivehera
sedat i
ve.

Por
sche:
"Yoh!Chomi
!Briankempyaman(Br
iani
s
adog)
!Whywoul dhebeatKel
etoapul
pli
ket
his?
Judgi
ngbyallt
hesebruises,
thi
shasbeen
happeni
ngf
orawhi l
e."

Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingnorr
eactt
oherst
atement
.

Porsche:(
Clappi
nghands)"Heh!Zi
yanda!Neo
tsebakatabae(Didyouknowaboutthis)
?"

Me:
"WarasahlePor
sche(You'
remaki
ngnoi
se,
Por
sche)
.OtlabewatsosaKel
e(You'
l
lwakeKel
e).
"

Porsche:
"Hehwena!Skandochaman( Don'
tavoi
d
me).She'ssoundasleep.Thosepil
lsknockedher
out
.Howcoul dyounott el
lusorevenSbuwhen
shetoldyou,
Zee?!
"

Me:"
Shebeggedmenotto.Icoul
dn'
tbr
eakher
t
rustl
iket
hat
,Por
sche.
"
Porsche:
"Tjo,ngwanyana( wow,girl
).Otlet
se
mehlolo(You'reful
lofsurpri
ses).Erennake
tsamayepel edipit
sadifofakant l
ong(Letmel eave
beforepotsstartfl
yingal
loverthehouse).Callme
i
fyouneedme. "

Shehuggedmeandgr eetedSbuandPhil
agoodbye.
AtleastSbuwascl eaningupthemesshemade.
Philawasinfur
iat
ed.Mustbef r
om t
hepapersI
tossedathim.Iwentt oourbedroom andhecame
i
nmoment saft
er.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.

Ikeptqui
etanddi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.

Phi
la:
"Oh,soisthi
showit'
sgoi
ngtobenow,
Zee?
WhatdidItel
lyouaboutcommuni
cati
on?
"
Zee:
"I
'm al
lear
s,Nkosenye.
"

Phi
la:
"Idon'
tknowanyt
hingaboutachi
ld,
Ziyanda.
I
fshehadone, i
tmostdefi
nit
elyi
sn'
tmi
ne."

Ikeptqui
etandtear
sst
reameddownmyface.
Phil
atookoffhi
sshoul
dersl
i
ngandgotonthebed.

Me:
"You'
l
lhur
tyour
sel
f.
"

Phil
a:"
It
'sj
ustmi norpai
n,Sthandwasami(
Myl ove)
.
Look,I
'l
lgetSbut ogetontopofthi
s.Iswear
,she's
l
yingandI'l
lproveitt
oyou."

Me:"
Don'
tbotherSburi
ghtnow.He'sgotsomuch
goi
ngonwithKeleandall
.Please,
baby.
"

Phi
la:
"Okay.
"
Ican'
tgetmymi ndoffKelerightnow.Mypr obl
ems
seem smallcompar
edt ohers.Br i
anbrokeher,
physi
call
yandmentally.It'
samazi nghowshe
managedt oputupabr avefaceeachandeveryday.

Me:
"Ihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
"

Hel
ookedatmepuzzl
ed.

Me:"
Theotherni
ghtKel
esl
epther
eshetol
dme
Br
ianbeat
sherupandsometimeshehi
tsThat
o."

Phil
a:"
Kodwa(
But
)Zi
yanda!Whydi
dn'
tyousay
anyt
hing??
"

Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.Iwaspeot
ext
ingaf
ri
endandher
secr
et.
"
Phi
la:
"I
t'
sokay.Let
'ssl
eep.We'
l
ldealwi
thi
tsome
ot
herti
me."

Hekissedmycheekandwedozedof
faf
terashor
t
whi
le.

Sbu

Iwenti ntothebedroom afterashortwhi

leofsit
ti
ng
aloneandt hinkinginthedark.Seei
ngthose
bruisesonKel e'sbodyjustmademegocr azy.
ThankGodThat oiswithKele'
smother.I
'l
lmake
suret hatshit
faceisthrownoutoftheapartmentby
tomor rowmor ning.

I'
l
lbedamnedifshegoesbacktothatfuck.Looki
ng
atKelenow,
Idon'
tloveheranydif
fer
ently.Il
ove
herevenmorenowthatIsawherinsucha
vulner
abl
estat
e.I'
l
lmakesur eI
'
llsor
thim out.
Nobodymesseswit
hmyl ovedonesandget
saway
wit
hit.Igoti
nbedandheldhercl
osetomychest
.
Idozedoffaf
ewminutesaft
erwar
ds.

Zi
yanda

Themor ningcameandIgotupext raearl

yandf ora
changeIl eftPhilasl
eeping.Iwentdownst ai
rst
o
makesomebr eakfastsincet
helastbreakf
astwas
ruined.Imademor ethanenoughandt ooksomet o
thegunmenout si
de.Theyguardourl i
vessoit'
s
onlyfairthattheygetachancet oeat.Atleastt
hey
don'twalkar oundwi t
hguns24/ 7.Theydogett o
resteverynowandt hen.Myf ri
endsdon'tevenget
scaredbyt hem anymore.

AsIsett
het
abl
e,Phi
lacamewal
kingdown.

Me:(Smi
li
ng)"
Mor ning,
Babywami(mybaby)
.
Takeaseat
.Breakfasti
sserved.
"
Phil
a:"
Hehe,
Sthandwasami(Mylove)
.Don'
tthi
nk
you'
llt
akeawaymyearlybi
rdcr
ownf r
om me.
"

Il
aughedsof
tl
y.Inot
icedhei
sn'
twear
inghi
ssl
ing.

Me:
"Hawu,
Phi
la.Wher
e'st
hesl
ing?
"

Phi
la:
"Idon'
tneeditanymor
e,St
handasami(
My
l
ove).I'
m heal
ed,l
ook."

Hetwist
edhisarm andswungi
tbackandf
ort
h.
Per
hapsheisheal
ed.Iguessbul
let
sdon'
tdoshi
t
tot
heZwanemen.

Justt
henKel
ewal
keddownt
hest
air
swi
thoutSbu.

Me:
"Goodmor
ning,
babe.Si
t.Imadebr
eakf
ast
."
Shest
il
llookedabitashamed.Sheshoul
dn'
teven
be.Br
iandeservestobeinashithol
e.

Kel
e:(
Looki
ngdown)"
Thankyou.
"

Ithi
nkPhi
lanoti
cedhowuncomfor
tableKelewas
andhedecidedt
oleaveusandgositonthepati
o
andeatwi
thhisgunmen.

Me:
"Howar
eyour
eal
ly,
chomi(
fri
end)
?"

Kele:(t
eary-eyed)"
I'
mtryi
ng,hey.I
'
mr eal
lysor
ry
,Zee.Ididn'tmeant ot
roubl
eyouwi t
hmy
problemslikethis.
"

Me:(holdi
ngherhand)" Hey.Don' tbeli
kethat.I'
m
her
ef oryou,
we'reallhereforyou.Youj ustfocus
ongetti
ngbetterandtrustSbu,please.Ican
organi
zeyousomesessi
onswithmypyschol
ogi
st.
She'shel
pedmeagreatdeal
."

Kel
e:"
I'
dappr
eci
atet
hat
,Zee.Thankyousomuch.
"

Me:
"I
t'
sapl
easur
e."

Justaswewer eabouttofini
sheat ingIsawGogo' s
cardri
vinginandparki
nginourdr iveway.Why
wouldshecomeher eunanounced?Shel ooksli
ke
she'
sher ewit
hMam' Masango.Justt henanother
passangerdooropenedfrom behindandmy
mothercameout .Myhear tst
artedbeat i
ngfaster
andIfeltli
keIwaslosi
ngmybr eath.Whywoul d
shecomeher ewithher?!

Phi
lacamer ushi
nginbef
oret
heywalkedi
n.It
hink
henoti
cedthatthi
scoul
dgetpret
tyugl
ysi
ncemy
mom nevervisi
tsme.
Kel
edeci
dedt
ofini
shherf
oodi
nherbedroom.
Gogo,
Mam'MasangoandMymotherwal
kedin.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Sawubona(
Goodmorni
ng)
,Zi
yanda
mybaby.Unjani(
Howareyou)
?"

Phi
lahel
dmebymywai
st.

Me:"
Ngi
yaphi
la,Gogo(
I'
m well
,Gogo)
.Nibekwa
yi
nil
a(Whatbri
ngsyouhere)
?"

Nomsa:"
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Zee.
"

Myl i
psfail
edtor espond.Mymom hasneveri nthe
25yearsI'
vebeenont hisear
thhumbledhersel
fli
ke
thi
sbeforeme- ever.Maybeshe'sdyi
ngofcancer
orsomething.I'velongedtoseeherl
iket
his,al
lI'
ve
everwantedfrom herwast obenicet
ome.
Andnowt hatshefinal
lyis,I
'
m hear t
brokeninst
ead
ofangr
y.Ijustl
etthetearsflowdownmyf ace.
Shewasalsocryi
ng.Icoul dn'tunderstandwhat
wasgoingon.Shej usthuggedmeoutofnowher e
andwebothsobbedi neachot her'
sar ms.

Phi l
a,GogoandMam' Masangower eallquiet.I
thinktheyreal
izedj
usthowdeept hi
smomentwas,
forallofus.I'
veneverfel
tthewarmthofmy
mot her'
sarms.Thandowast heonewhor eceived
allherloveandwarm hugs.

Nowt hatt
hismomenti sfi
nall
yher e,i
tjustbr
ings
met otear
s.Thinki
ngofallthosetimesIwashur t
andindeeppain,comingfrom schoolcryingmy
eyeball
soutaf
terbeingcal
ledaf atfuck.

Ij
ustneededtohearmymot her
'ssoot
hingwor ds,
Ineededahugfrom hertel
li
ngmet hatitwouldall
beokay.Thatti
meIwasi nhospit
alaft
erbei
ng
beatent
oshitbyLunga,Ineededhertocomf ortme
andt
ellmeshewoulddealwit
hhi
m.Al
lthatnever
cameunti
lnow.I
sittoolat
e?
Chapt
erFour
tyEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Aft
ercryingineachother'
sarmsforaboutt
en
minutes,butfel
tli
keeter
nit
y,t
hefi
veofussatdown
atthedinnertabl
e.Mam' Masangocl
earedthet
abl
e
andcamebackt ositwit
hus.

Gog'
Khanyi:"
Mntwanawami(Mychi l
d),
uNomsa
hasalottotel
lyou.Sopl
easejustal
lowhert
otel
l
youeveryt
hingandwhyshedidwhatshedid.
"

Inoddedi
ncompl
iance.

Mymot herst
art
edt
ell
ingeveryt
hingfr
om her
r
elat
ionshi
pwithmybiol
ogicalf
ather
,Bongi
nkosi
Gumede.Apparentl
yhe'saprinceandnextinli
ne
tot
hethrone.SoI'
mr oyalnow?Wow.Howwei rd
i
sli
fe?Onemi nut
eIwasbei ngcall
edaf atpi
gand
nowIfi
ndoutI'mthedaughterofavil
lagePri
nce?!

Shewentont oexpl
ainwhyshet reatedmet heway
shedid.Ithurtsalott
or el
iveallthoset i
mes, butit
makesmef eelsomuchbet terthatmymot her
doesn'
thateme.I twon'tbeeasyt oforget,butI
wouldreall
ylovetohavear el
ati
onshi pwithher .
Sheapologizedami l
li
ont i
mesandt oldmet hatshe
andmy" dad"Khayaar enowof ficial
lydivorced.

Thismakesmet hi
nkofPor sche'
ssi
tuati
onwithher
ownmot her
.Hermot herwasanabusi vedr
unk
pret
tymuchallherli
fe.Porschewouldgetbeati
ngs
fornor
eason,yetshestri
vedtobeanAst udentand
madeittoUniver
sit
y.

She'
salwaysbeenaveryi
ntel
li
gentgir
l.Shenever
gaveuponhermother.Andnow, hermom hasn'
t
touchedal
coholinsi
cyears.Theirrel
ati
onshipis
sostrong,
you'
dswearshewasn' tabusingtheshit
outofherbackintheday.She'
sbeent hroughway
worsethanIhavewithhermom, butshe'sgrat
eful
forachanceshegottomakeupwi t
hher .

Sheboughtherani cehousei nt hesubur bsnotf ar

from herhouse.Shel i
veswi thhersi sterwhohas
threekids, butt hat'
sast or
yf oranot herday.Gogo' s
favouritever seaboutf orgi
venesswhi chshelikes
quot i
ngi sEphi sians431- 32:"Getr idofall
bitt
erness, rageandanger ,brawl i
ngandsl ander,
alongwi thever yform ofmalice.Beki ndand
compassi onat etooneanot her ,
for gi
vingeachot her,
j
ustasi nChr istGodf orgaveyou" .Dr.Steinalways
tell
smet hatFor gi
venessislet t
inggoofcapt ivi
ty
andnowIf inallyunderstandwhatshemeant .I
nevert houghtt hatadayl i
ket hi
swoul dbeher ethis
soon.IguessPor schewasr i
ghtwhenshesai d
"Letsatsilagohl abela(Bett
erdaysar ecomi ng)".
Phil
aendedupmaki ngudlunchsowecoul dcat
ch
upandt alksomemore.Thismanisjustperf
ect
.
Mam' Masangothendeci
dedtostar
twiththe
seri
oustalk.Phi
lawasnowsitt
ingwithusagain
aft
ereating.

Mam' Masango:"Ziyanda,
nowt hatyouf inal
lyknow
thetruthyoushoul dknowthattheancest orsneed
thelobolatogotoyourbi ol
ogicalf
ather.Weneed
tofi
ndhi m soon,otherwi
sethingswillbecomea
mess.Andwenamf anawami( myboy) ,why
haven'tyougonet oseeyourfather'
sbr otheryet
?
He'sexpectingyouandt i
mei snotonyoursi de.
"

Phi
lagr
ewuncomfor
tabl
eandclenchedhisfi
stand
hi
sjaw.Hedi
dn'
tsayanythi
ng,
insteadhelooked
down.

Mam'Masango:
"Youknowwhatyouhavetodo.
Haveyoutol
dyoursoontobewif
ethatyou'
real
so
aRoyal
?"
What?Phil
aisaRoyal
?Whydoesi tseem l
ike
ever
yoneknowsshi
texceptme?I
'
m al waysthe
l
astonetofi
ndout.

Phil
a:(
Looki
ngdownwi
tht
ear
sthr
eat
eni
nghi
s
eyes)"
Cha(No)
,ma.
"

Isqueezedhi
shandasasi
gnofr
eassur
anceand
herecipr
ocat
ed.

Mam' Masango:"Yout woar egoi ngt ofaceal otof

chall
enges.Thel ongeryoudel ayt hesetwo
famil
iesmeet i
ng, themor edangeryou' llbein,
especial
lywenaZee.You' llf
indoutsoonenough.
Zodwai sn'
tathr eatfornow,buthersonwi l
lbever y
soonifyoudon' tactfast.Phila, Iknowt hi
sist ough
onyou, butyouneedt oactfast.Anol denemyi s
comingoutt ogetyouandhehassentNat ashaasa
pawni nhisgame.Tel lyourhot headedbr ot
hert o
mar r
yKelebogi
leverysoonandheshouldl
ear
nto
controlhi
semotions.OneslipupandShar
onwil
l
str
ike.Beverycarefulofher
."

Webothj
ustl
ookedatheri
nshock.Thati
squi
tea
l
ott
otakei
n.Allt
hesewarni
ngsaretoomuch.

Mam'Masango:"
Ihopeyouhear dme, mychil
dren.
Zee,
rememberthis:yourli
fewi
llnolongerbeyour
own.You'
llhavetofightandbestr
ongerforthose
you'
l
lbear
.You'llknowsoonenough. "

Whatdoesshemeanbyt hat?Wit
ht hat, shewas
done.Theydecidedtol eavesi
nceitwasget ti
nga
bitl
ateandapparentl
ymymom hadt of etch
Thando'ski
dsfrom schoolwhil
eshet riest osort
outherli
fe.She'
snotr eadytogotor ehabsoshe' s
curr
entl
yAWOL.

Igotsof
reakedoutbyal
lthi
sthatMam'
Masango
saidandIcoul
dsensePhi l
a'ssuddendi scomfor
t
andsadness.Somet hi
ngdeepwentdownwi t
hhis
dadandhisbrother,buthe'
lltellmewhenhe' s
ready.Aswesatt hereinsil
encewi thourhands
l
ockedtogeth,
wewer edeepi nt houghts.Sbu
walkedinl
ookinglikecrap.Hi sshi r
twasf ul
lof
bloodandhisknuckleswer etotallybrui
sed.Ihope
hedidn'
tdowhatIt hinkhedid.

Afterashor
twhil
ePhilaandIgat
heredour
thought
sandcamebackt ooursenseswhenwe
sawSbuhyperventi
lat
ingli
kehej
ustkil
led
someone.

Phi
la:(
Getti
ngup)"
Baf
o,wenzeni
(Br
other
,whatdi
d
youdo)?"

Sbu:
"It
aughtBr
ianwamasi
mba(
shi
tt
yBr
ian)a
l
esson.
"
Me:
"Di
dyouki
llhi
m?"

Sbu: "
No,Ibeathi
mt oapul
p,t
hesamewayHebeat
Kel eandThato.Iwasawakei
nthemi ddl
eofthe
night.Keleendeduphavi
nganight
mar e.The
thingsshetoldme,Baf
o.Thatmonsterbrokemy
Kel e.
"

Hesatdownandsobbedi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.

Sbu:"
Igottotheapar
tmentandbeathimt oapulp
andthrewhisassoutonthest
r eet
.Ifi
ledthe
divor
cepapersandthey'
l
lbedivorcedf
irstt
hingi
n
themor ni
ng.
"

Me:
"Whydi
dn'
tyouki
llhi
m?"

Theybot
hlookedatmepuzzl
edwi
thshock.
Me:"Youshoul
dhaveki l
ledhi
m.I '
m sot
ir
edof
peoplethi
nki
ngtheyownot herpeopl
e.I
fhetri
est
o
fuckupagain,ki
llhi
m andthi
stimedon'
tmiss!
"

Theybothkeptqui
etandl
ookedatmeshockedasI
walkedbacktomyroom t
otakeashower
.

Aft
erawhilePhil
acametothebedr
oom andf
ound
meinbedr eadi
ngmyBibl
e.Hetookof
fhiscl
othes
andlaynexttome.

Me:"
Howi
sSbu?
"

Phi
la:
"He'
lll
ive,St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.He'
sa
manafteral
l."

Icoul
dseehi
smi
ndwasf
arof
f.
Me:
"Doyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t?"

Phil
a:(Deepsi gh)"Myl i
feandsbu' sli
fewasn'teasy
aft
eruBaba( dad)died, baby.I twashar d.Myuncl e,
uBaba's(dad's)brotherkil
ledmydadbecausemy
dadwasol derandnexti nlinetot hethrone.My
dadneverwant edtobeKi ng.Hechosemymom
anddidn'twantanyt hingtodowi ththeirtr
adit
ionof
marryi
ngsomeonechosenf orhim.Myuncl edidn'
t
bel
ieveit
.Het houghtmydadwoul dcomebackone
daytoclaim hisseat .Theynevergotal ong,butone
ni
ghthecal l
edhi mt ocomeseehi m.Mymom
beggedhi m nottogobutasst ubbornashewas, he
wentandhenevermadei tbackhome.

Thefol
lowingmorni
ngwer ecei
vedacal
lthathe
di
edoff oodpoi
soni
ng.Eversincet
hen,
uMawas
nevert
hesame."

Myheartbl
edasheshedat
ear
.Iwi
pedi
twi
thmy
f
inger
.
Me:"
So,howsur
eareyout
hatyourf
ather
'sbr
other
i
stheonewhokil
ledhi
m?"

Phil
a:"
He'st
heonewhocal
ledhi
m andhe'
stheone
whohadamot i
ve.Ther
ereal
lywasnooneelset
o
thi
nkof."

Me:
"Andyourgr
andpar
ent
s?Ar
etheyst
il
lal
ive?
"

Phi
la:
"Yesal
thoughmygr
andf
atherst
eppeddown
asKingyear
sagowhenmyuncletookover
."

Me:"Ihopeyougettot
hebott
om oft
hisver
ysoon.
I
'm sorryyouhadtogothr
ought
hat.
"

Phi
la:
"Met
oo,Sthandwasami(Mylove)
.It
hought
l
ongandhardaboutwhatMam'Masangosai
d,
whi
chiswhyI'
mf lyi
ngt
oItal
ytomorrowmorni
ng.
I'
l
lbebackintwodays,Ipromi
se.Ihavet osortout
Natashabef
oreshebecomesar ealthr
eattous.I'l
l
comebackwi t
hproofsoyoucant r
ustmeagain,
Sthandwasami(Mylove).Ipr
omise."

Me:"It
rustyou,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
.Ial
ways
have."

Heleanedovert
oki
ssmeandt
henbr
oket
henki
ss
af
terawhil
e.

Phi
la:
"Ineedyou,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Ineed
youri
ghtnow."

Idi
dn'thesi
tate.Igavemysel ft
ohi
mt hewayhe
wantedto.Hewasabi troughbutIl
ethim be.He
neededthat
, t
or el
easethetensi
on,t
hehurtand
anger.
Chapt
erFour
tyNi
ne
Zi
yanda

It
'sThursdaymorningandIj ustwokeup.Ist i
ll
haven'tgonebacktowor kyet,Ifi
guredIneedt o
wat chKeleforawhil
euntilshe'sreadytogetback
onherf eet.Sbui
sstil
lhereandsoi sKele.Idon't
mi ndthecompanyatall.Iwassousedt ol onel
y
nightsbackthenwhenIwasmar r
iedtoLunga.

Ilookednexttot hebedonPhi la'ssideandhe

wasn'tthere.Hel ef
tanotei nsteadwhichr ead
"Morning,SthandwaSami( Mylove).Of ftoItal
y.
Youcanst artplanningourweddi ngsol ong.Call
thisnumber .Love-P".Thenumberhel eftmewasa
weddingpl anner'
snumber .Oh, Phil
athough.

Iwasn'
tplanni
ngonhavingafancywedding,but
wel
l,I
'mintheli
mel
ightnowsoIguessIhavet ogo
bi
gorgohome.Isuddenl ygotsoexci
tedsinceI
neverreal
lygottoplanmyownweddingwi t
hLunga.
Mymom andhi smom didever
ythi
ng.Ihated
everyt
hingaboutthatweddi
ngandthelastt
hingI
wanttowearr i
ghtnowisawhiteweddi
ngdr ess.

Speakingofmymom, shesentmeani cemessage

l
astnight.Yes,Irespondtohermessagesnow.I t
's
amazinghowt hatevilmaskshewor ejustcameof f
i
nani nstant
.IlovethisnewherandIt rul
yhopei t
l
asts.Gogowoul dneverl i
etomesoIguessi fshe
saysshe'schangedt henIhavetobeli
eveit.

Ideci
det otakeashowerandgodownst ai
rst
o
makesomebr eakf
ast
,butSbual r
eadybeatmetoi
t.
Ireal
lyhopet oday'
sbreakfastwon'tberui
ned
becauseitseemsasi fruinedbreakfasti
sanew
tr
endinourhouse.

If
oundSbusett
ingt
hetabl
eont hepat
ioal
one
wi
thoutKel
e.Shemuststi
llbesl
eepi
ngIguess.
Me:
"Mor
ning,
Sbu.Idi
dn'
tknowyouwer
egoodwi
th
t
hepot
s.Thissmel
lsdel
ici
ous.
"

Sbu:(Chuckli
ng)"Shosho, Qhawekazi(Heroi
ne)
.
uMamadei tapointtomakesur ethatweknowhow
tocook.Shesai dshedoesn' twanttoseeussuffer
andmakeourwi vesslavesinthekit
chen."

Il
aughedsof
tl
y.Thei
rmom i
str
ulyaGodsent
.

Me:"
Nawe, Sbu.Whydoyoukeepcal
lingme
Qhawekazi(Her
oine)i
nst
eadofZeel
ikeever
yone
el
se?"

Sbu:"BecauseI
'm notever
yoneelse,andalso
becausePhilat
oldmewhatyouwentt hrough.You
wentthroughsomuchyetyoumanagedt ostand
tal
landfacetheworld.Iadmir
ethat.So,
emehlweniami(inmyeyes)you'l
lalwaysbe
uQhawekazi(
aher
oine)
."

Ismiled.Wow.I 'mtouched.I
'
veneverreal
lyseen
thi
semot ionalsi
deofSbu.Imustsay,i
t'
sanew
breeze,butIli
keit
.

Me:
"Ngi
yabonga(Thankyou)
,Sbu.I
njaniuKele
(
How'sKel
e)?Isshecomingdownforbreakfast
?"

Sbu:"
She'st
akingashower,butwil
lbedowni na
moment .Aft
erbreakf
astI
'
mt akinghershopping
andI'
vebookedheranappointmentwithDr.Stei
n.
I'
m goi
ngwithher."

Thisthi
ngoftakingchar
geofwomen'sli
vesmust
beaZwanet hing.Iguessthatgi
vesmeachance
tocallt
heweddingplanner
.Maybeheorshewill
befreetodaysoIcangoseewhatwecandoso
l
ongf ormyupcomi ngwedding.
Sbu:"
Oh,beforeIfor
get.Don' tst
ressngo(about
)
Phi
la,Qhawekazi(Heroine)
.He' l
lbebackinnotime.
I
fIwer eyou,I'
dberelaxedbecauseNat ashai
sjust
awhor etr
yingherwor noutluck.
"

Perhapshe' sright.Ishoul
dn' tbestressingover
bit
chesl i
keNat asha,especiallynotwhenIhavea
weddingt oplan.Kel ewalkeddownt hest air
sand
camet owar dst hePati
o.Sbu' sfacelitup
Immedi atelyandhewentt oki ssheranshugher .
Allt
hislovei smaki ngmemi ssuPhilawami( My
Phil
a).Kel eshiedawayasusual .She'llhavetoget
usedtot his.IneverknewSbuwasaf anofPDA
l
ikePhila,butthey'retwi
nsaf terall
.

Sbu:
"Mor
ning,
Thembalami(Myhope)
.Si
t.Eatup
sowecangetstar
tedwi
thourday.
"

Kele:
"Mor
ningSbu.Mor
ning,
Zee.Okae(
Howar
e
you)?"
Zee:"
Keshap,
chomiandwena(
I'
m wel
landyou,
fr
iend)?Or
obetsebj
ang(
Howdidyousl
eep)
?

Kel
e:"
Muchbet t
erthanyesterdayhey.Imanagedto
sl
eepwell
,thankyou.Onceagai nt hankyouso
muchforyourhospital
it
y,Zee.I'
llbeoutofyour
hai
rsoon.
"

Sbuf
rownedandst
aredather
.

Sbu:"
You'
regoingnowher
e,Kel
e.Wespokeabout
thi
s,angi
thi(
ri
ght)
?"

Kel
e:"
Aski
es,
Sbu.Ir
eal
lydon'
tli
kei
mposi
ng.
"

Me:"
No,manKele.Skawara(Don'tworr
y).We'l
lbe
fami
lysoon.YoiandSbucanstayhereaslongas
youwant.
"
Sbu:"See?Andbesi
desourhouseisal
mostdone
thatside,
sowe'l
lbenei
ghbours.Youdon'
thavet
o
worryaboutathi
ng."

Kel
e:(
Looki
ngdown)"
Okay.
"

Sbu:
"Letmegochangesowecanl
eave.
"

Heki
ssedhercheekandranupst
air
sli
keal
it
tl
eboy
hi
ghonasugarhigh.Loveneh.

Me:
"Doyouwantt
otel
lmewhat
'sonyourmi
nd?
"

Kele:(
Deepsigh)"It
'sj
ustthatal
lthi
sishappening
sosoon,Zee.Imean, I'
mr eal
lyscar
ed.There'
sso
muchIhaven'ttoldyouguysandl eShar
onkamo
(ontheotherhand).Shekeepssendingmet hese
weirdmessagesandt hreat
s.Sheeventreat
ened
Thato.Ket
shabal
egobot
saSbu(
I'
m evenaf
rai
dof
tel
li
ngSbu).
"

Okay,
weallknowSharonisabitcr
azy,
but
t
hreat
eni
ngachild?That'
sjustl
ow.

Me:"Youneedt otel
lSbu,babe.All
owhi mt ospoil
andloveyou.Pl easedon'tpushhi
m away.Iknow
thi
sisdiff
erentfrom whatyou'r
eusedto,but
bel
ievemei t'
sgoingtobeokay.Sbui salotlike
Phil
a,theycanbeabi ttoomuchatt i
mes, butthey'
l
l
neverlayafingeronyouandt heydoallt
heydoout
ofgenuinelove."

Kele:
"Iguessyou'
rer i
ght
,hey.KesureBel
indaotl
o
naganagor eketi
kil
ine(I
'
m sureBel
indawi
llthi
nk
I'
m awhor e).
"

Me:"Mxm.Belindai
safi
neonetotal
k.Don'
twor
ry
abouther
,she'
smiser
abl
easiti
s."
IsawSbucomi
ngdownt
hest
air
s.

Me:
"Don'
tfor
getwhatIsai
d,Kel
e.Communi
cat
e."

Sbu:"
Thembal
ami
(Myhope)
,ar
eyour
eady?
"

Kel
e:(
Standi
ngup)"
Yes.
"

Me:
"Don'
twor
ry,
I'
ll
cleanup.Yougo.
"

Phil
ahasacl eani
ngcompanycomi nginonceaday,
soIhardlydomuchcleani
ng.Itssuchahuge
houseinanycase.There'
snowayoneper son
wouldcleanthi
swholehousealone.Ideci
dedt o
keepmyselfbusybywashingthedishesandgave
somefoodt othegunmen.
Phil
asaidI'm spoi
li
ngthem andI'm makingthem
l
osef ocus,butheneedst ot
reatal
lhisworkersthe
same.AsIwashummi ngsomegospelsongs, my
phonebeeped.Iqui ckl
ycheckeditbecauseI
thoughtitmightbeamessagef rom Phi
la.Instead,
i
twasaWhat sAppfrom anunknownnumber .It'
sa
photoofaDNAt est
.

Ididn'tunderst
andallthegibberi
shwr i
tt
enontop
withsomet hingaboutcrhomosomesandDNA
parti
cles.Iscroll
edri
ghtt othebott
om:I n
conclusion;theDNAt estsamplestakenfrom t
he
all
egedf atherPhi
laZwaneandt hechil
dconcerned,
resultin99.9%probabil
it
y,whichdeemsasPosi t
ive.

Thecapt i
onatthebottom r
ead:
"ItoldyouPhil
awas
thefather
,butyoujustwouldn'
tli
sten.Stayaway
from myman. "

I
tcan'
tbe.Therei
snowayt hi
sist
rue.Mygut
f
eel
ingist
ell
ingmethatal
lthi
sisf
ake.It
ri
ed
call
ingPhil
a,buthisphonewentstrai
ghtto
voicemail
.IrefusetocryandGiveNatashaallt
he
creditf
ormyt ears.Shecl
earl
yunderesti
matesme.
Iwillnotl
etsomel owli
fe,
Poleint
imidat
eme.

Idecidedtogoupstair
sandcallt
heWedding
Planner.Phi
laaskedmet ot
rusthim andt
hat
's
exactl
ywhatI'm goi
ngtodo.

Afteraboutanhour ,Idecidedt ofreshenup.The

weddingpl annerPhil
agotf ormei sSophieLa
Grange, t
hemostexpensi veandmostsoughtaf ter
weddingpl anneri
nSout hAf ri
ca.Idi dn'
tknow
muchabouthersoIdeci dedtogoogl eherbefore
shear r
ived.Herwor kisabsol utelyamazing.She
mustknowherst uffpret
tywel l,hey.

Whi l
eIwai
tedonherasshewasmaki ngherwayt o
Centuri
onallt
hewayfrom CapeTown,Idecidedt
o
catchuponsomet v,
adecisionIr
egr
ett aki
ng.My
facewasallovert
henews;someheadlineswere
posi
ti
veandni
ce,
whi
leot
her
swer
ejustdownr
ight
nast
y.

ThereIwas,tr
endingontv,mypi ctur
esthatwere
takenatthel
aunchsplashedalloverthenews
headli
nes.Somewer epictur
esofPhi l
aandI
besideeachotherwhil
emostwer eofme.There
weremor epi
cturesofPhil
aandIwhenwewer ei
n
CapeTown.

Howt hefuckdidt hosepictur

esgetleaked?Who
tookt hosepictures?Ther ewasevenapi ct
ureof
PhilaandIi nbedt oget herontherooft
opwi thour
clothesont hef l
oor .Therewasevenonepar t
icul
ar
phot oofavi si
bleunhappyver sionofmyself
alongsi deLungaataf uncti
onweoncewentt oover
ayearago.
Theheadl
ineswer
edi
sgust
ingt
osayt
hel
east
.

"
Bil
li
onai
reMogulget
sengagedt
oMi
ll
ionai
re'
s
wi
fe"

"
Bedhoppi
ng:Fr
om Bi
ll
ionai
ret
oMi
ll
ionai
re"

"
Bil
li
onai
reshaggi
ngoverwei
ghtmar
ri
edwomanon
r
ooft
opofsnazzyhot
el"

Icoul
dn'twatchanyf urt
her.Myphonewas
suddenlybeepingwithmessages.Por scheand
Keletext
edmet oaskifI'
m okay.Mymom and
Gogoaswel l.Thesameunknownnumbert hatsent
theDNAt esttext
edmeagai n" It
oldyou,you'
reway
outofhisleague."

Myphonewasf l
oodi
ngwi tht
weetsandFacebook
tags.IcheckedTwi t
terandIwastrendi
ng!One
withthehasthag#BBWwi f
e,whi
chhadover1.2k
tweets,anot
heronewi th#Handsof
fZee,whi
chhad
over3.5ktweets.
"Sheshoul
djustst
ayawayfrom menwithmoney,
wordisshe'
sthecauseofherhusband'
scoma
#BBWwi f
e"

"Comeon, guys.Shei
sdivorcedandengagedt o
PhilaZwane.Whycan'ty'
allbehappyforafel
low
blackwoman?#Handsof f
Zee"

Ther
ewer
esomanyIj
ustcoul
dn'
tkeepcount
.

Ther
ewerepict
uresofLungaandPhil
anextt
oone
anot
herandonewiththecapt
ion:
"Whochowsher
best
?#BBWwi f
e"

Oneper sontweet
edpict
uresofNat shaandI
alongsi
deeachotherwit
ht hecapti
on:"Fr
om Model
toFastAss.Iguessmoneycan' tbuyyouclass
#BBWwi f
e."
Thatpar t
icularonewasanewaccountcr eat
ed
today.It'
spr obablyNatashaorZodwawhoknows?
I'
mj ustbeyondbr okenrightnow.Itr
iedcall
ing
Phil
abuthi sphonewasst il
loff
.Ij
ustsuccumbed
tothepainandt earswhichwerefl
owing
continuouslydownmyf ace.

KeleandSbucamer ushingin.Whenshesawme
shejustcamet owardsmeandhuggedmewhi leI
cri
ed.Sbuwasont hephonescr eamingat
someonet ofixthi
sfucki
ngmess.Theyal wayssay
SocialMediacaneithermakeorbr eakyou.Att hi
s
point,
I'
m brokenbeyondr epai
r.Ican'
tevenf ace
thewor l
dandespeciall
ynotmyweddi ngplanner.

Chapt
erFi
ft
y

Zi
yanda

I
'
vebeencur
ledupont
hecouchf
oraboutanhour
now.Kel eevenbr oughtmeabl anketandmadeus
somef ood.Sbuwasst i
llbusyi
nPhi la'
sstudy,
probablytr
yingtodosomedamagecont rol
,butwel
l,
thedamagei salreadydone.I t'
salready3pm and
myphonehasbeenr ingi
ngof ft
hehook.Ideci ded
toputitonsilentmode.

Kelebroughtmesomeni cecomf ortf

ood, pap,
chi
ckenandcabbageonat raywithsomej uice.For
someoddr easonIcouldn'thandlethesmel lof
chi
cken.I '
veneverhadapr oblem wit
hchi cken
befor
e,butnowt hesmelljusthitmynost ri
lsalmost
causingmet ovomi t.Idi
dn' twanttomakeherf eel
l
ikethere'
ssomet hi
ngwrongwi t
hherf ood,soI
optedforthejuice.Gladl
y, sheunderstood.She
wantedt oswitchoffthetv,butItoldhertoleaveit
on.

Iwaseverywher
eontv.Peoplearecal
li
nginon
Today'
sshowofDave'sDiar
yandyep,I'
mthehot
topi
coftheday.Daveisawellknowngay
present
erwhohasbeenr
unninghisowntal
kshow
forthepastt
enyear
s.Hehasint
ervi
ewedsomany
famouspeople.

Ihavenoi deahowhecomesupwi that opi

c
ever
ydayf rom Mondayt oFri
day,
buthedoesi t.I
guessi t
'snatur
altalent.Hisshow'ssetupisquit
e
si
milartotheRi ckyLakeshow.Hehasabi g
audiencecheeringhi m onandint
eracti
ngwi t
hhim
whil
ehe' sonstage.You' reevenall
owedt ocalli
n
andgi veyouropinionoraskquestions.

Ial
waysr ecordhi
sshowandf orcePhi l
atowat chi
t
wit
hmebef or
ebed, eventhoughhehat esit.I
haven'
theardfrom PhilaandI'
vebeenr eceivi
ng
somenast ymenti
onsandDMsf rom thatsame
accountthatpost
edt hepicofNat ashaandInextto
eachother.

Ther
e'snotmuchtofindoutaboutt
hisaccount
si
ncetheTwit
terhandlei
s@Tal l
est
Bit
chInTown.I
t
doesn'
ttakeageni
ustofi
gureoutthati
t'
sindeed
Natasha.Notal
lofwhatI'
m seei
ngandreadingis
badbecauseappar
entl
ythere'
sacampaigncr eat
ed
formebypeoplewhoareonmysi de.

Somear eplus-si
zemodelsandsomehavebeen
thr
oughal otofbodyshaming,whil
esomesayt hey
aremyf ans.Idecidedtot
urnupthevolumefor
i
nterestsake,Imeanit'
snotever
ydayyourpi
cture
appearsont vandpeoplet
alkaboutyoual
ldamn
day.

Dave:" Welcomet oDave'sDi arytothosewhoj ust

tunedi n.Asyouknow, ayoung, beauti
fulwoman
hasbeent rendingalldaytodayandf orallt
he
wr ongr easons.Womencanbesocr ueltofel
low
women, whichiswhyIal waysbringyouaposi ti
ve
platfor
m.Ihaveaf ewguest sli
nedupandIdo
hopet hatyou' r
ewat chi
ng,Ms.Zandi l
eBhengu,
wher everyouar e.Nowbef oreIbri
ngoutmyf irst
guest ,
Iwoul dl
iket
ot akethismomentt ospeakmy
heartout:Idon'tknowyoupersonal
ly,
Zandil
e,butI
cansayt hatpeoplehavehur
tyoualotfrom t
he
tweetsI'
veread.

Nowomani saboveanot herinthi

sworld.You' re
beauti
fuli
nsideandout sideandIcantellthatthe
personwhodi dt hi
sisprobablyabit
ter
,ugl yguest.
Nobeaut i
fulpersoncandosuchat hi
ngt oanot her
humanbei ng."

Apictur
eofNatashaandInextt
ooneanother
poppedupagainwit
hthecapti
on:"
From Modelt
o
fatass,
Iguessmoneycan'
tbuyyouhappiness.
"

Dave:"Thisi
sexactl
ywhatI
'mtalki
ngabout.This
tweetcomesf r
om aghostaccountcreat
edinthe
earl
yhour softhi
smorni
ng.Thistweetisfr
om
@TallestBit
chi
nTown.Isi
tacoincidence?Idon'
t
thi
nkso.
So,myt eam deci dedt odosomedi ggi
ng.Thi s
accountbel ongst oaNat ashaMot hupi,t
hegi r
lon
theleftoft hispi cture.Natashawasan
acquaint ancet oMr .PhilaZwane,andwasr ecentl
y
fi
redfrom hi scompanyf oral
legedlybl
ackmai li
ng
andhar assi ngt hef utureMrs.Zwane.Now, ifthat
doesn'tsoundbi tter
, Idon'
tknowwhati s.Nat asha,
you'
reanevi lper sonwhohasnor egar
df orother
people'sf eelingsandt hankgoodnessnotal lof
SouthAf ri
cai sbad. "

Allt
hiswhi
leIwasgl
uedtothet
vnotr
eal
izi
ngt
hat
KeleandSbuwerwwatchi
ngwit
hme.

Por
schest
ormedi
nwhi
lewewer
ewat
chi
ng.

Porsche:"
Bathong(Goodness)
!Zee!Kgal
ekefouna
hl
e( I'
vebeencall
ing)
.Areyouwat chi
ngDave'
a
Diary?"
Kel
e:"Di
dimalahl
ePorscheonnef
ase(
Pleasekeep
qui
etandsitdown).
"

Porschesatnextt
omewhi
leKel
eandSbusatnext
toeachother.

Dave:".
..Wi
tht
hatsai
d,l
et'
swel
comeourf
ir
st
guest.
"

Theguestsst
art
edclappi ngandmyhear tski
ppeda
bi
tasIsawhim walkingonst age.Helooks
handsomeasalwaysi nhisItal
iansui
t.Helooksso
drai
nedli
kehehasn'tsleptinawhile.

Dave:
"Goodday,Mr
.Zwane.I
t'
sapl
easur
etohave
youheretoday.
"

Phil
a:"
Thankyou,Dave.However
,Idowisht
he
ci
rcumstanceswerealotmor
epleasant
."
Dave:
"Iunder
stand.Pl
easetel
lusaboutNat
asha
andherall
egati
onsagai
nstyou.
"

Phil
a:"
Well,Dave.Natashausedtowor kf orme.
Wehadano- str
ingsatt
achedrel
ationshipaf ew
year
sagoandIendedi tayearago.Shedi dn'tt
ake
i
tverywel lasyoucansee.Shef i
ledforchi l
d
maintenanceandhadcour tsummonssentt omy
houseforachi l
dthat'
snotevenmi ne."

Theguest
swer
egaspi
ng.

Dave:
"Andi
sther
epr
oofofal
lthi
s?"

Phila:
"Yes,asyoucanseeonyourscr eensshehad
paternit
ytestsf
akedandsenttomywi f
e'sphone.
Thedoct orwhotookthebri
befrom herisgetti
ng
fi
redaswespeak.Ther ealpat
erni
tytestsarethe
secondonesonyourscr een,pr
ovingthatI'
m
i
ndeednotthefatherofherchild.Themessages
youseeonyourscr eensaremessagesf rom
Natashathr
eat
eningmei fIdon'tgetbackwithher
.
Ievenhaveavoicemai lmessageshel eftme."

Theypl ayedthemessage:
"Phi
laZwane!You'l
l
regreteverdumpingme!Noonemesseswi t
h
Natashaandget sawaywithit
.I'l
lmakesureofi
t!
I'
llr
uinyourentir
eworldandthatpreci
ousf
at
girl
fri
endofyours!Markmywor ds!"

Thecrowdgaspedonceagain,
whil
ewejust
remai
nedspeechl
essandgluedtot
hescreen.

Dave:"
Wow.That'squi
teamouthf
ul.Nat
asha
Mothupii
sacruelwoman.Ist
hereanyt
hingyou'
d
l
iketoadd,Mr
.Zwane?"

Phi
la:
"Yes.(l
ookingint
othecamera)St
handwa
sami(Mylove),Iknowyou'
rewatchi
ngthi
s
becauseSbutol
dme.I '
m sorr
yyouhadtogo
throught
hisal
lwithoutmebyyourside.I'
m sorr
y
fortheworl
dbeingsocrueltoyoursweet
,kindsoul
.

You'r
emybeaut i
fulgoddess,IloveyouQhawekazi
wami (Myheroine).Ican'twaittohaveyouinmy
armssoonandr estassured,t
hatNatashawillnever
botheruseveragainandever yonewhomessed
wit
hyouwi lll
ivetoregretit
.Byt heway,pl
ease
answeryourphone.

Sophiehasbeentryi
ngtogetholdofyouf orthe
pasthour.She'
swaiti
ngforconfir
mationtoenterat
thegatealongwit
hFrancesca.Makesur eyou
choosetheweddingdressofyourdreams.Icannot
waitt
omar r
yyou,MaZwane( Mrs.Zwane)."

Thecrowdjustcl
appedandwereinawe.Davewas
smil
ingandevensheddingat
ear.HethankedPhi
la
andheleftashecarr
iedonwi
thhisshow.
It
ookamomenttograspwhatjusthappened.I
di
dn'
tevenr
eal
izeIwasint
earsonceagain.

Porsche:"Wow!Phi l
akelaasnumberman( Phil
a
theman) .Zee,botsamasecur it
ybabul egateman
(Tell
securit
ytoopent hegate).Ot samayeohl apa
sefahlegoseo,SophieleFrancescabakasego
boneol eskoboso( Goandwashyourf ace,Sophi
andFr ancescacan'tseeyouinthisuglystate)
."

Kelelaughedwhi l
ewipinghertearsof
fherfaceand
Sbuhel dherwaist.Icall
edthemenatt hegateand
l
etthem knowi t'
sokayt ol
etSophieandFrancesca
i
n.Por schefixedeveryt
hingforthem.Some
snacksandchampagne, whil
eIwentupstair
sto
washmyf ace.

Aft
erwashi
ngmyfaceIrecei
vedamessagefrom
Phi
la"
Ihopeyouchoosethef
inestdr
essandplan
thebestweddi
ngofyourdreams.Youdeser vet
his,
MaZwane( Mrs.Zwane).Youdeserveheaven
becauseyou'
reGod'
sfinestcr
eat
ion.Seeyousoon,
LoveP."
Chapt
erFi
ft
yOne

Zi
yanda

IsmiledasIr eadPhi
la'
smessage.Il ookedatmy
faceinthemi rr
orandmygosh, myfacei sswollen.
Myeyesar enearl
yshutclosed.Igotdownst air
s
andf oundSophiealr
eadyonmycouchwi t
hahuge
bookt hathaspapercli
psandsomest i
ckynot es.I
assumet hatsherweddingbook.Fr ancescaont he
otherhandhadahuger ackfil
ledwi
thdr esscover s.

Ther
e'sprobabl
yabout20dressesont hi
srack.
Howonear thdi
dshecarryt
hem allhere?Porsche
ser
vedthem somechampagneandsnackswhi l
e
Kel
ecleanedupandwashedt hedishes.Sbu
wasn' taroundanymor e,Iassumedhewasbacki n
Phila'sstudy.Sophiesawmewal ki
ngdownt he
stairs.Sophi ehasshor tblondehairandbeauti
ful
skin, wit
hgor geous,
br ightblueeyes.Shehas
amazi nglegs,muchlikeFr ancesca.

Sophi e:"
ThankGoodnessyou'rehere!Iwasstar
ting
tothinkyouchangedyourmi ndaboutt heweddi
ng!
Nottoment i
onallt
hedramat hat'
sbeenhappening
today, babe.Howareyoufeeling?"

Shesai dal
lthatwhilehuggingme.Shedidn'
teven
greetmepr operl
y,Iguessthisi
sherwayof
greeti
ngsinceshei ssuchahugeballofener
gy.

Sophie:"
Oh,myword!Youl
ookmuchbet teri
n
person!Yourfacei
ssogorgeousandthathair
!Gi
rl
,
I'
m goingtohavesomuchfunwithyou!
"

Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
othi
nkr
eal
ly.Por
schei
squi
te
ener
get
ic,
butt
his,
isout
rageousl
ybubbl
y.

Fr
ancescacametowar
dsmeandhel
dmycheeks
wi
thherhands.

Francesca:
"Dea(Goddess),t
uttoandr
àbene( all
shallbewell
).Yousopr et
ty,Dea(goddess).Let'
s
getyouinprett
iestdr
ess.Phila'
sinst
ructi
ons,yes?"

Ismiledandnodded.Shehuggedmeand
whisperedi
nmyear .

Fr
ancesca:"
Mambasor t
edoutt
hemess.Natasha
i
snomor ethreatt
oyou.Nat
ashai
smorta(
dead).
"

Ifel
tacoldshi
verdownmyspine.Thesepeopl
e
don'
twasteti
me.Ican'tr
eal
lysayIf
eelbadfor
Phil
akil
li
ngNatasha.Doest
hatmakemeanof fi
cial
mafiawif
enow?
Fr ancescasmi ledatmeandgavemet hefi
rsttotr
y.
Wewer eintheloungesonoboyswer eall
owed.I t
wasper fectl
ysaf e.Ifel
tabi tweirdhavingtotake
offmycl othesinf r
ontofFr ancescaandSophi ebut
theydi dn'tevenseem bot hered.LuckilyFrancesca
gavemeabodysui tt
owearunder neathbefore
tryingoutanydr ess.Itmademef eelabitbett
er.

PorscheandKel ewer el ooki

ngatmei nsomuch
excit
ementandIj ustfeltsohapoyf orthefi
rstt
ime
i
nal ongtime.Igett oenjoyplanningmyweddi ng
withoutanystress.I'llbedamnedi fIletanyone
takethatawayf rom me.Thef i
rstdresswasan
ElegantDeepV- NeckSheerFl oralLaceMaxi Dr
ess
withFloorLength, aCasualFluffySwi ngandA-li
ne.

Ithadflowerbeadingonmychestandshowed
someofmycl eavage.Francescaal
sobroughta
nice,
hugemi rrorformetobeabletolookatmyself
clear
ly.Icouldn'thel
pbutgetemoti
onal.Lucki
ly
thi
sdresswasal i
ghtpurplecol
our.Imeantitwhen
Isaidnowhiteweddingdress.Il
ikei
t,butIneeda
dressthatI
'
lll
ove,
right
?

Ichangedi nt
ot hesecondone, whichwasaRed
SequinedVel vetMermaidWeddi ngDr ess,wi
tha
Sleevel
essVNeck.Fr ancescasaidi t'
sacustome
madeBr idalGownbyher .Tearsjustdroppeddown
mycheeks.Thi sisi
t.Thisistheone.Cal lme
cl
iche,butredi smyfavourit
ecolour .Ithi
nkPhil
a
hadsomet hingt odowiththi
s.Het oldherto
designsomet hingspeci
allyforme.

Porsche:(
Tear
y-eyed)"
Chomiweh(Ohfri
end)
.
That'
stheone!I'
veneverseenaredweddi
ngdress
l
ookt hi
sgoodonsomeonebef or
e."

Me:
"Il
ovei
t.Thi
sisi
t,Fr
ancesca.Thi
sist
heone.
"

Fr
ancesca:
"Youonl
ywantonedr
essf
orweddi
ng,
Dea(
Goddess)
?"

Me:
"Yes,
justonei
sfi
ne.
"

Francesca: "
Alri
ght,then.It
ellMambawhichone
youl ove.I'l
lmakesomeadj ust
ment.Nothi
ngbi
g,
justsmal l-
small.Ijustwantyourweddi
ngtobe
perfect,Dea( Goddess).Mambai sl
ikesontome
andPi erro."

Me:"
Thankyou,
Francesca.Thankssomuchf
or
ever
ythi
ng.
"

Shekissedmeonmycheeks, It
ali
anstyl
eand
headedoutwi t
hthedresses.Shehadal ottodofor
therestoft
heday.Nowi twasti
mef orSharonand
Itogetstar
ted.PorscheandKelewer ether
efor
i
nputandIr eal
lyl
ovedthattheyweretherewit
hme.
Ichosethesamevenuef orthel aunch:theRoyal
ElephantHot
el,
andyes, Por scheandherhusband
owni t.I
twashersuggest ion.Wewoul dhavet he
ceremonyoutsi
deandt her estoft heeventsinside.
Iwentwi t
haredandbl ackTheme, andchosethe
bouquet,t
hecenterpi
eces, cutlery,thedrapi
ngs.I t
wassoeasyt owor kwithShar onsi ncesheknows
everyonewhodideverything.

Sheevendeal swithTraditi
onalweddingssoIwi l
l
mostpr obabl
yuseherf orourt r
adit
ionalweddi
ng
aswel l
.Itookafewpi cturestoshowPhi lawhenhe
comesback.Al lthiswasnowget ti
ngmeso
exci
ted.Themor epl anningwedi dthemor eIj
ust
sawmysel finmyweddi ngdress.Ireall
ycannot
waittobeMr s.Zwane.

Sophielef
taft
erthreehour
sofpl anni
ngand
Porschehadtoleavetootogoandcat erforher
famil
y.Kel egavetheremai
ningf oodshemadei n
theaft
ernoontothegunmenout sideandmade
somesupper.Ifeelbad.Sheshoul dn'thaveto
cooksomuch.Shemadesomechi ckenal aki
ng
thi
sti
me.Ilovepasta,butIcouldn'tstomachthe
chi
ckenpart
s.Ihadt oremoveal lchickeninor
der
toeatandshegavemeal ook.

Me:
"I
'm don'
tli
kechi
cken.
"

Kel
e:(l
aughi
ng)"Skanhl
oll
a(Don'
tbesi
ll
y),
Zee.
You'
vealwaysl
ikedchi
cken."

Me:
"Ah,
peopl
echange.
"

Kele:"
Don'tpl
aystupid.Isawyouthi
safter
noon.I
sawhowyoumadeaf acewhenIgaveyouthepl
ate
ofchicken.IfIdi
dn'tknowbett
erI
'dsayyou'r
e
baking."

Me:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Don'
tbesi
ll
y,man.
"
Sbu:"Kelecoul
dber
ight
.Sharonhat
edthesmellof
chickenwhenshewaspregnant
.Nottomenti
on
thetaste."

Istart
edthinkingandthenitcrossedmymi nd.Shit
!
PhilaandIneverusedcondomsandI '
m noteven
onanycont racepti
ves.ButIcouldneverfall
pregnanteasil
y.Noways.I t
'sprobabl
yast omach
bug.Kelenot i
cedhowdeepi nthoughtIwas.

Kele:
"Hmm,keabonawanaganabj
anong(Icansee
you'r
ethi
nki
ngnow).Whenwasthelastt
imeyou
sawyourperi
od?"

Iwentqui
et.

Kele:
"Alr
ight.Letmewasht hedi
shesandheadto
bed.Por schesaidIhavet
ogobackt owork
tomorrow.Seemst hepresshasbeenattheof
fi
ces
al
ldayt
oday.
"

Me:"No,
leavet
hem, babe.I'l
ldot
hem.Youalr
eady
cookedtwicet
oday.Gosl eep.Sbui
swait
ingon
you.
"

Shesmi l
edandwentuostair
stotheirbedroom.I
can'
tstopthi
nking.WhatifI
'mindeedpregnant.So
soonafterwefoundeachother
?Ideci dedtokeep
myselfbusywiththedi
shesandheadedt obed.

Bel
inda

Ican'
tbelievemyl i
feissuchashi tholenow.Il ost
mypent housebecauset hisidi
otLungal easedit
andneverboughti tforme.Ihadt omovei nwith
ZodwaandDavi dandl et
'snotforgetthatLungais
nowasemi -Veget
able.Hei ssti
llusinga
wheelchairwhichmeanshecan' tevenusehi s
usel
essdi ckanymor e.
 Heremember sme,butforsomer easondoesn' t
rememberZeeatal l.Thedoct or
ssai dthathe
doesn'
tr ememberanythingfrom beforethe
shooti
ng, buti
tisabitoddthather emember sme.
IfIdi
dn'tknowanybet ter
,I'
dsayheschanged, butI
knowLunga.He' sf
akingit.

Isawthenewst odayandZeehasbeent r
ending.
Foroncebadthingsarebei
ngsaidabouther.She's
al
waysbeenQueenBandst eali
ngallt
hespotli
ght.
EvenZodwaofferedsomeoft hepr
essdamagi ng
i
nformati
onaboutZeeinexchangeformoney.
Theygaveherameasl yR30000.Shet wi
stedthe
tr
uthhereandthere,
butIguessIwoulddothe
sameinherpositi
on.

Daviddoesn'tdoshitt
ohel
pZodwaanymor e.All
hedoesi sbuyfoodandthat
'si
t.Ican'
tsurvi
veon
foodonly,ImeanIevenhadtosel
lmycar .Idoall
thecookingandcleani
nginher
eandZodwat reat
s
mel
ikeasl
ave.

SoIdecidedtostar
tfucki
ngDavid.He'salsoas
l
ousyasLungai nbed,itmustbeafamilythi
ng.He
givesmeanallowanceofR10000amont h.It'
snot
asmuchasLungausedt ogiveme,butatleastIget
topayformyson'sfeesandIboughtacheapcar
onf i
nance.

Zodwakeptaski ngquesti
onsaboutwher eIgott
his
moneyf rom,butIl
iedandsaidIgotaj ob.She
can'tevengovisi
tAdoniasinceal
lthemoneyshe
stealsfr
om DavidgoestowardsLunga'smedi cal
fees.I'
m sit
ti
ngont het
oil
etseataftertakinga
pregnancytest
.

I
twaspartofmyplant ofal
lpregnant
,sothat
Davi
dcanchaseZodwaoutoft hehouseandIcan
fi
nal
lybeMrs.Ngcobo.Beggar scantbechooser
s
asmymot heral
wayssaid.Awomanhasgott odo
whatshehastoinordertofeedhersel
f.I
fthat
meansIhavet of
uckbot
hf at
herandsontodoi t
,
thensobei t
.Myownfatherusedtofuckmefrom
age8unt i
lIwas18,
soit
'snotli
keI'
m notusedto
beingabusedandnoonebeli
evingme.

Thetestshowedtwostr
ipes.I
'
mfial
lypr
egnant
.I
can'
twaittotel
lDavi
d.
Chapt
erFi
ft
yTwo

Zi
yanda

Iwentupst air
stomybedr oom af t
erwashi ngt he
dishes.Iswi t
chedont hetvinthebedr oom t oavoi
d
thinkingoft hepossibi
li
tyofmebei ngpr egnant .I
woul dn'tbeangr yaboutit
,infactIwoul dbehappy,
butIhavehadsuchahor r
ibleexperi
enceof
pregnancy.If earImightnotbeabl etocarr yachil
d
fullterm.Iwoul dn'twantPhilatogot hrought hat
withme.We' vehadenoughhear t
breakt olastus
foret er
nity.
Ideci
dedtocat
chupont herestofDave'sshow
si
nceIrecor
dedit
.AfterPhi
l
al ef
tthestage,
Elmar
ie,t
hebout
iqueownercameont hest age.
Whatashock.

Dave:"
Goodday,
Elmar
ie.Pl
easet
ellusaboutwhy
you'
reher
e."

Elmarie:
"Thanksforhavingme, Dave.Iam her eas
thefounderofmynewcampai gn#Handsof fZee.
We'veachievedover20000t weetsandIhave
personall
ymetZi yanda.Icant el
lyouthatshei s
toosweetofawomant obeat t
ackedlikethis.No
womandeser vestobeat t
acked,especial
ly
bodyshamed.

ImetZiyandaafewweeksagowhenshecamet o
CapeTownwi t
hherfi
ancee,
Mr.Zwane.Theyar
e
suchalovel
ycoupl
e.Shecametomybout i
quet
o
buysomel i
ngeri
eandevenor der
edsomemor efor
herfriendswhoworkatt hementi
onedhotel
.I
createdthiscampai
gnassoonasInot icedhow
fel
lowwomenwer egangi nguponherbecauseof
herlooks.Theydon'tevenknowher.Iexpanded
mypl ussizerangeal
lthankstoZee.

Mr .Zwanegavemesomegr eatbusinessadvi ce
andasar esul
tI'
vemanagedt oexpandand
franchiseybout
ique.IwouldlikeZiyandat obet he
faceofmynewpl ussizerange.Ihopesheaccept s
myof f
erasIhavealreadytri
edcont acti
ngher .It'
s
hightimewechanget hewaywomenbashot her
women.Lett hi
sbeanewr evolut
ionf orwomenl i
ke
Ziyanda, t
oencourageustoloveour selves.
"

Wow.El mariehassai
damout hful.Afewother
guestswentonstageincludi
ngSi monef r
om t
he
hotel
,whosaidgoodthingsaboutmeandst ar
ted
bashi
ngNat ashaandallotherpeoplewhowere
negati
veaboutme.SomeevenonTwi tter
apologi
zingf
ornothavi
ngtheful
lst
ory.Someeven
saidPhil
aisromant
ictohavesexwi
thmeont he
rooft
opofahotel
.

Ireadaf ewt weetsandapparent

lyafewjournal
ist
s
gotfiredforreport
ingandposti
ngli
esaboutme
andmyr elat
ionshi
pwi t
hPhil
a.IbetPhil
ahad
everythi
ngt odowi tht
hat.Ot
hersevenleakedthe
divorcepaper s,
whilesomeclai
mi t
'sal
lfake.

Atleastsomethi
nggoodcameoutofthi
sday.I
decidedIwoulddealwi
thever
yonetomor
row,f
or
nowIj ustneedt
ogetsomeshuteye.Ipr
ayedand
dozedof f
.

Iwokeupinthemiddleoft
henightwithsomeone'
s
armswrappedaroundmeandthet von.Ijumped
andhear
dPhila'
svoiceandimmediatel
ycalmed
down.
Phi
la:"
It
'sme,
Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
.Don'
tbe
af
raid.
"

Me:"
Youscar
edme,
Phi
la.Whatt
imedi
dyouget
her
e?"

Phi
la:
"Notsolongago.Imi
ssedyou,
Sthandwa
sami(Mylove).
"

Heheldont omesot i
ght.Hesmel ledoffreshsoap
andloti
on,Iguesshetookaquickshowerbef ore
comingtobed.Imusthavebeenr eall
ytir
ednotto
haveheardhim.Hehadt hi
sf ai
ntsmel loffi
reor
chemicalsorsomethi
ng.Ijustcan'tputmyf i
nger
onit.Iswit
chedonmysi delampsoIcoul dsee
him pr
operl
y.

Me:
"Imi
ssedyout
oo,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
."
Il
ookedathishandsandhi
sknuckl
eswer
ereal
ly
br
uised.Badly.

Me:
"Whathappenedt
oyourhands?
"

Phi
la:
"Not
hingt
owor
ryabout
,St
handwasami(
My
l
ove).
"

Me:
"Whathappenedt
oNat
asha?
"

Phi
la:
"Ngi
m'ci
shi
le(
Iki
ll
edher
).
"

Igotsofrightened.Hejustt
oldmeheki l
led
anotherpersonwi t
houtanyfeel
ingorr
emor se.

Me:(
Deepsi
gh)"
Okay.
"

Hel
eanedf
orwar
dtoki
ssme.Ir
eci
procat
edandhe
wentont otouchme.Heki ssedmyneckand
suckedmybr easts,
whilehisonehandwasplayi
ng
onmycl it
.Icannevergetusedt ohi
samazing
hands.Itookof fhisboxersandwastednotime.I
rubbedhispeni sgentl
yandIpulledi
ttowar
dsmy
pussy.Heent eredmesosl owl
yandwentonwi t
ha
passionat
er hythm.Webot hcameaf t
eralong
whileandlayi neachother'
sarms.

Twoweeksl
ater

Gog'
Khanyi

It
'sbeent woweekssi ncewet oldZi yanda
everythingconcerni
ngherbilogicalf at
her.Itwasn'
t
easybutI 'mreall
ygladuNomsai smendi ngher
rel
ationshipwithherdaughter.Weevenst art
edto
bondagai nandshe' sl
earni
ngat hingortwof rom
me.I ttookal otofworktofi
nal l
yt r
ackdown
Bongi nkosiGumede.Yer rf
oraKi nghesur elikest
o
keepal owprofi
le.I
fitwasn'tforhisf l
ashywi fe
posti
ngpict
uresonsoci
almedi
a,wewoul
dn'
thave
foundhi
m.

Florah,NomsaandIareonourwayt here,aft
er
fl
yingsixhours.ThankgoodnessPhi l
ahaveushi s
Jetfortheweekend.Bonginkosil
ivesi
nEshowei n
Kwazulu-Natal
.We'rebeyondexhausted, but
there'
snothi
ngsomel unchandaf ewdrinkscant
fi
x.

Wewentt othemal ltograbsomethingt

oeatatone
oftherest
aurants.It'
sonlynowthatwer eal
izehow
hungryweare.NomsaandIhadaf ewglassesof
wine,whil
eFlorahhadj ui
ce.What'snew?Igota
takeawayforthedr i
verandwewer eoffagain.

Wef inal
lyarri
vedatthei
rvill
age.Theirhouseisthe
biggestofthem all
,wit
hani celi
tt
legardenand
somesecur ityatt
hegat es.Thesecurit
yrefusedto
l
etusi nuntilIt
oldthem it
'sabouttheKing'
slong
l
ostdaught er.
Theysentsomeonet oinfor
m him,l
eavi
ngust o
sweatsomemor einthi
sscorchi
ngheat.Ihaveno
i
deahowt heysurvi
veinthi
sheat.Mustbehorri
ble
foraperson'sski
n.Hayi,aboNomsabaya
dobel
elaman( Nomsasur eknowshowt opick
them).

Theguar dsfi
nall
yopenedt hegat
esandwedr ove
i
n.Theyar di
sf i
ll
edwit
hf l
owersandsomewat er
fountai
ns.Hai ,
it'
samazingwhatpeopledowith
ourtaxmoney.Aswewer eabouttowalkout
,a
verycurvywomanwi thaver ybi
gasscameoutand
star
tedshoutingatus.

Woman:"Baf
unanil
aba(
Whatar
etheydoi
ngher
e)?
!
It
oldyounott
olett
hem i
n!"

It
ookoutmycigaret
teandli
tit
.Itookaf
ewpuf
fs
whil
elooki
ngatt
hisdisf
igur
edbit
ch.
Guar
d:"
Sorry,Ma'
am.Wef
oll
owedt
heKi
ng'
s
i
nstr
uct
ions."

Woman:"I
'mtheQueenandIdemandthatyousend
t
hem back!Angibaf
uniabat
hakat
hil
aemziniwami
(
Idon'
twantwitchesherei
nmyhouse)!
"

Oh,sothi
smustbet hewif
e.QueenZi nhl
eof
Eshowe,whoflauntstheKing'smoneyonsoci
al
media.Thisi
sgoi ngtobef un.

Nomsa:
"Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Zi
nhl
e."

Zinhl
e:"
Yey,yey,yey!Wena,Nondi
ndwa( whor
e)!
Hambal ana(Goaway) !Andtakeyouruglymother
andwhoevert hi
siswithyou!
"

Iwon'
tst
andher
eint
hisscor
chi
ngheatl
ist
eni
ngt
o
t
hisbi
tchrant
ingandr
avi
ng.I'vehadal
ongass
f
li
ghtandIneedtodowhatIcameheret
odoand
l
eavethi
sshit
typl
ace.

Asshewasaboutt ostartscreami ngagain,Iwalked

uptoherandbur ntherwi t
ht heremai ni
ngpar tof
myst i
lll
itcigar
etteonherf ace.Shescr eamedi n
agonyast heguardscamer unning.Surpr i
singl
y,
theydidn'tdoanything,Iguesst heymustdespi se
heraswel l.Iheldherbyhert hr
oat .

Gog'Khanyi:
"Good.Nowt hatIhaveyourat
tent
ion,
Zinhl
e.Wegr eet
edyoui napol i
temannerandwe
di
dn'tcomeher etofight
.Idon' thavet
imetostand
hereandlist
ent oyoubitchandmoan.Kuyashi sha
ngokunyalana( I
t'
sfucki
nghot ).Now,Leadust o
whereyourhusbandi s."

Il
etgoofherthroatandt
hrewheront
hefl
oor.She
hel
dhercheeckwi t
hheronehandwhi
let
heother
wasonherthroatwhichwasnoredwi
thfi
nger
marks.Shecli
ckedhertongueandl
edtheway.
Nomsaandflorahfol
lowedshaki
ngthei
rheads.

Zi
yanda

It'
sbeent woweekssi ncet heNat ashasagaandt he
whol emedi athing.Thi ngshavedi eddownand
Philagotaf ewpeopl ef ir
edwhi chwasabi t
unnecessar y.Ihaven'tbeenf eelingt oowel lf
orthe
pastf ewweeks.Ican' tseem tokeepanyt hingin
andKel estil
linsist
sonmet akingapr egnancytest
.
I'
m abi tscaredt odothatsoIkeepavoi dingthat
topic.Philahasbeensowor r
iedandhasbeen
i
nsistingont akingmet othedoct or,butIr ef
used.
Todayi smybr i
dalshower .

Idon'twanttodoitwhentheweddingisnearer.
Porscheinsi
stedonplanni
ngthewhol edayforme
soIlether.Idon'
thavealotoffr
iends,soshe
wantedtoinvit
esomef ewfri
endsofherown, butI
di
dn'twantittobeawkward.Idon'tl
ikehavi
ng
peopleIdon'tknowinmyci rcl
e.Philainvi
tedafew
ofhisfri
endstochil
lwithhimi nhismancave.He
deci
dedt ohostasmal lBachelorpart
yforhimsel
f
aswell.Hesai dhedidn'tt
rusthisfr
iends,
soit'
s
bett
eriftheyhosti
twithusi nthehouse.

Theonl yotherwomanwhowil
lbeher eisDrake'
s
wife,Mel i
ssa.WeallknowDr
ake,butitwouldbe
thef i
rstt
imeweevermeetMeli
ssa,she'scol
oured
byt heway.

KeleandSbuhavebeendoi nggreat.She'sbeen
att
enti
onhersessionswithDr .Stei
nandhashad
remarkl
eprogress.Shar
onont heotherhand
ref
usedtoacceptthedivorce,evenafteritwasf
inal
.
Shestil
lkeepsblowingupSbu' sphoneandhehad
tochangehisnumberandKel e'
saswel l.

Ideci
dedtowearasimplewhit
e,shor
tMaxidress
wit
hredsandal
s.Ilef
tmyhaircurlyt
odayandput
onesomeredli
pst
ick.Igotdownstai
rsand
Porscheal
readyhadeveryt
hingsetup.Foodwas
al
readyher
eandnott oment i
onthedri
nks.Isaw
anunfamil
iarfaceandIguessitmustbeMeli
ssa.
Shecameupt omeandhuggedme.

Meli
ssa:
"Hi
,Zee.I'
m Mel
issa.Soni
cet
omeetyou.
Il
oveyourhouse.
"

Shefl
ashedmeasmi le.Sheisbeaut
ifulwi
thhai
ra
bi
tsimi
lartomi
ne,buthersi
sshorter
.Shehada
pet
it
efigur
e,muchli
kePorsche'
s.

Me:"
It
'sni
cet
omeetyou,
Mel
issa.Pl
ease,
feel
f
ree.
"

Theguyswer eoutsi
deonthePat
iochi
ll
ingalong
wit
ht heguards.Thi
ngsseemedtobegoingreal
ly
wellandPorscheref
usedtol
etmedoanyt hi
ng.
JustthenBeli
ndawalkedi
n.
Bel
inda:
"Hey,
guys.IhopeI
'
m nott
ool
ate.
"

Herewegoagai
n.Wher
ether
e'sBel
inda,
ther
e's
dr
ama.
Chapt
erFi
ft
yThr
ee

Gog'
Khanyi

Iwassoexhaust edandthisZinhl
ebitchwant edto
rui
nmyal r
eadyrui
neddayf ur
ther.Thethreeofus
walkedbehindherandshel edustoKi ng
Bonginkosi.Hewassitt
ingonhi sbi
g, hi
ghchair
wit
hl eopardski
nonhischest.Sodr amaticthough.
Ai,
aboNomsaandbadt asteinmen.

Hiseyesgrewwiderwhenhesawus.Iguesshe
musthavenoti
cedNomsa.Hequi ckl
ystoodupand
Zi
nhlebowedbeforehi
m.Weal sodidthesameout
ofrespect
.
Zi
nhl
e:"
Myki
ng,
thesepeopl
ear
eher
eto.
..
"

Bonginkosi
:(Qui
cklyi
nterr
upt
ingher
)"Iknowwhy
theyarehere.Leaveus."

Zinhl
e:(Annoyed)"But
,myl
ove,t
heyweresorude
tome.Thi suglywomanevenburntmewithher
cigar
ett
eandyou' r
egoingt
odismissme?!
"

Hereshegoesagai
n.Idon'
tblamesomemenf
or
ki
ll
ingthei
rwi
ves.Ial
sokil
ledmyannoyi
ng
husband.

Bongi
nkosi
:(Shout
ingI
rr
it
abl
y)"
Isai
dleaveus!
"

HeroaredandZi
nhl
erushedof
ftowhoknows
where.
Bongi
nkosi
:"Pl
ease,
myguest
s,r
iseandt
akea
seat
."

Westoodupandsatdownont hecouches.This
housei
sbigandbeaut
if
ul,butZi
nhl
e'sisaseri
ous
mess.Browncol
ourseverywher
eandnotanounce
ofcl
ass.Foraweal
thykinghecansurelydobett
er.

Bongi
nkosi
:"
Letmegetyousomet
hingt
odr
ink.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Thatwon'tbenecessary,Bonginkosi.I
thi
nkyouknowwhywe' reher
esoI '
l
lj ustcutt
ot he
chase.Nomsaher e,mydeardaught er,t
oldme
aboutyourli
tt
leaff
air25year
sagowhi chresult
ed
i
nmygr anddaughterbei
ngborn.

Idon'tappreciat
eyourunningoutonyour
responsibil
it
yasaf at
herandfail
ingtoownupto
yourmi stakes.Nomsaraisedthatchi
ldi
nsucha
painfulway,
you'llnevercompr
ehend.Anyway,
my
Ziyandaisgett
ingmar ri
edsoonandweneedyouto
doacer emonyf orher."

JustasBongi nkosiwasaboutt
orespond,Zi
nhl
e
camer ushingin.Thisbi
tchmusthavebeen
eavesdroppingonus.

Zi
nhle:(
Fuming)"OvermydeadBody, Bonginkosi!
Youchosetosleepwithrhatwhoreandnowyou
wanttohaveacer emonyforher
?!I'
llnotapprove!
I
twon'thappen,notwhil
eI'
m ali
ve!
"

Icouldn'
ttakeitanymore.IpromisedFlorahand
myancest orst
hatIwoul dbehavetoday,butIdon'
t
evenhavet ohumbl emyselfbef
orethesemor ons.I
stoodupandt ookmygunoutofmybag.Icocked
i
t,point
ingather.

Zi
nhl
esuddenl
ykeptqui
etwhi
leBongi
nkosist
ood
upi
ngr
eatshock.

Fl
orah:"
Khanyi
sa,
cal
m down,
please.
"

Idi
dn'
tevenl
ist
ent
oher
.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Lalelal
awena, stj
umama( List
enhere,
youfatass).I'
vehadaf uckinglongday.Idon't
needthisshitr
ightnow.Eitheryougoawayasyour
darl
inghusbandt ol
dyouoryoudi ehereont hespot
.
Youchoose."

ShewassoscaredIcoul
dseeatrailofuri
nef l
ow
downherlegssi
nceshewaswearingadr ess.I
doubtshecanfi
ndanysi
zeofpantswi t
ht hathuge
ass.

Shewasaboutt
orunoutoft
hel
oungebef
oreI
st
oppedher
.
Gog'Khanyi
:"
Onemorethi
ng,Zinhle,
ifyoudare
disr
espectusormydaughtereveragain,
I'
llcutyour
fucki
ngtongueof
f!
"

Shequickl
yranoutoft
heroom l
eavi
ngasmal
l
puddl
eofur i
neonthef
loor
.

Fl
orah:"
Kodwanawe,
Khanyi
sa.
"

Iputmygunbacki
nmybagandsatbackdown.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
So,
dowehaveanunder
standi
ng?
"

Bongi
nkosi
:(Shaken)
"Ye..
,yesofcourse,
ma.Iwi ll
doever
ythi
nginmypowert hatt
hingsgorightt
his
ti
me.Whenwoul dyouliketodoit?"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
NextweekSat
urday.
"

Bonginkosi
:"
Noprobl
em.Icanmakeal lt
he
necessaryarr
angement
s.I'
llhaveyourrooms
prepared.Youmustbeexhausted.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Youhavenoi dea.Youneedtoputa
t
ightleeshonthatbit
chofyoursandgetsomeone
t
ocleanupherf il
thyuri
nefrom t
hefl
oor
."

Zi
yanda

Weallf
roze,exceptMel
issaofcour
se.Shedoesn'
t
knowwhat'sgoingon.

Mel
issa:(
Ext
endi
ngherhand)"
Hi,
I'
m Mel
issa.Ni
ce
t
omeetyou."
Beli
ndagaveherafi
lt
hylookl
ooki
ngatherfr
om her
headgoingallt
hewaydownbefor
eaccept
ingher
handshake.

Bel
inda:(
Fakesmi
le)"
I'
m Bel
inda.Li
kewi
se.
"

Por
sche:
"Ai
,ai
,ai
.Bel
inda,
omemi
lekemang(
Who
i
nvi
tedyou)
?"

Kele:
"Idi
d.I
'
m sor
ry,It
houghtitwouldbeni
cef
or
hertobeher
e.We'veallbeenf
riendssi
nce
for
ever."

Me:"
It
'sokay,
Kele.Justasl
ongaswedon'
thave
anydramatonight
."

Beli
ndatr
iedtogossipaboutMelissa,
butonethi
ng
aboutCol
ouredsisthatmostofthem aremult
i-
l
ingual
,soshemadeabi gmi st
ake.Mel i
ssacomes
acrossasasweetwoman,
butyouhadbet
ternot
steponhert
oes.

Bel
inda:"Bj
anongleker
eyet
seSbumothonyanawa
l
ecoloured(So,di
dyougetSbuacol
oured
gi
rl
fri
end)?"

Me:
"Bel
inda.
."

Mel
issai
nter
rupt
edmebef
oreIcoul
dwar
nBel
inda.

Melissa:"No,honey,anginaskhat isal oko( Idon'

t
havet i
mef orthat).Incaseyou' r
ebl i
nd, here'
smy
l
ovelyr i
ngmyhusbandboughtf orme.Yousee
thatmanyou' vebeeneyei ngeversi nceyourski nny
assr ockedupi nhere?That '
smyDr ake.My
HUSBANDandf at
hert otwoamazi ngki ds.Andi n
caseyouhavef orgotten,Sbubelongst oKel enow.
Sonextt imeuzokhul umaamasi mba( you'regoing
totalkshit)
,observeyouropponent ."
Weallkeptqui
etf
orawhile.Wow.Iknowforaf
act
Por
scheandMel i
ssawi
llgetal
ongj
ustfi
ne.

Porsche:
"Hehe!Wena(You)Meli
ssa,I'
m goi
ngto
l
oveandenj oyyou,
ngwaneso(si
ster
).Let'
seat
,the
boyscancomet akethef
oodthemselves.
"

Melissasmiledasweleftwit
hthefoodanddri
nks
tothelounge,whi
lePhil
a,Sbu,Dr
akeandRobert
(Porsche'
shusband)andthegunmenstayed
outsideonthepati
o.

Wegott ot
heloungeandhadal otoffun.We
playedsomegames, 30secondsandMel i
ssaand
Porschewer egi
vingmesomesext i
ps, and
surpri
singl
yKelegavemesomet oo.Wepl ayed
tr
uthordarewhi l
eBel i
ndawasjustdri
nkingnon-
stop.Qeevenf orgotshewasevenher e.
Porsche:(
laughi
ng)"
Okay,Zee.Comeon.Please
tel
lmeyou' vegi
venPhi
lasomeblozza(
Blowjob)
nyana?"

Me:(
Embar
rassed)"
No,
Ihavent
."

Por
sche:
"Aowa(
No)man.Igi
veup.
"

Mel
issa:
"Thekeyi
stonotthi
nkabouti
t.Startsmal
l
byl
icki
ngtheti
pofhispeni
sandthengraduall
yput
mor
eofhi minyourmouthasyougoalong."

Porsche:
"Yebo(yes)!WenaMeli
ssakaoratashem
(Il
ikeyou,Meli
ssa)!Obuannetegotshwanalenna
(Youtel
lthetr
uthjustl
ikeme)
."

Kel
e:"
Youshoul
dtrygi
vinghi
m ablowj
obusi
ng
bl
ackhal
ls.Sbuhasal
wayslikedt
hat.
"
Inear
lychokedonmywi
ne.

Porsche:
"Hehbanna(mygoodness)
!Kelethesex
queen!Ot sot
siwenakgal
ekegoshebi
le(You'
ve
al
waysbeennaught y)
."

Weal
llaughed,
exceptBel
indaofcour
se.

Wewentont ot al
kaboutsexandr el at
ionshipsand
howt otreatourmenbet t
er.ImustsayI 'ml earni
ng
alot.Anhourl ater,
theguysdecidedt oj oi
nus,
l
eavi ngthegunmenout si
de.Itwasget ti
ngal ot
better,exceptf orBeli
ndawhowast heonl yone
withoutapar t
ner .Whilewewer eal lconversing
aboutr elati
onshi psandhowweal lmetourpar t
ners,
Belindadeci dedt obeapar t
ypooperasal ways.
Shewassodr unkshewasst rugglingt ospeak
proper l
y.

Bel
inda:
"Ja,
neh.Howni
cel
i
femustbef
oral
lof
youboMr .AndMr s.Perfect
.You' ref
orget
tingone
thi
ng,
allyourf uckedupsecr ets.Youknow, secr
ets
candestroyeverythi
ng.I '
m askingmyselfifI
shoul
dn'truinyourperfectli
ttl
elivesbyexposing
youal
l.
"

Kele:
"Bel
inda,
stopi
t,pl
ease.Iinvi
tedyouhereout
ofthegoodnessofmyhear tandyouembarrassme
l
ikethis?
!"

Kelewasst ar
ti
ngtopani
c.Icoul
dn'
tunderst
and
whatwasupwi t
hthat
.PerhapsBel
indahasadeep
secretabouther
.

Beli
nda:"
Ag, wenaperfectgir
l.Li
tt
leMi ssSunshi
ne.
IwonderwhatSbuwi llt
hinkofyouafterIt
ellhi
m
thatyourprecioussonThatoisactual
lyhisson.
Oops!Ijustletthecatoutofthebag."

Kel
e:"
Shutt
hef
uckup,
Bel
inda!
"
Sbu:"
Whatt
hef
uck?
!Kel
e,i
sthi
str
ue?
!"

Belinda:"
Oh,yes, Sbuda, i
tis.Sheal soforgotto
ment ionthatShar ondruggedyout hatdayKele
foundyout woi nbedt oget her.That 'swhyyou
couldn'tremembershi t
.Oh, Ifor gottoment i
onthe
jui
cypar t.Kele,whydi dn'tyout ellhim Bri
anfucked
youupsobadl yf orrefusi
ngt ogi vehi m moneyfor
hisdr ughabit,
thathenear l
ysol dThat o,Sbu'
sson,
tohi sdrugdealersandheof feredani ghtwit
hyou
i
nst ead?Whydi dn'tyoutellhi m hi sdrugdealer
fuckedyour ightthereinfrontofyoursonwhi l
e
Brianwasdoi ngal i
neofcoke? ."

Everyonewasj
ustsoqui
etwhi
leSbuwasst
ari
ngat
Kelewithsomuchragei
nhi
seyes.

Porsche:"
I'
m war
ningyou,
Bel
inda,
Sfebekewena
(Youbitch)
!"
Beli
nda:
"Wena,Porti
aWill
iams,Mosadiwalekgoa.
Haveyouevent ol
dyourhusbandhowyour
preci
ousmotherusedtosellyoutohercl
ient
sjust
toputbreadonthetabl
e?Sf ebekemangnou
(Who'st
hebitchnow)?!
"

Porschest aredatBel
indawi tht
earsthreat
eni
ngto
fal
l.Ineverevenknewt hatbutforBeli
ndatodish
outtheirdirt
ylaundr
yliket hi
sespeci
all
yonmy
specialnightisj
ustuncalledfor
.

Me:"WenaBeli
nda!That'
senoughnow!Youshoul
d
getyourassoutofher
e!"

Beli
nda:
"Oh,
darl
ingZiyanda.Preci
ousZiyanda
Ngcobo,whi
leyouwer ebusytr
yingtofi
xyourli
fe,
I
washavingt
hetimeofmyl i
fef
uckingyour
husband.Pi
tyhisdi
cki sassmallasmyson's
pi
nky.Oh,myson.Ial mostfor
got.
Isl eptwithhimf orsolongIfel
lpregnant.He
thinksitshis,butmysonact ual
lybelongsto
Lunga' sdeadbr other.Whi
leyouhadyourpr ecious
miscar ri
age,ZodwaandIt ookyourpr eci
ousbaby's
remai nsandusedi tf
ormuthi.You'r
esof uckedup
i
t'snotevenf unny. "

Ifel
tli
kemyheadwasspi
nni
ng.Iwasl
osi
ng
contr
olofmybal
ance.

Phi
la:
"Yeywena,
Sfebe(bi
tch),
shutthefuckupand
l
eavemyhousebeforeIskinyouali
ve!"

Beli
nda:"Oh,andthatl
eavesyou,Pr
inceChar
ming.
Disyouf or
gettoment i
ontoyourbr
otherand
dearestZeethatIwalkedinyouwit
hSharonbacki
n
hi
ghschool ?"

Phi
la:
"Shutt
hef
uckup,
Bel
inda,
uyangi
zwa?
"
Ist
art
edfeel
ingpaini
nmyabdomen.Ithoughti
t
wasmaybeconstipat
ionbutt
henashar
ppain
camebackagain.

Me:(
cryi
ngouti
npai
n)"
Ah!
"

Ihel
dmyt
ummywhi
lePhi
lar
ushedt
ome.

Phi
la:
"Yi
ni,
Sthandwasami
(Whati
sit
,myl
ove)
?"

Me:
"Pai
n..
.Myst
omach.
..
."

Thenextt
hingIhear
dagunshotandIsaw
dar
kness.
Chapt
erFi
ft
yFour

Kel
e
I'
m sosickandt i
redofBelindaandherbehaviour.
I'
vebeennothing,butgoodt oher.Allshe'
sever
donewast akeadvant ageofmykindness.Today, I
j
ustlostit
.Icouldn'ttakei
tanymor e.Shejustwent
onandonspi l
lingallofoursecret
sandIcoul dn'
t
takei
tanymor e.

Howcoul dBel indabesoevi l

?Af t
erallI'
veever
donef orher .Whenshekeptr amblingIjustcouldn't
takeitanymor e.Wi thouteventhinkingtwice,It
ook
Sbu'sgunwhi chhehadputatt hebackofhi spants.
AndIpul l
edt het ri
gger.Ijustwantedt ohurther,I
didn'
tmeant okillher.Thebul l
etseemst ohave
gonest raighttoherhead.Dr akewasat t
endingto
herandPhi lawasat t
endingtoanunconsci ousZee,
whileever yoneel sewasj ustinabl ankstate.
From theremymi ndjustwentblank.Mysenses
werest arti
ngt ocomebackt ome, andIdidn'teven
reali
zeIst il
lhadt heguni nmyhand.
Sbu:
"Kel
e,gi
vemet
hegun.Gi
vemet
hegun,
baby.
"

Igavehi
mthegunwi
thouthesi
tat
ion.

Sbu:(
toDr
ake)"
Issheal
ive?
"

Drake:
"Ther
e'safaintpul
se.Weneedt
ogethert
oa
hospit
al,
quickl
y."

Sbu:
"I
'm oni
t.
"

Sbucal l
edanambul anceandIhavenoi deahowI '
ll
beabl etohandlei
nterrogat
ionfrom thepolice.I
stoodwher eIwas,notmovi ngani nch.Ijustkil
led
myf ri
end.I'm goi
ngt ojai
landmychi l
dwi l
lbe
mot herl
ess.Porschejustsatthereont hecouch
withherhusbandhol dingherwaist,inadeep, t
rans-
l
ikest at
e.
Theambul ancecameaf t
erashortwhil
eandt he
paramedicsdidn'treall
yhavemucht odosince
Drakegoesever ywher ewithhismedicalki
t.Zee
wasn'tconsciousyetsoPhi l
adecidedtodri
veher
tothehospitalbeforetheambul ancecame.Robert
tookPorschehome, andDr akefoll
owedPhilatot
he
hospital
.Mel i
ssast ayedwithSbuandI .Sbuhad
tocallafewofhi sgent stocomeandcl eanupall
theblood.

Imusthavebeenst
ari
ngatt
hebloodunt
ilMel
issa
gavemesomewar m Chamomi
letea.

Mel
issa:
"Her
e.Thi
swi
llhel
pyoucal
m down.
"

Itookthet
eacupwi t
hshakyhandsandtear
s
start
edstr
eamingdownmyf ace.Meli
ssawas
beingsosupport
iveasshehel
dmeclosetoher,
consoli
ngme.
Mel
issa:
"Hey.It
'sokay,
babe.Iwould'
veshother
t
oo.She'snotdeadsoyoucanrelax.
"

Kel
e:(Sni
ffi
ng)"
Butshecoul
ddi
e,Mel
issa.I
'
ma
murderer
."

Meli
ssa:"
List
entome.Takeagoodl
ookatmeand
l
ist
entomever ycar
eful
ly.
"

Il
ookedatherr
eluct
ant
lywi
thmyt
ear
sbl
indi
ngme.

Meli
ssa:
"Youdidwhatyouhadt
odo.Sbuwi
llf
ix
t
his,
theyalwaysdo.
"

Kel
e:"
Howcanyour
emai
nsocal
m af
terseei
ngal
l
t
hat?"

Mel
issa:
"Becausei
twasn'
tmyf
ir
stt
imeseei
ng
someonebei
ngshotinfr
ontofme.Ihavehadt o
ki
llmyownfat
herfort
ryi
ngtorapemysi st
er.Tr
ust
mewhenIsaythi
s:Youwi l
lgetovert
his."

Ijustkeptsni
ff
ingasshehel dmeclosertoher
chest.Sbuwasi nt
hekitchendr
inki
ngwhi skey,j
ust
sitt
ingonahighchairstari
ngatme.I '
m scared
shitl
essri
ghtnow.I '
m scaredIwon'
tmakei ttil
tomor r
owmor ning.Whatifhekil
lsmewhen
Mel i
ssagoeshome?

Phi
la

Idrovet othehospi
tali
nhi ghspeednoteven
worryingaboutjumpinganyr edli
ght
.Ihadmy
hazzardsonandal lIcaredaboutwasZee'ssaf
ety.
Asf orthatBit
chBeli
nda, Ihopeshe'
sdeadandif
not,I'
l
lfini
shheroffmysel f.

Wegott
othehospi
talandl
ucki
lyDr
akehadal
ready
prepar
edeverythi
ngforus.Icar r
iedZeeinandthe
nursesbr
oughtast r
etcherandputheroni t
.We
wereledtooneofthepr i
vaterooms.Dr ake
checkedhervit
alsandallnecessaryt
hings.Then
heaskedmeabaf f
li
ngquest i
on.

Drake:
"So,
doyouper
hapsknowwhenl
astZeehad
herperi
od?"

Myeyesgr ewwi derinshock.Howt hefuckwouldI

know?Comet othinkofitawomanhasherper i
od
onceamont handonemont hlater,Ihaven'
theard
Zeet al
kaboutherper i
odoranyt hing.Wehaven' t
evenbeenusi ngcondomseversi ncewest art
ed
havingsex.Awi desmilegrewonmyf ace.I
'm
goingtobeaf ather!I'
vebeenl ongingforthi
s
momentandi t'
sfinal
lyhere.I
t'sapi tywehadt o
fi
ndoutt hi
sway.

Phi
la:
"Idon'
tknow,
Drake.I
sshegoi
ngt
obeokay?
"
Drake:"
Yes,she'
l
lbefine.Shef ai
ntedduetoshock
andst r
ess.Sheshouldtakeiteasythough,
consideri
ngherhist
orywithpregnancy.
"

Ashesai
dthatZeewokeup.

Zee:
"Wher
eam I
?Phi
la,
whathappened?
"

Phi
la:
"Youf
aint
ed,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
."

Drake:
"Nowthatshe'
sawakeIneedper
missi
ont
o
perf
orm asonarscan.Zee,
mayI?"

Zee:
"Sonarf
orwhat
?Dr
ake,
am Ipr
egnant
?"

Dr
ake:
"Youcoul
dbe.I
'
djustl
iket
omakesur
e."
Zee:
"Fi
ne.Youcandoi
tbutwi
thoutPhi
lai
nthe
room."

Myhear
tbr
okeasshesai
dthat
.

Phi
la:
"Zee.
."

Drake:
"Letmegi
veyout
woamoment
.I'
l
lber
ight
back."

Dr
akel
eftandgaveusaf
ewmi
nut
est
otal
k.

Phi
la:
"Zee,
whatdi
dIsayaboutcommuni
cat
ion?
"

Ij
ustsawt
ear
sst
reami
ngdownherf
ace.

Phil
a:"
So,yougoar
oundbel
ievi
ngBel
inda,
manj
e
(now)?"
Zee:
"Wel
l?Di
dyousl
eepwi
thShar
on?
"

Phil
a:"
Ithoughtyouknewmebet t
erthanthat,Zee.
Sharoncameont omet hatni
ght.Shefoundme
taki
nganapont hecouchandshecameont opme.
Itol
dhertof uckoffandshetri
edtogetont opof
mebutIsl appedherandshewentaway.Isweart o
youIdidn'tdoshit
."

Zee:"
Okay.Butpl
ease,
Phil
a,nomor
esecrets.I
agreedt
obeyourwife,
butnomoresecr
ets.
"

Phi
la:
"Ipr
omise,St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.No
moresecret
s."

Iki
ssedherfor
eheadandDr
akecamebackwi
tha
smallmachi
ne.
Dr
ake:
"I
sitsaf
etowal
kin,
now?
"

Phil
a:"
Ngenawena(
Justcomei
n)man.Wewantt
o
seeourbaby.
"

Ourbaby.Il
iket
hesoundoft
hat
.

Dr
ake:"
Okay.Thisisgoingtobeabi
tcol
d,Zee.So
Ij
ustneedyoutorelaxokay?"

Helift
edZee'sdressupwhi chmademeabi t
uncomf ort
able,
butIguesshe'susedtosuch.Zee
seemedl i
keshewasf ami
li
arwit
ht hi
swhole
process,butshetensedupabitandIsqueezedher
handt i
ghter.

Drakemovedthesonarpoi
ntonZee'
sst
omach.Al
l
Icouldseeonthemonit
orwasabunchofbl
urr
y
stuf
f.Idon'
tknowhowdoctorsdoit
.
Drake:"
Wel l
,Iseesomet hingthere.Ther eist
he
cervi
xanst hatblackthingt hatlooksl i
keasmal l
ball
,isthebaby.I t
'ssti
lltoosmal lt
ot ellwhet
heri
ts
aboyorgi rlandwhet hertot el
lifthere'sonlyoneor
mor einthere,butyou'
redef ini
telypregnant .2
weeksand4dayspr egnant .Congr atulati
ons,
guys!"

IwassohappyIl
it
eral
lyj
umpedup.Iki
ssedZeei
n
thel
ips.

Phil
a:"
Ngiyabonga(
Thankyou),Sthandwasamimy
l
ove).You'vemademet hehappiestmanali
ve.I
can'
twaittobethehusbandyou'vealwayswant
ed.
"

Zeegavemeaf aintsmil
ebutIcouldseeshewasa
bi
tworri
ed.Drakegaveusapr escri
pti
onofpil
ls
Zeehastostar
ttakingandwewoul dbebackina
monthtocheckthebaby'spr
ogress.Zeejustmade
mel
ovehermor
e.Ican'
tbel
ieveIscor
edsosoon.

Sbu

Ikepttaki
ngsipsofmywhi skeyintheki
tchenasI
thoughtofeverythi
ngt hathappenedear li
eron
toni
ght.Drakecamet of etchMel i
ssaandIt hanked
herforeveryt
hing.Nowt hehousewasj ustquiet.I
t
wasonl ymeandKel eleft.Thet ensionbetweenus
wasi nt
enseandshel ookedaoscar edofme.

Sbu:
"Why,
Kel
e?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
"

Kele:"Iwantedt
o,Sbu,beli
evemeIr eal
lywant edto,
butShar oncameaf t
ermewi t
hagun.She
threatenedmewhenIwant edtotellyouthatIwas
pregnant .Shesai
dshewoul dshootmeeven
beforeIgotachancet ogivebirt
h.Icoul dn'tr
isk
that,Sbu.I'mreal
lysorr
y,Ijustcouldn'
triskit
."
Shebr okedownint earsanditjustbr
okeme.I 'm
overcomewi thsomanyemot ions;myson, myfir
st
bornsonsuf f
eredatt hehandsofanot herman
whileI'
m al
ive.Icuppedherf aceinmyhandsand
wipedhertearsoff.Ir emovedherglassesfrom her
face.

Sbu:
"Tel
lmeaboutBr
ian,
isi
ttr
ue?Di
dhedot
hatt
o
you?
"

Kelecouldn'
tevenlookmei ntheeyes.Shenodded
i
nshame.Iki ssedherandt ookherupstair
stoour
bedroom.Ir eassuredherthateveryt
hingisgoi
ng
tobeokay.Al lIknowi speoplearegoingtodie
toni
ght.They'llr
egreteverhurti
ngmyKel eand
Sharon,oh,Sharon.Shehadbet t
errunbecauseI'
l
l
makesur esheneverl i
vestoseeanot herday.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lher
.
Sharon:
"Hey,Sbu,
baby.Iknewyouwoul
dmakeup
yourmind."

Sbu:(shouting)"JawenaSf ebe(Yes,yousl ut)

.You
real
lythoughtIwoul dn'tf
indoutaboutyout r
yingt
o
seducemybr otherbackintheday?Yout hought
youcoul ddrugmeandt r
apmei nt
omar ryingyou
andIwoul dn'tfi
ndout ?Youkeptmysonaway
from mef orfi
vef ucki
ngyearsandyout houghtI
wouldn'tfi
ndout ?!"

Shar
on:(
pani
cked)"
Sbu,
wai
t.Icanexpl
ain.
"

Sbu:"
Savet hatforLucifer,Shar
on.Youhadbet ter
run.Runasf astasyoucant othefurt
hestplace
possible.Don'tevent r
yt ogobacktoyourpar ent'
s
housebecauseI '
l
lfi
ndyouandf uckingki
llyou
mysel f
.Gobackt owher eyoucomef r
om, Sharon.
It
'sti
met ofindyourr oots.I'
vetakeneverythi
ng
from you.Theonl ythingyouhavei nyourname
nowi syourcar .I'
vefrozenallyouraccounts.Run,
bit
ch.MakesureIdon'
tfi
ndyoubecausei
fIdo,
you'l
lbenot
hingbutadi
stantmemor
y."

Ihungupandl
ayi
nbednextt
omyKele.Noone
messeswit
hmywomanandgetst
oli
vetot
ellt
he
tal
e.

Phil
aandZiyandacamebackaf t
erabouthal
fand
hourandIwastednot i
me.ZeewenttobedandI
bri
efedPhi
laonthesituati
on.Weheadedout
wit
houtthi
nki
ngt wi
ce.I t
'sti
mef
orafewpeopleto
meetCobraanrtheBlackMambat oni
ght.
Chapt
erFi
ft
yFi
ve

Gog'
Khanyi

It
'st
hemor ni
ngafterwecamet oEshoweandIjust
can'
twaitt
ogobackhome.Wesl eptonrealcomfy
beds,butt
hishousejusti
sn'
tpeacef
ul.
Wekeptt ossi
ngandturninginourbedsandeven
Flor
ahstruggledt
osleep.Shekeptsayingshesaw
skel
etonsandwei r
dshithere.Shesayswe
shouldn'
teatanyt
hingZinhlepr
eparesforusand
wehavet oleaveassoonaspossible.

Iwasn'tevenplanningonst ayi
nganylonger,sowe
gotupanddi dn'
tevenbot hertotakeabath.My
spi
ri
tjustfeel
ssoheavyaf t
ersleepi
nginthishouse.
Lomfaziumt hakathi(Thatwomani sawitch).

Wegottothel
oungewit
hourbagsandBonginkosi
wasqui
teshockedt
oseeusl eavi
ng,
whi
leZi
nhle
l
ookedpl
easedandunbother
ed.

Bonginkosi:"
Hawu,ma.Seniyahamba(
You'
re
l
eavingalready)
?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yes,
sor
rywecan'
tst
ayanyl
onger
.We
haveanemer gencytoat
tendathome.We'llbein
touchf
orthearrangements.Don'
tletmedown.
Wena,Zinhl
e,ti
lwemeetagain,mthakat
hi(
wi t
ch)
."

Weleftherther
eshout i
ngandinsul
ti
ngus.I
coul
dn'tcar
eanyl ess.Ineedtogotochur
chaf
ter
sl
eepi
ngi nthedevil
'shouse.

Wegoti
ntoourcarandt
hedr
iverdr
oveof
f.

Mam'
Masango:
"ThankGodwe'
reoutoft
hathouse.
"

Nomsa:
"Yoh!Kant
iyoual
sof
elti
t?!
"

Mam'Masango:
"Ifeelever
ythi
ng,mntwanawami.
Al
lthegoodandthebadener gi
es,If
eelthem.
Nomsa,doyouknowwhathappenedt o
Bongi
nkosi
'
sfir
stwi f
e?"
Nomsa:(Sur
pri
sed)"
No,ma.WhenImethim he
wasal
readywit
hZinhleandshewast
heonl
yone."

Mam' Masango:( Shakingherhead)"Bonginkosihad

anotherwife,thefir
stwi f
e.WhenZi nhlejoi
nedt he
mar r
iage,
shewel comedZi nhlewit
hopenar ms, but
Zinhl
ecouldn'thandl ebeingintheshadow.
Bonginkosilovedhi sfi
rstwifedear
ly,evenmor e
thanZinhl
e."

Nomsa:
"Butwhydi
dhemar
ryZi
nhl
ethen?
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ukugal
anj
e(Gr
eed)
."

Mam' Masango:"
Yes,gr
eed,mybaby.Zinhl
e
poisonedthefi
rstwi
feandshediedaveryslowand
painfuldeat
h.Bongi
nkosiwassoheartbr
oken,he
neverthoughthewouldfi
ndloveagai
nuntilhemet
you.
Yes,youraff
airwasunorthodox,
buti
twaspure
l
ove.Zinhlecoul
dn'thandl
ebeingint
heshadow
onceagainandtri
edtogetyoukill
edusi
ngdark
magic.

Itdidn'
twor kbecauseyourancestorsarevery
strong,mntwanawami( mychild).Sheputaspell
onZi yanainsteadwhenyouwer epregnant
.Thatis
whyherbi rthwassuchapai nfulbir
th.Bonginkosi
hasl ongbeenunderZi nhl
e'
sspel l
,butevenwith
thatspellhestil
lcan'
tloveher
.

Zinhleismuchl ikeZodwa,
butmor edanger
ous.
Nowt hatherspelldi
dn'
twork,
sheistryi
ngiton
Zee'sunbor ntwinsaswespeak.Zeeisingr ave
dangerandt hesoonerPhil
acangoseehi spat er
nal
family,thebett
eritwil
lbef
orallofus.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:(Si
ghing)"Manje(
So)
,whatabout
Zi
nhl
e?Can'tIjustki
llher
?"
Mam'Masango:(Chuckl
ing)"
No,
youcan'
t.Fat
e
await
shermuchl i
keZodwa.Herti
meiscoming.
Justbepat
ient
."

Allt
hisist
oomuchf ormybaby.Everyti
meshe
seemst of
indhappi
nesssomecuntwant st
otakei
t
awayf r
om herandIwon'
tleti
thappen.

Phi
la

SbuaandIheadedoutt olookforBri
an.Tony
ti
ppedusof fandtoldushest aysatoneofthese
wannabedr ulords'pl
aceinMamel odi.Itdi
dn'
t
takeveryl
ongt ofi
ndhi m.Wedr oveintoadark
streetwi
thnostreetli
ghtsonandf oundhisexact
l
ocat i
on.

Therewasalockedf
ourr
oomedhouse,andashack
wit
haf ewr
oomsatthebackoft
heyard.SbuandI
bargedint
otheshackandf oundBriansnif
fi
ng
somecocainewiththesetwoidiot
s;theidi
otshe
gottorapeKel
einfrontofmynephewwhi l
ehewas
busysmokingdrugs.

Sbu:"
Yes,
Ninaizi
nja(
youdogs)
.Kumnandil
anane
(I
t'
sni
cehere,
hey).
"

Guy1:"
Nxa,voet
sekwena( pi
ssof
f).El
egoreo
mangwenaonoi t
ahlel
akamoParl
iamentyakaso
(
Whoar eyoutojustbargei
nmyplaceli
kethi
s)?
!"

Sbu:
"KewenaSghi dl
ine,pl
usbampoditsegoreo
ri
ngathata(So,youmustbeSghi
dli
,ri
ght,
theytol
d
meyout al
kt oomuch).
"

Guy2:(Looki
ngworr
ied)"Ah,
ah, Sghidl
i,
kebo
mangdiebrasbj
anong( Whoaret heseguys,
now)
?
Oretl
isedi
tsemagat
a( Youbroughtuscops)?"
Sbu:"
Rel
ax,mfanakit
hi(myboy)
.Gar emagat
a,but
retl
ogodidir
elamasepatoni
ght(we'
regoi
ngto
showyoushittoni
ght
)."

Guy2:
"Ah,ah,
ah,bonamybr a,
tseyangdi
eman
(l
ook,
myman.Taket hi
sguy).Nnagakedit
sene(
I
hadnothi
ngtodowithit
)."

Phila:
"Mxm obuamasepanou, maranegole
monat elerapervrouyamybr a(You'r
etal
kingshit
now, butitwasnicewhenyouwer erapingmy
brother'
swife).Sbu,bar
ingakakhululabaf
ana,
asibathat
e( t
heseboysaretal
kingtoomuch, l
ets
takethem) .
"

Wewast ednotimeandkickedthem.Sbugoton
topofBrianandstar
tedpunchi
nghim.Hewoul dn'
t
stopunti
lIbeggedhimto.Kil
li
nghim nowwoudbe
tooeasy.Theseguysdeserveapropersendof
f,
tort
urestyl
e.
Weknockedal lofthem wi
thourgunsont hei
r
headsunt i
ltheywer eunconci
ous.Wet ookout
cabl
et i
esandbl i
ndfoldsandsomet apeandti
ed
them up,bli
ndfoldedthem andtapedthei
rmouths.

Webr oughtSbu'
sMercedesViano.Weusual
lyuse
t
hatwhenwehavemor ethanonepersont
okil
l.We
l
eftourwomenwai t
ingforusathomesowecan't
wastemucht i
me.

Wedr ovetot heWar ehouseandf oundtwoguyswe

hiredwai t
ingf orus.Theybot hhelpeduswi t
h
gettingthem outoft hecarandput ti
ngthem on
theirownchai r
sint hewar ehouse.Wet hrew
bucket sofcol dwat eronal lt
hreeofthem andthey
wokeup.Sbui srunni ngtheshowt oni
ght.He'sin
painsoI 'l
ljustsitandwat ch.

Sbu:
"Yes,
dimpya(
dogs)
.Let
sogi
lena(
You'
re
awake)
.NowIcanf
inal
lygetst
art
ed.
"

SburippedoffSghi
dli
'smouthtapef
ir
standt
hen
Guynumber2.Wedi dn'
tevengethi
sname,wej
ust
weren'ti
nter
est
ed.

Sghi
dli
:"
Please,
man,kaofr
aisa(
I'
m beggingyou)
.
Nekesai t
sekevrouyagaodaicher
ry(Ididn'
t
knowshewasyourwoman) ."

Sbu:"I
twasni
cewhenyourapedheral lni
ghtin
fr
ontofmysin,r
ight
?SoIt hinki
tsonl
yf airi
fyou
getthesametr
eatment
,orbjangmajit
a( r
ight
guys)?"

Theot
hert
woguys:"
Sho,
sho.
"

Sbu:"
Wel
lthen,getr
eady,
fozas(br
other
s).I
t'
sti
me
tohavef
unwi t
hthesetwobit
ches.They'
real
l
your
s."

Thet woguyswehiredkickedbothSghi dliandhis

fr
iendoffthechai
rsandtookof ftheirpants.They
bothworecondomsandf uckedtheirasses.They
screamedoutinpainwhileBrianwasscar ed
shit
less,
somucht hathepissedhi mself.

Thet woguyswereinal otofpai

n,beggingand
screaming.Icoul
dseeSbu' seyes,t
heywer ered
withrage.Thosetwoguyswehi r
edhadsome
Viagrabefor
ewear ri
ved,sotheyshouldkeep
themselvesbusyfuckingtheset
wof orafewhours,
j
ustast heydidt
oKel e.

Whil
eSghidl
iandhisfr
iendwerebusygetti
ngr
aped,
Sbutur
nedhisatt
enti
ononBrian.Herippedof
fhis
mouthtape.

Br
ian:
"Pl
ease,
Sbu,
man,
Please.Skaechunadi
e
di
ng(
pleasedon'
tdot
his)
."

Sbu:(l
aughi
ng)"Umzwile(Didyouhearhim),
Mamba?He' sbeggingme.Kant iwasn'tKele
beggi
nghimt ostopwhil
ehewasbeat ingtheshit
outofher?Wasn'tshebeggingwhil
ehehadt hose
twofucker
srapeherinfrontofmychild?Angi t
hi
wenayoulovedrugsmor ethanyoulovelif
e.You
usedyourfi
stsandsti
cklegstobeatupmywoman,
soIthi
nkIshouldn'
twasteanymor eti
meandgi ve
youaslow,painf
uldeat
h."

Bri
an:(
pleadi
ng)"
Please,
please,
Sbu,
manI
'
m
beggi
ngyou."

Sbu:
"Toolat
e.Yourt
ear
swi
llnotr
edowhatyoudi
d
toKel
e."

Sbutookoutahammerfr
om thefamoustr
oll
eyand
st
art
edhammer i
ngBr
ian'
slegs.Hescreamedout
i
npainasSbuhammer edhisdickandballs.Br
ian
gaspedoutofpainwithtear
sfail
ingtocomeoutof
hi
seyes.Het henproceededtohammerhi s
abdomencontinuousl
y.Br i
anwasi nsomuchpain,
hewasstart
ingtobleedfrom hi
smout h.

Sbu:(
Hol
dingt
hehammerup)"Thisi
sformyKel
e.
Resti
npeacemsunu(
asshol
e)."

Hehithi
m onhi
sheadsohar
dthathi
sbr
ains
spl
ashedout
.
Chapt
erFi
ft
ySi
x

Sbu

Wearri
vedatPhi la'
shousej ustaft
ermi dnight
.I
hopeKeleisn'tawakeyetbecauseI '
mt iredasfuck.
Idon'
tregretkil
li
ngBrian,heshould'veknownbet t
er
thant
of uckupKel eli
kethat.Wor stoarthe
damagedmyson.Sghi dl
iandhi sli
ttl
efriendwil
lbe
t
raumat
izedf
orever
.

They'l
lprobabl
yendupcommi tt
ingsuici
de.
Speakingofmyson, Ihavetofetchhim andgett
o
knowhi m.Ialsoneedtointr
oducehi mtouMa.I
alsodon'twanttowasteanymor eti
meandget
mar r
iedtoKeleassoonaspossi bl
e.

PhilaandIsmel ll
ikeshit.Noonecangetusedt o
thesmel lofbl
ood.Iheadedt oKeleandI's
bedroom.Iwal kedi nslowl
yhopingshewoul dbe
asleep.Thankgoodnessshewassoundasl eep.I
quicklyheadedtot heshowerandrubbedoffthis
disgusti
ngsmel loffme.Igotoutandwi pedmyself.
AsIwasaboutt olotionmybody,Kelespoket ome.

Kel
e:"
Otswakae(
Wher
edoyoucomef
rom)
,Sbu?
"

Sbu:
"Ij
usthadt
osortoutsomebusi
ness,
Themba
l
ami(Myhope).Gobacktobed.
"
Kel
e:"
Ican'
tsl
eep.Ihadani
ght
mar
e."

Igoti
nthecover
sandputherheadonmychest
.

Sbu:
"Wantt
otal
kabouti
t?"

Kel
e:"
Idr
eamtofShar
onki
ll
ingme.I
twassoscar
y
Sbu.
"

Sbu:"
Hey.It'
sokay.Shar
onwillnevercomenear
youeveragain.Youcant
rustme, Thembal
ami (
My
hope).
"

Kel
e:"
Sbu,
doyouhat
eme?
"

Sbu:
"Idon'
thateyou,
Thembalami(Myhope)
.Ij
ust
hat
ethefactthatImi
ssedoutonf
iveyear
sofmy
son'
slif
e.Ihatethefactt
hatourl
ivesgotr
uined,
all
becauseofSharon.

Ihatethatmybeauti
fultwingir
lscomef r
om that
monster'swomb.Iwi shtheywereyours.Icoul
d
neverhateyou,Kel
e.You'remywor ld.Forthefi
rst
ti
mei naverylongti
me, mylif
eisstart
ingtomake
sense."

Kel
e:"
Iloveyout
oo,
Sbu.
"

Sbu:"
Tomor r
owwe' r
efet
chi
ngoursonf
rom your
mom' shouse.It
'sti
mehegetst
oknowme, butf
irst
wemustt akehim gometouMa.Nowsleep.We'l
l
tal
ktomorrow."

Keletr
iedtotouchmebutIj ustcouldn'
t.Ican'
t
makel ovet
oherafterki
ll
ingthatfucker
.Istil
lhave
everyt
hingBeli
ndasaidplayi
nginmyheadl i
kea
damnr ecor
dplayerandIjustcan't
.Notr i
ghtnow.
Sbu:
"Nott
onight
,Thembalami(Myhope).Ican'
t
haveyouaft
erIki
ll
edyourexhusband.
"

Kel
e:"
Wel
l,
I'
m gl
adyoudi
d.

Iki
ssedherf
oreheadanddozedof
faf
terashor
t
whil
e.

Phi
la

Iwalkedi
nandf oundZeealreadywai
tingupf
orme.
Itmustbethatshejustf
ini
shedprayi
ng.

Zee:
"Phi
la,
thankGoodnessyou'r
eback!Youjust
l
eftwit
houttel
li
ngmewher eyoiwer
egoing.
Ubuyaphi(
Wher ewer
eyou)?"
Phi
la:
"For
giveme,Sthandwasami(Myl
ove)
.Ihad
tor
unani mpor
tanterrandwi
thSbu.
"

Zi
yanda:"
Ist
hishowthingswi
llal
waysbe?You'
l
l
goaroundki
ll
ingever
yonewhocomesinyour
way?"

Phi
la:(
sigh)"
Zee,
notnow,pl
ease.I
t'
snotl
ikethat
.
Ij
ustneedtoshowerandsl
eep.Canwedot hat
?"

Zee:
"Okay.
"

Shegotinthecover sandIwenttot
akeaqui ck
shower.AfterIfi
nishedIgoti
nbedandcuddl ed
Zee.Shet r
iedtopushmeaway, butIdi
dn'tl
ether.
Sheeventuall
ygavei nanddozedof
f.Ididthe
sameafterashortwhi l
e.

Zodwa
Igotnewst hatBeli
ndawasshotintheheadand
wasi nhospit
al.Goodriddance.Iwi
shshewoul d
j
ustdi e.Shesleepswit
hbot hmysonsandgets
pregnantbyoneoft hem andnowshegotpregnant
bymyhusband? !

Noonegetsawaywithdoublecr
ossingme.Sure,
Davi
dandIhaven'
thadsexinoverayear ,
buthe'
s
st
il
lmyhusband.Ihavetodosomet hingt
oregai
n
mypower.Surel
ymyl i
fecantbeallthi
sbad.

IseeZeeissti
llhappyaseverwhichmeansthe
tabl
oidsandbodyshami ngdi
dnot hi
ngtoher.Mxm.
Shemusthavegr ownsomebal l
s.I t
'st
imeIgovi
sit
Adonia.Sheneedst oknowherplace.Howcan
sherefuset
ohel pmenowaf t
erallthemoneyI
havespentonher ?

Lunga
Everyonet
hinkst
hatI
'velostmymar blesandt hat
ther
e'snohopeforme.Theyt hinkIdon'tr
emember
anythi
ngbeforet
heaccident,
butIrememberi tall
.I
evenrememberwhatuMadi dt omewi ththatevil
bit
chAdonia.

Ir
ememberhowshehypnotizedmeandmademy
manhoodweak,mademest eri
le,
plot
tedwith
Bel
indaandact
edli
keNkosiyaboismi newhen
i
ndeedhewasmybr ot
her'
sseed.

I'
m acti
ngstupi
dbecauseI '
m wai t
ingfortheri
ght
ti
met oatt
ack.Mymot herist hereasonI'
mi nthi
s
posit
ion.Hadshejustletnaturetakeitscour
se
betweenZeeandI,thi
ngswoul dn'
tbethewayt hey
arenow.

Ikeepst
alki
ngZee, checki
ngherTwi
tt
er,
Facebook
andInst
agram accounts.Sheseemssohappywit
h
thatguy.She'
ssupposedtobemi ne.Imarr
iedher
fi
rst.Il
oveZeesomuch, Ij
ustcan'tst
opt
hinki
ng
abouther.

I
'mt hi
nkingofamasterpl
antogetherback.Ilove
Zeeandnoonei sgoi
ngt ostopmefrom gett
ingher
back.Mymemor yisbackandIwanttofixthi
ngs.
Zeeismi ne.

Zi
yanda

Thef ol
lowi
ngmor ningcame.Themor ni
ngaftermy
rui
nedbr i
dalshower.Everythi
ngisamess,and
everyoneisevenmor eofamess.Keleseemst obe
doingokay,butI'
m soworriedaboutPor
sche.

I
'vetr
iedcal
li
ngherbutRobertsai
dshedoesn't
wanttospeaktoanyone.Theoffi
cewon'tf
uncti
on
wit
houtheratwork.Ihopeshegetsbet
tersoon.
Phil
a,Kel
e,SbuandIareheadedtoCapeTownt o
seehi
smom.We'
regoi
ngt
ofet
chThat
ofi
rst
.

Wef i
rstdrovet oKele'smom' shousei nRandburg.
Kelewasj ustsoanxi ous.I'veneverbeentoher
houseandnowIgetwhy.Hermom' shousewas
ver
yuncar edfor .Thewal lswereextremelydirt
y
anditlookedlikeshehar dlycleaned.Idon'tknow
howKel ecopedwi thal lt
his.

Shedi dn'
twantust ogoi nwit
hher ,butwehadt o
formor alsupport.Weallcomef rom adar kplace
andi t
'
si mpor t
anttomakeKeleseet hatwe' r
ehere
forher.Kel edidn'
twantustoi nwit
hher ,butWe
decidedt oallgoinwithherf
ormor alsuppor t
.I
couldseet earsgli
steni
nginhereyes, andSbu
squeezedherhandasshewal kedbyhi sside.

Justbeforeweent er
edt
hehouse,Thatocame
runni
ngt owardsusandranint
ohismot her
'sar
ms.
Thesightjustbrokeme.Icoul
dn'
tholdmyt ear
sin
anymoreandPhi l
asawthat
.Hejustbrushedmy
back.Thatolookedsodir
ty,
andprobabl
yhadn't
beenbathedindays.Hisshoesweresobrokenwe
couldseehistoespeepi
ngoutoft
hem.

Thisisodd.Keleloveshersonsomuch, Idon'tget
whyhersonwoul dlookli
kethi
s.Sbuj ustlookedso
sadandenragedatt hesametime.Hewant edtolet
thetear
sfall
,buthetri
edtoholdthem back.

Kele:
"Boy,
boy.Whyoleditshi
laso( Whyareyou
sodirt
y)?Kgantedi
kaediapar
ot sekegotl
etseng
tsona(Wherear
erhecl
othesIbroughtyou)
?"

That o:
"Ah,mama, nkgonoodifi
leTshwarelo
(Grannygavethem t oTshwarel
o).Ori
lewenawa
mokol otasoTshwar elootl
ankadiaparotsaka
(Shesai dyouowehersoTshwar el
owil
ltakemy
clothesasform ofpayment).

Mama,
pleaset
ellmeyoucamet
ofet
chme?I
'
d
rat
herli
vewithyouandBr i
aneventhoughhebeat
s
you.AtleastIdi
dn'tgohungryt
hen.Mobant i
ma
dij
o,kejagaonekal et
sat
si(Her
etheydon'
tgi
ve
mef ood.Ieatonceaday)."

Icouldseehowcr ushedKelewas.Thel ookofa

brokenandhur tmot her.Thefactt
hatThat ocal
led
Brianbyhi snameshowedhowmuchhehat edhim,
whi chisunderstandabl
e.Sbuwasaboutt omurder
someone.Hef inall
yletthetear
sfalldownbuthe
quicklywipedthem off.

Kele:
"Skawara(Don'
twor
ry)boyboy.Got l
ogaf ao
t
samayal enna(You'
rel
eavi
ngwi t
hmet oday).Ga
resatlonnaleBri
an(We'
renolongergoi
ngt ostay
wit
hBr i
an).
"

Hejumpedupi nexcit
ement.Thi spoorboy.Ican
onlywonderhowmuchmor eabusehesuf fer
edat
thehandsofhisgrandmother,
Kel e'
smom.They
hadglasseshal
fempt yofbeer,withoneHansa
quar
tinbet
weent
hem ont
hef
loor
.

Kele:"
Goplay,I
'
llcomefet
chyouwhenI
'
m done
t
alkingtoyourgranny.
"

Thatowentbackt
oplaywi
thhi
sfr
iends.Shehad
tear
sst r
eami
ngdownherf
aceandshewaseven
shaking.

Kel
e:"
Please,
Sbu.Pl
ease,
let
'sj
ustl
eave.
"

Sbu:"
No,Thembalami(
Myhope).Ineedtoseet
he
bit
chwhoistreat
ingmysonl
ikeafucki
nghobo.
Let'
sgo.
"

Kel
ejustf
rozeatt
hegat
e.

Sbu:
"Don'
tmakemedr
agyou.
"
Kelereluctantlywalkedintotheyard,whilePhil
a
andIf oll
owed.Wehadt oseet hismonster.We
knockedont hekitchendoor.Thef oulstenchof
alcoholwasdr owningthewhol ehouse.An
unpleasantsi ghtofpil
edupdi sheswi t
hfleasfl
ying
aroundi ntheki t
chenwel comedus.Icoul dn't
understandwhypeopl elivedli
kethisinsuchani ce
houseandaver ypleasantneighbourhood.

Voi
ce:
"Kena(
Comei
n)!
"

Weent eredwit
ht heal readyshakenKel elooki
ng
downwi thherglassesbl urr
edwithtearsfrom her
eyes.Wef oundar athert hi
n,pal
elookingwoman,
probal
yi nhersi
xtieswi t
hayoungerver sionof
hersel
fsitt
ingnextt oher .Iassumei t
'sKele'
smom
andsister.

Ol
derwoman:
"Hao,
Kel
e.Waser
ebot
segor
eot
la
l
ebaengbababotsanaso(youdidn'tt
ellusyou'r
e
cominghomewi
thsuchgoodlookingguest s)
.
Nkabekekol
omaki
lemos(Iwould'vecleaned).
"

Sosheonl
ycleanswhensheexpect
svi
sit
ors?
Wow.Kelejustr
emai
nedquiet
.

Youngerwoman:"
Hehbanna!Kelesetseol
e
semumubjanong(haveyougonemutenow)
?"

Sbuwasget
ti
ngr
atheri
rr
it
atedandsowasPhi
la.

Sbu:
"Ar
eyouKel
e'
smot
her
?"

Olderwoman: "Heh!Utl
waobol elasekgoabotse
bjang(HeevensoeaksEngl ishsowel l
).Aowa,ke
stepmot hersagae(I'
m herst epmother)
.Herstupi
d
fatherdiedandleftmetot akecar eofher.Ke
serathaneseloseo(thatthingisanor phan)
."
Thosewordsj ustcutdeep.Kel
ecanreal
lykeepa
secr
et.NowIunder st
andwhysheneverwantedus
tovi
sither
-ever.

Sbuj
ustl
osthi
smar
bles.

Sbu:"Soyoudecidedt otakeadvantageofher,
probablyusedupal lherFather
'ssavingsonyour
uselessbitchofadaught erandnowyou' r
etr
eati
ng
mysonl i
keshit
?!"

Olderwoman: "
Heywena,elegoreomangwenao
tsenakantlongyakaotloi
ketsast
arr
ing(
Whodo
youthinkyouarecomingtomyhouseandact
ing
l
ikeast ar
ri
ng)?"

Kele'
sstepmotherdi
dn'tseeitcomingbecauseSbu
chargedather
.Hesl appedhersohar dshenearl
y
fel
lonthefl
oor.Kele'
ssisterjustscr
eamedand
start
edcur
sing.Sbuslappedandki
ckedheraswel
l
thenwentbacktothemotherandhel
dherbyher
throat
.

Sbu:"You'r
esof ucki
ngl
uckyKel eishere.Idon' t
wanthert owitnessmekill
ingyou.You' l
lfucking
regretevertr
eatingmywomanl ikeshit,I
'mt el
li
ng
you.I '
l
lbecomi ngbackforyour estassured.I'l
l
fuckingburnyoual i
vei
nthisshitholeyoucal la
house!"

Hel
ethert
hroatgoandshecoughedcont
inuousl
y.

Sbu:
"Let
'sgetyououtoft
hisshi
thol
e."

Hegr abbedKelebyherhandandPhi l
aandI
fol
lowed.Wet ookThatowi t
huswithouteven
changinghim.Wewer erunni
ngoutofti
mesowe
hadtot akehi
ml ooki
ngjustli
ket
hat.
Wegott heair
por tandenteredtheJet .Everyone
wasjustdeadqui etwi t
hKelesilentl
ycryi
ng.If el
t
soemotionalIwascr yi
ngaswel l.Pregnancy
hormoneswer eal r
eadykickingin.Thef i
rstthi
ng
Keledi
di nt
hej etwasor derThat osomef oodand
j
uice.Thewayhegobbl eduphi sfoodbrokeusal l
.
Sbujustcri
edsi l
entlyandPhi l
ashedat earaswel l
.
Ithi
nkoncethisisal lover
,Kele'
sst epmom and
si
sterarenextont heZwane' shitli
st.
ChaperFi
ft
ySeven

Kel
e

Aswewer eri
dingint hejetonourwayt oCape
Townt oseeSbu' sMom, Ijustcouldn'
tstoplett
ing
thetearsfl
ow.It ri
edsohar dformyboynott osee
mei nthismessI '
mi n,asIkeptwi pingthem off.I
evenhadt oremovemygl assesfrom myeyesdue
totheconstanttears.Sbu' seyeswer esored,he
l
ookedatThat owi t
hsomuvhsadness, al
mostl i
ke
there'
ssomuchgr i
efi nhiseyes.
It'
slikehe'smour ningthelossoftimel ost,
mour ni
ngt hedamagedThat orightnow.Myf ather
alwayssai dther
e'salwaysl i
ghtattheendoft he
tunnel,buthediedwhenIwasj ustatt hetenderage
of13.Ihadj ustst art
edhighschool.Hewasoneof
thebigguysatEskom, sohehadl eftmeal otof
money.

Hegotmar ri
edtomystepmotherMarywhenIwas
fi
ve.Mymot herdi
edduringchi
ldbi
rt
handIguess
muf at
herwaslonel
y.Hewassear chi
ngfor
someonetobeamot hertome.Andt hat
'swhenhe
metMar y.

Thepl aneridewashellforthefourofus,exceptfor
Thatowhowassohappyj usttohaveapr opermeal.
Ihadt olethim st
aywithmyst epmothersincelast
mont hbecauset hi
ngswer ejustget
ti
ngwor sewith
Bri
an.Icoul dseehowmuchi thadstar
tedaffect
ing
Thato, soIhadnochoicebutt obegmyevel
st
epmot
hert
olokkaf
terhi
m.

TheJetl andedandweal lheadedout .Sbut ook

Thatoinhi shand, t
ell
inghim allaboutwher ewe
weregoi ng.Hewassoexci ted.Wegoti nt
otwo
separatecar s;Phil
aandZeegoti ntheirsasSbu,
ThatoandIgoti ntoours.Thedr iver
st ookcareof
ourluggage.Ihonest lydon'tknowi fIcouldget
usedtosuchal i
fe.It
'sabitt oomuchf orme.
Everyoneal waysendsupdi sappointi
ngyouwhen
thi
ngsseem t obejusttoogoodt obetrue.

Wear ri
vedattheirMother'
shouse.Zeewasn' t
kiddi
ngwhenshesai dthesepeopl
ear eloaded.
Suchahugemansi on,withahugegar den.Ilove
thepeaceitscreams.Wegotoutoft hecar sand
foundthesetwol i
tt
legir
lswholookalike.They
mustbeSbu' stwins.Theycamer unningt owards
Philwfi
rstashehuggedt hem, t
hentheyhugged
Zee.
Nobuhl
e:"
Uncl
ePhi
la,
whatdi
dyougetust
oday?
"

Nokuhle:
"Aunt
y,Zee,
didyoubringussomethi
ng
today?BecauseunclePhi
laneverbr
ingsus
anythi
ng.
"

Thesecondt
winwhot
alkstoomuch.Thatmustbe
Nokuhl
e.SbuandPhi
lahavetol
dmealotabout
theset
wo.

Phil
a:(
Chuckling)"Idi
dn'thavet
imetogotothe
shops,butt
ellyouwhat .Whenwe'redonetalki
ng
toGogowe'lltakeyououtandgetyousomet hing,
okay?"

Thet
wins:
"Yey!
"

Nokuhl
e:"
Yazi(
Youknow)UnclePhil
a,you'
reso
muchcoolert
hatmydad.He'salwayssoserious
j
ustl
ikemymom.
"

Phi
lwandZeel
aughed.

Sbu:"
Yey,ni
na(Heyyout
wo)
.Ngi
theni(
Whatdi
dI
say)aboutgr
eet
ing?
"

Nokuhle:
"Eish,sor
rybaba(
daddy)
.Oldhabi
tsdi
e
hard.(Lookingatme)Didyoubei
ngusanew
aunti
e?"

Nobuhl
e:"
Ist
hisournewbr
other
?!"

Theyl
ookedsoexci
ted.

Sbu'
smom savedusf
rom al
lthesequest
ionsand
appear
ed.
Phi
la'
sMom:" Yey,ni
naman(Heyyout wo)!Kunini
ngi
n't
shela(I
'
vetoldyoucont
lesstimes)about
har
assingpeopl
east heywal
kt hr
ought hatdoor
!
Hambaniniyodl
ala(Goandplay)!
"

Nokuhl
e:"
Hawu(But
),Gogo.Wewantt
ogoandpl
ay
wit
hourbrot
her
."

Phi
la'
smom:
"He'
l
ljoi
nyoul
ater
.Hambani(
Go
away)
!"

Nobuhl
e:"
KodwaGogouyabhor
a(Butgr
annyyou
canbesobori
ng)somet
imes.
"

Theylef
tandrant
owardsanot
herroom,I'
m
assumingi
t'
sthei
rpl
ayroom.Thishouseisso
amazing.Sbu'
smom hassomucht ast
e.

Phi
la'
smom:"
Wozani
,bant
wanabami(
Comei
n,my
chi
ldr
en).Letmegreetabakot
ibamikucal
a(my
daught
ersinlawf
ir
st).
"

Zeesmiledandhuggedher .Thenshecamet ome

andsmiled.Shelookedmei nt heeyesandhugged
meforal ongwhile.Icoul
dn'thelp,
butshedatear
.
I'
veneverexperi
encedtheloveofamot her.Onl
y
Zee'
sGr annyshowedmesuchl oveamdwar mth.
Shethenlookedatmeandwi pedmyt ear
soff.

Phila'
sMom:( t
earyeyed)" Khul
uleka(Rel
ax)
Kelebogi
le.Umyeniwami( Myhusband)t ol
dme
thi
sdaywoul dcomet hissoon.You' r
ehomenow
andyou'vefoundamot herinme.Phephi sa
mnt wanawami( Takeiteasy,mychi l
d).
"

ShebentdownandlookedatThato.Tear sstar
ted
st
reamingdownherface,
causingthefourofust o
cr
yaswel l
.Shehuggedhimforalongwhi le.Poor
Thatodi
dn'
tunderst
andwhywewer eallcryi
ng.
Phila'
sMom: "
Hell
o,myboy.I
'
m yournewgranny.
Woul dyouli
ketostaywi
thmeint
hishouseandbe
takencareof?"

That
onoddedwi
thabi
gsmi
leonhi
sface.

Phi
la'
smom: "
Good.Let'
sgoandgetyoucleaned
upfir
st.Gogoisgoi
ngtogi
veyouanice,warm
bat
handputyoui nsomever
ynicecl
othes.
"

That
o:"
Koko,onal
ediapar
otsaBen10(
Grannydo
youhaveBen10clot
hes)
?"

Phi
la'
smom:( Laughing)"No,
Ididn'
tknowyoul i
ke
Ben10,butIpromiseafterweeatsomel unchwe'
re
goi
ngshopping,neh?Youcangetal ltheclot
hes
andtoysyouwant."
Theywal kedhandinhandtowardsoneoft he
bathroomsIassumel eavi
ngthefourofusstanding
there.Itwasabit
tersweetmoment ,especi
all
yfor
SbuandI .

Sbu:(
Holdingmyhand)"Let'
sallgofr
eshenup.
ZeeandKel e,
gotoyourbedrooms,Phi
laandIwil
l
bri
ngtheluggage.
"

Ilookedathi
m puzzl
ed.Ihavenoi
deawher
e"our
"
room is.

Kel
e:"
ButIdon'
tknowwher
eourr
oom i
s."

Zee:
"Come,
I'
llshowyou.
"

Shetookmyhandandwewal kedupthestai
rs.She
tookmeint
ooneofthebedrooms.Ithadahuge
bed,apl
asmatvat
tachedtothewal
landanen-
suit
ebat hr
oom andsomeofSbu' spi
cturesfrom
whenhewasababyont hewall
s.Phila'
smom t ook
suchanef fortwi
ththi
shouse.I
'm guessingher
favouri
tecolouri
swhitesi
ncealmosteverythingis
white.Thebedhaswhi teandgraysheetsoni t
whilethedresseri
swhite.

ZeeandIhuggedf
orawhi
le.

Zee:"
Chomi(f
ri
end),whyneosampotse(
didn'
tyou
tel
lme)aboutyourf
amil
ysit
uat
ion?
"

Kel
e:(l
ookingdown)"Itwasn'
teasyf
ormet oopen
upaboutthat.NotevenBeli
ndaknewthatpartof
myli
fe."

Zee:
"I
'm sosorryyouwentt hr
oughallthat
.Please,
pl
easetrustSbuf r
om nowon.I '
m sureyousaw
howmuchhewoul ddoforyou.Helovesyouand
That
owi llbeokay.You'l
lsee.
"
Sbuwalkedi
nwithourl
uggageandZeewal
kedout
.
Sbuputthel
uggageonthefl
oorandhel
dmyhand.

Sbu:
"Comel
ienextt
omeont
hebed.
"

Welaynexttoeachot
herst
il
li
nourcl
othes.He
hel
dmecl osert
ohim.

Sbu:"
WhyKel e?Iunderst
andthatSharon
thr
eatenedyou,butwhydidn'
tyouriski
tandt
ellme?
Iwould'
vehavetakencareofyou."

Kele:(
Deepsi gh)"Mydadmar ri
edMar y,
my
stepmom whenIwasf i
ve.Mymom di edduring
chil
dbir
th,wellthat
'swhatmydadt oldme.She
wouldtreatmesobadl ySbuwhenmydadwasn' t
around,butassoonashecamebackshewoul dact
l
ikeanangel .Iwoul dalwayswashthedishes,
scrubthefloorsevendoherandherdaught er's
l
aundr
y.

Leboalwaysbeatmeupi fItri
edt ospeakup, and
sodidmyst epmom.Icoul dnevert el
lmydad, I
didn'
twanttoruinourr
elationship.Myst epmot her
begandri
nkingexcessi
velywhenmydaddi ed.I
wasonly13, Ihadj
uststartedhighschool .Igota
bursar
ytogot oourschool,Iwasahar dwor ker.

Lebowoul dalwaysbej ealousofmymar ksbecause

sherepeatedeverygr adeanddr oppedoutinGrade
11.Mydad' spensionwaspai doutandaf ew
poli
ciesandIneverr ecei
vedacent .Ihadtodo
somepi ecejobsjusttobuymysel fsani
tarypads,
Sbu.Doyouknowhowhar dthatwas?Lebohad
herfi
rstchil
datSevent eenandhersecondchi l
dat
Eight
een.Ihadt osleepont hecouchandmoveout
ofmybedr oom tomaker oom forherki
ds.

OnedayIwasatschoolwr
it
ingmymatr
icexams,
andshehadl
eftt
hekidsal
onetogoanddri
nkata
l
ocalshebeen.Shecamebackandf oundthe
youngestbabyblueintheface.Thebaby
suff
ocatedinhersleep.WhenIgothomeMar y
shoutedatmeandst ar
tedbeati
ngmewitha
shambok.Thenei ghboursrescuedmeandIslept
wit
ht hem t
hatni
ght .Ihadanexam towri
tethe
nextdayandIdidevent houghIwasinseri
ouspain.

Thenei ghbour sweresokindtome, theygaveme

shelterfortherestofthecomingmont hs.Luckil
y
aftermyexamsIst ayedwi t
hZeef ortheDecember
holidayawai ti
ngnewsofmyBur sary.It hankGod
thatmybur saryapprovedmeinJanuar y,andZee'
s
grannyhel pedmeoutwi t
hregistrati
onf ees.She's
theonl yoneIt ol
dandIbeggedhernott otel
lasoul.
Istayedawayf oryearsandwhenIf oundyouwi t
h
Shar oninbedt hatday,myhear tbroke.

ImetBri
anwhenIwasdoingmysecondyear
.He
seemedsoperf
ectandAskedmetomarr
yhim
withi
namonthofdati
ng.Assoonaswegot
mar r
iedhechanged.Hest art
eddemandi ngmoney
from me.AssoonasIst artedworkingIhadtogi ve
him halfmysal ar
y.Hewasdeepi ntodrugsand
hadaser iousdebtofoverR200000.Idi dn'
thave
thatmuchmoneyonmeandt heywantedtotake
Thato.Icoul dn'
tlett
hem doitsoI..
.Ioffer
ed
mysel fi
nstead.Igavemybodyupf ormyson, our
son.

Icouldn'tl
eavehim becauseItr
iedrunningaway
backt omyst epmom'shouse.Itwashel l,
butmuch
betterthanli
vingwit
hBr i
an.Shecalledhim and
toldhim whereIwas,hef oundmeandbeatmet oa
pulp.Inearlycoll
apsedthatday.Ibeggedherto
takeThat oi
nandIsentmoneyever yweek.R3000
everyweek, butshesti
llmanagedtotreatmyson
l
ikeasl ave.
"

Allt
hiswhi
leSbujustkeptquietandhel
dmeclose
tohim.Icoul
dfeelhissal
tytearsfal
lonmyf
aceas
Ilai
dmyheadonhi schest.Thatmomentof
si
lence,itwasalmostasift
hemour ingper i
odwas
over.Inthatmomentwel etoutallt
hepai nwehad
burr
ieddeepwi t
hinoursouls.Sbulookedatme
andkissedme.Wesl owl
ytookourcl othesoffand
madel ove,r
ealpassi
onateandslowl ove.Wel etgo
aswecamet ogether
.

Sbu:
"Mar
ryme,
Kel
e."

Iwasshockedandindisbel
iefbutIremembered
Zee'
swords"TrustSbu"
.Ididn'teventhi
nkt
wice
andIanswered.

Kel
e:"
Ofcour
seIwi
l
l.Iwi
llmar
ryyou,
Sbusi
so.
"
Chapt
erFi
ft
yEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Phi
laandIhavebeencur
ledupi
nbedeversi
ncewe
gother
e.We'vebeenmaki ngsweetl
ovefr
om the
momentwegoti nourbedroom.IassumeKeleand
Sbuhavebeendoingthesamesincetheyhaven't
beenout.Phi
la'
smom toldusshe'sgoi
ngshopping
wit
htheThatoandthetwins.TheChefhadalready
madelunchsoit
'saboutti
mewegotup.

Wear ri
vedhereat11am andi t's3pm now.Idon't
wantPhi l
a'
smom t othinkI'm gett
ingl
azyandt oo
comf or
tablenow.Idr aggedPhi l
aoutofbedand
wet ookashowert ogether.Wegotdr essedand
headeddownst ai
rs.Af ewmi nuteslat
erSbuand
Keleheadeddownst airsholdi
nghands, smil
ing.I
assumet hingshavebeensor tedbetweenthet wo
ofthem.

Kelehelpedmesett
het abl
e,andSbuandPhi la
broughtthef
oodanddrinkstothetabl
e.Theset wo
arereal
lysweet
.Nowt hatIthi
nkaboutit
,theyare
equall
yromanti
candequallyposessi
ve.Philaisa
l
otcalmerthanSbu.Sbui sahotheadanddoes
thi
ngswi t
houtt hinki
ngattimes,butsomehowKel e
bri
ngsoutt hecal m boyinhim.Iguessthat '
slove.
Phil
a'
smom wal kedinwiththet
winsandThat ojust
befor
ewest art
edeat i
ng.Theywer ecarryi
ngso
manypl asti
candpaperbags.Tal kaboutspoi l
ing
hergrandkids.Kel equickl
ygotupandf etched
somepl atesforallfourofthem.

Phi
la'
smom: "Yoh,yazil
abantwanabaidl
il
eimal
i
yami(Youknow, t
hesekidsfi
nishedal
lmymoney).
Wena,Sbu,uyang'kol
ota(YouowemeSbu) .
"

Weal lchuckledandthekidsdidn'tevenseem
botheredwi t
hfood.Theyj ustt
ookt hey'
reclot
hes
andbagsandheadedt othei
rplayroom.Sbu
offer
edt otaketherestofthebagst otheki
ds'
roomsandcamebackawhi lel
ater.Wesai dgrace
andst ar
tedeating.

Phi
la'
smom: "
ManjekeSbu,
uphiuShar
on(Sonoe
Sbu,wher
e'sShar
on)?Whyungam'ci
shangavel
e
(
Whydi
dn'
tyouki
llher
)?"

Kel
eandIl
ookedsosur
pri
sed.Kel
eal
mostchoked
onherf
oodandwascoughi
ng.

Phil
a'smom: "Don'tbesosurpri
sed.Youtwoare
j
oiningthefami l
y.You'l
lsoonlearnt
hatsome
peopleareaj ustawasteofspace.It
'seasi
ertoget
ri
doft hem beforetheypol
lut
etheworldeven
fur
ther."

Icoul
dn'
tbeli
eveit
.Phi l
a'
smom lookedsofr
agil
e
andsweet.Iguesslookscanbedeceivi
ngal
ri
ght.

Sbu:"
Ngisam'cabangel
a(I
'm sti
llt
hinki
ngonwhat
todotoher)
.Angi f
uniafemanj e,
kumel eakhal
e
kucal
a(Shemustsuf f
erfi
rst
)."

Phi
la'
smom:
"Doi
tsoonbecauseIbumpedi
ntoher
att
hemal
ltr
yingt
oper
suadet
het
winst
ogowi
th
her
."

Sbugotsoupsetandcl
enchedhi
sfi
st.

Phil
a'
smom: "Khul
uleka,Sbu(
Relax)
.Thosegi
rls
knowbetter
.Theyst ar
tedscr
eamingandsheran
away.Kumel eumkhuze(youneedt owar
nher)
other
wiseI'
l
ldothejobmyself.
"

Sbu:
"Yebo,
ma.
"

Phil
a'
smom: "Kele,mntwanami( mychi l
d).You
needtogetthisi
dioti
ncheck, you'
rehischosenone
andyou'r
etheonemeantt ocalm him down.Don' t
beimpati
ent,youneedt olearntounderstandhi m
andhiswayofdoi ngthings.Ihopehe' streati
ng
youwelli
nsteadofgoingal lganst
eronyou. "
Kel
esmi
ledwhi
leSbul
aughedabi
t.

Sbu:
"Kodwa(
but
)ma.
..
"

Phil
a'smom:"Thul
a,angi
khuluminawe(
Hush,I
'm
nottalki
ngt
oyou).I'
mt al
kingtomydaught
er.
"

Kel
e:"
Yes,
ma.Ont
shwer
esent
le(
He'
str
eat
ingme
wel
l)
."

Phi
la'
smom: "
Ihopeso.Otherwise(
Sheshowed
Sbuherfistandwealll
aughed).Manjewena,Zee.
How'sitgoingwit
hthepregnancy?"

Okay,soi
t'
spret
tyobvioustheyt
ellt
hei
rmom
pr
ettymucheveryt
hingjustl
iket
heydoGogo.

Me:
"I
t'
sgoi
ngokay,
ma.Justsomemor
ning
si
cknessever
ynowandt
hen.
"

Phi
la'
smom:"Manje,whatar
eyoutwoboysgoingt
o
doaboutBel
indanow?What '
sthepl
anforwhen
shewakesup?"

Phil
aandSbulookedateachot
herunt
ilPhi
la
deci
dedtospeak.

Phil
a:"
Wehaven'
tthoughtt
hatf
ar,
butIwanther
dead."

Phil
a'
smom:( Shakingherhead)" That'
stooeasy.
Sheneedst osuffer.Whenshewakesup, makeher
doitherself
,makeherki llhersel
f.Deci
deonasl ow
yeteff
ectivemethodlikepoi sonorsomethi
ng.She
gotherselfi
ntothisshitsoshemustt akehersel
f
out.
"
Il
ookedatherandshewasdeadSer i
ous.She
wasn'
tki
ddingatal
l.Iwonderi
ftheykil
lever
yone
whogetsi
nt hei
rway.

Wef i
nishedeati
nglunchandPhil
a'smom cal
ledus
i
ntothelounge.PhilaandSbutookabeereachand
aglassofwi nef
orthei
rmom, whil
eIhadaglassof
applej
uiceinmyhandandsodi dKele.Shedidn'
t
wanttodr i
nkinfr
ontofPhil
a'
smom.

Phila'
smom: "
Now, let
'sgetdownt obusi ness.My
brotherMzwandi lecall
edme.Inot ifi
edhimt hat
bothhissonsar ereadytogetmar riedandhesai d
weneedt odot heceremonyqui ckly.Itoldthem t
o
comeher et hi
sweekend, butitcan'thappent hi
s
weekendbecauseweneedt ogot oEshowet oZee'
s
father'
shousef orherceremony.Theywant edusto
got oAlex,butwhat '
sthepoint?So, baf
anabami
(myboys) ,whenar eyougoingt oseeyourf at
her'
s
brother?"
Wait
,didshesaybothPhil
aandSbuareget
ti
ng
marr
ied?SoSbupr oposedtoKel
e?Wow.Things
ar
elookingup.

Phil
aandSbucl
enchedtheyj
ustkeptqui
et.Thi
s
thi
ngaboutt
hei
rfat
hercutsr
eal
lydeep.

Phila'
smom: "
Yazini
nanit
wonisongibhor akabi
(Youknowyout woaregoi
ngt oboreme).Letme
callFl
orahandputheronspeaker.Per
hapsnizo
l
alelamakukhulumayena(you'
lll
ist
enwhenshe
speaks).
"

ShedialedMam'Masango'
snumberandputi
ton
speakerimmedi
atel
y.

Mam'
Masango:"
SawubonaI
vy(
Hel
lo,
Ivy)
.Kunj
ani
(
Howareyou)
?"
Oh,soPhi
la'
smom'
snamei
sIvy.Whatani
ce
name.

Phi
la'
smom:"Ngir
ight
,mngani(I
'mfine,
myf r
iend).
Her
ear emyst
ubbornboysandthei
rwives.You'r
e
onspeaker
.Thest
ageisyours.
"

Shetookasi
pofherwi
neandputt
hephoneont
he
tabl
e.

Mam' Masango:"
Yoh,yazini
nanitwo(Youknowyou
two)aresuchaheadache.Iaskedyout odot his
weeksago, nowallt
hankstoyourhotheads,
everyt
hingmustbedelayed.Itol
dyouPhi l
ayour
oldenemyi sbackandhe'scomingforever
ything
you'
vegot .

Zee,yourl
ifeandt hebabies'
li
vesarei
ndanger.
Youneedt oprotectthosebabies,
butwecan'
tdo
thatwit
houtthoset woidi
otsmakingpeacewi
th
thei
runcle.Therei
smor etothestor
ythanyou
thi
nk,boys.Youneedt oseeyouruncleassoonas
possibl
e.Timeisnotonyoursi de.Wena,Zee,
whenwegot oyourFather'
shouseforyour
ceremonythisweekend,rememberDONOTEAT
ANYTHI NG,uyangi
zwa( under
stand)
?"

Me:(
Ist
art
edt
opani
c)"
Ye.
.Yebo,
ma.
"

Mam' Masango:
"AndwenaKel
e,whydidn'
tyout
ell
yoursoontobehusbandukut
hi(
that
)you'r
e
pregnant
?"

Al
loureyeswi
denedandweal
llookedatKel
e.

Kel
e:(
Shakyvoice)"
I.
.Iwant
edt
ogot
othedoct
or
t
obesure,ma."

Mam'
Masango:
"Noneedf
ort
hat
.You'
redef
ini
tel
y
pregnant,alsowi t
htwi ns.It'
stooearlytot
ellnow,
buttheyar einyou.Dot hi
sassoonaspossi ble,
boys,thenwecandealwi t
hKele'sfamil
y.You'rei
n
foraheavyst orm befor ethecalm.IhopeImade
mysel fver
ycl earthi
st ime.Niyekeleamasimba
l
awoman( Youmustst opwi thyourshit
).I
vy,
sizokhuluma( We'llt
alk)myf ri
end."

I
vy:
"Shapshap.
"

Mam' Masangohungup.Kelei
ssosecr et
ive
though,Ij
usthopet
hatonedayitdoesn'
tblowupi
n
herface.

Phi
la'
smom: "
Well,
Ihopenizwil
e.SbuandKele,
hambaniniyokhul
uma( Goandtal
k),
isi
khat
hisetv
manje(I
t'
stvti
menow) .
"

Phi
laandIl
aughedwhi
leSbuandKel
elef
tand
wentt
othekit
chen.
Sbu

ItookKeleinmyhandandwal kedtothekit
chen
withher.I'
m soupsetr
ightnow.Ithoughtwewere
overthi
ssecretsshi
t.Didsheplanonkil
li
ngmy
unbornchil
dren?

Sbu:"
Khul
uma(
Tal
k).
"

Kele:
"I
..Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.Ij
ustwant
edt
ogo
checkwi t
hadoct
orf
ir
st.
"

Sbu:"
Areyousureaboutt
hat?!Wereyougoi
ngt
o
keepthem awayfr
om melikeyoudi
dThat?"

Kelewidenedhereyesandbecametear
y
i
mmedi atel
y.Okay,Ishoul
dn'
thavesai
dthat
,buti
t
sl
ippedout.
Sbu:
"Look,
Kel
e.I
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
."

Kele:
"I
sthathowit
'sgoingt
obefrom nowon?Are
yougoingtothr
owt hati
nmyfaceeveryt
imeyou'
re
angry?"

Sbu:(Looki
ngdown)" No,
Thembalami(Myhope).I
don'
twantust ofi
ghtwhenwe'vej
ustrecei
vedsuch
goodnews.I '
m sorr
yIsaidt
hat.I
'
llworkonmy
temper,Ipr
omise."

Il
ookedatherandIsawwhatIfearedmost -
doubt
.
Icanhandl
efearandever
ythi
ngelse,butonceyou
seedoubti
nyourwoman'seyes,t
hent her
e's
tr
oubl
e.

Sbu:
"I
'vebeenmeaningtodothissincet
hemoment
Isawyouatthelaunch.Iwentandchoseitt
he
morni
ngItookyoushopping.Ijustcoul
dn'
twai
t
anyl
onger
,Kel
e.Iknewyouhadt
obemi
ne.
"

Itookoutasmal lblackboxf
rom mypocketand
openedit.Iboughtt hi
sri
ngawhi l
eagoandhave
beencarryi
ngitwithmeeversince.Ihavebeen
waiti
ngfortheperfectmoment,butwit
hallt
his
happeningsofast,Ihavetodoitnow.Kelewasin
tearsatthi
spointwi t
hhermouthcoveredbyher
hands.

Sbu:"
Thembal ami(Myhope) ,I
'velovedyoufrom
themomentIsawyoui nyourcut eafroandthose
cutepri
ntedglasses.I '
veneverstoppedt hi
nki
ng
aboutyouKelebogile.Youwer enamedKel ebogi
le
andIthankGodf ort hatbecauseyourf at
herknew
youwouldbeagi f
ttomanki nd.Yourdi mpledsmile
makesmeweakt omyknees.

Everyt
imeI'
m angryIjustthi
nkofyouramazi ng
smil
eandmyhear tmel t
simmedi at
ely.Yourbeaut
y
br
ingspeacetomyl i
fe,yourbeauti
fulscent
hypt
onizesmymind,
mysoul,myspi
ri
t.You'
remy
ever
ythi
ng,Kel
eandIwantt
oshowyoujusthow
muchIloveyou.

Al l
owmetoloveyouandyou'l
lseewhatyou've
beenmissi
ngouton.Iswearonmyl if
enoonewi l
l
everhur
tyouagai
naslongyou'remine.Please
blessmydayandsayyou'
llbemi nef
orever?
Chapt
erFi
ft
yNi
ne

Kel
e

IlookedatSbujustaf
terhegotononekneeand
tookoutthisgor
geouswhitegol
dr i
ngwitht
his
hugedi amond.It
'sabitt
oobigforme,butwhat'
sa
girlwi
thoutdi
amonds?

Sbu:
"Thembal
ami(Myhope),
mykneeisget
ti
ng
pai
nful
.Manjeut
hini(
Whatdoyousay)
?"
Kel
e:"
Yes,
Yes,
I'
llmar
ryyou,
Sbusi
so!
"

Hegotupandkissedme.Hi
smom wasshout
ing
f
rom t
helounge.

Sbu'
sMom:" NizeneChampopolapho(
Bri
ngsome
champagne)sowecancelebr
ate.
"

Sbuki
ssedmeashel
aughed.

Sbu:"
NgiyabongaThembalami(Thankyou,My
hope).Thankyouformakingmet hehappi
estman
al
ive.Keagor atal
erat
olapel
oyaka( Il
oveyou
l
oveofmyl if
e)."

Kel
e:(
Blushi
ng)"
Lennakeagor
ata,
mot
howaka(
I
l
oveyoutoo,myl
ove)
."
Wetookthechampagnebott
letothel oungeand
cel
ebrat
ed.ZeeandIobvi
ouslycan'tdrinkbut
Sbu'
smom toldusali
tt
lesi
pwoul dn'thurtt
he
babi
es.

Wehadagr eatnightwithSbu'smom t ell

ingus
abouthowSbuandPhi l
agr ewupandwer every
mischievous.Ittookalotofhar dworkforSbuand
Phil
atogether e,andyettheystillr
emainhumbl e.
Thatowasset tl
inginnicel
y.Hi smom askedt hat
hestaysher ewithherandt hetwinswhenwego
backtoPr et
ori
a.I '
m notexcit
edaboutl eavingmy
boybehi nd,
butper hapsit
'sbett
er .

We'reheadedforSbuandPhi la'
spat er
nalhome
tomor r
owmor ning.Appar ent
lywecan' twaitany
l
onger .Ihopewegetwel comedwi thopenar ms,
butSbuandPhi l
aaren' tveryhappyaboutgoi ng
there.Sbutookqui t
el ongt ofal
lasleepashewas
tossingandturningallnight,buteventual
lyhe
dr
if
tedof
ftosl
eep.

Zi
yanda

It
'sWednesdaymor ningandwehadt ogetupear ly
sothatwecoul dhelpgett heki dsready.I'm abit
ti
redtosayt heleast.Wepackedasmanycl othes
aswecoul dwithlot
sofdr essesanddoeks.Phi la
couldn'tcaremuchsi ncehe'sreallynotinter
ested
i
ngoi ngt oseehisfather'
s"kil
ler"brother
.
Somet hingtel
lsmet hereismor etothisst
ory,but
anyway.

Wewentdownst airsandf oundKeleandSbuready

andtheki
dswer edr essed.Phi l
a'smom askedthat
wegot ot
heirsacredpl acebehindthehousetogo
andspeaktotheirancest ors.Lucki
lyKel
eandI
wereweari
ngdr essesanddoeks.

Phi
la'
smom di
dthet
alki
ngf
oral
lofusandl
ett
hem
knowthatwe'
reonourway.Shepr oceededwit
h
thei
rcl
annamesandwewer eoff.Wegota
MercedesVi
tosi
ncewe'r
eeightpeopleintot
al.

Wemadeourwayt otheairportandofcour
se
Nokuhlej
ustkeptuscompanyt hewholeway.She
keptaski
ngandquestioneverythi
ng.Itget
stir
ing
atti
mesbutshe'ssupercute.Nobuhleisn'
tthat
tal
kati
veandThatowasj ustbeemingwithexci
ted.

Weent eredthejetandasal waysNokuhl ewas

tal
kingthewholeway.Shekeptor der
ing
milkshakesandf r
ies.Ithinkshehadaboutt hree
beforePhila'
smom t ol
dhert ostop.Shewason
suchasugarhi ghi twasabi texhaust
ing.Thisis
nowmaki ngmef esrhavingkids.Howwi l
lIhandl
e
myown?

Wef i
nal
lyl
andedaft
erafewhour s.Apparent
ly
we'r
eheadedtoNyanini
,notfarf
rom Eshowe.
Thesepeopl
emustbemyf at
her'
sneighbouri
ng
ki
ngdom.Wedr oveforawhi l
e,probabl
yabout30
minutesorsountilwereachedar eal
lybi
ghouse.It
hasbiggates,
muchl ikeIhadexpected.Phil
a'
s
bodytensedupandIsqueezedhi shandasaf orm
ofaff
irmati
on.Ijusthopenothingandnoone
messesthisupforus.

Asweapproachedt hegate,
theguardsletusin
whentheysawPhi l
a'smom.Weent eredtheyard.
It
'sr
eal
lybi
gandhasar eall
ynicegarden,muchl i
ke
Phil
a'
smom' shouse.Thehousel ookslikeareall
y
bigmansi
on,fi
tforaking.

Weexitedthevehicl
eandapproachedthehouse.
Wewer emetbysomeonewhol edusintot
hehouse.
Wewer eledtothelounge,
areal
lybigl
oungewi t
h
aboutSixcouches.Thismustbewheretheking
hol
dshi smeeti
ngs.

Wesatandwait
edandbythatt
imethekidswere
f
astasl
eep.Thejour
neymusthavewornthem out
.
Awomanwi t
har eall
ytinyfi
gurecameout .She
wasabitthi
n,butyoucoul dtelll
ookingatherface
t
hatshewasmi ddle-
aged,probablyolder
.She
l
ookedreall
ydispleasedtoseeus.

Phil
a'
smom: "
Sawubona(
Hel
l
o)Li
ndi
we.Unj
ani
(Howareyou)?
"

Lindi
we:"Mxm.Yazi nimf
azindi
ni(
Youwoman) .
Unesbindisokuvezaubusobakholaendl
iniyami
(Youhavet henervetoshowyourf
aceinmy
house."

Sbugotreal
lyangr
yandt
ri
edt
ost
and,
butKel
ehel
d
hi
m backdown.

Phi
la'
smom:"Asi
zel
angawenal
ana(Wedi
dn'
tcome
her
eforyou)
,wecametoseeShaka.
"
Lindi
wegotsoirr
it
atedandwantedtocome
towardsPhi
la'
smom, butbothPhi
laandSbugotup.
Sbuwassoangr yather,
hiseyeswerebewil
der
ed.
Hechargedatherandgrabbedherthr
oat.Thi
sis
goingtobealongday.
Chapt
erSi
xty

Phi
la

Il
ookedatt hi
swomanandt hewayshespoket o
mymot hermadeal lmyangertowardshercome
back.Thisverysamewomanchasedmymot her
outofahousemyf at
herl
eftus,sheevenrefusedto
l
etusreceiveyFather
'si
nheri
tance.MeetLindiwe
Zwane;wifetomyUncl eShakaandonepai nful
bi
tchintheass.

Sheletusgohungr
yandrefusedt
ohelpuswhen
weneededhermost.AssoonasmyFat her
's
funer
alwasover
,sheki
ckedusoutli
kedogs.Sbu
andIhadtofendf
orour
sel
vesj
ustt
omakesur
e
ourmothereat
satl
east
.

Weevenhadt odohousebr eakingsonceupona

ti
me.Ir emembert hisonet i
mewhenwewer e
wor kingf orMr .Zakes,abi gshotgangst eratthe
ti
me.Hesentusdot omi niheistsandsoonenough
SbuandIuppedourr ankandst arteddoingbi g
heistsl i
kecashi ntr
ansits.I magi nebeingahi gh
schoolki dduringthedayandat hiefatnight.
That '
st heki ndofli
feourr oyalf ami l
ysubj ect
edus
to.Sl owl ywemovedf r
om ashackt oaf ourroomed
house.Ir emembert heni ghtwemadeourf ir
stkill
.
Weneveri ntendedtohur tanyonewhi l
est eal
ing,
butt hatni ghtthi
ngst ookabadt urnandwehadt o
kil
loneoft heguards,wellSbuwast heonewho
shothi m.I twaseitherhim orSbu, akil
lorbeki l
led
sit
uat ion.

Sbucoul
dn'
tsleepf
ordaysandhekepthavi
ng
ni
ghtmar
es.Itwassobadweendeduphavingto
tel
luMaaboutit.ShegotMam' Masangot ohel
p
Sbu,buti
twasst i
llhard.Lucki
lywewor kedhard
duri
nghighschoolandwehadsecur edbursari
esto
gostudyatUniver
sity.Gogohel pedushereand
ther
e,butwecouldn'tl
iveonhandoutsforever.

Sbuhadhishandsont hi
sbi t
ch'st
hroatandshe
wasstr
uggli
ngtobr eathe.Ifitwasn'
tforuMa,Sbu
wasgoingtoki
llherrightthen.

Ma:
"Sbusi
so,
Lethergo!
"

Sbulethergoandshedroppedont hefl
oort
ryi
ngto
catchherbreat
h.Weheardvoicescomingtowards
us.Twowomenwer ecoming,oneelder
,who'
smy
grandmotherandAphi
we,thetinybi
tchfr
om
Elmari
e'sbouti
quewhowasr udetoher.Thebi
tchI
gotfi
red!

Gr
andmot
her
:"
Kwenzakal
anil
ana(
What
's
happeni
nghere)
?Nir
asel
ani(
Whyar
eyoumaki
ng
somuchnoise)?
!"

Hereyest
urnedt
ousandshei
mmedi
atel
ychanged
herf
ace.

Grandmot
her:
"Weh,Ivy,ul
ethei
tandanezakol
ana
(
you'vebr
oughtyourorphanshere)?
"

Thekidswer
estar
ti
ngt
owakeup.Aphi
welooked
shockedasf
uckwhenshesawmeandZee.

Aphiwe:
"Gogo,ungakhulumikanjalonabo( Don'
t
speaktothem l
iket
hat).Thatgiyist heoneItol
d
youabout.He'sfamousandr ich."(point
ingatme)

Grandmot
her:
"Mxm!Yout hi
nkjustbecausese
uvel
aemat v(youappearontv)nowyoucancome
backandrui
nourli
ves!Iwantyougoner i
ghtnow.
"
Ma:"Sor
rytobur
styourbubble,butthatjustwon'
t
happen.AsyoucanseeI '
vebroughtmyboysher e
tocomeandsetfootontheirFather'
shomel and.
Weneedyout odoaceremonyf orthem andwe
needShakatobepresentduri
ngt helobola
negoti
ati
ons.
"

Grandmother:
"Si
es!(
shespi
tont
hef
loor
)Overmy
deadbody!"

Phi
la:
"Thatcanbear
ranged.
"

Shegavemeal
ookandkeptshout
ing.

Phil
a:"
Lalel
alana(Li
stenhere)
,youoldfuck,
angi
k'sabimina(I
'm notaf
rai
dofyou).Youmi ght
havekil
ledmyf at
her,buti
twil
lbethelastper
son
you'
vekill
ed!"
Shewidenedhereyeswhi
leever
yonekeotqui
et.
Uncl
eShakaappearedoutofnowher
e.

Shaka:
"WehLi ndi
we!WehMama!Whynibanga
umsindokangaka( Whyareyoumakingsomuch
noi
se)insteadofgivi
ngourguestsapr
oper
welcome?!Whyar eyouembar r
assi
ngme,theKi
ng
l
ikethi
s?!"

Lindi
we:(
Lookingdown)"
Ngiyaxol
isamyeni
wami
,
kodwa(I'
m sor
rymyhusband,but)..
."

Shedi
dn'
tevengett
ofi
nishhersent
ence.

Shaka:
"Idi
dn'
taskf
oryouropi
nion.Gopr eparea
room f
orthewi
vesandthechi
ldren.They'
llf
ollow
younow.Leaveusatonce!
"
Grandmother
:"
Minaangi
yindawo(
I'
m notgoi
ng
anywher
e)."

UncleShakal
ookedsofrai
landmucholdert
hanhe
shouldl
ook.Hewasevenusi ngast
ickasanai
dto
walk.Thi
sdoesn'
tlookver
yright
.

Shaka:
"Weh,
ma.I
'
mtheki
ngoft
hiski
ngdom andI
sai
dLEAVE!"

Her
oar
edandshequi
ckl
ylef
t.

Phil
a:"
Ourwi
vesar
egoingnowhere.Idon'
twant
them t
ocomebackinbodybags.
"

Zeest
eppedi
nandIj
ustwi
shshehadn'
t.

Zee:
"I
t'
sokay,
Phi
la.We'
l
lbef
ine.We'
l
lcal
lifwe
needanyt
hing.Theki
dsneedsomer
est
."

Sheleftwit
hKeleandtheki
ds,l
eavi
nguMa,
Sbu
andIwi t
hhim.Aphiwealsodi
sappear
edwi
th
Zinhl
eandf ol
lowedZeeandKel
e.

Shaka:
"Iwashopingyou'
dcomeI
vy.Asyoucan
seeI'
m notwel
l.
"

WhatIcoul
dn'
tgeti
swhywasuMasocal m about
t
his?
!Thismankill
edherhusband.Theveryman
whowassupposedtobemyFat her
'sbr
other!

Ma:"
Yebo,
Shaka.Mxolisikeptbotheri
ngmeto
comeseeyou.Icanseeyou' r
efrail
.Whyhaven'
t
youbeent
othedoctor
?"

Mxol
isii
smyl
ateFat
her
'sname.
Shaka:"
Ineedt
otellyousomethi
ng,
butI
'
m afr
aid
thewall
shaveears.Pleasef
oll
owmetothe
garden.
"

Wef ol
lowedhimreluct
antly.Wewenttot
he
fur
thestendofthehouse.Thishousemustbe
underdeepsurvei
lancebutwithki
dsli
keAphi
we,
I
wouldn'tbesur
pri
sediftheyspyonhim.

Shaka:"It
hinkIknowwhoki lledyourfather.
uMxol i
sicamet oourhousesayi ngIhadcal l
edhi m
fordinner.Ineverdi
dt hatinf actIneverrecall
doingsuchat hing.WhenIcheckedmyphone,
therewasnot raceofthecal ltoyourfather,bafana
bami( myboys) .YourfatherandIwer esocl ose,
j
ustl i
keyoutwo.Wegotonl ikeahouseonf ir
e.

uManeverli
kedit
.Sheal waysfavour
edmemor e
thanMxoandIneverunderstoodwhyshedidsuch
athing.Whenhecamet hatnight
,Iwassur
pri
sed
butwehaddinneranyway.Tomysur pri
sehe
st
artedcompl
aini
ngofast
omachacheaf
terwe
weredoneeat
ing.

Webot hhadt hesamet hi

ngtoeatyethediedthat
night.Ihel
dhi minmyar msandItriedmybest,but
hediedrightther
einmyar ms.Idon'tknowwho
toldyouIneverli
kedyourfather
.Ilovedhi
m dearly,
andhewasmyel derbr
other
.Hewasdest inedto
beont hethroneandyetheneverwant edi
t.
"

Sbu:
"Mxm,
howdoweknowyou'
renotl
yingt
ous?
"

Shaka:"
BecauseaweekagoIat esomef oodas
usualpreparedbymywifeandIstar
tedfeeli
ngt he
samewayyourf at
herf
eltt
hateveni
ng.LuckilyI
didn'
thavemuchofanappet i
teandIdidn'
teat
much.Iwasvomi ti
ngsomuchbutmywi fri
nsisted
i
twasast omachbug.

Igotmyt
radi
ti
onalheal
ert
ovi
sitmei
nsecr
etand
shegavemesomeher bs.Shet oldmeIwas
poisonedbytheverysamepoi sonyourfat herhad
i
nhi ssystem whenhedi ed.AsI '
m standingher e
beforeyoumyki dneysareshut t
ingdownandi t'
sall
becauseofthepoison.Hi stor
yisr epeat
ingi t
self
,
bafanabami( myboys) .Iwouldliketodor ightby
youbef or
eIgot omyr esti
ngplace."

Whatt hefuck?
!Lindi
wekill
edmyfatherandnow
she'souttogetmyuncle?!SbuandIgaveeach
otherthel
ook.Thatlookwegiveeachotherwhen
weknowwehavet okil
lsomeoneandt hi
sti
me
makesur esheisdead!
Chapt
erSi
xtyOne

Phi
la

Allt
hisnowmakessense.Lindi
we'
sreact
ion
doesn'tsur
pri
sememuch,butmygrandmot her
's.I
wouldn'tbesur
pri
sedt
hatshewasi
nont his.She
real
lyhat
edmyf at
herandnowshei spassi
ngit
ontous.uMaknewaboutt hi
ssinceubaba(dad)
hadbeenvisi
ti
ngherinherdreamsforthepastf
ew
weeks.

Lindiweisgoi
ngt
opaybigti
me.Shetookmy
fatherawayfr
om meandI'
l
lmakesur
eshepays.

Zi
yanda

KeleandIfollowedLindi weandAphiwet ooneof

thebedrooms.Ist il
ldisli
keAphiweandIcan't
beli
evesheandPhi l
aar esomehowr elat
ed.She
wasevenaf raidtospeakorsayanyt hingtome.
Lindi
weont heot herhandwasver ynastyandit
wasget t
ingreall
yirri
tati
ng.Maybei t
'smy
hormonesbutl atel
yIj ustdon'
thaveti
mef or
bull
shit
.

Li
ndi
we:
"Comei
nher
e.Don'
tgett
oocomf
ort
abl
e.
Wedon'tal
wayshostcommoner
sinourgr
and
pal
ace.
"

Kel
eandIj
ustkeptqui
etandgott
heki
dsi
nbed.

Li
ndiwe:"
Aphiwehereismyniece.Shetol
dmeal l
aboutthesceneyourl
it
tl
ehusbandcausedandgot
herfi
red.Idon'
tevenknowwhatPhilaseesinyou.
You'r
ejustafatgoat
.Aphiweherecouldlookr
eall
y
bett
erbesidehi
m."

Westi
llkeptqui
etandItri
edtoremaincal
m butI
wasonmyver ylastbarofremai
ningcal
m.Icould
f
eelmycal mnessrunni
ngout.

Li
ndiwe:"Hehe,yazi(
youknow) ,
yourhusbands
mighthavesomemoney, butthey'
llst
il
lbelowlives.
Theywillal
waysbel owerthandirtinmyeyes.I
don'
tevenknowwhatyout woar edoinghere,you'r
e
notevenmar ri
edyetandyousur eashel lar
en'
t
r
oyal
."

Icouldn'
ttakei
tanymor eandIj ustl
ostit
.Igotup
from t
hebedandst ar
edherr ightintheeye.I
thoughtofJoyousCelebrat
ion's'Skanshebawang
nyatsa'
.

Zee:"
Listenhere,youtoot
hpickandyoubet t
erli
sten
good!Angi zel
angawenal a(Ididn'
tcomeher efor
you),Icameher eforPhil
a.Idon'tgetyourusel
ess
fussaboutt hi
sshithol
eyoucallahousebecause
compar edtomi ne,i
t'
safuckingti
n!

TakeagoodlookatKel
eandI;we'reheret
ostay.
I
fIwereyouIwouldn'
tmesswithusbecauseonce
CobraandMambaar eunl
eashed,
you'l
lbesorr
y.
Nowgetthef
uckoutofmyf acesowecanr est
!"

Aphi
wewassof
ri
ghtenedshenearl
ypissedher
pant
s.Li
ndi
wewassoappall
ed,butshejust
wouldn'
tstop.Thenextthi
ngIknewshesl apped
mesohar dInearl
ylostmybal ance.Idon'tknow
whereIgottheconfi
dencefrom, butIwassof edup
wit
hpeoplethinki
ngI'
m nothingbutapushover .I
l
ookedatherandpunchedheri nthefaceand
watchedherasshefellonthefloor.

Aphiwe:
"Aunt
y!Yoh,nawe!Mr.Zwaneisnotgoi
ng
t
olikewhatyoudid.Masihambe(Let
'sgo)
."

Kele:"
Zee,pl
easecal
m down.I
t'
snotgoodf
ort
he
babies."

Lindiwebecameevenmor eshockedwhenshe
hear dthelastpart
.Shegotupandst ar
tedinsul
ti
ng
meagai n.Iwassot ir
edandreadytogetoutof
there.Thenextt hingsheki
ckedmei nmyst omach.
Ifeltsuchahar dblowIfel
lonthefl
ooronmy
kneesandIscr eamed.
Me:
"Ah!
"

Kel
e:"
Lookwhatyou'
vedone,
youevi
lwoman!
"

Aphiwewastrembli
ngassheranout.Iwassti
llon
thefl
oorwhi
letheki
dswerecryi
ng.Theymust
havewokenupwhenLindiwestar
tedshout
ingand
sweari
ngatme.

Li
ndiwe:"Si
es!Youwillneverbeapartofthi
sfamil
y.
Youandt hosefi
lt
hymenyoucal lyourhusbands!I
should'
vegott
enridofthem whenIhadthe
chance."

Asshewasabouttoleave,
Phil
a,Sbu,Ki
ngShaka
andPhi
la'
smom rushedintot
heroom.Therewas
somuchchaos,butal
lIkeptf
ocusingonwasthe
pai
nIwasfeel
ing.
Shaka:(
Anger
ed)"
Lindi
we,kwenzal
anil
a( What'
s
happeni
ngher
e)?Isitt
ruewhatAphiwetoldus?"

Phi
larushedtomysideandIcoul dseehow
bewil
deredhewas.Lindiwestar
tedcr yi
ngand
act
ingli
keavict
im hol
dingherbruisedcheek.

Nokuhle:(
Cryi
ng)"Uncl
ePhil
a,l
omamaumshayile
uAunty(Thi
swomanhi taunt
y).Shesl
appedand
ki
ckedherinthetummycalli
nghernames.
"

Philagotsoangryt henextt
hinghewasont opof
Lindiwepunchinghernon-stop.Phila'
smom kept
begginghimt ostop,whil
eKingShakaj ustkept
quiet.I
'veneverseenPhilasoangryandI 'venever
seenhim snapsomuch.Phi la'
smom t ri
edt oget
met ostandandt henextthi
ngIf el
tsomet hi
ng
war mflowdownmyl egs.

Kel
e:"
Oh,
no,
Zee!You'
rebl
eedi
ng!
"
Fr
om t
her
eitwasl
ight
sout
.Al
lIsawwasdar
kness.

Phi
la

WhenAphi wer ushedt ousandt ol

dherthatLindiwe
attackedmywi fe,Ij
ustl osti
t.Whenwewal kedin
thereandsawherbentoveront hef l
oor
,Ijust
couldn'thandleit.Wej usthear dthenewst hatshe
mighthavepoi sonedourf at
herandnowshet ri
ed
tokillmywi f
eandunbor nchildr
enwhenwehaven' t
evenbeenher ef orafullday!

Iwasl osti
nmyownwor l
d.Iwasnol ongerPhila,
I
wasnot heblackMamba.Isuddenl ycamebackt o
mysenses.Ki lli
ngherr i
ghtnowwouldbef artoo
easy.IheardKel eandMymot herscr
eamingt hat
Zeewasbl eedingandIqui ckl
ygotup.Lindiwe's
facewasbadl ybruisedandshewasbl eeding.My
grandmothercamer ushi
ngandsheal sostart
ed
swear
ing.

Grandmother
:"
Kwenzekal
anilana(What
's
happeni
nghere)?!Wena(You)Ivy,
youbrought
yourtwosavangesher
etokil
lmydaughter-i
n-l
aw?
!"

Shewantedt
oopenhermout
hevenf
urt
her
,butSbu
hel
dherbyhert
hroat
.

Sbu:"
Ungazong' nyanyi
sa( Don'tannoyme)wena!
Youneverl ovedourfather ,
youneverl ovedus!
We'regoingt ot
hehospi talandwer etaking
uMalumewi t
hus.Masibuyal ana( Whenwecome
back)youtwohadbet terhopeandpr aythatZee
andthebabi esmakei t,otherwi
seit'
sgoi ngtobe
yourlastdayont hisearthtoday."

Hel
etgoofhert
hroatandshekeptgaspi
ngf
orai
r.
Grandmother
:"Shaka!You'
rejustgoingt
ostand
thereandwatchthem humi
liat
eusi nourown
kingdom?!
"

Uncl
eShakasai dnothi
ngandwalkedoutwithus.I
pi
ckedZeeup, whil
eKeleandSbutookthekids.
uMahelpeduncleShakawalkedtowardsthecar.
Wealldroveoffl
eavingmygrandmothershouti
ng
andscreamingbehindus.

I'
m pissedasf uck.Thi
sisjustwhyIdidn'
twantto
behere.IcalledDrakeandaskedhimtof l
yover
whil
ewe' reonourwayt oanearbyhospit
al.Isenta
hel
icopterovertofet
chhim sohecanbeher e
sooner.

Ican'twaitanyl
onger.Idon'tt
rustt
heserur
al
hospitalsandLi
ndiwehadbet t
erhopeandprayt
hat
mywi feandkidsmakei t
,other
wiseshecanstar
t
preparingtomeetherancestor
s.
Chapt
erSi
xtyTwo

Phi
la

Wer ushedtothehospi t
alinhighspeed.Ther i
deto
thehospit
alwasver yquiet,youcouldhearaneedle
drop.Zeewasst il
lbleedingandIjustdidn'
tknow
whattodoanymor e.Ijusthadtearsinmyeyes.
DearGod, Ij
ustfoundmyZeeagai n,Ican'
tloseher
now.Wecannotl oseourunbor nchil
dren.Notnow.

Wer ushedi nsidethehospi talandthenur ses

assistedus.Theyt ookZeeawayandweal lsaton
thebenches.Ibookedr oomsatanear byguest
housef orussincewecan' tletthewomenandki ds
gobackt othatevilhouse.Icoul dn'tgetahot el
sincet heyareabitf arfrom thi
sarea.Dr akear ri
ved
afteranhour .Thenur sestoldhim whereZeewas
butIwasst i
llnotall
owedi nt otheroom.
Ikeptpaci
ngupanddownt hewai
ti
ngarea,whil
e
makeptprayingsi
lent
lyandSbuj
usthafablank
star
einhiseyes.

Ma:"
Hlal
aphanzi(
Sitdown),
Nkosenye.You'
l
lmake
usdi
zzywit
hyourpacing.
"

Phi
la:
"Ngiyaxoli
sa(I'
m sor
ry)
,ma.Angi
saziukut
hi
ngi
yenzeni(Ijustdon'
tknowwhatt
odoanymor e)
."

Sbu:"
Kuzol
unga(
It
'l
lbeokay)
,Baf
o.Let
'sjustwai
t
forDraket
ocomewithsomegoodnews."

Justt
henDr akewal
kedoutwear
inghi
swhitecoat
andgloves.Iqui
ckl
ygotuoandsodidever
yone
el
se.Allthi
swhileUncl
eShakawassit
ti
ngonhis
chai
rwithholdi
nghiscane.

Phi
la:
"Dr
ake,
mfwet
hu(
myman)
,pl
easet
ellme
she'
sokay.
"

Drake:(
Lookeddown)
"Shesuffer
edaseri
ousblow
toherabdomen.Shewokeupandexpl ai
nedwhat
happened.Shesai
dLi
ndiwekickedheronher
stomach.Shelostal
otofbl
ood...
"

Phi
la:
"Justt
ellmet
hebabi
esar
eokay,
please.
"

Iwaspl
eadi
ngandhopi
ngf
ort
hrbest
.

Drake:(
Shakinghishead)"
I'
m sor
ry,
Mamba,
she
l
ostthepregnancy."

Thosewordsfel
tli
keIwasbei ngcutdeepmya
sharpkni
fet
hatwouldst ayt
herepermanent
ly.Ifel
l
onmykneesandl etoutaloudwail.uMaheldme
andtoldmeitwouldallbeokay.Sbuhadtearsin
hiseyeswhi
leUncleShakalethisf
alldownhis
cheeks.Howcanthewor
ldbesocruel
?Howcan
wegetgoodnewsandhavethebabi
estakenaway
fr
om ussosoon?

Zi
yanda

Iwokeupi nahospitalbedwithdripsattachedto
mywr i
st.Isti
llf
eltalotofpaininmyst omach.I
tr
iedgett
ingup,butDrakestoppedme.Whendi d
hegethere?Isuddenl yhadar ecoll
ecti
onofwhat
happenedearl
ieron.Lindiwekickedmei nthe
stomach.Howcanaper sonbesocr uel?!Ihope
mybabiesareokay, ohdearLor dpleaseletthem be
okay.

Drake:
"Pl
easer
elax,
Zee.Yousuf
fer
edal
otof
t
rauma.Youcan'tgetup.
"

Me:
"Ar
emybabi
esokay,
Drake?
"
Hekeptquiet
.Iknowsi
lenceaf
teraquest
ioni
snot
agoodsign.

Me:"Ar
etheyokay,
Drake?
!Pl
easet
ellmet
hey'
re
okay?!
"

Dr
akejustl
ookedatmeandIhadt
ear
sfl
owdown
mycheeks.

Drake:
"I
'm sor
ry,
Zee.Youl
ostt
hebabi
es.I
'
m so
sorr
y."

Icri
edoutl oudashel ef
ttheroom.Howcant he
worldbesocr ueltome? !I'
vebeennot hingbut
obedient,
butIst il
lam alwaystherecipientofpain.
Barel
yt hr
eemont hsintomyr el
ati
onshipwi thPhila
andalreadyI'vehadsomanymi sf
ortunes.I '
velost
thr
eebabi esandI 'm noteven30yet.
Phil
awal kedi
naf t
erashortwhil
ewi thr
edeyes.I
couldn'
thelpbutbreakdownwhenIsawt hesight
.
I'
m suchaf ai
lur
e.Icouldn'
tgi
veLungat heone
thi
ngheneededandnowIhavef ai
ledPhilawit
hthe
samet hi
ng.Maybei t'
shighti
meIacceptt hatmy
l
ifeisamessandI '
mtoodamagedt obeloved.

Phi
lahuggedmeaswecr
iedt
oget
her
.

Phil
a:"
I'
m sosor r
y,Sthandwasami( Mylove).I'
m
real
lysorr
y.Ishouldn'thaveletyougoi nt
othat
room wit
houtme.I 'm sosorryforlett
ingyoucome
withme.Pl easeforgi
veme, Ziyanda,please.
"

Icri
edevenl ouder
.Nowhef eel
sli
keit'
sal
lhisf
aul
t.
Mypr esenceinpeopl
e'
sli
vesjustopensuproom
forcoll
ater
aldamage.

Me:(sobbi
ng)"I
..
.It
'snotyourf
aul
t,Phi
la.I
treal
l
y
i
sn'
t.Ishouldn'
thavepunchedheraft
ershe
sl
appedme.Ij ustcouldn'
thandl
eit.Il
ostitand
nowmybabi esaregonef or
everevenbefor
ewe
coul
dknowhowf aral
ongIwas.Maybeweshoul d
cal
litqui
ts,
Phil
a.I'm badnews.Not hi
ngevergoes
ri
ghtinmylif
e."

Icouldseehowthatst
atementbr
okehimt ot
he
core.Helookedatmewi t
hpaini
nhiseyes.

Phi
la:
"You'
r enotleavi
ngme, Zee.I'
l
lneveral
lowit
.
Thi
swasn' tyourfault
.Lindi
wehasgonet oofar
andit
'
st i
mef orthatbitcht
odie."

Idi
dn'
tevenf
eelscar
edorupsetbyhi
m sayi
ngt
hat
thi
sti
me.

Me:"
Ihopeyoudoi
tsoonandmakei
tsl
owand
pai
nful
."
Hestaredatmewi thshockbuthenoddedhishead
i
nagr eement.It
'shi
ghtimepeopleknewI'
m not
anyone'sdoormat.

Phi
la

IletZeesleepaft
eranhourofcr yingandconsoli
ng
her.She'samess, I
'm amess, butIneedtosortout
thisshi
tassoonaspossi ble.Icheckedmyphone
andsawdozensofmi ssedcallsfrom Gogoand
Mamasango.Iwaswr appedupi nallt
hischaos
thatIdi
dn'tevenhearmyphoner i
ng.Idecidedto
callMamasangoback.

Mam'Masango:"Weh,mf anawami( myboy),kuni

ni
ngif
ouna(I'
vebeencall
ing).UnjaniuZee(How's
Zee)
?Abaphansi(theancestors)werewarni
ngme
whenIcal
ledyou,buti
t'
st oolatenow.I'
m sorry
mfanawami( myboy).
"
Tear
sstar
tedf
lowi
ngdownmycheeksagai
nas
uMa,SbuandUncl
eShakast
aredatme.

Phila:
"Yebo(
Yes),Ma.Kunzima(I
t'
shard),kodwa
ngiyazama(butI
'mt r
ying)
.Zeei
snotcopingatall
.
Ineedt osor
toutLindi
weonceandforall
."

Mam' Masango:"
Yimakancane( Wai tami nut
e),
ungabuyel
ilapho(don'
tgobackt her e)unti
lwe
arr
ive.We'r
ei nt
hehelicopt
er.Mi nano( Meand)
KhanyisanoNomsasi yezalapho( areonourway).
"

Phi
la:
"Al
ri
ght
,ma.Kul
ungi
le(
Okay)
."

AsIwasabouttohangup,
shestart
edmaki
ng
weir
dsoundsandburpi
ng,
shesaidsomet
hingt
hat
caughtmeoffguar
d.

Mam'
Masango:
"Yi
mal
apho(
Wai
t)
,Phi
la.Tshel
a
uSbuayocheckauKel enabantwana(TellSbutogo
checkonKeleandt hekids)
.Dangeri
slurkingi
nthe
Zwanef ami
ly.M'tshel
easheshise(
Tellhi
mt o
hurr
y).Wenasal anoMal umewakhonoZeenoI vy
(Youstaywi
t hyouruncl
eandZeeandyourmom) .
"

ShehungupandIst art
edpanicking.ItoldSbu
whatMam' Masangosaid.HeleftinastateasuMa,
UncleShakaandIwereleftpuzzl
ed.Uncl eShaka
sentsomeofhissecuri
tytogowi thSbu.Whati s
happeni
ng?!Whyam Ibei ngpunishedliket
his!I
cantakealotofpai
n,butnotwithmyZee.

Ikeptpacingupanddownwhi leDraketookuncl
e
Shakatooneoft hewardstogetassessed.So
muchshi tishappeningri
ghtnow,butIneedtokeep
mycool .Sbucamebackwi thi
n30mi nutesl
ooki
ng
pissedasf uck.

Ma:
"Sbusi
so,
yini(
Whati
sit
)?!
Sbu:"
She'sgone,
ma.Theyt
ookKel
eandThat
o!
They'
refucki
nggone!
"
Chapt
erSi
xtyThr
ee

Sbu

Irushedtotheguesthouseandf oundther
oom ina
mess.Mygi r
lswerecryi
nghysteri
call
yandKele
andThatower enowheretobefound.Isearched
theroom fr
anti
cal
lyandsenttheguardsUncle
Shakalendmet ocheckeverywhere.

Whatfuckingbaffl
esmei sthatnoonewasher
eto
l
ookafterthekidsevenaftert
heycoul
dhavehear
d
t
hem screamingintheroom!Wher ethef
uckwas
t
hesecurit
yinthisguesthouse?Wherewas
management ?!
Itookthet wi
nst othecarandaskedt hedriverto
wat chthem whileIgosearchforsomeanswer s.
Wesear cheverydamnr oom!Ieveni nt
errogated
thecoupl enextdoor.Islappedthewomanacoupl e
oft i
mest ogetthestupi
dmant otal
k,butallhesaid
washehear dawomanandchi l
drenscreamingand
hecal l
edRecept i
on,butnoonecame.Thi sis
withoutadoubtt hatManagementwasi ndeed
bribed.

Iwentt
orecepti
onandl
aunchedatt
hewomani n
char
ge.Idi
dn'twast
eti
meandIgrabbedhert
hroat
.

Sbu:
"Wher
ethefuckar
ethey?
!Wher
e'smywi
feand
son?
!Whot ookt
hem?!"

Asshewasaboutt ospeakanot herwhitewoman

camef r
om thekit
chenandst ar
tedyell
ingthatshe'
s
call
ingt
hecops.It ookoutmygunandshotheri n
theshoulderandshescreamedoutinpai n.I
pushedtheoneIwasgr abbingontothechair.
Sbu:
"Now,
areyoureadyt
otal
korar
eyour
eadyt
o
di
e?!Youchoose!
"

Woman1:"Iswear.Ididn'
tdoanythi
ng.Two
womencamei nwithtwobigmenholdingguns.
Theypoi
ntedagunatmeandt oldmet okeepqui
et.
Idi
dasinstruct
ed.She( poi
nti
ngatthewhite
womanIshot )i
stheonewhot ookthemoney.She
tol
dmenott oevengoandcheckont hechi
ldr
en
whowereleftcryi
ng."

If
ocusedmyat
tent
ionont
hebl
eedi
ngwhi
te
womanonthef
loor
.

Sbu:"Manj
ewena( Andnowyou),
whitebi
tch!You
soldmywomanandsonf ormoney?
!Howmuch
didtheypayyou?
!"

Woman2:
"Pl
ease.
..Pl
easedon'
tki
llme.Ij
ustdi
d
whatt
heyasked.
"

Sbu:
"Voet
sek(pi
ssoff)
,Iaskedyouaquest
ionand
youhadbett
eranswerme."

Woman2:
"TheygavemeR5000.
"

Sbu:(
Chuckli
ng)"Theygaveyouameasl
y5kand
youdi
dn'tevenbothert
ocallmeort
hecops?
!
Whatthefuckdi
dt heyl
ookli
ke?"

Woman2:
"They.
..Theyl
ookedbl
ack.
"

Shest
il
lhast
imet
ober
aci
statat
imel
iket
his?

Sbu:"
Fucki
ngobvi
ousl
y,whitebi
tch.We'rei
na
vi
ll
ageinKwazul
uNatal.Ofcoursethey'
rebl
ack.I
meantdescri
bet
hem befor
eIcutyourtongueout.
"
Woman2:"She.
..They..
.Onelookedtal
lk,ver
ytal
l
wit
haburntface.Heroneyewasgr ay,i
tlooked
l
ikeshewashal fbl
ind.Theotheronelookedshort
andthi
n,l
ightwithblondehai
r.
"

Whatthef
uck?!Didshejuardescr
ibeNat
ashaand
Shar
on?!Whatthefucki
sNat ashadoi
ngback?
!
She'
ssupposedtobedead!

Sbu:
"Andt
hemen?Descr
ibet
hemen!
"

Woman2:
"Pl
ease,
I'
m bl
eedi
ngt
odeat
h."

Sbu:
"Keepmakingmer
epeatmysel
fandIwon'
tget
youanyhel
p."

Woman2:
"They.
..Theyl
ookedreal
lybi
g.Theyhad
t
hesametatt
ooont hel
eftsi
deofthei
rneck.A
t
att
oofascor
pionorsomet
hingl
iket
hat
."

Nofucki
ngway!Scor
pioni
sinont
his?
!That
'sour
wor
stenemy.

Sbu:
"Anyt
hingel
se?
!"

Woman2:"
They.
..Theyl
eftanot
e.I
t'
sther
eont
op
oft
hedesk.
"

Shepoint
edatt herecepti
ondeskandthebl
ackgi
rl
passedmet henote.Ittookt
hem fucki
ngl
ong
enoughtotellmethisshit
.

Igr
abbedthenot
eandl
ookedatt
hewhi
tewoman
onthef
loor.

Sbu:
"Thi
sisf
oryourr
aci
stassaccept
ingmoneyi
n
exchangef
orpeopl
e'
sli
ves.
"

Ishotheri
ntheotherar
m andshescr
eamedout
i
npai n.It
henl
ookedatheragai
n.

Sbu:
"Thi
sisforyourracistasstell
ingher(poi
nti
ng
att
heblackgir
latreception)nottogocheckonmy
ki
dswhilet
heywer escreami ngtheirl
ungsout.
"

Ishotherl
eftt
highandshescr
eamedagai
n.

Sbu:
"Thisonei
sforfai
li
ngt ocal
lmeort
hecops,
andforbei
ngagreedybitch."

Ishotherr
ightt
highandshescreamedoutagai
n.I
l
ookedattheblackgir
,tookoutmyphoneand
l
oggedontomybaki ngapp.
Sbu:
"What
'syouraccountnumber
?"

Woman1:(
Fri
gtened)"
1568790234"
.

Itransfer
redR100000i
ntoherbankaccount
.She
checkedherphoneandhereyesopenedupin
disbeli
ef.

Sbu:"
Thisisforyou.St ar
tyourownbusi nessand
stopworki
ngf orraci
stwhi t
ebitcheswhowon' tl
et
youlookafteryourown.I fIevercomebackher e
andfindyouanswer ingtosomeoneel se,you'
l
lpay
mebackever ysinglecent."

Iwal
kedoutandst
oodatt
hepor
ch.

Ireadthenote:"It
oldyouI
'
dcomebackforrevenge.
I'
mt aki
ngallthatbel
ongst
oyou-
Scor
pion.
"
Fuck!Thisisafucki
ngmess!Iknowwepr omised
Mr.ZakesthatMambaandIwoul dnevergoaf
ter
Scorpi
oneveragainaft
erwhathedidtome.It
's
warnow."
Chapt
erSi
xtyFour

ZodwaNgcobo

Adoniacall
edmeevenaf t
ershestart
edignori
ng
mewhenIl osteveryt
hing.ShetoldmeZi yandahas
l
ostherunbornchildr
en.I'm ver
ypleasedtohear
that.Per
hapsthingscannowst artmovinginmy
favour.I
'
llbeabletoregai
nmyson' sempi r
every
soon.

IheardBeli
ndawasshoti nt
heheadandi s
current
lyi
nhospital
.I'
m ver
ypleasedt
oheart hat
sinceshe'
sinhospit
alonherdeathbedsinceshe
thoughtshewouldfuckmyDavidandfallpregnant
withoutmefindi
ngout.
 I'
m notevenmadather .I'
llj
ustsacri
ficethechil
d
aspar tofmyplan.Adoniahadbet t
erwor konher
planrealsoon.I'
llshowNomsa, Khanyisaand
everyonewhof uckedwit
hmenott omesswi t
hme
everagain.Lungahasgot t
enbetternow.Hecan
walkandt al
kperfectl
y.Nowit'
stimef orrevenge.

Lunga

I'
vebeenst al
kingZeealloversocialmedia,Ieven
sentherfri
endr equest
sandDMsunderadi f f
erent
name, butshehasn'tevenbot her
edtorespondt o
anyofmymessages.IknowIl ookli
keast alker,
butIjustcan'
thelpit.Mabr oughtallmyfur nit
ure
andclothesfrom myhousebef or
eshesol dit.I
can'
tstopsmel li
ngZee'sclothes.

Imissherbeaut
if
ulbodyandheramazingcaramel
ski
n.Ican'
tgetheroutofmymind.She'sal
lIthi
nk
aboutint
hemor ning,
adternoonandintheevening.
Mat hi
nksI'
m crazyandIshouldjustf
orgetabout
her,
butIcan't
.She'stheonlywomanwho' sever
l
ovedmef orwhoIam.I '
l
lbedamnedi fIletPhil
a
marryher.

Li
ndi
weZwane

IgotKhwezi ,mymot her

-i
n-Lawandal soShaka' s
mothert ocareformywounds.Phi l
areallymoer ed
me, evenmyl ipsburstopen.I '
mi nsomuchpai n,
butnotasmuchpai nashei sinsinceIkickedthat
whor einthestomach.Adoni aletmeknowbef ore
theywal kedintherethatPhil
aandSbuwi llbe
comi ngwi t
htheirfut
urewivesandt hattheyare
bothpr egnantwithtwins.

Icouldn'tl
etthi
schancesli
pawayf rom me.Ihad
tokil
ltheful
lroyalt
winswhichbelongedtoPhil
a
andZee.Theywer egoi
ngtobenexti nl
ineri
ght
aft
erPhilaorSbudecidetotakeoverthethr
one.I
should'
vegott
enri
dofthosetwobr atswhenIhad
thechance.Ihadtopoi
sonMxol isisi
ncehisf
ather
,
KingZuri,
alwayswant
edMxolisitobet he
precedi
ngKingashewast heoldest.

Mxolisiwant
ednothi
ngtodowiththeKingdom,but
t
heloveandobediencehehadforhisf
atherwasa
t
hreattome.Shakadidn'
tevenwanttofightf
ort
he
t
hrone.IhadtobecomeQueenatallcostssoIdid
whatIhadtodowiththehel
pofKhwezi.

Nowt hatShakakeepssayi nghewant st

ostep
downasKi ngandletPhi l
aorSbur unasiti
sthei
r
bir
thright
,Icoul
dn'tletithappen.Mysonhast obe
thenextkingsoIpoi sonedhi mjustl
ikeIdi
dhis
brother.Thefooldidn'tdie.NowKhweziandIhave
tocomeupwi thplanB.

Khwezi
:"
Ai,
nawe,Li
ndi
we.Didyouhavetobeather
up?Youmessedupagoodplan.Wewer egoi
ngto
poi
sonthem al
lont
hedayoft
heceremony.But
yourstupidheadj
usthadt
ogoandr
uin
ever
ything."

Lindi
we:"
Ngi
yaxol
isa(
I'
m sorr
y),
ma.Ijustgott
oo
excit
ed.Mysoncannotl
oseouttobei
ngking.
Thesepeopl
ecaughtusoffguar
d."

Khwezi
:"
Khulul
eka(
Rel
ax)
.Whentheycomeback
her
eyoujusthavet
opl
aynice.
"

Aphi
wecamei
n.

Aphi
we:
"Aunt
y,youshoul
dn'
thavedonewhatyou
di
d.Youdon'
tknowwhoPhilaandSbuare.You'
re
pl
ayi
ngwihfi
re.
"

Lindi
we:(Annoyed)"Ut
heniwenamnt wanandi
ni
(Whatdidyoujustsay,youstupi
dchil
d)?
!You
mustknowyourpl ace.Don'tfor
getIt
ookyoui
n
andIcant
akeyoubackt
opover
tyi
nahear
tbeat
."

Aphi
we:"
Idi
dn'tmeananydisr
espect
,Aunt
y,but
Phi
lai
stheBlackMamba."

Isuddenlygotf
rust
rat
edandweaki
nmyknees.No!
Itcan'
tbe!

Lindi
we:"
You'r
ewr
ong!Wher
ewoul
dPhi
lagetal
l
thatpower?
!"

Aphiwe:
"I'
mtell
ingyou,
aunty.Askyour
connect
ions.Youjustmessedwit
haverypower
ful
man!"

Khwezi:
"Hayike!Lindi
we, al
lthi
siayourdoi
ng!
Youcameupwi t
ht heplaninanycase.You'r
eon
yourownnow.Mi nangizophil
ayonkelent
o(I'
m
goingt
odenyever ythi
ng).
"
Li
ndiwe:(angry)
"Don'tyoudare!Weren'tyouthe
onewhogavemet hepoisontokil
lyourownson?
Yourveryfi
rstbornson? !IfIgodownI'l
ltakeyou
wit
hme! "

QueenZi
nhl
eGumede(
Wif
eofKi
ngBongi
nkosi
Gumede)

I'
vebeensof r
ustratedeversi ncethatol dwi tch
cameher ewi t
hherwhor eofadaught er.
Bonginkosihasbeensodi st
ract
edeversi nce.He
hardlyevent ouchesmeanymor e.Idon' tgeti t
.
Adoniapr omi sedmet hemut hiwoul dwor kforever
.
ImeanI 'vebeenusi ngi tforthepast25year son
him andhe' sneverdef iedme.He' sbeengoi ngup
anddownpr eparingf orZiyanda'scer emony.He' s
neverbeent hi sexcitedf oranyofourchi l
dren.I
gavehim boys, allboysandnowal lofasudden
he'sexcitedabouthi sbast ardchil
d? !Ineedt oget
thebottom oft his.Adoni ahadbet ternotmesswi t
h
me.

Adoni
a:"
Zinhl
e,uf
unani(
Whatdoyouwant
)?"

Zinhle:
"Weh,Adoni
a,azangeuthilomut hi
uzong'sebenzel
awayawaya( Didn'tyoudayt
his
mut hiwouldworkf
orever)
?"

Adoni a:(
Deepsigh)"Yazi(Youknow)youni naroyal
wivesniyadi na(youroyalwivesarei
rri
tat
ing).You
thinktheworldrevol
vesaroundyou.I fi
t'
snot
Lindiweonmyback, i
tsyou.Nowt hatZiyandahad
ami scarri
ageyoucallmef oryourhusband.Hai(no)
man. "

Zi
nhl
e:"
Wai
t.Zi
yandal
ostherpr
egnancy?
"

Adoni
a:"
Yes.Don'
tlooksosur
pri
sed.Youwere
pl
anni
ngonpoisoni
ngherthi
sweekend,but
Li
ndiwebeatyout
oit
.Sheki
ckedherr
ighti
nthe
gut
."

Zinhl
e:(
Shocked)"
Atl
eastshesol
vedt
hepr
obl
em
forme."

Adoni
a:"
Iwoul
dn'tbesohappyifIwereyou.Phila
i
scomingforLi
ndiweallgunsbl
azingandifyou
al
sokeepmisbehavi
ng,you'
regoi
ngt odi
etoo."

Iswal
lowedhar
d.

Zi
nhl
e:"
Butt
hat
'swhyIhaveyouonmysi
de.
"

Adonia:(
chuckli
ng)"Zi
nhl
e,I'm asorcer
er.Ican't
competewi t
hwhat '
scoming.Zinhle'
sancestors
arestr
ongandnowIcan' tevenuseherdeadbabi es
becauseFlorahalr
eadyworkedont hat.Solveyour
mananot herway.Thatmut hiwon'twork.Your
spel
lisbroken,dar
li
.Bonginkosii
ssti
lli
nlovewit
h
Nomsa, t
hat'
st r
uelove.Unl
essyoukil
lher,youcan
for
getaboutyourhusbandevertouchi
ngyouagain.
Ihavetogo, dut
ycall
s."

Shehungup.Whyi
sthi
sbi
tchZi
nhl
esof
ucki
ng
speci
al?
!

Gog'
Khanyi

AssoonasIheardaboutmyZi yanda'
smi scarri
age,
Ij
ustlosti
t.Idi
dn'tevenwast
eanyt i
meandgot
NomsaandFl or
ahont hechopper(Hel
icopter)
.I
don'
tknowwhymypoorbabyhast osuff
erlikethi
s,
butLi
ndiweisgoingtosuff
erdearl
y.

Wewal kedi
ntot
hehospitalandthi
ngsjustspi
ral
ed
fr
om badtoworseinaninstant
.IfoundSbu
shout
ingandPhil
alookedlikeadeadcorpse
walki
ng.Ivywasintear
s,ohmnganiwami( my
f
ri
end)
.

Gog'Khanyi
:"Baf
anabami(
myboys)
,What
's
happening?
"

Sbu:"
KeleandThat
oar
egone.Nat
ashaandShar
on
tookthem!
"

Phi
lagotshockedanddeci
dedt
ospeak.

Phi
la:
"Kanj
ani(
How)
,baf
o(br
other
)?Iki
ll
edher
.I
madesureofit
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Howdi
dyouki
llher
?"

Phil
a:"
Itor
turedher
,Ir
ippedoffafewfi
nger
sand
toesandthrewherinapoolofaci
d.Ihadtorush
outofther
ebecausethereweregunshot
sgoing
of
f.
"

Mam'Masango:"
She'snotdead.She'
sdisfi
gur
ed,
butnotdead.It
oldyoutodot hi
sceremonysooner
,
nowyouroldenemyisback.Sbusiso,showhim
thenot
e."

Phil
ar eadanotefrom Scorpi
on.IthoughtZakes
sort
edouthi sli
tt
lelapdogbrot
her.Sot hatboyi
s
workingwi t
hSharonandNat ashatobringusdown
andheki dnappedKeleandThat o?
!NowIhavet o
i
ntervene.Theseboyshavebecomesl oppyasfuck!
Ineedt oremindafewpeopl eukut
hi(t
hat )I'
m
khanyisaandIonlyspeakonce!
Chapt
erSi
xtyFi
ve

Phi
la

I'
m sodisappoi
ntedinmysel
f.Ishoul
dhavemade
surethatbi
tchNatashawasdeadwhenIwentt
o
fi
nishheroffinI
taly.HowcouldIbesosl
oppy?!I
al
waysf i
nishthejobonacleanslat
eatt
hat.Now
mywi f
eisinpain,KeleandThatoar
emissi
ng.We
havetofi
ndt hem soon.Tonyi
sbusyonit.

TheirlastlocationwasCapeTown.Wegotour
guystocheckt hem t
her
e,butitwasadeadend.
Scorpionmusthavehadaser i
ousupgr ade.I'l
l
havetof indthem soon,
orelseI'
llhavetoinvol
ve
Pier
ro.OnceIf indt
hosetwobi t
chesI'
llmakesure
theytellhel
lallaboutme.

Mam'Masangokeptchecki ngwithherunder
ground
gang(ancestors)t
oseeifthey'
rest
il
lali
veandif
shecouldtrackthem usi
ngthei
rspir
itgui
des.

Nomsahasbeeni nZee'
swardconsol
ingher
.Ijust
don'
tevenknowwhattodobecausewheneverI
walki
ntoherroom,Ibr
eakdown.
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Bathi
nimanj
eFl
orah(
Whatar
ethey
sayi
ngnow)?"

Mam' Masango:
"Eish,Kunzi
ma(It
'stough)
.Ican
feelt
hei
rpresencewhi chmeansthey'
resti
llal
ive,
kodwaIcan'tTrackthem."

Sbu:
"Whatdoest
hatmean,
manj
e(now)ma?
"

Mam'Masango:
"Mfanawami(Myboy)
,itmeans
thatt
hiswasmeanttobe.What
everi
sgoingto
happenist
hewil
lofGod."

Isuddenl
yfel
tacoldchil
ldownmyspine.Sbu
musthavefel
titt
oobecausehesuddenl
ylooked
nervousandhestar
tedshaki
ng.

Sbu:(
tear
y-eyed)"
Ushokanj
anima(
Whatdoyou
mean,ma)?"
Mam' Masango:"
Imeanexactlyt hat.Abaphansi
bathikumelebaamukel ei
moyayabant wanabayi
thathu(Theancestor
saresayingt heyhaveto
welcomet hesoulsofthr
eechildren).
"

If
eltl
i
kethewhol
eworl
dwascomingtoanend,li
ke
Iwasinamovi
e.Whatdoesshemeanthr
eekids?!

Phi
la:
"Mam'Fl
orah,
ngiyakucel
auchazekahl
e,
pl
ease(Pl
easeexpl
ainclear
er)
."

Mam' Masango:"Theyhaveal readywelcomedyour

unbornchildr
enPhi l
a,beforeevilcouldt
aket hem.
Theyhavebeenwel comedandar esafeont he
othersi
de.Ther eissti
llspacef oroneoftheZwane
chil
drenthattheyhavet owelcome.Idon' tknow
whichonei ti
sbetweenThat oandt heunborn
twins.
"
Sbuhadt
ear
srunni
ngdownhi
seyes.

Sbu:
"Pl
easeMam'
For
ah,
dosomet
hing!Anyt
hing!
"

Mam'Masango:"Ngiyaxol
isamfanawami(
I'
m sor
ry,
myboy).Thishast ohappen.Nothi
ngyoudowil
l
st
opit.Youneedt ostartsear
chi
ngnow.Wehave
alongroadaheadofus. "

Ifel
tsodefeated.I'
vealreadylostmychil
dren,now
Ican'ti
maginehowSbumustf eel
.Hejustfound
Thato,hecan'tl
osehim now.Whenhe' sangryhe
l
osescontrol.Ican'
taff
or dforthatt
ohappen.

Kel
e

Iwokeupwithcol
dwaterbeingthrownonmyf ace.
IopenedmyeyesandIcouldn'
trecognizet
heplace
Iwasin.Icoul
dn'
tmovemyhandsorl egs,
Iwas
t
iedtoachair.Myheadhurt
ssobadly.Suddenl
y
myheartstar
tedbeat
ingf
asterasIr
emembered
whathappenedbefor
eIgothere

Iwasi ntheroom wi
ththeki
dsandget t
ingthem
tuckedinbed.Iwasabouttogetupandl ockthe
doortogetsomeshuteye, t
henthedoorflungopen.
Iwasi nseri
ousshock.Twobi gmencamei nwith
gunsandIassumedIwasbei ngrobbed.

Theytol
dmenott omakeanynoi seortheywould
kil
lme.Ibeggedthem nott
ohur tt
hekids,butone
ofthem t
ookThataandtheothergrabbedme,
l
eavingthet
winscryi
ngonthebed.It ri
ed
screami
ngforhel
pbutIgotknockedoutandIdon' t
rememberanythi
ngelse.

Il
ookedupasIheardaf amil
iarvoi
ceandtearsf
ell
downmyf aceasIrecognizedthepersoni
nf r
ontof
me.Ilookedtomyr i
ghtandIsawmybabyThat o
al
sotiedtoachai
rcrying.Mor etear
sfel
lasI
coul
dn'
tevenhol
dorcomf
ortmyson.

Sharon:"
Jahwena(Yesyou)
,foureyes.You
thoughtyoucoul
dtakemymanandIwoul dl
eave
youjustli
kethat
?"

Natasha:(
Laughing)"Ai
,wait
sedifebetset
sadi
kobo(youknowt heseuglybi
tches).Theyt
hink
theycantakeanyone'smanwi t
hout
consequences.
"

IlookedatNat ashawi t
hsomuchshockandhor r
or.
Shel ookedsodi f
ferent
.Shewaswear i
nganeye
patchonherl efteye,whilet
hewholeleftsi
deofher
facewasbur nt.Herar mswer edi
sfi
guredalmost
l
ikeshewasski nnedalive.

Sharon:
"I
'l
lmakeyouregretevermeet
ingSbuwena,
Sfebendini(
youwhor
e)."
Kel
e:"
Please,
pleasel
etmego.Youcanhavehi
m."

Sharon:(Laughi
ng)"That
'snotwhatyousaidwhen
youwer ebusywithhim!Youl ethi
m humil
iat
eme!
Ievenofferedyousecondplace,butyour
efused!
"

Natasha:"DoyouseewhatPhi ladidtome?I '

m ugly
now!Het houghtIdi
ed,butoh,no.MyScor pion
ressurectedme.PityIwon'tsaythesameabout
youoryourson.Thi sisgetti
ngbor i
ng,
Shaz.Let '
s
kil
lthekid."

Sharon:
"No,man.ar eyoucrazy?!Wej ust
ki
dnappedt hem t
osendamessaget oSbuand
Phil
a.Wewer en'
tsupposedtoki
llthem,Natasha.
Thatwasn'twhatweagr eedupon."

Nat
asha:
"Wel
l,
planschange.
"
Shet
ookoutagunandShar
onbeggedher
.

Kel
e:"
Please!I
'
lldoanyt
hingj
ustdon'
thur
tmyson,
pl
ease!"

Iwaspl
eadi
ngontodeafear
s.Nat
ashat
hrew
Shar
ondowntothefl
oor.

Natasha:
"You'
resoweak,man.Youcan'
tbeafr
aid
ofSbuevennow.Hedi scar
dedyoul
iket
rash.
"

Shepoi
ntedt
hegunatThat
oandl
ookedatme.

Nat
asha:
"Sor
ry,
hun.Thi
sisj
ustbusi
ness.
"

Asshesai
dthatshepull
edt hetri
gger.Ihear
da
l
oudgunshotandIscr
eamedouti npain.Il
ooked
atmyThatoandhewasbl eeding.Hisbodyli
fel
ess
onthatchair
.Oh,
Lor
d.WhathaveIdonet
o
deser
vethis?!
Chapt
erSi
xtySi
x

Kel
e

Theysaywhenl i
fegivesyoul emons,youmust
makel emonade,butwhatdoyoudowhenyou
witnessyouronlychild,achildwhoraisedunder
cir
cumst ancesofdistressbeingshoti
nf r
ontofyou
l
ikeadamndog.Sheshoul dhaveshotmei nst
ead,
I
wouldhavet akenthatbulletanydayformyson.

Isatonmychai rcr
yingunti
lIhadnomor etearsl
eft
.
IbeggedGodt obri
nghim back.Ibeggedand
begged,buyIguessHewasn' thear
ingme.Ican
nowonlypraythatThatofor
givesmewher everhi
s
soulgoi
ngrightnow.

Shar
on:
"Nat
asha!Youwer
en'
tsupposedt
oki
llhi
m!
Youwer en'
tsupposedtokil
lanyone!Doyouhave
anyideawhatyou'vejustdone?!Thati
saninnocent
chi
ld,Natasha!
"

Natasha: "Ubuat hat

alewenaman( Yout al
ktoo
much) ".Thiswasyouri deaanyway,you'
retheone
whoappr oachedme, i
sn'
tit
?Yousaidyouwant ed
revenge, nowt hatyou'
regett
ingi
tyou'r
e
compl aining?!Skambor a(Don'
tbor
eme) .Helpme
getridoft hisbody."

TheyuntiedmyThatoandpickedhi
m upli
kea
usel
essanimalandtookhi
m away.Ansjustl
ike
that
,itwasthel
astt
imeIsawmyson.

Sbu

We'vebeensearchingalldayandnightforKeleand
Thato.Ihaven'
tsleptawink,If
eelli
keal
lthisisa
shi
ttydream.Ifeelli
kemyownmi ndisplayi
ng
gamesonme.WhenIfi
ndt
hosebit
ches,
I'
m going
tomakesur
eever
yoner
emembershowtheydied.

Wewentt obookour selvesaPenthouseatamor e

decentHotelwithbeefedupsecurit
y.Wealsogot
extr
asecurit
yforUncleShakaandZeeatt he
hospit
al.Weneedt osor toutt
hismessasap.Just
asIwast hi
nking,Mam' Masangostart
edmaking
thosefunnynoisesagain.

Sbu:
"Whati
sit
,ma?
"

Mam'Masango:(
Shaki
nghead)"
Kunzi ma,mfana
wami(I
t'
stough,
myboy).Hi
sspiri
t,Ican'
tfeeli
t
anymor
e."

If
eltl
i
kemysoulwasl
eavi
ngmybodyatt
hat
moment.
Sbu:
"Ushokanj
ani(
Whatdoyoumean)
?!

Mam'Masango:"
Imeanhe'sgone,mfanawami(my
boy)
.He'snolongerpar
tofthephysi
calwor
ld.
"

Ifel
tli
keIwasabouttodi eandcol l
apsedonthe
fl
oor.Iwail
edsomucht hatPhi l
acomf ort
edme.
Everyonewentsil
enti
nt heroom, buttheywereal
l
cryi
ng.Mam' Masangowaspr ayi
ngf ormyson's
spir
ittof
indtheZwane'sont heothersidesi
ncewe
neverint
roducedhimtomyf ami l
y.

Outofal lthepainonecoul deveryexperiencei n

theworld,losingachildespeciall
yinsuchapai nful
manneri sthewor st.Ifeelholl
ow,andsoenr aged.
Natasha,Shar onandScor pionhadbetterr un
becauseI '
l
lfindthem andski nthem al
lalive.Asf or
Natasha,it
'saneyef oraneye.Mam' Masango
couldsensemywr at
handt houghts.
Mam' Masango:"Sbusi
so,ngiyazikub'
hlungu,
mf ana
wami (Iknowit'
spainf
ul,myboy) .Butyouar enota
chil
dkill
er,youdonotkil
linnocentsouls.Don't
eventhinkaboutit.
"

Sbu:
"Kanj
ani(How),
ma?Keleisst
il
lmi
ssi
ngand
myunbornkidsarei
ndanger
!"

Mam' Masango: "

Itwasmeantt obe,Sbusiso.Kele
andt hebabiesremai npr
otected.That oservedhis
purposeher eonear t
h.Yourf atherhadwel comed
him ontheot hersideandthey'l
lworkhandi nhand
toprotectKeleandyourunbor nchi l
dren.Wena
workonf indingthem."

Sbu:"
Butwe'
vesear
chedever
ywher
eint
his
countr
y."

Mam'Masango:
"St
artl
ooki
ngf
oruZachar
iah.He'
l
l
hel
pyou.
"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
KodwauZakeshasbeenM.
I.
Asi
nce
t
he90s."

Mam' Masango:"Putyourfeel
ingsasideandst art
thi
nkingbroader.WhatIcant ellyouisthattheyare
nolongerinthi
scount r
y.Kodwa( But)Zachariahis
ri
ghthereinthiscountry.He'
si nCapeTown.I
don'tknowwher ekodwa.That '
sal lt
heancest or
s
arereveal
ing.
"

Phi
la:
"I
'l
lgol
ookf
orMr
.Zakeswi
thSbu.
"

Mam' Masango:(Shakinghead)"Cha( No) ,wena

stayher
eandl ookafterZeeandMal ume( Uncle)
Shaka.Youst i
llhavetohelphim.Hi skidneyshave
shutdownandhemustr el
yondi alysis.Zinhleis
ontherun.Sheknowswhoyouar e,Aphi wetold
her.
"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
LeaveZinhl
etome.I
'
llsor
theroutby
t
heendoftheday."

Mam'Masango:
"We'
llhavetopost
poneumsebenzi
kaZee(
Zee'scer
emony) ,
butwestil
lhavetodo
bot
hassoonaspossible.WenaPhilagethert
o
agr
ee.Nihambenikahle(Gowell
).
"

Kel
e

Imusthavedozedof fbecauseIwasawokenby
voicesofpeoplear guing.IopenedmyeyesandI
wasont hef
loorandsomet hi
nmattr
ess.Mybody
wasachi ngbadly,butatleastIwasn'tt
iedup
anymor e.Istr
uggl edseeingproper
lybecauseI
didn'thavemygl asseson.

Abigmanhadhi
shandsonNat
asha'
sthr
oatyel
li
ng
ather
.
Scorpion:"YeywenaSel okewena( yout hi
ng)!Ga
kaobot sagor eoskasat adaailaatie(Didn'
tItel
l
younott oki l
lthatchi
ld) ?
!DoIl ookl i
keachi l
dkill
er
toyou? !Doyouwantt hem tokilloursonaswel l
?!
Osetlaelasamosadiwai tse(You'reani di
otfora
woman, youknow) !Nkabekekhet hil
eShar on
i
nsteadofyou( Ishoul
d' vechosenShar on).Wa
kgonagodenkadi echer ry(
Shecant hink)unli
ke
wena( you) !
"

Het
hrewheront
hef
loorandki
ckedher
.

Scor
pion:
"Lookhowyoutraumati
zedKel
enow.O
kabol
ayangwanapel egammae, sf
ebekwena
(Howcanyoukillachi
ldri
ghti
nhismother
'seyes,
yousl
ut)?
!"

Heki
ckedherwhi
leshewasont
hef
loor
.

Scor
pion:
"Bonaobj
angnou(
Lookatyounow)
,o
fyel
emmel eoohl e(yourwholebodyisbur
nt)
,odi
uselessgoods,mos( you'
reusel
essgoods)
.Or
maybenkat esteyel
acher ryyaSbu(OrmaybeIcan
takeSbu'swoman) ,
pl usbonadikhef
atsel
a(l
ookat
thosecurves)
."

Nat
ashawasonthef
loorcr
ying,
whi
leShar
onwas
j
ustst
ari
ngather
.

Natasha:
"Ori
lewanr
ata(
Yousai
dyoul
ovedme)
,
Scorpi
on."

Scorpi
on:(Chuckl
ing)"Thatwasbefor
eyoutriedt
o
pawnmysont oPhila.Wabonaobsessionyagao
l
ePhi l
aer ebei
lekae(Youseewher eyour
obsessionwit
hPhi l
ahasgot t
enus)?Neol e
l
epyatl
asani,nouobodi lefel
a(Youwerehot
,man,
nowyou' r
erott
en).
"

Hecamecl
oset
omeandIgotf
ri
ght
enedasIst
ood
up.

Scor
pion:
"Aowa,Kelebogi
le.Don'
tbeaf
rai
d,baby.I
cametogiveyouyourglassessoyoucoul
dtakea
goodlookatyournewhusband."

Hegavememygl assesandIputthem on.Isaw

thescar i
estmanI '
veeverseeninmyl i
fe.Hewas
bigwithlotsofmuscl es,
darkincompl exion,wi
tha
scorpiontattooontheleftsi
deofhi sface.The
wholel ef
tsideofhisfacewasbur ntjustlike
Natasha's.Hi sl
efteyewasal sogrey.NowIsee
whyt heycallhim Scorpi
on.Iswall
owedhar dasI
star
edathi m.

Scorpi
on:"
Skantshaba(Don'
tbeaf raidofme),
sweetbaby.Thisiswhatyourdar l
ingexboyf
riend
andhistwinbrot
herdidtome.Ever yti
meyoulook
atmemakel ovetoyou,you'
l
lhat eSbubecause
he'samonster.I'
m notamonst er
,baby.Ketlogo
tshwar
afresh(I'
m goi
ngtotreatyouver ywel
l
).O
tl
obona(You'
llsee)
.Emell
akegobonepi
la(
Stand
upsoIcantakeagoodlookatyou)
."

Itookhi
sscaryhandandstoodup.Icouldbarel
y
standbecausemywholebodywasstil
linsomuch
pain.Scorpi
onl
ookedatmel i
kehewasi mpr
essed
andthatmademeevenmor escared.

Scorpion:"Areye, babywaka( Let'

sgo, mybaby).
Ont hatnot e,l
etmet akethis(
Her emovedmyr i
ng
fr
om myf inger).From nowonyou' llbemywi f
e.
Theset woski nnybitchesbatloutlwakawenanou
(wi
llbet akingordersfrom youfrom nowon).Wena
odesesani( you'r
esohot ,man),myaf ri
canyell
ow
bone.Letmegoshowyouyournewhome. "

Wewal kedoutofthatsmel l
yroom leavi
ngNatasha
andShar oni
nthere.Thebot hofthem sti
lll
ooked
atmewi theyesfullofenvy.Idon'tunder
standhow
stupi
dwomencoul dbe.Howcanyouenvya
womanwhoi sbeingheldcaptive?
Iwassoscar edatthi
spoi ntal
lIwant
edtodowas
die,butIremember edthatIhavetwoli
veswhoare
dependi ngonmet osurvivesotheycoul
dmakeit
i
nt othisworld.Ineedtogetoutofhererealf
ast
.If
Icanj ustfi
ndawayt ocal lSbu.

Nowt hatScorpi
ont ooktheonlymemor yleftt
o
Sbu,myr ing,I
'l
lneverbeabl etomisshim onmy
ownt erms.Am Igoi ngt obeScorpi
on'snewsex
sl
ave? !IsaidasilentprayertomyselfasIwalked
i
ntoabi ghousewhi chIassumedbelongst o
Scorpion."DearGod, Ineedyounowmor ethanever
.
Pleasesavemef r
om t hi
smi ser
y.Amen"
Chapt
erSi
xtySeven

Thr
eedaysl
ater

Sbu
AfterthenewsMam' Fl
orahgaveus, Iwasjustina
shitt
ymess.Myson, myonlysoni sgoneandal lat
thehandsofot herpeople.Am Ireall
ythatevil
?I
onlygott omeethi m afewdaysagoandnowhe' s
beent akenawayf rom me.Imadeavowt hatI'
l
ldo
anythingt oprotectKel
eandmyki dsandthat'
s
whatIi ntendtodo.Thet wi
nshavebeenso
restl
essatni ght.Mam' Flor
ahsayst hatt
heycan
senseThat oisgoneandwej ustneedtoappease
hisspiritatmyFat her'
shome.

We'vebeensearchingever ywheref
orthosebi t
ches
andnoonehasseent hem.Wehavef oundaf ew
peoplewhoworkf orScor pion,
buttheyallsaythe
samet hi
ng;t
hattheyl eftt
hecountryandt hat'
sall
theyknow.Evenaf terwebeatt hem upandt ort
ured
them.

Ifi
nal
lymanagedt
otrackMr.Zakes.Apparentl
yhe
l
ivesi
nCapeTownnow, whowoul dhavet
hought ?
Asmallt
imecrimi
nall
ikehi
m makingitbi
glikethi
s.
He'
sevenhardt
otr
ackdown.Imustsay,
I'
m
i
mpressed.

We'reheadedt omyFat her'

shomet odayafterZee
getsdischarged.Wehavemanagedt ogetUncle
Shakabr andnewkidneys, al
lthankstohis
generouswi f
e.Nowal lwehavet odoisgetthi
s
stupi
dcer emonyunderwayandwe' llbeheadedto
CapeTownt omymot her'shouse.

We' l
ldealwit
htheweddingandever yt
hingelse
oncewef indKel
e.We'r
eyett ofindmyson' sbody.
Myguyshavebeenwor kingtir
elesslyandIknow
thatt
hey'l
lfi
ndhim.AtleastIshouldbringhim
homeandgi vehim adi
gnif
iedbur i
al.It
'st
heleastI
cando.

Gog'
Khanyi

Theboysar
egoi
ngt
hroughsomuchal
ready.I
askedTonyt otr
acethatstupidbit
chLindi
weandI
foundherwithi
nhalfanhour .Stupidbi
tchhad
cashedoutallheraccountsandwaspl anni
ngon
escapingthecountr
y.Thei di
otevenusedZwane
Shuttl
e'sasamodeoft randporttotheai
rpor
t.I
don'tknowhowdumbawomancanbe.

Ididn'
thavetimetotort
ureherasmuchasIwant ed
to,andIdon'tevenhaveawarehousehereinKzn.I
gotafewofmyguyst odragherintoaopenf i
eld
andIgottowor k.Iputheronasteeltabl
e,withher
handsandf eetti
edtothetabl
e.Ihadt obri
ng
Drakewithmebecauseweneedt hosekidneysasin
yester
day.

Iwalkedt
owardsherandshewassoscared.Ili
ke
seei
ngmyl i
tt
leenemi
esscared.Theywer
en't
scar
edwhent heywer
ecommi tt
ingt
othedevi
l.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,MaLi
ndi
s!"
Li
ndwi
we:(f
ri
gtened)"
Please,
please,
Khanyi
sa,l
et
mego.Ihadnoideawhoyouguyswer e,
Iswear
."

Ichuckl
edandt
ookoutasmokeandl
iti
t.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Yazi(Youknow) ,peopl
eapologi ze
whent hey'
reunderdur ess.I
t'sapityyouwer en'
t
si
nginglikethiswhenyoupl annedonki ll
ingmy
grandchil
dren.Congr atsbytheway, youhave
succeeded.Youbr okemyZeeandPhi latothe
pointofnor et
urn.Younotonl ykill
edtheirfather,
youkill
edhisgr andchil
drent
oo.You' reaver ysick
woman, hey."

Lindi
we:
"Pl
ease,
Khanyi
sa.I'l
ldoanyt
hing.Look,
youcanhavemymoney,allofit
.Justl
etmel i
ve.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Uyahl
ekisashame(
You'
ref
unny).
Peopl
eli
keyouneverrepent
.DoIl
ookl
ikeIneed
yourmeaslycents?I '
m ami l
li
onai
re,baby.Gor i
ll
a
l
eftmeashi tloadofmoney.I '
mt r
yingtoenj oymy
reti
rementinpeace,butbit
chesli
keyoukeep
fuckingwit
hme.Ihavet okil
labit
chever yfew
weeks.It'
syourturnnow, honey.Drake,getto
work."

Drakenoddedasheputonhi sglovesandster
il
ized
hi
sequi pment
.Iaskedhim nottouseany
anaestesi
asothatshecoul
df eelever
younceof
pain.

Li
ndiwe:"
Wait!Khweziwast
heonewhot ol
dmet o
doeveryt
hing.Iswear,
Iwasjustanerr
andlady.
Zi
nhleisalsopl
anni
ngonhurtingZeeandNomsa."

Gog'Khanyi:(
Laughing)"Iknoweverythi
ng,babe.
Whatyou' r
etell
ingmwi sn'tnews.I'
m goingtoneed
thosenicekidneysf
oryourdar li
nghusband.
Considerthem aparti
nggi f
t.Pit
ywecan' tgive
yourevilheartt
oanyone.Wewoul dn'
twantt hem
t
oinher
ityourevi
ldeeds.
"

Drakestartedcutt
ingherupandshescr eamedout
i
npai n.Icouldn'
tcareless.Iwasbusyhavi nga
smokeandwat chi
ngt heshow.Hepr oceededt o
openupherst omachandgett hekidneysout .I
couldseeshewasi nsomuchpai nasherscr eams
becameal otmor efai
nt.Dr akeoutthekidneysina
smallcoolerboxtokeept hem fr
esh.

Iwal
kedupt
oherandt
ookagoodl
ookather
,one
l
astt
ime.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Seeyoui
nhel
l,
Lindi
.Tel
lGor
il
laIsai
d
hi
."

Iproceededbystabbi
ngherwi t
hascalpeland
openingupherribcage.Ir
ippedherheartoutand
staredherint
heeyesasshet ookherl
astbreath.I
toldtheboystocl
eanuoandt hrowherbodytot he
animalsonanear bygamer ange.They'
llprobably
fi
ndherbyear lymorningtomor row.IneedKhwezi
toseethis.Iwanthert oli
velongenought osee
Phil
aandSbugetmar riedandhavemor echildr
en.
She'l
lgomadi nstant
lyafterseeingthi
svideoofher
preci
ouspr ot
egebeingcutt opieces.Ican'
twai tt
o
sendit.

Sbu

Aftersearchi
nghighandl owandevengetti
nga
newt eam tohel
pTony,thereissti
llnonews.Igot
acallfrom oneofmyguysatt heairpor
tsayi
ng
they'
vef oundabodymat chingThato'
sdescr
ipt
ion.

Phil
aandIr ushedoverthere,wedidn'tevencare
aboutspeedtraps.AtleastnowI '
llhavetheclosur
e
Ineed.Wear ri
vedattheairportandhepoi ntedus
toanearbyfiel
d.Wesawabodybagt hatwasn't
bigenoughtocarryasmal lbodylikeThato's.Ihad
togetthecouragetoopenit.
Iunzippedi tandsawhi sli
fel
essbodywi tha
gunshotwoundt ot hehead.Hi sheadwasso
swollent hathiseyescoul dbarel
ycloseup.I
couldn'ttakeandIt hrewupnextt ot hebody.Phila
zi
ppedt hebagcl osed.Oneofourguyst ookit
awayt oourpl ane.Ilostit.Iscreamedout ,
let
ti
ng
outallthepai nI'
vebeenf eeli
ngeversi nceIsaw
him atKel e'
sstepmot her'
shouse.I '
llneverfor
get
whatt heydi dtomyson.IguessScor pi
onmust
haveupgr aded.Heki ll
sinnocentchildrennow?!
He'l
lfeelmywr athbecauset heMi ghtyCobrahas
beenunl eashed.

OneweekLat
er

Zi
yanda

I
t'
sbeenaful
lweekthatI
'
vebeeni
nhereandIcan'
t
wai
ttol
eavet
hispl
ace.ThemoreIst
ayhere,
the
moreI'
mremindedofmyfir
stmiscar
ri
age.Myli
fe
i
sjustt
oomiserabl
eandtomakemat t
erswor
se
Kel
eandThatohavebeenmissi
ng.

Theyt ellmeanyt hingel se.Ihat eitwhenpeople

hidethingsf rom me.Ever yonehasbeenso
suppor ti
ve,evenmymot her
.We' r
est i
lli
nKwazulu
Natalandhonest lyIjustcan' twaittogohome.
Mam' Masangosai dIneedt obecl eansedandwe
havetogett heceremoni esunder wayasi n
yester
day.Mybi ologicalfather,KingBonginkosi
camet oseemeaf ewt i
mes.He' sokay, Imeanhe
wasn'tr eal
lypartofmyl i
fesot here'
snotmucht o
tel
lort alkabout.

AllIknownowi sthathe'smar ri
edandhasthree
sons.Iam hi sonlydaught er
.Hebr oughtmesome
gift
sandal l
,butwell,Icansayt hatphysi
cal
lyI'
ma
l
otbet t
er,butemot i
onallyI
'mtoodr ai
ned.Idon't
evenhaveapi ct
ureofmybabi es.GogosaidI
shouldtryandnotdwel lonthepast.Shetol
dme
sheal
sohadqui
teafewmiscar
ri
agesbef
oreshe
hadmymom, si
xint
otal
.

Herownmot heri
nlawusedt ocal
lherabarr
en
bit
chunti
lshethrewapotofhotwateronher.They
endedupbeingbestoffr
iends,
how?Ihavenoi dea.
Shehasmanagedt omakemel aughandmy
motherhasmanagedtomakemewar m uptoher.
Shetol
dmeaf ewstor
iesofhowshegrewupand
al
l.

HowIwi shwehadthesemoment swaybeforenow.

Phil
aandIareabitshaky.If
eelbadhavinghim
herewit
hmewhenhe' ssupposedtobelooki
ngf or
KeleandThatowit
hSbu.Wehar dlyevensaymuch
toeachother
.It
'samazingwhattr
aumacandot o
twopeople.

I'
m bei
ngdischar
gedt odayatl
eastandsoisUncle
Shaka.Apparent
lytheygothim apai
rofnew
ki
dneysandhe'sall
heal ednow.Itr
ustever
ythi
ng
tohappeni ntheblinkofaneyewhenyouhave
money.Ihear dLindiwehasgonemi ssi
ng,
butI
don'tbuythatstory.Idon'
treal
lycar
ewhat
happenedt oher,aslongasInevergett
oseeher
everagain.

Wef i
nall
yarri
vedatShaka' skingdom.Ever yone
l
ookedver ysadandsombr e,andtheywer eall
cryi
ng.Ididn'tknowwhatwasupwi ththat.They
wereallweari
ngbl ack,andIwasal soinstr
uctedto
wearblackbyMam' Ivy.IfIdi
dn'tknowbetterI'
d
saywewer eonourwayt oafuneral.

Wewal kedoutandthereweresomanypeopl eher

e.
Therewasat entandpeopl
ehadalreadyprepar
ed
food.Ohmygoodness!We' reseri
ouslyatafuner
al.
Butwhose?Coul dKeleandThatohavebeen
found?
!

Weweregreet
edbyKi
ngShakaandtwomenwho
l
ookl
ikehi
m.Theywerei
ntr
oducedasPr
ince
LwaziandPr inceLindel
ani.Lwazil
ookedr
ather
di
spleaseswi thourpresence,
Iassumehewas
Zi
nhle'
sf avourit
e.

Lwazi
:"Baba,
howcanyouwelcomet
hesepeople
whenuGogohasgonemadanduMahasgone
missi
ng?!Idon'
tknowhowyoucansti
llbeki
ng
whenyoucanbarelyr
unyourownki
ngdom!"

Shaka:"
Andthat
'st
her
easonwhyyou'
renotfi
tto
runroyal
ty,
myboy.Youneedt
olear
nfrom your
brot
her."

Lwazi
:"
ButI
'
mthef
ir
stbor
n!Ideser
vet
obeki
ng!
"

Yep.He'
smostdef
ini
tel
ytheappl
eofZi
nhl
e'
seye.

Shaka:
"Youhadbet
terbehavetodaybef
oreIhave
youremovedfr
om r
oyalgrounds.Todayisavery
saddaysoungang'
bangel
iiscef
e(don'
tir
ri
tat
e
me).
"

Wewereshowntotheirancestr
alcor
ner,
where
t
heyper
for
m al
ltheirr
itual
s.KingShaka'
sfat
her,
wast
heonerunningthewhol ecer
emony.

Shaka'sf at
her:"l
indamkhonto;yebyebboya
besil
wane;maf uawal i
nganiphansi
naphezul u;
zikodeeZWANE( Clannames) .We'
re
heretoint r
oduceyoursonsSbusi sono(and)Phi
la
totheirhomegr ound.Babuyi l
eabafanabakho
Mxolisi(yoursonsar eback).I'm sor
ryyouhadto
l
eavet hisear t
ht hewayyoudi d,andnowwear eon
ourwayt otheRoyalgr aveyar
dt oburyyourf
ir
st
grandsonr ightnexttoyou."

Wai t
,what?!We' r
ebur yi
ngThatot
oday?!No!No!I
t
can'tbe!Ifel
ttearsflowdownmycheeksashe
fi
nishedtalki
ngt otheancest
ors.It
ri
edtogetup
wit
ht herest,butmybodyf ai
ledme.Icoll
apsed
r
ightt
her
e.

Chapt
erSi
xtyEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Imusthavebeenoutf
orawhil
ebecauseIwokeup
i
nthecaronthewaytotheRoyalGr
aveyard.I
wokeupinPhil
a'
sarmswithmyeyesfeeli
ngheavy
andswoll
en.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.You'
reawake.
Uzi
zwanjani(
Howdoyouf
eel
)?"

Me:"
I'
m abi
tdizzy,
butI'
l
lbeokay.Phi
la,
whydi
dn'
t
youtel
lmeaboutThato?"
Ifel
ttear
sthr
eateni
ngmyeyesandhi
seyesal
so
becameshiny.

Phila:
"Idi
dn'
twanttost
ressyouinyourcondi
ti
on,
Sthanfwasami(Mylove).You..
.We'
vebeen
throughsomucht hi
spastweek,Idi
dn'
twanttoadd
anymor estr
essonyourplat
e."

Iwasnowcr
yingatt
hispoi
nt.

Me:
"Doyou.
..Doyouknowwhoki
ll
edhi
m?"

Phil
a:"
Yes.Nat
ashaandShar
on.Andanol
denemy
ofours.
"

Me:(
Sur
pri
sed)"
Nat
asha?It
houghtyouki
ll
edher
."
Phil
a:"
Ithoughtsot
oo.Don'twor
ry,
we'l
lfi
ndKel
e.
I'
l
lmakesur ewekil
lthoset
wobit
ches.Youkust
concentr
ateongetr
ingbett
er.
"

If
eltmyski ncri
nge.Howcanwomenki llanot
her
woman' schil
d?Sharonhaschil
drenofherownand
Natashahasason.Thi sist
helowestlevelof
cr
uelty.Wedr oveint
othegr
aveyard.

Therewer en'
tmanypeopl e,seemslikejustr
oyal
familywereher e.Allt
hosepeoplehadacer tai
n
royalatt
ir
eon, exceptafewpeoplelikeAphiwe.
Gogo, Mam' Masango,Mam' I
vy,Sbuandt hetwins
walkedoutoft hevan,whilePhil
adidn'tmovewi t
h
mei nhisarms.

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ng?
"

Phi
la:
"No,St
handwasami(Myl
ove).I'
drat
herbe
her
ewi t
hyoumakingsur
eyou'
reokay.
"
Me:
"Wehavet
osuppor
tSbu.Let
'sgo.
"

Hewal kedoutr
eluctant
lyhol
dingmyhand.Inever
l
ikedfuneral
s.Theyhavet hi
ssombr emood,butI
guessdeathist
heonl ythi
ngweal lhavei
n
common.Notever yonegetstoli
veorbeborn,but
ever
yonegetstodie.

Wewal kedtowar dsthetentwhichwassetupf orus.

Thisgraveyardlookswaybet t
erthananygr aveyard
I'
veseen.It'
sspecifi
call
yforroyalpeopleonly.
Phil
a'
sf at
herwasal sobur i
edherebecauseIcoul d
seehisgraver i
ghtnexttoThato'sopengrave.Al l
thegraveshaveheadst onesonneat lycutgrass.

Phila'
sfat
her'
sstonehadabeautif
ul,engraved
pi
ctureofhi
m andhi snamesengr
avedi ngold:
Pr
inceMxolisiBafanaZwane,
Born:1966-02-27,
Di
ed:2006-02-27.Theysaymostpeopledi eon
thei
rbirt
hdays,Iguesshewasoneoft hemany
people.Oddly,t
odayist he27th,
nowonderwhy
everyoneisi
nsuchast ate.Iwouldal
sobecrying
hysteri
cal
lyi
fIwasbur yingmysonont hever
y
samedayf atherdied.

Peopleweren'tmakinganyspeechesandt herewas
nopr i
est
.Iguesst heydothi
ngsthet r
adit
ionalway
here.Thefami l
ySangomamadeaf ewchant s
beforeThat
o'sli
ttl
ewhitecof
fi
nwasputoncof f
in
l
iners.Hethrewsomeher bsandbur ntsome
i
ncense.

Sangoma:" WenakaMaf ukawali

ngani,
Aphansi
naphezulu,
ngobaaphezuluangubongubo, Ntsel
e
kaLi
ndakaMkhont o,Awungil
indengil
andeezami
eZungeni,Mthant
i,Ndunangokuthwal'i
sil
asensele,
UNtsel
ekangakanani ,
Ngobanasothinil
omkhont '
angahlal
a(Clannames) .
"

Ki
ngZi
rugotupt
ospeakabouthi
sgr
eatgr
andson,
t
heonehenevergott
omeet
.

KingZiru:
"Mypreci
ousgr andson,nobodydeserves
todiethewayyoudi d.Mayyouf i
ndpeaceand
comf or
tontheotherside.Abaphansibanawe,
mzukul u(
Theancestorsarewi t
hyou,grandson).
LalangoxoloNkosiDumi saniThat
oZwane.
Siyakuamukel
alaekhaya( Wehavewel comedyou) .

Ungabekiemuva, mfanawami ,
qhubekaphambi li
(Don'tl
ookback, keepgoingforward)
.Your
grandfatherhasalreadywelcomedyou.Beour
peace,andf oll
owyourmot her'
spresencehereon
eart
h.Sheneedsyounowmor ethaneverbefore.
Beherguar dianAngel.uLalengoxolo,Nkosi
Dumi saniwakaZwane( r
estinpeace,Pri
nce
Dumi saniZwane)."

Hewentontoexplainwhyhenamedhim Dumi sani

,
i
tmeanssaint
,togiveprai
se.Heexpl
ainedthat
That
oneededtobepr ai
sedfort
aki
ngabulletfor
hi
smot
heratsuchat
enderage.Hedi
edawar
ri
or.

Icoul dseehowSbuwast ouchedashej ustbroke

down.Phi l
acomf ort
edhi m wi
thredeyesandt ears
fl
owi ngnonst op.Ast hecoffi
nwentdown
ever yonest ar
tedwaili
ng;thetwinswer ecryi
ng
hyst erical
lywhileMam' I
vytri
edtocalmt hem down,
Mam' Masangowaspr ayingandmaki ngherwei r
d
sounds;t heroyalf
ami l
yinroyalatt
ir
ewer e
ululat i
ngandchant i
ngcl annames-allexceptfor
PrinceLwaziofcour se.

Hehadsuchabl ankst
areonhi sface.KingShaka
wascr yingli
keaman, sil
entl
yfighti
ngthepowerof
histears.Itwasabeaut i
fulsi
ghtnontheless.I
brokedownsi lentl
yasIthoughthowbr okenKele
mustf eelri
ghtnow.Shecan' tevenburyheronly
chil
d.

HowIprayGodi
swit
hheraswespeak.Weall
wentt
othrowwhi
ter
osesi
nst
eadofsandi
nthe
grave.Everyt
hingwassodigni
fi
ed,IbetThat
oi s
verypleasedwhereverhei
s.Theysaydeathisn'
t
painfulandbr
ingsyousomekindofpeaceyoucan
neverexperi
encewhenonearth.

Theykeptsi
ngingsomef uneralsongsandonce
peopl
estart
edsi nging"
Thul aMntwanami",
Ifel
ta
senseofgri
efover comeme.Inevergott oreal
ly
gri
evemybabi es.Thiswasawayofsayi ng
goodbyetothem- f
orthefinalt
ime.

Kel
e

Iwokeuponabi g,comfybedwi thwhit

esheets.
ThisScor
pionguyhasabeaut i
fulhousefor
someonewhol ooksthi
sscary.Hemademet akea
bathandgavemef oodtoeatlastni
ght.Ihaven'
t
seenSharonorNatashaeversince.

Ikeept
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eoutwher
eIam,
butcl
ear
lyI
'
m
i
naf or
eigncountrybecausethishouseisfaraway
from anyplacethatl
ooksSout hAfri
can.Eveni fI
hadt oescapeIwouldn'tknowwher etogobecause
thishouseisfarupthemount ainawayf rom any
otherhouse.

Icri
edinsorrowbecauseI 'm awayfr
om home, I'
ve
beenapr i
sonerforoveraweeknowandmybaby
waskill
edrightinfrontofme.Ihaven'tbeen
sl
eepingsowel lforthepastweek.Atleastall
Scorpi
oncomesanddoesi scuddlemenextt ohim.
Il
ienexttohimi npur edi
sgustandIprayhenever
asksmef orsex.Hekeepst ell
ingmeI'
m goingto
behiswifesoon.

Myhear tl
ongsf orSbusobadl y.I'
m ver
ygladmy
babiesarestil
lsafeandIhopet heydon'
treal
izeI
'm
pregnantanyti
mesoonunt ilSbucomest orescue
me.Hehast o.Iknowhewi l
l.Ihadsucha
beautif
uldream ofmybabyl astnight
.Hewas
dressedinwhitenexttoamanIhavenevermet ,he
l
ookedexact
lyl
ikeSbuandPhi
la.MyThat
owas
smil
ing.

I'
veneverseenhimt hathappybefore.Hewasf ul
l
ofpeace."mama, I'
m safe.Don'tworryaboutme.
Bestrong,Papaiscomi ngforyousoon."Those
werehi swordsandIfeelli
kehe'saroundmeeven
thoughIdon'tseehim.Ihaven'tstoppedprayi
ng
eversinceIgothere.Themor eIpray,themoreI
feelmybaby'spresence.IknowGodi swatchi
ng
overme.

Zi
yanda

Weheadedbackt otheRoyalHouseaf t
eralong
whil
eatthegraveyar
d.Wespentl ongerthanusual
becausetheyputThato'
stombstoneimmediatel
y
aft
ertheburi
al.Atombstonefi
tforaPr i
nce.

Wef
oundl
otsoff
oodpr
epar
edf
orus.Wedi
dn'
t
wantt ober udebyl eavingsosoon, butwequi ckl
y
ateast hejetwasal readywai ti
ngf orus.Whi l
ewe
wer eeatchi
ng, Khwezi ,Phila'
sgr andmotherrani nto
thedi ni
ngar eawher ewewer e.Shekeptscr eami ng
"I'
m sorry!I'
m sor ry!Tel l
himt oleavemeal one!I
didn'tmeant oki l
lhim" .Philasaysshesuf fered
someki ndoft raumaandhersi nsar ecomingback
tohaunther .Ki ngZur itookherbackt oherroom.

Whi l
ewewerefini
shingup,Pri
nceLwazi cameout
ofnowhere,f
umingandwasaboutt ochargeatSbu,
butheduckedandgavehi m onehellofaswing
backandLwazifel
lflatonhisface.Hequickly
stoodupshouti
ng:"Mymot herisdeadandit'
sall
becauseofyou!
"
Chapt
erSi
xtyNi
ne

Zi
yanda

Ki
ngZur
ihear
dal
lthecommot
ionandcameout
r
unni
ngf
rom Khwezi
'
sbedr
oom.

Ki
ngZuri:
"What'
sthi
scommoti
onallabout
?!
Lwazi
?!Kwenzekal
ani(
What
'shappeni
ng)?
!"

Lwazi:(Fuming)"uMa'
sbodywasfoundinanearby
fi
eldeatenbywi l
danimal
s.There'
snotmuchlef
tof
her.Thepol i
cecamet oi
nfor
m usandtogi
vethe
restofherremains!
"

KingZur
ilookedrat
herunphasedbyallthi
s.I
guessheneverli
kedZinhl
emuch.Ki ghShakaalso
hadnoemot i
ontoexpress.Hejustkepteati
nghis
food.

Ki
ngZur
i:
"Manj
eur
asel
ani(
Sowhyar
eyounoi
sy)
?"

Lwazil
ookedrathersur
pri
sedwhileLi
ndel
aniwas
al
sojustunphased.Iguessther
emustbeal ot
mor
etoLi
ndi
wet
hatwhatweknow.

Lwazi
:"
I'
veal
waysknownyouneverl
ovedme,
but
uMa,Baba.Howcanyoubesocold?!
"

KingZur
ichuckl
edwhil
eKingShakadi
dthesame
andhecarr
iedoneat
inginsi
lence.

KingZuri:
"Yaziwenamfanawami( Youknow, my
boy).Yout hi
nkthewholeworldrevolvesaround
you.Yout hi
nkyou'r
eenti
tl
edtoeveryt hi
ng.You
wer esoconsumedwi t
hevilj
ustli
keyourmot her
,
thatyouconsortedwit
hherintokil
li
ngyourown
father
,yourownf l
eshandblood.Nooneshoul dbe
thi
spowerhungr yfort
hethrone,athroneyou'renot
wor t
hyof."

Lwaziwidenedhi
seyeswi
thdi
sbel
ief
.Thisf
amil
y
usworsethanmine.Somanysecr
etsandhat
e.He
keptqui
etforawhil
e.
KingZuri
:"
Khuluma(Talk)
!Angithiunomlomo(
you
haveabigmouth,r
ight)
?!Youthoughtwewould
neverfi
ndout?!Yourgrandmot
heri snowmad
becauseofthenonsenseyoudid!"

Lwazi
:"
Baba,
Icanexpl
ain.Iwasn'
tPar
tof
..
."

KingZuriint
err
uptedhimlongbef
orehecoul
deven
fi
nisht
ryingtoredeem hi
mself
.

KingZuri:"
Saveit,mfanawami(myboy) .Youdon' t
deservebeingapar tofmyfamil
y.I'm str
ippingyou
ofallyourroyalduti
es.Yourf
atherisstepping
downsoonandsi ncePhil
aandSbuwantnot hi
ngto
dowi t
ht heRoyalKingdom,Li
ndelaniwil
lbet he
preceder."

Lwaziwassofuri
ous.Hegotupshoutingand
scr
eamingathisgrandf
ather
,heevenwantedt
o
punchhim,
butLi
ndel
anipi
nnedhi
mt othegr
ound
andbeathi
m sobadl
y,t
hatt
woofhisteet
hcame
out.

I'
vehonestl
yhadenoughdramaforaday.Thi
s
Lwazii
diotdeci
dedtorui
nThat
o'sbeaut
if
ulf
uner
al
l
ikethi
s.

KingZuri
:"
Guar ds,
takehi m away.Heisnol ongera
pri
nceasoft odayandasf ortheremai
nsofZi nhle,
burnthem orfeedthem tomor eani
mals.Idon't
carewheretheygo, butthi
sgr oundshallnolonger
betai
ntedbyf i
lthl
ikeLindiweorLwazi."

Wow.Iguesst heyreal
lywer
eseri
ousabout
mendingthebrokenbondbet
weenthem.Wesaid
ourgoodbyesandheadedtotheai
rpor
t.Wefound
thej
etwaiti
ngforusandwehoppedr i
ghti
n.

Iwi
shIcoul
dsayIwasonmywayhomeal
ready,
butIhadanothercer
emonyt oatt
endatt he
GumedeRoyalHouse.Lucki lyEshowei sn'
tthatfar
fr
om here.Weaskedt hattheydoi tt
odayaswe
j
ustneedtoheadbackt oCapeTownt osettlein
whil
ePhilaandSbulookf orKele.We'vealready
l
ostawhol eweekwithoutprogress,wecan'taffor
d
anymoret i
melost.

Wegott ot heGumedeRoyalHouseandl uckily

everythi
ngwassetf orus.I twasmyf i
rstt i
meher e
andi t
'squiteabeaut if
ulmansi on.Thef urnit
ure
i
sn'tquitemyst yle,butIguessi t'
showt hingsar e
doneher e.QueenZi nhleont heotherhandl ooked
l
esst hanpl easedt oseeme, butIunderst and.I'ma
productofherhusband' sinfi
deli
tysoshehasno
reasontol i
keme.Bongi nkosiwasmor et han
pleasedofmypr esence, evenaf ewotherr oyals
andhi ssibli
ngs.Hi ssons, however,sharedt he
centimentsast hei rmot her.

Wef
oll
owedhi
mtot
hei
rancest
ralcor
neratt
he
backofthei
ryar
dandhi
suncl
epr
oceededwi
tht
he
ceremony.

Uncle:"Gumede,Qwabe, MngunikaYeyeye, Khondl

o,
OSidlabehl
ezibakaPhakathwayoAbat hibedla,
bebebeyengaumunt ungendaba,Bethi
,"Dluyeya
ngenhlana,umalokazanaubeyethe,kuyikhuni
si
dingidayoyodaba!"Kantibahl
inz'
imbuzi,
Malandela,ngokulandel
'i
zinkomozamadoda,
Phakathwayo!(clannames) .
"

Hepr oceededwi t
ht heceremonyandt hey
welcomedmebygi vingmeaname.Hegaveme
thenameNonhl anhlameani ngLuck.SinceIam t
he
onlyfemal echi
ldofKi ngBonginkosi,
Iwould
apparentl
ybr i
ngmor eluckandblessi
ngstothe
Gumedef amil
y.

LuckyIwon'
thavetocomebackagai
nformy
l
obolacel
ebr
ati
ons.Speaki
ngther
eof,
wehaveput
i
tonholdduetoall
thi
sdrama.Itwoul
dn'
tbefai
rto
cel
ebr
ateamongstsomuchpai
nandmi
ser
y.

Mymot herhadtogobacktoPret
oriat
ofet ch
Thando'
skids.Shesai
dshewoul dcomebackwi th
them.I'
m notsureI
'
m evenreadyfort
hatbecause
thoseki
dsaresounrul
y.Perhapsmymot herhas
taughtt
hem athi
ngortwoaboutmannerisms.

Itwasn'tsuchal ongfli
ght.Bytheti
mewear r
ived
wewer esot i
red.Noneofuswant edtotal
kmuch.
IjustheadedstraighttobedwhilePhi
lasaidhehad
somebusi nesstot akecareofwithSbu.Isaida
l
ongpr ayerassoonasIgoti nt
omyr oom aski
ng
Godt ogiveusst rengt
handbewi thKelenowmor e
thaneverbefore.

Phi
la

Il
ookedatmybrotherandIwasverydefeat
ed.For
onceIhavenot
hingtossytoconsol
ehim.My
brotheri
ssohur t
,Idon'tknowifhe'l
leverrecover
from thi
s.Rightnowourmai npri
ori
tyisfi
nding
Kele.Thelastti
meSbuwast hi
smi ser
ablewas
whenhehadhi sfi
rstkil
l.Ireal
lymisstheoldSbu,
thefunnyandnonchal antSbu.Ineedmybr other
back.

We'resoti
red,
butit'
snousesl eepingnownot
knowingwhatScorpionispl anni
ngwi thKele.Mr.
Zakeswassohar dtot r
ack,butironical
lyheli
ves
ri
ghtherei
nLaLuci a,notfarfrom mymot her
's
house.SbuandIhavewai tedlongenough.We
deci
dedtogot ohishouse.

Everyonewasasleepsowedeci dedtoheadout .
Justthetwoofus.Wef oll
owedt headdressTony
sentusviaGPS.Justl i
keal lt
hehousesher e,Bra
Zakes'housei
shuge, withhighwallsandsome
seri
oussecuri
ty.Healsohascamer asr i
ghtatthe
gate.Iguessalmostallthegangstersreti
rehere.
Wegott othegateandpr essedtheInter
com.Br a
Zakesrespondedaf
terashortwhi
le,
rat
herexci
ted
toseeus.It'
sbeenawhile.

BraZakes:"
Hehe,Baf
anabami(myboys)
,zi
nja
zami(myboys)!Ningthol
ekanj
ani(
Howdidyou
fi
ndme) ?
!"

Phil
a:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Shosho,gr
ootman(Bi
gman) ,
we
haveourways.Imustsayyou'
rehar
dtotrack
man."

Br
aZakes:
"Letmeopent
hegat
e.Ngenani(
Come
i
n).
"

Wedr oveinandheclosedthegateshortl
yaf
ter
.
Hisyardisalotsi
milarl
ikemom's.Ithasahuge
gardenandwat er
fal
lsbutcamerasl
iter
all
y
everywhere.Hemetusbyt hedoorandhuggedus
onebyone.
Br
aZakes:
"Comei
n,boys.
"

Wewal kedinandhi shousewashuge;Gol dand

whi t
ecol our
severywher e.Whatdi dweexpect ?
He'sbeenagangst erprettymuchal lhisli
feand
nowt hathe'sinhi
ssi xt
ieshe' ssett
leddownr eal
ly
wel l
.Wewer emetbypi ct uresofhi
m andhi swif
e
andki dsevengrandchildr en.Peoplereall
ydo
changeandI '
m pr
oudofhi m.Hewasr eal
lyli
kea
fathertoSbuandIevent houghwedi dcr i
me
together.

Hepouredussomewhi
skeyandwesatdowni
nhi
s
l
ounge.

BraZakes:
"Baf
anas(Boys)
,whyungat
hininest
ress
so(Whydoyoul ooksostr
essed)
?"

Weexplai
nedthewholesi
tuat
iontohi
m;fr
om us
wor
kingfort
hemafia;t
ousmeet i
ngourwivest
o
Sbul
osi
nghissonandnowweneedhi
shel
pto
l
ocat
eKele.

BraZakeswasrat
hersad.Heisoneoft hefew
peopl
ewhoactual
lytakef
amilyr
eallyseri
ousl
y.I
f
you'
veworkedf
orhim bef
ore,
you'
llknow.

BraZakes:"
Saynomor e,baf
anas( boys).Idon'tdo
cri
meanymor easyoucansee, butIhavesome
connecti
ons.I'
m honouredtoseehowwel lyoutwo
haveturnedout
.WhenIhear dyout woar ethe
actualCobr
aandBl ackMamba, Iwasver y
i
mpr essedbutmostlyproudofyout wo.You' ll
al
waysbef amil
y,youknowt hat
.Asf orScorpi
on,
He'sdeadtome.Ihaven' tseenhimi nyearsand
wordisthatheisNatasha'sbabydaddy.Hecal l
s
meever ynowandt hen,butIneverbot her
edt o
checkwherehelives."

Wesuddenl
yfel
thopef
ul.
Sbu:
"Thatmeanswecancal
lhi
m andt
racet
hecal
l,
mos?"

BraZakes:( Shaki nghi shead)" No, no, Sbuda.

You'veal waysbeenahothead.Youneedt ouse
yourheadt histime.Remembert hatf uckerhas
yourwi feandshe' spregnant .Theyal readyki ll
ed
yourson, youwoul dn'twantt oendagert heunbor n
kids.Listen, he'l
lgetsuspi ciousi fIcal lhi m
especiallyatt hi
shourt ryingt odosmal ltalk.He's
prett
ysmar tifyouguyscan' tevenl ocat ehim.I
haveapl an.Tr yt rackinghi snumberusi ngyourI T
guywi thoutcal li
ngyet .Ifthatf ail
s, youcanscar e
him byki dnappi nghi sson.Theboyi sar ound
Mamel odi .He' sst upidenought ohi dehi ski dina
townshi pwi thlazysecur i
ty.Icangethi mt aken,
don'twor ry.Youknowe' renotchi ldkillers,wej ust
needNat ashaorScor piont otalkl ongenoughwi t
h
yousot hatyou' reablet ot r
acet hecal l.Oncet hat'
s
donewe' l
lact."
Br
aZakeswasr
ight
.Cal
li
nghi
m nowwast
oor
isky.

BraZakes: "
Ihavesomeonei nmi ndwhocanhel p
you.He' saspecialOpsguyandhi ghl
ytrained
assassin.Hehashi sdemi ns, buthe'l
lhelpyou.
Don'twor r
y,youdon'thavetopayhi m,taket hi
sas
agiftfr
om me.Iknowver ywel lyoucanaf fordit
,
butit'
stheleastIcando.I 'l
llethim knowyouneed
him andhe'llcometoIvy'shouset omorrow
morning."

Iknewwecouldtrusthi
m.Heal
wayshadaway
outofever
ythi
ng.

BraZakes:"Sor
ryforyourl oss,boys.Iknowwhat
i
t'
sliketoloseachi ld.Itgetsbett
erastimegoes
on.Af t
eryoukillthatbrotherofmineandhis
bi
tches,pl
easef eelfreetoinvit
emet othe
weddings.
"
Wehuggedhi m andlefthishouse.Wewentback
homeandheadedst raighttobed.IfoundZee
alreadyinbedandIj ustwrappedmyar msar ound
herandki ssedhercheek.Thi swil
lbethelastti
me
weeverbecomet hi
ssl oppy.Scorpi
ontookKel e
andThat owhenwel eastexpect
edit.It
'sti
met o
putt hesoft
nessasideandl etMambaandCobr a
takeoverus.Idozedof faft
eralongwhile.

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning

Iwaswokenupbyacal lat6am f
rom anunknown
number.Ianswer editanditwastheguyBraZakes
sent
.Thespeci alopsguy.Appar ent
lyhegoesby
thenameMt hunzi.

Mthunzi
:"
Shosho,
Phi
la.Mthunziher
e.BraZakes
sentmetocomeseeyou.OpenupI '
m att
hegate.
"
Hmm.He' sverystr
aightfor
ward,mili
tarystyl
e.
We'regonnal ovehim.Icheckedt hemoni tor
sandI
sawhi scarwasabl ackAudiR8wi thver ydark
ti
ntedwi ndows.Hedi dn'
tbothert
oopenhi s
windowsoIl ethiminanywayandt ol
dhi mt ocome
str
aightin.Af terashortwhilehewalkedi nandI
nearl
yf aint
ed.Myhear tbeatsofastIjustcouldn'
t
beli
evei t
.Ist hisafucki
ngjoke?!
Chapt
erSevent
y

Phi
la

Hestoodher
easIst
aredathim wi
thaghastl
y
expr
essi
ononmyface.Thismustbeaseriousj
oke.
Sbucamedownthestai
rsandnearl
ymissedastep.

Mthunzi
:"
Shobras(
Guys) ,
yiniungat
hinibona
i
spokiso(Whydoesitseem li
keyou'
vejustseena
ghost
)?"
It
ri
edt
ospeak,
butwor
dsf
ail
edme.

Sbu:
"I
sthisafucki
ngj
oke?Whywoul
dBr
aZakes
sendLungahere?!
"

Thiscan'tbe.Lungai sinPret
oria,man.Thisguy
standi
ngher ei st
heexactrepli
caofLungaNgcobo,
j
ustabi tmor ebuffedupandadeepervoi ce.They
havethesamecompl exi
on,j
ustthatMthunzihasa
baldheadi nsteadofhaironhishead.I'
venever
beensoconf usedinmywhol eenti
reli
fe.

Mt
hunzi
:"
Hol
dup,
Lunga?Who'
sLunga?
"

Aswewer eabouttoanswer,Zeecameoutofthe
bedroom andscreamedi nhorr
orasshesaw
Mthunzistandi
ngbef or
eus.Herloudscream
causeduMa, GogoandMam' Masangot
ocomeout
ofthei
rbedroomsr unni
ng.
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Kwenzakal
ani(
What
'shappeni
ng)
?!
ZeeYi
ni(Whati
sit
)?!
"

Theyallt
urnedtousandwerejustasshocked,
exceptMam'Flor
ahofcour
se.

Mam'Florah:"
Hayi(
No)man.Ninedrama(You'
re
sodramat i
c).Kant
iyou'
real
lwor
ri
edabouthi
m?
He'
shar mless."

SbuandIlookedateachotherwhi
leMt
hunzij
ust
st
oodther
econf usedasf
uck.

Phi
la:
"Mam'
Masango,
car
etoexpl
ain?
"

Mam'
Masango:
"I
'l
llethim dot
hetal
king.Mf ana
wami
(myboy),
ukhul i
sweubani(
whor aisedyou)?
"
Mthunzi:"Sawubona(hel
lo)ma.Iwasr ai
sedinan
orphanage.WhenIwasababyIwasdumpedata
nearbyrivernotsofarfr
om theor
phanageIgr ew
upin.Thewomanwhor ai
sedmetoldmet hatmy
motherhadt winsandshedumpedoneasshe
beli
evedIwasacur seuponhermarri
age.She
wantedt osacri
fi
cemef orherevi
ldeeds,buther
pl
anf ai
led."

Wewer eal
lsoshocked.Zodwahasdonethemost
evi
lthi
ngsi
nlif
e.Iwonderhowthatol
dbit
ch
sl
eepsatni
ght.

Mam'Fl
orah:
"Uyamazi
umawakhoangi
thi(
You
knowwhoyourmotheris,
right
)?"

Mthunzi:
"Cha(No),ma.Ionl yheardshegoesby
thenameZodwa.I 'm sti
llyettof
indherandbeli
eve
mewhenIdoI '
llmakesur eshediesapainf
ul,
slow
deathandthatI'
mt helastpersonshesees.
"
Okay,
sohe'
sgotangerandhat
redt
owar
dsZodwa.
Somethi
ngweal
lhaveincommon.

Mam' Flor
ah:
"Al
right
.Don'tworry,
you'llf
indher
verysoon.Mant ombazana(gir
ls)
,asambeni
siyophuzait
ea(Let'
sgodrinksomet ea).
"

Weallknowbet
terthantoarguewi t
hMam'Flor
ah
soal
lthewomenf ol
lowedhertothekit
chen,
l
eavi
ngSbu,MthunziandIstandinginf
rontoft
he
door
.Wewentt otheloungetotalk.

Phil
a:"
Mthunzi,
Idoapol ogi
zeforwhatj ust
happened.Ithi
nkwehavet oexplainsomethi
ngto
you.Youlookexactlyli
kemywi fe'sexhusband,
you'
retheexactrepl
icaofhim.Hi smot her
,Zodwa
Ngcoboisthewomanyou' r
ereferri
ngto."

Ishowedhi
m somepi
ctur
esofLungaandZodwa.I
evenexplai
nedever ythi
nfZodwaandLungadi dto
Zee.Mt hunzijustbecamesost if
fasIshowedhi m
allt
hosepictures.Hisaurajustbecamemuch
darker,
Icant el
lthi
sguyhaski ll
edal otofpeopl
e.
Hedoesn'tseem l i
keabadper son,butIguessit
's
hisjob.

Mt hunzi:
"Iguesswewer edest
inedt omeet .You
havenoi deahowl ongI'
vewant edtoseet he
womanwhodumpedmeandl eftmet odie.She
choseonesonovert heother
.Ihadat ough
childhoodandi thasmademewhatIam t oday, al
l
thankst oher.AssoonasIf i
ndyourwi f
e,believe
meI '
l
lkil
lherandherl ousysonf oryou-f
orf r
ee.

SbuandIchuckl ed.Thisguyt al
ksaboutki ll
ingli
ke
i
t'
ssosi mpl e.IknowSbuandIt al
klikethat,buthe
doesitprettymuchever yday.Wedeci dedtoget
worki
ngaf terbreakfast
.Wej oi
nedthewomenf or
somebr eakfastandasusualGogoanduMakept
aski
ngpoorMt hunziquestions,notforgett
ing
Nokuhl
e.

Gog'
Khanyi

Aswel ef
ttogomakesomet eaandfood,
Iwas
shockedatwhatIsaw.Zodwai soneevil
bit
ch,yazi
.
NowIr ememberFloraht
ell
ingmeaboutherdeep
darksecret
.Perhapsweshouldremindherwho's
whoifshet r
iest
ofuckwit
husagai n.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Weh,
Florah,
whydidn'tyout
ellme
aboutthi
s?Wenearlygotaheartatt
ack.
"

Mam'Masango:
" Ah,Khanyi
sa.Uyaziukuthi(
You
knowthat
)Idon'thavetotel
lyoueveryt
hing,r
ight
?
Phel
aitwasboundt ohappen.Shehast oconfess
andthi
sboywillburnherali
ve.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Irememberyourvi
sionaboutherbei
ng
bur
ntt odeath!Yoh,mgnani
,don'
teverdi
ehey!
Ngizobainingaphandl
ekwakho(WhatwouldIbe
wit
houtyou) ?"

Weallchuckl
edaswecont
inuedt
omakesomet
ea
andbreakf
ast.

Phi
la

Aft
erbreakfastweheadeddownt othestudy.My
motherneverusesthisroom.Shehadi tbuil
twhen
webuiltherthehouse,shesaysitremindsherof
uBaba(Dad)andweusei twheneverwe'rehere.We
gotTonytot r
acethenumberbutasexpect editi
s
untr
aceable.

Wewast ednotimeandgotachopperwithBlazer
andaf ewguystogetScor
pion'
sson,t
heone
Natashatri
edtopi
nonme.Isweart hatbit
chwasa
mistake.Herdadshoul
dhavejustpul
ledoutand
savedusthemisery.DeepdownIknowSbu
wisheswecouldkil
lthechil
d,butwe'
renotl
iket
hat
.
Wedon'tspi
lli
nnocentblood-
ever.

Weal somadesur etouseabur nerphoneandmade

theconnect i
onunt r
aceabl
eonhi ssi de.Tonyset
upever yt
hingandwi thi
ntwohour st hechil
dwas
deli
veredtot hehouse.Wedi dn'thaveachoi cebut
todoever ythingatMa'shouse.Lucki lyt
heynever
i
nterfer
edoraskedt oomanyquest ions.
Mam' Flor
ahwasher efort
hat.

Thegent sbroughttheboyi nandwesetupt he

vi
deocal l
.IbeggedSbut obecal m becauseIknow
hecanl oseitanytime.Thephoner angand
Scorpionanswer editwi
thconf idence.Het hought
i
twashi sBr ot
her ,
BraZakes, buttohissurpri
seit
wasus.Thehousewascl earandt her
ewasnosi gn
ofKele,NatashaorShar on.

Sbu:
"Yah,
Scor
pion.Ni
cet
oseeyouagai
n."
Scor
pion:(
Shocked)"
Howdi
dyougetmynumber
?!"

Sbu:(
Chuckl
ing)"
I'
m amanofmanyt
alent
s."

Wecoul
dseeScor
pionwasanxi
ousandt
ri
edt
oact
t
ough.

Scorpi
on:(l
aughi
ng)"
Letmeguess,youwantt
osay
hitomydarli
ngnewwife,
right
?Letmespareyou
themiser
y."

HecalledKel eandsheappear edwithi

nami nute.I
couldseeSbu' sveinspoppingoutofhisf or
ehead.
Icanonl yhopeandpr aythatheremainscal mi n
orderforust okeeptheconversati
ongoi ngweneed
tobeabl etotracethelocat
ion.Kelecameont othe
screenlookingquitebeauti
fulandglowing.I
thoughtshewoul dlookhorribl
e.I'
m gladatleasthe
i
st aki
nggoodcar eofherandIhopeandpr aythat
hehasn'
ttouchedher
.Shel
ookedaf
rai
d,yett
ri
ed
tor
emaincalm.

Scor
pion:
"Don'
tbeshy,
baby,
sayhit
oSbuda.
"

Kel
e:(
tear
yeyed)"
Hi.
..HiSbu.
"

Sbu:(
tear
yeyed)"
Kel
e,Thembalami(
myhope)
.
Areyouokay?Di
dhehurtyou?
"

Keleshookherheadwit
ht earsst
reami
ngdownher
face.Iknowthatbr
okeSbubuthecan'taff
ordt
o
l
ookweaki nfr
ontofScorpionskhefor
cedhist
ear
s
backintohi
seyes.

Scor
pion:
"Don'
tcrybaby,yezwa(
okay)
.You'
l
lnever
seet
hismonstereveragain.
"
Sbu:
"I
'l
lcomef
indyou,
Kel
e.Ipr
omi
se.
"

Scor
pion:"
Sparemethedr
ama,Sbu.Yousawher
andi
twi l
lbeyourl
astt
ime.Got
tago.
."

Bef
orehehungupSbul
etoutourj
ackpotmove.

Sbu:"
Notsofast
,Scor
pion.Youhavesomethi
ngof
mine,andnowIhavesomethi
ngofyours.
"

Sbupul
ledt
heboyupandputhi
minhi
slapandI
coul
dseeScor
pion'
ssmi
rkf
adeonhi
sface.

Scor
pion:
"Howdi
dyou..Whatt
hefuckSbu!Iswear
,
i
fyouhurtmyson,I
'
llf
ucki
ngkil
lyou!
"

Wehear
dNat
ashai
nthebackr
oundscr
eami
ng.
Natasha:
"What?!TheyhaveTumi?!Howdidthey
fi
ndhim Scor
pion?!Iwon'tl
etmysondieatt
he
handsofSbu!Iwon'tlett
hathappen!
"

Scorpi
ongotupf orget
tingt hatKel
ewasinf r
ontof
themonitor.Hewassl appingNat ashat
ell
inghert
o
fuckoffwhileSbuusedt hischancetotr
yandget
Keletorevealt
heirl
ocation.

Sbu:
"Kel
e,l
ookatmeThembal
ami(myhope)focus.
Pl
easetel
lmewhereyouar
e.Whatdoyousee?"

Kele:(
scar
ed)"Iseemountains,
lotsandlotsof
them.We'reveryfarfr
om ot
herpeople,Sbu.I'
m
scaredImightneverseeyouagain."

Sbu:
"Focus,
Thembal ami(Myhope)
.Whatel
se?
Doyouhavepeopl ecomingi
nandout?What
l
anguagedot heyspeak?
"
Kel
e:"
Idon'
tknow,
Sbu.I
tsoundsPor
tug.
..
"

Keledi
dn'
tfi
nishhersentenceandScorpi
on
sl
appedhersohardshef elldown.Sbugotso
angryi
mmediatel
yandf umed.

Sbu:"Youtouchedmywi
feyoumot
her
fucker
?!I
'
ll
ki
llyourson!"

Scorpi
on:"
Wait!Sbu,hade(
I'
m sor
ry)
,br
o.Wecan
tal
k.Ididn'
tevensl
apherthathar
d."

Sbucutt
hecallandbangedt
het
abl
e.Scor
pion
mustbefr
ight
enedri
ghtnow.

Mt
hunzi
:"
Ithi
nkshewast
ryi
ngt
osayPor
tuguese.
"

Tonyandhi
steam wasont
heot
herl
ine.
Phi
la:
"Tony,
didyoumanaget
ogetal
ocat
ion?
"

Tony:
"Shosho,
Bozza(
Boss)84Sant
aTher
esa,
Brazi
l.
"

OurJetmightnotmakei
tint
ime.Whati
fthey
changel
ocati
ons?

Mt hunzi
:"
Getyourjetfuel
edandachopperon
standby.I'
llgetourjetf
rom t
hebase,weneedt
o
actnow.I '
llt
akeaf ewofmymenwi t
h.Bri
ngyour
bestment ome.We' rel
eavi
ngnow.Yout wost
ay
here."

Wenoddedandhel ef
tleavi
ngussotensedup.I
can'tevenrememberthelastt
imeIhadagood
night'
ssleep.
Kel
e

If
eltabi
tdizzyaft
erthatsl
ap.NowI
'
m ver
y
worri
edhe'
l
lkillme.

Scor
pion:
"Getup,
bit
ch!Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?!
"

Hegrabbedmeandmymout hwasbleeding.Iwas
sof
ri
ghtenedt
hatIwetmysel
fandIstart
edshaking.
Henoti
cedandchangedhi
stune.

Scor
pion:
"Ngiyaxol
i
sa,baby(I
'm sor
ry,
baby)
.Ij
ust
l
ostcontr
ol.Ididn'
tmeanit.
"

Natasha:(
Scr
eaming)"Cal
lthem back!You'reso
worri
edaboutthi
sfatbi
tchwhil
et hey'
reki
ll
ingmy
son!"
Scorpi
onslappedhersohardshefel
lontothe
ground.Hekickedhercont
inuosl
yunti
lshewas
unconsci
ous.Iwassoscar ed.It
houghtthi
swas
probabl
ymyl astdayonear
th.

Scorpi
on:"
Thatbi
tcht
alkst
oomuch.Pleaset
ellme,
baby,whatdi
dyoutel
lhim?IswearIwon'
thi
tyou
agai
n."

Kele:
"No.
.Not
hing.Ipr
omi
se.Ij
ustt
oldhi
mI'
m
okay.
"

Scor
pion:(
Smili
ng)"Yousee,t
hatwasn'tsohard.I
l
oveyousomuch, youknow.Sbuwi llneverst
eal
youawayfrom me.Come, l
et'
sgetyouchanged."

Hepull
edmetowardshim andmademegochange.
Thi
sguymustreal
lybebipolarbecausehi
smood
swi
tchesar
eonanotherl
evel.
Ichangedi nt
osomet hi
ngelse.Het ri
edhavingsex
withmet heot hernightandIwasscar edshitless.
Everyti
mehet ri
estosleepwi t
hme, hi
sdi ckdoesn't
getup.Idon' tknowi fit
'sGodorwhat ,butI'
m so
thanfulhehasn'ttouchedme.Hekeepssayi ng
we'regett
ingmar r
iedthisweekend.Hemademe
pickoutaweddi ngdress.Thismani sapsycho.I
oncehadt owat chhi mfuckingtheli
vingdaylights
outofNat ashaandShar oni
nhi ssexroom.

Hehassomanyt oysandr opesi nthereit

'sreal
l
y
scarystuff.He'sasadist;hef i
ststhem and
sodomizest hem whenevert heydef yhi
m.Hehi t
s
them withpainf
ulobjectsandheget ssatisf
iedfr
om
doingthat.I'
vebeensot r
aumat izedthispastweek
I'
m sosur pri
sedI'
m sti
llpregnant .

Shar
onhasdevel opedmorehatef
ormesayi ng
Scor
piondoesallthoset
hingstot
hem andnever
anyt
hingtome.Shesaysi t'
sbadenoughItook
Sbufrom herandnowIwat chmykidnapper
humi l
iat
eme.Idon'
tfeel
sorr
yfort
hem.They
kil
ledmysonandIwishnothi
ngbutdeat
hupon
them!

AfterafewhoursIfel
lasl
eepont hebed.Ihearda
l
oundbangdownst air
sandsawsmoke.Ihear d
somegunshot sandItr
iedhi
dingunderneat
hthe
bed,butScorpi
ongottomef i
rstandpull
edmeout
ofthebedroom usi
ngasecretdoorinhiscl
oset.I
tr
iedscreamingbuthepunchedmeandal lIsaw
wasdar kness.
Chapt
erSevent
yOne

Sbu

Ij
ustlosti
twhenIsawt hatfucklayhisfil
thyhand
onmyKel e.Icoul
dn'tt
akritwhenIhear dallthose
gunshotswhenMthunziwascommuni cati
ngwi th
usoverthephoneli
ne.Whati fKelegothurt?Ij ust
wentoutforasmokebef or
eIdidanythingst upid.I
wentbacki
ntot
hest
udyaf
teraboutt
enmi
nut
es.

Wehear dcommot ionandgunshot s,

butItrust
Mt hunzisinceIspecif
ical
lytol
dhim weneedt hem
ali
ve- al
lfouroft
hem.Mt hunziandhismensecured
Nat ashaandShar on,butKeleandScorpionwere
mowher etobefound.If el
tli
kethedevilwasreal
ly
testingme.Howcoul dthisbe?!Iwasthiscloseto
gettingherbackhome.

Ij
ustdroppedi
nmychai
rwi
tht
ear
srol
li
ngdown
myface.

Sbu:"
Ifail
edher,Bafo(br
other
).If
ail
edherandour
chi
ldren.Ifai
ledthem al
l.
"

Phil
a:"
No,Sbu.Ungakhul
umikanj
alo(
Don'
ttal
kli
ke
that
),man.We'l
lfi
ndher.
"
Hetr
iedconsoli
ngmebutIj ustwasn'theari
nghim.
Wehadtomovei mmedi atel
ysi nceBlazerandafew
menarecomi ngbackwithNat ashaandShar on.It
's
t
imetotort
uresendthoset wobi tchestohel
land
makesuretheystayther
e.

Phi
la

Seeingmybr ot
hersobr okenjustt
ear smeapar t.I
honestlydon'
tknowwhatIwoul ddoi tZeegot
ki
dnapped.Thi sisli
ter
all
ythewor stthingtoever
happent ous.It'
shardtostaysmiling,whil
eKeleis
bei
ngkeptagai nstherownwill.Ihopet hathavi
ng
Natasha'ssonwi l
lmakehersing.Weneedt hat
l
ocat i
on.

Sbujustleftt
hehousewhil
eIquickl
ywentt
osay
goodbyet oZee.Lif
eisj
usttooshor
t.Whati
fI
neverseeheragain?
Wel efttheNat asha'sboywi ththewomenandwe
wereof ftoPr et or
ia,toourspeci al warehouse.We
preparedal ltorturingdeviceswecoul dthinkof.
Natashai smi ne.Sbucandealwi thShar on,butthi
s
bit
chhasr uinedever ythi
ngofmi neeversi nceshe
setfoodi nt hi
scount ry.Ijusthat eitwhenabi t
ch
doesn'tgett hatyou' rejustnotintoher .Wechi l
led
outsidehavi ngaf ewbeer swhi l
ewewai tedfor
them toarr i
ve.Sbut ookoutaf ewci gar
et t
esand
smokedsi nceIdon' tsmokeatal l
.

Phi
la:
"Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
oqui
tthatt
rash?
"

Sbu:(Chuckli
ng)"
WhenmyKel ecomesbacki nto
myar ms.Shehat esthesmellofcigar
ett
esso
badly,
Ihavet obr
ushmyt eet
hbef oreIevenki
ss
her.Itol
dherIwoul dqui
tonourweddi ngday,butI
guessI'l
lhavetodoitsooner
."

Atleasthi
ssenseofhumori
scomi
ngback.I
t'
s
roughseei
ngwhatpaincandot
oaman.Ismiled
andshookmyhead.

Sbu:"
Ngiyabonga,Bafo(Thankyou,br
other).I
nevergottheti
met othankyouforbei
ngt heref
or
me.Ir eal
lyappreci
ateit
."

Phi
la:
"No,
youknowyoudon'thavet
othankme.
Bei
ngther
eforyoucomesautomati
cal
ly.You'
remy
bl
ood,Baf
o(Brot
her
)."

Sbu:"Ist
il
lseri
ouslyappr
eci
ateit
.Iknowallthi
sis
maki ngyouspendt i
meawayf r
om Zee.Assoonas
al
lthisisover,we'
retaki
ngourwivesawayona
welldeservedholi
dayondesti
nati
onsofthei
r
choice."

Phi
la:
"Well
,si
nceyouof
fer
ed,
Icanneversaynot
o
afr
eetri
p."
Wechuckl
edandsatinsi
lenceagai
nwaiti
ngf
or
t
hosetwoil
l-
rai
seddumbfuckstoarr
ive.

Zodwa

Lif
eissti
llt
hesameonmysi de.Lungahast r
iedto
gethisbusi
nessesupandr unningagain,butseems
l
ikePhil
ahasr ui
nedhisname-forgood.Nobody
wantstotouchhi m.Ievenwentbackbeggi ngto
Pier
ro'
smen, butt heysai
difIgobackagai nthey'
ll
havemeki l
led.I'vebeensteal
ingmoneyf rom
Davidtosurvive,butmainl
ytohel pLungastarthi
s
ownbusinesssi ncenoonewant stohelphim.

It'
samazi nghowpeoplewill t
urnthei
rbackonyou
whenyouhavenot hi
ng,for
get t
ingwhatanui sance
theywer ewhenyouwer eloaded.Ihavet aken
enoughmoneyf orLungatobeabl etogetupand
running.Ifoundnewsuppl ier
sallthewayf rom
Brazil.Wedon'tneedtheItali
ansanymor e,there'
s.
Belindahasapparentl
ywokenupf rom hercoma.I
haven'tgonetoseeher,andqui
tefr
ankl
yIdon't
care.IsuspectDavidhasgonetoseeherbecause
shehasn'tcal
ledcomplaini
ngaboutanyvi
sit
s.AsI
wasaboutt ogiveLungathemoney,myphoner ang.
Adonia,shemustbebear i
ngmegoodnewst his
ti
me.

Zodwa:
"Adoni
a,myonl
yfr
iend.Youmustcome
wit
hgoodnews."

Adoni
a:"
Iwish,dar
li
ng.You'
rerunni
ngoutofl
uck.
Yourl
onglostsonisbackandhe'scomi
ngforyou.
"

Isuddenl
yst
art
edshaki
ng.

Zodwa:"Noways!Whatareyousayi
ng,
Adoni
a?
Didn'
tyousayhedied?
!"

Adoni
a:"
Ther
e'sonet
hingyouf
ailt
olear
naboutevi
l,
nevermakeadealwi t
hthedevi
lbecausehecan't
betrust
ed.You'vebeenconsor
tingwithevil
for
yearsyetyouneverl
earnMazet.Comecl eanand
getsomehelpbeforehecomesf oryou."

Shehungupleavi
ngmei ndeept
hought
.Thisis
i
mpossibl
e.Ipaidthatbi
tcht
omakesuresheki
ll
ed
hi
m.

Kel
e

Iwokeupwi thheavyeyesandmycheekr eall

y
painful
.Itriedtot ouchmyr ightcheek,buti tf
el t
painful
.Iwokeupandcheckedmysur roundings.
I'
mi nadi f
ferentr oom thant helast
.Ican' tbelieve
thi
s.JustwhenIt houghtmybr eakthroughhad
comet hishappens.Scor pi
onmusthaveescaped
withmedur i
ngt heshoot ing.Tear sroll
eddownmy
faceonceagai n, butthenIr emember edt hedr eam I
hadwhi l
eIwassl eeping.That oappearedt ome
withtheverysamemanagai n,tel
li
ngmet opray.I
needtopray, soIimmediat
elygotdownonmy
kneesandst artedpr
ayi
ng:"DearGod,It
hankyou
forkeepi
ngmeandmyunbor nchildr
enali
ve.Ipr
ay
Lordthatyoumaypl easeprotectme.Pl
easekeep
Sbusisosafef orme,pl
easetakemebackhome
safel
y.Iprayi nJesusMightyName.Amen. "

AsIgotupandwi pedmyt earsoff

,IsawScor
pion
standinginfrontofme,lookingatmewi t
h
bewilderedeyes-Naked.Iswal l
owedhardasI
thought"thi
sisit.I'
m goingtogetraped.
"

Hewasstr
oki
nghi
speni
sst
ari
ngatme,
notmovi
ng
ani
nch.

Scor
pion:"You'
ret
hereasontheytookmywhor es!
Youli
edt ome!Youliedtomesayi ngthatyou
di
dn'
ttellSbudaanyt
hing,andforthatyou'
llbe
puni
shed."
Igotsoscaredt
hatIkeptprayi
ngsi
lent
ly.Hekept
str
okinghi
spenisbuti
tjustwasn'
tgett
ingup.

Scorpi
on:(fr
ustr
ated)"Dammi t
!You' vebeenof ft
he
hookfortoolongKelebogil
e,andr i
ghtnow, I
'l
lhave
topuni
shyousi nceyou'ret
her easonInol onger
havewhor estopl
ayaroundwi th."

Hecamecl osert
omeandIr ecall
edtheni
ghtBr
ian
sol
dmet ohisdealer
sasform ofpaymentf
orhi
s
debt.It
houghttomysel
fthere'
snowayIcango
thr
oughthatagai
n.Notthi
stime.Noteveragai
n.

Hewal
kedcl
osert
ome.

Scorpion:
"Getdownonyourknees!I
t'
sti
met osuck
mydi ckbacktoli
fe.
.Ican'
twaitt
ofuckyou.I'
ve
neverfuckedapregnantwhor
ebefor
e,Iheart
hey'
re
rhebest."
Iwantedtocrysobadl y,butthenIt houghtt i
met o
beweakhascomet oanend.Ihavebabi est hat
dependonmef orli
fe.Ineedt ofight.Idon' tknow
whereIgottostrength,butIkneltdownandge
pushedhimselfint
omymout h.Isuckedi tonceor
twi
ceandt henIclungmyt eethontohi sdickas
hardasIcould.Hescr eamedouti npai n.

Scor
pion:
"Fuck!Youbi
tch!
"

Hesl appedmebutIdi dn'tletmyteethgo.Iused

myl ongnailstogr abholdofhi sball
sandIpul l
ed.I
pull
edhi speni
swi thmyt eethashardasIcoul d,
ri
ppingof fapi
eceofhi sdick.Ispatitoutandr an
outoft hebedroom asf arasIcoul d!Il
efthim
screami ngandwai li
ngint hebedroom.Ir anoutof
thehouseandl uckil
ytherewer ehousesaf ew
met r
esawayf rom eachot her,
eventhought hi
sone
wasal soonamount ai
n.

Idi
dn'
tevencar
eifIwoul
dgeteat
enbywi
ld
animalsorbit
tenbysnakes,butallIknewwasthatI
hadt ogetoutofther
e.IranasFastasIcould
tr
yingtoducktreesandstones.AsIwasr unni
ngI
accident
all
ytri
ppedononebi gstoneandfel
l.

Iwasr oll
ingdownthemount ain,getti
nghitmy
treesandr ocksi
ntheprocess.It ri
edtograbont
o
oneoft hetrees,
butmygr i
pf ai
ledme.AsIkept
roll
ingIrememberhitt
ingsomet hingreal
lyhar
d
wi t
hmyheadandIsawdar kness.

Sbu

Blazerandaf ewofourboyscameaf terwewai ted

forhalfanhour .TheygotNatashaandShar onout
oftheVi t
o,wi t
ht hei
rarmsti
edbehi ndtheirbacks
andbagscover ingthei
rheads.Theymadet hei
r
wayi ntothewar ehouseandrightthenIswi t
ched
from thevulnerableSbuwithfeel
ings,tothe
mer ci
lessMi ghtyCobra.
Phil
aandIf ollowedthem i
nast heyunt
iedthetwo
bit
chesandt iedthem sothatthei
rarmsstayedin
theair
,withropeshangingfrom thecei
li
ng.They
uncoveredtheirfacesandstri
ppednaked,andthey
weresoshockedandscar edtoseeus.Shar onwas
abouttoshitherself.

Sbu:"
Jah,
zif
ebe( bi
tches).Welcometomyt er
ri
tor
y.
Bekumnandinisebenzisaikukuzenu(I
twasnice
whenyouwer eusingyourpussies)t
okidnapmy
wif
eandson, angit
hi(r
ight)
?!"

Shar
on:(Cryi
ng)"
Sbu,
Icanexplai
n,baby,
itwasn'
t
me.Natashamademedoi t
.Ibeggedhernott oki
ll
That
o,butshemademedoit."

Nat
asha:"
Voetsek(
pissof
f)youSni
tch!Youwer
ein
ont
hisjustasmuchasIwas."
Phil
a:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Sbuda,l
etmeleaveyout
oit
.
Star
twit
hSharon,butNat
ashai
smi ne.
"

Whi l
etheywerearguing,
Iputonmycl ovesand
pull
edthefamoustrol
leytowardsme.Isawf earin
thei
reyesasIdidthatandtheyswall
owedhar d.
JusthowIlovetoseemyvi cti
ms-f
ulloffear
.

Shar
on:"
Wha.
..Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
ome,
Sbu?"

It
ookashar
pkni
fef
rom t
het
abl
e.

Sbu:
"Iwarnedyou,Sharon.Iwarnedyoutostay
awayfrom Kel
e,butyoudidn'
tli
sten.Now,I
'm
goi
ngt oaskyouafewquest i
onsandyou'dbett
er
comply.YouknowhowIgetwhenyoudon' tl
ist
en,
don'
tyou?"
Shewassoscar
edshej
ustnodded.

Sbu:
"Ri
ght
.Let
'sgetst
art
ed.Whosepl
anwasi
tto
ki
dnapThat
oandKele?
"

Shar
on:(
trembl
ing)"
M..
.Mi
ne.I
twasmi
ne.
"

Sbu:
"Okay.Fort
hatyoul
oseoneear
."

It
ookthekni
feandcutoutherl
eftearasf
astasI
coul
d,l
eavi
ngherscr
eaminginagony.

Shar
om:"
Please!Pl
easeSt
op,
Sbu!I
'
m beggi
ng
you!
"

Asshewasscreami
ngat
rai
lofpi
sswasr
unni
ng
downherl
egs.
Phi
laandIchuckl
ed.

Phil
a:"Hawu, Shaz.Youhavesuchabi gmouthI
thoughtyouwoul dtakelongertopissyoursel
f,man.
TakeNat ashaher efori
nstance,
thistal
lbi
tchtook
twohour stot odothat.Sheshithersel
fassoonas
Idumpedhert al
lassinapoolofaci d.Lookhow
prett
yshel ooksnow. "

Il
aughedsohar
dIhadt
ear
sinmyeyes.

Sbu:
"Nextquest
ion,
whoki
ll
edmyson?
!"

Sharon:
"I
t.
.ItwasNatasha.Ibeggedhernottodoi
t,
butsheshothiminst
eadr i
ghti
nfrontofKel
e."

Sbu:"Ri
ght
.Fort
hatyouloseanot
herear
,because
youfail
edt
ocometoyoursensesandcal
lme."
Icutof
fherr
ightherandshescr
eamedsomemor
e.

Sharon:"
Please,
please,Sbusi
so.I
'
lldoanyt
hing.
Justplease,l
etmego. "

Sbu:
"Ibett
hat
'swhatKelewassayingwhenyou
sawmysonbei ngki
ll
ed,ri
ght
?Tel lmewhatshe
sai
d,Shaz.Whatdidshesayasyourf r
iendhere
hadthegunpoint
edataninnocentfi
veyearold?
Tel
lme."

Shar
on:(
sni
ff
ing)"
She.
.She.
."

Sbu:"
Youknow,inallthesixyear
swe' vebeen
marri
edIdon'tr
ecal
l hear
ingyoust ut
ter.Nowthat
you'
reli
veonstage,youwantt ostutt
er?Comeon,
ShazzyShaz.Speak!"

Shar
on:
"She.
.Shewasbeggi
ng.Shet
oldme.
.Tol
d
ust
ostop.Shepleadedwi
thustost
op,
toki
llher
i
nst
ead.Shesaidshewoul
dstayawayfr
om youif
wel
etthem go"

Sbu:"
Butdi
dyoul i
sten?Nope.Youhat chedaplan
wit
hthedevilScor
piont ogetbackatme, Shar
on.
Nowmysoni sdeadandmypr egnantwifeisi
n
dangerwhi
leyou'r
ebr eathi
nghereinfr
ontofme. "

Shar
onwi
denedhereyesi
nast
oni
shment
.

Shar
on:
"Ke.
.Kel
eispr
egnant
?"

Phil
a:"
Yes,
shei
s.Wit
htwins.You'r
enottheonl
y
fer
ti
lewomanonear
thaf
terall
,Shazzy.
"

Ithi
nkatthatmomentithadsunkintoSharon'
s
headthatshi
twasabouttohitt
hef an.Sheknew
verywellhowIf
eltaboutchi
l
dren,
especial
lymy
chi
ldr
en.

Sharon:
"Sbu,
li
sten.Icanl
eavethecount
ryand
nevercomeback.Ididn'
tknowshewaspr egnant
."

Iputt
hekni
feont
het
rol
ley,
tookapai
rofpl
ier
s.

Sbu:"
You'vealwaysbeensovain,Shar
on.You
nevertookcareofmeoryourkids.Iwonderwhat
you'
dlooklikewit
houtteet
h?"

Itookoutfourofherfrontt
eet
hwiththepli
ers,
then
proceededtoremovet woofherbi
gtoes,andtwoof
herthumbs.Shewasscr eami
ngoutinpainas
usualbutIwasn'tsat
isfi
ed.

Sbu:"
Hmm.Thismakoverisnotquiter
ight.
Somethingi
smissi
ng.oh,yes.Ithi
nkyouandyour
fr
iendshoul
dhaveamatchingface,
don'tyout
hink,
Phi
la?
"

Phil
a:"
Yes,
thatwoul
dbeperfect,Sbu.Tel
lyou
what,r
emovebothhereyessinceshehasalready
seentoomuch."

Sbu:"Niceidea.HowcomeInevert houghtofthat.I
wantt obet hel astpersonyou'l
leversee,Sharon.
Letthisbear emi ndertochangeyourways.Af t
er
this,
I'
llsendyoubackhomeandyourpr eci
ous
familywi l
llookaf teryouunti
lthedayyoudi e.
You'llnevergett oseeNokuhl eorNobuhl eontheir
fi
rstdayofschool ,orwhentheygraduateorget
mar r
ied.You' llbehaunt edbyyourevilacti
onsfor
l
ife."

Shar
on:(
wai
li
ng)"
Sbu,
please!
"

Icl
awedoutbothhereyesusi
ngmyhands,l
eaving
herbl
ind.Shescr
eamedoutinagonyandbegged
met
oki
llher
.

Shar
on:"
Justki
llme,
Sbu.Ki
llmebecauseIhave
not
hingtol
ivef
oranymore.
"

Sbu:"
Kill
ingyouwon'
tdomeanyj ust
ice.Itwoul
d
befartooeasy.GoodbyeSharon.Haveani cet
ime
i
nOr angeFarm.Ican'
tpromiseanyvisi
ts,t
hough.
"

ItoldBl
azertotakeherawaywhi l
eshewas
screami
ng,leavi
ngNat ashaoutofwor
ds.I
removedmygl ovesandsatdownonmychai rand
tookoutasmoke.

Sbu:
"Phi
la,
it'
sshowt
ime.
"

Phi
la
IlookedatNat ashashelookedlikehel l
.Shewas
halfbli
nd,andbur ntt
oshit.IfIwer eherIwoul
d
havebeggedScor pi
ontoputabul letinmyhead.
Thisbitchisgulyasfucknowandf orsomeonewho
l
ivedonout erbeautyallherl
ife,
star i
nginthemi
rr
or
mustbehel l.

Phila:"
Ja,Natasha,dint
shang,ngwana( What's
cooking,girl
)?Youl ookli
keshithey.Ican'tbeli
eve
sfebesenesej ewangkeeverybodygasadumi sa
niks(Ican'tbeli
eveyoulookli
ket hi
sforawhor e
whousedt obef uckedbyeveryone).Scorpionnea
gonyobabj angmar a(HowcouldScor pi
onst omach
fuckingyou) ?
"

Sbu:
"Ibetheal
waysf
uckedherf
rom behi
nd.
"

SbuandIl
aughedsohar
dwi
tht
ear
sinoureyes
whi
leshest
art
edcryi
ng.
Sbu:"
Eh!Sfebesesalla,
Mamba( Thi
sbitchi
s
cryi
ng).Got homaneng"Tall
estbit
chintown"al
la
(si
ncewhendoest hetal
lestbi
tchintowncry)
?Ee
nyakarecordingmf
ana(Thisdeservestobe
recor
ded).
"

Nat
ashacr
iedevenl
ouderaswel
aughedhar
der
.

Phil
a:"Yout
houghtIwoul
dn'tfi
ndout?Thatyou
weretheonewhobodyshamedmywi feonsoci al
media?YoushouldhavestayedawaywhenIt old
youto.ImeanIwentont vjusttowarnyou,boo.
Nowl et'
sgetdowntobusi
ness,whereisScorpion
hidi
ng? "

Nat
asha:"
IfIt
ellyouyou'
l
lki
llmeanyway.
"

Phil
a:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Whosai
danyt
hingaboutki
ll
ing
you?"
Shekeptqui
et.

Phi
la:
"Sbu,callhome.Let
'sgi
veMs.Mot
hupiher
e
som moti
vation."

Sbuvi
deocal
leduMaandsheanswer
ed.

Sbu:
"Yebo,Ma.Ngicel
aubekel
omfanaef
oni
ni(
Hi,
Ma,pleaseputt
heboyonthephone)
."

Sheputhi
minf
rontoft
hescr
een.

Ma:
"Sayhel
lo.
"

Hewaspl ayingandmakingbabysoundsasSbu
showedNat ashathescr
een.Sheletoutat
earas
hecalledhermamawhensheappear edonthe
screen.Sbuhungupaf t
erafewseconds.
Phi
la:
"See?Thatwi l
lbet
hel
astmemor yengr
aved
i
nyoui fyoudon'
ttel
lmewhereScor
pionishi
ding.
"

Natasha:
"He.
.He'shi
dingi
nhi sot
herhouseinRio
deJaneri
o.It'
sabout5km awayfrom whereyou
foundus.There'
sadoorbehindiswardrobe
l
eadingtoatunnelt
hatwil
lleadyouther
e.

Sbumadet
hecal
ltoMt
hunziandhesai
dhewason
i
t.

Phil
a:"
Thatwasn'tsobad,nowwasi t
?Ilikei
twhen
youcomply.I'
llhavemercyonyou.Iwon' tr
uin
anythi
nganymor esi
ncethere'
snothi
ngleftt
oruin
onyourshit
tybody.I'
llmakesureyournewpi mps
tr
eatyouwellbygivi
ngyouf oodandwaterin
China.
"

Shest
art
edscr
eami
ngandbeggi
ng.
Phil
a:"
Don'tl
ooksosad,youwereasexslavefor
Scorpi
on.Weknowal laboutt
henaughtyroom.
You'l
lhaveplent
yoff
unbeingasexslavefor
dozensofmen.Haveagoodt ime.
"

Shewasscr eamingasBl azerl

eftwithher
.Wegot
theboystocleanupt hemessShar onmadeand
nowi twasawai t
inggame.Wewai tedforfeedback
from Mthunzi
.IcouldseehowRel ievedSbuwas
afterwhathadjusthappened.Peopleneedt olearn
tolist
enwhenwesaydon' tpokeasnakef r
om its
hole.
Chapt
erSevent
yTwo

Zi
yanda

It'
sbeenar oughfewweeks.It
'samazinghow
strongyourfai
thgrowswhenyou'r
eexperi
enci
ng
turmoili
nyourli
fe.I'
minastateofpeacenow.
Spendingti
mewi ththetwi
nsandt aki
ngoverduti
es
from Mam'Ivyhashel pedmeal ot
.Nat asha'
sson
wast akenbyMr .Zakesandwillnowber ai
sedby
them permanently.

They'
react ual
lynotthatbad,j
ustahandful.
Nokuhlekeepsaski ngmesomanyquest i
onsabout
myhai rbeingreal,
soIletherplaywithi
t,whi
le
Nobuhlel i
kesdoingmynai l
s.Mam' Ivyi
sso
great
ful,shegetstospendsomet i
mewithGogo
andMam' Flor
ah.

Ihaven'tbeenspeaki
ngtoanyoneelsemuch,andI
feelsobadaboutnotkeepingtabsonPorsche
sincetheinci
dent.SoIdecidedtogi
veheracall
.

Porsche:
"Yoh(
Wow)!Modi
mowaphel ahl
e(Godi
s
al
ive)!Wenawamfonel
a(youcal
ledme)!
"

Ismi
led.Theol
dPor
schei
sback.Isomet
imes
wonderhowshemanagest
obouncebackf
rom
hect
icshi
t.

Me:"
Hell
o,Mokgot
si(
Fri
end)
.Okaef
ela(
Howar
e
you)
?"

Porsche:"
Skawar akanna(
Don'
tworr
yaboutme)
.
Let'
stalkaboutyou.Howhaveyoubeen,
Tsal
a
(f
ri
end)?"

Me:(
deepsi
gh)"
Ah,
Kazamahey(
I'
mtr
ying)
."

Porsche:
"That'
snotgoodenough.We'
llt
alkwhenI
getther
e.I'l
lbelandi
nginafewminut
es.Ciao!
"

Shehungup.Porscheisser
iousl
yli
keasist
erto
me.Ihonest
lydon'
tknowhowIcoul dli
vewit
hout
her
.Andnowwi thKelest
il
lmissi
ng,Ineedagood
ol
dfri
end.
Gog'
Khanyi

Thingswer esti
llabitt
ensebutwecan'tkeep
dwelli
ngont hebadst uf
fallday.Fl
orah,
IvyandI
weresi t
ri
ngout sideinthegardenwatchi
ngZeeand
thekidspl ayintheirpl
ayhouse,whil
ewesi ppedon
ourbever ages.IgaveuponFl or
ahlongago.She
ref
usest ot ast
eevenal it
tl
ebitofal
coholeversince
shest oppeddr i
nkingyearsago.

Myphonekeptr
ingi
ngandIignor
edit.I
t'
sbeen
ri
ngi
ngofft
hehookandbeepingwit
hmessages
si
ncethi
smorni
ng.

Ivy:"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngtoansweryourphone?Hayi
phelayou'
refamoust
oday.
"

Gog'
Khanyi:(
rol
li
ngmyeyes)"
Hayi,i
t'
smyToyBoy.
Oh,Nkosiyami(
Mygoodness)Isometi
meswi
shI
neveropenedmylegsf
orhim.NowthatIdi
dhe
j
ustcan'tst
opcal
li
ngandtext
ingme.
"

Fl
orahandI
vyj
ustl
aughedatmesohar
d.

Gog'
Khanyi:"Mxm.Ni yahleka(You'
relaughi
ng)?
That'
snotfunnyatall,youknow.What '
swor sehis
gi
rl
fri
endisbusyhar assingme.Shekeepssendi ng
meannoyingmessagest ost ayawayfrom herman.
uTonyyenahe'scatchingf eeli
ngsat
hi(saying)he
l
ovesme.Cabangani( I
magi ne).
"

Theyjustbur
stouti
nlaught
ermaki
ngf
unofme
l
eavingmesof r
ustr
ated.

Mam'Masango:"
Itol
dyouukuthi(
that
)shewould
showyoufl
ames.Uthandai
zint
onawe( Youl
ike
thi
ngs)
."
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ngi
yazi
sol
ayazi(
Iregr
eti
t,youknow)
."

I
vy:
"Ij
ustwantt
oknowonet
hing:I
shegood?
"

Mam'
Masango:
"HawuI
vynawe!
"

I
vyl
aughed.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yoh,hayishem.Uyar
ockal
omf
ana
(
thatboyr
ocks)
!"

Mam'Masango:
"Ubuzel
aniwenaI
vy(
Whyareyou
aski
ng)
?Mxohasbeengonef ort
wel
veyear
snow."

Ivy:(
laughi
ng)"hayiwenaFlor
ah,doyout
hinkI
couldlivef
orthatl
ongwithoutsomesex?I'
m al
so
human. "
Gog'Khanyi
:"
Oho,Flor
ahhasbeenar ebor
nvi
rgi
n
eversinceI
saacdied.Akafuniukuzwaubumnandi
(Shedoesn'
twanttofeelgood).
"

Webot
hlaughedwhi
leFl
orahshookherhead.

Mam'
Masango:
"I
'drat
herdevotemyti
met oGod.
Menar
eahandful
.Besides,sexi
sn'
tthatexci
ti
ng.
"

Webot
hpoppedoureyesst
ari
ngather
.

I
vy:
"Justwai
tunt
ilyoudot
he69.
"

Mam'
Masangi
:"
60bani(
sixt
ywhat
)?"

Webot
hlaughedatherwhi
leshewasl
eftconf
used.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Uzobona(
You'
l
lsee)oneday.
"
Mam'Masango:
"Iwonderwhatyoursonswil
lsay
whentheyf
indoutthei
rmom isasexfreak.
"

Ivy:
"Abanachoice(theydon'
thaveachoice)butto
acceptit
.Angithinabobayenzaamasi xtyshades
(Theyalsodothosesi xt
yshadesst
uff
).
"

Mam'Masango:(
shaki
ngherhead)"
Manjewho's
t
hismyst
erymanwhomakesyoudot het
hings?
"

I
vy:
"I
'l
ltel
lyouoneday.
"

Welaughedaswecar
ri
edondri
nki
ng.Myphone
r
angagainandIwasf
orcedt
oansweri
t.

Gog'
Khanyi:
"Uf
unaniTony(
Whatdoyouwant
)?
Uyang'
hlupaman(You'
rebot
her
ingme).
"
Tony:
"Ah,sor
ryBabyG.Lewenankabeosang
maeziso(Youshouldn'
tbeignor
ingmel i
ket
his)
.
Wanghlansasan( Youdri
vemecr azy)
.Kogobona
neng(Whenwi l
lIseeyou)?
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Otlompona( You'l
lseeme)onceyou
putyourli
tt
legi
rl
fr
iendinplace.Want enakadi
messageket l
omot rapa(she'
ssendingme
annoyingmessages,I'
m goingtobeatherup)
."

Tony:(
Chuckl
ing)"
Ah,oraFi
ona?Nnakemo
hl
adil
e(Idumpedher)f
orwena(you)
."

IgotsoannoyedIst
oodupf
rom mychai
r.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Eng(
What
)?!Wagaf
aTony(
Areyou
mad)?
!"
Tony:
"Ei
sh,hade(sor
ry)BabyG.Flopokaoncanda
andwenagaoebonet abaeo(
Problem i
sIl
oveyou
andyoujustdon'
tseeit).
"

Thi
sboyi
sgoi
ngt
ogi
vemehi
ghbl
oodpr
essur
e.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Okay,bona(look)Tony,tsamayao
fel
let
saspaneonayakel eKele(Gof i
nishupyour
j
obandl ookforKele)andwe'llt
alk.
"

Tony:"
Ah,r
ef edi
tse,
bamokerei
lethat
'swhyke
nalenakoebaieforwenanouso(We'r
edone,t
hey
foundherhenceIhavesomuchtimeforyounow)
."

Gog'Khanyi:
"That
'sgoodnews!Okay,
bona(
look)
Tony.I'
llcal
lyoulater
,Ipr
omise.
"

Tony:
"Okay,gr
andshapmar
akaoncanda(
fi
ne,
but
Il
oveyou)."
Gog'
Khanyi
:(Rol
li
ngmyeyes)"
Shapl
enna.
"

IhungupandI
vyandFl
orahj
ustl
aughedatme.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Mxm.Lenal
abor
ashame(
Yout
woar
e
bor
ing)
."

I
vy:
"Hai
bo,
Khanyi
sa,
youspeakt
sot
sit
aalnow?
!"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Voetsek(pi
ssof
f)I
vy.Anyway,
het ol
d
megoodnews.Theyf oundKel
e.Let
'sgoprepare
anicefeastbef
oretheboyscomeback.
"

Ivy:
"That
'sgr
eatnewsoh,
Godisgood.My
daughterinl
aeiscomi
ngback.Asi
hambeni(
Let
's
go).
"
Wecall
edZeeandthegir
lsinandtol
dthem t
he
goodnews.Foroncethi
ngsarel
ookingup.Ihope
shecomesbackheal
thyandinonepiece.

Sbu

Aft
erweweredonewit
hNatashaandSharon,we
wait
edforMt
hunzit
oletusknowwhetherhefound
Kel
eornot.I
twasthemostanxi
ousthir
tyminutes
ofmyli
fe.

Whilehewasont heline,hetol
dushehadf ound
thehouse, butthesecur i
tywasr ealti
ght.Theyhad
toshootatl eastthi
rtyofhisguar dstogetinside
thehouse.Wekepthear inggunsbl azi
ngand
bull
etsgoingof f.Ihaven'tbeenpr ayi
ngregul ar
ly,
butIrecallmakingt helongestprayerofmyl i
fe
duri
ngt hattime.

Mt
hunzigoti
nthehouseandheandhi
smen
searchedt hewhole18r oomswi t
hnosi gnof
Kelebogi
le.Theyf oundScor pi
on,andevent houghI
wantedhim al i
ve,Mthunzihadtoshoothim since
hehadal readystart
edshoot i
ngupast orm befor
e
theywalkedi n.Apparentl
yScorpion'
sdickwas
bit
tenoff.

Isuspecthet ri
edtorapemywomanandshebeat
himt oit.Ihopehedidn'ttouchherotherwiseI'
l
lgo
aftereveryoneinhi
slif
e.I t'
sapi t
yhehadsuchan
easydeat h,butwhatmat t
ersmostr i
ghtnowi sKel
e
andmybabi es.Mthunziandhi smenpl anted
explosivesinthehousebef oretheyl
eftandmade
surethehousebur nttothegr oundwithall19of
them init.

Itol
dhimt okeepsearchi
ngthear eaandeven
thoughhewaswoundedbyonebul l
etfrom
Scorpi
on,hedidn'
tstoplooki
ng.Thi sguyisareal
warri
or,
nowonderBr aZakesr ecommendedhim.
Hekeptlooki
ngi nthewoodsandevent houghit
wasgetti
ngdarki nBrazil
,hefol
lowedfoottrail
s
andeventual
lyfoundher .Shewasbr ui
sedand
unconsci
ous,butatleastshewasbr eat
hing.He
gothisst
andbydoct ortoatt
endt oheri
nt hejetas
theyfl
ewbackthisside.

Wehadt ousemyj etwhichIhardlyevenuset o

headbacktoDur ban.We' r
ewaitingf orPor
sche
andDrakesinceshe'llbecomingal ongwithusto
LaLucia.Dr akehasbeensummonedbymet o
comeandat tendKele.Itrustnooneel sewithmy
woman.We' llmeetMt hunziandthewhol ecrewat
anearbypri
vat ehospit
al.Theroom hasbeenset
upwit
hal lt
heequi pmentneeded.

Fort hefi
rstti
mei nalongtimeIaskedPhilat
oget
downonhi skneesandpraywi t
hme.I '
venever
beent hi
sclosetolosi
ngsomeoneaf teruBaba(Dad)
died.Icansayt hataf
terprayi
ng,If
eltawhole
senseofr el
iefandser
enitycomingoverme.Kel e
al
wayst el
lsmet hatIshoul
dalwayspraynomatter
what;whetherI
'm happyorsadori ndi
str
ess,
prayerwil
lgetmet hr
oughanything.Ivowtomake
herhappyfrom nowonandpr otectherwit
hmyli
fe.

Chapt
erSevent
yThr
ee

Zi
yanda

I'
m sohappyt ohearthatKel
ehasbeenf ound.I
decidedt ocookupastorm.Ilettheel
derwomen
resttonight
.Ievendecidedtotakeoutoneofthe
bestwi nebottl
esf
rom theki
tchenandmakeaf ew
moj i
tosandsexont hebeach.

It'
sti
mef orMam' Fl
orahtoletlooseal i
tt
lebitand
thankGod.Por scheiscomi ngsot healcoholhasto
keepflowing.Idecidedtoevenbakesome
chocolat
eTr i
fl
eandt hekidswi l
lloveit
.Theywer e
busyhelpingmeandIwasenj oyi
ngi t
.
Itbr
okemyhear twhenNobuhlekeptsayingthei
r
motherneverdi
dsucht hi
ngswi t
ht hem.Ial
ways
askmyselfwhyGodal waysblesseswomenwho
don'
treal
lyyear
ntohavechi l
drenwi t
hchi
ldr
en
whil
esomeofusar eleftwit
hnone.ButGogosays
Ishoul
dneverquesti
onGod'sdoi ngs.OnlyHe
knowswhy.

Iwasdoneandt hegirl
shelpedmesett hetabl
e
andbringthefoodaswel l
.Imadesome
homemadepi zzaforthegirl
s,BeefLasagne,
RoastedChickenbreastswithcreamyspi nach
fi
ll
ingandsomer oastedLambwi t
hPot atoMash
andgravy.It'
sabitmuch, Iknow, butf
or8adul t
s
andtwokids?Thef oodwi l
lbefinishedwi t
hinan
hour.

Whil
eIaskedthetwinstogoandcal
lthebi
gladi
es,
Por
schewalkedinlooki
ngasstunni
ngasever.One
woul
dswearshewasn' tgoi
ngthr
oughsomerough
stuf
fafewweeksago.Isweart hi
sgirl
'sbodywas
speci
all
ycarved.Shedoesn'
tgainanounceoffat
.
Sherantowardsmeandwehuggedf orawhil
e.

Porsche:
"Hayi
,manZee.Yougethospi t
ali
zedfora
weekandyoucomebackl ookingl
ikethi
s?!No,
man.Weneedt of
ixt
hathairandstopdressi
nglike
Nozi.
"

Weburstoutinlaughter
.It
'sr
eal
lygr
eatt
ofi
nal
l
y
seeheraf
tersuchal ongti
me.

Me:"
It
'ssoni
cet
oseeyou,chomi(
fri
end).Wher
e's
Phi
laandSbu?Wer
en'tt
heysupposedtocome
wit
hyou?Andwhere'
sKele?"

Por
sche:
"Ei
sh,
chomi
.Gor
ofwai
tse(
It
'sbad,
hey)
."

Justt
henNobuhl
eandNokuhl
ecamebackr
unni
ng.
Nokuhle:
"Aunt
yZee,
ubanil
o(Who'
sthi
s)?She'
sso
pr
etty.
"

Por
sche:"
Befor
ewesayanyt
hingtoanyone,
gir
ls.
We'
realwayssupposedt
ogr
eet,r
ight
?"

Nobuhl
e:"
Sor
ry,
AuntyandGogohavebeent
ryi
ngt
o
t
eachus.Oldhabi
tsdi
ehard.
"

Por
schebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.

Porsche:
"Tj
owe!Keleotshwerebothat
amo(Kel
e
hasgotaser i
ouspr
oblem her
e).Banabakebo
MinnieSharonshem (
ThesetwoareMinni
e
Sharons)
."

Gogo,Mam'
IvyandMam'Masangocamet
othe
di
ningar
eaandgreet
edPor
sche.Wesatdownand
pr
ayed.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Manj
e(So),Port
ia,
baphil
abant
u
(
wherearet
hesepeopl
e)?"

Porsche:(
Deepsigh)"Kelewasfoundunconscious
i
nt hewoodsnotf arfr
om Scorpi
on'
shouse.She
tri
edtorunaft
ermanagi nganescapebutshefell
ont opofahugebr i
ckitseems.She'
sinj
ured,but
Drakesaysshe'l
lbeokay.PhilaandSbuwentt o
thehospit
alwit
hthem. "

Zi
yanda:"
Maybeweshoul
dgoseet
hem af
ter
di
nner.
"

Mam'Ivy:
"No,
dar
li
ng.Lett
hem restf
orawhi l
e.
They'
l
lcomebacksoon.Let'
sjustbethankf
ulthat
Kel
eisali
veandwell
."
Wemadeat oastt
oKel e.She'sonebr ave
mot herf
ucker.KnowingmeIwoul dhavepr obably
kil
ledmyselfintheprocess.Wehadabi toffun
eatinganddr i
nki
ngofcour se,Mam'Masangot r
ied
mySexont heBeachandImustsayi twentdown
sowel lsheaskedforasecondone.Gogowasso
happyshecoul dn'
tstopt al
kingaboutit.Wehad
somedesser tandPor scheandIputt hedishesin
thedishwasherandusedt hi
smomentasachance
tocatchup.

Por
sche:
"So,
tel
lme,
howar
eyour
eal
lyf
eel
ing?
"

Me:(sigh)"
Honestl
y,i
fyouhadaskedmet hat
questi
onaweekago, Iwouldhavej ustbawledup
andcried.Butnow,I'
m honestl
yinabet terpl
ace.I
t
wasmeantt ohappenandIj usthopethatoneday
I'
l
lgettohavemyownchi l
dren."

Por
sche:
"Youwil
l,
Zee.Doyouknowhowmuch
RobandIstr
uggl
edtohaveBai
ley?Wehadt
ogo
throughIVF.Imagineatmyage.I tcanhappent
o
anyone.You'l
lgetyourbabies,
love.You'l
lbe
blessedabundantl
y.Godlovesusal l
,babe.My
mot heral
waysdays" Modi
mogal ebalebanabagae
(Godneverforget
shischil
dren)
."

Por
scheal
wayssayst
her
ightt
hings.

Me:"
Thankyoumyfri
end.Now, t
ellme,
howcome
younevert
oldmeaboutwhatBel
indasaid?
"

Porsche:"It
'snoteasyt otal
kaboutone'spast
.I
couldn'
texact l
yt el
lyoumymot herwasanal cohol
ic
andmadeussl eepwi t
hhercli
entsformoney.It
wasr eallytough,Zee.Mysi st
erwast heonewho
wasi ni
tiall
yforcedtodot hi
safteroneofmymom' s
cl
ientstoldhershewast oooldandsheshoul dlet
herchildrendot hewor k.

Mysi
sterwoul
dscr
ubher
sel
fti
lshebl
edanddr
ink
herselfi
ntoast uporaft
ershewasdonesl eeping
wit
ht hem.Thi ngsgotbadwhenshef el
lpregnant
wit
hherf i
rstchild.Thedrinki
ngbecamewor seand
shehadhersecondchi l
dandt henthi
rd.Allthose
ki
dsbel ongt osomeoft hecli
ents.Wedidn't
chooset hi
sl i
fe, Zee.

Mymom knewnot hingelseotherthansell

ingher
body.Growi ngupi napoorf amily,myfat
her
decidedtoabandonuswhenwewer echi
ldrenand
shechoset odowhatshedi dbest.OnceIturned
16,Ibecamet henextonei nli
ne.Ibeggedhernot
toletmedoi t.Iof feredtogetsomesmal ljobsasa
wayt omakemeansf orus.Thingswer efi
nef ora
whileunti
lIfinishedmat ric.

IrememberIhadsavedupf orregi
str
ati
ononl yfor
herandmysi stertodr
inki
tall.Iwasinabadst ate,
babe.ThatnightIrantoGogo'shouseandf ound
youthere.Ididn'
twantyoutoknow.Ididn'twant
youtofeelsorryformeorfeelli
keIwasyourf r
iend
j
ustsoIcouldgetmoneyfrom you.IthankGodfor
uGogobecauseshepaidformyr egi
str
ati
onand
fi
rstsemest
erunti
lIgotaBursary.

I'
m gladInevergottosleepwiththosemen
becauseIwouldneverhavesur vi
ved.It r
iedto
makeendsmeet ,i
maginemebei ngast udentand
sendingmymealal l
owancehome.That '
swhenI
metRober t.Hi
swi fewasdyingfrom cancerand
herlastwishwasf orherhusbandtofindawoman
who'lll
ovehim andherdaughterunconditi
onall
y.I
wasi nabadspaceandIneededmoney.

Heof fer
edmeaj obathisHot elonlyforhimtospil
l
thebeans.Iwasn'tatt
ractedtohimi nanyway.I
wasj ust19Reesewas7att hetime.WhenImet
herIjustknewIcouldn'
tletherdown.Imovedi n
withthem andtookcareofherunt i
lherlastdayon
earth.Wegotmar ri
edayearaf terandittooka
whileformetolovehimlikeIdonow.
Reesef el
linlovewithmei nstant
lyhenceIwould
doanyt hi
ngf orher.I'
dkillforher.That'
show
strongRobandI '
sloveforoneanot heris.Heknew
ever ythi
ngaboutmypastandheaccept edmej ust
thewayIwas.Hi slatwwi feknewt hesituati
onand
wel comedmewi t
hopenar ms.Rob' sfamilyhasa
probl em wit
hhi m bei
ngwi thabl ackwomanhal fhi
s
age, butallthatmatter
st ousi sthatwehaveeach
other ,pl
usthesex. "

Wewer ebot
hsoemot ionalthatwedidn'teven
real
izewewer ecryi
ng.Forsuchabubbl yperson
Porschehasquitealotofbaggagebutl ookathow
shet ur
nedout.Sheneverhel dagrudgeagai nsther
sist
erormother.That'
sj ustpowerf
ul.

Zee:
"Youjustmademereal
izehowmypr
obl
ems
seem small
,Por
sche.
"

Porsche:
"Nooneisincompeti
ti
onwit
hprobl
ems,
Zee.Weal lhaveourl
imi
ts.Thekeyi
stonevergi
ve
up.
"

That
'sr
eal
lyt
rue.

Por
sche:"
Nowenoughwi t
ht hewat erworkso
mpotsegore(andtel
lmeif)you'veneverwonder
ed
howbigSbu'sdickact
ual
lyis."

Inear
lyspi
ll
edmydr
inkandl
aughedhar
d.

Me:
"Hai
,Por
sche!
"

Por
sche:"
Keng(What
)?They'
retwi
nsandbyt he
waySharonneamol wel
akateng(wasfi
ght
ingfor
hi
m),itmeansi
t'
shuge.Youcan'
tblameagirlf
or
wonderi
ng."

Me:
"Hai
,Por
sche.Ican'
tthi
nkofanyone'
speni
s
ot
hert
hanPhi
la.
"

Por
sche:
"Oh,
wel
l.At
hreesomewoul
dn'
thur
t.
"

Me:
"Hai
,hai
,hai
.Iwoul
dnever
."

Porsche:
"Sui
tyour
self
.Aker
ewenaost
uifpap
(You'
reassti
ffaspap).
"

Webot
hlaughed.Thi
sgi
rli
scr
azy.
Chapt
erSevent
yFour

Sbu

WewaitedforKeletoar
ri
veforaboutt
hreehours.
Phi
lahasbeenbymysi deeversi
nce.I'
m very
gr
eatf
ulforhim ot
herwi
seIwouldbeaserious
messwithouthim.IwassoanxiouseventhoughI
wassupert
ir
ed.

Ihaven'tsl
eptindays,butnothingbeatsknowi
ng
mywi feisali
veafterbei
ngkidnappedbyt hatf
ucker
Scorpion.AllbecauseIoncef uckedhischi
ckback
i
nhi ghschool.Somepeopl ejustcan'tl
etgoof
grudgesmani t'
ssickeni
ng.

Drakear r
ivedwi
thanambulanceandtheytookout
astretcherandIsawKel
eoni t
.Irushedtoherside;
shewassobr ui
sedonherarmsandherfacewas
swollenwi t
habandagewrappedaroundherhead.

Sbu:
"Kel
e,Thembalami(
Myhope).Pleasest
ay
st
rong,f
orus,f
orourchi
ldr
en.Pl
ease."

Drakeandthenursesr ushedhertoherwar d.Itr

ied
t
ogowi ththem,butPhi l
apulledmeback.Fort he
fi
rstt
imesinceallthishappenedIfeltaodefeat
ed,I
fel
tli
kesuchafailure.IneverthoughtthatIwould
everendangerKele'
sli
fel
iket
hat
.Mysoni
sgone
andit'
sallbecauseofme.

Phil
a:"Relax,
Bafo(Brot
her
).Shessafenow.Uzo
baright(She'l
lbeokay)
.You'
llsee.She'
sareal
fi
ghter."

Sbu:"
Ifai
ledher
,Baf
o(Br
other
).She'
sint
hismess
becauseofme."

Phila:
"Don'
tthi
nkli
kethat
.Let
'ssi
tandwai
tfor
feedbackfr
om Drake.
"

Wesati nsil
enceandwai tedf
orsomenews.They
alwayssaynonewsi sgoodnews, butinthi
scase
I'
mj ustnotsur
e.Somanyt hought
swer egoing
throughmymi ndandIt r
iedsohardnottoletrage
takeoverme.Dr akecamet ousafteranhour.I
quicklygotupwithPhi
la.
Sbu:
"Dr
ake,
tel
lmesomegoodnews,
man,
please.
"

Drake:(
Sigh)" She'
squitedehydratedandherhead
i
sabi tswollen.She'ssuffer
edal otoft r
auma
whichcausedhert ogetmoderateHi ghBlood
pr
essureandI '
mr eal
lyamazedt hatshe'ssti
ll
pr
egnantandt hetwinsarehealt
hy.I 'veputheron
anIVdriptor ehydrat
eherandI '
vesedat edherjust
soshecoul dgetenoughr est.Shedoesn' tneedany
morestress."

Isi
ghedandhuggedhi
m.

Sbu:
"Thanks,br
o.Ihonestl
ydon'
tknowwhatI
woul
ddowi thoutyou.CanIseeher
?"

Drake:"
Yes,sure,
butremember,nost
ress.She'
s
sedated,butshemightrememberwhatyousay.
"
Iwalkedt oKele'
sroom andthereshewas, l
yingina
hospitalbedwi t
hdripsandneedlesatt
achedt oher.
Shelookedsopeacef ul
.IwishIcouldbuyheral l
thepeacei nthewor l
d,Ioweherthatmuch.Idon' t
knowhowl if
ewor ks:oneminut
eyouhaveal lthe
happinessint heworldandthenextit
'sal
most
takenawayf rom you.

Allherlifeshehashadt ofight,
andnowIvowt o
makeherl i
feassmoot haspossi ble.Peoplewith
thepur esthear
tsalwaysgetf uckedover .Lookat
me, Iwast heruthl
essCobr aandIwasf earl
ess.
Thatt i
meInevergotf ucked,butassoonasIf ound
myKel eagai nIbecamesof tasf uckandnow
Scor pi
onandt hosebit
chesf uckedmeover .That
willneverhappenagain-ever.

Iwenttoherbedsi
deandhel
dherhand.Il
ett
he
tear
sfl
ow.Thi swasmymoment ,
mymomentto
mournoursonwi t
hherandheral
one.uMaal
ways
saysoneshouldbegl
adfortheGr
aceGodbest
ows
i
nyourli
fe,
evenift
hosemoment sareshortl
ived.I
metmysonandwi t
hindayshewaski l
led.Ijust
hopeheaccept
edmeashi sfat
herbeforehedi ed.

Sbu: "
Thembal ami(Myhope)Ipr omiseI'
l
lbea
bettermant oyou,abetterfathertoourchil
dren.
Pleasegetbet t
erandpleasedon' tleaveme.Igave
That othebestfuner
alhedeser vedandeven
recordedt hewholet
hingf oryou.Ipr omi
seyouno
onewi lleverhur
tyouagai n.
"

Il
ookedupnextt
oherandIsawmyf at
herholdi
ng
That
o'shand,
bot
hofthem dr
essedi
nwhite,
smili
ng
atme.IswearIt
houghtIsawghost
s.

Dad:"Youdi dwell
,Lethukut
hula,mf anawami(my
boy).Ngi yazi
chengangawe( I
'm soproudofyou).
Neverl ethergo.You'llmeetyourtwinsverysoon,
I'
l
lvisityouagainjustbeforethei
rbor nandmake
sureyougi vethem thenamesI 'l
lgiveyou.Ihave
yoursonwi t
hme, don'tworry,
He'shappyandsaf e,
f
reeofpai
n."

Andjustl i
kethat,myfat
herandson'sspiri
tsl
eftt
he
room.Evenaf t
erthatwhol
evisi
onIhad, IswearI
sti
llf
eltthei
rpresence.Kel
ealwaystell
smet opray.
Thisfeltsosurreal
,i
t'
sthemostbeauti
fulmoment
I'
veeverexper i
encedinmyentir
eli
fe.

RightthenIdecidedtopr ay:
"DearGod,Ithankyou
somuchf orbri
ngingKelebackt ome.For giveme
fornotbeingconsistentinprayer,
butuMaal ways
tel
lsmet hatyouneverf orgetyourchi
ldr
en.Heal
myhear tandblessmysoulwi thforgi
veness,oh
Lord.Hel pmet obeagoodhusbandandabet ter
father
.Hel pmel i
velongenought oseemychi ldr
en
growupt obecomeabet t
erversi
onofme.It hank
youonceagai n,Amen. "

ItextedPhil
atell
inghi
mI'
m sleepingatt
hehospit
al
tonight,
thenItookmyspotont hecouchnextt
othe
window.Ist ar
edatherunt
ilIdozedoff.
Phi
la

Sbusentmeat exttel
li
nghe'ssleepi
ngatt he
hospi
talt
onight.Idecidedtolethim beanddr ove
backhomewi thDr ake.He'
llbespendi ngafew
daysthi
sside.Thi swholeKelesagahasshownme
j
usthowf r
agil
el i
feis.ZeeandInevergott ogo
backtoouroldselvesagainafterwel ostt
hebabies.

Ireall
yneedmywi feback.Shedeser vesallthe
happinessint heworld,j
ustli
keIpromisedher .The
weddingi stwoweeksaway, yetshepostponedit.
I'
m wor ri
edshemi ghtbehavi ngsecondthoughts.
Wegothomear ound23:00andIwasexhaust ed.I
haven'thadagoodni ght
'srestindays.Wef ound
theladiessti
llupandt al
king,whil
eZeerushed
towardsmeandgavemeahug.SheandIheaded
upatair
sandl eftDraketobeat t
endedbyt herestof
theladies.
Wegott otheroom andassoonast hedoorclosed
IgaveZeeal ong,passionat
ekissandhuggedher
foralongwhile.Shedidn'tsayanyt
hing,Iguess
shejustreadmyemot i
ons.

Phi
la:
"Ineedashower
,St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.
Pl
easejoinme.
"

Zee:
"I
'm st
il
lbl
eedi
ngabi
t,babywami(
mybaby)
."

Phi
la:
"Idon'
twantsex,
Sthandwasami(
Mylove)
.I
j
ustneedyou.Ineedtofeelyoui
nmyarms,
pl
ease."

Shesai dnomor eandpul ledmetowar

dsour
bathroom.Wegotoutofourcl ot
hesandsher an
thewat er
.Igoti nbehindherandIkissedherneck
from behind,gentl
yrunni ngmyfi
ngersdownher
arms.It urnedherar oundandgaveheranother
passionatekissont helips.
Mypeni sgothar dimmediatel
y,butitwasn'teven
aboutsex.Ij ustneededi nt
imacy, f
eeli
ngherskin
onmi ne,feel
ingherpussyagainstmydi ckwit
hout
evenmaki nglovetohermademewhol eagain.I
haven' thadani nt
imatemomentwi thmywi feever
sincewe' vebeendeal i
ngwithallthisdrama.I
mi ssedherbeaut if
ul,
caramelbodysomuch.Gosh,
thiswomani sabeaut .

ShemoanedasIkeptplantingkissesonherneck
whil
erubbi
ngherbreasts.Shecont i
nuedtowash
mybackwhi l
eIwashedher s.Afterabouthalfan
hourwegotouttheshower .Iappli
edsomel otion
onherandsheretur
nedt hefavour.Wegoti ntothe
cover
snakedandIkissedheronherf or
ehead.We
dozedoffi
neachother'
sarms.
Chapt
erSevent
yFi
ve

Twodaysl
ater
Kel
e

Idon'tknowwher eIam.I '

vebeenroami ngaround
thi
spl aceforawhilenow.Idon'tseeSbu, Zeeor
anyoneel se.I'
m surr
oundedbywhi t
eever ywher
e.
Everythingisbri
ghtandbeaut
iful
.Ilookear ound
meandever yoneisweari
ngwhi t
e,i
ncludingme.

Kel
e:"
Am Idead?
"

Voice:
"No,Kel
ebogi
lengwanaka(
mychi
ld)
,you'
re
notdead."

Iremembert
hatvoi
ce.Ist
epcl
oserandIseemy
father
.

Kel
e:"
Papa!Papakedi
raengmo(
Whatam Idoi
ng
her
e)?"
Dad:"You'
renotsupposedtobeher e,ngwanaka(my
chil
d).Yousufferedalotoftr
auma, yoursouli
s
ti
red,ngwanaka(mychi l
d).ButIneedyout ogo
back.Itsnotyett
imef oryoutodie.Gaesobe
nako( I
t'
snotyettime)
."

Kel
e:"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
Papa(
Dad)
."

Dad:"
Tur
naroundandgobackt otheli
vingwor
ld.
Fol
lowSbusi
so'svoi
ce.Yourchil
drenneedyou."

Kel
e:"
Buti
fIgobackI
'
llneverseeyouagai
n."

Dad:(Smili
ng)"
I'
m al
wayswithyou,
Kelebogi
le.I
've
alwaysbeenwithyou.I'
m sopr
oudofyou,
Kelebogi
le.Neverf
orgethowmuchI'
llal
wayslove
you.Goandmeetyourhusband."
Itur
nedar
oundandkeptwal
kingevent
houghI
coul
dn'
tseewher
eIwasgoing.

Sbu:"
Thembal
ami(Myhope) .Iknowyoucanhear
me.Ihadthebestdr
eam ever.Itwasact
ual
lya
vi
sion.
"

IsthatSbu?Icanhearhisvoice.Ikeptfol
lowi
ngi
t
anditbecamecl ear
erandcl
earer.Iopenedmy
eyesandt hel
ightstungmyeyes.

Sbu:"
Thembal ami(
Myhope)
!You'
reawake!How
areyoufeel
ing?Doyouneedsomewater
?Shoul
d
Ical
lDrake?
"

Kel
e:"
Myeyes,
Ineedmygl
asses,
please.
"

Myvoicef
eltsohoar
seandmythroatf
eltsodry.
HowlonghaveIbeenoutofi
t?Heputmygl asses
onmyf
ace.

Kel
e:"
Wat
er,
please.
"

Hebroughtmewaterwit
hast eawandel
evat
edmy
bedsoIcouldsi
tupstr
aight
.

Kel
e:"
Thankyou.
"

Sbujustkeptsmil
ing,buthi
seyeswer
esoswollen
andredandhel ookedli
kehell
.Hehadn'
teven
shavedhisbeardinalongwhile.

Sbu:
"I
t'
ssogoodt
ohaveyouback,
Thembal
ami
(Myhope)
."

Hekeptki
ssi
ngmyf
ace.
Kel
e:"
Ouch,
Sbusi
so.
"

Sbu:
"Sorr
y,Thembal
ami(
Myhope)
.I'
mjustt
oo
exci
ted.
"

Kel
e:"
Sbusi
so,
howl
onghaveIbeenher
e?"

Sbu:
"Onl
ytwodays,
baby.
"

Kele:
"Yetyoulookl
iket
his?AowamanSbusi
so.
Tsamayaohl apa(Gotakeabat
h).
"

Sbu:(Chuckl
ing)"Idi
dn'
twanttol
eaveyoursi
de,
babywami( mybaby) .Iwant
edtobethefi
rst
personyousaw. "

Kel
e:"
It
'snotl
ikeIwasgoingt
or unaway.Tsamaya
ohl
apa, wankga(Gotakeabath,youst
ink)
."
Sbul aughedandki ssedmegent lyonmyl i
ps.He
wentt otheensuitebat hroom wi t
hhi sbagandtook
abat h.Itri
edtositdownst rai
ghtevent houghI
wassot i
red.Mybodyf eltheavy, butIwasnever
onet owallowinpai n.Iswi t
chedont hetvandtr
ied
tochanget hechannelt henIsawsomet hi
ngpopup
ont hescreen"Thef uneralofthelatePr i
nce
Dumi saniThatoZwane" .Oh, myGod.Sbuhadt his
recorded,hetol
dmewhi l
eIwasasl eep.I
rememberhear inghi m.Tear sfloweddownmyf ace
asIsawhi spi
ctureandhi sprogram.

Thewhol esetupwassor oyal,soel egant.MyThato

musthavebeensmi l
ingallday.Hi scof fi
nwasso
beaut i
ful,
nottoment i
onhi stombst one.Hewas
buriedasaZwaneofwhi chI'mfor evergreatf
ul.He
foundhi sancestorsandtheyar ewat chingoverme
togetherwi t
hhim.Myboywasbur i
edlikeatrue
warr i
or.Het ookabul l
eti
nmypl ace.I '
llf
orever
l
oveandmi sshim.Iwasn' tphysicallyatthefuner
al,
butseei ngthisvi
deomademef eellikeIwas.
Sbusi
soi
sonei
nami
ll
ion.

Sbufini
shedt
aki
nghi sbat
handhecameout
l
ookingandsmell
inggreat
.Heevenshaved,
thank
goodness.Hesawmewi t
htear
srunni
ngdownmy
faceandhecamer unni
ngtowar
dsme.

Sbu:
"Thembal
ami(Myhope)
,whati
sit
?Isi
tthe
babi
es?Areyoui
npain?
"

Kele:
"No,Ij
ustwat
chedThato'
sfuner
al.Itwasso
beauti
ful
,Sbusi
so.Thankyousomuchf orgivi
ng
hi
mt hatgif
t.
"

Hesatdownnextt
omewi
thgl
ist
eni
ngeyes.

Sbu:"
Ikeptwatchi
ngitwhi
leyouwereasl
eep.I'
m
sosorry,
Thembal ami(
Myhope).Inevermeantto
putyouinharms'way.Il
oveyousomuch,Kele.If
youdeci
det
oleavemeI
'
dunder
stand.
"

HelookeddownandIpul
ledhi
sfaceupwi
thmy
f
ingers.

Kel
e:"
Lookatme,
Sbu.Lookatme.
"

Hel
ookedatmeandl
ett
het
ear
sfal
l.

Kele:
"Inal
lmyl i
feI'veneverseenyougi veup.
You'renotacowar d,Sbu.Younevergaveupwhen
Itol
dyouIdi dn'
tfi
ndyouat tract
ivebackinhigh
school.Younevergaveupevent houghIgot
mar r
iedtoanotherman.Younevergaveupeven
thoughIwasgoi ngt hr
oughthemost .Nowyou
wantt ogi
veupoverameasl ykidnapping?"

Hel
ookedatmepuzzl
ed.
Kele:
"I
'vebeenthroughashitl
oad,Sbu.Butone
thi
ngisf orsur
e,IcamebackandIcameback
str
ongert hanbef
ore.Iheardyouprayingforme.
I'
m soproudofyou, Baby.You'r
emywor l
d,my
babydaddy, myKing.Wi t
houtyouI'm not
hing.
NowIhopeyouki l
ledallt
hosebastardsbecause
youcan'tgiveupafterbei
ngsuchaher o."

Hesmi
ledandst
aredatme.

Sbu:"
Idon'
tdeser
veyou,
Kel
e.Ir
eal
lydon'
t.You'
re
toogoodforme."

Kel
e:"
Andyou'
ret
oogood,
youj
ustdon'
tknowi
t
yet
."

Sbu:
"Di
dhe.
.Di
dthatf
uckert
ouchyou?
"

Kel
e:"
No.Ever
yti
mehet
ri
edt
osl
eepwi
thmehi
s
di
ckwoul
djustf
allasl
eep.It
hinkyourdadand
That
ohadsomethingt
odowiththat.
"

Hel
aughed.

Sbu:
"Mydad?
"

Kele:"
Yes,
hevisi
tedmeinmydr eamswithThato.
TheysaidIneededtofi
ghtandthatt
hey'
rewit
hme
everywher
eIgo.Yourfatherwasahandsomeman.
NowIknowwher eyougotyourcut
enose."

Hesmi
ledwi
tht
ear
yeyes.

Sbu:
"Mthunzisayst
heyf
oundhal
fofhi
sdi
ckont
he
fl
oori
nhisbedroom."

Kel
e:"
Mthunzi
?"
Sbu:"
Thatoneisastor
yforanot
herday.Ast
ory
thatwil
lshockyouf
ordays.
"

Kele:
"Wel
l,
hesai
dIshoul
dsuckhi
m of
fsi
ncehis
penisal
waysdi
eswhenhe'swi
thme.SoIbi
titof
f
andranaway.
"

Sbulaughedsohard.Onl
ySbucanl
aughata
si
tuati
onli
kethat
.

Sbu:"
hehe,Thembal ami(Myhope)
,Ndhl
ovukazi
(Queen),mafavuka(di
ehard)
,wenathemotherof
myki ds.OnedayI '
m goi
ngtomakeamovieabout
youwena. "

Il
aughedsl
ight
ly.

Kel
e:"
Amovi
e,Sbu,
kannet
e(r
eal
ly)
?"
Sbu:
"Youdeser
veawhol
epr
oduct
ion.Ichose
well
."

Kele:
"Ai
,yout
alkt
omuch.Pl
easegetmesome
food.
"

Sbu:
"I
'l
lcal
lthenur
se.
"

Hepressedmyemer
gencybut
tonandanur
se
camerunningi
n.

Nur
se:
"I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"

Sbu:"
Yes,ever
ythi
ngisfi
ne,maywehavesome
foodplease?Mywi f
ejustwokeupaf
terat
woday
napandshe'sstar
ving.
"
Nurse:(i
rri
tated)"
Ai,niringaIemergencybutton
ungathikuyafiwakantiningbi
zelaukudla(yourang
theemer gencybut t
onlikesomeone'sdying,butyou
call
edmef orfoodinstead).Ai,Si
zothi
ni,
abantu
withmoneybanedr ama( WhatcanIsay, peopl
e
withmoneyar edramat i
c).
"

Wow.Thi
swomandi
dn'
tjustsayt
hat
.

Kel
e:"
Aski
es(Sorr
y)?I
si tyourj
obt
ost
andand
murmurbull
shi
ttopat
ients?"

Thenursesuddenl
yregr
ett
edwhatshesai
dand
Sbujustchuckl
edatme.

Nur
se:
"Oh,hayikesi
s,ngi
yaxol
isa(
I'
m sor
ry)Idi
dn'
t
meant
o..
."

Shedi
dn'
tevenf
ini
shhersent
enceandIcutherof
f.
Kele:
"Youknowwhat
?Pl
easel
eave.I
'
llaskf
or
anothernur
se.
"

Nur
se:
"ButI
..
."

Kel
e:"
Fuckof
f!
"

Sher
anoutwhi
leSbust
art
edl
aughi
ng.

Sbu:
"Mara(
But)Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.I'
l
lorderyou
somefoodfr
om UberEat
s.Mykidsaretur
ningyou
i
ntoabeast
."

Zi
yanda

Phi
laandIhadapeacef
ulni
ght
.WheneverIwoke
uptopray,
hewokeupwithme.I'
m ver
ysur
pri
sed,
butmyhearti
sjumpingf
orj
oy.Inevert
hought
Phil
awouldeverpr
aywit
hme.Ilovethi
snewside
ofhim.Iwokeupandtri
edt
owigglemysel
foutof
hi
sar ms.

Phi
la:(ki
ssi
ngmyneck)"
Mor
ning,
Sthandwasami
(Mylove).
"

Me:
"Goodmor
ning,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
."

Phi
la:
"Ul
elenj
ani(
Howdi
dyousl
eep)
?"

Me:
"Li
keababy.NowIneedt
ogetupandmake
t
hetwi
nssomef ood.
"

Phil
a:"
Hawu,St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.uMaand
theother
scandothat
."
Justt
henthetwinsrani
ntothebedr
oom andwe
hadtoqui
cklycoverour
sel
ves.Ifor
gott
ol ockt
he
door.

Nobuhl
e:"
Mor
ninguncl
ePhi
la,
Mor
ningAunt
ieZee.
"

Nokuhle:
"Sawubona(
Morningguys.Aunt
y,canyou
pleasemakeusyourpancakes?uMacan'tmake
them asgoodasyoudo."

Phi
lal
ookedal
it
tl
ebi
tannoyed.

Phi
la:"
YeyNi
na,
whydi
dn'
tyouknockf
ir
st?
"

Nokuhle:
"Ah,sorr
yMalume(Uncl
e).Butweall
knowthatmar ri
edcoupl
essl
eepnaked.Ther
e's
nothi
ngtohide."
Wewer ebothsoshockedwewant
edt
olaughbut
keptourcool
.

Me:
"Nokuhl
e,howdoyouknowt
hat
?"

Nokuhl
e:"
Nobuhl
eandIoncesawMommyKel eand
daddysl
eepi
ngwithoutcl
otheson.I
t'
snor
mal
."

Thi
ski
d'sshoesar
etoobi
gforher
.

Phi
la:
"Okay,
Auntiewil
lbet
her
ejustnow.Goand
wai
tinthekit
chen."

Nokuhl
e:"
Okay.Masi
hambeBuhl
e(Let
'sgo)
."

Theyl
eftourbedr
oom whi
lewebur
stouti
n
l
aught
er.
Phil
a:"
Abant
wanal
ababayaphapha(
Theseki
dsar
e
toofor
ward)
."

Me:
"Theyt
akeaf
tert
hei
rfat
her
."

Phi
la:
"SpeakingofSbu,hesentmeat extsayi
ng
Kel
eisawakenow.It houghtwecouldheadther
e
af
terbreakf
ast.Justyou,PorscheandI.
"

Kel
eisawake.That
'sgr
eatnews.Ourprayer
s
di
dn'
tgoinvai
n.Ican'
twaitt
ofinal
lyseeher
.
Chapt
erSevent
ySi
x

Zi
yanda

Igotupandgotdressedinsomepajamasand
headeddownstai
rstothekit
chen.IfoundNobuhl
e
andNokuhlewait
ingformei nt
heirl
it
tl
eaprons
whichIor
deredonli
neforthem.Theyeachhave
t
hei
rnamesonsothatt
heydon'
tendupf
ight
ingf
or
t
hesameapron.

Nobuhl
e:"
Aunt
ywoza(
come)
!"

Theywer
esoexci
ted.

Mam' I
vy:
"Hayi
,Ziyanda.Idon'tknowwhatyoudi
d
t
ot hesetwobuteverythi
ngisnowAuntythis,
Aunty
t
hat .Ungat
hiwenanoPhi l
aningahambanabo(I
wishyoucouldleavewi t
hthem)whenyouleave.
"

Il
aughed.

Nokuhl
e:"
HawuGogo(
Butgr
anny)
,ar
eyouchasi
ng
usaway?"

Mam'
I
vy:
"Hayi
,l
etmegodealwi
thFl
orah.Shehas
asmallhangoverf
rom l
astni
ght
'sSexi
nthe
beach.
"

Il
aughedasshelef
t.Thegir
lsandIconti
nuedto
makepancakes.Weendedupmakingforeveryone,
addingmuesl
iandyoghur
twit
hsomef rui
ts.
Porschecamedownandsawus.

Porsche:
"Ayeye,
Mmarona(OurMother
).Gwa
nyewakamomos( I
tshappeni
nghere).
"

Nokuhl
e:"
Goodmor
ning,
Aunt
yPor
ti
a."

Nobuhl
e:"
Goodmor
ning,
Aunt
yPor
ti
a."

Por
schel
ookedsoi
mpr
essedasshesmi
led.

Por
sche:
"Goodmor
ning,
gir
ls.Heheyoul
ear
nfast
man.
"

Nokuhle:
"AuntPor
ti
a,wher
e'st
hehai
ryouhadon
yest
erday?"

Por
sche:"
Ah,haowa( no)
.Banababawrong,
Zi
yanda(Thesekidsarenotri
ght
).I
'
llt
ellyousome
ot
herti
me, Nokuhl
e."

Nokuhl
e:"
Okay.
"

Wesett hetabl
ewithPorsche'shelpandPhila
walkeddown.Ever yonecamet othetabl
etoeat
andwepr ayedbeforeweate.Thist i
mePhi l
alead
theprayer
.Idon'tknowwhatmadehi m changehis
mindandmakeawhol e360turn,butImadea
mentalnotetoaskhim.

Nokuhl
e:"
Uncl
ePhi
la,
Idi
dn'
tknowyoucoul
dpr
ay.
Gogoal
wayssai
dyouanddaddydon'
tli
keJesus.
"

Porschebur
stouti
nlaught
erwhi
lePhi
lashookhi
s
head.

Mam'I
vy:"
Yazi(Youknow)Nokuhl
e,uyaphapha
(
you'
reforwar
d).Eatyourf
ood."

Wehadani ceconversati
onandlett
hem knowthat
Kelewokeup.Wewentbackt oourroomstoget
readyfort
hehospi
talvisi
tandMam'Masango
stoppedusonourwayout .

Mam' Masango:"
Phi
la,Mfanawami(Myboy).
Pleaseremembertotel
lSbuthatheneedstofi
nd
Kele'
sfamily,
botht
hemot herandt
heFather'
s
familysoon.Heneedstopaylobol
abeforethe
babiesareborn.
"
Phi
la:
"Yebo,
ma.I
'
lldot
hat
."

Mam'
Masango:"
GreetKel
ef orme.AndTellSbunot
t
ofor
getwhatyourfat
hersaidthi
smorni
ng."

Phi
lal
ookedabi
tpuzzl
ed.

Phi
la:
"Okay,
ma.I
'
llt
ellhi
m."

Weheadedoutwit
hPorscheanddr
oveoff
.Drake
l
eftear
lyi
nthemorni
ngtogocheckoutaf
ew
t
hingsatt
hehospi
tal
.

Wear ri
vedatt hehospit
alanhourandahal flater
sincewest oppedbyt heflowershoptogetsome
fl
ower sandaf oodbasketwi t
hsomeni cetoi
letri
es,
andani ceoutfit
.Iknowf orafactSbuprobably
forgotaboutthat.Wear r
ivedatthehospit
aland
headedst r
aighttoherroom.Bef oreweentered,
onenur
seatt
heNur
se'
sBaymadear
udecomment
.

Nurse:
"Hayi
,kumnandiukubanemali(
It
'sni
ceto
havemoney).Youdon'tevenhavet
oadhereto
vi
sit
inghours.
"

Weal li
gnoredherandwalkedi
ntoKel
e'
sroom.We
foundSbuf eedi
ngKelesomeSteer
s.Kelel
ooked
sohappyt oseeusandwewentt ohugher.

Sbu:"
Ah,ni
namara(youguysthough)
.Couldn'
tyou
atl
easthavewai
tedunti
lIwasdonefeedi
ngmy
wif
e?"

Phil
a:"
Ah,
baf
o(Br
other
),youknowhowwomenar e.
Theymademewaitatt
heshopsforoveranhour
."

Sbuchuckl
ed.
Sbu:
"Let
'sgi
veyouguyssomespace.
"

SbuandPhi
lal
eftt
her
oom,
leavi
ngt
het
hreeofus.

Wehadanemot i
onalmomentasshet ol
duswhat
shewentthroughfr
om themomentThat owasshot
ri
ghtintheheadinherpresence,
tobei
ngheld
capt
ive.Wecr i
edandcriedsomemor e.

Porsche:
"I
'vehadenoughofcryi
ng,
ladi
es.When
yougetbetter
,weneedaseriousgi
rl
str
ipandyour
mani ssponsori
ng.
"

Kel
e:(
laughi
ng)"
Whymi
ne?
"

Porsche:"
Hehast
omakeupf
orhi
spsychoex'
s
behaviour.
"
Weal
llaughedoutl
oud.

Me:
"Hey,
what
'supwi
tht
henast
ynur
seatt
hebay?
"

Kele:"
Ag,t
hatone.Shemadef
unnycommentsthi
s
mor ni
ngwhenSbuaskedherf
orfoodandIj
ustt
old
hertofuckoff
."

PorscheandIwer esoshocked.Wow.Per hapsi

t'
s
thepregnancyhormones, butIneverthoughtKel
e
couldbesost rai
ghtforwar
d.Dr akewalkedin
wheelingahugesonarmachi ne.Phil
aandSbu
walkedi nri
ghtaft
er.Itwasabittersweetmoment
forme, Ihavetoadmi t.

Drake:
"Sor
ryf
ori
nter
rupt
ing,
ladi
es.Ineedt
ocheck
uponthemommyt obe."

Thosewor
dscutmeabi
tdeep.Am Ist
art
ingt
o
f
eelj
eal
ous?

Drake:
"Ineedtocheckuponthebabi
es.Ar
ethey
st
ayingwithyoutwointher
oom? "

Kele:
"Yes,
Iwoul
dloveal
lofyouher
e,i
fyoudon'
t
mind."

Phi
la:
"Ofcourse.Wewoul
dlovet
oexper
iencet
his
momentwi t
hyou."

Phil
amusthavenot icedthesmil
efadefrom my
faceashewal kednexttomeandsqueezedmy
hand.Porsche,Phil
aandIsatont hecouch,whi
le
Sbusatonachai rnexttoKele.Seei
ngthat
momentbet weenthem mademeyear nformine.
I'
m honour
edt osharethi
smomentwi ththem,but
I'
m havi
ngflashbacksofthismomentwhenPhi l
a
andIhadourownsonardone.
Sbuhadt hi
sreal
lyexci
ti
nggri
nonhi sfaceand
Kele'
sfacewasgluedtothesonarscreen.Icoul
d
seehowhappyt heywereandItri
edsohar dnott
o
rui
nit.

Drakeputt
hej
ell
yonhert
ummyandst
art
edwi
th
t
hesonar.

Drake:
"Justr
elax.Thegeli
sabi
tcol
d,butyou'
l
lbe
fi
ne."

Wesawt hetwohear t
beatsasheshowedusal l
howf aral ongshewas.Shewas10weeks
pregnantnow.If el
tmybodyt enseupandPor sche
sensedi ttooandhel dmyot herhand.Ast hescan
progressed, Ij
ustcouldn'
thandleit.Atearfellon
mycheekandIqui ckl
ywi pedit.Phil
anoticedand
askedt hatwebeexcused.Thankgoodnesshe
savedme.Wel efttotakeawal koutsi
dethe
hospitalinthegarden.Ijustfoundmysel fintears
ashehel dme.
Phi
la:
"I
t'
sOkay,
Sthandwasami
(Myl
ove)
.Itget
s
bet
terwit
hti
me."
Chapt
erSevent
ySeven

Zi
yanda

Ifeelsobadaboutl eavingKele'
sroom thewayIdid.
Icouldn'
tevengobackt osaygoodbye.Ihad
alreadyrui
nedhermomentandIf eelli
ketot
alshi
t
aboutit.Phil
at ext
edSbut el
li
nghi m Iwasn'
t
feeli
ngsowel landPor schesaidshewoul dgetal
ift
backhomewi thSbu.

Phil
adecidedtotakemeout ,j
ustthet woofusand
nooneelse.Het ookmet othebeachandwe
deci
dedtohaveani ce,
longwal k.Wedi dn'tsay
anythi
ngtoeachot her,
wej ustwalkedf orabout30
minutesadmiri
ngthebeaut yoft hebeach.The
beachhasar eal
lynicecalmingef fectonpeople.
Nowonderalmosteverybl
ackpersongoest ot
he
beachever
ynowandt hentogetcleansed.

Wegoti nt
ot hewat er
,butnottoofarthough.He
hadt ofoldhisJeansupabi tandIwor eashor t
maxi dresssoi twasn'thardformet ogetintothe
water.Wehaven' tspentmucht i
met ogetherandI
feell
ikenowi sthetimetogettoknowt her ealPhi
la
andZee.Thi sisthet i
meweshoul duset odowhat
we'vealwayswant edtodo-awayfrom thedr ama.I
wasaboutt osuggestaget away,butPhilabeatme
toit.

Phil
a:"
Sthandwasami( Myl ove),Iwasthi
nking.
MaybeyouandIshoul dgoawayf orawhil
e.Just
youandIl i
kewedi dinCapeTown.Spendsome
ti
met oget
herawayf rom t
hemadness.Whenwe
comebackwe' llsetanoff
icialweddingdatesothat
ever
ythingrunssmoot hl
ythistime.Whatdoyou
say?"
Me:"
FunnyenoughIwasthi
nki
ngt
heexactsame
t
hing.I
'dreal
lyl
ovet
hat
,babywami(
mybaby)."

Phil
a:"
Iwashopingyou'dsayyes,becauseI'
ve
al
readybookedusaf l
ightfort
hisweekend.We'l
l
begoneforawholeweek. "

Ai
.Phi
laanddoingthingswit
houtdi
scussi
ngit
wi
thme.Iguessit
'sinhim,buti
tsbor
ingatti
mes.

Me:
"Your
eal
lyhaveahabi
tofdoi
ngt
hingswi
thout
myi
nput.
"

Phil
a:"
Ngiyaxoli
saSt handwasami(I'
m sorr
ymy
l
ove).Ijustreal
lyli
kesur pr
isi
ngyou.Pleasedon'
t
changeyourmi nd,Zee.Becauseeverythi
nghas
beenpaidforalready."

Me:
"Rel
ax.Iwon'
tchangemymi
nd.Icannotwai
t
t
ogowher
eyou'
renotevent
ell
ingme.
"

Phi
la:
"I
t'
sasur
pri
seyou'
l
llove,
Sthandwasami(
My
l
ove).
"

Heki
ssedmeont
hel
ipsandst
aredatmedeepi
n
t
heeyes.

Phil
a:"
I'
m sor
ry,Zee.I'
m sosor
rythatwelostour
babi
esandnowKel eandSbuareli
vingourdream.
Isawthehurtinyoureyeswhenthosebabies
appearedonthescreen.Ipr
omiseyou,we'l
lhave
ourownkids.Iknowi t.
"

Me:"
It
'snotyourf
ault
,Phil
a.Kelemustt
hinkI
'
m
suchabit
ch.Ijusthadtobedramat
ic.
"

Phil
a:"
Don'
tbesil
ly,
comenow.KeleandSbut
otal
ly
underst
and.Let
'sgograbsomel
unch.
"
ZodwaNgcobo

I'
vebeenf eeli
ngr eal
lyuneasyeversi nceAdoni a
call
edmeandt ol
dmet hedreadfulnewsaboutmy
l
ongl ostson.Idon' tknowwhatt odor ightnow, I
've
runoutofopt ions.Tomakemat t
erswor se,Lunga
hasregainedhi smemor y.He'shadhi smemor y
backeversi nceaf ewweeksago.Hel iedandact ed
l
ikehehadamnesi athiswholeti
me.Ihaveso
muchonmypl at
eandcan' tevenaffordt ofalli
ll
.I
wouldn'tbeabl etoaffordbeinghospitalized.

Bel
indaisbackfrom hospi
tal
.Anothervegetablet
o
l
ookaftersi
nceshe'salsoconfi
nedtoawheel chai
r.
Davidhasbeensomeant ome,for
cingmet olook
af
terher.Ther
e'sonlysomuchmyhear tcantake.

Lungathinkshe'
sinlovewit
hZeeandi sbusy
stal
kingher,whi
leIkeepl
ookingovermyshoulder
.
Ireall
yfeell
ikedeat
hisl
urki
ngi
ntheshadowsandI
can'tevenstopit
.

Iwenttothekit
chent ogetsomewat erforBelinda
andIsawBelinda'ssonbehavi ngreall
ystrange.
Onemi nut
ehewaspl ayingandthenexthi seyes
tur
nedallwhit
e.It ri
edshaki nghim, buthewasn' t
moving.Thenextt hingf oam cameoutofhi s
mouth.He'shavingasei zure!Itr
iedscreami ngf or
LungaandDavid,butnoonecame.Iqui cklycalled
Adoniaandsheanswer edalmostimmedi atel
yt his
ti
me.

Adoni
a:"
Zodwa,
uyangi
hlupa(
you'
reannoyi
ngme)
.
Whatdoyouwant?
"

Zodwa:"
Hel
pmepl ease!I
t'
sJuni
or,
He'
shavi
nga
fi
torsomet
hing.
"

Adoni
a:"
Ther
e'snot
hingIcandof
oryou,
Zodwa.
Youmadeadealwi
tht
hedevi
l.
"

If
eltachi
lldownmyspi
ne.

Zodwa:"
But ,
yousai
dhewoul
ddi
eonl
yifZee'
s
chi
ldr
enlive.Theydi
ed!
"

Adonia:
"Ikeeptell
ingyou,
Zodwa.Nevert
rustt
he
devi
l.He'suntrustwort
hy.Sor
ry,
buti
t'
salif
efora
l
ifel
ikeIsaid.
"

Shehungup.It
ri
edtofeelapul
sebuti
twassl
owl
y
fadi
ngaway.WhathaveIdone?
!
Chapt
erSevent
yEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Af
terhavi
ngsomel
unchandagoodt
alkwi
thPhi
la,
hespoi l
edmeabi twithsomeshopping.Ican'
t
evenr ememberthelastti
meIspentmyownsal ar
y
sincePhilaJustdoeseveryt
hingf
orme.Ont opof
thenicesalaryIget
,hesendsmeR100000ever y
mont h.Whatonear t
hdoyoudowi t
hsomuch
money?

Heli
teral
lywalkedwi t
hmet oeveryshop,hel
ped
mepickoutsomeout fi
tsandcameouthel pi
ngme
wit
hmyshoppi ngbags.Wewentt oafewshops
andIcameacr ossbeaut i
fulcustom madebaby
booti
es.Ijustcouldn'
tresist
.Ist aredatt
hem f
ora
whil
eandhenot i
ced.

Phi
la:(
whisperi
nginmyear
)"They'
retoocut
e.Buy
bot
hpairs,pi
nkonesandbl
ueones."

Me:"Don'tbesi
ll
yPhila,
we'
l
lgett
hem onedaywhen
I
'm pregnantagai
n."
Phil
a:"
Icanseehowmuchyoul i
kethem, St
handwa
sami(Mylove)
.Takethem.They'
llbegonebythe
ti
meyou'dwanttocomebacktobuyt hem.We'll
haveourownpairofbabi
essoon,Icanfeeli
t.
"

Wegottothecashi
erandshesmil
edasshelooked
atus.Foroncewehavesomeonewho'
snicetome
i
npubli
c.

Cashier:"
Hel
lo!YoumustbePhi l
aandZi yanda
Zwane.Oh, mygoodness!Ir ememberyour
i
nterviewwithDaveonDave'sDiary.Itwasso
i
nspiring,Mr.Zwane.Iti
nspir
edmet oleavemy
st
upidboyf r
iendwhowasj ustst
ri
ngingmeal ong.
Your eall
ygavemei nsi
ghtonwhatrealloveis.
"

Webot hsmiledandt henewswasabitunexpect

ed.
Peoplest
illr
emembert hatwhol
esaga?Whi ch
remindsmeIser i
ouslyneedtocal
lEl
marie.Ilef
t
herhangingeversince.Imadeamentalnoteto
reachouttoher.
Phil
a:"
Thankyou,ma'
am.Al
waysremembert
hat
youshouldchooseamanwhol
ovesyounott
he
otherwayround.
"

Cashier
:"
I'
llr
emembert
hat
.Ther
eyougo.Havea
l
ovelyday."

Wepaidandwal kedout .Shewasr eall

yniceand
Phi
lahasneverr eal
lybeenr udetoanyonei npubli
c
unl
esstheywer erudet ome, comet othinkofi
t.We
qui
cklyboughtsomet hingforNobuhl eandNokuhle
bef
oretheyaskwhatweboughtt hem.Thoset wo
canreal
lybankruptaper son.SbuandKel earein
ser
ioustroubl
e,whichr emindsmeIneverasked
Phi
lawhathappenedt oSharonandNat asha.

Me:"Oh,byt
heway,baby,
younevert
oldmewhat
happenedtoShar
onandNatasha.
"
Phi
la:
"Yousur
eyouwoul
dli
ket
oknow?
"

Thatquest
ion.Iswal
lowedhar
dandt houghtr
eal
ly
hardaboutmyanswerandthenInodded.

Phil
a:"
Sbucl
awedSharon'
seyesoutandsenther
backhome.Natashaontheotherhand,
Isenther
awaytobecomeasexslave.
"

MyeyespoppedoutasIt
houghtIdi
dn'
thearhi
m
pr
oper
ly.

Me:
"You.
.Youdi
dwhat
?!"

Phi
la:
"whenItol
dyouwedon'tpl
aywit
hthosewho
har
m ourlovedones,
Isur
elyWasn'
tpl
ayi
ng."

Hesur
ewasn'
t.
Me:
"Whatwoul
dyoudoi
fIevercheat
edonyou?
"

Phil
a:(ti
ghteni
nghisjaw)"Youdon'twantt
oknow,
Sthandwasami( Mylove).Iloveyoutoomuchto
eventhinkofwhatIwoulddot oyouifyoueverdid
that.AllIknowisyoumostpr obabl
ywouldn'
tli
ve
totell
thetale.
"

Idon'
tli
kethi
sMambachar actermuch.Ipr ef
er
usi
nghimi ncaseofemergencyonly.Perhapswe
needtokeepprayi
ngandhe'llki
lll
ess.Wewent
backtohiscarandwedrovebackt othehouse.

ZodwaNgcobo

Ican'tbel
ieveit
.Ican'tbeli
eveAdoni awoul
ddome
l
ikethis.Lungadi dn'
tevenshedat earwhenIt
old
him aboutJunior.Davidisn'
tspeakingtome
anymor e.Ifeell
ikeeveryonei
sagai nstmeand
t
heywon'
tevengi
vemeachancet
oexpl
ain.

Davidishandl ingthewhol
efuneralpr
eparati
ons
andI'm notevenwel comeatthefuneral
.Imagine,
Beli
nda'susel essfamil
ydenyi
ngmemyr ightto
burymygr andson.Itri
edmakingsomebr eakfast
andIwasaboutt oser
veDavidwho'ssit
ti
ngint he
ki
tchenr eadinghisNewspaper.

Zodwa:
"Baba,
yourf
ood.
"

David:
"Yi
ni(whati
sit)Zodwa?Ar eyoudeaf?Itold
younottoevenbothertal
kingtome.Youdi sgust
me.Bel i
ndatol
dmeever ythi
ng!Idon'tknowwhat
possessedmet omarryawhi chl
ikeyou!"

Hiswordsr eal
lystung.IknowI '
vedonealotofbad
thingsi
nmyl i
fe,
butallI
'vedonewasf orDavidand
ourchil
dren.IknowIsacr ifi
cedthem f
orgreed,but
Ilovedt
hem.EvenJuni or,hewasmyonl y
gr
andsonandIr
eal
lyl
ovedhi
m.

Zodwa:"Kodwa(But
)Baba,
wecant alkaboutt
his.
It
'snotenti
rel
ymyfaul
t.Bel
indaagreedto
everyt
hing!
"

Davidj
ustt
hrewallt
hefoodonthefloorandthehot
teaspi
ll
ed,
someofitsplashi
ngmeonmyl egs.I
yell
edouti
npainasitburntmyski
n.

David:"
Letthatbeat ast
eofhel
lforyou.Youmake
mesi ck!LetmegoandcheckonBel indaandmy
unbornchil
d.Atl eastshe'
sdoi
ngsomet hingr
ight
unl
ikeyou."

Ashumi li
atedasIwas,Igotupfrom thefloorand
star
tedcleaningupthemess.Per hapsit'
stimet o
ki
llDavidtoobefor
ehechangeshi swilland
everyt
hing.Ihavenothi
ngtolose,Imeanhecl earl
y
doesn'tl
ovemeanymor e.Iwasdeepi nthought
whil
ecleani
ng,j
ustthenIhear
dDavi
dscreami
ng
fr
om Beli
nda'
sbedroom.Irusheduptoseewhat
's
happeni
ng.

Igott oBelinda'
sbedr oom andIwasmetbyanugl y
sight.Bel i
ndahadsl itherwristsandt herewas
bloodever ywhereont hebed.Davi dwascr yi
ng
nextt oher,Imeanwow.Whenamani spussy
whi ppedhecancr ylikeal i
tt
lebitch.He'snever
criedformebef ore-
ever .PerhapsInevergavehi m
reasont o.Itri
edtocr y,butmybodyf ail
edme.I
can'tactli
keI '
m nothappyshe' sgonewhi t
hher
l
ittl
edemoni cseedthatwasgr owinginsideofher
.

David:
"Youdidthi
s,Zodwa!Thisi
swllyourfaul
t!
Mychildisnowdead!Thi swasmylastchanceto
rai
seapr operchi
ldandyoutooki
tawayfrom me."

Ij
ustst
aredathi
m wit
houtsayi
ngaword.Thiswi
ll
bethel
astdayDavi
devertr
eatsmeli
keshiti
nmy
ownhouse.Lunga'
sbusi
nessesar
epicki
ngup
agai
n,soIdon'
tneedhi
m anymor
e.Hehast
odi
e.

Gog'
Khanyi

It
'sFr i
dayandasmuchaswehadf unwithI vyand
everyoneel seinDur ban,
Ijustcan'twaittogetback
tomyhouse.Mymi ssmyownbedandspacewi t
h
Florah.We' reheadedhomewi t
hPor ti
a,usingSbu' s
j
et.Kel eisbei ngdischar
gedt oday,soshewi llbe
stayingwi t
hI vyforawhiletobondwi t
ht het wins
untilZiyandaandPhi l
acomebackf rom theirtri
p.

Mypoorchildhasbeent hroughsomuchal ready.I

canonlyhopet hatGodbl essesherwi thchi
ldrenof
herown.Iseet hewayshel ooksatt hosetwinsand
apartofherlooksatt hem withenvy.Iknowi t'sal
l
partoft
heprocess, kodwa( but)i
tallhurt
sbef orei
t
getsbet
ter
.

Por
ti
ahadt
oheadbackt
owor
kimmedi
atel
yto
checkonthi
ngsandImustsayt hatchi
ldreal
ly
doesagoodjobwhilePhi
laisaway.Hehadbet ter
payherafort
uneother
wisekuzonyiwa(I
'l
ldealwit
h
him).Fl
orahandIaresoexhaustedandallweneed
i
sanap.

Asourdr iverwasabouttoent ert

hegat e,wesaw
anunf amili
arcaroutsi
de.Ar edVW Pol oVivo.This
can'tbeTony'scar,soIaskedt hedri
vertowait
outsidethegatebeforeenter
ingandIgotout .I'm
manyt hingsbutacowar disn'
toneoft hem.Fl or
ah
beggedmet ostayinthecar,butIignoredher.
Blamei tonthestubbornnessmymot herpassed
ontome.

AsIwalkedt owardsthecarhol
dingmyDi orbag,a
younggirlwalkedoutofthecarandstart
edpointi
ng
andscreamingatmei nTswana.Idon'tevenknow
thi
sgir
l,butgatheri
ngfrom t
heinsul
ts,she'
sTony's
gir
lf
ri
end, Fi
ona.
Fi
ona:"Jah,
wenaMagogo(Yes,
Granny)!Kgal
eke
bat
li
sanalewenamosadiomotona(I'
vebeen
l
ookingever
ywher
eforyou,
bigwoman)!"

Gog'
Khanyi:(
Annoyed)"
Nkagothusakaeng
ngwanyana(HowcanIhelpyou,
gir
li
e)?
"

Fiona:"Okanthusakagotl
ogelaMonnawame,
Tony( Youcanhelpmebyleavingmyman, Tony
alone).Gaonabannabadit hakatsagaona(Don'
t
youhavemenyourage) ?!
"

Gog'
Khanyi:
"Wait
sekeng(Youknowwhat)
?Gake
nanakoyamasepaa( Idon'
thavet
imefort
hisshi
t)
.
Kenakamokol oi
ngnyanaeoyagaootsamayeo
yegae(Geti
nyoursmallcarandgohome).
"

AsIwasabouttot
urnbacktot
hecarshegrabbed
mebymyhair.Bigmist
ake.Sheprobabl
ythought
i
twasawig,butZi
yandaandIhavethesame
beauti
ful
,nat
uralandlonghair.Iqui
cklytur
nedand
sl
appedhersohar d,shefel
lontohercar.Shetr
ied
comingback,butItookoutmygunf rom mypurse
andaimedather.Shegotf ri
ghtenedimmediat
ely.

Gog'Khanyi:"Lalel
alawenascef endini( Listenher e,
younui sance) !Gakobuagangat alewena, kobua
gaonef el
a( I'
m notgoingt osayal ot,soI '
mj ust
goingtospeakonce) !Youhavebet t
erst opt exting
andcal l
ingme.I '
m notyourf uckingfriend.I fyou
feell
ikeTonyi scheati
ngonyout hensor thimt he
fuckout !From myunder standingyou' r
enoteven
mar r
ied.St opembar rassingyourselfbyf ighting
woment wiceyouragef oramanwhohasn' teven
paidlobolaf oryou.

Het oldmegal ejol

alegojola(you'r
enoteven
dating).Don'tyouhaveajob?Anygoal s?!It'
s
Fridaymor ni
ngandi nst
eadofbei ngatwork,you'
re
stalkingagrownwomanout si
deherownhousef or
nothing,butadick!Tlogel
agot i
bisanalennao
emaememosadi( St
opchasingaf
termeandget
yourown)
.Ifyoucomebackher eIwon'thesi
tat
e
butputabul
letinyourhead.Nowfokofandgetthe
fuckof
fmypor ch!
"

Shedroveoffi
nli
ght
ningspeed.Igotbacki
ntot
he
carannoyedandt
hedriverdr
ovei
n.Florahwas
l
aughingshaki
ngherhead.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Mxm.I
'
m aj
oket
oyouwenaFl
orah,
neh?
"

Mam'Masango:(Smil
ing)"
Don'tsayIt
oldyouso.
Evenaf
teral
lthi
sdrama,she'
l
lbeback."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
I'
llki
llheri
fshecomesback.
"

Zi
yanda
Wepackedal lourbagsandleftsomeclothesat
Phi l
a'
smot her'
shouse.Wesai dgoodbyet othe
twinsandMam' IvyandheadedfortheotherJet.I
feelabi tbadaboutl eavi
ngwithoutsayi
nggoodbye
toKel e,butI'
llseeherwhenwecomeback.Ican' t
helpbutf eelabi tj
ealouswheneverI'
m aroundher.
Ireallyneedt ogetbackt ot
herapyASAPbef orethis
ruinsme.

Phil
qhasn' ttoldmewher ewear egoingashesaid
i
t'sasurpr i
set hatI'
m goingtolove.Hesai dwe'
ll
buymor ecl otheswhenwegett here.I'
m verygl
ad
thebleedinghasst opped,soper hapswecanpi ck
upwher ewel eftoffinter
msofoursexl if
e,buthe
hasn'
tat tempt edtosleepwithmeeversi nce.I
wonderi fhest il
lfi
ndsmeat tractive?

WegotintotheJetandorderedsomebreakfastand
somedrinks.Hedecidedtocatchuponsomewor k,
whil
eIdecidedt
ocatchuponsomesoci almedia.I
deci
dedtoDM ElmarieandtellherI
'
dli
ketomeet
upwhenIcomebackf rom mytri
p.Icheckedmy
FacebookandIhadaninvi
tefr
om anAccountwi t
h
nopictur
e,byt
henameLee.That '
sjustodd.This
personhasbeensendi
ngmemessager equest
sfor
thepastfewweeks.Ii
gnoredanddidn'
taccept.

AsIscr oll
eddownmyTi mel
ineIwasmetbysome
verydisturbi
ngpost
s"Resti
npeaceBel
indaand
Junior
.Heavenhasgai nedt
woangels,
mot herand
son."

Noways!Thi scan'
tbe.IcheckedBelinda'
swall
andindeedRI Pmessageswer efl
ooding.Itri
edto
seewhatot hersweresayingandtheysaidshe
ki
ll
edherselfandleftalet
tert
oeveryonecloseto
her,
incl
udingherf r
iends.

IknowBel i
ndaneverr
eal
lyli
kedmebutInever
wisheddeathuponher.Iguessl
if
ejustgott
oo
muchf orher.
Chapt
erSevent
yNi
ne

Zi
yanda

Aft
erseeingthenewsaboutBel
inda,
Icouldn'
thel
p
butfeelsobadforher
.Ifel
tabi
temot i
onaland
Phil
anot i
ced.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
,yi
ni(
Whati
sit
)?"

Me:
"I
t'
snot
hing,
real
ly.
"

Phi
la:"
Ufunaukung'
tshel
aunkut
hii
not
hingi
kwenze
wabasadkanj e(Soyou'r
etel
li
ngmenothi
ngmade
youthissad)
?"

Me:"
It
'sjust.
..Bel
indaisdead.Andsoi
sherson.
Apparentl
yshekilledher
self
."
IthoughtPhi
lawoul
dfeel
abitsadaboutt
henews,
buthewasn'tbot
her
edatall
.

Phil
a:(si
gh)"Ai,
Sthandwasami( Myl ove),onceyou
l
earntostopcar i
ngaboutthosewhodon' tcare
aboutyouuzobane( you'l
lhave)peacei nli
fe.Thi
s
i
sourhol i
day,ourti
me.Bel i
ndahasr uinedenough,
pl
easedon'tletherstealt
hismomentawayf r
om
us.
"

Isupposehe'sright
.Shepr et
tymuchr ui
ned
everythi
ng-wel
lalmostrui
nedeveryt
hing.Idon'
t
blamePhi l
afordisl
i
kingher.Evenindeath,he
despisesher.

Me:
"You'
rer
ight
.Aski
es.
"

Phi
laki
ssedmeonmycheekandr ubbedmyhand.
We'
vebeenint
heai
rforaboutf
ivehoursnow.
Somethingtel
lsmewe'regoi
ngoutsi
deofSouth
Afr
icaastowhere,Ihavenoidea.I
'l
lkeepanopen
mindthough.

ZodwaNgcobo

Davidhasbeenlockedupi nt
hebedr oom eversince
hefoundBeli
ndadeadi nherroom.He' snevereven
mournedanyofourchi l
drenli
kethat.Itmakesme
wonderifheeverreal
lyl
ovedme.I '
minthel ounge
watchi
ngtvwithLunga.Hei sn'tt
alki
ngtomebut
atl
eastheissit
ti
ngi noneroom withmeunl i
ke
bef
ore.

Ikeept
ryi
ngtomakesomesmal lt
alkher
eand
ther
ebuthe'
sjustnothavi
ngi
t.

Zodwa:"
Lunga,mfanawami(myboy).Canyouat
l
eastli
stent
ome?You' veal
waysbeensoobedi
ent.
You'
retheonlychi
ldIhavel
eft
."
Lunga:"
Don'
tmakeyourproblemsmi ne,Zodwa.
You'r
etheonewhogotyour sel
fintothismess.You
neverevenal
lowedmet ochoosemyownf at
e.
Lookatmenow, st
eri
lewit
houtZi yanda!Who's
goingtowantmenow, ma?!"

Zodwa:"
Ngiyaxol
isa(
I'
m sorr
y),
Lunga.Iwasdr i
ven
bygreedandIjustwant
edyout obethebestyou
coul
deverbe.Youcan'tblameamot herf
ortryi
ng.
"

Lunga:"I
t'
sabi ttoolateforthat,Zodwa.I '
m stuck
wit
hyounowbecauseyou' r
emymot her,
unfor
tunately.Ot herwiseIwouldhaveki l
ledyoua
l
ongt imeago.Youshoul dhavesacrf i
cedyour self
i
nsteadofJuni or.Bukamanj e(Looknow) , t
hepoor
gi
rlki
lledherself.Yout ookherlifeawayf rom her .
Youst ol
eeverythingf r
om her .Youtookadvant age
ofherpastandnowshecoul dn'
thandlethepai n
anymor e.IregretthewayIt reatedher.She
deservedlovejustl i
keanybodyel seandshechose
t
oli
stent
oyou.
"

Hiswor dscutmedeep.Peopl esayIdonthavea

heartorremor se,butseeingyourownchildtur
n
againstyouandevencal lyoubynamei spainful
.I
sattheretryi
ngt oprocesswhathesai dtome.He
was100%r i
ght.Idon'tknow howt omakethings
ri
ght.Whi ledeepi nthought,
someoneknockedon
thedoor .Iwasaboutt ogetupunti
lLungabeatme
toit
.

Lunga:
"I
'l
lgeti
t.
"

Hegotupandrushedt
othedoor
.Hecameback
af
terawhi
le.

Lunga:
"Ma,
youhavesomeexpl
aini
ngt
odo.
"

Il
ookedupandnear
lyf
ellf
latont
hef
loor
.Mysi
ns
ar
eindeedcat
chi
ngupwi
thme.

Kel
e

Ifinallygotdi schargedf rom thehospi talandI'

m
homenow, wellinLaLuci awithSbu' sMom.I '
m
goingt obeher ef oraweek, bondingwi thherand
theki dsnotf orget t
ingSbu.He' sbeensucha
dar l
ing, makingsur eI '
m wel lf
edandwel lr
est
ed.
Heel evatesmyf eetsincet heygetswol l
enquit
ea
l
ot .Idon' trememberhavi ngthismucht roubl
e
whenIcar r
iedThat o.Dr akesaysi t
'sbecauseI '
m
car r
yingt winsandt hatIwentt hroughal otof
trauma.Thehyper tensioni smakingt hingsalot
wor se, soIhavet otaket hingseasy.

Ican'
twaittogobackt owor k,
butSbuwant sto
keepmebedr i
ddenunt i
lIgivebir
th.That'
snot
happeni
ng.He' sbeentalki
ngaboutpayinglobol
a
soon,al
thoughIdon'tseethereason.It'
snotli
keI
haveanyfamilylef
t.Ineverknewmyf at
her'
s
familynormymot her'
s,butappar entlyIhavetogo
l
ookf orthem.Mam' Masango' sinstructi
ons.
Appar entl
ymyf atherhasbeenbot heringherand
Sbuhast opaylobolabef or
ethebabi esar eborn.I
wasdeepi nthoughtlyi
ngi nmybedwhenhe
walkedi nwithatrayfulloffood.I '
dbel uckyifI
don'thaveber oll
eddownt heaislewi t
hallthi
sfood
he'
sbeenf eedi
ngme.

Sbu:
"I
ncomi
ngl
unchf
ort
hemommyt
obe.
"

Ismi
ledi
nawe.

Kel
e:"
Sbu,
Ijustat
etwohour
sago.
"

Sbu:"You'
recar
ryi
ngtwobabies,youneedt
oeatal
l
thrfoodyoucangetandbesidesKuleandBuhl
e
helpedsoyoucan'tsayno.
"
They'dbeveryupseti
fIt
urneddownthei
rfood.
Theyhavebeensosweet .Idon'
tknowwhat
Sharonwast hi
nki
nggivi
ngupallthej
oythoseki
ds
bri
ngf orr
evenge.

Sbu:
"So,
Ndhlovukazi(
Queen)
.Haveyouspokent
o
Zi
yandayet
?"

Kele:(
Deepsigh)"
No,Ihaven'
t.Idon'tmeanto
soundinsensi
ti
ve,
butsheshoul dn'
thavebeen
therei
fshewasgoingtoreactthatway.Itwasour
moment ,Sbu.
"

Sbul
ookedatmel
ikeIsai
dsomet
hingwr
ong.

Sbu:(sur
pri
sed)"Kel
ebogi
le,
I'
llj
istpr
etendyousai
d
thatbymist
ake."

Kel
e:"
ButIdi
dn'
t.
"
Sbu:"Kel
e,youcan'
tgoaroundsayi
ngthi
ngsl
ike
that.Zeehaslostt
hreechi
ldr
en.Thewoundi
sstil
l
fresh.
"

Kel
e:"
ButIal
sol
ostmyson,
Sbu.Andnowt
hisi
s
mymoment .
"

Sbu:"Hehe,yazi
ni(youknowwhat)Kele.I'
llj
ust
blamei tonthehormones.Youatleasthada
chancet obeamot her,whi
leal
lZeehasever
want edwast obeone.Sheyearnsforitmorethan
anythingandnowyouwantt obl
ameherf orbei
nga
l
ittl
ebitjeal
ousthatyourbabi
essurvi
vedandher s
didn't
?"

Okay.Hemadei
tsoundl
ikeIwasbei
ngevi
l
.

Sbu:
"St
opact
ingl
ikeachi
ldandr
eachoutt
oher
."
Wit
hthatsai
dhewalkedoutandslammedt
hedoor
.
Per
hapsIwasali
tt
lebiti
nsensi
ti
ve.

ZodwaNgcobo

Myheartwasbeat i
ngsofastIf
eltl
ikeitwasgoing
tobeatr
ightoutofmybody.Thiscan'tbe.That
bit
chwassupposedt okil
lhi
m.Bothoft hem
l
ookedatmewi thsomuchr ageint
heireyes.Iwas
onthefl
oor,It
ri
edgetti
ngupbutmybodyf ai
ledme.

Mthunzi
:"Hel
lo,
mot
her.Don'
tlooksosur
pri
sedt
o
seeme.Letmehelpyougetup."

HeextendedhishandandIgr
abbeditshaki
ng.I
satonthecouchwhil
eLungalookedl
ikehewas
abouttoki
llme.
Mthunzi
:"
Nowt hatI
'mfi
nal
lyhere,
whydon'
tyou
cal
lDaddysoyoucanexplainever
ythi
ngt
oallofus
bef
oreIskinyouali
ve?
"
Chapt
erEi
ght
y

ZodwaNgcobo

Ifel
tsweatyandunabl
etobr
eathepr
oper
ly.I
couldn'
tcopewit
hwhatIwasseei
ng.

Mthunzi
:"
Sho,
Lungas,
cal
lyourdadt
ocomedown
st
air
s."

Lunga:(
Anger
ed)"Youj
ustrockupi
nmyhouseand
thi
nkyoucanordermearound?"

Mthunzi
:"
Okaythen.I
'l
ljustdr
agyourmotheroutof
thi
shouseandsetheronf i
rebef
oreyouevenfi
nd
outwhythefuckyouandIlookali
ke.
"
Lungacl
ickedhi
stongueandwal
kedupst
air
s.

Lunga:
"Baba!Baba!(
Dad)
.Wozal
ana(
Comeher
e)!
"

Allthi
swhil
eMt hunzikeptstar
ingatmeblankl
y
withnoexpressi
ononhi sface.Davidcameouthi
s
room scr
eaming.

Davi
d:"
Yinimanj
e(Whati
sitnow)
?!"

Assoonashesawthetwoofthem st
andi
ngther
e
ri
ghtnextt
oeachot
herhenear
lyf
elldownthe
stai
rs.

Davi
d:"
Kwenzakal
anil
ana(What'
shappeni
ngher
e)?
!
YeywenaZodwa,what'
shappeni
ng?!
"
Iwasshaki
ng.I
'
veneverseenDavi
dthi
sangr
y.

Zodwa:
"I
..I
..
"

Davi
dslappedmesohar
dIf
ellf
rom t
hecouchonce
agai
n.

Davi
d:"
Khul
umaSf
ebe(
Tal
k,Bi
tch)
!"

Zodwa:
"I
t'
sal
ongst
ory.
"

Lungagr abbedmebymyt hroat.He'sneverever

donet hattomeever .Notoncehashel ayahand
onme.Imusthaver eall
yfuckedup.ThenI
remember edKhanyi sa'swor ds:"Repentbefor
eyou
meetyourunt i
melydeat h".Iguessi t
'sbett
ertobe
l
atet hanneverdoingi tatall
.Lungal etgoofmy
throatandIfel
lont hef l
oorst ruggl
ingtobreathe.I
tookadeeobr eathanddeci dedt ospeakup.
Zodwa:"WhenIf el
lpregnantwithyout wo,my
grandmotherknewIcar r
iedtwins.Shewas, well
sti
lli
sagr eatSor
cerer.Adonia,ishername.She
tol
dmet hatIcouldgaingreatpowerandweal t
hifI
sacri
fi
ceoneofyou.Iaskedherwhi chone,and
shesaidshewoul ddecidewhichonei sthemor e
powerfuloneandchoseyou, Mt hunzi.

Ihadt odoi t
.Wena( You)DavidNgcobo, howdo
yout hi
nkyouacqui r
edsomuchweal t
hinaninstant
?
Ihadt osacrif
icemyownchi ldr
enf oryoutobeone
ofther i
chestmeni nt hesest
reets.Ihadtodoi t
andt oday,you'r
etheonewhoi streati
ngmel i
ke
tr
ash!Seuyang' j
ikel
amanhl anje(You'r
eturni
ng
againstmet oday)!"

David:"Ar
eyouhear i
ngyourself
,Zodwa?!Whatthe
fuck?!Youchosetosacr i
fi
ceoneofmychi l
dren?
!
Everyonekeptaski
ngmewhyIchoseyouandI
tri
edtoprovethem other
wise,butyouhaveshown
methattheywer
eri
ghtal
lal
ong.You'r
easnake
andIhopethi
sboyi
sheret
okil
lyou.
"

Zodwa:
"No!Youdon'
tmeant
hat
,Davi
d!"

Mthunzi:"
Doyouhaveanyi deahowmuchIsuffered
growingup?Ihadt okillpeopl
eassoonasIturned
13justtofuckingsurvive!ButImadeavowto
myselfthatIwouldki l
lyouonedayandnowt hatI
foundyou, you'
redyingt oni
ght.
"

If
eltsoscar
ed,Idi
dn'
tknowwhattodo.Worstpar
t
DavidandLungadi
dn'
tprot
estwhenhesai
dthat.

Mthunzi:"
Itwasnicemeet ingyouDaddy,
Twi
nbr
o.
Ihaveunf i
nishedbusinesstosett
lewi
thmommy
dearestoverhere.I'
l
lbei ntouch.
"

Mt
hunzidr
aggedmeoutofmyhousewhi
leIwas
kicki
ngandscr eaming.IbeggedLungaandDavi d
tohelpme,tosaveme.IbeggedMt hunzit
ospar e
myl i
feandforgiveme,butitwasli
keIwastalki
ng
toabr i
ckwall
.Het hrewmei nthebootanddrove
offwithmewhi leIwasscreaming.Mypleafell
ontodeafears.

Sbu

Iwasr atherannoyedbywhatKel esaidaboutZeea

fewhour sago.I '
vebeeninthestudyforhours,
tryi
ngtot raceherf ami
lyonbothsides.Ionlyknow
herFather'ssur namewhichisMol ef
eandt herear
e
thousandsoft hoseonsocialmedia.Kelenever
knewhi ssi dewhi chmakesitevenharder.Iasked
Tonytohel pmewi t
htheli
tt
leIhad.Idecidedto
askMam' Florahforhelp.

Mam'Fl
orah:
"Yebo,
mfanawami(
Myboy)
.Howcan
Ihel
p?"
Sbu:
"Ma,
howdoyouknow?
"

Mam'Flor
ah:(Chuckl
ing)"
Youf
orgetIknow
ever
ythi
ng."

Sbu:(Deepsigh)"Ma,I
'
vebeendiggi
ngf
orhours.
I
'vetr
iedtolookforKel
e'sf
amil
yandIcan'
tseem t
o
fi
ndanything.
"

Mam'Masango:"Gobacktoherst
epmot her
.She
hasal
ltheanswersyouneed.She'l
lleadyout
o
bot
hhermot herandfat
her'
sfami
ly.
"

Ibecameevenmor econfusedwhenshesaidthat
.
Theyalwayssaysometimeshelpisi
nt hel
east
expect
edplaces.Sothatdrunkar
dholdsal
lthe
answers.
Sbu:
"Yebo(
Yes)
,ma.Ihearyou.
"

Mam'Masango: "
Remember,you'
llf
indmorethan
youbargainedfor
.Besupporti
vetoKelebogi
leand
don'
tletyourguarddown.
"

Shehungupandlef
tmeconfused.Iguesswe'
re
headedt
oRandburgagai
n.

ZodwaNgcobo

Iwassoaf r
aidwhil
el yi
ngint hebootofMt hunzi
'
s
car.Hewasdr i
vingsof ast,
andwi t
houtcaut i
on
whichcausedmyst omacht ot ur
nandIal most
vomited.Itri
edtopr ay,butIhaven'
tprayedinall
myl i
fe,Iwouldn'
tknowwher etostar
t.Mymot her
disownedmeaf t
erIjoinedmygr andmotherAdoni a
i
nherevi ldeeds.
HowIwi shIhadchosent heri
ghtpath, t
hepathmy
mot heralwaystriedtogetmeon.Iwast oo
ashamedt oli
vewi t
hher ,
Iwant edmor e.Idi
dn't
wantt obeanot herblackzulugirl
,bornandbredin
Tsakane.Iwant edtotobet hemi ght
yZodwa
NgcoboandIsol dmysouli nt heprocess.Iki
ll
ed
allmychi l
dren,yethereIam selfi
shenought owant
toli
veagai n.

Thecarstoppedandthepalpi
tati
onsstar
tedagain.
Heswi t
chedofft
heigni
ti
onandIhear dhim open
hisdoorandwalki
ngtowardstheboot.Heopened
thebootdoorwit
hthesamebl ankstar
easbef or
e.

Mt
hunzi
:"
Phuma(
Getout
).
"

Iwasabi tscaredandIslowl
ygotout.Itr
iedt
o
recogni
zemysur r
oundi
ngs,butIwasinanopen
veldnearariver.
Zodwa:
"Pl
ease,
mfanawami(
myboy)
,wecanwor
k
thi
sout
."

Mthunzi
:(chuckl
ing)"Doyouknowwhattheydoto
youduri
ngspecialOpst r
aini
ngi
fyoubet
raythem?
Theyburnyoualive.
"

Isawhimt akeoutacigar
ett
eandliti
t.Hehada
bott
leoftr
ansparentli
qui
dinhishand.Heopened
i
tandpour edital
loverme.Rightt
henIreal
ized
whathe'sabouttodotome.He' sgoi
ngtobur yme
al
ive.

Zodwa:
"Mt
hunzi
!Pl
ease!Pl
easef
orgi
veme!
"

Mthunzi
:"
I'
m notcapabl
eoff
orgi
vinganyone.I
'
ll
seeyouinhell
,mommy. "

Het
hrewt
hel
itci
gar
ett
emywayandIi
mmedi
atel
y
caughtfire.IscreamedasIcoul dsmel lmyown
fl
eshbur ning.Itri
edt orunbutthemor eIranwas
themor eIgotbur nt.Isawhim dr i
vingawayunt i
lI
couldn'
tseeanyt hinganymor e.Itri
edr ol
li
nginthe
bushesandt henIremember edseeingar i
vernot
farfr
om her e.Itri
edr ol
li
nguntilIcouldn'
tseeor
breatheanymor e.If el
tsomethingcarrymei ntothe
waterandIsawdar kness.
Chapt
erEi
ght
yOne

Zi
yanda

Iwasver yexci
tedbutjetlaggedli
kecr azyoncewe
finall
ylanded.Philaaskedmet oputonabl indf
old
sot hathissurpri
sewoul dhaveabi ggereff
ecton
me.Ai ,Ideci
dedtodoi tImeant hi
sisPhi l
awe'r
e
talki
ngabout .

Ihadtowal
koutusi
nghim asanai
dandgotint
o
thecar
.Ist
il
lhadmybl
indfol
donandthesuspense
waski
ll
ingme.

Me:
"Can'
tIj
ustr
emovei
tandcl
osemyeyes,
Phi
la?
"

Phil
a:(
chuckl
ing)"Idon'
ttr
ustyoutokeepyour
eyescl
osed,SthandwaSami( Mylove)
.Itwon'
tbe
l
ongnow.Fi f
teenmor eminutes.
"

Ij
ustdeci
dedtoletmebe.I twasprobablythe
l
ongestfi
ft
eenminutesofmywhol eentir
elif
e.I
hear
dthecarstopandIsighedwit
hr el
ief.

Me:
"Pl
easet
ellmewe'
reher
e."

Phi
la:(
laughi
ng)"You'r
esoimpatient,
Sthandwa
sami(Mylove).Yes,ses'
fi
kil
e(we'vearr
ived)
.You
canremovetheblindf
oldnow."
Isl
owlyremovedi tandopenedmyeyes
i
mmedi at
ely.I'
veneverbeensoamazedi nmy
wholeenti
reli
fe,notevenwhenIsawPhi l
a'shouse
backinCentur
ion.Thisisbloodyamazing.Iwas
metbyqbeaut if
ulvisi
oninfrontofme.

Themostbeaut i
fulhouseI '
veeverseen- thisti
me
I'
m beingtotall
yhonest .Ithadsomanyr ooms,
probably20,maybemor e.Thisgar denandyar dis
sohuge, probablybiggerthant hewhi tehousei tsel
f.
Therewasal aketowar dstheendoft hegr assright
acrossthegar den.Wewer estandingrightinfront
ofit.I
twaspur ewhi t
eout sidewithblackdoor sand
blackbalconies.Ijustlovedi t
.

Me:
"Thi
sisi
ncr
edi
blybeaut
if
ul,
Phi
la.
"

Phi
la:
"Ihopedyou'
dli
kei
tbecausei
t'
syour
s."

Il
ookedathi
m puzzl
ed.
Me:
"Whatdoyoumeannow?Anyway,
wher
ear
e
weeven?
"

Phil
a:"
We' r
einI t
aly,baby.ThisisthehouseI
boughtforus.I'vebeenwant ingtobringyouher
e
eversi
nceIpur chasedit .NowtheLadyoft he
Househasof f
iciall
yarrivedandIcan'twaitt
oshow
youmor eofit
.Let 'sgo."

Phil
athough.Hejustbuyshousesandcarsli
ke
popcorn.HeknowsjusthowsimpleIam.This
houseiswaytoobigforme.Icouldn'
tpossi
blyl
ive
i
nit.

Me:
"Phi
la,
howmanyr
oomsdoest
hishousehave?
"

Phi
la:
"30,
Sthandwasami
(Myl
ove)
."
Iwassoflabber
gast
ed.Dopeopleact
ual
lyown
housest
hatbig?Forwhatanyway?

Me:"
ButPhi
la,
whatarewegoingtodowi t
hsucha
bi
ghouse?Wedon'tevenhavechil
dren.
"

Phi
la:
"Yet
,St
handwasami
(Myl
ove)
Wedon'
thavechi
ldr
en,
yet
."

Me:"Howcanyoubesoopt
imi
sti
c?Whati
fyouand
Ineverhavechi
ldr
en?
"

Phi
la:"Zee,l
ookatme.( Hecuppedmyf ace).Even
i
fyouwer en'
tabletoconcei
veI '
dst
il
lloveyou.I
wouldst i
lll
oveyouasmuchasIdonow.Sur e,I
'd
l
ovet ohavechildrenwit
hyou, butl
etsleaveital
lin
God'shands.I t
'snotadealbreaker
.Ihaveyouby
mysi deandmyl i
feisal
readycomplete."
Ismi
ledandgavehi
m apeckont
hecheek.

Phi
la:
"Now,
enoughsadtal
k.Letmeshowyou
ar
oundourbeaut
if
ulI
tal
ianhouse.
"

Het ookmeonat ourandIjustcouldn'tcope.The

fl
oor swer emadeofbeaut i
ful
,Cerami cItal
iant i
les,
thebal conieshaveaBl ackTuscandesi gn.Al lt
he
furnitur ehasr edandwhi t
eincorporatedcol ours
andIj ustcan' tgetenoughofhowPhi l
aget smy
styleal lthetime.Al lt
hecarpetsar emadeofwhi te
fur.Hi ski tchenissobi g,
biggerthanthehousei n
Cent urion.I '
veal wayswantedabi gkitchenj ustli
ke
thisone;wi tht hr
eeovensandani cebreakfasttable
i
nt heki tchensot hatmyhusbandcanwat chme
cook.

Thehousehast wentybedr ooms, al

lwi
then-suit
e
bat
hrooms.Eachbedr oom hast hesamefurnit
ure
andsamestyle-exceptours,themainbedroom.
Ourshasthebiggestbed,wi thtwowalkinclosets,
a
wholehi
sandherssetrightt
her
eandthebiggest
bat
hroom ofcour
se.Onceagainhestockedupon
cl
othesf
orthebothofus.Ireal
lydon'
tknowhow
hegetst
odoi tal
lthet
ime.

Thehouset henhast wohugecinemas, t

wo
playrooms, anindoorandoutdoorpool,agame
room whi chisprobablyfort
hemen, agirl
'sr
oom
probablyf orthewomenandt wostudies,andhow
couldIf orgetanindoorgym.Thelastroom i
sone
bigar tr
oom.IneverknewPhi l
awasi ntoart
.I'
m
quiteshocked.

Iwast ooti
redt otakealookatal lt
herooms, soI
deci
dedIwoul dcheckt hem properl
ytomorrow.I
evenaskedhi m whocleansthiswhol ehouseand
heapparentlyhastwohousehel pswhocl eanevery
nowandt hen.He' sneverheresot heydon'
thave
muchtodo.I t
'sprobablyawast eofmoney, but
whenyouhaveal lthemoneyint heworldli
kehe
does,i
tcan'tputadenti nyourpocket.Hehasa
butl
erandachefofcour se.Hewantsmet odo
absolut
elynot
hingthisweekandjustbaskinthis
ambience.Iwasn'trai
sedli
kethatsohe'l
lfor
give
me.

Icol
lapsedont
hebedandt
ri
edt
otakeanap,
but
Phil
ahadnoneofi
t.

Phil
a:"No,no,
no, Sthandwasami(Myl ove)
.You
can'tsl
eep.Ihavesomet hi
ngreal
lynicepl
anned
forusont hebalconyont hetopfl
oor.Comeon,
j
ustchangepl ease.

Me:
"Hehbanna(Wow).Ther
e'sanot
herfl
oor
?I
t
houghtwewereal
readyont
het opf
loor
."

Phil
a:(Laughing)"
Ziyanda,Iwasseri
ouswhenItol
d
youI'
llgiveyouthewor l
d.Iloveyousomuchand
onedayyou' l
lseeit
.Ilovehowhumbl eyouareand
evenwi t
hallthi
smoney, yousti
llr
emaint
he
beautif
ulQueenImetyear sago.Iknowforsure
you'r
egoingt omakemeevenhappi er,
Sthandwa
sami( Mylove).Mywor l
dwouldmeannot hi
ng
withoutyouinit.You'
rethecoreofmybeingand
thereasonmyhear tbeat
s."

Phi
lacanbesor
omant
ici
tmakesmet
ear
yeyed.

Me:"Il
oveyoutoo,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
.What
shouldIwear
?"

Phi
la:
"Justyourr
obe,
SthandwaSami(
Myl
ove)
."

IdidasIwast ol
dandwor emysl i
ppersaswel l
.He
heldmyhandandIf oll
owedhi m.Wewal kedoutof
thebedroom andheadedt othefarendoft hefl
oor.
Therewasanel evat
orthatlookedjustli
keoneof
thedoors.Impressi
ve.Wegoti nandhepr essed
thebuttont
hatleadstothetopf l
oor.Assoonas
theli
ftdoor
sopened, If
eltli
kecryi
ng.Tear sofjoy
nje.Thet opf l
ooralsohasabi gpoolwi thaglass
balconyandwoodenf l
oorsover l
ookingt helake
acr ossthegar den.Ther ewer eaf ewflamingos,
ducksaneaf ewbi r
dsint helake.Iwonderwher e
hegott hose.Ther ewasaver yniceset upoftwo
rollupbeds, wit
hat ableinthemi ddle.Ithadsome
cockt ai
lsandchampagneandwhi skeyofcour se
andsomef ruit
sandchocol ates.Ther ewer etwo
l
adi eswai ti
ngf orus,Iassumedt heywer ethe
masseur s.Phi l
aisGodsent .I'veheardKel esay
Sbui sromant i
c,buthecan'tbeatt his,wow.

Me:(
teary-
eyed)"Phil
a,youdosomuchf
ormeat
t
imesIjustfeelgui
lt
y."

Phil
a:(
smi l
ing)"You'
remywif
e.I
t'
smyjobtodo
thi
sforyou, l
ove.There'
smor
etocome.Icansee
youforgott
hedat etoday.
"

Il
ookedathi
m puzzl
edandIcheckedmyphone.
Oh,mygoodness!Howcoul
dIf or
get?
!It
sthe20th
ofMarchtoday!Itwassupposedt
obeourwedding
andit
'smybirthday!Myphonehasbeenonsi
lent
henceIdi
dn'tevenheari
tri
ngandseeanyoft
he
messages.

Me:"
Phi
la!Whydi
dn'
tyour
emi
ndme?
"

Phi
la:(
Laughing)"
Andrui
nthesur
pri
se?Noways.
HappyBir
thday,St
handwaSami(Mylove)
.Ther
e's
moretocome. "

Hekissedmeont hel i
psandwegr eetedtheladi
es.
Wegotont hetableswrappedinourtowels,
obvi
ously.Iwouldn'twantt
hem seeingmyman' s
package.IalwayshearPorschetel
li
ngmet hat
Phil
adeservesheadeveryday,per
hapst oni
ghtis
thenight
.

Welookedatt
heper f
ectviewri
ghtacr
ossusasthe
sunset
,andenjoyedthelongneededmassagewe
wereget ti
ng.Weevengotf acial
sandmani '
sand
pedi's.Yep,Phil
ai sneatlikethat .Wehadourf ruit
snacksandal coholoncet heywer edone.Theyl eft
ustoenj oyourselvesalonewi thoutanydisturbance.
Wegoti nt
othepoolandhechangedt heheat
sett
ingssot hatwewoul dn'tgetcold.Heplayed
somemusi cforus, yes,heevenhasabui l
tinvoice
acti
vat edspeakersystem thatpl aysmusicfrom the
ceil
ing.Hepl ayedussomeOper amusicfrom
Andr eaBocell
i.I'
m sousedt oOper abynowt hatI
evenl i
stentoitattimeswhenI 'm al
one.We' r
ei n
It
alysoi t'
sonlyfi
tti
ngt hatwepl aysomeOper a,
ri
ght?

Weembr acedeachotheri
nthewater(wewer
e
naked)andstar
edateachother
'seyes.

Phil
a:"
You'
resobeauti
ful
,Zee.Il
oveyousomuch,
Sthandwasami(Mylove)
."

Me:
"Il
oveyout
oo,
babywami(
mybaby)
."
Hekissedmesopassi onately,i
tmademe
remini
sceonourni ghtinCapeTown, t
hef ir
stnight
wemadel ove.Ourtongueswer edancingt othe
samet uneonceagain.Her oll
edhishandsgent ly
downmyspi neandgrabbedmybut t.Igent l
yrubed
hisbackandmyhandsmadet heirwaydownt ohis
bums.Imovedt hem tohispeni sandst rokedit
gentl
y.Hemoanedi nmymout h,causingmet o
moanaswel l.Herubbedmycl itwit
hhi sonehand
andIbr oketheki
ss.Heki ssedmyneckandIt il
ted
myneckt omakemor espacef orhimt oenj oyit
evenmor e.

Me:"
Phil
a,Ineedyounow,
please.Ineedyoui
nsi
de
ofme."

Phil
a:"
Letmeenj
oyyouonmyter
mst oni
ght
,
SthandwaSami(
Mylove)
.Pl
easeletmesat
isf
y
yourneeds-
myway.
"
Ijustnoddedashecont inuedthekiss.Hegrabbed
myt highsandpi ckedmeup, maki
ngmewr apmy
l
egsar oundhi swai st
.I'
veneverdonet hi
sbef ore
sinceI'vealwaysf el
ttoofatt
odoi t
.Buti fpl
ussi ze
pornst arscandoi t,t
hensocanI .Philaseemst o
beenjoyi ngthi
sposi t
ionsoIlethi
m be.Hesl owly
i
nser t
edhi mselfinmewhi leIwaswr appedaround
him.Thatmademeevenmor ecrazier
.Thef act
thatIfeltsoconfidentandIneverevencompl ained
madehi m gocrazy.SoIdeci dedtotrydir
tytalk
sinceheal waysbegsmet odoi t
.

Me:( moani
ng)"Oh,
Babywami(mybaby),yourdick
feelssogood.Suckmyti
ts,
please.Youknowt hat
drivesmecrazy.
"

Helookedatmewit
hami schi
evoussmi
leandhi
s
pupi
lsbecamesmall
er.

Phi
la:
"Saypl
easedaddy.
"
Me:
"Pl
ease.
..
"

Phi
la:
"Pl
easewho?
"

Me:
"Pl
ease,
daddy.
"

Hesmi l
edandsuckedmybreastsashewenti
nand
outofme.Hepulledoutandst
opped.Wemade
ourwayoutofthepoolandwenttooneoft
he
outdoorsof
as.Helaydownandpulledmetohi
m.

Phi
la:
"Openyourl
egswi
der
,St
handwasami(
My
l
ove).
"

Idi
dasasi
nst
ruct
ed.

Phi
la:
"Goodgi
rl
.Nowsi
tonmyf
ace.
"
Ilookedathim puzzled, butIwassoturnedonIdi d
asheasked.Ihopemybi gthighsdon'
tsuffocate
him.Hel i
ckedandsuckedmesohar dIfeltmyself
tr
embl eandshakeont opofhi m.Themor eItr
ied
togetoffwast hemor eIpul ledmetowardshim.
Hesuckedmeunt ilIreleasedonhisface.Iwasso
embar r
assed,Icouldf eelmycheeksget t
ingwar m.

Hewasaboutt ogetup, butIpi nnedhim onthebed.

Ikissedhim andmadet rail
susi ngmytonguef rom
hischinallthewaydownt ohi sshaft.Hewant edt o
takecont r
ol,buthisbodyf ailedhim.Iwentdown
andl ookedathi sbigPeni s.Iswal l
owedhar dandI
hopedt hatIdidn'tvomi tallIhadconsumed.I
remember edal lPorsche' stipsandever yt
hingIr ead
fewweeksago.Iwentf ori tslowly,byputt
ingthe
ti
pi nmymout h.Ici r
cledmyt onguearoundi t
slowly,andIhear dhim moan.

Phi
la:
"Fuck,
Zee!
"
IguessImustbedoi ngsomethi
ngri
ghtsoIwent
furt
herdownandsuckedsomemor eusi
ngcir
cul
ar
mot i
onsandgoingupanddown.Myonehandwas
str
okinghispeniswhil
etheot
herhandwasrubbi
ng
hisball
s.Histoescurl
edandhishandswereonmy
headwhi l
ehewasmoani ng.

Phi
la:"
Shit
,Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
.Wher
edi
d
youlearnal
lthis?
!Fuck!
"

Ikindofli
kei twhenhecursesdur ingsex.Iwent
fasterandfasterandIfel
thim comi nginsi
demy
mout h.I'
m notaswal l
owerli
kePor schesoIspit
outont hefl
oor .Hegotupandki ssedmer oughly
andweendedupmaki ngloveoverandoveragai n.
I'
veoncesai d,i
fthisi
shappiness,letmer eli
veit
eachdaybecauset hi
snighti
sj usttooperfect.
Chapt
erEi
ght
yTwo
Kel
e

Sbuhasbeenmadatmesi nceyesterday.Ican' t
beli
evehe'sangrybecauseofwhatIsai daboutZee.
Shealwaysget stheat t
ention.Ididn'
tmeant obe
rudeoranythi
ng, butIwi l
lhavetoapol ogize.Ican't
havehim madatmewhi l
etheyarehavi ngthet i
me
ofthei
rli
vesinItaly.Per hapsitmakesmel ookabit
j
ealous,butIal
sof eel l
ikeaBaecat i
onwoul ddous
goodespeciall
yaf terwhatwe'vebeent hr
ough.

Hewal kedinl
ooki
ngjustassourashedi
d
yest
erdayandIdecidedtousethi
smomentt
o
apol
ogi ze.

Kel
e:"
Sbu,
canwet
alk?
"

Sbu:
"I
'ml
ist
eni
ng.
"
Kel
e:"
I'
mreal
lysor
ryaboutwhatIsai
fyest
erday.I
t
j
ustcameoutreal
lywr
ong."

Sbu:
"I
ttookyoul
ongenough.Besi
desyouneedt
o
apol
ogizet
oZeenotme."

Wow.Imusthavebeenar
ealbi
tcht
hen.

Kele:(Sigh)Sbu,I'
mr eal
lysor
ry,okay.Ijust.
..I
t'
s
j
ustt hatIcan'thelpbutcompareourrelati
onship
wit
hZeeandPhi l
a'ssometimes.Iknowi tsstupi
d,
butIalsowoul dlikeiti
fyoudidsomeoft het hi
ngs
Philadoesf orZee."

It
hinkIhur
thi
m wit
hthatst
atementj
udgi
ngbyt
he
wayhe'sl
ooki
ngatme.

Sbu:"Kel
e,I
'
m notPhil
a.I
'm myownperson.Our
rel
ati
onshi
pisn'
tbasedonthei
rsandi
t'
sway
dif
ferentf
rom t
hei
rs.Theyhaveserioushist
ory-
we
don't
.IloveyouKele,
butifyou'
regoingtokeep
compar i
ngmet oSbuyou'
llendupjustli
keSharon.
"

Kele:"
Sbu,Idi
dn'
tmeanitl
iket
hat
.Iwasjust
sayingitwoul
dbereal
lyni
cetogoonabaecati
on
too."

Sbu:( Deepsigh)"Kele,youandIhaveser ious

thingstodol i
keget t
ingt helobolaofft r
ack,finding
yourf amil
yamdpr eparingf orourchildren.Ihad
plannedt otakeyouBal iaf t
erpayinglobol aforyou,
butsinceyouj ustruinedt hingsI'
llcancel t
het r
ip.
Hadyougi venmet hechancet obemyownper son
andt heman
Iwoul dl
iketobeforyouandmyki ds,I
'dshowyou
thewor l
d.ZeeandPhi lahavejustbeenthrougha
l
otj ustl
ikeyouandI.Insteadofrecoveri
ngand
beingasuppor t
ivefr
iendtowardsher,you'
re
compar i
ngyourselft
oher .
I'
m notveryr
omant i
cKele,butwhatIcansayi sthat
IloveyousomuchandI '
ml ear
ningtogi
veyou
whatyouwant .You'veneverevenbeenonet oli
ke
thesethi
ngs.Yourwor dshavecutmedeepl y.Ijust
needamomentt ogetoverital
l.Anyway,getready.
Wel eavei
nthir
tyminutes.
"

Andj ustl
ikethathewalkedout
.MaybeI
'm goi
ng
crazy.Am Ir eall
ycompari
nghi
mtoPhil
a?Am I
becomi ngjealousofZee?

Zi
yanda

Wewokeupi neachot her'sarmsi nourbigItal

ian
bed.Afterourhotst eamysessi onwehadt omove
tothebedroom becausei twasget ti
ngchill
y.We
hadsuchagr eatnight .Ijustdidn'twantittoend.I
j
usthopeandpr ayt hatt histi
mei twon'tendupi n
thepapers.Iwaswr appedi nPhila'sar
msasusual .
Phi
la:
"Mor
ning,
SthandwaSami(
MyLove)
."

Me:
"Mor
ning,
Babywami(
Mybaby)
."

Phi
la:
"Ul
elenj
ani(
Howdi
dyousl
eep)
?"

Me:
"Li
keababyandyou?
"

Phil
a:"
Ial
wayssleepgreatli
keababywhenI
'
m
wrappedaroundyourgorgeousbody.
"

Thatmademegi
ggl
eandbl
ushabi
t.

Me:
"So,
whatdowehavepl
annedt
oday?
"

Phi
la:
"You'
l
lknowr
ightaf
terbr
eakf
ast
,MaZwane.
"
Ili
keitwhenhecall
sme'MaZwane'
.Makesme
feell
ikeI
'
m al
readyhiswi
fe.

Wegotupandt ookanice,long,bubblebath
toget
herthi
sti
mef orachange.Il ovehowbi gt
he
bathtubisandcanbeturnedi nt
oaj acuzzi
atany
moment .Wewashedeachot her'
sbacksandgot
out.

I t
'squi
tehardpickinganoutf
itwhenyoudon' t
knowwher eyou'regoing.Thesuni sniceand
war m,buti
t'
sabi tchil
lyaswell
,soIjustwor ea
whi t
eminifl
owydr essandsomer edheelsfora
change.Imi ssbeingbsckatwor k.Hewor eani ce
jeanandagol ftshirtwit
hhi
swhi teal
lstars.

Itookajeanjacketwit
hmesi nceitmightgetabi t
cold.I'
veneverbeenherebeforesoyouj ustnever
know.Weheadedoutwi thhi
sdr i
ver,
Philly.Icould
nevergetusedtonotdoinganythi
nglikethis.It'
s
niceforaholi
day,butj
ustnotmysceneatal l
.We
didn'
thaveanythi
ngtoeatsoI'
m assuminghe'
s
taki
ngmeoutf orbreakf
ast
.Heknowsj usthow
crankyIgetwhenI'
m hungry.

Wegott ooneoft her estaurantsandIwasf loor

ed.
Italyisabeaut i
fulcountry,Iwon'tli
e.Wet ookaf ew
picturest ogetherandi t
'snicehowsi ll
yPhilacan
getatt imes.Hegotmeani cegreesy,I
tal
ian
br eakfast.Everythingtastesdi f
fer
enthere.Far
differentfrom Sout hAfri
ca, Imeanevent heeggs
tadt ediff
erent.Idi dn'
tevengetachancet ocheck
myphoneorevenvi ewanyofmymessages.I
madeament alnotet odoi tlat
er.

Me:
"So,
wher
etonow,
Mr.Zwane?
"

Phi
la:(
Smil
ing)"
We'
regoi
ngt
opi
cksomer
ings,
Ma
Zwane."

If
rownedi
nconf
usi
on.
Me:
"Ri
ngs?Butwepost
ponedt
heweddi
ng.
"

Phi
la:
"Iknow,Iwantustopicktheri
ngsnowsothat
wedon'thavetostr
essaboutitwhenthebi
gday
ar
ri
ves.Igotaverytal
enteddesignert
oshowcase
usafewr i
ngs."

Me:"
Hmm.Okay,nopr
obl
em.Wecandot
hat
.On
onecondi
ti
on.
"

Phi
la:
"Ican'
tpr
omi
seanyt
hing,
butnamei
t.
"

Me:
"Asl
ongast
her
ingsdon'
tcostaf
ort
une.
"

Hel
aughedoutl
oud.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Thesooneryou
getusedtoget
ti
nganyt
hingbutt
hebest
,thebet
ter
.
Antoni
o'sj
ewel
rygoesf
or100kmini
mum. "

Iwidenedmyeyesi nshock.Phi laj

ustspendstoo
muchmoney, butMom sayshewor kedhardforit
soitwon' tbehar
dtoreplacethatamountofmoney
forhi
m.Eveni ft
heri
ngswer emadeofplasti
cI
wouldn'tcomplai
n.Ilovedhim evenwhenhewasa
kasitsotsiwit
hhisdi
ckiesclothi
ngbackthen.

Wegoti ntoourcaranddr oveof f.Ilovet hevi ews

It
alyhast oof fer.Thispl acei sjustsoser ene, and
notover crowdedl ikebackhome.Icoul dgetused
tothispeace.Wear rivedataver ybeaut i
f ulhouse,
muchl ikePhi l
a's,Imeanour s.Thi sneedsget ti
ng
usedt o.Wewer emetbyaver ythinman, who
l
ookedmuchl ikeal atindancerorsomet hing.Hi s
hairwasver ysli
ckandt i
dy.Hewaswear inga
white,shinyshi r
tandl efti
thal f
wayopenwhi ch
exposedhi sbarechest .IseeI tal
ianshaveat hi
ng
forhairgel .Hehadt hisdi st
inctwal kthatmademe
assumehe'sgayormetr
osexual
,butot
hert
han
thathe'
sver
yfri
endl
y.

Antoni
o:"
Mamba!Sol
ovel
ytoseeyouagai
nmyol
d
fr
iend.
"

Hecamewal keddownthestai
rsandopenedhis
ar
mswi deenoughtoacceptahugandgreeted
Phi
la,
Ital
ianstyl
e.

Phi
la:
"Ni
cet
oseeyouagai
n,Ant
oni
o."

Ant
onio:
"Ah!Iseeyoubr oughtyourBeaut
if
ulDea
(
Goddess)thi
stime.Finall
y!Iwasst ar
ti
ngtothi
nk
maybeyouwer ebat
ti
ngf ormyt eam!
"

Yep,
He'smostdef
ini
tel
ygay.Hecametowar
dsme
andopenedhi
sarmsgestur
ingahug.
Ant
onio:
"Goodday,mylady.Solovelytofi
nall
y
meetyou,Zi
yanda.Mambahast oldthewholeof
I
tal
yaboutyou.Hedidn'tl
iewhenhesai dyou'
re
t
hemostbeautif
ulwomani ntheuniver
se."

Ibl
ushedandmycheeksbet
rayedmeyetagai
n.

Me:
"Thankyou.Ni
cet
omeetyou,
Ant
oni
o."

Heki ssedmycheeksaswel landledustot he

l
ounge.Hi shousei stoodramaticforme, butvery
styl
ish.Everythingisspeciall
ycoordinat
ed, wit
h
feat
her sli
ter
allyeverywher
eandshi nyobj ects
almosti neverycorner.HisChandeliersareso
bli
ngyandhugeandt hehousei ssuperclean.Isee
whyheandPhi l
ajustgetalongsomuch.Team
OCD.

Wesatdownandther
ewasatr
ayofdif
ferentki
nds
ofr
ingsont
hetabl
e,f
orbot
hmaleandfemale.
Theyweresobeaut
if
ulandhuge.Icoul
dnever
weart
hisfor
ever
.I'
dprobabl
ygetmuggedonmy
waytothemall
.

Antonio:
"Mamba,asr
equest
edIdesignedafew
i
nspiredbyyourl
ovel
ydea(goddess).I
twasn'
t
easy,butwort
hit
."

HisEngl
ishwasalotbett
erthanmostI t
ali
ansI'
ve
metsofar.Theyj
usttendtomi ssalotofvowel
s
hereandther
eandhaveauni queaccent.

Phil
a:"
Iknowyouneverdi
sappoi
nt,
Antoni
o.So,
whatdoyouthink,
MaZwane?Whi chonedoyou
l
ike?"

Gosh,
ther
ewer
ejustsomanyt
ochoosef
rom.

Me:
"Theyal
llooksobeaut
if
ulandshi
ny.Ir
eal
ly
don'
tknow.
"

Phil
a:"
Iknowyoul
overedwit
hallyourhear
t,Ma
Zwane,sowhydon'
tyoutr
ythechampagneRuby
ones?"

Ilookedaroundandonef inall
ycaughtmyatt
enti
on.
Ithadadi amondbeltal
lroundandandonebi g,
roundRubyst oneinthemi ddl
e.Thestonewas
alsosurroundedbysmallwhi t
ediamonds.Iputi
t
onandi nstant
lyf
elli
nlovewi thi
t.

Me:
"Il
ovet
hisone.
"

Itwassoshinyitcouldgettheatt
ent
ionofabli
nd
man.I '
m notoneforattenti
on,
butIhopeandpray
thatt
hisismylastweddi ngsoIdeci
dedtogobig.
Phil
achoseani ceblackringwit
hsmallwhi
te
diamondsaroundit.
Phil
a:"
We'l
ltaketheseones,Antoni
o.Pl
easedon'
t
for
gettheengravi
ng.You'llsendmethei
nvoi
ce."

Antonio:
"Ofcour
se,myoldfr
iend.I
'
llmost
defi
nitel
yseeyoulat
er.Enj
oyyourday,
beaut
if
ul
couple."

Ismiledandsaidgoodbye.Weheadedoutandgot
i
ntot hecaragainanddr ovetoanothersur
pri
se
desti
nati
on.Her efusedtotel
lmewher ewewer e
going.Wel andedatyetanot hermansionbeauty.
Theeconomyher emustbeof ft
hechainsbecause
al
mostever yonel i
vesinahugehouse.

Itwasalsoabi gwhit
emansi onwithabiggarden
andwewer emetbyFr ancesca,
whol ookedstyl
ish
andbubbl yasalways.Iassumet hi
sisPierr
oand
Francesca'shouse.

Fr
ancesca:
"Mamba!Dea(
Goddess)
!Sol
ovel
yto
seeyouagain!Iwashopingtodaywoul
dbebi
g
weddingi
nSouthAfrica,
yes?Butyoutwo
post
ponelastminut
e."

Shehuggedandki
ssedusI
tal
ianSt
yle.

Phil
a:"
Hey,Francesca.Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.Ifi
twasn't
forci
rcumstances,Iwoul
dbeweddingt
hisgoddess
ofminetoday."

Hewrappedhi
sar
m ar
oundmywai
stashesai
d
t
hat
.

Fr
ancesca:(
smil
ing)"
Ofcourse,
ofcourse.Goin,
Pi
err
oiswaiti
ngforyou.You,mydarl
ingDea,come
wi
thme."

Sheledmetoanotherbigr
oom f
ullofcl
othi
ng
rackswi
thcl
othesthatwer
eseal
edi ncl
othi
ngsui
ts.
Iguesst
hisi
swher
eshedoesal
lherf
it
ti
ngs.

Me:
"Il
oveyourhouse,
Francesca.
"

Francesca:"
Thankyou,Dea(Goddess).Mambaask
met ofityouinanot
herdressf
ordiff
erentoccasion
i
ncaseyouchangemi ndaboutwearingonedr ess
forwedding."

Me:"Oh,
alr
ight
.Oh,
buthel
ikest
odot
hingswi
thout
t
ell
ingme."

Francesca:
"Behappy, darl
ing.Pier
roalways
workingwhenIwasyourage.Heonl yhavetimef
or
menowandIdon' tcomplain.Mambai sver
ygood
man.Hewai tforyouallthoseyearst
obeyour
husband.For gi
vehi mifhecomesof faswhatyou
call
-per
sist
ent.Hej ustdoeverythi
ngatoncenow
foryou,yousee."
Igetherpoi
nt.Phi
lai
str
ulyabl
essi
ng.Ismi
led
andnodded

Fr
ancesca:"Youl
ookgood, dea(
goddess)
.Much
moreconfidentt
hanlastt
ime.Ilovei
t.Youl
ook
magni
ficentandglowing.
"

Il
aughedshyl
y.Ihavebecomeal
otmor
econf
ident
.

Me:"
Thankyou,
Francesca.
"

Francesca:"
I'
m sorryaboutyourloss,
dea( goddess)
.
Iwasoncei nyoursi t
uati
on.Ilostmysonf ew
hoursafterbir
th.Doctorssayhewast oosmal l
and
bornwithsmal lheart
.YouandMambawi l
lbe
bl
essedwi thmanybabi es,I
'vebeenprayingand
Godspoket ome. "

Ineverknewmaf
iawomenwer
epr
ayerwomen,
but
whoam Itoj
udge?Phil
atal
kst
othiswomanabout
pret
tymuchever
ythi
ng.Hemustr
eall
ybecl
oseto
herandPi
err
o.

Me:
"Thankyou,
Francesca.I
tmeansal
ott
ome.
"

Fr
ancesca:
"Come,l
et'
sfi
tdr
ess.Andpl
ease,
cal
l
meFrannyorchescaorMamaorsomet
hing.
Fr
ancescaistool
ongandbori
ng.
"

Ilaughedabi tloudandnodded.She' ssupernice.

Sheshowedmet ooneoft heracksandopenedt he
fi
rstbag.Thi sdressl ooksamazi ng.It'
saMer mai d
styledr ess, peachi ncol ourwi thfeathersalmost
ever ywher e,especi allyatt hebottom.I t
'snotbigat
all
, withaoneshoul derf eatherstrapandcr yst
als
ont her ouchepar tal lovert hedress.Ifiti
tandI
j
ustf ellinlovei nahear tbeat.OnceImakeupmy
mi ndaboutsomet hing, Idon'treallygoforwardwith
anyt hingel se.
Me:"Il
ovet
hisone,
Franny.I
t'
ssogor
geous.Your
handsareaworkofart
."

Francesca:(
laughing)"Thankyou,dea.My
grandmothertaughtmehowt osewf rom ei
ght
yearsoldeverydayafterschool
."

Ibetshecouldsewanythi
ngwi t
hhereyesclosed.
Thisdressisaki
ll
erandI'
m keepingi
t.Ican'
twait
toshowi tt
oKeleandPorsche.

Fr
ancesca:
"Come,takei
tof
f.I'
l
lgetdr
ivertodel
iver
i
ttoyoubeforeyougobacktoSout
hafrica.
"

Itooki
tof
fandchangedbacki
ntomywhitedress
andwejoi
nedthemenforsomelunchanddri
nks.
Chapt
erEi
ght
yThr
ee
Sbu

KeleandIhavej ustlandedatORTamboandwe
didn'
ttal
kmuch.I '
m annoyedbutmost l
y
heartbr
okenaboutwhatshesai dt ome.Idon'tget
thissuddenchangeofbehavi our.Igenuinely
thoughtthatt
hingswer efi
nebet weenus, butnow
shescompar i
ngmet omyt winbr other
.Ihonestl
y
havehadenoughdr amawi t
hShar onandIcan't
dealwithanotherone.

Sheheldmyhandi nthecaronourwayt o
Randburg,
andIsqueezeditwit
houtsayi ng
anyt
hing.Isti
lll
ovehersomuchandIj ustwantt
o
showher.I'
m nothappyaboutthisjourneyto
seei
ngherstepmother,
butIdon'treal
lyhavea
choi
ce.

Wefi
nall
yarr
ivedandparkedrightoutsi
dethegat
e.
AswewereabouttoenterIcouldfeelKel
estar
ti
ng
t
oshake.Isqueezedherhandandwemadeour
wayi ntotheyar d.I'
m guessingthisisapainful
remi nderoft helastfewdaysoursonhadl ived.
Ther ewasacarpar kedinsidetheyardwhichwas
nevert her
ebef ore.Wegott otheki
tchenandwe
wer emetbyt hesamesceneast helastti
mewe
wer eher e.Ther ewer edi
rtydishesandfli
es
everywher ei
nt hekitchenandsomebeerbot tl
es
l
yi ngar ound.WeknockedandMar yscreamed
from t helounge.

Mar
y:"
Kenaweshu(
Comei
n,dear
)!
"

Wewal kedi nhandi nhandandshewassoshocked

toseeme, shealmostki ckedherbeerbot tl
easide.
Shewassi tt
ingwi t
haf ewpeopl ewhower e
dressedal it
tlebetterthanher .Shewasi nthe
sameski rtandsamewhi t
ebl ousewithoutabrajust
l
iketheotherday.Shewaswear inganold,cur
ly
wigthatlookedl i
kei thasn' tbeenwashedf oryears
andshehadami ssingf r
ontt ooththi
stime.
Perhapsit'salwaysbeent here,orInevernoti
ced
t
hef
ir
stt
ime.

Sbu:
"Dumel
ang.
"

Theyalll
ookedatmeandt heotherpeople,
two
elderl
ooki
ngmalesandamuchol derlooki
ng
woman, pr
obabl
yinhersixti
esgreetedmeexcept
forMary.Lebowasn'
taroundforachange.

Mar y:"
Heh!(Clappi
nghands)WenaKel eonot e
phar akamot sengwakaosar ebotsalegoreThat o
osul e(Youjustbargeinmyhousewi thouttell
ing
usThat odied)?Obj angwenamar a(Whatki ndofa
womanar eyou) ?Ai,maraketl
areng( Butwhatcan
Isay) ?Youpr obabl
ykil
ledhim si
nceyou'venow
foundar ichman. "

Icoul
dfeelmybl
oodboi
li
ng,
butItri
edt
omai nt
ain
mycool.Theol
dwomanont hecouchl
ookedatus
forawhil
e.
Woman: "
Kele,ngwanake( mychi ld).Kgalesel are
gobat la(We'vebeenlookingf oryoual lover)!Oh,
Modi moonal emosa(Godi sgr acious)!Ref ihli
lef
a
Mar yar ejwetsagoreoker eil
emonnawadi
tsheleteebileodulaleene( Wear r
ivedher eand
Mar ytoldusyouf oundaweal thymanandyou' r
e
evenst ayingwithhim).Ebear eThatoosul eebil
e
l
emobol oki
le(Sheevensai dThat odiedandyou
alreadybur i
edhim).Kannet engwanake( reall
y,my
child)?Lemobol okabjangkant lelebagolo( How
coul dyoubur yhim wi
thoutusel ders?"

Icoul
dfeelKel
e'sbodyt
enseup.Idon'
tneed
drama.Nottoday.Notf
ormyunbornkids.

Sbu:
"I
'm sorr
yyourstupi
dauntorsisterorwhatever
youcal
lherfedyousomanyl ies.Didshet el
lyou
howsheabusedKel eandThato?Idon' tknowwhat
el
seshet ol
dyou,butThatowasmyson.Hewas
murder
edi natr
agicwayandwebur i
edhi m wi
thout
youbecauseyouwer enowher etobef ound.I'
dlike
toknowwhoyouar ei
nor dertoproceedwi tht
he
l
obolamat t
er.Bri
anandKel egotdi vorcedandIam
goingtomarryher.Thiswoman( pointi
ngatMary),
soldKeletoBri
an.Brianwasaj unki edrugaddi
ct
whoal mostsol
dThatof ordrugsandabusedKel e
forhermoneytofeedhishabi t
.Now, areyougoi
ng
totel
lmewhoyout hr
eear e?
"

Theyalll
ookedatmespeechl
ess.Seemsl i
keI
've
sai
damout hful
.Marywantedtoinsul
tmebutI
shotheradeathst
areandshequi
cklykeptqui
et.

Woman: "MynameisEunice,I
'
m Kel
e'
saunt.Her
fatherwasmybrot
her.Theset womenar
emy
brother
s,Si
monandPieter.
"

Kel
e'sf
oreheadwasgetti
ngsweat yandIsatdown
wit
hheront heopencouch,
sti
llholdi
ngherhand.
Sbu:"Keletol
dmeshehasneverseenorhear
dof
herfathernorhermot
her'
sfamil
y-ever
.Sopl
ease
expl
ai ntomewhyyouf ai
ledt
otakeherawayfr
om
thi
sdevi l
?"

Eunice:"
WheneverwecameMar ytoldusKel edidn't
wantt oseeusandt hreatenedt okillusi fweever
steppedf ooti
nheryar d.Wet riedtogeti nto
contactwi t
hher,especi allyaf terthef uner al
.I
offer
edt otakeher, butMar yr efused.She
obviouslywantedt ouseal lmybr other'
smoneyand
abusedmypoorni ecei nthepr ocess.Kel e,
ngwanake( mychild) .I'
m sosor ryyouhadt osuf fer
l
ikethis.Wehadnoi dea.Ti meswer et oughand
wel i
vedinMaf ikeng, sot ravelingwasn' teasy
economywi se.Mar yheret ookever ythingt hat
belongedt oourbrot her,evenhi sunder wear .Weal l
thoughtshewasagoodwi fetohi m unt ilhedied."

Sbu:"
Icameherel
ookingforanswer
sfr
om Mary,
Mme( Ma),
butI
'
m gladyou'r
ehere.Doyouper
haps
knowwher
etof
indMar
y'smot
her
?"

Eunice:( Deepsi gh)" Oh,Modimowaka( MyGod) .

Thatwomani sj ustasl ostandt err
ibl
easMar y.I
don'tknowwhyt heirparentsgivethem Biblenames
becauset heyallt urnouttobeJezebel s.Kel e'
s
mother ,Rut h,st
aysast reetawayf rom us.She
abandonedKel ewhenshewasadayol dandher
ownf ami lydoesn' tevenknowaboutKel e.My
brot
herkepti tli
ket hattoavoi dKelebeinghur t.He
tr
iedhi sbestt or aiseherunt i
lthisdevi
lruined
everything."

Mar
ygotpi
ssedbecauseshedeci
dedt
ospeakup.

Mar y:
"Mxm!Heywena, Eunice!Obit
samangsat an
(Who'reyoucall
ingSatan)?Ot li
lemogakago
i
ket sabeter
e(Youcamet omyhouset oactbett
er
thanme) ?Skatlontenaot ukuyakoBreeStr
eet
(Don'ti
rri
tat
emewi t
hadoekyoiboughtf rom Br
ee
Street)
."
Igoti
rr
it
atedbyherandIdeci
dedt
ooutheri
nher
pl
ace.

Sbu:"
Youknowwhat ,Mary?IfIwereyouIwoul d
shutthef uckupanddrinkmybeer.It'
swhatyou're
goodati sn'ti
t?Youhadbetterr
espectKele'
s
famil
ybef oreIsendyoubacktotheBible!This
ti
meI '
llmakesur eIst
rangl
eyoutodeath!"

Shekeptqui
etandIpr
oceeded.

Sbu: "
Thankyousomuchbagol o( el
der
s)f
orcoming
allthi
sway.Iwoul dli
ketocomeseeyousoon,
l
at erthi
sweeksinceKeleisexpecti
ngandIwoul
d
l
iket omakehermywi fetheri
ghtwayandsoon
bef or
eshedeli
vers.
"

Mary'
seyesgrewwi
derast
heel
der
ssmi
ledwi
th
amusement.
Euni
ce:"
Aowa,agonabothata,ngwanake(
Ther
e's
noprobl
em,mychil
d.We' l
lexchangephone
numbersandwewillkeepi
nt ouch)
."

Kelewasqui
etal
lal
ongst
ruggl
ingt
okeephert
ear
s
fr
om fal
li
ngdown.

Sbu:
"Pelelet
samaya, bagolo,(
befor
eyoul
eave
el
ders)
,letmeatleastgiveyousomemoneyf or
pet
rolandfoodonyourwaybackhomesi ncethi
s
oneneveroff
eredyouanyt hingtoeat.
"

Euni
cewasser
iousl
yimpr
essedbymeImustadmi
t.

Eunice:
"That
'sver
yki
ndofyou,
mychi
ld,
butr
eal
ly
ther
e'snoneed."

Sbu:
"Pl
ease,
Iinsi
st.
"
Itookoutmywalletandpl
acedR5000onthetabl
e.
Mar ysawthest
ackofcashandimmediat
ely
decidedt
ochangehertunetowar
dsme.

Euni
ce:
"Thankyou,
mychi
ld,
buti
t'
sabi
ttoomuch.
"

Theuncleswereseri
ouslyi
mpressedandonecoul
d
tel
ltheydohar
dliquorever
ynowandt hen.

Sbu:
"Pl
ease,
takei
tasi
mvul
aml
omo.
"

Wel
aughedexceptKel
eandMar
yofcour
se.

Sbu:
"We'
l
lbeonourway.Pl
easet
akegoodcar
e."

AsKel
eandIwer
eaboutt
oleaveMar
yqui
ckl
y
st
oodup.
Mary:
"Hao,bannake,
erekel
efel
eget
sehl
e(My
chi
ldr
en,l
etmewal kyouout
).
"

Pieter
:"Mary,
man!Tlogelagor
ehl abi
sadihl
ong
pelefamonnawaKel e(
Stopembar r
assi
ngusin
fr
ontofKel e'
shusband)
.Dulafase,retl
agorekel
a
cot(Sitdownwe'l
lbuyyouabeer)."

I
fmoneycoul
dtalki
twoul
dhavesai
d'Voet
sek'
r
ightt
her
eandthentoMar
y.

Zi
yanda

Phil
a,Francesca,Pier
roandIwer ehavingsome
l
unchandt hedri
nkswer eflowing.Tvdoesn' tl
ie
whenitshowsust heItal
ianshavinggoodf oodand
seri
ouswi ne.NowIseewher ePhil
agothis
acquir
edwi netasteandhi sloveforOperafrom.He
andPierrowerechat t
ingawayl ikefat
herandson.I
j
ustl
ovet
heirrel
ati
onshi
p,especi
all
ywhenPhi
la
gr
ewupwithouthisdadpret
tymuch.

Pierr
oisthetypicalMafi
aman;sl i
ckgell
edblack
hairwit
habi gtummy, expensiveper
fumeandeven
mor eexpensi
vecl ot
hesandt onsofbigr
ingsonhis
fi
ngers.

Pier
ro:
"So,Dea(
Goddess)
,ar
eyour
eadyf
or
toni
ght
? "

Me:
"What
'shappeni
ngt
oni
ght
?"

Pier
ro:
"Meandmybi gmouth.It
'ssurpr
ise,
no?
Justwaitandsee.Youhavegotpret
tygood
romanti
cmanher einPhi
la.
"

Okay,nowIwouldreal
lyl
iket
oknowwhat
's
happeningt
oni
ght.Phil
akeepsdr
oppi
ngsubt
le
hint
sandhe' sbeencall
ingmeMaZwanei nsteadof
theusualSthandwasami (
Myl ove)allday.Ican't
waittoseewhathehasi nstor
ef ormet onight,
especial
lynowt hatt
healcoholiskickingin,i
t'
s
makingmeal ltonsofhornyandI 'm havingsome
seri
ousdi r
tythought
sri
ghtnow.
Chapt
erEi
ght
ySi
x

Sbu

KeleandIfl
ewbacktoDur ban.Shehasn' tsai
da
wordeversi
ncewe'vebeent oherstepmom' shouse.
Iunderst
andcomplet
ely,
findingoutthatyourmom
i
sal i
veandnevercar
edtol ookforyoumustbeshi t
.

It
'sbettert
obeabandonedandf indoutyour
parentsareactuall
ydead.IleftKelei
nt hebedr
oom
tosleepandheadeddownst airstochil
lwi t
huMa
andt hetwins.Itookabeerfrom thefr
idgeand
j
oinedheri nthelounge.Shewaswat chi ngThe
Ri
verwi
tht
hegi
rl
s,andNobuhl
ecamet
osi
tonmy
l
ap.

Ma:
"Howwasyourday,
mfanawami
(myboy)
?"

Sbu:(sigh)Itwasfine,ma.JustthatMaryisareal
handfulshame.Iwonderhowsomewomenwho
don'tdeservechil
drenaregivenchil
drenyouknow.
Imeanbuka( lookat)uZee.She'
sbeenst r
uggl
ing
foryearsandi ssogoodwi thChi
ldren.
"

Ma:
"Whati
sonyourmi
nd,
Sbusi
so?Spi
titout
."

Sbu:(Chuckli
ng)"Youknowmet oowel l
,Ma.It'
s
Kele.Idon'tunderst
andwher ethesuddenchange
i
scomi ngf r
om, ma.Theot herdaywehadour
ul
trasoundandZee, PorscheandPhi l
awerethere
wit
hus.Zeehadasadmomentwhi chispret
ty
understandabl
eandaskedt obeexcused.Shewas
i
nqui t
eabadst ateasPhi l
atoldme.Manj e(Now)
uKel
etell
smethatZeewasbeingdr
amat
icandt
hat
sheshoul
dbehappyforher
."

Ma:
"Heh(
What
)?!
"

Sbu:"That'snotall.Thismor ningshegoesont otel

l
meukut hishewi shesIwasasr omant icasPhil
a,
ma.Sayi ngthatIshoul dbeoutwi thherona
Baecat i
onl i
keZeei swithPhi l
ar i
ghtnow.Cabanga
(Imagine)ma.Idon' tknowi fi
t'sthehor monesor
what, butIdon'tneedal lthi
s.Iwaspl anningon
taki
nghert oBaliaftert
heweddi ng,ma.AndnowI
am takingcar eofhersi nceshe'sr ecover
ingandI
didn'
twantt ostr
essherout .I
'm honest l
yhurt,
ma."

Ma:( Si
gh)"Lal
elala(Listenhere),Sbusi
so.Kel
eis
asweetgirlandIdon' tthinkshemeansanyharm,
butitcoul
dbet hatshe'sj ustnotusedtothi
s
l
ifest
yleandhasnoi deahowt oadapt.Imal
i
i
shinshaabantu,mf anawami( moneychanges
people,myboy).Ver yfewwomenl i
keZeemanage
t
ostaygr
ounded.Maybet
hekidnappi
ngand
t
raumamessedwit
hherali
tt
lebi
ttoomuch.I'
l
ltal
k
t
oher.
"

Sbu:
"Ngi
yabonga(
Thankyou)
,ma.
"

Nokuhl
e:"
Daddy,
whati
smagosha(
prost
it
ute)
?"

Inear
lyspi
toutmybeerandcoughedt
ryi
ngt
oget
someair.

Ma:"I
t'
ssomethingveryscaryandonethingyou
shoul
dnevereverstri
vetobe.Ifyouheart hatwor
d
agai
n,coveryourear
sot her
wisethey'
l
lfalloff
."

Zi
yanda

Lunchwassogr
eatwi
thPi
err
oandFr
ancescaandI
mustsay,thatwi
neistherealdeal.I
twasabout
5pm al
readyandIwasabi ttipsyaswewalkedout
oft
here.Ioptedforwatert
odr ai
ntheal
coholf
rom
mysystem.

Me:
"So,
wher
etonow,
Mr.Zwane?
"

Phi
la:
"You'
l
lfi
ndoutwhenwegethome,
MaZwane.
"

Me:"
Hmm,babywami(
mybaby) .You'
vebeen
cal
li
ngmeMaZwaneallday.Shoul
dIbeworri
ed?
"

Phi
la:(
laughi
ng)"Notatal
l,
unl
essyou'
reaf
rai
dof
et
ernalhappi
ness."

Hekissedmepassionatel
yonthelipsmaki
ngme
i
nstantl
ywetdownthere.Itouchedhismanhood
gentl
y,buthehel
dmyhand.
Phi
la:
"AsmuchasIwantyousobadlyr
ightnow,
MaZwane.You'l
lhavet
owaitunt
ilt
hefesti
vit
ies
ar
eover."

Phil
anevertur nsmedown.Iguesshe' splanned
somet hi
ngreallyi
mpor t
antfortonight.Wef inal
l
y
arr
ivedbackatt hehouseandmadeourwayi nto
thehouse.AsIwal kedinhesaidhe' sget
tingsome
waterandhe'llmeetmeupst air
si nthebedr oom i
n
ami nute.

Iwal kedinandIwasmetbyal ovelysur prise.The

peach, Mermaidweddingdr essIhadt ri
edont his
after
noonwasl yingonmybedwi t
hst unni nggrey
shoesandabeaut i
fuldiamondnecl aceandear ing
setnexttoitwithanot e"Timetogetr eadyf orour
fi
rstwedding.Getr eady,themakeupar tistand
styli
stwil
lbeher ei
nanhour .Don'ttr
yi nterrogati
ng
me, I'
m gett
ingreadytomar rythewomanofmy
dreams.LoveP
Tearsofj oyf elldownmycheeks.I '
mt rulythe
happiestgi r
lal i
ve.Nowonderhekeptdr opping
hint
s.Iwentt otakeani ce,longbubbl ebat handI
gotoutaf teraboutt hir
tymi nutes.I '
veal waysl oved
l
ongbat hs, I'
m abi tofamer mai d.Il oti
onedmy
bodysmi lingwi t
hjoyandpr i
dest aringatmy
beautif
ulout fitfortonight .Igoti ntomydr essand
woremyj ewel ry.Ist aredatmysel fint hemi r
ror
andyes, thisisExact l
yhowIpr ettymuchpi ct
ur ed
myweddi ngt oPhi la.Il ovehim somuchandcan' t
waittobehi swi fe.AsIsatdownonmychai r,
whi l
e
waiti
ngf ormymakeupar ti
sttoar ri
ve, Igota
messagef rom anunsavednumber" Iloveyou, Zee.
I'
vealwaysl ovedyou.Iwon' trestunt i
lyoucome
backtome, LoveLu. "

Isuddenl
ygotfright
ened.Lunga?Wher edidheget
mynumber ?Isn'thesupposedtobegrievi
ng
Beli
ndari
ghtnow?Idel etedthemessageandI
ref
usedtoletanythi
ngoranyonerui
nmyeveni ng.
Aknockont hedoorsurfacedandItoldt heperson
tocomei n.Tomysur pri
seitwasAnt onioand
anothergaylookingguyI '
venevermetbef ore,
but
hisfaceissof amil
iart
houghIcan'ttellwhohei sat
thi
spoint.IhopeIwon' tbedrunkbyt het i
meIwal k
downt heaisle.

Ant
oni
owasholdi
ngchampagneandt
hreegl
asses,
whi
let
heot
herguyhadahugemakeupkitwi
thhim.

Antoni
o:"
Heyhey, Dea(
Goddess)
!Thi
sismy
husbandLuciano.Youmustknowhimfr
om The
FacePaintershow."

Oh,
nowIreal
izewher
eI'
veseenhi
mfr
om.Hi
s
wor
kisamazi
ng!

Me:"Yes!Irememberyourf
ace.Lovel
ytomeetyou
Luci
ano.Iam honouredtohaveyoumakeme
pret
tytoday!"
Luci
ano:"Thepl
easurei
sallmine,sweetheart.Who
wouldn'
twanttoworkonthisgorgeousf ace?I fI
wasn'ti
ntothi
sone,Iwoul
dt ur
nst r
aightjustfor
you.
"

Weal lburstoutlaughingwhi l
eIbaskedi nt
heir
beautif
ulpresence.They' resuchal ovel
ycoupl
e
andcompl i
menteachot her.Idon'thavemanygay
fr
iendsoranyact ual
ly,butwiththeset woyou
actuall
yforgetthattheyar emalesi ncetheyknow
mor eaboutwomenst ufft
hanImysel fdo.
Chapt
erEi
ght
ySeven

Zi
yanda

Porschealwaystell
smegaypeopl eare"
TheShit
".
Apparent
lyRober t
'sbr
otheri
sgayandhe'sthe
reasonbehindherawesomef ashi
onsense.NowI
beli
eveher.LucianoandAntonioaresomuchfun.
Lucianohasbeendoingmymake-upandhairwhi
le
thr
owi ngsexti
psinbet
weenandkeepingt
he
champagnef l
owing.Theset
woarejustamatch
madei nheaven.

They'vebeenmar ri
edf oreightyearsnowandhave
beent ogetherforelevenyear s.Talkaboutawhi l
e.
IwishPhi l
aandIgett ot hi
sst age.Theysayin
ordertomakeyourmar r
iagewor kyou'
vegottatake
atri
alr unfir
st;gettoknowyourper sonandbesur e
thattheyar etheoneyou' rewi l
li
ngtospendther est
ofyourl i
fewith.

Antoniosaystheyfi
rstmovedi ntogether
,tobe
surehe'dbeabletowakeupt oLuci ano'
sface
everyday.Hesayst hedayhecoul dstomach
anothermanshi t
ti
nginhistoi
letwhi l
ehewas
asleep,heknewhehadmadet her i
ghtchoice.
Funny,butIguesshehasapoi nt
.

Phi
laandIwer
etoget
herpr
ett
ymuchmywhol
e
highschoolli
fe.Event
houghwewer eapar
tforsi
x
years,
andIneverthoughtt
hesparkwouldbeback.
Inowr eal
izehe'
stheonlymanI'
veeverl
oved.The
sparkisnowst r
ongert
hanever
.

Antonioisbri
ll
iantatwhathedoes.I '
veneverworn
somuchmake- upinmyl i
feeverbefore.Ilookso
di
fferent
,butinagoodway heevenputonni ce
peacheyeshadowt hatmatchesperfect
lywithmy
dress.Thisisprett
ymuchhowPor schelikesdoi
ng
herownmakeup.Ineedsomeser i
oust i
psfrom
herandAnt oni
o.

Hest raightenedmyhai randmademyhai ri

ntoa
beauti
fulplaitedhi
ghbun.Heputsomer eal
lynice,
sparkl
y, peachbeadsont heponytailbeforerol
li
ng
i
tintoabun.Myhai ri
sabi tl
ong,shoulderlength
soIneverseear easontowearaweave.Headded
anice,bigpeachf loweronthesideofmybunand
toppedmyl ookwithredli
psti
ck.Icoul dbarely
recognizemysel f
.
I'
veneverlookedthisbeautifuli
nmyl ifeeverbefor
e,
alt
houghPhi l
awoul ddisagree.HesaysIal ways
l
ookbeaut i
ful
.He' smymant hough,He'ssupposed
tosaysuch.Ther ewasn'tevenr oom for
nervousnessthankstot hechampagne, butone
thi
ngaboutal coholi
sthatitmostdef init
elywil
l
makeyouf eelemot i
onalafteraf ewglasses.

Istart
edt hi
nki
ngaboutal
lI'
vebeenthr oughand
howf arI'vecome.Ihaveneverinmyl ifeimagined
thatli
fewoul dtur
noutthi
seayespeci all
yafter
beingthr oughwhatIhavewithLungaandZodwa.
Mymot herandIaremendingourr el
ationshipandI
can'tsaymuchaboutmyownsi st
er.Ist ar
ted
getti
ngt earyandLuci
anostoppedmei nmyt racks.

Luciano:"
No!No!Dea(
Goddess)
,please!You
cannotgooutandseeMambawi t
hf adedmakeup!
Allmyhardwork!"
Igi
ggl
edandhegavemeapi
eceoft
issue.

Me:"
Sorry,
Luciano.I
t'
sjustthatI
'
veneverl
ooked
t
hisbeauti
fuli
nmyl i
febefor
e.Thankyouso
much."

Luciano:
"Theydon'
tcal
lthesehandsmagi
chands
fornothi
ng(fl
ashi
nghishands).
"

Ant
oni
o:"
Myl ovecant
urnascar
ecr
owi
nto
Ci
nder
ell
a."

Theybothlaughedandpeckedeachot heronthe
l
ips.Ilovethi
slevelofaf
fect
ionevenafterbei
ng
toget
herforsolong.Icanonlywishthesamef or
KeleandSbu.

Luci
ano:"
Timetogoshowcasemymasterpiece.
Nomor ecryi
ng,
Dea(Goddess)
.Ot
her
wi seIcharge
doubl
eformessi
ngupmakeup.
"

Weal ll
aughedsubtlyasAnt oni
ogavememy
bouquetandwewal kedout.Itr
ulyhopePhil
ahas
someoneonst andbyr ecor
dingthi
sbecauseIwant
torememberitforever.AsIwast hi
nkingoft
hat
whilewalki
ngoutoft hebedroom,

Iwasmetbyacamer amanr ecordi

ngmef rom t
he
momentIwal kedoutthebedr oom.Ilit
eral
lyf
eltt
he
tearsbui
ldi
ngupbutIf oughtthem back.Phil
a
seemst oalwaysknowwhatI 'mthinki
ngandIlove
thatabouthim.There'sjustneveradul lmoment.

Iwal keddownt hestair

scar ef
ullyasAnt oni
oand
Lucianowal kedrightbehi
ndme.I twasst art
ingto
sinki nthatI
'dwakeupwi thadi fferentsurname
tomor rowmor ni
ng.Ican' tbel
ievei t.Ididn'
teven
wr i
temyownvowssoI '
l
lspeakf rom t heheartl
ike
Philaalwaysdoes.Icont inuedwal kingcaref
ull
y
downt helongstair
way.Imademywayoutt he
doorandIwasi mmediat
elycapt
uredbyt
he
magnifi
centbeaut
ythatl
aybeforeme.

Ther ewasaver ylongr edcar petthatledalltheway

toabeaut if
ul, whi
techapelt hatwassetover looki
ng
thelake.Al ongsidet her edcar petweregorgeous
rosesi ndi f
ferentcol ours, arrangedingorgeous,
hugegl assvasest hatwer eputonpedast i
ls.There
wer efairylightsever ywher e.If el
tli
keIwasi nmy
ownmovi e.Acr osst hel i
ttlechapelPhi l
aandt he
priestwer est andingunder , wasagor geouswhi te
stretchtentwi t
htablesal lover.Nott oomany
tables,justaboutt hreer oundt ables.

Ifel
tabitemot i
onalwhil
ethecameramanwas
st
andingbef or
eme.Iguessheonl ymovedwhenI
moved.Ant onioandLucianowenttojoi
nthefew
guestst
hatwer eseated.AsIapproachedtherest
ofthecarpet,M.A.
J.O.R'
sThisiswhyIloveyou
pl
ayedint hebackgroundandtheystoodupand
l
ookedatme.Thi ssongremindsmeoft hefi
rst
ti
mePhil
aandIbecameone.Ikeptwalkingslowl
y
whil
ePhil
a'
seyeswerefi
xedonme.If ocusedmy
eyesonhi
m andal
lsort
soffeel
ingsconsumedmy
mind.

Ican'tbelievewe' r
eactuall
yher e.Fewmont hsago
Iwoul dhavenevert houghtthatPhi l
aandIwoul d
beget t
ingmar r
iedadayaf termy26t hbi r
t hday.
Gogoal wayst ellsmenott odwel lont hel ossesbut
torejoiceint hegai ns.Rightnowal lIcansayi s
Phil
ai smor ethanenoughf orme.Iwal kedt owards
myf uturehusbandandhel ookedsoamazi nginhis
gorgeousI talianTux.IguessI t
aliansui tsar eall
he
wears.Hehadapeachshi rton.Her eall
yst uckto
thetheme.Iwal kedmysel fdownt heai sl
eandI '
m
notevenf eel i
ngsadabouti t.I'
veneverr eallyhad
anact i
vef athersowhywoul ditbot hermenow?

Ifi
nall
yappr
oachedPhil
aandheheldmyhands.
Antoni
onquickl
ygotupandtookmybouquetaway
fr
om mesomyhandscoul dbefree.
Phi
la:
"Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
SthandwaSami(
My
l
ove).
"

Me:(
Smi
li
ng)"
Youl
ooksohot
."

Hel
aughedsof
tl
y.

Thepr i
estbeganbywelcomi ngever
yoneandgave
usaf ewwor dsofadvi
ce.I'
m gladhecutitshor
t
becauseIwon'tbeabletostandintheseheelsf
or
veryl
ong.I twasnowt i
mef orourvowandthe
Pri
estaskedPhilatogofir
st.Iwasabi tner
vous
becauseIknowhe' l
lbeatmyvows.

Phil
a:"Sthandwasami( Myl ove),
uMamawe
bantwanabami( motherofmyki ds),
Sthandwase
nhli
ziyoyami( Loveofmyl i
f e)
,Qhawekaziwami
(Myher oine),
Ndhlovukazi(Queen).Wordscan
neverexpr esstheabsolut
ej oyandcontent
mentI
feelri
ghtnow.You' r
et her easonIam whoIam
today,Yaya.Il iveandbr eatheforyou.WheneverI
l
ookatyouIseeheaven, becauseyoureyesbr i
ng
outthebestinpeopl e,mor eespecial l
yme.Your
soulgivesmei nnerpeaceandyoursmi l
emakes
mewantt oshowyouof ftot hewor ld.WheneverI
l
ookatyouIbeam wi t
hpr idebecauseIhol dt he
mostbeaut if
ulgem i nt hewor l
d.Noamountof
moneycancompr ehendt hewayyoumakeme
happy.Ivowt oal waysl oveandpr otectyou, Ivow
tomakeyoul aughatl eastonceaday.Ivowt o
makeyout hehappi estwomanonear thandapr oud
mot hertoourki dsoneday.Ivowt ogi veyout he
wor l
djustasIpr omised.Ivowt ostayf ait
hfuland
honouryout ilet er
nit
y.Myonl ywishi sf oryout o
staybymysi deandgr owol dwi t
hme.Yourname
meansMayt heBl essingscont i
nue, andIvowt o
maket hewor ldseewhatabeaut i
fulblessingyou
are.Iloveyousomuch, mf aziwami (Mywi fe).
"

Icoul
dn'
tholdmytearsi
nanymor
e.Theyf
ellr
ight
aft
ert
hefir
stsent
ence.
Pr
iest
:"
Wow.Thatwasquiteamout
hful
.Let
'ssee
i
fthebri
decanbeatt
hat
."

Theguest
slaughed.

Me: "
Phi l
aNkosenye' Mamba' Zwane, Ithankyouf or
seeingmewor thyenought obeyourwi fe.Ithank
yousomuchf orcomi ngbackt omebecausemy
wor l
dwoul dbemeani nglesswi thoutyou.It hank
youf oraccept ingmej ustthewayIam andnever
tr
yingt ochangeme.It hankyouf orlovingmeso
mucht hatever ydayfeelslikeanewmovi e.It hank
yousomuchf orbeingyouandnevert ryingtohar d.
Ineverknewwhatt ruelovemeantunt i
lyoucame
along.Havi ngyoubymysi demakesme
automat icall
yconf i
dent.Ipr aythatGodbl essesus
wihnot hingbutet ernaljoy, happinessandpeace.I
l
oveyousomuchBabywami( Mybaby) ,Myhear t'
s
keeper, Mkhont o(clanname)wami .Ther e'
sno
othermanf ormebutyou.Ivowt ol oveandr espect
youasmyteam mate,
myhusband,headofour
houseandt
heloveofmyli
fe.Ivowtoalwaysbe
thewif
eyouneedandtobefai
thf
ult
oyouatall
ti
mes.

Thepri
est
:"
Nowthati
swhatIcallspeaki
ngf
rom t
he
hear
t.Maywehavether
ingsplease?"

Antonionbr
oughtt
her
ingsonapeachf
eat
her
ed
cushionwit
hsomuchpride.

Phil
atookmyri
ngf
rom t
hecushi
onandst
art
ed
speaki
ngagai
n.

Phila:"Wi
ththisri
ng, Ivowt omakeitasymbolof
ourl oveunti
leter
nity.Ispecifi
cal
lyaskedforthem
tobeengr avedwi t
ht oday'sdat
esot hatyou'
l
lnever
forgetthi
sdat e.Eveni fyougrowoldandget
Alzheimer's.
"
Theguest slaughedonceagain.Ididn'
tknowwhat
tosayasheputt heri
ngonmyf ingerwit
hahuge
smileonhi sface.Icannevergetenoughofthose
perfectt
eeth.Iputhisri
ngonhi sfi
nger,whi
le
tr
yingtowi pethetear
saway.Ther egoesthe
makeup.

Priest
:"
Thegr oom speci
fi
callyaskedmenottoask
foranyobjections,
soI'l
lgetrightt
oit.Byt
he
powervest edinmeInowpr onounceyouhusband
andwi fe.Youmaynowki sst heBri
de."

Phi
la:
"Fi
nal
ly!
"

Theguest slaughedagai nashekissedme

passionatel
y.Thi sti
meourt ongueswer enotjust
dancingtogether,butwewer ethecent r
eof
attenti
onbychoi ceinfrontofGod,fri
endsandt he
fl
ami ngosandducks.Notf orget
ti
ngt hemoonand
starscaptur
ingthismomentf orus.Iexpecteda
briefki
ss,butseemsl ikePhil
awant edtogoon
f
orever
.

Antoni
o:"
Mamba!Letgoofher,man.You'
l
lki
llher
wit
hyourlips.Savet
hatf
orl
ater
!"

Theguestslaughedaswepul l
edoutofthekiss.
Theyclappedforusandthrewrosesatuswhi l
e
theyfol
lowedust ot
herecept
ionarea.Phil
aheld
mei nhisarmsandpull
edmet othelake,f
urther
awayf r
om thecrowd.

Phil
a:"Sthandwasami( Myl ove),Iknowthi
sisn't
veryidealwithoutyourf
riendsandf ami
lyher
e, butI
promiseyouI 'l
lgi
veyout heweddi ngofyour
dreamswhenwegethome.Ij usthadtodothis.I
couldn'twaitanylonger
."

Me:"
Don'tbesi
ll
y,Nkosenye,t
hisi
ssoperf
ect.
Haveyouseenmymakeup?Thewat er
wor
kstell
youjusthowmuchI'm happyri
ghtnow.Thankyou
somuchf
ort
his.
"

Hekissedmeandwemadeourwayt oour
r
eception.Thepri
estmadeussi
gnourmarri
age
l
icenseandIjustt
houghtI
'
m sogoi
ngtochange
mysur namewhenwegetbackhome.It'
sbeen
l
ongover due.

Pier
roandFr ancescamadespeechesf i
rst.Ilove
howi nt
imatethiswholesetti
ngis,becauseI
couldn'
thandlekissi
ngandhuggi nghundr edsof
peoplealleveni
ng.Everyt
hingwassoper f
ectandI
assumePhi lachoseathemef rom thedressIchose.

Itwastimef orourfi
rstdanceandtomysur pr
ise
BlaqDiamond' sNgaqonyawaspl ayi
ngforus.
Phil
adidn' tl
iewhenhesaidhewasamanwi t
h
manyt alentswhenImethi mforl
unchatMenl yn
fewmont hsago.Wedancedsl owlyasIwas
capti
vatedbyhi sst
rongcologne.
Hekeptkissi
ngmyf oreheadaswedancedt othe
song.Thecrowdwassi lent
,anditfel
tli
kethestars
weresingi
ngtoget
herwhi l
ethemoonwasdi rect
ing
thestar
s.Thecamer amanwassobusyIhopehe
didn'
tmissamomentofmyper fectwedding.
Chapt
erEi
ght
yEi
ght

Zi
yanda

Phil
aandIhadsuchabl issfulnight.Wedanced
thenightawayourI tal
ianguest sandwekept
downingshot sandmor ealcohol.Myheadhur t
s
l
ikehell.I
t'
snoti dealwakingupwi thahangover
aft
eryourweddi ng.Itwast rul
yt hebestnightever
,
alt
houghI '
m superexhaust ednow.Phi l
amadei t
worsebymaki nglovetomeal lnightl
ong.

IfIdon'
tloseanyweightaft
erthi
s,thenIdon'
tknow.
Iwokeupwi thouthi
mi nbed,Ist
il
ldon'tknowhow
heget stohaveallthi
senergyaf t
ersuchar ough
night.Ikeptstar
ingatmyr ingandIj ustcouldn'
t
stopsmi l
ing.I'
m offi
cial
lyMrs.ZiyandaZwane.
JustasIwassmi li
ngtomysel fhewal kedin
carryi
ngat rayoffood.

Phi
la:
"Goodmorni
ng,
MaZwane.Ul
elenj
ani(
how
di
dyousleep)
?"

Me:(Smil
ing)"
Likeyouevergavemeachancet
o
sl
eep.I'
m soexhaustedandmyheadyoh!"

Phil
a:(Chuckl
ing)"
Youshouldexerci
sewithme
onceinawhi l
e.You'l
lseenomor ehangover
s.
Here,t
akethesepil
lsforyourheadandeatup.
"

Me:
"Pl
easet
ellmewe'
renotgoi
nganywher
etoday.
"

Phi
la:(
laughi
ng)"
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
,kodwa
uyavil
apha(you'
rel
azy)
.Don'
twor
rywe'r
estayi
ng
i
nt odayandwe'l
lhaveapi
cni
cbythel
akelat
eron.
"

Me:
"Thankgoodness.Ican'
tevenf
eelmyl
egs.
"

Phila:
"Wel
l,
Ican'
tevenfeel
mydickaf
teryour
mout hsangonmymi c.Wheredi
dyoulearnt
hose
tr
icks,MaZwane?"

Me:(
Blushi
ng)"
Ihavemyways.
"

Icoul
dn'
ttel
lhi
m PorschetaughtmeafewandI
readabookonit
.Idon'twanthimtothi
nkshe'
sa
sexfr
eakoranyt
hingli
kethat.

Phil
a:"
Wel
l,
Icoul
dgetsousedt
othatonadai
ly
basi
s."
Ishookmyheadasweat
eourbr
eakf
ast
.

Twodaysl
ater

Kel
e

I'
vebeensor eluctanttogetoutofbedf orthepast
fewdays.If eelsotiredandemot i
onallydrai
ned.
Allt
hisdramawi t
hmyf amilyj
ustget ti
ngme
worri
edbyt heday.It r
iedapologizi
ngt oSbuand
eventhoughhe' stalki
ngt ome, Isti
llsensesome
rel
uctanceonhi sside.I '
m seri
ouslyt r
yingnott
o
compar ethingsbet weenmyr elati
onshipwi t
hSbu
andZee'sr elati
onshi pwithPhila,butIcan'thel
pit
.

Sbut oldmetogetreadysincewehavetkfl
yto
Mafikengtomeetmyf at
her'
sfamil
y.Appar
ently
we'r
el eavi
nghisuncleMzwandile,
hismom's
brot
heraswel lasKingShaka.He'spayi
nglobol
a
formet oday.Ifeel
likeever
ythi
ngissor
ushed
becauseI'
m pregnant,butIj
ustwishforsomethi
ng
more,li
keanof f
ici
alceremony,butIdon'
twantto
dwellonthi
stoomuch.Sbui salreadyst
ressedas
i
s.

AsIwasdoneget
ti
ngdressedIappr
oachedthe
door
,butSbu'
smom wal
kedinbefor
eIcouldmake
mywayout .

Mam'
Ivy:
"Dumel
a(Goodmorni
ng)
,Kel
e.Okaeka
j
eno(
Howar eyout
oday)
?"

Kel
e:"
Dumel
a,mme(Goodmor
ning,
ma)
.I'
m okay
t
hankyou.Howar
eyou?"

Mam'Ivy:
"I
'm al
ri
ght,
thankyou.Iactual
lycameto
speaktoyoubeforeyouleave.Pl
ease,l
etssi
t.
"

Wesatnextt
oeachot
heront
hebedwhi
lef
aci
ng
oneanot
her
.Ifel
tabi
tuneasyt
hough,
sinceshe
l
ookssoser
ious.

Mam' Ivy:
"Kelebogi l
e, mnwanami (mychi ld).Iknow
you' vebeent hr oughal otoft r
auma, Itotally
under standt hat ,
mnt wanami( mychi ld).Butone
thingIknowi sthatmysonl ovesyou, hel ovesyou
verymuch.Hewoul dn'thavegonet hr oughal lthe
troubl eofsavi ngyouf rom Br i
anandScor pioni fhe
reallydidn'tloveyou.Kel e,Ineedyout o
under standaf ewt hings:SbuandPhi laar et wo
differentpeopl e.Theyar eequal l
yrich- yetdi ff
erent.
Theyar ebill
ionai r
es, mnt wanami( mychi ld)anda
placei naBi lli
onaire'swor l
dcomeswi t
hal otof
pat i
enceandsacr if
ice.Myboyshavewor kedver y
har dtogetwher etheyar e, Kele.PhilaandIhave
beent her
ef orSbuwhenhewoul dpi tchupi nt he
mi ddleoft heni ght,cryingaboutShar onandsayi ng
hewi shedhewaswi thyou.He' salwaysl ovedyou,
butyourr ecentbehavi ourmakeshi m doubthi msel f
andhi splacei nyourl ife.Sbui salotoft hings, but
assoonashest art
shavi ngdoubt shest ar t
st ol ose
focusandIdon'twantt hat
.Ineedt oknowt hat
you'rei
ni tf
ort
helonghaul .Ifyou'r
ehavingdoubts
pleaseleavehi
m whileit'
ssti
llearl
y.Leavehim
beforeheselfdest
ructs.Ifyouchooset ostay,
fix
yoursel
fandbet hewifehedeser ves."

Ir
emainedqui
etandabi
tshockedasIdi
dn'
texpect
al
lshesai
dtome.

Mam'I
vy:"
I'
m gladweunder st
andeachother .Come
downforbreakfastbef
orehecomeslookingf oryou.
I'
vemadeani cemeal andthegi
rl
sarewai t
ing."

Shesmi l
edandl eftt
heroom.I'm notsur
ehowt o
feel
.HaveIr eall
ybeenthathorr
ible?Ican'
taff
ord
toloseSbu,Ireall
ycan'
t.Idolovehim andIneed
tofixal
lthi
s.

Iheadeddownstai
rsandfoundal
loft
hem alr
eady
atthetabl
e.Sbuquickl
ygotupandpull
edthechai
r
forme.Isatandgr eetedt
het wins.Wesaidgrace
andat eourfood.IkeptglancingatSbuashe
l
ookedatmeever ynowandt henseeking
reassurance.Ifeelli
kesuchat otalbi
tch.Sbuhas
beennot hi
ngbutt hebestandIjustkeepaddingto
hisstress.

Me:"
Thef
oodi
slovel
y,ma.Keal
eboga(
Thank
you)
."

Mam'Ivy:
"I
twasallSbusi
so'
sdoi
ng.Ijustmadethe
eggsbecauseSbuandeggmakingareenemies.
"

Il
aughedabi
t.

Me:(l
ooki
ngatSbuandholdi
nghi
shand)"
Thank
you,
Sbu.Ireal
lyappr
eci
atei
t.
"

Hesmi
ledsuddenl
yandIcoul
dseet
heSbuIknow
wasreappeari
ngonhi sface.Wesai dour
goodbyestothegi
rlsandMam' I
vyandweheaded
toORTambo.Wer egoingtomeetUncl eMzwandile
andUncleShakathere.KingZuriwon'tbeableto
makeitsincehi
swifehasgonef rom badtoworse.
Hesaidhewoul dt
akehert oanassylum bythi
s
week.Onourwayt ot heair
por
t,Itookthi
sasa
chancetospeaktoSbu.

Me:"Sbusiso,I'
mr eal
lysorr
ythewayI '
vebeen
acti
nglately.Ithankyousomuchf oreveryt
hing
you'
vedonef orme, i
ncl
udinglovi
ngme.I 'm sor
ryI
evermadeyoudoubtyour self.You'
reeveryt
hing
andmor et ome, Sbu.Ireall
yloveyou,babe.
"

Sbu:"
Iloveyoutoo,
Kel
e.Ipromiset
omakeyou
happy,justgi
vemeachance."

Ismil
edandpeckedhisl
ips.Wearri
vedatOR
Tamboandmetwi tht
hetwouncles.Wegotint
o
thej
etandwewer eof
ftoMafi
keng.I'
m notver
y
fami l
iarwit
hthist
ownbecauseI '
veneverbeenher
e.
Itwasn' taver
ylongfl
ightandtheuncl
eskept
drinki
ngwhi skeywit
hSbuandr avi
ngabouthow
nice50yearol dWhiskeytast
es.

Wef i
nal
lyarri
vedatmyf at
her'
shomeandI
couldn'
thel
p, butfeelabithear
tbroken.Iwouldl
ike
toknowwhymyf atherneverbr
oughtmeher e.Ifel
t
abittear
yeyedbutIr ef
usetocryt oday.I
t'
sa
happydayt odayandIr eall
ydon'twanttorui
nit
wit
ht ear
sofhear tache.

Wef oundAuntEuni ce,UnclePieterandUncl e

Simonal r
eadywai t
ingatt hegatewi thafewother
peopl ewhol ooksimilartothem.Thehousel ooked
verybeaut if
ul,j
ustl
ikeyourusual" Bighouse"i
nthe
townshi p.AuntEunicekeptul ul
atingandshewas
wear ingsesothoattir
e.Whatabi ttersweet
momentt hisis.Itr
ulywi shmyf atherwasher eto
witnesst hi
swi t
hme, butIknowheandThat oare
wat chingalloverme.
Sbuhel dmyhandwhi l
ewewal kedtowardst
hem.
Thislobolaisabitunconventi
onal.Sbuandhis
uncleswon'twaitoutsi
deandhavet hewhole
normalprocessdone.We' rejustgoi
ngtogetri
ght
toi
twi t
hSbuaspar tofthenegoti
ati
ons.Aunt
EunicehuggedAndmeandgr eatedusaswemade
ourwayi ntotheyard.

Whilewal
kingi
nIsawal otofpeopleIdon'tknow
andawomanwhol ookedveryunf
ami li
ar.Shewas
dressedi
nsesothoatt
ir
e,butherf
railski
nandr es
eyesshowedthere'
ssomethingof
fabouther .

Woman:"Dumela(Hel
lo)Kel
e.Watl
awababot sana
ngwanake(You'
vegrownint
oabeauti
fulwoman,
mychil
d)."

Ifr
ownedi nconf
usion.Thestenchofherbr
eath
couldki
llafewpeople.Icoul
dtellshewasaheavy
dr
inker
.

Eunice:
"Kel
ebogil
e,okeRut
h,mmewagao(
Thi
sis
Ruth,yourmother)
."

Isuddenl
yfel
tabi
tfainthear
tedasshesai
dthat
.I
nearl
yfel
lasSbucaughtme.AuntEunicehel
ped
Sbutakemetooneoft hebedrooms.
Chapt
erEi
ght
yNi
ne

Kel
e

Iwast akentooneoft hebedr oomsandIt ri

edto
regai
nmybr eath.Itri
ednott ostresssi
nceDrake
saidIhavehi ghbloodpr essurewhichcouldbefat
al
i
npr egnancy, especi
all
ywhenyou' r
ecarr
ying
multipl
es.AuntEuni cewast r
yingtogetme
comf ort
abl
ewhi l
eSbucamei nwi t
haglassof
water.
Sbu:
"Thembal
ami(
Myhope)
,her
e'ssomewat
er.
"

Ihel
dthegl
asswi
thmyshakyhandsanddr
ank
some.

Sbu:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?Ar
ethebabi
esokay?
"

Kel
e:"
I'
mfi
ne,
Sbu.Iwasj
ustabi
tshocked,
that
's
al
l.
"

Sbu:
"Wecanleavei
fyouwantt
o,Idon'
tli
keseei
ng
youst
ressed.
"

Oh,Sbucanbesuchadarl
ing.He'
swi
ll
ingt
odr
op
somethi
ngthi
simpor
tantf
orme.

Kel
e:"
No,
let
'scar
ryon,
please.
"
Eunice:
"I
'm sosorry,
ngwanake( mychi ld).She
musthavehear dfrom neighboursgore( t
hat)your
l
obolanegot i
ati
onswi l
lbetakingplacetoday.I
foundherherethismor ni
ngandIdi dn'thavethe
hearttochaseheraway. "

Kel
e:"
It
'sokay,
mme(
ma)
."

Sbu:
"I
'l
lbei
nthel
oungei
fyouneedme.
"

Eunice:"
Ihavetogett
henegotati
onsupand
runningsinceI
'
mt heeldest
.I'
l
lgetmydaught
er
Judithtocomeandkeepyoucompany. "

Inoddedassheleftt
her oom.Mi nuteslat
era
womanwhol ookedjustlikeAuntEuniceandabit
ol
derthanmewal kedin.Shehast hesamesmi l
e
asmyauntandver ybubbl ytoo.Inoti
cedsheand
auntEuni
cealsohaveacur vybodyli
keme.Aunt
Euni
ceandJudit
halsowearglasses-
justl
ikeme.
NowIseewhereIgetmygenesf rom.It'
sabitni
ce
tomeetsomefamil
yforachangeandknowwher eI
comefrom.Ever
yonewantsasenseofbel ongi
ng.

Judi
th:
"Hao(
Wow)Kele!Watl
awagola,
ngwanyana(
you'
ver
eall
ygr
own,gi
rl
)!
"

ShehuggedmeandIhuggedherback.

Kel
e:"
Hel
lo,
Judi
th.
"

Judit
h:"
Tjowena,sal
ekegobonaonalet hr
eeyear
s
(Il
astsawyouwhenyouwer ethr
ee).Timefli
es
hey!Obj angf
ela(Howhaveyoubeen)?
"

Wehadani ceconver
sat
ionassheaskedmewhatI
doforali
vingandseemsli
keshe'
salsoaChar
tered
Account
ant.Iseedad'
ssideoft
hefamil
yhavethe
samegenesandwe' regoodi nnumber s.She's33,
abouteightyearsolderthanme.Shedoesn' thave
ki
ds,buthasbeenmar ri
edforabouteightyear s
now.Sheopenedupaboutherf ert
il
it
yst ruggles
andthatmademet hi nkofZee.I'vebeenabi tofa
horr
iblefr
iend.Ishoul dhaveputmysel fi
nher
shoes.Her eIam rejoici
nginmyhappi nessandj oy
ofbeingpregnant,whi l
eshehasj ustlosthers.I
madeament alnotetot ryandreachoutl ateron.

Kel
e:"
SoJudi
th,
whyi
smymot
herher
e?"

Judith:
"Ah!OraRut h(
YoumeanRut h)
?Thatoneo
tl
etseplekefel
a,shame( She'
severywher eshame).
Out l
wilegor
ebagont shet
samagadiat l
aa
shiyana(Sheheardthatyou'r
eget t
inglobola'
d
todayandcamer unni
ng).Atleastohlapiletoday
(she'scl
eantoday).Nohar dfeel
ings."

Nonet
akenatal
l.Idon'
tknowthi
swoman.She
l
eftmeassoonasIwasbornandneverbot
her
edt
o
bei
ntouchi
nal
lmy25year
sofl
if
eont
hisear
th.

Kel
e:"
Whatki
ndofper
soni
sshe?
"

Judi
th:"
Ah, Ruthkel et
agwaman( i
sadr unkard)
.O
nnaanal emahl apaandwar erogarenabaga
Molefe(She'sforeverswear
ingatustheMol efe
famil
y).It'
sreall
ybad. "

Ineverchangedmysur nameaf terget

tingmar
r i
ed
asIdidn'
treall
ywantt o.Idon' tevenknowwhyI 'm
aski
ngaboutRut h.Youcan' tdumpyourbaby, not
keepintouchandsuddenl ydeci detochangewhen
yourdaughterisbeinglobol
a'd.Wewentonand
spokeforawhi l
eunt i
lwehear dululat
ionsi
nthe
l
ounge.I '
m guessingeveryt
hingwentsmoot hly.
AuntEunicecamei nandaskedmet ocomeoutso
wecouldallrej
oiceandhavesomel unch.

Judi
thwal
kedmeoutandIwasmetbySbuwho
j
ustcoul
dn'
tst
opsmi
li
ng.

Kel
e:"
Sbusi
so,
Ihopet
heydi
dn'
tchar
geyouanar
m
andaleg.
"

Sbu:(
chuckl
ing)"
Thembal
ami(
Myhope)
,you'
re
wort
heverypenny.
"

Ishookmyheadandwentoutwi t
ht herestofthe
family.Weat eandt heyhadsomedr i
nksand
music.I twasr eallyfun.SeeingSbut hi
shappy, I
actuall
yr eal
izehowmi nimali
sthei s.He'sintothe
l
essf ancierthingsinl i
feexceptforclothi
ng,cars
andexpensi veal cohol.Otherthant hatIsolove
him.

Ruthwasstil
lwit
husandshekeptact i
ngli
ke"t
he
proudmother"
.Ijusti
gnoredherandSbuwouldn'
t
l
ethernearmewhi chwasabonusf orme.Judit
h
keptmecompanyandi ntr
oducedmet osomeof
myot hercousins.Theguyswerechi
ll
ed,butthe
girl
skeptaskingwhereIfoundari
chmanl i
ket hat
whenI '
m notevenaslayqueen.Judi
thjustput
them i
nherplace.Icouldseehowwellwear e
goingtogetalong.

Itwasabout6pm andwehadt ol eave.Iwasabi t

saddenedbecauset hi
sisthecl osestt hi
ngIhaveto
famil
yapar tfrom SbuandZee' sf amily.Sbuinvi
ted
them toourweddi ngwhichwi llbeont he31stof
May, mybirthday.Andt hereIwasnotsol ongago
clai
minghe' snotromantic.I'
llbesi xmont hs
pregnantbyt hen,butI
'm notbot hered.Thesooner
thebetter
.

Gog'
Khanyi

Thingshavebeengoingreal
lywel
lfort
hepastfew
days.Nodr ama,noonedyingandnoZodwa.I
heardsomeoneatchurchsayshehasgone
missing.IhopeMthunziki
ll
edhershame.Sidi
niwe
nguZodwa( We' r
et iredofZodwa) .ZeeandPhi la
sentmesomepi ctur esofthei
rweddi ngandIvideo
cal
ledthem notsol ongago.Tonygotmehooked
onInstagr
am.Ionl yknewhowt ouseWhat sApp,
butnowngisest ylini( I
'
mi nstyl
e)allthat
stohim.
Hisli
tt
legir
lfr
iendst oppedsendingmel ousy
thr
eatsaft
erIpoi ntedmygunathert heotherday,
whil
eTonyj ustcan' tgetenoughofme.It oldhimI
needsomespaceyuhnoman!Fl orahandIdeci ded
tohaveanicemeal andwat chsomemovi esover
somedr i
nks.Ihaven' thadthi
smuchpeacei nages.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Yazi(youknow)Florah,
lomfana
uzong'khat
haza( t
hisboywillbethedeat
hofme).
"

Mam'Masango:(l
aughi
ng)"Wenabeufunanikuye
(
whatdidyouexpect)
?He'sasmallboy,Khanyisa.
Angi
thiyougothi
m hookedtoyou.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Idi
dn'tt
hinkhewouldbeaddi
ctedt
o
mekanje(l
ikethi
s).Phelahedoesn'
tgi
vemea
br
eakatal
l.
"

Mam'Masango:"
Per
hapsyoushoul
djustmakei
t
of
fi
cialnaye(
wit
hhim).
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ini(
What)
?!Uyahl
anya(
You'
recr
azy)
!
Doyouwantmet obethel
aughi
ngst
ockof
Sandt
on?"

Mam' Masango:
"You'
venevercaredaboutwhat
peoplethi
nk.Whystartnow?You' r
ecatching
feel
ingsIsee.You'
rejustashookedtothatboyas
heistoyou."

Mxm.Florahwantstot
ri
ckmeandIwon'
tal
lowher
,
soIdeci
dedtochanget
hetopi
c.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Haveyouspokent
oKele?Shehasn'
t
ret
urnedanyofmycall
sinawhile.
"
Mam' Masango:( laughi
ng)"Keeponchangi ngthr
subj ect,ok'
salayoung'zwil
e(factremainsyouhear d
me) .I'
vebeenmeani ngtospeakt oher.Hayi,that
girlistroubled.She'sgoingtogiveSbust r
essnj e.
Shehasapur eheartandismeantf orSbu,butnow
thatshehashadat ast
eofthisli
fe,shecan'tcontr
ol
her self
.Thi siscausinghertobeover comeby
j
eal ousyandshe' llalwaysbecompar ingSbut ohis
brot her.Thesegi rl
sbayadinaman( areti
ri
ng) .
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:(si
gh)"
Ai,
manj
e(so)whatdowedo?
"

Mam' Masango:"Nothi
ng.There'snothingtodo.She
j
usthast obringhersel
fbacktor eal
itybeforeshe
l
osesSbu.Thatdr unkar
dmot herofher swi l
lrui
n
thi
ngsevenf urtherf
orherifshedoesn' twatchout.
She'l
lloseSbusiso.Hemi ghtloveherbuthehas
notimet obegandpl aythi
stime.He' dr at
her
choosehi schil
drenaboveanywomannow. "
Thi
sisdeep.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Kodwahowcanshej
ustchangel
ike
t
hataft
ergoi
ngthr
oughsomuch?
"

Mam'Masango:"
Shespentt
oomuchti
mewi th
Bel
inda,t
hat
'swhy.Sheneedst
ogotothefuneral
,
per
hapsshe'l
lgetawakeupcal
lonwhatj
ealousy
andgreeddotopeopl
e."

Ihopewhateveri
tisKel
eisgoi
ngthroughpasses
veryqui
ckl
y.Sbusisodeser
vestobelovedandbe
stabl
emanje.
Chapt
erNi
net
y

Oneweekl
ater

Zi
yanda
I
t alywassomuchf un,
Ijustfel
tli
kestayi
ngbehind.
Unf or
t unat
elywehaveal i
feandjobstogetbackto.
Pl usi
t'sBelinda'
sfuneralt
hisweekend.Apparentl
y
therewasn' tenoughmoneyt obur yherand
Nkosi yabo(Junior)sopeoplewhoknewheron
Facebookdeci dedtocreateacrowdfundi
ngproj
ect
forher .

Idon'tgetwhyZodwaandherhusbandoreven
Lungadon'thelpout.It'
sreal
lysadt odieli
ket hat
.
I'
veaskedPhilaifIcoul
dgot oherf amil
y'shouse
afterwor
ktodaywi thPorscheandevent houghhe
wasdeadsetagai nsti
t,heagreedafterIoffer
edt o
blowhim unti
lhecums.Yep, that
'smarriedli
fe.
Youhavet obargaintogetwhatyouwant .

WelandedSatur
daynightandasmuchf unaswe
had,wehaveawholelotofworktodoespeci al
ly
wit
hKelenotbei
ngbackyet.JustwhenIt hought
Phil
ahadenoughsurpri
sesuphissleeve,Igot
homet oabr andnewRedMer cedesGLE300SUV.
Yep,sameast heonePhi
lahas,j
ustred.Heeven
personal
izedmynumberpl at
etoMr s.ZwaneGP.

Hesai dpeopleneededt oseeI '

m hiswi f
enow.I
couldn'tsaynot oabr andnewcar .Iwaspl anni
ng
onbooki nganappoi ntmentatHomeAf f
airsto
changemysur nameof f
icall
y,butPhilaalreadybeat
met oit.Perksofhavi ngar ichhusband.Isweari f
hehadachoi cehewoul dn'
tletmel eavet hehouse
atall
.Ihadaskedhi mf orapr enupsi nceIdon' t
wantpeopl etot hi
nkI '
m af t
erhishar dear ned
money, buthebl atantlyrefused.AsIst andr i
ght
here,I
'm offi
ciall
yco- ownerofever ythingPhi l
a
owns.

Idon'tknowhowt ofeelbei
ngt heBil
li
onai
re'
swi f
e,
butIwillt
rygett
ingusedt oit
.Ihavet odoitreal
qui
cklysincethepressar ej
ustwayi nt
ousnow.
MyI nst
agram accounthasgai nedover2mi l
li
on
fol
lowerseversinceAntoniopostedourweddi ng
pi
ctur
esandvi
deosni
ppet
sonmyaccount
.

Ofcour seIhavealotof" hat espeech"andbody

shami ngcomingthrough, butmaj or
ityoft
he
fol
lowersareallcomingf rom agoodpl acewith
posit
ivevibes.Idon'tknowi fItal
yhasawayof
boostingawoman' sconf i
dence, butIcan'
t
remembert helastt
imeIsatandcr i
edover
someonecal li
ngmef atorlookingatmef unny.I
wentshoppi ngandIwentcr azyinItal
y.

LucianoandAnt oniohelpedmepickoutreall
ynice
outf
it
s, enoughtolastmeawhol el
ifet
ime.Igota
fewthingsforGogo, Mam'Masango,Mam'Ivyand
mymom.Notf orgett
ingthet
winsandPorsche.I
gotKeleani ce,
custom madetwinbabystrol
ler
eventhoughIhavenoi deawhenI'
l
lbeabletogive
i
ttoher .

Sbusaidshe'
scomingbacktomorrowandyes,I
haven'
theardf
rom hersi
nceshesentmeabrief
happybi rt
hdaymessageonWhat sAppandI
respondedbyt hankingherandaskedherhowshe
andt hebabieswer e.Shejustblueti
ckedme.I
fi
gur edshewasbusyandwoul dgetbackt ome, but
oneweekl at
ersti
llnoresponsesoIj ustletherbe.
SheandSbuwer esupposedt obestayingwi t
hus
untilthei
rhousewasdone, butapparentl
ySbuhad
torusht hebuil
dersandevengetext rabui l
dersto
fi
nisht hehousesoshecoul dmovest r
aightinwhen
shecomesbackt omor row.

Philatol
dmeshe' sbeenactingweir
dlatel
yleaving
Sbuhi ghstr
essed.Sbuhasbeenbacki nPr etori
a
fi
ll
inginforKeleunt
ilshecomesback.Iwonder
whor unshisITcompanyf orhim whi
lehe'
sf orever
here.Wewal kedint
ot heoff
iceandPorschewas
superexcit
edtoseeusasal ways.

Shehadl
ongfauxl
ocsthi
sti
me.Shealwaysput s
i
nsuchaneff
orti
ntot
hewayshelooks.Ireal
ly
needt
oupmygame.Phi l
adoesn'
tmind,buteven
Gogosaysyouneedtokeepyourmanonhi stoes.
Heshouldn'
tbeusedt
ot hesamelookever
yday.
Porschehuggedmefi
rstandthenPhi
la.

Porsche:
"Whoo!Dumel
angbagaZwane(Greeti
ngs,
TheZwane's)
.Kgalekalegci
naman(Ihaven'
t
seenyouinalongwhil
e).
"

Phi
la:(
Smil
ing)Goodmorni
ng,Porsche.Thanksso
muchforkeepi
ngthecompanyrunni
ngwhilewe
wer
egone."

Porsche:"
Ag!Smallwaters,BossP.YouknowI '
m
thefaceofthi
swholething.Now, pl
easegotoyour
off
ice,Yourwi
feandIhavesomucht odiscuss.
"

Phil
a:(chuckli
ng)"Nogossipdur
ingoff
icehour
s.
(Hekissedmeont hel
ips)Enj
oyyourday,Ma
Zwane.I '
llseeyoulat
er.
"
Hel
eftmebl
ushi
ngi
nfr
ontofPor
sche.

Porsche:(
Smi
li
ng)"Tjo!Waet
sebajoyya
honeymoonphase(Doyouknowthejoyof
honeymoonphase)
? "

Il
aughedoutl
oud.

Me:"
Whatdoyouknowabouthoneymoonphase?
YouandRobarest
il
linyourhoneymoonphase.
"

Porsche:"
That'
sbecauserar
atana(weloveeach
other)j
ustli
keyoutwo.Kegoshebi l
e(I
'm wat
ching
you),Zi
yandaZwane.Icanseet hi
snewgl owthat
screams'I'
m gett
ingdi
ckedr
ealhard'
."

Webot
hlaughedoutl
oud.
Me:"
Porscheman!Lewenawaphapha(
You'
reso
f
orward).
"

Porsche:
"Letmeseethatgorgeousr
ing,babe!Tjo
BossPonal ecl
asswena(BossPhasr ealclass
hey).Keleisgoi
ngtobesojealousshame, ngwana
batho(poorthi
ng).
"

Iknowshedidn'
tsaythatbymi
stake.Ther
e's
somethi
ngsheisn'
ttel
li
ngme.

Me:
"Por
ti
a,whyor
eso(
whydoyousayso)
?"

Porsche:"
Ah,wenaZee.Kgalekegobot
sagor
eo
sl
owl earner(
I'
vebeensayi
ngyou'
reasl
ow
l
earner).
"

Me:
"Okay,
whatdoyouknowt
hatIdon'
t?
"
Por
sche:
"Iknowt
hatshe'
saj
eal
ousbi
tch.Ther
e,I
sai
dit
."

Me:
"Mxm,
Por
scheeba(
be)ser
iouspl
ease.
"

Porsche:(deepsigh)"Oh, alright .Youhaven' tbeen

respondingtomyWhat sAppmessagessi nceyou
wereget t
ingsomedi cki nItaly, soshedeci dedt o
"ventherfrustr
ati
ons"outt ome.Shest arted
sayingshecan' tunderstandwhyyoucoul dn'tbe
happyf orherespecial
lyf orthepr egnancy.It old
hershewasbei nginsensi t
ivet owar dsyou, butshe
saidyou'regetti
ngalltheat tentionwhenyou
haven'tevenbeenl obola'dyet .SoIt ol
dherst rai
ght
gore(that)she'
saj eal
ousbi tchandwel l
,she
blockedme. "

Wow.IneverthoughtKelewouldeverbeliket
his.
Shewasalwaysthequietandsweetoneand
al
waysthepeacemaker.I'm qui
teshockedbut
most
lyhurt
.
Me:"
Whyissheact
ingl
iket
hist
hough?Maybei
t'
s
j
ustherhor
mones.
"

Porsche:"Aowa( No).Agonadihor monest sani ks

(t
here'snohor mones) .She' sbeingjeal
ous, man
Zee.It hinkshedidn'tact ual
lythi
nkSbuhast his
muchmoneyandshej ustkeepscompar ingher self
toyou.Sheevenpost edpi ctur
esofhersonarscan
onFacebook.Ikeept ell
ingyout onevertrustqui et
people.ShekeptBel inda' ssecretofhersleeping
withLungaf r
om you,what '
sstoppingherfrom
beingaj ealousbit
ch? "

Okay.Ihadactual
lyf
orgot
tenallaboutt
hat
.Maybe
Kel
eisjustdeal
ingwi
thherposttrauma.Perhaps
weshouldn'
tbetooquickt
ojudge.

Me:
"Maybeshe'sgoi
ngthroughar
ought
ime,
Por
sche.Shejustl
ostThato.
"
Porsche: "
We'real
lgoingthroughar ought i
me, Zee.
Youl ostyourunbornchi l
drenbutyou'renotbeinga
bi
tchabouti t
.AllI
'
m sayi ngisI'
mr eall
ystart
ingto
di
slikethisnewKel eandyoushoul dpr obablysleep
wit
honeeyeopen.Youshoul devenseepoorSbu.
Keleomonyesakast ress(Keleisstressi
nghi m
outbadl y).
"

Ai,maybeshe'
sright
.She'sneverbeenwrong
aboutajudgeofcharact
er.Speaki
ngofSbuI
haven'
tseenhiminawhi l
esoIdecidedtogoto
fl
oor5toseehim.

Me:
"We'
l
ltal
klat
er.LetmegoseeSbu.
"

Por
sche:
"Youdot
hat
,babe.
"

Iwal
kedbackt
otheli
ftandmademywaytoSbu'
s
fl
oor
.Iwasaboutt
oknockonhisof
fi
cedoorbut
f
oundi
topen.

Me:
"Sur
pri
se,
Sur
pri
se,
Sbal
i(Br
otheri
nlaw)
!"

Heseemedtohavebeendeepi
nthought
,but
qui
ckl
ygotupandsmiledashesawme.Her ushed
togi
vemeahug.

Sbu:"
Hey,
Zee!Ubuyeni
ni(
Whendi
dyoucome
back)
?"

Me:"WelandedonSat
urdayni
ght
.Howhaveyou
been?"

Hel
ookeddownandf
akedasmi
le.

Sbu:"
I'
vebeengoodhey.Kel
e'
sdoi
ngpr
ett
ygood
too.
"
Me:"
Sbu,Iknowyou.You'
renott
hebubbl
ySbuI
know.Phil
atol
dmeaboutKele.Wanttot
alkabout
i
t?"

Sbu:(rubbinghishead)" Eish,Zee.Angazimf wethu

(Idon'tknow, br
a).Thingswer egr eatbeforet he
wholeScor pionshit.AtfirstIthoughti twast he
traumaandal l
,butshe'sjustbeenact i
ngf unny.We
wentt oMaf i
kengt opaylobol af orherandi twent
prett
ywel l
.Wewer efinef oraf ewdaysunt ilshe
start
edagai n.

Shekeepsdr oppingweir
dhintsofhowPhi ladoes
thi
sandt hatf oryouli
keIdon'tdoshitforher.I
'm
Tryi
ng,Zee.Ievenboughtherabr andnewcar .
Shedoesn' tevenseem totalkaboutthebabies
anymore,it'
sl i
keI '
mtheonlyonewho' sexcit
ed
abouttheirarrival
.Trul
yspeaking,Kelehas
changedashi tload.
Idon'
tknowwhatt odoanymor e.Fort hef i
rstti
me
everi
nmywhol eent i
relif
e,I'
m star
tingtodoubt
myselfasaman.Shar onnevermademedoubt
myself.Iknowi t
'snotr i
ghttocompar e, butIcan't
helpi
t.I t
'sreal
lybadI 'm evenstart
ingt ohave
secondt houghtsaboutmar ryi
ngher .EvenuMai s
complainingsayingshehast ol
ookaf terthetwi ns
andKel easwel lsinceshe'sactinglikeapar alyzed
pati
ent.I '
m evendr eadinghercomi ngbackher e
tomorrow."

Wow.Thingsarer
eal
lybad.Idi
dn'tt
hinkt
heywer
e
t
hisbad.What'
supwithKel
ereal
ly?

Me:"Wow, Sbu.I'
m sosor r
y.Ihadnoidea.Ithink
youguysshoul dbookanappoi nt
mentwithDr.
Stei
n.Idon' twantyougoingmadbecauseoft his,
real
ly.Itr
ulybeli
evedthatKelewouldmakeyou
happy.PleasegoseeDr .Stei
nsomet i
met hi
sweek
withher.I'
lltr
yandtalktoherforyou.
"
Sbu:"
Thankyou,Zee.Ihaven'
tevenhadsexindays,
man.WheneverIt r
ytosleepwit
hherIjustdon'
t
evengetanerect
ionanymore.
"

Me:"
Yoh,hayi
,Sbusi
so.Toomuchi
nfor
mat
ion.
Thatt
alkneedsPhil
a,notme.
"

Hechuckl edaswespokeaboutt hetwinsand

Mam' Ivy.Heeventoldmeaboutt hedramaof
Kele'sbiol
ogi
calmotherappear
ingoutofnowher e
andMar y'
ssuddenchangeofhear t
.Overall
,Ihat
e
seeingSbul i
kethi
s.Whenhehur t
s,Phil
ahurtsand
whenPhi l
ahurt
s,Ihurt
.Ithi
nkit'
sabouttimeKele
andIhadachat .
Chapt
erNi
net
yOne

Kel
e

"
Kele,ngwanaka(mychil
d).It
'sgoodtoseeyou
f
inal
lyfi
ndingyourhappi
ness,butyou'
regoi
ngt
o
ruinever yt
hingforyourself.Nomatt
erwhatyoudo,
donotl etjealousyandgr eedint
oyourhear
t.
Pleaser emembert hat.
"

Iwokeupsweat ingandr eal

izeditwasjustadream.
It
'sthethi
rdtimenowt hatI'
vebeenhavingthis
dream ofmyf athertel
li
ngmet hoseexactsame
words.Ar ethi
ngsr eall
ythatbadnow?ImeanI '
m
pregnantsopeopl ejustneedt ounder
standthatI
canactabi tcrazyattimes.

Porti
aevencal ledmeaj ealousbitchwhenIt oldher
howZi yandaal waysget severyt
hing.Phi l
ahasn' t
evenpai dlobolaf orheryetandher esheis-Mrs.
Zwaneal ready.I nstead,myweddi nghast obea
fewmont hsdownt heline.WhydoIhavet owai tt
o
becomeMr s.Zwanewhi leshegott obemar ri
ed
fi
rstbeforel obola?If eel li
kePhilaalwaysgetshi s
wayint hisf amily.Per hapsi fSbuandPhi lawer e
beingtreatedequal lythenIwoul dn'tbehavethis
way.
Sbuboughtmeabr andnewMer c.A st unning,
purpleG63.Thingshaven' tbeenr eall
ywel l
betweenus.Hedoesn' tevenhavesexwi t
hmeas
muchasheusedt o,butthat '
sallaboutt ochange.I
can'twai
ttogobackt oPr etori
at omorrowsi nceour
houseisfinal
lydonenow.Icoul dn'tstomachl i
ving
wit
hPhi l
aandZeeandseet heunf aircompar i
sons
betweenthetwo.Ihaven' tbeenoutoft hisroom in
awhi l
eandSbu'smom hasbeenki ndenought o
bri
ngmef oodwheneverIaskf orit.

Idecidedtogodownst ai
rsandspendsomet i
me
wit
hher .I'
m abitembarr
assed,i
t'
s2oclockinthe
aft
ernoon.Iwalkeddownandf oundherwatchi
ng
tvwiththetwi
nsanddr i
nkingsomewine.

Kel
e:"
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.
"

Shel
ookedatmewi
thaver
ydi
spl
easedl
ookonher
f
ace.

Mam'Ivy:
"Yebo(
yes)
,Kel
ebogi
le.Unj
ani(
Howar
e
you)
?"

Kel
e:"
I'
mfi
ne,
ma.Howar
eyou?
"

Mam'I
vy:
"Ngiri
ght(I
'
mf ine)asyoucansee.I'
m
gl
adtoseeyoufinal
lygett
ingoutofbed.Ar
en'tyou
l
eavi
ngtoday?
"

IfIdi
dn'tknowbett
erI'
dsayshewant smegone
alr
eadyjudgingbythetoneofhervoi
ceandthat
questi
on.

Kel
e:"
No,
ma.I
'
mleavi
ngt
omor
row.
"

Mam'
I
vy:
"Howunf
ort
unat
e."
Okay.Cl
ear
lyshehasapr
obl
em wi
thme.

Kel
e:"
Isever
ythi
ngokay,
ma?
"

Mam'
I
vy:
"Yes,
whywoul
dn'
titbe?
"

Kele:
"It
'sj
ustthatyou'r
eacti
ngabitweirdtowar
ds
me.I fIhavedonesomet hi
ngtooffendyou,ma.
Pleasetel
lme.Idon' twantanybadbloodbetween
us."

Mam' I
vy:(chuckli
ng)"Yazi
ni(
Youknowwhat
)
Kelebogi
le?Cl ear
lythoseear
sofyour
sar
ewetas
fuck.
"

Okayshe'sevenswearingatme.Infr
ontofthe
twins.Mam'Ivyneverswearsunl
essshe'
sseri
ousl
y
pissed.If
eelsobadr i
ghtnow.
Mam' I
vy:
"Ispoketoyouaweekagoaboutyour
behavi
our,didn'
tI?(Inodded)Idon'
tunder
stand
thi
ssuddenchangeofhear tyouhave.Sbuwast oo
quicktomarryyounje.Youhardlyevenmaketime
tobondwi t
ht het
winsyetyouwanttobemyson' s
wif
e.

Youhar dlyevengetoutoft hatbedr oom andyou

expectmet ocat erf
oryouwhenyoucl earl
yhave
wor ki
nglegs.Itoldyou,Kelebogil
e, i
fyoudon' tl
ove
mysont henpl easeleavehim nowbef orehegets
hurtevenfurt
her .Sbuisfragil
e,hemi ghtnotshow
i
tbuthei s.Hedoesn' tdeserveallthiskakyou're
doingtohim afteral
lhe'sdonef oryou. "

Herwor dscutmesodeep.Idi dn'tknowshefelt

thi
swayaboutmel etal
oneSbut ell
inghi
smot her
everyt
hingaboutus.Tearsf
elldownmyf ace
unaware.
Kele:
"I
'm verysorry,
ma.Di srespect
ingyouwas
nevermyi ntent
ion.IloveSbusisoverymuch,ma.
AndIlovet hegirl
s.Iwouldneverdoanyt hi
ngt
o
hurthi
m ort hem i
ntenti
onall
y."

It
houghtshewoul
dbelesshar
sheronceshesaw
mytear
s,butIwaswr
ong.

Mam' Ivy:"Thenstopbeingabi gbabyabout

everythingandf ixi
t.You'renotabadper son
Kelebogi l
e.You'renotbadatal l
,buttheKelethatI
knewbackt henandthisoneinfrontofmear etwo
diff
erentpeopl e.Ihateitwhenmysonget shurt
especiallybecauseofaanot herwoman.I '
dki
llfor
them, surelyyouknowt hat,r
ight
?"

Istoodst
il
landj
ustst
aredather
.Di
dshej
ust
thr
eatenmeinasubtl
emanner?

Mam'
I
vy:
"I
'm gl
adwehadt
hist
alk.Wal
ktot
he
ki
tchenandexer
ciseal
it
tl
ebi
tandgetmesome
morewine,woul
dyou?"

Shesmi l
edatmeasshehandedmet hewinegl
ass
andIfakedasmileback.Coul
ditbet
hatIhave
real
lychangedt
hismuch?

Zi
yanda

Itwasknockof fti
meandPhila,Porsche,SbuandI
areheadedtoBel i
nda'
shousebeforeweal lgo
home.Bel i
ndai sfr
om Or
angeFar m apparentl
y,j
ust
l
ikeSharon.Idon'tknowifpeoplefrom Orange
Farm havethesamement al
it
yori fthesetwowere
j
ustpeasint hesamepod.

Wegott her
eandprayerhadn'
tevenstart
edyet.
Thankgoodnesssi
nceI '
m weari
ngajumpsuit
wit
houtadoekevenandPor scheisalsowear
ing
pants.Ihopet
heydon'ttakeof
fence.Weparked
ri
ghtout
sideherhouse.Thewal lsandthegate
l
ookedli
ketheyhadn'tbeenpaintedinalongti
me
andthehousewasbi g,butrust
y.Idon'
tknowwhat
Beli
ndawasdoingallthisti
meinsteadofsendi
ng
moneyhome.

Wesawabi gwhitetentandafewpeopl
einsidethe
yar
d.Wegr eet
edandaskedt obeshownto
Bel
inda'
smother.PorscheandIwerel
edintothe
housewhil
ePhil
aandSbust oodandwait
edf orus
outsi
de.Sbuli
thissmokeashespoketoPhila.

Wewal kedinandgr eet

edafewwomenwhower ein
thel
ounge.Thewal l
shadhugecracksandsomeof
thechair
swer ebrokenandnotcar
edfor.I
twasa
sadsightthatmademewantt ocry.Wewal kedi
nto
thebedroom andfoundBeli
nda'
smom sitt
ingon
hermattress,dr
essedinbl
ack-
thefamous
mourningcolour.

Me:
"Dumel
a,mme(
Hel
lo,
ma)
.KennaZi
yanda,
o
kePor t
ia,ber
eledichomit
saBel
inda(
Mynamei
s
Ziyandaandthisi
sPorti
a.WewereBel
inda'
s
fr
iends)."

ShelookedupandIcoul dseehowbeaut if
ulshe
oncewas,butpovert
yandal coholhadtakenitstol
l
onherbeauty.Otherthanthattheresemblance
betweenherandBelindawast her
e.

Belinda'
smom: "Dumel angbanabaka( Hell
o,my
chil
dren).Yes, Irememberyout wo.Bel indaused
totellmesomuchaboutyou, especi all
yyou
Ziyanda.Bef oreherdeat haft
ershecameback
from hospit
al,shehadt ol
dmeever ythingshedi dt
o
yout wo.Sher eal l
yregret
tedever yt
hi ngshehad
done.Yousee, Ibl amemyselff orhert urningout
thewayshedi d.I fIhadbeenabet termot herand
choseheroveral coholandar apistforahusband,
shewoul dn'
thavebeendeadt oday.

Herf
atherwoul
drapeherwhenIwasawayl
ooki
ng
forwork,untilonedayIf oundhim ont opofher.I
wassoshockedandt r
iedchasinghim out.Hebeat
meupsobadl ythatIlostmyt wofrontteet
h.He
tol
dmei fIeverreportedhim Beli
ndaandIwoul dbe
l
efthungr yandont hestreet
s.Ihadnowher etogo.
Myownf ami l
yhaddi sownedmeandt hey
themselveswer epoor .Hewoul drapeBel i
ndain
mypr esenceunt ilsheturned18.Shel eftt
his
houseandnevercamebackt ovisi
t.

Ibeggedhertocomeandvisitmeaftershehad
Juniorandwestar
tedmendingourrelat
ionshi
p.
Jonashasdamagedmychi ldsobadlyIcouldnever
for
givehim-
evenindeat
h."

Port
iaandIwer
einsomucht
ear
s.Beli
ndahad
beenthr
oughsomuchi
t'
snosur
pri
seshedi
dwhat
shedid.

Bel
inda'
smother:
"Idon'
tregr
etki
ll
inghi
m.Af t
er
shelef
tthehouseatage18,Iwai
tedforJonasto
got osleep.Oncehesl ept ,
Istabbedhimt odeath.
80t i
mes.Icount edeveryst abasIst abbedhi
m.I
gotarrestedf orpremeditatedmur der.Imagi
ne.
Youki l
lyourchi l
d'srapi
standyougot opri
son.I
served5year sofmysent enceandgotout .Ididit
allf
orher ,eventhoughi twast oolatebutIneeded
hertoknowt hat."

Por
ti
aandIcouldn'
tevenspeak.Thi
sst
orywas
j
usttoopai
nful
.

Bel
inda'
smom: "BeforeIforget,
shelef
tyouall
l
ett
ers.PleasegiveKelebogileher
saswell.I
wouldn'
tblameyouf ornotcomi ngtot
hefuneral
,
butmyhear ti
sateaset hatyoucamet oseeme."

Port
iar
eachedforherbagandt
ookoutanenvel
ope
andhandeditt
oher.

Por
sche:
"Her
e,ma.Thi
sisR20000i
ncash.You
canuseitt
ocoversomecost
sfort
hef
uner
al.I
knowitmustbehard.
"

Beli
nda'
smom:(Crying)"Oh,
kealebogabanabaka
(t
hankyoumychildren)
.Modi moomohol o(Godi
s
great
).Godshal
lblessyouforyourgooddeeds.
"

Ial
sohadasmal lenvel
opei
nmybagandasIwas
aboutt
ohandittoheraswell
,Phi
lawal
kedi
nwi
th
Sbuandtheybentdown.

Phil
a:"
Dumel amme( Hell
o,ma) .Mynamei sPhil
a
andthisi
smybr ot
herSbusi so.Ziyandaher eismy
wif
eandBel indawasal soaver yfoodf r
iendof
mine.Mywi f
ewasaboutt ogiveyousomemoney,
butnowt hatyouronlychil
dandgr andsonar eno
moreit'
sgoingtobehar dforyoutosur vive,sowe
havedecidedtogiveyousomemoneyt hatwi l
l
sust
ainyouevenaf terthefuneral
."
Het
ookoutabi
genvel
opeandhandedi
ttoher
.

Phil
a:"
Inther
ei sR200000.Youcanusei tto
rebui
ldyourl
ife.Zee,handheryourenvel
ope."

Me:"
Ma,
inher
eisR100000.I
t'
sthel
eastwecoul
d
do.
"

Bel
inda'
smom wai l
edsomuchandkeptt hanki
ng
us.Itwassuchapainfulsi
ght
.Weleftherwaili
ng
andsaidourgoodbyesaswetookourlet
tersfr
om
Bel
inda.

It'
ssosadt oseehowayoungwoman' sli
feended
duet othesinsoftheparents.Icanonl yhopethat
Belinda'
smom f indscomf or
tintheLordandt hat
BelindaknowsIhol dnogr udgetowardsher.
Por scheandIwer ejustt
oodi st
raughtt
ot al
kafter
thatpainfulconf
essionfrom Bee'smother.Wegot
i
nt oourcar sanddrovehome.
Chapt
erNi
net
yTwo

Zi
yanda

Phila,SbuandIwer edrivi
ngbackhomef rom Bee's
house.Idi dn'tsaymuchsi ncet hatstorysimplyleft
met raumat i
zed.Isomehowwi shBel i
ndahad
reachedoutt ous, butseemsl ikeKel e'stheonly
onewhoknewaboutt hatpartofherl ife.It'
sso
painfultoeveni maginewhatwentt hroughhermi nd.
Whatmakesmehappyi sthatwer eall
ytriedto
makeherday.

EvenPorschechippedin,
notthatI'
m surpr
ised.
Shehasaver ybi
theartevenforpeoplewhopi ss
heroff
.Whatshockedmemosti sSbuandPhi la
off
eri
ngsomuchmoney.Inevert houghttheset wo
haditi
nthem.I '
l
laskthem aboutitonceweget
home.Ididn'
tfeelli
kecooki
ngsowest oppedbyt o
getsomefood.
Sbuof
fer
edtogobuysohecouldsmokesome
morewhi
lePhi
laandIst
ayedi
nthecar
.

Me:"Babywami( Mybaby),t
hankyousomuchfor
whatyouandSbudi dtoday.Ir
eall
ydi
dn'
texpecti
t
especial
lyaf
terwhatBel
indadidt
oyou."

Phil
a:"
MaZwane(Mrs.Zwane)
,it
'sreal
lynot
hing.
Anythi
ngtomakeyouhappy.Besides,
hermom
real
lyneedst
hemoney.
"

Ismiledandki ssedt hebackofhi shand.Sbucame

backwi ththef oodandwewer eoff.Luckilythe
compl exisn'
tt hatf
arf r
om theestate,abouta15
minutesl ongdr i
ve.Justaswewer eabouttoenter
,
Securitynoti
fiedust hatsomeonehadbeenwai t
ing
forussi ncethisafternoonjustoutsideourhouse.
Allt
heysai dwasi t
'sar el
ati
veofmi neandshe
i
nsistedonwai ti
ngasshehadnowher et
ogo.
IgotpuzzledbutIgotevenmor ecur i
oustof indout
whot hisrel
ati
veisandwhyt heydidn'tcallme.As
wedr ovetowardsthehouse, wesawaf r
aill
ooki ng
womanhol di
ngapl asti
cbagt hatlooksli
kei thasa
fewitemsofcl ot
hing.Thegunmenwer ewal king
aroundt hehouseandonewasst andingnextt oher.
Wepar kedandIgotoutt oseewhoi twas.AsI
approachedthedoor ,Iwasstunnedt othecor e!

Me:
"Thando?
!"

Thando:
"Hey,
sis.Longt
imenosee.
"

Thando,myoneandonl ysisterwho'sneverli
ked
meonebi t.BlameuMaf orthatIguess.Sheused
tobethefavourit
euntilshebecamehookedon
drugs.Ihaven'tseenherinaver ylongwhileand
nowshepi tchesuponmydoorst ep.Shelooksl
ike
shehasn'teatenindaysletalonebathedinawhi l
e.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Thando:
"Hawu,
Icamet
oseemysi
ster
.Isi
tso
bad?"

Phil
acamear oundafterparki
ngt hecarinst
eadof
openingthedoorf r
om theinside.Icouldtel
lhe
wasdi spl
easedbyt helookonhi sface,whil
eSbu
washol di
ngthef oodinhishands, havi
nganother
smoke.

Me:"Oh,babywami(
mybaby)
.Thi
sisThando,
my
si
ster.
"

Phi
la:
"Ni
cet
omeetyou,
Thando.
"

Sbu:
"Shosho,Thando.AkaLove.Eh,Phi
la,vul
a
l
aphongilambil
ephela(
Openup, I
'
m star
ving).
"
Phi
la:
"Mxm wenaSbu,
yourhousei
sjustar
oundt
he
cor
nerman."

Sbu:
"Ah,
seuyangi
xoshamanj
e(ar
eyouchasi
ng
meoutnow)
?"

Phil
ashookhi sheadandopenedthedooraswe
walkedinwithThando.Shelookedaroundandwas
i
nawebutknowi ngThandoaninsul
tora
condescendingcommentcancomef lyi
ngoutof
hermouthrightthismoment
.Shecoul dnever
humbleherselfevenwhenshe'
sinneedofhelp.

Thando:
"Wow,Zee.Youfinal
lybaggedar
ichman.
Youdidwell
,mntase(
sis)
."

Yep.There'
snomomentt oosoonf
ort
hisone.
Phil
alookedver
yannoyed.
Phi
la:
"Zee,
canIhaveawor
dwi
thyou,
please?
"

Me:
"Sur
e.I
'
llber
ightback.
"

Phi
laandIwentupstair
stoourbedr
oom.He
wal
kedinfi
rstandIclosedt
hedoorri
ghtaf
ter
.

Phi
la:
"Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow,
baby.I
'
mjustassur
pri
sedasyou
ar
e."

Phila:
"Idon'
twantherhere.She'
sanaddictandby
thewayshel ookssheobviousl
yneverwenttothe
rehabcentreIbookedherin.Ipai
dalotofmoney,
Zee.Asagest uretoyourmom.Idon' tt
rustt
his
girl
.Shehast ogo."
Me:
"But
,baby,
uzoyaphi(
Wher
ewi
llshego)
?"

Phi
la:
"Angi
nandaba(
Idon'
tcar
e).
"

Me:"
Letmefindoutwhyshe'
shere.Shecouldbei
n
t
roubl
e,babywami(mybaby).Pleaseshecan
l
eavetomorr
owatleast
.It'
salr
eadylat
e."

Phil
a:"
Finebutyouhadbet
terkeepaneyeonher.
Thatsofthear
tofyour
swil
lgetyouint
otroubl
eone
day.
"

Hest oopupandl eftmeinthebedroom asI

gatheredmyt houghts.Hecouldberight.He's
neverwr ongwithjudgi
ngaperson'
schar act
er,j
ust
l
ikeZee.Thandohadneverl i
kedmeatal lnorhas
sheeverbot her
edt ovi
sitmeorfi
ndoutwher eI
evenl i
vedbefore.Whyisshehere?
Chapt
erNi
net
yThr
ee

Zi
yanda

Iwentdownj ustaft
erPhil
aleftthebedr oom aft
er
ponderi
ngmyt houghtsforawhi le.Perhapshe's
ri
ght,I
'mtooniceattimesandt hatwillcausemet o
getseri
ouslyhurtoneday.Igotdownandf ound
Sbuchatti
ngwi t
hThandowhi lePhi l
awaseat inghis
foodinsil
ence.Wehador deredsomeDebonai rs
pizzaandsomepr awnsatthef ranchisejustnext
door.

Sbu:"
Hawu,Qhawekazi(
Her
oine).It
houghtyouhad
gonetobed.ThandoandIherealmostf
ini
shedthe
food.
"

Me:
"Sor
ry,
Ijusthadt
ochangeabi
t.
"
Thando:"
Thanksforl
ett
ingmestayf
orawhi
le,
Zee.
IpromiseIwon'
tbeapr obl
em.
"

Phil
ajustgaveherablankstar
ewhileIj
ustf
akeda
fai
ntsmile.IsupposeSbucouldsenset
hetensi
on
hencehekepttheconversat
iongoi
ng.

Sbu:
"So,
Thandos,kuhambanj
anier
ehab(
how'
sit
goi
ngatrehab)
?"

Icoul
dseeThandotenseupabi taf
terthatquest
ion.
IguessPhi
lawasri
ght,shenevercheckedin.

Thando:"
Uh.
.Ah..Youknowhowi ti
s.Wena,tel
lme
aboutyou.How'
sShar on?Inevert
houghtyou'
d
act
uall
ymarrysomeonel i
keher
,hey.
"

Sbuchuckl
ed.He'
sal
waysr
eadyf
orani
nsul
t.
Sbu:
"Ah,
Shar oni
sat hi
ngofthepast
.Whatabout
you?Where'syourbabydaddy?Heclearl
yfucked
youupbecauseyouusedt obesohot,nt
wana( gi
rl
).
Youwereli
keoneoft heitgi
rl
sbackt
hen."

Icoul
dseeThandoget
ti
ngabi
tembar
rassed.

Thando:"
Ah,well,he'
sar ound.We'renott
ogether
anymore.Ifiguredit
'sreall
ytimetogetmylif
e
backontrack,youknow.Pl usIneedtomendmy
rel
ati
onshipwithmysi ster.She'
stheonlysi
blingI
have.
"

Sheflashedafakesmil
eandexposedhermi ssing
toot
h.Ican'thel
pbutthinkshe'sjustnotbei
ng
genuine.Thandoishi
dingsomet hingandhowon
eart
hdi dshefi
ndoutwhereIlivewi t
houtcal
li
ngme?

Anyway,
wecutdinnershortsincewewer en'
tin
hi
ghspir
it
sespeci
all
yafterseeingBel
inda'smother
.
Phil
awentt oourbedroom,whileSbuclearedupthe
tabl
e.ItookThandot ooneoft heguestr
oomsand
madesur eshehadt obathefi
rstbefor
egetti
ngint
o
thesheets.It
'sr
eallynotni
ceforawomant owalk
aroundwi t
houtf
resheningupatall.Wegott ot
he
bedroom andIdecidedtoconfronther
.

Me:
"Thando,
whyar
eyour
eal
lyher
e?"

Thando:
"Hawu,
Zee.Icamet
ovi
sitmybabysi
ster
.
I
sthatsohardt
obeli
eve?
"

Me:"Thando,l
et'
scutthebull
shi
t,okay.You'
ve
nevercaredaboutmeandyoudon' tevenhavemy
number .You'
venevervisi
tedmeorcal l
edmein
yearsandnowsuddenl yyoupit
chupatmydoor
step.Let'
sstopwitht
hepr et
enceandt el
lmewhy
you'r
ereall
yhere.
"

Shel
ookedpr
ett
yshockedt
oseemyr
eact
ion.I
'
m
nottheweakZi yandashe'
susedt
oanymore.I'
ve
grownat hickerski
nandI'
l
lnotal
lowhert
ocrawl
underneathitanymore.

Thando:
"Okay,Zee.Ijustneededaplacet
ocrash,
okay.Ever
yonehast urnedthei
rbacksonme-even
mom andGogodon' twantmeatt hei
rhouses.So
youweremyl astopt
ion."

Igetthatshe'
sinneedofaplacetost
ay,butt
here'
s
moret othi
srockupofhers.Idon'
tbuyherst
ory,
butIchosetoletherbef
ornow.

Me:"
Okay,
gotakeabat
hbef
oreyousl
eep.We'
l
l
t
alktomor
row.
"

BeforeIwalkedoutshedeci
dedt
ogi
vemehert
wo
centsofcentiment
s.
Thando:"
Zee,
I'
mreal
lysor
ryaboutever
ythi
ng.I
promiseI'
l
lmakei
tal
luptoyou."

See?Nothi
ngisevergenui
newit
hThando,not
evenanapol
ogy.Iclosedt
hedooronmywayout
andmademywayt oourbedroom.IfoundPhi
la
alr
eadyi
nbed.

Me:
"It
houghtwewer
egoi
ngt
oshowert
oget
her
."

Phi
la:
"Idi
dn'tknowhowlongyourbondi
ngsessi
on
wit
hyoursisterwasgoi
ngtobesoIdecidedt
odoit
al
one.
"

Thattone.Thei rr
it
abil
it
yinhistonet el
lsmehe' s
seri
ouslypissedatthiswholesit
uation.Iwentt o
thebathroom totakeaquickshowerandt henwent
backtothebedr oom aft
erdryi
ngmysel f.Iwalked
backtothebedr oom nakedandf oundhi m watchi
ng
tv.Ihategoingtobedangr yandweal waysfixour
i
ssuesbefor
ewesleep.SoIdeci
dedtousemy
bestweapontodef
eathi
sugl
ymood-sex.

Iloti
onedmysel fwhilefacinghim andIcoul dsee
him side-eyei
ngme, drool
ingovermynakedbody,
butt r
iednottoshowi t.Ifini
shedlotioningmy
whol ebodyandl eftmybr east
sforlast .Itook
somel oti
onandputi tonbot hmybr easts,rubbing
them inci r
cularmot i
on.Icoul dseehi sMkhont o
ri
singf rom underneaththecovers.Di dher eal
ly
expectmenott ot ort
urehim whenhesl eepsnaked
ont opoft hat?

Het
ri
edresi
sti
ngmeandact
ingst
rongbychangi
ng
t
hechannel
s.

Phi
la:
"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
ogetdr
essed?
"

Me:
"Si
ncewhendoyoual
lowmet
owearpaj
amas
i
nbed?"
Phi
la:(
clear
inghi
sthr
oat
)"Si
ncet
oni
ght
."

Ichuckl
ed.Hemustbecr azy.Igotontopofhim
andremovedt hesheet
sfrom him.Islowlywent
downt i
lIreachedhi
sdick.Icouldseehim
swall
owinghar d.Onl
ywomencanpuni shmenby
wit
hholdingsex-mencan'
t.Islowlyr
ubbedhis
peni
sandbl ewhotairontotheti
p.
Me:
"Tel
lmeyouwantmet
ost
opt
henandI
'
llst
op.
"

Hekeptquietwhi
lest
aringatme.Icouldfeelhi
s
bodytenseupandhistoescurl
.Iputhalfofhimin
mymout handwentforit.Isl
owlysuckedhimin
ci
rcul
armot i
onandIheardhim moan.

Phil
a:"
Ah,f
uck,
MaZwane( Mr
s.Zwane)
!Godeeper
Sthandwasami(myl
ove)
."
I
'
vegr
owntobeabitnaught
ynowadaysallt
hanks
t
oPhi
la.Hemademegetusedtoallt
hisdir
tyt
alk.

Me:
"Askmeni
cel
y."

Phi
la:
"Pl
ease,
Baby.
"

Itookallofhi
minmymouthandstar
tedsucking
faster
.Het ri
edt
oputhi
shandsonmyhead, butI
pull
edout .

Me:
"Not
ouchi
ng.I
fyout
ouch,
I'
llst
op.
"

Hecur
sed.

Phi
la:
"Shi
t.Okay.
"

Ikeptsucki
ngandt
hef
ast
erIwentt
hemor
eIf
elt
hi
scl
imaxbui
ldup.

Phi
la:
"Fuck,
Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
.I'
m goi
ngt
o
come.You'dbett
ermove.
"

Ididn'
tmove, i
nst eadIkeptgoingandhecoul dn't
holditinanymor eunti
lhef i
nal
lyr el
easedandl et
outaf unnygrowlasal ways.It r
iedswal l
owingt hi
s
ti
mesi ncePor schesaysit'
snothal fbadifyour
mani shealthyandeat shealt
hyf oodtoo.Hi scum
doesn'ttast
ehal fbadsoIdecidedt oswal lowhis
l
oadwhi l
ehewasst ar
ingatme.Seemsl ikeitgot
him superexcitedbecauseMkhont odidn'
tgodown.

Phil
a:"
Shi
t,Zee.Whydidyouhavetot
ort
uremelike
that
?You'rebecomingaproatthi
s.Myturnnow."

Ismil
edashefl
ippedmeoversohecoul dlayon
topofme.Heki
ssedmepassi onatel
y,yetr
oughly,
buti
nagoodway.We' veneverreal
lyhadrough
sex,butt
hei
deagi
vesmeamazi nggoosebumpsal
l
overmybody.Hepul
ledoutandlookedatme.

Phi
la:
"Il
ovet
ast
ingmysel
finyourmout
h,Yaya.I
l
oveyousomuch."

Ismi l
edandsai dIlovedhimtoo.Hepr oceededby
suckingmyneckandgoi ngal
lthewaytomy
breasts.Hel ovessuckingonthosebabiesandhe
knowst hatdrivesmecr azy.Hewentdownwi t
hhi
s
tongueallthewayt omycoochi e.HeknowshowI
canneverr esistagoodpussyeating.Hegent l
y
teasedmycl itbyli
ckingandstoppingconti
nuousl
y.

Me:"
Dammi
t,Phi
la!Ineedyou!Suckme,
baby,
pl
ease!
"

Helookedandmeandsmiledandproceededt
odig
i
n.Histonguecandoamazingthi
ngs.Hedipped
hi
stongueinandoutofmyentr
anceandIwent
crazy.Hel i
ft
edupmyt hi
ghs.Ialwayswonderhow
hemanagest oli
ftupmyheavyt hi
ghs,butIguessif
hecanl if
tweight
s, t
henI'
m asl
ightasaf eat
herin
thatregard.

Hecont i
nuedtoeatmeupandt henhedi dthe
unexpected.WhileIwaswr appedupinthis
amazingeuphoria,hespreadmybumswi derand
hetravel
edhistonguedownt omyanusand
proceededtoli
ckit.Itf
eltsoforei
gnt
ome, butal
so
good.Isupposehewant edtoseemyr eact
ionsoI
wentwi t
hit.

Hethencameupandf l
ippedmeoversoIcoul dli
e
onallfourswit
hmyassup.Heent er
edmeashe
usedhisonehandt or
ubmycl i
t.Iwentwi l
d.He
keptpoundingmeharderandharderunt
ilIfel
tthe
needtor ubmycli
tmyself.

Itdr
iveshi
m cr
azywheneverIf
ull
yreci
procatewhat
hedoesandtakepar
tinallt
heseexper
iments.He
conti
nuedtohavemeandIwaslovi
ng.Weboth
rel
easedatthesameti
meandcoll
apsedont
hebed
i
nourf avour
it
eposi
ti
on-mel
ayi
ngmybedont opof
hischest.

Me:"
Babywami(mybaby),di
dyour
eal
lyhavet
o
eatmyasshol
ethough?
"

Phil
a:(l
aughi
ng)"I
tscal
ledr
immi
ngl
ove,
anddon'
t
actl
ikeyoudidn'
tli
kei
t.
"

Iactual
lydidl
ikei
tevent
houghi
twasabi
t
unexpected.

Me:"
Idi
d,butIneverknewyouwer
eint
othoseki
nd
ofki
nkyst
uff.
"

Phi
la:
"I
'mi
ntoalotofthings,St
handwasami(My
l
ove),
andIwanttoexplorethem wi
thyouusi
ng
babyst
eps.Iwantyoutofeelcomf
ort
abl
efi
rstand
gett
oknowwhatyoulike.
"

ThenIt
houghtofPor
scheandherbdsm escapades.

Me:"Haveyouevert
ri
edBDSM,
babywami
(my
baby)?"

Phi
la:
"No,
mylove.Butf
oryouIcant
iemywhol
e
di
ckupifyoul
ikei
t.
"

Webot
hlaughedaswepr
oceededt
osl
eep.
Chapt
erNi
net
yFour

Thef
oll
owi
ngday

Zi
yanda
Phi
laandIwer eatital
lni
ghtasusualandmybody
i
sabitst i
ff
.Iseri
ouslyneedt
otakehim uponhi s
of
fert
ol etmewor koutwit
hhim.Onceagai nIgot
upaft
erhim andfoundhim makingusbr eakf
ast.
He'
salreadydressedanddonewor ki
ngoutal r
eady.
He'
sevenhummi ngagospelsongwhi l
eit'
splayi
ng
i
nthekitchen.

Yep, hehadabui l
tinmusi cplayerinstal
ledinthe
kitchenwhi lewewer einItaly.Hesayshewant s
met oenj oycooki ngwhi l
ehewat chesmesi ng.
Appar entlyIhavet hevoiceofanangel .Iusedt o
singi nt hechoi rbacki nhi ghschool ,butI'
m nota
fanofat tentionliket hat
.Il oveseei ngthi
sgl owon
him.I '
dl ovet ogivecr edittoalloursexcapades,
butIt hinkt hef actt hatweal sopr aytogetherbefor
e
wesl eep, andwakeupatmi dnightand3am
togetherj ustl i
ftshi sspir
its.

Healwayspr
aysaski
ngGodf
orpeaceandmore
year
sandasksforust
obebl
essedwit
hachi
ldof
ourown.Evenwhenwedeci detophahlatoour
ancestor
s,heaskshisdadtowat choverusand
asksthem togi
veusourownl it
tl
eseed.Myhear t
breaksever
ytimehespeaksofhavi ngchil
dren
si
nceIdon'twanttogothroughwhatIdidwi th
Lungaagainwithhim.I'
mt r
yingmybest ,butI
decidedtoputi
talli
nGod'shands.

Me:
"Goodmor
ning,
myhusband.
"

Phil
a:(smi l
ing)"Goodmorning,
mywi f
e.I
'
vemade
breakfastfitformyQueen.Pleasej
oinmeatt
he
Patio,
br eakfasti
sserved.
"

Ismil
edasImademywayt othepati
oandfound
somemuf f
ins,muesli,yoghurtandfrui
twit
hjui
ce
andhewascomi ngtowar dsmewi thsomebacon
andeggsandt oast.Hewasevenwear i
nganapron
ontopofhissuit.Thisguyt hough.Wepr ayed
bef
oreweat eandwedugi n.
Me:"Youtookyourt
imewi
tht
his,
babywami(
my
baby).Thankyousomuch.
"

Phil
a:"
Anythi
ngforyou,St
handwasami(Mylove)
.
I
fyoukeepgi vi
ngmemypussyt hewayyougaveit
tomei zol
o(l
astni
ght),
I'
dmakeyoubreakf
astfor
l
ife.
"

Ibl
ushedi
nembarr
assment
.Ther
e'sneveradul
l
momentwit
hPhi
la.

Me:
"Wher
e'sSbu?
"

Phil
a:"
Hewenttocheckont hebuil
der
sbef
oreKel
e
comesback.Hesaysshei nsist
edonmovingi
n
ther
etodayassoonasshel ands.Shemustbe
ti
redofbei
nganinvaderi
nourhouse."
Isti
lldon'
tknowhowtofeelaboutheratt
hispoi
nt,
butI'
llhaveachatwi
thherassoonasshecomes
back.

Me:"Baby,doyouthi
nkshe'
sbei
ngabi
twei
rd?
Especial
lytowar
dsSbuandI?"

Phila:"
Notal i
tt
le,Sthandwasami(Mylove).A
whol elot.EvenuMawascompl aini
ngtell
ingme
ukuthi( t
hat
)Kel ehasbeenbehavingbadly.She
saysshe' sworset hanSharonnj
e.Shel i
esinbed
alldayanddoesn' tevenbothert
ohelplookaf t
er
thet wins.Sbuisevenhavingdoubtsaboutt he
weddi ng,hewant stocancel.
"

Wow.I t
'samazi
nghowqui ckl
ythi
ngscant ranspir
e
from bei
ng100%gr eatt
obeingrui
nedi naninstant.
Justtheotherdaywewer ehel
pingthem getback
toget
herandnowt hisshi
tishappening.
Me:
"Icanseehowi
t'
staki
ngi
tst
ollonSbu.
"

Phil
a:"
Yep,ifKel
edoesn'twatchoutSbuwi
llgo
backtohiswomani zerways.Andoncehestar
ts,
she'
llr
egretit
,shame."

Ican'
timagi
nehavi
ngPhi
lacheatonme.Iwoul
d
cuthi
sball
soff
.

Phil
a:"
Anyway,haveyour
eadt
hel
ett
erBel
inda
wrotetoyou?
"

OhIevenf or
gotaboutt
hatlett
er!Ishovedi
tinmy
handbagyester
dayanddidn'teventouchi
t.I
'l
l
havetoreaditt
odayatwork.

Me:"
Ifor
gotaboutt
hat
,baby.Iwasabi
tdi
str
aught
af
terwhatBel
inda'
smom tol
dus.
"
It
oldhimthewhol
est
oryaboutBel
indaandherdad
molest
ingherupt
owher
ehermom ki l
lshi
m.

Phil
a:"
Kubad( I
tsrough),
mywi fe.Butweal lmake
ourownchoi ces.Yourpastdoesn'tandshouldn't
defi
neyourf ut
ureatall.Bel
indahadachoi ceto
tur
nallthataround,butshechosenotto.Yout ri
ed
yourbest.Letsgetgoingbeforewegetlate.Traffi
c
canbeani ghtmare."

Wel ef
tandasusualIgavet hegunmenasome
breakf
astandwewer eoff.I'l
lhavetodealwi
th
Thandolateronwhenwer eturnsincePhil
asaid
shecouldstayafewmor edays.Idr oveouti
nmy
newMer cedes,whi
lehedrovei nhissi
ncehehasa
fewmeet i
ngstodayandmi ghtbebacklatert
han
usual.

Wearri
vedatwor
kandIf
oundPor
schebeaut
if
ulas
al
ways.
Me:
"Mor
ning,
fri
end.
"

Por
sche:
"Mor
ning,
Mrs.Zwane.Howar
ewet
oday?
"

Me:
"Ag,
I'
m al
ri
ght
."

Porsche:"
Wheneverther
e'san"Ag"bef
oreany
sentenceoraf
ter
war ds,
itdoesn'
tmeanyou'r
e
alr
ight.Outwi
thit.
"

Me:"
Thandor ockedupatmyhouselastni
ght.
Apparentl
yshehadbeenwait
ingforussincet
he
af
ternoon."

Porsche:"
Heh!(
Clappi
nghands)andyoul
eftheri
n
yourhouse?Alone?!
"
Me:"
Hawu,P.Theguardswi
llbewat
chingher
.
Besi
des,
Idon'
tthi
nkshewouldst
ealf
rom me."

Porsche:(l
aughi
ng)"You'r
eplayingwit
hfire,
Zee.
Youneverlearn.Idon'tt
rustherandthatgood
heartofyourswil
llandyouintroubl
eoneday. "

Phil
asai
dthesamet
hing.MaybeIneedt
oheed
thi
swarni
ng.

Me:"
Anyway,
haveyour
eadt
hel
ett
erBel
indawr
ote
you?
"

Porsche:"
Yes,Idid.Shame, sheapol ogizedfor
everythi
ngstart
ingfrom wayback.Ir eall
yfeelabit
badf ort
hewayIt reatedher,hey.Shehadat ough
l
ife.Nowondershesl itherwrist
swhi leshewas
pregnantwithDavid'
schi l
d.I'dprobablyhavedone
thesame. "
Myeyeswi
denedwi
thshock.

Me:"Shewaspregnantwi
thDavi
d'schi
ld?Asi
n
Lunga'sdad?
"

Porsche:
"Yes,It
akeityouhaven'
treadyour
syet.
I
'm morecuriousaboutwhatshewr ot
etoKele.
"

Me:
"Don'
ttel
lmeyouact
ual
lywantust
oreadi
t,
Por
sche.
"

Porsche:
"Wenaoslowwait
se(You'resosl
ow,hey)
.
Wehavet oreadi
t.Maybeitwil
lexplai
nwhyshe
hasdoneawhol e360onus."

Me:"
Isn'
tthatl
ikei
nvadingsomeone'
spri
vacy?
Besi
des,Kelehasalwaysbeenpri
vat
e,Porsche.
"
Porsche:"
There'
snosuchthingasinavdi
ngthr
pri
vacyoft hedead.AndKelehasalwaysbeen
Secret
ive-
notprivat
e.We'
llseali
tbackupporper
ly
aft
erreadingit
."

Idon'
tknowhowIf
eel
aboutt
his,
butIam cur
ious.

Me:
"Ei
sh,
okay.
"

Porsche:
"Good.We'l
lreadi
tduri
nglunchtime.Go
toyouroffi
cebef
oreyourhusbanddecidestof
ir
e
me."

AsIwalkedt
omyof f
iceIbumpedi
ntoNozi
.Her
smi
lefadedassoonasshesawme.What '
snew?

Me:
"Goodmor
ning,
Nozi
pho.
"
Nozi
:(annoyed)"
Goodmor ni
ng,Zi
yanda,orshoul
dI
sayMrs.Zwane?Iwoul dn'
twantt
obef i
redfornot
addr
essingyouproper
ly."

Oh,goodness.Her ewegoagai n.Thi

schickr
eall
y
needstogetlaid.Idecidedtoi
gnoreherandwent
str
aightt
omyof fi
ce.Icheckeduponaf ew
messagesbef oreproceedi
ngwithwork.

IsawafewWhat sAppmessages;onef
rom Gogo
aski
ngmeifI'
mi gnori
ngherandonefr
om Kel
e.
Shefi
nal
lydeci
dedt orespond.

"Hey,Zee.Sorryfornotbeingintouchforsolong.
Youknowhowst r
ainouspregnancycanbe.
Anyway, I'
mlet
tingyouknowt hatI'
m comingback
todayandmovi ngintomynewhouseandsi nce
we'regoingtobenei ghbour
s,Idon'twantanybad
bloodbetweenus.I 'l
lseeyousoon, f
ri
end."
Okay,t
hat'
sjustaweir
dmessage.Iscrol
leddown
andfoundanothermessagef
rom anunsaved
number.

"
Goodmor ni
ng,Zee.Ihopeyouhaveagr
eatday
t
oday.Love,Lu.
"

Okay,Lungaisreall
ystal
kingmeandit
'sget
ti
ng
real
lycreepy.Idecidedt
oblockhi
snumberonall
plat
formsandcal l
edGogo.

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Heh!Jehovananguumtnwanawakho
uyaphil
a(Jehova,
yourchi
ldisal
ive)
."

Il
aughed.

Me:"
Sawubona,
Gogo(
Hel
lo,
granny)
.Howar
e
you?
"
Gog'
Khanyi:
"Whatdoyout hinj
,Zi
yandaZwane?
Nowthatyou'vechangedyoursurnameyoudeci
de
t
oignor
eyouronl yli
vinggrandmother
?"

Me:"
Ngiyaxol
isa(
I'
m sor
ry)
,Gogo.I
'
vej
ustbeena
bi
tbusy."

Gog'Khanyi:
"Busypract
isi
nghowt omakebabi es,I
see.Howar et hi
ngs?Ngi yan'bonal akuInstagram
heyi(Iseeyouguysher eonI nstagram wow) ,t
he
weddingwasabsol utel
ybeaut if
ul.LaBaf anabaka
Zwane( ThoseZwaneboys)havet aste,
man. "

Il
aughed.

Me:
"Ai
,Gogo.Anyway,
thi
ngsar
egoodhey.Howi
s
Madoi
ng?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"She'
sfi
ne,
yazi(
youknow)
.Thando'
s
r
ascalsarekeepi
ngherbusy.It
oldhertobri
ng
t
hem hereforaweeknje,
bazoba(t
hey'
llbe)r
ight
.
I
'
llgetthem i
norder
."

Me:"
SpeakingofThando,
shecametomyhouse
yest
erday.Wefoundherwait
ingf
orusl
astni
ght
."

Gog'
Khanyi:
"I
ni(What)
?!Thatgir
lisjustwast
ing
ourmoney.Whydoesn' tshej
ustdieli
keBeli
nda
andleaveusinpeace?
"

Icoul
dhearMam'
Masangoscol
dingher
.

Gog'Khanyi :
"Hayi,mannaweFl or
ah.Youdon' tl
i
ke
thehonestt ruth.Anyway,Ziyanda,mntwanami (my
chil
d),Fl
or ahsaysyouneedt obecarefulThando.
Shehasn' tchangedherways, butshecan'tdo
muchhar mt oyou.Sheal sosaysyouneedt obe
especi
allycar efulofKel
e.Shest urni
nginto
somethingnoneofusknow. "
Okay.Idi
dn'
texpectthat.I'
m get
tingreal
lywor
ried.
Mam'Masango'
swar ningsarenevertobeignor
ed.

Me:
"Okay,
GogoI
'
lldoso.
"
Gog'Khanyi
:"
Prayf
orher,
Ziyanda.Always
rememberwhyInamedyouZi yanda.Shealsosays
biggerbl
essi
ngsarecomingyourway.Letmego,
mnt wanami(mychi
ld)
.You'l
lbef i
ne.Iloveyou.
"

Shehungup.Oh,well
,Ineedtot hi
nkcar
efull
yon
whatt
odowi t
hThando,andKel eontheotherhand,
per
hapsIshoul
dkeepydistance.Ideci
dedt ocar
ry
onwit
hmywor k.
Chapt
erNi
net
yFi
ve

Zi
yanda

I
tsl
uncht
imeandIf
orgott
oor
dersomef
ood.Just
whenIwasaboutt opickupmyphoneanddi al
Ubereats,Porschewalkedinandgr acedmewith
herpresence.Shehadoceanbasketpaperbagsi n
herhands.She' saGodsent.Idon'thavetoworry
aboutwhatPhi lawi
llbeeati
ngsincehe'soutofthe
off
iceuntill
aterontoday.

Me:"
Yoh,ungat
hibeubonaukuthibeng'
lambi
le(I
t'
s
l
ikeyousensedthatIwashungr
y).Thanksbabe.
"

Por
sche:
"Pl
easei
sal
lmi
ne,
baby.
"

Wesatdownandsai
dgr
aceandwedugi
n.

Por
sche:
"So,
anynewnewssi
ncet
hismor
ningnj
e?"

Me:
"Not
hingmuch.Lungahasbeensendingme
r
eal
lyweir
dmessages.Itsl
ikehesendst
hem asi
f
we'
rest
il
ltoget
herandi
t'
sreall
ycr
eepy.Kel
eon
t
heot
herhandsentmeawei
rdmessageaswel
l
."

It
ossedthephoneovert
oherandsher
eadt
he
messageandwasunimpressed.

Porsche:
"Mxm.Sel
oseset homagotel
lase(
Thi
s
thi
ngisgett
ingr
ealdi
srespect
ful
).
"

Me:"She'
sact
ingreal
lyst
range,
Porsche.Wor
st
partMam'MasangotoldmethatIshoul
dbecaref
ul
ofThandoandKele."

Porsche:
"Aker
ewabona( yousee)?!Ishould'
ve
beenaprophet,shame.I'mt el
li
ngyouthosetwo
arebadbusiness.Sheevenunbl ockedmeandsent
meamessagesayi ngshe'ssorr
y,it
'sj
usther
hormonesandt hatweshoul dmeetupforlunchat
herhousetodayafterwork."
Me:
"Ai
,Idon'
tthi
nkweshoul
dgo.
"

Porsche:"
Let
'sr
eadthatl
ett
erfi
rstandt
henwe'
l
l
decideifweshoul
dgoornot."

Wef i
nishedeat
ingandclearedthedesk.Istar
ted
wit
hmi neandreaditoutloudforPorschet
ohear
aswell.

"
DearZi
yanda

I'
m verysorr
yforeverythi
ngI'veeverdonetoyou.I
tr
ulyapologi
zeformybehavi ourandf oral
lthepai
n
Icausedyou.Pl easeunderstandthatIneverhad
anythi
ngagainstyou, i
nfactyou'veal
waysbeen
l
ovingandkind-toallofus.Ifanythi
ngIoweyoua
l
otmor ethanjustamer elet
terofapology.

I
'
veal
waysbeenj
eal
ousofyou,
Zee.You'
reso
beaut
ifulandyouhaveanamzi ng,bi
gheart
.You
al
waysseet hebesti
npeopl eandyou'r
efor
givi
ng.
Eventhoughyoursof tandkindheartl
andsyouin
sadsi
tuations,youcan'tchangewhoyouare.

I'
vealwaysadmi redyourrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hPorsche.
Yout wower ealwayssocloseandIneverhada
bestfri
end,eventhoughKelehasalwaysbeenmy
closestfr
iendamongstallofus,Ist
il
lyearnf
orthat
tr
uef ri
endshipandtruel
ovefrom afri
end.

Iknowyoual lseeKeleasagoodper sonsince

she'sal waysreadytoreasonandl ist
entoallofus,
butpl easebecareful.She'sverygoodatkeeping
secret sandsheisn'twhoyour eal
lythinksheis.
Shei sn'treal
lyabadperson,butshe'sconsumed
withjealousyandgr eedjustl
ikeme.Br i
anreall
y
fuckedherupandnowt hatsheandSbuar eback
togetheragain,shewon'tstopuntilshereaches
yourl evel
.
I'
m sorryforwrit
ingallt
histoyoui nalet
terasI'
m
aboutt omeetmyendandbewi thmyson.Ir eal
ly
don'tdeserveyourforgi
veness,Ziyanda.Icanonly
hopet hatI
'l
lrestinpeace.

LoveBee"

Wow.Shehaswr
it
tenqui
teal
ott
odi
gest
.

Porsche:"
Wabona(yousee)?Wabonakego
bodit
se(YouseewhatImean)?Kelegashap,man
Zee(Keleisbadnews).Nowopenhersobalemoo
(andreadit)
.Ext
raloudthi
sti
me,Iwantt
oheari
t
properl
y."

Ishookmyheadandopenedt helett
ercar
eful
lyso
thatIcouldbeabl
etocl
oseitri
ghtbackaft
erwards.
Istart
edreadi
ngabitl
ouderadheri
ngtoPorsche'
s
i
nst r
ucti
ons.
"
DearKel
e

I'
m verysorryforl
eavingt hi
sear t
ht hewayIam
now,butitisti
me.It rulyhopet hatuoucanf indi
t
i
nyourhear ttoforgi
vemef orspill
ingyourbeans
l
ikethat.Iknowyoushotmet ryingt osi
lenceme
becauseIdidn'tspil
lallofthem.

Iknowwhatyoudi d,
Keleandnowsi nceI'
mt he
onlyotherpersonwhoknowsal lyoursecret
s,you
canrelax.I'
llt
akethem t
ot hegravewithme.You
canrestassuredthatyou'
llgetSbujustasyouhave
alwayswished.

Youcanr estassur edt hatnoonewil

lknowyouhad
abort
ionrightafteryouf oundhiminbedwi t
h
Sharon.Noonewi llknowyouwereonyourwayt o
tel
lhimthatyouwer eexpecti
nghi
stwinsont hat
fat
efulmor ning.Iknowweal ldowhatwehavet o
do,butyour scouldhavebeeneasi l
yavoided.
Iknowyounevert ol
dSbuhowyout ri
edtoabort
Thatoaswel l
,butbyt hegraceofGodhesur vi
vedit
.
IknowPor scheandZeedon' tknowyout hewayI
do.Theydon' tknowyou'retheonewhot oldme
Porsche'
ssecr etsandhowyouwi shthatshewas
deadbecauseshecanseer i
ghtt hroughallofus?
Theydon'tknowhowyou' r
esoj ealousofthem,
especial
lyZee,justl
ikeIwas.

Theydon'tknowhowyoupl annedital
l;howyou
plannedtogetbacki ntoSbu'sli
feeventhough
Brianwasabusi ngyouandThat oandevent hough
Shar onwasthreateni
ngyourl i
fe.Theyhaveno
i
deahowyoupl annedt owor m yourwayintoSbu's
l
ifeagainsinceBrianleftyousodeepindebt .
Per f
ectpl
anitwasImustadmi t
,evenforsomeone
l
ikeyou.

WebothknowthatSbuwasmeanttobeyour
soul
mate,
butyourobsessi
onwi
thbei
ng"TheFi
rst
Lady"oftheZwane' swil
lbeyourowndownf all.I
real
lyhopethatyouchangeyourwaysaf t
err eading
thi
slett
ersot hatyoudon'tendupli
keme,Kel e.
You'r
ebetterthanthat.Forwhatit'
swor
th,Ilove
you,myf r
iend.I'l
lal
waysl oveyou.

LoveBee"

Wow.PorscheandIkeptquietforawhi
le,
Ithi
nkt
o
absor
bever
ythi
ngwehadj ustread.

Porsche:
"Ja,
ne.Bophel okesemphegostrai
ght
(Li
feisnotasclearasitseems)
.Bjanong(So)when
areyougoingtotellSbuandyourhusband?"

I
sshecr
azy?Ican'
tdot
hat
.

Me:
"Wagaf
a( areyoucr
azy)Porsche?Ican'
ttel
l
t
hem.Itwi
llbreakSbuandKelewouldnevert
rust
meagai
n."

Porsche:(r
oll
inghereyes)"
Zee,areyousti
llwor
ried
aboutKeletrusti
ngyou?She'sclear
lytoomuchof
asnaket obet r
usted.Tj
onnaIcan'tshame.I'm
goi
ngt otel
l.
"

Me:"
She'
sprobabl
ychanged,
ImeanBeli
ndawr
ote
t
hiswit
houtevenknowi
ngKele'
spr
egnant
."

Porsche:
"Aleopardneverchangesi
tsspot
s.I
'
m
st
il
lgoingtotell
."

Me:"Pl
easedon't
,okay.Let'
sthinkaboutthi
sf ora
second.Wecan'truinourfr
iendshi
pwi t
hKel eand
herrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hSbul i
kethat.Ithi
nkweshoul d
all
owhimt ofi
ndoutonhi sown.Wecan' tj
udgeher
l
ikethatImeanWe'renotperfectour
sleves.
"
Porsche:
"Okay,
fine,
butI
'
m st
il
lgoingtowatchher
l
ikeahawkandIsuggestyoudot hesame."

Me:"
Okay,butyou'
rest
il
lcomi
ngt
omyhousef
or
di
nner,
right
?"

Porsche:"
Honey, Iwouldn'tmissitforthewor ld.I
wannal ookKel eri
ghtintheeyeandi fshepisses
meof f,
I'm goingtospil
lthebeans.I nf act,I
'
m
goingtothef uneralandyouhadbet terdragKele
alongwithus, Ineedtoseei fshe'
sr eadyt orepent.
AtleastBelindadidbeforesheki l
ledher sel
fandf or
that,
I'
m goingt owearmybestGuccist il
ett
oswi t
h
mybr andnewVer saceout f
it
."

Me:
"Ai
,Kel
e."

Porsche:
"I
nfact
,letmequickl
ymakeacopyofthat
l
ett
erincaseshedestroysit
.We'llneedi
tad
evi
denceforwhenshithit
sthefan."
Shegrabbedt
heenvel
opef
rom myhandsandwent
tomakeacopyofit
.

Thisi swaydeeperthanwet hought.NowIhavet o

worryaboutPor schespil
li
ngthissecretevenbefore
wef indouthowt oproperl
ydefusethef i
re.Ifol
ded
theletterbacki
ntotheenvelopeneatl
yandr e-
sealedi t
.Howam Igoi ngtobehavenor mallywhile
keepingt hi
ssecretf
rom Phil
aandSbu?
Chapt
erNi
net
ySi
x

Itwasf i
nallyknockof ft
imeandImi ssedPhilaall
daysi ncehewasn' tintheoff
ice.PorscheandI
wentst raighttomyhousesowecoul dprepare
dinner.Iwasn' tevensureifKelewasgoingt obe
aroundf ordinnerornotsinceshemadei tclear
she'smovi ngintoherhouset oday,
butIdecidedto
cookanyway.Thandowasi nherbedroom shesaid
shef eltabi tsi
cksoIl etherbe.Perhapsshemi ght
j
oinusl ateron.
Imadesomel ambshanksdr i
zzl
edwi thfi
nered
wineandsomecr eamypot atomash.Ial somadea
Greeksaladtoaccompanyi t
,wit
hPor sche'shel
p.I
madesur eImadeenoughf oreveryone.Isettl
ed
formalvapuddingandcustardfordessert.It
's
quickandeasyandPor scheandIhadal ready
start
eddrinki
ngsothemor ewedr anktheless
i
nt er
est
edwewer einthepots.

Afterwewer edone, Iheadedtothebedroom and

broughtherthegi f
tIboughtforherwhileIwasin
It
aly.Shetookt hepaperbagwi thgraceasalways
andopenedi t.Igotheraver ynicecust
om made
blacksi
lkdresst hathadlaceont opofthecl
oth.I
knewshewoul dloveitsincei
t'
sshortandsexyand
fi
tsherperfectl
y.Igothermat chingshoesanda
l
imi t
ededit
ionlimebagf r
om Dior.

Porsche:
"Bat
hong(
wow)chomi!Il
ovei
tsomuch!
Thankyousomuch.(shegavemeahug)
.I'
l
lbethe
bestdr
essedatBee'
sfuner
alt
hisweekend.
"

Me:
"You'
real
wayst
hebestdr
essedmos,
Por
sche.
"

Webot
hlaughed.

Por
sche:
"Fl
att
erywil
lgetyouever
ywhere,
my
dar
li
ng.Wheredidyougetthi
sdress?Isuperl
ove
i
t.
"

Me:"
Igoti
tfr
om Luci
ano'sbout
ique.Thatguyhas
somegoodtast
e.Itcostme,wellPhi
la,
afort
une,
socher
ishi
t.
"

Webot
hlaughedoutl
oudonceagai
n.

Por
sche:
"Well
,thenextt
imeIgot
oIt
alyIneedt
o
meett
hisLuci
anodude."
Me:"
Kanayou'r
efor
evert
ravel
ing.Theonlycount
ry
I
'veeverbeent
ooutsi
deSouthAfri
caisI
taly.
"

Porsche:
"Aker
eneonyetswekehout
kop(That
's
becauseyouweremarr
iedtoani
diot
).Sti
ckwit
h
Phil
a,babyandhe'
l
lshowyoutheworld.
"

Ichuckl
edandshookmyhead.

Me:
"Byt
hewayIf
orgott
otel
lyout
hatIf
inal
lysang
ont
hemic.
"

Por
schenear
lyspi
toutherwi
neandbur
stouti
n
l
aught
er.

Por
sche:
"Chomiyaka(myfri
end)hl
e,i
t'
scall
eda
bl
owjob.Thesooneryougetusedt
osayingit
,the
bet
ter
.Howwasi t
?"
Me:"
Well
,itwasn'
tsobadhey.Lastni
ghtIact
ual
ly
swal
lowed."

Por
schej
umpedupi
nexci
tement
.

Porsche:"Wabonawena(youseeyou),
you'
resl
ow
butaf astlear
ner
.Il
ikei
t.I'
m gl
adI'
m suchagood
teacher.
"

Me:
"It
rustyoutotakeal
lthecr
edi
t.Butsomet
hing
wei
rdhappenedlastni
ght
."

Porsche:
"Whathappened?Di
dhef
ingeryouupi
n
theass?"

Me:(
chuckl
ing)
"No,
heact
ual
lyl
ickedi
t.
"
Por
schewassoshocked.

Porsche:
"Heh(Huh)?!Warengna(Whatdi
dyou
say)?!BossPi sint
ori
mming?!Wowman.And
hereIwasthinkingonl
ywhit
emenareint
osuch.
Howdi ditf
eel?"

Me:"Weir
dhey,
butenjoyabl
eatthesameti
me.I
evenaskedhi
mi fhe'
severdoneBDSM andhesai
d
no,buthe'
ddoitforme."

Porsche:
"Ah,Ah,
Ah.Philakelenyor
ashame( Phila
i
sboss) ,
Lepara(
theboss).Ir
espectthatguy
shame.Youdoknowt hatyouhavet oreci
procate,
ri
ght?Youhavet or
im hi
m back,mengocr azyfor
thatshi
t.
"

Idon'
tknowaboutthat
.Mythoughtsarealr
eady
goi
ngcrazythi
nki
ngofhavi
ngaman' sassholein
mymout h,
buthe'
ssocleanIbeti
twon'teventaste
badatal
l.

Me:"Well,
Iknowyou'vedonei
tbef
ore.Howdoesit
feel
?Howdoesi ttaste?Imeandoesn'
titt
ast
eli
ke
actualshi
t?"

Porsche:(
laughing)"No,man.It
'sact
uall
ytast
eless,
youknow.Li keittast
esblandnj
e.Unlessyour
mani sall
ergi
ctowat er,
youshouldn'
thavea
probl
em atall.
"

Ican'tbel
ieveI'
m heretaki
ngti
psonhowt obea
fr
eaki nbedf r
om Porsche.Ai
,seemyl i
fe.Anyway
PorscheandIsett hetableaswewaitedf orthe
ment oarriveandhopefull
yKelewi
llmakei taswel
l.

Phi
la

SbuandIhadameet
ingwi
thourshar
ehol
der
s.
We'vedecidedonmer gi
nghisITcompanywi thmy
constr
ucti
oncompany.I twil
lbealoteasierand
l
esstravelti
mef oral
lofus.Mybuildingi
sbigger
sohisstaffwil
lmergeontherestofthefl
oors.

Wewer eworki
ngoutal lthelogist
icslikechanging
thename- agai
n.I twon'tbesohect icnow, buti
twill
beal otbett
erforthebot hofus.Si ncewe'reall
goingtobemar r
iedsoon, i
twillbetheper f
ectway
togetourwomenmor einvolvedint herunningof
thebusiness.Themeet ingwasi nJo'burgsoSbu
andIar eabitstuckintraffi
c.

Sbu:
"Eish,
Bafo(Br
other
),youdon'tmi
ndme
smokinginthecar
,mos(right
)?"

Phi
la:
"Hayi(No),
manSbu.Youcansmokei
nyour
owncar,angit
hi(i
sn'
tit
)?"

Sbu:
"Wel
l,
I'
minyour
sri
ghtnowandbesi
des,
you
havel
eatheri
nter
ior.Iwon'
tmakeamessIpr
omi
se
andI'
l
lopenthewi ndow.
"

Ishookmyhead.It
houghthedeci
dedhe'
dqui
t
oncewefoundKel
e.

Phil
a:"
Sbu,
Ithoughtyoudai
dyou'
dqui
tthi
sdeadl
y
habi
tofyoursaft
erwefoundKel
e."

Sbu:"
Itri
ed,butshe'sstr
essi
ngmet hefuckout,
man.Ievenl ikeprayi
ngnowi nsteadofspendi
ng
ti
mewi thher.Ifthi
siswhatpr egnancydoestoher
thenI'
dratheruseacondom, fok( f
uck).
"

Ichuckl
ed.Thi
sthi
ngwi
thKel
eispr
ett
yser
ious.

Phi
la:
"Kant
iIt
houghtyousor
tedherout
."
Sbu:"Kanj
ani( How),bafo( br
other)
?Ever yti
meIt ry
tofuckhermydi ckjustdies.She'sforeveryappi ng
andcompl aining.Ievenboughtherabr andnew
Mercedest hinki
ngal lwouldbewel l,
butnope.St il
l
thesame.Sheget swor sebythedayI '
mt ell
ingyou.
She'sdevelopedt hi
snast yhabitofcompar i
ng
"Phil
agotZeeamat chingcar,Phil
atookZeet oItaly
forthei
rweddi ng,sowhenar eweget ti
ngmar r
ied?
Can'twegetmar ri
edsooner ?"(I
mitati
nghervoi ce)."

Wow.Sbuhasi
tbad.

Phil
a:"
Yoh(
wow)
,baf
o.Ineverknewi
twast
his
bad."

Sbu:"
EvenMasai dshetri
edtal
kingtoher.I
t'
sone
thi
ngforawomant ochange,bafo(brot
her)
,but
nowshedoesn'tevenmakeanef for
ttobondwi t
h
mykids.WheneverIaskheraboutthetwinsthat
aresti
llont
hei
rway, shej
ustsaysthey'
refi
ne.Ino
l
ongerseethatexci
tementinhereyes.
Thi swholenewKel eisn'
tthewomanIf el
linlove
with.IjustthinkImadeami stake,youknow.I
rushedi nt
ot hi
sthi
ngwi t
hher .Ithoughtt hespar k
betweenherandIwoul drekindleli
keyour swi th
Zee, buthonestl
y,Shar
onwasal otbettercompar ed
tothiswhol enewKele.I'm evenst art
ingtor egret
clawinghereyesout .
"

IneedtospeaktoPorscheandZee.Per hapsthey
canfixt
his.Ithi
nki
t'
shi ght
imeIspoket oKel
e.
Thisshi
tneedstoendrightt
hisi
nstantbefor
eshe
l
osesmybr other
.

Phi
la:
"Kuzol
unga( I
twil
lbefi
ne).I
'
llspeakt
omy
wif
eandPor sche.Iknowthey'
l
lfi
ndaway."

Sbu:(chuckl
ing)"Li
stent
oyoubusyngo( wi
th)'
my
wif
e,mywi fe'.That
'ssocut
e.I'
m assumingthe
sexisonpoi ntsi
nceyoucan'
tst
optalki
ngabout
her
."

Webot
hlaughed.

Phil
a:"
Eish,
foza(brot
her
),Zeedri
vesmecr
azy,man.
Shemakesmewantt obreakoutofmycomfort
zone.Imeanj ustl
astni
ghtsheaskedmeifI
'mint
o
BDSM. "

Sbu:(wi
denedeyes)" Heh?
!SharonandIusedtodo
that
,butIneverfi
guredZeewouldbeint
osuch.I
guessshe'sbreaki
ngoutofhershel
landPorsche
mustbegivinghersomeni cef
atti
ps.
"

Webot
hlaughed.

Phi
la:
"Hayi
,man.Naweyout
alkt
oomuch.
"
Sbu:
"Ij
usthaveonequesti
on:What'
sitli
kefucki
ng
aBBW?YouknowI 'veonl
ybeeni
ntothingi
rl
sand
Kel
eisseri
ouslygoodinbed,
butsheisn'
tZee'
s
si
ze.I'
dli
ketoexplore.
"

Phila:
"It
'snotfucking,man.ZeeandImakel ove,
andbesi dessexi ssex,itjustdependswhi chlevel
you'reonwi t
ht hatpart
icularwoman.Buti fyou
mustknow, Zeehasr oll
sandmeati nalltheright
places.Wi t
hNat ashaitwasal lski
nandbones, i
t
evenf el
tuncomf ortabl
e.Butwi thZee,everyt
hing
feelsamazing.Hersof tskinandhervol uptous
bodyj ustgetsmesuperhotever yt
ime.Youshoul d
tryitoneday, i
fKelebecomesabi tbi
gger.Shehas
curvedandanass, mos? "

Sbu:
"Hayi
,man,
Phi
la.Ineeddi
ff
erentmeat
."

Phi
la:
"Don'
tcheatonher
,you'
l
lonl
ymaket
hings
wor
se."
Sbu:
"I
'l
ltr
y,eventhoughI
'
m sobl
ue,
myf
acewi
llbe
showi
ngsoon. "

Webot
hlaughedasweheadedhomet
omyhouse.

Chapt
erNi
net
ySeven

Zi
yanda

PorscheandIwer estarvi
ngsincewehadbeen
waiti
ngforSbuandPhi laforovertwohour snow.
Wewer egett
ingreadyt odishupf oroursel
ves,but
thenIremberedThandowasi nthehouset oo.
She'sbeencoopedupi nherbedr oom, soIdecided
togoupandcal lher.Iwalkedinandf oundher
curl
edupinbed.Shel ooksli
kehel l
;hereyeslook
real
lysmal
landshehasr
eal
lydar
kmar
ksunderher
eyes.

Me:"
Thando,
uri
ght(
areyouokay)
?You'
vebeeni
n
her
eforhour
snow."

Thando:
"I
'mf
ine,
Zee.Ij
ustneedsomesl
eep.
"

Me:
"Tel
lmewhat
'sr
eal
lygoi
ngon.
"

Shet
ri
edt
osi
tupbutherbodyf
ail
edher
.

Thando:(Deepsi gh)"I
'
mt ryi
ngt oweenmysel fof
f
thedrugs.IknowyouandPhi latr
iedreall
yhardto
getmei ntothatexpensiverehabcenter,butIr
eal
ly
wanttot r
yt ogetmyl i
febackont rack.Notforme
butformyki ds.Iower hent hatmuch.I '
vebeen
vomiti
ngal lday.It'
spartoftheprocess."
Me:"Okay,wellI
'
m gladyoufinal
lydecidedtoget
yourli
feontrack.Admi t
ti
ngyouhaveapr obl
em i
s
thefi
rstst
ept orecover
y.I'
mr eal
lyproudofyou,
Thando."

Shet
ri
edt
osmi
lebutevent
hatseemedt
oopai
nful
.

Thando:"
Ihopeyoumeant hatandyou'r
enotsayi
ng
thatj
ustbecauseyoufeelsorr
yforme.Ihaven'
t
exact
lybeenthebestsist
ertoyou,Zee.
"

Me:"
Weal
lmakemi st
akes,
Thando.Youjustt
ryt
o
l
iedownI
'
llbr
ingyousomesouplateron.
"

Thando:
"Thanks,
Zee.I
treal
lymeansal
ott
ome.
"

Ismil
edandwal kedout
.Wow.I 'veneverhada
hear
ttoheartconver
sat
ionwit
hmysi st
er,
hell
!I
haveneverevenhadanyconversati
onwithherat
all
.PerhapsI '
m beingabitt
oonai ve,butI
'm gl
ad
she'str
yingherlevelbest
.Ifsher ockedupatmy
housefewmont hsago,Iwould'vebrokendownand
thoughtofallthenegati
vestuffshe'sdonetome.
ButthenewZi yandalooksatthegl asshal
ffull
i
nsteadofhal fempty.

IwalkeddownandfoundPorschealreadyt aki
ng
thefoodoutoft
hekit
chenandintothedi ni
ngar ea.
Justthenmydarl
inghusbandandhisbr other
fi
nall
ygraceduswit
htheirpr
esence.

Porsche:
"Tj
olena(
wowguys)
!Yout
ookl
ong
enough."

Phi
la:
"Hel
lot
oyout
oo,
Por
sche.
"

Sbu:
"Shosho,Por
ti
a,mosadiwal
ekgoa(
thewhi
te
man'
swi f
e).
"
Por
sche:
"Mxm"
.

Phil
acamet
owar
dsmeandgavemeaki
ssont
he
l
ips.

Phi
la:
"Unj
ani
,St
handwasami(
Howar
eyou,
my
l
ove)?
"

Me:(
Smi
li
ng)"
I'
m wel
lthanks.Howar
eyou?
"

Phi
la:
"Ti
redandhungr
y."

HeheldmebythewaistandPorscheandSbu
coul
dn'
twai
ttost
artcomplai
ning.

Porsche:
"I
fletl
oretshwari
sakerese(I
fyou'
regoi
ng
todothatinfr
ontofus,I
'mleavi
ng."
Phi
laandIchuckl
ed.

Phi
la:
"Aski
es(
Sor
ry)
,Por
sche.
"

Sbu:"Ihaveanevenbet
teri
dea,
howaboutyouandI
dothati nfr
ontoft
hem t
ooandseei
fthey'
l
l
appreciatei
t."

Porsche:
"I
nyourdreams,Sbu.Myli
psareformy
husbandonly.Besi
des,youhaveawif
e,mos.O
kaeena(whereisshe)
?"

Sbu:(
deepsi
gh)"
Idon'
tknow.
"

Por
scheandIl
ookedateachot
herpuzzl
ed.

Me:
"Whatdoyoumeanyoudon'
tknow?
"
Sbu:
"Wel
l,
Imeanshetext
edmesayi
ngshearr
ived
hour
sago,sonowIdon'
tknowwher
eshei
s."

Phi
la:
"Hayibo,
cal
lher
,baf
o(brot
her)
.Mywif
e's
amazi
ngf oodcan'
tgotowast
eliket
hat
."

Porsche:
"Youmean"
our
"amazi
ngf
ood.Icooked
too,youknow.
"

Phi
la:
"Myhumbl eapol
ogies,
Por
sche.YouknowI
canneversi
del
ineyou."

Wewer egett
ingevenmor ehungryasSbuspokeon
thephoneforawhile.Bythesoundoft hi
ngsi
t
seemslikeKelei
sreluct
anttocomeher e.He
fi
nall
yhungupandgaveusf eedback.

Phi
la:"
Utheni(
Whatdi
dshesay)
?"
Sbu:(
sigh)"ShesaysIshoul
d'vet
oldheraboutt
he
di
nner.Shewoul dhavemadesomef orusatour
houseinst
ead."

Okay,
Kel
eisr
eal
lyst
art
ingt
oactl
ikeat
otalbi
tch.

Porsche:
"Yazini(Youknowwhat )?Gofetchher.I
meanyoul it
erall
ylivenextdoor,sogetinyourcar
andfetchherandi fsherefuses,youtel
lherZee
andIwi l
lcomef etxhherourselves.
"

Sbul ookedreall
ymi serableandquiteirr
it
atedby
thewhol ephonecal lbutheagr eedtotryanyway.
Hewal kedoutaswest ar
teddishingout.Phi l
a
prayedf orus.Ijustkeptsmi l
ingafter
war ds.My
mant heprayerwarrior
.

Asweatewestar
tedtal
kingaboutt
heoffi
ceand
Phi
lat
oldusheandSbuar emergi
ngcompanies
whi
chIthi
nkist
otal
lyawesome.Af t
eraboutf
if
teen
mi
nut
esSbuwal
kedi
nwi
thKel
e.

Shedidn'tseem real
lyint
erestedi
nbeingher
e,but
shetri
edtohideitbyf aki
ngasmi l
e.Porsche
noti
cedandgaveme' thelook'
.Kelel
ookedabit
dif
fer
ent,
wear i
ngal ongskirtandsl
eevel
essvest
.

Shel ookedli
keshegainedabitofwei ght
,butI
guessit'
sthepregnancy.Yes,
Istil
lfeelateenybi
t
j
ealousofher ,
butI'
vebeenhavingsessionswithDr.
Stei
novert hephoneandI'
m makingi mmense
progr
ess.

Shet oldmet hatittakesal otoft

imet oheal
especiall
ysinceit
'smysecondmi scarr
iage.She
encouragedmet ofindahobbyorsomet hi
ngI
real
lyenj oydoi
ng,whi chiswhatI'mt r
yingtodo
ri
ghtnow.Sbuwal kedt owardsusholdingKeleby
thewai standshegr eetedus.
Kel
e:"
Hey,
guys.
"

Porsche:
"Hey,
ngwanyanawamosotho(
Hey,Sot
ho
gir
l)
.We'vebeenwait
ingonyou,
man.Areyou
avoidi
ngus?"

Kel
elookedabitshyandembarrassedbut
somehowIjustdidn'
tbuyt
hisact.

Kel
e:"
No,Iwasj
ustabi
tjetl
aggedhey.Ineeded
somerest
."

Phil
a:"
Well
,I'
m gl
adyoucoul
dmakei
t,sqeeza
(Si
steri
nlaw).Pl
easesi
t.
"

Sbupull
edachairf
orherandsatnextt
oher
.The
conver
sati
onseemedtofl
owandSbuwasal it
tl
ebit
ateasebuthewasn'
tmakingj
okesli
keheusual
ly
does.It
'sal
mostasifhewaswalki
ngoneggshel
ls
ar
oundher.Howcant
hingschangesodr
ast
ical
ly
i
njustaf
ewweeks?

Wewer ehavi
ngdessertandthenPhi
laaskedt
o
speaktomeinpri
vate.Wewentouttothepati
o
eventhoughi
twasabi tchi
ll
y.

Me:
"What
'sup?
"

Phil
a:"
Icall
edyouasi
debecauseIneedyouand
Porschetotal
ksomesenseint
oKele.It
'sbad,
Sthandwasami(mylove)
.

Me:
"Whatdoyoumean?
"

Hebri
efedmeont hewhol
edramaandhowKel
e
hasbeenacti
ngupsobadlyt
hatevenMam'
I
vyhas
beencomplai
ning.
Me:"
Okay.I'
vebeenmeani
ngtospeaktoheraft
er
myconversat
ionwi
thSbuyest
erday.We'
llt
alkt
o
her
."

Phi
la:
"Thanks,St
handwasami(Mylove)
.SbuandI
wil
lbeinthestudywhi
leyouguyst
alktoher
.Be
ni
ce,neh(okay)?
"

Heki ssednyf or
eheadandwemadeourwayback.
Phil
al eftwit
hSbusayingtheyhadsomebusi ness
todiscuss,mucht oKel
e'sdismay.Isi
gnaled
Porschet hatweneededtotalkt
oKelewithanudge
andshegotme.

Porsche:"
So,
Kel
e,ar
eyoucomi
ngwi
thust
oBee'
s
funeral
?"

Kel
e:"
Uhm,no,
Idon'tt
hinkthat
'sagoodi
deawi
th
mebeingpr
egnantandall
."
Porsche:"
Comeon, Kel
e.Shewasyourfr
iend,our
fr
iend.Itwoulddoyougoodtosaygoodbyetoher
andbesides,you'
renotshowi
ngyetsoi
twon'tbea
probl
em. "

Kel
e:"
Isupposeyou'
rer
ight
."

Me:"
Kele,
we'dli
ket
otalktoyouaboutsomethi
ng.
Well
,Sbuhasbeencomplaini
ng.He'saser
ious
mess,Kel
e.Hesaysyou'vechangedandPorsche
andIcanalsoseet
hechangeinyou.Wewoul d
j
ustli
ketoknowwhat'
sgoingon."

Andwi ththatsai
d,shejustsurpr
iseduswithher
react
ion.IexpectedtheoldKele,thef
ragi
le,sweet
Keletoreactwithtear
sinheeeyesorsomet hing,
butshej ustshowedmet hetruemeaningof" oska
bechakamot ho(Don'
tthi
nkyouknowaper sonwell
enough)".
Kel
e:"
So,yout
wosawi
tfi
ttomeddl
eint
omy
marr
iage?"

Por
schelookedsoannoyedbythatquest
ionandI
j
ustpr
ayedshedidn'
tletl
ooseaboutthesecr
et.

Por
sche:
"Aski
es(
Excuseme)
?"

Kele:
"Whot hehel
lgaveyout
wot heri
ghtt
oactli
ke
fucki
ngt her
api
sts?Busytal
kingtomeabout'
my
behaviour'
!Lelemanglona(Whodoyouthinkyou
are)?
!"

Me:
"Kel
e,cal
m down,
please.Sbuaskedust
otal
k
t
oyou."

Kele:"
Sbusiso!Ifheisn'trunninghi
smouthtohi
s
mot herabouthe,He'sdoingi ttomysocall
ed
fr
iends!Idon'tappreciateyourmeddli
ng."
Wow.Iwasl
eftspeechl
ess,butnotPor
sche.Not
i
namil
li
onyears.Kelej
ustaddedfuelt
othefi
re.

Porsche:"Li
stenhere,mosetsanatowe(gi
rl
)!You'd
betterfi
xyourf ucki
ngtonenexttimeyoudecideto
addr essZeeandI .We'vebeennot hi
ngbut
suppor t
ivetoyouandevenf orgaveyouforkeepi
ng
thatlit
tl
eBelindasecretf
rom Zee.

Ievenf or
gaveyouforrunningyourmout haboutmy
personalshi
ttoherwhenIconf i
dedinyouasa
fr
iend!Gaoswabewai tse,
Kel e(You'
renoteven
ashamedofyour sel
f)
!Sbut ookyououtofthe
gutterandsavedyoufrom al i
feofhell
.

ZeeandIpract
ical
lymadet hathappen.Nowal lof
asuddenyouactlikeyou'
retheshit!Zeemaybe
ki
ndenoughtot ol
erat
eyourshit,butnotme,sesi
.
You'
dbett
erthankyourshitt
yhormonesf ort
urning
youint
oami nipr
egnantbi
tch,ot
her
wiseIwoul
d
havefuckedyouupri
ghthere!

Sbuwagor ata(lovesyou)Keleandpoorguyhast o
putupwithyourshitwhenyoucan' tevenmakehim
happybybondingwi thhischil
drenandmakehi m
smil
e.Ifthi
sisthet hankshegetsf orsavingyou
fr
om Scorpi
on,thengi r
l,heshouldn'thave,
honest
ly.
"

Kel
ewasshockedf ordaysandstart
edcryi
ng.
I
nsteadofconsol
ingher,Por
scherol
ledhereyes.

Por sche:"Wallanou( You'r

ecryingnow) ,butyou
wer en'tcryi
ngonWhat sAppwhenyout oldmet hat
Zewget salltheattenti
onwhi l
eyougetnot hi
ngand
thatshe' salr
eadyhadhersur namechangedanda
whol eI t
ali
anweddi ngwhi l
eyouonl ygotl obol
a.Fi x
yourl i
fe,otlogel
egol la(andstopcr yi
ng), man.Zee,
makesur eyougi vehert helet
terBeewr otetoher .
I'
llseeyout omor rowatt heoffi
ce."
Shet ookherandleft
.Wow.Iwasspeechl essonce
againandIjustlookedather.Sothi
sthingofher
compar i
ngherselft
omei spret
tyser
ious,it'
s
actuall
yscary.PerhapsBeli
ndawasreallyright
.I
needt obecaref
ulofthisone.

Kele:
"I
'm sor
ry,Zee.Ir
eall
yam.It'
sjustt
hat,
I'
ve
beensoover whelmedwit
hever
ythi
ng.Ididn'
t
meant obehaveliket
hat.
"

Me:"
It
'sokay,Kele.Weal lmakemist
akes.Just
pl
easefixyourselfandgethel
pfr
om Dr.Stei
n,
pl
ease."

ShejustnoddedandItookoutthelet t
erfrom my
bagandgavei tt
oher.Sheprobabl ythoughtitwas
j
ustasimplelett
erhenceshedecidedt oopeni ti
n
fr
ontofme.Thi swasagoodoppor tunit
yto
anal
yzeherreacti
on.Shestar
tedr eadingand
becameuneasyaft
erafewminutes.Shegotj
umpy
i
nstant
lyandgotupwhil
efol
dingthelet
ter
.SoI
deci
dedtoplaydumb.

Me:
"Isther
esomet
hingwr
ong?Whatdi
dshesayi
n
t
helett
er?"

Kele:(nervous)"I
..
.Uh.
.I.
.She..I
t'
sjusttoo
tr
aumat ictothinksheact
uall
ykill
edherself
.Ithi
nk
I
'l
lreadt hisaloneinmybed.Thanksf orthedi
nner.
TellSbuhe' l
lmeetmeatt hehouse."

Sheranoutoft
hedoorl
ikesoni
cthehedgehog.
Por
schewassor i
ght
.Weshouldn'tt
rustheratal
l.
Chapt
erNi
net
yEi
ght

Sbu

Phi
laandIwentt
ochi
lli
nthest
udyandIcoul
dn'
t
help,buteavesdr opont hegirls.Ijusthadt oknow
wher eKele'sheadi sat.Isawherf li
ppingon
PorscheandZeei nawayI 'veneverseenherbef ore
-ever.Ican'tevensayt hatit'
sherhor monesatt hi
s
point.I'
mj ustsost ressed, Ifeell
ikeI'm goingcrazy.
Tot opitalloffshebehavedr eallystrangelyafter
ahest ar
tedr eadi
ngt hel ett
erBel i
ndawr otet oher.

ZeealreadyshowedPhi l
athelett
ershegotf r
om
Beli
ndaher sel
fandi twasjustaplaiandsi mple
apologyandanactofr emorse.Ther ewasnot hi
ng
tobeast oni
shedabout .Butwhati fKele'
slet
teri
s
somet hi
ngelse?Ir eal
lyneedtof i
ndoutwhat '
s
goi
ngoni nthatheadofhers,otherwiseIsee
myselfbeingasi ngl
ef at
heroffour.

Zi
yanda

Sbuleftshort
lyaft
erKelest
ormedoutofhere.
Thi
ngsar ejustawkwardandIfeelr
eal
lybadabout
wit
holdingthetrut
htoSbu.Am Ibecomingli
kea
miniBel
inda?Anyway, Imadeaquicksoupfor
Thandoandt ooki
ttoherroom.Iknockedsoft
ly
befor
eenteri
ngandsheseemedl i
keshewasont he
phonebeforesheabruptl
yhungup.

Me:"
Hey,IhopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bingyou.Ij
ust
br
oughtyousomesoup."

Thando:
"Thankyou,
Zee.You'
resoki
nd.IknowI
don'
tdeservei
t.
"

Shej ustkeptl
ookingatmelikeshej
ustcoul
dn'
t
waitformet oleave.Igott
hemessagethoughsoI
decidedtoletherbe.

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.Goodni
ght
."

Thando:
"Goodni
ght
."
Il
eftandwenttomybedroom.IfoundPhil
ainbed
al
readyandIquickl
ywentt
otheclosett
oremove
myclothes.

Phi
la:
"Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Whatdoyout
hink
ofKel
e'sbehavi
our?
"

Me:"Babywami ,It
rul
yfeelshe'sbeenbehaving
real
lystrangely.ImeanassoonasyouandSbu
wenttot hestudy,shebitoutheadsof f.Shehas
real
lyturnedintosomeoneIdon' trecognizeatal
l.
Shewast el
li
ngust hatSbur unstoyourmom f or
ever
ythingandnowhe' srunninghismout htous.I
meanwhot alksabouttheirhusbandlikethat
?"

Phi
la:
"Hmm.Manj
edidyougi
vehert
hel
ett
er
Bel
indawr
otet
oher?
"

Itr
iedtoremai
ncal
m andl
ookast
rut
hfulas
possibl
e.
Me:"Yes,Idi
d.Sheact
edreal
lystr
angeaftershe
star
tedreadi
ngitt
hough.Iguessitmusthavebeen
somethinghect
ic.
"

Phi
lastar
edatmef orawhil
eandIjustknewhe
di
dn'tbel
ieveme,
buthejustwentwit
hit.

Phil
a:"
Alri
gt,myl
ove.Comet
obed.Wehavewor
k
tomorrow."

Kel
e

Irushedt omyhouseassoonasIcoul d.Igotto

thebedr oom andmadesur eIlockedthedoorr i
ght
after.Ideci dedtostar
treadingthelet
terfr
om
scrat chandi ndeed,
Ireadcor r
ectl
y.Ididn'
tmakea
mist akeassumi ngshewr otenonsense.Howcoul d
Belindawr i
tethi
sshit?
!Whati fithadlandedinto
thewr onghands? !Comingt othi
nkofitthesealof
t
hisenvel
opelookst
amper
edwi
th,
butquest
ioni
s
whoreaditf
ir
st?

Itcouldn'
thavebeenZeeorPor sche,Imeant hey
woul dhaveconf rontedmebynow.Igenui nel
y
thoughtthatBelindawoul dt akemysecr etstothe
graveandnow, Ijustdon' tknowwhot otrust
anymor e.IfSbuf indsoutI 'm doomedf orsur e.I
needt oactfastandgetr idofmydebt .I'
m onl yleft
withpayingof fBrian'sst upidl oanswhi chhemade
met akeouti nmyname.Whocomesacr ossR500
000onar andom day?IknowonceI '
m offici
all
y
mar ri
edtoSbu, I'
llhaveaccesst oeverythingandbe
coownerofever ythingheowns.Ihat ewhathe' s
doingt ome, t
ell
ingever yonewhatabadwi feI'
ve
been.I fhecouldj ustmanupandf ighttobeont he
samel evelasPhi la,allshal lbewel l.Ican'twai tto
getmar ri
edt ohim.Justt henSbuknockedonour
bedroom doorandIdeci dedt ohidet heletterin
betweent hemat tressandt hebaseoft hebed.I
needt oburnt hi
sl et
terasi nyest erday.Iqui cklygot
upt oopent hedoorf orhi m.
Sbu:
"Thembalami(
Myhope)
,whydi
dyoul
ock
your
selfi
n?"

Kele:
"Oh,
Ijustneededsomepeaceandquietwhi
le
readi
ngBee'slet
ter
.It'
sjustsohear
tbr
eaki
ng.
"

SbulookedatmeqndsquintedhiseyesandIj
ust
knewhedidn'tbel
ievemeatal
l.

Sbu:
"Iunder
stand,
Thembalami(
myhope)
.Doyou
mindshowingmet hel
ett
er?
"

Ij
ustgotsofl
ushedsoqui
ckl
ythatIhadt
othi
nkof
aquickr
esponse.

Kel
e:"
Well
,Iwoul
dshowyou,butunf
ortunat
elyI
bur
ntit
.Idon'
twantanybadmemories.I'
m sor
ry.
"
Sbugavemeaquest
ioni
ngl
ook.

Sbu:"
Alr
ight
,Thembal
ami(
Myhope)
.Letmego
takeashower.
"

Igavehim afai
ntsmil
eashewenttorhebathr
oom.
Ican'
teventouchthel
etternowashecoul
dwalk
backinatanymoment .

Thando

AssoonasZeel eftIwasabi treli

eved.Sheal most
caughtmet alki
ngt oLloyd,mybabydaddy.Ihadt o
runf r
om him andhej ustkeepstryi
ngtof i
ndme.
Hemademegeti ntosomeser iousdebtwi t
hhis
supplierandInowowehi m 200gr and.I'
m so
stressedandIhadnoot herchoicebuttopitchupat
Zee'sdoorstep.Onl yshecanbevul nerabl
eand
stupidenought ogi vemet hatkindofmoney.Ij ust
needt
oactfastandt
hinkofacleverpl
ansi
nce
Ll
oydwil
lfi
ndmeverysoon.Ijustknowit
.
Chapt
erNi
net
yNi
ne

Zi
yanda

It
'sSaturdaymor ni
ng, t
hedayofBelinda'
sfuner al
.I
haven'tbeenokayf ort hepastf
ewdays, well
emot i
onall
y.Al lIkeept hi
nki
ngofisKeleandt his
secretI'
m keepingf rom Sbu.Thandohasn'tbeena
problem oranui sanceatall.Shehasmanagedt o
eatatleastandshehel psoutaroundthehouse.
Phil
adoesn' tcompl ainmuchaboutheranymor e.

IhavedecidedtokeepKele'ssecr
etfornowand
approachheronceshe'scalmeddown.Ihavebeen
prayingforherandSbu'sr
elati
onshi
p,butmost
ly
forhertomakei tt
hroughthi
sphaseshe'sgoi
ng
through.
Sbuseemsal otbettert
hesef ays, Iguesstheyar e
real
lywor ki
ngt hi
ngsout .AllIeverwant edwasf or
Sbut oalsobehapoyandf orKel etofinall
yf i
ndher
happyendi ng.Thiswhol enewbehavi ourofher s
unsettl
esmesomuch.I 'm pleasedt osayt hatPhil
a
andIstil
lpr aytogether,evenst i
llgetupf orour
midnightand3am pr ayers.Ithasbecomepar tof
ourrouti
nenomat t
erhowmuchki nkysexwehave.

Porschehasbeenhernor malsel fbutverydistant

toKel e,f
orobvi ousr easons.Shedoesn' ttake
secretsliketheset oowel l
.Dr akewi l
lbecomi ngto
thefuner alwit
hMel issaandIhonest lycan'twaitt
o
seeheragai n.She' sbeent exti
ngmeever ynow
andt hen.SbuandKel earealsocomi ngatleast.I
hopewecanf inall
yt alkaboutwhat '
sbeen
bother i
ngher .

Thandoi sn'
tcomingal
ongsinceshewasn'treal
l
y
fr
iendswi t
hBee,andbesi
des,sheisn'
tyeti
n
perfectcondi
ti
ontogetoutofthehouse.
Phi l
aandIdeci dedt owaitforPorscheasshe' l
lbe
drivingwi thus.Ikeptf ixi
ngmysel fwhi l
esitt
ingon
thepat ioawai ti
ngPor sche'
sarrival.Itri
edtobe
ear l
ierthanhert odaysinceshe'sal wayspunct ual.
Ihat efuner al
s,theyjustmakemener vous.I'm very
terri
fiedofdeat hanyway.Phi l
amadeussome
breakf ast.He'sj ustt
oosweet .Justaqui ck
omel l
eteandj uice,butIaskedforaMi mosai nstead
tocal m myner ves.Iknow, i
t'
sonl y6am, butone
glasscan' thurt.

Phi
la:
"Hereyougo,Sthandwasami(Mylove).Eat
upbecauseyourfr
iendhasjustdr
iveni
ntothe
yar
d."

Ai
,Porsche.Shehasalwaysbeent hepunctualone
amongstus.Itfr
ust
rat
edmeal otofti
mes.She' s
j
ustl
ikePhil
a,onecanneverbeatthem eveninyour
dr
eams.Por schewal
kedoutofhercarwear ingthe
dr
essIboughther.Shealwayslooksli
keadi va.
Youcannevergowr ongwi t
hher .Isett
ledforone
ofthedressesIboughti nItal
yaswel l.Belowt he
knee,l
acef r
ontandasl itattheback.I thasaone
handedshoul derwi t
habi gbl ackroseont op.I
styl
edmyhai ri ntoanicebunl i
keLucianodi dfor
myweddi ng.Ihonest l
yt r
ied.Phi l
aisimpressedas
alwaysandcan' tst
opcompl i
ment i
ngmel i
kewe're
goingtoapar ty.He'swear i
ngoneofhi sbut tonup
It
ali
ansuits.Saynomor e.

Porsche:"Morning,f
amily!Lesajakgane(You'
re
st
il
leat i
ng)?!Phila,
yourwifeiscorr
upti
ngyou.
You'r
et urni
ngintoal at
epersoneverysi
nceyougot
married.IthinkIneedtocallDr.Phi
l.
"

Phil
aandPor
schel
aughedoutl
oudwhi
leI
chuckl
ed.

Phila:
"Hayisuka(stopi
t)man,Por
sche.Mywife
hatesfuneral
s,theymakehersoanxioussoI
'
m
tr
yingtocalm hernervesbef
oreweleave.
"
Porsche:
"Justdownthatmi
mosal i
keyouusedt
o
backinVarsit
y,babe.Areyeng(
let'
sgo)
."

Por
scheandherbi
gmout
h.Phi
lal
ookedatmewi
th
amischi
evoussmi
le.

Phi
la:
"Soyouwer
eawi
ldcatbacki
nvar
sit
y?"

Me:"Eish,youaskt
oomuch,babywami(
mybaby)
.
I
'l
ltellyousomeothert
ime.
"

Aswewer
eheadingout,SbuandKel
ecamebyi
n
Sbu'
sBMW coupeandbeeped.

Sbu:
"Hey,guys!Mywif
eandIwoul dl
iketojoi
nyou
guysforoneridet
othefuner
ali
fthat
'sokay."
Por schewentsourimmedi at
ely,butIwasallfori
t.
Wecan' ttr
eatKelelikeanoutsider
.We' vebeen
throughsomucht ogether.I
'
m sur eshehasher
reasonsast owhyshedi dwhatshedi d.

Phi
la:
"Sur
e,noproblem.I'
llgetZee'
snewMer c.I
'
m
sur
ewecanal lsqueezeoursel
vesinther
e."

Sbupar kedhiscaroutsidewhilewewai tedforPhil

a
tobringthecararound.Kel ecameoutl ooking
real
lyfabulous,
wear i
ngani ceVersacedr ess.
She'
sneverbeenonef orbrandedclothes.Il i
kethi
s
l
ook.Gobi gorgohome, r
ight
?Shel ookedal ot
morej ol
lythanourlastencounter
.

Kel
e:"
Heyguys.Lekae(
Howar
eyou)
?"

Por
sche:
"Jah,
Kel
e."
Me:
"Hey.
"

Kele:"
Ithi
nkIneedt oapol ogizeformybehavi our
theothernight.Iwasoutofl ineguys.I'
mr eal
ly
tryi
ngtopullmyselft ogetherbyattendingmy
psychologi
stsessions.Dr .Stei
nsaysIhave
suffer
edal otoftr
aumaandasar esult
, I
'
vebeen
diagnosedwi t
hdepr essionandanxi et
y.I '
m not
tryi
ngtomakeexcuses.You' remyf ri
endsandI
l
oveyou.Pl easeforgiveme. "

See?Thatwasn'tsohard.I'
vebeent herebef
ore.I
di
dn'thavesever
emoodswi ngslikeherbutI'
ve
beenthere.Amdwor stpar
tshe'spregnantsowe
havetobesupporti
veandcaring.

Me:
"I
t'
sfi
ne,
Kel
e,r
eal
ly.Ri
ght
,Por
sche?
"

Porsche:"
I'
llf
orgi
veyouaft
erwehaveaseri
ous
chat.Fornowl et
'sl
eavet
hati
nthepast
,okay.
"
Weal lgotin.Sbuwasi nt
hef r
ontwhil
eKel e,
PorscheandIwer eattheback.Porschesat
i
nbetweenussi nceshe'salotsmall
erthant hetwo
ofus, butwit
hthethr
eeofushavingcur ves,it
makesi talothar
dertobecomf or
tabl
eseat ed.

Porsche:"
So,
Kel
e,myfr
iend,i
sitsaf
etoaskhoe
thebabiesar
edoi
ngnow? "

Kel
e:(
giggl
ing)"Yes,
iti
s.I'
m 16weekspregnant
now.Ihopeit'
sokaythatIt
alkaboutmypregnancy
wit
hyou,Zee."

I'
vebeenmakingalotofprogr
ess,
ALOT.SoIdon' t
gett
hatupsetanymorewhenshetalksabouti
tor
whenIthi
nkaboutchil
dren.

Me:"
Ofcour
se,Kele.Noneedtoask.Remi
ndmeto
gi
veyouyourpresent
.Igoti
tspeci
all
ymadef
or
youwhi
leIwasi
nIt
aly.
"

Kel
e:"Howwast heweddi
ng?Isawafewpictures
onInsta.Youreal
lyl
ookedamazi
ng,
Zee.Itotall
y
l
ovedt hedr
ess."

Iwasr eall
yintunewit
hthisconversat
ion.Il
iked
thatKelewassl owl
ygett
infbacktoheroldself,
and
Ihopet hatthi
sdaydoesn'tgetr
uined.

Me:
"Thankyou.
"

Por
sche:
"Wheni
syourweddi
ng,
chomi(
fri
end)
?"

Kel
e:"
Onmybi r
thday,
31stofMay.We'vebeen
pl
anningthough.Ihopeitsokayt
hatIuseSophi
e
LaGrangeasmyweddi ngpl
annert
oo,Zee?
"
Okay,
let
'shopethi
sisnotoneofherstunt
sto
'
compare'bet
weenourrel
ati
onshi
ps,butIwentwi
th
i
t.

Me:"
It
'sser
iousl
yokay.Don'
tworryaboutit
.I'
ve
hadmyweddi ngal
ready,
sowe'
llonl
ydot he
tr
adi
ti
onalweddingnow."

Wespokeaboutot herstuffl
ikelifeandmar r
iage
andthet winsandMam' Ivy.Wef inallyarri
vedat
Beli
nda'shomeandt hetentwasf il
led.Inever
thoughtBel i
ndawast hi
sf amousandIcanonl y
hopet hatthesepeoplecamet osaygoodt hings
aboutherandnott owi t
nessi fshe'sr eall
ydead.
Wef oundDr akeandMel issawai ti
ngf orusandshe
l
ookedsogor geousinherblacksat indress.She
hasthosemodel t
ypeofbodi es, butnott hi
natal l
l
ikeNat ashawas.Herski ni
sj usttoof lawless,and
shewashi di
nghergrayeyesbehi ndherGucci
sunglasses.
Itri
edtozoom inandseeifI'
dnot i
ceZodwai nthe
crowd,butshewasn'tt
here.IdidseeDavi d,though,
Lunga'sdadandhegavemeabr i
efwavef r
om
wher ehewasseatedandIwavedback.Phi l
a
wasntimpressed,butI
'
m ataf uneralsoIhavet o
greetpeopl
e.Nexttohim IsawLungaandanot her
guywhol ooksli
kehim andIassumet hat
'sMt hunzi
.

Myhear tstartedbeat i
ngal i
tt
letoofast.Ihaven'
t
seenhim sinceIcan' tevenremember .Hel ooked
backandnot i
cedmei nthecrowdandsmi l
edatme.
IkeptastraightfaceandPhi lati
ghtenedhishand
aroundmineandt ightenedhisjaw.Icouldseehe
wasabi ti
rrit
ated,buthedi dn'
twantt oberudeata
fr
iend'
sfuner al
.

Thef uneralwasverybeautif
ulanddignifi
ed.The
chair
swer enicel
ycover
edi nwhit
eandbl ackclot
hs
withgoldbows, t
hei
rcoffi
nsweresoel egantand
graceful,
itjustseemsli
kesuchapr operwayt o
sendt hem off.Andeveryonewhowasont he
progr
ammesai
dreal
lyni
cest
uffaboutJuni
orand
Beli
nda.

Thenextspeakercameandi twasLunga.Oh,gosh.
Thi
smightnotendwel l
.Hesaidsomer eal
lywei
rd
st
uffi
nhisspeech,i
tfel
tli
keitwasdir
ectedtome
si
ncehekeptlooki
ngatmet hewholeti
meandi t
j
ustmademever yuncomfortabl
e.

Lunga:"Fi
rst
ly,I
'dliket ogreetallofyoui nthename
ofJesusChr ist
.It hankyoual lf
orbeingher eto
sendapr operfarewel ltomybel ovedson
NkosiyaboJuni orNgcoboandhi sbelovedmot her
Beli
ndaMogashoa.Asyoual lknowBel indawasa
verytr
oubledper sont hroughoutallherl i
fe,butthat
wascausedbypeopl ewhot ookadvant ageofher -
evenmeatsomepoi nt.

Wecanonl
yhopethatsheforgi
vesusandt hat
t
heyar
ebothr
est
inginpeace.I'dl
iketoleaveyou
wit
hafewwor
dsofcomf or
t:Lovei
sr eal
lyrareto
fi
nd,
soonceyoufi
nditandexper
iencei
t-
please,
don'
teverl
etgooft
hepersonyoulovebecause
tr
ueloveonl
ycomesbyonceinli
fe."

Hel ookedatmet hewholeti

meandsmi l
edaf ter
deli
ver i
nghisspeech.Thecr owdst artedsi ngingas
Beli
nda' smom wascr yi
ngint hef r
ontwhi lebei ng
consol edbyaf ewotherpeople.Phi l
ar eall
yf elta
bitoffendedbyLungaandIt ot all
yunder stand.I 'm
j
ustshockedatt hewayhespoke.Fi rstlyhesai d'
I
greetyoui nthenameofJesus' .

Lungawasneveraf anofGod.Maybehe' sfi

nall
y
outofZodwa' sspell
.Iguessmaybehehas
changedandf oundhi mself
.Ijustdon'
tliketheway
he'sbeenstaringatme,especi
allyaft
erhe' sbeen
sendingmecr eepysms'es.Ievenhadt oblockhis
nunber,buthet r
iesanewnumberever yday.I
haven'tt
oldPhi l
aaboutitsi
nceIjustdon'twanthim
togetupsetorevenki l
lhim.Whi l
ethecr owdwas
singi
ngPor schewhisperedinmyearsi nceshewas
si
tt
ingnextt
ome.

Porsche:
"Modimogabapaleshame( Goddoesn't
playshame).Lungaabolel
amonat eso( Lunga
saidsuchanicespeech)
.Didyouseet hewayhe
wasst ar
ingatyou?You'
dbettert
ellhubbywhat
he'sbeenuptobefor
eshithi
tsthefan."

Ij
ustkeptquiett
ryi
ngtodigestwhatshej ustsaid.
Tr
ulyspeaki
ngshewasr i
ght.IfIdon'tt
ellhi
m, we
mightexper
iencealotofdramat odayeven.

Thepr i
estandt hechurchusher edusoutaswe
madeourwayt oourcar s.DrakeandMel i
ssa
foll
owedbehi ndus.Wedi dn'treall
ysaymuchon
ourwayt othegr aveyard,butIcoul dsensePhila'
s
moodandt ension.Maybet heycoul dallsenseit
hencet heywer equiet
.Por schewast akingafew
pictur
esofher selfi
nthecar ,whi l
eKelewasdeepi n
thoughtstari
ngoutt hewi ndow.
Wef inall
yar ri
vedatthegr aveyardandt hesunwas
scorchinghotbyt hen.Lunga, Davi
dandMt hunzi
walkedpastus.Davi dgreetedallofusbr i
efl
yand
sodidMt hunzi.WhenLungat ri
edtohol dmyhand
Phil
ashothi m adeat hstareandhewal kedpast.
ThePr iestsaidwhathesai dandheaskedt he
familytocomeandt hrowsomesoi li
ntohergr ave.
Theni twast i
mef orfri
endst ogoandt hrowin
somesoi l
, Isupposethisri
tualistobri
ngpeace
untoyout heonewho' ssayi nggoodbye.

PorscheandIstayed,whil
eKeledecidedtogodo
i
t.Sbuwal kedwithherholdingherbythewaistand
Keleshedaf ewtear
s.Isupposef uneral
shavea
wayofmaki ngsomeonet hink-
alot.Porsche
whisperedi
nmyearonceagai n.

Porsche:
"Wabonadibet
sagaediyamoj
a(Yousee
hersinsarecat
chi
ngupwit
hher)
."
Thecof finsf i
nall
ywentdownaspeopl est art
ed
singing" ThulaMnt wanami".Peopl estartedwai l
i
ng
andcr yingf rom allsort
sofangl esatt hi
spoi nt.
Somewer eevenfainti
ng.Ir eal
lyhat ethispart.I
seriouslyhat efuner al
sjustfort
hispar ticular
reason.t hefactthatoncet hecoffingoesdown
you'llnevergett oseet hosepeopleeveragai n.All
thatwi l
lbel efti
smemor i
esandpi ctures.

Wel eftthegr aveyardafterawhil

eandheadedback
tothehouset oeat.Aswewer eaboutt ostandi n
thequeue, someonef rom Bee'sf
ami l
ycamet o
fetchus, incl
udingDr akeandMel i
ssa.Wef ol l
owed
herintot hehouse.Wehadaspeci alsetupf orus
ont heothersi deoftheyar d,
apparentlywewer e
"VIP's"
.Bee' smom andauntj ustcouldn'tstop
thankingusf orthegenerousdonationswemade.

Wesatoutsi
deundertheverandaandweateour
food.IsawDavi
dandLungaappr oachi
ngusyet
againandIj
ustf
eltl
ikehel
lisaboutt
obreakl
oose.
Itr
iedtoreadPhil
a'
sexper
essi
onandIj ustknewhe
wasr eadytoki
ll
.Sbuontheotherhandhada
nastyexpressi
ononhi
sface.Yoh,Idon'tknowifI
shouldrunornot.

Davi
d:"
Sawubonamakot
i(Hel
lo,
mydaught
eri
n
l
aw).
"

IseeDavi
dhasaser
iousdeat
hwi
sh.

Davi
d:"
Unj
ani(
howar
eyou)
?"

Phil
a:(annoyed)"
EkseMdeva( HeyDavi
d),
awuboni
ukuthiumfaziwamilo(Can'
tyouseethi
sismy
wif
e)?Orhaveyoul ostyourmemory?"

Davi
d:"
I'
m sor
ry,
Mamba.Imeantnodi
srespect
.
I
'mjustusedt
ocall
inghert
hat
."
Sbu:
"Wel
l,
getunusedt
oitandbeati
t,khehl
a(ol
d
man).
"

Theybothkeptastrai
ghtf
acestar
ingatDavi
dunt
il
hewalkedaway.Het ri
edtopul
lLungatowar
dshi
s
di
rect
ion,butLungaatt
emptedt
ospeakt ome.

Lunga:
"Zee,
I..
."

Hedi
dn'
tevengett
ofi
nishhi
ssent
ence.

Phil
a:"
Ufunaukufane(
Youwanttodie,
hey)
?
Hambal ana(l
eavemysight
)bef
oreweatt
endyour
funer
alnextweek."

Lungal
eftwhi
lePhi
lacl
ickedhi
stongue.

Sbu:
"Eh,
Baf
o(Br
other
),t
hatboyuyadel
ela(
is
di
srespect
ful
).Weneedt
okeepaser
iouseyeon
hi
m. "

Phi
lawashuffi
ngquietl
yunderhi
sbr
eat
hand
Mthunziwal
kedtowardsus.

Mthunzi
:"
Heit
a(Hey)gent
s.Zi
khi
paninikwat
eso
(
Whyar eyousoangry)
?"

Sbu:
"Mxm,yourusel
esstwi
nist
ryi
nghi
sluckon
mybrot
her
'swifehere.
"

Mthunzi:"Eish,
hade(sorry)Mamba.I '
vebeentying
totalktohim abouthisstrangebehaviour.He'
s
evenstoppedt aki
nghi spil
lssinceaf
terthe
accident.Ieventoldhimt ostopobsessingover
Zeeandst opcontact
ingher."

Di
dMt
hunzir
eal
lyhavet
osayt
hat
?I'
m ser
iousl
y
dead.IsawPhi l
a'
sfaceri
seupashegavemea
sternlook,
Itr
iedtolookatPorschewhoj usthada
"Itol
dyouso"l ookonherface.Ijustl
ookeddown
i
nshame.

Phi
la:
"He'
sbeent
alki
ngt
omywi
fe?
!"

Mthunzi:"
No,he'
sbeenst alki
ngheralloversocial
mediaandsendi nghertextmessages.I '
mt r
yingto
gethim prof
essi
onalhelp.Thatbit
chZodwaf ucked
him uprealbadl
y.Het hinkshe'
sinlovewi t
hZee
andistryi
ngt owinherback.Ithoughtshet ol
d
you."

Yep,I
'
m goi
ngt
odi
etoday.Phi
lat
ri
edt
okeephi
s
cool
.

Phi
la:
"Thanks,
Mthunzi
.Pl
easej
ustkeepaneyeon
hi
m."
Mt
hunzi
:"
Nowor
ri
es,
I'
m oni
t.Seeyougent
s."

Mt
hunziwal
kedawayandIst
art
edt
rembl
ing.

Me:
"Phi
la,
canIt
alkt
oyouf
orasecond?
"

Phi
la:
"Notnow,
Zee.
"

Okay.He'sseri
ouslyangr yatme.It houghtwe
wouldheadhomeaf tereati
ng,butnope.Sbu,Drake
andPhil
adecidedit'stimetohavesomef unand
cel
ebrat
eBee'slif
e-kasistyl
e.Youguessedi t.Ke
nakoyadivisnons(It'sti
mef oraf
tertear
s).

IwassoshockedtoseeBel i
nda'
sauntsbringout
al
coholandgaveitouttopeople.Thecollecti
on
moneymusthavecomei nhandy.Shebr oughta
ni
ceJackDaniel
sbot t
leforSbu,DrakeandPhi l
a,
butt
heyfel
tli
kedrinki
ngr ealst
uff
.Phil
adi dn'
twant
toleavemei ntheyardincaseLungacamebackf or
me, sohetoldSbut ogobuydr inkswit
hmewhi le
wel ef
tthem behind.Maybei t
'shiswayofcooli
ng
downwi thoutmei nthepict
ure.Sbualreadyknows
whatweal ldri
nksot herewasnoneedf orusto
writei
tdown.Igoti nthecarwi thSbuandwedr ove
offtothenearestbottl
estor
e.

Sbupl
ayedsomemusicinthecarandIdeci
dedt
o
tr
yandaskhi
mifPhi
laisokay.

Me:
"Sbusi
so,
what
'supwi
thPhi
la?
"

Sbu:(
chuckl
ing)"
Ziyanda,onl
ymom andKel ecal
l
methat.Kel
ecallsmet hatwhenshe'
sangryatme.
He'
sfinesi
nceIlastchecked.Whydon'tyouask
hi
m?He' syourhusband,angit
hi(
ri
ght)
?"

Sameol
dSbu.Toyi
ngwi
thme.
Me:
"Sbu,
I'
m bei
ngser
ious.
"

Sbu:
"Soam I
."

Istaredathi
m whil
ehewasaboutt
opar
kata
nearbybottl
est
ore.

Sbu: "
Bona(
look)Zee.Youknowhe' sangry,Iwould
alsobe.Youkeptitsecr
etfrom hi
mi nst
eadof
tell
inghi
mthatyourabusiveexhusbandisst al
king
you.Whatifhekidnappedyouorsomet hing?"

Yep,
He'
sgotapoi
nt.Ikeptqui
etandl
ookeddown.

Me:"Look,allyouneedtodoisgethim ni
ceand
drunkrightnowandgi vehi
mt hebestsexofhi
sli
fe.
Don'tforgetthebl
owjob.Ihearyou'r
esupergood
atthat.
"
Hewinkedatmeandsmi l
edashegotoutoft
hecar
,
l
eavi
ngmesuperembar r
assed.HowmuchDid
Phi
lareal
lyt
ellSbuaboutoursexl
if
e?
Chapt
erHundr
ed

Zi
yanda

SbuandIgotsomedr i
nksf orus;Whi skeyandt onic
forthem, som Cor onaforMel i
ssaandsome
Savannaf orPor scheandI .Jui ceforKeleofcour se
andwecoul dn'tforgettheice.Weheadedback
l
isteningtosomehousemusi c.Iseeal otof
dif
ferencebetweenSbuandPhi la.Hadt hi
sride
beenwi thPhila,we'dbel isteningtosomeOper aor
soulmusi c.Hehar dlyli
stenst oHousemusi clike
Sbudoes.Sbuont heot herhandi sapur ekasi boy,
butaver yclassykadiboy.HeandDr akealit
tlebit
ali
ke.

Wegotbackt
othehouseandi
twasevenmor
e
packed.Seemsl i
kesomepeopl edon'tl
ike
attendingfunerals,butl
oveaf t
ertears.Therewas
musi cplayingfrom thetent.IguessBelinda'
s
fami l
yhiredaDJt oplaysomemusi cforthepeopl
e.
Thet entwasahugest r
etchtent,sother
ewasno
troubleineveryonehear i
ngit.

Whenwel ookedf ortherestofthegang, Phi

lacame
towardsuswi thPor sche.Philadidn'
tevensaya
wordt omewhi l
ePor schesignaledforuswher e
theywer eseat ed.Theyhadmovedf rom theyardto
thetent,thankgoodnessi twasabi tfarfr
om theDJ.
Melissa,Por sche,KeleandIwer eseat ednextto
eachot her,whi l
eDr akewasseat ednexttoMt hunzi
.

Itri
edlookingaroundforLunga,buthewasatt he
farendoft hetentwit
hhisfatherandsomeguys.
Thankgoodnesshegott hemessagel oudandclear
.
Mt hunziwil
lfi
trighti
ntothi
sgangoft hei
rsbecause
theyallsharethesamesent i
ments-ki
llt
hosewho
botherus.
Melissahasnowor ryaboutsuchal i
fesinceshe
herselfhaski
ll
edbefore.Kelehassomebi gbal
ls
si
ncesheshotBeei nthehead.Iguessonl y
PorscheandIar egunvirgi
nsint hi
scr owd.Phil
a
ansSbuappr oacheduswi tht
hedr inksinthecooler
bag.Seemsl iketheycamepr eparedbecauseI
di
dn' tseehi
m putthecooleri
nt heboott hi
s
mor ning.

Wewer eseatednexttooneanot herinacircl

e,
l
eavingasmal lspaceinfrontofthecool
erincase
oneofusneededt ogotothetoil
et.Phil
asat
opposi
teme, whileMthunzisaidopposit
ePor sche
andkepteyeingherbyt hewaydespi t
eknowing
she'
smar r
ied,Sbusaidopposi t
eKelewhileDr ake
satopposi
teMel i
ssa.

IneverknewPhilawasint
osuchthings,butwhy
am Isur
pri
sed?Hegr ewupekasiandpr et
tymuch
al
lofusdid,evenMeli
ssa.Ikeptt
hinki
nghow
i
mpr essedIwasandpr oudofbot hSbuandPhi la
fornotall
owingmoneyt ochanget hem atal
l.Itri
ed
star
ingatPhila,
buthedi dn'tevenmi ndme.Sbu
keptaskingKeleifshewasokay, butPhil
anever
evebbothered.Hewasj ustsoi nt unewiththei
r
conversati
onandl aughinghi spant soff
.Allhedid
formewasopenmybeerf ormeandkepthandi ng
medr i
nks.

Por
schenot
icedhowIkeptmyeyesonPhi
la.

Porsche:"
Leavehim,man,Zee.He'
sjustbei
ngabi
t
di
ffi
cult.Lewenastopstari
ngathi
ml i
kethat
.
Can'tyouseehe'senj
oyi
ngmakingyousweat ?
"

Il
ookedatherconf
used.

Porsche:
"He'
signor
ingyouandhecanclearl
ysee
you'r
enottaki
ngitwell
.Leavehi
m andenjoy
yoursel
f,man.
"
Shewasr i
ght.Ideci
dedtopaynomi ndtoPhila
andthegi r
lsandIhadagr eatti
me.Thecrowd
star
tedfeeli
ngt hemusi
candal mostever
yonewas
dancing.Byt hatImeaneveryonewasdancing-
evenPhila,DrakeandSbu-exceptKel
eandI.

Iwasbeyondshocked.I nal
lmyli
feIhadnever
seenPhi l
adance.Maybeonceort wicewhenwe
wereinschool ,
butt hatwasit
.Sbuwasapr ett
y
gooddancer ,He'salwaysbeen.EvenMt hunziwas
dancing,thoughhewasn' tgoodati
t,buthemoved
around.Somegi rlwalkedbywit
hhertwof r
iends
andst oppedtolookatSbu.

Gir
l:
"Yohchomi(wowf r
iend)!Monnaoodelici
ous
gore(Thi
smanl ooksdel i
cious)
.Lookathowloosr
heis.Ibethe'
sgoodi nbedpl usbonaoaperedi
Gucci(pl
ushe'
sdr essedinGucci )
.He'
ssurely
l
oaded."
Gir
l2:
"Theyallseem l
oadedchomi
,pi
tybanyet
sedi
kobo(pit
ythey'r
emar r
iedt
ouglywomen).
"

Theylaughedandwalkedaway.Iwasn'teven
bother
edbytheircomments,whil
eKel
eseemeda
bi
ttouched.Shef i
xedhergl
assesandl
ookeddown.

Porsche:
"Hayi(no)manl enal el
etwo(yout wo)
.
Emellanglejai
ve( getupanddance)insteadof
sit
ti
ngher el
ikeyou'reourgrannies.Nowonder
theselowlif
ebitcheskeepst ari
ngatuslikewe'
re
notwiththesemen. "

Mel
issa:
"Iagr
eewi
thPor
sche.Getup.
"

Shet
ri
edpul
li
ngusup,
butKel
epr
otest
ed.

Kel
e:"
Ican'
tdancet
osavemyownl
if
e."
Meli
ssa:"
Nonsense!Ifyoucanwal k,
thenyoucan
mostdefi
nit
elydance.Youneedt osurpr
iseSbu
everynowandt hen.Showhim youcanmovet hat
bigassofyours!"

WealllaughedandIdeci dedt ogetupandtryto

dance.Danci nghasneverr eall
ybeenmyspeci al
ty
andPor scheknowsi ttoowell.Keletr
iedmoving
herhipsabi t,
whil
eIalsotri
edmovi ng.Ifol
lowed
whatPor schewasdoi ngandMel i
ssaseemedlike
shewasapr oatdanci
ng.Shemovedl iket
here
wasnotasi ngl
ebonei nherbody.

Afteraf ewmor edri

nks,Icoul
dn'tevencar
eif
peopl ewer ewat chi
ng.Istar
tedgetti
ngthehangof
thedanci ng, Ievenfor
gotaboutLungaandDavi d
ont heot herside.Peoplekeptcheeri
ngusbecause
bynowal lofuswer edanci
ng.Sbuwasso
i
mpr essedwi thKelehewasherl i
ttl
echeer
leader
.

Il
ovemoment
sli
ket
hese.Bei
nghappyand
caref
reeandj ustl
ett
inggo.Itriedtosi
tandcat
ch
mybr eath,butPhilacamefrom behindmeand
wrappedhi sar msaroundme.Hi scol
ogne
hypnoyizedmemaki ngmei nstantl
ywet.Icoul
d
seethoset hreemeangi r
lsgivi
ngmesneer i
nglooks,
butIdidn'tcare.

Phil
a:(
whisper
ingi
nmyear
)"You'
resuchagood
dancer
,St
handwasami(
mylove).
"

Ismiledanddeci
dedt orespondtohiswhi
skey
tai
ntedbreat
h.Atleasthewast al
kingt
omenow.

Me:
"Hmm,sonowuyang'
khul
umi
sa(
you'
ret
alki
ng
t
ome)?"

Phil
a:"
Waitunt
ilwegethome,
I'
m sogoi
ngt
o
punishyou.
"
Hekissedmyneckgent
lyandIcl
osedmyeyes
f
orgett
ingwe'
rei
nthemiddl
eofpeopl
e.

Por
sche:
"Getar
oom,
guys!
"

WelaughedandIfel
tal
it
tl
ebutembar
rassedasI
satbackdownnextt
oher.

Porsche:
"See?It
oldyou.Owar
afel
a(Youwor
ry
toomuch) .
"

Afewscaryl
ooki
ngguyscamet owardsbutPhi
la,
SbuandDrakegr
eetedthem li
ketheyknoweach
ot
her.Theycamewithoner eal
lygoodlooki
nggir
l
wholookedabi
tli
keMelissa.

Meli
ssa:
"Oh,mygosh,Rachel!Langt
yd,
myhond
(l
ongti
me,mydog).Waarkr uipdj
yweg(Wher
e
haveyoubeenhi
ding)
?"
Theyhuggedandt
hisRachelgi
rll
aughed

Rachel:
"Ag,
djykenmos,
hierendaar(
Youknow,
hey,her
eandthere)
."

Mel
issa:
"Wherearemymanners.Zee,
Porscheand
Kel
e,thi
sisRachel
,mycousi
n.Rachel,
thesear
e
myfri
ends."

Shehadquitealottat
toosonherarmsandl egs,but
othert
hanthatshewasver ybeaut
if
ulandhadt he
samebodyasMel issa.Shehadgor geouslong,
blackhai
randbeautif
ulgrayeyesaswel l
.

Thesegirl
shavereall
ygoodgenes.Rachelseemed
verybubblyandfr
iendl
y,butshewal ksaroundwith
thesetypeofguystel
li
ngmeshe'llcutyoui fyou
steponherbadside,muchlikeMelissa.Rachel
joi
neduswhi l
etheothertwoguysjoi nedPhil
aand
t
hem.Sbuont heot
herhandwascapti
vatedby
Rachel
'
sbeaut
y.Kelel
ookedveyuni
mpr essed.

Wef oundoutabitmor eaboutt hisRachel,she

staysinMenlopark,notfarfr
om usandshe' sabit
ofagangster.I'
m notsur ewhatki nd.Keledidn'
t
engagemuchi ntheconver sati
on, i
nsteadshekept
eyeingRachel.Remi ndsmeoft hefir
stdayImet
Natasha.Insecur
ityisar ealbi
tch.

Ifel
tli
keIneededt hetoil
etandwhisperedt oPhila
thatIwasgoi ngtopee,butheaskedPor schet o
comewi thme.Isweart hisguywant smeal lt
o
himself
.Por scheandIwentt ot
het oi
letinsidethe
houseast heonesout si
dewereabi tful
l.

Por
sche:
"Ai
,monnawagaooover
prot
ect
ive(
your
manisover
prot
ect
ive)
."

Me:
"Mxm,
don'
tactl
ikeyour
sisn'
t.Hef
oll
owsyou
ever
ywher
eyougo,
li
ter
all
y."

WebothlaughedasIwenti ntothetoi
letf
ir
st.Igot
outandwaitedforPorschetofini
shupwhi l
eI
wait
edoutsi
det hetoi
let
.Ifeltsomeonegrabmy
handandIfeltstar
tl
edandqui ckl
ytur
nedar ound.
ItwasLunga.Iyankedmyhandf rom hi
squi ckl
y.

Lunga:
"Zee,
mayIpl
easet
alkt
oyou?
"

Me:"No,Lunga.Pl
easest
ophar
assingmeand
di
srespecti
ngmyhusbandli
ket
hat.I'
m amar
ri
ed
womannow. "

Hegrabbedmyar m again,muchti
ght ert
histi
me
andItri
edtoletgo,butheheldont
oi tveryti
ght.I
tr
iednottomakeascenei nt
hehouse, butmost
peopl
ewer eseri
ouslydrunkandhardlynoti
ced
Me:
"Lunga,
you'
rehur
ti
ngme.
"

Lunga:
"Ij
ustwantt
otal
ktoyou.
"

PorschecameoutandsawthatIwastryi
ngtoget
outofLunga'
sgri
pandshequickl
yhithim wi
thher
handbag.

Porsche:
"Voet
sek(pi
ssoff
)psychokewena( you
psycho)!Can'
tyouseeyou'
rehurt
ingher
?!"

Peopl
earoundthehousewerest
art
ingt
ost
areand
oneoftheaunt
scamet owar
dsus.

Aunt:
"Iseverythi
ngokayhere?Heywena
moshimane( Heyboy) ,
gaobonegor ewamo
gobatsa(can'tyouseeyou'r
ehurt
ingher
)?She's
notevenyourwi fe.Lethergobef
oreIcal
lher
husband."
Lungaletgoofhisgri
pandPorscheandIgotout
ofthehouseandmadeourwayout .Befor
ewegot
towherewewer eseated,
Iwasabouttocr
yunti
l
Porschetol
dmet ofi
xmyself
.

Porsche:
"Zee,
fixyoursel
ftoe(pl
ease)
.GePhilaa
kagobonaol esogot l
onyewa( i
fPhi
laseesyou
l
ikethisal
lhel
lwillbr
eakloose).
"

Icomposedmyselfandwalkedback.Itr
iedrubbi
ng
myarm sothatt
heredmarkwoul dn'
tshow,buthi
s
fi
nger
salreadyl
eftamarkonmyar m.

WewenttositbackdownandPhi lal
ookedatme.I
tr
iedt
ofakeasmi l
e,buthesawmer ubbingmyarm
andhi
sfacechangedimmedi at
ely.Hewalkedupt
o
me.

Phi
la:
"Ugr
and(
areyouokay)
?"
Me:
"I
'mf
ine.
"

IlookedovertowhereLungawasseat ed,and
Lungamadeeyecont actwithme.Philamat ched
thedotsandhegotpi ssed.Hewasaboutt owal k
upt oLunga,butPor
schest oppedhim,leavi
ngt he
restofthegangconfused.Sbuqui ckl
ygotupas
well.

Por
sche:
"Phi
la,
don'
t.Isor
tedhi
m out
,okay.
"

Phi
la:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)"
Whatdi
dhedot
oher
?"

Porsche:"
Nothi
ng.Het ri
edtotalktoher,
butLunga
kepttr
yingtogetheratt
enti
onamdhegr abbedher
arm.Leavehi mfornow.I t
'snottheri
ghtplacefor
that
.Wecan' tdi
srespectBee'
sfami l
yli
kethat.
"
ThankgoodnessforPorsche'sreasoningbecause
heli
stenedandbackeddown.Hepul l
edmebymy
arm andwewenttostandneart hecar .Helooked
atmyar m andhi
sjawti
ght enedinstantl
y.

Phi
la:
"I
sitpai
nful
?"

Me:
"Justal
it
tl
ebi
t.I
twi
llf
ade,
don'
twor
ry.
"

Phi
la:
"Uzonyal
omsunu(Thatasshol
ewil
lshi
t
hi
mself)
.Noonetouchesmywoman. "

Itr
iedtocalm hi
m downandhekissedme.We
wentbacktot hecr
owdandweenj oyedtherestof
theday.Weevenmadeat oastt
oBel i
nda.WhatI
l
ikeaboutfuneral
sandweddingsisthatt
heyhavea
wayofbringingpeopl
etoget
her.
Chapt
erHundr
edandOne
Zi
yanda

Everyoneofuswasabi tti
psyafterafewdr i
nks.
Porschelef
tearl
ierthanallofuswithanUber
request
edbydearRober t,whil
etherestofusleftat
6pm.Shewaspr et
tywasted.Peoplewer esti
ll
enjoyi
ngthemselves,butIwasabi tti
red.Icouldn'
t
saythesamef orkele.

Shewassourt hewholedayeversi nceRachel

arri
ved.Thecarr i
dehomewasn' tverypl
easantf
or
hereitherasshewasj ustquiett
hewhol eway.I
tr
iedmaki ngconversat
ion,butshejustseemed
disi
nterested.

Weor deredsomehotwi ngsonourwayhomet o

feedourcr avi
ngs.West oppedbyabot t
lestor
eto
grabaf ewmor edrinksandonceSbucameback,
heaskedt hatweswopseat s.Isati
nthefront
whilePhilawasdrivingwhil
ehesatatthebackwi t
h
Kele.Philakeptbrushingmyt hi
gheverynowand
thenwhi
leSbukepttr
yingtokissKel
e,butIhear
d
hermurmuri
ngtel
li
nghim stop.

Wef i
nall
yarri
vedhomet oadistur
bingsi
ght.The
guardswereasleepontheportchandsomeont he
pati
o.Blazerwasofftodaysowewer eallqui
te
confused.

Phil
aandSbugotoutf i
rstwhil
eKeleandIwal ked
outaft
erthem.Thef rontdoorwasn'tevenlocked
andwasl efthalfopen.Asweent ered,alotof
thi
ngswer emi ssi
ng;thefri
dgewasal soleftopen
wit
hsomeal coholmissingfrom t
hekitchenand
somefoodont hefloorandsomeont hetable.It
wasreall
ymessy.

Phil
aandSbuwer erunni
ngaroundt hehouse
checkingift
her
e'sanyoneinthehouse.Theguar ds
weren'twaki
ngupandi tl
ookedl i
ketheywere
drugged.Isawourcoucheswer emissi
ng,evenour
whitecarpet
.Thet vfr
om theloungewasalso
missi
ng.Iquickl
yranupstai
rstochecki
f
ever
ythi
ngwassecur ei
nourbedroom.Tomy
horr
or,afewofmyshoesandcl ot
hingwere
missi
ng,especi
all
ythebrandnewitemsIbought
backinIt
aly.

Icheckedf ormyj ewel

ryandmyengagementr i
ng
wasmi ssingal ongwi t
hmydi amondneckl aceand
earri
ngsIwor eonmyweddi nginItaly.Idon'tcare
aboutal otofst uff,
butIcareaboutt hose.The
memor iest hatcomewi t
hthem andt heycostPhi l
a
afortune!They' reworthoverami l
lion!Ihur r
iedto
Thando'sr oom t ofi
nditempty!Thebi t
chevent ook
someofmybeddi ngalongwiththet vanddecoder
i
nt hebedr oom.

Iwalkedoutandheadeddownstai
rsasIt
ri
ed
call
ingThandobutthenIr
ememberedInevert
ook
hernumber.Icouldn'
tseeKel
eanymoreandI
assumedshewentbackhome.Phi lawal
kedoutof
theStudywithSbubusycursi
ng.
Phi
la:
"Fuck!Thatbi
tchmessedwi
tht
hewr
ongman,
Baf
o(brother
).
"

Me:"
What
'swr
ong?
"

Phi
la:
"I
t'
syourbl
oodysi
ster
!It
oldyounott
otrust
her
.Shedidn'
tevenwai
taweekbefor
eshetri
edto
cl
eanusout.
"

Oh,gosh.I'l
lneverheart
heendofthi
s.I'mto
bl
ame, Iknowit.SuddenlyIbecamesober
i
mmedi atel
y.

Sbu:"
Thandoorgani
zedsomeguyst oposeas
employeesofsomemovi ngcompany.Theyar
ethe
oneswhot ookever
ythi
ng,evenR20000cashfr
om
thestudy.
"
Andher eIwast hinki
ngt
hatThandohadchanged.I
real
lyregrett
urningabli
ndeyetoPhi
laand
Porsche'swarnings.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTwo

Zi
yanda

Phil
awasf umingandhardlysaidawor dtome
whil
eSbuwentt ohishouset ocheckonKele.I
wasn'teventoowor r
iedaboutherrightnow.
Thandof uckedmeoverr ealbadl
y.SbuandIf ound
tr
acesofwhi tepowderont hekit
chencounter
.He
saysitscocaine.

Oneoft heguardswokeupandexpl ainedwhat

happened.Thandogavet hem foodasagener ous
gestureseei
ngt hatBl
azerwasn' tar
ound.Theot her
twoguar dsweren'twaki
ngupandt heirpul
seswere
gett
ingweaker,soSbuor ganizedanambul ancefor
them andrequestedDraketoat t
endt othem as
usual
.

I'
m sodi sappointedinmyself,Itr
ustedmyown
si
st erwhowasnevert her
eforme- ever.Nowshe
l
acedourguar ds'foodwit
hdr ugsandt wonearl
y
died.Thi sist oomuchf orme.I 'm soover
whelmed
andt healcoholinmysyst em isn'
tdoingmeany
j
ust ice,soIdecidedt ogooutsideont hepati
oand
callGogobef oreIbrokedown.

Gog'
Kganyi:
"Yebo,
Ziyanda.Unj
ani
,Mnt
wanami
(
Howar eyou,mychild)
?"

It
ri
edt
okeepmyt earsinbutt
heyfel
ldown
i
mmediat
elyaf
terhear
inghervoi
ce.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ziyanda,
what
'swr
ong?
"

Me:
"I
..I
t'
s.
.uThando,
Gogo.Shest
olef
rom us.We
gothomef rom t
hefuner
alandfoundal most
ever
ythingi nthehousegone,Gogo.Includingcash
fr
om Phi l
a'
sst udyandmyj ewel
ry.Manj e(now)
Phil
aisn'ttalki
ngtomebecauseIf ai
ledtolist
ento
hiswarning."

Gog'Khanyi:
"Zi
yanda, mybaby.Wi pethosedamn
tearsoffyourface.Youmadeami st
ake-abigone,
butit'
snotunfor givable.Wena(You)justtellPhi
la
togetTonyt ofindThando' sboyfr
iend.Hi snamei s
Lloydandhewor ksforRazor.Fi
ndLl oyd,you'l
lfi
nd
Razorandt henyou' llfi
ndThando.You' l
lalsobe
abletolocateyourt hings.Nomor ecryung, man.
Mybl oodli
neisn'tweak. "

It
rustGogot
ogi
veyout
hehar
sht
rut
h.

Me:
"Yebo(
Yes)Gogo,
Ihearyou.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Good.Nowgogi
vet
hatgr
umpyman
ofyourssomegoodol
dsex.Si
zakhul
uma(
We'
l
l
tal
k).
"

ShehungupandIwipedoffmyt
ears.Iwentback
i
nsidet
hehouseandfoundSbui
nthekit
chen.I
tookadeeobr
eat
h.

Me:"Sbu,Ij
ustspoket
oGogo.ShesaidThandoi
s
dat
ingLloydandhe'swor
kingf
orRazor.
"

Sbu:(Chuckl
ing)"
Ai,
Thando.Whywoul dsheget
i
nvolvedwithalowli
feli
keLloyd?Don'tworry.
We'l
lfindherandyourst
uff
,don'tst
ress."

Me:(Tear
y-eyed)"
It
'sj
ust
..Phi
laismadatmenow
andIdon'
tblamehim.Ican'tevenf
acehim.
"

Sbu:
"HawuQhawekazi(
Her oi
ne)
,don'
tcr
yman.
Phi
lawil
lbef
ine.Hecan'tbemadatyouforl
ong.
Gotohim,I
'l
lsor
tthi
sout.Bytomorrowmor
ning,
you'
l
lhaveyourst
uffback.Ipr
omise."

Igavehim af
aintsmil
eandwenttothebedroom.I
foundPhil
awipinghi
mselfof
faft
erhejustt
ooka
shower.Helookedsourashel
l.

Me:
"Babywami(
mybaby)
,canwet
alk?
"

Hej
ustkeptqui
et.

Me:"
Phi
la,
please.Youhat
eitwhenIdot
hatt
o
you.
"

Phil
a:(deepsigh)"
Whatdoyouwantmet osay,Zee?
ThatItoldyouso?Thatbitchcamei nt
oourhouse
andhadt henerve,
theaudacit
ytostealfr
om us?
!
I'
m angry,Zee.AndI'
m goi
ngt oki
llher
!"
Ij
ustbr
okedown.

Me:
"I
'm sor
ry,
Phi
la.Ir
eal
lyam.
"

Itr
iedt
owalkt
othebat
hroom,
buthehel
dmeback,
andpull
edmetohi
m.

Phil
a:"St
handwasami( Mylove).I
'
m verysorry.I
t'
s
notyourfaultyoursist
erisoneungrat
efulbi
tch.
I'
m notmadatyou, I
'
mj ustangryt
hatIdidn'
tsee
thi
scomi ng.Igotblindsi
ghtedbyajunkie.I'
m mad
thatshealwaystookyouf orgrant
edandt hi
sone
ti
meyouf el
lfori
t.
"

Icr
iedonhi
schest
.

Phi
la:
"Lookatme,
myl
ove.
"
Il
ookedupathi
m andhewi
pedawaymyt
ear
s.

Phi
la:
"Ngi
yak'
thandayezwa(
Iloveyou,
okay)
?"

Ijustnoddedashegentl
ykissedme.Hel aymeon
thebedandmadesweetl ovetome.Istil
lfeelvery
angryandupsetwithThando.Ireal
lyam notsureif
I'
llf
orgi
veherfort
his.

Gog'
Khanyi

Justwhenthingsweregoingsmoot hly,t
his
nonsensehappens.KodwaNkul unkul u(ButGod),
whyungathatiuThando(whydon'tyout akeThando)
sowecanal lli
veinpeace?Thischildhasbeen
nothi
ngbuttroubl
eeversinceshewasbor nnje.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yazi
ni(
Youknowwhat)Fl
orah,
Thando
i
stest
ingmypati
ence.Ngi
zombul
ala(
I'
m goingt
o
ki
llher
).
"

Mam'Masango:
"Rel
ax,Khanyi
sa.Don' tgi
veupon
herj
ustyet
.She'smadesomebadchoi ces,but
she'
l
lcomearoundwhenyoul eastexpectit
.She
j
ustneedstobeawayfrom t
hatuselessman. "

Ihopeshe'
sri
ght.I
'm soti
redofdramaallbecause
ofThando'
sbehavi
our.Justthenaloudknock
err
uptedonmydoor.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ngiyeza(
I'
m coming)
!Ungang' phul
eli
umnyangongobauzawuthengangok'shesha(Don't
br
eakdownmydoorbecauseyou'llhavetobuyit.
"

AssoonasIopenedthedoor
,Thandost
ormedi
n
wi
thhershi
rtf
ullofbl
ood.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
YeywenaThando!Whywoul
dyou
makemeanaccompl icet
ocr
ime?Doyouseewhy
Ineverwantyouher
e?"

Thando:
"Ngi
yaxol
isa(
I'
m sorr
y)Gogo.Ihad
nowhereel
setogo.Hekill
edhim.He's.
..He'
s
dead.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Who?
"

Thando:"
Lloyd.Razorki
ll
edhi
m.Imessedupbi
g
ti
ne,Gogoandnowhe' sdead.
"

Aiher
eIwast hi
nkingi
twasherblood,buti
nstead
shegivesmegreatnewssayingherdeadbeatbaby
daddyisdead.Goodriddance.

Gog'Khanyi:
"Ah,
unedr
amayazi(you'
resodramat
ic
youknow) .Goandfr
eshenup,
I'
llpouryousome
wine."
Oneweekl
ater

Zi
yanda

It'
sbeenawhol eweeksincethewhol eThando
i
ncident .Thef oll
owingdayPhilacamebackwi t
h
myj ewelry,event houghhedidn'tgotoomuchi nt
o
detailabouthowhef oundit.I'
mt rul
ygreat
ful
,
though.Hesai dhedi dn'
thavethehearttokil
l
ThandoasGodspoket ohim.

Idon'tevenknowi fthat'
strue,
butI'
m eternall
y
great
fulfori t
.Hesayst hatheandGogocameup
withanotherwayt opunishThandof orhersins,but
hedidkil
lt hatRazorguy, t
hough.Phi l
aandIhadt o
goshoppi ngf ornewf ur
nit
urethough.Ididn't
complainsi nceIgotthechancet orevamot he
housemyway.
PorscheaskedPhi lafori
ndefi
nit
eleavefewdays
ago,apparentlyherandRobar etr
aveli
ngtheworld
andthingsof fthei
rbucketl
ist
.Ihaven'tspokent
o
Kelesincethateveningandsinceit
'sSaturday
today,Ifi
guredIwoul dgovisi
ther.

Kel
e

It
'sbeenaweeksi nceIl astseenZee.Sbuhas
beenawayf orbusinessf orafewdaysnow.I've
beenallal
oneunt i
lmymot her,Rut
hdecidedt
orock
upoutofnowher e.Idon' tevenknowhowshe
foundmeandIhaven' teventoldSbuabouther
arri
val
.

He'scomingbackt odayandIreall
ydon'
tknowhow
to.She'
sbeengr eat,tobehonest.She'
sreal
ly
beengreathel
pandI '
vebeentr
yingtogettoknow
her.Shehasmi ssedoutonal otandtobehonest,I
havenooneelse.
Rut
h:"
Kelengwanake(
mychi l
d),
kegot
li
sedi
tsedi
jo
(
I'
vebroughtyousomefood)
."

Shewalkedint
omybedr
oom wi
that
rayoff
oodi
n
herhands.

Kel
e:"
Keal
eboga,
mme(
Thankyou,
ma)
."

Ruth:
"So,tel
lme,ngwanake(mychi
ld)
,whenar
e
youoffi
ciall
yget
ti
ngmar r
ied?
"

Kel
e:"
Onmybi
rt
hday.
"

Rut
h:"
Wheni
syourbi
rt
hdayagai
n?"

Wow.Shedoesn'
tevenr
emembermybi
rt
hday.
Kel
e:"
31stofMay.
"

Ruth:
"Hai,
ngwanake(Oh,mychild)
.Ifeelverybad
formissi
ngoutonsomuch, butIpromiseI'
l
lmake
i
tuptoyou.Keagot shepi
sa(Ipromise).
"

Ihear
daknockont hedoor
.I'
mreal
lynoti
nthe
moodf orvi
sit
ors.

Rut
h:"
Rel
ax,
I'
llgogeti
t.
"

Ikeptoneati
ngandjustthenshewal
kedi
nwi
tha
veryunannouncedvi
sit
or.

Rut
h:"
Kel
e,mychi
ld,
yourf
ri
endi
sher
etovi
sityou.
"

Shi
t.Zeei
sher
e.Ibetshe'
sgoi
ngt
otel
lPhi
lat
hat
Rut
hisher
e.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandThr
ee

Zi
yanda

Iwalkedi ntoKele'
shouseandf oundawomanI
don'tevenr ecogni
zeatal l
.Shel ookedalotli
ke
Kele,soitcan'tbeMar y,herstepmother
.Iwal ked
i
nandgr eetedher,butshewasr at
heruneasyand
l
ookedver yuncomf or t
able.PerhapsIshould'
ve
cal
led,butIj ustwant edtocheckonhersi nceI
assumedshewasal onewi thSbugone.

Kel
e:"
Uhm.
.Zee,
thi
sisRut
h.Mymot
her
."

Phil
amentionedsomet
hingaboutherbi
ologi
cal
mom whodumpedherwhenshewasababy.I '
m
confusedr
ightnow.

Me:
"Ket
habel
agoot
seba,
mme(
It
'sni
cemeet
ing
you,
ma'
am)
."

Ishookhandswi
thherandmyeyeswentbackt
o
Kele.

Ruth:
"Oh,youmustbeZee.Kelehastoldmeso
muchaboutyou.Sheevensai dyou'
remarri
edto
herhusband'
sbil
li
onai
rebrot
her.Itmustbenicet
o
beswimmi ngi
nmoney, heymygirl
?"

Okay.Idon' tli
kethi
swoman' stone.So
condescendi ngandjustnotri
ght.Ijustf
akeda
smi l
eanddi dn'tr
espond.Ithoughtshewouldkeep
quiet,butshekeptongoing.

Ruth:"Keletol
dmeyou'vehadaboutt hree
miscar r
iages.Shame,man.Modi moakasegof e
tsohle,akere(Godcan'
tpossi
blygiveyou
everything)
.Imeansomanybabi esgoneatyour
age,Idoubtyourpoorwombcansur viveanot
her
one.
"

Okay, nowIseewhyKel etendstobesuchabi tch

attimes.I t'
sher editar
y.Al lt
histimeKelel
ooked
downi m embar rassment .Hermom wascl earl
y
singinglikeacanar y.Iguesst hey'
vebeenbonding
overmymi sery.Imustsay, Iwasprett
yhurt.Kele
keepsgi vingmemi xedsignalsandclear
lyshejust
can'tbet rustedatal l
.

Me:"Kel
e,Sbuaskedmet ocheckuponyouandI
thoughtIwoul
dcomeseei fyou'
reokay.Butcl
ear
ly
you'r
eallwel
l.I
'l
lleaveyout
oit.
"

Ruth:"
Hao, Zi
yanda.Gaodul e(aren'tyoustayi
ng)
forsomebr eakfast
?Kel ecanshowyouherscanof
theotherday.Thebabi eshavegr ownsomuch.I
can'twaitt
omeett heZwanehei r
s.Si nceThato
wasaboy, I
'm pret
tysureshe'scarryingboysthis
ti
met oo."
Talkaboutrubbingsaltt
ot hewound.Ij ustlef
t
withoutsayi
nganythingelse.Ihadt earsinmy
eyesandIt r
iednottoletthem fal
l.Ireall
yfought
hardtokeept hem f
rom fall
ingdown.

Ican'
tgi
veanobodyl ikeRuthwhodoesn' teven
knowmeandat rai
torli
keKelethesati
sfacti
on.
HowImi ssPorscherightnow.Istormedi nt
othe
houseandfoundPhi l
aont hepati
o.Iattemptedto
runupst
air
s,buthehel dmeback.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Yi
ni(
Whati
sit
)?"

Me:(
Looki
ngdown)"
It
'snot
hing.
"

Phil
apull
edmyf aceuphol
dingmychinwit
hhi
s
fi
ngers.Il
ookedupandthetear
sbet
rayedme.
Phi
la:
"Tal
ktome.Whoam Iki
ll
ingf
ormaki
ngyou
cr
ysoearlyi
nthemor
ning?
"

Me:(Deepsigh)"
Sbuaskedmet ogocheckonKel
e
andsinceIhadn'
tseenhersi
ncethatni
ght
,I
deci
dedtogocheckonher .If
oundhermom
ther
e."

Phi
la:
"Wai
t,hermom asi
nRut
h?"

Me:"Yes.ShewentonabouthowKel etol
dherI
'
ve
hadt hreemi scarr
iagesal
readyandhowI '
m marr
ied
toaBi ll
ionai
reandhowGodcan' tgiveyou
everythinginlif
e.Sheevensai dmywombwon' tbe
abletosur vi
veanot herpr
egnancy."

Bynowtearswer
estr
eamingdownmyfacewhi
leI
coul
dseethepai
ninhi
seyestur
nint
orage.
Phila:
"I
t'
sokay,Sthandwasami(Mylove).I
'
llsort
thatbit
chout .Whodoesshethinksheis?Asf or
Kele,she'
llknowmet hi
sti
me."

Me:"
No,leavet
hem.Ican'
thavepeopl
ethi
nki
ng
you'
ref
ighti
ngmybatt
lesf
orme."

Phi
la:
"I
t'
smyj
obt
odot
hat
,MaZwane.
"

Me:"Beli
ndawasr i
ght.Ever
ythi
ngshewroteinthat
l
etteraboutKel
ebeinggoodatkeepingsecr
ets.I
should'
vetakenthatwarni
ngtohear
t."

Phi
lawasshockedandkeptquietf
orawhi
le.
Dammit.Isl
ippedandhenoti
ced.

Phi
la:
"Whatlet
ter
?Thel ett
ershewr
otet
oyousai
d
not
hingaboutKele'
ssecret
."
Ikeptqui
et.IknewIwasal readyintr
oubl
e.We
madeapact :"Nosecr
ets"andyethereIwas
keepi
ngaver yseei
oussecretfrom myhusband
andhisbrother.

Phi
la:"
Whi chl
ett
er,
Zee?
!Whathaveyoubeen
hi
ding?!"

It
ookadeepbr
eat
h.I
t'
saboutt
imeIconf
essed.

Me:"Okay,Belinda'smom gavePor scheandIthree

l
etter
swr i
ttenbyBel i
nda,addressedtothethreeof
us.ItookKel e'slett
erwiththeintenti
onofgivingit
toher.AfterIr eadoutmyl ett
ertoPor sche,
she
suggestedthatwer eadthelett
erf i
rst
.Iknowi t'
s
wrong.Wer eadi tand..
."

Phi
la:
"Keepgoi
ng.
"
Me:
"I
t'
sbet
teri
fyour
eadt
hel
ett
eryour
sel
f.
"

Phil
a:(chuckl
ing)"
So,you'
veknownaboutthi
slet
ter
forweeksandyousaidnot hingtome,
Zee?IfIdi
d
thatt
oyou, howwouldyouf eel?
"

He'sri
ght.Ifeell
ikeatot
alhypocrit
eandIhope
he'
llbeabletofor
givemeafterthis.Ishoul
dn'
t
havekeptitasecreti
nthefi
rstplace.Imiss
Porschesomuch.

Chapt
erOneHundr
edandFour

Gog'
Khanyi

I
t'
sbeenaweeksincemystupidgranddaught
er
Thandomessedt
hingsup.She'sveryl
uckyPhil
ais
aprayi
ngmannow, ot
her
wiseshewoul dbedead
bynow.Razorisdeadandsoisherst
upid
boyfr
iend.Li
fecangobacktonor
mal.Igothera
j
obasacar egi
verfort
heel
derl
yatanear
by
hospi
ce.

Theywon'tpayherasi ngl
ecent,Imadesureoft hat
.
Itol
dherst r
aightup,ifshewantstoli
vewi t
hme,
she'l
lhavetowor kfornopay.Cleaningsmel l
yfeet
andtakingcareofoldpeopl ewhoshitthemselves
i
sagr eatwayt ostopsomeonef rom doingdrugs.
She'sbeenpukinghergut soutandthat'sagood
si
gnt hati
t'
sgoodt reatment.Nomsahasbeent oo
softonthischil
d.

Onceshe' ssor t
edhersel
fout,I
'
llmakesureshe
startswithlessonsonmor al
sandrespectfor
peopl e'
sthi
ngs.Sheneedst oknowwedon' tdo
thievesinthisfamil
y.

Mam'Masango:
"Ucabanganikangaka(
What
'son
yourmi
nd)?"
Gog'Khanyi
:"
Ahnot
hingmuch.Justt
hinki
ngabout
Thandonje.
"

Mam'Masango:"
Uzobari
ght(She'
llbefi
ne).She'
l
l
endupl
ovingthejob,
uzobona(you'l
lsee)
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ag,
man.Nomsamessedt
hoseki
ds
up.
"

Mam' Masango:
"Atl
eastshe'
str
yingnowwith
Thando'ski
ds.They'
llbefi
ne.MinaI'
m more
worri
edaboutSbu.Iseedangerlana.Kel
eisgoi
ng
tocreat
ehavoc.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ushokanj
ani(
Whatdoyoumean)
?"

Mam'Masango:"
Keleispowerhungryandnowthat
herdeadbeatmotheri
sarouns,kuzonyi
wast
ru(I
t'
s
goi
ngt
ogodownbadl
y).
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ai,
Idon'
tknowhowyoudoit.IfIhad
t
oseeghostsever
yday,
Iwoul
dneversur
vive.
"

Webot hl
aughed.Iguesswe'l
ljusthavetokeep
prayi
ngforKel
eandSbusiso.Theseki dsowemea
seri
ousholi
dayaft
erthi
s.

Phi
la

Ican'tbel
ieveZeekeptthi
shugesecr etfrom me.I
satont hepatioopposi
teherwiththel et
terinmy
hand.I '
vereaditthr
eeti
mesal readyhopi ngthatI
misreadthewhol ethi
ng.Howt hef uckdidwenot
seethisonecomi ng?Ireall
yhat ebeingbl i
nd
si
ghted.Al lofthi
smakesper f
ectsensenow.

Hersuddenchangei
nbehavi
our
.Herbei
ng
diagnosedwithAnxietyanddepressionwhil
e
pregnantwithmybr ot
her'
schildrenwil
lmake
thingsalotworse.Ireal
lydon'tknowifIshould
showSbut hi
slet
terornot.Ireall
yneedtotalkto
mabef oreSbucomesback.Ideci dedtocal
lher
andputheronspeaker .

Mam'I
vy:
"Sawubona,
Mfanawami(
Hel
lo,
myboy)
.
Unj
ani(
Howar eyou)
?"

Phi
la:
"I
'm good,
ma,
howar
eyou?
"

Mam'I
vy:
"Ngi
yaphil
a(I
'
m okay).Whyareyoucal
l
ing
mesoearl
yinthemorning?Iknowyou'
rebot
hered.
Khul
uma(Tal
k)."

Ichuckl
ed.Maknowsmet
oowel
l.

Phi
la:
"Ei
sh,
ma.Ther
e'ssomet
hingt
hatIknow,
somethingdamaging.Beli
ndawrot
elet
ter
stoher
fr
iends,i
ncludi
ngKele.Andwhatshewrot
einher
e
i
sdi st
urbi
ng,ma."

Mam'
I
vy:
"Whatdi
dshesay?
"

Phila:
"Shewroteukut
hi(
that)Kel
eabort
edSbu'
s
twinswhenshef oundhi
mi nbedwithShar
on,and
alsoplannedthi
swholethi
ngofgett
ingbacki
nto
Sbu'slif
e,amongstot
herstuff
."

Mam'Ivy:
"Hmm.Ican'
tsayI
'
m surpr
ised.She'
s
beenbehavi
ngr
eall
yoddnowadays.
"

Phi
la:
"Sonowangazi(
Idon'
tknow)i
fIshoul
dtel
l
Sbuornot,
ma."

Mam'I
vy:
"Getthejetpr
epared.Thetwi
nsandIwill
bet
herebytonight.Don'
ttel
lhi
m anyt
hingunt
ilI
gett
her
e."

Phi
la:(
Sigh)"
Okay,
ma.
"

Mam'
I
vy:
"Gr
eetZeef
orme.Seeyousoon.
"

ShehungupandZeest
aredatme.

Phi
la:"
I'
m sosorr
yforover
react
ing,
SthandwaSami
(mylove).Thi
siswaydeeperthanIthought
."

Ziyanda:
"I
t'
sokay,
babywami(
mybaby)
.It
'sr
eal
ly
okay."

Sbu

Itol
dKeleI
'
dbeawayforbusi
nessal
lweek,but
tr
uthis,
mymeet
ingonl
ytookthr
eedays.Ispent
thelasttwodayswi t
hRachel ,Melissa'scousinat
oneofRober t '
shotel
s.Iknow, I
'm wr ongfor
cheatingonKel e,butIj
ustcoul dn'thelpit
.Thatday
atthef uneralwhenIsawRachel ,Ijustfel
linlove
i
nstant l
y.It houghtitwasj ustlust,butdamn!Thi s
womani sreal l
ygood.She'snotonl ybeaut i
ful
,but
she'ssmar tt oo.She'sreall
ygoodwi thgadget sand
hasadegr eei nIT.Idon'tknowwhyshel ikes
hangingar oundguysl i
keSpor o.

Ihaven'tevensl eptwi t
hherbecauseIj ustf
elt
guil
ty.Sheevenr efusedt ol
etmeki ssher.She's
j
ustbeenamazi ngcompanyandr eall
ynicetome.I
havetoldherallaboutKel eandshesaidnoone
changesoutofnowher e,andthatKelemighthave
al
waysbeenl iket hi
s, shejustchosenowast he
ti
met oshowus.

Weshar edsepar
ateroomsthesepasttwodaysand
Ijustwi
shIcouldspendonemor enightwi
thher.
I'
m supposedtobehomebynow, butt
rut
his,Ij
ust
can'tfaceKeleanymore.If
eelsor evi
vedrightnow.
Keledoesn'tevental
kaboutthebabiesormakeme
feelthewaysheusedt oanymor e.Allshedoesis
askmewhenI '
m goi
ngtomar r
yherandkeeps
pressuringmet omakeourmar r
iagelegaland
mar ryherincommunityofpr
oper t
y.

Idon'tknowhowIf eel aboutthat.Idon'tfeelat

easewi t
hheral wayst ell
ingmet hesethi
ngsand
compar i
ngmet oPhila.Il ovemybr ot
herandI '
ve
neverbeenj ealousofhi m atall
.We' reboth
successfulandnowomanwi l
lgetinthewayoft hat
.
Ij
ustwi shKel ecouldbeal otli
keZee, r
espectfulto
herhusbandandl istent omenj e.Wehaven' teven
hadsexi nsol ongandal lsheeverdoesi sli
einbed
andrequestt hingst obebr oughttoher.

IaskedRachelovertomyroom.Iwoul
djustl
ovet
o
spendonemor enightwi
thher
.I'
l
lgohome
tomorr
ow.SheknockedonmydoorandIopened.
Rachel:"
Hey,Sbu.Sor
ryI
'
mlat
e.Watgaanaan
(
what'sgoingon)?
"

Sbu:"
Rachel,
I..Iaskedyouher
esothatIcould
for
mallyaskyoui fyoucoul
dspendonemor enight
wit
hme. "

Rachel:
"Sbu, Itoldyou,
Idon'tdomar r
iedguys.
Besi
des, yout oldmeaboutyourpr obl
ems.You're
vul
nerablerightnow, Sbuandashotasyouar e,
I
don'
twantt ot akeadvantageofthat.
"

Sbu:(
deepsi
gh)"
Iunder
stand,
Rae.Ipromiseyou.
Ij
ustwantt
ospendti
mewi t
hyou.Nothingmore,
pl
ease.
"

Rachel
:"
Ai,okaythen.Asl
ongasyoudon'
ttr
yany
funnybusi
ness,neh?"
Ilaughedandbecameateaseallofasudden.I'
m
notreadytogobackt
omypl ayboyways,Ijust
reall
yli
keRachel
.

Kel
e

I'
vebeenpacingupanddown, f
reaki
ngoutinmy
bedroom.Idon'tunder st
andwhyRut hhadtodo
that!Nowshej ustmadeever yt
hingworseandIbet
Sbui sonhiswayher etotellmeshi taswespeak.I
needasol i
dplanasi nyesterday.AsIwasdeepi n
thought,
Ruthwal kedin.

Rut
h:"
Kokongwanake(Knockknock,
mychi
ld)
.I
br
oughtyousomelunch.
"

Kel
e:"
Wagafa(Areyoucrazy)
,Rut
h? !Youbasi
cal
ly
t
oldZeeever
ythi
ngItol
dyou!Obj angnawena
(Whatki
ndofper
sonareyou)!"
Ruth:
"Cal
m down,Kel
ebogil
e,manyesses!Youj
ust
l
ikestr
essi
ngyoursel
foutforfokol
.Youtol
dme
youenvyher,I
nwasjustt
ryingtohel
p."

Kele:
"Hel
p?!Yourui
nedmyplans!Herhusband
couldwalki
nhereanymomentandprobabl
y
str
anglemeforbei
ngrudet
ohiswife!
"

Ruth:"Tlogelagobal abal
a(Stoptal
kingtoomuch) .
It'
sgoodt oshowhert hatyou'
reabletodowhatshe
can't.You' r
et heonewiththepowerhere.You're
carryingSbu' schil
dren.You'
retheonewho'llbe
highlyf avouredandyoursonswi l
lbenextinli
neto
thethr one."

Idi
dn'
treal
lyt
hinkofi
tthatway.

Ruth:
"NowthatIhaveyourat
tenti
on,it
'st
imefor
phasetwo.ForceSbutochangetheweddi ngdat
e
foramuchcloserdateandscheduleanint
ervi
ew
wit
hDave'sDiar
y.It
'st
imefortheworldtoknow
aboutyouandSbu.Stopbei
ngi ntheshadowsand
getyourown,gi
rl
!Andremember ,
gethimt omarr
y
youincommunityofpr
opert
y."

Kel
e:"
Ag,
Itr
iedt
hat
.Hedi
dn'
tbudge.
"

Ruth:"
Empa( but
)Phil
agaveZeehalfofever
ythi
ng
heowns.Heevenbui ltherahousei
nCapeTown,
akere(ri
ght
)?Sol ewenamakeyourdemands. "

Kel
e:"Idon'
tknowaboutal
lthi
s,ma.Sbui
sn'
t
st
upid."

Rut
h:"
Hehe,areyouevensurethi
smanl ovesyou?
HowcomePhi l
adoeseveryt
hingforZi
yandabut
wenadol
olo(nothi
ng)?Keng(Whatisit
)?Omo
t
imamapai(don'tyougi
vehi
m sex)?"
Kel
e:"
Wehaven'
thadsexi
nawhi
le.
"

Ruth:
"That'
syourbiggestmist
ake.Monnaohl oka
nyosesi(amanneedspussy, sister
).Givehimt hat
andyou'l
lnevergowr ong.Omof e(Giveittohim)
anywayhewant sitandeveryt
hingwi l
lbehandedt o
youonasi l
verplat
ter.Yousaidityoursel
fthat
befor
eyouwer epregnantyouusedt ofucklike
rabbi
tsandhepr oposedwit
hinaweek.So?Why
stopnow?"

MaybeRuthhasapoint
.PerhapsIcangetSbut
o
f
alli
nlovewi
thmealloveragai
n.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandFi
ve

Zi
yanda

Ifel
tawholelotbett
erafterconf
essingt
oPhil
a.It
fel
tli
keahugewei ghthadbeenl i
ft
edoffmy
shoulder
s.I
'm soreli
eved,honestl
y.Andhetook
thenewswor set
hanPor
scheandIdi
d.Speaki
ng
ofPorsche,
shehasbeentr
avel
ingwi
thRober
t.

Theyarecur
rentl
yinSwitzerl
andnow.Il ovet he
l
ovetheyhaveforoneanother.Alotofpeopl e
wonderhowabubbl ywomanl ikePorschef ellfor
someonetwiceherage,butthere'
snothingt hey
wouldn'
tdoforeachother.

Phil
afeltabitbadf orthewayher eact
edaboutt he
l
ett
erandhe' sbusyspoi li
ngme.He' scookingupa
st
ormi ncl
udingsomedesser t.Hetookoutt hebest
bott
leofchampagne, whichhehadt ostockupaf t
er
Thandoalmostcl eanedusout .Andheal sot ook
outverydel
iciousjuicefrom Wool
iesforthet wins.

I'
vebeenlazingar oundonthepati
oaf t
erprepari
ng
roomsforMam' Ivyandthegi
rls.Thegirl
swillhave
tosl
eeptoget herinoneroom unti
lwegetar oom
fort
hem.Ican' tbel
ievewenevertooktheti
met o
getthem t
hingsf orincaset
heywoul dcomet ovisi
t
here.Imadeamentalnot
etost
artshoppi
ngf
or
room i
deasandi
temsfort
hem.

Gogotoldmet hatshe'sbeendril
li
ngThando.
Apparent
lyshe'smakinggoodpr ogr ess,
butI'm st
il
l
verymadather .Idoubtwe' l
lmakepeaceanyt i
me
soon.JustasIwasponder ingmyt houghts,Frank
droveinwit
hMam' Ivyandt hetwins.Igotupwi t
ha
hugesmileonmyf acetogoandwel comet hem.

Nokuhledidn'
tevenwaitf
orsomeonetoopenthe
doorforher.Sheopenedthedoorandl
etNobuhl
e
outastheycamer unni
ngtowardsme.Theygave
meani cebighug.

Nokuhl
e:"
Hi,
Aunt
yZee!I
'
vemi
ssedyousomuch.
”

Me:”I
'vemissedyouguyst
oo.Ihopeyou'
vebeen
behaving.
”
Nokuhl
e:"
Yes,
butIhavesomegoodnewsf
oryou.
Gogouneboyf
ri
end(hasaboyf
ri
end)
."

Mam'
I
vyhear
dthatassheappr
oachedme.

Mam'
I
vy:"HeyiwenaNokuhl
e,I
'l
lsl
apyou,neh.
St
opt
alki
ngaboutmewi t
houtmypresence.
"

Nobuhl
e:"
Butmanj
e(now)you'
reher
e,Gogo.Can
wetal
kaboutyouandUncl
eMandla?"

Yohhayithesetwoandtheirr
unnymouths.So
Mam'Ivyhasbeengett
ingitdownwithMandlat
he
dri
ver
.Nowondershekeepsgl owi
ng.Ideci
dedto
saveherfrom t
heset
wo.

Me:"
Okay,gir
ls.Tel
lyouwhat;i
fyoubehaveand
don'
ttal
kaboutUncleMandlaandGogo,you'
llgeta
ni
cedessertasyourrewar
dplus,I
'
llshowyouwhat
uncl
ePhi
laandIgotyou.
"

Nobuhl
e:"
Yay!
"

Nokuhle:
"Butl
et'
sbehonest
,Aunt
y,weallknow
you'
retheonewhoboughtthethi
ngs.UnclePhil
a
neverget
susanyt hi
ng.
"

Oh,t
hesetwoareahandfulshame.Wewal kedi
n
andPhil
awasbusysett
ingthetable.Thetwinsr
an
toPhi
laandhehuggedthem andMam' Ivyaswel
l.I
hel
pedhimfi
nishupset
tingthetable.

Thetwinswerenotreal
lyinter
estedinfood,
they
weresoexcit
edtoseethegamer oom soItook
them t
hereandl
eftthem playi
ngont heXbox.They
wouldcomeeatiftheywer ehungry.Phil
aprayed
forusandhismom smiledaf t
erwards.
Mam'I
vy:
"Hehe,
Ziyanda.Khanyisawasn'
tpl
aying
whenshenamedyouZi yanda.Bukamanje(
Look
now)
,mysoncanpr ayli
kehe'sthesonofapri
est.
"

Weburstoutl
aughi
ngwhi
lePhi
lashookhi
shead
andsmil
edproudl
y.

Mam'Ivy:
"IevenhearSbuprayingatti
mes.Thi s
thi
ngwithThatoandnearlylosingKel
echanged
himforthebett
er.Nowshewant stotakeal
lthat
happi
nessawayf rom hi
m.".

Phi
laandIjustl
ookeddown.Icoul
dseet
hiswas
j
ustasstr
essfulf
orPhi
laasitwasf
orSbuandthei
r
mom.

Mam'Ivy:
"Youtwor el
ax.LeaveKeleal
ltome.You
canshowmet helett
eroncewe'r
edoneeating.I
wanttober el
axedwhenIr eadi
t.Mfanawami (my
boy)
,pourmesomemor ewine.Imnandil
ena(Thi
s
onei
sdel
ici
ous)
."

Phi
laandIbot
hlaughedashepour
edheranot
her
gl
ass.

Sbu

RachelandIhavebeenspendingenought i
me
toget
herandIjustloveit
.Yes,shedri
nksbeer
i
nsteadofchampagneandsmokesweedl ikeIdoat
ti
mes,butIcan'tgetenoughofheri
nfect
uouslaugh
andherbri
ghtsmi l
e.

Itmakesmet hi
nkofhowKel eandIusedt obe.
Rachelissost r
ongwill
edandl evelheaded.Ilove
howshecanst andhergroundandchal lengesme.
TruthisI'
vebeeninCapeTownf orbusinesstryi
ng
torecrui
tsomeoft hebestgraduatesformy
businesssinceI'
m mergingwithPhila.
Ididabackgr oundcheckonherandshe' ssuper
quali
fied.Ineedheronmyt eam andIwon' tl
etgo
ofher.Mywi feandmyl oveint
er estmightbe
workingtogetherinonebuildi
ngsoon, butI'
m not
bothered.DeepdownIwi shKel ewouldleaveme
andgi vememyki dsoncethey'
r eborn.I'
vespent
toomucht imeapol ogi
zingforthingsIneverdi
dto
her.

Ihonestl
ycan'
tbewi t
hawomanwhoi sn'
tbol
d
enoughtomakeherownchoi ces,butcompares
hersel
ftomybrother'
swif
einstead.ItookRachel
outforsomedinneronthebeach,wit
hsome
romanti
ccandl
esandal l
.Shelovediteventhough
shekeepssayi
ngshedoesn'tdomar ri
edmen.

Irespectt
hatandIi
ntendonmaki nghermi nevery
soon.Ijumpedthegunwi t
hKeleandr ushedinto
mar r
yinghert
oosoon,butwit
hRachel, Ineedto
takemyt i
mewi t
hher
.I '
m sadthatKel
ecoul dn'
t
eventrytobeamothertomychi l
dren.Rachelhas
acceptedmyj
obof
ferandIcan'
twai
ttoseeher
everyday.

I
vyZwane

Phil
a, Zi
yandaandIfini
shedeat ingthelovel
y
supperpreparedforusbyhi m.Ir eadthelett
erand
Ij
ustbecameevenmor eenr aged.Igavet hatgi
rla
choiceandshechoset ostay.Nowshewant sto
hurtmyboyi ntheprocess.Ir eall
ythoughtshe
wast heoneforhim aft
ercrazyShar on.

It
'sti
met opayheralit
tl
evisi
t.Iwalkedovertoher
houseandknocked.AwomanwhoIassumedt obe
Ruth,thebiologi
calmotherappr
oachedthedoor
andwel comedmei n.ShesmelledofwhiskeyandI
couldtellshehadbeendr i
nki
ngSbu'sstashand
mighthaveevenover doneitbyhersemi-sl
urr
ed
speech.
Rut
h:"
Hel
lo,
whoar
eyoucomi
ngsol
atemar
a?"

Mam'
I
vy:
"Mynamei
sIvy.I
'
m Sbusi
so'
smot
her
."

Icoul
dshet
hati
thadjustr
egist
eredt
oherwhoI
wasandshequi
ckl
ytr
iedtoregai
nhercomposur
e.

Ruth:
"Lovel
ytomeetyou, I
vy.Kelehastol
dmeso
muchaboutyou, wait
se(youknow).Sheevent ol
d
mehowyout hr
eatendherandtoldhertol
eaveSbu.
I
'm sureyou'
vecomet oapologi
zeakere(r
ight
)?"

Hehe,Keleman.Mast er
mind.Thisgi
rlhasbeen
busyman.NowIseewher etheil
lmannerscome
fr
om.Li kemotherl
ikedaught
er.JustthenKel
e
walkeddownthestair
sandwasqui t
eshockedto
seeme.

Kel
e:"
Hi,
ma.Idi
dn'
texpectt
oseeyouher
e.I
'
m
sor
ry,
youcould'
vecal
led.Iwasgoi
ngt
omake
somesupper
."

Mam' I
vy:
"Don'
tbot
heryour
selfl
iket
hat.I'
m sure
you'
recatchi
nguponmuchneededsl eep.Ialr
eady
ateatSbuandZee'
shouse."

Shef
rownedabi
tasIt
oldhert
hat
.

Mam'Ivy:
"Ar
en'
tyougoingt
oaskhowyourt
wost
ep
daughter
saredoi
ng?"

Kel
e:"
Iwasaboutt
oask.
"

Mam'I
vy:
"Yeah,
sur
e.Anyway,Icameher
etot
alkt
o
you.Maywespeakinpr
ivat
e?"

Rut
h:"
No,
nono.I
'
m hermot
her
,soIdeser
vet
o
heart
hisconver
sat
ion.
"

Thi
swomani
sreal
lyannoyi
ng.

Mam' I
vy:"
Finebyme.Doyourememberourl
it
tl
e
conversat
ion,Kel
e?Doyouremembermetel
li
ng
youhowmuchIcar edf
oryouandHowI'
m wi
ll
ing
toki
llformysons? "

Isawherswal
lowhar
d.

Ruth:"
Didyoucomeher etot
hreat
enmychi
ld?I
real
lydon'
tappreci
ate.
..
"

Ist
oppedherr
ightt
her
e.

Mam'Ivy:
"Emanyanat
oe,Ruth(Waitaminute
pl
ease).You'
vebeena'mother
'fortwominutesand
nowyouwantt omakenoise?Don'
tbor
eme.Wena
(You)Kel
e,howcomeyounevertol
dSbuyou
abort
edhisfi
rstChi
ldr
en?
"

Isawherwi
denhereyeswi
thshock.

Kel
e:"
I.
.Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
."

Mam' I
vy:"Let'
scutthebull
shi
t,shal
lwe?Iknow
everyt
hing.Howyoupl annedallt
histogetback
i
ntoSbu' slif
e,andhowyou'resodeepi ndebtthat
thi
snewl ifestyl
eismakingyougol oco(cr
azy).
"

Kel
e:(
shocked)"
How.
.Howdoyouknowal
lthi
s?"

Mam' I
vy:"Let
'sjustsayali
tt
lebi
rdi
etoldme.It
couldhavebeenBel i
ndaoranyonefort
hatmatt
er.
Bottom li
neis,youshouldhavetol
dSbuaboutyour
fi
rstpregnancy,andt hi
ngswouldhavebeen
dif
ferent
.Youchoset oletyourhear ttur
nintoevil
andf ort
hatyou'
llhavetopaythepr ice.I'
m goi
ng
togiveyouonelastchancet oleavemyson, Kele.
Youguyscancopar entandallthat,butyoubett
er
l
eavehi m whenhecomesback.I '
l
levenpayall
yourdebtoffandhewon' thavet oknowaboutal lof
thi
s."

Kel
e:"
Ican'
tdot
hat
."

Shesaidthatwit
hat t
it
udeont opofthatandf
olded
herarms.Thisgi
rl'
sdisrespect
fulat
ti
tudehas
annoyedmeenough.

Mam'
I
cy:
"Letmer
ephr
aset
hat
."

Igotuptoherandputmyhandsonherneckand
ti
ghtenedt
hem.
Mam'I
vy:
"YouWILLleaveSbusi
so,orel
seI
'l
lki
llyou
mysel
fandri
pthosekidsoutofyou!DoImake
mysel
fcl
ear?!
"

ShenoddedandIletgoofher.Shefel
lontot
he
groundandst
art
edcoughing.Itur
nedaroundand
wasabouttol
eaveandmyeyesmetwi t
hRuth.

Mam' I
vy:
"Youhadbett
erpackyourshi
tandleave
thi
shousebytomorrowmor ni
ng,orel
seI'
l
ltel
lyour
preci
ousKeleyourl
it
tl
esecrett
oo."

Il
eftandcl
osedt
hedooronmywayout
.
NB:VERYSHORT.Goodni
ght

Chapt
erOneHundr
edandSi
x

Thef
oll
owi
ngday
Kel
e

Ihaven'
tsl
eptawi nkatal l.Sbuwassupposedt o
beback,butallhedidwassendmeamessage
sayi
nghe'dbebackt oday.Itri
edcalli
nghi m but
hisphonewentst r
aighttovoicemail
.I '
m so
str
essedaboutwhatSbu' smom said.I'
venever
seenherviol
entbefor eandI'mter
ri
fied.Istil
lhave
marksonmyneckevent houghshedi dn'tstr
angle
mef ort
oolong.

MaybeIneedt opackmybagsandmove.Ineedt o
fi
xmyself.I'
veturnedintoatoxi
cpersonandIjust
hatemyselff
orit.Clearl
yI'
m abadpersonandSbu
doesn'
tdeserveme.Hegavemeaj ob,savedme
fr
om Bri
anandhel pedmewi thfindi
ngThatoand
buri
edhim withsomuchdi gnit
y.

Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogetmysel
fincheckbecausecl
ear
ly
everyonehat esmenow.Myquest ioniswhothe
helltoldheraboutal
lthat
?Herwor dsareexact
ly
whatBel indawrotet
ome.I '
m pani
cking.Whatif
there'ssomeonespyingonmef orher?

Andwhat'
st hissecretshehint
edaboutRut h?
MaybeIwasr ight,
Ijustwon'tf
iti
ntoSbu' sl
if
e.AsI
wasthi
nkingIdecidedt ogotothekitchenand
makemysel fsomef oodsinceRuthisn'twal
kingi
n
wit
hBreakfastasoft hi
smoment .

AsIwal kedtowardst
hekitchen,Ifoundherpassed
outonthediningtabl
e.Sbui sn'
tgoingtoappr eci
ate
mymot herdr i
nki
ngallofhisexpesivebooze.I
don'
tevenknowhowherl ivercopeswithallthis
i
ntoxi
cat i
on.Itri
edwakingherbutshewoul dn't
budge,soIthrewsomecol dwat eronherandshe
j
umpedup.

Ruth:
"Kel
ehl
e!Kengkawena(
What
'swr
ongwi
th
you)?
!"
Kele:"
Goodmorningt oyoutoo.Youneedsome
strongcof
fee.Getridofthosebott
lesbecauseSbu
reall
yli
keshiswhiskeyandhewon'tliket
hefact
thatyoudrankmostofi t
."

Ruth:
"Eish,hl
ogoyakar
arema(
myheadi
s
pounding).
"

Kel
e:"
Sit
.I'
l
lsor
tyouout
."

Rut
h:"
Befor
eyoudot hat
,tel
lmeWhatyou'
regoi
ng
t
odowi t
hthatbor
ingwoman? "

Kele:
"Ochoj
uang(Whatdoyoumean)
?I'
mtaki
ng
heradvi
ceandI'
mleavi
ng.
"

Rut
h:"
SkahlanyaKel
ewankut
lwa(
Don'
tbecrazy,
doyouhearme)?Obatl
agoswaosokol
abjanaka
nna(
Doyouwantt
odi
epoorl
ikeme)
?"

Idon'
twantt
odiepoor
.I'
llst
il
lhavemyjobat
Phil
a'
scompany.That
'si
ftheydon'
tfi
reme.

Ruth:
"You'
regoi
ngtohavetoputonyouracti
ng
facet
oday.You'r
egoingt
oactli
keIvybeatyouup.
Youhavethosemarksonyournecktoprovei
t."

She'sr
ight
,butSbui
sn'
tthatst
upi
d.He'
l
lseer
ight
thr
oughme.

Rut
h:"
Wej
ustneedt
oexagger
atet
hel
ookal
it
tl
e
bi
t.
"

Befor
eIcouldaskwhatshemeantshewal
kedto
theki
tchenandcamebackwit
hacof f
eemug.
Kel
e:"
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
tht
hat
?"

Shedidn'
tevenanswermeinst
eadshehi tmeso
har
donmycheekwi t
hthemugt hatIscr
eamedout
i
npain.Ievenhadasmallcutthatwasbleedi
ng.

Kel
e:"
Ouch!Ma,
thatf
li
ppi
nghur
ts!
"

Ruth:
"I
t'
spainful
,butWor
thi
t.You'
l
ltel
lSbuhi
s
mom isthr
eateni
ngyouandsheist
heonewho
beatyouupliket
hat."

Kel
e:"
He'
l
lseer
ightt
hroughme.
"

Ruth:
"Ther
e'sonlyonewaytofindoutbecauseI
seeacarparkingri
ghti
nfrontofyourl
awn."
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandSeven
Sbu

Ihadsuchagr eatt
imewithRachel ,thatIj
ustdidn'
t
wanttocomebackhome, butuMasentmea
messagesayi ngIneedtocomebackhomeassoon
aspossible.Iwasn'thappyabouti t
,butclearlyi
t
wasanemer gency.Ihadpl annedonchecki ngout
thehotelat11am.AsIwal kedthroughmydoor ,I
foundRut hi
nmyhousehol dingabl oodymug.
Kele'
sfacewasamess, shewashal fswollenand
bleedi
ngonhercheekandherneckhadbr uises.
Nowwhathappenedher eandwhyi sRut hinmy
house?!

Sbu:
"Kwenzakal
anil
a(What
'shappeni
ngher
e)?
"

Rut
h:"
Askyourabusi
vemot
her
."

Shereekedofalcohol
.Il
ookedaroundandfound
twoempt ybot
tl
esofmybestwhiskeyonthedini
ng
t
abl
e.Thi
swomanhasbeenbusyman.

Sbu:
"Idon'
trecal
laski
ngyou,
Rut
h.Doyoul
ive
her
e?!Areyoumywi f
e?!
"

Rut
h:(
looki
ngdown)"
No.
"

Sbu:"
I'
m notgoi
ngtorepeatmysel
f,Kel
e.Whatt
he
fuckhappenedher
e?!
"

Kel
e:"
It
's.
..I
t'
sMam'Ivy.Yourmom.
..She.
..O
mpethi
le,Sbusi
so(
Shehi tme)
."

Theset woclearl
ythinkI
'm dumbasf uck.DidKele
real
lythinkI
'dbeli
evemyownmot herwouldhi
ther?
Evenifshedi d,
she'dhavear eall
ygoodreasonto.
Howst upidcanshebef orgetti
ngIhavecamerasall
overthehouse?
Sbu:"
Oh,shehi
tyou,
now?Whendi
dal
lthat
happen?
"

Rut
h:"
Lastni
ght
."

Sbu:"
Yout al
kal otf
orawomanwhocamet omy
housewithoutmyknowl edge.Ifi
thappenedl
ast
ni
ght,whyi syourwoundsof r
esh,andwenaRuth
whyisthatcupyou'reholdi
ngsobloody?"

Ruthtr
iedtohidei
tandhereyeswereunst
eady,
whil
eKelelookeddown.Ijuatknewr
ightt
her
eand
t
henthatthesetwowerelyi
ngtome.Icamehome
t
hiseaelyforhi
sbull
shi
t.

Sbu:"
Letmeexcusemysel fandgiveyousometi
me
togetyourst
oryright
.WhenIcomebackher e,
I'
ll
needasold,f
ullversi
onofyourstor
y.Andmyown
motherhadbettercorr
oborat
eit
."
Il
eftRuthfeeli
nguneasywhi leKel
ewasst art
ingt
o
shake.Idon'
thavetimef orsuchnonsense.I
walkedtowardsmyst udyandswi tchedonthe
monitor.AsIthought,IsawRut handKele
whisperi
ng,soIdecidedtoturnupt hevol
ume.

Ruth:
"Mar a(but)whyol esetl
atl
aso( whyareyou
suchani diot)Kele?
!Opal l
etswekegomobot sa
(youfai
ledt otell
him)thewaywer ehear
sed.Yoh!
Katlakabel egasetlael
asamoset sana(Igavebi
rth
toastupidgi rl
)!
"

IcouldseeKel egett
ingteary-eyed.Idon'tseewhy
sheallowedRut hint
oherl i
fe.Thi swomandoesn' t
l
oveheratal l,
sheneverdi d.Per hapsit'
stimefor
met otellherthatRut hhadt woot herchil
drenaft
er
Keleandt ookcar eofthem bot h.Sheeven
managedt osendt hem toUni versi
ty.She's
probablytryingtohust l
emoneyoutofKel efor
thosetwobr at
ssher aised.Ihonest l
ythoughtKele
wasbet terthanthis.
Kele:(
teary)"WhatwasIsupposedt odo?I twas
yourplan-notmi ne.Ireal
lyt
hi nkIshouldtake
Mam' I
vy'sadvi ce.I'
m amessandi fSbuf i
ndsout
whatIdid, he'
llkil
lme.Ican'taffor
dt hattohappen.
AtleastifIleavenowandsor tmyselfout,Imight
comebackabet terper
sonandSbumi ghtfor
give
me."

Ruthkepttryi
ngt oarguewi
thher,butKelel
efther
standingri
ghtthere.NowI'
m curi
ous.Whatdi d
Kelereall
ydo?Whathappenedl astnight
?I
decidedtofli
pthroughtheCCTVoft hepastf
ew
days.

Isawnot hi
nginter
est
ingotherthanRut hgoi
ng
thr
oughmyst ashofalcoholri
ghthereinmyst udy
andtaki
ngsomeofmymoney.Mxm, t
hisbit
chwill
knowme.Isatandwat chedthenIcameacr oss
l
astnight
'sfoot
age.Mymot hercamet oseeKele.I
tur
nedthevolumehigherandl i
stened.
Isawmymot heraskingKeleaboutt hei
rpr evi
ous
conver sationi nCapeTownwhensheaskedhert o
l
eavemei fshewasn' treadytobewi thme.She
thebpr oceededt otellKeleaboutthel etterBeli
nda
wr otetoher .Shet ol
dmeshebur ntitsohowdi d
uMaf indoutabouti t
?Thensher evealedhersecr et
!
Kel eabor tedmyki ds? !Idi
dn'tevencar eaboutt he
restofherpl anningtobewi t
hmeandt ryi
ngtoget
outdebt .SoKel eki l
ledmyf i
rstchildrenandnever
toldme? !Whoi sthiswomanbecauset hisis
clearlynott heKel eIknow.

Ifel
tmysel fshakewi t
hr age.Igotupt ryi
ngt okeep
mycool ,butIjustlostit
.Hadshet ol
dmeIwoul d
havef i
xedeverythingwi t
hherwi t
hal lmypower
andIwoul dn'thavemar r
iedSharon.Howcoul d
Kelekil
lmyki dsknowi nghowIf eelaboutchi ldren?
!
Myownbl oodline?Zeehasbeenst ruggli
ngt ohave
chil
drenandshegoesar oundkill
inghers?!It ooka
si
pofsomeofmywhi skeythat
'sleft
.Iseriously
don'tgethowRut hcanst omachsomuchal cohol.
NowIseewhereKelegetsherf
il
thymanner
sfr
om.
Theappl
edoesn'
tfal
lfarfr
om t
hetree.

Ifeelsohurtri
ghtnow.Ikeepaskingmyselfifshe
everevenlovedme.Iwentt hr
oughsomucht oget
herbackandshedeci dest
odomel i
kethi
s.I
stormedoutofmyst udyandwalkedint
oRut h.

Ruth:
"Sbusi
so,
kopar
ebuwehl
e(Canwepl
ease
t
alk)?
"

Itur
nedaroundandslappedhersohar
d,hert
hin
bodylandedonthef
loor.

Sbu:"Oskantlwaelamasepa(Don'tf
uckwithme)
Ruth!Youcamet omyhousewi t
houtmy
knowledge,st
olemoneyfrom meanddr ankmy
wholewhiskeycoll
ecti
onANDyoupoi sonedmy
wif
ewi t
hyoursickthoughts.OnceI'
m donewit
h
Keleyou'
dbetterpackyourshi
tandgot oyour
bel
ovedchi
ldr
en!
"

Iwal kedt ot hebedr

oom andopenedt hedoor
roughl y.If oundKelepacki
ngherclothes.She
turnedar oundandsawt herageinmyeyesandshe
panicked.Myeyeswer esot ear
y,IwassoscaredI
woul dl osei tanddosomethi
ngI '
dregret
.

Sbu:(
breahi
ngheavi
ly)"
So,
youabor
tedmyki
ds,
Kel
e?"

Shefixedhergl
assesandl
ookeddownwi
htear
s
fal
li
ngdownherf ace.

Kel
e:"
Sbu,
Icanexpl
ain.I
t'
snotwhatyout
hink.
"

Sbu:(
shout
ing)"
Thent
ellmewhatIshoul
dthi
nk!
Tel
lme,Kel
e!"
Shegotf
ri
ght
enedandt
ookast
epback.

Sbu:"
Didyouevenl
oveme,Kele?Wast hi
sallpart
ofyourpl
an?!Tomakemel oveyouevenmor eand
thenl
eavemehangingoncemykidswer eborn?"

Shedidn'
trespondandIl
etthetearsfal
l.I'
venever
fel
tsomuchpai ninmyli
feallbecauseofawoman.
Kelehashurtmedeeplyt
hatIdon'teventhinkI
'
d
for
giveherfort
his.

Sbu:"
Iwantyououtimmediatel
y.Youcant ake
thesekeys.Theyar
eofmyol dhousei nErasmus
Kloof.Youcangostaythereunt
ilthechi
ldrenwer
e
born.I'
llpayof
fal
lyourdebtandfindyouanother
j
ob.Ican' twor
kwit
hpeopleIdon'ttr
ust.
"

Iputt
hekeysont
hebed.
Sbu:
"Don'
tworr
y,youcankeepthenewcar.Ij
ust
wantyouandyourfi
lt
hymotheroutofher
ebythe
ti
meIgetback.
"

Ilef
thercryi
ngandIst or
medoutoft hehouse.I
wasconf l
ict
edwithsomanyemot i
onsandIjust
walkedtowardsPhil
a'shouse.Ineverusedtobeso
weakwheni tcamet owomen.I t'
str
uewhatthey
say:youhaven'
tlovedforreali
fyouhaven'
tcri
ed
forsomeone.

RightnowI'm donewit
hlove.I
'
m sickandti
redof
womenl eavi
ngmewhenIneedt hem most
.Il eft
Sharon,t
hemot herofmykidsf
orKele.Icl
awed
hereyesoutforKele.Ipr
obabl
ydeserveeverythi
ng
that
'scomingmyway.

IwalkedtothehouseandsawPhila,
uMaandZee
havingbreakf
ast.uMagreet
edmef r
om t hepati
o
butshesawhowangr yIwasandquicklygotup.I
walkedinandf oundZeet
aki
ngthechildrenaway
fr
om us.SheprobablysawIwasahotmessand
di
dn'twantmykidstoseemel i
ket hi
s.HowIwi
sh
Kelehadthesamequalit
iesasZiyanda.

Mam'
I
vy:"
Sbusi
so,
kwenzenj
ani
,mf
anawami
(
What
'swrong,
myboy)
?"

Philast
oodnexttoMaandIbr okedown.Iwai
led
l
ikeasmallboy,evenworseli
keamanwhohadj ust
l
osthiswif
e.Ont hecontr
ary,Ihadj
ustl
ostmy
wife.Thewif
eIthoughtIknewwasgone.Idon't
recogni
zethi
spersonKelehasbecome.

Sbu:(
cryi
ngi
nMa'
sarms)"Ma,shekil
ledmyki
ds.
Sheli
edtome.Al
loft
hiswasalie,
ma. "

Idi
dn'
tevenseePhi
lasheddi
ngat
ear
.

Mam'
I
vy:
"Oh,
mfanawami(
myboy)
.Ngi
yaxol
isa
(
I'
m sosor
ry)
.Youwer
enevermeantt
ofi
ndout
t
hisway.
"

Ikeptwail
inginherar msevenPhi lagaveussome
space.Icriedwithmymot herforprobabl
yabout
halfanhourint
ilIcalmeddown.Idi dn'
twantto
speaktoanyone.Ij ustwenttooneoft he
bedroomsandcl osedt hedoor.Ireadthelet
ter
overandoverunt i
lIcouldn'tr
eaditanymore.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandEi
ght

Twoweeksl
ater

Zi
yanda

It
'sbeenawholetwoweekasi nceKelelef
tSbu's
house.Hehasn'tr
eturnedtohishouseeversince.
He'satot
almess,evenwor sethantheti
meKel e
wentmissi
ng.Hei sseriousl
ydepressedandeven
uMaandPhi l
aareworriedabouthim.Hehar dly
eatsandnevecomesoutoft hebedroom.Thi s
wholethinghasturnedthehouseint
oasombr e
mood.I tli
ter
all
yfeel
sli
kethere'
sanupcoming
funer
al,evenonaSat ur
daymor ni
ngli
ketoday.

Por scheisst i
lltraveli
ngthewor ldwi thRob,so
Phi l
ahadt ogetast andinreceptionist.I
twasn't
easyt of i
ndsomeonesi ncePor schedi dbasical
ly
ever yt
hingf orus.Wemanagedt oaskMel i
ssato
standi nforPor schesinceshe'sast ayathome
mom andshe' sbeendoi ngagr eatj ob.Drakedidn't
mi ndatal lsot hecompanyhasbeeni ngoodhands.

Wehar dlyevenlaughbecausewe' r
esousedt oSbu
beingt hejoker.Atleasthegoesdownt othegym
andt hengoesbackt ohisbedroom.Weevenasked
Dr.Steint ocomeoverandhaveasessi onwithhi
m.
Thatwi llbeabletohelphimrestorehi
msel f
.He
reall
yneedst ogetbett
er,f
orthechil
drenatleast
.
It
'snotni ceseeingSbusohear tbr
oken,becauseit
affectsPhi l
aaswel l
.Thet wi
nsevenwr otehima
ni
cegetwel
lsooncar
d.

Iwassi
tt
ingwithPhi
laandMam'
Ivyonthepat
io,
havi
ngbreakf
ast,
unt
ilt
hetwi
nscametous.

Nobuhl
e:"
Aunt
yZee,
canwepl
easegoseeDaddy?
"

Me:
"It
hinkhe'
spr
obabl
ysl
eepi
ngr
ightnow,
baby.
"

Nokuhl
e:"
Please?Wehardlyseehim.He'sal
ways
i
nhisbedroom andf
oreversad.Wejustwantto
gi
vehimthiscardwemadef orhi
m."

Itookthecardfrom herandreadit.Theydr ewa

cuteheartontheout si
deandont heinsideofthe
card,t
heydrewSbui nthemiddl
eoft hem andaf ew
crookedcharacter
st hatl
ookedli
kePhila,Mam' I
vy
andI.Ont herightthewrote"Weloveyoudaddy" .
Theyturnedfournotsol ongago,sotheir
handwrit
ingissoscribbl
edyoucanbarel
yseewhat
theywrote.IcouldseeMam'Ivyget
ti
ngtear
ysoI
decidedt
ot akethechanceandfoupstai
rst
osee
Sbu.

Weknockedont hedoorandhedidn'tr
espond,but
Nokuhl
eopenedt hedooranyway.Wef oundSbu
watchi
ngtvunderthecovers.PoorSbu.Hehar dl
y
evenshavesatall
.Hesawt hetwinsandtri
edto
putonabr avef
ace.

Me:"
Hi,Sbu.I
'm sor
ryt
odist
urb,
buttheki
dsr
eal
ly
wantedtocomeandgiveyouagif
t.
"

Hebravedasmi
leandpi
ckedt
hem upandputt
hem
ont
hebed.

Nobuhl
ehandedhi
mthecar
d.
Nobuhl
e:"
Wej
ustwant
edt
ogi
veyouagetwel
lcar
d,
daddy.
"

Hesmi
led.

Sbu:
"Andwhot
oldyout
wot
hatI
'
m notwel
l
?"

Nokuhle:
"Comeon,daddy.Wecanseeit.We'r
e
yourseeds,soi
fyou'
rehurti
ngthenwe'
real
so
hurt
ing.Twinshavethatt
hing,
youknow."

Sbubur
stoutinlaught
er.I
t'
sthef
ir
stt
imeI
'
veseen
hi
mlaughinthesetwoweeks.

Sbu:"
Yazi(youknow)Nokuhl
e,you'
ret
oobi
gfor
yourshoes.Thankyou,mybabies.Il
ovet
hecar
d."

Nokuhl
e:"
Yousee,
daddy,
wedr
ewani
cepi
ctur
eof
ourfamil
y.Il
ikeusli
kethi
s.Weknowmommyi
sn'
t
aroundanymoreandournewmommyKelei
s
gone."

SbuandIbot
hlookedateachot
her
.

Sbu:
"Howdoyouknowt
hat
?"

Nokuhl
e:"
Becausewedon'
tseeherar
ound
anymor
e."

Nobuhl
e:"
Sheneverspentt
imewi
thus.Onl
yAunt
y
Zeedoesthat
."

Nokuhl
e:"
Buhle,
don'tfor
gett
hetimeshehi
tusand
tol
duswewoul dneverbeherki
ds.Shesai
dshe
hasnewbabiesgrowinginhert
ummyandyou
wouldl
eaveus."
Myheartbr
okeintoamill
ionpi
eces.Howcould
Kel
ebesocr uel
?Icoul
dseet hatst
atementdi
dn'
t
si
twel
lwithSbuashisfacechanged.

Me:
"Okay,
gir
ls.Let
'sgi
vedaddysomet
imet
orest
."

Nobuhl
e:"
Butwewantt
ospendt
imewi
thdaddy,
pl
ease.
"

Sbu:"
Tellyouwhat,l
etmetakeaqui ckshowerand
I
'llmeetyoudownstai
rs,
okay?I'l
ltakeyoutwoout
forsomemi l
kshakesandburger
s."

Thetwinsgotof
fthebedexcit
edandheldmy
hands.AsIwasabouttoleave,Sbul
ookedatme.

Sbu:
"Thankyou.
"
Ismil
edandwal kedouthisbedroom.Iheaded
downstair
sandf oundMaandPhi last
il
leat
ing.
Theylookedsurpri
sedtoseethetwinssmil
ingand
j
umpingar ound.

Mam'
I
vy:
"Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?"

Me:"
Nothi
ng,
ma.Thetwinsj
ustgavehi
m acar
d
andhesai
dhe'sgoi
ngt
oshowerandtaket
hem
out
."

Icoul
dseeMam'Ivysmi
li
ngwi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.
Shewalkedupt
omeandgavemeabighug.

Mam' Ivy:
"Thankyousomuch, Zi
yanda.Thankyou
foryourbigheartandyouramazingspi
ri
t.I'vebeen
prayi
ngf orthegoodlor
dtoblessyouwithchildr
en
andI'vebeenhavingdreams.You'l
lbeblessed
soon, mychild.
"
Shewal
kedupst
air
stogett
hetwi
nsr
eadyand
Phi
lawal
kedupt
omeandsmi l
ed.

Phi
la:
"WhathaveIdonet
odeser
veyou?
"

Me:
"Youwerej
ustyourcut
e,kasiboysel
fandyou
managedt
ocharm me."

Hesmi
ledandki
ssedme.

Phi
la:
"Ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
oday?
"

Ihaveanappoi ntmentwi thElmar i

e.I'
llbemeeti
ng
heratoneoft heSt udiosinJo'burg.Yes,Ifi
nal
ly
acceptedherofferofmaki ngmet hefaceofher
newr angeforplussi zemodel s.IwishPorsche
couldbehete,butl uckil
yPhilawoul dbether
ewith
meandhepr omi sedt ovideocallherduri
ngthe
shoot.
Me:"
Yes,
babywami(
mybaby)
,I'
mready.Justabi
t
ner
vous.
"

Phi
la:
"Don'
tbe.AllIknowi sthatyou'
regoi
ngt
o
movealotofheads.I'm sojealouspeopl
eonset
ar
egoingtoseewhat '
smi ne."

Me:
"Ai
,Nkosenyenawe.
"

Ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
thi
m ont
hechestandhel
aughed.

I'
m abitnervousaboutthis,
buthadIdonet hi
sfew
monthsago, I'
dbeat ot
almess.I vegainedso
muchconf idencei
nmysel f,
thatImyselfcan'teven
beli
eveit.Icanwalkaroundt hehousenakedwhen
noonei saroundofcourseandPhi l
ajustlovesit
.

Wegett
ohavesexal
mostever
ywher
e.Theot
her
nightbefor
ehismom arr
ived,wehadsexont he
balcony.It
'scr
azy,
IknowbutI '
ml ovi
ngthewoman
I'
vebecome.EvenGogoandmymom ar esopr
oud
ofme.Thandosentmeamessagesayi ngshe'
s
superproudofme,butIdidn'
trespond.

Phil
aandIwentt oourbedroom andhadast eamy
sessi
oni ntheshowerandgotr eady.Ijustworea
si
mpl eJeanwithawhi t
esleavelessvestand
sneakers,andheworehisjeans, al
sowithsneaker
s
andawhi teshir
t.Iguesswe'retwinni
ngt oday.

Hecal l
sitrelati
onshipgoals.Mam' I
vydecidedt ogo
visitGogoandMam' Masango, whileSbutookt he
twinsout.Thankgoodnessheshaved.Mel issa
offeredtocomeseemeatt heshootf ormor al
suppor t
.She' sbri
ngingRachelwithher .She'salso
acoolgi r
l,abitroughformyl i
kingbutshe'sni ce.
Shedoesal otofexercisi
ng,especial
lyboxing.No
wonderherar msandl egsaresot onedup.NowI
knowwhot ocal lwhensomeonet riestomesswi t
h
me.

Phil
adr oveusi nhisPorsche.Ai ,
Idon'tknowwhy
thePor scheofallcarstoday,buthesaidhedi dn'
t
wantanyonet omesswi thme.Hewant edtomake
astatement .Ijustrol
ledmyeyeswhenhesai dthat
.
Wegotoutandwewer eshownt othest udi
o.We
foundMel issaandRachelal r
eadyt her
e, wi
th
Elmarie.Shesmi l
edassoonasshesawmeand
camet omef oranembr ace.

El
marie:
"Zi
yanda!Thegi
rloft
hemoment!I
'm so
happytoseeyou.Come,wehaveal
ottodo.
"

Il
eftPhi
last
andingther
esmil
ingwithsomuch
pri
deonhisface.Iwasledt
ooneoft herooms
whereI'
dbedoingmymake-upandget t
ingdressed
andguesswho'smymakeupar ti
st?Yep,Luciano!
Iwassohappyt oseehi
m.
Hehadsomechampagner eadyofcourse.There'
s
real
lynothingabott
leofbubbl escan'
tfi
x.Het old
meabouthi spl
ansofadopt ionwi
thAntonio.They
hadani cecouplefr
om Engl andwhoispr epar
edto
givethem thei
rchi
ldtoraise.He'ssoexci t
edandI
wasi ndeedsohappyf orhim.

Iwasf i
nall
ydonewi t
hmymakeup.Icanneverget
usedtothewayIl ookwithmakeup.Itmakesme
l
ooksodi ff
erent
,butglamorousatthesameti
me.
Elmarieshowedmet othefi
tti
ngroom andIgot
dressedinthefi
rstpai
rofli
ngeri
e.

Itfeelssowei r
dhavingtobehal fnakedinfr
ontof
dozensofpeopl eIdon'tknow, butthechampagne
i
sdoi ngt hemosttoday.LuckilyIwon' tbewear
ing
anyheelst odayother
wiseI '
dhavet ri
ppedbefor
e
maki ngitinfr
ontofthecamer a.Iwentouti na
towelwrappedar oundmeandassoonasIgoton
set,Iwasmetbyt hephotographerandsomeone
who'sbusywi t
htheli
ghting.
Phot ogr
apher:"
Hi,Zee.MynameisSi mon.I'
l
lbe
takingyourpictur
es.Don'twor
ry,
Ijustneedyout
o
relaxandfoll
owmyl ead,
okay?
"

AssoonasIhear dhisthinvoi
ceandsawt heway
hewasdr essedIknewhewasgay, muchlike
Luciano.Sot herereal
lywasnoneedt ostress.
Philawavedatmeandt ur
nedhiscell
phonescreen
towardsmydi recti
onandIsawPor sche,my
biggestcheerl
eadercheeringmeon.Att hat
momentIf eltsogreat.IknewIwasgoi ngt odo
great.

MelissaandRachelwer eal
sosmi l
ingwhi l
etal
king
toPhila.Philanevert
ookhiseyesoffme, noteven
once.Por schestayedonthephonef orabout
fi
ft
eenmi nut
esandhadt ogo.AllIneededwast o
seeherf aceandIknewIwasgoi ngt odogreat.
Aft
ert ryi
ngonabout30itemsandal otofdif
fer
ent
hair
stylesandmakeupl ooks,Iwasbeyond
exhaust
ed.

Ihavenoi
deahowmodel
sdoi
tever
ysi
ngl
eday.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandNi
ne

OneMont
hLat
er

Kel
e

I'
mf ivemonthspr egnantandI '
m suchamess.I '
ve
beenamesseversi nceSbul ef
tme.Hekeepsme
hostageinthishouseashebel ievesI'
m adangert o
mysel f
.Ican'tevengot otheshopsal one,Ihaveto
l
eavewi thaguar d.Atl eastheisstil
ltaki
ngcar eof
me, buthe'
snotanswer ingmycal lsanymor enor
respondingtomyt exts.

I'
m stal
kinghi
m onsocial
medi a,
andal
lhepostsi
s
hi
skids.Ireal
lyf
eell
ikeshitf
orthewayIt
reat
ed
Zee,thet wins,hi
smon, butmostespeciall
ySbu.
AllIwanti sachancet omaket hi
ngsright.He'
smy
soulmat e,t
hef at
herofmychildren.Ikeephaving
baddr eamsofmyf atherbei
ngangr yatme.AlI
seeisf i
rear oundmei nthedr
eam.I 'm soscar
edI
don'tevenhavet imetobondwi thmyunbor n
chil
dren.

Drakecomest ocheckonmeever ynowandt hen

andDr .St ei
ncomest othehousef orsessions,butI
j
ustf eelli
ket hey'r
enothel pi
ng.I '
vebeen
diagnosedwi thpre-eclampsi asoIcan' tdoany
heavywor k.IfIcont i
nuest r
essingmysel fout,
I
mi ghtlosemyki dsorevendi eint heprocess.Sbu
askedAuntEuni cetocomeandl ookaf terme.
She'sbeenagr eathelp, butnothingcanmakeme
feelbetterri
ghtnow.Ij ustneedSbu.Il etgoof
Rut hafterIfoundoutshehadt woot herkidsafter
me.

Theonewhocomesaf
termei
sonl
yayear
youngerthanme.Whatpai nsmei sthatshe
dumpedmewi t
hmydadanddeci dedtoloveand
carefort
heot hertwo.Whatissobadaboutme
thatshehadt oleaveme?Shecoul dn'tevencome
visi
torsendabi rt
hdaycard.Shedi dn'
tevenknow
whenmybi r
thdayis.I'
m sohurtanddi st
raught
,I'
m
l
osingmymi nd.I'm ar
eject
,afai
lure.

AuntEunicepraysformebutI '
m notevenhearing
thewordofGodanymor e.I '
vetri
edtocommi t
suici
detwicet
hismont hhenceAuntEuni cecame
tostaywithme.Ikeephear i
ngvoicesandt hatOf
Thatocall
ingme.Hekeepst el
li
ngmeheneedsme.
TodayisMonday, andDr .Steinmustprobablybe
onherwaynow.Ist il
ldon'tseewhysheeven
comestoseemeof ten,butI'mjustt
ryi
ngt oli
sten.

AuntEuniceknockedonmybedroom doorandshe
andDr .St
einent
ered.Appar
ent
lyAuntyhastobe
presentduri
ngmysessionssot
hatshecanbeable
toassistme.
Dr
.St
ein:
"Goodmor
ning,
Kel
e.Howar
eyout
oday?
"

Kel
e:"St
il
lthesameasyest
erdayandt
hedaybef
ore
t
hat,butthanksf
oraski
nganyway.
"

AuntEuni
ce:
"Hao,Kel
e.Bepoli
te,
please.I
'
veeven
madeussomegr eentea.I
t'
sgoodforyou.
"

Ij
ustl
ookedatherwhi
leIwasl
yingi
nmybed

Dr.St
ein:
"Iseeyou'r
enotpl
anni
ngonget
ti
ngoutof
bedtoday,soI'
l
ljustsi
tont
hecouch.
"

Ij
ustl
ift
edmyshoul
dersandshecoul
dseej
ust
howdisi
nter
est
edIwas.

Dr
.St
ein:
"So,
let
'sgetst
art
edt
hen.Howhave
t
hingsbeensi
nceourl
astsessi
on?Haveyoubeen
t
akingyourmedspr
operl
y?"

Kel
e:(Deepsi
gh)"
AuntEuni
cehasbeentakingcar
e
ofme.ShemakessureIswall
owthosebloody
pi
ll
s."

Dr
.St
ein:
"Havet
heybeenhel
ping?
"

Kel
e:"
Doyouseet
hem hel
pingmewena?
!"

AuntEuni
ce:
"Kel
e,hl
e!"

Dr.Stein:
"I
t'
salri
ght,ma.Don' tworryItakeno
off
ence.Kel e,asyouknowyouhavedevel oped
severeAnxietydisor
der,Bi
polardisorderandmi l
d
Schizophreni
a.Ifyoucont i
nuelikethisI'
llhaveto
upyourdosageandt hatcouldleadtoyouhavi ng
heartfail
ureandpossiblebi
rthdefectsfort het
wins.
Pl
easewor
kwi
thmeher
e."

Kel
e:(
sigh)"
Okay,
doc.I
'
m sor
ry.
"

Dr.Stein:
"It
'sal
right.Nowl astti
mewespokeabout
howyouf el
twhent het
ruthaboutRut hwas
revealed.Weal sogotintoMar yabusingyouunt
il
yout oldmeaboutt hef
lashbacksyou'vebeen
having.Car etotellmeaboutt hose?
"

It
ookadeepsi
ghandprepar
edmysel
fforwhatI
wasaboutt
oconf
ess.

Kele:
"Iwas16anditwastwodaysaf termy16yh
bir
thday.Marykeptbr
ingingallkindsofmenand
womeni nthehouseassheoper atedasmal l
shebeeninsi
dethehouseatsomepoi ntasmeans
tomakemoney.Icamebackf rom schoolandshe
wasseatedwiththr
eeoldermenandLebo, her
daughter
.Sheaskedmet oj oi
nt hem forabeer
,and
Isai
dno.OddlyLebocametomyr oom wi
thsome
foodandcol
dri
nk.Shewasnevernicet
omeever.

Idecidedtoeatt hef oodsinceIwasver yhungry

andt i
redfrom school .Sheevent ol
dmeshewoul d
dot hechorest hatday.Af tereati
ngIt r
iedstudying,
butIfeltdrowsyandmusthavef all
enasleep.I
wokeupaf terawhi l
ewi thmybodybei ngstif
f,l
ike
someonehadr unmeover .Iwasont hetableinthe
l
oungewi t
honeoft hemenont opofme.It ried
screaming, butMar yslappedmesohar dandLebo
pinnedmeont hetablesoIcoul dn'tmove.They
watchedt hewhol eshow.

Theywat chedal
lthreement aket ur
nsonmef ora
mereR500.Soyes, Iwassoldf orR500j ustsothey
couldkeepthei
rli
ttl
ebusinessupandr unning.I
nevertol
danyoneaboutit.Ij ustwenttot hecl
ini
c
thefol
lowingdaytogettestedf orever
ything.Ihad
toendurecomment sandst aresfrom t
henur ses,
eventhoughmyvagi nawasswol lenandt or
n,I
didn'thavetheheartt
oreportt
hem.WherewouldI
go?Ikepti tasecretandIseemedtohave
forgotteni
t.It
'sonlynowthatthememori
esar
e
comi ngbacktome. "

Isatt
herewithwarmtear
sburni
ngmycheeks,
whil
eAuntEunicecoul
dn'
tst
opcryi
ngandcall
ing
ontoJesus.

Dr.Stei
n:"
Doyour eali
zet hatyourpastcanaf fect
yourpresentandyourf uture?Itcanimpactyour
decisi
onmaki ngaswel lasyourchoices.You
suffer
edal otoftraumawhenyouwer ekidnapped
thatdevel
opedi ntostressandanxi ety.Thebr ainis
nowf orci
ngyout or ememberal lthosememor ies.
It'
sagoodt hing,becausenowwecanwor kthrough
i
tandgetyouhel p.Icanonl yhelpyouifyou' r
e
ready,Kel
e.Ar eyour eadyf ormet oassistyou? "

Islowl
ynoddedt
ryi
ngt
ofor
getal
lIkeep
rememberi
ng.
Zi
yanda

It
'sMondayt oday,exactlyaMont hl ateraft
erthe
photoshootIhad.Thi ngshavebeensupergr eat.
I'
vehadi nt
er vi
ewswi t
hmagazi nesandIevenmade
i
tonnyf avour it
eshow, Dave'sDi ary,withPhil
aby
mysi de.Appar entlyI'
vebeent rendingonsoci al
media.I'm beingcal l
eda" goddesswho' sstart
eda
wholenewr evoluti
on."I'm enjoyingt hiswholenew
me.I '
veevenspi cedupmywar dr obeal it
tl
ebitwith
somecr optopsandr i
ppedj eans.Phi l
asayshe
l
ovest hi
snewme, hesaysI '
mf inallycomf ort
ablein
myownski n.Il ovebeingconf identand
ever
ywher eIgowomencomeupt omeandhugme.

Someevenaskmef orautogr
aphs.I'veevenbeen
putonaf ewbil
lboardsaroundthecountry.El
mar i
e
gotherranget
obeshi ppedandi nt
roducedinItal
y,
al
lthankstoLuciano.I'
vedecidedtogivemyshar e
ofthemoneyI'dgettoGenderBasedVi olence
survivor
sandvi ct
ims.I t
'snotli
keIneedt hemoney,
sowhynotdosomet hingproducti
ve?I '
venever
seenPhi l
asopr oud.He'sevent akingmet oCape
Town, totheverysamehot elwef i
rstmadel oveat
fortheweekendt ocelebrat
e.Ist i
lll
ovethatHotel
andzican' twai
ttoseeSi moneandt heotherspa
gir
ls.Ihopebi t
chyLer at
odoesn'twor kthere
anymor e.

Sbuont heot herhandhasbeent r

yingt oget
himselftogether.He'
sf oundanewf ri
endand
confi
dant ei
nRachel .Hesayst hey'rejustfr
iends
andPhi l
ahasconf ir
medi t.Theyar enotdatingas
farasweknowandshehast urnedoutt obeaver y
goodasseti nSbu'sli
fe.Theyevengot ochurch
toget
herandMam' Ivyisseri
ouslyamazed.

She'sbeendyingtomeetRachel.WhatIl
ikeabout
heristhatshe'
sver
ystr
aight
forwar
dandhonestas
farasIknow.She'scr
azy,butgodf
ear
ing.She's
evenrubbedoffonGogoandMam' Masango.I
haven'
tspokentoKeleinalongti
me,sinceshe
doesn'
tbothertopi
ckupmycal l
sorrespondtomy
text
s.She'sevenblockedmeonsocialmediasoI
l
etherbe,butPhil
aandIstil
lputheri
nourprayer
s
everyni
ght.

Ihaven'tseenPorschei nawhil
eandshe'sfi
nally
comingbacknextweek.SheandRobhave
apparentl
ybeentravelingupastorm,wit
hthekids
ofcourse.Shesendsmepi cseverydayandvideo
cal
lsmeever yotherday.Baileyhasgrownso
much, Icanhardl
yr ecogni
zehim anymore.

Theof f
iceisn'
tthesamewi t
houtPorsche,but
Melissaisdoinggreat.She'sdoingsogr eat,
keepingNoziandThat oont hei
rtoes.Nowonder
herandPor schegetalongsowel l,t
heyhavet he
sameper sonali
ti
es.EvenRachelnear lyslapped
Nozitheotherday.Ist i
lldon'
tknowwhyshe
doesn'tchange.AllIcansayi sthatl
if
eissogood
ri
ghtnow, Idon'
thaveevenspacef orstr
essinmy
l
ife.PhilaandIarejustpr
ayi
ngforbett
erdays,
healthandmorelif
e.Weknowki dswillcome,
al
t houghIseehim abitl
onel
yandhe'syearni
ngto
havehi sown.IknowGodhaspl ansforus.

Gog'
Khanyi

Thingshavebeengoi ngreallywellforZeeandPhi la.

Theyhavebeenpr ayingandgoi ngt ochurcheven.
Godhasbeengood.Wehaven' theardfrom Lunga
i
nal ongti
meandt hat'
sagoodsi gn.Thandohas
doneawhol e360degr eeturn.I nst
eadofherj ob
beingpunishment,shehast urnedoutt oenjoyit
andseemst ohavef oundhercal li
ng.Sheeven
helpsoutatthehospitalandgoest ochur chwi t
h
Mam' Masango.Whent heysayModi mowa
makatsa(GodisaGodofmi racles)
,theywer en'
t
l
ying.I'
mi mpressedbutst i
lldon'tt
rustherent i
rel
y.

AsIwasenjoyi
ngmyselfwi
thFl
orahoversome
col
dbever
ages,Thandowal
kedi
n.
Thando:
"Sani
bonani(
Goodday)mygi
rl
s.Ni
njani
kodwa(Howareyou)?"

Mam' Masango:"
heh!Bonaseumuhl enjani
,Thando
(Lookhowbeaut i
fulyouare).It
oldyourgogoyou'
d
change.Alltheyneededtodowaswai tandhave
pati
ence.Heh!Khanyi sa,
haveyouheardthischi
ld
praykodwa(though)?Sheevenpr aysand
preachesatchurchsomet i
mesduringyouth
sessions.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Ihavehear
dalit
tl
ebit
.I'm proudof
you,Thando,event
houghyou'
renotoffthehook
justyet
."

Thando:
"Iknow,gogo.I'
mjusthappyt
ohavebeen
gi
venanotherchance.I'
veevenbeenprayi
ngfor
ZeeandPhilatofor
giveme.IevenaskedGodt o
bl
essthem wit
hachi l
d.Ihaveagoodfeeli
ng.
"
Mam'Masango:
"See?It
oldyouyouneedt
otr
ust
me.
"

Thando:
"Anyway,Istart
edprayi
ngatthel
ocal
publi
chospi
tali
nAl exander
,Gogo.Youwon't
guesswhoIsawt oday."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ubani
?uJesu?(
who?Jesus?
)"

Thando:"
Ai,
Gogo.No,
IsawZodwa.
"

IwassoshockedIt
houghti
tmustbet
hewi
ne
tal
king.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Heh?
!Ut
hiZodwa?
!Asi
nZodwa
Ngcobo?
!"
Thando:"
Yebo,
ma.She'sbeeni ntheburnunitf
ora
whil
enow.Shewassever elyburntandfoundbya
homelessmannearCenturi
on.Shame, Gogo.Ku
ba(It'
sbad)
.Herl
egsaren'tworkinganymore.She
needstounder
goseverphysiotobeabletowalk
again.
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:Eh!Li
fecanr
eal
lyhumbl
eyou,
man.
"

Mam'Masangi :
"I
'l
ltellhermother,Shir
leyt
ogosee
her.She'sbeencryingandpr ayingforher.Zodwa
hasseent hel
ightevent houghittookaneardeath
exper
iencebroughtunt oherbyherson. "

Ai
,whatcanIsay?Somepeopl
ear
etoost
ubbor
n
t
otur
ntoGod.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTen

Zi
yanda
Lifehasbeensogood, Ifeell
ikeIcoul
dactual
ly
singittotheworld.Phi
laandIhavebeenbet t
er
thanever.Weshagever ychancewegetandIcan't
evenr emembert hel
astti
mewehadaf ight
.Our
sexlif
ehast akenadiff
erentdir
ecti
onnowina
goodwayt hough.

We'vebeeni ntosomeBDSM, tyingeachot herup

anditfeel
samazi ng.Justl astni ghthehadt iedmy
l
egsandar mst ogether.Anor gasm accompani ed
withpainisjustamazi ng.Il ovet henewper sonI '
ve
become.Idon' tdoubtmysel flikeIusedt o.I
rememberPor sche'swor ds"Let satsil
agohl abela
ngwanyana"( betterdaysawai tyou) .Thesear e
mostdef i
nit
elyt hebetterdaysshehasbeen
ref
erri
ngto.

Phil
apaidLobolaformeafewweeksago.My
fat
herBonginkosiGumede,
didn'
tfeell
ikehe'
s
worthyoft
hemoneysi ncehedidn'
trai
semesothe
moneywenttomymot her.Gogosaidshe'
sgood
wit
hmoney,aslongasI'
m happythenshe'
shappy.
I
t'
sFri
dayeveni
ngandI '
m donepacki
ngthelastof
mythi
ngsforourCapeTownt r
ip.

Phil
ainvi
tedDrakeandMel i
ssatocomealong.
RachelandSbuareal socomingal
ongwit
husas
"f
ri
ends"astheykeepsaying.Iwentdownstai
rs
andfoundPhilawait
ingforme.

Phi
la:
"Sthandwasami(Mylove)
.Pleasedon'
ttel
l
meyou'vepackedthewholewardr
obe.We'reonl
y
goi
ngtobegonef ortwodays.
"

Ismi
led.

Me:"Ag,baby,
Ijustneedtobesaf
e.Al
adycan
neverpacktoomanycl ot
hes.
"
HeshookhisheadasSbucameal
onginhi
scar
wit
hRachelandhoot
ed.Sbucanbesucha
gangst
eratt
imes.

Sbu:(hootingandshout i
ng)"Ash'
ambenini
na!
I
s'khatisok'dl
anasesiphel
il
e(Let'
sgo,youguys!
Ti
met oshagi sover
)!
"

Webothlaughedasweheadedout
.Phi
laputour
bagsi
nthecarandheandIsatatt
heback.

Rachel
:"
Hey,
gir
l!Howzi
t,Phi
la?
"

Phi
la:
"GoodRachel
."

Me:
"Hey,
Rachel
.I'
m wel
lhowhaveyoubeen?
"

Rachel
:"
I'
m good,
babe.Ij
ustneedsomeweed.
Yourbrot
heri
nlawheresaysIcan'
tsmokeanyunt
il
wereachourdest
inat
ion.
"

Sbu:(
chuckl
ing)"
Nee,
manRae.Idon'
twantZeeto
gethi
ghfrom t
hesmoke.Besi
des,
Phi
ladoesn'
t
smokeatall
."

Me:
"Heusedt
osmokeweedbacki
ntheday.
"

Phi
la:
"AhmaraSt
handwasami(Mylove).Whydo
youhavet
otakeoutmydi
rt
ylaundr
ylikethat
?"

Me:
"Aski
es,
babywami(
mybaby)
."

Rachel:"
Yout woaresocute,man.Your emindme
ofMel i
ssaandDr ake.Yoh!Thei
rlevel ofPDAis
justsomethingelse.Ihopewewon' tbewat chi
ng
youguyst ouchi
ngeachot heri
nthepl ane.You'l
l
makeSbuandIj ealous.
"
Sbu:
"Don'
tfor
gethor
ny,
Rae.
"

Rachel
:"Ag,
man,Sbu.You'
resobl
ue,
it'
sst
art
ingt
o
show,babe.Godgaveyouhands,
youknow.Make
useofthem."

Webot hl
aughedwhi leSbuchuckledandshookhi s
head.Phi laandIlookedateachot herandadmi red
thechemi str
ythesetwohave.Theyr eal
lysuiteach
other,butI'
m gladSbui sn'
trushi
ngintoanything.
Althoughhet ol
dmehe' sdonewithKele,Iam
prayingtheytrytowor kthi
ngsoutiftheycan.

Wedr ovetot heair

portandwef oundDrakeand
Melissawaitingforusalready.Wegr eetedthem
andwal kedintothejet.Weor deredsomedr inksfor
thewayandhadapl easanttalk.Oneneverget s
boredwi t
hRachelandSbuar ound.Melissaismor e
l
ikeme, alotcalmer.
Wemadei ttot heHotelafteraf ewhours.Wegotto
thefr
ontdeskandwewer emetbyt hesamet wo
gir
ls,
thefri
endlyrecepti
oni standBitchyLer
ato.
Shelookedalotmor edifferent,muchnicerand
sli
mmer .Theybot hsmiledast heysawus.Iguess
shetoknourtipstoheartt helastti
me.

Lerat
o:"Goodeveni
ng.We'resogladtobeofyour
acquaintance.MayIshoeyoursuit
e?"

Phi
lawaschuckli
ngunderhi
sbr
eat
hwhil
eSbuand
Racheldi
dn'
thaveacarei
nthewor
ld.

Sbu:
"Sur
esur
e,Li
ra.Takei
taway.
"

WehadbookedaPent housesuit
ealsoont hetop
fl
oor,whichwe'
regoingtoshare.Ithasthr
ee
bedrooms,soIhavenoi deahowSbuandRachel
aregoingtoworkitout
,butthey'
veslepti
nt he
samebedbef oreandnot
hinghappenedappar
ent
ly.
I'
veneverf
iguredSbutohaveaplatoni
c
rel
ati
onshi
p,butIguesst
hingshappen.

Wegoti nandtookourbagst oourbedroomsand

wentbackdownst air
s.Wef oundSbumi xingsome
dri
nksforthemen, whil
eRacheltookoutabeerfor
hersel
fandMel, andSavannaforme.Champagne
canwai tt
hisweekend,we'r
eheretohavesomef un.
Wepr oceededtothebalconyandsatont he
couches.

Rachel
:"
Hey,
guys.I
t'
sjoi
ntt
ime.Zee,Iknowyou'
re
t
heonlyweedvi
rgi
nhere,
soit
'st
imetotryit
."
.

Phil
a:"
No,manRachel.Don'
tent
icemywi
fewi
th
yourdir
tydeal
ings,
man."

Rachel
:"
Yoh,
Phil
a,you'
resuchapar
typooper
.
Whatdoyousay,Zee?"
Igott
emptedbutdeci
dedt ot
ry.ImeanI
'venever
smokedbefor
esothey'
llhavetoshowme.

Me:
"Okay,l
etmet r
yi t
.Babywami(mybaby)
,teach
me.Ngiyenzakanjani(HowdoIdoi
t)
?"

Phil
ashookhisheadbutletl
oose.Heshowedme
howt opul
landpuff
.Itsmell
edhorrendous,but
aft
erafewpull
sitdi
dn'tsmellsobadafteral
l.

SbuandRachelkeptl
aughi
ngandcl
appi
ng.

Rachel
:"
Givei
tti
me,
popl
ap(
dol
l)
,it
'l
lki
cki
nsoon.
"

Beforeweknewiteveryonehadsmokedsome
weed, wewereonoursecondroll
.Iwaslaughingat
anythi
ngandeveryt
hing,evenPhi
lafoundmef unny.
Weor deredsomuchfood.Rachelcall
sitthe
munchies.Shekeptblowingaf ewpuf fsatSbuand
theywerelaughi
ngtogether.Wehadourf oodand
thedri
nkskeptfl
owing.Thr eehour sl
ater
,Iwasi na
seri
ousstateofeuphori
a.Rachelwasr i
ght,weed
doesmakeonever yhappy.If eltl
ikeIwasflowing
andIevensuggestedwepl aysomemusi c.Iwas
thefi
rstt
odanceandt heywer eallsosurpri
sed.
Phil
awassohappyandcamet odancewi t
hme.

Sbu:
"Bat
hat
eQhawekazi(
Takei
taway,
her
oine)
."

Theyal ll
aughed,whil
ePhi l
adancedbehindme
holdingmywai st.Icouldfeelhi
sdickpoki
ngmy
assandIf eltwetimmedi at
ely.Thesult
rymoves
thatwentwi ththedancing,ashecurr
esedmywai st,
andof t
ent ouchedmybr easts.Hishandswould
oftengodownmywai standcomeupt omybreasts.

Rachel
:"
Ahahah,Sbu.Kyknet(
Justl
ook).We'r
e
watchi
ngal
ivepornomovie,
myhond( dog)
."
Wel
aughed.

Phi
la:
"Mxm voet
sek(
pissof
f),
Rachel
."

Theyalllaughedasweenj oyedour selvesandtook

thepartytothebedr oom af t
ermi dnight.I'
venever
reall
yhadser iousdr unkensexwi thPhi l
abefor
e,let
alonesexwhi lehigh.Ir eall
yenjoyedi tsomuch
thatwewokeuponawetbed.Iwasso
embar r
assed, butPhi l
awasver ypr oudt ohave
seenmesqui rtsomanyt imes.IfIdon' tget
pregnanttonight,thenitwoul dbeami racl
e.Six
roundsofsexi sn'
tanyj oke.

Wegotupthef
oll
owingmor
ningwi
thRachel
bangi
ngdownourdoor
s.

Rachel
:"
Wakeup,wakeupsl
eepyheads!We'rehere
t
ohavef un!Onsgaanni
eheeldagnaaini
e(We'r
e
notgoi
ngt
ofuckal
lday)
."

Yep,
Racheli
sthefemal
eversi
onofSbu.Wegot
outt
ir
edashellandf
oundSbumakingusbreakf
ast
.
Wewer esot
ir
edevenMeli
ssawascomplai
ning.

Meli
ssa:"
Nee,f
okman, Rachel(Nofuckman)
.Jy
maakgeraas(You'
resonoisy)!Ek'
skakmoeg(I
'
m
deadti
red).
"

Sbul
aughedal
ongwi
thher
.

Rachel
:"
Whot oldyoutof
uckal
lni
ght?Yoh,you
guyswereatallni
ght.Di
dyouheart
hem,Sbu?"

Sbu:(
mimicki
ngDrakeandMeli
ssa)"
Oh,
fuck,
Mel
,
suckdaddy'
srockhar
ddick.
"
Theybot
hbursti
nlaught
erwhi
leDr
akel
ooked
uni
mpressed.

Dr
ake:
"Mxm,
voet
sek(
pissof
f)!
"

Rachel
:"
Let'
snotfor
getZeeoverher
e.Oh,
Mkhont
o,
fuckme,baby.I
t'
sallyour
s."

Iwassoembar
rassedmycheeksbet
rayedmeonce
agai
n.

Phil
a:"
Mxm voet
sek(pi
ssoff
)ni
na(youtwo)
.Ifyou
twower eal
sobusyyouwoul
dn'
thavehadsomuch
ti
mel i
steni
ngt
ous."

Theyjustkeptl
aughing.Theyfedussomeni ce
breakf
ast.Phil
aandSbuar ereal
lygoodwiththe
pots.Themenor ganizedusanicespatr
eatment
andofcourse,bookedoutthewholespajustforus.
Ican'
twai
ttoseeSi
moneandt
heot
hergi
rl
s.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandEl
even

Zi
yanda

Wewer edonewat i
ngbr eakfastandmadeourway
tothespa.Themenhadt heirownsect
ionwhil
ewe
hadours.Iguesstheyal sowant edt
ogossip.
Simonecamer unningtowar dsmeandhuggedme
andsodidtheotherladies.

Simone:
"Zee!Nicet
oseeyouagain.I'
vebeen
seei
ngyouont vandsoci
almedi
a.I'm sopr
oud
you!
"

Me:
"Thankyou,
Simone.
"

Simone:"
Ieventol
deveryoneathomet hatt
hat
'smy
fr
iend.Idon'
tcareifanyonebel
ievedmeornot."
Webot hlaughedandIi nt
roducedhertomyfr
iends
RachelandMel issa.West ar
tedwithmani
cur
es
andpedicures,andfaci
als.Wehadni ce
champagneandf rui
tswhil
erelaxi
ng.

Mel
issa:
"So,
Rachel
,ar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lZeeandI
t
hetrut
haboutyouandSbu?
"

Rachel
:(smi
li
ng)"
There'
snot
hinghappeni
ng
bet
weenus,Iswear.
"

Zee:
"Hmm.Butsomet
hingi
sbr
ewi
ngr
ight
?"

Rachel:(
Deepsigh)"
Thingis,Il
ikeSbu,
awhol el
ot.
Ireal
lydo.ButIcan'
tdatehim whenhe'sgotso
muchbaggageandwhi leKeleisexpect
inghis
chil
dren.Ican'
tdothat
,it
'snotfair
."
Iunder
stand,
Itot
all
ydo.

Me:
"Igetyou,
Ireall
ydohey.Soyoumeant
otel
l
meyouhaven'tevenki
ssed?
"

Rachel
:"
Nope.We'
vehadmoment
s,butnope.
"

Meli
ssa:"
I'
m shocked.Rachel
,jyl
ykpielt
eveel(
you
l
ovedicktoomuch) .Inevert
houghtyou'
dholdout
t
hislong.
"

Wel
aughedoutl
oud.

Rachel
:"Don'
tgetmewr ong,Sbui
sreall
yhot
.He'
s
sweet,
af f
ect
ionat
e,car
ing,t
hought
fulandso
romanti
c."

Mel
issaandIwer
esoi
mpr
essed.
Rachel:
"Tr
uthis,we'r
ebot
hsohornyandfr
ustr
ated
andsleepi
ngi nthesamebedi
sn'
tmakingt
hings
easier
.Idon'tknowhowmuchlongerI'
dbeableto
holdout.
"

Meli
ssa:"
Wel l
,we'
renotencouragi
ngyoutodo
anyt
hing,butheandKelearethepastandhe'
sjust
wait
ingont hebabi
estobeborn.Justgivei
tago
andseewher eitl
eadsyou,nopressur
e."

ICouldseeRachelwasconsi
der
ingi
tasshebi
ther
l
ipforawhil
e.

Meli
ssa:
"Ij
ustwantt
oknowonet
hing:Howbi
gis
Sbu?"

Webur
stoutlaughi
ng.TherewasnowayIwas
goi
ngt
odiscussmybrotheri
nlaw'
sdi
cksize.
Sbu

TheguysandIdeci
dedtogetourownspa
tr
eatment
s.Iwasneverafanofsuchthi
ngs,but
Phil
atol
dmethatit
'sagreatwaytobondwit
hyour
womanoversmallt
alkandgreatf
oryourski
n.

Phi
la:
"Foza(
brot
her
),whenareyouf
inal
lyt
appi
ng
Rachel
?Phelaweseeyou."

HeandDr
akel
aughed.

Dr
ake:
"Di
dyouseet
heglow?Heneverhadt
hat
whenhewaswit
hKeleorShar
onf
orthemat
ter
."

Sbu:
"Ei
sh,guys.It hi
nkI'
vefal
lenforRachel.She
j
ustmakesmef eelsomethi
ngI'veneverf
eltbef
ore.
She'
skind,sweet,funny,
wehavesomuchi n
commonandIpr
ayevenmor
enowt
hatshe'
sinmy
l
ife.
"

Dr
ake:
"Manj
ejai
veekae(
Sowhat
'st
hepr
obl
em)
?"

Sbu:"
Eish,shesaysshecan'tbewi t
hmer i
ghtnow.
ShesaysIneedt odealwit
ht hebaggagewithKel
e
fi
rst
.Shesaysshecan' tdoKelelikethat
.Butmy
ball
sareturni
ngpurple.
"

Phi
laandDrakewer
ecr
acki
ngupsobadl
y,If
elt
embarr
assed.

Phil
a:"
I'
m sayi
ngshootyourshot ,bafo(brother
).
It
'snousehangingontosomet hingthat'
si nthe
past.Showherhowyouf eel abouther,youdon' t
havetosleepwit
hherjustyet,butatleasttakethe
fi
rstst
ep.Ihavenodoubtt hatshef eel
sthesame
wayaboutyou."
Trut
hi s,Rachelhasmademef eelbr
andnew.Il ove
herlevelofself
-r
espectandselfassurance.Ij
ust
wantt omakehert hehappi
estwomani ntheworld.
Ineedamot herformychil
dren.

Phil
a:"
Icanorgani
sesomet
hingforyouandheron
therooft
op.Don'tsl
eepwi
thhertheresi
nceour
s
wentpubli
c."

Weal
llaughed.

Sbu:
"I
'dappr
eci
atei
t,baf
o(br
other
).
"

Phil
a:"
Naweuber omanti
c(Youshouldberomant
ic)
.
Uyekeletsot
sit
aalkancane(Leavet
hetsot
sit
aal
forabit
).
"

Sbu:
"Mxm,
voet
sek(
pissof
f),
Phi
la.
"
Ir
eall
yhopet
hisdoesn'
tblowupi
nmyf ace.I
'm
wi
ll
ingtowai
tforhert
olovemeaslongasitt
akes.

Gog'
Khanyi

ThandoandFl or
ahhavegonet ochurchforsome
revivalstuff
.They' l
lonlybebackt omorr
ow
mor ning.It'
smyt i
met oenj oymyToyboy, onelast
ti
me.It oldhim Ican'tdealwithanymoredr ama.It
wasf unwhi l
eitlast
ed, butIneedtogetmyl if
eon
trackwi t
houthi m.Igotbackt omybedroom and
foundhi ml yi
ngonmybed- naked.

Tony:
"BabyG,
etl
amosan(
comeher
e).Letme
l
oveyou."

Ichuckl
edandIt
ookoffmyrobeandwastedno
ti
measIgotontopofhim.Hisl
ongshaftent
ered
meandwebot hwentwil
d.
Tony:
"Shi
t!BabyG!Onket
sangmar
a(Whatar
eyou
doi
ngtome) ?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Oh,Tony!Fokman(fuckman)!
Ung'
yenzakamnandi(
You'
redoi
ngmer ealgood)
!"

Hethenfli
ppedmeoversohecoul
dli
eontopofme.
Dammit!Thisboyknowshi
sst
ory.Howam Igoi
ng
t
obeabl etoendthi
s?

Tony:
"Yoh,BabyG!Mar
rymesan.Kaoncandaj
o(I
l
oveyou)."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"Ei
sh,
Tony,
thul
anaweandj
ustf
uck
meplease!
"

Tony:
"I
'l
lst
opi
fyoudon'
ttel
lmeyoul
oveme.Say
i
t.
"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Tony.
..
"

Tony:
"Sayi
t,BabyG.Mpot
segor
ekeoet
sang(
Tel
l
mewhatIdot oyou)
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Iloveyout
oo.
"

Hesmiledatmeandpoundedmeharderandhar
der
.
Heproceededunt
ilIcameandhedi
dthesame
f
oll
owedbyal oudgrowl.

Tony:
"Fuuuuuck!
"

Hecol
lapsedont
hebednextt
ome.

Tony:
"Ei
sh,f
an.Whymaj i
tanebasanjwet
segore
boGogobat samayabj
ana(Whydi
dn'tmyfri
ends
tel
lmethatGogo'
stast
ethi
sgood)
?!"
Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Eish,
Tony.Thi
shastostop.Ithi
nk
youshoul
dn'
tcomebackhere.Gofedi
le(I
t'
sover
).
"

Tony:
"Haowa(
no)BabyG,
youdon'
tmeant
hat
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ido.
..
"

Hegotont opofmeandki ssedmeslowly,

so
passionately.Hethenpr oceededt
okissmyneck
andhi shandsl owl
ytrai
leddownt omyclit
.He
rubbeditgent l
ycausi
ngmet omoan.

Tony:
"Tel
lmeyoudon'
twantmeanymor
eandI
'
ll
l
eave."

Icouldn'
tevensayi
t.Iwantedtobutmymouth
fai
ledmeandmybodybet rayedmeasIwelcomed
myselfinhisar
msagain.Wemadesl ow
passi
onateloveal
lnightl
ong.What'
shappeni
ngt
o
me?I sTony'sdi
ckreall
ythi
saddi
cti
ve?
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTwel
ve

Zi
yanda

Wehadsuchagr eatti
meatt heSpa.Phil
ahel
ped
Sbuorgani
zesomethingrealromant
icf
orRachel
ontheroof
top,j
ustl
ikewehadf ewmonthsago.
Phi
laandDrakearewaiti
ngforusatthebarsowe
hadtogetRachelr
eadyforherbigni
ght.

Ilovebeingacel ebr
it
ynow, foralltheri
ghtreasons.
Simoneevent oldmet hatIhelpedhergether
conf i
dencebackwhenshesawmeont v.Tal ki
ng
aboutmyr el
ationshipwithPhilaandr eall
yknowi ng
yourwor thasawoman, gavehert hecouraget o
l
eaveherboyf r i
end.Evensomewomenaskedme
forsomeaut ogr aphshere.Phi l
adoesn' tmindthe
attenti
onatall,hesaysit'sgoosf orme.Soi fI'
m
happyt
henhe'
shappy.

Ireall
yhopeKel efi
ndsthehelpsheneeds.Dr
Steintol
dust hatsheisspir
ali
ngoutofcont
roland
somet raumasheexper i
encedinthepasti
shauting
her.Shest i
llcan'
tdealwit
hSbuleavi
ngher.

Ifeelabitbadforher,
butyoucan'texactl
yforce
someonet oloveyou.Sbuont heot
herhandhas
grownsof ondofRachel.Heevensai dthatfor
onceinhislif
e,hedoesn'tf
eeltheneedtovalidat
e
himselfandaskforreassurancewhenhe'swi t
ha
woman.

Hesaysheal wayshadt opleaseShar onandKelein

ordertofeell
ikeaman, butwithRachelitcomes
naturall
y.Sheautomat i
cal
lyrespectedhimfrom
thegetgo.Icanseehowsheal solooksathim,but
somet hi
ngisholdingherback.Idohopesheget si
t
offherchest.Sbui sawonder f
ulguyandi fhe'
s
happywi thRachelthenI'
m al
lforit
.
Rachel

ZeeandMel i
ssadraggedmet omybedr oom af t
er
thespa.Ihaven'tevenhadmyl unchjointyetnor
anyfoodandal readytheywantmet orusht othe
bedroom.Wewal kedinandIwasi nawe.Iwas
verysurpri
sedtoseeagol s,sparkl
y,backless
eveningdress.Itwasaccompani edbybeaut i
ful
blackshoeswi t
hgoldst r
aps.Isawanot er i
ght
nexttoabeaut i
fuldi
amondneckl ace."Can'twaitto
seeyoui nthi
s,GangsterQueen.LoveSbu. "

Iwast earyeyed, Imeannoonehaseverbeent hi

s
romant i
ct owardsme.Ial wayshearZeet el
li
ngme
howr omant i
cPhi lai
s,butIneverfiguredSbut obe
aromant i
cguy.He' salwayssogangst er,andit's
adorable.I '
mf eelingabitsadrightnow.Thi swhol e
Kelethingi sadr ag,andIdon'twantt ol ooklikea
homewr ecker.HowdoIdot hiswi t
hhim knowi ngI
can'tbeabl etogi vehim chi
ldr
en?
Sbu

Iwasst andingonthebalconywai t
ingonRachelto
arr
ive.I mfeel
ingabitnervous,butthi
sviewi s
amazi ng.Phil
adidn'
tli
ewhenhesai dthisviewis
equivalentt
oheaven.Itscreamspeaceandbeaut y.
Thest art
sandt hemoonr eal
lydolooklikethe
spectatorstoustheaudience.

Philar eal
lydidagoodj obwiththatbarman.They
organi zedani cegol denblanketwithblackandgold
pil
lows.Aver ycut epicni
csetup.Iaskedt hem to
getmeani cebot tl
eofchampagne, wit
hsome
Heineken, herf avourit
ebeer .Igothersomeni ce
foodandsnacks, wit
hsushiandl otsofchocolate.
Shel ovesBl ueber ryCheesecakeandchocol ate
tri
fl
esoIaddedt hattothemi xaswell.I'm aver
y
obser vantguywhenI '
mi nlove,youknow.
Ialsogotherabunchofsunf l
owers,herf avouri
te
fl
ower s.Therewer er
osepet alseverywher e.I
reall
yhopeshel ovesthis.AsIwasf ixingmyselfI
sawt heelevat
ordoorsopenandt hereshewas.
Shel ookedsomaj est
ic,thatshedidn'tdot hatdress
anyjustice.Herbeautif
ul,caramelski n
compl ementedthatgoldendr ess.
Ifthesunwasupr i
ghtnowitwouldbej
eal
ous
becauseRacheli
sglowingmorethanar
ayof
sunshine.

AmandaBl ack'
sNdizel
eWenawasplayi
nginthe
backgroundasRachelappr
oachedmewitht
earsin
hereyes.

Sbu:(
Smil
ing)"
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
Gangst
er
Queen.
"

Rachel
:(Bl
ushi
ng)"
Thankyou.You'
renott
oobad
your
sel
f."
Sbu:"
All
owmet otr
eatyoutotheni
ghtofyour
dreams,Rae.Pl
ease,
let
'ssi
t.
"

WesatdownasIpoppedthechampagneand
pour
edoursel
vessomet
odr i
nk.

Sbu:
"Let
'smakeat
oast
,tonewbegi
nni
ngs.
"

Rachel
:"Cheer
s."

Icoul
dseeRachelwasabi tuncomfor
tabl
e.She'
s
al
waysbeenreseevedwheneverIrai
sedthei
deaof
usbeingt
oget
her.SoIdeci dedtot
ackl
ethei
ssue
befor
ethi
ngsgotheated.

Sbu:"Rachel
,eversinceImetyou,mylif
ehasfelt
l
ikeithasfal
lenintoplace.You'
retheonemissing
piecetothemessypuzzl einmyli
fe.Iknowthings
aren'
tidealwi
ththewholesituati
onwithKele,
butI
havereali
zedthatIneedyouRachelCl oet
e.I'
ve
fal
lenforyou,
hard.I'veneverfel
tthi
swaybef or
e
notevenaboutKele.

Ireali
zethatIthoughtIcouldr eki
ndlewhatshe
andIhadandIr ushedeverythingintheprocess.
You'vetaughtmehowi mpor t
antitistol
ovemysel f
beforeIcouldl
oveanyoneel se.You'vebroughtme
somuchpeaceandIhaven' thadthismuchf unwith
awomani naver ylongti
me. "

Rachel
:(t
ear
yeyed)"
Whatar
eyousayi
ng,
Sbu?
"

Sbu:"
I'
m saying,I
'
vefall
enforyou,Rae.Gi
vemet he
chancetomakeyout hehappiestwomanalive.
Justgivemeachance.Youdon' thavetostart
dati
ngmer ightaway,butatl
eastt
hinkaboutit
."

Rachel
:"
Sbu.
..I
..
.Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
"
Sbu:
"Rachel
,youmakemesohappy, baby.Ienjoy
myti
mewi thyou.Ij
ustwantyoutobeapar tofmy
l
if
ebeforesomeoneelset
akesyouawayf r
om me."

Rachelwasi
ntearsatt
hispoi
ntandIwi
pedt
hem
of
fwithmyfi
ngers.

Rachel
:"
Sbu,
I..Ther
e'ssomet
hingIneedt
otel
l
you.
"

Sbu:
"Asl
ongasyou'
renotsayi
ngno.I
'
m al
lear
s"

Rachel:"
I.
.Fewyear sagoIwasshoti nthrstomach.
Someguyst r
iedtohij
ackmeandt heyshotmei n
thrprocess.Asar esul
tmyovar i
esruptured.Iknow
howmuchyoul ovechi
ldr
en,butIcan'thave
chil
dren.I'dneverbeabletogi
veyouchi ldr
en."
Tear
sfl
oweddownhercheeksasIcuppedherf
ace.

Sbu: "
Lookatme, Rae.You'
resobeauti
ful,
sokind,
sol ovi
ng.You'veevenmademegot ochurchand
startprayi
ngevenmor e.WheneverIl
ookatyou,I
thankGodf orcreat
ingabeautyl
ikeyoujustf
orme.
Imustr eal
lybethelucki
estmanonearthforGodto
bringyouintomyl i
fe.

You'remyrayofsunshi
ne, Rachel.You'remy
Goldencoin,
wit
houtyouIwoul dn'
tevenknowt hat
Godhadmyback.Ist il
lloveyou, Iloveyoueven
mor enow.Evenifyoucan'tgivemechi ldr
enyou'l
l
st
il
lbet hewomanIwantt obewi t
h."

Shecr i
edandIleanedi nt okissher .Thank
Goodnessshedi dn'
tr esist
.Thef i
rstti
meIever
kissedher.Ievenfeltbut t
erf
liesinmyst omach
andgoosebumpsal lovermybody.Inevereven
thoughtmencoul dfeel butt
erfli
es.Wepul ledoutof
thekissandstaredateachot hersmi l
ing.
Rachel
:"
Okay,
wecangi vei
tat
ry,
butonl
yifyou
checkuponKeleever
ynowandthen.Sheneeds
youmostri
ghtnow."

Ismi
led.

Sbu:
"Thankyou,
Gangst
erQueen.Thankyouf
or
maki
ngmyni ght
.I'
l
lneverl
etyoudown."

Wekissedagai nasweenj oyedourf oodandfed

eachothersomechocol ates.Theni ghtcoul
dnever
beperfectwithoutaf ewjoi nts,r
ight
?SoIgotout
twoperfect
lyr olledjoint
sandweenj oyedournight
l
aughingandt alking.I'm sobl essedtohave
someonel i
keRachel inmyl i
fe.Iint
endondoi ng
thi
ngsrightthist imeandt akingitsl
ow.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandThi
rt
een
Gog'
Khanyi

IwasawokenbyThandoandFlor
ahmakingnoi
se.
Iopenedmyeyesandfoundmysel
fwr
appedin
Tony'
sarms.Shi
t.Wemusthaveover
slept
.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Tony,
wakeup!
"

Tony:
"Ah,
manBabyG.Esal
evr
oeg(
It
'sst
il
lear
ly)
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
ThandoandFl
orahar
eback.Youhave
t
oleave.
"

Tony:"
Ah,
mar aBabyG.Hantlehant
lekegohlabi
sa
di
hlongne(You'
reembar
rassedofme, ar
en'
tyou)
?"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
It
'snotl
iket
hat
."
Tony:
"Thenwhyonkoba(whyar
eyouchasingme
away)
?Youdon'twantpeopl
etoseeme,neh?"

Oh,yes.Thi
sisexact
lywhatIwasafr
aidof
.Now
I
'm cat
chi
ngfeel
ingsfort
hisguyandi
t'
saseri
ous
mess.

Gog'Khanyi:(
Deepsigh)"Tony.Givemesomet i
me
tofi
gurethingsoutbetweenus,okay?Butfornow
youhavet ogobeforeyourcrazygir
lf
ri
endcomes
backhereagain."

Tonygotupandputhi
scl
othesbackon.

Tony:
"Shosho,BabyG.Nsunepel
eket
samaya
(Gi
vemeaki ssbefor
eIl
eave)
."

Ai
,Tonykodwa(t
hough).Ikissedhi
m andwelef
t
mybedroom.Icheckedi
fFlorahorThandowere
around,buttheywerenowher
einsightsoIdeci
ded
tohurrytowardsthedoor
.Itwastoolatet
hough,
Thandowasaboutt owal
ktotheki
tchenandfound
mesneaki ngTonyout.

Thando:
"Eh!Gogo!Kantiuj
olaneBen10ngempel
a
(Wow,Gogo!You'rereal
lydati
ngaBen10)?!
"

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Voet
sek(
Pissof
f)Thando!
"

TonykissedmegoodbyeandIcoul
dseehej
ust
wantedtoshowoff
.

Tony:
"Shosho,
BabyG.Ket
laobona(
Seeyou)
."

Heki
ssedmeandl
eftasThandogavemeast
are.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Ungal
ingi(
Don'
tyouevendar
e).
"
Thando:(l
aughing)"
Ididn'
tsayanythi
ng,Gogo.
He'scute,
though.Niyafanel
ana(Youguyssuit
eachother)
."

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Mxm.
"

Thando:
"Ij
ustwantt
oaskonequest
ion.
"

Ij
ustl
ookedather
.

Thando:
"Whyumf
ihl
a(ar
eyouhi
dinghi
m)?
"

Gog'Khanyi:
"We'r
enotdati
ng,
Thando.We'r
ejust
havingfun.Andbesides,
whatwi
llpeopl
esayi
fthey
foundoutI'm dat
ingaboyhal
fmyage? "

Thando:
"Hawu,
Gogo.Thatdi
dn'
tlookl
ikej
ust
havi
ngfuntome.Andbesides,you'
venevercar
ed
aboutwhatpeopl
esay.Whystartnow?"

Shewenttoherbedr
oom l
eavi
ngmeher
ethi
nki
ng.
She'
sri
ght,t
hough.Whyshoul
dIwor
rynowabout
whatpeopl
esay?

Sbu

RachelandIhadagr eatti
meont herooftop.I'm so
gladshefi
nall
yacceptedmypr oposal.I'
m no
l
ongersingl
eandevent houghwe' retakingitslow,
I'
m notcomplai
ning.Wewer esodr unkandhi gh
from t
heweed,sowedeci dednott ojointherestof
thegang.Weheadedst raightt
ot hebedr oom.I
mustadmi t
,Iwashornyasf uck,butIrespecther
somuchI '
m wil
li
ngtowai tforher.

Rachel
:"
I'
m soexhausted,
Sbu.Ineedtosleep.Can
uexcusemef orasecondwhil
eIchangeintomy
pj
s?"

Sbu:
"Hawu,
Rae.I
nmybedwesl
eepnaked,
my
Queen.
"

Shel
ookedatmepuzzl
ed.

Sbu:"
Rel
ax,Qhawekazi(queen)
,Iwon'
tdoanythi
ng
toyou.Ij
ustwanttofeelyourski
nagainstmi
ne."

Rachel
:(l
ooki
ngdown)"
It
sjustt
hat
..
.Idon'
twant
youtoseemyscar.
"

Igotupf
rom t
hebedandhel
dherhands.

Sbu:"
Rae,Il
oveyou.You'
resobeaut
if
ulandno
scarwil
lchanget
hat.Pl
ease,
letmeseeyou,al
lof
you."
Shehesitat
edabit
,buteventual
lytookoffherdress,
foll
owedbyherunderwear.ShitIswearIgothard
i
mmedi atel
y.Mydickbetrayedmeandst oodup
butIvowednottomakel ovetoher.Nottonight
.I
cuppedherfaceandkissedherpassionat
ely.She
respondedandhel
dmebymywai st.

Shesl owlytookof fmycl othes,whileIki

ssedher
neck.It henr ubbedherbr eastswi t
hbothmyhands
whi l
eshemoanedsof t
ly.Imadet rail
edki
sses
downt oherabdomenandki ssedherscar.Isaw
tearsroll
ingdownherf aceasIdi dt hat
.Isawher
perfectl
yshavedpussybutIwentbackup.I t'
snot
therighttime, butI
'l
lmakesur etomakei t
memor ableforherwhenwef i
nallymakelove.I
kissedherf orehead.

Sbu:
"Let
'sgeti
nbed.
"
Shesmil
edaswegotunder neaththesheetsand
madeherputherheadonmychest .Ismil
edasI
i
nhal
edherlovel
ylavenderscent
edhair.

Sbu:
"Il
oveyou,
RachelCl
oet
e."

Rachel
:"
Iloveyout
oo,
Sbusi
soZwane.
"

Wedozedof
fint
oeachot
her
'sar
ms.

Zi
yanda

It
's8am i
nthemor ningandasusualPhi l
agotup
befor
eme.Idon' tgethowhe' salwayssoener get
ic.
Wewentt obedat2am andhedi dn'tevenletme
rest
.Hewor kedmesohar d,Ithi
nkI '
m becoming
doublej
oint
ed.Igotdownt hestair
sandf ound
Phil
aprepar
ingthetable.
Heorderedar eal
lyniceandgr eesybreakfast
,
accompaniedbysomef rui
tandmuesl iandmuf f
ins
fort
hehealthfreaks,i
ncl
udi nghim.Ievensee
someyoghur tandsmoot hies.Ineedsomeoft his
todetoxaf
terallthedri
nkingwe' vebeendoing.

Phi
la:
"Goodmor
ning,
MaZwane.
"

Me:(Smil
ing)"
Goodmor
ning,
Babywami(
My
baby)
."

Phi
la:
"Br
eakf
asti
sser
ved.
"

Isatdownnexttohi
m andheplant
edkissesall
overmyface.Justt
henSbuandRachelwal ked
downholdi
nghands.Phil
aandIsmi l
edateach
other
.Iguessthepl
anworked.

Phi
la:
"Goodmor
ning,
bant
handani(
lovebi
rds)
."
Rachelbl
ushedwhi l
eSbuwassmili
ngallt
heway.I
coul
dseeallhisteet
hshame.I
'veneverevenseen
Rachelbl
ush,IguessSbudi
dhisthi
ng.

Sbu:
"Shosho,
foza(
sur
esur
ebr
other
).Qhawekazi
(Her
oine)
."

Zi
yanda:
"Looksl
ikeyouhadagr
eateveni
ngl
ast
ni
ght.
"

Rachel
:(smi
li
ng)"
Yep,
wehadagr
eatone.
"

Sbu:
"Uphi(
wher
e's)uDr
akeandMel
?"

Phil
a:"
Theyaresti
llsl
eepi
ng.Itmusthavebeena
hect
icnight
.Thoset wowereatital
lni
ght.We
evenhadtoblockourears.
"
Weal
llaughed.

Sbu:
"Mxm nj
anibaf
o(How,Br
other
)?Whenyou
twowerebusythewhol
eni
ghtbangi
ngdownthe
wall
s?"

Theyal ll
aughedasIbl ushed.Wecont inuedeat i
ng
asDr akeandMelcamedownaf ewmi nuteslat er.
Wehadt ogogetr eadyast hemenpr eparedani ce
shoppingspreeforus.I twasabitchil
lyoutsideso
Isettl
edforajeanandsneaker s,withasl eeveless
whitevestandawhi t
ef urcoat
.Weheadedoutt o
themal li
ndiff
erenthiredcars.Assoonaswe
arr
ivedItookMel andRachelt oElmar i
e'sboutique
whiletheboyswentt heirway.

Elmari
ewassoexcit
edtoseemeandIwasver
y
happytoseemypict
ureonherwal
lint
hepl
ussize
sect
ion.
Meli
ssa:
"Youlookf
lawel
ess,
Zee.Lookatt
hat
pi
ctur
e.Phil
amustbesoexcitedseei
ngt
hatever
y
ni
ght.
"

Weal ll
aughedandIwasabi tembarrassed.We
shoppedaroundforsomesexylingeri
eandasIwas
roamingaroundthebouti
queIgottheshockofmy
l
ife.Icoul
dn'tbel
ievewhom Iwasstari
ngatri
ghti
n
frontofme.

Lunga:
"Hel
lo,
Zee.
"

Myhear tst
art
edpoundingasIremember edwhat
happenedlastti
meatBeli
nda'
sf uner
al.Itr
iedt
o
speak,butwordsfai
ledme.

Lunga:
"I
'vebeenl
ooki
ngal
loverf
oryou,
baby.I
'
m
sogladIhavefi
nal
lyf
oundyou.
"
Hekeptsmilingatmeli
keasickidi
ot.Hest
epped
cl
osercausingmet of
eelf
ri
ghtenedandIst
epped
backi
nf ear
.

Lunga:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou,
baby.Ij
ustwant
total
ktoyou."

Itr
iedlooki
ngar oudf
orMelandRachel,
butthey
werenowher etobeseen.Ifi
nall
ygott
hecourage
tostar
tspeakingasIstar
tedfeel
ingmyfor
ehead
bei
ngover whelmedwithsweat.

Me:"
Wha..Whatar
eyoudoinghere?Whatdoyou
want,
Lunga?Haveyoubeenst
alkingme?
"

Lunga:(
laughi
ng)"
Ican'
tst
alkmyownwi
fe,
baby.
Comeonnow. "
Me:
"I
'm notyourwi
fe,
Lunga.Phi
lai
smyhusband.
"

Lunga:(l
aughi
ng)"
You'
resofunnysometi
mes.
Come, l
et'
sgosomewhereel
seandtal
k."

Het ri
edtogr abmyar m, butIscr eamed.El marie
andhercashi ercamer unning, andsodi dRachel
andMel .Assoonast heysawLungagr abmyar m,
Elmarietr
iedt odi
alsecur i
ty,
butLungaal readytook
outhisgun.Ihadn' tevennot icedt hathehad
closedthedoorbehi ndhim.Iwassoover come
withfearandt er
ror.Hepoi ntedt hegunt owards
them andasRachel tr
iedtost epf orward,hepull
ed
met ohim andpoi nt
edt hegunt omyhead, wit
hhis
otherarm aroundmyneck.

Rachel
:"
Lunga,
don'
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d,pl
ease.Let
hergo.
"

Lunga:
"Youal
lbet
terst
ayr
ightwher
eyouar
eor
el
seI
'
llbl
owherf
ucki
ngheadof
f.
"

Rahel:
"Yousur
elywon'
tki
llsomeoneyoul
ove,
Lunga.Comeonnow. "

Lungakeptqui etwhilebreat
hingheavi
ly.Ithinkhe
wast r
yingtor egi
sterwhathewasdoi ngandwhat
Rachelhadj usttol
dhi m.Iwassot err
if
ied,Ihad
tear
sr ol
li
ngdownmycheeks.Peopl ewer estart
ing
toscream outsideandIt hi
nktheysawt hiscrazy
manpoi nti
ngagunatmyhead, inElmarie'
s
bouti
que.Whatanear l
ymor ni
ngforahost age
sit
uati
on.

Lunga:"You!(Poi
nti
ngatEl
mari
e)Comel ockthe
door.Ifanyoneofyoumove,I
'
llst
artshoot
ing.
"

Elmari
ewassoshaken, shewenttowardsthedoor
andlockeditwit
hhershakyhandsandt ear
srol
li
ng
downherf ace.Heaskedthem al
ltocomecloser
andsi tont hecouchesandt oldthem tothrowt hei
r
phonesont het able.Theydi dast heywer etold.He
askedmet osi tdownaswel landIdi dasIwast ol
d,
event houghIwasbl oodyscar ed.Ilookedathi m
andt houghtofal lthoset imeshehi tme.Thel ook
i
nhi seyeswasf ri
ghteningenought oaskGodt o
takeyour ightt hereandt hen.Somehow, i
nsteadof
beingangr yathi m, Itr
ulyf el
tsorryforhim.Zodwa
ruinedever ythingf orhim andcont r
oll
edhislife
from thegetgo.Nowt hathecan' tcopeanymor e,
He'sst uckint hepast ,
apastt hatneverexist
ed.He
neverlovedmeyethi sheadt ell
shim otherwise.

Lunga:(
frustr
ated)"
Doyouseewhatyoumakeme
do,Zee?!DoyouseewhatIhavetoresor
tto
becauseIloveyou?!
"

Iwasf
ri
ght
ened,
butIt
ri
edt
ospeak.

Me:"
Lunga,
we'
renolongert
oget
her
.I'
m wi
thPhi
la
now.Youknowthat
."
Lunga:"
Hestol
eyouf
rom me!AndnowIcamet
o
takeyouback!
"

Me:
"No,
Idon'
tloveyou,
Lunga.Il
ovePhi
la.
"

Itseemsl
ikeIj
ustmadeeveryt
hingworsebecause
hegotupandcockedthegun,andpoi
nteditatme.
Iwantedt
oshitmysel
fri
ghtther
e.

Lunga:
"Wel
l,
ifIcan'
thaveyout
hennoonecan.
"

Mymi ndr egi

ster
edwhatwasaboutt ohappenasI
cl
osedmyeyesandsai dal i
tt
leprayer.AsIwas
prayi
ng, Iheardagunshotgooffandf el
tmyupper
chestbur ninginpai
n.SoonafterIheardtwomore
gunshots.Iopenedmyeyesandsawmysel f
coveredi nblood.
Ihadbeenshotbymyexhusband.MelandEl marie
tr
iedtoassi stmebyput ti
ngpr essureonthewound,
whileElmar i
ewasr unningfrant i
call
yont hephone.
Itri
edt olookatLunga' sdirectionandsawhi m
bleedingont hefloor,withRachel hol
dingaguni n
herhandpoi nt
edatLunga.If eltsodrowsy, l
ikeI
wasl osingconsci ousness.Themor etheykept
askingmet ostayf ocused,wast hemor eIfeltl
ikeI
wasseei ngdar kness.Ever ythingbecamebl urr
yin
fr
ontofme.Bef oreIknewi tIsawPhi la'
sfacei n
fr
ontofme.

Phi
la:
"St
handwasami(
myl
ove)
!St
aywi
thme
pl
ease!Staywi
thme!
"

Andtheneveryt
hingt
urnedbl
ackast
hevoi
ces
fadedaway.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandFour
teen

Kel
e
Iwasi nbedwat chingtvasusual .AuntEuni ce
camei nwi t
hsomet eaandbr eakfastforme.Ifelta
bitrel
ievedaftermysessi onwithDr .Stei
n.She
helpedmeseeal it
tlebitofperspective.Iam t
aking
mymedi cati
onasr equestedandIf eelalmostbrand
new.Ist il
lwantt of i
xthingsbetweenSbuandI .

Iknowt hatwe'remeantt obeandasmuchasSbu

l
oveschi l
dren,Iknowhe' l
lmakeitwork.Hehasto.
AsIwasf li
ppingthrought hechannel
sIsawa
star
tl
ingnewsheadl i
ne:"FaceofBBW li
nger
ie
coll
ecti
onandBi ll
ionair
ewi f
eZiyandaZwaneshot
byexhusband" .

Wow.Somuchdr ama.Isawpar amedi csonthe

sceneandawhol ecrowdofpeopl ebehindthe
repor
ter
.Ididn'
tseePhilaaroundasIassumedhe
waswi t
hZeeprobablyonhiswayt ohospit
al.AsI
wasabouttochanget hechannel,IsawSbuhol di
ng
somegirlIr
ecognizewithhi
sar m aroundherwaist.
Shehadherheadonhi sshoul
der
.Ir
emembert
hat
face!Fuck!That
'sRachel
!

SoSbuact ual
lycheat
edonmef r
om Bel
inda'
s
funeral?
!Heusedmysecr etsasanexcusetofuck
around?!Iwasf umingsomuch,Ithr
ewmy
breakfastandteaonthefl
oor.

Eunice:
"Kel
e!Ngwanake(
mychi
ld)what
's
happening?
!"

Idi
dn'tevenanswerher,i
nsteadIputonmyshoes
andtookmycarkeys.It r
iedtolookoutf
orthe
guardandhewasnowher ei
nsight.Igotint
omy
caranddroveoff.Ineedtogetmymanback!

Phi
la

Iwassoangr
yandmost
lydi
sappoi
ntedi
nmysel
f.
Onceagai nIfail
edtoprotectmywi f
e.Ishould'
ve
beentherewi t
hher,Inevershould'velethergo
shoppingwi t
houtsecuri
ty.IthankGodDr akewas
theretoatt
endt oZee.Icouldn'tl
ivewi t
hmyselfif
shewasdead.Racheldi dagoodt hingbyshooti
ng
thatasshole.Unfort
unately,
He'snotdead.

Hewasbr oughttothi
sverysamehospi t
al,butI
askedtheparamedicstoredi
recthim el
sewhere.
I'
mf uri
ousbecauseIthoughtMthunzihadbeen
keepinganeyeonhi spsychobrother
,buthesaid
Lungat ookoutt
het r
ackerwhenhewasn' twatchi
ng
anddumpedi telsewhereint
hehouse.

NowI '
m sit
tingonachairnexttoZee'sbedholding
herhand.Dr akesai
dthebulletnearl
yruptur
edone
ofherart
eries.ThankGoditjusthitherupperchest.
Hehadt ooper at
eandremovet hebull
etsoshe's
sedat
edf ornow.Idecidedtosayal it
tl
eprayer.

"
DearGod,
Ihumbl
emysel
fbef
oreyou.It
hankyou
somuchf orpr
otect
ingmywif
eandsavingherfr
om
death.Pl
easebewithher
,Lor
d.Ist
il
lneedher.In
JesusnameAmen. "

Idecidedt ot
akeabreakandgocheckupont he
restofthegang.Ifoundthem i
nthewait
ingarea
andMel issaj
umpedupi mmediatel
yasshesawme
andgavemeahug.

Mel
issa:
"Howi
sshe?
"

Phil
a:(si
gh)"She'
ssedat
ednow,
butDr
akesays
she'
llbeokay."

Sbu:
"Foza(
brot
her)
,she'
safi
ghter
,man.Don'
t
worr
yabouther
,she'
llmakei
t.
"

Phi
la:
"Ineedt
ofi
nishLungaoff.Hehadt
hener
ve
tot
hreatenmywi
fe'sl
if
eliket
hat!
"
Sbu:"No,Bafo(br
other
),l
eavehi
m.Mthunziwil
lsor
t
him out.You'r
eamar ri
edmannow,andnotjust
that
,apr ayi
ngman.Youj ustf
ocusonZee.
"

Isi
gheddeepl
y.Hehadagoodpoi
nt.Idon'
tki
ll
anymore.Imadeapr
omiset
omywi f
eandtoGod.

Phi
la:
"Ineedtothankyou,
Rachel
.Your
eal
lysaved
mywife'sli
fe.Thankyousomuch."

Rachel
:(smi
li
ng)"
Don'
tment
ionit
,P.Zeei
smygi
rl
,
soIhadtodowhatIhadt
odo."

Sbu:"
Yes!That
'smywoman!MyGangst
erQueen,
y'
all
."

Weal
llaughedwhi
leRachelr
oll
edhereyes.
Rachel
:"
ai,
Sbu.Don'tmakemedumpyouj usta
fewhoursaft
eraccept
ingyourpr
oposal
."

Sbu:"
Hayibobaby.Khet
hil
ekhet
hil
e(t
her
e'sno
tur
ningback)
."

Wealll
aughedasweorderedsomef oodtoeat.
Lungar
uinedaper
fectday,butal
linal
lI'
m gl
admy
wif
eisali
veandt
hat'
sallthatmatt
ersri
ghtnow.

ZodwaNgcobo

I'
vebeenlyi
nginhospitalforweeksnow.Al lI
rememberisMthunzisetti
ngmeal i
ghtinthemiddl
e
ofnowhereandfall
ingintoar i
ver
.Appar ent
lyIwas
unconsci
ousforweeksduet osevereburnsonmy
body.I'
vehadalotoftimet orefl
ectonmyl if
eand
Ideser
veeveryt
hingthat'
scomi ngtome.
Irui
nedpeopl e'sli
ves, especiall
yLungaand
Beli
nda'slives.Ij ustwi shIcoul dgetachancet o
makepeaceandaskf orforgiveness.Iwi shthat
Godhadj ustt akenmeaf terMt hunzisetmeonf i
re.
Idon'tdeservet oliveatal l.Nowmyl egsdon'twork
andmywhol ebodyi sbur nt.I'
m almost
unrecognizabl e,butthewomenwho' vebeen
comingt opr ayf ormear egivingmehope.

GodisaGodofmi raclesbecauseThandohasbeen
comingtoprayforme.I fGodcoul dchangeThando
andtur
nherlif
ear ound, thenHecansur elychange
mine.I'
vebeenreadi ngtheBi bl
eandpr ayi
ngal ot
.
Icanonlyhopethatmyl i
f echangesforthebett
er.

AsIlayinbedwit
hmyBi bl
eIwasstunnedbythe
personwhostoodinf
rontofme.If
eltmysel
f
teari
ngup.
Shir
ley:
"Sawubona(
Hel
lo)Zodwa.Unj
ani(
Howar
e
you)?"

Zodwa:
"Sawubonama(Hel
loma).Ngi
yaphi
la,
unj
ani(
I'
m good,howar
eyou)
?"

Shirl
ey:"
Ngizi
lwe(Iheard)aboutwhathappened,
mnt wanami(mychi l
d).Itol
dyoumanyyear sago
thatyouwoulddieasl owandpai nf
uldeath.Ican
nowseet hatGodhasbi ggerplansforyousince
you'rest
il
lali
ve.
"

Iwasi ntears.Ihaven'tseenmymot heri

nyear s.I
wassomeant oherandIdon' tdeserveher
kindness.Ididn'tl
ikebeingfrom Tsakane,butright
now, I
'dratherbethepoorgirlfr
om Tsakanet han
theexr i
chgi r
l.

Shir
ley:(
tear
yeyed)"
Ifor
giveyou,mychi
ld.I
fI
don'
tdoi t
,whodoIexpecttodoit
?Godhas
for
givenyou,Zodwa.I
tisnowti
meforyout
otur
n
toGodandf oll
owthel
if
ehechosef
oryouwhen
youwer eborn.
"

Peopl
earel
aughingatmesayingt
heMi ght
yZodwa
Ngcobohasfal
len.Icant
rul
yhopethatGodhas
bi
ggerpl
ansforme.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandFi
ft
een

Zi
yanda

Twoweeksl
ater

Weunf or t
unatelyhadt ocutourCapeTownt rip
shortafterIgotshot .Ididn'
tpresschar
gesagai nst
Lunga, mucht oPhi l
a'sdismay.Ididhoweverask
Mt hunzitogethi m hel
pandhebookedhi mi ntoan
asylum.I '
mj ustgladt obeali
veandwell,andeven
thoughIhaven' tbeenabl etousemyar mf ul
ly,
Phila
hasbeenmor et hanhappyt ocareforme.
Porschei sfinall
ybacki nSout hAf r
ica.I'm so
thri
ll
ed.Shewasver yupsett ohearaboutt he
shootingandnotbei ngt heretosuppor tme, butshe
hasdevel opedanewf oundl evel ofrespectf or
Rachel .Thingsar eabi tbadonSbu' sside,
apparent l
yKel ehasbeenmi ssi ng.Shedr oveof f
whiletheguar dwassl eepingandwehaven' tbeen
abletol ocateher.Tonyi sstil
l onit,t
houghhe
foundhercarl yi
ngelsewher ei nJo' burg.He' sbeen
prett
yst ressedandal sobl ami nghi mselffort he
wholet hing,butRachelhasbeensosuppor tive.

Icanonl
yhopet hatshe'
swel landt heyfi
ndher
soon.Mam' MasangojustsaidKel eisindangeras
shehasstoppedtakinghermedi cation.Ican'
t
i
maginewhatshe'sgoingt hr
ough, though.AsI
wasthi
nkingwhilelyi
ngont hecouchwat chi
ng
sometv,Porschewalkedin.

Por
sche:
"Heyheyf
ami
ly!
"
ShehuggedPhi
la.

Phil
a:"Hey,
Porsche.Longti
meman.I
'
m even
thi
nkingIneedtofir
eyou."

Por
sche:(l
aughi
ng)"
Tjowenalewena(youman).
Odramati
c(You'
resodramat
ic)att
imes.Wher
e's
mygir
l?"

Phi
la:
"I
nthel
ounge.Goon,
I'
llbr
ingyousome
l
unch."

Ismil
edsomuchasshehuggedmef oralongwhil
e.
Shelookedabitdi
ff
erent
,li
keshe'
sgotsomethi
ng
worr
yingher.

Porsche:
"Oh,
chomi(f
ri
end)!I'
vemissedyouman!I
shouldst
opleavi
ngbecauseseemslikeshi
t
happenswhenIdo!Rachelst
art
sdati
ngSbu,and
nowyougetshotbyLunga.Aowa(no)man.
"

Me:
"I
'm okaynow,
man.I
'
vemi
ssedyout
oo.How
wasthetri
p?"

Porsche:
"Oh,
lovely,
babe.Igotyousomenicegi
ft
s
hey.Wewer eallovert
heworld.Idi
dn'
tevenwant
tocomeback."

Phil
awalkedi
nandputat
raywi
thsomef
oodand
dr
inksf
orus.

Phil
a:"
Enj
oyl
adi
es.I
'l
lbei
nmymancavei
fyou
needme,MaZwane.
"

Por
sche:
"Jane,gomonat
egonyal
wa(
It
'sni
ce
bei
ngmarri
ed).
"
Il
aughed.

Me:"
Hao,you'
real
somar
ri
edman.Anyway,
how
ar
ethingswit
hRobandt
heki
ds?"

Porschesuddenl
ychangedherf
aci
alexpr
essi
on
andbecamet ear
y.Ihel
dherhand.

Me:
"Por
sche,
dint
shang(
what
'swr
ong)
?"

Porsche:(deepsigh)"
Ihavet otel
lyousomething.
RobandIhadpl annedthewholet r
ipbecausei
t's
hi
sl ast.RobhasgotSt ageFourCol onCancer
.He
doesn'thaveverylongtoli
veanymor e,
sohe
want edtospendhislastdayswi t
hmeandt hekids.
Hedi dn'twantt
odi ef
ullofregr
ets."

Ohno!Icoul
dn'
thel
p,butl
ett
het
ear
srol
ldown.
Me:
"Mygoodness,
Porsche.I
'
m sosorr
y,babe.
Whendi
dyoufindout
?Andwhydi dn'
tyoutel
lme?
"

Porsche:
"Wef oundoutafewweeksago.Idi dn'
t
wanttostressyouout,Zee.Weallhaveourown
baggage.He'sgotaf ewweekstoli
veandhechose
tospendthosedaysathome.Iwon' tbeabletobe
atworkforawhi l
e,hewantstodi
ewi t
husar ound
him."

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutbr
eakdown.Ican'
timagi
ne
l
osingPhi
lal
iket
hat
.

Porsche:"I
t'
sokay, Zee.Really.We'vemadepeace
withit
.Robi sn'
tafraidofdyi
ngatal l
.He'sshown
mesomuchl ovei nmyl i
feandIcan'tthankhim
enoughf orthat.I'
dbeamesswi thouthi
m.Ican
onlythankGodf orgivi
ngmet hechanceto
experi
encer eallove.Notverymanypeopl egetto
havethat."
Shesmi l
edatmeasshesai dthat.Icouldn'teven
beli
eveshewassoent husi
asti
cabouti t
.Por sche
alwaysbouncesback.Ijustwonderifshe'l
leverbe
abletoli
vewit
houtRob.Wecont inuedthedaywi th
l
aughterandhershowingmet hei
rpicturesfrom
thei
rworldt
our.IcanonlypraythatPhilaandI
experi
encewhatRobandPor schehave.

Oneweekl
ater

Zi
yanda

Ihavefi
nallybeenal l
owedt oret
urntowor ksince
myar m hasfullyhealedfr
om thebull
etwound.
Mthunzisayst hatLungahasbeent akingtreatment,
butthelessIhearf r
om himt hebet
ter.Ihaven't
beenfeeli
ngtowel lforthepastweek.Ican' tseem
tokeepanythingdownandPhi lai
sbasi cal
lyforci
ng
met ogoseeadoct ortoday.
It
'sbeenthreeweekssinceKel ehasbeenmi ssing
andasmuchasSbui sreal
lytryi
ng, deepdownhe' s
amess.I t'
sonlyamat t
eroft i
mebef orehehasa
nervousbreakdown.I '
m backatwor kandIcheck
uponPor scheeverynowandt hen.Robi st
ryingto
stayposi
tiveeventhoughthingsar en'tl
ooki
ngt oo
good.Allthishasmademeappr eciateli
fei
tself
evenmor e.

Phil
aandImadeourwayt oDr ake'
spracti
cesi
nce
i
t'
sknockoffti
me.Ihaven' tevenbeenableto
stomachthesmel
lofhi scologne,asmuchasi t
's
expensi
ve.Hedoesn'tweari tanymoresi
nceit
nauseat
esme.Ievenhat et hesmellofeggsnow,
nottomenti
onthetaste.

Phil
akeepstel
lingmeI'm pregnant
,butIdon'
teven
wanttogothere.I'
drathernothavemyhopesup
eventhoughIhaven'
tseenmyper i
odsinalong
whil
e.Mycyclehasal waysbeencr azyhenceI
don'
twantt
ogetexci
ted.

Weent
eredDr
ake'
sof
fi
ceandf
oundhi
m seat
ed.

Dr
ake:
"Mr
.AndMr
s.Zwane.
"

Phi
la:
"Ai
,nawe.Whydoyouhavet
obesof
ormal
?"

Drake:(chuckl
ing)"
I'
m atwor
k,soIhavet
obe
for
mal .
"

Wegotseat
ed.

Dr
ake:
"So,
what
'shappeni
ng?
"

Me:"
Ihaven'
tbeentoowel
l.Ican'tkeepanyt
hing
downandIhatethesmell
ofcertainthi
ngs.
"
Phi
la:
"Li
kemycol
ogne.Thankst
oherIcan'
teven
smell
nicef
ort
heladi
es.
"

Ij
ustst
aredathi
m whi
lehesmi
ledatme.

Drake:"
Soyou'r
emeaningt
otel
lmethatyoudon'
t
seewhat '
shappeni
ng,
Zee?Youcouldbe
pregnant.
"

Phi
lasmi
ledwi
del
y.

Phi
la:"
See?Itol
dherthatexact
lybutshesai
dshe
di
dn'twantt
ogetherhopesup."

Dr
ake:
"I
t'
sunder
standabl
e."

Heaskedmeaf
ewmor
equest
ionsandi
twasl
ikel
y
thatIcoul dbepr egnant.Asexci ti
ngasi tseems, I
can'thelpbutf eelscared.Ihaveal otoft houghts
runningt hroughmymi ndl ikeamar athon, butthe
mai nonei sthatIdon'twantt olosethispr egnancy.
Drakeaskedmet otakeapr egnancytestint he
toil
etandIpee' edont hest ickwi t
houteven
checkingi t.Iquickl
ywashedmyhandsand
returnedt ohisdesk.Phi lawassoexci tedand
didn'tletgoofmyhand, notevenf oronesecond.
Afteraf ewmi nutesofsi lenceIsawDr akesmi le.

Dr
ake:
"You'
redef
ini
tel
ypr
egnant
."

Phi
lasmi
ledandki
ssedme.

Phi
la:
"Thankyou!ThankyousomuchMaZwane!
"

Iwasintot
alshock,Iact
ual
lydi
dn'
tknowhowt
o
feel
.Igavehi
m af ai
ntsmil
eas
Igotupandchangedi
ntoamedi
calgownas
i
nstruct
edbyDr akeandl ayonthebedwhileI
wait
edforDraket ocomeandat tendme.Phil
aheld
mebyt hehandt hroughoutwhil
ebeamingwit
h
pri
de.Iloveseeinghimt hi
shappy.Hekeptkissi
ng
myhand.IguessGodr eal
lyheardourpr
ayer
sthi
s
ti
me.

Drakegotinandputhisinf
amouscol dgelonmy
abdomen.OnceIsawt hemoni
torIjustfel
ttear
s
str
eam downmyf ace.Iwasevenmor eamazedas
Iheartahear
tbeat
,fol
lowedbyanotherandt hen
another
.

Drake:"
Looksli
keyou'r
einf orabigsur pr
ise.Isee
thr
eeheartbeat
s.You're13weekspr egnant,Zee.
Congratul
ati
ons!Idon'tevenknowhowyou
couldn'
tnoti
ceforawhol ethreemont hssince
you'
recarryi
ngtri
plet
s,butithappens."

Phil
awassohappyashekeptki
ssi
ngme.Iwasi n
tot
alshock.Thr
eebabi
es?
!Wow.Ijusthopeal
l
thedrinki
nghasn'taff
ectedt
hem inanyway.Dr
ake
l
ef tusasIgotupt ochange,butPhi
lahel
dmy
handsandkneel eddowni nfr
ontofmeandhad
tearsfall
ingdownhisface.

Phila:"
Thankyousomuch, Mazwane.You' vejust
mademet hehappiestmanal ive.Ipromiseto
cherishyouatal lt
imes.You' vejustshownmet hat
Godi saGodofmi raclesandpr ayercomesf i
rst.I
dreamtoft hismomentf ewweeksago.Myf ather
camet omei nmydr eamsandt oldmewe' l
lbe
blessedwi thli
tt
leones.Inevert houghti
twoul dbe
three!Iloveyousomuch, Zi
yandaZwane.Thank
youf orthegiftofl
if
e."

Heki
ssedmyt
ummyandIsmi
led.

Me:
"Il
oveyout
oo,
Babywami(
mybaby)
."
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandSi
xteen
Zi
yanda

Wewentoutf orl
unchwhi lePhil
acoul dn'
tstop
thankingme.If i
nall
ygotintoitasIal sostar
ted
thi
nkingofwhot hebabieswoul dl ookli
ke.Woul dit
bethreegirl
sorthreeboysormi xed?Ei t
herWay
I'
m soexcited.Phil
asayshewant sallgi
rl
sjustli
ke
Sbu'stwins.Hewant slit
tl
epr i
ncessest ospoilj
ust
l
iketheirmommy.Heevent ookt hetimetogoi nto
ababybout iqueandbuyt hreegreenbabyboot i
es.
Itol
dhi mtogetauni sexcoloursincewedon' t
knowt hegender.

Wegothomeandf oundSbuandRacheli nour

houselookingsad.Itlookedl
ikeSbuhadbeen
cryi
ng.Isuddenlyfeltacoldshi
verdownmyspine
asIexpectedthewor st.

Phi
la:
"Baf
o,what
'shappeni
ng?
"
Sbudidn'
tevenhavetheener
gyt
otal
khewasj
ust
drownedi
nhi sowntear
s.

Rachel:(
tear
y)"I
t'
sKel e.Theyfoundheri
nar eal
mess.Appar ent
lysheconsumedpoi sonandwas
rushedtohospit
alanhourago.Wet r
iedcal
li
ngyou,
butbothofyoudidn'tanswer.
"

Oh,
Ifor
gotweputourphonesonsi
lent
.

Phi
la:
"Wi
llshebeokay?Whataboutt
hebabi
es?
"

Rachel:
"Wedon'
tknow.That
'swhywewai
tedfor
youtogether
esowecouldleavef
ort
hehospi
tal
toget
her.
"

Wedidn'
tevenhesi
tat
e.Phil
atookthecarkeysand
wewereofftot
hehospit
al.Idon'
tknowwhymy
goodnewsalwayscomeswithbadnews.Nowi s
cl
ear
lynotthet
imet
otel
lthem aboutour
pr
egnancy.

Wear rivedatthehospit
alwi thSbuqui etthewhole
way.Rachelhel dhishandt hewhol et
ime.Hewas
aseriousmessofwhi chItot al
lyunderstand.We
hadt owai tawhil
eapparent lyDrakewasbusyi n
surgery.Weaskedoneoft henur sesaboutKel e'
s
conditi
onandshesai dthatKel ewasi nt heatr
e.
Phil
aandIhel dhandswithRachelandSbuand
start
edpr ayingi
nthewai t
ingar ea.Itfel
tlikethe
l
ongestpr ayerofourli
ves.

Afteraboutanhour,Dr akecameoutwi t
hhiswork
gearon.Het oldust hatKel ehadbeenstayi
ngwi t
h
random peopleshemetal ongthewayandwasof f
hermedsf orawhi l
e.Shel osthersani
tyandate
somet hi
ngthathadr atpoisoninit.Shewasf ound
dumpedonanear byr oadi nTsakane,wit
hher
walletandcardstaken.Tonymanagedt otr
aceher
usingoneofhercar ds, whichwasusedt owithdr
aw
moneyaf
ewhour
sago.

Idon'
tgethowcr uelpeopl
ecanbe.Theyshould'
ve
j
ustcall
edorcont act
edthepol
icewhenshearri
ved
onthei
rdoorstep.Theytookadvant
ageofan
i
nsanepregnantwomanandnowIj usthopeSbu
doesn'
tgoafterthem.

Heexpl ai
nedt hatKelecameinali
vewithafaint
pulse.Theyhadt ooperat
eimmediat
elyand
removet hetwins.Shewasonl ysixmonths
pregnantandshedi edbef
oreshecouldmeett hem.
Sbuj ustfel
linhisseatandbrokedown.Icoul dn'
t
helpbutcr yaswel landPhi
lacomfor
tedme, whi l
e
Rachelconsol edSbu.

Keledi
dn'tmakeit,
butthankf
ull
ythebabiesdi
d.
TheyweresenttotheNeonatalI
ntensi
veCareUnit
.
Sbucalmeddownaf t
erawhil
eandaskedt ogosee
Kelefi
rst
,whi
lePhilaandIwenttotheNICUto
checkonthebabies.
It
'sabitt
ersweetmoment ,
sincetodayisKele'
s
bir
thday.31stofMay, whichwasal sosupposedto
beherweddi ngday.Itotal
lygetwhySbui ssucha
mess.Hef eelsveryguil
tyaboutwhatcouldhave
beenandpr obabl
ynowt hathe'sbeenbusywi th
Rachel,hefeel
sasifhewasn' ttaki
ngcareofKele
atall
.

Wegott ot heNI CUandwewer eshownt ot he

babies.Oh, mygoodnesst heyar esosmal l.They
areintheirlit
tl
eincubatorsthough, withsomepi pes
andwi r
esat t
ached.Twi n1i sal otbi ggerthanTwi n
2,weighing1. 3kgwhileTwin2wei ghs1kg.I
honestl
yhavenoi deahowt heymadei toutal i
ve
withsucht inybodymass.Yes, theyar egi rl
s.Sbu
i
snowaf athertofourgir
ls.Ican' timagi net he
dramat hat'
saboutt ocomef rom theset wo.They
l
ooksomuchl i
keKelethough, alsoi denticalli
ke
BuhleandKuhl e.Whatapai nfulremi ndert his
couldbef orSbu.
Wewal kedouthandinhandanddecidedtocall
Mam' I
vyandt el
lhert
henews.Shewasdevast at
ed
aboutKele'
spassing,butshetol
dusshewouldfly
i
nf i
rstt
hingtomorrowmor ni
ng.Aft
erthatwe
cal
ledGogoandMam' Masango.

Gog'
Khanyi
:"
Yebo,
Ziyanda.Unj
ani(
Howar
eyou)
?"

Me:(
Sigh)"
Okay,ma.Kodwa(
but
)Kel
ehaspassed
awayandthet
winsarei
nICU.
"

Gog'Khanyi
:"
Yebo(
Yes)
,Fl
oraht
oldmel
etmeput
heronspeaker.
"

Mam' Masango: "

Khul ulekamntwanami(Relax,my
chil
d),Keleisinabet terplacenow.Herdeathwas
i
nevitableandpainf ul,butshe'
satpeace.Hadshe
beenpr egnantforlonger ,t
hosebabi
eswoul dhave
diedinherwomb. "
Ididn'tknowhowt ofeelaboutthat.It
'sjustso
painfultothi
nkaboutwhatshewentt hrough.Ifeel
l
ikewef ai
ledherasherfri
ends,herfami l
y.Aunt
Eunicewasnot if
iedandshej ustcoul
dbar elyspeak
overthephoneaf ter
wards.

Mam' Masango:
"Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
otel
lSbusi
so
torememberhisfat
her'
sdream.Remembert otel
l
him,please.
"

Me:
"Yebo(
Yes)
,ma.Iwi
ll
."

Mam'Masango:"Congratul
ati
onsonyourlit
tle
bl
essi
ng,Ziyanda.Itoldyoutoneverlosehope.
Godhasbiggerblessi
ngsinst or
eforyou."

Me:
"Thankyou,
ma.
"
ShehungupandPhi l
asmi l
edamongsthi ssadface.
We'regoingtobepar entsatthesamet i
mewehave
toplanaf uneralandbet hereforSbu.Amongstal l
thi
sdr ama,Iremembert hepriest
'sser
monaf ew
weeksagowi ththeBi bl
eversef r
om 1Samuel1:27,
"Forthischil
dIpr ayed;andtheLORDhat hgivenme
mypet iti
onwhi chIaskedofhi m."

Godhasindeedbl essedmeabundant
ly,andeven
t
houghwer eceivedournewsamidstsuchdist
ress,
wearedeli
ghted.

Aswewai tedforSbuandRachelt
ocomeback,
Porschesentmeamessage" Robertpassedawaya
fewmi nut
esago."Ifel
tli
keIhadbeenstabbedin
thechestwit
habi gkni
fe.Li
fecanbesocr uelat
ti
mes.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandSevent
een

Sbu
EversincrIreceivedthenewsofKel ebei ngfound
i
nt hatstate,
I'
vebeenar ealmess.If eelli
keIhave
fai
ledKeleandnowmynewbor nchildrenwi l
lbe
rai
sedwi thoutamot her.Ican'tever ej
oiceabout
mychi l
drenwhent heirmotherisdeadbecauseof
me.Per hapsi fIhadleftherwithBri
an, shewould
havestil
lbeenal ive,
justli
keThato.

IaskedRachelt oaccompanymet otheHospital

mortuaryt ogoseeKel e'
sbody.Ij ustcoul
dn'tst
op
cryi
ng.Howwi l
lIfaceherfamily?Whatwi l
lIsay
tomychi ldrenwhent heygrowup?Thi ngshave
j
uststartedt opi
ckupbet weenRachelandIandI
real
lydon'twantt ooverwhelm herwithmybaggage.
She'stoomuchofagoodwomant ogot hr
oughthis.

Wewentoutoft hemort
uar
yandwenttoseemy
newborndaughter
s.Idi
dn'
twantt
o,butRachel
convi
ncedmet odoit
.
Rachel
:"
Sbu,l
et'
sgoseeyourbabies.Don'
trej
ect
t
hem becausetheyar
ejusti
nnocent.
"

Iaskedhert oaccompanymeandassoonasIsaw
them, Isawaper fectr ef
lectionofKel e.Theyhave
mynoseandbr ows, butever ythingel sei
sKel e's.
Howwi llIcontinuet olovet hem whenal lIseei n
them ist heirmother ?Shewentcr azybecauseof
me.Theyl ooksot inyandf ragil
e.Rachelwasr i
ght
,
Ican'tpuni shthem f orsomet hi
ngt heydidn'tdo.I
touchedt hem andf eltaninst antconnect ion,just
l
ikewi thBuhl eandKuhl ewhent heywer ebor n.
Theset woar esoldiers.Despi t
eal lthestressand
healtcondi ti
onst heirMot herhad, theymadei t
againstal lodds.

Racheltookapictur
eofthem bothandwemade
ourwaybackt othewaiti
ngarea.Wef oundZee
andPhilawaiti
ngforus.Zeelookedevenworse
thanbefore,
li
keshehadbeencr yi
ngtheenti
reti
me
we'vebeenaway.Phi l
apull
edmeawaywhi l
e
Rachelsatwi
thZee.

Phi
la:
"Baf
o(br
other)
,congrat
ulat
ionsont
het
wins.
You'
renowafatheroffour
."

If
akedasmi
leamongstmyt
ear
s.

Sbu:"
Thanks,baf
o(br
other
).I
'
mjustgoi
ngt
hrough
alotri
ghtnow."

Phil
a:"Don'
tworryaboutanyt hi
ngelse.We'l
ldeal
witheveryt
hingtomorrow.uMai scoming
tomorrowmor ni
ngwi t
ht hetwins.ZeeandIwi l
l
helplookaft
erthem,youj ustmakesur eyougetto
bondwi tht
hetwinsandRachel .
"

Sbu:(
Deepsigh)"Idon'tknowifshe'
llbeableto
handl
eallt
his.Theki dsneedamot her.Ican'
tdoit
al
lonmyown.Idon' twanttooffendhersinceshe
can'
thaveki
dsofherown,
baf
o(br
other
).
"

Phil
a:"
Thatwomanl ovesyou.She'l
ldoi t
.Allyou
havetodoi sask.Shewouldn'tbehereifshedidn'
t
wanttobeapar tofyourl
if
e.Shest i
llaccept
edyou
evenaftersheknewaboutKele."

Iguesshe'
sri
ght
.He'sal
waysbeent
hevoi
ceof
reasonbet
weent
hetwoofus.

Phil
a:"Ifor
gottot
ellyou,Mam' Fl
orahsaysyou
shouldn'tf
orgett
hedr eam youhadofuBaba(dad)
.
Shesai dit
'si
mportant."

Damn.Ievenf orgotaboutt
hat
.Myfatherhasbeen
vi
sit
ingmeallweekt el
li
ngmeaboutnamingthe
chi
ldren.Idi
dn'tknowwhathemeant.

Sbu:
"Shosho,
foza.Thanks.I
'
llnot
eit
."
Phi
la:
"Weneedtogethome.Zeeisi
nastate.
Por
schejustt
ext
edheraboutRob'
spassi
ng."

Asifsheisn'
tgoingt
hroughalotal
ready.Li
fecan
besocruel.Myheartbreaksf
orPorsche.She
real
lyl
ovedthatoldmanofhers.Theywereso
i
nseparable.

Zi
yanda

Myal arm clockwentoffat6am.Ican' tgot owor k

i
nt hi
sst ateevenPhil
aagreed.I '
vebeencr yingall
ni
ghtandhewasver yupsetabouti t
.HesaysI
needt othinkaboutmyselfandt hepregnancy.I
agreewi thhim,butIj
ustcouldn'thelpit
.Myeyes
aresoswol l
enandmyf acebei ngredisn'tdoingme
anyjustice.AsalwaysIwokeupwi t
houtPhi l
aby
mysi denowadays.Iwentt ot hebathroom tobr ush
myt eeth.AsIwal kedbacktot hebedroom If ound
hi
m hol
dingabr
eakf
astt
rayi
nhi
shands.

Mostpeoplesayever
ythi
ngchangeswhenyou'
re
pregnant
,butseemsl
ikePhi
laremai
nsanopen
book.

Phil
a:(smi
li
ng)"Goodmor
ning,
MaZwane.
Breakf
asti
sserved."

Me:"
Morni
ngbabywami(
mybaby)
.Thankyouso
much.
"

Phi
la:
"You'
dbet
tereatupandcatchuponsome
sl
eep.Bukamanje(looknow),
you'
resored.Idon'
t
wantyoutogi
vemer edf
acedbabi
esangit
hi.
"

Il
aughedsof
tl
y.
Phil
a:"Ser
iously,St
handwasami( Mylove)
,youneed
tostopstressi
ngyour sel
foutli
kethi
s.Drakesai
d
carr
yingmul ti
plesisveryr
isky.Youmightconsi
der
qui
ttingyourjob."

Ifr
ownedandst aredathim.Philaisalr
eadyacting
l
ikeacont rolf
reaknow.I '
m pr
egnant ,
notdisabl
ed.
AsIwast r
yingtoregi
sterwhathehadj ust
suggested,Isawthenewsheadl inesontv
"Bi
ll
ionair
ewi fedi
esfrom mentaldisor
derwhile
husbandgal avant
swi t
hotherwomen. "

There'
sneveradaywithoutdramai ntheZwane
famil
y.TherewasSbu'spicturewithRachelfr
om
theti
mewewer eatthemal li
nCapeTownbef ore
theshoot
ing.Therewasapi ctur
eofKel easwell
,
somewhereinJo'bur
garoundpeopl ewedon'teven
know.Iturnedupthevolumet oli
stentothi
scheap
news.

Repor
ter
:"
Sbusi
soZwane,
Bil
li
onai
remoguldumped
hiswifeKelebogileMol efewhileshewasj ust3
mont hspregnant .Iti
sallegedthatMol efesuffered
from mult
iplement aldisordersasar esultofthe
breakup.Mr .Zwaneandhi snewgi r
lf
riend,known
asRachelCl oete,havebeenseengal avanting
aroundCapeTownal ongwi threcentl
yf amouspl us
sizemodelZi yandaZwaneandherhusband.I tis
alsoall
egedt hatMs.Cl oeteistheonewhoshott he
plussizemodel '
sexhusband, asyoucanseef rom
theleakedpicture."

Icoul
dn'tbel
ievemyeyes.Therewasapict
ureof
Rachelpoint
ingtheguntoawoundedLunga,when
wewer einElmarie'
sbout
ique.

Reporter
:"
ItseemsasiftheseZwanemenhavea
badtasteinwomenandsomeser i
ouscr
iminal
recor
ds.Thequestionis:Wheredi
dMs.Cloeteget
hergun?I sitl
egal
?"

Phi
lawassof
uri
ousanshegotuppaci
ngupand
down.

Phi
la:
"Thesei
diot
sar
egoingt
opay!Noone
messeswithmyfami
lyandget
sawaywi
thit
!"

Hegotont hephoneandmadeaf ewcal lsashe

wasshout i
ngatsomeoneovert hephone.If eel
verysor r
yforthosetabloids.Idon' tevenfeelbad
aboutthem get t
ingfi
redsoon.Whatupsetmet he
mosti sthattherewasal eakedpictureofKelein
themor gueaswel laspi cturesofthenewbor n
twins.Whi chmeanst hatt hisismostl i
kelyan
i
nsidej ob.Howdar et heyi nvadeourpr i
vacyli
ke
that?

IcouldseeTwi t
teralr
eadyboomi ngwithhashtags,
withpict
uresofRachelandKel ebeingcomparedt o
oneanot her.Someoneevensai dRachelis
disgusti
ngf orsleepi
ngwithamar r
iedmanwhi le
hisdement edpr egnantwi
fediedaloneont he
Jo'burgstreets.Peopleneedtomi ndthei
rown
business.Rachelhasn'
tevensl
eptwit
hSbuatall.I
canonl yi
maginewhatshe'sgoi
ngthoughr
ightnow.
Itsurel
ydoesn'
tlooktoogood.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandEi
ght
een

Rachel

Ihardl
ysl eptawi nkl astnight.I'vebeencr yi
ngnon
stopandI 'm onethatdoesn' tcr
yeasi ly-
ever.Iwas
wokenupbyMelt ell
ingmet owat chthenewsat
23:00lastnight.I'm event rendingonTwi t
ter,
and
eventhoughi t'
snotal lbadst uf
f, butpeopl
ehave
thenervet osaybadt hingsaboutyouwi t
houteven
knowingyou.I t'
sdi sgustinghowt hemediacan
publi
sht hingswithoutpr ooforevenwor r
yingabout
yourfeeli
ngsasaper son.

Therewerepict
uresst
olenfrom myI
nstagr
am and
Facebookaccountbypeopleandspl
att
ered
ever
ywhereacrossTwit
ter.Someevencomparing
met oKele,whilesomesayi ngI'm agolddiggi
ng
whor ewhobr okeupapr egnantwoman'smar ri
age
anddr ovehert oherdeat h.Thisisexactl
ywhyI
didn'twanttobei nar el
ati
onshipwithSbu.People
havet heirownmi sconcepti
onandnowi t
'seven
wor sesinceit'sallover.Mypar ent
shavebeen
suppor t
ive,sendingmemessagesal lni
ght.

Sbuheldmeandcomf ort
edmeal lnightandIf
eel
sobadaboutallthi
s.He'sgoi ngthroughsomuch
andI'
m addi
ngt ohisproblems.Hecamebackt o
thebedr
oom withat r
ayoff oodinhishands.My
facei
ssopuffyandIcanbar elykeepmyeyesopen.
I'
vegotamigrai
nef ordays.

Sbu:
"Goodmorni
ng,
Ganst
erQueen.I
'
vemadeyou
somebreakf
ast
."

It
ri
edt
ofakeasmi
lebuti
tjustwasn'
tpossi
ble.
Rachel
:"
Thankyou,
butI
'
m nothungr
y."

Heputthet
rayasi
deandgoti
ntobedwi
thme,
hol
dingme.

Sbu:"
Rae,don'
tbeatyourselfupoverusel
ess
peopl
e.They'l
lbefir
edbef oret
heendoft heday
andI'
llmakesuretheypayf orwhattheyhavedone
toyou."

Rachel
:"
It
'snott
hat,
Sbu.Ever
yonenowknowsme
asthehomewrecker
.Howwi l
lIbeabl
etof
acet
he
worl
d?"

Sbu:"You'
llf
acethewor l
dthesamewayyoudo
everyday.Youowenooneanexpl anati
on,Rae.
Onlyweknowt herealyouandthat
'smor ethan
enough.You' vesavedmef r
om myselfandIcan
neverthankyouenough.You' r
ethestrongest
womanIknowandnowyouwantt obailoutover
i
nsecurepeoplewhopostshitaboutyou?They
don'
tevenknowyou, baby.Relaxandtrustme,
pl
ease.I'
llneverl
etyoudown.Noti nt
entional
ly
anyway."

Hecar resedmeandki ssedmyf orehead.Hi s

wordscomf ort
edmeandmademef eelli
ket hi
ngs
weregoi ngt ofalli
ntopl ace.IknowIsai dwe
shouldt akeever yt
hingsl owandImeantwhatIsai d.
Butrightnow, IneedSbu- al
lofhim.Il ookedupat
him asmyheadwasonhi schest,Istaredathi m
deepi nhi seyesandIputmyl ipsonhi s.He
respondedasIgotont opofhi m.Icoul df eelhi
s
shaftext endingandpoki ngmedownt here.

I'
veseenSbunakedmanyt imesandIaskmysel f
howhe' l
leverfiti
nsi
deofmewhenhi sbuldgeisso
huge.Ever yt
hingatthatmomentfeltsor i
ght
.I
couldhearhim moani nsidemymout h,causi
ngme
tofeelwetinstant
ly.Beingnakeddi
dn'tmake
thi
ngseasieratall.Hewasi nhisbr
iefsonly,sohe
coul
dfeelal
lmypussyj
uicesdr
ippi
ngonhi
s
under
wear.

Sbu:(
moani
ng)"
Rachel
,shi
t,baby.Whatar
eyou
doi
ngtome?"

Rachel
:"Sbu.
..Ineedyou.Ineedyour
ightnow.
"

Sbu:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Rachel
:"
Yes,
I'
veneverbeenmor
esur
e.Pl
ease.
"

Henoddedandpr oceededtokissmepassi onatel

y.
Sbui ssuchanawesomeki sserwi t
hthose
gorgeouspinklipsofhis.Hef l
ippedmeoversoI
couldliebel
owhi m,asIslowlyslippedhisbr
iefsoff
hislegs.Hekissedandni bbledmyneckcausi ng
met omoanoutofpl easure.Hewentont osuckmy
perfect
lyroundedbreastsandgent lybi
ti
ngmy
ni
pples.Thepleasur
et hatwasconsumi ngmy
bodyatthatmomentmademef eelli
keIwasn'
t
myself,
li
kemybodydi dn'tbel
ongt omeatthatver
y
moment .

Sbugent lyrubbedmycl i
tanddippedonef inger
i
nsidemyvagi na.Imoanedoutl oudandi tdrove
him crazyasIsawhi m givemeami schievous
smi l
e.Hewentdownt omypussywi thhisfaceand
gentlyfl
ickedhistongueonmycl i
t.Oncehesaw
mecl osemyeyesandi ndulgemysel finthe
pleasureIwasf eeli
ng,hepr oceededt osuckmei n
themostpl easurableway.Themor ehesucked
wast hemor eImoaned.

Sbu:
"Youtastesof
uckinggood,
Gangsterqueen.I
can'
tgetenoughofyourgor
geouspussy."

Hisdir
tyt
alkmademegowi l
d.Ifel
tsohot
,so
f
lushed.Icouldfeel
myor
gasm bui
ldi
nghi
m and
mybodyt ensed.
Sbu:"
Leti
tgo,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
,cum f
orme,
baby.
"

Il
etgoandspl ashedal lmyjui
cesonhi smout has
heli
ckedmecl ean,leavingmeabi tembarrassed.
Sexisal
wayssomet hingsointi
mat e,
yougett obe
i
nyourmostvul nerablestat
e-nomat t
erhowt ough
yourext
erioris.Hecamebackupandki ssedme
passi
onately.Ilovet asti
ngmyselfinhismout h.

Hepositi
onedhimselfontopofmeandgent lysli
dit
i
n.Iheardhim growlandmoansohar d,Isuppose
i
t'
sbeenqui t
eawhi l
esincehe'shadsex.Ifel
tall
sort
sofpleasur
eallaroundmybody.Sbui sr eal
ly
att
enti
veandpassionateduri
ngsex.

Sbu:
"Shi
t,Rae!You'
resot
ight
.Fuck,
baby!Lookat
me."
Ihatethat
,Ialwaysgett ooembar r assedtolooka
mani ntheeyesdur ingsex.Ideci dedt oopenmy
eyesandstareathi m ashegent lymovedont opof
me.Isawt her ealSbu- t
hevulnerableSbuandnot
Cobra.Hisbeaut i
fulhazeleyesbecamesmal l
eras
hemoanedwhi lestari
ngmei nt heeyes.Iknew
ri
ghtthenthatIlovedt hi
sman.

Sbu:
"Il
oveyou,
Rae.
"

Rachel
:"
Iloveyout
oo,
Sbu.
"

Hefast
enedhispaceashecol
lapsedont
opofme
af
terawhil
e.

Sbu:
"St
ayr
ightt
her
e.I
'
llbeback.
"

Hekissedmyforeheadandwenttot
hebat hr
oom t
o
getatowelandwipedmeclean.Hekissedmyli
ps
andgotbacki
ntothecover
sandwepr
oceededt
o
eatourbr
eakf
ast.

Zi
yanda

I'
vebeeninbedeversincethenewsbrokeout.It
's
arealmessandPhi l
ahast ododamagecontrol
withSbualreadygoi
ngthroughsomuch.Phi l
atol
d
meRachelhasbeenamesssi ncel
astnight
,so
she'scomingoverheresi
nceSbuhastogobackt o
thehospit
al.

Luckil
yMam' Ivyisonherway.Shehaspr obabl
y
l
anded, though.SoIt ookaqui ckshowerandmade
thebed.Igotdr essedandheadeddownst air
s.
We'realltrappedinthismediadisaster
,butRachel
andSbuneedal lt
hesupporttheycanget.

If
oundPhi
lai
nthel
ounge.
Phi
la:
"Comeher
e,MaZwane.
"

Heopeneduphi
sar
msandmademesi
tinbet
ween
hi
slegs.

Phi
la:
"Ar
eyouf
eel
ingbet
ter
?"

Me:
"Al
it
tl
ebi
t,babywami(
mybaby)
."

Phi
la:
"Idon'
twantyoust
ressi
ngmygi
rl
sint
her
e."

Me:(Smi
li
ng)"
Whatmakesyouthi
nkit
sgi
rl
s?I
haveast
rongfeel
ingt
heyar
eboys.
"

Phi
la:"Hayi
,hayi
,hayi(
no,
no,no)Sthandwasami
(mylove).Idon'
tneedHeart
breakersl
ikeSbuandI
.
I
magi nehandsomeboystimesthree.Noways."
IlaughedasIhear
dthetwi
nsrunthroughthedoor
.
I'
m guessi
ngMam' I
vyhasf
inal
lyarr
ived.

Nokuhl
e:"
Aunt
yZee!
"

Nobuhl
e:"
Uncl
ePhi
la!
"

Theycamet
ohugusal
lsmi
l
es.

Nobuhle:"
Uncl
ePhil
a,pl
easetel
lmeyougotus
somethingthi
sti
me?Weal waysvi
sityouand
you'
realwaysemptyhanded.
"

Weal
llaughedasMam'
I
vygr
eet
edus.

Phil
a:"
Buhl
e,Ipr
omi
seI
'
llgetyousomet
hingl
ater
,
okay?"
Nokuhle:
"Ah,
wewantAuntZeetogetussomet
hing.
Youalwaysgetusbor
ingst
uff
."

Yohhaishametheseki
dscantal
k.Theywentt
o
thegameroom whil
eMam'I
vyspoketous.

Mam'I
vy:
"Ni
njanibant
wanabami(
Howar
eyoumy
ki
ds)
?"

Me:
"We'
regood,
ma.
"

Phi
la:
"We'
ret
ryi
ng.
"

Mam'I
vy:
"Oh,kodwaPhi
la.Thoseli
ttl
esol
dier
sar
e
t
urni
ngyouintoadramakingal
ready?"

Ibl
ushedasPhi
lal
aughed.
Mam i
vy:
"Congrat
ulat
ions,
mychildr
en.Godisa
Godofmiracl
es.Heanswer satt
heexactr
ight
t
ime.
"

Ismi
ledaswebot
hthankedher
.

Mam'
I
vy:
"Unj
aniuRachel(
how'
sRachel
)?"

Phi
la:
"Ai
,Sbusai
dshe'
sbeencr
yingal
lni
ght
."

Mam'
I
vy:
"She'
l
lbef
ine.She'
sast
rongone.
"

Phi
la:
"Hawu,
ma.Youhaven'
tevenmetheryet
."

Mam'Ivy:
"Ispeakwi
thheroverthephone.Icantel
l
byhervoiceandshegotSbusisoandyoutofinal
ly
gotochurchsoshe'
sasst r
ongast heycome."
WelaughedasSbuandRachelent er
ed.Rachel
's
f
acelookedsopuffy,
butshemanagedt osmil
eat
l
east
.ThewaySbuwassmi l
ing,I
'
dsaytheyfi
nal
ly
r
eachedthatl
evelofthei
rrel
ati
onshi
p.

Sbu:
"Sawubona,
ma(
Hel
lo,
ma)
."

Mam'I
vy:"
Sbusi
so,mfanawami(
myboy)
.
Kuzol
unga(I
twil
lgetbet
ter
).
"

Shesaidasshehuggedhi
m.Hereyeswentto
Rachelandshehadahugesmi
leonherface.

Mam'I
vy:
"Rachel
,mybaby.Wozal
ana(
Come
her
e).
"

Sheopenedherar
msforanembr ace.WhatIlike
aboutMam'I
vyist
hatshe'
salwaysnicetoeveryone.
Herwarmthmakesonesmileandfeelatease.
Goodthi
ngaboutRacheli
sthatshecanspeaka
fewNgunil
anguages.

Rachel
:"
Sawubonama(
hel
loma)
."

Mam' I
vy:"
I'
m sohappytoseeyouhere.Lookatmy
boy,He'ssmil
ingl
ikealovest
ruckt
eenager
.Ihope
he'
streati
ngyouwell.
"

Rachel
:(bl
ushi
ng)"
Yebo(
yes)ma.
"

Mam' I
vy:"
Stopstressi
ngyour
selfoverthosel
ow
l
ifes.He'l
lsortt
hem out.Asforyou,you'r
etoo
beauti
fult
or ui
nthatperf
ectf
ace."

Theybothsmi l
edasPhil
a,SbuandMam'I
vyl
eftf
or
thehospi
talandlef
tRachel
,mysel
fandt
hetwi
ns
behi
nd.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandNi
net
een
Sbu

Ma, PhilaandIfi
nall
yarr
ivedatt hehospit
al .Imust
saymyl i
tt
letal
kwithuMai nthecarmademel ess
anxious.Ishouldtakepri
deint henewchi ldrenwe
haver ecei
vedandI'l
lpayforallKele'
sfuner al
expenses.I twon'
tbri
ngherback, butit
'sthel eastI
cando.

I'
llmakecont
actwiththem lateronsincethey'
ve
beenblowi
ngupmyphonewi thmessagesand
call
s.EvenRuthsentmeaver ydist
urbing
messagesayingI
'l
lregretki
ll
ingherchild.Idon'
t
gethowthatwomani sevenst il
lbr
eathing.

Phil
ahadachatwithDrakewhil
eMaandIgotin
theNICUsi
ncetheyonlyal
lowtwovi
sit
orsatat
ime.
ThejoyonMa'sfacesaidi
tal
l.
Mam' Ivy:"WenakaMaf ukawal i
ngani,
Aphansi
naphezul u,
ngobaaphezul uangubongubo, Ntsel
e
kaLindakaMkhont o,Awungi l
indengilandeezami
eZungeni ,Mthanti
,Ndunangokut hwal'isi
lasensele,
UNt sel
ekangakanani ,
Ngobanasot hi
nilomkhont '
angahl al
a(Clannames) .Jeremiah1:5" Befor
eI
formedyoui nthewombIknewyou, beforeyou
werebor nIsetyouapar t;Iappoint
edyouasa
prophett othenati
ons."

Icoul
dn'thel
pbutshedaf
ewtearsasshepr
aised
andprayedformynewbor
ngi
rls.

Mam'
I
vy:
"Haveyout
houghtofnamesyet
?"

Ihaven'
tevent
houghtaboutt
hat
,butt
henIqui
ckl
y
remembereduBaba'
sdream.

Sbu:
"Thebi
gonewi l
lbenamedSiyandaandthe
smal
lonewillbenamedLuyanda(whichmeansour
l
ovei
sgr
owi
ng/
wear
egr
owi
ng)
."

Mam' Ivy:(
ulul
ati
ng)"
Ilovethem.I'
m gl adMxoli
si
gaveyousuchni cenames.Si nceyou'vealr
eady
giventhem namesallthankstoyourfather
,Ican'
t
l
ethi m haveal
ltheshi
neevenwhenhe' sdead.So
I'
l
lfini
shnami ngthem.Thi sonei
sSiyandaI vy
Zwaneandt hi
ssmalloneisLuyandaI r
isZwane."

Ismi
led.It
rustMatoref
usebeinglef
tbehi
ndand
nami
ngoneoft het
winsaft
erher.

Sbu:
"Kodwama,
whynamet
hebi
goneaf
teryou?
"

Mam' Ivy:
"Becauseshe'
sbi
ggerthanthesmal
lone
obviouslyandthatshowsshe'
sgoingtobe
outspokenjustli
keuGogo.
"

Ismi
ledaswel
eftt
heNI
CU.
Zi
yanda

IdecidedtogoseePor scheandRachelofferedto
comewi th.Wehadt ochangei nt
odecentattir
e,
youknowt heskirtordressanddoekkindat hing.
Wehadt otaket
het winsalongwhower every
excit
edt ol
eavethehouseasl ongaswegott hem
milkshakesontheway.Rachelhi ti
tof
finstantly
withthem.Sbuhasal waystoldmehowgoodshe
i
swi thkidsandItotall
yagree.

Wear rivedatPorsche'
shouseandt herewere
al
readyaf ewcarsparkedi
nt heyard.Isawa
BentlyandaRol lsRoyceandIal r
eadyknewt hat
Rob'spar ent
sandhi str
oublesomebr ot
herhave
arr
ived.Weknockedandwer emetbySel ena,
Porsche'snanny.Shel edthewayf orusto
Porsche'sbedroom.Wehadt opassRob'sfamil
y
andgr eetedthem.
Thepar entsgreetedal
ongwi thhisonesi sterand
gaybr other,
butthestrai
ghtbr othernevergr eet
ed
usback.Por schealwayst ol
dmehowBi l
lywas
alwaysjealousofRober t.Theywer eayearapar t
andhewoul dalwaysunder mi neRober tandt el
lhim
howf oolishhewasf ormar ryingabl ackgirl.He's
theonlyonewhohadapr oblem withRober tbeing
withPor sche,butshedidn'tmi ndhim atall.

Selenat ookthet winstogopl aywit

hBai ley.Oli
via,
Rober t'
ssixteenyearol ddaughterwasi nherroom.
It'
sunder standableforhert owanttobeal onein
suchasi t
uation.Wewal kedintoPorsche's
bedr oom andf oundherdr essedinblackandl yi
ng
i
nbedwi t
hpuf fyeyes.I '
veneverseenPor scheli
ke
this.I'dalsolooklikethatifnotworseifIhadt o
l
osePhi l
a.Assoonasshesawmeshehadt ears
fall
ingdownhereyes.Iembr acedherasRachel
satonacouchwat chi
ngus.

Il
ikeRachel
.Sheknowswhent
ospeakandwhen
notto.Porshecal
meddownaf t
erawhile.Icoul
d
feelhowemptythehousefel
twit
houtRob's
presence.He'
salwaysbeensojol
lyandacti
ve
despitebei
ng50yearsol
d.Onecouldnevertel
lhi
s
aget hewayhewassohandsomeandl ookedaft
er
himself.

Me:
"Howhaveyoubeen,
babe?
"

Porsche:"Ag,Iwasalri
ghtunt i
lBill
ytheredneck
arr
ived.Hehast ur
nedt hewhol efamilyupside
down, demandingawhol elotofshit.Robwant ed
tobecr ematedsot herewon'tbeaf uneral
, onlya
memor i
al.He'salr
eadydemandi ngthatIreleasea
fewcar stohiminor derforhimt omakeer rands."

Wow.AndhereIwasthi
nki
ngonlybl
ackpeopl
e
hadt
hener
ve.ThisBi
ll
ycharact
eri
sthepi
ts.

Por
sche:
"He'
ssost
upi
d,hedoesn'
tevenr
eal
izet
hat
tomorrowisthewil
lreadi
ng.Robhadpl anned
everyt
hingwithmebeforehepassedandhe
warnedmewhatwoul dhappen.I'
mjustdrained
becauseIneedallt
heemot i
onalsuppor
tIcanget
andhe'sherestr
essi
ngmeout .
"

Ai,somepeopl earejustt
oomuch.Absol utel
yno
respectforpeopl
einmour ning.Isobadlywant ed
tosharemygoodnewswi thher ,butI'
drathernot
comeacr ossassel f
ish.Lucki l
yshe'sexpectingher
mom andsi stert
oar ri
vetoday, soBil
lywillbeputin
hisplace.Selenacamewi thsomet eaandbi scui
ts
andwechat t
edabi t
.Shemanagedt osmi leand
l
aughf oralit
tlewhil
e,butwast ouchedtohear
AboutKel e'
sdeath.

Thet hreeofusspokeandhadabi toflaught

er,unt
il
wehear dnoi
sescomi ngfrom t
helounge.We
decidedt ocheckitout.Aswewalkedoutwesaw
Porsche'smom Er nieandhersist
erVinoli
a.Vinoli
a
andEr niearejustasfi
estyasPorsche.It'
safami l
y
thi
ngIsee.Bil
lyhadalr
eadyst
art
edupsome
dramaandhehasn'tbeenher
eforthr
eehour
sand
i
salreadyst
ir
ri
ngupsomedr ama.

Erni
e:"
Heywena( you),
Bil
lyorwhateveryourname
i
s!Oskat l
ontena(Don'
tir
rit
ateme).Thisismy
daughter
'shouseandyou'reaguestinhere.I'
l
lki
ck
yououtbeforeyoucanevensaykaf f
*r!
"

OhIseeitnow.Bill
ycall
edherthekwordandal
l
hel
lbrokel
oose.I'
dtotal
lyr
eactthesameway.
Bil
lyi
salwaysrudeandcondescendi
ngtowar
ds
bl
ackpeople.

Bil
ly:
"Ag!Don'tcomeher
espeaki
ngt
hatrubbi
sh
l
anguagewi thme!Ihavemoremoneythanyou'
l
l
everhave."

Ernie:
"Letmetel
lyousomet
hingwenavet
gat(
you
fatass).Don'
tthi
nkyoucancomehereanddoas
youpl
ease!KewagaMashabanna(I
'mfrom t
he
Mashabafami
ly)
.I'
l
lmoert
heshi
toutofyou!
"

Bi
ll
y:"
You'
rej
ustadr
unk!
"

Erni
e: "
Heh!(Clappi
nghands)NnaDr onkl appie(Me,
thedrunk),Itookbothmychi ldr
entoschool ,
I
producedPor t
iaWill
iams, whograduatedkaCum
Laude.Wena, Bi
ll
ybosepakewena( youl it
tl
eshit)
,
you'veneverevensetf ootonVarsit
ygr ound.O
l
ekgoal asetl
aela(You'readumbwhi t
eman) !No
wonderRober tneverwant edyounearhi m.So
you'dbettert
akeyourf atwhit
eassoutofmy
daughter'
shouse!Or ebakelasenyama( You'llgi
ve
usbadl uck).
"

Bil
lywasfumingandredi
ntheface,whi
lether
est
ofthefamil
ywasquiet
.Hetookhiscarkeysand
st
or medoutoft
hehouse,
bangi
ngt hedoor.
Ernie:
"Andlena(you)
,youneedacrashcourseon
rai
singchil
dren.Iwouldn'
tbeproudofbei
ng
parentstoapieceofshitl
ikeBi
ll
y.Mxm."

Shecl
ickedhert
ongueandwal
kedt
otheki
tchen
l
eavi
ngallofusstunned.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTwent
y

Zi
yanda

Af t
ert hewhol escenebetweenEr nieandBi l
ly,
Por schewasi nsti
tches.Hersi st
erVinoli
acameto
greetusaf terRob'
sf amil
yleftinshame.Hi s
cowor kersandempl oyeescamei ncr owds.Hewas
trul
ywel lappreci
atedandl oved.Wehel ped
Mam' ErnieandMam' Sel
enamaket eaanddishout
thebi scuits.

Il
ovewhit
efuner
als.Ther
e'snosuchthi
ngof
cooki
ngandwait
ingal
lweekforrel
ati
vesfr
om al
l
overt
hecountr
ytocomeandburyyourl
ovedonea
weeklat
er.Rob'
scremat
ioni
stomorr
ow,sother
e
i
snot i
mewasted.

Sot hecremat i
onwil
lhappeni nthemorningand
hi
smemor ialwil
lbeheldstrai
ghtaft
eratoneofhis
Hotels.It
'sshortnot
ice,butever
yonewhoknew
hi
m wi l
lbet her
e.

Thewillwil
lbereadtomor r
owaswell.Talkabout
speedi
ngthingsup.Il ovehowcal
m Porscheis
eventhoughshe'spained.Shesaysshegotthe
chancetospendhi sl
astdayswit
hhim onhisterms
andthat'
smor ethanonecouldaskfor.

Shesaysshef eelshispresencei
nthebedroom,
si
ncehedi edrightonthatbed.It
'sabitcr
eepy,but
Itot
all
yunderstand.Bill
ynevercameback, t
hank
goodness.Thet winshadl ot
soffunanditwas
ti
mef orustoleave.
Phil
awasst art
ingtoblowupmyphonesiwehadt o
l
eave.Wepr omisedtobebacktomor rowandshe
askedmet obepr esentatthewi
llreadingwi
thPhi
la.
Probabl
yforsuppor t
.Wesai dourgoodbyesand
l
eftformyhouseal ongwi t
hthekids.

Rachelseemedalotbet t
erthanshewast hi
s
morning.SheexplainedtoPorscheandIwhyshe
hadsuchat oughtimeaccept i
ngSbu.Ican't
i
magi newhatit
'sl
ikenotbeingabletohavechil
dren
atal
l.Whenwear r
ivedwef oundSbuandMam' I
vy
cooking,
whilePhi
lawasabi tmoodytowardsme.

Me:
"Goodeveni
ng,
mypeopl
e."

Mam'I
vy:(
Smi
li
ng)"
Abomakot
ibami(
mydaught
ers
i
nlaw)
."

Sbu:
"Shosho,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
,Qhawekazi
(
Her
oine)
."

Rachelwasal
lsmi
les,
Phi
lqdi
dn'
tevengr
eet
.

Me:
"Hawu,
Mkhont
o.Whyar
eyouqui
et?
"

Mam' Ivy:
"Ah,he'
ssul
kingbecauseyoul ef
twithout
tel
li
nghi m.Youmustf astf
orwar dthatpr
egnancy,
mntwanami( mychil
d)becauset hi
snewPhi l
ais
annoying.Ifit'
snot"
IneedtocallZee",i
t'
s"Zee
hasn'trespondedtomytexts"
,"ah,Imissmywi fe"
.

Wealll
aughedwhil
ePhil
asul
ked.Ait
his
pr
egnancyisaf
fect
inghi
m mos.

Sbu:
"Ah,
kisshi
m bet
ter
,Qhawekazi
(Her
oine)
."

Phi
la:
"Mxm,
voet
sek(
pissof
f),
Sbu!
"
Theyl
aughedandRachelandIhel
pedsett
het
abl
e.

Zee:"
So,Sbu,
haveyouguyssor
tedoutt
he
repor
ter
s?"

Sbu:"
Ah,ah,
ah, Qhawekazi(
heroi
ne)
.Youwon'
t
bel
ievewholeakedthestori
es.
"

Zee:
"Who?
"

Sbu:
"Rut
h.Aiyazi(youknow)t
hatwoman.It'
str
ue
whenPorschesays"Modimoosparabal
oyi
"(God
spar
eswitches)
."

Mam'
I
vy:
"Speaki
ngofPor
sche,
howi
sshe?
"

Rachel
:"
She'
sdoi
ngokay.Hermom wast
her
eand
shegaveBi
ll
yagoodr
unf
orhi
sloosemout
h."

Weal
lchuckl
ed.

Mam' I
vy:"Ai,i
tisn'
teasylosi
ngahusband,
especi
allyifyou'renotfi
nanci
all
ysecure.Atleast
Robleftheral egacy.She'str
ulybl
essedt ohave
methim.I t
'snoteverydayyougetmarriedtoyour
soulmate."

Mam'Ivyal
wayssai
dthewisestwordsandIt
hink
t
hat'
swhatkeptPhi
laandSbusogroundedall
t
heseyears.Wesatatthedi
ningt
ableandpr
ayed
t
henwehadourdelici
ousfood.

Sbu:"So,Rachel,
I'
vebeenthi
nking,Iknowwe' ve
onlybeendat i
ngforashortwhil
e,butI'm ser
ious
aboutyou.I '
m preparedt
owaitforyout osay
you'r
er eadytomar r
yme.Ijustneedt oaskyouone
question."
Okay,Sbuli
kestheserandom moments.Weall
keptqui
etandstaredatthem bot
h,l
eavi
ngpoor
Rachelabitshocked.

Rachel
:"
I'
mli
steni
ng.
"

Sbu:
"Mayyoupl
easebet
hemot
herofmychi
ldr
en?
"

Okay,whatabombshell
.Rachelwasshockedto
saytheleast.Shet
ookawhil
etoregi
sterwhatSbu
hadjustoffer
edonthet
abl
e.

Sbu:
"So,
whatdoyousay?
"

Rachel
:(smi
li
ngwit
htearsinhereyes)"
I.
.Idon'
t
knowwhattosay.Yes,
I'
lldoit
,Sbu."
Sbuwasbeami ngwit
hjoyandweal lsmil
edashe
ki
ssedthebackofherhand.Thi smustbebigfor
Rachelsinceshecouldneverbeabletocarr
yher
ownchildren.Sbuisoneamazi ngguyandRachel
i
sforkeeps.Ihopeshedoesn' ttur
nintoanother
Kel
e.

Thef
oll
owi
ngday.

Zi
yanda

Wewer eal ldonegetti

ngreadyf orRob'smemor ial
.
Porschej ustt extedmesayingthattheywer edone
withthecr emat ionandwereheadedt ot heHotel.
Luckil
yi t
'sj ustherei
nCenturion.Phila,Sbu,Rachel,
Mam' Ivy,thet winsandIheadedouti ntheVito.We
weregoi ngt omeetupwithDr akeandMelatt he
venue.

I
tist
hesamevenuewher
ewehel
dthel
aunch.Rob
wasaver ygoodbusi nessmanandmost l
yal oving
husbandanddevot edfather.Wedon' tknowwhy
Goddoeswhathedoesatt imes,butonl yHeknows
what '
sbest .Gogoal wayssayst hatdeathi sthe
onlythingwehavei ncommon, soit'
snouse
feari
ngi t.SpeakingofGogo, shear r
ivedwi th
Mam' MasangoandThando, lookingverydifferent.
Shewasgl owi ngandevengai nedsomewei ght.
Shel ookedsomuchatpeaceasshegavemea
fai
ntsmi leandwavedatme.Idon' thavet hehear t
tohol dagr udgeanymor etowardsheral thoughI '
m
sti
llangry.I '
m notperf
ecteither,soIguessi t'
s
aboutt i
met oburythehatchet.Iforgavemymot her,
sosur elyIcoul df
orgi
veher .

Porschewassi tt
ingwithMam' Erni
eandVi noli
a,
whileMam' Sel
enawaswi t
hPor sche'
ski dsaswel l
asVi nol
ia'
sthr
eekids.Wewentt ogr eetherand
wiggledoursel
vesinbetweenthem.Mam' Ernie
l
ookedr eall
ynicealt
houghsheseemedt obeal i
tt
le
ti
psy.Iguesswhenyou' vebeensodependanton
al
coholit'shar
dt obreakofft
her elat
ionship,but
ot
herthanthatshe'
saverydevotedandlovi
ng
mother.She'
sgangsterl
ikeGogothough,but
woulddoanythingf
orherkinds.

Thepr ogram startedwit

hthehot elempl oyees
l
eadingachoi r.I twassopackedandsomei fthem
couldn'tmakei tsotheywer eviewingthewhol e
memor i
alvi
aSkype.IsawPor scheshedat earasI
heldherhand.Ever yonesaidsuchbeaut i
fuland
remarkablethingsabouthi m.Andever yonespoke
abouthowuni quelybeauti
fulhisrelat
ionshipwi t
h
Porschewas.Theywer einseparable.

Itwast
imeforOl
ivatospeak.Shehadgr
owni
nto
suchabeaut
if
ulsixt
eenyearol
d.

Oli
via:"
I'
dfi
rst
lyli
ketothankyouallforcoming.
Your eal
lyt
ooktheti
met ocomeandgi vemydada
propersendoff.He'
ssmi l
inginheavenrightnow
aswespeak.Youcoul d'
vebeenanywher eelse,
but
youchoset obeheretodaywithusandf orthatI
'l
l
al
waysbegreatf
ul.Mydadwasaver yfree-
spir
it
ed
man.Hewasmyf ri
endandhemadesur ethat
Bail
eyandihadeveryt
hing.Onet
hingI'
mt r
uly
great
fulf
ori
sthatmydadmetPor t
ia.Il
ovePor t
ia
somuchandshenevert reat
smeli
keI'
m nother
own.

Mydadhasgi venmet hegi f

tofl oveandhemade
surethatIal waysputGodatt hecent erof
everythingandt hatIneverregretever yt
hingIdoin
l
ife.Heal wayssai d'Olivi
a,i
fyoul iveyourlif
e
accordingt oothers,t
henyouwon' tleaveyourmar k
ont hi
sear th'
.Andt hat'sexactl
ywhathedi d-hel
eft
hismar k.Hehast ouchedsomanypeopl e'
sli
ves
andf orthathe'l
lalwaysber emember ed.Dad, Il
ove
youandI '
llal
wayshaveyoui nmyhear t
.Thankyou
forgivingBaileyandIt heremar kableloveofa
father.
"

Thechoirstar
tedsi
ngingagai
nandthat
breat
htaki
ngspeechleftusal
lint
ear
s.Oli
viahas
al
waysbeensuchawel lspokengi rlandt helove
betweenherandPorschei sjustir
replaceable.The
MCaskedf orafamil
ymembert ocomeandspeak
andIcouldseeBil
lytr
yingt ogetup, butMam' Er
nie
beathimtoit.Shewentt othepodi um onst ageas
Bil
lysatbackdowninannoyance.Ist i
llcan'
t
underst
andwhyhi sparentsdon'ttellhimt ostop.
Ai,
whi t
eparent
s.

Mam' Ernie:"
Igreetyoual li
nt henameofJesus
ChristofNazar eth,JehovahJi r
eh( Mypr ovi der),
JehovahRophe( Myheal er)
,JehovahNi ssi( My
banner )
,JehovahMakadesh( Mysanct i
fier).He
whodel iversusf rom evi
l,Theonewhoknowswhat
yourdest inyis.InGenesi s3:19Hesays"I nt he
sweatoft hyfaceshaltthoueatbr ead, t
illthou
ret
ur nunt otheground;foroutofi twastt hout aken:
fordustt houar t
,andunt odustshal tthour eturn".
InJohn5: 24hesays" Truly,t
ruly,
Isayt oyou, he
whohear sMywor d,andbel i
evesHi m whosentMe,
haset er
nall i
fe,anddoesnotcomei ntoj udgment ,
buthaspassedoutofdeat hint
olife."
Rober twasmydar l
ingsoninlaw,without
j
udgementandf ulloflove,mercyandgr ace.He
shallalwaysber emember edunli
kesomepeopl e.
ForGodsayst hatnoonewhoj udgeshiscr eati
ons
shallenterthekingdom ofheaven!Nohypocr it
e
shallenterthekingdom ofheavenuntilyour epent!
TakeRob' slif
easal esson,mydearpeopl e.Love
othersast heLordlovesyou.Thankyou" .

PorscheandIcoul dn'thelpbutchucklewhilePhil
a
shookhishead.Thatspeechsoundedl ikean
i
ndirectattacktowar dsBill
y.Ai ,anywayPorsche
hadwr i
ttenal et
tertoRob, butchosenottoreadit
tothem.Shesaysi tisasacr edthingbetweenher
andRober t.Af t
ertwohour s,wewer edoneandwe
wereledt othedininghal lwherewehadourf ood.

Porschewasmuchl i
ghterandabitt
ir
edsinceshe
hadtogreeteveryonearoundher
e.Rob'sfamil
y
keptabitofadistanceIassumeMam' Er
nietol
dher
shit.Erni
eandVi nol i
awer ehel pi
ngthewaiter
s
serveus.Sheputawhol eplateoffoodfi
ll
edwi t
h
everythi
ngthat'
sni ce, andchicken.Ican'
tstomach
chickeneversinceI '
vebeenpr egnant
.Ihaven'ttol
d
Porschethenewsyet , andalreadythesi
ghtofthe
meatmademef eel nauseatedandmyf ace
changedaut omatically.

Phi
lanot
icedandhequi
ckl
yremovedthepl
atef
rom
meandwenttogetmeanotherone.

Phi
la:
"Her
eyougo,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
."

Me:
"Thankyou.
"

Por
schest
aredatme.

Me:
"What
?"
Por
sche:
"Whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmet
hatyou'
re
pr
egnant
?"

Me:"
Por sche,
Iwasgoi
ngt ot
ellyou.Ifoundout
fewhour sbef
oreRobpassedon.Ididn'twantt
o
seem selfi
sh.
..
"

Shei
nter
rupt
edme.

Porsche:(
smi
li
ng)"
Relax,
Zee.Youknowyoucan
al
wayst el
lmeanyt
hing.I
'm sohappyf
oryou.
"

Me:(Smili
ng)"
Thankyou,
P.Wel
l,
I'
m expect
ing
t
ri
plets.
"

Shesmil
edwi
del
yandhadt
ear
sgl
ist
eni
ngi
nher
eyes.
Por
sche:
"Al
waysremembermywor ds,
Zee"
Let
sat
si
l
agohlabel
a(bet
terdaysawai
t)
."

Wehuggedandwi
pedof
fourt
ear
swhi
lePhi
lawas
smi
li
ng.

Me:
"Byt
hewaywhat
'supwi
thBi
ll
y?"

Porsche:(l
aughing)"Ah,thatone.He'
salwaysbeen
theblacksheep,recover
ingdr ugaddi
ctwhosleeps
withblackwomenunder ground.Heevenhastwo
kidswiththeprevioushelper.
"

Rachellaughedsohar dshet
ri
edtocont
ainher
l
aughter.Iwasst unnedshame.Hil
lBi
ll
yactsso
muchlikear aci
stbutdeepdownheshagsblack
women.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTwent
yOne
Zi
yanda

PhilaandIhadtogot oPorsche'
shousewi ththe
restofthef
ami l
y,whileMam'I
vyandther estgo
backhome.Weent er
edthehousewiththelaywer
foll
owingussincehewasal soatthememor ial
.We
gottothedini
ngar eaandtookourseats.

Porsche, Ol
ivi
a,Bill
y,Rob' sparents,Rob'
ssister
EmmaandRob' sgaybr otherJoel,Ernie,
Vinoli
a,
Phil
aandIwer epresent.IassumedPhi l
aandI
werethereforsuppor tsincewe' r
ef r
iendswith
Porschesowej ustkeptqui etwhil
eIhel dPorsche'
s
hand.Bai l
eywasf astasl eepandevenMam' Sel
ena
waspr esent.

Lawyer:
"I
'l
lbever
yquicksi
ncethelat
eMr .Wil
li
ams
madeavi deor
ecordi
ngofhiswil
l.Al
lowmet oplay
i
twhileweallr
emainsil
entunt
ilt
hevideoisover
pl
ease."
Icoul
dseeBi
ll
ygett
ingover
lyexci
ted.I
t'
samazi
ng
whatmoneycandotopeopl
e.

Robert
:"
Mydearfamil
yandf r
iends,i
fyou'
re
watchi
ngthi
sitmeansI'
m nomor e.Thisismyl
ast
wil
landtest
amentanditgoesasf ol
lows:

Tomydearpar ent
s:IleaveR1mi ll
ioneachsince
youarebothwealt
hyenoughonyourownal ready.
Thati
sjustatokenofgr at
ti
tudeforeveryt
hing
you'
vedoneforPorti
aandIdur ingourdarkesttime.

Tomysi st
erEmma:Il
eaveyoumyhol i
dayhomei n
Switzerl
andandR1mill
ion.Ial
soleaveyouatrust
fundwor thR2mil
li
onf
oryourson.You'vebeen
nothingbutkindt
omethroughoutmytimehereon
earth.

Tomybr
otherJoel
:
"Il
eaveyoumyPor
sche,
since
you'vealwaysloveditandIalsoleaveyouR5
mi l
li
onsot hatyoucanf i
nal
lygetyourfashi
on
businessupandr unningandprovet hewhole
familythatyou'
retheshit.Bei
nggayi snota
diseaseandI '
m veryproudofyouf orst
andi
ngby
yourbelief
s."

ToSelena:"
You'
vebeenmorethanahelpert
ous,
you'
vesacri
fi
cedsomuchforusthatyoueven
spentmoreti
mewithust
hanyourownf amil
y.I
l
eaveyouR3mi l
li
on.

Icoul
dhearBi
ll
ymur mur
ingunder
neathhi
sbr
eat
h
andthel
awyeraskedhi
mt okeepqui
et.

Rob:"Mydarli
ngOli
via,t
hankyousomuchf or
alwaysbeingyou.I'
llal
waysloveyou,
myangel
face.Il
eaveyouallmyhot el
sinCapeTownand
R10mi l
li
on,whichyou'l
lonl
ygetful
lowner
shipof
whenyour each21.Ialsoleaveyoumy
Lamborghini
,mayyoual waysthi
nkofmewhenever
you'
rei
nit
."

ToMamaEr nie:
"You'veblessedmewi ththe
greatestwomanonear thandyoual waysremai
n
humbl eandf unny.Il eaveyouR1mi l
li
on.It
'st
ime
foryout ospoilyourselfandtravel
thewor l
d.

ToVinol
ia:
"Thankyouf orlovi
ngandrespect
ing
yoursi
ster
.Ial soleaveyouR1mi l
li
on.Thewor l
d
i
syouroyster,pleaseyoursel
f.

ToZiyanda:"
You'vealwaysbeensuchat ruefr
iend
toPort
ia,andforthatI'
l
lalwaysremaingreat
ful.I
knowyouandPor schesharealoveforbeaut
y, soI
l
eaveyouoneofmyspa' si
nPretori
a.

Okay,
Ineverexpect
edt
hat
.

ToPhi
la:
"You'
veal
waysbeensuchagr
eatman.
Remainhumbleasalwaysandf ort
hat
,Il
eaveyou
myhouseinMaurit
ius.Travelt
heworl
dandshow
Zeewhatisoutt
here.Thankyousomuchf orbei
ng
myfri
end.

Lastl
y,tomydar l
ingwi f
ePorti
a,I
'
llal
waysl
oveyou,
babe.Ileaveyouever yt
hingel
seofmyestat
e,
whichincl
udesther estofmyhouses,mycarsand
allmyhotels.Youdeser vetor
untheworl
d.Ilove
you.

Bil
ly:
"Whatthef
uck?!Thi
scuntusedsomeblack
magi conmybrother
!HowcomeIdon' tget
anything?
!"

Mam'Ernie:
"Hehwena,Bil
ly.Skantl
waelamogwete
(Don'
tfuckwithme).Cuntkemar et
ao( acunti
s
yourdi
ck)wankutlwa(youhearme) ?!
"

Rob:"
Oh,
Bil
ly.Idi
dn'
tleaveyouanyt
hingbecause
you'r
eworthnothingandthat'
swhatexactlywhat
youdeserve.Ihopeyouf inal
lyl
ear
nhowt olive
wit
hpeopleandhavear ealhear
t.You'vebeen
nothi
ngbutapai nintheasstomywi feandI.Have
agoodlif
e."

Andj ustl
ikethatt
hevi
deowasoverleavi
ng
everyonestunned.Por
schejustl
ookedatBi
ll
ywi
th
ablankstareashekeptrambli
ng.

Bi
ll
y:"
Thi
sisbul
lshi
t!
"

Mam'Erni
e:"
Heywena,Bil
lyboy.It
hinki
t'
sti
mef
or
youtogobefor
eyouwakeupdeadt omorrow
morni
ngwabona( yousee)?"

Bi
ll
ystor
medoutasusuall
eavi
nghi
spar
ent
squi
et
asal
ways.
Mam' Ernie:
"Yout wo, cutthati
diotoffandgotr
avel
theworldbef oreyoudi eofheartfai
lur
e.Andbe
suretof i
ndhi sblackchi l
drenandt akegoodcareof
them beforeGodt akesyouawayt oo.Jowleave
thi
shouse.We' llseeyoukaChr istmas."

Fewdaysl
ater

Zi
yanda

It
sFridayandwe'repr epar i
ngtoleavef
orEshowe.
Keleisbei
ngbur i
edont heZwane' shomeground
si
nceSbupai dlobolaf orher.Mostofherf amil
y
wereunimpressed,event houghhepaidforallt
he
expensesandtheirfl
ight sandaccommodat i
on.

Theydi dn'
tspendasinglecent.Rachelhadtostay
behindwithMam'Ivyt
ol ookafterLuyandaand
Siyanda.Theywerestil
linhospital
,butwereofft
he
venti
lat
orswhichisagoodsi gn.Dr akesai
dthey'
d
beabl
etogohomever
ysoon.

Alli
nallI'
m gladKelewi l
lbeburiednextt
oherson.
Wef i
nallyarri
vedafterbafewhoursandI'vebeen
havi
ngt hisweirdfeeli
nginmygut .Phil
adidn't
wantmet ogo,butIwentanyway.SomehowIf eel
l
ikeIshoul d'
veli
stenedtohim andstayedback
home.

Phi
la:
"Ar
eyouokay,
Sthandwasami(
myl
ove)
?"

Me:
"Yes,
Iam,
babywami(
mybaby)
."

Ifakedasmi l
eandf eltsoner vous.Hesawr i
ght
throughmebutdeci dedt oleaveit.Apparentl
y
Mar yandLegoforcedt heirwayt othefuneral
,whi
le
Rut hi
sM. I
.Aagai
naf terfeeli
ngt hewrathofSbu
andPhi l
a.MelandDr akear eher easwel l
,wit
h
NobuhleandNokuhl e.
Wear ri
vedandpr eparedeverything.Ki ngZurihad
alit
tleceremonyandKel ehadt obebur iedaft
er
dawni ntheRoyalcemet ry,becauseoft hewayshe
died.Asweent eredthecemet ery,thesunwas
setti
ngandt hecoffi
nwasver ybeaut i
fuland
mar oon.Shewasal sobur i
edi nr oyalatti
rej
ustl
ike
Thato.It'
sveryunfortunatetobur yMot herandson
j
ustmont hsapart.

Whenwegotoutoft hecarIjustfeltacoldshi ver

downmyspi ne.Ifeltsouneasyandunset tled.As
theceremonywenton, Ihear
doneoft heRoyal
guardsshouting.Iwasst andingrightnextt o
Nokuhle,whilePhil
aheldNobuhl e.I nthebl i
nkof
aneyeIsawsomeoner untowar dsmewi thagun
point
edatNokuhl eandIdi dtheunt hinkable.I
j
umpedr ightinfrontofherandIf eltpainonmy
abdomen.Heshotmeonceandsoonaf t
era
numberofgunshot swentoffandhel ayont he
groundbleeding.
Philacamer ushingtowardsme, butIwasalr
eady
bleedingfrom myst omach.Iwasi nsomuchpai n
asIt r
iedtoscream thinki
ngofmybabi es.Drake
cameandputpr essureonmywoundasPhi l
a
carri
edmet othecarwi t
hSbuandt hetwins
foll
owi ngus.AsKi ngShakaremovedt hebalacl
ava
from theman'shead, wesawi twasLwazi.Tears
roll
eddownmyf aceasIthoughtofmyunbor n
chil
dren.Ishould'veli
stenedtoPhila,
Ishoul
d've
stayedhome.
Chapt
erOneHundr
edandTwent
yTwo

OneweekLat
er

Zi
nhl
eGumede,
wif
eofKi
ngBongi
nkosiGumede

Iwasenj
oyingmyteauntilIgotacallfr
om an
i
nfor
merthatLwaziwasshot .Thatidi
ot.Hecomes
upwit
hapl ant
ohurttheZwane'swher eithur
tsthe
mostandthemotherf
uckerdiesintheprocess.He
shotZeei nst
eadoftheki ds.He'screatedareal
messandhe' snotevenher etofi
xithimsel
f.Even
mysocal l
edhusbandr ushedt oEshoweeversince
hehear dofZiyanda'
sshoot ing.He'sbeenthere
eversince,notevencheckinguponme.SoI
decidedtocallAdonia.

Adonia:"
Hey,Zi
nhl
e!Don'tyoudar
ecallme,
uyangizwa(doyouhearme)?Yourdeathi
snearso
l
eavemeal one.
"

Zi
nhle:"
Ungazong'
nyanyi
sawena(Don'
tannoyme)
.
Ukhulumangani(Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
)?"

Adonia:"
You'
vefuckedwit
hZiyanda'
sunbor
n
chil
dren,t
heZwaneheirsandnowherancestor
s
arecomingforyou.Seeyouinhell
,si
si.
"

Istar
tedpani
cki
ng.Ididn'
tknowthatshewas
pregnant
.Ican'
tpossi
blybepuni
shedmyghosts.
AsIwast
hinki
ng,
Ihear
dvoi
ces.

Voice:"
Zinhl
eGumede,thei
nfamouswit
ch.You
decidedtomesswi t
hmygrandchi
ldr
enaft
eryou
werewar nedthel
astti
me?!
"

Zi
nhle:(
ter
ri
fi
ed)"I
..Idon'
tknowwhoyouar eor
whatyouwant,butIdidn'
tdoiti
ntent
ional
ly,okay?
!"

Voi
ce:
"Yourti
meisup.We'
vebeenl
enientenough.
I
t'
sti
mef oryout
ofacet
hewrat
hoftheZwane's."

Zi
nhl
e:"
No!No,
no,
pleasewai
t!
"

Mypl eadingfellont
odeafear sasIf el
tmywhol e
bodyst artbur
ningfrom theinside.Iscreamedi n
agonhwi thnoonear oundtohel pme.Icouldn'tsee
anyfire,butIcouldfeelasifIwasbei ngburntby
realf
ire.Iscreamedsomuch, Itri
edtaki
ngoffmy
cl
othesi
nthepr
ocess.

Iranoutsi
denotevencar
ingi
fIwasnakedornot.I
ranoutsi
dethegateandf
oundsomepasserbyer
s.

Zinhl
e:"
Yoh!Ngi
sizeni(
Helpmeplease)
!Ngi
yasha
(I
'
m burning)
!Helpmepl ease!
"

Iwasevenr
oll
ingont
hedust
ygr
oundofNyani
ni.

Woman:"
We'vebeensayi
ngthatZi
nhleGumedeisa
wi
tch!Umthakat
hil
o(She'
sawi t
chthisone)
!"

Nextt
hingIhear
dpeopl
eagreeingwithheri
nst
ead
ofhel
pingme.Ihear
dnoisesandsawacr owdof
peopl
erunni
ngtowar
dsmewi thstones.

If
eltst
oneshi
tt
ingmeever
ywher
eonmybody.I
'
ve
neverf el
tsomuchpaini nmyl i
fe.Themor eI
screamed, t
hemor et
heyst onedme.If el
tmyvoice
fadingawayandt hepeople'svoicesbecomi ng
fai
nt erandfai
nter
.AllIsawwasdar knessfrom
then.

Twoyear
slat
er

Zi
yanda

Lif
ehasbeensoamazi ng, Ican'tt
hankGodenough
forhi
smer cyandgr ace.Yes, PhilaandIfinal
ly
becamepar entstoourt hreebeaut if
ulboys.He
wantedgirl
s,butthemomenthehear dtheirfi
rst
cri
eshef el
linlovewitht hem instantl
y.Manqoba,
AneleandZakhel ehavet urnedoneal r
eadyandyou
won'tguessit.I'
m expect i
ngagai nandr eadyto
popanymi nutenow.Yes, tr
iplet
sagain-al
lgirl
sthi
s
ti
me.Wedeci dedtofindoutt hegenderbef or
ebirt
h
unli
kewiththeboys.I '
m sor earytopopandaf t
erI
do,nomor ekids.
Mam' Ivyisj
ustsohappyt oseeusbei ngbl essed
withwhatwe' veal wayswishedf or.Shef i
nall
yt ol
d
SbuandPhi lat hatsheandMandl a,thedr i
ver,are
offi
ciall
yacoupl e.Theydi dn'
ttakei ttoowel lat
fi
rst,
butevent uall
ygr ewoutoftheirl i
ttl
emi sery.
Nokuhl eandNobuhl enol ongerlivewi thherand
are5year soldnow.Theyl ivewithSbuandRachel ,
gi
vingMam' Ivypl entyoft
imet oenj oyl i
fewithher
newman.

SbuandRachelgotmar ri
edwhent hetwinsturned
one.Yep, she'
snowamot heroffouramazinggi r
ls.
LuyandaandSi yandaarenowal mosttwoyear sold,
andweneverf orgettothi
nkofKeleont hei
r
bir
thdaysincet heyshareonewi t
htheirmother.
Kele'
sspiri
tseemst ohavebeeninpeaceaf terthe
funeral
,Mam' Masangoconf i
rmedit.Kele'
sfami l
y
eventual
lymadepeacewi t
hitandMar ymadea
sceneafterthef uner
aldemandingmoneyand
compensat i
on.Shel ef
tthefuner
alempt yhanded,
though.
Mam'Masangoi ssti
llawomanofGodwithsober
habi
tsandsti
llhasn'
tfoundamanyet.Shesays
she'
smarri
edt oGodandconti
nuestohel
ppeople.

Mymot herNomsahasbeenagr eatpar

tofmyl i
fe,
sheevenj oi
nedchur chandcont i
nuestocar efor
Thando'schildr
en.Ihear dthrought hegrapevine
thatherandmyf at
herBongi nkosiarenowof f
ici
all
y
anitem again.I'
m notreall
ybot hered,i
fshe's
happythenI '
m happy.Ihear dZi nhl
egotst onedto
deathaweekaf t
erIwasshoti nthestomachat
Kele'
sfuneral.Iwouldn'tbesur pri
sedifshewasi n
onit.

Porschehasbeenbet t
erthaneverandcrazierthan
ever.Oli
viaisofftoUniversi
tyandisstudyingin
CapeTown.Thei rbondisstil
lamazingandshe
conti
nuestot akegoodcar eofher.Bail
eyhas
grownintothespi t
ti
ngimageofhi sl
atefather;a
beauti
fulbi
racialboywithblueeyes.Hermom and
si
sterst
il
lvi
sitherof
tenandhermom t
ook

Rob'sadvi ce, shewentt otravelaroundt heworld

usingt hemoneyRobl efther.Vinol i
aont heother
hand, startedanai lbusinesswhi chhasbeendoi ng
reall
ywel l
.Shef inall
yfoundsomet hingsher eal
ly
l
ovesandi sanevenbet tertoherchildren.Porsche
i
sst il
lsingl e,buthasanonandof fthingwith
Mt hunzi.Shesaysshewant stokeephi m onhis
toes,poorguy.Por scheneverwentbackt owor k,
butcont inuedt ot akeovert hebusinessaf terRob's
deathandevent houghPhi l
awasn' tveryhappy
abouti t,hel etherbe.Por schehasbeenhappi er
eversince.

Lungagotbet t
erandapologizedathousandtimes
afterami l
li
onther
apysessions.He'snolongera
threattousandcont i
nuest
ol i
vehi
sownl if
e.He
evenf oundagirl
fr
iendnotsolongago.I'm happy
forhim.
Meli
ssasti
llwor
ksforPhil
aandenj oysitawhole
l
ot.Sherunsthecompanyf ormyhusbandalmost
asperf
ectasPorscheusedto-herwordsnotmine.

Gogof inall
ycamecl eanaboutherrel
ati
onshi
pwit
h
Tony.Shewentt ochur chonedaywithTonybyher
sideleavingeveryoneshockedtothecore.Shet
old
them todealwithitorfuckoff.Yep,t
hat'
smygogo
foryou.She' scurrent
lyinMauri
ti
us,havi
ngagood
ti
mewi thTony.

Thandof i
nall
yfollowedhercal l
ing.Shehasa
heali
nghandasMam' Masangosays.Sheeven
prayedf ormeal lweekwhenIwasi nhospitalaf
ter
theshoot ing.Wemadepeaceandshe' sbeendoi ng
theLor d'sworkalongsideMam' Masango.Her
rel
ationshipwi t
hherki dsbecamebet t
ert
hanever ,
andshe' sbecomesoamazi ngatpr ayi
ng,thatshe
evenj oinedthechur chminist
ry.Lifeisamazi ngI
tel
lyou.Shewr ot
eabookabouthowshechanged
herli
f efrom beingadr ugaddicttobeingtheLor d'
s
di
sici
ple.

Phil
aissti
llPhi
la,
soamazi ngandsor omant i
c.The
sexisbett
erthanbefor
eandyep, BDSM has
becomeapar tofourli
festyle.He'senjoyi
ngbeing
afathermorethananything, andboughtmeanew
houseasapushpr esentwhent heboyswer eborn.

Zodwa, Lunga'
smom madeacompl ete360degree
tur
nar ound.Shehealedfrom hersevereburnsa
yearl
at erandjoi
nedthechurch.She'sbecomeone
ofthepeopl ewhoalsogoaroundhel pi
nginthe
communi t
y.Shehasleftherwit
chyt endenci
esfor
good-Ihope.

Iontheotherhandresignedfrom thecompanyand
cont
inuedtoworkwi t
hEl mari
e.I '
vehadaf ew
campaignshereandtheret ohelpwomenbecome
whatthey'
vealwayswishedwi thoutfear
ing
anyt
hingoranyone.Ienj oyworkingfrom homeand
bei
ngamot hertomyamazi ngyettir
ingsons.It
tookmeawhi let
oseewho'swhoatfi
rst
, butt
heir
personal
it
iesmostdef
ini
tel
ymakei
teasiertotel
l
them apar
t.

Li
feisamazing,wegotoourhouseinIt
alyevery
nowandt henandeverDecemberwespentitatour
CapeTownhol i
dayhome.Fami l
yli
fekeepsus
saneandGodkeepsushumbl eandgrounded.Sbu
andPhil
acontinuetodowhattheyl
ove-maki
ng
moneywhi l
ewe'resl
eepi
ng.

Onet hingI'
velear
ntinmy28year sofl i
feont his
earthistonevergiveup.Pr ayuntilsomet hing
happensbecauseGod' splansarewaybi ggerand
betterthanyours.Nohumanbei nghast hepower
tostopwhatHehasal readylai
doutf oryou.I
alwaysr ememberPor sche'swords:"Letsatsil
ago
hlabela(bet
terdaysawai t
).Andyes, betterdays
keepcomi ngonceyou' veweatheredt heheavy
storm.
THEEND.