ARAI

NBOW FORGOODLUCK
I
NTRO

RAI
NOW
Noun

(
Plur
al:
rai
nbows)

1.Amulti
-colour
edarci
nthesky,pr
oducedby
pri
smat
icr ef
ract
ionofl
i
ghtwit
hindropl
etsof
rai
nint
heai r

That’
swhatthedict
ionar
ysaysarai
nbowi
s.
ButIfoundamoremeani ngf
ulmeani
ngon
somewebsite.I
tsays;

I
nmanycul t
ures,
rai
nbowsareasi
gnofhope.
Theyappearasperf
ectar
cs,
oft
endur
ing
rai
nst
or m whenthesunshi
nesont
owater
dropl
ets,shat
ter
ingit
swhit
eli
ghti
ntoanar
ray
ofbri
ll
iantcol
ours.

Everyti
mei trainsIal wayslookf orwardt o
seei
ngt hatphenomenon.Ial way swai tand
searchforar ainbow–but-r ainbowsar earare
thi
ng.Theyar el ikef ourleafclovers,not
commonandspeci altothosewhobel i
ev ein
thei
rpower .Todayi soneoft hoseday s,It
’s
beenr ai
ningcat sanddogssi ncemor ningand
I’
vebeenwai t
ingf ort hatphenomenonbutat
themomental l that’sinmyheadi st hatIneed
togethome.Ihav e15mi nut
est ospar eand
thi
st r
affi
cwi l
l bet hebaneofmyf rust
r at
ion.
WhenIgett hisscar edIusuallylosesightof
everyt
hingbutt hemai ngoal andt hatistooget
homebef orei t’
st ool ate.
BOOM!
Mycarcametoanabr uptst
op.It
hinkI
’
mi nan
acci
dent
.Myarmpitsareit
chi
ng,myhandsare
shaki
ngandIam f
reezingcol
d.

“Shitshitshi t,
”Icri
edbangi ngont hest eer
ing
wheel .Igotoutoft hecart oassesswhat
actuallyhappened.WhenIsayi t
’sraini
ngcat s
anddogs, Imeani t
’sr ai
ningcat sanddogs; I
haven’tbeen5mi nut esundert herainandI ’m
alr
eadysoaki ngwet .Ihi
tat axi.Isawt hedr i
ver
assessi ngi tandinmyheadIal readyknewt hat
thi
sacci dentwasn’tmyf ault.Taxidriversare
recklessandsel fi
shdr iv
ers;theydi sobeythe
l
awev erysi nglechancet heyget .

“Excuseme!”Ishoutedasthedri
ver
approachedme.“Youneedt obemorecar
eful
howy oudri
ve.Doy ouknowhowmuchi t
’l
lcost
t
ofi
xthi
scar
?”Iasked.“
Icanact
ual
l
ysuey
ou!
”

“Ineedtobemorecar ef
ul?”saidthet axi dri
ver
,
whydoeshesoundbaf f
led?Hei sat axi driv
er
i
t’salwayst
hei
rfault,
“Miss,youhitmy
car!
“nowIunderstandthenot eofconf usi onin
histone,
hethi
nkst hi
sismyf aultjustlikeI
thi
nkitsi
shisf
ault.

“Gosh,st
upidtaxidri
ver
s,”Igrunt
edundermy
breat
h.Thisguyisjustwastingmyti
me.

“Excuseme”excl
aimedthetaxidr
iver
,“y
ou
damagedmycarandy ou’r
einsult
ingme.Who
thefuckdoyouthi
nkyouare?”hesays.

“Li
sten,
guy
…Idon’thav
etimeforthis.Ineedt
o
gethome…”Iwentbacktothecar
, hefoll
owed
me.Ican’
tbelat
e,i
fIhav
etot
aket
hef
all
for
t
histhenIwi
ll
.
“No,youdon’
tgettogohome.Youhitmycar
crazylady
…”Ipul
ledoutacar
dfrom my
handbag.

“Here,
callmeandIwillgi
vey
ouany t
hingyou
askfor;butr
ightnow,
Ineedtogethome,”I
star
tedthecar

“Whatdoy
ouneedfrom me?
”heasked.Excuse
me?He’sataxi
dri
ver,
whatcanhepossi
bly
giv
eme.

“
You’r
eat axi
dri
ver,
I’
m sur
emyhusbandcan
r
epl
acey ourt
axiandmycarwi
thoutasweat
,”I
movedthegeartoD.
“f
ine”heret
urnedtohistaxi
.Thecar sare
mov i
ngonthissideoftheroad,Ineedtost ep
onit.WhenIpassedbyt hetaxi
,thestupid
dri
vergavemet hemiddlefi
nger.Idon’thave
ti
mef ort
hisimbecil
e.

I’
m here;home.Thi sisnotahomer eal
ly,i
t’
sa
house.I’
mi nthehouse.Thet imei s16:50,I
’m
20mi nutesl at
e.Ineedt ogetst artedwith
supper.Iwentst raightint
ot hekitchenand
hurri
edlytookoutpot s.Idon’tevenknowwhat
I’
m goingt ocook, Ijustneedt olookbusyf or
whenhecomesi n.heneedst of i
ndpot sonthe
stoveboi l
i
ng, t
hat’l
l pai
nttheideat hatIwas
hereont ime.Itookoutspi cesandsome
vegetablesandscat ter
edthem ar oundt he
kit
chen.Ist art
edchoppi ngmyoni on.DearGod,
helpme.
“Tumi,”Ij
umpednear l
ycutti
ngmyf inger
,I
couldtastef
earri
singupatt hebackofmy
thr
oat.“I’
mintheoffi
ce,”he’
shome.Hei sher
e.
Sti
llsoaki
ngwet;Itoddlestohisoff
ice.

“MayIcomei
n?”t
her
e’sagl
assdoor
,hecan
seeme.

“You’
rewet
,goandchange,
”heorder
ed,
his
eyesaregl
uedt
othelapt
opscreen.
“
Okay,Ij
ust
…”Ist
ammer edt
ryi
ngt
oexpl
ain
whyIam 20mi
nutesl
ate.

“Tumi ,upst air

s,change,now…”Ir ushed
upstairs.Att imeslikethi
sIdon’ tknowwhatt o
wear .Sweat pants,t
ight
s,anightdr ess,
tracksuit,
t akkies,amout hguard, shinpads.I
tookaqui ckshowerandputont hebl ackl
ace
underwearandbraandt hrewonamat chi
ng
gownt hati
sjustbel
owt hebuttcheeks.Hegot
met hi
sensembl easagi f
t,sai
dIlookedgood
i
nblack.Iwentbacktohi soffi
ceandknocked.
Helookedupandhi sfacel i
tup.

“Comei nbaby,
”hestretchedhishandforwar
d,I
tookit.Hepul
ledmecl oser.“
Sit
,”Isatonhi
s
l
ap.“ Youwerelat
etonight,
”hestatedthe
obvious.

“
Iknow,I’
m sor
ry;t
herewastr
aff
icandt
he
r
ain…”Ist
ammer edtr
yingt
oexpl
ain.

Hetightenedhisgriparoundthewai st,
Iwinced,
“Don’
tletthatshithappenagain,”hesays.I
nodded.“Now, makemesomet hingtoeat.
Somet hi
nglightandquickplease,”
“I
’m onit,
”asIst
oodhegotaholdofmyhand.
Hest oodupcarr
iedmeli
keali
tt
lechil
dandput
meont opofhi
sdesk.Hepul
l
edmyl egsopen
andgoti nbet
ween.

“Youlooksexy,
”hesaidki
ssi
ngmyneckand
breathi
ngheavi
ly.Ir
oll
edmyeyeswhenhe
couldn’
tsee.

“I
t’
sallf
oryoubaby ,
”Iplayedalong.Hepull
ed
myunderweardown.ImoanedasIf el
thi
s
manhoodgoinginsideofme.Hewenti nand
outandinandout ,
hispaceincreasedbythe
secondandIprotectedhispri
deandegoby
screami
nglouderandl ouder
.

“
Tel
lmey
oul
oveme,
”hesai
dpant
ing.
“Il
oveyou,”Isai
d.Hehadagoatitforthenext
5mi nut
esandIt r
iedt
obeasconv i
nci
ngas
possibl
ethatIwasenjoy
ingi
t.Fi
nal
lyhe
stoppedandzippedhi
spants.

“
Now, goandpr eparethatsupper,maybe
r
oastedchicken,squashandasal ad,”Iknow
t
hatsoundedl i
keasuggest i
onbuti nallmy
year
sofli
vingwi t
hmanI ’
velear
ntthatit’
snever
asuggest
ionbutanor der,acommand.

“Yougotithoney
,”Ipi
ckedmyunder wearand
putiton.HespankedmyassasIwentar ound
thedesk.Sexhasbecomeasur v
ivaltool
forme,
soisobeyingandadmitt
ingIam wrongevery
singl
echanceIget.Myphonerang;it
’san
unknownnumber .
…
“
THISI
SRAI
NBOW,
”Ipi
ckedup.I
t’
spr
obabl
y
wor
k,

“
I’
M LOOKINGFORTUMELO, ”sai
dthemanon
t
heotherendoft
hisphonecal
l.

“THISISSHE,WHOAM ISPEAKI NGTO? ”I

openedthefr
idge;
Ineedtofeedthi
sanimal
beforesev
en.Hehateshavi
ngsuperaft
er
seven.

“THI
SISLUCKY,SHEGAVEMEACARDTHI S
EVENING.SHEHITMYCARANDSAI DHER
HUSBANDWI LLREPLACEI
T,WELLIWANTIT,
”
hesays,sor
udeanddemandi
ng.

“
OH,
IT’
STHETAXIDRI
VER.I
’
M THATLADY,
”
“
WHO’SRAI
NBOW?THI
SCARDHASTUMELO’
S
NUMBERONIT…”

“
GUY,
ISAI
D…”

“
MYNAMEI
SLUCKY,
”hecor
rect
edme.

“
LUCKY,IWI
LLSENDYOUMONEYORBUYYOU
ANEW TAXI
,CANYOUCALLMEON
MONDAY?”

“
Who’
sthat
?”Jesus!Whendi
dhegether
e?

“CALLMEONMONDAYAT10…ORI
’
LLCALL
YOU,”Ihungup.

“
Whoi
sthat
?”heaskedagai
n.
“ThatwasLucky
?”Ipl
acedmyphoneont
he
counterbehi
ndme.

“
AndLuckyi
s?”

“
Ihadalit
tl
eacci
dentonmywayback.Ihi
thi
s
t
axisoIgavehi
m mynumber
…”Iexplai
ned.

“
Soy
oul
i
edt
ome?Yousai
dther
ewast
raf
fi
c,
”

“Yes,therewashoneyandi twasr aini

ng.Iwas
panickingtry
ingtogethomeont i
meand…i tal l
j
us…”Icoul dn’tf
inishexpl
aini
ng, hesentasl ap
fl
yingacrossmyf acewhichcausedmet ofall.
“I
’m sorry,
”Iwhispered.Il
earntthatapologizing
earlyandadmi tt
ingIwaswr ongmi nimi
zest he
damageandr educeshisanger .I
tmakeshi m
f
eell
ikehe’
saman,thatheisi
ncont
rol
and
t
hathehasall
thepoweroverme.

“Youli
ed!
”hey
ell
ed.Evenwi
ththel
oudbeep
soundi
nginmyearIcoul
dhearhi
svoi
cefal
l
ing
overme.

“
I’
m sorr
y,Iwaswr
ong.Ishoul
dhav
etol
dyou
t
hetrut
h,”

“Stand!”hedemanded.Ist oodonmyf eet

,
thoughi tf
eltli
ket hegr oundbeneathmewas
aboutt ofailme,Ihadt ostandbeforehim with
myheadandshoul dersdownIdon’ twantt odo
any t
hingthatmi ghtsuggestt hatI’
m disobeyi
ng
himi nanyway .“ Lookaty ou,
sopat heti
c,why
musty ourui
nev ery t
hingTumi ?Howar eyou
capabl eoffucki
ngupev erysi
nglething?Why
can’tyoujustrespectmeasy ourhusband…”hi s
wor
dscutthr
oughmysoul
li
keakni
fet
hrough
t
hehear
t.

“I
’m sor ryNdumi so,pleasepl easeplease
forgiveme, ”Ir ubbedmypal mst ogether
pleadi ngforf orgi
veness.Hepul ledmecl oser
andhuggedme.Iam shaki ng;Iam scar ed,I
hav eal otoff eargushi ngthroughmyv eins.My
bodyi ssti
llpainfulfrom lastweek.Heki cked
mer epeatedl ywhileIlaidont hebat hroom f l
oor
becauseIwokehi m upl ateforameet ing.The
bruisesar ef ading,butt hey’
restill
verymuch
visi
bl e.

“Gotobed,
I’
ll
meety
out
her
e,”hesai
dandI
obey
ed.

Ilookedatmy sel
finthemirr
orasIcl
eanedmy
face.Idon’
tknowt hegir
lI’
mlooki
ngat.Thi
sis
ast r
anger ,Ndumi so’
screat
ion.Ihat emy self
becauseI ’
m patheti
candwor thlessandweak.
I’
m st upidandallIdoisruinthings.Whyt hehell
didn’tItellmyhusbandaboutt heacci dent?
Ndumi soismyhusbandandIhav etotel
l hi
m
everythingandobeyhi m andwewi l
lbehappy .
Hei smyl eader
,theheadoft hishousehol d.His
wor disf i
nalandhei sneverwr ong.

I
t’
sSaturdaymor ning,andonweekendshe
wakesupat7: 00.It’
s5o’cl
ocknow.Ial
ways
wakeupear l
i
ert hanhim.Hehashisarm ont
op
ofme.Itri
edtomov eitawaybuthehel
dme
ti
ght
er.

“
Ineedt
opeebaby
,I’
l
lbeback,
”Isai
d.

“
Hur
ry,
I’
m col
d,”hemumbl
es.
Ipeed,washedmyf acedandbrushedmyteeth.
Ij
oinedhiminthebedroom.He’sstar
ingatt
he
cei
li
ng.Icl
imbedont hebed.“Si
tontopofme,”
hesaidandIobeyed.Hesmi l
ed.

“Goodmor
ning,
”Isai
d.Hel
if
teduphi
skneesso
Irest
edmybackonthem.

“
I’
m sorr
yaboutLastni
ght
,”hecar
essedmy
t
highs.

“
Ifor
giv
eyou,
”Il
eanedf
orwar
dandki
ssedhi
m.

“
Idon’
twantyoutobescar
edofme;
Ijustwant
y
outorespectme;t
hat
’sal
l”
“
Iknowhoney
,andI
’
m sor
ryIhav
en’
tbeen
givi
ngyouther
especty
oudeser
ve.
”Isubmi
tt
ed.
“You’
reagoodman”

“I
’m sor
ryIgetangry,babyIlovey
ousomuch
andIdon’twanttolosey ou.Youmakemea
bett
erman, ”Il
i
keitwhenhemakesi tsound
l
ikeImat t
ertohim.Likewhenhesay sImake
him abett
ermanandhowmuchhel ovesme.

“
Ilovey outooNdumiso,”hesatupandki
ssed
mer eal
lyhard.Het
ightenedhisgr
iponmy
waist.

“Ouch,easyhoney
,”Icr
ied.Mybodyi
sst
il
l
painf
ul.

“
Whati
sit?
”heaskedlowly
.HowdoIt el
lhi
m
t
hatmybodyi
ssti
llpai
nfulf
rom whenhe
ki
ckedmemer
cil
essl
yont
hebat
hroom f
loor
?

“I
tdoesn’
tmatter
,”Iki
ssedhi
m,t
hat
’shoul
d
abat
ehiscur
iosit
y.

Asusual ,hehumpedont opofme, turnedi n

everypositionhedesi r
ed, sweated,gr oaned,
huf f
edandpuf fed.Icri
edl ikehewasact uall
y
satisfy
ingme.If akedanor gasm, Ididn’tlast
nightsoIdef i
nitel
yneededt ofakeonet oday .
Heshower edwhi l
eIprepar edbreakf astforhim,
aftereati
nghewenti ntohi soffi
cetogat herhis
things.BeforeIcandoany t
hingformy selfI
needt osorthim outfirstandbi dhim wi shhim
agoodday .

“
Baby
,”hesay
sappr
oachi
ngme.
“
Hav eagreatday
,”Isai
d.Idon’
twor
kon
weekends,i
t’
sali
ttl
ebit
tersweet
.

“Youwil
lgoandv
isi
tyourpar
ent
s,r
ight
?”he
asked.

“
Yesmyl
ove,
”If
ixedhi
sti
e.

“
Okay,
Iwil
lpi
cky
ouupfr
om ther
e.Tel
lme
wheni
t’
sti
metol
eav
e;I
’
llcal
lyouadri
ver
.”

“
Per
fect,
”Istoodonmyt oesandki
ssedhi
m.
Hewrappedhisar m ar
oundmywaisttogi
ve
meabetterbalance.

“
Tel
lmey
oul
ove,
”hesai
d.
“
Ilov
eyou,
”hepl
ant
edababyki
ssonmyl
i
ps.

“
Tel
lmeagai
n,
”

“
Ndumiso,
Ilov
eyou,
”Igi
ggl
ed.“
Don’
tfor
get
mygi
ft
,”

“Igotyoubaby ,“hekissedmycheekandr an
i
ntothegar age.Iranupst air
sintoourbedr oom
andwat chedhi m dri
vingoutoft hegateand
thendisappearingintonothingbutasoundof
theenginewhi chalsoev entual
lygrewintono
soundatal l
.Hei sgone, Iexhal
ed.Ihaveaf ew
hourstomy self,afewhour sofguar ant
eed
safet
y.

Thisishowmyl i
fehasbeenforthepast3
yearsorso.Il
i
veeverydaywi
thfearand
t
rembl
i
ngi
nmybone.
Mynamei sTumel oGumede, Iam 25y earsol
d
andIam mar riedt oamonst er.Iwasn’tal
ways
Tumel oGumede, IbecameaGumedewhenI
gotmar r
ied,butIbecameTumel oJaxawhenI
was10.Conf usingr i
ght?BeforethatIwas
RainbowJaxa,Tumel oJaxawasmybr ot
her,
hewas12whenhepassedawayandmy
mot herwentinsane.Hewassi ck…hehad
cancer.I
tstartedwhenshewoul dcallme
Tumel o,
orlookatmeandseehi m.Myf ather
tol
dmet oanswerwhenshe’ scalli
ngme
Tumel o,
justsoshecoul dgetclosure.Idi
d,I
obey edmyfatherandI ’
m surehethoughtshe
woul devent
uallybef i
neandacceptt hat
Tumel owasnol ongerali
ve.

Whenmymot hershout
edherson’sname,her
daughtershowedup.She’
dtal
ktomel i
keIwas
Tumelo,andIplay
edalongbecausedaddysai
d
so.Oneday
;daddycal
l
edmei
ntohi
sof
fi
ce.

“
Mysweetdaught
er,
”

“
Yesdaddy
,”

“Yourmom want
syout
ochangey
ourname,
”he
said.

“Whatdoyoumean?Shealreadycall
sme
TumeloandIanswerdaddy
, Ipi
nkypromi
se.
I
’vebeenagoodgir
l”

“
Iknow,
butshemeansf
orgoodsweet
hear
t”

“
Asin,onmyschoolbooks,
atschoolandon
myschool
bag?”Il
ookedintomyfather
’sey
es
seeki
nghel
p.

“Youareaverysmar
tgir
l,
”hegavemea
complementascompensati
onfort
het
err
ibl
e
newshewast el
li
ngmeandf orf
ail
i
ngt
obemy
fat
her.

“Well
,then…who’
sgoi
ngt
obeRai
nbow?
”I
asked.

“
We’l
lpretendl
i
kerainbownev erexi
sted.And
y
ouwillbeTumelo,you’l
lhav
eal i
ttl
epieceof
y
ourbrotherwi
thyou,”hesmiled.

“ButIlov
emyname;
Tumel
odi
eddaddynot
Rainbow,”
“
Babydoitf
ormommy,she’
sreal
lyhavi
nga
t
oughti
medeal
ingwi
thyourbr
other
’spassi
ng,
”

Andj ustli
ket hatIbecameadeadper sontomy
mom.SheexchangedRai nbowf orTumelo.It
wasdi ff
icultformet oadj ust.Myschool mates
wer easkingmequest i
onst hatIhadno
answer sto.Like, am Imybr othernow?And
honestly,Ididn’tknowwhoIwasany mor e.At
10y earsoldIwasconf usedaboutwhet herI
l
ikedBar biebedsheet sortheSpi der
mant hat
mymom boughtf orme.Ist oppedusingpinkto
colourinmostofmydr awings;Iusedgreenand
redmost ly.

“
Whydon’
tyout
ryusi
nggr
eenTumel
o,”my
mot
herwoul
dsay.

“
Yesmot
her
,”Idi
dn’
twanthert
ohav
eabr
eak
downagai n.Frankly,agreenunicor
nisnot
pleasingtotheeye; especi
all
ytheeyeofa10
yearol dgi
rl
.Andj ustli
kethatmymot herf
orgot
aboutherlit
tlegir
l,sheforgotaboutRai
nbow;
everybodydidbutme…
I
NSERT1

HOME
Noun

(
Plur
al:
homes)

1.Theabi
dingpl
aceofaff
ect
ions,
especi
all
yof
thedomest
icaff
ect
ions

2.Apl
aceofr
efuge,
restorcar
e;anasy
lum
Foury earsaft
erTumel o’sbi rt
h,mymom f ell
pregnantbutunf ortunatelyhadami scar ri
age
andt henafterthatturmoi l,Iwasconcei ved;
hencet henameRai nbow, Ilovedthatname.
Everybodylovedi t…itmademeahappy , bri
ght
andcol ourf
ulgirl.Myar tteachercal l
edme
‘
flowergirl’
andmymot hert ookthatawayf r
om
me, Ihatedherf orthatandIhat edmyf atherfor
al
lowi nghertot akemyhappi nessaway .The
daybef oreshet ookmet oHomeAf fair
s; I
decidedt otal
kt oher ,
It houghtmay beshe’d
seet hatI’
m herchi l
dtooanddeci detonot
changemyname.

“Mama,”Icall
ed.Shewasi
nthekit
chen
cooki
ng,whichwasanunusualsi
ght.

“YesTumi,
”sherespondedwi
thacal
m
singsongv
oice.
“Mama, pl
easedon’
tmakemechangemyname,
youcancallmeTumelobutpl
easedon’
ttake
Rainbowaway…ital
someanssomethi
ng,
”I
begged.

“Don’
tmentionthatnameli
tt
legir
l,youarenow
Tumelo.Can’ty
oudot hi
sonesimplethingfor
yourbr
otherandforme,”sheshoutedalmost
l
osingherbreath.

“Tumel
odi
dn’tsayIshoul
dusehisname, you
knowhehateditwhenIusedhi
sthings,
”Ialso
rai
sedmyli
ttl
egir
lvoi
cetomymot her.

“Youarey
oung;
youdon’
tknowwhatyour
brot
herwoul
dhavewant
ed.Iam hi
smother
…I
knowwhat…”
“Youar emymot hert oo,
”Iweptbeforeher.She
l
eftmest andi
ngt herealonecryi
ng.Thatnight
shedidn’thavedi nnerwi t
hus,shehada
headache.I tl
astedforaweek.Wedi dn’tgoto
homeaf f
airsthefoll
owi ngdaybutIev ent
uall
yI
didandt hatdayIcamebackadi f
ferentperson.
Eventuall
yitstoppedhur t
ingandpeoplegot
usedt oitandsodi dI .Ist
oppedbeingangr yat
mymom butIj ustdisli
kedher.

“Mama,I’
m home,
”Isai
dopeni
ngmyar
mst
o
embraceher.

“Tumelo,l
ookatyou.How’smysoni n-
law?”
sheasked.Geezmom, howaboutaski
nghow
yourdaughteri
sdoing?Youwanttoknowhow
yoursonin-
lawisdoing.Hehasbeenwor ki
ng
out,usi
ngmeashi spunchingbag,t
hat’
show
he’
sdoi
ng.

“Ndumisoisgr
eatmom, he’
satwor
k.”I
answeredandconsci
ouslywi
ll
edmysel
ftonot
regur
git
ateatt
hement i
onofNdumi
so’sname.

“Di
dy ouaskhi
m bef
orey
oucameher
e?”she
asked.

“
Yesmama, he’
spi
cki
ngmeupl
ateraf
ter
wor
k,”Isai
d.

“
Goodgi
rl
,let’
sgotoyourf
ather
;hei
supstai
rs
i
nhi
soff
ice,”shet
ookmyhandandledtheway.

“
Hel
l
odaddy,”Isai
d.I
’
m alwayshappytosee
myf
ather
;healwaysl
ookedatmel i
keIwassti
l
l
Rainbow.Buthedoesn’tt
reatmeortal
ktome
l
ikeI’m Rai
nbow,Iguessmom fi
nal
lymanaged
tobrainwashhi
m.Kudost oher!

“Tumel o,howareyoudar l
ing?”hehuggedme.
Myf atherisagiant.Growi ngup, noboyev er
talkedt omebecauseofhowscar yhewasand
alsobecausehewast hepr i
ncipaloftheschool
Iat tended.Hestil
lis,hebui l
ttheschool fr
om
scr atch.I
tstart
sfrom gr ade1upunt i
l 12andit
i
sal soaboar di
ngschool .Iarri
v edinthe
mor ningwithhi
m andl ef
twi t
hhi m af
terschool
sot herewasnochancet oentertai
naboy .

“
I’
mfi
ne,
howar
eyoubi
gguy
?”

“
I’
m asst
rongasanox.How’ sthehusband?
”
t
herehegoesmakingever
ythingabouthi
m.It’
s
l
i
kewhent heyseemetheyseehim.
“Heiswonderfulsweetheart
,Ij
ustaskedher
,”
mymom r espondedonmybehal f
.We’rebot
h
sit
ti
ngint
hev isi
tors’
chairsi
nfrontofmydad.

“Act
uall
y,mom,dad…t
here’
ssomethi
ngI’v
e
beenwantingt
otal
ktoyouguysabout,
”I
utt
ered.

“Whatisi
tdarl
i
ng?Youneedsomemoney ?A
newcar…anewwar drobe?”mydadthr
ewideas
aroundandunfor
tunatel
ynoneoft
hem gotme
tonodmyhead.

“
Nodaddy
…I”

“
Youwantmor ecl
othesf
ory
ourstore?You
wantt
oexpand.Iknowhowyoufashioni
stas
ar
e,alwayst
hinki
ngout
sidet
hebox…”he
i
nter
ject
ed.

“Idon’twantbemar ri
edany more,”Iannounced
l
oudl yandsharplycuttingr ightthr
ought hei
r
voices.I’
m sur
et hatgav et hem ami niheart
attack;especi
all
ymymom.“ Iwantadivorce,
”I
squeezedt hechairhandl e.Ialway sdothatto
staycalm.Isqueezeapi llow, mywr i
st,myleg,
api eceofclot
hing,anythingj usttochannel my
ener gyi
ntowhat everI’
m gr abbing.Thatgives
mymi ndthespacet ost aypr esent.

“
Tumel
othati
smadness!
”Shecr
ied.
“
Youknowyourmotherisri
ght
,ifsomet
hingi
s
wrongy
oucanworkitout,
”

“
Daddyy
oudon’
tunder
stand.He…”Ipausedas
Iletoutaqui ver
ingexhal
e,“
hebeat
smedaddy,
Iam scaredofhi m,”Il
ookedatmymom wit
h
teari
ngey es.Shehadnowor ryi
nherey
es,
she
wasj ustangry.

“Tumelo,youneedtothi
nksomet
imes,useyour
stupi
dbrain.I
fweloseNdumisowelosethe
school,
”shesayslooki
ngatmefr
om thecorner
ofhereyes.

“IfIst
aywithhi
m Iwill
losemylif
emama, Iam
yourdaughter
.What’smoreimportanttoyou
thantheli
feofyourownchil
d?”tearsrandown
mycheeksandIqui ckl
ywipedthem off.Mama
hatesitwhenIcry.

“Thel
iv
esofthoseotherchi
ldr
enthatwil
lhave
noschoolj
ustbecausemyownchi l
dfail
edto
beaproperwif
e…”sheletoutaloudscoffi
n
dissat
isf
act
ion.Shet
hengl
ancedatmeagai
n,
“andstopcr
y i
ng…”

“
Aproperwi
fe?Mamaar
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
o
y
our
self?
”

“It
hinkwhaty ourmot hermeansi st hat
,just
hanginthereal i
ttl
ewhi l
elonger,justunti
lIam
suretheschool doesn’tneedhismoney
anymore.Inthemeant ime; j
ustrespecthim and
dowhathewant s.Womenj usthav eawayof
ti
ckingamanof f…”myf atheragreedwi t
hhis
wife.

“Sheist
ickingmeof fri
ghtnow; Icani
magine
whatyouputt hatpoormant hrough,
”she
scoff
ed.Iam doomed.Mypar ents…mymom,
theywon’thelpme.
“Vuyiswa,
she’
snewtothi
smarr
iaget
hing,
be
kinderdar
li
ng,
”mydadsai
dtoher.

“Daddy
,Idon’
tneedherki
ndness,
Ineedher
prot
ecti
on.
”

“List
enI ce-
cream, ”mydadcal l
smei ce-cream
becauseIl ovedice- cr
eam.ButI ’
m notal l
owed
tohav eitnow, orany thingthatwi llmakeme
gainwei ght.Ndumi soi saheal thf r
eak.Hecan
got hewhol eweekeat ingnot hingbut
vegetabl esandf ish.“May behei sstressed, j
ust
trytalkingt ohim, may bey oucangof or
coupl es’ t
herapy.Youl ovehim andhel ovesy ou
too…heopenedt hatst or eforyour emember ?”I
want edt ogot oaf ashiondesi gningschool ,not
selldesi gnerclothes.
“
Yesdaddy,
”Inoddedl
i
ket
hegoodl
i
ttl
egi
rl
t
hatIwas.

“
Int
hemeanti
me,
Iwi
l
laskar
oundf
orgood
t
her
api
sts,
”

“Thanky oumama, y
ou’reri
ght,
every
thingwill
beokay .Ij
ustneedtoobeyhimr i
ght?
”Iforced
asmi l
et otr
yandconvincethem t
hattheywere
ri
ght.

“Nowyouar est
art
ingt
osoundli
keagrown
woman,”sherubbedmyhandandIkeptmy
smil
einplace

“
Shal
lwehavelunch?”daddysang.We
mar
chedint
othediningroom andfoundthe
t
abl
ealr
eadyset.Ndumisorefusestohi
rea
cook.AcleanercomesonceaweekonFr
iday
s
i
ntheafternoonwhenwearenotar
ound.

Ndumi soar
ri
vedatmypar ent
’shousewi
tha
bottl
eofwineformydadandabouquetof
fl
owersandchocolat
esformymom.Iwai tedi
n
thecarwhil
ehesaidhisgoodbyestomy
parents.
“
ThankyouMr .Jaxa,
Iwil
lgeti
ntouchwit
h
you,
”hesai
dget t
ingi
nsi
dethecar.Hel
ookedat
meandIsmiled.

“
Howwaswor
kbaby
?”Iaskedhedr
oveoutof
t
hegat
e.

“
Workwaswor k…di
dy ouenjoyyourdaywit
h
y
ourparents?”heaskedcareful
l
ynav i
gat
ingthe
t
urnsoftheroad.
“
YesIdi
d,wehadl
unchandt
alked.Thanky
ou,
”

“
Whatdi
dyout
alkabout
?”

“
Justt
heusual
,wor
k…andl
i
fe,
”Isay
.

“AndhowI’m beati
ngyou?Yousaidyouwanted
adivor
cefrom me…”myhear tst
oppedbeat
ing
andstar
tedburning.

“Ij
ust…”hebangedmyheadagai
nstt
he
dashboard.Istay
eddownf
oraminut
etr
yingt
o
regai
nmyv i
sion.

“Youj
ustwhat?”heasked.Idi
dn’tr
espond.I
needt
ocry,Ihavetocrysothere’
slessdamage.
Myheadi mmediatel
ystar
tedt
hrobbi
ng.
“Speak!”heshoutedandIjumped.Hepul
ledmy
hairbackandheldont othest
eeri
ngwheelwi
th
theother.

“Ij
ustwant edust ogethel p.It
houghtmay be
wecoul dgof ortherapytogether.Idon’twantt o
l
eav eyou,”hekeepsl ookingatmeandt hen
backatt her oad.Whenwegothomehel it
erall
y
draggedmeoutoft hecar ,hedidn’tevenl ock
orcloset hedoor .Hepushedmet othef loor
andIspr ainedmyankl eint heprocess.Het ook
offhisblazerandt i
eandt henbel t
.Heusedt he
belttowhi pev er
yinchofmybody .Iwasj uston
thefloorkickingandscr eami ngjusthopi ngand
prayi
ngt hathewoul dstopandev entuall
y
stopped…

“
Don’
tmov
e,”hewenti
ntohi
sof
fi
ce.Ij
ust
couldn’
t,
It ookachanceandr anupst
airs…”
I
saiddon’tmov e,
”hecamer unni
ngafterme.He
grabbedmyl egasIwasrunningupthestai
rs.
“Wherear eyougoing?
”

“Stop,Ndumisost op!
”Ikickedhimi nt
hef ace
andcont i
nuedrunning.Il
ockedmy sel
finour
room andimmedi at
elyf
elltothef
loor.He
start
edkicki
ngt hedoorandbangi ngoni t
.How
thedoordidn’tbreakopeni sasmuchaguess
tomeasi tisprobablytoy ou.

“Openthisdoor!Thisismyhouse, y
ouhav eno
ri
ghtlocki
ngdoor shere….open!”hescreamed.I
am notopeningthisdoor.Iwillnotvol
untari
l
y
off
ermy sel
fasal ivi
ngsacrifi
ce.
Hehasbeenbangingont hedoorf
oroveran
hournow.Heevenstoppedshouti
ngandcall
ing
menames.Rightnow,he’sbeggi
ngmet oopen.
Hesay shewant stoapologize,
wellhehas
beenapol ogizi
ng.Itookabunchofpai nki
ller
s
befor
eIsl eptsot heyknockedmer i
ghtout .
Thisi
shi sgui l
typhase;hewon’ttr
yany t
hing
stupi
d,insteadhe’llwakeupwi t
halotofshame
andregretr eadytobeachangedman.

WhenIopenedmyey es,Iremember edlast

nightandwhathappened.Ihav et ogetoutof
thisroom ev entually
,Ihavet ofacehi m.Aft er
shower i
ngandt akingmor epai nkil
lersf
ort he
headacheandachi ngbody .Ihadonsome
ti
ght s,ahoodieandsocks.Il impeddownst ai
rs
andf oundt hetabl eall
setup; itlooksli
kehe
madebr eakfast.Heappear edf rom hisoffice
andsawmel i
mpi ngdownt hestair.Ist
arted
breat hi
ngtremul ously,whatthehel lwasI
thinking?
“It
’sokay ,”hesays.Hehasf ul
lyenter edhi
s
phaseofr emorseandshame.“ Calm down.I
madebr eakfast…Iwashopingt hatwecoul d
j
ustsi tandt al
kaboutthattherapyy ou
suggest ed…”hechuckledsof ty
.Iam j ust
stari
ngathi mtryi
ngtocontrolmybr eathi
ng.
“Letmecar ryyoudownbaby ,
”heissl owly
comi ngt owardsthestai
rcase.

“
Stop,
don’tcomenearme,”Isai
dwit
ha
t
rembl
ingvoice.Nomatt
erhowhardImaytr
y
t
obebravebef or
ethi
sman,heknowshow
muchIfearhim.

“Iwon’
thurtyou;Ipr
omi se.Letmej ustcar
ry
youtothetablesoyoucanhav esomet hi
ngto
eat,
”herubbedhispalmst ogether.The
aft
ermathofhisoutburstsismyf avouri
tethi
ng
i
nt heworl
d,Ithr
ivei
nthose.Hebecomesso
weakanddesper ate.Iknowhewon’thi
tme
unt
ilaft
erIf
orgivehim andthenhewill
goback
tobeingdominant.ButIcoul
dneverbetoo
car
eful.

“
Okay,
youcancome,”hecameov erandcar
ri
ed
medownthest
air
s.Hegentl
ysatmedownand
t
henpour
edmeacupofcof fee.

“MayIdishforyou?”heasked,Inodded.He
gavememuesl iandy oghur
tsoItookina
spoonandt r
iedtochewbuti twaspainf
ul.My
j
awsar eki
ll
ingme.Itookaser vi
ett
eandspati t
out.“
What’swrong?Ist hey
oghurttoocold?”

“Myjawsar
epai
nful
,
”Isai
dgul
pingdown
cof
fee.
“
I’
ll
gety
ousomepai
ntabl
ets,
”hej
umped.
“No,Ial
readyt
ookabunch.I
’
llbeokay
,”hesat
backdown.

“
Baby
,Iam sosor
ry…Idon’
twantt
olosey
ou.I
l
ovey
ousomuch…”

“That
’swhaty
ousaidt
helastt
imeNdumiso,
andtheti
mebefor
ethat
…alsothet
imebefor
e
that
,”

“Iknow.Imeani tthi
stime…yourmom wi l
lget
mei ncont actwithatherapi
st…Icanevengof or
angermanagement ,
”hecameandknel tbefore
me.Ij uststart
edcr y
ingbecauseIwasinpai n.
Physical,emotional,
andment alpai
n;t
hisisjust
notli
fe.
“Ndumiso,
”Isai
dandbr
okedown.“
Iam scar
ed
ofyou,
”Imumbled.

“Iwillchange.Ipromi seyou…”hebegged.“ How

aboutweeatal i
ttleandthengot obedandj ust
cuddl eunti
lyouf allasl
eep,”Inodded.He
reachedupandki ssedme.Andl ikealways,I
fel
lf orhi
st r
icks.May beit’
snotat ri
ck,may be
her eall
ymeansi t
…butt henev eryoncei na
while,hefindshimsel ffal
li
ngbacki ntohisold
way s.May bethisi sli
keanaddi ctionforhim or
acopi ngmechani sm.

PLEASELI
KEANDSHARE♡
I
NSERT2

RUNAWAY
Ver
b

1.Tof
leebyr
unni
ng

2.Toleav
ehome, orot
herpl
acesofr
esi
dence,
usual
l
yunannounced

Upont het abletsthatIhadl astnightandt his

morning, heinsistedt hatIhav emor e.Hesai d
hisownar especi alandt heywor kfaster.He
pull
edt hem outf r
om hi sbri
efcaseand
i
nstructedmet ohav ethem, toldhim Ialready
tookpai nkill
ersbuthesai d,“
Thesear en’tli
ke
yournor mal tablets,gulpthem down, ”andsoI
obeyed.Hehel dmewhi leInoddedof finhi s
chest.Themi nuteIcl osedmyey esIf el
tmy
bodyf l
oat i
ngl i
keIwasi naswi mmingpool .I
askedhi m wher ehegott hosepi l
lsbecauseI
l
ikedwhatt heydi dtome.Heobv iouslyst r
ayed
from answer i
ngthequest i
onbyor deri
ngmet o
tryandgetsomesl eep.Thepi l
lsmade
ev er
ythingnumb.Icoul dn’tfeelthepai nIwas
feeli
ng; bothphysicallyandemot i
onall
y.I
couldn’tfeelmyhear tbeatinglikeaj ungl
edrum
andt hef eart
hat’
sal way shangi ngatt heback
ofmyt hroatwasn’tther e.Ijustfeelli
keIdon’t
exist,everyt
hingislightandper fect.

Ipeeledmyey esopenandmethis…wej
ust
star
edateachot her
.Hegotcl
oserandki
ssed
myf orehead.

“
Howl ongwasIout?
”Iaskedtr
yingtoput
wordstoget
herandf
orm asent
ence.Ij
ustfeel
t
ir
ed.

“
It
’sei
ghti
ntheev
ening,
”hesai
dsmi
l
ing.Why
t
hefucki
shesmil
ing?
“
Isl
eptt
hewhol
eday
?”

“Youmusthav ebeenr eall

yti
redlove,
”he
kissedmyf or
eheadagai n.No!Iwasn’
tt i
red,
youbeatmeup…t hat
’swhyIwasoutt hewhole
dayandt hepil
lsyougav emeknockedmeout .I
knowt hoseweren’tj
ustnormal pai
nki
ller
s.

“
Ifeel
real
l
yti
red,
mybodyf
eel
snumb,
”Isai
d.

“That’
sgood, Iwi l
lgoandgety ouacupof
coffee…it’
lldoy oujustr i
ght”hesaysstanding.
Mymi ndr ej
oicedwhenIhear dhisf oot
steps
thuddingdownt hestairs;
itmeantIhadaf ew
minutest omy self
.Isthiswhatmyl i
fewill
be
now?Iwi llr
ejoiceoverasecondt hatIgetto
my self.Fuckthis;Imi ghtaswel l
becomea
j
unki
e.Myhusbandwant stokil
lmehal
fthe
ti
me;myparentsdon’
twanttohelpmebecause
ofmyhusband’
smoney …noonecaresabout
me.LetmejustgoandtakeashowerjustsoI
canhavemoretimetomy sel
f.

Ohy es!Thewaterj
ustfeelssogoodagainstmy
body.Hotandsoothing;Istoodundert
hewat er
forami nut
enotbreathi
ngjusttobaskinthe
glor
yoft hi
smomentofsani t
y.

“
Hey,y
ou”hewrappedhisarmsar oundme.
“
Whydidn’
tyoucallmetojoinyou,i
t’
scol
d
t
oday
…”hesays.fuckfuckfuckfuck…

“
Iwasn’tgoi
ngtot
akethatlong,j
ustaf
ew
minut
esandthenI
’m out
,”say.
“Li
ar!Isawhowy ouwereenj
oyingt
hiswat
er
spl
ashingal
loveryou,
youturnedmeon”

“
Alr
ight
,yougotme,
”

“Youjustl ooksosexy ,
”hepr essedhis
manhoodagai nstmybumsandIj ustknewt hat
i
twast i
met ogeti ton.Thi sselfi
shpr i
ckknows
Iam notf eeli
ngwel lbecausehet ri
edtokillme,
hewast heonet hatwasnur singmeandnow
hewant stohav ef ucki
ngsex…Il i
teral
lywantto
scream.“ Turnar oundandl ookandme”he
demands.Iobey ed…Ifacedhi m.Hei sgoingto
commandmet okisshim nowandt henhewi l
l
takeov er.“Kissme, ”Ikissedhi m.Het ight
ened
hisgripar oundmyass.Ist oppedandhel ooked
atmewi thhal fopenedey es,hornyass
mot herfucker.
“Ij
ustt
houghtthatwe’
dcuddl
etoday
,you
know…andjusttal
k…”hegi
ggl
ed.

“
You’
recut
e,”heki
ssedmeagai
n.

“Ndumi so,”Ibackedaway .“Canwenott onight

please,myl ove,”Ibeggedt onothav esex.He
pushedmeagai nsttheglasswal l
soft he
shower ,li
ftedmeupandgoti nbet weenme.He
start
edki ssingonmyneckandgr abbi ngev er
y
partofmet hatwasbr ui
sed.“Baby ,slowdown
okay…”Isai d.Ifelthi
shandgoi ngi nbet ween
myt highs; withhishandhei nser t
edhi st i
ny
dickinsidemyv aginaandt henl ookedatme.
GodknowsIl ongedf orareal di
ck, areal manly
penisinsideofmebuthest i
llchoset opuni sh
mewi t
ht hisexcuseofamanwhohasa
fuckingVi ennaf orapeni s.Ilongedf orr eal
passion.Iwant edt omoanandmeani t.I’
ve
actual
lyneverhadanor gasm; Ijustsawitontv
whenIwasgr owingup.Thegi r l
woul dscream
soloudwhensheexper iencesoneand
sometimest heguyjustcriedf uckingweir
dly,
l
ikeacowgi v i
ngbirthortheygr oan.Andsoout
ofcuri
osit
y,Iresearchedor gasmsandI
watchedv i
deos…whoknewt hatwoul dcomei n
handyatthispointinmyl if
e.

Andso, hekeptshov i
nghi speni sinandoutof
meandwi t
hev eryeroticsoundImadehef elt
mor eli
keaman, hi
sconf idencei nhimsel fand
hispenisincreased.Andi nmyhead; I
’m
thi
nking, “
Cute.”Ican’twai tunt i
lthedayI
actuall
ygetr ealcocki nsi
deme.Isomet imes
fantasi
zeabouthowev er
y t
hingwoul dpl ayout
thedayIcheatonmyhusband…andhowhav i
ng
anor gasm woul dfeel.Ndumi sowasmyf ir
st
andasi defrom him Ihav enev ereversl
eptwi t
h
anyoneel se.
“I
sitgood?
”heasked.Thi
rstymother
fucker
can’
teventel
li
fhe’
sdoingitgood.

“Yeah, babe…”Imoaned.Heputmedownand
kissedme.Hi shandr eacheddowni nbet ween
myt highswhi l
ehekeptmyey esinplace.He
i
nser t
edhi smi ddl
efingerinsi
deofme; that
actuall
yf eel
sbet t
erthanwhathi smanhooddi d.
Ikissedhi m becauseIact ual
l
yfeltsomet hi
ng,
somet hingwor thadecentmoan.

“I
sthatgood? ”heasked.Inodded.Ili
ter
ally
di
dn’twanthi m di
sturbi
ngmef r
om this
moment .Thismomentofsexual pleasurehe
wasgi vi
ngme.Hest opped…whydidhest op?I
ki
ssedhi m hopingthathewouldconti
nue…he
di
dn’t.Hereachedf orashowergelandpour ed
ali
tt
leonmeandt henhuggedme.“ Il
ovey ou,
”
hewhi
sper
ed.

“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
”

Bytheti
mewehadfi
nisheddressi
ngup.My
coff
eewascol
dsohewaski ndenoughtogo
backandmakeanewone.

“Baby
,doy
ouseemybagdownther
e?”I
shout
edst
andi
ngont
opofthest
air
s.

“
Yeah!I
t’
sri
ghther
e…”her
esponded.

“
Pleasegr
abmychar
gerf
orme,
”

“Okay,
lov
e”Imademy sel
fwar
m undert
he
duvetwhi
leIwai
tedf
orhim.Hecameinwit
hout
mycof
feeormychar
ger
.

“Hmm, di
dy ouf or
getsomething?
”Iasked
teasi
ngl
y.Het hrewsomet hi
ngatmewhi chI
gladl
ycaught.IglancedatwhatIhadcaughti
n
myhandsandl ookedallt
oofamili
ar.

“Whatthefuckist
hat
?”hesaysleaningagainst
thedoor.Iat
tempt
edtostand.“
Bitch,si
tyour
assdown,”

“Ndumiso!Youcan’
tspeakt
omeli
kethat
,”I
stood.Hechargedf
ormeandgr
abbedmyneck.

“Whatdi
dyousay
?”hesay
s.Ihel
dont
ightt
o
hi
sarm.
“
Isai
d,pl
easedon’
ttal
ktomeliket
hat…”he
t
hrewmeont hebedandgotontopofme.

“You…. ”Hisgr i
pgott i
ght eraroundmyneckas
hepinnedmeagai nstthebed.“ Whyt hef uckdo
youhav ebirthcont r
ol pil
ls?”Ican’ tt
alk…Ican’ t
breathe.Hi sey eswer et urningredandv eins
werepoppi ngoutofhi sneckandf orehead.He
stoppedandbackedaway …Icaughtmybr eath.
“Yout hinkI’m af ool?You’ vebeenusi ngbi rth
control pi
llsinmyhouse…wheny ou’
remar ried
tome, ”hei spaci ngupanddownt her oom.I
coughedoutofcont r
ol asIsatupst raightsoI
couldber eadyf orwhat ev ercomes.Hehas
beenbeat i
ngmef ort hepastt hreeday snow
andIt hinkt odayIhav er eallycrossedt helinei n
hisbooks.Hewal kedupt omewi they esf il
led
withnomer cyorcompassi on,“Youar eaf ool !
”
hespatonme.Thent henextt hingIf eltwasa
hotslapacr ossmyf ace.“ Youhav ebeenki l
ling
mychi l
dreny oubi
tch,”hegotont opofmeand
star
tedpunchi ngmer epeat
edly.Itr
iedhi
ding
myf acewithmyhandsbutt hatwasuseless,I
coul
dt astebloodinmymout h.Thismancould
ki
llmer i
ghther er
ightnowandnoonewoul d
know.Ev erypunchfeltheav
ierthanthe
previ
ousone-andi tseemedt hat-nomatter
howl oudIcried–hewasn’ tpreparedtohave
mercy .

Het ookabr eakt othrowi nsultsatme.“ You’

re
amur derer,”hespatonmeagai n.Ineedt o
escapethi sni ghtmar eorIwi lldi
e…Ineedt oget
outofher e.Wi t
hal l
mypowerandmi ghtI
pushedhi m andki ckedhimi nthegr oin.He
l
andedont hef l
oorandnur sedhi spain.Inthe
meant i
me; am uglyt houghtv isit
edmyheadso
acteduponi t.Iquicklygrabbedt hesideand
smashedi tonhi shead.Hescr eamedl i
kea
l
itt
legir
l,j
usthear inghim cr ymademewantt o
domor et ohim.Iwant edtohearmor eoft hat
cryescapingf r
om him, Iwantedt ohurthim
somemor e.Whi l
ehewasst i
lltr
y i
ngtomake
senseoft hings,Ir
anoutoft her oom, andwent
downstairs.Igrabbedthegat ekey sandr anout.
It
’srai
ning;Iam bleedi
ngal lovermyf ace.I
havenot hi
ngbutagownon.Ihav enoi dea
whereI’m going,butIam gettingawayf r
om
here.Assoonast hegat eopened, Ir
anf ordear
l
ife.

Thehousei sfarfr
om r eal
itysoIknowIwon’ t
seeanot herhouseorany onet hatwil
lhel
pme
foralit
tl
ewhi le.Ij
ustt ol
dmy selft
orunand
neverstop.WhenIl ookedbackandIcoul dn’t
seeany t
hi ngbutther oadbehi ndme.Icanno
l
ongerseemyhousesoI ’
m saf e–fornow.I
sloweddown; myt hroatfeelsdryandpainful
,
andsodoesmyankl e.Isti
llhavethekeyswith
me; Iwil
l keepthem asaweaponsoIcanat
l
eastt ryt oprotectmyselfifany t
hinghappens
butIhopeIwon’ thavetopr otectmy self
.A
brightl ightbehindme, i
t’
sav ehicle.Justkeep
wal king.I tpassed…itwasat axi
..
.holdon, i
t’
s
rever sing.Fuckf uck…Iam scar ed,whatwasI
thinkingr unni
ngawayf rom myhusband?I f
any thinghappensnow, I
’
mr eall
ytoast ,
can’trun.
Iov erwor kedmyankl ewhenIwasr unningaway
from myhouse, att
hispointitsthrobbing,itcan
bar elyf uncti
onnor mall
y.

“Miss,
”themani nsi
dethet axi
shout ed.Ikept
myheaddownandj ustkeptwal ki
ng.“ Where
areyougoing, l
etmedr opy ouof f
;Ipromi se
youIwilldropyouof f
…”Ijustkeptwal king.I
needtokeepwal ki
ng.“Excuseme! ”heshout ed
ashedr oveslowlybesideme.“ Iam t r
yingto
helpyou,it
’srai
ning…”
“Idon’tneedy ourhelp,justl
eav emeal one…”I
walkedf ast
erput t
ingmor epressureonmy
ankle.Hedr oveoff.Thanky ouLor d!He
stoppedagai n,whatt hehelldoesthisman
wantf rom me?It oldhimt oleavemeal one.He
i
sget ti
ngoutofhi st axi
, j
ustkeepy ourhead
downandmi ndyourownbusi nessandi fpush
comest oshov e,
stabhi sfuckingeyewi thone
ofthekey s.

“
Miss,it
’sr
aini
ng;I
’
m sorr
yIwon’tr
estknowing
t
hatIlef
taladyoutint
heraini
nthemiddleof
t
henight,
”heshoutedasIappr
oachedhim.

“
Guy,Isai
dIdon’
tneedy
ourhel
p!”Isai
d
t
rembli
ng.

“Lookyouar
egetti
ngmewet,j
ustgeti
nthecar
pleasel
etmetakeyouhome,
”hesays.
“Isai
dno,”Ishout
ed,
“Idi
dn’
tasky
out
ogetout
ofyourcar!
”

“Wecandr ivewithy ourdooropensoi fItry

anything, youcanj umpout .
”Hecl eanedhi s
facewi thhi shand, “Betteryet,”hepul l
edout
gun.“Takemygun, justpul lt
het ri
ggerifyou
feelunsaf e,”Istoodt herewi thmyey esont he
wetgr ass.Idon’ twanthi mt oseemybr ui
sed
face.“Please, you’l
lbehel pingme, Ineed
companyany way…”andsoIt ookhi sgun.He
openedt hepassenger s’sideformeandIgoti t
i
n.“Arewecl osingthedoor ?”Inodded.I t
smel l
sl i
kef astfoods, weedandbeeri nher e.
Her ant ohi ssideanddr oveof f.Het ur
nedon
theheat er.Iam l ookingawayf rom him andI
am hol dingont ighttot hisgunl i
keIknowhow
tousei t.“Wher ear ewegoi ng? ”heasks.
“Myparent
s’housei
nLa…”no,theywi
l
lsend
meback.“Takemeanywhere…somewhereI
don’
tknow,”

“
Ihav
eaflatcl
oseby;Iwi
l
ltakeyout
her
efor
t
heni
ght
,then,f
igur
eever
ythi
ngoutt
omorr
ow.”

“
Thanky
ou,
”Isai
dlowl
y.

Wedr ov
eforalit
tlewhi l
eandthenentered
i
nsi deabuil
dingoff l
ats.Ij
ustf
oll
owedhi m,
turnedwherehet urnedbutmadesur etokeep
myheaddown.Wegoti nsi
deanelevator.I
stoodbehindhim andst udi
edhimf r
om the
back.HeglancedbackatmeandIqui ckly
threwmyf acedown.
Wegotoutoft heelevatorandt ookan
i
mmedi ater i
ghtdownt hepassage.Hest opped
i
nf rontofoneoft hedoor sandopenedwi tha
key; thatgav emet heassur ancet hatthef l
at
wasr eallyhis.Hewal kedi n,fl
ickedaswi t
chon
thewal landt herewasl ight.Tomyl eft;
thereis
adoorwayl eadingtoat inykitchen, v
erytiny.
Tomyr ight;Isee2door s,thefirstoneist he
bathr oom andIassumet hetoiletisbehindt he
seconddoor .Andt henst rai
ghtdowni sthe
bedr oom whi chwear einnow.Atl eastthebed
i
scl ean.Buty oucant el
l t
hatit’sbeenawhi le
sinceabr oom hasmov edi nthishouse.Ist ood
byt hedoor .Andwai t
edf orhimt osayordo
somet hing.

“Welcomet omyhumbl eabodes…Ihopeit’

s
okayf oryou,
”okay?Mybedroom onitsownis
thesizeofhisenti
refl
at;
mycl oseti
sasbigas
thi
sbedr oom i
fnotbi
gger.Butbeggarscan’
tbe
chooser
s.

Inoddedandf
orcedasmi
l
e.

“Okay,taket his,
”hegav emeat -shi r
tanda
whitetowel.“ Foll
owme, ”Idid.Hewal kedi nto
thebathroom.“ Youcant akeashower ;
thet aps
i
nt hetubst il
l needfi
xing.Thet oiletisrightnext
door.”Andi tseemsIwasr i
ght.“Justasecond, ”
hewentout .Iwai t
edforhim.Int hemeant ime; I
l
ookedatmy selfinthemi r
ror,
Il ookhor ri
ble.
Myl i
psar eswol l
enandsoar emyr ightey e.
There’sdrybl oodinmynoseandl ips.Iam j ust
amess.Whent hedooropened, Iqui ckl
ylooked
down.“ Here”hehandedmewhatappear st obe
abodyl oti
on.

“
Thanky
ou,
”Isai
dundermybreat
heandwait
ed
f
orhi
mtoexi
tsoIcanhavesomewarm wat
er
r
unni
ngdownmybody .Heshutt
hedoorand
t
henknocked.“
Yes!
”

“Youcanlockthedoorfr
om insi
de,
justt
ofeel
safer
,”hesays.Howniceofhim.

“Thanky ou, ”Ilocked.Idon’ tcarehowni cehei s;

thereisnowayIam l et t
ingmyguar ddown
aroundanyman.Idon’ tknowwhatImeanby
thatbutt hat ’
sjusthowIf eel.Onceagai n,t
he
waterf eelssogoodagai nstmybr uisedbody ,
it
stungatf i
rstbutev entuallythepainf eltli
kea
partofme.Ipausedf orami nut
et akingi nthe
moment .Mybr ainremi ndedmet hatIcoul dn’t
taketool ong, it’
snotmyhouse.It urnedt he
waterof fandwi pedmybodywi tht het owel he
gaveme.It henmoi sturizedmybodyandwor e
thet-shirthegav eme.Iexi tedthebat hroom
andwenti nt othebedr oom.If oundhi m wi tha
t
owel
aroundhi
swai
st.

“
Youdone?”heasked.Inodded.“
Okay
,gi
veme
ami
nute.Iwil
lbewit
hy ounow,”

Inoddedandt
henst
eppedoutoft
hewaysohe
coul
dexit
.
“
Youcanhav easeatonthebed,”hesays.Idi
d
j
ustthat
.Isatontheedgeoft
hebedand
wai
tedforhim.Hestar
tedsi
ngingintheshower;

“HOW CANWEBELOVERSI
FWECAN’
TBE
FRIENDS?
HOW CANWESTARTOVERWHENTHEFI
GHT
HADNEVEREND?
HOW CANWEMAKELOVEI
FWECANMAKEA
MESS?
TELLME,HOW CANWEBELOVERSI
FWE
CAN’TBECAN’
TFRIENDS?
”

Hesanghi slungsout.Igiggl
edbecausehe
soundedsohappyandl i
kewhathewasf eeli
ng
wassosi ncere.Geez,whenwast helastti
meI
sangint heshower ?HaveIev ersunginthe
shower ?Idon’ tr
ecall
…hewalkedi nandmyf ace
fel
l.Thewar drobeisbehindme, soIcan’tsee
him dressingup.Hecameandst oodbeforeme.

“Wouldyoulikesomet hingtoeat?”heasked.I
shookmyhead.“ Woul dy ouli
kesomet ea? ”I
shookmyheadagai n.“LookatmeMi ss,
”he
says.Isqueezedmywr istt
oconcent r
atemy
energyonsomet hing.“Hey,youdon’thavet obe
scared,
”hesay s,
“Iwon’ thur
tyou,”Ndumi so
sai
dhewon’ thurtmeagai nbuthealway sdid.
“Heyweneedt ohavesomef orm of
communi cat
ionthi
nggoing,Icoul
dgi
veyoumy
phonesoy oucouldtextdownwhatyouwantt
o
say…orpaper”hesays.

“Youdon’thav
etodot
hat
,Icanspeak,
”I
utt
ered.

“Areyouinanypai n?Doy ouneedsomepi l

lsfor
thosebruises?
”heasked.Ishookmyhead; I’
ve
beenhav i
ngal otofpill
sforthepastfewhour s
andthelastoneNdumi sogav emewasbyf ar
theheaviestpi
llI’
vehad.“Didsomeonehur tyou,
l
ikesexually?Wer eyouraped?”wellsometimes
Ndumi sodoesf orcemet ohav esexual
rel
ati
onswi thhim evenwhenIbeghi m not
to…li
ketonight
, butIshookmyhead.

“
No,
”Isai
d.
“
Canyouspott
hepersont
hatdi
dthistoyou,
do
y
ouknowhim,herort
hem?”heacquir
ed.

Inodded,“Yes,
Iknowhi
m,”Il
ookedatt
her
ug
onthefloor.

“Lookatme,
”hesays.Whydoeshewantmet o
l
ookathim?Ilookhorr
ibl
e.ButIobey
edhim.
“Whodidthi
stoyou?”Iqui
ckl
ylookedatt
herug
again.

“
Ndumi
so,
”Isai
dthatl
i
keheknowsNdumi
so.

“Whoi
sNdumi
so?”heasked.Whenist
his
goi
ngt
oendbecauseIam f
reezi
ngcol
d.
“
Myhusband”I
’mjustgivi
ngone-
wordanswer
s.
Hesi
ghedheav
il
yandr ubbedhi
shead.

“
Wher
eisy
ourhusbandnow?
"

“
Inourhouse;
canIsl
eepnowpl
ease?I
’
mreal
l
y
t
ir
ed,
”

“Okay
, y
oucant akethebed,Iwi
llt
akethe
fl
oor,
”hegr abbedapi l
lowandthentookout
twoblanketsfrom thewardr
obe.Igotint
obed
andwat chedhimf i
xhisbedont hefl
oor.
“
Goodni
ght
,”hesai
dswi
tchi
ngof
fthel
i
ght
s.

“
Cany oupl
easechecki
fthedoori
slockedand
i
fal
lthewindowsarecl
osed?”
“Sure…Icandot hat
,”hewentout .“Everythi
ngis
l
ocked.Noonecangeti nunl
esswel etthem
i
n,”her eport
edmaki nghimselfcomf ort
ableon
thefloor.Il
aiddownf aci
ngthecei l
ing.Thisbed
i
sr eall
ysmal landwar m.Itsmellslikefabri
c
softeranddust .“Sl
eepMi ss,y
ouar esaf ehere
withme.Don’ twor r
yaboutnot hing,
”hey awned.

“
Thanky
ou,
”

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT3

LUCKY

Adj
ect
ive
1.Fav
ouredbyluck;
for
tunate;
meet
ingwi
th
goodsuccessorgoodfor
tune

2.Pr
oducing,orresul
ti
ngin,goodchance,or
unex
pectedly
; f
avourabl
e;auspi
cious;
fort
une.

Iopenedmyey esandr emember edIwasata

str
anger ’
splace.Isatupst rai
ghtcareful
enought onothur tmy self
.Guywasn’ tther
e
anymor e.Hisblanketswer efoldedneatlyon
thefl
oor .Ismellfood,reall
ynicesmel l
i
ngf ood,
baconandot herfatfoods.“Guy ,
hel
lo”I
shouted.

“
Inthekit
chen”heresponded.Imademyway
i
ntothi
scupboardkit
chenwher eIfoundhi
m
wi
thsweatpantsandawhi t
ev eston.
“
Goodmor
ning?
”Isai
d.

“Goodmor ningMi ss,

”hesay ssmili
ng.“Iwent
outandgoty outhese,”hepassedmeapl ast
ic
from MrPr ice.There’say el
lowf l
oraldress
i
nsidewi tht hreeunderwears, andabra.There
i
sal soanot herplasti
cf r
om PEPwi tha
toothbrush,abodyl otion,bodyspray ,
at owel
andal abell
o.Howki ndofhi m.

“Thanky ouv er
ymuch, Iwillpayy
oubackI
promise.”Isaid.“Letmebr ushmyteeth,”I’
m
sti
llsetonkeepi ngmyheaddown.Idon’ twant
himt oseemyugl yface;
Ilookedatmy selfin
themi r
rorlastnightandIlookedhorr
ible.

“Yeah,youdothat
…”Ilefthi
mi nt
hekitchen
cookingupastorm.Ibrushedmyt eet
hand
l
ookedatmy selfi
nthemi r
rorasIdidso.Iam
sopat heti
c…whydi dIrunawayf rom my
husband?Hesai dwe’ dgof orcoupl es’t
herapy,
heev enpr omi sedt otakeangermanagement
cl
asses.Whydi dn’tIjustst
aywi t
hhi m?What ’
s
mypl annow?Iam sost upid…Iam dumb…Iam
angry.Igrabbedont hecorneroft hesi
nkand
squeezedi treall
yhar dunti
l t
heangert hatwas
bui
ldingupi nsideofmesubsi ded.Ijoi
nedhim
i
nt heki t
chenagai n.“Ihopey ouar ehungry
becauseIam andI ’
dhatetoeatal loft
hisfood
bymy sel
f,”Ilookedathi m.

“Icanhavethatf oodandthebaconand
eggs…?”Iasked.Ndumi soneverletsmeeat
anyofthis.I
nf act,wedon’
tstoreanyofthese
i
nourf r
idge.Hesai dhedoesn’twantafatwife
andhebel i
evest hatwomengetf atmuchfaster
thanmendo.Somet i
meshe’dforcemetoj og
withhi
m.Ihat edev er
yminuteofit.
“
Yeah!Whynot?Youcanhav easmuchasy ou
l
i
ke”hesays,Icanseehimt r
yingt
ogetafull
v
iewofmyf ace,butIdon’
tgi
vehimthatchance.

“
Yeahsur
e,Iam hungr
y…”

“Great
!Waitf
ormei nt
heroom t hen,
Iwillbr
ing
youbreakf
astinbed…nopuni ntended,Idon’
t
haveadini
ngar easoIwill
li
t erall
ybri
ngy ou
breakf
asti
nbed, ”hesaysgiggling.

“Sure, l
etmefixthebedt hen,”Il
impedback
i
nt othebedroom.If i
xedthebed.Puthi s
blanketsbackinsidethewar drobe,openedthe
cur t
ainsandthewi ndowst oleti
nsomef r
esh
air.Thoughthesuni sout,it
’ssti
llali
tt
lecold.I
wentbacki ntothekitchen.“Doy ouneedsome
help?”Iasked.
“Yesplease,”hesay s.“Justgr
abthattraywi
th
j
uice,”Ididsoandf ollowedhim.Wesatont he
fl
oor,whichIdi dn’
tmi nd.“Wel
l,di
gin”hesays
enthusiasti
call
y.Igrabbedapieceofbaconand
threwitinmymout handchewed.Oh, myword,
i
t’ssodel i
cious.Icoveredmymout hwithmy
hand.“Whati sit?”

“
It
’sdel
i
cious,
”Isai
dwhi
sper
ing.

“Ohyeah!Havesomemor epl ease, bemy

guest
,”heleanedagainstthebedandwat ched
measIdev ouredthefood.Ev ent houghmy
headisdown, Icanf
eel hi
m st ar
ingatmeand
i
t’smakingmesouncomf ortable.

“
Thi
sissogood,
you’
veout
doney
our
sel
f,
”I
saidwhi l
echewing.Ndumisowouldhav e
scoldedatmebynowf orspeakingwhile
chewing.“I’
m sorr
yforspeakingwit
hfoodinmy
mout h,Iknowit’
srude,
”Isaid.Hegrabbeda
pieceofbaconandbi tahugechunkofbr ead
andst art
edchewing.

“What’
srude?
”heopenedhi
smout
hext
rawi
de.
Ismil
ed.

“Thanky ouf orbr

eakfast,
it’
sreal
l
ydel i
cious,
”I
saidlookingdown.It ookaquickglanceathim
thenbackatt hepl
ate.Heisstari
ngatme.If eel
soinsecur e;whati
fhei sj
udgingme, Imean
anyfool canseef r
om ami leawaythatI’
ma
patheti
cpi eceofnothing.

“Idon’
tgetthi
s,soy
ou’
venev
erhadbaconand
eggs…gir
lunderwhi
chr
ockhavebeenl
ivi
ng?”
“Ihav
ehadt hem bef
ore,butthatwasawhil
e
ago…theresti
sjustalongstory”Isai
dandt
ook
asipfrom myglassoforangejuice.

“I
’
vegott i
me…”i fthi
sguywasabl etogetme
i
nsidehistaxiandabl etogetmetolookathi
m
l
astnight,
thenI’m prett
ysureget
ti
ngmet otel
l
hi
m whyIhav en’thadbaconandeggi nwhil
e
wil
lbeeasy .

“Ndumi sodidn’tli
kefatt
yf oods.Hewasagy m
freak…sosinceIwasn’ tagy mf reak,
hemade
surethatweat ehealthyfoods.Heboughtt he
groceri
esandev eryt
wiceaweekwegof ora
j
ogt ogether;saidhedidn’twantaf atwif
e…”he
tookhisbaconandeggsanddr oppedthem on
mypl ate.
“
FuckNdumi
so,
eatal
loft
hat
,”hesay
s.

“
Okay
,”Iat
easf
astasIcoul
d.

“Heyheyhey,”heheldmyoi l
yhandandmy
eyesshotupathi m,“calm down.I’
m notfor
cing
youtoeat…I’
mj ustsayingthathere,youcan
havemuchasy ouwant ,”Inodded,f
orceda
smil
eandt hendroppedmyhead.

“
Thankyou,
”Isaid.Heisl
ooki
ngatme;
Ican
f
eelhi
seyesjustpoki
ngthr
oughme.

“
Youdon’
tseeme,
doy
ou?
”hesay
s.

“
Seeyou?
”Il
ookedathi
sbi
gdar
key
es.“
See
y
ouhow?”
“
Imeany
oudon’
trecogni
zeme”

“Recogni
zey
ou?Ther
e’snowayIknowy
ou…”I
swall
owed.“
DoIknowyou?”

“I
’m Lucky
,youhitmytaxi
af ewdaysagoand
sai
dy ourhusbandwasgoingtorepl
acei
t,
”I
l
ookedathi m agai
n.

“Ohmygoshit’
syou,
”hesmi ledandIf eelso
ashamed.“
Iwassorudet oyout hatday,Iwas
i
nahur r
y,i
twasrai
ning,
Ididn’tevengivey oua
secondl
ook…myhusband,”

“
Hey
,don’
texpl
ain,
it’
sokay
…”
“
Iam sososor
ry…Ij
usthadt
ogethomeon
t
ime,
”

“Mi
ss,
”hesay
s.Ikeptqui
et.“
Iunder
stand,
”he
say
s.

“
Thanky
ou,
”

“Tell
mesomet hi
ng,”Inodded,“thatday
,Icall
ed
youlateron…youjustendedourcal lsoabrupt
ly,
didhebeaty ouupthatday ?”Inodded.“I
’m
sorry,
thatwasmyf ault,Ishoul
dhav ecall
edthe
fol
lowingdayorsomet hing,”

Igi
ggled,“
Ndumisohitsmeev er
ychancehe
get
s,sodon’tworryabouti
t,I
’
m sur
ehewould
hav
ef oundareasontobeatmeupt hatni
ght
,”
“
Mot
her
fucker
,”hecl
i
nchedhi
sjaws.

“
Mynamei
sRai
nbow,
nicet
omeetMr
.Lucky
,”

“JustLuckywi
l
ldo…howcomey
ourbusi
ness
cardsaysTumeloGumede?
”

“Anotherl
ongst
ory,butIam Rai
nbowGumede,
pleasecal
lmeRainbow,”

“Rainbow…Il
i
kei
t.Idon’
tknowany
onenamed
Rainbow,”

“
Nowy
oudo,
”Isai
d.

Af
terhavi
ngbreakf
ast
,Guyhadtogot
owork–
Ir
eall
youghtt
ocallhi
m byhi
snamenow,
Lucky .Luckysai dhewasgoi ngtowor k.Idi
dn’
t
askmuchabouthi snat ureofwor k,t
houghthe
vehicleheusessor tofgav eitaway,butthen
again, anythingispossi ble.Helockedthedoor
andt ookt hekey swithhim.Wel l;
heonl yhas
onekey .Itseemsl ikeGuydoesn’ tstayhere
thatmuchof ten.Hehasnosenseof
connect ionwi ththi
sf lat,
heseemsl i
kea
strangerpassi ngby,itseemswe’ rebot h
stranger sher ebutatdi ff
erentdegrees.

Guyleftmewi thalaptopandear phones; he

sai
dt owatchmov iesandser i
es.Thati ssti
ll
keepingmeent ert
ained.Ndumi soalway s
wantedt owatchNat i
onalgeographicorgol f
andcr i
cket
.Hehadnoi nt
erestinwat chinga
goodmov i
e,hedoesn’tevenhav eafav ouri
te
actor
.Hesay sit’
sallli
esanditbr ai
nwashes
one.Hemadeanexampl eaboutamov i
ecalled
DELIVERUSFROM EVAt hatstarr
edGabr i
ell
a
Union.Hesai d;nowwomenwi llstar tbeli
evi
ng
thatbei ngbol dandst r
ongandt alki ngtomen
anyhowi sthewayt oli
v e.Hedi dal l
owmet o
wat chcooki ngandf ashi onchannel s,which
wasv erygener ousofhi m hesai d.Iam now
wat chingTHESMURFS, andIcannotbr ing
my selftounder st
andwhyamanl i
keGuywoul d
havesuchamov i
east his.Especial l
ybecause
maj orit
yofhi smov i
esar eallaction, thri
ll
er,
suspense, dy stopiaandsci -f
i…agai n…any thi
ng
i
spossi bl
e.

Imademuf finsearl
ier;Ifoundal lt
he
i
ngredient
sneeded, includingami xtur
epack
withdi
recti
ons.Therei sn’tmuchedi bl
ehere,he
hasahotsaucef rom Nando’ sthoughandIlove
himforthat.Il
ovehotsauces.Theonl yf
ood
thatl
ookssaf eenought oeatistheonehe
boughtthi
smor ning.Heal sohascof f
eethatis
nowhar dasar ock.Ithinkhei sback,Ipaused
themov ie,yes,t
hegateisopeningandIam
feel
ingal i
ttl
euneasyont hegroundsthat,
somewher eatthebackofmymi ndIam
convincedIwi l
lseeNdumi sowhenthatdoor
swingsopen.Iam st andi
ngbyt hebedroom
doorstaringatthefrontdoor;
thedoorswung
open, i
t’
shim.Iex hal
ed.

“HiMiss,
”hesayswit
hasmi l
e.“
Whyar
eyou
standi
ngther
e?”heasked.

“Ij
ustwantedt
obesureitwasyou,
”Isai
d.I
steppedasi
deashewalkedi
ntohisroom,
whichisnowpartmi
ne.
“I
t’
sme,”hesneezed.“
Itsmell
sgood,di
dyou
cook?
”hethrewhimselfonthebedandsni
ff
ed.

“
Ifoundamuf
fi
nmi
xer
,Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
nd…I
j
ust
,”

“
Fuck!
”

“
OhI’m sosor
ry…Ishoul
dhav
easkedy
ou
f
ir
st…”

“No,it
’snotthat.I
’
m glady
oumademuffi
ns,in
factIam looki
ngforwardt
ohav
ingsome,don’
t
apologize,
”

Ibreathedouti
nreli
ef.“
I’
m glad,
”Isai
d.He
sneezed,andsneezedagain…andthenagai
n.
“Guy,areyousi
ck?”Iasked.

“
Miss,
it’
sLuckynotGuy
,”hesai
dandsneez
ed.
“I
t’
sRainbow,notMi ss,
”Ialsosai
d.“Ar
eyou
si
ck?You’vebeensneezi ngandsni
ffi
ng,
”Igot
cl
oser,
“MayI? ”Ibroughtthebackofmyhand
cl
osertohisforehead.

“Knocky oursel
fout ,
butI’
m notsi
ck.I
t’
sjustthe
rai
nf rom l
astnight,andthenIsl
eptonthe
fl
oor,”helai
donhi sbacksoIcouldexamine
him properl
y.Iplacedthebackofmyhandon
hisforehead.

“
Youar
ebur
ningup,
”Isai
d.

“Iwil
lbef
inebyt
omor
row,
letmesl
eep.
”He
says.

“
Openy
ourmout
hwi
de,
”hedi
d.Hi
sthr
oati
s
r
ed…
“Yep!Youdef
ini
tel
yhav
eaf
lu…doy
ouhav
e
ginger
?”

“
No,
Idon’thav
eanyt
hingher
e.Unl
essy
ouwant
t
owalkt
ot hemal
l
,”

“Themall
?”Isaidundermybreath.Mymout h
suddenl
ygotdryandmyhandsgotsweat y
.I
canhearmyhear tbeat
.Thethoughtofgoi
ng
outsi
debymy sel
fseemst oparal
yzeme.

“yeah,
it’
srightoutside…youwon’ tmi ssit
.But
thenagain;IsaidIwi l
lbefine,
don’ tstr
ess.”Guy
hasbeenv erykindtome, heopeneduphi s
houseandev entr
ust edmewi thit.TheleastI
candoatt hispointistakecareofhi m.Iam
j
usthav i
nganxi et
iesaboutgoingout si
de.What
i
fNdumi sof i
ndsme?ThenI ’
m dead; But
Ndumi sowoul dn’
tknowt hissideoft hecity
pr
ovi
nce;
orwoul
dhe?
“
Iwi
l
lgo…”Il
etoutal
oudqui
ver
ingsi
gh

“Ar
ey ousur
e,y
oudon’
thav
etodot
his”hesay
s.
Inodded.

“Iwantt o.Besi des…it’srightoutside,ri

ght?”I
saidtryingt osoundbr av e.Hegav emeR500
andt hekey s, hetoldmet ogethim cigarettes
aswel l.Hegav emequi t
eal otofmoneyt hough.
Isteppedout sidet heflatandt hesun
i
mmedi atelylitupmyf ace.Ihadt oclosemy
eyesbecauseofhowbr i
ghtitwas.Okay .Ihit
theelev atorbut t
onandt heel evatorcame
withi
nami nute.Itopenedandpr esenteda
whiteol dl adyi nside,shesmi l
edatme.If orced
asmi leback.I ’
vegot t
enqui tegoodatf orci
ng
smi l
es, Ifor cedsmi l
esatmyf at
her’sfuncti
ons
andt henNdumi so’sfunct i
onsandt heninmy
house.

“
Justmov
edi
n?”sheasked.

“
Justv
isi
ng,
”Isai
dsqueezi
ngmywr
ist
.

“
Whatapr
ett
yladyy
ouar
e,”shesay
s.

“Thankyou, ma’am,”Iforcedanot hersmi l

e.I
j
umpedof fatthegroundf loorandmademy
wayoutsi deofthebuilding.Ther ei sthemal l
withSparf l
agsdangl i
ngout side.Iwenti n, Isaw
manyot hershops, l
ikeamov ier ental,
debonairs,KFCandmanymor e.IcanseeSpar
furt
herdown.Ri ghtafterthest ationerystor e.I
walkedinandawor kerpacki ngf ruitssmiledat
me.Somet i
mesIf eelli
keIam i nvisibl
etot he
worldsoIdon’ tevenbot hertalkingt opeopl e.I
getsur pri
sedwhenpeopl etalkt omebecause
thatmeanst heyseeme.Af terIchangedmy
name, Ifoundi tveryhar dtoi nteractwi thot her
humans.Ij ustf el
tlikeIwasdoi ngsomet hi
ng
wrongandt henwhenImetNdumi so,itjust
seemsl i
kehehadev eryt
hingundercont rol
.He
madeal lt
hedeci sionssoIdi dn’thav emucht o
worryabout .Hewasbasi call
ymymout hpiece;
minewast ol ookpr ett
y,skinny, educat ed,
expensi v
eandsophi st
icated.Ir ememberat
somepoi nt,acol leagueofhi satoneofhi s
workf unct i
onsaskedmeaquest i
onandI
guessmyanswerwasi ncont rastwi t
hwhatmy
husbandr epresent edasanent i
t ysot hatni ght
hebeatmeupandt oldmeIwasdumb.Whi chI
beli
eveIam.Honest l
y…justlookatme.I ’
ma
hopelessl it
tlebi t
ch.Iam sodumbt hatIneeda
mant ot hinkf orme…

Any
way
;I’
m backi
nsi
de.Ishutt
hedoorand
exhaledwhenIr eali
sedIthatIdi
dthis.Iwent
outsi
de,tothemal landIdidnormalhuman
beingacti
vi
ties;li
kegreet
ingotherci
vil
iansand
picki
ngmygr oceri
es.WhenIgothome, Guy
wasst i
ll
inbedcoughi ng,sneezi
ngandsni f
fi
ng.

“
I’
m back,
”Isai
dtr
iumphant
ly.

“
Didyougeteveryt
hingyouwanted?”heasked.
Hi
sphonerang,“Excuseme,”hestoodupand
wenti
ntot
hekitchen.Inodded.

“BABY,”hesays.Thatmustbehisgir
lf
ri
end,or
wife…whatever
.“OKAY,IWILLMYLOVE, I
PROMI SEYOU,”hesoundsr at
hergi
ddy.“OKAY
SAMKELI SIWE,ILOVEYOU, BYE”Iwasli
ter
all
y
waiti
ngforhimt ocomeback.
“Pl
easeshower
,Iwi
l
lfi
xsomet
hingf
ory
out
o
eat
,”

“YesMi ss,
”hesneezedhi
swayi nt
othe
bathroom.Iboil
edwaterfort
ea.Ibought
teabagsandsugarsohecouldhav esomethi
ng
warmt oeatthesemuffi
nswith.Heisdonenow,
hejustwalkedint
otheroom whist
li
ng.It
ook
myt raywit
htwomuf fi
nsandacupoft eaand
walkedt ot
heroom.

“
MayIcomei
n?”Iasked.

“
Yespl
ease,
”hewasj
ustget
ti
ngi
ntobed.

“
Pleasetrytofi
nisht
hatwhi
l
eImaket
hat
r
emedy ”Isaid.
“It
ri
edeati
ngear
li
er,
Icoul
dn’
ttast
eany
thi
ng,
”
hesays.

“Allt
hemor ereasonwhyy oushouldeat,
”Il
eft
himint heroom whi l
eIboil
edStoney ,
wit
h
gingerandmed- l
emon.Ilear
ntthisremedy
from mymom whenshewasst i
llmymom.I
foundhi m dozingoff
.“Guy,
”Itappedhis
shoulder.“I
’m sorr
y,youhavetodrinkthi
sand
thepil
ls,”

“I
’m sorr
yIcoul
dn’tfini
sht
heot
hermuf
fi
n,
”he
sai
dsi t
ti
ngupstraight.

“
Oneisokay,
”Igav
ehi mther
emedyandaf ew
f
lut
ablet
s.Theywi
llhel
peasetheheadaches.

“
Ihopei
t’
snothor
ri
ble,
”hesay
s.
“
Ithi
nkit
’shorr
ibl
e,
”hegulpeddownthepi
l
ls
wi
ththehotburni
ngremedy.Whichmademe
f
eelsor
ryforhi
soesophagus.

“Done!
”hesai
dpl
aci
ngt
hecupont
hesi
de
drawer
.

“
Takeof
fyourv
est
,”Idemanded.

“What?
!?”her
ecoi
ledi
nconf
usi
on.Thatmi
ght
havecomeoutwrong.

“Imean, pl
easetakeoffyourshi
rt.Iwantyour
chest,
"IpausedseeingthatIwasn'tmaking
sense."Ineedtorubyourchestwi t
hVicks,
”I
saylowly.“I
fyoudon’tmind…it
’l
lhelpyou.I
’m
sorr
y”Hedi dasIsaidandf i
xedhimself.He
sighedandthenclear
edhist
hroat
.Iscoopeda
l
ittl
ebitoft
heVickswithmymiddlefi
nger,
spreadital
lovermypalmsandthengentl
y
rubbedhischest.

“
It
’sbur
ningmyey
es,
”hewhi
ned.

“I
’
m sorry
,butit
’l
lhelp,
”Isai
dst ar
ingdownat
hi
schest.Icantel
lthatheislooki
ngatme,butI
wil
lkeepmyey esdown.“Alldone,”

“
Thanky
ou,
Miss,
”heputhi
svestbackon.

“
You’
rewel
comeGuy
,sl
eepnow,
”

PLEASEREACT,
SHAREANDLETMEKNOW
YOURTHOUGHTS♡
I
NSERT4

HUSBAND

noun

(
Plur
al:
husbands)

1.Themast
erofahouse;
theheadofaf
ami
l
y;
ahousehol
der

2.Amani namarriageormarit
alr
elat
ionshi
p,
especi
all
yinr
elat
iontohisspouse

Guyhasbeenasleepsincefouri
ntheeveni
ng,
thet
imenowi seightt
hir
tyandheissti
l
l
snor
ing.Letmejustfi
xmybedont hefl
oorli
ke
hedidlastni
ght
.Iopenedt
hewardrobeandit
madeal oudsqueaki
ngnoi
se.Hemoaned.Oh!
fucker
yfuck!Heopenedhi
seyesandlookedat
me.

“
I’
m sor
ry…I
’
m sosor
ry,
”Iwhi
sper
edi
npani
c.

“
Youapol
ogi
zeal
ot…”hesay
shal
fyawni
ng,

“
I’
m sorr
y,”Iapol
ogi
zedagai
nuni
ntent
ional
l
y.
Hechuckled.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”heasked.

“Maki
ngmybed.I
’mt
ir
edofwat
chi
ngmov
ies”
hesatupst
rai
ght
.
“Onthef l
oor
?”heasked.Inodded.“Haveyou
beenont hefl
oorthi
senti
reti
me? ”Inodded
agai
n.“ I
’
m sorr
y,l
etmegetont hefloor
.You
mayt akebackthebed…”

“
No,
youhav
eacol
d,”

“Thatfl
oori
scold;t
rustmeyouwil
lwakeup
j
ustlikemetomorrow.”Hesay
s.“
Look,gr
aba
blanket
,sl
eepherewithme,
”

“
Wit
hyou,
”Isay
.

“
Well
notwi
thme,butnextt
ome…i
t’
scol
dand
y
ou…”hei
spani
cki
ngnow.

“
Guy
,it
’sokay
…Iunder
stand,
”Iwentov
ert
othe
ot
hersi
deofthebedwi t
hthel
apt
op.“
Doy
ou
wantt
owatch?”Iasked.

“Let
’sgetanewmov i
e, thatone’sold,
”het ook
thel
aptopandconnect edi ttohisphoneand
wentonNet f
li
x.Heaskedmet opi
ckamov i
e
butI’
vebeenwatchingt hewhol edayandIdon’ t
knowanynewmov iessohepi cked.Hepi cked
Jumanji…whi
chisinteresting.We’vebeen
l
aughingourassesof ffort hepasthalfanhour
nowandIwasact uallygenui nelyl
aughing.
SometimesIhadtor estrainmy sel
ff r
om
l
aughingtoohard,
mywhol ebodyi sstil
li
npai n.

“Miss,
”hesay soutoftheblue.Ilookedathim
buthisey
esar estil
lfi
xedont hescr een.When
hisheadturned,Iqui
cklyt
hrewmyey esback
onthescreen.“MayIasksomet hing?”Inodded.
“Whywashebeat i
ngy oulastnight,whenI
foundy ou? ”Iexperiencedamomentwher eI
hadt ojoggl emymemor y.Myhear tsank.Ihad
forgottenaboutt hatf oraf ewmi nutes.NowI
startedf eel
ingthepai nsIhadbeenf eeli
ngall
overmybodywi thoutl aughing.Itookadeep
breathi n…Ihelditforsomet ime.“Youdon’ t
hav etoanswert hequest ionifyouar enot
comf ortable,”

“I
t’
sokay,Iwill
answeryou…”Ifixedmysit
ti
ng.
“Hehadbeatenmet hepreviousnightt
o
becauseItol
dmypar ent
st hathewasbeati
ng,
I
wasactuall
ytell
ingt
hem thatIwanteda
div
orce,
”Isaid,
“
Whatdi
dtheysay
?”hesl
i
ght
lyt
urnedt
oface
me.

“
Theysai
dthey
’dhel
pusf
indgoodt
her
api
sts
soNdumi
soandIcoul
dfi
xourmar
ri
age,
”

“Whatthef
uck?Theysenty
our
ightback…”I
nodded.

“Well
,whenyouf oundme, hewasbeat i
ngme
becausehefoundbi r
thcont r
olpil
lsi
nmybag.
Hecalledmeamur dererandhei squi
ter
ight
.
I’
vebeenkil
l
ingmyownchi l
dren.Hewas
spit
ti
nginmyf aceandcal l
ingmenames, and…”
“
Youcanstop,
”Il
ookedatGuyandIknewt
hatI
wasj
ustaboutt
ocry.
“Excuseme, ”Ijumpedoutofbedandl i
mpedto
thebathroom.Iwant edtobestrongandnotcry
butthememor yofNdumi sobeati
ngmeand
i
nsulti
ngmedi stur
bsmemor ethanI
’dli
kei
tto.
Heknocked.Iopened; thi
sisreall
y
embar r
assing.
“I
’
mr eal
l
ysor
ry.I
’
m soweak…”Isai
dwi
pingmy
eyes.

“Youhav eeveryri
ghtt
ocr y,
”hepull
edme
closerandhuggedme.If oundmy sel
fwr appi
ng
myar msar oundhiswaistandcompletely
l
et t
inghim swall
owmei nhisarms.Her ested
hisheadont hetopofmyheadandsqueezed
me.Ididn’tevencare.

“Thisisreal
lyst
upi
d,”Isaybackingaway .“
I’
ma
fuckinggrownwomanandIam cr ying.
Ndumi sowasr i
ght
,Ishouldn’
tthink,j
ustli
sten
obey ,
”

“Nah,that
’sbull
shi
t.Whatkindofmessedup
personwouldsaysuchat hingtohisown
wife…”heleanedagainstt
hewal l
.“Gi
vemeyour
address,l
etmesortthisDumi guyout,
”
“
No,
sor
thi
m how?
”Icl
eanedmyey
es.
“
Ihav
emyway
s,”hesay
s.

“
Ineedtogobacktomyhusband.Iwi
ll
askfor
f
orgi
venessandthi
ngswil
lgobackt
otheway
t
heywere…”Iwentint
otheroom.

“Backtothewaytheywere?Youmeanbackto
him beat
ingonyoueverysecondoft
heday
?”
helooksalit
tl
eangry.

“
Notever
ysecondoftheday
,”di
dIjustdef
end
Ndumi
so?Yes!Idi
d…Iam adumbfuck.

“FuckMi
ss!
”hesayssharpl
y.“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
howmanytimeshebeatsonyou;noman
shoul
dputhi
shandsonawoman.Nev
er!
”

“Hesai
dwe’
dgot other
apyt
oget
her
,”I
def
endedhi
m agai
n.

“Letmeguess,healsosaidhewassorr
yand
thathelovesy
ou,he’dneverdoi
tagai
n,he
doesn’twantt
olosey ou?
”I’
vehear
dthosel
ines
before.

“Per
hapshemeansitthi
sti
me.Iwi
l
ljust
apol
ogizeandandand…”

“
Areyouli
steni
ngtoy oursel
f?”hetookastep
t
owardme.“ Mi
ss,thatisfearspeaki
ngthr
ough
y
ou,”hepr
otested.
“Butwhatwil
lIdo?Ican’tst
ayher
eforever
.
Who’sgoingtotel
lmewhatt odoorhowt odo
i
t?Ndumisodideveryt
hingforme.Ineedto
savemymar ri
age”

“Soyouwil
lapologizet
othi
ssonofabi
tchf
or
near
lyki
l
li
ngy ou,”

“
No,Iwi
ll
apologi
zeforr
unni
ngawaywhenhe
wasdi
sci
pli
ningme…”

“
Disci
pl…whatareyou,
aschol
ar?”Idon’
tknow
whatt
osayt othi
sLuckyguyany
mor e.

“
Ihav
eto”Imumbl
ed.

“
Atl
east
,justl
etmedr
opy
ouof
fwhenIcome
backfr
om worktomor
row,
”Inodded.“
Thank
you,
”headded.

Iwonderwhat ’sGuy ’
sst ory?Wher edoeshe
come?Whatdoeshel ike?Iknowhehasa
gir
lfri
endcall
edSamkel i
si we,hesomet imes
callsherSam.Heal way ssay shelovesherat
theendoft heirphoneconv ersati
on.Ithi
nkhe
hasasonnamedMt hobi si thathedoesn’tquite
getalongwi t
h; buthel ov eshim.Eitherthanthe
factthathereallyenjoy shi scigar
ettesand
shower i
ng.Butweal lhav east orymanandGuy
i
sj usttoomuchofanempt ypagef ormyl i
king.

Guyleftforworkver
year l
ythi
smor ning.He
sai
dhe’ dbebackreal
lylatebecausehehas
somethingheneedstotakecar eof.
Unfort
unatel
y;Guywon’tfindmeher ewhenhe
comesbackbecauseIhav egonebackt omy
house.Il
eftanot
eont
hebedt
hatr
eads;

IAM SORRY,
IHADTOGOBACK.
NDUMISOISALLIKNOW ANDHAVE.IAM NOT
EXPECTI
NGYOUTOUNDERSTAND.
THANKYOUFORYOURHOSPI
TALI
TY,
IWI
LL
NEVERFORGETYOUWHATYOUDI
DFORME
GUY.
LOVE
MI
SS
P.
SDON’
TLOOKFORME

Ther
ewasnowayIwasgoi ngtoletGuytake
mebackhomeunl essIhadadeathwish.Ihad
tomakehim bel
iev
eI’dl
ethimtakeme, or,
Iget
thef
eel
ingthathewasnevergoingtoletmego.
Irememberseei ngcabsoutsi
deSparsoIgot
oneoft hedriv
erstotakemet omyhouseand
promisedtopayhi m whenIgetther
e.Irangthe
ontheintercom out
sidethegate.Heshouldbe
homenow.

“HELLO”hi sv oi
cesentchill
sdownmyspi ne.
Myi ntesti
nesst ar
tedtwisti
ngandt urni
ng,I
couldliter
all
yv omitthem out.Iopenedmy
mout hinat t
emptt ospeakbutmyt ongueisjust
dry.“WHO’ STHERE? ”

“NDUMISO,”Iutt
ered.“
IT’STUMI,
”toNdumisoI
am Tumi,t
ohellwithRainbow.Hesaysi
t’
s
morecivi
l
ized.hesaidTumeloGumedehadr i
ng
thanRai
nbowGumede.

“
WHEREHAVEYOUBEEN?
”heasked.
“PLEASEBRI NGTWOHUNDREDRANDS, I
CAMEWI THACAB, ”hedr oppedt
hephone.I
l
ookedbackatt hedriverwhowasstari
ngatme
l
ikeI’m pl
anningonr unningawaywit
hout
payinghim.

“
He’scomi ngnow…”henoddednonchal antly.
Ndumisoemer gedfrom themaindoor.Hei s
weari
nghisgr eysweat pantsandnothi
ngont op
wit
hhisblackNi ketrainer
s.Itl
ooksli
kehewas
worki
ngout .Hehasabandagear oundhi shead
f
rom thatnight.I’
m proudofmy sel
fforthat.

“Thankyouforbr
ingi
nghersi
r”hegav
ethe
dri
verR300.

“
Hel
l
omyl
ove,
”Isai
dwi
thaf
orcedsmi
l
e.
“Getin,
”hepushedmei nsi
de.Ij
ustneedto
preparemy sel
ffort
hisbeati
ngandt hen
apologize.Ormaybejustapol
ogize,
hopeful
ly
hewon’ thurtme.Wewal kedinandheshutthe
doorbehi ndhi
m.

“Ndumiso,
befor
eyougetmad,pl
easeletme
expl
ain,
”Ir
ubbedmypalmstoget
her.

“
Speak,
I’
mli
steni
ng,
”hesay
s.

“Igotr
eallyscaredthatni
ghtandIt
houghtI
wasgoi ngtodie.Iwasinsomuchpain…Ijust
neededt ogetsomewher esaf
e…”Isai
d
trembl
ingwi t
hfear.

“
Soy
our
anawayf
rom y
ourhusbandand
wonder
edar
ound?
”

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“
Ifor
giv
eyoubaby
,”hesay
s.

“Thankyou,”Istoodther
ebefor
ehim hel
pless
andfear
ful.Pleaseheavenj
ustpropel
himt o
hugme.

“Butfir
st ,
”heslappedme.“ Ineedt omake
thi
ngsr ight.Thefucky outhinkt his?”it
’sokay,
j
ustbest rongandendur e,hewon’ thitme
forever.It
’l
ljustbeaf ewmi nut esandt henhe
wil
l apologizeoutofgui l
taftert hatthi
ngswi l
l
gobackt onor mal.Andso, itstarts.Hekicked
mewhi leIwasdownawakeni ngbr ui
sesthat
wer estarti
ngt oheali
ng.Hei skickingmel i
ke
heiskicki
ngaman.“
Youwhor
e!Whyt
hef
uck
di
dy ouembarr
assmeli
ket
hat
?”

“I
’m sorr
y!”Icr
ied.Fuck,thi
sissooverr
ated.
Doesn’theseet hatwear el
iteral
l
ydoi
ngthe
samet hi
ngov erandov eragain?

“Yousor r
yforwhat ,”heconsumedmyneck
withbothhisbighands, “
Bitchbi t
chbitch…. ”He
keptsay i
ngashi sgr ipgottighterandt ighter
aroundmyneck.“ Ihat eyou”hesai dthat
syll
ablemysy l
lablemaki nghi sloathetowar ds
mecl earerwi
thev erysi ngleletter
.Hest opped
andst ood.“
Gety our selfcl
eanedup; youl ook
horri
ble”hewal kedint ohisof f
ice.Hel eftme
aloneont heti
lestryingt omakesenseof
everyt
hing.ThankGodt hatisov er,nowt hings
cangobackt onor mal .Ij
ustneedt obeper fect
forhim.That’
sal l.
I
t’sbeenaweeksi nceIreturnedfr
om Guy ’
s
place.Hehasn’ tbeenpar ti
cular
lynicetome.
Hehasn’ ttouchedmeorspokent omel ikea
husbanddoest ohi swife.Hechasedmeoutof
ourr oom soI’
v ebeensl eepi
nginoneoft he
guestr oomssi nceIreturned.TodayisSat urday
,
thelasttimeIchecked.Het oldmenott ogot o
wor kuntilhetell
sme.I ’
m busyi nthekit
chen
preparingoursupper ,hesaidhewasont he
wayabout20mi nutesago…t hatshouldbehi m.

“Hell
o,l
ov e”Isaidwithasmile.Hewalkedin,
then,mypar entsfoll
owedafter.Whati
s
happening?“Daddy ”Iranandthrewmy sel
fat
him andheembr acedme.

“
Ice-
cream,”hehel
dmeti
ght
.Iwentov
ert
omy
motherwit
hopenarms.
“Mama,”shegavemeacol
dhug.I
tfel
tli
kea
hugfr
om astranger
.

“
Tumel
osi
tdown,
”shedemanded.

“Shoul
dImaketea?
”Iasked.Iknowwhatt
his
i
sabout,Ndumi
sotoldmyparentsIr
anaway
andnowtheyar
eheretolect
ureme,

“Tumi,
yourmothersai
dsit
!”daddysai
d.
NdumisoandIimmediatel
ytookasiti
nthe
couch;mypar
entssatri
ghtinfr
ontofus.

“
Youranawayf rom y
ourhusband’
shouse,
”
mamasay s.She’
sveryangr
y.Il
ookedat
Ndumiso.
“
Icamebackmama,
andIapol
ogi
zed,
”Isai
d.

“
Baby,
youcan’
tjustpi
ckupandrun.Youar
ea
mar
ri
edwomannow, ”daddysay
s.

“Iknowdaddy,
I’
vel
earntmylesson…i
twon’
t
happenagai
n”Isai
dremorseful
ly
.

“
Wher
edi
dyou?
”mamaasked.

“
Toahot
el,
”

“
Butyoulef
tyourcar
dandwal
l
etbehi
nd…”
Ndumisopoi
ntedout
.

“Tumelo!Iwi
llnotl
ety
outreatt
hisguythisway
,
heisyourhusbandandyououghttorespect
hi
m.Wher
edi
dyougo?
”mamashout
ed.

“Ir
an…Iranunt
ilIcoul
dn’
tseethehouse
anymoreandthenamanf oundmeandt ook
mewi t
hhim,”

“Youwerewi
thaman?
”Ndumi
soi
nqui
red.I
nodded.

“
Nothinghappened,
Ipr
omi
sey oumyl
ove.He
wasjustbei
ngagoodSamari
tan…”

“Tumelomychi
ld…”myfatherrubbedhi
sey
es
andthensi
ghedindi
sappoint
ment .

“
I’
m sor
rydaddy
…”Isai
d.
“Thisi sj usttoomuchf orme, deal wi
tht hisgirl
l
ov e,”mamawal kedout .Idon’ tunderstandwhy
mymot herhatesmesomuch, Idon’t
under st andwhyshenev erpr otectsmef rom
any t
hi ng.Ev enwhenIwasst i
llli
tt
le;whenI ’
d
gethur t,I’
dobv iousl yrunt oherexpect i
nghert o
helpme.Butshe’ dalway stellmeI ’m abi ggi r
lI
shoul dsor tmy selfout .Itjusthur tsmebutI ’m
usedt oi tnow.Onet hingIknowaboutmy
mot heri sthatshel ovesr ecogni ti
on,powerand
status.Shedoesn’ twantt oloseNdumi so
becauseNdumi sowi l
lleavewi thhismoneyand
mypar ents’status.So, myf atherlect
uredme
andmadei tseem l ikeI ’
mt hepr oblem i
nt hi
s
mar riage, hemademegodownonmyknees
andapol ogizetomyl ovinghusbandf ornot
respect i
nghi m andf ornotbei nganobl ewi fe;
whichIdi d.

Af
termypar
ent
slef
t;wehadoursupperi
n
sil
ence.Itakei
theisnotreadyt
ospeaktome.I
didthedishesandthenwentupstai
rst
oget
readyforbed.Thedooropened;i
tcanonl
ybe
him.

“
Tumi
,
”hecal
l
ed.

“I
nhere,”Isaidfrom t
hebathr
oom.Il ookedat
hi
mi nthemi rrorashewalkedin.It
urned
aroundandf acedhim.
“
YouknowIhadt ocal
lyourpar
entsheret
oput
y
ouinli
nebecauseyouareoutofcontr
ol,
”

Inodded,
“Iunder
stand,
”

“Good,
”hesays.“
Now, thi
smanyouwerewit
h,
doyouknowhim? ”Ishookmyhead,
“Don’
tli
e
tomebaby,”
“
Idon’
tknowhi
m”hegotcl
oser
.

“I
fy ouev ertrysomet hinglikethatagainIwil
l
ki
llyou.Youar emi ne;y oubelongtomeandno
oneel secanhav ey oubutme”hewhi speredin
myear .Ijustkeptnoddi ng,justagr
eeingwit
h
everythinghewassay ing.“
Assur emet haty
ou
wil
l nev ermeagai n,”fuck!Howsmal l
ishisego?
Letmemassagei tany wayinexchangeofmy
safety.

“
Iwi
l
lnev
erl
eav
eyouagai
n,
”Isai
d.

“
Tel
lmey
oul
oveme”

“Il
oveyouNdumiso,
”Igotcl
oserandkissed
him.“
Letmejustshowyouhowmuch, ”Ikissed
him agai
n,buthepushedmeaway
.“I
’
m sor
ry,
”I
said.

“
Lookni
cetomorr
owevening,
wearegoi
ngt
o
t
heMthembu’
sfordi
nner
,”hesay
s.

“Honey
,wealwaysgoandmybodyi
spai
nful
,
can’
tIj
ustr
est,
”Ibegged.

“
WhatdidIj
ustsaytoy
ou?
”hesai
dal
most
muf
fl
inghi
dwor ds.

“Okay,Mthembu’si
tis,
”Isi
ghedandt
urned
aroundtofacethemirr
or.

“
Isai
d”hegotcl
oser
.“Whatdi
dIj
ustsayt
oyou
woman?”
“
Yousaidtolookbeauti
ful
,we’
rehavi
ngdinner
wi
ththeMthembu’ st
omorroweveni
ng,”I
r
epeatedhi
swor ds.

“Good.RememberTumi ,
don’tt
alk,
don’t
thi
nk…justdohoney,
”Inodded.Heki ssedthe
backofmyneck.“ I
tlooksli
keIhavet oti
ghten
therul
esaroundhere,”

“Youdon’thav
et odot
hat,
”hi
sey esgotfi
l
led
withcontemptinamatt
erofseconds.“
I’
m
sorry
,”Il
ookedatmyfeet.

“Lookatme,”hedemanded, Ili
ft
edupmyhead
andlookedathi
m.“Youarev er
ybeautif
ul
baby…you’
regoodatthat
.Justdot hat
,look
beauti
fulf
ormeandIwi l
ltakecar eof
ever
y t
hingel se,
”Inodded.“Changethat
,wear
theblackoneIl oveandt henjoi
nmei nour
bedroom, ”hekissedthenbackofmyneck
agai
n.If orcedasmi l
e.“Don’tkeepmewaiti
ng
mewai ting..
.”heexit
ed.

Iexhaledandsqueezedt heedgeofthesink.My
eyesar ebur
ningup,I
’m abouttocr
y.Please
don’tcry.

“Pl
easedon’tcry.Pl
easedon’
tcry.Pl
easedon’
t
cry
”Ichantedtomy sel
f.Iwenti
ntoour
bedroom andfoundhim wai
ti
ngforme.

“
Youhav
en’
tchanged,
”hesay
s.

“I
t’
sinher
e,j
ustgi
vemeami
nut
e,”Iwal
ked
overt
omycloset.
“
Don’tworr
yabouti
tbecauseI’m goingtot ake
i
toffanyway;
comeherebaby,”Iobey ed.Hegot
aholdofmyhandandsatmeont opofhi sdi ck.
Hesnif
fedmychestandsaid;
“ Imissedy ou,”

“
I’
m back,
”hel
ookedatme.

“
Yousmel
lreal
l
yni
ce”hesai
d.

“Thanky ou,
”hefli
ppedmeov ertogetont op.
Hest ar
tedundressingmeandIl ai
dthere
pret
endingtobei ntothismomentwe’ rehaving
ashusbandandwi fe.Inallhonesty,I
’mjust
thi
nkingaboutGuy ,Ihav en’
tstoppedthinki
ng
abouthim sinceIlefthim.Howhemustbe
feel
ing,howhemusthav efeltwhenher eali
zed
Iwasgone.Ir eal
lycan’tgethi m outofmyhead.
Hi
sr oughAfri
canhai
randhi
sbigbl
ackwater
y
ey
es.Hi sr
aspyvoi
ceanddarkr
oughski
n.Heis
akindsoul.

Well asyouknowt heresti

shist
ory.Hehumped,
huffedandpuffed,tur
nedmei nall
theposi
ti
ons
hesodesi r
ed,gruntedandcussed,and,
as
usual,Iscr
eamedmyl ungsoutmakingsur
e
thathisegoandconf i
dencearemassagedand
consoled.

#Bonusi
nser
t
PLEASEREACT,
SHAREANDLETMEKNOW
YOURTHOUGHTS♡
I
NSERT5

RETURN
Ver
b

1.Tocomeorgobackt
oapl
aceorper
son

2.Tot
urnback,
tor
etr
eat

Herewear eattheMt hembu’ s.Timet oputona

show, beper f
ect,
don’tsayany t
hingt hat’l
l
embar rassNdumi so.Basicall
y;beBar bie.Ihav
e
onagol dandnavygownbyVer sacet hathe
handpicked,itmatcheshi ssuit.Allthecoupl es
arehere; TheGumede’ s;that’
smyhusbandand
I,t
heMt hembusourhost s, t
heBl acks, Langas
andt heShangases.It houghtitwasj ustgoing
tobeusandt heMt hembusbuty ouknowwhat
theysay ,‘
themoret hemer ri
er,’andmor e
pretendingforme.
I’
minthekit
chenwi
tht
hel
adiesj
usttal
ki
ng
aboutchi
l
drenandmot
her
hood.Theyal
lhav
e
ki
dsbutmy sel
f.

“Whatabouty ouTumi? ”that’sSandyMt hembu

catchingmeof fguar
d.Sandyi sverycal
m and
cool,hasgotami nd-
blowi ngsenseofst yl
eand
l
ov esherchampagne, husbandand2daught ers
honey .Herhusbandisbusi nesspartner
swith
Ndumi so.Theydigupdi amonds, cutandsell
them.

“
Whataboutme?
”Iasked.

“Whenar ey
ouplanni
ngongivi
ngusli
tt
le
niecesandnephews?Youknowwe’r
ewaiti
ng
foryouandIam cert
ainNdumi
socannotwait
,”
shesays.
“PoorNdumi so,”saysCar olineShangase, who
also-byt heway-happenst obet hedeathof
me.Thi swomanal way shashernosei ntheair
thinkingshei sbetterthanal lofus.She’sgoing
tost artgoingonabouthowmuchmoneyher
mandeposi t
edintoherbankaccount .Sheloves
travelli
ngtobuycl othesandIhat eher .
Meanwhi l
eherhusbandi saf ucki
ngdi r
tycop.
He’ sadet ecti
ve,whomakespeanut sbutthe
moneyhemakesf rom cov eringupcr i
mesf or
hisf r
iendsaf f
ordshim ent ryintoGradeAl evel
ofexcept iondinnerpar t
iessuchast hese.I
meant hemanhasnocl assandl acksthe
requisitesubtlet
yforbei nginsuchcompany .

“Ah…jah…well
…”Istutt
ered,“
Wehaveenough
ti
me, we’r
ejustt
akingitsl
ow,”Ndumi
soandI
aretheyoungestcoupleheresoImeani
twhen
Isaywehav eenought i
me.
“Isee,
”Car
oli
nesay
s.Iwi
shIcoul
dpunchher
nose.

“Won’ tyoubet oool dbyt hen? ”asked

Phumel el
eLanga.Phumei sv erybossyand
l
oud, shel i
kesgi vingor der sandshei slazyas
fuck.Shel iter
allyli
v esf orBot oxbecausebi t
ch
knowsshe’ sanci ent,shewant st olookas
youngassomeofusdo…Idon’ tevent ry
.
Peoplesomet i
mesl ookatmeandt hinkI’m 19
orsomet hing.Phumel ele’sami d-wife;andIdo
commendherf orthat .Herhusbandownsa
construct i
oncompanyandIr eall
ydon’ t
underst andwhyhei sher easmuchasIdon’ t
underst andwhyShangasei sher e.butIf igur
ed
withhi m buy i
nghi smat erialfrom ov erseas;
Ndumi somi ghtbeusi nghi mt otranspor tcoke
i
ntot hecount r
y.Het hinksIdon’ tknowt hat
he’svent uredintot hatbusi nessbutIdo…when
youspendalotofy
ourti
mewi thyourmout
h
shutyougett
ohearalotoft
hingsandseealot
.

“Mot her
hoodi st hebesthoodTumi myl ov e,
youwi ll
notr egretit
,”Iforcedasmi l
e.That ’s
DianeBl ack,she’swhiteandi swhatsoci ety
calls‘wi
femat erial’
she’sjustall
aboutt aking
careofherf ami l
yandcl eaningherhouseand
maki ngmor ebabi es.Herhusbandi sasur geon,
i
nf acthej ustpromot edtoheadofsur ger ytwo
mont hsago.Theyhav egottobet hecleanest
coupl ei
nt hi
sr oom butI ’
m surethey’
vegota
stainsomewher e.There’snowayt hey’
dbeher e
i
ft heywer eascl eanast heyarepresented.

“
Ladi
es,
”myhusbandwal
kedi
n.

“
MrGumede, ”t
hel
adi
esblushed.Ndumisoi
sa
v
erygood-
looki
ngman;muscular,
clean,
dar
k
andj
usthast
heper
fectchar
isma.

“Wewerej
usttell
i
ngyourwi
fethati
t’
sabout
ti
mesheblesseduswit
hyourownchil
dren,
”
saysDi
aneBlack.

“OhDi
ane,
justy
ouwai
t”Ndumi
sosay
slooki
ng
atme.

“Honey, wehaveallt
heti
mei nthewor l
dto
makebabi es,
”Isaysippi
ngonj ui
ce.Idon’
ttake
alcohol.Wel
lIstoppedbecauseIneverwant
Ndumi sotocatchmeof fguardordoany t
hing
tomet hatIwon’tremember.

“
Thet
imei
snowmyl
ove,
”hesay
s.
“Givet
heguysomebabiesTumi,y
oudon’twant
alloft
hatsexi
nesst
ogotowaist,
”Car
oli
ne
saysandwinksathi
m.Theniggasmir
kedand
winkedback.

“Whooo,Tumi
,bet
terhol
dont
oyourman…”
saysSandyMt
hembu.

“
Excuseme,
”Iexi
ted.

“Caroli
nethough,”Ihear dsomeonesaywhenI
walkedout .Iwentint
ot hel ootogetahol dof
my self
.Event houghIhat eNdumi sowi t
hevery
singleatom ofmyexi stence,Isti
lldolovehim,
heismyhusbandandIhav eeveryri
ghttofeel
thewayIdowhenanywomani smaki ng
unnecessar ysexualr
emar ksathim.AndwhatI
hateisthatheandCar oli
neact uall
yhave
history
.Heoncecheat edonmewi thher.
Ndumisowasintheshowerwhenhi sphone
rang,
hetoldmetopickitupanditwasher
savedunderC-
li
ne.“Heybaby,howaboutwe
meetatourusualspott
onight
.I’
m hor
ny”
“
Car
oli
ne,
”Ical
l
edhername.

“Dropthecallhoney
!Dropi
t…”Ndumiso
shoutedintheshowerandinj
ustafew
secondshewasoutoft heshowernakedand
dri
ppingwet.

“Shesaysthatyoushouldmeetaty
ourusual
spot,
she’shorny”It
oldhim.

“
Whyarey ougoi
ngthroughmyphone?
”hesai
d
wi
thangerall
overhi
sv oi
ce.

“
Youaskedmet
opi
cki
tup,
”Isai
d.
“Yeah, t
hat’sright,”hesay s.“I
twon’ thappen
again,”hehuggedme.Thi ngswer etensef ora
whilebetweenus.Iwasdi sgust edathim.Fr om
thatdayonsheandInev ertalkedasi defrom
whenwehav ethesegat herings.WhatIhat et he
mosti sthef actt hatNdumi soi senter t
aining
herbul l
shit.Shedi dthatonpur pose, i
nspi teof
me.Onedaymyt onguewi l
lsli
pwhenherf at
froghusbandi sar oundandIwi llaccident ally
spil
lthet ea.Car oli
neisol derthanNdumi soand
thatjustsodi sgust i
ng.

We’refinall
yhome.I ’
m surethefoodwas
amaz i
ng, Icoul
dn’ttast
eshitbecauseofthe
angerthatwasatt hebackofmyt hroat
.Iwas
si
lentthewhol eridehome, Iwanthimtofeel
mywr ath.Whenwegothome; hewentint
ohis
offi
ceandpour edhi mselfaglassofwhiskey
andIimmedi at
elypreparedforbed.Hewalked
i
nwhi
l
eIwasput
ti
ngonmyni
ghtgown.

“
Areyouokay
? ”heasked.Il
ookedathi
m and
t
houghtt
omy self
.‘nowyoucare’

“
I’
mfi
ne,
”

“
Thenwhyt
hel
ongf
ace?
”hesay
s.

“
AskCar
oli
ne,
”Isay

“Don’
tbechi
l
dish,
itwasj
ustahar
mlessj
oke,
”
hesays.

“
Forgi
vemeformypetul
ancet
hen…”Isai
dand
wenti
ntot
hebat
hroom.
“
Baby
,itwasaj
oke,
”

“Shedi
ditonpur
poseandy
ouent
ert
ained
her…”

“
Fuck,
comeoneTumi
,
”

“YoucomeonNdumi so,yougetmadatme
whenamangr eetsatthestoreandy oubeat
meupf ori
tandwhenIgetj ealous;I’
m being
chil
dingandthewor stparti
sthaty ouactual
ly
enter
tainthi
sbi tch.IswearNdumi soifthi
s
bull
shitcont
inues, Iwil
ltel
lShangaseabout
yourlit
tl
emeet ingswi t
hhiswife…”

“Thatsoundsl
ikeathr
eat,
”hesaysl
eani
ng
againstt
hedoorjamb.It
urnedar
oundand
l
ookedathi
m.

“Takeithowy ouwantNdumiso…”wher
ethe
hellam Iget
ti
ngallt
hisat
ti
tude?
“You’
vegrownsomeballsIsee…”hesays.
“comehere,st
andhereri
ghtinfr
ontofme,”he
point
edatwherehewantsme.Iobey edand
scoff
ed.“
Areyouthreat
eningme?”

“Ndumi so,Iam justti

redofyoumaki ngmef eel
l
ikeI’m notgoodenoughwhent hatbit
chis
around.Ifyougetj eal
ousandbeatmeupf orit,
thenIthinkIalsohav eeveryri
ghttogetjealous
andt hr
eateny ouifthatwil
lbri
ngmepeace, ”I
sawhi sbighandcomi ngfr
om ami l
eaway
mov ingwiththespeedofl i
ght.Ifeltt
heimpact
onmyf ace.Istayeddownwi thmyhandonmy
cheek.Myhear ti
sbur ni
ngandmyheadi s
throbbing.
“You’vegrownsomebal ls…”hekickedmeon
thestomachwi thhisItali
anformal shoe.I
gruntedtryingt onotdi e.“Youthreateningme?
Isthatit
…y out hrowingsomet hreatsar ound
youdumbwhor e,”healsokeptgr untingashi s
shoecamei ncont actwithmybody .Thepai nI
fel
twasbey ondmyunder st
anding;ev encry
ing
wasnotgoi ngt oabat eit.Ij
uststayeddown
andt r
iedtobr eat he.

It
'smor ni
ng.Mybodyi ssti
ffandpai nf
ul.What
happened?Ineedt owakeNdumi soupandget
himr eadyforwor k.Myheadi sthrobbingand
myt ongueisdr y,whatthefuckhappened?I
openedmyey esandsawmybedneat lymade;
I’
m ont hefl
oor …Ipassedoutont hebathroom
fl
oor; hewasbeat ingmeupl astnight…that’
sal
l
Iremember .Ijustremembert el
lingmy selft
o
breathe.There’
sanot erightbymyhead.I
for
cedmysel
ftositupstr
aightashar
dand
pai
nful
asitwas,
Igrabbedthenoteandr
ead;

I
’
M SORRYTUMI
,YOUREALLYMADEMEMAD.
I
’
M ATWORKNOW.
ILOVEYOU

Ndumisoisheartl
ess.Hel ef
tmeunconscious
onthecoldhar
dgr oundandhewentt obedand
sl
eptsoundl
y.Afterthathewokeandwentt o
workandhisconsciousallowedhi
mt oeven
l
eaveastupidnote.Ifeltt
earswel
li
ngupfrom
deepdowninside.Ifeeldumb.Thi
sisthemanI
marri
ed…apsychopat h.Imarri
edamonster.

Iquickl
yputonsomet i
ghtsandawarmt ur
tl
e
neck.Ipackedafewthi
ngs, cal
l
edacaband
di
rectedhimtoGuy’sfl
at.Iwait
edout
sidet
he
buildingf oraboutanhourunt ilsomeonewi tha
disccamedown.Ikeptmyheaddownsot hey
won’ tstartaski nganyquest i
ons.Iknockedand
knockedunt ilIjustgott ired,clearlyGuyi sat
wor k.Isati nf rontoft hedoorandwai tedf or
him.Whenev erIhearpeopl espeaki ng, Iget
scar ed.Ileftmyphone, becausehemi ghtbe
ablet ot r
ackmedown.Ij usttookt oil
et ries,a
fewcl othesandshoes, justthebasi cs.I t’s
almost22: 00andIam hungr y,IhopeGuydi dn’t
mov e.Pleaset ellmehest il
lstaysher e.My
stomachst artedr umbl ing; I
’m hungr ynow…I
hav en’thadany thi
ngt oeatsi ncel astni ght.
Thisi sjustwonder ful.Gr owingup, Inev er
struggledf orany t
hing, Ihadal lthatIwant ed.
I’
venev ersmel tpov ertyorev enexper iencedi t
.
Backathome, i
nt heeast erncape, atMama’ s
placeofbi rth,Iwasal way sanout cast .My
cousi nsnev erlikedmebecauset heyt houghtI
wasspoi lt,andt otopt hingsof f,myXhosawas
verypoor ;buti t’
sgot tenbet terasIgr ew.Ir ead
alotofbooksandwat chedXhosashowsj ustto
getfamili
ari
zemy sel
fwi tht
het ongue.WhenI
wasl i
ttl
e,Ij
ustknewgogo( granny) ,
mol weni
(gr
eetings)andotherbasicwords.Ispentmost
ofmyt imeinsidemyfat her
’scarfinishi
nghis
dataandeat i
ngchips.

Goinghomef ormamawasal way sbit

tersweet.
Bitt
erbecauseshe’ saproudwomanandpeopl e
disl
ikeherduet othefactthatsheact uall
yhas
moneyandsweetbecausesheget stofl
auntall
herachievementsatt hem,botht hefami l
y
member sandneighbors.Myf atherdidhav e
fr
iends,buthispresencewasj ustobl i
gatory.
Theyl i
kedhim becausehewasv eryhumble
andgi vi
ng;whichmamahat ed.Shedi dn’twant
togobr oke.Asifgivi
ngR100t ouncleThemba
woul dactual
lybankruptus.
Lookatmenow, Ihaveall t
hemoneyi nthe
worl
d, y
etIam outside,cold,hungry,al
oneand
scar
edi naforei
gnt er
ri
tory.AllthemoneyI
havecan’thel
pmenow…i tcan’trescuemy
sorr
yass.Iheardkey sdanglingandIj umpedto
myf eet
.It’
sGuy.Iletoutat r
emul oussigh.

“
Miss,”hesays.Myey
esst
art
edt
ear
ing.He
marchedtowardme,

“
Stopr
ightt
her
e,”Isai
dst
ernl
yandheobey
ed.

“
Miss,
itsme…ar
eyouokay
?”hel
ooksshaken,

“
Youneedtopromiseme,”Istoppedt ocatch
mybreat
h,If
eelI
’m cry
ingwit
hmyst omach.
I
t’
ssohardtogetthewordsout.“Fuck!”Icri
ed,
“
Myhusbandisasi ckman.Hehur t
smeal lt
he
ti
meand…and…and”Istutter
ed,“myparent
s
l
ovehim,theyador
ehim.Tot hem;heisperf
ect
soIcan’
trunhome.Basicall
y;Ihav
enoone…no
one.Iam onmyown…”

“
Youar
enoton…”

“Nostop!”Idistur
bedhim“Letmespeak.You
seem l
ikeav eryniceguyGuy,andy
ouhaveto
promi
set haty ouwil
lhel
pme,”

“
Ipr
omi
se,
Iwi
l
lhel
pyou,
Miss,
”

“Pr
omisemet haty
ouwill
neverhur
tmeinany
way,physi
cal
l
y,emoti
onal
lyandanyot
herway
possi
ble,
”
“
Ipr
omi
se,
”

“Okay,
”Icleanedmyey es,
“Pl
easehel
pme,I’
m
done”hecamecl oserandhuggedmethat
’s
whenIlit
erall
ybrokedown.

“
I’
m sor
ry…”hewhi
sper
ed.

“I’
m soti
red,I
’mt i
redofcryi
ngandbei nginpain
andliv
inginfear,
”Isaidinthemiddleofcr y
ing.
“Ij
ustwanttoeati cecream andburgersand
wearabr i
ghtyell
owt opandapai rofskinny
j
eansandspar klysandals,
”Idon’
tev enknow
whatthefuckI’m sayi
ng.Hechuckled.

“Don’
tworrywewil
lgetyouall
ofthat,I
promise,
”hesai
dholdi
ngmef ordearli
fe.I
didn’
tcar
ethathewashurti
ngme, Ij
ustwanted
t
obaski
nthegl
oryoft
hismoment
.

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT6

QUESTI
ON

Noun

(
Plur
al:
quest
ions)

1.Asent
ence,phr
aseorwor dwhi
chasksfor
i
nfor
mati
on,repl
yorresponse;
anint
err
ogati
ve.

2.Asubjectort
opi
cforconsi
der
ati
onor
i
nvest
igati
on.
3.Adoubtorchal
l
engeaboutt
het
rut
hor
accur
acyofamatter
.

Aftermymomentofweaknessandbr eaking
down; Ifel
tsoembar rassedandashamed, Ifel
t
evenweakerf orrunningtoast rangeman.He
l
ockedmei nsideandwentt ot heshopswhi l
eI
bathed.Itookaqui ckshowerandwai tedf or
himi nthebedr oom.Hehadn’ tchangedt he
beddingsi nceIl eftsoIdidthat .ThoughI ’mi n
painIfeelal ittl
efreshandr ejuvenat ed.ButI
j
ustkeept hinkingaboutNdumi so’ sr eaction
whenher ealizesIam gone.Whati fhei str yi
ng
tofindme?andwhati fheev ent uallydoesf ind
me?OhGod, he’l
lhurtGuy ,
he’ l
lpr obabl ykill
him.Idon’ tthinkIcanl iv
ewi thmy sel fknowi ng
thatIputhi slifeindangerandIwoul dnev er
everwantt hat.
Guyi
sback!

“
Hi,
”Isai
d.

“Hey,
Igotussomefood,
”hesay
staki
ngaseat
onthebedri
ghti
nfr
ontofme.

“
They
’rest
il
lopen?
”Iasked.

“Dr
ive-
thr
u,”hesays.“
Whendi
dyougether
e?”
hebiti
ntohischi
cken.

“
Ithi
nkar
ound10am, Ican’
tremember
,Ij
ust
want
edtogether
e…”Iswall
owed.
“
I’
m sor
rythatIcamehomel
ate,
”hel
ookedat
meandIlookedaway.

“Youdidn’
tknowIwasher e,it
’sokay.I
’
mj ust
gladIam notthereanymore.AndI’
m happyto
bebackherewi thyou.
”

“
I’
m happytoseeyou,
”hesmi
led.I
t’
sbeena
whi
lesinceI
’v
eseenagenui
nesmile.

“I
’
m happyt
oseey out
oo,
”Ismiled.“Iowey
ou
anexpl
anat
ionastowhyIdeci
dedt ocome
backandwhyIlef
t”

“
Youdon’
thav
eto,
”

“
Iwantt
o,”henoddedsi
gnal
i
ngmet
ospeak.
“Ndumi soissick,ment al
l
y .Hebeatmeupl ast
nightanditseemst hatIhadpassedoutont he
bathroom fl
oor .Iwokeupt hi
smor ningfeel
ing
socol dandmybodywassopai nful.WhenI
openedmyey es, Ir
eali
zedt hatIwasst i
l
l onthe
bathroom fl
oorandhel eftmeanot e
apologizi
ng,”

“Thi
sbast
ardl
efty
ouont hefl
oorandhedidn’
t
eventr
ytohel
pyou.Whatify
ouwer eser
iousl
y
i
njur
ed?”

“WhenIsawthenote,Ij
ustf
eltsostupi
dand
dumbthati
tonlycl
ockedinthatmomentt hat
myhusbandwasser i
ousl
yil
l.Imean,al
lthese
year
sofli
vi
nginpainandfear…”

“Atl
easty
oureal
i
zedi tMiss,somepeopl
eonly
cometothatr
eal
izat
ionjustbefor
etheydi
e,
”
“Icoul
dhav
edi
ed,
”thepi
tchofmyv
oicewent
high.

“
Eaty
ourbur
ger
…”hesai
d.

Aftereatingourf ood;wepr eparedforbed.I

t
wasal readylateany way.I
’mi nthebathroom
brushingmyt eeth.Ial
way sgazeatmy
refl
ectionwhenIseeami rror.Someti
mesIf eel
l
ikeIam notmy selfsoalonggazeatmy
refl
ectionpullsmebackt or eal
it
y.GuyKnocked.

“Comei n,”Isaid.“I’
m done,”hecamei nwit
ha
towelaroundhi swai st.Iexcusedhi
m.WhenI
gotintother oom, Isawt hathehadfixedhi
s
bedont hef l
oor .Idon’
twanthi mtobeont he
fl
oor,Isleptbetterthel astt
imehewasher e
nexttome.Ifixedmysi
deofthebedandhi sby
thedoor.Igotint
obedandburi
edmy selfand.
ThankGodIbr oughtaf
ewclothes,
Iatleast
havepjsandunderwearsher
e.Guyissinging
again;

“
FROM NOW ON
I
’M GONNALOVEYOULI
KETHERE’
SNO
TOMORROW
IDON’
TWANNAWAI
TUNTI
LOURTURN
HASCOMEANDGONE”hesanghi slungsout.
Whati sthi
sguy ’
sst oryreall
y?Iwoul daskbutI
feel
likeIam innoposi t
iontobeaski ngsuch
questions;I
’minthe‘ damsel i
ndist r
ess’
posi
t i
on.Comet ot hinkofit,t
hat’
st heonly
posi
t i
onI’v
eev eroccupi ed.Mypar ents
controll
edmeunt ilIgotmar ri
ed,theyev en
choseahusbandf ormeandmadei tseem li
ke
I’
mt heonet hatmadet hedecisi
ont omar ry
Ndumiso(stor
yforanot
herday
)andt henf
rom
ther
e,IwenttoNdumisowholi
ter
all
ydid
ever
ythi
ngforme.

“
Miss,
”hecal
lsme.Iuncov
eredmyhead.“
And
t
hen?Where’
smybed?”Isatupst
rai
ght
.

“
Ifixedy ourbedr
ightnextt
ome.Isleptbet
ter
t
hel asttimeweslepttoget
her
;ify
oudon’t
mindpl ease…”

“Ihavenoproblem wi
tht
hatar
rangementat
all
,”hesai
d.“Iwil
lbewar
m andcomfort
able,
”

“
It
’sawi
nwi
n…”

“
Indeed,
”heswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sandj
umped
i
ntobed.

“
Goodni
ghtGuy
,”Isai
d.

“GoodnightMi ss,”heyawned.Heknowsmy
namei sRainbowandIknowhi sisLucky ,
butI
sti
ll
hav enocl ueast owhywei nsistoncal li
ng
eachotherMi ssandGuy .IfIwer eagoodwr i
ter,
I’
dwr i
teast oryaboutLuckyandI ,andI ’dtit
leit
whatevercor nyshitIcant hinkof,may beadd
myownspi cesher eandt her e.I
nt hest oryI
wouldnotbet hisweakandt amed.Butour
stor
yhasn’tunf oldedyet.Letmesl eep,my
headneedst olit
eral
lyshut downandj ustr el
ax.

Mybodyisawar
eitsmorni
ngbutIsti
llwantto
sl
eepsomemore.Ihavenoideawhattheti
me
i
sbutGuyisawake.Icanhearacl
usterof
noi
sescomingf
rom t
hekit
chen.
“Miss,
”hecal
ledfr
om t
hekit
chen.Idon’
twant
towakeupjustyet
.“Mi
ss”hecamei nandsat
nexttome.

“
Letmesl
eepali
tt
lewhil
elonger
,pl
ease,
”I
mumbl
edundert
heblanket
.

“Youneedt
owakeupandshower ,eat
,take
somemedst henyoumaysleepagai
n”hesaid
andpull
edt
heblanketf
rom overmyhead.

“
Please,
”Ibegged.

“Please,
”hetookt
obeggingtoo.Fi
ne…hewins.
Iattemptedt
ositupstr
aightbutt
hepain
pushedmebackt othepil
lowasIcriedi
nagony.
“Letmesee,”heli
ft
edupmyshi rt
.“Youare
br
uisedal
lov
er,
”

“
Iknow,
”Iscof
fedsof
tl
y.

“
Miss,gi
vemet hi
sguy’
sworkaddressor
what
everletmeputabull
ett
hroughhisskul
l
,”

“No…”Ipaused.Iwantedt
obesureaboutwhat
Iwasabouttosay.“I
’l
ldothatmy
sel
f”Igrunt
ed
asIpull
edmy sel
fup.

“
Yes,
Miss,
”henodded.

Itookaquickshower
.Ijustcouldn’
tstandfor
toolong.AtsomepointIgotreal
lypar
anoid
thi
nkingthatNdumi
somi ghtcomei nandwant
tohav esexwit
hmewhi l
eI’mi ndir
epain.Iput
onsometi
ghtsandasweat er,
somethingthat
won’
thol
dmet ight.Guyhasalreadyfi
xedthe
bedandl
eftoneblanketforme.Ireall
yneedto
fi
ndawaytopayhi m back;he’
sbeenr eal
l
y
goodtome.Hecamei nwithatray.

“Porr
idge?
”hesayssmi
l
ingev
erso
enthusi
asti
cal
l
y.

“Yesplease,”Ii
mmedi atel
yst
art
edeati
ng.Iam
real
lyhungry.“Idon’
trememberthel
astti
meI
hadpor r
idge,where’
sy our
s?”

“
I’
m notr
eal
l
yhungr
y,Iwi
l
leatl
ater
.Hesi
ghed
l
oudl
yashesatont
hebed.

“
Guy ,
”Ical
l
edhi
m.Helookedatme.“
Doyou
t
hinkyoucant
eachmehowt ouseagun?
”I
havenev
erseenGuywit
hgunbuthedoesl
ook
l
ikethet
ypeofguywhoknowshowtouseone.

“Agun?Youwanttouseagun?Todowhat ?
”I
star
edathi
m.I’
m sur
emygazegi vesaclear
i
ndicat
iont
onotaskanyfur
therquesti
ons.
“Okay,
”hewav
edhispawsintheair.

“
Thanky
ou,
”Icont
inuedeat
ing.

Twoweekshav epassedandI ’
m st i
llwit
hGuy .I
sti
ll
haveni ghtmareswhenIcl osemyey esbut
thegoodt hingis,
Ihaven’tgot t
enabeat ingin
twoweeksaswel l.Mybodyi snotaspai nf
ul
anymoreandGuyi sstil
lGuy .Hel eftaboutfive
daysago,sai dhehadbusi nesst ot akecareof
andhe’dbebackassoonashewasdone.He
boughtmeawhol el
otoff oodandot her
suppli
es.Ienjoyedbeingbymy selfforabout
twodays,nowI’
m st
art
ingtowor r
y.Whatif
Ndumisogottohim?Whatifheistortur
inghi
m
somewhere?Orworse,whatifhekil
l
edhi m?I
don’
thaveaphonewithme, soIcan’tev
encall
him…hol
don.

“Miss!!
!”he’shere…Guyi shere.Istoodbythe
ki
tchendoorandwai t
edf orhimtoopen.“ I
t’
s
meLucky ,don’
tpanic,”heannouncedout side.
Honestly,Iam justsohappyt ohearhisv oi
ce;I
can’twaitforhimt ogetinside.Thereheis…I
couldn’
thel pmy sel
f,whenhewal kedin;
I
j
umpedatandheembr acedme.“ Hey,
”hesai d
underhisbr eat
hhol di
ngme.

“
Arey
ouokay
?”Iasked.“
Iwassowor
ri
ed,
”

“I
’
mf ineMi
ss,j
ustali
tt
lecol
d.Ar
eyouokay?”I
backedawaywhenitdawnedonmethatIhad
ov
erst
ayedmywel
comei
nhi
sar
ms.

“I’
m sorry,I
’
mj ustgl
adyou’
reokay”Icl
ear
edmy
throatandthensqueezedmywr i
stoutof
embar rassment.

“Igotyousomet hi
ng,
”heopenedhi ssui t
case
andtookoutasquashed- uppaperbagf r
om
McDonal ds.“
I’
m sorr
yit
’sall
squashedup, I
knowhowmuchy ouloveburgers…yousaidthe
otherdaythatyouwanttoeatbur gerssoI
thoughtIshouldgetyouone,”Ichuckled.

“
Thankyou,Ir
eal
lyappr
eci
atei
t,butwhatar
e
y
ougoingtoeat?
”Iasked.

“
Igotmy
sel
fone,
butl
etmeshowerf
ir
st,
”
“Okay ,
”wewenti ntothebedroom.Isatdown
whi l
eheundr essed.Hewasl eftwi
thhis
drawer sonandav er
ynastythoughtpassed
throughmyhead.Whati fIcheatonNdumi so
withGuy ?Hei sagood-looki
ngdecent
guy …excepthehasagi rl
fri
end,Sam.Hewent
i
nt otheshowerandi mmedi atel
ystar
ted
singingalovesongt hatIdonotknow.Whyi s
heal wayssinginglovesongs?

“Youmustr
eal
l
ybei
nlov
e?”Iaskedwhenhe
enter
ed.

“
Why
?”hesmi
rked.

“
Youar
eal
way
ssi
ngi
ngl
ovesongs…”

“
IguessIj
ustl
ovel
ove…”
“
Love,
”Iwhi
sper
edundermybreath.“
Idon’
t
t
hinkt
hatt
hingi
sreal
,
”Isai
doutloudthi
sti
me.

“
What?Lov
e?”Inodded.“
That
’snott
rue,
lov
eis
r
eal
…”heprot
ested

“Ndumisosaidhelovedme, andhebeatmeup
everychancehegot,
”Itookabiteofmyburger
.
“I
fthatisl
ovethen,f
uckit”

“
Trustme;t
hatDumisaniguyisj
ustsi
ckandhe
i
snotaman.Whywoul danyonenotlovey
ou…I
meanlookaty
ou,you’
regorgeousandsmart
…”

Ichuckled.“
I’
m notsmart…”Il
ookeddown
dismissingwhathejustsai
d.Hemustbecraz
y.
“
Let’
sagreetodi
sagr
ee,
”hesmil
ed.“Doyou
wanttogosomewheret
omorr
ow? ”heasked.

“
Whati
fhef
indsme?
”

“
Hewi
l
lfi
ndy
ouwi
thme,
”hesay
s.

“Ndumisohasguysthatwearbl
ack,
notto
soundcondescendi
ngbut…”myeyessqui
nted.
Hesmirked.“Miss,I
’m notscaredofabunchof
guysi
nblacktightsandcoat s.
”Ismi l
ed.I
’m not
sur
ewhathemeantbyt hatbutitsoundedli
ke
hewassay i
ngIshouldt rusthi
m andt her
eisno
wayyoucan’ttrustGuy.

Her
eIam i
nat
axi
wit
hGuyont
hedr
iver
’ssi
de
dr
ivi
ngt
oGodknowswher
e.

“
Wherearewegoing?”Iaskedl
ooki
ngoutt
he
wi
ndowtaki
ngthefreshair
.

“
Wher
eIwor
k,”hesay
s.

“
Atat
axi
stat
ion,
”myey
eswi
dened.

“
Yes,
butit
’scal
ledat
axi
rank…”hi
sphoner
ang.
Hepi
ckeditup.

“BABA,”Hesays.“
YESSIR,
”hesteeredthe
wheelmakingasuddenandabruptU-tur
n.
“Sor
ryMiss,hangonti
ght,
”hesays.“I
’
M ONIT
BABA,”heendedthecal
landconcentrat
edon
dri
vi
ng.
“I
sev er
ythi
ngokay?”Iaskedchecki
ngmy
seatbel
tbecauset
hespeedatwhi chhei
s
dri
vi
ng,wemi ghtj
ustdie.

“Everyt
hingisperfect,j
ustsitsti
l
l andtrynotto
askt oomanyquest ions,bettery
et ,j
ustdon’t
speak”hesai d.Myhear tdroppedt omygut s.I
heldmybr eathwi l
li
ngmy selftonotv omit.He
glancedatmeandt henbackatt heroad.“Hold
ti
ghtMi ss,
”heor dered.

“
I’
mt r
ying.Canyouslowdown…pl
ease,
Iwant
t
ov omit!
”Icri
edunder.

“Justafewmoreseconds,we’
realmostt
here,
”
Inodded.Iwonderwhati
shappening?Maybe
hejustr
eceiv
edbadnews.Hepr essedhi
sli
ps
togetherasheswer v
edt hest eeri
ngwheel
maki ngt hecarseem l ikeawei ghtl
essobject.A
muscl einhi sjawt wi
tchedashecamet oan
abruptst op.Ilookedathi m ashi seyes
travell
edar oundt hetaxi;hisgazewasf ueled
wi t
hdet erminati
on.Hedoesn’ tlookli
ke
someonet hathasj ustr eceivedbadnews;
neitherdoeshel ooklikeonewhohasj ust
receivedgoodnews.

“What’
shappeningGuy?”Iaskedgather
ing
my sel
fandmakingsenseofthisheated
momentt hatIf
oundmy sel
fin.“
Iseveryt
hing
okay?”

“Juststayput
, ever
ythingisfi
ne,”heleanedin
closertomeandIbackedaway .Hegotcl oser
,
reachedhishandov er.Whatishet ry
ingtodo?I
froze.Hesearchedont hesi
deofmychai rwit
h
hi
shandwhi
lehiseyeskeptmineinpl
ace.“
I
needy
outogetcloser
”hesays,“
Now”

“
Getcl
oser
?”Iasked.If
elthi
shandonmywai
st.

“CloserMi ss,
”hepushedmef orward.Icoul
d
feelhisbreathhit
ti
ngagainstt
het i
pofmynose;
hisbr eat
hsmel l
sli
kenicoti
ne,gum andbeer.
Hef inall
ypull
edaway.“Thanky ou,
”hishand
camebackwi thapistol
.

“Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
tht
hat
?”Iaskedi
n
pani
c.

“Useit
,Miss”washegoingtokil
lme.WhatdidI
do?DidIdosomet hi
ngwrong.Imusthave
donesomet hi
ngwrong;
Ialwaysdosomething
wrong;I
’m Rai
nbow.Mylowerli
psli
ghtl
y
dr
opped.

“
Onme?
”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“Keepsil
entand…don’
t…move”het
ookona
sti
ckstaccat
o.Hepointedhi
sgunatmy
dir
ecti
on.

“
Guy
”myv
oicecr
acked.

“
Doy outr
ustme?”heaskedadjust
inghi
spist
ol.
Honest
ly,
atthi
spoint
,Idon’
tknow.Inodded,
maybethat’
l
lconv
incehimtosparemylif
e.

“Don’tmove,
”hemimed.BOOM!
!!Thegunwent
off
.Ilookedbackandsawmanfal
li
ngtohi
s
death.Tear
srandownmycheekasIfr
ozenot
breathing.“ I
’
m sorry”Icouldtellfr
om lookingat
hislipswhathewassay ing,Ican’thear
any t
hingf rom t
hesoundoft hegungoi ngof f
,it
waswayt ooclosetomyear sandf r
ankly;I
hav enev erhadagungoof finmypr esence.He
exertedf orceontheaccel eratoranddr oveoff.I
am st i
llshakenandst il
ltempor ari
lydeaf.He
reachedf ormyhandandsqueezedi t.“Miss,”
hecal led.Iam hearinghim buthesoundsv ery
far.Ilookedathi m ashisey eswer etravel
li
ng
betweenmeandt heroad.“Mi ss…Miss”

Myhear ti
ssti
llbeat
ingf astandIam st il
lfr
ozen
butIam comingbackt ol i
fe.Him squeezingmy
handiscathar
ti
c.Andt henev eryt
hi ngcame
back,heshotamanout sideahouse.Isawt he
manf al
ldown.Likeacannonbal l
; soundshit
me,Icouldhearproperl
ynow…t hought he
soundofthepresentsoundsr at
hert ooloudbut
IcanhearGuyshout i
ngmyname; wellwhathe
hasdeci
dedt
obemyname.

“Youki
ll
edaman”It ol
dhim,j
ustincaset
hati
s
notwhathethoughthewasdoingormyeyes
weredecei
vi
ngme.

“
Don’
tsayany
thi
ng…j
ustbr
eat
he”

“Don’ttel
lmetobreat
he,”myv oicetookona
ster
nt one.“
Whydidyouki l
lthatman…? ”I
asked.Heglancedatmeandt henbackatt he
road.“Stopt
hecar…”Isaid,Ineededtov omit
.

“
Icannot
.Thi
sisenemygr
ound…”

“
Idon’
tcar
ewhatgr
oundthi
sis…st
opthi
s
f
ucki
ngcarandl
etmegetof
f”Idemanded.
“
Isai
dno!
”hi
sgazewentdar
kandcol
d.

“
Guy.
..”al
otofquest
ionswererunni
ngthr
ough
myhead.Whothehelli
sGuy ?Whydidhekil
l
t
hatman?Butmostimportantl
ywhoisthi
s
manthatr
escuedmef r
om myabusivehusband?

“
Justafewmoreminut
esandwe’rehome
f
ree…i
fIst
ophere;
wemi ghtdi
e…”

“
We?
!?Idi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng”

“Miss!Shutthefuckup…shutupandl etme
dri
ve…IswearifIhearonemor ewordf r
om you;
Iwill
leaveyouhere!”hiswordscutsharply
thr
ought heatmosphereandl eftaveryheavy
ambianceofsilence.Ibitonmyl owerli
pasI
tri
edt ocal m my selfdownandnotv omitall
overGuy ’
sst upidtaxi.Wedr oveinsi l
encef or
about10mi nutesorsount ilhef i
nallystopped
i
nt hemi ddl eofnowher e.Ther e’
snohouseora
mov ingbei ngint hi
spl ace.Av eryniceand
remot epl acet oki l
labl abberinggirl.Heswung
hisdooropen, mar chedt omysi deandpul led
mydooropen.“ Getout ”hecl enchedhi sjaws.I
shookmyhead.Hegr abbedmyar m andpul l
ed
meout .Het henshutt hedoorbehi ndmeand
pinnedmeagai nstthet axi.Igotscar ed,Igot
reall
yscar edandwor ri
ed.Whathav eIgot t
en
my selfinto?

“Pleasedon’thurtme…I’m sorr
y ”Iquickl
y
apologized.“
Itwon’thappenagai n.Pleasedon’t
hurtme. .
.pl
ease”Ibeggedf orhimt ospar emy
l
ife.Iam breathi
ngoutofcont roloutoff ear
thatGuymi ghthurtme.I’v
est areddeat hineye
wayt oomanyt i
mes…thiscan’tbet hemoment
wher
edeat
hwi
ns.I
tcan’
t…

“Hurtyou?”het ightenedhi sl i
pst ogetherand
backedaway .“I’m sor ry
,”ev enaf t
erhehadl et
mego, Ist
il
lst oodagai nstt hecl oseddoorl i
keI
waspi nnedagai nstit.“Let’sgo, ”Iobey edand
gotinsidethet axi withoutf ight i
nghi m.
“Seatbelt
”heor deredandagai n,Iobey ed.We
droveof f
.Theent ir
et imeIwasl ookingoutt he
windowr eplayingev erythingi nmyhead.Fr om
themomenthegott hatcal l untilhepul l
edme
outoft hetaxi.Myhear tisbur ni
ngl i
kei tdoes
whenNdumi sohasj usthur tmeori saboutt o
hurtme.Whatj usthappened?I sGuyaki l
ler?
Buthesai dhewasat axidr i
v er,hesaidwe
weregoi ngtot het axi station.Whydi dheshoot
thatinnocentman?

PRETTYPLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT7

TAME

Adj
ect
ive

1.Notornol
ongerwi
l
d;domest
icat
ed

2.Mi
ldandwel
l-
behav
ed;
accust
omedt
o
humancont
act

Whenwegothome, t
herewasst i
l
lthi
s
awkwardsilencebet
weenus.Idon’ tknow
whetherheismadatmeorwhat ?IknowI’m
notatli
bert
yt obemadathim.ButIam al it
tle
shakenthough.Deepdowni nsideIknowGuy
wouldneverhurtme,butIsufferedaloti
nthe
handsofamansoIcoul dnev ertrustanother
mansoeasi l
y.Hechangedintoanewout fitand
thenleftwit
houtsayi
ngawor dt hatjust
confir
mst hatheismadatme.Ist ayedalone
forthewholedayandt henaround10Ideci ded
tofi
xt hebedandsleep.

“Miss,
”If
eltagentl
esqueezeonmylegand
i
mmedi at
elysatupstr
aight
,“Maywetal
k?”I
nodded.

“Letmepeef irst
,”Isaunteredt othebathroom.I
don’twanttopee; Ijustneedt ogathermy sel
f.I
knowhowal lovertheplaceIgetwhenI ’m
scared.Ihaveal otofquestionsf orGuyandi t
wouldputmymi ndateasei fIwer etohave
them answered.Butt henagai n–whoam It o
beaccor dedanythingbyt hi
s‘ sav
iour’ofmine.I
fl
ushedany wayandt henjoinedhim backinthe
r
oom.

“I’
mr eall
ysorr
yaboutear
li
er.Ididn’
tmeanto
upsety ou,
”Iapol
ogi
zedthemi nuteIwal
ked
throughthedoor.

“
No,
Miss…”

“I
t’
sjustthaty oukill
edamanandt henyou
weredrivi
ngsof ast…Icouldn’
thearorbr eathe
ordoany thi
ngandIt houghty ouwer egoingto
ki
llme…Ipani cked.”Hest aredatmewhi ch
mademecov ermymout hwi thmyhand, “You
di
dki l
lamanr ight?Mymi nddi dn’tmake
anythi
ngup? ”henodded.“ Arey ouaser i
al
ki
ll
er?”Iquestionedandheshookhi shead.“A
psychopath?Amostwant edcr i
mi nal?
”
“
Miss,
cany
oul
i
stenpl
ease…”

“
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oki
l
lme?
”

“
No!
”

“
Arey
ouagangst
er?Adr
ugl
ord?
”

“Rai
nbow!
”hecall
edst
ernl
yandIi
mmedi
atel
y
shutmymouth.
“
Look,youshoul
dn’
thavebeenwi t
hmet hen.I
t
wasanimpromptumission.Ihadt
oatt
endt oi
t,
we’
vebeenlooki
ngforthistar
getf
ort
hepast6
monthsnow,”

“Missi
on?Tar
get
? ”Whatki
ndofper
sonuses
suchwords?Am Iinamovie?
“Thelessy ouknow, t
hebet t
er”Inodded.Idon’t
wantany thingt
hatwi l
lputmyl i
feinanyform of
danger .Ijustwantsomepeacei nmyl i
fe…butI
don’tthinkIwi l
lrestknowi ngthatGuykill
eda
random manaf t
erher eceivedacallandhe
usedwor dssuchast argetandmi ssi
on.“But
I
’m atwr ongher e;Ishouldn’thavespokent o
youliket hat…I’
m sorry,
”

“No!Ipani
ckedandasusual
Imessedt
hings
up…”

“
Youdidn’
tmessany
thi
ngup,
youpani
ckedand
t
hat
’sokay…”

“
Soyouar
enotmadatme?
”Ibi
tonmyl
ower
l
i
p.
“Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyouthatquest
ion…”he
gentl
ytookmyhand.“
Areyoumadatme? ”I
shookmyhead.

“I
’m not,
”Isaidl owl
y .HesmiledandIsmi l
ed
back.Ili
keseei nghim smile,i
tsoftensmyheart.
It
’sli
kedrinki
ngwat eraft
eralonghotday .Or
cominghomeatt heendofav erysunnyday.He
gotupandgotoutoft heroom, Iassumetogo
totheloo.Iam f al
li
ngasleepagai nbutIcan
hearhisfootstepsthuddingar oundtheroom.
Theswi t
chf l
ickeredanddar knesstookoverthe
room.Hel etoutal ongsighasheset t
ledi
nto
bed.

“Miss,
”hecal
l
ed.Igotalit
tl
eannoyedbecause
mybodywasst arti
ngtodetachf
rom mymind
escapi
ngmycat astr
ophi
cthought
s,someof
whi
chi
nvol
veGuyandhi
sident
it
y.

“
Yes,
Guy
”

“Iwouldnev erhurtyou,Ipromise,
”Iknowhei s
tal
kingaboutt hatepisodeearli
ertodaywhenhe
pull
edmeoutoft hetaxiandpushedme
againstit
.Ther e’
sabeastsomewher einsideof
him,butitseemsl i
kehehasmast er
edt hear t
oftami ngit
.Iwonderwhatbr oughtaboutt hat
beast…ormay bewhoandwhen?Howwasi t
created.Iwonderi fhe’
dev erki
ll
edorhur ta
womanbef ore.

“
Pinkypr
omi
se?
”

Hechuckl
edsof
tl
y,“
Pinkypr
omi
se,
”
“Youcan’tbreakapinkypromi
seGuy,
it’
sthe
ult
imateform ofpr
omi se;
themot
herofall
promises.”

“
Idon’
tpl
anonbr
eaki
ngi
t,
”

“
Mayaskonemor
ethi
ng?
”

“
Goon…”

“Whatdidt
hatmando?
”ther
ewasagapof
si
lencebet
weenmyquest
ionandhi
sresponse.

“
Ican’
ttel
lyout
hat
,I’
m sor
ry”

“
whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving,
”
Hegi
ggl
edunderhi
sbr
eat
h,“
I’
m at
axi
dri
ver
,”

"
Thatki
l
lspeopl
e?"

"Ican'tanswerthateit
her.
..
allyouneedtoknow
i
st hat;Iwouldneverhurtyouandwhat
happenedt odayhadt ohappenbutIwi l
lnev
er
puty ouinthatposit
ioneveragain.Buti
fyou
feelscared,youcango, Iwil
lunderst
and,
"

"
Idon'
twantt
oleav
e..
."

"
Thent
rustmeandsleep.You'
l
lst
il
lbeal
i
vei
n
t
hemorni
ng,y
ou'
llsee.
..
"

"
Itr
usty
ouGuy
,"Iy
awned.
"
It
'sLuckynotGuy
,"

"
It
'sRai
nbow,
notMi
ss,
"

Hegi
ggl
edsof
tl
y,"
socheeky
!Goodni
ghtMi
ss,
"

"
Goodni
ghtGuy
"

Allhisanswer sleav emeponder i

ngtryi
ngt oput
thi
ngst ogether.Butt hei
ssuewi t
hGuyi sthat,
thereisnothingt heretoputt ogether
.Hei sjust
ablankpage.Al lIknowist hathei sLucky,he
hasagi rl
fr
iendcal ledSam, probablysona
call
edMt hoandhehasat axi t
hathedr i
ves
around.
Ili
keGuy ,
hei sav eryreasonabl eman.Il i
ke
stayi
ngwithhi m andsleepi ngnexttohi m,
thoughIcan’thelpbutt hinkaboutt henextstep
forme.Ineedt ost ar
tov erwi t
hmyl i
fe.Ali
fe
withoutmymot herandf ather,alif
ewi t
hout
Ndumi soGumede…andhopef ul
lyinthatli
fe,
GuyandIwi llsti
llbefri
ends.What everweare,I
knowIwantt ohav ehi
mi nmyl ifebecausein
allhonest
y,hedi dsaveme.

Thismor ning,Guyt oldmet opackmyt hi

ngs,
sai
dwewer egoi ngt oanewl ocationandIam
al
ivelikehesai dI '
dbe.Idon’ tknowwher ehei s
dri
vingt obutIknowheknowswhyhei staki
ng
met here.Lookatme; Iam sopat heti
c…Iam
subconsciousl yput t
ingGuyi nchar geofev er
y
mov eImake, ofev erything.Justbecausehe
sai
di t,i
talreadysitswel lwithmeandIhav eno
desiretodisput eany thinghesay s.Forceof
habit;Iguess.
“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”Iasked.

“
Work,
”I’
venoti
cedt
hatGuydoesn’
ttal
kmuch
whenhe’
sdri
vi
ng.Heisal
waysveryf
ocused.

“Asl
ikeyester
day
?”Iaskedagai
n.Hepeekedat
mydirect
ionandacornerofhi
smouthtur
ned
up.

“
No,
don’
twor
ry…”

“I’
m notworri
ed…I’
mr eady,
”Ipressedmylips
together
.Heglancedatmeagai nthi
sti
mehe
wasshockedandi nawar eandsowasI .Idon’
t
knowwher ethatcamef rom butIj
ustwantGuy
toknowt hatI
’m notcompletel
yweak.
“
Readyf
orwhat
?”heasked.

“Forwhatev
ercomes,”Isqueezedmywri
stbut
hequickl
ynoti
cedthatandthentookmyhand
andkeptiti
nhis.

“
Don’
tdot
hat
.It
’sokay
…”

Wedr oveinsi
lenceholdinghands.Iev enforgot
thatourfi
nger
swer ei
nterlocked.Ist
opped
daydreamingwhent hev ehicl
ecamet oast op
atav er
ydodgyar ea;ataxi st
ati
on.“We’r
eher e,
”
hetookonasi ng-songv oice.

“
Where’
shere?Thetaxistat
ion?
”Iasked
l
ooki
ngaroundtr
yingtonotmakeitobvious
t
hatIam di
sgust
edbyt hi
splaceandit
’ssmell
andt
hepeopl
ewal
ki
ngar
oundher
e.

“Work,Miss…thi
siswher eIwor k.I’
m at axi
dri
verremember .Andnoonecal lsitast ation,
i
t’sarank”helooksratherpleasedt obeher e.
Heopenedhi ssideofthedoorandt henl ooked
atme.Igav ehim apuzzledexpr essionbecause
hisgazegivesofftheimpressiont hathei s
waiti
ngformet odosomet hi
ngorsay
somethingwhenal lI
’m doi
ngi st ofoll
owhi s
l
ead.“I’
m goingtoneedmyhandback, ”Iqui ckl
y
rel
easedit.

“Ohy es!I’
m sorry…youcan, sure.”Istutteredin
shame.I ’m sostupid.Anyway ;Ifol
lowedhi m.
There’sal othappeningher e.Ther earev endors
andidlepeopl e,taxidr
iversandt heirtaxis,
peoplegoi ngupanddowngoi ngaboutt heirday
compl etel
ynotf azedbyt hehor r
iblesmel l
of
beer,meat,ni
coti
ne,di
rt
ysocksandsweat .I
grabbedont ohishandsoIdon’tgetlosti
nthis
placeunknownt ome.Themi nuteIgrabbedhis
hand,hesqueezedittwi
ceandf orsomer eason
Iknewexact l
ywhathewassay ing.ThoughI
can’texpl
ainiti
nwords,Ij
ustknowwhathe
means.

“TheLuckynumber1!”amansai din
exci
tementasweappr oachedagroupofthem
seatedar
oundat abl
elaughingt
heirl
ungsout
play
ingcardsandeati
ngtakeaways.

“Saluteboys!Salute”Guyjustbl
endedinandI
stuckoutl i
keasor ethumb.Oneoft hem
whistledexami ni
ngmef rom headtotoe.He
thenst oodandwal kedupt omegent l
yputti
ng
onef ootinfrontoftheotherchar
ismatical
l
y
“MyLuckyst
ar,
cor
rectmeifIam wr
ongbutI
am l
ooki
ngatanangel
,”hesai
dgazi
ngatme.

“Spider,
closeyourey es.Andy es…youar
eri
ght,
thatisanangel ”Guysaidandgl ancedatme.I
rel
easedahal fsmi l
e.“Boys,thisi
s
Rainbow…Rai nbow,thisiseveryone.Wework
together…”

“
Hievery
one,”Il
etoutacoygr
in,
wav
edand
t
hengrabbedmywr i
st.

“Marr
yme? ”t
hisSpi
derguypr
oposed.It
ooka
stepback.

“Isai
dcloseyoureyes,”Guyt
riedt
okickhim
buthewasqui cktojump.Heledmei nsi
dea
smallroom si
tuat
edr i
ghtonthesi
de.It
’san
off
ice…Iknowanof fi
cewhenIseeone.Ther e’
s
manseat edbehindthetabl
edoingsome
paperwork.Helookedupandhisfacelitupat
thesightofGuyandt henhi
seyestrav
elledt
o
me.

Hestoodandextendedhisarm whi chIgladl

y
shook.“
Ntokazi
,myancest or
swoul dturnthei
r
backsonmei fIdon’
tplantakissony oursoft
ski
n…all
owmepl ease”hesaid.Iopenedmy
mouthinatt
emptt ospeakandl ookedatGuy
Hegav
emear
eassur
ingnod.

“Oh!Okay …”hewentar oundthedeskand

plant
edhisf eetbeforeme.Hehel dmegentl
y
bytheshoul der
sandl eanedin.Wherewasthi
s
manpl anningonki ssi
ngme?Igotal it
tl
e
puzzleduntilIf
elthisbeardonmycheek.
“Thankyou,”her el
easedme.You’ dswearhe
j
ustwonal
ott
erywi
tht
hewayhe'
ssmi
l
ing.

“
Pleaset
akeasi
t,
”hesaidandIobey
ed.“
Are
y
oumyboy '
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
”heasked.

“
No…I
’
m not
,”

“Mhlongocomeon, she’
snot …”Guycutme
short.“
She’snotmygirl
fr
iend.We’r
ejust
fr
iendsright
…”

“
Yeah!Fr
iends…”It
ri
edt
oconv
incet
hisman.

Hi
sey
est
rav
ell
edbet
weenGuyandI
.

“
Andy
ournamei
s?”heasked.
“
Mynamei
sRai
nbow…”

“
Rai
nbow,ver
ybeaut
if
ulnamef
orabeaut
if
ul
l
ady
,”Ismi
l
ed.

“Howaret
hingsher
e?Howar
etheboy
s?”Guy
s
asked.

“We’
vebeendoi
ngreal
lygoodt
hisweek.Sadl
y;
Sgor
ahasbeensicksoItol
dhi
mt ost
ayhome,”

“Goodcall
,
”Guykeepsnoddi
ngtoeveryt
hinghe
i
ssaying.Heopenedabookandsl
iditoverto
Guywhichheanalysed.

“
That
’sf
rom t
hepast3day
s,”Mhl
ongosay
s.
“
Thi
sisi
ncl
udi
ngt
henewr
out
e?”
“
Yessi
r!
”

“
Ever
ythi
nglooksgood.Whatabouty
ou?Ar
e
y
ouokay?”

“YouknowI
’m alwaysokayLucky.I
t’
sy ouI
shoul
dbeworriedabout.
..
”saidMhlongo
packi
ngawayallthatwasbeforehi
m.

“I
’
m okaybr
other
,yester
day’
str
ip,
itwas
uncal
l
edfor
…”her ubbedhi
sfor
ehead,
“
Buty
oudi
dit
,ri
ght
?”

“Ofcour
se,
Ididi
t,Ialwaysdoi
t,butIhad
companyso…butIdidit
”
“company?”Mhl
ongolookedatmeandt
henhi
s
eyestr
ail
edbacktoGuy.

“
Therewasnoot herway
?”Guysoundsl
i
kehe
i
sexplai
ninghi
mself.

“
Arewecompr
omi sed?Shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed?
”
Mhl
ongoi
nqui
red

“Nosir!I
t’
sallundercontrol.”It
hinkt
heyar e
tal
ki
ngaboutt hatli
ttl
eimpr ompt umi
ssion.
May beheishisbossandt heordercamef rom
him.ButifMhlongoi shisbosst henwhywas
hegivinghi
m ar eportandshowi nghim papers
andanswer i
ngtohi m.

“
Lucky
!!
!!
”av
eryt
hickl
adywi
thexcessi
vemake
-upwalkedinshout i
ngont opofherlungs.She
i
swear ingleopardprintedtights,
withavery
bri
ghtpi nkvestandblack6- inchheel
s.Her
outf
itisasloudasshei s.“Isawy oucomingin
soIthoughtIshouldbr ingy ousomef ood,on
thehousemychocol ate,”shechewedon
bubble-gum inaveryundi gnifi
edway.

“ThankyouPinky,Iappr
eci
ateit
.Iam v
er y
hungry…”hestoodandhuggedherandt hen
kissedhercheek.“
Thisi
sRainbow,myfriend”

“Heyfr
iend,
I’m Pi
nkyhisfut
urewi
fe…”
announcedtheloudlady.

“
Pinky
,st
op…”Guysai
drepr
imandi
ng.

“
Agi
rlcandr
eam mos”shesay
s.
“Pi
nkyismycoll
eague,
shewor
ksi
nthe
kit
chen,
”Guysays.

“
HeyPi
nky
,”Igr
eet
ed.

“Wouldyouli
keaplatetoo,
sheasked.You’
d
havetopaythough…”shepoppedabubblewit
h
hergum andthenchewedagain.

“
No,
Iam goodt
hanky
ou…”Isai
d.

“Getherapl at
e.Don’
tputtherice,
justt
he
vegetablesandapieceofchicken,
”Guysays.
Pinkylookedatme,

“
Shei
sst
il
lpay
ing,
”shef
oldedherar
mst
oher
chest
.

“
Igoti
t.Iwi
l
lpayf
orherpl
ate…”

“Sovele,
shei
syourgir
lf
ri
endri
ghtLucky
?”she
asked.Whati
shappeni
nghere?

“
No,Iam not
.Ipromi
seyou…hei
sjusthel
ping
me,
”Ibi
tonmyl owerl
ip.

“
Wit
hwhat?”Mhl
ongoaskedl
eani
ngbackon
t
hechai
r.

“
Personal
thi
ngs,
”Guyj
umpedi
nbef
oreIcoul
d
r
espond.

“
Wher
edoy
oul
i
veRai
ndr
op?
”Pi
nkyasks.
“
It
’sRai
nbow,
”Icor
rect
edher
.

“Shei
sstayingwit
hme,f
ornowi
t’
stempor
ary
,”
Guyrespondsagain.

“
Doessheknowaboutt
his?
”askedMhl
ongo.

“
Whoi
sshe?
”Il
ookedatGuy
.

“Okay
,br
other,
Iwi
l
lbei
ntouch…”Guyt
ookmy
handandpull
edmeout
.

“Keepwell
youngblood,
”wewalkedbackto
whereweparkedthetaxi
.Agai
n;swi
mmi ngi
n
thi
sverydi
sgust
ingseaofhumans.Someone
bumpedintome.
“
Ouch,
I’
m sor
ry,
”Isai
daswecol
l
ided.

“
Thatwasmyf aul
tsist
era,
I’
m sor
ry”Il
ookedat
t
hepersonIhadcoll
i
dedwi t
h.Hestar
edat
meandItooktost
ari
ngback.Guygotaholdof
myhandagainandthenpull
edmeaway .That
wasweird.

“
Youknowt
hatguy
?”heaskedaswegoti
nto
t
hetaxi
.

“
No,
Idon’
tthi
nkso…”

“
Youdon’
tthi
nkso?
”theengi
nest
art
ed.

“
Idon’
tknowhi
m…may
beI
’
veseenhi
m
somewher
e,”

“Where?Hedoesn’
tlookl
i
kesomeoney
oucan
seeanywher
e…”

“Idon’
tknowGuy,
maybeheal
sothoughthe
knewme.Imeanhewaslooki
ngatme…Icould
swearhewantedt
osaysomet
hing,
”

“Hemusthav
eyouconf
usedwi
thsomeone
else…”

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT8

OUTCAST
Noun

(
Plur
al:
out
cast
s)

Sy
nony
ms:
Out
sider
,Vagr
ant
,Exi
l
e,Beggar

1.Onet
hathasbeenexcl
udedf
rom asoci
etyor
syst
em.

Wegotbur gersont hewayandt hendroveoff

tothenewl ocati
on.I’
vebeenthinki
ngaboutthe
guyIcolli
dedwi t
h…doIknowhi m?SometimesI
placemy selfonapedest alandpaynoat t
enti
on
tothewor l
dar oundme.Li kewithGuy;who
woul dhavet houghtthataguywhosev ehicl
e
coll
idedwithmi ne?Whom Iwassor udeto
woul dbetheguyt osavemyl i
fe?MaybeIknow
himt oo…Ijustneedt othi
nkreall
yhard.Thisi
s
alessonIneedtolear
nandl iv
ebyandt hati
st o
notlookdownonpeopl ebecauseIhavenoi dea
whatt omorr
owholdsformeandt hatperson.I
am justhopi
ngandprayingthatIwasn’
trudet o
thatguyifweevermetbefore.

“Welcomet omyot herhumbleabodes, ”Guy

sangaswewal kedin.i
t’
spretti
erthant he
previouslocat
ion.Hasmor espaceandi t
s
cleaner.Ismil
ed.“Youliket
hi slocat
ion,don’
t
you? ”Inoddedasmyey estravell
edaroundthe
l
ivingroom.Ther e’
sahugef latscreent vont
he
wal l
.

“
Doesi
twor
k?”Iaskedwal
ki
ngt
owar
dsi
t.

“
Yes,DSTV,NETFLI
X,SHOWMAXev
ery
thi
ng
wor
ks,”hesay
s.
“
Ili
kei
ther
e…”

“
Met
oo,
”hesai
dinsat
isf
act
ion.“
Letmeshow
y
ouy
ourr
oom,”

“Igetaroom?”soexcit
ing.If
oll
owedhim.He
turnedl
eftonthepassagedandopenedthe
doorattheendandthenusheredmei n.

“
Thisi
syou…”heputmybagont hebed.
“
Every
thi
ngiscl
ean.Ihadsomeonecomein
y
ester
day.
..
”

“
Thankyousomuch,”Ithr
ewmy sel
fonthebed.
“
Ilov
eit
,”t
hebedisverybig.Bi
ggertheoneat
t
heprev
iousl
ocat
ion.
“
Iwil
lberi
ghtdownthepassagei
fyouneedme.
l
etmetakeanap.”

Itookabat h.Alonghotst eamybat handj ust

rel
axed.Ithenwentonanddev ouredmybur ger
andmi l
kshakewhi lewat chingt v.Guyhasbeen
l
ockedi nsi
dehi sroom since18: 00,Ididpeek
throughjusttocheckonhi m andhel ooked
deadsoIwentbackt owat chingt v.At21: 45I
headedf orbedandI ’vebeent ossingand
turni
ngsince.Ican’tsleep…If eel l
ikethisbedi s
aseaandI ’
m drowningi nit.Itookabl anket
andwentt ot heli
vingroom t osl eepont he
couch.Asuncomf ortabl
easi tis,atleastIknow
wher ei
tstartsandwher ei tends.Ist arted
yawningandmyey eswer eget tingweakerand
weakerbyt hemi nute.ThankGod.
“Hey
,Mi ss”Ipeel
edmyeyesopenandf
ound
Guystandingoverme.“
Gotobed…”

“
MayIsl
eepherepl
ease?Ican’
tsl
eepi
n
t
her
e…”Isai
dundermybreath.

“Youcancomeandsl eepwithme,”hehel
dout
hishandandIreachedoutfori
t.Hetookthe
blanketandt
henledmet ohisr
oom.“ Hopover
thatside,
”

“Thankyou,
Guy
”Isai
dbur
yingmy
sel
fundermy
blanket
.

“
It
’sLucky
,”hesay
s.

“
It
’sRai
nbow…”Hechuckl
edsof
tl
y.
Thismor ni
ngIwasupat6: 00ont hedot .His
alarm wentof fwhi chheannoy inglyswi t
ched
offandt henwentbackt osl eep.Iwokeup
feeli
ngl i
ghterandj ustwant edt ochal lengemy
anxieti
es.Iwant edtodosomet hingIwoul dbe
proudof .Ijustwant edt odosomet hingposi tiv
e,
Ineedt ost artsomewher e.Ihadcer eal and
thenIdeci dedt oopenmyhai randl oset his
Brazili
anweav e.AfterIhadopenedmyhai r;
I
sawsomeoneIhadn’ tseeni nawhi le,a
stranger.Mybl ackpuf fyafrof r
amedmyf ace
eversoper fect l
y.Ihaven’tseenmyhai rina
whi l
e.Ndumi somadesur eheget smet hemost
expensi vehai rmoneycoul dbuy .Hemadesur e
i
twasl ongandsmoot handj ustmov edev er
y
ti
meImov ed.Nowmynat ural hair,myaf r
o…it’
s
j
ustst anding, it’
sobedi ent.Itdoesn’ tmov e
whenIt urnleftorr ight
.Iwi shIcoul dbel i
kemy
hair,notmov edbyany thing.Notsuccumbt o
ev
ery
thi
ngar
oundme…butagai
n;i
t’
sjusthai
r.

I’
mi nthebat hroom st i
lladmiri
ngt hestrength
andbeaut yofmyhai r
.WhenIwasl i
ttl
e,befor
eI
becameTumel o;thecleanerwoul dt i
emyhai r
i
ntobar biegirl
sandt hendecor at
ei twithbri
ght
andcol ourfulhairaccessories.Alotofbl ack
gir
lsoftenaskedi fitwasmyr ealhair
.thank
Godf ormyf atherotherwiseIwoul dn’thavethi
s
muchhai rbecause-asmuchasmymom
doesn’tlackany thing-shedoesl ackhai r;
hencet henumberofwi gsshehas.

“
Whoa!
”Itur
nedmyatt
enti
ontothedoorand
f
oundGuyhal
fasl
eepwit
hhisj
awsont hefl
oor
.

“
Closey
ourmout
h,”Isai
d.
“Youaresobeaut if
ul”hi
seyesaregluedonmy
face.Il
ookedatmyt oesandsqueezedmy
wrist
.Hegotcl oserandthenrest
edhishandon
myshoul der.“
Lookatme, Miss”Il
if
tedupmy
headandl ookedathim.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Isai
dundermybr
eat
h.

“
Youdi
dn’
tdoanythi
ngwrong…myGod!Lookat
y
ou!
”hecont
inuedtoexl
clai
minaweofmyhair
.

“
Stop,
”Ibi
tonmyl
i
ps.

“Ihav
eneverseenanythi
ngli
kethis.I
’
venever
seenany
thingl
ikeyou.Gosh!Lookatyou…”

“
Guy
,st
ari
ngi
srude…”Ishi
ft
edmywei
ghtt
o
onesi
de.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”het
ookast
epback.

“
Didyouwanttousethebat
hroom?
”Iasked.
Henodded.Ist
eppedout
.

“She’sbeaut i
ful
,”Iheardhim sayasIwas
shutti
ngt hedoor .Ismiledalit
tl
e.Het hi
nksI
l
ookbeaut if
ul.Ndumi soneversaidIlook
beautiful.Heal way ssaidIl
ooksexy .ButIfeel
good, Ididsomet hingthatbroughtmebackt o
my self.Tomany ,itsj
usthair…tome, i
tstherapy.
It
’saheal thyactivi
tyandIam pr oudofmy self.

Af
terali
tt
lewhi
l
eGuycameoutandwentint
o
hi
sbedroom.Hecameoutal
lbat
hedand
dr
essedup.
“
Youar
egoi
ngout
?”Il
ookedupathi
m.

“
Yeah,don’twor
ryIwi
llbebackverysoon.I
wasthi
nkingmaybeIcouldcooksomething….
”

“
Thatwoul
dbegr
eat
!I’
dli
ket
hat
,”
“
Awesome…”

I
’vebeenstucki
nthi
scouchwi t
hmyey esglued
tothetvscr
een,wat
chingmovieaftermovie.
Eati
ngsnacksanddri
nkinghotchocolat
eli
ke
i
t’snobody’
sbusi
ness.Aft
eral
liti
sacol dday.

“
Lucky!
”thevoicef
oll
owedwi t
haknockand
t
henashout,“Openup,”i
tsoundsli
kewhoever
t
hatist
hey’r
enotalone.Icanhearl
aught
erand
i
ndisti
nctchatt
er.Guytoldmetoneveropenf
or
anyone.Thathe’
dnev ersendany
onetocome
andcheckonmeorcomet othehouse.

“Weknowy ou’
rether
e;weheardthetv.
”That
’s
adif
f erentper son.It
ipt
oedtothekit
chenand
armedmy selfwithaknif
e.Idon’
tevenhavea
phonet ocal l
Guyortexthim.Idon’
tknowwhy
thefuckhehasal andli
newhenitdoesn’
twork.
Eveni fitdid;whowasIgoi ngtocal
l?
“We’recomi ngin”shout edthev oicebehi ndthe
door.Iheardkey sji
nglingandhi ttingagai nst
thegate.Ijuststoodbyt heentrancef rozenand
scared.IknowIshoul ddosomet hi ng,l
ikehide
orany t
hingthatdecreasesmychancesofdy ing.
Thedoorswungopenand4menpour edi nto
fi
ndagi rli
nt i
ghtsandanov ersizedhoodi ewho
i
saf ewsecondsawayf rom peeingonher self
withakni f
eheldsocl oset oherchest .“What
thefuck?”Iam st i
l
lfrozen.Al otoft hi
ngsar e
goi
ngthr
oughmyheadri
ghtnow;l
i
kewhatif
Ndumi
sof oundmeandt
hensentt
heseguy
s
her
e.

“Whot hefuckar eyou?Saysomet hi

ng…”oneof
them rai
sedhi svoice,I’
m notsurewhichoneof
them becauseatt hispointfearhastakenover
meandIcan’ tseem tomakeoutt hi
ngsli
ke
whichoft heseguy sjustspokeandi ft
hati
smy
heartIam hearingorsomeonei splayi
ngdrums
real
lyloud.

“
Guy
…I-
I…”Ist
ammer
ed

“Di
dy oubreakinhere?”theguyt
hatseemsto
bethedomi nantonetookoutagunandheldit
againstmyforehead.That’
swhenIlosti
t…I
l
ift
edmyhandsupl ett
ingthekni
fefal
l.
“
DidNdumisosendy
out ocomeandgetme…do
y
ouworkforhi
m?Please,Guywi
ll
payyou”

“WhoisGuyandwhothehel
li
sNdumi
so…”
shout
edthedomi
nantone.

“
Putthegundownman.May bewegott
he
wrongf
lat
…”thet
inyguyspoke.

“
Nah,
shecameheret
osteal
,ourkeyopened
y
oudummy”thedomi
nantoneeject
ed.

“
Iwasn’
tst
..
”It
ri
edt
odef
endedmy
sel
f.He
t
ookouthi
sbel
t.

“
Tur
nar
ound,
”hedemanded.
“
What
?”myey
eswi
dened.Hescof
fed

“Don’tf
lat
tery
our
sel
f,
”hev
iol
ent
lypushedme
around.

“Justdon’
thur
therman,
may
beshecamet
o
clean,
”onesays.

“
Openy ourfuckin’mouth,
”hesay
s.Het
hen
i
nsert
edthebel tbetweenmyteet
handthen
f
asteneditatthebackofmyhead.“we’
l
l wai
t
f
orhim,”

“
Youknowhe’
sgoi
ngt
o…”

“
ShutupLanga,
”thesmal
lguy
’snamei
sLanga.
TheDomi nantguyt i
edmyhandsandf eetand
thenlockedmei nGuy ’
sroom.Hei sstupid,
anyonecoul descapethi
s,i
ncludi
ngme.Iwas
abletosetmy selfl
oose.Yes!Ofcourse,Iwasa
scoutinpri
mar yandIrememberl ear
ningabout
knotsandr opesorwhatever,nowonderitcame
sonat ur
all
y.

Judgi
ngfrom theloudchattercomingt hatside,
Iwouldsaytheyaredr i
nki
ngallofGuy ’
sbeers
andwatchingtv.Nowt heyareplayi
ngt hei
r
musicsoloud, whi
chonlyleadstot hem tr
ying
tospeakabov ethemusic.Letmej uststay
cal
m andwai tforGuy.Ihonestl
ydon’ thavethe
ri
ghttobemadatany onehere.I’
m abeggar .

Ithi
nkit
’spr
ettyclearnowthatt
heyknowGuy
andGuyobviouslyknowsthem.Imeant hey
hadthekeytohisf l
atso.
..
It
'sal
lgood.
Ther
ewasasuddensi
l
ence.

“Whatt
hehelli
shappeningher
e?”Guy!Guyis
back…t
hankheavens.“
AndwhereisRainbow?”

Ibangedont hedoor,“
Guy,I
’minhere.i
t’
s
l
ocked!”Ishouted.Guytot
herescue…agai
n.

Thedoorswungopen.

“
Didy
ouguy
slockheri
nher
e?”hel
ookedat
t
hem.

“
Wedon’tknowher,
”thedomi
nantspoke.“She
wastal
ki
ngaboutsomeguyandNdumi so…we
t
houghtshewasheretost
eal
orsomething,”
“No,
yout
houghtshewasher et
osteal
,Isai
d
shewasacl
eaner”Langaexemptedhi
mself
.

“
Ndumi
so?
”Guydi
rect
edt
hequest
ionatme.

“It
houghtt
hatmaybeNdumisohadsentthem
tocomelooki
ngforme,Ij
ustpani
cked,
I’
m
sorr
y”Isai
dandt
hesqueezedonmywr istto
concent
rat
emyenergy.

“Andyoubastar
ds!Whatthehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng
here?Thesuper
visorcal
l
edmetotell
meto
tur
ndownt hemusic,”

“
Shi
t!
”oneoft
hem cussedunderhi
sbr
eat
he.
“AndIfindmyhouselooki
ngli
keaf ucki
ng
taver
nand…”heshift
edhisweighttooneside.
“andyoulockedRai
nbowinsi
det heroom,my
guest?!
?”hetookonahigh-
pit
chedtone

“Wewerejusttr
yingtolookoutforyou,
”one
say
s.I
’m notevenlooki
ngatthem atthispoi
nt.
Myeyesarejustdiggi
ngintotheti
les.

“Shutup!”Guyr ai
sedhi svoice.Hel edme
i
nsidet heroom, “
Didt heydoany thi
ngt oyou,
”
hiseyest r
ail
edofftot hebeltandr opeont he
bed.“Whosebel tisthat?!?
!Heyy ou
bastards…getinhere,”hetookouthi sgun.
“wheredidy ouevengetaf uckingropeinthis
house? ”

“I
t’
sokay,t
heydi
dn’
tdoanythi
ng…”Igotahol
d
ofhisar
mt ot
ryandgethi
sattent
ion.
“Thenwhatthehel
li
sthatbel
tdoi
nghere,
did
thesemoronstr
yanyt
hing?”t
hepi
stol
was
point
ingatt
heguys.

“Nothinghappened!Wewoul dnev er,wej ust

ti
edherupandseal edhermout htomakesur e
shedidn’tdoanythi
ngf unny,”domi nantguy
spokef ort
hem.Nowt hatGuyi sher e,Icansee
thatheistheseconddomi nantbecauseGuy
overshadowsallofthem wi t
hj usthispresence.

“Youseal
edhermout
hwi
thaf
ucki
n’bel
t…get
out!
”

“Wehaveameet i
ngrememberaboutour
play
dat
e,”t
heotheronethathasn’
tsai
dawor d
si
ncehewalkedthroughthedoorpoi
ntedout
.
Nowt hatIkeepgl ancingatthe4oft hem,Ican
seethatthe2qui etonesar etwins.Andany
fool
coul dtel
lthathewasspeaki ngincode
seei
ngt hatIwast here.Imaygetal it
tl
eclumsy
sometimesandov erl
yf ear
fulbutIam not
dumb.

“Pl
us;wedidn’
tknowyouhadavisit
orover
.We
don’
tknowy outohav
evisi
tor
sasidefr
om Sam
and…”sai
dLanga

“Chewony ourfucki
ngtongue,
”Guysays
dismissi
vel
y.Thatstat
ementgotmyguts
twist
ingandthenthethoughtofhi
m act
ual
l
y
chewingonhistonguejustmakesthi
ngsworse.

“Haveyourmeet
ing,pl
ease…I’
m sorr
y.I
t’
sallmy
faul
tIwassupposedtoexplai
ntothem
proper
lybuti
nst
eadIfrozeandIthoughtabout
alotoft
hings,”Isai
d.Thelastt
hingIwantt
o
doisrui
nthingsforGuy,especi
all
ybusi
ness
wise.

“
Areyousur
ey ouar
eokay
?”heaskedpl
eadi
ng
wi
thmetotell
himthet
rut
hwithj
usthi
seyes.

“
Pinkypr
omi
se,
”Ibi
tonmyl
owerl
i
p.

“
Stayint
here,
I’
ll
bedoneher
einafew
minut
es,
”Iwentint
other
oom andst
ayedput
.

“Youfucki
n’bast
ards…maket
hisqui
ck,
”Ihear
d
him.

“
Boss,
”someonesay
s.“
Myguysay
sit
’sar
ri
vi
ng
t
omorr
ow,”
“That
’s3daysear
li
ert
hanexpected!What
happened?
”Guysoundsl
ikeheisinpani
c
mode.

“
Changeofpl
ans.Theyknowwear
eont
o
t
hem”oneoftheguyssays.

“Whatdowedonow?Weknowt heguy…butour
thi
ngsar
enotinor
derandwedon’thav
e
enoughti
metogett
hem i
norder
.”

“I’
l
ldoit
!”Yes,t
hati
sme…Ihavenoideawhat
cameov ermebutsomehow;Imanagedtoget
upf r
om thebedandwal
koutthedoorandj
oin
themeeting.
From whatIhear,
someguyisarr
ivi
ngwith
somethingandtheyneedt
otakeitf
rom hi
m.
Theissuei
sthati
tar
ri
ved3day
searl
i
ert
han
thei
rguyhadcommunicat
edwi
tht
hem.

“
Dowhat
?”Guyl
ookedatme.Thi
sisawkwar
d.

“Icangetwhat
everyouwanttogetf
rom t
he
many ouwanttogetitf
rom,
”Isai
d
nonchal
antl
y.

Dominantguychuckled,“
Lucky,
who’sthi
sgirl
,
”
It
ookagl anceathi
m andt henr
eali
zedthathe
wear
sskinnyjeans,heisnotworthasecondof
myti
me.

“Thenyou’l
lgetwhatwewantt ogetfrom the
man…Mi ss,pl
easegoinsi
dether oom andwait
forme,”GuysaysandIdon’tl
ikehisexpressi
on
andtone.Hewast otal
l
ybeli
tt
lingand
under
est
imat
ingme.

“I
’m ser
iousGuy,
”Iper
sist
ed.“
Look,
Idon’t
knowwhaty ouwanttogetbutcl
ear
lyyouare
al
ltoobusytomorrow.Iwil
lpi
cki
tupforyou.I
spendthewholedayhere;l
etmehel
p,”

“Doyouevenknowwhatwewantt
oget
?”one
ofthenasked.

Ishookmyhead, “butIknowthatwhat ev
erthi
s
i
s…i t
’sil
legal
,
”Isighedloudl
y.“AllIneedtodois
procurewhat ev
ery ouwant,i
t’
llbecleanand
quick.”

“pr
ocure…clean…”Guyspeaksagai
n,cl
ear
ly
condescendinganddismi
ssingmysuggest
ion
andidea.
“Okay,l
et’
sjustsay, hypotheti
call
yspeaki
ng;we
wanteddiamondsf rom t hi
sman, ”Langa
speaksandt heentiretimemyey eswerefi
xed
onGuyandofcour seIam squeezi ngmywr i
st
becauseIam freakingoutr ightnow.Idon’
t
knowwhat ’
shappeni ng.Iwill
havetorepl
aythis
momentl at
ertoday .“Howwoul dyou‘pr
ocure’
them?”

“
My sel
f…”Isai
d.Am Ieventhi
nki
ngstr
aight
?
Maybetoomuchj unkandtvmakesyougo
l
ooney.

“
Your
sel
f,
”Guyr
aisedoneey
ebr
ow.

“Yes…”Iconf
ir
med, “
I’
m pr
ett
y…Icanget
anythi
ngIwant.That
’showtheydoitont
v”
“So,
y outhinkj
ustbecauseyouaregood
l
ooking,aguythatworksforadangerousman-
amant owhom hehasswor nloy
alt
yto–wi l
l
j
ustgivey oudi
amondsbecausey oubatyour
eyel
ashesathim? ”sai
dGuy.

Inodded.“
Precise,
”Iresponded,
“Wel
lmaybe
notgiv
e,Icantakethem whenhe’snotl
ooki
ng,
”

“I
t’
snotabadidea…pl
usuBabawil
lki
l
lusalli
f
wedon’tgett
hem.Thi
sisouronl
yopti
on”one
ofthet
winssaid.

“
Yeah,i
t’
sahorri
blei
dea,
for
getaboutuBaba,
I’
ll
t
akecareofhi
m”Guysays.

“
No…Lucky
,thi
nkabouti
t,shecoul
djustbather
ey
es,dowhat
everhewant
s,may
begethi
m
dr
unk,
”

“
Andthenhedoeswhathewant
s,l
i
kehav
esex
wi
thher?
”Guycutsi
n.

“
Shewon’
tleti
tgett
othat
”sai
dthet
win

“
Whoi sBaba”Iasked.Ir
ememberguy
r
ecei
vingacallf
rom aBabathedayheki
l
led
t
hatguy.

“
Whoar
eyouagai
n?”askedt
hedomi
nantguy
.

“
I’
m Rai
nbow,
”Ir
espondedandhel
ookedatt
he
f
loor
.
Guyandhi sguy swentbackandf orthar
guing
aboutwhet herIshouldbeservedonasilver
platt
erf orat r
uckdri
vertohav emeashe
pleases, which–byt heway–i snotatallwhat
Iwaspr oposing.Al
lIwassay i
ngi s;
Iam pret
ty
andmay beit’
sabouttimeIstart
edusingthatto
myadv antage.Guyrefused;whichwasv er
y
fooli
shofhi m.Hetoldtheguyst ogohe’dcall
them tocomebackl ateraft
erhehadcomeup
withabet t
eridea.

“Letmedoit
,letmehel pyou,
”Isaidtaki
nga
nexttohi
mint hecouch.Heswitchedoffthet
v
andgavemehi satt
enti
on.

“
Noway,Mi
ss…”hesays.“
Ifanyt
hinghappens
t
oyou,
I’
dneverbeabl
etoforgi
vemy sel
f,
”

“
Not
hingwi
l
lhappent
ome,
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
”I
saidbeggingl
y.Isobadl
ywantedt
odothi
s.Not
onlytohelpGuy,butal
sotopr
ovetomy
self
thatIam notweakanddumb.

“
Isai
dno,
nowl
eti
tgopl
ease…”

“
Please,
”Ibegged

“
Isai
dno…”het
ookonanaggr
essi
vet
one

“
Youdon’tt
hinkIcandoi
t.
..
youar
escar
edI
’
ll
messt
hingsup,”

“Doyoublamemethough;
I’
mjustt
ryi
ngt
o
prot
ecty
ouhere!
”

“
Stop!Iam f
ine…l
etmepr
ovet
oyout
hatIam
f
ine,
”

“
Youar
enotf
ine,
Miss…”

“Andwhoar eyoutot
ellmethat
?Howt hehel
l
am Isupposedtobefi
neify
oudon’
tletmebe
fi
ne?”

“Yourf uckinghusbandusedyouasapunchi ng
bagf ory earsandy oucoul
dn’
tdoshi taboutit
,
whatmakesy outhi
nkyou’
deverbeabl etobat
yourey esatamanandgetav eryexpensive
andillegal product!
”hi
swordsjustr
ol l
edoutof
hismout hlikehehadbeenholdingthem infor
toolong.

“
Okay
,Iunder
stand,
”Iexhal
ed.“
Iwi
l
lbeint
he
r
oom,
”thatwasveryhurt
ful
.Ir
emember
edall
ofNdumi so’
swords,maybeIam j ustnotgood
enough.Evenmybeaut ycan’
thelp.Unless,I
j
uststandandmakesomeoneel sel ookgood.I
stoodtoexcusemy sel
f.

“
Thatcameoutwr
ongMi
ss,
Ipr
omi
se.
”

“Itisokay, Iunder stand…”Il efthim.Ishoul dbe

madatGuy ,
butIcan’ t.Ican’ tbemadathi m
becausehei smyhel perandhei sdoi ngmea
hugef avourf orev enl etti
ngmest ayher ewi t
h
him.Ishoul dapol ogizet ohimf orbei ngf or
ward
andst upid.Icoul dhav eruinedbusi nesst hi
ngs
forhim.Iwentbackt ot helivingroom and
foundanempt ycouch.Ihear dclatteringinthe
kitchenandIf ollowedt hesound.If oundhi m
thereopeni ngabot t
leofbeer .“
Guy ,Ijustwant
toapol ogizef orwhatIdi d.Idon’tknowwhat
cameov ermet hinkingIcoul ddot hatki ndof
t
hing.I
’
m sor
ry…”

“Notthatyoucan’
tdoit,
Iknowy oucan.Ij
ust
don’
twanty ouget
tinghurt
,”Inodded,
smil
ed
andthenlefthi
m.

Ijustneedsomeonet obel i
ev einme.That ’sall
.
AndIwantGuyt obeabl etor elyonme.Iwant
torepayhi mf orhel
pingmeandj ustfeell
ikeI
belongsomewher e.Somewher ewher eIcando
somet hingri
ghtandj ustbeapar tofsomet hing,
apar tofagr oupofpeopl eandj ustfeelnormal .
Iwantt obelongsomewher eandknowpeopl e,
l
iketrulyknowt hem andnotbescar edofwhat
theycoul ddot ohurtme.Ij ustdon’ twantt obe
anout castinthisworld.Itsucks, Iwoul d
know…I ’
v ebeenanout castsi ncemybr other
died.
#bonusi
nser
t
PLEASESHARE♡
don'
tev
ersayInev
ercamet
hroughf
ory
'al
l

I
NSERT9

BOOM

I
nter
ject
ion

1.Usedt
osuggestt
hesoundofanexpl
osi
on

2.Usedtosuggestsomethi
nghappeni
ng
suddenl
yandunexpectedl
y

“
Miss,
”If
eltav
erysof
tanddel
i
ber
atet
apon
myshoulderwhichpull
edmeoutofthedeep
sl
eepIwasi n.IopenedmyeyesandsawGuy
standi
ngoverme.Hel ooksmorni
ngf
resh.“
Sit
up!”hecommanded.

“Di
dIdosomet
hingwrong?
”Iqui
ckl
ysatup.I
don’
twantt
oupsethi
m.

“
Tel
lmeabouty
ouri
deaagai
n?”hedemands.

“
Idea?”whatthehel
li
st hi
sguytal
kingaboutat
t
histi
meoft hemorning.”
Guy,whatti
meisit?”I
y
awned.

“I
t’
s2am.Nowtellmehowy ouwerepl
anni
ng
on‘pr
ocur
ingt
hisproduct
’,
”hemadeimagi
nar
y
i
nvert
edcommaswi thbothhands
“
Thediamonds”hecockedhi
sheadtot
hesi
de,
“
Iknowyouwanttogetdiamonds,
Guy”

“
Howdi
dyouknowt
hat
?”heasked.

“Yourguy,thesmall guy .Hecr eateda

hypothet
icalscenari
oandhy potheti
cal
scenari
osar eusuall
yt her ealscenari
os,”his
eyesheldmi neinplace.“ Theidea, t
hereisn’
t
mucht oitreal
ly,Ij
ustgetup, standbythesi de
oftheroad,oneofy ourguy sgivesmeaheads
upwhenhi scarisappr oachingandt henboom”

“
Boom.Whati
sboom?
”hi
sfor
eheadcr
eased

“
Boom i
s;Igofori
t,I
’
m adamsel
indi
str
essi
na
l
i
ttl
eshor
tdress.Whywoul
dn’
thest
op?”
“
Whywoul
dn’
tot
hercar
sst
op?
”

“
BecauseIwil
lcomeoutf
rom myhi
dingspot
whenyourboy
sgivemeasignal
,
”

“Youwi l
lhav eali
steningdev iceony ou,you
hearme, ”Inoddedexci t
edly.“ Iwill
beabl eto
heary ouandt hesamegoesf ory ou.Iwi l
lmake
sureI’
m cl osebysoI ’
mt herewheny ouar e
done,”Inoddedagai n.“Safewor disCOOKI ES;
i
fev eryouwantt obackoutj ustsayt hatword
andIwi llcomeandgety oumy sel
f,arewe
clear?
”Inodded.“ Ineedt oheary ousayy ou
understandMi ss,arewecl ear? ”

“
Yes,
cry
stal
,
”

“
Getr
eady
,”heexi
ted.
Igotready.Andbel
ievei
tornotIworethe
yell
owf l
oraldr
essGuygotformewithsparkl
y
bri
ghtsandalsandjoi
nedthem i
ntheli
ving
room.

“I
sthatwhatyouarewear
ing?
”Thedomi
nant
guyasked.Inodded.

“Don’
tyout
hinkthatmay
beyoushouldwear
somethi
ngsexy,
may bel
ook…Idon’
t
know…sexy
,”hesays.

“Hey, dudewiththetights,what
’sy
ourname?”I
l
ookedathi m hopefull
ymygazegi v
esoffsome
i
nt i
mi dati
on.I
fIwantt obebadassImayas
wellpr act
icewiththi
sdi ck.Hi
sent
ourage
giggled.
“
Smi
l
o,”hesay
s.

“
whatdoy
ousuggestIwear
?”Iasked.
“Idon’
tknow,
maybeputonsomelipst
ick.Wear
high-
heel
sandmaybebum shor
ts,
”sostupid.

“Okay,Justi
nBieber.Iam alostgi
rlandnota
l
osthooker …Ineedtolookli
keanact uall
ostgir
l.
Myt hi
ghsar eoutandsoar emyboobs.You’ ve
beendr ool
i
ngov erthem si
nceIcameoutand
nottoment ionmyface,Iam prett
y…jackpot
!”

“
She’
sgood…”Langasai
d.

“Thi
nkwit
hwhat’
sinyourheadJust
inBieber
,
notwhat
’siny
ourpant
s,it
’stoosmal
l,
”Idri
ft
ed
mygazet
oGuy
,“I
’
mready
,”

“Boys, l
et’
sgettowor k”Guysaidandt hey
start
edmov i
ng.Thatwasbadass.Il ikedthat
girl
,sheshouldv i
sitmor eoft
en.Mybl oodis
boil
ing,Iam scaredy etIam soreadytoshow
guyt hatIam mor ethanjustanabusedgi r
l.I
candot hi
ngs.Iwanthi mtoseemeandbel i
eve
i
nme.

Hereweare.I’
m am ter
ri
fiedtot
hebones;I
wanttoshout‘COOKIES’butIal
sowantto
pr
ovemy sel
f.There’
snobackingoutnow.
We’r
edoingthis.
“IGOTHIM.HEI
SNOTINATRUCK;
IREPEAT
WEARENOLONGERAFTERATRUCK; BUT
AFTERABLACKISUZUKB,
RAI
NBOW YOUGOT
THAT,”
“No,
whatisaKB?”Idon’
tknowcar
s…Ij
ustI
don’
t.I
’
m pani
cki
ng;whati
fImessi
tup?

“KB,
4-by
-4….
HMMM 250D-
TEQ,
IT’
SADOUBLE
CAB,”

“Engl
ishpl
ease,
ist
hatt
henumberpl
ate?
”I
askedinpani
c.

“
MI SS,
THISI
SGUY…I
T’SABLACKVANI
THAS
4DOORSANDANOPENBOOT.YOUWON’ T
MISSIT,
”

“Igotyou,
”Isqueezedonmywr i
stwil
li
ngthe
feari
nmychestt odisappear
.‘Br
eatheinand
out’
,Ij
ustkeptchanti
ngtomy sel
f.
“
MI SS,
”that
’sGuy
’sv
oiceagai
nthr
ought
his
t
hinginmyear.

“
I’
m her
e,”

“ICANHEARTHATYOU’
RESCARED.YOU
KNOW YOUCANPULLOUTANYTI ME,
”Guyis
beingt
oosof
tonmeandIdon’
tneedt
hatr
ight
now.

“Ihav en’tsaidthewor dsoI’

m stil
li
n…”Iwas
determi nedt ofini
shthismissi
onort askor
what ever .Ipl
annedi t
,cameupwi ththeidea
andt ookchar gesoIneedtof i
nishit
.IfI
chickenout ;I
’m ki
ll
ingmyselfl
ater.

“
IWI
LLBERI
GHTHERE…”
“
Guy
,st
op!
”Isai
dst
ernl
y.

“OKSTARTCOMI NGOUT, ”sai

doneoftheguys.
Ist
oodupfr
om thelonggoldengrassand
mademywayt owardstheroad.I
t’
s3:40inthe
morni
ngsotherei
sn’talotofcar
spassinghere.
Ther
eismycar…Icountedmy sel
fdown…

“
3…2…………….
1”

“Boom!”Guysaidexact
lywhatIwast hi
nking.
BOOM!Iwentf ori
t.Iwavedaroundandl ooked
scaredandlost
…Imadei tsoveryclearthatI
wast al
ki
ngtohim andnooneel se.Hesl owed
down…jackpot,
hestoppedrightnexttome.

“Whati
salovelyl
adyli
keyoudoi
ngouther
e
al
one?”heaskedwit
hat hi
ckcol
our
edaccent
.
“Ir
anawayfr
om myboy fr
iend,coul
dyougive
mealif
tpl
ease…”theenti
retimehiseyeswere
onmychest,hewasbit
ingonhi sli
psl
ikehow
heisi
magini
ngbit
ingonmi ne.

“
Aren’
tyouscar
edofst
ranger
sli
tt
lemi
ssy
,”

“WhatcanIsay?Ilov
eanadv ent
ure…andI’
d
appr
eciat
eonerightnowkindgentl
eman,”I
smil
edseducti
vely
.Mymot ocomingherewas,
DOITLIKEINTHEMOVI ES.

“Wel
l,hopi
n,
”hesmi r
ked.Wellwel
lwel
l
…I’
m
nott
hatbadatt
his.IguessIcanonl
ysayt
hat
onceI
’vepr
ocur
edt hediamonds.

“
What
’sy
ournamesexy
?”t
heonl
ythi
ng
keepi
ngmef r
om jumpi ngoutofthi
sv anis
knowi
ngthatthemot orbi
kebehindusi swit
h
meandGuyi sli
steninginonmepar ked
somewhereinhistaxi.

“Youdon’tneedtoknowmyname, i
t’
ll
bemor e
fun…inthatwayI’
l
lalwaysbethatgi
rli
nthe
yell
owdr essandyou’
llal
waysbetheguyinthe
blackvan,”

“Fuck!Yousurear eanadv entur

e!”hecried.I
l
ookedathi m andsmi l
ed.Hemadeat urnatthe
garage.“Letmegetsomest rongdrinks,
”he
hoppedout ,t
hrewonhi sjacketandt henstuck
hishandunderhi sseat
.Hecameoutwi tha
blackli
tt
lebag,itl
ookedreal l
yfancysoIt ookit
thatwasmygoodi ebag.

“
What
’si
nther
e?Di
amonds?
”Iaskedsmi
l
ing.A
ghostofshockv
isi
tedhi
sfaceandt
henqui
ckl
y
passed.

“
Not
hingy
ouneedt
owor
ryy
our
sel
fbeaut
’”

“
BEAUT”Guyr
epeat
edwhathesai
doutof
mocker
y.

“Gi
vemeami nute,
”heshutthedoorand
marchedi
nsi
detheconveniencestor
e.I
exhal
edandbiti
ntomylowerlip.

“
SHOULDICOMEANDGETYOU?
”Guyasked.

“
No,
Icandoi
t…I
’
m okay
,”

“
I’
M RI
GHTBEHI
NDYOURAI
NBOW”sai
dthe
t
winonamot
orbi
ke.

“
Makesur
ehedoesn’
tseey
ou…”Iwar
ned

“HEYTONEITDOWNONTHESEXYTALKI NG,
DON’TTHROW YOURSELFATHI
M,”Guysay
s.

“LUCKY,SHE’
SDOI
NGGREAT,
”Bi
kerguy
defendedme.

“Thanky
ou,
nowshutup!
”heswungt
hedoor
open.

“You’r
est i
l
l her
e”hesai
dev
erso
enthusiast
icall
y.

“
Ihav
en’
thadmyadv
ent
urey
et,
”Igr
abbedt
he
bottl
eofJohnnywal kerandhel dittomyl ap.
Afterhest arteddrivi
ng;Iturnedther adioand
switchedt hrought hechannelsunt i
lIfoundone
withsoul ballads,“Il
ovethissong,”Ilightl
y
fol
dedmyl owerlipbetweenmyt eethandt hen
all
owedi ttosl ipoutslowlywhilemyey esheld
hisinplace.

“I
’m dr
ivi
ng…becareful
,
”hesaidst
ret
chi
nghi
s
handforwardtowardsthebot
tl
e.Whi
chIgl
adl
y
openedforhim.

“Wel
lthen,whydon’ty
ouparksomewhere?
”my
handtravel
l
edacrossandr
estedontopofhis
dust
ybl uej
eans.

“
Areyoufr
om heav
en?
”heaskedt
ryi
ngsohar
d
t
oconcent
rat
eontheroad.
“Imi
ghtbe,”myhandslowlywentinbet
ween
hist
highsandt
henf i
nal
lystoppedathi
s
manhood.Hegrunted.

“Letmestopthecar
,”hestoppedont
hesideof
theroad,
Ijumpedovertohissi
deandsatri
ght
ontopofhishardmanhood.

“WHOO…LOOKSLIKESHITI
SABOUTTOGO
DOWN,”sai
dBi
kerGuy.

“RAINBOW, SAYTHEFUCKI NWORD! ”Guy

demanded.Icamet oofartoqui
t.I’
mi nav anin
themiddl
eofnowher ewithastr
anger .Nah!
Guymustf orget
.Hesqueezedmybut tagainst
hispenni
s,hisbreat
hingwasgetti
ngl ouderand
outofcontrol
.Iwonderwhatwil
lhappent ohim
whenheactual
l
yinser
tshi
speni
sinsi
deofme;
whi
chwon’tbehappeni
ng.

“Here,haveadri
nk,”hedangledt hebottl
eright
i
nf r
ontofmyf ace.Ihaven’thadalcoholin
year
s.IstoppedwhenNdumi sostart
edhitt
ing
me.Asi defr
om thefactthatIdidn’twant
Ndumi sototakeadvantageofme, Ial
so
searchedforheali
ngatthebot tom ofwine
bott
lessowhenIcoul dn’tfi
nditinone, I
poppedopenanot herone.

“SHEDOESN’ TDRINK,MI SS,YOUDON’ T

DRINK…”Guysay sinpanic.Heismakingthi
s
veryhardforme,heisdistr
acti
ngmeand
dist
urbi
ngme.“ THAT’SIT,SIPHOSHECAN’ T
DOTHI S.PULLHEROUT…PULLHEROUTNOW.
IKNEW WESHOULDN’ THAVEMADEHERDO
THIS…PULL…”wegotdi sconnectedbecauseI
pull
edouttheearpi
eceandt hrewitoutt
he
windowwhileImadesur ethatthi
sfoolwas
occupi
ed.Itookoffhi
sjackedwhilehe
unbutt
onedmydr essreveali
ngmychest .

“Wow…”hecr i
edburyinghisfacei
nmychest .I
usedthatoppor
tunit
yt ot
hrowhisjacketoutt
he
window.IknowbikerGuywi l
lseei
tandt akei
t.

“
Hol
don,
”Isai
d.

“
What?Comeon…”hetr
iedt
ost
ickhi
shand
i
nsi
demyunder
wear.

“Heyheyhey…i
t’
sanadvent
uredon’
trushint
oit
.
Ineedtopee…j
ustgi
vemeasecondokay …”
“
Okay
,hur
ryup.Iwantt
otearupt
hatpussy
,”

“Justkeept heenginer unni

ng,”Ihoppeddown
andnonchal antlywalkeddownl eavingthecar
behindme.Icoul dhearhim grunti
ngfrom
mast urbati
ng,Fool!IcanseeBi kerguy,Guyjust
call
edhi m Sipho.Andhehadt hejacket
.He
wav editatme, Irantohi m asfastasIpossibl
y
could.Thatmot herfuckerisbusykeepingthe
‘
engi nerunning’hewon’ tevenseemer unning
away .

“
Youokay
?”heasked.

“Go!”suddenl
yIgotreal
lyscar
ed.WhenIwasi n
acti
on;Iwasokay,every
thi
ngwasgood, my
bloodwasboili
ngbecauseofthethr
il
lofital
l
.I
madeoutwi thastr
anger.
“Igother
!”hedr
ov etheopposi
tedir
ect
ion.The
vanguycameoft hecarandstart
edshootingat
us;butwewerealreadytoofar
.

“Dr
ivef
asteri
ncasehecomesbackf
orus…”I
sayhol
dingonti
ghtt
oSipho.

“Don’twor r
y,”hestoppedthebi keandhopped
off,
gr abbedmyhandanddr aggedmet hr ough
thegrass.Wer anhand-i
n-hand, cut
ti
ngt hrough
thegrasswi thhoneydewl eavinguswet .Ifinal
l
y
sawGuy ’
staxi.Guygotoutandappr oachedus
fur
iously.

“
Whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?!?
!”heshout
ed.

“
Boom,
”Isai
dshov
ingt
hel
i
ttl
efancybl
ackat
hischest
.“Ohandt hanksforthevoteof
confi
dence.Youreall
ygav emeaboostout
ther
e”Iatt
emptedt ogetintothetaxibuthe
huggedmyar m wit
hhi sbighands.

“Whathappened?Di
dyouhav
etof
uckhi
m?”he
asked.

“Real
ly
?!?Thatisal
lyou’
reworr
iedabout
?”I
saidamidhuff
ingandpuffi
ng.

“Andwhatthefuckwerey
outhi
nki
ngthr
owi
ng
awayyourearpi
ece?Whatwast
hatoneofy
our
bri
ghti
deas?Boom? ”

“Icoul
dn’
tconcent
rat
ewit
hyoubringingme
down,tel
l
ingmeIcannotdoit
,wel
l Ididi
t,y
ou
dumbass”Itr
iedtofr
eemysel
ffr
om hi sgr
ipbut
her
esi
sted.

“AllI
’m sayi
ngis,i
twasast upi
didea,”hegotup
close.“Youget
t i
ngall
touchyandfeelywi t
hthat
dickandt henl
osingyourearpi
ece.Icouldn’
t
heary ouanymore,”

“
Don’tworr
y,Ienj
oyedev
eryt
hinghedi
d…”he
r
eleasedmeandIjumpedint
ot het
axi
.

FuckGuy ,t
hisonlyjustprov esthathedidn’t
all
owmet odot hi
sbecauseheknewIcoul ddo
Itbutbecausehehadnoot herchoice.Idon’t
carewhathehasdonef orme, r
ightnowIam at
l
ibert
ytobemadandangr yathi m.Langagav e
uphisjacketformewhi chIgl adlytook.Idon’t
knowwhyGuydeci dedt oseatnextt omebutI
wasn’tgiv
inghimt hetimeofday .Thisbastard
didn’
tevensayt hankyou, Igothisstupid
di
amonds.NowBaba–whoev
erhei
s–won’
t
ki
l
lthem.

“
Lucky
,”t
het
windr
ivi
ngcal
l
ed.

“
Don’
tsayany
thi
ng,
”Guysay
sst
ernl
y

“Youwer eabithar
shthere,
don’ty
outhi
nk?
”he
saidandIletoutaloudscofft
hengav
eGuya
dir
tylook.

“Shewaswayt ooin…shehasneverdonethis
before,nowshe’sallupi
nhereacti
ngl i
kesome
witt
ysleekandslybadass,”sai
dGuy .Theydo
knowt hatI
’m hereri
ghtandIcanhearthem?

“
Ormay
beshe’
sjustawi
tt
ysl
eekandsl
y
badass.Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom her
?”

“
Yeahno!she’
snotanyoft
hat
,”hel
ookedat
me.

“
Wow,”Ist
oodandlocat
edanotherseat
.
“
You’
rewelcomebytheway
,”Icli
ckedmy
t
ongue.

“
What
ever
,Mi
ss!
”heal
socl
i
ckedhi
stongue.

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT10

KI
SS
Ver
b

1.Totouchwitht
helipsorpresstheli
ps
agai
nst,usual
l
ytoexpressloveoraff
ecti
onor
passi
on,oraspartofagreeti
ng

2.Oftwoormorepeople,
totoucheachot
her
’s
l
ipstoget
her
,usual
lyt
oexpresslov
eor
aff
ecti
onorpassi
on

Uponget t
inghome, Guydidn’
thavemucht o
sayandsodi dI.Itookashowerandgotr eady
forbed.Hehadsomebeerandwat chedtv.I’
ve
noti
cedhowhel i
keswatchingdocumentaries
oncriminalsanddruglor
dset c.
,i
tnevermade
sense,asoflatel
y,afewthingsarestar
ti
ngt o
makesense.
I’
m havingchal
lengessl eepi
ngknowingthat
GuyandIar efi
ght i
ng,soIgatheredmypr i
de
andj oi
nedhimint heli
vingroom.Itookaseat
besidehimtowhi chhedi dn’
tevenfli
nch.I
twas
asifIwasn’tev
ent her
e.

“
Thi
sischi
l
dish?
”Isai
dtur
ningt
ofacehi
m.
“
Whichpart,
theonewhereyouthrewoutthe
l
i
steni
ngdeviceorthepar
twhereyoufucked
t
hatbast
ard?”hesayswit
hhiseyesgl
uedt o
t
hetvscr
een.

“Canyoul ookatmeplease?”Isaid.Hegl anced

atmet henbackatthet vscreen.“Guy,It
hrew
outtheli
steningdevi
cebecausey ouhadno
fai
thinme, youwerediscouragingmeont he
j
ob.AndIdi dn’tf
uckhim?”hel ookedatme, thi
s
ti
met herewasal i
tt
leli
ghtinhisey es.
“
Youdi
dn’
t?”heasked.Ishookmyhead,“But
y
ousai
dyoulikedever
ythi
nghedidt
oy ou?”

“Becausey
oumademeangr
yforev
en
assumingthat
”

“
Nowt
hat
’sbei
ngchi
l
dish.
..
”

“Youdoknowthaty
ouowemeanapol
ogy
,ri
ght
?
Youarewrong,
notme?
”

“I
’
m wr ongf
ort
ryi
ngt
opr
otecty
ou?
”hi
sjaws
cl
inched.

“
Goodni
ghtGuy ,
”Ist
oodtomakemywayt othe
r
oom.Clear
ly,
Iwon’tgetany
wherewi
thhim.
“
Youknow,forsomeonewho’sbeent
ryi
ngto
convi
ncemehowstr
ongandsmar
tIam, y
ou
suredoknowhowt
okeepmecaged,gr
owup
Guy”Il
efthi
m.

Guy’ssideofthebedwasst il
lmadewhenI
openedmyey es.Icanhearhim singinginthe
kit
chen–asusual –alov esong.Icanal so
smellfood.Iwentintothebat hr
oom t owash
myf aceandbr ushmyt eethandt henIwentto
thekit
chenandf oundhi m danci
ngov ert
he
stoveshir
tl
ess.

“
Goodmor ni
ng,
”Ijumpedont hecount
erand
watchedhi
m pr
eparebreakf
ast,whi
chIthi
nki
s
l
ikeanapol
ogy,butweshallsee.

“
Hey
,Mi
ss…y
ouhungr
y?”heasked
“
Ver
ymuch,
thef
oodsmel
l
sgr
eat
,”

“Alr
ight
!”hi
svoi
cetookonasingsongtone.He
star
tedchoppi
ngcucumberr
ightbesi
deme.

“You’
remaki ngasalad?”Iaskedav er
yst upi
d
questi
on.Ijustwanttokeept heconversati
on
goinghereandhopef ul
l
ygett othepartwher e
heapologizes.

“Yeah,
”henodded.“
Ohfuck!
”whenIl
ooked
down,Isawthathehadcuthi
msel
f.

“Shi
t!I’
m sorry…I
’
llcar
ryon.”Iatt
empt edtogo
downbutf ail
edbecausei ti
seasiertocli
mbup
thaniti
stogodown.Hepul ledthedrawer
beneathmeandpul l
edoutaf i
rst-
aidkit
contai
ner.“Letmehelp,”Iopenedmyhandst o
whi
chheputhi
shand.“
It
’sj
ustacut,y
ouwon’
t
di
e,
”Isai
dwipi
ngt
heblood.Hechuckl
ed.

“Boy,am Igladtoknowthat …”Guysmellsreall

y
nice.Il
ookedathim buthisey esaregl
uedt o
whatI ’
m doi
ng.Thenhisey esshotupcatching
meof fguard.Iqui
cklyl
ookedathi shand
resti
nginmyhand.“ Ouch!Car ef
ul!
”hewinced.

“I
’
m sorr
y,Ij
ustneednopr
essoni
tal
i
ttl
e…i
ts
quit
edeep,
”

“Doy ourt
hingMi ss,
”hesaysmovinghishead
closertogiv
et hecutaproperl
ook.Guyisreal
l
y
closetome; Icanhearandfeelhi
s
breathi
ng…andt hen,Idi
dthemoststupi
dthing
i
nt heworld.
“
I’
m sosor
ry…”Icov
eredmymout
hwi
thmy
hand.“Thatwasst upid,
whatthefuckwasI
thinki
ng….”Iam panicki
ngmyshitout.If
ucki
ng
kissedhim.Iki
ssedGuy ,
whattheactual
fuckinghell
!

“Mi
ss,i
tsokay
…”hesai
dasIat
tempt
edt
ojump
down.

“
Hel
pmedownpl
ease…”

“ForChri
stsakeMi ss, couldy oujustplast erme
upandst oppani cking, ”hesay s.“
Cal m down…”
Inodded.“I’
m goi ngt ogot ot hebat hr
oom and
getsomepl ast
er,will youpleasest ayher e?”he
rai
sedaney ebr
owal mostbeggi ngme.He
knowsIcan’ tgoany wher e,unlessI’m brav e
enoughtol etmy selff all
.Inoddedany way .The
minutehedi sappear edi ntothecor nerIexhal ed.
Whatthef uckwasIf uckingthinking?I’m such
afucki
ngfuck!I’
m stupi
danddumbandst upi
d
andgoodfornot hi
ngbutrui
ningthings.Guyis
sogoodtome, whywouldIruinthatbykissi
ng
hi
m?Whyt hef uckwouldIdot hat?Hecame
backandhandedmeapl ast
er.

“Thanky ou”Isai
dundermybr eat
hwi thmy
facedown.“ AndI’m sor
ryagain…stup…”the
nextthingIfel
twer eGuy’
slipsallovermine.He
hadhi sbehindmyneckandoneonmyt high.
Hest oppedandl ookedatmekeepi ngmyey es
i
npl ace.Ifeeldi
zzy.

“Now, we’
reeven”hesaid.Inodded
again…”Now,canyoucov erthatupsoIcan
fi
nishupwi t
hbreakfast
,”Icovereduphiscut
andt henheconti
nuedmaki ngbr eakf
ast.I
decidedtogoandbat he,whatthehellwasI
supposedtodowi ththatawkwar denergy?
whichIthinki
sonlycomi ngfr
om me.Guyis
j
ustnormal asperusual.Guyhasagir
lf
ri
endor
possi
blyawi f
e..
.GuyhasachildandIdon’
t
wanttor ui
nhisfamil
y.Idon’
twanttobea
homewr ecker
.

Afterbreakfastwegotr eadyt ogooutt or un

someer r
ands.Her anal otofer rands, stopping
atfancyhot elstodr opof fenvelopesandonl y
Godknowswhatel se;thenourl astst opwas
thetaxirank.Heaskedmet ostandout side
whilehespokewi t
hMhl ongo.Isatwi thsome
ofthedr i
vers,theyt ri
edt omakesmal l
conversation,butIcoul dhar dl
yunder standhalf
ofwhatt heywer esay i
ng, Isweart heywer e
speakingint axidri
v erli
ngo; so,tosomet hingsI
j
ustsmi ledandnodded.I ’
m al i
ttl
edi stracted
though,it’
sthatguyagai n.TheoneIsawt he
l
astt i
meIwasher e.Hei satadi stance
l
aughingwi t
hhi sacquai ntances, heturnedt o
mydi r
ect i
onandcaughtagl impseofme.He
alsost aredatmef orasecondort wo.If orceda
l
ittlesmi l
ewhi chhedi dnotreciprocat e.Hej ust
startedwal kingaway …Ifoll
owedhi m.Icoul d
heart hedr i
v er
scalli
ngoutmynamebutI
blockedt hem out ,myfocusi sont hisguy .I
swearIknowhi m andheknowsmet oo;Ican
seei tinhisey es.Hispacekeepsi ncreasingby
themi nut eandsoi smi ne.Hel ookedbackand
sawme, hest ar
tedwalkingfast erthanbef ore.
Whyi sher unningaway ?DidIdosomet hing
wr ongt ohim?Ist art
edr unningandj ustt r
ying
myhar destbestt obepol i
teasIcutt hrough
thesepeopl e.ThenIcolli
dedwi thanot herbody
andcamet oast op.

“
Wher
ethehel
lar
eyougoi
ng?
”it
’sGuy
.

“
Wai
t,I
’
mlosi
nghi
m”hehel
dmyar
m asI
at
tempt
edt
ofol
l
owt
hemy
ster
yman.

“
Youarenotgoi
ngany
wher
e.Whoar
eyou
l
ooki
ngfor
?”

“
Theguy,t
heguyIbumpedi
ntot
hel
astt
ime,
he
washer
eandhesawme…”

“Miss,
he’
sahobo,
hest
aysher
ewi
thhi
sfel
l
ow
hobos”

“
Ifeel
li
keIknowhi
m.”

“
Weneedt ogobackhomeandpack.We’
re
l
eav
ing…”hetookmyhandanddr
aggedmei n
t
heopposi
tedir
ect
ion.
“
Wher
earegoing?
”IaskedasIf
oll
owedhi
m
l
i
keastr
aydog.

“Home, t
oseemyfamily
.It
’smymom’ s
bir
thdaytomorr
ow…Icomplet
elyf
orgotabouti
t
andshewi l
lki
l
lmeifIdon’
tcomehome”

Okay ,whenwegethome; Iwilli

nsi
stthatIstay
behind.Idon’
twanttor ui
nhi sti
mewi thhis
family.WegothomeandIt ookagentleseaton
thebedandwat chedhi mt akeouthisclothes,
carefull
yhandpi
cki
ngt hem andf i
xi
ngdi ff
erent
outfi
tsashewental ong.Hel ookedatme.“ Why
aren’tyoupacki
ng?”heasked.

“Idon’
tthi
nkIshoul
dgo,
letmest
aybehi
nd…”I
said.
“
Why ?”hecameandstoodri
ghti
nfrontofme.
“
It
’ssafert
hereandIt
hinkmyfamil
ywilll
i
ke
y
ou,”

“Idon’twanttorui
ny ourti
mewi t
hy ourfamily
.
From whaty ousaid;
Ipickedupt hatit’
sa
tradit
ionforyoutobewi t
hy ourfamilyony our
mom’ sbir
thday
,Idon’tt
hinkbringingast r
anger
wi l
lsuff
ice,
”

“
Iwi
llpackyourt
hingsmy
sel
fandcar
ryy
out
o
t
hecar,
”Ismil
ed.

“
Fine,
Iwil
lpack”Ididn’
tputupmuchofafi
ght
.
Heconti
nuedpackingandIgotst
art
edwit
h
mine.

“
Her
e,”hegav
emet
woA4br
ownenv
elopes.I
openedandi
tsawR200not
esi
nbundl
es.

“
Whatshoul
dIdowi
tht
his?
”Iasked.

“I
t’
sy ourcut,y
ou’v
eearnedi t
,”mycut …ohwait
!
He’spay i
ngmef orgett
ingthediamonds.Igot
paid…nowIcanpayhi mf orhelpinghi
m.May be
Icanev enworkforhim andsav eupsome
money ,thengetmyownpl aceandj uststar
t
over.

“Thanky ou,
pleasetakeit
.It
’smypayment
…”I
extendedmyar mforwar
ddangli
ngthe
envelopesinfrontofhi
m.

“
Pay
ment
?”
“
Forhel
pingme,f
orsavingme,andforgi
vi
ng
meaplacetost
ay…Iknowit’
snotenoughbut
…”

“
Keepi
t,y
oudon’
tneedt
opayme,
”

“
Please,
I’
ll
feel
bet
ter
…”

“
I’
ll
feel
bad,
”

“Fi
ne,thanky ou…”I ’
m sopr oudofmy self
.I
don’tknowhowmuchIhav ei nmybank
accountbutItswaaaaaaymor ethanthis.But
thi
slit
tlecasht hatcan’tevenaf for
dmea2
weeks’ vacat
ionandashoppi ngspreeinPar is
j
ustmakesmesohappy .Iwor kedforit.I
tjust
givesmehopet hatIam get ti
ngsomewher e,
thatIam notusel essorasdumb…and
somet i
mesIneedt oletmyf earpushmet odo
theunthi
nkabl
e.IknowwhatIdi
dwasil
legal
,
butwhocaresyouknow.Weallneedt
ogetby .
“Guy,mayIsaysomethi
ng?”

“Sur
e,Miss,speakyourmind…”hesatdownon
thebedandgav emehi sundi
videdatt
enti
on.I
l
ikethataboutGuy,
hel ooksatmewhenIt al
k,
heli
stens…hemakesmef eeli
mportant
.
“Iknowthatyouhaveagirl
fr
iend…oralover”I
said,“
andIfeelbadaboutki
ssingyou,Ican
apologi
zetoherifyoudeci
detot el
lher…”I
rambled.

Helookedatmewi t
hconfusi
on.“Ihav
ea
gir
lf
ri
end?Oralover
?”Inoddedrepeat
edl
y.
“And…andyouknowher?”heasked.

“
Sam,
yout
alkt
oheral
lthet
imeandy
ousay
youlov eher …andy ousmilegenuinelywhenyou
tal
kt oher ,whichmeansy oumustr eal
lyl
ove
her…ory outhi
nky oudo,Idon’tknow…whatt he
fuckisl oveany way?…I’
m sorr
y”Istopped
my selffrom ramblinganyfurt
her.Het ooka
l
ongbr eatheinandt henrubbedhisf or
eheadas
heslowl yexhal ed.

“Idolov eher;youarerightaboutthat.She’s
amaz ing…”hesmi l
ed.Ibi tonmyl i
pandt hen
heldont ighttomywr istwaiti
ngforhimt o
speak.Hest oodupsoIhadt oti
ltmyhead
backal i
tt
letohaveapr operviewofhi sface.
Het ookmyhand.“ Miss,”hechuckled.“Il
ove
Sam v erymuchbecauseshei smyl it
tlegir
l,my
daught er,she’
s6”

“
Iknow,andt
hat
’swhyI
’m apol
ogi
zi
ngf
or
messi
ngupwhatseemstobeagood
rel
ati
onship…I
’m sur
eshemustl oveyoudearly
tooand…”Iclosedmyey es,Guy’
swordsj ust
repl
ayedinmyhead.“ Di
dy ousayshe’
sy our
daughter
?”henodded.“Likeyourbaby,
your
chil
d.You’
reaf at
her…”

“Yes,Ihavea16-y
ear
-ol
dsont
oobytheway
,
stubbornbutIl
ovehi
m.Youwi
llseet
hem…”

“Youhavechi
ldren?Notagi
rl
fri
end…Sam isin
fact
,ali
tt
legi
rl,
towhom you’
reafather
,”Ifeel
a
l
itt
leembarr
assed.Hecuppedmyf acei
nhi s
hands.

“
Idon’
thav
eagi
rl
fr
iend,
”hel
aughedi
nmyf
ace.

“
Okay,hmmm…”Ibreat
hedoutsharpl
y.“Okay
,
t
hat
’sgood…t
hati
sverygood.I
nthatcase…wil
l
youhavesexwit
hme?Iwill
payyou,
”hepeel
ed
hishandsawayf
rom f
aceashi
seyesgrew
wider.

“
Youwantmet ohav
esexwi
thy
ou…andyou
wil
lpayme?Youwantmet
osel
lmybody
?To
you?”

Inoddedandsai
d,“
Preci
sel
y,
”

“Wooow,
okay.Idon’
tusual
l
ydot
his…i
t’
sjust
…I
don’
tdot
his”

“Canyougetoneofyourfr
iendst
ohavesex
withmethen?Atl
eastit
’l
lbesomeonewe
know”Iasked.
“No!
”hecried.“
No…no…never
!”heshuthiseyes
andshookhisheadIguesstr
yingtori
dhis
mindoftheideaofmysel
fengaginginsexual
i
nter
coursewithoneofhi
sfri
ends,“I
’
dr at
herdo
i
tmy sel
f,
”

“
Thanky
ou,
”Ismi
l
ed.

“
Dowesetadateor
?…Idon’
tknowhowt
his
wor
ks”her
ubbedhi
sfor
eheadagai
n.

“Guyit’sjustsex.Thereisabsol utel
ynoneed
forformal i
ti
es,
”hebentdownandki ssedme,I
kissedhim back.Thi sti
meIwasn’ tscaredor
embar rassedlikebefore.Guygiv esgreatki
sses,
i
fIdosaysomy self
.Istoppedandsqueezed
shutmyey es;I’
m dizzyagain.“Yout aste
amaz ing…”Isai dundermybr eat handhe
snickeredthenr esumedki ssi
ngmeagai n.I
at
temptedt
otakeof
fmysweat
erbuthe
st
oppedme.

“Igotit,
”hehel pedmet akeitoff.Heanal yzed
myupperbodyt henbitont ohislips.Henot i
ced
anoldscarandki ssedi t
.OneofNdumi so’s
workofar t.Hepul l
eddownmyj eansand
tossedthem asi de.“Wow, ”hewhi sper ed.“ Turn
around,”hesaidunderhi sbreath.Iobey ed.He
unhookedmybr aandal lowedittof all f
reelyto
thefloor.Hepul l
eddownmyunder wearand
thenkissedmybut tcheeks.Ichuckl ed.It urned
aroundandhel pedhi m of fhi
sshi rt
,hepul led
downhi spant swhi l
ekissingme.Hei ssl ow
andgent leandt hatisjustsuchat urnon.
Everythi
ngwi thNdumi sowasv iolentand
aggressive.Andnott oment i
ont hatsexwas
j
ustabouthi m.Het ookmyhandandl edmet o
mysi deoft hebed.Heopenedandsi gnaledme
togoi n,Iobeyed.Ilaidonmybackandhegot
ont opofmeandt henpul ledt hebl anketov erto
hiswai st.Helookedatmest raighti nt heeyes,I
gotner vousandbi tonmyl owerl i
p.Hegot
closerandki ssedmeandIki ssedhi m back.I
wr appedmyar msar oundhi sneckandenj oyed
thepl easureIwasget ti
ngf rom j usthi skiss.I
felthishandgoi ngi nbetweenmyt highs,I
bracedmy self.Hepl acedhi speni satt he
ent r
anceofmyv aginaandt henbr oughthi s
handbackout .Heconcent ratedonki ssi
ngme
again.Andt henbef oreIknewi t;hej ustpushed
hismanhoodi nsideofme, i
twasal i
ttlepainful
,
hecamei nwithf orcesowi ncedandpushed
mypel vi
sback.“ I’
m sor r
y,doy ouwantmet o
stop?Icanst op”heaskedbr ushi ngmy
forehead.

“No,”Isai
dshakingmyhead.“I
’
mf i
ne,”I
actuall
yderi
vedpleasur
efr
om thatpain.He
camebacki n,gentl
ythi
sti
me.Hesl owly
thrust edgent lyandi thitme, Ihav ebeen
depr i
v edofsexual pl
easur e.WhatGuyi s
maki ngmef eel ri
ghtnowi sbey ondwhat
Ndumi somademef eel.Imoanedi n
satisfact i
on.Hi spacei ncr easedandsodi dmy
moani ng.Hebur i
edhisf acei nmyneckand
grunt edashepushedf or wardhar der.He
startedpushi ngi nwithf orce,harderandf aster
.
Thef ast erhegott helouderIcr i
edandt hatonly
propel ledhimt opushev enhar der.Ifound
my sel fdiggingi ntohisbackwi thmynai lsand
screami ngev enl ouder.Hepushedf orwardand
heldwhi lekissingme, hegent lypulledhimself
outandt henlookedatmepant ing.Hest art
ed
goingdownandIpani cked!Idon’ twantt hat…I
don’tl ikethat.

“
No…”It
ookhi
sfacei
ntomyhands.
“Staydown, andr elax…”hesai dwi thhal fopen
eyes.Inoddedanddi dashesai d.Ilaidback
downandr elaxed.Themi nutehi stonguecame
i
ncont actwit hmyv aginaImoanedsof t
ly,I
foldedmyl i
pst oget herandl etoutasof tcry.I
hav enev erexper i
encedt hisbef ore;Ijustdon’t
knowhowt odescr i
bet hisfeeli
ng.Icr iedlouder
ashi stonguepl ayedar oundwi thmyv agina.
Howt hehel ldoesGuydot his?Igr abbeda
pieceofbl anketandi tsqueezed.Ial l
oweda
l
oudandqui veringscr eam toescape, hest art
ed
suckingmycl i
tori
sgent l
y.OHMY!OHMY!OH
MY!

“
Lucky
,”Ical
l
edouthi
snameami
dmoani
ng.

Hest oppedandcameuptokissme.Hi
sli
ps
tastedsalt
ybutIdi
dn’
tcar
e,Ij
ustwant
edto
kisshim.Helookedatme.
“
Sot hatcany
out osaymyname, ”her
est
edhi
s
f
oreheadonmi nebreat
hingheav
ily
.

“
Stop,
”Ichuckl
ed

“
Yougood?
”heki
ssedmesof
tl
y.

Inodded,“
Thanky ou,
”hethrewhissweatybody
nexttome.webot hfacedthecei
li
ngaswe
tr
iedtocatchourbreat
h.Ifel
tagentlesqueeze
onmyhandsoIl ookedathi m.Hesleptonhis
si
defacingmesoIdi dthesame.

“Youokay?
”heasked.Inoddedandthrewi
na
smil
e.“I
twasj
ustsex,ri
ght?”heconf
ir
med.
“Tot
all
y,Ij
ustwantedtocheatonmyhusband
andhaverealsex…”hechuckl
edsof
tl
y.

“Yourhusband?Youst
il
lcal
lhi
myour
husband?”

“
Hei
sst
il
lmyhusband…”

“I’
m gladIcouldhelp,
”hesai
dandfellbackon
hisback.Ifelthi
shandfreei
ngfr
om mi ne,
I
don’tunderstandwhywewer ehol
dinghandsin
thefir
stplace.“Letmebathqui
ckl
ysowecoul d
getgoi ng,
”

“Ok”Iwatchedhim getupandwalkt othe

bathroom tot
all
ynaked.Whenhedisappeared;I
smiled…Ihadsexwithanotherman.Ndumi so
wouldkill
mei fhefoundoutaboutthis…ohhow
Iwi
shhewoul dsomehowf indout…howIwi sh
hewouldknowthatanothermanhasbeen
i
nsi
deofmeandhegav er
eal pl
easure,
he
mademecr y…genui
nelycryinsati
sfact
ion.But
att
hispoi
ntthati
sjustwishfult
hinki
ng.

PLEASESHARE♡

I
NSERT11

FAMI
LY

Noun

1.Agroupofpeoplewhoar
eclosel
yrel
atedto
oneanother(
byblood,
marr
iageoradopt
ion)
2.Agroupofpeopler
elat
edbybl ood,f
ri
endshi
p,
marr
iage,l
aw,orcust
om, especi
all
yift
heyli
ve
orworktoget
her.

Guyopenedt hedoorformeandmyey es
wonderedaround.Thi
splacei sbeauti
ful,green
andjustpeaceful
.Thi
swi l
lbeanoppor tunityfor
met ogettoknowGuybey ondjustLuckyt he
taxi
driv
er.ithi
nkmeetinghisfamilywillgive
meani deaofwhatIgotmy sel
fintohere.

“Welcomet omyhome,”hesays.Thisl
ooksli
ke
aplacethatcoul
ddomesomegood…i t’
s
not
hingthecityl
i
feIam usedto,ci
tyli
fei
sthe
onl
yl i
feIknow.“
Notyoursty
le?”heasked.

“
No,
notmyst
yleatal
l
…”Isai
dlooki
ngar
ound.I
thi
nkIseehorsesatadi
stance…ormay bemy
eyesaredecei
vingme.I
’
venev erseenanyt
hing
l
ikethi
splace.

“
That
’sokay,Icanbookyouint
oahot
eli
n
t
own…buttowni sf
arthough…”

“No!Imean…i
t’
snotmystyl
ebutIl
i
ket
hisst
yle.
Ifeell
i
keIcanbreat
heher
e…”

thenachi l
dcamer unni
ngwi t
hjoybri
mmi ngi
n
herface.“Baba!Baba!Baba!
”shechargedfor
Guy.ThismustbeSam, hisdaught
erandnot
hisgir
lf
riend.

“Standr
ightther
e!”Guysaysandthel
it
tl
egir
l
pausedsmi l
i
ngf r
om eartoear
.Shehadsome
teethmi
ssing.“Whoareyouandwhatdidyou
dowi
thmyl
i
ttl
eSam?
”

“Baba,
it’
smeSam, ”shegiggl
edinbet
weenher
heavybreat
hingofexci
tement.

“Howar ey ousobi g?Isitreall

yy ou?”I’
venever
seenGuyt hi
sbr i
ght .Heisj ustglowingandy ou
cant el
ljusthowhappyhei st obeher e.He
pickeduphi slit
tlegirlandspunherar ound.I’
m
j
ustst andingbehi ndhiml i
keal i
ttl
estraydog
soner voustogr eeta6- year -
oldgirl
.“Sam,thi
s
i
sdaddy ’
sf r
iendRai nbow…Mi ssthisis
Sam…mydaught er ,
”

“
HeySam,”Isai
dwi
thahi
ghpi
tcht
onet
ryi
ngt
o
r
elat
ewi
thher.

“
Yournamei
sRai
nbow?
”sheasked.
“
Yes…mynamei
sRai
nbow…”

ShelookedatGuyandsmi
l
ed.“
Baba,
she’
s
beauti
ful
”shesai
d.

Guygiggledandkissedhercheek.“
Shereal
lyi
s
beaut
iful,
”Guylookedatmeandsai d.“
She
thi
nksy ou’
rebeauti
ful
,
”

“
oh!Thanky
ou,
Sam,
Ithi
nky
ou’
rebeaut
if
ul
t
oo”

Weenter
edint
othemainhouseandf
oundt
he
r
estofhi
sfamil
ywai
ti
ngforus.

Wewer
ewel
comedwar
mly
,thoughIst
il
ldo
f
eel
ali
tt
lewei
rdandoutofpl
ace.

“
Wher
e’sMt
ho?
”Guyasked.

“Hespendsmostofhi
sti
meont hefi
eldwi
th
hisf
ri
ends,
”sai
dZanel
ehissi
ster.

“
Lucky
,”hi
smom call
edandGuyl
ookedather
.
“
Whoisthi
syounglady?
”Guyl
ookedatme.

“Oh!Everybody ,IknowIdi dn’tdoapr operint

ro.
ThisisRainbow…myf r
iend,”Ismiled.“Miss,t
his
i
smyf amily.Mom anddad, PaulandEuni ce
Dlamini…sisterZanele,
”Zanel ewav ed,“y
ou
alr
eadymetSam.Lat eryouwi l
lmeetmyson
andbigbr other.
”
“
It
’sv
eryni
cet
omeety
oual
l
…”Igr
innedcoy
ly

“
Soshe’
snotyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
”Zanel
eisqui
te
t
hecur
iouscat
.

“Ohno!Iam nothi
sgirl
fri
end…j
usthisfr
iend.”
Myeyesdartedaroundthenfi
nal
lyfoundrefuge
onthefl
oor.

Laterthatdayt heentir
ef amil
y,andmy sel
f;sat
aroundt hedinnertableandhaddi nner
.His
mom madest eamedbr eadandbeefst ew…it’
s
sodelici
ous.I’mj ustmindingmyownbusi ness
notsay i
ngawor d.Myey esaregluedtomy
pl
atebecauseIdon’ twantt omakeey econtact
withany one.Icanheart hem l
aughingandjust
havingani cetimet oget
her.Guyisseatedright
nexttomeandSam i sonhi sothersi
de.
“
Youokay
?”hewhi
sper
ed.

Ilookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed,
“I’
m per
fect
.”Isai
d.
“Areyouokay?”

“
Per
fect
”hecont
inuedwi
thhi
sfood.

“Rai
nbow…”hisfat
hercall
edandmyhear
t
star
tedbeat
ingoutofcontr
ol.

“Yessi
r,
”It
ookaqui
ckgl
anceathi
m andt
hen
backatmyplat
e.

“Mysontol
dmebri
efl
yaboutyouearl
i
er…y
ou
arewel
comeher
eandy ouar
esafe,
”hesays.
“
Dad…It
oldy
ounott
osayawor
d”sai
dGuy
.

“I
t’
sokay,
”Idon’
tmindthem knowi
ng,
they
seem l
i
kenicepeopl
e.

“So,
youar
enothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
”Zanel
easked
agai
n.

“
Zah,awuziphat
hekahl
e…”(Zah,
behav
e
y
oursel
f)hermom repr
imanded.

“Sheisnotmygi
rl
fr
iend…”Guysai
dwhi
l
e
giggl
i
ng.

“
Icanassur
eyouZah,
Iam nothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
”.

“
Youar
enotdaddy
’spr
incess?
”Sam sai
d,I
coul
dn’
tev
enseehert
inybody
.

“Okay,
”Guystood.“Mi ss,l
etmeshowy ou
somet hi
ng,
”heletouthi shandandhel
pedme
up.Ifoll
owedhi
m out side.Ther
earenostr
eet
l
ightsherebutt
hest arsaremakingtheni
ght
l
ooksomagi cal
.

“
Wow!Thest
arsar
esobr
ighther
e…”Iador
ed
t
heni
ghtwi
thbot
hmywordsandeyes.

“
That
’swhatIwant
edtoshowy ou,
theyj
ust
l
i
ghtuptheni
ghtsoper
fect
ly…”
“Di
dy ougrowupher e?”Iasked.Thestar
s
madehi seyesgli
stenevenmor ethanthey
natur
allydo…Guy’
sey eshavealwaysbeenthat
onethingthatIl
i
kedabouthi m,li
kethemain
att
racti
onofhisface.
“
Yeah!Youcansay
,Imov
edher
ewhenIwas12
y
ears,
”

“
Wher
ewer
eyoubef
ore?
”

“Thatdoesn’
tmat t
er,t
heonlythi
ngthatmatt
ers
i
snowandwher eIam now.Look, y
ou’l
lbe
sleepi
ngwithmysi st
erinsi
de,
okay?”Icansee
thatheistr
yingtochangethetopi
c.Thismade
mehopef ulali
tt
lebit
.ThismeansthatGuyhas
apast,heissomebodyandIpl anonfindi
ngout.

“
Whatabouty
ou?
”Iasked.

“Myroom isattheback…”hestoppedand
concentrat
edonthemov ementcomingfr
om
thegate.“Mthobi
si?
”hecall
edbuttheper
son
didn’trespond.“
Bongumenzi
?”hecal
l
edagai
n.
Het hent ookouthi
sgunandmadehisway
towar dsthegate.

“
Guy,Idon’
tthi
nkyoushoul
ddot hat
,”Isaid.
“
ShouldIcal
lyoufat
her?
”I’
m al
readythinki
ng
t
hatNdumisofoundme.Myhear ti
saboutt o
j
umpoutofmychest .

“St
ayher e,
”hecommanded.Thei ry
ardishuge
soit’
skindofhardt oseewhoi sbythegate.He
i
st al
ki
ngt othi
sstrangerthatwastryi
ngto
openthegat euni
nvitedbutitseemsli
kehe
succeeded.

“I
sthi
stheti
mey oucomehomenowboy !
”Guy
shout
edbehindt
heuninv
itedguest
.It
’saboy
,
hi
ssonIpresume.
“
Baba!Iwaspl
ayi
ngsoccerwi
tht
heboy
s…”he
f
acedhim.WhatdoIdonow?

“Unt
ilt
enatni ght
?”whyisGuyshout
ingl
ikethi
s?
Heisat eenageboy;t
hesearet
heirt
imesto
comehome.

“Whyareyouher
e?”t
heboy
’swor
dsshor
tout
shar
ply
.That’
smean.

“I
sthishowyoutal
ktoyourf
ather
?Isthi
show
youdisr
espectmypar
entswhenI’
m not
around?”

“Youjustarr
ivedtodayandal
readyyou’
re
picki
ngaf i
ghtwithmebaba?”theyarej
ust
goingbackandf ort
hargui
ng.
“I
’
m notpi
cki
ngaf
ight
;I’
mrepr
imandi
ngy
ou
boy…”

“No!Youar
ejustt
ryi
ngt
ocont
rol
me…I
’
m 16
nowjustl
ayoff
…”

“
Ihav
eev er
yrighttocont
rol
youbecauseI
’m
y
ourfucki
ngfatherandyouwil
ldoasIsay
…”

“
Lucky,cal
m down…”Ieject
ed.Hewasgett
inga
l
it
tl
etooangryandIf ear
edthatt
hisar
gument
mightgetoutofhand.

“
Stayoutoft
hisRai
nbow…”

“
Justgobackt
owher
every
oucamef
rom,
”
Mthowal
kedawayhasti
ly
.AsGuyat
tempt
edt
o
r
unaft
erhi
m;Istoppedhi
m.

“
Lethi
m go”Isai
d.

“Thi
sisboydi sr
espectf
ul!
”hesayswhil
ehi s
gazeissti
llf
ixedonhisrebell
i
oussonwal ki
ng
awayfrom him.Mt hocl
ickedhist
ongueashe
waswal ki
ngaway .Guylookedatme,Icouldtel
l
hewashopi ngI’
dlethim go.

“
Justbr
eat
heGuy
,”

“Fi
ne!”hewav edhi
spawsi ntheairasasi gnof
surrenderandobediencewhichIappr eciatedby
theway .IhavenoideawhyGuyandhi ssonar e
arguingbutIknowt hatt
hisismoret hanj ust
abouthim cominghomel ate.Itdi
dn’tstart
now…andifheisnotcar
eful
;hemi
ghtl
osehi
s
sonforgood.

Icouldn’tsleepandZahpassedr ightoutnextt o
me, shei ssnor inglikeadrunkman.Iwokeup
andst oodout sideandwat chedthesunr i
sing.
I’
venev erseenapl aceasbeautif
ul asthis.The
bir
dsar echirping,theairi
sfreshand
cri
sp…ev er
y t
hingj ustseemsper f
ect .Mtho
appear edfrom t hebackoft hehousei nhi s
school uniform.Wewer enotproperly
i
ntroducedt ooneanot hersoIdon’tknowwhat
tosay .

“
Goodmor
ning”Isang.

“Sho”hegl
ancedatmeandthenwalkedinsi
de
themainhouse.Wel
l
…thatwentwell
.If
elta
coldhandatt
hebott
om ofmythigh.
“MissRai
nbow, coul
dy oupl
easet
iemetwo
Barbi
egir
ls,
”It
’sSam looki
ngascuteasev
eri
n
heruni
for
m.

“Yeah!Sur
e,okay…”shetookmyhandand
draggedmet oherroom.WhenIgotin;
Iwas
bli
ndedbybrightcol
ours,
itr
emi
ndedmeofmy
room onceuponat i
me.“Wow”Icr
ied.I
t’
s
beauti
ful
.

“Doy ouli
keBarbi
e?She’sapr i
ncessandshe
hasmagi cs…shecandoany thi
ng”wow, Iwi sh
Sam couldstayli
kethi
sherent i
reli
fe,j
ustnot
growup.Soont hepeoplesheloveswillturnon
herandbr eakher
,soonshe’l
l r
eali
sethatmagi c
i
sn’treal,
soisBarbi
eanddr essesthatchange
colourandsparkl
eormakey oufl
ydon’texist
andt hatyoucan’
tdoeveryt
hinglikeBarbie.
“Il
oveBar bie,
”Ican’
tdi
sappointher.Isather
downi nfrom ofthemirr
orandst oodbehindher
andcar ef
ull
ypar t
edherhairatthecentrei
nto
equalparts.ThenIti
edeachsi dewithapink
scrunchythenusedpurplespar kl
ycli
psto
decorateherhead.“Done!”Isaidandsatonher
bed.

“DoyouhavemagicMsRai nbowbecauseyou
l
ookbeauti
ful
,l
ikeapr
incess…”whatdoIsay
now?Idon’
tknowwhattheyt eacht
hischi
l
d.

“
Yeah!Ido…Ihav
emagi
cSam,
”
Shegasped, “Iknewit!Iknewy ouweredaddy’
s
princess”sheranout.OhLor d!WhathaveI
done?Notonl ydoesshet hinkI’m magi
calbut
al
sot hatIam herfat
her ’
sladyperson.Ohmy
crap!Guywal kedinwhileIwasscr eami
ng
i
nsi
demyheadandl
it
eral
l
ysqueezi
ngmywr
ist
t
ryi
ngt
ocent
remysel
f.

“
Youokay
?”heaskedst
andi
ngov
erme.

“Yourdaught
erthinksIhavemagi
cal
power
s
andthatIam yourpri
ncess,
”

“Wai
t!Ithoughtyoudidhavemagi
cal
powers…li
keBarbie…doyounot
?”

“
Guy
,I’
m ser
ious”Ichuckl
ed.

“Mi
ss,she’
s6,shebeliev
esshe’ll
gether
powerswhenshe’s10.It
’sreal
lynotabi
gdeal
”
Isi
ghedloudl
y.“
Shelikesyou,”
“
Ili
kehert
oo,
she’
scut
e”

“Comeon,l
et’
swal
kthem t
oschool
”hehel
d
outhi
shand.

“
I’
m notdr
essed…”

“
Justthr
owonagown, l
et’
sgo…”j ustl
i
ket hatI
t
hrewonagownandwal kedSam andMt hobi
si
t
oschoolwi t
hourGuy .Mthobisi
wasbehi ndus
wi
thhisheadphoneson.Sam washol dinghis
f
ather
’shandandsi ngi
ngaboutlit
tleponies.
Wearri
vedatt heirschoolandtomysur priseit
wasnotfar.Mt hojustwalkedpassedus
wi
thoutevensay inggoodby e.

“
Mthobi
si…”Guycal
led.Hel
ookedbackathi
m.
“
Comeher e”her
oll
edhisey
esandwalkedback.
“Goodby
eSam, here”hegav
eheraR10not
e,
“Buysomecookiesandremembert
o…”hebent
downandhuggedher .

“
Sharewithotherkidsandal way sbenice”Sam
f
ini
shedoffhisf at
her’ssentenceinasing-song
t
one.“Thanky ou,baba”shesai dandkissedhis
f
orehead.Sher anthroughthegat eshouti
ng,
“
ByeMi ssRainbow,”

“
ByeSam,
”Ishout
ed.

“
Mtho,
didy
oumeetmyf
ri
end?
”Guyasked.

“
Isawher
”Mt
hogl
ancedatme.

“
Wel
l
,thi
sisRai
nbow,
myf
ri
end…t
hel
adyt
hat
savedyoufrom mel
astni
ghtwheny
ou
disr
espect
edme…”

“
That
’snotnecessar
y…HiMthobi
si,ni
cetomeet
y
ou”henoddedhisheadandthenlookedaway.

“JesusChri
stMtho!Cany
ouatl
eastbeni
cet
o
her,she’
sanicel
ady”

“Guy,
it’
sokay…”Itookhishandandpul l
edhim
awayfrom Mtho,i
ftheystartedargui
ngnow,
herei
nf r
ontoftheotherstudentsandteacher
s,
whoknowwhatmi ghthappen?

“Idon’
tknowwhyy oukeepsavi
nghisass,he
needsatightsl
ap”Guysaysl
ookingbackat
Mt howhohadalreadywal
kedi
nsidetheschool
.
“
Takei
teasy
,hei
sst
il
lmat
uri
ng.
”

Myf irstdayatGuy ’shomewasv erysplendid.I

methi sbigbr otherBongumenziwhowi llbe
stayingheref orthetimethatwe’
rehere.It
seemsGuyi sv eryclosewithhi
sfamil
yexcept
hisson.Thei rrelat
ionshi
piswell
…it
’l
lbef ine.I
thinkMt hoisjustgoingthroughaphase–a
teenagephase.

“Rainbow! !
”IheardZahshoutingmynamef r
om
outside.Hearingthatnamemakesmesohappy ,
i
tmakesmef eell
i
kemyol dselfisbeing
resurrectedinaway .Icameoutr ushi
ng,there
wasasenseofur gencyinhervoiceandthe
fi
rstthingthatcamet omymi ndwast hatshe
washur torsomeonewashur t
ingher,buther
brothersareher esowe’regood.
“Whathappened?
”Ifoundherpat
ti
ngabl
ack
horsethathadaver
ymasculi
neguywear
ing
vestonit.

“
Whydoy
oul
ookscar
ed?
”sheasked.

“Youscar
edme,
arey
ouokay
?”Iaskedcomi
ng
closer
.

“I
’mfine,
Iwant
edt
oshowy
out
hishor
se,
”she
says

“
Hel
l
o,”Isai
dtot
hemanmount
edont
hehor
se.

“Unj
ani
?”(
Howar
eyou?
)heaskedhoppi
ng
down.
“MayItouchyourhor
se?
”Iaskedwi
thmyhand
al
readyonit.

“Pl
ease…”hesteppedasi deandsodi dZah.
Horsesaremagi cal
creatures,t
hey’r
emaj est
ic
andfast
…plustheyar etheonlythi
ngcl ose
uni
cornsthatIcanrelat
et o.“Heythere,
”I
walkedar
oundi tmarvell
ingatitsshinyandsoft
coat.

“
Hisnamei
sBl
ackkni
ght
,”sai
dtheowner
.

“Hei
sbeauti
ful
,
”Istoodi
nfr
ontofBl
ackKni
ght
andcar
essedhisf
ace.

“
Hel
i
kesy
ou,
”theguysai
d.
“Whydon’ty
ouguy
stakehi
mforar
ide?
”Zah
suggest
ed

“Ohno!I
’v
eneverr
iddenbef
ore…”myey
esar
e
sti
l
lfi
xedont
hehor se.
“
I’
ll
teachy
ou,
”sai
dtheownerwi
thacheer
y
t
one.

“ComeonRainbow,i
t’
ll
befunandSenzoi
sver
y
nice,
Itr
usthi
m,go!
”sheinsi
sted

“
Gowher
e?”Guyappear
ed.

“Yoursi
stert
hinksIshoul
dgohor
ser
idi
ngwi
th
him,”It
oldhi
m.

“
No,
it’
snotsaf
eMi
ss,
”
“HawuLucky
!”Zahcried.“Whatwasthepoint
ofbri
ngi
ngyourfr
iendhereifshewon’t
expl
ore?
”sheemphasi zedontheword‘f
ri
end’

“
Ijust
…Zah,
”Guyst
ammer
ed.

“
Guy
,letmego…Iwon’
tbel
ong,
”Isai
d.

“Okayt
hen!I
t’
sadat
e,”sai
dthi
sSenzoguy
.I
chuckl
ed.

“NoSenzo,youarejustgoi
nghorseri
ding.Miss,
whydon’tyouwearsomepant sorti
ghts,that
dressseemsveryshort,
”Guysai
dandt hen
clear
edhisthr
oat.
“I
’
m okay.
”Senzohel
pedmetocl
i
mbupon
BlackKni
ghtandt
henhecl
i
mbedbehi
ndme.

“Iwi
l
lbecont
rol
l
inghi
mfr
om behi
ndy
ouokay
”?
hesays.

“
Okay
,”I
’
m al
i
ttl
escar
ed.

“I’
m comingincloser
;itmightbeali
tt
le
awkwar d…”hesaysgrabbingontotheropes
thatapparent
lycontr
ol t
hishor
se.

“
It
’scool
.Asl
ongasIdonotf
all
,
”

“
Youar
esaf
ewi
thme…”andwewer
eof
f.

Thi
sfeel
sawesome.Icandot
hist
hewhol
e
day …itfeelsli
keI ’mr unningwi thoutt ouching
thegr oundandt hewi ndisjustmaki nglov eto
myf ace.Whoknewhowsat i
sfyingandpl easing
suchasi mpl ethinglikehor ser i
di ngwoul dbe?
Whenev erIneededt odi str
ess; Iwoul dgo
shoppi ng,toaspaorj usttravel andIsomehow
conv incedmy selfthatIwasf eelingbet t
er.Right
now, Idon’tevenneedt ocontempl atehowI
feelsi mplybecauseIf el
tit
…If eltlightandt here
i
sj ustposi ti
vityallaroundme.

Senzot ookmet ohishousewher eImethi s

parentsandhismi l
li
onbr other
s,there’sactuall
y
7oft hem andtheyeachhav eahor se;i
ncluding
thei
rpar ent
s.Iwasblownawaybyt heirl
ife
styl
e.Ifsomeonewast el
lingmeaboutt hem; I
wouldn’thavebeli
eved.ButIsawt heirl
if
ewi th
myownt woeyes.Theyjusthaveacut eli
ttl
e
farml i
fewithal
lthefarm animalsand
everythi
ng.Hismom hadmadeaspi nach
smoothiewhichshei nsist
edIshoul
dtast
eand
i
twasamazi ng.IalsometZandi l
e’
sboyfr
iend;
heisoneofthebrot hers.Ver
ycuteand
at
tract
ive,
theyallare…justacut
elit
tl
efamil
y.

Retur
ningtoGuy
’shouse;Iwasonthehorse
andSenzowaswalki
ngbesidesus.I
’dsaywe
werest
roll
i
ngandchatt
ing.

“
So,
youandLuckyar
eat
hing?
”heasked.

“No.Luckyismyhero,li
ter
all
y…hehelpedme
thr
oughat oughti
me.Wel lI
’m st
ill
int
hattough
ti
me.Idon’ttr
ustanyonebutIthinkIt
rust
him…”

“
Whatdi
dhehelpyouwi
th?Ihopey
oudon’
t
mindmeaski
ng…”
“
Ido,I
’m sor
ry.Ist
il
lcan’
ttal
kabouti
twi
thout
t
eari
ng…”

“
Iunder
stand.What
everi
tis,
I’
m sor
ry,
”
Igl
anceddownathi
m,

“
Thanks,
”

IknowZahwast ryingt
ohookmeandSenzoup
butit
’snotgoi
ngtowor kbutI’
m gl
adshe
suggestedIgohorseri
dingwit
hhim.Itr
eall
y
rel
axedme.Ifonl
ysheknewwhatherbr other
andIwer euptori
ghtbeforewedrovehere
yest
erdaythenmay beshewouldn’
tbeplayi
ng
Cupid.
PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT12

PLAN

Noun

(
Plur
al:
plans)

1.Asetofint
endedact
ions,
usual
lymutuall
y
rel
ated,
thr
oughwhichoneexpect
stoachievea
goal

2.Amet
hod;
awayofpr
ocedur
e;acust
om

Aswewer
enear
ingt
hehouse;
Icoul
dseeGuy
andZahout si
delookingatus.Zahli
ft
edher
handuphi ghandwav ed.SenzoandIdidthe
same.Wegoti ntotheyardandthelookon
Zanel
e’sfaceisjustpri
cel
ess.Hercheeksare
pract
ical
l
yt ur
ningredandpink.

“
Sandi
lecal
ledandt
oldmehemety
ou,
”Sandi
l
e
i
sherboyf
ri
end.

“Yes,
Imethi
m,”I
’m speaki
ngt
oZahwhi
l
e
Senzoismehel
pinggetdown.
Iswungmylegtot
heothersi
desoi
t’
seasyf
or
Senzotocar
rymedown.

“
Your
eady
?”heasked.

“That
’sokaySenzo,
I’
ll
hel
pherdown”saidGuy
comingtous.Senzohadal
readypr
epar
edto
helpmedown,
hisbighandswer
ealr
eady
aroundmywai
streadyt
olif
tmeup.Guypul
l
ed
hi
shandaway…

“
Bafoyi
nmanje?”(
What’
supbro?
)sai
dSenzo
t
urni
nghisent
ir
ebodyt
ofaceGuy.

“
Isai
dIwi
l
lhel
pherdown,
”

Senzoignor
edhi
m.Her
etur
nedhi
sat
tent
ion
backtome.

Guypushedhim andhestumbled.Senzo
wast
ednot i
me,het hrewinapunchthatsent
Guytothedust
ygr ound.

“
Ohmywor
d!Zahhel
p…”
“Baba!
”Zahcri
ed.Guygotupandthr
ewa
punchatSenzoaswell
.From t
her
eon;hel
l
brokel
oose.

“Lucky,
stopi t
!Stop!”Ishout
ed.Thehorseis
panicki
ngandI ’m panicki
ngandworri
edthatit
’l
l
runoffwithme.Bongumenzi cameand
separat
edt hem.Theybot hhavebloodcoming
outofthei
rnoseandar ebot
hequall
ydusty
.

“Takeyourf
ucki
nghor
seandl
eav
e!”Guy
shouted.

“
Lucky
!”hi
sfathershout
edst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
,
“
Whatishappeningi
nmyhouse?”

“
Someonepl
easehel
pmedown,
”Iwav
edmy
handt
ogett hei
rat
tent
ion.Bongumenzi
came
tomyaid.“
Thankyou”

“
NgithehambaSenzo!
”(Isai
dleav
eSenzo!
)Go
r
aisedhi
svoice
Iwentovertoguy
.“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”I
askedundermybreat
h.

“
GoSenzo,
I’
ll
deal
wit
hthi
s,
”Bongumenzi
say
s.

Guycleanedhisnose.“Answermyquest
ion”I
said.HelookedatSenzoashewasexiti
ngthe
premises.

“
Anddon’
tcomeback!
”hesai
d.

“
Lucky
!”Bongumenzi
andZahshout
edi
n
uni
son.Ihel
dhisfacewi
thonehandandt
urned
hi
sattent
ionbacktome.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”Iasked.

“
Notnow,
Miss,
”

“
Whatdoy oumeannotnow?Whyt hehel
ldi
d
youat
tackhim?”hel
ookedaway
,“Guylookat
me!”myvoicegotst
ern.

“
Isai
d!”heshout
edandthengat
heredhi
msel
f,
“
notnow”whatthehel
lgoti
ntohi
m?

“
Whathappened?
”askedMenzi
.

“
Ithi
nkhe’
sjustal
i
ttl
ejeal
ous,
”sai
dZah.Menzi
waslooki
ngatmel i
kethiswasal
lmyfaul
t.I
’
m
j
ustasconfusedasheis.Ihav
enoideawhat
f
uell
edwhatjusthappened.

“
I’
ll
goandt
alkt
ohi
m”Idecl
aredheadi
ngt
ohi
s
r
oom.

“Ntombazane”(gi
rl!
)Menzicall
edandI
assumedhewasr efer
ri
ngtome.“ Idon’tknow
whatthefuckjusthappenedbutweal lknow
whatishappeningandy oubettersor
titout”hi
s
huskycontr
oll
edt oneanddemeanor
accompaniedbyhi sgazesuggestedhewas
order
ingmeandmosti mportantl
ythreateni
ng
me.

“
Menzi
,Idon’
tknow…”It
ri
edt
odef
endmy
sel
f
“
Weallcangoddam seet
hatLuckyi
sinl
ove
wi
thy
ou!”

“
Menzi
leti
tgo!
”spokeZah

“Al
lI’
m say ingis;ifyoudonotf eelthesame
wayt hengett hef uckoutofhislifebecauseI’
m
notbuy i
ngal lthat‘j
ustfri
ends’bull
shitandIwil
l
notletanot herwomanbr eakmybr ot
hers
heart,
”wi t
hev erywor dhesaidIcoul dfeelhi
s
l
oathingf ormeandi tmademev ery
uncomf ortable.SinceImetMenzi ,
Ialways
sensedt hathedi dn’tquit
eli
keme.Hel ooksat
mel i
keI’m her etost eal
somethingf r
om Guy.

“I
…”Iswall
owedinf
ear,“
Iwi
lltal
ktohi
m,”I
exhal
edtr
yingt
ocontr
olmytrembli
ngvoi
ce
andthenbi
tonthel
eftsi
deofmybot t
om l
i
p.
“Bett
er!”hewalkedaway .IlookedatZah
searchingforsomethingthatcanhelpmemake
senseofwhatherbr otherjustsaid,
she
shruggedandshookherheadsi mul
taneousl
y
andunf ort
unatel
ythatdidn’thel
pmeatal l.I
wentt oGuy ’
sroom andknocked.

“Comei n,”hesaidhesitant
ly.If
oundhi minbed
facingthecei l
i
ng.It
’smyf i
rstti
mewal king
throughthisdoor.There’sabed, achestof
drawers,at ablet
hatisjusti
dleandonewi t
ha
l
apt opandspeaker s;I
’m guessi
ngf orwork.
“Whatar eyoudoi nghereMi ss?
”heasked
sit
tingupst rai
ght.

“
I’
m heretot
alkt
oyou,Guy
”Isatnextt
ohi
m.
Hebrushedt
hetopofhi
shead.“
Whatwas
t
hat?
”
“Idon’
tknow…I’
m sor
ry!
”her
est
edhi
sel
bows
onhisknees.

“Ar
eyoufal
li
ngforme?”Iasked.Hi
sey
esshot
atmeandthenhesni
ckered.

“
What
evergav
eyout
hati
dea?
”

“Wel
l,
Idon’
tknow…y
ourbr
otherseemst
othi
nk
so.Whyel
sewouldy
ouatt
ackSenzo…?”

“Maybebecausey
ouar
emyr
esponsi
bil
i
ty
and…”

“
Responsi
bil
i
ty?
”Iechoedhi
m.
“
Yeah,whati
fSenzohadt
ouchedyoui
naway
t
hatremi
ndedyouofNdumiso…”

“
Guy
!”Ij
umpedt
omyf
eet
.

“
What
!?”sodi
dhe.

“Iam noty ourr esponsibili

ty.Iam nota
child…y oudon’ townme! ”Ipokedathi schest
wi t
hev erywor d, “
Anddon’ ty oudareusemy
tragedyt ojusti
fyy ourstupidityand
foolishness…Isl eepwithy ouonet i
meandy ou
suddenl ythinky ouhav esomepowerov erme,it
wasj ustsex! ”Ilashedout .Hemar chedtothe
doorswi ftl
yandshuti tandt hencamebackand
kissedme.Ipushedhi m awaybuthedi dn’
tgi
ve
mechancet ogat hermy self,hepulledmeback
i
nt ohi schestandki ssedmeagai n.Hepaused
andl ookedatmebr eathingheav i
ly,
“It
’sjustsex, ”heechoedmywor ds.Bef oreI
knewi t;myt hi
ghswer ewr appedar oundhi s
waist .Het hrewmeont hebedandt hencame
ont opofme.Hi shandt r
av elledupmydr essed
ashel eanedi ntokissme.Ipul l
edhi st -shirt
outashewashel pingwi thmydr ess.He
hurriedlypul l
eddownmyunder wear; I
unfast enedhi sbeltasf astasIcoul d.Hel eaned
i
nev enmor e.Ifel
thimi nsideofmeandI
i
mmedi atelymoanedsof tl
y ,hel ookedi ntomy
eyesf orgoodf ewsecondandt henbur i
edhi s
facei nmyneckashepushedf or wardhar der
andhar der.Idughi sfaceoutofmyneckand
kissedhi m.Hepul l
edhi msel fout ,f
lippedme
aroundl i
keapancakeonaf ryingpanandt hen
i
nser thi smanhoodf rom behi nd.Icr iedashe
pushedbackandf ort
hmaki ngmybodyqui ver
withev erysecond.Heputhi shandov ermy
mout ht r
yingtolessent heamountofnoi seI
wasmaki ng.Hepushedf or
war d,heldforafew
secondsandIwashol dingmybr eat
h,grabbi
ng
ont i
ghttotheedgeoft hemat tress.He
rel
easedandr emov edhishandf r
om mymout h
atthesamet ime.Iturnedaroundandf aced
him,hewasonhi sbackhuffingandt ryi
ngto
catchhisbreathe.“
Yougood? ”heasked.

“Yeah,
”Ili
ckedonmyli
ps,“Areyougood?”
heavenknowsIwantedmore.Ineededmore.
Butthi
sishispar
ent
’shouse.If
eelbadforev
en
beinginhi
sroom wi
thhi
m.Het ookmyhand
andkissedit
.

Aftert
hathefellasl
eepwhi l
eIwatchedhim.
SuddenlyIremember edMenzi’
swor dsabout
howhewasn’ tgoingtoletanot
herwoman
breakhisbrot
her’sheartandIj
ustwondered
mor eaboutGuy.Iwascur i
ousaboutwhat
happenedt ohim?Whot hi
swomani sandhow
hebrokehi sheart
?Howcanany onebreak
Guy’sheart?Fir
stl
y;heisagoodguyand
secondly,heisGuy.Myt hought
sallboi
led
downt owhatwej ustdid.Idon’
twantany
complicati
onsormi sunderst
andi
ngs.As
amaz i
ngassexi swi t
hGuy ,i
tcan’
tkeep
happening.

Latert
hatdayIhel
pedZahinthekit
chento
prepar
esupper.Mychesti
sburni
ngwi t
h
questi
onsbutIdon’
twanttoover
steporpush
thewrongbutt
onssoIkepttomyself.

“Okay,
gir
l-
to-
gir
l,
”shecheer
ful
l
ysaid,
“What’
s
thedealwi
thyouandLucky?”I
tseemsI’
m not
theonl
yonewi t
hburni
ngquesti
onsachi
ngto
beanswered.
“
Therei
snodeal…we’r
efri
ends.Hehel
pedme
whenIwasgoi
ngthroughatoughti
me.Whati
s
t
hedealwi
thMenzi?
”

“Hei
sjustpr
otect
iveofLucky
,not
hing
per
sonal
”

“What’snotper
sonal
?”Guy
’sv
oicedecl
aredhi
s
presence.

“Nothing,
justsomet
hingbet
weengi
rl
s,
”Zah
coveredforus.

“Canwet al
k?”helookedatme.Inoddedand
thenwalkeduptohim.Hel edmet ohisroom.
ThankGodheaskedt otal
kbecauseIneedt o
tal
ktohim aswell
.Hedi dn’
tshutthedoorthi
s
ti
me.“Youdisappeared,
”heutter
ed.
“Ihadtohel
pZanel
ewi
thsupper
”Ij
ust
if
ied.He
nodded.

“
Iwant
edtoapologizeforthewayIspoketo
y
ouearl
ier
;Ishoul
dn’thavesai
dsomet hi
ngs,”

“I
t’
swaterundert
hebr
idge,
”Ismi
led,“
List
en…”I
added,
“Ial
soneedtot
alktoyou,
”Isatonthe
edgeofthebed.

“
I’
mli
steni
ng”

“Ineedtol
eave,”Ibr
okethenewsandhe
grimacedasaresult
.“Ineedt
ogetmyown
placeandstar
tmyl i
feoverwi
thoutNdumi
so…”
“
Andwi
thoutme…”headdedt
omysent
ence.

“Guy,ourarr
angementwasn’tper
manent.You
werejusthelpi
ngme.We’ l
lst
il
lbeint
ouchbutI
needtof i
guremyli
feoutsi
deofyourfl
at.
”Isai
d
“Wewi l
lsti
ll
beintouchbutIneedtobea
grown-up”

“
Iunder
stand…”

“WhichiswhyIthinkIshouldleavetomorrow;
”
hiseyesshortatme,“Ihaveaf latvi
ewingthe
nextmor ni
ng.I
t’
sreasonableandt hemoney
yougav emecancov errentforthenexttwo
mont hsandsomef ood”

Hesighedl
oudl
y.“
Youseem t
ohav
ethi
sal
l
pl
annedout”
“Imadeafewcal
lswi t
hZah’sphonewhi
leyou
wereasl
eepandoneagentmadeanexception
toletmevi
ewtheflatonWednesdaybef
oreit
canbeopentootherpeopl
e”

“Whataboutf
urni
tur
eandothert
hings?You
can’
tstayi
nanempt yf
lat
;Iwon’
tlett
hat
happen?”

“
Well
,Iwasthi
nkingt
hatmaybeyouletme
wor
kwithyoufor2or3thr
eejobst
hatwil
lhel
p
megetsetup,
inthemeanti
meIwil
lbelooki
ng
f
orarealj
ob,
”

“Miss…”herubbedhi
sfor
eheadi
ndistr
ess“I
can’tl
etyouinonthej
obs…t
hatwasjustan
excepti
onbecausewewereinati
ghtsit
uat
ion,
”
“I
maginehowsmoot hev er
ythi
ngwillbewhen
wearenotinatightsi
tuati
on?”Iam try
ingto
sel
lmy sel
ftot
hismansoIcanst ar
tmyl i
fe
afr
esh.

“
We?
”hegl
ancedatme.

“
ComeonGuy
”Ibegged.

“
Doyouev enknowwhatIdof
oral
i
ving?
”he
i
nqui
red.

“Somethingdanger
ous”hechuckl
ed.“
Comeon
please,
It’
snotpermanent
,”hel
ookedatmeand
smi l
ed.
“Youwanti n?
”heasked.Inodded.“Okay,
foll
ow
me, ”Iobey
ed.Idon’
tknowwher eheistaki
ng
mebutIknowIwi l
ldowhateveritt
akestostart
afreshandalsoearnt
hisman’srespecti
nt he
process.

Heusher edmei nt
ohispar
ents’
bedroom andI
mustadmi t;
it’
sabitawkwardwalki
ngint
ot hei
r
bedroom.Theirchatt
ingdi
eddownaswe
walkedin.

“Baba,
canwetal
k…”hesai
dandr
est
edonel
eg
ontheedgeoft
hebed.

“I
thingi
yosi
zauZahdear,
”(Letmegoandhel
p
Zah)hismom sai
dgetti
ngup…

“
Alr
ightmydear
…”hewat
chedherwal
koutwi
th
eyesasbr
ightasastar.Iwi
shsomeonecoul
d
l
ookatmel i
kethat
;it
’sspeci
al.

“
Ma,
pleasecal
lMenzi
,
”hey
ell
ed.

“
Alr
ight
”sher
esponded.

“Whati
sitLucky
?”hi
sfatherl
ookedathim wi
th
concer
n.Menziwal
kedin,hi
seyesrest
edon
meandt henonGuy.

“
Yebobaba,
”Il
ovehowtheybecomeli
tt
leboy
s
whent
heyaret
alki
ngt
otheirpar
ent
s.

“Rememberthedi
amondjob,”sai
dGuy.They
bothnodded.“
Rememberthatwehadalitt
le
sit
uat
ionastohowwewer egoingtoget
t
hem?
”

“Ndodana,
whereareyougoingwi
tht
his?
”(son)
heplayedwit
hhisgreybear
d.

“
Didsomet
hingcomeup?
”askedMenzi
.

“Noever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.
”Guysay
s,“
Itwasher
…”
headded.

“Whatdoyoumean?”hi
sfat
hercockedhi
s
headtothesi
dewhi
lekeepi
ngmyey esi
nplace.
Il
ookedatmyshoes.

“Shewast heonewhogotthedi
amonds.She
gotinthevanandgotthedi
amonds…”Guysaid
asifitwasthateasy
.
“Youl
etast r
angeri
nonajobwit
houtlet
ti
ngus
know?”askedMenziwit
huneasi
nessall
over
hisf
acial
expressi
on.

“
Wewer einati
ghtsi
tuat
ionandshehada
wat
ert
ightpl
an…”Guydefendedme.

“Youl
etastr
angeri
nonaj
obLucky
…”Menzi
emphasi
zed.

“
Itwasawat
ert
ightpl
a…”

“Tohel
lwit
hthat!Whatthefuckdoessheknow
aboutwat
erti
ghtpl
ans?”hiseyesshotatme,
“Howoldevenisshe?19?”heaskedaquesti
on
andansweredhimsel
f.
“
I’
m 25…”Icor
rect
edhi
m.

“
Idon’
tcar
e!”heshout
ed.

“Hey!Menzi
…don’tt
alkt
oherli
kethat
.Ial
lowed
i
t.Ifyouwantsomeonetoshoutatt
henI’
m
here,
”

“
Bongumenzi
,
”hi
sfat
hercal
l
edsof
tl
y.

“Dl
amini,
”her esponded.Icoul
dsensehumil
i
ty
andcalmnesst aki
ngov erhist
oneandent
ir
e
bei
ng.“Calm down.Lucky ”

“
Yebobaba,
”
“
Doy out
rustt
hisgi
rl
?”heasked.Theyar
e
t
alki
ngaboutmeli
keI’
m nothere.
“
Yessir
…andIt
hinkweshoul
duseher”hesaid
whatI
’
vebeenwait
ingt
ohearbutnotexact
lyi
n
t
hewayIwashopinghewoul
dputit.

“
Whathemeansbabai
stha…”

“
MrDlamini
toy
ou,
”hi
sfat
hercor
rect
edme.
Wel
lshi
t…

“MrDlamini
…Iwillhel
pwi thtwoort hreej
obs
j
usttogetmyl i
festart
edandt henIpromise
fr
om ther
eIwi l
lgetalegitjob,
”Istatedout.
Menziscoff
edshar pl
y.“Ij
ustneedy ourhelp
si
r…pl
ease.LuckyisallIhav eandIwantto
workforwhateverhedecidest ogiveme,”
“
Baba,pl
easedon’
ttel
lmey
ouar
econsi
der
ing
t
his…”

“Lucky,
doy
out
rustt
hisgi
rl
?”Dl
ami
niasked
again.

“Yebobaba,Iwouldn’
tbehereifIdi
dn’tt
rust
herandifIdi
dn’
tthinkshewasgoodenough.I
sawherthatday…she’sgood,”Guyspokehighl
y
ofmeandIappr eciat
edeveryword.

“
Boy
s,gi
veussomespace,
”or
der
edMrDl
ami
ni.

“Yebobaba,”theboyssai
dsi multaneousl
yand
walkedoutoneaf t
ertheother.Theyclosedthe
door.Shi
t!Fuck!Guy’
sfatherisreall
y
i
ntimidat
ing.Ionl
yknow2i nti
mi dati
ngmenand
Iam curr
entlynoti
ngoodt ermswi theit
herof
them;thatismyf atherandNdumi so.May be
thi
swasast upidi dea…y es,i
tis;
it’
smyi dea.I
alwayscomeupwi t
hf uckedup, l
udicrousand
stupi
di deasandIal waysmakemat terswor se.
Whydi dn’tIj
ustshutupandmay bet al
kt oGuy
aboutthiswhenwe’ rebackathi splace.Fuck
youRainbow…. bloodyhel l
!

REACT,
SHAREANDCOMMENTPLEASE♡
I
NSERT13

CUPOFTEA

Noun

1.Acupf
ull
oft
ea
2.(
idi
omat
ic)What
eversui
tsori
nter
est
sone

“Youngl ady,
”hel ookedatmei ntheeyes
withoutf l
inchingorblinki
ng.Il ookedatmy
shoes.“ LookatmewhenI ’mt alki
ngt oyou
please,
”Isl owl ypeel
edmyf aceawayf r
om my
shoest ohi m.“ Good.Now. .
.howdoIknowy ou
willnotbet r
aymeoncey ougetwhaty ouwant?
Ineedsomet hingIcanholdont o,lev
erage”he
needsl ev er
ageandIhav enot hingtomyname,
don’tev enknowt helastnameI ’
m goingbynow
si
ncet henameTumi hasbeenputonhol d.

“Youwi l
lj
usthavetoholdontothewor dthatI
am giv
ingy ounow;Iwil
lneverbet
rayyourson,
l
etaloney ouoryourf
ami l
y.Ij
ustneedaway -
outsir
,”hesquint
edandlookedaway .

“
Got
otheki
tchenandmakemeacupoft
ea
wi
thmi
l
kpl
ease…”heor
der
ed.

Irecoi
ledinconf usion,“
Ishouldmakeyoua
cupoft eawithmi lk?”Ii
nquir
edjustt
obesur eI
heardhim correctl
y .Howdidwegof rom t
alki
ng
aboutwor ki
ngf orhi mtomakingacupoft ea
forhim?

“
Yebobaba,
”Il
efthi
m.

Whatl i
terall
yjusthappened?Ihav eneverbeen
soconf usedinmyent ir
eli
fe.Doesthismean
I’
mi n…ordoesi tmeanmyi deaistoostupid
thathewon’ tevendi gni
fyi
twi t
hananswer .I
wentintot hekitchentomaket hiscupoftea.

“
Whatwast
hatabout
?”Zahasked.
“
Zanel
e,can’
tyoulett
hisonethi
ngpassyouby?
I
t’
sbet
weenRai nbowandyourfat
her
…”saidher
mom.

“Yourfat
herjustaskedmet omaketeaf orhi
m,”
Iannounced.Theybothsmiled.“
Hedi dn’
teven
givemeananswert owhatwewer etalki
ng
about.Theconversati
onendedli
keitnever
start
ed.”

“Maket ea,t
helongerhewaitsthegrumpi erhe
gets,
”saidZah.Igotstart
edont hetea.Iwill
makei texactl
ythesamewayImakemy
fat
her’
s, t
houghithasbeenawhi lesinceImade
myf at
heracupofcof f
eeortea;Ist
il
l
rememberhowhel ikedit
.Guywalkedi n.

“
Andt
hen?
”I’
m sur
ethat
’sdi
rect
edatme.
“Hesai
dtomakehim acupoft
eawi
thmi
l
k,”I
sai
d.Guygr
oaned.

“
Ma…”hewhi
ned.

“
NoLucky,
don’
tgetmeinvol
ved.Youknow
y
ourf
ather
”shewavedherhandsint
heair
.

“
Butma…”

“Lucky…no.”hermom madeitcleart
hatshe
won’tgetinvol
ved.Imadet
het eaandtookto
him.Iknocked.

“
Comein,
”hesai
d.Iwal
kedi
nandgavehim hi
s
t
ea,
Itur
nedar
oundheadi
ngfort
hedoor
.
“
Younglady
,”hecal
led.Ipausedandt
hen
t
urnedmyfacebacktohim.

“Yebobaba…”hest ir
redhi steawhi l
el ookingat
me.Thi sstari
ngthi
ngi sreallynotmaki ngme
comf ort
ablesowhilehisey eswer egluedon
me, mi newer ewanderingar oundt her oom.
Ev enLuckywant smet olookhi mi nt heey es;
he’sal wayssay i
ng,“
Mi ss,l
ookatme, ”andI
don’twantt ol
ookatany one.If eelliket heycan
seei ntomysoul ,al
lmyscar sandf ears.He
sippedhi shotcupoft ea,closedhi sey esand
thenswal l
owed.Heletoutasof tsighandt ook
anot hersip.

“Cal
lmysons…comeaswel l”Ir
ushedout.I
don’
tli
kementhatint
imidat
emesoDl amini
hadbett
erpl
ayhiscardsri
ghtbecauseIdonot
wanttoaddanot
hernamet omyl i
stof
i
ntimidati
ngmenI ’m notingoodt ermswith.
Shortl
yafter,Iwal
kedi nwit
hhi ssonsfol
lowing
me.Weal l st
oodatt hebottom ofthebedand
waitedforhimt opullhi
sattenti
onawayf rom
theteatous.“ Her
e’swhat’sgoingtohappen, ”
heannounced.“ Iwil
lgiveyouev er
ysingl
e
pennyfor3j obsupfrontsoy oucanbeony our
feet
,”

Ismi
l
ed,
“Thanky
ousi
r…”

“
I’
m notdone!
”

“Sorr
y,”Isai
dundermybr
eat
h.Het
ookanot
her
sip.

“
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ouwhatIpaymysonsmont
hly
…”
“
Babathat
’st
oomuch.Notevenourmenget
t
hatmuchmoney.
”Menzidi
sputed.

“Menzi,
Iam speaking…”apartofmei s
annoyedbythi
sDl aminichar
acterbutIneed
him soIwi
ll
holdmyhor ses.

“Ngi
yaxol
isaDlamini
,
”(I
’
m sor
ryDl
ami
ni,
)Menzi
humbledhimself
.

“AsIwassay i
ng;apaymentoft hreemonths
upfr
ontwill
bey our
sbeforethedayends, but
…If
weneedy ou–y ouwil
lavail
y oursel
f.Whenever
Ical
lyoucomer unni
ng..
.”

“Wai
tbaba!
”Guyspoke.“
Thatwi
l
lst
andunt
il
sher
epaysherdebt
,ri
ght
?”
“No,itwi
llgoonforaslongasIwanti tto…we
don’thav
eawomani nthefieldandshewas
abl
et ogetthosediamonds;itmakesme
wonderwhatmor ecanshedo…pl usshemakes
anicecupoft ea,
”saysDlamini.

“Dl
ami
ni,
Idon’
tmeant
oquest
iony
ourdeci
sion
but
…”

“Thendon’t
,”hedi
stur
bedGuy .So,t
hisman
want st
oownmebasi cal
ly
.Ican’tli
veli
ket
hat
.I
can’tbeownedbyanyone;especial
l
ynotbya
man.

“Thatmeansmyt imewithyouisindefi
nite,
that
meansy ouownme…butunf ort
unatelyMr
Dlamini
,Idon’
tplanondoingshadythingsfora
l
ongt i
me.Mypl anwasjustthr
eejobst ops…”
“Mybusiness, myplan,takeitorl
eaveit…ifyou
chooset oleaveit;
thenpacky ourt
hingsand
l
eavemyhouseandi fIsomuchasheart hat
youhelpedany onepenet r
atemybusi nessIwill
dealwithy oupersonal
lyandwhenIdeal with
thi
ngstheynev erbecomeapr obl
em again.”Did
hejustthreatentokil
lme?

“Baba!
”cri
edGuy.“Youdon’
thav
etothr
eaten
her…i
t’
sokay.Don’tt
aket
hemoney;Iwi
llhel
p
youwithever
ythi
ng!”

“Youwil
ldonosucht
hing,
”Dl
ami
nishutdown
hispl
anaswell
.

“I
t’
sokay
…Iwil
ldoi
t.I
t’
sfi
ne,
”Mywholeli
fehas
al
waysbeenascat
ter
edpuzzl
e,nev
ermaking
sense.I’
v eneverfeltasenseofbel onging
any where.Mymot hernev erl
ovedme, myf ather
l
ov edmewhenmymot herwasn’tl
ooki ng,Ihad
tochangenamesbecauseofmypsy choti
c
mot her,
Igotmar riedat22andt henmy
husbandi mmedi atelystar
tedbeating.Everyday
thatIli
ved,wasal way sawonderf orme…Idon’ t
hav eanotherchoice,thi
shereismywayout .I
hav etotakeit
.

“Miss,
youwil
lbei
ndebttomyf at
herf
orGod
knowshowlong”Guyst
atedoutwhatwe’
ve
al
readyfi
gur
eout.

“
Youarebasi
cal
l
yhi
ri
ngherbaba,
”remar
ked
Menzi
.

“Thensobei t
…now”hesmil
edandhi
seyesl
it
up,“Iheary
oucookedwit
hZahtoday
,Il
ook
for
war dt
otasti
ngyourmeal
.Youmaybe
excused,
”weallheadedf
orthedoor
.“Young
l
ady,”hecal
ledj
ustbefor
eIcoul
dshutthedoor
.

“
Yessi
r,
”Il
ookedathi
m.

“Lookatpeopl
emor eoft
en,
youhav
ever
y
beauti
ful
eyes,
”Inodded.

“I
fImaysoboldastoask,
sir
?”IhopeI
’m not
pushi
ngit
.Henodded.“
Whatdoesteahaveto
dowitht
his?
”hechuckl
ed.

“Nothi
ng,Ij
ustl
oveanicecupoft
ea…welcome
aboard.Nowpleasel
eavemetoenjoymytea,
”I
noddedagainandlef
thim.
Forsomeoddr easont hei deaofmebei ng
ownedbyamangi vesmemor efeart hant he
factthatthejobisact uallydanger ous.Idon’ t
knowmuchaboutwhatt hesepeopl edo, butI
knowi t’
snotsaf e;it
’snoty ourtypical9t o5.
There’smor e.Fir
stly,Guygav emeagl i
mpseof
hisli
fewhenheki ll
edt hatmanr ightinf rontof
meandt hent hediamondj obmadet hingsa
l
ittl
eclear,t
hismeet ingwi thhi sfatherjust
signedont hedot t
edl inesj ustl
ikeIsi gnedon
thedottedlineswi t
hmyl ife.Ihav eGuy ,Iwi l
lbe
good.

Thef ol
l
owi ngmor ning,GuyandIlefthisfamil
y
andheadedf orDurban.Andaspr omi sed,
beforeIlefthisf
athercalledmeintohi s
bedroom andgav emeabagf ul
lofmoney
whichgav emet heshockofmyl i
fe.Icome
fr
om money ,Igr
ewupwi thmoneyal laround
mebutI ’
v ealwaysseeni tonbankst atements
andphoneal erts.Seei
ngi twithmynakedey e
j
ustt hr
ewmeof f
.Theridebackt oDur banwas
bit
tersweet.Guykeptpr omi si
ngt hathewoul d
getmeoutoft hisdealwithhisf atherandIkept
tel
li
nghimt ost ayoutofit.Weobv iouslywent
backandf ortharguingabouti twhi chresul
ted
i
nhi m bri
ngingupNdumi soandhowhehas
tamedmei ntoat i
midper sont hatIcan’teven
l
ookpeopl eintheey es.That’swhenIst opped
tal
kingtohim.

Hel eftthemi nutewearri

vedathi sflatandI
di
dn’ tevenaskwher ehewasgoi ng.Ibathed
andt henwat chedsomeTv .Eventuall
yIfell
asleepandt henwokeupt ofindthet vwatching
me.Iwentt ot hebat
hroom topeeandt hen
wentt othekitchent
omakeasandwi ch,I’
m
starving.Iheardkeysratt
li
ngout sidethedoor;
event houghIknowi t’
shim; Isti
llwanthimt o
confirmt hatit’
shim.Mypastwon’ tall
owmy
mindtorest.I
’
m const
antl
ylooki
ngovermy
shoul
derjustwait
ingf
orNdumisotoshowup
andbeatmet othepul
p.

“
Guy
?”Ical
l
ed.

“I
t’
sme…”hesaidpushingt
hedooropen.He
boughtMcDonal
d’s.“
Canwetal
k?”

“
I’
mli
steni
ng,
”Iconcent
rat
edonmysandwi
ch.

“Ihaveburger
s,”hesay
sthatl
i
kei
t’
san
achievementofsomesort
.

“
Great!
”Ibr
ushedhim of
f.Imustadmit
;Iam
i
magini
ngthefi
rstbit
eofthatbur
gerandmy
mouthisj
ustwater
ing.
“Miss,I
’
m sor
ry.Thet
hingisIknowwher
eyou
arecomingfr
om andjustdon’
twanty
outoget
hurt,
”

“
Iwon’
tgethur
t!
”Idecl
ared,

“Youdon’tknowthat
!”shar
plyhesai
d.“
That
nightwhenIfoundyou,IwassomadbutIhad
tokeepcalmf ory
ou”
“
Guy
…”Isof
tl
ysai
dwhi
l
etaki
nghi
shand,

“Icouldn’tsleep.Iwasupt hewhol eni

ght…I
keptlookingaty ou,checki
ngifyouaresti
llali
ve.
Keptl ookingoutt hewindowsf orany
suspiciousmov ement sorcars…mychestwas
burning.Iwant edt ogetmyhandsonwhoev er
haddonet hattoy ouandki l
lthem onthespot.I
mean,howcanamandothattoawoman.
How?”heemphasi
zedont
helastwor
d.

“Youwer et heretosav eme.Ev enwhenIwent

backy ouwer esti
llt
heret osaveagai n.Thatday ,
wheny oushott hatman, Iwast err
ifi
edIwant ed
topeeont hespotbuty ouwer et here,youwer e
theretomakesur eIwasf ine.Andt hedi amond
j
ob…howt hehelldoy outhinkImanagedt odo
thatjob?BecauseIknewy ouwer et here.”He
gri
nned, “Idisconnectedcommuni cationswith
youbecausey ouwerebei ngapai ninmyass
butIknewy ouwer ether eandIwascer t
ainthat
nothingwoul dhappent omewi thy out here,
”

“
OhMi
ss,
”hesai
dsof
tl
y,

“Ineedyout
obeli
evethatIbel
iev
ethatyouwi
l
l
neverputmeindanger
,”henodded.“
Thank
you.”Isi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.“
Now,
canIhav
emy
burgerpl
ease?
”
Heki ssedmyf orehead,“Youareapaini nmy
ass!
”hesay s.“
Letmef reshenup”hel eanedin
andpl ant
edaki ssonmyl i
ps.Webot hreali
sed
aft
erwehadki ssedthatweact ual
lykissed,i
t
wasn' tpl
annedorf or
ced, i
twasjustnatural
.
“I
’m sorry…”

“Metoo…whoa”Ichuckl
edawkwar
dlyandso
didhe.

“Yeah!Whoa…okay ,l
etmego…”hewal kedout.I
mout hed‘fuck’
theminutehedisappeared.I
reall
yneedt omov eout.GuyandIcan’tkeep
doingt hi
s–especiall
ynowt hatI
’m worki
ngfor
hisfather.
Speaki ngofhi sfather,Ithinki t
’sonlyfai
rthat
Guyt ellsmewhatt heyr eallydo.Theyt alkabig
game, l
iketheyhav eal otofmoneybutt hey
don’tlookl i
ket heyhav emoney .Forexample;
Guyhasf l
ats,j
ustordinaryf lats,anyaverage
personcanhav ethose.Theyar enotfancyorin
anexpensi vearea.Hisf ami l
yhomei sjust
that…af ami l
yhome.I t’sabi ghousewi thother
roomsout sidebuti t
’sjustaf amilyhome;
nothingsuggest sthattheymaket hemoney
thei
rt alksinsi
nuat etheydo.Ineedt oknow
mor esi nceDlami nipracticallyownsmenow.
Iwentt obedf eelingextraexci tedbecause
tomor rowIwi l
lbegoi ngt oviewaf lat;
I’
m
takingt hefirststeptowar dsst arti
ngmyl i
ve
afresh.I t
’saonebedr oom flat, I
’m content…i
n
factIam ov erj
oyed.Ihav enev erstayedby
my self.Iwentf rom stayingwi thmypar ents
straightintomar riage.Ican’twai ttof i
xmy
houset hewayIwantt o,buyf urnit
ur eand
decorateittofi
tmypersonali
ty.Thi
sistoo
exciti
ngIcan’tevensl
eep.IwenttoGuy’sroom
andgoti ntobedwithhi
m.Hewasal r
eady
asleep.

“I
sever
ythi
ngokay
?”heaskedwr
appi
nghi
s
armsar
oundme.

“
Yeah,
Ican’
tsl
eep,
”Isai
d.

“
Okay,
youcansl
eepherewi
thme,”hekissed
t
hebackofmyneckandsai
d,“
GoodnightMiss”

“
It
’snotMi
ss,
it’
sRai
nbow,
”Iut
ter
ed.

“Andit
’snotGuy
,it
’sLucky
”hel
etoutal
azy
chuckl
e.
Iwokeupt hismorning,t
ookaqui ckshower,
preparedanoutfi
tformyv iewingat14:30and
thengotstart
edonbr eakfast.Ilef
tGuysti
ll
asleepbutIthi
nkhei supnow; Icanhearwater
runningint
hebathroom.Si ncet hi
sguydoesn’t
hav eadini
ngarea,Isetupbr eakfasti
nthe
l
iving-r
oom.

“Br
eakfasti
sready
!”Ishout
ed.I
nami
nut
eor
sohejoinedme.

“
Ist
hisy
ourgoi
ngawaygi
ft
?”hesat
.

“
…eat
,youl
ookhungr
y,”

“So,y
ou’
rel
eavingmenow?
”het
ookapi
eceof
baconandchewedoni
t.
“Remembert hatdaywhenyoufoundme? ”he
nodded,
“thatmor ni
ngyoumadet heexact
samebreakfastforme,soIthoughtIshoul
d
makeitourlastbreakf
ast
,”

“
Last
?Ithoughtyouwerest
il
lgoingfora
v
iewi
ng?
”hel eanedbackonthecouch.

“Guy,Idon’
twanttowast eanymoreti
me.The
viewi
ngisattwothir
ty;i
nt hemeant
ime,Iwi
ll
goandbuyt heessenti
als,
”

“
Miss!
”

“
Guy
!”
“
Ican’
tnow.Ineedt
ogot
oPMB…”

“
Icanhandl
eit
,”

“
So,
youdon’
tneedme?
”

“That
’snotwhatIsai
dandy
ouknowit
…whyi
s
every
thi
ngalwaysafi
ghtwi
thy
ou?”

Wel lasyouknowi t!Guywasdi f

fi
cultorIwas
di
f fi
cult
,Idon’
tknowbutal lIknowitthatwhat
startedoutasbreakf astendedwi t
hhi m
bringingupNdumi soagai ntotryandexer cise
what everpowerhet hinkshehasov erme.I
wasn’ tgoi
ngtostandf ort
hat.Hisfatherclearl
y
al
r eadyhassomepowerov ermeandt hat’
s
enough.
Igotmy selfacabandwenti ntotownbuy i
ng
whatIwi llneedf ormet oactuall
ymov ei n.The
i
mpor tantt hingIneededwasabedand
bedsheet s.Iwasabl et
ogetaf ri
dgeanda
microwav ewhi ch,thebedst oremanagerwas
ki
ndenought oletmehi reoneoft heirdel i
very
dri
versforaf ewhour s.By16:00mybedr oom
wassetupandr eadyt obeused.Thef r
idge
wasupandr unningandal lIhadtodowasj ust
mov einandbeahomeowner .Ifeelsopr oud
ofmy self.Iwi shmypar entscoul
dwi t
nesst hei
r
daughtergr owi ngup–t houghofcour set hey
wouldpr obabl yf orcemet ogobackt omy
husband–butst il
litwouldbenicef orthem t o
seewhatI ’
v eaccompl i
shed.

Iar
ri
vedatGuy’
spl
aceatexact
ly18:
00andhe
wasbackal
readyf
rom PMB,st
il
li
naf oul
mood.
“
Hey ,
”If
oundhim gawki
ngatt
hetv.Honest
ly;
I
j
ustwanttotal
kaboutmynewplaceandnot
f
ightwit
hhim.

“Wher
ehavey oubeen?”heaskedst
il
lgawki
ng
att
hetel
evi
sionscreen.

“
Itol
dy ouIhadaviewingtodayandIhadt obuy
f
urni
ture,
”Idef
endedmy selft
houghIdon’t
t
hinkIshoul
dbecausehisquestionsuggests
t
hatIanswertohim andIdon’t
.

“I
t’s6Rai
nbowandy
ourv
iewi
ngwasat2…”he
stood.

“
Ihadt
osett
hepl
aceup…”Isai
dtomydef
ence.
“Youcan’
tdi
sappeart
hewhol
edaywi
thout
noti
fyi
ngme…”

“
Idon’
thav
eaphone!
”

“
Idon’
tcare!
”her
aisedhi
svoi
ce,
whi
chmade
mefl
inch.

“
Don’
tshoutatme…don’ t
.Youcan’tdot hatto
me…”Ilefthim andwentint
omyr oom.It hink
i
t’
sbestifIleavenow.GuyandIar ejustgetti
ng
t
oocomf ortabl
ewi t
honeanother.Idon’thave
muchtopacksot hi
s’l
lbequi
ck.Hecamei n.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”heaskedt
aki
ngaseat
.

“
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgot
omypl
acewhi
l
ewebot
h
sti
l
lhaveoursani
tyi
ntact
,”Izi
ppedmyt
iny
sui
tcase.

“
ComeonMi
ss,
wej
usthadal
i
ttl
ear
gument
,”

“
Weseem t
obehav
ingal
otoft
hosel
atel
y,
”

“
It
’snormal
peopl
ear
gueal
lthet
ime…”he
j
usti
fi
ed,

“Yeahbutweseem t oarguewhenev erIhavet

o
dosomet hi
ngthatgivesmeal it
tl
econt r
oland
powerovermyl i
fe”Isaid,
“Ineedtof i
ndmy
powerGuy …andIdon’tthi
nkIwillf
indither
e
withyou,
livi
ngunderthesamer oof”

“
Wit
hmenotar
ound,
howwi
l
lIbesur
eyou
won’tgobacktoy ourpsy
chohusband…”I
pausedtryi
ngtotakeinwhathejustsai
d–in
fact–Iam try
ingtofindasui
tabl
ewayt o
respond.

“Iam about3secondsawayf r
om sl appi
ngyou,
whydon’tyougetout”hetookmyhandand
pull
edmecl oser.Hegotupandl eanedinbutI
l
eanedbackbef oreourl
ipscouldtouch.I
steppedaside,
“I’
dli
keyoutoleav ealone
please,
”

Hetookast
epcl
oserandsai
d,“
Miss,
Idi
dn’
t
mean…”

“Youdidn’
tmeanwhat ?Youdidn’
tmeanto
alway
si mplythatIam weakandstupi
dand
Ndumiso’spuppetbecausethati
swhatI
alway
shear .May bet
rybeingamanLuckyfor
onceandsayexactl
ywhatyoumean…”we
star
edateachotherf
orafewseconds.

“Fine,haveityourway …”heexi
ted.Ihavegi v
en
Luckywayt oomuchpowerandhei sabusingit
.
Hewant stocontrolme.Hewant smet odoas
hesay s,hewant stopr ot
ectmelikeIbelongto
him.Theonl ydi
ffer
encebetweenwhathei s
doingandwhatNdumi sohasbeendoi ngisthe
factthathisdomi nancedoesn’
tcomewi th
slapsandi nsult
s.

PLEASESHAREANDI
NVI
TEYOURFRI
ENDSTO
THEPAGE♡
I
NSERT14

RUDEAWAKENI
NG
Noun

1.Surpri
singandunpl
easantdi
scov
eryt
hatone
i
smi staken

2.Anoccurr
enceofbei
ngmadet
ofacean
unpl
easantf
act

Thisfeelsni ce.Waki ngupinthecomf ortofmy

ownspace…Isl eptli
keababy .TodayIwi l
lgo
andseeGuy ,tryt omaket hi
ngsrightwithhim
becauseIdoneedhi mtobei nmyl i
fe.Besides
that;
hisfat herownsmenowsowebasi call
y
workt ogether .Weneedt ofindcommongr ound.
Fornow, Ineedsomet hi
ngtoeatsoIwi l
lneed
togooutandf indthenearestshopjusttoget
breakfast.Igotmy selfr
eadyformyl it
tl
etri
p
aroundmynewnei ghbourhood.Iworeawhi t
e
vest,denim mi niskir
tandf l
ipfl
ops.Ibought
thesewhenIwasf ur
nitureshoppi
ngyester
day
.
Ineedt odosomet hi
ngaboutmyhai r,
somet hi
ngthatdoesn’tremindmeofNdumi so
andt heli
fewelived,
may becornrowsor
anythingnat
uralandsimpl e,
fornowIjust
combedmyaf roandleftitopen.

“OkayRai nbow,y oucandot his,”Imot i

v ated
my self
, “Justbreathe, walkli
keanor mal per
son
andbeanor malper son.Ndumi soisnother e,
hewi llnotf i
ndy ou,”Ireassuredmy self.Itook
mywal letandheadedf orthedoor ,befor eI
opened, Ididali
t t
lebr eathi
ngexer cise.Ipulled
thedoorhandl edown, swungt hedooropen
andt hen…

“Hihoney”hesai
dwitht hatev
ilsmirkal
lov er
hisface.Mychestst
artedburning,
mywal let
fel
lalongwit
hthecourageIhadbui l
tup.“Open
thegate,”hedemanded.If roze, “
Isaid,
”he
shoutedki ckingthegate,Ijumpedand
i
mmedi atelyunlockedthegat e.Isteppedback
all
owinghi m spacet ocomei n.hel ockedthe
gate,
shutt hedoorandl ockedi taswell.“
Did
youmi ssme? ”

“Pl
easeleav
e.Iwon’treporty
outothepoli
ce,
j
ustleav
e,”myv oi
cefail
edmebyt r
embling
bef
oremybi ggestf
earsignal
ingt
hatI’
m
not
hingshortofpetr
if
ied.

“Thepol i
ce?Whatpol i
ce?Thepolicearemy
fri
ends…”hegr abbedmear oundtheneck.His
gripgottight
er.Al
lIcoulddowashi thisarm
andt hatdidnothi
ngtoabat et
hesi t
uati
on.He
fi
nall
yr el
easedmeandIf el
ltothefloor
.Akick
camei nlikeacannonbal li
nmyst omachwhi ch
stoppedmybr eat
hingforasecond.Itri
edto
crawl
tot
her
oom butheki
ckedmeagai
n,
sendi
ngmef
acef
irstt
otheti
les.

“I
’
m sorry,
”Iwi
ncedrol
li
ngov ertof
acehim.I
watchedhimtakeoutaninj
ectionf
rom hi
s
pocket.

“Don’
tmov e,”hecameovermewi t
hthe
i
njecti
on.Ifeltapi
nchonmyarm andjustknew
thatwhateverhappensafewsecondsfr
om
nowIwi l
lhav enoknowl
edgeof.

“Whatdi
dyougi
veme?”IaskedwhenIf
eltmy
bodydet
achi
ngf
rom r
eal
it
y.

“Justr
elax,
youwon’tdi
e.I
’
mt aki
ngyouhome
myl ov
e…”Itri
edscr
eamingandkicki
ngbutI
hadnocont r
olov
eranypartofmybodybutmy
mind.Icouldfeelmyeyesgivi
ngouttothedrug
aswell.Theywereheavyandneededmet ojust
cl
osethem andr el
ax.Unwi
lli
nglyt
heyshut,
l
ivi
ngmei nanabyssofdarkness.

Ijumpedwhenaf ai ramountofwat erwas

throwni nmyf ace.Igaspedf orai
randcoughed
asIopenedmyey es.Iattemptedsitt
ingup
straightbutIwasr estri
cted.Il
ookedtomyl ef
t
andf oundthatmywr istwast i
edtothecorner
oft hebed.Bot hmyhandsandf eetwereti
edto
eachcor nerofthebed.

“Wel
comehomehoney
”hesang.Thi
sisour
bedr
oom.

“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”Iaskedcr
ying.
“
Not
hing,
”

“
Thenl
etmegoNdumi
so…”

“Youst
il
lremembermyname,”hethr
ewina
devi
oussmile,
“Ican’
tlety
ougo,
youaremi
ne.
Youaremywi f
e,”

“PleaseNdumiso,Iwantadivorce…di
vor
ceme
thenletmego.Iwi l
lnotfi
ghtit
,youcantake
any t
hingandever
ything,
”Ibegged.

“
Wel
lIwanty
ou!
”hesatnextt
ome.

“
Idon’twantyou!”Ishout
edoutofanger,
“Ihat
e
you!Youareasickweakandwor t
hle…”heshut
meupwi thaslapacrossmyface.Ispatr
ighti
n
hisf
ace,hesl
appedmeagai
nandst
ood.“
Ihat
e
you,
”Icr
iedundermybr
eat
h.

“Ti
lldeathdouspar t
,Ineedt ogotoworkand
suppor tt
hisfamil
y,”hebentov ermeandki ssed
myf orehead.“Il
ovey ou,”hepull
edthedrawer
openandpul ledoutbl acktape.“
Thisshould
shuty ouup,butIwi l
lsendy oubacktosleep,
j
ustf ormysani t
y,”

“Wait
!”Isaidbef
orehecoul
dsti
ckthet
apeover
mylips.“Iwon’
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d,pl
easedon’
t
dothat…”

Hesmi l
edandsai d,“Whatmakesy outhi
nkI
tr
ustyou? ”hepull
edoutani nj
ecti
onfrom t
he
drawer,admireditandthenstabbedmyar m
withi
t.Iscreamedasar esul
tofpain,
to
el
iminatethenoiseIwasmaki ng,he
i
mmedi atelycov eredmymout hwi t
ht hetape.
Everyt
hingbecamel i
ght,Ilostcontrolofbody
mov ement s.Myey esst artedseeingbl ur
i
mages, ever y
thingwasj ustdist
orted.Iallowed
myey elidst ofallandall Icouldseewas
darkness.Heki ssedmeov erthetapeandsai d,
“Ican’
twai ttomakel ovetoy ou,
”ifev enfora
secondIt houghtIcoul dbeany t
hingwi thout
Ndumi so, Iwasi nf orarudeawakeni ng.

“Baby ,
”Ifel
tasl i
ghtpatont hecheek.WhenI
peeledmyey esopenmyhear tstartedr acing.I
tri
edshout i
ng, havi
ngcompl etelyf orgotten
aboutt hetapeov ermymout h.Ev erything
start
edcomi ngbackt ome.“ Calm down, ”he
caressedmyf ace,“Shh,okay?”Inodded.“ Iwil
l
remov ethetape.Ify ouscream, Iwi l
l putitback
andt henbeatt hefuckoutofy ou”Inodded
again.Hepeel edthet apeoffleav i
ngbehi nda
sti
nging,burningsensat i
on.Ilickedmyl i
ps
t
ryi
ngt
obri
ngl
i
febackint
othem.“
Ilov
eitwhen
y
ouobeymemylov
e,”

“
Pleasel
etmego,pl
easeNdumiso…”Ibegged
wi
thtear
srunni
ngoutmyeyes.

“No!”hestood.“Youar
emywi f
e…”hestart
ed
untyi
ngme.Isatupst r
aight.“Goandshower ,
tr
yany t
hingfunnyandIwill
f uckingki
l
lyou,
”he
pull
edouthisgun.“Go”

Theent i
retimeIshower edNdumi sowast here
wav i
ngagunar oundlikei twasat oy
, wi
thno
careinthewor ld.Hewat chedmeshowerand
spoket omel i
keev ery
t hingwasnor mal.Li
kehe
hadn'thurtmeorki dnappedmef orthatmat t
er.
Howcanaper son,ahumanbei ngbeso
delusi
onal andsickandst upi
dallatthesame
ti
me?
Afterbat
hinghepull
edoutacl eanshir
tfr
om
hisclot
hesandthrewitatmet oputon.And
thenwewenti nt
othebathroom again-athi
s
commandofcour se.Itwashisturntoshower;
helockedthedoorsoIwon' tt
ryanythi
ngstupi
d.

"Whatwereyouuptot hiswholeti
mey ouwer
e
away?"Heaskedpressingthegunonmyback
asweexitedthebat
hroom intothebedroom.

"Nothi
ng,"Isaidundermybr eathe.Inal
l
honestyIhavenot hingtosaytohim.Att hi
s
pointI
'
dmuchr at
hersleepandwakeup
str
onger.What everhekeepsgiv i
ngmehasn' t
completelywor nofffr
om mysy stem.Istil
lfeel
woozyandt ired.Mybodyi sshaking,i
t'
sev en
ti
ri
ngtobr eathe.
"Comeonbaby .Areyouexpect i
ngmet o
believethat?"heglancedatmeandhi s
foreheadcr eased."Tellmethen,
"hepulledup
hisboxer s,"howdidy oumanaget ogetthat
fl
at? "Ikeptmyey esdown.Hecameandsat
nextt ome." Howdi dy oumanaget obeinthat
fl
at?Youl ef
tallyourcredi
tcards..
.Aper
sonin
yourposi ti
onshoul dbeoutinthest r
eet
s,"

"NoteveryoneisascruelasyouareNdumi so,"
withthespeedoflighthegrabbedmyneck,
pushedmebackandpi nnedmet othebedand
thencli
mbedont opofme.Ihi thi
sar mtryi
ngto
gethimt ostopbutallmyattemptsfai
led.I
'm
weak, I
'
m surethatfel
tmorel i
keatapthanahi t
.

"
Ihav
ebeensogoodt
oyou,
Tumi
..
."

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"Iut
ter
edwi
tht
hel
astbi
tofst
rengt
h
Ihadi nme.Hi sey esbor edi ntomi neast hey
burnedwi thmal ev olence.Hest opped
strangl i
ngme, Itookal ongandl oudgaspi n
attemptt ogat herwhatwasl eftasasi gnofli
fe
i
nsi demybeat -
upweakbody .Heal l
owedhi s
bodyt ofindr estont opofmi nef ur ther
restricti
ngmyabi l
ityt obreathef reel y.Hethen
restedhi sf oreheadonmi ne,"youwi l
l l
i
veatmy
mer cy ,Iwil
l makesur ethaty oucannotbe
withoutme, youhear ?"Inodded." Iwi l
lbeyour
God, yourruler ,yourmast er.
..t
her ef orethat
meansIcanbr eaky ouandIwi l
l br eaky ouTumi.
Youar ealreadybr oken, nowIwi l
l crushy ou.
Youwi llneverev erbest rongi ny ourl ifeyou
usel essbi t
ch! "Dr opletsofsal i
vakeptj umping
outofhi smout handont omyf ace." Getint
o
bed! "Hegav eanor derandIdi d.

Iwatchedhi
mt akeoutani
njecti
onfr
om hi
s
drawer,t
hesecondmyeyeslaiduponit
;I
shi
ft
edawayf
rom hi
m.

"Pleasedon' t,
Iwill
respectyouandobeyy ou:I
promi se,
"Ibegged.Hegotcl oserandi nj
ected
meany way .Hepulledmyl egsapar tandthen
pulleddownmyunder wear.Iattemptedt olif
t
upmyar m buti tr
efusedtof uncti
onlikeaf ul
ly
functioni
ngar m.Ilostcontrolofallmov ement
andI '
m scar edthatImightdie.Iknowwhathe' s
goingt odo.Asbl urredasmyv i
sionis,Icansee
himt ouchinghi mselfandbreathingheav i
lyover
mepr epar
ingt ocomei nsi
deme.

"Imissedy ou,
"hewhisperedashecameov er
me.Hegotcl oserandki
ssedmyf orehead,"just
rel
ax,"hesaid.Heinsert
edhi spenisinsi
deof
meandt henexhaledsoft
ly.Myey esf el
lshut
giv
ingint othedrughehadi nject
edmewi th.
Idon'
twantt
oopenmyey
es.Idon'
twantt
o
facereali
tybecausei t'
sscar yandI 'm weak.To
behonestt hought;whatt hef uckdi dIthink?
DidIthinkI'
djustrunawayf rom him andt hen
l
ivehappi l
yeverafter?Luckyf ooledmei nto
beli
evingIcouldbesomet hingeitherthan
Ndumi so'swifeandpunchi ngbag.Hemadea
fooloutofmeandsai dIwasst rong.Thisi sal
l
hisfault
;hemademebel i
ev eIcouldleada
normal andbeanor mal humanbei ngt hatcan
standupf orthemselv es.Hel ied!Heliedt ome.
Fuck!Iwasact uall
yst arti
ngt oseemy selfas
someoneel se.Howf uckingdumbofmer i
ght?
Becauseher ewear enowandI '
m backt obeing
thatstupid,wort
hless, dumbbi t
chthat
Ndumi soalway stel
lsmeIam.

May
beIjustneedt
ogi
vei
nandcomebackt
o
myoldl
i
fe,
That '
l
lbeeasier.Thatwon' tbeal i
ebecauseI
knowi tandI'veliveditfory ear
s.Thatli
feis
realertomet hant heai ri
nmyl ungs.Ndumi so
i
sr ealertomet hanGuyi s.Iknowhi m,I'
ve
experiencedhim andIknowwhatt oexpect
from him.I'
vest udiedhi m andmast er
edhis
way s.Iknowwhenhe' sgoingtobeatmeory el
l
atmeorf uckme. ..Ij
ustknow.Thi sisallt
he
mor ereasonwhyIhav etoapol ogizet
omy
husbandandst ayher e;forgoodt hist
ime.

"Ndumiso,
"Iwhi
sper
ed."
I'
m hungry
,"hewas
seatednextt
omebusywithhisphone."
What
ti
mei si
t?"

"I
t'
stheeveni
ngofthenextday
,"hesays."We
hadalotoffunyouandI,
"hesmirked.I
breat
hedintremul
ousl
y.Ndumisoisasickman.
Howcany ouhavesexwithanunconsci
ous
per
sonandt
hensay
,'wehadf
un'

"I
'
m hungry
,"It
hinkIhadn'teateninnear
ly3
days.Ev
enbreathi
ngfeelslaboured.

"I
'
llgetyouacoff
eeandmay
besomecer
eal
or
soup,"Ishookmyhead.

"
Iwantabur
ger
,"Iut
ter
ed.

"Fi
ne,I
'l
lmakeanexcepti
onj ustt
hisonce.I
'l
l
orderabur
gerforyou.I
'
llgetyousomegr apes
i
nt hemeanti
me,"

"Cof
fee,
"Isai
dswall
owingonl
yGodknows
whatseei
ngthatmymout hi
sasdryasthe
SaharaDeser
t.Hegotupandexi
ted.Myeyes
fl
oodedwi thtearsatthethoughtofNdumi so
havinghiswaywi thmewhi l
eIwas
unconscious.Isatupst r
aightandcl
eanedmy
eyes.ThesoonerIacceptNdumsi oforthe
monst ert
hathei sthelesstraumati
zingthe
thi
ngshedoest omewi l
lbe.
Luckywil
lnev
erbeabl etofindme.Idon'thav
e
aphoneandhehadnev erbeentomynew
phonesoI'
mf ucked.Myonlyhopeofev er
abati
ngNdumiso'sangerisbyplayi
ngalong.
That'
stheonl
ywayIwi llsur
v i
ve.

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT15

VOW

Noun/
Ver
b
(
Plur
al:
vows)

1.Adecl
arat
ionorasser
ti
on

2.Todeclar
epubli
cl
ythatonehasmadeavow,
usual
lytoshowone’sdet
erminat
ionort
o
announceanactofret
ali
ati
on

AweeklaterandI'
m st
il
lher
e;hestil
ldrugsme
andbeat
smeev er
ynowandagai n.I
'm st
il
lti
ed
upinhi
sbed.Hewentt owork,butI'
m cert
ain
heisonthewaynow.

Basically
, Ispendmyday sdruggedandmy
nightsev enmor edrugged.Her arel
yfeedsme.
Hesay shef orget
sI'm back.Helastfedme
yesterdaymor ni
ng.Icanonlyhopet odieri
ght
now.Ifeelweak,col
dandscared.Thedrug
woreofffastert
hanusual
.Iusuall
ydon'
twake
upunti
l hecomesbackandwakesme, maybe
hehasusedi tsomuchonmet hatmybodyis
star
ti
ngt onotyi
eldt
oit.

"Good,
y ou'
reup!
"Heannouncedbar
gingi
n."
We
needtotalk,
"heunti
edmethenremovedt
he
tapeovermymout h.

"
Ndumiso,
pleasegi
vemesomef ood,
"Ibegged
wi
thwhatfel
tli
kemyver
ylastbr
eath.

"
Answermethisfi
rst
,whowastaki
ngcareof
y
ou?"Heasked."
Wasi taman?Yourl
over
?"

"
Foodf
ir
st,
"Idemanded.
"Whodidyour unto?Wasi tthatgood
Samarit
anfrom thelastti
me?Washef ucki
ng
you,
"hetookmyhandandpul l
edmet omyf eet,
myentir
ebodywassopai nf
ul,standi
ngfeltli
ke
afor
eignactiv
ity-asar esul
t-mykneesf ai
led
meanddr aggedmet othefl
oor ,

"
Iwantf
ood,
"

“Whil
eint heof fi
ce, Iremember edthelasttime
youranaway ;yousai damansav edyou.Wasi t
him?”Iignoredhi m andconcent r
atedon
breat
hing;“Speaky ouwor thl
esswhor e!”he
rai
sedhisv oice.Iat temptedcli
mbi ngont he
bedbutt hisheartlesssonofabi tchpull
edme
backtot hefloorbymyhai r
.Hisfootswung
back,andwi thfullspeedcamebackt ocolli
de
withmyr ibcagecompl et
elystoppingmef r
om
breat
hing.Itfeltl
ikemygut salongwi t
hmyl i
fe
hadsomehowf
oundanexi
toutofmybodyand
tooki
t.

“
Iwi
l
ltel
lyou,
”Igaspedf
orai
r.

“
Speak!”hedemanded.“
Didy
ougobackt
ohi
m?
What'
shisname?”

“
Lucky
…”

"Lucky
?Yousai
dyouhithi
staxit
hatni
ght
!Isi
t
thesameguy?Wer
eyoucheatingonme?"A
slapfl
ewacr
ossmyface.

"
Please,
kil
lmeNdumiso,
"Icri
edont
hef
loor
j
ustasecondawayf
rom gi
vingup
“Ineedhisfullname, ”Ican’
t.Ican’
toff
erLucky
asal i
vingsacrif
ice;Iwouldnev erbeabl
etol i
ve
withmy sel
fifany t
hinghappenedt ohim.Lucky
i
st heonlythi
ngt angibleinmyl i
feandhiskids.
GodSam andMt ho,whatwoul dtheydowithout
theirf
ather
?

“Idon’tknow, ”hepunchedmei nthef aceandI

i
mmedi atelybled.“ Ndumi so,please…”Ibegged.
Hebentov ermeandst artedpunchi ngme
repeatedly.Hegr untedwi thev erypunch.I tgot
toapoi ntwher eIstoppedt ryingtofight .I
couldn’tsee.Icoul dn’tbr eathepr operlyandI
couldn’tfeel myf ace.Icoul dn’thearhi m
gruntingany mor e,Icoul dn’tfeelhim ov erme.
Myv isionisdi stort
ed, Icanbar el
yseeany thing.
Ithi
nkI ’m alonenow.Wher edi dhego?
“Ndumi so,”Ical l
ed.Ist ayedr i
ghtwher ehel eft
me, thefactt hatIcannotseei smaki ngt hings
evenhar derf orme.
“
Hey
,hey
…openy
ourey
es”

“Ndumiso,
”Ipant
edwi
thmyey
espr
act
ical
l
y
shut.

“He’snother e,i
tsmeMenz i
.Justhangon”
Menzi ishere…Menzi.“She’suphere…”he
shouted.“Staywi t
hme”It eart
rickl
edoutmy
eye.Icouldn’tevencryproperl
y;mywholebody
wasj ustnumbandpai nf
ul.

“Hel
p”Iwhi
sper
edgaspi
ngf
orai
r,“
Me”he
carr
iedmei
nhisar
ms.

That
’st
hel
astt
hingIr
emember
.
Mybr ainpul
ledmebackt or eal
it
y.Ithi
nkI ’
min
amov ingvehicle.Whereishet aki
ngme?I
start
edpanicking, myheartstart
edbeatingfast
.
Igotmor escaredwhenIat t
empt edtoopenmy
eyesandcoul dn’t.al
lIf
eltwaspai nandf ear
.I
didn’
tknowwher eNdumisowast akingmeor
whathewasgoi ngtodotome.I ’m cer
tainheis
goingtokil
lme.

“
Hmmm”Imoaned,
Ifel
tahandsqueezi
ng
mine.

“
Rai
nbow,
justst
aycal
m.I
’
m her
e…”

“
Ndumi
so…”Iut
ter
edt
hroughmyt
eet
h.

“
Shet
hinkshe’
sst
il
lher
e…”
“ThisisMenzi,Lucky’
sbigbr
other
.Youare
safe…”hesqueezedmyhand.ThenI
remember ed;Menzicame.Butever
ythi
ngis
suchabl ur…”Andi
le,
youneedtodri
vefast
er,we
arelos…Rainbow!Rainbow!
”

Ihavenev erfeltsafesinceTumel odied.He

wasmybestf ri
endandhel ookedoutf orme
andpr ot
ectedme, aft
erhedi ed;Iwasj uston
myown.Dadt ri
edt obet hereformebuthedi d
thatbybuy i
ngmet hingsandgi vingmecut epet
names, li
keIcecr eam.Andmama. ..Jesust hat
woman!Idon’ tknowwhathappenedt oher .I
don’tknowwhyshe’ ssocol dandl oveless.She
tri
edtobeal ovingandpr esentmot herbuti t
seemedoccupy i
ngthatposi t
ionmadeher
uncomf ort
able.

“
GetupRai
nbow,
openy
ourey
es…”Ihear
da
voiceatadist
ance.Ifel
tasqueezeonmyhand,
“Rainbow,
”Itr
iedtoopenmyey estoseewhere
Iwas.Asunbear abl
easthepainwasI
managedt oatleastseewhatwasinfr
ontof
me, “Youneedtowakeup,please…”

“Hmmm”Imoanedandt henwi ggledafinger.I

peeledmyey esopenevenwi der,it
’sLucky ,
he’s
here.Butnowthequesti
onis, wher eam I?Ifeel
thatmyf acei
samess, myey esf eelswollen
andIjustknowIlookhorri
ble.

“I
’m here…”hesaid.Iopenedmymout hand
tri
edtospeakbutIf ailed.Icouldn’
tspeak, I
couldn’
topenmymout h.Itwastoopainful.
“She’sup!”Guyshout ed, “
mama! ”I
’m scared.
I’
m soscar ed.WhatifI’m neverabletospeak
again?!
?Ist art
edbreathingheav i
ly
,whati f
Ndumi sobr okemef orgood?
“
Hmm,
”Iwi
ggl
edmyhand,
hel
ookedatme,

“Speak,I
’m her
e,”hesayslooki
ngatme.My
eyestravel
ledbetweenhiseyesandmyhand.I
neededhi mtolookatmyhand, I
’mtr
yingto
communi catewithi
t.Buthekepthi
sey eson
mine.“Saysomet hi
ng,
”

“Paper…sheneedssomethi
ngt
owr
it
eon,
”I
don’tknowwhosaidthat
.

“Goodj
obboy
,”sai
dGuyandr
ant
ogetapaper
andpen.

“Baba,usemytabl
et,i
t’
ll
beeasier
!”hecame
beforemewit
hat abl
et.Mthobi
sii
shere…Lucky
camebackempt yhanded.
“
That
’sagoodi
deaMt
ho,
”Mt
hobi
sibr
oughtt
he
t
abl
etcl
oser
,

“Justt
ypeaunt
yRainbow,
”Inoddedt
ryi
ngt o
sayhewasdoingagreatj
ob.Il
ookedatthe
tabl
etscr
een,l
i
ftedmyhandandstar
tedtypi
ng.

“NDUMISO”Il
ookedatMthowhenIwasdone,
heshoweditt
ohisfat
her
.

“
Heisnothere,y
ouaresafebutIpr
omi
seyou,
I
wi
ll
findhi
m,”saidGuy
.Hismom anddad
wal
kedin.

“
SAM”It
yped.Idi
dn’
twantherseemel
i
ket
his.
“Sam i
sfi
ne.Shesawyou…alr
eadyMiss…”I
shookmyheadandtearsfel
loutofmyeyes
andint
omyear s.

“
CANTSPEAKPAI
N”

“
Rai
nbow,weareal
lheremybaby
,”sai
dhi
s
mom.“Noneedtoworr
y,”

“
SCARED”Guycameandt
ookmyot
herhand.

“I
t’
sokay,I’
m here…we’real
lhere,
”Inodded.
Eventhoughheassur edmet hathewasthere,
I
wasstil
lscared.Ndumisoisamanwi t
halotof
connecti
ons.Howdi dheevenknowwher eI
was?Howdi dhef i
ndme?
Hi
smom camecl oser
,“Ineedyoutor
elaxy our
muscl
esokayandjustopenyourmouth,justa
l
it
tl
e,
”Itri
edtorel
axandjustbecal
m down.I
at
temptedtoopenmymout hbutthepainIfelt
mademer etr
eati
mmedi at
ely
.

“Ineedyouguystoleave…thiswon’tbe
pleasant
,”shesay
s.“Ineedt oopenhermout
h
my sel
fandit’
sgoingtobev erypai
nful
,
”

“
Hhhhmmm…”Icr
ied.

“Ma,pl
ease.She’
sbeeni
nwaytoomuch
pai
n…can’twegiv
ehersomet
imes,
”

”No,i
fwedon’tdothi
snow;herjawsmightlock
good…”Icri
edatthet
houghtofhavi
ngmyj aws
l
ockedforever
.WhatdidNdumisodotome?
“
Letmest
aywi
thher
,”beggedGuy
.

“Everybodyelse, out,
”hismom demanded.
“babygi r
l,t
hisisgoi ngtohurt,j
ustbe
strong…itsonlygoi ngtotakeasecond, ”Guy
tookmyhand.Shef i
rstmassagedmycheek
bonest henpul l
edmyl i
psapar t
.Ibr eathed
heav il
ywaiti
ngf orhert odowhat everi tisthat
shewant edt odo, BeforeIknewi t,shehad
pulledmymout hopen.Icoul dn’tscr eam as
l
oudasIwant edt o,Ij
ustletoutloudgr oanings,
turnedonmysi deandcr i
edwhi l
ehol di
ngont o
Guy ’shand.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
I’
m sosor
ry,
”Guy
’sv
oicecr
acked.

“
Letmegi
vehersomet
hingf
ort
hepai
n…”her
f
oot
stepst
huddedaway
.

“I
’m goi
ngtofi
ndhi
m andki
llhi
m sl
owl y
,ont hi
s
dayImakethatpr
omisetoy
ou,”Ikeptgroaning
andwaili
ngli
keadyi
ngdog,att
hispointthatis
al
lIcando.Hismom camebackwithagl ass
andaspoon.

“Icr
ushedt het abl
etsandaddedwat ersoit’
s
easi
erfory outoconsume, ”Il
aidbackonmy
backwithmymout hsl i
ght l
yopen.Shepour ed
whatusedt obesol i
dt abletsinsidemymout h,
swall
owingwasn’ tashar d.Thel iqui
djustsl
id
downmyt hroat.Guyj ustsatt hereholdi
ngmy
handinhis, makingv owst omakeNdumi sopay.
Icri
edforaf airamountoft i
me; Iwasinpain.
Thepil
lsshegav earen’ tworkingasf astasI’
d
wantedthem t o.Atthispoi ntnosoundi s
comingoutofmebutI ’
m cr yi
ng.Iwant
everyt
hingtostop.Idon’
twantt
obeali
ve.I
don’twanttofeelthi
spai
nanymore.Makei
t
stop.Please!
“
IpromiseyouMiss,Ipromi
seyou.Iwil
ldi
e
makinghi
m pay
…Iv ow.”Hekeptsayi
ng.

Afteranhouror2thepai
nhadeased.Iwas
feeli
ngsleepy
,butIdi
dn’
twantt
osleep.Whatif
Ndumi socomesandtakesmeagain.Ican’t
sleep.Guywalkedi
nandfoundmebr eat
hing
heav i
l
y.

“It
’sme…”hesay s.Zahi ssl
eepinginhisroom,
sinceIinvadedhers.Hecamecl oser.Iwiggl
ed
myhandandhel ookedati t
,“Okay…youcan
talk,
”Iwroteonani maginarypaperwithan
i
magi narypen.“
Wr it
ing…okay,hol
don”het ook
outhisphoneandwentt omemoandt henhel
d
i
tupf ormet owrit
e.
“
SON”It
yped.

“Son,myson?”heconf i
r med,Igavehima
thumbsup.“Mt hobisi….”Hecalled.“
Mt ho,
”
Mt hobi
sicamei nrunning.“Shewant syou,
”he
saidandsteppedasi degi v
inghim space.

“
Aunt
yRai
nbow,
”het
ookhi
sfat
her
’sphone.
“
Youcant
ype…”

“
THANKSVERYBRAVE”

“
Don’tworryabouti
t,j
ustrestokay
.”Inodded.
“
I’
m here.Baba’
shereandbabaMenzi ,and
Mkhulu,
”Inoddedagain.
“
WATER,
”

“
Okay
,I’
l
lgeti
tfory
ou,
”Mt
hoj
umped.
“
Mthobisi
,I
’m sur
ether
e’sast
rawsomewher
e
i
nthetaxi
…”saidGuy

“
Okay
,”

Guylookedatme.hest aredint
omyey es.What
wouldIhavedoneifany t
hinghadhappenedt o
him?IfIknewanythingabouthim atall
;wouldI
haveledNdumisot ohimt osavemy sel
f?The
thoughtofhi
m gett
inghur tj
ustmademecr y
.
Myey eswerefi
ll
edwi thtear
s.
“I
’
m sorr
yMi ss,
”mybr eat
hingquivered.I
’mthe
onewhoshoul dbeapologi
zingtoLuckyf or
bri
ngi
ngthismessi nt
ohishome, hisfamilyand
ki
ds.Iwi
llnevereverfor
giv
emy selfforthi
s
#bonusi
nser
t
#React
#shar
e
#comment
♡
I
NSERT16

REALI
TYCHECK

(
Plur
al:
Real
i
tychecks)

1.Acheckorr evi
ewtomakesur
esomet
hingi
s
consi
stent
,reasonabl
e

2.Awake-
upcal
l
,remi
nder
2weeksl aterandI ’m sti
ll
here.Stillhi
ding
my sel
finZanel e’sroom andst i
ll
scar ed.Ican
speaknow; mybodyi sheali
ngbutmyhear t
breaksev ery daythatIbreathe.Ev erysecondI
thinkaboutwhatNdumi soputmet hr
oughandI
reli
veev ery
t hinginmyhead, maki ngthepai n
brand-newal loveragain.Idon’trecognize
my sel
fany mor e.Idon’tevenfeellikemy self
.I
don’tfeelli
keRai nbowandIdon’ tf eelli
keTumi.
Ijustfeelli
keacor psewai ti
ngtobedecl ared
dead.

Thepastday shavebeenv eryhardformebut

theDl
ami ni
’shavebeenv eryhospit
able
towar
dsme.Zanel emovedi nt
oLucky ’
sroom
soLuckycanspendhi snightswithme.And
Mthobi
si,hehasbecomemyf avori
tepersoni
n
thi
shouse.Hej ustmaturedupandbecamea
manlit
erall
yinamat terofseconds.Hecomes
i
nher eev erydayt ohelpmewal kar
oundt he
room sinceI ’
m stil
lscaredt
ogoout si
de.Sam
comest or eadmest ori
esandgivemecooki es
from school,whichshemademesweart onot
tell
asoul ;especiall
ynotherfat
her.

Zaneledidmyhai r
, nothi
ngfancy ,justcor nr ows
toprotectmyhai randEuni cei sadoct or…who
wouldhav ethought .Iaskedheroneoft heday s
howsheknewexact l
ywhatt odoandshet old
meshewasadoct orbutaspeci alkindof
doctor,shewor ksf orherhusbandaswel l.She
didn’
treallygoi ntodet ai
lbutIgott hepi cture.
Thismor ningIbat hedwi thoutt heassi stanceof
GuyorZanel e.Imakesur etonotl ookatmy self
i
nt hemi rror,i
tsetsmebackaf ewst eps.Ican
hearthem f i
ll
ingupi nthedini
ngr oom f or
breakfast.Usual l
y–t hey
’dbringmyf oodt othe
room andI ’deatal one.Guyat ewi thmef ort wo
orthreeday sandt henItoldhimt ost op; he
neededt ospendtimewi t
hhisfamily;
especial
ly
hiskids.Thi
smor ning,
Imadeabol ddecisi
on
tojointhem.Ihaveongr eysweatpants,Guy’
s
blackadidast-
shir
tandf l
ipf
lops.Iwalked
steadil
ytothetable.

“
MissRai
nbow,
”Sam cr
ied.Guyst
oodand
wal
keduptome.

“Goodmor
ningev
ery
body
,”Isai
d.Guyt
ookmy
hand.

“
Youokay
?Youwantt
osi
tdown?
”

“I
’
mf i
ne,
”hepulledoutachairandhel
pedme
si
t.Mybodyisstil
lheal
ingsoIhadtobecaref
ul
whensit
ti
ng.“Si
r,ma’am”Iacknowl
edgedthem.
“I
t’
sgoodt
ohav
eyouher
ewi
thus…”Euni
ce
sai
d.

“Gogo,it
’sthecooki
esIgav eher,
theyhelped”
Sam blurt
edourlit
tl
esecretandthenquickly
slappedherhandov erhermouth.

“Samke,
”herfat
hercal
l
ed.“Werey
oufeedi
ng
MissRainbowcooki
esthi
senti
ret
ime?”he
asked.

“Al
lgogogaveherwassoupandv egetangl
es
baba,t
hecooki
eshelped,
”didshejustcal
l
veget
ablesv
egetangl
es?Yes,yesshedid…okay
.

“Nomor ecooki
emoneyforyou,younglady!
Gogopleasegiv
eherveget
anglesev er
ydayfor
school
.”sai
dGuyandthenSam’ sjawsdropped.
Euni
celaughed,
“Ohv eget
angl
es…i
tsveget
abl
es
Sam.Akunamat angl
eslana,
”shet
easedher.

“
ButIenj
oyedt
hecooki
es….
”Idef
endedher
.

“
Soyouarestr
ong,”MrDl
amini
shi
ft
edf
rom t
he
t
opi
cathand.Hiseyesar
eonme.

“
Excuseme?
”Isai
d.

“
Wal
kwi
thme,
”hest
ood.

“
Baba,maybel
ethereatf
ir
standthent
aket
he
wal
k…”Guyspokeonmybehalf.
“It
’sokay ,
Iwi l
leatafter,
”Iwantt oknowwhat
thismant hinks.Hehasn’ tsaidawor dt ome
sinceIar r
ivedherebeat entot hepulp.Isteadil
y
wal kedbehi ndhi m.WhenIst eppedout si
de,the
l
ighthi tmyf acerefr
eshingmeandbr ingi
ngme
backt olif
e.Ihadal mostf orgott
enhow
beaut i
fult
hisplaceis.Ifsomeonet oldmet his
wasWakanda, Iwouldn’targuewi t
ht hem, i
t’
s
mar v ell
ous.Hest oodatt hecent r
eofhi syard
andl ookedar ound.Iplantedmyf eetr i
ghtnext
tohi s.

“WhenIletsomeonewor kwithme, theyneedto

showme3t hi
ngs,
”hesay s.“
Fir
st,bravery
;
you’v
eshownmet hat
.Secondly
;strength,and
youjustdemonstr
atedthatandthenl ast
ly,
stupi
dit
y,”

“
Hav
eIshowedy
ouhowst
upi
dIam?
”Iasked.
“Noty et
.Youwer ebraveforrunningawayf r
om
thatmonsterandat tempti
ngt ostartov
er.You
wer estr
ongf orwalki
ngoutoft hatroom and
j
oiningus,ittakesast r
ongwomant ostand
afterahorr
ibleordealandittakesanev en
strongerwomant ostandaft
ersuchashor t
amountoft ime,”

“
So,y
oustil
lwantmet
owor
kfory
ou?
”ist
his
manser
ious?

“Yes,
buthealfi
rst
.IspoketoLucky;
Iwantyou
bothher
ef oraweekortwo.Mhlongowil
ltake
careoft
hingsinDurban.Iwantyout
oheal…get
str
ongerandthengetbacktoit.
”

“
Whatam Iget
ti
ngbackt
oMrDl
ami
ni?
”Imean
i
fIam t owor kf orhimt henIneedf ul
ldetail
s.A
full
jobdescr i
pt i
on.“Whatdoy ouguy sdo
exactl
y? ”Hegl ancedatme.Ashadowofdoubt
crossedhi sface.“ Si
r,y
oursonki ll
edamani n
mypr esenceandIam st i
llhere.Istole
diamondsf r
om amant hatwasr eadytohav e
sexwi t
hme, andIdi dn’tevenknowy outhen
butIam st i
llhereandIhav en’ttoldasinglesoul
abouty ouandy oursons.Ify our eal
lywantme
towor kwithy out henyou’regoi ngtohav eto
meetmehal fway .
”Hesi ghedl oudly.

“Fol
lowme, ”Iobey
ed.Wepassedbythedi
ning
room,“Zanelemybaby,pl
easebr
ingmemyt ea
andwhat ev
ershewasdr i
nki
ng,
”sai
dMr
Dlamini
.

“
Yesbaba,
”Zanel
egotup,
“
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngher
?”askedGuy
.
“
Tot
heof
fi
ce,
”her
esponded.

“Theoff
ice,nowbaba?
”ther
ewasanot
eof
concer
ni nhist
one.

“
IknowwhatI
’
m doi
ngboy
,”

“Okay,
letmecomewi
thy
out
hen.Pl
ease…”Guy
begged.

“
No,
stayput
,”hi
sfat
herst
oppedhi
m.

“
Guy,I’
mf i
ne.Letmegoplease…”Guynodded.I
f
oll
owedhisfatherashel
edmet ohisbedroom.
Hewalkedupt othebi
gmirr
oronthewalland
t
henjustpusheditasi
der
eveali
ngaclosed
door.Hepulledoutasetofkeysfr
om his
pocketandunlocked.I
twasanof f
ice,
li
ter
all
y
anoffi
ce…justanoffi
cewit
hat abl
e,afancy
chai
r,booksandpapers…’t
hishadbett
erbe
worthit
,'
Ithoughttomyself
.

“Weworkforthegov
ernment
!”hesai
dtaki
nga
seati
nthefancyl
eat
herchai
rbehi
ndthe
mahoganydesk.

“I
’m sor
ry,
what?
”myey eswidened.“
ButLucky
sai
dwhaty oudoisdanger
ous,”

“I
tis,
”hisphoner angandhepul l
editoutofhis
pocket.“Excuseme.I t
’smydaughter”hepicked
up.Whatt hefuckdoest hi
soldmanmeant hey
workf orthegovernment?Heisprobablysenil
e.
Thegov ernmentkill
speoplenow?The
governmentst eal
sdiamondsfrom people.“OK
ZANELE, HOLDONAMOMENT, ”heendedthe
call
.“She’
sherewit
hourtea,openthedoor
,”I
gotupandmar chedtothedoorandopened.I
foundZahont heot
hersideweari
ngasmi l
e
thatstr
etchedfr
om eart
oear.

“Welcometot
heteam,
”shewhi
sper
edandt
hen
saunter
edaway.

“Everheardinthemov i
eswhent heysay
, ‘
I
knowaguy ’
”Inodded.“We’
rethatguy.Wedo
whatt hepol
icecan’
tdo.Askquest i
onsthat
can’tbeasked.Bri
ngthem inf
ormationt
hey
can’tgetandwe’rebasi
call
yalwaysoncall.

“
You’
reapol
i
ce?
”Iasked.

“
Ohno!I
’
m acr
imi
nal
.Wel
lIwas…Imadeadeal
wi
ththepol
i
ceyear
sago, Iwor
kwi t
hthem and
t
heykeepmeoutofjai
landmyf amil
ysafe,
”

“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”

“WhatdidInotdoi sthequesti
ontoask…”he
sni
ckeredandt hensippedonhistea.Ican
barel
ykeepmymout hshut.Isthi
sreal?Am I
hal
luci
nating?I
tcan’tbe.TheDlaminislookl
i
ke
aregularZuluf
ami l
y.Guydri
vesaroundi nataxi
,
andtheyjustdon’tf
itthepar
t.

“
Thatbadhuh!
”

“Idi
dev er
ythingthatcoul
dbr i
ngmemoney.I
n
myol dage,thepolicecaughtupwi
thmy
acti
vi
tiesbutinsteadofputti
ngmeontr
ial
and
havemesent enced,t
heyoffer
edmeadealI
coul
dnotturndown,
immunityfori
nfor
mation,
andext
raeyesandearsout
sideofthefor
ce”
well
how’sthatf
orareal
i
tycheck?

“
Andy
oursons?
”

“
LuckycamewhenMenzi
wasal
readyi
nmot
ion,
i
tseemed…”

“Camef
rom where?Whatdoy oumean?
”Ihav
e
somanyquest
ions.Ican’
tev
enbreat
he.

“Ithi
nkhewi l
ltel
lyouthathimself
,”heleaned
backonhi sseat.“
Anyway ;
Menzi gotarrest
ed
fortr
yingtorobabank; whenthepol i
celearnt
whohewasIhadt obegforhim.Ipromi sedhe
wouldwor kforme.Theywer eimpressedwi th
hisskil
lsandhisabil
i
tytobest eal
th,theycall
ed
hi
m, ‘
youngDl amini’
.Hewasy ounger
,knewthe
newcr i
minals,gangsandleadersandsoitwas
ajackpotforbothsides,
”

“Thi
sisajoke…”Imutter
ed.“Youcan’tbe…l
ook
atyou.You’
rejustar
egularol
dman.Lucky
dri
vesataxiand…”Il
ookedathim wideeyed.

“You’veneverseenhimtransporti
ng
passengersli
key ourr
egulartaxidr
iver
s,”he
readmymi nd.Inodded;Ihav eneverseenGuy
transpor
ti
ngpassengersar ound…

“
Youshoul
dseey
ourf
acer
ightnow”hegi
ggl
ed.

“So,Iwouldbewor ki
ngforthegover
nment.I
don’thav
et hepropertr
aini
ngandandand…I’
m
clumsyandf ear
fulandtimi
d.I’
m dumb…”Ican’
t
workforthepol
ice.Iwil
lmessthingsup.Thi
sis
tooseri
ous.It
houghttheywerejustsmall
-t
ime
undergr
oundcri
mi nal
s.

“
Fir
stl
y;youdon’
tworkforthepoli
ce;
Iworkfor
t
hepoliceandyouworkforme,”hesays.“
Ihi
re
whoeverIwant
,”

“Okay,
butIstil
ldon’
tthi
nkIhav
ewhatitt
akes.I
can’
tdot hi
s,Iwil
lmessupyourent
ir
e
operat
ion,”

“You’
dbest upidt
ot hinky
oucan.Youngl
ady,
youmayl eavenow…l etmemakesomecalls,
”
hepickedupt het
elephone.

“
But
,Ist
il
lhav
esomequest
ions,
”
“
Wehav
eenought
ime,
goandhav
ebr
eakf
ast
,”

Latert hatday, Luckyaskedmet ojoi

nhimi nhis
room.Iwasgl adhedi d,Imissedhim.Imi ssed
tal
kingt ohim andbei ngaroundhim.Butmor e
thanany t
hing,Ineedt oaskhi m some
questions.IfI’mr eall
ygoingtowor kwithhim,
thenIneedcl arit
yonsomet hings.Iwal
kedi n
andf oundhi m shi r
tl
essinbedwi t
hhiseyes
shutf acingthecei l
ing.

“Hey,
”Iannouncedmypresencebyt
hedoor
.I
stoodagai
nstthedoor
.

“Hey,
”hesatup.“Imissedyou”het ookthe
wordsri
ghtoutofmymout h.“comehere…”he
patt
edthebed.Iwentonov erandj oi
nedhimin
bed.Igr
oanedoutofpai nasIsatdown.“ You
gotthi
s,
”Isatr
ightinfrontofhim wit
hmyl egs
f
olded.Hegotcl
oser
,put
ti
ngmebet
weenhi
s
l
egs.

“
HowuglydoIl
ook?
”Iaskedt
ryi
ngt
oli
ght
en
t
hemood.

“
1to10,
it’
saf
air8,
”

Ipokedhischestwit
hmyi ndexf
inger
,“Hey
,
that
’snotfunny
,”Ismil
ed.

“It
’skindabadass,i
fyouaskme. ”heletouta
smi l
e.Istar
edathim, Ijustst
udiedhi
sf aceand
thenmymemor ywentbackt othatni
ghtwhen
Ndumi sowasbeat i
ngmeandaski ngabouthim.
Icouldhearinhistonet hathehadnot hi
ngbut
hateforLuckyandt hathewant edhim dead.
Theonl ythi
ngthatsav edmewasMenzi ’s
ti
mingandt hef actt
hatIreall
ydidn’
tknow
Guy’sful
lstory.TheonlyreasonIdidn’
tutt
er
theDlaminisurnamewasbecauseofhi skids
andhisfather.Lucky’
shandr estedonmyf ace
andbroughtmebackt orealit
y.Igri
nnedand
thenhekissedme.Iki ssedhim back.Myhand
rest
edonhi m chestasIal l
owedmy selft
odive
i
ntothismoment .

“
INEEDHI SFULLNAME, ”Ihear
dNdumi so’s
v
oiceechoi
ngsol oudl
ikehewasr i
ghti
nt hi
s
r
oom withus.Ist
oppedandinhaled
t
remulousl
y.

“
Hey,
lookatme,”Iobey
ed.“
Youar
esaf
eher
e
wi
thme…okay?
”

“
Whenuhmm…t hatdaywhenMenzi
came,he
wasbeat
ingme.Hewantedyou,
hewant
edto
knoweveryt
hingabouty
ouandItol
dhi
my our
name,
”Itearrandownmycheek.Hecl
eanedi
t.

“I
t’
sokay.Hewi l
lneverfi
ndme, Iam notonthe
gover
nmentdat abase,
”thatsent
enceoni t
s
ownisjustquesti
onablejudgi
ngthattheywork
fort
hegov er
nment .

“Guy,Ineedyoutotel
lmeeveryt
hing.Whoar
e
you?Iwanttoknowy ouli
keyouknowme.I
cuppedhisfaceinmyhands.Hekissedmy
thumbandt henpushedhi
mselfforwar
d.

“Iam NhlanhlaVi
lakazi,
”chi
ll
sinvadedmy
enti
rebody .I
tfel
tasthoughIwasbei ng
i
ntroducedt oacompl et
elydi
ffer
entper
son.

“
Whyar
eyouLucky
?”Imur
mur
ed.
“Myfat
her
,hehmmm,”hi
sheadf
ell
,Ir
est
edmy
handonhi
sshoul
der
.

“
I’
m her
e,”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“Heusedtobeatmymot her
…”mymouth
sli
ght
lyopened.Iam besi
demysel
fwi
thfear
andshock.

“
Justt
ell
met
heshor
tver
sion,
”

“OnenightIcamehomeaf t
erasoccermat ch
andIfoundhim beatingher
,shewasn’tmov i
ng
Miss…shewasj ust,
”hisvoi
cecracked.Isaton
topofhim andwr appedmylegsandar ms
aroundhim.
“I
t’
sokay ,
youdon’thavetotel
lmenow, ”Iwas
tr
yingsohardtomai nt
ainthesemblanceof
beingthestr
ongeroneinthismoment .Ihave
hadmymoment sofweaknessf art
oomany
ti
mesandi nallt
hosetimes,Guywasst rong.

“
Iwantt
o.”Hesni
ff
edbur
iedi
nmyneck.

“
Takey
ourt
ime,
”Iki
ssedhi
sneck.

“So,whenshewasl ayi
ngthereli
feless,I
panicked.Iattackedhi m andwef ought …”helet
outaqui ver
ingsi gh.“Iwasonl y12Mi ss;Ididn’
t
knowbet ter
.So, wef ought
,obv i
ouslyhewas
beatingmyass, somehowacandl efell
,we
werenotpay ingat tentiont
oit.Imanagedt o
reachforthekni fesoIst abbedhim.WhenI
camebackt omysenses;
thehousewas
drenchedi
nfir
e,”

“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”Iasked.

“Iwentovertomymot her;hereyeswer eopen.I

tri
edtogetherupbutIwas12.Sheut tered,
‘
RunNhl anhl
a,andneverlookback,’i
twas
eit
herthefi
retook3liv
esor2…i ttook2.Imade
suremyf at
herdidn’
tescape,Isetfi
reonhi m
onpurposeandr an”

“
OhmyGod,
”Imut
ter
ed.

“If
oundmy selfi
nthestr
eetsofJozi,nohome,
nofamil
y,nomoney ,soIwentforthenextbest
thi
ng,pi
ckpocketi
ng.Il
iv
edoffthatfor6
monthsandt henoneday,Ipi
ckpocketedthe
ri
ghtpersonandhi snamewasPaul Dlamini
.He
tookmei nandmademehi sown,”aghostofa
smilevi
sitedhisli
ps.Icuppedhisfaceintomy
handandt henkissedhim passi
onatel
y.His
handswentundermyshi rtandmov edslowl
y
andcarefull
y.Het r
iedtur
ningovertoputmeon
mybackbutIwi nced.

“
I’
m nott
her
eyet
…itst
il
lhur
ts,
”If
oldedmyl
i
ps.

“
Cany
ousl
eepher
etoni
ghtpl
ease…wi
thme,
”

“
I’
dli
ket
hatv
erymuch,
”Iki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead.

“
Wehavet
obri
beZaht
okeephermout
hshut
,”
webot
hgi
ggl
ed.
PLEASEREACTANDSHARE♡
I
NSERT17

DI
SCORD

Noun

1.Lackofconcor
d,agr
eement
,orhar
mony

2.Tensi
onorstr
if
eresul
ti
ngf
rom al
ackof
agreement
;di
ssensi
on

Thefoll
owingdaywasav er
ybrightandhot
Satur
day,whichmeantthekidswer eathome.
Thismorni
ngIv ol
unt
eeredtomakebr eakfast
andalsocooksupper.Every
onewasj ustina
cheer
ymoodandIwasn’ tgoingtorui
nt hat
moodbyl i
vi
nginmyhead.Ar oundnoon,Sam
camet omewi thabigsmilethrownacrossher
face.Shefoundmewi t
hherdadi nhisroom.
Shest oodbythedoorsmili
ngandlookingso
cuteinherpinkbar
biedress.

“
Whati
sitbaby
?”herf
atherasked.

“Baba,canmeandMi
ssRai
nbowgot
othe
shop,”

“
Forwhat
?”askedLuckysi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
.

“
Tobuychi
psandcooki
es,
”sher
esponded.

“
Samke,
whatisupwit
hy ouandcooki
es?Ar
e
y
ouaddi
cted?
”shenoddedwhil
egiggl
i
ng.
“
Spel
laddi
cted”

Shecover
edherfacewit
hherhandsand
l
aughed,“
Baba,
please,
”shebegged.

“
PleaseLucky
,”It
ookt
obeggi
ngt
oo.

“Mi
ss,sheeatscooki
esever
ysingl
eday.On
weekendsshecananappleandveget
anglesi
f
sheli
kesbutnocooki
es!
”hesaid.

“Whataboutme?Idon’
teatcooki
esev
ery
day
…”
Iper
sist
ed.

Sam br
oughtherpal
mstogether,smiledand
bat
tedherl
ashesatherf
ather,“
Pr et
typlease,
”
“Hey,whotaughty
out
obaty
ourey
esl
i
ket
hat
?”
Luckyasked.

“
Nobody
”shesai
dandl
ookedar
ound.

“Youbetternotbebat ti
ngy ourey esli
kethatfor
anyboybutme, yourbrother, babaMenzi and
Mkhuluokay ?”Sam giggledandnodded.“ You
cango,”headded.Honest ly,Ididn’
twantt ogo
anywhere,I’
mj ustdoingitforSam.Herf at her
gaveusR50andt henwat chedusl eaveforour
GIRLSDAYOUT, asSam sai dt omewhi l
eIwas
putt
ingonshoes.

West r
oll
edtotheshopundert hesun,singing
andgossipi
ngaboutaboycal l
edCl i
ntont hat
seemst obebother
inghereverysingl
eday .I
tol
dhertoslaphimt henextt
imehebot hersher
.
Ididn’
twanttotel
lhertheobvi
ous, whichisthat
Cl
i
ntoncl
ear
lyl
i
kesher
.
Weboughtourchi
psandsnacksandt
hen
headedbackhome.

“MissRai
nbow,
”shecal
l
edwi
thhercut
ehi
gh-
pit
chedvoi
ce.

“
YesSammy
,”Icopi
edhert
one.

“Ar
ey oumynewmommy ?”sheaskedandI
near
lychokedonmyspi
t.

“Whatmakesyouaskt
hatsweet
y,”Igl
anced
downatherassheki
ssedthegr
oundwithher
pinkf
li
pfl
ops.

“
Wel
l
,”shet
ookonasi
ng-
songt
one,
“Youand
babal
ookl
i
kemommyanddaddy
…”

“Sammy,whydon’
twetal
kaboutt
hiswhenwe
gethomewit
hbaba…”shest
oppedwalki
ng.

“Ther
e’ssomethi
ngi
nmyey
e,”shesqueezed
hereyesshut
.

“
Okay,
letmesee…”Iknel
tdowninf
rontofher
.
“
Openyourey
esjustali
tt
lebaby
…”

Whi leIwasst il
ltr
yingtocleanhereye,Isawa
blackt azzslowingdownbehi ndher.The
driver’
swi ndowwounddownt henagunpeaked
outbef oreIcouldev encarrySam andmov eher
outoft heway ,Ihadalreadystart
edhearinggun
shot s.Pedestri
answer escreamingandr unni
ng
forshel t
er,IhadSam bur i
edinmychestand
myl egswr appedar oundher.Thenthecardida
quickU-t urnleav i
ngdustandshockbehi nd.I’
m
sti
l
l fr
ozen, I
’
m scar edandIcanonlyimagi ne
whati sgoi ngt hroughSam’sheadrightnow.I
canonl yi magi nethefeargushi
ngthroughher
vei
nsandhowf astherhear
tmustbebeat ing.I
couldstillhearl oudandunpleasantcri
es
acrosst hest reet.

“
MissRai
nbow,
”Sam utt
eredandIcoul
dhear
f
earal
lov
erhervoi
ce.

“
It’
sokaySammy ,MissRai
nbowishere,
”my
t
rembli
ngtonegaveawaythatIwasscaredt
oo.
“
It’
l
lbefi
ne.I’
m sosorry
…”

“MissRainbow,
ithur
ts,
”shegr
oaned.Isl
owly
peeledherawayfr
om mychest,
myey esl
aid
uponbloodcomingoutofhermouth.
“OhmyGod”Iscr eamed.Mybodyi mmediatel
y
star
tedburni
ng.“
Help!”Ishouted.“
Sam,where
doesithur
tbaby…juststaywit
hMi ssRai
nbow,”

“I
t,”shepanted,“
Ever
ywhere,i
thur
ts
everywhere,
”ther
ewasbloodonherchest
,her
stomachandar m.“Iwantbaba,
”

“Okay,l
i
stentoMissRai
nbow,justtryt
o
breat
he,hel
pisontheway….”Ilookedaround
andshouted“Hel
p!”

“Ical
l
edanambulancesisi
,i
t’
sontheway
…”
shoutedamanf
rom acrossther
oad.

“
Miss,
”Ihear
dGuy’
svoi
ceatadi
stance.WhenI
l
ookedback,
Isawhi
m wi
thMthoandZanele
r
unni
ngt
owar
dsus.

“Babaishere,Sweetyokay…openyoureyes.
”
sheletoutaweakgr oan.“
Sammy ,”Ishookher
l
eg.“Samkelisi
weopeny oureyes,
nono…Sam”I
l
etoutal oudscream.

“Sam”Guyshoutedashecamet oastopright
overabodythatusedtobehi
sdaughter.He
tookherfr
om myar msandshookher,
“Samke
mybaby ,
babaishere…openyourey
es,
”

“
I’
m sor
ry,
I’
m sososor
ry…”Icr
ied.

“Sam,
”Mthocr
iedashefel
ltohi
sknees.
Zanel
ewaswhali
ngbehi
ndme.
“
Samke,
vuka”cr
iedZanel
e.

“Baby,l
ist
entome, t
hisi
sbaba…openy our
eyes,
”Guysaidlowlyastearsandsweat
coveredhisf
ace.Anambul anceappeared
wail
ingandspeeding.I
tstoppednexttous,t
wo
malesandaf emalehoppedouthastil
y.

“
Ever
ybody
,makeway”thel
adyshout
edf
indi
ng
wayt
ogettot
heinj
uredpar
ty.

“
Pleasewakeherup,
”Igr
abbedherar
m and
l
ookedint
ohereyes.

“
Ma’
am,
you’
vebeenhi
t,
”shesay
s.

“
Idon’
tcar
e!”Ishout
ed.“
Justwakeherup”
“Mali
nga,assessher,
she’sgotagunwoundon
herarm andgetthepoli
cehere,
”shesay
s
del
iberat
elyi
gnoringme.

“Samke, wakeupbabygi rl
”Guyr ockedback
andf ort
hwi thSam st
il
lonhi sl
ap.Hekept
kissingherforeheadandtel
lingherhewas
there,buttherewasnomov ementorsound
comi ngfrom herbody.Thi
sMal i
ngaman
staredassessingmyar m.

“
Isshegoi
ngt
obeokay
?”Iasked.

“
Arey
out
hemot
her
?”t
heot
herguyasked.

“I
smydaught
ergoi
ngt obeokay
,”Guyshout
ed
causi
ngev
ery
onearoundhimtojump.
“
Sir
,I’
m sor
rybut
…”

“
Don’ttel
lmethatfucki
ngbul
l
shit
”Guy
’sey
es
wer
er edandhisfacewaswet.

“She’
sgonesirandIneedyoutostepasi
de,you
mightbemessingupwithevi
dencethatwi
ll
helpcat
chthepersonwhodidthi
s”

“Baba”Mt
hocr
ied.Zanel
ecamehel
dhi
m her
arms.

Thepoli
cear
ri
vedevent
uall
y.Theyquest
ioned
ever
ybodyt
hatwasaround,i
ncl
udingme;

“
Thegi
rlwaswi
thy
ou?
”heaskedandInodded.
“
Didy
ouseewhodi
dthi
s?”

“
Ijustsawt
hecar
,itwasabl
ackt
azz,
”

“
Theplat
enumber
?Cany
our
ememberwher
eit
wasf
rom? ”

“
ND”Imur
mur
ed.

“Ma’am,youneedtocomewithust
otr
eatt
hat
wound,
”thatMali
ngaguysai
d,

“
No!”Isai
dst
ernl
y.“
Ineedt
obeher
ewi
th
t
hem,”

“
Youhav
ebeenshor
t!
”
“
Idon’
tcar
e!”Ishout
ed.

“
Miss,
geti
n.we’
l
lmeety
out
her
e,”Guyi
nsi
sted.

“
ButIcan’
tleav
eyou,
”myv
oicecr
acked.

“
Isai
dIwi
l
lmeety
out
her
e,”

I’
veinthi
shospitalr
oom f oralmost2hour s
now.Thenur setol
dmet hatmyf amil
ywasher e
andthattheysaidIshouldwai tf
orthem.I’ve
beenwaitingandIcan’twaitanylonger,Ineed
tobewi t
hGuy .Hejustlosthisdaughter
,he
needsme.

I
’
vebeenpul
l
ingmymi
ndawayf
rom t
hinki
ng
aboutthis,
butcoul dthi
sbeNdumi so?Iprayto
Godit’snothim becauseifiti
s,Ipr
omisey ou
Guywi l
lneverforgiveme.OhGodSam!She’ s
gone.Shediedi nmyar msandshej ustwanted
tobewi t
hherdaddybef or
eshecouldletgoof
herl
ife.Howcant hi
swor l
dbesocr uel
?Sammy
wassoy oungandLucky …Ohsweetmer cy,hel
p
him.

Menzi
bar
gedi
nwi
thSenzo.Ij
umpedt
omyf
eet
.

“
Let
’sgo,
”hesai
d.

“
Wher
e’sGuy
?”Iasked.

“
Wai
ti
ngf
orusout
side,
”
Theridehomewasbr utalandhar d.Itwas
alr
eadydar koutside,thestarshadal ready
beauti
fiedt henightasperusual ,
butf orthe
Dlaminis,thenighti snothingremot ely
resemblingbeaut y .Whenwegothome, Guy
wentintohi sroom andev eryoneelsegat hered
i
nt helounge.Wej ustsatinsi l
ence, hopeless,
heart
brokenandsad.Mt howascur l
edupi nhi
s
gogo’schestst ill
cr y
ing.Sammyi sgone.Guy
walkedi nstart
lingusal lwitheyesv oidof
humani ty.Iwalkedupt ohim withhast e

“
Areyouokay?”Iwhi
sper
edtaki
nghi
shands
i
ntomine.Heshookhi
shead.

“Myli
tt
legi
rlMiss…”heburi
edhisfaceinmy
neckandsobbed.Iheldhi
m wit
hallthe
str
engt
hthatIhad…Isqueezedhim hardwi
ll
ing
al
lthepai
nanddi st
resstodi
sappear.Buti
t
di
dn’
t.
..
het
ookast epback,cl
eanedhisface.“
I
wanty
outoleav
e,”heletoutahoarsetone.

“
Lucky
!”hi
sfat
herexcl
aimed.

“
What
?”Imur
mur
ed.

“
Packyourt
hingsandl
eave.Thi
swasy
ourf
aul
t;
y
oukil
l
edmydaught er
…”

“Guy
,I…how…I”Ist
ammered.HowdidGuy
cometothisconcl
usi
on?WhywouldIdothatt
o
him?

“Thishasy ourhusbandwrit
tenallov
erit
.You
cameher eandal lyourpr
oblemsanddemons
fol
lowedy ou,nowmydaught eri
sdead!Idon’
t
everwanttoseeyouagain…”I
’m atal
ossfor
words.“
Getout!Leave!
”herai
sedhisvoi
ceat
mesoIt ookastepback.Menzitookmyarm
anddraggedmeout si
de.

“Idi
dn’
t…Menzi,
youhavetobelieveme…”Idon’
t
evenknowwhatI’mtry
ingtoexplaint
oMenzi.I
wouldneverwantGuytogothroughsuchpain?

“Thefamil
yisgoi
ngthroughalotr
ightnowand
Luckydoeshaveapoint,
”sai
dMenzi,“Just
l
eaveRainbow,l
eavemybr ot
heral
one,”

“Wheredoyouwantmet
ogo?Idon’
tknow
anyoneher
e?”

“
Iwi
l
lgi
vey ousomecash,enoughtolasty
oua
f
ewmonths.Ri
ghtnow,Senzowil
ltakeyouto
guyinthenexttown,hesel
l
sandr ent
soutcars.
Getyoursel
facarandgetthefuckoutofher
e,”
heturnedaroundtogobackinsi
de.

“
CanIatleastgetmythi
ngs,pl
ease”Icl
eaned
myfacei
nat t
empttoassumethesemblanceof
ast
rongandunderst
andingper
son.

“Zahwillgetthem fory ou,”hedi dn’

tevenlook
backwhenhesai dthat.Butt henbef orehe
couldbeswal lowedbyt hedoor ,hemar ched
backtomespeedi l
y.Hewasst andi
ngsocl ose
tomet hatIcoul dsmel lhisbr eatheandf eelhi
s
wrathtransfer
ringintome.“ Isawy oufrom a
mileawayt haty ouwer etroubl eandIknewy ou
werenot hi
nggoodf ormybr ot her,
”Igotcloser
andlookedhi mi ntheey e.Usual l
y-whenaman
wouldspeakt omel ikethat–Iwoul dcower
andreducemy selftonot hi
ng, butIcoul dn’
t.I
j
ustcoul
dn’tl
ethim sayal
loft
hosethi
ngsto
mewithoutmetalki
ng.Igotev
encloserand
t
ight
enedmyv oice.

“Menzi,youbestbackupandf ixthattone.You
don’tknowmesodon’ tactli
keyoudo.You
knowIhadnot hingtodowi ththi
s,butt hisi
s
j
ustallwor kinginyourfavourbecausey ou
neverli
kedmef rom thestart
.Now, I’
m not
sayi
ngt hisisnotNdumi sobutI ’
m sayingI
shouldn’tbeblamedf orit
…Iwoul dnev erdothi
s
toyourbr otherandyouknowi t!”

“Youknow;theonlyr
easonIcamet osavey ou
wasbecausehebeggedmet o.Myfather
decl
aredfi
ndingyoua‘mission’,
buthecouldn’t
geti
nvolv
ed, hewastooclose.Hewasgoi ngto
messitup.Iwantedtodumpy ouinsome
shel
terf
orabusedwomanandnow…l ookingat
you.IknowIshoul
dhave.Yousowedseedsof
discor
dinmyfather
’sf
iel
dofpeace.
”

Isi
ghedl
oudl
yandt
ookast
epback.

“Li
keIsai d,y oudon’tknowme, youhaveno
i
deawhatI ’vebeent hrough.Bef orewebot hsay
thi
ngswemi ghtr egret
,letmej ustsaythank
you, y
ousav edmeandf orthatIwillbefor
ev er
gratefulandt hanky out oyourfami l
yfor
welcomi ngmei nandIowemyl i
fetoLucky .He
i
st her easonI ’
m aliv
et oday.Ijusthopethat
onedayy ou’llseehowmuchhemeanst ome.
ButIcan’ ttaket hefall
forSammy ’
sdeath,
”

“
Don’
tspeakhername!”hesai
dsternl
y.He
mar
chedbackknownintothehouse.
IknowNdumi so.Helikestobeseen; heli
kesit
tobeknownwhenhei saround.Hecamet o
fetchmehi mselffrom myflatsoi fhehad
receivedint
elaboutmyl ocati
on, Iam cert
ainhe
wouldhav ebeenher ehimself.Hehasal way s
want edLucky;hehateshim.Whywoul dhe
l
eav ehim andgof orhisdaught er?Hewant s
Luckydead…t heNdumi soIknowdoesn’ t
operateli
kethat.Thatjobwast oostealt
h,too
commonandor t
hodox.Ndumi soisextravagant
andki nky
.

PLEASEREACTANDSHARE♡
#happy
monday
#happy
readi
ng
I
NSERT18

GUN
Noun

(
Plur
al:
guns)

1.Adevi
ceforproj
ect
ingahardobj
ectv
ery
for
cef
ull
y;afi
rear
m orcannon

2.Averyport
ableshortfi
rear
m, forhanduse,
whichfi
resbul
letsorproj
ecti
les,suchas
handgun,r
evol
v er
,pi
stolorDerri
nger

Iwaitedoutsi
deli
keahomel essdogdesperate
forahomeandl ovelikeallt
het i
mesIwas
alonegrowingup,si
lentl
ycryingformyparents
totakemei nt
otheirarmsandl oveme.Instead
–t heyshutmeout–andl ef
tmeal lbymy sel
f.
SenzoandZahcameout .Zahhadmybagi n
herhand.Mthobi
sicameoutrunni
ng,he
i
mmedi atel
ythr
ewhimselfatme.eventhough
he’
s16, hei
salmostastall
ashisfat
herand
uncl
e.

“Goodby
eaunt
yRai
nbow,
”hesai
dunderhi
s
breat
h.

“
Goodbyeboy!Behav
eokay,
don’tgi
veyour
f
athert
roubl
e,
”henoddedst
il
lholdi
ngontome.

“Mtho,that
’senough,
”Mt
horel
easedmeat
Zah’scommandandheadedbackt ot
hehouse.
Shethrewthebagatmyfeet
.

“
Zah,
comeon…”shewal
kedaway
.“Zanel
e,
”I
shout
edbutshewassetonignor
ingme.Menzi
cameoutal
sowithabaginhishand.

“Disappear.Leti
tbel
i
key ounev
ermethi
m,”he
droppedt hebagatmyfeetandmar
chedback
i
nsi de.

Icanstil
lsmellGuyinsi dethi
staxi,whichi
s
nowbei ngdri
venbySenzo.I ’
mt i
red,physi
cal
ly
thati
sandment al
ly;emot i
onall
y,I
’mjustnumb.
Idon’tknowwhatt odowi t
hmy self.Apartof
mekeepst ell
i
ngmet hatGuyisgrievi
ng,he’
ll
probablycomear ound.

“IWANTBABA”Ijumpedathear
ingSam’
svoi
ce.
Senzogl
ancedatme.It
hinkImi
ghtbegoi
ng
crazy
!
“
Youokay
?”heasked.

“Yeah,Iwasjustdozi
ngoff
,”IheardNdumi
so’
s
voiceasclearasdayaswell,
nowSam.What ’
s
happeningtome?“ Cany
oupul lov
erfor
second?”

“Yougoti t
!”hest oppedt hetaxi.Igotoutand
wentt otheback.Pul ledoutsweat pants,
takki
esandacl eanv est.Itookof ftheclothesI
waswear i
ngwithnotev enasi nglecarei nthe
wor l
d,theywerest il
ldrenchedi nherbl ood.
“Whoa…”hecr ied.“ Soy ou’
rejustgoi ngto…okay,
sure…that’
s…I’
lllookaway ,
”Igotdr essedand
thenweof f.

We’reher
e.Att
hisguy’
spl
ace…t
hecarguy
.
Senzocal
ledhi
m askedhi
mtocomeoutsi
de.
“
Sven,
”cal
l
edSenzoast
heguyappr
oachedus.

“
Senzothi
shadbett
erbegood,
”he’
scol
our
ed.
“
Thevroui
sannoyedinsi
de,
”

“
I’
m sor
ryman,
weneedacar
,”hesay
s.

“I
’
m sorr
yfordi
stur
bingy
ou.It
’sanemer
gency
,
Ireal
l
yneedacartobuyri
ghtnow,”

“Mostoft hem areatt hewor kshopintown,I

hav eabout4att heback.Youcancome
through,”wefoll
owedhi m.Ididn’tcar
ewhat
kindofcarhehad; Ijustneededaget awaycar
asi nyester
day.Sol ongasi thad4wheel sand
awor kingengine.
Thefir
stcarheshoweduswasamaroonCit
i
gol
f.Ididn’
tneedt
oseetheot
hercar
s,i
t’
s
per
fect.

“
I’
ll
takei
t,
”Iannounced.

“Youdon’
twantt
oseetherest
.Ihav
e
somethi
ngmorefemi
nine,
”

“Thisisper f
ect!”Isi
ghedloudly.Findingacar,
atthisti
mei sthebestthi
ngt ohappent omei n
awhi l
e.Excusemei fI’
m alit
tlereli
ev ed.We
gavehi m hismoneyandhegav eust hekey s.
SenzoandIwentoursepar ateway s.Iwas
alone,Ifeltl
ikethatli
tt
legir
lagaint hatwas
alwaysal oneinabi ghouse,exceptt histi
me,I
wasi nacar .Idrovewithmywi ndowdownsoI
don’
tfal
lasleep.Ist
oppedbyagarageand
boughtchipsandanenergydri
nk.Guy’
shome
i
sjustoutsideofDurban,
thedr
iveisusual
l
yan
houror2att hemost.

“
MISS,
RAI
NBOW,
ITHURTS.
”

“Sammy ,
”Ij umpedal mostswer vi
ngt hecarof f
theroad.Ist oppedont hesideoft her oadto
gathermy self
.Ican’ tlosemy self,I
’m allIhav
e.
“Sammy ,I
’m sor r
ybaby …”Icr ied.Igotoutf ora
breather.I’
m onmyownnow, Ineedt ogetit
together.Ihav eto.“ Rai nbow,”Ipacedupand
down.“ Geti ttoget her ,youcan’ tloseit.Youare
ony ourownagai n…y ouhav et obebr av eand
l
ookoutf ory oursel f.
”af teraf ewmi nut es,my
heartbeathadcal meddownandmybody
wasn’tbur ning.It hinkIcandr i
v esafelynow.
“Tumel o,Ineedy ou,”Iwhi sper edgettingbehind
t
hewheel
.“Yout
ooSammy
,”

From thi
smomenton, Ineedtohavemyback.I
needt obeal
ertandawake.There’
snomore
Guy ;
ifNdumi
socomesagai n,Ineedt
obe
ready.

Ididn’
tsleeplastnightatal l
.Idi dbookmy sel
f
i
ntoal odgeandpai dforaweek’ sstay.Ican’t
gobackt omyf l
atnow, butIwi llevent
ually.
Rightnow, Ineedtosecur east eadyfl
owof
i
ncome, Menz i’
smoneywon’ tlastthatlong.I
haveapl anandi norderfort hatplantobe
executed,Ineedsomeonet ohel pmeand
fort
unatelyforme,Iknowj usttheper fect
person.

Iknocked.Hel
i
ftedhi
sheadupandlai
dhis
eyesuponagir
linbl
ackj
eans,
alongsleev
et-
shi
rt
,bl
ackboot
sandabl
ackhat
.

“Whatareyoudoingher
e?”heasked.Icamei
n
andclosedthedoor.

“Ineedy
ourhel
p?”Isatdownandt
ookof
fmy
hat.

“I
’m sor
ry,
Ican’
thel
py ou.Theyt
oldmewhat
happened,
”hesaidandpickedapento
conti
nuewithwork.

“Please!”myv oi
cecracked.Ineedtogetmy
emot ionsincheckifI
’m goi
ngt oberi
dingsol
o.
“Ihavenobodyel se,
”added.

“
Icangi
vey
ouaf
ewhundr
edr
ands,
fleet
he
count
ry.Yourhusbandwil
lneverst
opunti
lhe
hasyouandiftheDlamini
sareout,t
hen,
soam
I?
”

“
Flee?
!?”

“Thatwill
giveyouali
tt
lepeace,butev
ent
uall
y
hewillcatchupwithy
ou.Ifhewasabletofi
nd
youlastti
met henhewil
lagain,
”

“
Thenwhatt
hehel
lam Isupposedt
odo?
”

“Youngl
ady
, Idon’
tknow.Ican’
tbesnif
fed
anywher
earound.Comebackt omorr
ow; I
’
ll
havesomemoneyf oryou,
”

“
Dammi
t,Mhl
ongo!
”Ibangedont
het
abl
eand
r
oseup.“
Idon’
tneedmoney
,”

“
Whatdoy
ouneed?Paper
s?”

“
Ineedagunandforyout
eachmehowt
ouse
i
t?”hi
sfacegr
ewpale.

“Rai
nbow,”hestoodupandr est
edhi
shandson
thedesk.“
Whateverareyougoingt
odowitha
gun?Youarejustali
tt
legir
l”

“Iam 25y earsoldandli

key ousaid;Ndumiso
willneverstop.I
fthepersonthatsuggestedI
fl
eet hecountry2mi nut
esagoi sthesame
personst andi
ngbeforerightnowt hensur
ely
youwi llunder
standtheneedf oragun,”I
i
nhal ed.
“
Youareput
ti
ngmeinav er
yti
ghtposi
ti
on,
”he
r
etr
eat
edbysit
ti
ngbackdown.

“Well
I’
m betweenarockandahar dplace,
”I
al
sosat.Heblewoutairandlookedupatt he
cei
li
ng.“
PleaseMhlongo,Iam beggi
ngy ou.I
havenooneelse…you’
remyonl yhope.”

“Fi
ne!”heleanedforwar
dandr estedhiselbows
onthedesk.Iexhaledinrel
i
ef.“but,Icannotbe
i
mpl i
catedinanyt
hingyoudecidet odoaf t
er.
TheDl amini
scannotknowaboutour
shenanigans,
”

“Wenev
erspoke,
”Istoppedmyselff
rom
smil
i
ng,Ist
oodgett
ingreadyt
oleave.

“
Wher
ear
eyoust
ayi
ngnow?
”heasked.
“Ibookedmy
sel
fatalodgef
oraweek,
I’
ll
go
backtomyfl
ataf
ter
,”

“Thesamef
latwherehefoundyou?
”ther
ewas
concer
nwri
tt
enalloverhi
sface.

“Yes,I
’m goi
ngtofi
xthel
ocksandy
ou’l
lbe
getti
ngmer eadyf
orwhenhecomes,
”

“
Giv
emet
hel
odgeaddr
ess,
I’
ll
comebyl
ater
,”

“
It
sov
eronUmbi
l
oroad,
PLM l
odge,
”

“Okay,nowgoandbesafe,
”befor
eIcoul
dleav
e.
Ijustneededhi
sopi
niononsomethi
ng.

“
Bef
oreIl
eav
e;Iwantt
ocutmyhai
r,whatdo
y
out
hink?
”

“
All
ofi
t?”hel
eanedbackonhi
sseat
.

“
No,
Iwanti
tshor
tandbr
ight
,”hegr
inned.

“
Bri
ghthow?
”

“
Idon’
tknow,
may
bepi
nkorBl
ueorpur
ple”

“RainbowRainbowRainbow…Ihavenevermet
anyonelikey
ou.”Hescoffed.“
Here’
sanidea,
”
hesay s,
“Youcantr
yallthecolour
softhe
Rainbow.Notatonce…just1eachtime,
”

“
Hmm,
”Ismi
l
ed,
“Il
i
ket
hati
dea…I
’
llt
ryt
hat
.”
Afterambushi ngMhl ongoandbasi call
ygui l
t
tri
ppinghi mintohelpingme; Ifoundasal on
wher eIhadmyhai rcutanddy ed.Idyedi t
purple…Iboughtaf ewt hingslikeclothes,food,
apocketkni fe,ataser, apepperspr ayet c.On
thattopicofclothes;Iboughtal otofbl ack
thi
ngs, I’
m kindoffeelingt hatv i
be.Itbri
ngsout
adifferentsidetomeandIl i
keit.whenIgott o
thelodge, Ihadalit
tlef ashionshowf ormy self
,
withmy sel
fandbymy self.ataround20: 00,
Mhl ongoshowedupwi thdoughnut sandcof f
ee.

“Youdone?”heaskedli
ckinghisfi
ngers.I
noddedavoidi
ngtoopenmymout hfullof
chewedupdoughnut.“Getup,
”heor dered.I
obeyed.Hegotupwithme.het henpulledouta
gunfrom t
hebackofhispants,“Takeit,
”Idi
d.
“That
’saGlock34.Havingafir
earm doesn’t
meany ou’
retoughandit’
snotasglamor ousas
themov i
esmakeusbel i
eve”Inodded.“Andj ust
becauseyouknowhowt ouseonedoesn’ t
meany ouknowwhent ousei tandwhennot
to,
”Inoddedagaint
akingment alnoteswhile
myey esstudi
edthi
sthisverydeadlyweaponi n
myhands.“ Nowrul
enumber1: al
way sassume
aguni sl
oaded,”

“
Isi
tloaded?
”Iasked.

“
Whatdi
dIj
ustsay
?”

“
Alway
sassumet
heguni
sloaded…”

“Thi
sisgoi
ngtobeoneheckofari
de,”Igi
ggl
ed
undermybreat
hasMhlongosi
ghedloudly
.
Mhlongoleftaround00: 00,heleftthegunwi th
me.Icouldn’tsleepafterthelessons.Istayed
uplookingatitandpr acti
cingevery t
hinghehad
taughtme.Ikepti maginingNdumi sotryi
ngto
hurtmeandhowI ’
dshoothi m ont hekneecap,
he’dhavenochoi cetobutf allt
henI ’
dt hr
eaten
toshoothimi ntheheadbutonl yendup
shooti
nghisdi ckinst
ead.Igiggledt omy sel
fat
thethoughtofshoot i
ngNdumi so’spenisand
havehim cryli
ket hel
ittl
ebi**hthathei s.

I’
vebeenaloneal lmyl i
fe;
thi
sphasewon’ tbe
hard.I
nfact;Iwasal oneuntil
Guyf oundme
andthenIgotusedt ohav ingsomeonecar efor
me.Igotusedt ohav ingsomeoneaski fI’
m
okay.Igotusedt ohearinghim singi
nthe
showerandori ntheki t
chenwhenhe’ smaking
food.Igotusedtohav i
nghim sitdownandlook
atmewhenI ’
mt alki
ngt ohim andthental
kto
mel i
keImat ter
ed.Igotusedt ohav i
nghim
walkinwit
habagf rom McDonald’ssmelli
ng
l
ikeweedorcigaret
tes,beerandeveryt
hingthat
makesmef eelgood.He’l
lcomear ound.Guy
wil
lcomebackandt henev er
ythi
ngwi l
lgoback
tonormalbet
weenhi m andI.Ij
usthavetobe
pati
ent.

PLEASESHARETHI
SINSERT♡
I
NSERT19

NOVI
CE

Noun

(
Plur
al:
nov
ices)

1.Abegi
nner
;onewhoi
snotv
eryf
ami
l
iaror
exper
iencedi
napar
ti
cul
arsubj
ect
.

2.Synonyms:amateur
,greenhor
n,l
ear
ner
,
neophyte,
newbie,
newli
ng

Aweekhasgonebysi nceMhl ongoandI

star
tedourlessons,t
houghIf eelli
keheis
taki
ngtoolongtogett otheshoot i
ngpart
.Heis
busywithl
essonsandr ul
esandal lt
hebori
ng
stuf
fandIjustwantt oknowhowt oshootatan
unwantedanduni nv
itedguestlikeNdumiso.

Imethi
m outsi
deinhi
squantum wai
ti
ngf
orme
wit
hacigar
ettei
nhismouth.

“Doal
lDl
amini
sni
tchesdr
ivet
axi
s?”Iasked
hoppi
ngi
n.
“
Car
efulwhatyousayaboutt
hosepeopl
e,
t
hat
’sfami
ly,
”hedroveoff
.

“I
’m sorr
y,”Isaid.“
Mhlongopleaset
ell
mewe
areshootingtoday,Ij
ustcan’
twithal
lther
ules
andt hi
ngstor emember,Ihav
enomor espace
l
eftinmybr ain.”

“Todayi
sourlastdaytogether
…”he
nonchal
ant
lysaidrel
easingsmokethr
oughhi
s
teet
h.

“
Ihav
en’
tshoty
et”Isai
dal
mostcompl
aini
ng.

“Youwil
lshoott
oday,don’tworr
y.You’
rea
smartgi
rl
,you’
vegotthis.I
nfact;hadt
hings
tur
nedoutdif
fer
entl
y,you’dhavebeenan
awesomeadditi
ontous. ”
“
Except
,I’
m notacr
imi
nal
,
”

“
Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngt
hat
’sal
laboutt
ochange,
”

Wearriv
edatt hedesti
nati
on.Hei nsist
edIdri
nk
somewat erbefor
ewegotst art
ed.We’reatan
emptyandopenl and.Wet ookal i
tt
lewalkto
getawayfrom thetaxi
.“Now, pul
loutyourgun,
”
Idi
d.“Doaswehadpr acti
ced,”

“
Okay
,hol
dwi
thdomi
nanthandf
ir
st,
”

“No,don’
tsayit
…doit
.Whenani nt
rudercomes,
youwon’thaveti
metorecit
ethesteps…doit
,”I
hel
dt hegunl
ikehehadtaughtmeandt hen
l
ookedathim.
“
Good!That
’si
t,t
hat
’sper
fect
,”

“
Wher
eam Iai
ming?
”
“Iknowwepr act
icedaimingbut,don’
tworr
y
aboutthatnow.Fixyourstandi
ng…standf
ir
m!”

“
Iam f
ir
m!”

“Iam t
ell
ingy ouarenotfi
rm, st
andfi
rm”he
saidst
ernly.Isighedandtri
edtofi
xmy
standi
ng.“Fine.Fir
eaway!”hesays.
“
Okay
,”Ibr
eat
hedi
n.

“Ther
e’snoti
metothi
nkaboutRai
nbow,
shoot!
”heshout
ed.

“
Wai
t!
!!
”Icr
ied.
“Pull
t hef uckingtrigger!
”her aisedhi svoice
andwi t
houtev enbl i
nki
ng, Ipull
edt het r
igger
.I
stumbl edandf ellonmyback.Iopenedmyey es
andsawMhl ongost andingov erme.Iwas
breathingheav il
y,myhear twasr acing,my
handswer esweat ingandmyt onguewasdr y.
“What ’
sr ulenumberone? ”heasked.Isqueezed
myey esshut .“Answert hequest i
on! ”

“
Alway
sassumet
heguni
sloaded”Iut
ter
ed.

“
Didyouassumet
hat?Werer
eadyf
ort
hat
f
orce?
”Ishookmyhead.

“
Ithoughti
twasempt
y,It
houghtyou’
dgivei
tto
meempt ysi
ncei
twasmyfir
stti
mepulli
ngthe
t
ri
gger,
”
“
I’
ll
getyousomewat er
,”hewalkedaway .“Get
r
eadyforroundtwo,”heshoutedrunningback
t
othetaxi.Idon’
tthi
nkIwantt odothisagain.I
f
eelnauseousandscared,Ican’tdothis.
5minuteslat
er,
Mhl
ongowasbackwi
thabot
tl
e
ofwater.

“
I’
m scar
ed”Isai
d,“
Idon’
tknowwhy
?”

“I
tsallnormal .Shooti
ngaguncausest hebrai
n
toreleasevar i
oushor moneswhi chcancausea
noviceshoot er,suchasy oursel
f,t
obe
overcomebyf ear,aggressionorevenanxi
ety
aft
ershoot i
ng, ”hehandedmet hebottl
eof
wateralreadyopen.Igul peddownwi thout
wast i
ngasi nglesecond.“ AndwhenIsaystand
fi
rm, Imeanst andfi
rm.Don’ tar
guewithme”
“
Yessi
r”Inodded.

“Okay,round2.Justpul l
thet riggerandt r
ynot
tofall
.Remember ,standf i
rm.Mar ky our
ter
rit
ory,”Idi
dashei nstructed.Thi stimeIdug
myf eetintothegr oundmaki ngsur eIwasf ir
m
andimmov able.“Pull
,”Ididn’tthinkabouti t
,I
pull
edatt hesoundoft hisvoi ce.Istaggered
butdidn’tfal
l
.“ Good.Agai n,thistimeai m at
somet hi
ng,”

“
Atwhat
?”Iasked.

“
Oneofthetreesor…”hecamecl oser,“
Yousee
t
hatabandonedhouse?”Inodded,“Takethe
wi
ndowont heri
ght?”
“
Mhl
ongo,
”Icr
ied,
“That
’st
oof
ar…”

“
JustshootRai nbow”hest eppedback.“ The
f
ir
mery ourgri
pis,t
hemor eaccur at
ey ourai
m
wi
llbe,”Ipull
edthetriggerandt hewindow
i
mmedi at
elyshatt
ered.Hel ookedatme,
“
Mhl ongo,that
’stoofar,”hei mit
atedme.
“
Rainbow, youareahandf ul.Let
’sgo.”

“
I’
m done?
”

“Fortoday,butformorepract
iceyouneedt ogo
toashoot ingrange.If
oundagoodonei n
Congel a,
on88Bl akeroad.Wheneveryougo,
they’
l
l pullmoneyfrom mycardsoy oudon’t
havet owor r
yaboutthat,
”westart
edwalking
back.
“
Thanky
ouMhl
ongo,
Ireal
l
yappr
eci
atet
his.
”

“We’rel
ayingthel it
tl
eangel t
oresttomorr
ow.
I
t’l
lbeani nti
mat ething!”hesaidandmybr ain
i
mmedi atelytravell
edt othatday.Howshewas
gaspingforli
feonl ytodr awbloodintoher
l
ungs.Howshewasn’ tmov i
ng,scaredand
wantingherfat herandaf ewsecondsbefore
thatshewasaski ngifIwashermommy .

“
Doy
out
hinkIcanmay
…”

“No!keepawayf r
om them,especi
allyLucky.
”
Thathurtme.ithurtmereall
ybad.Mor ethan
anythi
ngrightnow,IneedtobewithLucky .I
wantt obetheref
orhim.Tocomf orthim and
j
ustlethim knowIcareandthatI’
m deeply
sorr
y .
“
Yessi
r,
”Isai
dlowl
y.

“Ihavesomet hi
ngforyou,
”hesaidopeningt
he
driver’
sdoorandhoppingin.Hepull
edaphone
from hisfr
ontpocket
.“That’
sforyou.I
ts
set…loadedwithai
rti
meandmynumberi s
alreadysaved,
”

“
Mhl
ongo!
”Iwhi
mper
ed.

“Theysaidthatonehasani cecamera,f
orwhen
youwantt otakeselfi
esandpostt oyour
tweets,”t
hismant hatdidn’twantmeanywhere
nearhim becauseofhi sloyal
ti
estothe
Dlaminisli
ter
all
yboughtmeani Phone11.I
don’tremembert helasttimeIheldaphone
withmyhands.Iopenedt hecamer aand
swi
tchedt
osel
fi
emode.

“Saycheese!
”Isai
dcl
icki
ngnumer
ousl
ytaki
ng
self
ieswit
hMhlongo.

“
Cheese!
”hesang.

“Thanky ou,Ir
eal
lylov
ei t
.Ireal
lydo…andyou
can’tposttoyourtweets.That’
slegi
tnota
thi
ng”

“
Wet
akecar
eofourown,
”hesmi
l
ed.
Aft
erMhl ongodroppedmeof fatthelodgeI
wasst ayi
ngat;Ihadalit
tlevi
sitIneededto
make.Idon’tknowwhat ’sgoingtohappen,or
howt heyaregoingtoreceiv
emebutIhav eto
seethem.Imett hem atschool;wherethey
spendmostoft heirdaysandt i
me.The
recepti
onistledmet omyf ather’sof fi
ceasifI
suddenlyfor gotthewayar oundmyf ormer
school.Ifoundt hem bothint here.Itlookedli
ke
theywer ehav ingaratherclandestinemeet ing.I
bargedinandt hrewmy selfont hev isi
tors’
seatsnextt omom whowasshockedbymy
presencet hatshejumpedt oherf eet .

“
Fat
her
,mot
her
”Isai
d.

“
Ice-
cream”cr
iedmyf
ather
.

“
Tumelo.Ndumi
sohasbeenwor
ri
edsi
ckabout
y
ou…he”

“Mom…don’ t
.Please”Ist
oppedherfr
om
speakinganyfurt
her.Shejustmademesi
ckt
o
myst omach.
“Hewantedtopullhi
shandawayf r
om the
school
,howdarey ouputwhatmeandy our
fat
herbuil
tinj
eopardy,
”Ibangedonthetabl
e
outofangerandrose.

“
Mama.Shutup!”herey
esgr
ewwi
derasshock
t
ookov
erherface.

“Love,t
alkt
oher!”Ilookedatmyf atherwai
ti
ng
forhimtoyiel
dtomymot her
’swor d.Iwai
ted
forhimtosuccumbt ot hepressureshealways
putsonhim, t
hatpressurethatalway smakes
him cowerandforgetaboutbeingaman, a
husbandandaf ather.

“
Tumel
omyangel
!
”
“Daddy,don’
tcallmet hat
.Don’
t…”Il
ostit
.
“Tumelodied,Iam notTumelo.Can’
tyousee
whaty ouandthiswomanhav edonetome?
Youbr okeme…y oumadeseekr ef
ugeinforei
gn
placesandofferedmeasal ivi
ngsacr
ifi
ceto
thedev i
lhi
mself”Ipouredoutmyheart
.

“Yourhusbandi snott hedevil

,
”mymom’ seyes
boreintomi ne,“Ifyouwantsomeonet oblame
foryourmi sfortune,Isuggestyoutakealookin
themi r
ror,
”bef oreIcouldev enbli
nk,myhand
hadtravell
edwi ththespeedofl i
ghtand
smashedacr ossmymot her
’sfacefil
li
ngthe
offi
cewi t
hanunpl easantambi ance.She
gaspedi ndisbel i
ef.

“
Tumel
o!”myf
atherr
oseup.Tensi
onswer
e
r
isi
ngi
nthi
sof
fi
ce.
“Ndumi sofoundmeandt henbeatmeup,
druggedmeandt ookmebackt ot hatdungeon
ofahouset hatisf il
ledwi thnot hingbut
tort
ur ousmemor iesf ormeandt henhadhi s
waywi thme.Icoul dn’ tspeakf orday s,I
couldn’ twalk,Ihadt obehel pedbyst r
angers
j
ustt obat he.Whi l
emymot her–whohasnev er
caredaboutme–wasi nthel uxur ioussideof
thepr ov i
nceenj oy i
nghi smoney .It ol
dy outwo
thathewashur tingme, butmoney …”Iscoffed,
“Moneydi dnotal l
owy out ohel pme.Hav i
ng
mul t
ipleugl yandexpensi vewi gswasmor e
i
mpor tanttoy out hant helifeofy ourownchi l
d
youwi ckedwoman. ”Myey esnev ermov ed
from her s’shewasev enst arti
ngt ot earbutI
didn’tgi v
ear ats’ ass.“ Iam sogl adt hatGod
tookmybr otherawayf rom y oubecausey ou
areev il…youar ethemosthy pocr iti
cal,t
wo-
faced, lyi
ng,cold, greedy ,mani pul ativ
eand
pretent i
ousbi **hont hissideoft heequat or”
“
Don’
ttal
kaboutmyson!
”herv
oicequi
ver
ed.

“andy ouwal kthesecor ri

dorsl
ookingallhi
gh
andmi ght
y ,l
i
key ouar eactual
l
yagoodper son,
”
Igiggled,“Takeof fthemakeupandl ett
he
wor l
dseey oufort heevil
andblackhearted
persont hatyouar e.”Ishi
ftedmyat t
enti
onto
myf ather,“Andasf oryoudaddy,Il
ov ey
oubut
growapai r.Abigpai r”

“
Don’
ttal
ktoy
ourf
atherl
i
ket
hat
,”shecuti
n

“Al
lofthi
swi l
lcomecrumbli
ngdownoneday
andyouwillnotbel
iev
eit.I
fanyofyoutrytot
ell
NdumisoI’
mi ntown,Ipromiseyoual
lyour
l
uxurywil
lburndownr i
ghtbefor
eyoureyes.
Youbrokeme…bot hofyouandIhateyouso
much, ”Iheadedfort hedoorandexi
ted.WhenI
gotinsidemycar ,It ookami nut
etobreathe.
Myt hree-poundbr aincouldnotcomeinto
termswi thwhatjusthappened.Myhandwas
sti
llburni
ngf rom slappingmymot her’
sugly
face.
Ij
ustgottomyf l
at .Yes,whereNdumi so
captur
edme.If r
ozebyt hedoorasamemor y
ofthatinv
adedmyheadspace.Mhl ongocame
herealoneoneoft heday stochangethelocks
andalsotoaddmor esecuredlocksand.Ihave
agunnowt hatIcanusewhent r
oublecomes,I
cantrytoprotectmy sel
fwhent r
oublecomes.
AsIwasj ustclosingmyey es,Mhlongocall
ed.

“
Yessi
r!
”Ipi
ckedup.

“
Cany
oucomebyt
her
ankqui
ckl
y?”
“Onmyway ,
”Ifixedmy selfupandwasonmy
way .Iparkedmycarwher eGuyusuallyparks
hist axi
andwal kedupt ot heoff
ice.Thetaxi
dri
v erssawmeandgr eeted.If
oundMhl ongo
allcleanandfreshi naleatherj
acket.

“
Youhav
eadat
e?”Iaskedbar
gingi
n.
“No,I
’m dr
ivi
ngdownfort
hefuner
al.Her
e”he
handedmeandenv el
opewit
hmoney .

“
What
’st
hisf
or?
”Iasked.

“
Fory
ou.Keepi
t.Youwi
l
lneedi
t.
”

“
Mhlongo,you’
vedonemoret
hanenoughf
or
me.Ican’
ttakethi
smoney
…”
“LikeIsai
d;wet akecareofourown,”hecame
aroundthetable,tookmyhandandl edmeout .
“Ishouldbeont heroad,
”helockedtheoff
ice,
“Sgora”hecall
edandav er
ymuscularman
camer unni
ng.

"
Skhul
usam,
”(Myboss)hesai
d.

“Walkthi
sladytohercar,
please,
”henodded.
“Takecareofyoursel
fandbesafe,”heopened
hisarmsini
ti
ati
nganembr ace.Iobli
ged.“
Take
hisnumber,j
ustincase,
”

“Okay ”heranof ft
heoppositedir
ecti
on.This
Sgor acharacterwalkedbesi
demewi t
houteven
utteri
ngasi nglewordtome.If el
taswiftand
deliberat
epatonmyshoul dersoIlookedback.
I
t’shim.
“
Hel
l
o,”hespoke.Hei
stal
ki
ngt
ome.

“Doy ouknowhim?”askedSgor
areadyt
oget
him awayfrom me.

“
Wait…”Isaid.Thi
sguyhasbeenrunningaway
f
rom mey ethaunt
ingmesinceIsetfootonthi
s
r
ank.

“
Rainbow,i
t’
sme.Tumel o…”Icoveredmout h
wi
thbothhands.Igotcl
oserandst udi
edhim.
I
t’
shim.Acoldandstingi
ngsensat i
onrushed
t
hroughmybody .“
Saysomet hi
ng,”Idon’
tknow
whattosay
.

“Ar
eyoudead? ”Iaskedt
hemoststupidof
quest
ions.Justafewdaysaf
terl
osingSam,
aft
erprayingtohim,heshowsupalive.He
shookhisheadasr esponse.Whatt
hef ucki
s
happening?“Am Idead?”

“Idon’
tthi
nkso,
”acor
nerofhi
smout
htur
ned
up.

Yeah!No…I
’
m dead.Cer
tai
nly
!

PLEASEREACTANDSHARE♡
I
NSERT20

I
NCARNATE

Adj
ect
ive
1.Embodi
edi
nfl
esh;
givenabodi
l
y,especi
all
ya
humanfor
m;per
soni
fi
ed.

2.Tomakecar
nal
,tor
educet
hespi
ri
tual
nat
ure
of

3.Toputi
ntoorr
epr
esenti
naconcr
etef
orm,
asanidea

Hey!Tellme, whatdoy ousaytoyourbrother

thathaddied15y earsagoandi snowst anding
ri
ghtbeforeyou?‘Howwast hegrave?’‘
Wer e
youinheav enorhell
?’thoseweresomeoft he
questi
onsthatwer erunningthr
oughmyhead
asIsearchedi nhi
sey esfortheboythatwas
oncemybi gbr ot
her.

So,
ther
eIwas,
inmycar
,wi
thTumel
o,t
he
ori
gi nalTumel oJaxa, dr
ivi
ngtomyf lat
.Sil
ence
wassot hicky oucouldcutthroughitwitha
kni
f e.Wekeptgl anci
ngateachot herand
quickl yl
ooki ngaway .Thisiswrongright?“I
’
m
sorry ”Ipar kedmycaront hesideoftheroad.“
I
can’tdot his.I
’m scared.Areyoudead? ”I
hoppedoutoft hecarandsodi dhe.

“No,whywouldIbedead?It
’smeBow-bow,
”
Bow-bow,i
t’
shim.Hewast heonl
yonewho
cal
ledmethat.Itwasonl
ymybigbrot
herwho
cal
ledmeBow- bowandnobodyel
se.

“
Why
?How?
”myv
oicest
art
edshaki
ng.
“
Youdon’
tknow,
doy
ou?
”

“
Knowwhat?”Ipausedandcaughtmybr
eath.
“
Youdi
ed!Youaredead,Icr
iedfory
ouand
bur
iedy
ou.Wehadaf
uner
alTumel
o…”

“That
’swhatshetoldy
ou.Shewasabletoev
en
planafuneral
…yourmotheri
sthedev
il
i
ncarnate,
”

“
Right
?”

“Iseeshe’
sshowny ouhertruecol
ourstoo!
”he
smiledwryl
y.Ifi
gur
edhewashungr yandhe
l
ookeddi r
tysoIsuggestedwegohomeandget
him cl
eanedupandt henmay bepr
ay.Idon’
t
know…any t
hing.

WegothomeandIr anhim abat h.Hehadto

usemyf emininehygienethings, becausewell
;I
wasn’texpecti
ngmydeadbr othertoresur
rect
todayorever.Ihadtorunt ot heshopsandget
him afewclothes,toil
etri
esandf ood.Ibought
McDonald’sforusbot h.McD’ swillal
way s
remindmeofGuyandGuy …ohLucky !Imiss
him,butmybr otherneedsmyat tenti
on,solet
mekeepmyf ocusont hat.If
oundhi minmy
room l
ookingoutt hewi ndowwi t
hat owel
wrappedaroundhi swai standacupofwhat
appearstoahotbev er
agei nhishand
“Idon’
trememberthelastt
imeIwasi
nacl
ean
space,
”hesaidadmiri
ngthevi
ew.

“Igotyouaf ewt hings;”Ist

artedpull
ingoutthe
i
temsf r
om MrPr ice.“Igotyousomedr awers,
j
eans, sweatpants,”Icall
edoutev er
yi t
em asI
pull
edi tout
.“Vest s,socks,
t-shi
rt
s.Some
hygienestuff,
fli
pflopsandt hesetakkies.Si
ze
11right?”

“
So,
youbasi
cal
l
ywentshoppi
ng?
”hi
sey
ebr
ow
r
ose.

“Yeah!Basical
l
y ,
”webot hgiggl
ed.Iam not
goingtolieorevenpr et
endI’m baff
ledbythis
butatthesamet i
me–Iam v eryexcit
edtohelp
mybr otherandbasicall
yresuscit
atehim back
toli
fe.Nopuni ntended.

“
Thanky
ou,
Bow-
bow,
”

“Iwil
lbei nthelounge,”Iawkwar dlysai
dand
thengav ehim somespace.Ist art
edlayi
ngout
ourfoodont hetablemaki ngsurethat
everyt
hingwasher e.Ij
ustwanthi mt obe
comfortable.Hewal kedinwear ingsweatpants
andfli
pflopssmel l
inglikeme.i t
’sreal
lyhim.
Hisbirt
hmar kisstill
there.Rightunderhislef
t
bosom.
“
It
’sreal
lyyou,
”hesmi
ledr
eveal
i
nghi
smust
ard
y
ell
owt eet
handbrowngums.

“I
t’
smesi s,
”heimmedi atel
ystar
tedeat
ing
hast
il
y.Iwatchedhi
m, IknowIshouldn’
tbut,
I
can’
thelpit
.Mybigbrot heri
shere.

“
Whydi
dyour
unawayf
rom me?
”Iasked.

Hescoff
ed,“Iwasn’tsur
eitwasyouandIdidn’
t
knowwhatIwasgoi ngtosayifi
twasyou.
Whatbri
ngsy ouaroundther
eanyway?Ataxi
ranki
snotyourscene.”

“
It’
sal ongst
ory.Thest
oryyouneedtot
ellme
r
ightnowi swhyyouarenotdead?Howdidyou
t
reatthecancer
? ”
“
Cancer
?!?
!”hel
ookedatme.

“Wel
lyeah!Imeant hat
’swhatki
l
ledy
ou…”he
si
ghedashel eanedback.

“Ineverhadcancer.Fuckyourmotherisevil
!
Shewentasf arascomi ngupwiththecauseof
death…”heswallowedwhatwasl eftofhisfood
i
nsidehismouth.“Istart
edusingcocaine.
That’
swhyIgotski nnyandsickl
y.I
twasn’ t
cancer.Yourmotherfoundoutandsentmet o
rehab,”

“
Ithi
nkIrememberyoubei
ngawayforsome
t
ime.Mom sai
dyouwenttocampwi t
hyour
f
ri
ends.Iwast
ooy oungt
ounder
standmuch.”
“Icamebackandr elapsed.I twaswor set he
secondt i
mear oundandi twassur el
ygoi ngto
getthecrèmedel acr èmet alki
ng.Istar t
ed
steal
ingfrom heranddadandt heirfriends
whent heycameov er.Shecaughtmeusi ng
whenshedeci dedInol ongerhadapl aceat
home.Youwer elit
tl
e, dadwasal way sawayand
i
twast heper fectoppor t
unityforhert omake
sureherimager emai nedi ntact
.So, shecal l
ed
meadr i
verandhadt hedr i
verdr opmeof f
anywheref arawayf r
om t hehouse.Imanaged
togettoJozi ,stayedt hereforawhi l
eandt henI
foundmy selfher eagai n;homel essand
helpl
ess,”

“Tumelo,
whydidn’
tyoucomeback?”Iam
shockedbywhatheistel
l
ingme.I
sitpossi
ble
foramothert
obethisevi
l?
“Idi
d, numeroust imesbutIguesstheguard
wast oldtonotl etmecomei n.i
twashar dBow-
bow, l
ifeinthest r
eetsi
shard.Youeitherki
llor
bekill
ed…shet oldmet hatyoutri
edtokill
yourselfbecauseofmeandsai difIl
ovedy ou
thenIshouldst ayaway”

“Iwil
lneverj
udgeyouTumel o.Youdi
dwhatyou
hadtodoandt hatwasallalie,
sheli
edt
oyou”
hegrinned.Hi
smindwander edawayasthe
sil
encegotawkward.“Getthi
s,shemademe
changemynamet oTumelo,”

“
Gett
hef
uckoutofher
e!”

“Oh!mywor d!Shewasputtingupanact …she

madei tseem l
ikeshecoul
dn’tcopewithyour
deathsoshest art
edcal
li
ngmeTumel o,
eventual
lyshemademeof f
ici
all
ychangemy
namet
oyour
s.”

“
Anddad?What
’shesay
ingaboutal
lthi
s?”

“
Wel
l
,dadi
s…”

“
Holdon!Whataboutthebody,mybody
?”he
i
nter
ject
edbef
oreIcouldanswer.

“Shecrematedy ou.Sai
di twasyourdyi
ngwish.
Didn’
tevengivedadachancet otakeonel
ast
l
ookathisson.Shehady oucrematedi
naspli
t
secondanditalway skindofconfusedmehow
shedidever
y t
hingwi t
houttalki
ngtodador
whenhewasn’ taround”

Thi
sdayhasbeenev
ent
ful
.Ishotagun;
I
confront
edmyparent
sandslappedLucif
er’
s
wifeandthenmybrot
herwhowasdeadf or15
yearstur
nedoutt
obeinfactnotdead.One
mightactual
l
yhaveamentalbreakdownwit
hall
thi
sbaggage.

Iall
owedTumel otouset hebedwhi l
eIt ookthe
couchi nthelounge.Ibeti t’
sbeenawhi l
esince
he’ssleptinone.Il efthimi nmyf l
atandIt ook
alit
tl
et ri
p.Ilefthi
m wi thsomecasht ogoand
cuthishair.Ibookedhi m anappoi nt
mentwi th
thedent i
standadoct ortor unsomet ests,
he’s
beeni nthest r
eetsf ortool ong,Ijustwanthi m
tobesaf e.Wher eam Igoi ng, y
ou’rewonder i
ng?
Iam goingt oSammy ’sfuner al
.Iknowi t’sabad
i
deabutIcan’ tnotbet heret owit
nesst heday
theylayhertor est.Shedi edi nmyar msf or
cryi
ngoutl oud, Imeanheck!Sammymi ght
havebeenmybestf ri
end.Iwi l
lst
ayhi dden.I
won’tev enmakeasound.
Mhlongowasr i
ght;i
t’
sveryint
imat e.There’s
probablynotupt o50people.Il
eftmycardown
theroadandwal keduptot hehouse.Theyhav e
aBar bietentup; whichiscute.Isatatt hev er
y
backwher et heywon’tseemeandj usttri
edto
controlmyt ears.Thi
sissohar d;Ifeel l
ikeI
havej ustlostmyownchi ld.Afairskinned
womanwi thal ongweav eandabl anketar ound
hershoul dersr oseupandst oodnextt ot he
whitecof fi
n, Iknewexactlywhoshewas.She
wasaspi tti
ngi mageofSammy .Herey eswer e
red;skinwhi teasmi lkwithperf
ectpl ump
cheeks.

“Idon’tknowwhatt osay”shesaidandsmi l
ed,
“Mybabywassoy oung.Shewantedtohav e
magi calpowersli
keBarbie…”Ij
ustcoul
dn’tsit
throughthis,
Igotupandscut tl
edtowardsthe
gate.Suddenlytherewascommot ion,
whenI
l
ookedback,IsawGuyr ushi
ngtowardsme.My
heartst
oppedbeat
ing.Theworldcametoa
stopbutsomehow,Ikeptmov i
ng.

“
Isthather
?”herv
oicesoundedov
ert
hemi
c.
WhathaveIdone?

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”Guyaskedgr
abbi
ng
myar
m.

“I
’mleavi
ng,I’
m sorry,
”Iwasshaki
ngandont he
vergeofcry
ing.Ilookedoverhi
sshoulderas
shetooklar
gest epstowardsus.“
Ireal
lymust
go…letmego,”

“I
st hi
sher?
”sheaskedbr eathi
ngheavi
lyasshe
stoodfir
mlynexttoGuy.“Isshetheonethat
ki
lledmySam? ”shelookedatmewi theyes
fi
ll
edwithtearsandpai nbutthatIwas
ashamedtoadmi tIunderst
oodbecausewell
,I
wasn’
tamot her.Neverbeenandpr obabl
ywi
l
l.
ButIfel
texactlywhatshewasf eel
i
ng.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“Mia,gobackl etmehandl et hi
s,”Guyor der
ed
sti
llholdi
ngont omyar m.Justl i
keIhad
sl
appedmymot heryester
day ,
Mi aslappedme.
Icouldn’tfi
ghtback; Ican’
tfi
ghtback.She’ s
gri
ev i
ngandi fthrowingaslapmydi r
ecti
onwil
l
hel
pheri nanyway ;t
henIof f
ermy sel
f.

“Sor
rywi l
lnotbringbackmychi l
d,Ihope
somethingr eal
lybadhappenstoy ou.Ihope
youlosesomeoney oulovetoo,t
henI ’
ll
accept
yourapology !
”shemarchedaway .Guylooked
atmeandf orasecondt her
e,IcouldswearI
sawahumanman.

“
Guy
,I’
m sor
ry…Ij
ustwant
ed…”

“
Youj
ustwant
edwhat
?”

“
Shediedinmyar
ms;
herbl
oodwasal
lov
er
me…”Icri
ed.

“
Thi
sisnotabouty
ouRai
nbow,
”

“I
t’
snotRai nbow,i
t’sMiss,
”heshookhishead
asat earsli
ddownhi scheek.HeavenknowsI
wantedt ocleani
tforhim.Iwanttoholdhim
andtellhim Iwasther
eandt hatev
eryt
hingwas
goingtobeokay .
“
Leav
e.Letmebur
ymydaught
eri
npeace.
..
”

Withmypr ideanddi
gni
tynoti
ntactIdr
agged
myf eetoutthegat
eandwenttomycar .Isat
behindthewheelandcr
ied.

“MI
SSRAI
NBOW,
”Ihear
dherv
oiceascl
earas
day
.

“I
’m sorrySammy,itshoul
dhavebeenme.I’
m
sorr
yf orhurt
ingy
ou,”Icri
edapol
ogi
zingt
oa
deadlitt
legir
l.

“Aunt
yRainbow,
”Ij
umped.I
t’
sMtho.Igotout
andembracedhi
m.“Youokay?
”heasked.

“
I’
m okayboy
.Buty
ourf
atherwon’
tbehappy
t
haty
ou’
reher
ewi
thme,
”Isai
d.

“
Iaskedhi
m.Hegav
eme5mi
nut
es…”

“Giv
emey ournumber,
Iwill
textyou!
”Isai
d
pull
ingoutmyphonef r
om thebackpocket.He
dial
edinhisnumberandsav edit
.“Youcancal
l
meany ti
me, okay?
”henodded.WhenIlooked
upahead,Mhl ongowastherewatchi
ngus.
“Okay,r
unbacknowandbegoodokay ,
”

“Iwi
ll
”heshoutedr
unni
ngback.Mhl
ongosubtl
y
noddedtoacknowl
edgemeandIdidthesame.

Isatther
ef orawhi
l
e.Iponder
ed, contempl
ated
andquestionedmyenti
reexi
stence.Whyismy
l
ifel
ikethi
s?Whydoesitfeell
ikeIam
constant
lybangi
ngmyheadagai nstthewall
?
EveryturnImakeisawr ongturnandeveryt
ime
Iopenmymout htospeak, Ichokeorbit
emy
tongue.Fuckit
!IthoughtI’dwaitawhil
ebefore
executingmyplan,butitseemsl i
keIhaveto
startacti
ngnow.Myangerwon’ tal
lowmet obe
pati
ent.Ican’
t.

REACTANDSHARE♡

I
NSERT21

PI
NOTAGE

Noun

1.Av
ari
etyofr
edwi
negr
apegr
owni
nSout
h
Af
rica,
producedbycr
ossi
ngPi
notNoi
rand
ot
hervari
eti
es

2.Redwi
nemadef
rom t
hepi
not
agegr
ape.

Idrovebacktothecit
ywithoutmakingasi
ngle
stop.IfoundTumeloshi
rt
lessout
sidewatchi
ng
theview.Hesmiledwhenhesawmeappear i
ng
withfoodinmyhands.

“Ther
e’smyBow-bow,”hehassomescar sthat
IwanttoaskaboutbutIdarenot
.Ireal
lydon’
t
knowwhathim andIaredoingri
ghtnow?Ar e
webacktobeingbrotherandsi
sterorwhat?
“Youlooknice,
”beforeIgoti
ntotheel
evat
or,I
composedmy sel
fandassumedagay ,
deli
ghtf
ul,
brightandenthusi
ast
icdemeanorso
hewon’taskquest i
onsI’
m notreadyt
oanswer.
Hedishedforusandsett
hetabl
eli
keIdi
d
yest
erday
.“Sooo,
”hesang.

“
What
?”

“Tel
lmesomet hi
ng?Youhav eaboy fr
iendthatI
needtomeet
? ”thisisTumelo,mybrother.
Tumelowasmysmi l
ekeeper.Heal
way sknew
howtocompletelyignor
eallthenegat
ivesand
j
ustsmil
e.

“WhatI ’
m aboutt otel
lyouismi ndblowingbut
i
tsall t
rue…”hesmi l
ed.“Shortversi
on.Igot
mar r
iedat22, hewasabusive,Iranawayt hi
s
year,metasweetguyIcal l
Guybuthi snamei s
Lucky,buthi srealnamei sNhlanhlaandhe
singsal otoflovesongs.Iwentbackt omy
husband, ranawayagai nandGuyt ookme
back.”Hisf oreheadcreased.Icaughtmy
breathe,“Ndumi so,myhusbandki dnappedme
butGuy ’sbrotherrescuedme.Thei rfatheri
san
ex-cr
iminal thatworksfort hegov er
nmentand
theywor kforhi m usi
ngt axisasaf ront.Abouta
weekago, Guy ’
sdaught erdiedinmyar msaf t
er
beingshotbyaguyi nabl acktazz,nowGuy
wantsnot hingt odowi t
hmebecausehet hinks
thatNdumi soor deredthathi tandtherefore
withNdumi sooutofr each, Iam t
henextbest
bestthing.Theend. ”Ismi led.

“Yourl
if
eisafuckingmovie…wait
,where’
s
Ndumisonow?Pl easet
ell
met hisFor
tuneguy
andhiscri
minal
/poli
cefat
herkil
l
edhim,”

“Heescapedwhentheycamef
orme,
so”I
cli
ckedmytongue

“
Butwhydi
dn’
tyoul
eav
e?Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
dadwhatwashappeni ng?”Il
aughed.Itr
eall
y
shouldbet hateasyri
ght?Wheny ou’
rein
trouble–youshoul dj
ustruntoyourfamilyand
they’l
laut
omat i
call
yprotecty
ou.

“Ndumiso’sfami l
ywast hebiggestinvestorat
theschool,whenhet ookov ertheropesf rom
hisfat
her,hest i
l
lcontinuedtobeaf i
nancial
pil
lar
.Itol
dt hem whatwashappeni ngthey
suggestedwegof ortherapy”helookedatme
withsadnessi nhiseyes.

“
AndIwasn’
tther
etopr
otecty
ou,
”hel
owl
ysai
d.

“Youcouldn’
t,
y ouweredead,”Ir
ubbedhis
shoul
der.Hechuckledsoft
ly.“Li
sten,
”Ist
ood,“
I
needtogosomewher e,
Iwil
l bebacktoni
ghtor
tomorr
owmor ning,
”
“
Whatar
eyouaspy
?Anassassi
n?”

“
I’
m Rai
nbow,”Iwi
nkedandmarchedt
othe
r
oom togetafewthi
ngsandt
henIwasout.

I’
m afool
.I’
m st upi
dandcrazy.WhatI’
m about
todowill
leadtooneoft wot hi
ngs.One:Icoul
d
walkoutvi
ctoriousandhavingavengedmy sel
f
andalsosett
ledmyscor e,or,t
wo:Icoul
dcome
outonastretcher,DEAD.

Thet hingaboutlivi
ngindarknessy ourwhol e
l
ifeisthaty ougetusedt oit
.Init
ial
lyyou’
llbe
scaredbuty ougetusedtoit.yougetusedt oi t
tothepoi ntwhereitbecomesapar tofwhoy ou
are.Itbecomesy ou,andy ouit.There’
sal otof
misconcept ionaboutit
;peopleseedar kness
andimmedi at
elythinkdanger,ev
il
,negati
vit
y
etc.et
c.Butsomet imesdarknessisagood
thi
ng…itdependshowy oulookatit
.Rightnow,
i
t’sdoordie.Ifther
ehast obeadeadbodyi n
theseri
esofev entsthatar
eaboutt ounfol
d–i f
i
t’smineornotr eal
lydoesn’tmatt
er,j
ustas
l
ongasIdodamage.

It
'sstil
lt hesame, nothi
nghaschanged.I tlooks
l
ikeapr omi singhomeofal ovel
ycouple.A
couplet hatl ovesandpr ot ectseachother ,
it
l
ooksl ikeahome.Apl acewher ekidsare
conceiv edandr aisedinlov ebybot hmot her
andf ather .Butt hewallsspeak, theyspeaka
diff
erentst ory.Everycry,slap,ki
ck,punch,
i
nsultandpushechoest hrought hewallsoft hi
s
façade.Thepi ctur
eshangi ngar ejustmasks, a
cover,af r
ont .Butthewal lsspeakandt heyt ell
noliebecauset hewal l
sseeandhear
everything.
Iwentintoourbedr
oom andgotchanged.Can
youguesswhatIwor e?That’
sri
ghtIworethe
blackensembleheboughtforme.Theonet hat
helovessomuch…t heonethathemademe
wearthedayImetLucky .ThenIgotstar
tedon
dinner
.Imadehisfavouri
te;Gar
li
cfri
edrice
withcri
sppork.

Thefir
stthinghedoeswhenheget shomei sto
gotothef r
idgeandgrababottl
eofwater,and
thenmaybegoupst ai
rstochangeorgost r
aight
tohisoff
iceandgetbusy.Ei
therway,I
’m good.

Isetupthetabl
efortwoandwai tedforhimi n
hisoff
ice.Mypalmsaresweat i
ng,myhear tis
abouttojumpoutofmychestandf earkeeps
tel
li
ngmet orunbutIlostSammyandGuy , and
Ineedtoabatethatl
ossandt hepainhehas
causedme.Thisi
sn’
tjustaboutav
enging
my sel
fandSammy,i
t’
saboutmor ethanthat
.

Thedooropened.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.
I’
m scared.Hewal t
zedi nwhistl
ing,
butthat
slowlyfaded.It
hinkhej ustsawwhatwason
thetabl
e.Nowhe’ spr obablytr
yingtot
hinki
fhe
madet hat?Juggli
nghi smemor yinatt
emptt o
makesenseofwhat ’sbeforehiseyes.

“Whatthefuck?”hesaidtohimsel f
.Iheardthe
fr
idgeopenandshut !Jackpot!I’
m gladtosee
hehasn’tchanged.Hisfootstepsgotlouder
;he
shoul
dbecomi ngheretofetchhisgun.‘3…2…1’
Icount
eddowni nmyhead

“
Boom”Iwhispered.Hefrozewhenhesawme
i
nhischai
rwearingthatoutf
itt
hathel
oves.
“
Heybaby,
”Isaid.
“
Tumi
,
”hi
sey
eswander
edar
ound.

“Don’
twor
ry,
I’
m al
one,
”Ist
oodandappr
oached
him.

“BabyIthoughtyouwer
edead,”hi
svoice
cracked.DearGodIam soscar
ed.“I
’
m sosor
ry
aboutthelastt
ime,”

“Metoo…I’m sor
ryt
hatIl
eft
.Ijustr
eal
izedthatI
real
l
ylovey ouNdumisoandyouaremyl i
fe
part
ner.Iwasstupi
dforl
eavi
ngy ou,
”

“Comeherebaby ,
”Iletouthi
shandandI
l
ookedatit.Idon’
ttrusthi
m.“ Iwon’thurty
ou.I
wil
lneverhurtyouagain…”Ibravelytookhi
s
hand.Iam tr
yingtohidethefactthatI’
m scar
ed
butI’
mj ustfai
l
ing.Hepul l
edmei ntohi
schest
andhuggedme.Ihel dhimt oo,
andmadei t
beli
evable.“
I’
m glady oucamebackt omebaby .
Iknewy ouwouldn’ tmakeitoutther
ewithout
me,”Iletoutasof tsi
ghtoaccompanyt heidea
thatIam happytobehomeandt hatIl
ovehim
andthathe’sri
ght.

“Let’
sgoandeatl ove,Imadey ourfav
our
ite!
”
saidlooki
ngupathi m.Het ookmyhandand
thenwewentt oeat.Iat et
oo.Iwashungryand
thereisnothi
nginthisworldthatcoul
dever
stopmef rom eat
ing.Ilovefood.AndIam
enjoyi
ngthisplat
e.

Il
ift
edupmyheadandfoundhi
mlooki
ngatme
withlazyey
es.“
What
’swr
ongsweet
heart
?”I
asked.
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”heasked.

“
whatdoy
oumean?
”Ismi
l
edr
eveal
i
ngmy
t
eet
h.

“
Ifeel
funny
,”

“Oh!”Igiggled,
“Iforgott
omenti
on,Idrugged
you.Oops! ”helookedatmewithlazyandhalf
openey es.Igotup, wentov
ert
ohi m andsaton
topofhim.

“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”heaskedagai
n.

“Di
dy outhi
nkIwasact ual
l
yheretoapologi
ze
andmakey oufood?”Icuppedhisfaceinmy
hands.“Youar
eaf oolandweakdickless
mot herfucker …y ouar egoingt opay ,
”hishead
fel
lbackwhenhef inal l
ygav eint ot hedr ug.I
gotupandst aredathi m.“ Whatt hef uckar e
youdoi ngRai nbow? ”Iwhi speredt omy sel
f.I
gotupcl oseragai nandsl appedhi m andt hen
rantost andatadi st ance.Hedi dn’tmov e.Il
et
outasni cker .It i
p-toedbackt ohisl i
felessbody
hangingl opsi dedont hechai randsl appedhi s
again,har dert histime.Il aughedoutl oudl i
kea
crazyper son.“ Fightme, getupandf i
ghtme
youPu* * y,
”hedi dn’ tmov e.Hecan’ thur tme
ri
ghtnow.“ OhGod, ”emot ionst ookov erme.I
couldn’thelpbutcr y .Ifel
ltomykneesand
cri
ed.Sammyi sdeadbecauseofmeandGuy
want snot hingt odowi thme…hemustbei nso
muchpai nr ightnow.Whydi di thav etobehi m
thatsav edmet hatni ght?Why ?“ Andy ou?”I
roseupswi ft l
y.Igr abbedhi sneckl ikehe
usuallydi dtomeandsqueezed.“ Ihatey ou.I
hatey ou.Ihat ey ou”Ispati nhisf aceandt hen
backedawaybr eat hingheav i
ly.
Imarchedtohisof fi
ceandgotmy selfabottl
e
ofPi
notagefrom hiscol lecti
on.Idon’tknow
whatthefuckthisisbutIwi l
ldri
nkitany way.I
gotacoffeemug, pour edmy selfl
oadsamount
ofwineandthenconnect edmyphonet othetv.
IwenttomyJoox, cli
ckedont heplayli
stIti
tl
ed
LUCKYandpl ayedt hef i
rstsongIev erheard
hi
m singbyMi chael Bolt
on:

HOW CANWEBELOVERSI
FWECAN’
TBE
FRI
ENDS?
HOW CANWESTARTOVERWHENTHEFI
GHT
HADNEVEREND?
HOW CANWEMAKELOVEI
FWECAN’
TMAKE
AMESS?
TELLMEHOW CANWEBELOVERWHENWE
CAN’TBE
CAN’
TBEFRI
ENDS?

Idrankandf inishedmycupofr edwi newhi l

e
groovingt omypl aylistinspirebyGuy .Icri
ed.I
l
ament edt omy selfandt omyunconsci ous
husband.Idancedandsl appedhim ev erynow
again,Iwasj ustliterallyspirali
ngout.Itooka
goodl ookathi mf oraf airnumberofseconds.I
j
ustst aredhi m andwonder edwhathappened
tohim?whywashebr oken?Whydi dhehur tme
l
ikethat ?ishement all
ysi ckorwasheabused
asachi l
d?Nev erthel ess,Idon’tcare…hei s
goingt of eelmywr athandknowj ustwher eto
hithim.It iedhim upi nthatchairandgav e
i
njected, hewon’ tbeupany timesoon.

Il
efthi
shouseverylateandheadedformy
pl
ace.ofcour
se,Iorderedawholel
otoffood
wi
thhiscardandtookithomewoenj oywit
hmy
brot
her.Ial
sograbbedthatv
er yexpensi
ve
bott
leofwineIwasdrinki
ng–whi ch–bythe
waytastesli
kedogpeeandliquoricebuti
tdi
d
wellt
oabatemyangerandbr ingmet omy
senses.

AsI’
m wal
ki
ngdownthepassagetomydoor ,I
seet
hegatei
sopenbutTumeloisnotout
side.I
gott
omydoorandfoundthati
twasopen.

“Tumel o!”Icall
edandt herewasnor esponse, I
i
mmedi atelyputev er
ythingIwascar ryi
ngdown
bythedoor .“
Ar eyouokay ?”Iaskedtiptoeing
downt hepassagewi t
haguni nhand,hol di
ngit
ti
ghtli
keMhl ongohadt aughtme.“ Pl
easesay
somet hing,Ihav eagunwi thme, ”Inoti
cedt hat
thekit
chenwasamess.Cupboar dswer eopen,
i
ncludingt hef r
idge.Somei temswer elyingall
overthef loor.Ipushedopent hedoort omy
room andf oundt hewar dr
obesopenedandt he
fi
rstthingt hatcamet omymi ndwasmymoney .
Isearchedt hroughthewar dr
obel ookingfora
blackduf felbagbuti twasnowher etobeseen.
Dearwhat ev erpowerthatisbiggerthanmeout
there;pleasel etitbethatTumelowentf ora
wal kandt henIgotr obbed.Letitbenotwhati t
l
ooksl ike.Inot icedapieceofpaperont hebed,
i
tr ead;

I
’
M SORRYBOW-
BOW

“Fuuuuuuuuck!
”Icr
iedandthr
ewmy sel
font
he
bed.Iti
sexactl
ywhatitl
ooksli
ke.

#bonusi
nser
t
#happy
readi
ng
#React
#shar
e
#comment
♡
I
NSERT22

PUPPETMASTER

(
Plur
al:
puppetmast
ers)

1.Apersonwhoenter
tai
nswi
th,
oroper
ates
puppet
s;puppet
eer
.

2.Aper
sonwhocont
rol
otherpeopl
e

“You’
rest
upi
dRainbow,”t
hat
’sal
lI’
vebeen
sayi
ngtomysel
fsinceIwokeup.So,Iopenup
myspacet ohim andlethi m bef r
ee.Icleaned
him upandboughthi m clothesonlyforhi mt o
repaymel ikethi
s?Hest olemymoney !Allofi
t!
whattheheckam Isupposedt odonow?
“You’r
estupidRainbow, ”Isaidt omy self.
Tumel oisahoboandadmi t
tedtohav eused
drugs,cocainebutyetIsomehowl etmyguar d
downandal l
owedt hefactt hatweshar eDNA
cloudmyj udgement .HowcanIbesost upid?
I’
m afool andnaïve.Tumel oi safuckingj unki
e.
Ievengav eupmybedf orhim.

Ithoughtaboutgoi
ngt otherankbutperhaps
heissmar t
erthanthat
.He’ l
lprobabl
ymov eto
anotherspotandbuydr ugswithmymoney .
NowI ’
ml i
ter
all
ybroke.Ihavenot hi
ngbutthe
R500Ihadonmey esder t
day.Ihavetoget
somet hi
ngtoeatand…
Waitami nute…notal lisl
ost .Iam thewifeof
thenowr educedtonot hi
ngGr eatNdumi so
ScottGumede, whyt hehellshoul dIsuff
er
whenhei sswi mmi ngi nmoney ?Ourmoney ?I
bathedandt hr
ewont hatyellowf l
oraldr
ess
Guygotmet hemor ningafterhepi ckedmeup
beatenandbat ter
ed.I tcompl imentsmyv er
y
bri
ghthair.Iworethatwi thf l
ip-f
lopsandIwas
out.
Iparkedmycaroutsi
dethefr
ontgateand
walkedin.Ther
eheisri
ghtwher
eIlefthi
m,st
il
l
ti
edupandunabl et
omov e.

“
Tumel
o,i
sthaty
ou?
”heshout
edasIwal
kedi
n.

“
Tumeloisal
i
v e,
I’
m Rainbowagai
n.”Ist
oodin
f
rontofhi
m.thedishesfr
om l
astar
est i
l
lher
e.
“Ineedt opee,please…”hebegged.If ound
my sel
fsqueezi ngmywr i
st,Ihaven’
tdonet hat
i
nwhi le.Ireal
l
yf eelbadf orhim.I’
m notabad
person…Idon’tt i
epeopleupanddr ugt hem.I’
m
nice.“
Unt i
emey oubitch,”helowlysaid.Well
thenfuckit!Iformedaf istunint
entionall
yand
thenpunchedhi mrightacrosstheface.

“
Shit
!”Icr
ied,
becauseIdidn’tonl
yhurthi
m
whenIthr
ewt hatpunch,
Ialsoinj
uredmysel
f.

“Isaid.Iwant.Topee.”Hi
st onegotmore
aggressivewithever
ywor d.Itookast
epback
forgetti
ngthathewast i
ed,thatIwasi
ncontr
ol
thi
st imeandhecan’thurtme.

“Fi
ne!”Imarchedt
ohisoffi
ce,t
ookoneofthe
potplant
sthatweredecor
ati
nghisof
fi
ceand
giv
ingitaserenel
ook,ashe’
dsayandthen
wentbackt ohim.“i
t’
sti
metowaterthepl
ant
s
anyway ,
”Iunfast
enedhi
sbelt
,zi
ppeddownhis
pants,unbutt
onedonebutt
onofhisboxer
s,
reachedinwithmyhandandpull
edouthisdi
ck.

“
You’
recr
azy
!”hesmi
rked.

“Eew!don’
tev
en…”Ihunghispeni
sovert
hepot
plantandt
henlookedathi
m.“Goon,
”

“
Yesma’am,
”her
eleased,
rest
edhi
sheadback
i
nrel
i
ef.

“Youwantmet oshakei t,
”hegiggledand
nodded.Icaref
ull
yshookhi spenissot hel
ast
dropsofuri
necanwi ggleoff.Idressedhim up
againandthenwenttot hebathroom towash
myhands.“ y
ouhungr y
?”Iaskedcomi ngoutof
t
hebat
hroom,

“
Yeah!
”

“Youwantabur
ger?”Iasked,
“Iwon’
tbe
cooki
ng,
”henodded.

“That’sf
ine.
”Itookhisphoneandplacedan
orderfor2McDonal d’
sburger
s,chi
psand
Milkshakes.Thenwejustsatt
hereinsil
ence
l
ooki ngateachother.

Tr
uthbetold;Ihadn’
treal
l
yplannedthi
s
pr
operl
y,Idon’tr
eall
yknowtheebbandf l
owof
ki
dnappi
ngorhol di
ngonehostage.

“
So,
”hebr
oket
hesi
l
ence.“
Howar
eyour
eal
l
y?”
“Don’taskmet
hat.I
nthisscenario,y
ou’r
ethe
weakone.Youareatmymer cysodon’taskme
howI ’
m doi
ngwit
hthatsinceretone,
”Icl
icked
myt ongue.

“Whyarey
oudoingt
hisRainbow?Di
dyour
boyf
ri
endputy
ouuptoit?
”heasked.

“
No…Luckydoesn’
tev
enknowI
’
m her
e,”

“
Icangiv
eyoumoney
…”Il
ookedathi
m and
l
aughed.

“
Giveme…”Ilaughed,“Honey ,Iwil
lbet aki
ng
yourmoney.Whatyout alkingaboutgivingme
money.I
t’
smi ne,al
lofit.Thecars,thishouse,
t
hemember shipsevery
t hingismine.”He
gri
maced.“Thatshoul
dbeaf ai
rcompensat
ion
foral
lthepai
nandsuffer
ingIendur
edunder
youhand.”

“
Tumi
don’
tdot
his…”

“Iam notTumi,
”Iargued.“
Hei
sal
i
ve…Ican’
tbe
him anymore!
”Iadded.

“
Whatdoy
oumeanTumel
oisal
i
ve?
”

“Ifoundhim,wellhefoundme.Wefoundeach
other…it’
salongstor
y,”t
hei
nter
com r
ang.Iran
andpi ckedupthephone.

“
MRDELI
VERY,
”sai
damanont
heot
herendof
t
hel
i
ne.
“I
’LLBUZZYOUI N,COMETHROUGH, ”Iputthe
phonebackup.“Ourfoodishere!
”Idancedmy
shoul
derexci
tedl
y.Iwalkedoutmakingsureto
cl
osethedoorbehindme.

“
Her e’
syourf
oodma’am”hesay
swit
hasmi
le
I
’m surehewastol
dbyhi
smanagert
oal
way
s
wear.

“
Thanky
ou,
”

“
Nicehomey
ouhav
eher
e…”

“Thanksagai n,myhusbandandIwor kvery

hard.I
’llbuzzy ouout,”hesmiledandnoddedas
hewal kedaway .Iwalkedi
n,stoodbythedoor
andpressedt hebuttonthatopenedthegate.
Helookedbackandwaved.Iwav
edbackli
kea
ni
ceperson.Ipl
acedt
hefoodonthet
ableri
ght
i
nfrontofhi
m.

“
Itsmel
l
sni
ce,
”hesay
s.

“Iknow, ”Itookmybagandpul ledoutmygun.“ I

willuntieyou, t
ryanythi
ngstupidandIwi ll
shooty ourbal l
s,”henodded.Iuntiedhim
slowl yandcar eful
ly
.Iwasscar ed,thathemight
dosomet hingst upi
devenaf t
erIwar nedhim
nott o.Istartedeati
ngandofcour set hegun
wasr i
ghtnextt omewi thaninject
ion.Buthe
wasn’ teating.“What’swrong?”Iaskedwi t
ha
mout hful
l offood.

“
Isi
tdr
ugged?
”
“
No!Thedr
ugwasn’ti
nthefoody
est
erday
.It
wasi
nyourwat
erbott
le…”

“Howdi
dyouknowIwasgoi
ngtotakewater
andwhi
chbot
tl
e,t
her
e’sl
i
ke5?”hequest
ioned.

“Wheny oul i
vewithamonst er,
youlearnhis
way s.Thesmal l
estofmov ementsmean
somet hing.Ipai
dat t
enti
ont oeveryt
hingfrom
thev er
ybeat i
ngofy ourhearttothetonein
whichy ouspeak.Youar eav er
yorganized
person,Ilit
tl
eOCDonemi ghtsay.SoIlacedthe
fi
rstandt helastbottl
e.Therewasnowayy ou
weregoi ngtodisruptyourorderandt akefrom
themi ddle.
”

“
I’
m notamonsterTu…”myeyesshotupathi
m,
“
Rainbow”hecor
rect
edhimsel
f.
“
I’
dbegt
odi
ff
er,
”

“
Ilov
eyou.Youknowt
hatr
ight
…”

“Ndumi
so,Iam t
ryingtoeatmybur
geri
npeace,
don’
tmakemesi ck.”

“ButIdomylove,t
hat
’snotal
i
e,”Ir
oll
edmy
eyesandconti
nuedeati
ng.

“Yousayy ouloveme?Thenwhydi dyoubeat

me?Whydi dyouhurtme?Yousonofabi tch,I
couldn’
tspeakorwalk.Howt hefuckdoy oudo
thattosomeoney ouclai
mtol ove?”t
heent i
re
ti
memyey esboredintohi
s.Icouldfeelanger
i
nv adi
ngmyent ir
ebodyandal lIwantedtodo
wast oscream andshoothi
mr i
ghtbetweenhis
eyes.“
Don’tev
erusethatwordwi
thmeagain.
”
Thismanisgoingtor
uinthi
smealforme.Nop!
Nottoday
…

Heal
sostar
tedeati
ng.Good,
becausei
tmight
beawhi
leti
llheget
ssomethi
ngtoeatagai
n.

“
Thanky
ouf
ort
hef
ood,
”

“
Yeah,
youshoul
dbet
hankf
ulbecausei
t’
smy
money
.”

Aftereati
ng.Ipoi
ntedagunathim andtol
dhim
tomar chupstai
rswhil
eIfoll
owedbehindhi
m.I
orderedhimtoshowerwhi l
eIwait
edinthe
bathroom wit
hhiml i
kehedidtome.
“
Your
ememberwhenwemet
?”Ir
emi
nisced.

“Wemeti nthe11thgrade.I
twasmyf i
rstday
andyourfatheraskedyoutogivemeat ourof
theschool
.”Hespokeabov ethenoi
seoft he
shower.

“Youwer esoni cetome.Youwer etheonlyboy

thatwasn’tscaredofmyf at
her ;Icannotbel
iev
e
thatyouwentt oaskhi spermi ssiontoaskme
tobey ourdatet othevalent
ine’sbashat
school,
”hecameoutoft heshowerand
grabbedat owel hungbehindt hedoor .“
That
wast henightthatIreal
izedy ouwer enota
goodboy ,youtriedtohav esexwi t
hmewhenI
didn’
twantt o,
”

“
Pleasedon’
tgot
her
e…i
t’
sthepast
,”
“No,youdon’tgettobeg.IgowhereverIwant,
I
’mt heladywithgunandthescars.Karmer’
sa
bit
ch,ri
ght?”Iscof
fed.

“Soisawomanscor ned,
”hewalkedoutli
keI
didn’
thaveaguni nmyhand.Freelyand
nonchalant
ly.Iwat
chedmoistur
izehisbody
anddressup.

“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”Iasked.

“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”hesatont
he
edgeoft
hebedl
ikeagoodli
tt
leboy.

“Myparent
sspoket
omet hefol
lowingmorni
ng
andbeggedmetogiveyouachance.They
conv
incedmetofor
giveyouandIdid…whatdi
d
y
oudoorsay
?”

“It
oldmyf atherwhathappenedandhef eltI
shouldn’
tbepuni shedf oronel i
ttl
emistakesoI
guesshet hreat
enedt opul lhishandout,”he
expl
ained.“Yourpar entshav ealwaysbeen
l
eeches;especiall
yy ourmom.Shedoesn’ tcare
whoshehur t
sint hepr ocessofsuckingand
gett
ingwhatshewant s,justaslongasshe
does.”

“Leaveheroutofthis…”Idon’
tcarehowevi
lmy
mot heri
s,Ican’
tall
owt hi
spieceoftr
asht
o
speakaboutherlikethat.

“Howwhenshei st
hepuppetmast er?Thisi
s
herstor
yandweareallj
ustpuppetsdoing
whatevershewant
sunwil
li
ngly
.Doy ouhave
anyideahowlongshe’
sbeensleepingwithmy
father
?Ifoundoutingrade11whenwehad
dinneratyourpl
ace,r
ightaf
tert
heval
ent
ine’
s
saga”

“That’
snottr
ue.Shemaybeevi
lbutIknowshe
l
ov esdaddyandshewoul
dnevercheatonhi
m
especial
l
ywithsomeonesocl
osetothe
family
.”

“WhenItookov
erfrom dad;shemadesureI
knewshewasav ai
l
able.Sheinvi
tedmeoutf
or
dinner
…”

“
Shutupy
oul
i
ar!
”Iwasbr
eaki
ng.

“
Supper,
lunchandever
ysensel
essandstupi
d
t
hingshecouldf
indj
usttof
li
rtwit
hme.”
“
Youar
eal
i
ar!
”

“Iwastempted;Imeanyourmom isquit
e
somethingbut…Icoul
dn’
t,
”Isl
appedhim and
hisheadinst
antl
ycockedtothesi
de.Ipoint
ed
thegunathim.

“
Whyareyout
ell
i
ngmet
his?
”myv
oice
t
rembl
ed.

“
SoyouknowthatI
’m nott
heonl
ymonsteri
n
y
ourcour
t.Whydon’
tyouaskyourmot
herwho
t
hefat
herofTumel
ois?”

“Mywor dNdumiso!Myword!Youar
esickand
disgusti
ngandsi
ck…youar
esick.Myfat
heris
Tumel o’
sfat
her
.”
“
Askher
…poi
ntbl
ank”

Wai
t.
..
no.Imean…wai
t.

IfTumelo’
sfatherisNdumiso’
sfat
her
then…whatthefuck?No…letmenotenter
tai
n
him.heisjusttr
yingtogett
omyhead.He’s
try
ingtogetmet oletmyguarddownsohecan
attackme.

“
Getinbed,
”Icommandedt
ryi
ngt
okeepmy
v
oicest
eady.

“Ar
eyougoi
ngt odrugme?”heasked.Inodded.
Idi
dn’
twanttoopenmymout hseeingthatI
wasonthevergeofcry
ing.
“Stayhere!”Iwentdownst ai
rstogetan
i
njectionandal sot ocry.Icl
eanedmyf ace.
Tookadeepbr eat hinandoutandt henheaded
back.JustasIt urnedtogobackupst air
s;I
foundhi m behi
ndmeatasl ightdistanceand
i
mmedi atel
ypoi ntedmygunathi m.Onest ep
closer,Iwouldhav ebeenathismer cy.“Isai
d;
staythere”Itookonat hinkstaccato.“ Youthi
nk
Ican’tuset hi
s?y out hi
nkI’mfronting? ”

“
No,
I’
m sor
ry!
”

“You’
vealr
eadypissedmeoffsobehave!
”I
shouteddel
iber
atel
yshooti
ngri
ghtabovehi
s
head.Herushedtothefl
oorandcover
edhis
head.

“Ar
ey ouf
ucki
ngcrazy
?”heaskedpant
ingand
cry
ingonthef
loor
.
“Don’ttestmeNdumi sobecauseanyt
hing
couldhappenwi ththi
sweaponinmyhands.
Nowgetupst ai
rs,
”hetrembl
edupstai
rswithhi
s
handsupwhi l
emygunpr opel
ledhi
mt okeep
mov i
ngf r
om behi
nd.Imadesuretokeepa
distancebetweenussohedoesn’teventhi
nkof
attacking.
Hegotintobed; Igav ehimthei nj
ecti
ont o
i
njecthi
msel f–whi chhedi d.Whenhewas
weakenought onotdoany t
hing.Iti
edhim up.I
ti
edbothhi slegsandl eftar
mt othecor nersof
thebed.Ileftabucketwi thaplasti
cf i
tt
ed
i
nsideandar ol
loftissue.Whenori fhewakes
up,he’
llf
indanot eont opofhim whichreads;

FORYOURBATHROOM BUSI
NESS

I
’
m notasev
ilasNdumi
soi
s.Il
efthi
m wat
er,
frui
tsandsnackst
okeephi sener
gylevel
sup.
Thedrawersarecl
ean.Iremovedevery
thi
ng
thatmighthel
phim escapefr
om t
hatroom and
l
ockedhi minsi
de.

Ineedt
oseemypar
ent
s.

#f
ri
day
PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT23

DARKNESS

Noun

1.Thest
ateofbei
ngdar
k;l
ackofl
i
ght
.
2.Ev
il
ness,l
ackofunderst
andi
ngor
compassi
on,ref
erencet
odeathorsuf
fer
ing

“
Mama!
”Ishout
edbar
gingi
nthr
ought
hedoor
.

“Tumi,i
sever
ythi
ngokay
?”askedt
hehelper,
sis
Lindi
we.She’
salway
sbeensonicetome.She
pract
ical
l
yrai
sedmewhenmypar entsweretoo
busy.

“
Where’
smama? ”Ipassedherwit
houteven
l
ooki
ngather.Iswearmyf eetar
en’tt
ouchi
ng
t
heground,
I’
mj ustfl
ying.

“
Checktheki
tchen,
ort
hebedroom…”she
r
espondedwhenIwaslonggone.
“
Mama”Ical
l
edout
.

“Whatisi
tchil
d?Whyareyouhere?Andstop
shouti
nginmyhouse.
”Ifoundherint
he
ki
tchenpour
ingher
sel
fanalcoholi
cbever
age.

“It
houghtyoust
oppeddr
inki
ng,
”sherol
ledher
eyesandtookalar
gegul
pofherdri
nk.

“Her
etoslapmeagai
nandpouroutyour
hear
t?”t
herewasanot
eofsar
casm andtease
i
nhertone.

“
Where’
sdaddy?”Iasked,
“Daddy
!”Ishout
edon
t
het
opofmyl ungs.

“
Tumel
o!Yourf
atheri
sn’
ther
e…hewentona
busi
nesst
ri
pwi
thy
ourhusband’
sfat
her
”

“
Oh,youmeanTumel o’
sreal
fat
her
…”Idr
opped
t
hebomb.Shelookedatmeandgiggl
edand
t
hentookanot
hersip.

“
Whatareyoutr
yingtost
irupnowy
ou
t
roubl
esomechi
ld?”

“Mama, stopwithyourwit s.Iknowy ou’vebeen

havinganaf fai
rwithMel usi Gumede, my
husband’ sfat
herandt otopi tal loffyoursel
fish
asst r
iedtocomeaf terNdumi soi nattemptto
keept hem in,
”shet ookhergl assandsaunt ered
tothecouchbearf ootedinasi l
kni ghtdress
andgown.Shej ustr emainedcal m andt hat
mademeangr y.Angr i
erthanIwaswhenI
walkedi n.“Mama,saysomet hing!”Idemanded.
“
Tumel
o…”

“Don’tcal
lmet
hat
!”mywor
dsf
ell
outf
astand
sharp.

“
Fine.Li
ttl
egirl
…Idon’tl
i
keenter
taini
ngrumors,
i
t’
slikepouri
ngfueltoafir
e,i
tonlymakesit
r
ealandgivesitli
fe,
”

“Okay
…I’
l
lcomebackwhendaddy’
sbackand
seewhathesay
sabouti
t…”sher
oseupslowl
y.

“
Youungr
atef
ulbr
at,
”

“Bet
tertobeungrat
efulbratt
hanagreedy
cheati
ngharl
ot,
”beforeIknewit
,shehad
sl
appedme,

“Ifyouwi llstandbef oremeandj udgemeand

callmenamest henpl easechi ldwal kinmy
shoesf orami l
eort woandendur ewhatIhav e
endur ed”shel ookedatmewi t
hey esv oidof
anymat ernal compassi on.“ Thenandonl ythen
wi l
lyouj udgeme, ”shescof fed.“Yes,Ihav e
beensl eepi ngwi thMal usi andIst i
llam buty ou
wi l
lnotut terthattoy ourf ather.Iam ther eason
yourf atherisi nthebigl eagues.He’ si
nt he
mi dstoft hecr èmedel acr èmebecauseofmy
greed, mycheat ingandmyhar l
otry.Iam the
reasonwehav ethisbighouseandIam t he
reasony ouhav ethatbighouset ocal lyourown.
Sopl ease, Tumi …don’t!Donot !”

“Nooneaskedyout
othosethi
ngsf orus.You
didn’
tdot
hem f
ordaddyandcert
ainlynotme
becauseheavenknowsy ou’
venev erf
eltan
ounceofloveforme;youdidev er
ythi
ngfor
yoursel
ftokeepupappearances.Topleasethe
audienceandbelongt
othefirstcl
ass…”

“Andso?”herf
oreheadcreasedasshe
gri
maced.“Whatiswrongwithwanti
ngtol
i
vea
goodli
fe?”

“Ever
y t
hingiswr ongi fyouhur
tpeoplealong
thewaymama; i
fy oul i
eandcheatyourwayto
thetopoft heladder ,
thenevery
thi
ngi s
absolutel
ywr ong.AndIknowTumel oisnot
dead;howsi ckdoy ouhav et
obetof akeyour
ownson’ sdeath? ”

“Hehadtoleave,Ihadtogetri
dofhim,”she
wasn’
tshockedatal l
bythefactt
hatIknew
Tumelowasn’tdad.
“
Why
?Becausehewasusi
ng?“

“
Youwoul
dn’
tunder
stand…”

“Thenmakemeunder st
and,youvi
lewoman!”I
swearIam f i
ghti
ngtheurget
onotswi ngmy
fi
stacrossherface.Shemakesmemad; no
onemakesmeasmadasmymot herdoes.
She’ssickeni
ng.“Hewasmessingwithyour
i
mage?Huh? ”

“Hetr
iedt
orapeyou!
”shesaidont het
opofher
l
ungscommandingcomplet
esilencetotake
overt
heroom.

“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabouty
ou?
”
“Ihadtogethi
m awayTumi,
”herv
oiceshook.“I
caughthimtry
ingt
orapeyouatni
ght,
youwer e
asleep”

“
That
’snott
rue!
”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“Iwouldhav ehadlockedupinrehabifthatwas
theonlycasebutIsawhi m.Itwasaf t
erhehad
comebackf rom r
ehabforthefi
rstt
ime.I
thoughthewascl eananddet er
minedtogethi s
l
ifebackt ogether
.”Shesat,
“OhdearGod! ”she
mut t
ered.“Whatwoul dIhavedoneifhehad
succeeded?Ihadt ogethim awayfrom you,for
good!”

“
Andyouwantmetobel
i
evey
ou?Youthi
nk
y
ourt
earsar
egoi
ngtomakemebel
iev
eyou?
Af
terev
ery
thi
ngy
ou’
veputmet
hrough?
”

“i
t’
st hetruth,
”shesobbed.I ’
m notevenmov ed
byhercr ocodil
et ears.Thiswomanhasshowed
memor et hanoncet hatshei scapableof
anything.Youknow?Nowt hatIt
hinkabouti
t ,
sheandNdumi sodeser veeachot her
.Theyar e
bothcol dheartedlit
tledevil
slookingtocont
r ol
everythi
ngandany thingthatmov esand
breathes.

“
Woman!Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
”Iasked.

“
It
’st
het
rut
h,”sher
epeat
ed.

“He’smybrot
her,hel
ovesme,hewoul
dnev
er
hurtmeli
kethat
!”Idef
endedTumel
o.
“Hewasunderthei
nfl
uenceofcocai
neand
probabl
yst
il
li
s.Whereishe?
”

Whyismyheartbur
ning?Isitbecausei
tsenses
t
hatther
emightbesomet ruthtowhatshe’
s
t
ell
i
ngmeori t
’sj
ustfury
?

“I
’m goi
ngt
oleav
enowmama,
”Iheadedf
ort
he
exi
t.

“Becar efull
it
tl
egirl.Youwillnottearmylif
e
apar twhileIwatch.Ifyouattack,Iwil
lat
tack.
Andasf oryourbrother,don’
tlethim any
where
closet oyouifyour eall
yfoundhim; I
’mjust
war ningyouasamot her
,”

“Doyouev
enknowwhatthati
s?Amot her
?”
shegul
peddownwhatwaslef
tofherdri
nkand
thenr
oseup.Iwal
kedoutwi
thdoubtandmor
e
quest
ionst
hananswer
s

What ’srealaroundmethatIhav e?Who’s

tangibleandgenuine?Idon’tknowwher estand
withany bodynowar edays.IfeelasthoughI’
m
alone.Wel ltr
uthbetol
dIam…It houghtIhada
bigbr otherbuthetookof
fwi thmymoney .
It
’sanothermorning.AnotherdayandIam st
il
l
my sel
f.Guystil
lhasn’
ttri
edtoreachout,
Tumelost i
ll
hasn’tret
urned,andNdumisois
sti
llapowerlessmant i
edupi nhisbed.

Ispentthenightherebutintheguestbedr
oom.
Idrankalotofalcoholsomyheadi snow
havingapartyofit
’sown.WhenIst oodtomy
feet,t
hepart
ygotev enlouder,Ir
anto
Ndumi so’
sroom andfoundhi m awake.
“
Icansmel
lyoual
lthewayher
e…”

“
Shutup!”Iwenti
ntot
hebathr
oom andwashed
myface.Imoanedundermybreat
h.

“
Itakei
tthetal
kwi
thy
ourpar
ent
sdi
dn’
tgo
well
,
”hesaid.

“Mydadwasn’
tther
e,”Ibeganwashi
ngmyf ace
wit
hcoldwat
er.Helaughed.“
What’
ssofunny?”
Ibr
ushedmyteethwithmyoldtoot
hbrush.

“YouandIar emarri
edandweshar eabrother”
hesaidwithahigh-pit
chedtonet hatwas
accompaniedbyannoy ingsnickersinbetween.
“Doesthatconsti
tuteasincest,becauseifit
does,wemi ghtwanttokeepi tont heDL.”
“
Wearenotbloodr
elat
ed,
”Itr
iedspeaki
ngwi
th
t
het
oothpast
einmymout h.

“
Wedon’
tknowt
hatf
orsur
e…”

Irinsedmymouthandt henwalt
zedoutoft
he
room int
otheguestr
oom, gotmygunandcame
backt ohi
m.Iunti
edhislegsandarm.“
Goand
freshenup,
”Ior
dered.

“
Yesma’
am,
”

Isatont
hebedandwai
tedf
orhi
m.
“
MayIasky
ousomet
hingNdumi
so?
”

“
Goon…”
“Whydidyoubeatme?”Iwalkedtothe
bat
hroom andl
eanedagainstthedoor
.

“Pleasedon’
taskmet
hat…”hesai
dlooki
ngat
hisrefl
ect
ioni
nthemi
rr
or.

“No,”Irubbedmyf oreheadtr
yingt
ocalmthe
throbbing.“Iaskandyouanswer.Youcan’
t
dodgequest i
ons.Whydidyoubeatme?Why
didy oualway swanttocont
rolme?whywere
yousocr ueltome?”

“Tumi!”her ai
sedhi svoiceandpunchedt he
mi r
ror.Ir
aisedmygunandpoi ntedi
tathim.My
hearthadst artedbeatingfaster,mypalmshad
start
edsweat ingandthepar tyinheaddidn’
t
getanyqui eter.Het ur
nedar oundandfacedme.
“Iwon’thurty ou,”hesaidlowlyandleaned
againstthesink.
“Youal
wayssai
dthatbutsomehowIal
way
s
endedupt
asti
ngmyownbl ood,
”

“Youneedtobef i
rmerony ourfeet
,”hesaid
andIrecoi
l
edinconf usion.“Whenhol di
ngthe
gun;i
fyou’
restandingisfir
m, itmakesthe
shoot
ingeasi
er–wel l
noteasi erbutmay be
moreaccurat
e,”

“
Whydi
dyoubeatmeNdumi
so?
”

“
Idon’
twantt
oanswert
hatquest
ion…”

“
You’
rement
all
ysi
cky
ouknowt
hat
?”

“
Yety
ou’
ret
heonepoi
nti
ngagunatmeand
hol
dingmehost
agei
nmyownhouse,
”

“
Mov
e!Downst
air
s!I
’
m hungr
y…”Icommanded.

“Icanmakebreakfastt
oday…”heoffer
ed.Ijust
noddedandkeptthegunpointedathim whi
le
makingsur
etokeepar easonabledi
stance
betweenussowhenev enwhenhej umpsatme,
Ihavesomespace.

Iwat
chedhim getbusyint
hekit
chenwhi
l
eIsat
i
nthedini
ngtablegul
pingdownwine.

“Youneedt otakeiteasyont healcohollov

e,”
hesaidthatli
keheact uall
ycared.Everyday
whenIcomeher e,Itel
lmy sel
fIam goingto
makehi m pay.Iam goingtomakehi m suffer
foral
lthetimest hathemademesuf f
ered,for
allt
het i
mest hathehur
tmebutsomehow–I
never.Iam nicetohi
m.Ilethi
m batheandeat
andbr ushhisteet
h.Shi
t!Heneverextendedme
thatcurtesywhenhekidnappedme.

"Didyouki
llSam?
”Idev
iat
edf
rom hi
s
statement
.

“Who’
sSam?”heaskedcasuallymindi
nghi
s
ownbusi
nessint
hekitchen.Igotup,t
ooka
l
argegul
pofthewineandthenpickedupmy
gunandpoi
ntedi
tathim.

“Don’
tplaygameswi thme.Didyouordi dyou
notorderthatshoot
.Wasitmeantf orme?Did
yourguymi ssandshootali
tt
legir
l…achi l
d
Ndumi so!shewasonly6”myv oi
cest ar
ted
tr
embling.
“JeezTumi,achi
l
d.A6- y
ear-oldchi
ld,
justt
o
gettoyou.Nonever
!”hestoppedwhathewas
doingandgavemehisundividedatt
enti
on.

“Stoplyi
ngtome! ”It
eartr
ickl
eddownmyf ace
butIquickl
ycleaneditawayandthensnif
fed.
“Youkill
edLucky’sbabyandnowhewant s
nothingtodowi t
hmeandLuckywast heonly
personwhocar edaboutmei nthi
sworld,
”I
brokedown.

“Tumi,aft
erIsentsomeonet odosomedi gging
forme, hefoundyou.Icamet ogetyoumy sel
f
becauseIam notscar edtogetdi
rty
.Ihol
dy ou
sodeart omyheart,Iwantedtogetyoumy self
becausey ouweremi ne.Youaremine!
”
“
Sam i
sdead!
”Ishout
ed.

“I
fany t
hing,Iwouldhav ekill
edLuckybutIdon’t
knowhi m.It r
iedl
ookingf orhim wit
hmyguy
butyourLuckyi shardt ofi
nd.Baby ,Ican
assurey ou…Ipromisey ou;Ididnotkillhi
schi
l
d.
Iwouldnev erkil
lachild.Never!”heshouted.“
I
cantellthatyoucaredeepl yaboutthisLucky
character,I
’
m sorrythatallofthishappenedto
him,”

“You’r
esorry
?!”Iquestionedannoyedandon
thevergeofhav i
ngament albr
eakdown.The
thoughtofSammycov eredwi t
hblood,l
i
fel
ess
i
nmyar msvisit
edmyheadandi tmademe
sicktomygut s.“Shediedinmyar msandt here
wasnot hi
ngIcoul ddo…andandi twasallyour
fault
.Hadyoubeenal ovinghusbandoreven
halfadecentman, thenmay beIwouldn’
thav e
metLuckyandhi
sdaught
erwoul
dst
il
lbeal
i
ve
andhewouldbehappy
.”

“
Buty
oudon’
tknowt
hatTumi
,
”

Wit
houtev
ent hi
nking,myangerpropel
ledme
t
opullt
hetri
gger,“Iam notTumi
!”Ishoutedon
t
hetopofmyl ungs.

“Okay
,Rai
nbow…I
’
m sorr
y.Pl
easeputt
hegun
down,pl
easemyl
ove,
”hebegged.

“Rememberal
lthoseti
mesIbeggedyoutonot
hurtme?Remember ?Huh?
”tear
sfel
loutmy
eyesli
keawaterf
all
.

“
IknowI
’
vecausedy
oual
otofpai
niny
ourl
i
fe
andIdonotdeser veyourforgiv
enessbut
please,don’thurtme.It’
snotwhoy ouare,you
don’thurtpeople.Don’tl
etmechange
you…Rai nbow,oncey ouall
owt hatdar
knessto
i
nv adeyourhear tyouwillr
egretitf
ort
herestof
yourlif
e,”

“
Don’
ttal
ktomeaboutdar kness…doyou
r
ememberwhenIcr i
edunderyourfi
st,begging
y
outostopbutyouneverdid,
”Igotcl
oser,“Do
y
ouremember?”Ishout
ed.

“Ido”hi
sbreathquivered.“Ido.Ir
emember
howImadey ousuffer.Ir
ememberhowIhur t
you.Idobaby,Ido.Irememberev er
ythi
ngandI
am sososor r
y.”Icl
osedmyey esandr ubbed
thegunagainstmyf orehead.

“
Ithi
nkImi
ghtbel
osi
ngmymi
nd.Ihear
Sammyallt
heti
meandIam soscar
edtoclose
myeyesandsl
eep.Ihav
etodr
ugmy sel
f…”

“
Letmehel
pyou,Icangety
ouhel
p.Youcan
t
alkt
osomeone…”

“LuckyhatesmeandIneedhi m.”Iwhimpered.I
wentbackt othetabl
e,r
efil
l
edmygl assand
thendrankstr
aightfr
om thebot
tle.“
Andthi
s
winetasteshorr
ibl
ebutitmakesmef eell
ess,
socheers!”

“Rainbow,
thati
snottheanswer.Ther
eisno
soluti
onatthebot
tom oft
hatbottl
e,
”

“
Shutupandmakebr
eakf
ast
,I’
m st
arv
ing”he
f
inal
l
yexhal
ed.
PLEASESHARETHI
SINSERT♡
#happy
monday
ever
yone
#happy
readi
ng
I
NSERT24

ROOKI
E

Noun

(
Plur
al:
Rooki
es)

1.Aninexper
iencedrecr
uit
,especi
all
yint
he
pol
iceorarmedf or
ces.

2.Anon-
prof
essi
onal
;amat
eur
Wesati nsi
lencewhi
lewekeptglancingateach
other
,bothtryi
ngt
ostayaler
tandawar eoft he
other
’smov ement
s.Hestart
edsetti
ngupt he
tabl
e.“Tel
lmeaboutthedrugbusiness”Ibroke
thesi
lence.

“
Whatabouti
t?”hesat
.“Di
gin,
”

“
Youhav
eint
ernat
ional
cont
act
s?”Iasked.

“Noty et
,I’
m st
il
lwor ki
ngwit
hinborder
s”he
swallowed.“Apparentl
yourdeal
erhas
i
nternati
onalcontacts.
”

“Whoi
s'our
'?Mthembu?”henodded.“
What
’s
hi
sname,yourdeal
er?
”
“
Ican’
ttel
lyout
hat
,”hechuckl
ed.

“Ndumi
so…”Icl
osedmyey
esandcal
l
edouthi
s
nameannoyed

“Theycal
lhi
m Lenny,Idon’
tknowhi
sful
l
names,”hesi
ghedloudly.“
Look,
what
everi
tis
youwanttodo,don’
t,
”

“
Whatdoeshedot
ocov
erf
ort
hedr
ugs?
”

“Youseeal lt
heseconveniencestor
esownedby
foreigner
s? ”Inodded.“Heownsal otoft
hem.
Hebuy sthespaces,rentsitoutt
othem f
orfr
ee
asl ongast heyrecei
vehispackagesevery
mont hwi
t hthei
rdeli
veri
es,”
“
Wher
ecanIf
indhi
m?”Iasked,

“
Why
?”

“BecauseI
’
m abouttot
akeovery
ourdrugand
diamondbusi
ness,
”hechuckl
edsar
casti
cal
ly
.

“St
opplay
ingaround.Youwi
l
lgetki
l
led,
you’
re
anunr
iperooki
e”

“Here’
swhat ’sgoi
ngtohappen; al
lyourshar
es
atG&M mi ningyouwillhandovertomet ohav e
ful
lcontrolandthat'
sincl
udest hedrugs,
ever
y t
hingwi l
lst
il
lbeiny ournamebutIwi ll
be
theboss”

“
Why
?”
“BecauseIneedmoney .Idon’twor
k,Idon’t
haveaneducationandall t
hatyouhaveIwill
takeascompensation.LikeIhadmentioned
earl
ier
.”

“
Icangiveyouajob,
oryoudon’
tevenhav
eto
wor
k, I
’
llgi
veyoumoney
…lotsofmoney
monthly
,”

“
No.Iwantnothi
ngtodowit
hyou,
Idon’
twant
t
ohaveanythi
ngtodowit
hyou…”

“
Whataboutmeandmyf
ami
l
y?”

“
Icaneitherki
ll
youorhel
py ougettoMexico
whereyou’l
lst
artanewli
fe.Iwil
lobvi
ousl
ygive
yousomemoneyt ostar
tov er
.Newidenti
tyand
everyt
hing.”Isaid,“Andifyouthinkabout
tur
ningmei n,knowt hatIwil
ldoev eryt
hing
underyournameandi fIevergetarrested,
I
knowwher eyouar e;Icantel
lthem y oufor
ced
met odoi tallandofcour seyourfatherwil
lbe
i
ncriminatedtoo, y
oudi dtakeoverf r
om him,”

“Youthinkt hisisamov ie?Noonewi ll

bel i
eve
thatIforcedy outodoany t
hingill
egal,
”he
smirked.He' stryi
ngtomai ntainanonchal ant
facadebutIcanseer i
ghtthroughhim.Apar tof
him sti
llthinksIwill
cowerandr un,butthere'
s
anotherpar t-thatpartkeepst el
li
nghimt o
beli
eveev erywordthatcomesoutofmymout h
becausemay bethi
st i
meImi ghtj
ustsur pri
se
him.

“
Ther
e’scamerasout
side;
rememberwhenI
t
oldmyparent
sthatyouwerebeat
ingme?
Whenwecamehomet hatev eningy oudr agged
meoutoft hecarev ersov i
olently,
”Ismi led.
“Theni ghtIranawayf ort hef i
rsttime?I ’
m sur e
thecamer apickedupmybr uisedf ace.Oh, and
alsonotf orget t
inghowIwascar ri
edoutofher e
halfdeadbyLucky ’sbr other ,
”Ididn’tsleeplast
night .Ididn’tsleepl astnight .Iwasi nthe
basementpl ay i
ngt hrought hefoot age,tryi
ngt o
fi
ndev eryandany thi ngthatcanhel pto
i
ncr imi nateNdumi so.Icopi edev ery
i
ncr imi nati
ngf ootageIf oundi nto5di f
ferent
USBs, justtobeont hesaf eside.OneIwi llhi
de
her e.Oneatmyf l
at, oneathome, onewi ll
alway sbewi thmeandt hent hel astone…Iwi l
l
givet ohi m.“ Andincasey ouwer ewonder i
ng, I
alreadyhav et hefoot ages.I ’l
lgivey ouacopy ,
”I
grinned.

“
Youwantmet
ochangemyi
dent
it
y?”
“
Idi
d,i
t’
snott
hatbad.
”

“
Whataboutmyf
ami
l
y?”

“Youcansaygoodbyetothem.We’l
lhav
e
dinnerwi
thal
lyourbusi
nesspart
ner
sandyou
shallmaket
hegreatannouncement
!”

Ifeelcrazy!Ifeelli
keIam l osingmymi nd.I
haven’thadpr opersleepi nawhi lebecause
everytimeIclosemyey est osleep, Ihear
SammyandIseeheri nmyar msl etti
nggoof
herlif
e.Ikeepsmel l
ingherbl oodal l overme
andi nordertomakesur ethati tdoesn’ thappen,
Ieit
herdr ugmy selfwi t
hsleepi ngmedsand
al
cohol .ButwhenIf i
nallyfall
asl eep, Ifeell
ikeI
can’tbreathe,Ifeelthisweightcomi ngov erme
andsuf focati
ngmet henIdr ownmybl oodi n
coffeeandener gydr inks.Iam notf ineatal l.
Again–I ’
m onami ssi
on–Ican’twast eti
me
payingatt
enti
ontomyment alwell
bei
ng.Ihav
e
tomakesur ethatever
ythi
nggoeswel l
tomorrowsothatIcansecur eafutur
ef or
my sel
f,ali
fet
hatIdeserve.

Mypl anistosaveenoughmoneysoIcanf l
ee
thecountry.Iwantt
ostar
toversomewherefar
andpeacef ul
.MaybesomewhereinGreeceor
Europe.Ijustwantt
obesecureenoughtobe
free.

“
RAI
NBOW,
”Mhl
ongopi
ckeduphi
sphone.

“
AREYOUBACK?
”Iasked

“
YES,
WHATI
SIT?
”
“
CANICOMEANDSEEYOUPLEASE?
”

“LET’
SMEETATTHESHOOTI
NGGROUNDI
N
ANHOUR,”

Ineededt oseeaf amil

iarface.Af acethatI
couldtrustandthepersoncl osesttothatis
Mhl ongo.He’sbeenverygoodt ome.Imean
goingagai nsthi
sbossf ormewasal lt
heloyal
ty
Icouldev eraskfor
.

Everysinglepieceofcl othi
ngt hatbelongsto
meatNdumi so’splacej ustremi ndedmeoft he
oldme.whi ch–byt heway–am notsur eifI
’m
notany mor e.I
t’
shar dt heseday s, Idon’
tknow
anythi
ng, Idon’tevenknowwher eIstandwi t
h
my sel
f.Ifoundapai rofbl uejeans, awhite
oversi
zedchoppedt -shir
tandnav yblueadidas
takki
es.
If
oundMhlongo’
salreadyt
axipar
ked.Iparked
mycarbehi
ndhistaxiandj
oinedhi
mi nsi
de.

“It
oldy
out haty
ouandIcannotkeepmeet
ing
anymore,
”

“Ibr
oughtprawnsandcal
amari,
”Isang
dangli
ngthefoodathi
sface.

“f
ine,
”hetookoneboxandi
ndul
ged.“
What
’s
happeni
ng?”

“Ij
ustneedsomeonetotal
kto.How’
sLucky
?”I
askedcomplet
elydampeni
ngthemood.

“
He’
sfi
ne.It
hinky
ouneedtoconcent
rat
eon
y
our
sel
fnowandhowy ou’
regoi
ngtogetyour
l
i
fei
nor
der
…”hesai
d.

“Iam worki
ngonthat
…”myey
esarekeepi
ng
dart
ingbetweenhi
m andmyf
ood.

“
Whatdoyouhav
einmi
nd?
”hel
i
ckedhi
s
f
inger
s.

“I
..
.hmmm”shi t!Ihadn’
treal
lyt
houghtabouta
coverst
ory.“Iwentbackhome.Wespoke,
we’real
ltr
yingtoreconnectandstuf
f,
”

“That
’sv
erynice…”hesays.forsomereasonI
l
ookedattherear-
viewmirr
orandsawa
numberplat
eont heseatdi
rectl
ybehi
ndt he
dri
ver
.
“Whydoyouhav
et hather
e?”Ii
nqui
redt
ryi
ng
str
ayawayfr
om t
het opi
cathand.

“I
’
m supposedt
odropt
hem of
fataf
ri
end’
sthi
s
eveni
ng,
”heanswer
ed.

“
Doy
out
hinkIshoul
dfor
getaboutLucky
?”

“
Youl
ovehi
m?”heasked.

“
No,notlovehi
m.Ijustcar
edeepl
yabouthi
m.
What
’sloveanyway
?YouknowwhatImean? "

“
Youar
etooy
oungt
obet
alki
ngl
i
ket
hat
,”

“
Mhlongo,
Igav
emy sel
ftoamanthatsai
dhe
l
ovedmebuthehur
tmeal l
thet
imeandontop
ofthat,mypar ents,thepeoplethatar e
supposedt olovemeuncondi ti
onallyregardless
ofanythingdidn’tonlyr ej
ectmebutnev erloved
me.So, i
fy ouwantt otellmethatthere’slove,
youmayaswel ltell
mey ou’
reawizar d.It
’salla
l
iecreatedt omakeusweakandv ulnerable.Let
met el
lyousomet hi
ngol dman,runt hehell
awayf r
om any onet hatclaimstolove
you…run…”Mhl ongol aughed.

“Yousuredohav eal
ott
osaywi
tht
hatmout
h,”
hesmiledlooki
ngatme.

“
It
’st
hetrut
h.Imaybeyoungi
nyoureyesbut
t
hethi
ngsthatI
’
vebeenthr
oughspeak
v
olumes…”

“But
,letmebestrai
ghtwi
thyou;
for
getabout
Lucky…justmov
eonandthankGodthathewas
t
her
etohelpyouandthaty
ouar
est
il
lal
i
ve,
but
y
ouhavetolethi
m go.

“Yessir
,”It
hrewawayasal utehi
sdi
recti
on.
WhenIgethome, Iwi
llpopopenabott
leof
whatevercannumbmei nsi
deandcryover
Lucky.Icanfeeli
t.I
tsoundsli
kehei
smov i
ng
onperfectl
ywithoutme.
#i
mpr
ompt
uinser
t
#bonusi
nser
t
♡
I
NSERT25

ARREST

Noun
(
Plur
al:
Arr
est
s)

1.Toseizesomeonewit
ht heaut
hor
it
yoft
he
l
aw;totakeint
olegal
custody.

2.Thepr
ocessofar
rest
ingacr
imi
nal
,suspect
etc.

3.Acheck,
stop,
anactori
nst
anceofar
rest
ing
somethi
ng

2MONTHSLATER

Nothinghaschanged,yetal
othaschanged.
NothinghaschangedinthesensethatI
’m st
il
l
fuckedupmess.Istil
ldri
nkmyproblemsaway .
Ispendmostofmyday satNdumiso’spl
ace
becausei t’
sbigandhasal cohol, I’
m alway s
eati
ngunheal thymeal s.Wel lIordermostoft he
ti
mebecauseI ’m al
way st oowor noutt odo
anything.Ndumi soisprobabl yli
v inghisbest
l
ifeinMexi conow, probabl yhasasexyMexi can
gir
linhisbed.Iwonderi fheev ert hinksabout
meandhowIdi ddirty.Ibethedi dn’tthinkIhad
i
tinme.Ihav etakenov erev erythingheowns
andIam r unningitusinghi snamesoIhav e
nothingimplicat
ingme.Idon’ treal l
yknowhow
tobeadr ugdealerbutIt hinkI’
vebeendoi nga
greatjob.Ihaveaguyt hatItrust .Imethi m at
thetaxi r
ank,IwenttoseeMhl ongoandwhenI
wentbackt omycar ,Ifoundhi ml eaning
againstitwithacigarettepoppi ngouti fhisl
ips.

“
Excuseme,
”Isai
dtohi
m.“
That
’smycar
,”

“
Iknow,
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
ou,
”her
eleased
smoke.Ilookedar
oundt
oseeifhewasalone.
“I
t’
sjustme,”heof
fer
edmehiscigar
ett
e.

“
No,I
’m okay.Whoar
eyou?
”Iasked.Hedidn’
t
l
ookfamil
iaratal
l
.Hewasj
ustalankyl
it
tl
e
l
i
ghtski
nnedboy .

“I
’
m Sthandwasam,
”hesai
dwi
thami
schi
evous
smil
e.Igiggl
ed.

“Boy,
whatdoyouwant
?”Ir
oll
edmyey
es
openi
ngthedoor
.

“
Youneedme,”hedeclar
ed.Istaredathi
m
wai
ti
ngforcl
ari
fi
cat
ionbutclearl
ywantedme
t
okeepdiggi
ng.
“Li
sten,
Idon’thaveti
mef ort
his,
doyouwant
moneyf orf
ood,”Ipul
ledoutR200fr
om my
pocket.

“Actual
ly,
noma’ am, butthankyou…”Het ookit
withouteventhinkingtwi ceandshovediti
nhis
pocket.Hispersonai sjustli
velyandhappy.My
mout hopeneduni ntentional
ly.‘
whothehelli
s
thi
sspaghet t
istandingbef oreme? ’
Iwondered
tomy sel
f.“Aladylikey ouneedsaguyl i
keme, ”

“what’
syourname?”Iasked.Thereisnoway
hisnameisSthandwasam.Hepr obablyj
ust
wantsmet ocal
lhimthat.
“Sthandwasam,
”hepull
edouthisI
Dcardand
fl
asheditinmyfacel
i
keapolicewoul
dhis
badge-andt omysur
prise–hisnamei
s
Sthandwasam.
“
Okay
,St
handwasam,
”Iut
ter
ed.

“
OhNkosi
,yesmydali
,yesmyqueen…”he
r
ubbedhi
schestashi
seyesbat
tedatme.

“
Youseem l
ikeaniceguy,
butIhav
eaboyf
ri
end
”Icoul
dn’
thelpbutgr
inhereandt
her
e.

“
Iam ani
ceguy,andIhaveagi
rl
fr
iend.But
wher
eareyougoingwit
hthi
smydal i
?”

“
Aren’
tyouhi
tt
ingonme?
”Iwassoconf
used.

“IwouldbutIshal
lremainforev
erfait
hful
tothe
l
ov eofmylif
e,Nomt handazo,
”hegazedinto
spaceandIguesspi ct
uredhisgir
lf
ri
end.
“
Thenwhatdoy
ouwant
?”

“Li
keIsaid,awomanl ikeyou,needaguyl i
ke
mear oundher .List
en, I’
vebeenwat chingyou
forawhile;youknowwhaty ouaredoingandI
am heretoof f
ermyser vi
cestobey ou
guy…yourgo- t
oguy .I’m skinny,Icanhide
anywhere,I’
mf astonmyf eetsoIwi l
lbequick
totakethatbulletforyouand…and…Iam qui ck
withmyt ongue.Basi call
y,Iwill
ber obot,
”

ThedaySt handwasam isthedayIstart

ed
feel
inglikeIbelongedagain.I
twasonl yaday
ortwoaf terNdumi sohadleft
.Hejustcame
andmadehi mselfusefulinmyli
fe.I
’vemethis
gir
lf
riend,Nomt handazoandtheyareanodd
couple.Nomt handazothinkI’
m hi
scousin
becauseshecan’ treall
yknowwhatorwhoIam.
Surpri
singly
, Sthandwasam knowsal otof
peoplethatar en’tknownandhecangett othe
bottom ofthingsf asterthany oucansay123.
Thedayheappr oachedmeIknewhewas
special
;Itookhi m outf orlunchandgott o
knowhi m bet t
erwi t
houtr evealinganythi
ng
aboutmeofcour se.WhenIsayhei sconnected,
Imeanhei sconnect ed.Hemanagedt oget
Lennytogi vemehi sattention.Idon’tknow
howhedi ditbutaswespeak, Iam getti
ng
readyfordinnerwi thLenny ,Ndumi so’sdrug
man.

“Areyousureyoudon’twantmetocomewith
you?”heaskedf r
om thebedr
oom.I
’minthe
closetput
ti
ngfinalt
ouchestomyoutf
it
.

“Iam sur
e,Idon’twanthimtot
hinkI’
m scar
ed
ofhim oranyt
hing,
”Isaidandwalkedout
.
“Wowmydal i
,”hisey esli
tupwhenhelookedat
me.“Youarebeaut i
fulli
keadiamondinthe
sky,
”hesang.Thisguyt hough.WheneverI
’
m
wit
hhim Ial
way slaugh.

“
Thanky
ouSt
handwasam,
”

“Howar
eyouget
ti
ngt
her
e?”heaskedwal
ki
ng
uptome.

“
Uber
,”

“Youar
eRainbow,
youneedt
omakea
stat
ement
,”

“
Don’
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
lmakeast
atemental
ri
ght
,”
Lennyt
hinksheismeetingwit
hNdumiso,a
man.Idon’tknowhowhei sgoi
ngt
oreact
seei
ngawomani nst
eadofaman.Butthi
sis
mygamenowandIpl aytowin.

HereIam atLi t
tl
eHav anainUmhl anga.I’
ve
beent othi
sspotwi t
hNdumi so,itwashisway
ofsaying‘I’
m sorr
y’f
orslappi
ngmeaf terI
messeduphi smeal.There’
sav erylar
geman
bytheent r
ancewaywear ingblackfrom topto
toe.Iapproachedhim.

“Ther est
auranthasbeencloseddownforthe
eveningma’ am,”hesaidsi
gnall
ingmetonot
mov eanyf urt
her.Iwasn’
tawarehewasgoi ng
tohav ethewhol erest
aur
antclosedj
ustf
orour
dinnermeet i
ng.
“Iknow, Iam hereforLenny .Tell
him Ndumiso
Gumedei shere…”hismout hseti nahardli
ne
ashisbr owsdr ewtogether.Iflut
ter
edmy
l
ashesathi m.Heturnedar oundhesitant
lyand
wenti nside.Assoonashedi sappeared,
I
exhaledandf i
xedmy sel
f.Hecameback.

“Pleasefol
l
owme,”Iobey
ed.Wow,it
’sr
eall
y
empt y.Awhit
emanstoodasIappr
oachedthe
table.

“Goodeveni
ng,”Iextendedmyhandwhi
chhe
gladl
ytookandkissed.

“
Whatgamear
eyoupl
ayi
ng?
”heaskedsof
tl
y.

“
Thesameoneyou’
replay
ing,
I’
mj ustprobabl
y
alev
elort
woup.
”Ipul
ledasmi l
e."Orthr
ee"
“
Whoareyouli
tt
legirl
,
”hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
whi
l
efi
xinghi
ssitt
ing.

“
Iam Ndumi
soGumede,
”

“Bul
lsh*
t!Ndumisoi
saman.Youhav
eabout5
secondstotel
lmewhat
’sgoi
ngonhere…”

“I
’
m RainbowbutI
’vebeenoper
ati
ngthi
s
busi
nessasNdumisoGumede.You’v
ebeen
messagingwi
thmet hi
senti
ret
ime.Wellf
ort
he
past4monthsorso…”

“
Yout
ookov
erf
rom hi
m?”

“
Yessi
r!
”
“Youorderedt
wicetheamounthedoesandin
halft
hetime…”Inodded,
“Howdidyoudothat?
”

“
Well
,Iwouldn’
tbedoingmy sel
fanyfav
our
sifI
t
oldyoumysecret
s,”heletoutadeepand
r
aspychuckl
e.

“Whydidyouwantt omeetwithme? ”he

devi
atedfr
om thetopi
c.“Idon’
tusuall
ymeet
wit
hmybuy ers,unl
essthey’
vereal
lycaughtmy
att
enti
on.YourguySthandwasam madesur eI
do…”

“Ij
ustwantedtomeetthemanI ’
m wor
kingwi
th
andalsoforhi
mt oknowme.Whoknows,
may beIwil
lbethenextLenny
,”
“Nownow…l et ’
snotgetaheadofourour selves.
Befor eweor derandgett oknoweachot her,I
haveasur pr
isef ory ou,
”hepul l
edouthisphone.
“Mar k,bringint hest one.Becar ef
ul!
”hecutt he
call
,“Thi sisfory ouandy ourbusinesstosel lat
yourownpr i
ce.Ij ustwantt oseewhaty ou
makef rom itandt henwe’ l
ltal
kaboutbei ng
businesspar tners,”hiseyest r
avel
ledtothe
entrancet henhi sf acelitup.“Uuuh,bri
ngi t
here,”Ilookedbackoutofcur i
osit
y.Myhear t
stoppedasIl ai
dmyey esupont hemanwi th
thebr ief
casewal kingupt ous.

“Guy,
”Isai
dundermybr
eat
he.Idon’
tthi
nk
Lennyevenpi
ckedi
tup.

“
Thi
sisMark,
newestmembertomyguy
s.
Mar
k,t
hisi
sNdumisoGumede…”
“
Nicet
omeety
ouma’
am,
”heshookmyhand.
Whati
sLuckydoi
ngher
e?Andwhyi
sheMar
k?

“I…hmm, ”Ist ammer ed,“Pleasedtomeety ou

too, Mark”Ismi led.Icoul dn’
tevenlookhi min
theey es.Iam sol ostandconf used.Het ooka
stepback.Lennydr ewmyat t
enti
onbackt othe
briefcase.It’
sanuncutdi amond.Idon’ tev en
knowhowt or eactrightnow.ImeanLuckyi s
her eandIj ustwantt othrowmy selfathim and
kisshi m butIalsohav etoassumet he
sembl anceofacr imi nal
."Whatdoy outhink?"

“Thisisgor
geous!
”Icr
ied.Myeyeskeepdar
ti
ng
betweenGuyandthisverysubl
i
mestonein
frontofme.

“
Youthinkt
hiswi
l
lmakeyouandyourpar
tner
Mthembusomemoney…”hesmir
ked.
“Iam cer t
ainLenny,”Igotcloserandst udi
edi t
.
Iknownot hi
ngaboutdi amondsei therthanthe
factthatthey’r
eagi rl
’sbestfri
end.Ilookedup
atGuy ;hedidn’tf
li
nchorbl ink.Ievenstarted
wonder ingifheforgotwhoIwas; ormay behe
can’trecognizemewi tht
heshor tandpur ple
hair
.May bethi
sisnotGuy ,
hej ustlooksli
ke
him.Jah…

“
Okay
,ev
ery
bodyhandsup,
”Guyor
der
ed.

“
Mar
k,whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?”askedLenny
.

“Thi
splaceissurr
oundedbypol i
ce.Putyour
handsonthetable,
”Guysaid.BeforeIknewit
,
meninblueuniform st
art
edfloodi
nginone
aft
ertheother
.
“
Didyousetmeup?
”Ishout
edatLenny
.Fuck!I
f
uckedup.

“No!di
dyou?”bef
orehecoul
danswer
,a
poli
cemancameandcuffedhi
m.

“LennyGi nn,youareunderar restforil

legal
mining,drugt r
affi
ckinganddi stri
buti
onandt ax
evasion,”whileIwasl i
steningt oLenny ’s
offenses,myhandswer epul l
edt othebackand
cuffed.“Youhav ether i
ghttor emai nsilent
,
any t
hingy ousaycanandwi l
lbeusedagai nst
youi nthecour toflaw.Youhav et heri
ghtto
l
egal representati
on.Ifyoucannotaf fordan
attorney,onewi l
lbeappoi ntedf oryou”he
draggedLennyaway .
“Thi
sisbull
sh*tman,I’
m anhonestcit
izen,
”he
cri
ed.Thepoli
cethatwascuffi
ngmewentt o
Luckyli
vi
ngmecuf fedandscaredformyl i
fe.
Luckycame,tookmyar m andstar
tedwalking
out.

“NdumisoGumede, youar eunderar rest

.You
havetheri
ghttoremai nsil
ent,anythingyousay
canandwi l
lbeusedagai nstyoui nthecourtof
l
aw.Youhav etherighttolegalrepresentat
ion.
Ifyoucannotaf
fordanat tor
ney ,onewi l
lbe
appoint
edforyou.”Ilookedathi m, hewasn’t
evenlooki
ngatme.

‘
Luc…”

“Don’
tsayafuckingword!”hesai
dsharply
underhisbr
eathe.Heledmet oapol
icev an
andhelpedmei nsi
de.Thedoormadeal oud
bangasheshuti
t,l
eavi
ngmei nsi
de,
pet
ri
fi
ed,
embarr
assedandperpl
exed.

PLEASEREACTANDSHARETHI
SINSERT♡
I
NSERT26

PRI
MAFACI
E

Adv
erb

Fr
om Lat
in,
li
ter
all
y“att
hef
ir
stappear
ance”

1.Atf
ir
stsi
ght
;ont
hef
aceofi
t.

2.Appar
entl
ycorrect
;notneedi
ngproofunl
ess
evi
dencetothecontr
aryisshown.
Itdawnedonmet hatGuyandhi sfami l
ywor ked
forthepol i
cedepar tment.ButwhatIdon’ tknow
i
swhet herhesetmeuponpur poseasRai nbow
orasNdumi so.I
’
v ebeeninthiscel lsincelast
night.Noonehassai dany t
hingt ome, noone
hascomet oseemeandIhav en’tattemptedt o
speakt oany onebecauseIdon’ tknowwhat ’
s
happeni ng.Idon’tevenhaveanat torneysoI
don’twantt osayt hewrongt hingt other i
ght
person.

I’
m stilli
nmyev eninggownf rom lastni
ghtwith
Lenny .Theni ght
mar esI’
vebeenhav i
ngsince
Sammydi ed, coupledwi thfearandponder i
ng
havekeptmeupal l nightinthiscoldanddark
cell
.IfIplayedmycar dsright
,Ijustneedto
showt hem theevidenceI ’vegatheredwhich
suggestt hatIwasf orcedintothisbyNdumi so.
“
Getup!
”anoff
iceropenedt
hegate.“
Arms
t
oget
her
,”heor
dered.Iobey
ed.Hethencuf
fed
me.

“Whereareyout akingme? ”Iasked.Hedi dn’t

sayanythi
ng.Wet ookar ightandwal keddown
apassage.Att hev eryendt here’
sanel evator
whichwegoti nto.Wheni tarri
vedatthe
request
edfloor,ashor ttuneplayedast hedoor
opened.Wegotoutandwal keddowna
passage,wepasseddoor sandev ent
ual ly
stoppedatthev er
yl astdooronmyl eft.He
openedandusher edmei n.

“
Wai there!
”heshutt
hedoor.Thi
sisan
i
nter
r ogati
onr
oom.I’
veseeniti
nmov i
es;
t
hey’reaboutt
oquesti
onme.They ’
l
lscareme,
t
hreat enmeandmaybeoffermedealsifIspi
l
l
thebeans,
unl
esst
heygavepr
imaf
aci
e
evi
dencetopi
nagai
nstme.

Anhourl
at er
,amaninablackshir
tandblue
j
eanswalkedinwit
harecorderinonehandand
anot
ebookandf i
l
eintheother.Hesighed
l
oudl
ytakingaseatbef
oreme.

“Goodmorni
ng,I
’
m det
ecti
veSibeko”hef
li
pped
thr
oughhi
snotebookandstoppedatanempty
page.

“
Mor
ning,
”Iut
ter
ed.

“
Doy
ouknowwhaty
ou’
rei
nfor
?”heasked.

Iswal
l
owedwhatt
ast
edl
i
kef
eari
nmymout
h,
“Ineedtousethebathr
oom, ”Isai
d.“Please”he
nodded.Hetookmet othebat hr
oom, uncuffed
meandwai tedoutsi
dewhi l
eIdidmybusi ness.
Icameoutandf oundhim sti
llst
andingthere
waiti
ngforme.Hecuf f
edmeagai n.

“Al
lgood? ”hei nqui
red.Inodded.Weret
urned
tothev er
yscar yroom andassumedour
positi
ons;I,t
hatoft hecrimi
nalandhe,t
hatof
thelawenf orcementof f
icer
.

“Again,
doy ouknowwhatyouarei
nfor
?”he
asked.Ishookmyhead.“
Didtheyr
eadyouyour
Mirandari
ght?”

“
Mirandar i
ghts?Isthatwhentheoffi
cersays,
‘
youhav etherighttoremai
nsilent
.Anythi
ng
y
oubl ablabla’?”henodded.“
Wel l
thenyes,
t
heydi d.
”
“
Doy
ouunder
standwhatt
hatmeans?
”

“Yes,
itmeansthatIhavet
obecar
eful
howI
playmycardsbecausemyget
ti
ngoutofher
e
dependsonwhatIsay ,
”

“Ori tjustsimplymeans;y ouhavetotel

lthe
tr
ut h,”Istaredathim.“Okaythen!Ndumiso
Gumede, youareinfordrugdist
ri
buti
onand
i
llegal mining.Therecoul
dbemor ebutthisi
s
allwehav eev i
denceonfornow,”

“I
’m notNdumi
so,
I’
m TumeloGumede,hi
swi
fe.
Hef or
cedmetodoallt
his.
”Ipul
l
edoutmy
card.

“
Hedi
dsayy
ouwer
egoi
ngt
osayt
hat
”hesat
back.

“
Whosai
d?”

“
Ndumi
soGumede…”

“Whatarey
out
alki
ngabout
?”whatt
hehel
li
s
happeni
ng?

“
YourhusbandNdumi soGumede.Hesai dyou
wouldt
rytopineveryt
hingonhim butyou
f
orgott
hatevery
thingisinyourname,”

“
No,i
t’
sinhisname.heownsever
ythi
ng,
he
wasabusi
ve.
”Hepull
edoutapaperfr
om t
he
f
il
eanddispl
ayedi
tbefor
eme.
“Thatist
heregist
rat
ionforthecompanyG&M,”
Ilookedati
t,r
eadeverysinglel
ett
er.“Your
nameandMt hembu’snamear eonit,
”

“Hemusthavechangedit
.Ndumisoi
sa
conni
vi
ngsonofbitch,
Iam sur
ehechangedi
t
notsolongago.
”

“Act
ual
ly
,ithasn’
tchangedf
ort
hreey
ear
s
ago…”

Sonofabi tch!Thatmanplayedme…whenwe
gotmar r
ied,heputmynameonhi sdir
tythi
ngs.
That’
swhyhedi dn’
tevenputupafi
ghtwhenI
thr
eatenedt otakeover
.HeknewthatIwasjust
walki
ngintoat rapwil
li
ngl
y.

“
Idi
dn’
thav
eany
thi
ngt
odowi
thany
thi
ng,
swear
”exhal
edt
remul
ousl
y.

“
Yousi
gnatur
eisonever
ydocument
.Thedeed
t
othehouse,
thecar
s…ever
ysi
ngl
ethi
ng.
”

“
Hef
orgedi
t,
”Idecl
ared.

“Canyoupr
ovet
hat
?”hel
ookedatmewi
th
concer
n.

“Noti
nhereIcan’t.butheusedtobeatme,
he
wasabusive.Ihaveproof,
”myeyesgrewwider
ashopethathav i
nganykindofevi
dence
agai
nstNdumi sowouldexonerat
eme.

“
Headmit
tedthattooandsai
dhewaswi ll
i
ngt
o
t
urnhi
msel
finifyoudeci
detotakeact
ion,
”
“
Fuck!
”Icr
ied.

“Li
keIsaid,maybeyoucanjustt
ell
thetr
uth.
There’ssomeoneheretoseeyou…”hegotup.
beforehecouldexi
t,hel
ookedatme.“Doyou
knowal adybythenameofNomondeJel e?”I
shookmyhead.

“
Am Isupposedt
o?”hi
sey
esbr
owsdr
ew
t
oget
her.

“Youlookexactl
yli
keher.IfIdidn’
tknowher
thenI’
dsayyout woweretwi ns.She’sactual
l
y
supposedtobehandlingthiscasebutshehad
totakethestandincour
t,may bey ou’
llseeher
tomorrow,
”
“
Tomorr
ow!?”Icri
ed.“
Idon’
twantt
obeher
e
t
omorr
ow,”Iadded.

“Thenpl ayy ourcar dsright”hewinkedandt hen

exitedleavingt hedoorsl ightl
yopen.Nowt hey’l
l
probablybr i
ngi nt hebadcopt oscaremei nto
speakingt het r
ut h.Thedooropened, it
’sLucky.
Ijumpedt omyf eet.BeforeIcouldopenmy
mout ht ospeak, heshookhi sheadwhilehis
eyesbor edi ntomi ne.Ididn’tknowwhatt hat
meatbutIj ustchoset oshutup.Hesatdown
andsodi dI.Hel ookedathi swatch–inf act–
hewat chedi tasi ttickedandt ockedaround
wr i
st.

“Okaywecanspeak!”heannouncedinr
eli
ef.
“WhatthefuckMiss?
”eventhoughheis
speaki
nglowly,
Icantel
lhe’
sangry.
“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”

“
WhydidLennyint
roducey
ouasNdumi
so?
”he
l
eanedi
ncloser
.

“
Guy,Ndumisofr
amedme,
mywhol
emar
ri
age
i
sjustahugefr
aud.
”

“
List
en,y
ouhavewhattheyneed,
giv
eitt
o
t
hem!”hekeptmyeyesinpl
ace.

“
Andwhati
sthat
?”myf
oreheadcr
eased.

“YouknowwhoNdumi soworkedforandwith.
Youarenotat
hreat
,theyar
e…offerthem f
or
i
mmuni ty
.”
“
Thosepeopl
ehav
efami
l
ies…ki
dsGuy
,”

“Youarelooki
ngat3t
o5year
stoli
feonthe
drugsal
one.Whoknowswhatel
sethusbast
ard
wasupt o?"

“
ButIdi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng,
”myv
oicesqueaked.

“Thenputwhoev erdidsomet hi
ngbehi ndbars.
Ifwecangetonet obreak,Iam cert
aintheywil
l
snit
chonNdumi sothatmeansy ournamecan
becleared.
”Inodded.“ Youwill
dot hat?”I
noddedagain.Iam fighti
ngtheur getocryri
ght
now.Ibadlyjustwantt ohughim andaski fhe’
s
okay.“Don’
ttalk,I
’
m get t
ingoutnow,”

“
What
?”hewasl
ooki
ngathi
swat
chagai
n.
“Iwil
lseeyousoon.”Hel eft.Iam soscar ed,
GodknowsIam.Ihav enev erbeenar rested
beforeandtof i
ndoutthatmyhusbandwas
usingmeal lal
ongisjustsickening.HadI
stayedwit
hNdumi so–ev entuallyIwouldsti
ll
endupher e,answer
ingtochar gesIdon’tknow.
Detecti
veSibekocameback,

“Youaref
reet ogo.You’
llbebackher
e
tomorr
owf ormorequestioni
ngandtosign
somepaper s.
”Hesaid.Igotupandtooklar
ge
stepst
othedoor .

“
Thanky
ou,
”

“
Luckyi
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ouout
side,
”

Andl
i
kehesai
d,If
oundLuckywai
ti
ngf
orme
out
sidehi
staxi
.Idon’
tknowwhatt
osayt
ohi
m.

“Getin,”heorder
ed.Ihoppedin,fast
enedmy
seatbeltandsatti
ght.Hedrove.Iwaslooking
outthewi ndow,butIcoul
dfeelhim gl
ancingat
meev erynowandagain.

“
WhydidyouposeasNdumiso?Andevery
thi
ng
i
siny
ourname,itl
ooksbad.
”heasked.

“Guy,”myv oi
cequi ver
ed.“I’
mt i
red,and
confused…canwej ustnotplease,”j
udgi
ngfrom
theroute,wear egoingtohisf l
at.Theni
ceone
i
nMor ni
ngside.“Cany outakemet omyplace
please,”

“
Ican’
t.Ihav
etokeepaney
eony
ou”
“
Okay,
”Iwil
lnotcr
y.Iwi
llnotcr
y.Iwill
notcr y
.I
wantGuyt
oseehowst r
ongandi ndependent
I
’v
ebecomeaf t
erwewentourseparateway s.

Wef inal
lyar r
ivedathi splace.Hedr oppedme
offandimmedi at elyleft.Hedi dn’tsaywher ehe
wasgoi ng,hej ustsai dhe’ dbebacki nanhour.
Ishower ed,thent hrewonacl eanshi r
tIfound
i
nhi swar drobe.Imadecer eal andcof f
eeand
atequicklyandt henwentt obed, Ididn’twant
himt ofi
nsmel urkingar ound.Notsol ongaft
er,
Iheardthedooropeni ng.Igotupandt ip-
toed
outofmyr oom, intothedi ningr oom andt her
eI
waitedbehindt hecouchf ort hedoort oopen.

“
It
’sme,
”hesai
d.Iexhal
ed.“
Youat
e?”heasked.

“
Yeah.I
’
llbei
nbed,
”
“Miss, wai
t…”hecameupt ome,“ canIhold
you? ”hehasnoi deahowmuchI ’v ebeen
holdingmy selfbackf r
om hugginghi m and
kissi
nghi m.I’vebeendy i
ngtobei nhisarms.I
nodded.Heopenedhi sar msandhel dme; Iheld
himt oo,ti
ght.Hel etoutal oudsighandt hen
kissedmyf orehead.If eelsoathomeher ein
Guy ’
sar ms.Hemakessense, headdsup, he’
s
perfect.Hebal ancesmyequat i
on.Ilookedup
athim andt henhel dhisfaceinmyhandsand
admi redhim wi t
hmyey es.Acornerofhi sli
ps
turnedupashegazedi ntomyey es,Icouldtel
l
hewasst i
llhurti
ngbutnotasmuch.He’ s
getti
ngusedt onothav ingheraround.

“CanIkissyouont heli
ps?
”Iasked.Hedidn’
t
respond,hejustki
ssedmesoIindulged.He
sti
llt
astedli
kehim andfel
tli
kehi
m.hishand
wentundermyshi rtandgr
abbedmybut t-
cheek.
Hest
oppedandl
ookedatmepuzzl
ed.

“
Younotwear
ingunder
wear
,”hesay
s.

Ichuckl
edf eel
ingali
ttl
eembar rassed.“Yeah,I
washeditwhenIshower ed.I
’l
lwearitassoon
asitdri
es,Ipromise,
”hest ar
tedunbuttoning
theshir
t,

“
Nono…under wearsdon’tmatter
,”heki
ssedme,
“
Ili
key ouli
kethi
s,
”hesai dandkissedmeagai
n,
“
forgetabouti
t,
”hepickedmeupandwal kedt
o
t
hecouch.Hegent l
ylai
dmedownonmyback
t
hent ookasecondtolookatme.

“Whatisit
?”Iasked,
hewasmaki ngme
nervousnow.Hesmi l
ed.“
Lucky
,star
ingi
s
rude,
”
“I’
m sor ry,
”hegotupandst artedtaki ngoffhis
clothesunt ilhewasbut tnaked.Icl earedmy
throatatt hesi ghtofhi shar dpeni s.“ Whyar e
yousmi li
ng?”Ohbl oodyhel l,Iwasn’ tevenI
awar eIsmi l
i
ngathi sd* ck.I t
’sasi ghtf orsore
eyes.Ishookmyheadasr esponse.Hegot
bet weenmyt highsandst artedrubbi ngi tback
andf or t
hagai nstmyv agina.Icl osedmyey es
andbi tonmyl owerl ipsof t
ly.Wi t
houtev en
thinkingabouti t;Istretchedmyar m downand
grabbedhi speni s,hel ookedatme.Ipl acedi t
att heent r
anceofmyv agina.

“Iwantyouinsi
deofmeLucky ,
”Iwhispered.He
l
eanedi ntoki
ssmeandpushedf orwardatt he
samet i
me.Mybr eat
hingcameoutquivering.
Hest ar
tedmovingbackandfort
hslowly,
sett
ingthemoodandpacef orbothforus.He
pushedhishandbetweenthecouchandmy self
thengr abbedmyassandsqueezedashe
thrustedhar derandhar derandhar der.Mynai l
s
starteddiggingi ntohisski nwithev erypush
everyki ssandev erygrunther eleased.He
cameout , t
urnedmear oundandmademe
standonmyhandsandknees.Hecamei nfrom
thebackandsett hepaceagai nwhi ch
i
ncr easedbyt hemi nute.Thel ouderIcr i
edthe
fasterandhar derhepushed.Wi t hthewaymy
backwasar ched, Isworei twasgoi ngtobreak,
butIdi dn’tcare,allIwant edwasLucky .

Igotupandmadehi ml ayonhi sbackasI

cl
imbedont opofhim.Ihav enev erriddena
manbef oreandImustadmi t
,sit
tingont opofa
hardpenisisn’
tasnicet heymakei tseem i nthe
mov i
es,butitdoesall
owr oom forami norsoft
moan.Wel lImov edmywai stbackandf or
th
andincircl
es.Hesatupst rai
ghtandhel don
ti
ghttomybut tasIrodehi m.Ididn’tev enknow
i
fIwasdoi ngagr eatjobbutIwasenj oyi
ngit
.
Hesl i
ghtlylif
tedmeasheputmebackonmy
back.Hedi dhisabr acadabraont opofme.I
couldbar elyfeel myknees, t
heywer eshakyand
wobbly .Hebur iedhisf aceinmyneckandkept
thrust
ingf orwar d.Hest ar
tedgroaningmor e
thanheusual l
ydoes.Hest oppedpushi ngand
j
usthel dont ightt ome.Hewascr y
ing.

“I
’
m her
e,”Isaid.“Iwon’tletgo.
”Hegotl ouder
ashesobbedont opofme.Hehadcompl etely
l
etgoofhimsel fsoallhisweightwasont opof
me,makingithardf ormet obreat
he.Iwr apped
myarmsar oundhi m andheldhim.“I
’m sor r
y,”

Westayedinthatposit
ionforafewgood
minut
es.Justholdi
ngeachot herandf
eeli
ng
andheari
ngeachot her
’sinhal
esandexhal
es.
“
I’
m gladyou’
rehereMiss.Imissedy
ou…”he
f
inal
l
yut t
eredst
il
lbur
iedinthere.

“
Imi
ssedy
out
ooGuy
”

PLEASESHARETHI
SINSERT♡
I
NSERT27

DOPPELGANGER

(
Plur
al:
Doppel
ganger
s)

1.Aghost
lydoubl
eofali
vi
ngper
son,
especi
all
y
onet
hathauntssuchaper
on

2.Ar
emar
kabl
ysi
mil
ardoubl
e
GuyandIsatt here,insil
ence, wr appedar ound
eachot her ’sarms.Hekeptki ssingt hebackof
myneckandIkeptki ssinghi shands.We
sighedi nr eli
efev erynowandagai n.Ev eryt
hing
makessensewi thGuy .Wecoul dbesi t
tingin
sil
enceandj ustcommuni cati
ngwi t
hour
breathingandnot hingwoul dgetawkwar d.My
soul mat cheshi s, we’r
et hesameki ndof
broken.We’ rebot hsoul slostinawor ldthat
reject
edusbutf oundhomeont heway .Idon’ t
l
ov eGuy ;Ican’tr i
skutteringsuchwor dsor
event hinkingt hem.They ’dbreakme.Imadea
vowt onev erlov eagain…t onev erbef ooledby
suchwor dsandt onev erletanyonesayt hose
tome.So, Idon’tlov eGuy ,Icaredeepl yabout
him.

“Tur
naround,l
etmeseeyou,
”hesai
d.Iobey
ed.
Itur
nedaroundandf
acedhim.Heki
ssedmy
for
ehead.Iwentst
rai
ghtf
orhi
sli
ps.“
HeyMi
ss,
”
hesmiled.

“HeyGuy,”Iki
ssedtheti
pofhisnose.“Iwantto
prot
ectyouandy ourhear
tandyoureyes,”I
babbl
ed.Ihavenoi deawhatI
’
mf ucki
ngsay i
ng
butImeani t
.Iwanttomakehimf eel
safe.

Hegiggl
ed,“
Howar
eyougoi
ngt
opr
otectme?
”
heasked.

“
Wel
l
,wi
thmygun.Icanshootnow…”

“
Noway
s,”her
aisedoneey
ebr
ow.

“Youbestbel
i
eve.Iwantt
owashyourhai
rand
cookyouoneofthosenast
ymeal
sy oueatat
therankandIwanttohavesexwit
hyouallt
he
ti
me, ”hest
oppedsmili
ngandputonarat
her
disheart
eni
nglook.“
What’
swrong?Di
dIsay
somet hi
ngwrong?”

“
Ineedtotell
yousomet hi
ng,
”hesaid.Ibi
tmy
l
owerli
p.Idon’tl
ikehist
one;
Ican’
ttakeany
morebadnewspl ease.“
Imetagir
land…”my
l
ipsf
oldedtogether.

“
Andwhat
?”Imur
mur
ed.

“AndIt hi
nkI’
mi nl
ovewi t
hher.”Iswearmy
heartstopped.“
I’
m mar ryi
ngher ,nextweek,”I
satupst r
aight
.Howdoeshear ingt hi
smakeme
feel?I
magi neahundredpeopl e,eachget t
inga
turntostabadaggert hroughy ouoneatat i
me
andev enthoughthey’
v ecutthroughal lt
he
areasthataresupposedt okil
l youinstant
ly–
youfeelt
hepai
n–buty oudon’
tdi
esoi
t’
ll
stop.
Ithi
nkthat
’saf
airanal
ogy.

“You’
remar r
yingher?”henodded.Hei slooki
ng
atmewi t
hasmi l
elikehe’ sexpecti
ngmet oget
exci
tedandcongr atulatehim.Ijusttol
dthis
mant hatIwanttopr otecthiseyesandwash
hishairandhavesexwi thhim al
ltheti
me.Ifear
Ihavemadeaf oolofmy sel
f.

“Andyouknowwhatt hi
smeans”Ishookmy
head.“YouandIcannolongerbehav
ingour
‘
justsex’sex”

“Justsex!Yes…no,
wecan’
t.Hmm…nop”I
stutt
ered.

“
Comeher
e,”pul
l
edmebacki
ntohi
sar
ms.
“
Let’
sjustenj
oyt
hisl
astmomentofnakedness
t
ogether
.”

Idon’tknowwhatt odo.Guysay shelov esthis

gir
l,andhei smar ryi
ngher .How?Why ?Hewas
supposedt obemyGuyf oreverandnowhe
can’tbecausehe’ sinlove;whatki ndofpussy
weaknessi sthat?Ist ayedt herei
nhisar ms
thi
nkingandt hinkingaboutGuyandt hisgir
l he
met .Iwonderwhat ’
shername?i sshepr et
ty?
Thick?May behasbi gbums.I ’
m notanyof
those.I’
mj ustanav eragegi rl
.Fuck,I
’m somad.

Ifel
taheav yweightcomingoverme.Ican’t
breathe,
Ican’tmov e.NowI’
m backt
here,back
tothatspotwher eSammydied.I’
mlookingat
thewholething,Icanseeherandmy sel
f.She’s
i
nmyar ms,bloodyandnotmov i
ng.Herey es
opened.
“Sammy,”Ichargedforher.Shewasawake.I
l
ookedattheot hermeandev er
yoneround,
theywer
est i
llcry
ing.Coul
dt heynotseethat
shewasalive?“Look,she’
sawake,”Ishouted.

“
Theycan’
ther
eyou,
”sai
dSammy
.

“
Sam…y
ouar
eal
i
ve.
”

“Youneedtost
opcominghereMissRainbow,”
shewasn’tmovi
ngorbl
inki
ng.Theonlypartof
herthatwasmovi
ngwashermout h.

“Idi
dn’tcomeher
eSam,
Ijustf
oundmy
sel
f
here.
”
“
MissRainbowify
oukeepcomi
ngher
e,I
’
llhav
e
t
otakeyouwithme,”

“Takemewher
e?Wher
ear
eyoumyangel
?”I
asked.

“Look,
you’
realreadybleeding”Istar
tedtast
ing
bloodi
nmymout h,Ispatitoutbutitkept
comingout.“St
opcomi ngher e”Ichokedont he
bloodandstart
edhav i
ngdi ff
icul
ti
esbreathi
ng.I
j
umpedandsatupst raightwhilesti
l
lcoughing.

“I
t’
sadr eam, it’
sabaddr eam,”Iassur
edmy sel
f.
Guyispassednextt ome; helookssopeacef ul
.
Isatthereforami nuteandgat her
edmy self
.I
ki
ssedhi scheekandgotup.Iwentt othe
ki
tchenandst art
edsear chingaroundthe
cupboardsf orast rongdrink.Il
ookedinthe
fr
idge,mov edt hi
ngsar oundhaphazardly.
“
Hey
,”Guywasst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
.

“Hey
”Ismiledandconti
nuedwit
hmyquest.“Do
youhav
eanysl eepi
ngtabl
etsor
…wine?
”Iasked
scav
engingthr
oughhiscupboar
ds.

“
Wine?No…”

“
Any
thi
ngst
rong?
”Ist
oppedandl
ookedathi
m.

“No!
”hecameandcuppedmyf aceinhishands.
“Ar
eyouonsomet hi
ng?”heshouted.Ishook
myhead.“Haveyoubeentaki
ngcocaine?What
haveyoubeentaki
ng?”

“
Not
hing!
”Ipushedhi
m away
.“Not
hing,
I’
vej
ust
beenhavingdif
fi
cult
iessleepi ng.Iusual
lytake
tabl
etsordri
nkalcohol.OrIt akecoffeeand
energydri
nkstonotsleepbecause…”f li
p!Will
hetakekindl
ytomehav i
ngni ghtmaresabout
hisdaughter
?Whatifhet hinksI ’
m
overst
eppingormakingherdeat haboutme?
Heisclearl
ynotoverdeath, he’sstil
lhur
ting.

“Becausewhat?
”hecamecl
oserandt
ookmy
hands,“Tal
ktomeMiss,
”

“
I’
vebeenhavi
ngni
ghtmar
esaboutNdumi
so.
I
t’
snothi
ngnew…”hehel
dmetohischest
.

“May
bey oushoul
dseesomeone.Icangety
ou
someone…”

Inoddedagr
eei
ngwi
thhi
m,“
butIneedt
osor
t
outt
hismessf
ir
st…”heki
ssedmyf
orehead.

“
Sitdown,
I’
ll
makey
ousomecof
fee,
”

Iheardmyphoneringi
ngf
rom t
her
oom soIr
an
toit
.it
’sSt
handwasam.

“
HELLO”Ianswer
ed.

“
THANKGOODNESS!WHEREHAVEYOUBEEN
MYDALI
?”

“STHANDWASAM,
LISTEN,
THERE’
SBEENA
HUGEMESSBUTI’
M OKAY.REMEBERLUCKY?I
ONCETOLDYOUABOUTHI M,
”

“
YESMA’
AM”
“I
’
M WI THHIM.INEEDYOUTOLAYLOW FORA
WHI LEOKAY,
”Itur
nedar
oundandf
oundGuy
standi
ngbehi
ndme.

“
AREYOUOKAY?
”Heasked.

“I
’
M OKAY.DON’
TWORRYABOUTME.JUST
LAYLOW,ANDBESAFEIWI
LLCONTACTYOU
WHENTHESMOKEHASCLEARED.
”

“
YESMA’
AM.BESAFE”heendedt
hecal
l
.

“
Sthandwasam?
”Guyquest
ioned.

“
It
’smyguy
.”Isai
d.
“
Yourguy
?”

“Yeah!
”Ismiled.“Mygo-toguy.Honestl
y,he
hasbecomeal i
ttl
ebrot
herofsomesor t.The
wayhecar esaboutmei ssogenuine.
”Guy
gaveav er
yconf usi
ngandforcedsmile.

Ourfi
rstst opwasmyf l
att hismor ni
ng.I
neededt oshowerpr operlyandwearsome
underwearandcl othes.Iwor eawhi tevest,
bl
ackt ornjeans,bl
ackbi kerboot sandabl ack
deni
mj ackettot
opi talloff.Ili
ketoletmyhair
bethecent erofattent
ion,y ouknowl i
ket he
mainat tr
acti
on,dressupsubt lyandall
owmy
hai
rtospeak.AsIwal kedi n,theladyinthe
fr
ontdeskst ood.

“Det
ecti
veJele,
youlookdi
ff
erent”Ilooked
backtoseeifmaybeshewast al
kingto
someoneel
se.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
me?
”

“
Yeah!Youcuty
ourhai
r…”shesay
s.

Ismi l
edpoli
tely
,“I
’m notdetectiv
eJel e?”isthis
thesamedet ecti
veSibekowast alki
ngabout ?I
hav etomeether,she’sprobablymy
doppelganger.Nowwoul dn’tthatbef un.She
signedmei nandtoldmewher etogo.Iused
theelevat
ortogot he2ndf l
oorwher eIwal ked
i
nt oaswampofpeopl elookingandsoundi ng
busymaki ngthatoff
icenoise.Iwal kedtoone
ofthedeskst oaskforhelp.

“
Mor
ning,
”Isai
d.
“Monde!
”cr
iedtheladybehi
ndthedesk.“
What
didyoudot
oy ourhair
?”shesai
d.Whothefuck
i
sMonde?

“
JesusChrist
!I’
m notdet
ect
iveJel
eorMonde.
I
’
m Rainbow…I’m Tumel
oactual
l
y.I
’mlooki
ng
f
ordetect
iveSibeko”

“Itol
dyouyoulookedl
i
keher
,”sai
dDetect
ive
Sibekowal
kingoutoft
heel
evator
.“Fol
l
owme, ”

“
Wher
eisshe?”Il
ookedar
ound.“
Ireal
l
ywant
t
omeether
.”

“She’l
lbewithyousoon.It
oldherabouty
ou
andshe’salsody i
ngtomeetyou,
”heushered
mei ntoaboardroom wher
eheof f
eredme
waterandaskedmet owai
t.Theyhavebi
g
windowsthatareoverl
ooki
ngt heci
ty,t
heview
i
sbot hscaryandexhi
lar
ati
ng.Ipoureda
secondglassofwaterandgulpeditdownat
onegoandt henpacedupanddownt heroom.

“Tumelo,
”Sibekowal kedinwithamant hat
carr
iedhi
spr esenceonhi sshoul
der.Heworea
poli
ceunif
orm, excepthishadalotofbadges.
“Thi
siscolonelGrootboom.”

Iwaltzedupt ohi
m wi
thmyhandreadyto
shakehis.“Formyownsani
ty,
pleasecal
lme
Rainbow,”

“Ni
cetomeety ouRainbow,
”weal
lsat
.“You’
ve
beendist
ri
buti
ngdrugsaroundmyci
ty,
my
count
ryforyear
s”
“No.I’
vebeendoingthatformonths.My
husbandandhi sf
atherhavebeendist
ributi
ng
foryears.Whenwegotmar ri
ed,heconnivedso
i
tseemedl ikeIwastheoneincontrolof
ever
y t
hing.
”

“Whydi dyoustartsel
li
ngcocaine?
”Ilookedat
Sibeko.Idon’
treall
yknowt hi
sman, nowIhave
totellhi
m mydar ksecret
s.

“
Ify
ouwantt
ogetoutofthi
sscor
chfr
eet hen
y
ouhav
etotel
lhi
m ever
ythi
ng.
”sai
dSibeko.

“Youwantmet
otrusty
ou,
thenIsuggestyou
star
tpl
ayi
ngal
ong,
”sai
dColonel
Grootboom.

“Yessi
r!Igotmarri
edat22,Iwasv
eryy
oung.
Sothenhest ar
tedbeat
ingme.Hewas
cont
rol
li
ngandpossessi
ve.Ev
ent
ual
l
yIr
an
away.AndLuckyf
oundme…”

“
Lucky
,Dl
ami
nisboy
?”heasked.Inodded.

“Butwhenhi sdaught ergotkilled,hethought

Ndumi sohadsomet hingtodowi thit,sohe
chasedmeoutofhi shomeandl if
e.Longst ory
short,Iwasbroken, broke,not erti
aryeducation,
tamedandangr yforlosingtheonl yper sonthat
actuall
ycaredaboutme.Iwant edaneasyway
out,Ineededmoneyso…Ihel dhi m hostagef or
al i
tt
lewhil
eandpl annedandpl anned.He
agreedtofleetoMexi coandl eaveev erythi
ngto
me.It ol
dhim nott ochangenamesonany
document ,heagreed.AndIt hought ,‘
I
’m home
free’onl
ytofindthatev ery
thingwasal readyset
forhim.”
“
Eveni
fwefi
ndthatwhaty
ouar
esay
ingt
rue,
y
ousti
l
ldi
ddist
ri
bute.
”

“YesbutIhavesomet hi
ngbigger
.I’
mj usta
dropinthewatersoputti
ngmebehi ndbars
won’tearnyouanotherbadge,
”

“
Whatdoyouhav
ethatcanpossi
blyconvi
nce
met
olety
ouwalkoutofher
escorchfree?
”

“Well,asidefrom Mthembu, Ihave3mor e.

Shangase, adir
tycop.Blacks;drugs,money
l
aunder ingandpossi bl
ehumant raff
icki
ng.
Langa; Const r
ucti
on,Ithoughthewast he
transportingthedrugsbuthei sn’t
,Lennyhas
histranspor t
sbuthei sinvol
ved.I’m sure
there’
smor e,
”
“YoumeanShangase,
theoneandonl
y?”sai
d
Sibeko

“Iwi
neanddi
newi
ththatmanandhi
swife,
”I
satbackf
eel
i
ngal
it
tl
epowercomingback.

“Si
r,Mondehasbeenonthehuntf
oral
lthose
names…andshe’
llj
usthandt
hem t
ousona
sil
verpl
att
er”

“Thi
smanhur ty
ousobadt haty
ou’dt
ake
ever
ythi
nghewor kedf
or…andgotosuch
l
engthstogethi
m behi
ndbars”

“Karma’sbi
tchandsoisawomanscor ned.”I
said.“
Ifwecangetoneofthem tobreakand
tur
nonNdumi so,
you’
l
lseethatIwasn’tlyi
ng,
”
“Excuseus,woul dyou”saidthecommander
getti
ngup.HeandSi bekoexitedtheboardr
oom.
Iwasn’tsurewhatt hi
smant hought,
he’
shard
toread.Igotupandwal kedaroundagain.A
softanddeliberat
eknockr esonatedand
dist
urbedmyt r
ainofthoughts.

“
Hi,
”sai
dal
adyt
hatl
ookedev
ery
thi
ngl
i
keme.

“
Whatt
hef
uck?
!?”Ist
agger
edaf
ewst
epsback.

“Whoa…t el
lmeabouti t
?mycol l
eagueskept
sayingIhaveat winsoIt houghtIshoul
dcome
andcheck.I ’
m sorryI
’ml at
e,I’
vebeendeali
ng
withcaseand, ”shesighedloudly
.“Iwas
supposedt ohandleyourcasebutIt ol
dSibeko
totakeitbecauseoft heamountofwor kIhave.
I’
m sorryI’
mj ustoperati
ngon2hour sofsleep
and…I’mf i
ne.Thisissoscar y
,youlookli
ke
me…likeyouareme,”Ij
ustf
roze,
Icoul
dn’
t
speak.Iam l
egi
tlooki
ngatmysel
f.“
Say
somet hi
ng,
”

“I’
m sorr
y,howar ewesoal i
ke?”thisisnot
happening.IthoughtIwasjustgoingtomeeta
random gir
lthatremindedthem ofmebutImet
my sel
f.Imetme…Iam l ookingatmy sel
f.

“Okay
,hmmm, l
et’
ssayourbi
rthdaysatthe
sametime,
123,”shesaidal
sot r
yingt
o
composeheremoti
ons.

“Febr
uary4th”webot
hsai
dandt
henst
aredat
eachother
.

“Det
ect
iveJel
e,Ithinky
ouwant…whatt
hefuck
am l
ooki
ngat?”thiswhit
eguybar
gedinand
thenfr
ozebyt hedoorafterseeing2people
thatl
ookalmostidenti
cal.“Ist
histheher?
Peoplehavebeentalki
ngsi nceshearri
vedin
handcuff
s,Idi
dn’tt
hinktheymeantshewasan
exactmirr
orimage,”hesaid.

Therei
snoway2peopl ecanl ookt hi
sidenti
cal
unl
esstheyar et wi
ns.Somet hingi snotr i
ght
somewher e.It’
seitherI’
m asleepandt hisisall
j
ustadream or …I
’m beingprankedandshe’ s
j
ustwearingamaskt hatlooksexact l
ylikeme.
Or,wearet winsandwhywear emeet i
ngi nour
mid20sisany one’
sguess.Wej ustmighthave
ahugeprobl em.

PLEASRSHARE♡
I
NSERT28
BAD

Adj
ect
ive

1.Notgood;
unf
avor
abl
e;negat
ive

2.Seemi
ngl
ynon-
appr
opr
iat
e,i
nmanner
s

3.Tr
icky
;st
ressf
ul;
unpl
easant

Ialwayswonderedaboutmyexi stenceinthi
s
worldandlif
eti
me.Whati smypur pose?I
alwaysaskedmy sel
f.Li
kewhoam Imeant obe?
Whatam Imeantt odo?Oram Ij ustatravel
er
passingthr
oughwi t
hnopur pose?Ihav enever
real
lyfoundtheanswersuntilafewmont hsago
whenIwaswi t
hNdumi so;Ifi
guremay bemy
purposewast obeabadper sonandbeont he
opposi t
esideofgood.I ’m si
tti
nginthis
boardroom wi thMondewhohappenst olook
exactlyli
keme; andit
sal l
justmakingsense.I
am ont heot herside,t
hebadsi de.She’
sal aw
enforcementof ficer
,doinggoodandmaki nga
dif
ferencei nthisworldandI’m acrimi
nal,a
drugdeal er–shecat chespeopl eli
kemeand
putsthem behi ndbars.

“Wemighthaveaprobl
em”Iut
ter
edaf
teral
ong
andawkwardsil
ence.

“
Ithi
nksot
oo,
”sheagr
eed.“
I’
m sor
ry,
”

“
Aboutwhat
?”Iasked.

“
What
everhappened.Fornotgr
owi
ngup
wi
thouty
ourr
eal
par
ent
s,”shesay
s.

“Howdoy ouknowyourpar
ent
sar
eyourr
eal
parentandminear
en’
t?”

Shesmiled,“Mypar ent
slovemeRai nbowand
theyhavepicturesofmeasababy .Iknowthat
meansnot hi
ngbutIcanassur ey ou–iftherei
s
anyfoulpl
ay–i t’
sfrom yourend,”It
otall
y
agreedwithev eryt
hingshesaid.Mypar ents
havealotofskel etonsinthei
rcloset.

“Iagreewit
hy ou.Myparent
saren’
tpart
icul
arl
y
parentsoftheyearorev
enparentsatal
l,
”

“Li
sten,
cany ougi
vemey ourmother
’sdet
ail
s
andIwillusemybadgetogetsome
i
nformati
onf r
om t
hehospit
alIwasbornand
thenI’
l
lgetbackt
oyou,
”may beshei
sn’
tas
squeakycl
eanasshemightappeart
obe.

“Yeah!That’
dbegreat.Hmmm giv
emey our
number ,
”Igavehermyphoneandshegaveme
hers’
.“And,It
hinkweshoul
dnotmentiont
his
toeit
herparentsbef
orewearesuret
hat…you
know,”Isai
d.

“I
’
m alr
eadysure,butIheary
ou,
”shest
ood.“
I’
d
bett
ergetbacktoworkthen…”

“Okay!I’
l
lbewait
ingony outhen…”shegr i
nned
andleft,
hesit
ant
lyso,butsheeventuall
ymade
i
toutoft hedoor
.Ipickedupmyphoneand
call
edmydad.Ther e’
sjustalotgoi
ngonr ight
now, Ij
ustneedt
ohearaf amili
arvoice.
“
HEYDADDY,
”

“I
CE-CREAM”Inevert
oldhim aboutmom and
Ndumiso’
sfat
her,
Ijustcoul
dn’tbri
ngmyselft
o
breakhi
shear
t.

“IJUSTWANTEDTOHEARYOURVOI
CEAND
SAYHI,”

“
ISEVERYTHI
NGOKAY?ITHOUGHTYOUWERE
MADATME? ”Hesay
s.

“IAM DADDY,BUTYOUARESTILLMYDADDY,
RIGHT?”Isqueezedmyey
esshutf
ight
ingt
he
urget
ocr y
.

“
OFCOURSE,
SWEETHEART,
IWLLFOREVER
BEYOURDAD.NOTHI
NGWILLCHANGE.
PLEASECOMEHOMESOON,”

“
IWI
LL.IHAVETOGONOW…”

“
ILOVEYOUMYI
CE-
CREAM”

“
ILOVEYOUTOOBI GGUY…”Iendedt hecal
l.
Hey
,ifanyonehasamanualtoli
fe,
kindl
ylend
meorjustmakeacopyplease.

Thecol
onel
cameback,
alonet
hist
ime,
“Rai
nbow,
”hesai
d,“Si
tdown,”Iobeyed.“
what
doyouwantt
odowi t
hyourli
fe?”heasked.
Whatthef
uckist
hisanint
erv
ention?

“
Idon’
tknow,
butIknowIdon’
twantt
ogot
o
j
ailf
ordeal
ingdr
ugsforsomeoddmont
hsand
Idon’
twanttobeabadperson”

“
Yout
hinky
ou’
reabadper
son?
”Inodded.
“
Why?
”

“BecauseI ’m notgood.Ihel dsomeonehost age

andIsol ddr ugs.Ihat emymom andIt hi
nkI
mi ghtkil
lhersoon.Ihat emybr ot
herfor
steali
ngf rom meandIhat emy selffornot
beingabl etopr otectLucky’
sdaught er.Iam j
ust
angr y
,I’m notatpeaceandt hat’
snotagood
thing;theref
ore, Iam abadper son,
”Ilookedat
him andt henlookedaway .“Youmayaswel l
j
ustputmebehi ndbar sreall
y.I’
m notgoodf or
thewor l
d,atall
.I ’
mt oobrokenandamess. ”

“
Iwanty
out
owor
kforme,
”
“
I’
m sor
ry,di
dyounothearwhatIj
ustsai
d?”I
l
ookedathim.

“Iheardev er
ythingyousaid.Icamei nhereto
tel
lyout oputy ouraffai
rsi
nor derandprepar
e
toservey ourtime,Sibekowasf i
ghti
ngforyou.
Hesay sy ou’
dbeagr eatassettothe
undergroundt eam”

“
Theunder
groundt
eam?
”

“
Yes,
youknowLucky
,hi
sfat
her
?”

“
Youmeancr
imi
nal
s,t
hesni
tches”henodded.

“
Ican’
t”
“Li
tt
legi
rl
,Iam of
fer
ingyouasecondchance
andyouaretel
l
ingmey oucan’
t”

“
Dlaminiof
feredmethesameopportunit
y,I
t
ookitbackthenbutt
hingsgotmessedup.AllI
wantistomakeanexchange;i
nfor
mationfor
myfreedom.”

“Yousayy
ouwantt
obeagoodper
sonanddo
good?”

“
Yes.
”

“
Andyouthi
nkworki
ngforme,
thegov
ernment
i
snotdoi
ngexact
lyt
hat
? ”
“
I.
..
wel
l
”Ist
utt
ered.

“Yout hinkchangewi l
lannouncei tselfwheni t
’s
aboutt ocomet hrough.Youwer eof feredthe
sameoppor tunitytwiceandy outhinkt hat’
sa
coincidence?Idi dn’tevenknowDl ami niwanted
yout owor kforhi m.Listen,tobeagoodper son
doesn’ tmeanr etreati
ngandl ayingl ow.The
factthaty ousatt hereandt oldmey ouwantt o
begoodmeansy ouar ealreadygooddar l
i
ng
andt hatisjustwhatIneedonmyt eam, ”

“
Someonet
hat
’sbr
oken?
”Ichuckl
ed.

“
Someonewhoknowsthey
’rebr
okenandwants
t
odobett
er,
”hesai
d.Whyisthi
smanspeaki
ng
t
omysoulri
ghtnow?
“Ican’t
.I’
mjustRai
nbow,If
uckupt
hings…I
can’tdoanythi
ngimpor
tant
”

“
Giveitashot!Youwil
lrecei
veasteadyincome
monthlyandit
’l
lbegoodandhonestmoney .
Maybeaf t
erafewmonthsy oucanapplyatwit
h
t
hepoliceacademy,
”

“
Likebecomear
ealcop?
”Ifel
tmyeyesget
ti
ng
wetsoIsmil
edt
otr
yandhidethat
.

“Whynot ?Withwhaty oujustpul

ledwitht he
drugs”heleanedf or
ward.“Lennysaid,andI
quote,‘
thatgi
rlhasmadememor emoneyi n
halfamont hthananymenhasev eri
n2
mont hsandifyouar enotcaref
ul,shejust
mightbet hebiggestcri
minalsouthAfricahas
everseenandshe’ sveryyoung’”
“
But
,Ican’
tbeal
awenf
orcementof
fi
cer
.I’
m
t
oocl
umsy”

“
You’vegotski
l
lslit
tl
egirlandyoubett
erput
t
hem togooduse,”whatfuckingski
l
lsishe
t
alki
ngabout?“butattheendofthedayIcan’
t
f
orceyoutodoi t
,you’
llj
ustgotojai
l,
”

“
Eveni
fIhav
ever
yimpor
tanti
nfor
mat
ion?
”

“
I’
ll
subpoenay
ouf
ort
hat
.”

“Fi
ne!
”Isaid.“
Iwi
llworkforyouandIwil
lthi
nk
aboutjoi
ningt
hepoli
ceforce,
”hesmil
ed
pri
defull
y.
“Beher
etomorr
owt omakeitof
fici
aland
remember,y
oucannott
ell
anyone.Notevent
he
Dlami
nis”

“
Whynot
?Theyar
eal
readypar
toft
het
eam?
”

“Justunt i
lthi
ngsar eof
fi
cialwiththe
commi ssi
oner.Remembernotal otofpeopl e
knowaboutt hi
s,justel
ect
edpar t
ies.50%oft he
stuffdoesn’tknowaboutt hi
sunder ground
force,onlypeoplewhohav epr ovent obeof
greatvalueareletintot
hiscircle,
”

“
Doest
hepresidentknow?”Inodded.“
SoIwor
k
f
ort
hepresi
dent?”Ismir
ked.

Hegotupandheadedf
ort
hedoor
,“Noy
ou
wor
kforme.Gohome…”
Thereiti sagai n,
thatfeeli
ngofbelonging.Ifeel
I’
m apar tofsomet hingagainandIgotaf eeli
ng
thi
stimei tmi ghtbeper manent
.May beIam not
atravelerwi thnopur pose.Iworkforthe
fucki
ngpr esident .Iam amemberofanel i
te
undergr oundt eam thatalotofpeopledon’ t
knowabout .Iam exci tedabit
,youknow?Ihav e
somet hingt ot hinkaboutwhenIwakeupand
i
t’sagoodt hing.Iwal kedoutoftheboar droom
withabouncei nmyst ep,
mostlybecauseI ’
m
notgoi ngt opr isonandsecondl ybecauseI
workf ort hepr esident.

“Rai
nbow, ”It
urnedar
oundtopayattenti
ont o
whoev erwascalli
ngmynameandi twast he
gir
lthatlooksli
keme.Shi
t!Ther
e’ssti
ll
her .

“
Monde,
”shebi
therl
owerl
i
pli
keIusual
l
ydo.
Shehadongl
assest
hist
ime.

“Areyouleav
ingnow?”Inodded.“
So,
Ihear
you’r
eli
keabi gbadcr
iminal
.Youworkwi
thbi
g
peoplel
ikeLenny,
”

“Yeahactual
lyandIheary ou’r
eacopand
you’v
ebeenonawi l
dgoosechasef orthem f
or
awhi l
enow,”theenti
reofficestuffi
sli
ke
gawkingatusandi t
’sjustweird.Igetsosel
f-
consciouswhenasetofey esareonmeand
nowi t
’sli
keprobabl
y20set s.

“Whatacoinci
dencehey
?”shechuckl
ed
awkwardl
y.

“Tot
all
y…whyar
etheyst
ari
ngatus?
”Ij
ust
coul
dn’tany
more.
“Wel ookli
keeachot her
,”shepushedher
glassesin.Inodded.Thereist
hatfact
or.

“
Wel
l
,I’
dbet
tergetgoi
ngt
hen,
”

“Okay,I’
l
lcal
lyouortextorvi
deocall…I
’
llsee
howIf eelwhenIhavetocally
ou.Okayby e!
”
sheturnedaroundandstart
edwalkingaway.So,
Ididthesame.“Rainbow”shecal
ledagain.

“Yeah”Igavehermyat
tent
ion.Iwatchedher
taki
nglargest
epstome.Shethrewherarms
aroundmeandsqueezedme.It ooktoholdi
ng
hertoo.
“
I’
m gl
adImety
ou,
”shesai
drel
easi
ngme.
“Met
oo,
”Ismi
l
ed.Shenoddedandwal
ked
away
.

“By
eRai nbow’
ssi
ster
”sai
doneofher
col
leagues.

Guywasst
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ormei
nhi
staxi
.Ihopped
i
n.

“
CanIgot
omypl
acenow?
”Il
ookedathi
m.

“Yeah,
youhaveto.Whyar
eyousogi
ddy
?”he
askedstar
ti
ngthecar
.

“
Ihav
easi
ster
,possi
blyat
winsi
ster
,”

“
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”hi
s
f
oreheadcr
easedashemai
ntai
nedasmi
l
e.

“She’
sadetectiv
e.Hernamei sMonde…she
l
ooksexactlyl
ikemeandI ’
m excit
ed.IfIhav
e
someoneelseint hiswor l
d,that
’sawesome!
Evenbett
erwhent heylookexactlyli
keme.And
Imighthavenewpar ents”

“
Youwalkedi
nt hereandcameoutafter3hour
s
wi
thatwinsi
ster!Howdoy ouexpl
ainthat
?”he
l
aughed.

“It
’scrazy,
t heyallkeptsayi
ngIlookedl i
keher
andsomecal l
edmebyhername–soIt hought
–i t
’sprobablyjustanor di
narygir
lthat
remindedt hem ofme, butinactualfactitwas
someonewhol ookedexactlyli
keme.Youcan
i
magi neourshock”
“
Hey,youhaveme,”hetookmyhandand
l
ockedhisf
inger
sintomine.

“
Notany
mor
e!”Il
ookedoutt
hewi
ndow.
“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”heasked.

“
Well
,you’
reget
ti
ngmar
ri
ednextweek.Thi
ngs
won’
tbethesame,
”

“
Miss,
”

“Guy,
”Isqueezedhishand,“
Getmarr
ied,
be
happy.Iam happyforyoubutwebot
hknow
thatt
hingswon’tbethesame.”

“
Okay
,butI
’
dli
kef
ory
out
obeatmyweddi
ng
andI
’
dli
kef
ory
out
omeetheract
ual
l
y!”hesai
d.

“Yeah!Sure…Ican,okay”Guywantsmet
omeet
hiswife-
to-beri
ghtafterwel
it
eral
l
yhadsex.
Thisshouldbef un.

“
Whatdi
dSi
bekosay
?”heasked.

“
Ican’
treal
l
ytal
kabouti
t,
”

“Oh!Isee…notev
enwi
thme,
”hesoundsr
ather
disappoi
nted.

“Lucky,
don’
tdot
hat
.Youofal
lpeopl
eshoul
d
underst
and.
”

KI
NDLYSHAREPLEASE♡
I
NSERT29

BI
GBROTHER

Noun

(
Plur
al:
Bigbr
other
s)

1.Asibl
i
ng’
solderbrot
herusedespeci
all
yby
chi
ldr
enorbyparent
sinspeaki
ngtotheir
chi
ldr
en

2.Anyomnipresentf
igur
eheadr
epr
esent
ing
oppressi
vecontr
ol

Guyj
ustlef
tanhourortwoago.Hecamein
andl
ookedatthepl
ace.Wehadcoffeeand
chatt
edaboutMandi sa,hisfi
ancé.Ihatedev ery
moment ,Iwantedt odie.Iwantedittobemy
namet hatcameoutofhi sli
pssomanyt i
mesa
minute.ButGuyisweaknow, hehasf al
lenin
l
ov eandpeoplet hatlovearenotparti
cular l
y
str
ong.It’
salmost20: 00,all
Iwantt odor ight
nowi stobecurledupi nbed, dr
inkshitloadsof
wineandwat chfunnyv ideosonYout ube.

Ihadjustf
ini
shedwashi
ngmyfacewhenthere
wasaknockont hedoor
.Il
ookedthr
oughthe
l
ookingholeandsawwhoitwas.

Whendeal twi
thachoicetoei t
herswim and
saveyoursel
forsaveyourselfandsomeone
el
sebutincreaseyourchancesofsinki
ng, what
doyoudo?Iopenedt hedoor .Hewascar r
y i
nga
backpackandar emorsef
ullookonhisface.
“
Whatareyoudoi
nghere?”maybeIshoul
dgrab
mygunandblowhisbr
ainsout
.Ithi
nkthatwi
ll
makemefeelbet
ter
.

“
I’
m sor
ryBow-
bow,
”hesai
d.

“That
’swhatthenotesai
d.Sor
ryf
orwhat
Tumelo?Steal
ingfr
om me?Leavi
ngme?what
exact
ly.Bespeci
fi
c”

“Ever
ythingRainbow.Si
sI’
m amessandIneed
yourhelp.Please…”hel
ooksski
nnyandsick.I
grabbedt hekeysfr
om t
hekit
chencount
erand
openedf orhim.

“Youknowwher
etheshoweris,
I’
ll
makey ou
somefood,
”soIchosetosav
emy sel
fand
someoneel
sebutincr
easedmychancesof
sinki
ng.Imadehimfoodwhil
eheshower
ed.
Whenhewasdone, hejoi
nedmeinli
vi
ngroom.
“You’
llbetaki
nghesofat
hist
ime,
”

“That’
sfine,
Idon’tmind,thankyou.”hesat
downandst art
edeating.Iwasn’tevensitti
ngin
thesamecouchashi mthistimearound.“ Bow-
bow, I
’
m sorryforwhatIdidlastti
me.I t
sjust
thedrugs…Ineedhelp.PleaseIneedr ehab,I
don’twanttodie,
”

“Juststayputanddon’
tst
eal f
rom me.Iwi
l
l
makesomecal l
sandseeifIcangetyou
admittedtomorrowort
henextday,”

“Thankyousomuch.Ipromi
seIwon’tl
etyou
down.Iwill
getcl
eanandbeyourbi
gbrother
again,
”mydaysofyear
ningf
orabigbrot
herare
alonggone.
“
Letmeguess?Youusedt
hemoneyondr
ugs?
”

Henodded,“Pai
doffafewdebt
sandbought
somef oodandcl
otheswhi
chgotst
olenbutt
he
restwasoncocai
ne,”
Ican’
thel
pbutwonderwhati
fthedr
ugshe
tookweref
rom me?

“
Whatmadey
oucomeback?
”Iasked.

“Imi
ssedyou,Icoul
dn’
tst
opt
hinki
ngabouty
ou.
Ihadto,
”Inodded.

Igavehim ablanketandapi
ll
owforwhenhe’
s
sl
eeping.Ikeptmygununderthepi
ll
owri
ght
besi
deme.Whatmamat ol
dmeabouthimjust
keptreplay
inginmyheadasIcl osedmyey es
try
ingtosleep.I
’m notsayingi
t’
str ue,
aft
erall
mamai sasnakebut …whatifi
tis?Whenev erI
feelsl
eepy,Imakesur etonotdisturbmyself
seeingthatIhardl
yev ersl
eep.

Whent heni ghtmar esstar t

ed, Isomet imesuse
tofreezeandnotbeabl et omov eev ent hough
i
nmymi ndIwascompl etelyokay .Thei nt ernet
call
edi t‘sleeppar aly
sis’Ireadt hatsomet imes
stayi
ngcal m andnotpani ckinghel pswi th
ri
ddingi tfaster–soIst ar t
edpr actisingt hat.
Likenow, Icanf eelanunusual andunset tl
ing
weightov erme.I ’
m scar edbutIknowi t’l
l go
awayi namat terofsecondsandI ’
llbef ine.I
start
edbr eathingheav il
y,it
’sascar yt hingf or
onet oexper i
encebuti t’
sher eandIneedt o
deal withit.Ifeltawar m br eezehi ttingmyf ace
andt henahandcameov ermymout h.That ’
s
whenIopenedmyey es.Thisisnotasl eep
par
aly
sis,
it’
sTumel
o.

“Shhh, ”hesai d.Ifelthi shandgoi nginbet ween

myt highs,that’swhenIr ealisedwhathewas
try
ingt odo.Iscr eamedasl oudasIcoul dbut
hishandpr essedhar derov ermyl ips.“Stop
fi
ght ing,”hewhi sper edi nmyear s.Het hen
pulledmyunder weart earingi tandl eavingme
nakedf orhim.Heshov edhi sf i
ngeri nsideof
me.Icr iedpushi nghi m of f,themor eIpushed
thehar derhepr essedhi swei ghtuponme,
“Don’ tmov e!”hisbr eat hi
ngbecamel aboured
andl oud.Ir emember edt hatIhav eagun.
Withhol di
ngnot hing, Ireachedf oritundert he
pil
lowandpul ledthet r
igger, hisbodyj ustletgo
ont opofmi ne.“ I’
m sor ryBow- bow, ”hesai d.

Itstopped.Ev
ery
thingst
opped.Myhear
t
stoppedalongwiththewor
ld.Hewassti
ll
on
topofme, notmov i
ng,notbr eathingandnot
try
ingtohurtmeany mor e.Ipushedhi m aside,
hef el
lonhisbackont heothersi deofthebed.I
gotupandswi tchedthelighton.Ishothi m
ri
ghtintheguts.Therewasbl oodalloverme
andmybed.Ipul ledofftheni ghtdressIwas
wear i
ngquickl
ythensatont hef loor.

Agai
n,whendealtwithachoi cetoei
therswi
m
andsaveyoursel
forsav eyoursel
fand
someoneelsebutincreaseyourchancesof
si
nki
ng,whatdoy oudo?

I
’m supposedtobecr
yingbutIdon’
tfeel
the
ur
get oo.Ther
ewasaknockont hedoor.

“Ma’
am i
t’sthesuperv
isor.Wehear
dgunshot
s.
I
severyt
hingokay?”Iquickl
ythr
ewonagown
andrantothedoor.“
Wehear dgunshot
s,”
“I
…y es!
”breathedintr
emulously.“
Ihavea
l
icencedgun; itwasinmybagandIwasl ooki
ng
forsomet hi
ng.itj
ustwentoff
.I’m sosor
ry,
”I
heldont othegatesohewon’ tseemyhands
trembli
ng.

“
Areyousure,
you’
reokay?
”heaskedhisbel
l
y
washangi
ngoutfr
om underhi
sshir
t.

“Yeah!I
’
m alsoalit
tl
eshakenbut ,I
’
vegotit
undercont
rol.Ir
emov edthebull
etsandputit
backinmysaf e.
”Idon’tevenhaveafucki
ng
safe.

“Okay”hesi
ghed.“t
hat’
sgoodbecauseIwasn’t
abouttocal
lthepoli
ce.I
’m bi
ngewatchi
ng
Suit
sonNetfli
x.Phew!”hewipedof
fimaginar
y
sweatf
rom hi
sfor
ehead.

“
Phewi
ndeed,
”Ii
mit
atedhi
m.

“Alr
ightgoodni ghtthen, j
ustbecar eful”Ishut
thedoorandl eanedoni t
.Ican’tgetmyhands
tostopshaki ngandIcan’ tgetmy selftost ar
t
cryi
ng.Mybr ot her,whoi s, byet
heway ,al
somy
husband’ sbrot herjusttriedtorapeme.Mama
wasr ightandIdi dn’tli
stent oher.myknees
feelheavy ,
li
keI ’
m dr aggingsomet hingwi t
hmy
feet,butIdraggedt hem backt othebedr oom
andhewasst il
lthere.Eyesopen, bl oodal lover
andmebyt hedoor ,stari
ngathi m, anti
cipati
ng
tohearhi m gaspl oudly.Ikneeledbyt hebed
andwai tedf orhi mt owakeup.Ist retchedmy
armf orwardandshookhi sfoot.

“
Tumel
o,”Ical
l
edundermybr
eat
he.“
Wakeup”I
shookhisfootagai
n,“
Whatwerey oudoi
ng?
Whywer eyouhurti
ngme?”Ir
estedmyont he
bedsti
l
llookingathi
m.“Wakeup,”Igotupand
gotmyphoneandcal l
edguy.

“
MISS,IT’
S1O’
CLOCKI
NTHEMORNI
NG,
”he
moaned.

“
PLEASECOMEANDGETME,
”

“WHAT? !NOW?MI SS,

MANDI SAISHERE…”
fr
ankly,Idon’
tcareaboutMandisari
ghtnow.
Fi
rstl
y,shestolemymanandsecondl y;she
probabl
yhasasi ckeni
ngpersonal
it
yandt hat
’s
notgoodf orGuy.

“
PLEASE…”
“HANGTI GHTMI SS,I
’LLBETHERE, ”ther
ey ou
haveitMandi sa,l
eavehim.Hej ustchoseme
overy ou.Her eall
ycaresaboutmebuthe’ sin
l
ov ewi t
hy ouso…f uuuuck!Idon’tthinkIwantto
dot hi
sl i
vi
ngt hinganymor e.Yeahno, Iwasn’t
madef orit
.Youseet hiswhol ebeingahuman
beingshi t
?I’m notquitegoodati t
.Just
yesterdayIwasof f
eredat ojobwi ththepol
ice,
mydeadbr other–nopuni nt
ended–came
aroundandr uinedeveryt
hing.Ikil
l
edhi m.I’
ma
mur derernow.Guyi scalli
ng.

“
I’
M OUTSI
DE,
”hesai
d.

“
I’
M COMI
NG”

Iwentouttoopenf
orhim.Theminut
ethegate
openedhehuggedme.Idon’
tknowwhy?Itwas
asthoughhehadhear
dwhathappenedalr
eady.
ButI
’
mfi
ne,
heshoul
dn’
twor
ryaboutme.

“Arey
ouokay
?”heaskedhol
dingmet
ohi
s
chest
.

“
Yeah!Arey
oufine?
”Iasked.Hecuppedmy
f
acedint
ohishandsandlookedatme.

“Whydidyoucallme?Ithoughtsomet hi
nghad
happenedtoyou,
”hekissedmyf orehead.He
doeslookunset
tl
edandpani cked.

“Come,”Itookhishandanddr aggedhimi nt
o
theelev
ator.Ifel
thim squeezemyhandand
wasinstantl
yov ercomebyt heurgetocry.I’
m
notsurewhatf or?Wegotout ,turneddownt he
passageandcamet oastopbymydoor .Imade
suretolockjustincasesomeonecomes
l
urki
ngar ound.Alt
hough, I
’m notsurewho’ d
l
urkat1i nthemor ning.That’
sthethingabout
havi
ngaskel eton,youalwayswantt okeepy our
cl
osetlockedatall t
imes.Youdon’tt akeri
sks.
Hefoll
owedbehi ndmeasIl edthewayt othe
bedr
oom.Iunl ockedt hebedroom, swungt he
dooropenandwal kedin.Hecamei nbehindme
andassoonhi sey essetuponamanl ayi
ngina
poolofblood,theygrewwi der.

“Whatisthi
s?Whoisthi
s?Whatdidyoudo
Miss?”hehuggedmeagain.Hel
ooksli
kehe
needsthehugmorethanIdo.“
Ishedead?
”

“
Yeah!
”Inonchal
ant
lyr
esponded.

“Whoisheandwhyi shedeadinyourbed?”hi
s
breat
hingbecamel
oudandheav y
.“Didyoukil
l
hi
m?I sheyourboy
fri
end?I’
m soconfused,
”he
t
ookoffhi
sjacketandthr
ewiti
nthefl
oor
.I
wal
tzedout
.“Whereareyougoi
ng?”

“I
’m comi ng!
”Ishouted.Iwentt otheki
tchento
getabot tleofwine.Icamewi thitandgavehim.
Hedr anki tl
i
keitwaspur ewat er
,“Hey,l
eave
somef orme, ”Isnatcheditawayf r
om him and
al
sohadagoati t.“
Luckyt hi
sisTumelo,my
brot
her .Tumelo…thisisLucky”Isatonthef l
oor.

“Rai
nbow,Ireal
lyneedyoutogetser
iousri
ght
thi
sverysecond.Whatthefucki
sgoingin?You
haveabrotherandwhydoy ouhavethesame
namesandwhyi shedead?
”Guyhasal otof
quest
ionsasIcani magi
ne.

“Remembertheguyfr
om t het
axir
ank?Theone
Iranaf
tert
hisoneti
me? ”henodded.“
It’
shim.I
knewhelookedfami
li
ar.He’smybrother…”he
t
ip-
toedcl
osert
ot hel
i
fel
essbodyofwhatused
t
obeahobol ur
kingar
oundthetaxi
rank.

“Okay
, we’l
ltal
kaboutwhoheislat
er.Whyi
she
dead?”Ilookedupathim.Hebli
nked.

“Hewast
ryi
ngt
orapeme”Isai
dandhada
dri
nk.

“
Miss!
”hesatont
hef
loorr
ighti
nfr
ontofme.

“Hedi
dn’
thurtme,hejusttri
ed.Lucki
l
ymygun
wasri
ghtundert
hepill
ow,”hetookmyhand
andki
ssedit
.“SoItookitand…”

“
BOOM”webot
hsai
d.
“Iwi
l
ltakeyoutomyflatwi
thMandi
saandIwi
l
l
comehereandsortt
hisoutwi
thMhlongo
okay
?”Inodded.

“Justmakesurethati
tdoesn’
tcomebackt
o
anyofyouguys,”henodded.

“
Getdressed.Gr
abaf ewt
hingsfort
omorrow,
I
wi
ll
callhi
m,”Inoddedanddidexact
lyashe
i
nst
ruct.

I’
m notreall
ykeenonmeetingMandisaunder
ci
rcumstancessuchasthesebutIhaveno
choice,
Ijustkil
ledmybr
otherandIneedtolet
guyhelpme.Heopenedt hedoorandI
swit
chedont heli
ght
.

“
Letmegoandgether
,wai
ther
e.”i
tfeel
s
di
f f
erent
.Thisfl
at,itfeel
snotlikeGuy ’
sfl
at.I
stoodbehindthecouchwi t
habagi narm and
waitedforGuytobr ingouthisfiancé.Thedoor
opened,Guycameoutandt hereshewas
behindhim.IsmiledasIl ai
dmyey esuponher .
Shehadadoekwr appedaroundherhead, she
l
ookedgr ownupandmat ure,
li
keMi aSammy ’
s
mom.Herbodywasl i
keIhadimagi ned,t
hick
andsexuallyappealingtomostmen.

“Mylove,thi
sisRainbow,”Guyst art
ed
i
ntroduci
ngust ooneanot her
.Iwasl ooki
ngat
herandshewasl ookingatGuy .“Rainbow,thi
s
i
smyf i
ancéMandi sa,
”I’
mi magininghowgood
i
twoul dfeelt
ohav emyhandst i
ghtlyaround
herneckr i
ghtnow.Shelookslikeawi f
e;no
wonderGuyi sall
weakabouther .

“
Hel
l
oRai
nbow,
”shecamef
orwar
dwi
thher
armsopen.Iopenedmineandmetherhal
fway
.
Shesmell
sdelight
ful
.

“Hey,Mandi
sa.I
’
m sopl
easedt
omeety
ou,
”I
poli
tel
ysai
d.

“I
sev er
ythi
ngokaypumpki
n?”sheputherar
m
aroundLucky’
sarm.“Ar
eyouokayRainbow?”
sheasked.

“I
…hmm…”Idon’treall
yknowhowmuchshe
knowsabout
.“Let
’sjustsayIwi
l
lbeokay
,”

“Rainbowisastr
onggirl
,she’l
lbeokay.Inthe
meant i
me,”het
urnedandf acedhi
sfiancé.“I
needt ogoandsortsomethingoutmyl ove.
Pleasemakehercomf or
tableandtakecar eof
her.she’
sfamil
y,
”
‘
Iknowmywayar oundthi
shouseandar
ound
yourbody
,Lucky
’It
houghttomysel
f.

“Youhav
enothi
ngtoworryaboutpumpki
n.You
knowshe’si
ngoodhands,
”shesays.

‘
Yourfi
ancéwasingoodhandsl
astnight
,’
anot
herthoughtv
isi
tedmyment
al.Theyki
ssed
andhugged.

“You’
ll
beokayhere,she’
l
l sor
tyouout,
”he
patt
edmyshoulderandpassed.Ilookedat
Mandisaandgr
inned.Thisisgoi
ngtobe
awkward.

“
Please,dr
opyourt
hingsi
nthatroom.Letme
makey ousomechamomil
etea,”shesai
d
poi
nti
ngatt
hedoort
hatoncel
edt
omyr
oom.

Icamebackandsatont hecouchl
i
keav i
sit
or
atastr
anger
’shouse.GuyandIhadsexonthis
couch.

“So,Luckytol
dmehowy ouguysmet,”shesays
walkingcar
efull
ywithacupi neachhand.“I
’m
sosor r
yaboutallofthat.I
t’
ssosad…butIcan
seethatyouarev er
yst r
ong,li
kepumpkinsai
d,”
forasecondthereIwaspuzzl edastowho
pumpki nwas.

“
Ijustt
akei
tonedayatat
ime,
”Ismi
l
ed.

“I
tmustbereall
ynicetohaveabi
gbrother
fi
gurei
nyourli
fe.IknowmyLuckyisveryfond
ofyouandIreal
lywantedtomeett
hisRainbow.
Youar
ever
ybeaut
if
ul,
”

“Bigbrotherf i
gure”Iechoedherwords.“
It
s
reall
ynicet ohav esomeonelikehi
m andthank
you,Ithinky ouarev er
ybeauti
fult
oo.Youare
j
ustwow, ”Isippedont hi
schamomi l
etea,i
t’
s
horri
ble.Ittastesli
keboiledv
omit.

“Youknow, Ineversawmy
sel
fmarr
yingataxi
dri
verbutlookatmenow.Youar
ecomi ngto
thewedding,ri
ght?”

“Thatisdefi
nit
elywhatLuckyis,
at axi
adr iver
andy ouaremar r
yinghim.Thi
ngsdon’talway s
tur
noutt hewayy ouplannedt
hem hey ”please
maket hi
send.Makehergoaway ,Ican’tkeep
up.
“Andt
heweddi
ng?Youar
ecomi
ng?
”herf
acel
i
t
up.

“
Iwoul
dn’
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ld,
”

#bonusi
nser
t
KI
NDLYSHAREPLEASE♡
I
NSERT30

CATACLYSMI
C

Adj
ect
ive

1.Oforpert
aini
ngtoacatacl
ysm;causi
nggr
eat
dest
ruct
ionorupheav
al;
catastr
ophi
c
Whati
sli
fe?I
sitagame?Isi
tabook?Ast
ory
?
Apuzz
le?Ari
ddle?Amaze?Whati
sit?

Wear eborn,wel iveandt hendi e.Somel ive

l
ongert hanot hers,someshor ter.Somedon’ t
evenl i
veatal l
.Theynev erseet hewor l
dorev en
breathei t
sairforasi nglesecond.Somedi e
beforeev endev elopingintohumanbei ngsand
somear enev erborn.Whyar eweev enbor nif
attheendoft hedaysomeMi ght ygodi sgoing
tocomeandj udgeusandt henbr ingabout
rapture.Whyi shej udginguswhenhei st he
onewhomadeus, whocont r
olsusand
everythingaroundus?Whycastmeoutof
heav enwhenal lIdi
dwasal liny ourcont rol
.I
kil
ledaman, doest hatmeanIshoul dforget
aboutgoi ngtoheav en?Shoul dIpr eparemy self
tobur neternall
yi nhellwithLucif er?Wher edoI
standi nthiswor l
dofgoodandbad?
EverydaywhenIopenmyey es.Ial way shave
thi
sf earinmyhear t.Igotusedt oitbecausei t
’s
alway sbeentheresinceIwasabl etof eel.I’
ve
alway sbeenscaredt hatsomeoneor
somet hingmightcomeandt akemyl i
feaway
andIwoul dn’tbeabl etof i
ghtf ormy self
becauseI ’
m notstrongenough.If eel ast hough
myl i
feisn’tmineandsoonerorl ater,theowner
mightcomeandwanti tback.Thi sfeelingis
alway satthecenterofmychest ,thebackof
myt hroatandt hebackofmyhead.I t’
sr eal
,
somemor ningsIsweari t
’stangible.Of t
en
ti
mesIbel i
evedthatifNdumi sowoul dbeatme
hardenough, itwouldbr eakal ongwi thmeand
neverbeabl etorecov er.Ialway srecov eredand
sodidi t
.

I’
m aticki
ngtimebomb,aser
iesofcat
aclysmic
eventseachwaiti
ngi
t’st
urnt
ocreateahuge
catast
rophicandper
il
ousdamagewhereverI’
m
bound.IfearifIcarryonli
kethis,
Imi ghthurt
myselfandt hosearoundme.Idon’ tsleep,I
don’
thav epropermeal s,
Idon’tgym andt otop
i
tallof–Idr ugmy selfwit
hpil
lsanddr ownmy
bl
oodi nalcohol.IneedhelpbutI’
m afraidtocry
outforit
.Let’sfaceit,
whowoul dIask?
By08:00Ihadal r
eadybat
hed.Ihatethefact
thatIhavetoknockinGuy’sroom.Ineedhimto
openf orme,Ihaveameetingwiththecol
onel
againthismorni
ng.Ibr
eathedinandoutand
knocked.Guyopened.

“Morning,
coul
dyouopenformedownst
air
s
please,
”Il
ookedatmyshoes.

“Wherearey
ougoing?I
t’
sear
lyi
nthemor
ning,
”
herubbedhi
seyes.
“Ihaveameet
ingwi
tht
hecolonel
,
”Isai
d,“
I
needtogotoNdumi
so’
sfi
rsttopi
ckupmy
car,
”

“
Okayt
hen,
letmet
akey
ou,
”

“
No,st
aywi
thher
…Igoti
t.I
’
llj
ustt
akeacaband
t
hen…”

“
Nonsense,”hesai
d.“Makesomecoffeeor
whatev
er.Letmetakeaquickshower
…”he
wentbackinsi
de.

Iwasn’treal
l
yhungr
y–ifanyt
hing–Iwas
nauseous.Isatont
hecouchandpat
ient
ly
wait
edf orhi
m.
“Youknowit’
sof
fri
ght
?”shedi
stur
bedmyt
rai
n
ofthought
s.

“
I’
m sor
rywhat
?”

“
Thet
v…y
ou’
vebeenst
ari
ngatit
.Usuall
yithas
t
obeonf
ory
outostar
eatitt
hathard…”

“I
’
mj ustl
ostinmyt houghts.
”Ishookmyhead
bri
ngingmyselfbacktoreali
ty.

“
Woul
dyoul
i
kesomet
ea?Cof
fee?
”sheasked.

“
No,
I’
m okayt
hanky
ou.
”

“
Ready
?”Guyappear
ed.Thankheav
ens.
Ihurr
iedl
yjumpedt
omyf
eet
.“Yes…”Ir
ushedt
o
thedoor.

“
Love,Iwil
lseey
oul
ater
,”Ihear
dthem ki
ss.“
I
l
oveyou,”

“
Ilov
eyout
ooPumpki
n.By
eRai
nbow,
”

“
ByeMandi
sa,
thanksagai
nforev
ery
thi
ng.
”

Thisdr
ivehastobeaboutt hel
ongestandmost
suff
ocati
ng.Ican’
tevenlookatGuy .Idon’
t
knowwhatt osaytohim andIthi
nkI ’
m angr
yat
him.Butwhatfor?IguessalotofthingsbutI
needtoputthem toget
hersotheymakesense.
“Yourpl
acei
sspot
less,Mhl
ongoandIsor
ted
every
thi
ngoutsoy
ou’vegotnot
hingt
oworry
about,
”

“
Thanky
ou,
Iowey
ouone.
”

“Areyougoingtotel
lmewhatt hemeetingwit
h
thecoloneli
sabout?”heparkedthet
axioutsi
de
theyardsowewal kedinbyfoot.“Mi
ss,
”he
call
edafteramomentofsilencedwell
edlonger
thanitshoul
dhave.

“
Ican’
ttel
lyouandIwi
l
lnott
ell
you,
”Isai
d.

“Whynot ?”Iunl
ockedt hedoorandopened.I t
’s
sti
l
l amessf rom whenIwasst i
ll
campingin
here.Ishouldprobablycal
lthecleanerback.I
tol
dhert ostopcomi ngunti
l Ical
ledher.
“
Lucky
,becauseIcan’
t”Ist
art
edl
ooki
ngar
ound
f
ormykeys.

“What’
swrongwit
hy ou?”t
her
ewasanot
eof
cheeki
nessi
nhistone.
“
Not
hing,
”

“Look,
Iunderst
andthatl
if
ehasbeendeal i
ng
youwithnothi
ngbutbadcardsbutyoudon’t
havetobeshitt
ytome.Iactual
lycareabout
yousotheleastyoucandoistalk…”

Ichuckl
esof
tl
y.“
Let
’snotdot
hisLucky
.Not
now…”

“
Let
’snotdowhat
?”hewal
kedupt
omeswi
ft
ly.
Hegrabbedmyar
m andl
ookedmei
ntheey
es.
“
Let
’snottal
k”

“
Don’
ttouchme!
”Ipul
l
edmyar
m away
.

“
Iam f
ucki
ngtr
yingtobet heref
ory
ouandt
alk
t
oyoubutyouarejustshutt
ingmeout
,”

“
Fine!
”Iut
ter
edshar
ply
.“Youwantt
otal
k?”

Yes!
”

“Okay,l
et’
stalkthen.Si
tthefuckdown…”he
pull
edachairoutandsat .“
Let’
stal
kabouthow
youchasedmeoutofy ourli
feandblamedme
foryourdaughter’
sdeathand..
”
“
Rai
nbowt
hat
’snot
…”

“Iam t
alki
ng.Yousai
dyouwant
edmet
otal
k,
soletme,”

“Goon,
”herest
edhi
sar
msonhi
skneesand
kepthi
seyesonme.

“Let’stalkabouthowy oul eftmehi ghanddr y,

nomoneynot hi
ngaf tery ourfatheroffer
edme
ajob.Ihadt osel
l drugsandnow…nowIwi l
l
forev erhavethecopsonmyt ail
.JesusChrist!I
heldsomeonehost ageLucky .Howaboutwe
tal
kabouthowy ouj ustwal t
zedbacki ntomy
l
ifer eadytosavemeonsome, ‘mayIhol dyou?’
bullsh*t…wecan’tf orgetthenucl earbomby ou
droppedonmer ightaf t
erwehadsex, ri
ght
afterIt ol
dyouhowIwant edtot akecareofyou
andhav esexwi t
hy ou, youtoldmey ouwere
gett
ingmar ri
ed!Youwantt otalkaboutallof
that
?Andl estyouf or
getKnightinshi
ning
armor,thestoryhaschanged.Iam nol onger
thedamsel indist
ressIoncewas, sopleasedo
notfeelobli
gatedtojumpandsav eme
whenev erItwi
tchsneezeorblinkbecausei n
thi
sstory,Isavemy sel
f.NotyouorNdumi soor
mypar entsoranyoneelseforthatmatter.
”

“
Ihadever
yrightt
othinkNdumisowasbehi
nd
t
hatshoot
ingandIsti
l
l t
hinkso…”

“ButIam notNdumi
so.Ican’
tsleepLucky
;I
havenightmar
esaboutSammyandIseeher
andhearherallt
heti
me.Ifeel
li
keI’mlosi
ngmy
mind.”

“
Yousai
dtheni
ght
mar
eswer
eaboutNdumi
so,
”
“BecauseIdi dn’
tknowwher eyouwer eandor
whereIst oodasf arasSammyi sconcer ned.
Andt heny oujustwalkbackint
omyl i
feli
ke
everythi
ngi sfi
ne,li
keyoudidn’
tjustblameme
foryourdaught er
’sdeath.That
’snotfairLucky
andIhat ey ouformakingmef eelthewayI
do…itsallyourfault
.”Hisheadfel
l.“And
Ndumi sodi dn’
tdoit”Iadded.

Hel
ookedupatme.“
Whodi
ditt
hen?Who?
”

“
Hav
eyoucheckedy
ourowncour
t?”

“
Doy
ouknowsomet
hingIdon’
t?”hest
ood.

“No,I’
mj ustsayi
ngt
hatsometi
mest hi
ngsar
e
hiddeninplainsi
ght
.Youcanneverbetoo
car
eful
,
”

“
Youar est
andi
ngbef or
emeeversoconf
ident
ly
t
ell
i
ngmet ol
ookintomymen?Thosemen
wouldhavedi
edforSamkeandyouknowit.I
wi
llnotmakethem questi
onmeormyfat
her…”

“
Iam j
ustsay
ing…”

“
Openthefucki
nggat
e,”hemar
chedt
owar
ds
t
hedoor.

“Igl
adlywil
lLucky.Frankl
yIcan’
tstandyour
uglyfaceaswel l
…go!
”Icli
ckedmyt ongueasI
watchedhimt akelar
gestepstothegate.

”
Cal
m downRai
nbow,
”Iwhi
sper
edt
omy
sel
f.
Assoonasheexi t
ed, Ishutt hedoorbehindme
andt r
iedtocal m my selfdown.“ Youcan’
tkeep
doingthistoy ourself.Cal m down,”myey esgot
fi
ll
edwi thtears, i
namat terofseconds,t
heyfel
l
downmycheeks.If ormedf ist
sandt i
ght
ened
will
ingtheur get ocryt odi sappear.Imar
ched
tothebat hroom andwashedmyf acewit
hcold
water.“Wedon’ tcryRai nbow.Wear edonewith
thatbull
sh*t .Getittoget her”

There.I
’m cal
m…t houghIhav eaheadache, I’
m
calm.Ifoundmykey sandl eft.Colonel
Grootboom wasn’thappywi thme, apparently
,I
wasl at
eandItoldhimt hathedi dn’tsetatime
hejustsaidtobeher einthemor ningandi twas
sti
llmorni
ng.Het ol
dmeIwaswi tt
ybutifhe
saysIshouldbetherei nthemor ningthenI
shouldbethefir
stper sontoar r
ive.Isi
gneda
fewdocument soffi
ciatingmyposi ti
oninthe
team.Itookafewpi cturesf ormyI Dcar d,ran
myfinger
pri
ntsandwasgi
venagun.Al
egal
gun.

“
Congrat
ulat
ionsRai
nbow,
”sai
dSi
bekoshaki
ng
myhand.

“
Thankyouandt
hankyouforr
oot
ingforme.i
f
i
twasn’
tfory
ou,
I’
dprobabl
ybebehi
ndbars,
”

“Thecolonel
li
ed.Hewantedyoui
ntheteam
from t
hemomenthesetey esony
ou,hejust
doesn’tl
iket
obetranspar
ent
,”

“
Iknewhel
i
kedme,
”

“
Sibeko,
pleaseex
cuseus!
”Mondecamei
n
f
lyi
ng.
“Monde,i
sever
ythi
ngokay?”askedSi
beko
picki
nguphi
sbelongi
ngs.

“Yeah!Ij
ustneedamomentwi t
hRainbow
please…”shel
ookster
ri
fi
edandfrant
ic.Si
beko
ranoutandclosedt
hedoor.Shethr
ewabunch
ofpaperonthetabl
e.

“
Idi
dn’tsl
eep,Iwasgoingthroughy
oursand
mymom’ smedicalr
ecordsthewholeni
ghtand
mor
ning.Ij
ustcameinnow…”

“
Whatdi
dyouf
ind?
”Iasked.

“
Sitdown”whatthehel
ldi
dshef
indt
hati
s
makingherpani
cthi
smuch?
#happy
monday
#happy
readi
ng
PLEASESHARE♡

I
NSERT31

LOVE

Noun

1.St
rongaf
fect
ion.Af
fect
iont
owar
dssomeone.

2.Adeepandabi
dingl
i
kingf
orsomet
hing
3.Aprof
oundfeel
i
ngoftrustandsecur
it
y
towar
dsapersonordei
ty.

Somet i
mesIdr eam t hatI ’mf alli
ngf r
om av ery
tal
lbui l
di ng.Thef eelingi sbot hexhi l
aratingand
gutwr enchi ng.Iev enj umpi nr eal l
i
f ewhenI
fi
nallyhi tt hegr ound.I nt hedr eam, I
’dal way s
expectt hatwhenIhi tt hegr ound, Iwi lldie
seeingt hati t’
sal way sapr et
t yhi ghf all.But,I
somehowal way sl andj ustper fect l
y.Youcan
i
magi net her eli
efwhenIr ealizet hatI ’m not
dead.That ’showt hismomenti s…whatMonde
i
st ell
ingmei sexhi l
ar atingi nt hesenset hat,
everythingi sst arti
ngt omakesense.WhyIwas
neverl ov edorev enseenbymyownpar ents.
Andgutwr enchi ngi nt hat ;whywoul dtheydo
suchat hingt ome.i tal lfeelssur real .Ifeelli
ke
thi
si st hatmomentwher eIl andedper fectlyon
myf eet .St illscaredandbr eat hingheav i
lybut
whenIst ar ttolookar oundev er ythingi sf i
ne.
“Somyparent
sarenotmyparents”Ir
epeat
ed
whatshesai
dandshenodded.“Whichweknew,
buthowyourpar
ent
snotyourfr
iends?”

“Idon’
tknow,
”Icantel
lthatshe’
sscaredand
saddenedbyal
lthi
s.Pl
us, shehasn’
tsl
ept.

“Butwearetwins?”shenodded.“
Doyouneeda
hug?”Iasked.Shegotupandthrewherar
ms
aroundme.“I’
m sorr
y,”

“
Rainbow,howam Isupposedt
odeal
wit
h
t
his?”herv
oicebr
oke.

“Youhaveatwin,
wecandeal
withittoget
her”I
heldher
.Ther
ewasaknockonthedoor .Alady
whowasnotatallint
ouchwi
thherfeminine
si
dewasst
andi
ng,
wai
ti
ngf
orper
missi
ont
o
comei
n.

“
Babe,
youcame,
”sai
dMonde.

“Yes,”shewalkeduptoher,
“Areyouokay ?”she
kissedheront hel
i
ps.Ihadtolookelsewhere,
j
ustt okil
lthi
smoment .Mytwinsi
sterisdati
ng
agi r
l.Goodforher
.Menaretrash.

“
Rainbow,t
hisisgi
rl
fr
iend,Ayanda.Ay
anda,
my
t
winsist
er,
Rainbow”Istr
etchedmyhand
f
orwardandshookhers.

“Rainbow,
that
’sav
erybeaut
if
ulname.
”she
said.
“
Thanky
ou,
it’
sni
cet
omeety
ou,
”
“She…wow!”shepaused, “
I’
m sorr
y,I’
mjust
shocked.Ifeell
ikeI’
ml ooki
ngatthesame
person,
”weal l
gi ggl
ed.“Whenshet ol
dme
aboutyou,Iwascer tai
nmybabywasl osi
ngit
.I
hadtocomeandseey oumy self
.Youarehere
andy ouhavebluehai r
,li
keshesaid.”

Thet hr
eeofuswentoutf oricecr eam andgot
toknoweachot her.West il
lhav en’tdecided
howwear egoingt odealwi t
ht his.It
’l
l be
harderforhert
hani twil
lbef orme.She
str
onglybeli
evedt hatanypr esentf oul pl
aywas
fr
om myendbutt hedeepershedug, thescari
er
anddar kert
heanswer sshef ound.
BeforeIl
eftNdumiso’
shouse,Icall
ed
Sthandwasam andaskedhimtodoal it
tl
e
di
ggingformeonMandi sa.Idi
dn’tknow
anythi
ngaboutherbuthername,sowhen
Sthandwasam t extedmesay i
nghehas
somet hi
ng;Iwasshocked.Hesai dhewas
outsi
demyf l
at.Iqui cklysaidmygoodby esto
MondeandAy andaandr ushedtomyf l
atwher e
IfoundSthandwasam wai ti
nginhiscar
.He
j
umpedof fandj oinedmei nmine.Idr
oveinto
thepremisesandpar kedmycar .Thefi
rstthi
ng
wedi dwhenwej umpedof fwastohug.

“Imissedyoumydal
i,
”hesaid.Thi
sguyisvery
softheart
edandemot
ional
soI ’
mv er
ycaref
ul
withhim.

“Imi
ssedy
out
ooSt
handwasam.Ar
eyou
okay
?”

“
Yesma’
am,
”
Wemadeourwayi nsidet
ounpackwhathehad
foundf
orme.Hefirstmadeuscoff
eeandthen
gotdownt
obusiness.

“SoIobv i
ouslyhadtogotoLucky ’
splaceand
atleastgetaphotoofher,whichIgoteasil
y.
Andt henIdidmymagi ctr
icks.SheisMandisa
Maphumul o,astudentatt
heuni v
ersi
tyofsouth
Afr
icastudying,l
aw,”

“
Okay
,not
hingshadyt
her
e.”Isai
d.

“It
houghtt
hesamethi
ngtoo,
Idugthr
oughher
soci
almediaandcameacr
ossaver
yfamil
iar
name.Mhlongo,
”

“
Mhl
ongo?
”
“Ihadt hesamet houghts,
thisparti
cul
ar
Mhl ongohadMhl ongoasbot hhi snameand
surname.Notanact i
veaccountandhasonl y
post edonceinhi slif
e,anditwasapi ct
ureof
thisman. ”Hepul ledoutapictureofaman
from anenv elopehewascar ryi
ngandthrewit
ont hetable.Ipickeditup.

“Thi
sisapi
ctur
eofapi
ctur
e?”Iconf
ir
med.He
nodded.

“Mydal
i,Imi
ghtbemistakenherebutthatman
l
ooksanawfull
otli
keyourboy f
ri
end,Lucky.
”I
gotacl
oserl
ookatthi
sv eryuncl
earpict
ure.
Andthi
smanlooksli
kehim.

“Fi
rstl
y;hei
snotmyboyfr
iendand
secondly…y
ouarer
ight
.Thisi
sgoodwor
k
Sthandwasam,
”
“Holdon, onelastpiece.WhileIwasbusy
diggingt hisup,Iaskedsomeonet okeepaneye
ony ourMhl ongojustincaseMhl ongoMhlongo
wasMhl ongo.Thi siswhatt heysentme,”he
tookhi sphoneandpul ledupani mageof
Mhl ongowi t
hMandi sa.“hesentmet hisvi
deo,
”
hescr oll
edwhi l
eIcar r
iedhisphone,“Youcan’
t
heart hem butf r
om t helooksofit
,that
conv ersationisveryclandesti
ne.
”

“Whatt hehel
ldothesetwohavetot
alkabout.
Howt hehelldotheyevenknoweachother
,it
doesn’tmakesense,”

“
Atal
l
…”heagr
eedwi
thme.

“
Doy
out
hinkt
hismani
sLucky
’sf
ather
?”I
l
ookedathi
m

“I
tcouldbe,oranuncl e.Butmydal i
,Ican
assureyouthi
smani sr el
atedtoyourboyfr
iend
i
nonewayort heot her”There’
saknockont he
door.Webothl ookedateachot her.“
Werey ou
expecti
ngsomeone? ”heasked.Ishookmy
headthenwentt othedoor .

“Lucky!
”Isaidloudlytr
yingtowarn
Sthandwasam.Iknowhe’ l
lknowwhatt odo.I
openedt hegateandallowedhimin.Hewai ted
formet oclosethedoorandt henfol
l
owed
behindme.Iwal kedintotheli
vi
ngroom wi t
h
Luckybehindbe, Isi
ghedlowlyrel
i
evedt hathe
wasabl etounderstandwhatIwast r
yingtosay
withouthavingtosaymuch.

“
Iwasn’
tawar
eyouhadav
isi
tor
.I’
l
lcomeback
someot
hert
ime,
”

“Ohno!Lucky
,pl
easestay…Iwasjustl
eavi
ng,
”
hegotup,ext
endedhisri
ghthandtowards
Lucky
.“I
’m St
handwasam bytheway…”

“Sho,Lucky.NicetomeetyouSthandwasam.
Playnicenowwhi leI
’
m gone…”hiseyeskept
Lucky’si
npl ace.
“
Sthandwabehav
eyour
sel
f,
”Ior
der
ed.

“I
’l
lseey oumydal i,
youcallmeifyouneed
anything.
”Heki ssedmycheekandl ef
t.Idon’
t
knowhowhepl ansongoingoutthegatewhen
hedoesn’ thaveadiscbutthisi
sSthandwasam,
hepr obablydoeshav eone.

“
Yes,
”Il
ookedatLuckyseat
edont
hecouch
st
ari
ngatme.

“
Whyi
sitani
ssue?
”

“Whyiswhatanissue?
”I’
mjustst
andingbythe
door.Icanj
ustt
ellt
hathi
sassisher
et ost
arta
fi
ghtwithme.

“
Whyisthef
actt
hatIam get
ti
ngmar
ri
edan
i
ssue?
”

“Youcameher
etoaskmethat?May
bei
fyou
hadcaredt
oaskear
li
ert
hen.
..
”

“St
opfuckingaroundRainbow,nowIaskedyou
quest
ion.Why?”hiseyesarered.Li
kehehad
beencryi
ngforawhi l
e.
“Whyareyougett
ingmarri
ed?Whatam I
supposedtodo?Youar
emyGuyandI ’my our
Miss.Whyareyoumarr
yingher
?”

Her ubbedhisforeheadandl aughed.“Youare

selfi
sh,youknowt hat?Youar ealways
preachingabouthowt hereisnof ucki
nglove
andhowy oudon’teverwantt obeweakandf all
i
nl oveandnowy ouarestandingtheretel
li
ng
met hatcrapjustafewday sbef oremy
weddi ng,
”

“Thi
shasnothingtodowit
hloveandyouknow
i
t.LuckyyouandIareeachot
her’
speopl
e.You
can’
tbeinlove,t
hatonl
ymakesyouweak.”

“
Andy
out
hinky
ouar
einv
inci
blebecausey
ou
hav
en’tbr
oughtyour
sel
ftoadmi
tthaty
oul
ove
me?”heasked.

“
Thi
sisi
sn’
taboutl
oveLuckyso…”

“Itf
ucki
ngis,”hejumpedt ohi sfeet
.“Itisabout
l
ov ebecauseIloveyouRai nbowandIdon’ t
carehowweaky outhinkIam.Ther eIsai dit
!”
hecamecl oser.SoclosethatIhadt okeepmy
headdownt oav oi
dthingst hatshouldn’t
happenbetweenawomanandamant hati
sto
mar r
yanotherwoman.“ Lookatme, ”he
demanded.Ishookmyhead.Hecuppedmy
faceint
ohishandsandl i
ft
edi tup.

“Thi
si sn’
taboutlove…”Iut
ter
ed.Icoul
dn’
thol
d
myt earsbackwhenIsawhi sflowi
ngoutofhi
s
eyesuncontrol
lably
.
“I
tis,Ihavelovedyousi nceyoubumpedi nt
o
myt axiandinsult
edme.Buty ouhavet hiswall
upRai nbowandIr espectitbut…Icannot
accommodat eit
.Iheldmy sel
ff r
om tel
lingy ou
becauseIdidn’twantt obecalledweak, ithas
al
way sbeen‘ j
ustsex’.I
’m notweakf orlov i
ng.
Youar efornot,
”

“
Don’tmar ryher.Pl
ease…”whatt
hef
uckdi
dI
j
ustsay.“PleaseLucky,st
ay,
wecanbe
t
ogether…justyouandI”

“
Ican’
t.Mandi
sai
sreal
…she’
stangi
bleshe
l
ovesme,”

“Butyouar
etangi
blet
ometooLucky
,Iswear
.”
Istoodonmytoesandwr
appedmyarms
ar
oundhi
m.Hedi
dn’
thol
dme.

“
Tel
lmehowy
ouf
eel
aboutme”

“
Icar
eaboutyouLuckyandi
thur
tsmet
osee
y
ouwithsomeoneelse…”

“
Tell
mehowy oufeel
aboutme!Tellmeyou
l
oveme”hef
ir
ml ysai
dthenpushedaway
.

“Well
fuckyouLucky!Fuckyou.Howdareyou
evenwantmet osaysuchstupidand
meaningl
esswordswheny ouknowthatI’
ve
beenhurtbypeopl
ethatweremeanttoloveme.
YouknowwhatI ’
vebeenthrough
and…and…and,
”
“That
’sthethi
ng,I
’m notpeopleandi ft
hese
wordsaresostupidandmeani ngless,whyisi
t
sohardforyousaythem.I ’
ll
seey ouatwedding,
comei fyouwantbutI’
m mar ry
ingthatwoman
whetheryouli
keitornot.Ineedtoset t
ledown,
”
hestormedoutthedoor .Ir
anaf t
erhim.

“
Lucky
!”cal
l
ed.

“GobackMiss,
”hestartedwal
kingfast
er.Ial
so
i
ncreasedmypace.Igrabbedhisar
m and
hurr
iedmyfeetandstoodinfr
ontofhim.“What
i
sit?”

“I…”Iopenedmymout hinattempttospeakand
thenIr ememberedwhatIsai dtomy selfear
li
er,
‘
wedon’ tcr
yRainbow,we’r
edonewi t
hbul l
sh*t
’
andt hencomposedmy sel
f.“Iwi
llseeyouat
theweddi ng,
”Icleanedmyf aceandf i
xedmy
standi
ngbef orehimt oassumet hesemblance
ofawomancapabl eofwi t
hstandingeveryt
hing
andany t
hing.Isurviv
edNdumi so, mybrot
her
andmypar ents,Iwasn’
taboutt ocowerbef ore
Luckyandwi l
l
inglymakemy selfweak.He’sa
humanmanev entual
lyhewi l
lhur tme.He
ki
ssedmyf oreheadandt henr andownt he
stai
rs.Iwentbacki ntothehouseandgott he
keysthent ooktheelevatordown.If oundhim
standi
ngt herewaiti
ngf orGodknowswhat .I
openedf orhim andhel eft
.

Luckydoesn’ tloveMandi sa.I

flovewor ksthe
wayt heysayi tdoest henhedef i
nit
elydoesn’ t
.
Hewaswi l
l
ingt oendi twit
hherifonlyIsai dI
l
ov edhi mt henhedoesn’ tr
eall
yloveher .Maybe
shewast hereforhim whenhewasst il
l int
he
earlyst agesofgr ief.Nowheisundert he
i
mpr essiont hattheyar ei
nlove.What ev eri
tis
theyar edoi ngIwi ll
notbeapar tof…theonl y
thi
ngsIneedtoconcentr
ateonaremynewly
foundsi
ster
,myjoband-asmuchasIhat et
o
getmyhandsdirt
y–t herel
ati
onshi
pthat
Mhlongohaswit
hMandi sa.

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT32

SKELETON

Noun

(
Plur
al:
Skel
etons)

1.Shamef
ulsecr
ets.
2.Short
enedfr
om:Skel
etonsi
nthecupboar
dor
skel
etonsi
nthecl
oset

So, t
hest oryis,mypar entsar enotmypar ents
andMonde’ sparent sar enotherpar ent s.We
wer ebot htakenf rom ourbi ologicalmot her’s
war m andl ovingbosom andal soest ranged
from oneanot her.It’
st hef ollowingdayandI
calledmypar entsandt oldt hem Iwascomi ng.I
hav eal otofbaggaget hatIam car ryi
ngonme
andIcan’ texpectt ohav eapeacef ulli
fe
wi thouthav i
ngof floaded.Thi sjobwi tht hecops
-thoughi tmeansIwi llforev erhavet hem
breat hingdownmyneck-Iam exci tedabouti t
.
Iwantt ogi veitmyal landf ailknowingt hatI
tri
ed.Mosti mpor tantl
y; Iwantt omake
Gr ootboom pr oud.Lear ningt hathewasr ooting
formef rom thegetgomademegi ddy .He’ son
mysi de.
Ineverknockathome; Ijustal
way sbargei
n
l
ikeIstayhere.Mama’ sintheki t
chenlooki
ng
busy,l
ookingli
keanact ualwife.Onewi tha
hear
t,reall
ove,compassi onandal lt
heworks.
Whenshesawme, shesaunter edupt omewith
heri
ndexf i
ngerpointedatme.

“Li
tt
legir
l,i
fyouar
eher
etor ui
nmymarr
iage,I
swear,
”shewhisper
edvi
olentl
yasr
agei
nvaded
hereyes.

“Where’
sdaddy
?”Iasked.Shecal
medher sel
f
downassoonassher eal
izedIwasn’
taboutto
pickupmyweaponsandf ight
.

“I’
m surehe’
l
lbedownj ustnow,
”shegraceful
l
y
retr
eatedwhil
eherpr i
dewasst i
ll
int
act.She
glancedatmet henlookedawayfixi
ngher
dress.“What
’swr ongwithyou?Youlookti
red,
ar
ey ousl
eepi
ngenough?
”hernosewasi
nthe
ai
r.

“Ice-
cream!”daddysangcl i
mbingdownt he
stair
s.Ili
keitwhendaddywear sjeansandgolf
t-
shits.Helooksmor eapproachabl
e.Helooks
l
ikeanor dinar
yman, rat
herthanaprinci
pal
.He
l
ooksl ikeamant hatcouldhavebeenagood
fathertome.

“Daddy,
”Ir
ant ohi
mli
keIalwaysdi
dasal
it
tl
e
girl
.Heswall
owedmeinhisbigar
msand
kissedt
hetopmyhead.

“
Youchangedy
ourhai
rcol
ouragai
n,
”hesay
s.
“
Youl
ookbeauti
ful
myangel,
”

“
Shel
ookst
ir
edl
ove,
li
keshehasn’
tbeeneat
ing
properl
y.Perhapsy
oushouldgiv
ehersome
mont hl
yall
owance.”t
rustmamat odi
sregar
d
anygoodt hi
ngheadedmydi r
ecti
on.

“Let’ssi
tdownnowl adies.Lookatbothofy ou
maki nganhonestmanoutofanol dman,”we
pulledoutchairsandsat .Mamawasr i
ghtin
frontofme.“ I
ce-cr
eam.I ’m gl
ady oucal
ledfor
thismeeting.Wer eall
ydoneedt ocome
togetherasaf amilyandt al
kthingsout.
”

“Justaslongasthi
sgi
rlwil
lnotbecausi
ng
discor
dlove,t
henIam al
lfort
alki
ng.
”

“Vuy
iswa,”myf at
hergaveoutasoftyetvery
commandi ngandr epr
imandi
ngtone.“Shewill
saywhatevershefeelssheneedstosay,ifi
t’
ll
makeherf eel
better.Myangelt
heflooris
your
s,”
“Thanky ou, daddy.Hmm…Ipl anonst art
ing
afreshwi thmyl if
ebutIcan’ tdot hatwi thout
offloadingt hebaggaget hatIcarry ”t heybot h
l
istened.Fort hefirstt i
mei nev er
, If eltli
kemy
parent swer el i
sti
ngt ome.I tfeel
sgood.“ You
bothl ov edme, buty oujustdi dn’tknowhowt o
becausey ouwer ebusy .Tumel olef tuswhenI
wasv eryy oungandaf t
ert hatmywhol ewor l
d
j
ustbecameanaby ss.If eltaloneand
unwant ed; especiallybyy oumama.Youhat e
meandnowIknowwhy .Iam noty ourchi ld
daddy ,I’m noty ourchi l
dmommy ,
”

“
Blasphemy
!”cr
iedmymot
her
.

“
Ice-
cream,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”daddy
t
ookmyhand.
“Daddy,ther
e’sal
otthatyoudon’ tknowbutI ’
l
l
onlytel
lyoutheonesthatinvolvemebecauseI
knowy oulovemamaandIbel ieveyoutrusther
enought obehonestwit
hy ou.Ifoundmyt wi
n
sist
er.Shetoo–wasst ol
enf rom ourmot her
andshe’salsotel
l
ingherverylov i
ngparents
aboutwhatshe’scomet olearn.”

“Wait,holdonnowRai nbow,”hecalledme
Rainbow.Ihav en’theardhim saythatnamein
ages.“Youar emydaught er
.Darli
ng,”hetook
mymot her’
shand.“ tel
lher.
”Ilookedatmy
mot herwaiti
ngf orhertotellmeIwasl yi
ng.
Shecoul dn’
tspeak.

“NomondeJel
e,myt wi
nsisteri
sadet ecti
ve.
Shedidsomediggi
ngandf oundthatour
parent
sareMbongeniandSuzannaSi bi
ya.
MamaIknowt hatyouhadami scarr
iageagain,
”
“Thi
si sal
lnottrueRainbow,therehastobea
mistakesomewher e,
”Ipul
l
edoutmyphoneand
openedapi ct
ureofmeandMondeandshowed
i
ttot hem.Myf atheri
mmedi atel
ystat
edcryi
ng.
“Ohlord!Whatdidy oudowoman? ”

“Youl
itt
ledevil
,
”shesayswithtearsinherey es.
“Youcan’tst
anditt
hatyourli
feissomi serable,
youhadtodr agmymarriageint
oit.”bef
oreI
knewit,
daddyshutherupwi t
hasl ap.Ijumped
tomyfeetoutofterr
or.

“Youblameaninnocentchi
l
dfory
ourownev
il
doingsyouwhore,
”

“
Daddy
!"Ical
l
ed,
"Don'
ttal
ktoherl
i
ket
hat
.”
“
Ihavewatchedyouandal l
owedyoutorui
nthi
s
f
ami l
yforf
artoolong.Iwantyout
opackyour
t
hingsandgetthehelloutofmyhouse,
"

"
Myl ove,"shethr
ewher sel
fatdaddy’
schest.“
I
wasscar edtotel
lyou.Ihadhadanother
miscar
riageandIknewhowmuchy ouwanted
t
ohav eki dsbutt
heyjustkeptdyi
nganddying.I
wasdoingi tfory
ou,”

“Isupport
edyout hr
oughtheonebeforeTumelo
andt heoneaft
erTumel o,whatmadeyouthi
nk
thi
ngswer egoingtobeanydi f
fer
ent
.Anddon’t
thi
nkIdon’tknowabouty ouandMalusi
GumedeandTumel o.”

“
Youtol
dhim?!
?”shel
ookedatmewi
they
es
v
oidofhumani
ty.
“
No,
Idi
dn’
tIswear
!”Idef
endedmy
sel
f.

“Het ol
dmehi msel
fwhenTumel odi
ed.Iwait
ed
foryoutotel
l meyoursel
fbuty
ouneverdidsoI
choset ol
etitgobecauseyouweregoi
ng
throughatoughti
me! ”

“
He’
sdead.Tumel
oisdead…”

“Andhehasbeenf or15yearsifnotmore,soall
thesel
ieshavebeenbrewinginthishousefor
almost2decades”saiddaddy.

“
No,afewmont hsagoheshowedupv ery
muchali
ve.Mamachasedhim outbecausehe
wasusi
ngdrugs,”
“
Nobecausehet
ri
edt
orapey
ou!
”

“
What
?”dadl
ookedatme.

“It
ri
edt ohelphim daddy,
andmamay ouwere
notlyi
ng.Het r
iedtorapemeagainand…Iki
l
led
him,”myf at
herpull
edoutachai
r.“He’
sdead
forr
eal t
histi
me,”

“Timeout
!”saiddaddy.Ineedadrink.“Canwe
j
usttakeabr eat
her;we’l
lresumeinanhour.I
can’t
…youhav ebl
oodi nyourhandsIce-
cream…”

1H30M LATER
Myf at
herreal
lyt
ookthatbr
eak.Hegoti
ntohi
s
caranddroveoff
.Hejustdr
oveinnowand
foundmesi t
ti
ngoutsi
de.
“
Get
ti
ngsomef
reshai
r?”heasked.

“No,”myv oi
cecracked.“
Mamatol
dmetowait
outside,t
hatshedidn’
twantt
obeal
onewi
th
thedev i
l
,”

“Howdareshe?Thisi
smyhouse; shetoohas
noplaceher
e.Ihopeshehasstartedpacki
ng,
”
heopenedthedoorandwalkedin.“Comeonin
baby
,”

“Iwil
lbetheredaddy,
”justwhenIwasaboutt
o
stand.Ihear
dthem arguing.

“
Youar
eaweakmanandy
ouknowIal
way
s
woret
hepant
sinthishousehol
d,soImade
somever
yharddeci
sionsthatyourcowar
dice
sel
fwoul
dhaveneverbeenabletomake,”

“Nameone?”shoutedmyf at
her,
“Youmean
sleepi
ngwit
hy ourdaught
er’
shusband’
sfat
her
andgetti
ngpregnant?”

“
Ididt
hattopr
otectyouandy
ourschool
.Ifi
t
wasn’
tforme,
you’dbedownandout!
”my
mom saidt
oherdefense.

“Iwouldhav echosent obedownandoutbut

ret
ainahappyf amilythantodegr ademy sel
f
anyday !Youhav er
uinedourdaught er’
s
chil
dhoodandnott oment i
onshe’snotev enmy
chil
d,”whendaddyut ter
edt hosewor ds,
Ihad
alr
eadymadei tthrought hedoor.“I
ce-cr
eam,
I’
m sorry…Ididn’tmeant hat.
”
“
It
’sokaydaddy,Iunderst
and.”Ir
eall
ycan’
tbe
madathim.Heisal sogett
ingdealtapr
ett
y
meanstackofcards.
“
Thismeeti
ngreal
lywasn’taboutyoutwo,it
wasaboutme.Iwantedtoletyouguysknow
t
hatIknowthetr
uthandthatI’m sor
rydaddy
f
orevery
thi
ngthat
’shappening.
”

“
I’
m sorrydaddy
,”sheechoedmywor ds
mockingme.“Youthinkyourf
atheri
sthev
ict
im
i
nallofthi
s?”

“Heis.Thisf
amilyi
sav i
cti
m ofyour
wrongdoingsmamaandunt il
youcanaccept
thatandreal
izehowmuchy ou’v
emessedusup,
thenther
ecouldneverbepeaceinthi
s
household”
“Well,t
ellherwhyPhi l
ip.Tel
lyourpreci
ous
Rainbowhowev er
ythi
nggotmessedupi nt
his
mar r
iage.Tellherwhost art
edit
”Ilookedatmy
fat
her ,
Idon’tknowi fIwanttoheart hi
s.

“Pl
easedon’tt
ell
met hi
sisaboutDambi
sa
because…”hechuckl
edli
ghtl
y.

“
WhoisDambi sa?
”myey
esr
est
edonmama,
“
Whathappened?”

“Yourfat
herhadanaffai
rwithher.Dambisais
thegrade10Engli
shteacher”Whatthefuckis
thi
s?AnepisodeofTheBol dandtheBeaut i
ful
?
“That’
swhatbrokeourmar r
iage,
yourfat
her
brokemeandmademef eelli
keIwasnotgood
enough.Notyoungenough,notsexyortight
enough”

“
Thatwasy
earsagoandIownedupt
othat
,”he
t
hrewhi
mselfont
hecouch.

“Butyouwentbacki
sitnotso?
”shepl
ant
ed
hersel
fbef
orehim.

“
Becausesherespectedme!”heyel
led.“
She
r
espectedmeVuy i
swaandshesawmef ort
he
manthatIwas.Shedidn’
tdegrademeor
i
nval
idatemyeff
orts.Shesawmeand
r
espectedme…thatismorethanIcouldsayfor
you,
”

“YouseeRainbow,
”shewalkedupt
omeand
cuppedmyf acei
nherhands.“
Yousee,
I’
m not
therootoft
hisevi
l
.Yourfat
heri
s…”
“Weneedtot
akeabreakagain.Daddy…goint
o
yourst
udy
.Mama…let’
sjustgoforrecess.
”I
stor
medout.

Icameher etomakepeacewi thmymom and

dadbutinst eadawhol elotofshi
tiscomi ng
outofthecl oset
.Myf atherhadanaf f
airwith
theEngli
sht eacherandIr ememberher .My
mom hadt ogot owor kandseeherev erysi
ngle
day,welldamnt hatmusthav ebeenhar d.Ican’
t
fi
xmypar ents’i
ssues; theyarebeyondme.I
thi
nkit’
sbesti ftheyjustgetadi vor
cebecauseI
don’tseethem comi ngbackf r
om thi
s.These
scarsrundeep.

1HLATER
We’r
eallbackinthedi ni
ngar ea.Mypar
ent
sar
e
seat
edandI ’
m standing.It
’sabouttobe
anot
herepisode.Bracey oursel
ves.

“Li
keIhadmentionedearl
ier,
thi
smeetingwas
supposedt
obeaboutme, ”Ir
eminded,
“socan
wegobackt her
eplease”Idemanded.“Mama,
whydidyoumakemechangemynamewhen
youknewdamnwel lthatTumelowasn’tdead?
”

“Tumelowast heonlychildthatmadeitoutof
mywombal i
ve.WhenIhadt ogi
vehim up,i
t
fel
tli
keIwasbackt othathospit
alroom and
thedoctorwast el
l
ingmet hathewasdead.
Thatwasn’tanact,Ireall
ycouldn’
tcopewi t
h
thatpsy
chological
ly…”

“Buty
oucoul
dcopewithmaki
ngmechangemy
nameat10year
sold?Idi
dn’
tunder
standwhat
washappeni
ng?Aft
erTumel
olef
tyouj
ustgot
col
dtowardsme”

“Ther eIwaschasingmyownbl ood,t

heonly
fruitofmywomboutofmyhousef oragi
rlI
boughtf rom adi
rtynur
se.Ithi
nkthehat
ewas
directedattheri
ghtperson…”

“Iwoul
dsi twit
ht hedevi
landaccepthim andas
myLor dthantost aywi
thyou,
”saidmyf at
her
underhisbreath.Icoul
dn’
tbel
ievemymom and
thethi
ngsshewassay i
ng.Iwasatal ossfor
words.Whosay ssuchthi
ngsaboutany one?

“Tel
ldaddyhowy outr
iedt
osleepwi
th
Ndumisoseveralti
mes…”Ibr
oughtt
hisupout
ofangerandspit
e.
“HesaidIt
ri
ed…”sheletoutasoftchuckle,
“Okay
”myheartstar
tedburni
nginstantl
y.It
backf
ir
ed.

“Daddy
”Itookonahi
ghpi
tcht
oneasIbr
oke
downintears.

Thethreeofussatt hereinsi
l
ence.Wekept
l
ookingatoneanot her.Atsomepointmyf ather
wenttot hekitchenandcamewi t
hat ubofice-
cream andthreespoons.Weal l
indul
gedin
si
lence.Allourphoneskeptr i
ngingandchimi ng
butwedi dn’tpayattenti
ontothem.

“Icoul
dnev erconnectwi
thyouRainbow, I
mean, Il
ovedy oubutIj
ustdidn’
tgetyou.Ithi
nk
thi
sallmakessensenow, ”daddybrokethe
sil
ence.
“
That
’sokaydaddy
.Iunder
stand.
”

“
Tumel
o…”mamamur
mur
ed.

“
Mama,
pleasest
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
.”

“
No,Tumelo,
he…het
ri
edwi
thmet
oo”she
f
ini
shedof
f.

“
Tri
edwhat
?”askedmyf
ather
.

“
Hetr
iedt
orapemet
oo.Hehadt
oleav
e…Ihad
t
odosomethi
ng.
”

Seemst
her
e’sst
il
lmor
eskel
etonsi
nthecl
oset
andtheyjustkeepcomingoutoneaft
erthe
other
.Whenev erIt
hinkev
eryt
hingi
soutinthe
open,anotheronej
umpsoutunexpectedl
y.

“
Yeahwell
,he’
sdeadnowandhedeservedi
t.
”I
t
ookaspoonfulofi
cecr
eam andshov
editi
n
mymouth.

“Hewastheonlyf
rui
tofmywomb, ”shest
art
ed
breaki
ngdownint
ears.Nooneisstr
ong
enoughtohol
dherandcomforther
.

“
It
sokaymama,
”Isai
dlowl
y.

“Rai
nbow,It
hinkyoushoul
dseeather
api
st.
You’
vebeenthroughwaytoomuch.
”Suggest
ed
daddy.
“Iwi
lldaddy
,Ij
ustneedt
osor
taf
ewt
hings
out.
”

ENJOYANDSHAREPLEASE♡
Leavi
nghome, myhear twasheav ybutI ’m glad
todayhappened.Weal l neededt oheart hose
thi
ngsandv ent.Mypar entshav ecaused
themselves,theirmarri
ageandme
i
mmeasur ablepainthatIdon’ tevent hinktime
cansubsideorhumbl e.Idon’ tknowwhatt hey
aregoingtodobutasf orme…I ’m buildinga
rel
ati
onshipwi thmysi ster,concentratingonmy
j
obanddi ggi ngonthisMandi sachickand
Mhlongo.Somet hi
ngisn’ tri
ght.
I
NSERT33

WEDDI
NG
Noun

(
Plur
al:
Weddi
ngs)
1.Mar
riagecer
emony;
rit
ual
off
ici
all
y
cel
ebr
atingt
hebegi
nni
ngofamar r
iage.

2.Joi
ningoft
woofmor
epar
ti
es

Ifyourownweddi ngdoesn’tcount,t
henI ’ve
neverbeentoaweddi ng.Todayi sabi gdayf or
LuckyandIi nt
endonbehav ingmy self.Idon’t
wanttofightwithhim andmosti mpor tantly,I
don’twanttoruinthi
sdayf orhi
m.Buty ou
knowme, I
’
m Rainbow.Idoneedt ocreat ea
l
itt
lecommot i
onwithacer t
aini
ndividual .Iwill
notruint
hisdayf orhi
m, Ipromise.

Iam f
eel
i
ngner
vousal
i
ttl
e–t
hel
astt
imeIsaw
hisfamilywasont hatday .Idon’tknowi fthey
sawmemaki ngaf ool ofmy selfont hedayof
thefuneral.Iknowwher eIst andwi t
hMt ho, Zah
andMenzi ,asfort heirparents,Ihavenoi dea.
I’
m wear i
ngapl ungesat i
ndresswi t
hspaghet t
i
stri
psandasl i
t.Ipairedthatwi thblueopent oe
babyheel st omat chmyhai r.Theychose
powderpi nkast heircolour,cute.Iparkedmy
caroutsidet hey ardatadi stance, It
hinkI’m
start
ingtoacceptmyout castcal l
i
ng.Ireally
don’tli
ket omi xwi thpeopl enowandgr owi ng
upit’
sall Iyearnedf or,thecompanyofot her
humans.

It
’seit
herIam v eryearl
yortheyhavechosent o
maket hisceremonyv eryi
nti
mate.Iwal kedint
o
theyardandi nstantl
yfel
toutofplace.Ididn’
t
knowwher et ogoorwhatt odo.Ididatsome
pointrecoverinthishouseaft
ermyhusband
almostkill
edmeandIwaschasedandt hrown
outl
ikeat
hief.Menzi
sawmel
ooki
ngar
ound,
hecameupt ome.

“Whatar
eyoudoi
nghere?
”hegr
abbedmyar
m
pul
li
ngmetothesi
de.

“
Heaskedmet
ocome,
”Isai
dpul
l
ingaway
.

“Youbetterbehaveyour
sel
fRai
nbow,
other
wise
Iswear!Don’trui
nthi
sforhi
m…”

Inodded.Justashewasaboutt
ogoback,
I
stoppedhim.

“
CanIseehi
m pl
ease,
”

“
Whatf
or?
”
“
Ijustwantt
oseehi
m,wi
shhi
mluck.
”

“He’
sinhi
sroom,
he’
saboutt
ocomeoutso
hurr
y,”

Irantohi sroom withnothinginmymout hto

say.Idon’tevenknowwhyIwantt oseehi m.
Ohy es!Probablybecausehi swi fe-
to-beisin
cahootswi thoneofhi swor kers,butifItel
lhim
pointblankwi t
houtrealandt angibleev i
dence,
hemi ghtthinkI’mjusttr
yingt oruinthingsfor
him.Idon’ twantLuckytomar ryMandi sa,butI
wouldnev eruset hi
sinformat i
onasawayt o
stopthisweddi ng.Iknocked.

“
Comei
nMi
ss,
”howt
hehel
ldi
dheknowi
twas
me.
“
Howdi
dyouknow?
”Iaskedshut
ti
ngt
hedoor
.

“Ihear
dyougather
ingyoursel
f,br
eat
hingi
nand
out.Noonedoesthat…butyouofcour
se,”

“Howareyou?”Iasked.Hewasst ar
ingatme
whichmademef eelawkward.“Youarestar
ing
atmeandy ouknowhowIf eelaboutthat
.Stop
i
t.”Il
ookedatmyshoes.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
Ijust…wow!Youlookamazi
ng.You
l
ookdif
fer
ent.Youlookl
ikeadream”

Ismil
edcoyl
y,“
Thanky
ou.You’
renotsobad
your
self
…”
“Thankyouforcomi
ng.MyLordyoul
ook
beauti
ful
,
”hetookoffhi
sbl
azert
henmarched
tothedoorandopened.
“I
t’
sreal
l
yhoti
nher
e,cany
ouf
eel
that
?So
hot…”

“
Arey
ouokay
?”Iaskedwal
ki
ngupt
ohi
m.

“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul,
”hesay
sagai
n.

“Thankyou,
buty
out
oldmet
hat
.What
’s
happeni
ng?”

“
Weddi
ngji
tt
ersIguess,”y
ouarenotsupposed
t
ogetl
i
kethatwheny ouseeanot
herwoman,
y
oudumbass.
“Okay,
”Idashedtohim byt
hedoor.“
Wel
l
,I
guessthi
sisit.Goodl
uck!
”Ismi
led.

“Thankyouf orbei
ngher e,
itmeansalot,
”my
mout hwant st
oblurtoutthisver
yheavysecret
I
’m holdi
ngi nmyheart.Ashewasaboutt olean
forwardforahug,Iextendedmyhandi ni
ti
ati
ng
ahandshake.Heobl i
ged.Itwasveryawkward
forusbothbutweneedt oestabli
shsome
groundrules.

Thewholeceremonywasablurf
orme,f
rankl
y,
Ididn’
twantt
obetherebuti
t’
sGuy;
Ihadtobe
there.

Theyr
epeatedaf
tert
hepastorastheyputr
ings
i
neachother’
sfi
nger
s’.Guyst
art
ed.
“
Wit
hthi
sri
ng,
”sai
dthepast
or

“
Wit
hthi
sri
ng,
”her
epeat
ed.

“
Itakey
ou…Mandi
saMaphumul
o,”

“ItakeyouRai nbow…”ohmywor d,whatj ust

happened? !
?!DidIhearcorr
ectl
y .Commot i
on
grewi nthet entastheguestswhi spered
amongstt hemsel v
es.Ourbelovedgr oom had
saidanot hername.anamet hatisinf actnot
thatofhisbr ide.Youcanimaginet het r
auma
buildi
ngupi nme.

“Pumpkin,
”sai
dMandisa,“
Mandisa…”please
God,fi
xthi
s.Idon’
tthi
nkLuckyi
sawaret hathe
saidt
hewr ongname.Menzi’
sey
eskept
l
ocati
ngmei nthecrowd.“
YousaidRainbow,
I’
m Mandisa,
”shecorr
ectedhim.Whatblewme
awaywast hewayshewassocal m abouti
t.
Anybri
dewoul dhavequesti
onedhergroom
andprobablyf
lewoutoftheceremonyno
l
ongerinthemoodt omarry.

“Isai
dMandisa,
”hedi
sput
ed.Menzigotcl
oser
andwhisper
edsomethi
nginhi
sear.

“
Shit!I
’m sor
ryl
ove.Ididn’
tsleep.It
akeyou
MandisaMaphumul o.Ichoosey ouandonl
y
you.Forgi
vememyl ove…”

“Sli
poft hetongue,
”Mandi sadeclaredonl
yshe
disguiseditasahumor ousandhonestmi stake.
Mostoft hepeopl
einthattentdon’tknowme,
that’
swhatsav edme.Guy ’
seyesf oundmi ne,
wel ookedateachot herforabout2seconds
beforehehadt odrawhi ssightbackt ohi
s
beaut
if
ulwi
fe.

I
twast i
met oparty
,Irantomycarandsat
therebymy self
.Ican’
tfacepeopleafterwhat
j
usthappened, especi
all
yhisfamil
y.Icansee
Menzi walkinguptomycar ,he’
sprobablygoi
ng
toyellatme.Whatdi dIeverdotothisguy
though?Whydoeshedi sl
ikemesodeepl y?I
gotoutoft hecar.

“
Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?”heasked.

“
Not
hing,
justwi
shedhi
mluck,
”

“Rai
nbow,please.Iam beggingyou,juststay
awayfrom him.Hesaidy ournamei nsteadof
Mandisa’
s,stopallt
hisbull
shit
!Stop!Please
j
ustlethi
m behappy ,
”
“
Ican’
t.
”

“
Why
?Becausey
oul
ovehi
m?”

“
Menzi
,somet
hingi
snotr
ight
,”

“
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

“Canwedri
vesomewher
etot
alk?Somewher
e
pri
vat
e?”

“
Giv
emet
hekey
s,”

Menzidr
ovet
oaverysecl
udedarea.Notfar
f
rom hi
shomebuti
twasstil
lgoodtodiscuss
t
hingssuchaswhatI
’
m aboutt
otel
lhi
m.

“Ithi
nkMhl ongokil
l
edSammy ”Ibl
urt
ed.I’
ve
beenlongingtosaythattosomebodyandi f
thereisanyonethatcanhelpwitht
hissi
tuati
on,
i
t’sthi
sbigandangr ylog,
Menzi.

“Suchaccusati
onscangety
ouki
l
led.Wedon’
t
playl
ikethather
e”

Itookoutthefil
esIhadbr oughtwi
thal
lthe
i
nf or
mationSthandwasam dugup.Iwal kedhi
m
throughever
ythingstep-by-st
epli
ke
Sthandwasam hadexpl ainedtome.Hewasas
shockedasIwasi fnotmor e.
“Thi
sinf
ormationisveryquest
ionabl
ebuti
t
doesn’
tsuggestthathecall
edthathi
t,
”
“Iknow, butIhavethi
sgutfeeli
ngMenzi.Iknow
i
twashi m.”Iprot
ested.“
Whyt hehel
lwashe
meet i
ngwi thMandisaandthisMandisa
charactershowedupar oundtheti
met hat
Sammydi ednowsuddenl yt
heyaremar ri
ed.
”

“Doyouthi
nkt
hismani
sLucky
’sf
ather
?”he
asked.

“I
fnotf
ather
,maybeuncle.I
tmakesnosense,
whywouldMhlongopostLucky
’sfat
heror
uncl
eonFacebook?Whoi she?
”

“
Whydi
dn’
tyousayany
thi
ngear
li
er?
”

“
Thisweddi
ngwasmyonl yoppor
tuni
tyt
otal
k
t
oyou.Youdidchasemeoutofyourhome
Menzi
,andIdi
dn’twantt
orai
seany
suspi
cions.
”

“Yesbut…”hisphoner anghepi ckeditup.

“HELLO.OK, I’
M ONMYWAY. ”Heendedt he
callandstart
edt hecar .“
It
’salmosttimef ormy
speech,”hedrov e.Whenwegotback, Idi
dn’tgo
i
nside.Ithoughti sIshoulddisappearafterthat
stuntLuckypulled.

I’
vebeendr ivi
ngf orthepast20mi nut esorso
backt oDurban.Ist oppedataconv eni ence
storeandboughtgum andwat er.Al
thoughIam
hungry–Iwi lleatwhenIgethome.I ’vebecome
veryvigi
lantandwat chful.Iinspect,studyand
analyzemysur roundi ngsmor ethanoneshoul d,
that’
sat rai
tIpickedupwhenIwasgr owingup.
Ineverspokemuchaf t
erIchangedmyname
andsomyey eswer eal way swander ingand
scoutingaround.Myear swer ealway sopen,
l
isteningandalertatal
lti
mes.Thi strait
amel ior
atedwhenIgotmar ried.Minewast o
l
ookbeaut i
ful
,st
andupf orandagr eewi th
ever y
thi
ngNdumi sosuppor t
edandr epr esent
ed.
So, Ionl
ygotbetteratscouti
ngandpi ckingup
thi
ngst hatordi
nari
lypeoplewouldn’tbeabl eto.

Forexample;Ihaveat ail
.Someonehasbeen
foll
owi
ngmef orthepast10mi nutesorsoand
theyar
edr i
vi
ngabl ackt azz.Imader andom
turnst
ogauget hem andt estifIwasr eal
ly
beingfol
l
owed.I ndeed,Iwas.Ihav emygun
withmebutI ’
m notfeeli
ngconf i
dent.Ipi
cked
upmyphoneandcal ledMenzi nowthatIhave
hisnumber.

“
RAINBOW,
”heanswer
ed.ThankGod.Idi
dn’
t
wantt
ohav
etocall
Guy.
“MENZI
,ITHI
NKI’
M BEI
NGFOLLOWED.
THEY’
REINABLACKTAZZ,
”

“
WHEREAREYOU?
”

“IHAVENOI
DEA,
IMADERANDOM TURNSTO
TRYANDLOSEHI
M,”

“LISTENTOME,
IWANTYOUTOSHAREYOUR
LIVELOCATI
ONWITHMEONWHATSAPP.I
’M
ONMYWAY…”

“
MENZI,
BEFOREYOULEAVE,
CHECKI
F
MHLONGOISTHERE,
”

“
WILLDO.TRYTOGETALOOKATTHEPLATE
NUMBER,
”
“OKAY.HURRY!THI SAREAI SDODGY, ”Iqui ckly
shar edmyl i
vel ocationwi t
hMenzi thent hrew
myphoneont hepassenger ’
sseat .WhenI
l
ookedatt her ear-v
iewmi r
ror,myt ailwas
mi ssing.Iturnedmyey esbackt ot her oad, and
quickl ysteppedont hebr akesandst oppedt he
carabr uptl
y.Thebl ackt azzwasbef oreme,
facingmewi tht heengi ner unning.Ir eachedf or
myphoneandt ookpi ct ur
esoft hecar , IknowI
j
ustdi daf ucked- upt hingbut ,here’st het hing.
Myphoneaut omat ical l
ybacksupmyt hingson
mygoogl edrive.So, ifany t
hinghappenst ome,
Iknowt hey’
llbesmar tenought ot ryandhacki t
.
Wel l
, atleastIt oldSt handwasam t oal way s
hackmyemai l i
fanyev erhappenst ome.It ake
picturesoft hings.Iwr i
tenotesonmymemo, I
makev oicerecor di
ngsandt akev ideos.

Butt
hatt
ickedof
fthedr
iver
,hecameoutoft
he
car,hisfacecoveredwi t
habal acl
ava,shooti
ng
atme.Ii mmediatelyopenedmydoorand
crawledoutofthecarusi ngt hedoorasmy
shiel
d.Ireachedundermyseatandgotmygun.
Istartedshooti
ngathi sdir
ect i
onhopinghe
woul dgoawaybuthedi dn’thejustchargedfor
me.Myshoot i
ngski l
lssti
llneedpoli
shing,I
can’tshootproperlyonmykneesbutIshoton
totryandkeephi m atbay .

Hel etoutaloudcry .Ipeepedandsawhi m

l
impi ngbacktohiscar .Ithi
nkIshothi m,
somewher eont heleg.Iranafterhim; Ineedto
seewhohei sandmay bekidnaphi m.Whenhe
reali
zedIwascomi ngaf t
erhim,hel i
mpedev en
fasterandmadei ttohi scarbeforeIcouldget
there.Ipoi
ntedtheGl ockathisdirecti
onashe
reversedwit
hhast e, whenIpull
edt hetri
gger,
nobul l
etcameout .Iwasal lout.
“
Fuck!
”cr
ied.Myphoner
ang.

“
THANKGOD.YOUHAVEN’TMOVED,
WHAT’
S
HAPPENI
NG?
”askedMenzi
.

“
MYFRONTWHEELWASHI
T.BUTI
’
M SAFE,
”

“
YOUWI
LLSEEMEJUSTNOW,
”

Ev
ent
ual
l
yMenzi
showedupi
nat
axi
.

“Youokay
?”heasked.I
sMenzi
concer
ned
aboutmywell
-bei
ng?Ohwel
lmyeyeshav
e
seenmyears.

“
I’
mfi
ne.WasMhl
ongost
il
lther
e?”Iasked.
Henodded,
“Andt
hepl
atenumber
?”

“GP.Hecameoutofhi
scarandcameaf
terme
butIhi
thi
sri
ghtl
eg,
”

“
Didy
ouknowhi
m?”hei
nqui
red.

“
No,hehadabalacl
avaonbutt
hatguyi
snot
mypeopl
e.Icanassur
eyou,
”

Itookmyt hingsfrom mycaranddumpedt hem

i
nMenzi ’
s.Iam goingbackhomewi thhim.Idi
d
sayIwasgoi ngtogot oahotelorl
odgebuthe
refused.Saiditwasn’
tsafeafterwhatj
ust
happened.Hecal ledforatowingtr
uck,aft
er
theytookmycar ,
wewer eonourway .
ENJOYANDSHAREPLEASE♡
I
NSERT34

COLLATERALDAMAGE.

Noun

1.Damaget oci
vi
li
anproper
tyorciv
il
ian
casual
tiest
hatar
eunint
endedresul
tofmil
i
tar
y
operat
ions

2.Uni
ntendedv
ict
imsofanattackt
arget
edat
someoneorsomethi
ngelse.

Lif
eformei
sver
yunpredi
ctabl
e.Oneminut
es,
thesmokei
scl
eari
ngandthenext,
ther
eisfi
re
al
lov eragai n.Tobef rank–Idi dn’ tthi
nkt hat
Guywoul dr eallygetmar ri
ed.It houghti twas
j
ustsomet hingt hatwoul dpassbutwhenIsaw
him kissherear liertodaysomet hingi nme
mov ed.Itdawnedonmet hatIhadr eallyjust
l
ostsomeonet hatIdeepl ycar eabout .Isawt he
wayhel ookedather ,he’shappywi t
hhi s
decisionandIwi llrespectt hat.Per hapsmay be
Iwil
l fi
ndanot herGuyormay beIwi l
l f
allfora
gir
llikemyt winsi ster.OrIwi ll
gr owol dand
l
onel y.I
twoul dhav ebeenni cetogr owol dwi t
h
Luckybymysi de; butIdon’ tthinkour swas
‘
wr i
ttenint hest ar s’ashopel essr omant ics
woul dsay .Luckywant stobeahusbandand
sett
ledown–I–ont heot herhand–hav ebeen
badlybruisedbyt hingssuchasset t
li
ngdown
andgi vi
ngi nto‘ l
ov e’.Icoul dnev erbeakept
womanagai n.
Whatwor
ri
edmei sthat
,Mandisami
ghtbe
i
nvol
vedi
nhisdaughter
’sdeat
handt
heyare
marri
edalr
eady.Forhersake,Ihopet her
e’sa
ver
yvali
dexplanati
onbecausewhenLucky
l
earnsofmyf i
ndings;
hemi ghtjustshootheri
n
t
hehead.GiventhatIdon’
tshootherf ir
st.

Whenwear rivedattheDlami nis;Luckyhad

alr
eadyl eftwi t
hhi swifefortheirhoney moon.I
don’tknowwhet herthi
sisagoodt hingornot
butMhl ongoi sher easwel l.OnlyMenzi andI
areawar eofwhat ’sbeenhappeni ngandwhat
happened.Menzi seemst obeoft hei deathat
Mhl ongoisawar eIam cat chingupwi thhis
twistedplay sandt hathecal l
edt hathi ttoki
ll
mesot herei snomor esnoopi ngar ound.When
askedwhyIwast here;wesai dmycarbr oke
downandt heyallboughtt hatidea.

I
’m out
sidegazi
ngatthestar
s.Theyalwaysdid
makethenighteversosubl
ime.Idon’
treal
ly
knowwhattodoorwher et osi
t.Zahhasn’
tsaid
awordtomesi nceIarri
ved.Mthoisnowhere
tobefoundandPaul andhiswifeaskedmeto
begonebymor ning,
saidtheydon’twant
dangerar
oundtheirfamil
y.

“
Yourcarbrokedownhuh?
”Ijumpedasmy
mindwasforcef
ull
ypul
l
edbacktoreal
i
ty.

“Mhl
ongo,
”Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.“Whatwer
eyou
sayi
ng?
”

“Nothing,you’vebeenver
ydi st
antl
atel
y.You
don’tcall
mel i
keyouusedt o.Youdon’
tarrange
forourmeet ingsinthefi
eld?Shoul
dIbe
worried,
”

“
I…no!I
’
vej
ustbeenv
erybusywi
tht
hepol
i
ce.
Tr
yingt
ocl
earmynameand…st
uff
.”

“Yeah!Okay …besaf enowanddon’ tsti

cky our
nosewher eitdoesn’ tbelong.Thatshit
’s
danger ous!”hedashedawayl eavi
ngmewi th
whatsoundedl i
keat hr
eat.ComeonRai nbow!
Youcanf i
gur eitout.Justt hi
nk…thi
nk…think.I
suddenl yremember edNdumi sotel
li
ngmet o
notthinkandj ustlookpr et
ty.Mymi ndisabi t
fi
nickyr i
ghtnow, Ican’tseem tothi
nkstraight.
Everythingisjusteni gmai mpossibl
etopi ece
together.
Iwenti
ntoZah’
sroom wher
eI’
ll
besleepi
ng.
Shewasther
ealsoget
tingr
eadyforbed.

“
Hi,
”Ist
oodbyt
hedoor
.

“
Her
e,”shet
hrewat
-shi
rtatme.“
Wedon’
thav
e
t
otal
k!”

“
Zahcomeon!
”Ibegged.

“Menziwasrightabouty ou;youarenothingbut
tr
ouble.Idi
dn’tgetachancet otelly
out hatday
whenSam diedbutIhat ey ouRainbow,or
Tumeloorwhoev ery ouare.Ihat
ey oufor
comingintoourliv
eswi t
hy ourstupi
dt r
agic
stor
yandget t
ingmi xedwithmybr other,
”

“That
’snotf
air
,Idi
dn’
tplanthatday
…Iam nota
badperson,
Iwouldneverdosuchat hi
ng.
”

“Luckyoncet ol
dmet hatt
here’
sadi f
fer
ence
betweenRai nbowandTumelo;thatTumelowas
self
ish,caged,fear
ful
andtamed.AndRai nbow
wasl ov
ing,warm andmushy.Ilookedatyou
todaywheny ouwalkedinallhighandmi ghty
andIr eal
i
zedthatwhetheryouar ecal
led
RainboworTumel o,youarejustabadper son.
”
Icanheareverythi
ngshe’ssayingbuther
analogyismakingsenseinav erydif
ferentway
tome.

“Whet
herI’
m Tumel
oorRai
nbow,I
’m st
il
lthe
sameperson…”Imumbl
edtomysel
f.

“
I’
m gl
adwe’
reont
hesamepage,
”

“ExcusemeZah,canwecar r
yonwi t
hthis
l
ater,
”Istor
medout.Imarchedaroundthe
houselooki
ngforMenzi
.Ifoundhim out
side
withMhlongoandafewothermen.

“
Menzi
,
”Ical
l
ed.Hel
ookedbackatme.
“
Cany
ouhel
pmeandZahi
nherr
oom?
”
“
Wit
hwhat
?”heasked.

“
Thebed…i
t,t
hebed”

“
Letmel
ookati
t”v
olunt
eer
edMhl
ongo.

“
No!”Isharpl
ydecli
ned.“
Wewant
Menzi…pl
ease.Foll
owmenow…”Idashedback
i
ntoZah’sroom.Menzicameinnotaminut
e
l
ater
.“Good,thankGod!
”Ishutt
hedoor
.

“What
’swrongwiththebed?
”askedMenzi
as
Zahsatupstr
aight
.

“
Whatbed?
”Zahr
ecoi
l
edi
nconf
usi
on.
“Thebedi
sfi
ne.Li
sten…somet
hingj
usthi
tme
asZahwaslament
ingabouthowmuchshe
hatesme,
”

“
Okay
”Menzi
gav
emeaper
plexedexpr
essi
on.

“Wheny ourfamilybani
shedme, Mhl
ongoandI
becamev eryclose.Hetaughtmetouseagun.
Onet i
mewewer etogetherandIsawanumber
plat
einhistaxi,
”

“Whatar
ey ouget
ti
ngatherebl
uehai
redl
ady
?”
hesatontheedgeofZah’
sbed.

“
Itdoesn’
tmat
terwhi
chnameIuse,
Iam st
il
l
t
hesameperson,”
“
YoulostmeRainbow;
doy
oual
way
sspeakl
i
ke
t
his?
”heasked.

“Li
stenMenzi,t
hecart hatwasshootingatme
todaycoul
dbet heverysamecart hatshotme
andSamket hatday
, buttheychangedthe
numberplat
es.”

“Yougotshotatt
oday
?”r
emar
kedZah.“
What
didyoudo?”

“
Ishotback”Ir
esponded.

“Thatactual
lymakessense.”SaidMenzi.
“List
en,i
t’
salreadyhardenoughthatIhav
eto
standthereandcacklewithMhlongo,l
etme
takehim down.”
“
Whatdi
dMhl
ongodo?
”askedZah.

“Letmegoandsnooparoundhi
staxi
,youkeep
him busy
,”webot
hst
ormedout.

Ther eIwaslooki
ngaroundMhl ongo’
staxi
l
ooki ngforanyt
hingt
hatcoul
dpi nhimto
Sammy ’
sdeath.Oranyt
hingthatwouldmake
thingsmakesense.Bingo!It
ookapi ct
ureof
thenumberpl at
eandsentittoMenzi.andthen
texted:

DON’
TMOVE,
STI
LLLOOKI
NG.

Her
espondedsay
ing:
I
T’SND,
THAT’
SALLWENEED.
FOUNDSOMETHI
NG,
Itext
edback.

IfoundapictureofMhlongoandt heguyhe
postedonFacebookagesback.Theybot hlook
veryyoung.Itur
neditaround,itwaswr it
ten:
Smi l
oandThembaVi l
akazi.Myent i
rebody
i
mmedi atel
yrancold.Lucky ’
srealsurnamei s
Vil
akazi.

“
Hol
y-
“

“Shi
t!
”hef
ini
shedoffandpr
essedt
hegun
agai
nstmyhead.“
Whatareyoudoi
ng?
”

“
Whatar
eyouupt
o?”Il
i
ftedupmyhands.
“It
oldyoutokeepyournoseoutoft
hingst
hat
don’ti
nvol
veyou,
”

“
Mhl
ongo,
whatdi
dyoudo?
”

“Getin,staydownorIwi l
lshooty ourbr ains
out,
”hepushedmyheadwi ththegun.Igoti n
andl ai
ddownont heseatbehi
ndt hedr i
v ers.He
gotinandst art
edthecar.Icouldseet hebar rel
ofhisGl ockst i
cki
ngoutbehindhi sseatont he
sideofthewi ndow.Theexpression‘ STARI NG
DOWNTHEBARRELOFAGUN’ becamer ealit
y
forme.Myphonei sabouttodie,…i t
’sliterall
y
sayingIshoul dconnecttochargerandgi ving
mea30secondscountdownbef or eitgiv esup
onme.Iqui cklywentonmyWhat sAppand
cli
ckedt hefirstcont
actonmychatl i
standi t’
s
obviouslyMenzi .
LUCKY.COOKI
ES.Thescr
eenwentbl
ank.I
don’
tknowifi
twentt
hroughbutf
ormysake,
I’
ll
sayi
tdid.

“
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
”Iasked.

“Wherenoonewil
leverfi
ndyou,
”hesai
d.
“Comet ot
hefr
ont.I
t’
ssafenow,
”Idi
dashe
said;
Ijumpedt
othefront
.

“
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oki
l
lme?
”

“
Event
ual
l
y!”henonchal
ant
lyanswer
ed.

“
Why
?Whatdi
dIdo?
”

“Shutup,
”hesoft
lysai
d.“Youtalktoomuch.
Yousnooparoundandy ouarejustther
e…”
“Ohmygod!Wat chout !
”Icri
ed.Hel ostcont r
ol
ofthecarwhenIcr eat edascene.Iusedt hat
momentt oopent hedoorandj umpedoutofa
mov i
ngcar .If
ellonr ocksandr olledov era
coupleoft i
mes.Hi st axistopped.Ipant edon
thegr oundat t
empt ingt ogetup, Iinjuredmy
knee.I t
’sbadlyinjured.Imanagedt ogetupbut
runningwasgoi ngtobeast ruggle.Ther e’
sa
carcomi ng…Iwav edati tandcr i
edHELPbut
sadlyitpassedmer ightby .Mhl ongowasn’ t
evenr unningafterme; hewaswal king
unhur ri
ed.Likehehadal lt
het i
mei nt hewor l
d.

“Comebacky ounglady!
”hey ell
ed.Il
imped
awaynotpr eparedtogiveupjustasy et.“
You
know, youcausedthis?Youbr oughtthi
supon
yourself
.Youar eal
way ssnoopingand
snoopingandsnoopi ng.It
ri
edt okeepy ou
away .Itol
dyout ostayaway…buty oujusthad
to,
”whatwasIt hinkingthough?Jumpi ngoutof
av ehicl
ei nmot ion?I fmykneei sn’
tbr oken,i
t’
d
beami racle.“Honey ,y
ouar ejustcollateral
damage.I t
sr eallysadt hatitallhadtocomet o
thi
s, Iwasr eall
yf ondofy ou.Youhadbecomea
partofme.Fami l
y.buty ouknowwhatt heysay?
allgoodt hingsmustcomet oanend. ”He
i
ncr easedhi spaceandsodi dI.“Pl
easedon’ t
makewal kf astert hanIshoul d,Ial
readyhat e
runningasi ti
s.It’sbadf ormyhear t,”his
footstepst humbedl ouderandf ast
erbehi ndme,
Ipickedupmypacebuti tyieldednor esults
seeingt hathej ustr anandst oodbef oreme.

“Whatdoyouwant
?”Icleanedt
hebl
ood
comingoutofmymouth.

“Fr
om you?Ohnot
hing.I
’
m donewithy
ou”he
chuckl
ed.“
HenceI
’l
lbekil
li
ngyou,
butweneed
togobacknow, ”Ishookmyhead.“Tur
nthe
fuckaroundandgetbackintot
hetaxi
Rainbow,”her
aisedhisvoi
ce.

“
No!letmego…l
eavemealone”hebentdown,
I
t
houghthewasgoi
ngtocarr
ymeback.

“Ir
eall
ydon’twantt odothi
s,butyouleaveme
nochoice…”hesay s.Il
etoutaloudscream
whenhest artedpressi
ngontheinjur
edpar tof
myknee.Wi thouteventhi
nki
ngabouti t
,I
punchedhimi nthenose.Hereleasedmyl eg
andtendedtohi snose.

“
Ihat
eyou,
”It
ookonat
hickst
accat
o.

“
Fine,
”her
oseupwit
halargerock.“
I’
m sorr
y
f
orthi
sRai
nbow.Ir
eal
lydi
dn’twanttohurty
ou,
buty
ouar
epr
ovi
ngt
obev
eryt
roubl
esome.
”

Thelastt
hingIr
ememberwasf
eel
inggr
eat
pai
ninmyheadaf t
erhehi
tmewit
htherock.

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT36

FLATLI
NE

Noun

1.Anunchangi
ngst
ate,
asi
ndi
cat
edi
nagr
aph
ofavar
iabl
eovert
ime.

2.Asy
stol
etheabsenceofhear
tcont
ract
iosor
br
ainwav
ess.

Gabhadi yai sintri

guingt olookatandt ol ist
en
to.He’ssmar tanddi fferentfr
om hisdel inquent
peers.Itmakesmewonderwhatsor toflife
doeshel ead.Wher edoeshel i
ve?Wi thwhom
doeshel i
v e?Doeshehav ef
amily?Ar ebot h
parentsal iveandpr esent ?Whatsor tof
chil
dhooddi dhehav e?Doeshehav er egr et
s
andf ears?Whoi sheandwhywoul dhewor k
forsomeonel i
keMhl ongo?Wel lt
obef rank,I’d
havewor kedf orhimt oobef oreknowi ngal lthat
Iknownow.Iwaswat chinghimthrought he
brokenwi ndowconv ersingwithhisfellow
cri
mi nalfriendsorcol l
eaguesearli
er.Whenhe
l
aughs, all hi
st eethshowandhi sey esget
smaller.

Thedoorf
lewopen,
it’
soneoft
hem.t
hemean
one.Hest
oodbyt
hedoorandst
aredatme.

“Wher
e’sev
ery
body
?”Iasked.“
It
’sawf
ull
y
qui
et?
”

“Theywenttogetfood?”hetookast epforward
andthenclosedt
hedoor .Inodded.“I
t’
sjustyou
andInow”Icanseef rom hi
sey esthatIshoul
d
befearf
ul.HegotcloserandImov edaway .

“
Cany
oust
ayt
her
epl
ease?
”Ir
equest
ed.

“You’r
eaboutt
odieanyway;Imayaswel
l
pleasurey
ou,
”heknel
tinfr
ontofme.

“Getthehel
lawayf
rom me,
”Ishout
ed.He
grabbedmycheekswi
thonehandand
t
ight
enedhi
sgr
ip.Isqueezedmyey
esshut
.

“Shutt hef uckup”hegotoutagunandshov ed

i
tinsi demymout h.Thi smanl i
vescr i
me.Hei s
acrimi nal bynat ureandIcanseei ti nhiseyes
thathehasdonet hingsfarwor sethanthis.I
bestbehav emy sel fifIdon’twanttodie.“take
offy ourpent ies,
”Ishookmyheadandr ubbed
myhandst ogetherasIat temptedtosay
‘
please’ wit haguni nmymout h.Hepul l
edout
thegun, shotbehi ndmet hendrewi tbackbut
restedt hebar relonmyf oreheadthisti
me.

“Please,Iam beggi
ngyou.Pleasedon’
thurtme
l
iket hi
s,
”Icried.Hest
art
edunf ast
eni
nghisbel
t,
thenshov edhishandi
nside.Hebroughtouthi
s
hardpeni s.

“
Youknowwhatt
odo,
”hesay
s.
“Please”Icoul
dtastemytears.That
’show
muchIwascr yi
ng.Hegrabbedmyheadf rom
thebackandst art
edpushingitf
orward.“
Stop!
”
Ifought.

“Suckmyf uckingcock,yousl ut
,”Ipushedhi
m
awaybuthedi dn’tf
all
.Insteadhepushedmet o
thefloorandt henspreadmyl egsopencausing
theinjuredonet oacheev en.Hecameov erme
sweat i
ngandpant i
ng.Heki ssedmyf acewhile
adjustingthi
ngsbet weenmyt highs.

Thedoorfl
ewopen.Ev
ery
thi
ngcametoastop.
Hestoppedanddr
ewhisatt
ent
iont
othedoor.
They
’reback.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngMusa?
”askedGabhadi
ya.
“ComeonG,you’l
lhav
eyourt
urnaf
ter
…”he
saidhuf
fi
ngontopofme.

“
Comehere,”hegotupandIsatupst r
aight.He
f
ixedhi
spantsandwalkedupt oGabhadiya.
“
Whatwerey ousay
ingjustnow?”

“Iwassay i
ng,you’l
lgetyourtur
naft
erme”he
repeated.“
Wedon’ thavetobeentir
elybor
ed
whilewewai tforMhlongo,”hesmil
edeverso
enthusiast
ical
ly,
asifproudofhimselff
or
comi ngupwi t
hsuchabr il
li
anti
dea.

“Oh,
Igetyou.We’l
lall
haveourti
mewi t
hher,”
sai
dGabhadiyawhil
ethisdognoddedexci
tedl
y.
“We’
llal
lj
ustrapeheronebyone…all
fourof
us,
”
“It
’snotr eal
lyrapei fshe’l
ldie…”Gabhadi ya
threwapunchacr osshisf acewhi chlanded
him ont hefloor.Thet woot herguy sdidn’teven
comet ohisaid.Whenheat temptedt ogetup,
Gabhadi yasenthi m backt ot hedustwi th
anot herpunch.From t hereonhej uststarted
beatinghi m senselessly.Oneoft heusel ess
guy shadt ocalm him down.NowI ’
m al
onewi t
h
anunconsci ousbl oodyman.

Idon’twantt
obehereanymore.Ican’
tbe
here…Ineedt
ogetoutofher
e.

“
Pleaseletmego,
”Ibeggedt hem.“
Ihave
money.Icangi
veyoualldoublewhatev
er
Mhlongoisgi
vi
ngyou.Please”

“Di
dhehurtyou?”askedGabhadi
ya.Ishookmy
head.“
Stayputt
hen,”hest
eppedoutsidewit
h
hi
smat
es.

Ihadey esf
ixedont
hebloodyi
ndivi
dualonthe
fl
oor.Iwon’tl
etmyguarddown.Iwon’
tev en
bli
nk.Ineedtobeawareofhi
sev er
ymov e.

Aft
ersomet i
me;Iwasof feredfoodwhi chI
coul
dn’teat.Ihadlostappetit
eaf t
erthat
eminentl
yterri
fyi
ngordeal.Ireall
ythoughthe
wasgoingtor apemeandt henkillme.
Gabhadiyawalkedinandshutt hedoor.

“
Youokay
?”heasked.

Inodded,
“Wher
eishe?
”

“
Out
side,
”hesay
s,“
Don’
twor
ry,
hewon’
thur
t
y
ouagai
n.”

“
Hedi
dn’
thur
tme,
”

Avi
brat
ionresonat
edfrom hi
spocket
.He
r
eachedinandpull
edoutaphone,def
ini
tel
ynot
t
heoneMhl ongocal
ledhi
m on.

“YES”hepi
ckedup,
“HECALLEDEARLIERSAI
D
HEWASONHI SWAY.IHAVENTMOVED. ”He
l
ookedatme, “
HERKNEEISBADLYINJURED,
SHECOMPLAI NEDABOUTAHEADACHEBUTI
THINKWECANMAKEI TOUTBACK.THERE’SA
BROKENWI NDOW,”

“
Who’
sthat
?”Iquest
ioned.
“
YEAH,
THAT’
SEXACTLYWHEREWEAT,
”

“
Isi
tMhl
ongo?I
sheher
e?”

“
YESSI
R,”heputt
hephonebacki
ntohi
spocket
.

“Li
stent
ome,wearegoingt oj
umpoutthe
windowandgoint
ot hewoodsbutweneedto
beveryf
ast
.”Hesaidkneel
ingbef
oreme.

“
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
”

“Whereyouwon’ tdi
e.Bev er
yqui
et,
”he
i
nstruct
edhelpingmeup.Hecar ef
ull
yjumped
outthewindowt henhelpedmeoutaswel l
.He
carr
iedmei nt
ot hewoodsandranasf astashe
coul
d.Butitwasn’tlongunti
lweheardfast
pacedf
ootst
epsandshout
ingbehi
ndus.Igun
wentof
f.

“
Gabhadi
yay
oudev
il
!”

“
Canyouseethem?”heaskedr
unni
ngli
kehe
wasn’
tcar
ryi
ngahumanbeingi
nhisar
ms.

“
No,
”Ianswer
ed.

“
We’
real
mostt
her
e,”hepr
ofessed.

“Where?”hecametoastop.“Putmedown,I
thi
nkwel ostt
hem,
”hecareful
lyputmedown,I
stoodononelegandhel
dont ohisshoul
derf
or
balance.
“
Weneedt okeepmovingstr
aightahead.We’
ll
f
indhel
p,”hepant
ed.“
Youknow, you’
renotas
l
i
ghtasyoulook.Ir
eal
lyunderest
imatedyou,
”

“
Gabhadi
ya”t
heycal
l
edhi
m.

“
List
entome,”hewhisper
ed.“
theywantyou.I
wantyout
oleadthem tot
heendofthebush,”

“
What
?!?They
’l
lj
ustt
akeme,
”

“No,t
hepoli
cearether
e.Ij
ustwanty
outoget
t
heiratt
ent
ionsothey’
l
lcomeoutofthebush.
Gotit
?”

Inodded.“Youpr
omiseyouwon’tl
ett
hem t
ake
me?”het ookmyhand,wrappedhi
shumongous
pi
nkyf
ingerar
oundmi
ne.

“
Ipi
nkypr
omi
se,
”

“
Okay
,”

“
I’
ll
hidei
ncaset
heyt
ryt
omakear
unf
ori
t.
Now…go…”

Il
i
mpedt
owar
dst
heendoft
hebush.

“Helpme!”Ishouted.Il
ookedatGabhadiya
cli
mbingupat reesoeffort
lessl
y.“
I’
m her
e,hel
p
me,”theyappearedfrom t
het r
ees,
both
pointi
ngagunatme.

“
Ify
ouknowwhat
’sbestf
ory
out
heny
ou’
d
comeback,”Il
impedon,fearfult
hatoneof
them mi
ghtpullt
hetri
gger.Ifi
nall
yImadeitt
o
theendofthebush.Ther
e’slif
ethissi
de.
Peoplel
i
vingandhousesst andi
ng.

“
HANDSUPPOLI
CE!PUTTHEGUNSDOWN!
”

“
Miss!
”apol
i
cev
anpul
l
edup.Guycameout
r
unni
ng.

“
Lucky
!”myheartr
ejoi
cedseei
nghi
mr unaf
ter
me.Hewassafeandali
veandhefoundme.

“Rai
nbowgetdown”t henextt hi
ngIsawIwas
ontheground.Gabhadiyawasshi el
dingme.I
l
ookedatLucky,hewasl ookingatmet oothen
hefel
ltohisknees.What’shappening?!The
gunwentoffagain,Isawthebullethit
ti
nghim
t
hist
ime.Somet
hingi
nmedi
edat
housand
t
imes.

“Lucky
!”Icr
ied,
unabletomovebecause
Gabhadiyawasstil
lhol
dingont
ome.Anot her
r
oundofshot sfi
red.“
Letmego!”If
ought.

“St
aydownRainbow.Hewillbefi
ne”hi
svoi
ce
soundeddi
stor
tedanddi
stant.

“Luckysaysomet hi
ngpl ease,
”Ifeltapi topen
atthebottom ofmyst omach.Ineedt obewi t h
him.He’shur t
.“Gabhadi ya,t
heshoot i
nghas
stopped.Please,letmegot ohim, please”he
l
oosenedhi sgr i
par oundme.Idi dn’tcar eabout
myi nj
uredknee, Ihadt ogettoGuy .Iranas
quickasIcoul duntilIreachedhim.Some
poli
cemenwer ealreadysur r
oundinghi mt ryi
ng
tohelpputhimi nsidet hevan.“Lucky ,I’
m here.”
tookhi shand.Theygothi mi nsidet hevanand
theent ir
etimeIwashol dinghisbl oodyhand.
Hi sbreathingwasl abor edandv ery
traumat i
zingt ol
istento.“ I’
m sor r
y,”Icri
ed.
“Listentome, wear egoi ngtot hehospi tal
okay …justkeepy ourey esopen. ”Iremember ed
telli
ngSammyt ostayawake.Ir emember edher
bloodal lovermeandherdy ingonmei nthe
mi ddleofthest reet.Atearf ellouthi seyeand
i
nt ohisear .“Dri
vef ast
er !
”Ishout ed.

Ican’
tloseGuy.IknowI’
m beingsel
fishright
nowbutIcannotlosehim.Hisdaughterdiedin
myar ms;herbl
oodwasal lov
erme.Lucky ’
s
bloodisal
lovermeandt hemoretimehe
spendsinthi
svant hel
essIhearhim breathe.
“
Miss,
”Ihear
dhi
m say
.

“
I’
m her
e,”hi
sey
eswer
ecl
osed.
“
I…”hedr
ewi
nai
randt
henexhal
ed,
“Il
ovey
ou,
”

“
No,Fucky
ou!Don’
tsayt
hatt
ome…y
ouwi
l
lbe
f
ine.
”

“
Ilov
eyouMi
ss,
”

“Okayfine!Il
oveyou…IswearIloveyou.Please
don’tdi
e.Iwillt
ell
youIloveyoueverysingl
e
day,IpromiseyouLucky”hestoppedbreathing
atall
.“Lucky!Pl
easedon’tdothi
s,
”

Bythetimewegott othehospit
al,
hehadn’t
mov ed,
br eathedorspoke.Hewasnobet ter
thanacor pseawai t
ingitsbur
ial
.Iwai
tedfor
somebody ,
any bodytotell
mewhatwas
happening.Nur seskeptwalki
nginoutofhis
room butnoonecoul dtel
lwhatIwant edto
hear;
thatLuckywasgoi ngtobeokay .Ihave
drybl
oodal lovermyhandsandsomest ainson
mydr ess.Idon’twantt
omov efrom whereIam
i
ncase, hewakesupandneedsme.

“Pleaselethim beokay ,
”Isaidapr ayerto
what everforceorpowert hati
soutt herethat
’s
biggerthanmeandmywhol eexistence.
Mandi sa…Mt ho.Luckycan’tdie.Hehaswayt oo
mucht oli
vef or
.Ifsomeonehast odie,thenI
offermy selfbutitcannotbeLucky .Iref
use.

“Rai
nbow,”Iheardanal lt
oof amil
iarvoice
call
i
ngmyname.Il i
ftedupmyheadandsaw
Menzi.“Whathappened? ”heisholdinghimself
backfrom cr
ying.Asf orme,atthismoment ,I
thi
nkI’
m atmyweakest .Icouldn’
tholdmy sel
f
backfrom cr
ying.Igotupandappr oachedhim.
“Theyshothi m…”Icl eanedmyey es.“Twi ce
and…Iwashol dinghishandt omakesur ehe
knewhewasnotal one.Thedoctor’sstil
l busy
.”
Itookonahi ghpitch,“Andthisishisblood,
therewasj ustblood…hest oppedbr eathingand
noonewant st otellmeany t
hing.ButIt oldhim
thatIlovedhim, ”Imumbl edandst utter
edmy
wayt hroughev eryt
hingthatIcanr emember .

“
Rai
nbow,
”hecal
l
edmyname.

“Menzi
,I’
m sosorry
.Isai
dashortpray
erthathe
doesn’
tdie…hecannotdi
e,i
fhedoespleaseki
ll
me,”hedrewmei ntohi
schestandhel
dme.

“
Thi
swasn’
tyourfaul
tRainbow,
”hesai
d.“
Now
t
heboyi
sgoingtobefine,
”
“
Buthestoppedbr
eat
hing,
”Iwai
l
edandsobbed
i
nhischest
.
“Li
stentome, ”hecuppedmyf aceinhishands
andlookedatme, “Yout hinkifhewasdeadt he
doctor
swoul dst i
l
lbei nt herewi t
hhim? ”he
pausedandwai t
edf ormyr esponse.Ishookmy
head.“That
’sLuckywe’ retalki
ngabout .He
doesn’tdi
e…it’
snoti nhisnat ure,”Inoddedand
tri
edtogetmymi ndt oal i
gnwi thwhathewas
tel
li
ngme.If orcedmy selftobelievethatdyi
ng
wasnoti nLucky’snatur e.

Menzi
andIsatt
oget
herinsil
enceandwai
ted
f
orsomegoodnewsfrom t
hedoctors.

“Menzi!
”shoutedav oi
cefr
om downthehal
l.
It
’sMandisa.“
Wher eismyhusband?
”hervoi
ce
broke.Shemar cheduptousdemanding
answers.“WhathappenedtomyLucky ?
”Menzi
andIgotup.“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”shel
ookedat
me.

“Mandi
,wehaven’
theardany
thi
ng.Thedoct
ors
arest
il
lbusy
…”answeredMenzi
.

“Whatdidyoudot omyhusbandRainbow?This
i
sallyourf
ault
,”herey
esboreintomine.Ihav
e
noenergyt
odef endmyhonorrightnow.

“Itisnot!Mandi sa,Iunderstandyouar e
fright
enedbutpoi nti
ngfingerswill
notmake
thissituat
ionanybet t
er,
"Menzi defendedme.
"Mybabybr otheristhereandonl yGodknows
what ’
shappeni ngbehi ndthisdoorandt helast
thingheneedsi shiswi f
ebl amingpeople,
poi nt
ingfingersatthev erypeopleheloves
dear l
y,”helookedatmeandt henbackather ,
“Yout wo…don’ t.Mandisa,justdon’t
.Isuggest
yousitdownandgat heryourself
.”Wel lMenzi
hasspoken.Andi ndeed, Mandisalocateda
seatfarawayf rom meandwai t
edwi t
hus.she
keptcleaningherey esandal lIwant edtodo
wastot alktoherandcomf or
ther ,especial
l
y
knowingt hatsheisn’twor ki
ngwi thMhl ongo.
She’
sr ealandtangibl e.Iwasquickt ojudgeher
andthat’snotv er
yni ce.

Thedoort
oLucky’
sroom opened.Weal
l
j
umpedtoourfeet
.

“
Ishef
ine?
”Ihast
enedt
othedoct
or.

“
Arey
ouhi
swi
fe?
”hequest
ioned.

“
Ishegoi
ngt
obef
ine?
”Igotst
ern.
“
Ineedaf
ami
l
ymemberorhi
swi
fema’
am,
”

“I
’
m hiswifesi
r,
”Mandi
sacamef
orwar
d.I
steppedback.

“
I’
m hi
sbi
gbr
other
”decl
aredMenzi
.

“
Wel
l
,si
r…ma’
am”

“
Ishef
ine?
”Mandi
saasked.

“
Hei
shmmm”

“Doctor
!”anursepeekingouthi
sdoor
screamed.Icouldhearbeepi
ngaccompani
ed
byinconcei
vablecacophonyescapi
ngoutt
he
door.
“What’
shappeni ng?
”Ifol
lowedthedoctor
.I
tr
iedtoforcemywayt hroughthedoorbutthe
nurserest
rict
edme.Butf rom wher
eIwas
standi
ng,IcouldseeLuckyseizi
ng.

“He’
sf l
atl
i
ned…”announcedoneoft
henurses
i
nside.Thenoi
sedisappear
edoncethedoor
shutcomplet
ely
.

“Menzi
,myhusband”sai
dMandi
saf
rozenwi
th
shock.

“Mandisa,”Iapproachedherwi t
hmyar msopen.
I’
m basicall
ytickl
ingthedragon’
stail
here,butI
wanthert oknowt hatI
’
m hereforherandIcare
aboutLuckyt oo.Hegotmet ofucki
ngsayI
l
ov ehi
ml ikefuck.Shet ookaquickstepback.
“St
ayawayf rom me.”Iwonderwhatshehear d.
Shemusthav eheardsomethingaboutmeandI
suspectZahupdatedherandt henthist
ragi
c
acci
dentjustaddedsaltt
othewound.“ Menz i
youmustbehungr y”shesays.“I’
l
lgoandf i
nd
somethingtoeatandcheckMt ho,”shewalked
away.

“
She’
l
lcomear
ound,
”sai
dMenzi
andInodded.

“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”Iasked.

“Mhl
ongo’
shouse.Iwaswatchi
nghishouse
si
ncetheweddi
ngnight
.Henevercameback
homesohemusthav eanot
herhidi
ngplace,
”

“
Wher
eishenow?
”
“
MIAhejustdi
sappear
edl
i
kehewasnev
er
t
her
e.”

“
Butwe’
l
lfi
ndhi
m,r
ight
?”

“
Youbet
!I’
veal
readymadesomecal
l
s,”
“
Iwantt
ohel
p,”henodded.

“
Ofcour
se.Youneedt
oo…”

“Whereverheis,hebetterprayGuydoesn’ tdi
e
becauseIwillki
llhi
m slowlyandpainfull
y.I
swearthat…”Icouldfeelmyangert r
av el
li
ng
thr
oughmybody .Myhandswer eburningalong
wit
hmyhear tasthoughsetablaze.Mhl ongois
donefor…
“
Ibel
i
evey
ou,
”

HAPPYMONDAY.HAVEBEAUTI
FULDAY♡
I
NSERT35

UNRAVEL

Ver
b

1.Tosepar
atet
het
hreads;
disent
angl
e

2.Toclearfr
om compl
i
cat
ionordi
ff
icul
ty;
to
unfol
d;tosolv
e.

IhopeI
’
m dead,
thent
hingswi
l
lbeeasi
er.I
won’thav etobeapar tofMhl ongo’ sgame.
ThenI ’dbeadeadbody ,adeadgi r
l.I’
dbea
cri
mescene.Mydeat hwoul dprobabl yli
nk
thi
ngst ogetherandhel psol vet
hecr ime.But
mor eimpor tantl
y,Iwoul dn’
tbeRai nbow
anymor e.Iwoul dn’tbeat wi nsepar atedatbirt
h,
Iwoul dn’thaveamessed- upchi ldhood, I
wouldn’ tbeadomest icv i
olencesur vi
vorandI
wouldn’ tbeaki l
ler.I’
dj ustbeadeadbody ,
unbot heredandcol d.Also; Iwoul dn’tbethegirl
thatlostGuy .Iwonderi fmypar ent swouldcry
forme?Wel l,may bedaddywoul dbutasf or
mama, Ibetadol l
art oadoughnut ,shewon’ t
evenshedat ear
.Guywoul dcr y,al i
ttl
eand
Mondewoul dbebr oken.Seei ngt hatshej ust
foundme.

Fuck!Monde,Iwassupposedt osl
eepoverat
herplaceaft
erIcomebackf r
om theweddi
ng.
Wehadpl annedtogoandfindMbongeniand
Suzanna.Wef oundanaddr essandt elephone
number sbutt heydi dn’twantt otalk,theysai d
wewer el y
ing,t heirbabi esdiedandt hatwej ust
wantedmoney .Appar ently
, t
hey’r
el oaded.I sit
ashamet hatIt houghti twasbummert of i
nd
outtheywer efinanci all
yov erf
lowing?Ij ust
wantednor mal parent swi thanav eragef lowof
i
ncomeandanor dinaryhousewi th1car .From
whatIreadont hei nternet,Mbongeni ,ourf ather
i
sal awy er.Anat t
or neyt obepr eci
se.Heowns
apracti
ce.Andt hemot her,Suzannaownsa
beautyspaof f
er i
ngav ari
etyofbeaut y
ther
apies.

Whyt hefuckam It hinki

ngaboutall t
hisatt hi
s
ver
ydi r
et i
me?Icoul dbedeadf oral lIknow.I
peel
edmyey esopen, t
here’
sacandl einf ront
ofme.I ’
ml ayingonthef l
oor;pr
acticall
yt hrown
andleftfordead.Ther e’
snocarpetorr ug,just
dustanddi rt
.Thewi ndowsar ebroken, roofi s
sti
lli
ntactbutnotforl
ong.Isatupstrai
ghtand
myheadst ar
tedpoundi
ng.Iwincedundermy
breath.Thebloodonmykneehadal r
eadydri
ed
out.Istart
edheari
ngacheer f
ulchatt
ercoming
fr
om out si
de.Thesepeopl
ear ehere,
they’
renot
passingby .

“Hel
lo!
”Ical
led.“Hel
pme!I
’minhere”t
he
l
ouderIcall
ed,themoremyheadached.The
dooropenedand4meni nbal
acl
avaswalkedin.

“Good,y
ou’
reup”oneoft
hem sai
d.“
Cal
lthe
boss,
”

“
Who’st
heboss?
”Iasked.“
Isi
tMhl
ongo?
Wher
eishe?
”

“
Shutupbi
tch!
”commandedoneoft
hem.
“
Hey!Youdon’
thavetoinsulther
….”sai
doneof
t
hem taki
ngof
fhisbal
aclava.

“I
tlooksl
i
key ouhaveasoftspotforher
,”t
hey
al
ltookofft
heirbal
acl
avasgiggl
ing.

“
I’
mjustsayi
ng,she’
sgoi
ngt
odi
eany
wayso
j
ustl
eaveherbe,
”

“
Alri
ght.We’l
lbeoutsi
de,watchher,”t
heother3
l
eftus.Hesatinthecornerandplacehisgun
r
ightbefor
ehim.West aredateachotherfora
whil
euntil
hedecidedtolookaway .

“
I’
m hungr
y,”Iment
ioned.
“
Ihaveasweet,
”hepul
l
edoutanecl
air
s’and
t
hrewitatme.

“
Isi
tanot
herday
?”Iquest
ioned.

“I
t’
stomorrow.Ti
me’s7pm,
”heanswer
ed.I
nodded.“
Ili
keyourhai
r,
”

“Yousuckatthi
sthi
ng,keepi
ngsomeone
hostage.Youar
enotsupposedtobeni
ce…”

“
Wel
l
,pl
easesendmet
hegui
det
othat
,”
“Iwi
l
l,
”hel
ookedatmei
ntheey
es,
Ilooked
away.

“
Buty
ou’
llbedead.Thebossi
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
l
y
ou,
”hesays.
“Luckyisgoi
ngtofi
ndme.Iknow…”heli
ft
edup
hiseyebrowsashenodded.“
I’
m Rai
nbow,
what’syourname?
”

“
Gabhadi
ya,
”Il
aughed.

“Li
keyourrealnamedude.Notsomename
i
ntendedtoinsti
ll
feari
npeopl
e,”Ir
oll
edmy
eyes.

“
Didi
tinst
il
lfeariny
ou?”hei
nqui
red.Ishook
myheadasmyl ipsfol
dedt
oget
her.

“You’r
enotabadper son.Youdon’
tli
kehurt
ing
people.Youdon’tst
ri
kemeast hetypewit
h
suchapr ocl
ivi
ty,
”hehasmusclesinal
ltheri
ght
places.Hisphysi
quecastsashadowofawar -
l
ord,abr av
eknightandaprotector.Hishai
ris
cutint
oaf ade,hehasasmal ldi
amondear ing
onhisrightearandascaront hetopofhis
upperli
p.Hiseyesarecleanwhite,handsare
bigenought oswall
owmi neandI ’
m cert
aina
sl
apf r
om him wouldknockmer ightout.

“
Eit
herway
,mynamei
sGabhadi
ya.
”Inodded.

“
Nicet
omeety
ou.I
’
m Rai
nbow,
”

“Youtoldmey ournamealr
eady
.AndIknow
you,I
’vebeenhearingy
ournameal ott
hese
days.I
’m gl
adtohav emetyour
ightbefor
eyou
died!
”Igri
nned.

I’
m conf
identt
hatLuckyandMenziwil
lfi
ndme.
IknowSthandwasam wil
lbef
rant
ictheminut
e
hecan’tgetahol dofmeandhe’ l
lbesmar t
enought ogetintouchwi thLucky.Thethr
eeof
them t
oget heraresmar tenoughtorescueme,
soIwillstayconfidentandpositi
ve.Oneofthe
guyspeepedt hrought hewindow.

“Hesayshewon’tbecomingtoni
ghtsowe’r
e
campinghereboy!
”hesai
d.“Wegoingtoget
somef oodanddri
nks,
”

“CanIhaveabur gerpl
ease,”Ij
umpedinona
conversat
ionIwasn’tapartof.“
Andsome
chipsandami l
kshake,”

“
Getheral
loft
hat
,”Ghabadi
yaor
der
ed.
“
Youpayi
ngforitt
hough,
”sai
dtheguyl
ooki
ng
t
hrought
hewindow.
“
Okay
,what
ever
.I’
l
lsor
tyouout
,”

Aft
ersometimesi
tt
inginsil
encewit
hthi
s
Ghabadi
yachar
act
er,Ispokeagai
n.

“
Ineedt
opee,
”Iannounced.

“Okay,”hestoodandtookhisgun,“Getup,”he
ordered.Iobeyed,t
houghitt
ookalitt
lelonger
thanitshouldhave.Il
impedoutsi
deashe
foll
owedbehi ndmewi t
hagun.

“
Doy ouhaveat
orch?
”Il
ookedbackathi
m.
“
It
’sdark,
”

Het
ookouthi
sphoneandl
i
ttheway
.
“
Youshoul
dbef
ineher
e.”het
urnedar
ound.“
I’
ll
l
ookaway .
”Ipeedandthenstayedi
nthat
posit
ionawhil
eaft
erIhadfi
nishedpeei
ng.
“Don’
ttel
lmeyouaredoingyourbusi
ness,
”

“Well
Ghabhadiy
a,i
fIfeltt
heurgeto,Iwoul
d.
ButIneedtogetdr
ydownt her
e,Idon’thav
ea
ti
ssuebecauseI
'm bei
ngheldagai
nstmywi ll
.”

“
Here,
”hehandedmeahandker
chi
efwhi
l
e
t
ryi
ngtonotl
ook.

“Thanky
ou,
”Icl
eanedmy
sel
fandt
hent
hrewi
t
away.

“
Youowemeahanky
,”

“
I’
m adeadwomanwal
ki
ng,
”hef
oll
owedme.
WhenIwasi nMhl ongo’staxilayinglow;Iwas
scared.Iwaspani cking.ThefirstthingI
thoughtaboutwasLuckyandt henI
remember edwhenwedi dthedi amondj ob,he
saidifIwant edtopul lout;Ishouldsay
COOKI ES.So, solongast hatwor dhadn’tlef
t
mymout h,Iwasst il
lsafeandgood.Iknow
Menzi wi l
lcontactGuyandt ellhim whatIsaid
andGuywi l
lknowwhatt odo.Pr ovidedthathe
i
sst i
llalivewherev erheis.West i
lldon’
tknow
whatMandi sa’splayisinallthis.Forallwe
know, shemi ghthav ehi mtiedupsomewher e
andt orturi
nghim orshemi ghthav edeli
v er
ed
him straighttoMhl ongo.

Gabhadi
ya’
sphoner
ang.

“
HELLLO,
”heanswer
ed.“
SHE’
SHERE,
”hecame
closerandknel
tbef
oreme.“
Hewant
stot
alkt
o
you,”

“
WHERE’SLUCKY?
”Iasked.“ISWEAR
MHLONGO,I
FYOUHURTHI M,IWILLKI
LLYOU
MYSELF,
”

“RAI
NBOW,RELAX.YOURBOYI
SFI
NE.IWAS
JUSTCHECKI
NGONYOU. ”

“TELLMEEVERYTHING.MAKEITALLMAKE
SENSE.YOU’
LLKILLMEANYWAYSOYOUMAY
ASWELLUNRAVELMYMI ND”Idemanded.

“FAI
RENOUGH.WELL…I’
M THEMBAVILAKAZI
.
SMILOWASMYBI GBROTHERANDALSO
NHLANHLAVILAKAZI
’
SFATHER.NHLANHLA,
MYNEPHEW KILLEDMYLITTLEBROTHER.HE
KI
LLEDHI
SFATHER,
”

“SOTHATMANISLUCKY’
SFATHER,
”Isai
d.
“BUT,
WHYKILLSAMMY,SHEHADNOTHING
TODOWI THTHI
S”

“HI
SKIDSWEREHI SONLYBLOODRELATIVES,
IWANTEDHI M TOFEELTHEPAI
NIFELT.MY
BROTHERWASASHES, LI
KEAPI
ECEOFWOOD
SETABLAZE.MYMENSAW ANOPPORTUNI TY
ANDTOOKI T,
”

“MEANI
NGTHEYWEREWATCHI
NG,
CAMPI
NG
SOMEWHERE,
”

“
CORRECT,
”
“BUTYOUCOULDHAVEDONETHI
SWHEN
THEYWEREGOINGTOSCHOOLORCOMI
NG
BACKFROM SCHOOL,
”

“WHENYOUCAMEAROUNDWI THYOUR
MESSEDUPABUSIVEHUSBAND,IKNEW
YOU’DBETHEIRFI
RSTSUSPECT.THATTAKES
THEIRATTENTI
ONAWAYFROM FI NDI
NGOUT
THEREALTRUTH.LUCKYWENTASFARAS
TAKINGONTHECHARACTEROFMARKJUST
TOPI NTHI
SNDUMISODOGDOWNANDHAVE
HIM BEHI
NDBARS.THAT’
SHOW MUCHHE
BELI
EVEDHEDI DI
T.”

“SOALLTHI
STOAVENGEAMANTHATWAS
JUSTASBADASNDUMISO?
”

“AFTERI’
M CONVI
NCEDTHATHEHAS
SUFFEREDENOUGH.I’
M GOI
NGTOKI
LLHI
M.
WITHHIM OUTOFTHEPI CTURE,IWI
LLBEIN
CHARGEOFTHEI RTAXI
SHEREI NDURBAN
ANDTHATWOULDOPENUPNUMEROUS
ROUTSTODI STRI
BUTEDRUGS,”

“I
’
VEGOTTOHANDITTOYOU,
YOURPLANI
S
PRETTYSOLI
D.”

“NOTSOLIDENOUGHFORYOU.YOUAREA
VERYSMARTGI RLRAI
NBOW.YOUREYESARE
ALWAYSLOOKING.YOU’REALWAYS
CALCULATINGANDANALYZING,THAT’
SA
VERYGOODTRAI T.
”Hechuckl
ed,
“YOU’
DHAVE
REALLYBEENAGOODADDI TIONTOTHE
TEAM”

“HERE’
SWHATDOESN’TADDUPTHOUGHOLD
MAN,”Iremember
edami
nordet
ail
.“MANDI
SA?
THERE’
SADAYYOUMETUPWI THHER;A
VI
DEOOFTHETWOOFYOUWASTAKEN.
WHATWEREYOUARGUI
NGABOUT?
”

“IWASTRYI
NGTOPOISONHERAGAI NSTYOU
SOYOUCOULDDISAPPEARFOREVER.ITOLD
HERTHATLUCKYWASI NLOVEWITHYOUSO
SHESHOULDTRYANDGETYOUAWAYFROM
HERMAN.SHEGOTMADANDSAI DSHEMET
YOUANDTHATYOUWEREANI CEGIRL.SHE’
S
ADAUGHTEROFAFRIEND.THEYMET
THROUGHME…INFACTSHECALLSME
UNCLE”

“
SO,
SHEHASNOI
DEAWHAT’
SHAPPENI
NG?
”

“
NOTACLUEI NTHEWORLD. ”Isi
ghedlowl
yin
r
eli
ef.Atl
eastIknowLuckyi
ssafewit
hher.she
i
sn’
trogue.
“
ONELASTTHI
NG,
WHYHELPME?
”

“TOKEEPYOUAWAYFROM LUCKY.THE
FARTHERAWAYYOUWEREFROM HI M THE
EASIERITWASTOGETTOHI M.YOUJUST
ALWAYSHADYOURGUARDUP.YOUWERE
GOINGTOPUNCHHOLESTHROUGHMYPLAN.
IWANTEDTORECRUI TYOUTOCOMEAND
WORKFORME.IWASGOI NGTOCOMETO
YOUAFTERLUCKYCHASEDYOUOUT, BUT
YOUBEATMETOI TMAKINGMYJOBEVEN
EASIER.YOUPLAYEDRI
GHTINTOMYPLAN,”

“WELLDONETHEMBA,
YOUDI
DIT,
”he
chuckl
ed.

“
RESTMYLI
TTLERAI
NBOW,
IWI
LLSEEYOU
TOMORROW,
”thephonebeeped.
Hei sright.Iplayedr i
ghtintohispl an.Iplayed
alonguni ntentionall
y.Fuckhe’sgood.Hi swhol e
planjustwor kedoutper fectl
yforhi m.Iwonder
howl onghadhebeenpl anningt his?Howl ong
hadheknownt heDlami nis?Basically,hehad
twopl ans, avengehi sbrotherandal sosel l
drugs.Bl oodyhel lheismot herfuckinggood!He
wasgoi ngt odoexact lywhatNdumi sodidto
me, sellhisdr ugsusingt heDlami nitaxisand
routessoi fany thi
ngev erbackfired, i
twouldgo
strai
ghtf orPaul Dlamini andhisf ami l
y.

“
He’
sgood,
”Isai
dtoGabhadi
ya.

“
Indeed!
”heagr
eedwit
hme.“
Youcar
eabout
t
hisLuckyi
ndi
vi
dual
?”
“
Alot
.Hesav
edme…”

PLEASESHARE♡
I
NSERT37

TANGI
BLE

Adj
ect
ive

1.Touchable;
abl
etobetouchedorfel
t;
percept
ibl
ebysenseoft
ouchpalpable

2.Possi
blet
otr
eat
edasf
act
;real
orconcr
ete.

Idon’
tthi
nkLuckyandIbel
ongt
ogether.Asi
n;I
don’
tthi
nkwewer emeantt
obeloversbutI
knowwewer emeantt obei neachot her’
slives.
Wewer emeantt oknoweachot her,support
eachot herandl oveeachot hercompl etel
y
platonicall
y.Iwouldnevertakehi m awayf rom
her ;
sheneedsherandheneedsherev enmor e.
Inowunder standwhathemeantwhenhesai d
thatshewast angiblet
ohi m.Ithinkhei s
tangibl
et ohert oo.Iam nottangibl
et oGuyi na
mannert hatMandi sai
s,andhei stangi bl
et o
mei namannert hatwebot hmighthav e
mi sunderstood.

Whathappenedtome?Whyam Iinahospi
tal
bed?andwhathappenedwi
thLucky
?

“Lucky?”Imoaned.Ilookedaroundandsaw
nothingbutcleanhospit
alwall
s,hospi
tal
equipmentandchar t
s.There’
sakneebr ace
huggingmyi njur
edknee.Ihavenoideawhat
happenedorhowIendedupbei nghospit
ali
zed
soIwillj
ustwaitandseewhathappensnext.I
am animpatientbei
ngatti
messoIhopeIwi ll
notret
reatandcrawloutofthi
sroom t
ogoand
getanswers.
Thedooropened.Fi
nal
l
y.

“You?”It
ri
edt
osi
tupbutmyheadhadot
her
plans.

“
StaydownRai
nbow,
”heor
der
ed.

“
Whatareyoudoingher
e?”Iasked.Ir
ubbedmy
f
oreheadt
ryi
ngtoeasetheheadache.

“Icametocheckupony
ou.Ar
eyouokay
?”he
asked.
“
Yeah,howdidIgethere?
”mymemoryhasa
l
otofblankspacesandbl
urr
edl
i
nes

“Whatdoyouremember
?”hesatonthev
isi
tor
’s
seatandr
estedhi
sar
msont hebed.

“I
…Iwaswi t
hMenziandMandisa.Wewere
wait
ingfort
hedoct
orandthenLuckyhada
sei
zure,
”

“
Ifoundyouwit
hMenzi.Youst
oodt
ocomet
o
meandthen…”hepaused.

“
Andt
henwhat
?Whathappened?
”

“
Youal
sost
art
edsei
zi
ng.Yournosewas
bleeding…y
oudon’
trememberanyofthi
s? ”I
shookmyhead.Idon’tr
ememberanyoft he
thingshewastel
li
ngme.“Rest
,it
’sokay
.”

“
Whataboutt
heguy
s?Whathappenedt
o
t
hem?”

“
Twodead,
onei
ncust
ody
.Wegott
hem?
”

“Whatareyou?”Imeanhei
sobvi
ouslynota
cri
minal.Hewasaninf
ormert
her
e,l
ike
undercover
.

“
I’
m ahumanman.Whatabouty
ou?
”hegav
ea
l
opsi
dedgr
in.

“
Comeon,
I’
m ser
ious”
“
Iwor
kforGr
oot
boom,
li
key
ou.
”

“Oh!Fuckme!”Icl
osedmyey es.whyis
every
onearoundmej ustconnect
ed?Andwhy
doesevery
thi
ngalway si
nvolvecr
imi
nalsand
poli
ce?

“I
’dl
ovet
odot hatbutmaybewecouldgoona
coupl
eofdat
est henwecantal
kabout…”

“
Notl
i
ter
all
yyougummybear
!”

“Gummybear!”hesmi
led,
“Lookatus,we’
re
alr
eadyonpetnamesbasi
s.Atthi
srat
eIwill
havetotakey
outomeetmyf amil
ynextweek.
”
Idon’tknowwhatthi
sGabhadiyachar
acteris
tr
y i
ngtodo?Whateveri
tisheshouldstopthi
s
verymoment.I
twon’twork.Idon’
thavethe
ti
menorenergytoenter
tainsomeuseless
crushandbegoingondates.

“Wher
e’sLucky?”Iqui
ckl
ydev
iat
edf
rom what
hewasini
tiat
ing.

“Ihav
enoidea.I
’
vebeenherewit
hyousi
nce…”
hegazedatme.“ButIr
eckonhewil
lbef
ine.
”

If
orcedagr
in.

“
Heyt
hanky
ouf
orhel
pingmebackt
her
e…”

“
Itwasmyobl
i
gat
ion.I
’
m acop…”
“
Techni
cal
l
yacr
imi
nal
buthey
…”hegotup.

“Iwantt
oaskyousomething,itmi
ghtabit
uncomfort
abl
ebut…Ihaveto.
”Inodded.“
Did
Musa,youknow.Didhehurtyou?”

“
Oh!”If
orgotaboutt
hator
deal.“
No,
youcame
j
ustint
imeandIcouldnevert
hanky
ouenough
f
orthat
.

Henodded,“Well
, Iwi
lll
ety
oube.Yoursi
steri
s
somewherelookingforcof
feeandfl
owersto
decor
ateyourroom.She’ssomethi
ngalr
ight
,”

“Mysi
sterMonde?Youknowher?
”heari
ngher
namemademer eal
i
zehowhappyIam t
ohave
someonerunni
ngupanddownlooki
ngtomake
mecomf ort
able.Someonecar esaboutmeand
thatmakesmehappy .Then–ast houghshe
knewwewer et al
kingabouther–shebar gedi
n
withabouquetofflowersandother
unnecessar
ythings.

“
Speakoft
hedev
il
”sai
dGabhadi
ya.
’

“Hell
oRainbow,”shestoodbythedoort
ryi
ngto
holdher
selfbackfrom dyi
ng.“
Thankyoufor
beingal
i
ve,”

“I
t’
sapl easure,
”sheputherl
oadoffand
embr acedme.“Howdoy ouguysknoweach
otheragain?”

“
Wewor
ktoget
her
,”sai
dMonde.
“
Letmeleav
eyout
oitl
adi
es.
”Heheadedf
or
t
hedoor
.

“
Heydude!
”Ical
led.Hegavemehisatt
ent
ion.
“
What’
syourname,yourr
ealname?”

Hesmi
l
ed,
“NkonzoDube,
”

“
I’
ll
seey
ouar
ound,
”hesal
utedt
henexi
ted.

Mondetookmyhandsi
ntohers,
“Seemsl
ike
youguy
shavesomethi
nggoingon,
”shet
eased.

“
Ohno,
nev
er.Ican’
taf
for
dthat
.”

“Yourhear
tiswi
thLucky
?”shehandedmea
cupofcoffee
“No!”Idisputed,“
Myhear tiswit
hme.Lucky’
s
heartbelongst oMandisa.”It
ookasi
p,
“SpeakingofLucky ,
isheawake?Heshoul dbe
awakenow, ”

“
Rai
nbow,Luckyi
s…”hermooddampened.
“
He’
sisnotawake,
”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”If
eltmytongue
becomeinst
antlydr
y.“
He’snotdead”

“Heisnot
.Buthei sacoma.Thedoctorsdon’
t
knowwhenhemi ghtwakeup.I
tmightbenow
ornextweek…nextmonth.Orevennever
”

“Don’tsayt
hat
.You’
l
lji
nxi
t”myhear
tfel
theavy
.
Iplacedmycupofcoff
eeonthet
abl
enextto
me.“Wejusthavetobeposit
ive,
”shegavea
smil
ethatcoul
dn’tconv
inceorencour
ageeven
her
selfi
fshesawi t
.

Notsolongaft
er;Iwastakent oLucky’
sroom.
Themachineswerebeepingindicat
ingthathe
wassti
llal
i
ve.Buthewasasgoodasdead.I
tookhi
shandandhelditinmi ne.

DAY1

“Wear eaneni gmay ouandI ,

Guy”Iuttered.He
didn’
tr espond.“
Youneedt owakeupsowe
couldlookf orMhlongot ogetherandkill
him.
Heki l
ledSammyandhur tyouandal so
kidnappedme.So, I
’m gi
v i
ngy ouuntil
tomor row
towakeuporIam nev ertalki
ngtoy ouagain.”I
declared.“Hey,r
ememberwhenwewer e
fi
ghtingatNdumi so’splace?Ididn’tmeant o
sayyouhav eanuglyface…y oudon’
t.Ifany
thi
ng,
youactual
lyhaveanicef ace.Il
oveit…”my
voi
cecracked.“Pl
easesaysomet hi
ng,”

DAY2

“Goodmor ningLucky .Icameear l

ybecauseI
hav eajourneyt otakewi t
hmyt wi
nsister,
Monde.I t
’sexci t
ing.Wear egoingtoambush
ourbirt
hpar ents.Wef oundthem and…Iwish
youwer eher etot al
kt ome.Youhav emademe
weakbecausey oumademesay3wor dsjustin
theperfectordert ocausewoeandsi cknessat
thepitofmyst omach.It hi
nkMandi sadoesn’t
reall
yli
keme, IsuspectZahmi ghthavetoldher
af ewunset t
li
ngt hingsaboutme, ”

Latert
hatday
,Monde, hergir
lf
ri
endandmysel
f
tookatri
ptoJohannesburg.I
twaslongand
ti
ringconsi deri
ngt hest ateatwhi chmybody
andmi ndwasi n.Ir eckonIwasabor etot he
bot hoft hem becauseIj ustkeptt omy self.I
didn’tspeakmuch, onlyspokewhenspokent o
andwhenIr eal
lyneededt o.IthinkMondef il
l
ed
Ay andai nonmyl astcoupl eofday s.shewas
veryki ndt omeandshet ookcar eofmet he
bestshecoul d.Mondei ssoov erprot ecti
veof
me; shecar esaboutmeandIcar eabouther
too.Shegi v esmer andom hugsandsmi l
esat
mef ornor eason.It hinkt hat’
scut eand
somet imeswhenshel ooksatme, Igetso
startledandt hi
nkt hatI ’
ml ooki
ngatmy self.But
Ithinki talsoser vesasar emindert hatnotal lis
l
ost .Webookedour selv
esi nt
oahot elfort he
night .Ayandat ookt hefloorandMondeandI
tookt hebed.Ii nsistedonget ti
ngmyownr oom
butt heyr efusedt ol etmeoutoft hei rsight
whi l
eI ’m sad.ButI ’m notsad, I
’mj ustt i
red.A
l
othashappenedi nt hepastmont h; actually-in
thepasty ear sbutwho’ scount ing?Andt obe
f
rankIt
hinkI
’
m act
ingqui
terati
onal
l
y.Aphone
r
angaft
erwehadjustswi
tchedofft
heli
ght
s.

“HELLO,”i
t’
sMonde’ s.“WHAT?NOW? ”she
cri
ed.Shesof t
lysqueezedmyshoulderandI
payedherattenti
on.“i
t’
sG”shesays.

“Whothehel
li
sG?Gr
oot
boom?
”sheshookher
head,

“Nkonzo,
”shehandedmet
hephone.Isatup
str
aight
.

“
HELLO,
”

“
HEY,
ITSGABHADI
YA,
”
“
IKNOW.WHATI
SIT?DI
DYOUFI
ND
MHLONGO?
”

“NO.IJUSTWANTEDTOCHECKUPONYOU…”
Heclearedhi
sthr
oat.“
MONDETOLDMEYOU
WEREABI TSAD,
”IgaveMondeanastyl
ook.
Shecoveredherf
acewithbot
hhands.

“ISEE,
WELLMONDEWASWRONG.I ’
M
COMPLETELYFI
NE.JUSTTI
RED.BUTTHANK
YOU,”

“OKAY,
WELL.GOODLUCKWI
THEVERYTHI
NG
ANDIHOPEISEEYOUAGAINSOON,
”

“GOODNIGHTNKONZO,”IgaveMondeher
phoneandbor
edi
ntohereyes.
“Hewouldn’
tletmebe, hewasconstantl
y
aski
ngabouty ousoIfi
guredIshoul
dt el
lhi
m
thet
rut
h,”sheshrugged.

“
Monde.Monde.Monde.
”Sangherl
overont
he
f
loor
.

“He’
sv erysweetthough,
”Iadmitt
ed.“Andgood
l
ooking.”Mondebeamedf r
om eartoear.“
But,
I
can’
treally
.I’
djustbedraggi
nghim al
ong…”

“Yeah!Ifyouknowy ouwon’ tbeinitfort

helong
haulthendon’tev entry.Iwouldadviceyoube
withyouf ornowRai n,”saysAy andaonthe
fl
oor.Shehasev engivenmeapetname.“ WayI
seeit,you’l
lbeokay .Youhav epeoplethatcar
e
aboutyougenui nelynowsol ongasy ouall
ow
ustocar eforyou,”
“Luckywasthef i
rstper
sontoevercar
eabout
megenuinely.Ineverdoubt
edhiscompassi
on
towardsme.ItrustedMhlongo,
hesaidhe
caredaboutmebutal lal
ongIwasjustapawn
i
nhi sgame,”

“AyandaandIwouldneverdot
hattoyou,
”
Mondet ookmyhand.“I
’
m sorr
yforever
ythi
ng”
Isqueezedherhandt
oacknowledgewhatshe
wassay i
ng.

Thedrivetoourbiologi
calpar
ents’housewas
bit
tersweet.Bi
tterformeandsweetf orMonde.
She’swassoexci tedandhappy.Iontheot her
hand,wasanxious.Iwasscared.Iwant edto
tur
nbackmanyt imesbutIcouldn’
tbring
my sel
ftosayitoutloudandIdidn’
twantt o
hurtMonde’sfeeli
ngs.HadIevenment i
onedit
,
shewoul dhaveinsi
stedweturnback.If
eell
ike
she’str
yingreal
lyhardtopl
easemeandIam
tr
yingreall
yhardtoav oi
dsi
tuat
ionswhere
she’dhavetocompr omiseherhappi
nessfor
mine.

“
We’reher
e!”announcedMondesi ghi
ngsharply
.
Wegotoutofthecar; al
lanal
yzedthi
sbeauti
ful
f
ort
ressbefor
eus.Thei rhomeissobeauti
ful
.
Mondecall
edont heinter
com.

“
Hello,
”mygutst
wist
edatthesoundoft
hat
voi
ce.I
tsoundsv
eryfemi
nine;
itcoul
dbeour
mother.

“
Yes,
wear
eher
eforMrandMr
sSi
biy
a,”

“
Andwhomi
ghty
oube?
”
“I’
m Monde,I’
m her
ewi
thmysi st
er.Weare
theirki
ds,
”ther
ewasnoresponse.“Hel
l
o”she
call
ed.

“Ithinkshe’sgoneMonde, ”sai
dAy anda.The
gatebuzzed; wewer eallpuzzl
ed.Ir ushedup
andpushedi topen.Mondesmi ledi nreli
ef.I
feellikethr
owingup.Ireall
ydon’ twantt odo
thi
s.Imean, wecouldjusthaveeachot herand
ourf akeparents.Wedon’tneedt her ealone’
s
we’ r
egr ownnowandwecant akecar eof
oursel v
es.

Tool ate,Mondehasenthusi
ast
icall
yknocked
andal adyinablackandwhitecleaner
’s
unif
or m openedweari
ngacoldanduni nvi
ti
ng
expressiononherface.
“Fol
lowme,”sheorder
ed.Weobeyed.Thi
s
houseisamazing,
gosh.“Wai
ther
e”shesaid
andleftus.

Wewai t
edintheloungei
nsil
ence.Scar
edand
exci
tedtofi
nall
ymeetthepeopl
ethatmadeus.
Theyfi
nall
ywalkedin.

“Now,Idon’tknowwhati ti
st hatyouwantf r
om
meandmyhusbandbutpr etendingtobeour
deadkidsinfartoounkindev enforsmallti
me
cri
minalsl
ookingtomakeaqui ckchange,”we
all
jumpedt oourfeetastheywal kedin.They
l
ookmad.“ Whatdi dyoudo?Googl eus?”

“No,”Mondetookcharge.“
It’
snotli
kethat
.We
arereal
lyyourki
ds.Thenursesoldustotwo
separat
ecouplesbutsomehow, wefoundeach
otherandfoundyou.wenev erdi
ed.Wewere
st
olenf
rom y
ou,
”

Si
l
encei
nvadet
her
oom.

“But
,Ibur
ied…webur
iedt
wol
i
ttl
ebabi
es,
”her
husbandspoke.

“I
twasn’
tus.Wewer
ebor
nont
he4t
hof
Febr
uary
,”

“OhDear!”ut
ter
edtheladyal
mostf
all
i
ngi
nto
herhusband’
schest.

Looki
ngatourmother
,Icoul
dseemy sel
fand
Mondeinher,
shecandenyital
lshewantsbut
sheismymotherandIcanfeel
iti
nmybones.
“
Ilookli
keyou,
”If
inal
l
ysai
dundermybr
eat
h
l
ookingather
.

“Madam!Sir!”t
hehousekeeperjoi
nedus.
“Thesegir
lsarethespi
tt
ingi
mageofy ourwi
fe
sir
,you’
dbemaki ngahugemi st
akeifyout
urn
them away.”

“Honey!
”shelookedatherhusbandast
ears
escapedhereyes.“
Lookatthewayshebit
es
i
ntoherli
ps,l
ikeyoursi
ster
,”shesay
sanal
yzing
me.

“
I’
m at
winmy
sel
f…”sai
dMbongeni
.
“Pl
easesi t
,”shesai
dcleani
ngherey
es.
“Constance,maketeaandcoff
ee.Make
every
thing.
”
“CanIgi
veyouahug?
”Iasked.If
eltIwas
drawntomyhert
hanIwastohim.

“Yes,pl
ease.Comebothofy
ou,”weallshar eda
grouphugandcriedi
neachother’
sarmsf ora
fewseconds.MondeandMbongeni r
eleased
butsheandIstayedandembracedeachot hera
l
itt
lewhil
elonger
.

“
I’
m sohappyIf
oundy
ou,
”Isobbed.

“Thanky ouforfindingus,”i
tseemsev ery
one
presentgotal it
tl
eemot ional
,incl
udingAyanda
andt hehelper.I
twasabeaut if
ulthi
ngto
experienceandwi tness.There’
swasnoway
onewoul dn’tshedat earortwo.

“
Whatar
eyournames?
”askedMbongeni
.
“
I’
m Nomondeandshei
sRai
nbow,
”

“Beauti
ful
names.Lookatyoutwoasbeaut i
ful
asy ourmother
,”hesai
dmakingusblush.She
heldhiswif
e’shand.“
We’r
eparent
slove,”

“
I’
m sorry
, wherearemymanner s,
”sai
dMonde,
“
thi
sismygi rlf
riend,Ay
anda.We’v
ebeen
t
ogetherfor3y earsnow…”

“Oht hat’
swonder ful
.Icantell
thaty outwocar e
deeplyabouteachot her
,”sai
dSuzannast i
ll
cleaningherey es.Iwasstil
lst
aringher;Imean
i
t’smyr eal mother.She’
sherewi thme.If eel
l
ikeachi ld.IcouldhearMondemumbl i
ngon
andt ell
i
ngt hem abouthowwef oundeach
other.Iwasov erwhelmedbyemot ionsthatI
j
ustcoul
dn’
thol
diti
n.

“
Arey
ouokay
?”Monder
ushedbef
oreme.

“I
’
mf i
ne,
”Isni
ff
ed.“
CanIusey
ourbat
hroom
pl
ease”

“Ri
ghtthroughthatdoor,
”shepoint
edandI
chargedtowardsthedoor.Ican’
tstopcry
ing.
Mondewal kedinrightaf
terIhadshutt
hedoor.
“I
’m sor
ry.Ican’
tstopcryi
ng.I’
m sohappy…”
shehuggedme.“ andscared.”

“Whatar
eyouscar
edof
?Thi
sisal
lreal
”she
says.

“
Whati
ftheyhat
eus,
orwhati
fIdosomet
hing
st
upidtomakeherhat
emel i
kemymom?
PerhapsI
’
mt hei
ssueher
e,notthepeopl
e
ar
oundme.Whatifheneverunderst
andsme?
”I
cr
ied.

“List
ent ome, iftheydon’tli
keust hent hat’s
fi
nebecauset heymade2oft hesameper son;
sowe’ l
ljustloveeachot herandAy andawi l
l
l
ov eust ogether.ButRainbow, l
ookatt hem –
theyaresohappywear ehere.Theyr ecogni zed
us.Iknowy ou’
v ehadagr eatdeal ofhur tand
disappointmentt odeal wit
h…buttrustt hisand
trustme, everythingi
sreal.Stophol di
ngy our
breath,pinchi
ngy our
selfandsqueezi ngy our
wr i
st.I
t’
st angi
bl e,I
’mtangibl
e”Ili
st enedt oher
andohhowwi seandr i
ghtshesounded.

“I
’
m sureyou’
retheoldest,
”welaughedaswe
huggedeachother
.“IloveyouMonde,”
“Il
oveyoutooRai
nbow.Nowlet
’sgobackto
ourpar
ents,I
’
m sur
etheyhav
eal ott
otel
lus,
”

“Pleasesleepov er
,Const
ancewasj ustfi
xing
supper ”Suzannabeggedjustasweemer ged
from thebathroom.“Ohplease,Ij
ustwantmor e
ti
me, ”MondeandIl ookedateachot her
.

“
Idon’
tmi
nd,
”wesai
dsi
mul
taneousl
y.

“Yes!”sherejoiced.“
Constance!”sherushed
out,“Constancemybabi esaresl eepi
ngover…”
shedi sappeareddownt hepassage.Shecalled
usherbabi es.Myhear ti
ssmi l
ingr i
ghtnow.I
don’twantt hi
st oend.Idon’
twanti ttobeover
andpl easedon’ tl
eti
tbeadr eam.
HAPPYREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT38

AWAKE

Adj
ect
ive

1.Notasl
eep;
consci
ous

2.SYNONYMS:
Consci
ous,
Luci
d

Ihaven’
tst oppedpinchingmyselfsi
ncewel ef
t
theSibi
ya’s.Theydidn’twantustogobutwe
areadult
s, wehav eli
vesandjobs.Colonel
call
edandt ol
dmet hatIneededtocomeback.
Saidmylifewasatr i
skwithMhlongoont he
l
oose.Isleptov eratMonde’slastni
ghtand
wenttoworkwithher.Ineededt
oseeSi
bekoor
Groot
boom aboutNdumi so.He’
sat
hought
al
wayslurki
ngatthebackofmyheadandI
needtosorthi
m out.

“
Don’
twor
ryyour
selfaboutthat
.Wewill
cont
act
y
ouonceweareready,
”saidtheCol
onel
.

“ThemainreasonwhyIcameonboardwast
o
helpbr
inghimintocust
ody
,”Icont
est
ed,

“No,
itwassoyoudon’
tgetar
rest
ed,
”he
cont
radi
cts.

“
Yeahwel
lbutal
so…”

“
Rai
nbow.Leav
ethatcaset
oust
osor
tout
,
whenweneedy ou,weknowwher etof
indyou,”
hesays.“Onotherhand, youdi
dagoodj obwith
theMhlongisagaevent houghyoushouldhave
noti
fi
edtheauthori
ti
est heminuteyoustumbled
uponanythi
ngsuspicious,”

“Icoul
dn’
ttr
ustanyonewitht
hei
nfor
mat
ionI
had.Idon’
ttr
ustanyone,
”

"Youhavet
ot r
ustme,I
’myourboss.Youarea
womanoft hel
awnowsoev eryt
hingyoudo
mustbeaccountedf
or.Youcan’
thavelur
king
shadows,
”

“
Yessir
,”Ihumbledmy self
.Helef
tmeal onei
n
t
heboardroom.Itookamomentt olookatthe
v
iewofthisroom.Itdoesprovi
deagreatscope
f
orthei
magi nat
ion.Iheardacameracli
cksoI
l
ookedoverbythedoor .“
Didyouj
usttakea
pi
ctur
eofme?
”Iaskedhi
m

“Thel
ightwashi
tt
ingyoujustper
fect
ly,
”he
cameupt ome,“
look,
”thepict
uredoeslook
nicet
obehonest.

“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul,
youhav
eaney
efort
his,
”

“Idohaveaney ef
orsomethi
ngal
ri
ght.”He
smirked.“
Faceme,”Iobey
ed.Wi
thhisindex
fi
nger,hekeptadj
ust
ingmyheadtohisdesi
red
angle.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngNkonzo?
”

“
Don’
tmoveplease,”herequested.“
Don’
tmove
y
ourheadorbody,butIwanty oureyest
olook
outthewi ndow.”Iobligedint hi
smomentof
di
llydally.Hest art
edt akingpict
uresfrom
di
fferentangl es.Thenhest oodbeforeme
again,“Goonadat ewi t
hme”If or
gotallabout
hi
si nstructionsandt hrewmyey esathim
l
osingt heposi ti
onhehadf ixedmei nto.He
cl
ickedhi scamer al ookingatmet hrought he
l
enses.“ Goti t,
”hesai d.

“Oh,soy
ouweren’treal
lyaski
ngmethat
?You
j
ustwantedanangle”Ishif
tedmywei
ghttoone
side.

“Ohno!thatwasagenuinequesti
on…”hegazed
atmesendingmet othedepthsofsel
f-
consci
ousness.Idon’
tli
kebeingl
ookedat
.

“
Idon’
tdodat
es,
”Ianswer
ed.
“
Whynot
?”

“Idon’tknow.I’
veneverbeenononesowhyt he
heckshoul dIanymore?Besi
des,dat
esar efor
niceandpr et
tyladi
eswhoknowandar esur
e,”I
sighedthenlookedatmyshoes.Thisstupid
kneebr aceneedstocomeof fassoonas
possibleit
’smessingwit
hmyent i
revibe.

“Knowwhat
?Andaresureofwhat?”hei
s
provi
ngt
obever
yinqui
sit
ivet
hisone.

“Whoknowt hingstotal
kaboutondat esand
howt ocarr
ythemselvesandaresureoft hei
r
fut
ureandev eryot
herstupi
ddetai
lthatreall
y
doesn’tmatt
er.Peopl
elikemedon’tgoon
dates…wejustwingit
,”
“Wel
lthen,
let
’swi
ngit
,youandI.Toni
ght
.We
cangowherevert
heni
ghttakesus,
”

“Ican’
tI’
m sorr
y…i
nfact
,Ineedt
ogot
othe
hospit
altocheckonLucky
,”

“
Luckyhey
”hegr
innedawkwar
dly
.

“Yeah,
hei
spr
obabl
yupandhemi
ghtneedme
so…”

“Hemightneedy ouandnothiswife?”he
questi
oned,“Isee”Thathithome.Itmademy
chestburn.Am Iov er
steppi
nghere?No,Idon’t
thi
nkIam.Luckywast her
enursi
ngmebackt o
l
ifewhenNdumi sobrokeme, nowit’
smyt ur
n.I
walkedoutev ersoawkwar dl
ywiththebrace
aroundmyknee.Ihadt orequestf
oranuber
becausemycari sst
il
lbackatLucky’
s;Ishould
probabl
yaskMenzi t
osenddownoneofhi s
boyswithi
t,oraskSthandwasam tofet
chitfor.

Sthandwasam hasbeseechedmemanyat imes

togetaf ancycar .Hesuggest edaBMW or
BentleyandIal way ssai
dIwoul djusttogethim
tostrayfrom thet opi
c.Iam notgoi ngtogeta
newcar .Ilovemymar oonCi t
i Golf.WhenIget
behindthewheel ofthatcar,aper sonaofa
braveandst ronghear t
edy oungwomancomes
overmeandIal way sembr acei tbecauseIlove
i
t.Ididalwayswantt ofindoutwhot hiscar
belongedt oandwhathappenedt oi t
sowner .
Butthat’
sanadv entureforanot herday.

DAY5
“Hell
o, youl azybum! ”Iannouncedmypr esence
i
nLucky ’sroom.Ev eryt i
memyv oicedi esdown
i
nmyheadwi thouthear ingar esponsef r
om
him,Igetshar ppainsi nmychest .“Wegeti t,
yougotshot ,youwer ei nacomaf oraf ewday s.
Stopbei ngapussyandgetupLuckyj ustget
up,”theent i
ret i
meIhel dhishandi nmi ne.
“What ?Youwantmet osayIl ov ey ouagai n?
Wel l
,Ilov ey ou…there.Ido…Ir eal l
ydoLucky
andI ’
m sor ryIdi dn’
tt el
l youbefor eal loft his
happened.Justpl easedon’ tdie.Wakeupf or
me…I ’m her e.it’
smeMi ssandIl ov ey ou, Isaid
i
t.”Igotst ar tl
edbyt hemachi nesbeepi ngmor e
thant heywer e.Ijumpedt omyf eet.“Lucky .
Whatar ey oudoi ng?Nur se!
”Ishout ed.“ Ohmy
God, Nur se”he’ sseizingagain.Anur sepushed
thedooropen,

“
Ma’
am pl
easest
epout
side,
”shesai
dloudl
y.
“
No,heneedsme”Ipr
otest
ed.Anot
hernur
se
wal
kedi
nandescort
edmet othedoor
.

“
Wewi l
lnot
if
yyouoncewehav
esomet
hingt
o
t
ell
you,
”shesai
d.

“But
,heneedsme,
Ineedtobewi
thhi
m”she
shutthedoori
nmyface.

“What
’shappeni
ng?”It
urnedaroundandf
ound
Mandi
sawi t
hfearal
loverherv
oiceand
demeanor.

“
He’
ssei
zi
ngagai
n?”It
oldher
.

“
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”sheasked.
“Visi
ti
nghim ofcour
se,”Ianswer ed.Shethr
ew
ahotslapacrossmyf ace.Myheadcockedt o
thesideandstayedthereforaf ewgood
seconds.Myhandwasbur ningandi t
chingt
o
slapherandprobabl
ydomor e.

“Luckyi
smyhusband,”hertoneincreased
whenshepronouncedthewor d‘
my ’.“
From thi
s
momenton, y
ouwillnolongervi
sitmy
husband,
”sheemphasizedon‘my ’again.“

“
Youcan’
tkeepmef
rom v
isi
ti
nghi
m Mandi
sa,
”

“Don’
tuttermyname.Ev erywhereyougoy ou
star
ttr
ouble,t
roubl
efoll
owsy ouRai nbowand
I,
”shecaughtherbreat
h, “
Idon’twanty ou
anywherenearmyfamily.”shesaid,“AndIcan
keepyouf r
om seei
nghim; Iam hiswife.Ical
l
theshot
s”
“Doyouevenknowwhathappened?
”she
seemstobeascluel
essastheymakethem.

“Yougotmi xedwi ththewr ongpeopl ethent hey

kidnappedy ou.Lucky ,
beingsoki ndand
generousobv iouslyhadt oplaytheher oand
sav eyou…”thatisnotwhathappenedatal l.I
wasr ight
,shehasnoi deawhatact ually
happenedandi t’
snotmypl acetoenlightenher.
“MyLuckyi sjustani nnocenttaxidriv
erinal l
this,t
ryi
ngtomakeal i
vingbutyouj ustwon’ tl
et
him…”

“He’sawake,
”ourheadsswi
ft
lyt
urnedt
othe
nurse.

“
CanIseehi
m?”weaskedi
nuni
son.
“
DoesthewordMissmeanany
thi
ngt
oanyof
y
ou?”askedt
henurse.

“
Yes!
”Itookalar
gest
eptowardsher
.“Hecal
l
s
meMiss.Heneedsme,canIseehi
m?”

“Act
ual
l
ynurse,
I’
m hi
swife.Iwi
l
lgoandsee
him,
”di
sput
edMandisa.

Ist
ayedoutsidehisr
oom andwai
tedfor
Mandisat
ol eave;
shecameoutwithawetf
ace.
Iwonderwhathappened?

“Hewantstoseeyou,”shesaidandmarched
away.Idi
dn’twast
eanothersecond.Iwal
kedin.
Heli
fteduphishandandwav edatme.He’s
awake,he’
sreal
lyawake.Thankheavens.
“Ther
eshei s”hesai
dbr eat
hingdiff
icul
tl
y.I
wentupt ohim andsatdown.Suddenl y
,Idon’t
knowwhatt osaytohim.Igotup, ki
ssedhis
cheekandthensatbackdown.“ Howdoy ell
at
anunconsciousman?Youcal l
edmeapussy ”
hesmiled.Mymout hopened.

“
Youhear
dthat
?”

“Iheardever
ythi
ng,
”hesays.“
Ilov
eyouLucky
,
pleasewakeupandmar r
yme.IswearIl
ove
you,”hetookonahighpi
tch.

“ThatmustbeMandisabecauseIdon’
tsound
l
ikethatatal
l
…”Ifol
dedmyar msinmychest
andlookedaway
.
“Arey
ousur
e?Icoul
dhav eswor
nitwasy
ou,
”
hisbr
owsdr
ewtogether
.

“
Idon’
tsaysuchbul
l
sh*
t,
”

“
Sur
e…”hel
eer
ed.

“
Don’
ttel
lany
one,
”Ibi
tmyl
owerl
i
p.

“
What
?”

“ThatIloveyou”Iteart
ri
ckl
eddownmycheek.
“Idon’twantittorui
nmystreetcr
ed,
”Iqui
ckl
y
cleanedmyey es.

“
Yeah!Reput
ati
on…If
eel
you,
”hesay
sst
ari
ngat
me.
“ButIdol
oveyou…andI
’m sor
rythatitt
ooky ou
nearl
ydyi
ngformetocomet othatreal
izat
ion,
”

“
Ilov
eyout
ooMi
ss,
alot
,”Il
eanedback.

“
Pussy
,”It
eased.Hecl
osedhi
sey
es.

“I
’
m unconsci ousagai
n,IthinkI’
veseenenough
ofyou,”hesaidandwebot hlaughed.He
openedhi shand,Ipl
acedmi neinhis,he
broughtitcl
osertohisfaceandki ssedi
t.“
My
Miss,”

“
MyGuy
”

“
Letmecl
osemyey
esnow.I
’
mti
red,
”
“
Okay
,I’
l
lwat
chy
ou,
”

“
Thanky
ou,
Miss,
”

Eventuall
yLuckyf el
lasl
eep.Ididcal lonthe
nursetocomeandchecki fevery
thingwasokay .
Iwaswor r
iedhemi ghtdieinhissleep.Buteven
fastasleep,hekeptsqueezingmyhandwhen
I’
dcallhisname.I ’
m sti
ll
hereholdinghi shand,
I
guessst andingguard.Mandisawal kedin.

“CanIt
alktoyouplease,
”shesaid.Ithought
shehadleftal
ready
.Shelookedinfur
iatedwhen
shewalkedoutofher.Shedidn’
tevenwai tf
or
myresponse,sheexit
ed.

“
HeyGuy
,letmet
alkt
oyourwi
fe,
I’
ll
beback.I
f
shedoesn’ tbanishme, ”Ireal
l
ydon’twantt o
tal
kt oMandi sa.Frankly ,
Idon’twanttobe
i
nsulted,blamedandy ell
edatagain.Ev erythi
ng
j
ustseemst obemyf aultwheni nact
ual fact
,I
washel ping.Sure,peopl egothurt–incl uding
my self–butt hi
sisnotl i
keplayi
ngbar biedolls.
Therear erealcri
mi nalsandpol i
ceinvolv ed.
Bloodshedwasex pect ed,butitwasv ery
unfortunatethatLuckywasoneoft hosehur t
.
Butitiswhati ti
s…t hi
si sthelif
ebothLuckyand
Ichoseso…

Icameoutandf
oundherwai
ti
ngout
sidet
he
room.

“
Sit
”shedemanded.

Ohbloodyhel
l
!Shei
saboutt
ogi
vei
ttome
agai
n.
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT39

MI
SSI
ON

Noun

1.Asetoft
asksthatf
ulf
il
lsapurposeordut
y;
anassi
gnmentsetbyanemployer.

2.Anambiti
onorpur
poset
hati
sassumedbya
personorgr
oup.

LuckyoncesaidIwasselfi
shandIthoughthe
didn’
tmeanit;hewasjusthear
tbr
oken.Now
thatIt
hinkabouti
t,Iam.IwantLuckytobe
mineandmi nealone.Iwanthi mt obemyf r
iend
andmyl ov er.Ihavecomet ot hereal
izat
ionthat
Ili
kethewayhemakesmef eel.Hemakesme
feeli
mpor tantandhel ooksatmel i
keI’ma
humanbei ng, l
i
keI’mthebestt hi
nghisey es
everrestedupon.Ihav efeel
ingsf orLucky,I
l
ov ehim.It hinkthi
sallexplainswhyIal ways
wantt okisshi m wheneverIl ookathim.
ButI’
m af
rai
dsel
fi
shnessandpri
dehavecost
mehim.He’smarr
iednowandhiswifeisnot
ver
yfondofme.Suff
icetosay
,shehatesme.

“
Whatar
ey out
oLucky?”sheasked.It
hinkI
r
egr
etsi
tt
ingdownwit
hher .

“Idon’
tknow,”I
’m beinghonest
,“Onl
yhecan
answerthat
”.Idon’tknowwhatLuckyregar
ds
meas.Idon’tknowwhatposi ti
onIholdi
nhis
l
ife.
“
Okay.Whati
shet
oyou?
”she’
snotev
en
l
ooki
ngatme.

“Mandi
sa,I
’
dlovetositherewi
thy
ouandgett
o
knoweachotherbutGuyis…”

“
Lucky
,hi
snamei
sLucky
,”shecor
rect
edme.

“Luckyj
ustwokeupf
rom acomaandI’drat
her
notspendthi
sti
meansweri
ngquest
ions,
”

“He’sasl
eepnow.I
’
m sur
eaf
ewmi
nut
eswon’
t
kil
lhim,
”

“
Fine.Look…Luckyl
ovesy
ou.Isawhim ony
our
weddingday,t
hewayhelookedaty
ou,”
“
Hesaidy
ournamethatdayandI’veal
soseen
t
hewayhelooksaty
ou,Rai
nbow, nowoman
woul
dbecomfort
abl
ewiththat
.”

“I
’
m sorryMandisa.IknowLuckylovesyouand
hewant stobewithyouandmebei ngaroundi
s
defi
nit
elyunsett
li
ng.Hehashelpedmet hr
ough
alotandIjusthavetobether
ef orhi
m,”

“Hetol
dmewhathappened.Het ol
dmet hat
youfoundSammy ’
skill
er,i
twasuncle
Mhlongo,”Inodded.“I
’m sorr
yIbl
amedy oufor
whathappenedt ohim.That ’
swhyIwascr y
ing
ear
li
er,Ij
ustcouldn’
tfacey ouandal
sobecause
i
twasmyf ather
’sfr
iendwhom Iheldinhigh
est
eem. ”
“I
t’
sokaybutIwanttoknowwhathappened?
YouandIwerecoolandthenyouj
ustswit
ched
uponme.DidZahsaysomet hi
ngtoyou,
”

Shenodded, “Shetoldmet hatyouwer ethe

reasonSamkewaski ll
edandt hatyouhadsl ept
withLuckybef or
e.Ifoughtwithhim aboutit
andt henIf or
gav ehim.”shestood.“Il
ovehi m
tooy ouknowandIcan’ tgivehimtoy ou,Ican’t
l
ethi m gounlesshedeci desthatbyhi mself.I
won’thol dhim backfrom comingtoy ou,”she
said.“Pleasedon’tcomeher eagain.Don’ttryt o
contacthi m,i
fhecal l
sdon’tpickup.Bettery et,
l
osehi snumber .Iwil
lgoandbewi t
hmy
husbandnow, ”again,sheemphasizedon‘ my ’

“CanIatl
eastsaygoodby
e?”sheshookher
head.
“It
hinkit’
sbesty oudon’ t.Goandf i
gurey our
l
ifeoutRainbow, ”shewal kedintohisroom.I
couldn’
tfeelthegr oundbeneat hme.Iwantt o
crybutmyey esar edr y.Iwanttoscream but
I’
mt ootir
edandIdon’ twantt oall
owmy selft
o
gettothatpoint.Imi ghtnotbeablet oget
my sel
fback.Ideci dedt ositdownandgat her
my sel
f.Myphoner ang, myheartnearlystopped
whenIr eadthecal lerI
D

“
ISDADFI
NE?
”Iasked.

“
OFCOURSE,
HEI
S,YOUSI
LLYCHI
LD,
”shesai
d.

“AREYOUDYING?”shenevercal
lsme.She
neverev
ensendsasimpl
etexttochecki
fI’
m
ali
ve.
“RAI
NBOW,DOILOOKLI
KETHEDYI
NGTYPE
TOYOU?”

“WELL,
WHAT’
SHAPPENI
NG?I
SEVERYTHI
NG
OKAY?”

“SENDMEYOURADRESS,IWANTTOCOME
ANDSEEYOU,
”shedemanded.

“OKAY…IWILLFORWARDI TTOYOU,”she
endedthecal
lwithoutsayi
nggoodby
e.Jahmy
mom neh,she’
scold.Irequest
edanuberf
or
myselfandheadedhome.

Igothomeandti
diedupalit
tl
ebuti t
’snouse,
Cruel
lawi
l
lfi
ndsomethinganyway.Wai t
ingf
or
hermademev er
yanxious,
Idon’tknowwhatit
i
sshewantstosaytome.Iev ent
uall
ywentto
fet
chherdownstai
rs.Shewasact i
ngli
keshe
wasintheghet
to,holdi
ngont oherLVhandbag
andwalki
ngli
keshemi ghtbeshotat.Goshmy
mom.Iopenedthedoorandi nvi
tedherin.

“Dearmechil
d,you’
vebeenl
iv
ingint
hisbox?
Howdoy ouevenbreat
heinhere?
”shestudi
ed
hersur
roundi
ngs.

“Mama,behaveyour
selfplease.I
’
m happy
here,
”Il
edherint
othelounge.Sheputher
thi
ngsdownandwal kedintothebedr
oom.

“
Mom!
”Ical
l
ed.

“Wai
tunti
lIt
ell
yourdaddyyou’v
ebeenstay
ing
i
nashoebox,”sheshoutedfr
om ther
oom.If
sheonl
yknewwhatI’vebeendeali
ngwit
h,
maybeshewoul dn’tbethi
sannoyi
ng.Whoam I
ki
dding?Mymom woul dcri
ti
cizey
ouiny our
coff
in.Shecameandsat .“Atl
eastyoursofas
arenice.Ver
ychic…”sherubbedonthem.

“Ohmyword!Ar
eyougoi
ngtel
lmewhyyou
cameher
e?Whatdoyouwant?
”Igr
unt
ed.

“Ver
ywellt
hen,
”shesighedready
ingher
sel
fto
speak.“
Chi
ldwhathappenedtoyourl
eg?”

“I
t’
sal ongst
ory
.Nowspeakmama,
mywor
d!”I
persi
sted.

“Yourfat
herandIar
eget
ti
ngadi
vor
ce,
”she
said.
“Oh.Ithi
nkit’
sfort
hebest
.Consi
der
ing
every
thing,
”Isai
dlowl
y.

“
Itwashi
scal
l
,”

“
Idon’
tbl
amehi
m.”

“Ijustcameher etotellyout hatI’

m sor r
y,”she
say s,“Imi ghtbet hemaj orcauseofy our
traumasandIseet hatnow.Iam sor ry,
”Idon’t
knowwhatt osayt ohernow.I ’
mt onguet ied.
“Yourf ather’
sf ami l
ywasv erystri
ctonme.
WhenIhadt hef ir
stmi scarriage;t
heysai d
thingsaboutmet hatwoul dupsetanywoman.
Chi l
d, Ihav etraumasofmyownandIseenow
thatI ’
vecausedy oual otofsor rowgr owingup.
I’
m sor ryIstoley oufrom y ourmot herandf or
negl ectingy ou.Youar eabr ightandbeaut i
ful
girlRai nbowandIam sopr oudofy ou,”she
tookmyhand.Thi si stoointi
mat eforme; I
don’tknowwhatt odoorhowt ofeel.“Iknow
youandIcannev erhav ethatmother-daughter
rel
ationshi
p,especiall
ysinceyouf oundy our
realparent
snowbutIwanty outoknowt hatI’
m
here.Wedon’ thavetobest rangers,
”

“It
’sokay.Imeany oufuckedmeuppr et
tydeep
but,ther
e’snothi
ngIcandonow…. ”She
reachedforherbagt henpull
edoutali
tt
le
velvetboxwithablackribbonontop.

“
Thisi
sforyou,
”shesai
d.It
ooki
tandopened.
I
t’
sadiamondneckl
aceandear
ri
ngs.

“
Thesear
ebeaut
if
ul,
”Iadmi
red,
“Thanky
ou,
”

“
Nowchi
l
d,t
hesecostaf
ort
une.Idon’
tknow
howy ouaregoi ngt okeept hem inthi
sshoebox
ofyours.May beIwi ll
asky ourfathertogety ou
asafeorabet t
ery et,
anice, bi
gandpr oper
pl
acear oundhome, ”hereyesgr ewwi deand
bri
ght.“Si
ncey ouar ebyy oursel
f;youshoul d
getagun.Icanor ganizelessonsf oryou…”she
gaspedexcitedly.“Wecandoi ttogether,”

“
Iknowhowt
ouseagunandIhav
eone,
”

“Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?”herhandcamet
o
herchest
.

“Iwor
kfort
hepol
i
ce,
Iknowhowt
oshoota
gun,
”

“
Chi
l
d,st
opwi
thal
lthatnonsense.
”
“Mama, Iwaski
dnapedfor3days,t
hat’
showI
i
njuredmyknee.I’minv
olv
edinpret
tybadass
shitnow.”Ismi
rked.

Mamast ayedaroundf oraf ewmor ehour s.I

tol
dherallaboutmynewj obandLucky .Itol
d
herevery
thi
ng.Shel i
stenedandasked
questi
onsli
kear ealdev otedmother.Itmade
mef eeli
mportanttoher .Shewassocur i
ous
aboutmynewl ifeandt hepeopleImetal ong
thewaythatshesaidshe’ dliket
ocomebackt o
myshoeboxf l
atandchatsomemor e.“You’r
e
anoddoneRai nbow,”shesai dtomeatsome
pointi
nourconv er
sati
on.AndIbel ievedher ,I
am anoddone.

Withthi
ngsst ar
ti
ngtomakesenseinmylif
e,I
am feel
i
ngl i
ghterbot
hint
heheartandmind.As
forMandisa,Idon’
tknowwhatIwil
ldoabout
her.Idon’
tknowwhethert
oli
stenortot
all
y
i
gnor eheror
ders?ButI
’
m cer
tainGuydoesn’
t
knowaboutt hi
sandshewon’
ttellhi
m.

2WEEKLATER

It
’sbeenpeacef ulandcal m notl i
kemyusual
day s.I’
vebeenbymy selfmost l
yandt heot her
ti
meswi thmysi sterandherl overorwher ever
thecol oneldecidest osendmef orwor k.2day s
ago, IwasinJohannesbur gunder cov erasasex
wor ker.Wef oundt hepi mpandar restedhi m.I
feltsogoodaf t
ersav i
ngt hosegirls,some
didn’twantt obesav edbutsomeneeded
sav i
ngdesper ately,somewer erepor ted
mi ssingyearsagosobei ngablet of i
ndt hem
andr eturnthem tot heirfamili
esf eltreallygood.
Andt hesalaryhasbeensogood, I’
m enj oy i
ng
thislifei
nmyl ittl
eshoeboxf lat
.
ButI’v
ebeencal ledintodayandI’m excit
edfor
thenextjob.I
t’
sal way sscar
ybuttheadr enal
i
ne
givesmesucht hri
ll
.Iswungthedooropenand
foundthecolonel andabunchofot her
detecti
ves;i
ncludingMondeandSi beko.Lucky
i
sher easwel l
,whatt hefuckishappening?

“
Sor
ryI
’
mlat
e,”Iapol
ogi
zed.

“Youhaven’tmi ssedmuchsi s, pl
easesi t
,”said
Mondewhowasst andinginfr
ont .Luckydi dn’
t
evenlookatmeonce.Hekepthi sey esforward.
Nkonzosmi ledatmeandIsmi l
edback.“ So,”
shecameov erandgav emeaf il
e.“i
fwecoul d
allopentopage2.That ’sourguy ,suspectedto
hav egi
rl
slockedi nhisbasementcut ti
ngand
packingcocainef orhim.Mysour cetell
smehe
drugsthegirlssohecancont rolthem, he
starv
esthem andsomet i
mesengagesinsex ual
rel
ati
onswi ththem.theyoungesti
s14.Tur nto
page3,”weal ldid,“
Thosearethegir
lsheis
usingandkeepi ngagai
nstthei
rwil
l.Wehav eto
gethim andnothi smenbecauseweal lknow
theywon’tturnonhi m.
”

“Sot hat
’sdrugpossession,dr
ugdistri
but
ion,
kidnapping,sexual
assaultandsexual
mi sconductwithminors,
”saysSibeko.Monde
noddedagr eeingwithhim.

“Hemi ghthaveunlicensedweapons; youknow

howt heyare.Iwantev er
yill
egalthingt hi
sman
hasdonet ober evealedsohi scasewon’ teven
spendadayi ncour t.Iwanthi m behindbar s
ASAP”shesai d.“Whi chbr i
ngsmet oour
undergroundsoffi
cer s.LuckyandRai nbowy ou
areteam1MrandMr sMt hethwa,justmov edin
nextdoorandy ouar
eaf
ri
endl
yandl
oveabl
e
couple,
”Inodded.

“
Yesma’
am,
”sai
dLucky
.

“Gabhadiyayouarewi t
hSibekoonst akeout
duty,Team2.Stayoutside,keepy oureyesopen.
Eacht eam wil
lhavecommuni cat
ionwi t
hthe
otherandy ouwill
recordeverysudden
mov ement.Youwi l
lcal
l i
nev erysuspici
ous
mov ement,youhearme? ”

“
Yesma’
am,
”weal
lsai
d,

“Mthet
hwas, makeyoursel
vesvisi
bletohim.
Bakehim acake,i
nvi
tehim overfordinner
,
whateveri
ttakestogethimtotrustyouand
i
nvitey
ouov er.Weneedy oui
nside.”she
passedmeal i
ttl
ebox,“Weart hoseearri
ngs,we
wil
lbeabletohearevery
thingy ouareheari
ng
andtheneckl
aceswi l
lgi
veusv i
sual
s,ithasa
camerasobev erycar
eful.I
ttookeverythi
ngfor
col
onelt
or el
easethose,
”

“
Youbr
eaky
oupay
,”sai
dthecol
onel
.

“Lucky,
”shecal
led,healsor
eceiv
edalit
tl
ebox
ofhisown.“Thewat chi
swaterpr
oofsoyou
mayshowerwi t
hi t
.itgi
vesusbothsoundand
visual
,
”henoddedst udy
ingit
.

“Theyareallfi
ngerpri
ntoperated,youwi llneed
togoupst ai
rsandaskSt evetoactiv at
ey our
fi
ngerpri
nts.Taponcet oonandt wi cetoof f.
Rainbow,thenecklaceandear ri
ngsar e
operatedseparat
elyandt heearri
ngont her i
ght
operatesbotheari
ng,goti t
?”
"
Igoti
t,
"Iaf
fi
rmed.

“Okayteam, ”thecol
onelstood.“Itr
usty oual
l,
pleasebev erycaref
ulandwat choutf orone
another.Now, gohome, packabag, rest
becauset omor r
owitall
starts.Il
if
tedupmy
hand,“YesRai nbow,
”

“
Howl
ongar
ewegoi
ngt
obet
her
e?”

“
You’l
ll
eavewhenyouhavehi
m.I nthe
meanti
me,Mondewil
lbegett
ingy ou
i
nfor
mationonhi
m.Areweallclear?
”

“Cl
earcol
onel,
”Mondesaidpacki
ngupher
paper
s.Theroom st
art
edclear
ingoutbutLucky
remai
nedseated.Hekepthi
seyesonmeandI
j
ustknewIal
sohadt
ostayback.Nkonzocame
uptomebefor
ehecoul
dleav
e.

“
Hey
”hesai
d.

“
HeyNkonzo,
”

“I
’
m happyt
obewor kingwithy
ouagai
n.Iwas
j
ustwonder
ingifyou’dli
ketogabacoff
ee
befor
eourmissi
onst art
s,”

“
Cany
ougi
vemeami
nut
epl
ease,
I’
ll
findy
ou,
”

Hesmil
ed,
“Yeah!Ofcour
se,
”hest
eppedout
.It
wasj
usthi
m andInow.

“
Whyar
eyouher
e?y
oul
i
ter
all
ygotoutofa
comaj
ust2weekago,
”

“
I’
mf i
neMiss,
wherehavey
oubeen?”hegotup,
wal
kedar
oundt het
abl
eandcametome.

“
I’
vebeenar
ound.
..
”

“That’
sfunnybecauseI
’vebeenaroundtoobutI
haven’tbeenseei
ngyou.I’
vebeencall
ingand
text
ing.Miss,di
dIdoorsaysomet hi
ng?”

“Lucky,li
sten,Ineedtogobutcanwejustbe
professionalplease.Wedon’
twantt
omess
withthismi ssi
on,”

“
Youneedtogotoyourl
i
ttl
eboy
fri
end?
”he
t
ookastepcl
oser
.
“Nowy ou’
retr
ippin’
andIam going,”j
ustasI
wasaboutt ot
ur naway,hegrabbedmyar m.
“Lucky
!Letmego, y
ouar emarri
ed.Icoul
dn’
tbe
aroundyouany more.”

“Ev
enwhenIneededy ouMi
ss?Yousai
dyou’
d
watchmesleep-whenIwokeupyouwere
goneandy
ounev ercamebackt
ome,”

“Okay
,I’
m sorr
y.I
’m sorry…”Icuppedhisfacei
n
myhands.Ihurthi
m, thatwasv er
ycruel.ButI
hadnochoice,hi
swifewental lmil
it
aryonme.
“I
…she…”

“Lucky
”hetookaquickstepbackatt hesound
ofhervoi
ce.I
t’
sher,
It’sMandisa.Shecaught
mewi thmyhandsal
l overherhusband.
“
Canwel
eav
e?”Icoul
dtel
lshewasmad.

“
HeyMandi
sa,
”Igr
eet
ed.

“
NowLucky
,”shedemanded.Luckyl
ookedat
met
henwalkeduptohi
swife.

“
Okay
,let
’sgo.
..
”

F**k!Mandisapr obabl
ywant stokillmenow.If
Luckyknowswhat ’sbestf
orhi m andhis
mar r
iage,
thenheshoul dn’
ttellherthedetai
l
s
ofthismission.That’
sifheev entell
sherthe
detail
sofhiswor kbecausethel astti
meI
checked;si
swasnoti ntheloop.
♡
I
NSERT40

CHAMELEON

(
Plur
al:
Chamel
eons)

1.Asmallt
omi d-
sizerept
il
eofthefamil
y
Chamael
eonidae,
andoneoft hebest-
known
l
izar
dfamil
iesabl
et ochangecol
ourandproj
ect
i
tslongt
ongue.

2.Apersonwithi
nconst
antbehavi
or;oneabl
e
toqui
cklyadj
ustt
onewci r
cumstances

Ever
ydayIfeelmyselff
all
i
ngbackint
omyol
d
ways.Iam al
waysfight
ingtheur
getogr
aba
bunchofpi
ll
sandtaket
hem downwi
thwi
ne.
I
nsteadIt
akecof
feeorj
ustgymtheur
geaway.

Start
ingthismi ssiont ookev eryt
hinginme.I
havet opretendt obeLucky ’
swi feandI ’
mi n
l
ov ewithhim.i t’sgoi ngtobev eryhardbut …I
signedupf ort hislifesobot tomsupf ol
ks.He’s
i
nt heotherr oom get ti
nghimsel fsituat
ed.We
bothagreedt hathet akesthemast erbedroom;
Ididn’
twantany thingbig.Ijusthav eani ssue
withbigspaces.Igr ewupi nt hem andt hey
mademef eel mor eal one.There’saknockon
thedoor.

“
Yes,
”hecamei
n.

“Iwasthi
nki
ngofcooki
ngsomet
hing.You
hungry
?”heasked.
“I
’m alway shungry,”Igr
innedinattemptto
convincehi mt hatevery
thingwascompl etel
y
normal .“I
’l
ltakeawal koutside.Iwanttoscout
oursur roundingsandgetf amili
arquick!
”

“
Yeahsur
e,t
akesomepi
ctur
esi
fyoucan,
”

Ichangedi ntomyj oggingatti

reandheadedout.
Mor ethanany thingIwantt obeawayf rom hi
m.
Theener gyisj usttooawkwar dandheav y.
Perhapsmay beI ’m doi
nghi m afav
ourfor
steppi
ngoutaswel l
.Iwalkedoutthegateand
headeddownt her oad.Ispott
edourhouse
i
mmedi atel
y,letmegoandknock.Iknowi t’
s
crazybutI ’
m Rai nbow.

Iknockedandwai
tedf
ort
hedoort
obeopened.
Al
adywi
thav
eryl
ongweav
eandnai
l
sopened.

“MayIhelpy
ou?”sheaskedst
eppi
ngout
side
andcl
osingthedooral
it
tl
e.

“Hey,I
’
m…”f uckwhat ’
smyname.Mondenev er
tol
dusournames.Shej ustsaidweareMrand
MrsMt hetwa.“
I’m Si
ndiMt het
hwa.Yournew
nei
ghbor”Ismiledextendingmyar mforwar
dto
shakehers.“MyhusbandandIj ustmov
edin
nextdoor,
”

“
Oh!Ididseemovementyesterdayandtoday
.
Wel
l,i
t’
snicet
omeety ou,
I’m Pinky
”shegentl
y
movedherhai
routofherface.

“
IknowaPi
nky
,”Igi
ggl
ed.
“Youjustneedtoknowat hi
rdoneandthen
you’l
lhaveluckbabe.Youknowwhatt heysay
;
thi
rdtime’
st hechar
mr ight,
”OhI’
m Lucky
alr
ight.

“Well
any way;
IthoughtIshoul
dcomeandsay
hiandpleasedonothesitat
etocomeonover
fordr
inks.Youcanmeetmyhusbandthen…”

“Speakingofhusbands.Lungababy !
”she
shoutedandi njustaheart
beat.Atal
l l
i
ght
skinnedfel
lowappear edshi
rt
lesswithtat
toos
alloverhi
sarm.Theoneonhi schestreads;
GODBLESS.“ Thisournewneighbor,Si
ndi.
She’smar r
iedtoo…”

“
Nicet
omeety ou,
”heextendedhi
sar
m
f
orwar
d,Ihel
ditandshook.
“Youguysshoul
dcomeov ersometi
mefor
dri
nks.I
’
m sureyouandBonganiwi
l
lgetal
ong,
”

“Yeah,wewil
loneoftheseday
s,rightsweety
?”
helookeddownathisshortwi
fe.She’sver
y
short,
evenshor
tert
hanme.

“
All
rightt
hen,
letmegetbackt
ojoggi
ng,
”

Iheadedondownt hestreet,madeat ur
ndown
theirhouseandcont i
nuedst rai
ghtdown.I
spot t
edtheirbat
hroom andbedr oom windows.
Ialsospot t
edabackdoort hatseemstohav e
beenshutf oragesnow.It ookpictur
esand
i
mmedi atel
ysenttoLucky.

Iwal
kedi
nheav
ingandsweat
ingbut
i
mmediatel
ygotexci
tedbecauseIgather
ed
somei
ntelandal
sobecausewhat ev
erLucky
wasmakingint
hekit
chensmel l
edamazing.

“
Goodj
obwi
tht
hepi
ctur
es,
”hesai
d.

“Mondedidn’
ttel
lushewasmar r
ied,
hername
i
sPinkyandhei sLunga,
”Igr
abbedaglassand
pour
edmy sel
fagl assofwat
erfr
om thefr
idge.

“
Hol
don,
didy
out
alkt
othem?
”heasked.

“
Yeah.Iknockedandtheyopened,
it’
l
lbeeasy
t
ogetthroughtothem,”

“Whatt
heactualf
uckRainbow,
”say
sLucky
soundi
ngr
atherdi
spleased.
“What?I
t’
sthefi
rstdayont hi
smi ssi
onandwe
al
readyhavesomethi
ng,”Iargued.

“
Whati
fsomet
hinghadhappenedt
oyou?
”

“
Wel
ltheni
twoul
dhav
ehappened,
”

“Thisisnothowwedot hi
ngs.Wehav eto
reportthi
sinf
ormationtoyoursi
sterand
Grootboom andtheydidn’
tgivet
hego- aheadt
o
gatherit,
thi
swasr eal
lyst
upidRainbow,”

“Ijustsawamomentandwentf
ori
t,car
pe
diem! ”Idef
endedmy
sel
f.

“
Ther
eisnoy
ouany
mor
e,i
t’
sal
laboutt
het
eam.
Youcan’
tdoany
thi
ngwithoutrunni
ngi
tbyme
orany
oneint
heteam.Gotit?
”

“
Lucky,okay…Igotit,
”Iwentdownt hepassage
i
ntomyr oom.Iquicklyshoweredandthen
j
oinedhiminthekitchen.

“
Yousmel
lni
ce,
”hesai
d.

“Thanky ou.Yournamei sBongani bytheway

andI ’
m Sindi,
”IthoughtIshouldthrowthatli
tt
le
pieceofinformat i
oninwhilstt
hingsaresti
ll
l
ight.Hel ookedatmecocki nghisheadt othe
side.“I
’m sorryIhadtocomeupwi thaname
quickl
y.Mondedi dn’
tgiv
eusnamesandour
dad’snamei sBongani,
”Ipouted.

“
Rai
nbow,
”hesi
ghed.“
Her
elet
’sgety
ouf
ed,
”
hemademacandcheesewi
thmushr
oomsand
bacon.

“How’sy ourwound?
”Iaskedt
ryi
ngt
omake
conversati
on.

“
It
’sl
ikeitwasnev
erther
e.It
’snoti
nmynat
ure
t
odie,”t
hat’
swhatMenzisai
d.

“Hey,
IhopeIdidn’tgetyouint
roublewi
tht
he
vrouyest
erday
,”Iglancedathi
m, hewasst
ari
ng
atme.

“
WhathappenedRainbow?
”hedr
oppedhi
sfol
k
i
nthebowlandwatchedmeeat
.“Why’
dyou
l
eavemeli
kethat
?”
“Youwantthetruth?”Ialsodroppedmyf ol
k
andthenpushedt hebowl asidetogivehim my
undiv
idedatt
ention.“Yourwifehappened,”I
swall
owedwhatr emainedoft hef
oodi nmy
mouth.“Shetol
dmesheknewy oulovedme
andthensaidtonev ercontactyouagain.I
wantedtosaygoodby eLuckybutshedi dn’
t
all
owandshei sy ourwife,so…”Ishrugged.

“Whydidn’tyoutellMenziorcomeandtel
lme
anyway?Sincewhendoy oudowhatyouare
tol
d?”thatlastquesti
onraisesal
otof
questi
ons.

“Shewashur t
ingbecauseofme.IknowI ’
dhat
e
i
tifanotherwomanwasal lov
ermy
husband…shehatesmeLucky .ButdeepdownI
knewy ouandIwouldseeeachot heragai
n,
”
“
Youknewaboutt
hismi
ssi
on?
”hequest
ioned.

“
No,Ij
ustmeanthat
,you’
reGuyandI
’
m Mi
ss.
We’
rel
ikeacoi
nandamagnet ”

Hesmir
ked,
“It
houghtIwast
heonl
yone
f
eel
ingt
hatway,
”

“
Don’
tdothatLucky
.“Igotupandt
ookmybowl
t
othecouch.

“
Dowhat
?”hef
oll
owedme.

“Don’
tsmil
eli
kethatatme,t
hat’
spract
ical
l
y
cheat
ingonyourwif
e,”It
ookther
emoteand
swit
chedthetvon.
“
Forsmi
l
ingaty
ou?
”hequest
ioned.

“
Lucky
,pleasego…gotoy
ourroom andcall
y
ourwife.Butst
ayawayf
rom me?Igotstern.

“
Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
”

“Youarewhatiswrongwi
thmey
oumor
on,
”I
swit
chedthetvoff
.

“IwasapussynowI’m amor
on,cl
assi
c,
”he
saidl
owl
y,“Wel
lthenwhatdi
dIdo?”

“Don’tyougetit
,mywor dLuckyyouareso
annoy i
ng.Wehav ever
ydeepandst r
ong
feel
ingsforeachotherthatany
thi
ngwedo
togetherorsaytoeachothermightl
eadtoyou
chetingonMandi saandIt r
ulydon’twantto
hurther.Thesexual t
ensionbet weenusi s
heav y,
”Itookalongbr eath.“Every
timeIlookat
you, Ij
ustwanttokissy ouandhol dy ouand
j
ustst ayinyourarmsf orever,butwecan’tdo
that.YouandIar ejustar omant i
ctragedy.
”I
can’tbeli
eveIjustsaidallofthat.

“
Youknowt
hati
t’
sal
way
sbeeny
ou,
right
?”

“
Buty
ouchoseher
,”Isai
d.

“Becauseyouwoul dn’
tchooseme! ”heshouted.
“Youbrokemyf uckingheartandIhateyoufor
i
t.Yout ol
dmey oul ovedmewhenIwas
bleedi
ngout,nahMi ss,”hi
sbreat
hingquiv
ered.

“
Lucky
,”Ist
oodandgotcl
osert
ohi
m.“
I’
m
sorr
y,”Iwhi
spered.Istoodonmyt oesand
wrappedmyar msar oundhisneck.

“
Youbr
okemyhear
t,
”hecr
ied.

“I
’m sorry
,”Isai
d.“I
’m sor
ryLucky.I
’
mr eall
y
sorry…Ididn’
tmeant omakey oucry
,”i
nsteadof
holdi
ngme, If
elthi
m pull
awayandpushme
away .Ist
eppedbackt oassesshim.

“I’
m mar r
ied.”Het urnedaroundandwentdown
thehall.Heent eredhisroom andshutt hedoor.
Ican’tcry!Iwil
l notcry.Never
!Ibreathedinand
outrepeat edl
yunt i
ltheurgetocrydisappeared
i
nmychest .

Iheardacardoorshut;
itmustbeournei
ghbors.
Ipeekedoutthewindowanditwasdefi
nit
ely
t
hem.

“Lucky,”Icall
ed.“
Wegotmov ement.Takeout
thetrash,”Luckycameoutr
unning.“I
syour
deviceon? ”

“Yesma’ am,”hepickedupaf aketr

ashf r
om
our‘f
aket r
ash’ st
ashanddashedout si
de.Ir
an
i
ntoLucky ’
sr oom wherewehadt hecomputer
andallourequi pmentsetup.Iqui
ckly
connectedLucky ’
swatch.NowIcanseewhat
he’sseeingandcanhearhi m.Iconnectedwit
h
theoutsideteam aswell.

“
Team2comei
n”Isai
d,

“
Wear ein,
”that
’sSi
beko.“
Lucky
,ther
e’saver
y
t
inybut
tonony ourwat
ch,j
ustpr
essthatonce
f
orme”hesai
d.I
namat
terofseconds,
my
v
iewwaszoomed.

“
That
’smuchbet
ter
,”sai
dNkonzo.
“
Ithi
nkhe’
sbr
ingi
ngi
nnewgi
rl
s,
”say
sLucky
.

“
Wehav
epr
oof
,let
’scal
li
tin,
”or
der
edNkonz
o.

“
No!wecan’t.Theyar
ejustyounggi
rl
swal
ki
ng
i
ntoahouse.Weneedev i
dencebeyond
r
easonabl
edoubt .
”

“
Yesma’
am,
”

“Lucky
,Ineedyoutobeveryst
il
l,Iwantt
otr
y
andscanatleastoneoft
hefaces,”
I’m watchingcareful
lyatwhatisbef oremy
eyes.Thesegi r
lslooksoy oungandscar edbut
wecan’tgoi nnow.IknowCol onelwi l
lsay
exactl
ywhatIsai d;thati
t’sj
ustgirl
swal king
i
ntoahouse, nocriminalact
ivi
tythere,even
thoughty oucanclearlyt
ellt
heyar eshitscared.
Waitwai twait…

“
Lucky
,thatmant
hatj
ustwal
kedi
n,
”Isai
d.

“
whi
chone,
thebl
acksui
t?”heasked.

“
What’sup,y
our
ecognizehim?”askedSi
beko,
“
It
’sdarksowemightnotseeclear
ly,
”

“That
’sNdumi
soGumede,
”Iut
ter
edsi
ckt
omy
stomach.
“What?NdumisoGumedeasi
nyourhusband?
”
askedLucky
.

“It
’shi
m.I’
drecogni
zehisshadowanywher
e.
ComebackLucky ,t
hisj
ustgotbi
ggert
hanwe
thought
,”

“
Arey
ousur
eit
’shi
m?”hequest
ioned.

“Yes!”If i
rmlysai d.Mychesti sbur ningupright
nowIcan’ tevent hinkstrai
ght.Ndumi soisli
ke
af uckingChamel eon.Hekeepsadj usti
ngto
everysi nglesituati
onandenv i
ronment .Thi
s
mot herf***erthrewmeundert hebusandt hen
startedanewi llegalventur
e.Bl oodyhel l
.Iwil
l
takehi m down.Iswearhewi lldiebehi ndbars;
I
wast oof****ngsof tandnicet ohi m because
I’
m anact ualhumanbei ng,butt hatdidmeno
good.Thi st i
meIwon’ tbe.
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡

P.
S:t
hebonuswi
l
lbepost
edl
atert
oday
♡

I
NSERT41

STOP

Ver
b

1.Toceasemov
ing

2.Tocomet
oanend
Mymamausedt osay ,“Tumel o,inthi
swor l
d
youneedt obeaswi seasaser pentandas
gent leasdov e,”Inev erunder stoodwhatshe
meantbyt hatuntilyear slaterwhenIwas
grownandr eali
zedt hatf rom heradv i
ce–Ionl y
followedt helatter.I’
veal way sbeenv erygent l
e
andsoInev erbother edt obewi se.Iwas
mar r
iedt oNdumi so, Imast eredhi severy
mov ement .Igottounder standt hetwitchingof
hisey ebrowandt hev erysquintingofhi seyes.I
under stoodhi sbreathi ng,tone,v ol
ume,
disposi t
ionandbodyl anguage.Hi soutfi
ts
becameal anguageonl yIcouldunder standand
i
nt erpret.Hewor enav ysui t
swhenhehas
i
mpor tantbusinesspeopl etoimpr ess,and
blackwhenhehasi ll
egal meetingsand
delinquent stoscar e.

Ishoul
dhaveseenhi
m comi
ng.Ishoul
dhave
knownthathewasgoi
ngtocome;that
’si
fhe
evenleftinthefi
rstplace.Ibookedhim aticket
toMexicoandt ookhi mt otheairpor
t.Iwatched
him getinsidet
hepl aneandt henlef
t.Il
eft
beforehet ookoff.hemusthav egot
tenoff

“
HowcanIbesost
upi
d?!
”Ibangedont
het
abl
e.

“Rai
nbow,comeon.Youcan’
thaveseenthat
coming.Andwearenotsur
eifi
t’
shim,”

“Iam t
ell
i
ngy ouGuy,thati
sNdumi so.Iknow,I
knowhim.AndIshoul dhaveseenthiscoming.
Ishoul
dhav eknownthathewasbusy
maneuveringhiswaybacktothetop…thisti
me
heisnotjustabusi
ngmeLucky ,heisabusing
i
nnocenty ounggi
rl
s.Fuck!
”

“
Wewi
l
lgethi
m,”heassur
ed.
“Wehav eto.Thi
sisn’
tright…somet
hingisn’t
ri
ght”Ipacedupanddown.Luckywassi tt
ing
onthekitchenst
ool l
i
steningtomerant.“I
t’sal
l
toosmoot h.
”

“
Howdoy
oumean?
”heasked.

“Idon’
tknowLuckybutsomet hi
ngisjustnot
sit
ti
ngright…andIneedt
of i
ndit
.Ineedtofind
him.May beIshoul
dgoov ert
herenow”

“
Negat
ive”hedi
sput
ed.

“Maybewewil
lcatcht
hem r
edhanded.Wecan
del
iv
ertwoi
nsteadofone,
”
“
Notgoi
ngtohappen.It
’sarooki
emoveand
y
ouknowit,
”hegotup,tookmyhandand
l
ookedi
ntomyeyes.“Lookatme,”

“
Guy
,thi
sisnott
het
imet
o…”

“Lookint
omyeyesMiss,”heper
sist
ed,
I
obli
ged.“Whoar
eyoulookingat
?”

“
Guy
”Ianswer
ed.

“AndI ’
ml ookingatRainbow”hetookmyhand
andr esteditonhisfaceandsmi l
ed.Iwait
edf
or
him cont i
nuewiththi
sanalogy,buthejust
gazedi ntomyey esli
keal i
tt
lepuppylove
str
uck.
“
Okay
,sowhat
?”Icoul
dn’
thel
pbutsmi
l
etoo.

“Oh!Nothing,Ij
ustwantedyoutocalm down.
”
hesaid.Ishutmyey esandgiggledundermy
breat
h.Onl yLuckycangetmelikethi
s.

“
Fine,
youwi
n.I
’
m cal
m”

“Wouldyouli
kesomeicecream mademoi
sel
l
e?
Yoursist
erst
ockedi
tforus,
”

“SheknowsIl ov
ei cecream.WhenIgot oher
place,Ifinishwhat everl
it
tl
etheyhave;poor
thingsjustbyi tformenow, ”Isi
ghed.Hedidn’
t
sayany thing,hejustkeptmyey esinpl
ace.
“CanIr emov emyhandnow? ”
“Sure,
”hewhispered.I
nmyattempttoheadto
thefri
dgehegrabbedmyar m andpul
ledbeto
hischestandkissedme.Ipul
ledawayinst
ant
ly
andslappedhim.Ididn’
tmeantodothat.

“Lucky”hekissedmeagai n.Ohmywor di
tfeel
s
sogood.Hi slipsal loverminemakemeweak.
Itmakesev erypar tofmet r
embl eandsends
verysati
sfyi
ngchi llsdownmyspi ne.“Stop,
”I
stoppedandl ookedaway .Hislipsr estedonmy
cheek.Hehel dmet ightagainsthischestt hatI
j
ustwant edtocr y.Hest artedkissingmyneck
softl
yandgent l
y.Iexhaledt r
emul ously.“Thi
s
i
sn’tri
ght,
”Istut t
ered.

“
It
sjustsex,
”hewhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.

“No,
”Ishookmyheadt aki
ngastepback.“
It
’s
notanymore,
”Icl
eanedmyeyes.Icoul
dnot
keepmyt earsatbay .“You’
remarr
ied,”I
marchedintomyr oom andgat her
edmy sel
f.I
wil
lnotrui
nthismi ssionbecauseoflove.This
i
smyj ob,myl i
feandmor eimport
antl
y ,
Ndumisoisinvolv
edsoIneedt osoberup.

Somet i
mel ater
, hecamet otellmetosleep,
thathe’ dt akef i
rstwatch.Hecal l
edmeanhour
orsol at
erwhenhespot t
edamani nablack
suitcomi ngoutoft hehouse.andi twashim
i
ndeed, itwasNdumi so.Eventual
lyIendedup
fal
lingasl eep.ThankGod.Iwokeupat5and
rel
iev edhi m.Hesai dtherehasn’tbeen
mov ementsi nceNdumi soleftwithtwoother
men.

“Team1comein,over”Si
beko’
svoi
cesounded
overthewal
ki
e-t
alki
e.
“
Thi
sisTeam1,
”

“Youhavecompanycomi ngaty
ou,ber
eady,
over
,”Il
ookedoutthewindowandsawPinkyi
n
gym wearsaunt
eri
ngtowardsmydoor.

“Rogerthat,t
eam1ov erandout ,
”Ihidthe
walkie-
tal
kiethenrant othekitchenandboi l
ed
wat er
.Thedoor bel
lrang.“Actnor mal
,”Isaidto
my self
.Iopenandt hereshewassweat ingand
breathi
ngheav i
ly.“
Hey ,Pinky
.Goodmor ning,
”I
cheerful
lysai
d.

“Goodmor ni
ng,
”shesai
d.“
Ijustf
ini
shedmyjog
andIthoughtIshoul
dcomebyandsayhell
o,”

Ist
eppedaside,
“Pl
easecomei
n”shegl
idedi
n,
“Pl
easesi
t,canIof
fery
ousomewater
,jui
ce,
t
ea?
”

“Wat erwil
ldojustf
ineplease,
”shesatont he
stool andwatchedmewal karoundthiski
tchen
thatissupposedlymine.Thankful
ly,
Ihadwat er
yesterdaywhenIcamebackf rom myjogsoI
knowwher etoopenandwher etonot.“Thank
you,”sheimmedi at
elydrank.“
So,whereisy our
husband? ”sheasked.

“
Heisasl
eep,hesleptv
erylat
elastnight
wat
chi
ngsoccer,
men”Ir ol
l
edmyey es.

“
Tellmeaboutit,mylogi
sst
il
lasl
eeptoo,
”we
l
aughedhyst
erical
lyl
i
keanyt
wogi r
lswoul
d
whengossi
ping.

“
Oh,
Ithi
nkhe’
sup,
”Isai
d,“
Ihearf
lushi
ng”
“
Ihopewedi
dn’
twakehi
m up,
”
“
Honey
,”Ical
l
ed.

“Wedefi
nit
elywokehim up.Wegi
rl
sjustcan’
t
seem t
okeepittoget
herwhenwelaugh,
”Lucky
appear
edwearingboxer
sonly.

“
Goodmor
ning,
”hegr
eet
ed.

“Jesu,
”sheclappedoncestar
tl
ingLucky.“Si
ndi
Mo’ghel.Youdidn’
ttel
lmeyourhusbandwasa
snack;adarkchocolat
esnackeven.Doy ou
wanttoswi t
ch,
”Luckycameov erandki
ssed
myf or
ehead.

“
Heybabe,
”hesai
d.
“Hey,baby,t
hisisPi
nkyournext-
doornei
ghbor
.
RememberIt oldyouaboutherandher
husband,”

“
Ohy es!I
t’
sapleasur
etomeety
ouma’am,”she
l
i
ftedherhandupasthoughi
ndeepworshi
p.

“
Hecal
l
edmema’
am.Mar
ryme…”

“
Ial
readyhavemyhandsful
lher
e,”hi
sar
m
r
est
edr i
ghtonmywaist
.Welaughed.

“Wouldyouli
kesomet eal
ove?Whi
leImake
breakf
ast?
”Ilookedupathi
m.hisl
i
pscurved
upatthecorner.
“Letmetakeashowerf i
rst
,”Inodded.He
l
eanedinandplantedasoftkissonmyl i
psand
i
tssoobv i
ousthatitwasforhisownbenefi
t.
ButIhadtoplayalong.“
You’r
eal ovel
ywif
e,”he
kissedmeagain.

“
Andyouarealov
elyhusband,
”Isai
d.He
wal
kedaway.

“
Nicet
omeety
ounei
ghbor
,”hesang.

“Nicet
omeety outoochocolat
ehusband,
”her
eyesfoundmine,excepther
swerewideopen
andexcit
ed.“
Youguy saresoul
mates,
”

“
I’
dkil
lmysel
fifweweren’t
”Istart
edtaki
ng
f
ooditemstogetbr
eakfastreadyformy
‘
husband’
.
“Youknowwhat?Asa‘ welcometothe
neighbor
hood’
gif
t,whydon’tyouandMbongeni
comeov erf
orsupper
,letmecookf ory
ou.
”

“
Ohar
eyousur
e,”Ihav
etobemodestf
ir
st.

“
Please,
I’
dloveforourl
over
stomeet
,itseems
l
i
key ouandIarehit
ti
ngitof
fwel
l
,”

“Thenwewi
l
ldef
ini
tel
ybet
her
e,y
oucancount
onthat
,”

“
It
’sadat
e,”shebl
ushed.

Iwalkedheroutt
henmar
chedi
ntoLucky
’s
room,
“JesusChri
stMiss,
”hequi
ckl
ygr
abbedat
owel
andhidhispeni
s.

“
It’
snothingIhav
en’
tseen,
”Ipl
ant
edmyf
eet
r
ightbeforehi
s.

“Yeahbut,Idon’
twantyout
oseeinlankyand
hanging.Il
ikei
twhenyouseei
thard,”

“Guy!”Isqueezedmyeyesshutri
ddi
ngmyhead
ofthepi ct
ureofhi
shar
dpenis.“
Isawwhatyou
didthere,ki
ssi
ngmeandst uf
f,
”

“You’
remywi
fe,
”heshi
ft
edhi
swei
ghtt
oone
side.
“
Pret
endwi
fe,
”Icor
rect
ed.

“That’
swhatIwasdoi
ng–pr
etendi
ng”he
defendedhi
mself
.

“
I’
m wat
chi
ngy
ou,
chocol
atehusband,
”

“
Okayf
ine,
I’
m sor
ry.
”Ikepthi
sey
esi
npl
ace.

“
Ifor
giv
eyou,
butf
ir
st,
”Ipul
l
edt
het
owel
away
.

“Whatthefuck?!
? !
”hecriedtry
ingtotakeitwit
h
onehandwhi l
et heothercovereddownthere.I
keptmov i
ngitfr
om onehandt oanother
makinghim workf ori
t,“
Rainbow,stopplayi
ng
around.Wear eonami ssionandweneedt o
getseri
ous,”
“takethetowelthen,”whenhet r
iedtogr abi
t,I
pulleditawayandt hrewitonmyot herhand.
Finall
y!Ideci
dedtohav emercyonhi m.His
otherhandhadst oppedbei ngashieldsohis
j
unkwasj usthangi
ngandbounci ngar ound.
“Don’tmesswi thme, ”Iwal
kedoutf eel
ing
tr
iumphant .

“
Youknowy
ouwi
l
lpayf
ort
hisr
ight
?”
“
What
ev er
,”Ishout
edmaki
ngmywaybackt
o
t
heki
tchen.

Igotstart
edwi t
hbreakf
ast.Ihav
emyeggs
boil
i
ngnowI ’
m busychoppingmushr
oomsi
nto
smallerchunks.

“
Youar
enaught
yRai
nbow,
”hesai
d.“
Dowe
hav
ebeer
?”heaskedal
readybyt
hef
ri
dge.

“
Yeah,
I’
m sur
eIsawsome,
”

Thenextt
hing;If
elthi
shandrubbi
ngmyv
agi
na
backandfort
hovermyunderwear.

“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?”atr
embli
ngwhisper
cameoutofmymouth.It
ri
edbacki
ngawaybut
myeffor
tswer
etonoavai
l.

“YouknowIcanmakeyourkneesshake,”he
saidi
ntomyearthenki
ssedmyneck.“Ican
makey ousaymynameev ersopassi
onatel
y,
”

“
Lucky
,”Imoaned.
“Mypoi ntexact ly
.”Heki ssedmyneck.Hekept
rubbingandr ubbi ngandki ssi ngandki ssing.I
wasl osingcont rol.“Icantossandt urny oui nto
anyposi ti
onandmakey ouscr eam.I fany thing,
I’
m wat chingy ouRai nbow,”hegr abbedmy
boobandsqueezed, itwaspai nfulbutIder ived
pleasurefrom t hepai n.Het uckedhi shand
i
nsidemypent iesandi nsertedhi smi ddlefinger
i
nsideofme.“ Shoul dIstop? ”heaskedni bbling
myear lobegent l
y.Isqueezedont ot heedgeof
thecount erandl etoutaqui ver i
ngcr y.His
fi
ngerdi dn’tmov e, hejustinser t
edi t.“Tellme
whatt odoMi ss,yourwi shi smycommand, ”
added, “ShouldIst op? ”

“Don’
tstop,continue,
”Iregret
ful
l
ygav ein.He
pushedhisfingerinmakingmebi teontomy
l
ipsharderthanusual.Her emovedhisfinger
,
pull
edmypent i
esdown, bentmeov erandthen
i
nsertedhispenis.Igaspedasmysqueezedon
t
hecount
ergott
ight
er.

DearLor
d,whatar
ewedoi
ng?Whatam Idoi
ng?
Whatishedoi
ng?

#bonusi
nser
t
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT42

CAVALRY

Noun

1.(
int
hepast
)sol
dier
swhof
oughton
hor
seback
2.Usedtoref
ertoasour ceofhel
porr escuei
n
anemergency,especi
all
yasalastresort.

Themi ndi sbot haki ndandev i

lthing.I t
’sabilit
y
tolety out hinkhappyt hought sandl etyou
i
magi net hingsthatar en’tast hought heywer e,
andt ohaunty ouast houghi ti
sn’tapar tofy ou,
ast houghi tisanent itycapabl etocompl et
ely
existout sideofy oui si mpeccabl e.Wel i
v ein
ourheadsmor et hanwedoi nther eal wor l
d.In
ourheadswehav eev erythingwecani magi ne.
Wecanbeweal thy ,wecanber oy als,wecanbe
heroesandev er
y thingwewantt obe.Heckwe
canbel ov edbyt hosewel ove,wecanexi stina
perfectwor ldwher ethehear tcanr eallyspeak
sowhenpeopl esay ,“l
istent oyourhear t”it
makest ot alsensebecauset hatisj usthowi tis.
Andwheny oudol istent oy ourhear t;there’
sno
casual t
iesbecausey ouar edoingwhat ’sbest
fory ou,youar enotbei ngsel fi
sh.
I’
veimagi nedhowi twouldbel i
kewhenLucky
comesknocki ngatmydoorbr eathingheav i
ly
becausehehadbeenr unningandt henwhenI
openf orhim,he’dspeakami dhuf f
ingand
puffi
ng.He’ dtellmet hathel eftMandi saforme,
andt hathelov edmesomuchi fhespent
anothermi nutewi thoutme, he’ddieof
heartache.ThenI ’dcryandr espondbysay ing
I’
vebeenwai t
ingf orhimt otellmet hatand
then,justli
keint hemov ies,we’ dkiss,he’
dcarry
mei nhi sarmsl i
keagr oom woul dhi sbri
de
thenwe’ dmakel ovethewhol enight .
Passionatelove.Thatf antasygi vesmeapl ace
tovisitwhenIcl osemyey es.Itcreat esasafe
spacef ormet onotbehaunt edbymypast .

But
,li
keIhadment
ionedbef
ore;
themi
ndis
bot
hkindandev
il
.Whenthesuncomesup,i
t
woul
dhauntmewithmypastandmockme
wit
hmyt r
aumas.Woul ddi
splaymyf ai
l
ed
mar r
iagewi t
hNdumi soandmakemequest i
on
mywor thandwhyLuckywoul dleaveaperf
ect
personsuchasMandi saandcomet oashack
ofdespai r
,woeandgr eat
?Theni twoul
ddangle
apictureofsadMandi sacryi
ngbecauseLucky
l
eftherf ormemaki ngmeashamedofev en
i
magi ningLuckyleavi
ngherforme.
That’
sav erypowerfulpowert
ohav e,especial
ly
forsomethingthatcannotbeseen,fel
t,touched
orheard.I
talmostdoesnotexistbuty etits
exist
enceisbothlif
e-savi
ngandthr
eat ening.

GuyandIf ellasleepont hecouch, I’m notsur e

forhowlongbuti t
’sbeenal it
tl
ewhi le.Icanfeel
him br
eathingagai nstmyneck, he’
sst il
lasleep.
Icaref
ull
ygotupwi t
houtdisturbinghi m.Hada
glassofwat erthenbathed.Af terthatIwentt o
wakehim upsohecoul dfreshenup, west i
ll
havethatsupperwi t
hournei ghbor s.Weasked
Mondet ogetusanexpensivebott
leofwi
neto
gi
ftthem wit
h.Theylookli
kethebeert
ypeof
people,
butit’
swine,
it’
ll
comei nhandy
.And
Mondedel i
vered.

“
Yougotyourwat
ch?
”Iaskedwhi
l
ehewas
l
ocki
ngourdoor
.

“
Yesma’
am,
”hesay
s.“
Youl
ookgood.
”
“Thankyou,Guy,”wemadeourwaytoour
neighbor
s’holdi
nghandsli
keanymarri
ed
couplewould.Herangthebel
landourguy
opened,theyi
mmedi at
elygel
l
ed.

“thewife’
sinthekit
chen, Si
ndi
,
”saidLunga
point
ingmei nthedirecti
onofthekit
chen.Il
eft
them tobeboy sandjoinedher
.Ifoundher
dishi
ngupwi thanapr onon.
“
Heygi
rl
,”Isai
d.

“Heybaby,”sheopenedherarmsandgav eme
aswifthugthenrushedbacktoherpotsand
plat
es.“Thankyouforcoming,Iwental
loutf
or
youguys,”

“Icansee,i
tsmellsamazing.Lookatyoubei
ng
agoodwi feandeveryt
hing,
”aloudlaught
er
camef r
om thelounge.Welookedateachother
andsmi l
ed.

“
Iguesst
het
wol
ogsl
i
keeachot
her
,”shesay
s.

“Soundsso…”whi let
ryi
ngtokeepour
conversati
ongoing,I
’m al
solookingar
oundthe
kit
chenf orany
thingsuspi
cious.Andsofar
,
ther
e’sadoorwhi chIassumei stheoneIsaw
whenIwasj ogging,t
heonet hatseemedtohad
beenlockedforages.“Yourhouseisverybi
g…”
Iwantedtostartaconversat
ionthatwouldlead
met otal
kingaboutthatdoor.

“I
tis,wehavef
amil
yandfr
iendscomeov
er
everynowandagai
n,
”shesayssti
ll
concentr
ati
ngondi
shi
ng.

“
Thebedr
oomsar
eobvi
ousl
yupst
air
s,how
many
?”It
ookt
hesal
adandhel
pedherdish.

“
Thanksdol
l…hmm wehave4bedr
ooms,
i
ncl
udingt
hemastersui
t,
”

“
Wehav
e3.Eachr
oom hasabat
hroom,
”
“Yeahsameheret
oo,t
henwehav eanot
her
bathr
oom att
heendofthepassage,
”

“It
houghtthatwast
hedownst
air
sbat
hroom,
”I
sai
dpointi
ngatthedoor
.

“
Ohno,
”

“
What
’st
hatt
hen?
”

“That’
sjust
…hmmm, stor
ageforLunga’
sthings
andmi ne…j
ustthi
ngswedon’ tuseanymore,”
Bingo.That
’sourdoor.Ineedtogetthr
ough
there.

“Letmeputtheseont
hetabl
e,I
’l
lbebackj
ust
now,”shezoomedout
.Iswit
chedonmy
dev
ices.

“
Team2,
cany
ouhearme?
”Ical
l
ed.

“
Thisi
sTeam2,
”Nkonzor
esponded.“
Wear
e
wi
thyou,
”

“Iam gi
vi
ngyouav i
sualofadoor ,
sheseemed
veryhost
il
etal
ki
ngaboutit.Ithi
nkthat’
sthe
samedoorIsawy est
erdayfrom outsi
de,
”

“Gi
veusami nute,
we’l
ltr
yandgett
he
schemat
icsofthehouse,
”

“
IsLuckyon,
”Iasked.

“
Negat
ive.Pl
easef
indawayt
ogethi
m on,
”
say
sSi
beko.

“How? ”Iasked,“Ican’tparti
cul
arl
yaskhimto
switchonhi sspyingdev icesothecopscan
l
isteninonusandpossi blycomeintoarr
est
thepeoplethatinv i
tedusov er,
”Ihear
dNkonzo
l
aughing.

“Youhaveafunnywayofusi
ngwords
Rainbow,
”hesaidami
dstcackl
i
ng.

“Nownow,youaremar
ri
edt
ohi
m,j
ustt
ouch
him…Idon’
tknow,
”

Isi
ghed,
“Okay
,I’
l
lgethi
min,
”

“
Arey
ouokay
?”sheasked
“
Yeah,j
ustadmiri
ngy
ourbeaut
if
ulhome.Il
ove
t
hecupboards,
”

“Okay,
”herey esdartedbet
weenmy sel
fandt he
door.She’
sv eryinsecur
eaboutthatdoor.Ican
j
ustseei t
.“Pleasegrabthespoonsandl et
’sgo
anddigin,”

“
alr
ightgoty
ou,
”

Wef
inal
l
ysatar
oundt
hedi
nnert
abl
eandat
e.

“
So,
Lunga,
whatdoy
oudo?
”askedLucky
.

“I
’
m apharmaci
st,
”hesayseverbol
dly
.A
phar
macist
…wow.That’
salit
tl
efar-
fet
ched.
“That
’swonderful
,
”Iexclai
med.“
Mbongeni
ownst axi
s,
”Iboasted.

“
Iheart
hati
t’
sverydangerousbutalsobr
ings
i
nalotofmoney,
”mentionedPinky
.

“That’strue,i
tsverydanger ousbutthemoney
i
sgoodso, ”Luckyst oppedt oswall
ow, “There’s
nost oppingme, ”helookedatme, “Imean
beingabl etoprovideformyl ovel
ywi fethelife
shedeser v
esmakesmesl eepbetter.She
deserv esthewor l
dandIwoul ddoabsol utely
anythingandImeanany thi
ngLungat omake
sureshei sn’tsuff
eri
ng,”Iseewhathe’ st r
ying
todo.

“
Andweal
lhav
etomakeal
i
vingonewayort
he
other.Evenifitmeansdodgi
ngafewbull
ets
andhi di
ngf r
om theBluebl
oodsev
erynowand
again,”Ibackedhim up.

“Bl
ueblood?”Lungacamei n,“
Youmeany ou
havethem atyourtai
ltoo?”thefactthathesai
d
‘
too’meanshehashadsomei nvolvementwith
pol
iceinthepastandIl ov
ehowLuckyi stry
ing
togetLungatotrusthim.

“I’
m ataxi owner
,I’
m boundtohav et
hepoli
ce
atmyt ail,
”hesays.“Whataboutyouguys?
”he
i
nqui r
ed.“Evergetmixedinthatki
ndofmess?”
theylookedateachot her
.Pinkyseemstobe
panicking.

“Notreal
l
y ,
justsmall
issues.I
’m sur
enotas
seri
ousasy ours,
”saysLunga.Underthet
abl
e,I
reachedforLucky’
sarm.Icouldseehim
l
ooki
ngatmefrom t
hecor
nerofmyey
e.He
t
henclear
edhi
sthr
oat.

“
What’
stheti
mebabe?”Myey esbor
eint
ohi
s.
Hel
ookedathiswat
chthenbackatme,

“
It
’s22:20l
ove,
”hesl
ippedhi
shandsundert
he
t
able.I
nafewsecondsIhear
dSibeko’
svoi
cein
myear.

“
WEGOTHI
M,GOODJOB”

“So,
Pinky
,youhav
etogi
vemeahouset
our
,”I
smil
edather.

“
Def
ini
tel
y!
”shegotup,reachedherhandout
f
ormetohold.“
Wewi l
lbebackjustnow,”
“Don’
ttaket
oolongnow.I
t’
sti
met ol
eave,
”
saidmyhusband.Imeanmypret
endhusband.

Wewal kedthrougheverydoorandIpretended
tobeli
steni
ngt oherblabberonaboutthe
desi
gnofeachr oom.Seemsshedecor atedthe
househerself
.Lastl
y,shetookmet othe
mastersuit
.

“
So,
thi
siswher
ethemagi
chappens,
”It
eased.

“Iguess,
”sherol
ledhereyes.“
Canyoukeepa
secret?
”Inoddedapproachi
ngher.“
Someti
mes
hegetsv er
yaggressi
vewithme,”

“
What
?!?
”Icr
ied,
“Doeshehi
tyou?
”
“
Shhhh”sher
ushedtocl
osethedoor.“No,he’
s
j
ustaman.Hedoesn’
thi
tme…l et’
sgo,
”Iheard
aloudt
hudcomingfr
om beneathus.

“
Whatwast
hat
?”wel
ookedateachot
her
.

Shetookmyhandanddr aggedmeout,“
It
’s
nothi
ng,
”shepulledmedownstai
rswher
ewe
foundourhusbands.

“Didyouguyshearthatsound?
”Iwant
edhis
react
ion.“
Itsoundedli
keitwascomi
ngfr
om
underneat
hy ourhouse,
”

“
Itol
dyouitwasnot
hing,
”shef
orcedasmil
e.
“
Thankyouforcomi
ng.Letmewalkyouout
,”
Af
terwesai
dourr
ushedgoodby
es,
LuckyandI
wal
kedhome.

“
Team2,
any
thi
ng?
”Iasked.

“
Thereisabasementandt
hatdoory
ousaw
l
eadsther
e”sai
dNkonzo.

“
Lucky
.It
hinkPi
nkyi
shel
dagai
nstherwi
l
ltoo,
”

“YeahInot
icedt
hat,
”heagr
eedwi
thme.“
Ithi
nk
Lungaishi
tti
nghert
oo,”

“Shebl
urtedoutt
hatheget
saggressi
veatt
ime
butIt
hinkshegotscar
edbefor
eshecouldget
i
ntodetai
l,”
“Li
sten,wescannedherface,
thesyst
em issti
l
l
searchingforher
.Let
’shopeshewasreport
ed
missing,”

“Ineedtogoback…”Iannounced.Lucky
stoppedopeni
ngthedoorandlookedatme.

“Nevergoi
ngtohappen,”hedeci
ded.Hefi
nal
l
y
openedandthenlockedoncewewer ei
n,

“
Gobackandsaywhatt
hough?
”askedSi
beko.

“
Sibeko,no…they’
l
lbeont
ous.I
tsenoughf
or
t
oday,”arguedLucky
.

“
Iwi
l
lgot
othedoorandt
ryt
oopenf
rom
outsi
dewhileyouguyscoverme,
”Iexpl
ained.
“Li
sten,
Pinkymightbei
ndanger.Foral
lwe
knowLungami ghtbehi
tti
ngherri
ghtnow
becauseofthesoundweheard,
”

“
Miss,
wecan’
tjust
…”

“
Go,
”Si
bekoor
der
ed.

“
Notgoi
ngt
ohappen,
”hepr
otest
ed,

“Lucky,
rightnowIam y oursuperi
or .I
fIsay
she’sgoingthenshe’sgoing,
”Luckyst ar
edat
me.Ihav etogot her
e.Ihavetoatl easttr
y.I’
ve
beenav i
ctim ofabusebefore,soI’
m wel laware
ofwhathemi ghtbedoingtoherrightnow.
Ittookatleastanhourf orLuckytoteachme
howt oopenapadl ockusi ngjustt
wobobby
pins.Ihadmygunwi t
hmeandmadesur ethat
mydev i
ceswer eonandconnect ed.Idid
exactlywhatLuckyt oldmeandi topened.I
pulleddownt hedoorhandl e,
careful
notto
makeanoi se,Ipul
ledthedooropenandf ound
abunchofgi r
lster
rif
iedtodeatheachina
sleepingbag.

“Shhhh,
poli
ce”Iwhisper
ed.“
Arey
ouguy
s
seeingt
his?
”Iasked.

“
goddammi
t!
”Lucky
’sv
oicesounded.“
Lookat
t
his,
”

“
Cal
li
nthecav
alr
y,”Ior
der
ed.
“
Pleasehel
pus,
”oneoft
hegi
rl
scr
ied.

“Don’tworry,helpiscomi ng.Iwon’tl
eavey ou
here.Wherear ethedr ugs?”theylookedateach
otherI’
m guessingscar edt oanswer.“I
fyou
guysneedhel py ouwi l
lhav etospeakup.
Wher earethedr ugs?”one’sey estr
avell
edand
restedonthecur tainhungupatt heendoft hi
s
room.Imar chedupt oitandpul l
edittotheside.
“Wher et
hef uckisMonde? ”Ifoundthedr ugs.I
foundev er
ything,i
t’salli
nher e.

“Hangti
ghtMi
ss,
I’
m comi
ng,
”thedoorswung
shut.

“Lucky,pl
easet
ell
met hatwasy
ou,
”my
breathi
nggotheavy.
“
Ohno!
”theyst
art
edcr
ying.

“
I’
m st
il
li
nthehouse,
whathappened?
”
“
Thedoorj
ustcl
osed,
”

“Hmmm…Team1, wemi ghthaveaproblem.

”
SaidNkonzo,
“Yourfri
endlynei
ghborshave
visi
tor
s,t
heydon’
tlooklikeni
cevisi
tor
s,”

“Fuck!Nkonzo,
lookatt
heschemat
icsagai
n
andf i
ndmeawayout ,A.S.
A.P”

“Idi
dandt here’
s2.Onejustshutandtheother
will
needy outogoupt hestai
rsandthati
sout,”
Irantothedoorandtri
edt oopen,i
tdidn’
topen.
Fuck!Icouldhearf
ootstepsthuddi
ngfrom
upstai
rs.
“We’
refucked.Wher
e’sback-
up?
”I’
mreal
l
y
pani
cki
ngnow.

“
They
’re5mi
nut
esaway
”Si
bekoanswer
ed.

“
Cany
out
ell
them t
omakei
t5seconds,
”

“There’
ssomeonest andingout
sidethedoor
Rainbow.Ican’tseethem cl
ear
lybutit
’samale
aboutyourheightNkonzo.”

“
Whatcoul
dbehappeni
ng?
”askedSi
beko

Thedooronthetopofthest
air
sopened,I
quickl
yhi
dunderatabl
ethathadgascyl
i
nder
s
l
inedupinfr
ontofit
.
“Whohasbeenher e?”that
’sLunga.Thegi
rl
s
didn’
trespond.“
bi**
*sIdon’thaveti
me.Who
washer e?”t
hegirl
ssti
l
l di
dn’tanswer
.

“Okay
,let
’splayagame, Iaskaquest
ion,
you
answerandify oudon’
t,youdi
e”That
’s
Ndumiso’
sv oice.“
Didsomeonecomei nher
e?”

“
Yes,
”oneoft
hem gav
ein.

“
Who? ”heasked.Thegirl
sstayedsil
ent
.Agun
wentoff,t
hegirl
sscreamedont hetopofthei
r
l
ungs.Ithinkhekil
l
edonet hegi
rlsormaybe
j
usthurtthem.

“
StayputMi
ss,
”Guysai
dtome.
“
Ineedtomakemysel
f,
”Iwhi
sper
ed.If
eltl
i
ke
t
herewasabagofcementi
nmychest.

“
Don’
tyouf
u**
**gdar
e!”Luckyr
epr
imanded.

“
Itwasal
ady
…she…”

“
Itwasme”Icameoutwi
thmyhandsup.

“Damny ouRainbow,howcanyoubloodydo
that?”Luckyshouted.Hewasgoingtoki
llt
hese
gir
ls.Icouldn’
tlett
hathappen.

“
Sindi
?!
?”Lungacal
l
ed

“
WhoinworldisSi
ndi
?”Ndumi
socameupt
o
me,
“Thi
sjustgotv
eryi
nter
est
ing.
”
“
Youknowher
?”Lungai
nqui
red.

“Knowher?t
hat
’sanunder
stat
ement
,If
ucked
her…she’
smywife,
”

“
Was”Icor
rect
edhi
m.Hesl
appedme.

“Hernamei sRai
nbowandIshouldbeaski
ng
youwhatshe’sdoingher
e?”het
urnedhi
s
attent
iont
oLunga.Oneofthegi
rlswasshoti
n
thehead,herbodywasli
fel
essi
napink
sleepi
ngbag.

“She’
smynewnei ghbor”helookedatmeand
smirked.“You’r
ewit
hthef u*
***gpoli
ce,ar
en’
t
you?Allthattal
kabouttheBluebloodswas
j
ust..
.okay”thi
ngsstar
tedmaki ngsensetohi
m.
“Shecan’t
,Iknowher ,she’
stookweakf ort
hat
.”
Ismi l
edatNdumiso.Hemar cheduptomeand
punchedme.If el
landst ay
eddown.Iwant edt
o
crysobadbutIcoul dn’t
.Ndumi soi
sgetti
ng
arrest
edtoni
ghtandhewi l
lnotgivehi
mt he
satisf
act
ionofseeingmecr y.

“
Miss,
don’
tgetup.st
aydown!
”Guyor
der
ed.
“
Mondeisher
ewithback-
up”

“
Youar edoi
nggr
eatsi
s,
”Monde’
svoi
cecame
t
hrough.

“LUNGAHADEBE,YOURHOUSEI
S
SURROUNDED.IHAVEMENREADYTOSHOOT
ATYOUANDYOURMENI FYOUREFUSETO
COOPERATE.YOUHAVETWOMI NUTESTO
COMEOUTWITHYOURHANDSUP”sai
d
Mondeov
eramegaphone.

“
Boom”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“
Boom”Guysai
d.

“
Youb*
*ch!
”It
rustNdumi
sot
olosehi
stemper
.

“Thecav al
ry’
shere!
”Isai
dsti
l
l down.Hegot
closerandkickedmeinthestomach.

“Yous**
t!b***
h!W* **e!
”heconti
nuedtoki
ck
mewhileinsul
ti
ngme.Iswi t
chedoffthe
devi
cessomysi sterandLuckycoul
dnothear
whathewasdoi ngtome.Luckywasal r
eady
l
osinghi
sheadt hreat
eningt
ocomei n.
“
Giv
eitupNdumi so,
”Isai
dt r
yingt
ost andon
myknees.I
tseemsLungar anupstai
rs.

“YouknowIal waysresur
face.Iwi
llcomeback
andy ouwi l
lregr
etevercrossi
ngmey ouson-
of-
a-b*
* *h,
”thedoorbrokeopen, t
hepolicecame
i
nf l
oodinginwi thgunsreadytoshootatthe
bastard.

“Handsup,putthegundown,”there’
sabout10
off
icer
spointi
ngtheirgunathi
m, hecaneit
her
walkoutofhereali
veorhandcuffed.

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
#happy
monday
#happy
readi
ng
I
NSERT43

SELF-
DEFENSE

Noun

1.Themeansofdef
endi
ngonesel
ffr
om
physi
cal
att
ack.

2.Ther i
ghtt
opr ot
ectoneselfagai
nstviol
ence
byusingreasonableforce,
canbeusedas
j
ustif
icati
oninseveralchar
gesincl
udingmurder,
assaultandbatt
ery,

There’
salwaysaway .Nowadays,y
ouhave
waysaroundeveryt
hing,i
t’
seasytori
gthe
syst
em, games,al
mostev er
ythi
ngify
ouare
smartenough.Youcangetawaywithmurder
,
thati
showmuchwehav eloophol
esinal
most
every
thi
ng.

Iwatchedthem handcuffi
ngNdumisoand
escorti
nghim outsi
de.Thegi
rl
swerecoveredi
n
blanket
sandal soescort
edoutsi
de.

“Youokayma’
am,
”askedoneoft
hepol
i
ce
offi
cer
s.

“Yes,”Ismil
ed.“
I’
m okay
.Hehi
tsl
i
keagi
rl
,
don’tworry
…”

Hechuckled,
“Pleasecomewithme,”he
escort
edmeout side.“
Yourl
overhadtobehel
d
down,hewasr eadytocomeandgety ou
himsel
f,”
“
He’
snotmyl
over
,”Icor
rect
ed.

“Rai
nbow”LuckyandMondeshout
ed
simul
taneousl
yrunni
ngupt
ome.

“
Didsomeonet el
lthem Iwasdead?
”Iasked
t
heoffi
cerescort
ingme.

“
Iguesst
heyj
ustl
ovey
ou,
”

“
Iguessso,”Ichuckl
ed.Ili
kethewayI’mfeel
ing.
Watchi
ngthem runupt ome;itmeansthey
r
eal
lydolovemeandt heydon’twantt
olose
me.Imatter
,I’
mi mportant
.

Thet
hreeofuscol
l
idedandhugged.
“Whathappened?
”askedMonde,
“Di
dyour
devi
cesbreak,
”

“Sheswit
chedthem of
f,
”Luckyanswer
ed.“Why
Rainbow?Youdon’
tevershutyourt
eam out
,we
thoughty
ouwer ef
ucki
ngdead”

“
I’
m not
.I’
m her
e…”

“St
il
l,y
oudon’tshutyourteam membersout
.
Younev erdot
hat,especi
all
yifoneoft
hem i
s
yoursist
er,
”

“Youguyssoundli
ket
hesamerecord.I
’
m
sorr
y,”Guypul
ledmei
ntohi
schestandhugged
me.
“Youaretr
oubl
eMiss,
don’
tdothatt
ome.you
didthesamethi
ngwit
hthedi
amondjobandi
t
freakedmeout,
”

“Becauseyouwereannoyi
ngme,”Icor
rect
ed
him makingmysel
fcomfort
abl
einhischest
.

“Ei
therway
,myhear
tcan’
ttakei
t.
”Il
ookedup
athim.

“
What
’st
hesaf
ewor
d?”Iasked.

“
Cookies,
”heki
ssedmyf
oreheadandsi
ghedi
n
r
eli
ef.

“Solongasyoudi
dn’
thearmesayi
t,t
henI
’
m
sti
l
lplayi
ng,
”
“
Yesma’
am,
”

“
Soooo,whyaren’
tyouguysdat
ingagai
n?”
Mondedist
urbedourl
it
tl
emoment .

“
Ohmygod! ”myheartst
art
edbeat
ingf
ast
er,
I
l
ookedatGuythenatmysist
er.
“
Whatisi
t?”Luckywasi
mmedi
atel
yinpani
c
mode.

“
Pinky
,”Igotr
eal
l
yscar
ed,
“Wher
eisPi
nky
?”

“
Det
ect
iveJel
e,
”anof
fi
cercal
l
ed.
“
Yes,
”
“We’
vedi
scover
edanotherbody
,femal
e,
”we
bot
hranuptothecop.

“
Wher
e?”Iasked.

“Fol
lowme, ”heledt heway .Wewal kedint
o
thei
rhouseandcl i
mbedt hestai
rs,Heledus
i
ntot hemasterbedr oom.Myhear tfellt
omy
stomachasIl aideyesupont hebodyofPi nky,
beatentothepul p.“
Shewasbeat enalri
ght,
but
i
twasst rangulat
iont hatki
l
ledher,”

“Ishoul
dhavebeenher
esooner;Ishoul
dhave
knownthathewas…”Ifeel
sickandhot.Iwant
tovomit.Thet
opofmyheadi sburni
ng,“
Ineed
air
,”

“
Lucky
,getheroutofher
e”sai
dMonde.Iwas
gett
ingl
ight
headed.Myheartisheavy
,Ifeell
ike
I’
m dyi
ng.It
hinkI’
m dyi
ng.Legendhasitthat
themomenty oudiei
st hemomentyouf i
nish
yourcal
li
nginli
fe.MaybeIhaveful
fi
ll
edmy
call
i
ngandthisismytimetoexit.
If
eltmyfeett
ouchthegroundandthef
resh
br
eezeofthenightwashi
tti
ngagai
nstmyface
sl
owlydr
awingmebackt oreal
it
y.

“Youokay?”Luckywasst andi
ngbefor
emewi t
h
hishandinmyf ace.Inodded.“
saysomet
hing,
”
hesaid.

“Somethi
ng,
”Ibr
eat
hedoutsl
owl
y,“
Wher
e’s
Lunga?
”Iasked.

“Backofoneofvans,
”Ndumisowasonthe
ground,
hishandscuf
fedwit
hhisheaddown,
anof
fi
cerhel
pedhi
m.

“Hol
don,”Iwatchedt heoffi
cerandNdumiso
walktothevan.Butjustbeforehecoul
dgetin,
“Ndumiso,
”Icall
ed.Hel ookedbackatme.“I
hopeyoudieinprison,”

“
Idon’
tdielov
e;Iwi
l
lcomebackandki
l
lyou.
”
Hechuckl
ed.

“Ihaveafri
endbehindbar
s,v
erydanger
ous
man.Het ol
dmeheknowsacr ewthatt
akes
careofmenl i
keyou,menwhobeatwomen.”I
smiled.“
You’r
eweak,”

“
Shutup!
”
“
Miss,
lethi
m go…”

“Youareaweakandi nsecureman.Youabuse
womanbecausey ouknowt heyarestr
onger
thanyou.Yousi
lencedme, beatme,br
okeme
andmadesur eIcouldnotbeanythi
ngbutwhat
youmademebecausey ouknewIwasgoingto
begreatert
hanyouev erwere,
”

“
That
’snott
rue,
”hi
snost
ri
lsopened.

“Wheny ougettoj ai
l,
y ou’
l
lknowwhatareal
dickisnotthatViennay ouwereti
ckl
i
ngme
withforyears,
”hescr eamedandcharged
towardsme.“ 3…2…”Icount eddownwhil
e
pull
ingmyGl ockout.

“
Rai
nbow,
”Luckyt
ri
edt
opul
lmef
rom t
hebul
l
chargi
ngatmebutIknowwhatI
’
m doi
ngsoI
pushedhi
m outoft
heway

“BOOM!”Ishottwi
ceatNdumiso.Hef
ell
tot
he
groundl
ikealogfal
lfr
om at
ree.

“
Rai
nbow,
youki
l
ledaman,
”say
sLucky
.
“
Itwassel
f-
def
ence.Hewasat
tacki
ngme…”

“Youdidthatpur
pose,
didn’
tyou?
”Lucky
utt
ered.

“Whatt
hehellhappenedher
e?”Mondecame
outr
unning.

“Hewaschar
gingf
orme,Igotscar
ed.Hedi
d
hitmei
nsi
deandfor3y
earsofourmarri
ageso
Iwasscaredofwhathemi ghtdo.Ishothi
mi n
sel
f-
defence,”Iexpl
ained.Shelookedatmenot
buyi
nganyofwhatIwassay ingbutIcouldtel
l
shewasgoi ngtoplayalong.

“Al
ri
ght,t
houghaninvest
igat
ionwi
l
lbedone
butI’
m cer
tai
nyourfel
lowmensawwhat
happened,
”

ThisiswhatImeantwhenIsai dt her
ei salway s
awayar oundev erythi
ng.Youj ustneedt obe
desperateenoughandsmar tenoughandy ou’ll
fi
ndi t
.Youcanr igandcheaty ourwayof
anythi
ngandgetawaywi thit
.Af ewday sago, I
cameacr ossav ideot alki
ngabouthow
shootingsomeonei nt hebacksuggest st hat
youwant edthem dead, it
spremedi atedmur der
.
Shootingthem i
nl esst hreat
eni ngpartsoft he
bodymi ghtsuggestt haty oujustwant edt o
scarethem, getthem togoawayorwhat ever.
Andt hen,shootingthem inthechestscreams
theywer eattackingyouandt hatcanconsti
tut
e
asself-defence.ReducingNdumi so’s
mascul i
nitywascer t
ainlygoingtoaggravat
e
him makehi ml ashout.Thebeastawokeand
chargedf orme, Ihadtodefendmy sel
f.
Ishovedtheguni nLucky’
schest,t
urnedaway
fr
om them thenvomi t
ed.Idon’
tknowwhyIf eel
sosick.Iam l
it
erall
ysweatingandshaking.

“
It
’spr
obabl
yshock,
”sai
dMonde.
“
Orsomet
hingIat
eatear
li
er…”

“
It
’sl
ate,
Ithi
nkyouguy
scancampher
eand
l
eavet
omor r
ow,
”

“
Ineedt
ogohome…I
’
lll
eav
e,”announcedLucky
.
“
I’
ll
camp,
Idon’
tfeel
sogood,
”

By2am, i
twasasthought her
ewasn’ taswamp
ofmeninbluebri
ngingoutcriminal
sanddead
bodi
es.Thei
rhousewasobv i
ouslycordonedto
wardoffanyonewanti
ngtogoi n.Thathouse
wasnowacr i
mescene,3peoplediedt oday
andoneofthem i
snotal oss.

Luckyisinhisr oom packing,I

’mi nmi nel ayi
ng
onthef l
oorandst ari
ngatthecei l
i
ng.I tfeels
surr
eal,I
’m aliv
eandNdumi soi sn’
t.Ikill
edhi m.
Ismil
edal i
tt
le.Icandoany t
hingandgo
anywherewi thouthav i
ngtolookov ermy
shoulder.Idon’tknowt hi
sfeeling-thisf eeli
ng
offr
eedom i ssomet hi
ngI’
venev erfeltbef or
e.I
wantt ogoswi mmi ng…ormay becli
mba
mount ai
n.Ishoul dgomount ainclimbi ng.I
deserv
eit,
Ideser
veav acati
on.I
’v
ebeen
worki
ngprett
ydamnhar dandIneedabreak.
Yeah!That
’swhatI
’m goingtodo.
Iwentt
oLucky
’sr
oom,
all
exci
ted.
“
Doy
ouwantt
ogomount
aincl
i
mbi
ng?
”Iasked.

“
Miss,
it’
s2i
nthemor
ning,
”

“
Notnowsi
l
ly.May
benextweek…”

“
Ican’
t,
I’
m sorr
y,”hezi
ppedhi
sbag.“
Whenar
e
y
ougoingback?”heasked.

“
Whent hesuncomesup…”Guyisbeingv er
y
wei
rdforsomeonewhonearl
ydiedbecauseI
wasindanger
.“I
sever
ythi
ngokay?”Iasked.
“
DidIdosomethingwr
ong?”
“No,I
’mj ustti
redMi ss,
”hisphoner angandhe
i
mmedi at el
ypickeditup.“Love,
”hewal kedi
nto
thebathroom tospeakt ohiswife.Igotupto
l
eave,IthoughtIshoul djustst
ayoutofhi sway.
“Rai
nbow, ”hecalledbeforeIcouldshutthe
door.

“
Yeah”

“
Canwet
alkf
orasec?
”

“Sur
e,”It
ooksmal
lst
epst
owar
dshi
m.“
What
’s
up”

“Canwetal
kaboutwhathappenedl
astni
ght
?”
hesays.
“I
’
ml ist
eni
ng,”Iknowt hatGuyi
sabouttohurt
me.Icanalway sseeitcomingfrom amil
e
away.He’salwaysdartinghi
seyesaround
whenhe’sgoingtosayordosomet hi
ngthati
s
goingtocausemegr eatsadness.

“
Itcan’
thappenagai
n,
”heshookhi
shead.

“hmmm, okay”Iuttered.Myhear tisactuall

y
burni
ngbutt hetrickisnev ertogi vetheperson
hurti
ngy outhesat i
sfactionofseei ngyoucr y.
GuyknowshowIf eel abouthi m andI
understandthathim andIcannotbet ogether.
ButIdidn’tstar
tlastni ght,hedidbuthe’ s
phrasi
ngi ti
nsuchawayt hatitseemsl i
keI
cameont ohim.Iguesspl ayingalongmakes
youasgui lt
yasst art
ingi t.
“Imean,i
twasamazi
ng.Sexwi
thy
oui
sal
way
s
amazingbut
…”

“
You’
remar
ri
ed,
”If
ini
shedof
fhi
ssent
ence.

“
Yep!
”

“Okay,
cool…gethomesafe,”Ismil
edandwent
tomyr oom.It
’swhatev
erreall
y…Iwasn’
t
expect
inghimt omoveinwithme.Eventhough
i
t’snolonerj
ustsex,
itwasjustsex.

Iwokeupt hismorning,at7am, wentforajog

aroundt hehouset henpreparedmy sel
ftoleave.
Nkonzoof f
eredtodr opmeof fatmyf l
atandI
acceptedhi soff
er.Isti
lldon’
thav emycar.I
tookmyl i
tt
lebagandwai t
edf orhi
m
downst air
s.
Notsolongaf
terhecamei
nwi
thf
lower
sin
hand.

“Thesear
ef ory
ou,
”hehandedthem t
obe.
Sunfl
owersandredroses,
it’
sabeaut
if
ul
combinat
ion.

“
Thanky
ou,
whatar
ethesef
or?
”

“Not
hing,j
ustt
houghtIshoul
dgety
ou
somethingni
ce.
”Hesmi l
ed.

“Il
ovethem,t
hanks…shallwegetgoing,”outof
nowhereNkonzoattemptedtoki
ssme, I
steppedawayfr
om him dodgi
ngthatkiss.
“Whatareyoudoing?”wi
deeyes,Iasked.
“
I’
m sor
ry,Ishoul
dn’
thav
edonet
hat
.Ir
eal
l
yli
ke
y
ouRainbowand…”

“Stop!”Iorder ed.“
Stopli
kingme.Youareav er
y
charmi ngandgood- l
ooki
ngguybutIdon’tl
ike
youliket hat.AndIdon’twanttostri
ngyou
along…I ’
mj ustinav er
yawkwardy etamazi
ng
pointinmyl if
eandsoIj ustwantt
of i
guret
hat
out.”

“Iunderstand,
”hegrinned.“
Thankyou,f
orbei
ng
honest.”Heopenedhi sarmsforahugwhichI
entert
ained,“Fr
iendsandcoll
eagues?
”

“
Fri
endsandcol
l
eagues,
”

Hecar
ri
edmybagt
ohi
scarandwewer
eof
f.I
tr
iedt obeasnor malaspossiblewit
hNkonz o
afterthatcri
ngeworthystunthepull
ed.He
askedmeaboutLuckyandIwashonestabout
everythinganditwaskindofnicehavinga
genui neconver
sati
onwi t
hhim.Ourf l
owing
conv ersat
ionwasdistur
bedbyani ncomingcall
fr
om Monde.

“
WHEREAREYOU?
”sheasked.

“
WITHNKONZO,
HE’
STAKI
NGMEHOME,
”

“
HE’
SNOTDEAD?
”

“
WHOI
SNOTDEAD?
”Iasked.

“
NDUMI
SO…HEI
SNOTDEAD”
“
HEI
S.WEALLSAW,
ISHOTHI
M,”

“COLONELJUSTCALLEDME;SAYSHEJUST
RECEIVEDACALLFROM THEHOSPI
TAL.HEIS
UNCONSCIOUSBUTVERYMUCHALI VE,
”

Inaninst
ant,thatf
eeli
ngIfel
toffr
eedom
evaporat
ed.Angertookovermyheartandmy
wholebody.IsNdumisoacat?Likedoeshe
l
iter
all
yhave9l i
ves?

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT44

PREGO
Adj
ect
ive

1.Pr
egnant

2.Apr
egnantper
son

It
’sbeenaweekandaf ewday ssi nceour
missionandIhav en’tgatheredt hest r
engtht o
goandv i
sitNdumi so.IfIseehi m, Iwillwantto
endhi m andtheissuei sthathehasaguar d
outsidehisroom 24/ 7,he’sawant edcr iminal
sothegov er
nmenti splay i
ngi tsafewi thhim.
LuckyandIhav en’tspokensi ncet helastdayof
ourmi ssion,I
’v
ebeent ry
ingt ocal lhim butI
can’tgethim.Istoppedabout2day sagowhen
Isawt hathewasonl ineonWhat sApp.That
onlymeanthewasi gnoringme.If iguredthis
wast helong-awaitedt i
me.Thet imewher ewe
dri
ftapartandnev erspeakagai n.I t
’ssad
coursehi m andImightbumpi nt
oeachotherat
wor korev engoundercovertogether
.ButI’
ma
bi
ggi rl,
Icanhandlemy selfandIhaveno
l
oyal t
iestoanyonesoIcansl eepwi t
hwhoev er
Iwant ,wheneverIwant;butnotnowt houghor
i
nt henextf ewmont hs.I
’m pregnant
.

Idon’tknowhowt ofeelorwhatt odo.Ihav en’t

tol
dany oneyet–notev enmysi ster.Asfor
Lucky…Idon’tknow.Iwasn’ tcall
inghimt ot el
l
him aboutthepregnancy ,t
obehonest–Idon’ t
knowwhyIwascal l
inghim.AndIdon’ tknow
howIf eelabouthavingababyi nsideofme, i
t’
s
weird,If
eelli
keI’m goingtohurtit.Him…her .
Mostoft hetimeIdon’ thaveappet i
teandsoI
for
cemy sel
ftoeatsot hebabywon’ tdieor
comeoutski nnyorwi thsomesor tofdisorder.I
dri
nkal otofwater,thatladyatthecl i
nictold
met o.It
’sall
justtoomuch, i
t’
sgivingme
anxi
etybutev entual
lyIhav etogetusedt oi t,
youknowbeingasi ngl
emom andst uff
.Idon’
t
knowifI’
m goi
ngtot el
lLuckyaboutthebaby,
i
t’l
lrui
nhi
smar r
iage.

OHMYWORD!He’ scall
i
ngme.Luckyiscall
i
ng
me.Idon’tknowifIshouldpi
ckup.No,I
won’t…Iwon’
tpickup.Hehasbeenignori
ngme
fortwoweeksandnowhewant stotal
k.I
t
stoppedri
nging.

“F*
*k”Imouthed.Ifeelgui
lty
.Shoul
dIcallhi
m
back?Ishoul
dcallhim back…it
’spr
obabl
y
aboutworkoranemer gency.

He’scall
ingagai
n,“WhatshouldIdobaby?
”I
rubbedmybel l
y.“
F**ki
t,
”Itappedonthegreen
cir
cleonmyphonescr een.“
HELLO”Itri
edtobe
calm butmypalmsaresweatingandmyhear t
i
saboutt ojumpoutofmyt hroat
.
“
MISS,
I’
M OUTSI
DE,
”hesay
s.

“ANDSO? ”thisent i
tl
edson-
of-
butt
erfl
y,he
blowsmeof fandt hencomesbackthi
nking
thatIstil
lhaver oom forhi
minmyl i
feonsome,
‘
I’m outsi
de’.Tohel lwit
hhim,heshoul
dgo
backt owher everhewaswhenhewasn’ t
picki
ngupmycal ls.

“PLEASECOMEANDGETME, I’
M SORRY.
PLEASEMISS,
”hesoundsv
erysadandti
red.

“LUCKY,
IT’STENI
NTHENI
GHT,
GOHOMETO
YOURWI FE,
”

“
PLEASE,
”hebegged.
“FINE.I’M COMI NG,”ther eIgoagainchoosi ng
him ov ermy sel
f.Ialwaysl etLuckyinandhe
alway sendsupl eaving.Hei sgoingtogoback
tohi swifeandI ’
llbeleftinthisfl
ataloneand
pregnant .Iwentdownst air
sandf oundhim
sit
tingont hestairsoutsi de.Iopened.“Lucky,
”I
called.Hegotupandst agger ed.

“hell
oMi ss,
”hedoesn’
tlookhi
mself
.He
staggerednearl
yfal
li
ngonme.He’sbeen
drinki
ng,suff
icet
osayhesmel l
sli
keatav
ern
ri
ghtnow.

“Lucky,holdontome,”It
hrewhi
sarm overmy
shoulders,hel
dhim byt
hewaist
,andhel
ped
himintot heel
evat
or.
“I
’m hol
dingont oy
ou,”hebur
ped.Ohsweet
heavens,thatsmel
lssobad.

“
Yourbreathst
inks,
whenlastdi
dyoubr
ush
y
ourteeth?
”helaughed.

“
Mybr eat
hst i
nks,
”heputhi shandov erhi
s
mouth,ki
sseditandthenputi tovermymout h.
“
That’
showwe’ l
lbeki
ssingf r
om nowon, Idon’
t
wanttoki
llyouwithmybr eath,becauseIl
ove
you.
”

“
Guy
,”Ical
l
ed.

“
Yes,
ma’
am”her
esponded.

“
Ineedy
out
ost
opt
alki
ng,
you’
l
lwakeupmy
nei
ghbors,
”theelevat
oropenedandIst
agger
ed
outwit
haheav ydrunkenmanatthever
geof
l
osinghisdi
gnit
y.

“Shhhh,notalki
ng,”hewhi
sper
ed.“
I’
m sor
ry
neighbors”heyell
ed.

“
Lucky
!”It
ri
edwal
ki
ngf
ast
er.

“Letmecar ryyoutothehouse.I’l
lputyouon
mybackandcar ryyouinsi
de.IpromiseIwil
l
getthere!Scoutshonour,
”ifanyoneneeds
carry
inghereitshim.

“
We’
reher
e,j
usthol
don.Letmeopen,
”
Aft
eropeni
ngIt
ookhimt
othebedr
oom t
hen
camebacktocl
oseandl
ockt
hedoor.
“Miss,yourhousesmellsamazingandy ou
smellli
kethesun,”hemumbl edfrom theroom.
“I
’m sohappyt obehere,
”I’
m wonderingwhat
happened?Luckynev erget
sliket
his.Yes,he
dri
nksbutnott oapointwherehedoesn’ teven
knowhi sownname.“ Miss,whatdoIsmel ll
ike?
DoIsmel lli
kethesuntoo?”

“
No!”Ishout
edfrom t
heki
tchen,
“Yousmel
ll
ike
atownshi
ptaver
n,”

Hecackl
edandsai
d,“
Ifeel
li
keat
ownshi
p
t
aver
n,”

Ist
oodagainstthefri
dgeandcontempl
atedmy
opti
ons.Mandisablockedme,soIknowIwon’t
getherandMenzi i
s2ormor ehoursawayandI
can’tbotherhim withthingsast r
ivi
alasLucky
drinkinghi
msel fint
oast upor.Iguessmyonl y
opt i
onistolethim sleepandt henchasehim
outint hemor ni
ng.Ijoinedhimi ntheroom and
startedundressinghim.Istartedbyt aki
ngoff
hi
sshoesandt henhispants.

“Let
’sgeti
ton…”hesangt owhichIr
oll
edmy
eyes.“I
’
m sor
ry,
let
’snotgetiton,
”heburped
again.“
Woops!Noburping,
”

“whathavey oubeendri
nki
ng?
”myey ebr
ows
drewtogethercreasi
ngmyfor
ehead.

“WhathaveInotbeendr inki
ngi
sthequesti
on”
hestar
tedlaughing.Helift
eduphi
shandsthen
cuppedmyf ace.“Youlooksobeaut
if
ul,
Ilove
you”
“OkayLucky,j
ust…”Itr
iedt
ofr
eemyf
acef
rom
hishands,hedidn’
tbudge.

“Waitwai
t…l
ookatme.Youl
ookl
i
ket
hesun.So
beauti
ful
,
”

“
Thanky
ouLucky
,”

“Iwantt
ospendt
herestofmyl
i
fewi
thy
ou.I
brokeupwi
thMandi
sa,”

“Geti
ntobedplease…”Ipul
l
edhimt ohi
sfeet
soIcouldgethi
mi nsi
debutinst
eadhehugged
me.

“
Hol
dmepl
ease,
”Ihel
dhi
mforasecond.
“Okaynowl etmehel py ou,
”hesteppedaside
andalmostf el
l
,luckil
y,Iwasabletogr abhi
m
beforehi
tt
inghisf aceagainstt
hewi ndow.I
pull
edtheblankett oonesideandhel pedhi
mi n.

“
Rainbow,”hegr
abbedmyarm.“
Youar
enot
l
i
steningtome,Isai
dIbr
okeupwit
hMandi
sa.
I
’
m her e,
wecanbetoget
her
,”

“Youknowthati
snothowi
twor
ks.Justsl
eep
Luckypl
ease,
”

“ButIl
oveyouandIam her
e.Idi
dn’
tcar
eabout
herasmuchasIdidyou…Il
oveyou.Pl
easet
ell
mey oulov
eme,”

“
Tel
lyouwhat
?Tomor
rowmor
ningaf
terhav
ing
acupofcof
fee,
tel
lmeexact
lywhaty
ou’
re
t
ell
i
ngmenow, ”

“
Deal
,
”

“Kissmegoodni
ght,please.Onthef
orehead,
”I
didashehadrequested.“Youlookl
i
kethesun,”
hesmi l
edandshuthiseyes.

Ican’tdot hi
sbackandf ort
hwi t
hLucky .Ithi
nk
him andIneedt ot al
kwhenhehassober edup
anddeci dethatweshouldn’tbeav ai
lablef or
oneanot her,wecan’tmeeachot her’ssaf ety
l
andings, especi
all
ywhenhehasone.I t’s
emot i
onallydrai
ning.Heprobablyhadaf ight
withMandi saandneededt ocool offsohewent
tohav eabeerort wo…or50.Heknowst hat
whenev erheknocks, Iwi
ll
openf orhim no
mat t
erhowmuchheashur tme.I gnoringme
wasv erycruel,i
twasmean.Heshouldhav e
j
usttoldmet okeepmydi st
anceandnotcall
hi
m any mor e.Him andIr
eall
yneedtodef
ine
ourr
el at
ionshipanddecidewhatwearetoone
anot
her .
Itookthecouch.It
hinkthefir
ststepto
establ
i
shingboundari
esi snotshari
ngbeds.I
wanthimt owakeupal oneandconf usedast
o
whathappened.

Iopenedmyeyestobehol
danewdaybut
i
nsteadIf
oundLuckyonthet
abl
est
ari
ngatme.

“Whatareyoudoi
nghere?”Iasked,
“Thi
sis
creepy
,youknowthatr
ight?
”

“Youl
ookl
i
ket hesun.
”hespoke.“
Iwantt
o
spendt
herestofmyli
fewit
hyoubecauseI
l
ov eyou.Yousmel lreal
lynice,yousmellli
ke
fl
ower s,
li
key ourfl
atandIl ovethat
.Itmakes
mef eelgoodi nsi
de.Youmakemef eelsafe,
youmakemyhear tfeelsafeMiss.Bemi ne.I
rememberl astnightyousaidIshouldtellyou
all
oft hi
sinthemor ningonceI ’
vehadmy
coffee.WellIdidandIst i
ll
feelt
heexactsame
way ,
”

“Youbrokeupwi
thMandi
sa?
”Iasked.He
nodded.

“Itwasn’tworki
ngoutMi ss,
it’
syouthatIwant
.
WhenIgothomeaf terthemission,
Itol
dher
ev er
ythi
ngthathappened.”Heclear
edhis
throat.

“
Whatmadey
oudeci
det
odot
hat
?”Iasked.
“
Shecuther
sel
f,
”

“Youdeci
dedtotel
lheraboutusbecauseshe
cuther
sel
f?”i
tdoesn’
tmakesense.

“Idi
dn’
tjumporwor ry,i
nf actIdidn’tev
enask
herwhathappened.ThenIr emember edhowI
fel
twheny ouwereinsidet hathousewi t
h
Ndumiso,thethoughtofy ouget t
inghurtmade
mewantt odieandIr eal
izedt hatshedeserves
someonewhowi l
lcarethatshecuther self
.”

“
You’r
eahorri
blehusband”Ilaughedathi
m.I
l
aughedsohardthatmyey esstart
edtear
ing.

“Real
l
y?”heleanedfor
wardandrest
edhisar
ms
onhisknees.“
I’
m putt
ingmysel
foutther
e
beingallr
omanti
c,”Icouldn’
tstoplaughingat
him.I’mreal
l
ytryi
ngtor espondaccordingl
ybut
Ican’thel
pit
.“I
’
m pour i
ngmyhear toutand
you’r
elaughi
ngatme, ”

“I’
m sor r
y …it’
sjustthat ,
”Ipausedt ogather
my selfandact ual
lyt akehi m ser i
ously.“I
’v
e
fantasizedaboutt hismomentsi ncey ougot
mar ri
edbuti twasmor er omant ic.Youshowed
upout sidemydoor , Ididn’thav etocar r
yyou
i
nside,”hi sl i
psfoldedt oget herinshame, “And
you’resweat ingandbr eathingheav i
l
ybecause
youwer er unning,Idon’ tknowwhybecausey ou
haveat axi andsoy ouev ent uall
ypickmeup
l
ikeI’my ourbr i
det henwehav esexal lni
ght
l
ong.Passi onatesex. ”

“
Youplannedthi
souti
nyourhead,
”hegav
eme
apuzzl
edlook.
“
Wellnotpl
anned,j
ustfant
asi
zed.
”Itr
iedt
o
makethesi
tuat
ionlessembarr
assi
ngbutI
t
hinkIj
ustmadeitworse.

“Isee,
”hecamei ncl
oser,
“Wouldyouli
keto
skiptothepartwher
ewehav esexal
lnight
l
ong? ”hebrushedhi
sli
psagainstmi
ne.

“
Whydi ditt
akeyouthi
slongtocomet omei f
youendeditwi
thherwhenwef i
nishedthe
missi
on?Thatwasalmosttwoweeksago, ”I
r
estedmyhandonhi schestandl
ookedhimi n
t
heey e.

“Iwenthomet omymom anddad.Iwasjust

confusedandparent
sar
esai
dtohav esome
kindofwisdom,”
“
Whatdi
dtheysay
?”

“Mymom sai dshelovedmeandy ouandthat

shesupportsme.Andmydadi nsult
edthesize
ofmyheadandpoi ntedoutthatMandisamade
hor
ri
bletea.Saidi
twasn’tl
ikeyours,
”

“
Whati
sitwi
thy
ourdadandt
ea?
”

“Idon’
tknowreal
ly,
”hegi
ggledshaki
nghis
head.“
Wel l
then,
whatdoyousayMi ss?Woul
d
youbetheBonnietomyClyde?”

“Youdoreal
izethatt
heydieeventual
l
yandit
's
notsolongaft
ertheystar
tthei
rli
feonther
un?”
Icockedmyheadt otheside.
“
Wear
eal
lgoi
ngt
odi
ebaby
,”hesmi
rked.

“Fai
rpoint
,”Ipl
ant
edaki
ssonhi
sli
psand
stood.

“
So,
arewedat
ingnow?
”heasked.

“
Guy,we’v
ebeendat
ingsi
nceIcr
ashedi
nto
y
ourstupi
dtaxi
,
”

“
Yessss!
”Iheardhi
mfr
om t
hebat
hroom.“
Ilov
e
y
ou”heshouted.

“
Don’
tpushi
t,
”Isai
d.
“Yesma’am,sorr
y,”I
’
mlooki
ngatmysel
fint
he
mirror
,I’
m bl
ushi
ngli
kea12-
year
-ol
dwit
ha
crush.

“
Ilov
eyout
ooLucky
,”

I
’
m st
il
lPr
ego…

TOBECONTI
NUED.
..

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT45

SECURED

Adj
ect
ive
1.Fr
eef
rom at
tackordanger
;pr
otect
ed.

2.Fr
eef
rom anxi
etyordoubt
;unaf
rai
d

3.Fi
rm andnotl
i
kel
ytof
ail
;st
abl
e.

It
’sweirdknowi ngt hatthere’sawhol ehuman
growinginsideofme.Iwor ryal otabouttheir
well
-beingandaboutt hethingsIeat.Whati fI
eatsomet hingt heyareal l
ergictoandt heyget
si
ck?Whati fIlaught ooloudandr uinthei
r
hearingorIwal kt oofastthatt heykeephi t
ti
ng
againstthewal lofstomach?Whati fIjustdo
somet hi
ngwr ong?Af terall
,Iam RainbowandI
cangetv eryclumsyatt imes.

Ihear
dacl
ust
erofnoi
secomi
ngf
rom t
he
kit
chen.Inear
lypani
ckedbutt
henI
remember edt
hatIhaveaboyf
ri
endandhi
s
namei sLucky
.

“
I’
VEGOTSUNSHI
NE,
ONACLOUDYDAY
WHENI
TSCOLDOUTSI
DE
I
’
VEGOTTHEMONTHOFMAY
IGUESSYOU’
DSAY
WHATCANMAKEMEFEELTHI
SWAY
MYGI
RL”

Andhei ssi ngi

nghisl ungsout .I
’m certainheis
prepari
ngbr eakfast.Wehadsexl astnight,
it
wasamazi ng.Weact uall
yhadsext hewhol e
night,I
’m surpr
isedwewer eabletowakeup
thisearl
yt oday,af
teral l
,itwasourf ir
sttime
hav i
ngsexassomet hing.Webel ongedt oeach
other,wewer enotst ealingamomentorhav ing
‘
justsex’weweremakingl ov
eandIlovedever
y
bitofit
.Iwenttotheki
tchenandfoundhim
dancingtothesonghewassi ngi
ngeversojol
l
y.

“You’r
ehere,”Idi
stur
bedhi m.Imustadmi t
,I
wasscar edandwor r
ied.Ihadtoldmyselft
hat
i
t’sokayifhewakesupt hi
smor ni
ngand
decidesthathewantsMandi saback.Itol
d
my sel
fthatI’
dhavetobeokaywi t
hitbecause
I
’m RainbowandI ’
vesurv i
vedworsethi
ngsthan
amanr ej
ecti
ngme.hecameupt ome.

“Whereelsewoul
dIbe?
”hepul
l
edmei
ntohi
s
chestandhuggedme.

“
I…wel
l…Idon’
tknow…maybey
oudeci
dedt
hat
y
oudidn’
twanttobewit
hmeanymore.
”
“Notachance,”hepull
edmeoutandki ssedme.
“Goandbrushy ourt
eeth,
”hesai
dplanting
numerouskissesall
overmyface.“
I’
llbehere
whenyoucomeback, ”

WhenIgott ot hebat hr
oom andst art
ed
brushingmyt eeth;i
toccurredtomet hatLucky
hasbeenher ef oratleast2daysnow, andIdid
catchawhi f
foft oothpasteinhisbreath,how
whenhedoesn’ thaveat oothbr
ushwi thint
hese
walls?Iri
nsedmymout handf i
nished.
“
Lucky
,”Ical
l
edst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
.

“Pl
easecal
lmesomet hingsweet
,li
kemyLucky
orbabyorbabe…Ilov
eitwhenyousaybabe,i
t
soundsni
cecomi ngfr
om yourmouth,
”

“
Babe,
”Ismi
l
ed,
“Hav
eyoubeenusi
ngmy
t
oot
hbr
ush?
”

“Okay ,aboutt hat …Ijustthoughtt hatsi ncewe

arest arti
nganewr elati
onship,weshoul d…”I
l
istenedcar ef
ullyashet r
iedtomaket hewor st
seem bet t er.“Yesma’ am,Ihav e.
..I
’m maki ng
breakf ast,”Luckyi ssuchagoodper son.Ir eall
y
don’twantt ohur thim atall;
ifany t
hing, Iwant
topr otecthi m, t
akecar eofhim andj ustbe
theref orhi m.Thi spr egnancyi sli
keabur den
I’
m car ryi
ngar oundmeandwhenev erIl ookinto
Lucky ’sey es,Ijustf eelguil
tsuf f
ocat i
ngmeand
paralyzingmyv erysoul .Thet i
mi ngissof ucked
up…Ishoul dhav etoldhi m beforeIagr eedt obe
hisgi r
lfr
iend, Ishoul dhav e–i twouldhav ebeen
better…It hink.

Af
terset
ti
ngoutfoodi
nthel
ounge,
hecall
ed
me.Icameinandsawwhathehadprepar
ed
andIf el
tsi
cktothepitsofmybell
y.Iam
standi
ngbyt heentr
ancefight
ingt
heur geto
vomit.Suddenl
yIfeltr
eall
yhotanddizzy.

“Miss,
”hecameandhel dmyhand.“What
’s
happening?”heasked.Iwanttocl
osemyeyes
andjustrest,
Ifeelr
eall
yti
red.

“Canyout
akemetobedpl
ease,
”Iutt
ered.He
carr
iedmetot
her
oom andcar
eful
lyl
aidme
down.

“Baby
,youar
escar
ingme?Pl
easetalktome…”
helai
dnextt
omeandheldmefrom behind.

“
Givemeami nute,
”Iwhi
spered.West ayedin
t
hatposi
tionf
oraboutfi
ft
eenmi nutes.After
t
hatItur
nedtofacehi
m.Ihav etotellLucky
what’
shappeningbefor
eit
’st
oolat
e.“Ihav
eto
t
elly
ousomet hing,
”Ii
nhal
edtr
emulousl
y.

“I
’mli
steni
ng,
”heki
ssedmyf
orehead,
“Don’
t
scar
emeRai nbow,
”

“
Lucky
,I’
m sosor
ry,
”Ibr
okedown.

“Forwhatbaby ?Tellme…”hepul l
edmet ohi
s
chestandhel dmet i
ght.Thisissof uckedup;
wej uststar
tedourrelat
ionshiplastnightand
alr
eadyI ’
m cryi
ng!Alr
eadyt here’
sani ssue.

“
I’
m pr
egnant
,”Icr
ied.

“Baby,
whatdoyoumeany ou’
repr
egnant?
”he
pull
edmeoutandlookedatmywetface.“Fr
om
l
astni
ght
?Idon’
tthi
nkt
hat
’showi
twor
ks”

“No!from almost3mont hsago.Ifoundouta

fewday sago,”Isatupstrai
ght
.“I
’m sosorry,
I
knowwej ustst
artedanewr el
ati
onshipandI’
ve
alr
eadymessedi tup.I
fyouwanttol eav
e,Iwil
l
understand,”

“Thebabyi
sforanot
herguy
…”hemur
mur
ed
sit
ti
ngupstr
aight
.

“What
? ”Il
ookedathim.“No!It
’syour
s…Ihave
onl
ysleptwit
hy ouLucky
, Iswear
”Isobbed.

“Wellt
henwhat
’sthei
ssue?”hetookmyhand,
“LookatmeRai
nbow”heor der
ed.“I
fit
’smy
babythen,
whyareyoucryi
ng?”
“BecauseIdon’
tthinkyouwantachi
l
dright
now, y
oujustl
ostadaughterandnowI’
m
pregnant
.Theti
mi ngisoff
…”

“Areyoukiddingme? ”hechuckl ed.Herest

ed
hisheadonmyl apandst artedkissi
ngyour
stomach.“Heylitt
leperson”hest art
ed
speaking.“
Iknowt hiswillsoundwei r
dbutI’
m
yourfather
,”Igi
ggled.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”Icl
eanedmyf
ace.

“Shhhmommy ,thi
sisapri
vat
econver
sat
ion.
Rememberthathuge,l
ongandstr
ongthi
ngthat
keptpoki
ngatyouthewholeofl
astni
ght
,”

“Ohmywor
d!”Icr
iedt
hrowi
ngmyhandov
ermy
eyes.
“Thatwasmel it
tl
eperson…mommyandIwer e
j
ustplayi
ngadultgameswhi chy oucan’ tplay
unti
lyouare45ifyouar eagi r
l.Buti fyouar ea
boythenwe’l
l t
alkwheny ouar ri
ve,”hel ooked
atmeandsmi l
ed.“Iwil
ltakecareofy ouand
mommy ,
Ipromise,”hecaressedmycheek.I
l
ower edmyheadandki ssedhi sf orehead.My
l
ipsli
ngeredmor ethantheyshoul dhav e, I
’
m
j
ustsohappy .I
’mreall
yhappy .

“
Don’
tcr
ymommy,”hegotupandlai
ddown
wi
thme,“
Ipr
omi
seIwil
ltakecar
eofyou,
”

“Iwil
ltakecareofyoutoo.Ipi
nkypromise,
”we
heldeachot herandst
ayedinthatposi
ti
onin
sil
encef orafewgoodmi nut
es.
“CanIcal
lmybi gbr
otherandt
ell
him pl
ease?
”
heasked.“
Please?”

“Okay…”Inodded.Hei ssoexci t
ed.I’
venev er
seenhimt hisexcitedbefore.Ohwai t
!Ihav e
actual
ly.Istil
lrememberi tl
ikeitwasy esterday.
ItwaswhenIwasv i
sit
inghishomewi thhi mf or
thefir
sttime; whenSam camet ohimr unning,
hiswholedi sposit
ionjustchanged.Hebecame
l
ightandbr i
ght .Hewassmi l
ingeartoear
holdi
nghi sbabygi rl
inhisarmsandspi nning
heraround.May bethisbabywillfi
l
lthegapt hat
Sammyl eft
.May behewi llf
indsomecl osur e.

“BAFO,”heshouted.“
FORGETABOUTTHAT.
LISTEN,RAINBOW ISPREGNANTANDI’
M THE
FATHER,”hewashol di
ngmyhandwi
thhi
s
otherhand.“SHE’
SRIGHTHERE…WEARE
TOGETHERNOW.SHE’ SMYGI
RLFRI
END.I
MI GHTWI FEHERSOON”hewi nkedatmeandI
respondedbysti
ckingmytongueoutathi
m.
“Hewant stot
alktoyou,
”heputthephoneon
speaker.

“
MENZI
,
”

“
BLUEHAI
REDWOMAN!
”hecal
l
ed.

“
IT’
SPURPLENOW,
”Isai
d.

“OHWOW!LI STEN,THANKYOU…WEARE
GRATEFUL,I
’M SPEAKI
NGONBEHALFOFTHE
DLAMINI
S,YOUDI DWELLANDWEWI LLBE
HEREFORYOUEVERYSTEPOFTHEWAY, YOU
HEARME? ”
“
IHEARYOU, THANKYOUMENZI ”Ibl
ushed
l
ooki
ngatLucky.Thi
sfeel
sni
ce.

“I
NFACT, LETMEGOTOTHESTORERI GHT
NOW ANDBUYYOUAFEW THI NGS.I ’
LLHAVE
ONEOFTHEDRI VERSDRIVEDOWN.IWI LL
GETVI TAMINSFORYOUANDBABYCLOTHES
ANDTOYSANDSTROLLERS.LETMEGO
NOW…”myey eswidenedasIlistenedtohim.
Howt hehel
ldoIstopthi
s?It’
st ooearlytobe
buyi
ngbabyclothesoranyt
hing.

“MENZI
,DON’
TYOUTHI
NKI
T’SALI
TTLE
EARLY?
”Ibi
tmynai
l
,

“NO,
I’M TOOEXCI
TED.CANITELLTHE
FAMILYPLEASELUCKY?”hebegged.
“
SUREMENZI
,GOON…”hegr
inned.

“I
’
M DROPPI
NGEVERYTHINGRI
GHTNOW AND
I
’M GOI
NGHOME.I
’M SUREMAMAWILLWANT
TOGOSHOPPINGWITHME,”

“OKAY,YOULETMEKNOW HOW I
TGOES
THEN,”say
sLucky
.

“ALRI
GHT.I’LLSENDYOUGUYSPI CTURESOF
EVERYTHING.”hesaid,“I
’M GONNABEADAD
AGAIN,”headded.It
hinkhewast alki
ngto
himsel
fthen.Thecal
l endedaft
er.

“He’
sgoingt
obeadad,
”Luckyechoedhi
sbi
g
brot
her
.
“
Babe,canwegoandmeetmydad?
”I
r
equested.

“
Youwantmet
omeety
ourdad?
”hel
ookedi
nto
myey
es.

“Andmymom…I ’
m suretheyarebothatschool
ri
ghtnow.Ohandt heyar
eget t
ingdivorced,
”he
l
eanedi nandki
ssedmepassi onatel
y,whenhe
stopped,myheadgotli
ghtandt hebutt
er f
li
esi
n
myt ummyawoke.

“Atthi
srate,wemighthavetogetmarr
iednext
week,”hej umpedoutofbed.“
Goandshower
thenwe’llgotomyplacethenwe’
llmeetyour
parents.
”
Luckyhasbeenahugepartofmyli
feandwi
th
thebabyontheway,
itseemsli
kehegoingt
o
beapar tofitf
orav erylongtime.Iwanttotel
l
mypar entsaboutthelit
tlepersoninsi
deofme
andIalsowantt ointr
oducet hem totheman
responsi
bleforit
.Thisisast artofsomethi
ng
newandIwi llnotall
owasi ngleblemishonit.

“Gooddaysi r,ma’am.Iam LuckyandIgoty our

daughterpregnant,”saidLucky.Thewhol edr i
ve
tohisplaceIwasl isteningtohi
m pr acti
cing
howhewasgoi ngtogr eetmyparent s.“
No,
that
’snast y
,”hesay stohimself,“
I’
mv er
yhappy
tomeety ouMrandMr sJaxa.I
’m sorryabout
yourdi
v orceandI ’
m pleasedtomeety ou.Wait,
Isai
dthat .I’
m Lucky,”

“
Babe,
”Idi
stur
bedhi
m.

“
Yeahbaby
”
“
Youhavearai
nbowonyourwr
ist
,”Iam l
i
ter
all
y
j
ustseei
ngi
tnow.Whydi
dInotnoti
ceit
?

“Ohshi
t!
”heanalyzeditwhi
lehisot
herhand
cont
rol
l
edthesteeringwheel
.“Iwasdrunkand
i
nlove,
”hej
usti
fi
ed.

“
Iwantone…”

“
Sur
e,wecangety
ouat
att
oo…”

“
ButIwantaf
our
-l
eafcl
overt
hough,
”

“
Aclover
?”hi
sey
esdar
tedbet
weenmeandt
he
r
oad.
“
Yeah,
li
keaf
our
-l
eafcl
overf
orgoodl
uck,
”

“
Arai
nbowi
sal
sof
orgoodl
uck,
”

“Iknowbabe,
”It
ookhi
shandandki ssedi
t,“
I
know…Ilov
eyouokay,
”Isai
dlooki
ngoutthe
window.

“
Ilov
eyoumyMi
ss,
”

I’
m breat
hing.I’
m aliveandI’
m awar e.Ifeel
securedenought obef reeandthisisallIever
real
lywanted.Notf ancyclot
hes,housesand
cars…securi
tyandsur etyandIfeelli
keIhav e
thatri
ghtnowher ewithmyGuy ,withmyFour -
l
eafclover.Idon’tknowwhatwi llhappen
tomorrowori nthenext5mont hsbutIknow
what’shappeningnowsoIchoset oenjoythis
momentandbeinitwi
tht
hef
atherofmy
unbor
nli
tt
leper
son.

TOBECONTI
NUEDFORREALNOW
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT46

ANXI
ETY

Noun

(
Plur
al:
Anxi
eti
es)

1.Anunpleasantstat
eofment al
uneasi
ness,
nerv
ousness,apprehensi
onandobsessi
onor
concer
naboutsomeuncer t
ainevent
2.Anuneasyordi
str
essi
ngdesi
re

Ihav ebeenwai t
ingandwai ti
ngforthingst ogo
wrong.I ’
vebeenwai ti
ng…justwait
ingf or
somet hing,any t
hingtogowr ongbet ween
LuckyandIandal sowi t
hthebaby .Ifeell
ikeit
’s
alltoogoodt obet r
ue.Idon’tgetthingsli
ke
this;l
ikeperfectandni ce…Iwasn’tmadef ort
his
l
ife.I’
m sorryf orbeingapessimistbut ,I
’
ve
alway shadi thard.Myenv ir
onmenthasal ways
beent oxicandI ’vealwaysbeenscar ed.

MynailshavebeenchewedupbecauseI ’
ve
beenusingthem asaf orm ofcoping
mechanism.Ichewont hem wheneverIfeel
overwhelmedlikewhenLuckyandIgo
shoppingfort
hi ngs;he’
daskmewhatIwant
andthenI’dstartpanicking,sochewingonmy
nail
sgavemesomet hingtoconcentr
at emy
energy
.Iusedtosqueezemywr i
stwhenIwas
withNdumisobutthathabitgr
ewold.So,ifI
’
m
notchewingmynailsthenIam chewingonmy
l
ips…ei
therway,Ial
way scomeoutali
v e.

Thebabyi sdoingokay .ButIam not …doctor

saidImi ghtbesuf fer ingf r
om anxi etysoIneed
totakei teasyorImayputmybabyi ndanger .
Luckyhasbeensuchanamazi ngboy f
riendand
father.Wedeci dedt omov ei nt
oget herand
obv i
ouslyhisf l
atwast hebestopt ion, i
thas
mor espacef orallthet hingsheandhi sfami l
y
keepbuy i
ngf orthebaby .Al so,
myf atherand
Luckyhav ebecomet hebestoff ri
ends.Ican
barelygetawor dinwhent heyar et ogether.As
youmayexpecti t,
mamahadami lli
on
quest i
onsf orLucky ,mostofwhi chwer eabout
hisfinancialstandingandt henpoint edoutt hat
hewasasexychocol ateman.Imadeupmy
mindthat–ifshet
ri
esanyt
hingfunnywit
h
Luckyl
ikeshedidNdumi
so–I ’
m kil
li
ngher.
PERIOD.

“Ar
eyour
eadytospeakt
omenow?
”hel
ooked
atmeint
herear
-vi
ewmirr
or.

“
No!
”Idi
smi
ssi
vel
yanswer
ed.

“
Baby,comeon…”hestoppedt
hecar
.“Tal
kto
me.Tell
mewhyy ou’
remadatme?”

“Idon’
twanttoo…”Isighedsharplythengotout
ofthecar.Hedidthesamet hencamet ome.I
haddecidedtositi
nthebackbecauseIdi dn’
t
wanttobenexttohim.Hemadememadand
allIwant
edtodowasshootabul l
etinhishead.
Butthenagai
n,howwoul dev erexplai
nthatto
myunbor
nchi
l
d.Andalso,
thatmi
ghthav
ebeen
mymommybraint
hinki
ng.
Now, l
etmet ellyouwhathappened.We
stoppedatkrispycr èmetogetsomedonut s
andhecompl etelygotmyor derwr ongbecause
hewasbusyf l
irti
ngwi t
hthecashi er,l
aughi
ng
andgiggli
ngatgodknowswhat .Icouldseehim
eventhoughIwasi nthecarandt henhehad
thenervetotellme‘ Iover
reacted’.Iknowwhat
Isaw,I’
m notst upid.

“
Rai
nbow,
saysomet
hingpl
ease…”

“
Isai
dIdon’
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou…”Ist
ormedof
f.

“Nowwheret hehell
arey ougoi
ng?St
opbeing
chi
ldi
shRainbow,Idon’thaveti
meforyour
petul
ance,
”hey el
l
edcat chi
nguptome.
“NowI’m chi
l
dish,gotany
thi
ngelseforme?”I
cont
inuedmar chi
ngintheopposi
tedir
ect
ion.

“Cooki
es!
”heshout
ed.Thi
ssneakyl
i
ttl
esnake.
Icametoapause…Itur
nedar
oundandfaced
him.

“That’
snotf ai
r!
”Isai
dont
hever
geofcry
ing.I
don’tevenknowwhyIwanttocr
y.“
Thatwordis
foremer genci
es,
”

“Thi
sisanemer gencybaby !Tal
ktome…”he
cuppedmyf aceinhishands.“Lookyou’
re
cryi
ng.what’
sstep1? ”heasked.OnedayIhad
abreakdownandsowecameupwi t
hawayt o
communi cat
eeffect
ivelyandbrokei
tdownint
o
easysteps.
“
Breat
he”Ianswer
ed.

“
Step2?
”

“
Ifnecessar
y,hol
dont
ooneanot
her
,”

“Wouldyoul
iket ohol
dme?”heinqui
redandI
noddedsobbingandsnif
fi
ng.“
Step3;speak
wheny ouar
er eady,
”

Wehuggedeachot herforafewsecondst
henI
f
inal
lyspoke.“Idon’tl
i
ket haty
ougotmyorder
wrongandy ousaidIov er
react
ed,
”

“
Iunder
standmylov
e.Maybefrom wher
ey ou
wer
eitl
ookedli
keIwasf
li
rti
ng.Yes,wedid
exchangealaughort wobutI ’
m sureitwas
aboutsomethingstupid.AndI’m sor
ryfor
sayi
ngy ouoverr
eacted,”Ihuggedhim.

“Imighthaveoverreact
ed,
justali
tt
le…”Ilooked
upathim.“ Ij
ustdon’tf
eel
li
kemy selfl
ately
.I
feel
heav yandsickandanxious.
”

“
Putyourhandonmyf ace,
”Ismiled,
Iknowthi
s
t
ri
ck.ButIplay
edalonganyway.“
Whoar eyou
l
ooki
ngatrightnow?”heasked.

“
I’
mlooki
ngatGuy
,”

“
AndI’mlookingatMiss,”hesaysrubbi
ngthe
t
ipofhi
snoseagai nstmine.“Icanfeel
youand
y
oucanfeel me;solongaswehav eeachthen
y
oubestbelievewear egoingtobealri
ght
,”
“
Ilovey
oubabydaddy
”het
ookast
epbackand
l
ookedatme.

“Youloveme?”heaskedandInodded.“
You’r
e
suchapussy,howcanyoubeinlove?Thatshi
t
i
sf orweakpeopl
e,
”

“
OhwhateverLucky
,”Icl
ickedmyt
ongueaswe
wal
kedbacktothecar.

“
Pussy
!”hemocked.

“
Language!Ther
e’sababyher
e…”

“
Sor
rymommy
,”
SoLuckyandIar edri
vi
ngtohishome.Hi s
familyhasbeenwant i
ngust ocomedownbut
wehadaf ewt hingsweneededt odealwith.
Liketheinterr
ogat i
onregar
dingtheshooti
ngof
Ndumi soGumedewhoi ssti
lli
nacomabyt he
way .Col
onel madei tver
yclearthatheknewI
provokedhi m butwaswi l
li
ngtoletitsl
i
deafter
seeingandhear ingwhathehasdonet ome
before.
Tobehonest ,Idon’
tknowhowIf eelaboutthi
s
vi
sit.Suddenl
yImat t
ernowbecauseI ’
m
pregnant?Whataboutt hatt
imewhenIwas
ki
ckedout ?Noneoft hem botheredt ocal
land
say‘heyweknowy ouwer enotinv ol
vedinour
grandchil
d’sdeat
h.Weapol ogize,’buthey,y
ou
knowwhat ?Wemov e.

TheonepersonIam notlookingfor
wardto
seei
ngi
sZah.Iam reall
ynotint hemoodfor
her;
mostl
ybecauseshepoi sonedMandisa
againstme.shehadnori
ghtt
otel
lherabout
LuckyandI,i
twasnotherpl
aceorherst
oryto
tel
l
.
Luckyopenedt hedoorformeandhel pedme
out.Ikeeptell
inghi mthatI
’mj ustpr egnantnot
paralyzedbuthei nsi
stsontreatingmel i
kean
egg.Hi sfami
lyst oodoutsi
debundl edup
togetherwait
ingf orthei
rson’spr egnant
gir
lfr
iend.

“Makot
i,
”hi
smom sangr
unni
ngupt
omewi
th
openarms.

“Heymama, ”howIwishshewouldn’tcall
me
that
.A‘makoti’i
stoobigaword.Itgi
vesme
anxi
ety.Befor
eIknewit,t
heenti
refamily–wi
th
theexclusi
onofZah–wasar oundmeand
Luckyhuggingandtouchi
ngmyt ummy .
“Imissedy
ouaunt
yRai
nbow,
”sai
dMt
ho
hugginghi
m.

“Mt
ho,whydoyousuddenl
ygetweakwhen
Rai
nbowisar
ound;suchacrybaby
.Beaman
boy
!”hi
suncl
eteased.

“Leavemyboybepl ease,
”Iwar
ned.Mt howent
overtohisfatherandhuggedhi
m.Thi swasa
certai
nlyasightoneneededtocaptur
ewi t
hthe
eyesandkeepi tsafesomewhereinthe
memor y .

“
Wher
e’sZanel
e?”askedLucky
.

“Wit
hherboy
fri
end,sheshoul
dbeonherway
backnow,
”Euni
ceresponded.
“
Siy
abongantokazi
,
”MrDlaminispoke.“
Lat
er
wewil
ltal
k.Al
lofus…asafamil
y,”

Oh!I’
mf amilynow?Hownice.It
scrazyhowa
pregnancycanchangepeople’
sheart
s.Imean,
they’
reall
justsosof
tandkindtowardsme.

“Boy,
helpmetaketheset
omyr oom”Lucky
saidt
oMt hoandheobeyed.“
Baba,we’l
lbein
j
ustnow.Letmehelphergetcomfort
able.
”He
added.

“
Alr
ight
,”sanghi
sfat
her
.

Luckytookandmyhandandl edmetohisr oom.

Idon’tneedhelpwi
thgetti
ngcomfort
able.Ican
dot hi
ngs;Icandoever
ythi
ng.Thesepeopleare
goingtomakemer egreteverget
ti
ngpregnant.
“Aunt
yRai
nbow,coul
dy oupl
easebuymesome
air
ti
me?”Mthor
equested.

“
Mtho!
”cal
l
edGuy
,“Shej
ustar
ri
ved!
”

“
Lucky
,lett
heboybe!
”Idef
endedhi
m.

“
Fine!
”her
etr
eat
ed,
“It
’sy
ourmoney
”

“
Howmuch?
”Iasked.

“
R50wi
l
ldo,
”

“
Babe,
pleasegi
vehi
m R100”
“
What?!?
!”hi
seyestravel
l
edbetweenMt
hoand
mysel
f.“
I…you…”hestammered.

“Pl
easebabe,
”Ibat
tedmyeyesathi
m.He
hesi
tant
lypul
l
edouthiswal
l
etandgavehi
m
R200.

“
Thanksdad,
”rej
oicedMt
ho.

“Iwantmychangeback,
”heshoutedatMtho
whowasalreadyoutt
hedoor,“
todayboy!
”he
added.

“
Youknowy
ounotget
ti
ngi
tbackr
ight
?”

"
Iknow,
"hechuckl
ed,
"Iknow"
Laterthateveni
ng;af
terhavi
nghadsupperwe
waitedforZahbeforestar
ti
ngwitht
hemeet i
ng
butshewasnoshowsoMrDl amini
decidedwe
shouldstartsohecouldgotobed.

“Iam happytoseeallmychi l
drensafeand
underoner oof,
”MrDlaministart
edthemeet i
ng.
“WiththenewDl ami
ni ontheway ,It
houghti
t
waswi setositandhatchsomet hingsout.I
wantt ocreat
easafeandheal thyenvir
onment
forhim,”heclear
edhisthr
oat.“RainbowI…”

“
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?”Zahf
rozebyt
hedoor
.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”

“Zanele,
down,
”herf
atheror
dered.“weare
havingafamil
ymeeti
ngandy ouarelat
e,”
“Whyissheher
eifi
t’
saf
ami
l
ymeet
ing?
”she
quest
ioned.

“
It
’sokay
,I’
l
lleav
e…”Ist
ood.

“Babysitdown.”sai
dLucky,soIsatbackdown
observi
ngt hesit
uat
ionandalsoholdi
ngmy
horses.“Zah,babai
sspeaki
ngsot akeyoursi
t,
”

“
Baba,
”shecal
l
ed.“
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?”

“
Dade,
canwej ustbeci
vi
li
zed.She’
scar
ryi
ng
y
ourbr
other
’schil
d,beki
nd.
”

“Howsureareyouthati
t’
syour
sLucky
?”her
eyesrest
eduponLucky.“
Andwhyam Ithel
ast
tofi
ndoutaboutthi
s?”
“Because!”Luckybangedonthetabl
eoutof
anger.“Yourefusetoseethegoodinher
.She
didn’
tkill
Sammy ”

“Ican’
tbel
i
eveyouareallf
all
i
ngf orthi
s.Whois
thefat
heroft
hatt
hinginsi
dey ou?”shelooked
atme.

“Yourbr
otherLuckyandmychi
l
disnotat
hing,
”
Iansweredher.

“Whyareyouly
ing?Idon’twanty
ouhere,
you
wil
ldonothi
ngbuttearthisf
amil
yapar
tand
havepeopl
ekil
ledl
ikeyoudidSammy ,
”

“
Excuseme,
”Igotupandheadedf
ort
hedoor
.
“Baby,”Luckyf
oll
owedme.“
Rai
nbowwai
t
please,”

“Youguysshouldtalkwithoutme, Idon’twant
toupsetanybodyandt hatisi
ncludingthebaby”
Isai
dmar chi
ngtowar dshisroom.WhenI
pull
edthedoorhandledownandpushedt o
openthedoordidn’tbudge.“Openpl ease,
”

“Canwegobackt
othemeet
ingpl
ease,
”he
begged.

“
Lucky
,”

“
Rai
nbow,
”hekeptmyey
esi
npl
ace.
“
Open,
”

“
meet
ing,
”

IknowhowmuchLuckywant shim andItobea

family
;especi
all
ywiththebabycomi ng.Hehas
beenwor ki
ngreall
yhardtomakemef eell
ikeI
belongwithhi
m andhisfamily.I
fitmeanst hat
mucht ohim,thenIcanplayalong.

Hisphonerangandhepi ckeditup.“It
syour
si
ster
,”hesays,“HEY!
”hisheadal ongwit
hhis
shoul
dersfel
lthenhestartedwalkingaway.

“
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?”If
oll
owedhi
m.

“
HOW?HOW I
STHATEVENPOSSI
BLE?
”he
t
urnedandpul
l
edmet
ohi
schest
.

“
What
’shappeni
ngbabe?
”Iwhi
sper
ed.

“YEAHOKAY!”herel
easedmet hentookafew
stepsawayfr
om me.Thisti
meIr emainedi
n
placeandwai
tedf
orhim.“DIDYOUCHECKTHE
FOOTAGESINSIDEANDOUT?SOMEONEMUST
HAVESEENSOMETHI NG,”

Somethi
ngiswrong.Icanf
eeli
t…somethi
ng
real
l
ybadiscominganditwon’
tbenice.

“
THANKSMONDE,
I’
LLCALLYOU,
”hecamet
o
me.

“
What
’shappeni
ng?I
sshef
ine?
”Ii
nqui
red.
“
She’
sfi
ne,
”hesay
s.

“
But
?”Ibi
tmyl
i
p.

“Idon’
twantyoutostr
essyoursel
faboutt
his
okay?”hepl
antedasoftandl
ightkissonmy
l
ips.Ifor
cedasmileandnodded.“he’
sgone,
”

“
Who?
”

“
Ndumi
so…heescapedf
rom t
hehospi
tal
,
”

“It
houghthewasi nacoma,”Igr
abbedhisar
m
andheldontighti
natt
empttoabatethe
excruci
ati
ngpaincomi
ngfrom mystomach.
“
Hewas.But
…ar
eyouokay
?”

“
It
’l
lpassj
ustnow…”

“
shoul
dwegot
othedoct
or?
”heasked.Ishook
myhead.

“
All
bet
ter
.”Isi
ghed.

“
Let
’sgety
ouinsi
de,
”het
ookmyhandandl
ed
metothemai
nhouse.

“
Howdi
dheescape?
”Iasked.

“
Yoursisteri
ssti
ll
invest
igat
ing.
”SaidLucky,
“
Butcany oufor
getaboutthat…don’
tleti
tgetto
y
ou.pleasemommy ,
”
IhavetogiveittoNdumi so, hedoesn’ tgi
v eup.
Evenwhenst aringatdeat hintheey eshef inds
awayt oescape.Theoddswer est acked
againsthi
m butmanagedt oturnthet abl
es.My
worryisthathemi ghtcomeaf termeandt hen
Luckyandhi sfamilymightgethur tint he
process.Andwhatmi ghtmakehi ml oseitis
l
earningthatI’
m withchild;he’salway swant ed
chil
drenbutIwasnev erpreparedtobearhi m
some.

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT47

TI
MBUKTU

Pr
opernoun
1.Aci
tyi
ncent
ral
Mal
i

2.Anypr
over
bial
l
ydi
stantorr
emot
epl
ace

The‘ f
ami l
y ’meetingdidn’tgoassmoot hl
yas
onehadant ici
pated.Ev enaf terLuckyhad
explainedt ohissisterthatIhadnohandi n
Sammy ’sdeat hbutincat chingherkill
er,she
sti
ll
bel i
evesIam badnewsandsay sshe
pref
er sthingst hewayt heywer ebeforeIcame
i
ntot hepict ur
e.Shewasbol denought o
expresshowshewi shesIwoul dmiscarrywhil
e
sheandIwer einthekitchen.Wel lshef ound
met heremaki ngasandwi chf orLuckywho
wasn’ tful
lfrom themeal hismom pr epar ed
earl
ier.
Atanattempttoavoidpalaver
,Idi
dnotut
tera
wordtoher.Icont
inuedwithwhatIwasdoing
unt
ilshegaveupandr et
reatedtoherr
oom.

“Herebaby”Igavehi
m hi
ssandwi
chanda
glassofwater.

“Thanksl
ove,
”hesai
dconcentr
ati
ngont
he
documentar
yhewaswatching.

“
Iwi
l
lbei
nbedokay
,”Isai
d.

“hol
don, boy
!”hecal
led.Mthoappearedin
boxersandawhi t
evestandaphoneinhand.
“Walkhertotheroom pl
ease,
”heordered.

“
Lucky
,Iam goi
ngout
sidet
hesewal
l
snott
o
Ti
mbukt
u.”Icompl
ained.

“It
’satni ghtRainbow,”againtryi
ngt oavoid
unnecessar yargumentsanddebat es,I
retreated.Mt howalkedmet other oom and
l
ockedt hedoorwhenl eavi
ng.IswearLuckyi s
goingt odr i
vememad.Hedoesn’ tgiveme
breat hi
ngspaceandt hisbabygr owinginsi
deof
mei salreadyinvadi
ngmyspaceasi ti
s.Bef
ore
changi ngintomyni ghtwear ,Icall
edmysi ster
.

“
SISTER,
”shepi
ckedup.

“
HEYSISTER,LUCKYTOLDMEABOUT
NDUMISO.DOYOHAVEANYLEADS?”Iasked.
“
SHOULDICOMEDOWNANDHELPWI THTHE
I
NVESTIGATI
ON? ”
“NO.THEFURTHERAWAYYOUAREFROM
THISMATTERTHEBETTER.HOW ARETHEI
N-
LAWS?”Isi
ghedi
nfr
ust
rat
ions.

“OKAYIGUESS,ITSJUSTLUCKY’SLITTLE
SISTERDOESN’TREALLYTRUSTME.SHEI S
MAKI NGITVERYHARDFORMETOMOVE
FREELYINTHISYARDANDTOTOPI TALLOFF,
LUCKYJUSTWON’ TLETMEBREATHE
WI THOUTHOLDINGMYHANDANDGUI DI
NG
METHROUGHTHEPROCESS, ”Mondel aughed
atmyagonyasIlamentedt
oher.“I
’
M GLAD
YOUAREDERI VI
NGSOMEPLEASUREFROM
MYDI LEMMA,”

“YOUARERAI
NBOW SI
S,JUSTTELLHER
WHERETOGETOFFANDASFORLUCKY…I TS
NATURALFORAFATHERTOBEPROTECTI VE
OFTHEMOTHEROFHISCHI LD.YOU’
RELI
KEA
TRUCKWI
THCOCAI
NE,
”

“IKNOW YOUDIDNOTCOMPAREMYBABYTO
COCAINE”Igi
ggl
edamusedbyheranal
ogy
.

“HAVEYOUTOLDTHEREALPARENTSYET?
”
sheasked.

“YES,
IDI
D,THEYWANTTOMEETLUCKY
PRETTYSOONHEY!
”

“I
TSEEMSLI
KEYOUGUYSAREGETTI
NG
SERI
OUS,
”

“
IDON’
TKNOW,
WESHALLSEE.
”

“
LISTENSI
STER,
IHAVETOGO.AYANDAHAS
BEENUNDERTHEWEATHERSOI
’
M PLAYI
NG
DOCTOR,
”

“
TELLHERTOGETBETTERFORME,
”

“WILLDOANDDON’TWORRYABOUTHIS
SISTER,
SHE’
LLCOMEAROUNDANDASFOR
HIM…THERE’
SNOTHINGYOUCANDO.ILOVE
YOU,”

“
GOODNI
GHTMONDE,
ILOVEYOU,
”

Ilov
et al
ki
ngt omysi ster
.Ourconversati
ons
arealwayscatharti
candImustsay ,I
’mv er
y
grat
efulIfoundherbeforeIgotpregnant.She’
s
l
ikeat her
apistspecial
l
ypr ogr
ammedf ormy
mommybr ain.
IknowMondeandLuckyt ol
dmet onotworr
y
aboutNdumiso,butI’
m smarterthanthat
.I
needtogetmypeopl eonthi
smat t
erandwhen
Isaypeopl
e,I’
mt al
ki
ngaboutSt handwasam;
hispeopl
earemypeopl e.

“MYDALI,
”hesings.Howthisguymanagest
o
beli
vel
yatal
lti
mesi sthequest
ionoft
he
cent
ury
.

“
HEY,
HOW AREYOUKEEPI
NG?
”

“I
’
M OKAY,
HOW HAVEYOUBEEN?HOW I
STHE
BABY?”

“I
’
M FI
NE,
THEBABYI
SFI
NE.LI
STEN,
INEED
YOUTOBEONTHELOOKOUTFORME,”
“YESMA’
AM.WHATAM IONTHELOOKOUT
FOR?”

“NDUMISO,
APPARENTLYHEESCAPED.LUCKY
ANDMONDEARESAYNGISHOULDNOT
WORRYABOUTHIM BUTYOUKNOW ME
BETTERTHANTHAT,”

“
IWILLSTARTWI
THTHECAMERASATTHE
HOSPI
TALANDSEEWHATIFI
ND,
”

“THI
SSTAYSBETWEENYOUANDI.AND
STHANDWA;IGOTABABYONTHEWAYI
DON’TWANTHIM LURKI
NGAROUND,
”

“YESMA’AM.HOW ABOUTISENDAGUYTO
KEEPWATCHOFTHEHOUSEWHI LEYOU’RE
THERE,
JUSTTOBEONTHESAFESI DE,
”
“I
’
DLIKETHATVERYMUCH.SEND2,
IWANT
THEI
RCONTACTSASSOONASYOUHAVE
THEM,”

“
I’
M ONI
T.BESAFE…”

“
IWI
LL,
THANKYOUSTHANDWASAM,
”

“
ANYTI
ME”

NowIcanr estknowingwhat ’
shappening.
LuckyandMondewer egoingtokeepoutoft he
l
oopf orgett
ingthatNdumi soisafterme.Butin
thi
sway ,Idon’thavetokeepnaggi ngthem t
o
updatemeaboutt hecase.They’l
lbeunderthe
i
mpr essionthatI’
m obeyi
ngt hei
rinstr
ucti
onto
‘
notwor ry’
;it
’sawinwi n.
Ichangedint
omyni ght
dressandgoti
ntobed;
notsolongafterLuckycamei n.

“Heylov
er,”hesaid.Hecameandbentov erme.
“MayIhaveaki ss? ”her
equested.Ipout
edmy
l
ipstokisshim.Hebental i
tt
lelowerandpatt
ed
hisl
ipsagainstmi ne.Hethenroseandstar
ted
taki
ngoffhisclothes.

“
Youokay
?”Iaskedwat
chi
nghi
m change.

“I’
m okaybaby .Morethanokay .Youareher e,
Mt hoishere,ourli
tt
lepersonishereandt he
restofmyf ami l
yishere.Li
ter
allyal
lthet
hi ng
thatmat t
ertomear einoney ardatthever y
samet ime;notmanypeopl ecanhav eitl
ike
that.So,I
’m content
.”
“Okaybabe,i
fyou’
regoodI
’
m good”Isi
ghed
andfacedthecei
li
ng.

“
AndZanel
ehasst
oppedwi
thherdr
ama,
f
inal
l
y!”

“
Shehasn’
t!
”Ibl
urt
edout
.

“Whatdoyoumean? ”heswi
tchedof
fthel
ight
andusedhisphonetoli
ghtt
hewaytobed.“She
sai
dshe’dl
etitgo,
shepromisedme”

“
Iknowbutshedidn’t
.”It
urnedandfacedhi
m.
“
Shesaidshewishesthatmybabywoul ddi
ein
mywombsot hatIwon’thaveanythi
ngtoti
e
youwi
thandthattheonlyreasonyouarewi
th
meisbecauseofthebaby,
”nowt hatI
’mtel
li
ng
Lucky–I’
m act
uall
yreal
i
zinghowmuchI
’
m hur
t
byit
,byherwords.

“
Whendi
dshesayt
hat
?”

“JustnowwhenIwasmaki
ngy
out
hat
sandwich,
”

“That
’si
t,l
etmegoandgiv
eittoher
,”Igr
abbed
hisar
mjustbefor
ehecoul
djumpoutofbed.
“l
etmejusthav
eawordwithher,
”

“
Lucky
;Idon’
twanty
ou…”

“
NoMi
ss,
sheneedst
ogr
owup.She…”

“
Cany
oul
i
stent
omepl
ease,
”Ishoul
dn’
thav
e
t
oldhi
mthi
s.“
Comeher
e,”Ior
der
ed.“
Kissme,
”

“Rai
nbow, y
ouar ethemot herofmychildbut
besi
desthat;youar emygirlf
ri
endandIdon’t
wantanyonet hi
nkingtheycantreatyou
howevertheyplease–especi al
lynotmy
famil
y.
”hev ented.

“KissmeLucky ,
”helai
ddownonhi ssideand
kissedme.Theheavinessinmyhear tstart
ed
dissolvi
ng.Mywholebodyrel
axedand
ev er
ythi
ngbecamecalm.Iactual
lyexhaled.“I
don’twantyoutofi
ghtwithyoursisterbecause
ofme, ”

“
Butbaby
,”

“
Shet
hinksshe’
slooki
ngoutf
orherbr
other
andfami
ly
,”Icuthim shor
t.“
Let’
sletthi
ngspl
ay
outf
ornow,may besoonshe’l
lseethatI’
m
l
egit
,”

“
Yesma’
am”hesi
ghed.

“
Let
’ssl
eep,
”

“
MayIputmyhandundery
ourdr
ess.I
t’
swar
m
i
nther
e,”

Igi
ggl
ed,“
Knockyoursel
fout”hi
scoldhand
tr
avel
l
edundermynightdressandfoundrest
onmybreast
.

“Whooo”hecr
ied.“
babe,”hegotcloserand
ki
ssedmepassionatel
y.“Thi
spregnancythi
ng
sui
tsy
ou,
”heprai
sed.“
Doy
ouwantt
oki
ssand
dowhatl
over
sdo?”

“Yespl
ease”Ient husiasti
call
ysaid.Wi t
hout
wasti
ngasi ngl esecond, hishandsl i
ddownand
foundit
swayi nsidemyunder wear.Ibitonmy
l
ipsandcl osedmyey esashi sfingerwenti n
andoutofme.Heknel ti
nbet weenmyt highs
andcontinuedmov inghi sfi
ngerinsideofme.
Tobehonest , Idon’tenjoysexasmuchasI
usedtonowt hatI’m pregnant.Asf orLucky ,he
seemstowantmor esexnowmor ethanev er.
Befor
eIknewi t
,hewasi nsi
deofmet hrusting
backandf orth,grunti
ngandsweat ingov erme.

“Wherear
ey oubaby ?
”heasked.Itwasanodd
questi
ontoaskduringcoit
us.Hestopped
mov i
ngandbreathedheavil
ywhil
eresti
nghi
s
for
eheadonmi ne.“Whereareyou?”
“Whatdoy oumean?Whydidy oustop?
”he
tookhisphone,
swit
chedonthet or
chandli
t
againstt
hewall
.Theli
ghtbouncedbacktous.

“
Youar
enother
ewi
thme,
”

“I
’m her
ebabe, j
ustcont
inue,”Il
if
tedupmy
headandkissedhim.“Continue,
”Isai
damidst
ki
ssinghim buti
nsteadhepul l
edoutandl
aid
downbesideme.

“
Iknowy
ouand…”

“Yeahwellmay
bey
oudon’
tknowmet
hatwel
l
,”
Iint
erj
ect
ed.
“Ther
e’snoneedtogetspicyaboutt
his,lose
theatt
it
ude.Asyourboyf
ri
end,I’
m noti
cing
somethingIdonotli
keandIam putt
ingitout
ther
esowecanwor konit
.”hesatup,“Now,
whatisgoingon?”

“
Goodni
ghtLucky
,”It
urnedar
oundandf
aced
t
hewall
.

“
Rai
nbow,
”hey
ell
edpul
l
ingt
hebl
anketaway
.

“WhatthefuckLucky !Iam tryi

ngt osleep”I
att
emptedt opulltheblanketbutthisfool threw
i
tonthef l
oor.“Reall
y?Ar eyoureallychoosi ng
todothisnow? ”Igotupt ofetchthebl anket.
Hegotupaswel landgott oitfi
rst.Hepi ckedi t
upandt hr
ewi tbackont hebed.“ Thisisstupi d,
”
“Youwi l
ltal
ktomeaboutwhatIbroughtup,
youunder st
and,
”Iscof
fedandheadedbackto
bed.Hegr abbedmyarm andpul
ledmebackin
frontofme.

“
Getyourhandsoffme,”If
oughthi
mtry
ingto
f
reemyselff
rom hi
sgrip–inst
eadhegrabbed
t
heotherarm aswel
l.

“Don’tfuckingmakememad! ”hisv oi
cepierced
throughmyear sleavi
ngmebot hshockedand
frozen.“Isaidlosethefucki
ngat ti
tudeandt alk
tome.Don’ tmakemegetl i
kethiswi t
hy ou.
”he
l
etgoofmeandwentt oswit
chont heli
ght.I
didn’tmov e.Iwaitedther
enotf orhim butI
thinkIwasst il
lshockedbywhatj usthappened.
“Now, whatdi dIsay?”

“
Tol
oset
heat
ti
tudeandt
alkt
oyou,
”I
answer
ed.

“That’
sallIaskmyl ove,
”hepull
edmei nt
ohi s
chestandki ssedthetopofmyhead.“ Don’tbe
scared.I’
m nothim, Iwon’thur
ty ouli
kethat.I
understandt haty
ourbodyi sgoingthrough
somechangesandi t’
salotbutpleasebeni ce
tomeandl etmei n.Okay?”

Inodded,“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Iwhi
sper
edwr
appi
ngmy
armsaroundhiswai
st.

“Metoo,
”hehel
dmet
ight
er.“
I’
m sor
ryt
oo
baby
,”

“
Canwet al
kaboutt
hist
omor
rowpl
ease,
”I
r
equest
ed.
“
That
’sf
ine,
”

“
Thanky
ou,
Ilov
eyou,
”

“You’
retheloveofmyli
fe,
”helif
tedmyheadup
andkissedmeont heli
ps.“Il
oveyousomuch
Miss,
”her est
edhisf
oreheadonmi ne,

“
CanIhav
ethebl
anketnow?
”It
eased.

“
Yes,
youmay
,”

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
#bonusi
nser
t
I
NSERT48
BABYDOLL

Noun

1.Achi
l
d’sdol
ldesi
gnedt
olookl
i
keababy

Thismor ningIgotamessagef rom

Sthandwasam al erti
ngmet hathehadal r
eady
si
tuatedment owat chov erthehouseand
my selfinpar t
icular
.Theybot htext edmet o
notif
ymeoft heirpresence.NowIcanbr eathe
knowi ngt hatifanythi
ngoutoft heor di
nary
happens, Iwil
lknow.Mr .Dlamini hascalledme
i
ntot heliv i
ngroom, saidhewant edtot al
kt o
me.Fr ankl y–I ’
m overtheset al
ksandmeet i
ngs.
Let’
sj ustbeandl etbygonesbeby gones.

“
Thi
swon’
ttakel
ong,
”hesay
s.Inodded.“
I
wanty
outojoi
nmyteam,
”her
eal
l
ydoesn’
t
wantt
hist
otakel
ong.

“Idon’
tunderst
and,don’
tweal
lwor
kfort
he
samet eam?”Iasked.

“
Wellyes,butify
ouar eworki
ngunderat
eam
f
ounder,suchasmy self
,yougetpai
dmoreand
y
ougetcer tai
npri
vi
leges,”

“
Suchas?
”

“Well
,foronewewi l
lal
wayshaveyourbackand
Iwil
lneverappointy
outoataskthatmightput
yourl
ifeatri
sk.Youarefami
lynow,themother
ofmygr andchi
ld,
”
“Doyounothavemybacknow?Iam asking
becauseIwoul
dtakeabull
etforanymember
ofthi
sfamil
ybeli
evei
tornot…”

“WhatImeanis,
Groot
boom wi
l
llookatyouas
anemployee,
apawnandtome,you’l
lbefami
l
y
so…”

“
Soy ouwil
lpi
ckwher
eIcanandcan’
tgo.You
wi
ll
hav eaneyeonme,y
ouwil
lpr
otectme.”

“
Preci
se.You’
l
lbeoneofour
s.”Heagr
eed.

“Wit
hallduerespectsir
,thecol
onelwoul
d
neversendmewher ehedoesnotthi
nkIcan
cope.Healsoprotectsme,”
“Buthedoesn’ tprot
ectyoulikeyourownf amily
would.”MrDl amini’
sofferseemsr ather,
outof
place.i
tseemsast houghhei str
yingt ochange
myper cepti
onoft hecolonel.“
Andl et’
sfacei t
,
wouldy ouratheracopi sbreathi
ngdowny our
neck-consider i
ngthefil
etheyhav eony ou–or
me, yourchi
ld'smkhulu?”

“
Idon’
tknowsi r
,I’
m quitecomfortabl
eunder
t
hecolonel
.ButIwill
thinkaboutitandmay be
t
alkt
oy oursonaboutitaswell”hesmi l
ed.

“Verywellt
hen,t
hat’
sgoodenoughforme.”he
stoodandIstoodalongwit
hhim.“
Now, how’s
mygr andchi
lddoi
nginther
e?”

“
He’
sgr
owi
ngal
ri
ght
…”
“
Rainbow!
”Luckycameinscreamingmyname
f
oll
owedmyMenzi .“
whatthefuck?”

“Lucky
!”MrDlami
nishout
ed.“
Thati
snowayt
o
speaktoher
,”her
epri
manded.

“Ngiyaxol
isababa,
”(I
’m sor
rydad)he
composedhi mself
,“Whydidmymenf i
ndmen
clai
mi ngtobeyourmenwat chi
ngthehouse,
”
F**k,we’v
ebeenmade.

“
What
?”sof
tl
yexcl
aimedPaul
looki
ngatme.

“
Icanexpl
ain,
”Iut
ter
ed.

“
Pleasedo,
”sai
dMenzi
.
“
Justdon’
thur
tthem,
theyar
ewi
thme,
”

“
Iaskedf
ort
hem t
obebr
oughti
n,
”say
sLucky
.

“Whenyoutol
dmeaboutNdumi
so,
Ipani
cked.
”
Iconf
essed.

“
Icl
earl
ytol
dyout
oleav
ethatt
ome,
”he
r
eminded.

“YeahLuckynotbei
ngintheloopdrov
eme
crazy.Thi
sisNdumisowear etal
ki
ngaboutand
nobodyknowshim bett
erthanmesot el
l
ingme
tostayputisj
ustcr
azyandr i
sky,
”

“
Youar
epr
egnant
!”Luckyshout
ed.
“
Notpar
aly
zedori
ncapaci
tat
ed!
”Ii
nter
ject
ed.

“Rai
nbow, whenyouareher
e–especiall
yinthe
stat
eyouar ein–youcandropyourguardand
l
owery ourweapons,
”saysMenzi
.

“Sot hati fanythi

nghappensy oucanbl amei t
onmeandchasemeoutl i
keast raydogwi th
rabbis? ”myey esboreintoLucky ’s.“Sot hat
yoursi stercansayshet oldy ousot hatIwas
trouble? ”Ibrushedmyf oreheadt ryi
ngt ocalm
my selfdown.“ Nothanks, Iwor kfort hepoli
ce
andt her eisar easonthati s.I
fIcandoany thi
ng
toprot ectmy sel
fandthi sfami l
ythenIwi l
l
becausel ikeIsaidsir
,Ihav egoty ourback
samet eam ornot .”

“
Baba,Menzi.wouldyougi
veusamoment?”
t
heyobeyed.Luckytookmyhandandsatme
down.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Iapol
ogi
zed.

“I’
mt heonewhoshoul dbesor rybaby,”he
kissedmyhand.“ Iforgetthatyouar enotli
ke
thegirl
sI’vebeenwi t
hbef ore.Ihaveagunand
youhav eagun.Iwantt oprotectyouandy ou
wantt oprotectme, ”Inoddedagr eeingwithhi
m.
“Iam verysorry.Ijustcan’thelpit,
Idon’twant
youi ntheactionwhi l
epr egnant.”

“Iam l
it
eral
l
ynoti
ntheact
ion,
”Icont
est
ed
smil
ing.

“Iseethatnow,”hegavemealopsi
dedgri
n.
“Howaboutt hi
s?Ikeepyouonthel
oopbutyou
cannotbeont hefi
eldandIwi
ll
lety
ourboys
workwi
thminewi
tht
hepr
ovi
siont
hatmyboy
s
ar
einchar
ge?”

“
Fairenough.ButIwil
lnott
akethebackseat
,
t
hisisNdumi soIneedfr
ont
-rowseat
s,”

“Fai
renoughbutyoucan’
tpl
aywi
thagun.
You’
llbeli
keasil
entpar
tner
”

“
Deal
”

“Wanttoseal
thatwithaki
ss?
”heleanedi
nand
Iaccept
edbutleani
nginki
ssi
nghi
m.

“Al
so,
thosemenar
eSthandwasam’s.Idon’
t
havemen,Ihav
eaman,
”Iboasted.
“
It
’sni
ceheari
ngthat
,”heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
“
Thankyou,baby
,”

“Ohl
over
,Iwastal
ki
ngaboutSthandwasam;
he’
smyman.”Igotupandheadedforthedoor
.

“F*
*khim!Thatl
it
tl
erat
.ThatGuyissoti
nyhow
doeshemanagetomakebi gmoves?”he
quest
ionedf
oll
owingme.

“
LikeIsai
d,Ihav
eaman.
”

“Ishoul
dprobabl
yhav
eawomant
oo,
”he
suggested.

“
Ihav
eagun,
”Iwar
ned.
“
Yesma’am,nowoman.Youar
etheonly
womanIneed.Myl
i
fepart
ner
…”heret
reated.

LaterthatdayIgotext r
emel ydr
owsyand
decidedtot akeanap.I ’m notonetonapdur i
ng
thedaybutIt oldmy sel
fthatIwil
ldoany t
hing
thi
spr egnancyl eadsmet odo.Thedoct orsaid
i
t’sgoodt olistentomybodyandnotf ight
againstit
.Shesai dsometimesit’
sthebaby
communi cati
ngwi thme.

IseeSammy ,
it’
sbeenawhilesinceI’
veseen
her,
Imustbedr eaming.Thesamepl acewhere
shewasshotbutt herewasnooneel sethi
s
ti
me; j
ustus.Shelookedcl
ean,nobloodand
notinpain.

“Sammy”Ical
l
edget
ti
ngcl
osert
oher
.She
smil
edatme.
“
MissRai
nbow,
daddy
’spr
incess,
”shebl
ushed.

“Areyouokaybaby?”Iasked.Shenodded.
“Sammy ,
itshoul
dhav ebeenMi ssRai
nbowthat
gothurtt
hatday…I’
m sosorry,
”

“I
’
mf i
nenow, l
ook”shet
wirl
edformeli
ke
Barbi
ewoul dinoneofherspar
kli
ngdr
esses
wit
hwi ngs.Ismil
edather.
“
Babaisf
ine,
”shesays.“
BabaMenzi
and
Mkhul
uarenotfi
ne,
”sheadded.

“Whatdoyoumean?Aretheyhur
ti
ng?
”thenI
suddenl
ysawhercar
ryi
ngababy.

“
Thebabydol
lneedst
obef
ixed;
hei
shur
t!
”she
star
tedwalki
ngaway .Thedollshewascar ry
ing
star
tedcryi
ngli
keanewbor nbaby.Itouched
myt ummyandf el
tthatitwasflat
,thenan
excr
uciat
ingpai
ngrew.

“Sammy ,wai
t!”Iyel
led.“
That’
snotadol l,
that’
s
thebaby ”shekeptwal ki
ngaway,shepai dno
attent
iont ome."Samke,"Ifel
tmybodyget t
ing
weakerbysecond.Iputonef ooti
nf r
ontoft he
otherinattemptt ogettoherbutIcouldn’
t
mov e.“Sam, bri
ngthebabyback,”

“GobackMissRainbow,I
’m goi
ngt
ogethim
fi
xed,
”shesai
dandt hendi
sappear
edasthough
shewasneverthere.

“
Samkel
i
siwe!
”scr
eamed.
Iopenedmyey esandimmediatel
yreali
zedthat
thepainIwasfeel
ingint
hedream wasr eal
.I
squeezedmyey esshutwi
ll
i
ngittostopl i
keit
didlastni
ghtwhenIwaswithLucky.Isatup
str
aight,t
hat
’swhenIsawthebloodstainon
mygr eyti
ghts.

“Ohmywor d!
”Igotsicktothepi
tofmy
stomach.Ispreadmyl egsopenandindeedthe
bloodwascomi ngf r
om wheremyt hi
ghsmeet.
Ilookedunderthepill
owformyphoneandt hen
remember edthatIhadchargedi
tbythedesk.I
tri
edtostandtogoandgethel p,howeverI
fail
ed.Igotdi
zzyandf el
lbackonthebed.

InthisverymomentIam soscar
edt hatIwi
ll
diewiththeamountofpainI’
mfeeli
ng.Icoul
d
feelall
power,mi
ghtandwi l
ll
eavi
ngmybody
alongwi t
hthebl
oodbythesecond.Ihaveto
gethel
pr i
ghtnow.Idecidedtocrawl t
othe
doorwhichseemedlikeIwascr awlingtoEgypt
.
Itur
nedthekeyanti-
clockwiseunlocki
ng,pul
led
thedooropenandstar t
edIcall
ingforhelp.

“Lucky!
”Ical
led.Iwasn’ tloudenoughbutIhad
tokeeponcal l
i
ng.“ Help!”Ipanted.“Pl
easestay
ali
ve,pl
ease,
”myv oicequi ver
ed.“Lucky!
”fi
nall
y
someoneappear ed.It’
sMt ho,notwhoIhad
hopedbutit’
ssomeone.

“
AuntyRai
nbow,
”shock,f
earandter
ror
t
ransf
ormedhi
sface.Hefel
lbef
oreme.

“
Getyourf
ather!
”Isai
dwi
thwhatf
eltl
i
kemy
v
eryl
astbreat
h.

“
Baba!
”Mt
hor
an,
hisf
eetwer
efl
oat
ingabov
e
t
hegr
ound.“
Baba!
”

Ikeptt
ell
ingmysel
ftokeepmyey esopen.I
fI
l
osecontrolofmybodythenthebabyisin
danger
.Ihavetobeincontr
ol.Ihavetobreat
he.
Ihavetokeepmyeyesopen.

Luckyappear
edrunni
ngwi
thMt
hoandhi
s
mom behindhim.

“Baby,
whathappened?
”heaskedkneel
i
ng
befor
eme.

“Iwassleepi
ng,
I’
m so…”If
eltmul
ti
ple
deli
ber
atetapsonmycheek.

“
Lookatme!
”Luckycommanded.Inodded.
“Keepy
ourey
esonme,
mamawhatshoul
dwe
do?”

“Weneedtogethert
othedoctorri
ghtnow,
”
shesai
d.“
Mtho,goandstar
tthetaxi
”

“
Ma,
”Luckyut
ter
edwi
that
rembl
i
ngt
one.

“
Boywam, i
tsgoi
ngtobeokay
,”sheassur
ed.
“
Getheri
nthetaxi
,
”

“
Lucky
,”Ical
l
edashecar
ri
edmet
othet
axi
.

“
Yesbaby
,keept
alki
ngt
ome,
”

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”
“
YouapologizealotMiss.Hey,say?doy ou
t
hinkmay beIcoul
dborrowy ourGlockforafew
r
oundswi thmybrother
?”Icouldfeelthatt
he
t
axiwasmov i
ng.I
’
m guessingMt hoisdriv
ing,
l
astIchecked,Menziwasout .

“
Sur
e,”

“Thankyou,tell
me…what ’syourf
av ouri
te
colourbaby
?Younev ert
oldmet hat,”Icould
hearinhisvoicethathewantedtojust
breakdownbuthemai nt
ainedastrongf açade.

“
I’
m col
dLucky
,”

“Weareal
mostther
e,j
ustkeeptal
kingtome,
Rai
nbow.Lookatme…”Idon’twanttodi
eandI
don’twantmybabyt odi e.ButifIam t odi e
today ,pl
easedearheav ens,don’tletitbei nthis
man’ sar ms.Notlikethis.Thismomentt akes
mebackt owhenIbeggedSammyt okeepher
eyesopenandj ustlookatme.Sheendedup
closingherey esforgood.Andt hati sal lIneed
ri
ghtnow; Ineedtor estmyey esjustf orashot
bit.Ijustneedtorelax,butI ’
m scar edt hatI
mi ghtnotopenmyey esagai nandLuckywi ll
car r
yt hi
simagefort her estofhisl if
e.

“
Lucky
,”

“
I’
m her
e,”heki
ssedmyf
orehead.

“
I’
m goingtobefi
ne;t
hebabyi sgoi
ngtobe
f
ine…”Iassur
ed.“
ButIjustneedtor
estmyeyes
f
orshhh…shortbi
tokay,
”
“No!
”hedisput
ed.“
Don’
tyoudar
ecl
osey
our
eyesRai
nbow,don’
t!
”

“
I’
mjustr
est
ingmyey
es,
I’
mti
red!
”

“Rai
nbow! ”heshouted.“Don’tF*****
gdar e!
Don’t!
”hepr ot
ested.“Openy oureye,
”hepeel ed
myleftey esopen.Isawhim butmyv isi
onwas
blur
redandev entual
lyIcouldn’tbestrong
anymor e.Il
etgo…

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT49

SPI
RITUAL
Adj
ect
ive

1.Consi
sti
ngofspi
ri
t;notmat
eri
al;
incor
por
eal
.

2.Oforr
elat
ingt
othei
ntel
lect
ualandhigher
endowmentsoft
hemind;mental
;int
ell
ectual
.

So,there’sgoodandev i
l,wrongandr ight,up
anddown, happyandsad, blackandwhi te,t
all
andshor t,f
atandt hin,andsowi t
ht hat,ther
eis
theseenandt heunseen, thatisthephy sical
andt hespiri
tual
.I’
v enev erbeenmuchofa
spiri
tualperson.Inev erpray edorsear chedf or
anyf orm ofspir
it
ual guidancef rom ahi gher
power .ImeanIdobel i
evet hatthere’sapower
biggerthany ouandI .Ibel i
ev ethereisaGod, I
j
ustnev eracknowl edgedhi m.Iwasnev er
taughttoo.Mypar ent salway sfoundsol acein
l
uxur yandatt hebot t
om ofexpensi vewi ne
bot
tl
es.Andso,i
twasautomati
cal
l
ybornein
metodeal wi
tht
hingsasIseet
hem andnot
gi
veprayeramoment’st
hought
.

Ifi
ndmy selfatacrossr
oads.Bet
weenar ock
andahar dplace.If
eelmyownpowerhasr un
i
tscauseandIcannotnol ongerdependonitto
carrymef rom pointAtoB.Ifi
ndmy sel
fdeepl
y
perplexedandweakenedt otheverycoreofmy
bei
ng.

Mybodyi st
ir
edandpai nf
ul.Ifeelemptyand
cold.IknowI’minthehospital,Ir
emember
everythi
ngthathappenedthatledt othi
svery
point.Whyisshehere?Zanel e…she’spaci
ngup
anddownandI ’mtornbet
weencal l
ingherand
cl
osingmyey es.

“
Zanel
e,
”ar
aspyanddr
ytoneescapedmy
t
hroat
.

“Ohthankgoodness!”shehasteneduptome.
“Howareyoufeeli
ng? ”sheasked.Whydoes
shecareaboutme?Agai n–whyi sshehere?I
l
ookedaroundther oom; i
twasjustherandI
.I’
d
expect
edthatIwoul dseeLuckyholdi
ngmy
handandwaiti
ngf ormet owakeup.“ St
ayput
,
I’
ll
getadoctor,
”sheexi t
ed.

Thelastt
hingIrememberisLuckytel
li
ngmeto
cont
inuetal
kingtohim.Hewantedtousemy
gunforsomet hi
ng,
andIall
owedhim.Zanel
e
camebackwi thanurseandadoctor.

“
Zah,
Itol
dLuckyI’
dbeupsoon.Pl
easet
ell
him
I
’
m awake.
”Isai
d.
“
Ma’am,I
’m doct
orHl
ophe.I
’
mtheonethewas
t
reat
ingy
ou…”hesays.Zaht
ookmyhand.

“Thebabyisgone,
isn’
tit
?”Isai
dwhatwas
obvi
ouslyhar
dforhimtoutter
.Henodded.

“I
’m sosor
ry,
”Zahexpr
essed.Idon’
t
underst
andwhat’
shappeni
nghere;wher
eis
Luckyandwhyisshesuddenlyni
cetome.Thi
s
i
swhatshewant ed.
Menzi
bar
gedi
nwi
thascr
ewed-
upf
ace.

“
Hey
,”hegr
eet
ed.

“
Wher e’
sLucky?”Iasked.“
Ireal
l
yneedhi
m
r
ightnowandI’m sureheneedsmetoo,
”my
v
oicecracked.
“Iwi
l
lgi
v ey
ousomespace,
”saidt
hedoct
or
andexi
tedwit
hthenur
sebehi
ndhim.

“
Mom, dadandMt hoar
eout
side,
they
’l
lbei
n
j
ustnow,”hesay
s.

“AndLucky
?”whythehel
ldot
heykeep
devi
ati
ngfr
om hi
sname?

“
Rai
nbow,
”hisf
acecontoured,“
Per
hapsmay
be
y
oushoul
drest
,”hesuggested.

“
Menzi
,I
’mrest
ing.Butpl
easegetmeLucky
,”
t
hei
rpar
ent
swal kedi
nwithMtho.

“
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”askedEuni
ce.
“Where’
sLucky?”Iaskedher ,
shel ookedat
Paul
.“Hassomet hinghappenedt ohi m?Ishe
okay?
”Ican’
tlosemybabyandt hef atherofmy
babyall
inoneday .Iwon’tsurvi
veit.

“
Luckyi
sgone,
”Paul
say
s.

“Gone?”Iquest
ioned.Alotofscenar
iosare
play
inginmyheadr ightnowandit’
sdriv
ingme
i
nsane.Ineedtoknowexact l
ywhathappened.

“Wedon’tknowwher ehewent .Thedoct ortol

d
usthatthebabydidn’tmakei tandt henhesaid
hewasgoi ngtogetsomeai r;
whi chonly
seemednor mal,”Menzi explai
ned.“ Butaftera
whil
e,hedidn’tcomeback.Wel ookedf orhim,
hewasnowher etobef ound.I tappearsthathe
tookthetaxiandjustleft.Andhi sphonei soff
,”
“WelookedattheCCTVfoot
agesandsawhim
dri
veoutofthehospi
tal
aunt
yRainbow,
”added
Mtho.

“
Wherecoul
dhehav egone?”Iaskedwhatt
hey
t
hemsel
vescannotanswer.

“Wedon’ tknow.”Answer edMrDl ami ni

.Il
ooked
atMthoandmyey esstartedteari
ng.Ihope
Luckydidnotr unoff.Perhapsitallgottoo
muchf orhim andhedeci dedt ol
eav e.But…no
hewoul dneverdot hattome.Hewoul dnever
j
ustpickupandl eave.NotmyLucky .

“He’
l
lbeback”Iprofessed.Zahsqueezedmy
handandeventhought hati
ssupposedto
makemef eel
better–i tmademef eelal
one
andscar
ed.IshouldhavewokenuptoLucky
andnott
ohislit
tl
esisterwhohasmadeher
l
oathi
ngformepr et
tyclear
.

“Hehasneverdoneany
thi
ngl
i
ket
hisbef
ore,
”
poi
ntedoutEuni
ce.

“
CanIbelef
tal
onepl
ease,
forami
nut
e,”I
r
equest
ed.

Inafewsecondst her oom wasempt y

.Iwas
l
eftalonewi ththought sl oudenoughtobr eak
mybr aini
nt otwoandr hythmicbeepsfrom the
machines.Wher ecoul dhehav egone?Why
wouldhel eavemel i
ket his?“Comebackt ome
Lucky,”Imut t
ered.Heshoul dbeherenow; we
shoul
dbecomf ortingoneanot her
.We’vebot h
l
ostachi l
d.Idon’ tknowwhatt odo;perhapsit’
s
thedrugst hey’
vegi venmet hatar
emaki ngme
numbatt hemoment.Myhear
tisbreaki
ngyes,
butIshouldbecr
yingmuchmorethanIam
ri
ghtnow.Ishoul
dbelosi
ngmymi nd.

May
bel
ater
,it
’l
lal
lki
cki
n.

Li
keIhadment i
onedear li
er;wehav etheseen
andt heunseen.Thephy si
cal andthespirit
ual
andt hetwocont roloneanot her.JustbeforeI
woket other edhorrorbetweenmyt hi
ghsIwas
i
nadr eam.Iwasdr eamingaboutSammy .She
hadt akenmybabyt hinki
ngitwasadol land
saiditneededf i
xing.Icouldn’tgettoher,she
disappearedwi t
hmybabyandt henIwokeup
fr
om t hatdream tobehospi tali
zedand
eventuall
ylostmybaby .

Iwanttopr
aybutIdon’
tknowwhot opr
ayto.I
don’
tknowhowtoprayandwil
lthatGodev
en
l
ist
en?Doesheev enli
keme, bett
eryetknow
me.Canheseet hegreatphysi
caland
emot i
onalpainIam inrightnow?Whycan’ the
hel
pmewi thouthav i
ngbeenasked?Can’ thebe
generousanddoaf avourforagirlwhojustl
ost
achild,al
ov erandont hevergeoflosi
ng
herself
?

“God,pleasebri
ngLuckybackt ome”Iquickl
y
slappedmyhandov ermymout htotryandstop
my sel
ffrom cry
ing.“Pleaselethi
m beokayin
theheartandmi ndandbody ,
”Iwanttobewith
Luckysobad.Ineedhi mt obehere.Iwantto
holdhim andtellhi
mt hatwewi ll
bef i
ne,t
hat
wewi ll
getthroughthis.IneedmyGuy .

Threeday slater,Iwasdischargedfrom t
he
hospit
al.IreturnedtoLucky ’
sroom athishome
andhewasn’ ttherest
il
l.Menzi say
shehasn’t
stoppedlooki
ngforhim andthathewill
find
him.HereIam inhi
sr oom watchingt
hedoor ,
waiti
ngforhimtowal kinandtell
mesomet hing
Icanholdonto.Ipickedupmyphoneand
call
edhim.

“THISISLUCKY, I
’
M SORRYICAN’ TTAKEYOUR
CALLRI GHTNOW.LEAVEYOURNAMEANDI
WILLGETBACKTOYOUASAP, ”Ihadn’
theard
hisvoi
cesi ncethatafternoon.Ihadn’t
attemptedtocallhim andIdon’ tknowwhy ?I
guesswhenMenzi sai
dhi sphonewasof fI
automat i
call
ytookhiswor dforhim.Ical
led
againjusttoli
stentohi svoice.

“THI
SISLUCKY,I’
M SORRYICAN’
TTAKEYOUR
CALLRIGHTNOW.LEAVEYOUNAMEANDI
WILLGETBACKTOYOUASAP”soIdecidedt
o
l
eaveavoicemessage.
“BABE,”t
earsstr
eameddownmyf ace.“ILOVE
YOU.PLEASECOMEBACKTOME.I ’M SORRY
ABOUTTHEBABY”Isobbed.“ I
’MINYOUR
ROOM ANDEVERYTHI NGSMELLSLI KEYOU.
ATLEASTJUSTTELLMETHATYOUAREOKAY,
PLEASEGUY, ”Ibegged.“YOURWHOLE, ”I
gaspedlosi
ngcont r
olofmybr eat
hingand
chokingonmyownwor ds,“YOURWHOLE
FAMI LYI
SLOOKI NGFORYOUANDYOURSON
ISSCARED.COMEHOMEMYLOVEOKAY…I
WILLLEAVEAVOI CEMESSAGEEVERYDAY
UNTILYOUCOMEBACK, YOUHEARME?I
LOVEYOUSOMUCHANDI ’M NOTMADAT
YOU.IJUSTMI SSYOUANDINEEDYOU, ”Zah
walkedinwit
hat rayoffoodandsomet hi
ngto
dri
nk.“COMEHOME, ”

“
Whoi st
hat
?”sheasked.Iqui
ckl
ycleanedmy
f
ace.Noamountofcl
eaningandwipingcan
f
oolanyone.Myey
esarepuffyandr
ed,Iswear
i
fIcr
iedanymore,t
heymightpopoutofmy
f
ace.

“Iwasl
eav
ingavoi
cemessageforLucky,
sohe
knowsI
’mthi
nki
ngofhi
m,”Ianswered.

“Mamadey oupor
ri
dge,shesai
dpleaseeat
”
shesatatt
hebott
om ofthebedfaci
ngme.
“Rai
nbow,I
’
m sosorr
y.Noonedeservesthi
s…”

Ichuckledsarcasti
call
y.“
It
’sokayZanele,no
oneishere; i
t’
sjustyouandI,”herey
esr est
ed
onmi ne.“Youdon’thavetopretendtocareor
tobesad.Youwant edthi
s,”

“
Idi
dn’
tmeani
t,
”
“Welli
thappened”Igr
abbedmywr i
stand
squeezed;i
tseemswe’rebacktothatoldhabi
t.
“Thebabyisgoneandy ourbr
otheri
sgone,go
andcelebr
ate.
”

“
I’
m sosor
ry,
”shet
ookonahi
gh-
pit
chedt
one.

“Getout!
”Icl
osedmyeyes.Idon’
twantt
osee
her.Inev
erwanttoseeher
.

“I
’
m sor
ryRai
nbow,
”shebrokedowni
ntear
s,“
I
am r
eal
lyt
rul
yanddeepl
ysorr
y,”

“Mybabyisst
ill
deadandyourbr
otheri
sstil
l
gonesosaveitandgetout
,”myvoi
ce
tr
ansfor
medtoabr i
ttl
eandaggr
essi
vetone.
Shejumpedanddartedtot
hedoor.
Ineverwantt oseeherf aceagai n.Shei sthe
reasonthisisall happeningtomeandt herefor
e,
sheshoul dbepl easedwi thherself.Idon’thave
mybabyandIdon’ thavemyLucky .Ineedt o
l
eav esoon.Ican’ tbeher e…Ican’tbeher ewith
her.Oneofuswi lldieandIdon’ tdie.Igotup
andstartedpacki ng; Mondehast ol
dmet o
comeandst aywi t
hherf orafewday s,bothmy
parentshaveat tempt edtocomeandf etchme
–y es–includingVuy iswa.Sher eall
ywant sme
closetoherandnooneunder standswhatI ’
m
goingthroughlikeher .WhatImeani s,
I’m not
stuckhere…Idon’ thav etobeher e.

Ical
l
edLuckyagai
n;
“HEYGUY,I
T’SME”Icomposedmysel
f.“
I’
M
PACKINGNOW.ITHINKIT’
SBESTFORMETO
LEAVE.IWI
LLTELLYOUWHEREI ’
LLBEGOI NG
ONCEIDECIDE,JUSTI
NCASEYOUWANTME.
ILOVEYOULUCKYANDPLEASEJUSTCOME
BACK”

ThedooropenedandMt
hoemer
ged.
“
Aunt
yRai
nbow,
”hecal
l
ed.

“Heyboy ,”Icl
eanedmyf aceandassumeda
sembl ancethatwon’tdi
scouragehi
m oreven
forasl i
ghtsecondmakehi mt hi
nkhehaslost
met oo.Iknowhei snotmysonbutI ’
vegrown
veryfondoft hi
sboyast houghheweremyown.
We’rekindredspiri
tshim andI.

“Don’
tdothatpl
ease,”hecameandsatonthe
exactsamespotthatheraunt
ywasjustsi
tt
ing
i
n.

“
What
?”Isni
ff
ed.
“Don’tst
opcry
ingort
ryt
obest
rong.Don’
t
cleanyourf
ace,
”

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Iapol
ogi
zed.

“Whathappenedwi
thy ouandaunt
yZah?
”he
asked,
“Isawhercr
ying”

“
It
’sgrownupt hi
ngs,
don’tworr
yy our
sel
fabout
i
tmylove,”Isi
ghedprepar
ingmy sel
ftot
ell
him
t
hatI’
ml eavi
ng.“
Boy,Ihavetogo,”

“
Now?
”sadnesst
ookov
erhi
sface.

“
Maybet
omorr
ow.Ort
henextday
…butIneed
t
ogoandbewit
hmyfami
ly,
”
“
You’
rehur
ti
ng,
aren’
tyou?
”

Inoddedandcleanedat earthatsomehow
escapedfrom myeye.“Ineedt ogoandfi
x
my sel
fathome,withfamily
.May bemysisteror
mypar ent
s,Idon’
tknow,”

“Iwil
lcal
lyouev
erydayandcheckony
ou,
”he
assured.

“OnceI’
m str
ongenoughtonotcryever
yfew
secondsthenIwi
llcomebacktoyou.Idon’
t
wantyoutofeell
i
keI ’
mleav
ingyoutoo,
”

“
Iunder
standj
ustpi
ckupwhenIcal
l
…pl
ease,
”
“
Ipr
omise,
”Ismil
ed,“Maybey
oucancomesee
medur
ingtheweekend”

“
I’
ll
tal
ktoBabaMenzi
andor
gani
zet
ranspor
t
f
oryou,
”

“Thankyou,boy
,”Mt hohasreal
l
ymaturedi
t’
s
scary.Hei
sbecomi ngmor eandmorel
ikehi
s
fat
hereveryday.Heev enl
ooksli
kehi
m.

IfIstayhere,
Iwi l
l f
eeloutofpl aceandmi ss
Luckyev enmor e.AndIwi ll j
ustbebrokenin
frontofMtho,whi chwon’ tbef ai
ronhim.He
can’tseemel i
ket his.Ineedt obesomewher e
wher ether
eisnomemor yofLuckyatal l.Idon’
t
thinkIhaveevercr i
edt hi
smuch.Ev enwith
Ndumi so,i
twasnev erthisbad.Att i
mesIdon’ t
ev enknowwhet herI ’
m cryingforthebabyor
forLuckyorev enbot hatt hesamet ime.
Lucky ’sroom hadsomebabyi t
emst hatthe
fami l
yboughtandI ’mjustnotreadyt odealwith
that.Ther ewer esomet alksaboutacl eansi
ng
thatneedst obemadef orme, Iam notabout
thatal so.Ij
ustdon’ twantanythingIdon’twant
totalkaboutany t
hingordoany thi
ng.Iwantt o
belef taloneforever;Iwanttohol dmybr eath
unti
l Idie.Iwantev erymemor yIhav eoft he
l
astweekt ojustdisappearandIwantmybaby
backandLuckyback.That ’
sallIwant.

“
Ijusthav
eaf
avourt
oaskofy
ou,
”

“
Namei
t,
”

“Whenevery
thi
nghascal
medandBabaisback,
pleaset
alkt
ohimforme;Iwantt
ocomeand
st
aywi
thy
ouguy
s.”

“Iwil
ltalktohim,”Iassured.Hehasf ai
ththat
hisfatherwill
beback.Ihopehi sfai
thisstrong
enoughf orthebothofus, atthi
spointIreal
ly
don’tknowi fI’
m str
ongenought otakeamer e
breathinthenextmi nute.

GOODMORNI
NG♡
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT50

DI
AGNOSTI
CS

Noun

1.Thepr
ocessofdet
ermi
ningt
hest
ateofor
capabil
i
tyofacomponentt
oper
for
mit
s
fucnt
ion

I’
v eshiftedf rom mi ssingandwor ryi
ngabout
Lucky ,tomi ssingandbei ngatangr yathim.It
hasbeen2whol eweekssi nceIhada
mi scarriageandhehasn’ tresurfaced.Ihave
concl udedt hathewasi nshock, perhapsalso
traumat izedbyt hatdayandf i
gur edheshould
disappearf oral i
ttl
ewhi le-thought hatis
nowher ewi thinthescal eofaccept able.Ihad
toldmy selfthat–shoul dher esur f
acesoon–I
woul df orgivehi m.Buthehasn’ tandIhav elost
pat i
ence.NowI ’m utterl
ymadathi m.He’ snot
dead.Icanf eel i
tinmybones, Luckyi sali
ve
somewher epr obablydr i
nkinghimsel fint
o
obl i
vi
on.

Oneoft
hedi
agnost
icsIcameupwi
thf
orhi
s
disappearancewast hatmay behewasmadat
mef orbei ngincapabl eofcar ry i
nghi schi ldt o
full
-t
er m.Hecoul dn’ tbeart ol ookatme
knowi ngthatmybodywasn’ tt hest r
ongenough
tobringhi schildi ntot hiswor l
d.It hi
nkImi ght
havel ethim down; i
ncl udinghi sf amily.Hi s
entir
ef ami l
y–i ncludi ngmi ne–wassoexci ted
aboutt hebaby .Andasscar edandanxi ousasI
was, Iwasexci tedt obeamommyt oo.Ihad
start
edpi ckingoutbabynames, Iwrotet hem
downi nmyphonememo.Myut mostf av ourite
wasAt handwa, Luckysai dhel ovedi tbecause
i
tsuitedbot hgender sbutdi dn’tlikeitv ery
muchbecausei tremi ndedhi m of
Sthandwasam andt her eaft
ersai dIhadacr ush
onhi m.So, Iwaski ndofkneedeepi ntot his
wholepar ent i
ngt hing.Luckymademewantt o
beamom, hemademewantt obeabet ter
personf orhi m andt hebaby .Iat ehealt hier,
spokeki ndert hingsaboutmy self,t
omy self,to
him andt ot hebaby .HeckIev ensang, Isang
f
orourbaby
.Ini
ti
all
yhedi
dital
oneandthen
r
ecr
uit
edme.Itwasnicet
obeaf ami
lywit
hhim.

Ispentaweekwi thmydad, mymom came

everydaytocheckonme.Sheev entuall
y
mov edouttoapl aceofherownbutt hey
decidedtokeept hingsatschool runningasper
usual.ThenIwentt oJobur gtospendanother
weekwi thmybi ological par
entswhohav ebeen
nothingshortofper fect.Lastni
ghtIarri
vedat
Monde’ stostaywi ththem foralit
tl
ewhi l
e.I
thoughtIshoulddi stri
but et
heworkloadevenl
y.

“Goodmorning,
”Ayandacameinwi
thacupof
coff
eeinhand.Iwasstandi
ngbyt
hewindow
star
ingi
ntotheabyss.

“
Hey,
”Iappr
oachedherandt
ookthecup.
“
Thankyou,
”Ihuggedt
hecupwit
hbothhands
r
etur
ningt
omyposi
ti
onbyt
hewi
ndow.

“Yougotanysl
eep?
”sheasked.Inodded,
clear
lyl
yi
ng.

“I
’
mf ine,
I’
m gettingbetter
!”Iassur
ed.“Imean,
nothi
ngiswr ong…Ijust…whatImeanis,”her
eyebr
owsdr ewt ogether."
Ididn’
tsl
eep.Ican’
t
sl
eep…”

Mondewal
kedi
nal
lreadyf
orwor
k.“
Heysi
ster
,”

“Hey ,anyt
hingonLucky ?”Iaskedknowi ngt he
answeral ready.Sheshookherhead.“ That’
s
okay ,don’
twor ryaboutit,”Isippedonmy
coffee.“offtowor k?”Iaskedt heobv i
ous.I
didn’twantt odwel l
onany t
hingt hatwould
maket hem feelsorryformef orevenaslight
second.

“Yes.Ther
e’sf
oodint
hef
ri
dge,
knocky
our
sel
f
out,
”saidMonde.

“
AndIgoty
ouice-
cream,ther
e’sawhol
elot
.
Hav
eit–al
lofi
t,
”boastedAyanda.

Ismil
edandnoddedsimul
taneousl
y.“Iwil
lsee
youguysl
ater
,”If
oldedmyli
pstogether.

“
Lat
erRai
n,
”Ay
andabl
ewaki
ss.Ismi
l
ed.

“Haveyoueverhadamiscarr
iage,
Monde? ”her
eyesfoundAyandabutminewerefixedonher.

“
Ihav
enev
erbeenpr
egnant
,”shel
owl
ysai
d.
“Isee.Youknowmymom hashada
miscarriagebef ore, Iknowoft wo; onewas
supposedt obeme.Yourmom hada
miscarriaget oo…t echnicallywel ivedot her
people’sliv
esourwhol eli
ves.Pr obabl ysti
llare.
Mymom i snotev enmybi ologicalmom but
somehowIgott he‘ familycurse’,”Isof t
ly
chuckled.“Ipr ayy oudon’ thav eami scarri
age
Monde, itempt i
esy ouupandl i
v esy ouwi tha
corpselikef eeli
ng, ”theylookedatoneanot her
andIcoul dt ellt
heywer eregretti
ngev er
openingt heirdoor supf orme.“ Don’ tletme
keepy ouwai t
ing,”It ur
nedmyat tentionbackt o
thewindow.
Idon’tknowwhichtomourn?Luckyormybaby
thatIneverev
engottohearlaughorcry
.The
onlypersonwhoreal
lyunder
standsthi
spai
n
dit
chedme.
“LUCKY”Imademydai l
ycalltohim.“THISIS
RAINBOW BUTOBVI OUSLYYOUKNOW THAT.I
THINKFROM MYTONEYOUCANALREADY
TELLTHATI ’
M NOTCRYI NGANDIAM MADAT
YOU.THISHASGONEONFORWAYTOOLONG
WHEREAREYOU? ”Ipaused.“IFYOUAREMAD
ATMEFORLOSI NGTHEBABYTHENI ’
M
SORRY.YOUDON’ THAVETOCOMEBACKTO
MEORFORME, JUSTFORYOURSONLUCKY.
YOUAREALLTHATBOYHAS…HOW DOYOU
THINKHEFEELS.JUSTPI CKUPTHEDAMN…”I
heldmybreathwi l
li
ngmy sel
ftocalmt hef*
*k
down!I’
m sotiredofcryi
ng.It
’sti
ri
ngand
causesunbearableheadaches.“COMEHOME.
I’
M ATMONDE’ SNOW”Iendedt hecall
.

Thedaywentonv er
yslowl
y.That’showmy
daysarenow, l
ongandmyni ghtsevenlonger
.I
watchedtv,dozedofff
orami nuteoftwo.Ate
whateverIcouldgetmyhandsonanddozedof f
somemore.Myphoner angscar
ingmetothe
endsoft
hisear
th.Iwasjustf
all
i
ngasl
eep
agai
n.

“
HELLO,
”Ipi
ckedup.

“HEY,IKNOW YOUARESUPPOSEDTOBE
TAKINGSOMETI MEOFFBUTTHECOLONEL
HASASKEDMETOBESEECHYOUTOCOME
I
N,”shesaid.

“
BESEECH?
”

“
THAT’
STHEWORDHEUSED…I
T’SURGENT,
”

“
OKAYMONDE,
I’
LLBETHERE.
”
Iputonbl
uej
eans,
Lucky
’ssweat
ert
hatIst
ole
from hi
sr oom backathomeandsneaker
s.I
requestedacabandIwasout .I
nnomor ethan
30mi nutesIhadarri
ved.

Mondeledmetothecol
onel
’
soffi
cewherewe
f
oundthecol
onel
himsel
f,Si
bekoandNkonzo.

“
Goodday
,”Igr
eet
ed.

“
HeyRai
nbow,
howar
eyouhol
dingup?
”asked
t
hecol
onel
.

“I
..
.I
’
mf i
nethanky
ou.”Ir
esponded.“
Ist
his
aboutLucky
?Haveyoufoundhim?Ishefi
ne?
”

“AsyoucanseeRai
nbow,thi
smeeti
ngisver
y
oddbecauseI
t’
sver
ydeli
cateandi
fhandl
ed
anyhowcoul
dleadtot
heunder
groundcomi
ng
toanend,
”hesays,

“
Whathashappened?
”Iasked.

“
Iknowthatyouwer
esupposedt
otakesome
t
imeoffbutweneedyou…”

“Todowhat ?Anything,t
ellme.Ineedto
distr
actmymi ndany way…”Mondegav emea
fi
leasusual.Iopeneditandstart
edfli
pping
throughunt
ilIgottothepictur
es.“Whati
s
this?”

“Now,wearenotcer t
ainbutwethi
nkthatis
BongumenziDlamini,
”Mondeupdatedme.Now
thatI
’
vebeengi v
enanamet oi
denti
tythi
s
possi
blesuspect,i
tdoeslookl
i
keMenzi .
“
Whati
shedoi
ng?
”Il
ookedather
.

“
Wedon’
tknow,
”shesi
ghed.

“Butgetthis,themostpr omi si
ngtipof
Ndumi so’
swher eaboutsisinthathotelt
hatthi
s
Menzi l
ookingmal eisseenwal ki
nginandout
of”addedSi beko.“ Obvi
ouslythehotelcannot
giveusinformat i
onont heirguestsbutthey
havenooneunderNdumi soGumedeor
Bongumenzi Dlami ni
.Weev enwentasf aras
checki
ngLuckyDl amini
…”

“
What ev
eri
sgoingonher ehasnothi
ngtodo
wi
thLucky,
”Idefendedthemanwhor anouton
me.“
Luckyis…he’sj
ustnotapartofi
t,
”I
r
eal
izedIwaslett
ingmyemot i
onsgetinthe
wayofbei
ngagoodcopsoIdr ewmy sel
fback.
“
whataboutt
hecctvf
ootagesatthehotelon
t
hedayofNdumiso’
sdisappear
ance?"

“Nothing.Wehavepost
edmenoutsi
dethe
hotelandther
ehasbeennosignofaNdumiso
goinginorout,
”sai
dNkonzo.

“
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odot
hen?
”Iasked.

“
Goback,
”sai
dthecol
onel
.

“
Tot
heDl
ami
ni’
s?”

Henodded,“Asktoj
oinhi
steam,
makehi
m
t
rusty
ou,letusin…”
“
Heal
readyaskedmet
ojoi
nthem,
”It
old

“Per
fect
!Justtel
lhimyou’vethoughtaboutit
andyouwanttobei nhisteam.Youar etheonly
onethatcangetusclosertoany t
hing,
”col
onel
spoke,“
Asamat teroffact
,callhi
m now,”

“
Now?
”Icr
iedquest
ioni
ng.

“Yes,puthim onspeaker.Askift
hespotyou
wereof fer
edi ssti
l
l av
ail
abl
e,
”thecol
onel
i
nstructedev ersoenthusi
asti
cal
l
yandIobeyed
theinstr
uctions.Itookoutmyphoneandcall
ed
Paul Dl
ami ni
.

“YOUNEVERCALLME;INFACT,YOUHAVE
NEVERCALLEDME.HAVEYOUFOUNDMY
SON?”hedi
dn’
tbot
herget
ti
ngint
otheusual
per
funct
orysal
utat
ions.

“THI
SISNOTASOCI ALCALLSI
R,I
T’SWORK,
”I
sai
dcutt
ingt
othechaseaswel
l
.

“AREYOUCALLI NGTOTELLMEYOUHAVE
FINALLYDECIDEDTOJOINMYTEAM?Il ooked
atthecol
onelfeel
i
ngr
atherwor
ri
ed.Monde
noddedandsignal
edmetoconti
nuetal
ki
ng.
“AREYOUWI THSOMEONETHERE? ”

“NOSIR,I
’M SORRY.IGOTDISATRACTEDA
BIT,
”Icl
earedmythroatandf
ixedmyt one.
“ANDASAMATTEROFFACT, SIR,IWAS
CALLINGTOASKI FTHESPOTI SSTILL
AVAILABLE?”

“
WHATMADEYOUCOMETOTHI
S
CONCLUSION?
”I’
m notr
eal
l
ygoodatt
hinki
ng
onthespot
.

Mondeformedahear
tshapewi
thherhands,
“
Lucky”shemout
hed.

“LUCKYSI
R,ILOVEHIM ANDWHENWEFI ND
HIM,IWANTHI M TOCOMEBACKTOA
UNITEDFAMILY.ANDBESIDES,
YOUAND
YOURSHAVEALWAYSBEENTHEREFORME. ”
Mondegavemet wothumbsup.

“THEREI
SALWAYSROOM FORYOUHERE, ”I
coul
dtel
lfr
om hi
stonet
hathewassmi
l
ing.

“Di
g,moreinf
o”mout
hedNkonzoandthe
col
onelagr
eedwit
hhim bynoddi
ngandgi
vi
ng
meat humbsup.
“I
STHEREANYTHINGYOUNEEDFROM ME
NOW SI
R?LI
KEAFI RSTOFFI
CIAL
ASSI
GNMENT?”Iasked.

“JUSTCOMEANDSEEME, WE’
LLTALK.SOME
MATTERSARETOODELICATETOBE
DISCUSSEDOVERTHEPHONE,
”

“
WHEN?
”

“
ASSOONASYOUCAN,
”

“OKAY,
IWI
LLMAKEAPLANTOCOMEDOWN
SOON,”

“
VERYWELLTHEN!ISHALLSEEYOUWHEN
YOUGETHERE,
”

“
YESSI
R.”

“
ANDRAI
NBOW,
IT’
SBABANOW,
”

“
YEBO,
BABA”

Iam inv estigati

ngmyboy fri
end’sfamily.Iam
goingt ot hem underf al
sepr et
ense, t
hisisnot
onlyriskybutmi ghtburnthebr i
dgebui l
t
betweenmy sel
fandtheDl aminis.Luckyneeds
tocomebackf rom whereverhei sandsor tout
what everi shappeningbecauseIam notabout
tohav ehi sf amilyar
restedforwhat everfunny
businesst heyareupt o.Pleaseletitbeaf al
se
alarm, please.
“
Thi
sisr
isky
,”Iannounced.

“
ver
y,”Gr
oot
boom agr
eed.

“Thenlet
’snotdoit
,thisi
sLucky ’
sfamily
.They
regar
dmeasf ami
lysirandnowt ogobehi nd
thei
rbacksandinvesti
gatethem,that’
scruel
andIcanonlyimaginewhatt heywil
ldotome
oncetheyfi
gureoutwhatI ’
m upto,”

“Theny
oubet
termakesur
etheydon’t
,”
commandedGroot
boom.“
Andthatisanor
der
,”

“
Sir
!”Ipr
otest
ed.

“
Rai
nbow!
”heshutmeup.“Forgetaboutwhat
t
heyar
etoyou,
standonneutr
alground.I
fthey
aredirt
y-wear elockingthem up.Iftheyare
notthiscasewil
l disappear
.Youar esmar t
RainbowandIknowy oufeeli
ttoo,there’
sis
mor etothesepeopl eandifwordget soutthat
anunder gr
oundt eam hasgoner ogue;my
careerwill
beont hel i
neandthet woofy ou
behindbarstoser veyoursent
ence,”that
shouldbemy selfandNkonzo.

“Butdoyout hi
nkDl
aminii
sinonit?
”Iasked.
Thecolonelgotup,
rest
edhishandsonthe
deskandleanedforwar
dwhilehi
seyeskept
mineinplace.

“Somet
hingtell
smehei sthemast er
mind
behi
ndallofthi
s.Excuseme,”hetookhiswall
et
andcarkeysandfoundhiswayt othedoor.

“
Ithi
nksot
oo,
”Mondespoke.“
Menzi
isnotl
i
ke
Lucky
,”sheadded.

“
How?
”askedNkonzo.

“It
slikeyouandIRai n,”shesay s.“ Menziis
me…hef ol
l
owsr ules, hei saleaderbuthei sled.
AndLuckyont heot herhand, he’sli
key ou.He
actsoni mpulse,breaksev erysinglerulejustto
getthingsdone.IfDl ami niisstraightthensoi s
Menzi ,i
fheisroguet hensoi she.Hei shis
father’
sson…obedi entandl oyaltot hecore,”

“Areyousay
inghe’
sbei
ngf
orced?
”asked
Sibeko.

“
Notf
orced,
butmor
eli
keor
der
ed”
“
Thatmakessense.
”Iagr
eedwithMonde,
“
Menzidoesn’
tcol
ourout
sideoft
hel
ines.
”

“
Iguessyoubet
tergethometobaba,
”sai
d
Nkonzopat
ti
ngmeont heback.

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡

I
NSTERT51

RULES

Noun
(
Plur
alf
orm ofRULE)
1.Regul
ati
ons,
laws,
gui
del
i
nes

2.Nor
mal
condi
ti
onsorst
ateofaf
fai
rs.

2day slat
er, Idrovedownt otheDlaminisand
waswel comedwar mly–whi chwasparf ort
he
course.Eunicemadeabi gdeal outofmyar r
ival
andcookedav eryhomelymeal .Thecl
oudof
confusionandsadnessLucky ’
ssudden
disappearancei nvi
tedoverthishouseissti
ll
therebutev erybodyistry
ingtokeepsane.What
goodwoul di tdot olosesanit
y?

Zanel
eisthreadingonthi
ni cear oundme, she
hasn’
tsai
dmucht omesi nceIar ri
ved,andfor
bothofoursakes,it
’sbet
tershekeepsi tt
hat
way.WhenIsai dIwantednot hingtodowi th
herImeantit.whenIsaidInev erwantt osee
heragai
nImeanti tbutI’
m her ebecauseofa
pushi
ngf
orce.

Wehadsupperandf i
nishedwit
houtMt
hobisi
whichwasal
arming.Nooneseemedwor r
iedor
concer
nedabouthi
swher eabout
s.

“
Doeshealwayscomehomel at
e?It
houghtwe
wer
epassedthat
?”Iv
oicedoutmyconcer
ns.

“Boy
swil
lbeboys,
”Menzi
nonchal
ant
ly
comment
edwithhisey
esfi
xedonthetvscr
een.

Theti
mei sjust20mi nut
esshyoft eno’
clock;
i
t’
satnight.Mt hobi
si i
sonly16,heshouldn’
tbe
al
lowedtor oam aroundsof r
eely.Andbythe
l
ookofthing,theyallowhimt odoashepl eases.
“Menzi,y
oushouldtal
ktohim,hecan’tbeout
thi
slate.
”Isai
d.“Whataboutschool?Hehast
o
dohishomewor ksandstudy.Wheredoeshe
gettheti
meandwhendoeshesl eep?”

“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m,Ipr
omi
se.
”

Afewmoment sl
ater
;Mt
howal
kedi
nst
il
li
nhi
s
school
uni
for
m.

“
San’
bona”hegr
eet
ed.

“
Sur
eboy
,”hi
suncl
eresponded.

“
Hey,boy
,”Igotuptohughi
m.“
Comeher
e.
Wher
ehav eyoubeen?
”
“School,soccer
…wehadsocceratschool
,
”he
stut
tered.

“Butwordsaysyoucomei
natt
hist
imeev
ery
day,
”Iconfr
onted.

“Lethi
m changeandgetst
artedwit
hhi
swork
Rain,y
ou’l
ltal
ktohi
mt omorr
ow,”hi
suncl
e
savedhim.

“
Goandchange,
Iwi
l
lwar
myourf
oodf
ory
ou,
”

Isatinthediningr oom withhi

m andcaughtup
whileheatehi ssupper.Thereaft
erIstay
edup
withhim whil
ehedi dhisschoolwork.He
seemedv eryconf used.Itwasasthoughhewas
seeinghiswor kforthefirstt
ime.Ihadtohel
p
him bygooglingsomeanswer sandMt hoisa
verysmartboy,
iti
sunli
kehi
mtobecompl
etel
y
cluel
ess.Hegets7sand6s.

Eventuall
ywef i
nishedanditwastimetosleep
forus.therestofthehousewasalreadyout.He
walkedmet ohi
sf at
her’
sroom,li
kehisfather
wouldor deri
fhewer earoundandtoolazyto
l
eav ethecouchandwal kmehi mself
.

“Maybeyoushouldgotomyr oom andletme

crashouther
e,”hesuggest
edlooki
ngar ound
theroom ast
houghhehadnev erbeeninside
thesewall
s.“
orbettery
et,l
etmetakethef l
oor,
”

“Yousoundlikeyourf
ather
,”It
eased.“I
’m okay.
You’l
ll
ockthedoorandIhav eyouonspeeddi al
i
fany t
hinghappens,
”Idon’
thavehim onspeed
dial
.Thatwasal i
etogethimtorelax.
“
Arey
ousur
e?”

Inodded.“
Comeher e,”hecameandsatnex tto
meont hebed.“Areyouokay ?Doesi tbecome
toomuchherewi t
houtLucky ?”Iinqui
red.“Is
thatwhyyouarecomi nghomel ateeveryday?”
heneit
hernoddednorshookhi shead.“ Mtho,
canIaskyousomet hi
ng? ”henoddedt hi
stime.
“haveyounot
icedanythingwei r
dhappeni ng?”

“
Likewhat
?”hi
sfor
eheadcr
eased.

“
Any
thi
ng,
any
thi
ngt
hatj
ustst
oodoutt
oyou…”

“AuntyRai
nbow,Ihavet
otelly
ousomet
hing,
”
hisvoicel
ower
ed.Hiseyesdart
edt
othedoor
thenbackatme.
“
Whati
sitboy
?”f
eart
ransf
ormedhi
sface.

“
Mkhul
uandBabaMenzi
…”

Thedoorf
lewopen,“
Youhaveschoolt
omorrow
andl
et’
sauntyRai
nbowrest
,”Menziwasatt
he
door
.

“Yebobaba,
”(Yesdad)hegotup.“
Goodni
ght
AuntyRai
nbow,”

“
Goodni
ghtboy
,”Ir
esponded.

“Ni
ghtRain,
”Menzi
sang.Theyl
ockedt
hedoor
out
side.
Iwonderwhati sitthatMthowant edtotel
lme?
Andwhyi sitthatallofasuddenMenzi i
sjust
stuckonMt holikegum underashoe?It hi
nk
ColonelGrootboom wasright,
thereisdefi
nit
ely
mor ehappeninghere…somethingisdefi
nit
ely
outofplaceandi tseemstheymi ghthave
draggedMt hointoitorMthosawwhathe
wasn’tsupposedt osee.
Bef
oreIsl
ept
;Imadeaphonecal
ltoLucky
.

“HEYBABE…HMMM I ’MINYOURROOM RIGHT

NOW ANDEVERYTHI NGSMELLSLIKEYOU.
MTHOMI SSESYOUSOMUCHAND
SOMETHINGI SNOTRI GHT,
THATBOYNEEDS
YOUANDINEEDYOU.I FPUSHCOMESTO
SHOVE,ITHINKIMIGHTHAVETOTAKEHI M
WITHMEWHENI ’M GOINGBACKBECAUSEHE
I
SJUSTNOTCOPI NGWELLHERE.THEBOY
JUSTLOST2SI BLI
NGSANDHI SFATHER,I
T
CAN’TBEEASY.ANDMYFEARI STHATWE
MIGHTLOSEHIM TOTHESTREETS.SO
BETETRSAFETHATSORRY…ANYWAY, THAT’
S
THEUPDATEFORTODAY.GOODNI GHTANDI
LOVEYOU,”

Iwokeupv eryearl
yt odaysoIcouldhel
pMt ho
prepareforschool.Ihelpedir
onhisunif
orm and
madehi slunch,whichaf f
ordedhim anextr
a30
minutesofsl eepandheneedsi tshame.Imade
my sel
facupofcof feewhileIwai
tedforhimto
comef orbreakfast.Ifi
xedhim asmoothiewit
h
theFuture-
lif
epowdermi x.

“Aunt
yRai
nbow,
whati
sthi
s?”heaskedpul
l
ing
outachai
r.

“That’
scal
ledasmoothi
eal
soknownasy
our
breakf
ast,
”Ianswer
ed.
“Yeah,
Iknowwhatitisbut
,Idon’
teatbr
eakfast
duri
ngtheweek.Ineedtogett
oschoolear
ly,
”

“
ForwhatMt
ho?
”Iquest
ioned.

“Ij
usthavethi
ngsIneedt odo,”hegotup.
“Thanksforever
ythi
ng,hepickeduphislunch
andchargedforthedoor,
”

Iranaft
erhi
m wit
ht hesmoot hi
einhand.“
At
l
easttakei
twit
hy ou,”hegroanedrunni
ngback
tome.Hegotthesmoot hieandranouttheyar
d.

Isever
ylear
nerasbusyasMt hoisatt
hat
school
?I’dr
eal
lyl
iketofi
ndoutwhatactual
ly
happensonceheenterst
hepr emi
sesofhis
school
.Doeshesuddenlybecomeaneducator?
Orbet
tery
et;
thepr
inci
pal
himsel
f.

Zahwalkedi
nst
il
li
nherni
ghtwearmuchl
i
ke
mysel
f.

“
Goodmor
ning,
”shegr
eet
ed.

“
Mor
ning,
”Isl
urpedmycof
fee.

“
Hereal
lyl
ikeyou,hetal
ksaboutyouallt
he
t
ime,
”shesays.Igotupwithmycoffee
r
eady
ingmy sel
ftoexi
t.“
Pleasedon’
tgo…”

“
I’
m notupforsmal
ltal
ksZanel
e,I
’
mreal
l
ynot
.
I
’
dliketoenj
oymymor ni
ng,
”

“
Fine,
Iwon’
ttal
ktoy
ou.I
’
m sor
ry.I
’
llj
ustget
st
art
edwi
thbr
eakf
ast
,”

Dlami
niappear
edal
lbat
hedandr
eadyf
ort
he
day.

“walkwithme,”heor der
edandIobey ed.I
obviousl
ytookmycupwi thme.Hest oodatthe
centerofhisveryenormousy ardandlookedat
thefarendandsoIt ookt odoingthesame.The
viewdoespr ovi
deagr eatscopeforthe
i
magi nat
ion.

“Haveyouhear
dany
thi
ngaboutNdumi
so?
”he
asked.

“
Nosir,I
’m notev
enapar
toft
hat
i
nvest
igat
ion,”
“Okay.Iguessallthereistosayiswel
cometo
theteam.Yourfirsttaskistorunthet
axi
rank
backinDur ban,
”Igazedupathi m.

“
Am Iundercover
?What
’shappeni
ngatt
he
r
ank?”Iquesti
oned.

“No,Sgoraisj
ustmessi
ngup.I’
mlosingmoney
.
RememberMhl ongotur
nedonus,Lucky
disappear
edandMenziisher
e,”

“Butrunni
ngt hetaxiranki
sn’
tanoffi
cial
task.
That’
sper sonal
…I’m heret
oworkforyouteam,
theundergroundteam.Notwor kf
ory ou
personall
y,”

“Rul
enumber1,don’
tquest
ionmeandrul
e
number2,
fol
lowrulenumber1.Si
mpl
e
enough?”het urnedaroundheadingbacki
nsi
de.
Hewant smet orunar ank?AplaceIf
ormerl
y
call
edat axistati
on?Thatshouldbean
i
ndicati
onofhowmuchknowl edgeIhaveabout
theindustr
y.Idon’tknowt hef
ir
stthi
ngand
nowhewant smer uni
t.Hemustbeabsurd.

Istoodt hereforal i
tt
lewhi l
ewat chingthesun
comi ngintoitsf ullf
orm.ThenIr emember ed
thedayLuckyshowedupout si
demyf l
atdrunk
asaf iddlertalki
ngaboutt hesunandhowI
l
ookedandsmel ledli
kei t.Ifeltthecornerofmy
mout hcur veupasmymi ndr emember ed
Lucky ’
sface, smi leandsoundofhi svoice.But
sadly.Thatwar mf uzzyf eelingwasi mmedi atel
y
replacedbyf eelingsofangerandsadnessasI
remember edt hatdaywhenIwokeupf eeli
ng
empt y,ti
redandi npainonl ytof i
ndZanele
pacingupanddownt hehospi t
al r
oom Iwasi n.
Hebai ledleavingmy selfandhi ssonbehindto
dealwit
hsuchaloss.Ihadnev
erbeenpr
egnant
befor
eandt omakethi
ngsworseIhada
miscarr
iage.

Ialway si maginehowi twoul dbewhenhe

showsuponeoft heseday s.WouldIr untohim
andt hrowmy selfathim?Woul dheshowupat
night?Mor ni
ngornoon?Woul dhebesor r
yor
sadandwoul dhest il
lwanttobewi t
hme
becauseIdon’ tknowi fI’
dstil
lwantt obewi t
h
him?Idon’ tknowi fIstil
lwanttowakeupnex t
tohim andcal lhim myboy fr
iendafter
everything.Hemi ghtpickupandr unatt hesign
oftroubl e.Ican’thavethatdoubtlingeri
ngat
thebackofmyhead.Idon’ twanttosi ghin
reli
efwhenIwakeupandf i
ndhi m sti
l
l t
here,
it’
s
j
ustnotheal thy.

“
Canwet
alk,
”
“Jesus!Zanel
e…”shecr eptupfrom behi
nd
start
li
ngme.WasIt hatdeepinthoughtt
hatI
couldn’
thearherfootsteps?Ir
eall
yneedto
snapoutofi t
,Ican’
tbeabsentmi ndedhere.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”sheapol
ogi
zed.

“
Whati
sitt
hist
ime?
”

“YouandIusedtobever
yclose,
”shereminded.
“IknowImessedthi
ngsup…I’
mjustreal
l
y
sorry,
”

“Whyareyousorr
yZanele?Whataresorr
yfor
?”
Iquest
ionedl
ooki
ngatthefarendoftheyar
d.
“Forevery
thi
ngt
hathappened…t
hebaby
,my
brother
,”

“Say?I
fIwasst il
lpr
egnantandyourbr
other
wasstil
laround,wouldyousti
l
lbesorr
y?”
somethi
ngdawnedonmesomyey esshotup
atherswift
ly.Shegavemeapuzzled
expr
ession.“Whereishe?”

“Mybrot
her,
Idon’
tknow…y outhinkIhave
somethi
ngtodowithhi
sdi sappearance?I
don’
t…”shedef
endedherself.

“
I’
m cert
ainyoumusthav esomethi
ngt odo
wi
thsomet hi
ng,anyt
hingi
nthishousehold,
whatisi
t?”Hereyesstudi
edmine.Shet hen
l
ookedbackatthehouseandbackatme.“ what
i
sit?
”Ibecamei mpati
ent.
“somet
hingi
sdif
fer
entwit
hmybr ot
herand
baba,
”shesai
dalmostwhi
sper
ing.
“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”

“They’vebeensecreti
ve.Withtheirpoli
cewor k,I
usedt ohelp.Hesaidhewast r ai
ningmet ojoin
histeam.Butsomet hinghaschanged.I ’
m no
l
ongeral lowedinmeet i
ngs.Theyar eal
way s
whisperingoutsi
deandMenzi isalwaysonthe
phonepassi ngonmessagesf oraLenny ,
”

“
Lenny
?Ar
eyousur
e?”Ipul
l
edhercl
oser
.

“Yes!
”shefir
ml yanswered.“
He’sal
way
ssayi
ng;
Lennysays,Lennywants,Lennybl
ahbl
ah.Who
thehel
lisLenny?”
“Okay
,whyar eyoutell
i
ngmethi
s?howdoI
knowy ou’
renotset
tingmeup?”

“Becauset
heyaredraggi
ngmynephewinto
whatevert
heyareuptoandIj
ustknowit’
snot
good.That’
swhyyou’r
eherei
sn’
t?Yourboss
sentyoutosnoop?”

“
Howar
etheyusi
ngMt
ho?
”

“YousawhowMenzi
isal
way
sar
oundhi
m and
speaki
ngf
or…”

“Zanel
e”webot hjumpedandl
ookedbackt
o
fi
ndMenzi st
andingbytheent
ranceoft
hemai
n
house.“Br
eakfast
,”
“
Okay
!”sheshouted.“
Coming,”shelookedat
mewit
heyesfil
l
edwi t
hregretandfear.

“I
t’
sokay
,Igotyou,
”Iassuredher
.Wewal
ked
backt
othehousetogether
.

“
Hav
eyout
ooki
ssedandmadeup?
”heasked.

“I
tseemswehav e,
”Zanel
ewalkedri
ghtin.I
fol
lowedher
.“Letmehelpherwit
hbreakfast
,”
hegavemeaqui cksmil
e.
WhywouldMenzi besendingoutordersfor
LennywhenLennyisinjai
l
?Iwasar restedwit
h
LennywhenIwasst i
l
lpret
endingtobe
Ndumiso.Hedidn’
tgeti
mmuni ty.It
ookmy
phoneandtex
tedMonde:

MENZIPASSI
NGONMESSAGESFORALENNY
LENNYI
SINPRI
SONshet
ext
edback

THOUGHTASMUCH.CANHEOPERATEFROM
I
NSIDE?

IWILLVI
SITHI
M TODAY.BUTLASTICHECKED
HEWASI NSOLI
TARYCONFINEMENTFORTHE
PASTWEEK.

UPDATEME.DLAMI
NIWANTSMETORUNTHE
RANKBACKTHERE

SOMETHI
NGMUSTBEHAPPENI
NGTHERE.ON
I
T…

Andt
hent
her
e’sMt
hobi
si.Poorboy
,they
probabl
yhav ehim doingthingshedoesn’twant
todo.Iwil
lfetchhimf rom school t
odayand
may bet
akehi m outforice-
cream andseewhat
Icangetfr
om hi m.Hewast r
yingtotel
lme
somethi
nglastni ghtbutMenzi cameandgot
him.

Pleasel
ett
hisbeafalsealar
m.Oratl
eastl
et
therebeapl
ausi
bleexplanat
ion.

HAVEAGOODDAY♡
I
NSERT52

MOTHER
Noun

1.Ahumanf
emal
ewhopar
ent
sachi
l
d,gi
ves
bi
rt
htoababy,donat
esaf ert
il
izedegg,
donat
es
abodycel
lwhi
chhadr esul
tedinaclone

2.One’
smot
her

I’
vebeencr ackingmybr ai
nsincemor ni
ng,
tr
yingt ounder standwhatcoul dbehappeni ng
i
nt hi
shousehol d.Ithoughtaboutsnoopi ng
i
nsideDl ami ni
’sof f
icebutthatwasobv i
ousl y
outoft hequest ion;it
’salwayslockedandthe
keysar ealway swi t
hhi m.Idon’tknowhowt o
opent hatkindofl ockwi thabobbypi nl
ike
Luckyt aughtmebackwhenwewer e
undercov erasamar r
iedcouple.Mybestopt i
on
nowi sMt ho.

I
’m onmywayt ofetchhimf r
om school.The
pl
anistotakehim outandgethimt al
king.Not
asoli
dplanIknow,butit’
stheonlyplanIhave
now.Iwai tedinthecarout sidetheschool and
watchedt helear
ner spouringoutoft hegat e
l
ikebees.Ispot t
edhi m andgotoutoft hecart o
wav eathim.Hewasappr oachedbyt wov ery
grownmenwhower ealsoi nacarout sidet he
gate,whichIassumedwer ealsowaitingtopi ck
up.Iwentbacki nsidethecart oav oi
dhi m
spotti
ngme.Iwantt oseeexact lywhat
happens.Oneoft heguyst hrewhisar m around
hisshouldersandal mostpushedhi mt owar ds
thei
rcar.Ididwhatany onewoul dhav edone; I
foll
owedt hecar.Itseemst heyar eheadedi nt
o
town.
WhatcouldMt hobedoingwi ththeseguys?
Theydon’tseem l
ikepeoplehewoul dassociat
e
with.Thecarfi
nal
lystoppedbyadodgyal l
ey.
Theysatinthecarforaf ewmi nut
es,unti
l
fi
nally
,Mthojumpedoutwi thhisschoolback
overoneshoulder
.Hewentdownt heall
eyand
thecardroveoff
.Whatt hefuckdoIdonow?
Myphonechi
med, i
t’
samessagef
rom
St
handwasam andi
treads;

GOTAPI NGONLUCKY.Hesentt hatalongwith

apictureofhi minablackcot
tontracksuitand
blacktekkies.Andalocati
on,
itsayshe’s
somewher einSowet
o.Whot hefuckdoeshe
knowt here?WhatdoIdonow?Whatwoul d
Luckydo?

”Impulse,”Iremember edMonde’ sanal ogy

abouthowMenzi i
sorderl
yandLuckyi s
recklessandact soni
mpul se.Sinceshe
compar edmet ohim,
IguessIwon’ tbe
deviati
ngt oof arfr
om my sel
f.Igotoutoft he
carandmar cheddownt heall
ey.Att hefarend;
IseeMt hotalkingtoasicklookingandshady
mal eindivi
dual .Di
dhejust…isthat?Bloodyhell
,
Mthoissel
li
ngdr
ugs.It
ookoutmyGl
ock,
cockedi
t.

“Mtho!”Ishoutedapproachinghim wi
thhaste.
Theshadyguybai l
ed,Mthojumpeddr oppi
ng
moneyandt hebagofwhat everdrugheis
deali
ng.“Whatt hefuckareyoudoing?”I
questi
oned.

“Whatarey oudoi
nghere?
”hepanickedpicki
ng
uphisthingsandshov
ingthem i
ntothepocket
ofhi
sgr eypants.

“Wronganswer
!Isai
dwhatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?”

“Youshouldn’
tbeher
e,t
heyar
ewatchi
ng.Just
go….”Ishovedmyhandint
ohi
spocket
s.He
f
oughtmebypul
l
ingmyhandout
.

“WhoiswatchingMtho?
”Iquest
ioned.“
Ist
his
soccer
?”Ishouted.

“
Leav
e!Getout
taher
e….
”

“Boy
,youbet
terf
ixy
ourt
one!
”Ir
epr
imanded
him.

“Youar enotmymot herandy ouwi l

lneverbe.
Youwi l
ll
eaveli
ket heyal ldi
d…sopl ease,l
eave
meal one.Go…”If r
ozef orami nute.Thenthe
copsi deofmer emindedmet hatIcouldn’t
affordtofreezeoractonemot i
ons.Ipointed
mygunathi m, hiseyesgr ewwi deasshock
transformedhisf ace.
“
Mov
e,”

“
Whatt
hef
uck?
”

“MoveMt
ho,
I’
m pl
aci
ngy
ouunderar
rest
.”I
sai
d.

“
What
?”hecr
ied,
“You’
renotev
enar
eal
cop”

“Youwantmet ocallt
hepol i
cebecauset hey
canbeher einaf ewsecondsandbef orethey
event akeyout othepolicestat
iontheywi l
l
roughy ouupf orbreakingthelawandf ucking
wast i
ngtheirti
me, ”heopenedhi smouthi n
attempttospeak, butnosoundcameout .“Now
woul dyouratherthisfakecopt akesyouor
realscops?”
“Fi
ne”hegavein.“
Butwe’rei
ntrouble,
just
know”hestar
tedwalkingandIwalkedbehind
him wi
thmygunst i
ll
point
ingathim.

“
Geti
n,
”Ior
der
ed.Justbef
oreIcoul
dev
en
f
ast
enmyseat
bel
t,Zanel
ecall
ed.

“
HELLO,
”Ipi
ckedup.

“
RAINBOW,”Shewaswhi
sper
ingandherv
oice
waswobbl
yandair
y.“
DON’TCOMEBACK,”

“
WHAT?
”

“THEYKNOW MTHOISWITHYOU,IJUST
OVERHEARDTHEM TALKI
NG.ORDERSTO
SHOOTHAVEBEENGI VENOUT,
”
“Zanel
ewenzani,
”(Zanel
e,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”)
IheardMenzii
nthebackground.

“
RUN”t
hecal
ldi
sconnect
ed.

“
ThatwasZanel
e,shesay
sweshoul
drun,
”

“Theyknow…Ohfuck!I
’
m dead.Mkhuluisgoi
ng
tokil
lme.Go…go…go…”Withoutwast
inga
singl
esecond,
Idrovel
ikeIwasmad.

“Youneedtotel
lmewhati shappeni
ngri
ght
now!”Iqui
ckl
yglancedathimthenbackatt
he
road.Hi
sphonerang.

“
It
sbabaMenzi
,
”hesai
dbr
eat
hingheav
il
y.
“
Don’
tpi
ckup!
”Ior
der
ed.

“
IfIdon’
tthent
hey
’l
lhur
tme…”

“
Mtho,whet
heryoupickupornotdoesnot
mat
ter
.Theywil
lki
ll
you…yourmkhuluwil
l…”

“Hewoul
dnever
!Hemi ghtbemadf orawhi
l
e
buthewoul
dneverki
l
lhisgrandchi
l
d,”

Hedoesn’tknowthatt
heyar
enotbl
ood
r
elat
ives.Fuck!

“
Mtho,
wast
hatcocai
ne?
”
“
Shi
t!Theyar
eri
ghtbehi
ndus…t
hoseguy
s”

“
Where’
sy ourphone?”Iasked.Hewavedi
tin
t
heair
.“Throwitinthenextcarwit
hanopen
wi
ndow.

“
What?!
?!
”hecr
ied,
“Thi
sisani
Phoneandmy
whol
eli
…”

“
Iwil
lgetyouabl
oodynewphoneMtho,just
t
ossiti
ntoacar
.Pref
erabl
yint
hebackseat”

Asangryandfuri
ousatthei
deaoft
hrowi
ngout
hi
siPhone,heobeyed.

“I
t’
sgone.Mypictur
es,mymusic,
mygames…”
hecomplai
ned,
“ Mygir
lf
ri
end”
Il
ookedathim al
mostsquint
ingmyey es.“
Iam
tr
yingtokeepyoual
i
ve….andy ouhav
ea
gi
rlfr
iend?
”

“I’
m 16,
”hesai
dasifbeing16meansonei
s
automati
cal
lyi
nvol
vedinaromant
ic
rel
ati
onshi
p.

“Okay,
Mt ho.Ithi
nkwel ostt
hem.I
’
m sur
ethey
arefol
lowingthatcarnow,”

“Wherethey
’l
l f
indmyphonewit
hallmy
pict
uresandmusi candmygi
rl
fr
iend,
”hegav
e
meanaccusi nglook.

“Thisisnottheti
me, t
ell
meever
ythi
ngnow”I
ordered.Ihadtodiv
idemyatt
ent
ionbet
ween
dr
ivi
ngandl
i
steni
ngt
oMt
ho

“Idon’tknowmuchbutt heyaskedmetosel
l
drugs.Mkhul usaidhewasgroomingmeto
startworkingwiththem.Hesai
dsoonIwon’t
needschool ,
”

“
Wast hatcocai
ne?”henodded.“
Howlonghas
t
hisbeenhappening?Di
dLuckyknowaboutit
,”

Hescof f
ed,“
Babawouldneverevennot i
ceif
anythi
ngwaswr ongwithme.ButIthinkit
start
edshort
lyaft
ert
hewedding.”That’s
aroundaboutwhenIdiscov
eredMhl ongo.

“I
’
m sot i
red!
”heleanedbackontheseat.“
My
gradeshavedroppedbecauseIst
andthere
unti
lit
sdarkoutsi
deandsomet i
mes,Iskip
school t
ocov erf oranyl
oss.Idon’tgett i
met o
studyandwhenev erIwanttotal
ksomet hing
happensandi ttakesupev er
ybody’stimeand
attenti
on.”Hel ookedatme, “Doyout hinkbaba
i
si noni t
?doy out hi
nkheall
owedt hem t ouse
mel ikethis?
”

“Never
!”i
sshookmyhead.“Luckywoul
dnever
dothattoyou,hel
ovesyouwit
hhiswhol
eheart
andIknowt hat
;hetol
dme”

“Thenwhyisn’theher
e?”heletoutafi
rmtone,
“Whyam Ibeingsavedbyast r
angerandnot
him?whycan’thebethereformel i
keafat
her,
l
ikeaman? ”

“Idon’
tknowbaby ,
”Iwouldnev
erpaintLuckyto
beabadf at
her;weallknowheisn’
t.Butal
so,I
wouldneverfoolMthoint
obeli
evi
ngt hi
ngsthat
aren’
t.IknowLuckylov eshi
m andIwillgot
o
thegravepreachi
ngt hatbutwhyheisn’
there
withhim –Idon’tknow.AndIcan’tl
i
ef orhi
m
j
usttomakehi m seem l i
keagoodperson.

Afteranhourorsoofdr
ivi
ng,Ist
oppedatagas
stati
ontofeedthi
shumanboyIwaswi t
h.I
gavehim somecashandt ol
dhimtogetsome
foodanddr i
nkswhil
eIf
il
ledupthecar
.

Hecamewi thdonut
s,chi
ps,gum,wateranda
canofredBul
lforme.Wewer ebackonthe
roadagai
n.Icall
edMondetoupdateher.

“
WHAT’
SUP?
”shesai
d.

“
IHAVEANUPDATE,
”Inot
if
ied.
“HOLDON,
I’
M WITHTHETEAM LETMEPUT
YOUONSPEAKER,”Iwai
tedasecond,
“WE’
RE
GOOD”

“I
’
M WITHMTHO,LUCKY’SSON.IWILLCOME
THEREFORAMOMENTTHENDRI VETO
JOBURG.THEYWEREUSINGHIM TOSELL
DRUGSATANALLEYI NTOWN,HEWAS
PICKEDUPFROM SCHOOL,
”

“
HOW OLDI
SLUCKY’
SBOY?
”askedt
hecol
onel
.

“
16.
”

“
WHYAREYOUGOI
NGTOJOBURG?
”asked
Monde.
“FI
RSTLY, THEYKNOW IHAVEHI M ANDTHEY
KNOW IKNOW.THEI RMENWERECHASI NGUS
AROUNDTOWNNOTSOLONGAGO…INEEDA
SAFEPLACETOHI DEHIM,”andal
sopayLucky
avisi
t.Idon’twanttotel
lany
oneabouthi
my et
,
j
ustuntilIhavemyey esonhim.

“AREYOUTAKINGHI
M TOMOM ANDDAD?
”
askedMonde.

“YES,
THAT’STHELASTPLACETHEY’
LL
SUSPECT,
”

“ButIwantt
ost
aywi
thy
ou,
”Mt
howhi
sper
ed
besideme.

“THI
SMIGHTBECRAZYBUTIHAVEA
THEORY,
”
“
GOON…”col
onel
spoke.

“DLAMI
NIWANTEDMETORUNTHETAXI SIN
DURBAN.MHLONGOWANTEDTODI STRI
BUTE
DRUGSWITHTHETAXIS.WHATIFHESAW AT
OPPORTUNITYANDDECIDEDTOGOFORIT,
AFTERALL,
THISMANISACRI MI
NALANDHIS
SONTOO”

“BUTTHI
SDOESN’
TEXPLAI
NTHEIR
CONNECTIONWI
THNDUMISO”sai
dNkonzo

“WEARESTI
LLNOTCERTAI
NTHEYAREI
N
CAHOOTSTHOUGH,
”

“I
T’SAPLAUSI
BLETHEORYRAI
NBOW,
BUT…COMEBACK.WE’LLBEDI
GGI
NGINTO
THETAXIRANKANDCONCENTRATEMORE
ONTRACINGNDUMISODOWN,
”

“ANDREMEMBERSI R,
NDUMISOFRAMEDME
FORALLHISILLEGALACTI
VITI
ES.THEY
COULDBEWORKI NGTOGETHERAND
SENDINGMETOTHERANKPUTSMEI NTHE
FIRI
NGLINE,
”

“
NOW THATADDITI
ONMAKESYOURTHEORY
MOREREASONABLE,
”

“
OKSI
STER,WE’
LLBEINTOUCH.WE’
LLLOOK
I
NTOTHETAXIRANK,
”

“INEEDANEW I
DCARD,
CANYOUMAKEONE
FORME,I’
LLJUSTPI
CKI
TUPANDGO,
”
“OKAY,
COMETOTHEBOARDROOM WHEN
YOUGETHERE,
”

“
GOTI
T,”Idi
sconnect
edt
hecal
l
.

“Aunt
yRai
n,Iwantt
ost
aywi
thy
ou,
”he
emphasi
zed.

“Notnowboy ,r
ightnowmybi ggestconcerni
s
yoursafet
y.Oncethisinvest
igati
onisclosed
thenyoucancomeback.Don’ tworry,my
parent
sarenicepeople,”henodded.

“
Fuck”hemut
ter
ed.

“
Iknowi
tsucks,
I’
m sor
ry.I
t’
ll
bewor
thi
t,
”
Mypl anist oleaveMt howi t
hmybi opar ents,I
knowt heywi l
l t
akecar eofhim andhewi l
lbe
farawayf rom me, meani ngfarawayfrom
dangerandf r
om thereI ’
m payi
ngLuckyav isit
.I
wantt olookhi mintheey eandtel
lhim how
muchhi ssoni ssuf
feringandIwon’ tevent el
l
him wher ehei sunt
ilI’
m certai
nhim andIar e
playingfort hesamet eam.Mt hohasbeen
throughwayt oomuchandI ’dbedamnedi fIlet
any onehur thim again.

“
I’
m sor
ry”heapol
ogi
zed.

“
Forwhat
?”Iquest
ioned.

“
Forsay
ingy
ouar
enotmymot
her
,”

“
Youwer
eri
ghtandI
’
m sor
ryi
fyouf
eel
li
keI
’
m
t
ryi
ngt
orepl
aceher
.”

“You’vebeenmor eofamot hertomet han

she’severbeeninthepast16y ear
s, sopl
ease
tryyourhardestbesttor
epl
aceher .Imean,you
mademebr eakf
astandi
ronedmyuni f
orm.You
f***
**ghelpedmewi t
hmyhomewor k,”

“
Language!
”Iobj
ect
ed.

“
Butyousai
dthatwordl
i
ket
hreet
imest
ome
t
oday
,”hedi
sputed.

“
I’
m anadul
t,Icansaywhat
everIl
i
ke…”
“
Fine”her
etr
eat
ed.

“
Okay
,youcansayf
ri
cki
ngandf
udgebutnot
f
uck,
Ical
ldi
bsoni
t…”

Hegiggl
ed,“
NowIseewhydadl
ovesy
ou,
you’
recool
”

Thecornerofmyl
i
pscur
vedup,
“SoI
’
mint
he
cool
team,”

“Andy ouareout…”wegi ggledgl

anci
ngatone
another.“
Thanksaunt yRainbow,
”heplast
ered
asmi l
eonhi sl
ips.“Youarealwaysther
eforme
andIappreciat
et hat,
”

“
AndIwi
ll
alwaysbethere,
”Iassur
edhi
m.He
t
ookmyhandandkissedit
.

“
Letmecl
osemyey
esal
i
ttl
e,Ihav
en’
thad
pr
opersl
eepi
nfor
ever
,”

“Sleepti
ght,
”pul
ledhisseatbackandcl osed
hiseyes.Icoul
dn’thel
pbutdar tathi
m every
nowandagai nandsmi l
ing.He’sagoodboy
thatneedsalotoflovi
ngandi fLuckyandhis
mom r ef
usetodot hat
,Iwill
.

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT53

PROTÉGÉ
Noun

1.Apersonwhoi
sguidedandsuppor
tedbyan
ol
derandmoreexper
iencedper
sonormentor
.
“Mtho,”Icall
ed.Hewasf astasl
eep.Didn’
teven
fl
inch.“Boy”Ireal
lydon’twanttowakehi m up
butIcan’tleavehiminthecaral one.Iam not
taki
ngt hatchance.“Mthobisi
,”Iyel
led.

“
What
?!”hepeel
edhi
sey
esopen,

“
We’
reher
e,”Isai
d.

“
Atyourpar
ent
s’?
”hesatupandpul
l
edhi
sseat
f
orwar
d.

“Mtho,y
oudor eal
i
zethaty
ou’
vebeenasl eep
foratl
eastanhour?Wehaveabout6mor e
hoursontheroadbef
orewegetther
e,”Isaid.
“Thi
swhereyourdadandIwork.Menziand
Mkhulutoo…”
“
Am Icomi
ngi
nsi
dewi
thy
ou?
”hei
nqui
red.

“
Yes,
Iam nott
aki
nganyr
iskswi
thy
ou.
”

“Whoah!Thi splacei scool ,”Mthopraisedaswe

headedt ot heboar droom wher eMondesai dI’
d
fi
ndher .“Ev erydepar tmenthasaf l
oor ?
”I
nodded.Hel ookspr ett
yst oked.Hescr oll
ed
throught hebut toni nsi
det heelevatorreading
eachcar efully.“IT”her eadoutl oudand
l
ingeredal ittlelongeront heITbutton.
“Forensics,thispl aceisr eall
ycool,
”

“Come,”thedoorsopenedandwegotoutand
headedstrai
ghtdown.I t’
squiet,mostpeople
havegonehomenow, exceptforaf ew
i
ndivi
dualsli
kemymi r
rorimage.Iopenedt he
doortotheboardroom andf oundt hewhol
e
team t
here,seemsliketheyareal l
pulli
ngi
n
ext
rahour
s.

“Si
ster
,”Mondeappr
oachedmewi
thherar
ms
open.

“Hey,
ext
rahour
s?”Iaskedsqueezi
ngheri
nmy
arms.

“
Yep!
”shel
ookedatMtho,
“Youmustbet
he
f
amous16-
year-
olddr
ugdeal
ingboy
,”

“
That
’shi
m,”

“
Iwascoer
ced…Imeanforced”hegr
oaned,
“
Aunt
ywhat’
sthepropert
erm”

“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hat
,Col
onel
,
”Ical
l
ed.“
Thi
s
i
shi
m”

MrGrootboom pul
ledouthandcuffs.“
Mthobi
si
youar
eunderar r
estfordi
str
ibuti
ngdrugsand
f
orskippi
ngschool,handsbehindyourback,
”

“
Aunt
yRai
nbow,
”hi
svoi
cesqueaked.

“Igaveyouanopt i
onearl
iertoei
therbri
nghe
realcopsorletmet akey
ouin.It
ooky ou,butI
workwi t
hrealcopsandmybossi sthebossof
copsso…y ou’
regoingtojai
lnow,
”

“
Buty
ousai
dthat
…It
hought
,”

“
Rel
axboy,
”MrGchuckl
ed,i
t’
saj
okebutt
he
wor
kRai
nbowdoesi
smor ei
mport
antt
hanany
workdonebymostl
egitcops.Respectherwor
k
andherbadge;
wel
lhernamecar d”he
def
endedme.

Mt hosi
ghedinreli
efrubbi
ngthetopofhi
shead,
“Yessir
!Iam neverdoingany
thi
ngill
egal
,I
promise”

“Good,”wej
oinedNkozoandSi
beko.
“Ever
ybodyt
hisisMthobi
si,
Mthobi
sit
hisi
s
every
body”

“
Hel
l
oev
ery
body
,”hemadeapeacesi
gn.

Theyal
lacknowl
edgedhi
m.

“
Ist
hatt
hef
oot
agef
rom t
hehospi
tal
?”
“Yes,wel ookedateverycamer afr
om outsi
de
hisroom t oall
theexit
s.ForExampl e;
thi
sishis
outsidehisroom, i
t’
sbusy ,
peoplegoingabout
thei
rbusi nessandthenitslessbusyforabout2
minut es,
thenitsbusyagain”

“That’
sav
ideo,
”Mt
hospokeandweal
ll
ooked
athim.

“
Yes,weareawar
ethatwear el
ooki
ngata
v
ideoThobani
,
”Nkonzoresponded.

“
Boy,j
ustsi
tdownandbequi
etpl
ease,
we’
l
lbe
l
eav
ingsoon,
”Ior
dered.

“
Fir
stofal
l,
mynameisMthobi
siandsecondl
y,
t
hattwo-
minut
epor
ti
oni
snotpartofthewhol
e
f
oot
age,
”

“
Whati
shesay
ing?
”whi
sper
edNkonzo.

“Lethi
m speak,
giv
ehim anear,
”Gr
ootboom
spokeonhisbehal
f.“
speakyoungLucky,
”

“Whoev erworkedonthisdidar eall

ygoodj ob.
Thisisactuall
yavideoofapi ct
ure.Theywai ted
fortherightmomentwhent her
ewasnoonei n
thisareaandthiscoul
dhav ebeenear lyi
nt he
mor ni
ngbef or
eitgotbusy…wat chv erycarefull
y.
Whathedi dwas,r
emov ethatwhol et wo
mi nut
esandr epl
aceditwithani l
lusion,a
pictur
e.”

“Howdoy ouknowit’sapict
ure?
”Iasked.“I
t
clear
lyhasarecor
dingti
meanddat e,
Mt ho,
”
“OkayauntyRainbow,watchtheti
meont his…”
hemov edt
othef r
ontmov i
ngNkonzooutofhi s
place.Hetooktheremotecontrol
l
ingthetvand
schooledus.“Nowwatcht heti
mef orwhenit’
s
busy,”

“
Idi
dn’
tseeany
thi
ng,
”conf
essedMonde.

“
Yeahsameher
e,”sodi
dSi
beko.

“Exact
ly,
youwouldn’
thav
eseenit
.thef
ontis
notthesame.That’
swherehescr
ewedhimsel
f
over!
”

“
Language!
”Iwar
ned.
“Sorry,auntyRain.Nowar edaysyoucanmake
videosusi ngj
ustpi ct
ur es.Youputapi ctureand
addasong, it
’l
lcountt het imethesongpl ayed
nothowl ongapi ctur
ei sbecause, y
oucan’ t
reall
ycounthowl ongapi ctur
eis.Pleasetell
mey ougetwhatI ’
mt alkingabout,
”

“Li
keanInstagr
am st ory”Monderaisedher
handeversoent husi
astic.“
Youcanaddmusi c
toyourst
ory,evenifit’
sapictur
e.Andt henyou
endupwat chi
ngapi ctureandnotlookingatit
,”

“Exactl
y !
”Mt ho, l
eanedforwar
dandgav ehera
highfive.“ Ther ecordi
ngti
mermadey ou
automat i
cal lybelieveyouwerewat chi
nga
video.Thiswas…hmmm, maneuveredinthere.
Andt hef actt hattherewasnoonei nt
hisarea
atthatpar ticulartimemadey oualloverl
ookt he
factthatt herei snosoundatall.Thereshould
bepeopletal
kingatadi
stanceoraclockonthe
wal
l,oreventhebeepi
ngofmachines.Ther
eis
al
way sasoundinthehospit
al”

“That’
ssmar tMtho, howdi dwenotseet his,
”I
commendedhi m.“ Gobackt othepictur
ev i
deo
thi
ngy ,
”hedi dandwewat chedital
linsil
ence
unti
litcont i
nuedt othenor malfoot
age.Andt he
fontoft hedetail
sr eal
lywasnott hesame.The
dif
ferencei shardlynoticeabl
e,youhadt ohave
beenl ookingforittoseei t.

“Wel
lI’
dbedamned…”thecol
onelbr
ightened
andIknewexact
lywhathewasthi
nking.

“No!
”Ist
oppedhi
m bef
orehecoul
dut
ter
anot
herword.
“
Hewoul
dbeagr
eatasset
,”

“I
’
dlovetowor
ki ntheI
Tdepar
tment
,”Mt
ho
off
eredhi
sser
vices.

“
Mt ho,t
heonlythingyouwi l
lbeworki
ngare
yourschoolbooks.He’s16…you’r
e16”Igotup.
“
Wher e’
smyI Dcar d,
itseemsIdon’tonl
yneed
t
ohi dethi
sboyf r
om hisgrandfat
herbutal
so
myboss, ”

“HearmeoutRai nbow,”hegallopeduptome,
“Wecankeephimi nschoolbutalsokeephi
m
i
nourradar.Youknowgr oom himforthef
utur
e.
Theminutehefinishesgrade12hehas
somethi
ngtodo, ”

“
Thatwi
l
lbenexty
ear
!Yess”t
heboyr
ejoi
ced.
“Thisboyi
spr
act
ical
l
yhi
sfat
her
’sson.
”Added
Sibeko.

“
Fine.Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
sfat
her
.When…whenev
er”

“
Welcometothet
eam bi
gYoungLucky
,”Si
beko
r
ejoi
cedwi
thhim.

“
No!nowel
comi
ng.Not
hing…”

“Myyoungestpr
otégé,
”thecol
onelcomplet
ely
i
gnoredmeandwentov ertoMtho.“Youknow
he’st
heyoungestmemberoftheundergr
ound
team,
”

“
Hei
snotamember
,”Ir
emi
nded.
Forthef i
rstt
imei nav eryl
ongwhi l
eMt howas
smil
ing.Isawj usthowpassi onatehewasi n
fr
ontoft hatscr een.Heexpl ainedeveryt
hing
l
ikehewasr ecitingthelett
er softhealphabet.
Theteam hasbeenl ookingatt hatvi
deofor
weeksnowandhef i
gureditoutatf i
rstgl
ance.
Thatitamazi ng, butsti
ll
,heismyr esponsibi
l
ity
so…noj oini
ngt hef or
cenow.

Mthowassoexcitedwhenwelef
t,hecoul
dn’
t
shutupabouthi
splansnowt
hathehasajob
whenhefini
shesschool
.

“I
’m goi
ngtostudysohar d,
especial
ly
mathematicsandIT.IgetBsf orI
T,weneedAs
now.”Heplanned.“MaybeIcanchangeschools
andgot oaschooloftechnologywhereIwil
l
getexactl
ywhatIneed,may beIshould…”
suddenlyhi
scheer
yv oi
cedieddown.“
Whenwi
l
l
Ibegoingbacktoschool?
"

“Idon’
tknow.Idon’
tknowany
thi
ngri
ghtnow
okay…wejustneedtogety
outosaf
ety
,”

At1inthemorningIarri
vedatmypar
ent s’
pl
aceinSandton,JHB.Theywait
edupf orus
andhadroomsr eadyforwhenwearr
ived;so
wewentstrai
ghttobed.

Thef ol
lowi
ngmorning;t
heybothskippedwork,
whichwasv er
yki
ndoft hem.Ihadt owake
MthoupsoIcouldhav eatalkwit
hhi m andmy
parentsbef
oreIl
eave.Wefoundt hem around
thediningt
abl
ewithbreakf
astalr
eadysetup.

“
Mor
ningmyangel
s,
”SuzannasangasMt
ho
andIt
ookourseat
s.

“Goodmor ningmom, dad,

”Ismi l
edr eachingfor
agr ape.Ifeel ateasewhenI ’m here.LikeIcan
l
etgoandj ustbemy sel
f.Itt
ookmeawhi l
eto
acceptt hatIhadt womomsandt wodadsnow.
Itfeltli
keIwascheat ingforsomer easonbut
event ual
lyi
tal lmadesense; Iam thatl uckythat
Igett ohavet wopar ents.Andfunnyenought he
Jaxa’ sbecamemor eparentyandpr esentwhen
Ifoundt heSi biyas.

“Mor
ningmyRai
n,i
t’
ssogoodt
ohav
eyou
home,
”sai
dMbongeni.

“Goodmorningsi
r,goodmor ningma’am,”Mt
ho
acknowl
edgedthem “Thankyouf orhav
ingme
hereandyouhaveabeaut i
fulhome,”
“Afr
iendofourdaught
er’
sisaf
ri
endofour
s',
”
sai
ddadpouringMthosomejui
ce.

“
Iknowlastnightwasabl
urandwedi
dn’
treal
l
y
t
alk,
”Ispoke.

“
Itwasthi
smorni
ng,
”Mt
hocor
rect
edme.My
f
athergi
ggl
ed.

“Okaysmartypants,thi
smorningwasablur
.
Thisi
sMt hobisi
,Lucky’
sson.Ibri
efedy
ou
aboutthesit
uati
on,”

“
Luckyy
ourboy
fri
end?
”askedSuzanna.

“
Yesma’
am,
”Mt
hoanswer
ed.
“Ohwellyoucancallusgrandmaandgr andpa,
”
saiddad.Theyseem uncharact
eri
sti
cal
l
yway
tooexcit
edaboutthi
s,may beit
’sagoodthing
foral
lofthem.

“Ohnosweethear
t,canweuseanot
herwor
dfor
grandma,
itmakesmef eel
old,
”

“Mt
hoshri
eked,“Andy
ouarewayt
ooy
oung,
howaboutIcal
lyouDarl
i
ng?”

“
Ilovethisboy ,canwekeephim please,”weall
l
aughed.“I’
v ealwayswantedagr andchil
d,”y
ou
wouldhav ehadonehadInotmi scarri
ed,but
t
hisisnott heti
met obethinki
ngaboutbad
t
hings.Ihav etostayontopofmygame.
“Well
,Iki
dnapedonefory
ou,
”Ij
oked.“
Mom,I
wil
lsendyousomemoneysohecangetafew
cl
othesandtoil
etr
ies,
”

“Nonsense! ”sher ebukedt hei dea.“Don’tworry

aboutasi nglet hi
ng.Justgoanddoy ourpolice
wor k,
y ourf atherandIhav eenoughmoneyt o
keept hisboyunt ilhe’
sol dandf r
ail
,”Icouldtel
l
howexci tedtheywer ejustbyl ookingatt hem
andl i
steni ngatt hem.Thet hreeoft hem are
goingt ogetal ongjustfineandbr i
ngingMt ho
hereisj ustaboutt hebesti deaI ’
vehadi nav er
y
l
ongwhi le.

“Andweneedtogethi
mtoschool
,hecan’
tjust
spendhi
sdayslaz
ingr
ound”
“
Yespl
ease!”Mt
hobi
sii
nter
ject
edwi
thamout
h
f
ull
ofchewedbr
ead.
“Theymighttracehim downdad,
Ineedhi
m out
ofther
adar,”Iobject
ed.

“Keepi
ngachil
dfrom goingtoschool
isa
seri
ouscri
me,everychil
dhasar i
ghtt
o
educat
ion.
”Dadexplained.

“Howaboutwechangehi snamemylov
e?”
suggest
edEuniceandImustsayher
suggest
ionwasn’tal
lthatbad.

"Icoul
dbeDway neJohnson,
”weal
lgawkedat
him.“Or…”hel
ookedatme, “
Howabout
AthandwaSibi
ya,
”

“Li
keyourl
it
tl
ebabyRain,
”Euni
cer
est
edahand
onherchestfi
ght
ingt
ears.
“Yeah!Thatsoundsperf
ect
…”Isighedloudl
y
try
ingtokeepmyt ear
satbay.Thoughmybaby
woul dhav
ebeenaDl amini
butthisnameis
perfect
.

“Thenleaveev
ery
thi
ngtomeRai n,
”assur
eddad.
“Iwil
ltal
ktomypeopleandhav
ehi minschool
bynextweek,”

“
Hel
ovesI
T,soi
fyoucan…”

“
Consi
deri
tdone,
”

I
si tstupi
dt hatIboughtanentir
eoutfi
tbefore
pay i
ngLuckyav i
sit
?Iknowi ti
s.I’
m soexcited
toseehi m butwhenIf i
nall
ylaymyey esupon
him, Iwil
lnotletmyexcitementcloudmef rom
givi
nghi m apieceofmymi nd.
Iwasf inall
yher e; on2031Mot aStreetin
Sowet oatMzi ngwaneguesthousebutI
couldn’tgetmy selft ogoi nsoIdr ovear ound.
Stayedi nthecarandwat chedthehouse.t here
wasnosi gnofl i
fe,noonegoi nginorout .At
somepoi ntIwenti ntot own, didal i
tt
le
shopping, hadsomet hingt oeatandj ust
enjoyedt i
mebymy sel finadi ff
erentcity.At
around20: 00, Iwentbackt othehouse.It urned
mycart owar dsthegat east houghI ’
dbe
comi nginandt henhoot ed.Istoppedand
waitedf ormov ement .Someoneshoul dbei nby
now; it
’saf *****gguesthouse.Ihoot edagai n,
forlongert histime.Thel i
ghtsinoner oom
switchedonandmyhear tdroppedt omy
stomach.Whatt hehel ldoIdonow?Ihope
Luckyi sint here…Ir eallydo.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngRai
nbow?
”Isai
dundermy
br
eat
h.

#bonusi
nser
t
♡
I
NSERT54

PRI
VILEGED
Ver
b

1.Havi
ngaparti
cul
arbenefi
t,advant
age,
or
fav
or,
ar i
ghtori
mmunityenjoyedbysomebut
notot
hers.

“Who’sthere?
”Heshout edstandingbythe
entr
ance.Hebl ockedthegl
areoft heli
ghtfr
om
mycarwi thhisarm.It’
shi
m, al
iveandper f
ectl
y
heal
thy.Icontemplatedmynextmov e.“
Who
areyou?”Iswi
tchedt
hecarof
fandgotout
.His
facesuddenl
ycamealiv
e.“Mi
ss,
whatareyou
doinghere?Howdidyoufi
ndme?”

Idon’ tknowwhatt osayt ohi m.I’m shakingand

I’
m scar edthati fIopenmymout h;Imi ghtdo
damageandIam her etododamagecont rol.
“Hol don, l
etmeopenf ory ou,”hedar tedback
i
nsi deandt hent hegat esl i
dopen.Shoul dI
comei norjustt ellhimt ocomebackandsav e
hissonandt henleav e.Orshoul dIjustt el
l hi
m
thatI’m ali
veIdi dn’tdief r
om t hemi scarri
age
andt hatwor kingi sreallyhelpingmedeal with
thedepr essionandanxi et
yandnott oment ion
thatf eel
ingofl ossandabandonment .Per haps
Ishoul dtellhimt hatIam i nvestigat
inghi s
fami l
yandki dnappedhi sson.Iputonef ooti n
frontoft heot herunt i
lthegat ewasbehi ndme.
Iwal kedupt ot hef rontdoorandst oodi nfront
ofhi m.hishai randbear dhadgr own, buthe
seemst ohav egainedmor emuscl eweight
.
“Miss,”Ihadnocont r
ol overi
t,i
tjust
happened…Ipunchedhi mi nt
heface.Ionly
reali
zedIhadhur thim onceIfel
tmyhand
aching.Hest agger
edbendi ngdownt onurse
hispain.Istoodthereandwai t
edf orhi
mt o
snapoutofpussymode.“ Saysomet hi
ng,
please.Don’thitmeagai n,
”hepleaded.

“Ible…”Iwant edt otel

lhim Iwasbl eedingfor
twowhol eweeks.ThatIhadt hemosti nt
ense
periodpain-l
ikepai nsandt hatIblamedmy sel
f
forhisdisappear anceandIst il
ldo.Iwant edto
tellhi
mt hatIpr ayed,whichissomet hingIdon’t
do.Iwant edt otellhi
mt hatImi ssedhim ev er
y
singledayandhowsor ryIwasf ornotbei ng
abletocar r
yhi schilduntil
hewasbor n.
“Mtho…”myv oi
cewobbl ed.
“Whatabouthi
m?I
shefine?
”myheartj
ust
bur
nedandIhadtodosomethi
ngagai
n…soI
sl
appedhim.

“Fucky ou!”Isaidsof t
ly.“Youar eaweakman
Nhl anhlaVilakazi.Ialway st houghtNdumi so
wast heweakestmanIhadev erencounter edin
myl i
febutIwaswr ong…t hati syou.Atleast
Ndumi sostay edar oundandf acedhi s
probl em.”Ihadf or medf istswi t
hbot hmy
handsandsqueez ingfordearl i
fe.IfIopenmy
hands, somet hingbadmi ghthappent ooneof
us.“ Youhidebehi ndyourwal k,talkandy our
gunbuty ouar eacowar d.Justbecausey our
fatherwasnott her efory oudoesnotmeany ou
shoul ddot hesamet oMt hobisi–who–byt he
way–hasnowchangedhi snamet oprotecthis
i
dent ity,
”
“Rai
nbow, whatareyoutal
kingabout?”he
questioned.“Whydoeshehav etopr ot
ecthis
i
dentity?Ishefine?”hekepthisrubbi
nghis
cheek, whichIassumedwasst il
lburni
ngfrom
theslap.

“Nowyoucare?”Ichuckl
edsarcast
ical
ly.“
Ok!”I
hadtoleav
e.Ij
ustcouldn’tbei
nthesame
spaceashim.Heismaki ngmesick,li
ter
all
y.
“Openthegat
e”

“Iwi
llnotopenthi
sgat
eunt
ily
out
ell
mewhat
’s
happeningwit
hmyson…”

“He’
snotyourson!”Ishouted.“
Heismi neandI
wil
lgototheendsoft hi
searthtoprot
ecthim.
Every
onehel ov
esandknowshasei t
herdied,
tur
nedagainstorabandonedhim butme…sono!
heisnotyoursanymore,
”Ipausedandcaught
mybreath.Ipull
edoutmygunandhel
dit
agai
nsthisforehead.“
Open,
”

“Iunderstandyouareangryandy ouhaveevery
ri
ghttobe…but ,IneedMtho,Ineedmybaby
boy,”Idrewt hegunawayfrom him andshot
behindmet oscarehi
m.

“Openthebl
oodygateLucky!
”hepressedt
he
remoteandthegat
estart
edsli
ding.“
weakass
punk”Imurmuredt
omy selfmar
chingoutt
he
gate.

“Miss,
”hecall
ed,“
I’
m sor
ry…I
’m sor
rypl
ease!
”I
gotinsi
demycarandbangedt hedoorcl
osed.
Her anaft
ermeandstart
edbangingonmy
window.“Openthi
sdoorri
ghtnow,”
“
F**
*ky
ouLucky
!”Ist
art
edt
hecarandr
ever
sed.

“Iwi
ll
repor ty
ouf orkidnappi
ng!IswearIwil
lki
ll
youRainbow, where’smyboy ?”hecri
ed.I
woundedt hewindowdownal itt
lesohecould
hearmel oudandcl ear.

“I
fyoucal lyourfamilytoaskabouthi m,you’
d
onlybemaki ngmat t
ersworse.Infact;you’
dbe
si
gningof fonhisdeat h,
"Isteppedoni tandlef
t
hi
m.Iwant edhimt ofeelwhatIfeltwhenI
wokeint hathospitalbedwithquestionsnoone
couldanswer ,i
npai nandalone.Karma’ sa
b***h,
isn’tit
?

Idon’tknowwhereIam.I’
vebeendr i
vi
ng
aroundforali
tt
lewhil
enow.Passedsome
street
smay betwi
cetry
ingtocalm mysel
fdown.
Istoppedbyatavernorwhatev
erthispl
aceis.
There’
sacheer f
ulchattercomingfrom here,
its
i
nvit
ing.I
tseemsl i
keapl acewher eIcangeta
st
rongdrink.Justaglass,Iwon’toverdoit
.I
won’tgobackt omyol dway s.

Ienteredandwasi mmediatel
ywelcomedbya
smel l
ofmeatandal cohol
.It’
sloudand
ali
ve…everyoneseemst obemi ndi
ngthei
rown
businessanddrinki
ngthenightaway.Iheaded
tothecounter.

“
Hey,wel
comet
oMagwaza’
s”t
hebar
tender
wel
comedme.“
Whatwoul
dyouli
ket
ohav e
t
oni
ght?”

“
Doy
ouhav
eredwi
neher
e?”Iasked.
Hechuckl
edwithasmirkinhi
sface,
“Soyou
t
hinkj
ustbecausewe’
reinSowetowecan’t
haveaf
ancybottl
eofredwine?”her
est
edbot
h
armsonthecount
erandstaredatme.

“
Act
ual
l
y,t
hatiswhatI
’
mthi
nki
ng,
”Iconf
essed.
“
Nowdoyou?”

“
Ido,
”

“I
’
llhaveaglassplease,thankyouMagwaza,
”
hecontinuedtosmirkstari
ngatme.Hetook
outanempt ywineglassandpul l
edabot
tl
e
fr
om thoseneatlypackedbehindhim.

“You’
renotfr
om aroundhereareyou?
”hi
seyes
dart
edbetweenmeandt hewinehewas
pouri
ngint
otheglass.Ishookmyhead.“
You’
re
apriv
il
egedone,
”
“
Pri
vi
leged?
”

“Yeah!Ri chpar ents…silverspoon.Ibety oustay

i
nSandt on.Youar ecur r
entlyhav i
ngament al
breakdownsoy ouwant edsomet hi
ngt oease
yourmi nd.YourBant leyispr obablyparked
outsi
der ightnow. ”Igawkedathi m whilehe
madeupt hisscenar i
oaboutme.“ Holdon,you
wantedt ocr eatedr ama, may bescar eyourri
ch
parentsint ooblivi
onbycomi ngtot hetownship
sowhent heytracky oudown, they’
llf
indyouin
adungeonl i
ket hi
sone.Theywi l
lpanic,bl
ame
themsel vesf ornotbei nggoodpar entsand
makei tupt oyoubygi vi
ngy oumor emoney !
”

“Areyoudone?”henodded.Igul
peddownmy
wineandfini
shedtheglassal
latonce.“More,
”
heobeyed.“Theonlyt
hingyougotrightwasthe
ri
chparent
s.Bothmypar ent
sarerich;and
whenIsaybot hImeanbot hthet wosepar ate
parentsIhav e.Twomomsandt wodads…t hey
arefil
thyr i
chandonepai rofpar entsdoes
i
ndeedst ayi nSandt on.ButI’m notrich,Ijust
haveenoughmoneybecauseIwor k.Idrivea
mar oonCi t
i Golfandtheonl ytrackeritmight
havewi ll
notatal l
helpmypar entsinfindingme
becauset heyar enotlookingf orme.I tmight
helpthepeopl et hatwantmedeadt hough.Hi s
faceimmedi atel
ycont our
ed.“ Butdon’twor r
y,I
haveaGl ockwi thme.”Ipulledaf orcedsmi l
e.
“Andy ouar erightaboutthef actthatI’m hav i
ng
ament al breakdown, anyonet hatlostachi ldat
4mont hswoul d,”

“
Shi
t!
”

“Andt
otopi
tal
lofMr.Ihavetosuckital
li
n
andat
tendt
oastupi
dinvest
igat
ion.I
’
m
i
nv estigati
ngmyboy fri
end’sfami l
y–my
boy fr
iendwhor anawaywhenIl ostthebaby .I
foundhi m her einSowet o,notfarfrom hereI
think,Idon’tknow, Idrovearoundawhi le.So,I
hithim andt ol
dhim hewasweak.Soy eah,that
i
showpr ivi
legedIam, ”hehadnosi gnsofl i
fein
hisface.“ ShouldIgoont otellyouaboutmy
abusiv eex-husband?Ormybr otherthathad
supposedl ydi ed15y earsagobutt hencame
back, tri
edtor apebutIendedupki lli
ng?”

“
Whatki
ndoff
uckedupwor
ldar
eyoul
i
vingi
n?”

“Youdon’
twanttoknow,
”Idr
ankal
lofmywi
ne
agai
n.“Anot
herone,
”

“
Wher
e’sy
ourboy
fri
endnow?
”heasked.
“Mzi
ngwaneguesthouseov
eronsomest
reet
.
Fuckhi
m…”

“Yeah!”heagr eed.“Excuseme”hedi sappeared

i
ntotheback.Thi splaceisfi
ll
edwithvibes,
dif
ferentkindsofv ibes.Somepositi
veand
somenegat i
v e.Ihavenevereverbeeninsucha
spacebef ore; wherepeoplearesocarefree,
eati
ng, dr
inkinganddanci ng.Thi
sseemsl i
ke
theplacewher estranger
sbecomei nstant
fri
ends.

About2hour slat
erIwasont hedancef l
oor
dancingwithaguyt hathadnof rontteet
hbut
smil
edl i
kehehadt eethofgold.Iwasdr unk,
wastedactuall
yandf ul
l.Iat
eal ot.Tomorrow
morning,Iwon’tr
ememberanyoft hesepeopl
e,
somewon’ tevenrememberme.That ’
sthe
beautyofital
lforme.
Itwastimeformetoleave,maybeI’
ll
bookinto
ahot el
ordri
vebackhomet oMtho.Icandri
ve
thereandarr
ivesaf
ely
.Istagger
edoutsi
de
wher ei
twasev enl
ouder
.Thisstr
eetnever
sleepsIsee…
“
Thisi
smyst r
eetnow,”Isaidtost
rangers
l
aughi
ngoveracoupl
eofbeerbot t
les.Igot
i
nsi
dethecarandpushedt hekeyi
n.

“
Sisi
”thebar
tenderguywasr
unni
ngaf
terme.

“
Hey,
Magwaz a,
”Iwounddownt hewi
ndow.
“
Youplacei
samazingbutsadl
yIneedto
v
amoosebeforeIgetdr
unk,
”

“Youaredr
unk,
youcan’
tdr
ivei
nthi
sst
ate,
”he
said.
“No,i
fIweredrunkthenIwouldn’
tbeabletosi
t
behi
ndt hewheel
,”Ir
oll
edmyey es,“
Look”Iput
myhandsar oundthesteer
ingwheel
,“See,
I’
m
notdrunk,
”

“whatyouj
ustsai
disacl
eari
ndi
cat
ionofhow
drunkyouar
e,l
etmecall
someonefory
ouor
getyouacab,
”

“
No,”Ibl
ewhim aki
ss.“ImustsayMagwaza,
y
ouar esoki
ndandsexy.IfIwasn’
tdr
unk,
Iwas
t
otal
lygoi
ngtobangyou,”

“Thankyou…hmm butIst
il
lcannotl
ety
oudriv
e
seeingasyouj
ustadmitt
edtobeingdr
unk,
”

“
No,
ImeanI
’
mtoodr
unkt
ofuckbutnott
oo
dr
unkt
odr
ive,
”

“Thatdoesn’
tmakesense…getoutoft
hecar
,”
heordered.

“Magwazat hesexybart
ender,
”Isaidtomysel
f
completel
yignori
nghim onpurpose.Idr
oveout
andforwardandthenblackedout.

“
Thanky
ousomuchman,
”

“
She’
sokaybr
o,don’
twor
ry,
justdr
unk,
”
“What’
shappening?
”Iopenedmyey
esandsaw
Luckyandstar
sandt hesky
.

“
It
’sMagwaza,
Ibr
oughty
out
oyourboy
fri
end,
”
Igaspedwi
thexci
tement
,“Thesexybar
tender
,”

“
I’l
lcomeandchecky ouinthemorni
ng.List
en,
youhityourheadagai
nstthest
eeri
ngwheel
wheny oucoll
idedwi
thapolesotakeiteasy
,”

“Il
oveyousomuchbar
tender
,canIhav
ea
hug?”

“
Justhugherdude,
”Ihear
dLuckysay
.

“Therey
ouar e,Ithi
nkI'minlovewi
thyou”I
huggedhim andl i
ngeredmor et
hanIshoul
d
have.Hesmel tl
ikehisplace.

“
Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
ouguy
sint
hemor
ning,
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch,
baf
o.”

“
Any
time”

“
ByeMagwazat
hesexybar
tender
.”

“Mi
ss,y
ouar
ehur
tsoj
ustt
akei
teasyokay
,”he
sai
d.

“Ican’taff
ordtot
akeiteasy
.Thi
ngswi l
lfal
l
apart…Ihavetobealer
tandawakesoIcan
protecttheonesIl
ove…wheream I?
”Iasked
whenhet hrewmeonabedi nareall
yni
ce
room.

“Don’twor
ry,you’
resaf
e,”hest
ood,“
Takeyour
clot
hesoff,I
’
llgetyousomethi
ngtosleepi
n,
”
heexited.Myheadi saching, Ij
ustwantt ocutit
offandt hrowi taway.Mybr eathst i
nksandI
smellli
kesweat ;Icansmell i
tall.Ist art
ed
taki
ngof fmycl ot
hesli
keLuckyhadi nstr
ucted.
Hecamebackandst art
edassi sting.Hehel ped
meputashi r
tonandt hencl eanedt hewound
onmyf orehead.Iwasst ari
ngathi m whi lehe
dabbedcar ef
ullyonthewound, evenwi ththe
hairandt hebear dhesti
lll
ookedl ikemyGuy .

“
I’
m nev
erdr
inki
ngagai
n,
”Iannounced.

“Goodf oryou,l
etmegety ousomepi ll
sfort
he
pain,
”hezoomedoutandcamebackwi tha
glassofwat erinonehandandt wotablet
sin
theot her
.Heshov edthem i
nsi
demymout hand
helpedmedr i
nk.Iswall
owedonet abl
etper
ti
meandt hengulpeddownt hewater.“
Now
rest,Iwil
lseeyouinthemor ni
ng.Yourphone
andcarkey
sarer
ightnextt
oyou,
”hegotup,
swit
chedofft
hel
i
ghtandclosedt
hedoor.

Iwant edtobesomebodyel seforami nut

eand
beinadi f
ferentworld.Idi
dn’twanttohurt
anyone; especial
lynotmy self
.I’
m madandsad
andI ’
m wal ki
ngar oundthisworldtr
yingtofi
ght
againstcrime, I
’mt r
yingtobeabet t
erperson
butitalway sneverwor ksoutforme.Nev er!

Iwasr eadytost artaf

reshwithLuckyandgi ve
myselfov ert
ol oveandhappinessandpeace
butthatwasal lsnatchedawayf rom me.Iwas
goi
ngt obeagr eatmom andmay besomeday
wif
et oLucky .Ihadplannedthingswewer e
goi
ngt odoasaf amil
y,wit
hMt hobisiinthe
pi
cture.ButinsteadIam drunk, i
njuredandsad
somewher ef
arawayf r
om real
ity.
Wher ethefuckev enam I?Icanst i
llhearthe
soundoft hatplace,Icansti
llsmellitlikeIam
i
nsidethosewal ls,Icansti
ll
feelthepeopl e
aroundmedanci ngandsweat ingagai nstone
anotherwithnotasi nglecar
ei nthewor l
d.And
foramomentt here,Iwasapar toft hoseof
people.Ihadsuppr essedallmycar esand
worri
eswi thal
cohol andmeatandmor ealcohol
andmeat .Myheadkeepsr eplayi
ng,
ZIPH’I
YKHWAMA, SYAHAMBAMANJE,
SYAHMBAMANJESI YEDURBANI NTHE
MEANTI ME.

Ienjoyedmy sel
f.Ishallcher
ishthisni
ghtfor
therestofmyl i
fe.Perhapsmay beIwi l
lgoback
toMagwaza’ s,may bewhenI ’
mv isi
ti
ngmy
parents.Ismil
edandcl osedmyey esal
lowing
thepil
lstotakeov er.
“
RestRai
nbow,
”Iwhi
sper
edt
omy
sel
f.

HAPPYMONDAYANDHAPPYREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT55

GI
RLFRI
END
Noun

1.Thefemalepar
tneri
nanunmar
ri
edr
omant
ic
rel
ati
onshi
p.

Myal
arm wentof
fwakingmeupsoIr
eached
f
ormyphoneandswitchedi
tof
f.

“F**k”Imutt
eredlooki
ngatthet
imeonmy
screen.I
t’
s8:30.Ihaveabunchofmessages
from Mondeandot herst
upi
dnoti
fi
cat
ions.I
threwmyphonebesi demeandf acedt he
ceili
nginattemptt ofallbackasleep.This
ceili
nglooksv er
yunf ami l
i
ar.Didmom anddad
dosomet hi
ngdifferentwith…whenIl ooked
around,theroom lookednot hingli
kemyr oom
attheSibiyas.Isl
owl ysatup.Iam cer tai
nlynot
attheSibiyas.“Wher ethef**kam I?”Iwentt o
Mangwaza’ sandhadanawesomeni ght.And
then,Idrovehome…Ir ememberdr ivi
nghome.

Itookmyphoneandopenedmygal l
ery.Ihav e
pict
uresfr
om lastnightatMagwaza’ s.I
rememberalloft hat.Ir
emembert het oothless
guythatt
ooknumer oussel f
ieswithmyphone.
CouldIbeinhisr oom?Hi splace?Dearhi gher
powerspleaset el
lmenot hinghappened
betweenhim andIi fthi
sishisplace.Ican’ t
…it
can’t
.Or;
Icoul dbeatMagwaza’ shouse.Ei ther
wayIdon’tknow.Igotup, openedthedoorand
l
ookeddownt hepassage.Ihav enof reaking
i
deawher
eIam…howdi
dIgether
e?

Holdon.Idrovehomelastni
ght
.Ir
emember
veryclear
ly,
Idrov
ehome.So,Imustbe
kidnappedri
ghtnow.

“Hell
o,”Ical
led.Theonl ysoundcomi ngthr ough
i
sasoundofadr ippi
ngt ap.“Hel
lo…hey!
”I twas
sil
enttoapoi ntwheremyownv oicebounced
backtome.I ft hi
sreall
ywasaki dnapping, I
shouldbet i
eduporl ockedupsomewher eand
whathappenedt omyhead?Ihearsomet hing.
“Hell
o…who’st here”Ishouted.Adooropened
somewher ear oundthishouse.

“
Areyouup?”Ifol
l
owedthevoi
ceandfound
mysel
finaki
tchenwher
eIfoundLucky
.“Good
morni
ng,”
“
Didy
ouki
dnapme?
”Iasked.
“
Sitdown,
letmet
reaty
ourcut
,”heor
der
ed.

“I
st hatwherey ouhitmet oknockmeoutwhen
youwer eki
dnappingme.I ’
m sti
ll
nottel
li
ngyou
wher eMt hois,
”itseemshewentt otheshop.
Het ookoutaf ewi t
emsf rom t
heplasti
cand
displayedthem ont hecounter
.

"Letmefi
xyouup,
”hef
oldedhi
sar
mst
ohi
s
chestwai
ti
ngonme.

“Icandoitmyself.
”Iapproachedthecounter.I
seecottonwool,someliqui
dt hi
ngandplasters.
Itookthepl
asterwhichhesnat chedoutofmy
hand.
“Youcan’tdoity
our selfbecausei fyoucould
thenyou’
dhav etakent heant i
septicfi
rst
,”he
saiddangli
ngtheliquidthingrightinfr
ontofmy
face.“
Now, ”het
ookt hecottonwool ,t
orethe
plast
icopenandpul ledoutapi ece.

“I’
m goinghome, whereIwasbeforeyou
kidnappedme,”hegotahol dofmyar m,pul
l
ed
mebackandl i
terall
ycarr
iedmeandsatmeon
thecounter.Hest oodri
ghtinf
rontofme
restr
ict
ingmef rom cli
mbingdown.

“
sitst
il
l,
”
“Lucky
,letmego,”Ifought
.Het
ookmyhands
andheldthem t
ogether,

“
Isai
dsi
tst
il
l,
”hi
sey
esbor
eint
omi
ne.
“
Idon’
twantt
oo!
”Ishout
ed.

“Wellyoudon’thaveachoice.Ar
eyoureal
ly
goingtofightmerightnowwhenIam tryi
ngto
helpyouandy outhinkI’
m enj
oyi
ngthi
s?Your
breat
hf *
****gsti
nks,”

“
That
’smean,
”Isai
dret
reat
ing.

“Idon’tcar
e, j
ustl
etmedothi
s.That’
sanast y
wound, ”If
oldedmyarmstomychest .He
wet t
edapi eceofcot
tonwoolandthenstar
ted
cleaningmywound.Hedabbedcarefull
yand
slowly.

“
Ouch,
”Iwi
nced.
“
Sor
ry,
”hel
ookedi
ntomyey
esandt
henbackat
t
hewound.

“
Wher e’
syourgi
rlfr
iend?Youdon’
twanthert
o
f
indanothergi
rlherewithyou,
”hi
sfor
ehead
f
urrowed.

“AsfarasI’
m concer
nedt
heonl
ygi
rl
fr
iendI
haveisyou…”

“
I’
m noty
ourgi
rl
fr
iend,
”Idi
sput
ed,

“
Buty
ouar
e,”

“Iam not
.You…”Ist
oppedmy sel
f.Iam not
goingtobri
ngupthebaby.I
t’sgoingtothrow
meof fmygameandI ’
m alr
eadyoutasi tis.
“
Whydi
dyouki
dnapme?
”

“Idi
dn’
tkidnapyou,Magwazathesexy
bart
enderbrought
;yourboy
fri
enddid,
”

“
ButIdr
ovehome,
”

“Youweredri
vi
nghomeuntil
youdr
ovei
ntoa
poleandgott
hisbadboy
,”

“
Buthowdi
dheknowwher
etof
indy
ou?
”

“Apparent
lyyoutoldhi
mthaty
ourweak
boyfr
iendthatbai
ledonyouwasher
e…he
knowst hi
splace,
”

Ihear
dmyphoner
ingi
ngf
rom t
hebedr
oom.
“Excuseme,
Ineedt
ogett
hat
,”hehel
pedme
down.

“Comebackforthepl
ast
er,
”Ihear
dhi
m sayasI
disappear
edi
ntother
oom.

“
HELLO”

“
AUNTYRAIN,I
TSME…”it’
sMt ho,
youhav
eno
i
deahowr
eli
evedIf
eel
rightnow.

“
HEYBOY,
AREYOUOKAY?
”Iasked.

“YEAH,
ILI
KEITHEREVERYMUCH.GRANDPA
ANDDARLINGGOTMEANEW PHONE,”
“OKAYBUTDON’
TLOGINTOANYOFYOUR
ACCOUNTSASYETPLEASE…”

“IKNOW,IKNOW…ANDGRANDPAI STAKING
MEFORAMEETI NGWI THMYPOTENTI AL
PRINCI
PALTOMORROW, ”Luckywal
kedin.I
gavehi
m adir
tylooktowhichhepull
edboth
handsupandshookhishead.Hethenputhis
i
ndexfi
ngeroverhisl
i
ps.

“
THAT’
SGREAT!MTHO…”

“
ATHANDWA,
”hecor
rect
edme.

“ATHANDWA,INEEDYOUONYOUBEST
BEHAVIOURANDBENICETOGRANDPAAND
DARLING,
”
“
YESMA’
AM,
”

“DON’
TWANDEROFFANDDON’TCALL
ANYONEFROM YOUROLDLI
FEBUTME;HAVE
IMADEMYSELFCLEAR?”

“
Speaker”Luckymi
medandIgr
ant
edhi
m hi
s
r
equest.

“CRYSTAL.AREYOUBACKI
NDURBAN?
”he
asked.

“NO,
I’
M STI
LLHERE.IWANTEDADAYOFFSO
IWENTSHOPPINGANDHADANI CELUNCH
ANDTHENBOOKEDMYSELFI NTOAFANCY
HOTEL,
”
“THAT’
SGOODFORYOU, YOUDESEREVE
EVERYTHI
NGGOOD.ANDIWANTEDTOASKIF
YOU’VEHEARDANYTHI
NGONBABA? ”

LuckyandIlookedateachot
her.“
YES
ACTUALLY, IFOUNDHIM.WOULDYOULI KETO
TALKTOHI M? ”att
heendoftheday ,
Luckyi
s
Mtho’sf
atherandIcan’
tkeepthem apar
t.

“ITHI
NKDARLI
NGISCALLINGME,IWILLCALL
YOULATER,
”hedi
sconnect
edt
hecal
l.

“Hereal
l
ydi
dchangehi
sident
it
y”hesai
dandI
nodded.

“CanIhavetheplast
erplease,
”Idevi
atedfr
om
thetopi
c.HewalkedoutandIf ol
lowed.He
helpedmetosti
ckplasterovermynast ywound.
“Al
lgood,
”hecomforted.“IknowIdon’tdeser
ve
anythi
ngf
rom y
ourightnowbut ,please…pl
ease
tel
lmewhathappened?Whydi dhehav eto
changehi
sname?Ismyf amilyokay?”

“No,yourfamilyi
snotokay
.Theyar
ecur
rent
ly
underinvest
igati
on,
”

“
Whatf
or?
”

“
Theyar
esupposedl
ysel
l
ingdr
ugsanddr
agged
y
oursonint
oit
”

“
Draggedhi
m how?
”

“
Wel
l
,hewassel
l
ingdr
ugsi
ntown.Hehar
dly
sl
ept,hi
sschoolworkwassuff
eri
ngandsowas
he.Andtheymightbeworki
ngwit
hNdumiso,
”

“Myf
athermademysonsel l
drugs,
”ther
isi
ng
andf
all
ingofhi
schestbecameabundant
ly
cl
ear
.

“It
ookhim andran.Heact
uall
ygaveoutorder
s
formeandy oursontobeshot.Hi
smenchased
usaroundtownbut …wemanagedtol
osethem.
Andnowhei sinSandtonwit
hanewi dent
it
y;
AthandwaSibi
ya,”

“At
handwa;asi
nthebaby
’sname,
”hi
sface
sof
tenedup.

“
Don’
ttal
kaboutmybaby
”Ior
der
edl
owl
y.
“
Hewasmybabyt
oo,
”

“
Youl
eft
,”Ir
emi
nded.

“
Thatdoesn’
tchangeany
thi
ng,
hewasmychi
l
d
t
oo,
”Iwanttokil
lhim

“Where’
sthebathr
oom? ”Iwi
llnottalktoLucky
aboutmybaby,Iwil
lnottal
ktohi m about
somethi
nghedoesnotunder stand.Iwil
lnot
arguewit
hhim atal
l…

“Lastdoorony
ourri
ght,
”heanswered.“
Her
e,”
hehandedmeabr and-
newtoothbr
ush.

If
oundt
hebat
hroom andbrushedmyt
eeth.
Howdar
ehecl
aim hi
m, howdarehemakeitas
i
fI’
m wrongfordemandi
ngt
hathedoesn’
ttal
k
abouthi
m.enti
tl
edsonofab**
*h.

“AndIsai
dIwasgoingtothi
nkaboutt
hat
name,”heshowedupatthedoor
.

“Lucky
,Iam notgoingt
oar
guewit
hyouovera
chil
dthaty
oul ef
t,
”Imumbl
edwit
htoot
hpaste
i
nmymout h.

“Hedied!
”Il
ostcont
rolandthrewmytoot
h
brushathi
m.Ispatoutwhatremai
nedinmy
mouth.

“ButIwasthere,Idi
dn’
tleave.”myv oi
cebroke.
“If
eltever
ythi
ng.Imaginethepainoflosi
nga
baby,havi
nganact ual
humanbei ngdi ei
nside
ofyouandt henwakeupt ofindthattheman
y
oulov
esomuch,themanthatputt
hebabyi
n
t
her
eisgone.Her
anaway…”

“
Ineededsomet
ime…”

“WellIneededy ou,
”nothi
ngbuttherunning
waterinfrontofmewashear d.“Ineededyou
andyouwer en’
tthere,
sohisnamei sAthandwa
andhei smybaby .
”Ibentdowntorinsemy
mouth

“Miss,Idi
dn’tknowhowt odeal
wit
hit.Iwas
tooweakt otakecareofyouandmyself,
the
blood…every
thing.I
tjustt
ookmebackto
Sammy ,
”

“Weweregoi
ngt otakecareofeachot
her
!”I
shout
edamidstsobbing.Herubbedhi
s
forehead.“ Youprot
ectmewi t
hy ourgunandI
protecty ouwi t
hmygunbecauset hati
show
wedot hings.Youcouldhavetakenmewi thy
ou
oratl easttellmewhereyouwer e.Isentyoua
voicemessageev erysi
ngl
eday ,Ibledfortwo
whol eweeksandIwasi nphysical,emoti
onal
andment alpai
nLucky”

“Youwer er
ight,I’
m weak.I
’m acowar dandI
fai
ledyou.Idon’tdeser
vey ou.Evenaf t
erIlef
t
youwi t
hnoexpl anat
ionwhat soever,
youst ay
ed
aroundforMt hoandprotectedhim.Iwi ll
forev
erbegr atef
ultoyoufort hat
,”Iwalked
ri
ghtpassedhi m andwentt otheroom.

”
Ineedt
oleav
e,wher
e’smycar
?”Iasked.

“
Out
side.Butwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“Sadl
y,f
ormel i
fedi
dn’
tst
op.I’m goi
ngbackto
work.Ther
e’sanongoi
nginvesti
gati
onandI’
ve
alr
eadycompromisedi
tbytell
ingyouabouti
t,
”

“
TakemetoMthothenI
’
llcomewi
thy
ou,
”he
f
oll
owedmeoutsi
detomycar.

“Mthodoesn’
twantt oseey our i
ghtnowGuy
andIdon’
treal
lywantt obear oundy ouso…”I
openthebootandfixedanout f i
tfr
om the
cl
othesIhadboughty est
erday .Thatwasreal
l
y
myanxiet
yshopping.

“
Ijustwantt
oseehi
m pl
ease,
”

“
Doyouhaveadr
yerhere?
”mar
chi
ngbackt
o
t
hehousewi
thmyoutfi
t
“
Yeah,
shehas,
”

“
Whoi
sshe?
”

“Gladys,
thel
adyt
hatownsthi
shouse,
she
thoughtIwasgoi
ngtohaveagir
lov
erbutIwas
alonetheent
ir
eti
me,Iswear
.”

“Idon’
treal
l
ycar
e,we’
renott
ogetherany
mor
e.
CouldIhaveani
ronpl
easewit
hthat.
”

“Thehellwe’r
enot,”heopposed.“Il
eftyesthat
waswr ongandIam sor r
y.Ishoul
dhav ebeen
thereforyoubutIam notlet
ti
ngyougo, ”I
heardhim complai
ningwhereverhewas
fetchi
ngtheironanddryer.“
Miss,I’
ddiebefore
Iletyoudate…”
“
Letme…”Ii
nter
rupt
edhi
m.

“WhatImeanis,i
t’
sei
theryou’
rewit
hmeor
you’r
esingl
e,
”Iwentt
othebathroom,he
fol
lowedme.Ipul
leddownmyunder wearand
begantowashiti
nthesink.“
Whatareyou
doing?”

“
Idon’
thav
eanot
herone,
”Iconf
essed.

“
Youcanbor
rowmyboxer
s,”heof
fer
ed.

“ThankyoubutI’
m allsor
ted.Iwill
dr yi
tupwi t
h
adryer.I
t’
slacesoitshouldn’
ttakelong,”Iwent
backtotheroom,pluggedinthedr yeranddri
ed
mypent i
es.
“I
fIhadn’
tfoundyou,howlongwerey
ougoing
stayher
e?”Itr
iedspeaki
ngovert
hedryer

“Iwasgoi
ngt
oshowupsoon,
Iswear
.ButMt
ho
needsmenow…”

“
Youcanseehim butIcan’
tlety
oui
nter
fer
e
wi
tht
heinvest
igat
ion,
”

“
Yesma’
am,
”

Iam madatLuckyandIdon’tthinkhowIfeeli
s
goi
ngtochangeanyti
mesoonandImeani t
,
we’r
enott
ogetheranymore.I
t’sover.Af
terhe
andMthokissandmakeup, theonlythi
ngthat
wil
lmakeourpathsevercr
ossi swork.I
t’
s
aboutt
imeIchosemy sel
f.
Wewer edri
vi
ngoutwhenMagwazaj umpedout
ofawhiteHundai
thatjustst
oppedacr
ossthe
str
eet
.LuckyandIbothjumpedoutofthecart
o
tal
ktohim.
“
Magwaza”Isang.

“
Thesexybar
tender
,”Luckyadded.

“
Howar
eyouguy
s?”hecr
ossedov
er

“
She’
sal
i
veandshet
houghtIki
dnappedher
,”

“Li
sten,
whatev
erIsaidlastni
ght
,justf
orget
aboutit
.Iwasdrunk…”Itr
iedt
osalvagewhat’
s
l
eftofmydigni
ty.
“Ev
enthepartaboutwant
ingtobangme? ”he
andLuckyl
aughedatmydr unkenst
oryandthat
mademewantt ocrawlunderarockandnever
comeout.

“It
hinkI
’minlov
ewi
thyouMagwaza,hugme,
”
Luckyassumedahi
gh-
pit
chedt
one.

“
Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
,”Ipr
otest
ed.

“
Youdi
d”Magwazaval
idat
edhisi
nput
.“Why
t
hehel
ldoy
outhinkI
’
m here?
”
It
hrewahandov
ermyey
esoutofshame.

“
List
en,t
hiswasherwhenIwasfixi
ngupher
wound;
‘I
’m nev
erdr
inki
ngagai
n,
’”Luckyadded.
“Butl
ook,I’
m gl
adyouaref
ine.Youl
ookr
eal
l
y
beaut
iful
,
”saidMagwaza.

“Thankyou,
”fi
nal
l
ysomet hi
ngt
omakemef
eel
anythi
ngbutembarr
assed.

Luckyloudl
yclearedhi
sthr
oat,
“Thanky
oufor
bri
ngingmygirlf
ri
endhere,
”heemphasi
zedon
theword‘my’.

“Sur
e,IhopeI’
l
lseeyouagain.Ir
eal
l
ywantt
o
hearmoreofyourst
ori
es.AndIam not
Magwaza, t
hat
’smyfather
.I’
m Andi
le
Magwaza,”

“
Sur
ethi
ngMagwaza”
Wesai dourgoodbyesandthenheadedt o
SandtontoseeMt ho.Ideci
dedtonottel
lhim
we’r
ecomi ngtoavoidhimfrom maybelashi
ng
outwhenI’m nott
here.

“OhthankyouMagwaza,sosexy,
”Luckysays
outofnowheremakingfr
uit
ygestur
eswithhi
s
handwhiletheot
herhel
dont ot
hesteer
ing
wheel.

“
Whatnow?
”

“
Wer eyoudel
i
ber
atel
ytr
yingt
ofl
i
rtwi
thhi
min
f
rontofme?”

Irol
ledmyey esandlookedoutthewindow.I
couldn’
thel
pbutblushal i
tt
le,
it’
scutet
hathe
getsjeal
ousli
kethat
.Ithoughtgett
ingj
ealous
wasj
ustmyt
hing.

“
Yes,
I’
m si
ngl
e,
”Ir
esponded.

“Youarenot.Youdon’
thavetoforgi
vemenow
butther
eisnowayi nhel
lI’
mlett
ingyougo.I
wil
lkil
lever
yf***
**gguyyoutal
ktoo,”

“
f**
kyouLucky
,”

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT56

MURDER
Noun
1.Theactofdel
i
ber
ateki
l
li
ngofanot
herbei
ng

Icannotseebey ondt oday.AllIhaveistoday

andt hat’
sit,t
omor rowi snotpr omised.AfterI
al
lowedwal l
stof al
l,andopenedupmor et ot he
possibili
tyofpurehappi nessandl ove,Istarted
dreami ngincolourandmaki ngplansf ort
he
nextday ,week,mont handy earli
ketheyal lhad
beenpr omisedt ome.Iwasdel i
beratel
yan
optimist,If
oughtv eryhardwi thmy selft
ost ay
positi
veandt hink‘happyt hought’
.

Iall
owedLuckyt obet hemani nmylife,t
he
manf rom whom Isoughtpr otect
ion,dir
ecti
on
andloveandal sogiv
ingt hesamet ohi m.Lucky
wast hefi
rstpersontomakemewantt obe
humanandf eel
.Tobef rank;Ithi
nkthatwas
thebiggestmistakeofmyl if
e.Iletmyguar d
downandhemadeaf ooloutofme.Hemade
measubj ectofmocker yandIhav emysel fto
blame.Iswor etomy selfthatIwoul dnev er
all
owamani nmyhear t,Ipromi sednevert obe
weakorev encoweratt hepr esenceofamal e.I
saidIwouldnev erall
owanot hermansomuch
spaceintoli
fethattheycanhur tme.ButIwent
againstmyownwor dandnowIam haunt edby
myownmi stakes.Wi t
hmeandLucky ,itwas
supposedtobe‘ justsex’butsomehowt hat
escalat
edto‘Ilovey ou.
’ I
’m weakandIhav eno
fi
breofobedienceorl oyaltyinmyDNA, ev en
towardsmyownsel f.

Everydaysi ncet hemi scarri

age,Ithi
nkabout
ghost i
ngfor ever.It
hinkaboutpacki ngupand
j
ustt akeupr oadsuntraveled.May beifIst
art
oversomewher e,getanewi dent
ityandlead
anotherlif
e, may beI’
df i
nallygetthefreshstart
Idream of .Idodeser veacl eanslateandsadl y
forme; therear enodo- oversinthisthi
ngcalled
l
ife.Whi le–baskingint heideaofanewl if
eis
bothr elaxi
ngandcat harti
c–Icannot
overindulgeini
t.Ihav ewayt oomanypeopl e
ti
edt omenow.Ican’ tleaveMt ho,Ij
ustfound
myt wi nsist
erandmybi opar ent
sand,
Groot boom wouldhav et oputmebehi ndbars
sof ornowIhav et osucki tupandbeabi ggirl
abouti tall
.

“Heknowsy ouareher
e;I
’
m surehesawyouin
thecameraroom,”sai
dmom.“Sincehef
ound
outabouti
t,hespendsmostofhist
imei
nther
e
withRober
t,
”

“
Who’
sRober
t?”askedLucky
.

“He’
swithsecuri
ty.Hewat
chesthecamer
as
fr
om theat
tic,
”sheanswer
ed.“Letmegoand
seei
fIcangethim”
“
Lucky,i
fheisn’
tnicedon’tr
etal
iat
e.Youar
eat
wronghere,
”Iwarned.Hegavemeanast yl
ook
t
henlookedatthefloor
.“Real
ly?
”

“
Youdon’
thav
etor
ubi
tin,
”hesai
d.

“
Rubwhati
n?”
“Thefactthatmysonpr
efer
sast
rangerov
er
hisownf ather
,”

“Astr
anger
?”I’
m off
endedbyhi
swor
ds,
aft
er
ever
ythi
ngIhavedone.“
I…”

“Whathappenedt
oy ou?
”Mthoaskedcl
i
mbi
ng
downthestair
swit
hhaste.
“
Boy
,I’
m sor
ryIl
eft
.Ihad…”

“I’
m nottalki
ngtoy ou,
”angertransformedhi s
face.Hepassedr ightbyhisfat
herandcameup
tome.“ Didhedot histoyou?”hemustbe
referr
ingtotheplasteracr
ossmyf orehead.He
turnedbackt oLucky,“Di
dy oudot hather?”he
slappedLucky ’
schest.

“
Mthobi
si,
stopi
t!hedi
dn’
tdot
his,
”Ishout
ed.

“
Don’
tli
eforhi
m,”hepushedhi
sfat
herand
t
hat
’swhenIhadtostepi
n.

“Hedi
dn’
tdoit,Ipr
omi se,
”Ishov
edmy
self
bet
weenthem.ThankGodLuckywasableto
composehimself
.“Lookatme,”
“
Iknowhedi
dthi
s,
”hesay
shuf
fi
ng.

“Youknowhedidn’
tdothis.Youknowhewoul
d
neverdothi
s.Youar
ejustangryabout
somethi
ngelse,
”

“
Son,canwet
alkpl
ease.
”Luckybeggedbehi
nd
Mtho.

“Ihavenothi
ngtosaytoyou.Ihadanepiphany
l
astnightandIthi
nkitwasverycomforti
ng;y
ou
stoppedbeingafat
herthedaySam died,t
ohell
withMtho,”

“
Youknowt
hat
’snott
ruenow…”di
sput
edLucky
.

“
Tohel
lwi
thy
ouLucky
,”her
anupt
hest
air
s.I
gotaholdofLucky
’sar
m whowasseton
runni
ngaft
erhim.

“
Youneedt
ogi
vehi
mti
me,
”Isai
d.

“
Iwil
lki
llt
hem all
Rai
nbow,Iwi
l
lki
l
lDl
ami
niand
t
henthatweakl
ingMenzi
,
”

“
Theyarenott
her
easonwhyyourrel
ati
onshi
p
wi
thyoursoni
sst
rai
ned,
youare!
”

“Whosesi
dear
ey ouon?”hi
sheadcockedt
o
thesi
deashesquint
edhiseyessear
chi
ngf
or
answersi
nmyface.

“
I’
m onMt
ho’
ssi
de,
”
“Iwas16whenIhadMt ho…Iwasaboy,
”hesat
i
nt hecouch.“Dlami
nit
rai
nedmeintoaman
andallIeverwantedwastodothesamefor
him;makehi m aman.Astrongman.
”

“Andit
’snottoolat
eforthat
.Heisst
il
lal
i
ttl
e
boywhohasl ostmorethanheshoul
dhave,
j
ustlovehim andbether
e,”

Luckycaughtataxibacktohisplace.Ispent
theni
ghtwi t
hMthoandmypar ents.Idi
dn’t
wanttoleavehi
m afterthatandsurpri
singl
y;he
wasn’tmadatme.It houghthe’dbefumi ng
aft
erbri
ngingLuckyhereunannounced.

Butwhenthesuncameup; Idrovebackt
o
Durbanandwasmetwi thdist
urbi
ngnews.The
Dlamini
saredead,al
lbutZanel
ewhowas
nowheretobefound.MondeandNkonzoar e
therer
ightnowgat heri
ngal l
everyt
hingt
heycan
tobuil
dacasewhi l
eSi bekoandIareint
he
offi
cegoingov ereverythi
ngtheyhadgather
ed
sincet
hisinvesti
gationstart
ed.

“MONDE,HOW BADI
SIT?
”Iaskedov
ert
he
phone.

“
IT’
SBADRAIN.THEYWEREALLSHOTONCE
I
NTHEHEAD.NOSI GNSOFFORCEDENTRY,
NOSIGNSOFFIGHTI
NG,”

“
PREMEDI
TATED”

“THAT’
SWHATWEHAVETOGOWI THNOW
UNTILWECANSAYOTHERWI
SE,
”
“
OKAY.WE’
LLSPEAKSOON.
”

Howwi l
lIbreaksuchnewst oLucky ,Mt hobisi
andZanel ewhensheshowsup?Unl essIwon’ t
hav etobreakt henewst oher ;whatifZanel e
ki
lledherownf ami l
yandt henmadear unf orit
?
Whenwespoke, sheseemedt ohav ebeen
againstwhat evernewv entureherf atherand
brotherhadt aken.ItcouldalsobeNdumi so, i
f
i
ndeedt heywer ewor ki
ngt ogether
.

Myphoner
ang;
it’
sanunknownnumber
.

“
HELLO”Ipi
ckedup.

“THISISLUCKY, INEEDTOSEEYOU, ”hi

svoi
ce
i
st rembli
ng.It
ookaf ewstepsawayfr
om
Sibekotowardsthedoor,
theydon’
tknowI
knowwher
eLuckyi
s.

“
WHERETHEHELLAREYOU?HAVEYOU
HEARD?
”

“
YES,
HAVEYOUTOLDMTHO?
”

“NO,
ITHOUGHTIHADTOTELLYOUFI
RST.
COMEBACK…”

“I
’M BACK.COMETOMYSMALLFLAT,
”he
endedthecal
l.

“Si
beko,Ihavetorun.Iwil
lbebackinanhour
ortwo,
”Itookmykey sandr ushedout.Lucky
mustbedev ast
ated.Hisenti
refamilyhasjust
beentakenout,l
it
eral
lythati
sallthefamil
yhe
has.Theonlyot
herf amil
yhehasisMt hoand
Mhlongoandheki l
ledhischi
ldsoIdon’tsee
thatwor
kingout.Idroveli
keIwasmad; I
neededtoseeLuckyASAP.Hemi ghtdosome
stupi
dli
kehurthimself.

Ipar
kedmycarout
sidehi
sfl
atandcal
ledhim.I
waspaci
ngupanddownwaiti
ngforhi
mt o
comeandgetme.

“
Hey
,”hesai
d.Ir
anupt
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m.

“
Lucky,
I’m sosorry
,”hedi
dn’thol
dme, hej
ust
wai
tedformet oletgoofhim.Het henwal
ked
i
nthedirect
ionofhisfl
atandIfol
lowed.

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
ocked.
“
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng,
”hesay
sleani
ngagai
nst
t
hedoor
.

“
Whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?”Iasked.

“Theykil
l
edher,
theyki
l
ledZanel
eandbur
ied
herintheof
fi
ce,
”

“
What?”acol
dr ushr
anthr
oughmybody
l
eav
inggoosebumpsateveryi
nch.

“Theytol
dme.She’sdead,
”heassur
edme.Why
i
sLuckyher eandnoti
nJoburg?Il
efthi
min
Johannesburg.

“
Lucky
,whyar
eyouher
e?”Iasked.“
Whendi
d
y
ougether
e?”
“Lastni
ght
.Iwentbackt
otheguesthouse,
packedandlef
t,
”

“Wheredidyougo?”Iwal
keduptohi
m.His
eyeskeptdart
ingbet
weenmeandthefl
oor.
“Lucky
,Iaskedyouaquesti
on,
wheredi
dyou
go?”

“
Iwenthome,
”hespoket
hroughhi
steet
h.

“
Lucky,
”Lucky
’sey
eshadal
ltheanswer
sIwas
l
ooki
ngfor.

“Ihadtodoit,t
heyknewwhereMthowasandI
couldn’
tlett
hem ki
l
lhim Rai
nbow,
”
“
Yourfami
l
y,”Isai
dundermybr
eat
h,“
All
of
t
hem,”

“Theywerenotmyf amil
y,
”hepull
edmetohis
chestandcuppedmyf aceinhi
shands.“
You
aremyf ami
ly.YouandMt hoar
emyf ami
ly.
”

“Don’t
…”Ipull
edaway.“Don’tsaythat.You
kil
l
edy ourwholef
amil
yincol dblood,Lucky.
Whatar ewegoingtodo?”Icouldn’tevenbri
ng
my sel
ftocry
,I’
mjustscaredforhim andfor
Mtho.Luckymightbegoingt opri
son.

“
Ineedyout
opromisemet
hatyougotme,no
matt
erwhat
?”het
ookmyhandsandhel
dthem
i
nhis.

“
Youwantmet
ohel
pcov
erupamur
der
?”I
quest
ioned.

“
Theydeser
vedtodi
e,t
heywereusi
ngmyson,
y
ourson…oursont
oselldr
ugs,
”hej
ust
if
ied.

“Weworkfort hepol i
ce,”Iremindedhi m, “
And
youandIarecr i
mi nal
sal ready.Yout hinkthe
i
mmuni t
ycardwi l
lprotectusf rom this?Thisi
s
pri
sonstr
aight;theywon’ tcareaboutt he
i
nformat
iony ouhav eandy ourskil
ls.Nomor e
i
mmuni t
y!”

“Li
stent
ome! ”heshout ed.“
Iwil
lgobacktoj
ozi
andshowupaf terafewday stofi
ndoutabout
myf ami
ly.Wenev erspokeandyouneversaw
me”

“
Mtho?
”
“Don’twor
ryabouthim,Iwi
l
lcal
lhi
m andtalkt
o
him,”hesays.“
WhenIshowupy ouneedtobe
madatme, hitmeifyoumusttoconvi
ncethem
thatwehadn’tseeneachot
her,
”

“Ok,
”well
somuchf orchoosi
ngmy self
.Let
’s
facei
t–ifIdon’tchooseLucky,I
’m al
sonot
choosi
ngMt hoandnowmor ethaneverMtho
needsmet ochoosehim.

“
Ok?”Inodded.Befor
eIknewit,
Luckyki
ssed
meandIkissedhim.Maybeit
’stheadr
enal
in.
“
Okay,go.Il
oveyouandbecareful
,”

“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
”Ir
esponded.

“
Remember
,tosendt
hev
oicemessagesl
i
ke
youdid,”hewal kedmeout .Hehel
dmyhand
marchingtot hegate,heopenedandwatched
megeti ntothecar ,
“Il
ovey ouRai
nbow,
”I
hoot
edr ightbeforeIdrov
eof f.

I’
m sacr
ed,I’
m soscar ed.WhathasLuckydone?
Iworkwithrealcops,whati ft
heyseeri
ght
thr
oughmyl ies?Whati ftheywerefol
l
owingme?
Oh,I’
mtoast!Luckykill
edhi sf**
***
*gfamil
y.
Everysi
ngleoneoft hem.

“OkayRai
nbow, thisisnotthetimet obea
pussy!
”Ispoket omy sel
f.I’
vecomet ol
earn
thatt
hesepept alksreal
lyhelp.“
Youwi l
lnotlet
Luckydown,”Iaffir
med.“ Sammy ,Ineedyou
baby.Hel
pme…”

Iar
ri
vedattheof
fi
ceheartpoundi
ng,pal
ms
sweat
ingandheadachi
ng;butIhopethe
façadeIhadassumedwi ll
notgivet
hem awhiff
ofwhatisreall
ygoingoninsi
demyhead.I
foundSibekoandthecolonel
sweati
ngov era
tabl
efullofpaper
sandboxesf r
om evi
dence.

“Wher
ehaveyoubeen?Getinher
eandwor k?”
commandedthecolonel
.It
ookoffmyjacket
,
thr
ewitont
hechairandassumedthe
sembl
anceofanoccupiedmemberoftheforce.

“
Whatangl
ear
ewepur
sui
ng?
”Iasked.

“Atthi
spoint,wear
esti
llt
ryi
ngtol
ocate
Ndumi so,
itcoul
dhavebeenhim,
”answered
Sibeko.

“
Butt
hisdidn’
thappenonourgrounds,
howar
e
wei
nvest
igati
ngit
?”Iasked.Thecasei
s
outsi
deofourj
uri
sdi
cti
onsoweshoul
dn’
tbe
taki
nglead.

“I
t’
soneofmypeopl e,Dlaminiwor kedf orme,
andwestartedinvesti
gatingthem bef orethey
wereki
ll
ed.”respondedSi beko,“Jeleand
Nkonzoarecomi ngbackwi t
hmor eevidence,
”
maybeIshouldt hr
owt hem off.Ineedt hem to
l
ookfaraway .

“
WhataboutMhl
ongo?
”MrGl
ookedatme.

“
Whatabouthi
m?”hequest
ioned.

“Wel
l,
whatifheresur
faced.Hedoeshav
ea
bonetopi
ckwiththem…”
“Wehav en’
treceivedany
thi
ngonhim si
ncehe
disappear
edt hatday,
”Si
bekosai
d.

“I
’mjustsay
ing,
weshouldkeepoureyesopen.
AndrememberMenzi wassendi
ngoutorder
s
foraLenny,
keepthatav
enueopenaswell…”

“
Sibeko,t
akeMhlongo”i
nst
ructedt
hecolonel
,
“
Rain,st
ayonNdumi so,
youknowhim bett
er
t
hanus.Iwil
lpayLennyavisi
t,
”

“
Yessi
r,
”Si
bekoandsi
mul
taneousl
yresponded.

THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡
I
NSERT57

YEAR
Noun

1.Thetimei
ttakest
heear
tht
ocompl
eteone
rev
olut
ionoft
hesun.

2.Aperi
odbetweensetdat
est
hatmar
kay
ear
,
fr
om Januar
y1toDecember31.

Ipushedmy selftowaitatl east3day sunt il

I
canpani cagai n.Thesecr etIwalkedar ound
withbur denedmeandt or ethroughthev ery
fabri
cofmybei ng.Ihadt owakeupev ery
mor ningandgot owork; somet hingInev erdid.
Inev erusedt oact ual
lyinv esti
gateintheof fi
ce
Iwasn’ tanact ual of
fi
ceroft helaw.Idid
under coverwor kbutGr oot boom decidedt hat
heneededal lhandsondeckf orthi
scase.He
sayst hisjustmi ghtbethebi ggestcasehehas
everwor kedon–t hebiggestbei ngfinall
y
cat
chi
ngDl
ami
nibackwhenhewasacr
imi
nal
.

EverydayIgetsi cktot hest omachl ookingat

picturesofdeadPaul Dlami ni
,hiswi feEunice
andsonBongumenzi .Iguar dmyt onguesoas
tonotsayany thi
ngi ncriminatingorsuspi ci
ous.
Idon’tknowwhatpapert ot ouch, whot ocal l
,
whatev i
denceboxt oopenorev enwhatt o
think.Luckyhasdisappear edbef ore,whati fhe
decidedt ovani
shf orgoodt histi
meandl eave
mewi ththi
sburdent ocar ry–hemast eredt hat
artwhenIhadami scarriage.

“Holdon,”Mondeannounceddr
awing
everyone’
satt
enti
ontoher.“
Ther
eisone
avenuewehav en’
texpl
ored,
”

“
Please,
anyt
hing…Iam t
ir
edofthedeadends.
Ndumisoisadeadend,Mhlongoi
sasgoodas
deadandthisZanel
eladyisast
houghshe
neverexi
sted.
”SaysNkonzo.

“
Lucky
,”Mondesaidsendingcol
dchi l
l
sdown
myspi
ne.Obviousl
yatthi
spointIam expect
ed
t
ospeak,maybegetali
ttl
edefensiv
e.

“
Whatabouthi
m?”Iaskedaccusi
ngl
y.

“Rai
nbow,pleasedon’tgetmad,”begged
Monde,“Butwehav etoexploreever
ypossibl
e
avenueandLuckyisasgoodasuspectas
Ndumisois–per hapsanev enstr
ongerone,”

“Ihavebeenthi
nki
ngthi
ssi
ncedayone,Ij
ust
didn’
twanttosayany
thi
ng,
”Nkonzobackedher
.
“
Yout
hinkhedi
dit
?”Iaskedt
heobv
ious.

“
Hecoul
dhav
e…”sai
dNkonzo.

“
Howwhenhedoesn’tevenknowabouthi
s
f
ather
’sdeal
i
ngsofl
ate?
”Iquest
ioned.

“
Wedon’
tknowt
hatsi
s,
”

“You’r
er i
ght!
”Iconcurr
ed,“
Ashardast hi
swill
bebutweshoul dstartexpl
ori
ngthatavenue”I
stood.“Excuseme,”Iwenttothel
avatorywit
ha
sadandangr yface.

Istay
edtheref
oratleast5minutesandwett
ed
myey est
omakei tappearasthoughIhadbeen
cry
ingandthenrej
oinedthem.
“
Youokaysi
ster
?”

Iforcedasmi l
e,“Iwil
lbefi
ne.Let
’sj
ustwor
k.I
will
conti
nuel ookingi
ntoNdumiso,y
ouguys
takeLucky.Ican’tdothat
…”

“
Youcan’
tdowhat
?”t
hecol
onel
asked
mar
chi
nginwi
thSi
beko.

“Mondesuggestedthatweexploreanavenue
thatwehadn’texpl
oredandthatisLucky
.Iwil
l
notbeabletolookintohi
m sir
.Ithi
nkIshoul
d
carryonwit
hNdumi so…”Iresponded.

“Ever
ybodyli
stenup,”MrGcommanded
every
body’
sattenti
onwalki
ngtothef
rontofthe
room.“Iwantyoutodropever
ythi
ngyouare
doi
ngandlookint
oLucky
”mygut
stwi
stedand
mylegsst
if
fened.

“
Sir
!”

“Thati
sincludingyouRainbow,”heinter
ject
ed
“i
t’
stimetor eall
yearnthati
mmuni ty,
”Il
ooked
atMondesear chingforanyt
hing,r
efuge,
comfort
,justany t
hingtomaket hi
sallgoaway.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”shemout
hed.

“Ij
ustrecei
vedwordthatMhlongowas
murderedandNdumi soGumede,”announced
Grootboom sendi
ngshockwavesacrossthe
room.“Thei
rbodiesareatthemorgue.Both
shotonceintheheadliket
heDlaminis,
”
“
Ndumi
soi
sdead?
”Imut
ter
edundermybr
eat
h.

“
AndMhl
ongo…”headded.

“
AndLucky
?”askedNkonzo.

“Heisaprimesuspect.Di
gunti
lyouknowhis
ancest
orsbyname.Hehasmot i
veandwehav e
aneyewitnessthatspot
tedhi
m aroundwher
e
Ndumisodied.”

“Ineedsomeai r ,
”Ist aggeredandf oundmy
wayout si
detot hecarpar k.Mywhol eworl
d
camecr umblingdowni njustamat terof
seconds.Thegr oundbeneat hmesuddenl y
wasn’tasfir
m asi tusuallyis.Icanhearmy
ownhear t
beat ,
t hetipsofmyf inger
sar e
ti
ngli
ngandbur ningandmyt ongueisdry.I
drewinsomeairandexhal
edbutmyheadf el
t
heavyonmyownshoul der
s.Myeyesnol onger
gavemesteadyandrel
iabl
evisual
.If
eltahand
onmyshoulder
.

“Youhav et obreathe,justl
ookatme,”Igasped
forair,heldontoherhandandkeptsqueezi ng
myey esshutandopent otr
yandregai
nmy
clearv i
sion.“
It
’sjustapani catt
ack,
youhaveto
breatheRai n,
”mysi sterkeptencour
agingmeto
breatheandal lIam secr et
lyhopi
ngforist
hatI
eventuallyfal
landdi e.

“
Lucky
…”Isai
dami
dstf
ight
ingdeat
h.

“
Don’
tspeak,
”shei
nst
ruct
ed,
“Justbr
eat
he,
”

“
Layherdownonherback,
”bef
oreIknewi
t;I
waslayi
ngont hegroundwit
hNkonzokneeli
ng
overme.“She’
shav i
ngapanicatt
ack,
”he
announced.“
Rain,
”hecall
ed.Thenheblew
soft
lyontomyf ace.“Dot
hesame, dot
hesame
tome,”

“Ll
ll
uu--
-”Iat
tempt
edt
ospeakbutmyhear
thad
otherpl
ans.

“Justblowinmyf aceRainbow,
”hei nstruct
ed
rubbi
ngt hetopofmyhead.Iletat remulous
exhaleblowingri
ghtint
ohisface.“That’sgood,
”
hecommended.“ Wearejustgoingt okeep
doingthat.Ibl
ow,youblow…”

Afterabout5roundsofblowingoneachot her’
s
faces,Iwascalm.Thingsstar
tedmaki ngsense.
Icouldnolongerhearmyhear tbeatandIcould
seeclearl
y.Mondewasst andingoveruswi t
h
herpal
mst ogetherandherfor
eheadf
urr
owed.I
seeIscar
edt heshitoutofher
.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
”Isai
d.

“Rai
nbow,wearejusti
nvesti
gat
ing.Itdoesn’
t
meanhedidit
…youshouldknowt hisbynow,”
shesaidal
mostrepri
manding.NkonzoandIgot
up
.
“
Grootboom say
she’sourpr
imesuspect
,”I
r
eminded.“Andther
eisawit
ness,
”

“Ndumisowasalsoapr
imarysuspectf
orafew
days…i
tcoul
dchangeanyt
ime.Newev i
dence
wil
lcomeup.”Nkozost
eppedin.
“Ican’
tloseLuckyMonde.IfIl
osehim,f
or
good…Imi ghtj
ustl
osemy sel
f.Iwi
l
llose
my sel
f,
”Isobbed.

“Comeher e,
”shedrewmei ntoherar
ms, “
I’
m
here.Whateverhappens,
promisemethatyou
willbeonthesideofthelaw,
”Ipromi
sedLucky
thatIwoul
dhav ehi
sbackandIhadtoo;Lucky
i
smyev er
y t
hing.

“Ipr
omise,
”Il
i
edtomysist
erwi
thoutfl
inchi
ng.
TherewasnowayIwasgoi
ngtoleaveLucky
outtodry
.

“Detecti
ve,”cal
ledamani napol iceuni
form
sti
ckinghisheadoutt hedoor.“Thecolonel
wouldl i
ket oi
nterr
ogateyoursister,
”Monde
andIl ookedateachot her
.Itwasast houghshe
knewwhatwasgoi ngon.Whati fshecould
hearev
ery
thingIwast
hinki
ngsi
ncewe’
ret
wins?
JesusI
’mlosingmymind.

“Justbehonestwi
thhi
m.Weal ll
oveLuckybut
i
fher eal
lydi
ddothi
s;heneedstopayri
ght?
”
shewai t
edformetoagr
eewi t
hher.

“Right,
”Icoincided.Ev eryt
hingi sgoingt obe
fi
ne.Ineedt ostaycalm andt hi
nkcar efull
y
beforeIansweranyquest ionbutnott ool ong
thatit’
sobv i
ousI ’
mt r
yingtopi ecethet rut
h
together.“Iwill
bet hereinami nute,pleaselet
megat hermy self
,”theyleftme.“ Getit
together,”Iwhispered.Ipul l
edoutmyphone
andt extedLuckyusi ngt hatnewnumberhe
calledmewi th.

“DONOTCOME.YOUARENOW APRI
ME
SUSPECT.RUN.
”
Iwenti
nsideandanof fi
certookmet othe
i
nter
rogat
ionr oom.I’
vebeenherebeforeandit
wasscarythef i
rstt
ime;nowit’
sjustt
erri
fyi
ng.
Si
bekowal kedin.

“Rainbow,”hesang.If
orcedasmilewhich
disappearedinl
essthatasecond.“MrGhas
askedmet oint
err
ogateyouonhisbehalf
.Ol
d
man’ sgotasoftspotforyou,
”

“
Andy
oudon’
t?”Iasked.

“Ido,
every
bodydoes.ButI
’
mv er
ygoodat
compartment
ali
zi
ng,
”heboast
ed.

“
Isee,
”
“So,youobv iouslyknowwhyy ouar ehere;I
underst andthatev erythi
ngisconf usi
ngr i
ght
nowbuti twillallmakesensesol ongasy ou
cooper atewi ththeguy sinbl
ue,”heassur ed.
“Thi
si nterrogationisbeingrecorded, j
usta
reminder .”Inodded.“ Let’
sgettoit.”heletouta
l
oudsi gh.“ Lastweeky ouwentto
Johannesbur g,correct?”

“
Cor
rect
,”

“
Todowhat
?”

“TodropoffMthobi
siatmypar
ents’pl
ace,
”I
answered.“
Ical
ledandtol
dyouguys,y
ouknow
thi
s,
”
“Justanswert
hequestionsRainbow,don’tadd
unnecessaryi
nfor
mation.Ri
ghtnow, Iam a
detect
iveandnotyourcoll
eague,cl
ear?”

“
Cry
stal
”thi
ngsst
art
edt
otenseup.ButIhav
e
t
omaint
ainmycool.

“So,y
ouwentt oJohannesburgtodrop
Mthobisi
,Lucky
’ssonatyourpar ent
s’pl
ace?
”
herepeatedmyanswerinaf orm ofaquesti
on
toconfi
rm hehear
dmer i
ght.Inodded.“
Why?”

“
Whywhat
?”

“
Whydidyout
akeMthobi
sit
oyourparent
s’?
”
washeact
ual
l
yf**
***
gkiddi
ngme?Likeisthis
r
eal
?
“
Because,
”Iwasreal
lygetti
ngi
rri
tated.
“
Because,
hisgr
andfatheranduncleweregoing
t
okil
lhim,t
heywereforci
nghimt oselldr
ugs,”

“
Howdoy
ouknowt
heywer
egoi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m?”

“Notjusthi
m,mysel
fincl
uded.Hi
saunt,
Zanel
e
call
edandtoldmetorun,t
hatshehear
dthem
giv
ingoutorder
stoshootatus,
”

“Soyoumov edachil
dalmost10hour
saway
from homebecausehi
saunt–whom Igather
youhadaf eudwit
h–saidsheheardherf
ather
andbr ot
hergi
vi
ngoutorder
s?”

“
Wewer
echasedar
oundt
own!
”
“
Youar
enotanswer
ingt
hequest
ion”

“Thef**
kSibeko,
y ouwerether
e.Youknow
ever
ythi
ng.Icommuni cat
edwitht
hissi
deso
youknewev er
ysinglemoveImade,”

“
Iwasnotthereinper son.Iwastaki ngy our
wor
df r
om text
sandcal l
s,
”hedef endedhi mself
,
“
ButI’
m nottheonei nquestionher e, soi
fwe
may…”hisnostr
il
sflared.“Let’
sdev iatealit
tl
e
f
rom whyyoutookMt hobisiDl
ami ni.So,you
musthavearri
vedther eataround1, 2”

“Ar
ey out
ell
i
ngmeoraskingmedetect
ive?”I
cockedmyheadt
othesideleani
ngf
orward.

“Whatti
medidyouar
ri
veaty
ourdest
inat
ion?
”
herephr
ased.
“
Around1or2,
”

“
Didy
ousl
eepov
er?
”

“
Yessi
r.
”

“
Thenmor
ningcame…”

“
Idon’tknow,
didi
torwer
eyounott
her
e?”I
mocked.

“Putt
hatsar
casm away
;thi
sisav
eryser
ious
case,
”heremindedme.

“
Mor
ningcameandIl
eft
,”
“Youlef
tandwentwher
e?”f
**k!Thi
sisget
ti
ng
seri
ousnow.

“Iwentshoppi
ngand…Ij
ustwentar
oundt
he
cit
y.Youknow,tounwi
nd?”

“
Andt
hen?
”

“
Andt
henwhat
?”

“Youspentanot
her2dayst
here;
wherewer
e
you?whower eyouwi
th?Whatwerey
ou
doing?
”

“
LikeIsai
dIneededtounwi
nd,Igotdr
unkand
t
henlodgedi
ntothenear
estguest
house,
”
“
Thatguest
housebei
ng?
”

“Mzi
ngwane,Ithi
nk…googl
eit
.Glady
swasso
ki
ndtoletadrunkengi
rlcr
ashforanight
havi
ngnotbookedinti
me,”

“Okay,
youcrashedani
ght
…andt
henwhat
happenedaf
ter?”

“
Aft
ert
hatIwenthomet
ospendsomet
ime
wi
thMthobi
si,
”

“Lucky
’sson?
”Igav
ehim anastyl
ookandhe
knewnottogodownthatroadwit
hme.

“
Fine,
we’
l
ltakeabr
eak,
”hegotupandt
ookhi
s
t
hingswi
thhi
m.

Onascal eof1t o‘I

’m abouttomypant s’Iam
ri
ghton‘I’
veshitt
edmypant s’.Rightaboutnow,
Sibekoi
spr obablytalki
ngtot heteam about
l
oopholeshef oundi nmyst ory.ButI ’
m cer t
ain
theteam waswat chingthisinterrogati
on, each
taki
ngdownnot esandf i
ndingt heirown
l
oopholes.

I’
m amar tyr.Ihaveunwilli
nglyof
fer
edmy self
asamar ty
rf orLucky’
scrimesandithadbet ter
bewor thit,hehadbet t
erfindawayoutoft his
withoutruiningusbothforgood.Howt hef uck
wouldhemaket hisworthitnow?How, when
he’sjustbeencl assi
fi
edapr imesuspect?

Iwalkedaroundtheroom ki
l
li
ngt
imeand
pray
ingthatLuckygotmymessage.I
fhe
showedupherewiththatacthepl
anned,
they
arecuff
inghi
m andputti
nghiminthe
i
nterr
ogati
onroom.

“Let’
sresume,”orderedSi
bekowalki
nginwit
ha
cupofcof f
ee,“thi
sisfory
ou,”hesli
dthecup
acrossthetable.

“
Thanks,
”Itookaqui
cksipandclosedmyey
es
t
oleti
tin.I
ttast
edgoodanditwarmedmeup
i
nsi
de.

“
Shal
lwecont
inue?
”

“
Readywheny
ouar
e.”

“
Her
e’smyt
heor
y,t
hecol
onel
isgoi
ngki
l
lme
forthi
sbut,
whattheheck?
”heshr
ugged.“
He
saidnott
obr i
ngi
tup,
”
“
Let
’sheari
t,det
ect
ive,
”

“Youknowwhoki l
l
edtheDlaminis,”hesaid
point
ingatmewi thapen.Ipeeredathi mfora
goodf ewsecondthengiggl
edrubbi ngmy
palmsagainstthesur
faceofthet able.“
Oryou
kil
l
edt hem,
”

“IwasherewithyouguysandwhenIwasaway
youknewwher eIwas,Icommuni
cated,
”I
emphasized.

“Exceptforthetwodaysbefor
ey ouret
urnedto
theoffi
ce”hepoi nt
edout.“
YouwentMI A,your
sist
ertri
edtocal ly
oubutyoudidn’
tanswerher
call
sortexts,thati
senoughti
mef oryouto
dri
vebacktoDurban;godownt ot
heDlami nis,
ki
llt
hem andcomebackt oworktoreceivethe
newsofthei
rdeath”exceptIdi
dn’
tdoit.Ididn’
t
ki
llt
hem.

“
Idi
dn’
tki
l
ltheDl
ami
nis,
”

“
Youhadamot
iveandenought
ime,
”

“
Whatmotiv
e?Whythehel
lwoul
dIwantt
oki
l
l
myboy
fri
end’sf
ami
l
y ,
”

“Itcoul
dbethatyouwantedthedr ugsfor
yourself
.Wantedtobethenewdr ugl or
din
town.Noonewoul dsuspectyoust andwit
hthe
bluebloodsandwhenwef oundyouy ouwere
posingasadr ugl
ord…orLuckyaskedy outodo
i
t,”
“
Luckyismissingr
emember ?”Icoul
dfeel
mysel
fcoweringbytheseconds.Myshoulder
s
weref
all
ingalongwit
hmyhead; meani
ngIwas
l
osi
ngconfidencei
nmy sel
f,

“
Iknow,
it’
sjustat
heor
y,noneedt
obescar
ed”

“Idon’tunder
standwhyLuckyIam bei ng
i
nterrogatedwhenLuckyi sthesuspect.We
shouldbeoutt heresearchi
ngforhim.”Before
hecoul dsayanything,myphonerang,it’
san
unknownnumber .Iignor
edthecall
.“Answer
myquest ion,
whyam Ibei ngquesti
oned? ”I
demanded.

“
Who’
scal
l
ing?
”heasked.
“
Nobody,
”itr
angagai
nandIknowi
nmyhear
t
i
t’
sLuckycal
li
ng.

“
Picki
tup,
orIwi
l
landputi
tonspeaker
,”

“No,i
t’
sapri
vatecallandIknowmyr i
ghts,
”I
coul
dtast
emyownhear t.I
twasli
ter
all
yast he
backofmythroatabouttojumpoutofmy
mouth.

“
Pickupt
hebloodycal
lorIwi
ll
,Iam notscared
t
obreak1li
tt
lerul
e”heyel
l
ed.F**k,
it’
sover.

“
COOKI
ES,
”Isai
d.

“COMEOUTSI
DE,
”LuckyspokeandSibeko
hear
dhi
m.Ihadt
odoi t
,Ihadtopul
loutmy
gun.

“
Getupandopent
hedoor
,”Idemanded.

“I
sheout
side?
”heaskedsl
owl
ywal
ki
ngt
othe
door
.

“Shutup!Youar
emyshi
eld…cl
ear
?Getme
outsi
de”

“Youdon’thav
et odothi
sRainbow,
don’
tlet
Luckydragyouintot
hisl
ife,
”

“
Oh!butIhav
eto,
”

“Thet
eam,yoursi
ster…I
’m cer
tai
nshe’
sal
ready
seenwhati
shappening.Theyarepr
obabl
ytwo
st
epsaheadofy
ou,
”hewar
ned.

Indeed,whenwegotout si
de;
Monde,MrG,
Nkonzoandot herdet
ectiv
esandpol
i
cehad
theirgunsoutai
mingatmeandIhadmi ne
aimingatoneoftheir
s’.

“
IswearIwillshootathim.”Imadeknown.
“
Ev er
ybodyputy ourgunsdown,”Iorder
edwit
h
mygunatSi beko’shead.“
Sir!
”Icall
ed,“
Tel
l
yourmentost anddown!”

“Ican’
tdot
hat
,”heshout
edwi
thhi
sgunat
hand.

“
Colonel
Iswear,
Iwil
lpul
lthetr
igger
.Tel
lyour
mentostanddownnow!”Idemanded.
“Okay
, ev
ery
body,doasshesay;weapons
down,”hestar
tedthent
heyal
lfol
lowed.

“
Idon’
twanttohur
tany body;
Ijustneedt
oget
t
oLuckypl
ease…”Imov edtowardsthegate
wi
thmyhumanshield.Luckypull
edupacross
t
hestr
eetwit
hhistaxi
,

“
Aunt
yRainbow,
”Mthobi
sist
uckhi
sheadout
t
hewindowandcal
l
edoutmyname.

“Getin,
”shout
edLucky.ImadearunforitbutI
didn’
tmakeitfar
,someonetackl
edmet othe
groundandheldmedown.Iknewwhatwas
abouttohappen;f
rom her
eitwasgoi
ngsout h.

“Dri
ve!
”Ishoutedasifitwasthelastt
hingI
’d
everdoonthiseart
h.“Run”Luckysteppedonit
anddr ovetowar dsoncomi ngtraff
ic.Thenall
hellbr
okel oose, Iheardshot sandshot sand
mor eshots;theywer eshoot i
ngatLucky ’
staxi
,
somewer erunningaf t
erhim.Ilaidpinned
down, unablet omov e,myey esfi
xedonLucky ’s
taxiIwantedi ttodi sappear.Iwantedhimt o
driv
erf ast
erandl osethem.Buti nstead…

“LUCKY!NO”Iscreamed.Ifoughtthewei ght
thathadbeenovermeandsucceeded.Ir an
towardsthetaxi
,wel
ltowardsthefir
e…thet ax
i
blewup.“LUCKY!GETHELP! ”Icr
iedlit
erall
y
fl
yingtot
hescene.ButIdidn’tmakeitthere.

“
Ma’am,
”hecall
edandIgav
ehim myattent
ion,
“
Youwererunni
ngtowar
dstheexpl
osi
onand
t
henwhat?
”heasked.

“
Idon’
tknow…Idon'
tremember
.”Ianswer
ed.
“
Doy
ouknowwhoy
ouar
e?”Inodded.

“
I’
m Rai
nbow,
”

“Doyouknowwher
eyouar
e?”Inodded.“
Wher
e
arey
ou?”

“Atahospit
alf
orsickpeopl
e.Theythi
nkIlost
mymi nd…”Iwi
ggledmyar m andf
eltt
hatIwas
str
appeddownt othi
schair
.

“Whydoyouthi
nktheythi
nkthat
?”askedDr
Simonpushi
nghisgl
assesin.

“
Ikeeptel
li
ngthem t
hatIdi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng
wrongandLuckywil
lcomeandfi
ndme.Noone
bel
i
evesme,
butIknowhewi
l
l.
”

“ButLuckydi
edint
heexplosi
onal
ongwithhis
son,thatwasal
layearago,
”myeyesshotupat
him.

“Don’
tsaythat.Luckyi
sal i
ve…Isawhim wal
k
outofthetaxi
.Hewasi njuredbuthewasn’t
dead.Heranandhewi llbebackf orme,
”

“
Rainbow,
ithasbeenay earnow,
don’
tyou
t
hinkhewouldhaveret
urnedbynow?”

“I
twasyest
erday
,”Icor
rect
edhi
m.“
He’
sst
il
l
heal
i
ngsomewher e,
”

“
Whatwasy
est
erday
?”
“
Theexpl
osi
on.I
twasy
est
erday
…”

“
Whendi
dwemeet
?”heasked.

“
Today
”

“Rai
nbow, y
ouandIhav
ebeenmeet
ingf
ort
he
pastyearnow”

“That
’snott
rue,Iwouldhaveremember ed.You
wantmet othi
nkI’
m crazytoo.Iwil
lnotfal
lfor
i
t.Getmeoutofher e!
”Ishouted.“
Luckyis
comingforme,unti
emet hef**know!”

“
Whataboutthepoli
ceyoushotandki
ll
edon
t
hatday
,”whatthehell
washetalki
ngabout
?I
di
dn’
tki
l
lany
body
.

“Yest
erday!
”Iroar
edpull
i
ngmy sel
ffor
wardbut
Iwasstil
lstr
andedwhereIsat
.“AndIdi
dn’
tkil
l
anybody!Iwastry
ingt
ohelpLucky,
”

“Youkill
ed5pol
iceof
fi
cersamongt hem
detecti
veSi
bekoandDetecti
veJele,
yourtwi
n
sist
er”mymouthrandryandallIcoulddowas
starei
ntohi
seyesandreplayhi
swor dsinmy
head.

“
Idon’
t…Idi
dn’
tki
l
l.No…Mondei
sal
i
ve,
I…”

“
Whaty ourminddoesi sthat,itcl
earssome
memoriesandcr eat
esot hers,anditdoest
hat
t
oprotectyoufrom yourselfandthet r
aumayou
woul
dgot hrough,”
“Iwasont
heground,
Idi
dn’
tshoot
.I
was…someonewasontopofmeholdi
ngme
down,”

“Thatwasdetect
iveSi
beko,youmanagedt
oget
upandy oushotatanyonet
hattr
iedt
ostopyou
from get
ti
ngtoLucky.
”

“No,”t
ear
sstreameddownmyf ace,
“Iran
towardst
hefireandthenIsawLuckycomi ng
outandthenIconti
nuedtorun…andthen…and
then…”

“Beforet hat,af
termanagingtogetup,youshot
atSi beko,theny oursi
ster
,andthen3mor e
policemen, ”Idon’trememberanyofthat.I
t’
sal
l
alie.Ev eryt
hingisal i
e,i
tal
lhappened
yesterday .“Forthepasty earnow, yousitthere
andt el
l mey ourstoryst arti
ngfrom wheny ou
metLuckyont hatrainydayupunt i
l the
expl
osi on.Luckyandhi ssondi edint hat
expl
osi on.Ihav etokeepr emindingy ouevery
day,
”anur secamei n.“Itseemsourt imeisup
fort
oday ”hegotup.“ Uphersedat i
v es.She
tookitv eryhar dtoday ,”

IknowwhatIsaw.Iknowwhathappened
yest
erdayandnoonecantel
lmeotherwi
se.
Thenursepushedmywheelchai
randhummed
whil
eatit.

“
Nur
se,
”Iut
ter
ed.

“
YesRai
nbow,
”sher
espondedi
naf
rui
tyt
une.
“
Coul
dyout
akemet
oami
rr
orpl
ease”

“
Okay
,we’
l
luset
hel
oodownt
hepassage,
”

Shepushedmei nsi
det
het
oil
etandpar
kedt
he
wheelchai
rinf
rontoft
hemir
ror
.

“Myhair,”that’
sthef i
rstthi
ngInoticedwhenI
l
ookedatmy sel
f.Myhai rwasunbound, wi
ld
andallov ertheplace.“Hasitreal
lybeenayear
?
DidIreallykil
lmysi st
er?”shenodded
sorr
owf ull
y.Myhai rwasshor tyester
daywhen
i
tallhappened.

“I
twil
lbeokay
,”sheassur
edme.“Wouldyou
l
iketohav
eitmadeintoanicedo?
”Ishookmy
head.
“
Iwi
l
ldoi
twhenLuckyr
etur
ns,
thanky
ou”

THEEND.
THANKYOUFORREADI
NG♡