Thando

Chapt
er1

"Pleasej
ustl
etmego.Ipr
omi
seIwon'
ttel
lany
one,
pleasedon'
tdothi
s!!
!"

"
No!
!!
!"

I
t'
sthatdr eam agai
n..
..
isthi
snightmar
eev ergoi
ng
t
oleav emeal oneoram Ijustgoingt
olivewithi
tfor
t
her estofmyl i
fe.Si
gh..
..Thesunisalr
eadyout?
Waitami nute,whatti
mei sit
??

Oohno, i
t'
salmost7am.Am sur
elygoi
ngtobel
atei
f
Idon'
tgetoutofbednow.Ican'
tbelat
eforwor
kon
myf i
rstday.
Ihavetobequi ck.Idon' tthi
nkam goi ngt ogeta
properbath.Lucki lymysi st
er,Tshidi pickedoutan
outfi
tformebef oreIleftNorthWest .Abl acksheath
dress,abluebl azerandj ewelr
yt hatIwon' tputon.
Shealsopi ckedoutst il
ettosbutIpr ef erwear i
ng
pumps.Asf orbr eakfast,am justgoingt ohav ea
muf f
inandcof fee." Wher earemycarkey sandmy
phone?Ohhher e."Quickest30mi nutesofmyl i
fe.
..
.
Nowi tsti
met odr iveoft owor k.

Sobef oreIgetany wher ewithmyl i

fest ory,letme
formal lyint
roducemy self
.MynameThando
Mdlet shef r
om Zeer ust,atowni nNor t
hwest .Am
current l
y24butam goi ngtobeol derinSept ember .
Yes, 6mor emont hsunt i
lmy25t hbirthday .Am t he
l
astbor ninmyf ami l
y.Iusedt owor katahospi t
al i
n
Lehur utshebutt henIgott ransferredtoanot herone
hereinSandt on.BeforeIcamet oSandt on, Iusedt o
staywi thmymom andmy2si sters,Tshi diand
Noluthando.Ial sohav e3br ot
her swhoar etri
plets,
Sihl
e, ZiphoandKhay a.Theyar eallov erseast aking
careoft hefamilycompani est hatarei nwhatev er
countriest heyarein.Idon'tmeant obragbutmy
familyisqui ter
ich,thankst omydad' shardwor k.
MydadpassedawaywhenIwas19duet o
depressi on.Wedi dn'tevenknowt hathehadi t.Iwas
hisfavour it
echild.Hewasmybestf ri
end,myki ng
andaswei rdasitmaysound, myfirstboyf
riend.
Well,that '
swhatheusedt ot el
lmewhenIwas
young.I fhewasst i
llali
ve,am 3567%sur ethathe
wasgoi ngt omov etoSandt onwithme.Imi sshi m
somuch.

Nowwher
edoIt
aket
hatl
astt
urn.
..
..
yesher
e.

OkayThando,i
t'sti
mef ory
out ogetoutofthi
scar
andshowthem whaty ougot.Don'
tbescared
becauseever
ythingi
sgoingtobe..
..
..

Hell
othere,
"say sadeephuskyvoice.Judgingfrom
the"hel
lothere"andthebodystr
uctuream l ooki
ng
atri
ghtnowt hroughmywindow, am thi
nkingmay be
i
t'samanbecausenof emalecanhav esuchabody
st
ruct
ure.
"
Hie,
howcanIhel
pyou,
"Ir
epl
yasIopenmy
wi
ndow.

"
Iwantt
opar
kher
e,"say
stheguy
.Eeeht
hisguy
.

"ButIhavealreadyparkedher
esogogetanother
parki
ng,"Isaytryi
ngtolookathi
m.Hewon'teven
benddownsot hatIcantal
ktohim pr
oper
ly.

"
ButIwantt
opar
kher
esomov
e,"

"Sor
rysi
rbutam notmov i
ngsoy oumi
ghtaswel
l
j
ustleav
e,"Isaygr
inni
ngmyt eet
h.Hei
sseri
ousl
y
star
ti
ngtopissmeof fnow.

"Okaythen,"hesaysashewalksaway.Hehasav ery
bouncywal k.NowthatIcanseehi
sface,Ican'
t
beli
eveIjustspoketohimli
kethat
.Thisguylooks
soscary.Ifhewast ogivemeasl ap,myf ourf
ather
s
wouldalsof eelit
.Butalongwiththatinti
midat
ing
l
ook,hei ssobeaut if
ul,
nothandsomebutbeaut i
ful
.
Ashest epsi ntohiscar
,helooksbackatmeand
cat
chesmest ari
ngathim.Iquicklyt
ur nmyeyes
awayfrom hi m butIcanfeelhi
sey esonmeashe
dri
vespast .Thisguyissurel
ygoingt okil
lme.

"Sothi
sisitThando,l
et'
sdothi
s,
"Isayt
omy
sel
fasI
stepoutofthecarandlocki
t.

Wow! !!Thi shospitalishugecompar edt ot heonein

Lehurutshe.I tlooksamazi ng.It'
sarchitectureisso
elegant.It'
scompl etel
ybui ltoutoftintedgl ass,
blacktintedgl asst obespeci f
ic.Besidei t,
isawat er
fountainwhi chi ssurroundedbyr edr osesandgr een
l
awn.Att het opoft hebui l
di ngisabi gbl uesign.
ULWANDLEHOSPI TAL.Thatmustbet hename.I t'
s
alsopaint edont heent rance.Thei nsidei sev en
mor ealluringthant heout side.Ican'tev enexplain
howamazi ngitisbutIcanexpl ai
nhowbusyi tis.I
thi
nkam goi ngtoenjoyworki
nghere.Therei
sthe
recept
ionbutt her
eisalongqueueandam not
abouttogost andthereasi
fam oneoft hepat
ient
s.
Letmej ustasksomeonewhowor kshere.

"
Hell
o,"Isay,
tryi
ngtogett
heattenti
onoft
hewhi
te
l
adywalkingpastme.Sheiswearingascr
ubsoI
j
ustassumedt hatshei
sanurse.

"Hi
e,canIhelpyouwit
hsomethi
ng,"Shesay
s.She
hasthecutestsmi
leIhav
eeverseen.

"Iwant
edtoaskifyoucoulddi
rectmet othehead
physi
cian'
sof
fi
ce.Am at r
ansf
erfrom Lehur
utshe.
Mynamei sThando..
..
..

"ThandoMdl
etshe?
"Whoa,
howdoessheknowmy
name? ?
?
"
Yes,
"Isaywi
thashockedr
eact
ion.

"Ihav
eheardal
otaboutyouandl
etmej
ustsay
,you
areamazi
ngatwhatyoudo."

"
Wel
lthanky
ou.
..
"

"
Oohmynamei
sNer
isaHami
l
ton,
"shesay
ssmi
l
ing.

"
Welli
t'
sni
cetomeetyouNeri
sa,
"Isayst
ret
chi
ng
myhandoutf
orahandshake.

"
Ner
isawher
eist
ha.
..
.wel
lhel
l
other
e,"

"
DrVil
akazi
,thi
sisMrsMdletshe.Sheisher
easa
t
ransf
erfr
om Lehur
utshe.
"saysNerisa.
"
Sor
ryi
t'
sMi
ssnotMr
s."Isayi
nter
rupt
ingNer
isa.
"
Oohy
ouar
eher
eear
ly,
theheadphy
sici
ansai
dyou
werecominginat10:30am,"sayst
heguyinthe
whit
ecoat,shakingmyhand.SoIwassupposedt o
behereat10:30am yett
heytheydi
dn'
tevenbother
tocal
lmeandt ellmethat.Nx!
!!

"Wellsinceyouhere,am DrSabel oVi lakaziandam

goingtobeassi st
ingy outoday ,
"hesay s.Ist
il
l
haven'tsaidaword.Ner i
sajustdi sappear edsoam
l
eftalonewi thDrVil
akazi.Hel ookssodr eamy ,
his
bodyisev erywoman' sdream wheni tcomest oher
man.Heev ensmel l
ssexy. .
.damnhi sl i
psandhi s
eyes.Snapoutofi tThando, hehasar ingonhi s
fi
ngerf orcryi
ngoutloud.

"
Soar
eyoudoneobser
vingmenow.
"

Wai
twhat
!!
!.
..
hesawme.

"Idonotknowwhatyouar
etal
ki
ngabout
,"Isay
.Am
suchahorri
blel
i
ar.
"Okaythen,
wouldyoumindtel
l
ingmewhatIj
ust
saidtoyoujustaf
ewsecondsago,
"-
him.

Ooohshi
t.

"Uuummm, "Yepit
soffici
al,
am ater
ri
bleli
ar.Luckl
y
am notalawyerbecauseIwasgoingtobet heworst
l
awy eri
nthehist
oryoflawyers.Hei
slaughingatme.
Am soembar r
assedrightnow.

"Okayl et'
sstartwiththis,
her eisyourcoatwithyour
namet agandy ourst et
hoscope.Am goi ngtogive
youal istofjobswhi chincluder ev
iewingsome
patientsonthel eftwingandr ewri
ti
ngf l
uidanddrug
char t
s.Alongwi ththelist
,herei syourbeep.So
sincey ouareadoct oram pret t
ysureyouknowwhat
abeepi sri
ght?"hesay slookingatmewi thone
eyebrowup.
"I
fit
'st
hesamebeepweuseinLehurutshethenam
267%sureIknowwhati
t'
susei
s,"Isaywithasmirk.

Hesmil
es.Hi
ssmi l
ethough.Isweari
fIdon'
tget
awayf
rom hi
m soon,am goi
ngtoendupaskinghim
tobemyman.

"Okaythen,f
oll
owme, "hesaysashestart
swal
ki
ng
alongaglasspassagewhichreal
lyfr
eaksmeout
becauseIfeell
ikei
t'
sgoingtobreak.

*
***
***
*

It
'sfinall
yhomet i
meandam soexhaust ed.Iwas
actuallysupposedt oknockoffat19:30pm butsince
Istartedmyshi ftearl
y,DrVi
lakazisai
dIshoul d
ratherknockof fat17:30pm.Imadeaf ewf r
iends,
Ner i
sabei ngoneoft hem.Shehast hi
swel coming
atmospher e.Ir
eall
yli
keher.
"Goodby
eguy
s,i
'
llseey
out
omor
row,
"Isayheadi
ng
out.

"
ByeThando.
"

AsIwalktowardsmycar,Ispotafamil
i
arlooki
ng
carpar
ked4car sawayf
rom mine.Therei
snoone
i
nit.Oohwell
..
.

Timet ogohome.Ist ar
tthecarthendriveoff.Ican
fi
nallyli
stentoTeyanaTaylor
,oneofmyf avour i
te
singers.Ial
waysgetgoosebumpswhenev erIli
sten
tohersongsbutmyboy fri
endhatesher.Which
remindsme, Ihadtocallhiminthemor ni
ngbutI
forgot.Maybeit'
sbecauseIwasr ushi
ngsoi t
sli
ppedmymi nd.I'
l
lcal
lhim whenIgethome.I 'l
l
alsocallmymom.

Scr
eeeeeeeeeebump!
!!
Whatt
hehel
lwast
hat
???

Iqui
cklyjumpoutofmycart
oseewhathas
happened.Ohmygosh!
!!
!!

"
Whatthefuck!
!Comeon,Ij
ustgott
hiscar
,"Isayi
n
atr
embli
ngv oi
ce,
angerwr
it
tenal
lovermyface.

Someonewalksoutofthecart
hatj
usthit
mine.
..
.wai
taminute,
Iknowthatf
acefrom
somewhere.

"
You?
??"Ishout
.

"Wel
l,wel
l,
well,
ifi
tisn'
tMi
ssst
eal
otherpeopl
e'
s
par
kingspaces.
"

*
***
***
Chapt
er2

"Whatthehelliswrongwithyou,couldn'tyouseea
carr
ightinfrontofyour
s."I
sn'ti
tfunnyhowmycar
l
ooksbadl ydamagedbuthi si
sst i
l
lintact.Itactual
l
y
l
ookslikehiscardidn'
tevenhitmineatal l.
...
..
.
#mindblown.

"
Fir
stofal
l
,not
hingi
swr
ongwi
thme.
Secondl
y,Idi
dseey ourcarri
ghti
nfrontofmebutI
j
ustfel
tli
kehitt
ingi
t.Sosincemyjobisdonehere,
"
hesays,sl
owlywalki
ngaway .Wherethehel
ldoeshe
thi
nkheisgoing??

"OhYounotgoi nganywhere,youhavetofi
xmycar
sinceit
'syourf
ault
,"Isay
.Whodoeshet hi
nkhei s.
Hecan'tjusthi
tmycarandl eave.HowIregretnot
i
nsuringmycarnow.Ishoul dn'
thaverej
ectedmy
mom' soffer
.
"Yourinsur
ancewi l
ltakecar
eofitbecauseam so
notfixi
nganythi
ng.Ifyouhadjustmovedfrom t
hat
parki
ngspace, yourcarwoul
dhav ebeenfi
nebut
sinceyoudecidednott omove,t
hisiswhatyouget.
"-
him.

"
Idon'thaveaninsur
anceyoudumbass,
"Isay,my
voi
cetautwithanger
."Andwhythehel
lar
ey ou
makingtheparki
ngspacethingabi
gdeal
,itwasj
ust
afucki
ngspacey oucunt!
!"

"Wellt
henifitwasjustaparkingspace,whydidn't
youmov e?andasfornothavingani nsur
ance,that'
s
yourownpr obl
em.By e,
"hesay sashewav es;
walki
ngbackt ohi
scar ,
gett
ingi nanddri
vingaway .
Soher eal
l
yi sl
eavi
ngmeher e.Arr
ogantfool.Nx!!
!

Whatam Igoi ngt

odonow.I fIcal
lthepoli
ceam
prett
ysuretheyarenotev
engoi ngtohelpme.They
will
onlytauntmewithquesti
ons.WorseIdidn'
teven
takethatfool
'
snumberplate.Whatwill
Isaytothem.
Itwouldhavebeenbetteri
fIhadaneyewit
nessbut
ever
ysinglepersonhereseemstobemindi
ngt hei
r
ownbusiness.Am onaf ucki
ngfr
eewaybutnoone
i
sev enstoppi
ngt ohel
p.Ever
yoneisj
ustdr
ivi
ng
past!
!!
!Aaaaaagh
OhGod, howwill
Igethome.Iwoul duseataxibutI
don'tevenknowi ft
heyareanyaroundhere.Even
thoughthereweretaxi
saround,Ihaveneverbeenon
oneandf r
om whatIhavehear
daboutsomeoft he
dri
v er
s,Idon'
tthi
nkIwouldwantt ouseone.No
offense.
Wait,
Ithi
nkTshidihasafri
endwhostays
somewherearoundhere.Letmecal
lherandaskher
toaskherfr
iendtohelpme.

Shei sn'
tanswering.Okayt hi
sguyhasmanagedt o
ruinmyday .Letmej ustt
rydrivi
ngmycarbecausei t
doesn'tseem li
keIhav eachoice.ButifIdriv
eit
whi l
stitl
ooksli
ket his,Imightgetintr
oubl ewiththe
traff
icpoli
ce.Imi ghtaswel lj
ustgetinmycar ,
sitin
thereandwai tf
orTshi ditogivemeacal lback.
Luckl
y,Ihav
eagunt hatmydadleftbehi
ndwhenhe
di
ed.Mymom say sthatmydadalway st
oldhert
o
gi
veittomei fany
thi
ngeverhappenedtohim.

"
Ma'
am,
wakeup,
"Ihearav
oicesay
ingbutf
aint
ly.

Di
dIfal
lasl
eepandwasIdrool
i
ng,t
hestr
eetl
i
ght
s
ar
eon?Howl onghav
eIbeensl
eepi
ng.

"Ma'am pl
easeopenyourwi
ndow.
"Ohhgr
eat
,it
s
him agai
n.Whatdoeshewant.

"
Ifyouareheretomakemyl if
emor ecompl
i
cat
ed
t
hani ti
sthenpleasel
eav
e,"IsayasIopenmycar
window,point
ingmygunathim.

"
Whoababygi
rl,
chi
l
lam her
et ohel
pyou,
"hesay
s
wi
thasar
cast
icsmi
rkonhisface.
"
Hel
pme?Why
?,"

"St
opaskingquest
ionsandj
ustgeti
ntomycar
,I'
l
l
bewai
tingforyou,
"hesayst
urni
ngaway.

"
Am sonotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou,
"Isayr
oll
i
ng
myeyes.

"
Look,st
opbeinganutheadandl
etmehel
pyou.
Nowlet'
sgo,
"hesaystr
yingt
oopenmydoor.

"
Isai
dam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ouokay
,"Isay
i
nalowvoice.

"Okaythen,suityoursel
f.
"hesaysi nhisf r
uit
yv oi
ce.I
won'tl
ie,hi
sv oiceissopleasanttol i
stento,
especi
all
ywhenhespeaksi nzulu.Itj
usthast hat
thi
ngabouti tthati
ssoat tr
acti
ve.Ther eisone
questi
onIwoul dl
ovet oaskhimt hough, whyishe
wear
ingsungl
assesandacapatni
ght
?
Thandocomebackt
oreal
i
ty.Theonl
ypersonwho
cangiv
eyouari
dehomeisabouttol
eave.St
ophi
m.

"Hey
,wai
tformeam comi ng,
"Isay
,taki
ngmypur
se
andmygun."Butwhataboutmycar?"

"Don'tworr
yaboutthat,j
ustgeti
nthecarandlet'
s
go,"hesaysopeningthepassengerdoorofhi
scar
forme.Iquickl
ystepoutofmycar ,l
ockitandwalk
tohis.Hethenstart
sgiggli
ngasIsiti
nhiscar.I
can'tbel
iev
ethatam leavi
ngmybr andnewbaby
behind.Mybeautif
ulAudiA6..
..

"Don'tworryaboutyourcar,Iwill
takecareofit.Now
tel
lmewher eyoustay."Hesay s,l
ookingatmeand
theroadashedr ives.Beinginthesamecarwi t
hhi m
real
lyfreaksmeout .Hehast hisfri
ghteni
ng
atmospher ebutal
soat tr
acti
ve.Wel lscul
ptur
edf ace
withpur pl
eli
psthatseem soft.Hisscentisso
str
ong.Heseemslikethestr
ongsi
lentt
ype.The
onlypr
obl
em ishi
sdr essi
ngandhi
scarwooooooo.

"Ist
ayinEdernburg,
Del LaReyRoad.Therei
sa
complexther
e."Isaylooki
ngoutthewindow.

"Okaythen,
wewi llbether
einabout10mi nut
es,
"he
sayswithwhatlookslikeasmil
e.Ishetr
yingto
smile?Eeehyimuhl ol
oley
i.Imean,whothehell
smilesli
kethi
s..
..
..
.

Wehavef i
nall
yar
ri
vedandIhaveneverbeenso
r
eli
evedinmyentir
eli
fe.Icanf
inal
l
ygetawayfrom
t
hiscarwrecki
ngguy.

"Soam notget t
ingat hankyou,notevenakisson
thecheek,"hesay slooki
ngatmeasIt r
ytoopenthe
door.Doesheser i
ouslythi
nkthatIwouldt
hankhim
whenit'
sact ual
lyhisfaultt
hatam inthi
smess,let
aloneakiss!!Ai
i never.
"WellMrWhat ev
eryournameis,idon'
tseeany
reasontothankyouorgiveyouakisssogoodbye,
"I
say,sti
l
ltr
yingtoopenthedoor.Whyisn'
the
unlocki
ngthedoor.

"
All
youhavetosayist
hankyouandy
ouwi
l
lbef
ree
t
ogo,"hesay
s,bi
ti
nghisnai
l
s.

"
Am notgoi
ngtosaythanky
ouespeci
all
ynott
o
y
ou,
"Isay."
Pleasel
etmeout,
"

"
Onl
ywhenIhearat
hanky
ou.
"
"
Nothappeni
ng,
"Isayf
oldi
ngmyar
ms.
"
Okaythen.Iguesswewi ll
justsi
tinthi
scarthe
whol
enightbecauseam notinar ushatal
l.
"He
won'
tl
etmeoutwi l
lhe.
..
.si
gh.

"
Thanky
ou,
"Isay
,inawhi
sper
.
"
Whatdidyousay,
"hesays,hol
dinghi
slef
tearwi
th
asmi
rk.I
fhedoesn'tt
akethatst
upidsmir
koffhi
s
f
acenow,Iam goi
ngtokil
lhim.

"
Isaidt
hanky
ounowl
etmeout
,"Isayi
nasul
ky
v
oice.

"
Okayyoucangobutbefor
eyoul
eav
e,woul
dyou
mindt
ell
i
ngmey ourname.
"

Aaaaahnev
er.
..
..

"Not hankyoubye,"Isay ,r
ushingoutofhiscar
beforehelocksmei nsideagain.Idon'tev
enl ook
backbutam get t
ingt hefeeli
ngt hatheislookingat
me, sti
llwi
ththatsmi rkonhisf ace.GodhowIwi shI
couldjustsmacki toffhisface...
..
..

"
Goodev
eni
ngma'
am,
arey
ouokay
,"say
stheguar
d
asIenterthegate.Hetakesal
ookatthecart
hat
droppedmeof fandlooksli
kehei
sreadytochar
ge
forwhoeverisi
nside.

"Am finethanky ou,

"Isaywalkingpasthi m.Am
fi
nallyinmyapar tmentandIfeel superexhaust ed.
It
'salreadypast8pm.Am sogl adthatIunpacked
myst uffwhenIar ri
vedyest
erday .Myapar tment
i
sn'tthatbig,i
tjusthas2bedr oomseachwi thanen-
suit
ebat hroom, aki
tchenandl i
v i
ngroom.Il oveit,
especiall
ythegreyfoggycolort hat'
spaintedont he
walls.Am real
lynotinthemoodf orcooking, am just
goingt ohaveteaandasandwi ch.Ialsohav etocal l
mybooandmymom.Letmecal lmyboo, Sibusiso
fi
rst.Hemi ghtmakemef or
getaboutt oday.

"Myput sununu, IthoughtSandt

onhadkil
l
edyou,
"
that
'sthef i
rstthinghesay swhenheanswer
sthe
phone.Notev enagoodev eni
ng.
..

"
Ihopey
ouwer
en'
tpl
anni
ngonr
epl
aci
ngme
al
ready
,"Isay.Icanhearhi
mlaughing.HowImiss
hi
sfunnylaugh.Forsomereason,
hel aughsl
i
kehe
i
sabouttodie.

Iendupt el
li
nghim aboutmydaywhi chhef i
nds
amusing.Heissupposedt ocometoSandt onand
beatupthisguybuty ether
eheisl
aughing.Ihave
beenont hephoneforalmost2hours.Ithi
nkit'
s
ti
meIalsocal l
mymom bef or
eshegoest osleep.

*
***
***
***
***
*

Beep, beep, beep..

..I
t'
smy6: 00am alarm.Thisis
actuall
ymyf i
rstti
meev erhear i
ngmyal armr i
ng.
Backi nZeer ust,mymom wasmyal arm becausethe
actual al
arm hadgi venuponme.Ist i
llf
eel
exhaust ed.mat teroffact,If
eelli
keIonl ysl
eptfor
30mi nut es.Howi hat
eget ti
ngoutofbed.Ist il
lcan'
t
beli
ev ethatmycargotsmashedbyt hatscary
l
ookingf ool
.Howwi ll
Igett owor kont i
me.IwishI
hadt akenoneofmycol league'snumber s,t
hey
woul
dhav
ehel
pedmeoutwi
tht
hisi
ssue.
AsIstandbymybat hr
oom wi ndowwhilstbrushi
ng
myteeth,Inoti
ceaf amil
iarlooki
ngcarandnextt oi
t
i
sahuge, int
imidat
ingfi
gur e.I
t'
shimisn'ti
t.
...
what
doeshewantt hist
ime...
.

Maybehealsost
aysher
eorhei
sjustv
isi
ti
nga
f
ri
end.Letmemindmyownbusi
nessandgetr
eady
f
orwork.

Am doneandreadyforwor
kin55minut
es.Now
howthehell
willIgett
oworkbef
ore8:
30am?

I
'
llaskthesecur
it
yguardi
fhecanhelpmeoutwith
t
his.AsIstepoutofmyapar
tment,
Iswit
chofft
he
l
i
ght ,
lockt
hedoorandheadfort
heelev
atort
hatwil
l
t
akemedownst air
s.

"Goodmor
ningma'
am."SaysadeepvoiceasIstep
outoft
heel
evat
orl
ookingatmyphone.Iknowthat
f
rui
tyv
oicef
rom any
wher
e.

"
Whati
sit
?"IsayasIst
andst
il
landl
ookathi
m.

"Noneedf ort
heat t
itudebabygi r
l,Ijustcameher e
topickyouup,"hesay s,putt
inghishandsi nhis
pockets.Hedressesupl ikemyuncl ef rom
Polokwane.Her eal
lyneedsawar drobemakeov er
becauseno.Heal sohashi sglassesandcapon.
May bethese2ar epartofhisdail
ydr esscode.

"Pi
ckmeupf orwhat
?"Iask.Iknowexact
lywhyhe
camet opi
ckmeupbutIjustfeltl
i
keaski
ngthat
quest
ion.Hedoesl
ookconfusedbymyquestion.

"
Yes,
am goi
ngt
odr
opy
ouof
fatwor
k."

"
Why
?"
"Becausey oudon' thaveanyot hermeansof
transport
,comeonl et'sgo,"hesays, grabbingmy
hand.Godhast rulyanswer edmypr ay erev en
thoughIhav etobei nthecarwi t
hhim agai n.Aswe
arewal ki
ngtohiscar ,
Inot i
cethatal otofpeopl eare
greetinghim,event heguar ds.Maybehedoesst ay
here.Whenwegett ohi scar,heopenst he
passengerdoorf orme, waitsformet ogeti nsi
de
andt henclosest hedoor .Wellatl
easthei sa
gent l
eman.Het henwal kstothedriversi de,getsin
andst art
sdrivi
ng.Ther ei stot
alsil
encei nthecar
whi chiski
ndofawkwar d.Hedoesn' tev enaskme
wher eam going.Doesheknowwher eIwor k?

"Soam goingtocomepickyouupatthehospi
tal
wheny ouknockoffokay
,don'
tgooutlooki
ngfor
anothert
ranspor
t,
"hesayskeepi
nghiseyesonthe
road.

"
Howdoy
ouknowt
hatIwor
kther
e?"Iask.
"Justawildguesshey.
"Icantellt
hatheisl
yingbut
am justgoi
ngtoleti
tsli
de.AtleastIgotar
ide.

"Whyar
eyoudoi
ngthi
s?"Iaskl
ooki
ngathi
m.Al
lhe
doesi
sshr
ug.Nowordsaid.

Ihavenoti
cedthathehasbeensteali
nggl
ancesat
mesincewel ef
tthecomplexandit'
smaki
ngme
superuncomfort
able.Heevenhasthi
snotor
ious
smil
eandi t
'smakingmeev enmoreuncomfortabl
e.

"
Sowhatwoul
dyousayi
fIaskedy
ououtf
orl
unch?
"

"
Iwoul
dsaynothankyou,
"Isay
,looki
ngoutt
he
wi
ndow.Icanf
eelhi
seyesonme.

"
Comeongrumpypants,Ipr
omiset
odr
opy
ouof
fat
wor
kbef
oreluncht
imeisover.
"
Ooohsonowam gr
umpypant
s."
Isai
dnot
hank
you.
"

"Damnyouaresuchahar
dnut
,"hesay
s,sof
tl
y
hit
ti
ngt
hesteer
ingwheel
.

Finall
yatthehospital.Icanf i
nall
ygetout.Iturnto
him, t
hankhimf orther ideandstepoutoft hecar.I
walkintothehospital andnot i
cethatheisstil
l
parkedthere.Doesn'thehav eali
feorsomet hing.
Any ways,l
etmest artwor kingIhavegotal ottodo
today.Mybeepsuddenl ygoesoff,ibet
tergoat t
end
towhoev erneedsmyhel pri
ghtnow.

It
'snowlunchandam exhaust
ed.Ijustwantmybed
ri
ghtnow.Ihaven'
tseenDrVil
akaziAKAMrsexylips
allmorni
ng,whi
chisabummer .IknowIhav ea
boyfr
iendbutIj
ustcan'
tst
opadmi ri
nghim.

"
DrMdl
etshesomeonedr
oppedof
fapackagef
or
y
ou,
"say
sther
ecept
ioni
st.

Apackagef
orme?
?

"Okayl
et'
ssee,"Isay,standingupfrom mychair
walki
ngtothedoor .Oham i nmyof f
icebytheway.
YesInowhav eanof fi
ce.Isn'tt
hatamazing.

Awr
appedbox?Iwonderwhat
'si
nsi
de.

"Thankyou,
"isayt
otherecept
ioni
stasIcloset
he
door.Nowlet'
sseewhat
'sinsi
de.Alunchbox??
??
From who?

Ohht
her
eisanot
eher
e.

***
Sincey
ouref
usedt
ogooutforlunchwi
thme,
i
deci
dedtomakesomethi
ngf
oryou.
PSIhopey
ouwi
l
lenj
oyi
t.
..
.*
**

Whatisi twit
hthisguy.Whywon' theleavemeal one
andhowdi dheknowt heexactper sont osendi tto.
Whot oldhim myname?Iwontev enbot heropening
thi
slunchbox, I
'
lljustt
hrowi taway .IguessI'l
lj
ust
att
endt osomepat i
ent
snowt hatthereisnoneed
formet ogot othecafeter
ia.Whatawayt olosemy
appeti
te!

Myshiftisnowov
er.Timetogohomeandsl eep.I
hopemyr idei
sal
readyout
side.FunnyhowIactual
l
y
expecthimtobet
hereasifhewor ksformeor
something.

"
DrMdletshe,her
eareyourcarkey
s,"
-the
r
ecept
ionistasIwal
kout.

Mycarkey
s?Butmycari
sget
ti
ngf
ixed.
Wai tami nute,thesearen'tmine."Sorr
ybutt hese
aren'tmine,"Isayhandi ngthem backt oher.She
l
ookssoconf used."Butyourboy fr
iendsai
dIshoul d
givethem toy ou, heevenment ionedyourname, "
sayst hereceptionist
.Myboy fri
end?ButSi busisois
i
nZeer ust.

"Theonewhosentt hepackageatlunch,
"sayst he
receptioni
st,
sti
ll
looki
ngconf usedbythefactthat
am rejecti
ngthekeys."Sor
rybutthesearen'
tmi ne,
theper sonwhogav ethem t
oy ouwill
comet ake
them,"Isaywalkingawayfrom her.

"Helef
tanote,
"shoutstherecept
ioni
st,
holdi
ngupa
smallpi
eceofpaper.Iwal
kbackt oherandtaket
he
note.

***Am goingtoBenoni sotakethecarkeysfr

om the
recept
ionist
.Usemycart ogethome,I'
llcomepicki
t
upaty ourplace.Cooksomet hi
ngniceformeplease
(withasmi l
eyface).
..
.*
* *
Godsav
emef
rom t
hisguy
.

*
***
***
***
***
***

SoIdecidedtotakethecar.Honestlyspeaki
ng,thi
s
carishorr
ibl
e.Am usedtodr i
vi
ngelegantcarsbut
thi
sone.Mydadwoul ddieforthesecondtimeifhe
everseesmedr iv
ingsuch.Am homei nnot i
me.Am
i
nt hemoodf orsomehomemadef ood.Am sonot
goingtocookforthatguy,heisonlycomingtopick
uphiscarandnot hi
ngelse.Idon'
thavethetimenor
energytoenter
tai
nhim.
Am thinki
ngofcooki
ngsomethingcheesy .
..
Macar oni
andcheese,t
hatwil
ldof ort
onight.I
quickl
yputonmyapr onandstartgett
ingbusy.Am
prett
ysureI'
l
lbedoneby21:00.

Foodisr
eady,nowi
t'
sti
met
osi
tdown,
wat
chTV
andeatmyfood.
Di
ngdong.
..
.doorbel
l
.

"
Whoi
sit
?"

"I
t'
sme, am heref
orthecarkey s,
"Idon'
tev enhave
tochecki fi
t'
sreal
lyhim becausethatfr
uityvoi
ceof
hisjustassuredme."Okayletmegogett hem,"Isay,
standingupf r
om thecouch.

Iopent
hedoorandt
her
ehei
s."
Her
ear
eyourkey
s
nowscooch,
"

"
Youdon'
tl
iket
hanki
ngpeopl
eneh,
"hesay
s.

"Nop,by e.
"Isay,cl
osi
ngt hedoorbuthethen
decidest ostopmebypl aci
nghishandwhichwasa
verystupidmov ebecausenowhei shurt
.Great
,now
Ihavet olethimint
omyapar tment.
..
ugh!
!
"Comein,
I'
ll
gogetmyfi
rstai
dkit,
"Isayopeni
ngthe
doorf
orhim.Heget
sinandjustst
andswhileIr
ush
tomyroom.

WhenIcomebackwiththeki
tinmyhand,
hei s
al
readysi
tt
ingonmycouchandeat
ingMYf ood.

"
Whatthehel
l
!!!
!"Ishout
.Wasn'
thet
aughtany
manner
s.

"What!"hesay swithhisti
nyey eswi deopenasifhe
didn'
tdoany thingwrong."Isawf oodinfrontofme
soIdeci dedtoeatit.AndIdi dasky outocook
somet hi
ngf orme,"hesays, stuf
finghismouthwith
myf ood.Igiveup,thisguyisgoi ngtomakemyl if
ea
totalmisery.

"Okaynever
mindthefood,l
etmeseey ourhand,"I
say,t
akinghi
sri
ghthand.Istar
tappl
yi
ngheatr ubon
thespothegothurtandwhenIlookup,heislooki
ng
atme.Hei sn'twear inghi sgl asses." Hasany one
evert oldy ouhowbeaut i
fulyouar e,"hesay s.Idon' t
knowwhatt osay .Hei ssti
lllookingatme, Ithinkhe
i
swai tingf orar epl ywhi chhewon' tget .Ial sol ook
athim andnowi tf eelsl i
kewear einast ar ing
cont estwhi chIwi llpr obablyl osebecauseIbl inka
l
ot .
Hi sey esar ebl uewhi chisshocki nglyr areand
fr
eakybutext remel ybeaut iful.Ihav enev erseen
suchey es.Il iket hem.I tfeelsl i
kehei sl ooki ng
straighti nt omysoul andt ryi
ngt ofindwhatnoone
elsecan.I t'
sl ikeoursoul sar ehav ingadeep
i
nt i
mat emomentwhi chcanl astf orever.OkayIhav e
tost opt his.Iqui cklyst andupwi thmyf irstai dki t
butbef or eIcoul dev ent akemyf ir
stst ep, hecal l
s
me.Iwonderhowheknowsmyname.Het hen
standsup, looksatmeandpl aceshi shandonmy
shoul der .Hei sr eal l
yt allandbr oad-shoul dered.He
alsohasat attooonhi sar m, itlooksl i
keaJesus' s
crownoft hor nst y peoft attooandheal sohassome
wor dt at tooedont hesamear m.Zwi de,t hat '
st he
wor d.Hi ssur namemustbeZwi de, am justt aki nga
wildguesst hat sal l.
...
..Okaynowbackt or eal i
ty ,his
handi sst i
llonmyshoul der."Am r eal l
ysor ryf or
hi
tt
ingy
ourcar
."

IneverthoughtthatIwil
leverhearhim apologi
ze.
Helooksl i
kethetypeofpersonwhowoul dhi
tyou
byaccidentbutstil
lwouldn'
tapologize."I
t'
sokay,
as
l
ongasi t'
sgetti
ngf i
xed.Butyouaregoi ngtobemy
dri
veruntili
t'
sfi
xed."isay,t
aki
nghi shandof fmy
shoulder.

"Don'
tworryaboutthat
,I'
l
lbeyourdri
verunti
lyou
getyourcarback.OrImightaswell
bey ourdri
ver
forl
if
e,"hesayswithastupi
dsmileonhisface.

"Not hankyou,Iwanty ououtofmyl i

feassoonas
mycarcomesback, "Isay ,
shakingmyhead.The
smi l
ehehadj ustafewsecondsagomi r
aculousl
y
disappears,nowreplacedbysomanyemot i
ons.It'
s
l
ikehedoesn' twantthatdaytocome, thedayhewi l
l
havet oleav
e.It'
sli
kehedoesn' tevenwanttot hi
nk
abouti t
.Thereisareallyawkwardsil
encenow
soooooooi thinkIshouldwalkhim out."
Ithi
nki t
's
ti
mef ory outogo, "Isay ,openingthedoor ."Can'tI
sl
eepher ef ortheni ghtbecausei dontthinkI '
llbe
ablet odr i
vewhi l
stmyhandi sinsuchacondi tion."
Thesmi leisback, thisguyt hough.Hishandi snot
evenbadl yhurt,hei sjustmaki ngupanexcuset o
stayher e.Thesmi lehehasr i
ghtnowi smor e
notoriousl ookingt hantheonehehadi nt hemor ning.
Hebet t
ernotbet hinkingofdoi nganythi
ng. "Ooooh
hellno.Ij ustmety ou,Ican'tj
ustletyousleepher e.
Whati fy ouar ear apistorat hi
ef?Hahaam not
ri
skingany thi
ngshame.Andy ourinj
uryisn'tthatbad
atall.Sopl easego."Isay .
"Comeonbabes.DoIseri
ousl
ylookl
iket
hoset
ype
ofpeopl
e."hesay
s,st
il
lwi
ththesmil
e.
"
Am notr
iski
ngi
tsi
r.
"
"
PleaseThando.
"hesaypl
eadi
ngwi
thhi
sey
es.
Aaaaghjeez.

"Okayf
ine,youcanbutonlybecauseyouhel pedme
outwit
htransportandthat
'si
t.Ther
ei saroom
whichi
sony ourl
eft
.Youwill
sleepthere,
"Isay
closingthedoor."Pl
easedon'tr
uinmyapar tment
thesamewayy oudidwi t
hmycar ,"Isay ,am super
seriousbuthethinksam joki
ng.Any way s,l
etmego
sleep.I'
l
l j
ustl
eavehim herewhichscar esmebut
am r eal
l
yexhausted.Heisbackt oeatingmyMac
andcheese.

Thi
sguy
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
Chapt
er3

"
Ifi
nall
ygotyoubabygir
l.Youhavenoi
deahow
muchIhavebeencravi
ngf ory
ou.ComeThando,
we
wi
llhaveal
otoffun,
"
"Nol etmego.Idon'twanttogoi nt herewithyou.
Letmegoorel seI '
l
lscream!!!Help!Helpmepl ease!
!!
Siy
aaaaaa! !
!Pl
easecomehel pme"Icont i
nuet o
scream butnoonei scomingt omyr escue."They
can'thearyouovertheloudmusi ccupcake.I t'
sonly
meandy ounow.Comeorel se...
..
"hesay ssmi li
ng
whilepull
ingmet oanempt yr oom.
"
Siy
aaaaa!
!!
!"

"
Thandowakeup,Thandoopenyourey
es.
"Iheara
f
aintv
oicesaywhi
lebei
ngshaken.
Islowl
yopenmyey esonl
ytobemetbyhisblue
eyesstar
ingatme.Myeyesbegi
ntogetwaterybut
thenIr
ememberhowmuchofast r
angerhesti
ll
is
tome.Hecan'tfi
ndoutaboutmyscar
.Notnow, not
t
odaynotev
er.
..
..
..
.

"Areyouokay
.Youhavebeenscr
eami
ngforaver
y
l
ongt i
menow.Icouldev
enhearyouf
rom t
he
kit
chen.
"hesays,
sit
ti
ngonmybedandbrushi
ngmy
hair
.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
itwaspr
obabl
yjustabaddr
eam,
"Isay
,
r
ubbi
ngmyeyes.

"Ar
eyousurebecausei
ts..
..
..
."Ii
nter
rupthi
m bef
ore
hefi
nisheshi
sstat
ement.

"
Am okaysopleasestopworr
ying.Youcango.No
wai
t,howdi
dy ougetinher
ebecauseIr emember
l
ocki
ngmyr oom bef
oreIcamet obed."Isay
.

"
YourdoorwaslockedbutIhadtouseapintoopen
i
t.Tookt
imebutIsucceeded,
"hesays,
looki
ng
pleasedwi thhimsel f.OkayIhonest lyam super
weakt oev encomeupwi thmor equest i
onsforhim
butat l
easthedi dn'ttouchmei nanyi nappr
opriate
way .Howam Isosur e?Idon'tknow, ij
ustknowt hat
hedi dn'ttouchmei nappr opri
ately
.Thatmakes
senser ight.Ithinkitdoes.Wai t
,didIeatmyMac
andcheesel astnight ?Ha,Idon'tremembereat i
ngit
atallbutIdor emembercooki ngit.Thandowhatt he
fucki swrongwi thy ou.Arey ouser i
ouslyzoni
ngout
thisearly.
....
.Snapoutofi t..
..
..

"Whattimeisit
?"iaskthr
owi
ngmybl
anketsonthe
fl
oor.Ihaveabsol
utel
ynoener
gyt
ooverreactov
er
him get
tingi
nhere.

"Wel
lit
's6:00am soyoumightaswellwakeupand
getr
eadyf orwork.Whenyouaredone,youcan
comehav eyourbreakf
ast
."Hesays,st
andingup
andputti
nghishandsinhi
spockets.

"
Youmadebr
eakf
ast
?"
"Yepandl
etmej ustsay,
youneedt
ogogrocery
shoppi
ngbecausethereisnof
oodint
hishouse,
"he
says.

"Theonl
yreasonIdon'
tbuygrocer
iesi
sbecauseI
don'
teveneatthatmuchsotherei
sabsol
utel
yno
needfort
hat,
"Isay,
nowmakingmybed.

"
Ineedthosegrocer
iesf
ormy sel
fsoam goi
ngt
odo
t
hatshoppingf
ormy sel
fthen,
"

"Whyareyout
alki
ngasifyouaregoi
ngt
ostayher
e
for
ever
.Youarenotcomingbackher
esopl
ease,
"I
say.

"Wewillj
usthavetoseeaboutt
hatMi
ssgrumpy
pant
s,"hesayswit
hast upi
dsmil
eonhisf
ace.
"Any
way s,gogetr
eady.
"
Wow.I
sitmeordoest
hisguythi
nkthatheisher
e
t
ostay
.Anyway
s,l
etmegetreadyforwork.

Am doneget ti
ngdr essednowl etmegohav e
breakfastsinceIst i
llhaveanhourorsot ospare.As
Iwalkt othekitchen, astrongmanl yscentbeginst o
creepupmynose.Myapar tmentsmel lsofmoney
andpower ,anext r
emel ystrongscentofaman.I t'
s
him,it
'shim andonl yhim.Howcanamanl ookso
i
ndigenty etsmel lsoopul ent.How?Li kehonestly
,if
youwer et olookathi my ouwoul dthinkthathei s
povertystri
ken, especiall
ywhenhei sinhiscar,am
notbeingagol ddiggerorany t
hingbuti tstr
ue.But
hisscent,Jesusl ordhelpme!Wooot hismansmel l
s
glori
ous,magni ficent,
power f
ul,
super cali
fragi
li
sticexpiali
docious,youget
me? ??That '
showgoodhesmel ls!
!!
!YhoooIf eelli
ke
mynosemi ghtendupget tinganor gasm
because...
...
..

"
Smel
l
ssodel
i
ciousi
nher
e,whati
sforbr
eakf
ast
?"I
askasIappr oacht hekit
chen,smi l
ingatt heguyI
sti
ll
don'tknowt hatmuch.Hei sst andi ngnexttothe
stove."
It
'sjusttoastedbreadwi t
hmel tedcheese,
bacon,eggsandsausage, "hesay sl eaningont he
counterwit
hasmi le,wel
llet
'sjustsayi tlooksli
ke
heisconstipatedbutatleasthei stryinghey( Ithi
nk)
.

"Ihopey ouaregoingtoeatwi t
hmebecauseam not
goingtobeabl etofi
nishallthi
sbymy sel
f.
"Isayas
hehandsov eraplatefulloffoodandaglassofjui
ce.
Iprefercoff
eeinthemor ningbutjui
ceisal
sookay.I
don'twanttomakehi mf eelbad.

"That'
sifyoudon'
tminduseat
ingf
rom t
hesame
plat
e,"hesays,
smili
ng.

"
Hahahat
hati
snotgoi
ngt
ohappen,
"Isay
.

"Buti
twil
loneday
,"hesay
s.Am sodonewi
tht
his
guyyhoo.
"
Mynamei
sNkosi
byt
heway
,"

"
It
'snicet
ofinal
lyknowy
ournameNkosi
,
"Isay
,
t
akingasipofjui
ce.

"
Sotel
lme, wher
edidy ougetmyname?"Iask,
l
ooki
ngathim butal
lhedoesisshr
ug.Whatisit
wi
thhim andshr
ugging.

"Nowthatweknoweachot her
,woul
dyoumi
nd
giv
ingmey ourphonenumber?
"Heasks.

"Letmethi
nkaboutit
..
.hmm nop,
"Iwouldn'
tdar
eto
givehi
m myphonenumber.It'
smorethanenough
thatIl
ethi
m sl
eepinmyapartment.

"
ComeonThando,Ievenwokeupat5:30am to
makey
oubreakf
ast.Pl
ease,
Ibegofyou,"
-hi
m.
"Ohsoy oudi dalloft hisjusttogetmynumber .Then
l
etmej ustsayy ouwast edy ourtimebecauseam
sti
ll
notgi vi
ngy oumynumber ,"Isay,walki
ngaway
butbeforeIcoul dev enwal koutoft heki
tchen,my
bodyisagai nsthis.Hi shandsar eti
ghtl
yholdingmy
ti
nywai standhi sbluegor geousey esarelooking
str
aightintomi ne.Howt hehel ldidhegetsocl ose
tomei njustamat terofseconds? notthatit
'sbad
butdamn!

"Pleasegivemey ournumberThando,please,
"he
say sinaverylow,sexy
,seduci
ngv oi
ce.Ican'
t
breathe,mykneesar egett
ingweak,mybodyi sj
ust
onanot herlev
elofexcit
ement.OhGoshhel pme.

"
Pleasel
etmego,
"Isay
,looki
ngawayf
rom hi
m.

"
Okaybutar
eyougoi
ngt
ogivemeyournumber?
"he
whi
sper
sinmyeari
nzul
u.Ohgosht
hisman!!
!
"YesIam,"honestl
yspeaki
ng,am notgoi
ngt
ogiv
e
him mynumber .Am goi
ngtogiv
ehi m mymot
her
's
number.
Don'taskmewhy .
..
..

*
***
***
***
*

I
tslunchti
meandam exhausted,
Iwasinasurgery
for5hoursst
rai
ghtwhichwassuperhect
icbecause
t
hepat i
entdi
edtwicebutmi
racul
ousl
ywokeup.
God'sgl
oryhey.
..
..
Soam goi ngoutforl
unchwithNeri
satoday
,we
pl
anningt ogotoPapachinoswhichi
sa8mi nut
e
dri
vefrom here,
soIbetterst
artgoi
ng.Asam
packi
ngt hestuf
fIwil
lneedinmyhandbag, my
phonerings.
Unknownnumber
?Iwonderwhoi
tis.
"ThandoMdlet
she,
howcanIhel
pyou?
"Isay
answeri
ngthecal
l.
"Iseeyouaretr
yingtogetyourmot
hert
ohat
eme
hey,"oooohj
eez!
!!Seri
ousl
y
"
Howdi
dyougetmynumber
?"Iaski
nshock.
"Sl
owy ourhear tratedownbabyorel seyouwill
get
ahear tattack.Sol etmet el
lyouast ory.Onceupon
atimeaguydeci dedt ocal l
hisfut urewi f
ebecause
hemi ssedherv oicebutt henherphonegot
answer edbysomeoneel seandt hisper sontol
dthe
guythati twasawr ongnumber ,
thathehadcal l
ed
hismot heri nl
aw'sphone.Lucki l
y ,thissomeone
wasn'tthemot herinl awbuthi sfut urewife'
ssi
ster
.
Sothissi stergavet heguyhi swi f
e' sCORRECT
PHONENUMBERandt henhecal ledher .THEEND.
youli
kedt hatstory?"
"
Nkosil
eavemeal
one,
"Isayt
aki
ngmyhandbag
f
rom t
hetabl
e.
"
Am nott
ouchi
ngy
ou,
"hesay
ssoundi
ngamused.
"Butyousurear
eannoyingmeandi fImayask,
whozt hewif
einyourst
orybecauseIsur
eam
confused?
"
"
Takeawi
l
dguessgr
umpypant
s,"
"
Nkosi
ufunani
?(whatdoy
ouwant
)"
"Letmetakeyououtf
orl
unch"hesay
snow
soundi
ngseri
ous.
"
Hahay ouar
everyfunnyhey.AnywaysIgot
tago.
Myfr
iendsarewait
ingforme.Bye,
"Isay.
"NcaaaaThandodo. ..
."Iquickl
yendt hecal
lbef
ore
hefini
shedhisstatement .Ifi
nall
ygettoNeri
sa,we
l
eavet hehospi
talusinghercarandwegett o
Papachinos.Weent ertherestaurant
,getawait
er
whoget susatableandgi vesusmenus.
"
SowhatsupThando?
"asksNer
isaasshepages
t
hrought
hemenu.
"
Nothingmuchhey.Justwai
ti
ngf ormycart
oget
f
ixedandgetawayfrom t
hatannoyingf
ool
,"
"Youreal
l
ydontl
i
kehi
m hey
?"sher
epl
i
esme
smirki
ng.
"Ir
eall
ydon'
t.Hejustgetsonmynervessometi
mes
butshocki
nglyIst
il
lhaven'
tshothi
m deador
i
nsult
edhim,"Isaywithoneeyebrowelev
ated.
"
Wel
lmay
bey
oul
i
kehi
m,"
"
Woooonev
er.Ihav
eamanandIl
ovehi
m."
"That
'swhatIsai
dy ethereIam.Il
eftamanIhad
beendati
ngfor7y earsandmarri
edamanwhoused
toannoytheli
vi
ngshitoutofme."shesay
sclosi
ng
themenunowl ookingatme.
"Andthatwon'
thappent
omeNeri
sa.Il
ovemyman,
hemeanst heworl
dtomeandnoonecanevert
ake
hisspot.
"

"I
fyousayso,"saysav oicebehindme.Okayri
ght
nowIreal
lyfeell
ikeshi
t .If
eelli
kegrabbi
ngmybag
andrunni
ngoutoft hi
sr estaur
ant.Whyyouask?
Welli
t'
sgenuinel
ybecauseNKOSII STHEONE
BEHINDME!!!!
!
"
Nkosi
whatdoy
ouwantnow?
"Iaskt
urni
ngback.
"Ij
ustwant
edt osayhie.Don'
tworry,
am notheret
o
getonyournervesbecauseIsti
l
lwanttoli
ve.
"he
sayssti
l
lstandi
ngbehindme.Hel ooksatNeri
sa,
greet
sherthenlooksbackatme.
"Iwil
lseeyouwheny ouknockoff.Bye,
"hesay
s
patt
ingmyshoulder.Heturnstotheentr
ancet
hen
walksoutbutheisn'
talone.Hehasawomanwi t
h
hi
m,agorgeousl
ooki
ngwoman.Shelegi
tlooksl
i
ke
Gabr
iel
l
eUnion.Whyi
shewit
hher???
?
"Wellt
hatl
ooksli
kejealousywr
itt
enal
loveryour
faceri
ghtt
herehey"IhearNeri
sasayunderher
breat
h.
"
Am notj
eal
ous.Am j
ustwonder
ingwhoshei
sand
whyshei
swalki
ngwithaguyli
kehim.
"Isayr
oll
i
ng
myeyes.
"Hmmmm sur eyouar eandstopbeingsojudgy.You
don'
tevenknowt heguyjustyetsoslowdownwi th
thej
udgiometergir
l.Nowbackt owhywear ehere.
Canweor derourfood?"say
sNer i
sa.Inodmyhead
yesandlookatmymenuast hewai t
erwait
stowr i
te
dodnourorders.
Am Ir
eal
lyj
eal
ous?NoIcan'
tbe?Ihaveaboyf
riend
andIl
ovehi
m sowhywouldIbejeal
ousofNkosi??
Ughl
etmest
opt
hinki
ngaboutal
lthi
s.
Aft
er20minutesofbeinginPapachi
nos,Sabelo(Mr
Sexyl
ips)j
oinsusandletmejustsaySabeloandI
havealoti
ncommon.I t'
sli
kewear et
wins,li
kewe
shoul
dbecomef r
iendsnow!!
!Iwon'tl
ie,
am reall
y
enj
oyi
ngmylunch.These2peopleofmi nehave
managedtomakemef orgetaboutNkosiandhi
s
Gabri
ell
eUni
on.
..Orhavethey?Si
gh.

*
***
***
***

"Heybeauti
ful,
howwaswor k?"hesay s,
openingthe
passengerdoorforme.I
t'
snowknockof fandI
foundNkosiwaiti
nggotmeal r
eady.Sabelohad
offer
edtodropmeof fbutIref
used.Idon'
twantt o
beseenincarwi t
hamar r
iedman.Dr amaisthelast
thi
ngIneedi nmylif
eri
ghtnow.

"I
twasj ustworkIguess,"Isay,gett
ingi
n.Ihave
beenpl anni
ngonaski nghim aboutthel
adyhewas
walkingwi t
hearl
ierbutnowt hatheisher
e,Idon'
t
havet hecouragetosoI'llj
ustmindmyown
business.

"
Wel
lthenImadesomedi
nneratmyhousesoy
ou
wantt
ocomeov
er,
"

"
Not hanky ou,
Iwanttogot omyapar tmentandkil
l
myselfwit
hchocolateandIwantt ocleanupt he
messy ouleftt
herei
nt hemor ning,
"Isayasheget s
i
nthecar."Andbesides,it
'sFriday,
Iwouldn'twantt
o
r
uinyourwozaf ri
dayplans."Isaywithasmi rk.

"Idon'
thav eanypl
ansThando,
"hesay
switha
strai
ghtface,st
art
ingt
hecar.Whyt
hestr
aightf
ace
though.DidIsaysomethi
ngwrong.

"
Sowheni
smycarcomi
ngback,
"Iask.

"
ByMondaymay be.Stopworryi
ngaboutyourcar,
i
sn'
tam heretodriv
ey ouaround.
"Hesays,sti
ll
with
ast
rai
ghtface.Kantiwhyisthi
smanangr ynow.

"
Ist
il
lwantmycarbacksot
haty
oucanf
inal
l
yget
yourf
reedom,
"Isay
, l
ookingoutt
hewi
ndow.Hi
s
handisonmyshoulder.

"Whydoy ouwantmeoutofy ourl

i
fesobad, am I
thathorr
ibleattryi
ngtoi
mpr essabeautif
ull
ady,"he
says,l
ooki ngsad.Sohehasbeent r
yingtoimpress
meal lt
hist i
me!!OkayIt
hinkit'
sti
meIt el
lhi
mt his.

"
Nkosi
,Ihav
eaboy
fri
end.
"-
me.

"
Idon'
tcar
e,"
-hi
m.

"Whatdoyoumeany oudon'
tcare,am t
ryi
ngtolet
youknowthaty
ouaren'tgoi
ngtosucceedin
anyt
hingy
ouaretr
yingtodosost op.
"Isaytur
ning
tohi
m.

"Andi
fIdosucceed,
wil
lIbeal
l
owedt
otakeanot
her
stepf
orwar
d,"hesay
s,l
ooki
ngatt
her
oadahead.
"
Whatdoy
oumeanbyanot
herst
epf
orwar
d?"

"Wi
l
lIbeal
l
owedt
omakey
oumyl
i
fepar
tner
?"

"
Nkosi
,thatwi
l
lneverhappenbecauseIl
ovemy
manandnooneelse,
"-me.

"Okaythenma' am butoneday,youwi l
lbewal
ki
ng
downt heaislelooki
ngatmewi t
ht earsiny
ourey
es.
Youjustwai tandsee,"hesay
s,smi l
i
ng.Thatwas
supercreepy .
"
Nkosi
,wedon'
tknoweachot
hersowhatmakes
y
outhi
nkwewoulddat
e?"
"
Am af
rai
dIcan'
tsaymuchany
mor
e,"

Wehav
efinal
l
yar
riv
edatmyapar
tment
.Thatwas
t
hemostawkwar
drideev
er.
"WhenmycarcomesbackonMonday ,j
ustf
orget
aboutmeandmyex i
stence.GoodbyeNkosi
,
"Isay
asIopent
hedoor.Heisstil
lsmil
ing.

"I
'l
ltrytobutthatwi
ll
bet hemostdi ff
icul
tthi
ngto
do,"hesays,taki
ngoffhi
sgl asses.OkayIhaveto
getoutoft hi
scarbefor
eIst artt
hrowingtantr
umsat
thi
sguy .Asiwalkaway,Ilookbackandhei ssti
l
l
therelooki
ngatme.

"Youhaveaverybeaut
iful
,bi
gassbyt
heway
,"he
shout
s.Thando,j
ustkeeponwalki
ng.

"
GohomeNkosi
,
"Ishoutback.Icanhearhi
m
l
aughi
ng.

Myapar t
mentisamess.Ibett
erstartcl
eaningup
butletmegogetashowerfir
st.Iopenthewar m
showerandstepin.ThewayIl
ov ethefeel
i
ngof
waterrunni
ngdownmybody !
Ican'tstopt hi
nkingabouthi m.I t'
sl i
kehei sstucki n
myhead.Ther ehei s,smilingatmewi thhis
gorgeousl ookingbody ,histinycut ebeadybl ueey es
andhi spur pl
el i
ps.Ikeepont hinkingoft hewayhe
wasl ookingatmel astnightwhenIwasappl yingthe
heatrubandt hewayhehel dmei nthemor ni
ng.No
manhasev erlookedatmenorhel dmel i
kethat,not
evenSi busiso.IthinkIhav ehadenoughshower
thoughtsf oroneni ght,Ishoul dpr obablygetdr essed
andst artcleaning.Letmeweart hisunicornonesi e
alongwi ththeuni cornslipper s.Am r eadytost ar
t
cleaningupnow.Icanst i
llsmel lNkosi '
sper f
ume
whichkeepsonr emi ndi
ngmeofhi m ov erandov er
again.Godhel pme.

It
's10:
30pm andam donecleani
ng.Nowam r
eall
y
exhaust
ed.Ihavebeencravi
ngforsomeKFC
dunkedwings,l
etmeor dert
hem.Whil
eIwai
tforthe
deli
ver
ytogethere,I
'
llwatchTV.

Phonev
ibr
ates.
..
.i
t'
samessage.
I
t'
sfr
om Si
busi
so.16mi
ssedcal
l
sand10messages?

Phonevi
brat
es.
..I
t'
sanot
hermessagebuti
t'
sfr
om
Nkosi
.

Letmer
eadSi
busi
so'
smessagesf
ir
st.

It
'sov
erbet
weenus.Am goingt
ogetmar
ri
edt
o
someoneel
se.Am sor
ry.
..
..
.

What
!!
!!

*
***
***
***

SibusisoandIhavebeent oget
herfor6years.We
hav ebeenthroughalotbutwehav enevermade
"breakingup"anopti
on.Weal waysfi
xedthings.But
thisti
me, whathappenedthisti
me.Thiscan'tbe
happeningt omer ightnow.Sibusi
somustbe
playingsomet ri
ckonme.Letmecal lhi
m.Hi sphone
i
sr ingi
ng."Pleaseanswert hephoneSbu,dangit
.It
's
voicemai l
.Textinghimitisthen.
"

Heybbe..
..
pleasecal
lmebackIwantt
ot al
ktoyou
aboutt
hemessagey ousent
.Ifi
t'
saprankthen
pl
easestop.YouknowhowmuchIhatepr anks.

Andsend.
..
.

Di
ngdong.
..
."KFCdel
i
ver
yforThandoMdl
etshe.
"

Oohmyf oodishere."Okayam comi ng,"IshoutasI

standupf r
om thecouch, headi
ngf orthedoor.I
quicklygivehimt hemoneyandt akemybucketf ul
l
ofdunkedwi ngs.Nowbackt omyphone.St i
ll
nothing.Okaynowam get ti
ngscar ed.
...
.whatifheis
serious?Buthecan' tbe.Heev engav emeapr omise
ri
ngsot hereisnowayhei sseri
ous.Wehav ebeen
dat
ingf
orsol
ongnow.Hecan'
tbegi
vi
nguponus.

Phoneri
ngi
ng.
..
.Idon'
tevenbothert
ocheckwhoi
s
cal
li
ng.I
nst
ead,Ij
ustanswert
hecall
.

"
Sibusi
sopl
easet
ell
mey
ouwer
ejustj
oki
ng.
..
."

"
Whoababygi
rlsl
owdown,
it'
sNkosi
,
"oohgr
eat
.

"
Whati
sitNkosi
?"

"Wel
lhel
lot
oyoutoo.Ar
eyouexpect
ingacal
lfr
om
someoneel
se?
"-hi
m.

"
YesIam nowby e,
"Isay,hangingup.Idon'
twantt
o
t
alktohimri
ghtnow.Ijustwanttotalktomyboo
r
ightnow.Well
that
'sifhestil
lconsi
dersmehisboo.
Phoner
ingi
ng.
..I
t'
sSi
busi
so.

"
Baby
,"IsayasIanswert
hecal
l
.

"I
t'
snotapr ankThando.It
'sdone.
"Thenheisgone.
Hehashungup.Tear sstartrol
l
ingdownmycheeks
asthephonef all
soutofmyhand.Isthi
sreal
ly
happening.Noitcan'
tbe.WhathaveIdoneto
deserv
esuch. .
.what
!!
!!

Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
it
'sNkosi
.

"Nkosiwhatisit,
can'
tyoujustleavemealonefor
once.Stopcall
ingmeplease."assoonasam done
sayi
ngt hat
,Ihangup.Phoner i
nging.
..
it
'sNkosi
again,
Iwon'tanswerit
.

Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evethatSi
busi
sohasleftmeeven
aft
eral
lwehavebeenthr
ough.Icanfeelmyeyes
get
ti
ngswoll
enfrom cr
y i
ng.Idon'
tthinkIhave
anymoret
earsl
eft,
may beIshouldtrytogetsome
sl
eep.MaybewhenIwakeupt omorrow,wewillbe
abl
etotal
kaboutthi
sli
kepr opergr
ownups.

Nkosi
issti
ll
cal
li
ng.What'
swrongwitht
hisguy
,why
won'
theleaveme..
..
ughman!
!!
!!Nx.
..
.

*
***
***
**
Chapt
er4

Ithoughthi
sscentwouldbegonebymorni
ngbutI
guessIwaswr ong.I
t'
sevenst
rongert
hani
twaslast
ni
ght.Oohwell.

Whydoesi
tsoundlikesomeonei sher
ewithmeand
howdi
dIgetinbed.Irememberf al
l
ingasl
eepi
nthe
l
ivi
ngr
oom onthefl
oor .Okaysomeoneist
otal
l
yin
her
ewit
hme...
.Whereismygun?

Islowlygetoutofbed, headi
ngformywar drobe.
Thereismygun.It iptoeoutofmyr oom,wal ki
ng
towardsthekitchenentrancebecausethat'swhere
thenoiseiscomi ngfr
om.Ther eistheperson,
hahahat i
met odieyoul i
tt
lebi
tch.
..
..

"I
fy oudaremoveIwillbl
owy ourbr
ainsout,"Isayas
Islowlywalkuptothepersonwhoisl ooki
ngt he
otherdir
ecti
on.Iwonderwhatthepersonlooksl i
ke
andwhathewant
s.

"Wellt
hat'
sjustgreat,
notev enathanky oufor
tucki
ngherinbedorat hankyouforbeinghere.She
alr
eadywantstoki l
lmeev enbeforemar ryi
ngme,
yhooooNkosi yami(ohhmygod) ."Sayst heper
son
ashet ur
nsaroundt ofaceme.

"Yourfoodisi
nthemicrowavesostopbeingso
dramaticandeat
,"hesaysasheleansagainstt
he
counter.

"Nkosiwhatareyoudoinghere,andhowdidy
ouget
i
ntomyapar tment.Li
kereal
lydude,what
'swr
ong
withyou?"Isay,
looki
ngirri
tat
ed.Nkosii
sgoi
ngto
bethedeathofmeIpr omisey ou.
..
..

"Am j
ustbei
ngagoodpotenti
albaeokayandIdon'
t
thi
nkyoushoul
dbeaskingmehowIgoti nt
oyour
apart
mentbecauseam pr
ett
ysureyouknowhowI
goti
n,
"hesay
sashesmi
rks,
taki
ngoutapi
nfr
om
hi
spocket
.

"Okaygetoutnow.Youcan'
tj
ustcomeher
e
unannouncedandjust
..
..
"

"
Excusemebuttheonlyreasonam hereisbecause
y
ouignoredmy100calls.Iwasjustworr
iedabout
y
ousot hat
'swhyIcameher e,
"

"NkosiIdon'twantyouher esopleaseleave,
thank
youv er
ymuchf orever
ythingyouhavedonef orme
butpleaseleave.Ohandpl easedomakesur ethat
mycardoescomebackonMondaysot haty
oucan
gobackt oy ourli
feandleavemeal one,
"IsayasI
putthegunont hecounter.

"AaaahThandosengiyenzenimanj
e( whathaveI
donenow),okayam sorryforcomingint
oy our
apart
mentwithoutyourknowledgebut..
..
"
"Ey
yy,nobut
splease.Justt
akey
our
sel
foutofmy
apart
mentpl
ease."

"OkayokaybutcanIj ustsayonemor ething.That

stupidguywhohasmanagedt omakey ourey esso
puffyseri
ousl
ydidnotdeser v
ey ourl
ove.Believeme
whenIsayIwi l
l makehim payforwhathehas
done,"hesays,hi
sv oi
cesoundingsointense.

"Noonemademecr yal
ri
ght!nowleave,
"Isnap.I
hadtot
all
yfor
got
tenaboutt
hat.Didhereal
lyhaveto
remi
ndmeaboutmysadcur rentr
eali
ty.

"Yearight,j
uststoplyi
ngbecauseIknowthatyour
boyfr
ienddumpedy ouforanotherwomanthatwas
chosenf orhim byhispar
ents.
"Hesaysashet akes
afewst epst owardsmewi t
hhishandsinhi
s
pockets.

"
Howdoy
ouknowaboutt
hatNkosi
,di
dyougo
thr
oughmyphone.Andhowdoy ouevenknowt hat
thewomanhedumpedmef orwaschosenbythe
parents?
"IaskasItakestepsbackwards.Heissti
l
l
walkingtowardsmeandit'
sf r
eaki
ngmeout .Why
can'thejustl
eavemealone.Ohhhgosh,whathaveI
gottenmy sel
fint
onow.

"Thando,
Iknowev eryt
hingthathappensar oundyou.
Ascreepyasitmaysound, am alwaysar oundyou.
LookIju.
..
."Ii
nter
rupthim bef
orehef i
nisheshis
stat
ement.

"WaitNkosi, whatdoy oumeanbyt hat,whatdoy ou

meanbyy ouknowev eryt
hingthathappensar ound
me? ?.
..
arey ou,areyouspy i
ngonmenow, "Iaskas
am stil
ltaki
ngst epsbackwar ds.If
eel soviol
ated,
thewor stpartaboutitisthatmyl i
feisbeing
viol
atedbyamanIdon' tevenknow.

"
WellIwouldn'
tsayspyingbuty
oucancal
li
tthat
..
."
-
Nkosiashewalkscloserandcl
osert
ome.Am
t
rapped,mybackisnowagai
nstt
hewal
landNkosi
i
sinfrontofme.

"Cany oupleasest opcryingThando, please.Justdo

i
tf orme, "him ashel if
tshi shandandwi pest he
tear soffmyf ace.Iwon' tlieandsayt hatIdi dn't
needt hatbutIwasn' texpect inghimt obet he
per sont odoit.Itrytolookawaybuthegent lyt i
lts
mychi nupandgazesdeepl yi nt
omyey es.It
'sl i
ke
hisey esar etel
lingmenott owor rybecausehei s
her enow.Wher ehashebeenal lmyl ife?Het hen
biteshi slowerlipashel eansi nforaki ss.OhGosh,
hisl i
pst hough.Ireall
ydon' twantt hismomentt o.
...
..
..
Wai tno, Ihavet ostopthisbef oreitget sanywher e.I
hav etot rytogetSi busi
soback.Iqui cklypushNkosi
awayasIt r
ytoescapebuthegr absmyar m,pul l
s
mecl osertohim andhi spur plehot ,
sof topeni ng
l
ipswi ththeutmostpassi onsmashagai nstmi ne.I
thinkam aboutt olosemymi nd.Myv i
sionst artst o
blurasmyl ipsdoggedl yref uset oletgoofhi s.Hi s
tonguef i
ghtsfordomi nationi nmymout hashe
teachesmeofhowmuchhewoul drulemyl i
f eand
l
uremebackev er
ytimemyl ipst r
iedtoabandonhi s.
Hishandscar essmybodywhi l
emysoul opensup
tohist astyl
ipswhi charecr eatingar ainbowofi ts
ownsensual wayi nmymi ndandt hat
'swhenI
reali
set hatt
hewomani nsideofmehast otal
ly
betrayedmeal ongwi t
hmybody .Ican'teventhink
strai
ght .I
sthisreall
yhappeni ngoram Idr eaming.

Hel i
ftsmeupandhepl acesmeont hecounter.His
griponmeget seventi
ghtert
hani twasbefore.Ooh
whatt heheck,whydoIhav etoactl i
keam not
enjoyingthi
s.Iwrapmyar msar oundhisneckasI
pullhim cl
oser.Themor ewekiss, t
hemore
passionatethiski
ssbecomes.Thebestpar tist hat
hi
ski ssisnotoflust,
it'
smorethant hat
.Hesl owly
start
st opullawayandthensneer s.
"Il
ovey ouThando, Ihavealwayslovedy ou.Letgo
ofthemanwhohashur ty ouandletmeshowy ou
whatt r
uelov eis.
..
..
Letmebet heonet oshowy ou
whatlov eisabout.Letmebet heoneandonl yman
i
ny ourlif
e."hiseyesarelockedontomi ne.Ihonestl
y
don'tknowwhatt osay.
NoIcan'tacceptt
his.
..
.Imean,
am i
nlovewit
h
anotherman.Oram I?OkayIam t
otal
l
ylosi
ngmy
mind.

"Nkosiplease,
pleaseleave.Justgoandnev ercome
back."IsayasIbr eakt
heey econtactthathasbeen
ther
ef orawhile.Ican'
taccepthisproposal.Ijust
can'
t.

"
Thandopl
ease,
Iwon'
thur
tyou,
Ipr
omi
set
olov
...
."

"
NoNkosi
,don'tpromisemeany
thi
ng.Idon'twant
y
ouokay.
..
.j
ustleavemyapar
tmentpl
ease!!"Ishout
.

Hiseyesslowl ystarttolookaway ,
disappoint
ment
wri
ttenall
ov erhisf ace.Hestart
swal ki
ngoutofthe
ki
tchenbutl ooksbackatme, tear
sr ol
li
ngdownhi s
cheeks.Okayt hisissonotokay .Trytoimaginea
huge,i
nti
mi datingper soncry
ing.Yea,that
'swhatam
l
ookingatrightnow.
"I
'l
lalway sbewi thyouev enify
oudon'twantmebut
Isurelyknowt hatyouneedme.Il oveyouThando
andIal way swil
l.Goodby e.Iwi
llbebacksoon."
Aftersay i
ngthat,heturnsawayandst artswal
king
reall
yfast.Hei sgone..
...
whathav eIdone.Heisri
ght
,
Idoneedhi m.Ihavet oputmypr i
deasideand
acceptt hatIneedhim her ewit
hme. .
..
..
.

Iquicklyrushoutofmyapar tmenttothe
el
evat or.
..
.eishthisel
evatori
st aki
ngtool
ong,letme
uset hestairs.Pleasedon'tl
eaveNkosipl
ease.So
hereIam, rushi
ngdownt hestair
sinmyonesiefora
manIdon' tevenknow.WowThando. ..

ThemomentIgett
othepar
kingl
ot,
he'
sal
ready
dri
vi
ngaway
.Ohno!
"
Nkosi
!!
!!
!!
"Ishout
.Am t
ool
ate.
..
.si
gh!
Whathav
eIdone
*
***
***
***
NKOSI
'
SPOV
Herwordshadcutmesodeep,sodeepthatatear
escapedf
rom myeyeandIdi
dntevennoti
ce.
"I
'l
lalwaysbewi t hyouevenifyoudon' twantmebut
Isurelyknowt haty ouneedme.Il ovey ouThando
andIal wayswi l
l.Goodbye.Iwil
l bebacksoon."and
thosewer emyl astwor dstoherbef or
el eavi
ngher
apartmentanddr iv
ingofft
omyhouse.Idon' twant
togot oworkt oday ,Br
endonwill t
akecar eofmy
meet i
ngswi t
hmybusi nesspartners.
WhenIgethome,theguardopensthegat
eforme,I
parkmycarafewfeetfr
om mygarageandjustsi
tin
thecarf
ormorethan10mi nut
es.
"Boss,
arey
ouokay
?"asksoneofmyguar
dsashe
opensmydoor
.
"
Yeaam f
ineboy.Pleasedon'tletany
onein.Iwant
t
obeal
onet oday
."Isaysteppingoutofthecar.
"Ummm boss,Rosecamel astni
ghtafteryouleft
.
Sheisi
nthehouse."hesaysscratchi
nghi shead.
Oohgreat
,whatdoesshewant ?Wel l
Nkosi ,
get
readyt
obeannoyedf ort
hewhol eday.Itakemy
ti
met ogeti
nsi
demyhouse, hopi
ngthatRoseis
sl
eepingorsomethi
ngbutnope,shei
ssitt
ingonthe
couchwatchi
ngtheKardashi
ans.
"Bhudi
!!
"sheex cl
aimsjumpingfr
om t
hecouchwhen
shehearsthedoorclosing.Sher
unstome, gi
vesme
asupertighthugandkissesmycheeks.Eeeeh,and
then.
?
"
HeyRose,andt
hen?
"Iasksepar
ati
ngourbodi
es
f
rom eachot
her
.
"Haaaar
en'
tIal
l
owedtocomeseemybr
other
."she
sayswit
honeel
evat
edeyebr
ow.
"Nononotatal
lmypumpkin.It
'sjustt
hatyouwere
herej
ustafewweeksbackandy oubackagain.
"I
sayputt
ingmyarm ar
oundhershoulder
s."
Sohowi s
mybabydoing?
"
"
Am f
inebhudi
andy
ou?"sheasksl
ooki
ngatme.
"Am f
inepumpki
n,
"Irepl
ybutRosechuckl
eswhi
l
e
removingmyarmfr
om hershoul
der
s."Ooohsoyou
havestart
edl
yi
ngtomehey ?"
"
Hau,
Rosewhatam Il
yi
ngaboutnow?
"
"HaanaNkosi,youcanfoolevery
bodyel
sebutme.
What'swrong,
talkt
ome. "shesayspul
li
ngmet ot
he
couch.Assoonaswesi t
, Il
etoutal
oudsighand
thencovermyfacewithmehands.
"Tal
ktomebhudi
."say
sRose.Il
ookatherandt
hen
Ismil
e.
"
IfoundherRose.Ifoundmypri
ncess,
noIact
ual
l
y
f
oundmyqueen.If oundher
."
"Butt
hat'
swhatyousaidyear
sbackNkosi
andy
et
hereIam st
il
lwai
ti
ngforher.
"
"YesIknowbutt hi
stime,Ihavefoundherandby
thatIdon'tmeanphy sical
ly
,Imeanspi r
it
uall
y.Years
backIwasn' tsurethatshewasgoi ngtobemi nebut
now, nowam 100%sur ethatshewi l
lbemine,come
thundercomer ain.
"Ibabble."Idon'tknowwhenbut
shewi ll
.Roseyouwi lll
oveherwheny ougettomeet
her.Shewi l
lbri
ngsomuchhappi nessi ntoourli
ves,
youjustwaitandsee. "Isaystandingupandpul li
ng
Rosei ntomyar ms.
"
Okayokayst
opNkosi.Am pr
egnantsost
opdoi
ng
t
hisorel
seIwi
ll
fal
landlosemy..
..
..
.Ohshi
t"
"Whatdi
dy ouj ustsay?"Ilookather,
try
ingtofi
nd
cl
ari
fi
cati
onf orwhatshej ustsai
dtomer i
ghtnow
andther
eitis,it'
srightthereinherey
es.Sothat'
s
whysheisher e.
"Who'sbabyisit
?"shel
ooksdownwi
thshameal
l
overherface.
"Who'sthefatherRose?
!"Ibell
ow.Rosei sn'tmarri
ed
butshehasbeeni nanabusi v
er elati
onshipwi t
ha
mancalledSipho.Nomat terhowmuchIt ryto
separat
ethem, Rosegoesbackt ohim any waysand
i
tkil
lsme, i
treall
ydoes.Ihaveev ent r
iedtokillhi
m
butRosethreatenedtokil
lherselfifIkil
l
edsohi mI
l
ethim bebutIwar nedhernev ertoseehi m again.
Sheconti
nuestolookdownt henst att
ers"
It
's-i
t'
sSi-
si
-si
pho'
sbabybhudi ,
"Islowl yl
etgoofher ,lookat
hert
henturntothedoor .Istorm outofmyhouse
andthenentert
hepi nt
hatl ocksallthedoorsshe
wouldtr
ytouset ogetout .Ical
loneofmyguar ds
andtel
lhimtogetmyR8becauseIneedt ogohav e
atal
kwiththatf
ool asiny ester
day.
"
Oohandt
ell
Shchevt
ogot
oSi
pho'
shouse.Wewi
l
l
meett
her
e."Isayget
ti
ngi
ntomycar
.
"
Okayboss.
"
Am atSi pho'shousenowwai t
ingforShchevandt he
restofmyment ogether e.Rosehasbeencal li
ng
menonst opandIhav ebeeni gnoringher .Siphohas
tolearnal esson.Theyfinall
yar r
iveandam pi ssed
butIwontl ett
hatgetinthewayofmymi ssion.Iget
outofmycar ,
walktothecr ewandt ell
them t heplan.
"Soy ou3guy swil
lmakesur ethatnooneandI
meannoonegoesi nsi
dehi sgate.Shchevand
skotho,comewi thme."Am sogl adt hatthisf ool
doesn'thav eguards,wellhebasi call
ycan' tafford
them soy eah.The3ofuswal kintohisy ard,
Shchev etemper swithhisdoorandt henopensi t.
Thelivi
ngr oom isempt y.
"Sear
chforhi
m,"Ii
nstr
uctmymen.Theysearchthe
wholehouseandheisn'
thome.Wher
eishet hen
becausehedoesn'
tgotoworkonSat
urdays.Idi
ala
numberonmyphoneandi ti
mmediat
elygets
answered.
"
Wher
eisheRose?
"Iy
ell
.
"Hetr
avel
edoutofthecount
ryforabusi
nesst
ri
p."
shesayswit
hatrembli
ngvoice.
Iturntot
hewindowandletoutal
oudgroan."
Ify
ou
tol
dhimtoleav
ethecountr
yRoseiwil
lfi
ndhim.
Trustme.
"
"Nkosidon'
tkil
..
..
..
..
"Iendthecallandconti
nueto
glazeatthewindow."Shchev.Pl
easeinfor
m
BrendontofreezeallofSi
pho'saccount
s,shutdown
allhi
sshopsandt omakesur ethatheiscompletel
y
broke.
"
"
Okayboza,
canwego?
"
Itur
nt othem andnody es.It
'saboutti
meImade
surethathenev ercomesbacki nt
omysi st
er'
s
l
ife.
..
..
..
.Untilt
hen,Rosewi l
lstaywit
hmeunt i
lI
knowt hatit
'ssafeforhertostayal
one.

*
***
***
**
It
sMondaytodayandnosignofSipho.Hisbank
account
shavebeenfr
ozen,hisshopshavebeen
shutdownandheissuperbrokeasplanned,
well
that
'sifhedoesn'thaveanymoneyonhi m butI
doubt.Rosehasbeencr yingnonst opandhonestl
y,I
don'
tcar e.Shecancryallshewant sbutam
defi
nit
elynotlett
inghergobackt ot hatwomankil
l
er.
Sheev enthreat
enedtokillhersel
fagainbutthi
s
ti
meIof f
eredtohelpherdoi tandthat'
swhenshe
real
i
zedt hatitwasn'
tgoingtowor klikethat
anymor e.
Ihaven'tspokent oThandosi nceSat urdaybutt hat
didn'
tstopmef rom foll
owingherar oundand
keepingmyey eonher .Yesterdayshewasatsome
churchandIsentoneofmyguar dst ogosi twit
hher
asoneoft hepeopl einthechurch.Appar entl
yshe
wasaski ngf orforgi
venessforhowt ospoket ome
andshebeggedGodt obringSbubacki ntoherl
ife
whichwi ll
nev erhappen.Don'taskhowIknowhi s
namebecauset hat'
smyl i
ttl
esecrett hatwi l
lbe
revealedafterThandoi scompl et
elymi neandby
compl etel
yImeanwi thar i
ngonherf inger.
"ShchevIwanty outodosomethingforme,"Isayt
o
Shchevstandingont hebal
cony,
enjoyi
ngthe
mor ni
ngfreshair."
IwantyoutogopickupThando
atherpl
aceanddr
opheroffatt
hehospit
al.I
fshe
askswhoyouarej
ustsayy
ouaremyf r
iendand
that
'si
t.
"
Shchevst
andsupfrom t
hecouchandsays"
Okay
bozabutbozaIhav
eaquesti
onifyoudon'
tmind.
"
"Goforitmyman. "Isay.See,Imightber i
chandbe
i
nti
mi datingbutInev erandIrepeat,nev
er
downgr ademywor kers.It
reatthem asmyf r
iends
aslongast heyr
espectme.Imi ghtbeheartl
esshere
andther ebutnotallthetime.
Atfi
rsthehesi
tat
est
henfi
nal
lysayssomething.
"
Bozawhyar eyoudr
ivi
ngt
hatcaroutofal
lthecars
youcoulduse?
"
"BecauseIwanttousethatcar
,"Isayst
il
ll
ooki
ng
outsi
de.Shchevchuckl
esthenstandsst
il
l.
"BoygodowhatIhav etoldyoutodo. "Isay
chuckli
ng.Heknowsam l y
ingbutthehonestt rut
his,
Ihavenor easontousi
ngthatwreckedcar .Iguess
i
t'sbecauseIwanttoseeifThandoi sreall
ywor th
beingmywi feornotbutaft
erst
alkingherf orso
l
ong, Thandodoesn'
tseem li
keamoneyl overand
that'
soneoft her easonsIhav ef all
enf orher ,right
afterherr emi ndingmeofmymot her.Mymot her
passedawaywhenIwas15andmymot herhadso
muchl ov et hatev enmyf at herwor shippedher .Af t
er
herdeat h, myl i
feal ongwi thmysi blings' livesf ell
apart.Myf atherr emar ri
edanot herwomanwhowas
mymot her '
scl osestf ri
end.Shenev erlikedusbut
mydadnev ercar ed.Hebasi callyabandonedus.
Beingt heol destchi ld, Ideci dedt ol eav ehomewi tha
verysmal l amountofmoneyandf oodandt rav elled
onf oot,al lthewayf rom at ownshi pwhi chi smi l
es
awayf r
om Jobur gonl ytof i
ndaj obsot hatIcoul d
takemyl i
ttlebr otherandsi sterandbeabl et ot ake
careoft hem my self
.Howev er,thingsdi dn'tgoas
planned.Mymoneygotf inishedaswel lasmyf ood.
Ididn'thav eapl acet ost ayandi coul dn'tf i
ndaj ob
soIbasi cal l
ybecameast reetki d.Ihadaf riendwho
stoodbymet hrought hedi ff
iculttimesbuthegot
shotaf terst eal
ingf rom ast ore.Ist artedst aying
alonei nt hest r
eet sunt iloneni ghtwhenabl ackv an
stoppedi nf rontofmeandagr oupofmen
threatenedt okillmei fIdi dn'tgeti ntot hev anand
that'
swhenmywhol el if
echanged.Ist ar tedt owor k
foroneoft hegr eat estdr ugdeal ersinSandt on, Mr
Jones, whol aterbecameaf atherf i
gure.Het ook
goodcar eofme, l
etmef i
nishschool andnev er
all
owedmet ododr ugsev ent houghIsol dthedr ugs
forhim.Hehad2sonswhohat edmewi thapassi on
butIdi dn'tcare.Af terf inishingschool ,
Iwentback
tomyhomet ownt ot akemysi bli
ngsonl ytof indout
thatmyl i
ttl
ebr otherhadpassedawayandmysi ster
hadbecomeapr ost it
ut e.Itookmyl i
ttl
esi sterRose
withme, leavi
ngmyf at herandhi sdearev i
lwi fe.My
stepbr otherwant edt ocomeal ongbutIdi dntwant
himt o.Howev erRosebeggedmenott ohat ehi m
becausehesomet imeshel pedRosewi t
hshel terand
foodsoIendedupgoi ngbackhomef orhi m si nce
heal sohat edhi smot herandmyf ather,forwhat
reason?Idon' tknowbecausehegotev erythinghe
want ed.Isentt hem t oschool ,tookgoodcar eof
them andl i
fewasamazi ngbutt henMrJonesgot
kil
ledbyhi ssonswhot ookal lhismoneyandl eftt he
count r
y .Atfir
stIst ruggl edt ocopewi tht hesi tuation
butIhadt o.Istar tedasmal lbusinessofmyown
whi chgener atedal otofmoneyt henboom, Mr
Joness' l
awy erfoundoutt hatMrJoneshadwr i
tten
awi l
l whichstatedthathehadasecr etaccount
whichhad90bi l
li
ondol l
ar s,notr andsbutdol lars
andi twasal lmine.Iusedt hatmoneyt ost artmy
owncompani es,Ibuil
thospi t
alsacr ossSout hAf rica
andi nZimbabwe; compl exesi nSandt onandIal so
star
tedmyowndr ugbusi nesswhi chhasgener ated
alotofmoneyf ormet il
lthi sday .Onet hingabout
mei st hatIdon'twantt hewor ldtoknowaboutmy
wealthbecauset hat'
swhenf akepeopl est ar t
i
nv i
ti
ngt hemsel vesintoy ourl i
feandt heyst art
expect i
ngal otfrom you, whor esbegi nt obl owup
yourphoneandoutofnowher e,youst artget ti
ng
enemi es.Ihav ealwayskeptmyi dentityasecr et.
Nonofmywor kersknowt hatam t heirbossexcept
fortheonesIwor kwithint hebl ackmar ket.Myl ife
i
sbasi callyamazi ngbutt hent her eisonl yone
puzzlemi ssing,Thando.Iwanthert obemyqueen.
Myl i
fewi llneverbecompl etewi thouther .Shemi ght
havet oldmet ofuckoffbutIwi l
lnev erdosuch.The
dayIf ir
stspoket oherconf irmedt hatshewasmy
woman, event houghIendeduphi tti
nghercarwhi ch
wasast rategyformet ocr awl i
nt oherl ife.Ter r
ible
wayt oappr oachawomanbutIcoul dn' tcomeup
wit
hany t
hingelse.Whenshewasst il
li
nLehur ut
she
Ihadtri
edtoappr oachheracoupleofti
mesbutI
al
way sabandonedmypl ansbecausethethoughtof
met al
ki
ngt oherjusti
nti
midat
edme.Sonowt hatI
fi
nal
lygotthechancet obepartofherli
fe,
am not
l
etti
ngitgo.Sheismywomanandnooneel se'
s.

*
***
***
***
*

THANDO'
SPOV

It
'sbeenamont hsincemyunexpect edbreakupwi t
h
Sibusiso.Ihav ebeent ry
ingtogetaholdofhim butit
seemsasi fhechangedhi snumber.Ihaveoffi
ciall
y
givenuponget tinghim back.AsforNkosi,
Ihav e
nev erseenhi m eversi
ncet hatdayIt
oldhimt oleave
meal one.Hedi dn'
tevencomet opi
ckmeupont he
foll
owi ngMonday ,i
nsteadhesentaf r
iendofhis.I
onlygotmycarwhenIknockedof fandhewasn' t
theonewhohaddel i
veredittomywor ki
ngplace.I
regretev ertel
li
nghimt ogo.Howev er,someti
mesI
dogetthefeeli
ngthatheiswatchi
ngme
#st
alker
vibes.Ist
il
lcan'
tseem tof
orgethi
slast
words.
Nowl et'
smoveont othepositi
vesi
deofmyl if
e
ri
ght.Sabel
oandIhav ebecomesuperclose,he
evenwentasf arasint
roduci
ngmet ohi
swi f
eashi
s
"di
stantcousi
n".Funnyri
ght.

Todayam onni ghtshif

tsoIcanst ayinbedunt i
l
12pm.Icouldhav estayedhereuntil16pm butam
supposedtogomeetupwi t
hSabel oforl
unch.At
fi
rstIwasagainstitbuthiswifeaskedmet osoI
endedupagreeingt oit
.Icouldn'
tsaynot oher.Unt
il
then,l
etmesleep.

Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
..

"
Goodmor
ningDrBi
za,
"Isay
,answer
ingt
hecal
l
.
"
Mor
ningDrMdl
etshe,
Iam cal
li
ngtoinf
ormyouthat
y
oudon'
thav
etocomet oworktoni
ght,
takeani
ght
of
f.Youdeser
vei
t.
"

"
ButDrBi
zaIwantt
ocome,
Idon'
tneedt
ha.
..
..
"

"DrMdlet
sheam notaski
ngyou,am t
elli
ngyou.
Goodbye,
"andhehangsup.Wow. .
.Ireal
lywasn'
t
expect
ingthi
satal
l.Well
IguessImightaswell
enjoymyDAYOFF!!!!

Ti
met
osl
eep.
..
..
..
.

SohereIam, wait
ingf
orSabeloatsomeI ndi
an
rest
aurant
.Hei s15minut
eslate.Sor
rybutam one
ofthosepeoplewhoexpectspeoplet
obepunct ual
.

"Sorr
ytwinni
e,Iwasstucki
ntraf
fi
c,"hei
sfi
nal
ly
here.Wecalleachot
hertwi
nniebecauseweare
l
iter
all
ythesameperson.Twinni
ecomesf r
om t
he
wordtwin.
"
Yearight,r
ememberlastti
mey ousaidthaty
ou
werestuckintr
aff
icbutyouwereactuall
yhavi
ngf
un
wi
thyourwi f
eatsomehot el
..
.y
esshet ol
dmeabout
i
t,
"Isay,putt
ingmyphoneont hetabl
e.

"
Wel
lsi
ncey'
al
ltelleachot
herev
ery
thi
ng,
didshet
ell
y
out
hatshei
spr egnant?"

"
Real
ly,
congr
atul
ati
onst
winni
e..
..
am sohappyf
or
y
ou."

"Idon'
twantanychil
drenjustyetThando,Ihave
beentell
i
nghertotakehercont r
acepti
vepil
lsbuti
t
seemsasi fshehasn'
tbeent aki
ngthem,"Hesays
ashelooksatthemenu.

"
That'
sjustcold,butwhydon'
tyouwantachil
d.I
fI
wer
ey ouIwoul dbesohappytofinall
yhav
eachi
ld
wi
thabeautifulwomanlikeyourwife.
"
"Ist
il
lwantt
olivemyli
fe.Idon'
twanttoworr
yabout
achil
djusty
et.Ist
il
lwanttofuckmywi f
ewhenever
Iwanttowit
houtachil
dinter
rupt
ingus,
"hesays.

"
Sabel
oyouar
einsane,
"Isay
,laughi
ng.

"Andthati
sexactl
ywhyyouloveme,isn'
ti
t,
"hesays
withastupi
dsmi l
e."
Ohh,
Ialmostfor
gotaboutt
his.
Here,
"hesays,handi
ngoverabigpi
nkboxwitha
bluebowont op.

"
Forme?
"

"
Yesbuti
tisn'tfr
om me,someonedr
oppeditof
fat
t
hehospi
talthismorni
ng,
"hesaysashesi
gnalsfor
awai
ter
.

"
Shoul
dIopeni
tnow?
"Iask,
looki
ngatt
hebox.
"
Ify
ouwantt
o,"

"Okayam openingi
t."Ir
emovethebow,placeiton
thetableandopenthebox.I
t'
sful
lofchocolat
e,li
ndt
chocolate.MYFAVOURITE!!
!

"Andt
hen,
whyar
eyourey
espoppedout
."Say
s
Sabel
o.

"I
t'
schocolat
e,"Isay
.Ifeell
i
kescr
eami
ngri
ghtnow.
Y'
allj
ustdon'
tunderstandhowmuchIl
ove
chocol
ate.

"
Doy
ouatl
eastknowwher
eitcamef
rom?
"
"
Ther
eisanot
eher
e.Letmeseewhati
tsay
s."

***
WhatIdi dtoyouwascompl etel
yunaccept
able
andIregreti
teveryday
.Am sorryforwhatIdi
d
Thando.Ishouldhaveli
stenedtoyoubutIchosenot
to.pleaseforgi
veme.Canwepl easemeetupfor
dinneratJohnDor y'
sat19:30pm sothatwecantalk
becauseIr eall
yneedyourforgi
venes.Pl
easedo
come.I '
llbeweari
ngadar kblueshir
t.Hopetosee
yout here.
..
.*
**

Thereisnonamebutt hisl
ookslikeSibusiso's
handwr i
ti
ng.Andhei stheonl
yper sonwhoknows
thatIlovel
indtchocolat
emor ethanany thi
ng, well
besidesmyf amily
.Couldthi
sbehi m...
.pleaset el
l
mei t'
shim.Am stil
lnotoverhim.Istil
llovehim
eventhoughsomet imesam indeni al
.Iwoul dloveto
gethim back.Absolut
elynosecondt hought sont hi
s.

"
Coughcough,
yourf
oodishere,
"say
sSabel
o,
l
ooki
ngatmewi t
hacur
iousface.

"Oohsor
ry,It
otal
l
yforgott
hatyouwer
ether
e,"Isay
asIcl
osethebox,put
tingi
tasi
de.
"Andt hatsmil
eony ourface,youl
ookli
keJColej
ust
askedy outomar r
yhim,"hesay sashestuf
fsa
chickenstri
pintohi
smout h.

"HahahaIwi
sh.Sibusi
sowant
sustomeetf
or
dinner
,"i
say
,taki
ngmyf or
kandkni
fe.

"
Arey
ougoi
ng?
"

"
Obv
iousl
y,
"

"
Am comi
ngwi
th,
"

"
Aaaahwhy
?"
"
SothatIcanbeathi
m upf
orhur
ti
ngy
ou,
"Sabel
o
t
hough.

"
Youar
en'
tgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thme.I
'
llbef
ine,
"Isay
butSabel
ogivesmeasideeye.It
'salmost2:
00pm
soSabeloshoul
dgetgoi
ng.Hewal ksmet omycar
andthenwesayourgoodbyes.Ti
mef ormetoget
readyf
orthatdi
nner
.

*
***
***
*

Okaysowhatam Igoi ngt owear .Idon'thav eany

clot
hes.Ishoul dhav eboughtt hatdressIsawat
Edgar s.Okayl etmej ustweart hisnudecol oredhigh
neckl acedr ess.It
'saf i
tandf laredr ess.Ify ouar e
askingy ourselfthisquestiont heny es,y esIdol ov
e
fi
tandf l
aredr esses.Asf ortheshoes, am j ustgoing
toweart heopen- t
oeheel s.Theyar etheonl yshoes
thatlookgoodwi t
ht hi
sdr ess.Damn!Il ookgr eat,
thankst omybody ,t
inywai st,per f
ectl
yshapedass,
boobsandcur ves.Somet imesIwonderwhyIl ook
sofity etIdon'tevenwor kout .Ittookmeonegood
hourt ogetr eadybutIdi di t
.Nomakeup, justt he
natural mewi thmyaf r
ot i
edupandagr eybowon
theside.I t
'stimef ormet ogo.JohnDor y'
s, hereI
comet
otakemymanback!
!!
!

Am soexcitedbutanxiousatthesamet i
me.Whatif
hedoesn'twantmeback, ormay behejustwantsto
apol
ogiseforthewayheendedt hi
ngs.Whatifi
t'
s
nothi
m.Inev erthoughtaboutthat
.Okaynowam
fr
eaki
ngout .

Am nowatJohnDor y
's.Iquickl
yl ookf orapar ki
ng
space, par
kmycarandheadf ort herest aur
ant's
entrance.AsIstepinside,awai terwalksupt ome
butItellhi
mt hatam looki
ngf orsomeonesohe
l
eav es.Soam supposedt obel ookingf ora
blue..
..
yesthereheis.Hei ssitt
ingatt hef arendof
therestaurant
.Ican'
tseehi sface.

Istar
twalki
ngtowardshi
m, myhear
tisbeati
ngf
ast
,
mykneesar eget
ti
ngweakandmyst omachis
turni
ng.AsIappr
oachhim,hetur
nstolookatme
thenboom!!!
"
HiThando.I
t'
sbeenl
ong.Am gl
ady
ouar
eher
e."

Am par
aly
zed.
..

*
***
***
**
Chapt
er5

Islowl yopenmyey es,squi

nti
ngatt hebrightli
ght
abov eme.Mybodyf eelssonumbandam super
drained.Ifeell
ikesomeonehasbeenmer ci
lessl
y
beat i
ngmeupwi t
habi gasshammeral lovermy
body .AssoonasIr egainmyconsci ousness,his
facei sthefi
rstthi
ngt hatcomestomymi nd.I
shoul dhavenotgonet oJohnDory’s.ButhowwasI
supposedt oknowt hatitwashim whowant edto
meetupwi thme.Andhowt hehel
ldi dheknowt hat
am inSandt on?
“
Youarefinal
lyawake,
”saysafruit
yvoi
ce,di
srupti
ng
mefr
om mydeept houghts.Okaynowam backt o
mysenses,awareoftheunfamil
i
arsurr
oundi
ngs.
“Nkosiwheream I?
”Iaski
nawobblyvoi
cetr
yingt
o
getoutofthebedam i
nbutam st
oppedbyan
excruci
ati
ngpai
ncomingfr
om myankle.
“
Ouch!
!”
“
Easythereti
ger
,letmecallt
hedoctor
,”say
sNkosi
,
r
unni
ngt othedoortocal
lthedoct
or.
“Nkosiwhyam Iher
eandwhobr
oughtmeher
e?”am
panicki
ng,
conf
usionrul
i
ngmymind.
“Ma’am pleasecalm down,”say samiddleaged
womanwear i
ngawhi t
ecoat ,appr
oachingme.Isit
wrongt hatIfindt
hisawkwar d,wellt
hefactthata
doctoristell
ingmet ocalm downwhi l
stam adoctor.
Haha,itiskindaawkwar dthough.
“
Okayam cal
m,Ij
ustwantt
oknowwhyam her
e.”
“Twoday sago, youfel
l unconsciousatJohnDor y’s
sothismanr i
ghtherebr oughtyouhere,”saysthe
doctor,point
ingatNkosi whoisstandingbesidethe
bed.“Iactual
lythoughtt hatyouweregoi ngtodie
becausey ourheartrat
ewasext remelyslowbutI
guessIwaswr ong.”statesthedoctor.Ihavebeen
herefor2whol eday s…wowIr eall
ymusthav ebeen
messedup." Butwhywasmyhear trat
esl ow?"Iask.
"I
tseemsasi fyoucameher etr
aumat i
zedby
something.Yourbl
oodpr essurewasext r
emelyl
ow
too.Iwouldadvi
ceyout olookafteryourheal
th
ma'am andseeapsy chologisti
fneeded."
"
Thanky
oudoct
orbutIdon'
tthi
nkt
her
eisanyneed
f
orapsy
chol
ogi
st,
"Isaysmi
l
ingt
oher
.
"
Wel
lokayt
hen,
"
Nkosi keepsongl anci
ngatme, wi
thasmi l
ethatI
’
ve
neverseenonhi sfaceeversincethedayImethim.I
can’
tst oplookingathimt oo.Myey esar
e
complet el
ygluedt ohi
s.Hissmi l
ehasbecomeso
contagious.
“WellI
’l
lcomebackl at
ertocheckony ou,”saysthe
doctorasshestart
swal ki
ngout.Wehadt otal
ly
for
gottenabouther.Whent hedoorcl
oses,Nkosi’
s
smil
echangest oaf r
own.Hel ooksdown,breaki
ng
theeyecontactwehad.
“Am sor
ryf
orcomingbackint
oyourl
i
f e.Iknowyou
don’
twanttoseemeany wher
enearyoubut ….
”
“
Am sorryf
orsayingall
thosemeanwor
dsIsai
dto
you,
”Isayi
nter
rupti
nghim.Herai
seshi
sfacet
o
mine,l
ooki
ngconfused.
“
All
youwantedtodowascaref
ormebutIact
ed
l
i
keabit
ch.Am sor
ry,
Ireal
l
yam.”
“
Thandoy
our
eal
l
ydon’
thav
etoaskf
orf
orgi
veness,
Ishoul
dhav
e….
”
“Nkosij
ustacceptmyapol ogyplease,
”Isaylooki
ng
athim.Hehasnor easontoaskforforgiv
eness.He
thennods,wit
ht hestupi
destsmileever.Whocould
havethoughtthatsuchascarylookingpersoncoul
d
eversmil
e,welltrytosmil
e.
“SoIspoketotheheadphysi
cianandhesai
dthat
youcangohomeadayaf t
erregai
ningy
our
consci
ousness.
"saysNkosi.

“Oohokaybuti
fImayask,
whatr
eal
l
yhappened?
”I
ask.

“WellIwashav ingdinnerwithsomef ri
endsatJohn
Dory’
swhenIsawy ouwal ki
ngin.Ithoughtabout
greet
ingyoubutt henIst oppedmy sel
f.Thenext
thi
ng,Iheardpeoplescr eamingandy ouwer eonthe
fl
oor,unconscious.
”Ilookathistensedey esashe
tel
lst
hest ory
,nowr emember i
ngthatfaceI
unknowinglywentt oseet hi
nki
ngitwasSi busi
so.
“Thando,
arey
ouokay
?”asksNkosi
,hol
dingmy
hand.
“
Am fi
ne,am j
ustt
ryi
ngtorememberwhatmademe
f
all
unconsci
ous,
”Isay,
lyi
ng.
“Youknow,youreall
yscar edmeThando.It hought
youweregoingtodie."hewalksclosertome, takes
myhandi nt
ohisandki ssesit
."Idon’
tbeli
eveinGod
butyouhadmepr ayingforthepast2day s,
”hesay s
soundi
ngt r
emulous.WhydoesNkosi caresomuch
aboutme?Hedoesn’ tevenknowmet hatmuchy et
hereheis,l
ooki
ngsot raumatizedmorethanIam.
“
Whydoyoucar
esomuchaboutme?
”Iask,
f
oll
owi
nghi
seyes.
“Ir
eal
l
ydon’tknow,maybeit’
sbecauseIl
ovey ou,
”
hesaysshr
ugging.Heneverknowsanyt
hing.Every
ti
meIaskhim somethi
ng,hejustsay
shedoesn’ t
know.
“Youneverknowanyt
hingdoyou,
”Isaylaughing.
Thetensedeyeshehadarefi
nal
lygone,
r epl
acedby
awonderfulgl
ow.
“Knockknock,canIpl
easecomein.
”say
sthedoct
or,
standi
ngatthedoor.Webothnod.
“Si
rvi
sit
inghoursar
eov er
.Ourpat
ienthast
otake
hermedicat
ionandrest
."
Nkosir
etreat
shishandfrom mi
net henfacest
he
doct
or."Oohokay.Canshebedischarged
tomorr
ow? "
"
Yesshecan.Todaywejustwantt
oseehowshe
r
ecov
eresthenshewil
lbefreet
ogo."
"Okaydoct or.
"Nkosi t
urnstolookatmet henbends
downt owhi spersomet hi
nginmyear ."Byelove.I
willseey out omorrow."Hiswhispertriggersmeand
Ifeel everysingl
egoosebumppopupal lovermy
body .Hel ooksintomyey es,kissesmyr i
ghtcheek
thenf lashesasmi rk.Thando,comebackt oeart
h,
thi
si snott hetimet ofeell
ikethis.Nkosifinal
ly
l
eav est her oom,l
eav i
ngmewi ththedoct or.
"
Ma'am,canIsaysomet
hing"say
sthedoct
or
l
ooki
ngatme.
"
Yeasur
e."
"Am probabl yinnopl acet osayt hisbutt hatman
ri
ghtther esuredoesl ovey ou.Whenhegother e
withyout hatnight,hewasi nt ears.Thenur seskept
ontelli
nghi mt owai tbecausenonoft hedoct or
s
wereav ailabl
et otr
eaty oubuthe, hedidn'ttakeany
ofit.Hedemandedanddemandedunt i
lhegotwhat
hewant ed.Whent hehospi talcalledme, they
beggedmet ocomebecauset herewasa" Cr azy
man"whowast hr
eat eningt oshutdownt hehospi tal
i
fhedi dn'tgetserved.Si gh..
...
.Hedi dev er ythingin
hispowert ogetyout reat edandhedi dn'
tev engive
up.Keept hatman, nev erleav ehissi denomat t
er
whatbecauseany onecanseet hathei sy oursoul
mat ethroughhi sactions.Ev enabl i
ndper soncan
sensei tfrom afar
."Ilookdownasshesay sal lt
his.
"Youknow,thel
astti
meIsawt hatwas15y earsago.
Andt hemanwasn'tevencryi
ngforhiswif
e, hewas
cryi
ngbecausehi
swi f
ewast heonewhowor ked.He
wasal azybum,
"webot hlaughatherstat
ement .
"Sobabyhol
dont othatdiamondbef
oreitgoes.
Takemyadv i
ce.Andpleasedoseeapsychologi
st.
Youmightli
etomebuty ouknowy ouneedone."I
f
lushasmi
leather
,shor
tofwor
ds.Idon'
tknow
whatt
osay
.
"Ookay.Timef ory
oumi sst orestnow."shesay
s
aft
erinject
ingsomet hi
ngintothedr i
p.Afew
minuteslater
,myey esstarttodrif
tofftothe
unknownl ands.

Soam f i
nall
ygetti
ngdischargedandam sooogl ad
am getti
ngoutofherebecausei t
spuretor
ture.The
doctorkeepsonsuggest i
ngt hatIseeapsychologi
st
butIdon'twant.Nkosiwantedt opayformybi l
lbut
thenItol
dhimt hatIhaveamedi calai
d.
"Soar eyouready?"saysNkosi hel
pingmeoutof
bed,handingov ermycrutches.SowhenIf ell
,I
sprainedmyankl ethusIhavet ousecrutches
now....
..
.Mylif
e...
..
.OohandNkosi wil
lbest ayi
ng
withmebecauseappar entl
y,Ican'
tstayalonei n
"such"aconditi
on.Hiswor dsnotmi ne.
"
Wearegoingtomyhouser
ight
?noty
our
s."Isay
t
aki
ngthecrut
ches.
"
YesThando.Wear
egoi
ngt
oyourhouse.
"
Weheadoutoft hehospital
,gettohiscarandwe
areofftomyapartment.Thereistotalsi
lenceinthe
car,nonofusaresayi
ngawor datall,
wej ustkeep
steali
nggl
ancesfr
om eachot her.Okayletmej ust
breakthi
sice.
"
Thanky
ouNkosi
,
"
"
Forwhat
?"
"
Forhel
pingmeandf
orbei
ngt
her
ethatni
ght
."
"Comeon.Youdon'thavetot
hankme.I
t'
smyduty
asyourman."It
urnmyheadsideway
sandlookat
him wi
thaquesti
onabl
elook.
"
Andthen?What
'supwi
tht
hatl
ook?
"hesay
s
l
ooki
ngatme.
"
Ishouldbetheonetoasky
ouaquest
ion.What
'sup
wi
ththatst
atement?
"
"
Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ongwi
thi
t?"
"Yes.Ever
ythi
ngiswrongwit
hit
."Isay
.Nkosil
ooks
atmet henchort
les.Mxm,whyi
shelaughi
ng?
"Hmmmm wellIdon'tseeany
t hi
ngwrongwi
thitso
hey.Woman,
youmi ghtdenyitbuty
ouareal
ready
mywoman.Thedayy ouwereborn,Goddeclar
ed
thaty
ouaremineandnot
hingwil
l changet
hat.The
soonery
ouaccepti
t,t
hebett
er.
"
Isqui
ntmyey esathi mt hinkingoft hemosthur tf
ul
wordsIcouldsayt ohim butmyst upidhear twon' t
l
etmebecausei thasfallenforhi sst upidwor ds.
Evenmywomani nst
inctittelli
ngmet ostopf ight
ing
thetr
uth,howevermyheadi stelli
ngmet onotf al
l
fori
tatall
.Sowhoam Igoi ngt olistent o,myhear t
andinsti
nctwhichareinpar t
ner shipwi theachot her
ormyhead?It hinkam goi ngt olistent omyhead
becausethelasttimeIlistenedt omyhear tIended
upregret
tingi
t.
"
Youhaven'
tev
enpr
oposedy
ether
eyouar
etel
l
ing
meshi
t.
"
"Fi
rstofal
l
,neverusethatl
astwordi
nmypresence
andsecondly
,ifyouwantmet opr
oposej
ustsayso
Thando.Noneedt obeangry.
"say
sNkosiwi
tha
smirk.
"NoIdon'
twanty
ourpr
oposal
.Am j
ustr
aisi
nga
poi
nt.
"
"Hmmmm okayt hen."heconti
nuest olookahead
theroadwhi l
eIjustglanceathim.Whosentt hi
s
mani nt
omyl i
feandwhy ?NeverhaveIev ermet
suchast ubborn,ar
rogantmani nmyl if
e..Wef i
nal
ly
gettomyapar tmentanddamnImi ssedit.Si
gh..
..
..
..
"
Soletmegogetsomegr oceri
essincey
ourhouse
i
sli
ter
allyempty
.I'
l
lbeback.Don'
tcook,
Iwil
l
."say
s
Nkosihelpi
ngmetogettothecouch.
"
Nkosither
eisf
oodi
nther
efr
iger
ator
."Isayr
oll
i
ng
myeyes.
"Youcal lallt
hoseveggiesfood? ?
Youdon' tev
en
hav emeal i
emeal Thando,it'
sjustpastaandv eggi
es
every where.Nobeefnonot hing.Haithat'
snotfood
mydar li
ngthatspuretort
ure.
"heki ssesmycheek,
turnst othedoorandleaves.Heev enlockedthe
door .Yaaaahneh.
It
aketheremotefrom t
hecof
feet
abl
e,t
urnont
he
TVandjustr
elax.
Phoner
ings.
..
..
..
..
.
Itakemyphonefr
om mybagandcheckt
hecal
l
erI
D.
It
'sanunknownnumber
.
"ThandoMdlets.
..
..
"andbef
orIcoul
dfi
nishmy
sentencehecall
smyname.
"Sbu???"myhear tstar t
st oraceasIr ememberhow
hebrokeupwi t
hmeanddi dn'tevent rytocontact
mef oronewhol emont h.Hahaam sonot
entert
aini
ngt hi
spi eceofshi t.Iquicklyendt hecall
,
notcaringaboutwhathewant stosay .Hecalls
againbutIignorehi scall.Am angr yathi m, am
sooooangr yathi m andam donewi thhi sbull
shit
.
Theonl yreasonIwentt oJohnDor y'swasbecauseI
thoughtitwashi m whowant edt omeetupwi thme
butno.Itsallhi
sf aultIwentt omeetupwi t
hthat
monst er,
thatmonst erwhor uinedmyl if
e.Her ui
ned
mydr eamsofst ay i
ngt hewayi wasunt ilImetmy
l
ifepartner,heruinedev erything.
"
Apennyf
ory
ourt
hought
s,"Ihearsomeonesay
ing.
"Nkosi
,wel
lthatwasf ast
."Isaylookingathim.He
walkstot
hekitchentoleavethegr ocer
ieshebought
thencomesbackt otheli
vingroom andt akesmy
crut
chesfr
om thefloor.
"
Let
'sgocook.
"
"Okay .Hel pmeup. "Isaygivinghi m myhands.He
pull
smeupf rom thecouchandwebot hheadt othe
kit
chen.Nkosi giv
esmet hev eggiest ocutwhi l
ehe
mar inades6pi ecesofdr um sticksandput sapot
withwat eront hest ove.Wespend2hour sint he
kit
chent alki
ngaboutsensel essst uff,
laughingand
gossi pingaboutt hepeopl einourl i
ves.Iwon' tli
e,
Nkosi real
lyisn'tt
hatbad.Despi t
ehi sfinancial
statuswhi chseemsv erybad, her eall
yhasan
amazi ngper sonalit
y.Youwoul dswearhei sn'tthe
samemanwhohi tmycaramont hago.Asf orSbu,
hehasn' tstoppedcal l
ing.Iactuallyhadt oswi tchoff
myphonebecauseam notent ertaini
nghi m.
"
Andfoodisr
eady.Letmegosetupt
het
abl
e."say
s
Nkosi
removi
ngtheapron.
"
Oohnol
etmeseti
tup.
"
"Andhowar eyouplanni
ngondoi ngthatmiss
grumpypant s?
?"st
atesNkosiwithhishead
sideway s.OkayIdi
dn'tt
hinkaboutthat.Honest
ly,
thissprainfeel
sli
keshit
,it'
ssooooooof l
eapen
painful
.
"Okayy oucanseti tup"Isay .Nkosi chucklesthen
takest heutensi
lsanddi shest othediningr oom.He
putsthef oodhecookedi ncasser ol
edi shesand
goest othedi ni
ng.Sowhat 'sf ordi
nnery ouask?
Wel l
it'
sjustpapwi thcreamedspi nach,grav yand
roastedchicken.Am justpr ayingthatittastesas
amazi ngasi tsmell
s.Nkosi comesbackt ohelpme
thenwebot hheadt othelivingroom.
Wet akeourseatz,IprayandWearer
eadyt
odigin.I
serv
et hef
oodf orhim andasIdoso,
Nkosi
just
stai
rsatmet hewhol eti
me.
"
Andt
hen,
wena?
"
"
Thandoyouar
esososososobeauti
ful
!Woooo
woman!!
damn.
"hesay
sexcl
aimi
ng.
"Youknow, al
lmyloveiswai ti
ngforsomebodyl i
ke
you;somebodyIcangi veitallt
obuty oukeepon
delayi
ng.Iwil
lwaitshame, i
t'
sokay .
"Ijustl
ookat
him wit
honeel ev
atedeyebr owandmyhear ti
son
anotherl
evelof**damnboywher efuckhaveyou
been**butmyheadi sonsome* *
bitchrunasfast
asy oucan.Thisi
sdefini
telyaSibusiso.*
**However,
myinstinctistel
lingmet obl ush.Whatt hehelli
s
happeningt ome? ?!Youwoul dswearam hav inga
mentalbr eakdownr i
ghtnow.Ij ustglanceatNkosi ,
handov erhisfoodandj ustsi tdownwi t
houtsay i
ng
anyt
hingbecauset hereisawargoi ngoni nmybody .
Wecont inueeatingourdi nnerinsi l
ence, wefini
sh
outfood, Nkositakesthepl atestot hekitchenand
washest hem andt henhecomesbackt ot hedini
ng
room wher eam st i
l
lsit
ti
ng, stil
lhavingthatwari n
mybody .
"I
t'sti
mef oryourmedi ci
ne,here"hehandsov ermy
pil
lsandwat er.Itaket hem f
rom him withan
appreci at
ivesmi l
e, Idri
nkthepill
sandhet akest hem
tomyr oom.Whoi sthismanandwhatdoeshewant ?
Isher eall
yinlovewi t
hmeori sheaf tersomet hing?
Sigh..
...Ij
ustdon' tknowany mor e.Godpl easegi ve
measi gn.Ifhei sindeedaf t
erlovethenpl easehel p
meaccepthi m buti fhei saft
ersomet hi
ngt hen
pleasehel pmechophi sdickof f
,Amen.

*
***
***
***
***
***
*
“Thandoy oushoul dhav eletuskil
lhim 8y earsago.I
regreteverl
isteningt oyou,”say
sTshidi asshesits
onthecouch, placinghercupofcof f
eeont hecoff
ee
tabl
e.SoIdeci dedt ocall
Tshidioverforthe
weekend.Ial socal ledmymom andNol uthandobut
theyhadt ogot oIndiaforsomeweddi ng.It ol
d
Tshidiaboutmyl it
tlemeetingatJohnDor y ’
sand
boyi sshemad.
“Someti
mesIj ustwanttodie,
Ican’tt
akethi
stort
ure
anymoreTshidi.Whatdoeshestil
lwantfrom me?”I
saycry
ing.That’sal
lIhavebeendoingeversi
nce
shecameher e.
“Don’tsaythatcupcake.Ithinkit’
saboutt i
meIf ind
andteachhi m alessonhewi llneverf or
get .Andno
Thando, Iwil
lnotli
stentoyout histimet hesame
wayIdi dlastti
me."shesay s.Tshidi hasbeen
cravi
ngt okil
lSibusi
so.Ihadt opleadwi thherand
beli
evemewhenIsayi twasn’teasyconv incingher
notto.Ialsohadt oaskhernott ot ellmybr ot
hers
becauset heywouldhav ei
mmedi atelyflawnbackt o
SouthAf ri
cajusttokil
lSbu.Ihav en’ttoldmymom
aboutSibusisoleavi
ngme.Shel ikedSi busisoso
tel
l
ingheraboutitwoul
dbr eakher.Ohandshe
doesn’
tknowaboutwhathappened8y ear
sago.
OnlyTshi
di andmybrothersknowaboutit
.Wedidn'
t
tel
lNolut
handobecauset hatbi
tchisasni
tchand
shedoesn'tli
keanyofusexceptformom.

“Ireal
l
ywoul dn’
tmi ndy oukil
li
ngBrainbecauset
hat
monst erdeserv
esi t.YearsbackIwasscared
becauseourf at
her swer ecl
osefri
endsbutsince
dadpassedon, Idon'tcareanymore.Butl
eave
Sibusi
soal one.
”Isaypoi nti
ngather.
"Okayf
ine.Atl
eastam get
ti
ngt
hechancet
oki
l
l
someone,"say
sTshidi
.

"Soenoughofthi
sdepressi
ngt
opic,
tellmewhat
’s
upwithyou?”say
sTshidiwi
thasmirk.Iknow
exact
lywhatshe’
stal
ki
ngabout.

“
Not
hing,
”Isay
,wi
pingt
het
ear
sof
fmyf
ace.
“
Don’
tli
eThando,
youar
ereal
l
yter
ri
bleati
t.
”
“Am notly
ingdude,Nkosi
isjustafri
endandthat
’s
all
.”Isayl
ooki
ngattheTV, t
ryi
ngtoav oi
deye
contactwit
hher."
Hewasj usthel
pingmeoutthat'
s
all
."
“Butt hewayy ouguy slookateachot hersays
somet hingel se,”shesay s,nudgingmewi thher
elbow." helookssobr okethoughbutsi nceyoudon'
t
careaboutmoney ,youguy swoul dmakeanamazi ng
mat ch. "Nxt hischild.WhenIt oldNkosi t
hatmy
sisterwasgoi ngtobeher efortheweekend, he
refusedt oleav ebutheendedupdoi ngso.Howev er
thatdi dn’tstophi mf r
om comi ngtov i
sitmeso
that’showhegott omeetTshi di
.
“Am ser
iousTshi
di,
nothingi
sgoingonbet
weenus,
I
don’
tthi
nkam readyforsuchj
ustyet
.”
“Ugh!comeoncupcake, youshouldst artl
ett
inggo
ofSibusisobecausehei sgonef orgood,”says
Tshidi,
lookingannoyed.Shewi l
lneverunderstand
howdeepl yinloveIam withSibusiso.OkayIknow
thatam beingaconfusedcockr oachandal l,
butI
j
ustcantseem t oforgetaboutthatfool.Imighthave
blockedhisnumber ,tol
dhimtol eavemet hef uck
aloneaf ewt i
meshepoppedupatmywor kplace
dur i
ngt heweekbutIcan' tf
orgetabouthim.You
knowt hatoneboyy oujuststaystuckuponno
mat terhowmuchhehur t
sy ou,that'
swhatam goi ng
throughr ightnow.Am j ustconfused.Ihatehim butI
stil
llovehi m.Idon'tknowwhatt odo.Ijustfeell
ike
j
ustbecomi ngsingl
eforal ongasst imeuntilam
overSbubecauset hereisnowayam get ti
ngintoa
relati
onshi pwiththemi ndsetIhav e.
Asam abouttor
epl
yTshi
dimyphonestar
tsri
ngi
ng,
i
tsNkosi.Thi
smancal
lsmeever
ysecond,l
ike
ser
iousl
y….
“
Nkosi
am f
inesost
opwor
ryi
ng.
”

Thecal
l
er……

“Okayf
ine,
youcancomeov erbutcanyoupl
ease
bri
ngabucketofchi
ckenal
ongwi t
hyou,”
Thecal
l
er………….
“
Thanky
ou,
bye,
”
WhenIdr opthecall,
Tshidi
isl
ookingatmewi t
hthat
smirkagain.Shereal
lyi
sconvincedthatNkosi
andI
haveafli
nggoi ngon.Letmejustshutupbecause
shewon’tbelieveme.
“Ireal
lywon’tbeshockedt ohearthathepr oposed
toy oubecausethi
sguyi ssoi ntoyou.Ey,
Ihav e
beenmeani ngtoasky ou,i
st hecolorofhiseyes
reall
yblueoritsey
econt acts.”
“Fi
rstl
y,hewil
lneverproposesoj ustchil
lbabe.And
yes,hi
sey esarenatur
allyblue.Atfi
rstInever
beli
evedhim buttheyare.”
“Yhooobabesy ouar
esoluckyt
ogetaguywit
h
suchey es.I
fIwerey
ou,
Iwouldhavepr
oposedto
him,”saysTshi
di.
“
Tshi
di,
Nkosi
isj
ustmyf
ri
endanddon’
tfor
gett
hat
y
ouhaveaman,”
“Aaahyoucal
lthatthi
ngaman, Ihavebeenwai t
ing
forhimtopr
oposebutnot hi
ng,
”saysTshidi,
roll
ing
hereyes.Webothlaugh.Shehasbeendatingthis
othermanofhersfor4y ear
snow.Theyli
terall
ydo
everythingtoget
her.Heevengoesshoppi
ngwithmy
mot herandsomet i
meswi thmybrot
herswhenever
theyar earound.Hehasactual
l
ybecomeaf amil
y
member .
“Whydon’
tyougoforAl
vin.Hehasbeenaskingyou
outfor9y
earsnowsogivehim achance,
”Isay,
taki
ngasipofmyjui
ce.
“Not hanks, Al
vini sr eallychi ldi
shandy ouknowhow
muchIcan’ ttoleratesuch.Iwoul dpr obablyendup
beatinghim upev erysingleday .Andt hi
st hi
ngof
him actingasi fhei st her ichestmanonear th
annoy smeev enmor e.”Wecont i
nuet al
kingf or
another30mi nut esbef oreNkosi finall
yar r
ives.
Inst
eadofTshi di standi ngupandopeni ngt hedoor
becauseam hur t
, shej ustst aysputont hecouch
l
ookingatt heTV.Whydi dIaskhert ocomeov er
againbecauseshecl ear l
yi sn’thel pingmewi th
anything.Islowl yst andup, holdingont omy
crut
ches, thisankl ei sreallymaki ngmyl i
fedi ff
icul
t.
“
HeyNkosi
,
”IsayasIopent
hedoor
.
“
Hel
l
osweetpant
s,”
,say
sNkosi
giv
ingmeahug.
Fr
om Mi
ssgr
umpypant
stosweetpant
s.Wow.
“
Her
eisyourbucketofchi
cken,
spi
cyj
ustt
heway
y
oul
ikei
t.
”
“
Thanky
ouNK,
”Isaymaki
ngwayf
orhi
mtopass.
“HeyNkosi
,ni
cetoseey
ouagai
n,
”say
sTshi
dist
il
l
sit
ti
ngonthecouch.
“Ni
cetoseey
out
ooTshi
di.
”say
sNkosi
,notsmi
l
ing
atal
l.
“
Shoul
dIgety
ouj
uiceorany
thi
ng?
”me.
“Nodon’twor ryaboutmeandy oushoul
dn’tbe
walkingaroundsweetpant s.I
fIwantanything,
your
sist
erwillgetiff
orme.”-Nkosi.Theeyethathejust
gotfrom TshidiYhooo.I
flookscouldkil
l
,Nkosi
wouldbedead.

AnywaysIact
ual
lycameher
etot
alkt
oTshi
di,
”say
s
Nkosit
urni
ngtoTshidi
.
“
Andt
hati
s?”say
sTshi
di.
“
Tshi
di,
Ihav
ebeenaski
ngy
oursi
stert
ogooutwi
th
mebutshekeepsonr ej
ecti
ngmesoIwas
wonderi
ngifyoucoul
dpleasejustaskheronmy
behal
fplease,
”say
sNkosilookingatTshi
di..What
thehel
ldude.Whatmakeshi mthinkt
hatIwill
changemymi nd.I
tsst
il
lgoingtobeano.
“
Don’tworrymydearblueeyedf
ri
end,
justt
ell
me
whatti
mey ouar
egoingt ocomepi
ckherup.She
wi
llbereadybyt
hen.”Tshidi
.
“What!Noam notgoi
ngoutwi
thhi
m Tshi
disowhy
areyousayi
ngsuch,”
“
Whatt
imewi
l
lyoubeher
e,”i
nqui
resTshi
di.
Okaythese2ar
etot
all
yinsane.Am t
heonewhoi s
supposedtomaket
hedecisionher
enotTshi
di.
“
Tshi
didudest
opgi
vi
nghi
mfal
sehopecozam….
.”
“
Whatt i
meNkosi ?”Tshidiasksagainshowingme
t
hemi ddlef
inger.Wellt
hat’sjustr
ude.Gett
ing
i
nter
ruptedwhilstt
ell
i
ngt hem thetrut
h.
“
7:30pm shar
p,”Nkosi
“
Okayy
oucango,
bye.
”
“
Thanky
ouTshi
di,
seey
out
oni
ghtThando.
”Say
s
Nkosismili
ng.Ijustlookathim androllmyey es.I
f
heseri
ouslythi
nkst hatam goinganywher ewithhim,
worsewiththesecrut chesthenheisinsane.Am so
angryatTshidir
ightnow.Shecancont i
nuewat chi
ng
thi
smov i
ealone.Am goi ngtomyroom.

*
***
***
***
***
**
SohereIam,al
ldr
essedupf
oradi
nnerdat
ethatI
don'
twanttogoto.Why?
Well
,basi
call
ybecausemydearev il
sister
,Tshidi
deci
dedtobuymechocol atesbutnottogivethem
tome.NotuntilIgooutwi t
hNkosi.Sigh..
..
..
Couldn’
t
Nkosiatl
eastwaitformet ogetridofthese
crut
chesfi
rstbecausetheyar er
eall
y
annoy
ing.
Ihavebeenwai ti
ngf orNkosif
ormorethan45
minutesnow, notthatIcaret
hatheisl
ate.Am
actual
lyhopingthathedoesn’tshowupatall
.Tshi
di
hasbeenl ooki
ngoutt hewindowimpat
ientl
y,i
t
seemsl i
keshei stheonewhoi sgoi
ngout.
“Hei
sher e,getoutbabes,getout.Hei shere!
!”says
Tshi
dijumpingupanddownl i
kea2y earol
dgirlwho
j
ustgotanewbar bi
edoll,
pushi ngmeoutt hedoor.
Oohgosh, whycan’tNkosijustgot ohishouseor
something.Letmejustgett hi
sov erwithsothatI
cangetmychocol ate.
Ihaveabsolutelynoideawher ewear egoingbut
whereveritis,i
tsreal
lyfar.Wehav ebeenont he
roadforthepast30mi nutesnowandam get ting
ti
redofsitti
nginhiscar .Hiscari
ssool dandsuper
uncomf ort
able.Ishouldhav eoff
eredtousemi ne.
Am lookingoutsidethewi ndowbutIcanf eel
hi s
eyesonme.Iknowhei sl ooki
ngatme.
“Nkosi
,wherear
ewegoi ngbecauseam t
ir
edof
sit
ti
nginthi
scar?”Iasktur
ningtol
ookathim.
“
9mor
emi
nut
essweetpant
s,j
ustbepat
ient
.”
“
Fine,
”Isayl
ooki
ngbackout
sideagai
n.
“Canyoupleasestoplooki
ngatme, lookatther
oad
aheadofyou.Idon’twanttodiej
ustbecauseof
you,
”Isaystil
ll
ookingoutsi
de.Ihearhimlaugh,
and
hisey
esaref i
nal
lyoffme.
Sonowwear einsomeur banareaanditlooks
absol
utel
yamazing.Thehousesarereal
lybi gbut
al
sosimple,
withbeauti
fulyar
ds.It
henspotone
whichl
ooksli
kehomeandIsmi l
e.HowImi ssthat
house,
Imissmymom somuchand
thewaysheusedt ospoi lmewi thshoppi ngon
Saturday s.Shestil
l doesspoi lmet hough.Shesends
meR12000ev eryweek.Idon’ tknowhowIshoul d
spendal lt
hatmoneyi nmyaccount .It hinkIshould
giveittoNkosi becausel ookingathi mr ightnowand
hiscar ,hereall
ydoesneedi t
.Oooohi tlooksl i
kewe
aregoi ngt ohaveourdi nnerher ebecausehei snow
dri
vingt owardssomebi ggat e,Ireallycan’ tsee
anythingont heot hersideoft hegat e.May beit’
sa
hotel.Ther ei
saguar dst andingout side, hejust
openedt hegateforus.Hedi dn’ tevenaskusany
quest i
ons.Aswedr iv
ei n,Inoticear eal l
y
humongoushousebui ltofblackt intedgl ass, t
hat
ti
ntedgl assjustremi ndedmeoft hehospi t
al.Wow,
thi
shouse
real
l
yisbeaut
if
ul.Hethenpul
l
sover,
get
soutoft
he
car,
rushi
ngtomyside.Heopenst
hedoorf
orme
thenhelpsmegetoutofthecar
.Ican’
tgetmyeyes
offthi
sbuil
ding.I
tsj
ust
….Wow,am speechl
ess.
“CanIjustcarryyoubecauseIdon’
tli
keseeingyou
walkwiththosecr ut
ches,
”saysNkosi
,looki
ngatthe
crut
chesliketheyaresomedisgusti
nglooki
ngthing.
“Nothanks,
am f
ine,
”Isay
,wai t
ingforhi
mtowalk
fi
rst
.Whoa!!
!Ij
ustsai
dnot hanks.Whatdoeshenot
underst
and.
“
Nkosi
putmedownIcanwal
konmyown,
Nkosi
!!
!”
“St
opwhi ningandj ustenjoyther i
de,”hesay s
l
ookingatmeasam i nhisar ms.Hei sn’tgoingto
putmedownsoImi ghtaswel lj
ustl eti
tbe.Luckily
am wearingjeans.Don’ taskwhyam wear i
ngpants
toadinnerdat e.Asweappr oachthepor chwhich
hasawat erf ountainstatueandf lowerpot sbesideit,
hethenst ops,putsmedownandent ersapi nonthe
doorint
ercom.I st hishishouse?noi tcan’tbe.Not
aft
erseeinghi m drivesuchacar .Heopenst hedoor
assoonast heintercom showsagr eenlightandI
fol
lowhim ashewal ksinsidethehouse.Wow.Thi s
houselookssoexqui si
te.Myey esar ejust
everywhere.Ithasagr eywoodenf l
oorwhi chkindof
l
ightsupt hishouse,blackor natechandeli
erwith
diamonds, l
otsandl otsofdi amonds.Thest ai
rsata
farendoft helivi
ngroom ar espiralwit
hclearglass
stepsandagl asswall.Ithenspott heki
tchenwhi ch
i
scompl etelysilv
er.Thef urnit
ureinthi
shouse….
Wai tno,
letmecor r
ectt hatto,t
hef ur
nit
ureinthis
glassmansi onmakesi tevenmor eelegant.Who
everbuil
tthissurelyisrich.
“Soareyoureadytohavedinner
?”it
sNkosi st
andi
ng
besi
deme, l
ookingatmeasmyey esexplor
ethe
beaut
yofthi
shouse.Ilookathim asInod,Ican’
t
speakanymore.Thesmileonhisfaceri
ghtnow….
Hethenstart
swal
kingtowardsacream col
ored
di
ningt
able.It
sal
readysetwit
hcasser
oledishes,
si
l
verplat
esandutensil
s.
“Comesi t
,”say sNkosi
ashepul
lsachairforme.He
dishesupt hefoodforbot
hofusthensit
sacross
thedini
ngt able,f
aci
ngme.SoIguessthisiswhen
west ar
teat i
ng.
Hei
sn’
teat
inghi
sfood,
hei
sjustpoki
ngi
twhi
l
st
l
ooki
ngatme.
“
Whyar
en’
tyoueat
ing,
”Iask.
“Am j
ustadmir
ingt
hebeaut
ysi
tt
ingacr
ossme,
”he
saysputt
inghi
sfor
kdown.
“Nkosi
,pleaseeatsot
hatIcanjustgohome,
”Isay
.
Am real
lynotinthemoodforsweettal
k.
“
Ohokayt
hen.Your
eal
l
ydon’
twantt
obeher
e,do
y
ou?
”
“
NoIdon’
t,
Iwantt
ogohome,
”
“
Thando,whydon’ty
oul
i
keme?”heasks.That
’sa
r
andom quest
ion.
“
Ido.
”as
“Sot
henyouwoul
dn’tmindbei
ngmygirl
fr
iend
ri
ght
?”say
sNkosist
andingup,comi
ngtokneel
besi
deme.Okaywhatthehel
li
shappeni
ngnow?

“Thando,ev
ersi
ncethedayIlai
dmyey esonyou,I
havebeenunderyourspel
l.WhenIwakeup,youar
e
thefi
rstper
sonIthi
nkof.Thedayswestayed
toget herwer esur elythebest , y
oumademef eelso
high, sohi ght hatwheny out oldmet ocomebackt o
myhouseIal mostcr ied,"Hekeepshi sey esgl uedto
measIgi ggle, remember inghowhewhi nedwhenI
toldhi mt ol eav e." See, t
hat sexact lywhatIwantt o
wakeupt oev er ysingl emor ning.Iwantt obet he
fi
rstonet oseey ourf acebef orethesunshi nesi t
's
l
ightony ouandIwantt obet helastonet olookat
yourgl ori
oussel fafterthemoonandt hest arsshow
yout hewayi nt omyar ms.BabyIj ustwantt oget
stucki nmyl ov ef oryouandInev erwantt oleav e
you.Ij ustcan' tseem t ofor getabouty ounomat ter
howmuchIt ry.Ihav ebeenwi t
hal otofwomenand
nonoft hem mademef eel thewayy oudo.Iwantt o
bel aidupwi thy ouandj ustst ayupwi t
hy ou.Iwant
tofeel yourlov eandj ustkeepi tsosaf et hatno
mat terwhatt hewor l
dmi ghtt rytodo, i
tcan' thurt
you.Iwantt obet her easony oucry, ther easony ou
l
aughandt her easony ouj ustsmi l
e.Iknowam
beingr andom butIcoul dn’ tkeepi tinsideany mor e.
Am pr obabl ynott het ypeofguyy ouwoul dgof or
butcany oupl easegi v emeachancet oshowy ou
thel oveIhav ef ory ou?"hekeepshi sey esonme
whil
esayi
ngallthi
s.Hechuckl esl
ookingawayt hen
l
ooksbackatmeagai n."Okayhonest l
yspeaking, I
don’
tknowhowt olovebecauseIhav enev erbeeni n
l
oveorbeenlovedbeforebutwhat everIfeelforyou,
am 100%sureit
slovesopl easeThando.Ipr omise
toal
wayskeepy ouhappyandsaf e,Iwill
doany t
hing
andever
ythi
ngtokeepy oubymysi de.Pleasegive
meachance? "
OoohmyGod….
.
If
eel
li
kecr
yingr
ightnow.

*
***
***
***
Chapt
er6

Ihonestl
ydon’tknowwhatt osay .Iwanttosayno
butIalsowantt ogivehim achance.Am conf used,I
real
l
ydon’ tknowwhatt osay .Am justso
overwhelmed.AmanIst i
lldon'tknowt ot
hepoi ntof
consider
ingar el
ati
onshipiskneel i
ngnexttome,
aski
ngmet obehi sgir
lf
ri
end.
WhatshouldIsay.Myhandsar ecoveringmymout h.
Ican’tsayyesj
usty et
,it
swayt oosoon.Buthei s
aski
ngf orachanceThando, j
ustgiveitatry
.But
whataboutSibusiso?Youknowwhat …..f
uckit
.He
mov edonsoIshoul dmov eont oo.
“I
…i….Ireal
lydon’
tseewhynot,”Isaylooki
ngint
o
hisbl
ueey es.Hi
sfacechangesfrom beinganxi
ous
tobeinghappy.
Hejumpsupt ohi
sfeet,
picksmeupandspi nsme
ar
ound.Ialwayst
houghtthatt
hisonl
yhappensin
moviesbutIwaswrong.
“Okay,okayputmedownNkosi befor
eIthr
owup,”I
saytry
ingtostoplaughing.Heput smedown,goes
backonhi skneesagain,hetakesmyhandand
star
tskissi
ngit.I
shereallythathappy?
“ThankyousomuchThando, IpromiseIwon’tmess
thi
sup.Infact
,I’
l
lmakey outhehappiestwomanon
eart
h.ThankyouThando,”Nkosi
.Sohei sthathappy.
NeverdidIthi
nkIwouldmakesuchascar yl
ooking
mant ur
nintosuch.Never
!!
!

“Butcanwepleasetakethi
ngssl
owbecausewest
il
l
don’tknoweachothert
hatmuch.”
“Yesma’am,Imeany esbabe,”hesay ssmil
i
ngli
ke
ali
tt
leboywhojustgotasportscar.IsweartoGod
Nkosil
ooksl
ikeali
ttl
eboyrightnow.SoIguessam
nowinarel
ati
onshipwithamanIdon’ tknow.
Soundski
ndofshadyr i
ght
….

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Sowedeci
dedt
osi
tont
hecouchandhav
e
chocol ateicecream si nceitsmyf avourite.Myl egs
areont hecouchandmyheadi sonhi sshoul der.His
l
egsar eont hecof feet ableandhi srighthandi s
aroundmyshoul der .Wehav ebeensi tti
ngl i
ket his
foraboutanhournowandl etmej ustsayhei sso
funny .Ihavebeenl aughi ngsohar dtoapoi ntwher e
myr ibshur tandIcan’ tlaughany mor e.Am hav inga
greatt i
mewi t
hhi m sof arandIam get t
ingt oknow
him al i
ttl
ebitmor e.May besay i
ngy eswasagood
i
deaaf terall
butt her eisonet hi
ngt roublingme.Am
sti
llnotov ertheSbut hing.Irushedi ntot hi
s
rel
ationshipwi thoutget ti
ngov erhim.Wel l,IguessI
havenochoi cebutt odosowhi lstam i nthis
rel
ationship.Am pr ettysureitwon' tbet hatbad.
“Sot
ellme,
isthi
syourhouse?”Iask,
placi
ngt
he
emptybowlonthecof
feetabl
e.
“
Yesi
tis,
”hesay
slooki
ngatt
hecei
l
ing.
“I
tsreal
l
ybeauti
fulhey.
”Iwonderwhyhehassucha
housebutanuglycar.
“Iknow,
”hesays,
movi
nghishandupanddownmy
arm.Wellat
hankyouwoul
dhavebeenbet
ter
.Let
mej
ustshutup.
“Whenam Igoinghome?itsalr
eadypast22:
00pm
andican’
tleav
eTshidial
laloneint
hatapart
ment.
”
“
Idon’tl
i
kedr i
vingatni
ght
,especi
all
yatthi
sti
meso
whydon’ty
ouj ustsl
eepover
.Am prett
ysureTshi
di
wi
llbefi
ne.”
"Well
that
'sal
ameexcuseMrman.
"Isayr
oll
i
ngmy
eyes.
"I
t'
swort
hatryisn'
ti
t?"Nkosi
say
ssmi
l
ingsmugl
y.
Thismanofmine.
“Aslongasam sl
eepinginmyownr oom,am fine,
”I
saylooki
nguptohim.Hisfacequi
cklychanges.He
bett
ernotbeexpecti
ngmet osl
eepwi t
hhimjust
becauseam hi
sgirl
fr
iendnow.
“YesNK,am sl
eepi
ngi
nmyownr
oom.Thi
sisnot
negot
iabl
e.”
“I
tsokay,you’
l
lsl
eepi
nmyr
oom andI
’
llsl
eepi
nthe
guestroom.”
“
Nodon’
twor
ry,
I’
ll
sleep….
."
“
NoThando,
am goi
ngt
osl
eepi
ntheguestr
oom.
Thisisnotnegot
iabl
e.”Hesay
swithasmi
rkonhi
s
face.Nkosit
hough….Igiv
eupYhooo.

“Am gett
ingki
ndofsl
eepysodirecti
ngmet othat
room ofyour
swouldbegreat
lyappreci
ated,
”Isay,
grabbi
ngoneofmycr ut
chesont hefl
oor
.
“
Oohno,youdon’
thav
etowal
kbabe,
letmecar
ry
y
ou,
”Nkosi.
“
Nkosii
tsfi
neIwantt
olear
nhowt
ogetusedt
o
t
hesecr
utches,
”
“
OkaybutIr
eall
ydon’
tli
keseei
ngyouwal
kwi
th
t
hesef
il
thyt
hings,
comeonl et
sgo,
”
Am sti
ll
astoni
shedbythishouse.Idon’tt
hinkam
evergoi
ngtogetoverit
.Wehav ereachedhi sr
oom
andam alr
eadyexhaust
edf r
om walking.Yep,t
hat’
s
howbigthishousei
s,Ishouldhavelethim car
ryme
yhoooo.
Hisroom iscomplet
elynavybl
ue.Everysi
nglet
hing
i
nher eisnavybl
ue,fr
om thefl
uff
ycarpet,
hisbed
duvet,t
heloti
onsonthedressi
ngtabletohis
morni
ngshoesandmorni
nggown.Soam guessi
ng
nav
ybluei
shisfav
our
it
ecolor
.Okay.
“
You’l
lbesleepi
ngi
nher
etoni
ght
.Ihopey
oudon’
t
mindthecolor
.”
“Noit
sokay ,
butIst
ill
thi
nkyoushouldhavesl
epti
n
yourroom.Iwasgoingtobeabsol
utelyf
inei
nthe
guestroom,
”
“
Thando,
Iwanty
out
osl
eepher
e.Ii
nsi
stoni
t.
”
“Okayt hen,youcanl
eavenow.Goodnight
,”Isay,
moni t
or i
ngtheroom.Heisn’
tmovi
ngatall
.He’sjust
standingatthedoorlooki
ngatme.Whyisn’the
l
eav i
ng.Ialsostandsti
ll
,l
ooki
ngathi
m withone
eyebrowup.
“CanIatl
eastgetagoodni
ghtki
ssf
rom mynew
baby.
”
“Noyoucan’tNK.Gosl eep,”Isaywal ki
ngtothe
doortocloseitbutasthedoori shalfwayclosed,he
stopsitwit
hhi sf
oot.Atleasthedidn’tusehishand
thi
stime.Het henopenst hedoorslowly,hi
seyes
l
ockedonme.Nkosi walkst owardsmewhi lehis
auraaswel l
ashisscentdomi nat
esmyspace; he
slowlycreepshi shandar oundmywai stthengent ly
pullsmecl osert ohim.Ourl ipsmeet ,creat
inga
scinti
ll
atingatmospher earoundus. Thesof tt exture
ofhislipsstimul at
est hepassi onateki ssev enmor e
thanitwasashesl owlyslideshi stonguei nt omy
mout h,tasti
ngt hechocol ateicecr eam Ihadear li
er.
Iletoutasof tmoan, notwant inghi mt ostop.Idr op
thecrutches, wrappingmyar msar oundhi sneck.
BeforeIev enknowi t,mylegsar eal readywr apped
aroundhi swai stashet akesbabyst epstot hebed.
Het henput smeont hebed, separat i
ngourbodi es
from eachot herwhi chhaddev elopedanexpr essi
on
ofaesthet i
cdel i
ght.
“Nowy oucansaygoodnight,
”hesay
ssniggeri
ng,
whil
stgoingout
.Hejustlef
tmehanging.Thi
sman
i
sev i
lYhooo.Am notsayi
ngIwasexpecti
nghimto
havesexwithmebut …….Youknowwhat,never
mind.

Oohwell
,Imightaswel lgot
osl
eepbutam sonot
sl
eepi
nginthesejeans.Letmer
emovethem.I’
l
l
sl
eepi
nmyundi es….
*
***
***
***
***
**

NKOSIPOV

Ican'
tbeli
evethatIfinal
lygother.ThewomanIhav e
beenyearni
ngf or,
foryearsnow,shei sfi
nal
lymine.
Sheisevensleepinginmyr oom, onmybed!Ireall
y
can'
tbeli
evethis.ThandoMdl et
she,thewomanof
mydreams. .
..
.Nkosi,li
feisfi
nal
lyfavori
ngyou.

It
s5am andIr eallywantherinmyar msandl ookat
herunti
lshewakesup.I sthatsomucht oaskf or.
Am pret
tysur eshewoul dn'
tmi ndifIdidthatright,
sheismywomanaf t
erall
.ButThandocanbea
psychosomet imes.Shemi ghtjusttakeoutt hatgun
ofhersandchasemeoutoft her oom.Letmej ust
givei
tatry.Afterreachi
ngf orthebluerobewhi ch
wasont hefloor,ithenheadf ormyr oom whichi s5
roomsawayf r
om t heguestroom.Iwon' tli
e,my
houseisquitebigandt hefunnypar tisIli
vealone.
Rosedecidedt oleavebecauseshecoul dn'
tstand
mysight
.Shemovedtooneoft
hecompl
exesIown
whi
chIpackedwi
thguards.
Ifeelsonervous,nev erhaveIeveri
nmyl i
febeenso
nervous,especi
allybecauseofawoman.Iguess
sher eal
l
yistheone.AsIappr oachmyroom, Inot
ice
thatthedoorisopen.Shei sn'ti
nbed.Maybesheis
i
nt hebathroom.St eppingi
ntomyr oom,Ispother
sit
tingonthef l
ooront heothersideoft
hebed.Why
i
sshesi tti
ngont hefloor?

"Thando,
"Ical
lherasIwal
ktowar
dst
heot
hersi
de
ofthebed.

"Yes,"sher
espondsbutinawav yvoice.AsIstand
i
nf r
ontofher,Inot
iceafamil
iarl
ookingpersonina
pictureonherphonewhichisinherhands.Iknow
thatmanf r
om somewher ebutwhoishe?Andwhy
i
sThandocr yingwhilstl
ooki
ngatthepictur
eoft hi
s
man.
Waitaminut
e..
...Iknowhi
m!Heusedt obeMr
Jonescl
i
ent.Irememberseeinghi
m and
over
hear
ingtheconv er
sat
ionhehadwithMrJones
i
nhisoff
iceyearsago.

(Youwi
ll
regr
etev
erdoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thme,
doy
ou
hearme!
!!
)

Andthosewer
ehislastwor
dsbef
orest
ormingout
ofJonesof
fi
ce,onl
ytofi
ndmeatthedoor
..
..

I
shesomehowr
elat
edt
oThando?Ihopenot
..
..
..
.

"Whyareyoustanding?Sitwithme,"saysThandoas
shemakesspacef ormet osi
t.Al
lmyat tenti
onwas
onthatpi
ctur
e,for
get t
ingthatam standi
ngi nfr
ont
ofsomeone.Iwon'tli
e, t
hatimageisnowst uckin
myhead,Ineedtof i
ndoutwhatr elati
onshiphehas
wit
hher,Ir
eall
ydo....
..
andASAP.
"
Nkosi,
arey ouokay.Youseem t
obeindeep
t
houghts.Shoul
dIleavetheroom?"

"Noam f i
nedon'tworr
y,"Isay,t
ryingtoforgett he
di
sturbingmemor i
esofwhathadhappenedy ears
back.IsthisthereasonwhyIf el
tsogui lt
yf ordoing
whatIdi dbecausewheni tcamet oot herpeopl e,
my
mindnev erfi
lledwit
hscor pi
onsthewayi thadwhen
i
tcamet othatman.Wer emyancest orsreall
yt el
li
ng
menott odot hedeedIdidbecausei twouldcome
backtohauntmeoneday ?Sigh.
...Ireal
lyhopenot .

"
Ear
tht
oNkosi,
"sheshout
s,snappi
ngherf
inger
sas
t
ogetmyat
tent
ion.

"ooohsorr
ybaby.
"Isay
,rubbi
ngmyey
es.I
'
llt
hink
aboutthi
slat
eron.

"Any
way s,
whyareyousi
tt
ingonthefloorandwhy
doesyourvoi
cesoundsowavy?"Iask,j
oini
ngheron
t
hef
loorandcr
ossi
ngmyl
egs.

"Icouldn'
tsleepsoIjustdeci
dedtositont
hefl
oor
.I
dot hatwhenev eram sl
eepl
ess.Anddon'
twor
ry
aboutmyv oice.Whyareyouhere?"

Ohno,thequest
ionIwant
edt
oescapef
rom,
she
j
usthadtoask.

"Wel
lumm, Ij
ustwantedt
o..
.umm. .
.checkupon
you,
justmakesureyouar
efine?"Isaywit
hawide
smil
e.

"Umm okaybutasy oucanseeam perf

ectl
yfineso
youcanleav
enow, "sherepl
i
es.Wellt
hat'
sjust
sad.
..
..
.Notforherbutforme.

"Can'
tIj
ustsitwi
thyou,
youknowj
ustchi
l
lunt
il
sunri
se,
"Isayinzul
u.
"
Youcanst
il
lgochi
l
liny
ourr
oom hey
."

OoohLor
dwhyi sthi
schil
dsodiff
icul
t.Whydi
dI
havet
ofal
lforheroutofal
lthewomenonearth.
..
..
.

"ButIwanttochil
lher
e.Withyou,pl
easeletmest
ay.
IpromiseIwon'tbot
heryou,I
'
llj
ustsither
eandbe
quiet
."

"Okayf i
ney oucanst aybutyoudon' thavetobe
quiet.Andt akethatsmi leoffyourfacebecausey ou
can'tsmile.Your eall
yneedsmi l
inglessons.
"she
saysasshepl acesherphoneont hebed.Honest l
y,
i
t'snotmyf ir
sttimebei ngtoldthatIhaveahor r
ible
smi l
ebutInev ertookpeopleser i
ouslyandby
peopleImeanmysi bli
ngs,MkhizeandRose.Mkhi ze
i
st hestepbr other.

"Sotel
lmemor eaboutyour
sel
fsi
ncei
twasal
l
aboutmelastni
ght.
"-Thando.
WhatdoItellheraboutmy sel
f,Ican'
ttellher
ever
ythi
ngjustyetorshemi ghtendupl eavingme
j
ustli
keAngeladid.Ireal
l
ydon' twantthat.

"
Wellam a30yearol
dzulubusi
nessmanwhoowns
afewshopsi
nBenoni,whi
chiswhyam al
ways
t
here.
."

"
That
sit
?"sheaskswi
thoneey
ebr
owup.

"
Pret
tymuchy
es.
"

"
what
'sy
oursur
name?
"

"
Nxumal
o,"Isay
.

"awuZwi
deKal
anga.WenawaseGudunkomo(
clan
names)
"
"Yit
hit
hinalabo.
"am act
uall
ysur
pri
sedt hata
womanl ikeherknowsmyclanname, wow...
..
.Iam
real
lygoingtomarryher
.Sheismoderny etcult
ural
,
only1outof20womenar el
iket
hattheseday s.

"
Wow, ummm okayt
hen.ButIhav
et osaythough,
y
oureall
ydon'
tl
ook30,youl
ook28,"shesays.

"I
'
llt
akethatasacompli
ment
,thanky
ouv
erymuch,
soareyoualsozul
u?"

"
Wel
lno,
am act
ual
l
yndebel
e,
"

"Idon'
tseeanydi ff
erencet houghbecauseweki nd
ofcomef r
om thesameancest ors,i
naway .It
'sjust
thatourwayofr epresent
ingourcul turei
sdi ff
erent
andourlanguagesar ediff
er entbutjustali
ttlebit.
ThankstoMzi l
ikaziforbeingacowar dandr unning
awayf r
om Tshaka, "Isaysar cast
icall
y,t
il
ti
ngmy
headtot heri
ght.
"
Ifi
twasn'
tforhi
m,Iwoul
dst
il
lbezul
ubuti
tiswhat
i
tishey
,"

"
Okaysoy
oursur
namei
sMdl
etsher
ight
?"

"
Yes.
"

"Hmmm okay,
"andaftert
hat,
therei
stotalsi
l
ence.
I
don'tknowwhatt
osayany more.Ir
eall
ywantto
hol
dherbutmymi nddoesn'
tseem toagreewit
h
thi
sidea.

"
CanIasky
ouaquest
ion,
"-Thando.

"
Gof
ori
t.
"

"Whyareyoual
waysweari
ngyourcapandgl
asses,
"
sheasksasshest
rai
ght
ensherlegs.
"
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
"

"Ij
ustwanttoknowbecauseyouarealwaysweari
ng
those2,evenwhentheyar
enotneeded."shesay
s,
emphisi
singthel
ast6words.

"
Ijustl
ikewear
ingt
hem,
doy
ouhav
eapr
obl
em wi
th
t
hat?"Iask.

"Ohhnonotatall
,
"shesay
sinasar
cast
icwaywhi
l
st
shaki
ngherhead.

"
Thandoy
oudohav
eapr
obl
em wi
th,
don'
tyou.
"
"NoIdon'
t,i
fyoul
ikewear
ingt
hem t
henwhyshoul
d
Ihav
eapr obl
em,"

"
Wel
li
tseemsl
i
key
oudo,
spi
titout
."
"Ir
eal
l
ydon'
thaveapr
oblem Nkosi
,Ij
ustwantedto
knowwhyyouli
ket
he2."shesaysassheshrugs.

"Youwi l
lknowwhyIl
iket
he2lat
eroninl
i
febutf
or
nowj ustknowt
hatIl
i
keputt
ingt
hem onwhenam
goingout."

"Letmet rytoguesswhy ,isi

tbecausey oudon' t
wantpeopl et oseey oureyes?"sheasksl ooking
strai
ghtintomyey es.Howcanawomanl ookso
beautif
ul,Godsur elytookhistimewhenhewas
moul di
ngher .Herey es,herl
ips,thewayherf acei s
wel l
sculpturedandt hetinyl
itt
lenose,it
'sjustt he
sizeofabut ton.Idon'tknowi fIam hall
ucinat i
ngor
aretherereallystarsinhereyes.Fall
ingforanot her
womanwi llbeanabomi nati
oninmyl if
eonl y
becauseofThando.Shei sli
keawhi teroset hathas
beensentt ol i
ghtenupmywor l
dandnooneel se's.

"
Nkosi
,am wai
ti
ng.
"
"Oham sor ry
,it'
sj ustt
hatIcan' tstopl ooki ngaty ou.
Whyar ey ousobeaut i
fulThando, Imeanl ookingat
youbr ingsmesomuchpl easur e.Yourey es;Idon't
knowbutt herei ssomet hingabouty ourey esthat
hasmev ictimized.I nfact
, say i
ngy ouar ebeaut if
ulis
anunder statementbecausey ouar emor et hant hat.
Iknowi t'st ooear lytosayt hisbutIj ustkeepon
fall
ingf ory ouev er ysi
nglesecond.I fIwasev ertold
togi v
eupony ou, Iwouldr atherleav ethiswor ld
becauseIwoul djustkeeponl ovi
ngy ou."Isay
withoutev enr eali
zingit.I
t'
sl ikemyhear tisjust
blabber ingev erythingout." Am sor ryfort hat,Ijust
hadt ol eti tal...
."

"Dontapologi
ze,i
t'
sokay
.Andthanky
ouforlet
ting
meknow, "shesaysasherli
psmakewayforasmi l
e
whil
sttry
ingtolookaway.Bl
ushi
ngmakesherlook
evenmor ebeauti
ful
.

"
CanIpleasehol
dyou?"IsayasIcupherchi
nso
t
hatshecanlookatme.Wordsseem t
ohav el
efther
l
ipsasherey esprovi
det heanswertomyquest ion.I
spr eadmyar ms, makingwayforher.Shemov es
closert ome,layi
ngherheadonmychest .Icupher
chinagai n,r
aisi
ngherf acet
omi ne.Oureyesmeet
withnowor dsaidbutoureyesar enotasquietas
ourl ipsarebecausetheyseem tobedoingallthe
talking.

"NgiyakuthandaThandoMdl etshe(Ilovey ouThando

Mdlet she)"andourl ipscrushagainstoneanot her.
Shiverstravel downmybodyasmyar mshol dont o
her.Herar msar earoundmyneckasshesi tsontop
ofme.Theat mospher earoundusbecomesev en
mor epassi onat ewitheverysecondt hatpassesas
myhear trefusest oletgoofherlips.Event hough
sher efusest ot el
lmet hatshelovesmet oo,her
bodyhassai di tall
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Dr
oppi
ngherof
fatherapar
tmenti
sthewor
stt
hing
ever.Ir
eal
l
ydontwantt oleav
eherbutIhaveto
becauseTshi
di wasabouttokil
lmeoverthephone
whenshecalledThando.Idohavetogot owork
anywaysso..
..
.Inevert
houghtIwouldeverhate
goingtoworkbutThandohasmadei tpossi
ble.

"Don'
tbesadNK, youcancomebyafterwork.
"she
saysasherhandmov esupanddownmyt hi
gh.I
havebeensul
kingeversi
nceweleftmyplaceand
shehasbeentryi
ngtomakemef eelbett
erbutlet
's
j
ustsayam beingababy.

"
Whydidy ouhavet
oinvi
teTshidiov
ertoyourplace
vel
e,
"IsayasIremoveherhand.Am honest
lybeing
ababyri
ghtnow.

"BecauseImissedherandIwant
edy outorestf
or
theweekendsinceyouhadbeenlookingaf
terme
eversincet
hatinci
dent
,"
"Ineversai
dIwant edt orestdidI,buti
t'
sokay.I
guessI '
l
lseeyouaf terwork.Oohandt hankyoufor
thatbreakf
ast,Ireal
lyenj
oy edit,
"Isayasikeepmy
eyesont heroad.Idon'twantt olookatherbecause
Iwon'tbeablet otakemyey esoffheragai
n.

"
Am gl
ady
ouenj
oyedi
t.
"

"Ireal
lydi d,Idon' tev
enr emembert helastt imeI
had...
..
....
..
."andt henmemor i
escomef loodi ngback
i
nt omymi ndbef oreIcouldevenfi
ni shmy
statement .Thatmi el
iepaptast
edexact l
yt hesame
asmy ....
..Sigh, Ishouldn'
tbethi
nkingoft his.That
wasal ongt i
meagoandIshoul dlett hose
memor iesgonow.DamnIhav ealott ot ellThando
aboutmypast .
...
..

"
Areyouokay
?"say
sThando,
int
err
upt
ingmydeep
t
hought
s.
"
Yesam okay
,Ij
usthav
ethi
sbadheadache.
"Isay
,
l
yi
ng.

"
Didy
out
akesomet
abl
ets?
"

"
No,
Ijustdr
ankwat
er.Idon'
tl
iket
abl
ets,
"

"Wel
lyouhav
etot
akesometabl
ets,
I'
ll
giv
eyou
somewhenwegettomyapar
tment.
"shesay
s.

"
Not
hanky
ou,
I'
ll
bef
ine,
"

"
Nkosiam notaski
ngyou,
am t
ell
i
ngy
out
haty
ou
wi
ll
takesomet abl
ets.
"

"
Andi
fIdon'
twant
?"Iask.

"
Iwi
l
ltel
ltheguar
datt
hegat
enott
oev
erl
ety
oui
n."
"
Ohhr
eal
l
ynow,
andi
fhedoes?
"

"
Iwi
l
lmakesur
ethatheget
sfi
red,
"

"
Wow,
all
becauseIr
efusedt
otaket
abl
ets,
"

"
Exact
ly,
"

"
Youar
ecr
azy
."

"
Am notcrazy,Iam justacar
ingper
son.
"shesays.
Wehavear r
ivedatthecomplexandam st
il
lnot
r
eadytoletherleav
e.

"
Comelet'
sgo,"shesays.Shewasser
iousaboutt
he
t
abl
ett
hing,wasn'tshe.
..
..
.

"
Ihav
etogoThandoorel
seI
'
llbel
atef
orwor
k,"I
say
.

"Noyouwon'tnowcome,"shesay
sasshet
akesher
crut
chesoutofthecar
.

"
ButThando.
..
..
..
..
..
..
"

"Nkosi
!"andjustl
ikethat
,Iwasoutofthecar
.
Somethingaboutthewayshecalledoutmyname
mademescar edtoapointofnotevenremember
ing
whenIst eppedoutofthecar
.Welldamnwoman...
..
.

Afterl
ockingthecarandgr eeti
ngt heguar d,
Ifoll
ow
hertotheapartment.IhopeTshi diissti
llnotangry
withme.Nev erinmylifehaveIev ermetwomenl i
ke
these2,beauti
fulbutal
sov eryinti
mi dat
ing;Imean,
thesewomanscar emet odeathsomet i
mes,
especi
allyTshidi
.Imightbeamast erathidingitbut
heyyyy.SometimesIwonderhowshewasbor na
womani nst
eadofbeingaman.
Aswest epoutoftheelevator
,myheartst
art
s
beati
ngreall
yfast,
am Ithatscar
edofTshidi
..
..
..The
di
stancebetweenusandt hedoorbecomesshor ter
andshorterandthenboom, weareatt
hedoor .

"Tookyoulongenought
ogethome,whydi
dn'
ty ou
comebackl astni
ght
?"say
sTshi
diassheopensthe
door.I
t'
sli
keshesawuscomingbecausewedidn'
t
evenri
ngthebell.

"Droptheactmysi st
er,webothknowt hatinsi
de
youar eact uall
yhappyy ouhadmypl aceallto
yourself
,"say sThando,roll
ingherey
es."Comei n
Nkosi,I'
l
l got akethetablet
sfrom myroom. "says
Thandoassher ushes.Ithi
nkshehasgot tenusedto
thosecrut chesnow.

"
Andthen,what'
swrongwit
hyou,whyi
ssheget
ti
ng
t
hetabl
etsfor
?"asksTshi
diasshemakeswayf
or
metogetin.
"Ihaveaspl
it
ti
ngheadache,
"Isay
.Shedoesn'
tev
en
greetme.
..
..
..
.

"
Ohhi
sthatso,
"shesay
swi
thacr
inge.

"
Yes.
"

"
Hmm getwellsoonthen,"-Tshi
diwhi
l
stwalki
ngto
t
hecouchandgrabbingthepeoplemagazi
newhich
i
sonthecoff
eetable.

"
Tshi
dileav
eNkosi al
one,
"saysThandoasshe
wal
ksintot
heliv
ingroom.Whenisherankl
egoing
t
ohealbecauseIcan'
tbareseei
ngherli
ket
his.Si
gh.

"Idi
dn'
tdoanythi
ngtohim,Ij
usttol
dhimtogetwel
l
soon,"repl
i
esTshidi
,wi
thhereyesgl
uedont
othe
magazine.
"
HereNK,
dri
nkt
heseandy
ou'
l
lfeel
bet
teri
nno
t
ime,
"

"Thankyou,I'
l
ltaket
hem whenIgett
owork.Ihave
toleave,
I'
ll
seey out
oni
ghtri
ght?
"Iask,
cuppingher
chininmyhands.

"
Okay
,"
"AndcanyoupleasecookthatMacandcheeseyou
cookedthefi
rstni
ghtIcamehere,
"Isay,
movingmy
handstoherwaist,
pull
i
ngherclosert
ome.

"
I'
ll
tryt
o."

"
Don'
ttr
y,doi
t,
"Isay
,ki
ssi
ngherf
orehead.

"
Coughcough, getaroom,coughcough,
"wetotal
l
y
f
orgotaboutTshidi
.Iqui
cklyl
etgoofThando'
s
wai
standtake2st epsback.
"
I'
ll
takemyl
eav
enow,
"Isay
,huggi
ngher
.

"
Bye.
"

"GoodbyeTshidi
andthankyouf orforci
ngyour
sist
ertogooutwithmey est
erday,"Isaybutal
lIget
from Tshi
dii
s"Yeahwhatever
."

Ist
epoutoftheapar
tmentandmakemywayt
othe
par
kingl
ot.

"
Bozza!
!"It
urnbackonl
ytof
indt
heguar
d.

"
Yes,
Thabang.
"

"
CanIt
alkt
oyou?
"

"
EishThabang,
am i
nahur
ryr
ightnow.I
'
llt
alkt
oyou
whenIcomebacki
ntheev
eni
ng.
"Ir
epl
ytohi
s
r
equest
.

"Okaybozza,
"andaf
tert
hat
,Igeti
ntot
hecarandof
f
Igo.

Isti
l
lcan'tgetovert hepi
ctureIsawi nThando'
s
phone.ShouldIaskheraboutherr el
ati
onshipwit
h
himtonight.Ishould.Buteveniftheydohav ea
rel
ati
onship,wouldshenotl eavemeaf terf
indi
ng
outwhyIam aski nghert hatquesti
on.MaybeI
shouldn'
taskhert onight
.I'
llaskheronceam sure
shewon' tj
udgemeandl eav e.

Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
..
..

"
Hel
l
oRose,
"

"
What
?wher
eisshenow?
"
"
Okayam onmyway
."

Thi
sjusthadtohappent
oday
.Nomor
egoi
ngt
o
workIguess.
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

"
Wher
eisr
oom 34?"Iask,
rushi
ngt
other
ecept
ion.

"
Andy
ouar
elooki
ngf
or?
"

"RoseNxumal o.
"Ther
ecepti
onistst
art
stolook
throughherbookandfi
nal
lygiv
esmet hereplyam
cravingf
or.

"Lef
twing,secondfl
oor,
"shesays.Bef
oreshecoul
d
evensayany t
hingel
se,myfeetwereal
ready
headingf
ortheelevat
or.Iswearonmymot her
's
grave,am goi ngtokil
lthatstupi
dmanofher sri
ght
afterseei
ngher .Andwhyt hefuckdidnttheguards
protecther.Theybet t
erconsiderthemselvesfi
red.
Am f i
nall
yont hesecondfloor,l
ooki
ngf orroom 34
andher eitis.Ipushthedooropenandt heresheis.

"Rose!!Am herelovedon'tworryIhavearri
ved,
"Isay
rushi
ngt omyl i
ttl
esister
'sbed.Icanfeelevery
one'
s
eyespi er
cingri
ghtthroughmeasi fthereissome
dramagoi ngonbutIdon' tcar
e.AllIcareaboutri
ght
nowi smyl it
tl
eRose.

"BudiNkosi
,hehitme.Hehi tmeov erandov eragai
n.
I.
..
..
ialmostdi
edBudi ,
Ialmostl ostmylife,
"shesays
astearsrol
ldownhercheeks.Herf aceisswollenas
i
f50menhadbeenpunchi ngher .Woundscut t
ing
deepar eal
loverherri
ghtar m andherface.How
couldapersonbesohear tlesstowardsabeaut if
ul
heartedwomanl i
keRose.Iam goi ngtoki l
lhi
m
todayandIwon'tgivehim achancet oli
ve.
"Whydidn'tyoucal
lmelastni
ght?
"Isay
,br
ushing
herhead.Seeingherl
i
kethisbr
eaksmyheartmore
thananything.

"IwantedtobutIcouldn't
,hesteppedonmyphone
andleftmeunconsciousont hekitchenf
loor
.Ifi
t
wasn'tforyourguar
dsr eal
izi
ngthatsomethi
ngwas
off,
Iwoul dbedeadrightnow.

"
Whoawai
t,heshoty
ou?"

"Hedidevery
thingNkosi,hestabbedme,beatme,
shotmeandheev enrapedme, "shesay
s,herey
es
l
etti
ngeverysingl
esaltytearout.

"
Wher edi
dheshooty
ou?
"Iask,
ragef
lowi
ng
t
hroughmyblood.

"
Heshotmyf
eetsot
hatIwoul
dn'
tbeabl
etowal
k.
NkosiIscreamedf orhelp,Iscr
eamedandscr eamed,
hopingsomeonewoul dhearmeandsav emef r
om
thatMONSTER! !
!!Butnoonecame, "shecriesout,
emphasi si
ngthe" monst er
"part.Herwordshi tme
sohardt hatmyangerj ustescalatedfrom 500to
i
nfini
ty.Todayhehasr eall
ydonei t
.Hehasdugup
hisowngr avewit hhisownhandsandnow, Iwill
makehi m suffer
.Hewi l
ldi
eamuchsl owerand
mor epainful
deat hthanany oneeverhas.

"ButRose, Ioncewarnedy ouabouthi m, Ididsoover

andov eragainbutyounev erlistened.Seewhat
forgi
vinghim hasdonet oy ou.St opforgivi
nghimf or
hishurtf
ul deedsbecauset hatmandoesn' tl
oveyou
atallandhenev erwil
l.Hewi lljustcontinuehurti
ng
youunt i
lthedayy oudie.
"isay ,tryi
ngnott oshout.

"Youknowwhat ,don'twor
ryRose,todayIwilldeal
withhim anddon'ty
oudaret el
lmet ofor
givehim
becauseIwon't.Todayist
hedayhef i
nal
lydies.I
willseeyoulat
erbabyokay,"It
ell
Rosewhi l
eki ssi
ng
herwoundedcheek.

"Ouch!!
!"andwiththatword,Iam nolongerangry,
I
am mor ethanthat.Nowor dscandescri
bet hewayI
feelr
ightnow.Istorm outofthehospit
al,pushi
ng
every
oneoutofmyway .Luckil
ynoonecanseeme
becauseoft hecapandgl assesam weari
ngsot hey
wouldn'tknowwhot herudemani s.
"GetRoseherownwar dnow."Isaytothe
receptioni
stgi
vi
nghermycar d."Takewhatev
er
amounty ouwi
llneedther
e.Thepasswordis336865.
Iwillcomebackf ort
hecardlater
."
"
Butsi
r.
..
"
"
Womandon' tdar
eme.JustdoasIsai
d.Ifsheisn'
t
i
nherownwar dbythet
imeIgetbackhere,
consider
y
oursel
ffi
red.
"Isaypoi
nti
ngmyindexfi
ngerather.

Igetint
omycaranddr i
veoff
,headi
ngtothe
warehouse.I
fthatfoolwasatmycompl ext
henhe
cert
ainl
ymusthav elef
tacluethatwi
ll
leadmeand
myment ohim.Iwi
l
lsendShchevt
othecompl
ext
o
getanycl
ues.

NOONEMESSESWI
THTHENXUMALOFAMI
LY.
..
..
..
NOONE!
!

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

Pleasedon'
tconf
useSi
phowi t
hBri
an.Siphoist
he
onewhoabusedRoseandBr ai
nistheguythat
Thandohasnight
mareabout
, t
heoneshewentt o
meetupwi t
hatJohnDory
'sunknowingl
y.
Chapt
er7

"Sotel
lmeeveryt
hinganddon'tl
eaveoutanyt
hing,
star
ttal
ki
ng,
"saysTshidi
,exci
tedlywhi
lepl
aci
ngt he
magazineonthecoffeet
ablewithherl
egsonthe
couch.

"Well
,wehaddinnerathi
shouseandhepr oposedto
me.Am nowhisgirl
fri
end,"Ir
epl
ytoherwhil
st
si
tt
ingonthecouch,putt
ingmycrutchesonthefl
oor.

"
That
'si
t?"sheasks,
cri
ngi
ng.

"Yes,
that
'si
t.Youdi
dntexpectmet
otel
lyout
hatwe
hadsexdidyou?"

"
Iki
ndofdi
dbut
..
..
."
"
Hay
iTshi
di,
"Isaywi
thoneey
ebr
owup.

"What?Imean,t
hatmani sfl
amesThando.I
wouldn'
tmindgivi
ngitt
ohim onourfir
stdate
shame,"shesay
st hr
owingherhandsintheai
r.
Somet i
mesIwonderhowshest i
llhasonemanin
herl
ife.
"Soyoufi
nal
l
yaccept
edt
hatSbui
snotcomi
ng
back?"

"Wel
lyeah,
Iguessigottomov eonwithmyli
fet
he
samewayhehas,"Isay,gett
ingahol
dofther
emote
andchangi
ngthechanneltoVuzu.

"Goodgi
rl
,nowt
ryt
obehappywi
thNkosi
,okay
Thando.
"
"
I'
ll
try
,"Ir
epl
y.
"Soareyour
eadyforourdat
e?"asksTshi
di,
wit
ha
bigsmil
eonherface.
"
Dat
e?"am sol
ost
.
"Wow,sheevenfor
gotourdat
e."mumbl
esTshi
di
underherbr
eat
h.
"Ohshitam sosorry,ei
shit'
sjustthatIhaveal oton
mymi ndr i
ghtnow.West il
lonbabezdon' tworry."I
say,hi
tti
ngmyf orehead.Ihadtotall
yforgot
ten
aboutourshoppingdate.Tshidiwantsust ojustget
somef reshair
.
"
Okayt
hen,
letmegogetashower
."
"Okay,Ial
readyhadashoweratNkosi
'shousesoi'
l
l j
ustgetdressed.
"isay
.Theeyet
hatIjustgotf
rom
Tshidi
.
"
Ididn'
tshowerwi
thhi
m Tshi
disochi
l
l,
"Isay
l
ookingattheTV.
"
Sur
eyoudi
dn'
t.sot
ell
me,
howsmal
li
sthehouse?
"
"Onewor dTshidi
,justonewor d,MANSION.That
s
allam goi
ngt osay."Shekeepshereyesonme,
showingahi ntofdilemma."Idontgety
ou,pl
ease
elabor
ate."
"Tshi
di,
thatmanlivesi
namansion,hishousei
s
massiveanditsbeauti
ful
.Remembertheguest
houseweusedt ostayinwheneverwewentto
Durbanwithdaddy?"

"Whoa,i
sitt
hathuge?
"saysTshidi
,cov
eri
ngher
mouthwithherey
eswideopen.Itur
ntoTshi
dit
hen
chuckl
e.
"
It
's5t
imesbi
ggert
hant
hatguesthouse,
"

"What
?!!
!!Youareki
ddi
ngri
ght.Butthenhowthehel
l
doyouknowt hati
t'
shi
shouse?"asksTshidi
.

"
Hispi
ctur
eswi
thsomepeoplear
eev
erywher
e.I
n
t
heli
vi
ngroom,
thepassageandi
nhi
sroom."
"Wow,butt
henwhyt hehell
doeshe.
..
..
..
"bef
oreshe
coul
devenfi
nisht
hest at
ement,
Iknewexactl
ywhat
shewasabouttoask.
"Ial
sodon'
tknow,Idi
dn'
tev
enbot
hert
oaskhi
m.I
don'
twanthimtoseemeasagolddi
gger
."
"
Hahai
fIwasy
oubabez,
Iwasgoi
ngt
oaskhi
m."
"Butt
henyounotmeso,"Isay
,shruggi
ng."
Gobat
h,I
needtobebackby16:
00pm becauseheiscomi
ng
overf
ordi
nner.
"
"Hay i
Thando,noIref
use.Todayismydaysocall
him andtel
lhi
m Isaidbuzzoff.Hehadhi
stur
nlast
night.
"saysTshi
di,
hitt
ingthecouchli
kea3yearol
d
girlcr
yingf
oranewbar biedol
l.
"Okayokayf i
ne,I'
llcancelthedatesost
opbeinga
baby."Isay.Whyi sitthatpeopl
eareacti
ngli
ke
babiestoday,fi
rstitwasNkosi andnowit'
sTshi
di.
OohLor d.
Whatwi
l
lIev
ensayt
oNkosi
.
"
Gobat
h,"It
ell
her
.
"Okayokayam goi ng,wear
egoingtohav eablast
today.
..
..Yay!
!!
!!
"andsheisgone.Ilovehersomuch.
Idon'
tknowwher eIwouldbewithouther.Sheislike
mysecondmom, sheisal
waystherewhenIneed
herandsheunder standsmemor ethanany oneelse.
Ireal
l
ywoul dn'
texchangeherf
orany thi
ngatal l
.
Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
..
.
"HeyNkosi
,i
fyouarecal
l
ingt
ocheckuponmet
hen
dontworr
yam fi
ne,
"Isay
,smi
li
ng.

"
..
..
..
..
..
"
"
Nkosi
,ar
eyouokay
?"hest
il
lhasn'
tsai
dany
thi
ng.
"Umm yeaam fi
ne.Sor
rybutIwontbeabletomake
i
ttoni
ght.Ihav
esomebusinesstotakecareof
."he
saysi
nav eryt
ensevoi
ce.
"Why?Isever
y t
hingokay
?"Iaskhim.Ofcour
se
not
hingisalr
ight.Hi
svoi
cejustsai
dital
l.

"Am okayThando.I
'l
lcomeseey out omor r
ow.Bye."
andhehangsup.Ihopehei sfine.IguessIdon't
havetowor r
yaboutdinnert
hen.What everhappened
j
ustsav edmefrom di
sappoint
ingNkosi .Well
,l
etme
getreadytogooutwithmybeaut i
fulsister
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
Wehav ebeent oeverysi
ngleshopinthi
smalland
am superti
red.Thesecrut
chesarejustt
hewor st
.
"Tshi
diam ti
red,Ineedtorestandam al
sohungry,
"I
say,whi
ning.

"AaahcomeonThando,t
her
earesti
ll
mor eshopsto
explor
e,wewi
l
leataft
erwearedone.
"repl
iesTshi
di.

"Nonobabez,Ican'
twal
kanymore,myanklei
s
alr
eadykil
l
ingmeandam ti
redofusi
ngthesestupi
d
sti
cks,
"Isay.

"
Okayfi
ne,l
et'
sgotoJohnDor
y'
s.
"say
sTshi
di,
l
ooki
ngannoyed.

"Thanky ou."Wet henwal ktoJohnDor y'

s,geta
waiterandor derourf ood.Thewaiterhasbeen
l
ooki ngatTshi di
ev ersincewewalkedin.Heev en
foughtwi t
hhi scoll
eaguessot hathecouldcome
serveus.
"I
st hatallbeauti
ful
ladi
es,"hesays,wit
hachar ming
smi l
eonhi sface.Honestlyspeaki
ng,hedoesn't
belongher e.Heiswayt oohandsomet obeawai t
er.
Hel ookslikethosesupercuteguyswhodancei n
musi cvideos,exact
lyli
kethem withhi
st al
lsexy
body .Youcanev enseet hathehasa6packi fnota
8pack.

"Yesthankyou,
"Irepl
ytohi
m.Tshi
didi
dn'
teven
takeachancetolookathi
m.Shehasbeenlooki
ng
atherphonethewholeti
me.Iev
enhadtoorderfor
her.

"HeyTshi
di,getoffyourphone,
thewaiteri
saskinga
quest
ion,
"Isay,soft
lykicki
ngherunderthetabl
e.

"Ooohsorry,y
est hanky outhatwillbeall
,"say s
Tshidinowlookingatthewai ter
.Thesmi l
et hatthi
s
guyjustputonhi sfaceisonanot herlevel.Am
pret
tysurehisinnerselfisdancingr i
ghtnowj ust
becauseTshidilookedathim.Het henwal kst othe
recept
ionandthent
ohi
scol
l
eagues,
sti
l
llooki
ngi
n
ourdir
ecti
on.

"SoTshi di,whatdoyout hinkaboutt hatwaiter,

"Iask,
placingt hemenuont het able.Tshidithenlooks
back, catchesthewaiterglancingatusandt hen
l
ooksbackatme." Thandoy oujustgotintoa
relat
ionshipjustafewhour sago.Youcan' tbe
cheat i
ngal r
eady,l
i
kenoo.Youwanty ourmant okill
mehey ,"saysTshi
diwi t
hherey estryi
ngt opier
ce
throughme.

"Nonotli
kethatyoudumbdumb,heislightski
nned,
am noti
ntoli
ghtski
nnedguysandyouknowt hat.
Whatam try
ingtosayis,
hehasbeenlookingatyou
eversi
ncewegotheresowhatdoy outhinkabout
him?"

"Thandoheisawai t
er,
am notint
ocheapass
dudes,"shesays,
shaki
ngherhead.Tshidial
ways
saysshewant saguywhowi l
lbeabletotakecar
e
ofherthesamewayherownf amil
ydoes.Shewoul d
neverl
owerherstandardsjustbecauseofaguy .Yea,
that
'smysist
erforyou.Ican'tbl
amehert hough.
Shehasbeenl i
vi
ngtheluxuriousl
ifeeversi
nceshe
wasbor nso.

"Tshi
dijustanswermyquestionpl
ease,
"Isayrol
li
ng
myey es.Tshidithenl
ooksatmeinanir
rit
atedway,
l
ooksbackatt hewait
eragai
nwhoissti
lll
ookingour
wayandshel ooksbackatme."Hei
sokay,Iguess.
"
shesays.

"Iknowyouthi
nkhei
shotsodon'
thi
dei
t.
"Isayt
o
herwithagr
inonmyface.

"Ev
enI fhei
shot,am notint
erestedThando.He
l
ooksy oungandIam takensol et'
sdr
opit,
"shesay
s,
gett
ingbackonherphone.

"
Okayt
hen.
"andj
ustl
i
ket
hat
,si
l
encehasbecome
thethi
rdpartyatourt
able.Af
teral
ong15minutes
ofwaiti
ngforourfood,t
hewaitert
hencomestous
withourfood.

"Herey
ougoladies,enj
oyyourfood."hesay
switha
smil
eonhisfacewi t
hallhi
sperfect
lyli
nedwhi
te
teet
hout.HetakesalookatTshidiagai
nandTshidi
l
ooksbackathimt hi
stime.

"Thanky ouverymuchf orthefoodnowwi l

lst
op
stari
ngatme.Youar emakingmef eel
uncomf ort
able,"saysTshi
di t
othepoorwait
er.Hi
s
smi l
eturnsintoaf akeoneinjust0.
2secondsashe
turnsandwal ksaway .

"Wellt
hatwasj ustharsh,
"Isay,wideey ed.Westart
eat
ingwhilsthavingsil
lyconversati
ons.Wef i
nish
ourfoodthenaskf orthebil
l.Thewai t
ercomest ous
hol
dingthebill
,placesitonthetableandwal ksback
tohiscol
leagues.Thistimehedi dn'
tlookatTshidi.
Tal
kaboutaguywhoi sobedient.Wet henstandup,
walkt ot
herecept
ionandpaythebil
l
.Aswewal
kout,
Itell
Tshidi
tokeeponwalkingI'
ll
cat
chupwi
thher
.I
turnbacktothewait
erandcallhi
m.

"Yesma'
am,
"hesay
sashecomest
ost
andi
nfr
ont
ofme.

"CallmeThandopl ease,whenyoucal lmethatIfeel

old.Any waysgiv
emey ournumber,Iknowy ouli
ke
mysi sterandam prett
ysuresheli
kesy outoo.Ican
trytogety ouguystogetalongify
ouwant ?"Isay ,
l
ooki ngathim wit
honeey ebrowup.Het henlooksat
me, slackjawed.

"
Arey ouseriousma'am,ImeanThando.YesIwoul
d
l
ovethat.Thanky ousomuch."hesaysl
ooking
r
adiant.Ismileathi
mt hengi
vehim myphone.He
t
ypesi nhisnumbersthensavesi
tasJordan.

"
Nicename.Soar
eyouf
reet
oni
ght
?"IaskasIt
ake
backmyphone.

"
Thanky
ouandy esIam f
reet
oni
ght
,"hesay
s,st
il
l
l
ooki
ngradi
ant
.

"
Okaythen,
woul
dyoul
i
ket
ocomeov
erf
ordi
nner
t
hen?"

"
Yesma'
am I
'
llbemorethandel
ight
edt
ohav
edi
nner
wi
thy
ouandyoursi
ster
,"hesay
s.

"
Okay
,I'
l
lsendyoumylocat
ionv
iaWhat
sApp.Do
y
ouhavetr
anspor
t?"

"
Mycari
scur
rent
lybeingf
ixedsoI
'
llaskmyf
ri
end
t
odr
opmeoffthere.
"

"
Cool
then,
IguessI
'
llseey
out
oni
ght
,"IsayasIt
urn
andwalkaway.Het hanksmeandgoest ost
and
wit
hhiscoll
eagues.Icanherehi
scol
leaguesask
hi
m quest
ionsbutheswear satt
hem.

"Whywer
eyougiv
inghi
myourphone?
"asksTshi
di
asIwal
ktoher
.

"Iwantedhi
snumber
,"Isay
.Shel
ooksatmewi
tha
quizzi
call
ook.

"
Iinv
itedhi
m ov
erf
ordi
nner
."

"Ha.aThando,whydi
dyoui
nvi
tehi
m br
uh?
"she
asks,peeved.

"
BecauseIwantt
o,"Isaywi
thagr
in.

"
Youar
eanassdoy
ouknowt
hat
,youar
ethe
gr
eatestasshol
eofal
lti
meThando,
"shesay
s
wal
ki
ngf ast.

"Heywaitforme,
"Isayl
aughing.Shemightl
ook
angrybutIknowforsur
ethatsheishappy.

"
NowIwantt
oleav
e,l
et'
sgohome.
"mumbl
esTshi
di.

"Wait
,canwegot oabookst
orefi
rst
,Ijustf
ini
shed
all
mynov el
s."Isaywi
thapl
eadi
nglook.

"
Okayf
ine,
youar
esuchaner
dbr
uh,
"say
sTshi
di.

"
Readi
ngisamazingokay.Nowwearegoingtolook
f
or3books,Hlomuthewife,
Zandi
l
etheresol
uteand
Nal
edihi
slove.
"Isayasweentert
hebookstore.

"
Okay
,butdon'
tyoual
readyhav
eHl
omut
hewi
fe?
"
"
Well
Idi
dbutmom t
ooki
tbef
oreIf
ini
shedr
eadi
ng
i
t.
"

"
Oohokayt
hen.Let
'smaket
hisqui
ck.
"

*
***
***
***
***
***
***

"Di
dyouser
iousl
yhav
etoi
nvi
tehi
mthough,
"sobs
Tshi
di.

"YesTshidiIdi
d.Jordanreal
lyl
i
kesy ouandhe
seemslikeagoodguy .
"Isaywhil
stsett
ingthetabl
e
fordi
nner.Iact
uall
ywentbi gwi
ththisdinnert
hing.

"
Butam t
akenThando,
Ilov
eDenzel
andy
ouknow
t
hat
,"

"
Thel
astt
imeIcheckedy
ouwant
edt
obr
eakupwi
th
hi
m becausehedoesn' twanttomarryyou."shel
et'
s
outaloudsighasshel eavest
hediningroom and
enter
sthekitchen.If
eelli
keTshi
diisn'
ttel
li
ngme
somethingbutIwontaskher .

Door
bel
lri
ngi
ng.
..
..
..
..

Thatmustbehi
m.Lucki
l
yam donewi
thev
ery
thi
ng.

"
I'
llgeti
t,"
IshoutasIwal
k,waitl
etmeuset
het
erm
"
crutch"t
ot hedoor
.Geti
t,haha.

"Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngonget
ti
ngi
tany
way
s,"shout
s
Tshidi
.

"Voet
sekwena,"Ir
eplylaughi
ng.AsIopenthedoor,
myey esmeetanunexpectedvisi
tor
."HeyThando,
"
herepli
eswit
haner v
oussmi l
e.Iatt
empttoclose
thedoorbuthehol
dsi ti
ntime."Canwepleasetal
k.
Iknowyoudon'twantt oseemeoreventalkt
ome
butpl
ease.Iwon'ttakemuchofyourt
ime,"hesay
s
withapl
eadinglook.

"Am gi
vi
ngy ou15mi nutesSbuthenyoucanleave,
"I
sayl
etti
nghimin.AsIcl osethedoorIhear
someoneshouting"Ooohbi t
chyoujustdugupyour
owngrave,
"andt henall
ofasuddenTshi di
hasa
guninherhand.

"Tshi
dino!
!!
!Putthatgunaway !Youpr
omisedme
youwouldn'
thurthim!!
!"Ishout
.Tshi
dil
ooksatme
andthenatSbuwhohashi shandsupandthenshe
l
ooksbackatme.

"
Thandowhyarey
oul
ett
inghi
m comei
n,
"shesay
s
wi
thacri
nge.

"Hej
ustwant
stotal
kokaynowputthatgunaway.
"
sheput
sthegunonthet
ableandwalksoutoft
he
l
i
vingr
oom whi
l
stmi
micki
ngmywor
ds.

"Whydoy ouguy
sal
way shaveguns,
areyou
gangst
ersorsomet
hing,
"say
sSbuaf t
erbreat
hing
out.

"
Whyar
eyouher
eSbu?
"Iask,
looki
ngannoy
ed.

"Wel
lIcamet oapol
ogi
zef orthewayIendedt
hings.
Iwasaf oolf
orl
etti
ngthathappen.I
treal
l
ywasn't
myfaultbutmyparent
s...
..
..
..
..
."

"
Wantedy
outomar
ryanot
hergi
rl
,YeaIknow.
"Isay
r
oll
i
ngmyeyes.

"LookThando,canyoupl easeforgi
veme.Iwanty ou
back.Ir
eall
ycan'tsur
vivewi t
houtyou.Thepast
monthshavebeenhel landIcan'tcarr
yonli
kethis,"
hesays.Helookssodif f
erent.Li
kehehasn'
tbathed
orshav
edi
nal
ongt
ime.

"SbuIcriedev erysingl eday,hopingy ouwoul dcall

meandt ellmet haty ouwer ejustjokingbuty ou
nevercalled.Iprayedt oGodev erysinglesecondt o
j
ustbr i
ngy oubacki nt omyl ifebutyoudi dn'tcome
back.Icalledy ouev erydaybuty ounev eranswer ed
mycal l
sandt oday,y oucomeher eandaskmet o
takeyouback.Bul l
shi tSbu,that'
stotalbullshi
t.I
havemov edonwi t
hmyl if
eSbuandam happyIdi d.
Youhady ourchancet ocomebackbuty ounev er
tookitsopl easeleav emyhouse.If orgivey oubutI
can'tt
akey oubackorbef r
iendswi t
hy ou."Isay
gloweri
ngathi m.

"Thandoplease,Ipromi
setomaket hi
ngsri
ght.I
won'ttakeadvantageofyouoreventhi
nkof
breaki
ngupwi thyoueveragai
n."hesayskneel
ing
down.

"
That
'swhathesai
dlastt
imeThando.Don'
tfal
lfor
i
t,
"say
sTshi
di,
goi
ngt
oherr
oom.

"ShutupTshi
di,
"say
sSbuashegi
vesTshi
dia
deadlyl
ook.

"Sheisr
ightSbu,youoncedidthisandyoupromi
sed
nottodoitagainyethereweare.Am sodonewit
h
youSbusopl easeleav
e."Isayopeni
ngthedoorf
or
him.

"Well
howkindofyoutoopenthedoorformebaby
,"
saysafr
uit
yvoi
ce."Idi
dn'
tevenhavetori
ngthe
bel
l.
"

"
Nkosi
?I.
..It
houghty
ousai
dyoucomi
ngt
omor
row.
"

"
Oohsoaren'
tIwelcometocomehereanyt
imeI
want
?"hesay
sgivi
ngmeaki ssonmyforehead.
"
Whyishekneel
ingandlooki
ngatmywoman, "say
s
Nkosiwalki
ngt
owhereSbuis.HelooksatSbubut
doesn'
tsayany
thi
ng.Sbut
henstandsup,giv
esmea
bl
anklookandwalkst
ome.

"
Thando,
youhav
emov
edon?
"heasks,
chagr
ined.

"
YesSbuImovedon,
nowpl
easel
eav
e,"Isay
,
l
ooki
ngdown.

"ButThando,
howcoul
dyouf
orgetaboutusso
q..
..
..
..
..
."

"Eyyouheardher, l
eave.Sheisminenow,youl
ost
yourchancenowl eave!"say
sNkosi.Sbuthenl
ooks
atNkosi,walkstohim andstandsinf
rontofhi
m.
Theyarelit
eral
lythesamehei ght
.

"
Nowli
stent
omeandlist
encar
eful
ly.Thandoismy
womanandnooneel
se'
s.Your
aisi
ngy ourvoi
ce
doesn'tscareme.Sopl easestoptalki
ng,sityour
assdownandl etmeandmyWOMANt al
k,"saysSbu,
point
inghisindexfingeratNkosi.Okaythisisnot
goingtoendwel l.Nkosiwalkscl
osertoSbu, closi
ng
thegapt hathasbeeni nbet
weent hem.Oohandhe
hasthecapandt heglasses.

"Boy, y
oudonotknowmeandy oudon' twantto
knowme.Wheny ourWOMANwascr yinghere,you
didn'tcomf orther.Youl eftheral lal
onetodr ownin
hersor rows.Ihadt ofixthemessy ouhadmade
whilstyouwer ebusyshaggi ngy oursoontobewi f
e.
Beli
ev emewhenIsayIwi l
lkillyouifyoutry
anythingf unnywi thThandoj ustbecausey ourwife
i
sn'tgivingittoy out herightway ."okaythi
sf eel
s
l
ikeawarzoneandi t
'sallbecauseofme.Thi sisnot
howIpl annedt hi
sni ght.

"
Wel l
thi
sissuperenter
tai
ning,
mysi st
erwhatare
y
ougi vi
ngtheseguysbecauseIalsoneedsomeof
i
t,
"saysTshi
diwhil
stsit
ti
ngont hecouch,put
ti
ngher
l
egsont
hecof
feet
abl
e.

"CanyoujustshutupTshi
di,
"Isay,gr
inni
ngmyt
eet
h.
Shechucklesandthentur
nsont heTV.

"GoodeveningThando,"saysasweetcut evoi
ce.We
allt
urntowhoev erisgreet
ingme.Nkosi andSbu
bothlookatmewi thquizzi
calexpressi
onsontheir
faces."
Heisn'ther
ef ormey ou2,"IsaytoNkosiand
Sbu.

"
OhGodsav
eme,
"say
sTshi
dir
oll
i
ngherey
es.

"Di
dIcomeatabadt i
me?Icanleaveandcome
backanot
herday
,"say
sJordansteppi
ngbackwar
ds.

"
Noy oucancomeinJordan.Nkosiar
eyougoi
ngt
o
j
oinusfordi
nner
?"Iaskl
ookingathim.
"Wellt
hat'
swhatam her
eforsoy
es,"saysNkosi
,
sti
l
llooki
ngatSbu."
Aslongasheisgoingtol
eave.
"

"Sbu,
youhavetoleaveplease,
"Isaytohi
m.he
l
ooksatmewi t
hpai ninhiseyesthenwalksoutwi
th
downcastey
es."Isti
ll
loveyouandIalway swi
ll
Thando,
"hewhispersinmyear .NowIwishIhadn'
t
l
etgoofhim.Iclosethedoor,locki
ngi
t.

"
Babyar
eyouokay
?"asksNkosi
,wal
ki
ngupt
ome.

"Yesbabyam okay ."Ireplygi

vinghim afakesmi l
e.
"Nowl etmei ntr
oducey ouguy stoeachother.
Jordan, thi
si sNkosi myboy f
ri
endandTshi dimy
sister.Tshidiyoual readyknowJor danfrom John
Dor y'
s.Nkosi ,t
hisisJor dan.Hewi l
lbehav i
ngdinner
withus. "Isaysmi li
ng." Welli
t'
snicetomeety ouall,
andt hanky ouf orinv i
ti
ngmeov erf
ordinnerma'am,
ImeanThando, "say sJordan.Hehast hecutest
voiceev er.Itevenmat cheshiscuteli
ghtskinned,
babyf ace.
"
Canwepleaseeat
,am veryhungr
y.Ihopeyou
madesomemacaronicheese.
"saysNkosihol
ding
mywaist
,gi
vi
ngmegoosebumpsal l
overmybody.

"YesIdid.Ihadafeeli
ngyouwer egoingtocomeso
Ijustdeci
dedtocooksome, j
usti
ncase"Isaygiv
ing
him asoftpeckonthecheek.Hehel psmewalkto
thetableandpull
sachairforme.TshidiandJor
dan
j
oi nusatthetabl
e,bothofthem si
tt
ingopposi
te
Nkosi andI.

"OohIalmostforgot
.Ibroughtyousomet hi
ng.I
wasn'tsurewhattobri
ngbutIjustbroughtthi
s."
saysJordan,handi
ngoverabottleofArmandde
Bri
gnacbr utGol
d.Forapersonwhowor ksasa
wait
er,Ireal
lywasn'
texpecti
nghimtobuyabot t
le
ofchampagnewhi chisworthR4000.

"Thankyouver
ymuchJor
danbuty
our
eal
l
ydi
dn'
t
haveto,
"Isayt
aki
ngi
tfr
om hi
m.
"Wheredi
dyougetthemoneyt obuysuchexpensiv
e
champagne?Ihopeyoudidn'
tuseyourl
if
esavings,
"
saysTshi
di,
dishi
ngupforhersel
f.

"
Tshi
didon'
tber
ude,
"Isayki
cki
ngherundert
he
t
abl
e.

"MissTshidi
,Idon'
tmeant oberudebutjust
becauseIwor kasawaiterdoesn'
tmeant hatam
broke.
"saysJordan,l
ookingatTshi
di.Nkosi andIl
et
outsoftgi
gglesasTshidirol
l
shereyes.Ithinkam
goingtoli
kethisboy.

"Sol
et'
sdiginguy s,"Isay.Weallst
arteati
ngwhilst
havi
ngli
ghtconv ersati
ons.Iwon'tl
ie,
wear eall
havi
ngagoodt ime, wellexceptf
orTshidi
.She's
beenqui
et.Ifeelli
keshei sgoingtostar
tcracki
ng
upsomequest ionssoon.

"
Sot
ell
usabouty
our
sel
fboy
,"say
sNkosi
,wi
pinghi
s
l
i
pswi
thanapki
n.

"
Well Mynamei sJordanBrown,am 23year
sold.
Cur
rent l
ydoi
ngmy4t hyearforBatchel
orof
medicineandBatchel
orofsurger
yatUCT.AndI
wor
kasawai tersoastogetsomeext r
acash.
"

"Real
l
y,Ial
sowenttoUCTforthesamecoursehey
."
Isay,
smili
ngathi
m."Sowheredoy oust
ay?
"

"Ist
ayinSandhur stwit
hmysi bli
ngs."Tshididrops
herforkandstart scoughing.Iknowexact l
ywhat
thatcoughmeans." Areyouokay ?ShouldIgivey ou
somewat er
?"asksJor dan,reachingforaglassof
water.Hehandsi tovertoTshidiandstart
sr ubbing
herback.Shedr inksthewat erandsignalsfor
Jordant ost
opr ubbingherback.Shel ooksatme,
wideey edandthenl ooksdown.
"I
sn'
tthatoneofthemostexpensiv
esuburbsi
n
Sout
hAf ri
ca?"asksTshi
di,
looki
ngatJor
danwho
gazesatherwit
hasmil
eonhisface."Don'
tworr
y,
am notagolddi
gger
.Am j
ustaski
ng."saysTshi
di
l
ookingaway.

"Yesitismal adyandbel iev emewhenIsayIdon' t

thi
nky ouar eagol ddi ggeratal l.Youcer tainlydon't
fi
tintothatcat egory."hesay s, stil
lgazingatTshi di
.
Tshidi'
scheeksst arttot urnr ed, shemi ghtlookal l
toughout sidebuti nside, shei sasof t
ie.Anywor d
thatcomesoutoft hemout hofaper sonshef i
nds
i
nteresti
ng, shewi llblushnomat terhowmuchshe
mighttryt ohi deit.Jor danj usthi tthej ackpotwi th
thatSandhur stconf ession." Sor rybutcanIj ustsay
youlooksobeaut iful wheny oubl ush,
"say sJor dan,
try
ingtolookatTshi diwhokeepsont ryingt ohi de
herfacebyl ookingdown.Shel ooksupt ohi mt hen
nods,shei sev ent r
yingt ol ookser i
ousbuti t '
sjust
notwor ki
ng.If eelsoembar r
assedf orherr ightnow.

"
Doyouthi
nkweshoul
djustl
eavet
hem al
oneso
t
hatt
heycant
alk?
"whi
spersNkosi
inmyear.
"That
'sagreati
dea.Let'
staket
hedi
shest
othe
kit
chen,
"Iwhisperbacktohim.
Webot hst andup,starttaki
ngthedishesandwal k
tothekit
chen.Tshidi andJordandidn'tevennot i
ce
usstandingup.IguessIwasr i
ghtabouti nvit
ing
Jordanov erfordi
nner ."
ThandoI'l
ldot hedishes,
youcansi tonthehighchai r
.Youhav ewal ked
enoughforoneday ,
"say sNkosi,
taki
ngt hedishes
fr
om me.

"
Nkosiam f
inedon'
twor
ry,
"Isay
,tr
yingt
oref
use
wi
ththedi
shes.

"ThandoIdidn'taski fyouwer efi

ne,Isai
dgosi t
down.Socany oupl easelist
entome, "hesays.Il
et
outal oudsighasheki ssesmycheekandt akest he
dishes.Hetakest heapr onfrom t
hehookandput si
t
on.Hel ookssosexywi ththatapron.Heremindsme
ofmydad.Iwon' tli
e, mydadwasaf lame.He
l
ookedsoy oungwhenhewasact ual
lyol
d.I
rememberhowmypr imaryteachersusedtodrool
overhi
m whenev
erhecametopickmeupafter
schoolorf
orpar
ent
'sev
eni
ng.Iwishhewassti
ll
ali
ve.

"
Baby
?!"

"
Huh,
what
,what
'sup?
"Iask,
shaki
ngmyheadwi
th
myey
eswi
deopen.

"IknowIl
ooksexybutcany
ounotst
areatme,
"he
sayswit
hasmirk.

"
Aii
suka,don'
tfl
att
eryour
sel
f,
"Isaylaughi
ng.
"
Focusonwashingthosedi
shes,notme."

"Youlooksobeaut i
fulwheny ousmil
ebaby,al
ways
smileokay,"hesayslookingatme.Inodmyheadin
response.Icanfeelmycheeksbur ni
ngandam
prett
ysuret her
e'sasmileonmyf aceri
ghtnow.
"
Sowhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
omor
row?
"-Nkosi
.

"Am goi
ngtochur
ch,
"het
urnst
olookatmewi
tht
he
areyouser
iousl
ook.

"
YesNkosi
,Idogot
ochur
ch.Doy
ouwantt
ojoi
n?"

"
Nothanks,Idon'
tbel
i
eveinGod.Andchurchesar
e
j
ustt
heretoeatyourmoneyso,
"hesays.

"Notal
lchur
chesareaf
termoneyNkosi
.Andwhy
don'
tyoubeli
evei
nGod? "

"Soyousay.Welll
et'
sjustsayifhewasr eal
l
ythere,
peopl
ewoul dbeli
vi
ngluxuriousli
vesbutey,
"Ikeep
onlooki
ngathim wit
hshock.Sonowam i na
rel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hanonr eli
giousman.Goodshot
Thando,goodshot.
Hecont
inuest
owasht
hedi
shesasIt
urnt
omy
phone.

"I
'l
lgocheckonTshi diandJor dan,"Isay ,gettingof f
thehighchai r.ThemomentIst epoutoft heki tchen,
Iheargiggl i
ng.Myey essetont hem whohav enow
mov edt othecouch, gettingallcomf ortableineach
other'sar ms.Ihavenev erseenTshi dithishappy ,
notev enwi thDenzel.Itactual
lymakesmehappyt o
seehersmi leli
kethis.Nowt her ei
sonepr oblem,
thatboyi s5y earsyoungert hanTshi di.Idoubtshe
willeverallowany t
hingt ohappenbet weent hem.I
walkbackt othekitchen,onlytof i
ndNkosi already
packingt hedishes.Damnhei sf ast.
"
Wow,
youal
mostdone,
"Isay
,looki
ngi
mpr
essed.
"Yes,Ihavetogohomeearl
y.Idon'tl
i
kedr
ivi
ngaf
ter
22:00pm,"hesay
s.Il
ookatmywat chwhi
chshows
thatit
'spast20:
00pm.
"Can'
tyoustayal
itt
lebi
tlongerNkosi
?"Iwhi ne.
Spendi
ngtimewithhimisthebest,Ir
eall
ywon' tl
ie.
Whocouldhav et
houghtthataguyIoncef ound
annoyi
ngwouldendupmaki ngmesmi l
e.Sigh..
..
.
"Iwi
shIcoul
dbabybutIcan'
t.Ial
sohavetogoto
oneofmycoll
eague'
shousetocoll
ectsomepapers
soIcan'
t.
"
"Okayfine,
"Isayfol
dingmyar
ms.Helooksatme,
l
et'soutasighthenwalkst
ome, cl
osi
ngthegap
betweenus.Ikeeplookawaybuthekeepson
fol
lowingmyey es.

"
Whati
fIsay
, I
'l
lspendsometi
mewi t
hyou
t
omorr
owafterchurch,
howist
hat?
"heasks,
til
ti
ng
mychi
nupandl ooki
ngint
omyeyes.
"
It
'sokayIguess.
"Isay
,pout
ing.

"That
'smorel
ikei
t,nowsmil
eformeplease.Come
on,smil
efory
oursnookums,
"hesays,
tickl
ingme.
"Okayokayfi
ne,
pleasest
op,
Nkosi
aaaahst
opi
t,
"I
say,l
aughi
ng.
"Yourlaught
hough,"saysNkosi
,wr
appinghisar
ms
aroundme.Hepul l
smecl osert
ohim,picksmeup,
placesmeont hecounterandst
andsbetweenmy
l
egs."Damny ouf uckingbeaut i
ful,Ireall
ydon' t
bl
amet hatf ool fortryingtogety ouback, "hesay s
wit
hhisey esst ari
ngatmyl ips.Hebi tesmyl owerl ip,
l
et'
sitgoandst artskissingmesl owly.Whydoesi t
al
waysf eellikeam ki ssinghi mf orthef i
rstti
me.
Maybeit'sbecausehei sanamazi ngkisser.Iwr ap
myarmsar oundhi m, pull
inghisbodycl osertomi ne.
Helet'
soutagr oant hatendsupdoi ngwonder sto
mybody .Hishandsmov edownmywai st,
straightto
myass.Hegi vesitat ightsqueezewhi chleav esme
gi
ggli
ng.Hesl owl ypul l
saway ,looksatmeandt hen
l
ooksdown.If oll
owhi seyesthenboom. .
..
hehasa
boner
.Ilookathi m andst ar
ttoshakemyhead.

"Don'
twor rybaby ,am notgoingt ohavesexwi th
you,
"hesay s,
laughing."Ihavetogobaby ,I'
l
l seeyou
tomorrow."heki ssesmeagai nthencarriesmet o
theli
vingroom.Hepl acesmeont hecouch, goes
backtot hekitchenandbr i
ngsmycr ut
ches,pl aci
ng
them nexttomycouch.Jor danandTshi diaren'ti
n
theli
vingroom any mor e.May beheleft,buthe
shouldhav esaidgoodby e.
"GoodbyeJordanandTshidi.Andcany ou2please
keepthenoisedownsot hatmywi fecanhavea
goodnightsl
eep!"shout
sNkosi ,
standingal
ongthe
passage.

"Wewi l
ltr
yto!
"shoutsTshi
di.OkayIwassuper
wrong,tur
nsoutshedoesn'
tcareabouttheagegap
betweenherandJordan.

"
Byebaby
."say
sNkosi
,headi
ngout
.

"Bye,
hav
easafej
ourneyhome,"Isayst
andi
ngup,
headi
ngtot
hedoor
,Iclosei
tandlockit
.

Phonev
ibr
ates.
..
..
..
I
tsamessagef
rom Nkosi
.

Ial
mostf
orgott
otel
lyout
hatIl
ovey
ou.ILOVEYOU
THANDOLWETHUPRECIOUSMDLETSHE.
It
extback.
..
..
.

Il
i
key
out
ooZwi
deKal
anga.

Am notr
eadyt
osayt
he3wor
dsj
usty
et.
..
.

*
***
***
***
**

Am wokenupbyl oudgigglescomi ngfrom the

kitchen.These2keptmeupal lni
ght,Ilit
eral
lyslept
at4: 00AM.Ij ustfeell
ikestabbingthem rightnow.If
therei sanythingthatcouldmakememoodyf orone
whol eday ,i
t'
snotget ti
ngmybeaut ysleep.Iquickly
getoutofbed, openthedoorandshout" Cany ou2
mot her f
ucki
ngcunt skeepitdown, am tryi
ngt o
sleepher e.Nx! !
"Ibangthedoor ,getbacki nbedand
whenam aboutt oclosemyey es,myal armrings.
Oooohy ou'vegott obekiddingme! !!
!Whyt oday !
!!
!!
!!
Igetoutofbed,cleanupmyr oom andthentakea
shower.Cursemyconsciencefornotlett
ingmeskip
churchtoday.Af
tershoweri
ng,Igetdressedi
ntomy
pyj
amas.Am goi ngtoeatf
irstt
henchange.AsIam
abouttoleavemyr oom,myphoner i
ngs.Whocould
becalli
ngsoearly.

"
Myangel
."

"
Hiemom,
howar
eyou,
"iask,
rubbi
ngmyey
es.

"
Am okaybaby
,Iwasj
ustmi
ssi
ngy
ou.Howar
e
y
ou?"

"
Am f
inemom,
justsl
eepy
."

"
Sot
ellmebaby
,whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmet
hat
y
oubrokeupwi
thSbu?
"
"
Ist
hiswhyy
oucal
l
edmom?
"

"Yes,
thepoorguyhasbeencry
ingsi
nceyester
day
.
Baby,di
dyoucheatonhim?"whatt
hefuck?!

"Ofcoursenotmom.Si gh.
..
..
Didhetellyouthat1
mont hagohedumpedmef orsomegi r
l t
hathi s
parentschosef orhi
m? "Isay.Mom keepsqui etand
thendr opsthecall
.Whyar epeopletryi
ngt oruinmy
Sunday .Iwalkoutofmyr oom, gotothekitchen,
makemy sel
fabowl ofcerealandsi
tont hehi gh
chair.TshidiandJordanareintheli
vingroom.I
didn'
tev enlookatthem whenIpassedt hem onmy
wayher e,t
hat'
showannoy edIam rightnow.

"Goodmor
ning,
"say
sTshi
di,
standi
ngatt
heki
tchen
door.

"I
t'
snotagoodmor ni
ngatal
l
.First
,youandy our
newboyfr
iendkeptmeupallni
ghtthensecondly
,
mom cal
lstoaskmeaboutSbuandI .Apparently
,
he'
sbeencryi
ngsinceyest
erday.Li
kewt f!
!!Thisj
ust
hastobetheworstSunday,
"Isaywhilststuff
inga
spoonofcer
eali
ntomymout h.

"Wel
lItdoesn'tseem l
i
keit
.Didyoureal
i
set
haty
ou
don'
thavey ourcrut
cheswit
hyou?"

"
Don'
tbesil
ly
, her
etheya.
..
..
..
..
..Wai
t.Wher
ear
ear
e
mycr
utches?"Iask,
pani
cki
ng.

"
Exact
ly,
youranklei
snowf i
ne,
thankstoy
our
mood"shesays,wal
kingt
othefri
dge.

"wow.Icanfi
nal
l
ywal
kwi
thoutt
hosei
rr
it
ati
ngst
icks.
ThankGod!!
!!
"

"Yeadon'
tgettooexci
tedorel
sey
ou'
l
lendup
hurt
ingbot
hy ourankl
es.
"
"Ey
yletmehav emymomentokay .Sot
ell
me,
was
hethatgood,
Tshidi
?"Iask,
put
ti
ngmyspooninmy
bowl.

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"

"St
opacti
ngdumb, youknowexact lywhatam
aski
ng.Tshi
di,
youwer escreamingandswearingt
he
wholeni
ght.Am pr
ettysureourneighbor
sheard
you.
"isay.

"WasIt
hatl
oud? "sheasksi
nawhi
sperwhi
l
e
cl
osi
ngthef
ridge.
"Youwer
everyl
oud,nowt el
lmewhatmyear
sar
e
crav
ingt
ohear,
"Isay,
clappi
ngmyhands.
"Butheisint
heliv
ingr
oom,
hewi
l
lhearus,
"she
says,si
tt
ingnextt
ome.
"
Hewon'
tnowst
artt
alki
ng,
"Isay
.
"
Hahaokayf
ineI
'
llt
alk.Thatki
disj
ustoutoft
his
worl
d.Thando,heissoamazingl
yincr
edibl
e.He
mademer eachclimax6ti
mes.6t i
mesThandoin
j
ust2rounds!
!!Ican'
tev
enstopthinki
ngaboutl
ast
ni
ght.
"shesays,l
ooki
ngstr
aighti
ntospace.
"
All
thankst
ome,
"Isay
,wi
nki
ngather
.
"Truethat,i
fitwasn'tfory oui
nvi
ti
ngmeov erfor
dinner,shewasn'tgoingt oexperi
encewhatshedi d
l
astni ght,
thankyousomuchThando, "saysJordan,
wal ki
ngtowar dsTshidi.Hewrapshisar msaround
herf r
om thebackandki ssesherneck.Shechuckles,
turnstolookathim andsmashesherl ipsonhis.

"Coughcough,ther
earebedr
oomsf
orar
eason,
coughcough."Isay.
"Sor
rybutIj
ustcan'tresi
st,
"saysJordan,
picki
ng
Tshi
diup.Tshi
distartsgi
ggli
ngwhileherlegsand
armsarewrappedar oundJordan.
Iguessthi
si smyqueuet ostandup,changei
ntomy
newnudepi nkVpl ungedressandnudepi nkpumps
andleaveforchurch."Tshidi
am leav
ing,I'
l
lbeback
at12:00pm,"Isay
, walki
ngoutofmyapar t
ment.
Chur chwasamazi ng, Ireal
l
yenjoy
edtheser vi
ce.I
t
kindofr emi ndedmeofmydad.Weal way swentto
churcht oget her.Mymom i sint
osangomast uffso
shenev erwant edt ojoinus.SometimesIwonder
howt heygotal ongbecausemydadwasagai nst
thoset hings.Af terchur ch,Iwentt
omyapar t
mentt o
pickupTshi disot hatIcoulddropheroffatthe
airport.Shewasl eavingandi tr
eal
lybrokemyhear t.
"Goodby ebaby ,I'
llreallymissyou,
"Isay,huggingher.

"I
'
llmi
ssy out
oobutam sorrytosaythatI
'
llmi
ssMr
Brownevenmore.
"Tshidir
epli
es.Ismackher
shoul
deraswebothlaugh.Iki
sshercheekandlet
goofher.Iwi
shshecouldjustst
ay.

Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
..
..

"
Hel
l
o,"

"
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?Am aty
ourapar
tment
."asks
Nkosi
.

"Am atORTamboairport,
wasdr oppi
ngTshi
diof
f.
"I
say,
leavi
ngthel
andside."Am onmywayback,you
canwaitformei
nmyapar tment.
"

"
Andhowam Igoi
ngt
ogeti
nsi
de?
"heasks.

"Thesamewayy ouoncedi damonthago.Nowai t

,
youactual
l
ydi dit2ti
mes,"Isay.Hegiggl
esandthen
endsthecall
.I'
ll
justtakethatasa"Okay"
.Igeti
nto
mycarandt hendriveoff.

Ihavefi
nall
yarri
vedatmyapar t
mentandl etmejust
saythatt
hetraff
icwasjustshit
tyashell
.My
apart
mentdooriswideopensoam guessi nghe
real
l
ydiddoi t
.Igeti
nsi
de,closeandlockthedoor
andthenIfoll
owhisvoi
ceashesi ngsalongtosome
maskandisong.
"Wellhell
ohel
lo,what'
scookinginhere?"Iask,
enteri
ngthekit
chen.Het ur
nshisfacetolookatme,
smilesandthenclosesthepotont hest
ov e.He
walkstomeandgi vesmeonesupert i
ghthug,I
can'tevenbr
eathe.

"
Yourankl
eisf
inal
l
yokay
,"hesay
s,st
il
lhuggi
ngme.

"Yesbuti
fyoudon'
tletgoofmenow, al
lofmy
bonesmightj
ustendupbreaki
ng,
"Isay,t
ryi
ngt
o
gaspforsomeair
.
"
Ooohsor
ry,
it'
sjustt
hatIr
eal
l
ymi
ssedy
ou.
"

"
Buty
ousawmel
astni
ght
,"

"Exactl
y,t
odayi
sanewdaysoImi
ssedy
ou,
"he
says,pecki
ngmynose.
"Youthough,
"IsayasIl
aughbutmylaughisended
bythesightofbl
oodonNkosi
'swhi
teshir
t."Baby
,
whydoy ouhav ebl
oodony ourshirt?"Iasklooki
ng
upathi m.Hel ooksatmewi thconfusedey esbutin
l
esst hat-0seconds,hisf
acialexpressionchanges
andisf i
ll
edwithsomet hi
ngthatlooksl i
keregret
.I
don'
tr eal
lyknowwhathei sregrett
ingbutt hatbl
ood
stai
nsur el
yhasast orybehi
ndi t
.

"Oohoohohdon'tworr
ybabyit
'sreal
l
ynothi
ng.I
hurtmysel
fatworkandIf
orgottochangemyshir
t.
"

"
Butyoudon'
twor
konSunday
sbabe.
..
"isay
,put
ti
ng
myhandsonmywaist
.
"Sowhatar
ey outry
ingt
osayThando,arey
ou
sayi
ngam l
ying?"hesay
swit
hhiseyebrowsrai
sed.

"
Nononotatal
l
,Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
..
."

"Andam t
ell
ingyouIgothurtatworknowwillyou
stopwi
ththequesti
onsandl etmeenjoyy
our
company.Comehere,"hesay spul
l
ingmecloserto
hi
m.Honestl
y,somethi
ngseemsshadyaboutNkosi
.
Somethi
ngabouthimjustdoesn'
taddupandIj
ust
don'
tknowwhatitdo
Chapt
er8

It'
sMondaymor ningandIf eelsuperexhaust ed.
Lastnightwasamazi ngwi t
hNkosi butIdon'
tmean
"sex"amazi ng.Thistime, herefusedt ogosleep
alone,clai
mi ngthatam hi sgir
lfri
endsohehast he
ri
ghtt obeint hesamebedwi thmesoIal l
owedhi m
tocomet obedwi thme.Wewer ejustchil
l
ingthe
whol enightandcuddl i
ng.thoughtIwoul dwakeup
toseehi sfacebutal lIwokeupt owasanot eonhi s
pil
low.Thenot eread" Havetogot oCapet ownf ora
businesst r
ipsoIwi l
lseey outomor rowormay be
tonight.Lovey oumyqueen" .
Ithrewthenoteont hef l
oorthenwentbackt olal
a
l
andsi ncei
twas2i nt hemor ning.Whowakesup
soooooear l
y,j
ustforsuch.Hecoul dhav el
eftat4in
themor ni
ngbuthel ef
tway yt oearl
iert
hanthat.
Somet hi
ngreall
yisshadyaboutt hi
sguyandam
goingtogettothebot tom ofit.

I
tsnow6:
45am andam donewi
thmymor
ning
routi
neandr eadyforwor
k.Igrabmycarkey sont he
counter,headout,
lockmydoorandt henintothe
elevat
or.Ithengettomycar,getinanddriveoffto
spendthewhol edayatwork.Traff
icwasn'tthatbad
thismorningsoIgottoworkear l
i
erthanIusuallydo.
"
Twi
nni
e!!
!"i
t'
sSabel
o.YhooooImi
ssedt
hisass.
"
Heyyou,
bruhIfeelli
keIhaven'
tseeny
oui none
y
ear
.Howar ey
ou? "Isay
,giv
inghim at
ighthug.
"Am goodhey ,
Ijustmi
ssedyou.Howar
eyouand
howisy ourankl
e?"heaskshuggi
ngmeback.
"Iam okayjustexhaust
edandmyankl
eisf
inebut
kindofpainful
,"
"
Wellat
leastyoucannowwalk.I'
l
lseeyouatbreak
t
winni
e,IhavetogoseeMrBizabeforeIst
artwit
h
myshif
t."say
sSabeloandhestart
swalki
ngaway .
"
okayt
winni
e,wewi
l
lhav
ebr
eaki
nmyof
fi
ceneh"
"
Okaycool
,l
ater
,"heshout
s.Ti
mef
ormet
ogett
o
wor
k.
I
ts12pm andam nowsuperexhaust
ed,
Ican'
tev
en
wal
kanymore.Ihavebeenr
unningupanddown
becausef orsomer eason,therehasbeenal otof
pat i
entstoatt
endt ot oday.Itevenf eelsli
keaf estiv
e
seasonbecauset hatswhenhospi talsarethispeak.
Rightnowam onmywayt osome" Special pati
ent"
thatImustbesuperni ceto,asifam ev errudet o
anyofmypat i
ent s.Am oneoft heni cestdoct ors
her eandmypat ientslov eme, t
heyev engoasf aras
bringingmegiftswhent heygetoutoft hisplace.So
backt omegoi ngt ocheckont hispat i
ent,asIent er
ther oom sheisin,Ihearhershout" Thabiso!".Not
theper sonyouar eexpect i
nghey ..
..
.Sheev enhas
herownwar d,Iguesssher eall
yisspeci al
...
..
"Hey ,
sorryam doct
orMdlet
she.Howareyouf
eel
i
ng
ma' am,"Isay,
walki
ngtoherasshel
ooksatmewith
disappointment.
"
Am bett
erbutsti
l
linalotofpai
n,
"shesays,
try
ing
t
ositupbutthepainsheisi
nisn'
tal
l
owingherto.
"
Ouch!!
"
"Whoama'am,don'
tsi
tup.I
t'
sf i
neyoucanl i
edown."
Isay,
rushi
ngtohersi
detohelpherlaybackdown.
SoIheardshewasshotonbothherf eet
,st
abbeda
coupl
eoftimesandhasfr
ucturedr
ibs.Theshocki
ng
partwaswhenIwast oldthatsheispr
egnant
, so
someasshol edeci
dedtobeatupthiswomanwhi le
she'spr
egnant.Somepeoplethough.Wel
latleast
shedidn'
tlosethebabyeventhoughshealmostdid.
Whoev erdidthi
stoherdeservestodi
eshame.How
canonebesohear tl
ess.
"Doctor,wil
lieverbeabl
et owalk,imean,Ican'tfeel
myf eetatall
."shesayslookingatmewi t
ht earsin
hereyes.Iknowt hisai
n'
tthet i
mebutdamnshei s
beautif
ul.Shelookssoforeign,yesshehasbr ui
ses
andallbutonecaneasi l
yseet hatsheisagor geous
woman.
"
Honestl
yspeaking,y
oumi ghtgetpar al
yzed,maybe
t
emporari
lyorpermanent
ly.Ther eisapossibil
i
ty
t
hatyoumi ghtbeabl
etowal kbuty ouwon'tbeable
t
owalkthesamewayy ouusedt o."Isaytoher,
t
aki
ngherf il
ewhichi
sattheendofherbed.
"
Okaybutam notpar
aly
zedi
nanyot
herwayr
ight
?"
"
Ummm sof ar,no.I
t'
sjusty
ourf
eetandthat
'sit
.
Whentheyheal,t
hat
'swhenwewillbeabl
etotell
youi
fyouwill
beabletowalkagai
nornot.Ma'am
don'tthinkabouti twayt oomuch.Iknowt hatt
he
painy ouaref eeli
ngi sr eall
yscari
ngy oubutdon't
overthinkthi
ngsorel sey ouwil
lendupbei ngina
muchwor sesi tuationthany oualreadyarein.We
real
lydon'twantt hatnowdowe?"Isof t
lysaytoher
withasmi l
eonmyf ace.Shethenl ooksatmeand
smileswi thtearsr unningdownhercheeks.
"I
'
llt
ryt
ost
opovert
hinki
ngthi
ngsbutyoucan'
t
bl
amemethough.CanIsaysomethi
ng,"
"
Yesgof
ori
t,
"
"Yoursmil
er emindsmeofmymot her.Ireal
ly
wouldn'
tmi ndseeingyoueverymor ningjustto
makemef eelbett
er,
"shesays,radiantl
y.Okaynow
am superspeechless.Idon'
tknowwhatt osay.
"ummmm r eall
y,i
-idon'
tknowwhatt osaybutI
guessIcansayt hankyouandI '
l
l begl adtobethe
fi
rstpersony ouseeinthemor ning,"Isayblushing.I
thi
nkam goi ngtolikeher,somethingabouther
makesheramazi ngtobear ound.It hentakealook
atherfi
les,dosomecheckupsonherandt hi
ngs
don'tl
ooksogood.Herbl oodpressur eisextremely
hi
ghandherf r
uctur
edri
bsdon'
tseem tobeheali
ng
atal
l.Sheneedsseri
ousat
tent
ionl
ike24/7.She
can'
tbelef
talone.
"Soyournamei
sRosel
i
ne,
it'
sabeaut
if
ulnamehey
,"
Isaytohersmi
l
ing.
"Yea,myfat
hergaveitt
omebutmymot herwanted
tonamemeSi yabonga,
"shesay
s,l
ooki
ngatthe
ceil
ing.
"Ohhh.OkaysoIhav et
ogonow,Ihav
etocheckon
myot herpat
ient
s.I'
l
lbebackt
ocheckonyou
again.
"Isayputt
ingherfi
l
ebackf
rom wher
eIhad
takenit
.
"Doyouhavetogo,pleasedost ay
.Ineedsome
companyandy ouar
egr eatcompany,pleasest
ay,
"
shesayspouti
ngwithpuppyey es.Whyisshe
makingthi
ngshardforme.
"IwishIcouldsayyesbutIcan'
t.Okaylet'
sdothi
s,I
will
sitwit
hy ouforl
unchthenwecant alk,how
aboutthat?
"
"
OkayIguessIcanset
tl
efort
hat
.I'
l
lbewai
ti
ngf
or
y
ou."
"Okay,
seey
outhenRosel
i
ne.Oohmynamei
s
Thandobyt
heway,"
"Okay,I'
l
lseeyouatlunchThando,"shesay ssmili
ng.
Ithenleavetheroom andstartwal
kingtowards
otherwards.Ial
readyli
keher.Shelooksli
keshehas
beent hr
oughalot,notbecauseofwhatbr oughther
herebutIcouldclear
lyseepaininhereyes.Likeshe
hasn'tbeenhappyinalongt i
me.NowIr eall
ywant
tositdownwi t
hherandj ustt
alk,j
usttomaket hat
paindisappear
.

*
***
***
**
I
tsnowbr eakandSabel
oi sn'
thappythatam not
goi
ngtohav elunchwi
thhim.Atfir
sthedidn't
under
standbutheendedupagr eei
ng.Itoldhi
mI'l
l
makeitupt ohimtomorr
owbuthei nsist
edon
havi
ngdinnerwhicham notcoolwit
hbecausehe
hasawife.
IboughtfoodforRoseandI.Am nowonmywayt o
herwardandam r eal
l
yhappy,l
i
kesuperhappy
.The
samef eel
ingIgetwhenIseeTshidi
ist
heoneam
get
ti
ngr
ightnow.IguessIr
eal
l
ydol
i
keRose.
"
Knockknock,
"Isay
,peepi
ngt
hrought
hedoor
.
"
Youcame,
"repl
i
esRoset
urni
ngt
olookatme.
"
WhywouldntI
.Ibroughtusf
ood,
Ihopey
oul
i
ke
MuggandBeanfood."
"YesIdoandIwasact
ual
l
yint
hemoodf
ort
hei
r
cake,
"
"Wellgoodt hingIalsoboughtt hecake. "Itaket he
chairwhichisatt her ightcornerofthewar d,pulli
ng
i
tnextt oherbedt henIt akemysi t.Istarttakingout
ourfoodt henpr esst heelevati
onbut tont oraiseher
upperbodyhei ghtsinceshecan' tdosoher self.As
forherlegs,theyar ehel dupbyl egbr aces.Ifeel soo
sorryforher,Ican'tev enimaginethepai nshei s
goingthroughwi t
ht hosewoundsal lov erherlegs,
thegunshotwoundsandt hefruct
ur edr i
bs,sigh...
..
..
.
"Her
eisyourf
ood,Ihopeyouwil
lenj
oyi
t,
"Isayt
o
herpl
aci
ngthefoodonthetabl
e.
"Isur
elywi
ll
,thankyou."andwiththatsaid,west ar
t
diggi
nginwhilsthav
inglightf
unnyconv ersat
ions.
Sheissooooof unny, l
ikeIcan' tstopl aughingr i
ght
now.Am pr ett
ysur eot herpat ientscanhearme
l
aughingr ightnow, Ir eall
ycan' thelpi tyhoooo.She
tol
dmeal ittl
ebi tabouther selfandherl if
eandl et
mej ustsayl i
fehasn' tbeengoodt oher .Hermot her
passedawaywhenshewas7andherl i
fejust
changedf r om t hen.Herf athergotmar r
iedtoher
mother '
sf riendandshet r eatedRoseandher2ol der
brot
her slikecr apwhi l
stt hest epmom gav e
everyt
hingt heyownedt ohersonwhowast heirst ep
brot
her .Shesay sthst epbr otherwasn' tasbadas
hismot herbecauseheonl ytreatedt hem l i
kecrap
whenev erhi smom wasar oundbutassoonasshe
gotoutofsi t
e,hewoul dgi vethem f oodandl ett hem
dowhat evert heywant edt odo.Oneofherbr other s
passedawayf rom foodpoi soning.Sonowi t'
sonl y
herandherol destbr other .Somet imest hestep
brot
herv i
sitst hem sot heycounthi m asf ami l
ybut
besi
deshi m, itisjustt he2oft hem.Iwantt oaski f
herfatherpassedawaybecausesheonl yment ioned
him onceandf rom all thosehur tfulev ents,seems
l
ikehehasbeenabsent .
"
Soisyourf
atherst
il
lal
i
ve?
"Iaskwi
thahesi
tant
v
oice.
"
Yeshei
s,
"
"Andhenev
ersai
danyt
hingt
oyourst
epmot
her
?"I
askwit
honerai
sedey
ebrow.
"Yep,itwaslikehewasbewi tchedbecausehenev er
wentagai nstmyst epmot her.Hewoul dal ways
agreewi t
hev eryt
hingshesai dandnev erargued
withher.Hehadcompl etelychanged, hewasn' tt
he
sameany more."shesay swhi lstlooki
ngatt he
ceil
ing.Tearsstartrunningdownhercheeksbutshe
quicklywipesthem.NowIf eel badforasking,why
didIaskhersuchaquest ion...
.Stupidstupidstupi
d,
nx..
...
"Am sor
ry,
i.
..Idi
dn'
tmeantomakeyoucry.I
shoul
dn'
thaveaskedyou,
"Isayl
ooki
ngdown.
"Noit
'sfine,Iactuall
yfeel bet
ternow.Ihavenev er
tol
dany oneaboutmyl ife,youarethefi
rstandr i
ght
nowIf eelsolight.Thanky ousomuchf orbei nghere
Thando.Ireallyappreciateit,
"shesayslowv oiced.
"
Youar
ewel
comel
oveandi
fyouev
erneedme,
you
canalwayscal
loutf
orme.
"Isaywhi
l
est
uff
inga
pieceofcakei
nmymouth.
"
Sot
ell
meabouty
our
sel
fThando,
"
"Ooohwell
mynamei sThandoMdl et
she,
Ihave5
sibl
i
ngs,3oft
hem bei
ngtri
plet
s.Icomefrom Nor
th
West,andmyli
fei
sprett
yokayhey .
"
"
That
'si
t?"
"
Wellumm mydadpassedawaywhenIwas19
whi
chkindofchangedmyl
i
febecausemydadandI
wer
ereall
ycl
ose."
"
Oooham sor
ryaboutt
hat
."shesay
swi
thapi
tyi
ng
f
ace.
"I
t'
sokay.Uuum wouldy
oumi ndi
fIaskedt
hisone
quest
ion,
"Ihavetoknowthi
s.
"
askaway
,"
"Welluuum,who...
..
whodidt histoyou?"Iask
l
ookingstrai
ghtint
oherey es.Herfacialexpr
ession
qui
cklychanges,painshowingt hr
oughherey es.
Tearsstar
tfall
ingagai
nandt hi
stime,shelet'
sthem
fal
l
.Ithenraisemyhandt owi peoffhertearsbut
shest
opsme.
"Idon'twanttotalkaboutit
,Ithi
nkit
'sti
mef ory ou
togo.Thanky ouverymuchf ort
hefood, i
twasr eall
y
nice."shesays,giv
ingmet hecoldet
lstshoulderever.
OkayIguessmyquest i
onhithome,nowIr egret
askingher.Ishouldhav est
ayedinmyl i
mi t
s.Rose
thenpushest hetableback,asksmet olowert he
bedhei ghtandthent ur
nstolooktheotherdirecti
on.
OkaynowIf eelsuperguil
ty.
"
Roseam sor
ry,
Ireal
lydi
dn'
tmeantoruiny
our
mood.Am,am r
eall
ysorr
ypl
easefor
giveme,"Isay
t
oherdownfaced.
"
It
sfi
ne.Youcanl eav
enow,"shesay
sst
il
ll
ooki
ng
t
heotherdi
rect
ion.Si
gh.
..
Ist
andupfrom t
hechai
r,pi
ckuptheempt
ymugg
andbeanbagsandwalkout.If
eel
sobadforaski
ng
hert
hatnow.

*
***
***
***
***
*
I
tsbeen3day
sandnot
hingi
nter
est
inghasbeen
happeningsi nceMonday .Nkosi hasn'tcontactedme
eversincethatdayhel efttheletter,
Rosekeepson
givi
ngmet hecol dshoulderandSabel oisignoring
mebecauseIr efusedtogoont hatdinnerdat ewith
him.Youcan' tblamemet hough, Imeanhe' sa
mar r
iedmanwi t
hapr egnantwi feandheshoul dbe
homewi t
hhernotoutwi t
hme.Hi swifecal
ledme
though,askingwhyIhadr efusedt ogoont hedi nner
withSabeloandhonest lyspeaking, Iwasshocked.I
wasn'texpect ingthatfr
om her .
TshidiandJor
danhavebecomesocloseli
kesuper
cl
ose.Jordanisact
ual
lyi
nNorthWestri
ghtnowwit
h
her.Nowam supersur
eTshidi
will
dumpDenzel.
"
Sohowi sRose?
"IaskNer
isawhi
l
est
andi
ngatt
he
r
ecept
ion.
"Sheisokay
,shei
ssor
udet
hough,
"shesay
swi
tha
cri
nge.
"
Reall
y?Wow,
"Isaywi
deey
ed.Rosei
srude?wel
l
t
hat'
snew.
"Superr
udebutat
leastshei
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
."she
sayswhil
stsi
gni
ngsomepapers.
"Ooohokay,hav
ey ouseenSabeloanywher
e.I
haven'
tseenhim al
lday?"Iaskl
ooki
ngaround.
"Ummm y eah, Ithi
nkhei sinhisoff
icewitha
pati
ent.
"shesay snotlooki
ngatmebutatt he
paperssheissi gning.Iwalkawayf r
om herwithout
awor dsaid,headingt oSabelo'
soffi
ce.Ineedtot al
k
tohim becauset hissil
enttr
eatmentam getti
ngi s
waytoomuch.IknockonSabel o'
sdoorthenwal kin
aft
erhearinghi m shoutcomei n.Okaysothereisno
pati
ent.
"
Sabeloweneedtotal
k,
"Isaywi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace
whi
lsttaki
ngaseat
.
"
Am superbusyri
ghtnow,
woul
dyoumi
ndcoming
l
ater
,"hesay
slooki
ngatsomef
il
eonhi
sdesk.
"
NoIcan'
tcomelaterbecauseyouaren'
tbusyatal
l
.
Nowwhyam Ibei
ngi gnor
ed?"Isaycri
ngi
ng.
"
Thando,nowi
sreal
l
ynott
het
ime.Canwepl
ease
t
alkl
ater
,"
"Sabel
oy ouhav
ebeensayingthatf
ort
hepast3
days,canyouPl.
..
..
..
"hei
nter
ruptsmebef
oreIcoul
d
fi
nishmysentence.
"THANDOCANYOUPLEASELETMEBEOKAY! !AM
BUSYRI GHTNOW SOPLEASELEAVEMYOFFI CE.
JUSTBECAUSEYOUDON' THAVEANYWORK, IT
DOESN' TMEANTHATALLOFUSALSODON' T,"he
shoutswithhisneckveinspoppingout.Oookay
whatt hehel
li
swr ongwi thhi
m?Any ways,Isl
owl y
standupf r
om theseat,
t urnt
othedoorandst art
walkingaway.Sohehasmanagedt ocompl et
ely
makemebackof f,nowIdon'twanttotalktohim at
all
..
..
.
Phoner
ingi
ng.
..
..
Itakemyphoneoutofmypocketandcheckt he
call
erID.Unknownnumber .
..
.Iwonderwhoitis.Aii
am notansweringi
t.Iendthecallandputmyphone
backinmypocketbutmyphoner i
ngsagai
n,
showingthesamecal l
erID.Iendthecal
lagai
nbut
thepersoncall
sagain.
..
..Whot hehel
li
sthi
skant i
?!
!

"CanIhel
pyouwi
thsomet
hing?
"Isayanswer
ingt
he
call
.
"
Youshoul
dreal
l
yst
opbei
nganassThando,
"say
s
myoneandonl
yfr
uit
yvoi
ceont
heot
hersi
deoft
he
cal
l
.
"Wher
ehavey oubeeny ouli
ttl
epieceofshi
t.Ihave
beenwai
ti
ngf oryourcall
sinceMondaybutnot hi
ng.
What'
syourexcuse,l
et'
sheari t
,"Isaywi
thataut
voi
ce.
"Fi
rstofall
,neverandIrepeat,nevereverswearat
me.Secondl y,
am real
l
ysor r
yf ornotcontact
ingyou
butIhav ebeensuperbusy.Irea..
..
..
."Iqui
ckl
y
i
nterrupthi
m.
"I
t'
sfine,atl
easty oucont
act
edmeev enthoughyou
didsoaf t
er3day s.Sowhenareyoucomingback?"I
ask,slowlywal
kingt omyoff
icej
ustsmil
i
ngatwho
everIcomeacr oss.
"
Ummm am r
eal
l
ynotsur
ebutI
'
llt
ell
you.
"
"Okay
,li
stenI
'
llcal
lyoulat
er.Rightnowam atwor
k.
Thisi
sthenumbery ouareusingright
..
..
"
"Yeaiti
s.Don'
tworryI
'l
lcall
y ou.Byeanddon' t
forgett
hatIl
oveyou..
..
.Oohandt el
lthati
diotofa
boyatthecomplextoleaveyoual oneifhestil
l
want st
oli
vebecauseyouar etaken."hesayswi t
h
anintensevoiceandthenendsthecal
l
.
Whoa. .
..
.whatthehell
,howdi
dhe,andwhot
oldhi
m
abo..
..
.IsNkosi spy
ingonme..
..Wow..
..
.
"Heywat chwhereyouare.
..
.Oohheyther
e,"say
sa
deepv oi
ce.Seemsl i
keIgotsodi
str
actedbymy
thoughtsthatIbumpedint
othi
sguy.
"Hey,
am sorryIdi
dn'
tseey out
here,"Isaylooki
ng
downwi t
hshame.Isli
det omyrightwiththe
att
empttoleavebuthealsosli
destomyr i
ght.
Ooooky.Isl
idetomyleftbuthedoest oo.Okaywtf,
whyarepeopletry
ingt
of uckmeov ertoday.
"
Sorr
ybutcanIhel
pyouwi
thsomet
hing,
"Isaywi
th
ast
rai
ghtf
ace.
"Umm y es,
"hesays.Okaysol etmedescri
bethi
s
personstandi
nginfrontofme.He' sasupert
all
,buf
f
guy,li
ghtski
nnedwithglasses.Looksandsmell
s
l
ikemoneyoohandsupergor geousbutnotas
gorgeousasmyman.Justsay i
ng.Heki
ndoflooks
l
ikeSabelothough.
"Wouldyouminddir
ect
ingmet
oy ourhear
tbecause
Icer
tainl
ycantuset
hesamedi
recti
onIusewith
otherwomen.
"hesay
s,smi
l
ing.Thati
sonet
err
ibl
e
catchphr
ase.
"
Excuseme?
"Isayl
ooki
ngannoy
ed.
"Imean,y
ouar ewhatIhavebeenlooki
ngf oral
lmy
l
ifebabygir
landwhere-have-
you-been?"hesays
checki
ngmeoutwhi l
elicki
nghispinkli
ps.
"Umm okayli
stenheresir
,Ihavesomeworktodo
nowcany oupleasemov eoutofmyway.
"Isay
movi
ngt omyr i
ghtbuthefoll
owsmeagain.What
's
upwit
ht hi
sguykanti
...
..
.
"Youlookevenmorebeauti
ful
wheny ouar
eangry
hey.Icanjusti
magineyouwalki
ngdowntheai
slei
n
awhi t
edress.Damn..
..
."
"Okaysiri
fyoudon'
tmov eoutofmywaynowIwil
l
beforcedtocal
lsecur
it
y."Isaypoi
nti
ngathi
m.
"Goaheadmama, Ireall
ydon'tmi ndatall
,"hesay
s
brushingmyl ef
tcheek.Iqui cklypushhishandaway
andmov ebackwar ds.Iturnaroundsot hatIcanj
ust
useanot herwaytomyof fi
cebutt heguyrushest
o
thesideam facingandbl ockstheway .Ohhhmy
fucki
nggosh.Okaynomor emrni ceguyher e
becausehei
sli
ter
all
ypoki
ngme.
Itakehol dofhisl eftarm andt wi stittohisback,I
usemyl eftarmt ochokehi mf rom behi nd."Now
l
istent omey oust upidpervert,don' ttr
ytomakemy
daywor sethani talreadyis.Imi ghtl ooksmallbut
beli
ev emewhenIsayIwi l
lbeaty ouupsobadt hat
eveny ourownmot herwon' tev enr ecognizeyou.So
willyoupleasel eav emet hef uckal oneandletme
godomyj ob."Isayangr il
yinhi sr ightear.Hethen
startssmi r
kingandshaki nghi shead, somethi
ngis
seriouslywrongwi ththisman.
"NowIwanty ouevenmore,andletmejustsayyour
martial
artsmov esarequi
teimpressi
ve.Ican
alr
eadyseet hatyougotyourbl
ackbelthey,
"hesays
whileam sti
l
l hol
dinghi
m.Oohwowt hi
sguy .
..
..
..
"Eyywhat'sgoi
ngonher e,Thandoletgoofmy
brother
."saysav oiceIrecognizeasSabelo's.Ihada
feel
ingtheywer erelat
ed.Sabel ot
henwal kstous,
l
ooksatmeandhi sbrotherwhoam st i
l
l holding
thenlooksatmeagai nwithashockedf ace.Il etgo
ofhisbrother
,lookatSabel othenwalkaway .Iwon't
sayany t
hingtohim.
"Whatdi
dyoudoLuanda?
"IhearSabel
osayt
ohi
s
brot
her.
"Not
hing,Iwasjustadmir
inghert
hat
'sall
.Shejust
deci
dedt ogoallJacki
eChanonme."repl
iesthe
brot
her.Stupi
dperv..
..
.
"Welldon'
teverdothatt
ohereveragainornexttime,
Iwillgoal
lJacki
eChanony ou,
"Sabelosays.Even
thougham walki
ngawayf r
om t
hem, Icansti
llhear
everywordtheyaresayi
ng.
"
Whatever,
Icametoseeyousocanwepleasegot
o
y
ouroffi
ce,
"sayst
hebrot
herandwit
hthat
,thei
r
v
oicesstar
ttof
adeaway.
Whydoest
hisdayhat
emesomuch.
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
**
NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Thesepast5dayshav ebeenthebestl
atel
y.Fi
rstI
fi
nal
lycaughtt
hatstupidfool
,Si
phoonSaturday
whoisinpuretor
tur
e;secondlyal
lmybusiness
dealsabroadarewor kingoutsowel landam v ery
happywithmy self
.Wel lam sti
ll
leftwit
honet hing
though,t
akecar eofthatstupidfri
endofmi newho
showedupatmywoman' sdoorlastweekSat urday.
Am actuall
ywithhimr ightnowandIf eel l
i
ke
chokinghim butIcan'tbecausehei shelpi
ngme
tort
ureSipho.
"BoysIt
hinki
t'
senoughfortoday.Makesurethat
youinj
ectwhoongaint
ohisbloodokay.Andthose
gayguysarecomingtomorr
owat8am somake
Siphol
ooksupersexybef
oretheyarr
ive.
"Isaytomy
men.
"Shoooboza,"theyrepl
ywhil
elaughi
ng.WhenIsay
Siphowil
lsuffer,Imeanit
.Il
eavethetor
tur
eroom
headedforthesitti
ngareawheremydearstupi
d
fri
endischi
ll
ing.
"
Hey
iwena,st
opharassi
ngmywoman,
"Ibl
unt
lysay
t
ohi
m whi
lehit
ti
nghishead.
"
Am onlydoingthatbecauseyouareafuckingcunt
Nkosi
.Findmeawomant henIwi
lll
eavey our
womanal one,
"repl
iesSbuwhiler
ubbingthespotI
hi
thi
m.
"I
fitwasn'tf
ory
oubeingmyclosef
ri
end,Iwould
havemur der
edyou.
"Isaypoi
nti
ngmyindexfi
nger.
"
YeaYeaanddon'tf
orgett
hatIdatedherf
oral
l
t
hoseyear
sbecauseofyou."her
epli
es.
"
Andt
hanksagai
nfordoi
ngt
hatman.
"
"Any thi
ngf oryoumyman.Yazi am sti
l
l shookbyt he
factt hatyouwer esoafr
aidofher.Imean, youNkosi
aret hemast erofthescaryworldbuty ouwer ebeing
scaredof fbyawomanev enbef oretal
kingt oher,
yaaaahneh. "saysSbushakinghisheadwhi l
e
l
ightingaci garet
te.Thenicoti
nescentst art
stof i
l
l
upt her oom asSbupullsthesmokeandexhal esi
t
throughhi smout handnose.HowIhat e
smoker s.
..
...
..
"Many oudon'tunder
stand.Thandofreakedthehel
l
outofme.Shel ookedli
keshewasgoi ngtopunch
mei nthefacethemomentIwoul dhav esaidhiet
o
her.
"Isay,tr
yingnottoinhal
ethecigarett
e'swast
e
product.
"
Shedi
dn'
tl
ookt
hatscar
y.Rememberhowj
eal
ous
youwer ewhenIdeci dedtogoaskheroutbef ore
you.Bruh,yourfaceturnedsooooooored,Icould
evenseei teventhoughumny ama,"saysSbu
l
aughinghi sl
ungsout .See,t
hismanr i
ghthereli
kes
makingf unofmycompl exi
on.Yesam darkbutam
notthatbad,infactam li
kecaramel mi
xedwi t
hdark
chocolat
e.That'sawhol emer i
ghtther
e.
"Voetsekwenanxa.Butam ser
iousman, stop
harassingmywoman.Iknowy ouhelpedmeby
dati
ngherandkeepingherformeuntilIwasr eady
toapproachhermyselfbuti
t'
stimet
ol aylownow. "I
sayleaningont
hechair.
"OkaymanIwi llstopbutIsti
llwantawoman.That
Gabriell
eUnionlookali
keofy our
sdidn'
tsati
sfyme
atall
.Shei sj
usttoobossymanandy ouknowhowI
hatebossywomen.Il ikemywomenr espect
iveand
submi ssi
veyouknow,"statesSbuwhilemaking
gestureswithhi
shands.
"
Dudeifyouwantawi
feyouhavetol
ookf
or
y
oursel
fbecausey
oudon'
tli
keanyoft
hegi
rl
sIgi
ve
t
oyou."Isay
.
"ButyouaresounfairNkosi
.Youwereablet
o
chooseanincredi
blewomanf ory
oursel
fbutyou
can'tdosoforme,haanamandon' tdothat
."
"Thandoisamazi ngbuty
ouknowt hatshei
soneout
ofthe2t hingsy oumenti
onedther
e,sheisnot
submissivef orJackassshi
t.Andsheloves
swearing."Isay.
"Yeahey .Butatleastsheisanamazi ngsoul.
Somet i
mesImi sshery ouknowbutdon' twor ryI
won'ttakeherawayf rom you.Ooohandman, don't
messt hingsup.Rememberev ery
thingItoldy ou
aboutherf amily,thei
rli
kes,di
sli
kesandbel i
efs.
Thoset hingswillhelpyouwor my ourwayi ntot hei
r
heart
s.Andmakesur ethatshedoesn' tfi
ndout
aboutusknowi ngeachot herbecauseshewi llblow
ourbrainsoutandIai n'
treadytodieman, "say sSbu
pull
i
ngsmokei nt ohismout hthenexhalingit."I
won'tmesst hi
ngsupman. "
Ismackthecigar
ett
eouthishandandsay,"
you
knowhowmuchIdespi sesmokingsodon'
tdoiti
n
fr
ontofme,"Iqui
ckl
ystandupfrom t
hechai
r
becauseIknowSbuisgoingtokil
l
.
Chapt
er9

SABELOPOV

Myl if
ei sj
ustawhol emess, f
irstIgotmar riedtoa
womanIdon' tlove, secondlymypar entswantmet o
l
eav emyj obandbecomet heki ngofZi kumav i
l
lage
andam get ti
ngachi l
din7mont hs.Imean, am I
cursedorsomet hingbecauset hi sisnothowI
envisionedmyl i
fewhenIwasst il
l ateenager.I
al
way senvi
sionedmy sel
fleavingi nabeaut i
ful
housewhi chIam, withabeaut iful wifewhowoul d
beeducat edandanamazi ngj obt hatIwoul dhav e
untilthedayIdeci det oreti
re.YesIhav eabeaut if
ul
houseandy esIhav eabeaut i
ful wi fe,Sanelebutshe
i
sn'teducatedbutdomest icated.Nott hatImi ndthat
shei sdomest icatedbutIal way swant edawoman
whoi seducat ednott hi
sthingIhav easawi fe.Ooh
andy esIhav eaj obbutsoonam goi ngtoleaveit
andgor ul
ethatst upidv i
ll
age, nx....
.
Butonet
hinghasbeengoi
ngsowel
li
nmyl
i
fe
though, andt hatisf i
ndingThandoandbei ngf r
iends
withher .Honest ly
, shehasbeent hebestt hingt hat
hashappenedi nmyl i
feandam l ov i
ngi t
.Somet hi
ng
aboutherj ustl i
ghtensupmydayandmakesme
hav ehopet hatoneday ,mylifewi llchangef orthe
better.Somet imesIact uall
yf eelli
keam f all
ing
Inl
ov ewi thherandIwanther ,nowai t,Ineedheras
mywi fe.Iev ent ol
dSanel ethatsoonerorl aterIwi l
l
getdiv orcedt oherandshewi l
lgobackt oZikuma
butshet oldmypar entsabouti tandt hat'
swhent he
i
deaofmebei ngki ngcameup.See, myweddi ng
withSanel ewasanar rangedmar ri
agebecauseshe
grewupbei nggr oomedt obeaki ng'swife.The
funnypar tis,Iam nott her i
ght fulheirtothet hrone,
myol derbr otherisbuthemadesomesuperwr ong
decisionst hatputhi mi njai
l sonowIam bei ng
forcedt obet heki ng.Imagine, nx...
...
Somyy oungerbrot
her,Luandacametovi
sitme
fr
om Zi kumaandIhav eaf eel
i
nghewassentbymy
parents.Ishoul
dreal
lyconsiderdi
sowi
ngthese
peoplenx...
.
"SowhyIy
ouher eLuanda?"IaskasIcl
osethedoor
behi
ndwhil
stLuandachecksoutmyof f
ice.
"Aren'tIall
owedt ojustcomeandseemybel oved
brother?"heaskswal kingtot hecouchwhichison
ther i
ghtsideofmyof f
ice.Iwalkt omydeskandsi t
oni twhilelooki
ngathi m withthe"doIlookstupi
dto
you"look.Mybr ot
herwoul dnev ertr
avelal
ltheway
from Zikumaj usttoseeme.Yeshel ovesmeandall
butmybr otherwouldnev erdosuchbecausehe
woul dpreferlocki
nghimsel fupi nhi
sroom.
"Okayf i
ne,Ioverhearddadandt heelder
ssay ing
thattheywillbecalli
ngy ousomet imesoon, probabl
y
nextweeksot hatyoucant akeov erthethr
onef rom
dadsoIj ustdecidedt ocomei nformy ousot hatyou
canst ar
tcomi ngupwi thaplan."hesay switha
strai
ghtface.See, t
hisiswhyIl ovethisbum, he
alwayshasmybackbutwhydi dn'thejustcall.
..
"Youknowyoucouldhav
etol
dmet
hatov
ert
he
phoneri
ght
,"Isaywit
hasmir
k.
"Haveyouforgot
tent
hatourever
ycalli
sli
stenedto
bythatst
upidITguythatwor
ksfordad.
"her epl
i
es.
"Ooohyeah,It
otal
lyfor
gotaboutthat
.Okaynow
backtothesit
uati
on.WhatshouldIdobruh,
"Isay
rubbi
ngmyhandst ogether
.If
eelli
keIshoul
djust
hangmy sel
f.
"Idon'tknowman, Iwouldsayrunawayt oanot
her
countrybutdadwi l
lfi
ndy ouinamat t
erofseconds
soIhav enot hi
ngatal
l.Orwait,wecant alkt
othe
witchdoct orandaskhimt oworksomemagi cso
thatthethronecanrejectyou.
..
..Boom pow."
"Youfucki
nggenius, Ifuckingloveyourass.Getyour
assupher e,
"Isaystandi ngupf rom t
hedesk, r
eady
tohughim.Heal sost andsupandchar gesforahug
butinst
eadofget t
ingone, Islaphim onhisright
cheek.Yes,Iwasbeingsar casti
cbecausethatisthe
stupi
destideaeverint hi
scase.Idon' twanttomess
withtheancestor
sl i
kehel lno!!
!
"Youi
diot
,hav
ey ouforgot
tenwhatZondodid,y
es
nowthi
nkabouty ouri
deaandtell
mei fyour
eall
y
wantmedead."Isaywithajeer
inglook.
"Wi
lly
oust opinsul
tingme,am t
ryi
ngtohel
pyou
her
enx .Ungrat
efulass.
"hesaysholdi
nghi
scheek
andwal
ki
ngbackt
ohi
sseat
.
"Ithi
nkIshouldjustacceptmyfatebruh.Imean
thereisnothi
ngIcandonow. "Isay,bl
eak.Iam now
compl et
elyhopeless.
..Si
gh.
..
..
"Don'
tsaythatSabel o.Wewi l
lfi
ndawayt ogetyou
outofthepicture.Okaywhataboutt hi
s,si
nce
Bafanaisonlyleftwith1yearinjai
l
,wecant r
yto
pushthedateunt ilheisout
.Iknowy outhi
nkam
stupi
dagainbutt hat'
stheonlyopti
onwear elef
t
withhere.
"hesay swi t
hhisfaceinhishands.
"
Buthowar ewegoingt
odot hatLuanda.Ican'
t
l
eavethi
scountr
ybecausebabawi t
hfindmei na
matt
erofseconds,
Ican'
tfakemydeat hbecausehe
wi
llf
indoutagai
nandIdon'twanttouseanybl ack
magic.
"Isay.
"Wewillcomeupwi thsomet
hingbef
orenextweek.
Justdon'tst
ressabouti
tpl
ease,
"hesaysstandi
ng
up.
"I
'
ll t
rynotto.Andtothi
nkthi
sisal
lbecauseofthat
stupidwifeImarri
ed.Someti
mesIjustwantto
strangl
eherandwat chherbr
eatheherl
astbreat
h."I
saydar
kly
.
"Thatwi t
chr uinedyourlif
eplansbafoandIwi shI
couldjustkillhertoo.Itol
dy outorefusetomar r
y
herwhent herewasst il
lti
mebuty ouj usthadt obe
daddy'
sl it
tlepr i
nce.Looknow,"hesay spoi nt
inghis
i
ndexf ingeratme.Ishoul dhaveli
stenedt ohim2
yearsago.
"Kant
ivele,
howdi
dyouevengetherpr
egnant
?"he
askswithaqui
zzi
cal
look.
"
Shedr uggedmewi ththehelpofhermother.
"Isay
wal
kingupanddownt heroom.Justthethoughtof
mewi t
hheri nbedsickensme.Thatnightwasthe
f
ir
sttimeIhadev ertouchedhereversi
ncewegot
marr
ied.Forsomer eason,inev
erwanttoget
i
nti
mat ewithher.
"Ouch,thatwomanissur
elyawi
tch.
"hesay
s
shakinghishead.
"Baf
o,oneofthesedaysam goi
ngt
oki
l
lherl
i
ke
honest
ly.Ij
ustcan'
tst
andher.
"
"AndIwi
ll
helpyouwi
tht
hat
."hesay
s.Wher
ewould
Ibewit
houthi
m, y
eshei
sst
upidsomet
imesand
annoyi
ngbuthei
sanamazi ngbr
other
,despi
tethe
factt
hatwearef
rom di
ff
erentmother
s.Am ol
der
thanhim,
am 26andheis24.
"Anywayswhat
'sthenameofthatfi
neasswoman?
"
asksLuandawhil
elicki
nghi
sli
ps.Icanf
eelmy
bloodboi
li
ngri
ghtnowbutIwontshowit.
"
Whichwoman?
"Iaskact
ingasi
fIdon'
twhoi
she
r
efer
ri
ngto.
"
Youknowwho,
"say
sLuanda.
"Idon'
tknowwhoy ouar et
alkingaboutLuanda.
Therearealotofwomenont hisear
thsocany ou
pleasebespeci
fi
c."Isaysi
tti
ngbehindmydeskand
cleani
ngupmydesk.I t'
sal
mostbr eaksoam just
goingtogooutwithLuanda.
"
Youl
i
keherdon'
tyou?
"say
sLuanda,
smi
rki
ng.
"
What
..No,
Ihav
eawi
feLuanda.
"Isaydeadpan.
"Awifethaty
ouhat
e.Soy
oudol
i
keher
,"hesay
s
standi
ngup.
"
Sowhati
fIdo?
"
"
Leav
eherf
ormebaf
o.Am si
ngl
eandIneeda
woman.
"
"Hehe,youneedawoman,si
ncewhendoesLuanda
needawomanbecauseheoncet ol
dmet hathewi
l
l
wil
l nev
ergetint
oaser
iousr
elat
ionshi
p,"Isay
sarcasti
cal
l
y.
"WhosaidIwantaser i
ousrel
ationshi
p.Ij
ustsaidI
needher.Ijustneedherundermewhi l
stIbeatitup
l
ikenobody'sbusiness.
"hesay s.Aft
ersayi
ngt hat,
mymoodi mmedi at
elychanges.Noonet al
kslike
thataboutThando.
"Saythatagai
nandi twil
lbetheendofy ou,
"Isay
withadarklookwhilepoint
ingmyfingerathim.
Luandathenraiseshishandsup,wi
deey ed.
"
WhoaokayIwon'
t,
"
"Andstayt
hehell
awayf r
om herbecauseshei
s
mine,
"Isayst
il
lpoint
ingmyfingerathi
m.Hethen
nods,l
ooki
ngscared.
"Sowhichr
est
aur
antshoul
dwegot o?
"Iask,
grabbi
ngmywall
etf
rom mydesk.
"
Let
'sgot
oMuggandBean.Ihav
en'
tbeent
her
efor
awhi
l
e."hesay
s.
"
Okay,
let'
sgo,"Isay
.Het
henl
eav
est
her
oom wi
th
mefol
lowinghim.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Afterl
unch, Luandalef
tforZikuma.Hedidn'
twantto
sl
eepov er.Sonowam backatwor kandIneedt ogo
apologi
zet oThandof orearl
ier
.Ishoul
dn'
thave
shoutedather .Si
gh.Soam mywayt oheroff
iceand
am prayi
ngt hatshewi l
lfor
givemebecauseIcan't
carryonli
ket hiseventhougham theonewho
start
edit.
Igettoherdoor ,knock5timesbutt hereisno
answer .Iknockagainandt hat'swhenIhearamanl y
voiceshout i
ng"comein".Okaywhot hehelli
sthat.I
sl
owl yopent hedooronlytoseeamanwear ing
glasses,acapandol dpeopl e'sclot
hessitti
ngon
Thando' schairwhil
stl
ookingatt heceili
ng.Whatis
hedoi ngherebecauseam pr ett
ysurehedoesn' t
wor khere.
"
Umm sor
rysi
rbutwher
eIst
heowneroft
his
of
fi
ce?
"Iaskst
andi
ngnextt
othedoor
.
"Shewentoutf
orlunch.Shei
sn'
tbackyet
,"hesay
s.
Hisvoi
ceisver
yinti
midati
ngandther
eisthi
sdark
auraar
oundhim.
"
Okayandy
ouar
e?"Iask.
"Andhowi sthatyourbusi
nessboy?"heasks
standi
ngup, walki
ngtowhereIam.Okayt hi
smani s
huge,Ican'
treall
yseehisfacebecauseofthecap
andglasses.Am quit
egladthatIcan'
t.
"Wellsi
ram hercoll
eagueandav er
yclosef r
iendof
hers.Am pr
ettysur
eshewoul dn'
tbehappyt of i
nd
youinheroffi
cesoItwouldbemuchappr eci
atedif
youwouldjustwaitatther
ecepti
on,"Isaylookingat
him.
"Andam herhusbandsoshewon'tmi
ndi
fIsi
tin
heresopleasel
etmebe,"hesay
swi t
hast
rai
ght
face.
"
ButThandoisn'
tmarri
edsirso.
..
..
"Thandothen
wal
ksinbeforeIcoul
dfi
nishmysentence.
"
Baby
??Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?It
houghty
ou
we.
..
."
"Wel lIdecidedtocomebackbecauseImi ssedy ou.
Howar ey oudoingmyl ove?"saystheguyt oThando.
Whatt hehelli
sgoi ngonher e.IthoughtThandowas
single.Theguypassesme, walkst oThando, grabs
herbyt hewaistandpassi onatel
ykissesheronher
l
ips.Am nothur tthathekissedher ,am hurtthatshe
ki
ssedhi m back.Irollmyhandi ntoaf i
stwhilst
clutchingmyt eeth.Ihav etoleavethisplace,
NOW. ..
..
Iquicklyturnaroundandwal kout ,l
eavi
ngt hem
alone.Theydi dn'tevennot i
cemewal ki
ngout .Sheis
gone. ..
..
.MYWOMANI SGONE! !!
!!
!

*
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er10(
shor
tchapt
er)

SABELOPOV

Thiscan'
tbehappeni ngt ome, i
tcan't.Thando
doesn'
thav earingonherf i
ngersohowcoul dhebe
herhusband.Okaymay behei sn'
therhusbandbut
sti
l
l,hekissedherandsheal lowedit.Ar etheyina
rel
ati
onship?Noi tcan'
tbe.Shewoul dhav etoldme
aboutit
,Imeanwet elleachotherever yt
hing.Ithi
nk
Ineedtogohome.I '
llj
ustpretendtobesi ck
becauseIcan'thandlethepainam f eeli
ngr i
ghtnow.
"MrBiza,
mayIcomei
n,
"IsayasIpeept
hroughMr
Biza'
sdoor.
"
yessur
e,howcanIhel
pyou,
"hesay
sasIwal
kin.
"
Idon'
tfeel
sogoodsirsoIwaswonder
ingi
fIcoul
d
f
ini
shmyshiftear
li
ert
oday,
"
"
It
'sokay,
I'
ll
asksomeonet odoyourshi
ft
.Hope
y
ou'l
lgetwellsoon.
"hesay
slooki
ngathislapt
op.
"
Okayt
hanky
ousi
r,
"Isaywal
ki
ngout
.Am sogl
adI
hav
ehi
m asmyboss.
Iheadof ftomyof fice,grabmyst ufft henleave.I
getint
omyBr ant l
eyMul sanne, startthecarand
l
eav ethehospi t
al stil
lthinkingaboutThandoand
thatman.Whowasheandwhydi dn'tThandot el
lme
abouthim.Il i
terall
yt ellherev eryt
hingaboutmeso
whydidshehi det hisfrom me, okaymay benot
everyt
hingbutst il
l..
...Ican'tbelievethis.Ireall
ycan't
.
AssoonasIgethome, Iopent hegat e,dri
vei nand
getoutoft hecar .Am j ustpr ayi
ngt hatSanel eisnot
homebecauseIdon' twantherany wher enearme
ri
ghtnow.Iwoul dhav easkedoutThandoal ong
ti
meagoi fitwasn' tforher .
...
..
"Youhomeear
ly,
"saysavoi
cefr
om theli
vi
ngroom
asIcloset
hef
rontdoor
.Ooohgreat
,she'
shome.
"Don'
tyouhavef
ri
endsSanele,
Imeanyouare
alway
shome."Isay
,annoyedwhil
ethr
owingmybag
onthecouch.
"Am alwaysoutSabelo,
"shesaysl
ooki
ngata
peoplemagazinewithherlegsonthecof
feet
abl
e
andhol di
ngacupofcof f
ee.
"
Removeyourugl
yassl
egsfr
om myt
abl
e,
"Isay
,
r
oughl
ypushi
ngherl
egsofft
het
abl
e.
"
Eyy
ou'
l
lhur
tthebaby
,"shesay
scr
ingi
ng.
"AndIwouldsol
ovet
hattohappenri
ghtnow,"Isay
whil
etaki
ngther
emotefr
om thecouchsheissitt
ing
on.
"
Okaydudewhat'
syourprobl
em?Whydoy ouhat
e
mesomuch?"sheshoutswhil
stl
ooki
ngatme.
"OoohwhydoIhat ey ou?Hmmm l etmet hink,well
may beit
'sbecausey our uinedmyl i
fe.Di
dy out hi
nk
aboutthat.Saneleeversincewegotmar r i
ed, y
ou
havedonenot hingbutbr ingbadl ucki nmyl i
fe.You,
youarelikethetotal
opposi teofawi fe,yesy ouare
domesticatedbutYOUAREJUSTTHEWORSTWI FE
EVER.YOUEVENWENTASFARASDRUGGI NGME
SOTHATICOULDSLEEPWI THYOU, NOW YOUARE
FUCKINGPREGNANTWI THACHI LDIDON' TEVEN
WANTATALL.SOMETI MESIWONDERWHYI
HAVEN' TKILLEDYOUNX! !
!!
!"Ishoutather .
"Fi
rstofal
l
,Ididn'
tchooset
ogetmarri
edtoyou,
I
hadnochoice.Secondofal
l,Ionl
ydr
uggedy
ou
becausey ourmom keptonaski ngmewhenshewi l
l
getagr andchildandl astbutnotl east,youhaven't
kil
ledmebecausey ouknowwhatwi llhappentoy ou
i
fy oukillachosenwi fe.Sabel ojustacceptt hefact
thatam notgoi nganywher e,am st uckwithyoutill
wear epar t
edbydeat h.Oohandi t'sabouttimey ou
j
ustf or
gotaboutt hi
sl it
tl
esl utofy oursbecausey ou
willnev
erev erge..
..
.."Iqui cklystandupf r
om my
couch,jumponherandst artslappingherbef or
eshe
couldev enfi
nishherst atement .
"NOONECALLSTHANDOASLUTYOUSTUPI D
WHORE.I FYOUEVERCALLHERTHATIWI LLKILL
YOU,IDON' TCAREWHATWI LLHAPPENTOME
AFTERWARDSBECAUSEATLEASTYOUWI LLBE
OUTOFMYLI FE..
..
..
"Ishoutwhilstt
hrowingslapsat
herl
ikenobody '
sbusiness.Ihonest
lydon'tcarethat
sheispregnant
..
..
.
"Sabelothebaby!!Getof fme.OkayIwon' tcallhera
slutanymorepleasest opit.Am sorrySabeloplease
stop..
..Aaaaaaaht hebabySabelo...
..
"shecriesout
whiletryi
ngtocov erhersel
f.Imov emykneef r
om
thecouchandputi tonherst omachj ustt
ocause
morepainonher .Icont i
nuesl appi
ngherwhi l
st
pushi
ngmykneedownonherst omach...
.Aftera
good5mi nutesofhitt
ingherandenj oyingthesight
ofhercry
ing,Igetoffher ,spitonherfacet henleave
heronthecouchcr yi
ng.Igoupt omyr oom, takea
l
ongshower ,wearmybl uesi l
kpy j
amast hengo
downstai
rstogetmyf ood.AsIpassbyt helivi
ng
room whereIlef
tSanel e,Ispotherl y
ingont hefloor
i
napool ofblood..
..
..
OHSHI T,DON'TTELLMESHE
I
SDEAD. .
...
..
..
Iruntoher,kneelnexttoherandcheckherpul se.
Lucklysheisstil
lal
ive.Soi tmustbet hebaby,ohno
nonof uck.OkayIknowIdon' twantt hisbabybutI
alsoshouldn'
thaveletthechi ldsufferbecauseof
hisorherstupidmot her.Iquicklygetmycarkey s
andphone, car
ryherbr i
dal st
y l
et omycar ,putherat
thebackseatthenrusht omysi de.Itakemyphone,
dialanumbert hencalli
t.
"Hel
lo,SamsonIwantyoutowai tf
ormeoutsidethe
hospit
alwithast
ret
cher.I
'
llbether
ein5to10
minutes.Okayby
e.NoI'
llt
ellyouwhenIgetthere
j
ustdowhatIt ol
dyoutodo."Iendthecal
l
,putmy
phonedown,checkSanel e'
spulseagainthendri
ve
off
.Ihopethebabydoesn' tdi
e.Ishoul
dn'thave
donewhatIdid.Si
gh,Iletmyhat eforSanelet
ake
overandnotcareaboutthel i
feshehasinher.I
fthi
s
chi
lddies,
Iwil
lneverforgivemyself
..
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
**
Ihavebeenwai ti
ngf orsomef eedbackf orover3
hoursnowandt hesepeoplear en'
tsayi
ngany thi
ng.
Am actuall
ygettingsuperimpat i
entnow.Honest l
y,I
don'
tregretbeatingSaneleupbutIr egretdoingi
t
whil
stshe'spregnant.Idecidedt ocal
lLuanda
becausethereisnowayam t elli
ngthefami l
y.
"
Bafo!
"shoutsLuandaapproachi
ngme.Ilookathi
m
wi
thadeadlookandjustlookbackdown.Hecomes
t
ositnextt
omeandj ustrubsmyback.
"Am deadLuanda.Babawi l
lkil
lmewhenhef i
nds
outaboutthi
s.Iknowf orafactthatSanelewi
llt
ell
them ever
ythi
ng."Isayburyi
ngmyf aceinmyhands.
"
It
'snoty
ourf aul
tman.Lookwewil
lkeephersi
lent
.
I
fshedecidestoblabberany
thi
ngt
othem."Ij
ust
l
ookathi
m andshakemyhead.Thi
sbr
otherofmi
ne
t
hough.
"
MrVikakazi
?"say
sthedoct
orstandi
ngi
nfr
ontof
me.Il
ookathim,hopi
nghewil
ltel
lmegoodnews.
"Shei
sal
ri
ghtandsoist
hebabybutam af
rai
dsheis
i
nacoma.Wedon'tknowwhenshewil
lwakeup."
sayst
hedoct
or.
Ijustst
areathim wit
hdisbel
i
ef,prayi
ngt hathe
wouldjustsayam joki
ngandwewoul dalllaugh
aboutitbutno,Hewalksawayaf t
ersayingt hat
.I
turnmyheadt oLuandawhoj uststar
esatmet oo.
Whatwi l
lItel
lmyf amil
ynow?
"Bruhstopworry
ing.Wecanjusttel
lthefam that
shefell
offthestai
rsandyoufoundherinapool of
bloodwheny oucamebackf r
om work,"suggests
Luanda.That'
sactual
lyagoodidea.
"
Whenshoul
dIt
ell
them?
"
"
cal
lthem now.
"saysLuanda.It
akemyphoneoutof
mypocketandsear
chformymom' snumber.
"
Myboy
,whatasur
pri
se,
"say
smymom ov
ert
he
phone.
"Mamay ouneedtogett
oSandt
onasinyest
erday
."I
say,maki
ngmyv oi
cesoundwobbl
ysothatt
hey
thi
nkam cry
ing.
"Whymyboy
,whathappened?I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"
asksmymom bombardi
ngmewi t
hquest
ions.
"
Sanel
efel
lof
fthest
air
sandshei
sinacoma.
"Isay
.
"What
????Okayam comi
ngnow.Letmetell
baba
andSanele'
smom.Wewillbet
heretomor
row
morni
ng."saysmymom.
"
Don'
ttel
lSanel
e'
smom.Justcomewi
thbaba.
"
"Okaymyboy.Pl
easebestr
ongmybaby .
"saysmy
mom.Iendthecallandl
ookatLuandawhois
smili
ng.
"Youaresocunning.
"hesayssl
owl
y.Igi
vehima
smirkandsay,"
am notcunni
ng,
am j
ustcl
ever
."we
bothbursti
ntol
aughter
.
"DudeIwantt
ogor est
.Canwegot oyourpl
ace,
"
saysLuandawipi
ngtear
soffhi
sface.
"
Sur
eman.Let
'sgo.
"Isayst
andi
ngup.
"Ar
en'tyougoingtocheckony ourwifefi
rst
?"says
Luanda.Ilookathim withaquizzicall
ookbecause
heknowsv er
ywellthatIdon'tgiveashit
.Thebaby
i
sokaysoam t ot
all
yfine.Idon'tneedtoseethat
wit
ch'sface.

*
***
***
***
***
***
Chapt
er11

"BabyIt
houghtyousai
dyouwerebusy,
"Isayt
o
Nkosiaf
terki
ssi
ngfor3goodassminut
es.DamnI
hadmissedhissof
tli
ps.
"IwasbutImissedyousoIdeci
dedt
ocomeback,
"
hesayswithhishandsar
oundmywaist
.
"
Butwhatabouty
ourwor
k?"Iask.
"Don'
tworr
yaboutt
hat
.Socanwepleasegohome
nowandbyhomeImeanmyhouse,"saysNkosi
,
whil
stni
bbli
ngonmyneck.
"I
,Ican'
tri
ghtnow.Ihavetoworkbaby.Aaahbaby
waitnotnowplease.Weareinmyoffi
ce."Isof
tl
y
sayashecontinuestoni
bbleonmyneck.
"Ial
readyspoket
oyourboss,MrBizari
ght
?That'
s
hisname.Hesaidyoucanleaveearl
yandhesai
d
youcancomebackt oworknextweekTuesday,
"
"
Waitwhat ?
!!Nononono.Whatdidy
out
ell
him
Nkosi
."IaskasIpushhi
m away.
"
Wel
lIj
ustt
oldhi
mthatam y
ourbr
otherandoneof
ourfamil
ymember
spassedawaysot herewi
l
lbea
funer
al.
"hesay
sgr
abbi
ngmywai stagain.
"Ai
iNkosi
.Youshouldn'thav
edonethat.Ihav
eto
cometowor kevery
daybecausether
ei san
i
mpor t
antpati
entam supposedt
obel ooki
ngaft
er.
"I
saysobbi
ng.
"Thandother
ear
eami l
l
iondoctorsi
nthishospi
tal
,
theywil
ll
ookaft
ert
hatpati
entnowletsgo,
"hesays
ashewal kst
omydeskandstartspacki
ngmyst uf
f.
"ButNkosithepat
ientwon'
tl
etany
oneel
sel
ook
afterher
.Sheon..
..
..
"
"
EnoughThando.Youar egoi nghomewi t
hmeand
that'
sit.Yourpat i
entwil
l seey ouonTuesdayokay.
Comel et'
sgo, "hesays,taki ngmybagf r
om thedesk
thengr abbingmyhandandpul l
i
ngme.Yhooooo
whyi st hi
smansocont rolli
ng.Andwhyt hehel
lam I
l
ettinghi m doi t
.Ipullmyhandawayf rom hi
sgrip
thenst artfol
lowi nghi
m." Am sor r
yRose,
"Ithi
nkto
my self
.Si gh.
...
..Icanfeel people'sey
esonmeas
wewal koutoft hehospital.TheycanseethatNkosi
i
swi t
hmebecausehei shol dingmyhandbag.We
gett
othepar
kingl
otbutIcan'
tspotNkosi
'scar
.
"Comeon,"hesay sasheunl ocksanunfami l
i
arcar .
I
st hataLamborghiniAventadorcoupe.Okay, Holl
a
holl
aholl
a,howrichisNkosi .Thi
scarisfucking
R7000000orev enmor e.Ican'tbr
eatheri
ghtnow.
OkaynowIr eal
l
yneedt of i
ndoutwhathi sjobi s
becausedamn!!!
!!
"
Ist
hisy
ourcar
?"Iask,
poi
nti
ngatt
hebl
uecar
.
"NoThandoit
'snotmine,t
hat
'swhyIjustunl
ockedi
t
andputyourbaginsi
de.Geti
tlet
'sgo.
"hesays.
"
Hahav
eryf
unny
,butwhataboutmycar
?"Iask.
"
Whatcar
?"hesay
swi
thasmi
rk.
"
MycarNko...
..Wai
twher
ei smycar
..
..Iparkedit
r
ightt
her
e."Isayl
ooki
ngaroundt
heparkinglot.
"Yourcari
saty
ourapar
tmentnowcanwepl
ease
go,"
"
Atmyapar
tment
,howdi
ditgett
her
e?"
"
Itooki
tther
enowstopwitht
hequest
ionsThando
y
hoooo,
"saysNkosi
,rubbi
nghi
sfor
ehead.
"
Buthowdi
dyougetmyke.
..
..
"
"
Thandowecangotoyourapart
menttochecki
fit
's
r
eal
lyther
eify
ouar
ehavingtr
oublet
obeli
eveme
y
hooo."
"Okayfinel
et'
sgo,"Isaygett
ingint
ohiscar.The
momentIsi ti
nsi
de, hi
sscentfi
ll
supair.Ooooohmy
gosh..
..Haveyoueverbeenturnedonbysomeone's
scentbecauseIcertai
nlyhav
e.Icanli
teral
l
yfeel
my sel
fgett
ingwetdownt here.
..
..
"Areyouokay
?"asksNkosi
asheget
sint
hecarand
start
sit
.
"Umm yeahyeah,
justt
hinki
ngaboutsomethi
ng,
"I
sayl
ookingdown.Ihopeam notbl
ushing.
"Ummm okay
,canwel
eav
enow,
"hesay
swi
tha
smir
k.
"Umm y eahsure."Helooksatme, kissesmyr i
ght
cheek,holdsmyhandt hendr
ivesof f.OohGodwhat
didIdot odeservesuch.Wehav ebeent ogetherfor
ashortwhi l
ebutam alreadyattachedt ohim.Iknow
Idon'
tshowi tthatmuchbuthehasmanagedt o
makemegocr azyoverhim.Hishousei sreal
lyfar
yhooo,wehav ebeendr
ivi
ngfort
hepast20mi
nut
es,
mostlybecauseofthet
raff
ic,
hesai
d.
"
Sodoy ouwantt
ogooutfordi
nnerorshoul
dwe
j
usthav
eitathome?
"heaskswhil
stdri
ving.
"It
hinkweshoul
djusthav
eitathome.I
'
llcook.
"I
saylooki
ngathi
m.
"NoIdon'twantyoutocookt oday .Wewillorder
somet hi
ng.Todayit
sj ustme, youandt hecouch."he
sayskissi
ngmyhand.OkayIcan' tstopblushing
ri
ghtnow.Asongcal ledr i
ghtnowbyTr evor
Jacksoncomesupont heradioandNkosi l
ooksat
met henstart
ssingi
ngal ong.
Justst
andr
ighther
e
Letmeshowy
ouwhatI
'
m about
Todot
othatbody
,mhm
Andcomedownher
e
Letmeshowy
ouwher
etot
ouchmybody
,mhm
Lett
hef
orepl
aybegan
Bety
ounev
erhadt
hisbef
ore
CauseonceIgoi
n
I
'
m gonehav
eyoubeggi
ngf
ormor
e..
..
..
Hecarriesonsi ngi
ngalongwi t
hhiseyesonme.He
i
sn'tevenlookingattheroadbutIsweari t
sli
kehe
actual
lyislookingattheroad.Hisvoi
ceissooooo
angeli
c,itr
emi ndsmeofsomesi ngerbutIdon'
t
rememberwhi chone.

Canwemakesomel
ovel
i
ker
ightnow.
Rightnow,ri
ghtnow,r
ightnow....Heconti
nuest
o
si
ngwi thmeblushi
ng.Ican'tevenlookathimri
ght
nowbecausemycheeksar eli
terall
ysuperr
ed.
Cursebeingyel
lowbone..
..
..
.
"
Idi
dntknowt
haty
oucoul
dsi
ng.
"Isayst
il
lbl
ushi
ng.
"Andnowyouknow,sodi
dyoul
i
ket
hesong?
"he
sayswit
hasmirk.
"
YeaIdi
d,especi
all
ythel
yri
cs.
"Isay
.
"Hmmmm am gladyouli
kedthelyr
icsbecauseI
meantev
erysi
ngleword.
"hesaysrubbinghishand
upanddownmyt hi
gh.TodayIdeci
dedt oweara
ti
ghtf
itdr
esssowhenev
erIsi
tdown,
myt
highs
becomeexposed.
"Andam soooool ovingthatdressbutdon'tev
er
wearitagain.I
t'
sshowi ngwayt oomuchofmy
proper
ty.Okay?"hesay ssqueezingmyt hi
gh.Idon'
t
knowwhybutIl etoutasof tmournwhichmadehi m
chuckl
et hensqueezemyt highagai
n.Itr
yt or
emove
hishandbuthegi vesmeal ookthatj
ustmakesme
evenmor ewetterthanIalreadyam downt her
e.
Okaywhatt hehell
...
..
..
"
Nkosi
pleasef
ocusont
her
oad,
"Isay
.
"Iam f
ocusi
ngontheroad.I
fIwasn'
t,
wewoul
dbe
deadbynow."hesayswit
hasmi r
k.
"
Butyouar
elooki
ngat..
..
..
.AaahNkosi
stopi
t,
"Isay
whenhemoveshishandupmyt hi
gh.
"
Why
?"
"
Becausey
ouar
edr
ivi
ng?
"
"That'snotaval
i
dreasonnowisit
?"hesays.He
continuestomovehishandupmyt hi
ghthenhe
reachesmyweakness.Itryt
oremov ehi
shandbut
heiswayst
rongert
hanIam.It
ryt
ocl
osemyl
egs
buti
t'
snotworki
ng.
"
Nkosi
haana.Getyourhandsof
fme,
"Isayst
il
l
t
ryi
ngt
oremovehishand.
"Chil
lwoman.Am notgoi
ngt
ofi
ngeryouoranythi
ng.
Ijustwantt
okeepmyhandwarm."saysNkosi
.
"
Thenputy
ourhandbet
weeny
ourt
highs.
"
"Yourt highsareminet oosol etmebe. "hesays
l
ooki ngatt heroad.Hewon' tremov ehishandno
mat terwhat .Youknowwhat ,Imightaswellgiv
eup.
Itishispr opert
yafterall
andhei sn'tdoinganythi
ng
any way s.Wef i
nall
ygettohi shouseandam al r
eady
sleepy.I t
'snoteven5pm y etbutam exhausted,I
don'tev enknowwhyam exhaust ed.
"Fi
nall
yhome,"saysNkosi asheparkshiscaraf ew
feetawayf
rom hisporch.Hegetsoutoft hecar,
opensmydoor ,hel
psmet ogetoutthenreachesfor
mybag.Het henenter
shi sdoorcodeandopensi t
.I
foll
owhimintothehouset hengostrai
ghttohis
couch.
"
Iam Sooot
ir
ed,
Ineedal
ongwar
m bat
hri
ghtnow.
"
IsayasIr
emov
emypumpsandr
ubmyf
eet
.
"
Youcangotomyr oom andbat
h.I
'
llor
dersome
f
oodforus.
"hesay
sputtingmybagonthecoff
ee
t
abl
e.
"
Okay,
giveme45minut
es."IsayasIst
andupf
rom
t
hecouchandheadf
orthestai
rs.
"I
t'
sokay.OoohandIboughtyouyourowntoi
l
etr
ies
andsomeclothes.Thebagsareontopofmybed."
hesays.
"Okaythanky ou,"Isaythenwal ktohi sroom.Ispot
thetoil
etrybag,takeitthengot ohisbat hroom.His
bathroom isblue,li
keev ery
thinginherei sblue,
even
thewal l
s.Her eall
ydoesl ovethiscolorhey .Atl
east
nowIknowi t.Iremov emycl othes,washmy
underwear ,t
henf i
llupthebat htub.Ibrushmyt eeth
whilewaitingforthetubt ofil
lup.
"Thando!Whatshoul
dIor
derf
ory
ou,
"IhearNkosi
shout.
"
Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne,
"Ishoutback.
"
Okay
!!okaysoi
wil
lhav
e..
..
..
..
."t
henhi
svoi
cef
ades
away .Icont i
nuet obrushmyt eet h,fi
nisht henget
i
nt othewar m, bubblybat h.Ir eallyneededt his.I
thencl osemyey esthenl etmyt hought sr unwi ld.
Forsomer eason, mymi ndqui cklyrushest oSabel o.
Whywashei nmyof ficeear l
ier .Iam def i
nitelysur e
thatther easonhadnot hingt odowi t
hwor k,coul dit
hav ebeenbecauseofNkosi .May bei twas.Okayl et
menotwor ryabouthi m, hedoesn' tev enwantt ot al
k
tomesof ucki t.Icontinuet obat hwhi lstsi ngingi n
thebat hunt i
l am done.Ist epoutoft het ub, dry
my selfthengetl oti
onedbef orel eav i
ngt he
bathroom.If i
nal l
yleav ethebat hroom t hent aket he
otherbagonNkosi '
sbedandt akeoutal lthecl othes
i
ni t.Dresses?Theyar eal l
dr esses, hehasgott obe
kiddingme.Am notgoi ngt obewear ingdr essesal l
thet i
me.Okayl etmej ustwearonef ort oni ghtbut
tomor rowam goi ngt hroughhi scl osetf or
somet hingel sebecauseIcan' tweardr essesal l t
he
ti
me.
Ipi
ckoutashor tsat
infi
tandfl
aredresst
hatvery
muchrevealsmyt hi
ghsandmywhol ebackthenput
onsomepi nkpumpsNkosi bought
.Heknowsmy
shoesi
ze.
..
..Eeeh.
..
..
.
Icheckmy selfont hef ulll
engthmi r
rorthat
'si
nhis
closetandIl ooksupersexy .
..
..
.Damnam f lames.I
honestlydon'tunder standwhySi busisoeven
thoughtofl eavingsuch.Ooohwel l
,hisbadluckhey.
Asam checki ngmy selfIreali
sethatthismanof
mi ne'
scloseti sfl
ami ng.ThisNam hasdopeass
clothesandonecanseet hattheyaren'
tsomecheap
clotheswear eusedt oseeingev er
yday.Wow. .
..
.But
thenwhyt hehel l
doeshedr essuplikeagrandpa.
"Damngi rl,Iknewt haty ouwouldl
ookamazingin
thatdr ess."Ihearav oi
cecomi ngf
rom t
hecloset
door .IlookatNkosi whokeepsonchecki ngmeout
whilstbi t
inghi slowerlip.Heslowl
ywalksuptome
withhi sey esst i
l
l checkingmeoutthenhepull
sme
closert ohim.
"HaveIevert
oldy outhatyouarefucki
nggor geous,
"
hesaysbeforekissingmylipsandbiti
ngmyl ower
l
ip.Il
etoutasoftmour nthatmakeshi m chucklebut
heconti
nueskissingme.Iwr apmyar msar oundhis
neckwhil
sthishandsar earoundmyt i
nywai st.He
thenmovesthem t omyasst hensqueezesi t
.
"
Whoat
her
eti
ger
,"Isaygi
ggl
i
ng.
"Sorr
ybutIcanthelpit
,yourbodyi
sjustwaytoo
glor
ioust
ojustlookatsoIhadt ot
ouchit,
"hesays
givi
ngmesof tperks.
"
Baby
"Isay
.
"
Yes,
"
"Whydoy
oudr
essupl
i
keagr
andpa?
"Iaskl
ooki
ng
athi
m.
"
Don'
tyoul
i
kei
t?"hesay
swi
thasmi
rk.
"NotthatIdon'
tl
ikeitbutIwasjustl
ookingatyour
clot
heshereandt heyal
llookamazing,
"Isayrunni
ng
myf i
ngerupanddownhi schest
.
"WellIj
ustdon'tl
ikedressi
ngupwhenam goingt o
workorany whereelsethat
'sofnoimport
ance.Ican
changeintosomet hi
ngelseifyouwant
."hesays.
"
Hmmm noi
t'
sokay
.Iwasj
ustaski
ngt
hat
'sal
l
,"
"okaythen.Comel et
'sgo,thefoodisnowhere,
"he
sayspul l
i
ngmebymywai st.Webothgodownstair
s,
l
aughingov erastupi
dconv ersat
ionunt
ilwegettoa
setupt able.Okayithonestlyl
ooksli
ke6peoplewil
l
behavi
ngdinnerwi
thust
oobecauset
hisi
sreal
l
y
toomuch.
"
whysomuchf
oodbaby
?"Iask.
"Becauseam hungr
yandam pr
ett
ysur
eyouar
e
hungrytoo,
"
"
Iam buti
t'
stoomuch,
"Isay
.
"
Noi
t'
snot.BabyIknowyoueatsost
opacti
ngasi
f
y
oudon'
t,
"hesayspull
i
ngoutachai
rforme.
"ButbabyIdonteatt hatmuch, "Isaysitt
ingdown.
Het henpushest hechai rthenwal kstohisseat ,sit
s
downandj ustsays"Eat ."Ilookathi m wit
hone
elevatedeyebrow, l
ookatt hefoodont hetableand
sigh.Thismanwant st omakemef athey.Itakea
smal lpot
ionoff ood,gr abmyf orkandkni f
et hen
starteati
ngbutNkosi st andsup, walkstome, takes
mypl ateandst art
sdi shingupmor efood.Oooh
JesusLor d,whatiswr ongwi ththisman.
"
Nkosi
Iwon'
tfi
nishal
lthat
,"Ishout
.
"
Yesy
ouwi
l
l,
"hesay
sst
il
ldi
shi
ngt
hef
ood.
"
NoIwont
,"
"
ThenIwi
l
lfeedy
ou.
"
"
ButNkosi
,
"
"THANDO,
"hesaysinalowdeepvoi
ce.Iqui
ckly
shutmymouth,st
artpl
ayi
ngwit
hmyhandswai ti
ng
forhi
mtofi
nishdi
shingupMYfood.Si
gh..
..
..
..
"Herenoweat
,"hesayshandi
ngov
ert
hepl
ate.Iam
goingtodi
eyhoooo.
Itakemyfoodandstarteat
ingwi
thnowordsaid.
Wecont i
nuel
iket
hatforabout15minut
eswit
hhim
peepingi
ntomyplat
e.
"
Sot el
lme.Whenwil
lImeetyourf
ami l
y?"say
s
Nkosiashewipeshi
sli
pswit
haser v
iett
e.
"
Myf
ami
l
y?"Iask,
puzzl
edbyhi
squest
ion.
"
Yes.Iwantt
omeett
hem.
"hesay
s.
"
Why
--whysoear
lyNkosi
?"
"
Whatdoy
oumeanwhysoear
ly?
"
"
Wehav en'
tbeent
oget
herf
orl
ongandy
oual
ready
wantt
omeetmyf amil
y,
"
"
That
'sbecausewedon'
tneedt
odat
eforsol
ong.
Youar
eal
readymywi
feso,
"hesay
sshr
uggi
ng.
"
Aii
Nkosi
it'
stooear
lyf
orsuch.
"
"Thando, l
etmet ellyousomet hi
ng.Oneday ,y
ouwi l
l
getmar ri
edtome, youwillbethemot herofmy
chil
dren,youwillbemybestf ri
endforlife,
noma
uyathandanomaawut handi(whetheryoulikeitor
not).
"hesay srubbinghishandswhi l
stlookingatme
withhisblueeyes.Ikeepqui etbecausehonest l
y,am
speechless.Idon'tknowwhatt osay.And
somet hi
ngabouthi mjustremindsmeofdad, oh
howImi sshim.Ev eryti
meNkosi forcessomet hi
ng
onme, i
tremindsmeofhowdadusedt oforceme
todost uffwit
hhi m...
..
"
Nkosi
am f
ull
,
"Isayi
nal
owv
oice.
"
Youdi
dn'
tev
eneatThando.Yourpl
atei
sst
il
lful
l
."
"That
'sbecauseIdon'
teatt
hatmuchNkosi
.CanI
atl
easteatthefoodl
ater
.Pl
ease,
"
"Okayfi
ne,
let
'sgot
othel
i
vingr
oom.
"hesay
s
standi
ngup.
"
Okayl
etmecl
eanupt
het
abl
e,
"
"
Ooohnonono.Don'
twor
ry,
mymai
dwi
l
ldoi
t
t
omorr
ow."
"Ummm nothanky ou.IshouldcleanitupandIwi
l
l,I
don'
twantt
obur denthepoormai d.
"Isaywhil
e
taki
ngt
hedishesthathadt hefood.
"Yousee,t
hisisexactl
ywhyIshouldmarr
yyou.
Woman, Iwil
lsurel
ymar r
yyouwhethery
ouagreeor
not.
"hesayswhilstshaki
nghisheadwit
hhishands
i
nhispockets.
"
Mxm, gotothel
i
vingroom.I'
l
lbether
ein10
minut
es.
"Isaywalki
ngtothekit
chen.
"Okay.
"hesayswalki
ngaway .Iconti
nuecl
ear
ingthe
tabl
e,washthepl
atesandglassesweusedandt hen
gototheli
vi
ngroom tojoi
nNkosi .
"
Manchest
eruni
tedVSManchest
erci
ty?
"Iask
t
aki
ngaseatnextt
ohim.
"
Yes.
"
"
Andy
ouar
e?"
"
Manchest
erUni
ted,
"hesay
swi
thhi
sey
esgl
uedt
o
t
heTV.
"
Sameher
ehey
,"
"
Youwat
chsoccer
?"
"Il
i
vef
orsoccer
.Iusedt
oplaysoccerbackin
pri
mar
yandIwasoneoftheebestplayer
s."Isay
.
"
EvenmorereasonstowhyIshouldmeety our
f
amil
yandmar ryyouassoonaspossibl
e."hesay
s
i
ndi
cat
ingthatIshoul
dmov ecl
osert
ohim.
"
Youarereall
yseri
ousaboutt
hismeet
ingmyf
ami
l
y
t
hinghey
,"Isay.
"Idon' tj okeaboutsuchwoman.Look, Ihavenev er
beent hi sser i
ouswithanywoman, i
nf actIhave
nev erv aluedwomenexceptf orthoseam cl osely
rel
at edt obuty ou--
youar ejustdifferent.Iknewy ou
wer edest i
nedf ormeandonl yformewhenIf i
rst
sawy ou.ThandoIl ovey ouandIwanty out obe
mi nef orgood.Idon' twantt otakeanychancesand
l
ety ousl i
pintoanot herman'slife.Soy esThando, I
am v eryser iousaboutt hismeetingy ourf amily
thing. "hesay sbeforecuppingmychi ni nt
ohis
hands.Il eantowardshi spurplelips,giv ehim asoft
per kandsay" howabouti n2weekst i
me. "
"
Whysof
ar?
"her
epl
i
espout
ing.
"Atl
eastbythenIwoul
dknowhowser
iousy
ouar
e
aboutthi
srel
ati
onshi
p,
"Isay
.
"
Whosai
dam notser
iousnow?
"
"
Idon'
tknowt
hat
."
"Uyaphaphawena,"hesaysaft
erchuckli
ngand
standi
ngup.Hewal kstotheki
tchenthencomes
backwi t
ht wobowlswit
hchocolatei
cecream and
strawberr
ies.
"Hmmmm wel l
todayismyl uckyday,fi
rsty
ou
surpr
isedmeatwor k,t
hent hedinnerandnowmy
fav
oriteicecream wit
hat oppingofstrawberr
ies.
"I
saysitt
ingproperl
yont hecouch.
"Everydayisgoingtobey ourluckydaybabyso
bettergetusedt othatli
fe."saysNkosi asheputs
thebowl soficecream andt hestr
awber r
iesonthe
coffeetablethensitsont hecouch.Hegi v esmea
softperkonmyl i
pst hent akesmyf eetandputs
them ont opofhislegs.
"
Hmmm whathav
eIdonet
odeser
vesuch
t
reat
ment
,"Iaskwi
thoneey
ebr
owel
evat
ed.
"
Yougav
emeachancet
olov
eyou,
"hesay
s.
"
Oohst
opity
ouar
emaki
ngmebl
ush,
"Isayhi
ding
myf
ace.
"Am onlyt
ell
i
ngyouthet
ruthphel
a,"hesays
l
aughing.Godwhati
sthi
smandoi ngtome, not
evenSibusi
somademef eelt
hisway..
..
..
..
"
Thando?
"
"
YesNkosi
,
"
"IloveyouandIr eal l
ywanty ouasmywi fe."He
cont i
nuestolookdeepi ntomyey esashemov es
closertomyl ips.Hecupsmyf ace, r
aisesittohi s,
l
ooksatmet henbr usheshi sli
psagai nstmi ne.Ikiss
him back,lett
inghi stonguesl i
deintomyt erri
tory.I
l
ayonmybackont ot hecouchwi thoutsepar ating
ourl i
pswhi l
sthishandsmov edownt omywai st .
Ourt onguestangl earoundeachot herast heyt ryto
fightfordominationwhi leNkosi'shandssqueeze
mybum.Ohhgosht hisman' shandst hough, i
t'
sl i
ke
theyar eexpertsatsqueezi ngassbecauser i
ghtnow,
If eel
li
keam ont hev ergeofsay i
ngt akemeaway .
"
Thando?
"hesof
tl
ysay
s.
"
Yes,
"Ir
epl
ytr
yingt
ocat
chmybr
eat
h.
"Whywon'tyoul
etmei n?"heasksnibbl
ingonmy
neck.Okaywhatthehell
.Didhereal
lyhavetoruin
themood.Ipushhim offme,si
tproperl
ywhilst
fi
xingmydressandattempttostandupbuthepul ls
myhand.
"Nkosi
weal r
eadyspokeaboutthatsowhyareyou
sti
ll
askingabouti
t?"Iaskpul
l
ingmyhandfrom hi
s
gri
p.
"Andthatwasn'
tthereasonThando.Youonl ytol
d
met hatyouweren'
tready.Look,Idon'
tmeant obe
rudebutyouaren'
tav i
rginsowhat '
smaki ngyounot
ready;i
fyouwereonet henIwouldhaveunder stood
butyounotsotellmet herealr
eason..
..
..
."hesay s
standi
ngup.
"
Wai
t.
..what
!"
"ComeonThando,youknowwhatam tal
ki
ngabout
.
Iknowyouarenotavir
ginsoj
ustanswerthe
quest
ionIaskedy
ou."
"
Takemehome"IsayasIwal
kpasthi
m.
"
Why
"
"BecauseIwanttoleave,
"Isaywi thtears
threat
eni
ngtoleavemyey es.Thatstatementhi
t
homeandhedi dn'tevenreali
seit.Ooohwowhey ..
..
..
"Youar
enotgoi
nganywher
eThando.
"hesays
pull
i
ngmeback.Ipul
lmyhandf
rom hi
sgri
pand
l
ookathim.
"
Okaythen,
IguessI'
l
ljusthavetocall
uber.
"Isay
t
aki
ngmyphonef rom thecouch.Asam aboutt
o
r
equestanuberr
ide,
Nkosi snat
chesthephonefrom
myhandsandthrowsitonthefloor
.
"
Whatthef uckNkosi
!!
!Whydi
dyouf
ucki
ngdo
t
hat
?!!
!"Isayhit
ti
nghischest
.
"Watchyourl
anguagewoman.Ijustsaidy
ouarenot
goinganywher
enowsi ty
ourassdownandanswer
thequesti
onIaskedyou.
"hesayspull
ingmetothe
couch.
"
Nkosiyouarehur
ti
ngmyhand.LetgoofmeIwant
t
oleav
e, Nkosi
maaan.Thef
uckis.
..
..
..
."andbef
oreI
coul
dfi
nishmyst
atement,
Ifoundmy
sel
font
he
fl
oor
;hol
dingmycheek.
"Idar
eyout
oswearatmeagai nwoman.Idar
eyou!
"
hesayspoi
nti
nghi
sindexf
ingeratme.
"OrwhatNkosi
?wil
lyouslapmeagai n?Am notweak
l
ikethoseot
herwomenNkosi ,Icanalsofi
ghtback,
j
usttrymeonemor eti
me.Idarey outo.
..
..
."Isayt
o
him,hi
tti
nghi
sindexfi
nger.
..
..
..
Chapt
er12

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Ilookatherwateryey esandIr
eal
i
sewhatIhave
done.Il
etouttheper sonwhowasneversupposed
tobeletout.Nothere.
"
Thandoam,am soosorr
yIreal
lydi
dn'
tmeant
odo
t
hat,
itwasamistakeam sosor
ry.
"
"Ooohpleasesav eit
.Ishouldhaveknownt hatyou
aren'
tdi
fferentf
rom allt
hoseothermen.Nx. .
..
..
..
"
Shestandsupf rom thefl
oor,t
akesherbroken
phonefrom thefloorandlooksstr
aighti
ntomyey es.
"Youareonl yaft
ersexandt hat'sit
.Ishouldhave
knownt hatthat'
swhaty ouhav ealway sbeenafter
.
NowIwi shInevermov edon.Ishoul dhavewai t
ed
forSbu,atleastheknowshowt otreatawoman.
Tomor r
owmor ningyouwi l
ldropmeof fatmyhouse
andyouwi l
lnever,Ir
epeat,neverseemeev eragai
n.
Fucki
ngshi t.
"say sThando.Shet urnsherbackon
meandst artswalki
ngupst ai
rs.Iwatchherwal kup
thosest airswi t
hherhandonhercheekwhi le
mumbl i
ngswearwor ds.Thesi ghtofherwal ki
ngup.
Thosest ai
rsjustkil
l
smei nsi
de.Whathav eI
done? ???Whydi dIhavetodot hatonthenightIwas
hopingt ospendwi t
hher.Nkosi whydidyouhav et
o
dot hat.Idon' tbl
amewomenf orsayi
ngsomet imes
wet hinkusi ngourpenises.Aghman! !
!
Itakeaseatont hecouchandstartthinki
ngofway s
toresol
vethismatterbefor
emor ningbecauseIwi ll
notlett
hiswomanwal koutofmyl if
ejustli
kethat.I
havetofixthi
snomat terwhatbutifItrytal
kingto
hernow, i
tmightmakemat ter
sev enwor se.
Sigh.
..
..
.whatshall
Ido?
Igrabmyphonefrom thecof
feet
abl
eandcal
lthe
onl
yper sont
hatmightbeabl
etohel
pmeoutofthis
si
tuati
on.
"Nkosi
am busy,whatdoyouwant
?"say
sthev
oice
ontheothersi
deofthephone.
"
SbuIneedy
ourhel
p.Ar
eyoust
il
li
nSandt
on?
"Iask.
"
Yesam ar
oundbutam busyr
ightnow,
oooohshi
t,
f
**k.Cantwedothi
sint
hemor ni
ngman?"heasks
whil
epanti
ngheavi
l
y.Wel
lsoundsli
kesomeoneis
l
iv
ingtheli
fe.
"
Nowehav et
odoitnow.Youbet
terbedonebyt
he
t
imeIgett
oyourpl
ace.
"
"EishNkosi .Okayf iney oucancomebuti fyoufind
mef uckingdon'ty oudar edi sturbme. "Ihangupt he
call,grabmycarkey s,lockal lthedoor sandt hen
headoutt omygar age.Igeti ntomyMer cedesdr i
ve
outt hegar age,i
nst ructthebodyguar dst omake
sur ethatThandodoesn' tl
eav enomat terwhatand
thatt heyshouldnotl etany onei nuntilam back.I
driveof ftoSbuandam athi sgat ein20mi nutes.
Hishousei snott hatf arbutIwasdr i
vingslowj ust
togi vehi m moret i
met ofinallygett ohisclimaxwi th
what ev erbit
chhei swi t
h.Hi sguar dsopent hegate
formeandIdr ivein.Ipar kmycari nhisgar age
sincei tisn'
tthatfull.
"Youbett
ermakei
tfastbecauseIhav
eagoddess
l
y i
nginmybedupst
airs,
"saysSbuasIent
erhi
s
offi
ce.
"I
'
lltr
y.ThandoandIhadaf ightandshewant
st o
l
eav emef orgood.
"Isaysit
tingonacouchwhichis
atthefarl
eftofSbu'soff
ice.
"
Whatdi
dyoudo?
"asksSbupour
ingagl
assofwi
ne
f
orme.
"Well
ummm, Ikindofsai
dsomet hingthatmight
havehurtherandIhither
,"Isaysippi
ngthewi ne.
Sbuclencheshisteet
hsol oudthatIhearthem,he
sl
owlyturnstolookatmeandsay s."
Youdi dwhat?!
"
"
Itwasami
stakeBr
o.Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn'
tmeant
obut
,"
"Whydidy
ouhi
ther
."heasksl
eani
ngagai
nsthi
s
desk.
"Well.
..Si
gh..
..Ihonest l
ydon'
tknow.FirstIasked
herwhyshewoul dn'tletmeinandshet oldmet hat
shewasn' tr
eadywhi chwasat ot
alli
e.Shewant ed
toleavebutthenIwant edhertotel
lmet hetruthsoI
didn'
tletherl
eav e.Sheswor eatmet henIlostitand
that'
swhenIhi ther."Isay.Sbuchucklesandstares
atme.
"Soyoubasi
cal
l
yhitherbecauseshedi
dn'
twantt
o
havesexwit
hyou?
"
"NoIhi
therbecausesheisly
ingtomeandshe
sworeatme."Isayj
usti
fyi
ngmy sel
f.
"Noyouhitherbecauseyouwant
edtohav
esexwith
herNkosi
.Sigh.
...
.Pl
easetel
lmerul
enumber24.
"
saysSbudrinki
nghiswine.
"
What
?"
"Tel
lmeMrJones'srul
enumber24Nkosi
!"he
bell
ows.Il
ookathi
mt hensi
gh.
"
Nevershal
liever
,everev
erl
aymyhandsona
womanunlesssheisanenemy.
"
"
Nowdi
dyouabi
debyt
hatr
ule?
"
"
No,
"Isayl
ooki
ngdown.
"Doy our ememberhowMrJonest reatedhiswife
Nkosi.Het reatedherwi ththeut mostr espect.He
neverlaidhi shandonhernomat t
erwhatandy ou
knowhowmuchMr sJonesl ikedswear i
ngbutMr
Jonesnev erlaidhishandonhersowher ethehell
didyoul earnt hatfr
om huh.Youar eouther e
tort
uringSi phof orhit
ti
ngy oursist
ery etyouhi t
Thando.Nkosi ,fixyourselforelseIwi l
l dothatfor
you.ShouldItor
tur
eyouthesamewayy ouare
tor
turi
ngSipho?Hmmmmm? ?!"Icont
inuel
ooking
downasSbu' swordshi
tmehard.Am soashamed
ofmy sel
f.
"Nkosi,
Ididn'tdat
eThandofor7wholeyear
sforyou
tohither,Idatedhersot
hatyoucoul
dshowherlove.
Sodon'tyoudar emakemer egr
etdat
ingherdoyou
hearme! "
"
Yesbaf
o.Am sor
ry.
"Isay
.
"Nowstandup,"saysSbu.Istandupfrom myseat
asSbuwal kst
owar dsmeandt henInamat t
erof0.
4
seconds,
Iam ont hefl
oorbleedi
ngfrom t
hepunchI
gotfr
om Sbu.
"
Whatt
hef
uckBr
o!!
!!
!Thef
ucki
sthatf
or?
"
"Wasitpainful
?"heasks.Inodmyheadyeswi
th
wideeyes."Good.Nowy ouknowhowshefel
t.
"he
excl
aimslookingmest r
aighti
ntheey
e.
Mynoseislegi
tbleedi
ngri
ghtnowandIt hi
nkIl
ost
onet
ooth.Dangthisguycanpunch.
..
..
..
"
Nowl
etmet
ell
yousomet
hingNkosi
,shei
sn'
tangr
y
becauseyouhither
,sheisangrybecauseof
whateveryousaidt
oherconserningthemat t
erof
yousleepi
ngwithher.Andyouhitti
ngherjustmade
mattersworse.
"hesaysputti
nghisglassofwi neon
thetabl
e.Hewalksupt ome,helpsmesi tonthe
couch,si
tsbesi
demeandl ooksatmef orover3
minutes.
"Nkosi
,Iwant
edhert
otell
youhersel
fbutsinceyou
havemessedup,Iwi
l
lhavetotel
lyou.Thandogot
rapedafewyear
sback.
"saysSburubbinghishands
toget
her.
"
What
!!
?"
"Yes,shegotr apedbyoneofherbr other'
sf ri
ends.
WhenIwasst i
lli
nar elati
onshi
pwi thher ,sheal ways
apologizedfornotbei ngabletol etmehav esexwi th
herbutIkeptont el
li
nghert hatIdi dn'tmi nd.One
dayshedeci dedt otellmewhyshenev erletmesex
herev enthoughInev erwant edtosi nceIwasonl y
keepingherf oryou.Iwant edtot el
l youbutt henI
endedupdeci di
ngthatshewi l
ltelly ouher self
.So
nowt hatyouhav einsul t
edherandhi theront opof
i
t,youhav ejustfuckedupev er
ything. "Ilookathi m
asheconti
nueswi
thhisstor
yandIcoul
dn'
tbel
i
eve
i
t,whathav
eIdone?Thandohatesmesomuchr i
ght
now.
"
Sbuwhatam Igoi
ngt
odo?
"Iaskst
andi
ngupf
rom
t
hecouch.
"Nkosi youmessedupbi gti
meIwon' tlie.Your eal
ly
hurtheranddi sr
espect edher.IfIwerey ou, Iwould
driv
ebackhome, putmypr i
deandegoasi deand
startapol ogi
zingandwhenIsayapol ogizingImean
kneelingdownandcr yi
ngbecausewhatev eryou
saidt ohersur el
yopenedupt hewoundsshehas
beent r
yingtocov erforyear
snow. "saidSbu." You
arev eryluckybecauseshei sf orgi
v i
ngbutshewi l
l
neverf orgetwhaty ousai dt
oher .Ther eisahi gh
possi bi
lit
yofherletti
ngi tsl
idebutmakesur ethat
youmakei tuptoherandmakesur et hatthose
wor dsst opplayi
ngi nherhead.Idon' tknowhowy ou
willdoi tbutyoubet t
erdoi t
."
"
Iser
iousl
yfuckedup.Sbu,l
etmebounce.Iwi
llcal
l
y
oulater
.Andthanksfortel
l
ingme,
"IsaytoSbu.
"
It
'scool
.Justdon'
tshowhert
haty
ouknowabout
t
her
ape.Actasi
fInev
ert
oldy
ouany
thi
ng.
"
Iqui
ckl
yruntomycar ,geti
nanddri
v ebackhome.I
needtogettomybabyandmaket hingsrightbef
ore
Il
oseherjustbecauseofmystupi
dneeds.

*
***
***
***

THANDO'
SPOV.

Ihavet r
iedsl
eepingbutIjustcan'
t.Hiswordswont
stoptaunti
ngme.Whywoul dNkosi saysuchtome?
Washet hatdesperatetohavesexorwhat ?Sigh..
..
..
Ifonl
yIhadst ayedathomebackt hen,Iwouldn'
tbe
faci
ngallthi
s,fuck!
!!
!!Ihat
emy sel
f!Ihateever
ythi
ng
aboutme!Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Il
etoutev erysingl
et hi
ng,ever
yt ear,
everyscream
butIcanst i
l
l f
eel t
hepain.Icanst i
ll
feelhi
m ont op
ofme, hi
mt ryi
ngsohar dtoenterme, hi
mr ammi ng
i
nsidewi t
houtev enhav i
ngmercyonme.Isi tdown
onthef l
oor,cry
, cr
y,cryandcrysomemor e.Istand
upf r
om t
hefl
oorandheadbackdownstair
sand
thankGodNkosiisn'
tther
e.Iwal
ktot
helivi
ngr
oom
wherether
eisalandli
neanddial
Tshi
di'
snumber.
"Whoisthi
sandwhatdoy
ouwantf
rom me.
"
answersTshi
di.
"
Tshi
di,
hehi
tme.
"Isaysobbi
ng.
"
Thando?Wai
twhohi
tyou?
"
"
Nkosi
,hehi
tme.
"
"Thandoifyouarejoki
ngthenpleasedon'
tjoke
aboutsuch.Ifyouwantat
tenti
ony oucanjustsay
so."say
sTshi dil
aughi
ng.
"
Tshidiam notj
oki
ng.Hehitmej
ustbecauseI
r
efusedtohavesexwithhi
m."
"Areyouseri
ous?
!Hay iThandoyoushouldhav e
donesomet hi
ngelsethattr
igger
edhim,justnot
that?
!!
!"say
sTshidi.Oooohwow, youknowwhat ..
..
..
.
"Tel
lmewhathappenedThando."saysTshi
di.It
ell
herever
ythi
ngassheli
stensat
tenti
vel
y.
"soam breaki
ngupwithhi
m Tshi
dibecauseIj
ust
can'
t"Isaysli
dingt
othefl
oor
.
Tshi
disi
ghsont
heot
hersi
deandt
hencal
l
smy
name.
"
Thando,
hav
eyout
oldhi
m whathappened,
"
"
Happenedwhen?
"Iask.
"
YouknowThando.
"Shecan'
tbeser
ious.
"
Iwoul
dnev
er,
wel
lnotj
usty
et.I
t'
stooear
lyTshi
di.
"
"Noi t'
snot .Thando, thatmancancl earlyseet hat
youar el yi
ngt ohi m wi t
ht hatam notr eadyst or yand
that'swhyhedi dn'twanty out oleav ewi thoutt ell
ing
himt het ruth.Hecl earl
ywant edt oseewher ehe
standswi thy ouconser ninghim bei ngi ntimat ewi th
you.Yeshi swor dswer ehur tf
ulandhewasn' t
supposedt ohity oubuty oushoul dhav eal so
l
istenedt ohi m whenhet oldyoust opswear ingat
him whi chi sthemai nr easonhehi ty ou, notbecause
ofsex.LookThando, youhav etot ellhim, i
fy ouwant
tobehappyi nt hisrelationshiptheny ouhav et otell
him ev erythingsot hathecanknowwher et ost ar
t.I
knowt hathewaswr ongf orhit
ti
ngy oubutdoy ou
seriouslyt hi
nkt hathewoul dhav er aisedt hat
subjecti fyouhadt ol
dhi mt hetr
ut hhei syear ning
for
?Nohewoul dn'thave.Youmi ghtnotbel
i
ev eme
butNkosilovesyou, hereal
lydoessodoy oursel
fa
favorandforgi
vey oursel
fandtellhi
m what
happened.Itmightbesuperdi f
ficul
tbutdoit
Thando.Doi tforyourownsake. "saysTshi
di.
Alt
houghithurts,sheistell
i
ngt hetrut
h.
"
Buthestil
lhadnori
ghttohi
tmeTshidi
.Hesti
l
lhad
t
orespectmydecisi
on.
"Isaywi
pingmytear
s.
"Iknowbabybutthatmanlov
esyou.Heprobabl
y
musthavelosthismindwhenhehi
tyoubuthe
didn'
tmeanto."shesays.
"Wher
eisNkosi
?Gi
vehi
mthephoneIwantt
otal
kto
him.
"

"
Idon'
tknow.Ilefthi
mi nt
heli
vi
ngroom buthei
sn'
t
i
nhereanymore."Isayshr
uggi
ng.
"Am her
e,"saysav oi
cebehi
ndme.Il ookbehi
ndonly
tobemetbyhi sface.Hetakesthephonefrom me
andstar
tstalki
ngtoTshidi
.Allam heari
ngisyes,
yesandyes, t
hat'
sall
.
"I
twil
l neverhappenagainTshidiIpr
omise.Am
deeplysorry.Okay.
..
..
.Yesma'am.Youwi l
lkil
lmeifI
everdoi tagai
nIunderstand.Goodbye.
"hesays.He
handsov erthephonet omeandgoest ositdown.
"
YesTshi
di?
"
"Tal
ktohim abouti
t.Don'tleaveoutanyt
hing.
"says
Tshidi
.Sheendsthecallaftersayi
ngthat
.Sigh.
..
..
..
..
..
Iputthephonedownandl ookatNkosiwhohas
buri
edhisfaceinhi
shands.Iwal ktohim andsit
nexttohim.
"
Nkosi si
tupst
rai
ght.Ineedtotalkt
oyou,
"Isay
l
ookingdown.MaytheLor dhelpmeasItel
lhi
mt hi
s.
Nkosirai
seshi
sfaceandl ooksatme.
"Bef
oreyousayanythi
ngIwanttosayam sor
ry
Thando.Idon'
tknowwhatgotinme..
..
..
."
"Canyouj
ustshutupandletmet al
k.Am t
heone
whoaskedtotal
ktoshutup."IsayasIl
eanonthe
couch.
"OkayIwi
l
l keepqui
etbutcanyoupl
easestopusi
ng
swearwordsThando,
"saysNkosiwi
thpleadi
ngeyes.
"Iwillt
ry.
"Iletoutal oudsi gh,closemyey esand
opent hem agai n."
WhenIwas16, mybr other s,
TshidiandIwentt oahousepar tyagainstmy
parent'
sor ders.Wel l
,Iwast heonewhowasn' t
all
owedt ogobecauseIwasunderagebutsi ncemy
parentswer en'thomet hatdayIbeggedTshi di t
o
takemewi thandshedi d.SoIgott othehousepar ty,
hadal otofal coholandIgotdr unksomybr ot hers
endedupf or cingmet ogosl eepont hecouchunt il
theywer eallreadyt oleav e.Isleptont hecouchbutI
waswokenupbysomeonewhokeptonpul l
ingme
offthecouch.WhenIopenedmyey es,Irealisedi t
wasoneofmybr other'
sf riendswho' snamewas
Brian.Hekeptonsay i
ng, comel etsgohav ef unbutI
refused.Iwasweaksohewasabl etopul lmeof f
thecouchandt akemet oanempt yroom. "tear sfal
l
asIt el
lNkosi thestorywhowasnowhol dingmy
hand.Ididn'thav ethecour aget olookhimi nt heeye.
"Iscreamedforhelpbutthemusicwastool oudfo
any onetohearme.Iscreamedandscreamedbutno
onecamet omyr escuesoBri
anwasablet otakeme
i
nt otheroom andlockthedoor
.Letmet akegood
car eofy ounowhesai dashet ookofhet ookof fhis
clotheswhi leIjustsatont hef l
oor .Hewal kedupt o
me, helpedmest andupt henhet hr ewmeont he
bed.Hest artedtakingof fmycl ot hesbutI ...I.
..
.I
tri
edsohar dt ostophi m.Het ouchedmei npl acesI
didn'twantt obet ouched."RightnowIf eel l
ikeshit
.I
mi ghthav eoncet ol
dsomeoneaboutt hi sst or
ybut
tell
inganot hersoul abouti twithoutknowi nghow
theywi ll
reactj ustkill
sme." H....
.he...
..
.her apedme
andr apedmeasIpl eadedhi mt ost opbuthedi dn'
t.
Her apedmeNkosi andIj ustgav euponf i
ght i
ng
him.Het ookmypr i
deaway ,mywomanhood, he
tooki tawayandwhenhewasdone, hejustl eftme
i
nt her oom nakedunt i
lmybr other sfoundme. "I
l
ookatNkosi andIr eal
izethathei scryingandt hat
j
ustmakesmebr eakdownev enmor e.Nkosi takes
mei ntoabi ghugasIcont i
nuesobbi ng.Ican' t
believ ethatIact uallytoldhim.
"
Am sosorr
ymylov e.IwishIcoulddosomethi
ngt
o
t
akeawayallt
hehurtfulmemor i
es."her
ubsmyback
whi
let
ell
i
ngmet oletitallout
.
"
Don'
twor
rymyl
ove.Youar
enowi
nsaf
ehands.I
wil
lmakeal
lthosememor i
esdisappear.Iwi
l
ltake
goodcar
eofy ou."saysNkosi
.Het akesmyfaceinto
hi
shandsandgl ancesatme.
"Thandoam sor ry,
Ireall
yam.Ishoul dn'
thavesai
d
allt
hat.Sigh..
..
..
.ThandoIl oveyouandy ouknow
that.Am notaftersexatall,y
esIshoul dhav
e
control
ledmy self
,Ishouldhav erespect
edyour
wishesandIshoul dhav ejustletyoubeinst
eadof
sayingallthatandhit
tingyou."
"I
t'
sokayNkosi.Ishoul
dhavet
oldy
outhetr
uth
wheny ouasked.Iknowhowmuchyouhat
eliesand
Itr
iggeredy
ou
Tomakemat
ter
swor
seIswor
eaty
ou.
"
"ButIst
il
lhadnor
ightt
ohityou.
"wekeepourey
es
oneachotherast
earsfal
lfr
om ourey
es.
"Youeverputy
ourhandonmeev eragain,Iwi
l
lbeat
youupsobadt haty
ouwi l
lwishy
ounev ermetme."I
saysl
appinghi
m.Hel ooksatmethenlaughs.
"Ipr
omise,Iwon'
t.Nowcome, l
et'
sgosleep.
"says
Nkosicarr
yingmebridal
styl
e.Wekeepourey eson
eachotherasweletourfeel
i
ngsforeachotherget
r
idoft
heanger
.
Wegettohi
sroom,webothgeti
nbedandIl
aymy
headonhi
schest
."Il
ovey
ousthandwasami
."
"
Ilov
eyout
oo,
"
"
Ooohr
eal
l
y?Shef
inal
l
ysai
dit
"hesay
swi
thasmi
rk.
"
Yesr
eal
l
y,"
"
Soy
ouwoul
dn'
tmi
ndi
fIsl
eptnextt
oyour
ight
?"
"I
t'
snotli
keyouar
egoingtoli
steni
fIt
ell
yout
o
buzzoffany
waysbutam st
il
lmadatyou."
"
hahayoumi ghtbemadbuty
ouknowy
ouwantme
t
ostayher
e,"hesaysti
ckl
i
ngme.
"
NooooNkosist
op.Okayokayfi
neyoucanstayher
e
j
ustst
oppl
easehaaaaaIcan'
tbreat
heNkosi
."
Hefi
nall
ystopsti
ckli
ngme, l
ooksdeepi ntomyeyes
andbit
eshislowerli
p.Iwon'
tli
e,thatmademeki nd
ofwetdownthere.Iwanthi
m butmywoundswon' tt
l
etmehav ehim.Igivehi
m afaintsmil
et henl
ook
down.Heholdsbychinandraisesmyf ace.
"
Don'
tdot
hat
."
"
Dowhat
?"
"Dontbesadbecausey ouar emaki ngmesad.Let
gooft hepastandpl easesmi leformeandbysmi le
Idon'tmeant hesmiley oujustgavemeaf ew
secondsago. "hesay scaressingmewi thhiseyes.I
l
ookathi sblueshiningey esandsmi l
e.Itrul
yhave
str
ongf eel
i
ngsf orthismanandIcan' tevencal
l i
t
l
ov e.I
t'
smor ethanthat .Herubsmycheek, smi
les
backatmeandki ssesmyf orehead.
"
Let'
ssl
eepmylove.Tomorr
owi sabrandnewday
t
hatwil
lhaveal
otofadvent
uresfort
hebothofus.
Goodni
ght.
"
Helay
sonthebedasIl
aymyheadonhi
schestand
dr
if
tofft
olal
aland.

*
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er13

THANDO'
SPOV
I
tsnoteverydaywher
eyouopenyoureyesinthe
morni
ngandf i
ndsomeonest
arr
ingatyouwithblue
beaut
if
uleyesandanamazi
ngsmile.Am Ibl
essed
tohavesuchamomentorwhat.
"
Am pret
tysuresomeoneatsomepointofyourl
i
fe
t
oldyouthatst
arr
ingatpeopl
eiswr
ong,"Isay
f
lashi
ngasmi l
eatthei
diotl
ooki
ngatme.
"Wellsomeonedi dtellmethatbutIwasn'tt
oldthat
star
ringatt heloveofy ourl
if
ei swrong.
"hesays
pull
i
ngmecl osertohim.Icanf eelhi
spokerpoking
meundert hesheet s.Thi
smanhasapackagef or
daysy hooooooooo.Het ri
eskissingmebutIpush
him away .
"Mor
ningbr
eathbabe.Letmegobrushmyt
eet
h."I
sayt
ryi
ngtogetoutofhisst
ronghol
d.
"Tohell
wit
hthat.Iwantt
osmel
lthatmor
ning
breat
h"hesaysholdi
ngontomeevenmore.
"Haibabyletmego.I 'l
lbebackin2minut
esbaby
please,
"Isaysti
l
l t
ryingtogetoutofhi
sholdbuthe
wouldntbudge.Hei sjustl
ooki
ngatmewi thasmir
k
onhi sf
aceandt hatjustmakesmegi v
eup.Therei
s
reall
ynohope.
"
CanIki
ssy
ounow,
"hesay
sleani
ngt
owar
dsmy
l
i
ps.
"
Noooo!
!Babycomeon.
"Isaycov
eri
ngmyl
i
ps.
"Hahaokaythenfine.Buty
ouar
ereal
l
ymaki
ngabi
g
dealoutofnothi
ng."
Ismil
eathim ashelet
sgoofme, Iquicklygetoutof
bedandheadt ot
hebathr
oom.If i
rstbrushmyt eet
h
thengeti
ntotheshowerr
ightaft
erlockingmydoor
becauseIknowthi
smanwi llwal
kintothis
bathr
oom whil
eam showeri
ng.
Aft
ershoweri
ng,
Ilot
ionmysel
f,putat
owelar
ound
methenwalkbacktothebedr
oom.Nkosii
sno
l
ongerinbed,
heactual
lymadethebedhey
..
..
..
..
..
Iwalkt
ot hedoor,
locki
tanddropthetowel,
exposi
ngmynakedbody .That
'swhenIreali
sethat
thi
spervertofamanishidi
ngi
nthecloset.Iqui
ckl
y
pi
ckupthetowelandwrapi
taroundme,
wal
ktot
he
cl
osetandsmackthi
sidi
ot'
shead.
"
Ouch!
"
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
eyoubum?
"Isay
.
"
Iwaspl
ayi
nghi
deandseek"
"wi
thwhoy ouf
ool?GetoutIwanttogetdr essed."I
saypul
l
inghim outofthecl
osetbuti
nsteadhepul l
s
me,makingmecr ushagai
nsthismascularbody .
"Iam sogoi
ngt
omar
ryy
ourf
eist
yass.
"hesay
holdi
ngmywaist
.
"OkayIgetit
,youwanttomar
ryme.Nowleav
eand
stopplay
inghideandseekwi
thwhoev
ery
ouar e
playi
ngwith.
"
"ThandoIwantt ogetsomet hi
ngtowearhau.It
'smy
closetr emember.
..
..
.Iwasjustbeingsar
casti
cabout
thehi deandseekthing,"hesay sl
aughi
ng.Oooh
Yea, Itotal
l
yfor
gotaboutt hat.
"
Nowwi
l
lyoubepat
ientandl
etmet
akemycl
othes.
"
"Iwil
lpi
ckoutthecl
othesfory
ou.Gobath."Isaya
bitembarr
assed.Hel
et'sgoofme,shakeshishead
whi
l
elaughi
ngandwal
kst
othebat
hroom.
Ipickoutcasual clothesforhimt henstartl
ooking
forsomet hi
ngformy selfi
nhiscl osetbecausether
e
i
sabsol utel
ynowayam wear ingadr ess.Nottoday.
Ifi
nallyf i
ndanov ersi
zedbasketbal lshi
rtand
mat chingshort
s.It aketheclothes,bothhisandthe
onesam wear i
ngandputt hem ont hebed.
Iputonmyunderwearbutnobra.Ialsoputonthe
shi
rt,
theshor
tsthencombmyhai r.Thi
sfeelsso
muchbettert
hanwearingadr
ess.
"HaanaThando.Takeoffmyclothes7, hayibaby
Noooononono.Youhav eyourowncl othes."he
sayscomingoutofthebat
hroom drippingwetwi t
ha
towelwr
appedaroundhiswaist
.Wel ldamnni gga!!
!!
!!
"
Idon'
tl
ikedr
essesNkosi
."
"Andhowi sthatmypr obl
em.Entl
ek, Iwantt owear
whaty ouarewearing.Givememycl othes. "hesay
s
point
ingattheclothesam weari
ng.Ijustl ookathi
m
withoneeyebr owelevat
edandchuckl e.Itakealook
atmy sel
fonthemi rrort
henwalkoutoft heroom
l
eav i
nghim alonei
nt hebedroom.I
fhet hinksam
goingtor emov et heseclothesthenhe'sinsane.I
walktot hekitchenonl ytof i
nday oungdarkski nned
beautif
ul gir
lwear ingamai d'suni
form andapr on,
cooking.Hav ey ouev erlookedatsomeoneand
wonder edwhyt heychoset hejobt heyar
edoi ng
i
nsteadofbei ngonar unwayshowandbei ngst upid
ri
ch..
..y
eat hat'sthequest i
onam aski ngmy sel
fr i
ght
now.Shel ooksext remelyyoung,li
ke17-18y earsold
young.
"Wellhell
ot here,
"Isayleaningonthecount er.She
doesn'tmov eatal l
.Isayitagainbutshedoesn' t
mov e,may beshehasear phoneson.Whenam
aboutt ogot ohershet urnstowheream st anding
thenflashesasmi l
e,shedoesn'tsayany t
hing.She
j
ustnodsherheadandkeepsonsmi l
ing.Wel lt
hat'
s
new.Shet hendoessomet hi
ngwithherhandsand
that
'swhenIr eal
isethatshecan'tspeak.IfonlyI
understoodsi gnlanguagebuteish,soIdeci deto
j
ustgiv eherahugj ustt
omakesur ethatshedoesn't
feelbad.
WhenIletgoofher,
shelooksatmewit
hshocki
n
herey
esandIjustsmil
eather.Shesmi
l
esbackand
carr
iesonwi thcooking.Ilikeheralr
eady.ThankGod
Iwashedt hosedishesl astnight
.Sosinceshecan'
t
speakIjustfi
ndsomet hingtodoi ntheki
tchen.
BreakfastisreadyandNkosi isntdowny etsoI
decidetogocal lhim.Asam aboutt oopenhi sdoorI
hearhim shout ing.WellIguessitwouldn'tbeasin
tojusteav esdroponhi m si
nceIwantt oknowhi m
mor e.Isli
ghtlyopent hedoorjusttomakesur ehe
doesntr eali
set hatIopenedthedoorandst ar
tto
l
isten.
"Howcoul dyouguy slethim escape!!!
!!
!Ifhefi
nds
mysi sterandhur t
sheri nanywayIsweart oGodall
ofyouar efi
red, gofindhim now! !
!!
!!
!!Iwanttofi
nd
him sit
tingint hatchairwhenIgett othewar ehouse
youhearme!Goodnowf i
ndhim orel seyouareall
fi
redandal l
y ourfami l
ieswil
...
..
.."
Het
hent
urnst
othedoorandIqui
ckl
yhi
de.
"cal
lmewheny ouf i
ndhim."hesay st
hendropst he
call
.Ihearhi
m walki
ngtowar dsthedoorandthat's
whenIknowam f ucked.Iquickl
yrushdownthe
stai
rsandactasifam walkingupthestai
rsagain.I
hopehedi
dn'
tseeme.
WhenIgettothedoorIf
indhim st
andingt
here
l
ookingatme.Ismil
eathim buthedoesn'
t.Oookay
hetotal
l
ysawme.
"
Whywer
eyoueav
esdr
oppi
ng?
"Ooooohshi
t.
"Ummm Iwant edtocomecal ly
ouf orbreakf
astbutI
real
isedt haty ouwer eshoutingatsomeoneov erthe
phonesoIj ustdecidedt owai tforyouuntily
ouar e
done"Isaywal ki
ngtowar dshim.Itakehi shandand
pull
hi m.Hej ustf ol
lowsmebutIcanf eelthedark
energyar oundhi m.Whoev erranawayf rom
what everwar ehousehewast al
kingaboutsurely
madehi m mad.Butwhywast hismanatawar e
houseandwhywoul dhewantt ohur tNkosi'
ssist
er.
Wef inall
ygetdownstai
rsandweheadt othedi ni
ng
room.Isi tonmychairandhecomest ositnextto
me.Wehav et
hebreakfasti
ntotal
sil
enceandwhen
Nkosi i
sdonewi t
hhisfood,hejustst
andsup, goes
upstairsandcomesdownwi t
hcarkeysinhishands.
"BabyIwi
ll
bebackatlunch.Ijustwantt
otakecar
e
ofsomethi
ngatwor
k."hesay swalki
ngtome.He
bendsdownt
henper
ksmyl
i
ps.
"Ummmm okay.Pleasebuymeaphoneony
ourway
backandwhatshouldImakef
orl
unch?"
"
okayIwil
landcookwhat everyouwant.Bye"he
wal
ksoutofthedini
ngt henheadstothegarage.
We'
llokay
,Iguessam justgoingt
ospendtheday
wi
ththemaid.Imightaswel l
gettoknowherbetter
.
Itakethedi
shesfrom thetabl
etogotothekit
chen.I
packthem i
ntothedishwasherbutt
hemai dwalksi
n
andsmi l
esatme.Shewal kstothedi
shwasherthen
takesthedi
shesoutandwashest hem wit
hher
hands.Okaywhatthehell.
..
..
..
.
Ij
ustst
andandl
ookathert
hewhol
eti
mebecause
am i
nshock.
"Ummmm okaywhydidy oudot hat
?"ooohdangi
t,I
total
l
yfor
gott
hatshecan'thearme.SoIwalktot
he
sinkandj
ustl
ookather
.
Shelooksatme, dr
iesherhandsandwalksoutof
thekit
chen.Shecomesbackwi thapenandpaper
thenstar
tswrit
ingsomethi
ng.Aftershe'
sdoneshe
holdsthepaperupwhichread
BosssaysIshouldwashthedisheswit
hmyown
hands.Thedishwasheri
sonlyusedwhent
her
earea
l
otofdishes.Hehiredmeforareason.
Wel
lthat'
sabithar
sh.It
aket
hepaperf
rom herand
wr
it
ear eply
.
From t
odayonwar
dsyouwil
luset
hedishwasher
andifbosssay
sanyt
hingt
oyou,t
ell
me.Iwillsor
t
hi
m outokay?
Shel ooksatthepaperandsmil
es.Ihel
pherwitht
he
dishessinceshehadal r
eadyst
art
edwashingthem
thenwedr iedthem.Whenwear edonesheatt
empt s
toleavethekitchenbutIdr
agherbackin.
It
aket
hepaperandwr
it
ewhat
'sy
ourname.
Sher
epl
i
esShani
ama'
am.
Me:
am Thando.CanIbey
ourf
ri
end?
Her
:Iwoul
dlov
ethatbutbosswon'
tal
l
owi
t.
Me:don'
tworr
yabouthi
m.Sotodayyouwon'tbe
doi
nganywork.Howaboutwegoouttothemall
anddosomeshoppingt
henwewillcomebackand
cookl
unchbefor
ebosscomesback.
Her
:Butbosswillf
ir
emema' am andIcan'
taf
for
d
bei
ngfi
red.Ihav
etolookaf
termysibli
ngs.
Il
ookatherandIcoul
dseethest
oryi
nhereyes.
Shewasgoingthr
oughalotatay
oungage.
Me:
wher
ear
eyourpar
ent
s?
Her
:theypassedon3y
ear
sago.
Me:
andhowmanysi
bli
ngsdoy
ouhav
e?
Her
:6.Am t
heol
dest
.
Me:
andy
oudon'
thav
eany
onet
aki
ngcar
eofy
ou?
Her:Noone.Am t
heonewhoi
staki
ngcar
eof
ever
yone.
IwanttocrybutIcan'
tdothati
nfrontofher.She
l
ooksdownandIseet earsfal
li
ngont hegreytil
es.I
takeherint
oahugandhol dherveryti
ght.Il
etgo
andwr i
te.
Takemet owhereyoust
aypl
ease.Ipr
omi
seIwon'
t
doanyt
hingtoyou.
Shel
ooksatmewithdoubtandIcrossmyf
ingers.
Shet
hennodsherheadyes.Iwal
ktoNkosi
'
sr oom
andlookf orcarkeysinhisclosetbuttherear
e
soooomanyoft hem.Howcanonehav esoomuch
cars!
!!If
inall
ydecidetojustcalluberbecausethese
carkeysar econfusi
ngthehel loutofme.
Theubercarar r
ivesandIgivetheuberguythe
addresswear egoingto.Atfi
rsthekeptonref
usi
ng
totakeustherebutIthenof f
eredhi
m R20000sohe
endedupagr eei
ng.Thisplacemustber eal
l
y
bad..
..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
**
Wef inal
lygettotheplacethatShanial
ivesandthe
onlywor dsIhaveforyouareWhatt hefuck.This
placelooksterr
ibl
e.Nochildshouldevenbest ayi
ng
here.Wegetoutoft hecarandShani astart
stowal k
towher eshestaysasIf ol
l
ow.Shet henstops
i
nf r
ontofasmal lshackandpoi nt
satit
.
Thereare4li
tt
lechi
ldr
en;3boysandonegi r
lpl
ayi
ng
outsi
deandtheyareweari
ngtorncl
othes.Theyl
ook
l
iketheyhav
en'tbat
hedinmonths.
Whent
heki
dsspott
hei
rsi
stert
heyr
unandhugher
.
Shegi v
est hem abighugandki ssesbutwhent hey
noticemesomeoft hem hidebehi
ndShaniaexcept
for2oft hem; aboywhol ooksolderthantherest
andal i
ttl
egi r
l.Theli
ttl
egirlwal
kstome, smi l
es
thenhugsme.Shel ooks8andonecanseeher
cutenessbehi ndall
thedirtandraggedclothes.I
pickherupandhugher .
"Hel
l
omynamei sShaki
sha,
"shesay
swi
thawi
de
smil
eonherf
ace.
"Wel lhell
othereShakisha.Am Thando."Isay .She
thenst artswiggli
ngandIputherdown.Theot her
kidsl ookatmet hensmi le.Iguessseei
ngt heir
sisterbeingfreearoundmeshowdt hem thatam not
at hreat.Ismileatthem andt heyr
unofflaughing.
IlookatShaniaandshei sstari
ngatme.Shet akes
myhandandwal ksintotheshack.AsIl ookaround
theti
nyhome, myey eslendont hebedwher ether
e
are2childrenl
ayingther
e, l
ookingsickashell.Chi
ll
s
rundownmyspi neasi r
usht othechildr
en.Iputmy
handont heirf
oreheadsandt heirt
emper atur
eis
superhigh.Theyhavesor esaroundtheirli
psand
theyareshiver
ing.Thi
sisv eryseri
ous.
Iqui
cklytakeoutt
hephoneIf
oundi
nNkosi
'
sroom
anddialanumber.
"Hel
loNeri
sa.Ineedy
out ocometoaplaceam at
ri
ghtnow.I
t'
sanemer gency,
aver
ybigemergency.
"I
sayovert
hephone.
"
sor
rywhozt
his?
"Ner
isar
epl
i
es.
"I
t'
sThando.Iwi
llsendy out
hecoordi
nat
esoft
he
area.Pl
easehur
ry.
..
..
."Isaypani
cki
ng.
"OkayIwil
lbether
e.Shoul
dIcomewi
tht
he
ambulance?"
"
Yespl
ease.
"
"Okaysendt hecoordi
natesandIwi l
lbethere.
"she
endst hecal
l andIr
ushoutside.Ical
lShakishaand
askhert obri
ngmeadi shwi thcoldwateranda
towel.ShedoesasIsayandIbat hthe2childr
en.I
takethiercl
othesanddressthem upwhi l
stShania
watchesmedoal lt
his.
"Shaki
sha,
cany
ouspeaksi
gnl
anguage?
"
"
Yes,
Shani
ataughtmehowt
o."
"
Okayt
ell
thi
stoShani
a.Iwanthert
opackupal
l
yourcl
othesandyourval
uabl
esandputthem
outsi
de.Someoneiscomingtogetus.
"
Shaki
shatel
lsShani
awhatItoldherbutShani
ataps
myshoulderandshakesherheadno.
"Whynot,
"Isaycr
ingi
ng.Shaki
shatel
l
sherwhatI
sai
dandShaniastart
scryi
ng.Oneoftheboyswho
wasplay
ingoutsi
decomest ome.Hel ooks14.
"
Thereisamanwhocomesher eandbeat
susall
.
Hetol
dherthati
fsheev
erl
efthewouldki
llusal
l
."
what!
!
"
wher
edoest
hismanst
ay?
"Iaskhi
m.
"
Hest
aysnextdoor
,"hesay
s.
"
Ishet
her
enow?
"
"
Ithi
nkso.
"
Istor
m outoftheshackheadingnextdoorwithmy
handbaginmyhand.Iknockont hedoorandIhear
someoneshoutam comi ng.Whenthedooropens, I
takemygunoutofmyhandbagandpoi ntitatthe
guystandi
ngatthedoor.Lucklyt
herearentany
peoplewalki
ngaround.
"
Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
"hesay
sinphedi
.
"I
fyoueverandIsayevercomeaft
erShani
aandher
si
bli
ngsIwill
blowyourbrai
nsout
."
"Tr
ymebi tch.Thatt hi
ngismypr opert
yandi fyou
daretryt
osepar at
eherfr
om me, youwi l
lregretever
l
ivi
ng."hesay swi t
hasmi rk.Ichuckleandpoi ntthe
gunathisleftfootandIshoothi m.Hescr eamsout
i
npai nandIpoi ntathisr
ightarm andshoothi m
again.
"Nextti
meitwil
lbeyourhead."Iki
ckhim onhisarea
andleavehi
m beggi
ngforhelp.Iwalkbackto
Shania'
sshackandwalkinsi
de.Itakethe2chil
dren,
putt
ingoneonmybackandIhol dtheotheronei
n
myhands.
"Tell
Shani atopackupy ourthingsnow! !
!!!
"Ishout.
The14y earol dlookingboyt el
lsShani aandshe
rushestoawar drobeandst art
st aki
ngoutal lthe
clot
hes.It akeallthekidsoutsideandr equestfor
ubersot hatwhenIt akethe2si ckchildrent othe
hospital
,theubercant akether esttomyapar tment
butnonoft heuberr i
deswoul dt akemyr equestsoI
wil
lhavenochoi
cebuttowai
tfort
heambul
ancet
o
gether
eandaskthem f
orhel
p.
Wewai tedfornearlyanhourandt hat
'swhent he
ambulancef i
nal
lyarriv
ed.4paramedicsqui cklyrush
outoftheambul anceandt akeoutast r
etcher.Irun
tothem andputt he2ont hestret
chersincetheyar e
verysmallsotheyf i
tononest ret
cher
.Ner i
sat hen
arr
ivesinherowncarandIt hankthelordfor
answeri
ngmypr ayers.
"Thandowhat'
sgoingonandwhatareyoudoing
here?"asksNer
isaasshecomesoutofhercar.
"If
oundthose2chi
ldr
ensicki
nthatshackandi
t
tur
nsoutthatt
heydon'
thavepar
entssoIhadto
hel
pthem.That'
swhyIcall
edyou.
"Isay.
"Neri
saIneedyourhel
p.Canyoupleasedr
opthose
kidsoffatmyapart
ment.Theyar
enotsafeher
e."
Nerisalooksattheki dsandnodsherheady es.I
si
gnal fort
hem togogeti nNeri
sa'scarandt heydo
so.Ner i
sathendrivesofftomyapar tmentandIget
i
nt heambul ance.Ipraythatwecanst i
llsav
et hese
2chi l
drenbecauset heylookl
iketheymightdi eany
momentf
rom now.

.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

I
ts12pm andam st il
linthewai tingarea.Whenwe
gotherethedoct orsjusttookt hechildrentotheICU.
Apparentlytheyhavemeni ngi t
isandt heyneed
i
ntensivecare.Luckil
yIgott omeetShani abef ore
thediseasecausedanybr aindamagebutt her
eisa
possibi
li
tythatthekidsmi ghtdi e.Ihavebeen
prayi
ngnonst opinthiswaitingar eaandIhav ealso
beencr y
ing.Idon'tknowwhybutIhav ebeencr yi
ng.
Asam pr ayi
ng, t
hephonest art
sr ingi
ng.It'
sNer i
sa.
"
YesNer
isa,
"
"Theywon'
tletmein.Theyar
esayi
ngthatyou
shouldbeheresoastoconfi
rm.
"saysNeri
sa.
"
Giv
etheguardt
hephone,
"Ner
isadoesasIsayand
i
tal
ktotheguar
d.
"Hel
l
oNerisa,
hewil
ldir
ecty
outomyapartmentand
openfory
ou.Tel
lShani
atocooksomet
hingfort
he
ki
ds.Ther
eisf
oodi
nthehouse.
"
"OkayThando.
"shehangsupandl
eav
esmet
o
conti
nuemyprayer.
"
Ithoughty
ouweregoingt
oafuner
al"saysamal
e
v
oice.Il
ookatt
hepersonandi
t'
sSabelo.
"Hey,
"Isayst
andi
ngupf
rom t
heseatIhav
ebeen
sit
ti
ngon.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"heasks.
"
Not
hingt
hatconser
nsy
ou.
"Isay
.
"Ummm oookay.IguessIwi
ll
seeyoulat
er.
"hesay
s
befor
etur
ningawaybuthetur
nstolookatmeagai
n.
"Thandoam sorryf orhowIhavebeenactinglat
ely.
Pleasedoforgi
v eme. "hethentur
nsawayagai n
thenwalksaway .RightnowIdon'twanttotalkto
him now.Iwil
ltalkt ohi
m someot hert
ime.The
doctorfi
nal
lywal ksoutoftheICUandwal ks
towardsme.
"Theywil
lbefi
ne.Wewillj
usthavetokeepthem
hereforafewweeksandmoni t
orthem.Theywere
veryl
uckytohavebeensavedbyyouont i
me.Good
j
ob"hesay
spat
ti
ngmyshoul
der
.
"
It
'smydut
ytosavet
hoseinneed.Iwi
ll
beback
t
omorr
owtocheckonthem."Isaywi
thasmil
e.
"Okaydoct orThando.Seeyout omorrowooohandi f
youdon' tmind,Rosehasbeenr equesti
ngforyou.
Pleasedogoseeherbef oreli
vi
ngbecauseshe
won'tstopcr y
ing."Igi
vehim afai
ntsmilethenhe
l
eav es.Myphoner i
ngsandIcheckt hecall
erI
D.
Unsav ednumber .MustbeoneofNkosi 'speopl
e.At
fi
rstIhesitat
et oanswerthephonebutt henIdoso
anyway s.
"Hell
oboss,wefoundhim.Hei satthehospi
talt
hat
yoursist
eri
sbeinghospi
tal
ized.Wear egoi
ngtoget
him."saysahoursev
oiceont heothersi
deofthe
call
.
"Sor
rybutt
hisi
sn'
tNkosi
,hel
efthi
sphone,
"Ireply
buttheper
soni
mmediatel
ydr
opsthecall
.Eeeh..
..
..
..
.
SuddenlyIhearcommotioncomingfr
om theright
wing.Ir
usht her
eonlyt
of i
ndamanbei ngdragged
outofRose'sward.Hehasaguni nhi
shandsand
hasbloodalloverhi
scl
othes.Themancursesand
cursesast
hesecuri
tyguardsdraghim out
.Irunt
o
Rose'swar
dandfindhersurroundedbynurseswhi
le
cry
ing.
"
Rose!
"Ishoutr
unni
ngtoherbed.Whenshesees
meshecri
esevenmoreandIpullheri
ntoahug.
"
Hewil
lki
llmeThando.Hewant stoki
ll
me!!!
!!
!He
wi
ll
beback..
..
..
"shecr
ieswhil
eshouti
ng.Isi
gnal
for
t
henur
sestoleaveusaloneandtheydoso.
"Don'
tcr
ybabyam her
enow.Shhhhh.Not
hingwi
l
l
happentoy
ouIpromise.
"

Nkosisurel
ywasrightl
astnightwhenhesaidtoday
wouldbef i
l
ledwit
hadventuresexceptt
oday'
s
advent
uresarerat
herheartbreaki
ng.Si
gh.
..
..
..
..
..
.
*
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er14

NKOSI
'
SPOV

"Didyouf i
ndhim?"Iaskwal kingupanddownt he
basementi nthewarehouse.Ihav ebeensearchi
ng
forthatidi
otSiphoforov er6hoursnowandam
freaki
ngout .I
fIdon'
tf i
ndhim soon,hewi
llki
l
l my
pumpki nandIcan'tletthathappen,
notnow,not
ev er
.
"
Yesbosswef
oundhim anhourago.Wear
eonour
wayt
othewar
ehouse.
"saysCastr
o.
"
Thenwhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
ouf
ool
s!"Ishout
.
"
BossIt houghtShchevtol
dyoubecausehecall
ed
yourotherphonebefor
ewecaughthim."repl
i
es
Castr
o.
"
Giv
eShchevt
hephone,
"
"
Shoboss.Ey
ybr
uhbosswant
stot
alkt
oyou.
"
"
Yesbozay
ami
,
"
"
Voet
sekwena.Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
ou
f
oundSi
pho!
?"
"HaabozaIdidtel
lyou.Icall
edy ourotherpho.
...
..
..
.
OoooheishsorrybozaIforgoteish.Somel ady
answeredyourphoneandIt houghtmay beshecoul d
havetol
dyou,"saysShchev.
"YouknowShchev ,somet imesIwonderwhyIst il
l
keepy ouasoneofmymenbecausey ouar every
stupid.Nx. ..
..
..
..Youbet tergetherewitht hatsonof
abi t
chi nthenext30mi nutesIhav etobe
somewher e.
"Isaybef oreendingthecall.Atleast
theyf oundSi phosonowIcanbeatease.Nowt o
callThando.Oooohshi t
,Ikil
ledherphonel astnight,
fuck..
....Okayletmej ustuset helandl
ineathome.I
havecal l
edf ormor ethan3t i
mesandnoonei s
picki
ngup.That '
sf unny.Okayl etmetryt hephone
thatShchevcal led.Idialinthenumberoft hatphone
andsomeoneanswer saf t
erthef i
rstr
ing.
"
Nkosi
'
sphonehel
l
o."
"Thando.Whyaren'
tyoupi
cki
nguptheland-l
ine.I
havebeencall
ingbutnooneisanswer
ing."Isay.
"Ummmm am nothomer i
ghtnow.Am atthe
hospi
tal
.Hadanemergency,
"shesays.I
tsounds
l
ikesheisi
naroom wit
hacryingper
son.
"
Ooohokay.Ummmm Imi ghtgethomelat
ebut
whatdoy
out hi
nkaboutusgoi
ngoutfordi
nner
."
"Thatsoundsokay.Am i
n."say
sThando.Whyt
he
helldoesitsoundl
ikeRoseist
heonecryi
ngi
nthe
background.
"Baby,wehav en'
thadmuchtimetoget
hereversi
nce
west art
eddat i
ngsowhataboutwetakecareofal
l
ourwor ktodaythenfr
om t
omorrowit'
sjustmeand
you."Isay.
"
That
'sactuall
yagoodideababy.Wedoneedsome
t
imetogetherinourownbubbl
esookay.Iwi
l
lsee
y
oulaterbaby.Bye,
"say
sThando.
"
Bye.Il
ovey
ou,
"Isaybef
oreendi
ngt
hecal
l
.FuckI
l
ovethi
swoman.
..
..
..
.
*
***
***
***
**

"
Sipho,
sipho,
sipho;
ncancancanca.Howar
eyou
myman, "IsaytoSiphowhohasbeent i
edtoan
el
ectr
icchair.TodayIwanttofi
nishhi
m.Ican'
tri
sk
keepi
nghim aliveanymoreorel
sehewi l
lki
l
lRose.I
can'
taff
ordlosingheratall
.
"Nkosi j
ustki llmeal r
eadyman.Am t ir
edoft his
tortureandIsweart oGodi fIev ergetanot her
chancet oescapeIwi l
lkil
lyoursi sterforsur esoj ust
kil
l meal readyman. "hesay slooki ngweakasf uck.
Hehasbl oodcomi ngoutofhi smout handnose, hi
s
l
ef teyei sswol lenandhewon' tst opshaki ng.Ihav e
beenpour i
nghi m wi t
hcoldwat ert henshocki nghi m
usingt heel ectri
cal chai
rformor et han2hour sand
am enj oyingmaki nghi mfeel t
hepai nbuti tjustain'
t
enough.If eel li
kewhatam doi ngt ohimi sn'tenough
sobef oreIki llhim, am goingtol etsomegayni gga
fuckhi mr eal hard,getsomel adi est or apehi mt oo,
chophi sdi ckof f,poursomeaci donhi sf eetand
thenl astbutnotl easttakehisey esout .Iwantt o
makehi mf eel thepai nhe'sbeenmaki ngmypoor
sistergot hrough.
"
Guys.
"Isayt
omymen,
signal
i
ngf
ort
hem t
oleti
n
t
hegayguys.
"Gomakehi m weart hisli
nger ie.
"Isaygi vi
ngthem a
redbunnyl i
ngerie.Theyal llookatmeandbur stout
l
aughi ng.Theyt akeSi phowho' snowcr yi
ngandt ake
himt ot heroom wher eshitisgoi ngtogodown.I
don'tthinkIwantt oseehi m get ti
ngf uckedbyot her
mensoImi ghtaswel lgot oBr endonwhoi str
ying
totrackdownt hatf oolwhot ookmywoman' spride.
I
fy out hinkSiphoi sbeingt orturedthenwai tandsee
whatam goi ngtodot oBrian.Ial readyhaveal i
st
l
aidoutespeci al
lyforhi m andhewi l
llovei
t.
"
Anyprogr
essmyman."Isayappr
oachi
ngBr
endon
whoi
sonhi sl
apt
op.
"
WellIfoundsomethingint
erest
ingboss.Seemsl i
ke
t
hisBrianisMrMohlakuane'
ssonandMr
Mohlakuanewasfr
iendswi t
hRoger."saysBrendon.
"
Whoi
sMrMohl
akuaneboy
?"
"
HewasMrJones'senemy.Hewastheonewho
t
ri
edt
oki
dnapMr sJonesandmarr
yherinJamai
ca.
"
"Ooohthati
diot.Am sogladIki
ll
edhim.Hewasa
bastar
dandf oolfort
ryi
ngtochall
engeMrJones.
Peoplewarnedhim butheneverli
stenedandnowhe
i
ssi
xfeetunder
."Isaychuckl
i
ng.
"Solooksli
keBri
anisi
nMexico.Hest
ayst
her
e
boss."say
sBrendon."
Butboss,
Iwoul
dn'
tmesswi
th
himifIwereyou.
"
"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"Iask.
"Hewor kswi thJay denandBaca, MrJones' ssons.
Andal soMussal i
neandOt ari
k.Whoaboss, leav e
thi
smanbecausehei sclearl
ydeal i
ngwi t
ht he
godfat her soft hebl ackmar ket."say sBr endon
quicklyl oggingof ft hewebsi t
ehewason.Br endon
i
sr i
ght , Ihav ehear dofMussal ineandOt arikandI
havet ol dmy selfthatIwoul dnev ereverwantt o
crosst heirpat hs.Thosemenar edeadl yashel l
,I
heardonet ime, theyl iter
all
yki l
ledanenemyby
spli
ttinghi mi nhal fwi th2trainswhi chmov edi n
opposi t edirectionsandt henaf terthat,theybur nt
downt heschool wher etheper son' skidsschool ed
whichki ll
ed32000st udentspl ust heeducat or s.
Theyt ookt heper son' swifeandshov edabombup
herv agi naandf or cedhert opl anaf amilygat hering
wher et hebombwoul dbeactiv atedandki l
lall t
he
rel
atives.
"Youar erightboy.Getr
idofthatl
apt opnow
becauset hemi ghtseethatsomeonei sstal
ki
ng
them andmakesur ethatyoukeepy oureyeson
JaydenandBar ca.Ihaveafeel
ingtheyareplanni
ng
somet hing.Those2hat edmesoam pr et
tysur
ethey
will
comeaf termesomet imesoon."
"
Okayboss.
"say
sBr
endonst
andi
ngupwi
thhi
slap
t
opinhi
shands.
Isitdownont hechairthatBr endonwassi tti
ngon
andst artthinkinghard.Howdoest hisBrainguy
knowt hesepeopl e?ShouldIgof orhim?Ipr obabl
y
shouldn'tbecausei tmightendupcr eati
ngev en
mor eissuesandt hat'
st helastthingIwantr i
ghtnow.
It
'salready16pm soIt hinkIshoul dgohomet omy
wife.Ihopeshei shome.Bef oreleaving,Icheckon
Siphowhoi sscr eaminghi slungsoutwhi lemymen
diewithl aughter.Isweart heseguy sarehear tl
ess
Yhooooo.
Igetint
omycarthedriveoffhome.Icantwaitto
seemyqueen.Honestly,
am gladt
hatshetoldme
aboutther
apestorybecuasenowIknowwher eI
standwhenitcomestohav i
ngsexwithher.I
tkind
ofbreaksmyheartt
oknowt hatIcan'tl
aymyhands
onthatfooli
shmanthough.Hei sclearl
y
untouchabl
eandIwouldn'tdarecrossthel
ine.I
guessIjusthav
etoforgetaboutBr i
an.
Ifi
nall
ygethomet of i
ndThandol ookingstunningas
fuck.Shei sweari
ngabl ackgli
tt
eri
ngkneehi gh
dresswhi chexposesherwhol ebackandherl egs.I
thi
nkIjustgotaboner .Iglanceatblackmelanin
whoi sstandinginfrontoft hemirr
orfixi
ngherhair.
HowwasIsooool ucky ?????
"Youlookamazing,
"Isayholdingherfr
om theback,
feel
ingherbigassonme.ThedayIf i
nal
lygetto
bangt hi
sbody,am af
rai
dIwon' thav
eanymer cyon
i
t.Ikisshercheekandsheturnsherwholebodyto
l
ookatme.
"Gobathorel
sewewil
lendupnotgoi
ngt
othat
date.
"say
sThandoper
kingmyli
ps.
"Giv
eme20mi nut
estogetreadybaby.
"Isay.Il
et
goofherthenheadtothebathroom.Honestl
y
though,
howwasIsol uckyt
ogetThandoasmy
woman?God, Ineedanswer
sbecuaset hatcr
eati
on
ofy
our
sisgl
ori
ous.
*
***
***
**
Wear r
iveatarestaurantwhi
chseemsqui tegood.I
takemywoman' shandintominejusttomakesur e
thatever
ysinglepersoninhereknowst hatsheis
withme,thewai t
ershowsust oourtable,Ipul
la
chairf
orherhighnessthensitdownt oo.
"
didIt
ell
youthaty
oulookamazingtoni
ght
?"Isay
l
ooki
ngatThandowhoisblushi
ng.Shel
ookseven
moregl
ori
ouswhensheblushes.
"
Yesyoudi
d.Thisi
sthe25t
hti
mey
ouar
esay
ing
t
hat
."sher
epl
ies.
"That'
sprobabl
ybecuasey ouar
ebeauti
ful
.Isocan'
t
waittoshowy ouof ft
otheworl
dThando.Thewhole
worldwil
lknowt hatatyouaremyqueenandy ou
deservetobetreatedli
keaqueen.
"Isayhol
dingher
hand.
"OoohstopitNkosi.Wedi
dn'
tcomeher
etomake
peoplebl
ush, wecameheret
oeatnowcanwe
pleaseor
der."say
sThando.
"
Okay
.Iwi
l
lhav
ewhatev
ery
ouar
ehav
ing.
"
"
Oohr
eal
l
y?"
"Waitno, youwi l
lmakemeeatv eggiessoy ouknow
what ,
Iwi ll
or dermyownf ood."Isayremember i
ng
howt hisgirldoesn' tli
keeating.Weor derourfood,
wait24mi nuet sforitanditf i
nall
ygetsher e.We
spendt heni ghttalking,tal
kingandl aughingwhile
peoplel ookatusasi fwear einsane.It'
snow22pm
andIt hinkit'
st i
mewehadbackhomet ospendev en
moret imewi thmyboo.Iaskf orthebi l
lfr
om the
waiter,Ipayt henThandoandIl eave.It'
stimeforus
tohav esomeper sonal t
imet ogether.
*
***
***
***
*
THANDO'
SPOV.
Iwon'tli
e,tonighthasbeenamazi ng.Nkosi won't
stoppraisi
ngmeandhowgor geousIl ook.Iwon'tli
e,
Idolookl i
keagoddessi nmybl ackshi mmerLong-
SleeveBody conDr ess.Il
ookedsexyasf uckandI
knowi t
.Sonowwear eonourwayhomeandIhav e
asurpri
sef ormyman.Ev ersi
nceIt oldhim about
myl i
tt
letraumat i
cst oryl
astnight
, Ifeell
i
keami l
l
ion
bagshav ebeenl i
ft
edof fmyback.If eelsof reeandI
feellikeIcanf i
nall
yletmymani nsot odayaf terI
l
ef tthehospi t
al,
Iboughtsomet hingspeci alf or
tonightandIaskedShani atomakeNkosi '
sr oom
l
ooksuperr omanti
caf t
erNkosi andIleav e.Shenow
staysatmyapar tmentunt i
lIcanf i
ndthem aper fect
homeandshei snol ongerNkosi'smai d.Sheneeds
togobackt oschoolandIwi l
lhelpheroutwi th
every thing.Howev erIhaven'
ttoldNkosi abouti t.I
willdosot omorrowbecauset onightit
'sonl ymeand
him......
...
..
Wef i
nal l
ygethomeandIt ellNkosi t
ost ay
downst airswhi chheisagainstbutIconv i
ncehimt o.
Irusht ohi sr oom, l
ockthedoor ,changei nt
omy
blackf ri
lly,verymuchl acyteddylingerie.Am nota
fanofheel sbutIwantt omaket hismanf eelspecial
tonightsoIwi l
lwearblackheelswi thahi ntofgold.I
takeaf l
uf fylongwhitecoatIboughtt odayandputi t
onj ustt ocov erthesurpri
se.Somemi ghtsayam
beinghei stybutIloveNkosi andIbel i
ev ehehas
accept edmet hewayIam sowhyshoul dIkeepon
delaying.It akeal ookatmy selfandIl ookamazi ng,
am sogl
adIhaveletthepastbethepast
,it
'st
imet
o
for
giv
emy sel
fandli
vemyl i
fenow.
Sigh.
..
.It'
st i
met oshowmymanwhathehasasked
out.Iswitchof ft
hebedr oom lighttomakesur ethat
thecandl esallar
oundt heroom showof ft
heirli
ght
andheaddownst ai
rs.Iwalkslowl ydownthestairs
makingmywayt omyhunkybl ueey edman.Duet o
myshoesmaki ngacl i
ckingsoundont heglass
stai
rs,Nkosi l
ooksbackonl ytofindmei nthewhi t
e
coatnotknowi ngwhat '
sinstoref orhi
m.Icontinue
towalkt owardshi m ashest andsupf rom t
hecouch
andput sallhisfocusonme.
"
Thandowhy
..
..
."
"Shhhhh.Justfol
lowme. "Iseducti
vel
ysayasIt ake
hishandandgent lypul
lhimt otheroom.Itakemy
ti
met ogett ohi
sr oom whil
ewal ki
ngli
keam ona
catwalkjusttogi
vehim ahintofwhat '
sabouttogo
down.
Wegettohi sroom, Isl
owl
yturnt
hedoornoband
openit
.IlookbackatNkosi whoisbeyondsurpr
ised,
heisactual
lystunnedbyal
lthescentedcandl
es
whichareshi
ningintheromant
ici
seddarkroom
whichhasredrosepetal
severy
where.Helooksat
meashet ri
estofindanswersi
nmyey esbuthe
can'
tfi
ndany.
"Comein,"Isaywalkingintot
heroom."andclose
thedoorbehindyou."HedoesasIsayandwhenhe
tur
nstolookatmeagai n,hefi
ndsmelayingonthe
bedwithoutthefl
uffycoat.

"
Am readyMrSi
r.
"Isayi
nanar
ousi
ng,
capt
ivat
ing
v
oice.

*
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er15
NKOSI
'
SPOV

Igazeatt hebeaut ylayingonmybedi nal acysleazy,

seet hroughbl acklingerieasthet ant
ali
zingscent
from thecandl esf i
ll
smynose.It rysohar dtouttera
wor dbutmymi nddoesn' tall
owmet o.Ifeelmy sel
f
growhar derandhar derbutItr
yt ohideit.No!Ican't
fallf
ort his.Thandoj ustrecentl
ytoldmeabouther
beingr apedsohowcanIj ustacceptthis.YesIwant
her,Iwantt othrustinherandj ustfeelherunderme
butIcan' t.Ineedhert oproperl
yheal f
rom the
traumasheexper i
enced.
"
Thandopleasegetdr
essed.Ican'tcont
rolmy
sel
f
whi
leyouareli
kethat
."Isayl
ookingaway .
"Idon'
twantyout ocontrolyourselfNkosi
.Iwant
youtoloseyourselft
onight."r
epliesThando.Ihear
herfoot
stepsapproachmeandt henherhandsst ar
t
toremovemyj acketfrom theback.Iholdont oit
butThandolayshersof tli
psonmyneckwhi ch
makesmeweakt omyl asttoe.Shemanagest o
remov ethej acketasshecont inuest okissmyneck.
Shest andsonhert oesandwhi spers" takemeaway
myZwi de,
"andwi t
ht hat
,Iam tr ul
yt akenaway .I
slowl yturntol ookatherandj ustl ookatherey es
whi char eshowi nghowsubmi ssi v
eandv ul
nerabl
e
shehasbecome.Shet akesmyhandi ntoherhands
andwal ksmet othebed, shestandsatt hefootof
thebed, beginstounbut tonmyshi rtwhi l
elooking
straightintomyey es.Itakeholdofherhandsand
l
etoutasi gh.
"ThandoIcan' t.Youhav etofullyheal f
irst
.Look,I
knowy ouar e100%sur ethaty ouhav ehealedbut
yout rul
yhav en' tandIknowt hat .Pleasebaby ,can
wej ustwai tunt "butam stoppedbyani mpr i
ntofa
ferventkiss.It rysohardtor esistbutmybodygi ves
i
n.Il etmyar mshol dontohercur vaceousent i
cing
bodyasshecont inuestounbut tonmyshi rt
,she
mov esont or emov ingmybel tandmypant sslowly
fal
l t
ot hegr ound.Ourt onguesent ertwinewitheach
otherasweexchangeourpassi onat efeeli
ngs
throughourl i
ps.Isl owl
ylayheront hebedwi thout
separ at
ingourbodi es.
Theai
rhassuddenl
ybecomesuperer
oti
c..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
**
THANDO'
SPOV

Webot hlayont hebednownakedj uststar i

ngas
ourl i
psteaseoneanot her, Idon'tevenknowhow
andwhenmyl ingeriegotr emov ed.Ourhandsf ondl
e
ourbodi esast heyf ul
fi
llt
hepr urientinterestswear e
bot hlongingf or.IfeelNkosi '
shandmov edownmy
wai stunti
l hef i
nall
yr eachesmynowsoaked
witness.Il etoutsof tmoansashesl owl yrubsmy
spot ,hi
tt
ingal lther i
ghtcor ners.Hest art
st oslide
downwhi leleav i
ngper ksofwetki ssesonev er
y
singlepartofmybodyandt henIf eelhishotbr eath
beexhal edonmyspot .Her emov eshi sfingerashe
replacesitwi thhiswar mt onguewhi chst rokesand
l
icksme, maki ngmeev enmor esoakedt hanI
alreadyam.Am sogl adIlethimi n.Ashecont i
nues
tol i
ckandsuckmehar d,Ifi
ndmy sel
fent eringa
wor ldfi
ll
edwi thpleasurableinfatuati
onwhi chIdon't
wanttoend.Imov emyhi psr oundandr oundnot
wanti
ngthefeel i
ngt oend;Nkosi li
cksmef orthe
l
astti
meandcomebackupandsmasheshi s
demandingli
psagai nstmi ne.Iholdont ohim
knowi
nghowst eamyt hingsar eabouttoget.He
separ
ateshislipsfrom mineandsay s"areyousure
youareready?"Inodmyheady eswhil
esmi l
ing.I
hopeIwon'tendupr egr
ettingmydeci si
on.
Heki ssesmeagai nbutt histime,hedoessowi t
hso
muchdel icacy , hemov eshi shandt ohishardr ock
selfandsl owl yt r
iestoent erme.Ashar p
uncomf ortablepai ntravelsupmybodyasNkosi
cont i
nuest oki ssme, notl ett
ingmyl i
psletoutasob.
Idigmyshor tnai l
sintohi m whi l
emysobsj ustfade
i
nhi smout h.It rytopushhi m offbuthewon' tletme
goandaf t
erwhatf eltli
kehour sofbeinginpain, he
fi
nal l
yget shi swar msel finsideme.Hest ays
stationeryf orwhi l
easheki ssesandbi t
esmyl ower
l
ipt henhesl owl ystartstomov egracefull
y.My
stomachf eel sl i
kei t
'saboutt oexpl
odewi t
h
butterfl
iesast hi smanmakesmef eelthi
ngsIhav e
neverf eltbef ore.Hemov esandmov eshissappl e
sweatybodyonmeasItrysohardtocat
chmy
breat
hbutit
'snextt
oimpossi
ble.
"Il
ov eyouThando.Il ovey oumor et hany oucoul d
everimagi ne.
"hesay swhi lekeepi nghi sey esonme.
Iwantt osayi tbackbutwhatam f eelingr ightnowi s
tooamazi ngf ormet oopenmymout handsaya
word.Ourbodi esmov einsy ncast heat mospher e
becomesmor eandmor efier y.Wecont inuet hisfor
somet imeunt ilwebot hr eachcl imax, shout i
ngeach
other'
snamesout .ThankGodt hi smandoesntl i
ve
withany oneorel set hatper sonwoul dbreakdown
ourdoor .FunnyhowIst i
llIcan' tgetenoughofhi m
event houghIam t iredandsor edownt her ebutI
don'tcare.Iwantt of eelhim mov i
ngagai n, Iwantt o
digmynai l
sintohi ssaltyski nagai nandIwantt o
feelthatuncomf ortablypai nf uly etamazi ngf eeli
ng
again.Iwantt oachey etst i
ll fi
ndpl easur e.Iwant
himi nme, allthet ime, withhi sbodywei ghi ngmi ne
down.Iwantt ol ookathi spl easur edf acewhi l
ehis
salt
ysweatdr opsont ome.Ican' tbel ievet hatam
sayingthisbutIt hinkNkosi hasj usti nvent edameI
havebeenr unningawayf rom f ory ear snowandI
am l
ovi
ngit.Webot hstaystat
ioner
yaswetr
yt o
cat
chourbreath,Nkosidoesn'
tremovehi
mselffr
om
mebutjuststaysinther
e.
"Pleasemar
rymeandam ser
iousThando.
"hesay
s
brushingmyface.
"Am notl eav
ingyouf orany thingorany oneNkosi.
Whatwehav esharedrightnowhaspr oventhatfrom
todayonwar ds,wear eone. "Isay .Heleansinfor
kiss,teasesmyl i
pswi t
hhi s, bit
esmyl ipthenfi
nally
kissesme.Inev erwantt oleav ethi
smanev er
.He
fi
nallygetsoffme, Il
ayonhi schestandi namat t
er
ofsecondsIsl ipofftolalaland.Thi snighthasjust
mar kedanewchapt erofmyl i
fe.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Lastni
ghtwasamazi ng.No, sayi
ngitwasamazi ng
i
sanunder st
atement,itwasmor ethanthat.
Honest
ly,wedidn'tsl
eepbecausewepl easured
eachotheral
lnightandam supert i
redri
ghtnowbut
Ihavet
owakeupandmakemymanbr eakf
ast.So
si
ncewepr omisedeachot herthatwewon'tbe
doinganywor kt oday ,ther ei sabsol utel
ynoneedf or
met ogooutorany thing.It ur ntol ookatmyman
whoi sst i
llfastasl eepandIj ustl ovethisv iew.He
l
ookssopeacef ul,sov ul
ner ableandsupersexy .I
carefullyr emov ehi sar m whi chwashol dingmet he
whol eni ghtandcar efullyputi tont hebed.Igetout
ofbedandheadt ot hebat hroom t oshower .If eel so
soredownt hereandi t'ssohar df ormet owal k
proper l
yYhooooo.Igeti nt heshowerandl ett he
wat ercar essmybodyasIgetf lashbacksf rom l ast
night.Asmi lefindsi tswayt omyl i
psasIwashmy
body .Af tershower i
ngf or30mi nutes,Igetout ,
l
ot i
onmy selfandgot ot hebedr oom.Nkosi i
sst ill
sleeping, hemustber eal lyt i
red.Iwal ktohi scl oset
andt akeanov ersizedshi r
tofhi sandweari twi t
hout
puttingonanyunder wearorbr a.Ithenl eav et he
room andgot ot heki tchent ogetbr eakfastr eady .
SinceNkosi lov esmymi eliepapwi thpeanutbut ter,I
willmaket hatf orhim.Ist ar tcooki ngandi nl ess
than50mi nutesam done.It akebot hmybr eakf ast
andNkosi '
st ot hebedr oom.Iopent hedoorandf ind
hisnakedsel fst andingatt hewi ndow, wat chingt he
sunr ise.Yes, Iwokeupr eal l
year l
y,li
ke5: 30am
earl
y.Mymot hertaughtmet hatawomanmust
wakeupear lywhenev ersheiswithhermansoasto
makehi m breakfastbefor
ehewakesup.Iplacethe
breakfastontheal r
eadymadebedandmakemy
wayt ohim.Ihughi mf r
om thebackandkisshi
m.
"
Goodmor
ningmyqueen.
"hesay
shol
dingmyhands.
"
Goodmorni
ngyourhi
ghness.
"Ir
epl
ytohi
m.He
t
urnst
olookatmeandholdsmywaist
.
"
Howdi
dyousl
eep?
"
"
Isl
eptl
i
keababymyki
ngandy
ou?
"
"
Isl
eptl
i
keaki
ngt
hatIam,
"hesay
ski
ssi
ngme.
"
Ibroughtyoubreakf
ast
."Isaypull
inghimtothebed.
Webothsitther
eandhav eourbreakfastwhi
l
e
t
alki
ng.
"
Sobaby.Whatdoy
ouwantt
odot
oday
?"asks
Nkosi
.
"Ij
ustwantt
ostayindoor
swi
thy
ouandmay
behav
e
somemor efun.
"Isay.
"
Ooohr
eal
l
y?"
"
Yep.
"
"Wellthenam i n,
"hesay sbeforest uff
inghismout h
withthemi eli
epap.Wef i
nishourbr eakfastand
Nkosi goest ohav ehisshowerasIgoback
downst airst owasht hedishesandcookt heeeee
breakfast.Af teram done,IcallNkosi whoi sdone
shower i
ng, weeat ,wewasht hedishesandt hen
fi
nall
ywepl easureeachot hersomemor e.That'
sthe
planfort oday ,arouseeachot heruntilwegett i
red
andcan' tmov eany more.IfTshidi
'sJor danisGreat
thenam af raidt osaymymansbeaSuper
God...
...
..
...
...
...
..
..
*
***
***
**
Chapt
er16(
sti
l
lunderedi
ti
ng)

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Sowher edoIev enst ar t

?Okayl etmet r
yto
summar izehowev er
yt hinghasbeenf orthepast2
days,l
ifehasbeenamazi nglymagi cal.ThandoandI
havebeeni nthishouse, smashi ng, watchingmov i
es
andjustt alki
ngaboutany thingandev eryt
hing,wel
l
exceptformysecr ets.It hi nkIwil
lholdont othose
unti
lam 100%sur et hatshewon' tleaveme.We
haven'
t,wel lIhaven'ttouchedmyphoneev ersi
nce
thatni
ghtshedeci dedt ogi vemet heshockofmy
l
ife.
,Idon' tevenfeel l
ikel ookingati tbecauseIknow
thoseidiotsar eprobabl yl ookingfortheirbossbut
am onv acat i
onso.

"Babycomel et
'seat
."saysThandowhoi swearing
MYf avorit
eshi
rtandmyboxer s.Isweart
hiswoman
nowownsmycl oset
, especi
all
ymyhoodiesbecause
shenev erwear
sthedr essesIboughtf
orher.Istand
upfrom thecouchheadi ngtothedini
ngr oom which
hasal r
eadybeenset.IfIdon'
tdiefrom eatingthenI
don'tknowwhatIwi l
ldiefrom becauseshef eeds
mesomuchf oody etshedoesn'teveneat .Ieven
feelli
keifam notcar
eful,Imightendupwi t
hapot
bell
yandmanboobs.
"
Thistastesamazi
ngl
ove.
"Isaynoweati
ng.She
j
ustlooksatmeandnodswithasmil
e.Somethi
ngi
s
wrong.
"
Baby
?"Isay
.
"
Yes,
"sher
epl
i
es.
"
What'
swr onganddon'tl
ietome.Youareater
ri
ble
l
i
arsojusttel
lthet
rut
h."shelooksatmeknowi
ng
t
hatam seri
ousandshesighs.
"
Youwon'
tgetof
fendedr
ight
?"
"
NoIwon'
t.
"It
hink.
..
..
..
"Babywhoar
eyou?
"sheasksput
ti
ngherspoon
down.Ummmmmmmmm.
"
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?"Iaskact
ingpuzzl
ed.
"
Stopact
ingasi
fyoudon'
tknowwhatam t
alki
ng
about .NkosiIwon' tli
e,youseem v eryshady ,l
ike
veryv eryshady.Somet hi ngj ustdoesn' taddup
abouty ouandIhav ebeent ryingt ogeti tbutnot hi
ng.
Iconsi deredspyingony oubutt henIdeci dednott o
becauseIwanty outot ellmey ourself.Whoar e
you? "shesay slookingr i
ghti nt omynakedsoul .It r
y
tohidemyf eeli
ngsbutmyey esal way sbecomeso
vulnerablewhenev ershel ooksatme.Shoul dIt ell
her?NoIcan' t
.Ican'triskl osingher .OkayIwi l
l just
hav etot el
lherhalfofthet ruthbutt her estcanjust
sucki tup.Iputmyspoondown, si
pmywat erthen
clearmyt hr
oat.
"Wellam abusi
nessmanwhoownscompl exes,
hospital
sandotherbusi
nesses,
"Isaybef
oretaki
ng
anothersipf
rom mywater.
"
That
'sal
l
?"sheaskswi
thoneel
evat
edey
ebr
ow.
"
Yesbabythat
'sal
l
."Isay
.Isweart
oGodIf
eel
li
ke
r
unni
ngri
ghtnow.

"
Youar
elyi
ngNkosi.Tel
lmet
het
rut
h.Not
hingbut
t
hewhol
etrut
h."shesay
s.
"Thandoam notlyi
ngsocanwepl easeletthi
sgo
andeat."Isayt
ryi
ngt ol
ookir
ri
tat
ed.Iwantt otel
l
hereveryt
hingbutIcan'
tri
ski
t.Ij
ustcan't
.
"Hmmm okaybutl etmewar nyounow.Ifyouar e
l
y i
ngIwil
l f
indoutandififindoutfr
om outsi
der sor
bymy sel
fthenwewi ll
definit
elyhav
eissues."Ikeep
myey esonher ,
wonderingwhatcouldhav esoldme
out.I
sitbecauseofthatcallsheeavesdr
oppedon
ordidsomeonesaysomet hingtoheraboutme?But
nooneev enknowmeso?Ihav etomakesur ethat
shedoesn'tfi
ndanythi
ng.
"Nkosi st
opthinki
ngofi deasonhowt okeepshi t
awayf rom me.Iwillfi
ndoutshame.Ihav eliteral
ly
tol
dy ouev er
ythi
ngaboutmesoi twouldbef ai
rif
youdi dthesame.Soi fyouarehi di
ngst uffthenjust
tel
lmenowsot hatIcanknowwhoam deal ingwi th
here."shesayslookingannoyedashel l.Ilookather
andcont emplateonwhet herIshouldtellherornot .
Okaycl ear
lylyi
ngtoheri snooption.Fuckam
fucked.Wel l
Nkosi,heregoesy ourhappi l
yev eraft
er.
*
***
***
**
THANDO'
SPOV.

Hestaresatmef ormorethan5minuteswhil
e
thi
nki
nghard.Hest andsupfr
om hi
sseatand
comest osi
tnexttome.Hesi ghst
hentakesmy
hand.
"
Youwon'
tl
eav
emer
ight
?"hesay
s.
"Iwil
l onl
yknowaf t
eryouhav et
oldme. "Isay.Some
mightt hi
nkam bei ngharshonhim allbecauseI
wanthi mt otellmebutIknowexact lywhoNkosi is.
Yes, Iknow,Ijustwanthimt oconfi
rmi tf
orme.How
didIf i
ndouty ouask?Wel ll
et'
sjustsayIhave
connect i
ons.Mydadwasadr uglordandhehad
peopl eevery
wher eandIknewt hosepeoplesoIj ust
contactedthem y est
erdaywhenNkosi wasdead
asleepandaskedt hem tohelpme.
"
Sigh.
..
..
.Isel
ldr
ugs.
"hesay
slooki
ngdown.
"
okayand?"Iaskwit
haquizzi
call
ook.Hel
ooksat
meconfusedasfuckbutam wai
ti
ngformore
answer
s.
"Isel
ldr
ugsandwel lIki
llpeopleifneededt o.Iused
tobepar toft
hehumant raffi
cki
ngbusi nessbutIleft
i
t2y ear
sago.Andt hat'
sall.ThandoImi ghtbepar t
oftheblackmar ketbutIsweart oGodam notabad
person.
"Ilookathim andj ustsay"Ineversaidy oua
badperson.Ijustaskedfort hetr
uthandy oujust
toldmesookay ."Isay.
Itakeawaymyhandf r
om hi sandst arteat i
ngmy
food.Soy es,am cool wit
hwhathet oldme, am hurt
thatIclearlydidn'tknowhi m anddi dn'tseet hatside
ti
lli
twast oolatebecausewear ealreadyi na
rel
ationshipandIl oveNkosi .Onceupat imeI
thoughthewasj ustanor dinarypersonwi tha
horri
blelookingcarandat erribl
etasteincl othi
ng
butIwast err
iblywr ong.Irememberpr ayingf ora
manl ikemyf atherandwel l
,Iguessmypr ay ergot
answer edev ent houghIdi dn'twantthatmant obea
drugdeal erli
kemyf at
herbutwhatcanIdo.Iguess
Godj ustdecidedt ogivemeawhol epuckt metof
chips.Am i nl
ov ewi t
hhim andasl ongashedoesn' t
hurtthepeopl eIl ovethenIcoul dcar eless.
"
Thandosoyouareokaywi
thev
ery
thi
ngIj
ustt
old
y
ou?"asksNkosi
.
"Yep.Iknewany
way
sIwasj
ustwai
ti
ngf
ory
out
obe
openwi t
hme."
"
Wai
tyouknew?Forhowl
ong?Andwhot
oldy
ou?
"
"Onequesti
onatat imedar l
ingandsorrytosaybutI
don'
tkissandtel
l.Justknowt hatIdon'twantt osee
orhearyourshi
tany wherenearme.Nodr ugs,no
deadbodiesorany t
hingandIdopr ayt
hatyour eal
ly
didst
opt hehumant raf
ficki
ngbecauset hatsone
thi
ngam notcool wit
h."Isayst uf
fi
ngfoodinmy
mouth.Iseehisfacebeingr el
ievedashest andsup
andwalksbacktohi sseat.
"
Wow.Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his.Iguessy
our
eal
l
yar
emy
mat
ch.
"

"
Yeaasl ongastherearenosecr etsbet weenus
t
henam cool .
"Isay.Ican'tseem tohelpthef eel
i
ng
t
hatthereissti
ll
mor ethatNkosi hadtot ell
mebut
i
t'
snotther i
ghtti
mey et.Iguessitwil
l allbe
r
evealedastimegoesbutf ornow,atleastIknow
whathereal
lydoesandthatheispar
toftheblack
market
.It
'ski
ndofdisappoi
nti
ngbutIlovehi
m andI
don'
twanttoleavehi
m oversuch.Mydaddidall
that
,ev
enwor sebuthesti
ll
showedhisfamilyso
muchlovesoam prayi
ngthatNkosiwil
ldothesame.
Wef ini
shourf oodanddeci detojustgotothe
bedroom andcuddl euntil
Nkosi iscall
edbyoneof
hi
sbodyguar dswhosay ssomeonewant stosee
hi
m out side.Atfi
rstNkositel
lstheguardtotel
lthe
persont oleavebutwhoev ert
hatper soni
sisn'
t
gi
vingup.
"BabyIwi l
lbeback.Ij usthav etogoout sideto
speakt owhoev erthatfoolis.Mxm, busydisrupting
mybaev acati
on."hesay sbef oregivingmeaper k
onmycheek.Hel eavesthehouseandgoest o
attendtotheper sonasIst ayi nbedandj ustday
dream.Thesepast2day shav ebeenheav en.It'
s
beennot hi
ngbutsmashaf tersmashaf t
ersmash.
Wehav edoneital mostinev eryroom inthisroom,
especiall
yintheki t
chen.It'
slikewecan' tkeepour
handsof feachot herandit'
samazi ng.Il
ov eit.And
Nkosi hasbeeni nsist
ingonmeet ingmyf ami l
y ,
he
i
sn'tev enpl anni ngongi v
ingupanyt imesoonsowe
arebot hgoi ngt oNorthwestNextweekFr iday.He
wil
ljustmeetmymot herandNol uthandoonl yf or
now.Idon' twantmybr otherstomeethi mj usty et
becauset heywi ll
makehi slif
eal ivi
nghel l.ThatI
knowf oraf act .Am actuall
ygl adthattheyar en'tin
SouthAf r i
ca.Oohandaboutt heShani ai
ssue, Nkosi
wasntsohappyabouti tatfi
rstbutwhenIt oldhi m
thewhol est oryheendedupunder standingbuthei s
againstt hei deaoft hem stayingatmyapar tment
andIdon' tgiveashi t.Theyar egoingt ost ayther e
whet herhel i
kesi tornot.Asmyt houghtsr unfreein
mymi nd, sleepst art
st ocreepuponmet heni nno
ti
me, Ihav edr iftedofftolalaland.

*
***
***
*
NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"Bozayami
!!
"saysShchev
ewhenheseesme
comingoutoft
hehouse.Ooohwow,
soit'
shi
m.
"Uf
unani
Shcheve?(
whatt
oyouwant
?"Iask
annoy
edasfuck.
"Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyouBozabecausewe
havebeentr
yingt
ocall
youbutei
sh.Youarev
ery
muchunreachabl
e."
"Am fi
neShcheve.Thanky
ouver
ymuchf
ort
hecar
e.
Sosinceyouarehere,i
sSi
phodead?
"
"Notyetboss.Wearewait
ingf
oryout
ocomeand
cuthi
smanhoodsi nceyousai
dyouwantt
oseehi
m
breat
hehislastbr
eath.
"

"Aiiyouguyscandoi t.AskDav i
dtodoitsincehe
l
ov esplayi
ngwi thbodyparts.Hecanevenselli
tto
thosemut ipeopleandgetmoney .Thatmoneywi l
l
bey oursguys."Isaynowt urni
ngaway.Shchevthen
shout sshoBozaandl eaves.Inomorecareabout
Siphoandseei nghi m die.Imean,Ihav eawhol e
mel i
ninqueeni nmyhousesoIwoul dratherf ocus
onhert hanthatf ool.SoIam planningon
i
nt r
oducingThandot oRose.It hi
nkit'sti
met hey
fi
nallygottoknoweachot herandthatwi llbebef ore
nextweekendsi nceam goi ngtoNor thWestwi th
Thando.Am pr et t
yex ci
tedbutnervousatt hesame
ti
mebecauseIdon' tknowhowherf ami l
ywi l
lreact.
Whati ftheydon'tlikemeort heystillwantSbuand
Thandot owor k?FuckInev ert
houghtoft hat...
..
..
OkayNkosi j
ustr el
axandbeposi t
ive,itwillal
l work
out.Sigh..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
*

SABELO'
SPOV.

Sothingshaven'
tbeenwor
kingoutsowellforme.
Sanel
e'smom ishereandwon'tst
opscouldi
ngme,
Thandoisn'
ttaki
ngmycall
sandsheisn'tcomingt
o
work,myfatherwantsmetobecrownedkingin1
weekandwel lIhav elostmychil
d.Appar entl
ythe
chi
lddiedbecauseofsomeunknownr easonandmy
famil
ywon' tstopnaggi ngmebecauseoft his.You
wouldswearam cur sedr i
ghtnow, i
t'
sl i
kepr oblem
aft
erproblem afterproblem andam j usttir
ed.Ican' t
dealanymor e.Ijustfeelli
kehangingmy selfwhichI
havetri
edacoupl eoft i
mesbutt henIt hinkof
Thando.Youknowwhat ?Idon'
tcaret hatshehasa
mannow, Thandoi smi neandIwi l
lmakehermi ne
nomat terwhat ,
notasasecondwi febutasmyf i
rst
andonlywi fe.Asf orSanele,
Iwil
l fi
ndawayt oget
ri
dofher .

"Sabel
o,"saysmymom sl
owlyopeni
ngmybedroom
door.Inodforhert
ocomeinsi
deandshedoesso.
Shesitsnexttomeandput
sherhandonmycheek.
"
Howar
eyoumyson?
"
"
Am f
inema.
"Isayt
oher
.
"Noyouarenotmyson.Tel
lmewhat'swrong?"she
saysfol
l
owingmyeyes.Il
ookatherandjustsi
gh.
Shoul
dItel
lher?May
beIshould,
am pret
tysureshe
mi
ghthel
pmeout
.
"
Maam i
nlovewi
thanot
herwoman."Isay
.My
mot
herl
ooksatmeandsmiles.Whyi
sshesmil
i
ng
"Iknowbutthat
'snotthereasonyouar
esosad.
What '
sthemainreasonyouaresadSabel
o?"she
saystakingmyhandintohers.
"
Wel
lshei
stakenbyanot
hermanma,
"Isay
.
"
Isshemar
ri
edt
othatper
son?
"
"
Nott
hatam awar
eof
..
..
"
"Thensheisnott hatman'spropert
yjusty
et.Not
unti
lshehasar ingonherf i
nger.
"saysmymot her.
Eeeeeh,whocoul dhavethoughtthatmymot heri
s
suchasav age.HeheIcan'tbel
ievethi
s.
"
ButwhataboutSanel
e?"Iask.
"Don'twor r
yaboutt hat
.Wenaj ustfocusonget ti
ng
yourwoman, Iwil
ltakecareofSanel e.Ineverl
iked
herany waysbutsincey ourfat
herl i
keshersomuch,
Ijusthadt oplayalongso"saysmymom.Wel l
damn
mom! !Inevethoughtthatmymot hercouldbelike
thisbutIloveitandshei sri
ght,Ishouldgogetmy
woman.Thandoi
smi
neandnott
hatf
ool
'
swi
feor
what
ever
.

"
Thanky
oumom"Isayhuggi
ngher
.
"
Justmakesurey
ourf
atherknowsnot
hingabout
t
his,
"shesay
s.
"Knowsnothi
ngaboutwhat
?"saysavoicethat
soundsli
kemydad.Webothlookatthedoor
shockedbutwearemetbythefaceofLuanda.Thi
s
boysurel
yscaredus.
"Hayiwenayouscaredus.
"say
smymom hi
tt
ing
Luandawithhershoe.
"
Ouchmama!
"heshout
swhi
l
elaughi
ng.
"
Closethedoor,
"IsaytoLuanda.Hedoesso,takes
achairf
rom t
hecornerofmyr oom andcomestosit
i
nfrontofus.
"
Sowhatar
ewepl
anni
ng?
"say
sLuanda.
"Wel
lmamaherewant
smetogogetmywomanand
shesai
dIdon'
thav
etowor
ryaboutSanel
e."Isay
wit
hasmirk.
"What?
?Ma?Kant iy
ouar
ethatwoman?
"asks
Luandashocked.
"Whatwomany
ouboy
?"say
smymom hi
tt
ing
Luanda.
"
Chi
l
lma,
am j
ustki
ddi
ng.Sowhat
'st
hepl
an?
"
"Wehav en'tcomeupwi t
honej ustyetbutwewi ll
soon"say smymom " butfornow,let'
sjustfocuson
maki ngsur ethatSanelegetsbettersoonandaf ter
thatwecanexecut etheplan.Howev er
,fi
nd
i
nfor mat i
onont hismant hatyourwomani s
currentlywi t
hsot hatwecanmakehi m disappear."
say smymom.Inev ert
houghtthatmymot hercould
bet hispersonl i
keev er
.NowIl oveherev enmor e.I
guesst herei ssti
llhopeformeandmyHappl yev er
after.
...
..
.

*
***
***
***
THANDO'
SPOV.

Ijustwokeupandst i
llf
eelsleepy .I
t'
salreadynight
andam al onei ntheroom.Shi t!Ididn'
tcookdinner.I
quicklyrushoutofbed, runningdownst airsonlyto
besmackedr i
ghtinmynosebyanamazi ngsmell
comi ngfrom thekitchen.Iwalksl owly,
maki ngsure
thatNkosi doesn'thearme.It akehi sphonewhi chis
ont hetable,standattheentranceandt akepictur
es
ofhim cooking.Iwi l
laskmyf r
iendt opaintapor t
rai
t
ofthesepi ct
ures.Asam hol dingNkosi '
sphone, a
messagenot if
icati
onpopsup.

Bossheisdead.Wemut i
lat
edhim anddumpedhim
atsomemi nedump.Andhismanhoodjustmadeus
R30000.Seemslikei
tcanmakesomegoodmut i.

It
rul
yfel
li
nlov
ewi
thamonst
er.
..
..
..
..
..

"
Thandoam notcheat
ingony
oui
fthat
'swhaty
ou
ar
ethi
nki
ng,
"say
sNkosi
looki
ngatme.
"Iknowbaby.YouknowTshidi
andIwouldki
ll
you
so,"Isaywal
kingt
ohim andgi
vinghi
m hi
sphone.
"Soy oucutoffsomeone'
smanhoodhey
?"Iask
sarcasti
cal
ly.
"Well
thepersondeser
vedit
,"hesaystaki
ngthe
phoneandplaci
ngitonthecounter
.Hepullsmei nt
o
ahungryki
sswi t
hhishandsonmyass.Ipul laway
fr
om theki
ssandsay" r
emindmenev ertocrossyou
ever
."

"Hahadon'
tworr
y.Ihavemyownway sofdeali
ng
withyoui
fyouevercrossme,"hesay
spressinghi
s
boneronme.Ismirkathim andhi
thi
schest.
"What ?Am serious.Am justgoingt olockthe
bedr oom doorandgi vei
tt oyoureal hardtoapoi
nt
ofy ounotbeingabl etowal kfor3weeks.AndI
won' tevengiv
ey out hebenefitofreachingcl
imax.
Every t
imeyouar eaboutt oreachitIwoul d
withdraw."hesay srunni
nghi shandsupanddown
mybody .
Il
aughathi
sstat
ementandr emovehishandsf
rom
myassbuthegrabsi
tagain.Hepicksmeupand
pl
acesmeonthecounterandthenlooksatme.
"InfactIcanjustgiv
eitt
oy ounowforsleepi
ngin
theafter
noonwhenwewer esupposedtospend
ti
met ogetherandformakingmecook,"hesays
givi
ngmesof tper
ksonmyneck.
"Hahauyahl
anya(
youarecr
azy
).Letmego,
"Isay
play
ful
lypushi
nghi
m away.
"Don'tworry
.Wesl eepi nthesamebed.Iwi l
lcat ch
you."hesaysl ett
ingmegoandat tendi
ngtohispot s.
Itakehisphone, unlocki tandj ustgothr
ought he
pictur
eswehav ebeent aking.Nowt hisri
ghtherei s
theeeebestcoupl eIhav eeverseen.Wear esur elya
powercoupl eandt hat '
saf act.ThedaySbudumped
me, Ineverthoughtt hatIwoul dev ermeetsomeone
elseyethereIam, si
ttingonacount erwhikemy
manscooksdi nnerforus.Iam sohappyandIdon' t
wantt hi
shappi nesst oend.
Wef
inal
l
yhav
eourdi
nnerandj
ustchi
l
lint
hel
i
ving
room unti
l webot hfallasleepwhilewat chi
nga
mov i
e.Am l aterwokenupbyaper konmyl i
psashe
l
ay smeont hebed.Iputmyar msar oundhisneck
andjustpull him cl
osertome.It ongueki sshim as
helaysont opofme, remov ingtheshirtam wear i
ng
thenmov esont ohisshirtandinamat terof
secondswear ebothnaked.Wemakepassi onate
l
ov eforwhatf eelsli
kehour swi t
houtev enstopping
atall
untilwef i
nall
yreachheav enonear t
handl ook
ateachot herwi t
hsweatdr i
ppingfrom ourbodies.
"YouknowthatIl
ovey
our
ight
?"hesaysrunni
nghi
s
handsupanddownmybody,asIsi
tontopofhim.
"Iknowbaby
."Isayki
ssi
nghi
sabz,
tast
inghi
ssal
ty
skin.
"
Andy
oupr
omi
senev
ert
oleav
emer
ight
?"
"Nkosii
fIwantedtoleav
ey outhenIcoul
dhave
whenIf oundoutaboutyourl
i
ttl
eblackmarket
secret
."
"
IknowbutwhatImeant osayi
s,t
hisr
oadwil
lbe
f
il
ledwit
halotoft
ri
alsandIwantyout
opromise
methatyouwon'
tl
eavebecauseyouaremysour
ce
ofst
rengthThandoandlosi
ngyouwi
ll
justki
ll
me.
"
hesays.Ibenddown,ki
sshisl
i
psandjustl
ayont
op
ofhi
m.
"Nkosi
Idon'twanttomakemakeanypr omisesbut
all
Icansayi sIwi
l
lsurelyt
rymylev
elbestt
ost ayby
yoursi
deandsuppor ty
ouaslongasyoustayreal
withme."Isay.
Wel
ayi
nthatposi
ti
onunt
ilsl
eept
akesov
er.

It
smor ningandIdon'tf eell
ikeget t
ingoutofbedbut
Ihavet o.Igetoutofbed, l
eavingNkosi i
nthereand
headt ot heshower.Iremov emycl othesandget
undert hef al
li
ngwarm wat erbutt henIf eel
a
presencebehi ndme.It urntobemetbyNkosi 'shar d
body .Het akesmyt owel fr
om myhandsandst art
s
bathingmeasIj uststandandl ethimt akeover.As
thewat erwashesof fthebubbl esonmybody ,he
start
sl eavingsoftperksofhi skissesonmyback
andt hennextt hi
ngIknowi sam bei ngpushed
againstthewal l,
screami nghisname.ThedayI
l
eav ethishouseam af r
aidIwon' tbeabl etowal k.
Wef inallygetoutoft
heshower,getdressedandgo
totheki tchentomakebreakf
ast.Wehav eour
breakfastandIsuggestongoingt oseeShaniaand
hersiblingswhichNkosiwasagainstbutIwasable
toper suadehim wit
hmymagi c.Ifyouknowy ou
know
Wefi
rstgot
othemal
l,
buysomet oy
s,gr
oceri
esand
t
hecl
othest
henwefi
nall
yleav
eformyapart
ment.
Wegett hereinlessthan30mi nutesandmy
apar
tmenti supsidedown.Themomentweopent he
door,
allthekidscomer unni
ngt ogivemeahug.
Theyaren'tevenmaki ngwayf ormebuthey .Shani
a
comesr ushingtothelivi
ngr oom andsmileswhen
sheseesme, shewalkst omeandgi vesmeabig
hugandki ssont hecheek.Shel ooksatNkosiand
smil
esathi m.Ihadt otall
yforgott
enabouthim.
"Shaki
sha,Ihavegift
sforyouguysbutfi
rsttake
thesegroceri
estothekit
chenthenyoucancome
backandt akethegif
ts.
"Theyallr
ushforthebags
andrunt othekit
chen.
Shani
atakesmostoft
hebagsandput
sthem i
nthe
kit
chenwhileNkosi anditakeourseats.Ihonestly
missmyapar tmenty hoooooo.Ican'
twaittocome
back.Shaniacomesbackwi thjui
ceonat r
aywi th
cupcakesandplacest hetrayonthecoffeetable.I
speaktoShania,askingherwhatshet hi
nksabout
goingtoschoolandt el
li
ngherabouthersiblingsin
thehospit
alwhoseem t ober ecover
ingverywel l
.
Afterspendi
ng3hoursther
eanddecidi
ngonwhat
thefutur
ewi l
lbel
i
ke,NkosiandIl
eaveforhi
shouse.
Wegett hereandwebothtakeanap.Iwil
lwakeup
l
aterandcook.

*
***
***
***
***
**
HeyGuy s.Sorr
yforlatepostbutschooli
scurrentl
y
takingupal lmyfreetimesoIhav en'
thadmyf ree
ti
me.Butany ways,therearepr
obablyalotof
spelli
nger r
orsandandGr ammermi st
akesbut
pleasedon' tworr
yaboutt hem.Iwil
lfi
xevery
thing
duringtheweekend. ..
..
Chapt
er17

THANDO'
SPOV

Somyhol i
dayisfi
nall
yover
.Nkosi andInowhaveto
popourbubbl e.I
t'
sMondayandi t
'stimeformeto
gobackhomebecauset omorrowam goingbackto
work.Sigh..
..
..Nomorewakingupnextt omy
possessive,monstr
ousyetsweetandl ovi
ng
man...
..
...
..
.
Igazeathi speacefulselfi
nadmi rationandmymi nd
startstoshuf fl
ethememor ieswehav eshar edi n
thisv er
ybedandi notherpar t
soft hishouse.Who
coul dhav ethoughtthatIcouldf i
ndmy selfsucha
l
ov ingman.Hei sallIcanthinkabout ,Ilovehi m so
muchandam notscar edtosayi t.Yeshei sn'tan
ordinarymanbutIdon' tcare.Ijustpr ayt hatthings
don' teverchange,especiall
yhim.Iwantust otellan
i
ncr ediblestoryoneday ,astorythatwi l
lmake
peopl egowowandt hatstorywi l
l startwi t
hhowhe
hitmycar .Iwil
lneverforgetthatdayWoooooo.And
tot
hinkIusedt
ohatehi
m...
..
..
..Yahneh,youcan
nev
erknowwhatli
fehasinstorefory
ou.Iguesshe
i
smydest i
nyandt
hesoonerIacceptit,
thebett
er.
..
..

"Apennyf oryourthoughts?Becauset hatsmil

eon
yourfacetell
smet hatwhateveryouaret hi
nki
ng
aboutisreall
yamazi ng."whispersNkosiwitha
smil
ewhi lehiseyesar eclosed.Ooohsohewas
awaket hi
swhol etime.
"Am j
ustthi
nkingaboutyouandhowmucham goi ng
tomissyou."Isay.Heimmedi atel
yopenshi
sey es,
l
ookingli
kehei sreal
i
singsomet hi
ng,hi
ssmile
fadesawayandt henhev i
olentl
ypull
smeintohis
arms.
"Thandoy oucan'tl
eave.Pleasedon'tl
eav e,
please
pleasepleaseplease!!
!"whimpersNkosi.Eeeeht hi
s
man. .
..
..Whydoeshehav etomakel eavingso
diff
icul
t.NowIfeel l
ikeshitbutIcan'
tstay.
"Nkosi
Ihav etol
eav
esopl
easest
opmaki
ngt
his
dif
fi
cul
t."Isay
.
"
Youdon'
thav
etol
eav
eyouknowy
oucanj
ustst
ay
her
e.Ihav
eabsol
utel
yhav
enoi
ssuewi
thi
t.
"
"ButIhav
etoleav
e.Am sor
ry.
"Isay.Hest
arts
snif
fi
ngandthenall
ofasudden,l
oudcri
esfeelup
theroom.
"HauNkosimanst opacti
nglikeababy.Whyar eyou
acti
ngasifam dyi
ng.Am justgoingbacktomy
apart
mentthat'
sall.
"Isaypatti
nghisback.Iswear
thi
smanisasof ti
e,Imeanwhocr i
esli
kethis?
??!
Haiman,Ifel
li
nlovewithacrybabywooooo.
"Butbabywho'
sgoi
ngtocookmiel
i
epapf
orme?Aii
babyyouarest
ayi
ng.Youar
en'
tgoi
ngany
wher
e."he
sobs.
"Babymandon' tdothateish.Am theonewhoi s
supposedt obecryi
ngnott heotherwayaround.
Manup. .
..
."Isaytr
yingtogetoutofbedbutt hi
scry
babyholdsont omewhi lesobbi
ng.
"Nkosimanletmego!!
!!
!Ei
sh,okayf
inef
ineam not
gett
ingoutofbednowstoppull
ingmeli
kethat
."
"
Butar
eyoust
il
ll
eav
ingt
oday
?"
"
Yeaam st
il
ll
eav
ingt
oday
."
"
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
"
SonowIhav eonequesti
onforGod.Howcanhe
creat
esuchanint
imidati
ngpersonwhoisjusta
softi
einsi
de,
li
keIam fai
li
ngtounder
standthis.
..
..
.
"Okayokayfi
neIwon' tleavenowstopi t
."Ishout
coveri
nghismout hwithmyhand.Hei mmedi at
ely
stopssobbi
ngt hengivesmet hebiggestsmi l
e.
Ooohwow. ..
..
..
..
..
.Ican'tdeal
,Ij
ustyhoo.
"Nowwear etalki
ng.Comel et
'sgobath."saysNkosi
gett
ingoutofbed.Isquintmyey esathim aswe
walksaroundthebed,headingforthebathroom.I
getoutofbed,fol
lowhim andfindhimfill
ingupthe
tub.
"Am goi
ngt otakeashower
."Isayt
aki
ngof
fmy
nightcl
othes.
"Noy ounot.Youarebat hi
ngwi t
hme,"st
atesNkosi
,
wal ki
ngclosertomet henyanksmet ohi
m.He
wrapshisar msallaroundme, nuzzl
esmynosewith
hissoftl
ipst henl
uresmei nt
oani bbl
eki
sswhich
turnsint
oat onguesuckingonei namatt
erof
seconds.Hi shandsmov eupanddownmybut t
nakedbodyashesl owl
ypushesmeagai nstt
hewall.
Assoonasam againstit
,hepicksmeupandhe
start
st okneadmyspot
.Islowlygetmanipul
atedas
thiseroti
calr
ubget
smor eandmor e.
..
..
..
.
"Wrapy ourlegsar oundmewoman! "heseduct i
vel
y
hissesnowni bbl
ingonmyl eftear.Iwrapmyl egs
aroundhi m ashemov estomyneck, v
iol
ent l
y
suckingitwhi l
ehi sfi
ngerswor ktheirmagic.Asmy
bodyt ensesupwhi l
ehiswor kselici
tasof tmoan
fr
om mypar tedlips,Nkosistops.Heput smedown,
smi l
esatmet henst ar
tsundressinghi mself.He
walksawayf rom met henget sint
ot hebubbl y
bathtub,helay sbackandj ustcloseshisey es.
Soher eIam, nakedander oti
call
yarousedall
becauseofNkosi whohast hendecidednottofinish
whathest ar
ted.Istandstill
whi l
elooki
ngathim
wit
hsomuchangeri nme.Whot hehellst
artssuch
anddoesn'tfini
shit?Itakeashampoobot t
leont he
si
nk, t
hrowitathim andgeti ntotheshower.Am not
gett
ingintothatbathtub.
"
Ouch!
!!
"hesquil
es.Hel
ooksbackatme,chuckl
es
t
hengetsoutoft
hebathtub.Heopenst
heshower
doorandget
sin.
"Whydidyoudot hat?
"hesay s.Il
ookawayf rom hi
m,
takemytowelandr ubsoaponi tbuthetakesthe
towelf
rom me,roughlypushesmeagai nstthewall
andshoveshi
msel ffrom behi
ndmaki ngmel etouta
l
oudmoan.
"I
st hi
swhyy ouhi
tme? "hehissesint omyearwhi le
roughlythrusti
nginme.Itrytoholdont ohim buthe
takesmyar msandt i
esthem withthesoapyt owel
ashecont inuestoram int
ome.Hi sl efthandholds
myneckasi fhewant stochokemej ustashi sri
ght
handni bbl
esonmybr east
s.Mymoansf i
l
lthe
bathroom asNkosi showsnomer cy.NowIr egr
et
throwingthatbott
le.
"ShouldIstop?"heasksnotshowi nganysignsof
slowingdown.Inodmyheadno, tryi
ngsohar dto
freemyar msf rom thetowel.Hebegi nstosuckon
myneckwhi chhappenst obemyweaknessand
remov eshimselffrom me.Her amsi ntomeov er
andov eragainashi sgroansgetl ouderandlouder
until
Ifeelawar m andt hi
ckliquidwhi chbecomes
coldandlesst hickasitmovesdownmyt hi
ghs.
Nkosi t
urnsmear oundsothatIfacehi
m and
smasheshi sli
psonmi nethenpull
saway.Heslowly
picksmeup, enter
smesl owlyandbegi
nstomov e
extremelysl
ow.Iwr apmylegsaroundhim,making
surethatIdon'
tfalldown.
"Pleaseunt ieme! !
"Isay .HedoessoandIwr apmy
armsar oundhi sneck, l
ookinghim str
aightintheeye.
Wecont inuelikethisforal ongti
meast hewarm
wat erfall
ingonusst artstogetcold.Dowecar e?No,
i
nst eadwecont inuetil
l webothreachcl i
maxatt he
samet i
me.Webot hstepoutoft heshowerandget
i
nt othet ub.Wej ustlayi nther
eformor ethanan1
thenwef inall
ygetout .Iguessthiswasj ustas
goodby esmashev ent houghNkosi t
hinksthatam
staying.

*
***
***
***
**

Ispentthedaycleani
ngupNkosi'
shouse.Idon'
t
wanttoleavethehouseinamess.Si
nceShania
won'tbeworki
ngher eanymor
e,Imanagedtoget
oneofmyf amil
y'
smaidstocomeher e.Idon'
ttr
ust
anyofthoseot
hermaidsoutther
ebecauset hey
mightenduptakingmymansoIj ustaskedTshidi
to
bri
ngoneofourshere.
Themai dwil
lgether
etomor rowmor ningmeaning
thatIwi
llal
sohavetoNkosi'sdinnerbefor
eleavi
ng
whichIam almostdonewith.Iwalkupstai
rsto
Nkosi'
sroom whereheis.Ifi
ndhim standi
ngbyt he
windowwhileonacall.
"Comeonmypumpki n,Iwouldnev erfor
getyou.
Okayonceyougetbett
erIwi l
lcomegety outhen
youcanful
l
yrecoverwhileyouar eher
e.Areyou
happynow?Okaybaby,letmel eaveyoutorest.
Goodbyemyrose,l
ovey outoo...
..
"

Ist
andbythedoor
,wonder
ingwhohewast
alki
ngt
o
whenhecall
smyname.
"Yes,"Ianswertohiscal
l
.Hesignal
sformetowalk
tohi
m whi chIdo,Ist
andbehi
ndhim andwai
tfor
himtoturnaround.
"
Aft
ercomi
ngbackf
rom Nor
thWest
,Iwanty
out
o
meetsomeoneext
remel
yimpor
tant
."say
sNkosi
as
henowtur
nstome.
"
ooohokay
.Whoi
sthi
sper
son?
"Iask.
"Youwillknowoncey
oumeettheper
son.
"says
Nkosi.Inodmyheadyesandt
henIrememberwhy
am here.
"Nkosi,i
t'
sti
mef ormet ogo,it'
salmostlat
eandI
knowoncei t
'sdarkyouwi l
lst
ar tr
efusi
ngtodropme
offatmyapar t
ment .
"Isay.Nkosilooksatme,
confusedashellthensays"Ithoughtyousaidyou
weren'tl
eavi
ngany more."
"Ionl
ysaidt
hatt
ogetoutofbed.
"Isayt
ohi
m
shruggi
ng.
"Well
nowy ouarentgoi
nganywher
eforsur
e."he
saystur
ningbacktothewi
ndow.
"Iwi
llbewait
ingfory
oudownstai
rs.
"Isaytur
ningto
thedoorbutNkosihi
sses"
Isai
dyouar enotgoing
anywhere.
"

Ichuckl
eandl
ookbackathi
m."
Nkosi
am not
aski ngy ou.Am tell
ingy out hatam l eavi
ngsopl ease,
makei tquick.Iwillbedownst airs.Ohhandy our
dinneri sont hestov e,
"Iturnbackagai nandwal k
out .Doest hisamnser i
ouslyt hinkthathecanj ust
comeher eandst artcontrolli
ngme?Wel lt
heni fhe
thinkshecanj ustdot hat,hehasanot hert
hing
comi ng.Iwal kbackdownst airsanddeci detosi t
andwat chTVwhi leam wai tingf orhim whot hen
deci dest ocomeaf terawhol egood30mi nutes.He
takeshi sMer cedescarkey st hatwer eont hecof f
ee
tableandwal kstot hegar age.It akemyhandbag
andf ollowhi m.Wegeti ntot hecar ,dri
veofftomy
apar tmentwi thnowor dsaid, hedr opsmeof fthen
j
ustl eav es.Thismanhassomei ssueshehast o
deal with.Hecan' talway sgetwhathewant shau.I
am f inal l
yhomey hoo.WhenIgett othedoorofmy
apar tment ,Ir
ingthebel landShani aopensf orme.I
giveherahugt hengeti nside.
"Wher earetheki
ds?"Iask,f
orgett
ingthatshecan't
replyme.Thi swi
l
lbeabi gprobl
em.Ihav et olear
n
signlanguageandIhav etodosoqui ck.Itakethe
pieceofpaperont hedini
ngtableandwr it
e
"
Wher
ear
etheki
ds?
"
Sher
epl
i
es.
"AuntNer
isat
ookthem.Shesai
dshewi
l
lbr
ingt
hem
onWednesday."
Oohokaywel lthatwill
giveShani
aandIenough
ti
met ofi
xthingsbef or
ethekidscomeback.Iwant
alloft
hem tobegoi ngtoschoolbynextweekbutas
fornow,Ishouldinf
or mthelandl
ordthatIwi
ll
be
stayi
ngwithpeople.

*
***
***
***
***
***
*

I
tsTuesdayandam backt
owor
k.Si
gh
Butam ki ndofhappythoughbecauseImissedt his
place,especi
all
ymypat ient
s.Oneofthem l
iteral
ly
criedwhenshesawmebecauseappar ent
ly,oneof
thedoct orst
oldherthatIhadpassedon..
..
..Imagine.
Ihaven'
tseenSabel
oatal
landIwantt
otal
ktohi
m.
Iwanttosortoutt
hisf
eudbet
weenusbecausei
t'
s
real
lychil
dish.Iwal
ktohi
soff
ice,knockonthedoor
andhearsomeonesaycomei n.Islowlyopenthe
door,peepi
ngmyheadi nsi
dehisoffi
ce.Sabel
o
l
ooksup, seesmeandhej umpsupf rom hi
schai
r
rushi
ngt ome.
"Twinni
e!!
!!
!!
"heshout
sashegi
vesmeahug.Inf
act
heev encarri
esmeandgi
vesmepecksal
lov
ermy
face.Imissedhi
m somuch.
"
Imissedy
out
winni
e,
"say
sSabel
onotl
ett
inggoof
me.
"Imissedyoutoobutifyoudon'tletmegonowy ou
mightendupnotseeingmeev eragainbecauseI
can'
tbreat
henow. "hereal
isesthathishugistoo
ti
ghtandlet'
smego.Hegazesatmet hengi
vesme
ali
ghthugagain..
..
.Oookaywasi tthatbad.
"
Howar
eyou?
"say
sSabel
o.
"
Am f
ineheyandy
ou?
"
"Notsowel l
.MychildisdeadandSanelehasbeen
hospit
ali
zed.Sheisinacoma. "hesaysshaki
nghis
head.Ifeelsosorryforhi
m.Wewal ktoacouch
whichisatthelef
tendoft heoffi
ceandwesitther
e.
Het ell
smet hest oryonhi mf i
ndinghi swi felayi
ngin
apool ofbloodl astweekwhenhecamebackf r
om
workandt hat '
swhent hingsst art
edgoi ngwr ong.I
givehim ahugandj ustt ellhi
mt opray .Sinceit'
s
almostlunch, wedeci det ospendi ttogether
becauseIhav eal ott ot ellhim.Whent heclockhi t
l
uncht ime, wepackupandgot oPapachi nos.We
getat abl
e, orderourf oodandt henIst arttel
linghim
aboutmynewr elationshi pbutsomet hingabouthi s
energyisjustt elli
ngmet ost op, i
t'
sl i
ket hesmi l
ehe
i
spul li
ngrightnowi sal l fakesoIst opanddeci deto
tal
kaboutShani aandt heki ds.Ourf oodf i
nall
y
arri
vesandwest arteat ingwhi lehav i
ngl i
ght
conv er
sati
ons.Wef inishourl unchandof fwego
backt owor kwher eIf ind2smal lboxeswi t
hanot e
ont opofitinmyof fice.It aket henot eandr eadit.

Iwant edtot akeyououtf orlunchbutsinceyouwere

outwi thyourbestfriend,IguessIwillseeyou
tonight.Iwil
l beatyourplace.Ilov
ey ouanddon't
youev erforgetthatwhileyouar eoutwithyour
fri
end.
NKOSI
.

Iputthenoteonmydesk, openthef i
rstboxwhich
hasaphone.Fi nall
y!!
!!
!!
!!
!!It
aket hesecondbox
whichhaschocol ateandr i
ghtnow, Ifeell
iket
he
happi
estbitchinthewor ld.Itakethebrandnew
phone,checkitoutandhonest l
yIloveit
It
saniPhoneXS.Am notaniPhonefanbutIgott
o
appr
eciat
eithey.Iputmynewphoneonthecharger
,
putmychocolat
ei nmybagandleav
emyof fi
ceto
gocheckonRose.
"
Rose?"Ical
loutasIopent
hedoor
.Shet
urnst
o
l
ookatthedoorandseesme.
"Thando!Wherehavey oubeen?Imi ssedy ouso
much."shesaysradi
ant l
y .Iwalktoherbedandgi v
e
herahug.Sheseemsl i
keshei sslowlygetti
ngthere.
Thegunwoundsonherf eetar eshowingsome
heali
ngresul
tsanditlooksl ikeshemi ghtbeableto
walkbutitwi
llt
akesomet i
me, herfruct
uredribsare
alsoheali
ngandhercut sar enowgone.Am gl adto
seeherinthi
sstate.
"Howareyoubaby
?"Isaybr
ushi
ngmypal
m agai
nst
hercheek.
"
am get
ti
ngt
her
eandy
ou?
"
"
Am f
inebaby.Am gl
adt
oseey
ouf
inal
l
y
r
ecov
eri
ng,"
"Yeahey.SoonIwil
lbeoutofher
e."shesay
s.I
tki
nd
ofhurt
sthoughthatIwon'
tbeabletoseehert
hat
muchany more.
"Takethatsadlooki
ngexpressionoffyourface.Just
becauseIsaidIwill
beoutofher edoesn'tmeanwe
willst
opseeingeachother
."shesays.Igi v
ehera
smileandthenwest ar
ttal
kingaboutot herst
uff.
Rosehast rul
ybecomeasist ertome
Chapt
er18

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

RightnowIf eel li
keshi t
,Ifeel li
kecr ying, Ifeelli
ke
eati
ngandIal sof eelli
kejustsl eeping.Ihonest l
y
don'tknowwhat '
sgoingonbutwhat ev eritis,Ihave
toseeadoct orbecauset hisisn'tnor mal .Iwant ed
totakeThandooutf orlunchbutherf ucki ngbest
fr
iendbeatmet oit,Ireal
lyfeel li
kehunt i
ngt hatguy
downandki l
linghi m becauseThandoi smywoman
butThandowoul dkillmei fIlaidmyhandsonhi m.
Sosi nceIcoul dn'
thav elunchwi thher ,wewi llj
ust
havedi nneratherapar t
ment .Iwi llgot her elaterto
cookbutf ornowam onmywayt ot hewar ehouse.
Appar entl
yt her eisanemer gencysoy eah.If i
nall
y
arri
ve, st
epoutofmycarf eeli
ngsi ckashel l
.Ireall
y
needmybedr ightnowandt hebat hr oom.Ihav e
beengoi ngt ot hebat hroom si ncemor ningnonst op
j
ustt opeeandi t'
sannoy ingt hef uckoutofme.
"Shoguys."Isaygettingintothewarehouse.The
guysalll
ookatmeandask" bossareyouokay ?
"I
nodmyheady estothem andt akeaseatonthe
couch.Ihonest l
ydon'tfeelokay.Br
endonwal ksout
ofhiscomput erlabandl ooksatmeasi fther
ei s
somethingwr ong.
"Aaaahboss,
areyouokay
?"asksBr
endon.Inodmy
headyesandjustt
ell
himtotel
lmewhat'
swr ong.
"Yesterday,
Ifoundsomethi
ngaboutBr
ianandhi
s
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hyourbr
others,
well
socall
ed
brothers.
"
"
Whati
sit
?"
"Theyall havesomethingi
ncommon.Theyhat ey ou
boss.Br ainknowsthatyoukil
ledhisfat
herandas
fortheot her2,
youknowt hereason.Theyseem li
ke
theyarepl anni
ngsomet hi
ngbutIcan'tgettowhat
theyarepl anni
ngbecauseIimmedi atel
ygotblocked.
Theyal mostt r
acedmedownsoIhadt oshutdown
mysy stem, "saysBrendon.Heshowsme
somet hingonhi sl
aptopbutIhonestl
ydon'tcare.
Those3cangot ohell
,aslongasIdon'tmesswi th
t
hei
rot
her2par
tner
sthenam f
ine.
"Dontwor r
yaboutt hem.Justmakesur ethatthe
other2Mexi canpsy chosdon' tgeti nvolv
edbecause
therewil
lbeawar .Andasf orther estofy ouguys,I
want3mor eguy satThando' sapar tmentand2
mor eatthehospi t
al wher eRosei s.I fyouguy smess
upt hesamewayy oudi dlasttime, Iwi l
lki
llyouand
yourfamili
esbecausei fam nothappyt hennoone
can.Nothingmusthappent omy2queens.Ther est
ofy ouguysmustj ustber eadyf orany thi
ngbecause
Brianandt hose2cunt smi ghtstri
keatanymoment
from now.Mor emenf r
om t hetrainingcampwi l
ljoi
n
youguy ssoon, "Isay .Brendonkeepsonst ar
ri
ngat
meandi t'sannoy i
ngt hehel loutofme.
"
What
?"Ishout
.
"Bossyoulookt
err
ibl
e.Ithi
nkyoushoul
dgohome.
"
saysShchevwhojustpoppedupfr
om nowher
ewit
h
Sbu.
"
It
'sbecausetodayhedi
dn'
tgetany
,that
'swhyhe
l
ooksterr
ibl
e."say
sSbuhit
ti
ngShchev'
sshoul
der
.
"
Haaaaakant
ithat
'swhyhewasi
gnor
ingourcal
l
sal
l
thattime?Ai ipussysureispowerhey.Sot el
lus,
howgoodwasshe? "saysshchev.Igi
vehima
deadl yeyeandhej ustlaughsalongwit
hev er
y one.I
l
ookatev eryoneinthewar ehouseandjuststandup
andl eave.Am notaboutt oentert
aint
heirbul
lshit
.I
dof eelsickany ways.Idon'
tthi
nkIwil
lbeablet ogo
toThando' splace.
WhenIgethome, Igostraightint
obedbutt henI
feelli
kepeei ng,
soIgot ot hebathroom andIcome
backt obedt henallofasuddenIf eell
ikeeating
breadwi thpeanutbutterandnoodl eswi thsuperhot
sauce.Igetoutofbedandgot othekitchen.Imake
my selfthefoodsincemymai dstilli
sn'
ther eyetand
Ieatal l
ofi t
.Ievenwentasf arasput ti
ngt he
noodlesi nsi
dethepeanutbut tersandwi ch.Nowt hat
am doneIcanf i
nall
ygot obedbutam st oppedbya
feeli
ngofnausea.Okaywhatt hehell??
?Am nev er
sicksowhat '
sgoingont oday.Infactthisallstar
ted
yesterday.
Itakemycarkeysfr
om mycount er
,cal
loneofmy
guardst
odri
v emetothedoctorandam off
.Igett
o
oneofmyclini
cs,t
heonethattheyknowthatam
thei
rbossandgost rai
ghtt
oMrsMohlakuane'
s
offi
ce.Iopenthedoorandfi
ndhersi
tt
ingonher
desklookingatsomepaperwork.

"Mamai am si
ck."Isay
.Mr sMohl
akuaneisthe
fami
lydoctorandismor eofamotherf
igur
et ome
soIcal
lhermama.
"Whati sitmyson?"sheasksper mitt
ingmetoseat
.
Itakemyseatandt ellherevery
t hingIhave
experiencingandt
henshej ustlooksatmeand
smiles.
"
Myboyy oudidn'
ttel
lmey ouweremar r
iednow.
"I
l
ookatherconfusedbyherstatement
.Whatdoes
marr
iagehavetodowi tht
hisandwhyisshesayi
ng
t
hat
.Am dy i
nghere..
..
..
.

"Am notmarri
ed,
"Ir
epl
yt oher.Shelooksatmet hen
says"wel
lthenyoubet
terstar
tplanningtoget
marri
edbecauseyouclearl
yhavecouv ade,
"she
says.
"
Whati
sthat
?"
"Welli
nsi mplewor dswecal l
itsympathetic
pregnancy.Youar ebasical
lyexperi
encingpr egnant
symptomsf oryourwi fe,si
dechickorwhoev ershe
maybe. "shesays.Mymi ndrunsbackt ohow
ThandoandInev erandImeannev erbotheredt o
useprotecti
onwhenwehadsex.Noway !!
!!!
!!
!This
sonofaguni saboutt obecomeaf ather!!
!Iam
sooooohappy ,i
nf actam nothappyam ov erthe
moon.Nowt hatThandoi spregnantthereisnoway
shecanl eaveme.Shei sst
uckwi t
hmef orli
fe!!
!!
!!
!
Butwaitami nute..
...
"Butmamawhyarethesymptomsshowingsoear
ly.
Imean,Ihadsexwi
thherl
ikeafewday
sago."
"Son,i
tt akes6to10day sforaneggt obef ert
il
iz
ed.
Somet imes4or5t henaf terthat,thesy mptoms
startt
oshow. "shesay spattingmyshoul der.Now
thatIthinkaboutit
,Ifir
sthadsexwi thher6day s
ago."sot el
lme,isitthebeaut if
ulwomany ou
broughther et
hatnightshout ingasify ouwer egoing
todieifshedid?"sheaskssmi li
ng.Ilookatherand
nodmyheady eswithasmi le.
"
Shewi
l
lbemywi
fesoon.
"
"Hmmm Il
iket
hesoundoft
hat
.Il
i
keher
.She
seemsdowntoear
th.
"
"
Sheis.Am meeti
ngherf
ami
l
ythi
sweekend.You
wanttocomealong,
"
"Hmmm no, It
agalongnextt
ime.Okayenough
abouther
,letmegiveyouaprescr
ipt
ionofpi
ll
sthat
wil
lmakey oufeel
bett
er"shesays.

Nkosi,youareabossmyman.Nowt hatsheis
pregnant,Ihavereasonst
ofor cehertostaywit
hme.
OooooohIpr ayt
hatit'
sagir
l,Iwouldlovetohavea
babygirl.

"Sodoct
orhowsur
ear
eyouoft
his?
"Iaskst
andi
ng
up.
"Am 97%surebutl
et'
sgiveher2weeksthenaft
er
that
,wecandosomecheckupsonherbutwi thyou,
am 100%thatyouhavecouvade.
"shesayssi
tt
ing
down.
"
SoIshoul
dn'
ttel
lher
?"
"Wel
lyoucant el
lherbutevenify
oudon'
t,
shewi
ll
knowsinceyouhav i
ngt hesympt
oms.I
fsher
eal
l
yis
adoctorthenshewillknow."
"Ooohokay.Wel
ll
etmel eav
ema.Ihavetogot
oher
housetocookdi
nner
."Isaystandi
ngup.
"Heeeelookatyoubei
nghermai
d."shesay
s
clappi
ngherhands.
"
Goodby
ema!
!"
"Hahahaokaymyson.Oohandt
ell
mewhenRosei
s
dischar
ged.
"
"Iwi
ll
."Il
eavethehospi
talsti
l
lfeel
i
nglikeshi
t.It
hink
Ishouldtel
lThandoaboutthi
s.Shedoesdeserveto
knowaf t
erall
.
Ifi
rstgot othepharmacytogetmymedi cat
ionthen
tocheckerst obuygrocer
ies.Whenam aboutt o
l
eav e,It
hinkofShaniaandThando.Thandodoesn' t
knowsi gnlanguageandShani aontheotherhand
can'tspeak.SoIdecidetobuyat abl
etforShania.
Shewi ll
usei tt
ocommuni catewithThandountil
Thandolear
nshowtousesignlanguage.Ibuyt
he
tabandam offt
oThando'
splace.
Igett
hereandIunl
ockthedoorsi
nceIhav
et he
masterkeyt
oeveryApart
mentint
hiscomplex.How
youask?
Iownit.
..
..
..
..WhenIopent hedoorIfi
ndShania
sl
eepingont hecouch.Idon'
tbothert
owakeherup,
i
nsteadIgost r
aighttotheki
tchenandst
artcooki
ng.
Sowhat '
sfordinner?
Hmmmm whataboutpapwi t hoxtai
l andcr eamy
spinach.
..
.thatsoundsgoodenough.Ist artcooking
thedinnerandasam cooki ng, t
hesmel lofthef ood
j
ustkeepsonget ti
ngtomesoIdeci detol ookf ora
bandanaandcov ermynoseandmout h.That '
sso
muchbet ter.Icar
ryoncooki ngandShani af i
nally
wakesupandi mmedi at
elyrunst otheki tchen.Ilook
athershockedf aceandsmi leatherwhi letendingto
mypot s.Shet henstar
tsusingsignl anguaget ot alk
tomesi nceIunder st
andit.

Am sor
ryboss,
Idi
dn'
theary
oucomi
ngi
n.Am t
rul
y
sorr
y.Youcangosi
tdownandIwi
l
lcar
ryonwi
th
thework.

Iwalktot
hel i
vi
ngroom t
ogof etchhert
abl
et.Igi
ve
hert
hesealedboxandshejustlooksatme
conf
used.
"Openi
t,
"Isayusi
ngsi
gnl
anguage.Sheslowl
y
openst
heboxandwhenshedoes,shejustl
ooksat
me.
"
Ist
hismi
ne,
"shesay
sinsi
gnl
anguage.
"Yesi
tis.Youwi
l
lusethattocommunicat
ewit
h
Thandoandanyothert
hingyouwoul
dwanttodo.
"
Shegazesatmewi
tht
ear
sinherey
esandshe
rushest
ohugme.
"
Thanky
ouboss.
"
"don'
tcall
methatany mor e,y
oudon'tworkforme.
Rathercal
lmeuncl esinceyoucallThandoaunt.You
cangocheckthet abl
etoutify ouwant.Iwi
l
l f
ini
sh
theworkherebeforeThandocomes. "Isaytoher.
Sherushestothelivi
ngr oom huggi
ngtheboxwi t
h
thetabi
nsi
de.Iwon'tli
e,herhuggingmemademe
feel
import
ant.Iwonderhowi twouldfeelbei
ng
huggedbymyownchi l
d.Sigh.
..
..
..Ir
eall
ypraythat
Thandoispregnant
,Idon'tcar
ethatit'
stooearl
y.

*
***
***
***
***
**
THANDO'
SPOV.

It
sfinal
lyknockof
fti
meandam aboutt
oleav
ewhen
am stoppedbySabel
o.
"
Hey,mymom isi
ntownforaf
ewdaysandIwant
t
oint
roducey
outoher.
"say
sSabel
o.
"
Ummm when?
"
"
May
bedur
ingt
heweekend.
"
"Ei
shsor r
ybutIcant.Ialr
eadyhav
eplans.Nkosi
and
IaregoingtoNorthwesttomeetupwithmyf amil
y.
"
Sabelo'
sfaci
alexpressionimmedi
atel
ychangesto
annoyedthenherollshiseyes.
"
andhe'
sal
readybei
ngi
ntr
oducedt
othef
am.
Wow...
..
."hesays.Okayam f
ail
i
ngtounder
stand
whatproblem Sabel
ohasWithNkosi
.Hedoesn'
t
ev
enknowhi m.
"
Sorr
ybutIcantcancel
thosepl
ans.Maybenext
t
ime.
"Isaytur
ningawaybutSabel
oviol
entl
ygrabs
myarm.
"
OuchSabel
oyouar
ehur
ti
ngme.
"Isayt
ohi
m.
"Don'
tImattert
oyouany
mor
e!"hesay
shar
shl
y.
Eeeeehthi
sguy.
"Sabel
oy oudobutasaf riend.Nkosiismyboy f
riend
soIprior
iti
zehi m more.Letmego! "Isay.Hel et
'sgo
ofmyhandandsay s"okayt hencool.
"het urnsand
walksaway ,leavi
ngmeconf usedashel l
.IthinkI
shouldstayawayf rom him.Ihav eaverybadf eeling
abouthim.Ileav ethehospitalandheadhome.
WhenIgett omyapar tmentdoor ,l
uri
ngsmel l
sof
foodtakeov ermysenses.Iopenmydoorandf ind
Shaniasi
tti
ngont hecouch, busyonat ablet
.
Ummmmm okay ?
"
heyShani
a,
"Isaypat
ti
nghershoul
derShetur
nsto
meandwavesatmewi t
hthebi
ggestsmil
eever.I
wav
eatherbackt
henpointatthetabl
et.Shest
art
s
t
ypi
ngsomethi
ngonitandgivesitt
ome.
Uncl
eNkosi
boughti
tforme.
It
ypeoni
tthengi
vei
ttoher
.
Hewasher
e?
Wel
lhei
sst
il
lher
e.Hei
scooki
ngi
ntheki
tchen.
Ooohokay
.

Igiveherthetabback,putmybagont hecouch,
takeof fmyshoesandgot othekit
chenwhereIfi
nd
Nkosi cooki
ngwi t
hearphonesonwhilecover
inghi
s
mout handnosewi thabandana.Iwalki
ntothe
kit
chenandj ustsi
tonthecounter.
Iwai
tforhimtonot
icemeandwhenhedoeshe
smil
es.Aaaaahmymancanfi
nal
lypr
oper
lysmi
le.
"Hel
lobeaut
if
ul"say
sNkosi
notr
emov
ingt
he
bandana.
"
What
'supwi
tht
hebandana?
"
"
Oooht
hef
oodki
ndofsmel
l
ster
ri
blesoy
eah,
"he
say
s.
"Buty
ouarecookingyourfav
ori
tefoodNkosi
so
howcanitsmell
terri
ble?
"Iaskconfused.
"
Iam al
sofail
i
ngtounder st
andbutanywayslet
'snot
f
ocusonethat.
"hesayswal ki
ngt ome.Herai
ses
t
hebandanaoffhi
sli
ps, giv
esmeaki ssonmyl i
ps
whi
lesepar
ati
ngmyl egsandst andsi
nbetween
t
hem.
"
howi
smycupcakedoi
ng?
"
"
Shei
sfi
neandhowi
smyki
ng?
"
"
Am awesome.Imi
ssedy
ou"
"
yety
esterdayyour
efusedtogivemeakisswhen
y
ouwer edroppi
ngmeof fher
e."Isayr
ubbi
nghi
s
l
owerli
p.
"
BecauseIwasmadaty ou.Youref
usedtost
ayat
myplaceandIwassuperangry
."hesays.
"
Hmmmm wel lthenam sor
ryf
orrefusi
ngbutIhad
t
obecauseIknewthati
fIhadstayedIwasn'
tgoing
t
ogotowork."Isay.
"
Hmmmm t
rue.Iwasgoi
ngt
olockal
lthedoor
s
aroundt
hehousejustt
omakesurey oudi
dn'
tl
eave.
"
hesayskissi
ngmyneck.Iswearr
ightnowam a
fl
ooddownt her
e.
"Babysavethatf
orl
ater
.Ri
ghtnowam hungr
y."Isay
pushinghi
m away.
"Hmmm nothingisgoi
ngt ohappenlat
er.Youar
e
goingst
rai
ghttobedafterdi
nnerbecausetomorr
ow
youaregoi
ngt owork.
"hesay snowlett
ingmegot o
tendtohi
spots.
"Wewill
seeaboutt
hatMrsi
r.
"Isayget
ti
ngof
fthe
count
er.
"
Wher
ecanIhel
p?"
"Don'
tworryalmostdone.Justsetupt hetable.
OoohandIf oundShaniaaschool.It'
sar eal
lygood
schoolsoIjustwantedyourpermissi
ononwhet herI
shoul
dgoaheadwi t
htheadmi ssi
onor .
..
...
"
"Ooohyoucan.Thankyoubaby.Onechi
l
ddown,
4
moretogo."Isayt
akingt
hedishesfr
om the
cupboar
d.
Isetupt
het
abl
ewi
tht
hehel
pofShani
a,Nkosi
bri
ngsthecasserol
edisheswithfoodthengoes
backtotheki
tchen.Hecomesbackwi t
haplatewi
th
apeanutbutt
ersandwichandnoodl esonthesi
de.
What-
the-f
uck-
is-
thi
s-man-about-
to-
eat?
ShaniaandIlookateachot
her
,lookathi
m andl
ook
ateachotheragai
n.
"
What
?"say
sNkosi
eat
inghi
sfood.
"
Whatar
eyoueat
ing?
"Iask.
"Food"hesay sshruggi
ng.Aiil
etmenotj
udgehi
m.
Letmej usteathismagneficantt
ast
ingf
ood.
Wef i
nisheat
ing,Shani
at akest
hedi
shestothe
ki
tchenandputst hem inthedi
shwasherwhi
le
NkosiandIsitandwat chTV.
"
Babyweneedtotal
k."say
sNkosi
pul
l
ingmecl
oser
t
ohim ont
hecouch.
"
Whati
sit
?"Iask.
"Wewil
ltal
kabouti
tassoonasShani
agoest
o
sl
eep.
"
"Babyi
t'
sthesamet
hing.I
t'
snotl
i
keshecanhearus
anyways.
"Isay.
"Let
'sj
ustwaitf
orhertogosleep."saysNkosi.Inod
myheady esandwaitforhert
ogosl eepwhichshe
doesassoonasshei sdonecleaningtheki
tchen.
"Okaynowtel
lme.Whatisi
t?"Isayl
ayi
ngmyhead
onhisthi
ghswhi
lef
acinghi
m.
"It
hinky
ouarepregnant
."say
sNkosi
,l
ooki
ng
seri
ousashel
l.
"
What!!
!!
!Ican'
tbepregnant
.IfIwasam pr
ett
ysureI
woul
dhav ebeenthefi
rstt
oknowandit'
stooearl
y
t
oknowt hat.
"Isayshaki
ngmyhead.
"Wellthat
'st
hethi
ng.Lat
elyIhavebeenfeel
ingsi
ck
andtodayIwenttoseemydoct orandshetoldme
thatIhavecouv
ade."hesaysbrushi
ngmyar m.
Asam abouttosayt
herei
snoway,Irememberhow
NkosiandIhadrawsexandt
hatIdon'tt
akepi
l
ls.
Oooohshit
!!
!!

"Ooohnonono.Ican'
tbepregnant
.Nooooo!"Isay
rai
singmywholebodyfr
om thecouch.Nkosil
ooks
atmeconfusedthensay
s"whatdoy oumeanno
Thando.Yououtputofal
lpeopl
eshoul
dbehappy
."
"Wellam j
ustoverwhel
med, Imeanit'
swayt
ooearl
y
forsuch.Whatwi l
lmyfami l
ythi
nk?Mybrot
herswil
l
kil
lme...
..
..
.Ooooohno."Isaycover
ingmyeyeswit
h
mypal ms.
"Thandoyouar eagrownwoman.St
opact
ingl
i
kea
12y earol
d."saysNkosi
.
"
Nkosi mymom isagai
nstpregnancybef
ore
marr
iage.Soar
emybr other
s.Mybr ot
her
swill
chow
youali
veNkosi
"

"Thandoifyouhavenot
hingposi
ti
vet
osayt
henj
ust
shutup."saysNkosi
.
"Okaymay beyoudon'thav ecouv ade.May beam not
pregnant.
"Isay.Am honestlypani ckingbecauseI
recent
lyjustgoti
ntothisrelati
onshi pthenalready
am pregnant.Whydidn'tiusepr otection?Nkosi
l
ooksatmeasi fam insanet hem justst andsup.
"It
hinkam j
ustgoi
ngt
ogo."
"Why
?"
"BecauseIdon'
twanttobeher
eorelseImi
ghtjust
endupki l
l
ingyouwit
hmyhands."hesayst
aki
nghis
carkeys.
"ComeonNkosi.Okayam sor
ryf
orsay
ingall
that
i
t'sj
ustt
hatam over
whel
medandIdon'tknowhowI
shoul
dreact
."
"Wellhowabouty oustopactinglikea12y earol d
pregnantgi rlandactlikea24y earoldThando.I
wouldr eallyappreci
atet hat
.LookThando, Iknow
yourfami lywi l
lbepissedandal lbutit
'snotlikeam
goingt oleavey ouorany thi
ng.Iam planningon
mar r
yingy ouany way ssostoppani cki
ng."say s
Nkosi kneelingnexttome.
"
okayam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
"Isayhol
dinghi
shand.
May beIam pr egnantbecausel astnightIreal
ised
thatmyundi ehadast ainbutam stil
l f
arfrom my
menst ruat
ingday sandIhav ebeenget t
ingcramps.
Asf orNkosi,hei sexperi
encingcouv adewaaaayt o
earl
ybecausei tusuall
ystart
sshowi ngaf t
erweeks
andi thasn'
tbeenaweek.
Nkosi
sit
sont
hecouchandwr
apshi
sar
msar
ound
me."babyIpromiseIwill
takecareofy ouandthe
babysost opworry
ing.AsforyourfamilyIwil
ltake
careofthem."hesays.Hekissesmyf orehead
anfdt
henhugsmesupert i
ghtl
y.Inodmyheady es
towhathesai dandustpraythatever
ythingwil
l be
okay.
"Mydoct orsai
dwecangochecki fyouarereal
l
y
pregnantaft
er2weeks.Fornow, let'
sjustkeepi
t
betweenus.Don'ttel
lanyoneokay ?"saysNkosi
.I
nodmyheadandj uststaysi
lent
.
"
Ilov
eyouanddon'
tyouf
orgett
hat
."hesay
s.
"
Ilov
eyoumor
e.Cany
oupl
easesl
eepov
er?
"Isay
.
"
Yeasur
e."

Whyisever
ythinghappeni ngsofast
?Iam notready
f
orthi
satallbutli
keIsai dthatni
ghtIgavemyallto
Nkosi
,i
twast hebeginningofanewchapt erofmy
l
if
e.Am j
ustprayingthatthingsdon'
tchange.

*
***
***
**
Chapt
er19.
THANDO'
SPOV

Soguesswhat ?It
'salr
eadyFridayandam si tti
ng
withmymanwhoi scurrentl
yeatingt hemost
disgusti
ngbreakfastever;eggsandwi chwith
tomat osaucepeanutbut t
er,l
ikethismanhasbeen
eatingeveryt
hingwithpeanutbutterandIt hankt he
LordGodt hathemadehi m gothroughal lt
his,not
me.Howev er
,am theonewhoi sget t
ingthemor ning
sicknessandt hecramps.Mxm. ..
...
..
..Therereall
yis
nodoubtt hatam pregnantshamebecausewear e
bothcurrentl
ygoingthroughhell.

"
Sowhatt
imear
ewel
eav
ing?
"IaskNkosi
.
"
Around7pm butwehavetobeatt
heairpor
tat5pm
f
orcheckin.
"hesayseat
ingt
hedayli
ghtoutofhi
s
f
ood.
"
Ooohokay
.Iwi
l
laski
fIcanl
eav
eear
lyatwor
k."
"
Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat
.Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
ourboss.
"
"Oohokay .Comel et'sgoIhav etogonow. "Isay
grabbingmybagf rom thehi ghchai rnexttome.
Nkosi takeshi sdi sgustingsandwi ch,hiscarkeys
andl eavest heapar t
ment .Iwal ktoShani a'
sroom t o
i
nf or
m hert hatwear eleav i
ng.Iwant edhertocome
alongwi thust oNor thwestbutshesai dshewi lldo
sonextt i
me.OohandIf inall
yfoundShani aandher
sibli
ngsschool st ogot o.Ileavemyapar t
mentt hen
j
oi nNkosi .Sincet hereisapossi bili
tyofmebei ng
pregnant ,am nomor eallowedt odr ivei
maaaagi ne.
Hei sev enfor biddingmef rom goi ngoutf orlunch.
Am supposedt ocal lhi
m whenev erIwant
somet hingt henhewi llbringit
.Butam nott aking
anyoft hatshi t.Iwi l
ldri
v eifIwantt o.
Igettowor k,saymygoodby estoNkosi andam off
tomyf av
or it
ejob,beingadoctor.Ifir
stcheckupon
Rosewhoi sr ecoveri
ngsoooowel landt henIcheck
uponShani a's2sibli
ngswhoar ealsor ecover
ing
quit
ewell.Iwi l
lbetakingt
hem homewi thme
sometimenextweek.Igot omyof ficewher eIfi
nda
noteonmyt ablewhichsays
Am sor
ryf
ordoi
ngwhatIdi
donTuesday
.Iov
er
r
eacted.Am j
ustgoingthroughal otr
ightnow.Am
r
eal
lysorry
.Letsgooutf orlunch.Iwi
llbewait
ingf
or
y
ouatt hepar
kinglot.
It
sobv iousl
yfrom Sabel
o.Ihavebeenav oi
dinghim
eversincethatinci
dentbutIguessIcan'
tavoidhim
forever
.Hei sgoingthr
oughal otsoIguessImust
trytounderstandwhereheiscomi ngfr
om.It akemy
phonef rom mybagandt exthi
m okay.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Timetodayi
ssurel
ymov i
ngfast
;It
akemyphone
andpursefr
om mybagandIleavet
hebag.Iheadt
o
thepar
kingl
otwhereIf
indSabel
owaiti
ngf
orme.
"Hel
lotherebeauti
ful
"hesay sgivingmeahugwhi ch
i
swaaaayt ot
ightandki
ndofov erthefr
iendzone
l
ine.Iqui
cklyletgoofhi
m andj ustgreethim back.
Heopenst hecardoorforme, Isitandhewal ksto
thedri
ver'
sside.Hegetsinsidethenwedr iveoffto
JohnDor y
's.Wegetthere,getat abl
eandor derfood.
"
Sobest
yhowi
syourwi
fe?
"Iaskgi
vi
ngt
hewai
ter
t
hemenu.
"
Sheissti
lli
nacomabutlet
'snott
alkabouther
r
ightnow.Howarey
ou?"saysSabel
o.
"Am okayheyj
ustgoi
ngt
hroughal
otr
ightnow.
"I
say.
"
Alot
?"
"
Yep,
"
"
andt
hati
s?"
"Iam pregnant
."IseeSabel
o'sfaceturnredasifhe
i
saboutt oburstbuthedoesn't
.Hej uststair
satme,
sendingchil
lsdownmyspi neandsay s" alr
eady?"i
n
av erydeepvoi
ce.Thando,st
andupandr unasfast
asy oucan.Whoev eri
ssit
ti
nginf r
ontofy ouisnot
Sabelo.
"Iknowhey.Atfi
rstIthoughtitwaspr obablyalie
whenmyboy fri
endt ol
dmet hathehascuov adebut
hey.Am ki
ndofhappyt hough. "Isay.Sabelokeeps
hiseyescl
osedforal ongasst imet henopenst hem
andjustl
ooksatme.Hef orcesaf akesmi leand
saysam happyforyou.Ourf oodf i
nallycomesand
asam abouttostarteati
ng,anunexpect edv i
sit
or
j
oinsus.Hekissesmycheek, greetsSabel othen
cal
l
sawai
ter
.Ij
ustl
ookathi
m,shor
tofwor
ds.
"Sowhatarewet alki
ngabout? "saysNkosi t
akinga
sipfrom myjuice.Sabel
oandIj ustl
ookathi m andI
say"aren'
tyousupposedt obeatwor k,"andhe
repl
ies"weren'tyousupposedt ocallmeandt el
lme
thatyouwant edJohnDor y'
sf oodsot hatIcould
bri
ngi tt
oyou? "Icl
earmyt hroatandjustt ur
nt o
Sabelo.
"Ummm Sabel o,IguessIwil
l seeyouatwor
k.Let
meleavewitht hi
sidiotofmine."Ist
andupfr
om my
chai
r,pul
lNkosi offt
hechairhewassi t
ti
ngonand
l
eavetherestaurant.
"
Hau,
andt
hen?
"
"Hailet'
sgo."Nkosi st
artslaughi
ngandt henpul
ls
hishandf rom mine.Heput sitaroundmyshoulder
andki ssesmyf orehead."Youbetterst
artget
ti
ng
usedt omecr ushingy ourpart
ieswitht
hatfri
endof
yours."hesarcastical
l
ysay s.
"
Aii
Voetsek."helaughsal
lthewaytothecar
,opens
t
hedoorformet henwedr i
veofft
omywor kplace.
Wegetthereandj ustgot
omyof f
ice.
"
Shoul
dIordersomethi
ngf
ory
ou?
"heaskscl
osi
ng
t
heoff
icedoorbehi
ndhim.
"
Hmmm nop.Il
ostmyappet
it
e."
"Ooohokayt
henIguessIwi
l
ljustor
derf
oodf
ormy
chil
d."
Ij
ustlookathim andr
oll
myey esbecauseIwon't
fi
ghtwithhi
m.IsitonmydeskasNkosi order
sf ood
andwhenhei sdonehewalkstomydeskandpi cks
upthenotethatSabel
owrote.Hereadsitt
henlooks
atme.
"Whatdi
dhedo?
"
"Not
hingser
ious.
"
"
Idi
dn'
taski
fitwasser
iousornot
."
"
Nkosi
hedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngba.
..
..
..
."
"
Stayawayf
rom hi
m."hesay
s.
"
Why
?"
"
BecauseIsai
dso.
"
"
Don'
ttel
lmewhatt
od,
"
"ThandoSTAYAWAYFROM HI M FROM TODAY
ONWARDS.I fIfindy ouany wherenearhi m,Iwi l
lki
ll
him andam notj oking. "IlookatNkosi'stensed
i
ntimidati
ngf aceandIdon' tevendaretoopenmy
mout h.Nowt hisr i
ghther ei st
heNkosi Iwoul dnev er
wantt omesswi th.Het akesmyphoneandasksme
Sabelo'sname.It ellhimt henhedoessomet hingon
myphoneandgi vesi tbackt ome.Nkosi l
egitjust
switchedfrom thesof tNkosi Idisr
espectev eryday
toaNkosi Iwoul dnev erinmyr i
ghtsensesf uckwith.
Remi ndmenott oev ert alktoSabeloev eragainand
i
fIdoj ustslapmer ighti ntheface.
*
***
***
***
Soit'
s7pm andwear einmymot her'
spr i
vatejeton
ourwayt oNorthwest.Nkosiwant edust ousehi s
butIref
usedbecauseIhadal readysai dyest omy
mother.Am kindofner v
ousbutexci t
edatt hesame
ti
me.Ididnttell
mymot hert
hatIwi l
lbebr i
nginga
vi
sit
oralongbecauseshewasgoi ngtotellmy
brot
herswhower egoingtofl
ytoSAj usttochase
Nkosiaway.Ihav ebeenprayi
ngsi nce3pm andam
j
usthopingthatmymot herwil
lli
keNkosi .Ihold
Nkosi
'
shandandwel
ookateachot
her
.
"Stopwor ryi
ngbaby .OnceImeety ourmot hertoday,
therewi llbenot urningback.Mynextv i
sitwi l
lbeto
payl obola."say sNkosi bef oreki
ssingmypal m.I
givehi m asmi l
eandj ustl aymyheadonhi s
shoul der.Wef i
nallyar ri
v einNorthWestandwear e
dri
v ent omyhouse.Si gh...
...
.Maythel ordbewi thus.
Wegett omyhousewhi chal r
eadyhasal l theli
ghts
on.Theguar dsatt hegat eopent hegat ef orusand
wear edr i
veni n.Assoonast hedri
v erparkst hecar,
Iseemymot herr unoutoft hehousewi thTshi diand
Nol uthandof ollowinghert henoutofnowher eIsee
threei denti
cal mal ef i
gur esslowlywal ki
ngoutoft he
house. ..
..
...
..
...
.WHOTHEFUCKSNI TCHEDONME! !
!!
!
YHOOOOOONkosi betterst ar
tprayi
ngnow! !
*
***
***
***
**
SABELO'
SPOV.
Iwat chherdr agt hatsonofagunoutoft he
restaurantandmyangerj ustescal
atesfrom 100%
toinfinit
y.Icallawai ter
,askf ort
hebill
andpayi t
.I
l
eav et herestaurant,dri
vetomyhouseandgo
st
raightt
omyroom wi
thoutgr
eet
ingal
lthepeopl
e
si
tt
inginmyl
iv
ingroom.
Il
etoutallmyanger ,t
hinkingofwhatThandot ol
d
meandhowt hatfuckerdeci dedtocrushmyfucki
ng
l
unchwi t
hmyqueen.Howt hefuckcanshebe
pregnant
?!!
!!Noooshecan' tbe...
..
.i
fsheist
henthat
chil
dhastodi e.Thatbastardinherwombmust
die!
!!
!!
!
"Sonopent hedoor .It
'sme, "saysmymom knocki ng
onmydoor .Iignoreherandcar r
yonr eleasingall my
angerinanypossi blewayIcan.Thatbast ardandhi s
chil
dneedt odieformeandThandot obet ogether
andnot hi
ngwi llstopmef rom kill
i
ngt hem butf or
nowIhav et odisappearf rom t hi
spl ace.Ineedt o
l
eav ebecausei fIdon' t,Iwillbear r
est edf orkill
i
ng
thatfoolalongwi thhischi ld.Iwal kt omydoor ,
open
i
tandj ustignoremymot herwhoi sst andingt here.I
walkdownst ai
rswher emyf ather,myuncl es,Luanda
andSanel e'smot herar esitting.Isitdown, greet
them andt henIannouncet hebignews.
"
Ithi
nkam r
eadyt
obeking.Wecanwai
tforSanel
e
t
ogetbet
terandt
heny
oucancrownmeast he
king.
"Isayl ookingdownwhi lerubbingmyhands
together.Luandal ooksatmeconf usedashell
,he
tri
estosaysomet hi ngbutinstead,hechuckl
es,
standsupandl eav es.Asformyuncl est
heyl
ookat
eachot herandst ar tpr
aisi
ngme.
"Hawumf anawami ,youhav emadet heri
ght
decisi
on.Wewi llnotwai tfory
ourwi f
etogetbet t
er
foryouwi l
lbecr ownednextweekMonday .
HawuVi l
akazi ,
nzimande, ji
li
,mphephethe,wena
owasengwedenengwav uma, wenaowadl aumka
dadewenuwat hiakanany ongoakanamhl wehl we
i
bhabhakat i
, umhl wehl eodumanj engezulu,
hawu!!!
!!!
!Baf o,youcangobackt oourkingdom and
tel
lourpeopl et hegoodnews. "saysmyf at her.My
unclesjoinhimi npraisingmeandt heyal
l standup
tohugmeonebyone.Asf orme,Ipullafakesmi le.
Am onlydoi ngt histogett owhatIwant ,Thando.I
mightdisappearf ornowbutIwi l
lbebacksoonand
whenam back, Iwillmakei tmymi ssiontomar r
y
Thandoandki l
lthatbast ardofhersalongwi thhis
chil
d..
..
..
...
..
.
Chapt
er20
THANDO'
SPOV

IturntoNkosi wholooksquiteradiantaboutt
hisbut
Iam notgoingt otakechances.Iturntothedri
ver
andsay"dri
v erpleasegodropusof fatt
henearest
hotel.
"
Nkosi
looksatmewi t
haquest
ionabl
elookandt
ell
s
t
hedri
verthatam j
oki
ng.
"
Am notjoki
ng.Am hel
lser
iousr
ightnow.Dr
iverdo
whatIt
oldyoutodo."
"Si
rpleasedon'
t.Ithi
nksomethi
ngiswrongwit
hher.
Justunlockt
hedoor ssothatwecangoout.
"says
Nkosi.Thedri
verlooksatNkosi
andchuckl
es.
"Sir
,beli
evemewhenIsayma' am i
stry
ingt osave
yousoIwoul dsayletmej ustgodropy ouof fata
hotel.
"saysthedr
iver.See,eventhedri
v erknows
thatifNkosi
stepsoutoft hi
scar,shiti
sgoi ngto
happen.
"
Nkosi
let
'sl
eav
enow.
"IsaybutNkosi
signal
sfor
metokeepquietandopensthedoor
any
ways.
..
..
.y
eeeerrr
rrJesusl
ordhel
pme!
!!
!!
!
Itr
ytopull
him backinsi
debuther esists,
hepul l
s
hi
shandandpoi ntshisi
ndexfingeratme." Thando
getoutoft
hecar !
!"hebell
ows.Isquintathim and
l
etoutasulk.Iroughl
yopenthedoorandheart he
dri
versay"
startprayi
ngthatt
heydon' tshoothim."
Ifonlythisf oolknew.AssoonasIcl oset hedoor ,I
runtoNkosi andt ellhimt owal kbehindmeaswe
walkt othepor ch.That 'swher ethewhol efami l
yis
waiti
ng.Il etoutal oudsi ghandmakeashor tprayer
butam di sturbedbyNkosi whopokesmeandt ell
s
met ost artwal kingf aster .Fool,mxm.It akebaby
stepst othepor chwi tht hebi ggestner v oussmi l
eon
myf ace; mymot herr unst omeandpul lsmei ntoher
arms.Ihugherback, hopi ngthatshedoesn' tnoti
ce
Nkosi whom shedoesn' tbecauseshel ooksbackat
meandki ssesmeal lov ermyf ace.Shet akesmy
handandy anksmet ot hepor ch.Igi
v eTshi diand
Noluthandohugst henwal kt omybr ot her swhoal l
givemeagr ouphug.Iwon' tli
e,Imissedt hem so
much, especi allythisbi ghugt hattheyhav ealways
gi
venmeev ersi
ncewewer
eki
dsbutIst
il
ldon'
t
wantt
hem here
Theyal
ll
etgoandsmi
l
eatme.
"Howar eyoupri
ncess?"asksSihl
e.Si
hleisthe
viol
entone,hedoesn'
tbeli
eveinforgi
veness.I
fyou
dosomet hi
ngtohim, hewil
ltot
all
ygethisrevenge,
howeverhei smyfavori
tebecausehespoilsmebi g
ti
me.
"Am f
ineBudi
.Howar
eal
lofy
ou?"Iaskl
ooki
ngat
all
ofthem.
"
Wear
efi
ne.
"theysi
mul
taneousl
ysay
.
"Comelet'
sgoi nsi
de.Wehav edinnersetup,
"says
mymot herwalkingtothedoor .Justwhenwear eall
abouttotur
ntot hedoor ,
someonecl ear
sthei
r
thr
oat.Ooooohshit!
!!Itotal
l
yf orgotabouthi
m.
ZiphoandKhayaturnandlookatNkosij
ustasSihl
e
approachshi
m.Asam aboutt or
unt oNkosi,
Zipho
holdsmyhandandsay s"Yourbr
otherwil
ltal
kto
hi
m. "t
hat'
sthet
hing,Idon'
twanthimtotalkto
Nkosi.
..
.Nonono.
"Howcanwehelpyouboy?"saysSi
hle.IhearTshi
di
giggl
eandIgi
veheradeat
hey ebutshedoesn't
stop.
"eeem SawubonaBudi
.Iam her
ewit
hThando.
..
..
"
saysNkosibuthegetsi
nter
rupt
edbyKhay
a.
"I
fyouareher easherbodyguardthendon'
tworr
y.
Wewi l
ltakeitfr
om here.Wewil
lsendyouyour
moneyint hemor ni
ng.Thanky
oufortaki
ngcareof
herwhil
ey ouwereinSandton.
"
Il
ookatKhay
at henatNkosiwhothenchuckl
es
l
ooki
ngdownt henlooksatme.Oohlor
d.
"Uumm Budi ,heisn'
tmybodyguar d,heismy
boyfri
endandIam her etoi ntr
oducehi mt omom. "
Mom, Noluthandoandt hesei denti
cal menalllookat
meconf usedashel lt
hent urntoNkosi whojust
smilesandst r
etcheshishandt oSihl ebutSihl
e
keepshishandsi nhispocket sandi gnoresNkosi.
Heturnstot heporch,l
eav esNkosi standingwhere
heisstandingandget sinsidethehouse.Khay aalso
doesthesame, f
oll
owedbyZi phowhor oughlypulls
myhand.It rytoresi
stbutZi pho'sl
ooki smor ethan
enought omakemest op.IlookbackatNkosi andI
j
ustregr etlettinghim getoutoft hecar.Heshoul d
havelistenedt omewhenIsai dweshoul dgot ot he
hotel
.Mymot herwalkst oNkosi ,
giv
eshi m ahug
andIhearhersay" Am sor rymydearson.Myr ude
daught erdidn'ttell
met hatshewasbr ingingan
i
mpor tantv isitor
.Comel et'
sgo."butSihleshouts" i
f
heget sintot hishouse, hiscorpsewillbesentback
tohisfami lytomor row. "Mymot herthenst opsbut
Nkosi doesn' t
, hecarri
esonwal ki
ngont othepor ch,
greetsNol uthandoandTshi di t
hentell
smymot her
thathewi llonl ygetinsidewhenshedoes.
"Ummm myson, Iunderstandthaty ouareher efor
mebutIt hi
nki twouldbebesti fyoul eave."saysmy
mother.Evenmymot herknowst hatNkosi being
herei
sabi gnono.Yesshei stheel derhereandshe
i
ssupposedt omaket hedecisionsbutwi t
ht hese3
menint hi
shouse, mymot hernev ersaysany thi
ng.
Whenmybr otherssaysomet hingordeci deon
somethingthatconcer nsNoluthando, TshidiandI ,
mymot herdoesn' tsayany t
hingbecausemyf ather
l
eftawi l
lstat
ingt hatmybr otherswi l
lmakeal lthe
decisi
onst hatconcernhisdaughtersandmymot her
wil
lnotgoagai nstt
heirdecisi
ons.Shi
tt
yhey.Atfi
rst
,
mymot herwasagai nstitbutsheendedup
accepti
ngi tjustsomyf athercoul
drestinpeace.
"Ma, i
sn'
tthi
syourhouse?
"asksNkosi
outoft
he
blues.
"
Yesi
tis.
"repl
i
esmymot
her
.
"
anddoy
ouper
mitmet
ogeti
nsi
de?
"
"
Ummm y
es,
yesIdobut
..
..
..
"
"ThenIwon'tl
eav
e.Pl
easedogeti
nsi
de.Iwi
l
lbe
behindyou.
"
Atfi
rstmymot herhesi
tat
esbutsheendsupgett
ing
i
ntot hehouse.Hemakeswayf orNolut
handoand
Tshidifi
rstt
henhef oll
owsbehi
ndthem butt
hen
guesswhat ?
Sihl
etakesouthisgunandshoot sthefloorwher
e
Nkosiisstandi
ng.LucklyNkosijumpsj ustint
imeto
savehisleftf
ootbutSihledoesn'tstopshooti
ng
unti
lNkosi i
sonthepor ch.
"
Myboy
,st
opwast
ingy
ourt
imeandj
ustgobackt
o
wher
eev
ery
oucamef
rom.
"say
sKhay
a.
"
Am v er
ysorr
ysirbutam notgoi
ngany wher
e
wi
thoutThando.Iwil
lonl
yleaveifshel
eaveswi
th
me."saysNkosi
.YhooooNkosi j
ustshutupmyguy.
"Hey
i wena.Thisi
snotadiscussi
on,wearetell
i
ng
youtofuckoff.Wearenotaskingyou.
"shouts
Khaya.
"Li
keIsaid,Iwil
lonlyl
eavei
fThandoleaveswit
hme
butunti
lthen,am notgoi
nganywhere.
"Nkosi
att
emptst ogetinsi
dethehouseagainbutSi
hle
shootstheflooragai
nbutmymot hertheni
nter
fer
es.
"Canyouboy sst opitnow.Hecameher etoseeme
notyousowi l
lyoujustl ethim be!
"say smymom
nowst andinginfrontofSi hle.Si
hlejustchuckles,
pushesmymot herasideandappr oachesNkosi .He
standsinfrontofhim andl ookshim strai
ghtinthe
eye.Nkosiissoshor tcompar edtoSi hl
eYhooooo.
It
'sactual
lykindoff unny .
"yousurehav
esomebal
lstochal
l
engeourdeci
sion
boy .Wearet
ell
i
ngy
outoleav
esowhyareyou
refusi
ng?"
"Wellthemai nquest i
onher eshouldbe, whydoy ou
wantmet ol eav ebecauseIcer t
ainlyam notdoi ng
any t
hingwr ong?Youar ej ustchasingmeawayf or
absolutelynov ali
dreason.Look, myr easonf or
beingher ei sbecauseIl ov ethatwomanandIwant
tomeetherf ami lywhichi sdoingt her i
ghtthing.So
i
fy ouwi sht oshootmet hendosoandi fyouwi sht o
beatmeupt heny ouar emor ethanwel comet obutI
willnotleav et hisplacewi t
houtThando.Iwi lll
eav e
withhert hesamewayIcamewi thher .
"statesNkosi .
Everyonel ooksathi m, shockedbyhi sresponse,
evenme. .
..
.....
.Butonet hingam sur eofi s;he's
totall
ypeei nghi spantsrightnow.Hecanpl aytough
guybutIcanseer i
ghtthr oughhim, wor sewi t
ht hese
pregnancysy mpt oms...
..
Sihl
ethenputsawayhisgun,
looksatNkosi
and
thendoestheexpect
ed,hecl
osesthedoorr
ighti
n
Nkosi'
sface.
"
Budi
Sihl
..
..
..
"
"ShhhhhhhhhhhhThando, youaremakinganoise.
"
saysSihl
e.Het henlocksthedoor,
putsthekeyinhis
pocketandwal kstothetable.Mymothert
ri
est o
tal
kt ohi m buthedoesn' tburge.Asf ormy2
brothers, t
heydon' tdoanythingbutjustf oll
owSi hl
e
tothet able.Ijuststaystati
onarylookingatt hedoor,
hopingi twoul djustmagicallyopenandl etmyman
i
n.Seewhyi di
dntwantt hem here.Theydi dt he
samet hi ngt oSbubutSbunev erwentagai nstt
heir
orders.Hedi deverythi
ngtheyt ol
dhimt odo; when
theytoldhi mt oleave,heleftandwhent heyt ol
dhim
todost uf fforthem, hewoulddot hoset hings.
ButNkosi!
!heisbei
ngdif
ficultwhi
chiski
ndofsexy
though.
..
.Coughcough.
..
..
...Butst
il
l
"Babycomesit
.Wewi l
ldealwit
hNkosi whenyour
brot
hersgot
osleep,
"whispersNolut
handoinmyear.
Shetakesmyhandandwal kswit
hmet othedi
nner
tabl
ewherewetakeourseats.
"
comesitnextt
ome, "say
sZi
pho.Il
ookathi
m and
j
usti
gnorehi
srequest.
"OoohokaythenIguessIwil
lcometoyou,"hesays
standi
ngupwi t
hhisplat
e.Hetel
lsNol
uthandoto
standupfr
om herseatbutIhol
dontoherhand.
"
Oooohokayt
hen.wear
epl
ayi
ngdi
ff
icul
tnow.
"say
s
Zipho.Hethensit
sontopofmethenpecksmynose.
Ihatehim whenheisl
ikethi
s.Heal
waysdoesthi
s
whenam angr yandi
tmakesmeev enmoreangry
.
"Youlookbeauti
ful
whenyouareangryhey
.Wit
h
yourpoutedli
psandyoursqui
ntedey
esandyour
noseallout.
"saysKhay
a.
"
Idon'
tl
ikey
ouguy
smxm"Isayf
oldi
ngmyar
ms.
"
Wel
ovey
out
oo,
"theyal
lsayl
aughi
ng.Nx.
..
..
..
.
"
Noweatorel
sewewi
l
lshoott
hatf
ool
'
shands.
"
OkaysoIknowsomeonei sprobabl ywonder i
ng
whatt hese3i diot
slookl ike.Wel lt
heyar esuperbuf f
,
huskydar kchocol at
eski nnedmenwi t
hhuuuge
beards.Theyhav ethosebear dst ohi detheir
birt
hmar kswhi charef oundont heirchins.They
don'treall
ywantpeopl etot el
lwhoi swhosot heyall
decidedt ogrowbear d.Whent heywer estilli
nhigh
school ,
everygirlhadcr ushesont hem, especial
ly
Khay abecauseofhi sdeephuskyv oice.Somey oung
teachersalsocr ushedonhi m butt heynev er
entertai
nedgirlsshame.Ev er
..
..
...Nonoft hem are
evenmar r
iedandt heyar enow35y earsold.Their
excusesfornotgetti
ngmar ri
edar ewomenare
devil
swhoar ejustwait
ingtodev ouranymanwho
fal
lsintot
heirt
rapimagine.Butoneday ,
theywi
l
l
meett hei
rmatches,hopeful
ly.
..
..
...
Nolut
handonudgesmyel bowremi ndingmet hatam
supposedtoeatbutIhaveabsolutelynoappet it
eat
al
l.Ij
ustcont
inuebei
ngsadandsul king.Ever
y onei
s
j
ustenjoyi
ngthei
rmeal asi
fnothingj usthappened.
..
.
Mxm.
I
tsnow10pm andmybrother
sarewatchingsoccer
i
ntheli
vi
ngroom,sti
l
lnotl
ett
ingNkosii
nwhi l
ewe
l
adi
estryt
ocomeupwi thaplanonhowt oletmy
mancomeinsidet
hehouseassoonast hose3
dev
il
sgotobed.
"ButThandothough.Youal
somessedupbi gtime.
Whydi dn'
tyouletusknowthaty
ouwer ecoming
withUmkhweny ane.
"saysmymot hersi
tt
ingonthe
highchair
,hol
dinghercupofcoff
ee.
"Iwant
edtosur
pri
seyou.Ididn'
tknowthatthese
fool
sweregoi
ngtobehere."Isayscr
atchi
ngmy
head.
"Andtothi
nk,
theyj
ustshowedupf rom nowhereand
theyt
oldusnottot
ellyou.Ifonl
yyouhadtoldus
Thando.Weweregoingtofindawaytochaset hem
awaybeforey
ourar
rival
."saysTshi
di.
"Ai
imaranayeumkhweny anesurehassomegut st
o
tal
kbackatBudiSihl
ewooooo.Iactuall
yli
kehim
alr
eady.Heisl
ikeanupgradefr
om Sbu."says
Nolut
hando.Mymot herandTshi
diallnodthei
r
headswhil
elaughi
ng.
"Butmydaught
er,
tel
lme.Whatr
eal
l
yhappened
betweeny
ouandSbu?"asksmymother
.
"Mathat'
sast or
yforanotherday,ri
ghtnowlet
'sj
ust
focusongetti
ngmymani nsidethehouseand
feedi
nghim becauseam prettysur
ehei sdy
ingof
hunger.
"Isay.Ial
sohaven'teatenatall
.
"Hmmmmmmm yahneh.Yousur
elyar
einl
ove
shame.
"say
sNol
uthando.
"hehei
fitwasn'tf
ormemt ase,shewouldn'
thave
datedt
hatman.Youknowwhat ?Ihadtoforceher
togoadat ewithhi
m becauseshekeptonsay i
ng
shewasn'toveruSbu.
"saysTshidipoi
nti
ngatme.
"ButIhavet
osaythough,y
oumov
edonr eal
fast
hey."say
sNolut
hando."
Washi
sdickt
hatgood?"
"Hayi
wenal anguage!Am st
il
lyourmot
herhawu."
saysmymot hert
hrowingaspoonatNol
uthando.
Wealllaugh.
"Hayimom,youknowthesethi
ngssowhyar
eyou
acti
ngasify
oudon't
."saysTshi
di.
"Youchi ldr
enar edisrespectfulmxm. "saysmy
mot hershakingherheadwhi lelaughing.Shet hen
l
ooksatmeandcal lsmet ositnextt oher.Idoso
andshehol dsmyhand.Shegazesi ntomyey esand
says" WhenIl ookedathi m, isawt heloveandcar e
hehasf oryouandIal sonoticedt hatheisy ou
mat chwhowi ll
br i
ngal otofjoyi ny ourli
fe,howev er
yourmanwi l
lal
sobr i
ngal otofpai nintoy ourlif
e.
Somet i
mesy ouwi l
lfeell
ikegivinguponhi m but
dont .Standbyhi ssidenomat terwhatmydaught er
becausehei stheonef oryou.Nev erf or
sakehi m no
mat terwhat.Doy ouhearme? "saysmymot her
rubbingmyhand.Il ookdownandnodmyheady es
towhatshej ustsaid.
"Nowtell
me,
howol
disy
ourbaby
?"asksmymom
smil
ing.I
swif
tl
yraisemyhead,
shookbyherquest
ionbutIt
ry
nottoshowit.
"Thandoam y
ourmother
,Iknowy
oul i
keanopen
bookandyouaregl
owingupandthatgl
owup."say
s
mymot her
.
"
Am notpr
egnantma.
"
"oohdon'ttr
ytof
ool
mewi
tht
hatbul
l
.Iknowy
ou
arepregnant.
"
"Whoi
spregnant,
"roar
sahuskyvoice.Mymot
her
andIt
urntotheki
tchenent
ranceandther
ehei
s.

Ooooohno!

*
***
***
***
NKOSI
'
SPOV.

SoIhavebeensit
ti
ngoutsi
defor2hoursnowand
am hungr
yplusam col
dbutoneoftheguardsher
e
i
skeepingmecompany .
"myguy ,bet hankful thattheydi dntshooty ou
becauset heyusual lyshootev eryguyt hataskstheir
sist
ersout .Theonl yguyt heynev ershotwasSbu,
Thando'sex.Theyseemedt oador ehim sot heyjust
l
ethi minjustl i
ket hat.Itmi ghtbet hesamef oryou
butthosemenar ef ullofsur pr
isessodon' tdo
anythi
ngst upidl i
key oudi dear l
ier.Nevertalkback
atthem orel se."say saguar dam sitt
ingwi th.Hi
s
namei sMabul ala,notnicknamebutact ualname.I
don'tknowhogav ehi mt hatnamebutwhoev eri
t
maybe, thatper sondoesn' tdeser vetoseeheav en.
"Ihonestl
ydon'tseeanyt
hingwrongwi
thwhatIsai
d.
Iwasj ustbei
nghonest.Ther
eisnowayam leav
ing
withoutThando."Isayt
ryi
ngtokeepmysel
fwarm.
"Tomor
row,j
ustdoev
ery
thi
ngt
heyasky
out
odo.
"
saysMabul
ala.
"Hel
lno.Am nother
efort
hem, am her
efort
he
mothersoaslongassheacceptsme,Idon'
tcar
e
aboutthem.
"
Theguar dlooksatme,chuckl
esandsay
s"well
then
goodluckmymanbutbel i
evemewhenIsayyou
won'tleavethi
splacewit
houtagunwound."
"
Itwi
l
lbewor
thi
t.
"
Wecont i
nueconversati
ngwi t
heachotherbutthen
wesuddenlyhearthefrontdoorbei
ngv i
olent
ly
openedthenoneoft heidenti
cal
brot
hershotfootsi
n
mydirect
ionandbriskl
ypul l
smeupwi thmycol l
ar.
Hegi v esmeonegoodpuncht hatmakesmedr opt o
thefloor ,maki ngmyearsri
ngbuthedoesn' tstop.
Hebr utal
lypicksmeupwi t
hmyneckandpunches
mei nmyst omach.Hepunchesmeov erandov er
againunt ilbloodstart
scomi ngoutofmynoseand
allIcanheari sKhayastop,whatareyoudoi ng,
khay a.Ilookatt hedoorentr
anceandIseet heother
brother sappr oachi
ngus.Oneoft hem holdsback
theonewhowashi tti
ngmewhi l
et heotherone
holdsme.
"Khayawhat'
swrongwit
hy ou?whyar
eyouhi
tt
ing
him?"asksoneofthebr
others.
"Hef uckedoursi sterandnowshei spr egnant !!
"he
shout sinzul u.Thebr otherwhowashol dingmy
power l
essbodyl eav esmet ofallontot hehar d
concr etegr oundt henal lofasudden, If eelli
kea
thousandf eetareki ckingme.Whati swr ongwi th
these3menkant i!!Oohwel l
,Iguessi t'
sal lwor thit.
Asl ongasIgetMYTHANDO, Idon'tmi ndt hepai n.I
l
ayont hegr oundast heycont inuekickingmet henI
catchagl impseofmywomancr yi
ngwhi l
et ryi
ngt o
stopherbr othersf rom hitt
ingmeandt hatjust
breaksmyhear t.Ilooki ntohert earfil
ledey esand
shel ooksatmet oo.Ismi l
eather ,notfocusi ngon
what 'sgoingonar oundme, notf ocusingont hepai n
butf ocusingonherandonl yher .Shel et'soutasob
sti
lltryi
ngt osav emewi ththehel pofhermot her
andsi ster
sbuti tdoesn’ twor k.
Onebrot
herpi
cksmeupwi
thmycol
l
arandpunches
myface.
"howdarey ougetmysi st
erpr egnant
!"bell
owst he
brot
her.Hegi vesmeanot herpunchagai nbutwhen
hetri
estohi tmeagain,Iholdhishandandsay" How
doyouexpectmet oanswery ourquestionwheny ou
keeponbl owingallt
hesepunchesandki cks.Give
meachancehau. "Isaywiggli
ngoutofhi sgr i
pbut
hedoesn'tletgo.Ihavetosay, t
hesemenar ehuge
andstrong..
...
..
"Letmegophel a.
"Isaylooki
nghi
mintheeye.Ican
seet hatheisdef
eatedbymystat
ementsbuthe
refusestoleti
tshow.
"Puthim downSi
hle,
let
'sher
ewhathisexcusei
s
befor
ewesendhi mtohisancest
ors.
"saysoneof
thebrothers.
"Whatdoy oumeanbyt hat,ifyoukil
lhim Iswearto
GodIwi llt
ellmom whaty ourf r
ienddi
dt omeback
then.Iwil
ltellherev
erything."shout
sThando.Al l
thebrotherslookatThandoandonesay s"tel
lher.
Wedon' tcare.Allwecareaboutnowi sthisfooland
howmuchhehasdi srespectedus!"
"Hedidn'
tdisrespectany one.I nfacthehasshown
met heutmostl oveandt hat'swhyam pr egnantwi t
h
hischi
ld.Thischil
di sar esultofourl oveandt he
sooneryouunder standt hat,thebetter"shouts
Thandowi t
hawobbl yv oice.Ithurtsmet oseemy
queengot hroughsuch.I fIcoul d,Iwouldhav ekil
led
alloft
hese3f oolsal ongt i
meagof ormakingher
crybutIcan't.
"
Heshoul dhav ewaitedThando.Heshouldhave
waitedunti
lhemar ri
edy oubutno,
hejusthadto
rushintoputt
inghisstupidgr
eedypenisi
ntoyou!!
!!
!!
Andt oday,
thatisexactl
ywhyhewi l
lhavetodie.
"
"I
fhediest
henIwil
ldi
ewithhi
m becausether
eisno
wayam goi
ngtorai
sethechi
ldmyself
."shout
s
Thando.
"Andwhosai
dyouwil
lkeept
hechil
d,"say
sthe
brot
herwhoi
shol
dingmycoll
ar.
Nowwhoawhoawhoa, sl
owdown, pauseand
repl
ay..
..
..Whatdidhejustsay .Imovemyheadi n
motiontofacethisidi
otwhoi sapplyingforadeat
h
cert
ifi
cateandIjustknowt hatIhavepsychoti
c
smileonr i
ghtnow.Ist
airathi
mf orthel
ongestand
thenIletmydemont akeover.Iswitchoffmymor al
respectf
ulconsci
encethathasbeenl ett
inghim do
everyt
hinghepleasedtodo.Iclosemyey esand
thenmydemont akesover.
WhenIf i
nallycomebackt omysensesandopenmy
eyes,Ifindmysel fst
andingont opofhi s
unconsci ousbodywhi lebloodcomesoutofhi s
mout h.Ilookar oundandIr eal
isethatt he2ot her
brothersar ejustopenmout hedwhi lepointingthei
r
gunsatme.Thando, hermot herandsi ster
swho
seem dumbf oundedandt hunderstruckatt hesame
ti
mear ej uststari
ngatme.
Fuck!
!
"St
oplooki
ngatmel i
ket
hat,getanambulance!!
!!
"I
bel
lowatthesef
rozenst
atues.Ihav
eli
ter
allyfucked
upevery
thi
ngandIknowit.
*
***
***
***
**
Heyheysothischapt
ermighthavealotofspel
l
ing
error
sandGrammermi st
akesbutpl
easedon'tmind
them.Am st
il
ledi
ti
ngthem
Chapt
er21

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Il
ookathimlayi
ngonthest
ret
cher
,st
il
lshor
tof
wordsnotknowi
ngwhatIdi
dtohim
Theytakehi
mint
otheambul
anceandi
stakent
o
thehospi
tal
.
"ComeZipho.Let'
sgo,"say
soneoft hebr
other
s.
Theycalloneofguardsandhimt of
oll
owthe
ambulance.Tshi
diandNoluthandofol
l
owthem too
i
nt hei
rowncar.
"
Mamal et'
sfoll
owt hem. "saysThandopull
i
ngher
mothert
oacarbuthermot herstay
sstat
ionery.She
l
ooksatmet henherf acel i
ght
ensup.Shewal ksup
tome,st
andsinf r
ontofmewhi leam downf aced.
Am soashamedofmy selfofmysel
fri
ghtnow.
"Mama,am verysor
ryfordi
srespect
ingyouinyour
house.I
-Idi
dn'
tmeant odowhatIdid."am l
yi
ng,I
act
uall
ydiditonpurposenayehedeservedit
becausehowcany
out
hreat
ent
oki
l
lanot
herman'
s
chi
ld.
Thando'
smot
herj
ustst
andsst
il
landkeepsher
smil
eonherf
ace.
"Myson, y
oudi dn'tdoanythingwrong.Youact uall
y
didt heri
ghtthing.Youf oughtfory ourloveandyou
didn'tevencar ethatthemany oujustbeatupis
Thando' sbrother."shesays.Ilookup, shakenbyher
wor ds."youhav ej ustpr
ovedy ourselftomemyson.
Andasf orSihle,
hedeser vedit.Hewi llbefi
ne.
"
Il
ookatThandowhoi sstandi
ngbehindmymot her
andshejustshr
ugs.Am soconfused.
..
..
..
.Ij
ustbeat
hersonandsheisn'
tangry.
..
..
..
.
"Ihavebeenwai t
ingfort hatonemanwhowasgoi ng
tostanduptot hem formydaught ersandy oujust
didthat
.Iknowt haty out hinkyour ui
nedy our
chanceswiththisfami l
ybuty oudidn't.Youdidthe
ri
ghtthi
ngbutdon' tthinky ouhav emanagedt oget
those3outofy ourway ,
ther earest i
l
lgoingto
comeaty ouunt i
lthedayy ouputar i
ngont hat
womany ouclaimt obei nl ovewith.Comel et'
sgo
i
nsidetot
reatthosewounds.
"Inodtowhatshejust
sai
dtome.Sheput smyarm aroundhershoul
deras
Thandodoesthesamewi t
htheothersi
de.
"
Ouch!Becar
eful
please.
"Isay
.
"Ooohsuckitupbbe,
youaman.
"saysThando
sarcast
ical
l
y,ki
ssi
ngmyswol
l
encheek.
"Iwouldi
fitwasn' tf
ory ourhormonesmessingwi t
h
me,"Isaychuckling.Ihonestl
yf eel
li
keIgothitbya
busbecausemywhol ebodyisaching.Ir
eall
yam in
l
ov ehey,
Iseriouslyletthi
swoman' sbrot
hersbeat
meupal lbecauseIl oveher..
..
.Wow.Wegeti nside
thehouseandt heyhel pmesi tonthecouch.
"
Iwi
l
lgogett
hef
ir
stai
dki
t.
"say
sThando.
"Okayletmegogetabucketwi t
hwar m wateranda
towel.
"theybot hleavemesi t
ti
ngont hecouch,
l
ookingar oundt hi
smassi vesnuggl ycontemporary
house.Ev er
y thinglookssol avi
shst arti
ngfrom t
he
whitegleami ngmar bl
efloorscov eredwi t
hgreycozy
l
ookingr ugst ot hegreysheercur tainsonthewall
thatar
ecov eringthedoubl eglazedhi gharched
windowswhi chIcancat chagl i
mpseof .The
furnishingisall greyandwhi tefrom t hecouchest o
thepi l
lows.Someant i
quesar oundt hel i
vingr oom
l
ookext remelyv aluabl eandeachoneoft hem
seemst obet ellingast oryofi tsown.Myey esare
quicklyluredtoamar blefireplacemant elthathas
whi t
ecandl es, 3v aseswi t
hwhi teroses, photo
framesandat reasur echest .Thando' smot hermust
reall
ybef ondofmar bl est oneandt hecol orsgrey
andwhi te.Ial
sospott hewoodendi ni ngt ableona
woodenf l
ooratt hef arr i
ghtendwi tht radi t
ional
paintinghangi ngf rom t hewal l.Eachar eaoft he
l
iv i
nganddi ni
ngr oom isj ustbeaut iful andIwon' tli
e.
Istandupf rom t hecoucham si t
ti
ngonheadi ngto
thef i
replacewhi chhascapt i
vatedmyat t
ent i
onwith
thephot oframesoni t.
Ilookateverysingleoneoft hem,l
ookingatal lof
thepeopleIhav emett oday,fr
om t
hetripletstomy
woman; Thando.Shel ookedsocutewhenshewas
youngwithhercut ebuttonnose.Ismil
eatapi ctur
e
ofheratav eryyoungagebutmysmi lef adesaway
assoonast heper sonhol di
ngheri
nthispi ctur
e
catchesmyat tenti
on.Itrynottodr
opt hef r
ame
event
hougham i
nshock.I
t'
sthemanIsawi na
pi
ctur
eonThando'
sphonethatni
ghtIaskedhert
o
bemine.
Whoisthi
smanandhowi sher
elat
edtoThando.I
am t
hedefi
nit
ionoffuckedupri
ghtnow.It
akeout
myphoneandt akeapictur
eofthi
sandsenditto
Br
endon
Findoutwhothemaninthi
spict
urei
sandhowhei
s
relat
edtoThandoASAP*
***.

"Babycomesitdown, "saysThandoasshewal ks
downthemar bl
est ai
rs.Il
ookback,st
artl
edbyher
andIputthepicturebackont hef
ir
eplace.Iwal
k
backtoherandsi tdownont hecouchshei ssi
tt
ing
onwithherfi
rstaidkit.
"
Babyar
eyouokay
?"asksThando.
"
Yeaam f
ine,
whyar
eyouaski
ng?
"
"
Wel
lyoul
ookl
i
key
ouar
edi
str
act
ed,
"
"
ooham j
ustthi
nkingofhowam goingt
oapol
ogi
ze
t
oyourbr
other.
"Isaylooki
ngather
.
"
Aghdon'
tevenbother.Tomorr
owmor
ningwear
e
l
eav
ingany
way s.
"saysThando.
"
Nowear
enot
,"Isayt
oherwi
thoneey
ebr
owup.
"
Yeswear
eandt
hisi
sn'
tupf
ordi
scussi
on.
"
"WomanIwantt ostayandyouwilll
i
stent
ome
whetheryouli
kei tornot.Wewil
ll
eaveonSunday
andthat'
sit
."Isayholdingupherchi
n.Sheroll
sher
eyesatmewhi leshakingherheadandImov ecloser
toherear.
"Andj ustbecuaseoft hatatti
tude,youwi l
lget
punishedf orthatmydearl ady .Waitandseehow
youwi llbebeggi ngf ormymer cywhilescreaming
outmynamewhenwegobackhome.Iwi llmake
your egretrol
li
ngt hoseey esbutIdef ini
tel
ywi ll
makey ourollthem t ot hebackofy ourhead. "I
whisperbef orebi t
ingherearandl ickingit
.Ifeelher
bodyshi veri
ngandt hatput sasmi r
konmyf ace.I
fol
lowherey esast heyt r
yt orunawayf rom mi ne
sti
llwiththesmi rkonmyf ace.
"
Stoptr
yingt
oseducemychil
dwit
hy ourbl
ueeyes
wena,
"saysavoi
ce.Il
ookupandseeThando'
s
motherhol
dingabucket,
at owel
onhershoulder
andahandbagwhichishangingonherarm.Istand
upandtrytohel
pherwiththebucketbutmyhurt
bodydoesn'
tall
owmet o.
"Don'
tworr
yson.Letmeputi
ther
e."shesay
s
putt
ingi
tonthefl
oor.
"Thandoletmegocheckony ourbr
otherbef
orehe
concludesthatIdon'
tcar
eabouthi
m,"says
Thando'smot her
.
"Okaymom.Iwi l
lcal
lyoutof i
ndouthowheisdoing.
Iwil
l comeassoonasNkosi sleeps.
"say
sThando,
hahasheain'
tgoinganywhereshame.Shewill
stay
herewi t
hmeunithesunrises.Excusemebutam
self
ish.
"Oohnoit'
sfi
neThando.Lookafterhi
m.Youcango
seeSihl
etomorr
ow."saysThando'smother
.She
tur
nstothedoorandleavesThandoandIallal
one
i
nt hehouse.
"Okaysol
et'
str
eaty
ouMrt oughguy.
"say
sThando
unbutt
oni
ngmyshir
t.Sher
emov esmyshir
t,and
l
ooksatmywoundedchest.ShepokesmeandIl et
outal
i
ttl
emour
n.
"
Sor
ry!
"shesay
scr
ingi
ng.
Shetakesthetowel ,dipsitint
hewat eri
nthebucket
andstart
stocl eanthewounds.Igazeatherasshe
doesallt
his;shemov estomyneckt henmyf ace
andam stil
ll
ooki ngather .Shekeepsonsteal
ing
gl
ancesatmeandt r
iessohar dnottoblush.My
womani sbeaut i
ful
!!
!!!
!!!
"Ist
il
lcan'
tbeli
evet
hatyouact
ual
lyhi
tmybrot
her
."
shesayssti
llcl
eani
ngthewoundsonmyface.
"Hepushedabut
tonhewasn'
tsupposedtopushso
hegotwhathehadaskedf
or.
"Isayshruggi
ng.
"Iwon' tli
e,Ihonestl
yfel
tsorryforhim wheny ou
start
edhi tti
nghi m.I
t'
sli
key oulostall
yoursense.I
want edt ostopy oubutmom sai dIshouldn'
t
i
nt er
fer eandasf ormybrothersthewer eshook.
Theyj ustwat chedyouhitSi
hlewi t
htheirguns
pointingaty ou."say
sThando.
"AndIdon'
tregrethit
tinghi
m atal
l.I
fIwasaskedt o
doital
loveragain,Iwould.
"Isayhol
dingThando's
handthat
'scleani
ngt hewounds."
lookatme,"Isay
toher.Sher
aisesherfacet
of acemineanda
momentofsilencewit
habi l
l
ionfeel
i
ngsf eel
sust
he
air
."Guesswhat,
"Isaytoherinasoftvoi
ce.
"
What
?"
"
Iwantt
oki
ssy
ou,
"
"
Real
l
y?"shesay
ssmi
l
ingandbi
ti
ngherl
owerl
i
p.
"
Yesr
eal
l
y,socanI
?"
"
Sincewhendoy
ouask?
"
"Am beingpoli
tehausoappr eciat
eitwhil
sti
tlasts
becuaseonSundayam goi ngt odestroyy
ou,"Isay,
slowlyl
eaningin.Shel et
soutasof tgiggl
eand
mov esherli
pscl osertomine.Ourl i
psmeetand
begintomov einsy nc.Imissedherlipssomuchand
ri
ghtnow, t
heyt asteamazing.Ipullaway,gi
vehera
softperkonherl i
psandcheeks.
"
Am hungr
y"Isayst
il
lgi
vi
ngherper
ks.
"
Am alsohungr
y.Letmefini
shcleani
ngyour
woundsthenwecaneat.Iputourfoodi
nthe
micr
owave.
"
okay
,"Isay
.
Imighthav
er ui
nedmychanceswit
ht hebrot
hers
butIwontl
etgooft hi
swomannomat t
erwhat,
ifi
t
meansmef ight
ingall
oft
hem al
loveragai
ntheIwill
dosogladl
y.

*
***
***
***
Sihl
e'
sPOV( f
ir
standl
astPOVf
rom t
hischar
act
eri
n
thebookThando)

Iopenmyey es, remember i

ngt hebeat ingIgotf rom
thebl ueey edman.Thatf oolcer tainlyhaspr oven
himsel ftome.Hi m beat i
ngmeupt hatmuchshows
howpr otecti
v ehei sov ermysi st erandam gl adthat
hemether .Nonoft heguy sthatmysi sters
previouslybr oughthomedar edt ost andupagai nst
mybr othersandI ,i
twasei thert heyl eftort hey
fol
lowedouror der sbutthisone, hei sdi ff
erentandI
l
ikeitbutIdon' tlikehim.See; asabr other,Ihaveto
protectmysi stersf r
om thosecr eat urescal ledmen
becauseIdon' twantt hem tobehur t,especially
Thando.Herbei ngr apedbackt henr eal l
ybrokemy
brothersandI.Thatmadeust hinkthatwehadf ai
led
asbr ot
hersandt hatswhywepr omisedtopr otect
oursister
s.Wel ov ethem andt heyknowt hatbut
theyjusthavetounder standthatusbei nghar shon
allt
heguy stheybr i
nghomei sawayofseei ngi f
thoseguy sarewor thoursist
er s.Yeswedoenj oy
seeingtheguy strembleandal l buti
t'
sjustawayof
seeingiftheguyiswor t
hit.
Il
ookar oundtheroom am inandreal
isethatam i
na
hospit
al,di
dIpassoutorsomet hi
ng.Itrytomove
butIfeelasharppainallovermybody.Av er
yvery
sharppain.Ij
ustdecidetostayst
ati
onaryandjust
l
etmyt houghtstakeov er
.

Soam Si hl
eMdl etshe,theoldesttripl
etandt he
heartl
essone.Inev erandImeannev er,letaper son
whohaswr ongedmego.Nev er.
...
..Am 35y earsold
andy esam singlejustl
ikemybr othersbutmy
reasonsforbeingsi ngl
ear edif
ferentfrom my
brother
sev enthoughIhav enevert ol
dany one.Am
notsingl
ebecauseIbel iev
einwomenbei ngev i
land
allj
ustli
kethose2i mbeci l
esbutam si nglebecause
Ialreadyf oundmywomany earsago.WhenIwasi n
Johannesbur gwor ki
ngononeofmyf ather'
s
projectsaf terhisdeat h,ImetaGoddessandshe
toldmet hathernamewasSi yabongaev enthougha
fri
endshewaswal ki
ngwi t
hont hatdaycal l
edher
withanamet hatstartedwi thanR.If el
linl
ov ewith
heratf ir
stsi ghtbutInev ersawheragai naf tert
hat
day .It
riedsear chingf orherbutIgotnot hi
ng.
Howev erItdoesn' tmeanIgav eup, am stil
llooki
ng
forherandf orsomer eason, Ifeelli
keIwi l
lmeether
soonbutIj ustdon' tknowwhen.Ev enthough
woment hrowt hemsel vesatme, Idon'tcareabout
them, i
twi llalwaysbeherandheronl yuntilthedayI
die.IhopeIwi l
lfi
ndhersoonbecauseImi ssherand
Ican'tbar eitany mor e.
"
Bafo,
youarefi
nall
yawake.
"saysKhayacomingin.I
l
ookathi
m andjustnodwit
houtmovi
ngtherestof
mybody.
"
Yes,
wher
eist
hatbl
ueey
edman.
"Isay
.
"Heisathome.Mom sai
dheneedst
orest
."say
s
Khayashaki
nghisheadwit
hhi
shandsi
nhis
pocket
s.
"
Cal
lThandonowandt
ell
herIwanthi
m her
eint
he
mor
ning.
"Isay
.
"
OkayBaf
o,enoughabouthi
m.Howar
eyou?
"
"Ican'
tmov eBaf o.Ifeell
ikethatmandislocatedall
mybones. "Isay.Khay achucklesandsay s"HaiBafo,
thatmanissur elyadev il
.Whenhest art
edbeat i
ng
you,Iwasjustshook.Al lIcouldseewasy oubeing
thrownalloverthepl acewhilepuncheswer ebeing
thrownli
kenobody 'sbusiness.
"hesayst aki
nga
seatnexttomybed.
"Hehaspr
ovenhimsel
fBafo.Hehasj ustshownme
howmuchhev al
uesuThando."Isay
.
"Hehas,butdon'tt
ell
mewear
elet
ti
nghi
m of
fthe
hookjustl
ikethat.
"
"
Ineversai
dthat
.Hest
il
lhast
ogot
hroughal
otof
t
ests.
"Isay.
"
Yah.
"
"
Wher
eismot
her
."Iask.
"
Sheiswi
thZipho,
Tshi
diandNol
uthandoatt
he
wai
ti
ngar
ea."
"Ooohokay ,soanypr ogr esswi thBrain?"Iask.Bri
an
i
st hef oolwhot ookawayoursi ster'sprideandwe
wer enev erablet ogetourr ev
engef orwhathedi dto
Thando.Af t
errapi ngThando, hedisappearedinto
thi
nai randwhenhi sfatherdies, wethoughthe
woul dcomeandmoanhi m buthenev erdid.We
havebeensear chi ngforhim butnot hing,whenever
wef indhi m,hedi sappear sagain.Amont hago,we
l
ocat edhi m hereinSAbuthedi sappear edagain
within15mi nutesoflocat inghim.
"
NobutZiphosai
dsomethi
ngabouthi
mj oi
ning
f
orceswi
thMrJones'
ssons.
"saysKhaya.
"
Wer
entMrJonesanddadenemi
es?
"
"
Theywer
e."r
epl
i
esKhay
a.
"
Hmmmmm.IwonderwhyBr
ainj
oinedf
orceswi
th
t
hem.
..
."Isay
.
"
Yeah.Si
gh*
**Bafoletmegor
est
.Iwil
lcome
t
omorrowmorni
ng."say
sKhay
astandi
ngup.
"
Okay
.Don'
tfor
gett
ocomewi
thMrbl
ueey
es.
"Isay
.
"
OkayIwon'
t.
"
"
Andt
ell
mom t
ocomei
n,
"
"OkayBafo."heleav
estheroom andt
hentheroom
i
sonceagai nfil
l
edwi t
hZipho,
mom, Nol
uthando
andTshidi.
"
Iaskedf
ormom noty
ouguy
s."Isaybei
ngsar
cast
ic.
"Shutupwena.That'
swhytheyhi
tyout oday,
"says
Tshidil
aughi
ng.Theyal
ll
aughbutIjustlookatthem
squint
ingmyeyes.
"Mf owethu,thatmanbeaty ouup!Whenwesawy ou
l
ay ingont hefloor, wethoughtyouwer edead
becauset hewayhewasbeat ingyou,Iwaseven
thinki
ngofj ustst arti
ngwiththefuneralpl
ans.Iev
en
closedmyey esf orasecondbecausei twastoo
mucht ohandl e.Baf obakushayi
le.
"saysZipho
l
aughi ngreallyhar d.
"Youfi
nall
ypickedonsomeoney ourownsi
zeand
hetaughtyouav al
uabl
elesson.
"saysmymother
seati
ngont hechai
rbesi
demybed.
"
Hamama,
howcany
ousaysucht
oyourson.
"
"
Am bei
nghonestmydearSi
hle.Hedi
dsomet
hingI
hav
ebeenf ai
li
ngtodof oryear
snow,
"sher
epl
i
es.I
j
ustlookatherandchuckle.
.
"Ai
iokayyoucanal l
goawaynow.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
saygoodnight
."Isay.
"Wearesleepi
ngherewi
thy
ou!
!"say
sTshi
di
shout
ingexcit
edl
y.
"
Aaahwhy?pl
easel
eav
eIwantt
obeal
one.
"Isaybut
t
hesepeopl
edon'
tmove.
AiiIguesstheywon'tleave,
Imightaswel
lgetmy
rest.Am l
it
eral
lycountingdowntotomorr
owto
whent hatbl
ueey edfoolcomeshere.

*
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er22
NKOSI
'
SPOV

Am wokenupbyal
ightcomingi
nthr
oughthe
wi
ndowandam notreadyt
owakeupatall
.
"
Thandooocl
osethecur
tai
ns.
"Isaycov
eri
ngmy
sel
f
wi
ththebl
anket
.
"Nop,youhavetowakeupnow, "say
samal evoice,
roughl
ypull
ingtheblanketoffme.Oohshit
..
..I
quickl
yopenmyey esandlookattheper
son
standi
nginfrontofme.
"
Umm goodmor
ning.
"Isayj
umpi
ngoutofbed.
"
Wear
eleav
ingat7:
30sogof
reshenup.
"
"
Leav
ingt
owher
e?"Iaskconf
used.
"
Toseethepersonyoubutt
eredlastni
ght
.Hewants
t
oseeyou.
"Eish.Il
etoutaloudsighandj
ustsmi
le.
"Ummm okay
.Letmef
reshenup.Ohhhav
eyouseen
Thando?
"
"
Shei
sint
heguestr
oom.It
oldhert
osl
eept
her
e
notinhere.
"hesay st
urni
ngtothedoor.Heexitsthe
room, l
eavi
ngmei ntheroom.Ithrowmyselfonthe
bed,wonderingwhySihl
ewantst oseeme.Itakemy
phonef r
om thetabl
ebesidet
hebedandchecki tfor
anymessagesbutt her
eisnon.Oohwel l
,l
etmej ust
getready.
Am doneget t
ingr
eady,ti
met ogodownstai
rs.Il
ook
atmy selfonthemirrorf
oronemor eti
me,admi r
ing
themani nthewhit
eshirtwit
hblackbut
tons,f
ormal
blacktrousersandblackshoes.
Itakemysungl assesfrom t
hedressingt
abl
eand
putthem on.Idon'
twantpeopleseeingmyeyes.I
won'twearahather ebecausenooneknowsme
hereinNorthwest.
Ifi
nal
lyl
eavetheroom,
headi
ngtotheli
vi
ngroom.I
hearsomeonesingi
ngi
ntheki
tchenandIgother
e.
"Goodmorni
ng,
"Isayappr
oachi
ngThando.Iki
ssher
onhercheek.
"Morningbaby.Comeeatyourbreakf
ast.
"says
Thandot aki
ngabowlfrom t
hecupboard.Sheput
s
theplateonthecount
er,r
eachesforapotonthe
stov
eanddishest
hemiel
i
epapthepotint
othebowl .
Shehandsthepl
ateov
ert
omebutsomeonet akes
theplat
efr
om meandput
sitonthecounter
.
"Comeit'
s7:30.
"says,okayhonestl
yIstil
ldon'
t
knowtheother2brother'
snamessoam j ustgoing
tocal
lthi
soneMpho.Hahai tsui
tshim sowell
.
"Ummm Khay a,canhepleaseeatfi
rst
,hehasn'
thad
hisbr
eakfast.
"saysThandohandingthepl
ateover
tomeagai nbuthetakesit
,agai
n!Ooohokaysohe
i
sKhay a.2brother
snamesdown, onemor etogo.
"
Babydon'twor
ry.Iwi
l
lcomeeatl
ater.Letme
l
eave.
"Isaypat
ti
ngTHANDO'Sshoulder.
"
Butbaby
..
."
"
Thando!
"bel
lowsKhaya.Thandokeepsqui
etand
l
ooksdown.Ihol
dherchinandlookather
."don'
t
worr
ylov
e.Bye,
"Isay
.
Shesay
sby etomeandIfol
lowKhaya.Wegot
othe
gar
age,geti
ntoacaranddr
iveof
f.
"
What
'sy
ourname?
"asksKhay
akeepi
nghi
sey
eson
t
her
oad.
"
Nkosi
,
"
"
JustNkosi
?"
"
Yes.Sur
namei
sNxumal
o."
"
hmmmmm soMrNxumal
o,whatdoy
oudof
ora
l
i
ving?
"
"
Iownacoupl
eofbusi
nesses,
"
"
Busi
nessesasi
ncor
nershopsorwhat
."
"No.Iownacoupl eofhospi
tal
s,complexesand
companiesthatspeci
ali
zeinScenic&Sightseei
ng
Tours,r
esi
dential
remodeli
ngandadv ert
isi
ng."
"Hmmm okay .Atl
easty
ou'll
beabletotakecareof
mypr i
ncess.Nowlet
'st
alkaboutthi
s,whydidyou
sleepwit
hmysi st
erbef
oremarryi
ngher?"heasks.I
l
ookathim, bl
ankashell
,Idon'
tknowwhatt osay.
"
BecauseIl
oveher
."
"Youcouldhav elovedherwi t
houtsleepingwithher
MrNxumal osoy ourloveforherisnov ali
dreason
foryoutofuckher ."hesay s."Whatyoudi dwas
wrong,especiall
yimpr egnantingherbef or
emar ri
age.
Youdisrespectedusandy oudi sr
espect edoneof
ourfather'
swishesandt hatiswhywedi dwhatwe
didtoy oul
astnight.
"Ij
ustl ookoutsi
dethewindow
ashesay sallofthi
sandIhav etoaccepti
tthough,
accordingtot
hebl ackculture,
Ihavedisr
espected
them butIdon'tr
egretmaki nglovetomywoman
Shewascr eatedformeany ways.
"Am ver
ysorryfordi
srespecti
ngyou.Ishouldhav
e
askedforherhandinmar r
iagefi
rst
."Isay.
"Yourapol ogywon'tchangeanythi
ngboy.Now, l
et
met ellyousomet hi
ngmyboyandy ouwi l
lsi
tther
e
andlisten."saysKhaya.Wehav earr
ivedata
hospital.Khayaparkedhiscarandlockedthedoors.
Letthel ectur
ebegin.
"Ipersonal
lydon'tl
ikeyouandi stil
lfeelli
kekill
ing
yourightnowbutl astnight,Ir
ealisedhowmuchmy
sist
erlovesyouandIdon' twanttomakehercr yby
taki
ngy ouawayf rom her.AsmuchasIdon' twant
tosayt hi
s,Ihavetoaccepti t,
sincey oudeci dedto
goaheadandsl eepwithThando, y ouwi l
lhav eto
mar r
yherbuti tdoesn'
tmeany ouar eof fthehook.
Justbecausey oubeatupSi hl
elastni ght,doesn't
meanwear enowaf r
aidofy ousobel i
evemewhenI
saywest il
l hav eourey esony ou.Accor dingt ous,
nobodywi llev erbegoodenought odat eThando, l
et
alonemar ryingher .Nooneev erwi ll.Youmi ght
mar r
yherbutwewi l
lstil
lwat chy ou.Sowehav ea
coupl eofr ul esf ory oulet '
sgot hrought heser ules.
Rul enumber1, nev erhur toursi ster, andbydon’ t
hur ther,Imean, don’ thurtherorwewi llhunty ou
downandhur tyou.She' sourl it
tlesi st erandweher e
topr otecther .Rul enumber2, ifsheev ercr i
es, make
sur eshest opsbef oreweseet hoset ear sbecause
wewi llshoott hatt hingy oucal ladi ck.I nf actl etme
sayt his,ifsheev ercr i
es, wewi llkilly ousomake
sur eshenev ercr i
es.Rul enumber3, mysi ster
shoul dnev erandImeannev ergot hroughat hing
calledpov ertybecauseshegr ewupi naf ami l
ywi t
h
moneysoi fsheev ersleepswi t
hanempt yst omach
becausey ouhav ebecomebr oke, Iwi l
l comet ake
heraway .Rul enumber4, tr
eatherl ikeaqueen
becauseshei sone.Rul enumber5whi chy ou
alreadyshowedal lofusl astni ghtev ent houghy ou
hur tSihle,pr otectheratal ltimesandf ightf orher .I
f
youbr eakanyoft heser ules,Iwi l
l comedownon
youl ikehel l,Iwi l
l makey ourlifeal i
v i
nghel landI
willmaket hatmymi ssion,ar ewecl ear ?"hesay s
pointi
nghi sf i
ngeratme.Inodmyhead, tohi s
l
ectureandsay"okayIwi llfoll
owal lyourr ul es
whichIwoul dhav eneverev enbr okenev eni fyou
didntt ellme; butbef oreweendt hi
st opic, Ilov eyour
sist
er, shei sapr iori
tyinmyl if
ewhi chi swhyIwoul d
neverwi sht ohur therormakehercr y.Iwi l
l protect
hernomat terwhatandIwi l
l alway smakeherhappy .
Iknowt hatyout hinkam notper fectforheratal lbut
thatdoesn' tgivey ouguy st her ighttoabusemet he
wayy oudi dlastni ghtwhi chwaswhyIhi ty our
brother .Youar emor et hanwel comet onotl ikeme
andwat chmeal lyouwantbutpl ease, r
espectme
thesamewayIr especty ouasThando' sbr ot hers.
"I
sayt ohi m.Hechuckl es,thenhemov escl osert omy
earandsay s"wewi llneverr especty ouunt il you
earnt hatr espectmyboyandaboutl astni ght ,we
hadev er yri
ghttodowhatwedi dtoy ou."Ir emov e
mysungl assesandl ookathi m st r
aighti nt heey e.
"Hmm okaythen,Iwon'tsaymuchanymorebutall
am goingtosayi
s,respectmeandrespectt
helove
thatThandoandIhaveorelse,
youwillf
acethedevi
l
i
nme.Ihopewear
edoneher
e."
Hest aresatmewi t
hhi shandscl enchedi ntoafist.
Heunl ockst hedoor s,Iopenmydoorandst epout
ofthecar .Iputonmygl assesandwai tf
orhimt o
getoutoft hecar.Ifthesemot herfuckingbrothers
seriousl ythinkthatIwi l
ljustletthem wal kall
ov er
met hent heyar ekiddingt hemselves.Mi na
nginguZwi deKal anga,Inev erletany onefuckme
over ,especi al
lywhenThandoi sincludedinthe
si
tuat ion.
Hefinal
lyget
soutofthecarandstart
swalki
ng
towardsthehospi
tal
.Wegetinsi
deandgot othe
wait
ingareawhereThando'
smother,Nol
uthando
andTshidiar
e.Iwalktot
hem andgreett
hesister
s
fi
rst
.
"
Hel
l
oMa,
"Isay
.
"
Hel
l
omyboy
.Howar
eyou?
"sheasksme.
"
Am f
ineMa.Howar
eyou?
"
"Am f
inemyson.Iwill
seey ouathomemyboy ,I
havetogofreshenupsinceIspentt
hewholeni
ght
her
e."shesaystaki
ngherhandbagfrom t
hechai
r
nextt
oher
.
"
OkayMa.
"Isay
.
"
Khaya,
Iwil
lseeyouathome.Whatshoul
dIcook
f
oryouboy
s."shesaysl
ooki
ngathim.
"
Don'tworr
yma,wewil
lbuytakeaways.Yougo
f
reshenupandr
est.
"saysKhaya.Shenodsthen
walksaway.
"Comel et'
sgo."saysKhaya.Ifoll
owhim unt
ilwe
stopinfrontofabluedoor .Heturnst
omeand
signal
sf ormet ogeti
nside.
Iholdthedoorhandleandt wisti
ttoopen.Ifirst
peept houghthedoorandseeaper sonlayi
ngont he
bed,lookingt
heotherside.Iwalkinslowly,
closethe
doorbehi ndmeandclearmyt hr
oattocatchhi s
att
ention.
"Am toolazyt
oturnt
oy ousowalktome."hesays.
Ooohwow.Iwal ktothesidehei
sfaci
ngandgr eet
him buthedoesn'
tgr
eetmeback.Hejustlooksat
meandsay s"
sit
."
It
aket
hechai
r,si
tandj
ustkeepqui
etwhi
l
elooki
ng
down.
"Youknow, youhav esomegutboyandIl i
kethatgut
ofy oursbutIdidn'tcal
lyouforthat.
"hesaysl
ooking
atme.Iwon' tli
e,thismani sscary.NowIknowwhy
peoplewer elookingatmet hewayt heywerel
ast
night.Howcoul dIhav ebeatenupsuchaman. .
..
..
"
Whydidyoupi
ckmysister
?"heasks.Ir
aisemy
f
acet
ohisandchuckl
e.
"WhydidIpicky oursist
er?Wellbecauseyoursi
ster
i
st heangel
t hatIhavebeensear chi
ngfor
,foral
lmy
l
ife.Shei
sdif f
erentfr
om allt
hewomenoutt her
e
andbecauseGodcr eatedherforme."
"
Andhowdoy
ouknowt
hat
?"
"Becauseev ersi
nceshecamei ntomyl i
fe,ithas
beennot hi
ngbuthappi ness,shehasbroughtso
muchj oyintomyl i
fe.AndIal waysfeel
like
protectingheratallti
mes.Ij ustwantherher enext
tomeal lthetime.Whenev ershegoest hrough
somet hingitbreaksmyhear tandIwoulddo
anythingt omakeherhappyagai n.I
.."
"
Okayenough.Now,
am pr
ett
ysur
eKhay
agav
eyou
abigassl ectur eony ourwayher ebecauset hats
whathei sgoodatbutasf orme, Iwon' tgi
v ey oua
l
ongl ect ureatal l.Al lam goi ngt osayt oy oui s,
wat chy our selfboy .Onemi stakeandy ouar edead.
Thandohasbeent hr oughal otandi fy oumakeher
got hr oughany thingmor et hanwhatsheal readyhas,
Iwillki l
l you. "Forsomer eason, theaur aaroundhi m
suddenl yst ar tstowei ghmi nedownandbecomes
darkeranddar ker.Hi sf ocusonmebecomesmor e
andmor eashi sey esbegi nt omani pulatemywhol e
body ." Youmi ghthav ehi tmel astni ghtboybuti f
youdoany t
hi ngt oher ,knowt hatam notscar edof
youatal l
.Whaty oudi dt omel astni ghtwillbe
nothingcompar edt owhatIwi lldot oy ou."hesay s
i
nav eryl owdeepv oice.If eel achi lltraveldownmy
spineashi swor dsscar etheshi toutofme.Wher e
thehel ldidIgett hest rengt ht ohi tthismanl ast
night? Ther ei ssomet hi ngabouthi mt hatjustmakes
mef earhi m.Ihav eev enl ookedawayf r
om hi m
becauset her ei ssomet hingabouthi slook.Okayso
heist heonet r
ipletam notwi lli
ngt of uckwi thbut
alongwi t
ht hat,Iwon' tl ethi m wal kal lovermeort he
l
ov et hatThandoandIhav e.
"
Iheary
ou.
"
"Good.Youcanl eave."hesay s.Istandupt henwalk
tothedoor .Iopeni t
,st epoutoft her oom andcl ose
thedoor .Iletoutal oudsi ghandsomeoneput sthei
r
handonmyshoul der,st artl
ingme.Il ookatt hehand
thent heper sonandIr eal i
set hatit'
st heother
brother, theoneIst i
lldon' tknow.Ooohl ord,herewe
goagai n.Ithinkam r eadyt ogobackhome.He
l
ooksatmeandsay s" Don' twor ry,am nother eto
l
ectur ey ou.Al lIcansayt oy ouisdon' tfuckmeov er
thewayy oudi dwheny ouj ustdeci dedt ofuck
Thando.Besi desthat, Ihav enot hingagai nstyou.My
namei sZi phobyt heway .
"hesay sgiv i
ngmeahand
shake.Il ookathi m conf usedashel l
.Ishakehi s
handandsay" Am Nkosi ."Hel ooksatmet henpulls
met ot heseat s.Wesi tdownandt henour
conv ersat i
onst art
sf r
om t her e.
"
Soy
oul
ovemysi
sterr
ight
?"
"
YesIdo.
"
"
Okaythen.Ihav
etosay
,lastni
ghtyouprov
ed
y
oursel
ftomeandIhavetosay,Il
ikeyouNkosi
."he
say
sleani
ngonhi
schai
r.
"
Umm t
hanky
ouZi
pho.
"
"Don'tthankme.Sodoy ouwantt
ogooutf
or
breakfast.Yourli
psarewhit
eashell
soam guessi
ng
youar ehungry."hesays.
Eeeeh.
..
..
..I
shesomehowtheni
ceone?Ij
ustnod
myheadandhechuckles.
"Nkosi,am theonet r
ipl
etthaty oushoul
dnotbe
scaredof.Am t heonet hatyoushouldconsi
dera
fri
endsoj ustr elax."hesay s.Hestandsupfr
om his
seatthensi gnalsf ormet ofoll
owhim.OkayIthi
nk
am goingt olikehi m....
..
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
**

THANDO'
SPOV.

"Thankyoufort
hebr
eakfastbaby
.Ihadmi
ssedy
our
cooking.
"saysmymother.
"
Youar
ewel
comema.
"Isayt
oher
.
"
DidNkosi
eatbef
orel
eav
ing?
"
"Noma.Khay adr
aggedhi
m outoft
hehousebef
ore
hecoul
d."Isayshaki
ngmyhead.
"
Aiit
hosesonsar
ejustl
iket
heirfat
hermaan.They
l
i
kebeingdif
fi
cul
tandcompli
catedforabsol
utel
yno
r
eason.
"
"
Truet
hat
,"say
sTshi
di.
"
Ifeel
sor
ryf
ory
ourmanshame.
"say
sNol
uthando.
"
Itri
edtowarnhimlastni
ghtbutheref
used.I
wantedustogotothehotel
buthejusthadto
r
efuse.Nowlook.
"Isay.
"
Don'
tworrymydaught
er.Hewi
l
l bef
ine.Andhedid
t
heri
ghtthi
ngbyref
usi
ngtogothehotelandj
ust
f
aci
ngthose3.
"
"
Nomamahedi dn'
t.Yoursonskeeponabusi
ngmy
manandam t
ir
edofit."Isayshaki
ngmyhead.
"Don'
tsaythatl
i
ttl
esis.Nkosiwill
befi
ne,i
fhehad
thecouragetof
ightSi
hlethenam pret
tysur
ehecan
handl
ethem."saysTshidi
.Iletoutasi
ghandjust
l
ookatmyf
ood.
"Sot el
lus.Howdi dyouguy smeet ?"asksmy
mot her.Asmymi ndr unsbackt ot hedaywemet ,I
star
tbl ushingwithoutevenr eali
zingit.Il
ookatmy
mot herandsay" wel li
tallst
artedwi thaparki
nglot
.
Onmyf i
rstdaytowor k,Iparkedont hespothe
want edtopar ksohecamet omeandt ol
dmet o
mov ebutIr ef
usedsohej ustleft.Af t
erworkonmy
waybackhome, hepur poselyhitmycarbecausese
ofthepar kinglotissueandt hat'
swhenev er
ythi
ng
star
t ed."
"Haaayouli
e.Soy ouar etell
i
ngmeyouf el
li
nlove
withamant hathityourcar?!Haami
naIwoul dhave
kil
l
edhimy hooo."saysNol ut
handot
hrowingher
handsi
nt heair
.
"Ialsohatedhim atf
ir
st.Hewasthemostannoyi
ng
beingev erbutasti
mewenton, If
ell
forhi
sannoy
ing
asst henboom, t
hishappened.
"Isay.
"Wow, y
ouguysreall
ymeti
nthemostawkwar
dway
ever
."saysNol
uthando.
"
Yeahey
."
"
Am act
uall
yhappyt haty
oumethim Thando.That
mantr
ulyl
ov esyou.
"saysmot
her."
Heev enreminds
meofyourfather
."
"Her
emindsmeofdadt
ooma.Hei ssopossessi
ve
andcont
rol
l
ingj
ustl
i
kedad.
"Isay
.
"Rememberwheny oualwayst ol
dyourf
atherthat
youwantamanj ustl
ikehim andhesaidyouwi l
l
meetthatman,Nkosiisthatmansokeephi m
Thandoanddon'tl
ethim go."saysmymot her
.
Inodmyheadwi
thasmi
l
eonmyf
ace.
"NowIhaveaquesti
onThando.Ar
ehi
sey
esr
eal
l
y
blueor
..
..
"say
sNoluthando.
"
Yeat
heyar
e."Isay
.
"Wooooooot heyarezexyshame.OoohhowIwi shI
couldjustgetmyownbl ueeyedmanwhowi l
lbe
abletofacemybr other
s."say
sNolut
handoact i
ng
dramatic.Wealll
aughatherandmymot hersays
"i
sn'ty
oudon' twanttodatesohowwill
youf i
nd
him."
"
Hewi
l
lfi
ndmehau.
"shesay
srol
l
ingherey
es
sar
cast
ical
l
y.
"Hmmmm Yeasur e!
!!
"say
sTshidi
.IlookatTshi
di
andspotsomet
hingonherneck.Hehearemyey es
decei
vi
ngmeorwhat .
"Tshi
di i
sthatahickey?"Iask.Shequickl
ycoversi
t
andsay s"noIjustgothurt.
"Mymot herstandsup
from herseat
,walkstoTshi diandr
emov esherhand.
"Hey
i,Denzel
isdoi
ngthethings!
!!
!!
"shesay
s
l
aughing.Mymothermightbeoldbutshesti
ll
has
hert
eenspiri
t.
"Hayi
madon'tdot
hat
!"say
sTshi
di.I
fonl
ymot
her
knew..
..
..
..
.
Wecarryonwi
thourconver
sationunti
lwehear2
malevoi
cesl
aughi
nghard.Weal lt
urntot
hedoor
andfi
ndoutwhothemalevoicesbelongt
o.
Aremyeyesser
iousl
ylooki
ngatNkosi
andZi
pho
ri
ghtnoworadreami
ng...
..
..
..
..
..
Wel ookateachot
herconf
usedt
henwelookback
atthe2men.Nkosiwalksuptomeandki
ssesmy
l
ips.
"Nonomybr ot
her.Justbecausewear efr
iends
doesntmeany oucandoasy ouwishinfr
ontofme.I
cansti
llbeatyou,
"saysZiphothrowi
nghi mselfon
thecouch.Hehe,arethese2nowf ri
ends?!
"
Hayisuka.St
opbeingj
eal
ous."r
epli
esNkosi.He
wav
esatmysi st
ersandmotherthenlooksbackat
me.
"Canwepl
easel
eav
eonMondaybaby
.Yourbrot
her
andIar
egoingt
owatchal
i
vematcht
omorrow."
Thando,
wakeup,
youar
etot
all
ysl
eepi
ngr
ightnow.
Ilookatthel
adi
essi
tt
ingatt
het
abl
ewi
thmeand
theyareasconf
usedasIam.
"Thandoyourmani
swai
ti
ngf
orar
epl
y.
"shout
s
Zipho.
..
..
.
"Umm y
eahy
eahsur
e.I
t'
sokay
."Isaysnappi
ngout
ofit
.
"
Thankyoubaby
."hewal
kst
othel
i
vingr
oom and
j
oinsZi
pho.
"
OoohandSi
hlei
sbeingdi
schargedtoday
.Khaya
wi
ll
bri
nghi
mlateri
ntheaf
ternoon.
"saysZipho.
"Ooohum okay ."repli
esmot her.Honestlyweareall
shocked,i
nf actwear ebeyondshocked.Oneofmy
heart
lessbrothers,theonewhohasnev erli
kedany
oftheguyst hatmysi stersandIbr oughthome,the
onewhoj oinedKhay aandSihleinbeatingupNkosi
l
astnightissuddenl yfri
endswi thhim?!!
!Haaa.
Ilookatmymot herthenshejustopenshereyes
whileshaki
ngherhead.Ijustshrug,l
ookatt
he2as
theywatchsoccerintheli
vingroom andj
ustl
ook
backatthetabl
e.Ican'tbel
ievethi
s.

*
***
***
Chapt
er23

THANDO'
SPOV

Lastnightwehadaf ami l
ybraaianditwasamaz i
ng.
Nkosi andZiphoar eliketheper f
ectfr
iendship
mat ch.Theyact ual
lyactasi ftheyhavebeenf ri
ends
forsincechil
dhood.Theonl ypeoplewhower en'tas
happyast her estofuswer eKhayaandSi hle.They
keptonbul l
yingNkosi butZiphowasn'ttaki
nganyof
thatbull
.Am r eall
ygladt hattheyarefr
iends.
Iwakeupont heSundaymor ni
ng,
feel
i
nglonelyas
helli
nmybed....
..
.Imissmymansomuch. .
.Sigh.I
real
lycan'
twaitforustogobackt
omorrow.Igetout
ofbed,gogetabat h,makemybedandleaveforthe
kit
chentomakemi el
i
epapformyman.
Ifi
ndmymotheralmostdonewit
hsett
ingupthe
tabl
ewi
thbr
eakfast.Someti
mesIwonderwhyshe
hasmai
dswhenshel it
eral
l
ydoesal
lthwork.Ai
i
...
..
"
Goodmor
ningma.
"Isaygi
vi
ngherahugf
rom t
he
back.
"
Mor
ningmynunu.Howwasy
oursl
eep?
"
"
Itwasokayandy
our
s?"
"i
twasokay .
"shesays.Iconti
nuet
otheki
tchenand
putapotwi t
hwateronthestovewhenIsuddenl
y
feelwarm ar
mscreepingaroundmyneckandsoft
coldli
psperkmycheek.
"Goodmorningbeaut
if
ul."hesay
srubbi
nghi
s
hardsel
fagainstmyarse.
"HayiNkosiman.Mymom i sthedini
ngroom f
or
cryi
ngoutloud.
"Isaytryi
ngtopushhim awaybuthe
ti
ghtl
yholdsmywai standwhisper
s.
"andwhosai dIcare?"andthisstatementsends
shuddersdownmyspi ne.Itakeadeepbr eathi
n,
tryi
ngtokeepthemor almeintact.Hemov eshis
handsupt ocupmybr eastbutIquicklyholdthem
beforetheycoul
dev enreachmybr easts.Hegoes
downt omyneckandgi vesitsoftkisseswhilehe
i
nhalest hecol
dairaroundusandexhal eswar m ai
r
ontomyneck.
"Dontworr
y,soonshi tisgoingtogodownatmy
house.
"Igaspf orairandclosemyey es,st
il
ltr
ying
tocontr
olmy selfbecausebelievemewhenIsayI
wanttograbhim andf eelhisli
psagainstminej
ust
asouraurasfightformast ery
.
Heslowlylet
'sgoofmeandwal ksoutofthekitchen
wit
hhisshoesmaki ngacl
icki
ngsound.Iwat chhis
hunkyselfwalkawaywhenInoti
cemymot her
l
ookingatmewi thagri
n.Oooohgeez..
..
"
Goodl
ucknunu,
youneeditfort
omor
row.
"say
smy
mom wal
ki
ngint
otheki
tchen.
"Ai
ima.
"Isayblushi
ng.Il
ookawayfrom herwi
tha
smil
eonmyf aceandshesays,
"iseeyou."
"
Butma.
..
..
ihav
eaquest
ionf
ory
ou.
"
"
Whati
sit
?"
"
Aren'
tyouangr
ywi
thme?
"
"
Angr
ywi
thwhat
?"
"That
...
.Thatam pregnant
."shel
ooksatmethen
chuckles,nowlooki
ngdown.Shecallsmeovert
o
thediningroom wherewesitandshefi
nal
l
yspeaks.
"Am notangr yaty oumychi ld,am noteven
disappointed.Infact,am happy .Am happythaty ou
gavey ourselftotherightmanwhoi swi l
l
ingt okil
l
yourbrotherj ustbecauseoft helovehehasf oryou.
Any onecanseet hatNkosi i
sr eadytosacri
fice
himselffory ouandt hebabyt hatisgrowingi nsi
de
yourwomb. "sheput sherhandont opofmi neand
startsrubbingit.
"I
fy ourfatherwasst il
lal
ive,hewoul dalsobehappy
withy ourchoice."shelastl
ysay sbeforestandingup.
Ilookatherwi t
hasmi l
e,takenbyherwor ds.
Not hi
ngmakesmehappi erthanknowingt hatmy
mot herishappywi t
hmychoi cebecauset hat
'sallI
feared.Ialsostandupf r
om t heseatandgot ot he
kitchentocookNkosi '
smi eli
epap.
Whenbr eakfasti
sr eady,ev
ery oneiscall
ed
downst air
sandt heyal l
come.JustasNkosi
attemptst ositnexttomeatt hediningtabl
e,Khaya
pullsthechai r
,makingNkosi sitont hefl
oor.
Everyonebur stsoutinlaughterwhi l
eIhelpmyman
standup.Il ookatKhay awhoj ustshrugswhil
e
l
aughi ng.HowIwi shhecouldj ustgobackov erseas
man!
!
Khayaput
sthechairbackwher
eit
ssupposedtobe
buthehur
ri
edlysi
tsonthechai
rbefor
eNkosicoul
d
beathi
mtoit.
Nkosij
ustchuckl
esandf
indshi
msel
faseatnextt
o
Tshi
di.
IpeeratKhayawi
thangerwri
tt
enal
lov
ermyf
ace
buthesays"Il
oveyoutoo.
"mxm.
"Sowhatshoul
dwedotoday?"asksNol
uthando
shovi
ngaspoonofoat
sintohermouth.
"Hmmmm whataboutwegoouttot
hemal
land
havel
uncht
her
e?"repl
i
esTshi
di.
"Idon'
tfeelli
kegoingouttoday
.Let
'sjusthav
ea
sundaylunchher e.
"Isay
.Every
onelooksuptome
andthent heylookawayandconti
nuet al
ki
ng.
"
Sohowaboutpapachi
no'
s?"asksZipho.Ooohso
t
heyar
eignori
ngmysuggesti
on!?Okayitscool
,they
wi
ll
goalone.Am st
ayi
ng.
"I
t'
sokay.Sowewill
leaveat12sopeopl
ebeready
at12.
"saysNol
uthando.Khayal
ooksatSi
hleand
theybot hsay" wehav esomewor ktodosowe
won'tbet her e"butmymot herint erruptst hem." We
allknowy oudon' thav eanywor ksowhyar ey ou
l
y i
ng?Any way si t
'syourloss,wewon' tf or ceyout o
comeal ong. "Si hl
est andsupf rom hi sseat ,goes
upstairstohi sst udyr oom andKhay af ollowshi m.
Whenar et hesemengoi ngtost opbei ngcunt s
becausei t'sst ar t
ingt ogetallchildishnow.We
fi
nallyfini
shourbr eakfastandthemai dscl eant he
tableaswegoupt ooutr ooms.JustasIgeti ntomy
room, someonebehi ndmer oughl yshov esmei n
andcl osest hedoorandl ocksit.It urnt oseewhoi t
i
sbutmyl ipsar eal r
eadyagainsthi s.Hespeedi ly
picksmeupandwal kstothebed, droppi ngmet here
andst artst earingmypoormaxi dress.Ev eryt
hingis
happeni ngsof ast.
"Imissy ousomuch! !
""hesay
si nadeeplowv oi
ce.I
l
ookathi srefulgentnakedselfashistonguebegins
tonibbleonev erysingl
epartofmybody .Ifeel
my sel
fthr obbingmor eandmor euntil
Icanf eeli
t
swelli
ngbutNkosi conti
nuestoteaseme.
Hegoesdownt
omyt
oesandst
art
stosuckev
ery
singleoneoft hem, hemov esont omyl egsandmy
thighs,deli
cat el
yki ssi ngt hem asi ft heyaref r
agi
le.
Hef i
nall
yget stomyspotandhi sel egentey es
wat chmeashebegi nst obathemyspotwi thhis
l
av ishtongue.Ishi verast hetingli
ngf eeli
ngofhis
war mt ongueconsumesmei ntoawor l
dofbeaut i
ful
rockets.Ihol dont omysheet s,tryingnott omoan
l
oudl ybutIf ailto.Whent hel
oudestunexpect ed
moanescapesmyl ips, Ifeel
Nkosi 'shandcov ermy
mout handhesay s" shhh"wi thoutl eav i
ngmyspot .
Hegoesbackt olickingandsucki ng, makingmy
whol ebodyweakunt i
l Ifi
nall
ygoov ertheedgef il
led
withsci nt
il
lati
ngl ight s.Hecomesbackupt omyl ips
and
woundsthem wi
thhisjui
cyli
ps.Ist
artt
ounbut
ton
hi
sshir
tbutheroughlyhol
dsmyhandsandshakes
hi
sheadwi t
hagrin.
"Icameher etopleasey ou,notmy sel
f.Iwon't
disrespectyourmotherlikethat.
"andwi ththat,he
givesmeonel astki
ss,goest omybat hroom, does
whathedoes, comesbackwi t
hat owel andcleans
meup.Hewal kstomycl oset,get
smeaf l
orall
ong
dr
essandl eav
estheroom.Howcannkosibeso
cr
uel
!!
!!becauseIst
il
lwanthi
mri
ghthere!
!!
!
Igetdressedintothefl
oraldr
ess,gowashmyf
ace
andjustwat chTVinmyr oom.Hemademymor ni
ng
butalsoruineditatt
hesamet ime..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Nothingbrightensupamydayl i
ket asti
ngThando' s
secculentselfandli
st eningtohermoani ngsounds.
Thatjustmakesmet hemostr adiantmanonear t
h.I
real
lywant edtopleasur emy sel ftoobutknowi ng
Thando, Iwouldn'
triskitbecauset hatwomancan
moanf orday sandherp* **symakesmemoant oo
so.IleaveThando' sroom wi tht heintentiontogot o
myr oom butIendupgoi ngt oZi pho'sr oom.So
ZiphoandIhav ebecomef ri
endsandam l ovi
ngour
rel
ati
onship.It'
sli
ke, wehav ethisunbr eakable
br
omance.
Iknockonhisdoorandafterhear
inghisvoi
cesay
comein,Iopenthedoorandpeepi nt
otheroom.
"
CanIcomei
n?"Iask.
"Sureman.Comej oinme,am watchi
ngamov i
e."he
repli
eswhil
esit
tingonhisbed.Igeti
ntohi
sroom,
closethedoorbehindmeandjoinhiminwatchi
ng
TV.
"SoNkosi,whenar eyoumar ry
ingThando?"hesay s
withhiseyesgluedtotheTV.That'sonequest i
onI
expected.Il
ookathi m,chuckl
eandsay" Am
planni
ngonpr oposingtohertodayatlunch.Ihave
everyt
hingplannedout.
"Isay .
"
Oooohsothat
'swhyt
hose2rascal
swantt
ogoout
f
orl
unch.
"hesayspoi
nti
ngt
heremoteatme.
"
Pret
tymuchyeah.Iaskedthem t
ohelpmeoutwi
th
t
hiswhol
ethi
nglastnightatt
hebraai
."
"Butwhymakei ti
nt heaf
ter
noon.Makeiti
nthe
evening,
thenitwil
lbemoreromanti
c."hesay
s
gett
ingoffthebed.
"It
houghtabouti
tbutyoursi
ster
sref
used.They
sai
dweshoul dhaveanengagementpar
tyatnight
."I
say.
"Oooh.Wel
lwecanj
usthav
ebot
hoft
hoset
oni
ght
can'
twe?"
"Cal
lyoursi
stersandtel
lthem t
hatbecauset
hey
don'
twanttolistent
ome. "
"
OkayIwil
lspeakt
othem l
ater
."weconti
nue
wat
chingt
hemov i
eunti
lIf
eelabitsl
eepy.Ist
andup
f
rom t
hecouchandleav
eZipho'sr
oom formine.
Igettheretakemyphonef rom mypocketand
real
i
zet hatIhave6mi ssedcal
lsf
rom t
hecompl ex
guard.Icallhi
m backandheanswersafterthe3rd
ri
ng.
"Bozza,ther
ei samanherewhoclai
mst obean
elect
ri
cianandhewantstof i
xsomethingin
Thando'sapar t
ment
.ShouldIl
ethi
mi n?"heasksi
n
av er
ylowv oice.
"Nodon't.Not
hingi
swrongwithThando'
sapar
tment
.
Infact
,sendmeapi ct
ureoft
hissocall
ed
elect
ri
cian.
"
"OkayBozza. "heendst hecallandsendsmet he
pictureofthemanwhoi sali
ghtskinned,mascul ar
man, wit
hfreakl
esal lov erhi
sface.Hehasbr aod
shoul der
sandascaronhi sl
eftcheek.Isendt he
picturetoBrendonandaskhi mt odosomer esearch
ont hismanandhecal lsmeatt hatmoment .I
answeraf terthefi
rstringandBr endonsay s"That '
s
Brianboss.It'
shim. "Igaspf orairasangertakes
over.Myt eethclanchj ustasmyhandscl enchi nt
oa
fi
stt oo.
"Heisatthecompl ex.Makesur eheleavesthat
placeimmedi atel
ybutdon' ttouchhi
m, rememberhe
playswiththedeadl yboy ssowedon' twantto
tr
iggerthem orelset heywillcomeforThandoasa
wayt ohurtme. "Isay.Ihonestlywanttohurtthi
s
Brianman, Iwantt ohurtsobadbutt hose2Mexi can
menar enott omesswi th.Iwanttohaveapr oper
l
ifewithmywi f
e,notal i
feofsuf f
eri
ng.
Whenam aboutt
oendt
hecal
lIr
emember
somet
hing.
"Ummm Brendon.Anyf
indi
ngsf
ort
hepi
ctur
eIsent
onFr
iday
."
"Nosir
.Thisman'si
denti
tyisext
remelysecret
ive
anditwil
ltakesometi
mef ormet of
indit
."hesays.
"Oohokay .Justl
etmeknowifyoufindany
thi
ng.
"I
say.Idropthecallandj
ustsi
tonthebedandbur
y
myf aceinmypal ms.
Howcanamanbesousel esshuh?Iam supposed
tokil
lthatmanbutfearconquersme.Ifeart
hatifI
kil
lhim, hi
sal
li
eswil
lhurtmyThando.It'
sfi
neift
hey
hurtmebutmywoman? !That'
sar i
skam notwil
li
ng
totake.Thatri
skwi
llrui
nmeunt il
thatdayIdi
e.
Sigh.
...
..Butt
heni
fIleavehi
m, hewill
conti
nueto
harassThando.
WhatshallIdonow.ShouldIincl
udeZiphoint
his?
Nooo.Idon'tthi
nkIshoul
d.Iwill
havetocomeup
wi
thsomet hingandIhavetodosov er
yquick.
Themor ninggoesonsof astandit'
snowafter
noon
butNoluthandoandTshididon'tseem l
i
ketheyst
il
l
wanttogoout .IguessZiphospoketothem.
IgotoTshidi
'sr
oom j
usttofi
ndoutwhatisgoi
ngon.
Ifi
ndherdooropenbutIknockany
ways.Shecomes
tothedoorandsays"
HowcanIhel py
ouMrman? "
"
Iwantt
ofi
ndoutaboutt
hepl
ans.
"
"Oohy eah.Wewi l
ldoittonight.NoluandIhav e
plannedev er
ythi
ngout .Wewi l
l haveapartythatwi
ll
seem likeanormal oneunt i
l20:00wheny ouwi l
l
propose.Wehav einvit
edThando' sfri
endsand
someofourownf r
iends."shesay sleani
ngagainst
thedoor .
"Oohokay
.Butwhydidyouhav
etoi
nvi
tepeopl
e?I
t
coul
dhavejustbeenus.
"
"
Wellwehavetohav
eanaudi
encet
omakeherday
mor
especialso,
"
"
Okayt
hen.Whatt
imedoest
hepar
tyst
art
?"
"I
twillstar
tat17:00butyou2won' tbehere.You
shouldgooutwi thhernowt hencomebackar ound
19:00.Oohandt heri
ngwi l
lbedeli
veredhereat
15:00."
"Umm okaythen.
"Ileav
eherroom andspeedi
lygo
toThando'sr
oom.Iopent hedoorandcl
oseit
.Ifi
nd
hersl
eepingonthebed,Iti
ptoetohercl
oset,
pick
outapairofj
eans,ashir
tandNikeshoes.
It
ipt
oet
oherandwhi
speri
nherear
,"wakeup,
"
Sheopensherey
esandwhensheseesme,
she
smil
es.
"
Ist
il
lcr
avef
ory
ou.
"shesay
s.
"
Sav
et hatcr
avi
ngf
ort
omor
rowl
ove.Comel
et'
sget
y
oudressed.
"
"AaahbabyIdon'
twantt ogooutforl
unch.Youguys
cango,Iwil
lst
ayhere.Andbesides,t
hisf
etuswon't
stopmakingmesick."shesayscoveri
ngherface
withapil
l
ow.Itakethepill
owandthrowitonthe
fl
oor.
"St
opbei ngsosqui nnyandwakeup.Andwear en'
t
goingoutwi thyourf amily
.Am takingyououtf or
mov i
essowakeup. "Ipickherupf rom t
hebedand
walkt ot hebathroom.Asshef ightsme, Iputher
down, takeof fherclothesandf orcehert ogetinto
theshower .Aftershower i
ng,Igetherdry ,l
oti
onher
asshecont i
nuestowhi nesay i
ngt hatwecanj ust
wat chthemov ieathomeandIgetherdr essed.
Afteral ongasst imeofwhi ni
ngandt ryi
ngt ofight
me, shef i
nall
yagreest ogoout .Igetacarr eadyfor
usandwear eofftothecinema.Onourwayt her
e,I
spotablackcarfol
lowi
ngusonmyr earvi
ewmi rr
or.
Ikeeplooki
ngatthecaruntil
Thandosays,"don'
t
worry
.Mybr ot
hersprobablyt
oldthem t
ofoll
owus."
"
Oohokay
."
Wegett othecinema,buyourt icket
sf oramov ie
call
edfif
tyshadesofGr ey.Thandoseemsqui te
obsessedaboutitsoIjustletherchoosei t
.Ihav e
neverwatcheditbef
oresoIguessi twoul dn'thurt
.
Webuyourpopcor nandbev erages,getintocinema
no3andgetourseat sri
ghtatt heback.Ast hemov ie
start
s,Thandowhispers"Iwanty outodoev erythi
ng
thatChri
sti
andoestoAnast asi
a."
Atfi
rstam superlostbutasthemov i
egoeson, I
underst
andev er
ysinglewordshesaid.Everyst
eamy
scenemakesmehar derandharderandallIcan
i
magi nei
smeandThandodoi ngal
lthat
.
Aft
erwatchingi tf
ormorethanenoughti
me,I
att
empttost andupbecauseitsgi
vingmeonehel
l
ofabonerbutThandopul lsmebackdown.Il
ookat
herpl
eadingey es.Ei
sh.Isi
tbackdownandtr
yto
i
gnor eallthei
ntr
iguingscenesbuti
t'
simpossi
ble.
Somet hingtel
lsmet ol
ookatThandoandIdo,
catchinghereyesst ari
ngatmewithagri
nonher
face.Shest ar
tst
osl idedownfr
om hersi
tandthen
getsbet weenmyl egs..
..Whoawhoawhoa,whatis
shedoi ng.
Il
ookar oundtheci
nemaandluckl
y,noonei
ssit
ti
ng
i
nourr ow.Ieyeherasshest
art
stounbuckl
emy
bel
tbutIclunchontomybelt
.Sheli
cksmyhands
butIdon'tl
osemygr i
ponmybelt.
"Thandono! "Iwhi sperbutshebi tesmyhand.She
continuest ounbucklemybel tandr emov esmy
pantsasIf i
ghtherbutIgi veup.If eelherhands
reachf ormeandIgaspf orair.Shekeepsherey es
onmeasshesi nksmei ntoherwar m wetmout h.
Shest artsoffslowwi thlong,slowl i
cksf r
om topt o
bottom, tauntstheheadwi thhert ongueandt hen
shepi cksupherpace.Herdeept hroati
ngski l
lsmake
mel osemymi ndbitbybi tasItr ynott olosemy
mor ali
tyinthisplace.Shel i
cks, sucksanddeep
throatsmewi thoutevenst opping.Sheconst ant ly
makesl owsof tmoanswhi legivingmel ustf
ul l
ooks.
Afteraf ewmi nut esofl ickingme, Ifeelmy selfabout
tor eacht hathappypl acebutThandobacksof f
,
l
eav ingmeatt heedge.Il ookathershockedbutshe
j
ustgr i
nsatme.Shet akesmyhar dshaf tagai nand
thenpi cksupf rom wher eshel eftoffandt hist i
me,
shel etsmegett ot hathappypl ace.AsIl oseal l
cont r ol
,feeli
ngt her ept urecomei nwav esand
breat hinghaphazar dly ,Ifeel themul ti
pleor gasms
expl odei nhermout h.Shel icksmecl eanwhenmy
expl osioncomest oanend, pullsbackmypant sand
sit
sonherseat .Ijustgazeather ,notknowi ngwhat
tosay ,
Iev enlostt rackofwher eIwasandwhoI
wasal lbecauseoft hepl easur eIexperienced.Icant
evenmov eatal l.Ijustf eel numb.Whent hemov ieis
over , weleav et heci nemahol di nghandsandwego
tot henear estrest aur antwher ewehav eanamaz ing
l
unchwhi l
econv ersat ing.Herl aughandsmi lejust
bright ensmymoodev enmor e.Not hingcanbeat
thi
s, nothingev erwi l
l.Wegof orshoppi ngataf ew
stor esunt i
lIreceiv eamessagef rom Tshi disay i
ng
i
t'st ime. .
...
..
.
Wel
lIguessthi
sisit
,theni
ghtIf
inal
l
yaskhert
obe
mywif
e..
..
..Goodl
ucktome

*
***
***
*

Hell
obelovedpeopl esoItr
iedt oty
pesomet hing
todayandthisisallIcoul
dt ype.Am r
eall
ysor ryfor
notposti
nglatelybutIreal
lycouldntduetohowsi ck
Iam.Anyway s,Ihopey ouwi l
lenj
oytheinsertand
happyeasterhav eanamazi nglongweekend.Il ove
yall
Chapt
er24

THANDO'
SPOV

Afteralongfunfi
ll
edaf t
ernoonwi t
hNkosi,wear
e
fi
nallygoi
nghomeandi t'
salready18:
30.Ihav
ebeen
steali
ngglancesatNkosi andhelookssuper
nervousforsomer eason.Iholdhishandhopi
ngthat
hewoul dlookatmewhi chhedoes.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iask.
"
Nothi
ng.Am j
ustt
ir
ed.Iwantt
ogost
rai
ghtt
obed
whenwegethome."
"Sameher e.Thanksf ortheamazi ngaft
ernoon.I
real
lyenjoyedi t.
"Isay.Hekissesmyhandandl ooks
backatt her oad.Wecar r
yonwi ththecomf or
tabl
e
sil
enceunt i
l wegethome.Inot icealotofcars
parkedinside, oneofthem whichisownedbymy
bestfri
end, Lakisha.Whatthehellisgoi
ngonher e.
Nkosipar
ksthecaratanemptyspot,
get
soutoft
he
carandcomestomysi de.Heopenst
hedoorf
orme,
helpsmeoutoft hecarandholdsmyhandasweget
i
nsidet hehouse,f
il
ledwit
hfamil
iarfaces.Igreet
everyoneinthehouseandassoonasIspotmy2
people;Laki
shaandLethabo,scr
eamsar eheardall
overhouseandt herear
ehugsev er
ywher e.
"
Howar
eyou?
"asksbot
hmyf
ri
ends.
"
Am f
inemybabi
eshowar
eyou?
"
"
Weareokay.Wej
ustmi
ssedy
ousomuchaaaaah"
t
heysayscr
eami
ng.
"sowhoist
hehunkst
andi
ngbehi
ndy
ou.
"whi
sper
s
Laki
sha.
"Welll
et'
sj ustsayIupgradedtosomeonebet t
er.
"I
saybackt oher .Botht
hegi r
lsl
ookathisgrumpy
l
ookingsel fandwav eathim.Hewav esbackand
theyturntomeandj uststar
tmakingathumbsup
whilescreami ngsil
ent
ly.
"
Sorr
yMrbutcanIst
eal
yourwoman.
"say
sLaki
sha
l
ooki
ngatNkosi
.
"No,
"say
sNkosihar
shly
,withastr
aightf
ace.Ilook
athi
m wit
hanannoyedfacewhi
leallmygir
ls'smil
es
t
urnt
ofr
owns.
"Am j
ustkiddi
ng.Youcanhaveherforthewhol e
night
.Ial
readyhadenoughofherthisaft
ernoon."he
saysnowwal ki
ngaway.Whenhedi sappearsint
o
thecrowdinthehouse,t
hegi
rlsscream again.
"
BruuuuuuuhwherecanIf
indmyownmanl
i
ke
t
hat?"asksLet
habo.
"
Andwhyi
shewear
ingsungl
assesatni
ght
?"
"Fi
rstquesti
on,babezyoucannev erfi
ndamanl ike
thatbecauseheisunique"Isaywhilefeel
i
ngmy self
andtheyallsay"That
hawenagi r
l"whil
elaughi
ng.
"Andsecondquesti
on.Hehasaney
epr
obl
em sot
he
glasseshel
phi
m. "
"
Ooohokay .Wellcomegi rllet'
sgohav eadrinkwhil
e
yout ell
usev ery
thing."saysLaki shawhi l
epul l
i
ngme
t
ot hebar .Wehav eanamazi ngchatwi thmyf ri
ends
whiletheydr i
nkandIdon' t
, si
nceam pr egnant.I
t
hendeci detogol ookf ormyf ami l
y.Ihaventseen
t
hem si nceIcamebackf rom thedat e.Iexcuse
mysel ffr
om thegi rl
sandgot ot hekitchenwher emy
mot herandaf ewmai dsar e.
"
Hel
l
oma"Isayl
eani
ngagai
nstt
hecount
er.
"
ooohy
ouareback.
"shesay
swhi
l
ehel
pingt
he
mai
dswit
hthef
ood.
"
Yes.Doy
ouneedmyhel
p."
"Nothanky ou.Youcangohav efunmybaby .
Tonightisy ourlastnighther esogoenj oyy oursel
f.
"
shesay s.Ooohokayt hen.Il eavethekitchenandgo
checkonmy2si st
erswhoar enowheret obefound.
Eeehokayt hen,IguessImi ghtaswel lgositwi t
h
myf ri
ends.Igobackt othebaronl ytof i
ndKhay a
andSihlewi thmyf riendshav i
ngadr i
nk.HeheI
bett
ergot herebeforet hesemenr ui
nmyf ri
ends.I
rushtot hebar ,
pullbothmyf ri
endsfr
om t hei
rseats,
l
eavingSi hleandKhay asitt
ingt her
ealone.
"HaaaaaaThando,
what
'sy
ourpr
obl
em br
uh?
"asks
Lethandohi
tt
ingme.
"
Haiwena,y
ouknowt hose2.Theywil
lrui
nyou.And
whywhereyouent
ert
aingthem any
ways"
"wewereenter
tai
ningt
hem.Theywerepassi
ngby
thebarandweaskedthem t
ositwi
thus.
"says
Laki
sha.
"Haii
tdoesn' tmatter
.Comel et
'sgooutsi
detothe
gazebo."Isaypulli
ngthem.AsIopent hesli
ding
door,someonehar shlycl
osesit.Il
ookattheperson
andreali
set hati
t'
sNol ut
hando.Shesmi l
esatme
andwav es.Andt hen!
??
"whyarey
ouclosi
ngthedoor
.Iwantt
ocomeout
!"I
shoutsot
hatshecanhearme.
"
What
!!
!Ican'
theary
ou!
"sheshout
sback.
"
Iwantt
ocomeout
side!
!!
"Ishout
.
"
Ooohsor
rybuty
oucan'
t.Si
tint
hehouse.
!!
!"
"
Aaaahwhy
!!
!!
"
"Thandost opquest i
oni
ngy ouroldersisterandjust
l
istent ome!!!
!"sheshout sbeforeturningawayand
disappearingi
nt othedarknessoft heni ght.Eeeeh,
whatt hehelli
shappeni ngint hishouse.Wel lIguess
wemi ghtaswel lj
ustgobackt othebar .Wet urn
backt othebarandf indthe2hear tl
essmengone.
Pheew.Wet akeourseat sandchatunt ilmacal l
sus
forfood.Thesl i
dingdoori sopenandweal lgosit
ont hetableoutsidewhichhascassar oledishes
everywhere.Forsomer eason, someoft hebacky ard
l
ightsar eof fsoi t
'ski ndofdi m.Ev eryonef i
nds
themsel vesaseatwhi l
eIl ookformymanwhoI
can'tfind.Ilookar oundt helongt ablewhi chi s
seatedbyal otofpeopl eandr eali
zet hatNol uthando
andTshi dialsoar en'there.Notev enZi phoi sher e.
Eeehoohwel l
.Am ni tlookingf orthem shame.They
willcome.Isi twithmyf riendsandeatt heni ght
awayunt ilIfeelsick.Somet hi
ngatt hi
st abl
esmel l
s
terr
ible.Iquicklyr ushbacki ntothehousewhi l
e
peoplel ookatmeshockedandcal l
myname.Igo
upstairst omyr oom, l
ocki tandst artvomi t
ing
uncont roll
ably.
"Babyar
eyouokay.Pl
easeopent
hedoorf
orus.
"
saysLet
habowhil
eknocki
ngthedoor
.
"Am fi
ne.Gobackandeat
.Iwil
lbet
her
eina
second."Isayi
nbet
weengags.
"
Arey
ousur
e?"
"
Yesam sur
e."Isay
.
"
Okaythen.Don'
ttakelong.
"saysLakisha.Ihear
t
hem walkawaywhi l
emygagsdon' tseem towant
t
ostop.Aft
er5minut esoff
eeli
ngsupersick,Ifi
nal
l
y
brushmyteeth,washmyf aceandgobackout
side.
AssoonasIsi t,
Istar
tbr
eathingwithmymout
h
becauseIdon'twanttof
eelsickagain.
"
Arey
ouokay
?"whi
sper
sLaki
sha.
"YesIam f i
ne.
"Ir epl
y,noddingmyheady es.Istart
eati
ngwhenIf eel acol
dhandonmyshoul der.Itur
n
tolookatt hepersonandi t
'sNkosi.Hesmilesatme
andkissesmycheek.Ismi lebackathim andhe
asksLakishaifshecanmov etoanempt yseat.At
fi
rstshelooksatmewi t
haf rownthenshestands
up.Nkosi seat
sdownandput shisarm ar
oundme.
"
Youokay
?"heasks.
"
Yea.Justf
eel
i
ngabi
tnauseat
ed.
"
"
Doy
oumay
bewantt
ogot
obed?
"
"NoI
'l
lbefi
ne.Youshouldeat.Letmedishforyou.
"I
sayr
eachi
ngforaplat
ebutNkosi t
akesthepl
ate
andsays"
Icandoitmy sel
fthankyou."
Theni
ghtgoesonwit
hpeopledri
nki
ngandcat
chi
ng
uponl
ifeevent
sandnowIreal
lywantt
ogotobed.
"
Baby
.Am goi
ngt
obednow.Goodni
ght
"Isayt
o
Nkosibuthecluchesont
omywr
istandasksmet
o
st
ayforawhilelonger
.
"
Babyam r
eal
l
yti
red"Iwhi
ne.
"
Okayfinebutwaither
e.Am comingnow."says
Nkosi
st andi
ngupandwalksint
ot hehouse.Si
gh.
..
..
..
Ij
ustt
akemyphoneoutandstar
tgoi
ngt
hroughi
t
j
ustwhent
hel
ight
sjustgooff
.
"HaaaLoadsheddi
ng!
!!
"shoutsmymom and
every
oneatthetabl
elaughshar
dincl
udi
ngme.
Suddenly,angeli
cv oi
cesst arthummi ngasongI
recogni
zeasVusi Nova's.Ilistenat t
entivel
ytot he
voices,
tryi
ngt ofi
gureoutwhot heybelongt oand
oneoft hosev oi
cessoundsl ikeTshi di'
svoice.Red,
pinkandor angecandlesar el itallar
oundt hegar den
as3peopl eapproacht hetabl ehol di
ngwhi teandr ed
rosesandal soLindtchocol ate.
Thehel
li
sgoi
ngonher
e.
Ipeertoseewhothe3peopleareandit
'sTshi
di,
Ziphoandoneotherf
emaleIdon'tev
enknow.Zipho
approachesmefi
rstwit
htherosesandhandsthem
ov
erwhi
l
esi
ngi
ng
t
hat
ha,
nant
s'i
ntl
i
ziy
oyam
t
hat
hanal
'
uthandol
olwakho
t
hat
hanant
s'i
ntl
i
ziy
oyam
zuy
iphat
henj
engeqanda

Itakethef
lowers,
puzzledashell
.Inot
iceanot
eon
thetopofthebouquetofrosesanditr
eads.
Readall
thenot
esoutl
oudbecauseIwantev
ery
one
toknowhowmuchIloveyou.
Il
ookatZi
pho,notknowi
nghowt
oreactbuthej
ust
smil
esandconti
nuessi
ngi
ng
st
handwaandenzi
ngabom
ndi
yaz'
thandel
aaphakuwe
Heey
boandenzi
ngabom y
ooh
ndi
cel
..
..
..
.
Zi
phothenwalksawayandTshidiappr
oachesme
wi
thredroseswhil
esi
ngingherownparttoo.It
ake
t
hef
lower
sandr
eadt
henot
eoutl
oud.
"
Thando.Myheal
er,
myhear t
,mycaretaker
,mybest
f
ri
end,myenemyandlastbutnotl
eastmyLi f
eli
ne.
"
Il
ookupandseeTshi diwalkingawayandt heother
unknownladyappr oachesmewi t
hwhi t
eroseswhile
si
ngingherownpar tofVusi'ssong.Itakethenote
fr
om herwhilewipingt hetearsoffmyf ace.Il
ook
aroundt
het ableandseehowf ascinat
edand
amazedev ery
onei s.Ilookatt henoteandreadit.
"Youhav eshownmel ov e,inawor l
dfill
edwi thpain.
Youhav eshownmet hebr ightl i
ghtcov eredbypur e
dar kness.Youhav egiv enmesomuchhappi ness,
whenIl eastexpectedi t
.Yourey esmadeofst ars
l
ightupmywhol ewor ldandy oursmi le.
..
.ooooh
l
or d...
..Yoursmilewoman, i
tj ustenhancesmypat h.
Thesamewayabeecan' tsur vi
v ewithouta
honey comb, i
sthesamewayIcan' ti
magi nemyl i
fe
withouty ou.Ihavef al
lensodeepl yinlovewithy ou
thatIdon' tevenseemy selff all
ingoutofl ove.Iwant
tospendmywhol el i
fewi thy ou, betheoneIt ake
i
ntomyar mswhenIl aymyheadont hepi l
l
ow.I
wantt obet heonet otakey ouonat riptothepr i
vate
worl
dt hatnootherhumanbei ngcant akeyouon.I
wanttobet hefri
endthatyougossi pwithwheny our
f
ri
endst urnthei
rbacksony ou..
.."peoplestar
t
l
aughingafterIsaythatst
atement ,i
ncludi
ngmy self
.
"Iwanttobet heonet hatyoul
ookatandj ustsmi le,I
wantt obetheper sonyouhavebeautiful nightmar es
about.Iwanttobey ourenemyandbet her eason
youwantt okillsomeoneandl ockyoursel finy our
room forthewhol eday.Iwanttobetheper sony ou
shareallyourhappyandsadmoment swi th.Sooo
todayIwantt oasky ousomethingunderal l t
hese
shini
ngstars,themoon, yourf
ami l
yandf riendsand
l
ast l
y,Godhimsel f
..
..
"Ilookupwi t
htear sr olli
ng
downmycheekswhenIhearNkosi '
sv oicesi ng...
..
.
ndi
kut
handi
l
est
handwasam
ngent
li
zi
yoy
ami
yonke
ndi
tsh'
uthandoendi
nal
o
sozel
uphel
e..
..
..
.
Heslowlyappr
oachesmewi t
habigbouquetof
whit
eroses,abi
gboxofLi ndtchocol
ate,
ateddy
bearandasmallredbox.Ziphotur
nsmychairto
facethedi
rect
iont
hatNkosi
iscomi
ngfrom and
then,
that'
swhenNkosij
ustt
akesev
ery
one'sbreat
h
away.
"Thandolwet huMdl etshe, wil
l youpleasemar ryme? "
hetakesof fhi sglasses, si
nceam t heonlyonewho
canbeabl et oseehi sblueey es.Heput sallthegif
ts
downandi sl eftwiththesmal lredboxwhi chhe
opensandr ev eal
sanost entatious,sparkli
ngsi l
ver
diamondr ing.Icov ermymout hi nshockascamer a
l
ightsjustflashal larounduswhi l
et hepeople
ulul
ateandt hehar moni cv oicescont i
nuesi nging
Vusi'ssong.Il ookintoNkosi '
sey esandnot icea
tear.Iwipeitaway ,standupandIst artnodding
uncontroll
ably .
"
Arey
ouser
ious?
"asksNkosi
exci
tedl
y.
"Yes,
yesy esyesyes.Iwil
l marryyouNkosi
Nxumalo!"Isaywhilecry
ing.Igivehim myhandand
asheisaboutt oputtheringonmyf inger,
asharp,
burni
ng,i
ntensepainunexpect edl
yhitsmyl ower
backandpeopl ebehindmest artscreaming.Imov e
myshakinghandt othepar texperi
encingthepain
andwhenIbr ingmyhandbackt osight ,
Iseeblood,
fr
eshblood.IlookatNkosiwithfearinmyey esandI
say"Nkosi.
..
.Whatishappening."andaft
erthat
ever
ythi
ngst ar
tstogetblur
ry.IhearNkosiandother
people'
sfai
ntv oi
cesshoutmynameasIf alli
nto
Nkosi'
sarmsnowbl acki
ngout.
*
***
***
***
Chapt
er24t
obecont
inued.
..
..
..
..

.
Chapt
er24(
cont
inuat
ion)

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Iwatchherunconsciousbodyf
all
int
omyar
msas
hereyessl
owlyclose.
"Thandooooooooo! !
!!!Nononono! !
!!Thandowake
up!!
!Someonepl easecal ltheambul ancenow.
Thandost aywi thmebaby ,pleasedon' tl
eaveme.
Pleaseno! !
"Ishakeherl ightly,hopingshewoul djust
openherey esandsayshei splayi
ngwi thmebut
nothing.Herf ami l
ysur r
oundsmeandt heyal lt
ry
walki ngherup.Si hlet akesherf r
om myar mswhi ch
arer edwi thbloodandr ushesi nsi
dewhi l
ehol ding
her.Whati shappeni ng?Il ookar oundt hegar den,
tryi
ngt of i
ndsomeoneorsomet hi
ngunusual andI
hitthej ackpot.Ispotsomeonehangi ngf r
om t he
wall whi l
eholdingsomet hi
ngt hatlooksl ikea
gun.....
..Ooooht hismot herf uckerjuststarted
somet hingthatwillleadt ohi shell.Ipushev eryone
outofmywayandappr oacht hemot herf****ker
whoj ustshotmyqueen.Whent heper sonr ealizes
thatIhav eseenhi m, hequi cklyl et'
sgooft hewal l
andf allsontheout sideoft hey ard.Haha, hemust
bejoki nghimsel fi fhet hinkshewi l
l runaway .I
i
ncr easemywal kingpaceunt i
lIgett ot hewal l
.I
cli
mbi tandf alloutoft hey ardwher eIspotar edcar
speedi ngaway .Thesemot herfucker sdon' tknow
whot heyaremessi ngwi t
h.It akeof fmyshoes
alongwi t
hthesocksandIbecomet hisgener ation's
newandi mprov edUsai nBol t
.Ir unaf terthecar ,
feeli
ngsomet hingspi ercingt hroughmyf eetbutI
don'tgi veadamn, allIcar eaboutr ightnowi s
catchingt hatfool andwhoev erisi nt hecarwi thHi m.
Myswi ftmov ementenabl edbymynumbf eetf inall
y
catchesupwi t
ht hecarandImov et ot her ightl ane.
Whent hepeopl eint hecarnot i
ceme, theyt akeout
theirgunsandwhi l
et heyat temptt oshootme, an
oncomi ngvehiclehi t
st heircarf rom t hel eftsi deand
Jesusam Ihappy .Am sogl adIdi stract edt hem t o
thepoi ntofthem notnot i
cingt heTj unct i
ont hat
theywer eappr oachi ng.Ist opf orawhi l
eandcr ouch,
taki
ngmybr eat hthenIwal ktowar dst her edv ehicle.
Iopent hedriver'sdooranddr aghi m outandt henI
alsodragtheoneont hepassengersi
de.Ilookat
thecarthatgotinvolvedi
nt heacci
dentandnot i
ce
thatt
hepeopl einsi
dewer efinebutoneofthem was
taki
ngav ideo.Wellfucki
t,Icouldcar
eless.It
'snot
l
ikeIwillberecognized.
Itakemy2l i
tt
le"abouttobetortur
edr eal
hard"
buddi esandhaul t
hem outoftheroad.Icarr
yon
haulingthem forawhileunti
lam outofsightthenI
takeof fmywhi t
epoloshirt
,cli
mbat r
eeam using
asmyhi deoutandhangi tt
here.Itakemyphone
from mypocket ,di
alZipho'
snumberandheanswer s
afterthefir
stri
ng.
"
Nkosi
ukuphi
?"heasks.
"
Comet otheN13Tj unct
ion.Lookforatr
eewitha
whi
tepoloshi
rthangingf
rom itandparkt
her
e."Isay
.
"Wai
twhat
???Whyar
eyout
her
eandhowdi
dyou
gett
her
e?"
"
Stopaskingsomuchquest i
onsandjustcomepick
meup.Andbr i
ngabigcarbecausewehav esome
vi
sit
ors.
"Iendthecal
landjustsi
tdown,looki
ngat
t
heunconsciousbodi
es.Oooohwatchmehav ef
un
withthese2.Iwai
tfornear
lyanhourhi
dingbehind
thetreewhil
ewatchi
ngpoli
celi
ghtsbli
nkfrom a
dist
ance.Theymustbeatthecri
mescene.
Ahugebl ackcarf
inal
lyparksinfrontofthet
reeand
fl
i
cker st
hefrontl
ight
s.Il
ookcl osel
yandseet hat
i
t'
sZi phoandsomeoneel seIcan'treal
l
ysee.Zipho
stepsoutofthecarandcallsoutmyname.
"
Am her
eman.
"Isayst
andi
ngup.
"HowthefuckdidyougethereNkosi.Ihav
ebeen
l
ookingf
ory ouandsohas...
..
..
..
.andwhothefuck
aret
hose2? "r
umblesZipho.
"Helpmeputt hem inthecar .Iwil
lexplainlat
er.Isay
pullingoneoft hemant othecar.Iopent heboot ,
throwt heguyi nsidewhoi sstil
lunconsciousand
wai tforZiphotobr i
ngt heotheronebef oreIclose
theboot .Iwalkt othepassengersi deandwhenI
openi t,am metbyt hef aceIleastexpecttosee,
Sihleandt omakemat tersev enbetter,
Khay ai
s
sit
tingatt heback.IlookatZi phowhoi ssit
ti
ngon
thedr iv
erseatandhej ustshrugsandsay s"WhereI
go, theygo.It
'sourr ul
e."Ij
ustcloset hepassenger
doorandsi
tatt
hebackwi
thKhay
a.
"st
artt
alki
ng.
"say
sSi
hlewhi
l
eZi
phost
art
sdr
ivi
ng
backhome.
"Theyarethei
diotsthatshotThando."Isay.Now
thatam backt
omysenses, ever
ypiercingIgotwhil
e
runningaft
ert
hoseguy sisnowst ar
ti
ngt otauntme.
Ilookundermyf eetandseeblood.Atleastitwas
wor t
hit.
"
Andhowdoy
ouknowt
hat
?"asksKhay
a.
"BecauseIsawoneoftheguyshangi
ngfrom the
wallbackathomewhenThandogotshot.Iranafter
them thenIcaughtt
hem.
"Isay,
removi
ngpiecesof
glassundermyf eet
.
"
Soyour
anallthewayfrom home,
justt
ocatch
t
hem.Noshoes,nosocks,
nonothi
ng?"asksZi
pho.
"
Wel
lyeah.I
t'
snotl
i
keIhadachoi
ce.
"Isay
.
"
Wow.Youar
eonehel
lofaguy
."say
sZi
pho.
"
Sodoy ouguysknowanyplaceIcantortur
ethese
f
ool
s?"Iaskbuttheyal
lsi
multaneousl
ylookatme.
"
Arey
ouser
iousl
yaski
ngust
hatquest
ion?Don'
t
worrymyguy .Wehavethemostper f
ectwarehouse
forsuchsit
uati
ons.
"saysZiphobutSihl
elooksat
him andsays"I
fwearetaki
ngt hem t
here,
wewi l
l
havetodropNkosioffatt
hehospitalwhereThando
i
s."
Il
ookathim wit
hsquinti
ngey esandsay"andlety ou
guyshaveal
lthefun?Hellno.Am comingwith.
.."I
gobacktoremov i
ngtheglassesandKhayareplies
"Whatdoyouknowaboutt ortur
ingboy?
li
stenher e,
l
etusgodoourt hingandyougol ookaft
eryour
woman."
"Seewhaty ouaredoingrighttherei
sunfai
r.Icaught
myownbai tandnowy ouguy saretryi
ngtotakeit
awayf r
om meandhav eallthefun.Nononomy
dearbrothersi
nl aw.Iwi
lltort
urethem mysel
fthe
samewayIcaughtt hem my sel
f.Soyoudecideif
youwantt oletmeusey ourwar ehouseornot.I
fyou
don'twantto,Icanalwaysf l
ybacktoSandtonand
usemyownwar ehouse.
"
"
Whydoy
ouhav
eawar
ehouse?
"
"
Fort
hesamer
easonsy
ouy
ouhav
eone.
"
"HahaNkosi ,nowIlikey ouev enmor e,"saysZi pho
parkingatsomedeser tedpl ace." soher ewear e.
Let'
st skrthem insi
de,"say sZiphoget tingoutoft he
car.Him andIgot othebootandt aket he2menout
andi ntotheabandoneddar kwar ehouse.Zi photurns
ont helights,rev
eali
ngt heeeeebestwar ehouse
ever!!
!!
!!!
!Ilookaroundwi ththeut mostexci tement.
Thewal l
sar ecoveredbydi f
ferentt ypesof
chainsaws, setofkniv es, guns, bombsandev ery
singlethingy oucant hinkof .It ur
nt ot he3Br ot
hers
standingatt hedoorandsay" i
si ttooear l
yt osayI
havef all
eni nl
ovewi t
hy ouguy s."
Theyalllookatmeandj ustchuckle.Sihl
eandKhay a
gotositatabarwhi chisonthrrightsideofthe
warehouse.Zi phohelpsmechai nupt heguyswi t
h
thechainst hatar
ehangingf r
om thecei l
i
ngandal so
someont hef l
oorwhichweuset ochai ntheylegs.
West r
ipt hem int
ounderwearonlyt henwegetsome
superboilingwaterandpouritont hem.
Theybot
hwakeup,
scr
eami
ngi
nexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
n.
"
Shutt
hefuckup!
!!
!Youwillbr
eakmywindowswit
h
y
oursopr
anosoundingv
oices!
"shout
sSihl
e.He
get
sof
ffr
om hi
shighchai
randwal
kst
othemen
whoar
esti
ll
cry
ing.
"Somydearmen,howareyou?
"asksSi
hlebef
ore
taki
ngoutat
aserfr
om hi
spocketandt
aser
ingthe
bothoft
hem.
"
Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
!"cr
iesoneoft
hemen.
"Doyouser i
ouslyhav ethegutstoaskt hatquesti
on
ri
ghtnow? "Iaskt aki
ngaboni ngandcl everkni
fe
from t
hewal l
.Iwal ktooneoft hem,standonachai r
toreachforhisrightearandsl owl
ycuti toffwhi
le
hescreamsi npainwi thbloodgushingout .
"Eishman, someofusst i
llhaveear ssohav emercy
onoureardr ums, andtel
lyourbloodt ost op
spr ayi
nginmyf acemannx, "Isayst i
l
l cutti
ngoffthe
ear .Igetof
ft hechairandpullittotheot herguywho
seemsqui t
escar y.Iputt
hechai rinfrontofhim,
standoni tandl ookathisweakhel pl
essf ace.
"
SoguesswhatIgotforyou?Hmmmmmm. .
..Igot
youdi
nner.
"Isayshowinghi
mtheear."
comenow.
Openyourmouthandeatthi
sbeaut
if
ulmeal."Isay
wit
hmysar cast
icsmi
le.
"
Aaaaahdi
sgust
ingNkosi
."say
sKhay
a.
"Aaaahcomeonman, t
hisissomuchbet t
erthan
whattheywil
leatt
omor rowmor ningokay.
"Isay
l
ookingatKhayawhohasacupofal coholi
nhis
hand.It
urntothemanandt r
yforcingtheearint
o
hismouthbutherefusestoopenhi smouth.
"
Eishokay
.Youwantt
odot
hist
hehar
dway
."Isay
t
ohim shr
uggi
ng.
"Zi
phobr uh,Iwanty outodosomet hingforme.
Bri
ngmet hatredchainsaw."Isay .Hedoessoand
weswi tchplaces, hestandsont hechai rwiththeear
i
nhi shandandIgobehi ndt heguy .Iturnonthis
amazi ngt oolandguesswhatIcutof f
,hi
sleftbutt
cheek.Hewai lsoutinpainwhi l
et ryingtogetoutof
thechai nsbutt heburnshegotf r
om t hehotwat er
don'tallowhi mt omov ethatmuch.Whi l
ehecr i
es
outinpai nItellZiphotothrowt heeari ntohismouth
whichhedoes.
"Nowchewt
hatear
!"Ishout
,st
il
lcut
ti
nghi
sbut
t
cheek.
Atf
ir
sthet
ri
est
ospi
titoutbutwhenher
eal
i
zes
thatIwon'
tst
opunt
ilhechewsi
t,hedoessoand
swallowi
t.
"It
hinkam goingtobesick,
"saysKhayawhi l
e
gagging.Herunsintoaroom whichIsupposeist
he
bathroom andstar
tsthr
owingup.
"Yourbrot
herissuchasissy.
"Isay.Il
eav
etheguy'
s
buttcheekhangi
ngfrom hisbodyandputawaythe
chainsaw.
"Wow, Ifeel
somuchbet
ternow.
"Isaywhi
l
e
str
etching.
"Iwi
l
l cont
inuewi
thy
ouguystomor
row."Isatt
othe
chai
nedmenwhoar ecr
yingi
nlowvoi
ceswhi l
e
l
ookingweak.
IapproachSi
hleandZiphowhoar
est
andi
ng
toget
herwhil
edrinki
ng.
"IhatesayingthisbutIt
hinkam nowst art
ingt ol
ike
you."saysSihlegulpi
ngdownhi sdri
nk."Itoldyou
thatyouwi l
lli
kehim butyouneverli
stened,"says
Ziphowi t
hagr inonhisface.Ismil
eatSihleandsay
"i
fyoust ar
tedliki
ngmef orwhatIdidtheret hen
tomor r
owy ouwi l
llov
eme. "hewalkstothebar ,
pour
sadri
nkf
ormeandhandsi
tov
ert
ome.It
akea
si
pandt
henputi
tobt
hebar.
"Doy ouguyshaveabathroom.Iwantt
ot akea
showerbecauseIcan'tgooutl
ookingl
ikea
butcher.
"Isaytothem.Ri
ghtnow,am l
iteral
l
y
dri
ppingwithbl
ood.
"OnceKhay
agetsout,y
oucangoshower
,ther
eisa
showeri
nther
e."say
sZipho.
"OkaysoIwast hi
nki
ng.SincewhoevershotThando
mi ghtknowwheresheisanddeci
det ocomeaf t
er
her ,
canwetransf
erhertoSandt
on."Isaytaki
ngmy
glass.
"Butwhat
'sthedif
fer
ence?Theper
sonwi
l
lfol
l
ow
herso.
"saysZipho.
"Thepersonwil
lfol
lowherbutnottoherdesti
nat
ion
whichisgoingt
obemyhouse.Ihav eamedical
room t
hereandIwillcal
laf ewdoct
orst
olookafter
her.
"IsaybutSihl
edisagrees.
"Hel
lno.Mysisterwi
l
l st
ayher
e.Wewi
l
llookaf
ter
heroursel
ves.
"hesays.
"Si
hle,
thi
sisreal
lynottheti
metogoagai nstmy
suggesti
onsj
ustforthesakeofi
t.Yoursister
'sl
i
fe
mightbeindangersojustl
etmedot hi
s."Isayto
him.
"
NkosiIcar
eaboutmysi
ster
,that
'swhyam r
eject
ing
y
ouridea.
"
"Sihle,it
hinkNkosi i
sr ight.Look,Iknowt haty ou
careaboutThando, weal ldo,includingNkosi .And
sincear egoi ngt ohandherov ertohi m soon,its
ti
mewest artlett
inghim dot hingshi sway ."say s
Khay awal ki
ngt owar dus.Ar emyear swor kingor
aret heybet rayingme?Il ookatKhay ainshockand
hesay s"itdoesn' tmeanIl i
key outhough. "okayI
guessIcanwor kwi t
ht hat.Sihlelooksatmeand
thenhesay s"ifanythinghappenst oThando, Iwi l
l
torturey outhesamewayy ouar etortur
ingt hese
men. "andaf tersaying, hegoesout si
dewhi let aki
ng
aci garetteoutofhi spocket .
"
Okaysoshewil
lbetransf
err
edtomorr
owmor ning.I
wi
ll
tal
ktothehospi
talwhenIgoseeher.
"Isay
.
"
Nkosi
,Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evet
haty
our
anaf
tert
hese
men.Yousur
emustl
oveThandoal
ri
ght
."say
sZi
pho.
"Idolov
eherandanyonewhohar
msmyherwi
l
l
neverwalkawayf
reel
y.
"
"Thetort
ureforthesebast
ardswil
lcont
inue
tomorrow."Isaybefor
ewalkingt
othebathr
oom t
o
cleanmy sel
f.

*
***
***
***
***
Il
ookatherl yi
ngont hehospit
al bedwitht
ears
streamingdownmycheeks, thinkingofhowIcould
hav epreventedthi
s.Iholdherhandwhi chhasadr i
p
andki ssi
t.Ihavebeenher efor2hour sandshowing
anysignofwaki ngup.WhenIgother e,ma,Tshidi
andNol uthandower ecryi
ngandwhenIaskedt hem
whatwaswr ong, t
heydidn'
twantt osayanythi
ngso
Ij
ustwal kedi ntoherroom t
oseeher .Forasecond,
Ithoughtshewasdeadbutno.
"Thandomylove.Pl
easewakeup.Youcan'
tdot
his
tomef ort
hesecondti
me.
"Isay.
"
Pleasewakeupmyl
ove.
"
"Shewil
lwakeupsoonmyson, don'
tworry
."says
ma.Shesitsnextt
omeandput sherhandonmy
shoul
der.Il
ookatherwit
houthi
dingmytears.As
sheatt
empt st
owipethem away,
Istopher.
"Don'twi
pet
hem away
.Thandowi
l
lwhenshewakes
up."Isay
.
Shechuckl
es,
keepsqui
etf
oramomentt
henbr
eaks
thesi
l
ence.
"Thedoctorsaidshewi l
lbefine,thebull
etdidn'
t
damageany t
hinginherbody,itjusthi
tasmal lpart
ofherspinalcord."shesaysbutt henatearfal
ls
from hereyesbeforeshesays" butthebabydidn't
survi
veduet otheshockt hebodyexper i
enced."and
thosewor dsjustbreakamill
iont hi
ngsinme.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er25

"
Didy
oudoyourj
ob?
"Iaskexhal
i
ngt
hesmokef
rom
mymout
h.
"
Wel
l
,weshott
hewr
ongper
son.
"
"Whatdoyoumeanyoushotthewrongperson?"I
bel
lowthr
owingmycigaroutusi
ngthecarwindow.
"Weshotawoman,insteadoft
hemani nthepi
cture.
Iwasaimi
ngforhi
m whent hewomanst oodi
nfront
ofhi
m andImist
akenlypull
edt
hetr
igger."
"
Youf
ool
!!
!!Wher
ear
eyounow?
"
"Weareonourwaytot
hehotel.Themansawme
andhechasi
ngaft
erusri
ghtnow."
"Ki
l
lhimthen!Andyoubet
terhavenotshott
he
per
sonhewaspr oposi
ngtobecauseIwil
lki
lly
ou
nx.
"Ishout
.
"
Umm boss,
weshother
."hesay
sinal
owv
oice.
"
Youfool
!!
!!
!"Iendt
hecal
landt
hrowt
hephoneon
t
hedashboard.
Ist
artmycaranddriveoffmyhouseherei
nSandt
on.
WhenIgetther
e,Igetatextf
rom oneofmyman
say
ingthatt
hose2f ool
scarwasfoundemptyon
N13..
..
..
Itr
ycal
li
ngoneoftheguy
sbutsomeoneel
se
answer
sthephone.
"Wel lwell
well.I
fiti
sn'
tourbait'
sboss.
"saysa
voiceIrecogni
zeasKhay a's.I
nst
eadofrepl
ying,I
endt hecall
.Shit
!Am fucked.Couldt
hose2hav e
alr
eadysni t
chesonme?
Idi
alBar
ca'
snumberandheanswer
saf
ter4t
hri
ng.
"
YesBr
ian?
"
"
Yourfool
i
shmendi dn'
tki
l
lNkosi
!Theyshotthe
wrongper
son.
"Ishoutget
ti
ngoutofthecar
.
"
WellIt
oldy
ounott
oexecut
eyourst
upidplanj
ust
y
etbutyouwer
ebar
bar
ic.Wher
earethey?
"he
r
epl
ies.
"
Theywer
ecaught
."Isay
.
"
Caught
?Bywho?
"
"
WhenIcal
l
ed,
oneoft
het
ri
plet
sanswer
edt
he
phone.
"Isayr
ubbi
ngmyf
orehead.
"Ei
shBri
an,seewher
eyourbarbar
icact
ionshavelef
t
us,f
uck!
!!Prayt
hatt
heydon'
tsnit
chony ouorel
se."
hesays.
"
I'
ll
tryt
ofi
ndt
hem.
"Isay
.
"Bookaf li
ghtformeandJay .Wear efl
y i
ngt here.
Andifthingsgetoutofhand, cal
lme.Iwi l
ltell
Mussal i
ne."heendsthecal
l,l
eavingmedeepi n
thought.IhopeThandowill
beokah. ..
..
..I
fany thing
happenst oherthenIwil
ll
ookf orthose2i di
ot sjust
tokil
lthem my sel
f!
Iwal
kint
omyhouse,gost
rai
ghtt
omyst udywher
e
mycomputermen,
KopanoandNelsonar
e.
"
Iwantyout
ot racet
hose2ment hatwer
esupposed
t
okil
lNkosi
."Isaysi
tt
ingdown.
"Wehav ealreadytr
iedbossbutwecan' tseet
hem
onanyoft her ai
der
s.Theirphonesareoffand
seemsl i
kethet r
acersi
nt heirbodi
eshavebeen
deact
ivated.Thereisnothingwecandonow. "Bar
ca.
"
WhataboutThando?
"
"
Shei
satsomehospi
tal
inLehur
utshe.
"
"shi
t.
"Iswear
.Am f
ucked.
"
am goingt
ocooksomet
hing,
shoul
dIcookf
ory
ou
t
oo?"saysNel
son.
"Umm nothanksi
t'
sokay
."Isaybef
orehel
eav
est
he
studyr
oom.
"Kopanopl
easel
eav
et her
oom.Iwantsomespace.
"
Isay.Hest
andsupfr
om hi
sseatandleav
est
he
room.
Whyi slif
enotinmyf avor?Al lIwant edwast okill
Nkosi andaskf orforgiv
enessf rom mal adyf ordoi ng
whatIdi dyearsbackbutl ookwher eIhav el anded,
thewrongper sonhasbeenshot ,Nkosi i
snotdead
yetandIst i
llhav etostayont her unfrom t hose
psychobr ot
hers.Ispecificall
yt oldthose2st upid
foolstoshootNkosi ,
notThando! !Nowt hoset r
ipl
ets
will
hav eevenmor ereasonst ohuntmedown,
i
ncludingNkosi, okayIdon' treall
ycar eaboutNkosi
butthet r
ipl
etsar etheonesam scar edof .Imean, I
havebeenhunt ingNkosi downf orkill
i
ngmyf at
her
whichi swhyIteamedupwi t
hBar caandJay den
whower efriendswi thMussal ineandOt ari
k.Wemet
atabarandt henwef oundoutt hatwehadonet hing
i
ncommon, tokillNkosi .Ihav ehat edhi mf orso
l
ongbecauseheki lledmyf atherbutaf t
erf i
ndingout
thathei sinar elationshipwi thThandoIst ar t
ed
hatinghimf ort akingherawayf rom me.Howev er,
am notr eall
ywor r
iedaboutt heirrelat
ionshi p;owi ng
tothef actthatIknowonet rut hthatcoul dleadt o
Thandohat i
ngNkosi '
sgut .Iam j ustwai ti
ngf ort he
ri
ghtt i
met ol etthecatoutoft hebagsi nceIhav e
fai
ledt oendhi sl i
fet onight.Fi r
st,Iwil
l breakhi s
rel
at i
onshipwi thherandwhenam 100%sur et hat
shei sfarfrom him andt her ei snochanceofme
hurtingherwhi letry i
ngt okill him,Iwillshootmy
shotandendhi slife.Am j ustpr ayingthatt hose2
don'tsayany t
hingt ot hetripletsandNkosi .

*
***
***
***
***
THANDO'
SPOV

"
Howi
sshet
hough?
"
"
Shei
sokay
.It
'sj
ustt
hatshel
ostt
hebaby
."
"
Sigh*
***
hasNkosi
cont
act
edy
ou?
"
"No.Theonl
ytimehedidwaswhenhet
oldmetogo
tothehospi
tal
todi
schargey
ouandtol
ookaf
ter
Thando.
"
"Oooh.Ihavebeent
ryi
ngtocal
lhi
m butIhav
ehad
noluck.Hisphonei
soff.
"
"WellIj
ustpr
aythathedoesn'
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d
becausehesoundedquit
edevist
atedwhenhecal
led
me."
"
Metoo.Well
,l
etmegosi
twi
tht
hemynewf
ami
l
yin
t
hel
i
v i
ngroom."
"
Okay
."
Afterli
steni
ngtot he2f emal
es'sconversat
ion,Ij
ust
feelter
ri
ble.Idon'tevenwanttoopenmyey esatall
tofacether eal
it
yt hathasst
umbledintomyl i
fe.My
l
ifehasbeenamazi nglatel
ysowhatwentwr ong?
DidIdosomethingwr ongtodeservethi
s?Ijustl
ay
i
nbedwi thmyey esclosed,notwanti
ngtoshow
anyonethatam consciousbutIendupfall
i
ngasleep.
WhenIopenmyey es,al lIseeisdar knesswi tha
l
itt
leli
ghtpeepi ngt hrought hesl ight l
yopendoor .Is
i
tnightalready ?Ilookar oundt her oom andr ealize
thatam theonl yonei ni t
.Wel l
, Iguessi t'
st imeIj ust
facemyr eality.AsIt ryt ogetourofbed, apai nf rom
mybackmakesmest opandj ustf reeze.Ipl acemy
handt hereandf eel abandagecov eringthepar tt hat
wasbl eedingont hatni ght.Iplacemyot herhandon
myst omachandj ustsi gh.Whydi dy oudeci det o
l
eav esoear lymydearchi l
d?Whydi dGodt akey ou
awayf rom Nkosi andIsoear l
y?If eel atearst ream
downmycheekbutIqui cklywipei taway .Iwon' t
all
owmy selftocr y ,Ialreadyf eel ter ri
bleabouti tso
that'
smor et hanenough.Isl owl ygetoutoft hebed,
feel
ingkindofweak, Itakeast ickwhi chIjustf ind
l
ay i
ngagai nstthewhol eandusei ttol eav ether oom
am in.AssoonasIst epoutoft her oom, Ilook
aroundandascer taint hatt hi
sisNkosi '
shouse.
Whatam Idoi
ngher
eandhowdi
dIev
engether
e.
Ihearfemini
negi ggl
escomi ngfrom downstair
sand
Ifol
lowthegiggles.WhenIgett here,Icomefaceto
facewithTshi
di,Noluthando,mymom, amiddl
e
agedwomanwhom Ir ememberf rom thedayIwoke
upinthehospitalandtheleastexpectedface,Rose.
Theyal
lstandupfr
om t
hecouchest
heyweresi
tt
ing
onandrusht ome,
excl
udi
ngRosewhoisona
wheel
chair.
"Mychil
d.Whydidyougetoutofbed?youcould
havecal
ledus.
"say
smymom t ouchi
ngmyf ace.
"Ineededt
ogetoutofbedma.
"Isayt
ryi
ngt
oav
oid
herhands.
"
Okaycomelet
'sgobackup.Youneedt
orest
."say
s
t
hemiddl
eagedwoman.
"Noam fine. "Isaypushingt hem outofmyway .All
am int
erest edinisRoser ightnow.Iwal ktowar ds
herwithgr eatdiff
icul
tysinceam usi ngthest i
ckto
supportthesi dethat'
sfeel i
ngthepai nandt henI
j
uststopi nfrontofherwi t
hasmi leonmyf ace.
"Rose?"Isaywit
hasmi leonmyf ace.Shesmi l
es
backatme, spr
eadsherar msoutandsay s"Hey
ther
esisteri
nlaw."wit
ht ear
sinhereyes.Il
ookat
herconfusedashellunt
ilitr
egi
ster
sinmymi nd.
"Waitwhat?"
Il
ookatherinshockasherwi
deopenembr
aci
ng
ar
mswai tf
orme." Youar
eNkosi
'
s..
."
"Yes,
yesIam nowst
opmakingmewai tandgetin
here.
"shesay
sgiggl
i
ng.It
rytobenddownforthe
hugbutmywoundbegstodisagr
eewiththi
sidea.
"
Ouch!"Iwhi
ne."
becaref
ulThando,
"say
s
Nol
uthandor
ushingt
ome.
"OkayIguessIwil
lhugyouoncet hewoundheals.
"I
saysmi l
i
ng.Shenodsherheadwhi l
eputti
ngher
armsdownandsay s"Ireal
lycan'
tbeli
evethatwe
areabouttobecomesister
s."wit
hexcit
ementinher
voice.
"Okaycomeony oungl
ady,l
et'
shel pyousi
tdown
thenyoucanhavethi
sconversationwit
hyournew
famil
ymember .
"saysthemiddleagedwoman.She
helpsmesitdown,whi
lemymot hergoest
othe
ki
tchenandcomesbackwi
thf
ood.
"
Pleaseeatsot
haty
oucant
akey
ourmedi
cat
ion.
"
"okay,
thankyou."Isayt
akingtheplatewithf
ood.I
am superhungryanyways.Ifi
rsteatwhil
eevery
one
j
uststaresatmeandwai tsformet ofini
shmyf ood.
Whenam done, Itakemymedi cineandthenthe
conversat
ionst
arts.
"Howar
eyouthough?
"asksTshi
diput
ti
ngherhand
onmycheek.
"
Am f
ine.Justt
ir
ed.Wher
eisNkosi
?"
"Well
Nkosist
ayedbacki
nLehur
utshetot
akecare
ofsomethi
ng.Hesai
dhewil
lbebackin2days.
"
"
What
?2days?Pleasecal
lhi
mf orme.Ineedt
otal
k
t
ohi
m."Isaypoi
ntingatt
heland-
li
ne.
"
Hei
sn'
tpi
cki
nguphi
sphonenunu.
"say
smymot
her
.
"Justtryhi
mf ormeplease."Isaywi t
hpl eadi
ng
eyes."Tshiditakest
heland-li
ne,asksf orNkosi'
s
numberwhi chshedial
sandt hencal l
shi m wi
thno
l
uckofhi m answer i
ng.Ineedhimr ightnowsohow
canhej ustdisappearonme?
"Hav
eyout
ri
edcal
l
ingZi
phooranyoft
het
ri
plet
s?"
"
Yeswehav
ebutt
heyar
eal
sounav
ail
abl
e."
"I
t'
sokay .Iwil
l tryt ocall himt omor row. "Isay ."So
tel
lme, whathappened? "Iask.Mymot herl ooks
downandt henshest artsr etel
lingwhathappened
thatnight ,
endi ngwi t
ht hesadr ealitythatmy
developingbabydi ed.Itr eall
ybr eaksmyhear t
havingt oheart hisbutt her eisnot hingIcando
abouti t
.Mymot hercomest osi twi thme, shehugs
meandsay s"it'sf i
net ocr ymychi ld.Leti tout .Stop
try
ingt obest rongandj ustl etitout ...
..
.Youmi ght
havenothadt hechadcet obondwi tht hebabybut
thatdoesn' tmeany oushoul di gnor ethef actt hat
therewassomeonegr owi ngi ny ourwombsol etit
outbabypl ease."andatt hatmoment ,alltearsst ar
t
fal
li
ng.Ihol dont omymot herandj ustcr yital lout
andt hat'
swhenIf eelent rabodi essur roundi ngme.I
l
ookatal lofthem ast heyhol dmei nagr ouphug
andIj ustfeellov ed, Ifeel secur eNadcar edf orbut
thatonlymakest hetear sgushoutev enmor e.
"
Letital
loutmychi
ld.Idon'
twanty
oust
ayi
ngwi
th
t
hissorr
owi ny
ourheart
."say
smymother
.I
cont
inuecry
ingandcr
yingunti
lIcan'
tcr
ynomor
e
butj
ustsni
ff.Ev
ery
onefinal
l
ylet'
sgoofmeandIl
et
outaloudsi
gh.
"Thanky
ouforbei
ngher
e.Ifi
twasn'
tforyou,Idon'
t
knowwhatIcoul
dhavedone.
"Isayst
ill
snif
fi
ng.
"Wear eyourfamil
yThando, wewil
lneverl
etyou
faceanytroubleal
one."saysRoseholdi
ngmyhand.
Isti
llcan'
tbel
ievethatam nowrel
atedtooneofmy
pati
entsIwasext r
emelyclosewit
h.Iholdherhand
ti
ghterandsay" am gl
adthatyouareNkosi
'ssist
er.
"
Ourconv ersati
onf orthenightf
lowsunt i
lit
s
midni
ghtwhent hemi ddl
eagedwomanwhosename
i
sDrMt hemba, takesmebackupt ot heroom Iwas
i
nwhi chr eal
lylookslikeamedical r
oom ina
hospi
tal.Shehel psmewi t
hunbandagi ngthewound
sothatIcanbat he.AsIstandinfrontofthemi r
ror
,I
spotasmal lpartofthewound.Whocoul dhave
donethist omeandwhy ?
Ilot
ionmysel
f,putonacroptopandsweaterpantsI
foundputonmybedandwai tforthedoct
ortocome
backandhelpmecl eananddressthewound.Af
ter
sheleav estheroom, Itr
yfi
ndi
ngmyphonewhi chI
fi
ndi nthebagbesi demybedandcal lNkosi .Ineed
toknowwhyhest ay edinLehurutshe.Icallhis
phonef ormor ethan5t i
meswi thnoluckandI
fi
nallygiveup.Am f aili
ngtounderstandwhyNkosi
stayedinLehur ut
shewhenam goi ngthroughsucha
toughtime.Sigh...
..
....
.

*
***
***
***
***
Am wakenupinthemorningbysomeoneshaki
ng
meandwhenIopenmyey es,Rosest
opsshaki
ng
me.Shehandsoverherphonetomeandsay s"
it
's
Nkosi
."i
nawhisper.
"
Hel
l
o."Isayi
nasl
eepyv
oice.

"Mylove."say
shishuskysweetv
oice,
cur
ingmy
devi
statedheart
.
"
Whyarentyounexttome? "Iask.Ihearhi
m si
gh
t
henherepli
es"
Howar eyoumyl ove?Youhadme
wor
ri
ed?"butIj
ustrepeatmyquest i
on"whyaren'
t
y
ounextt
ome?
"

"Youknow,
youscar
edmet
hatni
ghtThando.
"he
says.

"Nkosi
pleasecomehome.Imi ssyou.Leave
whatevert
hatiti
syouar edoingandcomet ome.I
needyou"Isaybefor
eamal evoi
cecriesouti
nwhat
soundsli
kesomeexcr uciat
ingpai
n.
"Nkosiwhoi
sthat
?"Iaskbuthei
gnor
esmy
questi
on.
"Si
hlei
sonhiswayther
e.Hei
scomingtocheckup
onyou.Goodbyemylov
e,Iwi
l
lbebackonFri
day.
"
hecalmlysay
s.

"Fr
iday
?WhyFr i
day?Whynotinafewhours?Idon'
t
wantSihl
etocheckuponmeIwanty outocheckup
onmebecauseam y ourpr
ior
it
ynownotSihl
e'
s."I
bel
lowinanger
.
"Thandother
eisabsolutel
ynoneedfory
out
o
scream atme.Yousti
llhaveaheal
i
ngwoundso
don'tst
rai
nyours.
..
..
."
Iendt hecallbefor
ehef inisheshisst at
ement .Nx,
mxm.Igi v
et hephonebackt oRoseandj ustcover
my selfwit
ht hesheet.Nkosi isbeingunreasonable
ri
ghtnow, heisbei
ngf uckingselfi
sh.Whyi she
actingasifhiswor ki
smuchmor eimpor t
antthan
me.Am pr et
tysuremybr otherscouldhav etaken
careoft hewor kwhil
ehecameher e.Mxm.Hecan
gof uckhimselfmannx. ..
...
..
"Iwi
ll
askTshi
dit
obri
ngyourbr
eakf
ast
."say
sRose
pushi
ngher
sel
foutoft
heroom.
"
Am f
ine.Idon'
twantt
oeat
."Imumbl
e.
"
Thandoy
ouneedt
otakey
ourmedi
cinesoy
ouhav
e
t
oeat.
"
"Isai
dIdon'twanttoeat.Am fi
nethankyou.
"Isay
toher.Ihearhersi
ghandt hensi
lence.If
eelher
handonme, sheli
ght
lypull
sitoffmyfaceandjust
gazesatme.
"
Thando,
stopwor
ryi
ngaboutbhudi
Nkosi
.Hewi
l
lbe
backsoon.Am pret
tysurehehassomeimportant
thi
ngstotakecareofandam sur
ethatwhat
everiti
s,
i
thaseverythi
ngtodowi t
hyouandyourcur
rent
condi
ti
on."shesaysrubbi
ngherhandonme.
"
Idon'
tcar
ewhati
tisandi
fithasever
ythi
ngt
odo
wi
thme.Hest
il
lhastobeherewit
hme. "
"Iknowbutdon' tbesohar donhi m.Sigh**
***Nkosi
alway spreferstakingcar eoft hingswhileawayf rom
hisl ovedonesbecausesomet imesheget svery
violentandt heonlywayhewi llbebackt ohis
originalstat
eiswhent heproblem issolved.Sodon' t
thinkthathei snegl ecti
ngy ouorr unningawayf rom
ther eali
tyyoubot har efacing.Hewi ll
beback. "she
say sbeforekissingmyf orehead.
"
IjustwantmyNkosi
her
e.I
sthatt
oomucht
oask
f
or."
"I
t'
snotThandobutj
ustl
ethi
mf i
nishwhat
everhei
s
doing.Okay
?"Inodmyheadyes.
"
NowcanIaskTshi
dit
obr
ingy
ourf
ood.
"
"
Yeasur
e."
"Gr
eat
.OohandDrMthembasaidshewenttofet
ch
somecream f
ory
ourwound.Shewil
lbebacksoon.
"
"okay .
"shel eav est her oom andIgogetashower .I
feelthewat errundownmybodyasIr ememberhow
beaut ifulthatni ghtwas.Remember ingt hecandl e
l
ightsshi ningi nt hedar kandt henot est hatNkosi
wr otef orme.Ther edandwhi t eroses, thehar moni c
voicesandt hemostbeaut iful par toft heni ght,
Nkosi askingmet obehi swi fe.Il ookatmyf inger ,
thinkingofhowamazi ngt hatr ingwoul dhav elooked
onmyf ingeri fIhadn' tbeenshot .Ij ustcl osemy
eyesandl i
st ent ot hespl atteringwat er .Am Inot
dest i
nedf orhappi ness.Ev er ytimet hi ngsst artfall
ing
place, somet hingj usthappens.Whathav eIdonet o
deser vesuch.Fi rstitwast her apeandnow, Ijust
l
osemybabyonmypr oposal ni ght .Wow.Justwow.
Ifinall
ygetoutt heshower , drymy sel f,getdressed
andst arteat ingt hef oodt hatTshi di leftonmybed.
Mymom andsi sterssi tandcaht ewi thmeunt ilDr
Mt hembashowsup, whocl eansmywoundand
appliest hecr eam andl eavesmyr oom af tertell
ing
met or est.Whyar et hesepeopl et reat ingmeasi fI
am t
err
ibl
yhar
med.
Ijustsitont hebed,t
akemyphoneandj ustcheck
outGoogl eNewswher eIam l
uredbysomepi ctur
e.I
l
ookcl osel yatt
hepictur
eandreali
zethatthepeople
i
nt hispictureareNkosiandIontheengagement
night.Ilookattheheadli
newhichreads"couldthe
"glamorouspr oposalgonewrong"vi
deobel i
nkedto
theacci dentonN13? "
Icl
i
ckonthewebsi
te,
debat
ingonifIshoul
dr eadit
ort
ojut
sleti
tbebutmycur
iosi
tygetsthebestof
me.If
ir
stcl
osemyeyesandthenreadthestory.

LastweekSunday ,Al i
vevi
deowasshotbyan
i
nst agrammerwhol etherdearfoll
ower sgetapeak
ofwhatwasknownasaper fectproposalbutsoon
turnedintoahor ri
fi
cscene.Someofy ouar e
probabl yt
hinkingthatguywhopr oposedwas
cheat i
ngsohegotcaughtorsomecl ichetypeof
thi
ngbutt hescenewasn' tcli
cheatall.Asseeni n
thev i
deot hathasbeencirculat
ingforthepast2
day s,whent hemanwasaboutt oputt heshini
ng
di
amondringonhisl
ady'
sfi
nger,shewasshotbyan
uni
nvi
tedguest
.Scar
yri
ght.
..
..
..
..
Latert hatnight, anacci dentt ookpl aceonN13, 30
minut esaf t
ert heshoot ing.2car scol l
i
dedwi theach
otherbutwhent hepol icear r
ivedatt hecr i
mescene,
theonl yvictimst hatwer etherewer eallfrom 1of
thecar s.Onev ictim saidt hatbef orecolli
dingwi t
h
theot hervehi cl
e, hesawamanr unni
ngaf terthecar
theyhadanacci dentwi thandaf tercoll
idingwi t
ht he
car,t
hesamemanwi thwhatseemedl ikebl ueeyes
draggedt he2menwhower einthev ehicleontot he
pedest ri
anl aneandgotconsumedbyt hedar kness.
Thepol i
ceonl yr etrieved3gunsandabagofweed
i
nt heabandonedv ehicle.Not raceswer ef ound
whichcoul dhav ehel pedont hewher eabout sof
thesemenexceptf orbl oodyf ootpri
ntswhi chledt o
nothingbutadeadendconsi deri
ngt heinv est
igation.
Thedetecti
vesleadi
ngthe2casesfoundt hese2
eventsqui
teli
nkedtoeachotherandthi
sl edto
them i
nvest
igat
ingonwhetherthebul
letthatwas
usedtoshootthewomanwasbyanychancesi mil
ar
totheonesinthegunsornot.However,t
her esul
ts
t
othisinvest
igat
ionhavenotbeenpointedoutjust
yet
.Sonowwear elef
twit
hthequestion, we'
rethese
2eventsl
inkedornotandonequestiont hathasus
t
akenaway ,whoisthesocall
edblueeyed
men..
..
..
..
..
..

Ilookattheceil
i
ng,nowwonderingift
hemanI
heardscreamingonthephonewasbyanychance
oneoft hemeninthevehi
clebecauseIknowf
ora
factthatt
heblueeyedmanisNkosi.

*
***
***
***
***
*
SI
HLE'
SPOV

Aft
er1goodhourofbei ngonthefli
ghttocomesee
Thando,Ical
lTshidiandaskhertosendmet he
l
ocati
ont oNkosi'
shouse.Whenshesendsi t
,Iget
i
ntomycaranddr iveof ft
othelocati
on.Nkosiwas
supposedtocomeher ebuthi
sconditi
onisjust
ter
ri
ble.Heneverleavesthewarehouseandhei s
forevertorturi
ngthosemenwi thnor est.Hehas
becomeext remelyviol
entandi couldn'tlethim
comeher ebecausehewasgoi ngt oscar eThando.
Tobehonest ,
Iwasact uallyenjoy i
ngt hev i
ewof
them beingt ort
ured.Them beggi ngandcr yi
ngwas
l
ikemusi ci nmyear s.Howev er,theyst il
lwon' ttel
lus
whosentt hem andwhenwet ri
edt ot racedownt he
numbert hathadoncecal ledt heguy s, wecoul dn'
t
traceitdownsot omorrow, wear eusi ngt heir
famili
esasawayt ogett ot hem.
Ipassbyacandyst ore,buyThandoabasketof
goodiesandf l
ower sthencarryonwi thmyjourney.I
fi
nallygettoahugebl ackgatewi thaguardsitt
ingat
thegat e.Whenheseescarappr oachthegate,he
standsupandwal kstomycar .Iopent hewindow
forhim andt el
lhimt hatIwassentbyNkosi .He
takesouthi sphone, dial
sanumbert henaft
er1
mi nute,hepressest heint
ercom andt hegat
eopens,
revealingamensi on.Wel ldamn, howrichi
sNkosi ?
Idri
vein,par
kmycar,
takeThando'sgif
tsfr
om the
backseatandwal
ktotheporch.Ipr
esstheint
ercom
onthedoorandsomef emi
nineangeli
cvoi
ceshouts
"
Am comi
ng.
"
Whenthedooropens,
myl
ongl
ostl
overf
inal
l
y
unv
eil
s
Chapt
er26

SI
HLE'
SPOV.

Istandatt hedoor ,frozen.Notknowi ngwhatt odo

orsay .Ican'tbelievet hi
s,myangel isri
ghtherein
frontofme. .
..
..
..
..Igazeatherbeaut i
fulcar
amel
coloredf ace,exposi ngherchubbycheeksandt iny
nose.Herl ongey elashesjustenhancet hebeaut yof
hergodl yey esandherbr ightwel comingsmi l
ehas
thethepowert ol ightenupany one'sday.Herred
glossymov i
ngli
pscat chmyat tenti
onwhenIj ust
reali
zet hatshehasbeent al
kingbutIhav ebeen
consumedi nherwor ldofshiningstarsandnight
l
ightingmoon.
"
Hel
l
o!!
"shesay
s.
"Ooham sorry.Am heretoseemyli
ttl
esist
er,
Thando."Isay
, st
il
lfi
ndingi
tdif
fi
cul
ttocomedown
toeart
h.
"
YourmustbeSi
hle?
"
"
YesIam.
"
"OoohAm Rose,Nkosi'
ssist
er.Comei n..
..
."shesay
s
andthat
'swhenam snappedoutoft hewor ld.When
shemov estomakewayf orme, Ispotthewor st
thi
ngever,awheelchai
r.WHYTHEFUCKI SSHEON
AWHEELCHAI R.
..
..
..
..
..
..
Icurl
myhandsi ntofist,feel
ingsomet ypeofanger
andsympat hyatthesamet ime.Wasshei nan
acci
dentorsomet hi
ng?Whatev eritwas, Idon'tl
ike
seei
ngherlikethis.Istepi ntothehouse, wel comed
bythelookofawel ldesigned,alluringhome.Iguess
Nkosiisfi
nanciall
yst ableafterall.Sheclosest he
doorandpushesher selftoacouchandsay s"canI
getyousomet hingtoeat ? "
"Ummm noam f i
nethankyou.Oohandt hisisfor
you.
"Isaygiv
ingherthegoodybasketthatIhad
boughtf
orThando.Iwalktoherandstretchmy
handswit
hthegiftt
oher.Shelooksatthegi f
t,
smil
esandsay s"
Am prett
ysurethat
'snotf orme.
Youshouldgi
veittotheri
ghtf
ulowner.
"
"
Wel
lIcanal
way
sbuyheranot
heronebutImi
ght
notgett hechancet obuyyouonei fIdon'
tgiveyou
thisone.Pleasedoaccepti t
."Isaytoher.Shestart
s
blushingbutsti
llrepl
ies"Si
ncewear egoingtobe
brotherandsisterinlawsoon, am pr
ett
ysurey ou
willbeabletobuymet hoseasmuchasy oulike.
"
"
Your
eal
l
ydon'
twantt
oacceptmygi
ftdoy
ou?
""
"
Nott
hatIdon'
twantt
oaccepti
tbuti
t'
snotmi
ne"
"andwhosaidIdi
dn'
tbuyi
twi
tht
hei
ntent
ionof
givi
ngi
ttoyou?"
"BecauseIknowy oudidn'
tbuyitf
orme.Noone
mighthav etol
dmebuti t'
spret
tyobv
iousbecause
youdidn'tevenknowthatNkosihasasist
er"she
saysgrinning.
"Hmmmm okay,
sincey
ouwon'
tacceptt
hisgi
ft
,how
aboutIt
akey
ououtsomet
ime?
"
"
Not
hanky
ou.
"
"
Ooohwow.Whyar
eyoupl
ayi
nghar
dtoget
."
"
Am not.Am j
ustbeingreali
sti
cwithyou.SocanI
t
akeyoutoThandonow? "sheaskspushingher
sel
f
t
owardsanelevat
or.Irushtoherandhelpherdoit
.
"Thanky ou.
"shesaysasIpushheri nsidethe
elevator
.Doessheev enr emembermeori sshe
actingasifshedoesn'tknowmeatal l.
...
.Istand
besideherandsoonasi tcloses,
Ijustlookather .I
s
thisreal
lyhappeni
ngtome?Am Ir ewll
Butwai t,
did
shesayshei sNkosi'
ssi ster?Ooohshit!
"
Wai
t,ar
eyouNkosi
'
sbi
ologi
cal
sibl
i
ng?
"
"
YesIam.
"shesay
slooki
ngupatme.
"Ooohokay ."thetruthis,i
t'
snotokayatall.Nkosi
wil
ltot
all
yt aket hischanceaspayback.Orwi l
lhe?
ButIdon'tthinkhewoul dsinceIhaveacceptedhim
asmybr otheri nlaw.Andhei sdati
ngmysi st
erso
hewill
letmebe.Am 100%sur ehewil
lacceptme
toori
ght.
"
Am f
ucked.
"
"
Excuseme?
"
"
Umm not
hing.Not
hing.Wasj
ustt
hinki
ngoutl
oud.
"
"Ooohokay.
"theelevat
orfi
nal
lyopensi
tsdoorsand
Ipushheroutwhileshedir
ect
smet owhere
Thando'
sroom is.Shetel
l
smet ostopi
nfrontofa
whi
tedoor
.
SheknocksonthedoorandThandoanswers.She
sl
owlyopensthedoorandasksi
fwecancomei n.
Asthedoorconti
nuestosl
owlyopen,
Igetapeakof
myThando,sit
ti
ngonthebedbusyreadi
ng
somethi
ngonherphone.
Whenshel
ooksup,
sheseesmeandf
lashesasmi
l
e.
"Budi
Sihl
e.Youhav
ear
ri
ved.
"shesay
sput
ti
ngher
phoneaway.
"Howareyoumypr i
ncess,
Isaypushi
ngRose'
s
wheel
chai
rin.Ist
opwhenwegett oThando'
sbed
andIgi
veherahug.
"am copingBudi.Howar ey ou?"sheasks.Hereyes
havedar kpat
chesundert hem asi fshehasn'tsl
ept
wellforawhil
e, herfaceislit
eral
lypaleiteven
breaksmyhear t.Thebandagewhi chispatchedon
therightsi
deofherl owerbackj ustmakesmewant
togobackt oLehur utsheandshoott hose2
bastardsri
ghtinthehead.
"
Am notfi
ne.Idon'
tl
ikeseei
ngy
oui
nsuchast
ate
mypri
ncess.
"Isay.
"St
opwor r
yingyour
sel
fBudi
.Am f
ine,
well
Iwill
be.
"
shesays.Ij
oinheront
hebedandholdbothher
hands.
"
Whereismaandyoursi
ster
s?"Iask.Ihav
en'
tseen
t
hem ev
ersi
nceIar
ri
ved.
"
Theywentoutt
ogobuyaf
ewgr
ocer
ies.
"say
sRose.
"
Ooohokay
.Andt
hedoct
ort
hatt
reat
syou?
"
"Shewentt
oseeoneofherpat
ients.Shewi
l
lbe
backat14:
30.
"repl
i
esRoseagain.
"
Butshei
ssupposedt
obeher
e24/
7."Isay
.
"
Well
shehadt
ogoseet
hatpat
ient
,itwas
i
mport
ant
"
"Thandoi
sal
soanimport
antpat
ientsoshemustbe
hereever
ysi
ngl
esecond.
"Isayt
oRose.
"
Ummm.Shel
eftmet
olookaf
terThan.
..
"
"Buty
ouar enotadoctornow,areyou?Andhow
wereyougoingt ol
ookaftermysist
erwhileyouar
e
alsoi
njur
ed."Isayl
ookingatherwheelchai
r.
"
Excusemebutj
ustbecauseam i
nawheel
chai
r
doesn'
tmeanthatIcan'tl
ookaf
terherf
oraf
ew
hours.
"shesay
sseemi ngoff
ended.
"Idon'
tcareaboutthat
.Thisdoctorwassupposedto
behere,that
'swhatsheisget t
ingpai
dfor.We
handedThandoov ertoherbecauseNkosi sai
dshe
canbet r
ustedbutwhatbullshi
tisthi
s."
"BudiSihl
epleasecalm down.Rosehasbeenlooki
n
aftermev er
ywell.Andbesides,
thedoct
orisalway
s
here.Shejustha.
...
."
"ThandoIdon'tcar
eaboutwhatshehadt odo.What
i
fsomet hi
nghappenedt oy ouinherabsence?was
yoursocall
edgoodcar etakergoi
ngt osaveyou?"I
askpointi
ngatRose.Thismi ghtseem abitharsh
butwhenitcomest omyThando, Idon'
tall
owsuch.
Rosejuststar
esatme, takesoutherphoneand
str
etchesherhandwitht hephonetome.
"Here,cal
lher
.SheissavedasmaMt hemba. .
..
"I
l
ooki nhereyesandseehowof f
endedsheisbutshe
tri
essohar dtohi
deit.Ij
ustl
ookatherunt
ilshe
pushesherselfcl
osertomeandputsthephoneon
thebed.
"Youcancallhert
ocomel ookaftery
oursi
stersi
nce
am notcapableofdoi
ngitbutIhavebeenforthe
pasthour.
"shesaysbeforepushi
nghersel
foutof
theroom.
"Whatyoudidwasr
eal
l
yunnecessar
ybudi
Sihl
e."
saysThando.
"
Ireal
l
ydidn'
tmeantohur
therorany
thi
ng.It
'sj
ust
t
hatIdon'
twantany
thi
ngtohappent
oyou."Isay.
"
Wel
lseemsl
i
key
ourchoi
ceofwor
dsdi
dhur
ther
."

Wayt
ogoSi
hle,
wayt
ogo.
..
..
..
..

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Iam r eal
lyhurtbyt hefactthatThandomi ghtthi
nk
thatam neglectingherbutam r eall
ynot.Ijustwant
tofinishallt
hisstupi dworkandt henIcangot oher,
i
fonl ythesefoolscoul djusttel
lmewhot hehell
theirbossis!!
!Thet r
ipl
etshaveletmet or
turethem
allalonebecause, apparentl
ymymet hodsIkindof
di
sgust
ingandextremelyi
nhuman.Those3men
l
ooksot oughkant
itheyar
ejustsi
ssi
esdeepdown.

Igulpdownmyal cohol andgobackt ooneofmy

favorit
et hings, torture.Iwal kt
ot hewal l,pickthe
perfectkni fewhi chi smybeaut if
ul fi
ll
etkni fesi
nce
thereisl i
terallynot hingmor et
ocut butthei
r
stupidhangi ngmeatsi nceIhavechoppedof ft
heir
armsandl egs.Theyshoul dbedeadbynowbutI
havei njectedmi cropar ti
clesofoxygent hatkeep
them al i
veev eniftheyst opbreathing.Itakemy
knifeandmov eont othewonder f
ul chemi cal
sectionandpi ckoutasmal lbottl
ewi thacid.Iov er
mynoseandmout hwi thasur gicalmasksi nce
thesepeopl ear eliteral
lyst i
nkynowaf ter2day sof
beingt ortured.
"Wellwellwel
l.I
fiti
sn'tmy2mostf avorit
epeople.
Howar ey ou?
"Iasksoundingdupeent husiast
ic.
Oneoft hem rai
seshisti
red,di
rt
y,bl
ooddr i
pping
faceandsay s"manjustkil
lusalr
eady,
"inasl ow,
coldtone.
"Ohhhnonono.Notj usty et
,notunt il
yout el
lme
whoy ouarewor ki
ngf or.Ididpromi seyout hatIwil
l
beher e24/ 7until
youst arttal
king."Isayshar peni
ng
mykni f
e.Isitonthebedt heyar elaid,deci
deonwho
myv ictim wil
lbeandt akemybodywi thacid."my
fri
end, openupy ourmout h."Isaytomyv i
cti
m.He
l
ooksatmewhi lecry
ingsof tly
.
"Iwil
ltelly
ouwhothebossi
s,j
ustst
opdoi
ngt
his
please."hesay
scr
ying.
"Aaaaahfi
nal
l
y.WellIguesswewon' tbeneeding
yourfamil
i
eshereanymore."Isaybuttheotherguy
says"Khawedon'
tsnit
chman.Bosswi l
l ki
l
lour
famil
iesman!
!Don'tt
ellhi
m, l
ethim ki
l
l usnotthem"
"Noman.Idon'
twanttodi
eyet
.Iwantt
owat
chmy
kidsgr
owupplease.
"
"Hell
o.Am alsoheresopl easest ophavingthis
uselessconversati
onofy oursbecausey ourfamil
ies
aregoingtosuf f
ereitherway."Isaybutt heguywho
doesn'twanttosnitchkeepsont ry
ingtoencourage
hiscoll
eaguenott osayany t
hing.OkayIguesshe
will
bemyv i
cti
m.It akemybot t
lewi t
hacid,pouri
tin
bothhi
seyesandwat chthem bur
ni naci
d.Heyel
ps
i
npainbutIjustenj
oythi
sv i
ew.Itakemyknif
eand
takehi
stongueandcutitoff
.
"
ManIt oldyoutostoptal
ki
ng.MrNkosiIwi
llt
alk,
I
wi
ll
talk.Justdon'
tkil
lmeplease.
"say
stheonewho
i
swill
i
ngt osnit
ch.
"Okay .Justwai t,Iwantmymant ot aket hatdirtbag
fri
endofy ouroutofher e.Hecandi ef oral l
Icar e
now. "Isay .Iwal ktomysy ringedeskandpi ckout
one.Iputscor pionpoi soni nit,walkbackt othebed
andi njectitintot heguywhohaschosendeat h
i
nsteadofl ife.Iwat chhisv einsturnbl ackfrom
wher eIinject edhi mt ohisheadandt henhet akes
hislastbr eath.Ical loneofmymanIcal l
edt ocome
heref rom Sandt onandi nstructhimt ot hrowt hat
i
diot'sbodyi nt hedr um ful
lofsulfuricaci doutside.
Hedoesasi nst ruct edandam l ef
twi ththeonewho
i
snotwi ll
ingt odi e,whichiski ndoff unnybecause
am goi ngt oki l
l him any ways...
.Haha.

"
Star
ttal
ki
ng,
"
"I
t'
s.
...I
t'
sBrian.ThesonofMrMohl akoane.That
ni
ghtwewer esupposedtoki
l
lyoubutIshotherby
mistake.Nowpl easel
etmego,please.Ihave5kids
andtheyalldependonme.Please!!
"hecr i
esout.
"
2morequesti
ons.Whydoesy
ourbosswantt
oki
l
l
meandwhereishe?"
"Yourkil
ledhisf
atheryear
sbackand....
andyouar
e
curr
entlydati
ngthewomanhel ov
es..
..That
'swhy
he..
..he.
...
.hewantstokil
lyou.Ri
ghtnowhei s
Sandton."
"
Hmmmm okay
.Then.
"
"
Soam If
reet
ogo?
!"
"Yes,sure.Idon'
tseeanyreasontokeepyouhere.
"I
saystandingup.Ihearhimthanki
ngmeasIwal k
outoft hewarehouse;ij
oinmymanwhoi sjust
standingoutsidewhil
echatt
ingonhisphone.
"Aawubozza,youf
inal
l
ydeci
dedt
ogetsomef
resh
air
?"hesays.
"Wel
l,
Idon'thav
eanyreasont
ostayint
here
anymore.Haveyoudi
sposedt
hati
diot'
sbody?
"
"
Yesbossbuti
twi
l
ltake2day
sfori
ttodi
ssol
ve.
"
"
Okay
.List
enhere,Iwanty
out
ogi
vet
heonei
nther
e
f
oodbutpoisoni
t.
"
"
ButIt
houghty
ousai
dyouwi
l
llethi
m go.
"
"Aaaghcomeonman.Thi nk!!Howi shegoi ngto
walkordoanythi
ng?Rememberhehasnoar ms,
l
egsandhi sl
eftearismissing.Iwouldr atherj
ustki
ll
himt hanmakeanotherenemy ."Isaytakingoffthe
glovesandmusk.
"
Ooohyouhaveagoodpoi
ntther
e.Aiimarabozza
y
ouarecr
uel.Howdoyousl
eepatnight"heasks.
"Myman, youwil
lonlyunder
standwhenyouf al
l
i
nloveandshithappenstoyourwoman."Isay
patt
inghisshoul
der.Ithr
owawaythesurgicalt
hings
Ihadinthebinandturntomycarbutstop,
remember i
ngsomething.
"Pleasemakesur ethataft
eronemonth,yougoto
thatguy'sfamilyandgi v
ethem R3mill
i
on.Idon't
wanthi schil
drent osuff
erbecauseofthei
rfat
her'
s
stupidmistake."Isay.
"
Whi
chguysi
r?"
"
Theonei
nsi
de.
"
"
andt
heonei
justputi
ntheaci
d?"
"
giv
ethem R500000.
"
"Ooohokay."Iturntomycar ,geti nsi
deanddr iv
eto
Thando'
shome.WhenIgett here, theguardsopen
forme,Igetinsideandheadst raighttomyr oom
andgetashowert hatIhav en'
tgot t
enindays.Iget
outofmywhi tepol oshir
tandbl ackt r
ousersand
stepi
ntotheshower .Iwatchall thebloodstainson
mybodywashawayandgeti ntot hedrai
nage.

Sot hesamemanwhodi edbecausehewant edto

stealanotherman'swi feisthesamemanwhogav e
birt
ht oademonofason?Am notshockedatal l
.At
fi
rst,Iwasscaredoft hatbast ardbutnow,nowam
notaf r
aidofhim atall
.Iwi l
lhunthim downandIwi l
l
kil
lhim.FuckMussal ineandOt ari
k.I
ftheytr
yt ofuck
meov ertoo,
Iwillki
l
lt hem alongwi t
hthatBrian
fri
endoft hei
rs.Nowal lIhavet odoisfindhi
m.I
takemyt imeshower i
ng, washi ngmyev er
ybodypar t
deli
catelybutonepar ttakesmostofmyt imei nthe
shower .Asaman, Ineedt ogetpleasur eher eand
there,especial
lyaftersleepi ngwi t
hawomanl ike
Thando.Shei sthetypewhoset houghtabouther
woul djustgiveyouonehugeasspai nfulboner .I
takemuchmor etimet hatonepar tofmybodywhi l
e
alsodoi ngsomet hi
ngIusual l
ydon' tdoordol ike
doingbutIhav enochoi ce,Ipleasuremy self.When
am done, Istepoutoft heshower ,drymy self,
get
l
ot i
onedandputonmycr eam poloneckwi tha
mar oonski nnytext
uredsui tjacketandt rousers.I
needahai rcuttoobef or eIleaveforSandt on.

Ithoughtt hatiwasgoi ngt ogobackhomeonFr i

day
butsinceIgott heinfor
mat ionIneeded,Imightas
wellleav etomor r
owev ening.Ifi
rstneedtotakecare
ofsomet hi
ngher eandal sof i
xmy sel
falongwithmy
emot ionsbecauseIdon' twantThandot oseeme
l
ikethi s.It
akemyphone, di
al Si
hle'
snumberwho
answer saftert
he3r dri
ng.
"
yesNkosi
?".
"Thei
rboss'
snameisBr
ian.Am pr
ettysureyou
knowhim si
ncehewasonceyourfri
end."Isay
sit
ti
ngonmybed.

"Thatmot herfuckerislikeaghost
.Wehav
ebeen
searchingforhimf oral ongt
imenowandwe
haven'tfoundhimy et."saysSi
hle.

"Iknow.Ihav
etri
edtol
ookforhi
m buthejust
disappear
sever
yti
mewefindhim ont
heraider
s."I
say.

"
Whyhav
eyoubeent
ryi
ngt
olookf
orhi
m?"

"
Thesamer
easony
ouhav
ebeensear
chi
ngf
orhi
m."

"
Andt
hati
s?"
"
Het
ookmywoman'
spr
ideaway
."

"
shet
oldy
ou?
"

"
Whywoul
dn'
tshe?
"

"Hmmmm okay.Wel
lIwi
l
ltel
lmymeni
nUKt
otr
y
andt
rackhi
m down.
"

"
Appar
ent
lyhei
sther
eisSandt
on.
"

"
Oooohokay
.Iwi
l
lkeepmyey
esopenf
orhi
m."
"
Howi
sThando?
"

"
Sheiscopingbutyouhavetocomeheresoon.She
i
stot
all
ylosinghermindwit
houtyou.
"
"Real
l
y.Okaythen.Am comi
ngtomorr
owev
eni
ng
butdon'
ttel
lher.Howismysist
er?
"

"
Yoursi
ster
?"

"
Yes.Rose?Am pr
ett
ysur
eyouhav
emether
."

"Oohyes..
..I
..
..
.ihav
e.Sheisokayandshei
sreal
l
y
nicebutIhaveaquestion.
"

"
Andt
hati
s?"
"
Whathappenedt
oher
?"
"
Whywoul
dyoucar
etoknow?
"

"
Ijustwantt
oknow.
"repl
i
esSi
hle.

"
Nooff
ensebutt
hat
snonofy
ourbusi
nessSi
hle.I
t'
s
v
erypr
ivat
e."
"Hmmmmm okay.WellIhav
etogonow.Iwi
l
lkeep
anopeney
eforBri
an.
"

"Okay.Bye."Iendthecal
l,putmyphonei nmy
pocketandputonmygl asses,l
eavemyr oom f
or
thegarage,getint
oacarandam of ftothebartoget
alit
tl
edr i
nk.IwouldhaveaskedZiphotoj oi
nmebut
Ican'tf
indhim anywhereinthehouseso.
Igett oabar ,geti nside, walkst rai
ghtt oanempt y
tabl eandcal lawai terwhocomesbackf ewmi nutes
l
at erwi t
habot tl
eofbal veniedr inkonat rayanda
glass.Isi pmydr i
nk, fascinat edbyi t
sdel ect abl
e
tast euntilam disturbedbysomewomanwho
comesandsi tsont het ableam si tt
ing.She' saf i
ve
foot ,t
hick,li
ghtski nnedwomanwear ingabl uesil
k
dresswi t
hav entint hemi ddle.Iwon'tlie, shelooks
extr emelydeliciousbutshei sn'tmyt ype, and
besi des,am 100%sur et hatmywomant astes
i
nf init
ytimesbet t
ert hanher .Ilookatherandt urn
myey esbackt omygl asswi thbal v
enie.Whenshei s
aboutt osaysomet hing, Ibeathert oit.
"Am notint
erest
edinanythi
ngyouwanttosay
woman, sopleasestandupanddon'
ti
rri
tat
eme
becauseam reall
yenjoyi
ngmydri
nk.
"
"
Hmmmm,
sor
ude.Il
i
key
oual
ready
."
"
AndIdon'
tcar
enowpl
easedol
eav
e."
"
Andi
fIsai
dno?
"
"
Theny
ouwi
l
ljusthav
etof
acet
hedev
ili
nme.
"
"Iwouldn' tmi
ndthat.
"shesay sbit
ingherlowerl
ip.I
thinkoft aki
ngoffmygl assesbutthenIstopmy sel
f.
Itakemybot tl
ewiththedrinkal
ongwi ththegl
ass
andst andupbutshehol dsmyarm.It urntoher
,
l
ookatt hegripshehasonmeandj ustsmir
k.
"see,whaty ouaredoingrighther
eiscal
l
edsi gning
yourowndeat hsentence.TouchmeagainandIwi ll
kil
lyour i
ghthere,ri
ghtnow."Isayinawhisper.She
slowlylet'
sgoofmyar m withshocki
nherey esand
shest andsupt oleave.Sl
ut!
Igetbackonmyseatandcont
inueenjoy
ingmy
dri
nkuntilt
hesunset
s.Mi
ndyou,Icamehereat
15:00.Il
ookatmywatchwhi
chisrefl
ect
ing22:
00.I
takemyphoneoutandr
eali
set
hatIhav
e6mi
ssed
call
sfr
om Zi
phoandKhaya.
Ical
lZi
phowhoanswerswitha"
Wherethef
uckar
e
youman!Wehavebeenlooki
ngf
oryou."
"Whyarey
ouguy
slooki
ngf
ormeasi
fam a12y
ear
oldboy
?"
"Becausey
ouar
enotinyourri
ghtmi
ndNkosinow
comebackorelseIwi
ll
tell
Thando.
"say
sZipho.
"Okayfi
neam onmyway .
"Ileav
ethebar,
feeli
nga
bitt
ipsyanddri
vebackhome.Igetther
e,parkthe
carandgetint
othehousewher eIf
indZi
phosi t
ti
ng
onthecouchwat chi
ngsoccer.
Ij
oinhi
mint
hel
i
vingr
oom andhel
ooksatme.
"Nkosi,
youhav et
ogetyoursel
ftoget
her
.Youhav
e
becomeadr unkardi
nthese2day s.
"hesay
s
switchi
ngof
ft heTV.
"
am notadr
unkar
dZi
pho.Am j
ustt
ryi
ngnott
olose
myshit
."
"Losey
ourshi
t?Nkosiletmeremindy
ousomet
hing.
Youcameherewit
ht hepurposet
oimpress
Thando'
sfamil
ysot hatwecouldletyoumarr
yher
butdoyouseri
ouslythi
nkthatwewi l
llety
oumarry
Thandowhil
eyouar edoingsuch?
!"Ikeepqui
etand
j
ustlookatt
heblackTV.
"
Whyt
hef
uckar
eyouact
ingasi
fThandodi
edhuh?
"
"Shedi
dn'tbutshesti
l
l l
ostherbabywhowast oo
youngtoevendie.Shewasshotbecauseofme!I
shoul
dhav estoppedthatbul
letf
rom hi
tt
ingherbut
no!If
ail
ed!"Ibell
ow.
"Ooohbul l
shit.Nkosi ,
whathappenedhashappened
nowmov eonandst opl i
vi
ngi nthepast.St optry
ing
torunawayf rom facingThando.Sheneedsy ouri
ght
now!Sost opthisbul landputy ourselft
oget her
!The
babyisdead!Not hingcanbr inghim orherback.Al l
youcandonowi sjustmov eon.Whathappened
wasnty ourfault.Youhadnocont r
ol overitsostop
blamingy oursel
fandusi ngexcusest ost ayaway
from Thando"hesay sl ooki
ngangr y.
"Zi
phoitwasmyf aul
t.Bri
anwantedtokil
lme,not
shootThando.Hesentthose2toshootmebutt hey
shotThandoinst
eadandwho'sfaulti
sthat?Mine!
!!
"
"
What
?Br
ianWan.
..
..
."
"
Yes.Bri
anist
heonewhosentthosemen.Oneof
t
hem fi
nall
ycr
ackedandspi
l
ledthebeans.
"Isay
.
"
ButIdon'
tunder
standsomet
hing?Whywoul
dBr
ian
wantt
okil
lyou?"
"I
..
..
.Idon'tknow.Ij
ustdon't.Maybehewants
Thando."Isaylyi
ng.Iknowit'swrongbutIdon'
t
wanttospi l
lmybeansj usty
et .
"Br
ian?Wanti
ngThando?
that
'sal
i
e."hesay
s
shakinghi
shead.
"Wel
lit
'snot
.Thi
siswhyam l
i
ket hi
s.I
t'
sbecause
am t
ryi
ngtocomeupwithanideatocatchhi
m."
"That
'snexttoi
mpossi
ble.Wehavebeenlookingf
or
himforyearsnowandwest i
l
lhav
en'tcaughthim.
"
saysZipho.
"Wel
l any
thi
ngispossi
bleandIwil
lmakei tpossi
ble.
Am fucki
ngsickandti
redofhi
m harassi
ngThando. "
Isay
.
"
Don'
twor
ry.Ihav
eyourback.Iwi
l
lhel
pyou.
"
"
Thanks.
"
"Now,Nkosi Nxumalo,Iwantyoutobegoneby
morning.Idon'twanttoseeanyofyourbel
ongi
ngs
hereagain.I
tistimeforyoutogobackhomeand
seeyourwi f
e."saysZi
phostandingup.
"
Your
eal
l
ywantmegonehey
"Isay
.
"
Yes.Yourf
acei
rr
it
atest
hef
uckoutofme.
"hesay
s.
"Voetsekwena.
"Isaylaughi
ng.Hel
eavesmeint
he
l
ivingroom,nowthinki
ngaboutmyThando.
Sigh****
Imisshersomuch.

I
tsmor ni
ngandIhav epackedal
l mystuff,
readyto
goseemywi f
e.IjusthopethatBriani
scaughtsoon
becauseIreal
lycan'tdealanymore.Thatmanmust
j
ustdiealr
eady.Isaymygoodby estoZiphosincehe
i
stheonlyonei nthehouse.Khay ahasjust
di
sappearedintothinair
.
Igetonmyf
li
ghtandam of
ftoSandt
on.
Af
terafli
ghtof2hours,If
inal
l
yar r
iveanddr iv
ento
myplaceat6:30am.Igett
here,headstraighttot
he
medical
room whereIfi
ndmywomansl eeping
peaceful
ly
.Islowlywal kt
owar dsher
,enjoy
ingt
he
vi
ewofherpeacef ul
nessItakeoffmyshoesalong
withtheblazerandjoinherinbed.Iwrapmyarms
aroundherandki ssherforeheadasshesnuggl
es
withme.Imi ssedhersomuch.

*
***
***
***
Chapt
er27

THANDO'
SPOV.

Iwakeuptoahandholdi
ngmywast eandsomeone
snor
inginmyearandwhenIturnaround,
hisst
inky
morningbr
eat
hhitsmynost
ri
ls.Jesuslor
dhave
mercyonme.
"YhoooNkosicloseyourmouthmany hoo!When
l
astdidyoubrushy ourmouth?"Isaytryi
ngtopul
l
awayfrom hi
m.Hesl owlyopenshi seyeswi
tha
smirkonhisfaceandpullsmecl oser.
"
Whatawaytowel
comeyourbaeback.
"Nkosi
say
s.
"
Imi
ssedyousomuchyoubeaut
if
ulthi
ng.
"
"
Imissedy
outoobutam angr
yatyoubum!!
"I
mut
terwhi
let
ryi
ngtogetoutofhi
scl
asp.
"
Why
?Isn'
tam her
enow?
"heasksdeadpanned.
"Becausey
oudidn'
tputmyringon."Isaywit
haface
aslongasafi
ddlewhil
eshowinghim myhand.He
l
ooksatmyhand, l
aughsandstepsoutofthebed.
"youar
eonecrazywoman. "hesays,sear
chi
ngf or
somethi
nginhisbag.Hetakesoutthesamesmal l
boxhehadthenighthewant edt
opropose,walksto
thebedandkneelsnextt
oit.Isi
tupstrai
ghtand
l
ookatNkosiwithabeam.
"ThandoMdl etshe, wi
lly
oumar r
yme? ""heproposes.
Igivemyhandt ohi m whil
enoddingmyhead, he
takesther i
ngoutoft hebox, put
stheboxdownand
slowlyputstheshi nnyri
ngonmyf inger .Hestands
backup, bendsdownt oreachmyf aceandgi vesme
onedeepmoi stenedkisswhi l
esqui shingmyf ace
againsthis.Igr oanashesuckst heai routofmebut
thekissendswhenhemi stakenlytouchesmy
wound.
"Hmmm."Imummerpushi
ngawayf
rom hi
m,"
you
hur
ti
ngme!"
Nkosi
mov
eshi
shandf
rom t
her
eandapol
ogi
zes.
Helooksatthebandageandhisfacechangest hat
i
nstantwhil
ehesitsonthebed.Isl
owlyfol
lowhi s
eyestothebandagecover
ingmywoundandIl ook
backathim.Hisblueey
essuddenlyaredark,
fil
led
wit
hsomuchanger ,somuchregret,hat
redandgui
l
t.
Iputmyhandonhisshoul
der,t
ryingtoburge
thr
oughhisdar
keyesbuthesti
llstar
esatt he
bandage.Il
i
ght
lyshakehi
m butstil
lnothi
ng.
"Nkosi
!"Ishoutandthat
'swhenhelooksatme,
hidi
ngthedarkey eshehadbef
ore.
"
Umm y
esmyl
ove?
"
"
Arey
ouokay
?"
"
Yesam f
ine.
"
"
Don'
tl
iet
ome.
..
."Isayt
ohi
m.
"
Am notl
yi
ng.
"hesay
s.
"
buty
ouar
enow.
"
"Canwenottalkaboutt hatThando.I
t'
sbeena
ter
ri
bleweeklatel
yandr ightnowisnotthetimefor
oneofthoseterri
bledayswehav ebeent hr
ough.
"
saysNkosipull
i
ngmei ntoasnuggle.
"Thando.
..
..
..Am reall
ysorr
yaboutwhathappened.I
shouldhaveprotectedyouthatni
ghtandyou
wouldn'
thav el
osty ourchi
l
d.I.
..
."
"
Nkosi,
itwasn' ty
ourfaul
tsodon'
tbl
ameyour
self
.
Andbesides,youtookcareoft
hepeopl
ewhodid
thi
stome. "Isay.
"
Andhowdoy
ouknowt
hat
?"heaskswi
thasmi
rk.
"
Wel
ll
et'
sjustsayal
i
ttl
ebi
rdsni
tchedony
ou.
"
"
andt
hatbi
rdi
s?"
"
BabyyouareonTHETRACK'snewspaper
.Youare
l
i
ter
all
yknownasthebl
ueey
edguyandt hefl
ash.
"
"
What?Wasmyfacev
isi
ble?
"heaskswi
dey
edwhi
l
e
l
i
ght
lypushi
ngmeaway.
"Nop.Youwer
en'tr
ecognized.Onlyyourey
eswere
seenbutot
herthanthat
,nothingelsewasseen.
"
"
Pheew,
that
'sbet
ter
."
"Your
eall
ydon'
tl
ikebei
ngseenbyt
heout
sidewor
ld,
doyou?"
"Nop.I
t'
sactual
l
ymygreat
estnight
mare.AndIdon'
t
thi
nkanyonewouldl
i
ketobeseenbytheworld
doingwhatIwasdoi
ng.
"hesays.
"
True.Sowher
ear
ethemen?
"Iask.
"
Whatmen?
"heasks.
"
Youknow.
"Isayt
ohi
m.
"
Theyar
einheav
en"her
epl
i
es.
"
Youki
l
ledt
hem?
"
"
Yes.Theyt
ri
edt
oki
l
lmywomansot
heyhadt
odi
e."
"
Youcouldhav
ehandedt
hem ov
ert
othepol
i
ce
Nkosi
."
"Andletthepoli
cehavemybai t?Nothanky ou."he
saysshakinghishead.Isurelyam inl
ovewithno
ordi
narymanandi tsfunnyhowam notbot heredby
thi
s.IfIweresomeoneel se,Iwouldberunni ng
aroundtheroom andscreami ngathim butam
fi
ndingmy sel
fevenmor eattractedtohi
m....Funny
hey.
"
Oooohr
eal
l
ynow?
"Isay
.
Whenheisabouttoreply
,Iputmyf i
ngeronhisl
ips,
deepenmygazeint
ohi seyesashedoest hesame.
Oureyeshaveabeauti
fulsi
lentconv
ersat
ionasour
facesl
eantowar
deachot her.
"
Makel
ovet
ome.
"Isayt
ohi
m er
oti
cal
l
y.Her
oughl
y
brusheshi sli
psonmi neandbef oreIknowi t,am
al
readyl ayi
ngont hebed, f
eelinghimi nme, dev oti
ng
hi
st i
met openetratingr eallydeepi nsideme.Hi s
armsent winemybodyast hesweatdr ipsontomy
body.OooohhowImi ssedhi m. ..
..
.Hi sslow
mov ement screatesomuchhar monyi nme, making
mef orgetaboutev ery
t hingt hathashappenedi nt he
pastday s.Everystroke, lick,kiss,fondl e,ni
bble,and
aromat i
cf r
agrancel eadst ouser uptingov erand
overagai nunti
lwebot hf eelthatonel astexploding,
ti
ti
ll
ati
ngcl imaxt hatjustl eav esusoutofbr eath.I
l
ayonhi schest ,wi t
ht hegr eatestjoyi nmyhear tand
l
ethishandcar essmynakedbodyandt henit'
sl i
ght
outforthebot hofus. ....
...
WhenIwakeup, If
indmy sel
flay
ingont hebedall
al
one.WasIdr eaming?Ir ubmyey esandf eel
somethingonmyf inger.It'
smyr i
ng,guessIwasn't
dreamingaft
erallhey.Ilookattheri
ngonmyf inger
,
admiri
ngit'
sbeauty.
"
youareup.
..
"say
smyhunkymanwhoisdr
ippi
ng
wetwi
thwaterwi
that
owelwr
appedar
oundhis
wai
st.
"
Yepandam hungr
y."Isay
.
"
Ooohreal
l
y?"Nkosi
say
swhi
l
eunwr
appi
ngt
he
t
owel
.
"Nooonott
hatt
ypeofhungr
y,"Isayl
aughi
ng."
am
hungr
yforf
ood,noty
ou."
"Okayl etmegetdr essedandgety ousomefoodto
eat."saysNkosi smili
ng.Igetoutofbedandgoto
thebat hroom togetmy sel
fcleanedtooandam
donei n45mi nutes.WhenIgetoutoft hebat
hroom,
Ifi
ndmybr eakfastont healr
eadymadebed.Iget
my selfdressedandsi tonthebedtoeatmy
breakfast.
"Knockknock,"saysaf emal
ev oi
ceatthedoor.I
l
ookinthatdi
rectionandanswer" Comein,"and
Rosecomesinwi thmymom andsi st
ers.Theyall
l
ookatmewi thgr i
nsont hei
rfacesandthenRose
says"i
smybr otherthatgood?"
Il
ookawaybl
ushi
ngandt
heyal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
"
Isi
twhyy
ouguy
sar
eher
e?"
"
Wel
lno,
wewant
edt
oseei
fyouar
est
il
lal
i
ve
becauset hemoanswehear dcomi ngoutoft his
room, hmmmmm t heywer edeep..
...
..
"says
Noluthandocomi ngt ositnexttome.Mymot hersi
ts
onthecouchwhi l
eTshi disit
sont hefloorandRose,
wellsheisal r
eadysi t
tedonherwheel chair.Her
woundsar eslowl
yr ecoveri
ngnowandshel ooksso
muchbet terthanshedi dwhenshewasi nt he
hospital
..
..
...Wait
,whydoIf eell
ikethereis
somet hi
ngam f orgetti
ng..
..
..
..
..
..
ohshi t
..
..
..

"Shi
t,guy
sIhavetogotothehospi
tal
."Isayquickl
y
gett
ingoffbedbutapai
nremindsmet ocalm down.
"
Why
?"asksmymot
her
.
"Wellther
earesomechi l
drenIneedt ogodischarge
andsomeonel i
vesatmyapar tmentandIneedt ogo
checkonher .
"Isayput t
ingonmymor ni
ngshoes.I
seeRosesmi l
i
ngandshesay s"Don'tworry,your
coll
eague,Nerisa,
tookthem andt heyareallather
house.Sheaskedi fshecouldhavet hem for2mor e
mont hs.Apparent
lytheyli
ghtherandherhusband' s
l
ife.
"
"Oooooh,
umm okay
.That
'sar
eli
ef.
..
..
"Isay
,si
tt
ing
onthebed.
"Wait
,whoar
ethesepeopl
eyouar
etal
ki
ngabout
?"
asksmymother
.
"Well,
notsol ongago,ImetNkosi 'smaidwhowas
abityoungt obeoneandl et
'sjustsayli
fewasn'
t
verymuchf airtoher
.Shewast akingcareofher
youngsibli
ngsandl i
vedinav eryunsafepl
acesoI
decidedtohelpherandhersiblings."
"Ooooh,sosincetheyar
eyoung,cant heycomeli
ve
withmewhent heycomebacktoy ou.Thehouseisa
bitl
onel
ysomet i
mesandIneedsomeonet okeep
mebusysi ncenonofmychildrenwantt ogiv
eme
grandchil
dren.
"saysmymot her.
"Haaaaama, wedowanttogiv
eyougrandchi
l
dren
butwear esti
ll
looki
ngf
orourownNkosi.
"says
Noluthando.
"Haha,you?LookingforyourownNkosi ?That
'sali
e.
I
fy oureall
ywerelookingforyourownNkosi t
hen
youwoul dhavefoundhim bynowNol uthando
becausehav eyouseenhowmenj ustthrow
t
hemsel
vesaty
ou?
??"say
sTshi
di.
"Hai
,nonoft
hoseguy
sar
emyt
ype.
"repl
i
esNol
u,
pout
ing.
"
That
'swhatIt
houghtaboutNkosi
yether
eIam.
..
."

"Yeagirl
,l
ookaty ou,getti
ngthegoodst uffwit
ha
guyyouoncehat ed!!
!"shoutsTshidi.Theyal l
laugh
andthenamanl yv oi
cecl ear
shisthroatatt hedoor.
Weal l
turntolookandwear emetbySi hlewhoi s
j
uststandingatthedoor ,wit
hhishandsi nhis
pocket.Hewalksi ntot henowsilentroom andsay s
"howdidy ousleeppr incess?"l
ookingatme.
"
Isl
eptwel
lBudi
."Ir
epl
y.
"Goodbutnextt
ime,pleasekeepyourvoi
cedown.
Nonofuswantt oknowwheny ou2arebusy.
"he
saysandallt
hefemalesjustgiggl
ewhil
ecover
ing
thei
rmouth.Mymot herpicksupapil
lowandhit
s
Sihl
ewit
hit.
"Leav
emydaughteral
onewena.Thi
sisherfi
ance'
s
housesoshecanbeloudi
fshewantsto.
..
"saysmy
mot
her
.
"Shecanbeloudwhenwear enothere."hesay
s.He
thentur
nstolookatRosewhojustlooksawayfrom
Sihl
ebutSi
hlewalkstoherandkneels.
"
CanIpl
easet
alkt
oyouout
side?
"asksSi
hle.
"
Not
hanky
ou.Am st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othem.
"repl
i
esRose.
"Ipr
omi seitwon'teventakeami nute.Ijustwantt o
saysomet hingbeforeIleaveforChina."pleadsSi hl
e.
Weal l
lookateachot her
,caughtupi ndilemma.
Sihl
enev erandwhenIsaynev erImeannev er
speakslikethiswithanyoneexceptus.Hesounds
soniceandsosi ncer
e.RoselooksatSi hlewi than
angryfacethenshepushesher selfoutoft heroom
andSihlefollowsher.Heclosest hedoorbehi ndhi m
andwear ealll
eftopen-mouthedandgoogl e-eyed.
"Hehe,
Ihopeyourbr
otherhasn'
tfal
lenf
oryour
fi
ance'
ssi
ster
."whi
spersmymot herwhil
ehit
ti
ngher
hands.
"It
hinkit
'stoolat
etosaythat,
"repl
iesNoluthando.
Weal lj
ustsiti
nmyr oom andwaitforRosewho
comesback3mi nut
eslater,
smili
ng.Weal l
gazeat
herunt
ilshel
ooksatusandhersmi
l
ejustf
lows
awaywiththewind.
"Andthen,
whyar
eyoual
ll
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
?"
sheasks.
"Because,ourbr
otherwasact
uall
yspeaki
ngtoyou
nicel
ywithasincerel
ooki
ngface.
"saysTshi
di.
"
Andt
hat
'ssur
pri
singwhy
?"
"Ourbr
otheri
snev erni
cetoany oneexceptus.He
neverl
ooksthatsi
ncereandhenev erasksfor
somethi
ngmor ethanonce."Isay.
"WellIguessthereisafi
rstt
imef orev
erythi
ng."she
saysgetti
nglostinherheadagain.Weal l
lookather
andjustdecidetoleavet
heissue.May beSihl
ehas
fal
l
enf orher.
..
..
..
..
.
"
Hasanyofy
ouseenNkosi
?"
"
Ooohy
oumeany
ourf
iance!
"say
sRose.
"
Aii
stopi
tguy
s."Isaybl
ushi
ng.
"
Hei
sinhi
sst
udyr
oom.
"say
sRose.
"
Iwi
l
lbebackguy
s."Isayst
andi
nvupf
rom mybed
andwalki
ngtothedoorwhenIhearmysi
ster
mumble"She'
sgoingtogetsomemore.
"butmy
mom shutsherupwit
hapill
owandtheyal
llaugh.
..
..
..
Il
ovethesewomenshame.
Igett
otheroom Nkosii
sin,
Ist
andbythehal
fopen
doorandIhearhi
mt al
ki
ngonthephone.
"Heisst
il
lnotonr
aider
?"Ihearhi
m sayont
he
phone.
"Okayifyouhaveanyupdat
esjustcal
lme.Any
ways,
doy ouhaveanyupdatesonthepi
ctur
eIsenty
ou?
"
"What?!Uuuum okayt hankyouBr endon.Iwi l
lcall
youlater
."hesay sbeforedroppingt hecallthenhe
j
uststandsst i
llandsays"whenar ey ougoingt o
stopeavesdroppingonmyconv ersationsmydear
futur
ewife?"say sNkosifaci
ngt hewi ndowwi t
hone
ofhishandsi nhispocket.Okayi sitmewhoi sj ust
badateav esdroppi
ngordoest hismanhav eey esat
thebackofhi shead..
...
..
Islowl
yentert
heroom,
joinhi
minlooki
ngout
side
thewindowandsaynot
hingatal
l
.
"
Whati
sbot
her
ingy
ou?
"heaskshol
dingmyhand.
"Nothi
nglov
e.Wasjustwonder
ingwhatourf
utur
eis
goingtobeli
ke.
"Ir
eplyhi
m,ti
ghtl
yhol
dinghi
shand.
"That
'snoti
tlove.Thando,youdoknowt hatyoucan
neverli
etomesoj ustspiti
t."say
sNkosi pul
l
ingme
towardsacouch.Hesi t
sont hecouchthenpatshi
s
l
egasawayoft ell
ingmet ositonhi
slegs.Idoso
andputmyar msar oundhisneck.
"
Nowt
ell
me,
what
'sbot
her
ingy
ou?
"heasksagai
n.
"WhywasIshotandam Isaf
enow?"Iaskhi
m.He
star
esatme,wit
houtsayi
ngawordthenbr
eakst
he
si
lence.
"
Promi
senott
otel
lany
one?
"hesay
s.
"
Comeon,
whowoul
dIt
ell
..
."Isayt
ohi
m.
"y
ouwereshotbymist
ake,t
heper
sonwassentt
o
shootmebutshoty
ouinst
ead.
"
"
whydi
dtheper
sonwantt
oshooty
ou?
"Iask.
"
Let
'snott
alkabouti
tpl
ease.
"
"
Nkosiifam goingt
obey ourwifethenyoumi
ghtas
wel
lgetusedtonothidingstuf
ffrom mesowhy
wer
ey oushot?"hetur
nstome, looksint
omy
ey
ebal
l
sandl
et'
soutagr
oan.
"
Wel
lam wai
ti
ng.
..
."Isayt
ohi
m.
"
Remembert
heBr
ianguyy
out
oldmeabout
?"
"
Yes,
"
"Wel
lI.
..
..
.Iki
l
ledhi
sfat
herbackt
hen.
"hesay
s
cl
osi
nghiseyes.
"
Wai
tyouknewhi
m?"
"
NoIdidn'
t.Ij
ustfoundoutafewdaysagothatt
he
manIkil
l
edwashi sfathersonow,
hewantstoki
ll
me,
"saysNkosi.
"
Wel
ldi
dyouki
l
lhi
m?"
"No,Ican'
tfindhim anywher
e.Hej
ustkeepson
disappear
ing."herepl
ies.
"
Wel
ldi
dyout
ell
Sihl
e?"
"
No,
it'
snonoft
hei
rbusi
ness.
"
"
Nkosi
iti
s.Justt
ell
th.
..
..
."
"ThandoIsai
dno.I
thasnot
hingt
odowi
tht
hem.
"he
saysharshl
y.
"Ooohokaythen.Butsi
ncehehasalr
eadyt
ri
edt
o
kil
lyouonce,won'
thetryt
odoitagai
n?"
"
Hewill
buthewon'
tfi
ndme.Thesamewayhewon'
t
f
indy
ou."hesay
stome.
"
Andt
hatmeans?
"
"
Sinceheknowswherey
ouworkandli
ve,
nomore
workfory
ouforafewmont
hs"hesay
s.Hehe,
ist
his
manoutofhismind?
"
Fuckno.Am goi
ngt
owor
kNkosi
."
"Thandostopusingswearwor
dsi
nmypresence!
Wher eisyourr
espectf
orme?!
"hebel
l
owswitha
disappoint
edface.
"okayokayam sor rybutam sti
llgoi
ngt owork.How
doy ouexpectmet osurvi
vewithoutgoingthere?
Am sorrybutIwi llhavet
osaynot othis.Ican'
t..
..
"I
saytohi m shakingmyhead.Him controll
ingmy
workinglif
eisr eal
lynotgoi
ngtowor kshame.I nfact
,
himt r
yingtocont r
ol meisnotgoingtowor katall
.
"
ThandoIwasn'
taski
ngf
oryouropini
on.Iwas
t
ell
i
ngyouwhat'
sgoingt
ohappen,sobetteraccept
i
tandst
opt
hedr
ama.
"
"Nkosiy
ouarebei
ngunf
airnow!
!"Iwhi
ne."WhydoI
havetosuf
ferf
orsomebeefyouhavewit
ht hat
i
diot.
"
"Heyhey ,don'
tforgetthatheisal sooutont helook
foryouorshoul dIr emindyouwhathappenedl ast
ti
me. "saysNkosi pointi
nghisfingeratme.Il ook
downandawayf r
om him,withaf lashedface.Isthi
s
real
lygoingtobemyl i
fenow?Nkosi tri
estoholdmy
chinupbutIr efuseandsmackhi shandof fme.I
standupwi ththeat tempttoleavebutwhenIdo, he
alsodoesso, pullsmebackt ohi m, pushesme
againstthewall andenclosesallthepar t
sIcoul d
uset ogetoutwi thhislongarms.
"Whenwear esol vi
ngani ssueThando, neverwalk
awaywi t
houtr esolvingi
t.Youhearme.Nowt his
betterbet helastt i
mey oudot his."saysNkosi
pointi
ngatme.Il ookhim strai
ghti nt heeyeand
reply"Thel asttimeIchecked, y ouhav ealr
eady
madet hedeci sionformesot her eisabsolutelyno
needf ormeandmyopi niononhowt orunmyl if
e.
Nowwi ll
youpl easegetoutofmyf acebeforeIcall
Si
hle"
hel ooksatmewi t
hashar peyewhil
ecl
utchi
nghis
handsi ntofi
stst
henhehitsthewall
.Heputshi
s
handsi ntohi
spocket,l
ooksatmeonemor eti
me,
turnstothedoortowalkawayandmumbl es"Why
didIev enhavetofal
li
nlove.
..
.Nx,
"
Whenhel eavest
heroom,bangingthedoorbehi
nd
hi
m, Islidedownthewall
,j
ustsitonthefl
oorand
l
ooki ntospace.Myli
fehey.Eversi
nceIbrokeup
wit
hSbu, shi
thasbeenhappeningandthi
smakes
memi sshowpeacefulmylif
ewaswhenIwaswi t
h
Sbu.
....Sigh
Honest l
y,Ican'
tjustsither
et hewholedayandgr i
ef
sol etmegot omypeopl eandaskt hem i
ft heywant
towat chamov i
einthecinemar oom.Islowl ygetup,
mi ndingthewoundonmybackwhi chnowhur ts
sinceNkosi pushedmeagai nstt
hewal l
.Ileavethe
studyandi nvi
temyl adiestothecinemar oom.

Thel
adi
esj
oinmeint
her
eexcludi
ngmymom who
i
spacki
ngt
oleav
ewit
hSihl
e.Shewant
edNol
uand
Tshiditocomewi t
hbutt
heyrefusedandtoldher
thattheywil
lonSatur
dayandtodayisThursday.At
l
eastt heywi
llkeepmeenter
tai
nedforthesefew
days.
Aswewat chamov ie,Tshidiwhoissitt
ingbeside
mestandsupandi sreplacedmysomeoneIdon' t
wanttotal
ktor i
ghtnow.Het ri
est ohol
dmyhand
butIr
efuse.Ihearhim sighandt henallofasudden,
theci
nemar oom isempt y,it
'sj
ustNkosi andI.Oooh
wow,whatsistersandasi sterinlawIhav e.
"
Sthandwasami
,am sor
ryaboutear
li
er.
"whi
sper
s
Nkosi
.
"Keepquiet
.Am watchi
ngamov
ie,
"Ir
epl
yhi
m,
stuff
ingpopcor
nint
omymouth.
Nkosiswit
chesofft
hebigscr
een,t
urnsont hel
ight
s
andlooksbackatme.Il
ookathim,ir
ri
tat
edt ot
he
maxandIst anduptol
eavebutherunstothedoor
andlocksi
t.
"
Youwon'
tl
eav
eunt
ilam f
orgi
ven.
"hesay
s.
"
Nkosi
cany
ouj
ustl
eav
emeal
one.
"Isay
.
"
Notunt
ily
ouf
orgi
veme.
"
"
ButIdon'
twantt
o."Ir
epl
ypout
ing.
"
Wel
lthenIguesswewi
l
ljusthav
etost
ayi
nher
e."
"
Whydoy
ouhav
etobesof
ucki
ngannoy
ing!
!!
"
"
Languagewoman!
"snapsNkosi
.
"Fuck,fuck,fuck,fuck,fleapenfuck!!
!!Thesame
feeli
ngy ouhav ewhenIsweari sthesamef eeli
ngI
hav eabouty outryingtocont rolme!"Iscream but
somehowheal readyhashi schestagainstmi ne,
holdingmyf aceupwi thonehandi nhispocket .He
digsdeepi ntomyey eswi t
hhisandsay swi thalow
voice"Idarey outoswear .
"Il
ookathi m,being
overpower edbyhi salluringaurawhi chsurroundsus
andnotf eeli
nganypai nsf rom mywound.Hi s
domi nati
vescentpul l
smecl oserandclosert ohim
andhi sblueey esar ejustdoingthingstome.
"Soam Iforgi
ven?"heutters.Inodmyheadev en
thoughIwantt osaynoandt henhesays,
"nowlet
meshowy ouwhatIwi l
ldot oy out
henexttimeyou
swearatme. "Hepicksmeupandusessomeot her
doorinthecinemar oom togetoutwhichleadsusto
hi
sroom.
..
..
.Eeeeeeeh.
..
Hestart
skissi
ngonmyneck,
suckingandl
i
ckingit
,
notshowinganymer
cyandhedropsmeont hebed.
"See,Igetveryangr ywhenpeopl eswearatmebut
withyou..
..Youj ustmakemeangr yt othepointof
wantingtodest royy ourpunani whichiswhatam
goingtodot oday .
"heseduct i
v elysaysr emov i
ngmy
shoes.Heget sont opofmeandt earstheshi r
tam
wearinganduncl i
psmybr a,exposi ngmyor ange
shapedboobs.Heabr uptlysav agesonmypoorl ips
withhis,makingmesuperhor ny .WhenIt wirlmy
l
egsar oundhim andputmyar msar oundhi sneck,
hebellows,"don'ttouchme. "andt hisleav esmei n
shock.Heget sof fme, roughlyr emov esmypant s
butleavesthet hongIhav eon, hewal kst ohiscloset
andcomesbackwi th2ties.Itryt ogetof fthebed
andleavehisr oom becausei knowwhat 'saboutto
happenbuthedr agsmebackont obedandt i
esmy
armsandl egs.
"
Muchbett
ernow."hesayssmil
ing.Hesl
owly
r
emoveshi
sshir
tandmov estohisbel
twhil
e
l
ooki
ngatme.Whenher emoveshisundi
es,hi
s
shaftpopsup,r
eadytomurderme..
..
.Hi
seyestel
l
measummar yofwhat'
sabouttogodownandIsay
toNkosi"butNkosi
Ihaveawound,can'
tyoudothi
s
nextti
me? "
"Thewoundi sonyourbackmysweethear t,noton
yourv agina."whenhei sdoneundr essing,hegoes
strai
ghtt ohistargetandusesittodemol ishme.I
feelhistonguest artt
olickinci
rclesar oundmy
cli
tori
s,lappingupanddownandsi det osi de.Iroll
myey est ot hebackofmyheadast hepl easur abl
e
feeli
ngki l
lsmesl owlybutsurel
y.Iswearr ightnow
am criti
cal andnotstableatall
..
..
..Hel i
ckssl owl y
andgent lyandt henfastandfir
m, maki ngmear cmy
backandl etti
ngoutascr eam.Hecov ersmyl i
ps
withhishandandcont inuestoli
ght l
ylickandf li
ck
myspotwi t
hhi st
ongue.
"Yes,yes.
..
..
"Imumbl ebefor elet
ti
ngoutallmy
j
uices.Ifeelt
hej ui
cessl i
dingdownandt henahard
shaftunexpectedlythrustsintome.Iletoutaloud
moanasNkosi j
uststaysst ati
onery.Hewithdr
aws
thensmashesi ntomeagai nwi thabsol
utelyno
mer cy
.Het henget sont opofme, l
ooksatmewi t
ha
smi
rkandsay
s"Ihopey
ouar
eready
."
Ishakemyheadnobuthesl
amsintomeandsay
s
"whyarey
ounoddi
ngyourheadno?
"
"Becauseam notr eady !
!"Isay.Hesl amsi ntome
againandsay s"Whatdi dy ousay ?
"whenIt ryto
speak, heslamsi ntomeandt histime,reall
ydeep
andIj ustcl
osemymout hbecausei fIt
rytosay
anything,hewi l
l slam intomet hewhol etimesandI
fearthatiwon' tbeabl etowal k.Hest artstomov e
slowlythenpi cksuphi space, mov i
ngfasterand
fasteranddeeper .Hedoesn' tev enletmebr eat
heat
all
.It'
sjustmoanaf termoanaf termoan.WhenIf eel
mycl imaxcomi ngon, hewi t
hdr awsandsay s"y
ou
can'tcli
maxj usty et.Infact ,
todayIwon' tletyou
cli
max. "
"ButNko,
"andbef
oreIcoul
dfi
nishmyst
atement
,he
bangsint
ome.
"Nkosi
please!
!""
Ishout.Hecarri
esonthrusti
ngi
n
mebutst opswheneveram abouttor
eachcl i
max
butwhenhest ar
tstogroanli
ghtl
yhereleases
himsel
fintomewhilecall
ingoutmynameand
cur
singt henhewit
hdr
awsandgoestocleanhimself.
Asforme, hel
eav
esmeonthebed,st
il
lcravi
ngfor
hi
m....
..
..WhydidIhav
etosweart
hough..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Aft
erhavingsomef unwithmydearThando,Iget
myselfal
lcleanedupandchangeintomycream
pol
oneckandbl ackguessjeanswit
hNikeshoes.I
walkbackintotheroom whereThandoi
sstil
lti
ed
ont
ot hebedandIcl eanher.
"Nkosi am stil
lcraving.
"shewhi nesbutIignoreher.
Nexttimeshewi l
lthinktwicebef oreswearingatme.
SinceIt oreherclothesapar t,Igot oherroom and
pickoutamaxi dress,abra, underwearandsandl es.
Iwalkbackt other oom andLuckl ynooneseesme, I
untieThandowhoj ustlooksatmewi thheradorable
puppyey esbutIdon' tfal
lforthem.Ihel pherget
dressedbutwhenev erIputsomet hingonher,she
remov esi tandjustsitsont hebedwi thherarms
crossed.
"Aaaaahsinceyouwantt ost aynakedIwi l
lleaveyou
i
nher e.Ihavetodriveyourmot herandSihletothe
air
port.
"Isaystandingupf rom thebed.Whenam
abouttoleavether oom,sher ushestoholdmyl eg
andjustcli
ngstoi t
.Ilookdownt oherandshesay s
"Isti
llneedyou,"withatearfall
ingout.Ismileather
andremov eherf r
om myl eg.
"LoveIneedt ogo,ordoy ouwantt ogooutwi t
hme
i
ny ourbirt
hdaysui t
?"Iaskpushi ngheraway .Ileave
theroom, l
eav i
ngThandoont hef l
oorpout ing...
...
Womenar esodr amat i
c.AsIwal kt hrought he
upstair
shallway,IcatchSihl
el ookingatsomet hing
downst ai
rs.Ifoll
owhi seyesandam metbyRose' s
gloomingface.Whyt hehel l
ist hi
sf uckerlookingat
mysi st
er.Islowlyapproachhim andcl earmyt hroat,
snappinghim outofwhat everwor l
dhewasi n.
"
heyman.
"hesay
slooki
ngatme.
"Whyar
ey oulooki
ngatmysist
erl
i
ket
hat
?"Iask,
goi
ngstr
aighttothepoi
nt.
"
whosai
dIwasl
ooki
ngather
?"
"
Don'
tactst
upi
d."
"
Am not
."hesay
sput
ti
nghi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
.
"
Sihl
eIsawy
oul
ooki
ngather
."
"
andi
fIwas?
"
"ThenIwouldtel
lyout
ost
ayt
hef
uckawayf
rom
her.
"Irepl
yhim.
"
Inev
ersai
dam goi
ngt
oaskherout
."her
epl
i
es.
"ButIknowyouwantto.Thatlookofyour
ssai
dal
ot
Sihl
esostayawayfr
om her."Itel
lhi
m.
"
iremembertel
l
ingsomeonet
hesamet
hingy
ether
e
weare.
"repl
i
esSihl
epoi
nti
ngatme.
"Lookman, mysi tuationi
sdi ffer
entbecauseIhad
alr
eadyaskedouty oursisterandshel ovesmebut
yoursituationisdifferent
.Youhav en'tevenasked
heroutandshei salreadyfami ly
, sol eaveheral
one."
Isayt ohim buthechuckl esandr epl i
es"Ir
eall
ydon't
carethatshei snowf ami
ly.Okusal ayo,wedon't
sharet hesamebl oodnorpar ents.Sost opwast i
ng
yourbr eathmyman. "say
sSi hlebef orewalki
ng
away .Ifthi
smant riesany t
hingf unnywi thmysi st
er,
Iwill
scr ewhi m up.
At13: 30whenSi hleandThando' smot her'
sluggage
hasbeenpackedi ntot hecar ,thef amilystarts
sayingt hi
ergoodby est oeachot her.Whenwear e
aboutt oleav e,Inot icet hatSi hleisn'ti
nt hecarnor
i
shest andingatt hepor chwi t
ht heot hersandRose
i
snother eeit her.Thatmot her f
uckerbet t
ernotbe
doingany thingf unny .Irushi ntot hehouseandI
bumpi ntoSihl ewhoi ssmi lingandwhenIsay
smilingImeansmi li
ng. ..
...
...Ilookbehi ndhi m andI
seeRosepushi ngher sel
ft owar dsusbutshei s
l
ooki ngdown.Whenshel ooksup, sheseesmeand
hersmi leinstantlyt ur nsintoaser iousf ace.She
carri
esont opushher selfout sideandam l eftwit
h
Sihl
e.
"Am warni
ngyouSihl
e.Backof
f!
"Ibel
l
owwi
thmy
eyespoppingout
.
"OrwhatNkosi?
"her epl
i
esandpushesmeoutof
thewaybutIdraghim backandpunchhimtheface.
Hefal
lstothegroundandholdsthecheekIhi
thim.I
seeblooddri
pfrom hismouthandhegetsupand
j
ustchuckl
es.
"
Itwast
otal
l
ywor
thi
t.
"say
sSi
hlewal
ki
ngaway
.
Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
tht
hisman.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Il
eavethehouseandf indevery
onear oundSihleand
aski
nghimi fhei sokay.Hejustpushest hem outof
hi
swayandget si nt
othecar.Hismotherj oi
nsus
andIdri
veof f.Theridetotheair
porti
sr atherquiet
unti
lThando'smom say ssomethi
ng.
"Nkosi
myson,
pleaset
akegoodcar
eofmychi
l
d."
shesays.
"Don'
tworr
yma.Iwi
l
ltakegoodcar
eofher
."Isayt
o
herwhil
edri
vi
ng.
"
Ifhedoesn'
t,
Iwi
l
lki
l
lhi
m."say
sSi
hle.
"Ai
iwenastopwithyourvi
olentr
elatedterms.And
am nott
alki
ngtoy ousokeepquiet"shesays
l
ookingatSi
hle.Youtel
lhi
m woman. .
..
..
..
.
Wefinal
lygett
otheairpor
t,Idr
opthem of
fandam
of
ftomywar ehouse.Ihav
en'tbeent
herei
nawhil
e
soIhavetogo.
Igetther
e,getoutofmycarandent
ermy
warehouse.Whentheguysseeme,theyal
lst
andup
f
rom t
hei
rseat
sandgr
eetme.
"
Bozzawher
ehav
eyoubeen?
asksSchev
e.
"
Beenbusyl
atel
y.Soguy
sIhav
eaj
obf
ory
ou.
"Isay
t
oalloft
hem.
"
Yesboss.
"theysayast
heycomecl
osert
ome.
"Iwantyouguy stobeonthelookoutforthi
sman. "I
saytothem showingapictur
eofBrian."
Hisnamei s
Bri
anMohl akoaneandhewant stokil
lmesoi fyou
guysseehim anywhere,j
usttel
lmeokay .
"Ishout
andtheyallshoutyes.
"Oohandalsobeonthel
ookoutf
ortheJones
Brot
hers.Theyar
eworki
ngwi
thBri
an."Isay
.
"ScheveandLuke, Iwantyouguystoguardmywi f
e.
Followherev er
ywhereshegoesandneverleav
eher
sight.Youcanst ar
ttodaybyj
ustbei
ngclosetothe
house, okay
?"
"
ShoBozza.
"say
sSchev
e.
Il
eavethewarehouseandheadbackhomewher eI
fi
ndtheladi
eshavi
nglunch.Am sogladthatRose
andThandoaregetti
ngalong.Nott
hatIdoubted
thattheywon'
tbutam j
ustgl
adt
hatt
heyar
eget
ti
ng
along.
WhenIgreetthem, theyal
lgreetmebackexcl udi
ng
Thandowhoj ustl
ooksatherf oodanddoesn' teven
l
ookatme.Iguessshei sangryaboutmel eaving
herhor
ny.
...
.Ileav
ef ormystudyr oom, si
tonmy
deskandstartget
tingsomewor kdone.Somuch
hasbeenhappeningandIhav ebeenneglectingmy
worksoit
'sti
met ogetbackont rack.
..
..
..
..
It
sFridaymorningandam wokenupbyt heinter
com
whichwon'tst
opr i
nging.Il
ookatThandowhoi s
sl
eepingpeaceful
lynexttome.Ikissherforehead
whichmakeshersmi leinhersleepandIgetoutof
bed.IheadtothedoorandwhenIopeni t,
am met
byanunexpectedface,infactam metbyaf aceI
didn'
twanttolookat,at6inthemor ni
ng.
"Sosi
nceIwi l
lbestay
inghereinSandtonfr
om now,
Ideci
dedtojustcomest ayheref
ortodayandthen
tomorr
owIwi ll
mov ei
ntoThando'sapart
ment."he
sayspushi
ngmeoutoft hewayalongwithhi
s
l
uggage..
..
..Whatthefuck.
..
..
"It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
oChi
nat
oday
..
..
"Isay
confused.
"
WellIwasbutIdeci
dedtotakecareoft
hebusi
ness
whi
chisher
einSandton.ThatwayIcanbecl
oseto
myfutur
ewif
eRose...
"hesayssit
ti
ngdown.
Thi
sfuckerbett
erbenotf
uckingwit
hmer i
ght
now.
..
..Whatnonsensei
shespitt
ingoutofhi
s
mouthsoearlyi
nthemorning.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

Latel
ythi
ngshavebeencr azyf
ormecozmydad
bannedmef rom usi
ngmyphonef orothert
hings
othert
hanschool worksoIam beingnaughtyri
ght
now.Mat r
icswil
lunderst
andmysituat
ion but
am sorr
yforkeeping
Chapt
er28

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Isi
tacrosst
hecoucht
hatSi
hlei
ssit
ti
ngonwhi
le
j
uststari
ngathi
m.Whatt
hefuckdoesthi
sman
want?
"Soooowhatsup?"saysSi
hlesmi
li
ngwhil
emaking
himsel
fcomf or
tabl
eonmycouch.Heputshisfeet
onmyt abl
eandspr eadshi
sarmsonthecouch.

"Youaresupposedt
obeChina,
that'
swhatsup."I
sayrubbingmyhandst
oget
her"andgetyourf
eetoff
myt abl
e."
"Fi
rstofall
,nothankyou.Yourtableisquit
e
comf or
tabl
esoIwi l
lref
usey ourofferandsecondly
,
seemywi f
eliv
esheresoIhav enopur poseinChina.
Ihaveev er
ythi
ngIneedrighthere.
"say sSi
hle,
gri
nning.Godthismanisgoi ngtodr i
vemecr azy
.
"Seemyman,l
etmet el
lyouast
ory
.Doy
ouseet
he
st
atet
hatmysi
steri
sin?"
"Finall
y,Igett
oknowwhathappenedt omywi fe.Yes
Iseei t.Whathappened?"saysSihl
etaki
nghisf eet
offthet abl
e.Hesitswit
hhislegsopenandhis
elbowsr esti
ngonhi st
highs.Ij
ustrai
semyey ebrow
withast rai
ghtfaceandhisfacealsobecomes
straight.
"I
t'
sbecauseofus.Ourgenderr uinedmysi ster'
sli
fe.
Mysi st
erissol oving,caringandwayt ooforgivi
ng.
Shebelievest hateveryonecanbegoodandt endsto
notseet heirbadsidenomat t
erwhat .Justbecause
ofthat,sheendedupi nt hesit
uationshei sinnow
becauseofaman. "Isayl ooki
ngatSi hlewhosef ace
haschangedi ntosomet hingelset hemomentIsai d
thewordman.Exact l
ywhatIwant .See, i
faman
l
ov esawoman, whenev erhehear sthewor dman, he
fl
ipsandSi hlejustfl
ipped.Okayl etmecont inue.
"Sowhatthehellmakesyout hi
nkIwil
ll
etyouhave
mysister
,becausehisexwasascr azyasyouare
ri
ghtnowwhenhewast ryi
ngt omakeherhis
own?Mysisterhazbeenthroughalotandsheneeds
abreak,
youcan' tj
ustcomeher eandcl aim herasif
sheisanobject.
"Isayt ohim.Sihlelooksaway ,
cl
oseshiseyesf orasecondandheopenst hem.He
l
ooksbackatmewi thcl
ockedey ebrowsl i
keabl ade
andhisnosegaspi ngforair
.Hisveinsonhi shead
andneckstarttopopoutashi shandsf or
m af i
st.
Whatabeaut i
fulsitehey.
..
..
..
..
..

"Whoi sthisman? "asksSihlewi

thachangeddeep,
raspyv oice.Okaysot hat'
stheonlypartheheard.I
canwor kwi ththat
.Ismi l
einmyheadandst ar
t
comi ngupwi thstori
esinmyhead.Soshoul dIt
ell
himt het ruthandsaySi phoisal
readyinhellor
shouldIsayhei souttheresomewhere..
..
..Okayl
et'
s
dot his.
"Ihavebeentry
ingtofi
ndhimf ormont
hsnowbut
heislikeBr
ian.
"Isayshruggi
ngmyshoulder
s,t
hisi
s
goingtobefun..
.

"Pl
easegiv
emeal lhi
sdetai
ls,Iwi
llf
indhi
m mysel
f,"
saysSi
hlestandi
ngup,heputshishandsi
ntohi
s
pocketandst
art
swal
ki
ngupanddown.
"
Iwi
l
lgi
vei
ttoy
ouaf
terbr
eakf
ast
."
"
NoIwanti
tnow.
"hebel
l
owswhi
l
epoi
nti
ngatt
he
f
loor
.
"Whoa, t
hisismyhousesoyouwil
lnotrai
sey our
voi
cet hankyou.Myqueenandt
heprincessesare
sl
eeping."Isaytohi
m.
"
Idon'
tcar
e,j
ustgi
vemet
hei
diot
'si
nfor
mat
ion.
"
"
Okayt
henyouwon'tgett
hei
nfor
mat
ionunt
ily
ou
l
owery
ourv
oice.
"Isay.
Okayf
ine,justgi
vemehi
sdet
ail
s."hesay
sina
l
owervoice.
That'
smoreli
keit.Iwil
lsendi
ttoy
ou.Fol
lowme. "I
saystandi
ngup.Hef ol
lowsmetomystudyroom;
asIsitonmydeskwi thmylapt
op,
hesit
sont he
couch.
"Youremailaddress?"Iaskhi
m.Hestandsfr
om t
he
couch,comest omydeskandt ypeshi
semail
address.IsendthedocumentwithSi
pho's
i
nformationandSi hl
ejustst
ormsoutofther
oom.
Wel
lthi
sisgoingt
obesooooomuchfun.Iputmy
f
eetonthetabl
eandj
ustl
ayonmyrockingchai
r.

"Boyyoubetterhavear easonf ornotgoi ngto

school.
"shoutedmyf atherashet ookof fhi
sbel t.I
wasont hefloor
,naked, notknowi ngwhatt osay
becauseitwasallaliebutmyf atherr efusedto
beli
eveme.Myst epmot herstoodbesi demyf ather
withasmi l
eonherf aceandencour agedmyf ather
tojusthi
tmeandt ost opaskingst upidquestions.
"BabaIhav ebeenatschool everyday,it
'sjustthat
somet imesIam latebecauseoft hechor est hatma
givesmeear lyinthemor ning.
"Isai djusti
fying
my selfbutasti
ngingpai ntrav
el edfrom myl ef
thand
tomybackasmyf atherhitmewi t
hthebel t.I
screamedi npain,whi l
etearsfellfr
om myey esbutI
quicklywipedthem away .Icertainl
ydidn'twantmy
sibli
ngstof i
ndmei ntears.
"
Yousee,It
oldyouaboutthi
suselesssonofyour
s!!
!
Hekeepsonsayi
ngIgivehim choresi
nthemorni
ng
whenIdon'
t!Hegi
veshimselfthosechor
esand
wheneverIt
ellhi
mtoleavef
orschool
hej
ust
i
gnoresme!"saidmystepmother
.
"
Youar
ely
ing!!
!!
!Ineversai
dthat
!"butam shutby
t
hepai
nofthebeltswungbymyownf at
her.
"Papast opit!
"shoutedRoser ushingintomyr oom
whi l
edroppingherschool bagont hef l
oor.She
camei nf r
ontofmeandst oodt herewhilefaci
ngmy
fatherbuther oughlypushedheroutoft hewayand
Luckly,myy oungerbrothercaughtherf r
om fall
ing
andhi t
ti
ngt hefloorwit
hherhead.
"Whydi dn'tyouj ustdiewi t
hy ourmot herhuh? !You
chil
drenar eallser pentsfrom t hedev i
l Itelly
ou!Just
l
ikey ourev i
lmot herwhodi edbecauseofher
witchcraftnx!!
!""shout edmyf atherwhi lehitti
ngme.
Ididn'tcr
ynorscr eam sincemysi bl
ingswer enow
standingbyt hedoor ,watchingmebei ngbeat enup
forsomet hingIdi dn'tevenknowabout .Ijustsaton
thefloor,fl
inchingwi thmyey escl osedandont hat
day,myl ov eformyf atherwascr ushedi ntohat red.

Isl
owl
yopenmyey
es,
recal
l
ingt
hedr
eam Ij
usthad.
Istil
ldon'
tunder
standwhymyfat
herswitchedup
aftergett
ingmar
riedtomyst
epmother.Didshe
reall
ybewi t
chhi
m?
Eit
herway ,itdoesn'
tmat t
erany moresi ncehei sout
ofourlivesnow.Ilookatmywat chwhi chi s
ref
lecti
ng8am andIgetmyf eetoffthet able.Ist and
up,str
etchandgot omyr oom wher eIf i
ndThando
naked,dressingherwoundont hebedwhi l
ef acing
theotherdirecti
on.Iwalktoherandt aket he
bandagef rom herhands.Shel etsmedr essthe
woundandwhenam done, shedoesntt urnt olook
atme.
"Baby?
"Isaytry
ingt
oturnhertomebutsheref
uses.
Iwalktowhereshei
sfacingandshequi
ckl
ywipes
thtear
sthatwereonherface.
"Lov
ewhyar ey
oucr
ying?
"Iaskhol
dingher
shoulder
s.
"Babyt
alkt
ome,
"Iaskbutshej
ustshakesherhead
no.
"St
handwasamidon'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
..
.What
'swr
ong?
Tal
ktoyourl
ove.
"
"am sorr
yforlosi
ngyourbabyNkosi ?
"shesay
swith
atearfal
li
ngfrom herlefteyeandIspeedi
l
ywipei
t.I
smil
eather ,
kissherforeheadandhugher.
"Babywhyar
ey ousti
l
l onthat?Whyar
eyouact
ing
asifwecan'
tgetanotherchil
d?"
"
Whati
fI.
..
..
..
."
"Don'tevenfini
shthatstat
ementofy our
s.Wewi l
l
getanotherchild.I
t'
snottheendoft heworl
dmy
l
ov e.Yesam hur tt
hatthebabydiedbutitwasn'
t
yourfault.Andmay beitwasgoodthatthebabydied
l
ov e,may bethebabywasnotdest i
nedtoliv
ejust
yet.Sostopwor ryi
ngaboutthat
."Isaytoher.
"
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hebabywasnotdest
inedt
o
l
i
ve,
"
"Don'ttakeitthewrongwaylove.Whatam say i
ngis,
wemi ghthavelostthebabybecausemay bewe
aren'treadyforone.Maybewest i
llneedtoknow
eachot hermor eandovercomeaf ewt hi
ngsforus
tofinall
ygetone."Isayrubbi
ngherback.
"
May
be.
"shesay
ssni
ff
ing.
"
Nowcome, l
et'
sgety
oudr
essed.
"Isayst
andi
ngup
f
rom t
hebed.
"
wher
ewer
eyoubaby
?"
"Thedoorbel
lwasri
ngi
ngat6andyourbr
otherwas
theoneri
ngingi
t.
"Isayl
ooki
ngthr
oughThando'
s
clot
hes.
"
Mybr
other
?"
"
Yes,
Sihl
e.Hewant
stost
ayi
nSandt
onnow.
"
"
Real
l
y?!Butwhy
?"
"
Wel
lappar
ent
ly,
hewant
stost
aycl
oset
ohi
swi
fe.
"
"
Sihl
edoesn'
thav
eawi
fe,
"
"
Wel
lhei
scl
aimi
ngt
hathedoesso.
"
"
Andwhoi
sthi
swi
fe?
"
"Rosel
ine."Isayturni
ngt oThando, hol
dingadr ess
andunder weargar mentsforher.Shelooksatme
andstartslaughingoutloud.Ij
ustwal ktothebed
andputt heclothesthere.Whensheseest hatam
actual
l
yser ious,shestopsandcl earsherthroat.
"Waityouser i
ous?"sheaskswi deey ed.
"That'
swhaty ourbr
ot hersai
d.Ify
outhinkam lyi
ng
youcangoaskhi m."Isaywalki
ngt ot
hebathroom.I
closethedoor ,
removemypy j
amasandgeti nt
ot he
shower .Thandowalksinwhileam showeri
ngand
usesthet oi
let
.Whil
eshedoesherbusi ness,Inotice
hergazingatmybody .
"DoIlookthatdeli
cious?"Iasksar
cast
ical
l
y.She
snapsoutofthewor l
dshewasi nandstar
ts
blushi
ng.Sheflushest het
oil
et,
wearsherundi
eand
walksoutofthebat hroom.

Whenam doneget
ti
ngdr essed,
Igodownst
air
sand
j
oint
heother
sforbreakf
ast.
"
Goodmor
ning.
"Isayt
aki
ngmyseatnextt
oThando.
"Morni
ng."t
heyall
simult
aneouslyanswer
.Ilook
aroundthetabl
eandSihl
eisntherebutRoseisher
e,
pheew.
"
wherei
sSi
hle?
"Iaskwhi
l
eThandodi
shesf
oodf
or
me.
"
Sihl
eisher
e?"asksTshi
di.
"
Yeshei
s.Hecameher
eint
hemor
ning.
"Isay
.
"
Didn'
tseehi
m"say
sTshi
di.
"
Nei
therdi
dI.
"say
sNol
uthando.
Il
ookatRosewhoi
sjustl
ooki
ngatherf
ood.
"
Rose?
"Isay.Shel
ooksupt
omewi
thf
oodst
uff
ed
i
nhermouth.
"
Hmmmmm"sheanswer
s.
"
Hav
eyouseenhi
m?"Iask.
"Nop.Haven'
tseenhi
m."sheanswer
sandshel
ooks
backatherplat
e.Thi
sidi
ot.
..
..
.
"
Rose?
"Ical
lheragai
n."
Wher
edi
dhego?
"
"Idon'
tknow.Am nothi
ssecret
arywhoknows
wherehegoes."sheanswer
sshruggi
ngher
shoulder
s.
"Hmmmmm okaybutIknowt hathesawy oubef or
e
helef
t.
"Isaynoweatingmyf ood.The3si ster
sal l
l
ookatRoseandIwit hquizzi
callooksbuttheyletit
go.Weconti
nuehavingourbr eakfastandthenthe
devi
lhi
mselfdeci
dest oshowup.Hecomest othe
tabl
e,gr
eetsusall
,takesaplatefrom t
het abl
eand
goestositnextt
oRosewhoj usthasn'
tstopped
smili
ngeversi
nceSi
hlewalkedi n.Shedoesn'tev
en
hidei
tatall
.
"Rosesi
tnexttoNolut
hando,
"Isay.Rosel
ooksat
mewi t
hdisappoi
ntmentinherey
esbutIdon'
tgiv
ea
damn.
"Aren'tyougoingt ol i
stentoyourbrother?"Iaskher.
Sher oll
sherey es,passesherplatetoNol uthando
whoput si tbesideher ,Rosepushesher selftothe
othersideoft het ablenexttoNoluthandoandl et
s
outal oudsigh.Il ookatSihlewhoj ustchucklesand
serveshi mself.Thisfuckerbett
erthinktwi ceifhe
thinkshewi llj
ustgetmysi st
erjustli
ket hat.My
wor l
dmi ghtrev olvearoundmyqueenThandobuti t
alsorevolvesar oundmyl i
tt
lepri
ncessRose.
Ikeepmyey esonSihl
eandRosewhokeepon
steal
i
ngglancesateachot
her
,onecanevensee
Rose'
scheeksturni
ngred.
"
Ithi
nkSi
hlel
i
kesRose.
"whi
sper
sThandot
ome.
"
Yout
hink.
..
."Isaysar
cast
ical
l
y.
"
Iwasj
ustsay
inghau.
"sher
epl
i
es.
"Thanky ouf
rothebreakfast
,"say
sNoluthandoto
ThandoandTshi di
sincetheymadei t
.Noluthando
standsupwithherplateandglass,f
oll
owedby
TshidiandThando.
"Rose,
Iwanttot al
ktoyou.
"Isaystandi
ngupfrom
mychair.Roselooksatme,breaki
ngthecont
actshe
hadwithSihl
e.Ipushhertothebackyar
dandhavea
walkwithher.
"
Doy
oul
i
keSi
hle?
"Iaskher
.
"
Par
donBudi
?"
"Youhear
dmel oudandclear
."shelooksupt
ome
asIpushheri
nt hebacky
ardgarden.
"
Idon'
tknowBudi
."
"
Whydoy
oul
i
kehi
m?"
.
"
Isai
dIdon'
tknowi
fI.
..
."
"Thenify
oudon'
tli
kehi
m, whydoy
oubl
ush
every
timehei
saroundyou?"
"
I.
..
.i
"
"
Nowanswermyquest
ion,
whydoy
oul
i
kehi
m?"
"Idon'
tknowBudi
,hej
ustmakesmefeel
happy
,I
guess.Happi
ert
hanIwaswit
hSipho.
"
"
Hmmmmm sohowdoy ouknowt
hathewon'
t
mist
reaty
oul
i
keSi
phodi
d?"
"I
..
..
dontknowBudibuthemakesmef eelsaf
eandI
doubtthathewoul
deverhur
tme"Istoppushing
whenwear efarf
rom t
hehouse,
Ikneelinf
rontof
Roseandholdherhand.
"I
sn'
tthatt
hesamet hingyousaidaboutSi
pho? "I
sayl
ookingather.Shetri
estosaysomethi
ngbut
shei
sdumbf ounded,shelooksawayandat earfal
ls
fr
om hereye.
"NooRose,don'
tcry
.Am askingyouasi
mple
quest
ionanditr
equir
esar epl
y.I
sntt
hatt
hesame
thi
ngyousaidaboutSipho?"
"
Iti
s,
"shesay
ssni
ff
ing.
"Exactly
.Myprincess,
am notsayi
ngstopliki
ngSihl
e
orst ayawayfr
om him butwhatam sayi
ngisstop
l
ettingyourgoodsidegetthebestofyou.Not
ever
y onewill
lov
ey ouli
keIdo.Anal yseaper sonand
gettoknowt hem bett
erbeforelett
ingthatpersonin
orelse,nextt
ime,Iwon'tbeabletosav ey ou.You
canlikeSihl
eifyouwantt o,am notagainstthatbut
gettoknowhi mf i
rstt
heny oucanlethimi n."Isayt
o
her.
"
Iheary
oubudi
,Iheary
ou.
"shesay
s.
"Good.Now,Idon'
twantyout
ot al
ktohimfor2days
okay.Wheneverhecomestoyou,don'
tent
ert
ainhi
m.
Iwanttoseehisreact
iont
oit
."
"
Okaybudi.Canwepleasegoback,
Ineedt
ohel
p
t
heother
swi t
hcleani
ng,
"
"Ir
eal
l
yneedtogetamai
d."Isaynowpushi
ngher
backt
othehouse.

THANDO'
SPOV

Sincet
her
eisnothi
ngtodointhishugebori
ng
house,
wetheladi
esplanongoingoutandhavi
ng
somefunbefor
eTshidiandNol
uthandoleav
e.Ipi
ck
outapairofri
ppedj
eans,acroptopandfentypuma
sneaker
s.Icombmybi gafr
o,leav
ingi
tloose.When
am done,if
eelhi
shandstouchmyaf r
o.
"
Nkosi
man!!!
!!
!!
"Ishoutwhi
l
esmacki
nghi
shandof
f
myhai
rbuthelaughs.
"
It
'snotfunny.I
ttookme10goodmi
nut
est
ogeti
t
t
hisgood!!
!"Ishout
.
"Oooohstopbeingdr
amat i
c.Letmef i
xit
."says
Nkositaki
ngthecombf r
om thedressi
ngt abl
e.He
star
tstocombmyhai rcaref
ull
y,heisact
ual l
y
combingitwaybett
erthatIdo.
"
Sowhyal
ldr
essedup?
"asksNkosi
.
"Oohummmm baby,
thegi
rl
sandIar
egoi
ngout
."I
saywhi
lehecombsmyafr
o.
"Goi
ngout?Youarenotgoi
ngoutThando.
"say
s
Nkosi
.Ist
ophishandfrom combi
ngandtur
ntoface
him.
"
Why
?"Iask.
"
YouknowwhyThando.
"say
sNkosi
.
"
Aaaaahbabywer
eyouser
iousaboutt
henotgoi
ng
outt
hing?
"
"Yes,
Iwasv er
ymuchser i
ous.Youar en'
tgoi
ng
anywher
e.Ifyouwanttodosomet hingthenyouwi
ll
doither
e."saysNkosi
.Istandupfrom thest
oolam
onandputmyar msaroundhi sneck.
"Butbaby,hewon'tfi
ndme.It'
sjustt
hisoncebaby
please!
!!
!!
!"Isaywit
hpleadi
ngeyes.
"Anoi sanoThando.Am def init
elynott akingany
chancessoj ustfor
getit.
"hesay sremov i
ngmy
armsar oundhim.Hef orcesmet osi tdownt henhe
continuestocombmyhai r.Isitwi t
hmyar msf ol
ded,
pissedashell.Isowantt odisobeyhi mr i
ghtnow
butthisman'spunishmentf rom y esterdaytaught
meav eryval
uablelesson.Idon'twantt ogot hr
ough
thatagainshame.
"
Whatdi
dyouguy
swantt
odo.
"heasks.
"
Wewantedt
ogotothesalontodoourhai
rthent
o
t
hespaandmay
beshopping.
"Isay.
"Icanbri
ngthesal
onandthespatoyoubut
shoppingyouwil
ldoonl
i
ne."hesay
sputt
ingthe
combdown.
"Whatdoy
oumeanbybr
ingt
hesal
onandspat
o
us?"
"Iwil
lhi
resal
onandspaempl
oyeeswhowi
l
lcome
here.
"hesays.
"Wel
lat
leastwear
eget
ti
ngsomet
hing.
"Isay
shr
uggi
ng.
"SoletmeseeifIcangetsomet
hing.
"hesayst
aki
ng
hisphone.Hecal
lssomeoneandtheperson
answers.
"Yes,
Ineedy outogetme5hai rdr
esserswhowor k
ataver ygoodsalonand8peopl efrom anexcel
l
ent
spaandoutoft hose8t hereshouldbemorenail
techi
ciansthantheothers.Doitasap.
"
"tel
lthem theywil
l getR25000each,t
ellmewhen
yougett hem sothatIcansendadr i
vertocome
fetchthem, okaythanky ou.
"heendsthecal
l,
looks
atmeandsmi l
es."alldone.
Noneedforyoutogotothemal lany
more.
"hesays.
Iwon'
tli
e,am ki
ndoffl
att
ered.Mymanjusthi
red
peopl
etocomehere,Imean,only1outof50men
candothat.
"
Thankyoubutwesti
l
lar
en'
tgoi
ngf
orshoppi
ng
whi
chsucks.
"Isay
.
"
Youwi
l
lhav
etoshopnextt
ime.
"hesay
s.
"
sosinceam notgoi
ngtobeneededher
e,Iwi
lll
eave
f
orwork."say
sNkosi.Hecomestomeandkisses
mycheek.
"Bye."Ir
eply.Hewalksoutoftheroom wit
hhis
bouncyat t
racti
vewalkandhisdressi
ngismaking
him evenmor eatt
racti
ve.Am sogladhedit
chedhis
oldschool sty
leofdressi
ng.
"
Ilov
eyou!
"Ishout
.
"
Iknow!
!!
"shout
sNkosi
.Mxm,
hei
ssuchacunt
.
Icheckmyafrotoseeifhereal
l
ycombeditproper
ly
andhedid.Howluckyam Iworl
d!!
!!
!!Mymanzcan
combmyhai rpr
operl
y.
...
..
.

Ileavet
heroom, gototheli
vingroom wher
eIf
indal
l
theladi
essit
ti
ngandchat t
ing.Theytur
ntomeand
smi l
ewhil
estandingup.
"
arey
our
eady
?"say
sTshi
dit
aki
ngherbagf
rom t
he
cof
feet
abl
e.
"
Umm y
eahaboutt
hat
,"Isayr
ubbi
ngmyhands.
"
Whati
sitnow?
"say
sNol
uthando.
"
Well
Nkosi sai
dwecan'
tleav
ethehouse,
especi
all
y
mebecauseBrianmi
ghtf
indme."Isay
.
"Haiman,youandyouroverprot
ecti
veman!
!!Ei
sh!
Whydidn'tyout
rytobutt
erhim wi
thsomeromance
Thando?"saysTshi
di.
"
Idi
dtr
ybutNkosi
wasn'
tfal
l
ingf
oranyofi
t.
"Ir
epl
y.
"Soar
ewegoingt
obest
uckher
edoi
ngnot
hing?
"
asksRose.
"Wellwear est
uckherebutwewon'
tbedoi
ng
nothing.Nkosi
askedsomepersont
olookforhai
r
dressersandafewpeoplewhoworkataspasothat
theycancomeher e.
"Isay.
"Real
l
y !
!!
!!
!!YhoooThandoy
oul
uckybast
ard!
!!
!!
"
shoutsNol u.
"
Mybr
othersur
elov
esy
oual
ri
ght
!"say
sRose.
"
IknowIknow,
am onel
uckybi
tchnowst
opbei
ng
j
ealous.
"Isayf
eel
ingmyself
.Wealll
aughandjust
si
tdown.Iguesswewil
ljusthav
etowaitf
orthe
ser
v i
cesnow.
"
IsSi
hleher
e?"Iask.
"Nop.Hewasdr
aggedoutoft
hehousebyNkosi
.
"
saysTshi
di.
IlookatRoseandsmile."
SoRose,
what
'supwi
th
youandourbrother
?"Iask.
"
Not
hingi
sgoi
ngon.
"shesay
swi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace.
"Ooohst
opi t
.Weallknowther
eissomet
hinggoi
ng
onsospil
lthebeans.
"saysNolu.
"Am ser
iousguys.Ther
eisnot
hinggoi
ngon
bet
weenus. "shesays.
"Hmmmmmmm okay
.ButIdon'
tbel
i
evey
ouatal
l
."I
say.
"st
opitguy
shau.Thereisreal
l
ynot
hinghappeni
ng.
"
saysRoserol
l
inghereyes.
"
That'
sexactl
ywhatThandosai
damont hagoabout
y
ourbrothery
etherewearebutyouknowwhat,
let'
s
j
ustwaitandsee.
"saysTshi
dil
eani
ngonthecouch.
Rosebl
ushesandsaysnot
hing.Roseist
otal
l
y
fal
l
ingf
orSihl
eandthat
'safact
..
..
..
..
.
30minutesl
ater
,thedoorbel
lri
ngs.Nolut
hando
goestoopenthedoorandshejustfr
eezesatthe
door
.
"
Whoi
sitNol
u?"Iask.
"Ummm It hi
nkyourmanki ndofov erdi
dt hi
sst ayat
homeandenj oyyour
selfthi
ngbr uh. "shesay s
openingthedoormuchwi der.Agr oupofmenwal k
i
nhol di
ngalotofbagsfrom dif
ferentexpensi v
e
clot
hingshops.Thepeopleaskwher etheyshoul d
putthebagsandItell
them ont het able.Theyl eave
andNol ucl
osesthedoor.Weal lrusht ot hebags
andlookinsi
de.Thebagshav eeachofournames
onthem soeachofust akesthebagswi ththei
r
nameoni t.
5mi nutesl
ater,
thedoorbell
ringsagai
n.Igoto
checkwhoi tisbecauseever
yoneisbusywitht
hei
r
bagsf ul
lofnewclothes.
Iopenthedoorandagr
oupofl
adi
esl
ookatme
smil
ing.
"
Andy
ouar
e?"Iask.
"Madam,sirtol
dmet ocomedropthem offher
e.
Theyaregoingtodoyourhai
randspatreatments.
"
saysamani nblackst
andi
ngwitht
heladies.
"Ooohum okay
.Comei nladies.
"Isayt
ot hem,
makingwayforthem.Themani nblackgoestothe
carandcomesbackholdi
ngsomeequi pments.
Nkosireal
l
youtdidhi
mselftoday.
"
Thanky
ou,
"Isayt
othemanwhol
eav
es.
Theladi
eswhocameherestar
tsetti
ngupthei
r
thi
ngsandwearegi
venrobstoputon.Weallgo
changeandcomebackt
ogetpamper ed.Thedoor
bel
lri
ngsagai
nandwhothehellcoul
ditbethi
stime.
"
Iwil
lgetit
."Isayrushingt
ot hedoor
.Iopeni
tand2
meninblackhol di
ngbagswr i
tt
enJohnDory'
son
t
hem arestandingattheporch.
"
Hel
l
oma'am,
wecamewi
thy
ourf
ood.
"say
sonet
he
t
hemen.
"MrNxumal
otol
dust
obr
ingi
ther
e."say
stheot
her
one.
"
Ummm sur
ecomei
n."Isay
.
"Oohand,
yournewmai dwil
lbeherein15mi
nut
es.
"
sayst
heotherone.EeeeehNkosi
!!
!!
"
Ooohokay.Thankyou.Youcanputthebagsont
hat
t
abl
ether
e."Isaypoi
nti
ngatthedi
ningtabl
e.
"Yhoooooguys,IneedmyownNkosi shame!!Iknow
thatihaveari
chfamilyandIcangetthi
sifIwantto
butIalsowanttogetspoil
edbymymanzl i
kethi
s."
shoutsTshi
diandallthegi
rlsl
augh,
incl
udingthe
oneswhocamet opamperus.
Ij
ointhel
adi
eswhoar
eal
readyget
ti
ngt
hei
rhai
rand
manicur
esdone.
"Thi
siswaybet
tert
hangoi
ngt
othemal
l
."say
s
Tshi
di.
"I
tsurei
s,thankstoNkosiandhi
sov
erprot
ect
ive
ass.
"saysNolu."I
fIwashiswoman,Iwoul
dgi
veit
tohi
m al
l ni
ghtwooooo."
"
Aiiwenawat
chy
ourmout
h!"Isayt
oNol
uandweal
l
l
augh.
"
Chi
l
lbabygi
rl
,Iwon'
tst
eal
yourman.Am j
ustt
ryi
ng
toindi
rect
lyt
ell
youtol
ethimri
deital
lni
ght
becausehedeserv
esit
..
"shesays.
"Hmmmm Iwoul
dbutIwont
."Isayasmyhai
rget
s
combed.
"
Haaaa,
why?"asksTshi
diwhi
l
eal
ltheot
hergi
rl
s
l
ookatme.
..
..
..
"
Because,guy
s,thatmaniscr
uel.Roseyourbr
other
i
scruelshame.Doy ouknowwhathedidtome
y
esterday.
"
"
What
?"
"Soaf teryouguysl ef
tthecinema, hewant edmet o
forgivehimf orafightwehadear lierbutIr efused
andIswor eathim andy ouallknowhowNkosi feel
s
aboutswear i
ng.SowhenIwaspl anningt oleavethe
cinema, hedi dhi
smagi conmewi tht hoseey esof
hisandhi saur asoIjustforgavehim buthi m, hehe,
guy s!Thatmanf uckedmehar dcor eal l
becauseof
theswear ingandhedi dn'tevenletmecl imax.He
l
ef tmej ustliket
hataspuni shment ."Isaybutt he
girl
sar ealreadydyingoflaughter.
"
Yaaaaaaah,
uny
il
e,y
oudeser
vedi
t!
"say
sTshi
di
l
aughi
ng.
"soi
sthatwhyy
ouwon'
tgi
vehi
m anyt
oni
ght
?"asks
Rose.
"
That
sexact
lywhy
."Isay
.
"Usil
ewenaThando!
"say
sNol
u.Weal
ll
aughwhi
l
e
beingpamper
ed.
Igetmyhai rdonei ntoboxbr aidsandIal sogetagel
mani cureandpedi curebutwi t
hmyownnai l
s.Am
notaf anoff akenai ls.Igetanamazi ngf ourhand
massageandt henIeatt hedayaway .Whenwear e
alldoneget ti
ngpamper ed,
weaskt hel adieswho
camet opamperust ojoinusi neat i
ngbecauset he
foodi swayt oomuch.Weev enbecomef riendswi th
someoft hem likeTat enda, Refil
weandRei t
umet se.
These3gi r
lssur eknowhowt omakeaper sonl augh.
Theyal l
wor katt hespa.Af ter2hour sofeat ingand
chatting,theygetdr oppedof fatthei
rhomessi nce
i
t'salmostknockof fti
mef ort hem.It ookTat enda's
numberbecauseIhav ef al
leninlovewi ththatgirl'
s
personal i
tyandal sobecauseshei stheowneroft he
spasowhenev erIneedsomepamper ingIwi ll
ask
her
.

"
Sogir
ls,
don'twelookbeaut
if
ul?
"shoutsTshi
di
whi
l
edancing.Okayletmenotsaydanci
ngbecause
t
hat
'snotdanci
ng..
..
..
..
"Thankstomybr ot
her!
!!
!"r
epl
i
esRose.Rosegot
hersel
fadeept issuemassageTherapysinceher
l
egsar einj
ured.Ihatetosayt
hisbutIhaveaf eel
i
ng
thatshemightnotbeabl etowalkeveragain.
Sigh.
..
..
..
.

"Let'
stakeourbagst oourr oomsguys.Themai d
wantst ocleanthi
splace."Isaytothel
adies.They
allr
usht ogetthebagswi ththei
rnamesont hem
andIhel pRosecarryhers.Idropthem of
father
room thenIgot omine.Iputmybagsont hecouch
i
nt heroom andIjustlayont hebed.Ir
eall
yhadan
amazingdayt houghandi treal
lywassomuchbet ter
thangoingt othemall
.Whi leam deepi
nmy
thoughts,Ifal
lasl
eep.
Myphonerings,
waki
ngmeupf
rom mydeep
beaut
if
ulnap.
"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.
"
Myl ov
e, whyar eyour unningawayfrom me?Can'
t
youseet hatam justtryi
ngt oapol
ogize?"say
sa
malevoiceont heot hersideofthecall
.
"
Sor
rywhoi
sthi
s?"Iask.
"Howcouldyouforgetyourman'svoi
ce?It
'sme,
Bri
an."hesay
s.Ifr
eezeandt henthememor i
esstar
t
topl
ayagainandthisti
me, i
tincl
udestheni
ghtIgot
shot.
"Don'twor ry,Iwil
lfi
ndy ousoon.Youcanr unbuty ou
can'thidef rom yourman.Wat chhowy ouwi l
lonly
getmar r
iedt omeandnott hatt
hingyoucal l
your
man. "hesay sbeforedroppingt
hecall.Ijustsitst
ill
,
notknowi ngwhatt odo.Whatdoeshewantf r
om
me, isn'
titenought hathet ookmyprideawayand
i
sn'titenought hatheleftmewithsuchat raumatic
memor y?? ?
"Thandodi
nn.
..
..
.Thando!!
!Whyar
eyoucr
ying?"
askssomeonewhil
er ushi
ngt
ome.Thepersonruns
tomeandtakesthephonefr
om myhandsandlooks
ati
t.Isl
owl
ytur
nt of
acetheper
sonandit
'sTshi
di.
"
ItwasBr i
an,
he.
..
.he.
..
hei
stheonewhoj
ustcal
l
ed
me."IsayasIcr
y.
"What
!!
!!
!Rose!
!Comeher
enowandNol
utoo!
"
shout
sTshidi
.
Theladi
escomerushi
ngandTshi
dit
ell
sRosetocal
l
Nkosiwhil
eTshi
diandNol
utr
ytocomfortmebuti
t
doesn'
twork.

I
fonehasev erbeenr aped,it
snotthateasytoget
overthetrauma.Youst ar
tfeeli
ngthepainofhim
tr
yingtoenteryour oughly,hi
mf or
ceful
lyki
ssingyou
whileyoutrytopushhi m offandhisscentjustst
ays
ony ou.Youjustfeeluselessandused.
WhydoIhav
etosuf
fersomuch.
..
..
..
..
.

Ihearthemai ndoorswingopenandmult
ipl
esteps
cli
mbingupt hestai
rs.Heburgesi
ntot
heroom and
thefi
rstthi
nghesay sis"Myqueen!
"
IlookathisfaceandIjustbr
eakdownasher ushes
tome.Tshi diandNolugetofft
hebedasNkosi tugs
mei nt
othebi ggesthugever
.Sihl
eal
sorushesinto
theroom andst andsatt
heedgeofthebed.
"Don'
twor rymyl
ove,hewon'
tdoanythi
ngtoyou
okay?Am herenow,hewil
ldoanyt
hingtoyou
okay?"saysNkosii
nasoftvoi
cewhil
erocki
ngme
sidet
osi de.
"Hesai
dhewi l
lfi
ndmeNkosi.Whati
fhedoes?He
wil
lki
ll
youNkosi andhewi
l
lwanttomarr
yme!I
can'
tdothat
."Icr
yout.
"
Hewil
lnev
erfi
ndy oumyloveokay
."hesay
s.
"
Wher
eisherphone?"heasks.
"
Here.Iwil
lgotr
ackdownt
hecal
landseei
fwecan
f
indhim."say
sSihl
e.
"Okayandaft
ert
hat
,destroythephone.
"say
sNkosi
.
Sihleleav
est
her
oom runningandthemaindoor
closes.
"Guys,
IwanttobealonewithThando.Pleasel
eave.
"
saysNkosi
.Iheart
heladiesleaveandclosi
ngthe
doorbehi
ndthem."shhhhhh.
...don'
tcr
ymyl ov
e,am
her
enow.Iwi
l
lpr
otecty
ou.
"hesay
sinasof
tvoi
ce.

Whydidabeaut
if
uldayl
i
ket
hishav
etoendso
t
err
ibl
y.
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
Chapt
er29

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"Anythi
ng?
"Iaskwal
ki
ngupanddownBr
endon'
s
offi
ce.

"YesIfoundsomet
hing.
"hesay
s.Si
hlespeedi
lyget
s
offthecouchhewassit
ti
ngonandrushesto
Brendon'
sdesk.

"
Yes,
wear
eli
steni
ng"say
sSi
hle.

"Well
itseemshemadethatcal
latsomehotel
call
ed
Sunshinehot
el.
"hesay
slooki
ngathiscomputer
.

"That
'smyhotel.Wai
t,l
etmecallt
herecept
ioni
st
andtell
them t
osendtheCCtvfootagefr
om 2days
ago.
"Isaytaki
ngoutmyphone.Idi
alt
henumber
andtherecept
ioni
stanswer
s.

"
Sunshi
nehotelhowcanIbeofser
vice?
"askst
he
f
emalerecept
ioni
st.

"Umm yes,i
t'
sMrBar ca,
"Isay
.SinceIdon'
twantto
beknownast heowner ,
themanagerjustt
oldal
lthe
stuf
fatthehotel
thattheowneri
ssomemancal l
ed
MrBarca.

"
Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r,howcanIbeofassi
stance?
".

"Canyoupl
easesendmeallt
heCCTVf
oot
agef
rom
Fri
day
.Ineeditbef
ore17:
00.
"Isay
.

"Butsi
r,t
hat
'sagai
nstt
hehot
el'
spr
ivacypol
i
cy.Iam
a..
..
."
"
Ladydoy
ouwantt
okeepy
ourj
ob?
"Ibl
unt
lysay
.

"Idosir
,am...
.am sor
rysi
r.Iwil
ltel
lthepeoplei
n
chargeoftheCCTVt osendy outhefootageassoon
aspossibl
e."shehesit
ant
lysays.

"
Good.NowIwanty outosendi
ttothi
saddress,23
Al
bartonst
reet.Mymenwill
bewait
inginablue
Mercedes.
"Isaybef
oreendi
ngt
hecall.

"
It
'sdone.
"Isayput
ti
ngmyphonei
nmypocket
.

"Butsi
r,arey
ousur
eyouwantt
ogeti
nvol
vedi
n
such..
..
."

"
Brendonthatfooli
sharassi
ngmywi f
esoyes,
Ido
wanttogetinv
olvedint
hissit
uat
ion.
"Isayt
ohim.
"Okaysoshoul
dIatl
eastgetaf
ewmenr eadyj
usti
n
case?"asksMal
com st
andi
ngatadi
stance.

"
Yes,
dot
hat
..
."or
der
sSi
hle.

"Sor
rybutwhomadeyout
heboss?Hei
saski
ngme
notyou.
"Isayt
oSihl
e.

"Wel
lyouweregoi
ngtosaythesamet
hingany
way
s
sost
opbeingabit
ch.
"saysSihl
e.

"
Buti
twouldhav
ebeenfrom adi
ff
erentper
sonwho
i
ssupposedt
obeorder
ingthem.
"Isaytohim.

"Ai
isuka.I
t'
sthesamet
hinganyways.
"saysSihl
e
smackingmyhead.Mal
com cl
earshist
hroatand
get
sourattenti
on.
"
DowhatMrMdletshesai
d."Isayt
oMalcom.He
t
urnst
otheexi
tofthewarehouseandl
eaves.

"
Idi
ot!
"mumbl
esSi
hle.Isi
deey
ehi
m andhel
ooksat
metoo.

"
Whoi
sthei
diot
?"Iask.

"Takeawi l
dguess, "her eplies.Isquintmyey esat
him andst eponhi sf ootandhepunchesmyar m.
SihleandIhav ekindofgr owncl osebecauseoft hi
s
Briansituation.Hei sact uall
ynotasbadasIt hought
butIhav er eali
sedt hatwheni tcomest ohissist
er,
hedoesn' tfuckwi thany onewhi chisonethingwe
hav eincommon.Howev er,usbeingclosedoesnt
meant hatIhav elethi m gettoRose.That '
sone
thingIwi l
lnev erdo.Iwi llonlygivehim pi
ecewhen
hepr oveshi mself.Wewant edtot el
lhis2lookali
ke
aboutt hecur rentsituati
onbutBr endontol
dusnot
tobecauseBr ianmi ghtbewat chingoureverycall
whi chmi ghtbehowhegotThando' snumber .
"
Soanyi
nfoonSi
pho?
"IaskSi
hle.

"No,i
tsli
kethismandoesn' texi
stactual l
y.Itr
iedto
gettohi
mt hroughhi sfi
nancesbuthi sbank
account
sar efrozen,al
lofthem andhi sbusinesses
havebeencloseddown. "saysSihle.I
nside,am dy i
ng
withl
aughterbecauseSi phodoesn'texistanymore
butIwil
ltel
lhiml at
er,oryouknowwhat ,hewi l
lfi
nd
outhimself
.

"
Oooohokay
.Doy
ouneedmyhel
p?"Iask.

"
Not hanks.Iwi
l
l doi
tmysel
f.
"repl
i
esSi
hleashe
t
urnstotheexit
ingdoor
.

"
Letmegoout
side,
Ineedasmoke.
"say
sSi
hle.

"
Whydoy
oupeopl
esmoke?
"Iaskdi
sgust
ed.
"Becausewecan,"hesay
staki
ngoutacigar
ett
e
from hi
spocketwhil
egoi
ngoutsi
de.Suchan
unhealt
hyli
fest
yle!
Itakeoutmyphoneandcal
lmyoneandonl
ywho
answersaft
ert
hefi
rstr
ing.

"Hey.
"shesayssoundingasifsheisonthever
geof
tear
s.Thi
shasbeenherv oicefort
hepast3days
shehasspentinbed.Yes,Ihavebarel
ybeenat
homebutIwantt otakecareofBri
anthenIcango
homet ot
ellhert
hegoodnews.

"
Itki
l
lsmet
oheary
ousoundl
i
ket
hatmyl
ove,
"Isay
.

"Let
snottal
kaboutmyv
oiceNkosi
.Whenar
eyou
coming?
""sheasks.

"
AssoonasIki
l
lBr
ian.
"Isay
.
"
Andi
fyoudon'
t?
"

"
Thi
sti
meIwi
l
l,myl
ove.Onl
yfory
ou.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
howsur
ear
eyou?
"
Il
etoutasi
ghandsay"
Am sur
eThando.
"

"
Okay,j
ustbecaref
ulpl
ease.I
fyoucan'
tki
l
lhi
mthen
l
ethi
m be."shesay
s.

"
Ilov
eyou.
"

"Il
ovey
outoo.
"sherepl
ies.Iwai
tforhert
oendt
he
cal
lwhi
chshedoesn'
t.

"
Youknowy
oucanj
ustcomehomer
ight
?"
"
Yes,
ThandobutIhav
etot
akecar
eoft
hisf
ir
st.
"

"Okay.Fi
ne.Bye,
"say
sThandoinherdeadv oice.She
endsthecallandam j
ustbr
oken.Bri
anwillpayfor
thi
s.Asifhimrapi
ngThandowasn'tenough,nowhe
i
sharassingher!
!

"Br
endonpleasetell
Malcom t
ogogetthepackage
atthi
saddress.Heshouldt
akehi
sblueMercedes.
"I
saygoingt
osi tdown.
"Okayboss."herepli
esst andi
ngupf rom hi schai
r.
AfterBrendonleavesther oom,Ihearav oicethat
soundsl i
keSbu'soutsideandIr ushoutsideonlyto
fi
ndSi hl
einter
rogati
ngSbu.Ooohshi t,
itotall
yfor
got
totell
Sbunott ocomeher e.

"SbuyouknowhowIf eel aboutr

epeati
ngmy sel
fso
answermyquestion,whyar eyouhere?
"asksSihle
whil
eblowingoutthenicoti
nescentedsmokef r
om
hismouth.
"Well,
Ihavecomeher etot
alkt
othatfoolst
andi
ng
behindyouconserni
ngmywoman. "saysSbuwhil
e
pointi
ngatme.Sihlet
urnstomeandt ur
nsbackto
him.

"
Soy
ou2knoweachot
her
?"

"Asenemiesyes!
"Iqui
ckl
yjumpi
nwhilewal
ki
ng
towar
dsSihleandSbu.Mymenal
llookatusi
n
shockbuttheytr
ytohi
deit
.
"Guys,l
et'
sgoi
nside.
"saysBrendont
omymen.
Theyallfol
l
owBrendonexcl
udingMalcom whoget
s
i
nt heblueMer
cedesanddriv
esaway.

"Hmmmmmm soy ourenemyknowswher eyour

war ehousei
s?"asksSihlewit
honeelevat
ed
eyebrowwhilepointi
ngatmewi thhi
ssmoking
cigarett
e.Ri
ghtnow, If
eell
ikesmacki
ngitoutofhi
s
handbutIdon'twantt ori
skit
.
Sbul
ooksatmewi
thaqui
zzi
cal
lookwhi
chi
scl
ear
ly
aski
ngwhyIdi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m aboutSi
hle.

"
Ummm am ki
ndofsurpr
isedtoohey."IsaytoSi
hle.
Webot
hlookatSbuwholooksshitscaredbuthi
des
i
t.

"Well
,ther
ewasadaywher eIsawhim att
hemallso
Ideci
dedt ofol
l
owhi m.
"saysSbu."Ij
ustwant
edt o
tal
ktohim conser
ningThandounti
lIsawhim ki
l
li
ng
somemansoIr anaway."heconti
nues.

"Andwhatgav
eyout
hecour
aget
ocomeback.
"
asksSi
hle.

"Wel
lummm myl
ovef
orThandogav
emet
he
cour
age.
"

"Well
soyoumi ghtaswel
lturnandl
eavebecause
am notl
ett
inggoofThando."Isayt
oSbupointi
ngat
hi
m.Sbuchuckl
esandtakesoutagunf
rom hi
s
pocket
.Whatt
hefucki
sthisf
ooldoi
ng.

"Well
thenIguessIwill
justhav
et oki
lly
ou,
"say
s
Sbu.Thismother
fucker
.Ialsotakeoutmygl
ockand
poi
ntitathi
m.

"Youguyscangoshooteachothersomewher
eelse
nother
e.AndSbu, moveonmyman.Thandohas
andhehasalreadypr
oposedsojustfi
ndanot
her
woman."saysSihl
epatt
ingSbu'
sshoulder
.

"
No!Iwil
lnotgiv
euponher
.Il
oveherwayt
oomuch
t
ojustl
ether.
"

"Am notaski
ngyou,am t
ell
ingy
ou.Mysist
eralr
eady
hasalotofdramainherli
fesodon'
tbr
ingmore
drama.Leave,
"saysSi
hlepushi
ngSbutothecar.
"No!Hemustdi eSihle.Isn'thenowknowswher emy
warehouseis?
"Ishout .IseeSbutur
nar oundin
shockbutSihl
ecarriesont opushhi
mi ntothecar.I
rushaft
erthem butSi hletakesSbu'
sgunandf ir
esit
ontheground.

"Lethi
m beNkosi
,heisani di
ot.Hewon'tdo
anythi
ng.
"saysSi
hle.HahaifonlySihl
eknew..
..
..
..
.
Sbugetsint
ohiscar,l
ooksatmeonemor et
imeand
driv
esawaybutri
ghtafterhedrivesaway,abl
ack
carspeedsontot
hepar ki
nglotandstart
sshooti
ng
atus.

"Si
hlegetdown!!!
!!
!!
"Ishoutlyi
ngdown.Sihlefall
sto
theground,heari
ngthewi ndowsshut
terandt henal
l
ofasudden, i
t'
sagunf ight.Mymenallrushoutof
thewarehouseandst artshooti
ngatt
hebl ackcar
butthecarquickl
ydriveaway .
Anothercarcomesdr
ivi
ngbackandSbur
ushesout
ofthecar.
"
Arey
ouguy
sokay
?!"heasksget
ti
ngoutofhi
scar
.

"
Am f
ine,
Sihl
e?"

"Yesam fi
ne.
"herepl
ies.Al
lmymengetint
othei
r
carsandspeedaft
erthecar.Ial
sost
andupfr
om
thegroundandfol
lowthem.

"Boss!!
!Come,Ihav
esomet hingimport
ant.
"shouts
Brendonfrom t
hewarehouse.Sihl
e,SbuandIall
rushinsi
deandgotoBr endon'
sdesk.

"Malcom camebackwi ththeCCtvf

ootagewhileyou
werewi thSihleandSbuoutsi
desoIj
ustdecidedto
playitanditlooksli
keyouhave3sni
tches.
"says
Brendon.

"
Meani
ng?
"asksSi
hle.
"3ofy ourbody guardsatyourplacear epartof
Brian'
st eam.Theymetatt hehotel."saysBrendon
pointi
ngat3peopl eonhi scomput er.Ifeelmyheart
startt
obeatf astasmybr ainbeginst oloadway st
o
punisht hosefools.Iwalkoutofthewar ehouseand
gost r
aightintomycar .Iwearmygl assesand
speedilydriv
ehome.Thosef ool
swi llseemet oday
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***

THANDO'
SPOV.

Asam readi
nganoveli
nbed,Ihearcommoti
on
out
sideandTshi
dicomesrushi
ngintomyroom.
"Yourmanisbusyoutsi
de!"sheshoutspant
ing.I
snappi
lygetoutofbedthrowingmybookont hebed
andrunni
ngafterTshi
di.WhenIgetoutsi
deIfind2
menagai nstt
hewallwithbloodgushi
ngoutofthei
r
mouths.
"
Wher
eisy
ourot
herpar
tner
?!"Nkosi
snaps.
"He,helef
ttomeetwithhim boss,pl
easedon'
tki
l
l
us!Allwewantedwasmoneyt otakecar
eofour
famil
ies!
"oneofthem cr
ies.
"OoohsoR50000ev er
y2weeksi sntenoughhey ?
Wellguesswhat, nowy ouaregetti
ngnothingatall
becauseofstupidit
y.Putthem inthecar!
"says
Nkosileavi
ngthem tofallontotheground.Helooks
atmewi ththemosthai rrai
sing,t
err
if
yingfacethen
l
ooksaway .
"
Nkosi
!"Ishoutr
unni
ngaf
terhi
m buthest
opsme.
"
Thandonotnow,am busy!
"heshoutswit
hsome
f
orm ofwr
athinhi
svoice.Hejumpsint
othecart
hat
t
hemenhewasbeat i
ngupar einanddri
vesaway
.
What'
sgoi
ngon.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"
Andwher
eist
het
hir
done?
"asksSi
hleasIdr
agt
he
2i
nsi
det
hewar
ehouse.
"
Theysai
dhewentt
omeetwi
thhi
m."Isay
."Ti
e
t
hem t
othe
monkeybar
sont
hecei
l
ing.
"Isayt
omymen.

"
Wher
eisSbu?
"

"
Hel
eftaf
tery
oudr
oveaway
."say
sSi
hle.

"Good.Thatbastar
dshoul
dl eavemeal
one.
"Isay
gri
ndingmyt eet
h.Ps.
..Am pret
endi
ng.

"
Hewi
l
l,
"repl
i
esSi
hle.

"
Brendon,
anynewsf
rom theguy
swhodr
oveaf
ter
t
hoseguyswhoshotatus?"

"
Noty
etboss.
"hesay
s.
"
cal
lthem.
"Ir
epl
y.
Brendontakesouthi
sphone,
dial
sanumbert
henhe
putsitonloud.

"
Brendon.
"say
sav
oiceatt
heot
herendoft
hecal
l
.

"
Didy
ouguy
smanaget
ogett
hem.
"

"No.Weexecut edapl anwhereThabangandIran

afterthecarandwet oldIsr
aelal
ongwi t
hafewmen
tof ol
l
owt hem undercoverwhi
lewestopchasi
ng
afterthem.Thatwillmakethem t
hinkthatwehav
e
stoppedchasingafterthem."

"
Goodj
obboy
s,"

"
That
snotal
lboss.I
sraelsay
shesawoneofour
mental
ki
ngt
otheguy s.
"
"Don'
tworr
yaboutt
hatmyman,
wear
etaki
ngcar
e
ofthat
."

"
Soshoul
dIt
ell
Isr
ael
andt
heguy
stoat
tack?
"

"No.Don'
tatt
ack.Justtell
Israel
andhismentost
ay
ther
eandf ol
l
owt hem everywhere.I
ncl
udi
ngt
hat
betr
ayer.
"

"Okayboss.
"Br
endonendst
hecal
landgoest
osi
t
onhisdesk.

"
Bosswearesor
ry,wewi
ll
telly
ouever
ythi
ngy
ou
wantt
oknow.
"cri
esoneofthemen.

"Don'
tworr
y,youwi
llt
ell
mewhatIwantt oknowbut
youalsowon'tl
i
vet
oseet omorr
ow."Isay
.They
conti
nuecr
yingwhi
l
ebeingtiedtot
hemonkeybars.
"Nkosiweneedtoleav
et hi
swarehousesi
ncethey
nowknowwher ewear e.Theymightcomeback
againandshootatus.
"saysSihl
e.

"
Wewi
l
lri
ghtaf
terki
l
li
ngt
hesef
ool
s."Ir
epl
y.

"Br
ingt
heaci
dtankst
hatar
eoutsi
de."Isay.2ofmy
mencomebackpushi
ng2largegl
asstankswit
hthe
aci
d.

"Sohereiswhat'
sgoingtohappenmydearf ri
ends."
Isaytothem."Youwillt
ellmeeverythi
ngy ouknow
whil
ey ourf
eetarei
nt heacid,
youcry ,
these2wi l
l
pourtheaci
dony ourfaces.Goti
t?"Isay.Sihl
e
comest ostandnextt
omeandsmi les.

"
Youar
eonecr
uel
mot
her
fucker
.Il
i
key
ou.
"

"
IknowbutZi
phot
oldmey
ouar
ewor
sesowhy
don'
tyoushowcaseyourt
alent
."Isayt
ohi
m wi
th
myhandsinmypocket.

"Withpl
easuremydearbrotheri
nlaw.
"hesays
spreadi
nghishandforahandshake.Ishakehi
s
handwhilelet
ti
ngoutalaugh.

"ButIwil
lmakeaf ewchanges.Iwantthem t
obe
ti
edinadi f
ferentway."hesayswalki
ngtowardst
he
cryi
ngmen." anddoy ousomehowhav ethea
heret
icsfork?"heasks.
"
Ummm Idon'
tthi
nkso.
"Ir
epl
yshaki
ngmyhead.

"OkayIt
hinkIbr
aughtonebuti
t'
saty
ourpl
ace.
"he
says.

"
wher
e?"

"
Inmybl
uesui
tcasei
nthet
hir
dpocket
."
"Br
endongogetit
."Isay
.Br
endongetshi
sjacket
andleav
es.Si
hlel
ooksuptothet
iedupguysand
giv
esthem abi
gsmi l
e
"
Meanwhi
l
e,l
et'
sgety
ou2i
nanot
herposi
ti
on.
"

"
Bozapl
ease,f
orgi
veus!
!?
"howl
soneoft
hem wi
th
t
ear
swell
ingoutofhi
seyes.

"Whatsthewordyouspeakofmyboy ?"say
sSi hl
e
l
aughing."Nowthaty
ourbossismybrother,am
pret
tysurehehasdelet
edthat"
for
giv
e"wor dyou
speakoffrom hi
smentali
ty.
"

"Ohdon'tevenwasteyourbr
eathmyf r
iend,
thisidi
ot
knowst hatIdon'
tbel
i
eveinfor
givi
ngsoIhonest l
y
don'tknowwhyhei saski
ngforfor
giv
eness."Isay
walkingtoSihl
e.

"
Unti
ethem."st
atesSihl
e.Theygetunti
edandthen
t
heyareti
eddif
ferent
lynow,hav
ingthei
rhandsti
ed
behindt heirback.Sihletel
lsmyment oallowt he
boyst ostandonst oolswhichiskindofconfusing
forme.Il ookatSi hlewhogr i
nsatmeandsay s
"don'twor r
y .Youwi l
lsee.Am sti
l
lwaiti
ngf ormy
beaut i
fulforks."Inodmyheadandgosi tont he
couch.
IlookatSihleorder
ingmymanar oundandIgetl ost
i
nmyt houghts.Whocoul dhavethoughtthatSihl
e
andIwoul dendupbei ngbuddies.Imean, Ibeatup
thismanandhescar edtheshi
toutofmewi t
hhis
l
ect ur
eatthehospitalbuthey,
lookatusnow.I
guessi twouldbefairf
ormet otellhi
mt hatSiphois
dead.
psych.
...
am kidding.Am nottelli
nghim shi
t.I
fhe
wantsRoset henhebet t
ergot hroughthi
stestof
minewhi chi
ski ndofstupid.Butt heonethatIreal
l
y
wantistoseehowhewi l
lreactt oRoseignori
nghim.
Sofar,heseemsl i
keheisgoingt hr
oughhell
becauseRosehasbeeni gnoringhi m.
Br
endonfi
nall
ycomesbackafter50minutesand
gi
vesSi
hlesomefor
kshapedinstrumental
s.Si
hle
wal
kstomeandhandsov eroneoftheinstr
uments
whichi
sa2sidedforkwith2sharpteethateach
end.I
tal
sohasastrapattachedtoi
twhi chgoes
thr
oughahol
eatthemi ddleofthe2sidedfork.

"Sowewi l
l usethi
sforkaf
tert
heyspi
ll
ever
ythi
ng
becausetheywon'tbeabletospeaki
fwestrapi
ton
them now."saysSihl
e.

"
Ooohokaysoy oucanstar
twi
thy
ourt
ort
urenow
r
ight
?"Isaysi
tt
ingbackdown.

"
Yes."Si
hlewal
ksbacktothe2men,ki
ckst
hestool
s
t
heyarestandi
ngonandagonisi
ngscr
eamstr
avel
t
hroughthewarehouse.

"Sothisposit
ionIhav echosendislocatedthei
r
shoulder
s."saysSihle.Hmmm i nterest
ing.Hepoints
atmy2menwhoar estandingatthedoorandt ell
s
them tobri
ngs4heav yrockstoti
eont heguy sfeet
.
Hisordersarefol
lowedt henthetankswi thaci
dar e
pushedunderthe2bet r
ayers.Ther ockstiedtothei
r
feetwei
ghstheirf
eetintotheflesheat i
ngaci dand
screamsgetevenlouderast heirfeetarebeing
eatenandthei
rshouldersarebei ngdisl
ocated.
"
Nowt
alk!
"shout
sSi
hle.

"Hewant stoki
dnapThando!Hewantstotakeher
withhim soheapproachedusandaskedustohelp
him outandhewill
giveus500000each!!
!!
"cr
iesout
oneoft hem.

"
Howdi
dheknowt
haty
ou3wor
kedf
orNkosi
?!
"

"Wehonestl
ydon'tknowboss.Whenwewer eat
Thomas'shouse,
hej ustcametousandsai
dhe
knewthatweworkedf oryousoheoff
eredusthe
deal
.

"
Andwhyi
shemeet
ingupwi
thThomas?
"Iask.
"Theywantt
ofi
nali
zet
heplanwhi
chwil
lbe
execut
edsoonbutwedon'
tknowwhen!
"

"
Oooooh.Wher
edoesBr
ianst
ay?
"

"Wedon'
tknow,
wewentt
omeethi
m atoneofy
our
hot
elsafewday
sago!
"

"
Howdi
dhegetThando'
snumber
?"

"
Wedon'
tknowboss!
"theycr
yout
.
"
Didy
ouguy
stel
lhi
m aboutmywar
ehouse?
"

"
Noboss!
!"t
heyshout
.

"Soi
fheknowsthaty
ou3wor kf
orme,hemust
knowwhereThandoi
sri
ghtnow"Isayi
nalowvoi
ce
l
ookingdown.
"Shit
!!
!Si
hlewehavetotakeThandosomewher
e
else.
"Isayrushi
ngoutofthehouse.

"Ti
et heheret
icsf
orksar
oundt
hei
rneckusi
ngthe
str
aps."shoutsSi
hletomy2menwhoarestay
ing
behind.
Si
hlef
oll
owsmealongwit
hBr
endonwhot
akesan
AK47and3glockswi
thhi
m.

Weal
lgeti
ntomycarandspeedbackhome.Onour
wayt
her
e,myphoneri
ngs.Si
hlet
akesitanswer
s.

"
Yes?
"

"What?!Getawayfrom t
her
ethenandqui
ckl
y!
"
shoutSihl
eoverthephone.

"
Andt
hen?
"
"
TheyshotThomasandapparent
lyMussal
i
neand
Otar
ikar
ether
e."say
sSi
hle.

"
Oohshi
t!
"say
sBr
endon.

"
Didy
ouknowaboutBrai
nhav
inganyconnect
ions
wi
tht
hose2?
"asksSihl
e.

"
YesIdi
d."Isaydri
vi
ngthecarat300km perhour
.
DoIcar
ethatam speedi
ng?No.

"
Whatt
hefuckman?!Whythefuckdidn'
tyout
ell
me?
!Nkosiy
ouhavefuckedusup."

"
Chi
l
lman,
theywon'
tdoany
thi
ngt
ous.
"Isay
.

"
Butt
heymi
ghthur
tThando!
"
"Notheywon'
t.Si
nceBri
anwant
sThando,
hewon'
t
all
owthem t
ohurther
."
Ihootatthegatebutnooneopensforme.It
akemy
remoteforthegat
eandpressit
.Asthegateopens,
oureyesaremetbydeadbodiesall
overtheyar
d.
Ir
ushoutoft
hecarandr
uni
ntot
hehousebutt
her
e
i
snoone.
"Thando!!
!!
!!
"Ishoutrunni ngaround.Ifeelmyhear t
beati
ngfastandt hent earsstarttoblurmyey es.
Sihl
erunsintot hehousef oll
owedbyBr endonand
theyfi
ndmeopeni ngeachandev er
ydoori nthi
s
housebutt hereisnothing.Igobackdownst air
sand
Sihl
egivesmemyphonewhi chi sri
ngingandhe
conti
nuestol ookaroundt hehouse.Icheckt he
call
erIDandi t'
swrit
tenSchev .
"Schev
!Wherei
sThando?pl
easet
ell
mey
ouhav
e
her.
"Isayi
nabri
tt
levoi
ce.

"Wazzamydearf
ri
end,
"say
sav
oice.Thi
sisnot
Schev.
"Ooohsorr
y,l
etmeintr
oducemy sel
f.Mynamei s
Brai
nMohlakoane,t
hesonofMrMohl akoane,
the
many ouhavebeensear
chingf
or."hesays.

"
Bri
an!
!!
!Wheredidyout
akemywi
feal
ongwi
tht
he
l
adi
esshehad!?
"Ishout
.

"
Whoaslowdownmydearfri
end.Shei
sn'
tyourwi
fe
j
ustyet
,shedoesn'
thav
ear
ingonherfi
ngerj
ust
y
et.
"hesayslaughi
ng.

"OohandImustsay ,yourmenar everywel ltr

ained
buttheyarenothingcompar edt omi ne.Theone
call
edSchevtri
edt orunawaywi thy ourladiesbut
l
et'sj
ustsayIwaswayaheadofhi m andhi steam
hey.Anyway,backt obusiness,ijustwant edtot el
l
youthatyouwillneverseeThandoev eragainand
notbecauseam goi ngtokillherorany thingbut
becausesheisgoi ngtofindoutonet ruththatwi l
l
crushher.
"
"
Whatt
rut
h?"Iask.

"Comeonnowst opact
ingasi fy
oudon' tknow.You
kil
l
edherf
ather
,"hesays.Ihearhim bl
owsomet hing
outandt
hensomepeopl elaughatthebackground.

"
howdoy
ouknowaboutt
hat
?"

"Well
let'
sjustsayIhavepeoplewhoknowawhole
l
otofy oursecrets.
"hesaysandthensomeone
shouts"Ihopey ouareenj
oyi
ngmyf at
her'
smoney!
"
thenl
aught ercomesafter
wards.

"I
fyouwantt
okil
lmethendosobutdon'
ttarnish
myimagetoThando.
"Isaywit
hcl
anchedteeth.
Sihl
ecomestost
andinf
orntofmewit
hhishandsi n
hi
spocket
.

"
Wel
lIdowantt
oki
l
lyoubutIwantt
ost
artbyki
l
li
ng
t
hef
eel
i
ngst
hatThandohasf
ory
ou.
"hesay
s.

"Leav
eheraloneBr
ian!
"Ishout
."i
fyoudar
etouch
herIwil
l
...
.
Sihl
esnatchesthephonefrom meandsays"Br
aini
f
youdaretotouchmysi st
eroranyoft
heladi
esIwil
l
ki
llyou!
"

"Hel
lo,
hel
l
o!Damni
t,hedr
oppedt
hecal
l
!"r
oar
s
Sihl
e.

"Gi
evmet hephonesot hatIcantr
ytolocat
ethecall
befor
ehedestroysthephone."say
sBrendon.Sihl
e
handsoverthephonetohim andBrendonrushes
outofthehouse.

"Iwi
ll
callZi
phoandKhay
a.Theyhav
etocome.
"
saysSihl
e.
Si
hlegoesout
sideandcal
l
ssomeone.I
fThandk
fi
ndsoutthatIki
ll
edherfathershewi ll
hateme
al
ongwi t
hherwhol ef
amily
.Inf acttheywil
lki
l
lme.I
havetofi
ndhim assoonaspossi bl
e.Ifi
ndmyother
phoneinmyr oom anddi
alIsrael'
snumber .

"
Boss,
"hesay
sanswer
ingt
hephone.

"
wher
edi
dtheyki
l
lThomas?
"

"
Atsomeol
dbl
uewar
ehouse.
"

"
Comepi
ckmeup.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"
Okayboss,
issomet
hingwr
ong?
"
"
Yes,theyt
ookThando,
Rose,
Tshi
diand
Nol
uthando.
"Isay
.

"
Ooohshi
t.Okayboss,
wher
ear
eyounow?
"
"
Am atmypl
ace.
"Isay
.

"
Okaywear
ecomi
ng.
"
WhenIdr
opt
hecal
l
,Sbucal
l
sme.

"
Isentyoual
ocat
ion.Comenow!
"hesay
sinal
ow
v
oice.

"
Butam al
readygoi
ngsomewher
e,Br
iant
ook.
..
..
."

"
Iknow,hetookThando.Am att
hel
ocat
ionhei
sat
r
ightnow.
"hesays.

"
Ummmm okayokay
.Am comi
ng.
"Isay
.
BRI
ANHASNOW AWAKENEDTHEDEVI
L'
SOWN
CREATI
ON.
..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
THANDO'
SPOV.

AfterNkosidrivesoutoft heyard, Igobackt omy

room andgeti nbed.Whathappenedandwhywas
heinterr
ogatingthosepoorguy s.Tobehonest ,they
wer est
arti
ngt obemyf av ori
tepeopl e.Securityhas
beent i
ghteversinceBriancalledandIgotanew
phonebutam notal lowedt ocal lanyone,includi
ng
myf amilymember s.Nowhowwacki sthat.Tshidi
andNol uendedupnotl eav i
ngf orLehur utshe
becauseoft hiswholethingandam ki ndofhappy .

"
Thandopleasegetoutofbed.
"say
sTshi
diwal
ki
ng
i
ntomyroom.

"
Noooooo.Idon'
twant.Letmebewoman!
!"Iwhi
ne
t
urni
ngtotheothersi
de.

"Oooohst
opbeingcrybabyandgetoutofthi
sbed.
Youwereoutofthi
sbedjust6minutesagoso
what'
sst
oppingy oufr
om get
ti
ngoutnow.Wehav e
l
etyoust
ayi ntheref
or3wholedayssogetout
."
say
sNoluthandopull
ingt
heblanketof
fme.

"
Noguy
s.Letmebe!
"

"Ai
isuka.Youar
enolongerwhi
ningaboutBr
ian
fi
ndingyouher
e.Youarej
ustbei
ngabum now."
saysTshidi
.

"Youareonlysayingthatbecauseyouar
en'
tinmy
shoes.I
fyouwer e,youwouldbeunderthebed."I
pull
theblanket
sbackbutTshi dipul
lst
hem again.

"
Peopl
eleav
emeal
one.
"

"
Notunt
ily
ougety
our
sel
ftoget
her
."
"Guysam seri
ous.Youguysj
ustdon'
tunderst
and,
am scaredofgett
ingoutoft
hisbedbecausewhatif
heisoutther
ewat chi
ngme.Whatifheknowst hat
am here?Huh?"Irumble.

"OoohstopitThando,youarenowbeingtoo
extr
a..
..
..
.Hewillst
il
lfi
ndyouinbedanyways,i
t'
snot
l
ikethebedhasashi el
dthatwil
lstophi
m or
anythi
ngsogetout."saysTshi
di.

"
Idon'
tcar
e,j
ustl
etmebepl
ease!
"Iwhi
ne.

"Okaythen,butjustknowt hati
fyouwantchocol
ate,
thereissomedownst ai
rsandletmewar ny
ou,Rose
will
fini
shitify
oudon' tcomenow. "say
sNolugoing
out.

"
Okay.
"Isay.Fort
hefi
rstt
ime,
Iact
ual
l
ydon'
twant
t
hechocol
ateatall
.
"ComeonThando,
youhav
etogetoutoft
hisbed!
!"
saysTshi
di.

"Not hanky ou."afterfi

ni shingmyst atement ,we
heargunshot sf rom out sidet henthemai ndoorbeing
opened.Igetoutofbedandgetmygunf rom my
handbagandTshi di grabsi tf r
om me.Wher ethe
hellishergun!!!!
?Mxm. .
...Weal l
rushdownst air
s
andf indsomeguypushi ngRoseoutusi ngt heback
door .WhenTshi di isaboutt oshootathi m, oneguy
takest hegunandsay s" Don'twor ry
, wear ewi t
hy ou.
Followus. "hesay s.Atf irstIhesitat
ebutt henI
rememberhi m ast hef ri
endt hatNkosi sentaf t
erI
toldhi mtostayawayf rom me.Weal lf oll
owt hem to
abl ackhugecarandweuseagat eatt hebacky ard
toexi ttheyardandIhav enev erseent hatgat e.
Themomentwel
eav
ethehouse,
weal
ll
etoutl
oud
si
ghs.

"
Whatwashappeni
ngSchev
?"asksRose.
"
Wedon'
tknow.
"repl
i
esoneoft
heguy
s.

"Wear egoi ngtotakey outot hesafehouseandy ou

wil
lstayt here.Wewill t
ellbosslater.
"hecont
inues.
Wedr i
v eforabouthal fanhourandt henal
lofa
sudden, oneofourt i
resbur sts.Thecarswaystothe
si
deoft her oadandi tstops.Theguy st
akeoutthei
r
gunsandt ellust
ostayi nsideast heygoout.
Aft
er2mi nut
es,weheargunshot
sandt
hecar
doorsal
lopen.

"Malady
,isn'
tIpromisedy outhatIwill
findy
ou."he
sayspeepingint
othecar ."putthem i
nthecar.
"he
saysandsomemenofhi sstarttodragusoutofthe
carwhil
ewet rytorefuse.
"Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom meBr
ian!
!"Ishoutwi
th
cl
enchedt
eet
h.

"Iwantyout
ofor
giv
emef
orwhatIdi
d."hesay
s
smili
ng.
"
Andy
ouser
iousl
yexpectmet
o?"

"Wellyouwi llaf
terl
earni
ngsomet hi
ngt hatwil
l
outweighmysi n.
"hesays.Aswear efor cedtoget
outoft hecarwescr eam,getti
ngotherpeople's
att
entionbutt heyarescaredawaybyt hegunst hat
themenhav ewitht
hem.It r
ytoreachformygunbut
Bri
anqui ckl
ygrabsit
."nononowmyl ov e.Noneed
forthat."hesays.
Wear eallt
hrownint
heothercarpar
kednextto
oursandthentheydr
iveof
ftosomepl ace.Whatt
he
fuck!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

Heyheypeeps ♥ soit
'sbeenahect
icweekcoz
Ihadgangassi
gnmentstodoandtestst
ostudyf
or
butany
ways Ihopethatam f
orgi
ven
Chapt
er30

THANDO'
SPOV.

Tshid,NoluandIsitonthekingsizedbedwit
hwhite
sheetswhileRosepushesher sel
fupanddownt he
room,tr
yingtocomeupwi t
hani deaonhowwecan
escapet hi
splacethatBr
ianbroughtusto.Wehave
beenher eformorethan2hour sandshocki
ngly
,non
ofusar escared.

"
Tshi
dididn'
tyouputyourphonei
nyourshoewhen
t
hosefoolschuggedusint
othecar
?"Iask.

"
Idi
dbutJor
dancall
edandi
tvi
bratedsotheguy
whowassi
tt
ingnextt
ometookit
."repl
i
esTshidi
.

"
WhoisJordan?
"asksNol
u.Il
ookatTshi
diwho
r
epl
i
es"Justafri
end.
"
"
ButIt
houghtallyourfr
iendsknewthaty
oudon't
l
i
kecal
ls.Theonlypersonwhoi sal
l
owedt ocal
lyou
i
sDenzel
."i
nter
rogatesNolu.

"Nolu,Jor dani smycl osef ri

endandnowi snott he
ti
mef ory out obebombar dingmewi thsuch
questions.Youshoul dbet hinkingofi deasonhow
togetoutoft hispl ace. "say sTshi di.Nol ulooks
awaywi thherey eswi deopenandsay snot hing.
Tshidi hast ot ellthefami lyaboutJor danbef oreshi t
goesdown.Ist andupf rom t hebedandwal kt ot he
windowwher eIst andwhi lefoldingmyar ms.Il ook
atthebr ownl eav edt reesast heirdr yleav efalltot he
baregr oundast hegol densunsetbegant ofade
away .Wher ear ewe?Thi spl acesur elyseemsl ike
somei solat edar eawher enoonecanev enfindus.
AllIcanseear et reesandt hat '
sit .Justwoods. ...
Am justpr ay ingt hatNkosi andmybr otherf i
ndus
andIpr ayt hatt heywor kt oget her.Si gh....
..
.Iclose
myey esast heov ercomi ngdar knesscr eepsi ntot he
room nowt hi nkingofBr i
an' sst atementabouthi ssin
beingout wei ghedbyanot her.Whatdi dhemeanby
that?Whatwashet alki
ngaboutanddoesitin
anywayi nv
olveNkosi?Idoubti
tdoes.Imean,Nkosi
woul dhavetol
dmer ight
??Ormay beBri
anisjust
l
y i
ng...
.Maybeheisjusttr
yingt
opushhisluckby
l
y i
ng...

"
Whatar
eyouthi
nkingabout
?"asksRosesoft
lywho
i
sal
sogazi
ngatthesunwhichisnear
lygone.

"
Justt
ryi
ngt
ocomeupwi
thsomepl
an.
"Ir
epl
yher
.

"
CanIaskaquest
ion?
"

"Sur
egoahead. "Isayt
oRose.Shepushesher
sel
f
awayfrom thewindowandutt
ers"Whyarewebei
ng
keptcapt
ive?"
Bothmysist
erstur
ntoRoseandIreplyhersay
ing
"RemembertheguyItol
dyouabout,
theonewho
tookmyVcar dandcall
edmelastweekFri
day?"
"Ummm y es,
yesIdo."say
sRose."
Waiti
sithi
m who
i
sho..
..
..
."conti
nuesRosewhil
eInodmyheady es.
Shegaspswhi l
ecoveri
nghermout
h.

"
Wow,
thi
sguysur
ehassomeguthey
."say
sRose.

"
Hesur
edoes.
"say
sNol
u.

"Whatdoeshesti
ll
wantf
rom y
ou?
"say
sRosewi
tha
scr
unchedface.

"
Wellont
hecal
lhesaidhewantedmesoIguess
t
hat
'swhathewant
s."Isayshr
uggi
ngmyshoul
ders.

"Wellhetotal
l
yhasanotherthi
ngcominghisway
becauseubudi Nkosi
wil
lkil
lhi
m."shesays.Igi
ve
heraf ai
ntsmilel
ooki
ngatherthenIl
ookback
outsi
de."Hopeful
lyhedoes,
"Isaysot
tovoce.
"
Par
don?
"say
sRose.

"Nothing."Ir eplyher.Icontinuelookingatthenow
darkout sideenv ir
onment ,wonder i
ngwherewewer e.
Ifweev erescaped, wherewoul dwegobecausewe
don'tevenknowwher ewear e.Thedoorbegi nst
o
squickasi tslowl yopens,revealingthevi
l
laininmy
stor
yi nagr eyl ongcoatwi thgreyt r
ouser
sanda
whiteshi r
twhi chkindofr evealedhismuscles.We
allt
ur ntolookathi m ashesmi lesand2menf ol
low
himi ntother oom.

"Ladi
es!
!"hesay
sex
cit
edl
y."
Howar
eyoudoi
ng!
!!
!!
!"
heconti
nues.

"
Fuckof
fBr
ian!
"say
sTshi
di.

"
Sti
l
lfei
styTshi
dihey
."say
sBr
ian.
"
Sowhoisthequeen?
"asksoneofhi
smenwhoi
sa
t
all
li
ght
ski
nnedguywithf
ri
ckl
esonhisf
ace.

"
Her
,"say
sBr
ianpoi
nti
ngatme.

"OkayItotal
l
ygetwhyyouaresoobsessedov erher
anddecidedtofl
yall
thewayf r
om Mexico.
"repl
ies
theotherguywhoisabitshort
er,
li
ght
skinnedand
hasdimplesandabuttchin.

"
Andwhoi
st hi
spr
ett
ylady
."say
sthet
all
guyashe
wal
kst
oNolu.

"
Ooht
hat
's.
..
..
."

"Notapersony
ouwoul
dwantt
oknow,
"say
sNol
u
blunt
ly.
"Youtooarefei
sty
.Ili
kemyl adi
esfei
sty,
"hesays
sit
ti
ngnexttoNolu.AsNolustandsup,theguy
grabsherhandandNolulooksathim andsays
"Touchmeonemor et
imeandy ouwil
l f
indyour
sel
f
dancingi
nhell.
"

"Isowanty ou."hesay sgrinning.Hel etsgoof

Nolu'shandandNol ucomest ost andwi thme.It ur
n
mywhol ebodyt ofaceBrianandhi sguest swhilehe
opensuphi sar msandsay s"Mybeaut i
fulwife.
"I
l
ooki nt
ohi seyes, amazedbyt hef actthatam not
sacredofhim asIwasi nmydr eamsandwhenImet
himinJohnDor y'samont hago.Al lIhav eforhim
nowi sresentmentandt hat '
sal l
.Nof ear,nonot hi
ng
butjustresentment .Iwanttoki l
lhi m sobadand
watchhimt akehi slastbreath.

"
Am noty
ourwi
fe.
"Ir
epl
ytohi
m.

"
Wel
lnoty
etbutsoony
ouwi
l
l.
"
"
Nev
er!
"Isayt
ohi
m.Hel
ooksatmeandt
hensmi
l
es.

"Seebabygi
rl
,youandIar
enevergoi
ngt obe
separat
edfr
om nowon.Wearestucktoget
herf
or
l
ife.
"

"Oohreal
ly
,andy ouser i
ouslyt hi
nkthatIwilll
etthat
happen?Icannev erstaywithaper sonIhav eso
muchhatredf or.Yout ookawaymyVcar dandy ou
seri
ousl
ythinkt hatIwilll
ety oujusttakemeaway
andstaywithy ouasi fnothinghappened! !Forgeti
t
Bri
anbecauseIwoul dkillyoui namat terof2
secondsi
fi hadt ostaywi t
hy ou.
"Isayt ohim.

"Thando,sthandwasami ,IknowIdidsomeshi
tty
stuffbackinthedaybutIl ovedy
ouandIdidn'
twant
anyoneel sehavingyouandnow, Ihav
ecomeback
toaskf orfor
givenesssothatwecanbothleav
ethe
pastinthepast."
"Andt hatwil
lneverhappenokay!soi
twouldbebest
i
fy oujustletusgoBr i
anbecauseam nev
ergoi
ngto
bey ours."

"Well
soony ouwil
laf
teryouf i
ndoutt hatwhatIdid
toyouwasnot hi
ngcompar edtowhaty ourdearso
cal
ledboy f
ri
enddidt
oy ouandy ourfamily.
"says
Bri
ansit
tingonthebed,crossi
nghislegs.Mysi st
ers
andIall
lookateachotherandl ookbackathim.

"Canyoujuststopt
alki
ngcr
apbecauset
hat
'sf
ull
on
crap.
"say
sNol u.

"
Isi
tnow?
"say
stheshor
tone.

"Yesi
tis.I
fNkosi
didsomethi
ngt
omyf
ami
l
ythen
hewouldhavetol
dme,"Isay.

"
Yethedi
dn'
tbecausey
ouar
est
il
lwi
thhi
m."say
s
t
het
all
one.

"
Ohhshutupy
ou.
"say
sTshi
dir
oll
i
ngherey
es.

"
Iwoul
dbutt
henIchoosenott
o."hesay
s.

"Okayshutupbot
hofyou.Thi
sisat
alkbet
weenme
andmyqueen."bel
lowsBri
an.

"
Fuckof
fBr
ian,
am noty
ourwi
feandInev
erwi
l
l.
"

"Butyouwi
ll
.Soon,youwil
lhateNkosit
hesameway
Ido.Soon,
youwill
findyour
selfwant
ingtoki
l
lhi
m
j
ustli
keIdoandtheny ouwil
lcomebacktome."
saysBri
angri
nni
ng.

"
Iwil
lneverBr
ian.I
nfact
,whydoy ouhat
eNkosiso
much!Youdon'tev
enknowhim atall
andam pr
ett
y
surehedoesn'tknowy outoo..
.Whyar eyousobent
downonki ll
inghi
m huh?Ar eyouthateagertorui
n
ourli
ves!!
!?
cantyoujustletusbeBrian!!
!!
!Letusbe
forGod'ssake.Nkosihasneverdoneany thi
ngto
yousolethim be!!
!!
"Ibel
low,myv oi
cer aucouswhil
e
myv ei
nspopout .

"Yourboy f
ri
endhasdonesomet hi
ngthatIcannever
forgivehimforandIhav eknownhimlongerthan
youhav e.Andnow, hehasdonesomet hingeven
wor se,hehastakent hewomanofmydr eams.The
womanIhav elov edforsolong!hehastakenher
away !Sothat'
swhyIam soagai nsthi
m."repl
ies
Brian.Ashewal kscl osert
ome, mybodybeginsto
tenseupandbef orehecoul dr
eachme, Ifi
ndTshidi
standinginfr
ontofhi m.

"y
oucantal
kfrom t
her
ecan'ty
ou? "sheasks
pushi
ngBri
an.Br
iangr
insandjuststandsst
il
l.

"
Ishoul
dhav
eki
l
ledy
oul
adi
eswi
tht
hosest
upi
d
men."hemumbl es."
Any ways,Thando,don'
tworr
y,
soonwewi l
lbeshari
ngt hesamef eeli
ngtowar
ds
yourmanandy ouwillwanttocomewi t
hmebut
unti
lthen,keeponhatingme.Iwi llt
ell
you
ever
ythingduri
ngourdi nnerdateat20:00.
"say
s
Bri
an.

"
Befor
eyoul
eave.
..
"saysRose."
woul
dyoumi
ndj
ust
t
ell
i
nguswhatmybrotherdi
dtoyou?
"

"
Andy
ouar
e?"asksBr
ian.

"
Am Nkosi
'
ssi
ster
."sher
epl
i
es.

"Ooohsoyouaret
hesi
ster
.Youar
epr
ett
iert
hanI
expect
edhey.
"say
sBri
an.

"i
fitwasn'
tfort
hewheel
chai
r,Iwoul
dhav
ewi
fedher
up."say
sthetal
lone.
"
Iny
ourdr
eamsf
ri
ckl
eface.
"repl
i
esRose.

"
Tur
nsoutt
heyar
eal
lfei
sty
."say
sthet
all
one.

"Okaysoanyway
s,y
ourbr
other
,ki
l
ledmyf
ather
."
saysBri
an.

"Year i
ght
..
.Yourfat
herdi
edf r
om ahear
tatt
ack
Brian.I
fyouhadbeentherewhenhedied,y
ouwoul
d
hav eknown."say
sNolusarcasti
cal
l
y.

"That'
swhathi skil
lerswant edhisfami l
ytoknowbut
myf at herdi
dn'tdi
ef r
om ahear tatt
ackthesameway
yourf atherdidn'
tdief r
om depr essi
on.Youguy s
woul dhav eknownt hatifyouhaddonemor e
resear chony ourfather'
sdeat hbutIguessast upi
d
fatherwi l
lalwaysgiv ebirt
ht ostupidchil
dren.
"say
s
Brian.
"Don'
ty oudarespeakil
lofmyfathery
ouf ucki
ng
cunt!
!"Ishoutchargi
ngforhi
m butTshidi
holdsme
back.

"Sl
owdownf ut
urewif
ey.Youcan'tbedi
srespect
ing
yourfutur
emanwhoi sgoingtogiveyousome
sexualheali
nginthef
utur
e."say
sBr i
aninalowtone.

"Ispitonthatungraceful
,i
nfamyday !Ispi
tonit
i
ncl udingyou,y
oul i
tt
lebast
ard!
"ibellowastears
threatentoleavemyey esbutIdon'tall
owthem t
o.
Briansmi r
ksatmeashet urnstothedoorwithhis2
fri
ends.

"Iwi
l
l bebacklat
ert
ot akeyoutoourdi
nnerdat
e.
Byefornow."hesay
sl eavi
ng.Hecl
osesthedoor
behi
ndhim andtheroom becomesdeadsil
ent.

"
Wer
eal
l
yneedt
oleav
ethi
spl
ace
BRI
AN'
SPOV

"
Andthen,
whydidnty
outel
lher
?"asksJay
denashe
t
akesaseatont
hechair
.

"Because,i
fItel
lherwhi l
ehersist
er saretherewit
h
her,theywi
llt
ryandper suadeherintonotbel i
evi
ng
me.Thandoi sveryeasyt omanipulatewhenshei s
alone,shej
usthidesthatv ul
ner
ablesi de.
"Irepl
yhim
taki
ngmyci garfrom t
het abl
eandl ighti
ngit.

"
Ooohthatmakesmoresensebutdoyout
hinkshe
wi
ll
sayyestohavi
ngdinnerwi
thyou?
"

"Shewi
llonceIpointagunathersist
eri
nlawsi
nce
sheist
heonlyhelplessone.
"Isay
.

"
Whynothersist
ers,thatwi
ll
total
lymakehersay
y
esbecauseshemi ghtnotbethatcl
osetothesi
ster
i
nlaw.
"

"Onethingy oumustknowi sthose3sist

ersarenot
ashelplessast heyseem.IfIpoi
ntagunatoneof
them t
hent heywi l
lal
latt
ackmeandi fIshootanyof
them,theirbrot
herswill
huntmedownandThando
will
hatemeev enmor e.
"Irepl
y.

"
andift
heychar
gef
ory
ouaf
terpoi
nti
ngatt
hesi
ster
i
nlaw?"

"ThenIwil
ljustshoother
.It
'snotli
keIcar
eabout
heranyways,sheismyenemy 'sfamil
y.
"Isayt
o
Jayden.

"
Thebrother
swil
lst
il
lhuntyoudownanywayssi
nce
y
oukidnappedt
hesist
ersthough.
"emphi
sesBar
ca.

"
YesbutIwi
l
llett
hei
rsi
ster
sgot
omor
rowt
hen
l
eavewi
thThandowhowillt
otal
l
yagr
eet
oleav
ing
wi
thme.
"Isayshruggi
ng.

"
Okayt
hen.
"say
sBar
ca.

"Br
o,Iwantthatot
hersi
steroft
hei
rs.
"say
sJay
den
shaki
nghishead.

"
whi
chone?
"asksBar
ca.

"
Theonewhot ol
dmeleav
eherhandorelseIwi
l
l
f
indmysel
fdanci
ngi
nhell
."say
sJayden.

"
Hernamei
sNol
umydearbr
other
."Isayt
oJay
den.

"Yesher.Shei
sabe-
au-
tyandIwanther
..
..
"he
conti
nues.
"
Andyouwon'tgethershame,Nol
urej
ect
sev
eryguy
t
hatcomesherway."Isayl
aughi
ng.

"
Am prett
ysureshewon'
tandi
fshedoesthenIwi
l
l
j
usthavetofor
ceful
l
ymakehermine"hesays.

"thenyoucallmeapsy chof orwanti

ngtomake
Thandomi ne"Isarcasti
call
ysaypull
ingt
hebeaut i
ful
tastysmokefrom thecigar.Wesitanddiscusswork
until2menwhoseshadowscanev enscareyour
ancestor
swal kint
ot heroom, f
oll
owedby2guar ds
i
nbl ack.

Weall
standupf
rom ourseat
ssmili
ngaswe
wel
comethe2devi
l
'sinthefl
esh.

"Hol
amisqueri
dosamigos(
hel
lomydearf
ri
ends)
,"
saysMussal
i
netuggi
ngmei nt
oahug.
"
It
'sbeenl
ongman,
howar
eyou?
"Iaskl
ett
inggoof
t
hehug.

"Wehavebeengoodexcl udingthefactthatwewer e
call
edhereunexpectedly.
"say sOtari
kwhoi sthe
seri
ousone.Mussal i
neismor eofthefriendlyone
whileOtari
k,notsofri
endly.Howev er
, Mussal i
neis
thedeadlyoneoutoft he2.2y earsagowhenhe
foundoutthathiswifewashav i
nganaf fair,he
madehereatt hemanshewassl eepingwi thwithout
herknowingbutaftershewasdone, het oldherand
thenhehadal sopoisonedt hemeatwi thflesh
eati
ngbacteriawhichslowlyfedonherf or3day s.

"Am real
l
ysorr
yOt ar
ik.I
t'
sjustt
hatourf
ri
endBri
an
neededourhel
p."saysJaydenshaki
ngOtari
k'
shand.

"
Andwhathel
pist
his?
"asksMussal
i
nesi
tt
ingnext
t
omychair
.
"
Well see,Iam tr
yingtoki
llt
hemanthatkil
l
edmy
f
atherandIal sowantt ot
akemywifewithmeto
Mexico."Isayinhali
ngtheci
garsmoke.

"Okaythat
'st
hereasonwhyyouareher
ebutwhat
helpcanweoffersi
nceyoucal
ledusher
e?"asks
Otari
k.

"WellIf
ear
edthatt
heguymightgiv
emet roubl
eso
Jaydenoptedt
hatwecal
lyouhere.
"Isay
.

"
OkaybutIhopey
ouar
en'
twast
ingourt
ime.
"say
s
Otar
ik.

"Icoul
dnever
.Youknowmemydearf
ri
ends,
Ican
neverwast
eyourti
me."Isay
.

"
Okay
.Sowhat
'st
hepl
an.
"
"Well
IhavemanagedtokidnapthewomanIwant
andIwanttotur
nheragainstt
hemant hatshei
s
wit
hwhohappenstobet hemant hatki
l
ledmy
fat
her.
"Isay
.

"
Okayandwher
eisshe?
"

"I
nthatr
oom."Isaypoi
nti
ngatt
hedooront
hel
eft
al
ongthepassage.

"
Wait
,isi
tthewomanwhoislooki
ngoutt
hewi
ndow,
wi
thbrai
dsti
edi
nabun?"asksOtar
ik.

"Exactl
ythatone.
"say
sJay
dent
aki
ngasi
pofhi
s
drink.

"Wow,Iactual
lyt
houghtshewassomegirlwewer
e
goingtohavesomefunwi t
htoni
ght
.Sheis
beauti
ful
."say
sMussali
nenoddinghi
shead.
"Wellsheisn'
t,shei
smysoont obewifeandIwould
real
l
yappr eciat
eiti
fyoukepty
oureyesoffher
."I
saytoOt ari
kandMussali
ne.

"Wewil
ltr
yourbest."saysMussal
i
negr
inni
ng.He
bet
tert
ryhisbestorelse.

"
Sowhoi
sthi
smanwear
ehunt
ingdown?
"

"Hi
snamei sNkosi Nxumalo,oneofthebest
busi
nessmenher einSouthAfr
icaandfearedbyt
he
Gautengunderworld.
"Isay.Il
ookatOtari
kwho
seemsdeepint houghtthenhesays"Youmean
Nkosinat
hiNxumal o?"

"
Yeshi
m,y
ouknowhi
m?"Iask.

"Ihappentobeoneofhiscl
i
entsbuthedoesn't
knowi t
,Ibuyhi
sdrugsandhehasthebestdrugs
aroundasis.Youwil
lhavet
olethi
m be.Youcan
takethegi
rlbutyoucan'
tki
l
lhi
m."saysOtar
ik.

"ComeonOtar
ik.Iwi
l
l f
indy ouev
enbet
terdr
ugs.I
havet
okil
lhi
m asreve.
...
."

"Bri
an!Idon'tcar eabouthi m kil
li
ngyourfather!I
f
youkillhimt heny ouar eal
sodeadandsoi st hat
bit
chy ouwantt omar r
ybecausey ouwoul dhav e
kil
l
edmymoneyandy ouknowhowIam wheni t
comest omymoney !Thatman' sdrugshav ebeen
bri
nginga89%pr of i
ttomybusi nessandifhedi es,
I
wil
lloset hatprofit!I
fIloseitjustknowthaty ouare
dead!!
"
Otar
iklooksatme,wait
ingf
ormyresponseandas
am aboutto,
Jaydentel
lsmetokeepquietandl
i
sten
toOtar
ik.

"
Fine!
"Isay
,cl
enchi
ngmyt
eet
h.
"Good!
"saysOtar
ik.Wesi
tinsil
encewhi
l
edri
nki
ng
andsmokingunti
loneofmymencomest omeand
tel
lsmethatdi
nnerisr
eady.Ipl
acemyempt
ycup
onthetabl
eandleavemycigar.

"Iwi
l
lbegoingtomydi
nnerdat
ewi
thmyf
utur
ewi
fe
now,
"Isay
,fixi
ngmycoat
.

"Oohokay,
wewi
l
lbei
nher
eify
ouneedus.
"say
s
Jayden.

"Orwecoul
dgohav
efunwi
thherf
ri
ends.
"say
s
Barca.

"
ShehasFr
iends?
!"j
umpsMussal
i
ne.

"Youbett
erleav
et hem al
oneyouli
tt
lethi
rst
y
bastar
ds.Theyaren'twhor
es.
"Isayrushi
ngoutof
theroom.
"Wewi l
lseeaboutthat
."shoutsBarcaandt
heyal
l
bursti
ntolaught
er.Iwalktotheroom t
hatt
hegir
ls
areinandIopenit.
Ifi
ndThandost il
lstandongwher eshewaswhenwe
l
astcamei nher e,Nol uandTshi di si
tti
ngont hebed
andNkosi '
ssisterjustgazingatt hewal l.Theyal l
turntol ookatmeandi f
lashmysmi l
eatt hem.I
honest l
ydidn'twantt odot hisbutIjustcoul dn't
standt hefactthatmyf ather '
skil
lerisina
rel
ationshipwi ththewomanofmydr eams.The
samewayIdi dn'twantt oki dnapthem ist hesame
wayIdi dn'twantt or apeThandobackt hen.Myl ust
forherov erpower edmeandIj ustcouldn'thol d
my self
.Idor egretev errapingherandIr eall
ywant
hertof orgi
veme.Ipr aythatNkosi '
ssecr etcreatesa
ri
ftbetweent hem andmakeshercomet ome.I fnot,
thenIdontcar eaboutOt ari
k'sstupidthreat.Iwillki
ll
Nkosi .

"
Whatdoy
ouwant
?"asksTshi
di.
"Ihavecomet otakemyf uturewifef
oradate."Isay
walkingin.Thandostar
tslaughingwhil
elooki
ngat
thewi ndowwithherarmscr ossedandsays"Ifeel
sorryforthatf
utur
ewi f
ebecauseshei smar r
yinga
monst er.
"

"
Ouch!Thathurt
s."Isaypr
etendingasi
fam hur
t.
"
comeonnow, y
oucan'tbefeeli
ngsorr
yfor
y
oursel
f?"Icont
inue.

"
Iwil
lnev
erbeyourwi
fe.Never
!"say
sThando
t
urni
ngherwhol
ebodyaround.

"Wewi l
lj
usthav
et oseeaboutt
hatbutf
ornow,
pleasedoeatwit
hme. "

"
Not
hanks.Am nothungr
y"sher
epl
i
es.

"
Ify
oudon'
ttheny
ourl
i
ttl
ecr
ippl
edsi
steri
nlawwi
l
l
havet
odie.
"Isaytaki
ngoutmyglock.Theyal
llook
atmewit
hwi deopeneyesandThandojustgi
vesme
adeat
hstar
e.

"Fine,Iwillhavedinnerwithyoubutaremysister
s
alsoget ti
ngf ood?"sherepli
es.Ismi
leatherand
reply"theysur el
yaregoingto."Iwal
ktowardsher
andt akeherhandi nt
omi ne.
Atfir
stshet r
iestoresi
stbutsheendsuplet
ti
ngme
holdit.Icanevenfeelt
hedarkenergyshehas
towardsmebutIhopet hatIcanchangei
tbecauseI
l
ov ethiswoman, GodknowsIdo.

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Ifi
xmy self
, hi
dingmyf aceandwhent heyfi
nall
y
walkin, myhear tskipsabeat.MyThandoisright
ther
ehol di
nghandswi t
hhim butIcoul
dseeitwas
unwil
lingly.Brianpullsachai
routforherbutThando
getsher selfanotherchair
.That
'smywomanr i
ght
t
her
e.

"
Guardpleasetel
lthem t
obringt
hefood,
"saysBr
ian,
i
ndi
cati
ngf ormetoleave.Il
ookdownandleavet
he
r
oom.Thisi smychancetofindt
heother
s'room.

Soqui ckrecap. .
....WhenIwaspi ckedupathome,
mymenandIdr ov eher e,theplacet hatSbut oldme
tocomet o.Wesati nthecarf ornear ly4hour s
tryi
ngt ocomeupwi thapl anandwecameupwi t
h
somet hingbr il
li
ant ,thankst oBrendon.Oneoft he
Mexi canbr othershadhi r
ed2newguar dsandt he
guardswer etost ar ttodaysoIt ookt hatasmy
chancet ohel pmyl adiesgetoutoft hisplace.When
theguar dsar ri
ved, oneofmymenpr etendedtobe
Brian'smenandweheav il
ysedat edt hem.I sr
aeland
Ithenwor et hesedat edmen' suni f
orm and
pretendedt obet henewguy sbutIhadt owear
glassesandadu- r agsot hatIdon' tgetr ecognized.
Whent heot herguar dswer eeat i
ng, Idruggedt hei
r
foodandt hat'swhenmymencamei nt ocoverup
forthedr
uggedones.Sothi
splaceisbasical
l
ynow
fi
ll
edwithmymen.Ther ear
eprobably8guardst
hat
areonBrian'
ssidewhi
lstmymenar eprobabl
y10or
11.Who'sclevernowBri
an.
..
Sbustayedinthecarasourl ookoutwhil
eBr endon
andSihl
ewor kwi ththecamer asi
nthisplace.Khaya
andZiphowilljustbeont hereachoutifanything
happenswher etheywi l
lcallt
heMexicanbr other
sor
theJonesjusttodi st
ructthem.
Iwalktot heki
tchenandt ellthemai dstogoser ve
thefoodt oBri
anandThando.Bef oretheyleave,I
putapi l
li
nBr i
an'sj
uicewhi chi sinhisowngl ass
thenItellthemaidstogi v
ehi mt hatjui
ceandnon
otherbecausehel i
kest heglasst hatit
'si
n.Ialso
askthem t ogi
vemet heotherwomen' sfood.After
am givent hef
ood,Ifindahi dingplaceandcal lout
toBrendont hr
ought heearpiece.

"
Hav
eyouf
oundt
her
oom?
"Iaski
nawhi
sper
.

"
Yesboss,
it'
sthe4t
hdooront
hel
eftsi
de.
"hesay
s.
"
okayt
hanky
ou.
"Ir
epl
y.

"
Nkosi
becar
eful
."IhearSi
hlesay
.

"
Chi
llman,Ihav edonethi
sami l
li
ont i
mes.Am used
t
osuch.
"Isay .Iendtheconver
sati
onandl ookfor
t
heroom whichIfindbuti
slocked.Todayjusthad
t
obethedayIdon' thaveasharpobjectonme!
IcallouttoI
srael
andhecomest omyr escue.He
unlocksthedoorusinganeedlehef ound
somewher einthi
shouseandi enterther oom.I
cl
oset hedoorbehindmewhi l
eIsraellooksoutfor
me.

"canyoul
eav
eusal
one.
"say
sTshi
dil
ooki
ngatt
he
ceil
i
ng.

"
Iwoul
dbutIcamet orescuey
ou."Isaypl
aci
ngthe
f
oodonthebed.Theyalll
ookupandsmi l
esj
ust
t
rav
elonthei
rli
ps.
"
Nko!
!"

"
Shhhhhh.Don'
tshoutoutmyname.
"Isaycov
eri
ng
Nol
u'
smout h.

"
Youcame!
"say
sRose.

"YesIcamebutl et'
stal
klater.Heret akethese."I
saytakingoutgunsandgi vingthem t oNoluand
Tshidi
.Sihletol
dmet osincet heyknowhowt ouse
them.Theyt akethegunsf r
om meandIt ellthem to
hidetheguns.Ialsogiv
et hem earpieceswhi chthey
will
beusi ngtocommuni catewi t
huswhenIl eave.

"Eatandwheny ouaredone,justwaitforour
i
nstructions.Wewill
tellyouwhent oleaveokay?"I
saytot hem.Theyallnodandt henIleavether
oom.
Onej obdone, onemoret ogo;savingThandobefore
thatfool r
uinsmyrel
ationshi
pwi thher.
Iqui
ckl
yheadbacktothedini
ngr oom thatThando
andBri
anareandThandoisn'teati
ngany t
hingatal
l.
Sheisj
ustgazi
ngatBrianwhoi seati
nghisf ood
whil
etr
yingt
oconversatewit
hThando.

"
Didyouputt
hepi
l
linhi
sfood?
"asksSi
hlet
hrough
t
heearpi
ece.

"
YesIdi
d."Iwhi
sperback.

"Okay,i
twilltake10mi nutesf ori
ttoworksojust
waitandwheni tdoes,i
nstructsomeofy ourment o
getoutwi t
hhi m andputhimi nSbu'scar."say
sSihl
e.
"Whent hegetoutoft here,theywil
lusetheother
vehicl
ewhi chisonitsway ."saysBrendon.

"
Okay
."Isay
.

"
Didy
ousayany
thi
ng?
"asksBr
ianl
ooki
ngatme.
"
Oohnosir,Iwastalki
ngt
otheot
herguar
dst
hrough
myear
piece."Isay
.

"Sor
rybutdoIknowyou?"asksBrai
n."
Ihav
enev
er
seenyoubefor
e?"hecont
inues.

"Umm nosir.
"Isaychoki
ngmyv oi
cesothatBri
an
doesn'
trecogni
zeit
."am t
henewguard,
hiredbyMr
Otar
ik.
"Iconti
nue.

"Oohokay ."hesay s.Het urnsbacktoThandoand

say s"
Sor ememberIsai dIwant edtotel
lyou
somet hi
ngi nteresting?"hesay s.Oooohshit
.Okay
thisdrughast owor kf astorelsehewill
tel
lThando
everythi
ng.Andi fIshoothi m,thatwil
lget
everyone'
sat tentionsi ncetherearesomeofhismen
standingatt hedoor .

"LookBr
ain,not
hingcaneverout
wei
ghwhatyoudi
d
tomesojustsaveit
."say
sThandobutBr
ian
chuckl
es.

"Butt
hiswill
,especi
all
ysinceit
'saboutyourdad.
"
ThandolooksatBr i
anandf ol
dsherarmswhi l
ethey
areonthetable.Shepushesawayt hefoodandsays
"oohreal
ly
,whataboutmyf at
her?"

"Welll
etmest artbysaying,y ourf atherabsolut
ely
didn'
tdiefrom depr
essionandIknowt hatdeep
down, youalsoknowit.
"say sBr ai n.Okaywheni s
thisdruggoingtostar
twor king.If eelmy sel
f
sweatingandmyhear tbeat ingf astf rom
nervousness.Oohlordsav emet hisonet ime,I
promiseIwi l
lgotochurchi fy ousav eme.

"
andhowdoy
ouknowt
hat
?"

"
BecauseIknowpeoplewhoknowexact
lyhowy
our
f
atherdi
ed.
"hesays.
"
Am l
i
steni
ng,
"say
sThando.

"Goodtoknowt hatyouar
einterest
edi
nknowing
howy ourfatherdied.
"say
sBr ai
n.Hepusheshi
s
plat
eawayf rom him andasheisabouttosay
something,hecloseshiseyes.

"Am wait
ing,
"saysThandobutBri
anj
ustkeepsquiet
.
"Bri
an,
Idon'thav
et i
mef ory
ourgames.Justt
alk
alr
eady!
"shesays.

"Ummm y es,
sorr
yam justgett
ingareal
l
y..
..t
err
ibl
e
head.
..
..
headache."say
sBrian.Yessssi
t'
sworki
ng.I
rusht
ohim andsay
"Bossar
ey ouokay
?"Bri
anshakeshi
sheadnoand
Thandojustst
andsupwhil
ecursi
ngunderher
breat
he.

"
Madam,wherear
eyougoing?
"IaskThandobut
t
hist
ime,
wit
hmyv oi
ce.It
akeoffmyglasseswhi
l
e
l
ookingatherandshesmil
es.Isi
gnal
forhernott
o
sayanyt
hingandshel
ist
ens.

"
Umm t
akemei
nsi
de.
"say
sBr
iani
nal
owv
oice.

"
Isr
ael
?"Ical
lonmyear
piece.

"
Yesboss,
"

"
Comegethi
m."Isay
.

"
Brendoni
sthebackdooropen?
"

"Yesiti
sbutsomeonemustt
akeoutthe2men
standi
ngatthedoor
."say
sBr
endon.

"
Iwi
l
l.
"say
sSbu.
"
Don'
tfor
gett
ouset
hesi
l
encer
."say
sSi
hle.

"
Done!
"repl
i
esSbu.

"
Andt
hel
adi
es'
door
?Isi
tcl
earor
?"asksSbu.

"Notyet.Wewill
tel
lyoubutt
akeBr
ianoutoft
her
e
now."saysSi
hle.

IsmackBr i
anaf ewt i
mest oseeifhei ssti
l
l awake
andhei sknockedout .Good.I
sraelrushesintothe
room with3guysf oll
owinghim,theytakeBr i
anwith
them anddisapear.ItakeThando'shandanddr ag
heroutofthediningroom.

"Ladi
es?"Isayt
ryi
ngt
ogetNol
u,Tshi
diandRose'
s
att
ent
ion.
"
Yes?
"say
sNol
u.
"Am comi
ngnowsoj
ustgetr
eadyt
osneakout
."I
saytoNol
u.

"okaybutRosehastobecarri
ed,shecan'
tbe
pushedoutofherei
nt hewheelchai
rfori
twi
llgetus
caught.
"saysTshi
di.

"Okayam comi ngtocar r

yherjustgetreadytosneak
out."Irepl
y.LucklyIbumpi ntonooneonmywayt o
theirroom exceptmymenandonceIgett here,I
opent hedoorandsi gnal f
orthem togetoutand
foll
owoneofmymenwhoi sstandi
ngbehi ndme.I
carryRoseonmybackandIcanf eelherbabybump
starttodevelop.Sher eal
lyispregnantwithSipho'
s
chil
d.Aswel eave,Ihearsomeone' sfootstepsandI
quicklygiv
eoneofmymenRose.
"Br
endonwill
tel
lyouwhi
chcartouset
hroughthe
ear
piecebutj
ustmakesuret
heydon'
tgeti
ntoSbu's
car
."Isayt
otheguywhorushesoutaf
ter
wards.
"
Someonei
scomi
ngy
ourwayNkosi
."say
sBr
endon.

"
Ali
tt
let
ool
atef
ory
out
otel
lmenow.
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

Iputmyglassesbackonandt henJay
dencomes
facet
ofacewi t
hme.Atfir
sthenodsatmewhi l
e
walki
ngpastmet henhestopsandcomesback.He
l
ooksatmet hensays,

"
DoIknowy
ou?
"If
ixmygl
assesandt
henchokemy
v
oice.

"
Umm nosi r
.Am newher
easoneoft
heguy
sthat
Otar
ikhi
red.
"Isay
.

"okay.
"say
sJay
den.Asam aboutt
owal
kawayhe
stopsme.
"
Whyar
eyouwear
inggl
asses?
"

"
becauseIseebet
terwhenIhav
ethem onsi
r.
"I
r
eply
.

"Ooohreal
ly?
okayt
henbutcanyouremov ethem so
thatIcanseehowyoul
ook."hecont
inues.Whatthe
hell
!!
!!

"
Iwoul
drat
hernotsi
r.
"Ir
epl
ylooki
ngaway
.

"Am notaski ngyou,am orderi

ngyou."hecal
mly
repl
ies.Shit!Wellat
leasttheladi
esareoutsoI
guessIcanr iskmyselfgett
ingcaughtnow.Ir
each
formygl assesandasIdo, Ihearagunshortand
Jaydenscr eams.

"Comeboss,l
et'
sgo!
"shoutsoneofmymenwho
shotJay
den.Ir
unaft
erhim andthent
her
ear
e
gunshot sbehindme.Ir unasf astasIcan, goingt o
thebackdoorandwemanaget ogetoutbutsome
menf ollowusout si
de.Werushi ntothewoodsand
i
nt oabl uecarwehav ebeentoldtogetitbyBr endon.
Theper sondr i
vingspeedsoutoft hewoodsand
ont othemai nroadbutgunshot sdon'tstop
followingus.It akeoutmygunandsodomymen,
weopenourwi ndowsandst artshootingatthecar s
behi ndus.Asweshoot ,pol
i
cecar sstarttoringt hei
r
sirensandt hecarwhi chwasf oll
owingus
disappear si nt
ot hewoodswhi lewegetchasedby
thepol ice,fuck!.

"pul
lover
,"Isaytomymanbuthelooksatmei
n
shockont herar
emir
ror
."St
op!
"Isayagai
nandhe
does.

Assoonasweparkourcar
, 2pol
icecarspar
kwit
h
usandtheyr
ushoutoft
heircar
ssayingweshoul
d
dr
optheweaponsandgetoutofthecar.
"
Bossweshoul
dhav
ejust
..
..
.""
..

"Nonoit'
sfine.Let'sjustfol
l
owtheirinstr
uct
ions
becauseifwehadr unof f
,wewer egoingtobeon
thewantedlistandt heyweregoingtocalleven
moreoffi
cersf orbackupandt hatwasgoi ngtolead
tousgoingpubl i
c."Isay.

Istepoutofthecarandonepol
i
ceof
fi
cerchar
ges
forme,makingmef al
l.

"
Okayt
her
ewasr
eal
l
ynoneedf
ort
hat
."Isayt
ohi
m.

"Keepquiet
!"hebel
lows."Youareunderarrestf
or
thecarel
essuseofaf i
rearm!Anythi
ngy ousayor
dowillbeheldagai
nstyouinthecourt
."he
conti
nues.

"
Yeasur
e."Isay
.It
'sr
eal
l
ynousear
rest
ingme
becauseam goingtogetoutanyways.Al
lmymen
l
ayont hegroundandgethandcuff
edandt henwe
areall
putinapolicecar
.

Well
atl
eastmywi
fei
ssaf
eatt
hesaf
ehouse
now.
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er31

NKOSI
'
SPOV

*
ATPOLI
CESTATI
ON*
"
Sirpl
easetakeoffyourgl
asses.
"say
soneoft
he
malepol
iceoff
icer
s.

"
Not
hanky
ou.
"Ir
epl
y.

"
Excuseme?
"

"Isaidnothankyou."Irepl
y.Helooksatmeand
thensays"Youdor eali
zethatIcantaket
hose
glassesoffri
ght
?ineedt otakeamugshotsotake
thoseglassesof
f!"hedemands.

"
andIsai
dnot
hanky
ou.
"Isaycal
mly
.
"Okaythat
'si
t,of
fi
cer
!Takeoffhi
sglasses.
"hesays
tooneofthepoli
ceguys.Ashetakesoffmyglasses
Iclosemyeyes.

"Youhavegottobekiddi
ngme!MrNxumalocany
ou
pleaseopenyourey
es!!
"shout
stheof
fi
cer
.

"
Not
hanky
ou.Yourl
i
ghtwi
l
lbl
i
ndme.
"Isay
.

"What
!What!!Whatiswrongwithyou!
!Okayyou
knowwhat
, bri
ngmet hetaser
."hesays.Afew
minut
esl
ater,Ifeel
asharppaintr
avelall
overmy
body.

"
Arey
our
eadyt
oopent
hem now?
!"

"
Nop!"Isaycl
enchingmyt
eeth.Hecont
inuest
o
t
easemeunt i
lIfal
ltot
hegr
oundbutsomeonepicks
meup.
"
Justopeny
ourey
esy
oubast
ard!
"heshout
s.

"Youknow,Icanpresschar
gesagai
nsty
ouf
or
harassi
ngme."Isay.

"AndIwil
lpr
esschargesagai
nsty
ouf
ornon
compli
ance.
"hesays.

"Youknow, i
t'
snousef oryout oclosey ourey esMr
Nxumalo.Iknowy oureyesarebl ue."hesay s."Iwas
atyourhouset odayafterwer eceivedreportsf rom
yourneighboursaboutgunshot s.Isawpi cturesof
youandt obehonest ,IthoughtIwasn' tgoingt ofind
youbecausey oumi ghthav ebeendeadorwoul d
haveranawaybutt omyl uck,webumpedi ntoy ou
onourwayt oanot hercasewhi leyouwer e
carel
esslyusi
ngf i
rearms."hecont inues.

"
Idon'
tknowwhatyouaretal
ki
ngabout
."Isay,
tobe
t
rut
hful
,am ki
ndofmad.I
fIopenmyeyes,people
wil
lknowmeandi fam unl
ucky
,peopl
emi
ght
connectthedot
switht
heblueeyedmanf
rom
Lehurut
she.

"
Youknowexactl
ywhatam t
alki
ngaboutnowopen
t
hoseeyes!
"heshout
s.

"
Iwon'
t.
"

"I
fyoudon'tthenIwi l
ldenyy ourbail
.Iwi
llmake
surethatyoustayheref orlongandIwill
callthe
pressandy ouknowexact lywhyIwoul dcall
the
press.I
fthepressfindsoutt hatyouaretheblue
eyedmant heny ourli
feisoutt her
eandwebot h
knowy oudon'twantt hat.
"hesay sinmyear.

"
Whyam Iget
ti
ngt
hef
eel
i
ngt
haty
ouhav
ebeenon
t
ome?"Iask.
"That'sbecauseIhav e.Ihav ebeenonMrJoneswho
wasy ourfat
herfor16y ears,16goodf uckingyears
forhimt ojustdieoutofnowher e.AfterhisdeathI
fel
tlikeIhadnopur poseany mor ebecause
Sandt on'
sgr eat
estdr uglordhaddi edbutthenr umor
hadi tthatoneofhi ssonswascar ryi
ngont hedrug
l
egacysoIdeci dedt ogounder coverasadr uglord
andoneofy ouridioti
ccl i
entsfell f
oritandhespi ll
ed
thebeans.Ihav ehadnopr ooftopr ovethaty ouare
adr uglordbutIbel i
ev ethatthi
swi l
lbethest ar
tofit
all
."hesay s.Ichuckleathi sstoryandr eply,

"Mrwhatev eryournameis,Ihav
enoi deawhatyou
aretalki
ngaboutbutthankyoufortel
li
ngmesuch
aninterest
ingstor
y.Now,canIpleasecontactmy
l
awy erbecauseIreal
lyneedtogetoutofthispl
ace.
"

"Iwi
llonl
yl etyoudot hataft
erItakethemugshot
nowopeny ourey esorelseIwil
lcal
lthepr
essand
l
etthem taunty ou."hesays.Isl
owlyopenmyeyes
andIseet hisbast ar
dofapol i
ceoffi
cerwi
thasmil
e
onhi
sface.Hei
samiddleagedmanwit
hblackli
ps,
l
ooksl
ikehesmokesandheisext
remel
yshort
.

"Aaaahtherewego.Wasn'
tthatdi
ff
icul
t,wasi
t
now? "hesays.

"Justt
aket
hepictur
eplease.
"Isayt
ohim.Hepoint
s
atsomeonewhoi sst
andingbehi
ndacameraanda
fl
ashgoeson,
blindi
ngmyey es.

"
Okay ,youcancontactyourlawy ernow.Haveani
ce
l
i
fe,"saystheoff
icer,
leavi
ngt her oom.Iam l
edt
oa
t
elephonewhereIcallmyl awy erandhecomesin
l
esst han30minutes..

"MrNxumal odidyour eall

yhavet
ogooutandshoot
peopleatnight?Ihadt oleav
emydaughter
's
bri
thdaypartyforthi
s."saysMrWill
i
am.MrWi l
li
am
i
smyl awyer,
oneoft hebestlawy
ersherei
n
Sandton.Hehasonl ylost1caseoutof30caseshe
hast
akeni
nhi
sli
fet
ime.

"
ButIpayyouforthissost opcompl
aini
ng.Justget
meoutofhereplease."Isaytohi
m.

"Yessur
e,t
hat'
swhyam her
eany
way
s.Whoel
seam
Ibail
i
ngout?"

"
7mor
epeopl
e."Isayt
ohi
m.

"
Sot
hatmeansy
ourbai
li
sR30000.
"hest
ates.

"Yest
heytol
dme.Justpayi
tplease.
"Isayt
ohim.
Hestandsup,goest
otheof
fi
cer'
soffi
ceandcomes
backwit
hhim.

"
OfcauseMrMahlangu.Iwi
ll
makesur
eofi
t.
"say
s
MrWill
iam t
het
heoffi
cer.
"Okay,haveagoodni ghtMrWill
i
am."say
sthe
offi
cer.Theofficerturnst
olookatmewitha
warningey e,
smi lesandwalksaway.MymenandI
arereleasedfrom theholdi
ngcell
sandwefol
lowMr
Will
iam buthest opsmeatt hedoor.

"Wher
earey
ourglasses?
"heasks.MrWi
ll
iams
knowsmysi
tuat
ionofnotwanti
ngtobeseenby
peopl
e.

"
Theyhav
ethem,
"Isaypoi
nti
ngbehi
ndme.

"Wellgogetthem,ther
eispressoutsideandi
t
seemsasi ftheyar
ehearforyoubecausewhenI
passedthem, someonesai
dsomet hingaboutbl
ue.
"
saysMrWi ll
i
ams.

"
I'
ll
justcl
osemyey
es.
"Isay
.
"Okay.Let
'sgo,Icamewit
hanextr
acar.
"hesay s.
ThemomentMrWi l
li
amsopenst
hedoor,f
lash
l
ightsareevery
wherebutmymencoverme.
"Si
r!Si
r!Wehaveseeny ourmugshotandi tseems
youhaveblueeyes!Couldyoupossibl
ybet heblue
eyedmanwehav ebeensearchingfor
?!"asks
someoneinthecrowd.That'sfucki
ngof f
icer!
!!
!He
tri
ckedme!
!

"Don'
tfal
lfort
hei
rquest
ions,j
ustcl
osey
ourey
es
andletyourmencovery
ou."saysMrWil
li
ams.

"
Am goi
ngt
oki
l
lthatf
ool
ofanof
fi
cer
!"Isay
.

"Noyouwon'
t,
lethi
m be.
"saysMrWi ll
i
ams.We
fi
nal
l
ygettot
hecarwiththepresssti
llf
oll
owi
ngus
andthemomentIgeti
ntothecar,If
eelsomerel
i
ef.

"Don'
topenyourey
esunt
ilwear
eoutoft
hisplace.
"
saysMrWill
i
ams.Inodmyheadyesandthecar
st
artsmovi
ng.Themomentt
hecarstar
tsspeedi
ng,
hetel
lsmetoopenmyeyesandIdo.

"
Pleaseexpl
aintomehow15bodi
eswer
efoundat
y
ourhouse."say
sMrWi l
l
iams.

"
Canwet
alkaboutt
hatt
omor
row.
"Isaysoundi
ng
t
ir
ed.

"No,l
et'
stal
kaboutitnowbecauset
her
eisacase
thati
sbeingopenedagai
nstyouMrNxumal
o."he
says.

"
Oohcomeon!Acase?
"

"
Yesacasesost
artt
alki
ng.
"hesay
s.

"
Somei
diotcal
l
edBr
ianat
tackedmyhousebecause
hewant
edt
oki
dnapmyf
iance.
"

"
Yourf
iance?Why
?"

"
Becausehewantsherandr
evengef
orki
l
li
nghi
s
f
atheryear
sback.
"Isay
.

"
Andy
ourf
iance?I
sshest
il
li
nhi
scust
ody
?"heasks.

"
no.Shei
satt
hesaf
ehouse.
"

"
Okaythen,Iwil
lhav
etoaskheraf
ewquesti
ons.I
s
t
hatwhyy ouhadagunfi
ghti
nthemiddl
eofthe
r
oad?"

"
Yes.Theywer
efol
l
owi
ngus.
"

"
Who?
"
"
Myf
iance'
ski
dnapper
s."Ir
epl
y.

"Okay.Tomor r
owmor ni
ngam comi ngther
esobe
upby7: 30am forquesti
oning.Underno
circumstanceswill
youleav ethathouseMrNxumalo
becausenowy ouareoutthereandIhav et
otryand
cleanupt hemess."heor ders.

"
Don'
ttr
y,doi
t.
"Idemand.

"I
t'snotl i
keIhav eachoi ce."hesay s.Wef irstdr
op
him offathi shouset henwedr i
v etomysaf ehouse
whi chis150km away .Wegett her eat1am andt he
guar dsopent hegat eforusassoonast heyseeme.
Mysaf ehousei sli
teral
lyint hemi ddl
eofnowher e,
noonecanev erguesst hispl acenomat terwhat .
Regar dlessofitbeingint hemi ddleofnowher e,
the
secur i
tyhereistight.Ihav ecamer asev ery where
andt hemenwor ki
ngher ear ehi ghlytrai
ned.
Fingerpr i
ntscannersar eev erywher ejusti ncase
someonewhosef i
ngerpr i
nti sn'trecordedt ri
esto
enterthehouseandIalsokeepbul l
dogsatt heback
whichareonlyrel
easedwhent hereareintr
uder s.
Tinytaser
swhichareplantedatthegate,por ch,
doorsandont hecei
li
ngsofev erybuil
dingint hi
s
yardhavethepowertokill
onei njust5seconds.
Thereisalsoaundergr
oundsaf eroom j
ustincase.

Themomentt hecarparks,IspotThandorunni
ngto
thecar.Sheopenst hedoorandpullsmeoutofit.
Sheslapsmeast earsf
allf
rom hereyesthenshe
tucksmei nt
oahug.

"
Youscar
edmey
ouf
ucker
!"shecr
iesout
.

"
Stopswear
ingThando.
"Isayr
ubbi
ngherback.

"
Ithoughtt
heyhadki
ll
edyou!
"shesay
ssnif
fi
ng.I
l
ookatherasshecri
esandIsmil
eather
.
"Am heremyl ove,Icanneverleaveyouokay ?"Isay
toherandshenodswhi lecryi
ng.Ikissherforehead
andwal kbackintothehousewi thherwhilemymen
gotot heroomsIbui l
tforthem.Mysaf ehousei sn'
t
asfancyasmyhousebacki nSandtonbuti t
'snot
simpleeit
her.ItcostmeR700000t obuil
ditandi t
wast otal
l
ywor thit
.
AssoonasIopent hewhi tepai nteddoorbi genough
foraf amil
yofgi raffestoent er, t
hebl ackandwhi te
l
inoleum cream f l
oorisr evealedasIf aceacr eam
coat edwallwithpai nt
ingsofl ionsandel ephants.I
turnt ot
heleftdoor waywhi chl eadst othel iv
ing
room andt hewhi tewal l
sar ebr oughtt ov i
ewaswel l
ast hefi
replacewhi chiscov eredbyagl asswal l
.As
soonasIent erthelivi
ngr oom, 4f acest urntolook
atme.Tshi di,BrendonandNol ust andup,
welcomi ngmewhi leSihlest ayssi tt
edont hecouch
sinceRosei slayingherheadonhi m, sleeping.

"
Whywer
en'
tyoupi
cki
ngupy
ourphone?
"asksSi
hle.
"Iwasatthepol
i
cest
ati
on.
"Isayt
oSi
hlewhi
l
e
standi
ng.

"
pol
i
cest
ati
on?
"theyal
lsi
mul
taneousl
ysay
.

"Yespolicestati
onbutcanIpl easegot obed,am
real
lyti
red."Isaytur
ningtothepassageont helef
t
sideofthel i
vi
ngroom.Thandof oll
owsbehindme,
l
eav i
ngthe4peopl eintheli
vingr oom mumbl i
ng.
Ient
erabluepai
ntedroom andasIclosethedoor
,
Thandost
opsitf
rom closi
ngandenterstheroom.

"Am goingtogetashower.Wantt
ojoi
n?"Iask
Thandobutshel ooksatmewitht
hemostconfused
faceever.

"whywerey
ouatt
hepol
i
cest
ati
onNkosi
?"asks
Thando.
"Babyam real
lyinnomoodtotal
kaboutthatri
ght
now.Canwepl easej
ustt
akeashowerandsleep.
Wewi l
ltal
k..
..
..
"

"
NoNkosi,Iwantustotal
know.
"shesay
swal
ki
ng
t
othequeensizedbed.

"
ThandoIhadav
eryl
ongdayokay
.SocanIpl
ease
j
ust
..
..
"

"
Ial
sohadal
ongdayNkosi
."shesay
s.

"Don'tcomparemydaywi thyoursThando, Ihadto

fi
ndt hatBrai
nmanf ormorethan3day sonl ytofi
nd
outthat3ofmymenwer eworki
ngwi t
hhi m and
thenallofasudden, youwerekidnappedbyhi m
thenIhadt osavey ouandIendedupi nahol di
ng
cell
.Doy oustil
lwantt ocomparemydaywi th
yours?"Iask,butt
oningmyshi r
twhilelooki
ngat
Thando.
"
Okayf
ine.Wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.
"shesay
s.

"
Thanky
ounowdoy
ouwantt
oshowerornot
?"

"Nothanks.Ialr
eadyshowered."shesay
sstandi
ng
upabouttol eav
etheroom butIrushtoher,
pullher
i
ntomyar msandherbodycr ushesonmine.Il
ook
i
ntoherey esbutshelooksaway ,nosmi
le,
no
nothi
ng.

"Ial
mostlostyoutoday.
"Isof
lysayt
oher,
hol
ding
herchi
nup."Ithoughthewasgoingt
orunawaywith
you.
"Iconti
nue.
Ihonest
lywasscar
edt
hatBr
ianwasgoi
ngt
ell
about
thesecr
et,
that
'sal
l
.

"Butam her
ear
en'
tI?
"shesay
s,notwant
ingt
olook
atme.
"
Thandolookatme.
"Isaytoheri
nademandi ng
t
onebutshedoesn'
t
."Lookatme."Isayagai
n.She
t
urnshereyest
omeandIgr i
n.

"
Ilov
eyou.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
Iknow.
"

"IknowyouknowbutIwantt ohearyousayitback."
Isayasmyhandshol dherti
ghter
,pressi
nghersexy
bodyagainstmi
ne.Ihearhergaspforairashereyes
l
ightl
ycl
ose.

"
Andi
fIdon'
twantt
o?"shesay
s.

"ThenIwil
lmakeyousayi
tbuti
twil
lbeinbet
ween
moans."Iwhi
speri
nhereart
henIbi
teherl
obule.
Shetri
estopushmeawaybutmygripiswaytoo
str
ong.
"St
opact
ingasify
oudon'twantme.
"Iwhi
spert
o
her,
nowmov i
ngtoherneck.

"I
..
.I.
..Idon'
t.
"shesl
owlysays.Aft
ersayi
ngt
hat
,I
stopkissi
ngherneckandletherbodygo.

"Okaythen.Goodni ght .
"Isayt oher,grabbingar ob
hangingont hedoor .Ileav eherstandingwher eshe
i
sandgoi ntotheshowerwher eIspendal mosthal f
anhouri n.Ist
epout , brushmyt eeth,loti
onmy sel
f
thenwearmyr ob.IfindThandoal readysleepingand
Ijoinherinbed, putt
ingmyar msar oundherand
pulli
ngherclosert ome.Il ookather,admi ri
ngher
beautyandt ry
ingt othinkofhowmyl ifecouldhave
turnedoutifBrianhadt oldherany t
hing.
Speaki
ngofBr
ian.
..
..
..
..
.
Iwil
lhav
et ocal
lSbutomorrowmorningtof
indout
aboutBr
ianbutfornow,am sl
eepi
ng.Ihadaver
y
l
onghecticday.
..
..
Ifi
ndmy selfsl
eepinginbedal
lalone,cuddl
ingwith
apil
low.Ilookaroundtheroom andthereisnoone.
Thecurtainsar
eev enopenedandt hesunisjust
shi
ningitssunraysinher
e.
Igetoutofbed,headt othebathroom whereIgeta
showerandafterthat,Ichangeintobl
uejeanswitha
reebokmuscleshirtandpumashoes.
SomeoneshouldbuyThandoandhersist ersclothes
sincet
herear
en'
tanyclot
hesforthem her e.Icheck
thewatchint
heroom andit
'sexact
ly7:30am.I
makethebedandt henl
eavetheroom,onl ytof i
nd
ThandoandMrWi l
liamst
alki
ngintheli
v i
ngr oom.

"Goodmorning."Isaywalki
ngintot
heli
vi
ngr
oom.I
kissThando'scheekthensitnextt
oher.

"
Goodmor
ningMrNxumal
o."r
epl
i
esMrWi
l
li
ams.

"
Youar
eher
eear
ly.
"Isayt
ohi
m.
"Notreal
l
yIj ustgothere5mi nutesago.Iwasjust
havi
ngcof f
eewi thourfutur
eMr sNxumal o.
"saysMr
Will
i
ams, maki ngThandoblush."Okaysonowt hat
youarehere, wecanstartwiththequesti
oning.
"he
conti
nues,takingoutapenandpaperf r
om hisbag.

"SoMissMdletshe,
Iwouldliketobel
ievet hatyour
fi
ancehastoldyoueveyt
hing?"hesaysl ookingat
Thandowhoshakesherheadno.MrWi l
liamsl ooks
atmeandIsay" WellIwasgoingtotellherthis
morningbecauseIwasoverwhelmedl astnight."

"SureyouwereMrNxumal
o."say
sMrWi
l
li
ams
sarcast
ical
l
y.

"
Yourfi
ancet
ell
smet
hatyouwereki
dnapped
y
ester
daybysomemancal
ledBr
ian,
isi
ttrue?
"

"
umm y
esIwaski
dnapped.
"say
sThando.
"Okay
.Werey
outherewhent
heshootouthappened
atMrNxumal
o'shouse?"

"YesIwas.Iwaswi
thmy2si
ster
sandRose.
"say
s
Thando.

"
Okayt
hen.Wher
ear
eyoursi
ster
s?"

"
Theyar
eintehki
tchenmaki
ngbreakf
ast
.Doy
ou
wi
shtoseethem?
"asksThando.

"
No.Iwasjustaski
ng."hesaysshakinghi
shead.
"
Noharm camet oyouinanywayright?
"

"
Um no.
"repl
i
esThando.

"
Okaysowhat
'sgoi
ngtohappenhereis,y
ou2have
t
oappeari
ncour
tbuty
ouMi ssMdletshewil
lbeMr
Nxumal
o'swi
tness.
"say
sMrWil
li
ams.Thandol
ooks
atMrWil
li
ams,wait
ingf
orhi
mtoelabor
atemor
ebut
MrWil
li
amspointsatme.

"Whyam Iappear
ingi
ncour
tasy
ourwi
tness?
"asks
Thando.
Il
ookathersay" Becausesomeonepressedcharges
againstmef orthebodiesatmyhouse."Isaytoher.
Shel ooksatmei nreli
efthensay
s"Oohokay .
"Mr
Will
i
amsl ooksatThandoandsay s"
Wel l
Ithought
wewer eabouttohaveawor ldWar3butIguessI
waswr ong.
"

"Well
,it
houghthewasgoingtobeinthecourtf
or
somethingel
sebutsi
nceitst
his,
am coolwit
hit
becausehehadnothi
ngtodowi t
hit
."shesays.

"
Somethi
ngl
i
kewhatMi
ssMdl
etshe?
"asksMr
Wil
l
iams.
"Idon'
tknow,Ithoughtmaybehehaddone
somethingseri
ous."sher
epli
es.

"Wel
lokaythen.Iwill
beleavingnowbutIwi llbe
backl
atert
odayandMrNxumal o,pl
easewat chthe
newsat8am sot hatyoucanst artcalcul
ati
ngt he
moneyyouwi l
lbepay i
ngmef orcleaningupy our
mess.
"saysMrWi l
li
amsst andingup.
"Andremember ,
nol eav
ingthehouse.
"hewarns
agai
n.Hegr abshisbagfrom t
hecouchandleaves
thehouse.Assoonashest epsout,Thandol
ooksat
mebutkeepsqui et.

"
Andt
hen?
"Iaskher
.

"Yesterday,
Brainsai
dsomet hi
ngaboutyoursins
outweighinghisandhesaidsomet hi
ngaboutyou
rui
ningmyf ami l
y.
"saysThandowi t
hint
errogat
ive
eyes."Ihavereall
ybeentr
yingtobrushoffhiswords
butIcan'tsonowIwantt oasky ou,i
sthere
somethi
ngy ouar
ehidingfrom meandmyf ami
ly
?"
sheasks.Il
ookather,shortofwor
dsbutIdon'
t
showit,
inst
eadIjuststandupandwalkawaybut
Thandorunsaft
ermeandst andsi
nfr
ontofme.

"
Youhav
entanswer
edmyquest
ionNkosi
."shesay
s.

"
BecauseIdon'
thav
eto.
"Ir
epl
yher
.

"
andwhyi
sthat
?"

"
Becausey
ouf
ell
fort
hedev
il
'swor
ds.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
Inev
ersai
dIf
eel
fort
h..
..
"

"I
fyoudidn'
tfal
lforthem t
henwhyar ey
oustandi
ng
i
nf r
ontofmeaski ngmesuchst upi
dquest
ions
Thando?"Iaskherascalm asIcanbe.
"
Iwasj
ustaski
ngNkosi
,that
'sal
l
!"shebel
l
ows.

"Womandon'tyoudareraiseyourvoi
ceatme.Leav e
mei npi
eceplease,
it'
salr
eadyenought hatam goi
ng
thr
oughsomuchal lbecauseofaper sonwhowon't
l
etyougo."Isaytoherinalowv oi
ce.Ili
ghtl
ypush
heroutofmywayandIbumpi ntoSihle.

"Andthen?What
'supwi
thy
ou2?
"heasks,
looki
ng
atThandoandI.

"Not
hingBudi ,i
twasj ustast
upi
ddisagreement
."
shesays.SihlelooksbackatmeandIj ustl
ookaway
andwalktot hekitchenwhereTshi
diandNoluare
makingbreakfast.

"
Mor
ning.
"Isayt
othem.

"
Mor
ning,
"say
sTshi
di.
"
Wher
eisRose?
"Iask.

"Sheisstil
lsleepi
ng.Shespentt
hewhol
enight
vomi t
ing.
"repli
esNolu.Mustbethemor
ning
sicknesses.

"Ooohokay.
"Irepl
y.Igetanappl
efr
om thefrui
tdi
sh
andthenwalkbacktotheli
vi
ngroom whereIsi
tand
tur
nont heTVtoeNCA.

"I
thasbeensaidthatt hemy ster
iousblueeyedman
wil
lbeappeari
ngi ncourtsomet imet hi
sweeksowe
dohopetoseehi sfacet hi
st i
mesi ncewecouldn'
t
l
astnight
,"say
soneoft hejournali
stsonTV.I
i
ncreasethevolumeandl i
stentothebullt
hatthese
nosypeoplearesaying.

"Apparent
ly,
lastnighthewaschargedforthe
carel
essuseoff i
rearmswi t
hafewmenwhower ei
n
thesamecarashi m. "say
stheotherj
ournali
st.
"Yeshewasandweasj ournali
stshav ecomet oa
conclusionofsayi
ngthatthereseemst obemor eto
thismanandweneedt of i
ndout ,"theothersays.
Findoutmyf oot!It
hrowther emot eont hefl
oorand
i
tbr eaksint
opieces.

"Fuck!
!"Ishoutget
ti
ngupfrom t
hecouchand
stormi
ngoutoft hehouseusi
ngthesl
idi
ngdoort
o
thebackyard.

AssoonasIgetoutandjustlookinspace,
try
ingt
o
calm my
sel
fdown,Ifeelcol
dhandswr appi
ng
aroundmywai
standt henhervoicej
ustcal
msme
down.

"
Stopwor
ryi
ngmyl
ove.
"shesay
s.

"Andwhyshoul
dI ?Thesepeoplewil
lst
artbeingal
l
nosyinmybusiness!Ican'
tfucki
nghav
et hat
!"I
bell
owbutThandosqueezesmeandsay s"Calm
downmyl ov
e.Lett
hem be,
it'
snotl
iketheywi
llf
ind
anyt
hingonyou.
"Ihol
dherhandsandletoutasi
gh.

"Iwantmyl i
fetobepr i
vatel
ove,
Idon'twantthese
peoplefoll
wongmear oundandpubli
shingever
y
singl
ethingthathappensinmylif
e."Isaytoher.

"
Thatwon'thappenl
ove,
thi
swill
all
passaf
teraf
ew
monthssojusthol
donokay?"

"Iwil
ltry.
"shet akesmyhandandpul lsmebacki nt
o
thehouse.Weal lhavebr eakfasttoget
her,i
ncluding
Brendonwhoseemst ohav edev el
opedsomet ype
ofar el
ationshi
pwi thNol u.It
ellthem aboutthe
pri
sonst oryandt henwel eti
tsli
de.Afterfi
nishing
breakfast,IaskforSihle'sphoneandIusei tt ocall
Sbu.Iwal kbackt omyr oom andt henIdialhis
number .

"
Yes?
"answer
sSbu.
"
Eyybaf
o,i
t'
sNkosi
."Isay
.

"Oooh,
themanofthehour!
"heshout
s."
Iam
curr
ent
lyl
ooki
ngatthenewsri
ghtnowandletme
sayyoudeser
veanawardmyman! ""
hecont
inues.

"
Shutupwena!Idi
dn'
tcal
lyouf
orsuchbul
l
.Iwant
t
oaskaboutBri
an.
"Isay.

"
yesaboutt
hat
..
..
"say
sSbuhesi
tant
ly.

"
aboutwhatSbu?
"

"Well
see,
ItookhimtoMYwarehouseandwel
l,
whenIwentther
ethi
smorni
ng,hewasgone.
"he
says.

"
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hatSbu!Whydi
dn'
tyoul
ock
hi
m upinsomeroom ort
iehi
mt osomechai
r?!
""I
sayf
reaki
ngout
.Iswearever
yoneismaki
ngme
madtoday.

"Idi
dal l
thatbuti
thinkhehadat r
ackerinhisbody
orsomewher eonhim sotheyfoundhim andhelped
him escape.Andtheyal
soleftanoteforyou."he
says.

"Whatdoesi
tsay
?"Iaskr
ubbi
ngmyhead,
wal
ki
ng
upanddown.

"
Wel
l
,itsai
dthankOt
ari
kforbei
ngy
ourl
i
fesav
er.
"

"
Otar
ik?Howi
shemyl
i
fesav
er?
"Isayi
nshock.

"
Idon'
tknowbutmyadvicet
oyouisthankthel
ord
t
hatIwasn'
tki
l
led.
"say
sSbusarcast
ical
ly
.
"YeaYea.Thi
sisnotabouty
oudummy
."i
say
annoyedandhelaughs.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"

"
Am att
hesaf
ehouse.
"Ir
epl
ySbu.

"Ooh,t
hatexpl
ainsalot.Ipassedbyyourhouse
earl
yinthemorningt
odayandi nwasf l
oodedwith
poli
cecarsandthepress."hesays.

"cany
ounotst
artwi
thmer
ightnowpl
ease.
"Isayt
o
Sbu.

"Sor
ry,
IjustthoughtIshouldj
ustl
etyouknowbut
anyways,Ihavetogo.Ihaveameet i
ngwit
havery
i
mpor t
antcli
enttoday."say
sSbu.
"
Okay
.Andt
hanksf
orhel
pingmeman.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"Don'
tthankmeman, am yourfri
end.Am supposed
tohel
py ououtwheny ouareintroubl
e."her
epli
es.I
endthecallandwhenIturntoleavemyr oom,Ifi
nd
Thandostandingbehi
ndme.

"
Lov
e?"Isay
,tr
yingt
okeepi
tcool
.

"
Whowast
hat
?"sheasks.

"
Umm oneofmyf r
iendswhohel
pedmesav
eyou
l
astni
ght
."Ir
epl
yher.

"
hmmmm, okay.WellIcameheret
oasky
ouav
ery
i
mpor
tantquest
ion.
"shesays.

"
Andt
hati
s?"
"
Wher
eisBr
ian?
"

"
Andwhydoy
ouask?
"

"
Iwantt
oki
l
lhi
m."say
sThando.

"
Iwi
shIcoul
dletyoudothatbutheescapedfr
om
myf
ri
end'
scustody.
"Isaywalki
ngpasther.

"NcaaaaNkosist
opl y
ing.Iknowyouar ekeeping
him somewher
e,justl
etmeki ll
him pl
ease."she
sayswithasadexpressiononherface..

"Iam notlyi
ngl
ove,hehadatrackeri
nhisbodyso
theytrackedhi
m downandtookhim."Ir
eplyher,
wrappingmyar msaroundherfr
om theback.She
poutsasherarmscr oss.
"Dontworry
,wewi llf
indhi
m soonthenyoucankil
l
him."Isayt
oher .Shetur
nsaroundthenlooksi
nto
myey eswhileherarmsarewrappedaroundmy
waist.

"
Youwi
l
lact
ual
l
yletmeki
l
lhi
m?"sheaskssmi
l
ing.

"
Welly
oucanshoothi
m.Andbesi des,hecaused
y
oualotofpai
nsoifshooti
nghim wil
lmakey ou
f
eel
bettert
henIwon'
tstopyou.
"Irepl
yher.

"Youaresuchareckl
essmanbaby
."say
sThando
befor
eperkingmyli
ps.

"yetyoust i
l
lloveme. "Isaytoher.Igi
veheradeep
kiss,notwill
ingtolethergobutsomeoneknocksat
thedoor ,di
sturbi
ngoural r
eadysteamedsessi
on.I
wal ktothedoor ,
openi tandBrendonstandst
here.
"
MrWi
l
li
amsi
sher
eboss.
"hesay
s.

"
Okayam comi
ng.
"Isay
.

"
Come,MrWil
li
amsisback.
"Isayt
oThando.She
t
akesmyhandandwebothheadtothel
i
vingroom
wher
ewefi
ndMrWi l
l
iamssit
ti
ng.

"
Youar
eback.
"Isay
.

"Yesam back.Pl
easesi
t.
"hesaystome.It
akemy
seatthenhekeepsqui
etforasecond.

"Soyouar
eexpect
edincour
tat14:
00tomorrow.I
f
youdon'
tpi
tchuptheny
ouwill
putyour
sel
findeep
shi
t.
"hesaystome.

"
Umm okaybuti
sev
ery
thi
nggoi
ngt
ogowel
l
?"
"Yes.Ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lgowellt
omorrowbutyouwil
l
havetocompansat
eforever
yguardt
hatwaskil
l
ed
yester
dayMrNxumalo.
"hesays.

"
YouknowIwi
l
l,
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

"Oohand,Schevisi
nhospital.Hewasf oundonthe
sideoft
heroadlastni
ghtandl uckil
yhewasst i
l
l
ali
ve.Hesaidyoushoul
dvisithim."heconti
nues.

"OohIt houghthewasdead.Thankyou,MrWi ll
iams.
Iwil
lvisithi
m onceIgetmyf r
eedom."Isaytohim.
Hestandsupf r
om thecouchhewassi t
ti
ngonand
thenhesay shisgoodbyes."
Iwil
lcal
lyout omorrow
morning."Isaytohi
m.Henodshi sheadt henleaves.

IguessInowhav
etoputupwi
tht
hepr
essf
oraf
ew
days.
..
..
..
..
.
Chapt
er32

"
BabyIt
hinkyoushoul
dstartwear
ingl
enses.
"isay
f
ixi
ngNkosi
'sti
eandcoll
ar.

"Nothanky ou,am f
inewithmygl asses.
"herepl
ies
l
ookingupwi thhisarmsar oundmywai st.Weare
gett
ingreadytogot othecour tandam super
nerv
ous.Thepr esshasbeenont oNkosieversi
nce
yest
erdayandi t'
sstr
essinghimt oo.Thi
smanr eal
ly
doesn'
tlikegoingpubli
c.

"
Butbabyt
heyarewaybett
erthanglasses.Gl
asses
wi
ll
rai
sesuspi
cionsoj
usttakethem off
."

"Idon'tcare.Am notput t
ingt
hoset hingsinmyey es.
Whati ftheygetst uckinmyey es?Thenwhat ?"he
sayswi thwi deeyes."AndIdon'tcareaboutthem
beingsuspi cious,
it'
snonoftheirbusinessand
besides,wear egoingtothecourtconserningthe
bodi
es,
notmyey
es.
"

"
Comeonbaby ,
youar
eov err
eact
ing."Isayt
ohi
m
l
aughi
ng."
Theywon'
tgetstucki
ny oureyes.
"

"
Andi
ftheydo?
"

"Theyneverwil
ll
ovebutj
usttomakey oufeel
at
ease,i
ftheydothenIwil
ltaket
hem out.
"Isay
perki
nghisli
ps.

"Ist
il
lfeel
mor ecomfor
tabl
ewi
thmygl
asses.
"he
saysnowl ooki
ngdownatme.

"
Wel
lify
ouwearcont
actlensesthenImightgi
ve
y
ousomethi
ngyoumightlove.
"Isaybi
ti
ngmyl ower
l
i
pandwrappi
ngmyarmsar oundhisneck.
"
Hmmm l ookatyoutry
ingt
obri
beme. "l
aughsNkosi
.
"
Butit'
snotl
ikeIwasn'
tgoi
ngtogetitev
enifI
r
efusedtowearthel
enses.
"hesayscopingafeel
of
myass.HesqueezesmyassbutIholdhishands,
makingasul
kyface.

"
Comeonbaby!
"Iwhi
ne."
Youwi
l
llooksexi
erwi
th
t
hem.
"Isayt
ohim.

"
ButIdon'
twantt
hem Thando.
"hesay
s.

"
Pleasebaby
!!
!"

"
Okayf
inebutj
ustnottoday
.Iwi
l
lst
art
t
omorr
ow."
saysNkosi.

"No,star
ttodaysothatyoucanwearthem i
nstead
oftheglasses.
"isaytohim."
Ifyoudon'
twant
peopleseeingthecol
orofyoureyest
henjustputon
cont
actl
enses.
"

"
Aghbaby
.CanIj
ustwearmygl
asses?
"

"No,let
'sgogety oucontactlenses.
"isaygett
ingout
ofhisgrip.Itur
ntothemi rr
orandf i
xmybl ueknee
highplaindressandmybr aidbun.Iapplysome
glossontomyl ipsandturntoNkosi whoisjust
l
ookingatmewi thasmirk.

"Youlookevenmor ebeaut
if
ult
hanyoudidwhenI
mety ou.Mydicksurel
yhasbeendoingi
tsj
obeven
thoughIhaven'
tfuckedyouinaver
ylongti
me.
"he
says.

"
Haivoetsekwena."Isayhi
tt
inghi
sshoulderwhich
waski
ndofst upi
dbecauseIhurtmysel
fsincethis
manislegitabouncer.
"Am Il
yi
ngt
hough?"say
sNkosil
aughi
ng."
Someone
oncetol
dmethatsexmakeswomenhaveaglowup
soam pr ett
ysuremydicki
sgi
vi
ngyout hi
sglowup."
hecontinueswalki
ngtowar
dsme.Igivehi
mt he
middl
ef ingerandhi
sfacei
mmediat
elychanges.
..
..
Fuck!
!!Iquickl
yputmyhanddownandhesay s,

"Youseet hatfingery oujustputup,justimagi nethat

fi
ngerwi t
hat ip,that'swhaty ouaregoingt obe
suckingont onight."Thismani sdirt
yasf uck....
..I
rollmyassandhespr eadshishandt ome, Itakei t
andwebot hleavet her oom andhedoesn' tleavehi s
glassesshame. ..
...Wemeett heothersreadyt o
l
eav ewithusexcl udingRosewhosepr egnancyhas
j
ustst ar
tedkickingi n.Herbellyi
sev enstarti
ngt o
showal itt
lebit.

"
Shal
lwego?
"asksNkosi
toev
ery
oneel
se.

"
Umm canIjustst
ayathomewi t
hRose?
itsnotl
i
keI
mustgoany
way s.
"asksSi
hle.
"Ummm no, IwouldratherletTshi
diorNolustay
wit
hher .
"saysNkosi butIsideeyehim andwhisper
i
nhisear" Mybrotherwon'tdoany t
hingtoRoseso
j
ustlethi
m beandnonoft hose2i di
otswanttostay.
Theyli
kethings"IsaytoNkosi .Heti
ghtenshi
sjaw,
l
ooksatmet henatSihle.

"Fine,youcanst aywi thher."saysNkosi.Het hen

startswalki ngt owar dst hefrontdoorandmysi st
ers,
BrendonandIf ol l
owhi m.Heopenst hefront
passengerdooroft hebl ackv ol
vof ormet henhe
mov estot heot hersi deandget sin.TshidiandNol u
uset heot hercarwhi chi sbeingdrivenbyBr endon.
Ev ersincel astnight ,BrendonandNol uhave
beeeeeeeent oget her,evennow, Noluissitt
ingatthe
frontseatwi thBr endon.

Thehugeinti
midatingwoodengateopensaswe
l
eavethepremisesanddr i
vetotheci
tysi
ncewear e
ki
lometer
saway .Itel
lNkositodri
vebyTorgafi
rstt
o
gethi
scontactlenseseventhoughNkosikeepson
refusi
ng.Hewi l
lweart hem whetherheli
kesitornot
.
Am ext r
emelynervousaboutgoi ngtocourt
.Ipray
everyt
hinggoeswel lsot hatwecanbeleftal
one.I
startt
hinkingaboutal otofthi
ngsandthen
somet hingpopsupinmyhead.It urnt
olookat
Nkosi andIholdhisfreehand

"
Lov
e?"say
sNkosi
.

"
Hmmm?
"

"
Youokay
?"

"Yesam f
ine.
"Iwi
l
ltal
kaboutthethingIthoughtof
whenwegethome.Thecarstart
st opull
ov erandI
grabmybag.

"Comeon,
let
'sgo.
"Isayasam aboutt
oopent
he
door.
"ButThandower eal
lydo.
."beforehecouldfi
nish,I
kisshislipsjusttoshuthim up.Itakehishandand
putitunderdr ess,makinghimf eelmygoddessand
howshei salway sreadyf
orhim.Het r
iest
ogethi s
handi ntomyt hongbutIimmedi at
elyremoveit,
subsidingfrom thekiss.

"Youcanonl yhaveherrightaftery
ougetthose
contactlenses.
"Iwhisper,i
ntensel
ylooki
ngathis
nowv ulnerabl
eself
.

"Let'
sgogetthosemot herfuckerssothatIcan
fi
nal
lyhavemybeautifulcake."hesayssnatchi
ng
myhandbagf rom meandget ti
ngoutofthecar.
Pussysurel
yisever
ything.Istepoutofthecar,
walk
toNkosiwhoiswaiti
ngf ormeandwehol dhandsas
wegetint
ot hest
ore.It
'sextremelyemptyinhere.

Iwal
ktothecounterasNkosigoestotakeaseaton
oneofthecouches.Aver
ybeauti
ful
ladylooksi
nto
mydir
ectionandshesmil
es.
"
Wel
comet
oTor
ga,
howcanIhel
pyou?
"shesay
s.

"Ummm,Iwoul
dli
ket
obuysomecont
actl
enses,
"I
sayt
oher.

"
Prescr
ibedl
ensesorcosmet
ic?
"

"
Cosmet
icpl
ease.
"

"
Whatcol
or?
"

"
baby
,br
owni
sokayr
ight
?"Iaskt
urni
ngt
oNkosi
.

"Yesbaby .
"hesays.Itellt
heladyandshegoest o
l
ookf orsome.Nkosi standsupfrom thecouchand
walkstome.Hest andsbehi ndmet henpr esseshi
s
manhoodagai nstmyasst henwhispers"Iwill
destr
oyy outoni
ghtorIcanj uststar
trightnow."He
standsrightbesi demeandhi sri
ghthandst ar tsto
slowlymov eupmydr ess,hisf i
ngersf ondl i
ngonmy
skinwhilegi vi
ngmegoosebumps.It r
yt ostophi s
handsbuthesmacksmyt high.Her eachesmyspot
andt henhi shandmov esintomyt hong.Hest artsto
rubmyspotasIt r
ysooooooohar dnott oscr eam,
moanandr ollmyey es.Ikeepmyf acest raight ,no
mov i
ng, nof l
inching, nonot hingbutNkosi 'smagi c
handhasmewr appedal lroundhi m.It hrowmy
headback, enjoyi
ngt heecst asyam get tingashe
goessosl owt henf ast erandf aster.Icl enchont o
thecount erasmynai lsscr atchitthent helady
comesback.ThemomentIseeher ,Itryt of i
xmy
face,Istopbi ti
ngmyl ipsandj ustbeser i
ous.

"Sothisisallwegot.Youguy scanf i
ndt hesizey ou
wantt henyoucangetr eadyt opay .
"shesay s
pushing4boxesofcont actlenses.Ireachf orthe
boxwi thshakinghands,beingt emptedt oscream as
thi
smani sabouttomakemecl i
maxwi t
hjusthis
hand.Ilookathim withsy mpathet i
cey estotellhim
tostopbuthedoesn' t
.Instead, heincreasesthe
speed.Thi
smanwi
l
lbet
hedeat
hofmei
nthi
sst
ore.

"
Ma'
am ar
eyouf
ine?
"askst
hel
ady
.

"Ummm, ye-yeaam t ot all

yf i
ii
ine, j
ustf eel
ingabi t
chil
ly."Ireplyt ohersmi li
ng.If eel mygoddessabout
toreacht hatpl aceasmybodyt ensesupandt hank
Godt hel adyl ookst oanot herdi rect ionasmyey es
rollt
ot heback, l
etti
ngi tallout.Ihol dNkosi'
sbl azer
whilelookingathi m andt hesmackont hisman' s
face...
..
..Hesl owl ytakeshi shandsoutofmyt hong
thenhewi peshi sf i
nger sonmyt hong.Hecomes
closert omeandt hen" ifthesel enseshur tmei nany
way ,youwon' tbeabl et owal kf or1mont h.
..
."he
takest heboxesf rom mypossessi onandst art
s
l
ooki ngatt hem.If i
xmydr ess, notknowi ngwhatt o
saybecauseam st i
llstucki nthatwor l
dheputmei n.
Hechoosest hel enseshewant st henpushest he
boxbackt ot herecept i
onistwhodoesn' tstop
l
ooki ngatmyman.Shest aresathi m,asifshei s
tryi
ngt of i
guresomet hingoutbutNkosi asksher
what'
swrong.Shelooksatmet
henatmyhandt
hen
hereyespopout.

"
You!Youguy
sar
ethecoupl
e!"shesay
s.

"
Thecoupl
e?"say
sNkosi
.

"Yes!Ma'am yourr inglooksexactl

yliketheonet hat
theladyfrom thepr oposalvideohad.Isitreall
y
you?"sheaskspoi ntingatme.Honest l
yam dumb
founded,mebei ngt hatper
sonwhocan' tli
e, not
evenal i
tt
le,am ext remelydumbfounded.IfIwas
everputinacir cleofl i
esandIwasf orcedtol i
e,I
wouldbeki l
ledf ornotknowi nghowt olie.

"
Sowhatifsheis?
howi
sity
ourbusi
ness?
"asks
Nkosi
blunt
ly.

"
Uum nosi
r,Idi
dn'
tmeani
tinanyof
fensi
veway
,it
's
j
ustt
hat
..
..
"

"
Justwhatwoman?
"bel
l
owsNkosi
.

"
Nkosi
cal
m down,
shewasj
ustaski
ng.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"Aski
ngy amasimba.Wecameher etobuycontact
l
ensesy etheresheisaski
ngussuchstupi
d
questi
ons."shoutsNkosi
.Am sogladt
hestoreis
emptybecausehewoul dhavecausedascene.

"Am r
eal
l
ysor
rysi
r.Idi
dn'
tmeant
oof
fendy
ou.
"she
says.

"
It
'sokay,y
oudon'thav
etoapologi
se.Justtel
lus
t
hepriceofthel
enses.
"Isayt
ohersmi l
ing.
Therecepti
oni
sttell
sust hepri
ceandasIam about
topaywithmycar d,Nkosiref
uses.Het
akeshis
car
dandpay s;heroughlygrabsmyhandandpulls
metothecar.Hegetsint
othedr i
ver
'sseatasIgoto
t
hepassenger'
sseat.Wegetinandhedr iv
esoff
r
eal
l
yfast.Wegett othecourtandasNkosi i
sabout
t
ogetoutIpullhi
m backint
ot hecar
.

"
Thel
ensesbaby
."Isayt
ohi
m.

Het
akest
hem outoft
heboxt
henhandst
hem t
ome.

"Doyourt
hing."hesayst
akingofft
hegl
asses.
ThankGodt hewindowsareti
nted.
Icar ef
ullytaket hecont actsoutoft hecontainerthey
areinbyoneandput t
ingthem i nt
oNkosi '
sey eswho
i
st hebi ggestsi ssyIhav eev ermet .Thi
smani s
actingasi fam put t
ingscor pionsinhiseyes.When
am doneIl ookathi m andt ell hi
mt ostopbli
nking
somuch.Hest opsandhel ooksatme.Nkosi with
normal br owney es,sti
llhandsomeasf uckbuthe
l
ookswaybet terwi thblueey es.
"
Ibet
tergett
hatpussyt
oni
ght
,"hesay
sbl
i
nki
ng.

"YeaYeay ouwillgetitnowst opov err

eacti
ng."Isay
tohim.Asam aboutt oopent hecarhest opsme
andgoesoutf ir
st.Hewal kst omysi de,opensthe
doorf ormeandIst epout .Il
ookaroundt hearea
andit'spackedwi ththepr essgoinginandoutoft he
court.Someonebehi ndmecal l
sandIt urntolook,
i
t'sNol u,
standingwi thBrendon,Tshidiandone
otherpersonwhoi stalki
ngt oTshidi.It
urntoNkosi
whoi snowt alkingtoMrWi ll
i
ams.

"MrWill
iams.
"Isayext
endi
ngmyhandf
ora
handshake.

"
Goodmor ni
ngMissMdletshe.
"herepl
ies."
Iseey
ou
f
inal
lyconvi
ncedMrNxumal otowearcontact
l
enses."hesaysl
ooki
ngimpressed.

"
Wel
lIhadt
ofor
cehi
m becauset
hosegl
asseswer
e
notwor
kingout
."Isayt
ohi
m.

"Thanky oubecauseIhav ebeentryi

ngtoconvince
himf orthepast3y earsnow. "hesayssmil
ingwhi l
e
l
ooki ngatNkosiwhoi sn'
tevensmili
ng.Hisfaceis
deadassser i
ous,justl i
kehewast hedaywef irst
met .Whenhei sli
ket his,heevenscaresme.

"Well
ifyouwillexcuseme,Iwantt
ogotomy
si
ster
s."IsaytoMrWi ll
i
ams.Hesmi l
eswhi
l
e
noddi
nghi sheadandIlookatNkosi
.

"
Iwi
l
lseey
oul
aterl
ove.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"Hmm. "andthat sal

lhesays.Iguessthisishi
mi n
publi
chey .May behedoesn'twantthem toknow
thathehasasof tsi
de.Iwal
kt owardsmysi st
erand
asIgetcloser,thepersonwhowast al
kingtoTshi
di
fi
nall
yturnsaroundandboom! !
!!
!!I
t'
stheoneand
onlyJordan..
..
..Whenheseesme, hisfacebecomes
f
il
ledwi
thJoy
.

"
SisThando!
!It
'sbeenl
ong.
"hesay
swal
ki
ngt
ome.

"heyyou.I
tsurel
yhasbeenl
ong.Howar
eyou?
"Isay
givi
nghim ahug.

"Am fine,j
ustpassedbytoseethisgorgeoussist
er
ofyour s.
"hesayspointi
ngatTshidiwhoflashesa
smile.IlookatNolu,l
ookingf
oraexpressiononher
facebutshei sfocusedonBrendon.HeheNol uhas
fi
nallyfoundsomeone!!!
!

"Thando!Comel et'
sgo.It'
stime."saysNkosi behind
mewi t
hhishandar oundmywai st.Whendi dheget
here.Inodmyheadandf oll
owhi m, sodotheot hers.
Aswewal kintot
hecour t
,someoneshout s"isn't
thatthem!"andeveryonejusttur
nst ous.Abunchof
peopleholdingmics,phonesandcamer ascome
runningtousbutNkosi '
smencomet otherescue.I
didn'
tevennot i
cet hem f ol
lowingusf rom thesaf e
house.Theyal lsur roundusaswewal kintot he
courtbutit'
sev enwor sei nthecour t
.Flashesar e
everywhereandsoar equest i
ons.Whyam Iget ti
ng
thefeeli
ngthatt hisi smor et hanjustaboutt hedead
bodiesatNkosi 'shouse.Aswear eledinsidet he
courtroom, t
hepr essbecomesl esserandl esser
untilt
hedoori scl osed.Nkosi '
smenopent heci r
cle
theyhadusi nandMrWi l
li
amswal ksust ot he
defendant'
stabl ebutTshi diandt heotherssi tont he
publicbenches..Wesi tdowni nar oom fullofpeopl e,
someoft hem whoar ecryingandsomewhol ook
superpissed.Theymustbet hefamili
esoft he
deceased.Apol i
ceof fi
cerwal ksinthroughadoor
besidethejudge' st ableandhesay s"Maywer iseas
thejudgewal ksin. "Weal lr
iseandsomel i
ght
skinnedshortwomanwi t
hal otofmakeupwal ksi n.
Iswearshel ooksl i
kesomeper sonwhoj ustf ellinto
themakeupcase.

"
Youmaysit
."shesays.Aswesit,shealsosays
"
Maythepl
aint
iffandthedef
endentpleasestand.
"
shesay
s.

Nkosi andMrWil
li
amsstandupwhil
etheoneswho
fi
l
edt hecomplai
ntst
andup.I
tseemsit'
sapoli
ce
off
icerandhi
slawyer
.

"Sowhoi sMrNxumal o?"sheasks.Nkosirai

seshis
handandt hej
udgesay s"YousayI."toNkosiand
Nkosi r
epl
ies"
Idon'tseethediff
erencebetweenme
rai
singmyhandandsay i
ngI.Youwi l
lst
il
lgetthe
sameanswer .
"MrWi ll
iamslooksatNkosi wi
th
warningeyesasthejudgecall
soutNkosi '
sname.

"Youwill
respectthi
scour
twhetheryoul
ikei
tornot
orelseIwil
lputyouinj
ail
."sheshout
s.

"
Yeasur
e."her
epl
i
es.Thi
smani
sdi
srespect
ful
y
hooo.
"Nowlet'
sstar
tthi
scase.Wemustbedoneby
10am."Thepoli
ceoff
icer
'sl
awy
erstandsupand
star
tstal
ki
ng.

"
Yourowner,myclienthereasfil
edacaseagainst
MrNxumaloformur deri
ng15peoplewhower e
f
oundinhi
sy ar
dy ester
day .Someofthepeopl
e
who'
sfamil
iesarehere."saysthepl
aint
if
f.

"
Andsowhatproofdoy
ouhav
et hathewas
r
esponsi
blef
ort
hebodi
est
here?
"asksthej
udge.

"
CanIspeakwi
thy
ourper
missi
ony
ourowner
?"say
s
MrWil
l
iams.

"
Sust
ained.
"

"Yourhonor
,mycli
ent'
sfiancegotkidnappedbyt
he
peoplewhoshotever
ysinglebodythatwasfound
ont
haty
ard.
"say
sMrWi
l
li
ams.

"
Andwher
eist
hef
iance?
"

"Sheisr i
ghther eyourhonor."saysMrWi l
li
ams
pointi
ngatme.Hewhi spersf ormetost andupt hen
thejudget ell
smet ost epintothewit
nessbox.Ido
soandt henIam madet otakeanoat h.Iwon'tli
e,
am quitener vousbutIhav etodot hi
sfort hatsexy
hunkst andingrightthere.
..
..

"MissMdlet
she,t
hat
'sy
oursur
namer
ight
?"say
sthe
plai
nti
ffl
awyer
.

"
Yesi
tis.
"Ir
epl
y.

"wel
lify
oudon'tmind,canyoupleasetell
thecourt
whathappened.
"InodmyheadandIr etel
l
ever
ythi
ngthathappenedyest
erdaythenthelawyer
st
opsme.

"
Soaf
tery
our
anaway
,howwer
eyoucaught
?"

"
Wel
ltheki
dnapper
sfol
l
owedmeandmysi
ster
s."

"Hmmm okayandhowdidy
ougetoutoft
he
kidnapper
'scust
ody?
"

"
Myhusbandsav
edus.
"Isay
.

"Thesamewayhesavedy
outhenighty
ougotshot
i
nLehurut
she.
"hesay
s.Whatthef
uckisthi
sman
sayi
ngnow.

"
Excuseme?
"Isaypuzzl
ed.

"
Madam,
aren'
tyout
hesamewomanwhogotshot
thesameni ghtthesocalledblueeyedmanwas
spotteddraggingtwosuspectswhomi ghthaveshot
you?"heasks.MrWi l
li
amsquicklystandsupf r
om
hisseatandshout s"Iobj
ectyourhonor.Whatt hi
s
mani snowaski ngmywi tnesshasabsol ut
ely
nothingtodowi ththecaseyourhonor.Wear ehear
conserni
ngt hebodiesatMrNxumal o'shouse.Not
thi
s."hesays.

"
Object
ionover
ruledMrWi
l
li
ams.LetMrMbat
ha
f
ini
shhisquest
ioning.
"

"Butyourhonort hat'snotwhywear eher e.Iwi

ll
not
all
owMi ssMdl et
shet oansweranyoft hequesti
ons
i
ft heyhav enothingtodowi t
ht hebodies.Shehas
alr
eadyt oldyouev erythi
ngy ouneedt oknowandI
hav emor eprooft oprovethatMrNxumal owasn't
responsibleforthosebodi es."saysMrWi l
l
iams.

"
am li
steni
ng.
"saysthejudge.MrWil
li
amst akesout
atapeandwalksovertothejudgewhotakesthe
t
ape.

"Thatrightthereiscctvfootagefrom MrNxumal o'

s
housewhi chwi l
lprov
et hatmyclienthadnothi
ngt o
dowi ththosebodi es.
"hesay s.Thej udgeor
der
st he
poli
ceof ficertobri
ngt heTVandhedoesso.The
tapeispl ayedandaf t
er3mi nutes,thejudge
switchesof ftheTV.

"MrWi l
l
iams,Ihaveseeny ourevidenceandIbel i
eve
youbutitseemst her
ei sacaseher ethatthepoli
ce
havebeentryi
ngt ocrack.2mensuspi ciousl
ywent
missi
ngawomangotshot .Thatcasehasbeen
tr
endingforweeksnowandi tseemsy ourclient
mighthavehadsomet hi
ngtodowi t
hthemi ssing
men."saysthejudge.

"
Butt
hat
'sbul
l,
that
'snotwhymywi f
eandIareher
e.
Wecameherefort
hebodies!
"shout
sNkosi
.
"
MrNxumalowoul
dyoupleasesitdownandkeep
y
ourmout
hshut!
"shout
sthejudge.

"No!Iwil
lnotsitdown.Ihadnothingt
odowi t
h
those2bodiesbecauseam nott hebl
ueey edguy .
Whatproofdoy ouhavethatIam becausemyey es
surel
yaren'
taretheproof.
"conti
nuesNkosi opening
hiseyeswide.Yeayoubettert
hankmey ounow
browneyedf ool
..
..
..

"
Yourhonorhehascont
actl
enses,
"shout
sMr
Mbat
ha.

"NoIdon'tyoupieceofshit
.AndevenifIdi
d,howis
i
tanyofy ourbusiness!
?Icamehereforthebodi
es
thatwerefoundatmyhouse, notf
orsomethingt
hat
happenedfewweeksago. "

"Oohreal
l
y,thenexpl
ainhowyourey
esarenow
brownbuttheyareal
waysbluei
neverypi
ctur
eyou
hav
etaken.
"

"
MrNxumal
odon'
tanswert
hat
,"shout
sMrWi
l
li
ams.

"
Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
oany
way
s."

"
MrNxumalowesawy ougoingt
oTorgoearl
ieri
n
t
hemorni
ng,whatwasyourbusi
nesst
her
e."asks
t
hel
awyer.Ooohshi
t.

"
Ummm canIhav
eper
missi
ont
ospeak,
"Iqui
ckl
y
j
umpi
n.

"
Per
missi
onsust
ained.
"repl
i
est
hej
udge.

"
Hewasescor
ti
ngmet ogobuyuuuum cont
act
l
ensesf
ormysist
er,
shei
sinthecr
owd."Isay.
"
Ohhr
eal
l
y,andwher
eist
hissi
ster
?"askst
hel
awy
er.

"Sheisri
ghtthere,weari
ngt heNi
kehoodie.
"Isay
point
ingatNoluwhor aisesherhand.Yesgir
l!
!!
!Nol
u
wearscontactlensesinsteadofgl
assessoIjust
tookthatt
omyadv antage.

"Woul
dyouwi
ndi
fIsai
dIwantt
odoacheckupon
her
?"

"Youwillnotbechecki
ngonany thi
ngMrMbat ha,
"
bell
owsMrWi l
li
ams."Asfarast hiscaseis
conserned,youhaveclear
lylostMrMbat habecause
youarenowbr ingi
ngupot herstufft
hathave
nothi
ngt odowi t
hMrNxumal o.
"statesMrWill
iams.

"
YourhonorcanIaskonemor
equest
ion.
"say
sMr
Mbat
ha.
"
Sust
ained.
"

"OkayMi ssMdl et
she,whyi sitt hatwhenev er
somet hinghappenst oyou, somet hingjusthasto
happen?Imean, wheny ouwer eshot ,
2menwent
missingandt herewer ebulletsthatmat chedthe
onest hatwer eony oui nthosemen' scar.Now, you
wereki dnappedandy ourhusbandwasbusyusi nga
fi
rear
m car el
essly.Cany oupl easet el
luswhyt here
i
sacoi ncidenceinthesecases. "asksMrMbat ha.I
l
ookatt heper sonwhof i
ledthiscompl aintandhei s
smili
ngwhi legazingatNkosi .It'
slikehei senj
oy i
ng
thi
s.

"I
..
..Idon'
tknow.Mustbeacoi
nci
denceIguess.
"I
saytohim.

"Ar
ey ousureitwasjustacoi
ncidence?Becauset
he
mediadoesn'tseem tobel
i
eveit
.Youar etheso
cal
ledproposalcoupl
earen'
tyou?"
"
Andsowhati
fwear
e?"bl
unt
lyasksNkosi
.

"
MrNxumal
o,pl
easekeepqui
etandl
etMrMbat
ha
f
ini
sh.
"

"Fi
nishmyf oot!
!Thandogetoutofther
ewear e
l
eaving."say sNkosiget
ti
ngoutofhischair.Mr
Will
i
amst ri
est ohol
dhim backbutherefuses.When
am juststandingsti
ll
,Nkosicomestomeandt akes
meoutoft hewi t
nessboxbutpoli
cemensur r
ound
us.

"I
srael
!!"yel
lsNkosi andhismencomesf locki
ngin.
Theytaseal ltheofficerssincetheyar eout
number edandl etmej ustsayNkosi i
sgi vi
nghimself
publi
cit
y .Hedoesn' twanti tbuthei sli
terall
ygivi
ngit
tohimsel f
.Wef inall
ygetoutbutt hepr essisnowon
tous,theyt akepictureswhi l
staskingmany
questi
onsandNkosi i
sbey ondpissed.Hest ops
whileonhi swayoutandpi cksuponeoft hepress
peoplewhoi saskingst upi
dquest ionsandi s
ext
remel
yshor
t.

"I
fanyofy oupubl i
shanyshi taboutme, Iwillmakei
t
mymi ssiont omakey ourli
feami sery.
"bellows
Nkosi andtheyalljuststoptakingpictur
esand
aski
ngquest i
ons.IlookatNkosi whoi sbey ond
angryandBr endonasksNkosi t
oputt hepoorguy
whoi saboutt ocrydown.Her oughlydropshi mto
thegroundandwal ksoutqui ckl
ywi t
husf ollowi
ng
him.Heget sintohiscarf oll
owedbymeandhe
dri
vesof fspeeding.Idarenott osayshitrightnow.I
j
ustsitandl ookoutt hewindowt henhesi ghs.Ifeel
hishandcr awlont opofmeandhesay s
"Youcanl eav emei fy ouwishto.Ireall
ydontwant
yougoingt hroughsuch, al
lbecauseofme.Ihav e
completelyhumi li
atedy ouinfr
ontoft hewhole
count
ry.Fi r
stitwasy oubeingshot ,l
osingourbaby
andnowt his.**
sigh* *am real
lysorryThando.Ican
dropyouof faty ourapar tment.
"Ilookathim ashe
saysallthisandhel ookssincere.Iholdhishand
whil
equi etthenIsay
"mylove,youdi dn'
thumi l
iateme, infacty ouhav e
shownt hewor ldhowmuchy oulov emeandhow
muchy oucanl iter
allydoany t
hingf orme.Iknow
youdontl i
ket hesoundoft hisbutt hewor l
dknows
thatyou,mybl ueeyedmancandoany thingf orthis
fi
anceofy our s."Iel
ev atehi shandt omyl ipsand
soflt
ykissit."Am notl eav ingy ouf orany thingmy
l
ov eandbesi des, i
t'
smyf aul ty ouar einthi smess.I
broughtBriani ntoyourl if
eandnowhei sr uiningit.
BeforeIcame, youwer eper f
ect l
yfine.Youwi t
hy our
oldpeoplecl othes,glasses, capandwr ackedcar .
"I
saylaughing.Hesmi l
esatmeasIcont inuet alki
ng.
"andnowt hatIhav ecomei ntoy ourlif
e, Ihav e
rui
nedal l
that .Ihaver uinedy ourpr i
vatelifeal linthe
nameofy ouwant i
ngt opr ot ectme. "Isayl ooki ng
down.Nkosi stopst hecar , parksitont hesi deoft he
roadandmakesmel ookathi m.

"Don'
teverspeakl i
kethateveragain.Thi
swasn'
t
yourfaul
tmyl oveanditneverwi l
l
.Am doingal
lthi
s
becauseIdon'twantyourlif
etobet hr
eat
enedand
honestl
y,Idon'tcar
eifIgopublic.AslongasIhave
youi
nmyli
feandasl
ongasIcanpr
otecty
ou,
thenI
don'
tmi
ndgoi
ngpubl
i
c."say
sNkosi
.
Hemov
escl
osert
omeandper
ksmyl
i
ps.

"Iwoul dkil
lforyouThandoandkeept hatinmind.I
l
ov eyouThando, Ireal
lydoandIwi ll
neverstop.You
hearme? "Inodmyheady eswithasmi lethenoutof
nowher e,thismotherfuckersayst hedumbestshi t
ever,ruini
ngt hi
sbeaut i
f ul
lov
elymomentbysay i
ng
"butsincey ouhav eagreednott oleave,t
hatmeans
ourdeal i
sstil
lonright.".Imovehi shandf r
om my
handsandhef ondlesitupmyt high.Iquickl
yclose
myl egsandsay

"
Yousai
dthi
sev
eni
ng,
it'
sst
il
lmor
ningnow.
"

"Well
Iwantyouinthemor ni
ngandIwillhaveyou.
"
hesayssti
l
lsmirki
ng."WatchhowIwil
l destr
oyyou
oncewegetintoourroom."hewhi
spers,givi
ngme
goosebumps.Hetakeshishandback,
leav i
ngme
wi
thwil
dthought
sandt
henmyphoner
ings.I
t'
smy
mother
.

"
Ma.
"Isayanswer
ing.

"
Mychil
d,whati
sgoi
ngon?
"sheaskssoundi
ng
wor
ri
ed.

"
Not
hingma.Am f
ine.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
Sonowy ouhavegotthecour
agetoli
etomeheh?
Whywasn'tIt
oldaboutt
hiski
dnappi
ngThando?
"

"Becausema, Ididn'
twantt
ostressy
ouf
ornothi
ng.
Am absolut
elyfinema.Nkosisavedmej
usti
ntime.
"
Isay.

"
Idon'
tcar
eifhesav
edy
ou!Youwer
esupposedt
o
tel
lmeThando.Am y ourmother,am notsupposed
tobet ol
dbyot herpeoplet
owat cheNCAonl ytosee
yousitti
nginthatwitnessbox!Mychildyouare
every
wher e,y
ouandNkosi ar
elit
eral
lythetal
know!
Andy ouaretell
ingmeam st r
essingfornothi
ng?!"

"Macalm down.I
treal
lywasn'
tanyt
hingseri
ous.I
t'
s
j
ustthatNkosi
'smenwer eki
ll
edasthekidnapper
s
brokei
ntohishousebutam fi
nenow."

"
Am comi
ngt
her
e."shesay
s.

"
May
oudon'
thav
eto.
"

"Idon'
tneedy
ourpermi
ssi
on,
mybabyi
sint
roubl
e
andIhavetobether
ewit
hher.
"

"Ma,am noti
ntr
oubl
e.Nkosisav
edmeandheis
her
ewithme.Hewon'tletany
thi
nghappent
ome.
Youjustrestanddon'tthi
nkaboutthi
ssit
uati
on.
"I
say.Mymot hersighsandsays,"
Givethephonet
o
Nkosi.
"Igivethephonet oNkosiwhotal
kstomy
motherfor3mi nutes.Hegiv
esthephonebackto
meandIsaymygoodby estomymom.

Wef i
nall
ygethomeaf terdri
vingfor2andahal f
hoursandam exhaust ed.Ijustwanttoeatandget
i
ntobed, Idon'tcaret hatit'
sst i
l
lmorningbecauseI
hadtowakeupear ly.Istepoutoft hecarassoonas
theother3car spar k,oneoft hem withBrendonand
Nolu.Tshidimusthav egonewi thJordan.Nkosi
walkstome, holdsmyhandandwebot hgetint
othe
houseonl ytof i
ndSi hl
eandRosedeepi nthe
moment .Iturnt oNkosi ashishandst ar
tsto
squeezemyhandandwhenhewant stochargeonto
thecoucht hatRoseandSi hleareon,Iholdhi
m back,
l
ookathi m andwhi sper" Whatifheisjustasinl
ove
asyouar ewi thmeNkosi ?Letthem be,l
etRose
makeherowndeci sions. "
"
Andwhati
fshei
smaki
ngami
stake?
"

"Mybrot
herneverhur
tswomen."Isaytohi
m.He
l
ooksatmewi t
hangerwrit
tenonhisfaceandI
pleadwi
thhi
m usingmyeyes.

"At
leastrespectt hef actt hatsomeonei sgoingto
comesi tthere."hesay soutl oud.ThankGod! !
!Rose
andSihlebr eakthei rkissandl ookatus.Rosest art
s
fi
xi
ngher selflookingdownasSi hlesit
sproperl
y.
Shestandsup, attempt ingt osaysomet hingbut
Nkosiwal kst othepassaget hatleadstoourroom.I
fol
lowhi m aftertalkingt oRose, l
eav i
ngthe2
l
ovebirds,wai tmaket hat4si nceBr endonandNolu
havejoinedt hem.

Iwalkint
otheroom andIheart
heshower.Iclose
thedoorbehi
ndme, takeof
fmyclothesandjoinmy
sexychocol
atehunk.Ihughimfr
om theback,
kissi
ngthehear
ttat
toohehasonhisback.Hehol ds
myhandsast hewaterdri
psonbothofus.
"
Doy
our
eal
l
ythi
nkSi
hlel
ovesher
?"heasks.

"
Sihl
ehasneverhadanydesir
eforanywomani nhi
s
l
if
e.Heonceevenvowedtostaysingle.
"Isayt
o
Nkosi
.Helet
soutaloudsighandItight
enthehug.

"Baby,Rosei singoodhandsnow.St opworry ing

abouther .
"Isayt ohim.Hesl owl yturnsaround,
faci
ngmynakedbody .Hepul lsmei ntoahugashi s
manhoodst artstogrow.Heki ssesmyf orehead,
mov esdownt omynoset henmyl ips.Ourkiss
becomessodeepasourt onguespenet r
atei nto
eachot her
,want ingtor uletheot her'
smout h.He
mov eshishandt omyassandpi cksmeup, pr essing
meagai nstt heshowerwi ndow.Hel etsgoofmyl ips
ashegoesdownwi ththewat erthat'sdr
ippingonus.
Hedelicatelynibblesonmyni pplesonebyoneand
carr
iesont ogodown, kissi
ngmyf l
atstomacht hen
hegoest ot hemostunexpect edpar t,mywound, the
samewoundt hatledtousl osingourunbor nbaby .
Helooksati tthenatmeandt hensay s"
Iwill alway s
l
ov ey oumyl ov e."thenhegi vesitaper k.Heslowl y
mov est omyt highst henmyweakness.Hebegi nsto
osculat emycl it
s, suckingthem asi ft
heyar ethe
bestt hingev erdownher eonear t
h.Hi stonguef li
ps
andt wi sts,getti
ngev erysingl
ecor neronmywi tness,
l
eav i
ngnost oneunt urned.Mymoansbecome
l
ouderandl ouderasIhol dont ohisheadwhi leit
twirl
st ot her hythm hei susingtosuckme.Suddenl y,
hiswar mt onguest artstopushi t
selfintome,
maki ngmescr eam outhi sname.Hi shotbr eath
blessesme, nothav i
nganymer cyonmet henthe
ti
mef inallycomeswher emybodycan' thandle
holdingi tinany mor e.

"
Babyam aboutt
o..
..
."

"Noty etmydear."saysNkosistopping.Hest ands

upt henroughlysmasheshi sl
i
psont omine."damnI
missedy ou!"hegroans.Hebeginst opushhimsel f
i
ntome, st
ruggli
ngtodosoatf irstthenhefinall
y
entersme, l
etti
ngoutagr oanofr el
i
ef .Heki
ssesmy
neck, starti
ngt omov eslowlyandext r
emel ydeep.
Godcr eatedanaest heticgodher e!!
!!Iputmyhands
aroundhi sneckbuthet akesthem t henhol dst hem
abov emyheadashesmashesr eall
ydeep.Our
glori
ouscr i
escont i
nueasweenj oyt hef eelingoft he
war m wat ersplashingonust hent hef i
nal cr i
es
fi
nallycomewhenwer eachthatpl acewher enoone
elseexi st
s,call
ingouteachot her 'snames.Webot h
fallt
ot hegr ound,tryi
ngt ocatchourbr eat het hen
fewmi nuteslater,wetakeourshowert henl eav ethe
bathroom, onlytosmashagai ninbed.Af t
erhav ing
thatamazi ngexperience,wej ustcuddl ei nbed,
forgettingaboutt hepastday st hathav ebeen
horri
ficev ersincewewentt oLehur utshe.Asam
aboutt odozeof f,t
hethingIwast hi
nkingofi nt he
carpopsupi nmyhead.Il ookupt oNkosi whoi s
j
ustl ookingatt heceili
ngt henIcal lhim.

"
Nkosi
?"

"
Yesmyqueen?
"
"Roseoncet oldmeast oryabouthowherl if
ewas
afterhermot herdi
edandhowherol derbr ot
her
mov edt oJoburgtof indaj ob.
"Isaylookingathim.
Hisf acetensesupbef oreIcouldfi
nishmy
statementbutIdon' tst optal
king."
Butforsome
reason,whenIaskedheraboutherf ather,she
blockedmeout .Sosi ncey ouareherbrother,y
ou
mustbet heolderonewhomov edhere,
what
happenedt oy ourfather ?
"Iask.

Hel
ooksatme,nowsi
tt
ingpr
oper
ly,
lyi
nghi
sback
ont
heheadboar
d.

"al
lam goingtosayi s,myf atherdi
edthedayhe
mar ri
edmymot her'sbestfriend.Aft
ermarryingher,
wasnev erther
ef orus.Infact,healwaysusedt o
curseus.That'
swhatmadememov ehere.Iwant ed
tofindajobsot hatIcouldt akemysibli
ngsand
mov ewi t
hthem sot hatwecoul dearnabetterli
fe"
hesay s.Ial
sositproperl
y,layingmyheadonhi s
chestandIsay
"
Ishest
il
lal
i
ve?
"

"
Idon'
tknowandIdon'
tcar
e."

"Lov
edon' tt
alkli
kethat.Heissti
ll
yourf
ather
.Am
pret
tysureher egr
etseverdoingwhathedidtoyou.
"
Isaytohim."Okaylove,howaboutwegoseehi m, I
mean, soonam goingtobeaNxumal oandwebot h
needhi sbl
essi
ng."Isaybutgivesmeawar ni
ngeye,
shutt
ingmeup.

"Wedon'tneedt hatman'sblessi
ng.Wecanl eave
wit
houtit.Ineverwanttotalkabouthim everagain,
okay?
"say sNkosi.Inodmyheadandj ustlayonhi s
chest
,li
steningtohisheartbeatthenhisphonerings.
Hegrabsi tf
rom thetabl
ebesi dethebed.

"
MrWi
l
li
ams,
"hesay
sanswer
ingt
hephone.
"
Don'tworryaboutthemedia,Idon'
tcar eanymor e.
Anddon'tworry
,thatst
upidpoli
ceofficerwillnever
fi
ndanythi
ngonme.Oohandmakesur ethatt he
j
ournal
istwhowr ot
ethatart
icl
egetsf i
redf r
om
wherev
erhewor ks.Good.
"thenhedr opst hecall.

"Babycallhi
m backandtell
himtoleavet he
j
ournali
stalone.Whati
fhehasaf amilythat'
s
dependingont hemoneythejour
nal
istisgetti
ng?
"I
saytohim.

"Idon'tcar
e, nextt
imehewil
ll
ear
ntomindhi
sown
businessnowst oppoki
ngy
ournosei
ntomy
business.Sleep..
..
..
..
.

"
Butl
ovet
hat
'shi
sjob.Bab.
..
..
.."

"
SleepThando!
!!
"
Ij
ustl
ookathim,hopinghewoul
djustl
i
stent
ome
butam wast
ingmytime.
"
Youaresounfai
rsomet
imes.Nx!
"Isayt
urni
ngt
o
t
heothersi
de.

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

Hiebabies.Am ext
remel ysorr
yforgoi
ngal lMiaon
youbutIhadnochoi ce.12June, t
hiswrit
erright
herewillbebacktopostingchapter
sli
keamani ac
j
ustli
ket heolddays j ustknowthatIr
eal l
ydon't
l
ikegoingMi aonyoubutgr ade12isforcingmet o.
Am tr
ulysorry.
Chapt
er33

NKOSI
'
SPOV

"
Youcanbesoself
ishsomet
imes.Nx!
"say
sThando
t
urni
ngt
heotherway.

"Ouch!!
"Isarcasti
cal
lysay.DoIcar et
hatam about
toruinthatstupi
djournal
ist'
sli
fe?NoIdon't.Am
getti
nghimf i
redforamat terof3mont hsjustt
o
teachhim alessonthenaf t
erthat,
Iwil
lfi
ndhi ma
j
ob.Am notsobadaf terallnowam I.
..
..
..
..
.Smiley
face.
...
..
..
Iwrapmyar msaroundThandobutshethrowsthem
offherbutIputt
hem backar
oundher.Shetri
esto
removethem agai
nbutthen.
..

"Removethem onemor eti

meandIwi l
lfuckyou
hardf
rom theback,
"Iwhisperi
nherear,pressi
ng
myhardselfonhernakedbigass.If
eelherbody
t
enseupt
hensher
emov
esmyar
msagai
n.

"Ohhhokay ,"Isayr
aisi
ngherl
egatt
empti
ngtoenter
my selfi
ntoherbutsheslapsmeandrunsoutofbed,
headsf orthebathr
oom thenl
ockst
hedoorasher
gigglesgetloud.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
lgety
ou!
!!
"

"
Voetsek!
!Andy
ounotget
ti
ngt
hispussyunt
ily
ou
l
ett
hatmanbe!!
!"

"MxaaaaathenIguessIwi
l
ljusthavetostartr
ely
ing
onmast ur
bati
ngbecauset
hatain'
thappening!
"I
shoutback.

"
Fucky
ou!
!!
"
"LanguageThando!
"andj
ustt
opi
ssmeof
fshe
start
ssingi
ng.

"Fuckyou,fuckyou,fucky ou,
fucky ou,fuck
youuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
!!
!Didy ouhearthat
Nkosi!!
!?
incaseyoudi dn'
tIsaidfucky ou!!
!!
!"
somet i
mesIwonderwhyGodmadehermymat ch.I
taketheblanketandasam aboutt oputi tovermy
head,myphoner ings.It'
sSbu,aaaahJeez.

"Yesbaf
o?"

"
Checkt
henewsnow!"hesayspant
ing.I
shecal
l
ing
mewhil
efucki
ngsomeone?

"
Andt
hen?
"

"
Justcheckthenewsnowbafo!
"hesay
st hendrops
t
hecall
.Thissonofadit
chi
ssodisr
espectful
yhooo.
Somet i
mesIwonderhowhemanagedt okeephi
s
dicktohimsel
fwhenhewaswithThando.Oohwait
,
that'
scozheknewthatIwoul
dchopoffhisdi
ck,
stupi
dme. .
..
..
..
..
.

Ireachfortheremoteandturnont henewsand
guesswhoi sont henews,t
hatfuckingmischi
evous
stepbrotherofmine.Whatthefuckhashedone
now? ?Ii
ncreasethevolumeandlistenat
tenti
vel
y.

"4menwer efoundwi thneurocaineand

met hamphetami neatacl ubinBenoni andthese
men' sagesrangef rom 23t o26.Theywi l
lbe
appear i
ngincour tont he24thofAugustwhi chi
sin
8day s.Howev erthepol icehavef oundoutt hatone
ofthemenhasbeenr ecognizedasNxumal oandthe
questionthati
snowgoi ngaroundi s,cant hisman
berelatedtoMrNxumal owhoappear edincourt
today?Ifheis,theni tseemst heNxumal ofamil
y
musthav et
roubler unningthrought heirblood.
Mov
ingont
oot
hernews,
thepol
i
cehav
ebeen
searchingforourdearpot ential blueey edman, Mr
Nxumal owhom disrespectedt hecour ttodayaf t
er
hisfi
ancewho' snamewest il
l don' tknowwasasked
aboutt heLehurut
shei ncident.Pol iceof f
icer,Mr
Mahl anguwhochar gedacaseonMrNxumal osays
thattheywillf
indMrNxumal onomat terwhatand
hewi llbeputbehi
ndbar sfordi srespect i
ngt hejudge
aswel lasthecourt.Ar ewardhasal sobeenl ai
dout
forany onewhomi ghtknowabouthi swher eabouts.
"sayssomenewscast er.

"Fuck!
!!
!!!
"Icurseoutloud.Fuckthatfucki
ngpol i
ce
offi
cer
!!
!!JustbecuaseMrJoneswasmyGodf ather
,
i
tdoesntmeanhehast omakemyl i
fesodi f
fi
cult!"I
bell
owt henthebathroom doorunlocksandatt he
samet i
me, myphoner i
ngs.It
'sMrWi l
li
ams.Thando
stepsoutoft hebathr
oom, looki
ngatmewor ri
ed.
Sheshrugshershoul dersbutIjusti
gnoreherand
answert hephone.

"
MrNxumal
odoy
ouseewhaty
ouhav
edonenow!
"
hey
ell
s.

"Iwasdoingitformyf i
anceyousonofabi t
ch!Ihad
togetheroutoft her
eokay!!
!Icoul
dn'
tjustl
etthat
foolofapoli
ceof fi
cerandl
awy err
oastmyThando. "
Irespondgett
ingoutofbed,throwi
ngtheblankets.

"
Andyoucoul
dhavedonethatwi
thoutbreakingt
he
l
aw!Nowyouaref
orcedt
ot ur
nyoursel
fin."hesays.

"Nevergoingt
ohappen.Theycanmi
ssmewi
tht
hat
bull
shit
."

"MrNxumal oIwil
l getyououtinamat terofhour
sif
youtur
ny oursel
fin.Ifyoudoturnyourselfi
nand
apol
ogisethecasemi ghtbeexcused.
"

"
Fuckno!Am notgoi
ngtod..
..
."andbef
oreIcoul
d
f
ini
shmystat
ement ,
Thandograbsmyphoneand
st
art
stot
alkt
oMrWi
l
li
ams.

"Yest
hisi
sThando,
whatdoy
ouwanthi
mtodo?
"
sheasks.
Il
ookatherwi
thawar
ningey
ebutshewal
ksaway
.

"
Ooohokayt
henbuti
sn'
tthatt
oor
isky
?
OooohIgety ou.don'
twor ry
, hewillturnhimsel fby
theendoft oday.Okaybuty ouhav etopr omiset hat
hewi l
lgetoutasaporel sehewi l
lkillt
hebot hofus
andIwi l
lki
llyouaf t
erwards."saysThando.Il ookat
her, wonderingwhot hefuckshet hinksshei s.Does
sher eall
ythinkthatIwilltur
nmy selfinjustbecause
shesai dso?That '
sbull
.Shei ssupposedt obe
tel
lingMrWi ll
iamsnottoev enmaket hatanopt ion,
I
mean, whot hehellwantsherspouset obeinj ail
?
Thiswomani sinsaneforsur e.Sheendst hecall,
givesmemyphonet hensmi les.

"
Youar
ever
ymuchi
nsanei
fyout
hinkam goi
ngt
o
dothatshi
t,nxa."Isayt
oherstandi
ngup.Ineedt
o
gobailMkhi
zeoutbef oret
hatpoli
ceof
fi
cerasks
hi
m anyquestions.

"
Youar
egoi
ngt
otur
nyour
sel
fNkosi
."say
sThando.

"I
nyourdreams.
"Irepl
yputt
ingonapumabl
ueshi
rt
andshort
swithNikeshoes.

"Nkosiam notaskingyouam tel

li
ngyou."sher epl
i
es.
Ichucklewhil
el ooki
ngatherwonderi
ngwhatshe
mustbet hi
nking.Itakemycarkey sf
rom the
dressi
ngtableandasam aboutt oheadout ,she
pull
smebacki ntotheroom,makingmef all
.

"
Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thy
ouwoman!
!!
"

"Nowli
stent
omeandli
stentomever
ycl
ear
ly,
am
notgoi
ngtohav
eMyfuckingmanbeont
hewanted
l
istforsuchaf uckingst upidthi ng,soy ougety our
assup, waitformei nt hecarandwewi ll
got othe
poli
cest at
ionsot haty out urny ourselfin.Mr
Will
i
amshasal readyt oldy out hathewi llt
akey ou
outbyev eningsocany ouj ustst opbei nganuthead
anddowhaty ourlawy erhast ol dy out odo! "says
Thandost andingbet weenmyl egs, pointi
ngher
fi
ngeratme.Herey eshav eahoodedl ookandher
l
ipsarenar rowedwi t
hherv einspoppi ngout .She
tur
nsawayf rom me, goi ngt ogetdr essedandwel l
am justlayi
ngont hef loor ,notknowi ngwhet herI
shouldmov eornot .Shej ustr emi ndsmeofhowmy
mom al waysusedt oshoutatmeandhowscar yshe
was.IrememberhowIoncepeedmypant sjust
becauseofmymot her'sl ook.....
.

Sheget
sdr
essedint
othedr
essshewaswear
ing
wit
hpumpsthenshewal
ksmyway.

"Getupandlet'
sgo."shesays.Shewal
ksoutofthe
doorasIstandup,sti
llast
oni
shedbytheThandoI
j
ustmet
.If
eel
li
keIdon'
tknowheratal
l
.

Whenweentertheli
vingr
oom, webumpi nt
oSi hle
whosebagsar
epackedbuthei skissi
ngmysist er
.
OoooohGodhowIwi shIcoul
djustthrowhim outof
thewi
ndowforkissi
ngmysisterbutri
ghtnow,that
shoul
dbethel
eastofmywor r
ies.

"
Budi,whereareyougoi
ng?"asksThando,
i
nter
rupti
ngtheirmoment.Aghhh.

"Am l
eavi
ng.Am goi
ngt obest ay
ingaty
our
apart
ment .
"repl
i
esSihl
e.IlookatRoseandIcan
seeherbloodshotr
edey es.Shemusthavebeen
cry
ingbecauseofSi
hleleaving.

"
Ooohokay, wel
luuum iwil
lhav
et ogogett hekey
s
f
rom thi
sotherfr
iendofminesojuststayhereandI
wil
lbebackbefore15:
00."sher
epliesSihl
e.She
t
henturnstomeandsi gnal
sformet ofoll
owher
wit
hherey es.Ifoll
owhert othecarandIcal loneof
myguar ds,heistheonewhowi llgoint obail
Mkhize.Weal lgetint
othecaranddr iveofftothe
pol
icestati
on.Ikeeponr emember i
ngwhatThando
di
dint hehouseandhowmuchsher eall
ylookedlike
mymom.Igazeathernowr elaxedfaceandshest i
l
l
l
ookslikemymom, evenwhenshei sn'tangry.God,
whattypeofsoacer yisthis.
..
..
..
..

Wef i
nall
ygettothepol
icest
ati
onandIinstructt
he
guardIcamewi t
htogobailMkhizeoutbuthedidn'
t
walkwithus.Hewentinfi
rst
.Thandolooksatme
wait
ingforananswer.

"
Iwi
ll
tell
youl
ater
.Comel
et'
sgogetmei
njai
l
."Isay
t
oher.

"
Don'
tsayi
tli
ket
hatNkosi
."

"
Butt
hat
sexact
lywhat
'sgoi
ngt
ohappenr
ight
?"
"Aghy out hough.Youar egoingt obeoutt odayso
stopact ingl i
keyouwi l
lbei ntheref orweeks. "says
Thandor oll
ingherey es.Webot hgetoutoft hecar
andheadi nt othepol i
cest ati
on.Assoonaswe
enter,wef indMrMahl angust andi ngbyt he
receptiont alki
ngt othepol iceof f
icerbehi ndt he
reception.Thandol ooksatme, si
gnal i
ngf ormet o
got ohim becauseam j uststandi ng, glar i
ngatt hi
s
pieceofshi tinfr
ontofme.Wat chhowIwi llmake
hislif
ehel laf t
erthis.Itakebabyst epst ohi m and
whenIgett ohim Iclearmyt hroatt ogethi s
attenti
on.Het urnst omet henthatev il smi lef or
ms
onhi slips.IknowIcan' tsmi l
ebutt hi
sni ggaher e
can'tsmi leforshit!!
!!Histeethar ecov eredi n
tobaccoandhi sscenti sjustdomi nat edbyni coti
ne.
Tobaccoandci garettes?Unheal t
hymot her f
ucker .

"HauMrNxumal o,
"hesay slooki
ngatmesmil
ing
buthissmil
ejustchangesinasecond."
Arr
esthim.
"
heshoutsand2pol i
ceoffi
cersrusht
ome,putti
ng
handcuff
sonme.
"Wel
lIcamet ot ur
nmy selfinany
waysandi ncase
youdon'tknowy ourjob,handcuffsar
ef orpeople
whotrytoresistyourorder sMrPOLICEOFFI CER!"I
say,
emphasi zi
ngont hel astpart
.Hefrownsatme,
ashisJawsbecomet i
ghter.

"Puthimintheholdingcel
l
."heshoutswalki
ngaway.
Thandowal kstomeandsay stothepoli
ceoffi
cer
s
toalsoarr
esthersinceshewaspartofthecrime
thattookpl
aceatthecourtandtheseidi
ots
handcuffhertoo.

"Heyi
!!
!!Takethosethi
ngsoffher!
!!!Shedidn'
tdo
anyt
hing,sheislyi
ngtoy ouguys!
!!Didyourbosstel
l
youtoar r
estherhuh!!
!?
"Ibell
owtr yi
ngtoprevent
them f
rom putti
ngthehandcuffsonher.

"Nkosir
elax,
"say
sThando."Iwanttobeinher
ewit
h
yousothatyouknowy ouaren'
tal
onenowcalm
down."sheconti
nues.Thi
swomansur el
yisst
upi
d.
"
HayiThando!Iwantyout
ogohomeandwaitfor
methereyouhear?Nowtel
lthem y
ouwer
en'
tpar
tof
i
t.
"

"Evenifshedi d,
wewoul dn'
tcare,wesawwhat
happenint hatcourtandshei sv er
ymuch
responsibl
ef ori
tjustasmuchasy ouar
e."saysone
ofthepol i
ce.Iglar
eathi m wit
hashar peye,then
chargeforhim andsi nceIcan'tusemyhands, Iki
ck
himr i
ghtintheface,leavinghi
m wi thabl
eeding
nose.

"Nkosi
!!
!!
!!"shout
sThando.

"Youfool!
!!
!Nowam goi
ngt
ochar
gey
ouf
or
harassi
ngamanofthelaw.
"

"Andam goingt
owalkoutofthi
sjai
ldespit
ey our
stupi
dchargesandj
ustwaitandseewhatIwi l
ldoto
youforput
tingmywif
einthosecuff
sofy ours.
"Isay
angr
yashel
l
.

Hedr agsThandotothefemal
eholdingcell
whil
e
shejustkeepsonsteal
inggl
ancesatme, smil
i
ng
withaf ai
ntsmil
e.Shel
owlysays."
Iloveyou,
"and
blowsaki ss.

It
snow16: 00andwear estil
lhere,Ihav entseenMr
Will
iamsatal l
,j
ustt hepresswhokeeponwal kingin
andout ,t
akingpi ct
uresofmeandThando.They
thi
nkIcan'tseebutIv er
ymuchcan.MrMahl angu
hasbeent ryi
ngt oruinmymoodbuthedoesn' t
knowwhathei sdoi ngforhimself.Ri
ghtnow, Idon't
careifhehaski ds,awi f
eorwhat .Iwi ll
surelyr uin
himf orhumili
atingmyThandoandIl ikethis.I
wouldn'thavehadabi gproblem i
fThandowasn' t
behindthebarsbutnow, hewi l
lsurelymeetwhathe
hasbeenbeggi ngf or.

MrWill
i
amsfi
nal
lyshowsupat8pm buthei
stur
ned
away
.Hetr
iest
otalksomesensei
ntoMrMahlangu
butthismani sn'
tli
steningatal l.Iguesswewi l
lbe
spendingtheni ghtinher e.Isi tont hef loor
,hidi
ng
myf aceinmypal ms, thinkingofhowl onelyandcol d
Thandomustbe.Justt hismor ning,wehadeach
other,makingl oveandmaki ngeachot herwarm
thenallofasudden, wear eher e, separatedandcol d.
Isthi
showmuchwemustgot hroughj usttobe
together
?Am sur eitisn't.
..
...Ev ersinceThandohas
beenwi t
hme, i
t'
sbeennot hingbutpai nf orher,how
IwishIcoul djustbeacommonerr ightnow.HowI
wishmypar entsnev ergav ebi rtht othisblueey ed,
shorttemper edman.HowIwi shInev ermet
Thando...
..Sigh

*
***
***
***
*

THANDO'
SPOV.

Soit
's22:00andwear esti
l
lint
hesefreaki
shlycold
hol
dingcell
s.Am col
dandam hungry.Wellnotthat
wasn'tgi
venfoodbutthi
sfoodist
otall
ydisgusti
ng.I
can'
tev enlookati
t.IwonderhowmadNkosi must
be..
..Hewi l
lkil
lmebecauseam t heonewhof orced
himt ocomeher eanyways.ButIonlydiditbecause
Iwanthi m offt
hecri
minalrecordsbecausejusttr
y
toimaginey ourmanbeingont hewantedlist
..
..
..

Iturntothetinywindowwhi chi sallowingalitt

lebit
onmoonl i
ghtinandIjustkneel.Iknowt hisi
swr ong
ofmeasaChr i
sti
antoj ustprayt oGodwhenam i n
troublebutIneedhim now.Isaymyshor tpr
ayer
thenendi tandasam st il
lkneeling,oneoft he
femal epoli
ceoffi
cersshout s"Don'twor r
ymyl ief
ie,
youwi ll
beoutofher esoon.Justhol don."Iturnto
l
ookatherandshei sashor twhi t
ey ounglady.She
i
ssi tt
ingonachai r
,holdingabl anket.Igivehera
faintsmileandshesmi lesbackatme.

"Sur
gentMahlanguisjusttr
yingtofeedhisstupi
d
egobyarrest
ingyourmanbutmaj ori
tyofthepeopl
e
outther
eareactual
lyangrywi thhi
mf ordoingt
his.
"
sheconti
nuesasshet hrowst hebl
anketatme.
"Thankyou.
"Isaytoherinalowshaki
ngvoi
ce."But
thenift
hemajori
tyisangrywit
hhi
m, t
henwhyishe
carry
ingonwit
hthisplan?"

"LikeIsaid,hewant st ofeedhisego.Iper sonal l

y
woul ddoany thi
ngt ot akeyououtofher ebutIcan' t
.
Tobehonest ,am act uall
yinspi
redbyy outwo.Il ove
howy ourmancoul dl it
erall
ydoany t
hingfory ou.
Event houghy oumi ghtt r
ytodenyi t
,Iknowhei sthe
blueey edmanwhoki dnappedt hosemenbecauseI
coincidentall
ywasatt hescenewheni thappened.I
j
ustdi dn'tsayanythingbecauseIt houghtitwas
somet hingthathadt odowi thblackmagi c."she
whi sperslaughi
ngandIj oinher.

"
Real
l
y?Andwhatmadey
out
hinkt
hat
?"

"Justi
maginessei
ngamanpopoutofnowhereata
speedthati
ssuperabnor
mal,t
henacaracci
dent
takespl
aceandhedrags2peopleoutoft
hecarand
tomakemat ter
sevenbet
ter
,heisbl
ueeyedandhe
i
sbl
ack.Noof
fense.
"shesay
s.

"Nontaken.Honestl
y,Iwoul
dalsothinkthatbutam
sorr
ytodisappointy
ou.Mymani sn'ttheblueeyed
man."Isaytoher.Am notaboutt
ot ellawhole
str
angeraboutmyman.Shei sniceandal lbutaI
am notspil
li
ngthebeans.

"
Ooohplease,Idi
dsayy ouweregoingtodenyitbut
i
t'
sokay.I
tsourli
tt
lesecret
."shewhisper
swinking.
Oooookay
..
..
.

"Anyways,don'tworry
,ev enifyourlawy erdoesn't
succeedinletti
ngyouout ,youwi ll
ber eleased.
Thereareacoupl eofpeopl ewhoar eplanningon
comingher etomorrowmor ningtohelpy ougetout .
Thankstot heloveyou2hav eforeachot her.
"she
saysstandingup.Shel eavesmysi ghtandt henam
l
eftaloneinthedarkwi ththoughtsi nmyhead.Our
l
ov ei
nspiredpeople?Wow. .
..
...
..
Asam aboutt osleep,Ihearcommot i
onatthe
recepti
onandt henagunshot .Icov
ermy sel
fwit
h
theblankett
henal lofasudden2f emalesare
thrownintot
hecel l
.

"
Mot
herf
ucki
ngi
diot
s!"

"Tshi
di!
?"Isayremov ingt
hebl
anketoffme.She
l
ooksatmet henrushestome,taki
ngmei nt
oahug
andsodoesNol u.These2weret ot
all
ytheones
causi
ngt hecommot ion.

"
Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?"Isayi
nshock.

"Wellwesawy ouont henewsandwedeci dedto

comej oiny ousincewer eal
izedt hatyouweregoi
ng
togetoutany ti
mesoon.Wel l okay,wecamet oget
yououtbutt hatoff
icerwit
ht hetobaccoteeth
wouldn'tletusbailyouout !
"say sNolu.
"
Ncaaawt
hanky
ouguy
s."Isayt
othem.

"
Okayenoughwi
ththat
,whot hef
uckgavey
ou2t
he
i
deatotur
nyour
sel
vesin"asksTshi
di.

"
Idi
d."Ir
eply.Theybot
hlookatmeasi
fam dumb
t
henthelect
urecomes.

"Thandoareyoustupi
d?Whothefuckdoesthat
?
Whywoul dyoueventhi
nkofsuch"andbl
ahblah
blahblahbl
ah.Iam j
ustgoi
ngtoblockt
hem out
unti
ltheyar
edone.

"
areyoudonenow?Thankyou.Wetur
nedoursel
ves
i
nbecauseitwastheonl
ywaytogett
hepol
iceoff
Nkosi
'
sback."Isayt
othem.

"ButThando,
youshoul
dhavespokentousthough.
EvenbhudiSi
hle,
KhayaandZi
phoaren'
thappywith
thischoi
ceofyours.Sihl
e,JordanandBrendonar
e
i
nt hecellwi
thNkosiandZi phoandKhayaarefl
yi
ng
backhere.Mom iscomi ngherebecauseshesaw
youont henews.
"say sTshidi.
"Ooohandsome
chickcall
edNeri
sacalledandsaidshewi l
lcometo
tryandhelpyoutogetout..
..."

"Am sorr
yfornottell
ingyouguysbutIdi
dn'
tthi
nki
t
wouldbeabi gdeal.Andbesides,
MrWi l
l
iamswas
supposedtohavegot tenusoutbynowbutIguess
hefail
ed."Ir
eplyshruggingmyshoulder
s.

"
Wow!Thatal
lam goi
ngt
osay
."say
sNol
u.

"EversinceyouandNkosi startedthisrel
ationshi
p,
i
t'sbeennot hingbutdi
sasterafterdisast
eraf t
er
disast
er .Maybetheuniver
seist ryi
ngt ot
ell y
ou
somet hingThandobecauset hisisabsolutelynot
normal atall
."saysNol
ushaki ngherhead.
"Nolu,am notinarel
ati
onshi
pwithacommonman
okay.AndIl ovehi
m despi
teever
ythingthat'
s
happeningaaaand,nonofiti
shisfault.I
t'
sallBr
ian'
s
doing.Heist heonewhohasdonet his.

"Tr
ueandnowIwishwehadkil
ledhim ort
olddad
abouthi
m."say
sTshi
di.Weal
lsiti
nsil
enceunti
lwe
fal
lasl
eep.

"
Thandooo,
myl i
tt
lepri
ncess.Hol
dontohim no
matt
erwhat,
uyangizwa.
"saysafi
antv
oice.

"
Papa,
wher
ear
eyou?
"

"Papawant syoutof or
givehimf orwhathedi d.He
didntknowmychi ld.Butnev erforsakehim.Beby
hissideunti
lyoubot hleavethewor ld.Lov ehim and
onlyhim.Hewi l
lprotectyouagai nstalloddsandhe
willbether
ewi t
hy oudur i
ngev erytri
al.Makepapa
happyandl ovehim."continuesthef ai
ntv oice.
"
Papa,
whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"

"Papalovesyoumygi r
landjustknowthathewil
lbe
yourprot
ector.Ihav
eblessedyou2andIhav e
forgi
venhim.Papalovesyou,papalov
esy ou"
echoesthevoice.

"
Papa!Papacomeback!Papa!
"

Am wokenupbyashakeandi t'
sTshidi."
sleepnicel
y
man, weareal
sotryingtosleep."shesays.Ijust
turnt
otheothersideandIst ar
tr ememberingmy
dream.Whowaspapat alki
ngabout ?wasitNkosi?
Andwhyi spapaforgiv
inghim? ?

*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er34

"
Soar
eyouser
iousl
ygi
vinguponheraf
terr
iski
ng
y
ourl
i
fet
hewayy oudi
d?"

"
YesIam.
"

"
Theny
ousayy
oudi
dn'
twast
eourt
ime.Nx!
"

"Ihavegivenuponherbutam notgi v
ingupon
Nkosi.Am sti
llgoingt obr
eakthem up.SinceIcan'
t
kil
lthatsonofabi tch,Iwi
llj
usthavetouseThando
asmywayofget t
ingmyr evenge.Nkosiclear
lyl
oves
Thandoandhecl earlywon'
tbeabletosur vi
ve
withouther."

"
Andhowwi
l
lyoudot
hat
?"
"Am st
il
lgoi
ngtousehi
ssecret
.That'
smorethan
enoughtodosomethi
ngtothei
rrel
ati
onshi
p."

"
Wellokayt hen.
"Jayden,Baca,
Mussali
neandIjust
r
elaxi
nt helivi
ngroom,talki
ngbusi
nessunt
iloneof
myassistantswalksin.

"Si
r,someonewant
stotalkt
oyouont
hephone.He
saysit'
sver
yimpor
tant
."

"
Whoi
sit
?"

"
Her
efusedt
otel
lmehi
sname.
"sher
epl
i
es.

"Okay ,
am comi ng.Gentl
emen,Iwil
l bebackinfive.
"
Isayst andingup, fol
l
owingmyassi stanttomy
upstairsoffice.Am backinMexicoandwel l
,my
feel
ingsf orThandoar egone.Ifeelabsolutel
y
nothingforhernow, notevenhatr
ed.Am j ust
,Idon'
t
know.ButNkosi,mandoIsti
ll
hatehi
m.Ifi
twasn't
fort
hetrackeronmytoot
h,Icoul
dbedeadright
now.
If
inal
l
ygettomyst
udyandanswert
hephonewhi
ch
wasonhold.

"
Yes?
"

"
AaaaahMrMohlakoane!Howar
eyou?
"say
sadeep
mal
ev oi
ceont
heot hersi
de.

"
Whoar
eyouandwhatdoy
ouwant
?"Isay
.

"
Hmm okay,Iseeyouareonestrai
ghtfor
wardman.
Anyway
s,Ij
ustwantedtosay,Iwanttodobusi
ness
wit
hyouandnotjustanybusi
ness.
"

"
Andwhatbusi
nessi
sthi
s?""
Iquest
ion,
qui
te
i
nter
est
edi
nhisrepl
y.
"MrMohlakoane,mynamei sMrVil
akaziandI
bel
iev
ewehav esomethi
ngincommon.Iwantust o
for
m apartner
shipandwell,wor
konthisthingwe
havei
ncommon.MrNxumal o.
"hesays,soundi
ng
l
ikehehasasmi rkonhisface.

"
Am l
i
steni
ng.
..
..
..
..
."

*
***
***
***
***
***
*

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"Pl
easedon'tki
ll
me, Ihaveafami
lytot
akecar
eof
andmychildrenaresti
lly
oung.Pl
ease,
letmego
chi
ld.
"

"Shutupoldman!!Am notlet
ti
ngy ougookay.And
youshouldhavethoughtaboutyourfami
lybefor
e
betray
ingboss.
"
"
Mysonpl ease,Iknowy ouhaveaconsci
enceand
i
t'
stel
li
ngy ounottodoi t.I
magi
nesomeonekil
li
ng
y
ourfathermyson. "hesaid.

"Ha,ifmyf atherwast ogetkil

ledbysomeone, I
wouldactuallyappr eci
atethat
, y
ouwantt oknow
why ?BecauseIhat ehi m.Nowdoy ouhaveanylast
wordsbef orey outakey ourl
astbreat
h."Isai
dtohim
sit
ti
ngont hebedwhi l
eheslowlystart
edtobecome
shortofbreat h,t
iedtothewoodenchai r.

"
Ifor
giv
eyou,
"andt
hosewer
ehi
slastwor
ds.

"
Nkosi
!!
!!Manwakeup!
"say
sav
oice.

"
Huh,
what
!"Isaysi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
.Ir
ubmyey
es.

"
Youwer
eki
cki
ngmeman!
"say
sSi
hle.
"
Ooohsor
ry.
"Isayt
ohi
m.Whatt
imei
sit
?"

"Wel
lal
lIcansayisi
t'
snowmor
ning.
"say
sJor
dan
l
eani
ngagainstt
hewall
.

"Ooohandwhatisthatdeaf
eningnoise?
"Isay
coveri
ngmyears.Ther
eareloudnoisesofwhat
soundsli
kepeopl
eshouti
ngout si
deandit'
sirr
it
ati
ng
met othemax.I
tmustbeast r
ikeorsomething.

"wedon'
tknowbutit
'sbeengoi
ngonf orl
ongnow.
That
'sact
uall
ywhatwokemeup. "say
sBrendon.

"
Whatev
eri
tis,
it'
sgott
ost
o..
..
."

"Nkosi
?!Ooohwhathappenedmychi
l
dren,
whyare
youhere?"say
saladyvoi
ce.Wel
ookupandit
's
Thando'smother
.
"
Ma!Whatar
eyoudo.
."

"IsawyouandThandoonthenews!Whatisgoi
ng
onhereandwhyareyouinher
e??"shesay
slooki
ng
atSihl
e.

"Weweretr
yingtogetthese2outbutt
hingsgotout
ofhand.
"hesaysstandingup.

"
Andwher
eismybaby
?"

"Sheisint heot
hercel
l.
"saysSihl
e.Shequi
cklyr
uns
totheot hersi
deandIfeelsoashamedofmy sel
f.
Am notev enherhusbandyetandam alr
eadygett
ing
herarrested.Si
gh.

"
Wellgett
hem of
fthi
spr
oper
ty!
!!
!"shout
samal
e
v
oice.
"Wehavetr
iedbuttheyarenotmovi
ng.Theyhav
e
beenher
efor3hour snowandtheyaresti
l
l
demandi
ngt hei
rrel
ease.
"saysanot
hervoi
ce.

"Rel
easet hedogsthen,ort
hrowt eargasatt
hem,I
don'tknow..
..Just
..
.Justgetthem offt
hispr
oper
ty.
"
bell
owst hevoiceagai
n.

"
Sirwecan'tdothat
,thesepeopl
earen'
tusi
ngany
f
orm ofvi
olencesowecan'tuseviol
enceagai
nst
t
hem.Itsveryri
sky.
"

"
DoIl
ookl
i
keIcar
e?"

"Okay,wewi l
l doasy ousay."say
st heothervoi
ce.
Wehearf ootst epscomingclosertoourcellandhe
appears,hisfacef i
l
ledwithanger.Hestaresatme
forthelongestandIsmi le.
"Wel
lgoodmorni
ngMr,seemsl
ikesomeonei
s
havi
ngater
ri
blemorni
nghey.
"Isaybei
ngsar
cast
ic.

"Bafo,y
oucanev enseet heveinsthrobbi
ngont he
l
eftsideofhishead,check!"saysSihlepoint
ingat
MrMahl angu'
sleftsi
de.Webot hl
ightlyl
aughand
Jordansays,

"Guy s,
doesn'
tthi
smanl ookli
kesquidwardfr
om
spongebob?Theonewhowasal waysgrumpy.Just
checkt henoseguys.I
phungalakheli
bukeka
njengamasende."weallbur
stint
olaughter
,some
hitt
ingthefl
oorandsomecl appi
nghands.

"Nginamaqinisongemuv akokuzalwakwakhe,
abazangebadi ngekengishonokufunangoba
i
phungal iqi
nisekisil
eukuthil
iwumf ana(am pretty
sureafterhi
sbi r
th,t
heydidn'
tev enhavetosear ch
formuchsi ncet henoseconfir
medi tal
l)"blur
tsout
Brendonandwear ealldead,eventhepoliceofficer
whowasguar dingus.
"
Shutupal
lofy
ou!
"bel
l
owsMrMahl
angu.

"Becar ef
ulMrsendenose,ifyouopenyourbig
mout hway ytoomuch,youmi ghtendupmistakenl
y
bit
ingy ourpri
vate.
"say
sSihle.Arewenotdeadwi t
h
l
aught er??
?..
..
..
..
.

"
Iwi
l
lchar
geal
lofy
ouf
ori
nsul
ti
ngapol
i
ceof
fi
cial
!"

"andwewi l
lchar
gey ouf orindecentexposur
e.You
can'
tbewalkingaroundwi thy ourpri
vatepar
tout
ther
e,worseonyourf ace!!
!!
"Isayt r
yingtost
op
l
aughingbutIcan'
t.Weal l
can' t
.

"
You!Stoplaughing!
"heshoutspointi
ngattheguy
whowasguar dingus.Wefinal
lygatherour
sel
ves
t
ogetherandit'
sdeadsil
ent.

"
Arey
oudonewi
thy
ourj
okesnow?
"
"Yeswearebutpl
easehideyourpr
ivat
e,i
t'
sreal
l
y
notni
cetolookat
."say
sJordan.

"HeyiwenaAKAboy,uzof
alapha(youwil
ldi
eher
e.)
keepont al
ki
ngshi
tandyouwillsee.
"saysMr
Mahlangu.

"
Youwi
shIwoul
d."r
epl
i
esJor
dan.

"Nx!Ij
ustcametoinformyouguysthatthi
sli
tt
le
crowdyoubroughtherewon'
tgetyououtofjai
l.So
sendthem backhomeorelsetheywil
ljoi
nyou."he
says.

"Peopl
e?whatpeople?Andhowthefuckdoy outhi
nk
wecall
edt hem her
e?Wehav ebeeni
ny ourcust
ody
sincey
esterdayyouidi
ot.
"Isayt
ohim.

"
Wat
chy
ourmout
hMrNxumal
o."
"AndwhyshouldI?Am t
ell
i
ngy ouabasi
cf actMr
Mahlangu.See,
someti
mesy ouactsostupid.Ir
eal
ly
wonderhowy oubecamewhaty ouar
etoday .
"Isay
shaki
ngmyhead.
Helooksatme,at
tempti
ngt
osaysomethi
ngbut
oneofhiscol
l
eaguescomesrushi
ngi
nand
whisper
ssomethi
nginhi
sear.

"
Fuck!
!Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?!"

"Yousaidweshoul
dandwedi
d."r
epl
i
est
he
coll
eague.

"
Ooohgeez.
"hesay
sunderhi
sbr
eat
h,wal
ki
ngaway
r
eal
lyf
ast.

"Whatupwi t
hhim?"saysJordan.Weall
shrugour
shoul
dersandjustkeepqui
etforamomentt henall
ofasudden,KhayaandZipho'svoi
cesstar
tshout
ing
fr
om therecept
ion.
"
Ify
oukeepondi
srespect
ingmyorder
swewill
put
y
ouinj
aill
i
keal
ltheother
s!"say
samalev
oice.

"Ooohplease,tel
lem somethi
ngIdon'
tknow.Ifyou
keeponbl ocki
ngmyway ,
youwil
lfi
ndyoursel
fin
yourgravein0.2secondssogetoutofmyway !!
!!
"
shoutsav oi
ce.

"
Sirpl
ease!
!!
"

"
Agh.Fuckoffmaaan.
"thenther
etheyar
e,Si
hle'
s
l
ookali
kes,
looki
ngmadasf uck.

"
Tooky
oul
ongenought
ogether
e."say
sSi
hle.

"Oohshutupyou.I
t'
sfucki
ng10:
30int
hemor ni
ng.
"
saysZi
pho.MrMahlangucomesbackrunni
ngand
l
ooksatZiphoandKhaya.
"Youmencan'
tcomei
nhereanddoasyoupl
ease
sopleasel
eav
ethi
sar
ea!
"hedemands.

"Yeayouwishwewoul
d.Whydon' tyougodealwi
th
youdearcr
owdwhichisi
njured.Imean,y
oualmost
kil
ledt
hem nowdi
dn'
tyou?"saysKhaya.

"Thiswouldn'thavehappenedi fyouhadl ef
tNkosi
alonehey."saysZiphounderhi sbr eath."nowl ookat
thedramay ouar ecausingfory ourself.Yourdr ama
i
sev enwor sethanNkosi '
s.
"MrMahl angul ooksat
ZiphoandKhay aannoyedashel l
andMrWi l
l
iams
walksinjustont i
me.Wel lthi
sisonecr azy
mor ni
ng.
...
..
..
..

"MrMahlangu,am heret
ogetmycl ientoutofhere.
"
saysMrWi l
li
ams.MrMahl angulooksatMrWi ll
i
ams
whoisholdi
ngaf i
leinhi
sr i
ghthand.

"
Am sor
rybutIcantl
ett
hathappen,
thecour
t
i
nst
ruct
edmenott
oal
l
owhi
m bai
l
."

"Andwhatcour tisthatbecauseIspoket ot hejudge

yesterdayandshesai dshewi l
lbeexcusingt his
casesi nceMrNxumal oturnedhimsel fi
n."saysMr
Willi
ams." I
twasy ourjobt oinf
ormt hejudget hathe
turnedhimselfinbuty oudidn't
.Yout oldthejudge
thaty oufoundhim atsomebarandt hentomake
mat tersworse,youtookt hemoneyt hatwason
rewar d,
"saysMrWi ll
iams.MrMahl angulooksatMr
Willi
amsconf usedashel l.Well
,well,well
,well,
guesswhatMrMahl angu, youhavejustmessedwi t
h
thewr onglawyerandcl i
ent .

"MrWill
iamswhyar
eyouplaci
ngt hesef
alse
all
egat
ionsonamanofthelaw?!"shout
sMr
Mahlangu.

"Oohpl
easeoff
icer
,let
'snotpl
aydumbher e.You
knowexact
lywhatam tal
kingabout.Thejudgeis
awareofwhatyouaredoingandletmej ustinf
orm
y
ounow,
yourj
obi
satr
isk.
"say
sMrWi
l
li
ams.

"
Waitaminut
e,ist
hatwhyt
hedeput
ycommi
ssi
oner
i
sonhisway?"hesay
s.

"
That
'sexact
lyt
her
eason.
"say
sMrWi
l
li
amssmi
l
ing.
"Soitwouldreallyhelpifyouj
ustrel
easedmycl i
ent
alongwithhi
sf ami l
ymember s.OohandIwoul d
suggestyoucleanupt hemessy oudidout
side,t
he
protest
ersdon'tlooksohappy .
"conti
nuesMr
Wi l
l
iams.MrMahl angulooksatMrWi l
li
amswi t
hso
muchangeri nhi seyes.Heshouldn'
thavetr
iedto
startawarwithme.Nowi twi
ll
surel
yendwi t
hhim
beggingformer cy.

Thepoli
ceof f
icerwhowasguar di
ngusopenst he
cel
lforusandaswegetout ,Ifeelsomeone'swei
ght
onme.Hergl ori
ousscentcov ersmynoseasshe
wrapsherlegsandarmsar oundme.Ihugherback
whil
ethankingMrWi l
li
ams.Her eal
lydeser
vesevery
centIgi
vehi
m.

"Imissedy
oubaby !
!"saysThandolooki
ngatme.I
fai
ntlysmi
leatherandkissherfor
ehead."
Imissed
youtoomyl ov
e.Comel et'
sgo"Isaytoher
,holdi
ng
herhand.

Il
ookathermot
herwhol
ooksver
ydisappoi
nted
andIl
ookdown.If
eel
soashamedforthi
s.Si
gh.

"
Iwil
lj
oinyouguysatyourhouse.Ineedtogoget
t
hesepaperssi
gned.
"saysMrWi ll
iams.
Inodmyheadandhel
eav
es.

"Youpeoplehavealotofexpl
aini
ngt
odowhenwe
gettoyourhouse.
"saysThando'smom poi
nti
ngat
us.

"
Aloootofexpl
anat
ion.
"cont
inuesKhay
alooki
ngat
me.Hiseyesaretr
yingt opi
ercethr
oughmebutthey
can'
t.Theonl
yeyest hatcandothatar
eThando'
s
mom.
Asweexitthepol
i
cestati
on,webumpintosome
middl
eagedmanwhost artst
olookatThando'
s
motherasshewalksaway.

"Watchi toldman, "say sZipho, lookingatt heol d

man.Themanchuckl esandj ustwal ksint othe
stat
ion.Thi splacei ssopackedi tsnotev enaj oke.
Therear epeopl eshout ingatt hepol icetry i
ngt ohold
them backandt herei sanambul ancewi thsomeone
i
nside.Thepr essi sal sohere.Dot hesepeopl eever
getmissedbyany thing.Atthemomentt hatthese
peopleseeus, shout sofcelebr ationst arttoecho.
Noof f
ensebutdi dt hesepeopl eser iouslywakeup
earl
yint hemor ningj usttopr otestagai nstt his?I
mean, don'ttheyhav ejobsorsomet hing?Nott hat
am notgr ateful
, okayIr eal
lydon' tcar ebutt hey
real
lydidn'thav et odoal lt
his.Oneoft hepeopl ein
thecrowdshout s,"That '
sourpowercoupl eri
ght
ther
e!!
!!"andcheer sar eheard.Mostoft hepeopl e
hereseem l i
ket heyarebet weent heagesof18and
25..
.Flashesst arttoblindallofusaswewal ktothe
carsandt hisisn'ttheli
feIwant ed.Iwantedaflash
l
ight,dramaandpapar azzifr
eelif
ebutIguessBr ian,
MrMahl anguandt hoseJonesbr other
smanagedt o
rui
nmypl ans.Sigh.Ihol dont oThando'shand
ti
ghterunt i
lwegeti nt
oabl ackjeepanddr i
veoff.
Therestgeti ntot heothercarswhi chwereparked
andtheyf oll
owt hejeepwear ein.

Il
ookatThandoandshei
slooki
ngatmewi
tha
fr
own.

"
what
'swr
ong?
"sheasks.

"Nothi
ngmylov e.Am j
ustt
ir
ed.
"Isayt
oher
.She
carri
esontolookatmewi t
hthefr
ownandsay
s
"That'
snoti
t.
"

"
Stopwor
ryi
ngmyl
ove.Am f
ine.
"Isayt
oher
.
"Hey,
canyoupl
easet
urnofft
heradi
o,"Isayt
othe
dri
ver
.HedoessoandIj
ustcl
osemyey esasIfeel
Thando'
sheadl
ayonmyshoulder
.

*
***
***
***
**

THANDO'
SPOV.

"Okaysosomeonehast of i
rstexpl
aintomewhyy ou
stayi
naforestandsecondly,Ineedanexplanat
ion
forwhatyouall
justexperi
enced."saysmom
walki
ngupanddown.Whenev ermom star
tswalki
ng
upanddown, j
ustknowt hatsheismadasf uck.
IlookatTshi diandNoluwhoar ebothsitti
ngwith
theirnewmenandt heyarebot
hlookingdown.
Nkosi issi
tti
ngnextt omeandIcanl i
t er
all
yhearhis
hear tbeat
ingfast.Sihl
etookRosetot hedoctor
sinceshei sn'
tfeeli
ngv er
ywell
.Idon'
tknowwhy
becauseIcoul dhav echeckedonherbutIf eell
ike
Sihlejustwantedt orunawaywithRosenj e.Nkosi
wasn'tv
eryhappyaboutitbuthehadt ocooldown
becauseheisalr
eadyintrouble.Oohandam sti
l
lnot
surewhothehelli
sthemant hatissi
tt
ingwi
thZipho
andKhayabutwhoev erheis,Nkosiismadathim,
l
ikemadmad.

"Well
.Ma, wel
l,af
ewdaysagoIgotar r
est
edf or
carel
esslyusi
ngfi
rear
mst hen,
Iwentfort
ri
alwhere
theyaskedThandoabouttheLehur
utshei
ncident.
SoIkindoflostmyte.
..
..
."

"IknowthatNkosi
.WhatIwanttoknowi
showy
ou
endedinjai
lyest
erday
."shesay
s.

"
ItwasbecauseIdi
srespect
edt
hecour
t.
"say
sNkosi
.

"Andthebodiesthatwereatyourhouse?What
happenedwiththat?Andwhydidy ouchooset
his
areai
nsteadofgoingtostayatThando's
apart
ment."sheasks.Nkosil
ooksatmeandhe
doesn'tknowwhatt osay .Maknowsaboutthe
kidnappingbutam prett
ysurewhatshewant st
o
knowi swhyt heladi
esandIwer eki
dnapped.As
Nkosi i
saboutt ospeak,Ihol
dhishandandsignal
forhimt okeepquiet.

"Ma, i
tweresomemenwhower eaft
erNkosi's
moneysot heyusedusasamedi um togetthe
money .Sowhent heycamet oNkosi'shouse,they
kil
ledtheguardst hatwerethere.Aft
erNkosi
rescuedus, heknewt hatthosemenwer egoi ngto
comeaf terussohedeci dedtousethisplaceasa
hideout."Isaytoher ,
try
ingsohar dnottosell
my sel
fout .Motherlooksatmeandkeepsqui et.

"Mychil
d,y
ouareaterr
ibl
eliarandy ouknowthat,
nowt el
lmether
ealst
ory,notthisthi
ngyoujust
cookedup.
"shesay
s,angrlypointi
ngatme.

"Am notl
yi
ngma.That
'swhathappened.
"
"Thandoi
fyouwon'
ttel
lmet
het
rut
hthenshutup.
"
sheshout
s.

"
Butma,
it'
sthet
rut
h."

"
Thando!
!!
!!
"sheshout
s.Nkosi
shut
smeupandma
t
urnstoNkosi
.

"
Nkosi
,youbett
ernotl
i
etome.Tel
lmet
het
rut
h."
"
saysmother
.
WhenNkosi
isaboutt
oopenhi
smout
h,Ij
ustbl
urti
t
out
.

"I
twasBr i
anma, okay
.Hei stheonewhokidnapped
us."Nkosil
ooksatme, notsayi
nganyt
hingandmy
mom comest ome.

"
Bri
an?Whoi
sBr
ian.
"
"Bri
anMohlakoanema."Isaytoher.If
eel
ev ery
one's
eyesonmebutIt rysohardnottolett
hetearsout.
LikeIoncesai
d,mymot herdoesn'
tknowaboutt he
rape.Nonofustoldhernordadaboutanythi
ng.

"AndwhywouldhedothatThando?Thatboyl
oved
youashisownsist
ersoexpl
aintomewhyhewoul d
dosu..
..
..
"

"Herapedmema, okay.Heoncer apedme.Heonl y

wantedtotakemewi t
hhim becausehesay shestil
l
l
ovesme.Henev ersawmeasasi st
er."Isaytoher.
Icl
osemyey esast earsthr
eatentoleav emyey es
butIdon'
tall
owt hem.Am tir
edofcr yingbecauseof
Bri
an.TodayisthedayIf i
nal
lyfreemy selffr
om that
.
Inolongerwanttocrywhenev erIthi
nkabouti t.

Ifeelacoldf emalefregr
antedhandr aisemyfaceas
onemanl yhandsqueezesmyhand.Il ookint
omy
mot her'
shazel nuteyesasherf aceisbeyondword
explainat
ion.Everyoneistheroom isjustl
ooki
ng
downbecauset
heyknowi
t'
sgoi
ngt
obet
hem soon.

"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?"

"maIwasr apedbyBr i
anbeforehedi sappeared.I
ne...
..
"andbeforeIcoul
dfini
sh,Ifel
tasl aponmy
faceandmyf acewassuddenl yonNkosi 'sthi
ghs.I
closemyey esforasecondandsomeoner oughly
pullsmeupagai nandIfeelanotherslap.

"Matherei
snoneedf
ort
his,
pleasest
opsl
appi
ng
Tha.
..
."

"ShutupNkosi!
!!
"sheshouts.Okaythiswasn'twhatI
expectedatal
l
.Ithoughtshewouldunderstandbut
nop,hereIam bei
ngslappedbythiswoman' spainf
ul
hand.Assheisabouttoslapmeagai n,Nkosiholds
herhandasZiphoandKhay acomet akeheraway
from me.Tshi
diandNoluarejustsit
ti
ngsil
ent l
y
l
ookingdown.
"Whydi dn'tyoutell
meThando! !!
!?Huh?Am Inot
yourmot her!
!!Whywouldy ouhi desuchf r
om
me? ?? ?
!IknowIwasnev eryourf avoriteparentbut
didy ouhav etohidesuchf r
om me! !
!"sheshout s.I
feeltearsfall
ingdownasherwor dspi ercethr
ough
me.Il ookatherandshei ssit
ingont hef l
oorcrying.
Thisi sthesecondt i
meam ev erseei nghercr yright
afterhercr y
ingatdad'sf
uner al.IguessIr eall
yhur t
her.Nkosi rubsmycheekashewi pest hetearsfrom
mycheeks.

"Am sorr
yma.I,Ijustf
eltdir
tyatt
hatt
ime.Idi
dn'
t
knowhowt otel
lyou* snif
fsnif
f*I
,Idi
dn'
twantto
hurtyouanddad."Isaytoher.

"Thandoam yourparent,youweresupposedtot el
l
mer egardl
essofithur
tingme!!"shewhinesout.She
snif
fswhi l
ewipi
ngthetear sof
fherfaceandlooks
atmybr other
sandsisters.

"
Didy
ouknowany
thi
ngaboutt
his?
"shesay
s
scanningt
hei
rfaces.Al
loft
hem l
ookdownandthe
l
oudestcrycomesoutofhermouth,
alongwi
tha
scream.

"OoooohMpongo, Lal el
alokhoabant wanabakho
abakushoy o( l
i
stentowhaty ourchi l
drenaresaying)"
shecr i
esout ."Whyar eyoudoingt hi
st oyourpoor
oldmot herhuh!Whathav edonet oy ouforyou
childr
entojustnegl ectyourfatherandIlike
this?"
shecriesout.Asshest andsup, mybrothers
trytohelphert ostandupbutsher efusesandcal l
s
toNkosi .

"myson, comeshowmear oom Icanuset olay

down.Ineedt odigestthi
s."shesays.Nkosihel
ps
hertostandupandl eavest hel
ivi
ngroom withher
andit'
sfil
ledwit
hsi l
ence.JordanandBrendonbot h
excusethemselvesandt heguyIstil
ldon'
tknow, j
ust
sit
sthere,qui
et.

"
Iwi
l
lgomakebr
eakf
astf
ory
'al
l
.Am sur
eyoumust
behungr
y."hef
inal
l
ysay
s.

"
No,
wear
efi
ne.
"say
sKhay
acov
eri
nghi
sface.

"Iwil
lj
ustmakesomet hi
ng,justi
ncase.
"hesays.He
standsupandjustdi
sappearsintot
hekit
chen.
Khaya,Zi
pho,Tshi
diandNol uall
cometomeand
grouphugmeasIcr ymyl ungsout.

"Don'twor
ryangel,
shewil
lforgi
veyousooneror
l
ater.Andyoudidgoodbyfinall
ytel
l
ingher
.Atl
east
sheknowsnow. "saysZi
pho.

*
***
***
***
***

NKOSI
'
SPOV

"
MacanIpl
easesaysomet
hing?
"
"I
fit
'saboutThandot
henbett
ernot.
"sher
eplies
snif
fi
ngasshesi t
sonthebedint
heroom Ihave
giv
enher.

"ma, canyouatleastli
stentowhatIhavet
osay,
please."Isayt
oher ,
sitt
ingonthecouchnextt
othe
bed.

"
Am l
i
steni
ng.
"shesay
ssni
ff
ing.

"Ma,youshouldn'
thav
ehi
tThandot
hewayy oudi
d,
shejustdi
dn'
tknowhowtotel
lyouaboutt
he
sit
uati
onatthatti
me.May
beshewasscaredto
te.
..
."

"Pleaseleave.Iwouldl
iketobealonenow."shesays
i
nter rupt
ingme.Istandupf r
om thecouchandleave
ther oom, l
eavi
nghercryi
ngandsni f
fi
ng.I
fthat
brokehert othisext
ent,i
maginehowmuchi twould
breakheri fshefoundoutthatIki
ll
edherhusband.I
can'
t,Idon'
tseemysel
fdoingthatany
timesoon.
Shewi l
lhat
emealongwiththewholefamil
y.Si
gh.
..
Lordhelpme.

Iwalkbacktotheli
vingroom andIfindevery
one
si
tt
ingwithThandowhoi sjustcr
y i
ng.Iwalktot
hem
andclearmythroat
,boththebrotherslookatme
andKhay aj
ustspri
ngsup.

"You!Whatki ndofmanar eyouhuh?Whatmanl et

s
hiswomansl eepinacell
????Huh!"heshouts
walki
ngpoi ntingatme.Thenextthing,
am punched
i
nt hefaceandam bl eedi
ng.Itot
all
ydeservethat
.
ZiphoquicklyholdsKhayaasThandoshout sat
Khayaf orpunchingme.

"NoThando,hei
sright.Whatki ndofmanl etshi
s
womansleepinjai
l.Ishouldhav edonemor ethan
j
ustkickt
hatpol
iceofficeri
nt heface.Ishoul
dhav e
madesurethaty
ougothomeandnotendupi nthat
cel
l.Am v
erysor
rymyl ov e,
pleasedof orgi
veme. "I
saywipi
ngthebloodoff.Thandolooksatmeand
j
ustsays"Nkosi
itwasmychoi cetospendt
heni
ght
i
nthatcell
withyou.Youaren'ttobl
ame."

"Oohshutupy ou!Doy out hinki

twasnicehearing
mom cryov erthephonebecauseshehadseeny ou
onTV?I twasn'tThando!Youknowwhat !Youand
him,you2can'tbet ogether.Can'
tyouseethat?You
2arealwaysint r
oubleandi fnotintr
oublethenone
ofyouishurt.Theuniverseisclearl
ytel
l
ingy outo
breakup!!
!Stopthisri
diculousrel
ati
onshipofy ours!
Gosh!!
"shoutsKhay a.

"Khaya,ther
eisabsolutelynoneedforyout osay
thatokay.Justcalm down."saysZi
phoasKhay a
tri
estogetoutofhi sgri
p.May beKhayaisr i
ght.I
mean, whathesai di
sexact l
ywhat'
shappeni ng.Pl
us,
Ikil
ledthisf
amily'
sbelov edmember.It
'sclearthat
am theonewhoi sdestroyi
ngThondo'sli
fe.

"Thandowhenwi
l
lyouunder
standt
hat
!Hei
sn'
tthe
manf
ory
ou!
!!
"

"ShutupKhaya.Youarenotmaki
ngany
thi
ngbet
ter
here,
"shout
sNol ust
andi
ngup.

"St
ayoutofthi
sNolu,
am talki
ngandyouknowthat
Noonespeakswhentheelderbrot
her
sarespeaki
ng
soshutup.
"bell
owsKhaya.

"BhudiKhay
apleasest
optal
ki
ng,
"cri
esThando.I
l
ookatThandoasKhay ai
saboutt
osaysomet hi
ng
butIbeathi
m atit
.

"Hei srightThando.Eversincewehav ebeen

together ,i
t'
sbeennothingbutt r
oubleaftert
roubl
e
andi nmostcases, youar etheonewhoi smostly
affected.May be,maybeam j ustwrongforyou."I
saylooki ngdown.Ican'tfaceherrightnowbecause
i
fIdo, Iwon'tbeabletotellherthi
s."ThandoIlove
you, youmeant heworl
dt omeandy ouknowt hat
butIcan' tbeart
hisany mor e.Ican'
tbearyouf aci
ng
al
l t
histroubleallbecauseofme.What , si
gh,what
am tryi
ngt osayis,Ithinkweshoul dendt his.
"and
whenIsai dthat
,somet hinginmej ustfell
apart.
Somet hingthatwaskeepi ngmeal i
v ej
ustcrumbled
i
nme.I talmostfeltl
ike,Iwasst art
ingtolosemy
breathi
ngpace.

Il
ookupatThandoandsheisj
ustl
ooki
ngatmeas
i
fam t
hedumbestpersononear
th.

"NkosiIthinkyouneedtogosleepBr o.
"saysZi
pho.
Ilookathi mfor1secondthenlookbackatThando
whowal kingtowardsme.Shest andsinfr
ontofme,
stil
lwi
tht heexpressi
ononherf ace.

"Saythatagai
nandt hi
stime,sayi
twhi
l
styouar
e
l
ookingatme. "shesoft
lysay
s.Itr
ytol
ookheri
nthe
eyebutIcan't
.
"Thefactt hatyoucan' tlookmei ntheeyemeans
other
wi seNkosi .Don'tlistentot hebullshi
tbhudi
Khayaissay i
ng.Meandy ouar emeantt obe
toget
her .Thesear eall j
usttrialsmyl ovesostop
blamingy ourself
."shesay shol dingmycheek.Why
i
st hi
swomanl i
ket hi
s? shesomehowmanagest o
makemef eelweakandbeshor tofwordswhenever
Iwanttosaysomet hing.Shej ustmanagest otake
mybr eathawayev erysi ngle
Chapt
er35

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"Oneday,
youwillr
egretnotli
steningt
omeThando. "
saysKhayawal
kingaway .Hewal ksoutoft
hehouse
andthenacarenginestart
srunningandthesound
begi
nstofade.

"Dontli
stentoKhay a,hei sjustangry.Hewi llget
overitsoon.
"say sZiphosi tt
ingont hecouch.Ihol d
Thandoi nmyar ms, contempl at
ingonwhet herI
shouldjustt
ell
heraboutt hedeat hofherf atherbut
whatifit'
snottherightt i
me?Okay ,Iwil
lthinkabout
thi
ssomeot herdaybecauset hereisalotgoi ngon
ri
ghtnow.Ican'taddont ohersor rowsnorher
mother'ssor
rows.Il ookatmyThandoandki ssher
for
eheadandwi pehert ears.

"
Myl
ove,
Ijusthat
ebei
ngt
her
easony
ousuf
fer
."
"AndIhatebei
ngthereasonyourl
if
est
ylehas
changedbutam notconsi
deri
ngusnotbeing
toget
her.
"sherepl
iesme,lay
ingonmychest.

"Il
ovey
ou."webot
hsi
multaneousl
ysay.Wel
ookat
eachot
herandwebot
hlaugh.DamnIlovet
his
woman.

"Fi
nal
ly,t
hetensi
oni
sgone.
"shout
sNol
ucl
appi
ng
herhands.

Mkhizewal
ksint
otheli
vi
ngroom andassoonashe
seesme,hetur
nsbacktotheki
tchenent
rance.

"Heyiwena,youbettercomebackhereandexpl
ain
your
self!
"Ibellownowput t
ingmyarmsaround
Thando'sshoulder
s.Hestopsattheki
tchendoor
andslowlyturnstoourdir
ecti
onwit
haner v
ous
smil
eonhi sface.
"Bhudii
ii
,i
tsbeenal
ongt
imehey
!"hesay
swal
ki
ng
allgangster
.

"Pul
lupyourpant
sandst opwal ki
nglikethat
.Hold
upyourheadandswi ngyourarmspr operl
y.Youare
notathug.
"Isaytohim.Hest ops,doesas
i
nstr
uctedandwalkst omepr oper
ly.Thandolooks
atmeandIsignalforhertojustwait.

"Si
tdown!"Idemand.Hesi
tsdownandl
ooksdown
ashishandsfondl
e.

"Star
ttalki
ng."Isay.Iknowam adr ugl
ordandam
probablybeingahy pocrit
erightnowbutIcoul dcare
l
ess.Mkhi zeisnotsupposedt ohav edrugsinhi
s
possessionandcer tainl
ymustnotbedoi ngdrugs.
Thelastt i
mehest arteddoingdr ugs,Ibeathi
m up
sobadt hathehadt obehospi t
alized.WhydidIhit
him?BecauseIwant edhimt ot hi
nkoft hebeati
ng
hegotev eryti
mehet r
iedtododr ugsagai nandalso
becauseMrJonest aughtmeonet hingandhe
r
emi
ndedmeunt
ilhedi
ed.Hi
swor
dswer
eal
way
s

"Neverl
etyourlovedonesdothesedr
ugs.Nev
er!
Sell
them butneverlety
ourl
ovedonegetaddi
cted.
Becauseadrugi sli
keademon."

Thefir
stt i
mehet ol
dmet hat
,Ilookedathi m andI
askedhi m whyhesol dt hem tootherpeopl e'
slov ed
onesthenher epliedsay ing"becauseIhav eto
provi
def ormyf amily.That '
swhy ,andbesides, only
thefooli
shdot heset hingsbecauseev eryoneknows
verywellthatdr ugsar ewr ong."andthatwasv ery
mucht rue.Onlyt hefool i
shbuydr ugsy ettheyknow
theeffectsthatt hesethingshav eont hem andt hei
r
l
ives.

Mkhi
zecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatt
henheopenshi
smout
h.

"Myfri
end,
Liam wantedhel
pwi
thsel
l
ingdr
ugs
becauseheneededthemoneyt
opayoffhi
s
mot her'
shospi talbill
s.Soheaskedusf orhelp,at
fi
rstIrefusedandIof fer
edhi m moneybuthe
refusedtot akei tsay i
ngt hathedi dn'
twantt oowe
mesuchanamountofmoneybutIt ol
dhim hedi dn'
t
hav etopayi tbacky ethest il
lrefused.Iendedup
agreeingtosel l
ingt hedr ugswi thhim.Sosomeguy
agreedt obuyt hedr ugsf rom hi m andhesai dwe
shouldupwi thhi m atthecl ubwegotcaughtat .
Bhudi IswearIdon' ttakedr ugs,Iknowt hat'
swhat
youar ethinkingr i
ghtnowbutIr eall
ydon't.Please
believeme. "hesay sst il
llookingdown.

"
What
st hi
sperson'
sname?Theoney ouweregoi
ng
t
osel
lthedrugsto?
"Iaskhim nowputt
ingmyhands
i
nmypocket,st
andingi
nfr
ontofMkhize.

"
Idon'
tknowbaf
o."

"Am removi
ngyouf rom UJ.I
t'
sbet
teryougoto
anotheruni
ver
sit
y."Isaytohim.Helooksatmewi
th
disbel
ief
.
"
Butbaf
o..
"

"Don'
tquest
ionmydeci si
onboy .Youwi l
lfi
nishyour
masterssomewhereelse."Isaytohim.Het riest
o
saysomethingbutendsupkeepi ngquiet.Heknows
i
t'sbestt
ojustshutupthant r
ytofightwithme.It'
s
mymoneyt hat'
ssendinghimt oschool anyways.

"Okaybaf
o.Wil
lyoucomewithmetogeta
confir
mati
onl
ett
erfr
om theuni
ver
sit
ysot
hatIcan
transf
ert
oanewone? "

"
Youcangoal
onecanty
ou?
"

"
Icanbut
"

"Mkhi
zeyouaren'tal
it
tl
eboyany
mor e.Ican'
tkeep
ondoingt
hingsforyousogr
owup."Isayt ohi
m.
"Uuum um Iwil
lgowi
thy
ouifthatmakesyouf
eel
bett
er.
"hesit
antl
ysay
sThandosmili
ngatMkhi
ze.

"ButThandoheis24, hecangobyhi mself.

"Isayto
herbutshehast hateyethatt
ell
smet oshutthe
fuckup.Neverinmyl i
fedidIevert
hinkthatIwil
l
everbeinti
midatedbyawoman.

"Don'
tmi
ndthi
srudeassofabr
othery
ouhav
e.Iwi
l
l
gowithy
ou.
"sheconti
nues.

"
Ooohnononoma'am i
t'
sfi
ne.Iwi
ll
goonmyown.
I
t'
sfi
nedon'
twor
ry.
"say
sMkhize.

"No,Ii
nsistonit.Anddon'tcallmema' am.Rather
cal
l meThando."shesay ssmi li
ng.Whyi sshe
smili
ngathim.Il ookatMkhi zeandhei ssmili
ngtoo.
Haibo!!
!!
!Isthi
sasmi li
ngsessi onorsomet hi
ng??
No
onesmi l
esatmywomanl ikethat!
!!
!!
!
"Oohnicetomeety ouThando. "saysMkhizeashe
conti
nuessmili
ng,lookingatThandoasi fsheisan
angel.Iqui
ckl
yclearmyt hr
oatandstandinbetween
them sothatt
heycanst opthi
scrazyeyecontactof
thei
rsbecauseitsureismaki ngmybloodboil.

"
welli
fyoudon'tmind,Iwouldpersonal
lyl
i
keto
i
ntr
oducey outoeachother
."Isaytothem but
mostl
ylookingatMkhi
zewhoi salreadywishi
ngf
or
adeat
hbed.

"Thando,thisismybr other
,Mkhize.Mkhize,thi
sis
MYf iance,Thando.Shewi l
lbegettingmarriedtome
soon."Isayt ohim.ThemomentIsayt hat,hiseyes
popasher eali
zeswhymyf aceisthewayi tis,
am
mad, supermad, infactam beyondmad.

"Ooohreal
l
y!Mybrotherf
inal
l
yfoundhisqueen!Well
nicetomeety
ouMr sNxumalotobe."saysMkhize
standi
ngupandwalkingt
oThando.Hef or
cesherto
standupandgiv
esherahug.Asaman, i
t'
snatur
al
tobecomejeal
ousifyourwomanisint
hehandsof
another
,ev
enifi
t'
sy ourbr
other
,soy
eah,am j
eal
ous.

Ibringoutthegreatestcoughev er,
youknowt hat
cought hati
sjusttooloudt hatev enthepastorwill
j
ustt el
lyoutogoout sidewheny ouar einchurch?
That '
sthecoughIjustdidthere.Hequi ckl
ylet
sher
goandl ooksatmewi thasmi le.Ihearpeople
giggli
ng,onl
ytorealisethattherear eotherpeoplein
thisroom.

"Ooohsorr
yguys,If
orgott
oint
roduceyou."Isayt
o
Ziphoandthe2ladi
eswhoarejustgi
ggli
ng.

"Mkhi
ze,theseareThando'ssi
bli
ngs.Thati
sZipho,
Tshi
diandNol ut
hando.Theotheronewhowasher e
awhil
eagoi sKhay aandyousawt hemother"Isay
toMkhizeashej ustnods.

"
Sawubonabal
amubami
.(Gr
eet
ingsmyi
n-l
aws)
"he
say
stot
hem.

"Greeti
ngst oy outooml amuwami (myinlaw)say s
Ziphostandi ngupandshaki nghandswithMkhi ze.
Mkhi zeal
sogoest oTshi di
andNolutogr eetthem.I
reall
ydon'tr egr ettaki
nghi m awayfr
om those2
wickedpar ent s.Am act uall
yproudIdidthat
becausethi sboyr espect smel i
kehi
sownbr other
alt
houghhei sat roublemaker .Someti
meswhenI
mi ssmylittlebr otherwhopassedaway ,Ijust
consolemy selfbyt hi
nkingofMkhize.

"Baf
o,Imadebr
eakf
astj
usti
ncasey
ouar
ehungr
y."
hesaystome.

"Thankyoubutfine.Maybet
heot
her
sar
ehungr
y."I
saylooki
ngaroundtheroom.

"
Umm nothanks,
am good.Butt
hankyouv
ery
much.
"say
sZiphost
andingup.Hecomestomeand
says"
Baf
o,Ineedt
otakeanap.Am v
eryt
ir
edr
ight
now."

"oohokayBaf o.Youcanuset he6thr oom ony our

ri
ght.I thasawhi tedoor."Isayt ohim.Hegi vesme
abriefhugwhi l
epat t
ingmybackt henhel eav es.
Tshidi andNol ual soleaveandam l eftwithThando
andMkhi zewhoar ealr
eadycl icki
ng.Wel latleast
Mkhi zegott hemessageofnotmessi ngwi thmy
woman.AndThando, hertear saregone.Pheww,
ther
ei snot hingmor eIhatet hantear sonmy
woman.Theybr eakmei ntoagazi l
li
onpi eces.ButI
am ki ndofj eal ousthatanot hermani smaki ngher
smile, regardlessofhi m beingmybr other,wellstep
brot
her .Herphoner i
ngsandsheexcusesher sel
f,
passingmewi thasmi l
eonherf aceassheanswer s
thephone.

"HeyNeri
sa.Noam fi
nedon'
tworry
,Ijusthav
ea
cold.
"shesayswal
ki
ngtowardsourroom.
"Yousuregotawif
ether
ebafo.I
fIwasn'
tyour
brot
her,
Iwasgoingtost
ealherf
rom y
ou."say
s
Mkhize.

"Youshouldbethanki
ngGodt hatwearerelat
ed
becauseIwouldhavekil
ledyouifyoutr
iedanythi
ng
funny.
"Isaytohim.Helet'
soutachuckleashe
fondl
ewithhishands.Hedoest hatal
ot,i
t'
sli
kehis
hobby.

"Anyway
s,whenar
eyougoi
ngt
opayl
obol
a?"he
asks.

"Westi
l
lhaven'
tdiscussedthatbutIwanttopayas
soonaspossi
ble.Idon'twanttowait
."Ir
eplysi
tt
ing
down.

"Sodoesthatmeany
ouar
egoi
ngt
ogobackhome?
"
heasks.
"
No,
"Ir
epl
y.

"
Butbaf
oyounee.
..
."

"
Idon'
tneedhi
sbl
essi
ngorany
thi
ng.I
'
llbef
ine.
"

"
butbaf
oyouhav
etodoi
t.I
t'
sourcul
tur
e."

"
thenfuckcult
urebecauseam notgoingbackther
e."
Mkhizelooksatmethenlet
'soutaloudsigh.

"
Baf
o,y
ouwi
l
lhav
etof
orgi
vehi
m soonerorl
ater
."

"
that
snev
ergoi
ngt
ohappen.
"

"Okaythenwhowill
gowit
hyouforthe
negoti
ati
onz?
"asksMkhi
zetr
yingtoprov
eapoi
nt.
OkaythatIdi
dn'
tthi
nkof
.
"Iwil
laskDrMthemba'shusbandtohel
pmeout
.
Bothheranherhusbandhavebeenmoreli
kemy
grandpar
entsanyways.

"Butyoust
il
lneeddad'
sblessi
ng.Youmightdenyi
t
butyouneedthem Nkosi
."say
sMkhizeashestands
upandleaves.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***

2weeksl
ater
***
*

It
'sbeentheeewor st2weeksev er
.WhydoIsayso?
WellbeforeThando'smot heral
ongwi t
hNol uand
Tshidil
eft
,hermom hadamassi vefi
ghtwi th
Thandoandt heyhav en'
tspokeneversince.Khaya
andZiphol ef
tbutKhay ai
sont omef orsome
reason,hereall
ydoesn'tl
ikemebutf uckhim.
ThandoandIar ealway sfi
ghti
ngandIdon' teven
knowwhy .Iendedupl eavingMkhi
zeatUJ.
SoIgotmypr evi
oushouse, burnt,alongwi ththe
war ehouse, i
nf actIjustburntal loftheshel terst hat
Briancanev erexpectmeorThandot obe.Al though
Thandodi dn'tli
ket hi
sidea, Imadeherr esignf rom
herj obbecauseBr ianmi ghtt r
ytocomei ncont act
withherv iaherwor kplaceWel etthesaf ehouse
sinceBr i
ani sn'taroundany mor ebutIhav emyt abs
onhi m.Iknowev erysinglet hi
ngt hat'
shappeni ng
withhi m becauseIdon' twantt omi ssany thing.But
thereisonet hingbuggi ngme, t
her eissomeper son
hehasbeencont acti
ngandIcan' tseem t ohacki nto
theircall
s.Br endonhasbeent ryi
ngt odosomet hi ng
abouti tbutthesecur i
ty..
..
.Buthehasn' tgivenup.

Sosinceam famousnow, am ev erywhereandnow

am nomor eMrpot enti
alblueey eswhi chisar eli
ef,
ThandoandIar enowknownast hepower couplebut
goodpartisnonoft hejournali
stsar edaringtowr i
te
anyt
hingaboutmenorThando.Why ?Becauset hey
areafr
aidthatI
'l
lputthem outofbusi ness.Some
mightnotbeli
evemebutIhol dal otofpower.For
example,wit
hmydear estoffi
cerMr Mahlangu,Igot
himf ramedf orsellingdrugsandev er ythi
ngwasj ust
againsthi m.Tomakemat terswor se, Iboughtt hat
l
ittl
elawy erofhiswhom Ial socr ushedaf t
erusi ng
him.MrMahl anguappar ent l
ycommi ttedsui cide
becausehewasaf raidthatev erysi ngl ecri
mi nalhe
putinj ailwasgoi ngt okillhim.Hi sl awy er,wel lheis
currentlyf aci
ngal otofchar gesagai nsthim.I
dischar gedSchevf rom thehospi tal andIhi redhi s
ownper sonaldoctort olookaf t
erhi mi nthecomf ort
ofhisownhome.Idon' twanthi mt hinkingt hatI
abandonedhi m becauseIhav en't,hei sst i
lloneof
myf av or i
teempl oyees.It'sSundayt odayandam
goingt ochur chwi thThando.Imadeapr omi set o
Godt hati fhest oppedBr ainfrom t el l
ingThandot he
secret,Iwoul dgot ochur chsoam notbr eaki ngthat
promi seandt heot herreasoni sbecauseThando
saidshewon' tl
eav emehomeal oneonaSunday ,
event houghIwasn' tgoingt obehome.Iwas
planningongoi ngt ocheckonmybusi nesses, it'
s
beenl ongev ersinceIlastcheckedt hem.

"
Nkosi
hur
ry,
theser
vicewi
l
lst
arti
n30mi
nuet
s,"she
shout
sfr
om t
hebedr
oom whi
l
stam i
nthebat
hroom

"Thandocany oucalm down.Am brushingmyt eeth.

Yhooo!!!Women..
..Butwhenevertheyar en'ti
na
hurryt
heyt ake3hourstogetready,Mina? ?(me? ?
")
i
t'sonlybeen1mi nut
eandam bei ngrushed. "I
mumbl e.

"
Whatdi
dy ouj
ustsay?
"saysThandopeepingint
o
t
hebat
hroom wi
thhereyessqui
nt.Ooohshit
.

"Ummm nothi
ngmylove,
Ijustsai
dam coming.
That
'sal
l
."Isaysmi
li
ngather.Whythehel
ldoesshe
scar
emesomuch! !

"Hmmm y oubet terhave.Nowqui ck,wehav et

ogo."
shesay scheckingherselfoutont hebat hr
oom
mi r
ror
.Ifi
nishbr ushi
ngmyt eet
handmyey esjust
getgluedtoherhi ghness.Herblackdr essisti
ght
from t
hewai stgoingupwar ds,designedwi t
hlace
thatcovershercl eav agewhi lstthedr essi sloose
goingdownwar ds,endi ngexact l
yatherknees.At
thebacki sagol dzi ppert hatrunsf rom thet opto
thebot t
om oft hedr essandIswearam t empt edt o
openi tri
ghtnow.Onet hingam notcomf or t
ablewi t
h
i
shercl eavagebei ngv i
sible,thisl
acei sn'tcovering
anythingatall.Iwal ktohercl oset ,l
ookf orabl ack
blazerwhichwoul dmat chwi thherdr essandIf i
ndit.
Gotit!
!Iwal kbackt othebat hr oom andputi tont op
ofhershoul derswhi lstshei sst i
llcheckingher self
out.Who' sbeingsl ownow? ?

Shelooksatmev
iat
hemi
rr
orandIl
ookbackather
wit
hasmi l
e.

"Thi
swi
l
llookni
cewi
tht
hedr
ess.Weari
t.
"Isayt
o
her.

"Noitwon'
t.Am fi
neli
kethi
s,i
t'
shotanyway
s."she
repli
eswal
kingbacktother
oom.Ifoll
owherand
standinf
rontofher.
"Butbaby
,Iwantyout
oweari
t,pl
easedoi
tforme.
"I
saytoher,sul
ki
ng.

"WellNkosi,
youdon'tal
waysgetwhatyouwantnow
doy ou.
"sherepl
iesgett
ingherdar
kbluebagwit
ha
Voni twhichmatchesherbluepumps.Sheput
sthe
blazeronthebedwhiletur
ningtome.

"
butbabypl
ease!
!!
!"Isayt
oherget
ti
ngt
hebl
azer
.

"Nkosiam f i
neliket hi
s."sher epl ieswalkingout.
Ooooohokay ,Iwillgeti tony ousomehow.Wewal k
outofthehouseandgeti nt
ot hecar .Myguar dsget
i
ntot heothercar .Theyar egoingwi thusbutt hey
won'tbest andingnearusl i
kei nt hemov i
eswher e
guardsjuststandandl ookall ser i
ous.Iprefermy
guardsnotbei ngnot i
cedatal l.Theywi l
lgetintothe
churchli
kenor mal peopl eandsi twheretheywant
butalsolookoutf oranydanger .Iputtheblazerat
thebackandThandol ooksati tandhuf fswhile
fol
dingherar ms.Sheknowsam goi ngtoputi ton
heronewayort heot her.Thando' schur chisn'tthat
farfr
om wher ewest aynowsowegett her
ei nless
than10mi nutes.Wegetoutoft hecarandmakeour
wayi nt
ot hechur ch.Luckilyithasn' tstart
ed.Weget
i
ntot hechur ch,takeourseat swhi l
emymenal so
fi
ndapl acet osi twhichisnotsof arf r
om us.The
churchfinall
yst artsafter15mi nutesofsi t
tingand
forci
ngThandot oweart hebl azerwhi chshedoes
butsheisangr yatme.Asl ongasnoonecansee
mycl eavagewhi chismypr oper t
y,am f i
ne.

Chur chi sfi

nallyoverandIj ustwantt osay, bl
ack
pastor slovemoney .Allthi
spast orhasbeen
preachi ngishowpeopl eshoul dpayt hei
rti
thesand
givemoneyt othepast orfordoingsuchaj oband
beingchosenbyGod.I ft hisi
showchur chis,then
mayt hel or
df orgi
vemebutam nev ercomi ngback.
Evenal l mymenwer ejustlaughingthroughoutt he
serviceandsomewer eev enfall
ingasleep.That's
howbadi twas.Wear enowonourwayt ooneof
Thando' sf r
iend'shousef orlunch.Hernamei s
Nerisai fam notwr ongandshei st heonewhoi s
curr
ent l
ystay ingwi t
hShani aandhersi bli
ngs.
Thandogi vesmedi recti
onst oherhouseandIcal l
myment otell t
hem t ogobackhome.Idon' twant
Nerisathinkingam somej erk.Wef inall
ygetthere
andIr eali
zet hatit'
si nthesamenei ghborhoodas
MrWi lli
ams.Ipr esst heintercom andsomeki d
answer s.Itellhim whoIam andt hegat eisopened.
Asitopenz, 3chi l
drenpl ayingout sideofthebig
yel
lowpai ntedhousear er evealed.Thosemustbe
Shania'ssibli
ngs.Wedr i
v einandt hemoment
Thandost epsoutoft hecar , t
hechi ldr
enruntoher
andhugher .

"Aunty
!!
!!Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
!"exci
tedl
yasksone
ofthem.

"Auntyhasbeenbusyheybutshei sherenow!"she
repl
iessmi l
i
ng.Thesightofhertal
ki
ngtothese
chil
drenjustmakesmewonderhowl i
fewill
bewhen
wehav eourownchi l
dren.Ireal
l
ycan'
twaitfort
hat
l
ifebutfi
rst,Ineedt
osor toutmyli
fesothatnothi
ng
happenstoThandoandmychi ldr
en.Idon'twantgun
shotsfl
yi
ngintomyhousewhi l
emychi l
drenare
play
ingordoinganythi
ng.Acoldhandholdsonof
myf i
ngersandIlookdown;aprett
yyounggi r
llooks
atmeandsmi l
es.Il
ookbackathercuteselfand
shesays"Hell
omynamei sShani
ka.What'syours?"

Itr
yt osmileather,j
ustsoIdon'tmakehercr ywi t
h
myt err
ibl
eoneandIpi ckherup."
Mynamei sNkosi
butyoucancal lmeuncl eNkosiokay
"shev igorously
shakesherheady esasshel et'
soutacutegi ggle.
Okayam st eal
ingher.Iwanthertostaywit
husj ust
forafewday s.IwalktoThandowhi l
ststi
llcarr
y i
ng
ShanikaandItapThandoont heshoulder
.Shet urns
tomeandsmi les.

"
Iseeshehasi
ntr
oducedher
sel
ftoy
ou?
"

"YesandIwanther .Canwepleaset
akeherhome
j
ustforaf ewdays?"Isayt
oThandowithpl
eadi
ng
eyes.Thandolooksatmewi t
hshockandsays"Wel
l
Idon'tknow,t
hat
supt oShani
a,askhernotme.
"I
am total
lygoi
ngtoaskher.

"
Ooohmygosh!Thando!
!!I
t'
sbeensol
ong!
"shout
s
avoi
cebehi
ndme.

"
Ner
isa!!I
tsur
ehasbeenlongbabygi
rl
!Howare
y
ou?"asksThandoasshegoestohugNeri
sa.

"
Am good,
justmi
ssi
ngy
ou.Howar
eyou?
"

"Am f
inehun.
"Ist
andbehi
ndthem unt
ilNer
isa
not
icesmeandshelooksatThandowit
hasmi rk.

"Andthatwon'thappentomeNer i
sa.Ilovemyman,
hemeanst hewor l
dtomeandnoonecanev ert
ake
hisspot.
,shesaid!
"saysNer
isaimitati
ngThando.I
l
ookbackatThandoandshej ustr
ollshereyes.
"voetsekNeri
sa."r
epl
i
esThandoasNer i
salaughs
andwal kstome.Shestandsinfr
ontofmeand
attemptstohugmebutIgof orahandshakeinst
ead.
Idon'thugotherwomenbesidesmywomanand
Rose.

"
Ner
isar
ight
?"Isayst
il
lhandshaki
ngher
.

"
Yes,andyouar
eNikosi
?"shesay
str
yingsuperhar
d
t
opronouncemyname.

"I
t'
sNkosi butjustcal lmeNKt omakethingseasi er
fory ou.
"Isayt oher .Shesmi lesatmeandshet ells
ust ofoll
owheri ntoherhousewher ewemeett he
restofherf amily,her1chi l
dandherhusbandwhoi s
rathertal
kativeformyl i
king.Ihaveseenhim atone
oft heSandtonbusi nessawar dsandhewont he
youngent repreneurawar d.Weal someetShani a
whom Idon' tev enwast et i
met oaskifhersistercan
staywi t
hus.Atf ir
st,shetri
est osaynobutaf ter
Thandopl eadswi thher,sheendsupagr eeing.
"
Sohowi
sthef
amousl
i
fe?
"asksNer
isa.

"
Wellal
lam goingt
osayis,bei
ngknownbypeopl
e
i
sn'
tsonice.I
t'
ster
ri
ble.
"saysThando.

"If
eelyoubabygirl
.ButIhopeyouguysar
eokay
now.Becauseitsurel
yhasbeenthr
il
li
ngweeksf
or
you"shesays.

"Yeawear efi
ne.Thanky
ouforaski
ng.
"saysThando
holdi
ngmyhandandshesmi lesatme.Ismil
eback
ather.Ir
eall
ywanttogohomenow.

"SoThandowhenareyoucomi
ngback?
"Thando
stopseat
ingherf
oodandsmil
esatNer
isa.

"
Iwasthi
nkingofcomingonWednesday.
"she
r
epl
ieswhil
esideeyei
ngme.Icont
inueeat
ingmy
f
ood,qui
etashell
.
"Oooht hat'
sgreat,
wear er eal
lymissingy oubackat
work."saysNer i
sa.Thandosmi l
esbackatNer i
sa
andwecont i
nuewi t
hourl unchunt i
li
t'sti
met oleav
e.
ShaniagivesShanika'sclothestomeandsay sher
goodby estoherandsodoest herestofthem famil
y.
Shanikaisquiteexcit
edandam happyt hatsheisn'
t
acrybaby .Ihavefall
eninlov ewiththischil
d.We
getintothecarasShani kai ssti
l
lwav i
ngt henwe
dri
veof f.

"SoIwil
lbest
ayi
ngwi t
hauntyThandoanduncl
e
Nkosinowri
ght?
!"sheaskswhil
eplayi
ngwit
hadol
l
shelef
twit
h.

"
Yespri
ncess.Youwi
l
lbest
ayi
ngwi
thusnow.
"
r
epl
iesThando.

"nonoaunty
,hahaha,
don'
tcal
lmeaprincess.Idon'
t
haveacrownonmyhead."shesay
slaughing.
"
Buty
ouar
eapr
incess,
youar
eourpr
incess.
"Isay
t
oher.

"
Noooouncle.Idon'
thaveacrownorapwt
tydress.
Am Shani
ka,notapri
ncess.
"shesay
scont
inui
ng
wi
ththecutelaugh.

"
Ooohokaysoi
fyougetacrownandaprett
ydr
ess,
wi
ll
youall
owustocal
lyoupri
ncess?
"Iask.

"Hmmmmm may be"shesay

sasshecont
inuest
o
playwi
thherdol
l
.

"
Ooohokayt
hen.
"Isayt
aki
ngat
urnt
owar
dst
he
mal
l.
.

"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngnow?
"asksThando.
"Tothemal
l
,tobuyheracr
ownandadr
ess.
"Ir
epl
y
her.

"Hmmmm youreal
l
yli
keherdon'
tyou?
"asks
Thandowi
thasmir
kwhil
eheroneeyebrowisr
aised.

"YesIdo.I
nfact
,Iloveher.
"Irepl
yThando.
"somethi
ngaboutherjustat
tachesmetoher.
"Isay
shruggi
ngmyshoul der
s.

"Samehere,
sheisr eall
ysomethi
ngelse.
"repl
ies
Thandosmil
ing."May bewecanmakeherour s,you
know,AskShaniaifwecouldtakeherasourown. "I
smil
eatheraswear eboththi
nki
ngthesamet hi
ng.

"Notyetbaby,l
etmef i
xafewthingsfir
stthenwe
canmakeherour s.Youknowhowr iskyiti
stomake
heroursnow."Irepl
y.Ihol
dherhandasshesmi l
es
showingallhert
eeth.
"
Kindofdi
sappoi
ntedbutIgety
ouandy
ouar
e
r
ight
."r
epl
i
esThando.

"
Ilov
eyouThando.
"

"
Ilov
eyout
ooNkosi
."

THANDO'
SPOV

We' vebeenatt hemal lf

ormor ethan3hour sandi t'
s
beennot hi
ngbutshoppi ngforShanika.Sheisreall
y
abubbl ychil
dandext r
emelyfunny.Sheact ual
ly
remi ndsmeofmy selfwhenIwasy oung.Nkosi has
deepl yfall
eninlovewi ththi
schildbecausehei s
l
iterall
ybuy i
ngev erythi
ngshepoi ntsat,evenifi
t'sa
boy '
st oy;2trol
li
esf i
ll
edwi t
honlyhert oysandit's
cutehowNkosi i
sj ustobsessedov erthi
skid.
Seeinghi ml i
kethisjustmakesmehappy .Am reall
y
blessedt ohav eamanl ikehim.Nowl et'
smov eon
tothenegat i
vesideofcomi ngtothemal l
,people..
..
..
.
Thesepeopl ewon' tl
eav eusal one.Every
wher ewe
turn,peoplest artwhispering"powercouple"some
event houghtt hatShanikai sourchild.Nkosi i
sn'
t
entertaini
nganyofi t
.Hej ustwal ksawayev enif
peoplecal lhim ortel
l hi
m howmucht heyador ehi
m.
Hisfaceev enchangest obeingser i
ousev eryt
ime
Shanikai sn'tl
ookingbutwhenshel ooksathi m,he
smi l
esl i
keamani ac.It'
ski ndoffunnythoughhowi s
try
ingt oscar epeopleawayandkeepachi ldhappy
atthesamet i
mebyact ingasi fheisbipolar.I
nfact
,
j
ustwat chhowonear ti
cleisgoingtobeonsome
"Thebi polarNx umalo."

Wef i
nall
yleavethemal lwithmyf eetachi
ngandI
can'tdealany more.NkosigivesShanikatomewho
i
sal readysleepi
ngandpacksal lt
het oysi
ntothe
boot .WepassUl wandlehospi t
alandIletoutaloud
sighonpur pose.Nkosi l
ooksatmeandsmi l
es
withoutsay i
ngany t
hing.Wegethome, Nkosiparks
thecari nthegarageandi nstr
uctshisment otake
allthetoysintotheguestr oom.Igot otheguest
room andt uckShanikaintobed.Si ncewealready
ateatt
hemall
,am pr
ett
ysuresheisf
ull
butIj
ust
putsomecooki
esandmi l
kinherr
oom f
orwhenshe
wakesupandsheishungry.
Igotoourroom whi
chi
s2r
oomsawayandt
hedoor
i
slocked.Andthen?
?

"Nkosipleaseopent hedoor."Ishout,l
ightl
y
knockingbutnoanswer .Maybehei sbathing.Igo
downst ai
rs,si
tonthecouchandwat chTV.Iwon't
l
ie,Iam Ilovewiththishouse.Wemov edoutoft he
safehouseandwenowst aysomewher eclosetomy
apartment.It'
snott
oobi gnorisitsmall,i
t'
sjust
perfect
.

20mi nutespassandIdecidetogobackupstair
s
andIknockagai nbutthi
stime,ashir
tl
esschocolat
e
hunkerspopsupwi thonlysuperti
ghtmenthongs
wri
ttenIntymenwithhishugesizedmanhoodprint
showing.Ilookuptohisfaceinshockandallhe
saysis
"
Youbabygi
rlar
eint
roubl
eforl
yi
ngaboutt
hat
chur
chbeingfunandf
orlyi
ngtoNer
isaaboutgoi
ng
backtoworkonWednesday.
"
Iwanttosaysomet hingbuthi sy ummybodyi s
alr
eadydoingt hi ngst ome.Hepul l
smei nt
ot he
room whichisl itupbyr edcandl es.Ther earer oses
onthebedandbesi det hebedar eLi ndtchocol ate,
withstr
awber riesi nabowl andabot tleofwi newi th
2glasses.Ther ei salsomel t
edchocol ate!!
!!
!whati s
thi
smandoi ng?Inev erknewt hatNkosi canbet hi
s
romanti
c...
..Ilookatt her oom inshock, am shor tof
words,whenwast hisdoneandbywho?If eel hi
m
holdmef orthebackandher oughlyt urnsme
aroundtofacehi m.Hepul l
smecl osert ohim and
l
ooksatme.Het ookof fhiscontactsandIwon' tli
e,I
missedhisbl ueey es.

"Todayam goi
ngt omakelovetoyouli
keIhav e
never.
"hesoft
lysaysashishandsunzipmydr ess.
Hegoesdownwi tht
hezipandthenwheni tf
all
st o
theground,
hetakesoffmyundiesusinghismout h
whilehi
shandstickl
emyt hi
ghs.Goosebumpshi t
mybodywi thnowarningastheytr
avelfr
om headt o
toe.ThankGodIwaxedy ester
day,other
wise,Iwoul
d
beabushdownt herer
ightnow.Ifeelhi
swar m,
moi st
uri
zedl
ipskissbothmyt hi
ghsashegoes
downt omyfeetandkissesthem ashet akesoffmy
pumps.Whatdi dIdotodeservethis.

Hecomesbackup,teasestoki
ssmeandroughl
y
pi
cksmeup,Iputmyl egsar
oundhi
m aswelook
i
ntoeachot
her'
seyes.

"Youmyqueendeser vet hebestandt hat '

sexactly
whatam goi ngtogi vet oy ouandnotev enunt il
deat hdouspar tbecauseIwi l
lstil
lbewi thyoui nthe
afterl
if
e.Wear est uckt oget herf or
ever."saysNkosi
beforesmashi ngmyhel plessshaki ngl i
ps,sucking
alltheairoutofme.If eel somet hi
ngcol dhit
tingmy
backandt hat'
swhenIr eal i
zeam agai nstthewal l
.
Hismanhoodst artstogr owasher ubsi tonme,
maki ngmemoanwhi lemyl ipsar einhismout h.He
bit
esmyl owerl ips,ashest opst hekissandhe
remov esmybr a, l
eavingmyor angeshapedt wins
vulnerabl etohisbl ueey es.Hel ooksatt hem as
thought heyar efoodandhest artstosuckt helivi
ng
helloutoft hem, maki ngmemoanev enl ouder.I
prayandhopet hatthesewal lsar esoundpr oof.
Nkosi useshisonehandt ocov ermymout hand
mov esfrom thet wi nstomyneck, suckingitand
l
ickingi t.Hemov esawayf rom t hewal l
anddr ops
meont hebed.Hest andsinf r
ontofmeandsl owly
takesof fhist hong, reveal
inghi sreadysel f.Hebi t
es
hislipashel ooksatmynakedbodyandsay s"Damn
yourbodyi ssexy ."Ifeelmy selfthrobbingdown
thereandIcr ossmyl egsbuthehol dsmyl egs,
separ ati
ngt hem andhi sfaceget sinbetweent hem.
Hel ightlyki
ssesmedownt here, makingmybody
vibrate.

"StopmovingorelseIwi l
lti
ey outothebed.Am
try
ingtoeatupmysweetcandy ."ut
tersNkosi
holdingmybodyintooneposi t
ion.Heconti
nues
eatingmeupwi t
houtst oppingasIt r
ynottomoan
throughbi
tingmylips.Am pr et
tysuream bleedi
ng
ri
ghtnow.Mybodyf i
nallydecidestoleti
talloutand
todayfort hef i
rstti
me, Isqui rt.Nkosi l
ooksatme
andsmi l
es, "
Iam guessi ngi twasr eall
ygood"he
sayscomi ngf ormyl ips.Heki ssesmewi thmy
j
uicesst il
ldrippingfrom hi slips.Myhandsr unal l
up
hisbodyashei snowf inger ingsme.Hesuddenl y
stopswhenam aboutt or eacht hepl aceagai nand
slowlyinsertshi mselfandi tf eelsli
kehehasgr own
evenbiggernoworIhav ebecomet i
ghter.Ithrow
myheadbackandt henhemakesl ovet omel ikehe
neverhas, justlikehesai d.Af termaki ngl ovefor
hoursandhour s,wegetabubbl ebathandmake
somemor elov eintherewhi l
eam si tti
ngonhi m,
cowgirlsty l
e.Wegetbackt ot heroom andwet reat
ourselveswi tht hechocol at e,strawber r
iesandwi ne
whiletalki
ngaboutany thingandev erything.

"Oohy eahbaby,Iwanty outosi

gnsomethi
ngf or
me."say sNkosigetti
ngoutofbed,but
tnaked.He
walkst ohi
scloset,getssomepapersal
ongwitha
penandcomesbackt obed.Hegiv
esmet hepapers
withthepenandIj ustlookathi
m.
"Chi
llThando, am nottrickingyoui ntosingingsome
shadything.Justsignt henaf t
ersi gning,youwi l
lget
yoursurpri
sesoon. "say sNkosi .Iletoutal oudsigh
asIlookathim.Heput sthepeni nmyhandand
putsthepaper sontopoft heblanketandl ooksat
me.Ilookatt hepaper sandwel l,Isignany ways.It
's
notli
keIdon'tt r
ustNkosi soyeah.Assoonasa
done,Igivehim backt hepaper sandheput sthem
onthetablebesi dethebed.

"
Comelet'
ssleep.
"saysNkosisnuggli
ngcl
osetome.
Asweareabouttocloseoureyes,hi
sphoner
ings.
Whocoul
dbecal l
i
ngatt hi
sti
me? ?
Helooksatthecal
l
erIDandsays"I
t'
syourmom."I
l
ookathim ashepressest
heanswerbutt
onandhe
say
s" Hel
l
o."

"
Nomai
t'
sfi
ne.I
t'
snev
ert
ool
atef
ory
out
ocal
l
."

"
Okayam l
i
steni
ng.Ooohokaybutwhy
?Ooohokay
.
Wewi l
lbet
her
ema.Okaygoodnight
."hedr
opst
he
cal
landput
shisphoneont
hetable.

"
And?
"Iaskconser
ved.

"
Sehsaidshewant
stotal
ktomef acet
ofacenext
weekendsoweshoul
dgother
e."hesays.

"
Ooh,
butwhy
?"

"
Shesaidshewi
llt
ellmewhenwegetther
e."r
epl
ies
Nkosi
tucki
nghi
mselfint
hebl
anket
s.Iwonderwhat
mymom wants.
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
Chapt
er36

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Nothingmakesmehappi ert hanwaki ngupt othis

beautifulwoman.Ij ustwi shshedi dn'thav ethe
brai
ds, nott hatam say i
ngt heydon' tsuitheror
anything.Shej ustl ooksev enmor ebeaut i
fulwi t
hher
naturalhaircov er i
ngherf ace.Thef actt hatshe
doesn'tev encov erherf acewi thallthoset hings
womenbur ytheirf acesi n,makesherev enmor e
beautiful.Hertinyey esst i
lllookamazi ngev enwhen
theyar eclosedandasf orherpi nkli
ps, theyjustt urn
meonov erandov eragai n.Ir unmyhandonher
cheekandshesnuggl esherf aceintot hepi l
lowwi t
h
herey esst i
llcl
osed.Iper kherl ipsasherl i
pscur ve
i
ntoagl ori
oussmi l
et hatcoul dev enmaket hesun
feell
ikei t'
snotshi ni ngenough.HowIl ov ethis
woman.Ij ustwi shIcoul dt ellherthet ruth,Ijust
wishIcoul dt ellhert hetruthandshewoul dst i
ll
love
met hesamewayshedoesnow.Am j ustt ooscar ed
ofl
osingher,
sheismyli
fel
i
ne, Iwon'
tbeabl
eto
sur
viv
ewi t
houther
.Si
gh*****
Istarttof eel myey esburn,onlytor ealiset hatt her
e
i
sat earrollingdownmycheek.Isl owl ywi pei taway
sti
lllooki
ngather .Sheev enhast hepowert omake
meshadeat ear,athingthatnoonebutmypasthad
managedt odo.Igetoutofbed, t
akeashower , get
dressedi ntoagr eyt r
ackbot tom, mymor ningshoes
andmuscl eshi r
t.It'
s5:30int hemor ningand
Thandoonl ywakesupat6soIhav eenought imet o
makeherbr eakf ast.Iki
sshercheekbef oreIleav e
ther oom andshef lashesasmi l
einhersl eep.God
helpmekeept hiswomant omy self,ifshel eav esme,
Iwillkil
lmy selfandt hatisapr omiset oy ouGod.I
willkil
lmy sel finfrontofheri fsheev erdeci dest o
l
eav eme.Il eav ether oom, headtot heguestr oom
wher eShani kaisandIf i
ndhersi tt
ingont hefloor
withherbedal readymadeandhercl ot hespackedi n
thewar drobe.Whodi dthat
?

"
Mor
ningpr
incess,
"Isaywal
ki
ngi
ntot
her
oom.
"Mor
ninguncl
eNkosi
."shesay
sst
andi
ngup,
looki
ng
atme.

"Howdidyousleep?
""Iaskwal
ki
ngt
oherand
picki
ngherup.

"
Isl
eptwel
luncl
e.Howabouty
ou?
"

"Isl
eptwell
mypr i
ncess.Whomadeyourbedand
packedyourcl
othes?"Iaskf
aci
ngher
.

"Ididuncl
e,Shani
ataughtmet hatIshouldal
ways
cleanupmyr oom andneverl
eav emymessf or
someoneel se.
"shesaysplay
ingwi t
hherhands.Her
voiceissosqueakyandherfronttoothgapsmake
thewayshespeaksev enmor ecuter.

"Butpr
incess,
youmust
n'tdot
hather
eokay,we
haveamai dandshewi
ll
doallt
hework.Youhear
me?
"

"Noooouncl
e.Idon'
twanthertocl
eanupmymess,
Iwil
ldoitmysel
f.
"shesaysprot
est
ing.

"Butpri
ncess,apri
ncessnev
ercleansup,apr
incess
shouldplay
, r
eadbooksandhaveallt
hefunshecan
have.Notclean.
"Isaytoher
.

"Nouncl
e.Il
ikecl
eaningupaft
ermy
sel
f.
"shesay
s
pout
ingwhil
ecrossi
ngherarms.

"Okayokayfinemypr i
ncess,
pleasedon'
tbemadat
uncle.
"Isaytoher.Sheconti
nuespouti
ngandIend
uptickl
ingher,maki
ngherhappyagain.

"
Come,
let
'sgomakebr
eakf
ast
."Isayt
oher
.
"Okay ,letmegetMrcuddl es, hewi llhelpusmake
breakf ast."shesay s,wi gglingoutofmyar ms.Il et
hergoasshegoest ogr aphert eddybearf rom the
groundandcomest ome.Sher aisesherar mst ome
andIpi ckherup.Wegodownst airswi thhert al
ki ng
alltheway .Damnt hi schi ldcant alk.Wegett othe
kitchenandf indt hemai dcl eani ng.Shegr eet sus
andasksi fshecanmakeusbr eakf astbutIt ellher
thatIwi l
lbemaki ngbr eakf ast .Shel eavest he
kitchenandgoest ot hel ivingr oom t ocl ean.Iput
Shani kaont hehi ghchai r,makehercer eal andIt ake
outal lthet hingsIneedf rom t hecupboar dandst art
cooki ng.Mi ndy ou, hereat ingt hi scer eal doesn't
stopherf rom t alking.Ist arttopl aymymaskandi
musi c, wear i
ngapr onanddanceont othemusi casI
rememberhowmymot herl ovedsomeoft hesongs
am pl ay i
ng.Shewoul dal way sf or cemydadi nto
singingal ongwi thher ,wi thusj oiningi n.Iwi shy ou
wer est il
laliv
emot her .Af terawhi le,Ihearsomeone
runningdownt hest ai
rsandsomeonecal lsmyname.

"
Am i
ntheki
tchen!
"Ir
epl
y.Thandocomesr
unni
ngi
n
andgivesmemyri
ngi
ngphone.Ilookati
tandi
t'
san
unknownnumber
.Iwonderwhoitis.

"
Hel
l
o"Isayanswer
ing.

"Myson?"saysav oi
ce.Ifeelmyst omachturni
ng,as
angert
akesover,theterr
ibl
epastmemor i
esmaking
mebitt
eralloveragai
n.Alltheinsult
s,t
hepainand
woundsofthepastsuddenl ybecomev isi
bleaf
terso
manyyearsofbeingav oi
ded.Whyi shecalli
ngme?

"
Yes,
howcanIhel
pyou?
""Iask.

"
Mysoni
t'
sme.
"repl
i
est
hev
oice.

"Iknowwhoy ouar
e.HowcanIhel pyou?"Iblunt
ly
answer.Thandoi
snowseat i
ngwithShanikainher
sil
kmor ni
nggown.Shelooksatme,smilesthen
l
ooksbackatShanika.Il
eavetheki
tchen,head
upst
air
stomyst
udyandl
ockt
hedoorbehi
ndme.

"
Myson,
Ijustwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ou.
"

"
Aboutwhat
?"Iqui
ckl
yask.

"Umm myson, pleasecomeseemeandbr ingyour

sist
eralongwit
hy ourst
epbrother
.Iwanttoseeyou
mychildren.
"hesadlysays,
hisvoi
cerust
y.

"OkayIunderst
andwheny ousayMkhizeshould
comeseey oubutwhyRoseandI?Wehav enot i
es
withyousincey oudeci
dedt
obreakthem t
heday
mom passedon.Wear enol
ongerrel
atedtoyouold
man."Isaysitt
ingonmydesk.

"
Myson,
Inev
erbr
oket
ieswi
th.
..
..
"
"Yesyoudid!!
!!Youbroketi
eswit
husasifwewer e
someout cast
s, somechil
drenwhower
enev er
yours!
!!Sowhywoul dyouwantusnow."Ishout
bangingthedesk.Whatawayt orui
nmymood.

"
Nat
hi!Respectme!Am st
il
lyourf
ather
!"hebel
l
ows.

"Ooohbullshit
,don'tbul
l
shitmewi t
hthatfucki
ng
phraseofy ours!Youarenotmyf at
herandIhav e
absolut
elynor easontorespecty
ou!Infact,wher
e
didyouev engetmynumberhuh? "

"
Nat hi
for gi
veme.Am sor r
ymyson, Idon'tknow
whatgoti ntomet hen.Iregretev
ermakingy ouand
yoursi
blingsgot hroughwhaty oudid.Forgiv
eme
myson. "hesays, hi
sv oi
ceshaking.Itur
nt othe
window, chuckl
i
ng.

"
Youshoul
dhav
et houghtaboutt
hatbef
oreki
l
li
ng
y
ourownsonwit
hst ar
vati
onwhenhewassoy oung.
Youshoul dhav ethoughtaboutt hatbefor
el et
ting
yourdaught erbecomeapr osti
tutebecauseshe
want edmoneyt osur vi
ve.Youshoul dhavet hought
aboutt hatbeforelet
ti
ngmemov eawayf rom home
allbecauseIwant edtof i
ndabet terli
vi
ngf ormy
sibli
ngsandI ..
..
..Notnow!Wedon' tneedy our
apologynowol dman, yourregretisnothi
ngatt hi
s
point.
Wel ovedy ousomuchbutwhatdi dweget ,a
beatingeverysingledaywit
hnopr operbeddi ngnor
food.Infact,whydon'tyougobackt ot hatwitchy
ou
callawifeandletusbe.Nx!"Isaybef oreendingthe
call
.Iclosemyey es,
try
ingtocal
m my selfdownbut
Ijustcan't
.

"Countupt o10ev erytimeyouareangry,1;2;

3,agh
fuckt hisshit
!!
!"Ibell
owf al
li
ngtotheground.If
eel
my selfbreakdown, Ifeelmystr
engthfadeawayand
herv oiceblessesmyear s.

"
Myl
ove?Ar
eyouokay
?Pl
easeopenf
orme?
"she
asks,
li
ght
lyknocki
ngt
hedoor
.

"yesl
oveam fine,
am comingdownstai
rsnowbaby.
"
Ishoutback,
maki ngmyvoiceasser
iousasIcanbe.

"Nkosi
openthedoor,
Iwantt
oseey
ou.
"shesay
s
sti
ll
knocki
ngthedoor.

"
Babyam f
ine,Iwil
lbet
her
ein2mi nut
es,Ij
ustneed
t
ofi
nisht
hiscallwi
thMkhi
ze.
"Ishoutbacktoher.

"Ooohokayt hen.Iwil
lbewai t
ingfory oui
nt he
kit
chen."sher epli
es.Ihearherfootstepsleav eandI
standup, Iwipeawayt hetearsandsi tont hecouch
atther i
ghtendoft heroom inpeaceandqui et.Flash
backsofhowheusedt obrut
allybeatmeuppopup
i
nmyhead, howheoncebur ntmyasswi t
hani ron
allbecausehi swifewantedmet owasht hedi shes
i
nst eadofdoi ngmyhomewor k.Allthoseni ghtsI
woul dgoout ,knockdoortodoorj usttoaskf orf ood
formysi bli
ngsandI ,al
lthosetimeswewentt othe
ri
verjusttowashour selvessincewewer en'
tall
owed
touset hebat hr
oom.Howcany oufor
givesucha
persont hough,wheredoesoneev enst
artfor
givi
ng
suchorgi vingthem achance?
MayGodf orgivemebutam nev erf
orgi
vingthatol
d
wickedman.Hecanmi ssmewi t
hthatbullshi
t.
Afterawhi
leoflooki
ngintospace,myphoner i
ngs.I
checkthecal
lerIDandi
t'sBrendon.

"
YesBrendon,whatdoy
ouhav
eformet
his
mor
ning?"Iaskhi
m.

"
Bosswehav
eabi
gpr
obl
em.
"hesay
s.

"Whatdoyoumeanwehav
eabi
gpr
obl
em?
"Iask
him st
andi
ngup.

"
Eish,
boss,t
heshipthathast
hest
uff
,it
'sgoi
ngi
n
t
hewr ongdi
rect
ion.
"
"
What
!!
!!
!"

"Theyar
egoingt
oJamaicai
nsteadofI
ndi
aboss.
"
hesays.Whyist
odaynotmyday!!
!!

"Whatthef
uckBr
endon!Thenwhyar en'
tyoutel
li
ng
them t
hatt
heyar
egoinginthewr ongdi
rect
ion?
""I
askasmyangerescal
atesfrom 100%toa100000%.

"Ihavebeent ry
ingbossbutIcan'
tcont
actt
hem i
n
anyway ,i
t'
sliketheycutev
eryfor
m ofcont
actwi
th
us."herepl
ies.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"
"
Am att
hewar
ehousei
nBenoni
."her
epl
i
esf
ast
.

"
Am onmyway
,getmyj
etr
eadyf
orJamai
caand
packa2daybagal ongwi thallt
heweaponswe
mightneed.Iwi
llbether
ei nthenext45minutes.
"I
say.Idr
opthecallandimmedi atel
ycal
lSbuwho
answersthephonepanting.Whatisitwi
ththi
sman
andpussy?

"
YesNkosi
?"heanswer
s.

"
Getofft
hatbit
chweneedtogot
oJamai
ca.
"Isay
t
ohim wal
kingupanddown.

"
Whatwhy
?"

"Thosefucki
ngmenont heshi
paregoi
ngto
Jamaicainst
eadofAmer i
caandthecl
i
ent
sexpect
thepackagetobether
eat7am."Isayt
oSbu.

"hol
don,"hesay
sthenIhearhim shout
ingwi
th
anotherf
emalevoi
ce.Hervoi
cefadesawayafter3
mi
nuet
sthenhecomesbackt
othecal
l
.

"
Youshoul
dreal
l
yst
opbei
ngamanwhor
eSbu.
"Isay
t
ohim.

"Yearight
..
..Iwi
llstopwhenIfi
ndmywomanbut
unti
lthen,am goingtost
ickt
obeingthemanwhor
e.
Anyway s,
what '
shappeni
ngnow? "herepl
i
es.

"Weneedtogot
oJamai
ca,
that
'swhatweneedt
o
do.
"Irepl
yhi
m.

"
Asi
ntodayor
?"

"
Obviousl
ytoday!Getr
eady
.Wehavetomeetatt
he
war
ehouseinlessthan45minut
es.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"
OkayIwi
l
lbet
her
e."hesay
sendi
ngt
hecal
l
.I
i
mmedi atel
yleavetheroom andrushtoourr oom.I
packabagofcl othesandtakemygun, putti
ngi ti
n
mybag.AssoonasIf ini
shIgodownst ai
rs,putmy
bagsintheli
vingroom andgot otheki
tchenwher eI
fi
ndThandoandShani kaalreadyhavi
ngbr eakfast
.
Thandoturnstomeandsmi les.

"
Lovecomejoinus.
"shesaystapi
ngahi
ghchai
r.I
l
ookatherandfl
ashanervoussmil
e.

"Baby
,canIt
alkt
oyouforasecond.
"Isayt
oherand
hersmil
efl
owsaway.

"Umm surewhat
'sup?"Iwal
ktoherandhugf
rom
behi
ndkissi
nghercheek.

"
Love,Ineedtogosomewher
eforaf
ewday s.
"Isay
t
oher.Sheslowlyt
urnst
omewithaquest
ionabl
e
f
ace.
"Oneofmybusi
nessesi
nZimbabwegotbur
ntdown
soIneedt
ogocheckitout
."Icont
inue.

"
Oooh,
wel
lIcangowi
thy
oubaby
."

"Nononomyl ove,
youneedt
ost
ayher
ewi
th
Shani
ka.
"Isaytoher.

"
Iwi
l
lgodr
opherof
fatNer
isababy
."

"Noneedf ort
hatmylove,Iwi
llgobymyself.Don'
t
worr
y."Isaykissi
nghercheekbutshepushesme
away.

"
Andt
hen?
"Isayt
oher
.

"
Youjustdon'
twanttogowithme.
"shesay
s
f
rowni
ng,taki
nghergreent
ea.
"
Idol
ovebut
..
..
"

"
ButwhatNkosi
?It
'sfi
ne,
youcango.Iwil
lstay
."she
r
epl
iesst
andi
ngupf r
om t
hehi
ghchairbutIpul
lher
t
ome.

"Don'tbeli
kethatmylove,i
t'
sjustthatIf
eell
ikemy
enemi esmighthavesomethi
ngt odowi t
hthissoI
don'twantyougetti
nghurtmyl ove.
"Isaytr
yingto
sweett al
kher.

"ButNkosiy ounevertoldmet hatyouhav ea

businessinZimbabwe, youonl ytol
dmet hatyou
ownaf ewshopsi nBenoni sowhatbusi nessareyou
tal
kingaboutwhi chisinZi mbabwe? "asksThando.
Ooohshi t
,Iforgottotel
l heraboutthat,Ionl
ytol
d
herbrothersaboutthis.

"
Iwi
l
lexpl
ainwhenIgetbackokay
?Ihav
etol
eav
e
now.Iwillbebackbef
oreThursday.
"Isayki
ssi
ng
her.Shekissesmebackbutshedoesn'tmeani
t.I
l
ookatherwi t
hasadfaceandkissheragai
nand
thi
stime,Igetmymeaningful
kiss.
IwalktoShanikaandgiveherahugal ongwi tha
cheekkissandIleavethekit
chenandt akemybags
fr
om theli
vingroom,leavi
ngtheguardswhoar e
stayi
ngbehindwiththeinst
ruct
iontowat chThando
l
ikeahawkatal lti
mesandt oneverletanything
happentoherorelsetheywilll
osetheirl
ives.Iget
i
nt omyPorschepanamer aas4ofmymenwhoar e
comingalonggetintotheLexus.

Ar
eyouguysready?
"Iaskgett
ingi
ntothe
war
ehousewhereSbuandBrendonareal
ongwi
th6
men.

"Yes,t
hejeti
swai
ti
ngf
orusatt
heai
rpor
t.
"say
s
Brendon.
"
Okay,l
et'sgo."Isay
.Wealll
eavefort
heai
rpor
tand
wegetthereinlessthan20minut
esandweareoff
t
oJamai ca.

WhydoIhav
eabadf
eel
i
ngaboutal
lthi
s?

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

THANDO'
SPOV.

Okayl et
'sbehonest ,Iobviousl
yknewt hatNkosi
doesn'tonlyownshopsi nBenoni becausethisman
hasmoneyf ordaysbutwhydi dn'thetel
l meabout
thisbusinessofhi si
nZi mbabwe?Isi tinthekit
chen,
talki
ngtoShani kawhoi squi t
eent er
tai
ninguntil
the
mai dwalksi nandstartscleaning.Il
eavehertoitas
Igobat hShani kaandIalsogetashower .Wet hen
decidetopl ayaf ewgamesandwat chamov ieinthe
cinemar oom unt i
lwebot hfallasl
eep.
Am wokenupbymyphoner
ingi
ngandi
t'
smom.I
l
ookatthecal
lerI
Djustt
omakesur
eit
'sher
becauseshei
ssti
llmadatme.

"
Hel
l
o?"Isayanswer
ing.

"Thando,di
dNkosit
ell
youaboutSat
urday
?""
she
asks.Okayshest
il
li
smadatme.

"
Umm y
esmahedi
d."

"Okaygood.Don'tforgettocome."shesaysbef
ore
droppingt
hecall.Okaythatwaswei r
d.Ipi
ckup
Shanikafr
om theseatandt akehertotheguest
room whereIlayheront hebed.Icl
osethedoor
behindme,leavi
ngt heroom andmyphoner i
ngs
again.

"
Hel
l
o?"Ianswer
.
"
HeyThando,
isNkosi
ther
ewi
thy
ou?
"asksRose.

"
Nohei sn'
tl
ove,hel
eftf
orZi
mbabwei
nthe
mor
ning."Ir
epl
yher.

"
Ooohokayi
t'
sfi
ne.
"

"
Issomet
hingwr
ong?
""Iask.

"Nono,nothi
ngi swrong.Ijustwantedtotal
ktohim
aboutsomething.Ihavebeent r
yingt
ocallhi
m but
hisphonekeepsongoi ngtov oi
cemail
."sherepl
ies.

"Heprobabl
yswi
tchedof
fhi
sphoneorsomet
hing.
"I
saytoher.

"
howar
eyout
hough?
"sheasks.
"Am f
inel
ove,j
ustbor
ed.Howabouty
ou?
"Iaskher
goi
ngt omyroom.

"am fi
nebutal
sobored.Yourbrot
herhasn'tbeen
aroundfor3daysnowsoi t
'sj
ustme,my selfandI.
"
sherepli
es.

"Hmmmmm Iseey ouandmybr

otherar
eal
ready
kicki
ngt
hingsof
f.
"

"
Aii
sukawena,
leav
emeal
one.
"sher
epl
i
esl
aughi
ng.

"Wel
lsi
ncewear
ebothbored,l
etmecomether
e
andspendt
heaf
ter
noonthere.
"Isayt
oher
.

"Thatsoundsli
keamazingpl
anbabez.Iwil
lseeyou
thenandpleasecomewi t
hsomenandoswi ngs.Am
cravi
ngforsomer i
ghtnowandal
sobr i
nga
Macdonaldsburgerbutmakesur
eSihle'
sguards
don'tseeyoucomei
nwi
tht
hat
."shesay
s
whisperi
ng.

"Hehe,hegotguar
dsforyou!!
!Yhooogir
lwel
come
tothefamil
ybecauseyouareoffi
cial
l
yaMdletshe
now!"Isaybei
ngsarcast
ic.

"
Justcomewi
tht
hef
oodman!
"repl
i
esRose,
endi
ng
t
hecall
.
Irushtotheroom,getdressedi
ntomyl ongfl
oral
j
umpsui t
,ti
emybr ai
dsintoabunandputonpumps.
IgowakeupShani kabecausetherei
snowayam
l
eav i
ngherwiththemaid.Maythelor
df orgi
veme
butIhaveseenanumberofchi l
drendieatthe
hospit
alaft
erbeingphysi
call
yabusedbymai ds.

Asam aboutt oleavethehouse,

Schevpullsupin
thedri
v ewayinhismesarati
.OnewouldswearSchev
i
sn'taguar dbutabusinessmanallbecauseofhis
l
ifest
yle.Nkosisurel
ydoespayhisguards.
"Outhequeenoftheempi r
e!Howareyou?
"hesay
s
steppi
ngoutofthecar.If
lashasmil
eathi
m asI
standatt
heporchholdingShani
ka'
shand.

"HeySchev.Am fi
nethanksandy
our
sel
f?Iseey
ou
arebet
ternow."Isay
.

"Am f
inemaladyjustal
it
tl
epainsf
rom t
hewound
butI
'l
lbefi
ne.Iseeyouaregoi
ngout.
"hesay
s.

"YesIam.Iwantt
ogot
omyol
dapar
tmentt
osee
Rose."Isayt
ohi
m.

"Ooohletmegodr opy ouoff.BosssaidIshouldbe

wi t
hyouatallt
imes."hesayst aki
ngmyhandbag
from me.Heopenst hebackdoorf orme,Ienter
alongwithShani
kaandhecl osest hedoor.Hetalks
to2oft heguar
dswhot akethecarIwaspl anni
ng
onusingandheget sintothedr i
ver
'sseat
.
"Shall
wego? "heaskssmi li
ng.Inodmyheady es
andhedr ivesawaywi t
hhimt al
kingt oShanika.
Quiteentertai
ningthough.Wemakeourf ir
ststopat
NandosandMacdonal dtobuyf oodt henweheadt o
thecompl exwhi chwer eachat15: 00.Schevfoll
ows
met omyapar tmentast he2guar dswecamewi t
h
stayoutside.Asam aboutt oknockont hedoor,
somehugef i
gureholdsmyhand, crushi
ngit.

"Ouch!
"IshoutandSchevr
oughl
yremov
est
heguy
's
hand.

"I
fyouknowwhat'
sbestforyouthenIwouldadvi
ce
youtoremovey
ourhandfrom herhandmydear
fr
iend.
"say
sSchev.Theguylooksatmeasi fhei
s
scanni
ngmeandthenher eal
izessomet
hing.

"
OoohMi
ssMdletshe,am sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tseet
hati
t
wasy
ou.
"hesayslookingdown.
"I
tsokay.CanIgoi
nnow."Isaytohim.Heopens
thedoorformeandSchevstaysbehi
nd,st
il
lst
ari
ng
attheguyasifhewant
stokill
him.

"Schev
,leav
ethepoorguyal
one,
hedi
dn'
tknow.
"I
saytohim.

"Yessurebosslady
."her
epli
esstil
llooki
ngatt
he
guy.Iwalki
ntotheli
vi
ngroom,real
izinghowmuchI
missthi
splace.Nothi
nghaschangedatal l
.

"Aunty,
whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?"asksShani
ka
pull
ingmyfi
nger.

"
Wear
eher
etoseemysi
ster
."Isayt
oher
.

"
Youhaveasi
ster?
"Inodmyheadyesandshesay
s
"
LikemeandShania?
"Inodmyheadagai
n.
Ihearsomeonesingingfr
om thepassageandher
facepopsup.Wel ookateachotherandweboth
scream.Ireal
l
ydidn'tr
eal
izehowmuchImi ssedher
.
Iruntoherandbenddownt ogiveherahugasshe
spreadsherarmsforme.

"Ihav
emissedy
ousomuchRose!Howar
eyou?
"I
saytoher
.

"Ihavebeenokayjustt
hatthi
schil
disgi
vi
ngone
hellofal
ife.Howareyou?"shesays.

"Ihav
ebeenokay ,not
hingnew.Yourbel
l
yisnow
showinggi
rl
!!
!."IsaytoherasIpushhercl
oset
o
thecoucham goingtosit
.

"
Iti
shey
.Am becomi
ngawhal
ebabez.
"

"
Noy
ouar
en'
t.Youar
eact
ual
l
ygl
owi
ng.
"Isaysi
tt
ing
downandpi
cki
ngupShani
ka,
put
ti
ngheront
he
couch.

"
Andwhoi
sthi
scut
ey?
"asksRosesmi
l
ing.

"
Am Shani
ka!
"say
sShani
kasmi
l
ing,
hidi
ngbehi
nd
me.

"Ncaaaw,ni
cet
omeety ouShani
ka,
doy
ouwant
somethingt
oeat.
"asksRose.

"
Not
hanky
ou.Am f
ull
."sher
epl
i
es.

"Okaylov
e.SoThando,wheremyst uffat
?"asks
Roselookingal
lov
erthecouch.IlookatShanika
andshetakesthem outoft
hejacketsheiswearing
andhandsi tov
ert
oRose.
"
You2areof
fi
cial
l
ycriminal
stoSihl
e."say
sRose
l
aughi
ngwhi
l
elookingatthefood.

"
Oohwowgi
rl
.Chi
l
l,i
t'
sjustf
ood.
"Isayl
aughi
ng.

"
Foodisl
ifemygir
l.Wi
thoutfood,
am not
hingatal
l
."
r
epl
iesRosebei
ngdramatic.

"
Youandy
ourbr
otherar
enotdi
ff
erent
."Isayt
oher
.

"Speaki
ngofthedevil
,whydi
dhegot
oZi
mbabwe?
"
sheasksopeningthewingsbox.

"hesaidsomet hingaboutoneofhi sbusinesses

beingbur ntdownsoy eah."Isayshruggingmy
shoulders,pickingawi ngfrom theboxbutRose
l
ooksatmeasi fthedev ilhasjustpossessedher.I
quickl
ydr opt hewi ngbef oreshekill
smeandwal kt
o
thekitchentol ookf orsomet hingtoeatandIf i
nda
freshv eggiesaladalongwithj
uiceinthefridge.She
alreadymadef oodf orme?!Iwalkbackt othelivi
ng
room wi ththesaladand3cupsofj ui
ce.Igiv eoneto
Roseandt heothertoShanikawhoshakesherhead.
Okaysot hi
schilddoesn'tl
i
keeatingjustli
keme, it'
s
offici
al.Sheisoffici
all
ymychil
d.

"
Thanksf
ormaki
ngmyf
avor
it
esal
ad.
"Isayt
oRose.

"I
t'
scool
.Anyway
s,asweweresay
ing.Hi
shospi
tal
gotbur
nt?
"asksRoseeat
ingawi
ng.

"
Hehasahospi
tal
?"

"Umm yes.Heownsahospi
tal
inZi
mbabwe.Di
dn'
t
hetel
lyou?"

"
Hmm nohedi
dn'
t.Heonlytol
dmethatheownsa
f
ewshopsi
nBenoni
."Isayeat
ingmysal
adwhil
e
Shani
kawat
chesTV.

"
Oooh.
"mumbl
esRose,
wide-
eyed.

"
Yeahsoam guessi
ngNkosiownsalotofthi
ngs
t
hatIdon'
tknowabout
."Isay
,emphasi
zingontheI
.

"Let'
stal
kaboutsomethingel
sebecauseIam i
nno
placetoanswerthatst
atement
."say
sRose.

"Am hur
tbutokay
."Isay."
Howisev
eryt
hing
bet
weeny ouandSihl
e?"themomentSi
hle'
sname
cameoutofmymout h,
Rosel
ooksi
ntospaceand
smil
es.

"Hmmm okayIgotmyanswert
othat
."Isay
smir
kingather
.
Shesnapsoutofherspacewor
ldandst
art
s
bl
ushi
ng.
"Iwon'
tl
ie,yourbr
othermakesmesohappy
.""
she
sayssmil
ing.

"Ncaaawam happyfory
oubabygirl
.It
'sact
ual
l
ya
consequencehowyourbrot
heral
somakesme
happy."Isay
.

"Ncaaaaawwehav esomuchi ncommonbabygi rl

!!
!"
squeakesRose.Webot hsay"Ncaaaw"atthesame
andwej ustl
aughitoff.Ourafter
nooncontinues
withuslaughingandjustplay
ingwithShanikawho
i
sar ealdarl
ing.Weleaveforhomequi t
elateandas
soonaswegethome, myphoner i
ngs.

"Baby
?"Iasyget
ti
ngoutofSchev
'scar
,car
ryi
ng
Shani
kainmyarms.

"
Myl
ove?Howwasy
ourday
?"asksNkosi
.
"
Itwasokay
.Howar
eyou?
"Ir
epl
y.

"
Am f
ine.Justmi
ssi
ngy
ou.
"hesay
ssi
ghi
ng.

"Youwouldn'
tbegoingthroughthatify
ouhadl etme
comewi t
h."Isayr
oll
ingmyey es.IputShani
kaon
thecouchandheadt othekit
chentoseeifdinneri
s
ready
.

"comeonlove,
canwemov
eonf
rom t
hatpl
ease.
"
saysNkosi
.

"
Yeasur
e,i
t'
snotl
i
keIhav
eachoi
ce.
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

"
anyways!Ij
ustwant
edtohearyourvoi
cemyl
ove.
Howdidyouspendther
estofyourday?"
"Wel
lIact
uall
ygothomejustnow.Wasatmy
apar
tment.
"Isayt
ohim,openingt
hepots.

"
Ooh,
youwer
ewi
thRose?
"

"
Yep,
spentt
heaf
ter
noont
her
e."

"Oohokay
.Iwi
shIwasther
ethough,
wecoul
dhav
e
spentt
hedayt
oget
her
."

"Yeabuti
t'
sokay.Youar estill
comingbackso."
befor
eIcouldfi
nishthestatement ,
someonecall
s
Nkosi,
gett
ingNkosi'sat
tention.IwishIcoul
dhear
whattheyaresayingbutIcan'thearanythi
ng.

"Mylove,
Ineedtogonow.Iwil
lcal
lyoul
ater
.Don'
t
sleepbef
oreIcal
lokay
?"say
sNkosi.
"Uum okay.Iwillbewaitingforyourcal
l
."Irepl
y.He
endst hecall
andIdi shupf oodforShanikaandI.
Aftereati
ng,Ipackthedi shesint
othedishwasher,
bathShanika,puthertobedandgetmyni ght
shower .Af
terthat,
Iwai tforNkosi
'scal
lformore
than3hour sandam sl eepy..
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
***
*

It
smor ni
ngandnocal l fr
om Nkosi .Ithoughtmay be
hemayhav ecalledafterIf el
lasl eepbutnot hi
ng.I
getoutofbed, domyusual mor ningr outineandgo
checkonShani kawhoi sstil
lsleepi ng.Iheadt othe
ki
tchenandf indt hemai dmaki ngbr eakfastandI
helpherwi t
hit.Af t
erthat,IwakeupShani ka,bat
h
herandwehav eourbr eakfast.Am pl anningon
goingtoGol dReefci t
ywi t
hhert odaysi ncewehav e
nothingtodoandIdon' thaveaj obany mor e.Thi
s
ki
ndofsucksbi gt i
me.Wegetdr essedaf terhavi
ng
breakfastandaswear eaboutt ogoout ,myphone
ri
ngsandi t'
sanunknownnumber .May bei t
'sNkosi.
"
Wellhel
lot
oyoutooMrsir.Iwai
tedunt
ill
atef
or
y
ourcall
butnot
hing.
"Isay
.

"Wel
l hel
lot
oyout
oot
winni
e!"say
saf
ami
l
iarv
oice
exci
tedly
.

"
AaaaaahSabel
o!"Ishoutandmyv
oiceechoes.

"
Theoneandonl
y.
"her
epl
i
esl
aughi
ng.

"
Oohmygoshi
t'
sbeensol
ong.
"

"I
tsurehas.Umm li
stenher
e,am atyourol
d
apart
mentbutitseemssomeonel i
vesther
enow.
"
herepli
es.

"
Oohi
don'
tst
ayt
her
eany
mor
e.Am act
ual
l
yabout
togooutsol
et'
smeetupatGol
dreefci
ty.
"Ir
epl
y
him wal
ki
ngdownt
heporchst
air
s.

"nono,Icancometothepl
aceyouareatnow
becauseIj
ustwantt
otalkt
oyouaboutsomethi
ng.
"
"herepl
i
es.

"okayl
etmegiv
ey oumyaddr
ess.
"Isayt
ohi
m.It
ell
him myaddr
essandtel
lhi
mtocal
lmewhenhegets
here.

"
Comepr
incess,
"Isayt
oShani
ka.

"Ar
en'
twegoi
ngtogol
dci
tyanymoreaunt
y?"she
saysl
ooki
ngatmewit
hhercut
eeyes.

"Wearepri
ncessbutl
ater
."Isaytoher.Shefoll
ows
meintothehouseandwesitintheli
vi
ngr oom.My
phoneri
ngsafter30mi
nutesandIansweri t.
"
Thando!Ar
eyouokay
?"asksapant
ingv
oice.

"
Yesam f
ine.Sor
rywhoi
sthi
s?"Iask.

"
Thandoi
tsme.
"hesay
s.

"
Nkosi
?"

"
Yes!Ar
eyouokay
?"

"Yesam fine,
whyar ey
oupant
ing?Isev
eryt
hing
okay?"Iaskhim st
andi
ngupfr
om thecouch.

"Thando,
Iwanty out
oli
stenme,don'
tlet.
..
."andhi
s
calli
scut.Il
ookatmyphoneandtrytocallhim3
ti
mesbutnot hi
ng.Hi
sphoneisoutofservi
ce.Ical
l
Schevandseeifhecanhelpmebutnot hi
ng.Healso
can'treachanyonewhoi swit
hNkosi ..
..
.Isi
tonthe
couch, fr
ustr
ated,notknowi
ngwhatwaswr ongwit
h
Nkosi andthenallofasudden,Ihearaconfli
ct
outside.Asam aboutt ogooutside,
Schevstopsme
rushesf ort
heentry.Whenhetriestoopenthedoor,
ashor tli
vedalarmrings.

"
Lockdown!"hemumbl
es.Hei
mmediatel
ytur
nsto
myfr
ight
enedsel
fwhoi
sholdi
ngShani
kaandruns
t
ome.

"Bossl ady,Ineedy outogot oy ourroom asi nnow.

Stayint hereunt ilItel
lyouot herwi
se."hesay s
forci
ngmet ost andup.Am t ooscar edt oaskany
questionssoIdoashesay s.Irushtot heroom, l
ock
my sel
fupi nther eandIt r
yt olookoutt hewindowt o
seewhat '
sgoi ngonbutt hesebl i
ndswon' topen.Is
Brainback?Isi tthebedwi thShani kajustplayi
ng
withherdol l.I
t'slikeshedoesn' tevencar eabout
what '
sgoi ngonr ightnow,shei sn'
tscar edatal
l.Isi
t
nexttoherandt rytoplayalongwi thhert henIhear
Sabeloshoutingmynamef rom out side.Irushtothe
windowi natt
emptt oseewhat 'sgoi ngonbutI
remembert hatthebl i
ndswon' topen.Ir usht othe
door,unl
ockitbuti twon'topen.Sabel ocallsmy
nameagai nasam st i
l
ltryi
ngt ogetoutbutnot hing
andthenShani kajuststartscryingf rom nowhere.
Okayt hi
sisonewei r
dday .Irushtoher ,pi
ckherup
andaskherwhat '
swr ongbutshej ustcar r
ieson
cryi
ng.OoohGod, whatthehel listhis.
Afterawhil
e,t
hecommot i
onoutsidestopsand
that'
swhenIrecei
veanMMS.Il ookatmyphone
andIopentheMMS.I t
'savideofrom anunknown
number,i
sn'tt
hist
henumberSabel ousedtocall
me.
Oohwell,t
hatdoesn'
tmatt
er..
..
..

Ipressthepl
aybut t
onandatt hatmoment ,Ifeelas
i
fmyhear thasbeenbetrayedandmyser enityhas
beentakenaway .Myheartkeptont el
l
ingmeone
thi
ngbutmyey esandmindwer ejustagainstmy
heartasamill
ionspinsj
ustspikeddeepi nsideme.
"Auntyar
ey ouokay
?"asksShani
kawhohas
stoppedcry
ingbutsti
l
lhastear
s.

"Yesmyangel
.Am fi
ne."Ir
epl
yher
.Shest
andont
he
bedandwipesmytearsaway.

"Aunt
y,pl
easedon'
tcwy .I
fyoucwy,
Iwil
lalsocwy.
"
shesays.Ismi
leatherasIalsowi
pehertears.

"Andmypr incessshouldntcr
ytoobecauseam
cryi
ngbecauseofher .
"Isaytoher .Shehugsme,
holdi
ngmet i
ghtasthoughshewon' tev erletmego
thenshelaysherheadonmyt highs.Ilookatmy
phone,asitplaysthevideooverandov eragainand
myt ear
sjustgushout .Whatsorceryisthis?

*
***
***
***
**
NKOSI
'
SPOV
Ibur
sti
ntot
her
oom asi
fam somecr
azyper
son,
onlyt
ofindThandoandShanikawat chingsome
showonTV.Il ookatThando,
andIf eel myheart
andmindbeateaseashersmi lejustrelaxesme.If
Bri
anhadalreadygott
entoher,shewoul dn'thav
e
hadthesmil
eshehasonherf acer i
ghtnow.

Islowl ywalki
ntotheroom,lookingatthe2angels
sit
tingi nbed,
laughi
ngandenj oyingt
heshow.I
reacht hebedwi t
houtthem noti
cingmeandIgeti n
bed, start
li
ngThandowhost artl
esShanika.They
bothl ookatmeandt heysmi l
ewhi l
ebothhugging
me.

"
OkaysoIwasmi
ssed.
"Isayl
aughi
ng.

"
Yesy
ouwer
e."r
epl
i
esThando,
kissi
ngmycheeks.

"Imissedy outoomybut ter

fl
ies.
"Isayt
hem.When
theyletmego, Thandoaskswhathappenedt
oday
andIj ustt
ellherthatBr
ianwantedtoki
dnapher
againandsheendsupexcusi ngt hematter.The
actualtr
uthi s,Brai
nmessedwi thmyshipswhi ch
wer etr
anspor ti
ngdr ugstoIndi
aandmadet hem go
toJamai ca.Thi swasalltogetmyat t
enti
onont he
drugsandnotThandoj ustsohecoul dgetsomet i
me
tospillt
hebeanst oThandowi thoutmei nterr
upt i
ng.
But,thankGodIf oundoutwhatwasgoi ngonear l
y
andIf l
ewbackt oSouthAfri
ca,withoutwast i
ng
anytime.Whi lstIwasf l
yi
ngback, Itr
iedtocallher
butmynet wor kwascutof fsoIaskedBr endont o
l
ockdownt heent i
rehousejustsonoonel eavesor
entersthehouse.Lucki ly,
Schevwasher esohe
helpedoutal ot.
It
salreadyaf ter18: 00andShani kaisdeadasl eep.
Sherefusedt ohav eany thi
ngtoeatandshesai dshe
wantedt osleepsowel ether
.IfeelThando'shand
creepupmycheekandshemakesmel ookather .I
l
ookather ,ret urningthesmi l
eshehasonherf ace
butthemomentIl ookintoherey es,
somet hi
ngj ust
seemsdi ff
erenti nthem butshei sn'
tlet
ti
ngt hem
snit
chonher .Shegi vesmeasl owdeepki sst hen
separatesourl i
ps.
"
Love,Iwanttoshowyousomet
hing.
"shesay
s
r
unningherhandsupanddownmychest.

"okay,whati si
t."Ir
eplyher,hol
dingherot herhand.
Sheslowl ygetsoutofbed, getsherphonef rom the
dressi
ngt ableandconnect sittotheTV.Shet akes
theTVr emot eandcomesbackt obedandhol dsmy
handsinceshecan' tcuddlenextt omebecauseof
Shanikabeinginbet weenus.Shest artssearching
forsomet hingthenshepr essesenterwhensheget s
tosomef i
lebutbeforeshepr essespl ay,shelooks
atmeandherey esarejustmeani ngless.Shel ooks
backatt heTVandt hevideostartsplay i
ng.

Ar
emyey
esdecei
vi
ngmeorwhat
..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Sor
ryguys,
Iwasmindbl
ocked.
..
..Ineededan
i
nspi
rat
ionsoi
ttookt
imetogetmyf li
ngback.
Chapt
er37

THANDO'
SPOV.

Ilookathi m ashewat chesthev i

deoofay oung
handsomeman, kil
lingapoorol dwhi tehairedman
whopl eadswi t
hhi m butt heyoungmanj usti gnores
him.Ipaymymostat tenti
ontoev eryaction,
mov ementandut tert hatNkosi makesashi seyes
popout .Tearsstar ttocomeoutofmyey esandI
stopt hev i
deof r
om pl ay i
ng.Ipi
ckupShani kafrom
thebedandwal kt ot heguestr oom wher eIputher
tobed.Iwal kbackt her oom andi fi
ndNkosi walki
ng
upanddown.Ist andatt heentrance,lookingathi s
wor r
iedf ace,asifhei st r
yingtomakeupsomef ake
storyunt i
lhenot icesme.Hest andsi noneposi ti
on
andsay s"Thandol etmeexp"butIst ophim.

"noNkosi
,that'
snotwhatIwanttohear.Iwantto
hearyousaythatthi
sisall
justami
sunderstandi
ng
orthat
'sj
ustanotherper
sonwhojustlooksli
keyou.
That'
sallIwanttohear .Iwanttoheary ousayit'
sal
l
j
ustsomet y
peofgamet hatMkhizeorRosei s
playi
ngony ou.Pleasejustsaythat."Isaysl
owly
walkingtohim.Iwr apmyar msar oundhisneckand
hisauraenergyhasdr opped.Hisbodyhassuddenl y
tensedupandhi sey es,t
heyarethesameey esam
usedt oseei
ng.

"Pl
easetellmethatmyl ovebecausethatcan'tbe
youright
?"Isaysmil
ing,try
ingnottoletthetears
getthebestofme.Hel ooksdown, av
oidingey e
contactwit
hmet henhet akesmyhand, pull
smet o
thebedtositthenheasks, "
Wheredidy ougetthis?"

"Thatdoesn'tmatt
er,whatmatter
sisyout el
li
ngme
thatthepersoninthatvi
deoisn'
tyou.
"Ireplyhim
l
aughi ng.Hekeepshiseyesonme, tr
yingsohardto
saysomet hingandthat
'swhenIgetmyanswer .

"Soi
tisyou?"Iut
ter
,mylipsf
ormi
ngafrown,my
hear
tsti
l
l r
efusi
ngtoacceptt
hetr
utht
hatisr
ighti
n
f
rontofme.

"Thando, IswearIwant edtot ellyou,i

t'sjustthatI
wast ooscar edtolosey ou."whi nesNkosi asat ear
escapeshi sey e.Hekneel snextt ome, holdingmy
hands.Iam power less,am f i
nished,Idon' tknow
whatt osay .Ifeelsoraged, myl oveforhi m has
turnedintor age,i
ntor egretandhat et hatIonl yfel
t
forBrian.Iroughlypull myhandsawayf rom hisand
Idot hemostunexpect ed.Ifi
ndmyl eftbackhand
burningashel aysont hef l
oor, wide-
ey ed,holding
hischeek.

Ist
andupf r
om thebed, withtearsjustfal
li
ngf r
om
myey es,howcouldIf alli
nlovewi thmyf at
her '
s
murderer?Whatkindofchi l
dam I ?Howcoul dI
bet
rayal ovedonelikethis?Iwal ktothecloset,get
asuitcaseandstarttakingmycl othesfrom the
wardrobebutNkosi comesi nrunningli
keacr azy
per
son, taki
ngal
l t
hecl othesam put t
inginthe
sui
tcaseandput sthem backi nthewar drobe.He
dropstothef
loorandat
tempt
stohol
dmyhands
butIref
use.

"Thandopl easel i
stentome. .
..I,
Ididn'tknowthathe
wasy ourfather.Myl ove,
am sor ry.Ihadnochoi ce
backt henThando, mybosst oldmet oki l
lhim,Ihad
noideat hathewasy ourfat
her .IfIhadknown, I
woul dhav elethim go!Myl ov epleasebel i
eveme!!"
wimpsNkosi ,
tryi
ngt ofol
lowmyey esashei sonhis
knees.Ilookathi m andhei sjustcrying,hishi
ccups
keeponi nterr
uptinghisapol ogythatam notev en
buying.Ihel phim standup, stareathim andIthink
tomy self,"howf ooli
shwasi ..
..
"

"Nkosi,t
hatmanbeggedy outolethi
m bebutdid
youlist
en?Noy oudidn't
.Thatmant oldyouthathe
hadchildrenbutdidy ouli
sten?No.Thatman
beggedy ouov erandov erandoverandov erand
overandov eragainbuty oufuckingnever
l
istened!!
!!
!!
"Ishoutcr y
ing,hi
tt
inghischestashe
tr
iestohol dmebutIpushhi m away.
"Don'tyoudareputy ourhandsonmey oumur derer
!
Dontev enlookatme! !You,youki l
l
edmyf ather!The
manwhol ovedmewi ththeut mostlove.Hedi d
anythingandev er
ythingtoprotectmebuty ouki l
led
himlikehewasnot hi
ng!!!
""Icry,f
all
ingtothegr ound.
Nkosi tr
iestopickmeupbutIpushhi m awayandhe
l
andsont hegroundwi thhisass.Hest andsupand
rushestomeagai nandkneel s,hi
dinghisheadi nhis
palms.

"Thandopl easedon' t,don'tsayt hatmyl ov e.Ir eall

y
hadnoi deathathewasy ourfather !WhenIf ound
out,Iwantedt otellyoubutIwasscar edofl osing
you.Youar emyl ifeli
neThando, Ican'taf f
ordt ol ose
you..
..Pl
ease, pl
easef orgi v
eme!Thandopl easeI
begofy ou!"hecr ies.Iwoul dsayIf eel sorryf orhim
butIdon't.Ifeel
likekilli
nghi m, Ifeellikejustr ipping
him apartint
osomanypi ecesandl etti
nghi m dr own
i
nhi ssorrowsunt ilhedies.Isl owl ystandupf rom
thegroundandNkosi raiseshishead, hi sfacel ooks
disgusti
ng.Mucusandt ear sarej ustgushi ngout
andheisjustlett
ingthem.Hisey esar
eredandhis
bluepupi
lsarejustdark.Iwalkbacktothewardr
obe,
takeagunfrom mypur seandpointi
tathim.Hesit
s
ontheground,notscaredatall,i
nfact
,hejustl
ooks
atmewi t
hhishandsi nt heai
rthenhesays

"Pleasedoki l
lmei fyouar epl anni ngonl eav i
ngme
becauseIcan' tsur vivewithouty oumyl ove.Ki l
lme
please!Justpul lthet r
iggerandki l
lme. "hecr iesout.
Hisoncehuskyv oicehast urnedi ntosomet hi
ng
rusty.Iat t
emptt oshoothi m butIam j ustf ail
ing,my
hear tisj ustrefusingt oletmedot haty etmybr ain
want smyey est oseehi sbl ood.Ij ustlookathi m,
sitt
ingont hegr oundcr y
ingqui etl
yandIt urnbackt o
mypur se.Iputt hegunbacki n, Il
ookatt hemi r
ror
andmyey esar epur ebl ood.Iwi pemyt ear saway
event hought heyar en'tstoppi ng.Iwal kt othe
bathr oom washmyf aceandl ot i
oni t
.Ifindhi m stil
l
ont hef l
oorcr yi
ngandsomet hingi nmewant st o
holdhi m stophi mf r
om cr yingandki sshi m butmy
hatredf orhim hasmor epr ide.
Hel
ooksatmeasIwalkpasthi
m,backt
othe
war
drobeandhol
dsmyleg.

"Thandopl easedon' tdot his,youknowt hatIlove

you.Iwoul dn'thav edonei tifIknewt hathewasmy
futurewife'
sf ather.Icoul dhav epr otectedhim
Thandobel ieveme. "hesay sbutIki ckhi m away
wi t
hnowor dsai d.Am donet alki
ng.Idon' tknow
whatel setosay .It akemypur se,l
ookathi m one
mor etimeandIcl osemyey esast ear sconti
nueto
gushout .Ilookatt heringhegav emeandIj ust
break.SoIguesst hisisit,islowlyt akether i
ngoff
from myengagementf ingerbuthehol dsmyhand,
stoppingmewi thhi sey eswi deopen.

"Thando,pl
ease!Ibegofy
ou,
don'
tdot
his!
!Pl
ease!
"
hecriesshaki
nghishead.

"
Nkosi
,pleasel
etgoofmyhand."Ili
ghtl
ysay,
l
ooki
ngintospacebuthedoesn'
t,
hejustpl
eads.
"
Thandopl
ease!
"hesay
s.

"Nkosi
,l
etgoofmyhand,
please.
..
..
"Isayt
ohi
m but
hedoesn'
tletgo.

"
Am onl
ygoingtoletgoofyourhandaf
tery
out
ell
mesomethi
ng."heutter
s.
"
Doyousti
lll
oveme?"heasksl
ooki
ngatmebutI
t
urnmyeyesawayfrom hi
m.Hetur
nsmyfacet
o
l
ookathi
m butIr
efuse.

"Ihatey ouNkosi ,Ifeel absolutelynot hi

ngf oryou
now.Youar en'
tdifferentf r
om Br i
anatal l.Youare
j
ustasev ilashei s,infact ,youar emor eev il
thanhe
i
s.Ihat ey ouwi thapassi on,Idespisey ouand
everythi
ngabouty ou.Ir egretthedayImety ou,I
regretthedayIl ety oui ntomyl i
fe,IregretthedayI
i
nt r
oducedy out omyhear tandmyf ami l
y.Ishould
have,Ishoul dhavel i
stenedt oKhay awhenhesai dI
shouldbr eakupwi thy ou."Isaypul l
ingmyhands
f
rom hi
s.It ur
nmyey estohi
m andsayt heselast
words"Ipraythatyoudiethemostpai nfuldeathi n
t
hisworld,worsethany ourv
ictims.Goodby e
Nkosi
nat hiNxumalo."Ir
emov etheringandt hrowi t
i
nhisbewi l
deredfaceandqui cklywalkaway .Irush
t
oShani ka'
sroom, packherbagsandpi ckherup
f
rom herbed.Nkosi comesrushi ngi
ntoShani ka's
r
oom andl ocksit
.

"Thando,youaren'tgoingany where,youaremi ne
andnooneel se's!
!!!
!!
!Youwi llneverl
eaveme! !I
havewaitedforwaaaaayt olongtogety ouandam
notgoingtoletyougoj ustl
i
ket hat!
"hebellows,
wakingupShani ka.Sher ubsherey esandlooksat
myf ace.

"
Aunty
,whyareyourey
esr
ed?"sheasks.Shet
urns
t
olookatNkosi
andaskst
hesamequest i
on.

"Uum dar
li
ng,Auntyandunclearej
ustt
ir
edokay,
that
'swhyoureyesarered.
"saysNkosi
,wipi
nghi
s
tearsawaybutIj ustkeepqui etanddonot hingatal l
.
Itakethismomentandwal ktot hedoorandasIt ry
tounlocki t
,hehol dsmyhandbutIscr eam asloud
asIcan, andhel et'sgoofmyhand.Ir ushoutoft he
room, downt hest air
sandst raightt othegarage.I
putShani kainthebackseatwhoi saskingendl ess
questionsandIgeti ntothedr i
ver'sseat.Itryto
opent hegaragewi t
ht hekeyIhav ebutitisn't
wor ki
ng.Fuck! !
!Irushbacki ntot hehouseandbump
i
nt oNkosi whowasonhi swayt ot hegarage.Iwal k
pasthim andgot ot hekitchent ogett hespar e
garager emotebuti tisn'tthere.Iwal kbackt othe
garageandNkosi hast akenShani kaoutoft hecar ,
okayIsweart hi
smanwant smet oki l
lhim now.

"
Nkosi
,opent
hegar
agef
orme,
"Isayt
ohi
m buthe
i
gnor
esme.

"Nkosiopenthef
reaki
nggar
ageforme!
!!
""Iscr
eam
butheignoresme.Shani
kal
ooksatmeandshe
star
tscryi
ng.Thi
sisreal
l
ynott
hetimef
orhertocry.
"
Youaremakingt
hepr
incesscr
yThando,
lowery
our
v
oice.
"cal
mlysay
sNkosi.

"NkosiIdon'thav
eti
mef orthi
s,j
ustl
etmego!Can'
t
youseet hatmeandyouar eover
?it'
sdone,
ther
eis
nothi
ngleftofusNkosi
!"Isaytohim.

"
Thereissomethi
ngleftofusThando.Youst
il
ll
ove
me,Iknowthatyousti
l
l l
oveme."saysNkosi
.

"
EvenifIdi
d,thatl
ovedoesn'
tchanget
hefactt
hat
y
out ookmyf at
herawayfr
om us.Youki
ll
edmy
f
atherNkosi
."Isaytohi
m.

"
Andam sor
ryThando!
"

"
wil
lyoursor
rybr
inghi
m back?
"Iaskhi
m.
"
Noi
twon'
tbutIwi
shIcoul
d."

"Wellguesswhat ,youcantnowdeal withthe

consequences.Opent hegar agedoorformeorelse
Iwil
lshootmy sel
fhere."Isaytohi
m, gett
ingmygun
fr
om mypur seinthecar .Ipoi
ntt
hegunatmy sel
f
andShani kacriesherlungsout.

"Thandostopbeingsost
ubbor
nandl
etust
alk
aboutthi
s!"say
sNkosi.

"
1;2;
3;4!
!!
!!
"

"Okayokay
!Iwi
ll
openthegarage!
"hesay
s.Hecal
ls
oneofhismenandSchevpopsupandhelooksat
bothofus.

"
Hau,
bozza,
what
'sgoi
ngonher
e?"heasks.
"
Opent hegar
ageSchev.
"saysNkosi.Schevl
ooksat
Nkosiwit
haquizzi
call
ookthenhelooksatme,sti
l
l
wit
htheguninmyhand.

"Bosslady
,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?"asksSchev."Why
doy ouhavet
hatguni
nyourhand?"hecont
inues.

"Justopenthefucki
nggarageSchev!
"Ibel
low.He
quickl
yopensitandItakeShanikaf
rom Nkosi
.He
l
ooksatmewi t
ht hesaddestey
esIhaveneverseen.

"Pleasedontleav emeThando. "hesay sbutIl ook

away .Schevlooksatmewi t
hdi sappoi ntedey esand
rushestoNkosi whohasf all
ent ot hegr ound.Iget
i
ntot hecar,startitanddriv
eoutoft hegar age, wit
h
Nkosi j
ustlookingatmet henall ofasuddenhe
rushestot hebackoft hecarandIbumpi ntohi m.All
hismenr usht ohim butI,Idon'tstopdr i
v i
ng.Ij ust
mov eawayf r
om hi sbodywhi chisl ayi
ngont he
groundanddr i
vet othegatewhi chIopenwi thmy
fi
ngerpr i
nt.IhearShanikacr yi
ngsi lentlybutIj ustlet
herbe.Ihav eabsolutel
ynoener gyforhertoni
ght
andam dr oppingheroffatNerisa's.AssoonasI
dropherof fthere,
Idriv
etomyapar tmentandit'
s
l
ateatni ght.Ir
ingthebell
andSi hleopensthedoor.
Hel ooksatmewi thasmilebutthesmi l
esoon
fadesawayandhepul l
smei nt
ot heapartment.

"Thando?What'
swrong?"heaskst ouchingmyf ace.
Ihughim asIcr
yloudnow, l
etti
ngallthescreams
outandRosecomesi nt
ot heli
vi
ngr oom rushi
ng.As
soonassheseesmecr ying,shecomest ome.

"Thando?What'swrong?Whyar eyoucryi
ng.
"Ilook
atherandherfacejustresembleshi
m butIwon't
hateherforherbr
other'
ssins.Ismil
eatherand
shakemyhead.

"Don'tworryl
ove,am okay
."Isaytoher.Shepushes
herselfcl
osertomeandsay s"Don'tl
i
et ome.What
happened, wasitNkosi
?"l
ookingconserned.
"
Tal
ktome,
"say
sSi
hle.

"Tomorrow,
weneedtogotoLehur
utshe.Tel
lKhay
a
andZiphotoal
socome.
"IsaytoSi
hle.

"
Why
?"asksSi
hlewi
thscr
unchedupey
es.

"
Iwi
l
ltel
lyoual
ltoget
her
."Isayt
ohi
m.

"
shoul
dIpackabagf
orhi
m?"asksRose.

"Umm nodon' tworry,Iwi

lldoi ttomorrow.Iwant
youtogot oNkosi'shouset omor rowmor ning.He
needsy oumor et
hanev errightnow. "Isaytoher.
Shenodsherheady esthenSi hlehelpsmesi tont he
couch.Iburymyf aceinmyhands, notknowing
whetherIshouldscream orj ustkil
lmy sel
f.Igaveall
mylov etomyf at
her'skil
l
er,Igav ehim everythi
ng.I
evenlethim cont
rolmyl i
fe.
"Shoul
dIbr
ingy
ouwat
er?
"asksRose.Ishakemy
headno.

"
Whi
chr
oom ar
eyouguy
susi
ng?
"Iask.

"Weareusingthelastroom ony ourl

eft
."r
epli
es
Sihl
e."Youcanusey ourroom.Wedi dn'
tchange
anythi
nginther
e."hecont i
nues.Inodmyheady es
andleavethem si
tt
inginthelivi
ngroom.Ihonestly
don'
tknowhowt ofeelri
ghtnow.Am justconfused.

*
***
***
***
***
**

Il
ookatal lofthem, sit
tingont hecouches,
contemplatingonwhet herIshoul dtell
myf amilyt
he
tr
uthornot.Explaint othem whymyey esare
swollenandwhyIam sodown.Khay ahasbeen
bl
ami ngitNkosi ev
ersi ncehesawmeaf terhe
arr
ivedandIhav en'tprot estedagai
nsthiml i
ke
everyoneelsehasbeendoi ng.Am j
ustquiet,no
wordsaid,justtear
sandr
egretyetf
il
ledwi
thpai
nof
l
osingalov edonewhom Iknow,makesmeso
happy.Ifeelsomeone'
shandgoingupanddownon
mybackandIl ookatt
hem,it
'sTshi
di.

"
TalktousThando,whyhav
ey oucal
ledf
ort
his
meeti
ng?"asksZi
phokneel
ingbesi
deme.

"Oohplease,whyareyouaskingthissi
ll
yquesti
on,
i
t'sobv
ious.It
'sal
lNkosi'
sfaultandwhatweneedt o
donowi sjustgother
eandt ortur
ehim unt
ilhecri
es
thesamewayhehasmadeourbubbl egum cry!
"
bell
owsKhay a.

"ShutupKhay
aman!Cany oujustkeepquietfor2
secondsandjustl
etherspeak!
"shoutsSihle.Khay
a
l
ooksatSihl
eandj ustsay
ssomet hi
ngunderhi s
breat
h.

"
Excuseme?
!"shout
sSi
hlechar
gingf
orKhay
sbut
hei
sst
oppedbyNol
u.

"Thando,tal
ktous.Whyareyouhere?"asksmy
mot hersi
tti
ngontheopposi
tecouch.Il
ookar ound
theroom, andIbr
eatheout
.Isni
ffandIfinal
l
y
decidetotalk.

"So**sni
ff
**am nottel
l
ingyout
hisbecauseIwant
youtokil
lhim,no.Am t
ell
i
ngyouthi
sbecause
keepi
ngitinsi
dewouldkil
lmesl
owly.
"I.Say,
sni
ffi
ng.

"
Iknewit
!"bel
lowsKhay
a.Sihl
elooksathi
m wi
tha
warni
ngeyeandKhayakeepsquiet
.

"
Okayweheary
ounowt
ell
us.
"say
sZi
pho.

"Ma,am sorr
yfordoi
ngt
hisbutIr
eal
l
ydidn'tknow.
I
fIknew, I
,Iwoul
dhavest
ayedawayfrom hi
m
but
..
...
."
"
Thandoj
ustsayi
tal
ready
!"say
sZi
pho,
squeezi
ng
myarm.

"Nkosi
,Nkosiki
ll
edpapa.Hei
spapa'
smur
der
er.
"I
saybefor
eIfall
apart
.

"What?
"shout
smysi
bli
ngsbutmymot
hersof
tl
y
says
"So?
"weal
ltur
ntoher
,shockedbutshei
sser
ious
ashell
.

"Thando,yourf
atherspoketoyouaboutt
hissowhy
areyouactingl
ikethi
s?"shesaysshr
uggi
ngher
shoulder
s.

"
Ma?
"
Chapt
er38

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Iwat chherdr i
veawayasIl ayont hegr oundwi t
han
achingbody ,becomi ngconsi oustot hef actt hatshe
real
lyi sleavingme.It houghtIhadev erythinginmy
favourbutIwaswr ongandnow, shei sgone.The
gateopensandhercardi sappear sasIst areatt he
gate, hopingt hatshewoul dj ustcomebackandsay
shewasj ustjoki
ngbutnot hing.If eelsomeone
shakingmybodyandIt urnmyheadt olookatSchev
whoi st r
y ingsohar dt opickmeup.Ist ophi m and
l
ookathi m, angryasf uck.Ij umpupt omyf eetand
grabhi m byhi scol l
ar,forget ti
ngt hathest il
l
recov eri
ngf rom thegunshot shegot .Ihuf finhis
face,notknowi ngwhyam hol dinghi ml i
ket hisbutI
needt oventmyangerout .Mymenj ustst and,
l
ooki ngatusandIl etgoofSchevwhof allstot he
groundandqui cklystandsup.
Igr
abhi
shandwi
tht
heut
mostpowerandpul
lhi
m
cl
osert
ome.

"Iwanty out otakeev erysinglemant hatworksfor

me, everysingleoneoft hem, gotot hewarehouse,
packal l
t heweaponswehav e,fr
om gunst oknifes,
everyt
hing! !
!Iwanty ouont hejetinlessthan2
hours,fl
y ingtoMexi co.Iwilljoi
ny out omorr
ow
morning."Ibawl pushinghim away .Hebumpsi nto
thewal landt ur
nst omymen.

"Iwantallofyoutogohomeandt elly
ourwi vesor
whateveryouhav etherethatyouaret r
aveli
ng
toni
ght.Wewi llmeetattheBenoni warehousei n
l
essthananhour .Packeveryt
hingy ouwillneedand
bythat,Imeanweapons!Yourt imestartsnow!!"he
shoutsandt heyallgeti
ntotheirri
desanddr iveout
.

Isworet hatIwi
llki
l
lmyselfi
fThandoev erlef
tme
butfi
rst,Iwil
lki
l
lthosewhocausedal lt
his.Iknow
thati
diothashistabsonmebutt histi
me, thi
stime,
hewon' tseeshi
tcoming.Idi
alBrendon'
snumber
andheanswer
sinasl
eepyv
oice.

"
Boy,wearemaki
ngourmove.Wakeupandget
r
eadytof
lytoMexi
co"Isayt
ohim.

"OkayBoss."andIendt hephone.Irushi
ntothe
houseandpackev eryt
hingIwil
lneedandasam
abouttogetout ,
Ispotsomet hi
ngshinyandthats
whenithit
sme.Memor iesofhowIputthatspeci
fi
c
ri
ngonherf inger
...
..
..

""
Why?I
sn'tam her
enow? "Isaidtoher
,thedayI
camebackfrom Nort
hwestaftershegotshot
.
"
Becausey
oudi
dn'
tputmyr
ingon.
"
"
youar
eonecr
azywoman.
"
"ThandoMdlet
she,
wil
lyoumarryme?"andthe
gloomyfaceshemadeasshenoddedherhead,
givi
ngmeherhandtoputtheengagementr
ingon
herfi
nger.
Il
ookdownasIr ememberev er
ysingl
ewordshe
sai
dtomet oni
ght,howsheswor eatme,howshe
comparedmet omygr eatestenemy,howmuchhate
shehadinhereyes.
..
..
.Sigh****
Doesaheart
breakr
eal
lyf
eell
iket
his?Ipi
ckupt
he
ri
ngandputi
tinherj
ewel
rybox.

"Iwil
lbri
ngy oubackt omemyl ove,
andt histi
me, I
promisetotellyouev erysi
nglesecr
etIhav ekept.
"I
saytomy selfbeforewal ki
ngoutoftheroom and
headingtomycar .Iwil
lgopastSbu'shouset opick
him upwhet herhelikesitornot
.Thisti
me, am
goingtokil
lBr i
anandam notgoi ngtomi ss..
..
..
.Thi
s
ti
me, hesurelydiesandIwi ll
makesureofi t.

*
***
***
***
***
*
THANDO'
SPOV

"
Ma!"Isayshockedbutshel
ooksatmeasi
fam
madorsomet hi
ng.

"Okayhol
dupwait!Andwhotoldyouthi
sThando?"
asksTshi
di,
smir
king."
Ibeti
t'
sBri
anandi fi
tshi
m,
Thandoyouarewasti
ngourti
me."shesaysherwri
st.

"Oneofmyf riendssentmeav i
deoshowi ngNkosi
andpapaint her oom thathewasf ounddead! !"I
shoutcryi
ng."Nkosi wasl i
ter
all
ytherewi t
hpapa
kil
li
nghim andIsawi twithmyown2ey es.Ican
showy outhev ideoi
fy ouwant .
"Isaylookingf ormy
purse.Am sti
llshockedbymymot her'
response
though.Howcanshesaysuchwhenam t ell
ingher
thi
s.Andhowdoest heknowaboutmydr eam?

"NoneedforthatThandobecausewhaty
ousai
dis
al
ltr
ue.Nkosi
didkill
yourfat
her.
"say
smymom
l
ooki
ngatme.

"
Yousee! !
!ItoldyouThando! !!
!Itoldy ou!Butdidyou
l
ist
ent ome?Noy oudidn't!Infact,nonofy ou
l
ist
enednowl ook!!!Oursister'
sfianceki l
ledour
f
ather.Waitti
llIgett oSandt on,am goi ngtokil
lthat
motherfucker!Sihle,Zi
phoar eyouguy scoming
wit
hme? quest i
onswi llbeaskedaf terNkosi'
s
f
uneral!
"saysKhay ajustwal ki
ngupanddown.
Sihl
edoesn' tsayanything,hej uststandsup, walks
upstair
sandcomesbackwi thhi smostf avor
itebag
ofallandguesswhati thasi nside,tortureweapons.
Ziphoalsost andsupandr unsupst airs,comingback
withhisbagofgunsandkni ves. .
..
..
.Ilookatthese3
i
denticalmenandt hei
rf acessayev erything,
their
eyeshav eturnedredandt heirveinsar eshowi ng.I
standupf r
om t hecouchandIr usht oZipho,fall
ing
athisfeet.

"No,no,
no,
no.Pleasedon'
thur
thi
m.He,hedi
dn't
know.Hewasorderedbyhi
sbosstodoso.Pl
easeI
begofyou,
don'
thurthi
m.Justl
ethi
m be.
"Icr
ybut
Ziphol
i
ghtl
ypushesmeoutofhisway.

"Thando,that'
sthesamet hingyousai dafterBr
ian
hadhiswaywi thyouandlooknow, themanhas
becomeat hreatt
oy ou.Soplease,
don' tbull
shi
tus
withthat
."say sSi
hlewithhisnosewi deopen.Okay ,
whydi dItell
them again??
??

Iruntoal lofthem,fall
ingattheirfeethopingthey
wouldj ustdropthisthingbuttheydon' t
,theycall
thei
rguy stogetthei
rbags,ar r
anget hei
rjetand
everythingelse.Tshi
di andNoluthandohav eturned
tozombi es,t
heyarejustsit
tingont hecouches
cryi
ngandmymom, sheisjustlookingatus,
shakingherhead.Youwoul dsweart hedev i
lhas
castthespel lofsadnessint hi
shouse.

"Ma!sni
ff*
*ma, pleasetel
ltheguysthatt
heydon'
t
needtodot hi
s,Iwasjusttell
i
ngthem becauseI
didn'
twanttokeepanothersecretl
ikeIdid
pr
evi
ousl
y.Ma,
?pl
easet
alkt
othem.
"Icr
y.

"Hau,Thando!Whatdidy ouexpect?Youknowy our

brot
her sverywell
sowhyar ey ouact
ingasify
ou
weren'texpecti
ngthi
s?"r
epliesmom.Aphoner ings
andZiphopi cksupthecall
.

"Oohokay ,weareonourway."hesay
sandthe
tri
pletsal
lstandupatonceandheadfort
he
entrance.

"Maplease!
!!St
opt hem,theywil
l ki
l
lNkosi ma!"Icr
y
toherandthatswhenshecal lsthetri
plet
sbefore
theyr
eachthedoor .Theyallt
urnattheirowntimes
andmymom st andsupfrom hercouch.

"Howmanypeoplehaveyouki
ll
ed?"sheaskst
hem
andtheyal
ll
ookatherconf
used.
"Answermyquest
ion.
"say
smom butt
heyal
ll
ookat
her,si
l
ent
.

"Okay,
fine, l
et'
sexcusethat
.Howmanyoft hose
peopl
ewer emar r
iedormentionedhavi
ngchildren?
"
sheasksl ookingatthem.Khayasquinthi
sey esat
herchuckling.

"
Andy
ourpoi
nther
eis?
"say
sSi
hle.

"
Mypointis,ifyouhaveneverkil
l
edamanwhohad
afami
lytheny oucangladl
ygodowhaty ouwant
wi
thNkosi."saysmom pointi
ngatt hedoor
.They
l
ookateachot herandtheybreakintol
aught
er.

"Sowaitma, whatyouaretr
y i
ngtosayherei
s,we
shoul
dn'tkil
lNkosi?
!wellt
hinkagai
nma, wedon't
careaboutthemenweki ll
ed.Wearestil
lgoi
ngto
kil
lNkosi,
atleastwewil
lbeatpeaceandsowi l
ldad.
"saysZipho.
"Ineversaidthat.WhatIsai dis,
ifyouknowt hatyou
havenev erlai
dy ourhandsonamanwhohad
chil
drenandawi feathome; I
fyouknowt hatyou
havenev errui
nedahome; youknowt hatyoudon't
havesomeone' schi ldrenlookingforyoubecause
theywantt okil
l you,theny oucanl eaveandgot o
Nkosi'sandkillhim." shesay spointi
ngatthem.
Theyal l
lookatherconf usedashel lasam just
sit
tingonthef l
oor ,sniff
ing.

"Mom, Ir
ememberhear i
ngast oryli
ket hatfr
om the
Bibl
e,i
st hatwhereyouar etaki
ngy ourlit
tl
espeech
fr
om? "asksZipholaughing.Mymot herlooksathim
withwarningeyesandhest opslaughi ngand
becomesser i
ous,clear
inghisthroat.

"Mychildren,yourfatherhasforgi
venNkosi.Hedid
thatalongt i
meagof orareasonandThandoknows
i
tv erywell,
ifyoukill
Nkosi ,t
henyourfat
herwi l
l
neverrestinpeace.Hewi l
lturni
nhisgraveandi t
willbeyourfaultyout hr
ee."saysmymot her.Okay
am notagai
nstwhatsheissayi
ngbutsheknows
howthese3feelabouthersay
ingal
lthese
super
sti
ti
ousthi
ngs.

"Okayma,woul
dy oucar
etoexpl
aint
oushowt he
helly
ouknowthatpapahasf
orgi
venNkosi
?"asks
Khaya.

"Don'
taskst
upi
dquestionsKhay
a.Youknowexact
ly
howIspoketoyourf
ather.Mysi
steri
sasangoma.
"

"Ophgreat,
her
ewegoagai
nwi
tht
hisshi
t!
"whi
nes
Sihl
e,r
oll
inghi
sey
es.

"Don'ty
oudaredisrespectmey ouf ools!"huf
fsmom.
"Yourauntcall
edmeweeksbef oreThando
i
ntroducedNkositous; whi
chwasaf terThandoand
Sbu'sbreakup.Shetoldmet hatIhadt oseeheras
soonaspossibleandwhenIwentt here,shetol
dme
thatmyhusbandhadbeenpl eadingwi thherto
speakt omef r
om theotherworldsoIdi d.Hetold
met hathiskil
l
erwastocomesomet imesoonbut
hewar nedmenott otouchhim, nottohar m hi
min
anyway .Tomakesur ethathisl
astchi l
d,Thando,
andhim becomeonenomat t
erwhat .Andt henhe
tol
dmet hathewouldvisi
tThandoi nherdr eams
whichheal r
eadydidbutIjustdon'tknowwhen. "
narr
atesmom l ooki
ngatme.
"Youallknowhowmuchy ourfathertr
easured
Thando, hetreasuredhermor ethanhet reasur
edme.
That'
swhyhef orgav
eNkosi f
orwhathedi dbecause
heknowst hatnoonecoul dev ercareforThandothe
wayNkosi does."shecontinues.Shewal kstome
andholdsmyhands, wi
pingmyt ears.

"Mychild,whyaren'tyoul
isteningt oy ourf at
herhuh?
Didn'
tyourfathertell
youtonev erleavehi m?didnt
hetell
y outolovehim nomat terwhat ?Di dn'
thetel
l
youthathewasy ourprot
ector? "shesay s,
bombar di
ngmewi ththeexactt hingst hatpapasaid
Ishoulddo.Sot hi
swasi t,t
het hingt hatpapawas
tel
li
ngmeabout .
..
...
"Mapl ease,it
'snotaseasyasi tmaysound.I magine
yourselfinmyshoes, wouldy ouf or
givepapai fyou
everfoundoutt hatheki ll
edgr andpa?Youwoul dn'
t.
YesIl ovehim andal l butIjustcan'tforgivehim,I
can'
t..
...
"Icryout ."Iknowt hatpapawant smet o
for
givehi m butIcan' tma.Papawasmybestf ri
end
andy ouknowt hat.Soexpl ai
nt omehowam
supposedt ojustf orgetev eryt
hi ngandf orgi
ve
Nkosi? "

"Thando,Iknowit'shar df oryou,i
twasalsohardfor
me, bel
ieveme.Comi ngt ot er
mswi t
hthefactthat
yourlastchi
ldfel
l i
nl ovewi thyourhusband'
skill
er
wast hemostpainf ul t
hingev erbuti
twasy our
father
'swishandIhadnosayi nthat
.AndThando,
youknowt hatyourf atherwasagai nstmebel i
evi
ng
i
namasangoma( diviner)sowhywoul dheuseone
nowt ocommuni cat ewi thus?"shesays.Okaythat'
s
supertrue.

"
Itwi
l
ltaket
imebutf
orgi
vehi
m andt
hisgoest
oal
l
ofyou.Forgi
vehim becausethereisnot
hingelsewe
cando."saysmom l ooki
ngateveryonei
nt heroom.
"Takeal
ltheti
mey ouneedt oforgiv
ehim butdon'
t
hurthi
m becausethereissomethingcal
ledkarma
outther
eandi twi
llcomef oryouifyout
ouchhi m.
"
saysmom.

"Arey oudonemom?Okayshei sdonel et'

sgo. "says
Sihleandt heyal lturntot hedoorbutt hemoment
theyopent hedoor , auntMahl ongwanesay ssome
wei r
dst uffandt heyal lfal
l tothegr ound.Aunt
Mahl ongwanei sNkany ezi,abeaut if
ulmi ddleaged
womanwi th7chi ldren.Herhusbandhas4wi ves
andshei st hef avoriteoutofal l
oft hem because
shegav ebi rt
ht osonsonl y .Shewaschosenbyher
ancest orst obeadi vi
nerwhenshewas26whi ch
wasay earr i
ghtaf terget t
ingmar r
ied.Ev ersince,
shehasbeent hisdi vi
nerbutal ongwi t
hher
tradit
ional lif
estyle,shei sabusi nesswoman, av er
y
ri
chbusi nesswomanwhohasev ery t
hing.
"
Nkany
ezi,
"saysmymom walki
ngtot
hedoor.Aunt
j
umpsoverthei
rbodi
esandgi
vesmymotherahug.

"Yourhusbandtoldmet ocomeher elastnight.He

saidsomet hi
ngaboutThandodoingast upidthi
ng."
saysaunttomymom, l
ookingatmybr other'sbodies.
Mysi st
ersandIarealreadyonourfeetbutTshi di
andNol uaren'
therement al
l
y.I
t'
sli
ket heyar esti
lli
n
ament alshock,j
ustl
ikeIwaslastnightaf t
erseeing
thevideo.Auntl
ooksatmeandshef l
i
nches.

"ComeinMahl o,l
etmemakey ousomet ea.
"says
mom takingherbrownbeadedbags.Mom al socall
s
somement ocomepi ckupthe3whoar eknocked
outonthefloorandputthem inthei
rr ooms.She
alsospeakstothem aboutsomet hi
ngwecan' thear
.
Whenshecl osesthedoor,auntstar
t sfl
inchi
ng
againwhil
stlooki
ngatmet hensmi les.

Shelooksatmyst
omachwhi
lewal
kingtowar
dsme
andIwipethet
ear
sonmyfaceandcri
ngetogreet
her
.
Shegr eetsmebackandmysi stersalsogreether .
Asf ormymot her,shehasdi sappearedi nt
ot he
kit
chen.AuntMahl ocomest ome, pullsmet oa
couchandwesi t
.Tshi diandNolut r
yt oexcuse
themselvesbutauntt ell
sthem tositdownandt hey
doso.If eelsosor ryforthem, t
heyreallyli
kedNkosi
andnowt hi
s?Nkosi real
lyfuckedupandIal sodon't
thi
nkam goi ngt oforgivehim,despitemyf ather
want i
ngmet odosonormyhear tbei
ngsoat tached
tohis.

"St
opt hi
nki
ngsomuchmychi l
d,st
opit.Youwill
hurtyour
self
."saysauntrubbi
ngmyst omach.Isit
meort hi
sisreall
yweird.Outofall
theplacesshe
couldhaverubbed,whymyst omach?Ilookather,
fl
ashingaconfusedsmi l
e,shechuckl
es,sti
ll
rubbi
ng
myst omach.
"Rel
axmychi ld.
"shesayst
henshest ar
tsmaki
ng
soothingsounds.Mymotherwalksinandsheput
s
thetraywit
hthet eaont
hecoff
eet abl
e.
"Am gl
ady ouareher
emysist
er.Yournephewswer e
soclosetoleav
ingandgoi
ngtokil
lNkosi.Thando
foundoutabouttheki
ll
i
ngandshetoldthem,"say
s
mom.

"
Am j
ustgl
adt
hatImadei
tont
ime.
"repl
i
esaunt
,
t
aki
nghert
eafr
om t
hetr
ay.

"Now,letstalkbusi nesshere.TshidiandNol u,my

beauti
fulnieces, Iknowy ouar esti
ll
shatteredby
whateverThandohast oldyoubutIknowt hatyou
aregoingtof orgivehim andTshi di
,getridofthose
bloodfil
l
edt hought sofy ours.Noonei skill
ing
Nkosi.
"Tshi dil
ooksatauntandshet i
ghtensher
Jaws.Am sur prisedt hatTshididi
dn'tactupl i
ke
thosetri
pletsbecauseshei soneoft hedanger ous
peopleinthishouse.

"Iknowthatwhatam abouttosaymightbedif
fi
cul
t
butyouhavenootherchoicebuttol
etNkosibe.I
f
yourfat
herhasforgi
venhimthenwhoar eyounott
o
f
orgi
vehi
m?"say
saunt
,looki
ngatus.Il
ookdown.

"Andy ou, "shecontinueslookingatmei nt heeyes."I

under st andt hefactthatyoudi dn'twantt okeep
suchat hingt oyoursel
fbutwhatIf ail
tounder stand
i
s, whyy ouhadt osayi ti
nt hepr esenceofy our
brother swheny ouknowt hatSi hleandKhay a,
especi al l
yKhay aareagai nstyourr elati
onship.You
madet hem mov efrom disli
ketohat i
nghi m now.
Am notsay i
ngy oushouldn'thav etoldy ourfamily
buty oushoul dhavetoldy ourmom onl y."shesay s.

"Withal
lduerespectaunt ,
itwasgoi
ngtobeknown
eit
herwaysoi t
'
sgoodt hatThandot
oldus.
"says
Noluwithaseri
ousf ace.Myauntlooksather
,qui
et
thenshechuckles.

"Iknowbutherl et
ti
ngt hose3boy sknowwasabad
i
dea, becausetheysti
l
l lackedsometrusti
nhim.
Theyst i
lldoubt
edNkosi andtheyt
houghtt
hathe
mi ghthurtThandobefor ethi
swholethi
ngbutnow,
theyhav ebeengivenareasont obeliev
ethat.
"she
says.Shet ur
nstof acemeandsay s"Youarevery
l
uckyt hatIgothereontimeorel se,youcoul
dhav e
l
ostNkosi todeath.Thosethree'senergywas
extr
emel ydarkandnoonewasgoi ngtostopthem
from ki
ll
ingNkosi.Noteventhedev i
lhi
mself,
"she
says.

"Butwhentheywakeup,
won'
ttheyt
ryt
oki
l
lhi
m
again.
"Isay,
sni
ff
ing.

"Notheywon't
.Theywill
beangrybutt
heywon'tki
ll
him.Butift
heyeverseehim,t
heymightbeathi
m up
j
usttotakeoutthei
ranger.
"

"Can'
tyoust
opthem aunt
?"Iaskl
ooki
ngatherbut
sheshakesherhead.

"
WhatIhavedonetothem i
smorethanenough.
Whathappensaf
tert
heywakeupisnothi
ngIcan
control
.Thewayy outookouty ourangeronNkosi ,
will
bet hesamewayt heywil
lal
sowantt ov entout
thei
ranger."shesays.IlookdownandIj ustbreak
down.Whydi dNkosihav et
obemyf ather'
ski l
l
er
though,why ?

"Whydi
dithav
etobeNkosi
though?
"say
sTshi
di,
si
ghi
ng.

"
Thequesti
onshouldbe,whydi
dn'
thet
ell
us?
"say
s
Nol
u,shaki
ngherhead.

"Hesaidhewasscar
edofl
osi
ngme.Thatwashi
s
excuse.
"

"Butdidn'
theloseyouThando? "asksmom.Il ookat
herandIdon'trepl
y.Idon'tknowi fhedidlosemeor
notbecauseam justconfusedrightnow.Iwantt o
bewithhim,yetIdon't.Iwanttoforgi
vehim, yetI
can'
t.Iwantt
oputi tinthepastbut .
..
..
..
..
.Whyi st
his
happeni
ngt
ome.

"Mychi l
d,myadv i
cetoyouis, for
givehim.Youcan
thi
nkaboutitforaf ewdaysorweeksi fyouwantbut
don'ttakemonthsbecausey oumi ghtjustlosehi
m
theny ouwil
ll
iveinregr
et.I
fy ourfathercouldfor
giv
e
himt henam sureyoucantoo. "saysmom.

"
Iwil
ltr
yt of
orgi
vehim butdon'
texpecti
ttohappen
j
ustl
ikethat
.Ineedsomet i
me."Isay.

"Li
keIsaid,youcant hi
nkabouti
tforday
sorweeks
butjustnotmonths."sherepl
i
es.Inodmyheadat
herthenletoutasigh.

"BestrongThandobecauser i
ghtnow, youaren'
t
beingstrongforyoursel
fonl
y."utt
erauntbrushi
ng
mypal ms.Iwon'tli
e,heraur
ai ssomehow
comf ort
ingbutatthesametimescar y.
"CanIpleasegot omyroom.Ineedt osleep,
"Isay.
Myauntandmom bot hnodtheirheadsandIstand
up,goi
ngt omyr oom.WhenIgett here,
Ilockmy
doorandj ustf allt
othefl
oor.Mymom knewabout
Nkosi'
ssecr etandshedi dn'
tblubberitoutbutwhen
Ifoundout ,Iblabbered,
whichalmostputNkosi '
sli
fe
i
ndanger .St upid!!
I
t'
sjustf
unnyhowIwanthi m deadbutIdon'
twant
hi
m deadatthesamet i
me.It
'sli
kether
eisa
i
ntr
aconfl
icti
andIjustdon'
tknowwhatt odo.
Istandupfr
om thef
loor
,lookformyphonei
nmy
purseandIunl
ockit
.Nomi ssedcal
l
s,nomessages.
Sigh**
*
Idial
Rose'
snumberandherphoner
ingsf
oraf
ew
secondsbef
oresheanswer
sthecal
l
.

"
Rose?
"Isayi
nashaki
ngv
oice.

"
Thando,
arey
oust
il
lcr
ying?
"sheasksi
nhersof
t
v
oice.
"Um no,am j
ust**sniff
**getti
ngacol d."Isayt
oher
.
Ihearherchuckl
eandt hewordsjustflowoutofmy
mouth."howishe? "Iask,l
aterreal
i
zingwhatIhave
j
ustasked.

"Idon'
tknowThando, Iwenttohishouset hi
s
mor ni
ngandhewasn' tt
here,noonewas.Ev enhis
menar enotthere.Ihavetri
edtocal lhi
m butnonof
mycal l
saregoingt hr
oughandIhav ealsotr
ied
SchevalongwithNkosi '
sclosestfr
iendbutnonof
them areanswering."shesayssoundi ngworri
ed.
Oohno!Whathav eIdone.
Wait,Ishouldn'
tbeblamingmy selffort
his,
may be
hejustmov edawayorsomet hingbecausehei s
scaredofmybr other
sorhei sjustrunni
ngaway
fr
om medi a.Butwhatif,whatifhei sinhospit
alor
heisdead?I twil
lal
lbemyf ault.Butnoman!I t
snot
myf ault
,andhedeser v
eswhat evercomeshi sway
si
nceheki ll
edmyf at
her...
..
.Right ?
?

"
Soy
ouar
etel
l
ingmet
hatev
ery
onej
ust
di
sappear
edi
ntot
hinai
r?"Iask.

"Well
itseemsli
keit
.Thando,youhavetotel
lme
whathappenedbecausesomethingcl
earl
y
happenedhere.
"saysRose.Il
etoutasighandIj
ust
endthecall
.
Whathav eIdone?whatifIki
ll
edhi
mlastni
ghtaft
er
bumpingintohim wi
ththecar?Oohno,ohGod,why
arey
out esti
ngmel i
kethis?
Ar
etr
oubl
esev
ergoi
ngt
oleav
emeal
one?
Ononehand, t
hemanIlov ekil
l
edmyf atherandhe
i
smi ssi
ngt henontheother,myfat
hertellsmet o
for
givehi
m buthowdoIdot hat?Am soconf used
ri
ghtnowandal l
Ineednowi safri
end.Ilookatmy
phoneanddi alhi
snumberandheanswer swithhis
sweetvoice,cal
li
ngoutmyname.

"
Thando?Ar
eyouokay
?"asksSabel
o.

"
Am f
ine,
Ijustneededsomeonet
otal
kto.
"Isayt
o
hi
m bef
orebr
eaki
ngdownsi
l
ent
ly.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"heasks.

"
Am inZeer
ustatmymot
her
'shouse.
"Isaysni
ff
ing,
wi
pingmytear
s.

"
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e."hesay
s.

"Nono,don'
tcomeitsfi
ne.Ij
ustwant
edt
oask
somethi
ng."Isayt
ohim.

"Youwill
tellmewhenIgetthere.Am coming.
"he
saysbeforedroppinghi
scal
l.Ifal
lbackonmybed
andIjustcryital
lout.
WhyGod!
!Why
!!
!!
!!
!!Whymeoutofal
lthepeopl
e!!

*
***
***
***
***
***
Meanwhi
l
e..
..
..
.

The3boy
swakeupwit
hthei
rheadsbangi
ng,
l
ooki
ngaroundt
her
oom t
heyar
ein.

"Whatthefuckhappened?
"asksKhay
a,massagi
ng
hishead.

"Br
uh,what
everhappenedsurel
yhasgivenmeone
hel
lofaheadache.
"saysSihl
e,l
ight
lyshaki
nghi
s
head.

"
Baf
o, Ihadt
heweir
destdream ev
erandy
oual
lwer
e
t
her
e,"saysZi
pho,
google-
eyed.

"
Reall
y,Ial
sohadadream li
kethatandpapawas
t
here.Hewaslect
uri
ngus."repl
iesSi
hle.
"
Aii
Baf
o,whatwashet
alki
ngabout
?"quer
iesKhay
a.

"Wel
lhesaidsomethi
ngaboutnottouchingNkosi
andt
hatifwedid,hewoul
dmakesur ethatthe
fami
lybusi
nesstr
embleseventhough..
..
."

"Hei
sdead!
"theyal
lsi
mult
aneousl
ysayandatt
hat
poi
nt,
theyl
ookateachot
her.

"Hai
bo!!
!Whatthefucki
sgoingon.
"saysKhay a.He
l
ooksathisbrother
sandtheyar
eallasshockedas
heis.

"Wasmat
ell
i
ngt
het
rut
h?"st
atesZi
pho,
hol
dinghi
s
head.
"
Bul
l
shi
t!Ther
eisnosuch.
"say
sKhay
a.

"Thenexplai
nhowweallhadthesamedream and
howt hefuckweal
lj
ustknockedout
."say
sSihle.
Theyl
ookateachot
herandt
heni
thi
tst
hem.
..
..

"Aunt!
!"andtheyal lgetoutofbed, rushoutofthe
room todownst ai
rsandt hereshewas, si
tti
ngont he
couchandal l shesay stothem is"Ihopeyouheard
yourfatherl
oudandcl earbecauseyouknowhowhe
hatesrepeatinghimsel f.AndKhaya, f
ixyoursel
for
elseyourfatherwi l
lbet hecauseofy ourdownfall
."
saysMahl ongwane.Thet r
ipl
etsal
l l
ookateach
other
,stupefied...
..
..

*
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er39

SABELO'
SPOV.

Every
thi
ngisgoingaccordingtoplanandam l ovi
ng
i
t.Oneobst
acledownwhi chisNkosi butst
il
lhave
onemoretogo.Igetmykey sfrom thecounterand
tur
ntothekit
chenexitbutmymot herstandsinmy
way.

"
son?
"shesay
s,smi
l
ingatme.

"
Aft
ernoonmaandgoodby
ema.
"Isayt
oher
,tr
ying
t
opushheroutoft
heway.

"Hau,
wherear
eyouofft
o?Youj
ustgotbackfr
om
Sandt
on,
"shesay
s,pul
li
ngmebacktohersi
ght.
"
Iknowmabutam notgoingt
oSandton,am goi
ng
t
oNorthwest
."Isay
,annoy
edbutIhi
deit
.

"
Nor
thwest
?"sheasks,
puzzl
ed.

"Yesma,ourpl
anwor ked.Shegott
hevi
deoandi
thi
nkshehadafightwithhim.Soshej
ustcal
ledme
nowandshewascr yi
ngandIneedt obether
efor
her.
"Isay
.Mymot hersmi l
esatmeandmakesway
formetopass.

"
Okay
,younotdr
ivi
ngr
ight
?"

"
Ofcour
senot
.Andcany
oupl
easecov
erupf
orme.
"

"Sur
emychi ld.Gobutbebackbytomor r
oweveni
ng.
Yourunclesarecomingtoseeyou."shesay
s.Iki
ss
hercheekandl eav
efort
heairpor
twhereIhavemy
chart
eredfl
ight.
Myplanseemstobewor ki
ngper
fect
lybutnow,I
needtogetr
idofBr
ian.Nkosi
wil
ldoallt
hatforme.

Aftersendingthev ideot oThando, It

ippedBrendon
aboutBr i
an'swher eabout s,hi
sbusinessand
everyt
hingIknowaboutBr i
an,butIti
ppedhim off
anonymousl y.Theyt ri
edt ot r
acemedownl astnight
butthephoneIusedt otipthem wasadead
person'sphonesoal ltheyfoundwer eadead
person'srecords.Soon, Iwillalsohavetodispose
thephoneIusedt osendt hev i
deo.Am justusingit
tokeepi ncontactwi thThando.
Sowhyam Isni tchingonBr i
an?Let'
sjustsay,Idon't
trusthi
m.Thel asttimeIchecked,hewasal soaf t
er
Thandoandam notwi ll
ingtotakeanychances
wheni tcomest omyl ove.Thebestpartaboutt hi
sis
Br i
analongwit
ht hose2f ri
endsofhisareallstupid
andsonai ve.I
fNkosi iscl
everenough,hewi l
lkill
them withnotrouble.

Igett
oLehur
utsheabi
tlat
eandIt
akemyphoneout
,
dialThando'
snumberandthephoneisanswer
edin
notime.IswearIj
ustgotanerect
ionf
rom howshe
call
edoutmyname.

*
***
***
***
***
*

THANDO'
SPOV.

Am star
tl
edbymyphoner i
ngi
ngandIwakeupto
ther
oom halfdar
k.Il
ookatmyphonewhichi
s
besi
deme, pi
ckitupf
rom t
hebedandansweri
t.

"
Sabel
o."Isayi
nasl
eepyv
oice.

"
Wher
ecanwemeetup?
"heasks.

"
WecanmeetupatKFCift
hatsokaywi
thy
ou.Am
i
nthemoodf
orthei
rwi
ngs.
"Isaytohi
m.
"OrIcoul
djustbuyy
out
hewi
ngsandcomet
oyour
cri
b."

"What!Nothanky
ou!Let
'smeetupatKFCpl
ease.
"I
sayquickl
y.

"Takeachillpi
llTwi
nnie,
Iwon'
tcomein.I
'
llpar
k
outsi
dey ourhousethenyouwi
llcomeout
side.
"he
sayslaughingli
ghtl
y.

"
Ooooh,haha,youshouldhavesai
dsoatf
ir
st.
"Isay
,
f
eel
ingkindofembarrassed.

"
Sendmey
ourl
ocat
ion.
"hesay
s.

"
okay
."

"
I'
ll
textwhenIgett
her
e."say
sSabel
oandIdr
opt
he
cal
l.Isendthelocati
onandIshutmyey esagai
nto
j
ustsleepabi tmorebutmyphonebeeps.Ichecki t
andit'
samessage.Ai i
,it
'sprobabl
yf r
om the
networkIuse.Iignoreitanditbeepsagain.Ii
gnor
e
i
toncemor et henitbeepsagai nandagainandagai
n
andagain.Whot hefucki sit
!!
!!
!Ipickupmyphone
annoyedasf uckandmyhear tmeltsthemomentI
openthemessages.

Gooddaymyqueen.Ihopey ouokay ,justwant edt o

sayam sor r
yonceagai n.Forgivemepl ease, Ireall
y
dor egreti tandIwi shIcoul djustbringhi m backt o
l
ifebutIcant (sadf ace).Oneot herthingIwanty ou
toknowi s,youmi ghthat emenowbutIwi l
l come
fory ou, Iwil
l putthatr i
ngbackony ourf i
nger ,Iwill
bet hel astper sony oulookatev erysingleni ght ,I
willbet heper sonwhom y ouwillcry,l
aughandsmi l
e
with, Iwi l
lbet heper sonyouwi l
l hateandl ov eatt he
samet ime, Iwi ll
bet hemanwhowi llmakel ov eto
you.Am nev ergoi ngt ogiveupony ou.Youar emi ne
andnot hingcoul dev erchanget hat.Ilovey ouand
don'ty ouev erf orgett hat♥ ~y ourblueey edl over.
..
..
Ilookatt hemessagesandIj ustbreakdown, why
didhehav etodosuchadespi cabl
et hi
ngthough.
Whydi di
thav etobehi m, whynotsomest ranger.
..
..
.
CanIj ustforgi
v ehi
m already,whyisitsohardto
j
ustputt histhingasidesincepapahasputi taside
too,whyi sitsohardt ojustacceptthathediditand
thereisnot hi
ngIcandoabouti tnow.God, whyare
yout esti
ngmei nsuchacr uelway?Whyme?
Sigh***

Igotomyf il
esonmyphone, l
ookf orthevideoandI
delet
ei t,thenIgobackt ot hemessageshesent ,
readi
ngt hem ov erandov eragain.Asam r eadingthe
messages, Irealizethatthemessageswer esent
from somenumbert hat'
snotev enSout hAf r
ican.I
copyt henumbert omykey board,pasteitonmy
contactl i
standcal l
it.I
tringsandr ingsbutno
answer .Icallitagainandi t
'sanswer edbutit
's
answer edbysomef emalewhospeaksSpani sh.
Luckil
y ,IdidSpani shwhenIwashomeschool ing.
"Dóndeestáeldueñodeestetel
éfono?
(wher
eist
he
ownerofthisphone?"Iaskt
helady.

"
Soyel
dueño(
Iam t
heowner
)"r
epl
i
est
hel
ady
.

"OoohPerohayunaper sonaqueacabadeenv i
arme
mensajesdetextousandoeset el
éfono.¿Donde
estael
?(Oooh.Butther
e'sapersonwhoj ustsentme
text
susingthatphone.Whereishe? )Ir
eplyher
.

"Bueno, hayunhombr equer ecientementepidióusar

mi t
eléfono, asíquecreoqueesél .Acabadesalir
delrestaurantehaceunosmi nut es.(Wellt
hereisa
manwhor ecentlyaskedtousemyphonesoIt hink
i
t'shim.Hej ustl
efttherestaurantaf ewmi nut
es
ago.)"sher epli
es.Restaurant?

"Bueno.Graci
as.Yantesdedejarl
all
amada,¿
enqué
paísestás?(
Okay.Thankyou.Andbef
oreIdr
opthe
call
,whichcountr
yareyouin?)"
"Mexico."sherepli
es.Mexico?Whati sNkosi doi
ng
i
nMexi co?Ithankheranddr opthecal l
,lookf or
Nkosi'
snumberandt rytocalli
tbuti t
'sunr eachable.
Mexico? ?Butwhy ?May beRosef oundout
somet hing,l
etmecal lher
.Asam aboutt odi alher
number ,Sabelo'
scallpopsup.Ooohhe' sher e!!

"
Hel
l
o?"

"Comeout side.Am 5housesawayf rom your s."he

say s.Hedr opst hecallandIputmyphoneont he
char ger,l
ookf oraj ackettowearsi nceit'
sabi tchill
y
andIl eavemyr oom.Asam wal kingdownst airs,I
hearmymot herandauntt alki
ngaboutsomet hing
butIchoosenott oeav esdrop.Ihav eabsol utelyno
i
nt erestinwhat evertheyar etal
kingabout .Assoon
asIwal kpastwher etheyaresitti
ng, Ihearaunt
chant i
ngsomet hingandt hensher unsinfrontofme,
startli
ngme.Andt hen?Ilovemyauntbut
somet i
messhef reaksmeout .Ilookather , withmy
eyeswi deopenandherey esrolltotheback.
"Mychil
d,becaref
ulofthepeopleyoukeepcl
ose.
Notall
ofthem aregood."shesays,
wit
hhereyes
sti
l
lrol
ledtot
heback.
Il
ookather
,qui
zzed.Whatf
ri
endsi
sshet
alki
ng
about
?

"Letyourheartdir
ectyouThandoandst opusi ng
yourheadf oryourheadisleadi
ngyoui ntotot al
darkness.Doy ouhearme? "sheboasts, put
tingher
armsonmyshoul ders.Inodmyheadv igorously,
fri
ghtenedthenshecomesbackt oherusual self
.
Shelooksatmeagai nthenshefrowns.

"
Remembermywor dsThando,r
emembermy
words."t
henshewalksbacktomymotherwhoi
s
j
ustlooki
ngatme.

"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng"
?asksmom.

"
Iwantt
ogetsomef
reshai
r.I
t'
ski
ndofsuf
focat
ing
i
nmyr
oom.
"Ir
epl
yher
.

"
Wel
l
.Letusgowi
th.
..
..
""

"NoThanky ou!I
,Iwanttobealoneandthinkabout
somethings.Youknow,"Isaytoher
,smirking.She
star
esatme, wit
hheroneey ebr
owraisedthen

"Hmm okay ,justdon' thangy oursel

fneh.
"shesay s
tome.Ismi leathert henIwal koutofthehouse.I
gett othegat eandt heguar dthereopensforme,
l
et t
ingmeout .Afterwal ki
ngpastf i
vehousesonmy
block,Ispothi sbl uecar .Hegetsoutofthecar ,
l
ooksatmewi t
hhi sarmswi deopenandIj ustrunto
him, l
etti
nghi m wr aphi sarmsar oundme.Myt ears
j
ustst arttogushoutasher ubsmybackt ell
i
ngme
thathei sher enow.Af terawhi l
eofhuggingand
cryi
ng, hewi pesmyt earsaway ,
opensthe
passangerdoorf orme.Igeti nandheal soget sin
ont heot herside.
"Soher
earey ourwi
ngsmal
adyandsome
chocol
ate,
"saysSabel
o

"Thankyousomuch,Ir
eall
yneededchocol
atet
oo."I
saytohim,t
aki
ngthefood.Iputt
hefoodonthe
dashboardandwhenIlookbackatSabel
o,hei
sjust
star
ingatme.

"
Hell
o,hi
e.Howareyou?Ihopeyougood?"Isay
,
wav
ingathimtr
yingt
ogethim downtoeart
h.

"Youlookugl
ywhenyouaresadtwi
nnie."hesays,
sti
ll
stari
ngatme.Ihi
thi
m ontheshoulderandhe
l
aughs.

"
Haha,
ver
yfunnySabel
o."Isayr
oll
i
ngmyey
es.

"
What
?Am j
ustbei
nghonest
."
"
Wel
lIdon'
twanty
ourhonest
y."

"
Okay
,okayam sor
rybutIhopey
oubet
ternow.
"

"IwishIcoul
dsayy
esbuthey
."Isayt
ohi
m
shruggi
ngmyshoulder
s.

"Am r
eal
lysor
ryyouhadt of
indoutl
iket
hatbutIhad
tol
etyouknow."saysSabel
onowf r
owning.Ismi
le
athi
m andholdhishand.

"I
t'
sfine.Youactuall
yhelpedmeal ot.I
fitwasn'
tfor
you,Iwouldn'
thaveknown. "Isaytohim."buti
fyou
don'
tmi ndmeaski ng,howdidy oufi
ndout ?
"Iask
him.

"Welll
et'
sjustsay
,Ididn'
tli
kehi
m whenIfi
rstsaw
him soIdidsomer esear
chbecauseIwasscaredf
or
you.
"
"Ooooh.Yourresearchi
ngmusthav
ebeensuper
deepanddiffi
cult
."Isaytohi
m.

"
Itwas,
tookmeawhi
letogeti
tandi
twassuper
wort
hit
."hesay
ssmi
l
ing.

"Thankyousomucht winnie,Ir
eall
yappreci
atei
t.
"I
saytohim.Henodshi sheadwi t
hasmi l
eandIhit
him wi
thanotherquest
ion."Buttel
lme,doyouthi
nk
Ishouldfor
giv
ehim? "

"Withal lhonesty,Idon'tthinky oushoul dbecause,

whati fhewant stoki l
lyourf ami l
yt ooandhei sjust
usingy ouashi sgat eway ?"hesay sshrugging.Il
et
goofhi shandandl ookoutt hewi ndow, thi
nking
hard.ButNkosi isn'
tt hattype.Hewoul dneverdo
suchr ight?Buti fheisn'tthatt ypeofper sonthen
whywoul dhekeepsomuchi nf
ormat i
onf r
om me?
Notf orget t
ingthathedi dn'tonlyki l
l myfatherbuthe
alsokilledBr i
an'sfather.YesIst i
l
l remembert he
secrethet oldmebutIj usthav en'ttoldanyone.I
promisedhi
m Iwoul
dn'
tandam goi
ngt
ost
ickt
o
thatpromi
se.

"Thatistr
uethoughbutIdon'
tthi
nkhewoul
ddo
that.
"Isay,st
il
ll
ooki
ngoutthewindowandSabel
o
squeezesmyhand.

"
thesamewayy ouwouldhaveneveri
maginedwhat
youf
oundout."hesay s,l
ooki
ngatme.Il
etouta
l
oudsighasat earescapesmyeyebuthewipesi
t,
maki
ngmel ookathi m.
"St
opov ert
hinkingt
hisThando.Thinkaboutyour
famil
yandy ourwell
being.Thatmanhasmadey ou
gothroughalot.Beli
evemewhenIsaynowoman
shouldgothroughwhaty ouhavegonethrough."he
says.Whathei ssayi
ngistruethoughbutIpromised
himthatIwouldn'tl
eavehim.

"
Sabel
o,i
t'
sreal
lyal
lj
ustcompl
icat
edatthispoi
nt.
Mydadistel
l
ingmetoforgi
vehim,i
ncl
udingmy
mom andmyaunt.Theyarej
usttel
li
ngmet oputi
t
behi
ndmeandIreall
ylov
ehim,"Isaytohi
m.

"Andhowdidyourfat
hert
alkt
oyou?
"heaskswi
th
oneeyebr
owraised.

"
Hespoketomeinmydr eamsandhealsospoket
o
myauntandmom."Isaytohi
m buthestar
ts
l
aughi
ng.

"ComeonThando, arey ouseriousr

ightnow?And
youseri
ouslybel
ievethat?"heasks,sti
ll
laughi
ng.I
l
ookathim withanirr
itatedfaceandhest ops,
clear
s
hist
hroatandapologi
zes.

"YesIdobel i
eveitSabel
o.Butam fi
ndingithar
dto
forgiveNkosi
,despit
ealloft
hem favori
nghim and
now, youtel
li
ngmet hisadvi
cejustpushesmei nt
o
furtherdi
l
emma. "Isaytohim.
"Well
,Idon'
tknowwhatt osaytoy
ouany mor e.Just
dowhaty outhi
nkisbestbutmyadvicetoyoui s,
stayawayfrom hi
m.Heisbadnews."hesay s.Ilet
outasighandjustdeci
detostoptal
kingaboutt hi
s.

"Sowhat
supwi
thy
out
winni
e?Howi
syourwi
fe?
"I
askhi
m.

"answertothefir
stquesti
on,am fi
ne.Thankstoyour
beauti
fulf
ace."hesaysbutIt r
ysohardnottoblush.
"Answertothesecondquest i
on,Idon'
tknow."he
says,showi
ngmehi sri
ngfinger.

"Youguysaren'
tmar
ri
ed?""
Isay,shockedandhe
nodshishead."
when?Imean,whendidithappen?
"I
ask.

"Shewascheat
ingonmeandt
hebabywasn'
tmi
ne.
"
hesays.
"
Real
ly?Wow!Butsheseemedl
i
keal
oyal
wif
ewho
woul
ddief
oryou.
"Isay.

"
Lookscanbedecei
vi
nghey
."say
sSabel
o.

"
Am sor
ryaboutt
hatt
hough.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"
It
'sf
ine.Soenoughofoursaddepr
essingl
i
ves.
WhenareyoucomingbacktoSandton.
"

"Am notsur
e.Iact
ual
lydon'
tthi
nkam goi
ngt
ocome
back,si
nceIdon'
thaveajobnow."Isayt
ohi
m but
helooksatmeconfused.

"Ir
esigned.
"Isayandhekeepsonl
ooki
ngatme
confused.

"
It
'sal
ongst
orywhi
chIdon'
twantt
otal
kabout
now.
"

"Letmetryt
osummarizei
t,i
t'
sal
lNkosi
'
sfaul
t.
"he
saysrol
l
inghisey
es.

"Li
keIsaid,
it'
sal
ongst
oryIdon'
twantt
otal
kabout
ri
ghtnow."Isayt
ohi
m.Henodshisheadandthen
sil
ence.

"SoIhavet
ogonow.Thanky ouforcomingtwinni
e.
I
treal
lymeansalot.
"Isayt
ohim, t
akingtheKFC
bagalongwit
hthechocol
ates.
"Isay.

"I
t'
smypl easuretwinnie.Oohandpl easethi
nkabout
comingbackt oSandt on."hesay s.Inodmyhead
andleavethecar.Iwav eathi m ashedr i
vesof ft
hen
Iwalkbackhome.Igeti ntothehouseandgo
str
aightupstai
rswithoutacknowl edgi
ngmyf amily
whichissit
ti
ngaroundt hedinnert abl
e.AssoonasI
cl
osemydoorbehi ndme, Ir
unt omyphone, hopi
ng
thatther
eisatextbutnot
hing.IguessImi
ghtas
welleatmyfoodandcr ymysorrowsawayunti
lIf
all
asleep.

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

Am wokenupbymyphoner i
ngingcrazyandit
'san
unknownnumber .Seri
ousl
y,whatisItwit
hunknown
numberscall
ingmet hesedays.Ianswerthecall
and
somepr of
essionalf
emalevoicegreetsmebymy
surname.

"
Umm goodmorni
ngt
oyout
oo.HowcanIhel
p
y
ou?
"Iaskher
.

"Sorr
ytodisturby
ouma'am butIwasinfor
medt o
cally
ouasar emi
nderf
orthemeet i
ngthat
'sgoi
ngto
takeplacetomorr
owafter
noon."shesays.
Meet
ing?
"Sor
rybutwhatmeetingisthisandwhoam I
speaki
ngto?"Iask,
sitt
ingproperl
yont
hebed.

"Am cal
li
ngfr
om Ulwandlehospi
tal
andthemeeting
i
sont hecont
ractagreementwit
htheButt
ercup
organi
zati
on.
"sherepli
es.

"
Cont
ractmeet
ing?
"

"
Yesma'
am.
"

"Sor
rybutIt
hinky
oucal
l
edthewrongperson.
"Isay
andasam aboutt
oendthecal
l
,sheasks

"
Ar entyouMissMdl et
she,thenewownerof
Ulwandlehospit
al?
"shesay s.Hol
dup,pause,
reverseandrepl
ay..
..
..
..
..
..
.
"Whoa,Iam Mi
ssMdlet
shebutam defi
nit
elynotthe
newownerofUlwandl
ehospi
tal
."Isay
,fi
ndingit
funny
.

"Butma'
am,y
oursignatur
ealongwi t
hyourname
andcont
acti
nfor
mat i
onishere.Ihavet
hepaper
s
herewi
thme.
"shesay s.

"
Uum okay,car
etodescri
behowthesignat
ure
l
ooks.
"Isaytoher.Thi
swill
tel
lmeeveryt
hing.

"Wel
lumm, noof
fensebuti
tki
ndofl
ooksl
i
kea
dog'
sface.
"sher
epli
es.

Hol
yshi
t,t
hati
smysi
gnat
ure!
!!.
..
..
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
*
NKOSI
'
SPOV.

It
sbeenawhol emont handIhav ebeendoi ng
nothingbutschemi ngagainstBr i
analongwi t
hthose
2Jonesbr ot
hers.Noliebutkill
ingthem wast he
bestt hi
ngIhavedoneev ersincet hebreakupwith
Thando.Thev i
l
esmi leIt
houghthadgoneaway
camebackwhi lstIki
ll
edthatsonofabi t
chandI
l
ov edev er
ymomentofi t
.Allthankstosomeper son
whot ippedusonBr i
anandall hisbusi
nessdeals.I
wouldr eal
lylovetoknowwhot hi
spersonisjustto
thankhim orher .

Now, whydidittakesol ongt okillBrian;see,Ihadto

hir
esomest r
angerfrom thest reetsofMexi cowho
turnedouttobenoMexi canbutFr ench.He
pretendedtobesomedr uglor dfrom Fr ancesoas
tomakeabusi nessdeal wit
hBr ian, whichhef el
lfor
.
Whenhedi dsomer esearchont heguy ,hef oundthe
i
nfor mati
onhewasl ookingf or,whi chwehadputon
theinter
net.Theguyhadt oearnBr ain'
strustand
becomecl oset ohim, alongwi ththebr ot her sandi t
wor ked.Whent heywer ehav i
ngapar ty2day sago
tocel ebr atet hesuccessf ul deal,
mymenandI
ambushedt hosef ool sandwhent heyt r
iedt orun
away ,theygoti ntot hewr ongcarandl et'sj ustsay,
theirbodi esar enot hingbutdi sgusti
ngand
unident ifiable.Asf ort heMexi canbr other s,I
discov eredt hatam act uall
ydoi ngbusi nesswi thone
oft hem soIbl ackmai ledt hem andt heyf ell f
orit.
Don' tmeant opr ai
semy selforany thingbutIhav e
suddenl ybecomet hedev ilhimselftot hepoi ntof
scar i
ng2oft hemostf eareddr ugdeal ersi nt he
wor ld.IrememberwhenIf oundoutaboutBr ian's
relationshi pwi ththem andhowIt rembl edatt he
sound.Oft hei rnamesbuthey ,al
lthankst oThando.

Mymenar ecurrentl
ycelebrati
ngwi t
hstri
ppersal
l
overtheyard,superloudmusi candbooze.Sbuhas
gir
lsallov
erhim andi t
'sactual
lydisgusti
ng.Heeven
saidhe'
sgoi ngtofuckal l
ofthem becausehehasn't
hadpussyf oramont h.Ev er
yoneishav i
ngfun,
excludi
ngme.Ij ustcan'twaitt
ogobackhomeand
getmywomanback.Ihav ebeent exti
ngherevery
singledayusingot herpeople'sphonesbecauseI
switchedmi neoff.Everynighthasbeenf i
ll
edwith
tearsthatIsuppressdur i
ngt heday.Itr
ysohardnot
tocrybutIcant .Ireal
lymisshersomuchandIcan' t
waitt ogetherback.Myki ngdom mi ssesit
squeen
andi fshedoesn'tcomebacksoon, t
hekingdom wil
l
trembl e,
taki
ngmedownwi thi t
.

AsIdrinkmyjuice,someonemov estheirhands
fr
om mybackt ot hefront.Ilookupt obemetby
somedar kski
nnedl adywhom Iwoul dn'tsayi sugl
y.
Sheisinherbrawi t
har edt hongandheel s.Ilook
backdown, i
rr
it
atedashel l
.Shehasbeeney eingme
eversi
nceshegother eandIt ol
dBr endont okeep
herawayf r
om me, alongwi t
hev eryotherst r
ipper
butIguessheforgott odot hat.

"
Heyhandsome.
"shesay
s.

"
Getawayf
rom me.
"Ibl
unt
lysayt
oherbutshel
ets
outagi
ggl
e.

"St
opbeingbeingsoboring.Comelet'
sgohav e
somefun.I'
l
lgivei
ttoyoual lni
ghti
nanywayy ou
l
ike.
"shesaystomeseduct ivel
y.Il
ookatherand
chuckl
e.Iat
tempttostandupbutshehol dsonto
myhand.

"
Pleasedzaddy
..
..
"shesay
s,dr
aggi
ngt
he2wor
ds.

"Lady,
ifyoudon'
tgetthefuckawayfrom me, Iwi
ll
messy ouupsobadt haty
ouwi llwi
shy ouwere
neverborn.
"Isayt
ohersmi li
ng.Shelooksatme,
withajudgi
ngfaceandwal ksawayangr y
,shaki
ng
herass.

"
Thi
rst
ybi
tch.
"Isayundermybr
eat
h.

"
Thatwasabi
thar
sh.
"say
sav
oicebehi
ndme.Il
ook
attheper
sonandi
t'
sSchev
,hol
dingagl
asswi
tha
dri
nk.

"
Thatwasnot
hingatal
l
."Isayt
ohi
m chuckl
i
ng.

"
Your
eal
l
ylov
eherdon'
tyou?
"

"Youcan'
teveni
magine.
"Isay
,takingadrink."
Shei
s
ever
ythi
ngtome."Isayt
ohim,lookingathim.

"
Wel
ltheni
nthatcase,
Iwoul
dadv
icey
out
ogoback
t
oSAasinnow."hesays.

"Andt
hat
'sexact
lywhyam goi
ngt
omor
row.
"Isayt
o
him.

"
checkwhat'
sheat
ingupthenewsbackhomeboss."
t
henhewalksaway.Well
thatwasawkward.Iwal
k
tothehouseandIgetmyphone,
swi
tchi
tonand
checkthenewsjustt
oseewhathei
stal
ki
ngabout
.
GuesswhatIbumpi ntoonbeeper
'sgossip?A
pict
ureofThandowalkingwit
hsomel i
ghtskinned
foolatUl
wandlehospit
alandanot
heronewhent hey
wereatarestaur
ant.Topokemeev enmor e,
it'
s
tagged;
Hasthepowercoupl
ecomet
oanendordoesour
Nxumaloki
nghaveacompet
it
or?

WellIguessthewarhasn'
tended.Ist
il
lhavesome
morebloodt ospi
l
landIdon'
tminddoingital
lover
agai
n...
..
..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er40

THANDO'
SPOV

Sol ongst or yshor t,afterbei ngcal l

edbyt hat
prof essi onal soundi ngl ady ,Ipackedmybagsand
l
ef thomef orSt antonwi thoutt ell
ingany one.Igott o
thehospi t
al toenqui r
eaboutmeowni ngt hehospi tal
andi twasal lt
rue.Tur nsout ,Idoownt hehospi t
al
andnotonl ythatbutIal soownacl i
niccal led
Gener al cl
inic.Lamenamebuty eah.Nowt ogett o
thei nter estingpar t,these2medi calinst i
tutions
wer esi gnedof ftomebysomeper soncal ledMr
Bar ca, atf i
rstIquest i
onedmy selfbutt henaf ter
l
ooki ngatt hef il
et hatthepaper swer ein,I
recogni zedt hem f rom t heni ghtNkosi mademesi gn
somepaper swi thoutr eadi ngt hem.It riedt osayno
tot hei nst i
tutionsbei ngi nmynamebutNkosi di
d
somet hi ngt omakesur et hattheyar enev err emov ed
from myname.It r
iedt oconv inceal otofl awy ersto
helpmebutt heyal lblunt lyrefused.
Iwon'tlie,it
'sactuall
ynott hatbadowni ngmedical
i
nstit
utions, i
t'
ssuperf unbecauseam al ways
occupiedwi thpaperwor korat tendingtopeople.
Int
erestinginformat i
on!Ihav emadei ttothepapers
astheladywhocandoi tall,r
un2maj orSandt
on
medical insti
tut
ionsandsav eliv
esatt hesamet i
me.
Notonlyt hatbut ,Ihavealsomadei tt
ot hepaper
s
asthecheat i
ngornotcheat i
ngl ady
.

Soapparently
,am cheatingonNkosi wi
t hSabelo.
SomesayIam cheat i
ngandsomesay ,Idecidedto
moveonf rom Nkosi f
orsomeunknownr eason.I
hav
etoldt hem ami l
l
iontimesthatSabeloandIar e
j
ustfr
iendsbutt hei
rexcuseisalways,whywoul dI
bebestfri
endswi thsuchahunk.Asf orSabel o,he
nev
ersay sanythingtothem.Hejustwal ksaway .

SabeloandIhavebecomecloser
,hehasbeenther
e
eversinceImovedbackt
oSandton.Hegetsmeso
well
.Am actual
l
yhappytocallhi
m myfr
iend.
Ont heot herhand, mymom, Tshidi,Nol u,Ziphoand
Sihlear eagai nstthisfri
endshipofour s.Khay a
doesn' tcar ebutSi hl
eandZi phokeeponsay ingthat
theyar eget ti
ngabadf eel
ingaboutSabel o.They
hav etriedaf ewt imest oendourf ri
endshi pbutI
hav en'tletthem.Thathaski ndofcr eat edadr i
ft
bet weenusbutIcoul dcar el
essr i
ghtnowbecause
Sabel ohasbeennot hingbutagoodf riend.Mymom
doesn' tlikeSabel obecauseshef eelst hathewant s
tot akeNkosi 'splace.Am r eall
yhur tthatmyf ami l
y
thinkt hatSabel oisthehar m herewhi lsthei sn't
.
Theyal lwantmet of orgi
veNkosi andt akehi m back
sincepapawant sthat.Honestly,am ov erallthatbull.
Andam act uallyshockedt hatSihleandZi phoar eall
ofasuddenpl eadingwi t
hmet oforgiveNkosi .
I
tsbeenawhol emonthandIst ill
f i
nditnextto
i
mpossi bl
etoforgi
veNkosi forkill
ingmyf ather.I
real
l
ywantt obutIcan't.Andbesi des,hehasgone
missi
ng.Heisnowher et obefoundandmybr ot
hers
havetr
iedtotracehim downaf terRose, Mkhizeand
mom askedt hem t
obutt heydidn'tfindhim.
Ihaven'tt
oldt hem thathesendsmet extsevrysi
ngl
e
dayandIdon' tplanont ell
ingany oneabouti t
.Idon't
wanthimf oundbecauseam per f
ect l
yfinebymy self
.
Okayt r
uthis,Idomi sshi m andIwi shhewasher e
butwhenev erIt hinkofwhathedi dt opapa,Ijust
hatehim allov eragain.Iconstantlycrymy sel
ft o
sleeponsomeni ghts,callhisnumbermor ethan
onceev er
yni ghtandIev encallthenumber sthathe
usestosendt het exts,hopingthathewoul danswer
i
tbutIhav ehadnol uck.Ijustwishhecoul dcome
backandl etmehat ehi m until
myhat efadesaway .
Isthatsomucht oaskf or..
..
.

Lastbutnotl
eastfrom myshor tstor
y ,Ithi
nkam
pregnantwhi
chexplainswhymyauntwasal lov er
meandmyst omacht hedayshecamet oNor thwest.
Latel
yIhavebeenexper ienci
ngsomepr egnancy
symptomsbutIhav eav oidedgoi
ngt ot hedoct or
becauseIdon'twanttoknowi fIreal
lyam pr egnant
ornot.Thedumbpar tis,Iam adoctorandIknow
thatam pr
egnant.Am justbeingi
gnor anttoit.Ihav e
beendoingmybestt ohi dethesymptomsj ustsono
onefi
ndsout
,notev
enSabel
o.Myl
i
fehey
..
..
..I
t'
s
sad.
..
..
..

Sori
ghtnow,am wi
thSabel
ointhel
i
vingroom,
si
ngi
ngalongtoSZA'
ssongcall
edGarden.

"IknowIbedi f
fi
cult,
youknowIbedi ff
icul
t,you
knowi tgetdi
ff
icultt
o..
..
."Isi
ng,dancingallaround
theliv
ingroom thenSabelojoi
nsme.Thi shas
becomeoneofourf avori
tesongs,reasonbeing,
thereisacert
ainpartthatdescr
ibesthef r
iendship
thatwehav e.

"Openy ourhear tup.Hopi ngt hey'll

nev erfindout
thatyou'reany oneelse, causeIl ovey oujusthow
youar e.Hopey ounev erfindoutwhoIr eallyam
causey ou'llneverl
ov eme.You' llneverlov eme,
you'l
lnev erloveme."webot hsing, shoutingatthe
topofourl ungs.Sabel ocomescl osert ome, holdi
ng
mywai stfrom thebackandIj ustcont i
nue
dancing...
..
.
"Gotnopanti
eson,Ineedyoursupportnow(now,
now,now,now,now)Iknowyou'drat
herbelayi
n'up
withabi
gboot y
Bodyhel
l
aposi
ti
ve'
causeshegotabi
gboot
y(wow)
IknowI '
dratherbepaidup,youknowI '
m sensi
tiv
e
abouthavin'nobooty,
havin'
nobody ,onl
yy oubuddy
,
cany ouholdmewhennobody '
sar oundus"Ising,
dancingtothesongasSabel ojustmov esswi f
tl
y
behindme.

"
Youai
n'
tgotpant
ieson?
!"excl
aimsSabel
o.

"Stopbei
ngapervSabelo!"Isaytohim.Weconti
nue
singi
ngtothesong,
laughinganddancing.Whenthe
songisover,
Ifal
lonthecouchnextt ome,cat
chi
ng
mybr eat
handSabelofall
stot hefl
oor.

"Thatwasamazing!
""shout
sSabel
o,l
aughi
ngwhi
l
e
catchi
nghi
sbreath.
"
itsur
ewas.
"Ir
epl
yhi
m,gi
ggl
i
ng.

"
Ididn'
tknowyoucoul
ddance!
"excl
aimsSabel
o,
l
ookingatme.

"
That
'sbecauseIcan'
t,
sost
opt
ryi
ngt
ofl
att
erme.
"I
r
epl
yhim.
"Butyoucant hough,
gir
lyouhav eseenthewayy ou
mov ethathugeassofyour s.Youwereeven
temptingme."saysSabelo.Ilookathi
m andlaugh
outloudandr epl
y,

"Me?Temptingyou?Haha!Don'
tbefunnywena.
Jokeaboutotherst
uffbesi
dest
hat.
"

"Am notj
okingt
hough!Youreall
ycandanceyhooo.
"
hesays.Irol
lmyeyesathim andjustsi
tupst
rai
ght
andtakethebot
tleofwateronthefloor
.
"
Whatt
imei
sit
?"heasksandIl
ookatmywr
ist
wat
ch.

"
20:
00.
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

"Ooohokay.IhopethefoodIorder
edisalmosther
e
becauseam hungryandam abouttodi
e."hesays
standi
ngup.

"
Itol
dyoutoletmecook.
"Isayt
ohi
m,st
icki
ngout
mytongue.

"Nono,Idon'twanttoleaveyouwit
hamessher e.
"
herepli
es,shaki
nghishead.SoImov edinto
Sabelo'
shousebecauseIdi dn'
twanttodist
urbnor
crowdSihleandRose'sli
tt
lepri
vat
espace.Sabelois
neverheresothat'
swhyheaskedmet omov einto
hishousejustsoIlookaft
erit.

"
Ireal
l
ydon'
tmi
ndSabel
o.I
'
llcook.
"Isayt
ohi
m.
"ThandoIhaveal
readyor
der
edt
hef
oodsoi
t'
sno
usecooking.
"hesays.

"Wellokayt
hen.Iwantt ogofreshenup.Gotalotof
wor ktodotoni
ght."Isayget
ti
ngupbutt hemoment
Istand,ast
aini
ngcr amphitsmef rom t
heback.Il
et
outamoan, hol
dingmybackandSabel ocomes
rushingtome,holdingmyback.

"
Thando!Ar
eyouokay
?"heasks,
hisey
esal
lov
er
me.

"Am f
inedon'
twor
ry.Ij
usthur
tmyback.
"Isayt
o
him.

"Ar
eyousur e?Icoul
djusthel
pyougoupst
air
s."he
saysbutIshakemyhead.
"Noam f i
ne.Youcanst ayhereandwai tforthe
order.
"Iremov ehi shandsf r
om me, fl
ashasmi l
eat
him andgoupst ai
rst otheguestr oom am using.I
sitonthebedast hecr ampsshowmet hedev i
l
'sass.
Thischil
di sgoingt obet hedeat hofme.Wor stpart
i
smysecr etwon' tstayhi ddenforlong.Soon,
everyonewi l
lstartseeingmyt ummyal lhuge.Those
whoknowmebestwi llknowsomet hi
ngiswr ong
becausemyst omachhasal waysbeenf latandI
havenev erleti
tgr owi ntoanysizeofpot bell
y.

Iwal ktot hebat hr

oom andsi tonthet ub,waiti
ngf or
thecr ampst ogoawayandt heyf i
nal
lydo.Ist andup,
fi
llthet ubwi thwarm wat erandt hensomebat hi
ng
gel.Idr opmyhi ghneckpur pledresst othefloor
alongwi thmyundergar ment sthengeti ntothe
war m, bodypl easuri
ngwat erandl etitdevourmy
whol ebodyasIsi tinthet ub.Icl osemyey esand
thenIst artfeeli
nglikeIhav ebeenher ebefore, l
i
ke
déjàv u.Ar elaxedsighescapesmymout handt hat'
s
whenIr ememberwhyt hisi sdéjàv u.Thesmel lof
mybat hinggel ,
thewat er,thewayam si t
ti
ng,the
ti
meam bathing,every
thingexcludingthecol
orof
thebat
hroom wallsandthebat hroom '
snatur
al
scent
.IwishIcouldjuststopconnect i
ngever
y t
hingI
dowithwhatIusedt odowhenNkosi washere.I
mean,heisgonef orgoodandhei sn'
tcomingback.
ThesoonerIacceptthat,thebetter.

Afterspendingalotoftimei nthebat htub,soaki

ng
my sel
fandt ryi
ngtoconv incemy sel
ft hatNkosiwas
j
ustami st
ake-whichIfail
ed-Istepout ,lot
ionmy sel
f
andgeti nt
omywhi teplaindress,ti
emybr ai
dsinto
aplainponyt henmybl uesocks.Asam aboutt o
stepoutoft heroom, myphonewhi chi sonthebed
vi
br at
es.Icheckitandit'samessage.

Myqueen, myshnookums, mybabu, mybeaut i

ful
whi t
er ose!!Ihopey ouspenty ourdaywel landI
prayt hatyoudidntforgetthatIloveyou.Yourkingis
comi ngt ogetyousoonandhewon' tletanythi
ng
standi nhisway ,noteveny ou.Keepmywor dsin
mi ndwhenIsayam y our
sandy ouaremi ne.Nothi
ng
wil
ldouspar
t,notev
endeath.Il
oveyouand
goodni
ght
.Dr
eam aboutus.
..
..
..
.(smi
l
eyface.
)

Ilookatt henumbert hatsentthetextanditsnota

Mexi cannumber ,i
t'saSout hAf ri
canone.Ist artt
o
feeltheat mospherebecomeupt i
ght,myar mpits
becomeal lsweatyandmymout hdryasami l
li
on
thoughtshi tmymi nd.Br i
anpopsupatonesi deof
mybr ai
nt henNkosi popsupont heother.Ireadt he
textagainandl ookar oundther oom, f
eel
ingl i
ket he
wal l
sarecl osi
nguponmebuti nreali
tyt
heyar ent .I
callthenumbert hatsentt hetextbutendt hecal l
beforethephonecoul dbeanswer ed.Whatifi t
's
Brianandhei sback?
Thandost opbeingstupid,theonl yper sonwhocal l
s
youwhi teroseisNkosi.
...
.Il
ookatt henumberonce
mor eandmymi ndjusterasest het houghtofBr i
an
beingtheonewhosentt het ext,replacingitwit
hthe
thoughtofNkosi sendi
ngt het ext.Ifeel mystomach
getbutterf
liesasmyl i
pssmi leatt het houghtofhim
beingbacki nSouthAfri
ca.If eelmy selflight
enup
asIallofasuddenf eelsosecur eandsaf ebutthen
thatcruelf
actthatseparatedusdestroyesthe
comf ortmyheart,bodyandsoul hadfabri
catedat
theimaginati
onofNkosi .Isuddenlyf
eel t
heurget
o
j
usthat ehi
m andt oneverallowhim backintomy
l
ife.
Loveandhat einoneper sonsur eispoisonbecause
i
t'ski
lli
ngmesl owl ywi t
houtmeev enknowing.Iput
myphoneont het able,fi
xmydr essandleavethe
room.AsIwal kdownt hestair
s,am hitbya
deli
cioussmell.Ididn'treal
isedIwashungr yuntil
now.Ir ushdownt hest air
sandf i
ndmy sel
fstandi
ng
bythet abl
ethathast hefoodalready.

"Final
l
y!It
houghty
ouhaddi
edi
nther
e."say
sSabel
o.
Ilookathi
m andsmil
e.

"
chi
l
l,am notdy
inganyt
imesoon.
"

"
That
swhatt
heyal
lsai
d."say
sSabel
o.
"shutupwena. "Isaytohim.Hecomest ome,pul
lsa
chairoutforme, Isi
tandhewal kstotheopposi
te
sideofthetable.Wedi shforoursel
ves,
eatwhil
e
chatti
ngaboutr andom stufft
henwepackt he
dishesint
ot hesink.Iwil
lwashthedishestomorr
ow
becauseam t i
redandIhav etodomypaperwor k.

"Sowhatti
mearey
oul
eav
ing?
"IaskSabel
o,si
tt
ing
onthecouch.

"Si
nceit'
snowl at
eIwasthi
nkingmay bet
omorr
ow
morning.Ihopeyoudon'
tmind."hesayswit
ha
nerv
oussmi le.

"Ooohpl
easetwi
nni
e.Thisi
syourhousesoI
shoul
dn'
tmindatal
l
."Isayt
ohim.

"Okayt
hen,soIwi
l
lbest
ayi
ngher
efort
heni
ght
."
saysSabel
o.
"Okay,
soIwil
lbeint
hestudyifyouneedme.Got
somewor kt
ofini
shupbefor
et omor
rowmorning.
"I
saytoSabel
o.

"
Ncaaacan'
twewat
chamov
ief
ir
st?
"

"
Noo,
gosl
eepbecausey
ouar
ewaki
ngupear
ly
t
omorr
ow.
"

"
Thandopl
ease!
!!
!"

"
No.Ihav
eal
otofwor
ktodo.
"

"
Iwi
l
lhel
pyou!
!"

"
HayiSabel
ost opwhini
ng.Youaren'
tababy."Isay
t
ohim andthenallofasudden,
thisgrownassman
wal
kstohimi nhighspeedandcarri
esmebridal
st
yle,
byf
orcet
othecouch!

"Sabel
oman!!Letmego!Ihavetogowork."Isayt
o
him hi
tt
inghi
shardrockchest
.Hesizesmewi t
hhis
eyeswithasmirkasam pouti
ngandsays

"
Youl
ooksocut
ewheny
ouar
etr
yingt
obeangr
y."

"Sabeloman!!
!!Putmedown! "Icont
inuesayi
ngbut
nothing.Hedropsmeont hecouchandwhenam
aboutt ost
andupt oescape, hebeat
smet oitand
forcesmet osit
.Isi
tont hecouchashesi tsbesi
de
meandf i
ndsamov ietowat ch.

"Di
arynanni
es!"Iexcl
aim."
canwepleasewat
chit
!"I
askhim,smil
ing.Helooksatmeandchuckl
es,
cont
inui
ngwithhissearch.
"
Mxm!
"
Her
ent
ssomemov
iecal
l
edKi
nkywi
thar
ather
,
ki
nkyl
ooki
ngcov
er.

"
Haha,
Idon'tt
hinkt
hat
'sappr
opriat
eforUSt
o
wat
ch?"Isayt
ohim wi
thahesit
antvoi
ce.

"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"asksSabel
o.

"
Because.
..
..
"

"
because?
"

"Becausei tl
ooksli
keit'
sonsome50shadest ypeof
vibe,"Isaytohi
m, sheepishbuthejustbrushesmy
commentawayandpl aysthemov i
e.Itakethe
remot efrom hi
m andpausei tandl
ookathi m,my
mout hmakingahardline.Myoneey esquintsathi
m
ast heotherrai
sesitseyebrow.
"
What?"quest
ionsSabel
o,t
ryi
ngtograbtheremot
e
f
rom mebutIraisemyhand,outofhi
sreach.

"
Thando,justpl
ayt
hemov
iepl
ease.I
t'
sar
eal
l
yni
ce
movi
e."saysSabel
o.

"Youwat chsuchmov ieswheny ouar ewi t

hy ourgirl,
notbestf r
iend. "Isayt ohi m, wi
thmyar m sti
llinthe
air.Iseet hecor nerofhi sey escri
nkleast hecor ners
ofhi smout ht ur nup.Agr i
nsurfacesfrom hisl i
ps
andhemov essocl oset ome.Imov eawayf rom hi m,
l
y i
ngf urtheront hecouchandheper siststomov e
closert omewi thhi sseduct i
vepinkl i
psst i
ll
wi t
h
thatgr i
n.Iqui ckl yputt her emotebetweenusand
say" Here, t
akei t,i
t'
sf i
ne.Justgetoutofmy
per sonalspacepl ease."Hegr abst heremot efrom
myhands, thr
owsi tont hecouchandt henhel ooks
atme, andbyl ookatmeImeanl ookinsideme.I
feel hi
sey esdi ggi ngmyi nnersoul andIimmedi atel
y
shutmyey es.Ihearhi sl aughallthewayf rom his
throatandIopenoneey ebuthei sst i
llal
lupi nmy
f
ace.

"Br
uh,cany oupl
easemov eawayf
rom myf
ace.
"I
saytohim buthekeepsquiet
.

"Whatdidyousayaboutmewatchi
ngthismovie
wit
hmygi r
l agai
n?""
heasks,
gri
nni
ng.Ikeepqui
et,
underhi
m, notknowi
ngwhattodo.Thi
sfeel
sreall
y
weir
d,li
kesuperweir
d.

"Isai
dyoushoul
dwat
cht
hemov
iewi
thy
ourgi
rl
."I
saytohim.

"
Andwhati
fIsai
dIam wat
chi
ngi
twi
thmygi
rl
?"
Irai
semybr owsasmyey esopenwi deandIsur vey
hisfacejustwaiti
ngt oseet hat"am j
oking"
expressionbutnothing.If
eel oneofhishandsmov e
upmyar m,slowly,makingmecat chmybr eath.My
eyeslightl
ycloseasmybr aintri
estoloadev eryt
hing
that
'shappeni nghereandi tfi
nall
yloads.Iopenbot h
myey esandIf i
ndhi m st
il
lpl
asteredwit
ht hegrin.I
pushhim offmeandf i
xmydr essashej ustglares
atme, per
vious.Iavoideyecontactwit
hhim
becauseIdon'twantt oseewhathel ookslikeri
ght
now.Iclearmyt hroatandItakeadeepbr eathin.

"
Wellsadlyam notthatgi
rly
ouar etal
ki
ngabout
.
Nowifyouwoul dexcuseme, Ineedtogof
ini
shmy
wor
k."Isaynotlookingathi
m.

"
Chil
lbabygi
rl
,Iwasj
ustt
easi
ngyou."say
sSabelo
wi
thhisvoi
cecal
m asi
fnothi
nghappenedri
ghtnow.

"Buty
oureyesweren'
t.
"Isaytohi
m.Iknow
passi
onat
eeyeswhenIseet hem andtheeyesthat
Sabel
ousedtolookatmewi thweredefi
nit
ely
passi
onat
eeyes.

"Oohreal
ly
,andwhyi
sthat?
""asksSabel
o,putt
ing
hishandsonmyshoul
ders,
turni
ngmybodyt oface
hi
m butIlookdown.Iremovehi
shandsashi
stouch
suddenl
yfeel
ssowr ongall
ofasudden.

"
CanIpl
easegoSabel
o.Ineedt
owor
k."Isayt
ohi
m.

"Butwehaven'
twat
chedthemov
ieandy
ouhav
en'
t
answeredmyquest
ion.
"

"AndIdon'tneedtodoeitherofthose.Sopleasedo
excuseme, Ineedtogonow.Goodni ght.
"Isayto
him.Istandupf r
om thecouchandsl owl
ywal kaway
withouthim st
oppingme.Idon'tevenwanttolook
backr i
ghtnowbecauseIallofasuddenf eeloutof
place.

"Goodnight
."hecoldl
yrepl
ies.Ichargestrai
ghtf
or
myr oom togetmyphonet henmov eont othest
udy
room andi cl
osethedoorbehindme.Isi tonthe
chairandIsinki
ntoitasIkeeponr eplay
ingthe
sceneinmyhead.
"Mychild!
!Stopbei ngsoooonaive!
!!Thatmanwants
torepl
aceNkosi !Hewant syouandy ouarebeing
i
gnoranttoit.Infact,y
ouarebeingignorantt
o
everyt
hing!
!!
!!
!!WakeupThandoandst opbei
nga
fool
!"andthosewer emymot her
'swords.

Am Ireal
lybeingignorantthough?Butwhat'
swr ong
wit
hitifSabelowant storeplaceNkosi
?Hedi dhelp
mewi thalotofthingsthoughandaf t
erspendingso
mucht i
met ogether,heisboundtofallf
ormeandI
can'
tblamehim.Si gh**

"Papa,
showmeasi gn.Am Ir
eal
lybei
nganignorant
chil
dli
kemom sai
doram Idoingther
ightt
hing?
"I
say.

Il
ookatmypaperworkandIturnmylaptoponand
j
uststar
tworki
ng.MyphonebeepsandIignor
eit
.It
beepsagai
nandthat
'
swhenIl ookati
t.
I
tsti
metosleepmylove.St
opov
erwor
kingy
our
sel
f.
Youneedy
oursleep.
..
.

What
?Wai
twhat
?

Imovemyey esaroundther
oom,got
othewi
ndow
j
usttocheckifsomeoneiswat
chi
ngmeandt
henI
thi
nkofSabel
o.

"Sabel
ostopt
ryi
ngtoconv
incemet
ost
opwor
king.
"
Ishoutfr
om t
hestudy
.

"
Idi
dn'
tdoanythi
ngbruh.Iknowy
ouwon'
tl
ist
ent
o
meanyway
s!"heshoutsback.
Butt
hen.
..
..
.?
Iper
usethet
extagai
n,conf
usedt
henanot
hert
ext
comesin.
List
entoy ourki
ngmydar
li
ng.Gosl
eepandst
op
l
ookingforme.Andwasthatamalevoi
cet
hatj
ust
repl
iedyou?

"Sabel
o!!
!Stopit
!Youarefr
eaki
ngmeout!
!"Ibel
l
ow.
Ihearfoot
stepsrunni
ngtowar
dsther
oom and
Sabeloburst
sinfuming.

"
Thandoam notdoi
ngany t
hing!
!Am wat
chi
nga
movi
eintheli
vi
ngroom!"heshoutsbackst
andingat
t
hedoor.Iwal
ktohim putmyhandsonmywai st.

"Wel
lthenwhot
hef
uck.
..
..
"andmyt
onguebecomes
numb.

"Whothefuckwhat
?"shout
sSabel
o.Il
ookatSabel
o
andIsmil
elikeani
diot
.

"
Sor
ry!
!ItwasNer
isapl
ayi
ngapr
ankonme.
"Isayt
o
him buthel ooksatmeangr yandwalksaway,
thumpi nghisfeet.Itur
ntomyphonewi t
hmyhead
thinkingofoneper sonwhocoul dpossi
blybe
wat chingmer ightnowandt hedumbestparti
s,I
didn'tcheckthenumber .Thisnumberisthesame
numbert hatsentmet hetextear
li
er.

*
***
***
***
***

NKOSI
'
SPOV

"Yes!
!!
!BossIdidi t
.Icanseeevery
thingnow."
shoutsBrendonf r
om thecomputerroom.Iqui
ckl
y
standupfrom thecouchandr ushtoBrendon,
l
eav i
ngSbut al
kingtohimself
.Heishighanywaysso
hewon'tnoticethatam gone.

"Move!
"Iexcl
aim, pushingBrendonoffthechai
rand
Icoul
dseeev er
ything.Everysi
nglethi
ngwasv i
sibl
e
onthelaptopscreen.IgiveBrendonthegladeye,
unabl
etocont
ainmyhappiness,
Ijumpfr
om t
he
chai
randgi
vehim onehel
lofamanlyhug.

"See!
!!Thisi
swhyIloveyouman!!!
!!
!!Nameany
pri
cey ouwantmymanandi twi
l
lbei nyouraccount
tomorrowmor ni
ng!
!"IgushatBr
endon.Iletgoof
him,glanceathi
s
dumbf
oundedf
aceandgi
vehi
m ahugagai
n.
"Yousee!You!!
!Heyi
"Icont
inueexcl
aimi
ng,si
tt
ing
onthechairbutIr
emembert hatBr
endonhastosit
onthechair.

"uuum,IthinkIshould,stand-upsoy oucanuum.
Yeahbutgetmeachai rfi
rstplease."Isaytohim,
nowbr i
ngingmy selftogether.Brendonwal ksoutof
theroom, l
ookinglikeheist ryi
ngtocal cul
ate
everyt
hingthatjusthappened.Hecomesbackwi t
h
achairandhandsi ttome.Isi tdownnextt ohim
andhest artsdoingsomet hingonhi slaptop.
"Sothisishowit'sgoingtowor k,
thi
scamer aisfr
om
herphone.Whenev ershei sclosetoherphone,you
canseeherandhearev er
ythingsheissayingthen
thi
sonei sfrom herlaptop.It'
soffsoyoucan'tsee
anythingri
ghtnow.Oncei t
'sturnedon,wewi l
lgeta
noti
ficati
onandify ouwant ,Icanalsomakesur e
thatyougetanot if
icati
onony ourphonetoo."

"Wher
eisshenowbecauseIcan'
tseeher
?"I
quest
ionhi
m.

"
Shei
sn'
tany
wher
ear
ound.
"

"
hmmm okay.ThanksBr
endon,
Iowey
ouone.
"Isay
t
ohi
m exci
tedl
y.

Hesmi
l
esatme,
standi
ngup.

"
It
'smyj
obboss.Nowi
fyou'
l
lexcuseme,
Ihav
ea
datewi thmyMacandcheese. "hesay s, walkingout
ofther oom, dancingandsi nging.Hei sal sobaked
bythatweedt heyboughtwi thSbusot hatswhyhe
i
sal l hyper.Irefusedt osmokewi tht hem because,
well am notasmokerandaf terseei ngt hem hi gh,
I
couldn' timaginemy selfli
ket hat.Those2wer e
l
iterallyaskingeachot hersuperst upidquest i
onsbut
therei sonet hatgotmet hinkingt houghand
Brendonaskedt hequest ion."Whyi sanor ange
namedaf terit
scol orandanappl eisn't?"t hat'
swas
hisquest i
onandnonoft hem cameupwi than
answer .Thef unniestpar tthoughwashowt heywere
sof ocusedont hegum t reeout side.Theyhadaf i
ght
onwhyt het r
eei scall
edagum t reeandSbu' s
reasonwas" Becausei t'smadeoutofgum! !
" .
Weedmakespeopl ei
nsaneIt
elly
ou.Theonl
y
di
ff
erencebetweenweedanddrugsi
sthatweed
i
sn'
tdangerousl
yaddi
cti
ve.

"Ihopeyouguysdidn'
tfi
nishmyMacandcheese."
shoutsBrendonf
rom thecorri
dorbutmult
ipl
e
voicesl
aughandIhearSbur epl
yhim,"Bl
ameiton
munchi
esbaf
o!!
"
It
rul
yam gr
atef
ulf
ort
hepeopl
eIwor
kwi
th.
Thedoorcl
osesandIl
ookback.

"
Bozay ami
,"gr
eetsschev
,theonesoberper
son
whom Ihav
ecivil
i
sedconversat
ionswi
th.

"Thanksf orcl
osingt hedoor .
"Isaytohi m.Hepul l
sa
chairandcomest osi twit
hmei nsil
ence.Schevhas
thi
shabi tofwantingt obear oundme, i
t'
sbeenl i
ke
thi
sev ersincehest artedwor ki
ngwi thmewhi l
eMr
Joneswasst i
ll
alive.Atf i
rstIfounditveryweirdand
wrongbutt henlateron, Ifoundoutt hathejust
i
dolizedme.Ev ent houghhecanbeani diot
somet i
mesandbeannoy i
ng, hesureisonel oy
al,
hardworkingmanwhi chiswhyIaskedhi mtowor k
formeaf terMrJones' sdeath.
Wesi ti
nsil
ence,
looki
ngatthescr
eenofthel
apt
op,
wait
ingforsomethi
ngtohappenandSchevst
art
s
snor
ing.Iogl
eathim andcomeupwithanamazing
i
dea.It i
pt oeoutoftheroom andgot othe
bathroom.IgetCol gate,
rushtothekit
chenandget
atoothpi ck.Ical
lall
theguysandweal lrusht
ot he
comput erroom whereSchevisstil
lknockedout.I
takeoffmyheav ycoatandgetreadytoprankthis
mot herfucker.
Itakehi
sr ighthand,putColgat
eoni t,Ialsoput
someonhi sli
psandbot hhisears.Schevi sav er
y
heavysl
eepersot hat'st
oouradv antage.Sbucomes
withamakeraanddr awsapeni sonhisf oreheadas
theguysfindithardtocontainthei
rlaught er
swhi l
e
taki
ngvideos.Brendonrushesbackwi thlisteri
ne
andhepour sitint
oSchev '
smout h.

"Shhh"IhissandIst artpokingSchevwiththet ooth

pick.Hestart
sf i
dget
ingalloverthechairandwhenI
pokehi minhisnose, hehitshimselfwit
honeshar p
slapbutdoesn' twakeup.Ipokehi searsandher ubs
them, spr
eadingt heColgateeverywher
eandt he
room isli
ter
allyshakingwiththeseguys' t
hroaty
l
aughs.
Ifi
nallygi
vehi m onepainf
ulpoket hatstart
leshim,
wakinghim upbutwhenhedoes, hepul l
sthe
l
ister
ineallthewayt ohisthroat
,chokinghim.When
hespi t
sitout,hereali
zestheColgateonhi slipsand
hewi pesitoffhi
sl i
ps,spr
eadingittohischeeks.He
j
umpsupt ohi sfeetandIputonmyser iousface,as
i
fIdidn'tdoany t
hingasalltheguy sjustfal
ltothe
groundlaughing.

"
Who!di
dthi
s?"r
oar
sSchev
,looki
ngar
oundt
he
r
oom.

"I
twasBr endon!
"Isaywithaseriousf
ace,poi
nti
ng
atBrendonwhoi sshocked.Al
ltheguysl
augheven
harderasBrendonshakeshisheadno.
"I
twasn'
tme!Ipromise.Itwasboss.Iswearmanit
wasntme.Askallt
heguy s.
"cri
esBrendonbutal
lthe
guyspr
otestagai
nstBrendon.

"
Brendon,
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
orsuch.Am y
ourboss
sorespectme."IsaytoBrendon.Helooksatme,
off
endedandl ooksatSchevwhoi sboi
li
ngandr uns
outoftheroom, f
oll
owedbySchevwhor unsaf
ter
hi
m cursing.
Af
tert
heybot
hleav
e,Ij
oint
heguy
s,l
aughi
ng

"
Youar
esuchadi
ckheadbaf
o!"say
sSbu.

"Say stheguywhodr ewapeni sonanot herman's

forehead! "Isaylaughi ng.Theguyst art
st owalkout,
stil
linst i
tches,leavingmei nther oom alone.Icl
ose
thedoorbehi ndt hem andsi tinfrontoft helaptop
andt hat'swhenIhearsomet hingsqueakyl ikea
door .Isitboltupr i
ght ,
li
steningtowhat 'shappening
andIhearsomeonemumbl i
ng.Imov emyf ace
closert othescr een, tr
yingtohearwhatt heperson
i
ssay ingandt henmyey esar eglorif
iedbyher
arrestingf aceinstead.If eelmymout hcur v
eintothe
smi l
et hatshehasal way sbroughtev er
sincethefir
st
dayIsawherasmysoul get
st hepeacei thasbeen
mi ssingforal ongt i
me.Butsomet hi
ngseemsnot
r
ight
,shedoesn'
tl
ookhappy
.

Thandopi cksupherphoneandwal ksoutoft he

room shewasi n,coveri
ngthecamera.Afterhearing
adoorcl ose,Ihearat hudasthoughshejustbanged
hersel
fagainstt hedoorthensil
enceforawhi le.She
thenplacesthephonesomewher eandtakesaseat
onachai randsi lenceagai
n.

"Papa,showmeasi gn.Am Ireal

lybeingani gnorant
chi
ldli
kemom sai doram Idoingtherightthing?"I
hearhervoicesayandmyhear tj
ustbreaks.Whydi d
Ihavetotakehim awayf r
om herthough.Whydi dMr
JonesandMrMdl et
shehav etoknoweachot her?If
i
twasn'tforthem,Icouldbehappywi thmybaby
ri
ghtnowbutno, thepastjusthadtointervene.

Ican'treal
lyseewhat'
sonthetableshehasplaced
herphonebutIcanhearpaper sandatthatmoment ,
thelaptopmakesanot i
fyi
ngsound.Icli
ckonthe
noti
ficati
onandherlaptophasbeenturnedon,
givi
ngmeabet terviewofherandwheresheisr i
ght
nowandi tdoesn'
tlookli
keherapart
mentatall.Di
d
shemov eout?Itakeoutmyphoneandt exther.Her
phonebeepsbutshei gnoresi
t.It
extheragai
nand
that'
swhenshecheckst hephone.Shereadsthe
textandrol
lshereyesandshouts.
"Sabelostoptr
yingtoconvincemet ostop
wor ki
ng."
sheshoutsoutandaf t
erthat,
somemal e
voicerepl
iesher.Myhandsbal l
int
of i
stsasmy
teethgnash.Mybr owslowerasmynoset wi
tches.
Whot hehellwasthat?Itakemyphoneandt exther
againandsheshout souttosomeonecal l
edSabelo.
Sabel
o?Wher
edoIknowt
hatnamef
rom?

"
Aii
bozay
ouar
eonepr
a..
..
."

"
Sh!
!!
"Ihi
ssatSchevandheshut
shi
smouth.He
wal
kstot
helapt
opandlooksatt
hescr
eenwit
hme.

"
Ist
hatThando?
"heasks.Isi
deey
ehi
m andhe
cl
oseshi
smout
h.

Ii
ncreasethel
aptopvol
umeandthat'
swhenIhear
hi
m shouti
ngatThandoabouthi
m notdoi
ng
anyt
hingandwatchingamovi
e.

"Shemov edinwiththatpieceofshitofabest
fri
end!!
"Ibell
ow,pushingt hekey
boardof ft
het abl
e.
Schevlooksatmei nshockandIt ur
nt ohim asmy
nostri
l
sf l
are.Whatbullshi
tisthi
s?Ipickupt hechair
andthrowi ttot
hewal l
, cr
eati
ngahole.

"cal
lBr
endonnow!
!"Schevswif
tsoutoft
her
oom
andcomesbackwithBrendon.

"Fi
ndt helocat
ionnow!
!!
"Isayandthewholehouse
shakest omycommand.Br endondoeshisthi
ng
andwr it
essomet hi
ngonapieceofpaper.Hehands
i
tov ertomeandIst or
m outoftheroom.Ihear
foot
stepsbehindmeasImov etotheki
tchenandI
push2oftheguyswhoarebl
ocki
ngmywayasI
movetotheexi
ti
ngdoor
.

"Andthen? "IhearSbuaskbutnonoft hepeople

replyhim.Iopent hedoorandst epout si
de,feeli
ng
myr agemov etoeverysingl
epar tofmybody .Iwalk
tothegar age,openitandgetintomycar .Idri
veout
ofthegar agespeedilyandIseeal lt
hegent s
standing,looki
ngatme.Iseet hem rushintotheir
carsandf ollowme, someoft hem rushingoutoft he
housewi thguns,joi
ningtheonesi nt hecar.Igetto
thegat eandsomeoneopensmydoorandget sin.

"Youshouldatl
easti
nvit
eustoy ourki
l
li
ngpart
yyou
know."saysSbuasheclosesthedoorbutIi
gnore
him.Theguardsopenthegateandasam aboutto
dri
veout,2peopl
estandinfr
ontofmycar .

"
Oooohshi
t!
"bl
urt
soutSbuasIal
sof
inal
l
yseewho
t
he2peopl
eare.
Chapt
er41

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Ihootattheidenti
calpeopl
ebutt
heydon'
tmov
e.
Theyjustst
andt hereasift
heyar
efr
ozen.

"Oohshit!
"exclaimsSbuagai n.The2guy swalkt
o
thecarandast heyar eabouttoopenmydoor ,my
mengetoutoft heircarsandpointt
heirgunsat
them andatthatt i
me, somemenout sidethegat
e
alsopointt
heirgunsatmymen.Ist epoutofthecar
andsignalmymennott oshoot.Theyputthei
rguns
downandt henextt hi
ng,am i
ntheair,
being
punched.

Ihearpeopl
est
artshout
ingbutSbuandSchevt
ell
them t
oshutupandputthei
rgunsaway.
Ifeelmy
selfbei
ngdraggedar
oundandbeingkicked
andpunchedandthat'
swhenSbupleadsZiphoand
Sihl
etostophit
ti
ngmebuttheydon'
tstop.

"Letthem Sbu!"Iut ter.Thisgoesonf orawhi l

easI
feell
ikemybonesar ebr eaki
ng.Idon'tev enf i
ght
backbecauseIt otallydeser vethi
s.Oneoft hem
stepsonmyar m andIl iteral
lyhearmybone
breaking.Myt eethcl i
nchasIav oidtoshoutoutas
theagoni zi
ngpai nki l
lsme.Al lIcanhearr i
ghtnow
arepeopl emaki ngsoundst oeverypunch, kickand
curseam get t
ingf rom t hese2br others.Iwonder
whereKhay ai
sbecausehesur ewoul dhav ebeen
gladtodot histome.

Afterbei
ngbeat
enupanddr
aggedontheground,
theystopandwhenIt
ryt
oopenmyeyes,Ican'
t.

"Getupyousonofabitch!"r
oarsSihl
e.Itr
ytostand
up,coughi
ngbutIf
allt
ot heground,f
eeli
nghelpl
ess.
Someonetriest
ohelpmebutZi photell
stheperson
t
ostepawayfr
om me.Whent hepersonkeepson
t
ryi
ngtohel
pme,Itel
lthem t
oli
stentothe2.

"
butboza.
..
"

"l
i
stentot
hem."Isay.Thehandsfi
nall
yletgoofme
andItr
ytost
andupbutIusemybr okenarm andan
agoni
zedscr
eam escapesmyl i
ps.

"
Shutt
hef
uckupandgetup!
"

Itryagai
nandIf i
nall
ystandupbutononel eg
becausemyot herisinpain.Iholdmybr okenarm as
myey essti
l
l r
efusetoopenandIf eelakickonmy
stomach.Ifal
ltotheground, andIthrowup.I
successf
ull
ystandup, wipingtheleftovervomitoff
mymout handspi toutaliquidthattast
eslikeblood.

Al
oudhotsl
aphi
tsmyl
eftcheekandal
ltheguy
s
makeasound.Am pushedtothegr
oundandIhur
t
myalreadybrokenar
mthensomeoneki
cksmy
pr
ivat
ear ea.

"
Aaaaah!
"Iscr
eam out
.

"
Okayt
hat
'senough!
!!
"shout
sSbu.

"
Stayoutoft
hisf
ucker
!"

"No!Can'
tyouseey
ouhav
eal
readyhur
thi
m!!
"
shoutsSchev
.

"
Lett
hem dowhatt
heywant
!!
"Isayi
nascr
eakv
oice.

"Youhavegottobeki
ddi
ngme!Bossy
ouar
ehur
t!
"
saysBrendon.
"don'
tyout
hinkIknowt
hat
?Justl
ett
hem f
ini
sh.
"I
sayandSbulaughs.

Myt hr
oatishel
dasi am separatedfrom theground.
Theairinmylungsbegi nstorunoutasam bei ng
chokedhardcor
e.Itrytogaspf orairbutnoai r
makesi tt
omyl ungs.Am helplesslydroppedtothe
ground.Aft
erawhi l
eofj ustl
yi
ngt hereinpain,I
standup,hoppi
ngwi thmyonel egandt hen

"
Youar
esoooluckywear
efor
biddenf
rom ki
l
li
ng
y
ou.
"saysZi
pho.

"Youcanhel
pyourboss."saysSi
hleandIfeel
8
handshol
dme.Am putonacouchandbyt hen,I
managetoopenmypai nfuley
esalit
tl
ebit
.

"Cal
lmamaMahl okoane,"IsaybecauseIr
eall
y
needadoctorasinnow.Brendontakesouthi
s
phoneandcall
sher,walki
ngoutoftheroom wit
h
Schev,Zi
pho,Si
hleandSbu.Whydi
dn'tSbuleave
again?Heli
ter
all
yhadthechancet
ojustleavesi
nce
these2haveallt
heirf
ocusonme.

"Ihopeyougood?"say
sZiphosi
tti
ngnexttome.He
hitsmybrokenar
m andIknowit
'sonpurpose.

"
WellInev
erwasokaytostartof
fwi
th.You2just
madeitworse.
"Ir
epl
yhim andsomeonehit
smeat
t
heback.

"
Shame."saysSi
hlewhositsontheopposi
tecouch.
"
Itwasapleasur
emaki ngyourni
ghtmuchworser
t
hanital
readywas."hesay
sagain.

"Tostartoffwi
th,wearen'
tdonepuni
shi
ngyoufor
taki
ngawayourf atherf
rom us.Wear
esti
ll
goingt
o
domor e."
"Am l
ookingfor
war
dtot
het
ort
ureasl
ongasam not
dyi
ng."Isay.

"
Secondly
,wherethefuckhaveyoubeenyouass?
Wehavebeenlookingforyou!
"saysZi
pho,hi
tt
ing
myachinghead.

"
habafo,youreal
l
ymi ssedme?Iwasexpect
ingthis
f
rom Thando,
noty ou2."Isay
,wi
thasar
cast
icvoice.

"Don'tbul
l
shituswit
hthatmyf ri
end.
"saysZipho
pointi
ngatme.Ilookathim andchuckl
e,tr
yingt
o
avoidthebodypainsam get
ting.

"I
'
vebeenar
ound.
"Isaytohim buthehi
tsmyhead
agai
nbutt
hist
imeIhithi
m back.

"
Noy
ouhav
en'
tsost
artt
alki
ng.
"
"
Andi
fIdon'
twantt
o?"

"
Youhav
eto.
"saysSihl
e.Ilaughqui
etl
yasIpl
ace
myar
m onmycrossedlegs.

"Iwasi
nMexi
co.
"Isay.Zi
phopopshisf
inger
s,
chil
l
edont
hecouchandsays"why?
"

"Tokillt
hepersonwhoy ouhavefai
ledtokill
for
years.
"Isaytot hem, t
ryingtofi
ndtheper f
ect
positi
ontoputmybr okenar min.Theybothlookat
meandSi hl
esmi les,
shakinghishead.These2wer e
j
ustwhoopi ngmyassl ikenobody '
sbusiness,t
hen
allofasudden, t
heyar esitt
ingcomfort
ablyinmy
houseasi fnothinghappened.

"
Tel
lmey
ouj
oki
ngbaf
o?!
"mur
mur
sZi
phol
aughi
ng.

"
Wheni
sthedoct
orget
ti
ngher
e!"Ishoutbuti
na
sur
pressedv
oice.Am i
npai
nher
eandam dy
ing.

"Shei
scoming!"say
sBr endon,ent
eri
ngthroom.He
l
ooksatZi
phoandSi hleandjustsi
tsdownwi t
hout
sayi
ngany
thingbuthiseyesstil
lst
uckonthe2.

"
Okaybacktotheint
erest
ingst
ory
,how,hehe,
how
t
hefuckdidyougethi
m? !
"saysSi
hle,
sit
ti
ngatthe
t
ipofthecouch.

"Iwil
ltel
loncethedoctorgetsher
ebecauseyou2
fucker
salmostkill
edme. "Isayt
othem,shaki
ngmy
headandt heybothlaugh.

"Youcoul
dhav egot
tenwor
semyf
ri
endsost
op
complai
ning.
"

"CanIpl
easegetsomewat
er.
"IsayandSchev
bri
ngsmeabot t
lewhi
chIf
ini
shinacoupl
eof
seconds.

"
Okayy
ouwi
l
ltel
lust
omor
rowt
hen.
"say
sSi
hle.

DrMohl
akoanef
inal
l
yarri
vesandshel
ooksatmeas
i
fshej
ustsawaghost.

"Myson! !!Whathappenedt oyou!"sheshout sandI

hearSchevmumbl e"it
'st hose2ident i
calidi
ots
sit
ti
ngt here.
"inaf emi ninesoundi ngvoicethati
s
extremelyfunny.Sbuwant stolaughbuthekeeps
hismout hshutbutasf orBrendon, heleavesthe
room laughinglight
ly.Si hl
eandZi phot urnthei
r
facestoSchevwhocl ear shisthr
oatand
apologizes..
..
..
.
DrMohlakoanel
ooksatthet
winsandshel
ooksat
mewitha" Wel
l?
"face.

"Ummm ma,wehadami sunderst

andi
ngsowej
ust
hadasmal
lfi
ght
."Isayt
oher .
"Small
!!!Doyouknowthedef
ini
ti
onofsmall
you
fool
!"shescreamsatme.OoohwhydidIhavetocal
l
herthough.Ifor
gothowmuchshecansometimes
beadr amaqueen.

"Ma,cal
m down.Am fine.
"Isaytoherbutsheopens
hereyeswideopen,point
ingatmybrokenarm.She
tur
nstothetwinsandleersatbothoft
hem thenshe
walkstothem.

"Standup,bothofy ou!
""shescreams.Theyboth
l
ookatherandst andup.Shescr eenst
hem wit
hher
eyesthenshel ooksatSihleagainandasmile
crossesherface.

"You?Iknowyou!Ar
en'
tyouThando'
sbrother
?"she
asks,poi
nti
ngathi
m.Si
hlest
artssmil
ingnerv
ously
andnodshishead.

"
Hau,
howar
eyou?Ihopey
ouar
efi
ne.
"shesay
s.
Zipho'
seyesgooglear
oundtheroom andhelooks
atme.Heshr ugsandIal
soshrugathim.Thatwas
anunexpectedtur
n.

"
Am f
inema'
am,
howar
eyou?
"asksSi
hle.

"
am goodmyson.It'
sbeenlong."shesay
s."
Andyou,
youmustbethethetwi
n?"shesay sl
ooki
ngatZi
pho
whonodshisheadonce,smil
ing.

"Coughcough,Ineedyou,
coughcough!
"Isay
,
gett
ingt
heirat
tenti
on.

"
Oohsor
ry.Letmegetmyt
hings.
"shesay
s.

"Haaama,soyouarereall
ygoingtol
ett
hem offthe
hookjustl
i
kethat
?!"asksSchev,wi
deeyed.She
l
ooksathim wi
thawar ni
ngeyeandhekeepsquiet.
"YesIwi
ll
,Imean,t
heyar
ehisin-
lawsandhemust
havedonesomethi
ngbadfort
hem tobeathi
m up
sobad."

"I
nfact
,wherei
sy ourwoman?"sheasksand
ever
yonei
ntheroom goessil
entasift
herei
san
el
ephanti
ntheroom.Ilookdowninshame,qui
et.

"EehDoc,
let
'snott
alkaboutt
hatr
ightnow.
"say
s
Zipho.

"
Why?Didyou2br eakup?Whichwouldexpl
ainal
l
t
hosear
ti
clesbutIneverbot
heredtoreadt
hem, i
sit
t
ruemyson?"sheasksinawhi sper
.

"No!
"Isneer ."
Wear estil
ltogether,j
ustgoing
thr
oughsomedi ff
icul
ttimes."Iemphasi ze.She
smilesafterIsaythatandev er
y onejustlooksatme
i
npit y
,incl
udingZiphoandSi hl
e.
Sheattendstome,bandagingever
yopenwoundand
massagesmyhur tlegswit
hsomecr eam.Shesends
Schevtogogetanar m sl
i
ngf r
om hercarandhe
comesbackwi thi
t.Shehelpsmeputtheslingon
andthensitsdown.

"Tomor
rowIwill
bringy ouyourmedici
neokay.Ohh
andyouneedtotakethosecontactsoff
.Youreyes
areabi
tswoll
ensoy ouhav etogetri
dofthose
thi
ngsforaf
ewday s."shesays.Inodmyheadt o
her.

"Thankyouf
orcomi
ngsol
atema.
"Isayt
oher
smili
ng.

"
It
'sokayson.Ihav
etogobefor
ethatol
dmanr
ings
myphone."shesaysst
andi
ngup.

"Gr
eethimformepl
ease.
"Isayt
oher.Shesaysher
goodbyest
oever
yoneint
heroom andthenshe
l
eav eswi thBr endonwal ki
ngherout .Event houghI
don'tvisithermuchof ten,sheknowst hatIl oveher .
Ihav ealway sl ov
edev ersinceMr sJonest ookmet o
herwhenIwassi ckwithAlcers.DrMohl akoane
automat i
callybecameamot hertomeev ent hough
MrsJoneswasamot herfigure.AfterMr sJones' s
deathf rom cancerwhenIwas19, Mohl akoanet ook
overandshewast hereeveryt i
meIneededher .I
remembert hisothert
imeMrJonesal mostt hrew
meoutoft hehousebecauseIhadt ri
edt ododr ugs
butshet alkedMrJonesoutoft hatdecisi onbutI
gotat erriblebeatingafter
war dsfrom MrJones, her
andMrMohl akoanegav emeal ecture.
SeewhyIdon'tidol
izemyf
atheranymore,
it'
sal
l
becauseIhavehadsomuchpeopl egui
demywayto
whereIam today.

Assoonashercardr
ivesout
,Ist
andupf
rom t
he
couch.

"
Ihav
esomebusi
nesst
otakecar
eofguy
ssosee
youlat
er"Isaytot
hem,li
mpingoutoft
her oom but
Schevstopsme.Heclosest
hedoorandst ar
esat
mest r
aighti
ntheeyewit
hhi
sstrai
ghtface.

"
Butbozai
t'
slat
e."

"Getoutofmywaypl
ease.Ican'
tl
etthatpieceof
shitbei
nthesamehouseasmywi f
e."Irebukeand
that'
swhenZi
phocal
lsme.

"
Iguessy
ouandIareonthesamepage."hesays.I
t
urnmyhead,
try
ingtounder
standwhathesai
d.

"Weneedtogetr
idoft
hatfri
endofher
s,wehav
ea
badf
eeli
ngabouthi
m."resumesSihl
e.

"Reall
y?"Iut
ter
.Theybothnodtheirheadsand
sayingam happyisact
uall
yanunder st
atement.
SinceIhavethese2onmysi de,i
twillbeeasi
erto
getThandobackbecausemybi
ggestconser
nwas
herfamil
y.

"Sosi
tdownbecausewehav eaplanandwet hi
nkit
wil
lworkperfect
lybutweneedy outobepatientand
tobeabletohandleever
ythi
ngwi t
houtfl
i
pping."
saysZi
pho.Isitdownwithint
erestfi
l
ledinmymi nd
upunti
lSihl
esays

"
Butholdup!WhatisSbudoi
nghere?"oooh,It
otal
ly
f
orgotabouthi
m..
..
..
..Zi
phot
urnstol
ookatSbuwho
i
ssti
llbakedbyhi
sweedasSihleal
sostaresathim.

"Wehav ebecomefri
endsbecausewebot hwanted
toki
llBri
an.AndheisoverThandonowsowe
deci
dedt oj
ustgettoknoweachother"Ispeedi
l
y
saybeforeSbusayssomecrazyshit
.

"
Ooohokay.IhopeThandowon'
tmi ndt
his
f
ri
endshi
pofyours.
"saysZi
pho.If
lashanerv
ous
smileandsignalBrendonandSchevtotakeSbuout
oftheroom beforehebluff
ssomeshit.Theydoso
andassoonast heycomeback,Sihl
estart
s
explai
ningtheplanandletmesay,Idon'
tli
kethi
s
planatall
.
Ij
ustpr
ayt
hati
twor
ks.

*
***
***
***
***
**

THANDO'
SPOV.

Ipackmyf i
lesandl aptopi ntomybagandwal kout
ofthest udy,goingdownst air
sf orbr
eakfast
.Ient er
thekitchen,greett hemai dwhoi smakingbreakfast
andpl acemybagont hecount er.Si
nceNkosi j
ust
decidedt ogomi ssing,Ihi
redhi smaidbecauseI
didn'
twantt oleav eherj obless.

Shegi
vesmeacupofcoffeewi
thmywheat bi
x
di
ppedwit
hhoneyandIt
hankher.It
akeoutmy
phonefrom mypur
seandcheckifther
eisamor
ning
textasalway
sbutnot
hing.#hear
tbr
oken.

"
Goodmorninggoodpeopl
e"say
sSabel
o,smi
l
ing.I
l
ookathi
m andsmil
e.

"Someonei sinagoodmoodt oday.

"Isaytohim.He
tri
estokissmycheekbutIbackawayf rom hi
m with
ateethf
ul smil
e.Hisf
acesuddenlychangesandhe
backsaway ,wit
hhisJawsti
ghtened.Ineedtotal
k
tohimtodaybef or
eheleav
esbecauseam notabout
tohavehim crushi
ngonme.

Hewal kstothecof feemachi neandpour shi mselfa

cup, grabstoastedbr eadf r
om apl at eont hecount er
andgr at
escheeseont het oast ,
lotsandl otsof
cheese.I t'
sli
kehei sn'tevenconcent rati
ngonhi s
grati
ng.Hi sJawsar estil
lti
ght ened, neckv einsare
poppi ngandhi sfacei sli
terall
yt ur
ningr edashe
grateshi scheese.Inot i
cebl ooddr ippingonhi s
toastandIqui cklygetof fmychai randsnat chthe
gr
aterf
rom hi
m.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
!!
"Ishout
,gl
ower
ingathi
m.

"
Whatdi
dIdo?
"heaskscal
mly
.

"
Youfool,
youwer ehurt
ingyoursel
f.Letmegoget
myfi
rstai
dkit
.Wai ther
e."Isaytohim.Irushupt o
myroom andcomebackwi t
hmyf i
rstaidkitandput
i
tonthecounter
.Itakeabandageandsomecr eam
t
oputonhiswound.

"Givemey ourhand."Isaytohi m.Heslowl yhandsit

overt ome, gazi
ngatmyf acebutIdon' ttakethatas
seriousasIusual l
ywoul d.Iapplythecream ont he
handandasam appl yi
ngi t
,If
eel l
ikedejav uagain.
Thecheese, mykit,t
hecr eam!Ooohl ordwhyme
though? ??
!DoIr eall
ymi sshimt hatmuchorar eyou
j
ustpuni shingmef ordisobeyingmydeceased
father.If
inishdressi
nghi swoundandwhenIl ook
upathi
m, heisstar
ingatmewi thasmile.Il
ook
away,
infearofconfront
ingthefeel
i
ngswr i
tt
enin
hi
ssparki
ngey esandhisleani
nginpinkli
ps.

"Umm,Sabel
o,weneedt
otal
k."Isayt
ohi
m,goi
ng
backt
omyseat .

"
Okay
."her
epl
i
es,
comi
ngt
ost
andnextt
ome.

"
ButIneedy
out
oanswert
hisquest
ionhonest
ly.
"

"
OkayIwi
l
l.
"

"Doy oul
ikeme? "Iaskhi m.Okayt hisi
sthatone
momentwher eIregretaskingaper sonaquestion.
Whatam It hi
nki
ngaski nghi m suchaquestion?
? ??
?
Ilookathim,expecti
ngaf acedrainedofit
scoloror
af l
ashedfacebuthisf aceisscrewedup.
"
Idon'
tli
keyou.
"her
epli
es.If
eelmybodybecomea
l
i
ttl
eeasedasmybrai
nstopsovert
hinki
ngt
hings.

"Phew!Forasecondt her
e,Ithoughtyoudid.Sil
lyme
ri
ght?"Isay
,ti
tti
ng.Sabel
obegi nstomov eclosert
o
me, hi
shandsinhi spol
opant spocketsandhis
sweetsmelli
ngy etgodl
ycologne hitsmynose.He
comessocl osethatifafl
ywast oflyi
nbet weenus,
i
twoul dgettr
apped.

Hi
snosetouchesmi
neasItr
ytomov
eawayfrom
hi
m buthehol
dsont
ome, wi
thhi
sar
msaroundmy
wai
st.

"
BecauseIl
ovey
ou.
"hewhi
sper
sinahoney
edv
oice.

"
What
?"
Myfacescrunchesupasmyey ebrowssnap
t
ogether
."What?"Ir
epeat
,notget
ti
nghimv er
ywel
l
.
"YesThando.Il
ovey
ou.I
nfact
,Ial
wayshave.Ij
ust
can'
tgetyououtofmymindandev.
..
..
..
."

"Whoa, slowdown.Idon' tneedtoknowt hat.Look

Sabz, wear ejustfriendsandIwoul dliketokeepit
thatway .Iam cur r
ent l
yinlovewithsomeoneel se
and...
..
"Isayt ohim wi thoutbei
ngconsci ousabout
mywor ds.Ifeelhisaur achangeashi sgaze
switchest osomei ndisti
nctvi
ewt hatgivesmechi l
ls
andhi snoset witches.Hi shol
daroundmywai st
getssot ight,hurt
ingmeandasIt rytowi ggl
eoutof
i
t,hisclenchedt eethbecomev i
sibleashi sli
pspart.

"
Inl
ove?Wi
thwho?
"hi
svoi
cegr
uff
.

"I
t'
slateSabel
o,Ineedtogotowork.Ihavea
meetingwithMrBiza.
"Isayt
ohim,attempti
ngt o
remov ehi
sarmsbuthisgri
pbecomest i
ghterand
hisvoicecomesoutevenmoregruff
.
"Wit
hwho? !"Hi
seyesshutasifheistryi
ngt oget
backtohi ssensesandam justl
ookingathimi n
shock.Whi chSabel
oisthi
snow? Thisisn'
tthe
SabeloIhav eknown.Thi
sisnttheSabeloIcall
Twinnie.Thisri
ghther
eisawhol enewSabel othatI
don'
tknowatal l
.

"LetmegoSabelo.Ihaveameetingtoatt
end."Isay
tohim.Imanagetoremovehisarmsandpushhi m
offme.Hiseyesaresti
l
lshutandhisbodyfeeble.

"Don'tyouevert
ouchmelikethatev
eragai
n!"Isneer
,
pointi
ngathim.Itakemybag,getofft
hechairand
l
eav ehim st
andi
ngi nt
hekit
chen.

Wasmom r
ight
?

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
"Sowil
lthatbeal
l?
"asksMrBizawhoi ssit
ti
ng
opposi
temeont heboardr
oom tabl
e.Isl
ightl
yswing
onthechair,
noddi
ngmyhead, smil
i
ngatMrBi za
andtherestoft
hepeoplesi
tt
ingintheboardroom.

"Okayt hen, sowewi l

l sealthedeal somewher enext
week. "say stheguysi t
tingbesideme.Wi t
hall
honest y,am herephy sicall
ybutment all
y,am not.I
hav ebeent hi
nkingaboutwhathappenedear li
erev er
sinceIlef thome.Itri
edt omi ssthi
smeet i
ngbutMr
Bizaaskedmet ojustsi ti
nt heboardroom wit
ht hem
ast heyspeakaboutt hedeal .Iagreedandher eIam,
j
ustl ookingatt hesepeopl e.
Ifeel
someoneshaki
ngmebymyshoulderandI
l
ookbesideme.Ali
ghtski
nnedguy
,smi
lesatme
andasks
"I
sther
esomethi
ngwr ongMissMdl
etshe?
"Igi
ve
hi
m anerv
oussmile,shaki
ngmyheadnoandhe
nodshi
sheadsmili
ng.

"
Wel
li
nthatcase,
wewi
l
ltakeourl
eav
e.Seey
ou
nextweek.
"hesay s,
standingupwithafi
lei
nhis
hands.Thefourpeopl
ehecamewi t
hstandandI
al
sodoso.MrBi zaandi shakethei
rhandsasthey
l
eave.Assoonast heyaregone,Isi
tbackonthe
chai
randIglanceupatt hecei
li
ng.

"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"asksMrBizawithhi
sonehand
i
nhispocketandhi
sotherhol
dinghi
sphone.

"
Yea,
am j
ustnotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
."Isayt
ohi
m.

"Hmmm okay.WellIwi l
lseeyouatt hehospit
al,
that
'si
fyoupassby."hesay s,t
urningtothedoor.I
nodmyheadandhel eaves,nowam al lal
one,
l
ookingupatthi
swhi teceil
i
ng.Igrabmyphone
besi
demeandIst i
l
l havenonot if
icati
onsatall
.
Di
dNkosi
for
gett
osendat
extt
oday
?
Buthenev
erf
orget
sthough.
..
..
May
behei
sbusy
..
..
.ButwhydoIcar
esomuch?
Iputmyphonebackonthetable,
grabmy
bel
ongings,
leavet
heconf
erencehouseanddr
ive
backtoSandtonsi
ncewemetupi nBenoni
.

AssoonasIgett here,Ij
ustdriv
est r
aighttot
he
hospit
al .Ineedsomet hingtokeepmebusysoIwi ll
seeaf ewofmypat i
ents.IgreetthepeopleIknow
asIent ert hehospi
talbutasam gr eeti
ngthe
recept
ioni stwhil
elookingatherandwal ki
ng,
my
bodybumpssomeone' s, makingmedr opmybag.

"Ooham soosorr
y,Idi
dn'
tseeyouther
e."Isay
,
bendi
ngdownt opickupmystuff
.

"I
t'
sokay .I
twasmyf aul
tanyway s.
"sayst
hef r
uity
huskyv oi
ce,bendingdownwi thme.Hi sfr
agrance
makesmynost ri
lstwi t
chandr ecogni
ti
ondawnson
myf ace.Isl
owlyturnt ofacethemankneel i
ng
i
nfrontofmeandt her eheiswithagleamedface,
withbandagesallov erandanar m sli
ngonhisright
arm.
"I
t'
sbeenlong."hesayswithhiswhi t
eteethshowing.
Isizehi
m wit
hmyey esasIfeel li
kecry
ingbecause
ofthesi
ghtinfrontofme.Iqui ckl
ydropmybagand
puthisf
aceinmypal ms,lookingathim all
overhis
faceasmyey esbecomegl ossy .

"Nkosi!
"Isayinatautvoice."Whathappenedt o
you!!
!"Isaynotcar
ingthatwear earoundpeopl e.He
shakesmyhandsof fhi
sf ace,sti
ll
smi l
i
ngandhe
takesthebag.Hestandsupst rai
ghtbutseemst o
bestruggli
ngwithstandi
ngonbot hhislegs.Ijump
upspeedi l
yandIputmyhandsbackonhi sf ace,
consernedaboutwhathappenedt ohim.

"Nkosi!Tellme!Whathappenedt oyou? "Isaytohim.

Heiswear ingsunglassesinsuchacol dweat her
whicht el
l
smeher emov edthosecontacts.He
remov esmyhandsagai nbutwit
hhislefthand.He
smilesatmeandsay s,

"
Ihopey
ougood?
"inal
owv
oice.Oohokay
,isi
tme
ori
sNkosi
act
ingdi
ff
erent
.

"Iaskedyouaquest i
onandyouaren'
treply
ingme."I
saytohim.Ir eal
izepeopl
elooki
ngatusandt hat'
s
whenIdeci deont aki
nghimtosomepr ivat
eplace
wecoul dtalkabouthimlooki
ngli
kethat.

"
Come!Weneedtotal
kinpr
ivate.
"Isayt
ohim.Itr
y
t
ohol
dhishandbuthehi
desitbehindhi
m andsay
s

"Ihavet
oleave.
"Hest
epstotheot
hersi
de,
waves
hishandatmeandhewalksawaywit
hSchevand
Brendonbehi
ndhim.
Il
ookatSchevandhei sjustlooki
ngf orwardal
ong
wi
t hBrendon.I
t'
sasifam notevenher e.Peopl
e
makewayf ort
hem topassandwhi spersstar
ttoget
l
oudast heypointathi
mt henlookatmei npityi
ng
eyes.
Chapt
er42

THANDO'
SPOV.

Iwatchhim walkawayfr
om me, notev
enl ooking
backatall
.Itr
ytocallhi
snamebutmyt onguestops
mef r
om utt
eringthewords.Howcanhedot hatto
me?Hi sThando?
DoIdeser
vethi
sfort
urni
ngawayf
rom hi
m whi
l
e
ev
eryonet
oldmenotto?
Butwhy ?Iwashur t,Iwasi
npainthatmylovehad
kil
ledmyf ather.HowwasItojustacceptitj
ustl
i
ke
thatasifitwasnot hi
ng?Am pret
tysureanyone
elsecouldhav edonewhatIdi
daf t
erfi
ndingout
such.
Assoonashef adesaway ,Iclenchontomybagand
quickl
ywal koutoft hehospital,l
eavi
ngpeoplewit
h
rhetor
icalquestions.Igeti
ntomycar ,
putmybagat
thebackandj ustsi tint
hecar .Thisj
usthastobe
thewor stday.FirstitwasSabeloandnow, it
'sNkosi
.
Whyi sli
febei
ngsocr uelt
owardsme?Ishoul dn'
t
havemov edtoSandtonbecauseIwouldn'thavemet
those2.Istar
tmycar ,r
eadytodri
veofftoRose's
apartmentbutNer
siacomesr unni
ng,wavingatme
tostop.Iswit
chofftheengineandopenmywi ndow,
withasmi l
eonmyf ace.

"
hey
!"shegr
eet
s,br
eat
hingoutl
oudl
y.

"
Hey
,what
sup?
"
Shel
eansonthecar,sti
llt
ryi
ngtomel
lowout."
Do
youwannagooutforlunchwithme?
"sheasks.

"
Ooh,
eishumm.
."

"
comeonThando,wehav en'tspokeninareal
lyl
ong
t
ime.Weneedtohaveluncht oget
her.I
t'
seit
her
l
unchordi
nnersochoose."shepleads.
"Okayfi
ne.Wewil
lhavelunch.You'
l
ltel
l mewhi ch
rest
aurantt
omeetup."Isaywithasmile.Shenods
herheadandtur
nstowardsthehospit
al andruns
back.
Ist
il
lhav
e3hour
sunt
ill
unchsoRose'
sapar
tmenti
t
i
s..
..
.
Iclosemywindowandjustpl
ayoneofH.
I.
M.'
s
albumsthatIal
way
splaywheneverIf
eel
li
ket
his.

Iknockonherdoort wiceandSihle'
squeenopensi t
,
herbell
ynowr eal
lypoppingout.Forher5thmont h,
i
t'
swayt obig.Hereyessparkl
easshescr ut
anizes
meandshepul l
smet oherlevelandgivesmea
superti
ghthug.Ihugherback, gi
ggli
ngandshe
breaksfr
om thehug,looksupatmeagai nwit
hher
l
ipscurvedup.Shetouchesmef ace,andpul
lsme
i
ntohertighthugagain.
"
Didy
oumi
ssmet
hatmuch?
!"Isayl
aughi
ng.

"
Yes!
!Imi
ssedy
ousomuchThando!
"sher
epl
i
es,
nowpul lingmei nt
otheapartment.Sheclosest he
doorbehi ndherandshepul l
smet ot hecouch.Ihelp
herofft hewheelchair
,set
ti
nghernextt owher eI
wanttosi tandshegazesatmef oral ongtimeandI
l
ookaway .WhenIlookback,sheisn'
tsmi l
ing
anymor e.Shehasabl ankexpressionthatIcan't
readatal l.Myeyesrunawayf r
om her sasIcannow
readev erywor donthatbl
ankface.Iletoutasigh
andal ookdown.

"Iknow,Ishouldhav etol
dy ouwhyIbrokethe
engagementbutIdi dn'
tknowhowt otel
lyou.How
wasIt otel
lyout hatyourbrot
herkil
l
edmyf at her
whileyouarei nsuchacondi t
ion?
"Isayplayingmy
hands.Shest art
sr ubbi
ngmybackasmyey es
becomegl ossy .

"Ir
eal
lyl
ovethefactthatyoucareaboutmebuty ou
shoul
dhavetoldmeandIcoul dhavestoppedall
thi
sdramathat'
shappening.I
fitwasn'
tforyour
motherandyoursi
sterscomingherefewweeksago,
Iwasnev ergoi
ngt oknow.Ev enSi
hlekepti
tfr
om
me.Iwasact uallyhur tevenmor ebyyouguys
keepingi
tfrom me. "shesays.Somydear estmot her
alongwit
hmysi ster scameaf ewweeksago
becausetheywant edt oknocksomesensei nt
omy
headbutaf t
erfindingoutt hatIhadmov edoutof
theapart
ment ,shef l
ippedandwell,
theNkosiissue
sli
ppedfrom hert onguewhi leRosewasi nt
her oom.

"
Am sorr
yRose."Iapologi
ze.Sheput
sherhandon
mineandsqueezesit
.

"
It
'sokaybutIhav
eaquest
ionf
ory
ouThando.
"

"Whatisi
t?"shemov
esev
enclosetome,st
il
l
hol
dingmyhandandswaysherheadl
eft
.
"Don'
tyoulovemybr ot
herenought
ol ookpasthi
s
pastmist
ake?"sheasks.Herquest
ionstri
keshome
butIhi
deitandjustsni
ff.
"That'
swhyam her eRose.Sigh**Ibumpedi nto
Nkosi atthehospit
alandhewasi naterri
ble
conditi
on.WhenIaskedwhathappened, hekepton
brushingmyquest i
onof fandi
tseemedasi fhewas
dist
ant .I
thurtmeal otandam justgett
ingmi xed
feel
ings,"Irecount
,rememberingwhathappened.

"Ihavebeent ryi
ngsohar dtoforgiv
ehi mthiswhol e
mont hbutev eryt
imeItriedtodoso, something
woul dj
ustpul l
mebackandIwoul djusthat
ehi m all
overagain.Butatt hesamet i
me, Iwouldmi sshim
andhopet hathewasher e.Aft
erseeinghimt odayin
thatcondit
ionandhi mi gnoringme, Iwashur tandI
sti
llam hurt
ing."Itel
lRose.

"Okayhol
dont othatthought
.Ihaveanot
her
questi
on,hav
ey oueveraskedyoursel
fwhyyourso
call
edbestfr
iendissoconcernedaboutyou?
"

"
Well
,hejustcar
esaboutmeIguessandhej
ust
want
sthebestforme.
"
"Bestf oryou?Oohr eal
ly?Okayt hen,
hasheev er
askedy outoforgi
v eNkosisincehewant sthebest
foryou?becausehesur elyshouldknowbynowt hat
youl oveNkosi?"sheasks, hereyessur v
eyingme.
Myey esgooglear oundtheroom asIt hi
nkofthe
advicet hatSabelogavemeandwhathappened
today .IlookatRoseandsher ai
sesherbr ow,
waitingf ormyreply.

"
Wellnotreal
ly
,headv i
cedmet or
atherstayaway
f
rom Nkosibecausewhati fhehadotherplanst
okil
l
meormyf amily.Buthealsosaidthati
twasupt o
mewhetherIwant edtoforgiv
ehim ornot
."

"
Any
thi
ngel
se?
"

"Roseam conf
usedokay!Sabeloalsoconfessedhi
s
l
ov eformeandwhenItoldhimt hatam i
nlovewit
h
someoneelse,hef
li
pped..
..
..
..
."
"Therewego! !
!!Thandoy ouar esonai ve.Can'tyou
seet hatt hisbestf riendofyour sjustwant syoual l
tohimsel f ?Hecl ear l
ygavey out hatadv i
cejustto
confusey ouandmakey ouhat eNkosi evenmor e.
Andf rom whatIam seei ng,youar eliteral
lygi
v i
ng
him ev erysinglet hinghewant s.Imean, y
oumov ed
i
ntohi shouse, youguy sareonev erypaperandon
social medi aandy ouar egrowi ngcl oserandcl oser
byeachpassi ngday .Youaregi vingi ttohim ona
sil
verpl ate.Heonl yshowedy out hatv ideobecause
hewant edy out obr eakupwi thNkosi Thando!Thi nk
gir
l!Ev eryonecanseet hatexcepty ou."shesay s,
pointingatme.

"
ButRose,
whati
fhejusthappenedt
ofal
li
nlov
efor
mealongt
heway?"

"Ai
iThando,am honestl
ygoi
ngtocallSi
hleandtel
l
himtocomebeaty ouupunt
ily
oucomet oyour
senses.Foradoctoryouar
esurel
ystupid.No
off
ensebuty ouareacti
ngst
upidandit'
sirr
it
ati
ng
me.Am nott el
li
ngy outhi
sbecauseNkosi i
smy
brother.Am t
ell
ingyouthisbecauseyouar emy
sist
erandev ery
onei sworri
edabouty ou.Whydon't
youev eraskyoursel
fwhyy ourfamil
yhasf orgi
ven
Nkosi?Whyt heyareagainstSabelo?Doy ouknow
howhappyweal lwereafterfi
ndingoutthatNkosi
wasbacki nSout hAfri
ca?"

"
Youguy
sknew?
"

"
Yourbrot
her
sdi
dn'
tst
opsear
chi
ngf
orhi
m soy
es,
weknew."
Il
ookaway
,ev
enmor
econf
usednow.

"St
opov erthi
nkingt hislove.Nkosi l
ovesy ouand
yououtofal l
peopleknowt hat.Stopsuppr essi
ng
yourlov
ef orhim andt ryi
ngt ojustif
yitbythepast .
Andasf orhimignor ingy ouatt hehospital
, asshi
tt
y
asImaysound, youdeser v
eit.Youcan' texpecthim
toalwayschaseaf tery ouThandoandsaysor r
yover
andov
eragai
n.Ifyoudon'
tfi
xyour
sel
fsoon,
youwi
l
l
l
osehi
m.Fixyoursel
fgi
rl
."
Iputmypal m onmyf or
ehead,t
ryi
ngtodigest
Rose'swor dsthathitmehard.Whyam Ionly
real
izi
ngal lt
histodaybutIhavebeeni
gnoranttoi
t
allmonth.IfeelRose'sar
mswr appi
ngaroundme
andsheki ssesmycheek.
"Iwantyoutocally
ourfamilyfi
rstandapol
ogizefor
beingacunt.Then,l
eav
et hi
sfri
endshipofyours
withSabel
o.It'
snotworthit
."

"ThankyouRosef
ort
headv
ice.Ir
eal
l
yneededt
hat
."
Isaytoher.

"
Sodoy
ouwantsomet
hingt
oeat
?"sheasks.

"Yespl
ease,am hungr
yashell!
"Isay.Rosecall
sout
tosomeoneandsomeshor tchubbygirlweari
nga
maidunif
orm popsup.ShegreetsmeandRoset el
l
s
hertomakemeacheesesandwi chwithcoff
ee.As
shetur
nsback,It
akemyphonef rom mybagandI
seeanoti
fi
cati
on.Ihurri
edlyunlockmyphone,
hopi
ngthati
t'
sNkosi butit
'sjustSabelo.

Canwepleasetalkaboutwhathappenedi
nthe
morni
ng.You'
ll
findmehome.

Af
terreadi
ngit
,Iputmyphonebacki
nmybag,
di
sappoint
ed.

"Soenoughaboutme,
what
supwi
thy
ougi
rl
?!
"I
excl
aim.
"Am awesomebabez,j
ustcan'
twai
ttogivebir
th
becauseam ti
redoft
hispr
egnancy
."shesays,
rol
li
nghereyes.

"YeaIcanseethat,l
ookaty
ouall
dressedupli
kea
grandma."It
ease,pi
cki
ngupherfl
orall
oosedr
ess
withmyonef i
ngerandshehit
smyf i
nger.
"VoetsekThando!(pi
ssof
f)"Il
aughatherasshe
givesmeadi rt
ylook.

"Butatl
eastyougotawholemant hatmassages
yourfeetandyourwholebodywheny ouneedone.
Let'
snotforgett
heotherthi
ngst
hatheal sodoes.
"I
saytoherchuckli
ng,st
icki
ngmytongueout .

"Yhooochomi e,
y ourbrother'
shandsar emagi c,y
ou
knowwhatmagi cis?That '
syourbrother.Especi
all
y
whenhemassagesmyback! !
!!
!!Fadagawdhel p
me!!!
!!
!!Andwhatot herstuffar
ey outalkingabout?
Am pregnantbabygi rlandIcan'tbeouther e
shagginghim al
ready ,
hewi l
ldumpme! "shegushes
andwel aughoutl oud.

"okayIgetthatandmysister
!Mymotheralway
s
compar edpapa'smassagi
ngski
l
lst
oSi hl
e'
s
becauseSihlelovedmassagi
ngmymom whenhe
wasy oung.
"Isayt oher
.
"Yourmot hergavebir
thtoaGody hoo!
"shesays
l
aughing.Imi ssedhavingthismuchf un.Rosei
sjust
l
ikemysi stersandIcan'twaittofinal
lytal
ktot
hem
andsortoutt hiswholesit
uationthatIhaveput
my sel
fin.IjusthopethatIgetthem backandbe
happylikeIusedt obeforethiswhiledrama.

WhydidSabelohavetofi
ndoutaboutt
heki
ll
ingand
showthevi
deotome?I fi
twasn'tf
orhi
m,Icoul
d
havebeenhappynotknowingatal
l.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°

"
Heygi
rl
!"Isayt
oner
isa,
taki
ngaseatonourt
abl
e.

"
Hybaby,
Ihopey
ouaregood?
"shesay
stome,
l
ooki
nggl
owyasalway
s.

"
Am super
bhey
.Andy
ou?
"
"
Am amazi
ngbaby
,am l
i
vingabl
essedl
i
fe.
"she
r
epl
i
es.

"Icanseethat
.Hav eyouorderedyourf
ood?"Iask
her,asthewai
tercomeswi thmymenu.Itakeit
from hi
m andplaceitont
het abl
e.

"
Yes.
"respondsNer
isa.

"Okay,l
etmeor dersomething.CanIpleasehavethe
greeksaladwithgri
ll
edchickenandacosmopol it
an
cocktai
l.Thankyou,
"Isaytot hewai
ter.Hewalks
awayt othekit
chenandIlookatNer i
sasmi l
i
ng.

"
Sohowi
sthebi
gfami
l
ydoi
ng?
"

"Theyareal
lgoodhey,
thechildr
enaredoingwel
lin
schoolandbywell
Imean, Ihavegonetoallt
hei
r
pri
zegivi
ngdaysbyinv
itat
ion,
"shesayssmili
ng.
"
Ooohreal
l
y,t
hat
'sgreat
!Oohmygosh!Youshoul
d
i
nvi
temetooneofthem."Isayt
oher
.

"Iwil
l.Shani
kareal
l
ymissesyout
hough,
sheis
alwaysaskingwhenshewil
lgobackt
oauntand
uncle'
shouse."

"Ncaaaw,Iwill
comet akeherf ort
heholi
day
s.Ooh
andmymot heronceaskedifshecouldmaybehave
thechil
drenoverforsomeholidaysorsomet
hing.
"I
say.

"Sur
e,theyaresti
ll
yourki
dsThandosoy oudon'
t
havetoaskforthem.Am justbabysi
tt
ingt
hem i
f
youmaycal l
itthat
."

"
Ophst
opi
t,t
heyar
eyourki
ds.
"Isayt
ohergi
ggl
i
ng.
"
Sohowarey
ou?Howar
ethi
ngsgoi
ng?
"asks
Ner
isa.
"
Am goodbabe,j
ustgoi
ngt
hroughal
otatt
he
moment.
"Isay.

"Ihav
er eal
i
zed.Ihear
dyouandSabel
oar
enowa
couple.
"
"Nowearen'
t.Hei
sjusthel
pingmewi
thwhatam
cur
rent
lyf
aci
ng."

"
Andwhati
sthati
fyoudon'
tmi
ndmeaski
ng?
"

"
Iwoul
drat
hernott
alkabouti
t.
"Ir
epl
yNer
isa.

"Oohplease.Yout al
ki
ngabouti tnowwon'
tchange
anyt
hingsoj ustj
usttalkt
ome.Am notasni tchand
youknowi t.
"saysNer i
sa,hol
dingupafi
nger.I
wouldn'
tsayIdon' tt
rustNeri
sabutIdon'
tl
iketell
i
ng
peoplemybusi ness.

"
Ner
isal
et'
snott
alkabouti
tpl
ease.
"Ipl
eadandshe
r
aisesadi
smi
ssi
vehand.

"Okaythenbutl
etmet el
lyousomet hi
ngokay?
Sabelodoesn'
tl
ikeyouasaf r
iend.Thatguyi
s
obsessedoveryousowatchout .
"

"
Whatmakesy
ousayso?
"

"Wellbeforey oucamet owor katt hehospi tal

,
Sabelohadsomuchmoodswi ngsandhewasshor t
temper ed,andaf ewpeopl eatt hehospi talsai dhe
nevertreatedhiswi f
eright.Aftery ourar r
ival,he
changed, hismoodswi ngsbecamel essandl ess
shorttemper ed.Whenev eryouar ear oundhi m, heis
achangedper sonbutassoonasy oul eave,he
becomest hismonster.SoIt houghtIshoul dwar n
youasmyf ri
end.Watchout ,Sabel oisn'twhathe
clai
mst obe."saysNerisa.Istartconnect i
ngt he
dotsinmyhead, from whatmyf amilyhasbeen
tell
i
ngme, whatRoset oldmet odayandwhatNer i
sa
i
st ell
i
ngmenow.
Ever
yoner
eal
lyi
sagai
nstthi
sfri
endshi
pofour
sand
Iam t
heonl
yonewhoistoobli
ndtoseeit
.

Ineedt
otal
ktoauntt
oday
.

Ourlunchcar ri
esonaswecat chuponev eryt
hing
thathasbeenhappeni ngandIcan'tsaymydayhas
beenterri
ble.It
'sact
uall
ybeenokayandf orsome
reason,If
eel happyandIfeel
solight,l
i
keabur den
hasbeenl i
ftedfrom myshoulder
s.
Afterl
unch,Il
eavef
orthecli
nictoseehow
everyt
hingi
sandIheadbackt oSabelo'
shouse.I
parkmycaront hedri
vewayandi not
iceSabel
o'scar,
al
ongwi thsomeothercarIdon'
tknow.Mustbehi s
vi
sitor
.
Iwalkint
othehouseandnot i
ceal
otofguar
ds,
standi
nginthehousethenanoldwomansit
ti
ngon
thecouch,watchi
ngKeepingupwi
ththe
Kardashi
ans.
Iputmybagont hetableandwal ktothel
adybutam
stoppedbyoneoft heguar dswhohasscratchesall
overhisface.Hiswellbui
ltbodymakeshiml ook
i
ntimidati
ngandhisser i
ousf acemakeshim even
mor escary.Il
ookatmeashel ooksatmeandItry
tospeakbuthebeat sme.

"Andwhoar eyou?"hi
sdeeproughvoicegivesme
goosebumpsasIl ookawayfr
om him.Iturnmyey es
tothewomanwhohasst oodupfrom thecouchand
shecall
st heguar
dwhomov esoutofmyway .The
l
adywal kstomeandt ugsmeintoahugt hatl
eaves
mequizzing.
Iwantt opushherof fbutIdon' twanttobe
disrespectful.Shef i
nallyletsgoofmeandIgeta
goodl ookather .Shei sar atherstoutbutat t
racti
ve
mi ddleagedwomanwhoi sremar kabl
ygownedas
royalty.Herlightskincompl i
ment sherhazel nut
coloredey esandasf orherhai r,i
tdoesn'tlookli
kea
blackper son'shairatal l
.Shel ooksexactlyli
ke
Sabel obutt hefemal eol derv ersi
onofSabel o.Igi
ve
herashysmi leandshegi vesmeahugesmi le.
"
YoumustbeThando.
..
."shesay
s.

"Uum y
esma, Iam.Idon'
tmeant
obedi
srespect
ful
butyouar
e?"Iaskher.

"Am Sabel
o'smother
, Mr
sLeratoVil
akazi.
"shesay
s,
giv
ingmeherhandf orahandshake.Ishakeher
hand,nerv
ousashell.Whydi
dn'tt
hatdumbasst el
l
met hathi
smotherwasgoingtobeher e?

"Socome,Iwantyout ot
ellmeeveryt
hingaboutyou,
anyt
hingandeveryt
hing!
"sheexcl
aims.Shetakes
myhandandt akesmet othecouchwherewesi t
andIjustl
ookather.

"Sorr
ymabutIcameher et
ojustpi
ckupmyst
uff
.I
needtoleav
eifyoudon'
tmind.
"Isayt
oher
,
standi
ngupbutshedragsmebackdown.
"What?!Idomind!Youcan'
tleav
ey et,
Ijustmet
you."shesay
s,sti
llsmi
l
ing.Nooffensebuthersmi
l
e
creepsmeout .

"Sorr
ymabutIneedtoleavei
fyoudon'
tmind.
"as
am aboutt
ost
andup, Sabel
ostandsi
nfr
ontofme
withasmil
eonhisface.

"
Love?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
""heasksi
nahoney
ed
v
oice.
Lov
e?Si
ncewhendoesSabel
ocal
lmel
ove.

"Umm Ineedtogogetmyst
ufffr
om upst
airs,am
mov i
ngbacktomyapart
ment.
"Irepl
yhi
m, giv
ing
him ahar
dface.

"
Butwhy
?"hei
nter
rogat
es.

"
Canwet
alki
npr
ivat
epl
ease?
"Iwhi
sper
.Het
ell
s
hismot hert
oexcuseusandweheadst
rai
ghtt
othe
studyroom.Aft
erhelockst
hedoor
,It
urnt
ohim,
foldi
ngmyar ms.

"
Lov
e?"Isaywi
thapuzzl
edf
ace.

"Yes,y
ouaremylovear
en'
tyou?
"Ij
ustr
oll
myey
es
athim andsi
tont
hedesk.
"Li
stenher e,Ineedt oleave."Isaytohi m."Ican't
stayher eknowi ngt haty ouhav efeeli
ngsf ormeso
am goi ngt omov ebackt omyapar tment .
"Icontinue.
Sabel olooksatme, scrunchinghisheadwhi l
e
rubbinghi sf
or ehead.Het akesbigst epst othedesk
am si t
tingonandhegr i
psthear m ofthechai r
,sits
downandput shi scr ossedfeetont het abl
e.Istand
upfrom t hedeskandwhi r
laroundt ofacehi m and
therehei sagai n,themanImeti nthemor ni
ng.Dar k
andl ooksemot ionless.Hepr opshi schinusinghi s
handashegl ar esatmeasi fheispl anning
somet hi ngterrible.
"I
sitbecauseofNkosi?"heasksi
nascar yt
one.I
fol
dmyar ms, t
il
ti
ngmyheadt omyrightandheave
asigh,l
ookingattheceil
i
ngforashortmomentthen
backathim.

"Nkosiornot ,
Ineedtol
eaveSabel o.
"Isaytohim
buthegi vesabitt
erl
aughwhi l
eslammi nghi
shand
onthet able,
makingaloudbangingsound.Ir ai
se
mybr owsathi m,notst
art
ledatallbutsurpr
isedby
thefactthathehasbeenhidingthissi
deofhi s.

Hisbr eathingrat
equi ckensashej umpsupt ohis
feet,forci
nghi shandsi ntohi spockets.Hi schests
fallsandr iseswit
hr apidbr eathi
ngandt henhef l
i
ps
thet abl
e, whichfallsupsi dedownandt henhewal ks
asf astashecant ome, reachingmebef oreIcould
evenmov eoutoft hedi rectionshei scomi ngin.He
j
er ksmyheadi nt hedi r
ect i
onofhi seyesandhi s
noseexhal eshotai r
.Nowam f r
eakingout .Why
didn'tIbringmyphoneandgunal ong.Ilookathim
i
nf r
ightast heSabel oIknewt urnsint
osomedar k
v
ersi
on.
"Nev
erdidIevert
hinkIwouldcomet othisbutyou
aret
est
ingme.Ihav ewaitedwaytoolongforyou
andam notaboutt
ol ety
ougoj ustl
i
ket hat
."he
j
abbs.

"Sabeloyoubet terr
espectme! "Ir
epl
yhim buthe
picksmeupwi thmyt hroatandbeforeIknowit,
am
ont heothersideofther oom onthefl
oorwithmy
headbangi ng.Irubthebackofmyhead, t
ryi
ngto
getupbuthest andsont opofmeandpushesme
downt henslapsahandov ermycheek.

"Nowy oul i
stenandy oul ist
ent omev erywell
,i
fyou
l
eav eme, Iwill
kil
l t
hatst upidNkosi ofyour
s.Ihave
connectionsev er
ywher eandIcaneasi l
ykil
lhi
mj ust
l
ikethat.Youunder standme! !
!"hejabbs.Am notthe
weakty pe,am thetypet hatfightsbackandam not
will
i
ngt olosetot hi
sbast ar
dofaman.Ispi ti
nhis
faceandst artl
aughinguncont rol
labl
ybuthegives
meonemor eslap.
"Iknowhei sbackinSouthAf
ricaandasfort
hose
i
njurieshegot,Iwonderwher
ehegotthem because
Iwoul dn'
tmindaddingonsomemor e.
"hesays,
grinning.

"
youev
ilsonofbi
tch!
"

"Sonofabi tchornot ,
y oumaket hedecision,leave
meandl oset heloveofy ourl
i
feorst aywi thmeand
l
ethiml i
ve."hesay s."oohandify outel
lanysoul ,I
havemenwor ki
ngaty ourmother'shouseandt hey
saytheyarer eadytobombherhousedown.Your
brot
hers'businesses,Icanmaket hem crumbl ein
j
ustonesnap, "hesay swi t
hagrinonhi sf ace.He
pull
smyf acecl osertohisbyforce,squeezi ngmy
cheeks.
"I
tsuptoyout
ochooseapat
hmydear estl
oveor
shoul
dIsaymybeaut
if
ul-
whi
te-
rose.
"hewhisper
s
sl
owlyinmyear.
Whatt
hef
uckdi
dIj
ustgetmy
sel
fint
o..
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
**

NKOSI
'
SPOV

"It
oldherevery
thi
ngIknowaboutSabel
osoit'
snow
uptoherifshewil
lbel
ievemeornot.
"saysNeri
sa,
dri
nkinghercupofcof
fee.
"Ihopeshedoes."saysSi
hle.Ilookatthepeoplei
n
theroom andIjustf
eelwarmi nside,y
esam
emot i
onalbutIj
usthidei
tbehindt hescar
yface.

"Shewill
,shecameher eear
li
ertotel
lmeabouther
l
itt
lesit
uationanditseemsSabelohasconf
essed
hislov
ef orher.
"saysRosewhocomesi nonher
wheelchair
.

"
Awu,
youar
eawake?
"Isay
.Si
hlehel
pshergetup
from thewheelchai
randhel
pshersitonthecouch.
Hesi tsnexttoherandhol
dsherhandwhilesmili
ng,
l
ooki ngather.Whenismyqueengoingtocome
backsot hatwecouldalsosi
tnextt
oeachot herl
ike
this.Roselooksatmeandf r
ownsthenturnstoSihl
e.

"Youshoul
dn'
thavehi
thi
m Sihl
e.Lookathim,he
l
ookslikeaper
sonwhohasbeenhi tby3tr
ucks.
"
shewhinesandhi
tshi
slap.

"Okayam sor r
ymyl ovef
orhi t
ti
ngy ourbr
otherbutI
hadto."repl
iesSihle.Hekisseshercheekandshe
star
tsgiggli
ng.Iclearmyt hroatforthem t
ostopthi
s
romanticepisodeoft hei
rsbutt heydon'
tstopup
unti
lZi
phowal ksinandhitsSihlewi t
hapill
ow.

"
Bafo,
it'
snotmyf
aul
tyoudon'
thav
eawoman.
"
j
okesSihl
e.

"
Shutupwena,
whosai
dIwantawoman?Women
areannoyi
ngandIcer
tai
nlydon'
thav
eti
mef
or
them."r
epl
iesZi
pho.

"Forexample,lookatNkosi '
sdepressingli
fe.Who
wantsthis?"continuesZiphoandev er
yonebur sts
outlaughingexcludingme.IsizeZiphoandj ustcli
ck
myt ongueathi m, Idon'
thaveener
gyf orhi
m. .
...

"SoRose, yousaidsomethingaboutherbei nghere,"

Isay,putti
ngmybackont hecouch.RosenodsandI
rubmyf orehead."Wewer eactuall
yli
steningtoy our
conversati
onandam gladt hatyouspoket oherbut
theproblem i
s,howdoweknowt hatal
l t
hiswi l
l
pushherawayf r
om Sabeloandclosertome? "Iask.

"See,i
fyouconti
nuenotent er
taini
ngher,
shewill
real
izehowmuchy oumeant oherandthatwil
lforce
herintocomingtoy ouandofferi
ngtomay bef
orget
aboutthepastandi twi
llal
sohelpbecauseshewill
furt
herseehowt oxicSabel
ois."saysNeri
sa.
"Exactl
y!
"saysRose."
ButIwouldadviceyouguy
sto
keepanopeney eonherbecausefrom whatNer
isa
toldus,Sabel
oseemskindofinsane.
"

"True.Weneedsomeonet owor
kf orusinter
nal l
yso
thatweknowwhat '
sgoingonbecausewecan' tkeep
odependi ngonherphoneandlapt op.
"Isay.Weal l
simultaneousl
yletoutsi
ghsandthenZiphost arts
smi r
king.

"
Ner
isa,
yousai
dhehasabr
otherr
ight
?"

"
YesIdi
d."

"
Andt
hathel
oveswomen?
"

"
Yep.
"
"Problem solved.Wewil
lj
ustlooksoaseductiv
e
younggi r
l andhookthem up.Al
lwehavetodonow
i
sf indoutmor ei
nfor
mati
onont hebr
other
."says
Zipho.

"Goodidea.Okayt
henpeopl e,
Ipr
ayandhopethatit
worksbecauseIhatei
gnoringmywoman.It'
smy
worstnight
mare,i
nfact
,it
'smyhellonear
th.
"Isay.I
takeoutmyphoneandf i
nd23mi ssedcal
l
sfrom
Brendon.What'
supnow.

"Excusemeguy s,Brendoniscalli
ng."Isay,tr
yingto
standup.Ili
mpt othekitchenandcal lBrendonand
themomentIsayhel l
o,hisinst
antreplyhasme
runningoutoftheapartmentasi fam insane,wit
h
ZiphoandSihlerunningbehindme.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er43

THANDO'
SPOV.

Igl
areathi
m,wi
de-
eyedanddumbfoundedwi
thhi
m
l
ookingatmewi
tht
hegrinonhi
sface.

"Okayf
ine,
I'
ll
stay
.Justdon'
thur
tany
one.
"Isayt
o
him.

"
Goodgir
l!
"herepl
i
es,
standi
nguppr
oper
lyand
f
ixi
nghi
mself
.
"Sothisi
showevery
thi
ngisgoi
ngtogo."say
s
Sabelo,t
urni
nghi
swholebodyar
ound.
Fool
!Doesheser
iousl
ythi
nkt
hatam ani
diot
?
Istandonmyheel squi
etl
yaspossibl
e,reachi
ngfor
hisarm andthat
swhenIgrabit
,putitinbetweenmy
l
egsandbr eakit
.Asati
sfyi
ngcrunchofhisarm
bonehitsmyears.Themomenthet urnsaround,
screaminginagoni zingpain,Ithrowmyf i
stinaf ast
j
oltwhichhitsSabel o'schest.Whenhest artslosi
ng
balance,It
ri
phim wi thmyl eftfootbuthet ri
esto
holdtomewhi chhef ai
l
s.Hef all
st othegr ound,
screaminginagoni zingpain.Het ri
est ohitmebutI
blockhim andhithim onhi sshoul deronthemost
sensiti
veboneoft hebody ,maki nghim passout .
Bit
chthoughthehadme. ..
..
.Nx.Justbecausehe'
s
buffandhuge,itdoesn'
tmeanhecanj ustscar
eme.
Am aMdl et
shedescendantandnoMdl etshe
descendantgoesdownwi thoutafi
ght.
..
..
..
..
.
Itakehisphone, putiti
nmypocketandIcl osehi
s
mout hwi t
hat ape.Iunplaitoneofmybrai
dsand
usei tt
ot i
ehisarmsandl egs.I
fhetr
iestomove,t
he
braidswillcuthi
m soy eah.Notsostupidaft
eral
l
ri
ght .
..
..
..

Il
eav
et hestudyandlocki
t,gotomyr oom,packall
myclothesandgodownstairswher
ehi smotheri
s.
Whenshespot sme,shestandsupfast,r
unningt
o
mewi t
hasmi lebutwhensheseesthebags,she
f
rowns.

"
Hau!Mychi
l
d,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"sheasks.

"Am goingbacktomyapart
mentma,mymot heri
s
comingov ert
oseemesoIdon'twantherfi
nding
outthatam curr
ent
lyst
ayi
ngwi
thaman. "Isayto
her,
smi li
ng.

"Oohokaymychi
ld.Wher
eisSabel
o?Heshoul
d
dri
veyoutoy
ourapart
ment.
"

"Noma!I t
'sfi
ne,I
'l
ldrivemy self.Sabelosaidhehas
toworksoi t
'sfi
ne."Isaytoher ,tryi
ngnott oact
suspi
cious."
Iwillhavemyl eav enow, "Isaytoher.
Shegivesmeahugwhi lesayinghergoodby es.

Irushoutoft
hehousebef
oresomeonef
indsSabel
o,
getint
omycaranddriv
eoff.
Whi
ledri
vi
ng,ItakemyphoneoutandIcal
lmom
whoanswersquickl
y.

"
Hel
l
o?"shesay
scol
dly
.

"Ma,am notcal
li
ngy outofi
ght.Getoutofthehouse
asinnow.TellSbongelotodosomer esearchonall
thement hatar
ewor ki
ngforyouokay?"Isayfast
.

"
What
?Why
?"

"Sabelosai
dsomet hingaboutsomemenwhowor k
forhim bei
ngthere.Theyplant
edabombt her
esoI
don'tknowifi
t'
strueornotbutj ustt
obeonthesafe
side,j
ustgetoutofthehouse."Isaytoher
.

"
Okay
.Buty
oubet
terexpl
ainwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
"
"Iwil
ll
atermom."Isayt
oher
.Iendt
hecal
landtry
call
i
ngNkosibutmynumberhasbeenbl
ocked,
real
lynow?!
Okayfine,
Ical
lNol
uinsteadbecauseIknowf ora
factt
hatshehasBrendon'
snumber .Luckil
yshe
doesandIaskhertosendittome.Af tergett
ingi
t,I
dialt
henumberandBrendon'
sphoner ings.

"
Hel
lo?
!Br
endon?"Iask,
breat
hingf
astwhi
l
etr
ying
t
okeepmyeyesontheroad.

"
Yes,
sor
rybutwhoi
sthi
s?"Iask.

"I
t'
sThando!Li
stenher
e,Ineedt
otal
ktoNkosi
now!"Isayt
ohim.

"ma'am?!Sorr
ybutNkosiisn'
twit
hme. "herepl
ies.I
l
osef ocusoftheroadandmyey esightst
artst
oget
blur
rybutIdon'tst
opdri
ving.Iwi
ll
gettoRose's
apartmentnomat t
erwhat.
"
Eish,
okaycanyoucal
lhim andtel
lhi
mtounbl
ock
me,Ineedt
otal
ktohim."Isaytohim.

"
Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ongma'
am?
"

"
Ithi
nkNkosi
'
sli
fei
sindanger
."

"
Indanger
?Why
?"

"Justcal
lNkosi
andt
ell
himt
hatIneedt
oseehi
m!"I
bell
ow.

"Okayma' am, Iwill

."her epli
es, f
ri
ghtened.asam
abouttodr opt hecall,aloudhoot i
ngsoundsknocks
outmyear s,asqueecki ngl oudsoundget scloseras
Ifi
nall
ygetagl impseofwhyt hecont i
nuoushooting
i
sget t
ingloudal ongwi tht hesqueecki ngsound.I
i
mmedi at
el ystepont hebr eakst ostopmycarwhi l
e
swayingthest irr
ingwheel rightbutli
tt
ledoIknow
thereisanotheroncomi ngcarwhi chhitst he
passengersi de.Mywhol ebodyhi tst
hedoorwhi ch
threatenstoopenbutdoesn' t
.Thenextt hing,am
spinningwithglassfly
ingar oundandt henam
upsidedown.Adeaf ening,ri
ngingsoundcuf f
sboth
myear sasmyunconsci ousnessincr
eases.Isee
people'sfeetrushi
ngtomycarandt hent helast
wor dsIhearar e

"Ma'
am!!!Ooohshi
t!
!!
!!
"fr
om t
heongoi
ngcal
lonmy
phone.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Ibursti
ntothehospital
,notcar
ingaboutthepai
nam
curr
entl
yfeeli
ng.Irushtotherecept
ioni
standwhen
heseesme, hejusttell
smet heroom number.I
guessheknowswhoam her efor.
AsIgetcloserandclosertotheroom,mykneesget
weakasIr ecal
ltherepl
ayedrecordedvi
deoBr endon
showedme.Idr awi nalongbreathandmyey es
threat
entogivein,t
ryi
ngtopictur
ewhatt heyare
abouttosee.BeforeIevenreal
izeitam st
andingin
frontoft
hedoorandav oi
cebehindmesay s,

"Openit."Il
ookbackandi t
'sMkhi ze.Heputshis
arm onmyshoul derasIturnbackt ot hedoor,
extendingmyhandont othedoor knob.Islowlyturn
i
t,opent hedoorandmyt earsjustfall
.Mybr eath
quickensasIl ookather,connectedt omul t
ipl
e
wiresandt hatmakesmeweak, fall
ingtomyknees
butMkhi zeholdsme, wit
ht hehelpofot hermanl y
hands.

"
Bafo,best
rong!Don'
tbeweak!Beaman!
"bel
l
ows
Mkhize.
Istandagai
nasallt
hepai
nIhadbeenignor
ing
start
stoknocki
n.Il
imptoherbed,
shame-f
acedat
thefactt
hatIwasn'
tablet
oprotectheragai
n!Iget
toherandlookatherf
ace,wi
thanoxy genmask
coveri
nghernose.MyThandonev erhadeyebags
buttoday,
shehadthem.Myey essurveyherl
if
eless
l
ookingbodyandIfeelweakal
l ov
eragain.

"
mywhi
ter
ose.
..
."Iwhi
nei
nar
ust
yvoi
ce.
"Who-whodidthistoyou?"Isni
ffandholdhercold
hand.Hernail
shav ebl
oodont hem andherlipsar
e
redasblood.Eventhoughherchestshowst hat
ther
eisli
fe,herbodyissayi
ngsomet hi
ngelse.

"Sor
ry,
arey
oufamil
y?"asksavoi
cebehi
ndme.I
don'
tevent
urnt
olookandSihl
erepl
i
esforme.

"
Yesweare,
wear
ethebr
other
sandt
hat
sher
f
iance.
"

"
Oohokay.Well
Iwoul
dliketot
alkt
othef
iancei
f
t
hat
'sokay.
"sayst
hedoctor
.
"Youcant alktomebecausehedoesn'tseem okay
."
suggestsZipho.Af ewsecondslat
er,t
hedoor
closesandi t
sonlyMkhize,Si
hleandIint
heroom.
NerisastayedbehindwithRoseattheapar
tment.

"Bafo,don'
tcry.Bestrongf orThando,sheissti
ll
ali
ve,isn'
tshe?Ifyoucr yandshewakesupwhi le
youar ecryi
ng,itwi
llbreakher."saysSihl
e.It
hrowa
dismissiv
ehandathi m.

"I
t'
sallmyfaul
t.Ishoul
dn'thavei
gnoredher ,
Ishoul
d
havespokentoherwhenwemetear li
er.Ishoul
d
havenotgonewithyourstupidpl
anbecausel ook
now."Isayt
ohim calmly,
whi l
ehol
dingThando's
hand.

"NoBafo,
don'
tblametheplan.Theplanhashelped
herseewhoSabelotr
ulyi
s.Ifi
twasn'tf
ortheplan,
shewasgoingt
ot al
ktoyouandt hengetal
langryat
youalloveragai
n,notgotoRoseforadviceand
Nerisawouldn'
thavewarnedheraboutSabelo.The
planhelpedusbutit
'sal
socostus."hesays.
Iletoutasi gh,wi pemyt ear
s, standonmyonel eg
whichi sn'thur t
ingandIgazeatheragai n.Islowly
remov et heoxy genmask, benddownt okissher
chil
lyandr oughl ips.WhenIsepar ateourlips,a
smi l
ef ormsonherf aceandi tremi ndsmeofhow
sheal way ssmi leswhenIki ssher .Iputthemask
backandsl owlyt urnmywhol ebody ,wi
thmyhand
massagi ngmybr okenar m.Iraisemyf aceupand
l
ookatSi hlet henMkhi ze.Ireachf ormyphonei nmy
pocketandcal lIsrael,whoiswi thSchevatt he
wor kshopi nBenoni .

"
Boss?
"Heanswer
swhi
l
echewi
ngsomet
hing.

"AskBrendontogiv
ey ouSabelo'
saddress.Gobur n
thathousedown,burnitandmakesurenot hing
survi
vesatal
lbecauseifsomethi
ngdoesl i
v e,Iwi
l
l
kil
lyouandyouknowam notj oki
ng"Ispit
.Ihear
peoplesuddenlyscr
ibbl
i
ngandhisv
oicebecomes
prof
essionalaspeopler
un,
cardoor
sbangingatt
he
background.

"
sur
eboss,
buti
sn'
tmadam t
h..
..
."

"JustdowhatIt oldyoutodo!!
!"Igrowl,i
nalow
voice.Hedr opst hecal
landIli
mpt ot hewindow,
andj uststandthere,watchi
ngthesunset .Myeyes
wellupasIf eel
myl owerlipquiv
er.Whendi dI
becomet hisemot i
onal
?
ThedooropensandIt
urnt
of acei
t.IseeZipho
steppi
ngi
nandwhenheclosesthedoor,helooksup
atusandknowswearewait
ingforareply.

"Shewil
lbef i
ne,shejustsuff
eredaheadinjuryand
afewcutst hatwil
lhealsoon."heut
ter
s.Sihleand
Mkhizesi
ghi nreli
efbutIcarr
yoney ei
ngZipho
becauseitl
ooksl i
kehest i
l
lhasmoret osaybuthe
j
ustdoesn'tknowhowt osayit.
Hebeginswalki
ngt
owardsmeashisey
estr
avel
ar
ound.Hestandsi
nfr
ontofmeandsays
"
Shei
sal
so1mont
hpr
egnant
,"hesay
s.

"
Pregnant
?"qui
zzesSi
hle."
Pregnantf
ort
hati
diot
!?"

"
Idoubtshei
spregnantf
orhi
m.I
t'
smychil
d."Isay
t
othem.Theyal
llookatmeandInodmyhead.

"
It
'smychi
ld.Shewouldhaveneversleptwi
tht
hat
f
ri
endofhers.
"Isayagai
ninassurance.
Thi
schil
di smi
ne,
notSabel
o'
s.ThatIknowf
or
sur
e..
..
..
..
Itakeachairfr
om t hecorneroftheroom andt hi
sall
remindsmeoft helasttimeIlefthertohav esome
space.I
tledusher e,thehospit
al.Ever
yt i
meIgi v
e
herspace,shejustmakessomedeci sionsthathurt
her.
TodayIv
owt
onev
erl
eav
eyoursi
ghtmyl
ove.No
mat
terhowmuchhat
eyoumi
ghthav
eforme.

"I
'
llcal
lmom.Idon'twantherfi
ndingoutlaterthan
now."saysZi
pho.Heleavestheroom wit
hhi sphone
onhisearandcomesbackf ewmi nut
eslater,witha
fl
ashedface.

"
Bafo!
"hesaysatSihl
e."Appar
entl
yThandocall
ed
mom befor
eshegotintotheacci
dentandtol
dherto
l
eav
et hehousebecauseSabel
ohadpl ant
edabomb
t
her
e."hesays.

"
Abomb?
!"weal
lsay
,al
sof
lashedbyt
his.

"
Yes!AndSabel
ohadpl
ant
edi
t.
"

"Br
endonal
sotoldmesomet hi
ngaboutmyl
if
e
bei
ngindanger
,coul
dithavebeenSabel
owho
thr
eat
enedherwitht
hesethi
ngs?"
"
Itcoul
dhavebeen.It
hinkhedi
ditbecausehe
wantedThandot
ostaywithhi
m."saysMkhize.

"
Thi
sSabel
oguyi
sreal
l
ymessedup.
"

"OohandIf orgott
otelly
ou,t
hedoctorgaveme2
phonest hatwereonThandobutoneofthem isn'
t
Thando's.Ithi
nkit
'sSabel
o'
s.
"saysZipho,gi
vi
ngme
theotherphone.

"Mkhize,Iwantyoutogot otheBenoni Warehouse

andgiv ethi
stoBrendon.Tellhi
mt ounlockitand
whenhedoes, heshoul
dlookt hr
oughal l
hiscall
s.
Wemi ghtfi
ndoutaboutthisbombi ssue.
"Isayto
Mkhize.Het akesthephonefrom meandl eavesthe
room inahur r
y.Iwonderwhocal l
edhim here.
..
..
..

"Baf
obami (mybrother
s)letmegojoi
ntherestof
mycrewatSabelo'shouse.Iwantt
oseehishouse
burntoashes.
"IsaytoSihleandZi
pho.Theynod
t
hei
rheadsandIl
eav
ether
oom.

WhenIgettothehouse,i
t'
salr
eadyinfl
amesand
mymenar ejustst
andi
ngclosetothehouse,
l
aughi
ng.

Excr
uciat
edscreamsofbot hgenderscanbehear
d
asImov ecl
oserandclosertostandwit
hmymen.
Oncetheyspotme,theygreetmeandInodmyhead.

"
WasSabel
oinsi
de?
"Iask.

"Yebobozabuthel ookedprett
ydead.Oneofhi
s
armswasl ookingtheopposit
edir
ecti
onandhehad
bloodgushingoutofhisnoseinthestudyr
oom.He
wasalsotiedupandwhoev erdidthatwasa
woman."say sSchev.

"
Hmmmm okay
.Whoel
sewasi
nther
e?"
"
Someoldwomanwhol
ooksl
i
keSabel
oandaf
ew
men.
"say
sIsr
ael
.

"Oohandyourprev
iousmaidbutwetookherout
befor
ebur
ningthehouse.
"saysSchev.

"Okay.Goodjobboys.Youwi l
lberewardedforyour
j
obbutweneedt ogobeforethepoli
cegetshere."I
sayturni
ngtheothersi
de.Weal ll
eavetheyardwith
fl
amesast heagonizedscreamscontinueand
becomeev enmoresev er
e;forsomereason,the
screamsaregivi
ngmesomuchpeaceandam
l
ov i
ngit.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
Chapt
er44

THANDO'
SPOV.

"
Thandomychi ld,Ihopeyouhavelear nty
ourl
esson.
Neverdi
sobeyy ourfat
hernomat t
erwhatbecauseif
youhadli
stenedtome, youwouldn'tbegoing
t
hroughwhaty ouaregoingthr
oughr ightnow.
"

"
IknowpapabutIj
ustneededsomet
imet
oheal
.
...
."

"Iknowmychildandy ouchoset hewr ongwaytodo

so.Youaregoingtobegi venanotherchancetolov
e
thatman.Lovehim andlethimlovey ou.Don'
tever
pushhim awaynomat terwhatforhei stheonefor
you."

"
Okaypapa,
Iam sor
ryf
ordi
sobey
ingy
ouatf
ir
st.
"
"I
t'
sf i
nebutr emembermywor ds.Lovehi
m andlet
himlov eyou.Not hi
ngcansepar
ateyou2besides
yourselvesandy ourpr
idesodon'
teverl
etthat
happen.Behappyandcher i
shever
ymomenty ou
havetoget her.
"

"Okaydaddy
.Thanky
ouf
orbei
ngt
her
eforme
papa."

Myheav yeyeli
dssl owlyopen, feeli
ngt hesunr ay s
hitmypainfuleyesasmydr yl i
pspar t.Imov emy
fi
ngerswhichmakeacr acki
ngsound, r
emov et he
maskcov eri
ngmynoseandt urnmyheadt olookt o
myr i
ghtandleft,onlytonoticet hatam alonei nt he
room.Itrytositupbutam t ooweak.It ur
ntomy
ri
ghtagainandseet heemer gencybut t
onwhi chI
reachforandpr ess.Afewsecondsl ater,
2doct ors
i
ncludi
ngDrMohl akoaner ushinwi thSchevbehi nd
them.Ilookatthem andgi vet hem af aintsmile.

"
sor
ryf
ormaki
ngy
our
un,
Ijustwant
edsomeonei
n
herebecauseIwasstar
ti
ngtofreak.
"Isayi
nacreek
ti
redvoi
ce.The2doctorswal
kt ome,onestar
tsto
checkuponmeandDrMohal koaneholdsmyhand
withasmileonherf
ace.

"Howarey ouchi
l
d? "sheasksme.Inodmyheadt o
herquest
ionandshebr ushesmyforehead.She
l
ooksupt otheothersmili
ngmal
edoct orwholooks
atme.

"Seemsyouareall
okay.Justaf
ewcut
sthatneedt
o
healandyouwil
lbeokay.
"hesays.

"
Andt
hebaby
?"Iask.

"Thebabyisokaybutyoujustneedtoeatsomet hing.
Youhavebeeni natemporarycommaf oraf ewday s
soyouneedal lt
heenergyyoucouldget."herepl
ies.
"DrMohalkoane,Iwi
lll
eaveyouwithher.Ihave
someunfinishedworktoatt
endtorightnow"he
say
sleav
ingt
her
oom.
IspotSchev
,st
andi
ngatt
hedoor
,looki
ngatmewi
th
asmile.

"
Mamzo!Youfinal
l
yawakeaf
terscar
ingusf
orso
manyday
s."heyel
ls.

"
Am awakeSchev
,"Ir
epl
yhi
mlaughi
ng.

"I
t'
sgoodt ohav eyoubackmamzo! "her epl
ies.I
t
feel
sgoodt ofinal
l
ybeawakeev enthoughIhav eno
i
deahowl ongIhavebeenknockedout .Icanf i
nal
ly
seemyf ami l
yandmyoneandonl ylover.It
urnmy
facetolookatDrMohl akoaneandshef l
ashesa
smileatme.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"sheasks.

"
Am okay
.Justal
it
tl
eweak.
"Isaytoher
.I
r
ememberbeingi
nanacci
dentbutt
hewayam
feel
ingdoesn'
tfeel
li
keIwasi
none.Nopai
nsat
all
..
..
..
..
"
Wel
lthat
'sgood.
"

Il
ookatSchevagai
nandaskhi
m,
"
HowisNkosi
?"butam answer
edmyDr
Mohl
akoanei
nst
ead.

"Notf
ineatallbutam pr
ett
ysur
ehewi
l
lbeaf
ter
seei
ngyou."shesays,smil
i
ng.

"Whichr
emi
ndsme,
Schev
,di
dyoucal
lhi
m?"she
asks.

"NoIhaven'
t.Letmecal l
him now."repl
iesSchevbut
Iasktocall
Nkosi myself
.Schevhandst hephone
overtomeandIl ookatNkosi'scontactforawhil
e
unti
lIdeci
detojustpressthebutton.Iputthephone
onmyearandwhem t hecallgoesthrough..
..
..
"Hell
o?"Isayinacreek,weakvoi
ce.Si
lenceonthe
l
inecontinues,ashi
sheavybreat
hingactsasthe
onlyrsponseam gett
ing.

"Hell
o?"Isayagainbuthedr opst hecall
,l
eavingme
brokenwithmyl i
psparted.Ilookheav enward,qui
et
andhandov erthephonet oSchevwhot akesthe
phoneandcl ear
shisthroat.Heexcuseshi mself
from t
heroom andam l ef
twi t
ht hedoctorwho
holdsmyhandandwi pesmyt ears.

"
Don'
twor
rychi
l
d,hei
sonhi
sway
."shesay
s.

"
Noheisn'
t.Nkosihatesmeandhehasev
ery
r
easont
odoso. "Isaytoher
.

"Nohedoesn' t
.Nkosiwoul
dneverhatey
oumychi l
d.
Thatmanl ovesyouandam prett
ysur
ehehasno
grudgeagainstyou,
eventhoughyounevert
oldhi
m
abouthi
schi
ld.
"shesay
s.Il
ookatheri
nshockand
shenodsherhead.

"Hefoundoutaboutthebabyandatf i
rst
,hewas
angrythaty
oustayedwithanothermanwhilst
pregnantwi
thhi
schild"sheconti
nues.

"Butthat'
snotmyf aul
t.Hedisappear
edintothi
nair
sohowwasIsupposedt otel
lhi
m.Heusedt o
contactmewi thdi
ffer
entnumber sev
erydayand
whenev erIhopedhewoul dbetheonetopickup,he
wouldn't.
"Isaytoher,
sniff
ing.

"Okaythen,Iunderst
andthatbutwhydidy oustay
withanothermanandwhydi dn'
tyoutel
lyourfamil
y
aboutit
?"sheasks.Istaydumbf oundedbyher
wordsandj ustkeepmyey esheavenward.

"Yourmot
hert
oldmeev
erythi
ngthathashappened
betweeny
ou2andam ver
ysorryforwhathappened
t
oyourf
ather
."shesay
s,i
nal
owsadt
one.
"Butam alsohurtbythefactt
hatyouhav el
etso
muchhappenbet weenyou2allbecauseofapast
thatcantbechanged."Il
etoutasigh,keepi
ngmy
eyesinonedirecti
on.

"Iwasi nnopl acet oforgivehim becausehehad

takenmybestf ri
endaway .Hehadt akenawayone
ofmypar entsandIcoul dn'tcontrolt
her age.But
nowt hatmyey eshav ebeenopened, Ireal
izehow
wrongIwas.Iwasr eall
ywr ongf ordoingwhatIdi d
andt omakemat terswor se,Istayedwi thanother
mal e.Howev er,menotbei ngabl etoforgivehim
i
sn'tthebi ggesti ssuebecausemyr easonsf orthat
werej usti
fied."

"Okay,IgetyoubutIhopeyouknowt hatNkosi l
oves
youverymuchnow.Thatmancandoany t
hingfor
you.Hei swil
li
ngtodoeverythi
ngforyourwellbei
ng
andhim sacrif
inghi
sworkli
febeingoneoft hat
every
thing.Ihopeyoufor
givehim soonforwhathe
didbecausey ouar ehur t
inghim.Stophinderi
ngyour
l
ov eforhim al
l becauseoft hepast
.Forgivehimjust
l
ikeyourf amil
yhas.Br ingpeaceintobothofy our
l
ivesandst opal lt
hishurtandpainy ouareboth
goingthrough."shesay s.Everysi
nglewor dofhers
hit
smeasam j ustquiet.

"
whyar
eyouonNkosi
'
ssi
de?
"Iask.

"Becausehei
sli
keasont
ome.Il
ovehim somuch
andseeinghi
minacondi
ti
onhei
sin,
breaksmy
heart.
Youknow-Nkosi usedt obeanarrogant
,int
imi
dati
ng
manwhocar edaboutnot hi
ngbuthisworkandhis
si
bli
ngs.Heneverl etwomeni nt
ohislif
eupuntil
he
metyou.Si
ncet hen, hechangedalli
nthenameof
Thando'
shappiness."shesay stome.

"
for
giv
ehimfort
hesakeofyourlov
eandthechil
d
y
ouarecar
ryi
ng.
"shecont
inuesaft
erasi
gh.There
i
ssil
enceinther
oom f
oracoupl
eofminut
esup
unt
ilshest
andsupf
rom t
hechai
rshewassit
ti
ngon.

"I
'
llgogetyousomet
hingpr
opert
oeatfrom the
canteensi
nceyouar
etheowneroft
hisplace.
"she
sayssmili
ng.

"Thepr i
vil
egesIgethey !
"Isaytoher ,r
eturni
ngher
smi l
e.Shel eav
est her oom andIleanonmyr ight
side,looki
ngout si
det hewi ndowwhi chislet
ti
ngt he
sunr aysin.Asmyey esar eabouttoshut ,
abanging
soundoft hedoorhi tt
ingt hewallstart
lesmeandI
speedi l
yturntofacet hedoor .

"Whi
terose!
"hescr
eams.Thef
earIhadfl
owsaway
asherunstomeandtugsmeintohi
sarms.
"Mybeauti
ful
whiterose!Youar
efinal
lyawake!Do
youknowhowmuchy ouscaredme? !
"heexcl
aims,
l
ookingall
overmyface.Hispalmsareonmy
cheeksandbothoureyeslooki
ntoeachother,
gl
ossy .That'swhenInot icethathehasnogl asses
butthatst heleastofmywor r
iesri
ghtnow, inf actI
missedt hosebl ueeyes.Thewoundshehadt hel ast
ti
mewemetar eheali
ngbuthi shandisst i
llonan
arm sli
ngpouch.Hi sl
ipsattackmi ne,
takingal lthe
ai
rinmyl ungsandmaki ngthedeadbut terf
li
esi nmy
stomachal i
veagain.Iki
sshi m backwiththeut most
passion,mypal msonhi scheekstoo.

"Okaywegetit
!Youmi ssedoneanother,nowstop
eati
ngeachotherup."say
sSihl
e,cl
appinghishands.
Webot htur
ntothedoorandmyf amilyisther
e,
excludi
ngKhaya.RoseandMkhizearealsohere.

"Letusbe,
wearehavi
ngamomenther
e,"Isayt
o
Sihl
eandever
yonel
aughs.

"Wecanseethathey!Doesn'
titf
eel goodtof i
nal
l
y
haveyourman'sbackaft
erbei
ngani di
otforone
wholemonth!
"saysNolu.Theyallentertheroom as
thedoori
sbeingclosedbysomeguyst andi
ng
outsi
det
heroom.Theyallgi
vemehugsandMkhi ze
giv
esmef l
ower
s.Ithankhim andasam aboutt
o
giv
eRoseahug,Inoti
cethatsheisn'
tusi
ngawheel
chair
.

"Wel
ldamn!!
!HowlonghaveIbeenknockedout
?!"I
excl
aim,
pull
i
ngherintoahugbutherbi
gbell
ystops
usfr
om ti
ght
eningourhug.
"I
t'
sbeen4day slove,nott hatlong,"repli
esRosest il
l
holdingbot hmyar ms, l
ooki ngcheer fulasal ways.
Shef inall
yletsgowhenNol uandTshi diat
t ackme
atthesamet imewi thamassi vehugandt henasof t
sl
aponmycheekt hatleav esmel aughing.Asf or
mot her,shest andsont heot herside,opposi teNkosi.
Il
ookar oundt her oom, seeingev eryonesmi l
eand
am gr eatfulf
ort hischanceIhav ebeengi ven.Asmy
eyest raveleverywher e,theylendonNkosi andwe
gazeateachot hersmi l
ing, hol
dingeachot her '
s
handsandNkosi holdsmychi nupwi thonef inger
.

"
Iwi
l
lnev
erl
eav
eyoursi
ghtev
er!
"hesay
sbef
ore
smashi
ngmyl
i
psagai
nbutSi
hlepul
l
shi
m away
fr
om me.

"Tel
lhermydearbr ot
her!
"shoutsTshi di
.Igi
vehera
deadlyl
ookandshehal fshrugswhi l
elaughi
ng.I
suremissedthesepeopleinmyl i
fe.Ialmostl
ostall
ofthi
sjustbecauseofSabelo..
..
..
..ThankGodI
fi
nall
ygottoseetherealhim beforeitwastoolat
e.

"
Ihopey
ouar
eokay
?"say
sma,
hol
dingmyhand.

"
Am okayma,
am j
ustweak.
"Ir
epl
y.

"
Atl
eastyouarebet
terbut
ter
fl
y.Wereal
l
ymi ssed
y
ou.
"saysZiphowit
hhishandsinhi
spocket
.
"
especi
all
ythatbeaut
if
ulsmi
l
eofy
our
s,"cont
inues
Nkosi
.

"
Imi
ssedy
out
ooguy
s."Ir
epl
ythem wi
tht
ear
sofj
oy
r
oll
i
ngdownmycheekswhi
chIqui
ckl
ywi
pe.
Whenthedooropens,
Mohl
akoanewal
ksi
nwi
tha
t
rayi
nherhands.

"Welly
ouguy sdon'
twasteti
mehey !
"saysdoct
or
Mohlakoane.Ever
yonetur
nstolookatherandshe
greet
sthem.Theyallgr
eetherback.

"Wedon'
twast
eany
timemysi
ster
."say
smymom
smil
i
ng.

"Icanseethat
,"sherepli
es.Shehandsoverthetr
ay
toNkosiandasam aboutt otakeitf
rom hi
m, he
smacksmyhand, pout
ing.

"Letmef eedyouwoman!"Iroll
myey esathim ashe
twir
lsthespaghett
iontot
hef or
k.Hefeedsmeas
everyoneconti
nuestotal
k,l
aughingandteasi
ng
eachot her
,especi
all
yme.
Nowt
hisr
ighther
emakesmehappy
.

"
Ihopewest
ayl
i
ket
hisf
orev
er.
"Isayi
nal
owv
oice.

"Metoomylove."r
epl
iesNkosi
,squeezi
ngmyhand.
Hekissesmycheekandherestshisheadonmy
shoul
derasIputmineontopofhishead.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

Everyonehasl eftandi t
'sjustNkosiandIint he
room talki
ng,kissingandl aughingourlungsout .He
j
ustt oldmeofhowmybr othersbeatupaf t
ert hey
foundhi m andthewayhewasdescr i
bingthewhol e
sit
uat i
onismaki ngmel aughev enthougham not
supposedt o.Itoldhim aboutSabel oandhi sthreats,
turnsouthenev erdidany t
hinghesai dhehaddone.
Therewasnobombatmom' shouseandhehadno
connect i
onsthatcoul dhav eaff
ectedmybr others'
compani es.
Afteralongkiss,
wesepar
ateourli
psandhebi
tes
hislowerli
p.Hemoveshishandtomystomachand
rubsit.

"
Icanf
eel
thebabybump.
"hesay
ssmi
l
ing.

"
Oohr
eal
l
y.Soear
ly?
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

"Onemonthismor
ethanenoughf
orababybumpt
o
star
tfor
ming.
"her
epl
iesmeandIjustgi
ggl
e.

"
Sowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
onamet
hebaby
?"Iaskhi
m.

"I
fit
'sagirl
,hernamewi l
lbeHlengiweandi fi
t'
sa
boy,hewillbeQhawelet
hu."hesays,st
il
lrubbi
ngmy
tummy .Iputmyhandov erhisastherubbing
conti
nuesandIj ustl
ookathim,gl
oomy .
"
Am sor
ryf
orl
eavi
ngy ouNkosi.Iletthehat
econt
rol
meandImadeter
ri
bledeci
sions."Isaytohim.

"Youdon'thavetoapol
ogizemylove.Ishoul
dhave
tol
dy ouaboutyourfat
herearl
i
erandIshouldn'
t
haveleftyoursi
deeventhoughyouhatedme,"he
repl
ies.Ihuff
,smil
i
ngathim andwonderinghowI
gotsuchal ovi
ngman.

"
Ilov
eyouneh!
"Isay
.

"
Ilov
eyouev
enmor
emywhi
ter
ose.
"

"ButI'
l
l l
ov ey
ouev enmor
eaftery
oushav
ethat
beard."Isaytohi
m cri
ngi
ng.Hesmir
kswhil
e
str
okingt hebear
dandsays
"
Don'
tyoul
i
kei
t?"

"
Pshhhno!I
tmakesy
oul
ookol
d."Isayt
ohi
m wi
tha
sr
unt
chedf
ace.

"
Hmmm si
ncey
oudon'
tl
ikei
t,I
'
llkeepi
tunt
ily
ou
l
i
kei
t.
"

"Voet
sekNkosi.
"Isayt
ohim,hit
ti
nghi
sshoulderas
heconti
nuestostr
okethebear
dwhil
elaughi
ng.

"
Okay,Ihav
eanotherquesti
on.Whyaren'tyou
wear
ingyourcont
actsoryourgl
asses?"Iaskhim.

"Ican'
twearcontact
sforafewdaysandIf
orgotto
weartheglassesbecauseIwasi
nbedwheny ou
call
ed.
"

"HaaaNkosi
,si
ncewhendoy oustayi
nbedupunt
il
2pm?"Iaskhim wi
thaqui
zzedlook.
"
sinceyoudeci
dedt
oendupi
nthi
sbedwoman!
"he
r
eplies.

"
Mxm, bl
amei
tonmev
ele!
"Isayt
ohi
m andhe
l
aughs.

"
Iseeyouhavebeenpracti
cinghowtosmile.You
l
ookhandsomewheny ousmi l
enow."Isaytohim.
"
Youusedtoscaretheli
vi
nghelloutofmewhenev er
y
ousmi l
ed.
"

"Iactual
l
yhavebeenpract
ici
ng,andy oudon'
teven
knowhowhar ditwas.Andguesswhowast eachi
ng
me? "hesay
sandIlaughathimr espondi
ng"who?"

"
Shani
ka.
"hesay
sshaki
nghi
shead.

"hahaha,
OohwowNkosi
,younev
ersei
zet
oamaze
me."Isay
,gaggi
ng.
"Am ser
ious.Whenev
erIsmiledbadl
y,shewould
smackmymout handherhandsaresopainf
ul.
"he
says,wi
deey edaswebothlaugh.
Heclear
shist
hroatandleansont
hechai
rhei
s
si
tt
ingonandheturnsseri
ous.

"
Sof r
om nowonwards,Iwil
ltel
lanythi
ngyouwant
t
oknow.Ev er
ysecr
etIhavekept,Iwill
tel
lyoubut
youhavetopromi
sethatyouwon'tleaveme."say
s
Nkosi
.

"Canwet al
kaboutthatsomeothert
imebecauseI
j
ustwantust otal
krightnowandhavef
un."Isayt
o
him butheshakeshisheadno.

"Idon'
twantanyoneel
setell
i
ngy
out
hingsaboutme
andthenyouleave.
"hesays.

"
Nkosi
Iwon'
tl
eav
e,"
"Thando,am nott akinganyri
sks.Iwanttotel
lyou
everyt
hingandt hat'sexact
lywhatam goingtodo
now."hesay s.Iendupagr eei
ngandt henhestart
s
spil
li
ngev er
ything.

"Yourexboyfr
iendismyfr
iend.Hedat
edyouforal
l
thoseyear
sbecausehewaskeepi ngyouf
orme.
That'
smyf i
rstsecr
et.Doyouforgi
vemefort
hat.
"he
sayswithshamefil
l
edeyes.

"
Sbui
syourf
ri
end?
"andhenodshi
shead.

"
Andhedat
edmef
ory
ou?
"andhenodsagai
n.

"
Why
?"Iaskhi
m.

"Because,whenIfi
rstsawyouworki
nginthat
hospit
alinLehur
utshe,Iwant
edyouall
tomy sel
fbut
Ididn'
tknowhowt oapproachyousoIaskedSbuto
keepy ouf
ormeupunt il
Iwasreadyt
ogat
hersome
couragewhichIdi
d."henar
rat
es.

"
Soy
ouhav
eknownmef
orl
ong?
"

"YesIhave.
"her
epl
i
es,
looki
ngdownwar
dbuti
tur
n
hisfacet
ome.

"
That'
sonecrazythi
ngIcouldhav enev eri
magi
ned.
I
fIwereanot
hergirl
,Iwouldkil
lyour i
ghtnowbutI
won'
t.Andi
t'
sactuall
ykindofcut ethatamanli
ke
youwasscar
edt oapproachme. "Isaytohim."
let
's
moveontotheothersecret
."Isaytohi m.

"Okay
.Am adruglor
d.Isel
ldr
ugstoforei
gnst
ates.
"
hesaysbutIj
ustshr
ugmyshoulders.

"Thatoneam okaywit
hbecausemydadwasal
soa
drugl
ordbutt
hatneverhar
medhisfami
lyi
nanyway
soam okaywi
ththatsecret
."Isayt
ohi
m andIsee
howrel
axedheisslowlybecoming.

"Iobv
iousl
yhaveki
ll
edal
otofsoul
sbutl
ucki
l
y,I
havenoenemiesso,
"

"nextsecr
et.
"Isaytohim.Idon'tknowhowt hefuck
thi
sisnotaffect
ingmei nanyway .Maybeit
's
becausemydadi sex
actlyl
ikeNkosi.Thedrugl
ord
partandthekil
li
ngpart,
Imean....
..
..
.

"Okaythisisnotasecr
etbutIhav en'
ttol
dyouabout
i
t.Iownanumberofhospi tals,hotel
sandsome
otherbusinesseswhi
chexplainsthemoneyIhave.
"
hesay s.

"Andalsoexpl
ainswhyam nowtheowneroft
his
hospi
talandal
sot hecl
i
nic.
"Isay
.
"Yep.Ifel
tbadformaki
ngyouresi
gnsoideci
dedt
o
givethe2inst
it
uti
onstoyou.
"hesays.
"
Wel
lthanky
ousomuch.Ir
eal
l
yappr
eci
atei
t"Isay
t
ohi
m.

"
Soi
sthatal
l
?"Iaskandher
epl
i
eswi
thay
es.

"
CanIkissy
ouandt histi
me,Imeanki
ssyou.
"say
s
Nkosi
andIjustgi
ggle,noddi
ngmyhead.

Hisfaceforeshadowsmi neashel eansin, t

hesmell
ofhissweet,str
ongf ragranceweakeni ngev er
ybone
i
nmeandt henhi stonguef allsintomymout hbefore
Icouldevennotice.Icravet oopenmyey esjustt
o
takepleasureinthisesthet i
cdel i
ghtfulmomentbut
myey eskeepshutasourl i
psmov einsy nc.The
thi
rstwehav ehadf oreachot herforsolong, f
eeds
i
tself
.Theromant ickissqui cklyturnsint
oachaot ic
oneaswef i
ddleoneanot her'
sbodi es.
Chapt
er45

THANDO'
SPOV

Ilookatt hebi ggateasi tslowlyopensandt he

memor yofmel eavi
ngt hishousecr yi
ng, coversmy
mi ndbutahandhol dsmi ne.Iturnbesi demeandhe
givesmear eassuringl ook.Ismi l
eathi m andl ook
forwardast hecardr ivesi n.Am gl adam outoft hat
hospitalafterspendi ng4mor eday sint here
becausesl eepi ngint hatpl acei sterr
ible.Even
thoughNkosi usedt ocomeov erfortheni ghtsbuti
t
stil
lwast errible.Whenwepar k,Nkosi get soutfi
rst
andr ushest omysi de.Heopenst hedoorf orme
andhel psmeout .Heput shisar m aroundmywast e
andwest artwal ki
ngont othepor ch.TheMoment
Nkosi openst hedoor ,loudv oi
cesshout" welcome
back!"
Il
ookatever
yoneher
eandIf eel
somethingwarm
i
nsideme.Shani
kahi
tsherbodyagai
nstmyl egs,
hol
dingt
hem ti
ghtwi
thasmileonherface.
"Aunt
y!!
!Pickmeup!
"sheshout
sandIdoso.Il
ook
atNkosiandheisj
ustst
ari
ngatme.

"Welcomebackhomel ove.
"hesaysbeforekissi
ng
me.Webot hwal ki
ntot
hehouseandIgi veeveryone
hugs.ByeveryoneImean,my2crazysister
s,Zipho,
Sihl
e,mom, Rose,Mkhi
ze,DrMohlakoanewithsome
oldmanwhom Iassumei sthehusbandandNer i
sa'
s
whil
esquad.
Asam greet
ingt
heol
dman,
hekeepshol
dingmy
handandsays
"Soy oumustbetheroyalqueenofthisbeaut
if
ul
kingdom."Il
ookawayf r
om him,blushi
ngandmy
eyesbumpi ntoNkosiwhoisjustsmirki
ngli
kean
i
di ot
.

"I
t'
snicetofi
nal
lymeety
oumychi l
dandIhopethat
soon,youbecomeapermanentf
amilymemberof
ours.
"
"
Thanky
oupapa,
"Isayt
ohi
m andImov
eont
o
greet inghiswi fe.Iguessaf terfindingoutt hatsheis
mor el i
keamot hertoNkosi ,Imightaswel lj
ust
thinkofherasamot her .Af tergreet i
ngev eryone,
we
allmov etot hedi nnert ablewhi chisal r
eadysetand
ever yonei sjusthav ingagr eatchat ,especial
ly
Shani kaandI .Shewon' tleav emeandIf i
ndi tso
cut e.Sheev enaskedt ost aybecauseshewant s
to"takecar eofme"si nceam si ck..
..Asev eryoneis
eat i
ngandhav i
ngagr eatchat ,Nkosi excuses
himsel fandgoesupst airs.Il ookathi m untilhe
disappear zthenl ookbackatt hetabl easchat s
cont inue.
Aft
erawhile,
Nkosi
comesbackandsit
snexttome.
Heclear
shisthr
oat
,get
ti
ngever
yone'
satt
ent
ionand
tur
nstofaceme.

"Today, wehav egat heredheretocel

ebratemywhit
e
rose'
sr eturnandIj ustwanttothanky ouall
.
Everyonesi t
t i
ngher ehelpedmet ogetmyoneand
onlyback, afterIhadl osther
.Youallcontr
ibut
edi
n
onewayort heotherwhi cham great
fulfor
.
Sonow, Iwanttoaskthiswhi t
eroseofmi ne
somethi
ngv er
yimpor t
ant,"saysNkosi.Hepushes
thechai
rasideandZiphohel psbypull
ingittooas
Nkosigoesdownononeknee.Het akesoutt he
engagementringIhadgi v
enbackt hedayIlefthim
andeveryonegasps,standinguptoseeNkosi .

"Thandol wet huMdl et she, pleasedomet heowner s

ofput ti
ngt hisr i
ngbackony ourf i
nger ,
t oshowt he
worldt hatam y oursagai n.Toshowal lthemenout
therethat, youar emi neagai nev ent houghy ouhav e
alway sbeen.Toshowy ourf ami l
yt hat,youar er eady
tobesentof fandt hatki nsmenar er eadyt obesent
toyourhouse.Toshowy ourbul lyi
ngbr othersthat ,
youf i
nallyhav eapr ot ectorbyy oursi deandt hat
theyshoul dst ophi tti
nghi m becausehei syou
husbandf orl i
fe"say sNkosi ,holdingmyhandand
everyonej ustl aughs, turningt oSi hleandZi phowho
shaket hierheadsl aughi ng.Mymot herandma
Mohl akoanest artullulatingasNkosi awai t
sf ormy
answer .Inodmyheadwi t
hmyl ipsseal edbutt he
edgesl ookingupandNkosi slowl yput st hedazz l
i
ng
ri
ngbackonmyf inger,whereitbel
ongs.Hest ands
upandpi cksmeupashest ar
tstospinmear ound
andev ery
onewithusshout sinhappiness.Even
Sihl
eandZi phoareclappinghands.Ourlipssmash
togetherasam i
nt heairandthesoundsofr ejoi
ce
fi
llt
hehouse.
Heput smedown, partingourl i
psandwear e
congr adulated.Ourni ghtofcel ebrati
oncont inues
untill
ate, Nerisafinal
lyleav eswi t
hherhusbandand
Shiniawi thhersi bli
ngs, excludi
ngShani kawho
bluntlyrefusedt oleav e.Nkosi andIwav eatt hem as
theydr i
v eoffandweheadbacki ntothehouse,
holdinghands.Webot hgoupst ai
rstoputShani ka
tobedandaf tershef all
sasl eep,wej oi
nev er yone
whoi ssi tt
ingbyt hebonf i
re,dri
nkingcof feeand
eatingr oastedmashmel l
ows.ImakeNkosi some
coffeebuther ej
ectsthemashmel l
ows, sayingt hat
theylookbur ntandwei rd.Idon'tknowwhat 'swei rd
aboutt hem butany way s,wesi tnexttoeachot her
andIputmyheadonhi slapashepl ayswi thmy
braids.
"
Youneedt
oremov
etheset
hings.
"hewhi
sper
sin
myear
.

"
Why
?"

"
BecauseIl
i
key
ournat
ural
hai
rmor
e."

"
Wil
lyouundot
hebr
aids?
"Iask,
sideey
einghi
m.

"
Iwil
levenst
artnowi
fyoudon'
tmi
nd.
"hesay
sandI
j
ustr
oll
myey es.

"St
opgossi
pingther
ey ou2l
ovebi
rds!
"say
sNol
u
butIt
hrowastickather.

"Getamantogossipwit
hNoluandstopir
ri
tat
ing
us."mocksNkosi
,wit
hhisser
iousf
ace.
"
Yhooo,If
eltt
hat
!"say
sZi
phol
aughi
ngandweal
l
j
ustj
oinhi
m.

"SoNkosimyson,
whenareweexpect
ingyour
kinsmen?
"asksmom,si
ppi
nghercoff
ee.

"
Howisnextweekend?"asksNkosi wit
houtev
en
t
aki
nglongtor
espond.Everyoneturnst
ohim,
i
ncl
udi
ngmyey essinceam onhislap.

"Nextweekendi sfinemyson.Wewi llbewai t

ingfor
you."saysmymot hersmi l
i
ng.Shel ooksdownatme
andwi nksandt hatwast hewor stwinkIhav eev er
comeacr oss.Ijustsmileatherandt ur nmyey est
o
Nkosi.Whatki nsmenishegoi ngt osendwhenhe
ain'
tevenwi l
li
ngt ogoseehi sfather?Orhashe
reconcil
edwi t
hhim?May behehas.Hopef ullyhe
has.It'
slateandweal lleavetoourdesi gnated
rooms.IaskedmaMohl akoanet osleepov er
becausei t
'sal
readylateandIwanthert ostayhere
forawhi l
esot hatwecangett oknoweachot her
sincesheispartofNkosi'
sli
fe.IalsoaskedMkhize
tostayherefor3dayssincehei sn'
tgoingtoschool
thiswhol
eweek.Iwantmyf amilyandNkosi'stoget
alongbefor
eweof fi
cial
l
yt i
etheknot .
IshowmaMohl akoanear oom t heycansl eepi n
sincetheyf orcedmet odosobecauseam t he
queenoft hehouse.Ispeakt ot hem forashor twhile
andt henwef i
nallysayourgoodni ghts.Icar ryont o
mymot her'
sr oom andhav eachatwi t
hher ,
apologizef orwhatIdi dt henIl eav eformysi st er
s'
room whi chIl eav elaughi ngmyl ungsout .Ichoose
nott obot herSi hl
eandRosebecauset heysound
quitebusy .Ijustwi shZi phoagoodni ghtandt hen
mov et omyr oom.Iopent hedoorandt henr oom i s
j
ustdar k.WhenIf li
ptheswi tch, Ispotwhi t
er oses
ont hef l
oor ,f
or mingapat hway .Il ookupt othe
room theyar eleadingmet oandi t'
sthebat hroom.I
foll
owt hem andopent hedoor , tobemetbyt he
beaut i
fulfloralfragranceandabubbl yt ubwi th
steam f l
oat i
ngi nther oom.Hi sar m wr apsar ound
mywai stfrom behi ndmeandhebi t
esmyear lob,
maki ngmemoan.
"Let'
stakeawar m bat hmyl ov e.
"hesof tlysay s,
l
ightlypushingmei nt otheroom.Hecl osest hedoor
behindusandt henhesnapshi sfinger sandsof t
musi cstartsplaying.Hespi nsmear oundt of ace
him.Hi ssexual gazel eavesmysoul v ulnerable
raunchyashesof tl
ymov eshi ssof tlipsupand
downonmi ne.It r
yt ocatcht hem wi t
hmi ne,justto
getat astebuthei stoof ast.Heunzi psmyl oose
mom j eanswhi chv oluntaril
yf all
tot hegr oundand
hemov esont omyj acketwithoutdi srupt ingour
arousedgaze.Ist andi nfr
ontofhi m, nownakedand
thenhegi vesmewhatIhav ebeenwant ing.Hi swet,
demandi ngl i
psar esl owlyplacedonmi neashi s
unbrokenhandv enturesallov ermybody .Hi s
tonguewonder si nmeasmoanofpl easur eescape
i
nl owv oices.

Aren'tyougoingtohelpmeundr ess?"hewhi sper

s.I
unziphi sj
acketandhelphimremov eit,unbutt
onhis
shirtthenunbuckl
eandunziphi spants.Thenhe
picksmeupwi thhi
sonear m andIwr apmyl egs
aroundhi swasteasourkisscontinues.Heget si
nto
thetubandsitswi
thmenowont opofhi
m.Ifeel
him awakeni
ngandthatmakesmeevenmorehorny
thanIalr
eadyam.

"
CanIpl
ease.
..
..
."

"No, notyet.Iwantt otastey ouinmymout hfir

st
befor eItakepleasureiny ou."herepl
iesme.He
takest hepolynetbat hi
ngscr ubandst art
st oscrub
mybodyast heat mospher ebecomesmor eand
mor epassi onate.Afterscrubbingme, Iscrubhim
whilstkissingandt ouchinghi sbody.
Wel eavethebathr
oom, driedandNkosi oil
smy
wholebodyasIoi lhi
s,takinghisti
meont hemost
sensit
ivepart
sofmybody .Andsuddenl y ,
am
screaminghisname, swear i
ngandt wirl
i
ngashe
eatsmeup.Noti nmor ethan5mi nutez,am all
ready
tocli
maxbutknowi ngNkosi ,hemi ghtstop.Itr
yso
hardtomakehi m notnoticebuthest opswhenam
notev en1secondawayf rom cli
maxi ng.
"Yout houghtyoucouldtrickmehey .Iknowy our
bodywoman.Sucht r
icksdon'tworkonme. "Isay s,
comi ngupt omyl i
ps,giv
ingthem ahungr yosculate.
Het henmov estomyneckandf ei
stsoni t
,thenmy
breasts.Hecomesupagai nasmybodyt r
emblest o
hisoilytouchthenheent ersme,sendingshiversto
everysinglepartofme.Nkosi let
soutagr oanasI
l
etoutascr eam andhedoesn' tmoveforaf ew
seconds.
"Il
oveyouThando.Whydon' tyouunderstandthat
?"
hesays,hissaddenedeyeslooki
ngint
omi ne.Asam
abouttorepl
y,hemov es,andmybodytr embles.
"Letourl
oveflour
ishmywhi t
er osethenyouwill
see
howhappywewi l
l be.
"heutt
ursandt henhestar
ts
tomov ehisbody,sweatdri
ppingonusandt heoil
makingiteasyforourbodi
est osync.

°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°

Irubmyeyes,tr
yingtoopent
hem andam metby
thesunal
readyshini
ng.Myti
redeyessear
cht
he
bedandhi
smor
ninggr
inj
ustki
l
lsme.

"Andthen?"Isaygi
ggl
i
ng.Heperksmynoset
hen
l
ight
lyhit
smyheadandt hat
'swhenIr
eal
izet
hathe
undi
dmybr ai
ds.

"
Youl
ooksomuchbet
terwi
thy
ourhai
r.
"hesay
s
wi
tht
hegr
in.

"
Howdidyou?-but
-whoa.
"Isayshockedandhe
r
oll
sontopofme.

"Ihavegif
tedhands,
eventhoughtheot
heroneis
broken.Tookme1whol ehourbutwasworthi
t.
"he
sayssmi r
king.
"
Wellt
hanky
ouforremov i
ngthebur
denofundoi
ng
myhai
rMrNxumalo."Isaytohi
m,perki
nghi
scheek.

"
Youar
ewel
comeMr
sMxumal
o.Oohi
tfeel
sso
goodtosaythatagai
n."hesays.Ichuckl
eand
squeezehi
snakedassbut tandhiseyesopenwi
de.

"No!
!Babyman,womendon'
tdot
hat
.Onl
ymen
can.
"hesobsbutIl
augh.

"WellIguessyouwil
ljusthavetogetusedt
ome
squeezingyourbum babybecauseIwill
bedoi
ng
thatalotfr
om nowon. "Isayt
ohim.
Ipushhim offandgetoutofbed,
rushingtothe
bathroom tofr
eshenupandasIgetintotheshower
,
hejoinsmeandbat hesme.Idothesameandwe
l
eav etheshower,l
oti
onandIgetdressedint
oa
dress,putascarfonmyheadandwearmybl ack
thermalstocki
ngsthenbl
uepumps.

"Lookatyou,looki
ngli
keareal
makot
i(br
ide)
."say
s
Nkosi,
whi st
li
ngwithhi
shandinhi
sManchester
unit
edtrackbottom.
"
That
'sbecauseIam amakot
i(
bri
de)
"Isayt
ohi
m.I
walkt
owardshi
m andputmyar
msar
oundhi
s
shoul
der
s.

"Hmmmm, thatsoundsgoodtomeMr sNxumalo.

"
hesays,seducti
vely
."Iwi
shIcoul
dkeepyouinthi
s
room f
orthewhol edaybutei
sh.
"hecont
inues.
"Iknowbabybutourv isit
orsarepr
obabl
ywait
ingf
or
usdownstai
rssol et'
sgo.AndIneedt ogomakeyou
yourfav
ori
tebreakfast."Isayhi
m,pul
li
nghi
m out
theroom.

"
Yeboy es!Thisi
soneofthereasonsImissedyou
mymunchki n.
"excl
aimsNkosi,l
aughi
nginhisdeep
voi
ce.Webot hgodownstai
rsandonlymom wi t
h
maMohl akoaneareupandtheyarealr
eadydri
nking
t
eainthekitchenwhil
stt
hemai dcooksbreakf
ast.
NkosiandIgreett hem andtheygreetusback.He
spotsZiphooutsideandhedeci destogojoinhim.
Whenhel eaves,bothmymom andmaMohl akoane
star
tgiggli
ngandIt hi
nkIknowwhyt heyare.I
awkwar dl
ywalktot hestoveandaskt hemaidfora
pottomakeNkosi
por
ri
dgeandt
hegi
ggl
i
ngget
s
worse.
"Soyouhadfunlastnighthey
."saysmom, si
pping
herteaandmaMohl akoanecan'tevenkeepi
tinsi
de
anymore.Shej
ustlaughsoutloud,makingmefeel
evenmoreawkwar d.

"I
t'
sfinei
fyouwon'tanswerus.Westi
l
lhear
dyou"
saysmaMohl akoaneandtheyhi
gh-
fi
veeachother
,
l
aughingbutl
uckil
y,Rosewalksi
nwit
hTshidi
.Can
these2savemepl ease.
Theybot hgreetthemomsbutt heyl aughev en
l
ouder ,l
ooki
ngatRosewhoi sconfusedashel l.She
l
ooksatmeandImakeshaggi ngsi gnswhi chshe
getsandhercheekst ur
nredasmi ne.Iguesst hi
s
makest he2ofus.Asf orTshi
di,
shej ustkeepson
askingmom whatt heyarel
aughingatbutshe
doesn'tsayanything.
"Aii
y ah,thepipi
mustbegoodmygi r
ls.
"whisper
s
maMohl akoane,wi
pinghertearsawayandthey
startlaughingal
lov
eragain.Icoul
dli
teral
l
yquali
fy
them asteenagersri
ghtnowbecausetheyare
acti
ngl i
keteens.Tshi
dil
ooksatRoseandI,aski
ng
withhereyesbutIchoosenottotel
lherbecause
Tshidicanbeanasssomet imes.

Theoldladiesbothstandup,sti
ll
laughi
ngwitht
he
cof
feeintheirhandswhi l
eimit
ati
ngourscreams
andleav
et hekitchen.Tshi
dist
aresatusandthat
's
whenshef i
nall
yget sit
.

"
Youguysbothgott hethi
ngsl
astni
ght
?!Yhooo
l
uckybast
ards.Ihaven'
thadanyi
nweeksandam
f
rust
rat
ed.
"whi nesTshi
di.

"
Whydon'ty
oucall
Jordan?
"Iaskherandshegi
ves
mea"Iwantedt
otell
yousomethi
ng,
"look.

"Thandobr
uh,Denzel
foundoutaboutJor
danandi
!"
saysTshi
di,
shaki
ngherhead.
"
Who'
sJor
danandwhoi
sDenzel
?"asksRose.

"Denzelwasherboyf
riendandJordani sherfuck
buddywhomi ghtbetakingDenzel'
sspot."saysNol
u
whowal ksi
n,i
nherpy jamas.Wegr eetherasshe
walkstothefr
idgeandshet akessomemi l
kout.

"Ooohokaynowam ont
rack.Youcancont
inue.
"
saysRose.

"
Okayso, DenzelsawJordanandIkissi
ngatsome
r
estaurantbackhome."narr
atesTshi
diandIst
art
l
aughing.

"Whythef
li
pwouldyougoonadat
ewi
thhi
m back
athomeinthef
ir
stpl
ace?
"

"Becauseshet
houghtDenzelwasinPari
sona
businesst
ri
pbutshewaswr ong.Denzel
wasj
ust
f
oll
owi
nghert
hewhol
eti
me,
"repl
i
esNol
u.

"ShutupNol
u,t
hisi
smystorytonar
rat
e."says
Tshidit
oNol
uwhoshrugshershoul
der
sl aughi
ng.

"sowhat'
sthepl
anbr
uh,
whatmusthappennow?
"
asksRose.

"Guy
sIam nowoffi
cial
l
ywithJor
dansi
nceDenzel
dumpedme."say
sTshidi.

"
Ooohwow!Idi
dn'
tseethatcomi
ng.
"IsaytoTshi
di,
i
namockingt
oneandshepicksupaspoonand
t
hrowsi
tatme.

"Voet
sekwena!
"shesay
swhi
l
ethr
owi
ngt
hespoon
andwealll
augh.
"Soguys,caretotel
luswhatwasgoingdowni
nyour
roomslastnight?
"saysNolu,
pour
ingsomemil
kint
o
hercer
eal bowl.

"
Yhooguys,
yourbr
otheri
sagod!"say
srosei
na
whi
sper
ingt
oneandweallpr
etendtobevomi
ting.

"Aaahcomeonman!!
!Wedidntwanttoknowt
hat
!
That'
sjustgr
ossy
hoooo!
"whinesTshi
di.

"oohstopi
t!Isn'
tNol
uwantedtoknowwhatwas
goingdown."saysRose,
rol
l
ingherey
ebal
l
s.

"okaywewillt
alkaboutt
hatlat
erl
adi
esbutf
ornow
l
et'shel
pthemai dmakethesepeopl
esome
breakf
ast.
"Isaytothem.
"
Let
sgoouttoday.
"saysRoseandweallagr
eetoit.
Wedoneedagirl
s'dayoutsi
ncewehav
en'tspoken
i
nsomuch
Chapt
er46

NKOSI
'
SPOV

AssoonasIspottheguy soutsi
de,Iwalktothem
l
eavingThandointheki
tchen.Ireal
l
ywant edto
spendthewholedayint
her oom withherbut,si
nce
ourfamil
yisher
ewecan' tdothat.

"
Bafoza!
"Isay,gr
eeti
ngSi
hleandZi
pho.Theybot
h
t
urnthei
rheads,l
ooki
ngmyway .

"
Howar
eyoubaf
o?"asksSi
hlewi
thasmi
l
e.

"
Howcany ouasksuchwhenhegotsomel
astni
ght
f
rom ourpr
incess?
"teasesZi
pho.

"
Voet
sekZi
pho.
"Ir
epl
ylaughi
ng.
"Butr
eal
l
ythough,whyi
sn'
tyourhousesound
proof
ed?
"asksSihl
e

"Iwasn'tar
oundwhenitwasbei ngbuil
t.Igave
someoneel sether
esponsibi
l
itytodoev er
ythi
ngthat
consernedthehouseandthatidiotdi
dn'tmakeit
soundproof.
"IanswerSi
hle.

"
Makessense.It
houghty
ouwer
ejustcheap.
"

"Onceuponat
ime,
Idi
dactcheapbutThando
changedme.
"

"
Fai
ltounder
standwhyy
oudi
dthatt
hough.
"

"
What
?Act
ingcheap?
"
"
Yes.
"coaxZi
pho.

"
Idi
dn'
twantpeopl
eknowi
ngt
hatIhav
emoney
."

"
Why
?"

"
Because,
Idi
dn'
twantf
akepeopl
ear
oundme.
"It
ell
t
hem.

"Ir
eal
l
ydon'tunderst
andyou.Youcoul
dhav
ejust
beenaext
rovert
."wonder
sZipho.

"Well
Iam anextr
ov er
t.Andbesi
des,Idi
dn'
tmi
nd
act
ingbr
oke.Iactuall
yenjoy
edit
."Iadd.
Sihl
eandZiphobot
hlookatmeasi
fam cr
azyand
theyj
ustbr
ushitof
f.

"
Any
way
s,Si
hleandIwer
epl
anni
ngadayout
.
Maybegowat chthedriftshowandhav ea
shi
sanyama(braai
)lat
er,justusguys.
"insi
stsZipho,
l
eaningagai
nstthemet algardenchai
randf ol
ding
hi
sar ms.

"
SoundsgoodbutIgotsomeworktotakecareof
f
ir
st.YouguyscangothenI
'
llcat
chyouther
e.Soit
's
y
ou2, Mkhi
zeandi?"

"
Whataboutt
heol
dman?
"

"
He'
snotanout
doorpersonsohe'
l
lpr
obabl
yref
use
t
otagal
ongwit
hus."Isay.

"
Ooohokay,i
nthatcase,you'
l
lfindt
he3ofust
her
e.
How'
syourarm doi
ng?"asksZipho.

"
It
'sbet
ter
.It
hinki
twi
l
lbeal
lfi
nebynextweek.
"
"Andhowoldi
sShania?
"Zi
phoassoonasam done
answeri
nghi
squest
ion.

"She's,whoa,wait
..
..Whyareyouaskingmet hat?"I
squintmyey esathim ashiseyesrunawayfrom
mi ne.Hisbodylanguagestar
tstochangefr
om t he
oneIknowt oanotheronewhichseemsv ul
nerable.
Sihleclear
shisthroatwhi
lsthi
dingthel
aughhe
want stoletoutsobad.

"Wellam,am j
ustasking.Ij
ustwanttoknow.
"he
hesit
antl
yblur
tsout,makinghisvoi
cemor ei
ntense
thanusual.

"Hmmm, Ihopey ouaren'

tthi
nki
nganythi
ngshady
becausesheisstil
lyoung.
"Itel
lZi
pho.Si
hlei
sjust
quietwi
thhi
sey eswonderingabout
.

"
Howy
oung?
"Fur
theri
nqui
resZi
pho.
"Baf
ojustgost
raightt
othepoi
ntpl
ease.Nkosi
,
"
stat
esSihl
etoZipho.

Nkosi
,Zi
phowant
sShani
a."conf
essesSi
hle,
looki
ng
atme.

"
Icoul
dhav
esai
dthatmy
sel
f.
"Zi
phomumbl
es.

"Noyouwer en'
t,
youwer
egoi
ngt
ocar
ryonbei
ng
dodgy.
"ti
tt
lesSihle.

"Youli
keShania?!
"yel
psMkhizefrom behi
ndus.We
allt
urntolookathi
m andhi
sf acehasan
unreadabl
eemot i
on.

"Andt heny
ou?Ungenaphi?"asksZiphowitha
scrunchedface.Itur
nmyey esbackatZipho,
quizzedbywhati havebeentol
d.Howcanhel i
ke
Shaniawho'syoungenought obehisli
tt
lesist
er?
"Zi
phoyoudoknowthatShani
aisver
yyoungri
ght
?"
Isayt
ohim andhej
ustslowl
yshakeshi
shead.

"
Isshe18?
"

"
Ithi
nkso,
yes,
butst
il
lZi
pho.
..
..
"

"Sheisn'
tyoungi
nthatcase.
"hepointsoutbuta
deepv oi
cehit
sourearsunexpect
adly
.Whatsorcer
y
i
st hi
snow? !

"
Youcan'
thav
eher
!"bel
l
owsMkhi
zeandweal
lj
ust
t
urnt
ohim.

"
Andwhyisthat
?"qui
zzesZi
pho.Am al
soi
nter
est
ed
i
nhi
sreason.
..
..
Mkhizecomescl
oserandst
andsst
il
lwi
thnowor
d
sai
d.
"
LikeBafosai
d,shei
swayt
ooy
oung.
"rebukes
Mkhize.
Ziphogl
aresatMkhize,
chuckl
esandhest
art
s
spit
ti
nghisownresponse.

"
Whatareyoutryi
ngt
oinsi
nuateboy?Arey
out
ryi
ng
t
osaythatam doi
ngsomethi
ngil
legal
?
Andhowi
sthi
sanyofyourbusi
nessboy?who
i
ncl
udedy
ouint
othi
sconversat
ion?
"shoot
sZi
pho.

"Themomenty ousai
dShani a'sname,Igoti
ncluded
becausey ouareaboutt
ot akeadv ant
ageofay oung
gir
l."sneersMkhi
ze.Iwanttosaysomet hingbutI
wont .Thesear
egrownmenf i
ghti
ngoveray oung
gir
l.Mkhizemighttr
ytohidei tbutIcanseehei s
i
ntoShani a.

"
Saythatagai
n?!
"saysZiphowal
kingcl
osert
o
Mkhi
zewi t
hhiseyesst
arti
ngtot
urnred.
"Okay,okay,okay!Noneedf orthatZipho.Mkhi zeis
aki dsokeept hati
nmi nd.Andbesides, Iagreewith
him.Shaniaist ooyoung,getanotherwomanwhose
somewher earoundy ourage."saysSihletoZi pho.
Ziphoslowlyturnshishead,looksatmeandatSi hl
e
ti
ltshisheadast houghheist r
yingtounder stand
Sihle.

Luckl
y,myphonestart
sringi
ngget
ti
ngallofour
att
ent
ion.It
akeitoutofmypocket
,excusi
ngmy sel
f
fr
om theguys.
Il
ookatt
hescr
eenandi
tsanunknownnumber
.

"MrNxumalo,howcanIhel
py ou?"Isayansweri
ng
thephonebutnoanswer
.AllIhearisabreat
hing
pacethenacough.

"Hell
o?"Isaybutst
il
lnoanswer.Icheckt
oseei
fthe
call
hasbeencutbutithasn'
t.Iputi
tbackonmyear
andwai tf
ortheper
sontospeak.
Thenhefinal
l
yspoke.HatredIhadhi
ddendeep
downinmyheartsurfacedandmymoodswi tched
fr
om okaytonotokayatall
.

"Myson?Areyouthere?
"hecontinuesbutIkept
qui
etthenIfel
tsomeone'shandonmyback.I
qui
cklyendthecal
l,
changemyf acialexpressi
on
andlookbacktobemetbyThando' seyes.

"Baby?!
"Isay
,hesi
tant
lysmil
i
ng.Sheraisesherey
e
brows,wit
hhereyesmov i
ngfrom myphonetomy
face.

"
Wast
haty
ourf
ather
?"sheasks.

"
Nop,
itwasSchev
."Isaytoherbutshej
ustgl
aresat
mewi
thherar
msnowf ol
ded.

"
Schevi
sst
andi
ngwi
tht
heguy
sri
ghtt
her
esowhy
ar
eyoul
yi
ng?
"shei
nter
rogat
es.
Andwhent
hehel
ldi
dSchevgether
e?
AsIt
rytospeak,
Ikeeponst
utteri
ngall
becauseher
ey
esareint
err
ogati
ngme.If
inall
ygiv
eup,justnod
myheadandsay"yesi
twashim."

"
Andwhydi
dn'
tyouspeakt
ohi
m?"asksThando.

"
BecauseIdon'
twantt
o,nei
therdoIneedt
o."

Herfacechangestopi
ty,
notst
oppi
ngherst
ingi
ng
eyecontactandIj
ustl
ookaway.

"
Nkosiy
ouneedt
ospeakt
ohi
mi fyouwanttomar
ry
me.Hehast
obether
ewit
hal
lyourot
herki
nsmen,
"

"Nohedoesn'
t.Ial
readyhav
eki
nsmenThandoand
heisn'
toneofthem.Hecannev
erbe.Heabandoned
us,nottheot herwayaround;
sohemustcarryon
wit
hhi sli
fe."Irebuket
oThando'sst
atement
.She
car
riesont olookatmewi thpit
yinherey
es;Iput
myphonei nmypocket .

"
Okaythen.Ij
ustcamet
oaskwhatIshoul
dputi
n
y
ourporri
dge.
"

"
Putbutt
erinst
eadofpeanutbut
ter.
"Ir
eplyThando
t
henexcusemy sel
ffr
om her
.Iwalkbacktotheguys
whoseem tohavecal
meddown, nowlaughi
ngat
what
everSchevissayi
ng.

"
Goodmor
ningbozza!
"gr
eet
s
Schevwi
thhi
scol
gat
eteet
hshowi
ng.
Icol
dlygr
eethi
m backandhi
ssmi
l
ejustf
loat
saway
.

"
SoasIwassayi
ngbeforeyourbossdist
ract
edus,
wear
eplanni
ngaguys'dayouttoday
,wouldyou
wantt
ojoi
nus,
alongwi
thBr
endon?
"asksSi
hle.
AsSchevi
saboutt
ospeak,
Ibeathi
mtoi
t.

"Nohecan't,heneedstogosomewhereelsef
or
businesspurpose.
"Isay
.Schevsi
de-
eyesmewi t
ha
frownbutIraisemybrowsathim.Hetur
nsbackto
therest,
smileswhil
enoddi
nghishead.

"Umm yes.Ial
mostfor
got,
bosshadalready
assi
gnedmef orsomebusi
nesstodaysoIcan'
t,
nor
canBrendon."

"
It
'sokay
.Youguy
swi
l
ljoi
nusnextt
ime.
"

Weconv er
sewi t
heachot heraboutrandom st uf
f,
i
ncludingKhay a'
sdisappearanceasItrytof or
get
aboutmyconv er
sationwithThando.Turnsout ,
Khayacutt i
eswi t
hhi sfamil
ydespit
eal l
the
warningshegotf rom someauntofhi s.Ireall
ywant
total
kt ohim andapol ogi
seforwhatIdidbutt he
br
other
ssayIshoul
dknowbet
ter
.

"Yourbreakf
asti
sready,"saysthemai
dtous.Inod
myheadandast heothersfol
lowheri
ntot
hehouse,
IpullSchevtot
heside.

"
Schev
,Ineedy
out
ogot
oNkul
uleko.
"

"
Nkulul
eko?Umm isitt
het
ownshi
pwhi
chi
s200km
f
rom her
e?"asksSchev
.

"Yesi
tis.IwantyoutogotoMpandestr
eet,
number
6.Giv
et hemanwhost ay
sther
eR700000andtel
l
himtost opcont
act
ingme.Youhear
?"Isayt
oSchev.
Henodshi sheadyes.

"
Youwi
l
lgowi
thBr
endonandI
srael
."
"
okaybozza.Sowhent
ell
i
nghimtost
opcont
act
ing
y
ou,shoul
dIuseyourr
ealname?
"

"Obv iously,
orelsehewon' tknowwhoy ouar e
talki
ngabout .Nowleav e,
it'
salongwayt odri
ve."I
sayt ohi m.Wesi multaneouslyturntothesl i
ding
doorandThandoi sstandingthere,lookingatus.
Schevgi vesherasmi lebutshedoesn' treturnit
.
Instead, shelooksatme, oneey ebrowr aisedand
herf aceshowi ngdisgust.

"
I'
ll
bel
eav
ingnow.
"hesi
tat
esSchev
.
"Bozza,i
'l
lcal
lyoulater
."InodmyheadasSchev
l
eav es,
passingThandowhoj ustgi
veshi
m asi
lent
nodwhenhesay shisgoodbyes.

"Heisyourfat
herNkosi
,tr
ytoforgi
vehim andmov
e
on.
"spitsThando.Il
ookatherandshakemyhead
whil
stsmirki
ng.
"Youwi
ll
neverunder
standbecauseyouhavenev
er
beeni
nthesit
uati
onIwasinthen."Ir
epl
yher.

Iwalktoher
, t
akeherhandint
omi nenomatterhow
muchshet r
iestoresi
standwewal kbacki
nsidethe
househandinhand; t
aki
ngourseatsnextt
oeach
other
.

"Goodmorningeveryone."Isay
, t
aki
ngmyalr
eady
servedpor
ridge.Ev
er y
oner epl
iesmebackand
dishesst
arttomakecl ingi
ngsounds.

Asam eat i
ng,Inot i
ceThando' ssi
de-ey
ebutIi gnore
her.Breakfastcont i
nueswi thpeopleChatt
ingand
l
aughi ng.Ican'tbeli
evethatIf i
nall
yhaveaf amily
l
ikethis.Itmightnotbeof f
icialt
othem orthewor ld
thattheyar ealreadymyf ami l
ybuttome, i
t'
sof fi
ci
al.

"Excuseme."Isayassoonasam donewithmy
breakfast
.Igett
otheroom andgetashowersi
nceI
onlywashedmyfaceandbrushedmyt eet
hwhenI
wokeup.Igetdr
essedint
omybl uejeanswit
ha
Nikeshi
rtandNi
keshoes.Idon'
tfeell
ikegoi
ngal
l
formalt
oday.

Igr
abmyphoneont
hebedandt
her
ear
e2t
ext
messages.

"Am sorrymyson,forgiv
emef orwhatIdidinthe
past.Idon'
tknowwhatcameov erme.Ishouldhav e
treat
edy oubett
erthenbecausey ouwer eandstil
l
aremychi l
dren.Pl
easef or
giv
eme. "statesoneof
themessages.Iwon' tevenwastemyt imereading
theotherone.

Iputthephonebackont
hebedasThandoent
ers
theroom.

"Am goi
ngoutwithmysist
ersandRose.Wemi ght
bebacklat
e."say
sThando,walki
ngt
ot hecl
oset.
"
WhataboutShani
ka?
"

"Mymom saidsheshouldst
ay.MaMohl akoaneand
mom wanttospendsomet i
mewi thher
.Theyar e
actual
l
yinvi
ti
nghersi
bli
ngsoverforl
unchsot hey
couldgett
oknowthem bett
er.
"saysThando.

"Okay.Theguy sandIar
egoingtohaveabraai
lat
er
on."Itel
lherandshenodsherhead"okay
".

Shecomesbackt
otheroom wi
thshor
tpant
s,
sneaker
sandacr
optop.
Whensheputsthem onthebed, Igr
abtheclot
hes,
walkbackt
otheclosetwit
ht heclot
hes,putt
hem
backandpi
ckoutlongtornjeansandapr opershi
rt
.

Iwalkbacktotheroom andputtheclothesonthe
bed.Thandolooksattheclot
hesthenlooksatme
wit
hani r
ri
tat
edlook.Shewal ksbacktothecl
oset,
pi
cksoutthesamecl othesshehadbeforeand
comesbackt
other
oom.

"
Youar
en'
tgoi
ngoutwear
ingt
hat
."Ir
ebuke.

"
Inev
eraskedy
ouf
ory
ouropi
nion.
"shegl
ower
s.

"
Andt
hen,
whyar
eyouangr
y?"Iaskher
.

"
Whosai
dam angr
y?"

"
Thandost
opwi
tht
heat
ti
tude.Am y
ourhusband.
"

"
Wel
lyoumi
ghtnotbe,
"sher
epl
i
es.

"
Excuseme?
"

"
Wel
lyoumi
ghtnotbebecausey
ourki
nsmandon'
t
i
ncludeyourf
ather
."say
sThando,
remov
ingher
cl
othes.

"
OohGod.Thandowhenareyougoi
ngt
ogett
his
i
ntoy
ourhead,THATMANI SNOTMYFATHERAND
HECANNEVERBEONE. "

"Nkosicanyouatl
east,t
hisonet
imegoseehim.
Justonceandstoptr
yingtomakehi
m keepquietby
sendingmoney.
"sneer
sThando,movi
ngherhead
sideways.

"
Am sorr
ybutt
hatcannev
erhappen.Sopl
easej
ust
f
orget
..
..
."

"I
twil
lhappenwhet
heryouli
keitornot
."i
nter
ject
s
Thandoasshecont
inuestowearthecl
othesshe
pi
ckedout.
"Bef
oreIf
orget
,call
Schevandtell
himtocomeback.
Nomoneywi l
lbegoingtoyourdadbecausehewi
l
l
becomingthi
sside.
"utt
ersThando.

"
Comi
ngt
owhosehouse?
"

"
Hewi
l
lst
ayatmyapar
tment
."Cont
inuesThando.

"
Iownthatapart
mentandev
eryotherapar
tmenti
n
t
hatcomplex.
"Ibel
l
ow,movi
ngclosertoThando.

"
Iwi
l
lbuyhi
m ahouset
hen.
"say
sThando.

"Woman, whydoy oulikegoi ngagainsteveryt

hingI
say ?!Whyar eyoueveni ncludi
ngy oursel
finthis?I
t'
s
myl i
fe,ithasnothi
ngt odowi thyou.Youhada
l
ov ingf amilyasachild,notmesost opt r
y i
ngto
forcet histhingonme! !Idon'twantt hatmani nmy
l
ifeany more.Soplease, stopgetti
ngy oursel
f
i
nvol
v edinthi
s.Ithasabsol
utel
ynothi
ngtodowith
you!
"IsnapatThando.Ir ol
lmyhandsint
oaf i
st,
movingclosertoThandowhohasanemot i
onl
ess
expr
ession.

"Thi
sbetterbet hefi
rstandl astti
meIhearyoutalk
abouthi
m, doyouhearme? "Irebuke,myvoi
celow.
Shekeepsherey esonmi newi thafrownonherface
butdoesn'trespond.

"
Isai
ddoy
ouhearme?
!"Ir
epeat
..
.

"
Yes,
Ido.
"Shef
inal
l
ysay
s,l
ooki
ngaway
.

"Andremovethoseclothesofy ours,Idon'twant
menlooki
ngatmypr opert
y."Isayt oher.Itur
nmy
backonherreadytoleavebutIt urnbackt ofaceher
agai
n.Iki
ssherforeheadthenf inal
lyleavetheroom.
ShemightbeangryatmebutIdon'tcar
e.Sheneeds
tost
ayoutofthi
sandthat'
sfinal
.Idon'
twantt
hat
maninmyl i
feandthat
'si
t..
..
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
*

THANDO'
SPOV

Soletmer ecap,aft
eranamazingnightwithmyman,
Iwasexpect i
ngmymor ni
ngtobeallrosesandal
l
thatbuti
twasact uall
ytheopposi
te.Mymor ni
ng
j
usthappenedt obet heworst
.

Nkosi shoutingatmer eal

l
yhitmehar d.Ididn'tt
hink
hewoul dr eacti
nsuchamannerbecausehei s
alwayssweetwheni tcomest omebutnott oday.
Todayhel i
teral
l
yshowedmehowmuchhewon' t
tol
eratemyf ant
asyofhimf i
nall
yreuni
ti
ngwi t
hhis
father
.Althoughhet ol
dmet hatithasnothingt odo
withme, ithasev er
ysingl
ethingtodowi t
hme
becauseIf eel
likeaunti sgoi
ngtopickitupthat
Nkosi'
sbiologicalfatherisal
i
veandt hatcanaff
ect
ourmar r
iagepl ans.Afterhel
eftt
heroom inthe
morning,Ihonest l
ywasdumbf oundedandpr et
ty
scared.

WhenisGodgoi ngt ostoptest

ingmebecauseam
ti
redofal
lthesetests.Ihonest
lyfeell
ikeam i
n
someBoll
ywooddr amawher e2loverscannever
l
ivehappi
l
yal lbecauseofstupi
dt r
ial
s.

Okaynowbackt othereali
ty,thegirl
sandIwentout
andNkosimademechangei ntoclothesIdidn'
t
wanttowear.It'
sf r
eaki
ng29degr eesandIneeded
towearshortsbutNkosi beingNkosi ,saidnotothe
shor
ts.Wellatleastheall
owedmet oweart orn
j
eanswhichar ekindoflett
ingsomesor tof
vent
il
ati
ontakepl acebutstil
l,Ineededshor ts.

"Okaysowhatar
ewedoingfi
rstl
adi
es?
"asksTshi
di
aswewalkinsi
dethemal
l.
"
Howaboutdoi
ngourhai
rfi
rst
?"i
nsi
stsRose.

"Goodidea.Let'
sgot othesal
oonthen.
"exclai
ms
Nolu,
takingbigsteps,danci
ng.Imi
ssedthislady
andherchildi
shexcitements.
Wegett othesaloonandlucki
l
yitisn'
tpacked.All
theladi
esgot ositonsal
oonchair
s, t
ell
i
ngthehair
styl
ist
sthetypeofhairst
ylest
heywantandIj ustsi
t
atthewait
ingarea.

"
Aren'
tyouget
ti
ngy
ourhai
rdone?
"enqui
resRose.

"Nop,yourbrot
hersai
dheli
kesmenat uralsoam
goingtostaynatur
alf
orawhil
e."Irepl
yherandthey
startl
aughi
ng,incl
udi
ngt
hehairdressers.

"
Yebogir
l,wonderwhyyouhav
ey ournat
uralhai
r
t
odaybecauseIwas100%surethatyourhai
rwas
pl
ait
edj
ustl
astni
ght
."say
sTshi
dil
aughi
ng.

"
Hei
stheonewhounpl
ait
edi
t.
"It
ell
them.

"Hmm thatmansuremustl
ovey
ougi
rl
!!
"teasesone
ofthehai
rdr
esser
s.

"
Youhav
enoi
dea!
"JokesRose.
"Theyactli
kelovestr
uck14yearol
dswhohav e
neverdatedinthei
renti
rel
i
ves.
"shecont
inues.

"
Amen!"shoutsTshi
diandNol
uast
hehai
rdr
esser
s
l
i
stenandlaugh.

"Leavemeal oneguy s.I

t'
snotmyf aul
ty ouar en'
t
getti
ngtheutmostl ovefrom yourmen, "Isayt o
them asthei
rlaughscont inuetoescalate.The
i
mmat ur
econv er
sationscont i
nueast heladiesget
thei
rhairdone.Itakemyphoneoutf r
om mypur se
andcheckmymessagesandNkosi i
sn'
tpar
tofthe
peopl
ewhosentanymessages.Iopenhi
sinboxand
heisonl
ine.

"How'sworkgoing?"It
ypebut30secondslater
,I
cancelever
ythi
ngandt y
pe"am sor
ryabouttoday,
"
butthenIcancelagai
n.Ist
areatmyphonef ora
whil
eandt hat'
swhenInoti
cethatheisty
ping.

"Iloveyoumore"say
sthemessageandmyfeel
i
ngs
l
iteral
lyj
ustj
umpoutofmyheart.Asmil
ecr
eepsup
onmeandIr eply,

"
Iloveyoumor eandam sor
ryaboutt
hismor
ning"
Withablushi
ngfaceandhesendsaheart
.

"
Behomeear
ly,
anddon'
tcookdi
nner
."

"
Ican'
tpr
omi
set
hatI
'
llbehomeear
ly,
"
"I
fyouaren'
thomeby7:
30pm,i
'l
lcomet
her
eand
dragyouhome.Oohandnodr
inki
ng.
"

"
Iwoul
dr eal
l
ylov
ei ti
fy oucameherehey.Anddon'
t
wor
ry,
yourbabyisgoingt obesaf
e,youdon'
thave
t
oremindmenott odrink.
"

"Chatlat
erbaby,am inameet ing.Noteven
supposedtobet ext
ingy ouri
ghtnow.Enj oyyourday.
AndIdomeani t
,Iwillcomet hereifyouaren'
thome
earl
y..
."Andthat
'shi
sl asttex
tbef oregoi
ngof f
li
ne.

"Heisal
readyt
exti
ngyou?
!Haishamegir
l,y
ou
bett
ernotmessthi
ngsupwit
hhim."say
sNol u.

"Shutupwena."IsaytoNolu.Aft
er1hourofsi t
ti
ng
andplayinggamesonmyphone, wefi
nall
yleavethe
saloonandgof orcl
othesshoppi
ng.Aft
erspending
thousandsofrand;whichbythewayarecomi ng
str
aightfr
om Nkosi andSi
hle'
saccounts;weheadt o
theoneandonl yladyheav
en,theli
ngeri
est or
e.As
weent er
,somey oungdarkskinnedl
adywal kstous
smili
ng.Shegreetsus,welcomingusintothestor
e
andwegr eetherback.

"canIhel
pyoul
adi
eswi
thany
thi
ng?
"sheasks,
smili
ng.

"
Umm not
hanks,
wear
eokay
."Ir
epl
yher
.

"
Okay,j
ustcal
lmeIfyouneedme.
"shesay
sbef
ore
t
urni
ngawaytotheti
l
l.

"
Ladi
es!
!Let
'sgetourf
reakon.
..
."say
sNol
u.

"Whothehel
lareyouget
ti
ngy
ourf
reakonf
or?
"
qui
zzesRose,l
aughi
ng.
"
Don'
ttel
lmey
oudon'
tknow?
"

"
Knowwhat
?"quest
ionsRose.

"
Shei
sbusywi
thBr
endon.
"st
atesTshi
di.

"
What
?!"mar
vel
sRose.

"Youdi
dn'
tknow?
"weal
lsi
mul
taneousl
ygaspat
Rose.

"
Nop!
"bl
urt
sRose,
shaki
ngherhead.

"
Wellyouar
ebackwar
d..
."say
sNol
u,wal
ki
ngf
urt
her
i
ntot
hestore.
Wef ol
lowherasRosebombar
dsNol
uwi
th
questi
ons.
"Soyouaret
ell
i
ngmet
hatBr
endonal
readyhi
tit
?"
asksRose.

"Well
noty et
,Ihavebeenplayi
nghar
dtogetwhenit
comest othat.Iwantourf
ir
stti
metoget
hertobe
speci
al."say
sNol u."
Wellmoreli
kemyfi
rst
ti
me."sheadds.

"
Yesgi
rl
!!
!"Isayt
oNol
uhi
tt
ingherhand.

"Sowhenisthatgoingt
obe?"asksTshi
diasshe
checksoutsomelinger
ieout
fi
ts.

"
Iwast
hinki
ngmay
beonhi
sbi
rt
hday
."

"
Wheni
sthat
?"

"
it
'snextweeki
nthe14t
h."
"Oooh,sointhatcase,wear
ehel
pingyoupi
ckout
something?"Iaskher,
onebrowr
aised.

"
Yes.
"Shesay
s.

"
Inevert
houghtNol uwoul
deverf
alli
nlov
ehey !
!"
j
okesTshidi
,teasi
ngNoluwhorol
lshereyes.

"
Sameher
e!"Isay
,rai
singmyhand.

"
Leavemeal
oneguysandjusthel
pmeoutwi
th
t
his,
"mumbl
esNolushyi
ngaway .

Wehel pheroutpickoutsomet hingworthherfi

rst
ti
meandl etmesay ,
Br endonmi ghtaskhertomarry
hi
mr i
ghtaft
erseeingheri ntheout fi
tweall
picked
outforher.Wealsopi ckoutsomet hi
ngfor
oursel
vesandasf orme, It
akesomet oyswit
hme
too.NkosiandIreal
lyneedtotr
youtsomethi
ngnew
andwithhim astheeeeeeesexgod,
am pr
ettysur
eit
will
beal otoff
un.
Wepayusingmycar dbecausewedon'twantt
he
guysknowi
ngthatweboughtlinger
ie.I
fwepay
usi
ngthei
rcar
ds,theywil
lknow.

"
Papachi
no'
sorOceanbasket
?"Ii
nqui
reasweget
i
ntot
hecar.

"Oceanbasketplease."saysTshidi
.Iputonmyseat
beltast
heladiesdot oo.Istar
tthecar,anddr
iveof
f.

"OkaysoThando,Ihavet
hisonequest
ionf
ory
ou.
"
saysNoluf
rom thebackseat
.

"
Okaywhat
'sup?
"

"
Whyt
hehel
ldoesn'
tyourhusband'
shousehav
e
soundpr
oof
?!"assoonasshefi
nishesherquest
ion,
RoseandTshidi
bursti
ntol
aught
er.

"Butonaseriousnot
et hough,
why ?Becausewe
couldhearyouguysmour ni
ng,sweari
ngandal lt
hat
.
Ievengothornyfr
om that.
"conti
nuesNolu,tr
ying
nottolaugh.

"
Wasi
tthatbadguy
s?"Iask.

"I
twasbadThando,andtheworstpar
tis,Si
hleand
Rosewerealsobusy
.IevenheardSi
hlemourning.
"
cri
ngesNol
uwi t
hadisgust
edfaceandIlaughas
Rosetur
nsred.

"I
sthatwhymom andNkosi
'
smom wer
elaughi
ng
earl
i
ertoday
?"wonder
sTshi
di.

"
Yes!
!!
"say
sNol
u.
"
Wellam v
erysor
ryyourear
shadtowitnesst
hat.I
'
ll
t
ell
Nkositodosomethi
ngabouti
t.
"IsaytoNolu.

"Okaybutnowl et
'stalkasl adi
es;ladi
estoladi
es,
sist
erstosist
ers;i
sthatt hi
ngt hatgood?"asksNolu
withalookofcuriosi
t y
.Tshi di
,RoseandIey eeach
otherandlookatNol uthandowi deeyed.

RosetouchesNol
u'
sshoul
der
,looksheri
ntheey
e
andsays
"Babygir
l!Thatt
hingisamazing!It'
sbeauty
, i
twi
ll
takeyoutoplacesy ouhav
enev erbeento!!
!!
"
exclai
msRoseshi veri
ngasherey esrol
ltotheback
ofherhead.

"
Okaybabyyoudon'
tneedt
ogetasei
zur
enow.
"
t
easesTshi
di.

"Am sorr
yguy sbutt
hinki
ngabouti
tjustdr
ivesme
crazy,
"concedesRose.
"Yourmot hergavebi
rtht
oonehellofahunk!!
"she
conti
nues, emphasi
singt
hehunkpart."somet
imesI
feell
ikehuggingherandtel
l
ingherthatsheis
amazi ng!
"

"
All
becauseofdi
ck?
!"shout
sNol
ulaughi
ng.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
soony
ouwi
l
lunder
stand.
"say
sTshi
di.
"Ifeel
thesamewayaboutJor
dan.Iwanttot
hank
hismom forgi
vi
ngbi
rthtohi
m becausedamn!!
"

"
butguys,nonofyourmencanbeatmyNkosi
!"t
hat
manisthesexgod.HeisawholeGod!
!!
"Ibr
agto
t
hegir
ls.

"Idon'
tthi
nkIneededt
oheart
hat
."say
sRose,
cl
osingherear
s.

"
Hahaha,
am sor
rybutIhadt
osayi
t.
"
"
Youguysareal
lof
fi
cial
l
yobsessedwi
thdi
ck.
"
l
aughsNol
u.

"
Oneday
,youwi
l
lbeoneofus.
"It
ell
Nol
u.

"Oohandbefor
eIfor
gettoask,whoisJor
dan?
"asks
Rose,l
ooki
ngatTshi
difr
om thebackseat
.

"
Welli
cansayhei smyboyf
ri
endbutwehav
en'
t
madeitof
fi
cial
."r
epl
i
esTshi
di.

"y
oudon'tneedtomakeitoff
icial
becauseyouguy
s
arei
nlov
e.Youarealwaystal
kingtohim andy
ou
l
it
eral
lyt
ellhi
m ever
ythi
ng.
"say sNol
u.
"
Itev
enannoy
sme.
"

"
What
?Met
ell
i
nghi
m ev
ery
thi
ngIdo?
"
"
Yes!
"

"
Howt
hehel
li
sthatannoy
ingNol
u?"
Iask.

"Letmetellyou,ther
ewasthisothert
imeTshi diand
Iweretal
kingaboutmebei ngav i
rgi
nsowhen
Jordancall
ed,Tshiditol
dhi
mt heconversati
onwe
werehaving.Like,whothefuckdoesthat!
!"shouts
Noluwideey ed,addi
ngextr
aemphasi swithher
hands.

"
Okayt
hat
'sj
ustt
oomuch.
..
"Isayl
aughi
ng.

"Ihaveapol
ogisedamilli
ontimesaboutt hatNol
u.I
evenboughtyouthatstupidexpensiv
eout fi
tof
yourssoit'
sti
mey ouforgetaboutthat.
"whines
Tshidi
.
"
Isal
utey
ouTshi
di,
"say
sRosel
aughi
ng.

"
Enoughaboutourmen.
"Isay
.
"
Rose,
whenar
eyougi
vi
ngbi
rt
h?"

"I
n2weekstimebutam pr
ayi
ngt
hati
tshoul
dbe
earl
i
er.
"say
sRose.

"
Why
?"

"Becauseam t
ir
edoft
hismoody,al
wayshungr
y,
ti
redandsuperhor
nyRose.Ij
ustwantt
obenormal
again.
"answer
sRose.

"If
eelyougi
rl
.Andt
othi
nk,
am act
ual
l
ygoi
ngt
her
e."
Isay.

"
AndIhopey
ouar
ereadyf
orev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
'sabout
t
ohappen.
"Say
sRosegr
inni
ng.

"Iactual
lycan'twai
ttoseeheral
lbl
ott
ed.
"say
s
TshidibutIhitheronherthi
gh.

"
Youwaitandsee,Iwil
lbeahotpregnantmommy ,
y
oujustwaitandsee.
"Iboastasal
ltheladi
esl
augh
i
namockingmanner .

Wegett ot heplacewear ehavingourlunch,geta

tabl
e,orderourf oodandaswewai t,our
conversati
onscont i
nue.Ireal
l
yneededt his,
especi
allyafterallt
hatIwentthrough.Butnow, I
needtost artworryi
ngaboutthef at
herson
rel
ati
onship.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Heyguy
s so,
beentryi
ngtobrai
nst
orm
l
atel
ycozmymi
ndcomplet
elyshutdownaft
er
wri
ti
ngmyl astexam l
astweek.Nextchapterbei
ng
edi
ted.Iwant edtopost4insert
satthesamet i
me
butIreal
isedhowi mpati
entsomeofy '
allare
butIhopey ouguysenjoythei
nsert
Chapt
er47

NKOSI
'
SPOV

Today,thi
ngshav
en'
tbeentaki
ngagoodt urnf
orme.
Fir
st,
itwasThando'
ssit
uat
ion,theni
twentfur
ther
tooneofmybusinessshar
eholderswant
inga
meetingwitht
heCEOofthecompany .

Doesn'
tsoundsobad?Wel ll
etmeexplai
n,my
shar
eholder
sknowmeast heCOO,nottheCEO.
Evenmywor kersdon'
tknowthatam t
heirCEO.
Whatam sayingis,
AM THECEObutt heydon'
tknow
i
t.
Idon'twantanyoneknowi
ngthatam t
heownerof
thesecompaniesbecausemynamewouldbeev er
y
where,whichhasoncehappened.

AsforSchevgoi
ngtomyhometown,hest
il
lhasn'
t
ar
ri
vedbutam surehewi
l
lar
ri
vesoon.Am j
ust
hopi
ngthatt
heoldmanj
ustt
akest
hemoneyand
l
eavesmealone.

Aftermyl ongdrai
ningmeet i
ng,Igetintomycarand
driveofftothedri
fti
ngshowwher eSihleandt he
restoftheguy sare.Ii
nvi
tedSbuov ersi ncet heguys
thi
nkSbuandIr ecentl
ybecamef ri
endsbutSbu
refused.Hesaidhehasav eryi
mpor tant
appointmenttoattendtoandIknowexact lywhat
thatappointmentis.Hereall
yneedst ost artlooki
ng
foraladybecauset hist
hingofhimf ucki ngev er
y
womanwhoopensherl egsforhimi sn'twor kingout
.

"Youare2hourslat
ebafo,y
oujustmi
ssedoneof
thebestdr
ift
ers.
"saysMkhi
zeashegivesmea
bott
leofcoke.

"
It
'sf
ine,
am noti
ntot
hisst
uffany
way
s."Isayt
o
Mkhi
ze.
"SoIjustfi
guredout3t hi
ngsaboutyou,youdon't
l
ikealcohol,y
oudon' tcar
emuchaboutbei ngri
ch
andyouar en'
tadr i
ft
ingfan?"hy
pothesi
zesZipho,
taki
ngasi pfrom hi
sbot t
leofal
cohol.

"
Exact
ly!
"ianswersmi
l
ingatZi
pho.

"Sowhatdoy oul
i
ke?"qui
zzesSi
hle.It
akemyseat
nexttoZiphowhi
l
stopeni
ngmydrinkandtaki
nga
gulpofcoke.

"
Wel
l
,am mor
eofasoccerandmusi
cfan.
"

"Hmmmm, f
orasecondther
eIt
houghty
oudi
d
not
hingf
orf
un.
"saysSihl
e.

"Idon'
tbl
ameyoubecauseam al
waysworki
ngsoI
barel
yhavet
imetodothethi
ngsIlov
e."
"So!"Isay,ov
erri
dingourprevi
ousdiscussion,l
ook
atSihle,makingsurehegetsthatam tal
kingtohim.
"Ihopey ouaretakinggoodcareofmyPr incess
man. "I

"Iam baf
obutam ti
redoft
hemoodswings,the
neverendi
ngcravi
ngsandthesl
eepl
essnights.
"
concedesSihl
e,wat
chingt
hecar
sdri
ft
.

"Wel
latleastshei
sgi
vi
ngbi
rt
hsoon.
"say
sMkhi
ze
shr
ugging.

"Yesbutt
hese2weeksar
edr
aggi
ng.
"responds
Sihl
e.

"
She'
sgi
vi
ngbi
rt
hin2weeks?
"Iaskhi
m.

"Yessheisandam thi
nki
ngofbuy i
ngaproper
houseforusbecauseIcan'
tcont
inuest
ayingi
n
Thando'
sapar
tment
."

"
Pret
tygoodi
dea.
"say
sZi
pho.

"i
fyouneedanyhel
pwithhouses,Icanhel
pyou.
"I
suggestt
oSihl
ebutheshakeshishead.

"don'
tworr
y,I'
l
ltakecareofi
t.Ial
readyfoundagreat
house6blocksawayf r
om yoursandIthinkt
hatone
will
do."

"
Okayt
hen.
"

"
Areyoureadyf
orpr
egnantThando!
!?
"excl
aims
Mkhi
ze.

"
Wellt
hequest
ionyoushoul
dbeaski
ngi
s,am I
r
eadyfort
hepr
egnancysymptoms.
"Imuse.
"
Thatdoesn'
tmakesense.
"qui
zzesZi
pho.

"Iam t
heonewhogoest hr
oughthemoodswings
andall
.It
scal
ledCouvadesyndr
omeifam not
wrong,
"Isayt
ot hem.

"
Ouch!
"cr
ingesSi
hleal
ongwi
thMkhi
ze.
"
Thatmustbeapai
n."gr
imacesSi
hle.

"Youhavenoi dea.That '

showIfoundoutthatshe
mustbepr egnant.WhenIwasi nMexico,Iusedto
getbackpainsandgetnauseat edallt
hetime.These
daysit
'sbetterthoughbutIcan'
teatcert
ainfoods.
"I
saytothei
rcr i
ngedf aces.

"ThankGodIdidn'
thavet
ogothr
ought hat
."say
s
Sihl
erol
li
nghiseyesbacktot
hedri
ftshow.

"
Goodl
uckt
houghbaf
o!"t
easesZi
pho.
"
Ipr
ayt
haty
ougeti
ttoo.
"It
ell
Ziphowhogr
ins.

"
Nev
er!
!"l
aughsZi
pho.

"
Sodi
dyouguy
swat
cht
henewst
oday
?"asksSi
hle.

"
no,
whatwason?
"Iquest
ion.

"MrVil
akazi
andmot
herbur
ndownt
oashes.
"he
answers.

"
Oooht
hat
."say
sZi
pho.

"Ihopeyoudidn'tl
eaveanyev
idencether
e."
conti
nuesSihle.Il
ookhisway,
shakingmyheadand
taki
ngagulpofmycoke.
"
Am nott
hatstupi
d.Ihavedonet
hisanumberof
t
imessoam safe.
"Irepl
yhim.

"Ir
eadt
hathi
sfat
heri
ssomeki
ngf
orsomev
il
lage.
"
saysMkhi
ze.

"
Sameher e.Atfi
rstIthoughti
twassomej
okebut
i
tst
rue.
"interj
ect
sZi pho.

"Wel
lmycondol
encest
ohi
m butt
hatsonofabi
tch
hadt
ogo."Isay
.

"
Ifeelsor
ryf
orwhoev
erf
li
rt
swi
thThando.
"muses
Mkhize.

"Thatper
sonshouldfeel
sorryf
orthemsel
vesbef
ore
anyoneelsedoes.
"saysSihl
egri
nning.
"
Fact
!"Iagr
ee.

Wewat cht hedrif

tshowbutIspendal otofthetime
l
ooki ngatt hepicturesItookofThandosl eeping.I
studyev erysinglepartofherf ace,from herti
ny
noset oherbr ownsmal ll
ips.Imi ghtaswellsayam
obsessedov erthiswoman.Iwoul dneverwantt o
giveuponhernomat terwhat.Ijustwantust oli
ve
happi l
ytogetheralready.Iam t i
redofseeingher
suffer.Ij
ustwantt oloveher,knowi ngthatnothing
willharm herandknowi ngthatshei smi neforgood.

Aftert
hedr i
ftshow, weleavet
heplaceandheadto
someshi sanyamaar ea.Webuyourownmeatand
hi
r e2braaistands,onewithSi
hleandMkhize,
the
otherwithZiphoandi .AswebraaisomemeatZipho
standsbesideme, gulpshisdr
inki
nhishandthen
speaks.

"
Nkosi
?"
"
Yes?
"Ianswer
.

"
Ireal
l
ywantShani
a."Headmi
ts,
inawhi
sper
ing
t
one.

"
Okaybutwhyar
eyout
ell
i
ngme?
"

"
BecauseIneedy
ourhel
p."

"
Howam Isupposedt
ohel
p?"

"Keepyournosybrot
herawayfrom her
."Il
ookat
Ziphowit
hscrunchedli
ps,noddi
ngmyhead.

"OkaybutIhaveonequest
ionf
ory
ou.Whyher
?"I
askincuri
osit
y.
"That'
saquest i
ononlymyhear tcananswer, "he
says."Wheny ouwereinMexi co,Iusedtoseehera
l
otsinceNer i
sawaswor kingwi t
hust ogetThando
awayf r
om Sabelo.Duri
ngt hatti
me, Iusedtoseeher
alotthenoneday ,Ir
eali
sedhowmuchIwant edher
asmi ne.Ihadnocontrolovermyf eeli
ngs.Iwanted
toloveherasay oungersisterbutIcouldnt
."Reci
tes
Zipho,l
ookingattheburningashes.

"
That
'sr
eal
l
ydeepbaf
o."

"Iknow.Tobehonest ,Ialwaystoldmy selfthatI

wouldnev erfall
f orawomanbecausewomenar ea
burden.ButboywasIwr ong,Ihavefall
enf ora
younggirlwhooccupi esmymi ndev erymor ning,
after
noonandni ght."resumesZi pho."Shehas
suddenlybecomeav erybi gpartofme.Aday
withoutseeingthatsmi l
eofher smur dersme. "
Ziphosmi l
est ohi mselfandt hi
sjustshowshow
obsessedhei saboutShani a.
"Bafo,
Idon'
tmeant obeabuzzki
ll
orany
thi
ngbut
youdoknowt hatshei
sdeafanddumbri
ght
?"Iask
Zipho.

"YesIdoandIhavethattakencar
eof .Ihavel
ear
nt
signl
anguage.I
t'
sactual
l
yav eryi
nteresti
ngwayof
communicati
ng.
"herepli
es,sti
l
lsmili
ng.

"
Your
eal
l
yar
einl
ovemyman,
"

"Iam andIneedy ourhelptogetShania."he

beseecheswi thbeggi ngeyes.Il
ookathi m, tongue
ti
ed.Notknowi ngi fIshouldsayyesorno.Hel ping
himi snotthepr oblem,theagediff
erencei s.Shani a
i
sj ust18andZi phoi soldenoughtoact uallybeher
father.Say
ingnot ohim doesn'
tseem li
keanopt i
on
sincehehel pedmeoutwi t
halotofstuff.Yetsay ing
yest ohimisr i
skyt oo.

"
PleaseNkosi
,Ineedherasmywoman.
"impl
ores
Zi
pho.

"Okaycoolbutj
usttakeiteasybafo.Shei sy oung
andam prett
ysuregetti
ngintoarelati
onshipi sthe
l
astthi
ngonhermi ndrightnow.Iwi l
lhelpy ouas
l
ongasy oudon'tt
akeadv antageofher."Itellhi
m.
Hegivesmeadel i
ghtedlook, l
i
ghtl
yhitt
ingmyback.

"ThankyoumanandIwon' ttakeadvantageofher.
I'
ll
respectherdeci
sions.Fornow,Ijustwanttoget
toknowherandj ustbeherf r
iend,
thenIcango
aheadwi t
haskingher."

"Soundslikeagoodidea.Youdothatandt
ell
me
whenev eryouneedme."Itel
lhi
m.Timegoeson
unti
lit
'stimeforust
oheadhome.
Befor
edr i
vinghome,Icheckonmyguards
conserni
ngThando'swhereaboutandam gl
adto
hearthatsheisal
readyhome.MusictomyearsItel
l
you.
Theguy sandIgethomet oachaotichouse.
Everyt
hingisupsi dedownandt herear
et oys
every
wher e.AsIlookaroundtheliv
ingroom, Ispot
oneofShani as'sibl
ingshi
dingbehindthecouch.He
rai
seshisindexfingertohisli
ps,pr
essi
ngi tagainst
them.

"Ssssh!
"hewhisper
s.Achuckl
eescapesfrom meas
Iwinkathi
m,reassuri
nghi
mt hatIwon'
ttel
lanyone.

"Okay,Igi
veup.Youguy swi n!"admi tsThandowho
walksintothehousef rom thebacky arddoor.As
soonasshei sdonesay ingherwor ds,peopl
est ar
t
poppingoutoftheirhidingspot slaughi ngpoint
ing
atThando.Bypeopl e,am talkingaboutThando' s
mom, mymom, dad, Thando' ssistersandRose.

"
Lookwho'
sback!
"excl
aimsThando'
smot
her
wal
ki
ngtowar
dstheguysandI.
"
Hel
l
oma.
"Wesi
mul
taneousl
ysayt
oher
.

"
Ihopeyoubroughtussomet
hingt
oeatsi
ncey
ou
t
oldusnott
ocook."

"Wedid.
"repl
i
esMkhizewal
kingt
othekitchenwi
th
someofthemeatwebarbecuedandalr
eadyMac
andcheeseweboughtonourwayback.

"Thankyou!!"gushesoutRose."Ihavebeencravi
ng
forsomethingcheesy "shegasps,t
hrowingherhead
back,cl
osingherey es.

"ThandoIhopeyouar
ereadyf
ort
hat
."say
smom,
point
ingatRose.

"Haha!Youshouldbetel
l
ingthattohim,notme.
"
giggl
esThando,poi
nti
ngatme.Igi veThandoa
sarcast
icsi
deeyeaslaughter
'sburstout
.
"Keeponlaughi
ngandyouwon'
teatthefood.
"Ipuff
outtoevery
one,wal
ki
ngawayandtheylaugheven
harder
.

"Heisevenacti
ngli
keawomannow!"laughsout
Zipho.WhydidIhavet
ogett
hisCouv
adet hi
ng.
Mxm. .
..
..
.

All
thechil
drenaret akentoanothert
abl
eandserved
whil
stwechooset ositout
sideandtel
leachot
her
aboutoursurpri
singlyshor
tday.Can'
tbeli
evei
t'
s
al
ready7pm....
..

*
***
***
***
***
***

THANDO'
SPOV

"Whydon'
tyougosi
twitht
hechi
ldr
enandmake
sur
etheyareal
ri
ght
?"Iwri
tet
oShaniaonher
communi
cat
ingt
ab.
Shenodsherhead, agreei
ngtowhatIhav esaidto
her.Assheturnstogot othechi
ldren'
stable,
she
bumpsintoZipho.Hel ooksatShaniawhohasher
handsonhischest,hisfaceseeminglydel
ighted
thanusual
.

Hegi
vesherawar
mingsmi
l
e,hol
dinghershoul
der
s.

"
Areyouokay
?"asksZi
phoinsignlanguage.Si
nce
whendoesZi
phoknowsignlanguage.
..
..
..
Shaniarepl
ieshimy es,
looksdownandwal ksoutof
thekit
chen.Asshewal ksout,Ziphol
ooksather
unti
lshedisappears.Whenhel ooksbackf
orward,
hefindsmyqui zzi
ngeyeslookingathim.

"
Sincewhendoy
ouknowsi
gnl
anguage?
"

"
Sincef
orev
er.
"her
epl
i
esme,
tur
ningt
othesi
nk.
"Whyareyoulyi
ng?
"Iaskagai
n,t
hist
imewi
th
squi
ntedeyes.

"Am not.
"headmi
ts,
hisf
aceshowi
ngsomet
ypeof
annoyance.

"
Hmmmm.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

"Whatarey
oudoinginhereanyway
s,shoul
dn'
tyou
besit
ti
ngatthet
able?"heasksme.

"
Iwasgettingmygr eensalad.Idon'
tfeel
li
keeat
ing
meat
.Ijustbumpedi ntoShaniasoItoldhert
ogosit
wi
thhersibli
ngs."Irepl
yhim.
Henodshisheadandt ur
nstoleavethekitchen.I
fol
l
owhi m outsidetowhereev
eryoneelsei ssi
tted
andIheadst r
aighttomyman.Whenhespot sme,
hehurr
iedl
yst andsup,pul
lsachairoutforme, hel
ps
mesitandt hensits.
Hegi
vesmeaperkwit
hhisey
esgl
owi
ngandmy
ey
esshyawayf
rom hi
s.

"Shani
aseemsboredsol
etmegositwi
thher,
just
toenter
tai
nher
."say
sMkhizest
andi
ngupfr
om his
seat.

"
Don'tworr
y,shehastheki
dst
oenter
tai
nher
."
I
nter
ject
sNkosi,l
ooki
ngatMkhi
ze.

"wel
l,
shedoesl
ookbor
edt
houghsol
ethi
m go.
"
saysTshi
di.

"
Evenifsheisbor
ed, whatcouldMkhizepossi
blydo
t
oentert
ainan18y earold?"quest
ionsZi
pho.I
sit
meorsomet hi
ngisupher e?

"Wel
lIwil
lgett
oknowherbet
ter.Therei
sabsol
utel
y
not
hingwrongwit
hthat
.Andbesides,
am nott
hat
ol
dthatican'
tenter
tai
nher.
"say
sMkhizestandi
ng
upr
ightandgrabbi
nghiscol
ddri
nkf
rom thetabl
e.

"
Mkhi
ze,
sitbackdown.
"huski
l
yspeaksNkosi
.

"
Bafo,don'
twor
ry,
am notaski
ngherout
."mocks
Mkhize.

"Okaycany oupleaserespectus.Thereareelders
here.Mkhizeyoucangot oherandNkosi ,lethim be.
It
'snotl
ikehehasany onet otal
ktoatt hi
stable.
"
saysNkosi'sfat
herinanannoy edtone.

AsMkhi zewalksaway ,hi

ssmi rkandsi deeye
makesmel ookatZiphowhosegl assofwat eri
son
thevergeofcracki
ng.Thev einsonhi sarm startt
o
popoutashi sgri
pont henear lycr ackedglassgets
worse.ItapNkositolookatZi phoandNkosi nudges
him,stoppi
ngZiphof r
om br eakingt heglass.Zi
pho's
eyesbecomer edashet r
iestohi det hem.
"Ummm, Ihaveanur gentcalltomakesoI '
lll
eav
e."
saysZipho,leavingt
het able.Wealllookathi
m walk
awaywi t
hhi shandsi nhispocket.Asheisaboutto
passthechildren'stabl
e, hestopsforasecondthen
carr
iesonwal king.

"Ookay .
..
.SoIwast hi
nking..
..
."suggest
sTshidi
,
stuffi
ngsomemacar oniinhermout h."
Whydon'twe
allhaveapi cni
ctomorrow.Justgochi l
latsome
nearbypar kandhavesomef unsincewear eal
l
goingtol eavethedayaftert
omor row."

"That
'saverygoodidea.Sinceweall gott
ospend
ourdaytodaywithourclosestf
ami l
ymember s,
we
shouldal
lspendadayt ogether
."agreesmom,
fol
lowedbyeveryonewhonodst hei
rhead.

"
Weshoul
dal
soi
nvi
teNeri
saandherhusband.I
t
woul
dber
eal
l
yni
ce.
"Isuggest
.
"Okayyoudothat.Sol
et'
ssay,every
onehastobe
hereat13:
00sowecanal ll
eavei nt
hesamecari
f
possi
ble.I
'
llhi
reakombiforus."saysNol
u.

"
No,don'
tworr
y.Ihav
eone,
itwi
l
lbeher
eint
he
mor
ning.
"say
sNkosi.

"
OkaysoIguesstomor
rowi
spi
cni
cday
!!
!!
!"gasps
maMohlakoane.
"
Can'
twai
tal
ready
."

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

Sothepicnicpl
anwentaspl anned.Everyonewasat
homeby12andweal ll
eftatexactly13:00toa
nearbypark.Wefoundourspotandweset tl
eddown,
putupsomespeaker sf
ormusi c,thefoodont he
tabl
eandt hechi
ldr
enarejustrunningaround
ever
y wher
e.
Theguy shavechosenthei
rownspott osmoke,
dri
nkandt al
kaboutwhateveriti
stheytal
kabout.As
forustheladies,
well
,i
t'
sallt
hewaygossip..
..
..
.We
areladi
esafterall
.

"Soyouaretell
i
ngmethatyoubrokeupwith
Denzel?!
"asksmom,
quitesurpr
isedbyTshi
di'
s
confessi
on.

"Yep.Hewasn'
ttaki
nggoodcareofmemamaand
youknowthat.
"saysTshi
di,
sippi
ngf
rom hergl
ass
ofwine.

"Andwhatdoy oumeanbynott akinggoodcar

eof
you?"quest
ionsmaMohl akoane, herey
esnarr
ow.
Thenextthi
ngweheari sRosechoki ngonherown
j
uicebecauseofthequestionthathasbeenasked
butknowingTshidi
,sheclear
lystateswhatshe
meansbywhatshesai d.
"Hewasn'tgiv i
ngittomet heri
ghtway."sheburst
s
andallofus, shockedbytheresponse,wideeyed
andjuststareintospace,acti
ngasthoughwedi dn'
t
hearTshidi.But,t
hingstakeav er
yunexpectedtur
n
veryqui
ck.

"Howdoy ouknowt haty ouweren'

ttheonewho
wasn'tgi
vingi tt
ohimr ight?
"andwear eall
slammedbymaMohl akoane' squestion.The5ofus,
Rose,Tshidi
, Nolu,
NerisaandIjustsidegl anceat
eachother,soclosetobur sti
ngint
ol aughterbutwe
stopourselves.

"Askhermysi ster.Whati fyouwer en'

tgiv i
ngitto
Denzel r
ight?"joinsinmom." Letmet ellyou
somet hi
ngmychi ldr
en,i
fy oudon'tmaket hings
i
nteresti
ngi nther oom, youwon' tgetitthewayy ou
want.Yousee, youhav etobr ingouthiswi ldside.I
f
youdon't,thent hingswilltakealeftturn."explai
ns
mom t oourdumbf oundedf aces.
"
Justl
i
ket
hisconv
ersat
iondi
d."mocksNol
u.

"Aiisuka(getaway )stopactingasthoughy ouaren'

t
enjoyingthisconversati
on.Wear eteachingyou
skil
lshere.Wear eol dert
hany ouguy s,weknow
theset hi
ngssot akeouradv i
ce."saysma
Mohl akoane."Loosenup, youareallgrownwomen
sost opactingast houghyouar e3year soldwho
havej ustheardthewor dsexf ort
hef ir
stti
me."

"
Wel
l
,wewer
entexpect
ingy
ouguy
sto.
..
..
"

"Talkaboutsex ?Wel lwedo.Andweal way sl

ist
ento
youguy s'
li
ttl
ebor i
ngstor
ies.See,whenIwasy our
age, Iknewal otandmyman, yourfat
her,never
slepthungr y
.Igav eitt
ohim all
dayandal lni
ght.
Befor ehewentt oshower,beforeheleftf
orwork
andwhenhecameback.Somet i
mesIev engaveit
tohim atwor k."saysmom andt he3ofuscr i
ngeat
thethoughtofmom anddadshaggi ng.
"Mychi l
dren, l
i
nger i
eisv er
yimpor tant.Youmust
haveasecr etsuit
casewher ey oukeepy ourlingeri
e
andmakesur eyounev errepeaty ourlingeri
e.You
musthav esomet hingfreshhereandt here.Andy our
toys,verymuchi mportant.Gogett hosewhi psand
vibr
ators.Am t el
li
ngy ounow, yourmanwi ll
soon
becomey ourslaveandy ouwillbet hemast er."says
maMohl akoaneast he5ofusj ustlist
ent othem,
nudgingeachot her,notsureifthisisat rapor
somet hi
ng.Nol ur ai
sesherhandup, getti
ngal lof
ourattention
"Sosi
ncewearebei
ngt
aughtaboutsexnow,
canI
askaquest
ion.
"
"
Whati
ftheguyi
sn'
ti
ntobei
ngf
reaky
?"

"Thereisnosuchmychil
d.Ev
erymani sintoa
freakywoman.Youcanbebori
ngwhent hewor ldi
s
l
ooki ngaty
oubutonceyoucl
osey ourbedroom
door ,y
oubett
erl
etoutt
hatwil
dnessout."speaks
mom.
"
Not
ed.
"say
sNol
u.

"Ican'
tbeli
evewear eget
ti
ngsexl
essonsfr
om
granni
es."whisper
sRoseintomyearandIr
espond
withanod.

"
Soma, y
ouaretel
li
ngmet haty
ouwer
eaf
reaki
n
t
hesheets?
"asksTshi
di.

"
say
ingIwasaf
reaki
sanunder
stat
ementmychi
l
d."

"
Welldamn!Iguessam goi
ngt
obeget
ti
ngsext
ips
f
rom you2.
"Imuse,chuckl
i
ng.

"
Youcanhi
tuswi
thanyquest
ionsr
ightnow.
"

"OkayIhav
eone.What
'st
hebestsexposi
ti
on?"
asksRose.
"Iwouldpersonal
lysayrev
er secowgir
l.Youmy
sist
er?Whichonewoul dyousayi st
hebest?"
answersmom, passi
ngont hequest
iontoma
Mohlakoane.

"Iwouldsaylazydoggy
.Thatone,t
hatonewil
ltake
youplacesbecauseyourmancangoasdeepashe
canandwhenhechokesy ouwhil
styouar
einthat
posit
ion!
!!
!!
"

"
Ooooookay
!!
!!
!!
"weal
lscr
eam out
.
"It
hinkwehavehear
denoughforoneday
!"Isay
,my
suspendedhandi
ntheai
rsuggest
ingt
hatwehav e
heardenough.

"I
fIhearanymoresextips,Iswearam goi
ngt o
thr
owup! !
"saysTshidi
,hereyesrol
ledup,st
icki
ng
outhertongueasthoughshei sabouttor
eallythr
ow
up.
"
Youl
adi
esareal
lcowar
ds!
"laughsoutmom and
maMohl
akoane.

"
It'
sfi
ne,wecanbecowar
dsbutwegotenoughsex
t
ipsfort
oday.
"say
sNolu.

"Youguy sar ebor

ingshame.Mohl a,comel et'
sgo
standcloset othelakeandconti
nueour
conversation.Let
'sleav
ethesechildr
en."saysmom,
standingupf rom t
hebench,fol
l
owedbyma
Mohl akoane.Assoonast heyarefarawayf rom us,
weal lbreatheoutatthesametimeandj ustburst
i
nt ol
aught er.

"
Thatwasr
eal
l
yawkwar
d!"l
aughsoutRose.

"
Youhav
enoi
dea.
"say
sNer
isal
aughi
ng.

"
Okaynowt
hatwear
eal
one,
wecanf
inal
l
ygi
ve
eachothert
ipswi
thoutimagi
ningourol
dies
shaggi
ngeachother.
"saysNolu.

"
True.ButIgottosay ,
thosesext ipswerekindof
i
nteresti
ng.Am wil
li
ngtotrythi
sl azydoggypositi
on
wi
t hmyman.May betoni
ght..
..
."saysNerisa,pul
l
ing
j
uicefrom hergl
ass,hereyesbeingallnaughty.

"Yesgi
rl
!!
!Yougof ori
t.Anddon'tf
orgett
he
chocki
ngpart
!"gaspsNolu,l
i
ckinghertongue.

"Yoooh,maraguys,j
ustt
rytoimaginey
ourman's
handony ourneckandyourasstr
yingt
obreat
he
whilsthei
sthrust
ingi
nyou!!
!"

"Asuperor
gasm Itel
lyou!
!!
"Isay
,rai
singupmy
glassasweall
laugh.

"
Andt
henhej
ustwhi
sper
siny
ourear,
whoi
syour
daddy?Inhi
ssexysexvoice!!
!!
"addsonNer
isa,
putt
ingherpal
m onherforehead.

"Andthenyouj
ustsay
, y
ouar
edzaddy!
!!
!y
ohguys,
I
swearIwouldj
usthaveanor
gasm t
her
eandthen!
!!
"
screamsoutRose.

"
Butguy
s,canwepleasejustt
alkaboutt
hatt
hing
y
ougetwhenhestartssweari
ngunderhi
sbreath
t
henhestar
tsmoaning!
"Icryout.

"Babygirl
!Thatri
ghtt
hereismusictomyears.
That'swheny ouknowyourpussyisthei
sh.
"says
Tshidi,
rai
singupherhand,shaki
ngherhead.

"
Butl
adi
es,am tot
all
yget
ti
ngthatsui
tcaseful
lof
l
i
nger
ieshame.Imaginej
ustpoppi
ngupwi t
hnew
l
i
nger
ieforyourmanever
yti
me."
"True,
verymuchtr
ue.Butdon'
tfor
getthetoys
becauseitwon'
tfr
eakyenoughwit
houtthetoys.
"
clapsRose.

"Youl
adi
esshoul
dtryt
hisneh.
"say
sTshi
di,
huddl
i
ngusupclosert
oher.
"f
irstl
y,remov ey ourman' scl othes,t
hent i
ehi m ont o
achai rnaked.Dr essupi nt oy ourmostr evealingand
sexiestlingeri
eandy oubet terhav eawhi p.Dosome
l
apdanci ngonhi sass, t
easehi smanhoodbyl etti
ng
him entery ouher eandt her ebutdon' tlethim cum.
Whi phisassr ealgoodanddon' tst
opt hel apdance.
Kissesshoul ddef init
elybet racedev erywher eonhi s
body .Bedi rt
yandcr eati
v e!!!
!Af t
erthatt orture, unti
e
him andIam pr omi singy our ightnowt haty ouwi l
l
getheav enonear th.Ifyourmani slikeJor dan, he
willfucky ouunt i
lyoul i
ter all
ysqui r
ty ourpee. "

"Hahahaam def
ini
tel
ytr
yingt
hat.oncet
hisbabyis
outofmytummy .
"gri
nsRose,bi
ti
nghertongue.
"
Weal
lar
egoi
ng.
"say
sNol
u.

"ButNolu,
don'
tdoitonthedayy ouar
epl anni
ngon
breaki
ngyourvi
rgi
nit
yorelseyouwon'tbeableto
walkfor2months.
"teasesTshidi
,makinguslaugh.

"
Sorr
ytodist
urby ourl
i
ttl
emeetingl
adi
esbutit
s
t
imeforl
unch."saysamal ev
oicebehi
ndus.Weal
l
t
urnandi
t'
sMkhi ze.

"Okay.Wearecomi ng."Isaytohi m.Weal l

simult
aneousl
ystandup, headi ngtothet abl
ewit
h
foodbutbefor
eIcoul dreacht hetable,someone
behindpul
lsme.Hisf ragrancenot i
fi
esmeofwhom
Ihavebumpedi nt
oandIj usti
ndulgei nitashe
wrapshisoneunhur tarm aroundme.

"
CanIpl
easegetaki
ss?
"heasksi
nasof
tvoi
ce.
"
No,ther
eareki
dsar
ound.Ican'
tki
ssy
ou.
"Ishy
ly
r
espondtohi
m.

"i
t'
snotl iketheyhav eneverseenpeopl ekissi
ng,and
besides, ever
yoneisl ooki
ngatt hefood,notus."he
says,raisingmyf acet ohis."Theki
ssistheonl y
thi
ngIcangetr ightnowbecauseam v erymuchhar d
foryou."hesay s,pressinghi smanhoodont ome.I
feelmy selfgett
ingwet ,butterf
li
esfl
yi
ngall ar
ound
myst omachbutIhol dmy self.
Ipl
acemyl ipsonhi s,tryi
ngnottof eastonthem but
hedigsi ndeep.Hist onguegoesst raightint
omy
mout h,makingmeev enmor ewetterthanIalready
am.Iqui ckl
ypar tmyl ipsfrom hi
sbef orethi
ngstake
anotherturnandIt akehi shand.Ilooki nt
ohis
l
ustfuleyeswhi chhet ri
estohidewi t
hf ai
lur
eand
j
ustgi v
ehi m aperkont hecheekandt hengotohis
ear.

"Toni
ght
, i
tsgoi
ngtobemeandy ouMrNxumalo.
..
."
Isay,
bit
inghisear
lob.Hi
shandsqueezesmi
neas
heshut
shi
sey
esandhi
sJawst
ight
en.

Ipullhisstatuedbodyov ertothetabl ewhere

everyoneel seis.Ipi
ckout2pl atesforNkosi andI,
serveNkosi f
irstt
henmy selfandIsi tontopofhim,
whiningonhi smanhood, makinghi m morehor ni
er.I
feelhishandonmywai st,
instr
uctingmet ostopbut
Idon't,notletti
nganyonenot i
cewhat '
shappening
here.Alltheyseei smesitti
ngonmymanwhi lst
havingmyl unch..
..
.
Suddenl y,myey esspotsomethingqui teinter
esting,
Ziphosi tt
ingnexttoShaniaandhav ingwhatseems
l
ikeaf unnyconv er
sat
ionwithher .Nooneseemst o
mi ndthe2butMkhi zewhosefire-fi
lledsideglance
tr
iest obur nZi
phot oashes.Howev er,Zi
pholooksat
Mkhi zeandgi veshim asi
decy nical smil
eandwi nks
hisey e.

Whatthehelli
sgoingonher
e?.
..
..
.Ar
ethese2
f
ight
ingforShani
a?
"Uuum guy s,
woul dyoumi ndifIleavewit
hShani
a,
shesay ssheisal l
ergi
ctot hegarli
cinthesal
adsoI
wanttot akehert oaclosebyst oretogether
anothersalad."saysZipho.

"Ooh,
suremyson.Thatwoul
dact
ual
l
ybev
erymuch
sweetofyou.
"say
smom.

"Oohbafo,
whydon'
tyouletmego,youshouldstay
hereandhavef
unwit
hev er
yoneel
se."suggest
s
Mkhize,
afakesmi
lepol
ishedonhi
sf ace.

"Don'
twor r
yMkhize,
am prett
ysur
eZi phowouldn'
t
mindsinceheistheonewhosuggest edit
."ar
gues
Nkosi.Il
ookathi
m, quest
ioni
ngmy selfonwhatthe
hell
isgoingonhere.

"YesMkhi
ze,Iwoul
dn'tmind.
"respondsZipho,
winki
ngatMkhizewholooksli
kehei sontheverge
ofpoppi
ng.Zi
phostandsupfrom thebenchand
l
eav eswit
hShaniatheygeti ntothekombisi
ncei t
s
theonlycarwecamewi thandt heydri
veaway.My
eyesturnbacktoMkhizeandIcanseehei sli
teral
ly
dyingami l
l
iondeat
hsi nside.Somethingr
eall
yis
goingonhereanditisn'tgoingtoendwellatall
..
..
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Tookmyst udyti
met hi
sweektowr
it
ethese
chapt
ers.Almostdonewit
hexams
Chapt
er48

THANDO'
SPOV.

"Soyouaretel
li
ngmet hatZi
pholikesShani
a!"I
gasp,l
ookingatNkosi
'srefl
ect
iononthemirroras
hedressesup.

"
Iwoul
dpr
efer
abl
yuset
hewor
dlov
einst
eadofl
i
ke.
"
r
epl
i
esNkosi
.

"Expl
ainstheweir
dbehav
iourfr
om himt hesepast2
days,"Isay,r
ecal
li
ngt
heothernightandy est
erday
's
event
s.

"Buther
eist
hecr
azypar
t,heaskedmet
ohel
phi
m
out.
"

"
Soareyougoi
ngt
o?!
"Iexcl
aim,
tur
ningbehi
ndme
t
ofaceNkosi
.

"
Wel l
,Ihadt
oagreesi
ncehehelpedmeoutwhen
yourbrot
her
str
iedtot
akeadvantageofme,
"say
s
Nkosi.

"
ButShani
aist
ooy
oungandZi
phoi
sol
d."
"That'
swhatIsai dtohim buthesai
dthatshouldbe
Shania'sdeci
sion."shr
ugsNkosi.Hesi
tsont hebed,
grabbinghisphone.

"
Thisissocompl
icat
ed."Isof
tl
ysay
."But
,doesn'
t
Mkhizeal
soli
keShani
a?"

"
Itseemsl
i
kei
t.
"repl
i
esNkosi
.

"Ir
eal
lywouldn'
twanttobeyouri
ghtnow.Onesi
de
youhaveyourbrot
herandontheothersi
de,
you
haveyourbr
otheri
n-l
aw."

"Atl
easty
ouunderst
andbutIneedyourhel
pint
his.
That
'swhyIt
oldyouabouti
t.
"stat
esNkosi.

"
Ialsodon'
tknowwhattotel
lyou.Thi
swhol
ethi
ng
i
sjustmindfucki
ng.
"Isay
.
"
Thando!
"bel
l
owsNkosi
.

"Oohsor
ry."Ihesi
tat
e,r
eal
i
singt
hatIj
ustsai
da
swearword.

"
Sowhatsh.
..
..
"

"
Thando!
"shout
sav
oiceout
sidet
hebedr
oom door
.

"
coming!
"Ishoutback.Ist
andf
rom t
hest
ool
,
wal
kingt
othedoorandmyey esbumpint
oTshi
di
whenIopenthedoor.

"
Mor
ningsi
s."Isayt
oher
.

"
Mor ni
ng.Icametotel
lyout
hatSchevi
slooki
ngf
or
Nkosi.
"wordsoutTshi
di.
"Am coming. "say sNkosi behindme.Tshi dit
urns
aroundtoleav eandshei sf oll
owedbyNkosi .He
walksoutoft her oom,takingf i
rm steps,hishead
heldhighasal way sandtheunhar medhandi nhis
pocket.Excludi ngmyf ather,Ihavenev erseena
manwhocanhol dsomuchpowerandbesol ovi
ng
atthesamet ime.Nkosi i
st heeesweet estguybutif
Ihadtodar tbackt othedaywef i
rstmet,hewast he
scari
estpersonev er
.

Iwalkbacki nt
otheroom tof i
nishcombingmyhai r
andaf t
eraf ewminutes,Il
eavet heroom.Asam
walkingpastNkosi'
sstudy ,
hisharshdemanding
voicehit
smyear s,makingmest op.Il
eantowards
thedoor,landi
ngmyl eftearont hesurf
aceofthe
studydoor .

"Whatdoyoumeany oufoundhim ont

hef
loor
bleedi
ng?
"IhearNkosibel
low.

"
Imeanwef
oundhi
m ont
hef
loorbl
eedi
ngboza.
Whenwer ealisedthatnoonewasansweri
ngthe
door
,wedeci dedtogoi nsi
deandwefoundhi
m on
thef
loor
."explainsSchev.
What
??!

"
Sowher
eishe?
"asksNkosi
.

"Wetookhi
mtoal
ocal
hospi
tal
ther
e."answer
s
Schev.

"
Butwhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
est
erday
?!!
!!
"

"
Wegotwaytoobusytry
ingtogethi
m some
medi
cal
att
enti
onsoitsl
ippedourminds,
"

"Youshouldhavelef
thimtodiet
here.Youwere
supposedtoaskmef ir
stbef
oretaki
nghimtothe
hospit
al!
"roar
sNkosi,f
oll
owedbyabangont he
tabl
ewhichstart
lesme.Myheadhi t
sthedoor
,
maki
ngal
i
ghtbangi
ngsound.

Iqui
cklytur
nar
oundtoleav
ebutt
hedooropensand
Nkosiclear
shi
sthr
oat
.

Ooohcr
ap!
!!
!.

"
Whenwill
youst
opeavesdropping?
"asksNkosi
.I
t
urnar
oundtol
ookathi
m, smili
ngnervousl
y.

"Wel
l
,Iheardy oushouti
ngsoIjustwant
edt
oknow
what
'swrong."Ihesi
tantl
ysay
,looki
ngdownand
away,scr
atchi
ngmyar m.

"Byeavesdr
oppi
ng?
"qui
zzesNkosi
,nar
rowi
nghi
s
blueey
es.

"
Okayf
iney
oucaughtmebutIr
eal
l
yjustwant
edt
o
knowwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
"Iwhi
ne.

"Iwouldsuggesty
ougototheki
tchenThando.
"say
s
Nkosi.Heturnshi
sbodyt
otheinsi
deoftheroom,
closi
ngthedoorbehi
ndhi
m.

"Nkosi
'sf
atheri sinhospit
al?"Ithi
nkoutloud.Ineed
todosomet hingaboutthis.Ineedt ogoseehimj ust
tocheckifhei sfi
ne.AndwhywasNkosi aski
ng
Schevwhyhet ookhimt othehospi t
al?Doeshe
real
lyhav
et hatmuchhat redt owardshisfat
her.
WhatifNkosi kil
lshi
sfather?Ineedt odosomet hing
andASAP.

Ir
usht
oRose'
sroom,
hopi
ngt
ofi
ndhert
her
e.

"Comein!"shout
sRoseaf teraknock.Iqui
ckl
yopen
herdoorandcloseit.Roselooksatme,fri
ght
ened,
droppi
ngtheclothesshewasf oldi
ng.
"
Thando!Whyar
eyouc.
..
..
"

"
Yourdadi
sinhospi
tal
!"Ibl
ubber
.

"
What
?!"

"
Yes.
"

"
Wai
t!Howdi
dyouf
indout
?"asksRose.

"Iover
heardNkosi andSchevt
alki
ng.RoseIneed
yourhelp.Ineedt ogoseeifheisokay.
"Isayto
Roseandshej ustlooksatmewi t
hcuri
osi
ty.

"Butwhywoul
dyouwantt
oseehim?WillNkosi
let
youdothat
?Andwhyareyouaski
nghel
pf r
om me?"
bombardsRose.
"Ij
ustwantt oseei
fhei
sfi
ne.Pl
us,am aski
ngyou
becausey ouknowwher
eyourhometownis.Ij
ust
needy outotel
lmewherei
tisandIwil
l t
akecareof
therest.
"

"
Whyar
en'
tyouaski
ngNkosi
tohel
pyou?
"

"
Becausehewon'
tl
etmego.
"

"AndIunderstandwhyhewon' tbecauseIalsodon'
t
wanty outogot her
eeit
her.Lethi
m be, hi
swifewi
ll
helphim."st
atesRosewi t
hast r
aightface.She
picksupashirtandstart
sfoldi
ngit,l
eav i
ngme
hanging.

"soam guessi
ngyoual
sohat
ehim wi
thsomuch
passi
on."Isay
,wi
deeyedandaqui
zzedface.

"
Say
ingIhat
ehi
misanunder
stat
ementThando.
Thatmanmadeussuf f
erataveryyoungage.We
dependedonhi m andhisl
ovebuthet ookthataway
fr
om us.Hemadeourl i
veshel
l.I
fitwasn'tforNkosi
gett
ingagoodj obhere,wewouldstil
lbesuf f
eri
ng.
Sowhatev erheisgetti
ngnow,isjustkar
ma. "says
Rose,notgivi
ngmeasi nglegl
ancewhi l
stfoldi
ng
herclot
hes.

"
ButRose,hehasbeent
ryi
ngt
ogety
our
f
orgi
veness.
..
..
..
..
..
."

"
NoThando!
"int
err
upt
sRose.
"
Don'
ttr
ytofi
ghtforhi
m.Am nothel
pingy
ouand
t
hat
sit
."sheshout
s.

"Rosey oushouldbethankfult
haty
ourfatherisst
il
l
ali
v e.Yourfat
heri
sstil
lal
iveandhewantst omake
thingsrightwit
hyou.Justgiv
ehim achance."I
plead.
"Idon'twanttomaket hingsrightwit
hhim.Hecan
dief oral
lIcare.Hemeansabsol utel
ynothi
ngtome
now.I nfact,i
twoul dbebetterifhediedbecauseI
alreadytoldSihlethatIdon'thaveafather
.Ifhedi
es,
hewi l
lbedoingmeaf avour."spit
sRoseandIjust
l
ookatheri ndisbeli
ef.

"
IfIcoul
dfor
giveyourbr
otherf
orki
l
li
ngmyf
ather
,
whycan'
tyou?"Iaskher
.

"Thi
sisdiff
er entThandosostoptry
ingtomakei t
seem equal.Yourfatherwasneverabusiv
e."say
s
Rose.Asam aboutt orepl
y,t
hedooropensandSi hl
e,
i
nhisgy m clothes,walksi
npant
ingwithat owel
wrappedaroundhi sneck.Hiseyesrunthrought
he
room,asher eadsourf aces.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"hei
nqui
res.

"
Yes.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.Thandowasj
ustchecki
ng
uponme.
"repl
i
esRosesmi
l
ing.

"
Oohokay
."answer
sSi
hle.

"I
'
llseeyoulater
.Letmeleav
ey oulovebi
rds.
"Isay,
afakesmi l
eplaster
edonmylips.Il
eavet
heirroom,
headingtothekit
chen.

"Goodmor ni
ngma'am."saysMangwewhoist he
maid.Inodmyhead, getti
ngapottomakeNkosi's
porri
dge.Asam fi
l
lingthepotwit
hwater
,Ifeela
handcrawl i
ngf
rom thebackofmywaistt
henhi s
breat
honmyneck, sendingti
ngl
i
ngmessagest oall
myner ves.

"
Noneedmyl
ove.
"hesay
sinmyear
.
"Am goi
ngoutnowbutIwi
l
lbebacksoon.
"he
cont
inues.
"
Areyougoingtoseehi
m orgetr
idofhi
m?"I
whi
sperback.

"Don'tasksuchquesti
onsmyl
ove.JustknowthatI
willbebacksoon."say
sNkosi
.Il
etoutaloudsigh,
closingmyey es.

"
Don'thur
thim Nkosi,heisst i
ll
yourfathernomatter
what.
"Isoft
lysay.Nkosikissesmycheek, l
etsgoof
meandwal ksoutofthekitchen.Iwat chhim
walki
ngout,pray
ingthathei sn'
tabouttodowhatI
t
hinkheisgoingtodo.
God,
pleasepr
otectNkosi
'sf
ather
.Pl
ease.
..
..
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
*

SoafterNkosi
lef
t,MrandMrsMohl
akoaneal
so
deci
dedtoleaveandsodidev
ery
oneel
se.
Igotbor
edandIwasf or
cedtoleaveforwor
kso
ri
ghtnow,am atwor
k;whichi
sntthebestpl
acet
o
be.
Howev er
,am quitegreat
ful
toNkosi f
ordoingmost
ofthepaperwor kforme.Allam l
eftwit
hisplanni
ng
someev entforchil
drenwit
hcanceratsome
orphanage.

Buttheprobl
em i
s,Ican'tplanthi
st hi
ngproperl
y
becauseofNkosi'
sfather.Ihavetri
edcalli
ngNkosi
butnothi
ng.Hewon'ttakemycal ls.Ieventri
ed
SchevandBrendon.Theyal lar
en'
tanswer i
ngand
thi
sisstr
essi
ngmebi gt i
me.

"
Madam?
"cal
l
sav
oicef
rom t
hei
nter
com.

"
Yes.
"Ir
epl
y,pr
essi
ngabut
ton.

"Ther
ei sadeli
veryfory
oufr
om MrNxumalo.Shoul
d
Ipermitthedel
iveryguy
stocomeup?"asksDorot
hy,
myassi
stant
.

"
Umm y es.Letthem comeup."Itel
lher
.Aft
erafew
minutes,Dorothyknocksthehalfopendoorand
walksinwi t
h2meni nblacksui
ts.
Oneofthemanputsaboxofchocol
ateonmyt
abl
e
whi
lstt
heotheroneput
saspurbag.

"
Thanky
oubutwhosenty
ouguy
s"Isayt
othem.

"
MrNxumal
odi
d,"say
soneoft
heman.

"
Ummm pl easetakeitback.Idon'
twantit.
"Isayt
o
them,smi
li
ngbutt heybothlookatme,thenat
Dorot
hyandturntoleave.

"Heloo!Ijust
..
..
..
..
andt
heyar
egone."Isay
,rol
li
ngmy
eyes"Doy ouwantmet ot
akeitt
othem ma'am,
"
asksDor othy.
"Ummm noit'
sfine.Youcantakei
tifyouwant
."Itel
l
her,
tur
ningbacktomyl apt
optoconti
nuemywor k.

"
Okayma'am,t
hanky
ouv er
ymuch."r
epl
i
esDor
othy
,
t
aki
ngthebagsandl
eav
ingtheof
fi
ce.

Aft
eralongasshotaf
ter
noon,If
inal
l
ymanageto
fi
nishal
lmyworkandam readyt
ohitther
oadt
ogo
backhome.
Nkosihasn'
tsai
dawor dt
ome.Nocall
,not
ext
,
not
hingandam star
ti
ngtogetwor
ri
ed.
Whatifhekil
l
shisdad?It'
snotl
i
keheactuall
ycares
abouthim.I
nfact,
Ifeel
li
keNkosiwouldl
ovetokill
thatol
dman...
..
.Nonono!Ican'
tlett
hathappenat
all
.

Iqui
ckl
ypi
ckupmyphonef
rom t
hedeskandcal
l
hi
m.
"
Hel
l
o."

"
Noneedt
ocal
lme.Am att
hedoor
."say
sNkosi
.

"
What
?"

"Am her
e."say
sNkosi
,openi
ngthedoor
,hol
dingthe
phoneinonehandandtheot
heronthedoorknob.
Thefi
rstt
hingmybrai
ndecidestothi
nkofi
shisar
m.
Il
ookathisarmthenbackathisf
acethenhi
sarm
andt
henhisfaceagai
n,tr
yingt
oloadmyquesti
on.

"
Babywher
eist
he.
..
."

"Iremovedit
.Idon'
tneeditanymor e,
myarmi s
fine.
"heanswersinhisdeepvoice.Hecl
osesthe
doorbehindhim,walkstothecouchandthrows
himselft
here.
"Well
y oucanendthecal
lnow.Am her
earen'
tI?
"he
says,hisey
eslooki
ngatmyphonescreen.

"
Oooham sor
ry,
itsj
ustt
hatIwasn'
texpect
ingy
ou
t
obeher
e."

"Iknow.Youwereexpect
ingmet obeki
ll
i
ngtheol d
manandbur yi
nghim.Am Iri
ght?
"heasks,l
eaning
backwithhi
shandsbehindhisheadandhisfeeton
thecoff
eetabl
e.

"
Uummmm, nonotatall
.I.
..
..
ij
ustwant
edt
ofi
ndout
i
fyouwer
eokay.That
'sal
l.
"

"
Thando,
Ihavetol
dyouami l
li
ont
imesal
ready.
"
r
ecall
sNkosi
,hi
sfaceser
iouswit
hhisl
eftbr
ow
l
i
fted.
"
Lyi
ngdoesn'
tl
ookgoodony
ou.
"
Hestandsupfr
om t
hecouchwi
thhi
shandsi
nhi
s
pocketandwal
kst
omydesk.
Myheartst
art
stobeatf
astashewalksaroundthe
tabl
etomyside;
pul
lsmefrom t
hechairandtangl
es
hisarmsar
oundmewhilel
ooki
ngstr
aightint
omy
eyes.
Myfacequi
cklyshi
esaway,
buthi
sri
ghthandcups
mychin,
tur
ningmyeyesbacktol
ooki
ngint
ohis.

"Heisf
inei
fthat'
swhatyouwantedt
oknow."sof
tl
y
saysNkosi
."Idi
dn'
tki
ll
him butt
hecancerwi
l
l.
"

"whatdoy oumeanbythecancerNkosi
,whatdi
d
youdotohi mt
hen?"Iwonder
,mymi ndfi
ll
edwit
h
cur
iosi
ty.

"
Not
hing.Ij
ustwentt
oseehi
m."

"
Sowher
eishe?
"
"
Thati
snonofy
ourbusi
nessmyl
ady
."

"
Yesi
tisNkosi
.
"

"
Whydi
dnty
oueatt
hef
oodIse.
..
..
?"

"
Stopt
ryi
ngt
ochanget
het
opi
c,
"Ii
nter
ject
.

"
Justanswermyquest
ionThando.
"

"
Iwon'
t.
"

"
ThenI'
llgoasky
ourassi
stantwhyt
hehel
lshehas
y
ourfood."

"Nkosi
stoptryi
ngtochanget
het
opi
c..
..Thi
sis
aboutyourf
ather,
notme."
"Andthisisaboutmychi l
dandmywi f
e.Ican'tbe
answer i
ngquest i
onsaboutt hatmanwhenmywi fe
i
sn'tfeedingmychi ld.
"respondsNkosi.Istareat
him,hisey esgli
mmer i
ngasalways,pushingmy sel
f
outofhishol d.Ithrowmy sel
fonthechair,rubbi
ng
mypal m onmyf orehead.

"Nkosi
,howdoy ouexpectyourwif
et obef i
newhen
youareworr
yingher.Youli
ter
all
yjustshowupher e
andtel
lmethaty ourdadwil
lbebycancert heny
ou
keeponsayi
nghei snonofmybusi ness..
.."
Henar r
owshiseyesatme,
hisl
ipst
ight
enashe
pushesthet
hingsonmydesk,maki
ngspacef
orhi
m
tosit
.

"
Andhowam Idoi
ngt
hat
?"

"Am worr
iedaboutyourfat
herandyouwon' tletme
seehim Nkosi
!That'
swhyam wor r
ied.Icouldn'teat
thef
oody ousentbecauseIhavebeenwor rying
aboutthi
swholesituat
ion!Am notgoingt
ofor
ce
myselftoeat
."Isayinexasper
ation.

Hisfacequickl
ytur
nstoannoyed,
shaki
nghi
shead
asifheistr
y i
ngtounder
standmystat
ementandhi
s
eyessquint
ed.

"
Thandoyouhavegott
obeki ddingme!Whyar eyou
wor
ryi
ngaboutamanwhoi sn'tevenrel
atedt
oy ou?
Hemeansnothi
ngtoyou!
"her esponds.

"Hei
srel
atedt
omeNkosi.Heismyf
atheri
nlaw
andt
hegrandf
athert
othi
schi
l
d."

"
Ooohshutup!
!!
!!
"hesneer
s,hi
tt
inghi
shandagai
nst
t
hedesk.
"Ihavet
oldyouamil
li
onti
mes,thatmanisnot
rel
atedt
omei nanywayandthatgoesf
oryoutoo!
Thenextti
meIhearyout
alki
ngabouthi
m Iwil
l.
..
..
."
"Whatwill
youdo? ?Huh!Wil
lyoukill
mealongwit
h
him?"Isay,cut
ti
nghim of
f.Hi
shandsr ol
li
ntoafi
st
ashelooksdown, shut
ti
nghiseyeli
ds.Hi
sjawl
ine
ti
ght
ensandhi sbodybeginstotenseup.

"Nkosi ,
youandIcannotgetmar ri
edwithouthi m
beingpr esent
.Myauntwi l
lknowabouthi m ei t
her
way .Cany ouj usttr
yt ounderstandthat.
..
..
..Ifmy
familyfindsoutt hatyouar etry
ingtokeephi m asa
secret,allhel
lmi ghtbreakloose.Wor sewithKhay a
whodoesn' tl
ikey ou,hewilldefi
nit
elygetar eason
tobr eakusup. "

"Thando,am agr ownman.I fIdon'

twanthimi nmy
l
ife,Idon't
.Ifyourfamil
yhasapr obl
em withthat,
thenIwillmar r
yyoubyf orce.NooneandIr epeat
,
noonecanst opusf rom gett
ingmarr
ied.
"pointsout
Nkosi,hisvoicetense.

"
Nkosi
please!
..
..
."
"
Thandono!Ican'
tl
ethi
m comeint
oourl
iv
esagain.
I
nfact
..
..
..
."say
sNkosi
,i
namat t
eroff
actvoi
ce.
"
Doy ouev
enconsiderhowRosemightf
eelaft
er
f
indi
ngoutthatt
hatmanisbacki
ntoourli
ves?
"

"IdoNkosi,
andam onlydoi
ngthisfort
hehappi
ness
ofbothourfami
li
es.I
fwecontinuetokeephima
secret
,onedayi
twill
allcomeoutthenwhat?Huh?"

"
ThenIwi
l
ltel
lev
ery
onet
het
rut
hthen.
"spi
tsNkosi
.

"Nkosi,pleasetryt oforgi
vehim.Doi tforyourson,
hehasal readyl ostonegr andfat
her,hecan' tlose
anotheroneal lbecauseoft hepast."Ibeg,myv oice
cracking.Nkosi jerkshisheadmydi recti
on, seeming
tobequest i
oningmyst at
ement .Thenextt hi ngIsee
onhi sfaceisachuckl ebutnotanyusual chuckle.
Hechuckl esast houghIhav einsult
edhi m, as
thoughIhav esaidsomet hinginsult
ing.Ifeel atear
fall
downmycheekandNkosi wipesi t
.
Icanst
il
lfeel
thet
ensi
oni
nhi
sbodyandhi
sey
es
aredar
k.

Hestandsupfr
om thedesk,
takesadeepbreat
hin
andoutofhi
snose,thenheext
endshishandtome
buthi
sfacel
ookingaway.

"
Come,youneedtoeatandr
est
."hesay
stome,
his
v
oicemodul
ated.
Igi
vehi m myhandandhehelpsmest andup.Asam
abouttopackupmybelongings,
hest opsmeand
doesitformethenweleav
et heoff
ice,handi
nhand
butquiet.

"Areyouleav
ingma'am?"asksDorot
hy,
standi
ngup
from behi
ndherdeskasNkosiandIwalkoutt
he
elevat
or.

"
Yes,
Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row.
"Ir
epl
yher
.
Thecarridehomei squi
et,nomusic,
nonothing.
Justourinhal
esandexhalesandthehoot
sf r
om the
othercar
sast heydri
vepast.
Igl
anceatNkosi ,
wonder i
ngwhatmustbegoi ng
thr
oughhisheadr i
ghtnow.Wonder i
ngi fhewil
l
l
ist
entomeornot .Iknowforaf acthei sangr
yat
me,whichiswhyhei sn'tt
alki
ng.May beIpushedi t
waytoofarthisti
me.Imean, hedi dtell
met ostay
outoft
hiswhol esit
uati
onjustyesterday ,
yett
hereI
wasattheoffice,
nagginghim aboutt hesame
thi
ng.
..
..
..
..
.Sigh.

Am knockedoutofmyt houghtswhenIhearmy
dooropeningandahappyShani kat
hrowinghersel
f
onme.Ipickherupf r
om theground,pl
aceheron
mylapandst ar
tgivi
ngherkissesal
loverherfaceas
herl
oudgigglesfi
l
lthecar.

"Hell
ouncl
e!!
"greet
sShani ka,
looki
ngatNkosiwhi
le
sit
ti
ngonmyl ap.Nkositakesherfr
om me,now
smili
ngandgreetsherback.Istepoutoft
hecarand
takemythingsfr
om thebackseatbutNkosi
cal
l
s
oneoftheguardstocarr
ythethi
ngsforme.
Okay.
..
..
..
..
.

Iwalkt
othehousewi thNkosibehindme.Ir
eall
ydo
needtoeatatt
hispointbecausethatar
gument
mademehungr y.Butfi
rst
,Iwil
ltakealongassbat
h.

"I
'
llbeupst
air
staki
ngabath,youwantt
ojoi
nme?
"I
askNkosiwhoisholdi
ngShanika.

"Nothankyou,Ineedt
ogosomewhere.Youcango,
Iwil
ltel
lMangwet omakey
ousomethingheavyt
o
eat
."saysNkosi.

"
Itdoesn'
thav
etobeheav
y,agr
eensal
adwi
l
ldo,
"

"
Am notaski
ngyouThando,
am t
ell
i
ngyou.
"he
l
owkeysneer
sbutst
il
lkeppi
ngt
hesmil
efor
Shanika'
seyes.Igul
pdownonmyspit
,turni
ngtot
he
st
airsandjustchoosi
ngnott
osayany
thingbef
ore
hebur st
s.

"
Yourar
misf
inenow!
!!
!"IhearShani
kaexcl
aimi
ng.

"
Yesdear
.Come,
let
'
sgogety
ousomecandy
."say
s
Nkosi
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Chapt
er49

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

Iwat chThandoswayherhi psasshewalksupt he

stair
s,wishi
ngIcouldjustgoandholdher,kissher
andj ustmakelovetoherbutherstatementfrom
earli
ertaunt
sme.Am notangr yather,am j
ust
disappoint
edthatshedoesn'twanttounderstand
whyIdon' twantmyf at
herbackint
omyl if
e.Shei s
selfi
shlyusi
ngherfather'
sdeathasagatewayand
thereisnowayIcannotmakeherwi shcomet r
ue.
Sigh.

IputShani
kadown,hol
dherhandandwalktothe
cartogobuyhersomethi
ngasshetal
ksabouther
day.
Iaskoneofmydr iv
erstotakeustoaclosebyshop
andaswedr i
vet
here,
mymi ndandmyhear t
i
ntraconf
li
ct.Mymindrefusestobri
ngmyf ather
her
ewhi
lstmyheartwant
smet odosoal
lbecause
oft
hel
oveIhaveformyqueen.

Afterbuyi
ngShanikasomet hi
ng,wedr i
veback
homet odropShani kaoff
.Thedr iv
erandIdriv
eto
Ulwandlehospi
tal.Ihadaf eeli
ngThandowasgoing
totryandlookf
orhi m atmyhomet ownsoI
tr
ansferr
edhimt othishospi t
al.

"
MrNxumal
o'
swar
d?"Iaskt
her
ecept
ioni
st.

"Room 405."sherepli
es.Iwalktohi
swar d,asking
my sel
fwhyam hur ti
ngmy sel
fsomuch.Thando
reall
yshouldn'
thavedonet hi
s.Ihaveneverforced
hertodosomet hi
ngshedidn'twanttoyethereshe
i
s, f
orcingmet odothis.Ir
eall
yhaveturnedsof tand
thatfl
ipsmeov er.

Istandi
nfr
ontoft
heopendoorasmyf at
herli
es
nexttot
hewalli
nawardwit
h3ot herpat
ient
s.Don'
t
askmewhyIdi
dn'
tgethi
m apr
ivat
ewar
d..
..
..
.
Despit
emet aki
ngsmal lst
epsjusttosavemy sel
f
from t
hemiseryofseeinghi
sface,Igetther
e
anyway.Ist
and,l
ookingathispeacefulf
aceas
thoughhehasneversinnedbefore,
hischestmov i
ng
upanddownandwr i
nkledski
n.

*Nowondery ourmotherdied,shewasawi t
chjust
l
ikeall
ofyou!!!
!Whenar eyougoingtofol
l
owher
anywaysbecauseam tiredofyoudevil
chi
ldren!
!!
*
andthosewer ethewordsthatcameoutofthisman
l
ayingpeacefull
yonthi
sbed.Somet hi
nginme
wantstostranglehi
m butIcan't
.

Thei r
onyinthi
ssit
uati
oni sthatt
heper sonhe
l
istenedtoandworshippedsomuch, thesame
personhescoldedusf or
,thesameper sonwhom he
changedfor,madehim sick.Thesameper sonhe
beatusupf orandabandonedusf or
,hasabandoned
him.Sheisnowheretobef ound.
Iwon'
tsayam notangr
yather
.Am v
erymuchangr
y
ather
.Shet ookawayourf atheronl
ytor
uinhim.She
shoul
dhav eatleasttakengoodcareofhim si
nce
shedidn'
twantusany ways.Ifshedi
dn'
twanthim,
sheshouldhaveleftusinpeace.Wewouldhav e
beenhappy.
Iwi
llf
indherandiwil
lki
ll
herf
ortaki
ngmyf
ather
awayfrom usj
ustsoshecoul
drui
nhim.

"
Myson? "say
sar ust
yvoice,
knocki
ngmeoutofmy
t
houghts.Hetr
iestoopenhiseyeswiderbutt
hey
r
efuse.

"Nkosi
?Isityou?"heasks.MyJawst i
ght
en,my
headturni
ngupwar ds.Iexhal
ealoudsi
gh,t
urni
ngt
o
theexi
tandletti
ngmyf eett
aket
hecommandof
walki
ngoutoft hi
shell.
IwalktoMrBiza'
soff
ice,
lucki
l
ytofindhi
m st
il
l
ther
e,packi
nghisl
aptopi
ntohisbag.

"
Doct
orBi
za.
"Isay
,wal
ki
ngi
ntohi
sof
fi
ce.
"
MrBarca."r
epl
i
esMrBi
za,
seemi
ngl
yast
oni
shedby
mypr
esence.
"
Whatasur
pri
se.Howar
eyou?
"

"
Am okaydoct
or.Ihopey
oudoi
ngwel
lyour
sel
f.
"

"Am f
ineMrBarca.Takeaseatplease.
"hesay
s,hi
s
handpoint
ingatachairbutIdenyhi
soffer
.

"Am her
etodischar
geMrNxumal o.Thepati
entwho
gotadmitt
edhereintheaf
ter
noon."It
ell
him.

"Ooohokay
.Canwedot
hatt
omor
rowi
fpossi
ble?
"
heasks.

"
No.Ial readyhaveever y
thi
ngsetathomef orhim.
AllIneedi sfory
outosi gnhisdischargepapers,t
he
machi nesalongwit
ht hemedi ci
neshewi ll
needand
foryout ogetmeanur seforhim."Isay.
"Ummm okay .Letmegogetsomepaper sf r
om the
recepti
on.Iwi l
lbebackwithy ouinaf ew."saysMr
Biza,scr
atchinghisheadast houghhei stryi
ngt o
comeupwi thsomet hi
ng.Hel eavetheroom and
comesback3mi nutesl
ater,holdi
ngsomepaper sin
hishands.Hesi tsdown,signsthem, handst hem
overtomet osi gntooandt henhet akesthepapers
back.

"Youcantakehi
m homenowandthenursewil
l
comet omorr
owmor ni
ng.
"say
sMrBiza,
smili
ng.

"Thanky
oudoct
or.Iwi
l
lbet
aki
ngmyl
eav
enow.
"I
saytohi
m.

"Umm, MrBar
ca.Woul
dyoumi
ndmeaski
ngy
oua
quest
ion?
"

"
Gof
ori
t.
"
"Afewofmycol leagueshav ebeenenquiri
ngonthis
andIthoughtIshouldasky ou.
"hesay s,nerv
ousl
y
speaki
ng.Itur
nmyheadsi deway s,
int
erestedint
his
questi
onofhis.

"Ar
en'
tyout
hefamousMrNxumalo?Notthatam
aski
ngyoui
nabadwaybutam j
ustti
redofpeople
aski
ngmethi
squest
ion.
"

"Notthefir
stti
mebei ngaskedt hatquest
ionbuty
es,
Iam MrNxumal o.ButIpreferbei
ngcall
edMr
Barca."It
ellhi
m." Wil
lthatbeallMrBiza?
"

"
Yes.Thanky
ou.
"hehesi
tant
lysay
s.

"Andtel
lyourcoll
eaguest
hatam nol
ongerthe
ownerofthishospit
alsot
heyshoul
dstoptr
y i
ngto
bugintomyl i
fe.
"Isaybef
oret
urni
ngtothedoorand
walki
ngout.
Ical
l mydri
vert
ocalloneofmyt r
uckst opickup
thi
soldmanandi tar
riv
es20mi nuteslater
.Iaskmy
menwhocamewi ththetr
ucktogot akehimf r
om
hiswardandtocomehomewi thhim.Asf orme,I
getintot
hecaranddriveof
fbackhome.
Thandosur
elyhasdi
sappoi
ntedmet
oday
.

IgethometoThandoandShanikaeat
ingatt
he
dinnert
abl
eal
ongwiththemaid,Mangweasthey
arehavi
ngaconver
sati
on.
Onet hingIhavenot i
cedaboutThandois,she
doesn'tli
ketreati
nganyonediff
erentl
ydespit
e
whoev ertheyare.It
'ski
ndofacur seandablessi
ng
tomebecauset hat'
sexactl
ywhatmadeherwant
myf atherhere.Shehasthehearttoforgi
veandsti
ll
havef ait
hinsomeone.
Ilookawayf
rom t
hem,nowf
aci
ngwher
eam goi
ng
to;whi
chismyroom.

Igett
her
e,t
akemyphoneoutofmypocketandcal
l
maMohl
akoane.

"Don'tt
ellmeyoual
readymi
ssme?
"shesay
s
sarcast
ical
ly
.

"
MaIneedtotal
ktoyou.Pl
easecomet
omor
row
mor
ning.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
What
'swr
ongson?
"shewor
ri
edl
yasks.

"
Justcomet
omor
row.
"Isayt
oher
.

"
Wecancomenowi
fit
'sf
ine.
"

"Noma,i
t'
snowlat
eandy ouknowhowIf
eel
about
peopl
edr
ivi
ngl
ate.
"Isay
.

"
Okayson.Wewi
l
lbet
her
etomor
row.
"sher
epl
i
es
befor eIendt hecall.Idropmyphoneont hebedand
decidet ot akealongshower ,comi ngtotermswi t
h
thef actthatthemanIhat ewi llbestayi
ngwi thme
untilhedi essincehei sgoi ngl i
vef or3mont hsonly.
Soappar ently
,hehasbeeneat i
ngsomet hingfora
whilewhi chhascausedhi mt ogetpancr eatic
cancerandI tsprett
ymuchf actst hati
tsthedev i
l
womanwhodi dthistohi m.If inishshowering,dry
my selfandwhenIwal kintot her oom,Ifi
ndThando
sit
tingont hebedwhi lstplayingwi t
hherhands.I
walkpasthergoi ngt othecl osetandshef oll
owsme,
standsatt heentrance,fai
lingt ospeak.

"
Yourfat
herisher
e."shefinal
lyut
ter
s,st
il
lpl
ayi
ng
wi
thherfi
ngerswhil
stlookingdown.

"
Iknow.
"Ibl
unt
lyr
epl
yher
,looki
ngf
ormypy
jamas.

"
Are.
..
..ar
eyouangr
yatme?
"shest
utt
ers.
"No,am notangry.Am j
ustdi
sappoint
ed."It
ellher
.I
hearherfootst
epsmov i
ngclosertomeandt hen
shelightl
ypushesmet othesi
deandpi cksoutmy
bluepyjamas.Sheholdsthem outt
ome, sti
ll
looki
ng
down.

"Am sor
ry.Ihadtodothi
sforyout
obr
inghim here.
"
shesaysinal owvoi
ce,maki
ngmechuckl
ewhi l
st
taki
ngthepy j
amasfr
om her.

"
Iexpect edyoutorespectmyfeel
ingsforonce.But
myex pectat
ionsseem tohavebeentoomuchf or
you."Isaytoher.Iwalkoutoft
heclosetwit
hher
f
ollowingme.

"
Am t
rul
ysor
ryNK.Ihadnoot
herchoi
ce.
"

"Choice!
?Youhadnootherchoi
ce?"Iquest
ion.
"Thandoy oudi
dhav
eachoice.Thechoicetoleti
t
beandunder st
andt
hatIdi
dn'twantthatmaninmy
l
ifeanymor e.Youhadthechoi cet
ot hi
nkofRose
whenshef indsoutthatIbroughtthatol
dmanback
i
ntoourlives.Youhadt ochoicetorespectmy
decisi
on.Butwhatdidy oudo?Yousel fi
shlywenton
withthi
swhol ethi
ng."Ihuf
f.
"IonlydidthisbecauseIloveyouThandoandI
woul ddoany thi
ngandev eryt
hingf
ory ou.Idi
dthi
s
sot hatyoucoul dalsof
orgetaboutmebei ngyour
father'
smur derer.That
'swhyIdidit
."Iconti
nue
huffingasshekeepsherf acedown.

"
NoNkosi,
"shewhi
nes,
shaki
ngherheadseemi
ng
v
ulner
abl
e.
"
Idi
dn'
tdot hi
sbecauseofself
ishreasons.Ididthi
s
f
orus,f
orourchi
ld,forev
ery
oneel se.Ial
readytold
y
outhatifmyauntfoundou..
..
..
..
"

"andthereshegoesagai
nwi
thheraunt
..
..
..
"Isay
sarcast
ical
ly.
"
Thando!Yourauntf
indi
ngoutaboutmyf
atherwas
notgoi
ngtochangeany t
hing.Shewaspr obabl
y
goi
ngtoletitgo,butyou!Youar ejustbei
ngtoo
ext
rafornofucki
ngr eason.Allyoucareabouti
s
whatyourfamil
ythinks,nothowmyf amil
yfeel
s!!
!"I
j
abber.

"Sookay,let
'ssayyouraunthasfoundoutaboutmy
dadwhi l
stwear ekeepi
ngitsecr
et,whatwillshedo
tobreakusapar thuh?Becausei
t'
snotlikemy
fat
heristheonewho' sgett
ingmarri
edtoy ou,I
am...
."Iquesti
onher.

"Lookatmewhenam talki
ngThando.
"Isaytoher.
Shequickl
yrai
sesherf
aceandtearsarer
unning
downhercheeks.Shewipest
hem off
,sni
ff
ing.

"Youtrul
ybr okemet oday.Ihadtofacemyworst
night
mar e,mypast ,myabuser.Ihopeyouar
e
happy."Ilastl
ysay .Iturnmybackonherandputon
mynight wear .Thesniffi
ngconti
nuesasshewalks
tothebat hroom andl ocksthedoor.
Iwon'
tli
e,i
thur
tsmet oseehercryi
ngbutt
hef
act
st
il
lst
ands.Shereal
l
ydisappoi
ntedme.

Itakemyphoneandt
extRoseal
ongwi
thMkhi
zet
o
comeovertomorr
ow.
Idon'
twantt
okeept
hisf
rom t
hem.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"
Sotel
lusson,whyar
eweher
e?"asksbaba
Mohl
akoane,
looki
ngatmewi
thastrai
ghtf
ace.
Il
ookar
oundtheroom,seei
ngRose,
Mkhize,
maand
babaMohl
akoaneandThandowhoissi
tt
ingnextt
o
me.

"
RoseandMkhi
ze,
whatam aboutt
osaymi
ghthi
t
youhardbuti
thastobesai
d."It
urntomy2people
whom Ihavebeencal
l
ingpar
entsforyear
snow.

"Maandbaba,
thi
swi
llal
sohi
tyouhar
d."Ir
ubmy
chi
nbefor
eutt
eri
ngt
hewords.

"Ma, baba,Ihaveafatherwhoissti
l
lali
ve."Isay,not
attemptingtolookatthem.Suddenly,
ahuge
elephantcrushesintheroom.Every
oneinher e
seemssot enseandonecanl i
ter
all
ycutthet ensi
on
i
nt hisroom withaknife.

"
What
?"shout
sMa.

"Andhei
sint
hishouse.
"If
ini
shandaoddsi
l
ence
hit
sther
oom.

"
Her
e??
!"asksRose,
qui
tepuzzl
ed.
"
Hei
sint
hemedi
cal
room.
"It
ell
them.

"Buthowcomewewer enev
ert
oldabouty
ourf
ather
beingal
iv
e?"asksbaba.

"Because,Ihadbrokenall
tieswit
hhi
m upunt
il
..
..
..
upunt i
lIheardthathehascancerwi
thonl
y3
mont hstoli
ve."

"
Waitwhat
?"saysMkhi
zewi
thav
isi
blequest
ion
mar
konhisface.

"WasitThandowhotol
dy out
obri
nghi
m back?
"
asksRose.Il
ookatherassheey
esThandowhose
eyesarel
ookingdown.

"
Noitwasn'
t.Thehospi
tal
backhomecal
l
edt
o
i
nfor
m me."
"Youarelyi
ngbudi.Thandoconv
incedy out
obring
him backhere.
"int
erj
ectsRosei
nat autvoi
ce.

"Rose,
noneedf orthatmychild.Yourbrot
her
alr
eadysaiditwasn't
."saysma.Mat urnstolookat
mewi t
hherey esconserned."
It'
sfi
nemychi ld.At
l
eastyouhav etoldusnowbutwhatam wor r
ied
abouti
sThando' sfamily
.Didyoutell
them anythi
ng
abouthim bei
ngdead? "

"Ialr
eadytoldSihl
ethatheisdeadsoi t
'sobvioushe
toldhiswholefamilyt
hatourparentsaredead."
answer sRose,hervoi
cequitet
ense.Herey esmov e
from mat oThandoandshechuckl es.

"AreyouhappynowThando?Ihopey ouare.It
old
youmyl i
festoryandyouknowhowmuchIdespi se
thatman,yethereyouareforci
ngmybr ot
herto
bringhi
m back.BravoThando,brav
o!!
"saysRose,
clappi
ngherhands.
"
Rosestopi
t!
!Thandohadnothi
ngtodowi
tht
hisso
y
ouleav
eheroutofit
."Isayt
oRose.

"Noneedtocov erupforherbudi!Iknowsheisthe
reasonheisbackhere.Andy ouknowwhat ,am
actual
lygl
adthathehas3mont hstoliv
e."

"Rose!
!!
"commandsbaba.Roseapol
ogi
sesand
quickl
ystandsup.

"Iwi
llbel eavi
ngnow.Idon' thav eti
mef orsuch
nonsense.OohandThando, don'
tworry,Idon'
that
e
you.Ijusthatethef actthatyoudidn'
tconsiderany
ofourf eeli
ngs.ButIhopey ouarehappynow.Nx !"
saysRosebef or
ewal kingoutoft hehouse.Ihear
Thandosni ffasat earfall
sont oherbl
uedr essbut
shedoesn' tdaretolookup.

"Makot
i,don'
tcr
y.I
fyoureal
lydi
dconv i
nceNkosito
dothi
sthenyoudidther
ightthi
ng.Thankyoufor
f
orci
nghi
mtobr
ingbackhi
sfat
her
."say
sBaba.
Il
ookathi
m,inexasper
ati
onandMkhi
zej
ustkeeps
qui
etathi
scorner
.

"
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hatbaba.
"Iaskhi
m.

"Whathemeanst osayi s,i

twoul dhavebeenwrong
forhi
mt opresenthimsel fasy ourf
atherwhi
lsty
our
biol
ogi
calfatherissti
llali
ve.Itwouldhavebeenan
i
nsultt
oy ourfather
,"explainsmom.

"Noi twouldn'thave.I
t'
snotl
ikeheisgoi ngtobemy
kinsmanany ways.Isti
l
lcutt
ieswit
hhi m, t
heref
ore
hei sn'
trel
atedt ome.Youbabawillrepresentme
andabomal ume( uncl
es).
"

Babavi
gor
ousl
yshakeshi
sheadno,
alsousi
nghi
s
handst
osayno.
"No, no,no,no.Iwillnotdothat.Yourancestorswi
ll
punishmef ordoingsuchanabomi nati
on.Ican'
tdo
that
.Iwoul dhav edonei ti
fhewasdeadbecause
yourancest or
swoul dhav eunderstoodthatyouhad
noonet or epresentyou.Butnow, Ican'
t.Youhave
someonet orepresentyou.Yourfatherissti
l
lali
ve
Nkosi.Ican'tdishonourhiminsuchamanner ."

"Butbaba,
howwil
lherepresentNkosi
whenhei
s
sick?
"asksMkhi
ze.Thankyou!!
!!
!!

"Hewi llbewel l
.Oncehei swel l
,thenegoti
ati
onscan
begin.Ifhei swellbytheendoft hi
sweek, t
henthe
negot i
ationswillt
akeplacenextweekdur i
ngthe
weekorweekend. "saysbaba.Asam aboutt osay
somet hing,babasay s"Andt hatisfi
nal!Heisl
eft
with3mont hssol ethim enj
oyt hesefewmont hs.
Andmychi l
dren,youneedt oforgivehi
mf or
what everhedi dbecauseIcanseet hathereal
lyhurt
all
ofy ou. "
Hi
m andmaMohl
akoanebot
hst
andupatt
hesame
ti
meandl ookatthe3ofus.MaMohl akoanewal
ks
towardsThando,kneel
sdownandcupsherchin,
bri
ngi
ngherf aceup.Shesmi
lesatThandoas
Thandosniff
s.

"Thandomychi l
d,t
hanky ouforconvincinghimif
your eal
lydidandifyoudidn'
tconv i
ncehi m,then
don'tfeelbadforwhatRosesai d.Sheisj ust
consumedbyherangerf orherfather.Shewi l
lcome
aroundsoon. "

"
Thanky
ouma,
"say
sThando,
try
ingt
osmi
l
e.

"Andy ouNkosi,
trytof or
givetheoldman.It
'sbet
ter
toforgiv
eandt r
ytof orget,t
hanholdi
ngont oapast
thatwillonl
yhurtyou.Okay ?"say
sma, hol
dingmy
hand.Inodmyhead, takingadeepbreath.

"
Yesma.Iwil
ltr
yto.Butpleasetal
ktoRose,Iknow
f
oraf
actthatshewon'tl
istentome."Iask.
"
Dontworryabouther
.Wewil
ltalktoher
."saysbaba.
MamakissesThandoonthecheek,shesmilesat
methenleav
eswi t
hbabaMohlakoane.

"Wel
l,
canIgoseehi
m baf
o?"asksMhki
zest
andi
ng
upfr
om t
hecouch.

"y
oucan.Youknowwheretheroom i
s."Isayt
ohi
m.
Henodshishead,
takesagl
anceatThandowhois
sti
ll
sni
ff
ing.

"Don'
tcr
yThando.Ev
eryt
hingischi
l
led.Don'
tl
et
Rose'
swordsgettoyou.
"saysMkhize.

"ThanksMkhi
ze.
"ut
tersThando,
hervoi
cecracky
.As
soonasMkhizel
eaves,IputmyhandonThando'
s.

"
Am sorr
yforhowIspoket
oyoul
astni
ght
.It
sjust
t
hat
..
..
..
."
"Noitsfi
neNkosi.Youhadther
ightt
osaywhaty
ou
sai
d."saysThando,wipi
nghert
earsoff
.

"
Ihadnor i
ghtt
odosuchThando.Iwasjustbei
ng
i
gnor
ant,Il
etmyangerdrivemewhichwaswrong.I
f
i
twasn'
tforyou,hewouldsti
l
lbeasecr
etandbaba
Mohl
akoanewoul dhav
ebeenangryatme."

"
IjustwishIcoul
dhavebroughthi
m backi
ntoy
our
l
i
vesi namuchbet t
erway
."
Imovecl
osert
oher,put
ti
ngmyhandonherhead
andput
ti
ngherheadonmyshoul
der
.

"Whathashappenedhashappened.Nowwej ust
needtotel
lyourfamilyabouthi
m andseewhat '
s
next
."Isayt
oThando." ButwhatIdon'twantisy ou
for
cingmetot al
ktohi m.Iwantmyper sonalspace
whenitcomest othiswholesit
uat
ion.Letmemake
myowndeci si
onst hi
st i
me,pl
ease..
..
."Itel
lher.
"Ipr
omi set
ol etyoubewheni tcomest othi
s
sit
uati
on.Ipromisenott ofor
cey outotal
ktohim or
anythi
ng.Ipr
omi se!"saysThando.Sherai
sesher
headfrom myshoul der,
looksatmet hensmiles.

"
Ilov
eyou!
"shepr
ocl
aimes.

"
YouknowIl
ovey
ouev
enmor
e."Isayt
oher
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Chapt
er50

THANDO'
SPOV.

Ican'
tsaythingshavebeeneasylatel
y.Rosewon't
speaktome, Nkosiiski
ndofdist
antbecausehe
spendsmostofhi stimeintheof
fi
ce.Ziphoand
Mkhize'
sli
ttl
eissueisfucki
ngeveryoneov er
becausenowev eryoneknowsaboutit.Oohandwe
sti
ll
haven'
ttoldmyf amil
yaboutNkosi'sfat
herbut
wear egoi
ngt otoday.

Nkosi,baba,maMohl akoane, Shani kaandIar e

l
eavingf orNort
hWestt onight.Babawant edust o
gowi t
hNkosi '
sf atherbuthei sn'tdoingsowel l
hi
msel f.Hehasnev erbeenconsci ousev ersincethe
dayhecameher e.Ihavebeent akingcareofhim,
despit
et hepresenceofanur se.If eelli
keit'
smy
dutytot akecareofhi m despitethef actthatNkosi
doesn'taccepthim ashi sfather.
Iwon'tli
e,Ist i
llf
eelgui
ltyaboutthewholesituati
on.
Ifeell
ikeIonl ydidthi
sforasel f
ishmot i
ve,y
etit
real
lywasn' t.
..
..
.Sigh.
..
..
.Am justhopingforthebest
atthi
spoi nt.Ijustwantmyf amilyandNkosi'sfamil
y
tobehappy .Idon'twantanymor esecret
sbet ween
usany mor e.

"Dor
othy,
pleaser
eschedul
emymeet i
ngwithMiss
PeofornextweekTuesday
."Ii
nst
ruct
,packi
ngup
mystufff
rom mydesk.
"okayma'am.Iwi
lldothatASAP.Whataboutt
he
contracty
ouweresupposedtosignf
orthe
Orphanageevent
?"

"Ummm, j
ustsendt
hem t
omeviaemailt
henIwi
ll
signthem.Someonewil
lcomewit
hthem t
omorr
ow
mor ni
ng.
"

"Okayma'am.
"respondsDor
othy
,writ
ingdown
every
thi
ngam tel
li
ngheronanotebook.Shel
ooks
atmeandcl
ear
shert
hroat
,get
ti
ngmyat
tent
ion.

"
Umm ma'
am,
Iwant
edt
oaskf
orsomet
hing.
"

"
Okay
,goahead.
"

"Canyoupleasecometomyengagementpar
ty,
I
real
lywantyoutobether
e"sheasks,
herl
i
pswide
spreadasherteet
hshow.

"Ncaaaw,
yougotengaged!
"Iexcl
aim,
wal
ki
ng
aroundmytabl
etogohugher.

"Yes,sowi
l
lyoupl
easecome?
"shepl
eadsasIhug
her.

"
Iwi
l
lcomel
ove.Wheni
sit
?"Iask.
"I
t'
sinthe28ofSept
ember
,,
whi
chi
sin2weeks.
"she
says.

"ooh,Onmybir
thday!Okayam t
otal
l
ycomi ng.Just
sendmet hei
nvi
tati
onandIwil
lbether
e."Isayto
her.

"SoIguesswewi ll
becelebr
ati
ng2event
satthe
samet i
me!!!
!Ican'
twait
!Thankyousomuch,
"she
screams.Shethanksmeagainwithahugandwalks
out,swayi
ngherpetit
ebodyasherhai
rmoves
sideways.

"
Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r.
"say
sDor
othy
'sv
oiceout
side
myof
fi
ce.

"
Goodaf
ter
noon.I
sMi
ssMdl
etshei
n?"asksa
f
amil
i
arvoi
ce.
"
Umm y
esshei
s.Doy
ouhav
eameet
ingwi
thher
?"

"NoIdon'tbutIneedt
oseeher .
"respondst
he
famili
arvoi
ce.Iknowthi
svoicefr
om somewherebut
Ijustdon'
tknowf r
om wher
e.

"Ooh,am sorr
ysirbutsheisal
readyleavi
ng,youwil
l
havetogo."saysDorothybutIhearthemancl i
cki
ng
histonguethenDorothyshout
ingforsecuri
ty.

Irushtothedoortoseewhothi
spersonisandthe
nextthi
ng,Ibumpintohi
schest
.Ist
opmy sel
ffr
om
fal
li
ngandst epbacktol
ookatt
hepersononlyto
real
isethati
t'
sanunexpect
edvi
sitf
rom someoneI
real
lydi
dntwanttosee.

"
MissMdl
etshe!
"excl
aimst
heguy
.
"Am sogladtoseeyou.Howareyou?"heasks,
front
ingafakesmil
e.Ever
ythi
ngi
nmej uststopsas
Ilookatt
hismascularmanwholooksexactl
ylike
Sabelo.Recogniti
ondawnsonmyf aceasmymout h
suddenlybecomesdr y,myhear
tbeati
ngfasterand
handsr ol
lint
of i
sts,
notknowi
ngifIshoul
djusttake
mystuf fandleaveorwhat.

"
Hereheis,
pleasetakehi
m out
..
..
."say
sDorot
hy,
i
nst
ruct
ingthesecuri
tyt
otakeLuandaaway
.

"Oohnonono, Iwouldn'
tdothatifIwereyou."f
lat
ly
arguesLuanda,pul
li
ngacynicalhalfsmil
e.Iqui
ckl
y
snapoutofmyf rensoandtel
lDorot hyt
oleavewit
h
thesecuri
ty.

Assoonastheydo,
Ifeel
mypal
msget
ti
ngwet
,
unabl
etospeak.

"Whydoyoul ooksoshockedmyl ady

?justsoyou
know,am notaghost."saysLuanda,r
ubbi
nghis
chi
nwithhisonehandandt heotherj
ammedi nhi
s
pocket
.It
akebabyst epsbackwards,
notwanti
ngto
becaughtupi
nhi
sseemi
ngl
ydar
kaur
a.

"
Whatdoy
ouwantLuanda?
"

"
Oohnot hingmuchhey,"hesay
s,walki
ngcloserto
me.Hest opsafewinchesawayfrom meandl ooks
mest r
aighti
ntheeyesashiscyni
calsmil
eis
r
eplacedbyaf r
own.
"
Ijustwanttoknowwhyt
hef
uckmybr
otherandmy
motheraredead?"

"Youshoul dknow,notme.Andwhyt hehell

areyou
askingme? "Itaunt
lysayt
ohim butheholdsa
dismissivefi
ngerup,cl
osi
nghiseyesandhisli
ps
ti
ghtening.

"Don'tbull
shitmeThando,Iknowyouar
ebehind
theirki
ll
ing.Thi
swholethi
nghasyournamewr i
tt
en
alloveri
t .
"hecal
mlysaysbuthisv
oicehol
dingso
muchr esentment.
"Andwhywoul dIpossiblykil
ly ourbrother?
"Iask,
crossingmyar mswi thabr owup, try
ingnottoshow
himt hefearthat
'ski
lli
ngmyhear t.Luandahuff
sa
chuckle,hi
sjawt i
ghteningandbef oreIcouldeven
react,am fi
ghti
ngforsomeai r.Hisv ici
oushand
stranglesmyneckasIt ryt
or emov eitwit
hnoluck.I
glareathismuscularface,hisv ei
nspoppingoutas
histeethgri
ndagainsteachot her.

"
Youkil
ledmybr ot
herandmymot her .AndIwi
ll
makeyoupayforthatThando.Iwil
lruinyoual
ong
wi
thyourfami
l
y .Youjustwa.
..
..
..
."

"
Hey!
!!
!"shouts2meni nbl
ack.Luandadr
opsmeto
t
hefl
oorashet ur
nstolookattheguyswhopul
lout
t
azer
sandt azeLuanda.
Dorothyr
unstomewi t
hagl assofwat er,
picki
ngme
upfrom t
hefl
oor.Shetakesmyt hingsfr
om the
tabl
eandwalksmeoutoft heoffice.The2guy s
carr
yLuandaoutofthebuil
ding,
puthi minablack
caranddri
veoffwit
hhim.
"Ar
eyouokayma'
am?
"asksDor
othy
,rubbi
ngmy
back.

"Am fi
nethankyou.Pl
easegivememybags, Ineed
togo."It
akemybagsf rom hertableandwalkt omy
car,f
eeli
ngasthougham stil
lfi
ndingitdi
ff
icultto
breat
he.

"Ma,'
am, pl
easegivemey ourkeys,Iwil
ldri
v eyou
home."saysaper sonbehindme.It ur
ntoseeoneof
Nkosi'
smenwhom Ihav eseenar oundthehouse.I
handov ermykey stohi
m andheopenst he
backseatdoorforme.AssoonasIsi t
,myphone
ri
ngs.Itakeitoutofmybag, answerandi t
'snon
othert
hanNkosi .

"
Thando!Ar
eyouokay
!!
"hewor
ri
edl
yasks.

"Am f
ineNkosi
.Don'
twor
ry,
am onmywayhome.
"I
saytohim,put
ti
ngmyfor
eheadonmypal
m.
"
Iwi
l
lki
l
lthatsonofabi
tch!
!!
!!
!"gl
ower
sNkosi
.

"
Nooo, don'tki
l
lhi
m.Lethi
m be.I
fyouki
l
lhi
m, i
t
mightcallmoretr
oubl
eforus.
"Isayt
oNkosi
.

"
IfIdon'
tki
l
lhi
m,hewi
l
lki
l
lyout
hen.
"hesneer
s.

"Youknowhewon'
t.Justl
ethi
m beNkosi
.Hewon'
t
doanythi
ngt
ome."

"
Butheal
mostki
l
ledy
out
odayTha.
..
..
"

"Nkosidon'
tkil
lhi
m!Lethim go.Iwanttof
indyou
homeandi fnot,y
ouandIwi l
lhaveahugefight
."I
saybeforeendi
ngt hecal
l
.Iputthephonedownand
Istar
tthi
nkingofLuanda.
Ther ageonhi
sface,
thebur ni
ngfi
rei
nhiseyes,t
he
resentmenti
nhisvoi
ce..
..
.Isawital
landhewill
certai
nlyt
ryt
okil
lme.Insteadofbei
nginfear
,I
act
ual
l
yfeel
sogui
l
ty.

Ishoul
dn'thav
ebeenf
ri
endswi
thSabel
o,may
be,
j
ustmay behe
andhi
smot
herwoul
dst
il
lbeal
i
ve.
Il
iter
all
yjustescapedal otofbull
etsi nmyl ifeand
nowt hi
s??.
...
..
.Wor seam pr egnant..
..
...
.Ifam not
careful
,Imightlosemychi l
dagainj ustlikelastti
me
andIdon'twantt hat..
..
..
.Lord,hel
pmegetouti ft
his
i
ssueandt histi
me, Idon'twantany one'sbloodshed.
Idon'twantanyoneel set odieallbecauseofme.
PleaseGod...
..
.

Ij
ustwantt
obehappy
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

Thet
riptoNor
thWestwasquit
equietandsuper
l
ongforsomereason.Maandbabaweretal
ki
ng
aboutthe"Nkosi'
sfat
her"situati
onwhilstNkosiand
Iwerejustsi
tt
ingtogether,holdi
nghands.Shanika
wassleepingthewholetime.Theonl ytimeNkosi
spokewaswhenhewant edmet oeatsomething
andlaymyheadonhi sshoul der
.Thatwasit.He
didn'
tsayanythi
ngconser ningearl
iert
oday.

Rightnowwear eonourwayt omyhouse.Inf

act,
we
arealr
eadythere.Whenthegatesopen,
thebi
g
houseisrev
ealed,alongwi
thmymot herwhois
standi
ngont heporch.
Nkosi
squeezesmyhand,ki
ssesmyf or
eheadthen
l
ooksoutthewindowaswedriv
ecloseandclosert
o
t
heporch.Thecarfi
nal
l
ystopsandtheguardsopen
t
hedoorsforus.
Shani
karunsoutoft
hecar,bumpingherbodyont
o
moms'slegs.Mom pi
cksherup,t
wirl
ingherar
ound.

"Mychild!
"gaspsmom,comingtohugme,Shani
ka
sti
l
linherarms.Shewrapsherar
m ar
oundmyneck
andkissesmycheek."
Howar eyoumom?"Iaskher
,
r
etur
ninghergl
owi
ngsmi
l
e.

"Am f
inemychil
d.Howareyouandmygrandchi
l
d
doi
ng?"sheasks,
nowrubbi
ngmyt ummy
.

"Youshouldbeaski
ngmehowy ourgrandchi
l
dis
doingbecauseIf
eell
iket
hatchi
l
disinmyt ummy."
teasesNkosi,
cat
chi
ngmom' sat
tent
ion.

"Youwi shhewas. "IsaytoNkosilaughi

ngalong
witheveryoneelse.Mymot herlet
sgoofme, gr
eet
s
everyoneelseandl eadsustothehouse.Nkosi
holdsmyhandaswewal kinsi
det hehousewhichI
havemi ssedsomuchwi thnodoubtatall.

"Youhavesuchalov
elyhomeMr sMdlet
she.
"
compli
mentsmaMohl akoaneaswetakeourseat
s
onthecouches.
"
Thanky
ouv
erymuch.
"say
smom smi
l
ing.

"SoImadesomedinnerf
orus.Doy
ouguy
swantt
o
eatnoworl
ater
?"asksmom.

"Nonotyet
.Wewouldliketotalktoy ouabout
somethi
ngveryi
mportantfi
rstbeforeweeat .
"
suggest
sbabaMohlakoane.Ilookatmymot her'
s
faceandherf
acehasturnedtobei ngconserned.

"
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngwr
ongbaba?
"asksmymom.

"
Idon'
twantt
osayany
thi
ngi
swr
ongMr
sMdl
etshe.
"

"
Ooohokay
.Thenwhati
sit
?"asksmom.

"Well
,Ihav
ecomeher etotel
lyouthatmyf
ami
l
ywi
l
l
notberepresent
ingNkosi
anymore."
"why
?Didsomet
hingbadhappen?
"shef
urt
her
bombar
ds.

"No,notatallMrsMdletshe.It
sj ustthat..
..
..
.Nkosi's
l
ongl ostf
atherhascomeback.Howev er,heissick
butwehav ecomet oconcl udethatoncehei swel l
,
hewillcomef ort
helobolanegot iat
ions."explai
ns
baba.Mom keepsqui etforawhi le,
let'
soutasi gh
andlooksatNkosi andI.

"
Sihl
etol
dmehewasdead.
"shear
gues,
conf
used.

"
Wethoughthewasbuti
ttur
nsouthewasn'
t.
"
j
umpsinNkosi
.

"
Ooooh."say
smom."Soyousaidheisunwell
?"asks
mom andbabaMohl
akoanenodshishead.

"Whati
fhedoesn'
tgetwel
lsooner
?Wontt
hatdel
ay
t
hese2'
smar
ri
agepl
ans?
"asksmom wi
thconcer
n.

"Notatall
.Butifitcomestot hat,i
fhereall
ydoesn'
t
getwellsooner,t
henIwi l
lgoseeNkosi '
sunclesand
askthem tocomeandr epresenthim.Asforme, I
cannotdot hatanymoreorel se,Iwil
lbeinsul
ti
ng
Nkosi'
sancestors."

"Iunder
standbabaMohlakoane.Ireal
lydo.Just
keepmeupdat edoneveryt
hingthathappenssothat
Icantel
lThando'suncl
es.
"saysmom.

"
Wewi
l
lcer
tai
nlydot
hat
."

"AndNkosi
,am gl
adyouwer eabl
etof i
ndyour
fat
her.Mayhegetwell
soonmychi l
d."saysmom,
smil
ingatNkosi
.Nkosiput
saf ai
ntsmileonhi
sface,
noddinghi
shead.
"
Thanky
ouma.
"her
epl
i
es.

"
Sowi
l
lthatbeal
l
?"

"
Yes,
that
'sal
l
."

"Okaythensocome,let
'shavedi
nner
."say
smom
standi
ngup,di
rect
ingustothedi
nnertabl
e.

"Wher
earemy2crazysist
ers?Ihav
en'
tseent
hem.
"
Iaskmom,l
ooki
ngupstair
s.

"Ooh,
theywentoutf
orsomepar
tyj
ustdownt
he
str
eet
."say
smom.

"
Didn'
ttheyknowt
hatI
'
llbecomi
ngov
er?
"

"
Theydi
dbutt
heysai
dtheyar
eti
redofl
ooki
ngat
y
ourf
ace.
"say
smom chuckl
i
ng.

"
Those2aredi
srespect
ful
Itel
lyou.
"Icur
se,
as
Nkosi
pul
l
soutachai rf
orme.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

"
Baby,
howar
ey ouf
eel
ingnow?
"IaskNkosi
,
r
ubbi
nghi
sbackashe
t
hrowsupi
nabucket
.Hehandsov
ert
hebuckett
o
meandIputi
tont
hefloor
.

"
Ihavebeenv
omiti
ngt
hewhol
eni
ght
.Whatdoy
ou
t
hink?
"hebur
sts.
"WhydidIhavetoeatthatst
upidt
una?!
"he
conti
nues,
hisoccasi
onalsquir
mstel
li
ngmehow
uncomfort
ablehehasbecome.
Hecur
lshi
msel
fupint
ofoet
alposi
ti
on,hi
sfacedug
i
ntot
hepil
l
owashissqui
rmsbecomelouderand
l
ouder.Igetoutofbed,
tothecloset
,gethi
s
medici
neandsomewat erf
rom thebat
hroom.

"Am sor
rybaby.Hereisyourmedici
ne."Isay,
sympathisi
ngwithhi
scurrentcondi
ti
on.Her eaches
outtomyhand, get
ti
ngthepill
sandthegl assof
waterfr
om me.Hesi t
supont hebedandgul psthe
pil
l
sdown.

"whydoIhavetobet heonewhosuffer
sforthe
chil
dinyourbel
ly
?!"hesobs,hi
sbodyseemingl
y
droopy,
hisheadinbetweenhisl
egsandhisarms
wrappedaroundself
.

"I
t'
snotmyf aul
tyoucareaboutmywel l
beingso
much.Yoursouldeci
dedt ot aket
hisbul
letforme
andIthankt
heLor d.
..
..
."Iteasesoonreali
singhi
s
burni
ngstar
e,tel
li
ngmet oshutup.

"
sor
ry.
..
..
"Isay
.
"Pl
easerubmyback. "hepl
eads,t
hr owinghi
sbody
onthebed,gett
ingintot
hefoetalposit
ionagai
n.Hi
s
headlay
sonmyl egsasIrubhisbackandhi s
squi
rmsstartagain.

"
Feel
i
nganybet
ter
?"

"
Notreal
ly
.Butpleasedoremi
ndmet
onev
ereat
t
unaeveragai
n."hesays.

"
Iwi
l
l.
"
Thereissil
encei nt
heroom,exceptf
orthesoundof
thedroppi
ngt ap.Il
aymyheadont heconti
nental
pil
low,st
il
lrubbingthi
sbigbaby'
sback.

"
Baby
,"Isay
.

"
Hmmmm.
"
"
Didy
oul
etLuandago?
"Iask.

"
YesIdi
d."

"
Doy
out
hinkhei
sgoi
ngt
obeofanydangert
ous?
"

"Notwhenam around.Idon'tknowhowhegott o
youtodaybutthatwon'thappeneveragai
n.Igotmy
eyesonhim now."respondsNkosi.

"
Ooh,
okay
."

"Youaresafemylove.Don'
tputsomuchst
rai
non
yoursel
f.Youar
epregnant,
youshoul
dn'
tbe
overthi
nki
ngthi
ngs.
"

"Iknowmyl ov
e.Iwi
l
ltr
ynott
ooverthi
nkanythi
ng.
Butjustpr
omisemethaty
ouwil
lkeephim away
f
rom al
lofus.
"

"Ipromi semyl ove."assur esNkosi .Il

aymyl i
pson
hisleftcheekandasof tchuckleescapesf rom his
chest .Hesl owlytur nshi shead; hi
sblueey esdar ti
ng,
takingt hesi ghtofmyey es.Heext endshishand,
settingi tonmycheek, r
unningitupanddown.He
thencupsmychi ndi gginghisf i
ngersintomyl ower
cheeksandpul l
smyf aceclosertohiswi thout
breaki ngt heburningey econtactunt i
lhisli
psar eon
mi ne.Hi sgriponmycheekst ightensashepr esses
hissof tlipsonmi ne, myr esponsebei ngagent l
e
moan.Isl idemyhandbehi ndhisneck, bit
ingonhi s
l
owerl ip, hungryformor easourheadst wistand
turnt ot her hythm ofourt onguesasi finadance.
Heuntangl
eshisbodyf r
om thefoetalposi
ti
onhe
hadbeeninforthepastmi nutes,pull
i
ngmybody
cl
osertohi
s.Ilayontopofhi m, f
eeli
nghisgroping
handgodownt omybr east
s.Irunmyhandsov erhis
wavyabs,f
eeli
ngt hetemperatureriseasthekiss
becomesdeeperanddeeper .
Keepinghiscondi
ti
oninmind,Ibr
eakthekiss,
gent
ly
pull
ingmyl i
psawayfr
om his.Bot
houreyesopen,
showingthesamehungerwebot hhav
ef oreach
other.

"Baby
,youaresick.Youshouldrest
."Isaybuthur
t
bymywor ds.Iwanthim sobad,Iwanttorockwit
h
himrealsl
owly,l
ethimthrusti
nmebut ,
Ican'
t.

"Yourmouthsaysonet
hingyetyourey
eslustf
orme.
Areyousureyouwantmet osl
eep?"hi
shuskyvoi
ce
questi
ons

"I
..
..
.i
..
..
.it
hinky
oushouldsleepmylove.
"Isay
,
part
ingourbodiesfr
om eachother
.Il
aynexttohi
m,
coveri
ngourbodieswit
hthesheet.

"
ButIdon'
twanttosleep.
"hissmokyvoi
ceutter
s.
Hi
sarmswr aparoundme,pull
ingmeunderhim.My
l
egswraparoundhiswaist
,muf f
li
ngmysel
funder
him asIwr apmyar msar oundhisneck.Het races
hislipsonmi nebutt hist i
me, notwit
hsomuch
gentleness.Thistime, hemakeshi shungerforme
explici
t,f
undlinghis2f ingersonmyni ppl
es.He
pullsmyni ghtdressup, hel
pingmer emov eitandhe
throwsitont hefloor.Ay ummymoanofdel ight
breaksf r
eef r
om hislipsi ntomymout h.
Hepart
shislipsfrom mine,t
raci
ngt
hem downont
o
myneck,suckingmyni ppl
esandwhenheisabout
t
oreachmyar ea,
Istophim.

"Notimeforfor
eplay
,Iwanty
oui nsi
demenow. "I
saytohim.Hegrinsashemov esuptomyf ace,
perksmylipsandgoesbackdownany way
s.
Ifeelhiswarm, soakedlipskissme, li
cki
ngme
sl
owl y.Histonguerunsdownf r
om myclit
,twi
ddl
i
ng
andsucki nghereandt here.Tryingtogetagri
pof
my sel
f,Iholdont othebed, archingmybackand
tr
y i
ngnott omoan.

Hi
slef
thandmov
esupt
omybr
east
,squeezi
ngand
gent
lyt
wist
ingmyni
ppl
e.

"
Yessss!
!!
"Isof
tl
ymur
mur
.

"NowIcanfucky
ou."hevoi
cesout
,comi
ngupagai
n
andfor
cinghi
mselfi
nsi
deme.

"Fuck!Youar
eal
way
swar
m woman.
..
..
."hemoans
out.

"
War
mfory
oudaddy
..
."

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Chapt
er51

THANDO'
SPOV.

OkayThando,justknockonthedoorandtalktoher.
Nobiggyri
ght
?Oohwhoam Iki ddi
ng.
..
.Shedoesn'
t
evenwanttotalktome.Butitwouldn'
thurtt
ot r
y
ri
ght?Okayl
et'
sj ustgett
hisoveranddonewith.
..
..
.

Iext
endmyhand,
rol
l
ingi
tint
oaf
istandsof
tl
y
knockont
hedoor
.

"Coming!
"shoutsav oi
ceont heothersi
deoft he
door.It
ake3deepbr eaths,i
ncreasi
ngmygr ipon
thechocol
ateboxandf lowersam holdi
ng.Whent he
dooropens,Ir
aisemyf ace,anervoussmile
spreadi
ngonmyl ipsasRosel ooksatme.

"
Agh!I
t'
syou!
"shecur
ses,
att
empt
ingt
ocl
oset
he
door
.

"Wait
!"Iexcl
aim,
oneofmyhandssuspendedi
nthe
air
.

"
Whatdoy
ouwant
?"shescor
ns.

"Ij
ustwanttot al
ktoyouRose.Pl
easegivemea
chance?"Ipl
ead,myheadt i
l
tedoneside.Sher
oll
s
hereyes,makingspaceformetocomei nsi
de.

"Thankyou.
."Isay
,wal ki
ngi
n.Iwaitforhertoclose
thedoorandshewal ksinfr
ontofme, herpregnancy
makingherwaddle.Itakeaseatoppositethecouch
sheissi
tti
ngonandt akeadeepbr eathin.

"SoIbroughtyouthi
s.Justa;sor
ryforbeinganass;
gif
t.
"Isayt oher
,handi
ngoverthechocolatebox
andflowers.Sheext
endsherhandstotaket hem,
smell
sthefl
owersandputsthem ont
hecouch.She
i
nter
twinesherhandspl
aci
ngthem onherbi
gbell
y
andl
eaningback.

"Thankyouf ort
hegif
tbutthati
sn'
tenoughf
orme
toforgi
veyou."shesayst
ome, herface
unimpressed.

"
Iknowitisn'tenoughRose.Whichi
swhyi
wantt
o
t
alktoyou."Ibit
emybot t
om li
p,movi
ngal
it
tl
e
f
orwardtot heedgeofthecouch.
"LookRose,am sorryforwhatIdid.Itwascertai
nly
wrongofmet oj ustbr
inghimintoy ourl
ifeeven
afterknowi
ngwhathehaddonet oy ouguys.I
shouldhaveli
stenedtoy oubut
..
..
"

"
Oohgr
eat
,ther
eisal
way
sabut
..
..
."shesneer
s.

"
letmef
ini
sh.
..
..
..
."Isayt
oher
.
"si
nceheisnowher e,youcanusehi mtoget
marri
ed.MrMohl akoanedidsaythatitwouldhave
beenaninsulttoy ourancestor
sifherepresent
ed
anyofyouguy s."Isay,pray
ingthatRoselist
ensto
mysuggestion.

"Thando,thatonl
ybenef i
tsy
ou, notme.Thef
actst
il
l
standsthatIhatehim andhim gett
ingmemarri
ed
j
ustpissesmeof fev
enmor e."

"No,itbenefi
tsallofus.Letmeputi tthiswayRose.
Am goi ngtogivey ouascenar i
owher e, l
et '
ssayI
chosenott obringy ourfatherbackandt hesecret
conti
nuedt obehi ddne.Af terrepresent ingy ouand
Nkosi forLobolanegotiations,MrMohl akoanef inds
outabouty ourfatherandheal sof indsoutt hatyou
guysknewabouti tincl
udi ngme.Hewoul dhave
beenangr yatusRose.Justt hinkabouti t.Youknow
verywel lt
hatheisasuper stiti
ousmanandy ouguy s
couldhav ehurthi
m badi fIhadn' tbroughtoutt his
secr
et.
"Isayt
oherasr
eal
i
sat
iondawnsherf
ace.

"Now,letmegett omypoi nt,youdon'thaveto

for
giveyourfather.Hecanjustrepresentyouashi
s
daughterfortheLobolanegotiati
ons,youget
marri
edt henhei soutofyourlif
e.Heisgoingtodi
e
aft
erall,
right
."Isay,shr
ugging.

"
Sowhatam hear
ingf
rom y
oui
s,Ishoul
dusehi
m."

"
Exact
ly!
"

"Hmmm, soi
nthatway,Idon'thav
etoforgiv
ehim
norhur
tMrMohlakoane.
..
."shesays,
lookingint
o
space.

"
Nowwear
eget
ti
ngsomewher
e."
"
That
'sav er
ygoodideaThando.ButIst
il
lhavet
o
f
acehim andthat
'swhatIdon'
twanttodo."

"Welly
ouhav enochoicebuttodoso.Justthi
nkofi
t
astaki
ngr evengef
orwhathehasdonet oyou."I
suggestandmysuggest i
onseemst obe
manipulat
ingRoseineverywaywhichisexact
ly
whatIwant .Soher
eitgoes.
..
.
Thi
ssuggest
ionhasamot
ivebehi
ndi
t.
Letmebehonest ,
Idon'twantRoset oholdont othe
pastortaker evenge,Iwanthertoforgiveherfather
.
Butseeingthatshewon' tj
ustgotal
kt ohim and
for
givehimj ustli
kethat,Ihadtocrackupt hi
spl an.
InorderforRoset oforgiveherf
ather,shehast otal
k
tohim orbei nsomesor tofcontactwithhim.So
thi
sistheonl ywayt hatcanhappen.

"Hmmm okay.Soundsgood.Am i
n!"shenods,
agreei
ng."
But
!Thatdoesn'
tmeany ouareofft
he
hook..
"
"Ncaaaa, comeonRose."Iwhi
ne."
Okayfi
ne,whatif
Itakey oushoppi
ng.Babyshoppi
ngmaybe,i
tsall
on
me. "Isaytoher.

"
Sihl
etol
dmenott
oleav
ethehouse.
"

"Agh,f
orgetabouthi
m.Am hi
ssi
ster
,Iknowhowt
o
dealwit
hhim."Isaytoher
.

"
Aren'
tyousupposedt
obewithShani
kaany
way s.
Am pr
ett
ysuresheist
ir
edofstay
inghomewit
h
Mangwe."

"Shei
sinLehur
utshe.Sheref
usedt
ocomeback
homewithusbecausegrandmaspoi
lsher
."Isayt
o
Rose.

"
Iguessi
t'
sadat
ethen.
"
"
Yes!
!!
!"

"Gi
veme20mi nutestogetready.
"saysRose,
gett
ingupfrom thecouchandwaddl i
ngtoherroom.
Imakemy selfcomfort
ableonthecouch,taki
ngmy
phoneoutandr i
ghtinti
mef orNkosi
'scal
l.

"
Missmeal
ready
?"It
ease,
gri
nni
ng.

"Youknowi t.I
tsbeen6dreadful
hour
sofnot
heari
ngy ourvoicesoam boundtomi
ssyou.
"he
responds.

"
ncaaawshame.Mustbesadt
obey
ouhey
."Isay
,
t
easi
nghim ev
enmore.

"Youhavenoidea.Andyourchil
disgivi
ngbackache
here.
"hecomplains,
soundi
ngast houghheis
whimperi
ngtothepainheisfeeli
ng"Don'
tworr
y,I
'
ll
giv
ey ouabackmassagewheny
ougethome.
"Isay
tohim.

"See!Nowy
ouar
etal
ki
ng.
"hesay
s,maki
ngme
giggl
e.

"SoanyluckwithMkhi
ze'sst
epmot her
?"Befor
e
answeri
ngmyquest i
on,Nkosisi
ghsanditsounds
l
ikehejustthr
ewhisbodyontoacouch.

"
No.I
tseemsl
i
keshej
ustdi
sappear
edi
ntot
hinai
r.
"

"
Didyouguy
str
ycal
l
ingsomeofherr
elat
ives?
"I
i
nsi
st.

"Wehavedonei
tal
l.Ri
ghtnow,
wear et
ryi
ngt
otr
ack
downsomeofherphonenumbersbutt
heyar
eal
l
l
eadi
ngtoadeadend."
"
Wel
ldamn.Thi
sismessedup.
"

"I
tsur
eis.
..
..
..Li
stenlov
e,Ij
ustwantedtocheckup
onyouandseeify ouweref
ine.Ihavet
ogonow. "

"
Okaybaby,seey
ouathome.Oohandam goi
ngout
wi
thRose.
"

"
You2madeup?
"heasks.

"
Ithi
nkso.I'
l
ltal
ktoyoulat
er.Yougobackt
o
what
everyouweredoing.
"

"Okay.Il
oveyou.
"hesaysbef
oreIendt
hecall
but
notevenasecondpasseswhenmyphonestart
s
ri
ngingagai
n.

"
Sayi
tback!
"hej
abber
s.
"
Ilov
eyoumor
e!"Iex
clai
mlaughi
ng.

"
Thanky
ou!
"hesay
sthenendst
hecal
l
.

"
Am r
eady
!"shout
sRosef
rom t
hepassage.

"Whoa,
thatwasf
ast.Ithoughty
ousai
dyouwer
e
goi
ngtotake20minutes.

"IwasbutthenIr
ememberedthatIal
readydidbat
h
notsolongagosoIj
ustchanged.
"shesay s.

"
Okaythen.Let'
sgodosomebabyshopping.
"Isay
,
j
umpingupf r
om thecouch,
grabbi
ngmypurse.

"Wait
!!Letmegoputmychocol
atei
nthef
ri
dge.
"
saysRose.
"Letmedoitforyou."Isay,taki
ngthechocolat
es
andheadingt
ot hekitchen.Igrabthef
lowerstoo
andputthem i
naj arwithwat ert
henwebot hhead
out.

2hour spassbyasRoseandIr unmybankaccount

dry.Wehav egonei ntoeverycl
othingshopinthe
mal landev eryt
hingpinkandcutewespotj ustgoes
str
ai ghtintothebasket.Yep!Rose'sbabyisgoingt
o
beagi rlandIcertai
nlycan'
twaitforthi
soneweek
topassbecausewehav epassedtheotheroneweek.
Whi chr emindsme. .
..
.

"
Hey
!"Ical
lRose.

"Whatsup?
"sheanswer
s,pi
cki
ngoutat
inypi
nk
dress.

"Somypersonalassi
stant
,Dor
othy
,ishav
ingan
engagementpar
tyonthe28th,doyouwanttocome
al
ongwi
thme?
"

"
Youdoknowthatam gi
vingbirt
honanydaydur
ing
t
hatweek?
"shequest
ions,herbrowup.

"YesIdobutam j
usti
nvi
ti
ngyou,j
usti
ncasey
ou
don'tgi
vebi
rt
honthatday.
"Isayt
oher.

"Hmmmm, I
'
llt
hinkabouti
tthengetbackt
oyou.
"
shesay
s.
"
But
,isntt
haty
ourbi
rt
hdayt
oo?
"sheasks.

"
Iti
s."

"
Aren'
tyousupposedt
ospendy
ourbi
rt
hdaywi
th
y
ourlovedones?
"

"
That
'si
fther
eissomet
hingspeci
alt
heyhav
e
pl
annedf
orme.
"

"
Hmmmm.ButIdon'
tthi
nkNkosi
wil
lagr
eet
olet
y
ougoout
."

"
Year
ight
."Ir
oll
myey
es.

Aswewal ktogopayf orthecl

otheswepi
ckedout
,I
spotafamil
iarf
acelookingatRoseandIf
rom
outsi
dethestor
e.It
akeoutmyphoneandt exts
Schev.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"It
ext
.

"
Am watchi
nghi
m mamzo.Don'
twor
ry.
"He
r
esponds.

"
Iwanty
out
otakehi
m outoft
hismal
lbef
orehe
hur
tsanyofus."

"
Okaymamzo."

Iputmyphonei nmypocketandpayf ortheclothes

webought .Il
ookbackoutsidethestoretocheckf or
Luandaandhei snolongerthere.Thi
sbast ar
d
hasn'tstoppedstal
kingmeev ersincethatdayand
i
t'screepingmeout .Heisreall
ymakingme
reconsidermydecisionofnotkill
inghi
m.Nowam
actuall
ycr avi
ngtoj
ustshoothim andgeti toverand
donewi th.

"Wheredoy ouwantt ogoforsomel unch?"Iask

Rose,pushingthetroll
eyasshewalksbesideme,
herbell
ymaki ngeveryonei
nf r
ontofusmov e.I
noti
ceaf ewpeopl etaki
ngpict
uresofmeandher
butIjustbrushitoff
.Iwonderwhythesepeopl esti
ll
dothatbecausemyscandal wit
hNkosi hasalready
blownof f
.
"Am cravingsomechickenlicken.Andacheese
bur
gerf rom Macdonalds.ButIalsowanttheGr
eek
sal
adf rom Maxi'
s.
"shesay s,looki
ngver
ymuch
i
ndecisive.

"I
sbeingpregnantt
hatbadRose!
"Isay,myface
scrunchedupandRoselet
'soutasarcast
icchuckl
e.

"I
t'
ster
ribl
e.Iactual
lyfeel
sorr
yf oryou.Yournosei s
abouttogoallRamaphosaony ou.Andy ourfeet!
tr
ustme, y
ouar enotgoingtol
ov ethem any more.
Andletmenott alkaboutther
est l
essnights!
!!
"

"I
fIcould,Iwoul
dt el
lGodt
otakebackthischi
l
d
but.
..
..Alt
hough,Iam gl
adt
hatNkosisuff
ersmost
ofthesympt oms."

"Andthati
swhatyoucalll
uckbabygi
rl!
"saysRose.
"Buty
ouwi l
lst
il
lsuf
fer
..
..
.Goodl
uckbabes.
"mocks
Rose.
"
Idon'
tl
ikey
ou.
..
!"

"
Wel
lIl
ovey
oumor
e."

"
Sohaveyoudeci
dedonapl
ace?
"Iask,
endi
ngour
l
i
ttl
etal
k.

"
Yep,chickenl
i
ckenpl
ease.
"shesay
s,waddl
i
ngl
i
ke
api
nguin.

"chi
ckenlickeniti
s."Isay,
stoppi
nginf
rontofan
elevat
or.Ast heel
evatoropens,myphoner i
ngsandI
onlyansweri twhenRoseandIar ei
nsi
det he
elevat
or.

"Hell
o?.
..
..
..
..What
??!
!!
!!
!!
!Okayam onmyway
,tr
yto
stabi
li
sehim."
"
Rose,
Ineedt
ogethome.ASAP!
"Isayt
oher
.

"
What
?Wai
tam goi
ngwi
thy
ou.
"shesay
s.

"
No,
am dr
oppi
ngy
ouof
fathome.
"

"NoThando,
whateveri
tist
hat'
sgoi
ngonmustbe
ser
ioussoam goi
ngwit
h..
..
..
"

"Roseam notgoingt
oarguewit
hy ou,
youar
egoi
ng
str
aighthome.Endofdi
scussi
on."

Whentheel
evat
ordoor
sopen,iqui
cklypr
essthe
gr
oundfl
oorbut
tonandthedoor
scloseagai
n..
..

*
***
***
***
***
***
***

"
What
'shappeni
ng?
?!"Iexcl
aim,
wal
ki
ngi
ntot
he
medi
cal
room wi
thmaMohl
akoaneandt
henur
se.

"Thepoison!I
t'
stri
gger
ingsomethi
ngmoret
hanj
ust
canceranditdoesn'
tseem l
ikehei
sgoi
ngto
survi
ve!
!!!
"saysMa.

"What
??!No!
!Youcan'
tl
ethi
m di
e!!Ma,
Thando!Do
somethi
ng!
!!
"scr
eamsRose.

"
Rose!
!!It
houghtIt
oldy
out
ost
ayathome.
"Igasp.

"Thandonowi snott
heti
me.Weneedtogi
vehi
m
ourattent
ionorel
se.Hei
sagoner
!"say
sma.

"Nurse,Ineedy out ogetanambulancequick!We

needt ogethimt oahospi t
alf
orasur ger
yASAP! !!
!"I
shoutandt henur sequickl
ygr
absherphone.Ir ush
toNkosi '
sfathers'bed,wat
chhiscraggyfacecringe
asthesei zur
eget smor eandmoreser i
ous.
"
Howl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?
"Iaskma.

"t
henursesai
dit
sbeen20mi nut
es.Il
i
ter
all
yrushed
hereaf
terr
ecei
vi
ngyourcal
landIgother
enotso
l
ongago."
It
urnt
oRosewhoseey
esar
ejusti
npur
eshock.

"Rose,
Ineedyoutoleav
etheroom andgositdown.
Youcan'tbeher
e.Youarepr
egnant!
"Itel
lRosebut
sheshakesherhead.

"
No,
hei
smyf
ather
.Ihav
etobeher
e!"
.

"
Rose,r
ememberyouhat
ethi
smansost
opwor
ryi
ng
y
oursel
fandgosi
tdown!
"

"
Ihat
ehi
m butIdon'
twanthi
mtodi
ejusty
et.He
hast
opayf
orwhathedi
dtomebef
orehedi
es!
!!
"
Ibol
tov
ert
oRose,
tuggi
ngherhandsi
ntomi
ne.
"
areyousur
ey ouwanthi
mt opayf
orwhathedi
dor
y
oujustwanthimtobesafeandbeal
i
ve?"

Hereyesstar
ttotwinkl
ewi t
htear
sastheyr
un
ar
ound,tr
yingtosearchforananswer
.

"Idon'
tknowThando,
just
..
..
.Justmakesurehei
s
okay..
..
.Hecan'
tdi
enow!"shewail
s,herv
oicet
hick
andwobbly.

Iholdheranddi r
ectheroutoft heroom, t
aki
ngher
totheli
vi
ngr oom andset t
ingheront hecouch.Her
eyeswellupassher ocksherself
.Igrabmyphone
fr
om mypocketanddi alSihl
e'snumber ,
nothaving
anyotheroption.
..
.Ifshestresseshersel
fout,she
mighthurtherbabyandt hat'snotwhatIwantr i
ght
now.
"
YesThando.
"heanswer
s.

"Si
hley
ouneedtocomet oNkosi
'
shouse.Rose
needsyou.
"Iwhi
sperasIwal
kawayfrom Rose.

"
Am onmyway
."hi
stensev
oicesay
sashedr
ops
t
hecal
l.

"
Theambul
ancei
shere.
"al
ert
sthenur
seasshe
r
unstomefr
om upst
air
s.

"Umm okay.Gethimtothehospi
tal
.Ineedtostay
behi
ndwi t
hRose."Ii
nstr
ucther
.2guysinnurse
uni
for
mscomer ushi
ngintot
hehousewi t
hastrol
ler
.
Theyleav
eitdownstai
rsandrushupstai
rstoget
fat
her.

"
Thando,
hav
eyoucal
l
edNkosi
?"
"Noma.IfIcallhi
m, hemightnott
akemeser i
ousl
y
andhemi ghtthi
nkthatam pushi
nghim.It
hinkyou
shoul
dcallhim."Isaytoher.

"Okay,Iwil
lcal
lhi
m.Iwil
ll
eavewi
thMrNxumalo
andIwi l
lbeupdati
ngyouonwhat
'sgoi
ngon.You
stayherewithRose.
"

"
Iwi
l
lma.Andt
hanky
ouf
orbei
ngher
e."

"
Don'
tthankmejustyet.
"shesay
s."guy
s!Weneed
t
obefastandgethimtoahospit
al!
"yel
lsmaasshe
r
unst
ot heambulance.

Wheneveryonel
eaves,
Icl
osethedoorbehindthem
andsi
tnexttoRosewhohasn'
tstoppedrocki
ng
her
sel
f.

"
Rose?Hewi
l
lbef
ine.St
opst
ressi
ngorel
sey
ouwi
l
l
st
resst
hebabyt
oo.
"

"Allam aski
ngfori
sforhimtonotdi
eThando.I
s
thatsomucht oaskfor.
"shesni
ff
s,hert
ear
s
gleaminguphereyes.
"IknowthatIlosthim alongt i
meagowhenhe
decidedtoabuseusbuthecan' tdie!Noty etThando.
Heneedst oknowhowmuchhehur tmef i
r st.He
needstounder standthatwhathedi dwaswr ong
andIneedhi mt oapologiseforthat.Hecan' tdie
beforeanyofusgetsomecl osur
e.Heneedst ofeel
thepainwewentt hr
oughbef orehedi es.WhatGod
i
sdoi ngisunfairThando!"shecries.

"Rose,
Iknowthathehurtyouandyoucertai
nlyneed
someclosuref
orwhathedi dbutdoy
ouser i
ously
thi
nkthatyouwi
llgett
hatclosur
ebyhurt
inghim? "I
askher.

"
Rose,
ther
eisnopoi
nti
nhi
m suf
fer
ingbecause
eit
herway ,i
twon'tchanget hepast.Hedi dwhathe
didandnot hi
ngcanchanget hat.Youhur t
inghim
won'tchangeanything,insteady ouaret heonewho
will
carryonbeinghur t.Asmuchasy oumi ghtnot
seeit,
thiswholethingisdr aggingy oudown, youare
l
etti
ngy ourpastbey ourgr eatestweaknessandi f
youdon'ttrytol
etitgo, itwillf
oreverhaunty ou.
Especial
lyaft
eryourf ather'
sdeat h.
"

"Weren'
tyoui
nfavourofmenotf or
giv
inghimjusta
fewhoursagoThando?"shequesti
ons,herf
acewith
curi
osit
y.

"I
t'
snotwhatIwant edRose.Iwanty outomov eon
withli
fe,
forgi
vehim andforgi
veyourselfforl
ett
ing
thi
sgetinthewayofy ourli
fe.For
givehim andjust
showhi mthathemadeabi gmi st
akeint hepast.
Punishhim byfor
givi
nghim andshowinghi mthe
l
ov ehenevershowedy ouguys.Trustme, not
hing
beatstheenemylikeshowingthem lovewhent hey
areexpecti
ngpain."
"Don'
tyoudar
elect
uremeonthat
.Younev
er
showedBrai
nanylovey
ethewrongedy
ou!
"she
j
abbers.

"Idi
dn'tshowhi m anylovebutIstoppedmyf amil
y
from ki
lli
nghim multipl
eti
mes.Briancouldhave
diedal ongti
meagobutIst oppedthem ever
ytime.
Theonl yreasonhei snolongeronear t
hnowi s
becausehet riedt
ot akemeawayf r
om Nkosi.Oram
Ilyi
ng?"Isayt oherasshet ri
estoblinkawaysome
tearsinhereyes.

"ButThandoit'
snotaseasyasi tsounds!!Thatman
l
eftmet osleeponthestreet
s.Ihadnot hingThando,
Ihadt osel
lmybodyf ormoney.Iwatchedmyot her
brotherdi
einhishandsandpapadi dn'tcareatall
.
Doy ouknowhowmucht hathurts?Tobebet r
ayed
byaper sonwhowassupposedt oloveyou? "
"
CanIaskyouaquest
ionRose?Howi sitthatyou
f
indi
thar
dtoforgi
veyourfatherbuti
twaseasyf or
yout
ofor
givey
ourexboy f
riendwhenhecausedso
muchdamagetoyouwheny ouweresti
l
l withhi
m? "

"
Excuseme?
"

"Justanswert
hequesti
onRose.
."shesnif
fsa
coupleofti
mes,keepi
ngqui
etasshetight
ensher
j
awl i
ne.

"Becauseitwasnev erhisfaul
t.That'swhyIf orgave
Sipho.Iwast hewrongoneandhehadev er yri
ghtto
bemadatme.Ihadsol dmyv irgi
nityformoney
whenIwassupposedt okeepmyv ir
gini
ty.Ididnt
haveamot herfi
guretoteachmehowt obea
woman.Andi twasallbecauseoft hatmanwhoI
wassupposedt ocall
af at
her.Her uinedeverythi
ng
formeThandoandSi phohadt osuf feral
lbecause
ofthat.
"
"Doy ouseewhatImeanRose?Thepastl edt oy ou
beingabusedbySi phoandy oubl amedt hepastand
yoursel fforitf
orsol ong.Thatsonofabi tchused
yourpastt ojusti
fyhiswr ongdoi ngsandy oudidn't
seet hisatal l
.Why ?Becausey ouwer ehol dingont o
thepast .Rose..
..
..Iwasr apedat19andt hatruined
me, Iwon' tli
et oyouatal l.I
ttoremei nt
oami ll
i
on
piecesandBr i
andidt rytouset hatasmyweakness
buthef ail
ed.Nkosi kil
ledmyf atherandSabel oused
thatasmyweaknessal ongwi thBr i
an'shel panddid
youseewhatt hatledt o?I talmostt oreusapar t.
Brianusedbot hmypast st omakemeweak.He
knewt hatIhadn'thadcl osure,especiall
ywi thmy
father'
ssi tuati
on...
..
..
..Whatam t ryi
ngt osayt oy ou
i
s, holdingont othepastwi ll
onlyhur tyousomuch
mor e."

"I
fy oudon'twanttoforgi
vehi
mf orhissake,then
forgivehimforyoursakeRose.Youknowt hathe
mi ghtdieanyti
mef r
om todayonwards,hemi ght
evendi enow.Andifhedies,youwon'tgetthat
closurethatyouwantsobad.Thenwhat ?Ar eyou
goingtol
ett
hepastcontroly
ou?Youhav ean
amazingmaninyourli
feRose.Youar egoingto
haveababysoon,youhaveroofov
ery ourheadand
youhaveafamil
y.AsmuchasIdon' tknowwhat
happensi
nyourrel
ati
onshipwit
hSihle,am pr
ett
y
sureyouj
usti
fymostsit
uati
onsusi
ngy ourpastdon't
you?Youuseyourpasttopit
yyour
self.Am Iri
ght?
"

"AsmuchasIdon' twanttoagr eewithThando,she

i
sr i
ght.
"bothRoseandIt urnourheadst othedoor
andit'
sSihl
e.IwatchRose'sf aceli
ghtupasshe
standsupfrom thecouch.Sihlewalkstoherand
hugsher,ki
ssingherwholeface, usi
nghishandsto
wipeawayhert ears.

"
Don'tcr
ymyqueen.
"say
sSi
hle,
exami
ningRose'
s
f
ace."Am her
enow.
"
Ther
eissi
l
encef
oraf
ewmi
nut
est
hen.
..
..
"
whyar
eyouagr
eei
ngwi
thThando?
"asksRose.
"Because, youcontinousl
ybl amey ourselffor
everythi
ngRoseandam t i
redoft hat.Everyti
mewe
hav eafight,youblamey ourself
.Ev eryt
imey oudo
makeami stakeordosomet hi
nguni ntenti
onally
,you
blamey our self
.Andev er
ytimeam t heonewhoi s
wr ong,y
oubl amey our
self.Andnotj ustyourself
,you
blamey ourpastt ooRose..."saysSihle,watching
Rose'sfaceashi spalmshol dhercheeks.

"Aslongasy oudon' tforgi

vey ourf atherory oursel f
,
youwi l
l nevergett hecl osureev eni fyourfather
apologises.Yourhat eforhimi saffectingusRose
andam t i
redoft hat .Iwanttol ovey ouwi thout
havingy our aisethepastandhowy ourfatherr uined
you.Iwanty out oletgoofev erythingRosebecause
Iwantust ost artanewl if
etoget her.Doy out hinki t
waseasyf ormet of or
giveNkosi f
orki l
li
ngmyf ather?
Icouldhav eusedt hattohurthi mt hroughy oubutI
didn'
t.Instead, Iforgavehi mformysake, fory our s
andf orourbaby .Andl ookatmenow, am happy
becauseIf oundcl osur eandy ououtofev ery one
knowst hatIf oundcl osurebefor eNkosi
apol
ogi
sed.
"say
sSi
hle.

"Rose,taket hatasanexample.Sihl
echoset o
forgi
veNkosi andhewashappybutIdi dn'twantto
forgi
vehi m andt hatal
mostrui
nedmywhol el
ife.
Don'truinyourl i
fefort
hepasts'sake.Acceptthati
t
happened, forgiv
ey our
sel
fandforgivehi
m.Mov eon
withyourlif
eRoseandbehappy ."

Sihl
eandi l
ookatRose.Sihl
ehelpshersi
tdownas
shejustkeepsqui
et,
sti
llsobbi
ng.

"Sihl
e,am sor
ryforbr
ingi
ngupmypastal
l t
heti
me.I
plantedt
hewr ongseedinmymindandInever
reali
sedhowmuchi twasactual
l
ydamagingus.
"

"NoRose, don'tapologi
setome, apologi
seto
yoursel
f.Forgiveyoursel
ffornotlet
ti
ngthisgo.
"
saysSihle,wrappinghisarmsaroundher .
"Forsomanyy ear s,Idwel ledonwant ingmyf at
her
tosuf f
ertosuchanext entt hatInev erreal
isedhow
muchIwasact uallyhur t
ingmy sel
f."shechuckl es,
rubbinghernosewi ththebackofherhand." Iwon't
l
iethough, Isti
l
l dowantt ohur thim sobadf or
taki
ngawaymychi ldhoodbut ,
IguessImustl etit
gof ormysake.Formychi l
ds' sake."shelooksat
sihl
ewi ththegr eatestsmi leonherf ace"Forour
sake."shef i
nall
ysay sbef orecrushingherl ipsonhi s.

Myphoneri
ngsasthese2l
ovebi
rdshav
ethei
r
momentandIanswerit
.

"
hel
l
oma?
"Ianswer

"Thando,wewereablet
ostabi
l
isehim.Buthe
doesn'thavemuchti
meonearth,
hehaslessthan3
mont hs,l
etal
one3weeks.
"shesays.

"
Isheawake?
"Iaskher
.
"
Yesandheisaski
ngf
orNkosi
andRose.Hewant
s
t
otal
ktothem.
"

ItakeasneakpeekatRoset henlookaway."
Ummm,
okay .LetmeseeifIcanbri
ngRosebutifshe
refuses,hewi
llhavetoacceptt
hattheywon'
t
come. "

"Nkosi
agr
eedt
ocome.Hesai
dheI
sonhi
sway
."
shesayst
ome.

"
Ooooh.That'
ski
ndofgoodnews.Iam j
usthopi
ng
t
hathedoesn'
tdoanyt
hingt
ohim."

"Hewon't
.Justt
ryt
ogetRoseher
e..
"shesay
sandI
endthecall
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er51cont
i.
..
.

LUANDA'SPOV.(
THEONLYPOVFROM THI
S
CHARACTER.
)

"Luanda!
!!
!"hi
ssesmyfat
herasIsatont
hecouch
besidehi
smassi v
ethr
one.

"Papa!Ihavetol
dyouahundr edti
mes.Mamaand
Sabelowerekill
edbythatThandoandherf
ucki
ng
husband!"Ir
ebukeback.
"AndIwi l
lnotrestunti
lItakerevengeonthose2
andt hei
rworthlessfamil
i
es."Irollupmysleev
es,
harshlyr
ubbingof ft
hebloodfr om mybot
tom li
p.

"Uyaziuyangi hl
anyisamani!!
!!
!!(
Youknow,youdri
ve
mecr azy).Evenafterthatwoman' sdeat
h,i
t'
sli
ke
herspiri
thasset tl
ediny ouj
ustt odri
vemetomy
deathbed! !
!!
!"heglowers,hi
sey esshutashe
shakeshishead." Stoptryi
ngtobeadet ect
ive
yamasimbamanandl etthisgo!!Theyaredeadand
that
'si
t.Therei
snothi
ngt hatcanbringthem back.I
f
someonedi dki
l
lthem t
henkar mawi ll
getthem!"

"Youknowpapa!I t'
sfunnyhowy outhi
nkthi
skar ma
thi
ngi sreal!Iam thekar
ma.IfIdon'tt
akerevenge
fortheirdeathsthennoonewi l
l,seei
ngyouarehere
sit
ti
ngony ourthroneandnottakinganyacti
on!"I
shoutbackbutmyf at
hergi
vesmeashar pglance.

"Don'
tyoudaredisr
espectmeLuandaorel seIwil
l
makey ougiveuponthisv engeancethi
nginaway
thatwi
llhurty
ousobad. "het hr
eatens,
point
inghis
i
ndexfingeratmebutIhi thisfi
ngerdownwi tht
he
backofmyhand, st
andingupf r
om thecouch.

"
oohyea?Andwhatwi
l
lyoudo?
"iaski
nast
ent
ori
an
v
oice.

"
Ihonest
lydon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
his.Ihav
eameet
ing
withthechi
efs.Pl
easeleave!
"hecommands,
pointi
ngatt
hedoor .Myeyesgloweratmyfat
her,
crossi
ngmyar msasIst umpmyf eetont
heground.

"
Youalway
shadt i
mef
orSabel
osoy
oubet
terhav
e
t
imeforme!"Ir
oar
.

"Luandaleav
ethi
sinst
ant!
!!
"heshoutsbutIj
ustsi
t
down, l
eanbackonthecouchandcrossmyarmson
mychest .

"
Boydon'
ttestme!
!!
"

"Testyou?
!!Don'
tbull
shitme!Youar
etheonewhoi
s
testi
ngmebynotl i
steni
ngwhenIsaymamaand
Sabeloweremurdered!"

"Thatbi
tchwasneveryourmothersost
opcall
ing
herthat
!!
!!
!!
"papa'
suneasy,
tensedvoi
cespi
ts.Hi
s
facebowed,
hischestmovi
ngbackupanddownas
hegetsdownfrom hi
schai
r.

Myarmsuntangl
e,pl
acingthemsel
vesonmyt hi
ghs.
Mymindbecomesov ercomebyconfusi
onbutmy
f
acebetr
aysmymi nd,showinganamusementasa
l
aughescapesmymout h.

"youoldman! !"Isay,l
aughi
nghard."yousurelyare
funnyhey.Okay ,okay,soyouhavethegut stoli
e
ri
ghttomyf acejustbecauseyoudon'twantmet o
takerevengeonmybr ot
herandmother'skil
l
er?!
Wow! !
!"Ilaugh,clappi
ngmyhands, j
umpi ngtomy
feet."
Mamawasr i
ght
!Youneverlovedherand
neverrespectedher !
"

"Yes,shewasr i
ght!!
"hescreamsback, walkingup
anddown.Hest ops,j
erkshisbodyinmydi recti
on
andwal kstome." Shedefi
nit
elywasrightbecauseI
neverlovednorrespectedher!
!Ilov
edy ourmot her!
!
Notthatwitch!Andy ouknowwhat ,am qui
tegl ad
t
hatshei
sgone!
!!
!"her
oar
s,poi
nti
nghi
sindexf
inger
t
owardst
hefl
oor.

"
Whatdoyoumeanbythatpapa?
!"Idemand,awe
t
ransf
ormi
ngmyfaceasmyexpressionshar
den.

"
Thatwomany ouhavecalledy
ourmotherforas
l
ongasy ouhavel
i
v edwasneveryourmother!She
wasyourstepmother!
!!
!"

"
What
?!"

"Yes!Thatbi tchkilledyourmot her!Shekill

edy our
mot herwhowast hel oveofmyl if
eandt henshest il
l
hadt hegut stobl ackmai lmeal ongwi t
hherl ousy
father!
!!
!"Hisey esar ewideopenashi slightcolor
ed
compl exiondr ai
nedoutofhi sf ace,overtakenbya
redcolor.Tear sshi neinhiseyes,hisforehead
creased, chestrisingandfall
ingwi thrapidbreaths
andhet
hrowshi
sdul
lbodyont
hecouch,
face
palmi ng.Mymi ndt riest ofindt hehumouri nwhathe
wassay i
ngbutt her ewasn' tanyhumour .Inst ead,my
mi ndf i
gur edoutsomepuzzl ethathadt roubl edme
fory ears.Ev erythingst ar
tedt omakesense, despite
menotwant ingt obel ieveit.Mamanev err eallyli
ked
meandshebl amedi tonmebei ngnaught y
.
Ever yt
imeIgoti ntot rouble, shewoul dn'thesi tat
e
tell
ingf atherbutwheni tcamet oSabel o, shewoul d
hidei t
.Ial way st oldmy selfthati twasbecause
Sabel owasagoodboyandamommy '
sboywhi lstI
wasst ubbor nashel l butsomet imes,itjustdi dn't
addup.Butnow, itall does....
..

Il
ookatmyf
ather
,myf
aceov
ert
akenbyt
err
or.

"
Soy
oumean.
..
"

"Yes,shewasn'tyourmother.Yourmotherwasher
socal l
ed"ev
ilsister
."Mal
aniawasy ourmother
Luandaandshewasmyf irstl
ove.Ever
yoneinthis
vil
lageknewthat .
"hereci
tes,hi
sv oi
cetr
embling.My
bodyfal
l
sontothecouchi
ndi
sbel
ief
,hur
t
conquer
ingev
eryt
hingi
nsi
deme.

"Fi
hliwe, y ourst epmot herwant edmet omar ryher
butIdi dn'twantt obecauseIwasi nlovewi t
hher
youngersi st erMal ani
a.Becauseofj ealousy,y our
stepmot hercr ackedapl anwi thherf atherwho
conv incedt hev il
l
agechi efst hatshewasmy
suitablemat ch.Mypar entslistenedt othechi efsbut
Ididn'tbel iev eitonebi t,
Mal aniaandIknewv ery
well thatherf atherandhersi sterdidit.Wet riedto
prov eev ery onewr ongbuti tnev erwor ked.I
nst ead,
every onewhosuppor tedusdi edandt hatwashowI
gotmar riedt othatwitch.Howev er
,yourmot herwas
banishedf r
om t hev il
l
age"f atherremember ed.

"Ont henocturnalnightofmymar ri
agewithFi
hli
we,I
sneakedoutoft hehouset ogomeetupwi thyour
mot herandIdi djustthat.Thatnight
..
..
"saysf
ather,
hisglossyeyesst ari
ngi ntospace,asmileonhis
face."Thatnightwemadel oveandshegotpregnant
wi
thyourol
derbr
other
,Baf
ana"andmyf
acej
ust
j
erkst
ofacehim.

"
Yes,
Malaniai
shi
smot
her
."hemout
hs,
answer
ing
myquest
ion.
"Igav ey ourmot hermoneyt ost artali
fef araway
from t hev i
l
lagebutInev erst oppedv i
sit
ingher .But
theny ourst epmot herfoundoutandshet ol
dher
fatheragai n.Sot heydeci dedt obl ackmai lmeusi ng
thatt henFi hliwepr etendedt obepr egnantupunt il
Baf anawasbor n.Mal aniadidn'twantt ogi veupt he
babyt oFi hli
webutshehadt o.Thev il
l
agebel i
eved
thatBaf anawasFi hliwe'sson.Icar ri
edonseei ng
Mal ani abutt hist ime, Imadesur enooneknew
abouti t.10mont hsaf terBaf ana' sbir
th,Fihli
wegot
pregnantwi thSabel o.Atf ir
stIdi dn'
twantt obeli
eve
thathewasmi nebutt henIr emember edani ght
wher eFi hli
wef or cedher selfonmeandIwast oo
power lesst ost opherwhi chIr eall
ydidn't
under st and.Inev ertoldMal aniaabouti tbutIwent
toherf orcomf or ti
ngandImadel ovetohert henwe
hady ou.Af terSabel owasbor n,Fihl
iweandher
fatherfoundoutabouty ourmot her'
spregnancy
againandFi hl
iwepretendedtobepr egnantt henshe
tooky ouawayf r
om y ourmother,sadly.
.."heshrugs
"therewasnot hi
ngIcoul ddoabouti t
.6day saft
er
yourbi r
th,y
ourmot herdiedinhersleepandIknow
foraf actt
hatitwast hatwit
chwhohadki l
ledher
butitwasal waysmywor dagainstherfather ,
my
parents,herandthewhol evil
lage.Ibarr
iedy our
mot herandIwasf orcedt omov eonwi t
hFi hli
we."

"
Soal
lthesey
ear
s,Ihav
ebeenl
eav
ingal
i
e!"Isay
.

"
Nowdoy ouunder
standwhyIdon'
twanty
out
otake
r
evengef
orthem?"

"
Butpapa,somethi
ngdoesn'
tmakesensehere.
..
.If
youdi
dn'
tpersonal
l
yacceptSabel
oasyourson,then
whydi
dy ouwanttomakehim ki
ngdespi
tethefact
t
hathedidn'
twanttobeone?"
"BecauseFihl
i
wet hreatenedtokillBaf
ana.Shehad
somehol doverhim andshewasabl etocontrolhi
m.
Allthosedeci
sionsBafanamade, i
twasallbecause
ofyourstepmot her.Hemadet erri
bledeci
sionsall
becauseofher .Heisinjail
all
becauseofher .I
want edtoi
ncl
udet hefami l
ydivi
nerinthi
sbuti twas
useless.Whateveryourstepmot herwasusingwas
verypowerful
."

"Butnowt hatsheisdead,Icanf i
nall
yhavemy
freedom andsocany oualongyourbrot
her.
"Tears
falldownfrom myey es,ashatr
edf orawomanI
calledmymot herbrewsupi nsi
deme.Howcoul d
shebesohear t
lesstoherownsi ster
?Herblood
sister?
?

Ifeel
ahandcr
awlupmyback,
sof
tl
yhi
tt
ingi
tas
sobsleav
emybody.

"
am ver
ysorr
yy ouhadtofindoutt
hiswaybutIcan'
t
l
ety
out aker
evengeforsuchanevilper
son.Sheand
thatsonofher swhowasprobablyfoll
owinginher
footstepsweregetti
ngthekar
mat heydeserved.
Andam v erymuchhappythattheydiedthatway."he
curses,hi
slipscur
ved.

"Nopapa,am sorr
yf ort
hinki
ngt haty
ouwer ethe
wrongoneallmylife.Shemadeusbel i
evethatyou
hadthehear
tofst oneallourl
ives.Am tr
ulysorr
y
papa,
"Iapol
ogise,myheadf all
i
ngonhi sthighs.

"I
t'
sfinemyson.Iti
sal
lfi
ne.Thatisal
lint
hepast
now."hesay
s,rubbi
ngmybacksl owly
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Chapt
er52
NKOSI
'
SPOV.

"
Bafo,arey
ousureyouar
ereadytoseehi
m?"asks
MkhizeasIdr
ivet
othehospi
tal
.

"Am notreadybutmasai dIshould.Icannever

disobeyherandy ouknowt hat."IsaytoMkhize.I
parkmycaratt hehospit
alparkinglotandgot ot
he
war dmat extedmewi t
hMkhi zewal ki
ngbesideme.I
reall
ydidn'
twantt ocomebutt hewaymaj ustspoke
tomemademechangemymi nd.It'
sfunnyhowI
beggedThandonott orushmei nt
ocomi ngfaceto
facewithmyf atherbutfatesti
llhasitswayof
forci
ngmet of acemypast .

"
Nkosi,y
ouar
eher
e!"say
sma,
sit
ti
ngbesi
demy
f
ather
.

"
Hel
l
oma.
"Isayt
oher
,st
eppi
ngi
ntot
her
oom.
"
Hel
loma"say
sMkhi
ze.Shenodsherheadwal
ki
ng
t
ous.

"
Hel
l
omyboy
s."shegr
eet
sback.

"
Sohowi
she?
"asksMkhi
ze.

"Notsowel lmydear .Hehasl esst han3weekst o

l
iveandIj ustdiscov
eredt hathehasgone
compl et
elybli
nd.Hecantf eelany thi
ngatall
.Andi t
's
l
ikehehasbecomehal fdeaf .Rightnow,hepr obabl
y
can'thearanythingwear esay ing."shesays,play
ing
withherhands.

"
Andther
eisr
eal
l
ynot
hingy
oucando?
"asks
Mkhi
ze.

"Nothing.What
everpoi
sonhehasi
nhi
sbodyi
s
slowlykil
li
nghi
m andit
sactual
l
ymaki
ngmewonder
i
fher
eal
l
ydoeshav
e3weeksl
eftt
osur
viv
e."

"Butany
ways,hehasbeenaski
ngtoseeNkosiand
Roseeversi
ncehebecameconsci
ous.Hesayshe
hassomethingt
osaytoyou2beforehegoesaway."
sheconti
nues.

"Theonl
yreasonIcamehereisbecauseofyouma.
NotbecauseIwanttohearwhathehastosay.I
don'
twanttohearanyt
hingatal
l.
"Iutt
er.

"Iknowmyboy .Butwhatev
erhewantstosaymust
beimportant
.Justgiv
ehim achancet
ospeakthe
samewayThandogav eyouachancetol
oveher
eventhoughyoukil
ledherfat
her
."

"
Whydoesev
ery
oneuset
hatasawayofget
ti
ngt
o
me?
"
"Becauseit'
sav er
ygoodexampleNkosi.Thesame
wayy ouwant edThandotogiv
ey ouachancethen,
i
st hesamewayy ourfat
herwantsyoutogi
vehima
chance.Ifi
t'
swor tht
hechance,t
henlethi
m haveit
butifnot
, t
heny oucanchoosetowalkaway.
"she
urges.

"Nowgot ohim,si
twithhi
m andhearwhathehasto
say.Maybethiswi
llhel
pyoumoveonwi t
hy ourl
i
fe
Nkosi.
"

Mypr i
dedoesn'
twantmet obutIj ustdoi t
.Igraba
chai
rfrom t
hecornerofther oom andsi tbesidethe
manwhoi sfaci
ngtheot herdirecti
on.Mkhi zepull
sa
chai
randputsitbesi
deme.Am expect inghimt osi
t
nexttomebutRosesi t
si nstead.Ilookatherand
shejustgi
vesmeashor tl i
vedsmi le,holdi
ngmy
hand.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Iaskherandshenodsherhead.
"Bett
erthaneverbudi.
"sherepl
ies.Inot
iceher
bloodst
ainedeyesbutwhenam aboutt oaskher
whyshewascr y
ing,sof
tli
pstouchmycheekand
herscentsnit
chesonher .

"i
'l
lbewait
ingforyououtsi
de.
"shewhi sper
s.Her
handssqueezemyshouldersthensli
deawayand
thedoorcl
oses,leav
ingRose,
fatherandIinthe
room.

Itakeadeepbr
eathinandext
endmyhandtoshake
father
.Hi
sbodytur
nstofaceusbuthi
sey
eslook
upwards.

"
Whoist
her
e?"hecrockyv
oiceasks.Rosel
ooksat
me,
aski
ngmethatonequesti
on.

"Heisbli
nd."It
ellher.Ev
ery
thinginmeisjustup
sidedown.Myf eeli
ngsarejustever
ywhere.Iwantt
o
l
eav et
hisroom andjustneverlookbackbutthenI
don'
twantt
odisappoi
ntma.Shetookgoodcareof
meandactedasamot herf
igur
e.Ican'
tref
useher
thi
s.

"Papa,"saysRose'
slowtrembl yv oi
ce.Herhand
crawlsontothebed,hol
dingf ather'
shand.Ilookat
fatherandnoticet
heupcomi ngsmi leonhisf aceas
abal loft
earformsinhi
sey e.Hi sli
pstryt
omov ea
fewt i
mesbuthi semoti
onsst ophi m.

"Papait
'sme, Rose.
"saysRoseasat earr
oll
sdown
hercheek.Iputmyar m onhershoul
ders,
rubbi
ng
herarm.

"Rose!
"saysf
ather
,hisgri
pti
ght
eni
ngonRose'
s
hand.Hissmi
lewidensevenmoreashepl
acesbot
h
hishandsonhers,
pull
ingi
ttohi
sli
psandki
ssi
ng
herhand.

"
Ooohmygi
rl
!!
"hecr
iesout
."Ooohmypr
incessy
ou
soundsogr
own!!
"heexcl
aims."
Imi
ssedy
ouso
muchmypokie!
!!
"
Rosechuckles,wi
pinghert
earsoff.Iwat
chherin
shock,t
ryi
ngt ol
oadifshei
sstil
lthegir
lwhov owed
nottospeaktothisman.Yether
eshei s,get
ti
ngall
upinherfeeli
ngs.

"
It
'syourpoki
epapa.Am her
e!"r
epl
i
esRose,
her
v
oicegetti
ngsqueaky
.

"Mypokie!
!Am soosor
rymypoki e.Ihavewronged
youandIregreti
tmypri
ncess."cri
esfat
her,
pressi
nghishandsonRose'
s.Hismout hsnapsshut
alongwit
hhiseyesasal
lthetearsfal
lout.
"Am sorrymychi l
d!Ifailedy ouandIcer tai
nlydon'
t
deserveyourfor gi
venessatal l.Iruinedyour
chi
ldhoodmybabygi rl!"hecont inuestocryasRose
cri
estoo.Asf orme, Ijustl ookatt hisman.Him
cry
inglikethi
sdoesn' thur tmeatal l
.Whathurtsme
i
sthathegav euponusf orawomanwhohasr ui
ned
himtoday .I
nf act,l
ooki ngathi mj ustmakesme
hat
ehi
m ev
enmor
e.

"Papa!Yougav eupony ourpoki

eandy oul
ether
becomeapr ost
it
ute.Youusedtohity
ourPokieunt
il
shebl edpapa!Whydidy oudoal
lthat
?"yel
psRose,
shakingherhead.

"
Forgi
vememychi ld.Thatwomanmademedoi
t.I
wasbeingcont
rol
l
edbyherandshemademedoall
t
hatIdi
d!"

"Yes,bl
ameital
lonher.I
twasnev
eryourf
aul
tri
ght
,"
Iblur
toutsar
casti
cal
l
y,rubbi
ngmychi
n.

"IknowforafactthatyouareNkosi
..
."say
sfat
her
,
hiseyessear
chingwithnoluck.
"Nkosi
myson. "hecall
sbutIstaysil
ent.Roselooks
atme,takesoneofmyhandsi ntohersandgi vesme
anodofconser nbutIjustl
ookawayfrom her.Ifshe
wantstoforgi
vehim andbeli
evetheshitthat
's
comingoutofhismouth,
shei
smor
ethanwel
come
to.Butshebet
ternott
ryt
omakemefor
giv
ehi
m.

"Iswearonmysoul ,
itwasnevermyf ault
.Mkhize's
mot herbewitchedme.Iwasn'ttheonedoi ngallthat.
Shewascont rol
lingmeandIcoul dnevergoagainst
whatshet ol
dmet odo.Ifel
tli
keIwast r
apped
i
nsidemybodyandsomeoneel sehadt akenover."
henar r
ates,sti
llcryi
ng.
"Mychildren,youknowmebetterthananyone.You
knowt hatIcannev erhur
taf
ly,
letaloneanant.So
pleasebeliev
emewhenIsayInev erint
endedtodo
whatIdi dtoyou."

"Yetyousti
ll
did.Papa,youhurtallofus,youar
et he
reasonforwhathappenedt ous.Yout ookever
ything
awaypapaandy ouareonlyapologisi
ngnow!"I
j
abber.

"
Yes!Am apol
ogi
singnowbecauseIknowam goi
ng
t
odi esoon.Am apol ogi
singnowbecauseam f i
nal
l
y
f
reef r
om thatwitch'
sspel l
s.Idon'twantt
odie
withouty
ourf or
giveness.Iwanty outomov eonwi
th
yourli
veswithoutthinki
ngoft hepast."

"
Wel lwewerefi
newi
thouty
oubeingher
eandwe
wil
lconti
nuebei
ngfi
newhenyoudie.Wedon'
tneed
yourapol
ogynordowewantit
..
..
."

"No!
"int
erj
ect
sRoseasshest
il
lcr
ies."
NoNkosi
,we
doneedhisapol
ogyandwecer
tai
nlyneedt
ofor
giv
e
him.
"shesays.

"
What
?!"

"Yes.Idon'tknowaboutyoubutIwanttoletgoof
thepast.I
thasr ui
nedmef orl
ongenoughandi t'
s
ti
meIl eti
tgoandbef ree.Andpapaisr
ight,papa
wast henicestmaneverbefor
ethatwit
chcame
along.RememberhowIal waystol
dyout hatshe
al
waysputsomet
hingi
npapa'
steainthemorning
andy
oualwayssai
ditwasj
ustsugar
?Whatifitwas
umut
i?"

"
Rosey
oudon'
tknowt
hat
!"

"
YesIdoNkosi,whenmom wassti
l
lali
ve,shetol
d
methatpapadoesn'
tl
ikehi
steawi
thsugar.Heli
ked
i
twi
thfreshmil
kandthatwasit
.
WhenIsawMkhi ze'smotherdoingit
,Iaskedher
whyshewasputtingsugarinpapa'steaandshe
sai
dpapali
keditwi t
hsugar.Butthatday,iasked
papai
fhehaddeci dedondrinki
nghisteawi thsugar
andhesai
dno."say sRose.

"ThatwaswhenIdeci dedtot ell

youandt heny ou
saiditwasjustsugarbutdeepdowni nsi
de, Iknewit
wasn'tsugarbecausepapahaddeni edit
."shesay s.
"Iwastooy oungtothinkofumut iandallthat.Ij
ust
decidedtobrushitoffandletitbe."
"
Yousee..
..
..Ihaveneveri
nmyent i
rel
if
et akentea
wi
thsugar,whichmeanswhat evershewasput t
ing
i
nmyt eacertai
nlywasn'
tsugar"joi
nsinfather
.

"Nkosi,Ibel
ievepapaandIam wi ll
i
ngt of
orgi
veand
for
get.Menotf orgi
vi
nghim won'tgetmeanywhere,
i
nstead, i
twill
onlykeepontakingmebackt othe
past..
..
..Samef oryoubudi
,notforgiv
inghi
m won'
t
doy ouanygood. "

"I
tdefinit
elywill
Rose.Isleptonthestreet
satav er
y
youngageal lbecauseofhi m.Ihadtosteal,
all
becauseofhi m.Ihadt okil
lpeopleal
lbecauseof
him.Ifitwasn'tforhim,Iwouldn'
thavekil
led
THANDO' Sfat
her .Il
ostMYFUCKI NGCHI LDHOOD
becauseofhi m."

"
Andhei
ssor
ryNkosi
!"

"
Dontf
ucki
ngbul
l
shi
tmeRose.Youwer
en'
ttheone
whost olefrom peoplejustsoy oucouldsur v
ive.You
wer en'
tt heonewhowat chedpeoplegettingkil
led
everysi nglenight.Youwer en'tt
heoneget ti
nginand
outofj ailatfucki
ng14y ears.Icouldhavebeen
enjoyingmyl i
feifitwasn'tforhim."Ishout,mysoul
ont hev ergeofcr acki
ng.
"Idon'
twanttof
orgi
vehim andIneverwil
l.
..
..I
fyou
wantto,t
hengoaheadbutj
ustf or
getaboutme."I
say,st
andi
ngupfrom t
hechairandfi
xingmyblazer
.

"
Myson.
..
..
..
"cr
iesoutf
atherbuti
justst
orm outof
t
her
oom.

"Son,
"saysmom butIholdadi smissi
vehandup,
stoppi
ngheroranyoneelsefrom aski
ngany
unnecessar
yquest
ions.Iputmyhandsi nmypocket
asIwalkdownthepassage, myey esfacingdown.

Idon'
twantt
ofor
giv
ehi
m,Inev
erwi
l
l.
..
..
..
..
..
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***

THANDO'
SPOV.

Il
ookathim ashewal ksoutofthehospi
tal,
fear
conqueri
ngmyhear t
'swantswhicharetorunaf t
er
Nkosi.However
,Ibeatmyf earandfi
ndmy self
walki
ngbesidehi
m.

"
Babe?
"

"
GobackThando.Am notgoi
nghome.
"

"
Wellt
heni guessImi
ghtaswel
lj
oiny
out
o
what
everdesti
nati
ony
ouaregoi
ngto.
"

"Noo!
"say
sNkosi
,st
oppi
nghi
swal
ktot
hebl
ack
sport
scar
.
"
Whynot
?"

"BecauseIwanttobeal onewoman! !Jeez!Don'tI

deserveamomental one!Justbecausey ouare
pregnant,i
tdoesn'
tmeany oucanjustpushme
around!!
!!
"heshouts,
hisf aceandhandsshowi ng
theexasperat
ionheisin.Ilookathimindisbeli
ef,
notknowingifit
sthefrustrat
iontal
kingorifi
tshim.

"
Thando.
..
.Am_
am sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
osayi
tli
ke
t
hat.
"

"No,i
t'
sfine.I
'l
ll
eaveyou.
"Isayt
ohim,
tur
ningt
he
opposit
edirect
ionbuthi
shandstur
nmebacktohi
s
dir
ecti
on.

"
Am sor
rymylove.Pl
easedoj
oinme,
"heapol
ogi
ses,
asi
ghcomingout.
Heopensthepassengerdoorforme,cl
osesi
twhen
Igeti
nandgoestothedriver
sside.
Hecloseshisdoorwi
thabang,
scari
ngmethenl
et'
s
outanothersi
ghagai
n,l
ooki
ngheav
enwar
dbuthis
eyescl
osed.

"
Doy
out
hinkhei
swor
thmyf
orgi
veness?
"

"
Excuseme?
"

"
Youhear
dmeThando,
doy
out
hinkhei
swor
thi
t?"

"Wel
l,Ummm.Idon'tknow..
..
.That
'supt
oyout
o
deci
de.Idon'
twantto.
..
..
"

"Justans!!
..
..
..
."*
sigh*"Justanswert
hesi
mple
questi
onThando.I fyouwer ei
nmypositi
on,
what
wouldy oudo?"

"
Iwoul
dfor
giv
ehi
m."
"
Why
?"

"
Becausei
tsnotwor
thhol
dingont
o."

"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"

"Whywoul
dIholdontothepastwhenIhav
ean
amazi
ngpresentandf
utur
eli
fe?"

"
WhatIfyouchoset
ohol
dont
othepast
.?"he
f
urt
herasks.

"ThenthatmeansIwoul
dn'tmi
ndlett
ingthepast
messupwhatIcur r
ent
lyhave.
"Iexaminehisf
aceas
hischestmovesupanddown.
"Youknow, someoneoncet oldmet hatforgivi
ng
doesn'
tchanget hepastbutitenl
argest hefuture.
Nkosi,youchoosingtoholdonwon' tchange
anythi
ngbuti twi
llonl
ymessupourf uture.Letit
go.
..
..Takingrev
engeony ourfatherbyhat
inghim,
won'tbri
ngpeacetoyoursoul.Youcannev erdri
ve
outdarknesswithdar
kness."Isaytohim,moving
myhandcl oserandcl
osertohi s.

"
Getout
!"

"
what
?"

"
Getoutoft
hecar
.Iwantt
ogot
owor
k."

"
Nkosi
ju.
..
..
..
."

"
GetoutThando.
"hesay
s,shut
ti
nghi
sey
es.
Icl
osemymout h,nott
empti
ngtosayanyt
hingmor
e.
Igetoutoft
hecarandwatchhi
m speedoffasi
fhe
i
ssomecr azyman.
Il
etmyf
eett
akemebacki
ntot
hehospi
tal
,mysoul
crushedbyNkosi '
sreaction.May bebr i
ngi
ngNkosi's
fatherherereal
l
ywasn' tthebesti dea.Looknow,am
pregnantandalway sunhappy .Ihonestlyfeel
li
keam
i
noneoft hosedepressingIndianser i
es.Theyare
nev erhappynomat terwhat.

"
Thando?
"call
samalevoi
ceasIwalkt
othef
ather
-i
n
-
law'
sward.Il
ookupandit
'sMkhi
ze.

"
Yes.
"Ianswerhi
m.

"
Don'
tstr
essabouthi
m, heisjustfi
ndi
ngithar
dto
f
orgi
vepapabutheeventual
lywill
soon.
"heurges
me.

"Idoubtheev erwillMkhi
ze.Hehateshim with
everyt
hinginsideofhim.Nkosibarel
yshoutsatme
buthedi dn'
thesitatet
ojustafewmoment sago.I
t
wasl i
kehehadf orgot
tenhi
smor al
s."Isayto
Mkhize,sitt
ingdownonabench.Mkhi zemesi t
s
nextt
omewi
thaconf
usedf
ace.

"
Heshout
edaty
ou?Butwhy
?"

"Doesn'tmatt
eranymore.It
hinkweneedtotake
yourfatherawayfr
om hereorelse,
Nkosi
mightdo
somet hingcr
azy.
"

"
Hewon'tdoany t
hingtohi
m.Andgivehi
m afew
moredays.Hewillf
orgi
vehi
m.Butri
ghtnow,
let
's
j
ustbehappythatRosehasfor
giv
enhim."

"
Yea.Comel
et'
sgo.
"Isayt
ohi
m.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Waki
nguptosomeonebangi
ngy
ourbedroom door
i
sntt
hebestwayt
obewokenup,especi
all
ywhen
i
t'
searl
yinthemorni
ng.Istepoutofbed,putonmy
gownandwalktothedoor.Iunl
ockitandastinchof
ni
cot
inemixedwit
halcoholhit
sme.

"Getoutofmyway !
"sneer
sNkosi,pushi
ngmeout
ofhisway.Hedropshisbodyonthebed,mumbl
ing
aboutsomethi
ngthatIcanbarel
yhear.

"Nkosi
,wherehav
eyoubeen?
"Iask,
closi
ngt
hedoor
andstandi
ngoverhi
m.

"
Doesi
tmat
ter
?"

"
Yesi
tdoesmatt
er!Ihav
ebeenworri
edsickabout
y
ouandyouar
eev encominghomedrunk!
"

"
Womanl etmebe!Who..
..
.whoareyoutoa-a-
ask
mesuchquest
ions?Am amanandIdowhatIl ike
whenev
erIwant!
"hest
ammer s,hi
svoicesoundinga
bi
tdr
ousy
.

"Nkosi
youdon'
tdr
ink!Sosi
ncewhendoy
oudr
ink
andsmoke?!
"

"Woman!Am warni
ngyou.
..
..Letmebe!!Am t
ir
ed,I
needtosl
eep!
!!
"hesaysbef
or erel
easi
ngasnore,
cl
osinghi
sredeyes.
Igrabmyphone,
dial
Mkhi
ze'
snumberandhe
answers.

"Nkosicamehomedrunkandhesmel
l
sli
ke
nicot
ine.
"It
ell
him,
myt ear
snear
.

"
Am onmyway .
"herepl
i
es.Heendsthecall
andI
t
urntoleavetheroom.Isiti
nthel
iv
ingroom unt
il
Mkhizegetshere.Whenhetri
estospeaktome,I
j
ustpointupstai
rstomyroom wher
ehegoes.
Thenextthi
ngIhearispeopl
ef i
ghti
ngandIjustsit
i
nt heli
vi
ngroom.Idon'
tevenwantt ogothereto
facethi
snewNkosi.WheredidmyNkosi go?I
thoughthel
ovedmebuthecl earl
ydoesn'
t.Whatdid
idotodeservet
his?Am Icur
sedorsomet hi
ng?

Idr
agmy selftotheguestr
oom andl ockmysel
f
i
nsi
de,st
illheari
ngtheconfl
icthappeningi
nthe
mainr
oom.
The2v oi
cesarelat
erjoinedbyonemor eel
derly
voicewhichIr
ecogni
seasMrMohl akoane'
s.The
nextvoi
ceIhearisSbu'sthenit
sSchevandt hi
sget
s
thebestofmyattent
ionbutIjustst
ayinbed.Idon'
t
wanttolookatNkosiorelse,Iwi
llj
ustl
oseit.
Icl
osemytear
yey
es,
embr
aci
ngt
hesl
eepi
nvi
tedby
mypil
low.

Thesplattersmadebyt herai
noutsidewakemeup.I
bli
nkmyey esacoupleoftimesbeforesit
ti
ngup
str
aight,
stretchi
ngmyachi ngbody.Theeventf
or
theorphanswi thcanceri
shappeningtodayandam
i
nnomoodf orthepubl i
c.Ijustwantt ostayinbed
andsl eep,butIcan' t.Icarrymy sel
ft othebathroom,
takeashowerwhi lsttryi
ngt odismi sswhat
happenedl astni ght.Iloti
onmybody ,getbackinto
myni ghtdressandl eav eforthemai nroom.Iopen
thedoorexpect i
ngNkosi t
obet heonl ypersonin
therebutMkhi zeandhi swhol esquadar estil
li
n
there.Nkosi si
tsont hebed, hisfacebur i
edinhis
palmsasMkhi ze,MrMohl akoane, SbuandSchevsi t
aroundhi m.

"Oooh, sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tknowt hatyouwereinher
e."I
apologise,att
empti
ngt ocl
oset hedoorbutMr
Mohl akoanecall
smei nsi
det heroom.

"Goodmor
ningmakot
i.
"hegr
eet
sandIgr
eethi
m
back.

"
Thando.
"say
sSbu.
"
Sbu.
"Ir
epl
yhi
m.

"Makoti
,wewillbetaki
ngourleav
enow, seei
ngt
hat
yourhusbandissober.
"saysMrMohlakoane
standi
ngup.Iwalkalloft
hem outandcomebackto
Nkosisti
ll
sit
ti
ngont hebed.
Idon'
tpayanyatt
ent
iont
ohim,wal
ktot
hecl
oset
,
getanoutf
itandwal
kbackt
otheroom.

"Idon'
tknowwhattodoany
more.
"saysNkosi
.Isi
de
eyehim,notawordut
ter
edandIj
ustf
ocusonmy
clot
hes.

"Doyousti
l
lwantyourmassage?"Iask,putt
ingon
myblackpenci
lski
rt
.Nkosir
aiseshisfacefrom hi
s
pal
ms,examinesmyfaceasIjustgetdressed.

"
Ayesornowoul
dbehel
pful
rightnow,
"Isayt
ohi
m.
"Umm,mybackdoeshur
tsothatwouldbemuch
appr
eci
ated.
"hef
inal
l
yanswer
s,shocked.
If
inishput
ti
ngonmycl
othes,
tiemyhai
rthenwal
k
overtoNkosi
.

"
Layony
ourst
omach,
"Isayt
ohi
sconf
usedf
ace.

"Am notgoingt
oshooty
ouNkosi
,l
ayony
our
stomach."
Heslowl
ydoesso,
keepi
nghi
sey
esonme,
looki
ng
scar
ed.
Ir
emov ehi
sshi
rt
,putt
hemassagi
ngoi
lonhi
m andI
st
artt
omassagehim.

"Whyar
ey oumassagi
ngme?"heasks,
hisv
oice
showi
ngthedil
emmaheisin.

"
BecauseIpr
omi
sedy
out
hatIwoul
dyest
erday
."I
t
ell
him.
Afewmoment
sofsi
l
encepassasIj
ustmassage
Nkosi
.

"
Am sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
,Idon'
tknowwhatgoti
nto
me.
"

"Don'tapologi
se,it
'sallmyfaul t
.Ishoul
dn'
thave
pressuredy ouint
obringingy ourfat
herher
e.Ishoul
d
havest ay
edoutofi t.
..Butit
st oolatenow.
"Ianswer
back.Hef i
r mlyhol
dsmywr ist,st
oppingi
tfr
om
mov i
ngbackandf ort
honhi sback.

"Don'ttalkli
kethatThando,i
t'
smyf ault
,Ishouldn'
t
havel etitaf
fectmet hatmuch.And..
..
..
"hesitsup
str
aight ,
lett
inggoofmywr ist
.

"And,y
ouwer eri
ghtyesterday
,Icertai
nlycan'
tl
etgo
ofthepastbyusingrevenge.As.
..
..ashardasitmay
be,Iwil
lhavetol
etitgo."
"
Nkosi,Idon'twantyout
ofeelli
keyouarebei
ng
f
orcedtof or
givehi
m.Ifyoudon'twantt
othenIwi
l
l
makesur ehegoestoanotherhospi
talf
araway
f
rom us."

"Idon'
tfeell
ikeam bei
ngf
orcedThando.
"hel
et'
s
outasigh..
..
.

"l
astnightIwassi t
ti
ngwi thanol dmanandhewent
throughexactl
ywhatIwentt hrough.Hi sfatherused
toabusehi mjustli
kepapaabusedus.Hedeci dedt o
runawayatay oungage, hegothi sownmoneyj ust
l
ikemet henhisf at
herneededsomehel pbecause
hewasn' tabl
etof i
nanciall
ysuppor thimself.Buthe
refusedtohelphisfatherthenhisf atherdied.Ti
ll
today,heblameshi mselfforlett
inghi m di
edespi t
e
thefactthathewasabusedbyhi m. "

Het
il
tshi
sheadt
othewi
ndow,
li
cki
nghi
slowerl
i
p.
"Af
tert
ell
ingmet hatstory,hesaidtome, i
t'
snot
worthi
ttr
y i
ngtotakerev engeonmyf ather.Ishould
l
etitgoandmov eonwi t
hmyl if
e.Atf ir
st,Ijust
l
augheditoffanditoldhimt hatIwillneverf or
give
papabutthenhesaidsomet hi
ngt hatmademet hi
nk
twi
ce.Hesaidtome, "recall
sNkosi .

"OnceItakemyrevengeonpapa,itwi
llonl
ymake
mecr av
ef ormorer
evengeandthatcravi
ngmi ght
endupdest r
oyi
ngme.Ev enaf
terPapa'sdeat
h.After
sayi
ngthat,hel
eftt
hebar "

"
Whydoest
hatmakey
out
hinkt
wice?
"IaskNkosi
.

"Thando,IwenttoabarlastnightandIgotdr unk,I
evensmokedandIdon' tli
kesmoki ng.Ionlydidthat
becauseIwascr av
ingforrevengeandt hatonlyled
tomedoi ngsuchstupi
dity
.Icouldhav ehurtyoul ast
nightThando,andam gl
adIdi dn'
t.Icouldhave
gottenint
oanaccidentfr
om dr i
vi
ngdr unkorIcoul d
havedonesomet hi
ngstupid.I_Ihonestlyt
hought
thatthi
sissuewouldn'taf
fectmeinanywaybutifI
don'tfi
xitsoon,
Imi ghtendupdoingthi
ngsIdon't
wantt odo.Worsei
fpapawast odie.
"SaysNkosi,
l
ookingintospace.

"
Sowhat
'st
henextst
epf
rom her
e?"

"
Iwi
l
lhavet
otryandf
orgivehi
m.I
t'
sprobablygoi
ng
t
obehar
dbutIhavet
o,formyownhappiness.
"

"
Am gl
adwear
enowont
hesamepage.
"
Chapt
er53

THANDO'
SPOV.

"
thandoj
ustbr
eat
he.
..
."cal
mlysay
sNkosi,hol
ding
myhandononehandandholdi
ngthebabybagon
t
heother
.

"
WellIwouldn'
tbeali
veifIwasn'
tbr
eathi
ngnow
woul
dI!!
!?
!?"Ishout
,tr
yingt
owalktothedoor
.

"Okay .Am sor

ry,let
'snotbeangrynoworelsey
ou
willenduppushi ngthebabyout..
..
."Hesay
sandI
sideey ehi
m, squeez i
nghishandevenmore.

"Nkosi
!Itwoul
dbebestify
oushutthefuckup!!
!!
!!
Ahhhhhhhhhh"Igr
ownasthecrampskeepon
gett
ingworseandworseaft
erever
ypassingsecond.
"Am sorrybaby.
...
..
justkeeponwalking,weare
almostthere.
"IlookatNkosi whoseey esareli
ter
all
y
onthev ergeoflet
tingthetear
soutandIj ustfeel
sorr
yf orhim.Butthisisn'
tmyfault
,it'
sthecramps,
thecrampsar emaki ngmedoi t.

Whenwegetout side,Nkosi'
ssportcarisst
opped
I
nfrontofusandschevr ushesoutofit.Heget
sthe
bagfrom Nkosi
,putti
ngitinthebootandNkosi
hel
psmegeti nthecar ,
sitt
ingnexttome.

"
Okay,wewi l
lbeatthehospi
tali
nabout10
minut
es.
."saysSchev,get
ti
ngint
othedri
versseat
.

"YOUBETTERTURNTHAT10MI NUTESTO2
MI NUTESORELSE!
????"ij
abberandSchevquickl
y
start
sdri
vi
ng.AsforNkosi,
hekeepsonbr eat
hingin
andoutsoloudl
yandit
'sannoyi
ngthehell
outofme.

"
Nkosi
?"Ical
lhi
minacal
mvoi
ce.
"
Yesmyl
ove?
"

"
STOPBREATHI
NGLI
KETHAT!
!!
"
Ibel
l
ow,
brushi
ngmybel
l
ywhi
chi
sli
ter
all
yaboutt
o
pop.

"
Whythehelldi
dIgetpregnantagain!!
!!
!!
!"Iyel
p.
"
Nkosigett
histhi
ngoutofme! !
!!
!"Ishri
ek,shutt
ing
myeyes.

"Wearealmostt
heremywhi t
er ose,
justhol
don...
."
saysNkosi
.Hesoundssohelplessandpat r
if
ied
ri
ghtnowwhichispret
tysad.

Assoonaswepar kthecar
,Schevhur
ri
esint
othe
hospi
tal
,get
ti
ngawheel chai
rhimsel
fandcoming
backpushi
ngit
.Nkosi hel
psmeoutofthecarand
ontot
hewheel chair
.
"Anyoneher
e!!
!!
!pl
easehelpmywife!
!!
!shei
sabout
togivebi
rt
h!"ShoutsNkosiasweenterthehospi
tal
and1nurserushest ome.Asam bei
ngpushedto
theLDR,Nkosir
unsbesideme,holdi
ngmyhandand
pray
ingunderhi
sbr eat
h.

"Si
r,y
ouneedtost
ayhere.Wewi
l
ltakecar
eofher
."
saysoneoft
henurses.

"No!
!Hemustcomei nsidewi
thme.Iwanthi
m next
tome!!
"Iscream,
cri
ngingasthecr
ampsgetworser
andworser.

"Okayfi
ne.Sir
,youneedtogochanget heny
oucan
comein."I
nstruct
sthenurse.Nkosif
oll
owsoneof
theguynursesasam pushedintotheroom,hel
ped
tochangeintoalabourgown.

"
Okay,
am here.Letmeseehowfart
hebabyi
s
ma'
am."Say
sadoct or
,walki
ngi
ntot
heroom.Il
et
him checkandhepr
essesanemer
gencybut
ton,
requesti
ngmorenur
ses.
Nkosibol
tsi
nwiththeothernur
sesandwal
kstome,
holdsmyhandreal
l
ytightwhil
sttel
l
ingmenotto
for
getthebr
eat
hingexerci
seswehadbeendoingfor
thepast5mont
hs.

"Thebabyiscomi ng,wehavenotimetowast e.We

needtohelpy oudeli
verasinnow!"Say
st hemale
doctor
.Hesi t
sonachai r,
goingundertheclot
h
that
'scov
eringmyar ea.

"
Doesher
eal
lyhavetol
ookatmypr oper
tyt
hough!
"
mumbl
esNkosiandIj
ustshootaneyeathi
m.

"Push!
!"shoutst
hedoctorandIgivemyf i
rstpush.I
guessthisisi
t,i
t'
sreal
lyhappeni
ng..
..
..
am giv
ing
bir
thtomyf ir
stchi
ld.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Il
ookaroundasIseesmil
esev
ery
wher
eandhear
l
aught
erateverycor
neroft
her
oom.I
sthi
sreal
l
yit
,
myhappyending?

Imean, af terthatday8mont hsago, Nkosi andRose

bothf orgav etheirf atherwhol aterdi edt hat
after noon.Thei rst epmot herhadbeenki ll
edbyt heir
fatherwhi chexpl ainedwhyshewasdi f
ficulttof i
nd.
Luandanev erstalkedmeev ersincet hatdayIwasat
themal l withRose.MrMohl akoaner epr esent ed
bothRoseandNkosi withoutfeelingbad.Rosegav e
birt
ht oabeaut if
ul babygi r
landlat ergotmar riedt o
Sihleont hesamedayNkosi andIhadourweddi ng.
Khay afinallycamebackandhef orgav eNkosi for
kil
li
ngourf ather.Zi phoandShani aar ei nsomesor t
ofr elati
onshi pwhi chi skindofapr obl em f orNer isa,
mymom andMaMohl akoanebutZi phodoesn' tcare.
Mkhi zeendedupmov i
ngonandhef oundhi msel fa
girlwhoi spr ett
ysweet .Sbuwasf irstbeatupbymy
brot hersaf tertheyf oundoutabouthi sandNkosi '
s
deal buthei snowpar tofthefami ly.Oohandmy
mot her,shehadf al leninlovewi thsomemi ddle
agedmanwhol ooksexactl
yli
keSabelo.Ihave
neverr
eall
ytri
edt oinv
esti
gatewhyhel ooksso
muchlikeSabelobutam gladmom hasf ound
someone.Nkosi andIadoptedShani
aandshei s
nowourdaughter .
Tshi
di i
sengagedandpr egnantwit
hJor dan'sbaby.
Noluisalsoengagedt oBrendonbutthose2ar e
for
everfighti
ng.Andnow, Ihavegivenbirt
ht oa
handsomepr i
ncewhol ooksexactl
yli
kehi sfather
.
Theblueey es,thenoseandt hedarkl
ips.Somuch
happenedi nthese8mont hsanditwasal lforthe
best.
Thi
sisal
lIev
erwant
ed.
..
..
..

Ifeel
Nkosiki
ssi
ngmyforeheadashehol
dshisfi
rst
borninhi
sarms,hi
ssmi
lenotleav
inghi
sfaceatall
.

"ThankyousomuchmaNxumal o.Youhavegiven
met hebestgi
ftany
onecouldhaveevergi
venme.
Youhav egi
venmeanheir.Ngi
yabongasthandwa
Sami (
thankyousomuchmyl ove.
"Heperksmylips
t
henlooksatthethenewbor
nwr
appedar
oundt
he
mul
ti
pleblanket
s.

"Nkosii
t'
sti
met oletsomeofusholdthebabynow,
wehav ebeenwaiti
ng!!"Whi
nesTshi
diwhois
standi
ngwithJordanandNolu.

"Youmightaswellwai
tforev
erbecauseam not
givi
nghi
mt oanyoneel
se."saysNkosi,
rocki
ngthe
babysi
det osi
deaseveryoneint
heroom cracksup.

"Mxm!
!Thandoy
ourmani
ssost
ingyy
hooo!
"

"
Lethi
m beTshi
di!Hefi
nall
ygothi
sminni
ehi
m."
t
easesmymom whoi ssit
ti
ngontheot
hersi
deof
t
hebedwhil
sthol
dingShaniawhohasfal
l
enasl
eep.

"Knockknock."say
sRose,peepi
ngatt
hedoor
.I
spotSihl
eholdingLer
atoi
nhisarmsandmyfather
andmot
heri
nlawbehi
ndSi
hle.

"
Rose!
"Iexcl
aim ast
heywal
kinsi
detheroom.Rose
wal
ksovertohugmeandsodoesSihlealongwi
th
maandpapa.

"
Hel
loPri
ncess,
"Igr
eetLer
atowhol
ooksatmewi
th
t
hegreat
estsmil
e.

"
Isthi
stheli
tt
lepr
ince!
"say
smaMohl
akoaneand
Nkosinodshi
shead.

"
What
'shi
sname?
"asksSi
hle.
Nkosi
looksatmet
henl
ooksatt
hebaby
.

"
Hisnamei
sBanel
e,Banel
eDashi
elNxumal
o."
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Soguy s,t
hisi
sitfr
om Thando.Thankyouto
every
onewhohassuppor tedmeandr eadthi
s
book IloveyouallandIwi
ll
defi
nit
elymisstheconver
sati
osnsIusedtohave
withmostofyall