CARRYMEHOME

I
NTRO
Inlifewear et ol
dt hatopposi teattr
act.
darknessaxi stsot hatwecanappr i
ciat
e
thelight.thatswhyweneedt ofalli
nlove
withpeopl ewhocompl eteus,someone
totrav elt
her oadwi thus.Someonet o
pickusupwhenwef all dawnandcar ry
ushome.Tr av elwithmei nthisjour
ney
oflov eandsel fdiscov ery,wherethe
pastt hreatenst hef uture.
[
05/
04,
13:
43] :
inser
t1
Ican’
tbel
ieveIam st
andingheretoday,
outsi
deofthi
sfourwall
s,itsur
efeels
l
ikeadream.Ihavedreamedaboutt hi
s
daysi ncet hefirstni ghtIspenti nthis
hellhol ebutIdi dnotev enoncebel i
eve
i
twoul dcomet r
ue.“ It
’sal lri
ghtPhuml a,
i
t’sal lov ernow”hesay spat ti
ngmy
back.Iam downonmykneescr yi
ng
becauseIst il
lcan’ tbelievet hatthisday
i
sf inal l
yher e.Icoul dn’tsl eeplastnight
becauseIwasaf r
ai dtowakeupandbe
toldi twasal ladream.ButIam her e
nowandIam r eallyfree, t
her ainthat
fal
lsonmybackr emi ndsmet hatitall
real andIam notdr eami ng.Isl owlyget
upandt akei nadeepbr eath.Idon’t
wantt olookbacksoIj ustwal kon, Iwill
definitelydoany thingi nmypowernott o
fi
ndmy selfbackher eagai n.
Mynamei sPhuml aniZunguIam 30
yearsoldandt odaymar kst hedayofmy
rebir
th.Todayi st hedaymyl if
et akesa
turnfort hebet ter,todayi st hedayI
becomeaf reeman.Igeti ntot heback
ofthecarandSi moni sl ooki ngwi th
wor r
yandconcer ninhisey es.“ Areyou
ohkndoda? ”heaskashet akesasi t
nexttomeatt heback.“ Ngi r
ightSy ,and
thanky ouv erymuchf orev erything,I
don’tthinkIwoul dhav esur v i
vedmy
ti
meher eify oual sochooset oturny ou
backonmel i
keev eryoneel se.”Henods
andaskst hedr i
vert odr iv
et oahot el.I
askedhi mt obookmei ntoahot el
becauseIdon’ twantt ogohome.I nfact
,
IdoubtIst il
l hav eahome.Si mon,
want edt ot akemei nbutIjustdi dnot
wantt oi nconv eniencehi sfami ly,I
under standt hathehasay oungwi fe
nowandIdon’ twantt omakeherf eel
uncomf ortableinherownhome.Weal l
knowhowpeopl esomet i
mesf eel
awkwar dar oundf ormerconv icts,plus
theguyhasal readydonemor ef orme.
“Wear eher emf wet hu”Sysay s.Iwas
notev enawar et hatwear epar kedin
frontoft hehot el.It akeadeepbr eat h
“Cany oupl easegi v eme5mor e
mi nutes?”Iask.“ Sho, youwi l
lfindme
i
nsi dewheny ouar eready”hesay s
wal ki
ngoutaf terpat t
ingmyback, the
driverfollowsandst andout si
de.
Iclosemyey esassoonast hecardoor
closes.Isayapr ayert hanki
ngthelord
forprotect
ingmeal l t
hosemont hsin
prisonandf oraffordingmeasecond
chancei nli
fe.Afterthepr ay
erIwalkout
oft hecarandwal ki ntothehotel
.
Ifi
ndSywai ti
ngf ormeatt her ecept ion.
Hewal kstotheliftandIf ollowhi m“ I
thoughtyoukill
edy ourselfint herebr o”
hesay sj
okingly
.“Nev er,ifitwast hat
easyIwouldhav edonei tt hef irstnightI
spendinprison”Isaywal ki
ngi ntothe
l
ift
.“YaziPhumla, Iam glady oudi dnot
choosetotaket heeasywayout ,
Idoubt
Iwouldhavesur vived.Irespecty ou
ndoda”hesay s.“Idon’tthinkweknow
whatwecansur viveuntilwef i
nd
oursel
v esinthatsit
uation.Imean4
yearsago, Iwouldnothav edreamtof
spendingadayi njailandsurvivi
ng
mfwet hu,buthereIam”Ir eply
shruggingmyshoul ders.Wer eachour
fl
oorandwal ktotheroom.

“Ihav ealit
tlepresentf oryou,Ihopey ou
willl
ikeit”Sysay sst andingbyt hedoor.
“Asl ongasi t’
snotasur pri
separ t
y ,
I
tol
dy ouIam notr eadyt oseeany one”I
saypoi nti
ngmyf i
ngerathi m.Hej ust
shrugshi sshouldersandopent hedoor.
“Fuckndoda, t
hisIlike”Isaypat ti
nghim
ont hebackandsmi ling.Il
ikewhatIsee
ofcour se,twobeaut ifulhalfnaked
l
adieschi ll
i
ngont hebed.YouseeIhav e
beenst arved, Simont r
iedtof indaway
tobringmesomewhi l
eIwasst il
l
i
ncar cer atedbutal latt
empt sf ailed.
“Well Iam gl adyouappr ove,cozIhav e
toleav e.Ipr omi sedmydaught erIwi ll
beat tendi nghersoccermat cht oday .
Ladies, pleasemakesur emyf riendher e
hast hebestt i
meonhi sli
fe”Sysay .
“Beforey oul eave,whenam Iget tingmy
stuff
?Ineedt ostartworking”.“ Youwi l
l
gety ourt oy stomor rowmor ni ng, along
withy oubankcar ds.”Hesay sand
pause, hel ooksatt heladi
esbehi ndme
andsai d“ Phuml a,wewi l
ldiscuss
everythingt omor r
owohk.Gogetr idof
allt
hatcer ebos, Iam surey ouar er eady
tooffload25l it
ers”hesay slaughi ng
andr unningtothedoor.Cr
azysonofa
b***h.Iturnmyat t
enti
ontothetwo
l
adiesont hebedwhoar el
ookingatme
seductivelyandIam ashardasaniron.
Damn, t
onighti
sthenight.
[
05/
04,
13:
43] :
Inser
t2
Iam wokenupbyal oudbangi ngont he
door.Damn, whattimei sit
.Ibar elyslept
l
astni ght.Thet woladieswer ehav i
ng
tr
oublekeepi ngup, Imadesur et hey
workedf oreverypennypaidt ot hem.“ I
am comi ng,j
uststopbangi ngt hedoor
l
ikeapr i
sonwar der,Ididnotleav e
pri
sont obewokenl i
keani nmat e”I
shoutr emov i
ngoneoft heladieshead
fr
om mychest .Mxm shei stoo
comf ortable,
cuddlinglikewear elovers.
Theyshoul
dwakeupandl
eav
eal
ready
.

“Damny oul ookl i

key ouhadar ough
night,Ifeelforthepoorl adies”Simon
sayspushi nghi swayi n.“Whatt i
mei si
t
andar en’tyousupposedt obeeat i
ng
breakfastinbedorsomet hing”Iask
yawning.“ It
sl at
endoda, didn’tyouused
towakeupat4am i nAlcatraz?”ooooh
reall
y?Whatwoul dheknowabout
Alcatr
az?t hepr isonIwasi nwasmor e
l
ikeSunCi tythanAl catr
azasheput sit
.
Butthespeci alholidaytreatmentwas
notforal lofus.Iwasl uckyr eal
ly
becauset her eisnot hingmoneycannot
buyint hiscount ry.Simonwoket he
l
adiesupni celyandaskedt hem toleav
e.
Appar entlypay mentwasdonev i
aEFT
beforet heyshowedup, y aht hingshav e
real
lychangedouther e.Pr ost itutesare
paidv i
aEFT, Iam t ol
di t
sf orsaf ety
reasons, onet heydon’ tfeel saf ecarrya
l
otofcash, Idon’tevenwantt oknow
howmucht heywer epai d,andt wo
somecust omersr unawaywi thout
paying.Thati sj
ustnotf ai r
.Weneedt o
respecteachot her ’
strade, Imeanhow
woul dyouf eeli
fsomeoneusedy our
servicesandr efusedtopayupaf ter
?
Otherpr ofessionalswoul dthr eat enlegal
acti
onbecauset helawisont heirside
whilethispr ofession(prost itution)isnot
evenr ecogni zedbyt helaw.
“Whatt i
meismyst uffgetti
ngher e? ”I
ask.“Theyshouldbear r
ivi
nganyt ime
from now”hesay scheckinghi swat ch.
“Ohk,Ineedashower ,pleaseor derus
somebr eakfastwhil
eyouar eatit.Iam
famished”Isaywalkingtot hebat hroom.
ItakeaquickshowerandIsweart hat’
s
j
ustwhatt hedoctorordered, mybody
sureneededt hi
saftert
her oughni ghtI
had.

Iwalkbackt ofindSimonont hephone.I

assumehei stalki
ngtohiswifebecause
heisallsoftandhumbl eandhei sall
aboutsmi l
es.Mxm pussywhi ppedass.I
searchthroughabagt hathebrought
withhim andpul loutapairofbluejeans,
bluegol fshirtandwhi t
esni ckers.Simon
knowsmyt ast everywel lthatwhyIt r
ust
himt oor ganizet hi
ngsf orme.“ Mfwet hu,
yourt oysar eov erthere”hesay s
pointi
nghi sf ingeratal argeboxnextt o
thetabl e.Thest uffmusthav ear ri
ved
whenIwasst il
li
nt heshower .“Wow
fi
nally,nowIcanst artwor ki
ng”Isay
withasmi leonmyf ace.Iopent hebox
andt akeoutt helaptop, cell
phoneand
somedi scst hatarei nthebox.Ipl ucki n
thelapt opandswi tchiton.Iam busy
i
nstallingsomesof twareandcodi ng.
Youshoul dknowt hatcomput er
sar emy
specialty.Icaneasi lyhacki ntoany
system Iwantt o.iam thatgood,ev eni f
Isaysomy sel f
.
“Areyousur ey oustil
lknowwhaty ou
aredoing? ”heasksl eaningi nbehindmy
back.“Ungazongi j
way ela,thisi
slike
ri
dingabi cycle,i
tdoesn’tmat t
erhow
l
ongy out akenotr i
ding.May beifyou
stopbr eathi
ngdownmyneckIwi l
l
fi
nishher efast”Isaywi t
houtl ookingat
him.Hechuckl esandwal ksaway .Wise
mov e,Icannoweasi lyconcent r
ateon
whatIam doi ng.Ther eisaknockont he
door,SyandIl ookateachot herbefore
heaskswhoi si t?“
Room ser vi
cesir”a
voicerespondsont heothersi de.Ishift
myat tenti
onbackt omycomput er
screenasSyopenst hedoorandaccept
thebreakfast.Iam v eryhungr ybutIam
i
nt hezone,damnImi ssedmy“ toy s”
.I
am donewithi nst
all
ingandcodi ngaf t
er
twohoursandhal f,Idi dnotevenhear
Simonleave.Imusthav ebeenreal l
yin
thezone,i
t’
sagoodt hinghe
underst
andst hatonceIst artwor kingI
becomeobl i
viousofmysur r
oundi ng.

Idecidet ohackintothecamer as
system oft hehoteltotestitoutandboy
i
twor ksl i
kewonder .Igetupandhel p
my selftothebreakfast,orshouldIsay
whatr emainsofi t
.Simoncaneatt he
whol ecowshoul dhebegi venachance.
“Didy ouwin?”thathowheanswer shi
s
phone.“ Whoam I ,huh?”“Uy i
njandoda,
youar etheman.Letmewr apf ew
thingsher e,Iwil
l seey ouinanhour ”he
say s.“Cool ”Ireplybef orehangingup.I
deci det oleavet hepl acekhengi shay we
wumoy a.Iaskt hemanatr ecepti
ont o
callmeacabandt otakemet othemal l
tobuysomef ewt hi
ngsbef or
eIleav e.I
deci dedt hatIwoul dber elocati
ng,there
i
shonest l
ynot hingf ormeher eanymor e,
j
ustpai nfulmemor i
est hatIwantt o
l
eav ebehi nd.SimonboughtmesomeI T
companyi nLimpopot hatwasaboutt o
shutdown, Iwantt orebuildmyl i
fefar
from t hisplace.

Iknowy ouar
epr obablyaski
ngyour
sel
f
howIendedupi nprisonandwhatwasI
sentencedf
or.Butthatisastor
yfor
anotherday ,al
lyouneedt oknowi sthat
Ididnotki l
l,
rapeorst eal Iwasj ustina
wrongpl aceatawr ongt i
mewi ththe
wrongcr owed.Ihav ebeenher ef or40
minandIneedt oheadbackt ot hehotel
beforeSi moncomesback, hedi dsayhe
will
bet hereinanhour s’ti
me.Ideci de
tocallhimt opassbyt hemal landpi ck
meup.“ Iam onmywaymf wet hunguy a
fi
kamanj eao”Ilaugh, thi
sguy shasno
phonemanner sshem.“ bengithi
uzongitholangasePav il
li
onao”Isay .
“ohk,ngiyafi
kake, pleaseor derussome
l
unchwhi leyouar eatit”thi
sman
doesn’thiswi f
ef eedhim?“ Kul ungileke,
uzongitholangaseSpur ”wesayour
goodby esandhangup.Iwal kint othe
rest
aurantandordersomef oodfortwo.
DecidedtogooglePolokwanewhi l
eI
waitforSyandthefood.Ilear
nsome
i
nteresti
ngthi
ngsaboutthepr ov
ince,I
real
lydidnotknowmuchabouti t.Ij
ust
wantt obefarfr
om thi
splace.

“bengakwaziukithiubuyi
le,wer eyounot
supposedt ospendl i
ke25y earsinside?”
Iknowt hatvoi
ce, shebetterleaveme
alonecozIam noti nthemoodt odeal
withher.SeewhyIneedt or elocate,my
unpleasantpastiseverywher e.“Phuml a
ngikhulumanawe”shesay s.Ilookup
andImustsay ,
shei ssti
llasbeaut i
ful
asev erbutIbetshei ssti
llaheat l
ess,
golddiggingwhor e.“
Zinzi,l
eav eme
alonepl ease.I tcan’tbet hatdiffi
cul t,
youdi ditforthepast4y ear ssomov e
along”Isayl ookingatheri ntheey e.
Shesmi rksandr ubsherbi gbel lyand
wal ksof f,IwonderwhySynev ert oldme
thatshei spregnant .Mxm.It akeadeep
breat h,decidest osear chforapl an
ti
cketonl i
ne.Iam l eavingassoonas
tomor r
ow.Si monwi llhavet o
under stand.Thepl anwasf ormet o
mov e,afteraweekbutIcan’ tbei nthis
placeany mor e.Atleastahousehas
alreadybeenboughtf ormet hatsi de.I
willuset heweekt osi ghtseebef or e
startingatt hecompany
[
05/
04,
13:
43] :
Inser
t3
Ror
isang
Ora:
“mommymommyt soga,
tsoga”
t
hat’
sthesoundofmyl
i
ttl
epr
incess
waki
ngmeup
Me: “oooohOra5moreminut
espl
ease”
Ipleadwithherr
efusi
ngt
oopenmy
eyes.
Ora: “
Butmommyy oupromisedme
pancakes”shewhi nesasshei sjumpi
ng
upanddownonmybed.Ther egoesmy
beautysleep,Iopenmyey esandsmil
e
atthisbeauti
fulgi
rlwhoi sbossi
ngme
around.Ihavetoapol ogi
zetomy
mot herf
oralltheti
mesIbossedher
around,thi
smustbekar ma.

Me:
“Happybi
rt
hdaypr
incessOr
a,
mommyl ovesy ouv er
ymuchandy ou
aremyl it
tl
esunshi ne,y
oubr ightenup
myl i
fe”IsayasIpul lherf orawar m hug
andkissingheralloverherf ace.She
giggl
esandmyhear tj
umpsf orjoy.
“Comel et’
swashy ourfaceandbr ush
yourteethbeforepancakes” .Sher unsto
thebathroom wi t
hmebehi ndher .Wedo
ourbusinessandgot otheki tchent o
makepancakes.Myphoner i
ngsandby
j
ustlookingatt hecall
erIDIknowt he
calli
snotmeantf ormebutt hepr i
ncess,
Ihandhert hephoneandherf acelights
upwhensheseest hecallerI D.She
choosest olaughandnotanswert he
phone,Ilookatheramusedandwonder
whyshedoesn’ twanttot alkt oThuso.
Me:“whyar
eyouignor
ingt
hephoneOr
a
don’
tyouwantt
otalkt
oTS”Iask.

Ora:“Nomommyhemustwai tonthe
l
adybecausealadyisnotal
way s
avai
labl
eyouknow”shesayswi t
hsome
att
it
udeIlookatheramused.Thephone
ri
ngsagainandthi
stimesheanswer
Or
a:“
hel
l
oTS”
.
Thuso:“Happybi
rthdaymyl
ady
,howar
e
youtoday”?heasks.
Ora:“
Iam f
inebuti
tcanbebet
tery
ou
know”shesays.
TS:“ooohreal
ly
,whatcanIdot
omakei
t
bet
ter”hesays.
Ora: “
wellyoucantel
lmeyouare
attendingmybirt
hdaypar
tyl
ateron
today,ImissyouTS”.

Iwalkoutleav i
ngheront hephonet ogo
bath.OraandThusohav et hemost
beauti
fulr
elationshipever, theyar ev ery
cl
oseandwhenshewasbor nThuso
namedherMel ena( meani ngl ove, grace
andwar mth)appar entl
yitor i
ginat es
fr
om Czech.Thusoi smybi gbr ot her
andhasal way splayedaf at herr oleto
mydaught er.Hehasadoct or atei n
Li
nguisti
chencet helovef orf oreign
names.Hel i
v esinJohannesbur g
becauseofhi swor katWi ts.Ial so
wonderifhewi l
lbecomi ngf orOr a’s
part
ybutIwoul dn’tbl
amehi mi fhecan’t
.
Gautengi stoof artodri
vej usttoat t
end
achil
d’s6t hbirt
hdaypar ty.Wear e
havi
ngal i
tt
lecel ebr
ati
onatMi ke’s
Kit
chenout sideMal loftheNor th.We
i
nvit
edabout20chi l
dren,Or a’
sf r
iends
andcousi nsofheragegr oup.Iwal k
backtot hekitchenonlyt ofindshei s
sti
l
lont hephonewi thThuso.

Me: “
Orayouneedtosayby enowso
thatwecangogety ourhai
rdone,
Ausi
Keneil
weiswait
ingforyou”
.Shehands
met hephoneandrushestothe
bedroom.
Me:“
SouncleT,
arey
oucomi
ng”
?Iask
mybrot
her
.
TS:“ofcauseIam coming,
Iwouldn’
t
missmypr incess’
sbi
rt
hday”hesays.
Me:“
Youwil
lmakesuchagr
eatf
ather
wat
sebamaraThuso”
.
TS:
Helaughs“Idon’
twantki
dsRor
i,
Mel
enaisenoughforme”.

Haiyouwi l
lneverwinwi t
ht hi
sone.My
motherhasbeenbeggi nghimt obri
ng
homeamakot ibuthesay snotanyt
ime
soon.Somet i
mesIt hinkthese
academicsjustsucksi nlovecozthey
spendmostoft heirti
meswi t
htheir
books.OraandIl eavethehouset o
Keneil
we’shouse3st reetsawayt oget
herhairdone.Idropherof fandcallmy
dadt
odri
vemetocol
l
ectt
hecakeat
Madi
baPark.
Fewhour sl at
erwear eofftotownand
thepr incessi ssul kingbecauseTSi s
nother ey etandhi sphonei son
voicemai l
.Myf atherdr opsusof fand
remi ndsmet ocal lhim anhourbef ore
sot hathecanpi ckusup.Wewal kinto
thev enueandmyOr ajumpsupand
downwi thhappi nesswhensheseest he
decor ationwi ththeDocMcst uffi
ns
themeandCake.Mydaught erbathong,
shewant st obeaDoct orwhenshe
growsup, notjustanydoct or“adoct or
whoheal sanimal s”assheal wayssay s.
Childrenst art
sar ri
vingatt hevenueand
thepar t
ybegi ns.Iam si t
ti
ngwi t
hmy
fri
endMphoatt hebacksuper vi
singthe
kids.Weaskedt hepar ent
stodr opoff
thekidsandpi ckt hem upat16:30.An
hourintothepar tyThusowal ksinwi t
ha
biggestpresenti nhishands,Oraspot s
heruncleandr unst ohi m.Ishedat ear
becauseIam gr atefulf
ormybr otherfor
alwaysbeingt heref ormylit
tl
epr i
ncess.
Shehasnev erfeltthatshedoesn’thave
af at
her.

Mymi ndwondersoffto9y earsago

whenImeetOr a’sfather.Hewaswhat
wewoul dconsiderabeaut i
ful
black
man, hewaswel lbui
ltashewasi nto
soccerandgym anddar ki
ncompl exi
on,
nottoodarkbutaccept abl
edark.Iused
tocallhim myblackcoffee.Wewer e
sooinlov eandIwassur ehewasmy
for
ever.ImeetThapel oKgal emawhenI
wasdoi ngmyf i
rstyearattheUniver
sit
y
ofJohannesburg.Itwast he3rddayof
ori
entati
onandhewasanusher .He
i
ntroducedhimselfatlunchtimeand
askedwhyIwassi t
tingalone.
Me:
“wel
lIam sor
tofal
oner
”
Thapel
o:“ooohsoam I,
howaboutwe
becomelonerstoget
her
?”hesai
dwit
ha
beaut
if
ulsmile.

Wesattogetherunt
ill
unchwasdone
andheoffer
edt owalkmetomyr oom
att
heendoft heday.Aft
eror
ient
ati
on
heaskedmet owai tatleast30mi nutes
forhim ast heyonl yknockedof f30mi n
afterthepr ogr ammewasdone.Iwai ted
andheaccompani edmet omyr oom, I
wasst ayi
ngof fcampusandhewas
stayingoncampus.Webecamecl ose
fri
endsandl aterstartedt odate.Iwas
study i
ngt owar dsBusi ness
admi nist
rat i
onandhewasdoi nghi s
secondy eari neducat ion.Ireall
y
thoughtThapel owast heone, he
promi sedmeheav enandear t
hbutI
guessIwasaf oolinlovebecauseIf ell
forallhischar m.Fort henextt hree
yearsatv arsit
yIl i
v edmyl if
ef orhim, we
mov edi nt oget herwhenIwasdoi ngmy
secondy earwhi l
emaki ngsuret hatour
parent snev erf
indsout .Wewer eboth
farf r
om home, hecamef rom Taungi n
Nor thWestandIcamef rom Seshegoi n
Limpopoandmypar entnev erpoliced
mebecauseIwasagoodst rai
ghtA
child.Ipl annedmyl i
feandf uture
aroundThapel obecauseIwas
conv incedhewasmyf orever.Litt
ledidI
knowt hathedi dnotfeel thesame.We
wer est i
llhappyinourl it
tl
ebubbl e3
year slat erwhenIf el
lpr egnant .Thapelo
wasdoi nghi sf
our t
hy earandIwas
doingwasmy3r d.Wewer eallinour
fi
nal y earandl ookingf orwardt oour
futuret oget her
.

Af
terf
indi
ngoutIwaspr
egnantIr
ushed
toourl i
ttl
elovenestandcookedhi s
favorit
emeal .Nott hatIwashappy
beingpr egnantbutabor ti
onwasnotan
optionasi tgoesagai nstmybel i
ef.Iam
notaChr i
sti
anbutIwoul dn’
twantt okil
l
aninnocentsoi landIt houghtsince
ThapeloandIar edeepl yinl
ovewe
woul dmakei twor k.Thapelowasbusy
withhispr act
ical
sataschool inTaung
butmadesur ehewoul dcomeback
everyFriday.Icall
edt ocheckhowf arhe
wasandheassur edmet hathewi l
lbe
homesoon.

Aft
erfewhour
shearri
vedandIwas
donecooki
ng,weat
eov erali
ght
conver
sati
onwit
hmelaughingatthe
stori
esheshar edabouthi sstudents
andot herstaffmember s.Thiswasmy
safeheav en,eatingandl aughingwith
theloveofmyl ife.Wemadel oveinthe
mostpassi onat ewayassur ingeach
otherhowmuchwel ovedoneanot her
.
Aswewer ecuddl i
nginbedIpul ledthe
pregnancyt estandhandedi toverto
Thapelo.

Thapel
o:“
whatisthi
s?”heaskedwi
tha
fr
ownonhisface.
Me:“it
’sapr egnancyt
estlove,wenow
knowwhyIhav ebeensickthispastf
ew
weeks”.Ilookedathim puzzl
edashe
l
aughedandshookhi sheadlikeIwas
j
ustjoking.
Thapelo:
“ar
ey outr
yingt
otrapme
becauseIam abouttost
artwor
king?
”

What ?Whywoul dIwanttotraphim?I

didnotplant
of allpr
egnantandIam not
surewhathemeansaboutmet rappi
ng
him.Hehasalway sgav emet he
i
mpr essi
onthatwewi llbet
ogether
forev
er,whywoul dItr
aphim?
Me: “
Iam nott
ryi
ngtotr
apyouThapel
o”
Isai
dwithtear
srunni
ngdownmy
cheeks.
Thapelo:
“fi
nethenyouwi l
lnothavean
i
ssueterminat
ingthatpregnancy,
becauseIam notreadytobet i
eddown.
Isti
l
lwanttoli
v eali
ttl
eandexperience
thewor l
doutther
e.Iwi
ll
takeyout
oa
Drf i
rstt
hingi
nthemorni
ng”hesai
dand
kissedmyf or
ehead.
Me:“
Iam keepi
ngt
hebabyThapel
o,I
woul
dnotkil
lmychi
ld”
.
Thapelo:“r
eal
lynow?Ohkf i
ne,be
preparedtodothisonyourown.LikeI
saidIam notreadytodothi
swi t
hy ou
Rorisang”hesaidandtur
ntolookthe
otherway .
Icri
edmy sel
ftosleepthatnightprayi
ng
thathewoul dwakeupwi t
hachangeof
heart.Iwokeupi nthemor ningaround8
andThapel owasnotsl eepingnextme.I
foundanenv el
opeonthet ablewith
R2000andanot ethatsaidIshouldgo
terminateifIst
il
lwantedhimi nmyl if
e.I
cal
l
edhi
m.

Thapel
o:“
hiRor
i,hav
eyoudeci
ded?
”
That’
showheanswer edhisphone.
Wow, Iam Rorinow,notmyl oveorbaby
l
ikehealwayscal l
edme.Ifeltsocheap,
Ifel
tli
keIhaven’tknownthispersonfor
thepast3years.
Me: “
Ideci
dedt okeepthebabyThapelo,
Icannotsubjectbysel
ftoanaborti
on
andIwouldnev erfor
giv
emy sel
f”Isai
d
i
nbet weenthesobbing.
Thapel
o:“fi
nethenpleasepackupmy
thi
ngsIwil
ltakethem onmywayt o
home,Iam sorr
ywecan’ tmakeus
work”wit
hthatsaidhehangedthe
phone.
What?I
sthi
smyThapel
o?Whati
sreal
l
y
goi
ngonhere?
Her eall
ylef
tandt ookal lhiscl othes,
j
ustl i
kethata3y earr elat
ionshi pcame
toanend.Icr i
edmy selftosl eepf orthe
next3weekswi t
hnowor df r
om Thapel o,
unti
l Iwokeupatahospi t
al .Appar entl
y
mynei ghborbecomewor riedaf ternot
seeingmef or2day sandaskedmy
l
andl or
dt oopenupmyr oom.Iwas
foundunconsciousandIwasr ushedt o
thehospital
.Mypar entswecal ledand
mydadwasv er
ydi sappoi ntedi nme.I
hadt odropmyst udi esandmov eback
homesot hatmymot hercant akecar e
ofmeasIwasdepr essed.Icoul dn’t
fi
nishmyst udiest hatyearandchoset o
stayhomet hef oll
owi ngy ear.Igave
birt
ht oabeaut ifulbabygi rli
nJul y2012,
namedOr at
il
weMel enaMokoena.When
Orawas4y earsol dIdeci dedt ofi
nish
myout standi
ngsubj ectswi t
hUni sa,
thankst oThusowhosetmedownand
paintedascar ypi ctureofwhatmyl i
fe
wouldbewi thouteducat i
on.Iwentback
andf ini
shedwi thmyqual i
fi
cat i
on.Iwas
busywi t
hmyI nt ernshiplasty earandI
am v eryhappywi t
hmyl if
eandmyl i
tt
le
angel .

Ora:“
mommyl ookwhatTSgotf
orme”
shesay st
appi
ngmyshoul
derbr
ingi
ng
backfrom mythought
.
Me: “
wowOr athisissoobeauti
ful,
now
youcanstartpract
ici
ngyourski
llsmy
youngdoctor”
Thusogotheral ear
ningr
esources
pret
endplaypetvethospi
tal
set.Ismil
e
atherandthenturntomybotherwit
ha
smil
e.
TS:okareokgolekamenaganoso(why
doesitseem l
ikeyourmindi
sfar
)he
sayspull
ingmei nforahug.
Me:“Iam justt
ir
edit’
sbeenal
ongweek
pl
anningthisdi
va’spart
y”
TS:“
wellev
eryt
hinglooksperf
ectand
shei
sav er
yhappychild,shemakesall
ofushappy”hesayswithabeauti
ful
smil
eonhisface.Therei
snowayy ou
canmisst
hel
ovehehasf
ort
hischi
l
din
hisey
es.
Wesitandwat chthekidsenj oythe
part
yuntilparentcoll
ecttheirkidsone
byone,thenwemakeourwayhome.I t
hasbeenal ongdayr eall
yandwear eall
j
usttir
ed.Wegethome, batht he
pri
ncess,takeaqui ckshowerandof ft
o
bed.

Mynamei sRori
sangMokwenaandIam
26year
sold,Ihavea6y earold
daught
er,
2br ot
hersandstil
ll
iveswi
th
myparent
s.
[
05/
04,
13:
44] :
Inser
t3
Ror
isang
Ora:
“mommymommyt soga,
tsoga”
t
hat’
sthesoundofmyl
i
ttl
epr
incess
waki
ngmeup
Me: “oooohOra5moreminut
espl
ease”
Ipleadwithherr
efusi
ngt
oopenmy
eyes.
Ora: “
Butmommyy oupromisedme
pancakes”shewhi nesasshei sjumpi
ng
upanddownonmybed.Ther egoesmy
beautysleep,Iopenmyey esandsmil
e
atthisbeauti
fulgi
rlwhoi sbossi
ngme
around.Ihavetoapol ogi
zetomy
mot herf
oralltheti
mesIbossedher
around,thi
smustbekar ma.

Me:
“Happybi
rt
hdaypr
incessOr
a,
mommyl ovesy ouv er
ymuchandy ou
aremyl it
tl
esunshi ne,y
oubr ightenup
myl i
fe”IsayasIpul lherf orawar m hug
andkissingheralloverherf ace.She
giggl
esandmyhear tj
umpsf orjoy.
“Comel et’
swashy ourfaceandbr ush
yourteethbeforepancakes” .Sher unsto
thebathroom wi t
hmebehi ndher .Wedo
ourbusinessandgot otheki tchent o
makepancakes.Myphoner i
ngsandby
j
ustlookingatt hecall
erIDIknowt he
calli
snotmeantf ormebutt hepr i
ncess,
Ihandhert hephoneandherf acelights
upwhensheseest hecallerI D.She
choosest olaughandnotanswert he
phone,Ilookatheramusedandwonder
whyshedoesn’ twanttot alkt oThuso.
Me:“whyar
eyouignor
ingt
hephoneOr
a
don’
tyouwantt
otalkt
oTS”Iask.

Ora:“Nomommyhemustwai tonthe
l
adybecausealadyisnotal
way s
avai
labl
eyouknow”shesayswi t
hsome
att
it
udeIlookatheramused.Thephone
ri
ngsagainandthi
stimesheanswer
Or
a:“
hel
l
oTS”
.
Thuso:“Happybi
rthdaymyl
ady
,howar
e
youtoday”?heasks.
Ora:“
Iam f
inebuti
tcanbebet
tery
ou
know”shesays.
TS:“ooohreal
ly
,whatcanIdot
omakei
t
bet
ter”hesays.
Ora: “
wellyoucantel
lmeyouare
attendingmybirt
hdaypar
tyl
ateron
today,ImissyouTS”.

Iwalkoutleav i
ngheront hephonet ogo
bath.OraandThusohav et hemost
beauti
fulr
elationshipever, theyar ev ery
cl
oseandwhenshewasbor nThuso
namedherMel ena( meani ngl ove, grace
andwar mth)appar entl
yitor i
ginat es
fr
om Czech.Thusoi smybi gbr ot her
andhasal way splayedaf at herr oleto
mydaught er.Hehasadoct or atei n
Li
nguisti
chencet helovef orf oreign
names.Hel i
v esinJohannesbur g
becauseofhi swor katWi ts.Ial so
wonderifhewi l
lbecomi ngf orOr a’s
part
ybutIwoul dn’tbl
amehi mi fhecan’t
.
Gautengi stoof artodri
vej usttoat t
end
achil
d’s6t hbirt
hdaypar ty.Wear e
havi
ngal i
tt
lecel ebr
ati
onatMi ke’s
Kit
chenout sideMal loftheNor th.We
i
nvit
edabout20chi l
dren,Or a’
sf r
iends
andcousi nsofheragegr oup.Iwal k
backtot hekitchenonlyt ofindshei s
sti
l
lont hephonewi thThuso.

Me: “
Orayouneedtosayby enowso
thatwecangogety ourhai
rdone,
Ausi
Keneil
weiswait
ingforyou”
.Shehands
met hephoneandrushestothe
bedroom.
Me:“
SouncleT,
arey
oucomi
ng”
?Iask
mybrot
her
.
TS:“ofcauseIam coming,
Iwouldn’
t
missmypr incess’
sbi
rt
hday”hesays.
Me:“
Youwil
lmakesuchagr
eatf
ather
wat
sebamaraThuso”
.
TS:
Helaughs“Idon’
twantki
dsRor
i,
Mel
enaisenoughforme”.

Haiyouwi l
lneverwinwi t
ht hi
sone.My
motherhasbeenbeggi nghimt obri
ng
homeamakot ibuthesay snotanyt
ime
soon.Somet i
mesIt hinkthese
academicsjustsucksi nlovecozthey
spendmostoft heirti
meswi t
htheir
books.OraandIl eavethehouset o
Keneil
we’shouse3st reetsawayt oget
herhairdone.Idropherof fandcallmy
dadt
odri
vemetocol
l
ectt
hecakeat
Madi
baPark.
Fewhour sl at
erwear eofftotownand
thepr incessi ssul kingbecauseTSi s
nother ey etandhi sphonei son
voicemai l
.Myf atherdr opsusof fand
remi ndsmet ocal lhim anhourbef ore
sot hathecanpi ckusup.Wewal kinto
thev enueandmyOr ajumpsupand
downwi thhappi nesswhensheseest he
decor ationwi ththeDocMcst uffi
ns
themeandCake.Mydaught erbathong,
shewant st obeaDoct orwhenshe
growsup, notjustanydoct or“adoct or
whoheal sanimal s”assheal wayssay s.
Childrenst art
sar ri
vingatt hevenueand
thepar t
ybegi ns.Iam si t
ti
ngwi t
hmy
fri
endMphoatt hebacksuper vi
singthe
kids.Weaskedt hepar ent
stodr opoff
thekidsandpi ckt hem upat16:30.An
hourintothepar tyThusowal ksinwi t
ha
biggestpresenti nhishands,Oraspot s
heruncleandr unst ohi m.Ishedat ear
becauseIam gr atefulf
ormybr otherfor
alwaysbeingt heref ormylit
tl
epr i
ncess.
Shehasnev erfeltthatshedoesn’thave
af at
her.

Mymi ndwondersoffto9y earsago

whenImeetOr a’sfather.Hewaswhat
wewoul dconsiderabeaut i
ful
black
man, hewaswel lbui
ltashewasi nto
soccerandgym anddar ki
ncompl exi
on,
nottoodarkbutaccept abl
edark.Iused
tocallhim myblackcoffee.Wewer e
sooinlov eandIwassur ehewasmy
for
ever.ImeetThapel oKgal emawhenI
wasdoi ngmyf i
rstyearattheUniver
sit
y
ofJohannesburg.Itwast he3rddayof
ori
entati
onandhewasanusher .He
i
ntroducedhimselfatlunchtimeand
askedwhyIwassi t
tingalone.
Me:
“wel
lIam sor
tofal
oner
”
Thapel
o:“ooohsoam I,
howaboutwe
becomelonerstoget
her
?”hesai
dwit
ha
beaut
if
ulsmile.

Wesattogetherunt
ill
unchwasdone
andheoffer
edt owalkmetomyr oom
att
heendoft heday.Aft
eror
ient
ati
on
heaskedmet owai tatleast30mi nutes
forhim ast heyonl yknockedof f30mi n
afterthepr ogr ammewasdone.Iwai ted
andheaccompani edmet omyr oom, I
wasst ayi
ngof fcampusandhewas
stayingoncampus.Webecamecl ose
fri
endsandl aterstartedt odate.Iwas
study i
ngt owar dsBusi ness
admi nist
rat i
onandhewasdoi nghi s
secondy eari neducat ion.Ireall
y
thoughtThapel owast heone, he
promi sedmeheav enandear t
hbutI
guessIwasaf oolinlovebecauseIf ell
forallhischar m.Fort henextt hree
yearsatv arsit
yIl i
v edmyl if
ef orhim, we
mov edi nt oget herwhenIwasdoi ngmy
secondy earwhi l
emaki ngsuret hatour
parent snev erf
indsout .Wewer eboth
farf r
om home, hecamef rom Taungi n
Nor thWestandIcamef rom Seshegoi n
Limpopoandmypar entnev erpoliced
mebecauseIwasagoodst rai
ghtA
child.Ipl annedmyl i
feandf uture
aroundThapel obecauseIwas
conv incedhewasmyf orever.Litt
ledidI
knowt hathedi dnotfeel thesame.We
wer est i
llhappyinourl it
tl
ebubbl e3
year slat erwhenIf el
lpr egnant .Thapelo
wasdoi nghi sf
our t
hy earandIwas
doingwasmy3r d.Wewer eallinour
fi
nal y earandl ookingf orwardt oour
futuret oget her
.

Af
terf
indi
ngoutIwaspr
egnantIr
ushed
toourl i
ttl
elovenestandcookedhi s
favorit
emeal .Nott hatIwashappy
beingpr egnantbutabor ti
onwasnotan
optionasi tgoesagai nstmybel i
ef.Iam
notaChr i
sti
anbutIwoul dn’
twantt okil
l
aninnocentsoi landIt houghtsince
ThapeloandIar edeepl yinl
ovewe
woul dmakei twor k.Thapelowasbusy
withhispr act
ical
sataschool inTaung
butmadesur ehewoul dcomeback
everyFriday.Icall
edt ocheckhowf arhe
wasandheassur edmet hathewi l
lbe
homesoon.

Aft
erfewhour
shearri
vedandIwas
donecooki
ng,weat
eov erali
ght
conver
sati
onwit
hmelaughingatthe
stori
esheshar edabouthi sstudents
andot herstaffmember s.Thiswasmy
safeheav en,eatingandl aughingwith
theloveofmyl ife.Wemadel oveinthe
mostpassi onat ewayassur ingeach
otherhowmuchwel ovedoneanot her
.
Aswewer ecuddl i
nginbedIpul ledthe
pregnancyt estandhandedi toverto
Thapelo.

Thapel
o:“
whatisthi
s?”heaskedwi
tha
fr
ownonhisface.
Me:“it
’sapr egnancyt
estlove,wenow
knowwhyIhav ebeensickthispastf
ew
weeks”.Ilookedathim puzzl
edashe
l
aughedandshookhi sheadlikeIwas
j
ustjoking.
Thapelo:
“ar
ey outr
yingt
otrapme
becauseIam abouttost
artwor
king?
”

What ?Whywoul dIwanttotraphim?I

didnotplant
of allpr
egnantandIam not
surewhathemeansaboutmet rappi
ng
him.Hehasalway sgav emet he
i
mpr essi
onthatwewi llbet
ogether
forev
er,whywoul dItr
aphim?
Me: “
Iam nott
ryi
ngtotr
apyouThapel
o”
Isai
dwithtear
srunni
ngdownmy
cheeks.
Thapelo:
“fi
nethenyouwi l
lnothavean
i
ssueterminat
ingthatpregnancy,
becauseIam notreadytobet i
eddown.
Isti
l
lwanttoli
v eali
ttl
eandexperience
thewor l
doutther
e.Iwi
ll
takeyout
oa
Drf i
rstt
hingi
nthemorni
ng”hesai
dand
kissedmyf or
ehead.
Me:“
Iam keepi
ngt
hebabyThapel
o,I
woul
dnotkil
lmychi
ld”
.
Thapelo:“r
eal
lynow?Ohkf i
ne,be
preparedtodothisonyourown.LikeI
saidIam notreadytodothi
swi t
hy ou
Rorisang”hesaidandtur
ntolookthe
otherway .
Icri
edmy sel
ftosleepthatnightprayi
ng
thathewoul dwakeupwi t
hachangeof
heart.Iwokeupi nthemor ningaround8
andThapel owasnotsl eepingnextme.I
foundanenv el
opeonthet ablewith
R2000andanot ethatsaidIshouldgo
terminateifIst
il
lwantedhimi nmyl if
e.I
cal
l
edhi
m.

Thapel
o:“
hiRor
i,hav
eyoudeci
ded?
”
That’
showheanswer edhisphone.
Wow, Iam Rorinow,notmyl oveorbaby
l
ikehealwayscal l
edme.Ifeltsocheap,
Ifel
tli
keIhaven’tknownthispersonfor
thepast3years.
Me: “
Ideci
dedt okeepthebabyThapelo,
Icannotsubjectbysel
ftoanaborti
on
andIwouldnev erfor
giv
emy sel
f”Isai
d
i
nbet weenthesobbing.
Thapel
o:“fi
nethenpleasepackupmy
thi
ngsIwil
ltakethem onmywayt o
home,Iam sorr
ywecan’ tmakeus
work”wit
hthatsaidhehangedthe
phone.
What?I
sthi
smyThapel
o?Whati
sreal
l
y
goi
ngonhere?
Her eall
ylef
tandt ookal lhiscl othes,
j
ustl i
kethata3y earr elat
ionshi pcame
toanend.Icr i
edmy selftosl eepf orthe
next3weekswi t
hnowor df r
om Thapel o,
unti
l Iwokeupatahospi t
al .Appar entl
y
mynei ghborbecomewor riedaf ternot
seeingmef or2day sandaskedmy
l
andl or
dt oopenupmyr oom.Iwas
foundunconsciousandIwasr ushedt o
thehospital
.Mypar entswecal ledand
mydadwasv er
ydi sappoi ntedi nme.I
hadt odropmyst udi esandmov eback
homesot hatmymot hercant akecar e
ofmeasIwasdepr essed.Icoul dn’t
fi
nishmyst udiest hatyearandchoset o
stayhomet hef oll
owi ngy ear.Igave
birt
ht oabeaut ifulbabygi rli
nJul y2012,
namedOr at
il
weMel enaMokoena.When
Orawas4y earsol dIdeci dedt ofi
nish
myout standi
ngsubj ectswi t
hUni sa,
thankst oThusowhosetmedownand
paintedascar ypi ctureofwhatmyl i
fe
wouldbewi thouteducat i
on.Iwentback
andf ini
shedwi thmyqual i
fi
cat i
on.Iwas
busywi t
hmyI nt ernshiplasty earandI
am v eryhappywi t
hmyl if
eandmyl i
tt
le
angel .

Ora:“
mommyl ookwhatTSgotf
orme”
shesay st
appi
ngmyshoul
derbr
ingi
ng
backfrom mythought
.
Me: “
wowOr athisissoobeauti
ful,
now
youcanstartpract
ici
ngyourski
llsmy
youngdoctor”
Thusogotheral ear
ningr
esources
pret
endplaypetvethospi
tal
set.Ismil
e
atherandthenturntomybotherwit
ha
smil
e.
TS:okareokgolekamenaganoso(why
doesitseem l
ikeyourmindi
sfar
)he
sayspull
ingmei nforahug.
Me:“Iam justt
ir
edit’
sbeenal
ongweek
pl
anningthisdi
va’spart
y”
TS:“
wellev
eryt
hinglooksperf
ectand
shei
sav er
yhappychild,shemakesall
ofushappy”hesayswithabeauti
ful
smil
eonhisface.Therei
snowayy ou
canmisst
hel
ovehehasf
ort
hischi
l
din
hisey
es.
Wesitandwat chthekidsenj oythe
part
yuntilparentcoll
ecttheirkidsone
byone,thenwemakeourwayhome.I t
hasbeenal ongdayr eall
yandwear eall
j
usttir
ed.Wegethome, batht he
pri
ncess,takeaqui ckshowerandof ft
o
bed.

Mynamei sRori
sangMokwenaandIam
26year
sold,Ihavea6y earold
daught
er,
2br ot
hersandstil
ll
iveswi
th
myparent
s.
[
05/
04,
13:
44] :
Inser
t4
It
’sbeenaweeksi nceOr a’sbi
rthday
part
yandt odayIam st ar
ti
nganew
chapteri
nmyl i
fe.It’sMondayt he1stof
AugustandIam st artingmyf i
rstdayat
work.Itr
eallyhasnotbeeneasyf orme
gett
inghere.Myl if
epl ansandgoal s
changedaf t
erOr awasconcei vedbutI
havenor egret
sr eally.Icannotimagine
mylifewithouther, shei smylif
eandI
l
iveforher.

Me:“
Nana,tsoga,
youhav
etogetr
eady
f
orschool
”
Ora:“
aowamommy ,
Idon’twanttogo
toschool
todaypl
easeit
scold”the
dramaqueencri
esout.
Me:“youhavetogot
oschoolOra,
don’t
youwanttobeaDrli
keTS”Isaypull
i
ng
offt
heblanket
.
Ora:shegiggle“nomommyTSi snota
realDr.Hejusthast
heti
tt
lebuthe
cannotheal any
one”
.Smartypant
sMxm.
ME:“ohkhowwil
lyouhealani
malsi
f
youdon’
twantt
ogot oschool
?”
Or
a:“
ohkmommy
,Iwi
l
lgot
oschool
”.
Wewal ktothebat hroom andtakea
bathandgetdr essedinourroom.Ipack
alunchboxforbot hofus, t
heparents
areonaholiday ,i
tmustbeni ceowning
abusinesswat seba.IaccompanyOr a
tothegatetowai tforhertr
ansportandI
takeataxit
ot own.
Igettowor kandIam wel comedwar mly
andIal readyf eelathome, Imake
fr
iendswi thThal i
thaandTebogo.
Tebogohasbeenher ef or2y ear snow
andThal i
thaisherf ir
stdayaswel l
but
sheisint hecommuni cationdi visi
on.
Wemakeourwayt ol
ibrarygar densf or
l
unchaf terthetwol adiesconv incedme
toabandonmyl unchboxbecausewe
needt ocel ebrateourent rancei ntothe
workingspace, mxm pushov er s.They
seem likeni celadiesandIenj oyt heir
company .

Thal
it
ha:“
Ror
i doyouknowthatguyi
na
navybl
uesui
te?”sheaskpoi
nti
ngher
mi
ddl
efi
ngeratme
TebogoandIlookov
ert
oseewhoshe
i
stalki
ngabout.
Me:
No,
Idon’
t,
whydoy
ouask?
Thal
i
:wel
lubrot
herhasbeeney
ingy
ou
si
ncewesether
e.
Tebogo:
“ar
eyousur
ehehasbeen
st
ari
ngather?
”
Thal
i
:“ker
esi
ncewewal
kinher
e”
Me:“y
oumustbemi st
aken,
Iam surehe
i
snotey i
ngme,
cozIhaveneverseen
hi
m beforei
nmyli
fe”
Tebogo:“Hai
,Thal
i,
howcanyoutel
lhe
i
slookingathersi
ncehei
slooki
ngat
ourdi
recti
onhecouldbel
ooki
ngatany
ofusy
ouknow”

Yoohai thebr ot
herhasr eall
ybeen
stari
ngatmeandt hatmakesme
uncomf ortable,Iwonderi fhet hinkshe
knowsmef rom somewher e.Wel l,I
chooset oignor ehim andcont i
nue
tal
kingandl aughi ngwithThal it
haand
Tebogo, t
heset woar ereall
yf unnyandI
enjoytheircompany .Wewal kbackt o
theoffi
ceatexact ly13:
50andIbur y
my sel
finwor k.Beinganewempl oyeeis
reall
ynoteasyespeci al
lyinourdi vi
sion
becausey oumustknowt hecompanyi n
andoutandf amili
ari
zey ourselfwi t
hall
that’
sneedt obeknownaboutt he
business.Howel sewoul dy oubeagood
busi
nessanal
ysti
fyouarel
acki
ng
knowl
edgeofthebusi
nessi
tsel
f?

Thal
i
: “
Mogir
l,nnaIam of
fnow,
Iwi
l
l
seeyoutomorrowneh”
Me: Il
ookattheti
meandr eal
i
zei
ts
16:
30al r
eadyandIstartparki
ngmy
thi
ng“ohkThali
,safetr
ip”
Thali
:“don’
tyouwantmet
odr
opy
ouof
f
attheTaxirank?
”
Me:“not
hankyou,
Iwantt
opassbyt he
stor
etogetf
ewthi
ngs,
may benext
ti
me”
Thal
i
:“ohkbye,
mor
eisnogadag
(t
omorrow)
”
Isaymygoodby esandmakemyway
totheShopr it
ef orfewthi
ngsandt hen
tothetaxis.Iarriv
ehomeandf i
ndmy
bundleofj oyplayingDrwithhervet
hospit
al setfrom Thuso.Istandbythe
doorlookingatherandsmi li
ngto
myself.Ican’timaginemyl i
fewithout
herreall
y.

Ora:“
himommyhowwasy ourfi
rstday
atwork?Di
dyoumakenewf ri
ends?And
doyouhaveabi
goffi
celi
keTS? ”she
sayswit
htoomuchexci
tement
Me:“
mydaywasgoodpr i
ncess,Ij
ust
mi
ssedyou.Idi
dmakenewf r
iendbut
myoff
icei
snotbigatal
l
,comegi v
e
mommyahug”
ShecomesrunningandIpi
ckherupand
ki
ssherandholdontoherforat
ight
hug.
Ora:
“ooooomommyt
hat
’st
oot
ight
,I
can’
tbreat
he.
”
Me:
“sor
rybaby
,wher
eisauntsophy
”
Ora:“
Shei
satt
hebackf
eedi
ngPapa’
s
dogs”
Me: “
Papa’
sdogs,
Ithoughtt
heywer
e
yourdogs?
”Iaskali
tt
leconf
used
Ora:
“Idi
sownedthem mommy ,because
t
heytoremyfavor
it
eshoes,Il
oved
t
hoseshoesmommyIr eal
l
ydid”
Me: “
ooohIdi
dn’tknow”Isayt
his
shakingmyheadwalkingt
omy
bedroom.
MyOr acanr eallybedr amat icshem.
Shehast hisst rongl ovesforani malsI
don’tev enunder standwher ei tcomes
fr
om.Whenshewas5shecr iedformy
dadt obuyherpuppi esandpr omisedto
l
ookaf t
ert hem, j
ustbecausehecan’ t
saynot oher ,shegotherpuppi es.My
dadspoi l
sOr arotten,sheget s
everythingt hatshewant s.Shecal l
smy
dadPapaandcal l
smymot hermama
whileIam mommy .Iwalkt ot hebackt o
l
etAuntSophyknowt hatIam backand
shecanl eav e.Shei sourhouse
execut i
veandhasbeenwor kingformy
parentsf orasl ongasIcanr emember .
Sheismor eofaf ami l
ythanahel per.
Ora:mommycanIpl
easebor
rowy
our
phone?
Me:
whybaby
?
Ora:
Iwantt
ocal
lTP,
it’
shi
sbi
rt
hday
t
oday
Oooohf l
ipIforgotmyownli
ttl
e
brother
’sbir
thdayandIam r
emindedby
a6y earold.It
akeoutmyphonenv i
deo
call
Tshepang.
TP:
final
l
ymyonl
ysi
sterandni
ececal
l
s
Hesay
swi
thasmi
l
e
Or
a:happybir
thmal
ome(
shesay
s
bl
owingki
ssesathi
m)
Me:
happybi
rt
hdayl
i
ttl
ebr
o
TP:Mygi fthasn’
tarr
ivedyet,
Itakei
t
will
beasl ateasthecallt
hatIam
getti
ng,IknowCapeTowni sfarsoI
takeit
sst i
llonit
sway
YoonowIseewher
eOragetsher
dramat
icsf
rom,
aowabannaTshepang.
Ora:
Giggl
i
ng“Idrewabeaut
if
ulcar
dfor
youandpl
aceditiny
ourr
oom TP”
TP:t
hankyoumyprincessIknowy
ou
woul
dneverdi
sappoint
.
Me:Iwil
ltr
ansf
ery
oumoneybbybro
andyoucanbuywhat
every
ouwantfor
your
sel
fneh?
TP:wel
lyouarewor
kingnowsoplease
makethosezer
osworthmywhil
e.
Me:
Iwi
l
lseewhatIcando.Sohowar
e
y
oucel
ebr
ati
ng?
TP: nothingi
nteresti
nggoi
ngtodinner
withy ourmom anddad.Youknowt he
whol eideaofstudy i
ngsofarf
rom home
wast ogetawayf rom t
hem,buther
e
theyar e.
Welaughandcont
inuet
alki
ngt
o
Tshepangf
orawhil
e.

Tshepangismyl i
ttl
ebrot
herandhei s
doi
nghisf i
rsty
earatUCT.Mypar ent
s
onl
yhav e3kids,Thusobeingafir
st
born,mebeingasecondbor nand
Tshepangthelast.Aft
ert
hecallIwalk
tothebathr
oom topourwat erf
ort he
pri
ncesstobathwhi l
eIcook.Iasked
auntSophynottocookforussincemy
parent
sareawayandshecanknockof f
earl
y.Weeatdinnerwhi
l
eOr atalks
abouthert
eacherandfr
iendsasschool
.
Thenwear eof
ftobed.

*
****
***somethi
ngf
ort
heni
ght
*
****
* *
***
[
05/
04,
13:
44] :
Inser
t5
Phuml
ani

Iam sit
tinghereatNandoshav i
nglunch
withmyt eam tryi
ngt ogett oknoweach
othersortofthing,Inoticethi
sbeaut i
ful
l
adysi t
ti
ngwi thherfriends.Theyar e
tal
kinganddon’ tevennot icemel ooki
ng,
yoohersmi lene.Ican’ thel pbutst are.
Shecapt ivatemyhear tinst antlyandI
wantt ogett oknowher .Shei snei t
her
l
ightnordar ki
ncompl exi on.Shel ooks
l
ikeshei si nhermi d-
twent ies, t
inywai st
andcar vest odief or.Shehadno
makeupbutst i
lllookedbeaut i
fulwi t
h
herflawlessski n.Shehassmal l l
ipst hat
formsabeaut if
ul shapewhenshe
smiles.Shehadt hickl ongdr eadlocks
thatshet i
edatt heback.Shel ooksso
perfectwithhernat ural look, ar ealPedi
queenImustsay .Iwonderi fshei sas
i
nnocentasshel ooks, mmmmm Iwoul d
l
iket oexploreev er yinchofher .Iclose
myey esandt ryt oi magi neheri nmy
arms, thethingsIwoul ddot oherand
t
hesoundshewoul
dmakescr
eami
ng
myname.

Kwena:
“Zungu?
”
Me:
“mmmm?
”
Kwena:
“whatdoy
out
hink?
”
Me:
“aboutwhat
?”
Ther
estoft
het
eam l
aughs
Pusel
etso:
“wewer
ethi
nki
ngt
hatmay
be
wecangetarai
se”
Me:“whywoul
dwedot hat?The
companywasonthevergeofclosi
ng
downandweareonlytr
yingtobuil
dit
upandyoupeopl
ealr
eadywantar aise”
Theyall
laughatme,
kant
ewhatdi
dI
miss?
Kwena: “
sheispul
l
ingyourl
eg,weare
suggesti
ngthatwecal
litadaysothe
tomorrowwecancomebackf resh”
Me:“Idon’
tseeaproblem withthat.
Thankyouverymuchguy sIhopey ou
andIwill
workwellt
ogether,becauseI
wanttotakethi
scompanyt ogreater
hei
ghtsandifweallputi
nthewor kwe
wil
lall
sharei
nthepieceofthepi e.
”
Theyallcl
apt hei
rhandsandIlookov er
atthetabl
eshewassi t
ti
ngandt heyhad
l
eft.Mxm,Iwonderi fIwil
lseeheragain,
canGodpl easemakei tsooner
.Wecal l
forthewaitertobri
ngthebil
lsothatwe
canleave.
Kwena:“
youcanleav
eguy
slunchwas
onme,soIwil
lpaywhent
hebil
lget
s
her
e”

Theylaughast heystandingup,Iam
j
ustshaki ngmyheadcozweal lknow
thatheisusi ngthebusinesscreditcard
topayof fthebi l
lnothi
sownmoney .
Kwenai smybusi nesspartner
,heisthe
founderoft heITCompanySyandI
boughtinto.Appar ent
lythecompany
wasdoi nggr eatunti
lhisaccounted
robbedhim cl oseto80%oft hefundsin
thebusinessaccount .
Kwena:
“soZunguwher
eisy
ourmi
nd
of
f”
Me:“whatdoy
oumean”Isaysmi
l
ing
andshaki
ngmyhead.
Kwena:“i
t’
sli
keyouwer edaydr
eaming
fewminutesagobr
o,youdidnoteven
hearwhatweweresaying”
Me:“Iam sor
ryaboutt
hatman,
Idon’
t
knowwhathappened”
Kwena:“
aslongasyousayyouar
eohk
man,sowheretof
rom her
e?”
Me:“
Iwil
lgot
otheof
fi
cet
ocol
l
ectf
ew
f
il
esandgohome”
Kwena:
“hai
youshouldst
optaki
ngfil
es
homeandoverwor
kingyour
sel
f?Gape
youmakemelookl
ikeabadpartner
yoo”
Me:“BonaIreal
l
ydon’tmind,gohome
earl
ytodayandspendti
mewi thyour
famil
y.Someofusaremar r
iedtoour
j
obs”Isaythatl
aughi
ng.
Kwena:“
maybemywifeshoul
dsety
ou
upwit
honeofherf
ri
ends”
Me:“not
hanky
oubr
ongi
right
”Isay
get
ti
ngup.
Wewal kedtotheof fi
ce,assoonaswe
arri
veIwenti nsi
det ocollectsomef i
les
whileKwenagoesst r
aighttothe
parkinglottocoll
ecthiscar .Iwasjust
standingbyt hewindowl ookingoutside
whenIsawheragai n.Shewaswal king
outofanof f
icebuil
dingopposi t
eour s
withsomeguy .Theywer elaughingand
hewasj ustt
oof r
iendlywithher,Ij
ust
fel
tabi tjealouslooki ngattheir
i
nteraction.Ismi ledwhenhegoti ntohis
carandshewal kof f,Iwonderwher e
shepar kedormay bei fsheiswalki
ngto
aboy fr
iendwai tingf orhersomewher e.I
reall
yhopenot .Ipackmyst uf
fandwal k
tothepar kinglot, getintomycarand
driv
et omyl onel
yhouse.Iwal ktothe
studythinkingaboutmyPedi queen,my
soulmat e.It hi
nkl oveatf i
rstsi
ghtjust
dealtmeanumber .

(
Thef
oll
owi
ngday
)
Lastni
ghtwasjustreal
lybad;Icouldn’
t
evensl
eep.Mymi ndwasal loverthe
pl
aceandnothingIdidtomakeme
sl
eepworked.Ieventri
eddrinking
chamomi leteaIboughtwhi l
edoi ng
somegr oceriescozIhadt r
ouble
sleepingthef ir
stweekImov edher esoI
thoughtitwoul dhel p.Mxm myexZi nzi
alwayscl aimedi tmadeherf al
lasleep
asshewashav i
ngi nsomni aduet ot he
factthatshewaspr egnant ,onlytof ind
outshewasl yi
ng.Ir eall
ylov edher ,but
aweekaf termysent encingshecame
upt omeandt oldmei ti
sov erbet ween
usandshewasnev erpregnant .Iwas
heartbrokenr eall
y.Goodt hi
ngwewer e
separatedbybar s,Iwoul dhav ekilled
herinahear t
beat .Enoughaboutmysad
songl etmet akeaqui ckshowerbef oreI
getlateforwor kplusIhav eanear ly
appointment .
*
***
***
***
***
*

AsIcr osst herobotnextt oourof fi

ce
andmyey eswonderar oundbecauseI
can’thel pt othi
nkaboutt heladyIsaw
yesterday .Butt heonl ypersonIseei s
thegi r
l shewaswi thyesterday.Iqui ckl
y
turnmyf acet ot hesecur i
tyof f
icerat
ourof fi
cesasIcoul dseeshewas
glancingr ightbackatme.F* *kwhati f
shet hinkst hatIwasl ookingather
yesterday ?Any wayIpar kmycarand
walki ntot heoff i
ceIsmi leasIgr eett he
staffandwal kst raighti
ntomyof fice.I
needt opr epar ef ormeetingt hatIhav e
withacol l
eget hatneedsust odesi gna
program f orthem wher eLect urerscan
i
nteractwithstudentsanduploads
notesandst udentscanlogontosubmi t
assignments.Thisi sonecontr
actwe
real
lyhopet oget.Itcoul
dbewhatwe
needt ogetthiscompanybackont he
map.Myphoner i
ngsasIam aboutt o
gotocallKwenasot hatwecanl eave
forthemeet i
ng.

Me:
“Sy
,ndoday
amadoda”
Sy:“
EeeeMorwaant
shemapj
atl
amo
Li
mpopo?”hesay
swithaf
unnyaccent
.
Me:
“Sy
,ungazong’
thukauy
ezwa”
Sy:laughi
ng“HaiPhumlayoumuststart
l
earningSepediman,uzodl
anjani
abantwananingazwaningenkulumo?
Youhav ebeenther
efor2weeksalr
eady
,
everheardofSTL?Youneedtotr
yit”
Me:“STL?Idon’
tev
enwantt
oknow
ukut
hiyi
niley
o……….”
Kwenawalksint
omyof f
icehi
tti
nghi
s
wri
stwit
haf i
ngeri
ndi
catingt
imeisnot
onoursi
de.
Me:
“Ihav
etogoSy
,sezokhul
umal
ater
”
Sy:“Guluki
lege, cal
lmewheny ouget
homel ater.BythewaySTLi ssexuall
y
tr
ansmi tt
edl anguages”hesaybefore
hangingup.Ican’ thel
pbutlaugh,uSy
uyagulastraight.
Kwena:“
weneedtoleav
enowi
fwe
wanttomakei
tint
ime”
Me:
“Iam r
eady
,let
’sgo”Isaypacki
ng
myl
apt
opandsomef
il
esi
ntoacase.
[
05/
04,
13:
44] :
Inser
t6
Ror
isang
Ithasbeen2weekssi nceIhav ebeenat
mynewj obandIam l ov i
ngev ery
moment .Theonl ychal l
engeIhav eis
thi
ssuper vi
sorofmi newhocan’ ttake
nof orananswer .Theguyhav ebeen
persuadi ngmesi ncemyf i
rstdayher e
andr eallyIam notinterested.Ihavenot
beenwi t
hany onesinceThapel osoI
won’ tgetbacki ntothegamewi t
haco-
wor ker,Ireal
lydon’tneedamant o
compl icatemywor klifewor seofallmy
boss.Ihav ebeenst r
essf r
eef orthelast
6y earsandIam notaboutt oletmy
guarddownnow.Hemustj
ustgi
veup
befor
ehemakesmytimehere
uncomfort
abl
e.

Thepar ent sarebackfrom theHol i

day
andIam happyaboutt hatbecauseI
don’thav etodeal wit
hOr a’
sdr amai n
themor nings,mymot herhelpsherto
bathanddr essupf orschoolev er
yday .I
walkint hekitchenandf i
ndOr aeat i
ng
brownsof tporri
dgejustthewaywe
bothlikeit,withadashofv inegar.
Me:“
goodmorni
ngpri
ncess,
whereis
MamaandPapa”Il
eanoverforaki
ss
ont
hefor
ehead.
Or
a:“
mor
ningmommy
,theyar
eint
he
si
tt
ingroom,Papasai
dhewantt
o
watchnews”
Me:“
Ohk,pl
easef
ini
shup,
Iwi
l
lwal
kyou
t
othegat
e”
Ora:“
mommyIcan’
ttaket
hisbr
eadf
or
skhaf
ti
n”
Me:
“Bot
hat
a?”
Ora:“baexpi
ret
odayka08:30andnna
l
unchy akaeka12:
30.Sot
labebobodil
e
kalunch”

Huh? ,
Yoohait hi
schildi
st oomuch,
seewhatImeanaboutbei ngdr
amat ic.I
giveup.Iam notevengoingtoentertai
n
her.Iwalkawayfrom herandwalkt o
thesit
tingroom t
ogreattheparent.I
fi
ndthem si tti
ngonat wosi ttercouch,
withmymot herr estingherheadonmy
fat
her’schest ,him hav inghisar ms
wrappedar oundher .Af ter35y earsthey
aresti
llsoi nlov e,forgetaboutRomeo
andJul i
et,SamsonandDel il
aht hisright
hereistruelov eandt heirstorydeser ves
abook.Toobadnotal lofusar emeant
tobef i
ndourt ruel ov e.SinceChr ist
ians
beli
evethatawomanwascr eatedfrom
aman’ sribandt her efor eweal lhaveour
soulmat es,Ibel ievemi neisi npri
son
somewher eser vingal i
f esentence.

Me:
“Thobel
amamal epapa(
greeti
ngs
mom anddad)
”Isaywi
thasmile
Them:
Agee(
greet
ings)
Me:“
any
thi
ngyouneedfr
om townt
oday
,
Or
aandIar
eabouttol
eave”
Dad:“Don’
tworr
y,Iwil
lbetaki
ngy our
mothertotowntodaysowewi l
lget
ever
ythi
ng.Whatti
medoy ouknockoff
sothatwecanwai tf
oryou?”
Me:“
Iknockof
fat16:
30,butIam goi
ng
t
othemov i
eswit
hThal
it
hanoneedt o
wai
tforme”
Mom: “movi
esonTuesday?Whynoton
Fri
daywhenyouarenotgoingt
owork
thefol
l
owingday
?”
Me:“becausei
tshal
fpr
iceonTuesday
motherandonFri
daysThal
it
anormall
y
t
rav
elshome”
Mom:
“ohk,
enj
oyy
ouday
,Or
acome
givemeki ss”shecal
l
sout.Oracomes
sulki
ng,Iguessthi
sisbecauseoft
he
breadissue.
Dad:
“Whati
swr
ongpr
incess?
”
Ora:
runni
ngtohi
m andt
hrowi
ngher
sel
f
i
nhisarms“Mommyonyakakej
edij
o
t
sagobola”
Whatt hehell?thischild.Mypar ent
s
givesmeaquest i
oninglook.Iguess
theywantmet oexpl ain.Ireal
lydon’
t
hav eti
mef orthis.Thischildistoo
spoiledmannx.Ij ustshakemyhead
andwal kaway .Iguesst he
grandparentswi l
lwal khert ot
hegate
fortransport
.
Thetaxi r
idetoworkisshortandsweet
asalway sweareli
steni
ngt othesound
ofthefreshbreakf
astshowonMet r
ofm.
Igettowor kandgreatthesecuri
tyl
ady
atthegate.Haisheisfull
ofsmi l
es
today.
Me:
“Thobel
aMmane”(
greet
ingaunt
y)
Her:“AgeeRori
sang,
kenalepar
celaya
gagomo”( gr
eet
ingsRor
iIhaveyour
parcel
here)
Whatpar
cel
isshet
alki
ngabout
?
Me:
“keeng?
”(Whati
sit
?)
Her:
“Aretse,
tsey
aotlat
eponelayona”
(
Idon’tknowtakeyouwil
lseefor
your
self
).Shehandsmeanenv el
ope.
Ohkwhowoul ddropthi
switht
he
secur
it
yandnotr
ecept
ion?
Me:
“Est
wagomang?
”(Whoi
sitf
rom?
)
Her:“goabutiy
omongwekamonext
door”shesayspoint
ingatabui
l
ding
opposit
eourswi t
hbiglet
ter
swri
tt
enMK
I
Tsol ut
ions.
Me:“
keal
eboga(Thankyou)
”Isay
wal
ki
ngof
ftotheoff
ice
OhkIhavenevernoticedthatI
T
sol
uti
onssignbeforetodayandwhy
wouldIr
eceivel
etter
sf r
om them?
Alex
:“Morni
ngtoy out
ooRor
i”my
annoyi
ngsuper
visor
Me:“goodmorni
ngsi
r,Iam sor
ryIdi
d
notseeyout
here”
Al
ex:
“ar
eyouohk?
”
Me:“yesIam t
hanksforaski
ngsir”Isay
mov i
ngtomyof f
ice,
Ineedtositdown
andreadthecontent
sofwhateveriti
s
i
nthisenvel
ope.Myphoner i
ngsasI
walkint
otheoffi
ce.
Me:
“Rosi
rangMokoenaspeaki
nghel
l
o”
Call
er:l
aughing“
Chesawenagi
rl,
phone
adequateerengmongwaneng?
’
Me:“goodmor
ningtoyout
ooTebogo,
whatcanIdof
oryou?”
Tebogo:“Iwant
edtocheckifwear
est
il
l
onforthemov i
esl
ateron?
”
Me:“
yeswearest
il
lon,
Thali
thasai
dwe
ar
ecatchi
nga16:
50mov i
e”
Tebogo:“
Ohknanas,
letmegetonwi
th
mywor kIhav
eadeadli
ne”
Me:
“ohkxap,
seey
oul
ater
”

Isitdownandt akeadeepbr eathbefore

openingt heenv el ope.If r
ownwhenI
seewhatt hecont entofwhati sinthe
envelope.I t
’sal unchi nvitefrom
someonecal l
edPhuml ani accompanied
byaspav oucher .GodknowsIneedt he
spat reatmentbutsi nceIdon’ tknowt he
niggerandIam notaboutt ogoona
l
unchdat ewi t
hhi m.Ladi esar egetti
ng
ki
dnappedandki ll
edal lovert hecountry
andt hisstrangerwant swet ogooutt o
l
unchwi thhim, mxm.It hrowt heinvi
te
i
nt hebi nwi t
houtt hespav oucher
obvi
ously,
andstartwi
thwhatIam paid
todo.Iam buri
edinmywor kwhenI
knockcomest hr
ough,Thali
thawalksi
n
andthrowhersel
fonachai rnextt
omy
tabl
e.Icantel
lshehadar eall
ybusyday.

Thali
:“Iwanttoor
derl
unch,
any
thi
ng
speci
ficthaty
ouwant?”
Il
ookatmywat
chandit
s12:
45al
ready
,
wher
edidt
heti
mefl
yto.
Me: “
nothankyou,Ihavealunchbox
dearift
hebreadisnotstal
esince
accordi
ngtomydaught ert
heexpir
y
dateandti
mei stodayat8:
30inthe
morning”
Thal
i
:“hhhh?
”
Me: “
Iknowr i
ght?Idi
dnotunderstandi
t
eit
her.Iwonderwhotaughthertocheck
theexpir
ydate”Isaybeforenar
rati
ng
theeventsofthi
smor ni
ng.Sheis
l
aughingsohar dsheisevencryi
ng.I
Thal
i:“
ohkl
etmeor derkf
carey
ousure
youwil
lbefi
newit
hy ourr
ott
enbread”
shesaysl
aughi
ng.
Iwil
lnotanswert
hatmxm,
shet
hinks
sheisfunny.
Myl
andl
iner
ingsbefor
eshecanusei
t
t
ocal
lKFCtoplaceanorder

Me:
“Hel
l
o”
Cal
ler
:“GooddaymissMokoena, Iam
st
il
lwait
ingfory
ourrepl
yregar
ding
l
unch”
Me:
“Sor
ry,
whoam It
alki
ngt
o?”
Caller
:“noPhumlani
,pl
easet
ellmeyou
receiv
edmyi nv
itefr
om t
hesecuri
tyat
thegate”
Me:“ooht
hati
nvit
e,Ir
eceiv
edi
tbuti
n
wi
ll
notbejoi
ningyousir
”
Phuml
ani
:“ooohcanIaskwhynot
?”
Me:“nott
hatIoweyouanyexplanat
ion
butIdon’
tgooutwi
thstr
angers”
Thal
itai
sbusylooki
ngatmewi t
h
cur
iouseyesandrai
sedeyebr
ows.
Phumlani
:“Aouchyouwoundme, what
canIdotomakesur ethatwemove
beyondbei
ngstranger
s”hesounds
dr
amat
icshem.
Me:
“not
hingr
eal
l
ysi
r”
Phumlani:“
ohkifMohamedcannotgo
tothemount ai
n,t
hemountai
nwillhav
e
tocomet oMohamed, anypr
efer
ence?”
whatevert
hatmeans
Me:“abuti
bona,
Isai
dIam not
i
nter
ested”
Phumlani
:“MissMokoenaIdidnotget
tobewhereIam bytakingnoasan
answeratfi
rstr
esponse.Iwi
ll
seeyouin
fewminutes”
Mxm,Ihangof
fthephoneandshake
myhead.
Thal
i
:“now?
”
Me:“someguyinvi
tedmeforl
unchand
hedoesn’
twanttotakenof
oranswer”
Thal
i:
“ooowt
hat
awenagi
rl
,i
sheat
l
easthot
?”
Me:“that’
sthethingIdon’
tevenknow
him,Idon’tknowwhathelooksli
ke,he
j
ustleftaninvi
tewithaspavoucherwit
h
thesecuri
tylady.Appar
ent
lyheworksat
theITsoluti
onsnextdoor”
Thal
i:“
mmmm br
other
somot
echno
savv
y”
Me:“
Mxm,Idon’
thaveti
met oent
ert
ain
hi
m.Arey
oustil
lor
deri
ngfood?”
Thal
i:“
Haiit
slat
eletwal
ktothe
caf
eter
iaandseewhatIcangetther
e.
Grabyourexpi
redl
unchboxandwewi
l
l
si
tatcafet
eri
aandeatther
e”
Me:“hahaha,
ver
yfunny
”Isay
sar
casti
cal
l
y.
Shei sactuallylaughing.Iwill
regret
tel
l
ingheraboutOr a’sdramat oday.I
won’theart heendofi t.Iswit
chedof f
myl aptopandwet akeawal ktot he
cafeter
iawi thThal i
thamaki ngjokes
aboutmy“ stale”bread.
[
05/
04,
13:
44] :
Inser
t7
Ireal
l
ydidnotexpecthertoeasi
lyagr
ee
toalunchdat
ewi thmesoIhav etoput
myplanBinmot ion.Ipi
ckupmyphone
andcallmyAssistant
.
Si
ndy
:“MrZungu”
Me:“Si
ndycany
oupleaseletmeknow
assoonasmyfoodarr
ives”
Sindy:
“ohksirIwil
ll
etyou
know………oooht hedeli
ver
yguyjust
walkedin,shoul
dIsendhi
mt hr
oughto
youroffi
ce?”
Me:
“no,
Iam comi
ng”
Iswi
tchof
fmyl
apt
op,takemywall
et
andmakemywayoutoftheof
fi
ce
Me:“gooddaymybr
other
,Howmuchdo
Iowey ou?
”
Del
i
ver
yguy
:“j
ust259si
r”
Igi
vetheguy300,thankedhi
m andt
old
hi
mt okeepthechange.
Me:“SindypleaseletKwenaknowt hatI
wil
lbeoutoft heOf f
ice,Iwon’tbe
havi
ngl unchwithhimt odaybutIwillbe
backint i
mef ort
heconf erencecal
lwi t
h
theGermans”
Si
ndy
:“ohksi
r,enj
oyy
ourl
unch”
Me:
“Yout
ooSi
ndy
”

Iwalkoutandwal kacrossthest reetto

havelunchwi t
hmyPedi queenwho
knowsmay besoonshewi llbeaMr s
Zungu.Ismi l
eatthatt
houghtofher
bei
ngmywi fe.Igr
eatt
hesecur i
tylady
wit
ht hesmi l
eandwalkintot hebuilding.
Inoti
ceoneoft heladi
esshewassi tt
ing
wit
ht heotherdayatNandosanddeci de
towalktoher.Sheseesmeappr
oachi
ng
andflashesmeasmi l
e.Ismi
l
ebackand
greether.

Me:“
Hi,
canyoupl
easehelpme,
Iam
l
ooki
ngforMsMokeana”
Her
:“Hi
,shei
satt
hecafet
eriaIwason
mywaytojoi
nher
,youcanfoll
owme”
Ifol
l
owhertothecafet
eri
aandIseeher
seat
ingatacor
nertabl
ewithanot
her
l
ady.
Her
:“Ror
iyouhav
eav
isi
tor
”
Shel
ooksov
erandf
rowns
Me:“
gooddayladi
es,
mayIj
oiny
ouf
or
l
unchIbr
ingf
ood”
Herseatedfr
iend:
“Si
ncey
oubr
ingf
ood
youfeel
f r
eetojoi
nus”
Ror
i:“
whodidyousayi
sheret
osee
me?”shesay
slooki
ngatt
hefr
iendt
hatI
wal
kedinwit
h

Me: “
WellMi
ssMokoenat hemountain
deci
dedtocometoMohamed”Isai d
taki
ngaseatcl
osetoher.Shelookedat
mel i
keshewasn’
tpl
eased.Iguessshe
i
snotgoingtomakethi
ngsanyeasi er
forme.

Herf
ri
end:“Mynamei sTebogoandthi
s
i
sThali
tha,It
akei
tyouknowRor i
sang.
Whatdi
dy ousayyournamewasagain
sir
?Ihavenev
erseeny
ouar
oundbef
ore
recent
ly”
Me: “
oohforgi
vemymanner sladi
es,my
namei sPhumlani
Zungu”tur
ningto
l
ookatRor i“
MissMokoenaIhopeafter
thi
slunchIwill
nolongerberegar
dedas
astranger
”

Shej ustnodherheadandcont i
nued
eatingf orm herlunchbox, herfr
iends
didnotwast et i
mebutdeci dedt odig
i
ntot hef oodt hatIbroughtlucki
lyitwas
mor ethanenoughf ortwo.Ibroughtful
l
chicken, 4roll
sand2l argepacketsof
chipsf r
om Nandosanda2l it
reorange
fr
uitjuice.Wehadl unchov er21
quest i
onsf rom herf r
iends,ei
shmyPedi
queenwasn’ tmuchofat alker
.Idon’t
knowifthatiswhoshei sorImadeher
uncomfortable.Iwasreal
lyhopingfor
somepr i
vacywi thherbutherfri
ends
werenotgivingusachance.Il ookedat
theti
meandi twas13:45andIhada
confer
encecal lat14:
05otherwiseI
wouldstaylonger.

Me:“SoMissMokoenawhencanItake
yououtf
oraproperl
unchl
ikeIof
fered?
”
Rori
:“EehMr
…….whatdi
dyousayy
our
namewasagain?
”
Me:
“Phuml
ani
,Phuml
ani
Zungu”
Her:
“youaskedf
orl
unchsi
r,Ir
efused
andyoufor
cedoneonme,soIdon’tsee
whyy
oushoul
dtakemet
olunchagai
n”
Tebogo:“Wel
lIam fr
eetoj
oiny
ouany
dayPhumlani,
plusIwanty
outoteach
meSet sul
u”

damni sshebeingseri
ousri
ghtnow,
fi
rst
lyIdon’
twantt ohavel
unchwi t
hher
,
secondlyi
tsIsi
ZulunotSet
sulu,
Ijust
smiledathercozIcannotaf
fordtobe
ruderi
ghtnow.

Thali
tha:“
Tebogotheinvit
ati
onwasfor
Rori
,notforanyofusdear,it
’sbad
enoughweeatf oodthatwasnotmeant
forus,nowyouwantt oinvi
teyour
sel
fto
l
unch.Aowachomi ”
Allthi
sti
meIam l ookingatmyPedi
queenwhoseemsnott obeinter
ested
i
nt heconversat
ionormyi nvi
tati
on.I
mustsay,Iwasr eall
yhurtbutIam not
abouttogiveuponhert hateasil
y.The
heartwantswhatt heheartwants.

Me: “
thanksforthecompanyl adiesI
havetogetbackt owor knowbef oremy
bosscomesdownonmel ikeatonof
bri
cks,enj
oyt herestofyourday”Isay
thi
sstandingup,IlookatRor i
sangand
say“MissMokoenaIwi l
lcallyoulat
er,
uhl
aleumuhl eyezwa”Isaywi nkingat
herandshej ustnods.Reallyanod?
That’
sallIget.
Herf
ri
ends:
“by
ePhuml
ani
”
Imustsaythingsdi
dn’tgothewayI
hopedbutIam notabouttogiv
eup.I
wil
lkeeptr
yingunti
lshelet
smei n.
Iwalkintotheoffi
ceandcoll
ectmyfi
les
thatIneedfortheconfer
encecal
land
headtot heboardr
oom.

Kwena:“
Mor ena,
osetseot
sebabat
ho
gaosaj
alennalunch”
Mmmmm?Theonl ywordIgotther
e
waslunch.Plushespokesofast
f
orgett
ingthatSepedii
sGreektome
Me: “
YeboIl
unchbey i
mndadi
kakhul
u”
helooksatmeandlaughs,
yeyel
augh
atmemxm.
Kwena:“Hai
,youmustr
eal
lyl
ear
n
Sepedi
fast,
areyour
eady”
Me:
“Iam,
wena?
”
Kwena:
“lennaker
eady
”

WeskypetheGer
mansandst
artt
alki
ng
busi
ness.
[
05/
04,
13:
45] :
Inser
t8
Ror
isang
Iam seatinginmyof fi
ceaft
erlunch
fai
li
ngt oconcentrat
eonmywor k,Idon’
t
wantt obethinki
ngabouthim butIcan’t
helpmy self
.Ibit
emyl owerli
p,closemy
eyesandbr eatheinasIthi
nkabouthi s
scent.OoohGod, Hesmel l
edsogood
andmascul ine,Ifoundmy sel
fdrawnt o
hi
sscentdur i
nglunch.Iwantedt obury
myselfi
nhi sst r
ongar msanddeepl y
i
nhalehiscol ogne.Whati sgoi
ngon
wit
hmer eally,
Ihav eneverbeen
i
nter
estedi nmansi nceThapelo.Why
doesPhuml ani havesuchanef fecton
me?

Yousee, Phuml aniiswel lbuilt

,youcan
tellheknowshi swayar oundt hegy m.
Hei stal
l,darki
shi ncompl exationwi t
h
thickbushyey ebrowsandt hicklips,I
canal mosttastehowj ui cytheylook.He
cleansupr ealgoodt oo.Her ockeda
chiskop,t
r i
mmedmust acheandbear d.
Her emindsmeofFezi leMakhany a.
Whenhesmi led,Icoul dn’helpbut
noticehi
sper fectwhitet eethand
dimples.Iopenmyey esandshakemy
headasi fIam t r
yingtoshakeof fthe
thoughtsinmymi nd.Ibr eatheoutand
trytoconcentrateonmywor k.Myof f
ice
l
iner i
ngsandt heladyf r
om r ecepti
on
tell
smeIhav eadel i
ver y,Iaskifshecan
signforiti
nbr ingittomyof fice,of
whichsheobl ige.

Fewmi nuteslat
ershewal ksi
ntomy
off
icehol dingabunchofwhi tefl
owers,
atypeIhav eneverseenbefore.She
smilesandhandst hem overtomewi t
h
acar d.Ismi l
ebackandt hankherfor
bri
ngi ngthem tomyof f
icebecauseshe
didnothaveto.Iputthem onmytable,
i
t’sagoodthingtheycamewi t
hav ase
becauseIwouldn’tknowwheretoput
them si
nceIdon’townone.

Iopenthecar dandIsmi l
easIr ead
formit“Iam asi mpl emanwhodoesn’ t
wastetimeonmeani ngl
esst hings,
everyt
hingIinvestmyt i
meonhast o
ali
gntot hegrandpl an.Thef l
ower sI
sentIcalledGar denia,theysy mbolize
thepurit
yandsweet nessIseei nyou
everyti
meIl ookaty ou.Ihopet hey
makey ouawar eoft hesecr etelovethat
Ihavefory ou(nott hatIwanti ttobe
secret
eany mor e).Wheny oul ookat
them Ihopet heyconv eyjoythatIwant
tobri
nginy ourli
feandalwaysremind
youhowl ovelyIt
hinkyouare.Mma
Mokoenapl easegivemeachancet o
gettoknowy ouandal l
owy our
selft
o
gettoknowme.I fyoudon’
tli
kewhat
youseeaf t
er3dat esIwil
lsetyoufr
ee.
LoveP.Zungu”

Ireadthenoteagain,myhear tandmi nd
areinconfli
ct.Ihav
ebeenhur tbefore
andIam nowusedt othewallsIhav e
buil
taroundmyhear t.Whatifhehur t
s
me?Am Ist rongenought odealwith
anotherbreakup?YoooThapel oreal
ly
brokemyhear t
.Am Iwil
li
ngtobesi ngle
forli
fethough?Don’tIdeser
vesome
happiness?Likehesaid,i
fIdon’tli
ke
whatIseei
nhim af
ter3datesIcan
si
mplywalkof
f.Myphonerings
snappi
ngmeoutofmyt houghts.

Cal
l
er:“Ihopeyouarewrappingupdear
,
weleav
et heof
ficeatexact
ly16:
30”
Il
ookatt
het
imeandnot
icei
ts16:
00
Me:“Iwi
l
lber
eadyt
oleav
ebyt
hen
dear
”
Thal
i
tha:
“ohkdearl
etmel
eav
eyout
o
i
t”
Ihangupanddecidetocal l
mymot her
,I
wanttotalktomypri
ncess.If eel
guil
ty
thatIwil
lgethomeaftersheisdone
withherhomeworkandev eningbath.
Mymot herdoesn’
tanswerherphone
andIcal
lmydad.

Dad:
“Babygi
rl
”
Me:
“thobel
apapa?(
Greet
ingsf
ather
)
Dad:
“ageenunu”
Me:
“PapacanIpl
easet
alkt
oOr
a?”
Dad:“sorr
ynunu, sheisnother
e.She
wentwi t
hy ourmothertodropSophy
home, shewasnotf eeli
ngwell
andyour
motherleftherphone”
Me:
“Whati
swr
ongwi
thAuntSophi
?”
Dad:“shehadarunni
ngst
omach,
not
hinghecti
c”
Me:“
okPa,
pleasecall
mebackwhen
Or
acomesback.Imissher
”
Mydadl
aughs“
ohkNunuIwi
l
ldot
hat
”
Wecont
inuet
alki
ngunt
ilThal
i
thawal
ks
i
n.
Me:“
Pa,Ihav
etogetbackt
owor
know
by
e.Il
oveyou”
Dad:
“Il
ovey
out
ooNunu”

Me:
“tj
o,or
edi
got
samay
aal
ready
?”
Thal
i:“
Iam donewithmywork,
we
mightaswelll
eavecozIknowyoudi
d
nothavemucht odotoday
”
Me:“ohkl
etmepackge,
founel
a
Tebogo”
Thali
:“wooooooo,
thesefl
owersare
beauti
fulf
ri
end.Whataretheycal
l
ed?”
shesay
sbusyt
ouchi
ngt
hem.
Me:“
Gar
deni
aorsomethi
ng”Isay
wai
vi
ngmyri
ghthand.
Thal
i
:“Fr
om ShakaZul
u?”

Inodandthali
thalaughsandclapsher
handsonce.Ifi
nishpacki
ngupmy
thi
ngsandwemakeourwayt o
Tebogo’
soffi
cebef or
eheadingofft
o
malloft
henorth.
Imustsaythemov i
ewasni ce,Ir
eall
y
enj
oyedmy sel
f.Tar
ajiPHensoni ssuch
agreatact
ress.Themoviereall
yhit
home,Imeanhowmanyofuswoul dn’t
wanttoknowwhatmanwant ?How
manyfrogsmustwer eal
lykissbefore
fi
ndi ngourprincecharming?Iwould
reall
ywantt heabili
tytoreadman’ s
mi ndsot hatIcanknowsomeone’ sreal
i
nt entionswit
hme.Mostwomango
throughal otofheartacheandsleepless
nightbef or
etheyfindtheirhappi
lyever
after.That’
siftheyareluckykagorenot
every onefi
ndev er
lasti
nghappiness.

Afterthemov i
ewedeci dedtohav e
dinneratPanar otti
sIam ahugef anof
theirpasta,especial
lytheChicken
Mi l
anoFet tuccinedish.Wear ebusy
enjoyingourdi nneroveralight
conv ersat
ionandl aughterwhenThal i
nudgesmet olookup.IdoandIf i
ndthe
waiterservingusst andingtherel
ooking
atmewi
thabot
tl
eofwi
ne.
Me:
“Sor
ry,
Idi
dnotor
derwi
ne”
Waiter
:“I
t’
sfrom t
hatgent
lemanov er
ther
e”hesayspointi
ngatIguythatI
haveneverseenbefor
esit
tingal
one.
Me:“oohsorr
yTendai,j
ustt
akei
tback”
Isayaft
err
eadinghi
snamet agbecause
i
tmeansal otwhenyouacknowl
edge
someonewhoi sser
vingyoubyt
heir
name.
Tebogo:“Wahl
anyabr
ingither
e”she
saystaki
ngthebot
tl
efrom Tendai
.
Tendai:
“Thegentl
emansaidIshoul
d
l
eavethebottl
eandcomebackwi th
yournumberssesi
”hesayslooki
ngat
me.Kantehowmucht i
pdidt heguy
pr
omi
sehi
m?
Thali
tha:“
Wel lTebogosinceRori
doesn’tdr
inkandy oudecidedtotake
thebottl
e,gi
vehi my ournumbers
probl
em solved”
Tebogo: “Akenabothat
annapl usohot
abutiolaandheknowshi swines, t
hisis
aBey erskl
oofpinot
age”shesay swr i
ti
ng
hercellphonenumberonaser v i
ett
eand
ki
ssingi tt
oleaveablueli
pprintofher
l
ipstick.
Me:“Tendai
,j
usttel
lhi
mtheyaremine
sothatyoucansti
ll
getwhat
everbi
gti
p
hepromisedyou”
Hesmilesshy
lyandt
akest
hepaper
f
rom Tebogoandwal
ksaway.Webust
i
ntolaugherImeantodaywasjusta
weir
dday .Fi
rsti
twasPhumlaandnow
t
hisguy.Haimehlol
oeratabat
ho.

Wecont inuet ohav eourdi nnerwith

thesetwodr inkingwi net hatwasbought
withTebogo’ scel l
phonenumber s.It
s
09:30whenwedeci det ocal li
tanight.I
call
edacab, Iknowi t’
sgoi ngt ocostme
alotbutIwoul dnotbesel fi
shtomake
oneoft heset wot odr i
vemehomeand
dri
veback, especi al
lysincet heyhad
beendrinking.It’sagoodt hingmy
daughterandIar emov i
ngi ntoour
townhousei nt ownt hisweekend.At
l
eastIknowt hecabdr iver,wewentt o
schooltogether .Gapewel ivein
dangeroustimeswherepeopl
euse
businesssuchasuberandtaxi
fyto
targetunsuspect
ingl
adi
eswhot r
avel
aloneatnight.
“Soy oudeci dedtol eav ewi t
houtsay i
ng
goodby e?”asmsf rom anunknown
number .“ Whoi st his?”Ireply.“Thendo,
theguyf rom Panar ott
is”andnowwher e
didhegetmynumber s.DamnTebogo,
shegav ehi m mynumber si nsteadof
hers,howcoul dshe?SheknowIwas
notinterestedinhi m andy etshegav e
him mynumber s.Mxm.“ i
tmustbea
wrongnumbersi r”It y
pe.“ ohk,Mi ss
wrongnumberwi tht hepr ofil
epi cofthe
l
adywhoenj oyedt hewi nehav eagr eat
evening,Iwi l
lcallyout omor r
ow”.Idon’ t
knowwhyIam ent
ert
ainedt
hisguy
,I
wil
lj
ustbl
ockhim.

“Thanxoupa”Isaygi vi
nghi m hisfare.
“XapRor i
,odumedi shebr aSol neh”he
sayslookingatmev iather evi
ewmi r
ror
.
“xobatladumel a”Isaybef oreclosing
thedoor.Br aSol i
smyf ather,he
coachesacommuni tysoccert eam
that’
swhyhei spopularwi t
ht heboy s
aroundher e.Iwalkintothehouseand
fi
ndev ery
onewat chi
ngTV.Igr eetthe
parentsandpi ckmybabyupf orahug.I
missedhersobadespeci all
ybecause
shewasnothappywi thmei nthe
mor ni
ngwhenIl eft
.
Ora:
“mommyont
let
sel
eeng”Ismi
l
e
andkissher
.
Me:
“hav
eyoubeenagoodgi
rl
”
Ora:“
alwaysmommy
,Igot3st
arsat
schoolt
oday”
Me: “
that
’smygirl
, Igotyousomething
foryourl
unchboxt omor r
owi wantto
makeupf ort
hest alebread,
nowi t
slate
saygoodbyetomamaandpapasowe
cangosleep”Iputherdownandshe
runstomyparents.
Ora:“Goodni
ghtmama, goodni
ght
papa”shesayswhil
ehuggingand
ki
ssingthem onebyone.
Them:
“Goodni
ghtPr
incess”
Wewal ktot hebedr oom andgeti nt
o
bed.Or af al
lsasleepwhi letell
ingabout
howherdaywasatschool ,mypoor
chil
dmusthav ebeent ired.Iam sure
shef or cedher selftost ayupbecause
shedi dnotwantt osl eepwi thoutseeing
me.Imi ssedhert oo, thatiswhyshei s
sleepingwi thmet odayandnoti nher
bedr oom.Myphonev ibratesindicat
ingI
hav eamessage.Anot herunknown
number ,t
hisonei sdi fferent.“
Ihopey ou
enjoy edy ourmov ie.Nextt imeaskme
todr ivey ouhome, cabsar enotsaf e
any mor e, Phuml a”.Wher edoesheget
mynumber ?IsTebogoonami ssionof
publishi ngmynumber s?Shemi ghtas
well adv erti
set henont heBonusr evi
ew
newspaperonce.“ Wher edi dy ougetmy
number s? ”Iask.“ Ihav emyway s”not
goodenough.“ Iam bl ockingy ounow
bye”Isay .“ i
fy ousayso”Mxm, I
proceedt obl ockhi m.Anot hersms
comest hrough“ Goodni ghtMa
Mokoena, Iwillseey out omor row.
Uhlaleuy azi ukuthiuy athandwa”what ?
Didn’tIjustbl ockhi s* *S?Idon’ tknow
whyt hismakesmesmi le.Ishoul dbe
pissedbutIam not .Hi sscentcr eeps
i
nt omymi ndandIj ustcl osemyey es
andbr eathi tall i
nandi twasl ightsout
forme.If allasleept hinkingabout
Phuml aandhi scologne.
[
05/
04,
13:
45] :
Inser
t9
2weeksl
ater
Phuml
ani

Iam wokenupbymycel l
phoner i
nging,
I
thoughtitsbestIignoredi tbutthe
personont heot herl
ineseemst obe
persi
stent.It’
stooear l
ytobe
entert
ainingcall
s.Isleptlat el
astnight
developingasof twar
ef ort heGermans.
Iwasnotev enplanni
ngt ogot owor k
earl
y.

Me:“Hel
lo”answeri
nasleepyvoi
ce
wi
thoutevenchecki
ngt
hecallerI
D.
Cal
l
er:
“Mhl
ehl
o,v
ukandoda”
Ihaven’
theardany onecal
lmebymy
cl
annamei nal ongtime,i
fthecallwas
fr
om any oneelseIwoul dbehappybut
ri
ghtnowIam pi ssed.Pi
ssedatSy
becausehei stheonl yonewhocoul d
havegiventhisdogmynumber s.Iopen
myey esandsi tup.

Me:
“Uf
unani
?”
Call
er:“
yindl
elaokhul
umangayo
nabanganibakholeMhlehl
o?
Me:“
utheabanganiSbu?ungazongi
j
wayel
a.Ngiy
enzeleIfav
orandlosemy
number”
Sbu:
laughi
ng“
Ungazozi
yenzaIpant
y
wena,letbygonesbebygones.Yougot
compensat edwit
halotofmoneyf or
thatmistakewemadesoweneedt o
mov eon”
Me:“Ami
stake?Youcall
robbi
ngme4
year
sofmyli
feamistakeSbu?”
Sbu:“
Manzini
,Iwouldhaveapologi
zeda
l
ongtimeago,butyoudidnotwantto
seemewhileyouwereinsi
de.It’
sbeen
morethan4yearsndodangiyabawa
ungi
qolel
e”
Me:“Sbu,uf
unani
kahl
ekahl
e,ngi
l
elengi
khat
hele”
Sbu:
“Manzi
ni,
Iam worki
ngon
somethi
ngbi
g,andIneedyourhel
p”
Me:
“Uy
ahl
any
a,hambauy
ofa”
wit
ht hatsai
dIdroppedt hecall
and
swit
chedof ft
hephone.Iam t ooworked
uptogobackt osleepnowandi t’
sst
il
l
weehour softhemor ni
ng.Igetupand
changet ogym cl
othes.Ineedtotake
outallthi
sangeronapunchi ngbag.
ThankGodf ortheinhousegy m.

Iexpecttofeelbetteraftertheint
ense
workoutIj
usthadbutt hatnotthecase,
Iam sti
l
lpissed.Ineedt ocallSy,he
needstoexplainhimself,andhebet ter
haveagoodr easonf orgivingthatdog
mynumber s.
Sy:“
Manzi
ni”hesay
sanswer
ingt
he
phone
Me:
“Wenzeni
Sy?
”
Sy:
“LookuSbusi
sotol
dmethathe
cal
l
edy ouandyouwer
enothappy
,
ngi
yaqoli
sa”
Me:“Whatdidyouthi
nkwouldhappen
huh?Iwasgoingtobethri
l
ledandthrow
hi
m apartyandhelpwit
hwhateverfavor
heneed.I
sthatwhatyouthoughtwould
happen”
Sy:“
Manzini
,Iam sor
rybutwer
eal
l
y
needyourhel
p”

Madodadi
dhesay“
we”
Me:“
whatdoy
oumean‘
weneedhel
p”
whoi
swe?
Sy:
“Manzi
ni,
pleaseli
stentowhatSbu
havet
osayngiyakuqela”
Me:“Itol
dy ouIdon’
twantanyt
hing
engi
hlanganisanemi
khubayenuemibi
”
Sy:“j
usthearwhathehast osayandwi
l
l
takeitf
rom t
hereplease”
Me:“Sy ,t
hankyouforev ery
thi
ngy ou
havedonef ormebutt hisissomethi
ngI
can’
thel pyouwit
h.Nextt i
mey oucall
mebet ternotberel
atedt oanythi
ngka
Sbuy ezwa,haveaniceday ”Isaybefor
e
hangingup, Mxm Sycanbeadumb
l
awy erwhenhewant st o.
Idon’twanttogotowor k,Iwil
ljustwork
from hometoday.Ical
lKwenat ol ethim
knowt hatIwon’
tbecomi ngin.Good
thingwehav enomeetingstoday .Itake
ashowerandgetdr essedinsimpl e
clothesandIheadtothekitchent o
blendasmoot hi
eforbreakfast.

**
*Bonusinser
tfort
helov
eyouguy
s
ar
eshowingme **
*
[
05/
04,
13:
45] :
Inser
t10
Ror
isang

Iam sofr
ustr
atedri
ghtnow.Thet axi
sin
Seshegoareonstr
ikebecausethey
don’
twanttheleet
obuspr oj
ect
.Ofall
dayst heycouldhav echosent ost ri
ke,i
t
hadt obet oday.Iam ont hev er geof
tearsrightnowbecauseIhav eav ery
i
mpor t
antpresentati
onat10: 00f or
boardmember sandIcan’ taffor dnot
goingt owork.Itwouldhav ebeenbet t
er
i
fmydadwasher ebecausehewoul d
driv
emet owork,butsincei t
sschool
holi
day stheyleftwit
hOr at ov i
si tt
he
favorit
euncleThusoi nJobur g.Icoul d
havemov edintomyt ownhousebynow
andIwoul dnotbehav ingt hi
si ssues
butther enovati
onswer enoty etdone
andIhadt owaitfornextmont hbef ore
mov ingin.Iam lostinmyt hought sand
goingcr azywhenmyphoner i
ngs.I ts
Phuml a,wehav ebeenchat ti
ngand
communi cat
ingovert
hephonesince
thatni
ghthemanagedt ounblock
himsel
f.Wehav ebeenonaf ewdates
toobutnothi
ngisoffi
ci
alyet
.

Me:
“Phuml
ani
”
Hi
m:“
Mor
ningmaMokoenaunj
ani
”
Me:
“Xapandy
ou”
Hi
m:“Youdon’
tsoundxap,
whati
s
wr
ong?”
Itakeadeepbreathtry
ingtoholdinthe
tearsbutIf
ail
.Iguesshecanhearf r
om
mysni f
fi
ngthatIam cryi
ng.Ihearhi
m
sigh.
Hi
m:“
babyt
alkt
ome,
ungi
phul
aint
li
zi
yo
mawukhal
a”

Iexplaint ohim myt r

ansport
predicamenti nbet weenthesnif
fi
ng.I
knowy oual l
thi nkIam acrybabybutI
am not .Iam f rustr
atedbecauseIhave
ranoutofal lopt i
onsandAl exwouldnot
under standespeci all
ybecauseofthe
presentat i
ont hatIneedtodot oday.
LuckilyPhuml asay shewi l
lcomeand
fetchme.

Infactthi
siswhathesai
dtome“ i
sthat
whyy ouarecryi
ng?Whydidn’ty
oujust
cal
l met ocomeandgetyou?Sendme
yourlocati
onngi
sendlel
enibabyunga
khal
i
”.

After20mi nutesIr eceiv eat extfrom

Phuml asayinghei sout side.Igrabmy
bagandappl eandr unout .Iseehi m
parked2housesaway ,
leaningagai nst
hiscar .DidItellyouguy showy ummy
Phuml ais?Ihav enev erseenhi m
wear ingshor t
sbef or e,hehasbeaut if
ul
l
egspapa! !!
.Iwonderwhyhei sdr essed
l
iket hatthough, i
shenotgoi ngt owor k
today ?.Heisr ockinggr eytrackshor t
,
backsni ckersandbl ackvshapedt -shi
rt
thatexposeshi ssexyt onedbody
structurewi t
hagr aycap.
Iseefewofmynei ghbor
slooki
ngathim
anddrooli
ng.Ei
sh,bomaratahel
ele.He
walkstowardsmeandsmi l
esexposing
hisperf
ectwhit
eteethanddimpl
es,ooh
Jesustakemenow.

Thecloserhegets,themor eIcansmel l
hi
shy pnoti
cscentandt hankGodhe
pul
lsmei nforahugandIcl osemyey es
andtakeinthesmel l
.“hi”hesay sand
ki
ssesmeonmyr i
ghtchi ck.“hi”Isay
bl
ushingwithasmi l
eonmyf ace.Thank
GodIam nott ooli
ght,IswearIwoul d
haveturnedpinkbynow.Heopenst he
doortohisblueBMW M5andIsl idein.
hemov estohissideandget sin.
Phumlani:
“Zakwami
,uthi
whyungangi
founel
angangi
zokul
anda?”hesay
sas
hedriv
esoff
Me:“
Bekel
efrust
rat
edwi
thmymi
ndal
l
ov
erthepl
ace”
Phumlani
:“Soy
out
houghti
t’
sbet
tert
o
cr
y?”
Me:“
Bekesal
l
e”Isayl
ooki
ngoutt
he
wi
ndow.
Phuml
ani
:“I
fyousayso”hesay
s
l
aughi
ng
Me:
“areyouonl
eav
e”t
ryi
ngt
ochange
t
hetopi
c
Phuml
ani
:“No,
wor
kingf
rom home”
Me:
“Wow,
yourbossi
san
under
standi
ngper
sonneh”
Phumlani
:“yep,ver
yunderst
andi
ng”why
i
shissmili
nglikethatv
ele.

Hedr i
vesmet owor kwhi l
eweholda
l
ightconversat
ion.ImustsayPhuml ais
verysmartandIal wayslearnat
hingor
t
wof rom theconv er
sati
onswehav e.He
i
sf untohangar oundtoo.

Him: “
Whatt i
memustIf etchyou?”he
saysparki
ngnextt oourgate,i
t’
sfunny
thatheisdroppingmenextt ohiswork
placeyetheiswor ki
ngfr
om home.I
hopehedi dnotlietohi
sbosst hathei
s
sickorsomething.
Me:“Iwi
l
lcal
lyouaf
terl
uncht
olety
ou
know”
Hi
m: “
Ohkbaby,
enj
oyy
ourday
.Uy
a
t
handwaneh”
Me: “t
hanksf ort heride”Isayget ti
ng
outoft hecarIam notgoi ngtoenter t
ain
that‘
uy athandwaneh’ l
ine.Iam only15
minuteslate,itcoul dhav ebeenwor se
cozIal mostdi dn’tmakei t.Atleastmy
presentati
oni sonl yat10:00meani ngI
havemor ethananhourt odof i
nal
preparati
ons.

I
tsnow09:50andboar
dmember sst
art
maki
ngtheirwayi
ntot
heboar
droom.I
am soner vousrightnow, atl eastAlex
wentt hroughmypr esentationf ir
stand
gav eitagoaheadaf t
errecommendi ng
fewchanges.Hesay sIam r eadyt odo
thisbutIam notsur ereall
y.Publ ic
speaki ngwasnev ermyst rongestpoi nt.
IseeourCEOandf ewheadof
depar t
ment smakingt hei
rwayi nand
sitt
ingdown.Thel aptophasal r
eady
beenset upandal ldocument sare
placedont hetablenexttoeachchai rso
thattheat t
endeescanper use.Iam
busyt alkingtoAlexwhenInot icea
fami l
i
arf ace.Noooo, whati shedoi ng
here?I sthewor ldreall
ythatsmal lthat
hehadt obeaboar dmemberi nt he
companyt hatIworkin?NowIam
ner
vous.
[
05/
04,
15:
22] :
Inser
t11
Ror
isang.

Alex :
“Youcandot hisRor i,r
ememberI
believeiny ou.Thet eam andIwi llbe
her etohelpwi ththeQ&Aohk”Al exsays
bef or
et aki
nghi ssit.Ismi leandnod.I
takemysi tnexttoAl exandr ubmy
sweat ypalmsagai nstmypant sinan
attemptt owi pethem.Thechai rperson
standsupandwel comesal lofus.The
minut esfrom thepr eviousmeet ingare
readandadapt edandwest artwi t
hthe
agendaoft heday .Thef i
rsttopr esenti
s
ar epresentati
vefrom f inance
depar t
mentt hencommuni cati
onsand
l
ast l
yme.ImustsayIwasner v
ousat
fi
rstbutafterfewmi nutesIwasj ust
fl
owi ng.I
t’
sagoodt hingthatIwaswel l
prepared.Fewquest ionswer easked
afterthepresentat
ionandev eryonewas
satisfi
edwiththeanswer st hatwe
prov i
ded.

Theboar dwassoi mpressedt hatthey

decidedtoincreaseourbudgetby30%
mor ethanwhatwewer easkingf or.We
aredonewi thpresentati
onsandhav ing
l
unch.Hei ssi t
ti
ngont hesamet able
withme, i
nf acthetookasi tnextto
minewhi l
edeser t
inghissitfrom at abl
e
reservedforboardmember s.
Him:“
Sowemeetagai
n,whowould
havet
houghhuh?
”hesay
slaughi
ng
Iam notgoingtoanswert
hat,i
fhe
thi
nksIfeelbadforbl
ocki
nghim,otl
aba
str
ong.Ididnotdri
nkhiswine,
nordi
dI
askfori
t.
Hi
m: “Gr
eatpresent
ati
onint
herebyt
he
wayRori
sangy ouaregoi
ngfar
”hesays
af
tersometi
me.
Me:
“Thanky
ouMr
.?”Isaywi
thasmi
l
e.
Him:“ThendokhaeSi
oga,
justcal
lme
Thendo”
Me:“
ThankyouThendo,whatdoesy
our
namemean?It
sTshivendaneh”
Him: “
Itmeanspr aisest ohi
m,hi
m being
God.Mymot hersay sshedidnothave
aneasypr egnancybecauseofherbl ood
pressureandIwasnotmeantt obe
carri
edfullt
erm,sowhenshedi dand
gavebirthtoaheal thybabyshefel
tshe
i
twasal lbyGod’sgr aceandhe
deservedallt
hepr aises”
Me: “
Wow,Ilov
eVendanames, t
heyall
havemeani
ngs.Ihadaf
ri
endi nVarsi
ty
cal
ledOnar
eneandsheexpl
ainedthat
hernamemeansGodiswithus”
Him:“Don’
tworry,
wewi l
lgi
veal
lour
babi
esmeaningfulVendanamesli
ke
‘
Akonaho,Mutshi
dzi……”
Il
aughl
oudert
hanIint
ended,
aren’
twe
get
ti
ngaheadofour
sel
ves.
Him:“Nonakani adivha?(Youare
beauti
ful
),Iwouldgi
vemyal ltohear
youlaughliket
hateveryday”hesays
wit
hasmi rkonhi sf
ace.
Ijustlaugh,isthismanr eallyhitt
ingon
meatabusi nessl unch?Ichooset o
i
gnor ehiscommentandcar ryonasking
him quest i
onsaboutVendal and.Ihave
neverbeent oVendabutIheari t’
sav ery
beautifulpartofourpr ovinceandt he
peoplet herearev erywar m and
welcomi ng.All IknowaboutVendai s
thattherear elotsoff rui
ts.Thendoi s
surpri
sedwhenIsayIhav enev erbeen
toVendaandheof f
erstot akemeona
roadtri
pthisweekend.Iwantedtosay
nobuthej ustdi
dnottakenof oran
answer.Ifi
nall
yagreedtogowi t
hhim
aftermuchconv i
nci
ngfrom hissi
de.I
am nowv eryexci
tedabouttheroadtr
ip
Ican’twai
t.

IknowIam t hemostcaut i
ousper son
butIfeellikeIcant r
ustThendo, heis
softspokenandv eryeasyt ogetal ong.
Unfortunatelyhehast oleav es
i
mmedi atelyaft
erlunchcozhehasa
courtcaset oattendat14: 00.
Apparentlyhei snotaboar dmemberi n
ourcompanyhewasat tendingt oday’
s
meet i
ngonbehal fofhisbrot herwho
couldn’tmakei t.Hehowev erownsa
l
awf i
rm wit
hoffi
cesi
nPol
okwaneand
Thohoyandou.

AfterlunchAl exi nformedmet hatIcan

l
eav eear l
yandr est,heappr eciatesthe
wayIr epr
esent edhi m andhowhar dI
wor kedont hepr esent ati
onand
proposal fort
heboar d.Asannoy i
ngas
hei s,Alexdoesgi vescreditwher eit’
s
due.Iwi llj
usthav etocallPhuml ato
fetchme.Het ell
smet hathewi l
lsenda
dri
v ertopickmeupashewasst il
lbusy
withsomet hi
ng.Thedr i
verwilldropme
athi shouseandhewi l
ldrivemehome
assoonashei sdone.Iam j ustchi l
li
ng
i
nmyof fi
cewhenTebogowal ksi n.
Tebogo:
“Iheary
ouki
l
ledt
hem i
nther
e
gi
rl,
tsenakamo”shesay
srai
si
ngher
handforahigh5.
Me:“Kealeboga,
tobehonestneke
t
shugil
exem”
Tebogo: “
Nothi
ngbeatshardworkgi
rl
.I
seey ouarer
eadytoleavehowareyou
gett
inghomecozdi taxi
tsaSeshegodi
onstrike?
”
Me:“
Phuml
ani
off
eredt
odr
iveme
home”
Tebogo:
“Soar
eyouguy
sof
fi
ci
al?
”
Me:
“No,
wear
ejustf
ri
end”

Shechuckl
esIguessshet
hinksIam
messi
ngwithher.
Tebogo:
“justbecar
eful
gir
l”
Idon’tevenknowwhyshedoesn’ tli
ke
Phuml a.Shemadei tclearthatsheis
notinsuppor tofourfri
endshipsincewe
star
tedhangi ngout.Ionceasked
Phuml aiftheyhaveahi st
orybuthe
assuredmet hathedidnotev enknow
hernameunt il
thedayhehadl unchwit
h
us.
Tebogo:“
Doyouknowhowcompl
i
cat
ed
i
tisdati
ngaZul
uman?”
Whati
swi
thTebogov
ele?
Me:“
Iwouldn’
tknow,
butItakei
tit
’st
he
sameasdati
nganyothert
ri
be”

Tebogo:
Shechuckl
es“
Howwoul
dyou
knowwhatothert
ri
besbehaveli
kesince
youonlydat
edoneguyandthatended
morethanwhat?6year
sago”
Ilookatheri ndi
sbeli
ef.Whywoul dshe
throwt hatatmyface, t
hatsomethingI
shar edwiththem i
nconf i
denceandnow
sheat tacksmewi t
ht hat?Iam l
ostfor
wor dsandIdon’tevenknowwhatt osay
toherbutIcannothi dethehurtonmy
face.

Tebogo:“Iam sorr
ythatcomeout
wrong,al
l ImeanisbecarefulRori
,thi
s
couldbey ourf
ir
strel
ati
onshipinalong
ti
meandonl yasecondinyourli
feti
me.
Don’tdi
vet oodeepandkeepy our
reser
vati
onsandal it
tl
eroom for
di
sappoi
ntment.Iam l
ooki
ngoutf
oryou
andthat
’smytwocentsist
erl
yadv
ice”

May besheisr
ight,
ImeanIhaveno
experi
enceinrel
ati
onshi
psandIhav
e
beenoffthegamef ort
oolong.
Me: “
Iunderstand,thanksf
orlookingout
forme,Ipromi setobecarefulandnot
divei
ntoany t
hingtoodeep.Att he
momenty oudon’ thavetoworrywear e
j
ustfri
end”
Shesmil
esandwal
ksov
ert
omysi
de
forahug
Tebogo:
“Icar
eabouty
ouRori
and
rememberIam ony
oursi
deal
ways”
Myphoner ingsandt hecal li
sf rom
recepti
ont ell
i
ngmet hatthedr i
verhas
arri
ved.Hemusthav ebeencl oseby .I
packupmybacksandsaymygoodby es
toTebogo, lockt heof fi
ceandmakemy
wayout .Ifindthedr iverbyt her ecept i
on
andhei mmedi atel
yl eadsmet ot hecar
carryi
ngmybags.Hei ssuchani ceman
almostt hesameageasmyf ather .He
i
ntroduceshi msel fasBr aJedandt ell
s
met hathehasbeendr i
v i
ngf ort heIT
Companyandsi ncei tsinception8y ears
agoandhewasat axidriverbef oret hat.
Iam shockedast owhywoul dPhuml a
sendmeacompanydr i
verandcar ,
wouldhi sbossbesounder standi ng
withthiswhol ething?Hai aretsi.
Wedr iveintoBroadlandsest ate,houses
herearev eryexpensiveandt hisisone
ofthemostexpensi veestatesi n
Polokwane.Kant e,howmuchmoneyi s
i
nITv ele,it
’snotli
keheownst he
company .TobehonestIdon’ teven
knowPhuml a’sjobtit
leinthatcompany .
Il
ookatt hehouseswi thadmi rati
on.I
can’twaitforthedayIcanaf fordtobuy
ahousel ikeoneoft heseonesher efor
OraandI .Knowi ngmydaught erandher
l
ovef orfi
nert hi
ngsinlife,
shewoul dbe
sohappyher e.
BraJed:
“Ref
ihli
l
emam”hesay spull
i
ng
uptoabeaut
ifuldoubl
est
oryhouse.
Me:
“Keal
ebogaPa”Isayr
etur
ninga
smile.Wowt hesightbeforemyey esi s
real
lybeauti
ful,
Ifindmy selfi
nfrontofa
verybeauti
fulhouse.BraJedopenst he
doorformeandIseePhuml await
ingat
theendofthedr ivewayl ooki
ngall
yummy .Hei sstil
lwear
ingsamecl ot
hes
butonecan’tov erl
ookhissexiness.
[
05/
04,
15:
22] :
Inser
t12
Ror
isang
Phuml a:“
Welcomet omyhumbleabode,
pleasefeelf
reeheremicasaessu
casa”hesay saf
tershar
ingabri
efhug.
Me:“
Noneedtobemodestdude,t
here
i
snothi
nghumbl
eaboutt
hishouse”
Phuml
a:“
comeoni
n,Ihopey
ouar
enot
i
nahurr
y”
Me:“No,Iam not
,canIhav
eat
our
pl
ease?”
Phuml
a:“
Xowoza”

Phuml at akesmeont hehouset our .I

mustsayhei sliv
ingthedr eam shem.
Thehousei sv erybeautiful withmoder n
design.I t’sveryspeciousbutwhatI
don’tunder standiswhyhewoul dbuy
suchabi ghousel ivi
ngal one.It ri
edt o
askabouthi sfami l
y,try
ingt o
under standi fhehasanysi blingsandhe
j
ustchangedt hesubject.Iwonderwhat
i
ssopai nfulabouthi spastt hathe
doesn’ twantt otalkabout .Idon’tbl ame
hi
mt houghIdi dthesamewhenhe
askedmeaboutOr a’
sf ather .Idon’tli
ke
tal
ki
ngabouthim orhowhebrokemy
heartandl
eftmewithdeepscar
es.

Phuml ai sverymodest ,whenIasked

howheaf f
ordst hi
spl acehej ustsai dhe
i
shousesi tti
ngf oraf ri
end,butIknow
hei slyi
ngbecauset hehousei st oo
muchofhi m.Wespendt herestoft he
afternooninhi sswi mmi ngpool and
braaingmeat .I
nf actIwasbul l
iedi nto
swi mmi ng.Itwasei therIchangei nto
theshor tsandv estthathebor rowedme
orIwasgoi ngt obet hrowni ntot hepool
withmyf ormal wear.Sochangi ngi nto
hisshor twill
ingl
yseemedl i
kethebest
option.Bestdeci sionev er.
Icanconfir
mi tforyouguys,therumors
youheardaboutZul umanandt heirl
ove
formeatistrue.Ihavenevereatenso
muchmeati nmyl i
feyoo,t
herewas
beef,chi
ckenandpor k.Youcouldswear
thatwewer ebraaingformanypeople
kanteitwasjustthetwoofus.Thegood
thi
ngi st
hatIwon’thav et
ocookwhenI
gethomesi nceIam homeal one.

Phumla“Thanky ouf
orspendingyour
aft
ernoonwithmezakwami ,Ireal
ly
enj
oyedmy self
”
Me:“Ienj
oyedmysel
ftoo,t
hanky oufor
comingtomyrescuetoday.Idon’
tknow
whatIwouldhav
edonei fy
ouhadnot
beenther
e”
Wear esi t
ti
ngi nhiscar,parkedout si
de
mygat eat08:30atni ght.I
twasnot
easyleav i
nghi shousebecausehedi d
notwantmet o.Iwasal sohav i
ngfun
withhim butasl eepov erwasoutoft he
question.Wear ehavi
ngf unand
l
aughingwhenhi sphoner i
ngs.Idon’t
knowwhathappenedbutaf terseeing
thecalleri
dPhuml a’
smoodt ookadiv e.
Irefr
ainedf r
om askingwhowascal li
ng
becausei t
’sreallynoneofmybusi ness.

Phuml a:
“Ul
alekahl
eyezwa”hesay s
beforeki
ssi
ngmyr i
ghtcheek.Iguess
thathiswayofsayi
ngheneedst ogo.
Me:
“Goodni
ghtPhuml
a”
Heopenst hedoorformeandpul l
sme
i
nf oratighthug.Iknowy ouguy sare
ti
redofbei ngremindedofhowgoodhe
smellsbutguy s,t
hismansmel lsli
ke
heavenandIam obsessedwi thhiscent.
Ipulloutofthehugandmakemywayt o
thehouse.Iseehi m dr
iveoffassoonas
Iwalkinsidethegate.Iam veryti
redall
I
neednowi stocallmydaughterandgo
tosleep.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
*
*
Phuml
ani
Iwashav i
ngagr eatt imewi thmyPedi
queenunt ilIreceivedacal lfrom Sbu
again.Itoldhim count lesstimest hatI
wantnot hingt odowi t
hhi m.NgaphaSy
i
sal sobeggi ngmet ohearhi m out .Syis
bli
ndedbyhi slov ef ormoney .Ireal l
y
don’twantany thi
ngt odowi t
ht heir
shenanigans.Imadeav owt omy self
nottof i
ndmy selfbacki nprisonagai n
andIam notaboutt obr eakit.Sbui s
ri
ghtaboutonet hingImadeal otof
moneybutInear lylosti tal
l.Whatwas
theuseofhav ingal l t
hatmoneyi fIwas
notablet ospendi t?Yes, Imi sst he
adrenali
nandt hril
l ofitallbutIam
tryi
ngtobet termyl ife.Letmecal l i
ta
night,
Ireallyneedt or est.
(
Thef
oll
owi
ngday
)
Iwokeupat05: 00anddi danhouron
thet r
eadmil
l,f
ewpushupsandf ewlaps
i
nt hepool.Nowmydaycanst ar
t.Itook
ashower ,gotdressedandmademy
wayt othekit
chent oblendasmoothie.I
tookmycarkey s, cel
l
phonewall
etand
l
apt opandmademywayout .
Her:“
NtateZungu”shesay
sanswer
ing
herphone.
Me:“Zakwamidoyouneedmet
ocome
andcol
lecty
outoday
?”
Rori
:“No,
thanky
ousi
r,t
axi
sar
ebackon
rout
e”
Me:
“youknowIdon’
tmi
ndr
ight
,pl
usI
gett
ospendmor
eti
mewi
thy
ou”
Ror
i:“Iknowyoudon’tmi
ndPhuml
a,but
Iam sortedt
hanks”
Me: “
Ohkge,j
oinmeforl
unch,i
nmy
off
icethi
sti
me.Icoul
ddowithoutyour
twofri
endsaski
ngme21quest i
ons”
Shelaughsandagreest
ohav
elaunch
wit
hmei nmyof f
ice.

Icoul dgetusedt othi

sy ouknow, seei
ng
myPedi queenev eryday.Idriv
etot he
officeli
sti
ngt othesoundofSj ava.U
mamahi t
smehar dbecauseI
somet i
meswonderhowl i
fewouldhav e
turnedouti fshewasst i
llali
veandI
reallymisshome.Ihav en’tsteppede
magcekeni kaManzinii
nmor ethan4
year
s.Icouldhavegonet hereafterI
wasreleasedbutmyf at
hert oldmelong
ti
meagot hatIam deadtohi m andI
shoul
dconsi dermysel
fanor phan.I
conti
nuesingingal
ongtoSj ava.

“
Int
oeng'
yt
handangekhay
a,
Ukut
hiekhay
aak'
ngenwangemal
i
Nomang'
ngasebenzi
Umamaung'
thandangenkani
Nomaumhl
abaungang'
shay
a
Uzong'
thul
i
saat
himt
anami
ungakhal
i
Ubukek'
ukhat
heleawuthingi
l
and'
ukudl
ababahlal
aphansi
Ang'
sakhoni
,ang'
sakhoni
,ang'
sakhoni
Ngi
khumbul
'uma
Sebet
h'i
ndodaendal
akangaka
I
khal
el'
umaway
o
Thabaf
wet
hungekeni
-under
stand
Ndodaendal
akangakai
khal
ela
umawayo
Thabaf
wet
hingekeni
-under
stande”

Iam veryemoti
onalri
ghtnowthinki
ng
aboutmymot her.Ij
ustneedtobury
my sel
finwor
kandnott hinkt
oomuch.I
walktotheoff
iceandgreatSi
ndyather
desk.
Me: “
Sindy,
canIpl
easenotbedist
urbed
today.Theonl
yper
sonIam wil
li
ngt o
seeisKwenaandonlyifi
tsi
mpor t
ant
ohk”
Si
ndy
: “
Not
edSi
r,butwhatabouty
our
meet
ingwi
thMi
ssNagel at12:
00?”
Me:“Don’
tworr
yabouti
t,Iwi
l
lask
Kwenatotakeover
”
Si
ndy
:“OhkSi
r,not
ed”
Imakemywayt omyoff
iceandburry
unt
ilIam di
stur
bedbyKwenaafterhi
s
meetingwit
hNageltogi
vemef eedback.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Ror
isang

I
tisnow12: 55andIdecidetopackup
myst uffamakemywayt oPhumla’s
off
iceacrossthestr
eet.I
t’
smyf i
rstti
me
hereandIdon’tevenknowwhichf l
oor
hi
sof fi
ceisat
.

Me: “
hi,
Iam her
etoseeMrZungu”Isay
t
ot hesecur
it
ythatImeetatgr
ound
f
loor.
Him: “
Doy ouhaveanappointment
mam”hesay ssmil
ingback,IguessIdi
d
soundlikeIwashereforworkrelat
ed
reasons.
Me:
“No,
buthei
sexpect
ingme”he
handsmeavisi
tor
’sbooktosignand
tel
l
smetotakealif
tto4thfl
oor.
Fewmi nut
eslat
erIarri
veat4t
hfloor
andIfindr
ecepti
oni
st.Iwal
kovertoher
withasmileandsheismoreseri
ous
thantheguydownstair
s.

Me:“
hi,
Iam her
et oseeMrZungu”Isay
wi
thmybri
ghtestsmile
Her:“YoohaiThulani
doesn’tl
i
st en,
I
tol
dhi mthatMrZunguwi ll
notbe
seeinganyonetoday,canyouplease
comebackonTuesdaymam, cozhei s
ful
lybookedonMonday ”
IguessThul
anii
stheguyImeetdown
stai
rs.“
Heisex
pecti
ngme”Isaysti
ll
keepi
ngonmysmi
l
e.
Her:“unf
ort
unatel
ymam, heaskedto
haveallhi
sappoint
mentf ort
oday
cancell
ed,i
fit
’sanurgentmatterIcan
checkwithMrLekota’sPAiftheycanbe
abletoassi
styoufortoday”

Yooohaai whatiswi thallthisgat e

keepi
ng?Howdi ff
icultisitreall
yt osee
anITspeciali
st?Lucki l
yhewal ksoutof
theoff
icewithanot herguy ,Iassumei t’
s
theboss.Ihav eal
way sseenhi m around
butwehav en’tbeenf ormallyintr
oduced.
TheladyatreceptionandIbot ht urnour
att
enti
ontot hem ast heywal kout
l
aughing.Phuml aseesmeandsmi l
es,
hewalkstowar dsthedeskandpul lsme
i
nf orati
ghthugthatl
astl
ongert
hanit
shouldandheisnotevenapol
oget
ic
aboutit
.

Hisbossi sstandingther
egrinning
broadlyandt hePAwasj uststanding
there.Iclosemyey esandtakeinhi s
scent,ast hishasbecomemynew
hobby .Ipulloutofthehugandhe
kissesmyf oreheadandsmi l
e.

Phumla:“
Youreall
ytookyourti
meMa
Mokoena”hesaid,Il
ookatthePAand
shel
ooksdownembar r
assed.
Me:“Iam sor
ryZungu,youandIboth
knowhowdi f
fi
cultbossescanbe,
soit
wasnoteasytoleav
et heof
fi
cebef
ore
handi
ngoverareport
”

Het akesmyhandandl eadsmet ohis

off
ice,funnyenoughhisbossalso
fol
lowsus.Iguesshei soneofthose
peoplewhodon’ tneedaninv
itat
ion.
Phumla:
“Zakwami.Pl
easemeetmy
boss,
KwenaLekot
a”
Me:“Nicetomeety
ouMrLekota”Isay
asIextendmyarmforahandshake.
Whatdoeshedo?Hepull
smei nfora
br
iefhug.
Kwena:“
Pleasedon’
tcal
lmeMrLekot a,
youmakemesoundsool d.Ij
ustt
urned
21youknow.Justcal
lmeKwena,that’
s
whatev eryonecalledmeany way.Mr
Lekotawasmyf atherandhi
sf at
herand
greatgrandfatherswhodi dnoteven
l
eav emeanypi eceofland.I
fitwasnot
thi
st hi
ngst sabadi mowabonaIwas
goingt ochangemysur namenxust r
uu.
Iwoul dgobyKwenaKwena.Phel a
Kwenakephoof ol
oekot sekuduore
whyLacost eet uraso? ”

Hooowbaki
thi
,thi
sman.Iam l
aughi
ng
sohar
dthatmystomachhurt
.Phumla’
s
bossi
ssomethi
ngelse.

Phuml
a:“
Enjoyyourl
unchKwenaIwil
l
cat
chupwit
hy ouaft
er2ohk”hesay
s
pul
l
inghi
mtot
hedoor
Kwena:“I
twasni cemeeti
ngy ou
Rori
sang,Ihopenextti
mewemeeti t
wil
lbeformor ethan2seconds”hesay
s
bei
ngpulledtothedoor.
Me:“I
twasnicemeet
ingy
out
oo
Kwena”Ishout

Me:“Whatacharact
er”Isayshaki
ngmy
headandlaughi
ngassoonasPhuml a
cl
osesthedoor.
Phuml
a:“I
magine,
Ihavetoworkwit
h
hi
m ev
eryday
”webot hbusti
ntol
augher
.
Me: “Yoohaihemademyentir
eweek,I
guesswor ki
ngwit
hhimisl
ikehavi
nga
standupcomedianonaspeeddial
away.
Whenyouarestressedbydeadli
nes,
you
j
ustdi
alhim andyouareguarant
eeto
l
augh”Isayconti
nuingt
olaugh.
Phumla:
“Don’
tmakef
unofmyboss,l
o
muntuobadal
aamabil
lswami
”hesays
l
aughi
ng.

Iwouldn’tmi ndwor ki
ngwi thaclown
l
ikehim, toobadIam st uckwithboMr .
seri
ousAl exSmi th.Wesetupourl unch
atacor nertableinhisof fi
ceandeat
whil
edi scussingcur r
entaf f
air
s.The
maint opicbeingMampi tsaandBabes
wodumo.Imeanwear eallshockedby
theturnofev entsasMampi t
saalsolay
s
chargesofassaul tagainstBabes.
Ireall
yappr eci
atethestandthatPhuml a
i
st akingont hi
stopic.I
twar msmyhear t
toknowt hathedoesn’tbeli
evei nhi
tti
ng
awomannomat terwhatther eason
couldbet odoso.Nowomandeser ves
tobebeat enupbyaman, wor seofalla
manwhoi ssupposedtobeher
protectorandpill
arofstrength.

Phuml ainvi
tedmef ormovieson
SaturdaybutIhadtot ur
nhim down
becauseofmyt r
ipwithThendoto
Venda.Hi sf
acewhenIcor rect
edhim
thatThendoi snotaladybutaman,yoo
aretse
[
05/
04,
15:
23] :
Inser
t12
Ror
isang
Phuml a:“
Welcomet omyhumbleabode,
pleasefeelf
reeheremicasaessu
casa”hesay saf
tershar
ingabri
efhug.
Me:“
Noneedtobemodestdude,t
here
i
snothi
nghumbl
eaboutt
hishouse”
Phuml
a:“
comeoni
n,Ihopey
ouar
enot
i
nahurr
y”
Me:“No,Iam not
,canIhav
eat
our
pl
ease?”
Phuml
a:“
Xowoza”

Phumlatakesmeonthehouset our
.I
mustsayheisli
vi
ngthedream shem.
Thehouseisver
ybeauti
fulwi
thmodern
design.I t’
sv eryspeciousbutwhatI
don’tunder standiswhyhewoul dbuy
suchabi ghousel ivi
ngal one.Itri
edt o
askabouthi sfami l
y,tr
yingt o
under standi fhehasanysi bl
ingsandhe
j
ustchangedt hesubject.Iwonderwhat
i
ssopai nfulabouthi spastt hathe
doesn’ twantt otalkabout .Idon’tblame
himt houghIdi dthesamewhenhe
askedmeaboutOr a’
sf ather.Idon’tli
ke
tal
kingabouthi m orhowhebr okemy
heartandl eftmewi t
hdeepscar es.

Phumlaisverymodest,whenIasked
howheaf f
ordsthi
splacehejustsaidhe
i
shousesitti
ngforafri
end,butIknow
heisl
yingbecausethehouseistoo
muchofhi m.Wespendt herestoft he
afternooninhi sswi mmi ngpool and
braaingmeat .I
nf actIwasbul li
edi nto
swi mmi ng.Itwasei therIchangei nto
theshor tsandv estthathebor r
owedme
orIwasgoi ngt obet hrowni nt
ot hepool
withmyf ormal wear.Sochangi ngi nto
hisshor twil
lingl
yseemedl i
kethebest
option.Bestdeci sionev er.

Icanconfir
mi tforyouguys,therumors
youheardaboutZul umanandt heirl
ove
formeatistrue.Ihavenevereatenso
muchmeati nmyl i
feyoo,t
herewas
beef,chi
ckenandpor k.Youcouldswear
thatwewer ebraaingformanypeople
kanteitwasjustthetwoofus.Thegood
thi
ngist
hatIwon’thavet
ocookwhenI
gethomesinceIam homeal
one.

Phumla“Thanky ouf
orspendingyour
aft
ernoonwithmezakwami ,Ireal
ly
enj
oyedmy self
”
Me:“Ienj
oyedmysel
ftoo,t
hanky oufor
comingtomyrescuetoday.Idon’
tknow
whatIwouldhav
edonei fy
ouhadnot
beenther
e”

Wearesitti
nginhiscar
,parkedout
side
mygateat08:30atnight.I
twasnot
easyl
eavinghishousebecausehedid
notwantmet o.Iwasalsohavingf
un
wit
hhim butasleepoverwasoutofthe
questi
on.Wear ehavi
ngfunand
l
aughingwhenhi sphoneri
ngs.Idon’t
knowwhathappenedbutaf terseeing
thecall
eri
dPhuml a’
smoodt ookadive.
Iref
rai
nedfrom aski
ngwhowascal li
ng
becauseit
’sreal
lynoneofmybusi ness.

Phuml a:
“Ul
alekahl
eyezwa”hesay s
beforeki
ssi
ngmyr i
ghtcheek.Iguess
thathiswayofsayi
ngheneedst ogo.
Me:
“Goodni
ghtPhuml
a”
Heopenst hedoorformeandpul l
sme
i
nf orati
ghthug.Iknowyouguy sare
ti
redofbeingremindedofhowgoodhe
smellsbutguys,t
hismansmellsli
ke
heavenandIam obsessedwithhiscent
.
Ipul
loutofthehugandmakemywayt o
thehouse.Iseehi
m driveof
fassoonas
Iwalki
nsidethegate.Iam v
erytir
edal
lI
neednowi stocal
lmydaught erandgo
tosl
eep.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
*
*
Phuml
ani

Iwashav i
ngagr eattimewit
hmyPedi
queenuntilIreceivedacallf
rom Sbu
again.It
oldhim count l
essti
mest hatI
wantnothingt odowi thhi
m.NgaphaSy
i
salsobeggi ngmet ohearhim out.Syi
s
bl
indedbyhi slovef ormoney.Ireall
y
don’twantany thi
ngt odowi t
ht heir
shenanigans.Imadeav owt omy self
nottofindmy selfbacki npr isonagai n
andIam notaboutt obreaki t.Sbui s
ri
ghtaboutonet hingImadeal otof
moneybutInear lylostitall.Whatwas
theuseofhav ingal lthatmoneyi fIwas
notabletospendi t?Yes, Imi ssthe
adrenali
nandt hril
l ofitallbutIam
tryi
ngtobettermyl if
e.Letmecal lita
night,
Ireal
lyneedt orest .

(
Thef
oll
owi
ngday
)
Iwokeupat05: 00anddi danhouron
thetreadmil
l,f
ewpushupsandf ewlaps
i
nt hepool.Nowmydaycanst ar
t.It
ook
ashower ,gotdressedandmademy
waytotheki
tchentoblendasmoothi
e.I
t
ookmycarkey s,cel
l
phonewall
etand
l
aptopandmademywayout .
Her:“
NtateZungu”shesay
sanswer
ing
herphone.
Me:“Zakwamidoyouneedmet
ocome
andcol
lecty
outoday
?”
Rori
:“No,
thanky
ousi
r,t
axi
sar
ebackon
rout
e”
Me:“youknowIdon’
tmi
ndright,
plusI
gett
ospendmor eti
mewit
hy ou”
Ror
i:“Iknowyoudon’tmi
ndPhuml
a,but
Iam sortedt
hanks”
Me: “
Ohkge,j
oinmeforl
unch,i
nmy
off
icethi
sti
me.Icoul
ddowithoutyour
twofri
endsaski
ngme21quest i
ons”
Shelaughsandagreest
ohav
elaunch
wit
hmei nmyof f
ice.

Icoul dgetusedt othisy ouknow, seei

ng
myPedi queenev eryday .Idrivetot he
officel i
sti
ngt othesoundofSj ava.U
mamahi tsmehar dbecauseI
somet imeswonderhowl i
fewoul dhav e
turnedouti fshewasst i
llali
veandI
reallymi sshome.Ihav en’tsteppede
magcekeni kaManzi niinmor ethan4
year s.Icouldhav egonet hereafterI
wasr eleasedbutmyf athert oldmel ong
ti
meagot hatIam deadt ohim andI
shoul dconsi dermy selfanor phan.I
cont inuesingingalongt oSj ava.
“
Int
oeng'
yt
handangekhay
a,
Ukut
hiekhay
aak'
ngenwangemal
i
Nomang'
ngasebenzi
Umamaung'
thandangenkani
Nomaumhl
abaungang'
shay
a
Uzong'
thul
i
saat
himt
anami
ungakhal
i
Ubukek'
ukhat
heleawuthingi
l
and'
ukudl
ababahlal
aphansi
Ang'
sakhoni
,ang'
sakhoni
,ang'
sakhoni
Ngi
khumbul
'uma
Sebet
h'i
ndodaendal
akangaka
I
khal
el'
umaway
o
Thabaf
wet
hungekeni
-under
stand
Ndodaendal
akangakai
khal
ela
umaway
o
Thabaf
wet
hingekeni
-under
stande”

Iam veryemoti
onalri
ghtnowthinki
ng
aboutmymot her.Ij
ustneedtobury
my sel
finwor
kandnott hinkt
oomuch.I
walktotheoff
iceandgreatSi
ndyather
desk.

Me: “
Sindy,
canIpl
easenotbedist
urbed
today.Theonl
yper
sonIam wil
li
ngt o
seeisKwenaandonlyifi
tsi
mpor t
ant
ohk”
Si
ndy
: “
Not
edSi
r,butwhatabouty
our
meet
ingwi
thMi
ssNagel at12:
00?”
Me:“Don’
tworr
yabouti
t,Iwi
l
lask
Kwenatotakeover
”
Si
ndy
:“OhkSi
r,not
ed”
Imakemywayt omyoff
iceandburry
unt
ilIam di
stur
bedbyKwenaafterhi
s
meetingwit
hNageltogi
vemef eedback.

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

Ror
isang

I
tisnow12: 55andIdecidetopackup
myst uf
famakemywayt oPhumla’s
off
iceacrossthestr
eet.I
t’
smyf i
rstti
me
hereandIdon’tevenknowwhichf l
oor
hi
sof
fi
cei
sat
.

Me: “
hi,
Iam her
etoseeMrZungu”Isay
t
ot hesecur
it
ythatImeetatgr
ound
f
loor.
Him: “
Doy ouhaveanappointment
mam”hesay ssmil
ingback,IguessIdi
d
soundlikeIwashereforworkrelat
ed
reasons.
Me: “
No,
butheisexpect
ingme”he
handsmeavisi
tor
’sbooktosignand
tel
l
smet ot
akealif
tto4thfl
oor.
Fewmi nut
eslat
erIarri
veat4t
hfloor
andIfindr
ecepti
oni
st.Iwal
kovertoher
withasmileandsheismoreseri
ous
thantheguydownstair
s.
Me:“
hi,
Iam her
et oseeMrZungu”Isay
wi
thmybri
ghtestsmile
Her:“YoohaiThulani
doesn’tl
i
st en,
I
tol
dhi mthatMrZunguwi ll
notbe
seeinganyonetoday,canyouplease
comebackonTuesdaymam, cozhei s
ful
lybookedonMonday ”
IguessThulani
istheguyImeetdown
stai
rs.“Hei
sexpecti
ngme”Isaysti
ll
keepingonmysmi l
e.
Her:“unf
ort
unatel
ymam, heaskedto
haveallhi
sappoint
mentf ort
oday
cancell
ed,i
fit
’sanurgentmatterIcan
checkwithMrLekota’sPAiftheycanbe
abletoassi
styoufortoday”
Yooohaai whatiswi thallthisgat e
keeping?Howdi ff
icultisitreall
yt osee
anITspeci ali
st?Lucki l
yhewal ksoutof
theofficewithanot herguy ,Iassumei t’
s
theboss.Ihav eal
way sseenhi m around
butwehav en’tbeenf ormallyintr
oduced.
Theladyatr eceptionandIbot ht urnour
att
entiontot hem ast heywal kout
l
aughi ng.Phuml aseesmeandsmi l
es,
hewal kstowar dsthedeskandpul lsme
i
nf orat i
ghthugt hatl astl
ongert hanit
shouldandhei snotev enapologet i
c
abouti t
.

Hi
sbossisst
andi
ngt
her
egrinning
br
oadl
yandthePAwasj
uststanding
there.Iclosemyey esandt
akei
nhis
scent,ast hishasbecomemynew
hobby .Ipulloutofthehugandhe
kissesmyf oreheadandsmil
e.

Phumla:“
Youreall
ytookyourti
meMa
Mokoena”hesaid,Il
ookatthePAand
shel
ooksdownembar r
assed.
Me:“Iam sorr
yZungu, youandIboth
knowhowdi ff
icultbossescanbe,soit
wasnoteasyt oleavetheoffi
cebefor
e
handi
ngov erareport”

Het akesmyhandandl eadsmetohi

s
off
ice,funnyenoughhi
sbossalso
fol
l
owsus.Iguesshei soneofthose
peopl
ewhodon’
tneedani
nvi
tat
ion.
Phumla:
“Zakwami.Pl
easemeetmy
boss,
KwenaLekot
a”
Me:“Nicetomeety
ouMrLekota”Isay
asIextendmyarmforahandshake.
Whatdoeshedo?Hepull
smei nfora
br
iefhug.
Kwena: “
Pleasedon’ tcallmeMrLekot a,
youmakemesoundsool d.Ijustt
urned
21y ouknow.Justcal lmeKwena, t
hat’
s
whatev eryonecalledmeany way.Mr
Lekotawasmyf atherandhi sf at
herand
greatgrandfatherswhodi dnotev en
l
eav emeanypi eceofl and.Ifitwasnot
thi
st hi
ngst sabadi mowabonaIwas
goingt ochangemysur namenxust r
uu.
Iwoul dgobyKwenaKwena.Phel a
Kwenakephoof
oloekotsekuduor
e
whyLacost
eeturaso?
”

Hooowbaki
thi
,thi
sman.Iam l
aughi
ng
sohar
dthatmystomachhurt
.Phumla’
s
bossi
ssomethi
ngelse.

Phumla:
“Enj
oyyourl
unchKwenaIwil
l
cat
chupwithyouaft
er2ohk”hesay
s
pul
li
nghimtothedoor
Kwena:“I
twasni cemeeti
ngy ou
Rori
sang,Ihopenextti
mewemeeti t
wil
lbeformor ethan2seconds”hesay
s
bei
ngpulledtothedoor.
Me:“I
twasnicemeet
ingy
out
oo
Kwena”Ishout
Me:“Whatacharact
er”Isayshaki
ngmy
headandlaughi
ngassoonasPhuml a
cl
osesthedoor.
Phuml
a:“I
magine,
Ihavetoworkwit
h
hi
m ev
eryday
”webot hbusti
ntol
augher
.
Me: “Yoohai hemademyent ireweek,I
guesswor kingwithhimisli
kehav i
nga
standupcomedi anonaspeeddi alaway.
Wheny ouarestressedbydeadli
nes,y
ou
j
ustdi alhi
m andy ouareguarant
eeto
l
augh”Isaycont inuingt
olaugh.
Phumla:
“Don’
tmakef
unofmyboss,l
o
muntuobadal
aamabil
lswami
”hesays
l
aughi
ng.
Iwouldn’tmi ndwor ki
ngwi thaclown
l
ikehim, toobadIam st uckwithboMr .
seri
ousAl exSmi th.Wesetupourl unch
atacor nertableinhisof fi
ceandeat
whil
edi scussingcur r
entaf f
air
s.The
maint opicbeingMampi tsaandBabes
wodumo.Imeanwear eallshockedby
theturnofev entsasMampi t
saalsolay
s
chargesofassaul tagainstBabes.
Ireall
yappr eci
atethestandthatPhuml a
i
st akingont hi
stopic.I
twar msmyhear t
toknowt hathedoesn’tbeli
evei nhi
tti
ng
awomannomat terwhatther eason
couldbet odoso.Nowomandeser ves
tobebeat enupbyaman, wor seofalla
manwhoi ssupposedtobeher
protectorandpill
arofstrength.
Phuml ainvi
tedmef ormovieson
SaturdaybutIhadtot ur
nhim down
becauseofmyt r
ipwithThendoto
Venda.Hi sf
acewhenIcor rect
edhim
thatThendoi snotaladybutaman,yoo
aretse
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t13

Ror
isang

TodayisSatur
dayandIwokeupear ly
becauseIneedtoprepareformytri
pto
Vendawi t
hThendo.Iam notreal
l
ysure
aboutthi
stri
pIdon’tevenknowwhat
wasIthinki
ngagreei
ngt ogotoaplaceI
don’tknowwi t
hamanIbar elyknow.My
heartisnol ongeront her oadt r
ipandI
couldn’tbri
ngmy sel ftoletThendo
downespeci al
lyont heelev enthhour.
It
’snow08: 15andIam supposedt o
meetThendoi ntownat09: 00.Iknow
ti
mei sagai nstmebecauseIhav enot
yethadbr eakfast.Ispendmostofmy
mor ni
ngst alki
ngt oOr awhom Imi ss
verymuch.Iwi sht heywer ecomi ng
backtomor rowbutt heyst i
llhave
anotherweekt ospendi nJohannesbur g.
Iam busydi shingj ungleoat swhena
messagecomest hroughont hephone.
‘
Iam out si
de’ t
het extr eads.Whatdoes
hemeanhei soutsi de?Iam not
expectinghim, pl
usheknowsIhav ea
tri
ptoVendatoday.Icovertheoats
that’
sIhav
edishedwi t
hat abl
ecloth
andwalktothegate.

Iseehi mleaningagai nsthiscar.Hei s

wear i
nglongt r
ackpant s,
runni
ngshoes
andasweat er
.Itakei thewentj ogging
anddeci dedtopassbymypl ace.Hi s
faceishar dandall seri
ous.Thisisa
sightofPhuml athatIam notf ami l
iar
with.Ihaveonlyseenhi mlaughingand
havingapl ayf
ullook, t
hishardand
seriouslookisallforeigntome.
Me: “
Morning,Iwasnotexpect
ingt
osee
youtoday”Isaysmil
ingandstandi
ng
nexttohi
m.

Phumlani
:“Morni
ng,ar
eyoureadyto
l
eave?
”hesay swithaser
ioustone

Me:
“Readyt
oleav
eforwher
e?”

Phumlani:“
Uneskhat hisokudlal
aneh.
Utheuyaphitoday?”Ilookathim
puzzl
edwhati sheplay i
ngat.IknowI
tol
dhim Iam goingtoVendabutwher e
i
shegoi
ng?

Me:“Hay
i Phuml
a,IknowIsaidIam
goi
ngtoVendabuty ouarenotgoing
wit
hus”Isayfol
dingmyar minfrontof
mychest.Whati
shepl ay
ingat?

Hechuckl
esandl
ookatmel
i
keIam
cr
azy.

Phumla:
“Ihavenoplanst
ogotoVenda
mina,
getinthecarsi
hambe”

Me:
“Letmegol
ockt
hehousef
ir
stge”
Ilefthi m st andingt hereandwentback
tot hehouse.It ookmyhandbag,
cellphoneandhousekey s.Imademy
wayt ot hecaraf terl ockingbot ht he
houseandt hegat e.Igoti nthe
passengerseatandhedr oveof fwithout
say ingawor d.Idon’ tknowwhathei s
thinki ngr i
ghtnow.Wear edr ivi
ngi n
total sil
ent .Nowor ds, nomusi cjustthe
soundsofoursi l
entt hought .Iplaya
gameonmyphonej usttoescapef r
om
allthist ensi on.Af terawhi leIseehi m
drivei ntohi sest ate.Iwasnotev en
pay ingat tent i
onoft hedi r
ectionswe
wer edr ivingi n.IguessIwasj ustnaï ve
tot hinkt hathewoul ddr opmeof fatthe
Mal l sot hatIcoul dwai tforThendo.
ThendosentmeanSMSsay ingIshould
l
ethim knowassoonasIgett otown.
TheagreementwastomeetatKFC
behi
ndLimpopoMallbyLandr ossMar e
Str
eet.Phuml
apull
soffathisdr i
veway
andgetsoutoft
hecar.Ifol
lowwi thout
wait
ingforhi
mtoopent hedoorf orme.

Me:“Will
youpleasedr
opmeof
fin
town”Isayassoonaswewal
kinthe
house.

Phuml
a:“Whatdoyouknowaboutt
his
guyot
herthanhi
sfi
rstnameand
sur
name?”
Me:
“notmuchr
eal
l
y”

Phumla:“Sowhydoyouwantt
ogowi th
atotal
stranger
?Doy
ouneedattent
ion
thatmuch?”

IkeptquitecozIf eltl
ikehewas
i
nsultingme, whatdoeshemeandoI
needt hatmuchat tention.Heleavesme
standinginthemi ddleoft heroom and
wentupst ai
rs.IsentThendoanSMS
tel
li
nghi mthatIcan’ tmakei tany
mor e.I
makeupsomest oryaboutan
emer gencyathome.Hecal l
s
i
mmedi atel
yandIdon’ tfeel
li
ke
answer i
ng.InfactIam ashamed, Idon’t
knowwhatIwi llsaytohi m.Hesentas
SMSsay i
nghehopest heemer gencyI
haveathomeget sresolved.Iam si t
ting
herealoneandIdon’ tknowwher e
Phuml ais,Iam bot hhungr yandangr y .
Afterhalfanhourofhi m notshowi ngup
Imademywayt otheKi tchenand
preparedasandwi chformy self.Idon’ t
knowwhati seatingPhuml ay aziand
whathedi di st
ot al
lywr ong.He
ki
dnappedme, insultedmebysay ingI
seekat t
entionandnowhedi sappear ed
somewher einthehouse.

Phumlani
:“Ngi
yeza”t
hat
’sal
lhesay
answeri
nghisphonebef
orehangi
ngup.
Ihavebeensitt
ingi nherealoneforan
hourbefor
edeci dingtocallhi
m.Idonot
havetheenergyt osearchforhimint he
house.Hecomesdownwear i
ngabl ue
shortj
ean,whit
egol ft-
shir
tandwhi te
sni
ckers.

Me: “
Phimlanint
hweweidi
ragoisnot
fai
r”IsayassoonasIseehim comi
ng
downt hestai
rs.

Him:“
Tellmedoyoureal
l
ywanttogoto
Vendaoryouwantt
ogot oVendawi
th
thi
sastr
anger
?”
IkeepquitecozIdon’tevenknowwhat
wasIthinkingagr
eeingtogot oVenda
withThendo.Whatifheki dnappedme
orsomet hi
ng?

Him:“Let
’sgo”hesay
sgr
abbi
nghi
scar
keys.

Me:
“Rey
akae?
”

Hi
me:
“Uzobona”

Ipi
ckupmybagandphoneandf
oll
ow
hi
mt ot
hecar
.
*
***
***
***
**

Phuml aisv eryspont aneous,Ican’

t
beli
evewear edr i
vingt oVendar i
ght
now.WhenIr eal
izedwher ewear e
headingt oIwashappyandshockedat
thesamet i
mecozhedi dnothavetodo
i
t.Allhesaidwas“ Youwantt ogot o
Venda, Iwil
l t
akey ouVenda.Iam her e
foryouRor i,useme.Youwant
somet hingaskmeandIwi l
lmov e
mount ainsifIhav etosot hatyoucan
getwhat everitisthaty ouwant ”
.GuysI
thi
nkt hismanj ustst olemyhear t
.Iam
f
all
ingforPhuml
aandIpr aytoGodt hat
t
hisZulumanwillcat
chmeandcar r
y
mehome.Homet ohishear
t,aplace
whereIwil
lbetr
easuredandloved.

Phuml aisalsoadv entur

ous.Maki ngme
trythingsIwoul dn’tevendar edream of
doing.Forexampl easwewer egoing
throught heHendr ikVerwoer dTunnels,
hepar kedt hecarbef oregoingthrough
thef i
rsttunnelandmadeuswal ki nt
o
thet unnels.ThankGodf orthewal kpath
madef orpedest ri
answewal ktothe
othersi deofthet unnelbeforewalking
backf orthecar .West oppedi nthe
mi ddleoft hetunnelonourwaybackt o
thecarandhej ustpull
edmei nfora
passionateki sst hatleftmykneesweak.
Itwasaper fectmomentandIam gl ad
heisher ewi thmer i
ghtnow.Wewent
backf orthecaranddr ov ethrought he
tunneljoi
ningot herdr i
ver si
nhoot ing
whiledrivi
ngt hrough.Idon’ tknowwhy
dri
vershootwhent hedr ivethrought he
tunnelsbutitwasf untoexper i
encet he
wholet hi
ng.Ourf i
rststopwasPhi phidi
waterfall
,breat htakingt hat’
sal lIcan
say.Wet ooksomanypi ctures,poor
Phuml agott iredofmaki ngposeshe
endedupbei ngacamer aman.

Wel ef
tPhiphidianddrovetot
heRoyal
Gardensforlunch.Vendaissobeaut
if
ul
xem.Thepl aceisgreenandmajest
ic
withit
shi l
lsandv al
leys.Ihav enev er
seensomuchgr eeninonepl ace.Ther e
werefruittreesev erywher e,insideand
outsi
depeopl e’
sy ards.Af terlunchwe
wentforaboatr ideatt oNandoni Dam, I
cansaf el
ysayIam r eadyt ogett oknow
mypr ov i
ncecozt odayIl earnedwehav e
somucht oexpl orewi thoutleav ingt he
boardersofourpr ovince.Wewer eboth
veryti
redaf tert
hewhol eexper i
enceand
Phuml abookedusar oom atKhor oni.

Wehadt odri
vetoThavhanemal
ltobuy
t
oil
etr
iesandchangeofclot
hesf
or
t
omorrow.
Phuml ani:“Rori ngi yakut handa, you
maynotknowi ty etbutIneedy ouinmy
l
ife.Ify our ememberwhatIwr oteonthe
cardt hatIsentwi tht hef i
rstflowers
thatIsentt oy ou, y ouwoul dr emember
thatIsai dIdon’ tlikewast i
ngmyt ime
onmeani nglesst hi ngs.Ihav ewast ed
fewy ear sofmyl ifedoi ngnot hingand
ri
ghtnowal lIwantt odoi st ospend
everymi nutedoi ngmeani ngf ulthi
ngs
andspendi ngt imewi t
hpeopl ewho
meansal ott ome.Iwanty oubaby
pleasel etmei n, Ipr omi setol i
veforyou
andguar dy ourhear t.Iwillneverhurt
youint entionallyandy esIhav eapast
andsomet hingsIhav edonei nthatpast
youmi ghtnotl ike.Butal l
Ineedy outo
knowi
sIam nol
ongert
hatper
son”

Wehav i
ngthisconversat
ionwhil
e
havi
ngdinnerinthehotelroom.We
bookedtwosepar at
ebedroomsand
havi
ngdinnerinmyr oom.

Me: “
Iwanttobewi thyouinmyl i
fetoo
Phumla,butIalsoneedy outoopenup
tomeabouty ourpast .Ifeelli
keIdon’t
knowy ou.Idon’tevenknowi fyouhave
anysibli
ngsornotbecausey oual ways
changethesubjectwhenev erIask
aboutyourfamily.Iam wi l
l
ingtomake
uswor kbutIneedy out obeanopen
bookwi t
hmef orexampl eIdon’tknow
whatyouweredoi
ngorst
ayi
ngbef
ore
movingtoPol
okwane”

Phuml
a:“
Iwasi
npr
ison”

Me:
“huh?
”Idon’
tthi
nkIhear
dhi
mri
ght
.

Phumla:
“Isai
dIwasinjai
lbef
ore
movingt
oPolokwane”

Me:“Kekgopel
agobet
hwakemoy
a”I
sai
dstandi
ngup

Phumla:
“Uy
aphi
,it
’snotsaf
eoutther
e”
heshout
sasIopenthedoorandstep
outoft
her
oom.Hebet
ternotf
oll
owme.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t14

Phuml
ani

Iam goingoutofmywi t
sher e,wor r
ied
aboutRor i
sang.Iknowshedeser vedto
knowt hetruthbutnowIf eel
likeitwas
toosoon.Iwi shshedi dnotrunof f
,she
shouldhaveat l
eastkickedmeoutofher
room becausenowIam wor ri
edabout
her.Whatifsomet hinghappenedt oher,
Ican’tevencallhersinceshel efther
phonebehi nd.Iwentt othecasino, t
he
restaur
antandr eceptionareat olookfor
herwi t
hnosuccess.
Iam nowsi t
ti
ngheredrinki
ngmy
secondgl assofwhisky.Ihavealways
knownt hatmypastwillcomebackt o
tr
oubl emebutIdi dnotknowi twould
bet hissoon.IdoubtIam evenprepared
tolethergo, Il
oveher.Shestolemy
hear ttheminuteIl
aidmyey esonher.

Mybodyi sti
redbutmymi ndandhear t
wouldnotall
owmet osl eep.It
’sbeen2
hoursalr
eadyandsheisst il
lnotback.I
couldhavechasedaft
erherbutI
thoughtsheneededtodigestwhatIj ust
sharedwithher
.Iam broughtbackbya
softknockonthedoor.Itakeadeep
breathandmakeasmal lernyanapr ayer
thankGod.Iopent
hedoorandfi
ndmy
Pediqueenontheothersi
de.

Her:“
Iam sorryIr
anoutear
li
erIj
ust
neededt
odi gestwhaty
outoldme”she
saysassoonasshewal ksi
n.

Iam gladthatsheisbacksaf eand

unharmedi am notevengoingt oask
whereshewas.Iam v erynervousr i
ght
now.Idon’tknowwhatt oexpect .My
biggestf
earislosi
ngherbef oreweev en
gettobetogether.

Me:
sight“
Sosi
mekuphi
?”
Rori
:“Ithoughtaboutwhatisitt
hatI
wantandneed.Iaskedmy sel
fifIcan
over
looky ourpastandthefactthatyou
di
dsomet i
mei npri
son.It
houghtabout
mychi l
d,whatwouldbebestf orher…”

Allt
histi
me,Ihearallt
hatsheissay
ing
andIguesssheisnotcomf or
tabl
ewith
herchil
dbei
ngar oundaformerconvi
ct.

Rori
:“LikeyousaidPhumla,thi
sisyour
pastandweal lhaveapast.Forsome
i
t’
sdar kerbutt
hatshoul
dn’tmat t
er.
Whatmat t
ersi
swhoy ouarenow.I fwe
gi
veuponev er
yonewhogoest ojai
l
therewon’tbeaneedforourjust
ice
system t
ot r
yandhavethenrefor
med.I
onlyhaveonequesti
onthoughact ual
l
y
maket hat2”

Me:
“Ohk,
buza”

Ror
i:“
Whatwereyoui
nforandhowl
ong
wasthesent
ence?
”

Ift
hiswasanyot hermomentbel i
eveme,
Iwouldjokeandsaymur derbutIguess
thi
sisnotoneoft hosetimes.Iam not
yetoutofthewoods, butIpraythatin
thenearfuturesheandIcanbeabl eto
j
okeabouti t.
Me:“Iwassentencedf orhacki
ngi
ntoa
banksyst
em andmysent encewasfor
25yearsbutonlyservedfourwhenmy
ver
dictwasreversedduet osomenew
evi
dencethatstr
engthenedmycase”

Rori
:“Soyouwerenott
heonewho
hackedint
othebanksyst
em?”

Me:“Notonthatpar
ticul
ardayi
n
quest
ion,
no”Iam planni
ngtobeas
openasIpossibl
ycanbewi t
hher.

Ror
i:“
Iam l
ost
”
Me: sighing“ Iwaswor kingforanI T
companywher eIwasempl oy edtohack
i
nt oot hercompanysy stemst o
diagnoset hei rweakness.Af terwe
diagnosedt heirweaknesseswewoul d
dev elopasy stem f orthosecompani es
topr ot ectthem f rom hackers.So
hacki ngi ntosy stemsi smyspeci alt
y.So
whenmymot herwasdi agnosedwi th
cerv i
cal cancer ,my4f ri
endsandIcame
withapl anusemyski llstogetf undsf or
hermedi calt r
eat ment .Iwasdesper ate
att het imebecausemymot herwasnot
onanymedi cal ai
dandaddi ngheron
mi neatt hatt i
mewasnotanopt ion
becausehersi cknesswasnotgoi ngto
becov eredforthenextt welvemont hs
becauseofwai t
ingper i
ods.SoIused
myhacki ngski l
l
st ohacki ntobanks,a
fr
iendofmi newhoi sanaccount ant
usedhi sskill
stowasht hemoneyusi ng
ourot herf r
iend’
sbusi nesses.Ital
l
workedandIwasabl etopaymy
mot her ’
smedi calbil
lsuntilshepassed
away2y earslater
”

Ror
i:“Sodi
dy oustopaf
tery
our
mother’
spassing”

Me:“No,wedidn’
t.Wecont i
nuedto
hackandstealmoney.Iguesswewere
j
ustusedtoitandthemoneyal so
mot
ivat
edus”

Ror
i:“
Sohowdi
dyougetcaught
?”

Me: “Af ri
endofmi newhoi sthe
account antbecamegr eedybecausehe
hadt of eedal i
festyl
eofdr ugs,fastcars
andsl ayqueens.Sohet ookmyl aptop
whenIwasnothomeandusedt he
sy stem t ohacki ntoabankwi thout
shi el
dingt heIPaddresssot hatwhen
i
t’st racedi twi
lll
eadthet r
acerto10
differentl ocati
onswhi chdoesn’tinclude
theact ual address.Sowheni twas
tracedi tleadt heinvesti
gatorstomy
doorst epandt henatureofmyj obdi d
notdomefavorbecauseit
’s
demonst
rat
edmyabi l
ityt
ohacki
nto
syst
ems”

Rori
:“Sowhatev
idenceexoner
ated
you?”

Me: “Ineverpl
eadgui l
tyincourtcozI
wasn’ tandnofundsst ol
enwer efound
i
nanyofmybankaccount sand
i
nv estments.Butthebiggestthi
ngt hat
playedar olewasat hr
owbackThur sday
videot hatwaspostedbyacoupl eoft he
dayt hemanpr oposedt ohisgir
lf
riendat
thebeach”
Ror
i:“
How?
”

Me: “
IntheVideo,Icouldbeseen
wal ki
ngwi thmyt hengirl
fri
endatt he
beachatt hetimeanddayIwas
supposedl yhackingintothebank.I twas
actuallyspottedmyf ri
endSimonwhoi s
alawy eronFacebookandhef orcedt he
statetor eopenthecase.Wi ththenew
evidenceIwasv i
ndicatedandr el
eased”

Ror
i:“
Yoo,
itsoundsl
i
keamov
ie”

Me:
“Wel
li
t’
sast
oryofmyl
i
fe”
Rori:
“Sowhydidn’
tyout
urninyour
fr
iend,t
heonewhousedy ourl
aptopt
o
hackthesyst
em”

Me: “I
t’
sallaboutloy
altyandacodet hat
wehad.I fonegetscaughtt heygodown
alone.Thosewhoar eoutsidewoul d
thenber esponsi
bleforhi
sbusi ness
i
nt er
estandt aki
ngcareofhi sfamil
y”

Rori
:“Canyousti
l
lhacki
ntosy
stems
anddoy oust
il
ldoit
?”

Me:“Icanhackintoanysyst
em butI
don’
tdoit.Iusedmyf undst
obuyinto
theI
TCompanyt hatwasonthevergeof
cl
osingdownanddecidedtomovet
o
Polokwanetostar
taf
reshandr
unmy
businessl
egal
ly
”

Rori
:“Soy
ouownthecompany
,youar
e
notj
ustanempl
oyee?
”

Me:“YesIownt
hecompany,
act
ual
l
y
KwenaandIown50%each"

Ror
i:"
Woul
dyoueverhacki
ntomy
l
apt
oporphone?
"

Me:"
notunl
essyouareindanger
,i
r
especty
ourpr
ivacyandimeanit"
Rori
: “Ohk,Iam gl
adyouwer enot
chargedf ormurderorrapeorhuman
tr
afficki
ng.Iam notsureifIwouldhave
beenabl etolookpastthose.Ihavea
chil
dt hatIneedtothi
nkabouti nevery
decisionImake”shesay syarning.We
arebot htir
edanditsnowmi dnight.

Me: “
Youar et
ir
edzakwami ,
let
’scal
lit
anightandwecancontinuethi
s
conversat
iont
omorrow”Isaystandi
ng
up.

Rori
:“couldyoupl
easecuddl
emeunt
ilI
fal
lasleep”
I
tmademer eal
l
yhappyt ohearherask
methatquesti
on.Iki
ckedof fmyshoes
andtookofmyclothesunti
l Iwaslef
t
wit
hav estandboxershort
s.Shewent
tot
hebat hr
oom tochangeintohernight
gown.

Me:“Iwil
lleav
eassoonasy oufall
asl
eepok.Sweetdr eamsmyPedi
queen”Isaykissi
ngthetopofherhead.

Rori
:shegi
ggl
es“
Goodni
ghtmyZul
u
ki
ng”
Myhear tj
umpedf orjoyheari
nghersay
that.Thetri
ptoVendaf inal
l
yy i
elds
someposi t
iveresult
s.Theonlything
unbearabl
eaboutt hi
splaceistheheat,
wehadt osleepont opoftheblanket
withanairconon.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t15

Ror
isang

I
tsFridayt
oday,5dayssinceourt ri
pto
VendawherePhuml aandImadeour
rel
ati
onshi
poffi
cial
.Theweekhasbeen
hecti
cforbot
hofusmaki ngi tdif
fi
cult
tospendmoretimetogether.Ihada
deadl
inetopr
oduceapr oposal by
Thur sdayandPhuml ahasbeent rai
ning
l
ect urer
satCapr i
cornCollegeont he
softwar ethathi
scompanydev eloped
forthem from Monday .Theonl yti
me
wewoul dseeeachot herwasi nthe
mor ningwhenhewoul dcollectmef r
om
home.Sot omakeupf ornotseeing
muchofeachot herIam spendi ngthe
nightathishouset odayandt omor r
ow
sincebot hmypar entsanddaught erare
comi ngbackonSunday .

Iam busyonmylapt
opwhenThali
tha
walksintomyof
fi
cehol
dingabunchof
redroses.
Thal
it
ha:“Gir
laren’
tyoujustl ucky?I
havebeenwithmymot hof or4y ear
s
now,notevenoncedidIr eceiveflower
s”
shesayshandingmet her oses.

Me: Smili
ng“Argmaybeyourmotho
knowt hatyouwoul
dappreci
ateother
thi
ngsbet t
erthanf
lower
s”

Thali
tha:“Youar
er i
ghthey,
whatwoul
dI
dowithf l
owersmara?Ipref
erboma
ai
rti
me, bodidataordij
osoora
shoppingspreenyana”webothl
augh
aboutit.

Thal
i
thawasv
eryhappyt
oheart
hat
PhumlaandIarenowani tem,pi
tyI
can’
tsaythesayaboutTebogo.Thal
it
ha
sai
dImustjustdomeandf or
getabout
her,
andthat’
sjustwhatIhavedeci
ded
todo.

Thal
i
tha:
“Sodi
dyouf
indahel
per
?”

Me:“No,Idi
dnotf i
ndahelper
,If
ounda
houseexecut
ive”Isai
dlaughi
ng.

Thal
i
tha:
“Ist
hatwhatt heyar
ecal
l
ed
now?Houseexecut
ives?”

Me:
“That
’swhatIchooset
ocal
lthem”
Thali
tha:
“Yoonnaifomphasuchani
ce
ti
ttl
eyoubett
erbegivingmeni
cemoney
too”shesaysl
aughing.

OraandIar ef
inal
lymov i
ngintoourown
spacenextweekend.Ther enovat
ions
aredoneandIcollectedmykey s
yest
erday.Ist
il
lneedt obuyfur
nit
ure
andfi
ndtransportforOratoschool.

Thal
i
tha:“
Enj
oyyourweekendboo,
Iwi
l
l
seeyouonMondayneh”

Me:
“Enj
oyy
ourweekendt
ooanddr
ive
safe.St
opbei
ngaSchumacheront
he
road”

Thal
it
ha:“YesMother
”shesaysrol
l
ing
hereyesbefor
eli
vi
ngmyoffice.

Ical
lPhuml atof i
ndouti fheisbackcoz
Iam readyt oleave.Het ell
smet ocome
tohisof fi
cehei sjustfi
nishingoff
somet hing.Ipackmyt hi
ngsandmake
mywayoutaf t
erlockingmyof fi
ce.
ThankGodhet ookmyov ernightbackin
themor ningwhenhecol lectedmeI
wouldn’twantpeopl eknowi ngt hatkey
a
malunda( sl
eepingout).Imeetmy
supervisoratthepar ki
ngl otreversi
ng.
Hi
m: “
Doyouneedalif
tRor
i?”hesay
s
r
oll
i
ngdownhiswindow

Me:“nothankyouAl
ex,
Iam j
ustgoi
ng
acr
ossthestreet
”

Him:“ohk,butj
ustsoyouknowIdon’
t
l
ikethatfr
iendofyour
sfrom acr
osst
he
str
eet”

Me:Ichuckle“j
ustsoyouknowhei snot
myf r
iendbutmyboy fr
iendandhe
doesn’tl
i
key ouei
therAlex”
.
Heshakeshisheadandr ol
lhi
swindow
backupanddr i
vesoff.Mxm t
hisone
mustjustgetoverhi
mselfandbri
ng
backourland.

Icrossov erandwal kt oPhuml a’soffi

ce
building.Ichooset owai tforhim down
stairs.Iwillj
usttextandl ethim know
thatIam her e.Hesoonmakeshi sway
outoft hel i
ftfoll
owedbyhi ssidekick,
Kwena.Hei slookingal lhotinhi sgray3
piecesui te,whiteshirtandbr ownshoes.
Iam hy pnot i
zedbyhi sscentashe
walkscl osert owardsme.Heopenshi s
armsandpul lsmei nf orahug.Asusual
Iclosemyey esandt akei nhi sscent.
Kwenacl earshisthroati npr otestandI
pul
loutoft
hehugandhughi
mtoo.

Kwena:“Hi,
Rori
,Iam tol
dyoudon’
t
wanttocomeupst ai
rssoIdeci
dedto
comedown, har
dluckifyouweret
ryi
ng
toavoi
dingme”

What
?Kwenacanbedr
amat
icshame

Phumla:“WowKwena,
justwow”he
saysshaki
nghi
shead.

Kwena:
“Bekesabol
elel
ewenamor
wa”

Il
augh,
thi
stwoneh.Iwonderhowt
hey
managetoworktoget
her.Phumlai
sMr.
ser
iousandKwenaisMr.funnycl
own.

Me:“Iwasnottr
yingt
oav
oidy
ouKwena,
i
nfactImissedyou”

Phuml
a:“
Nozakwami y
oudidnotmiss
hi
m,don’
tli
etomakehi
mfeelbet
ter
”

Kwena:l
aughi
ng“ImissedyoutwoRor
i,
l
etmenotkeepyoulovebirdst
hen,
pl
easedon’
tbeastrangerohk”

Me:
“Ipr
omi
seIwon’
t”
Kwenawi
nksatmeandwal kbacktothe
l
if
tsi
ngi
ng‘Iam sohappy
’byPharr
ell
.

PhumlaandIj
ustlookathimin
amusementbefor
ehet akesmyhandi
n
hi
sandlooksdeepint
omyey es.

Phumla:
“Imi
ssedyouandy
oursof
tli
ps
baby
”hesayspul
li
ngmeinforabr
ief
ki
ss.

*
***
***
*

Phuml
a
Wear enowint hehousepr epar ingtogo
out.Wear egoi ngtohav edinnerf ir
st
thenat t
endsomecomedyni ght.Iwal k
backt othebedr oom andIcanheart he
showerr unning.Iam t empt edt ojoinher
butIknowshesai dnosoIdon’ twantt o
makeheruncomf ortable,afterallwe
hav ethewhol eweekendt oget her.Iwalk
tothewal kinclosetandpul lsoutabl ue
ri
ppedj ean,awhi tegol ft
-shirtandbl ue
snickersandj acket.Iwalkoutand
freezewhenIseehercomi ngoutoft he
showerwr appedonl yinat owel s.I
swal l
owhar dandt akeadeepbr eath.

“Don’tmi
ndme, Iwasj
ustherefort
he
clot
hes.Iam goi
ngtoshowerinthe
bat
hroom nextdoor
”Isayt
ryi
ngnott
o
l
ookather.

Lordknowsi t’
stakingal otinmenott o
runmyhandsal loverherbodyanddr op
thattowel onthef l
oor .Imov eoutwhi le
shest andsthereal lquite.Itakeacol d
showercozr eall
yitsmuchneeded.Iam
tempt edtomast urbat ewhi leinthe
showerbutIf i
ghtof ftheedge.Af t
erf ew
minutesIam doneandmov etothe
bedroom.Iknockbef oreent eri
ngbut
thereisnoanswer .Iwal kinanempt y
room andpr oceedt ot hecl osettoput
onmycol ogneandheaddownst airs.I
fi
ndRor iinthekitcheneat i
nganappl e
andIam gl adshehasmadeher selfat
home.Sheiswear
ingbl
uejeansanda
whi
tet-
shir
twit
hwhiteal
l
-star
s.

Me:“MaybeIshoul
dalsogoupstai
rs
andwearwhit
eall-
star
s,t
hatwaywewil
l
match100%”

Rori
:“Pl
easedon’
tdothat
,youl
ook
goodinwhatyouareweari
ng”

Ipullherinforapassi
onatekissand
sheresponds.Damnshei sdri
vingme
crazywithhermoans.Imov emyhands
andsqueezeherassandIcanf eelu
Manzi nit
ryi
ngtobreakloose.Ipull
back
andtakeadeepbr eath.
Me:
“Ar
eyour
eadyf
oraf
unni
ghtout
?”

Ror
i:“
Iam r
eadywheny
ouar
e”

Me:
“Asambeke”

Itakethecarkeysandwal l
etwhileshe
grabsherhandbag.It akeherhandi n
mineandl eadhert othecar .Wedr i
veto
Fussionbout i
quefordi nnerbefor
ewe
headof ftothecomedyni ghtwhich
start
sat08:30.Wear esi tt
ingatdinner
andtalkingoverlaugherandf ewst olen
ki
sses.
Me:“sobabywhenam Imeet
ingthe
pr
incess?
”Iaskl
ooki
ngdeepinhereyes

IknowIcaughtherof
fguardcozshe
keepsqui
teforawhil
ebeforeanswer
ing

Her:“Phumladon’
tyouthi
nkit’
stoo
earl
yforyoutobemeetingmy
daughter?
”shesaysaft
ersighi
ng.

Me:“NobabyIdon’tthinki
t’
stooearl
y
andIal
sodon’tl
ikethewayy oukeep
sayi
ng“Mydaughter”.Iwanttogett
o
knowherandforhert oknowmet oo.I
wanttoloveherandbeafathert
oher,
butIcan’
tdothatfr
om adist
ance
pl
ease.Rori
,bonaIam her
et ost
ayandI
needyoutounderst
andthat”

Her:“whodoIi ntr
oduceyouastoher?I
havenev erdatedanyoneaft
erIbr
okeup
withherfatherandtheonlymanshe
knowsi nherli
feismyf at
herand
brother
s”

Me: “
youintr
oducemeasmommy ’
s
speci
alfr
iend.Whatdoessheknow
aboutherfat
her?”

Her
:“Not
hing,
Ihav
enev
erspokent
oher
abouthi
m andIam notreadyfortheday
shestar
tsaskingquest
ionsabouthim,
i
t’
sasubjectthatIl
iket
okeepbur ied”

Me:“Whoistheguythatbr
okeyouthi
s
badandwhathappenedbetweenthe
twoofyou?”

Her:“Canwepleasenott al
kabouthim,
pl
ease”shesay swi t
ht earsrunni
ng
downherchicks.Oohdamn, hertear
s
arebreaki
ngmyhear tandf uel
ingmor e
hateandangertowar dt hi
sguywho
brokeherli
kethis.Istandupandupher
upforahug.
Me:
“Doy
ouwantt
ogohome?
”

Her:“Iwil
lbefi
ne,Ithi
nkInowneedt hat
standupcomedymor ethanever”she
saysshakingherheadandwi pingoff
hertears.“
Iam goi
ngt otheladiesto
cl
eanupmyf ace”shesay sf
orcinga
smile.

Me:
“cool
,Iwi
ll
cal
lov
ert
hewai
terf
or
t
hebil
l
,si
zohambamaubuy
a”

MyPediqueencomesbackj ustasI
f
ini
shpayingof
fthebil
l.Wepackupour
t
hingsandwalktothecarhandinhand.
Me: “BabyIam sorr
yaboutearli
er,
Idid
notmeant oupsetyou”Isaysi
tt
ingin
thecar .Idon’
twanttodri
veoffunti
lI
cleartheair.

Her
:“I
tsokZungu,thetopicwasbound
t
ocomeup, Iam j
ustsorrythatIam not
r
eadytotal
kabouthim”Whenshecal l
s
mebymysur nameIknowwear eok.I
movemyheadov ertogiveherakiss.

Me:“Iunder
standMaZungu,
butIam
ser
iousaboutmeeti
ngmydaught
er”
Her
:“ohkIwil
lar
rangef
ory
out
wot
o
meetsoon”

Me: “
thanky ou, Iwil
lnev erdisappoi nt
youmyl ove,yourhear tissafewi thme,
all
Ineedf rom y ouisf ory outot r
ust
me”Imeani t,Iwantt ospendt herestof
myl i
fewithherandIwi l
l never
i
ntenti
onallybreakherhear t
.Shesmi l
es
andnods.Ismi leanddr iveof ftoJack
Botesforsomecomi creli
ef.Iguesswe
bothneedi tafterthehect i
cweekIhad
andtheconv ersat i
ont hatwej usthad
whichleftherint ears.

*
somet
hingf
ort
heni
ght
,maki
ngupf
or
Fr
iday *
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t16

Ror
isang

Wer eall
yhadf unatt hecomedynight
.I
don’tknowwhenl astIlaughedsohar
d.
Il
aughedev enharderwhenonePapago
Mashabel acameonst age.Atsome
pointhepickedonPhuml aandmade
hi
m al aughingstock.Iam gladhedid
nottakeof f
enceatt hejokesashe
j
oinedinthel aughter.

ImustsayIwoul
dn’
tmi
nddoi
ngi
tagai
n
especial
l
ywi t
hPhuml a,Ithoughthei s
upti
ghtbutthetruthist heni ggerknows
howt ohavefun.Cany oubel ievethe
ni
ggerwant edust ogot oindustri
al
chesanyamaaf terthecomedywas
done?Hai Icoul
dn’tkeepupmi naIwas
j
usttir
ed.Ihadtobeghi mt ocomeback
homeoratl eastbringmebackandgo
al
one.I t
’snow11: 00andwear ej
ust
walki
ngintothehouse.

Me: “
Thanky ouverymuchmyZuluki
ng,
Ireal
lyhadfun”Isaywrappi
ngmy
handsaroundhisneck,l
ooki
ngdeepi
n
hi
sey es.
Hi
m:“Thanky
ouf
oragreeingtocome
wi
thmemyPediqueens,Ial
sohadfun”

Wi t
hthatsaid,hekissedt hedaylight
outofme.If eltmykneesget ti
ngweak
ashist onguedancedi nsi
demymout h.
Nextt hi
ngIknow, bothourj acket
sandt
-shi
rtswer eonthefloor.Iwasnow
l
ay i
ngont hefloorwithPhuml aontopof
me.

Phumla:“Sthandwasam,wecan’tdo
thi
shere,comewehav eabedr
oom
upstai
rs”hesaidhel
pingmeup.

Wewal
kupst
air
sbusyt
aki
ngof
four
cl
otheswhiletr
yingnottobreakthekiss.
Wel eav
ebehindat r
ail
ofclothes
l
eadingtothebedroom.Wedon’ teven
careaboutthemesswear emaki ng,we
areboththi
rst
yforeachother.

Bythetimewer eachthebedroom door,

Iam lef
twithonlymyblacklacebr aand
pantywhil
ePhuml aisinhi
sboxer s.We
stopbythedoorandgazei ntoeach
other
’seyeswhicharenowsmal lerthan
usual.

“Youaresobeaut
if
ulandperfectmy
l
ov e,
youdon’
tknowhowl ongIhave
beendreami
ngofthisday
”Phuml asay
s
wi
thasexyv
oice.

Ican’tbr
ingmy selftosayany thi
ng, I
wr apmyarmsar oundhisneckwhi l
ehe
picksmeup.Myl egsf ol
l
owsandwr aps
aroundhiswaistandwecont inue
ki
ssing.Phuml akicksthedoorbehi nd
meandwal kusintot heroom.Hegent ly
l
aidmedownt hebedandt akesof fmy
bra.IknowIhav en’thadsexinav ery
l
ongt imebutthisr i
ghtherefeltr
eal l
y
good.Phuml aslowlymov estheki ssto
myneckandt hatalonesentmeov erthe
edge.

Myhandswer
eal
lov
erhi
sback,
Iwas
l
osingallsensesandr eadytowel come
hi
mi nEden.Theni ggerwast al
kingtoo
mucht i
meandkamoIhav en’tdonethi
s
i
nov er6y ears.Ipusheddownhi s
boxerswithmyf eetandhishar d
memberspr angf r
ee.

Helookedint
omyeyesandsai
d“Ngi
ya
kuthandaRori
sangy
ezwa”hewhi
sper
s.
Al
lIcoulddowastonod.

Ihel
pedhimtakeoffmypant i
escozI
wasreal
lyr
unningoutofpati
ence.He
openedasidedrawerandpull
edouta
condom.Sh*t,
Ihadcompletel
y
for
gott
enaboutthat,
thankGodhismind
wasstil
lfunct i
onal
.Hepushedhi s
memberi nsidemyEdenandIwi nceda
l
itt
lebecauseoft hesl
ightpainIfel
t.He
tol
dmet or elaxandmov edinslowly
unti
lmywal lsexpendedenought o
accommodat ehim.

Het i
ghtenedhi sgr i
ponmydr eadlocks
andst art
edmov i
ngi nsideme.He
star t
edsl owlyandt hepi ckedupt he
pace.Iam v erygrateful t
hatwear e
alonei nthehousebecausewewer e
maki ngt oomuchnoi se.Iwasmoani ng
andhewasgr oaning.Oooooohl ord,I
thinkIr eachedmyhei ghtabout3t imes
bef orehepul l
edmydr eadlocksand
bangedi ntomel ikether eisno
t
omorrow.Fort
hefi
rstti
meev erIsai
d
t
he3wor dsent
encethathehasbeen
l
ongi
ngtohear.

Ikeptscr eami ng“ ZunguIl oveyou, ooo

Phuml akeagor ata”
.Iwasnowget ti
ng
weakandf ail
i
ngt okeepupwi t
hhi s
pace.Hesl ammedi nt omeonel astti
me
andgr owl edreleasinghi ssoldersinto
thecondom.Hel etgoofmyhai rand
l
ai dont opofme.Wewer eboth
breathingheav yandneededt ocat chour
breath.Af terfewmi nut eshelookedat
meandsmi l
ed, Ismiledback.Het hen
kissedmebef orewal kingtothe
bat hr
oom, hecamebackwi t
hawet
towel andcl eanedmebef orecleaning
hi
msel
f.

Me:“Kekgopelametsi(
canIplease
havewater)
”Isayoutofbreat
h,damnI
soundfunnyri
ghtnow,Iam even
embarr
assed.

Him: “
comingr i
ghtup”hepi ckedhis
boxesandputt hem onbef oregoing
downst ai
rs.Ialsopickedupmypant ies
andtookoutasl eepi
ngt-shi
rtandputit
on.Gotintobedandpul l
edov era
bl
anket,Phuml acamebackwi thtwo
bott
lesofwat erandhandedmeone.

Phuml
a:“
sobabyi
sther
esomet
hing
youwanttotel
lme”hesai dget
ti
ng
i
nsidethebl
anketandpulli
ngmet olay
myheadonhi schest.Il
ookedathim
puzzl
edcozIdon’tknowwhathei son
about.

Phuml a: “
ohkl
etmer emindy ou‘ ZunguI
l
ov ey ou, oooPhumlakeagor ata’
mmm? ”hesai
di mit
ati
ngmyv oice.I
cov eredmyey escozIhav enev er
utteredt hosewordstohim befor et oday
.
Nowt hatIam inmycl ear
-headedmi ndI
don’ tthinkIam brav
eenought or epeat
them.

Phuml
a:“
comeonbaby
,ther
eisno
needt obeembarrassed”hesaid
remov i
ngmyhandsf rom myface.I
l
ookedathi m andhejustsmil
edatme
“pleasetel
lmeagain,Iwoul
dliketohear
youut t
erthewordsagainmylove.In
factthatwoul
dmakemyni ghtaperfect
one”

Me:“
KeagorataPhumlaniZungu”Isai
d
l
ooki
ngathi
m andIreal
lymeantit.Ido
l
ovehi
m andIam wil
l
ingtojumpinto
t
hedeepwit
hhim.

Phumla:“Il
oveyoutoobaby.I
fonl
yI
knewthatitonl
ytakesyoubei
ng
dickmat
izedtosaythose3wordsI
l
ongedtohearsincet
hefi
rstdayIsaw
yousit
ti
ngatNandoswit
ht hose2ladi
es,
Iwouldhav
edickmati
zedyout her
eand
then”

What ?Dickmawhat ?HaiKwenai s

rubbingoffonmymannxa.Wel augh
andcontinuetalki
nguntil
Ifal
lIsleepon
hischestandImustsayi fthi
sisa
dream Idon’twanttowakeup, because
forthefi
rstti
mei nalongtimeIam in
l
ov eandIam happy .Phumlamakesme
real
lyhappy.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Phuml
ani

Rori:“
Babyfet
olaphoney
agagoy a
rasa”Iam wokenupmyPediqueen
shackingme.

Wemusthavesl
eptf
ewhoursagoafter
maki
nglov
etooneanot
hercount
less
t
imes.

Me:“
Hel
l
o”Ianswerwi
thoutopeni
ngmy
ey
es

Call
er:
“Iam out
side,
pleaset
ell
the
guardtoletusi
n”
Me:
“Lety
oui
nwher
e?”

Cal
l
er:
“letusi
nyoucompl
exao”

Me:“
Sh*t
,gi
vehi
mthephone”“Sir,
thi
s
i
sZungui
nhouse22pl
easeletthem i
n”

Guar
d:“
Ohksi
rIwi
l
llett
hem i
n”

Idropthecallandgetoffthebed.Iwal
k
totheclosett
ot akeapairofsweat
pantsandav estandputthem pn.
Rosi:“
Oyakaeboshegoso?”shesay s
str
uggli
ngtoopenhereyes.Iam busy
putt
ingonmorningsl
ipper
s

Me:“
Lal
ababyngiyabuyayezwa”Isay
ki
ssi
ngherf
oreheadandheadout.

Iam cursi
ngasIgodownst air
s,angi
zwisisi
ukuthiuf unani
la?Umuntuusuka
njanieKZNazeeLi mpopowit
hout
tell
i
ngy oufi
rst.Mxm Iam real
lynot
happyaboutt his.

*
***
***
***
*
Ror
isang

Iwokeupal onei nbed.Istretchmy

armsandy awn.Mybodyi ssor ef r
om
l
astnight’
smar athon.Phuml akeptme
upuntilt
heweehour softhemor ning.I
l
ookatt hewat chont hewallandsee
thati
ts08:30, Iwonderwher eishe.The
l
astthingIr ememberwashi mt el l
i
ng
met ogobackt osleephewi llbeback
soon.AllIknowi st hathereceivedacal l
whichhewasnothappyaboutwhen
someonesai dt heyar eatt
hegat e.

If
inal
l
ydeci
dedtogetupandfi
xthebed.
Imovedt
othebathr
oom anddi
dmy
business.Gotdressedinapeachmaxi
dressandsandal s.Phumlai
snotback
andIam wor riedabouthi
m.Ideci
dedto
callhi
m onlyforhisphonetori
nginthe
bedroom, shucks.Ideci
detogo
downst ai
rsandpr epar
esomethi
ngto
eat,Iam famished.

Ifreezebef or
er eachi
ngt hebott
om of
thest ai
rswhenIhearaf emalevoice
talki
ngt oachild.IdidnotknowPhuml a
hadcompany .Iwonderwhot heyare
sinceIknowhehasnoknownsi bli
ngs.I
decidet ofoll
owt hevoicesinthe
kitchen,Iam meetbyav erybeauti
ful
bubbl ybabygirlalmostthesameage
myOr a.
Chi
l
d:“
Hel
l
o”

Me:
“Hi
,whati
syourname?
”

Chi
l
d:“
Mbal
enhl
e”

Me:
“yournamei
sasbeaut
if
ulasy
ou”

Shegigglesandr unsbacktothekit
chen.
Ifol
lowherandf indthemotherbusy
prepar
ingbreakfast.Sheist
all
,l
ighti
n
complexi
onwi thabeaut i
ful
bodyofa
model.Shehasal ongweavewhich
l
ooksv er
yexpensi veandhermakeupis
onf
li
ck.

Me:
“goodmor
ning”

Her
:“Hi
”

Thent her
ewasawkwar dsilenceinthe
room.Igrabbedanapplefrom thefri
dge
Idecidetoheadbackupstairs.Phumlani
will
findmetherewhenheget sback.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t17

Phuml
ani
Iam inthestudywi thSimonhav i
nga
veryi
ntenseconv ersat
ion.Wehav e
beenatitsincetheyarrivedi
ntheearly
hoursoft hemorning.Wespendt helast
fewhour sargui
ngaboutmehel pi
ng
them withthi
sonedeal .

Sy:“Pl
easeManzini
,thi
sisamat
terof
l
ifeanddeath.Youknowwecan’
tdo
thi
swithoutyou”

Me:“
Ifwear
egoi
ngt
othi
s,t
henwewi
l
l
doi
tmyway”

Iam j
ustt
ir
edofgoi
ngbackandfort
h
wit
hhim.Iam t
ir
edofhi
mremindingme
howtheycomethr
oughf
ormewhenmy
motherwassi
ck.

Sy
:“Yourwayi
tis”

Me:“onemor et
hing,
Iam notev
en
goi
ngt obeinKZN,Iwil
ldomypartngi
l
aeLi mpopo”

Sy
:“Howwi
l
lthatev
engoi
ngt
owor
k?”

Me:
“Wewi
l
lfi
ndaway
”

Sy:“
Okletmecal
lSbuandhewill
let
ThamiandXol
aniknowthatt
heplani
s
i
nmot
ion”

Me:“Angi
nandabaukuthiwenzani(
I
don’
tcarewhatyoudo)
, t
hisi
sthelast
ti
meIam wil
li
ngt ol
ety
ouguy sdragme
i
ntosuchthi
ngs”

Sy
:“Ngizwi
l
eManzi
ni”(
Ihear
dyou
Manzi
ni)

Hetakesouthi
sphoneanddialSbu
whi
l
eput t
inghi
m onloudspeaker
.

Sbu:“
Manget
he”heanswer
sthephone
onthe3r
dri
ng.
Sy:“
weGat sheni,
ngi noManzini l
aand
si
khulumil
e..
..
..
.uv umileukusinxedi
sa
ngenkingayethu”(Gatsheni
,Iam with
Manziniandwehav espoken…..
he
agr
eedt ohelpuswi thourproblem)

Sbu:“
Aoowngi yabongaGwabi ni!wena
owacoshai qathali
nenhlabat hi
wangabe
usal
it
hintit
ha!Baphephezi !Wena
owakhishwangenoni emgodi ni
!Geda!
Sengway o!Mhlehlo!..
..
..
..
...
..
”(Thank
youGwabi ni*Ther esti
scl anpraises*
)

Me:“stopsucki
ngupSbusiso,
ungangibi
zangezi
thakazel
ozonke
zakwaZungu,kodwaangi kuxolel
anga”
(Youcancal
lmebyal lZunguclan
namesbutIhavesti
llnotforgi
venyou).
Isaycut
ti
nghim off
.

Hepi ssesmeof fbecausehealway s

l
andsusi nt
rouble.Syrai
seshishands
givi
ngmeaquest ioni
nglook.Iknowhe
spoket omeaboutf orgiv
ingSbubutI
am noty ett
here.Notwhenhekeeps
draggingusdownwi t
hhisstupidi
ty.

Sbu:“Ngiy
akuzwaMhl
ehl
o,kodwangi
ya
bonga”(Iheary
ouMhl
ehl
o,butst
il
l
thankyou)
Sy:“Gat
sheni,
pleaseemai
lal
lthe
detai
lstoPhumlaandweshallkeepi
n
touch”

Sbu:“
Consideri
tdone,
nibenel
anga
el
ihl
e”(hav
eaniceday)

Me:
“Mxm”

Sy:“Naweubenel angael
i
hleBoya
benyathi
”(haveanicedaytoo)hesay
s
beforehangingupthephone.

Hej
ustgi
vesmeadisappr
ovi
ngl
ook
whi
l
eshaki
nghi
shead.
Sy:
“YouneedtocutSbusomesl ack,
he
l
earnedf
rom hi
smistakesndoda”

Me:“I
fonlyhel
earnedthefi
rstt
imeI
wenttojai
l
,wewouldnotbei nt
his
si
tuat
ionnow”Isaystandi
ngup.

Ihavehear
denoughoft histopic.Idid
notfor
eseemydayst art
ingof fli
kethi
s.
Theplanwastowakeupbet weenmy
woman’sEdanandenj oysomequal i
ty
ti
mewi t
hherwhi l
epr
omi singeachot her
theworl
d.Butinst
eadIspendt hepast
fewhourscoopedupint hi
sst udy
argui
ngwit
hSimon.Wewal koutofthe
studyandwalktothesit
ti
ngroom.We
aremeetbyhisdaughterthr
owing
hersel
fatherf
ather.

Her:
“Daddy
,wher
ewer
eyouImi
ssed
you”

Sy:“
Iam sorr
yMbal iyami (
myf lower ),
daddyhadtotal
kt ounclePhuml ani”he
sayspi
ckingherupandhuggi ngher .He
ti
ckl
esherandherl aught
erisjustt he
mostbeauti
fult
hingIhav eheard.I tfi
ll
s
uptheroom andleavemesmi l
ing.

Chil
drenar
eablessi
ngindeed,
Idon’
t
evenunder
standwhysomef at
her
sturn
theirbacksont heirownbl ood.I
under st
andt hatthingsdon’ talways
wor koutwi ththemot herbutt o
abandony ourownbl oodi spur e
stupi dit
y.Ilookatt hei
rinteractionanda
feelingofenv ypassest hrough.Ican’ t
wai ttohav esuchabeaut i
ful
rel
at ionshipwi t
hOr ati
lwe.Ir eall
ypr ay
forhert oacceptmemor et hanIpr ayfor
any thingbecauseIunder standt hatshe
i
sahugepar tofhermot her.ThewayI
l
ov eRor i
sang, l
ovingherchi ldwi l
lbe
effortlessf orme.

Me:“Didmywifecomedownfor
br
eakfast
?”Isayl
ooki
ngatSy
’swif
e
Di
neo
Dineo:“Shedi
dcomedownbutsheonl y
grabbedanapple”shesaysbusy
changingTVchannelswit
htheremot
e

Sy:l
aughi
ng“Uthewif
endoda?Udl
isi
we
eLimpoponeh”(Di
dyousaywifeman?
soyouwerefeedalovepot
ioni
n
Li
mpopo)

Me: “
Futhiuthelekanxani
,ngidi
ngaIjag
yonke”(I
nf actshedidnotpourenough,
Ineedthewhol ejar)Isayshowinghim
themiddlef i
ngerwhilegoi
ngupt he
stai
rsinreverse.
Hequickl
ycover
shi
sdaught
er’
sey
eand
shakeshi
shead.

Sy
:“Oy
ahl
any
awena”(
Youar
ecr
azy
)

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

Ror
isang

Imusthavedozedoff
,cozIwakeupto
thesoundofPhumlacal
li
ngmewhile
shaki
ngmesof t
ly.

Me:“
Baby
?”Isayopeni
ngmyey
es
sl
owl
y
Phumla:“
YeboSt handwasami”(Yesmy
l
ove)hesay sget
tingontopofthebed
andspooningme

Me:
“wher
ewer
eyou?
”

Phumla:“
Sor
ryIdi
sappear
edony
ou.I
wasinthest
udyzakwami”

Me:“
Study?Whyar
eyousucha
wor
kaholi
c?”

Phumla:“BecauseIwantt
ogiveyouand
ourdaughteral
ongwithhersi
bli
ngsa
comfort
abl
eli
fe”hesay
ski
ssi
ngmy
neck.

Ican’
thel
pbutgi
ggle.Trustmy
stomachtogr
owlandr ui
nthemoment
.

Phumla:“Asambengi
yokwenzel
aokuy
a
ethunj
i
ni”(ComeIwil
lpr
epareyou
somethingtoeat
)

IgetupandIsuddenlyremembert
hat
thereasonIdidnoteatear
li
eri
s
becauseIfoundawomanandchi l
d
busyinthekit
chen.
Me:“Whoar
ethey
?”Isayput
ti
ngonmy
shoes

Phuml
a:“
Obani
?”(
Who?
)

Me:“t
hewomanandt
hechi
l
d
downstai
rs”

Phumla:“
oohy oumeanmyt hir
dwife
anddaughterf
rom Kzn,
don’tworr
y,t
hey
areonl
yhereforamonthnje”

Istoodtherefrozen,
andhejustbur
st
i
ntolaughter.Doesthisni
ggathi
nkIam
ajokemar a?
Phumla: “youshoul
dseey ourfaceri
ght
now,readyt omurdermeIsee.Iam
j
okingst handwa”hesayslaughing,
he
doesn’tknowhowcl oseIwast ohaving
aheartat t
ack.Heshouldstopplayi
ng
roughmxm.

Phuml
a:“Doyouremembermyfr
iend
Si
mon,theoneIt
oldyoui
salawyer?
”

Me:
“Yes”

Phuml
a:“
that’
shi
swifeanddaught
er,
youdi
dnotseehi
m earl
i
ercozhewasin
t
hest
udywi
thme”

Me:“Ok,
Let
’sgokeswer
eket
lal
a”(
Iam
hungr
y)

Wewal kdownst
airshandinhandwith
Phumlateasi
ngme.Wewal ktothe
ki
tchenandfi
ndtheshockofourli
ves.
YouwouldsweartheKit
chenwashitby
atsunami.

Phuml a:“
Shucksbaby,someone
redecorat
edyourki
tchen”

Me:
“Whathappened?
”Iam shockedat
t
hesi
ghtbef
oremyey
es.

Idon’
tthinkwewer eeverr
eadyforthi
s.
Iam suret hemesscanbecleanedup
andthekitchenwil
lbeaspresentabl
eas
weknowi tbutwhoisgoi
ngtocleanall
thi
s?

Phuml
a:“Ithi
nkasl
ayqueenhappened”
hewhi
spersinmyear.Ican’
thel
pbut
l
aughoutloud.

Imovetoopenthepotsthatwer eused
tocookandnothi
nglooksedible,y
ou
canseesomeonewast ryi
ngtomakean
omeletbutdi
small
yfai
led,baconis
swimminginwateri
nsi
dethepot
(Maybenotswimmingbuti
twasjust
wrongnje)andt
hesausageisbur
ned.I
don’
tevenknowwheretostart
.

Phuml
a:“
Letmegot akeaquickshower
andwewil
lgooutf
orbreakf
astohk”

Inodathim.Wewalktothesi
tti
ngroom
wherewef i
ndSimonandhisf
ami l
y
chil
li
ngandwatchi
ngTV.Phumla
i
ntroducesmetoSimonandhiswife
Dineo.

Sy:“Ngi
lambi
l
e, kant
iakudli
wala
ekhayaMakot
i?”(Iam hungr
y,don’
twe
eati
nthi
shouseMakot
i?)Heasksme
wit
hasmile.

Phumla:“Sheisnoty ourmaid,
uno
mfazi(Youhav eawi f
e).Anywaywear
e
goi
ngoutf orbreakfastonl
yMbali
is
welcomedt ojoinus”

Sy:“
Sil
ambil
enjenathi(Butwear
ealso
hungry
)”hesay
sshr ugginghi
s
shoul
dersandmovinghishandssl
ight
ly
up.

Phuml
a:“
youknowwheret
heki
tcheni
s”
hesay
swalki
ngupst
air
s.
Sy:mov escl
osertome“ Makoti,
please
tal
ktoy ouman, pl
ease.Iam t
ryi
ngt o
avoidfoodpoisoningher
e”hesays
whisperi
ngsot hathiswif
edoesn’thear
him.

Me:“Iwi
llt
ry”Isayt
ryi
ngt
ohol
dinmy
l
aughter
.

Iwal
kbackupst
air
s.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t18

Ror
isang
Todayi sFridayandIhav et akenleave
from wor ksot hatDineoandIcant ake
ourlittl
egi r
lsout .Phuml abookedaspa
dayf ort hefourofusatReconnectday
spa, mommi esanddaught erskindof
thing.Or aandIhav ebeenspendi ng
mostofourt imewi thDineoandMbal i,
andwebot henj oytheircompany .I
nf act
Dineohasbeenspendi ngmostofher
ti
mei nmyapar tment.Shehel pedme
choosef urnitureandassi stedmei n
decor atingthepl ace.Yes, OraandIhav e
fi
nallylef tt
henestandmov edintoour
ownpl ace.

I
twasabit
termomentf ormypar
ents.
Theydi
dnotunder
standwhyIshoul
d
takeOrawi thmebutIcoul dn’tleaveher
behind.Iwouldn’tfuncti
onproper l
y
withouther.Yesshei sahandf ulbutshe
i
smyr esponsibil
i
ty.Iwasluckyt ofinda
houseexecut i
vewhoi shandson, Ma
Mav i
sdoesal lthatisexpectedofher
andmor e.

Ihav egrownf ondofDi neoandIenj oy

hercompanyt oo.Shei snotshal lowlike
aj udgedhertobet hefirstdayImeet
heri nPhumla’skitchen.Shei sact ual
lya
sweetl ovi
ngper sonwhoi sv er
y
accommodat iveandf unt ohangwi t
h.
Shei sfuntohangwi t
ht oo.Throughher
Ilearnedthatweshoul dnotbet ooquick
toj udgeanotherper son.Likethesay i
ng
goes,
don’
tjudgeabookbyi
tscov
er.

Ireall
yenjoy edthepasttwoweekst hat
theZwaneswer einLimpopo.
Unfortunatelytheyaregoingbackt o
KZNonSundayandIam sur eOraandI
willmissDi neoandMbal iasmuchas
Phuml awi l
l missSy.Speakingof
Phuml anihei snothappyt hathehas
notmeet‘ hisdaughter’yet.Iknowhe
meanswel lbutIam justwor ri
edabout
whatwoul dhappeni ft
hingsdon’twor k
outbet weenus.Icannotdest abi
l
izemy
chil
d’slif
e.

Ispoket
omymot
herf
oradv
iceandshe
sai
dt hatIam t heonewhoknows
Phuml abetter,whatshet hinksshould
happeni snotimpor tant
.Ishoul dfol
low
myhear tandi nsti
nctcozt hosewoul d
neverli
e.Mymot herhasal way sbeen
oneoft hosepeopl ewhosay s‘theball
is
i
ny ourcourt’sot hatwhatev erIdeci
de
i
sonmenother .

Ora:
“MommydoesEnhl
ehast
ogoback
t
oDur ban?
”

Me:
“Yespr
incess,
shedoes”

Iam busyhel
pingherchangef
rom her
schooluni
for
m sothatwecangoout
wi
thMbal
enhl
eandDi
neo.

Or
a:“
Butwhymommy
?”

Me:“
Becausethei
rli
fei
sinDur
banand
Mbal
ineedtogotoschool
”

Or
a:“Can’
tshegot
oschool
her
ewi
th
me?”

Me:
“Nobabyshecan’
t”

Ora:
“Iam sad,Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssher
”
shesayssulki
ng.
Me: “
Iknowbaby
,Iknow”Isayhuggi
ng
her
.

Iknowshei ssulki
ngrightnowbutt he
soonershelearnsthatpeoplecomeand
gothebetter.Wemaynev erbereadyfor
them tol
eavebutwej ustneedtol et
them go.

DineoandMbal i
ar r
ivesfewmi nutes
afterwefi
nishedget tingready.We
makeourwayt ot heSpawi thDineo
dri
v i
ngus.DineoandIar elisti
ngtothe
conv er
sat
ionbet weent hetwo
pri
ncessesatt heback.
Mbal
i:
“Iam sad,whycan’
tyoucome
wi
thustoDurban”

Or
a:“
BecauseIhav
eschool
”

Mbali:
“Mydadcangety
oui
ntoanot
her
school”

Ora:“
ButIwil
lmissmymother
,why
doesn’
tyourdadgety
ouaschoolher
e”

Mbal
i:“
Daddysay
shewouldmissme
andt
hatwouldmakehi
m sad”
Ora:“
Buty
ourdadandmom canmov
e
heret
oo”

Mbali
:“not
heycan’tsi
l
ly,
mommysay s
thi
splacei
stoohotandthereisno
beachtoswimin”shesaysgiggl
ing

Ora:
“Thatmakessense,Iwouldchoose
t
hebeachtoo”shealsogiggl
es.

Idi
rectDi
neotothespai
nbet
weent
he
eav
esdroppi
ng.

Wearewel
comedwarml
yandleadt
oa
wai
ti
ngar
eawherewear
eserv
edwith
dri
nks.Theki
dsandIenj
oyi
ngourjui
ce
whil
ewewai tandDi
neoi
senjoy
ingher
champagne.

Di
neo:
“Soy
oudon’
tdr
inkal
cohol
”

Me:
“No,
Idon’
t”

Di
neo:
“Notev
enonceawhi
l
e?”

Me:
“No,
notatal
l
”

Di
neo:
“Why
”
Me:
“It
ri
edi
tonceandnev
erl
i
kedi
t”

Di
neo:“
Yout
ri
edcheapthi
ngslal
a,st
ick
wi
thmeandIwil
li
ntr
oduceyoutoreal
st
uff
”

Me:
“Ohnot
hanky
ou”

Di
neo:
“Hai
ke,
youar
emi
ssi
ngout

*
***
**

Ifeel
likeIcanrunamarathon.Thespa
dateleftmefeeli
ngr
ejuv
enated.Itwas
myf i
rstti
meataspaanddef ini
telynot
myl ast
.Infactthiswhol emommi esand
daughterdatewasneeded.Af tert
hespa
wewentt omal loftheNor thandhad
l
unchatSpurbef orewat chingthemov i
e
WonderPar k.Youcant ellbytheti
ttl
e
whochooset hemov i
es.Wej ustgotout
ofthemov iesandIam si t
tingonthe
couchwai t
ingforDi neowho
accompaniedt hegirlstothel oo.

Hi
m:“
Ithoughtt
hatwasy
ou”

Il
ookupf
rom myphonet
oseewhoi
tis

Me:
“Hi
Thendo,
howar
eyou?
”
Thendo:“notfi
ne”hesaysmaki
ngme
st
andt ogivehim ahug

Me:
“Whatwr
ong?
”

Thendo: “Youjustdisappear
edonme
andwor separ tyoublockedmynumber
again.Ithoughtwewer emaking
progressRor i
.Onemi nut
ewewer e
pl
anni ngar oadtri
pt oVendanext
minuteIwasbl ocked”

Iam shockedatwhatheistal
ki
ngabout
.
Ihav
enev erbl
ockedhim si
nceI
unblockedhim.Imusthavebeenhavi
ng
networkproblemswhenhewascalli
ng
met hat’
stheonlyexpl
anat
ionIcan
thi
nkof .

Me:“Inev
erbl
ockedy
ouThendo,
are
yousureyouwer
ecal
li
ngmynumber?”

Dineo:“Wearedonecanweplease
l
eav e,Zwanei
salr
eadybl
owingupmy
phone”shesayssoundi
ngbored.Befor
e
turni
ngheratt
enti
ontoThendo“Hi”

Thendo:
“Hell
o,Iguessbeaut
yrunsi
n
thefami
ly”
Ij
ustsmi
l
eandDi
neogi
veshi
m abl
ank
l
ook

Ora:“
Mommycanwepl easegeti
ce
cream befor
ewel eav
e? ”shesaysas
soonasshest opsinfrontofme.She
musthav ebeenrunning.

Thendo:“Ror
i,Iwi
ll
seey ouar
oundneh.
Enj
oyy ourev
eningladi
es”

Me:
“By
eThendo”

Wewat
chhi
m wal
kof
f
Di
neo:“ungadl
ali
ngomli
l
o( Don’
tpl
ay
wi
thfi
re)Rori
”shesay
swithrai
sed
ey
ebrows.

Me:
“whatdoy
oumean?
”

Wear ehavi
ngthi
sconversati
onwal
ki
ng
togeticecr
eam fort
hegirl
swhoare
nowrunninginf
rontofus”

Dineo:
“Letmejustsay,
Idon’tknow
Phumlathatwel
lbutwhatIknowabout
them i
sthatt
heyareverypossessi
ve”
Me:
“Them who?
”

Dineo:
“Si
monandt herestofhi
sf r
iends,
IbetPhumlai
sli
keallofthem.IfIwere
youIwouldpl
ayfarfr
om thatThendo
guy”

Me:“
Iam notev
eni
nter
est
edi
nThendo
l
iket
hat
”

Dineo:“Juststayawayandy ouwil
lbe
veryhappyandPhuml awil
lmakesure
younev erlackanythi
nginyourl
i
fe.But
keepupt histhingofhuggi
ngpeople
whol ookaty outhewayThendodoes
andhemaybr i
ngyouhellonear
th.
TrustmeIhav eseenthem al
l.Iam not
tr
yingtoscar eyoubutSimononcet ol
d
met hatnothingscareshi
ml i
keoneof
hi
sf ri
endsinl ov
ebecauseheknowst he
l
engt htheywoul dgofort
hatper son.
Wor separttheyhatelosi
ng.”

Iam shockedatDineo’
srev
elati
onsbutI
shouldnotworr
ybecauseIam not
planni
ngtocheatonPhumla,that’
sjust
notwhoIam.

Webuyi cecr
eam andtakeawayand
makeourwayhome.Iwi llnotseet
hem
tomorr
owbecausemypar ent
sand
brot
hersarevi
sit
ingournewhomef ora
l
itt
lechil
lasandbraai
.Ir
eall
ymissedmy
brother
sespecial
l
yThuso.Plusineed
someadv i
cefr
om himregar
ding
i
ntroducingPhumlatoOra.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t19
Ror
isang.
Phuml aandIhav ebeent oget herfora
goodsi xmont hsnow.Imustsayi thas
beent hebest6mont hsofmyl if
e.
Thusoaskedmei fIhadal r
eady
i
ntroducedPhuml atoOr abutt hetruth
i
sit’snotaseasyaspeopl ethinkitis.
Thewor separ taboutallthisisthat
Phuml athinksIam notser iousabout
hi
mt hat’
swhyIam t akingmyt imet o
i
ntroducet hem.
Thewor stpar tisthatPhuml a,turned
oneofhi sbedr oomsi ntoOra’sr oom
l
ike3mont hsago.Hedecor atedand
paintedtheroom wi thDocMcSt uff
ins’
wallpaperandbeddi ng.Iwasr eally
speechless,Ididnotknowwhet hert obe
happyofangr ybecauseofal lthe
pressurethathewasput t
ingmeunder .I
fel
tli
kewear emov i
ngt oofast,atthis
rateIam wasscar edformydaught er
cozshoul dPhuml aandInotwor kout ,
herli
ttl
ehear twi l
lbebroken.

Ispoketomymot heragai
nabouthowI
fel
tcozIdidnotwantt ooff
endPhumla.
Mymot herjustsmiledandpul
l
edmei n
forahug.Shesayst hatIshouldbe
happythatPhumlawant stobeaf ather
tomychi l
d.Shesaidthatshehas
alwaysprayedt
hatIf i
ndloveagain,
she
prayedforamant hatwouldloveme
andlovemydaught erashisown.She
nowbel i
evesGodhasanswer edher
prayer
s.

Apparent
ly,ofallmysi blingsIam t
he
onemypar entswor ryaboutmost .Mom
sai
dshewaswor r
iedt hatIhadgivenup
onloveandIwaspr epar edtodiealone.
Shehasnev ermetPhuml abutsheis
al
readyafan, apparentlyanymanwho
coul
dmendmyhear tafterThapel
o
shatt
eredi
ti ntopi
ecesi sabl essi
ng
f
rom God.

Aft
ert alki
ngt obothmypar entsabouti t
andseeki ngadv icefrom mybr ot her, I
fi
nallydecidedt hatIam r eadyf ort he
twooft hem t omeet .Ican’tlivein
constantf earofwhati f,andIcan’ tkeep
punishingPhuml aforThapel o’sdoi ngs
mor ethan6y earsago.Sowear ehav i
ng
l
unchatmypl acet odayandPhuml awi ll
j
oinus.Iwi l
l onlyhopef ort hebest ,
besidesourr elati
onshiphasbeen
nothingbutabl i
ss.Hemakesmehappy
andt akescar eofmyneed.Don’ tev en
getmest artedaboutt heS* *,Zunguhas
anappet i
teforday s.Iam gl admaMav is
i
sast ayinhouseexecut iveorel set he
sl
eepover
satPhumla’
shousewould
notbeaseasyast
heyhavebeen.

Ihavesetupt hetableout sidebyt he

l
awnatt heback.Icookedpor kchops,
gri
ll
edchi cken,gravy,andgr eensal ad
forme, chipsforOr aandphut huf or
Phuml a.Truthbet old,Ihavenev er
cookedphut hubef ore.Ihopei tt
ur ned
outohk.Ihadt ogot oy outubef or
i
nstructi
onsonhowt ocookphut hu.I
cookedenoughchi psj ustincaset he
phuthupapi samess.

Ora:
“Mommy ,
ther
eisaknockont
he
door
,shoul
dIgogeti
t”shecal
l
sout
f
rom t
hehouse.
Me: “
NobabyIam coming”Iyell
back.I
l
ookatthewatchonmywr i
st,
Ifrown
becauseIwasnotexpect
inghimf ort
he
next30minatleast
.

Irusht
obackt othehousetoatt
endto
thedoor.Ifr
eezeaft
eropeni
ngbecause
thi
sisthelastper
sonIexpect
edtosee.
Me: “Whatar
eyoudoingher
e”Isay
standingont
heothersi
deofthebut
ler
door.
Hechucklesandlooksatmei
nshock,
pr
obablybecausehewasnotexpect
ing
myreacti
on.
Hi
m:“
Wow,
IguessIshoul
dhav
ecal
l
ed
f
ir
st.Thi
sisdefi
nit
elynott
her
eact
ionI
wasexpect
ing”

*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Phuml
ani
Isti
llhave30minut
estogettoRori’
s
house.IknowIhavebeenpushingfor
hertointr
oducemet oOrabutr
ightnow
Iam asnervousashell
.Myphoner i
ngs
dist
urbingmefrom mythought
s.

Me:
“Manget
he”
Sy
:“Howsooncancomehomebaf
o?”
Me:“
Itol
dyouIam doi
ngmypar
toft
he
mi
ssioni
nPolokwane”
Sy
: “
Manzini
thi
sisnotaboutt
he
missi
on”
Me:
“ok,
whati
sitabout
?”
Sy:“
Umanz i
niomkhul
uakav ukanga
kahl
e(YourFat
heri
snotwell
),youneed
tocomehomeassoonasy oucan”

Idon’tknowwhatt osay,Iam
speechl essrightnow.Idon’ tknowhowI
feelaboutmyf at
her.Whenmymot her
fel
li
ll hechooset omarryasecondwi fe
i
nsteadofcar ingformymot her.I
becomewhoIbecamebecauseIhadt o
comet hroughf ormymot her.Ifor
gave
himf orallthatbecauset hatwasmy
mother ’sdyingwi sh.Howev er,hetur
ned
hi
sbackonmewhenIneededhi m most.
Heeventesti
fiedagainstmeincour
tas
achar
acterwitness.Butnowthatheis
si
ckIdon’tknowhowIf eel
.

Sy:“
usekhonaPhuml
a?”(
Arey
oust
il
l
ther
e?)
Me:
“Howbadi
sit
?”
Sy
:“Thedoct
orsar
enothopef
ul”
Isi
gh
Me:
“Ngi
zokwazi
sa(
Iwi
l
llety
ouknow)
”
Sy:“Phumlani,
Idon’
tneedtoremind
youhowi mportanti
tistof
ixt
hingswith
yourfatherbef
oreashonel
walil
anga(He
passesaway )”
Me:
“Iknow”
Sy
:“Thesoonery
ougether
ethebet
ter
”
Me:“
Kul
ungi
l
e,Ineedt
ogo,
Ror
iis
wai
ti
ngf
orme”
Hel
aughs
Sy:“
Passmygr eet
ingst
oher,umt
shel
e
uyathandwakwaZwani(Tel
lhert
he
zwaneslovesher
)”
Me:
“Fsek”Isaybef
orehangi
ngup.

Iknowmyf at
herandIdon’tseeeyeto
eye,butheistheonlyparentIam l
eft
with.I
tpainsmet hati
nsteadofbeing
thereforeachotheraf
termymot her’
s
passingwewer eateachot her
’st
hroats.
ThereissomuchIst il
lblamehi mf or
andthefactthathenev erapologized
doesn’tmakethingsbetter.Igrabmy
keys,wall
etandthegiftIboughtf orOra
andmakemywayout .Iknowt hecall
fr
om Syleftmymoodsomehowsomber
butIshallt
rytoenjoythisday .
*
***
***
***
***

Rori
:“Iam coming”Ihearhercal
lout
fr
om theotherside.
Iam standingoutsi
deherdoorf
eel
ing
verynervous.It
akeinadeepbreat
hand
exhales.

Sheopenst
hedoorandst
epsoutwhi
l
e
cl
osi
ngthedoorbehi
ndher.Mysmil
e
qui
ckl
yvani
shesasIseefearorwor
ry
onherf
ace.

Me:
“Whati
swr
ong?
”
Shebi t
esherlowerli
pandsay s
somet hi
ngthatIcan’
thearbecauseher
voiceisnotcomingout.Iguesssheis
tr
yingtowhisper.Igi
veheraconfused
l
ookbecauseIcannotmakeoutexact ly
whatshei ssayi
ng.Shetakesinadeep
breathandfinal
l
yspeaksout .

Ror
i:“
Wehav
eapr
obl
em”
Il
ookatherwithey
eswi
deopened
expect
inghert
ogoon.
Ror
i:“
Mybr
otheri
sher
e”
Me:
“Manj
e?”(
Sowhat
?)
Rori
:“Hecanbeov
eri
nti
midat
ing
sometimes”
Ismi
l
eandpackherl
i
ps
Me:“I
tsexpect
edbaby,butIam aman,
youdon’
thavetoworryaboutmebei
ng
i
nti
midatedbyyourbr
other”
Shecl oseshereyeswhil
edeeply
i
nhalingandex hal
ingbefor
eopeningthe
door.Ifoll
owherandf i
ndherbrother
si
tti
ngonasof awatchi
ngTVwhi l
eOr a
si
tsonhi slapli
keapr i
ncesst
hatsheis.
Me: “
Thobelang”(gr
eet
ings)Isayi
nmy
funnyPedipronunci
ati
onwithasmile.
Thebrotherjustl
ooksatmewi tha
bl
ankf
aceandnods.
Rori
:“But
iThusot
hisi
sPhumlani
,
Phumlathi
sismybrot
herThuso”
Thuso:“
Rori
doyoumindt
aki
ngOr
aand
gi
vingussomespace?
”
ShelooksatmeandInodathert
odo
whatherbrot
heri
ssayi
ng.
Rori:
“Beni
ce”shesay
stoherbr
other
beforet
aki
ngOraandmovi
ngtothe
bedroom.

Itakeasitonasofaadjacenttheone
Thusoi ssi
tt
ingon.Hegivesmeacol d
stare,
Iguessheistry
ingtoint
imidat
e
mebutIam noti nt
imidat
ed.Wear e
bothstari
ngineachother’
seyes,Ibr
eak
theeyecont
actjusttomakehimt hink
hehastheupperhand.Wewi l
lsitinthi
s
awkwardsil
entunti
lhebreaksi
t.Hei s
theonewhof el
tli
keheneedstot al
kt o
me,soIshallwaitf
orhi
mt ospeak.
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t20
Ror
isang
Thusohasbeensi t
ti
ngandt al
ki
ngwi th
Phuml aforover30mi nut
esnow.Iknow
mybr othercanbeov erprotecti
veofme
especiall
yaft
erthedarkholeIf eelin
postbreakupwi t
hOr a’
sfather.Ireal
ly
hopehei snotgivi
ngPhuml aahar d
ti
me.Iknowhesai dImustnotbe
worri
edabouthi m butIcan’thelpbut
worrysinceIknowhowhar dheadedmy
Zulukingcanbe.Itr
iedtoev esdropon
whattheyaretal
kingaboutwi thno
success,Icanhearthem t
alkingbut
theyaretal
kingl
owenought omake
surethatIdon’
thearthem.

Ora:“
Mommywhyar
ewesi
tt
ingi
n
here?
”
Isi
gh
Me:“Becausewewantt
ogi
veTSspace
pr
incess”
Ora:
“Somommy,i
sEnhl
e’
suncl
egoi
ng
t
obemydaddy?
”

Iswal
l
owhar
dbecauset
hequest
ion
caughtmeof
fguar
d.

Me:
“Whatdoy
oumeanbaby
?”

Ora:
“ImeanPapahasMamaandt hey
areyourmommyanddaddy .AuntDineo
hasUncleSyandtheyareEnhl
e’
s
Mommyanddaddy .Iknowyouhave
Enhl
e’suncl
eandy ouaremymommy
soIguessthatmakeshim mydaddy”

Myhearti
sbeati
ngfast
,Iwasnoteven
awar
ethatOraknowsaboutPhumla
andI
.IknowIam wasalwaysdiscr
eet
.
Me:“Whatdoy
oumeanIhav
eEnhl
e’
s
uncl
e?Whatdi
dyousee?
”

Shegi
ggl
esandhi
desherf
aceona
pi
ll
ow.

Me:
“Tel
lmebaby
”

Shel
i
ftherheadf
rom t
hepi
l
low

Ora:“Enhletol
dmethat’
syouandher
unclehasbeenkissi
ngli
kethewayher
mommyanddaddyki ss”shesay
s
withoutlooki
ngatme.
Yoot hethi
ngsthiskidsshare.Ihave
alwaysbeenwor r
iedandcarefulenough
tohidemyr el
ationshipfr
om Or abutI
neverpayedattentiontoMbali.Idi
dnot
planontell
ingherl i
kethi
s?Somebody
pleasesavemenow.

Me:“Baby,Uncl ePhuml aniandIhav e

beenspendingt imetoget herandwe
enj
oyeachot her’
scompany .Butthis
doesn’
tchangeany t
hingbet weenf orus.
Hecameher et omeety ouandIhope
youcanwel comehi mi ntoourl i
ves.Can
youdothatf ormepr i
ncess? ”

Or
a:“
OfCouseMommy
,Iwanty
out
obe
happy
”shesay
ssmi
l
ingatme.

Ipul
lheri
nforati
ghthug,
myhearti
sat
easenow,andi
t’
samazinghowmy
chi
ldcanbematuredf
orherage
someti
mes.

Ora:“
Eeewmommynotonthel
i
ps”she
saysprot
est
ingmyki
ss.

*
***
***
***
Phuml
a

Fi
nal
ly
,thetal
kwit
hthebrot
herisdone
andImustsayImanagedtowinhim
over.Iunder st
andhisconcer nandI
appreci at
eshi mf ort
hat .Iam gl
adthat
hetookt hei ni
ti
ati
vetomeetwi t
hme
andt alkatl eastIcansaywenowhav e
somesor tofunderstanding.Myheart
j
umpedf orjoywhenOr agav emeahug
whent heygotbackt oj oinus.Idi
dnot
under standwhathappedunt i
lRori
whisper edt hatshehadat al
kwithher
aboutme.

Wesatoutsideandhadl unchatt he
backwhil
ehol di
ngalightconversati
on.
Mybabywental loutandIam happy
thatshet
ri
edt oaccommodat emeby
cookingi
phuthu.Tobehonestt he
phuthuwasnott hebestIhaveev erhad,
butIeatitwit
hasmi l
ebecausei t’
sthe
thoughtandtheeffor
tthatcounts.Her
brotherl
efti
mmedi at
elyaft
erlunchand
thatgavemet i
met obondwi t
hmy
queenandpr i
ncess.

Me:
“Baby
,Ihav
etogohome……i
nKZN”
Isaylay
ingonacouch,wi t
hherheadon
mychestandmyar mscoveri
ngher
upperbody.Orahasreti
redtobedandI
hadthehonorstotuckherin.

Ror
i:“
When?
”
Me:
“onMondaymor
ning”
Ror
i:“
Howl
ongwi
l
lyoubegone?
”
Me:“
Iam notsur
e, butal
lIknowisit
won’
tbemorethanaweek, Ij
ustneed
t
odealwi
thsomet hingathome”
Ror
i:“
ist
her
eapr
obl
em"

Isi
gh

Me: “
Iam toldthatmyf atherisnotwell
andtheDoct orsarenothopef ulfora
recover
y.Thel astti
meIwaswi thhim
wedidnotpar tongoodt erms.SoIneed
forustotalkthingsthroughsot hatwe
canaskeachot herforforgi
veness
befor
ewebot hr unoutoft i
me”
Sheli
ftherheadandl
ooksmedeepi
n
theeye

Rori
:“Iam v er
ypr oudofyoubaby.I
knowt hechallengesyouhadwithy our
fat
herandIam happyy ouwanttomend
yourr
el at
ionshipwhileyoubot
hst i
l
l
havetime”

Me:“Iwishitwasaseasyasy
oumakei
t
soundyazi”

Ror
i:“
WellIhav
efai
thiny
oumyZul
u
Ki
ngs”shesayski
ssi
ngmyli
ps.
Me:“Il
i
keitwheny
oucal
lmet
hatmy
Pedi
queen”
Shelaughs,herl
aughissosweetitcan
melteventhecoldesthear
t.Il
ookatthe
ti
meandr eali
zeit’
slat
e.

Me:“
Ineedtol
eav
e,IguessIwi
l
lsee
yout
omorrowmylov
e”

Rori
:“Pl
easespendt heni ght
”shesay s
giv
ingmepuppyey esl ook.Ifonlyshe
knewthatshedoesn’tev enhav etobeg,
cozIwasalway shopingt hatshewould
askmet osleepover.
Me:“Sur
e,asambesiyol
ala(Let
’sgo
sl
eep)it
’sl
ate”Isaypi
ckingherupand
car
ryi
nghertothebedroom.

Toni
ghti
stheni
ghtwegonnahav
ea
goodni
ght….
.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Phuml
a

Thesightbeforemyey esbreaksmy
hear
t.Myf atherhasalwaysbeena
powerfulman, seei
ngsoweakand
fr
agi
ler i
ppedsomet hi
nginsideofme.
Thedoct or
st ol
dmet hathi
sl i
veri
s
damagedandhedoesn’ tqual
i
fytobeon
thetr
ansplantl
i
stbecauseofhisage.
Apparent
lyhebecameaheav ydri
nker
aft
erIwentt oj
ail
.

Iam si t
ti
ngbyhi sbedsi deandr egret
notf i
xingthingsupwi thhim assoonas
Igotoutofpr ison.Iwast edtimethatI
couldhav espentwi thhimr esenti
nghim
andnowt hatIam r unni
ngoutoft ime
thereisnot hi
ngIcando.Iknowhehur t
mebutIal sobr okehi sheart.Iask
my selfwhatki ndofasondi dIbecame
thatIletmyegoandpr i
degeti ntheway
offixi
ngmyr elationshipwithmyown
parent.
Ihavebeenathomef orthepast2
weeksandhi scondit
iondet er
ior
atesby
theday.Wemanagedt ocommuni cat
e
andIhav efi
nal
lyfor
givenhi m,even
thoughhehasnotapol ogizedtome.I
knowt hathi
spridedoesn’tall
owhi mto.

Itoldhim abouthowIf eltandwhyI

turnedbybackonhi m,Iapol ogizedfor
allthewrongsIhav edoneandIam
happyt osayhehasf or
givenme.Ror i
wasv er
yunder standingwhenIt oldherI
hav etobeher elongert hanant i
cipated.
Ispeakt oherandourpr i
ncessasmuch
asIcanandsky peev er
yni ght.IknowI
needahugf rom hernowmor ethanev er
.
Him:“Ngi…..
yabo….ngando…da…na
(
Thanky ouson)”hesay si
naweak
voi
ce."ungakhohl
wi ukumufuna(
Dont
f
orgettofindhima"

Isqueezehi shandandnod, Ican’tbri

ng
my sel ft
ospeakbecauseImi ghtjust
breakdown.Iwast aughtt hataman
doesn’ tcrybutgoi ngthr ought hiswith
myf atherafterIwentt hr ought hesame
thi
ngwi thmymot herisj usttoomucht o
handl e.Mydadj usttoldmet hathehas
anot hersonasol dasi am.hef ound
himf ewy earsagobutl ostcont acts
again.Hi slastwi shisformet omake
suret hati f
indhim bef or ethef uner
al
sot hathecanbur yhisf atherandf orus
t
ohav
ear
elat
ionshi
passi
bli
ngs.

iam spendi nghisf i

nalhoursonear thby
hisbedsi de.Imanagedt ogethi sdeath
wishgr antedbyt hehighcour t
.Tonight
thedoct orisgoingt oadministeradrug
thatwillsendhi mtoet er
nalsleep.He
wasi ntoomuchpai nandwi t
ht he
evidencet hatSypr esent
edbef orethe
court,t
hej udgehadnochoi cebutto
granthisr equestforeuthanasia.

Isatherewi
thhim andwatchedast he
doctoradmi
nist
eredthedrugthrougha
dri
p.Icanseehissoulsl
owlyleavi
nghis
bodyashebecomesweakerandweaker .
Heaskedf orhiswif
etobepresent
todaybutshesaidsheisnotstr
ong
enoughandsi nceIam hi
sonl
yson,I
hadtomanup.

Inoti
cedal onetearfall
i
ngfrom hi
sey e
andIwi peitoff
,Ifeelhi
sfacegetti
ng
coldItakeinadeepbr eathandstart
prai
singhisclannamesIasIaskt he
ancestorstowelcomehi minthelandof
thedeparted.

Me: “
Gwabini
!Baphephezi
!Geda!
Sengwayo!Mhlehl
o!NcwaneManzini
!
Hamashe!(Cl
annames)Lal angoxol
o
(Resti
npeace)”
[
05/
04,
15:
24] :
Inser
t21

Phuml
a

“
Ngat
hingi
sahambaemhl
abeni

ngahl
alel
w’i
thunal
ami
la.

Nj
engebal
ieqhakazanamhl
a,

Ngakusasai
sibuneny
a.

Ngokunj
alokwangi
zum’
ukuf
a
Ngi
semusha,
ngi
yi
nganenj
e;

Kant
iqhabo,
ngi
yaphi
l
afut
hi,

Ngi
shi
yi
l’
umzi
mbawodwal
a.

Sengi
phi
weukuhl
al’
okuhl
e,

l
aukuf
akwahl
uli
weny
a;

Sengi
bong’
iNkosi
yaphezul
u

kany
enengel
os’
ekhay
ale.
Ni
ngakhal
ibazal
wanebami
,

Sahl
ukeneumzuzwananj
e;

Ezul
wini
sobonanaf
uthi

Zonk’
insi
zisez
iphel
eny
a”Hy
mn

Thesi
ngingmakesitallr
eal
,todaywe
bi
dourfi
nalgoodbyestomyf ather.Thi
s
wasoneofhisfavor
it
esongs, i
tonly
makessensetohaveachoirsingitas
hi
scoff
ingoesdown.Itakeal ookatmy
st
epmotherwhoissitt
ingonmyl eft
handsi deandal l Iseeishear tbreakand
pain.Herwai li
ngcancut st hrougha
coldesthear t
.Itur ntomyr i
ghtandI
catchmybr othersi l
entl
ycr yingwhi le
wipinghi stearswi ththebackofhi s
hands.It akeinadeepbr eathandl ook
upt of i
ndmyf r
iendsl ookingatmewi th
sadness.IknowSyt ol
dmecount l
ess
ti
met hatIneedt ocr yandl eti tal
lout.
Butt hehonestt ruthisthatt heyhas
neverbeent i
mef ormet odot hat
.

Ihadal ottodoinweekleadingtothe
funeral
.Ihadtoplanthefuneral
,choose
thecasket,fol
l
owuponal lhispoli
cies,
trackdownmybr otherandmakesur e
hecomet oKznassoonaspossi ble.It
wasnotr eall
yhar dtrackingdown,all
my
fatherhadtodowasgi vemehi sfi
rst
nameandsur name, andappar ent
ly
whenhewasr eunit
edwi thmyf at
her
fewy earsbackhechangedhi ssurname
toZungu.Itrackedhi m downt oa
placedcall
edTaungi nNor thWest.

Af t
ertr
ackinghi m down, hetookleav e
from wor kanddr ovet oKznasf astas
possible.Iam gladt hatIhav ehim
becausehehel pmewi t
hot herfuneral
arrangementsi ncemyuncl eschoose
nott obehelpful.Ror isanghav ebeen
mybi ggestsuppor tsy stem, shemaynot
hav ebeenherephy sicall
ybutshewas
thereformeemot i
onal l
y.Sheev en
drovedownherelastni
ghtwithher
brot
herThusoandherf r
iendThali
taj
ust
toshowsupport.Imanagedt obook
them i
ntoaBnBbutIhav enotseen
them si
ncewehav ebeenv er
ybusy.

Afterallt
hebur i
al ri
tesareper formed
wemakeourwayhomef orlunch.Iam
wal ki
ngaroundt hey ardgreetingand
thankingpeoplef ortheirsuppor t
throughthistought ime.Iam v erytir
ed
andsi nceIhaven’ tbeenablet oget
enoughsl eepdur ingtheweek, hopeful
l
y
Iwi l
lbeabletosl eeptonight.

Me:
“Thanky
ouguy
sforcomi
ng,
Ireal
l
y
appr
eciat
eit
”Isayt
oThusoand
Thal
it
hawhil
eshaki
ngthei
rhands.

Thuso:“Noneedtothankus,itwasa
greatser
viceandapropersentoff
”

Me:“
exceptIdi
dnotseemyqueen,I
t
houghtshewasherewit
hyouguys”

Thuso:
“Wedi dcomewit
hher
,butshe
hadtostaybehi
ndatt
heBnB”

Me:“I
ssheok?”Iam r
eal
l
ywor
ri
edcoz
shedi
dnotsayanyt
hingt
ome.
Thuso:“Noneedtowor r
ySbali,
itsj
ust
thati
nourcultur
eawomani sdoesn'
t
buryherman'sfatherl
ikeamanwoul d
notburyhi
swoman' smot her
”

Ismilewit
hrel
ief
.Iam gladwehadt
hat
chatdewweeksbackbecausehehas
acceptedandacknowledgedmy
presencei
nhissist
er’
slif
e.

Thal
i
tha:
“Butshewil
ltakeacabt
o
comeandseeyou”shesayssmil
i
ng

Me:“Ohh,Iwil
lcal
landtel
lhernotto.I
wi
llgoseeherattheBnBplusIneedt o
r
estabit.IknowIwil
lnotbeabletothat
i
nthi
shouse”

Him:“Sor
ryt
odist
urby
ouPhumla,t
he
uncl
esarecal
li
ngyoui
nsi
defora
meeti
ng”

Itakeadeepbr eathandnod.Themost
diff
icul
tpartofthef uneral arethe
meet i
ngsthatarehel daf ter.Thisis
wher epeoplestar
tdi scussi ngwhoi s
goingtokeepwhat .Icanhonest lysayI
am notinthemoodbecauseIknowmy
uncleswantt omaket hingsdi ff
icultfor
myst epmot hersincet heyhav ealway s
saidtheydonotr ecogni zeherasno
l
obol awasev erpaidt oherf amil
y.
Me:“Beforewegopl easemeetmy
fut
ureinlaws, t
hisisthebrotherThuso
andthefriendThatitha,i
n-l
awsplease
meetmybot herThapeloZungu”Isay
mov i
ngmyheadf rom ThepelotoThali
ta
andThuso.

Theshakehandsandexchange
greet
ings.

Thapel
o:“
Sowher
eist
heMakot
i?”he
askes

Thuso:
“Shehadt
ost
aybehi
nd”
Thapel
o:“
IguessIwil
lmeethernext
ti
meneh”hesayslooki
ngatme.

Me: “
Sure,asambebeforeyouruncl
es
sendsasear chpart
y”IsaytoThapel
o
andturntoThusoandThal i
tha“I
fIdon’
t
seeyoubef oreyougetbackIwil
lsee
youattheBnB”

WesayourgoodbyesandThepel
oandI
makeourwaytothehouse.

*
***
***
*
Ror
isang

Iam looki
ngatPhuml awhoi ssleeping
peaceful
ly.Iam debatingwi t
hmymi nd
i
fIshouldwakehi m upornot .It’
snow
07:30atnightandIassumehewon’ tbe
sl
eepingov er.Hewasnotj okingwhen
hesaidhei stir
edandneedst orest.He
camet omyr oom at15: 40andt ookoff
hisshoesandcl othesandpul ledme
i
ntobedsowecancuddl e.Onl yfew
minutesintoourconv ersati
onandhe
wasgone.
Icouldn’
tsleepsoIwat chedhim sleep
andkeptmy sel
fbusywi thsocial
media
unti
lIdecidedtoputonmyheadsetand
watchedNappl yev erafteronNet f
li
x.
ThusoandThal i
thacalledtoletme
knowt hatdinnerisreadyandIam
famishedrightnow.It akeal ookatthi
s
hotZulukingofmi nesleeping
peacefull
yandsi ghal i
ttl
e.

Iwanttowakehi m upsot hathecaneat

butIal
soknowt hatheneedshisrest
especi
all
yafterahect i
cweekhehad.
Onecant el
lthathisfather
’ssi
ckness
andpassinghast akenat ollinhim.I
knowhebl ameshi msel ffornot
spendingenought i
mewi thhi m before
hisdeathbutheneedst of orgive
himselfandst artgri
ev i
ngsot hathecan
healproper
ly.Hisphoner ingsbringing
mef rom myt hought .Itakei tandlook
atthecall
erid, i
tswr it
tenManzi niT,
may beit
’soneofhi suncl es.

Me:“Manzi
ni”Isaysof
tl
ytryi
ngt
owake
hi
m upandImustsayi t
’squi
tea
st
ruggl
e.

Phuml
a:“Baby”hesaysi
nhissleepy
voi
cest
ruggli
ngtoopenhisey
es.“ What
t
imei
sit
?”

Me:“19:35,
ManziniT,
hasbeenbl
owing
upyourphone.Theymustbeworr
ied
aboutyouathome”

Hechuckl
esasheisget
ti
nguptor
est
hi
supperbodybyt
heheadboar
d.

Phumla:“worr
yaboutagrownassman
l
ikeme”hesay staki
nghi
sphone“ It
’s
mybrotherIneedtocal
lhim back”

Me:“OhkZungu,Iwi
ll
gogetus
somethi
ngtoeatyoumustbever
y
hungr
y”Isayput
ti
ngonmyshoes

Phumla:
“Pl
easemakesurekunetwe
babay
aekudleni
(Ther
eissomethi
nghot
i
nthefood)
”

Me:“Ohkl
ove”Ipl
aceasof
tki
ssonhis
l
ipsandmakemywayoutleav
inghi
m
cal
li
ngbackhi
sbrother
.

Iwal
ktoThal
i
tha’
sroom.

Thali
:“Iam comi
ng”shecal
lsoutfr
om
theothersi
deaft
erfewminutesofme
knocking.“
Heygi
rl,
kenengregoemetse
(Wehav
ebeenwait
ingfory
ou)
”she
say
smakingawayformetowalki
n.

Ididnotexpectt
ofindmybr ot
herher
e,I
thoughthewouldbeinhisroom
mar ki
ngEssaysanddisser
tati
onsbut
nohei sher
e.

Me:“AowTSIdi
dnotexpectt
ofi
ndy
ou
her
e”

Thuso:“Idi
dnotf eell
ikeeati
ngaloneso
IthoughtIshouldjoi
nThalit
habecauseI
knewy ouwerewi thPhumlani”hesays
struggl
i
ngt olookmei ntheeye.
Imovemyeyesfrom Thusot
oThal
it
ha
whoisl
ooki
ngdownandmov et
hem
backt
omybr ot
hers.

Ichuckl
eabitandshakemyhead
befor
egrabbi
ngfoodforPhuml
aandI
.

Me:
“Mxm”Isaymov
ingoutoft
her
oom.

Iam ver
ypissedri
ghtnow.What everis
happeni
ngbetweent hosetwobetter
stopnowbeforesomeoneget shurt.I
will
tal
ktothem aboutthist
omorrow
becausePhumlaiswai t
ingformer i
ght
now.
[
05/
04,
15:
27] :
Inser
t22.

Ror
isang

Phumla:"Rememberwhatwespoke
aboutRori,
itsnoneofy ourbusi
ness
andbesidebadal a(
theyareold
enough)
"hesay shol
dingonbothmy
shoul
dersmaki ngmel ookhiminthe
eyes.

Isi
ghandnod.igetwhatheissayi
ng
butIdon'
tagr
eewithwhattheyar
e
doi
ng.Lastni
ghtwhenigotbacktothe
room,Phuml asowr i
ghtt
hroughme.He
knewt hatsomethingwasbotheri
ngme
andi t
oldhim aboutwhatIsuspectedi
s
happeningbetweenmybr otherand
fri
end.

Mypr oblem i snott hatThusoi smy

brotherandThal i
thaismyf r
iend.The
problem ist hatThal i
thaisengagedt o
bemar ri
edandmybr otheront heother
handi sapl ay erwhodoesnotwantt o
commi ttoanyr el
ationship.Someonei s
goingtogethur tandi don'tevenwant
tofindmy selfpickingsides.

Phuml
a:"
Ineedt
oheary
ousayi
t"
Wearestandi
ngatt
hepar
kingl
ot,
get
ti
ngreadytol
eav
eKZN.

Me:"what
everi
shappeni
ngbetween
ThusoandThal
ithai
snoneofmy
busi
nessandishoul
dnotleti
tbot
her
me"Isay.

Phumla:"
now,areyousurey
ohcan't
staybehi
ndandmay bewecangetyoua
fl
i
ghtfortomorr
owpl usy
ouhaven'
t
meetmybr ot
her"

Thi
sonei
sjustt
ryi
nghi
sluck.Heknows
toowell
thatsomeofusar en'
tbusi
ness
ownersbutemployeesandassuchwe
can'
tdoaswepl ease.

Me:"i
fonl
yIwasmyownboss.Iam
sur
ewecanmakear r
angementsto
meetmybrot
heri
nlawatalaterst
age"

Phumla:"
well
thatcanbearrangedy
ou
know,Imeanbecomi ngy
ourownboss.
Wecanalwaysstartaconsul
ting
companyand..
..
..
..
..
..
"

Hegetcutof
fbyThusohi t
ti
ngthehorn,
muchtomyirri
tati
onsbecauseIhaveto
bei
ncarformor ethan3hourswit
h
them.Webothturnt
olookatdir
ecti
ons
ofcarandPhumlasi
gnalsThusathathe
needsjust1moreminut
e.

Me:"BabyIneedtogobeforemy
tr
ansportl
eavesmebehind"Isay
l
ookingatthedir
ect
ionofthecarand
backatPhumla.

Phumla:"Thatwoul
dn'tbesuchabad
i
dea,wecanal waysgetyouafli
ghtyou
know"hesay sbef
orepull
ingmeinfora
deepkiss.

Imel
tinhi
sarmswi
shi
ngIwasnot
l
eavi
nghim.
Phumla: "
Ial
readymi
ssyoumyPedi
queen"hesaysagai
nstmyli
psandI
can'
thelpbutsmil
e.

Me: "ImissyoutoomyZuluki
ngs,
pleasewr apthi
ngsupf
astthi
ssi
deso
thaty oucancamehomesoon"

Phumla:"IwillbeHOMEbef oreyou
knowitlove.Nowl et’swalktothecar
befor
esbar igetspissedcozhewi l
l
defi
nit
elypunishmedur i
nglobola"

Ooowow,
heseesaf
utur
ewi
thmet
hat
hei sthinkingaboutwhatcoul dt ake
placedur ingl obalanegot i
ations.Ial so
not icedt hathepl acedanemphasi son
thewor dhome.Hewal ksmet othecar
andopenst hef r
ontdoorf ormesi nce
Thal ithaissi tti
ngatt hebackandI
woul dhav epr eferredforhert osi tin
frontandIsi tatthebackal one.Phuml a
giv esmeal ookt hat’ssaysj ustgeti n,I
thinkheknowwhat ’
sonmymi nd.Isl ide
i
nandputmysi tbelton.Phuml acl oses
thedoorandr estsbot hhisar msont he
wi ndowwhi l
el ookinginside.

Phumla:
"Ngibongekakhul
usbali
nawe
Thal
it
ha,ni
hambenikahl
e(Thankyou
ver
ymuchbr ot
heri
nlawandyou
Thal
i
tha,
trav
elsaf
e"

Thuso:"
Don’tmentioni
t,i
t’sapit
ywe
hadtodriv
ef orasadeventrat
herthana
cel
ebrat
ion"hesaysshakingPhumla's
hand.

Phumla:"Iam sur
enex tti
mey oucome
herewil
lbef oracel
ebrati
on"hethen
tur
nstolookatme" ngi
yakuthanda
yezwa(Il
ov eyou)"

Ismi l
eandnod,Iam t
ooembarrassed
tosayIl ov
ehimtooinfr
ontofmy
brother.Hesmil
esbackatmeand
winks.Iguessheunder
stoodmy
predi
cament .Hetakesastepbackand
Thusodr i
vesoffaft
erhooti
ngathim.I
am gladIam goinghomet omy
daughterbutIam alsosadcozIam
l
eav i
ngmyhear tbehind.

*
***
**

Phuml
a

Istandandwatchthecardri
vingoff
withmyheart
.Ineedsortthi
ngsasngo
backtoLimpopoassoonaspossi bl
e.I
takeoutmyphoneanddi alanumber.
Hi
m:"
Mhl
ehl
o,whatasur
pri
se"

Me:"Ineedtost
artworki
ngonour
missi
onassoonast oday.Somy
questi
onisdowehav eal
l equi
pment
?"

Him: deepsigh"Ei
sh,areyousureyou
don’tneedmor eti
met ogrieve,
Imean
youjustlai
dy ourf
athertoresti
zol
o
(yester
day)
"

Me: chuckl
i
ng"IfIneedapsychol
ogistI
will
makeanappoi ntmentwit
hone, now
cany ouhaveallt
heequipmentIneed
todayornot?"
Him:"
letmeseewhatIcando,gi
veme
anhourandIwi
ll
getbacktoyou"

Me:"l
alelal
aSbu,Iam doingyouafavor
nott
heot herwayaroundandIwould
l
iketoclosethi
schapterandheadback
toPolokwanesoonerthanlat
er"

Sbu:"
IhearuSyat hiudl
isi
weeLimpopo
(Syt
ell
smey oufoundloveinLi
mpopo)
"
hesayslaughing.

Me:
"USyhasnobusi
nessdi
scussi
ng
myl
ifewi
thy
ou.Iwi
ll
bewait
ingforyour
cal
li
nanhour
"Isaybef
orehangi
ngup.

It
’shar dt obel i
evet hatSbuandIwe
oncev er yclose.Inf actIwascl oserto
Sbut hanany oneel sebutal lofthat
changed.Iknowhei stry
ingtogetus
backt ot hatspacewher ewewer ebut
i
t’snoteasyf orme.Iam notonet ohold
agr udgebutIr eallycan'tbri
ngmy selfto
forgiveSbu.Idon' twantt oblamehi m
foralltheev ent sthatfollowedpostmy
conv i
ctionsuchasl osingarelat i
onship
withmyf atherbutIkeeponwonder i
ng
atthebackofmymi ndhowmyl i
fe
woul dhav et urnedout .Onet hi
ngf or
sureIwoul dbest ucki nal oveless
rel
at i
onshi pwi tht
hatgol ddiggi ngwh* *e
Zi
nzi.Iwouldhav
enotmov edt
o
Li
mpopoanddef ini
telynotmeet
Ror
isang.Maybeallthiswasablessi
ng
i
ndisguise.

*
***
*

Me:
“Manzi
ni”Isaywal
ki
ngi
nthel
ounge

Thapelo:“
goodmorning,wherehaveyou
been,yourl
ouduncl
ewasl ookingfor
you?”hesayspausi
ngt hesoccermatch
onTVt ogivemeful
lattent
ion.

Me:
laughi
ng“
Nawehei
syouruncl
e”I
sayhit
ti
nghim onthebackofhishead
play
ful
lyandtaki
ngasitnextt
ohim.

Thapelo:Shakinghi
shead“
Damn,
ishe
al
way sthatloud?”

Me:
“Hei
sev
enwor
sewhenhei
sdr
unk”

Thapel
o:“Maybe,
heshouldn’
tbe
al
lowedtodri
nkalcohol
then”

Webot
hlaugh.

Me:“So,
tel
lmemor
eabouty
our
sel
f,
l
it
tl
ebro”
Thapelo:
sighing“well,t
herei
snothing
mucht otel
l.Akenampsaakenakat si(
I
havenodependent s).Youknowwhat
workIdoandIenj oyi tver
ymuch, Iwas
rai
sedbyasi nglemot herandIhavenot
yetbeenluckyinloveenoughf ormeto
sett
ledown”

Me: “
Iam sor
rythatyouhadtogr owup
notknowingyourfat
her,Iwi
shIknew
aboutyousoonersothatIwouldhave
beenther
eandbeabi gbrot
herthaty
ou
needed”

Thapel
o:“
Bet
terl
atet
hanev
err
ight
,
whatmat t
ersist
hatwefoundeach
othernowandweshouldbetherefor
oneanother”hesay
sshruggi
nghis
shoulder
s

Iguesshei sri
ght,wecannev erchange
thepast.Thepeoplethatwerewr ong
arenolongerli
vingsowecan’ tdwellon
thei
rpastmi st
akes.All
wecandoi s
mov eonanddoourl evelandbet here
foroneanothernomat terwhat.

Me:
“Letmegoandt
alkt
oMamcani
(
mother
)

Thapel
o:“
Plus,
shehasbeenaski
ng
aboutyou.I
tseemstheuncl
eswant
sto
chaseherout”hesay
sshruggi
nghi
s
sholder
s.

Me: “
Bayahlanya(Theyarecrazy)
,the
fai
l
edt ocorr
ectmyf ather
’swrongs
whenhewasst i
l
lali
veandt heywantto
makehersuf f
ernowt hatheisgone”I
saystandi
ngup.

It
’snosecretthatmyuncleswast o
havethehousef orthemselv
essot hat
theycanselli
toffforaquickbuck.Thi
s
i
smyf at
her’
shouseandnoonewi llbe
sell
i
ngi t
.
*
***
***
*

Him:“Pleasedrivesaf
eladi
esandRor
i
cal
lmewheny ougethomesoIcan
knowy ouarebot hfi
neneh”hesay
s
pull
i
ngmei nforahug.

Me:
“Sur
e”

Hi
m:“
Arey
ousur
eyouar
eohk?
”
Me:
“Yes,
Iam j
ustt
ir
ed”

Him:“
Iunder
stand”hemov
esont
o
Thal
i
thatogi
veherahug.
Wear estandingout sideThuso’ shouse.
Wedr oppedThal i’
scarher eonFr iday
andusedThuso’ stoDur banandnowwe
arecoll
ecti
ngt hecarsot hatwecan
proceedtoPol okwane.Wehav ebeen
hereforthepast2hour sresti
ng
becausewedi dnotwantt oriskdr ivi
ng
toPolokwanewhi l
ewewer est i
ll
fati
gued.Iwantt ogot otheloobef ore
wedr i
veoffbuti tseemsIcan’ ttrust
thi
s2enought oleav ethem al onef ora
sec.ourbagsar ealreadyi nthecarand
wear ereadytoleav e.Wegeti nand
Thalist
artstheengi ne

Thuso:“
Pleaseremember
,don’
tdr
ive
abovespeedli
mi t
”Hesay
stoThal
i
whi
lest
andi
ngonhersi
deoft
he
wi
ndow.

Shejustsmil
esandnodathim.She
rev
ersedthecaroutoft
heyardandhoot
aswedr i
veoff.

Me:“
Thal
i
,ist
her
esomet
hingy
ouwant
t
otel
lme?”

Her
:“no”shesay
s

Me:“Ohkdear,j
ustknowt hatthegrass
i
salwaysgreenerontheot hersi
de.But
assoonasy ougettothatsideyou
mi
ghtl
ear
nit
sal
lfake”

Her
:“Whatdoest
hatev
enmean?
”
Me:“I
tmeansdon’
tloseyourdi
amond
whil
echasi
nggl
it
ter
,allt
hatgl
it
ter
sis
notgol
d”

Shekeepsqui
etandhandsmeaUSB.I
takei
tfr
om herhandandshakemy
head.
[
05/
04,
15:
27] :
Inser
t23

Phuml
ani

Me:
“Yousai
dyouneededmet
ohack
i
ntoapr ivat
ebank’ssystem,noonesai d
anythingaboutother
sgoi nginsi
det he
physicalbui
ldi
ng.Whywoul dy ouleave
suchacr uci
alinf
ormation?”Ishout.

Sbu: “
Whydoy oucar e,
mmm?Ngi
tshel
e( Tel
lme),
whydoy oucare?I
t’
s
notli
key ouaret
heonewhoneedst ogo
i
nt herephysi
cal
ly”heshoutsback
pointi
ngami ddl
ef i
ngeratme.

Me: Chuckl
ing“Sincewhendoweneed
peopletogoinside?Imeanwehave
donethismanyt imesbefor
ewhathas
changed?”Isaymov ingt
ohisf
ace.
Sbu:“
alothaschangedPhumla,you
havebeenoutofthegameforfartoo
l
ong”

Me: “
YesIhavebeenoutofthegamefor
fart
oolong,butwhosefaul
tist
hatSbu,
huhwhosefault”Isaypoki
nghi
minthe
chest.

Sypulledmebackwhi l
eXolani
was
pull
ingsbubackt ostopusfrom fi
ghti
ng.
Wewer einachaletofagamer esor
t
bookedj ustf
orthejob.Wealwaysmade
surenott ohacksystemsinour
respecti
vehomesi ncasethesoftware
thatweuset obounceof ft
hesignalt
o
pr
eventusf
rom bei
ngt
racedf
ail
s.

Sy:“Woul
dyout
wopl
easecomet
he
fuckdown”

Sbu:
“Xol
ani
ngi
yeke(
Letmego)
”

Me:“Lethi
m goXsothatIcanteach
t
hispieceofshi
tal
esson”Isaytr
yingt
o
f
ightoffSy.

Sbu:“
Iam tir
edofyourat
ti
tudemi na
Phumla,Ihavebeenapol
ogizi
ngand
apol
ogizi
ng.Idon’
tknowwhaty ouwant
fr
om meany more”
Me:“Iwantyout
ogr owupandstop
bei
ngirr
esponsi
bleandsel
fi
sh”Isay
cal
mly.

Sbu:“
Fine,ngi
kuzwil
e(Ihear
dyou)
”he
sayswithatt
it
ude.

Me:“
YouknowwhatIam notgoingt
o
wast
emybreat
h,Iam outofher
e”Isay
wal
ki
ngaway.

Sbu:
“MyekeahambeSy,asi
zo
mukhot
ha(Lethi
m goSy
,wewon’
tbeg
hi
m)”
Iwal
koutandleav
ethem ar
gui
ng.It
ake
outmyphoneandcal
lmyPediQueen.

*
***
***
*

Ror
isang

Me:“
lov
e”Isaywit
hahugesmi
l
eonmy
f
aceasifhecanseeme

Phumla:
Sighi
ng“
Sthandwasam (
My
l
ove)”
Hesoundsver
ydown,hi
sfather
’s
passi
ngmustbewei
ghingdownonhi
m
sti
l
l.

Me:
“OohSengway
o”

Helaughs,wi
thhi
sbeauti
full
augh.Ican
al
readyimagi
nehisper
fectwhit
eteeth
anddimplest
hat’
sshowsoffwhenhe
l
aughs.

Me:
“andhel
aughs”

Phuml
a:“
Wowt hatwasy
ourpl
anal
l
al
ongwasn’
tit
?”
Me:“Guil
tyaschar
ged,
Imeanwhata
gi
rlgatt
adowhenshemi ssesherman’
s
l
aughter”

Phuml
a:“
Waitami nut
e,areyoutr
yingt
o
makemeblush”hesayslaughi
ng.

Me:“Wel
l
,isi
tworki
ngManzi
ni”Isay
backi
naplay
ful
sexymanner
.

Phuml a:
“Ofcauseit
’sworki
ng
Sthandwasam, onl
ybecauseit
’sy
ou”

Yazi
guy
satt
hispoi
ntneh,
Iwassmi
l
ing
l
ikearetar
dandbusygi
ggl
i
ngl
i
kea
schoolgi
rl
.

Phuml a:
“Ngi
yabongay
ezwa(Thank
you)”hesaystaki
ngamoreser
ious
tone.

Me:
“Foreng?(
Forwhat
)”

Phumla: “
Forbeingy ou(pause),f
or
bei
ngt hereforme( deepbreath,inand
out)
,forlovi
ngmeev enwhenIdon’ tfeel
l
ikeIam wor thyourloveandf ormaking
mewantt obeabet termannotj ustfor
myselfbutforyouandourpr i
ncess”
Me:“
OohManzi
ni,
youar
emaki
ngmy
ey
eswet”

Phumla:Chuckl
i
ng“
Onl
ytear
sofj
oy
angi
thi
”

Me: “
Iam notsur
e,Imeani
tcanal
sobe
becauseyouaremakingmemissyou
more”

Phumla:“
Imissyout
oobaby,Iam
comingbackhomesoon.Ngi
ya
kut
handaMaZungu(Il
oveyou)”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
ooZungu”

Phumla:
“Ihav
etogol
ove,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou
agai
nlat
er”

Me:
“Ohk,
lat
er”

Ireal
lymi
sshim,IbetIcannever
survi
vealongdi
stancerel
ati
onshi
p.I
wipeoffmyfaceandtakeadeepbr eat
h
befor
egetti
ngbacktowork.

*
***
***
**

Phuml
ani
Sy
:“Ror
i?”heaskget
ti
ngcl
oser

Inodathim.Hef ol
lowedmeout
side
andkepthisdi
stancewhenhenoti
cedI
wasonthecall
.

Sy:“
Uya’
mthandaneh”(
Youdol
oveher
neh)

Me:
“Li
keIhav
enev
erl
ovedbef
ore”

Sy
:“Icanseei
t.Youar
eev
eni
nabet
ter
moodthanbef
ore”
Igi
vehi
m adeat
hst
are,
heshoul
dn’
t
dar
espoi
lmymood.

Sy:“Ar
eyour
eadytogetbacki
nsi
deso
thatwecant
alkandmaybegett
hebal
l
roll
i
ng?”

Me:“Whyar
eyouguy
sdesper
atet
odo
t
his?
”

Sy:
“RememberIoncetol
dyoui
t’
s
bet
weenli
feanddeat
h?”

Me:“
Yes,
buty
ounev
ert
oldmewhose
l
if
e”
Sy
:“I
siti
mpor
tantt
hough?
”

Me:“I
fIam goi
ngtori
skmyli
feand
hav
eallyourl
iv
esdependonmethenI
doneedtoknow”

Sy
:“Umt
anakaSbu(
Sbu’
schi
l
d)”

Me:“
uSbuonomtwana?Howold?(
Sbu
hasachi
l
d?)
”Iaskshocked.

Sy
:“3y
earol
d”
Me:
“Whoi
sthemot
her
?”

Sy
:“I
tdoesn’
tmatt
erndoda.What
matt
ersi
sthechi
l
d’sl
ife”

Iagr
eewi t
hhi m.I
tshoul
dn’tmatterwho
themotheris.Thi
sisSbu’
schi l
dandI
havetodomybestt oassist.

Me:“
Soareyougoingtoexplai
nwhywe
ar
ebreaki
ngi
ntothispr
ivat
ebank?”

Sy:t
aki
ngadeepbr eat
h“Let’
sgoinsi
de
andevery
thingwill
beexplai
ned.Pl
ease,
don’
toverreactanddon’tpl
aythe
bl
ami
nggame”

Ij
ustshr ugmyshoul dersandwal kback
i
nside.If indSbusi t
ti
ngonahi ghchai r
al
onedr inki
ngwhi skyfr
om t hebot tl
e.
Nowt hatIhav epai datt
entiont ohim, I
noti
cedhowhi sfacehasaged, andit
l
ooksl i
kehehasnothadagoodni ght
sl
eepi nawhi l
eandhi sbear dar enot
neatlyshav ed.Howcoul dIhav ebeenso
self
ishnott onoticeallthatst r
ess
vi
sibleonhi sface.Iwalkt ohi m passing
Xolani andThami smoki ngci gars,t
hen
pauseandl ookon, Iam notsur eifthey
arewor r
iedthatIam appr oachi ngSbu
orreli
ev edthatIcameback.Wehav e
al
way shadeachot her
’sbacks.Our
brot
herhoodwasabondt hatnoone
coul
dbr eak,
wet rust
edeachot herwi
th
ourl
ivesandt hoseofourlovedones.

Me: “
Iam r eadytoheart hewholeplan
andther easonswhywear ebreaki
ng
i
ntoapr ivatebank.Let’sstar
toffwith
thereason”Isaygr abbingasitnextto
him,Itakeagl assandpourmy selft
he
whiskythathei shaving.

Sbu:l
ookingdown“ Li
keyoualwayssay,
Iwasverysel
fishandirr
esponsi
bleand
…..”

Me:
“Nah,
youar
enotal
lthatSbu,
Ionl
y
spokeoutofanger
.Pl
easef
orgi
veme”I
cuthi
m off
.

Sbu:“Well
,it
’sthetr
uthandthi
stimemy
i
rresponsi
bil
it
ylandedmeinhotwat er
andplacedthelif
eofaninnocentchil
d
i
ndanger ”

Iam notgoingt
oallowhimtobeat
himselfupsoIpathim ont
hebackgi
ve
himtimetoconti
nue.

Sbu:“Ist
olef
rom someone,
andthat
’s
personwantstomakemepay ”
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoust
eal
?”

Sy:
“RememberPhumlawedon’tj
udge”
heshout
sfr
om wher
eheissit
ti
ng.

Thetensi
oninthi
sroom i
sv er
yheavyi
t
canbreakone’
sback.Sbulooksatme
andrai
sedhiseyebr
ows.

Me:“
Iwon’tjudge”Isaycr
ossi
ngmy
i
ndexfi
ngers.

Sbu:
“Ngim’
thathel
eumfazi(
Itookhi
s
woman)”heissti
ll
looki
ngdown.
Sbuhasal waysbeenapl ayeri
nfactwe
al
l wereexceptforSy.ButSbuwas
wor sethanal
lofusandhi sdrug
problem madethingsworsecozitmade
hi
m br aveenoughtogoaf t
erother
people’swoman.

Me:
“Gi
rl
fr
iendorwi
fe?
”

Sbu:
“Wi
fe”

Me:
“Wher
eisshenow?
”

Sbu:
“Dead,
Ithi
nk.Herbodywasnev
er
f
ound.Shej
ustdi
sappear
edf
rom t
he
f
aceoftheear
th”

Me:
“whoar
ewedeal
i
ngwi
thher
e?”

Sbu:
“Doy
ouknowamancal
l
edAggr
ey
Konj
e”

Me:
“Shoul
dI?
”

Syhandsmeaf i
lewi
thev er
y t
hingIneed
toknowaboutAggr
ey.Iscant hroughit
.
I
tsaysher
ehewasbor nandbr edin
Malawi
.MovedtoSouthAf r
icawhenhe
was28andsettl
edhere.Het r
adesi n
t
heblackmar
ketbutownf
ewl
egi
t
r
est
aurant
sasafront
.

Me:“Manje,
Ufunai
niepri
vat
ebank?
”
(Whatdoeshewantatt
hepri
vat
e
bank?”

Sbu:
“St
ones”

Huh?

Me:
“Asi
ndi
amonds?
”Isaywhi
sper
ing

Theyal
lnod.Whatareweget
ti
ng
our
sel
vesint
ohere.Thi
swasneverpar
t
oft
hepl
an.
[
05/04,15:
27] :
Inser
t24(
meantf
or
Thur
sday21)

3day
slat
er

Phuml
a

Me:“Ihav
et urnedoffal
lthesensor
s
andcameras, youal
lhave30mi nut
esto
geti
nandout ?”Isayint
oa
communicationdevi
cethattheyareal
l
l
ist
eningi
nto.

Iendedupagr
eei
ngt
odot
hej
ob.It
ook
adayandassessedal lt
her i
sks.We
hav eaper f
ectplani nplace.Weagr eed
todot hisatnightbecauset hebankis
nor mall
yclosedbyt hen.Aggreyhooked
usupwi t
hani nsidemanf rom the
securitycompanybecauset he
diamondst hatwear esupposedl y
steali
ngar ehis.Hewant stoclaimthem
from hisinsur
anceandmakemor e
moneybysel l
ingt hem off.Peopleare
alway sfi
ndingnewway stoscam the
sy st
em.Howdoesaper sonpl ansa
robberyonhi mselfjustt oscam offthe
i
nsur ancecompany .

Weknowthatthetwoguardswhoare
onni
ghtshi
ftt
onightdr
inktoomuch
coffeetokeepthemsel
vesawakeat
night.Wemanagedtomi xt
hei
rpowder
mi l
kwithsl
eepingdr
ugstoensur
ethat
theyareknockedout.

Sbu:
“Wear
ein,
whi
chdi
rect
ionshoul
d
wego?”

Me:“
walkstrai
ghtt
hrought
hepassage
andt
urnlef
tattheend"

Iheart
hem mov
e

Sbu:“
sisemyango(wear
eatt
hedoor
)”
hesaysaft
erawhil
e
Me:“
Nowl i
stencar
efull
y,y
ouneedto
br
eakthekeypaddevicebythedoor
”

Sy
:“Br
eak?
”

Me:
“Yebo(
Yes)
”

Sbu:
“Done”

Me:“
Whatcol
orsoft
hewi
resdoy
ou
seet
her
e?”

Sbu:
“Red,
whi
te,
greenandbl
ack”
Me:
“Shi
t”

Sy
:“Yi
nii
nki
nga(
Whati
swr
ong)
.

Me:“
Thosewir
esar
enotsupposedto
bef
our.Whi
chonel
ooksoutofplace?
”

Sbu:“Outofpl
acehow,theyar
eal
li
n
di
ffer
entcolor
s”heshouts.

Me: “
angazi(Idon’tknow).Thosewir
es
areonlysupposedt obe3, meani
ngone
ofthem shouldn’
tbet her
e.Lookfor
somethingdiffer
entaboutthewires,
may beadi rect
ionofwheret heyar
e
comi ngfrom orifonehasasecond
color.Somet hi
ngthatcannoteasil
ybe
noticed.Ineedt oknowsot hatwecan
starttodecipherthecode.Timeisnot
onoursi de”

Sy:
“Mi naangi
boni
lut
ho(
Idon’
tsee
anyt
hing)”

Me: “
Justf
ocusguy sorallt
hiswoul
d
havebeenfornothingandbeli
evemeit
won’tbeeasytodot hi
sagain.I
fwefai
l
todaykuphel
il
e(Itsover)
”

Sbu:
“Ohhshi
t,i
ngani
yami
(Myson)
”he
cr
iesout
.

Me:“Pull
yoursel
ftogether,t
hisisnot
theti
met ofal
lapart,i
fyoucan’tfocus
gobackoutsot hatXcant akeov er”I
shoutathim.“Xpleasejoi
nSyi nside
andhelpfi
ndthewi re”

Xol
ani
:“Hay
i,y
ouknowIam afr
aidof
hei
ght
showam Isupposedt
ogetinor
out
”

Theguyshadt ogeti
nandoutoft he
bui
ldi
ngthroughtherooftopandwalk
thr
oughventil
ati
onshaft
st or
eachthe
bankvaul
tsthatwasont he4thfl
oor.
Me:“Niuselessy azi,
niusel
essnonke
(
Allofyou).Howdi dIal
lowyout odrag
meintothi
s?Justgetoutoft her
e,ther
e
i
snothingIcandof rom whereIam.We
mightaswel labortthewholethi
ng”

Iam wor kedupandt henextt hi

ngI
knowIam punchi ngintoawal l
.Iclose
myey esandf ocusesont hepai nthatI
am feel
ingonmyknuckl es.Icurset he
dayIagreedt oallt
hismadness.I
shouldhav ewalkedaway .

*
***
***
*
Ror
isang

Or
a:“Mommypleasecal
luncl
eLanif
or
me”shesay
shandingmethephone.

Iam surey ouhav enoticedthatmy

daughterjustl
ov esshor t
eni
ngpeopl e’
s
namesi nway sthatonl yshe
understands.TS, TP,EnhleandnowLani
whohappenst obePhuml ani.Whenall
ofusshor tenhisnamet oPhumlashe
wouldrathersayLani t
hesameasshe
doeswi thMbalenhl e,
wesayMbal i
and
sheprefersEnhle.

It
ri
edcal
l
ingPhuml
a’
sphonef
ort
he
hundredtht i
met odayandi t’
sstil
lon
voicemail.Iam reall
ywor ri
edabouthim
becausehei snotonet ogoAWOL.I
understandt hatwear ecurrent
lyhavi
ng
l
oadsheddi ngissuesint hecountr
ybut
hisphonehasbeenof fthewholeday.
Plushei sat echnosav vyguywithowns
mor ethanonepowerbank.Iknowi t’
s
weirdbutsomehowIam notwor ri
ed
thathemi ghtbecheat ingonme.That ’
s
howmuchIt rusthi
m.

Me:“Hi
sphoneisof
fbaby,wewillt
ry
agai
nbefor
eyougotosleepneh”Isay
pul
li
ngheri
nforahug.
Shejustshrugshershoul ders.Iknow
sheisverydi sappoi
nted,cozshedoes
thiswhenshei s.Wearesnuggl i
ngon
herbedtalkingaboutr andom thi
ngs
sincewear eex peri
encingloadshedding.

Me:
“Howaboutwecal
lTP”

Shecontinuesshrugginghershoul ders.
Iam nowangr yatPhuml anibecausehe
camei nt
omydaught er’sli
feandgot t
en
herusedt ocert
ainthings.Thingslike
videocal
linghereverydayandnowmy
childi
ssadal l
becauseofhi m.Iknow
hedoesn’thavetodot hethingshedoes
forherbutheshouldn’ thavemade
pr
omi
sest
hathecan’
tkeep.

Me:“
Ifeel
likeicecream”Isayt
ryi
ngt
o
makeherfeelbett
er.

Iguessi
t’
swor
kingcozshegi
ggl
es

Or
a:“
Met
oomamzo(
Mot
her
)”

Ijustbur stintolaughter
,thisdaughter
onmi neneh.Shej ustknowshowt o
mani pulateme.Wegetupandputon
ourslipper s,Igr
abachar gedlamp
beforewemakeourwayt ot heki
tchen
forcomf or ticecream.
Or
a:“Mamzo,kekgopel
ay a(MayI
pl
easehav
e)bananaspl
it”shesay
s

Me:“Ohkpr
incess,
howmanyscoops”I
say

Ora:
“Just4”shesay
sshyl
y.Sheknows
sheisonl
yall
owed2scoopsatni
ght.

*
***
***

Phuml
ani
Sy
: “
Iseesomet
hing”hesay
saf
tera
minute.

Sbu:
“whatdoy
ousee?
”

Sy:“
Thewhi t
ewi r
ehassomesor tofan
engr
av i
ng,
it’
snoteasytonoti
cecozits
smallandtherestoft
hem havenone”

Ikeepqui
et

Sbu:
“Phuml
apl
easesaysomet
hing”

Icl
osemyeyesandtakeadeepbreat
h.I
wantt
otel
lal
lofthem t
ofuckof
fand
wal
kawayfrom al
lthi
sbutSyhas
al
waysbeengoodtome.

Me: “
Cutal
lthewiresexceptthewhi
te
one……………….Uset hechipthatIgav
e
youtoandinser
tthewires.RedonR,
GreenonGandBl ackonW”

Sy
:“Done”

Me:“
Giv
emef ewsec”Isaypunchi
ng
i
ntomycomputer
.

Iheart
hedooropenontheot
hersi
de.I
l
etoutasi
ghofreli
ef.
Sy:
“Wearein.Sbubri
ngthebackpacks
sothatwecanstar
tpacki
ngthi
sshit
”

Me: “Startwi
tht heDiamond.Theyarei
n
asaf et
ydeposi tboxnumber105.Then
breakintootherssot hattheywon’t
knowwhatt herealtargetwas.Iwil
l
starttr
ansferr
ingmoneyf r
om few
account sassoonasy ouareoutof
there”

Thevaultthatwearehitt
ingi
sfi
l
ledwith
saf
etydepositboxesusedbywealt
hy
i
ndivi
dualstostor
etheirmostpr
ecious
val
uablessuchasdiamonds,gol
ds,
j
ewel
ry,
bondsandmoney
.

Thami
:“Shi
tguy
swehav
eapr
obl
em”

Me,
SyandSbu:
“What
”wesayi
nchor
us.

Thami:“Apoli
cecarj
uststoppedbehi
nd
me( pause)
.Oneoffi
ceri
scomi ng
towardsthecarnow”

Sbu:
“Shi
t,shi
tshi
tshi
t”

Me:“T-
man,Ineedyoutobecal
m,
pl
easethi
nkofsomethi
ngfast
.
Rememberyoudidnotdoanyt
hing
wr
ong.Youar
ejustpar
kedt
her
e”

Thami
:“Sur
e,her
ehecomes”

*
*seeyouFr
iday
.Enj
oyy
ourhol
i
day
*
*
[
05/
04,
15:
28] :
Inser
t25
Phuml
a
Iam real
lyscaredr i
ghtnow.Iam scar ed
fortheguysthatThami mightnotbe
abletocomeupwi thaconv incingstory
forthepoli
ceof f
icer.Thami i
sthe
getawaycar,hehadt owaitinthecarf or
theguystocomebackanddr i
vet hem
backtothegamer esortwher eIam at.
Wear eonlylef
twith10mi nut
ebef or
e
thesensorsandthecamer afeedsofthe
bankkicksback.Icanheardiffer
ent
heavybreathi
ngsthroughtheearpiece
andIknowwear eallscar
edrightnow.I
hearwhatsoundsl i
keaknockon
Thami’swindow.

Sbu:
“Becal
m Thami
”
Me:
“Shhhhh”

Wear eal
ll
ist
eni
nginasourdev i
cesar
e
connect
edtoeachothersothatwecan
havea5waycommuni cati
on.
Thami
:“Ev
eningsiri
sther
eaproblem?”
hesay
safterrol
l
ingdownthewindow

Offi
cer
:“Eveningtoy out oosi
r.My
part
nerandIj ustwantedt omakesure
youareohk( Sil
ent)
.Per hapsyoucan
tel
lmewhyy ouarepar kedhereatthi
s
ti
meoft henight”
Thami:
“Ohhthat
,Iwasfeel
ingali
tt
le
di
zzyandIdeci
dedtoparkontheside”

Iam t
hinki
nggoodjobThamij
ustkeepit
upandwewi l
lbeoutofthewoodssoon.

Of
fi
cer
:“Wher
eyoudr
inki
ngsi
r?”
Thami :
“No,Iwasn’
tdri
nki
ng.I
t’s
probablyt
hechroni
cmedicati
onthatI
tookimmediatel
yaft
erhavi
ngahot
meal nj
e”
Wow,
Thami
isgoodatthinki
ngonhi
sf eet
.Att
his
poi
ntIam gladit
’shi
minthecarandnot
someoneelse

Off
icer
:“Woul
dyouli
keustodriv
eyou
homeandensureyoursaf
etysi
r”
Thami :
“Ohht hatwon’tbenecessary,I
al
readycalledmybr othertocomeand
pi
ckmeupandhehasal readytakenan
Uber,Iam surehewi l
lbeher eany
momentnow.Butt hanky ouv er
ymuch”
Offi
cer:“
Ohksir
,wewil
lwaitupwi
thy
ou.
Thesestreet
sarenol
ongerassaf
eas
theyusedtobe”

Ohf
uckmenow.

Offi
cer2: “
Smith,weneedt ogo.Ther
e
aregunshot sreport
edintheTownship
behindthehighwayanditseemswear e
theclosestoff
icerssoweneedt o
att
endt othat.
”Wecanal l
hearhis
part
nershout i
ng.

Smi
th:
“Ar
eyousur
eyouwi
l
lbeohksi
r”
Thami
:“Yes,
off
icer
.Iunder
standt
hat
y
oucan’
tst
ay,dut
ycal
lsIwi
ll
justl
ock
t
hedoor
sunti
lmybrot
herget
shere”
Smi
th:
“keepsaf
esi
r”
Thami:“
Godblessyou”(
Sil
ent)“
theyar
e
goneguys”hesaystousaf
terwhat
seemsli
keami nut
eortwo
Sbu:“
Shi
tthatwast
oocl
osef
ormy
l
iki
ng”
Me:“Phumani
laphomanje(Getoutof
t
herenow)guys.Youhav
elessthan7
minut
es”
Sy:
“Xber
eadyf
oruswear
ecomi
ng
out
”
Xol
ani
:“Cool
”
*
***
*
Me:“Whenareyoumeeti
ngt
hisAggr
ey
char
act
ertohandoverhi
sst
uff”

wear ebackatthechal
etofthegame
resort
.Wedidnotsleepatal
l anddown
i
saboutt obreak.Wearesi
tt
ingbyt he
fi
replacedri
nkingandsmoki
ngi n
celebr
ati
on.

ThankGodwemanagedt opullt
hejob.
I
twasn’taneasyonebutwemanaged
togetoutoft
herewithmanyv al
uable
i
temsandmosti mportantlyAggrey
’s
diamonds.Othert
hant hatwehav e
about10mill
i
onwor t
hofi tems,which
i
ncludes2Gol dbars,jewelr
yandsome
diamondsthatdidnotbel ongtoAggrey
ontopont he23mi lli
onthatImanaged
totransf
erfr
om differentaccount
stoan
untr
aceableoffshor
eaccount .

Sbu:“
Hewil
lbeher
eat09:
00i
nthe
morni
ng”
Me:“I
t’
sagoodthi
ngIam notpl
anni
ng
tomeethi
m,Iwil
lbel
onggonebythen”
Isayst
andi
ngup.
Sy:
“Manj
euy
aphi
(Nowwher
ear
eyou
goi
ng)
?”

Theyareal
ll
ookingatmewiththei
r
eyebr
owsraised.Di
dtheyr
eal
lyexpect
met ostay?Myt askhereisdone,I
helpedthem wi
tht hei
ronemi ssi
onand
that’
swhereitendsf orme.Ihavebeen
herelongert
hanIpl annedbeandi t
’s
ti
mef ormet ogobackt omynor mal l
if
e.

Me:“Iam goi
ngtocal
lthepi
lotandl et
hi
m knowIam onthewaybef or
et aking
ashowerandthenIam outofhere”
Sbu:
“Li
mpopo?
”
Me: “
Yes,
it’
saboutt
imeIgetmyl
ife
backtonormal
”Isaynoddi
ngand
walki
ngoff.
Sbu:“
Wow, hej
ustsaidourli
vesar
enot
normal
”Iheart
hem tal
kingasI
di
sappearf
rom t
heirsi
ght.
Iwalkt omyr oom andt akeof fmy
clot
hesbef oresteppingintot heshower .
Iadjustt hewat ertoami ldt ohot
temper ature,Ibalancemyl efthandon
thewal linfrontonmeandal l
owt he
watert ohitmyshoul dersandt henmy
back.Icl osemyey esandt hinkof
yesterday ’
sev entsthattookpl ace.Inow
real
izet hatIwasv eryself
ish.Ifany thi
ng
hadgonewr ongIwoul dhav ebr oken
RoriandOr a’
shear tsandcompl icat
ed
thei
rlives.Iam soondonebat hing.Ipul
l
bluesweatpant s,awhi tet-shitand
somesl i
pper sandputt hem on.Iwant
tobecomf ort
ableont heroad.
Me: “
Syyouhav emyaccountdet ai
ls,
I
expectt
oreceivemyshar eassoonasX
managestof encet
hepr oduct
sandSbu
washesallt
hemoney ”Isaywal ki
ng
backtotheroom str
appingmybagwi t
h
cl
othesonmyshol der.
Thami:“
Konj
ehowmuchi syourshar
e,
j
ustaski
ngforaf
ri
end”hesaysjoki
ngl
y.
Me:“
YaziT-
man, i
fyoustopaski
ngme
st
upi
dquesti
onsIwill
stopgivi
ngyou
st
upi
danswers”Ial
sosayjoki
ngly
Xolani
:“Onther
ealthough,
umunt
u
oyedwaotholamali
ni?(Howmuchar
e
wegetti
ngeach?)”
Sbu:
“About4.
6mi
l
”
Xol
ani
:“Ohksowet
ookal
lthatr
iskf
or
j
ust4,
6mi
l
li
on?
”
Sy:“
No,wetooktheri
sktosav
eali
feof
achil
dwhichispr
icel
essandt
he4.
6mil
i
sjustabonus”

Ilookatthem hav i
ngadebat eoverthis.
It
’salwaysli
kethisaf terpull
i
ngaj ob,I
guessasmuchast hingshav echanged
theyhaveremai nedt hesame.Igr abmy
carkeysandwal l
etandwal koffleaving
them toargue.I
t ’
sagoodt hi
ngbecause
theywouldhav egi v
enmel ong
speechesbef or
el ett
ingmego.

*
***
***
*
Ror
i
Iopenmyey esandscantheroom thatI
am inbecauseit’
sclear
lynotmine,then
Iremember edthatIsl
epti
nOr a’
sroom.
Aftereat
ingicecream wecamebackt o
herroom andcuddled.Imusthave
fall
enasl
eepi nherbedwhilet
ryi
ngt o
gethertosleep.

Igetupandl ookaroundt heroom for

herbutshewasnowher et obef ound,
notev eni nt
heensuite.Iassumeshe
decidedt ogowat chcartoonsi nthe
sit
tingr oom.Igetoutoft heroom but
stoppedwhenIhear damal evoicein
thehouseandOr agiggli
ng.If oll
owed
thev oicestothekit
chenwi thmyhear t
skippingabeat .Oraknowsbet t
erthan
tol
etanyoneint
ot hehousewit
houtmy
per
missi
onandespeci al
lywhen
maMavisisnotaround.

Ipi ckupmypaceandst ri
det othe
kitchenonl ytost opatt hedoor
sur pri
sedast owhom If i
ndbusywi th
Or a.Hehashi sbackonme, busymi xi
ng
thingsont heki tchencount ernextto
wher eOr aisseat ed.Idr ool overhis
broadshoul dersandper fectlybuil
d
body .It
’stakingal otinmenott ojump
onhi mr ightnow.Imi ssedhi m badl
y,
hisscent ,touches, warm hugsand
kisses.
Idistractmy selffr
om j umpingonhi m by
takingal ookatmyki tchenwhi chhas
nowbeent urnedintoamessypl acebut
i
tdoesn’ tevenmat terrightnow.They
aremaki ngpancakesandbei ngplayf
ul.
Theki tcheni sfi
ll
edbyOr a’ssweet
l
aught erasPhuml at hrowsf l
ouronher
faceev erynowandt hen.Ileanbythe
wall andsmi le,Iam happyathowhei s
withmydaught erandhowOr aeasi
ly
war medupt ohi m.Theyar ehav i
ngso
muchf unthattheyar eevenobl i
vi
ousto
mypr esence.

Phumla:“
Arey ousuremommywoul
d
l
ovethispr
incess?”
Or
a:“
Yes,
shel
ovespancakesbutshe
l
ovesmemor
e”
IswearIj
ustshedateart
here,
my
daught
erknowsthatIl
ovehermor
e.

Phumla:“Iloveyoutooyezwa”hesays
spri
nkli
ngsomef l
ouronherfaceand
shegigglesthrowi
ngherhead
backwards.

Me:“
Ihopeyouguy sknowswhaty
ou
ar
edoingt
here”Isaysoft
ly
Ora:“
Mommy ,
Uncl
eLanii
sback”she
saystr
yingt
ojumpofft
hecounter
.

Phuml
api
cksherupandpl
acesher
safel
yonthefl
oor
.Sherunstomeand
hugsmylegs.Onecan’
treal
l
yignor
eher
excit
ement.

Me: “
Iseebaby,pl
easegoandbr ush
yourteet
h”Isaybrushi
ngherhear.
Ora:
“Ohk”shesay
sbef
orer
unni
ngof
f
t
oherroom.

Phumlamakeshi
swaytowardme
fl
ashi
nghi
sbeaut
iful
capt
ivat
ingsmi
l
e.

Phumla:
“Hi”hesaysi
nalowvoi
ce
bef
oresoft
lypl
acingaki
ssonmyli
ps
Me:
“Hi
”Isayagai
nsthi
sli
ps.
Hepull
smei nforawarm hugandIjust
melti
nhisarmsandt akeinhisscent.At
t
hispointIhaveevenfor
gottenthatI
wenttobedangr ywi
thhim.

Me:
“Whendi
dyougether
e?”
Phuml a:“Ar
ound7:
30,andy
ouweresti
l
l
fastasleepsoIdi
dnotwanttowake
youup”
Me: “
So,youdeci
dedt
omessmy
favor
it
eroom i
nthehouse”Isaysmi
l
ing
broadl
y.
Phumla:
“onl
ybecausethebedr
oom
shoul
dbeyourfav
orit
eroom”heal
ready
hashi
shandsinsi
demypajamashirt
pl
ayi
ngwi
thmyl
eftbr
eastwhi
l
edeepl
y
ki
ssi
ngme.
Me:“y
ouar ebur
ningy
ourbreakf
ast
”I
sayaf
terpull
i
ngbackfrom t
heki
ss.

Iam actuall
ywor ri
edt hatOr acouldwalk
i
nonus.Iwat chhi m hurrytofli
pthe
pancakeswhi leIset t
leonahi ghchair
nexttothekitcheni sl
and, howluckycan
onebe.Tof i
ndamanwhoi swi l
l
ingto
l
ov esmychi l
dl i
kehi sownandknows
hiswayi nthekitchen.Ireallyappreci
ate
thefactthatPhuml adoesn’ tbeli
evein
patri
archy,heknowsasawomanIhav e
mor etoofferthanjustbei ngbehindthe
stove.
[
05/
04,
15:
28] :
Inser
t26
Aweekl
ater
Phuml
ani

Kwena:“
Doyouhav
eanideawhyt
hese
peopl
ewantt
omeetwi
thus”
Me:
“No”Isayshaki
ngmyhead.

Kwena: “
Phelawearejustasmal lI
T
companyf r
om Limpopo………Imean
theyareoneofthebiggestpri
vate
banksinthecountr
y.Imagineifwebag
them asacli
ent”

Me:
“It
hinki
tsbestwewai
tandhear
whattheywant,specul
ati
ngwi l
lnot
help”Kwenaisr
eallynothel
pingwit
hhi
s
thousandquest
ions.

Iam ascur ioustof i

ndoutwhatt hey
wantashei s.Itcameasahuge
sur pr
isedt oreceiveacal l f
rom t heir
CEOr equest i
ngameet ingwi t
hus.The
factthatIwaspar tofat eam that
robbedt hem aweekagodoesn’ tmake
thingsbet teronmysi de.Iam j ust
wor ri
edt hattheycoul dbecomi ngt o
conf r
ontmeabouthacki ngandst eali
ng
from them.Buthow?Iknowf oraf act
thatIt ookal lt
henecessar ystepst o
makesur et hatIwasunt raceable.Iam
sur etheyar enott hatgoodsot hey
coul
dn’
thav
emanagedt
odot
raceme.

KwenaandIar ei nal
readyseat
edinour
boar
droom wai t
ingfortheCEOandthe
headofITfrom thePr i
vat
eBank
CompanyknownasSaf et
ybanki
ng
sol
uti
ons(SBS)t ojoinus.Werecei
veda
cal
lfr
om them 3day sagoscheduli
nga
meeti
ngfort oday.

Kwena:“St
opthatpl
ease”hesay
s
soundi
ngirr
it
ated
Me:“
sorr
y”Isaybefor
edoi
nga
br
eat
hingexer
cise.
Iam soner
vous,Iwasunconsci
ousl
y
tappi
ngonthetabl
einanirr
it
ati
ng
manner
.

Sindy
:“Thi
swaygent
lemen”shesay
s
befor
eusheri
ngt
hetwogentl
emanfrom
SBS.

Theywal ki
nbehi ndSundyandshakes
ourhandsbef oretakingthei
rsits.Sindy
makest heintroducti
onsbeforeshe
takesasitsot hatshecancapt ur ethe
minutes.TheCEOi sanoldwhi t
echap
bythenameofMar kThompsonwho
l
ooksl i
keheshoul dbeenj oyi
nghi s
reti
rementsomewher eandtheheadof
I
Ti shis50y earoldlooki
ngson, Luke
Thompson.Appar entl
ySBSisaf ami l
y
companyt hatwasst art
edbythei
rgr
eat
grandfatherlongtimeago.Iam not
surpri
sedt heirsy
stem wassoeasyto
hack,thesepeopl ehereareyourt
ypi
cal
BBTs( bornbef or
et echnol
ogy)
.

ThomsonSnr
:“t
hanky
ouv er
ymuchfor
makingt
imet
omeetwithustoday
”

Kwena:“
Whatcanwedof
ory
ouMr
Thompson?
”
ThompsonSnr
:“Wewouldli
keto
acqui
resomeser
vicesf
rom y
our
company”
Me:“Ar
ey ouplanni
ngt
ochangey
our
sof
tware,
soy ouneedanewIT
companyforthat?”

Snr
:“No,westi
lluseDobbyandGreyfor
sof
twaredev
elopmentandupgrade”

Kwena:“So,wher
edowefi
tin”heask
puzz
led.Iguesswebot
har
e.

ThompsonJnr :“Well,
Iam notsurei
f
youhaveheard.Butaweekagowehad
ahackingproblem andmi l
l
ionswere
l
ost,someper sonalart
if
actsofour
cli
entsweretakenfrom oursafet
y
boxesand…..”
Me:“Wel
lsor
ryt
ocutyouoff
,buti
t
soundsl
i
keyouhaveasecur
it
yprobl
em
notasof
twar
eprobl
em”

Kwena: “
Yes,andwedon’tof
fersecur
it
y
serv
ices.Weonlydevel
op,maint
ainand
upgradesoft
ware”hesaysbacki
ngme
up.

Snr
:“Well
,MrZungo,weknowofy our
ski
l
lsfr
om yourprev
iouscompanyand
wewouldli
ketopayy ouf
orthoseski
l
ls”
hesaysaddr
essingmedirect
ly
Kwena:“
Whati
shetal
ki
ngabout
?”he
asksl
ooki
ngatme.

Me:“Iwi
ll
tel
lyouaboutitlater”Isayto
Kwenabefor
eturni
ngmyat t
ent i
onto
theThompsons“Unfor
tunately
gentl
emanIam nolongerint hatfi
eld”

Snr:“
Wearewil
li
ngt
opay ,j
ustname
yourpri
ceandwewi
llpay
”

Kwena:
“CanIpleasehavefewmi nutes
wit
hmypartnercozIthi
nkheneedst o
fi
l
lmeuponsomet hi
ngsinceIam lost
”
Kwenasaysstandi
ngup.
TheThompsonsnodsandIstandup
andfol
l
owKwenat ohi
soff
ice.
Me:“Si
ndypl
easegetthegentl
emen
somethi
ngtodr
ink”Isaybef
orewal
king
out
.

Kwena:
“Sowhati
sthatal
labout
?”he
say
sassoonasIgeti
n

Me: “Well
,Iwasempl oy edbyanI T
companycal l
edHacki ngsol ut
ionsabout
4y earsagoandmyspeci al
tywas
hackingintocompanysy stems
diagnosetheirweaknessessot hatwe
couldimplementsolutionst ostrengt
hen
theirsyst
emsandpr otectt hem from
hacker
s”

Kwena:
“wow,
that
’sj
ustcool
man”

Me:
“Noi
tsnot
”

Kwena:“ButPhumlathosepeopl
eare
off
eri
nguswhat ev
eramountwewant .
Thatcanbegoodf ort
hecompany ”

Me:“ Yes,unf
ort
unat
elyt
hecompany
doesn’thavetheski
l
lsorl
icenset
hatt
he
j
obr equir
es”

Kwena:
“But
,youdohav
etheski
l
ls”
Me: “
No,
Iam notdoi
ngt
his”Isay
shaki
ngmyhead
Kwena:“
Juststopthi
nki
ngabout
your
sel
fhere.Thi
nkaboutt
hecompany
”

Me: “
Ifthat’
sthedirecti
onyouwantt o
takeforthecompany ,Isuggestyou
applyfortheli
censet ohackand
i
ntroduceanewdi v i
sionandhiresome
hackerstodot hejobbecauseIwi l
lnot
bedoingt hat
”

Kwena:“Lookweneedthemoneyand
theyar
eof f
eri
ngwhat
everwewant”he
shouts
Iam shockedr
ightnow.Whyi she
shouti
ngatme?Wear edoingwell
fi
nancial
l
yandt hecl
ient
sthatwe
managedt obr
ingonboar dare
contr
ibut
ingalotint
oourcoffer
s.

Me:“Wehaveenoughmoneynj
e”Isay
ascal
m asIcanbe
Kwena:“Moneycanneverbeenough
especi
all
yinbusi
ness”

Me:“Tel
lyouwhat ,Iam wil
li
ngtoinvest
4hundredthousandi nt
othebusiness
andanother100thousandintoyour
per
sonalaccount.ButIwill
need5%of
yourshares.Thi
nkabouti
tcaref
ull
y
becauseIam beingver
ygenerousri
ght
now”Isaybef or
ewalki
ngawayand
banginghisdoorint
heprocess.

Kwenadoesn’
tunder
stand,someski
ll
s
ar
edangerousi
nthehandsofman.Ifit
waspossi
bleIwoul
dreturnthi
sski
ll
to
wher
everIgoti
tfr
om.

*
***
**
Ror
isang
Me:
“ comein”Isayl
if
ti
ngmyf
acef
rom
t
helaptopt
ot hedoor
.
Hewalksincar
ryi
ngaboucheoffl
owers
andapicni
cbasket.Hai
shame,
hejust
doesn’
tgiv
eup.

Hi
m: “
GooddayMissMokeona”hesay
s
wear
inghi
sbeaut
if
ulsmi
le

Me:
“GooddayMrSi
oga”

Istanduptoreceivet
heflowersand
placethem i
nav aseaft
erremovingol
d
oncethathavebeentheresincel
ast
week.

Thendo:
“It
houghtIshoul
djoi
nyouf
or
l
uncht
oday
,Ihopeyoudon’
tmind”he
say
sshowi
ngmet hepi
cni
cbasket.
Me:“WellIwi
shyouhadcal
ledf
ir
sty
ou
know?”Isaypoi
nti
ngathi
mt ot
akeasi
t

Him:“Inmydef
ense,Itri
edcal
li
ngyour
off
iceli
nebuti
twasengagedandy ou
andIbothknowthatforsomereason
mynumberdoesn’tgothroughonyour
cel
lphone”

Me:“Shame,myserv
iceprovi
derst
il
l
bl
ockedyournumbers”Isayl
aughi
ng.

Thendo:
“Azwi
sehi
sini
adi
vha(
It
’snot
f
unnyy
ouknow),
anywayIam pl
anni
ng
t
ogetanewsi
m car
dtosol
veall
that
”

Me:
“That
’sext
remedon’
tyout
hink?
”

Thendo:“
Notasext
remeasmebei
ng
deni
edachancetotal
ktoy
ouwhenev
er
Iwantto”

Me:“ButThendo,
youdoknowthatI
haveaboyfri
endri
ght
?”Ineedt
omake
sur
ehe

Thendo:“
Zwi
nothaedzoegai
?(So
whereist
hepr
oblem?)”Hesayswit
hhi
s
ey
ebr
owsr
aised.

Me:“Iam j
ustsayi
ng,
Icannotoff
ery
ou
any
thingothert
hanfr
iendshi
p”

Thendo:“That
’sall
IaskMissMokoena,
yourfr
iendshi
pandnothi
ngmore”he
sayswithasmi l
e.

Me:“Cool
,sowhatar
ewehav i
ng”Isay
poi
nti
ngatthepi
cni
cbasketontopof
mytable.

Thendo:“
Ibr
oughtsomePast
a,chi
cken
wingsandpi
zza,
Iguesswearespoi
led
forchoi
ce”hesayst
aki
ngoutthefood
contai
nersandpl
aci
ngthem ont
he
tabl
e.

Me: “mmmmm Iwoul dli

kemesome
pasta”Isayclosingmyey esandIhear
him chuckl
ing.“Soy oudrov
et ot
hemall,
IknowPanar ott
isdoesn’tdeli
ver
”Isay
taki
ngoutwi persfrom myhandback

Thendo:“Ndandinameet ingSav
anna
wacanceliwandonoswi kasonda
decidaorengadzitakeawayandcome
sharewit
hy ou(Ihadameet i
ngi
n
savannathatwascancel l
edwhenIwas
al
readythere,
soIdecidedt obuy
takeawaysandcomeshar ewit
hy ou)
Sharingiscar
ingy
ouknow”hesay s
handingmeacont ai
nerofPastaanda
canofj ui
ce.

Me:
“Thanky
ou”Isayr
ecei
vi
ngt
hef
ood

Thendo:“Zwi
li
waadzil
evhuy
iwi
(We
don’
tthankfood)
”hesays

Me:“Okthen,kelebogamoreki(
Iam
t
hankingthebuyer)Isaypoi
nti
ngathi
m

Hechuckl
esandshakeshi
shead.Iam
gl
adThendoandIareonthesamepage
regar
dingthenatur
eofourrel
ati
onshi
p
becauseIdon’twantcompl
i
cationsi
n
myl i
feri
ghtnow.

Weenj oyedl unchov eralight

conversation.Hecr ackedmeupwi th
stor
iesf r
om hi sf i
rstcourtcase.
Apparentlyhewassoner voushekept
sayi
ngnoquest iont oallwi t
nessest hat
werebr oughtf orwar d.Hesay si twasso
badthatt heclientev entual l
yst oodup
andaskedf orthemagi strate’s
permissiont ofirehim ont hespot .
Whicht hemagi str
at egladlygr anted.

Thendo:
“Youl
augh,
buti
twassobadI
want
edt
oquit
elawthatday.Icoul
dn’
t
ev
engotot
heoffi
ceandfacemyboss”

Me: “
wow, Iwi
shIwasther
et o….
”Iam
dist
urbedbytheknockont
hedoor
“comein”Isaytr
yingt
ocontainmy
l
aughter.
Phumla:“oohNgiyaxol
isa(
Iam sorry
),I
didnotknowy ouhavecompany.I
thoughit
slunchti
me”hesay schecki
ng
hiswatch.

Hedoesn’
tlookpl
easedr
ightnow.

Thendo:
“Ndandi
ndi
l
ani
yot
uwa(
Iwas
onmywayout )
”hesaysbeforet ur
ning
tome“ Ndi
kholevhuwatshif
hinga
tshanumufunwa,redoamba( thanky ou
foryourt
imelove,wewil
ltal
k)”hesay s
getti
ngupwithhissmil
eon.

Ijustsmi ledbackcozIam speechl ess,

I
meant hisguyj ustcall
edmel ove,
althoughIam t hankfulhesaiditin
Tshiv endawhi chPhuml adoesn’t
under stand.Phuml aj
ustgav ehima
deat hstare,Iknowhei spissedmor eby
thef actthatThendousesal anguagehe
can’tev enunder stand.

Thendogr
abshi
scarkey
s,wal
l
etand
thej ackett hathehangedont hechai r
andwal kst owardst hedoor .Hest opsin
frontofPhuml awhoi spur posefully
blockingt heway .Theystandandst ar
e
ateachot herli
ketwobul lsaboutt o
fi
ght .Iswal lowhar dandpr ayt hatthey
coul djustcuti toffandbot hleav emy
office.Ther eisjusttoomuch
testoster oneinther oom rightnow.
Finally,Phuml achuckl esandmov es
givingThendospacet omov eout .At
thismomenti ntimeIj ustknowt hatthi
s
twowi l
l nevergetalong.
[
05/
04,
15:
28] :
Inser
t27

Phuml
a
Iam sopissedrightnow, butIam
keepingmyemot i
onsi ncheck.Iam not
goingtolosemyt emperwi t
hher.She
j
ustneedsal it
tl
emor etimetogr ow.I
hopeshegr owsf astthoughbecauseI
am notsurehowl ongIcankeepmy
cool.Idon’
tli
kethatguyonebi t,heis
ful
lofhimselfandar rogantasf*ck.

Me:“Yourf
ri
endi
fful
lofhi
msel
fandI
don’
tli
kehi
m”Isaytaki
ngasi
t.

Rori
:“Wow, Zungu,youbarel
y
exchangedfivewordswiththemanand
youalreadydon’
tli
kehim, Gosh”she
say
srol
l
ingherey
es.

Me:Ichuckle“
Manj euyadelela(now
youarebeingdi
srespectf
ul)Rori
”She
knowshowmuchIhat eitwhensher ol
l
s
hereyesatme.Ifinditdi
srespectful

Ror
i:“
Iam sor
ryZungu”shesay
sal
most
whi
speri
ng.

Ishakemyheadcont
inuousl
ybef
ore
si
ghing.

Me:“Cany oupl
easecal
lthedr
iveand
askhim nottot
akePri
ncessfr
om
school
,Iwi
l
lgof
etchher
”Isayaf
ter
i
nspecti
ngmywatch.

Ror
i:“
Arey
ounotgoi
ngbackt
owor
k?”

Me: “
No, Ineedsomepi
ckmeupand
spendingtimewithmypr
incesswi
l
lsur
e
l
iftmyspi r
itup”

Rori
:“May
beIshouldj
oinyouguys”I
seeasmil
ecreepi
ngonherface,
Ialso
noti
cehowhardshetr
iest
ohideit.

Me:“No,youarenotinv
ited.It
’safat
her
anddaughterdat
eplusyouj usthadyour
l
unchdat
efewmi
nut
esago”

Ror
i:“
Wowt
hat
’showi
tis?
”

Shetakesherphoneandcal
l
sthedr
iver
whil
eIsitandwait

Rori
:“Youneedtobetherei
n15
minutes,ar
eyousureyouwil
lmanage?
”
shesay saf
terdr
oppi
ngthecall
.

Me: “ofcour
seIwi l
lmanage”Isay
standingupandpul l
i
ngherinforabri
ef
ki
ssandahug“ Pleaseyekaukungi
delel
isangabafana( St
opgiv
ingboys
reasonst
odisrespectme)”Iwhi
sper
softyi
nherearwhileli
cki
ngit
,Iknow
howmuchofherweakspothereari s.

Me:“siyazwanaangi sho?(We
underst
andeachot herri
ght?)
”Shenods
wit
houtherbr eat
hingbecomesheav y
andheav i
er“Youneedt ousewordsmy
Pediqueen”Isaylickingherearmore
i
ntensiv
ely.Theintentioni
stomakeher
l
oosehermi ndr i
ghther eri
ghtnow.

Ror
i:“
Reyakwana(Weunderst
andeach
ot
her)
”shesay
salmostoutofbreat
h.

Me:
“Good,
enj
oyy
ourday
.Si
zobonana
endl
ini(
Wewillseeeachot
herathome”
Isaypul
li
ngbackandwalki
ngtowards
thedoor.

Rori
:“Justl
i
ket
hatManzi
ni”shecr
ies
out

Me: Chuckli
ng“yes,Ihaveachildto
fetchatschool”Isaybeforewalki
ngout
andclosingthedoorbehi ndme.Iknow
sheisveryfrustr
atedrightnow,but
that’
swasmyi ntent
ionallal
ong.She
l
ikestobehav eli
keIdon’ tt
akecareof
herandal l
herneeds, sotodayIwantto
l
eav eherdryandhangi nginall
aspect
s.
*
***
*

Isoonf i
ndmy selfparkingout sidet
he
school .Ist epoutoft hecarandspot
Orai nsidet heschool yardpl ay i
ngwi th2
othergi rls.Igreatot herpar ent swhoar e
walkingt heopposi t
edirectionwhi l
e
chattingwi ththeirkidswit hsome
walkinghandi nhand.Thi si sonegi ftI
willalway sbegr atefulfor,Ihav eal
way s
want edt obeaf atherbutanoppor tunit
y
wasnev ergr anted.Ithi
nkt hat ’sone
thi
ngZi nzi tookadv antageof ,sheknew
Iwasdesper ateandcapi talizedoni t.

Or
a:“
Uncl
eLani
,youcamet
ofet
chme”
shesaysjumpingint
omyarms.Il
ove
thi
schil
dv er
ymuchandIhopeshe
neverf
orgetsthatev
er.

Me:“Yespr
incess,Imi
ssedyousobad,
I
deci
dedweshoul dgoout”

Or
a:“
Gooutwher
e?”

Me:“
Bounceatt
hemallpr
incess”Isay
wi
ggl
ingmyeyebrows

Ora:
“Yay”shesayshoppingupand
downtowardsherbackpack.
Ora’
sfri
end:
“Hi
,areyouMel ena’
s
fat
her?
”sheaskinaninnocentvoice

Me:
“Yes,
Iam andy
ouar
e?”

Or
a’sf
ri
end“
Iam herf
ri
endLor
na”

Me:
“Ni
cet
omeety
ouLor
na”

Ora:
“By
eLorna,by
eCat
e”shesay
s
wavi
ngtoherf
ri
ends

Thef
ri
end:
“By
eMel
ena”
Itakeherbackpacki
nonehandand
takeherti
nyhandinmyot
herhandand
walktowardsthecar
.

Or
a:“
Uncl
eLani
,Igott
wost
arst
oday
”

Me:“Wow,That’
smygi r
l,smartl
i
keme”
Isayr
oughlybr
ushi
ngherhead,
messingupherhai
rst
yleintheprocess.

Shejustgiggl
eandmyhear tjustwarms
up.Itel
lyou,Oraismyhear tinahuman
for
m.Iwal kli
steningtohertell
ingmeall
abouthowherdaywas.Shet alksso
muchshei snotev enawaret hatweare
havearri
vedatt hecarandIam wai t
ing
forhertofi
nishthestory.Al
l Idoisadd
wor dl
ike,“
wow”and“ reall
y”.Shefinal
l
y
fi
nishestel
li
ngmeaboutt hest or
yandI
pickherupandsaf el
yplaceheri nthe
backseatoft hecarbeforebuckingher
up.

Me:“Ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
e”Isaywi
tha
hugesmil
e

Or
a: “
Verycomf
ortabl
e”shesay
s
matchingmysmil
e.

Icl
oset
hedoorandwalkt
omysi
de,
get
i
nandputt
hecaronigni
ti
on.
Wedr i
v ehomewhi l
ewechatabouther
dayatschool .Oraissuchahappybr ight
chil
d,att hi
spointinli
feIf eell
ikeIcan
j
ustwr apherupi nabubbl eandpr otect
herfrom allthewickednessoft hi
sland.
Wedr i
v ehomet ohermot her’shouse
andhav eherchangeintobl uejean
shorts, awhitet
-shi
rtandwhi tesandal s.
Afterthatwet ookadr iv
et omyhouse
andhadherwat chTVwhi leIwentt omy
room andchangedi nt
obl uechi no
shorts, awhitet
-shi
rt,whitepush-ins
andabl uecap.Nowwear ereadyt ogo
havef unatthemal l.

Or
a:“
wowUncl
eLani
,youdr
essedj
ust
l
i
keme”shesay
ssmi
l
ingwi
de

Me:“
Youi nspi
redmylookpri
ncess
comelet’
stakeapict
ureformommy ”I
sayt
akingoutmyphone.

SherunstomeandImakeherst andon
thecouchsothatshecanbeal
mostas
tal
lasme.Wet akefewsel
fi
eswhile
makingfunnyfaces.

Ora:
“Il
i
kethisone”shesay
spoi
nti
ngat
oneoft
hepictur
e

Me:
“Il
i
kei
ttoo,
whenwegett
othemal
l
Iwil
lhavei
tpri
ntedoutinabigsi
zef
or
youroom,woul
dy ouli
kethat
?”

Or
a:“Yes,canIpl
easehavet
wo,onefor
myroom hereandoneformyroom i
n
mommy ’shouse”

Me:
“Iwi
l
lpr
int2t
henpr
incess”

Itakeherhandinmineandwewal kto
thecar.Sheisver
yexcit
edaboutour
date.Wegoingtohaveeatfir
stather
restaur
antMcDonaldsbefor
edriv
ingto
themal lt
obounceattheFunCompany .
Me:“Manzini
”Isayanswer
ingmyphone
whi
leit’
sconnectedt
othecarvi
a
Bl
uetooth.

Thapel
o: “
Ihavebeenwaiti
ngf oryouto
cal
lmebackbi gbrother
”hesay s.Fli
pI
for
gotthathecall
edmey esterdaywhile
Iwasbusywi thworkandIpromi sedto
cal
lhim back.I
tmusthaveslippedmy
mind.

Me:“Ngi
yaxoli
samfwet
hu(
Iam sor
ry
br
other
),It
otal
l
yfor
got”

Thapel
o:“
Wel
l
,cany
out
alknoworu
busy?”
Me: “
Iam notbusy ,butIcan’thaveatoo
seri
ousconv ersati
on.Iam i
ncarwi th
mydaught eront hewayt othemal l
for
somebounci ng”hel aughsatmehar d,I
takeitheislaughingatthebouncing
part“Youareonspeakerphonebyt he
way ,
choosey ourwor dscareful
ly
Manzi ni
”

Thapelo:“wow, didyousaybouncing?
Aren’
ty ouov ertheagel i
mit?Whati
s
yourdaught er’
snamey ounevert
old
me”hesay sbusyl aughing

Me:
“leav
emyageoutofi
t,Iam st
il
lfi
t.
Tel
lbabaomcani (
Uncle)yourname
pri
ncess”Isayt
oOr asi
tti
ngattheback.

Ora:“
Mynamei sOrati
l
we,butyoucan
cal
lmeOr a”shesay
smov i
ngcloseri
n
betweenmyseatandthepassenger
seat

Thapel
o:“Wow,
youhavesucha
beaut
if
ulnameIwoul
dli
ketomeety
ou
soon”

Ora:
“Iwoul
dli
ket
omeety
ousoont
oo
uhm…”
Me:
“Babaomcani
(Uncl
e)”Isayt
oher

ShegigglesIguessi
t’
sjustdi
ff
icul
tto
pronounce.

Thapel
o:“
Justcal
lmeMal
omeOr
a”

Wecontinuet
al ki
ngtoThapeloont he
phoneforawhi l
e.Onet hi
ngIlear
ned
aboutOraandIl i
keverymuchi sthat
sheisabubblychildandeasil
ymakes
conver
sati
onswi thanyone.Thisi
swhat
makeshersol oveabl
e.

Shekeptaski
ngmybr
otheral
otof
questionsandhewasbusypr omising
hermi ll
ionthingsonhisvisittoLimpopo.
Hepr omi sedtocomeandseehersoon
andbr inghergi f
tswhichincludesa
tabl
et,whi chIam notsurehermot her
will
appr ove.Speakingofhermot her,
sheaskedi fshecanjoinusatbounce
whenIsentherourpi ctur
eandIj ust
repl
iedno.

Thapelo:“
Youhaveaverybr
ightchi
l
d
Manzini,
pleaset
akecar
eofher”

Me:“Def
ini
tel
y,shei
smyli
tt
lepr
incess
t
hisone,SaybyetoMal
omeOra”
Ora:“
By emalome”shesaysbl
owi ng
hi
m kissesasifhecanseeher.Ismi l
e
andshakemyhead.Thischil
dbet ternot
growupt oof
ast.

Thapelo:
“By
eZungupr
incess”hesay
s
befor
ehangingup.

Ipar
kt hecarout
sideMcDonal
dsbefor
e
myprincessandImakeourwayin.
[
05/
04,
15:
28] :
Inser
t28

Fewmont
hsl
ater

Ror
isang
Igetupf rom mykneesandwal kt othe
basint ori
nsemymout h.Ihav enotbeen
feeli
ngwel l
lately
.Iam nauseousand
vomi talot.Ican’tevenst omacht he
smel loffi
shandeggs, whi chcameasa
shooksi ncet heyarebot hmyf av ori
te.I
takeal ookatmy selfont hemi rrorin
frontofme, Ilookhorri
bl emyey eslook
heav yandweak.May beIshoul dskip
wor ktodayandcal l
insi ck.Isuddenl y
feeltheur get ovomit,bef oreIknowi tI
am onmykneesagai ni nfrontoft he
toil
etlett
ingi tall
out.

Ora:
“Mommyyouareburni
ngmyeggs”
shesay
sbangi
ngontheothersi
deof
t
hedoor
.

Oohfl
i
p,Il
efteggsonthest
ovewhile
t
ryi
ngtopr
eparealunchboxforher
.

Me:“
Ooohpri
ncessIam sor r
y,please
askMaMavi
stofryfresheggsfory ou
mommyisnotfeeli
ngwell”Icall
out
fr
om t
heot
herside.

Ihearherrunoutofther
oom.Iam
si
tti
ngdownnextt othet
oil
etl
azyto
standup.Ifi
nall
ymanagetogetupand
walktothesinktori
nsemymouthagain.
Iwill
notbegoingdownstai
rsanyt
ime
soonIdon’twantthesmell
ofeggsto
setmeof fagai
n.Igr
abmyphonefr
om
thebedanddecidetocal
lAl
exandl
et
him know.

Al
ex:
“Mor
ningMi
ssMokoena”

Me:“Morni
ngAl ex,
Ijustwant
edtol et
youknowthatIcan’tcomeintodayIwi l
l
l
ogasickleave.Ihaven’
tbeenfeel
ing
well
”

Al
ex:
“Whati
swr
ongdear
?”
Me:“Nothi
ngal ar
ming,
Ijustcan’
tseem
tokeepanythi
ngdown.May beIeat
somethi
ngof f
ish”
Alex
:“Ithoughtyoulookedoff
ish
yest
erdayduringthemeeting,
may be
youshouldgoseeaDr ”

Me:“
It
’snot
hinghecti
c,It
hinkIshoul
d
j
ustl
aydownandr est
”

Alex
: “
Nopr obl
em,justr
estandseea
doctori
fitgetoutofcont
rolohk”

Me:
“Thanky
ou,
boss”

Hechuckl
esandhung-up.Al
exisagood
manager,
heappr
eciat
et hehar
dwork
weputi nandbacksusupwhenwe
needingbacking.Theonl yannoy i
ng
thingIexperi
encedf rom him waswhen
hewasbusyhi tt
inguponme.Theguy
wasj ustanuisancepl ushei snotmy
typeatall
.Iam notr acistorany thing
butIcannev erdateawhi l
emanl et
aloneaskinnyone.Il ikemywel l-
built
andnat i
ve.Itakeoffmycl othesandget
i
nt obedbeforesandi ngmyPhuml aa
messagenott osendadr i
v erforme
sincehehadt oleaveear lyf ormeet i
ng
today.

HecallmebackandIdon’
tfeell
i
ke
tal
ki
ngtohi
m, soIwil
lj
ustl
etinri
ngand
hopef
ull
yhewill
giv
eup.Oracomes
chargingt
omyroom f
oraki
ssgoodby
e
beforegoi
ngt
oschool.

Ora:“
Ot l
ofol
anemommy( Youwill
get
bett
ermommy )
”shesay
sbef ore
huggingme.Iwrapmyarmsar oundher
ti
nybodyandgiveherasqueeze.

Me: “
Thanksbaby ,enj
oyyourdayat
schoolandIwillseeyouwheny oucome
back”Ibreakt
hehugandwat chher
walkoff.Iswi
tchof fmyphoneandtry
togetsomesleep.

*
***
*
Phuml
a

Iti
sgoingtobeav eryl
ongdayf orme,I
am alr
eadyfaili
ngtoconcentrat
e.The
worstparti
st hatIam havi
ngbackt o
backmeet i
ngandnotmucht imet or
ush
toherhouseandcheckonher .Rorij
ust
sentmeanSMSsay ingsheisnot
feel
ingwellandswi t
chedoffherphone.

Cl
ient
:“Sowil
lyourcompanybeabl
eto
of
ferusall
thatgent
lemen?”

Isnapoutofmyt
houghtandchooset
o
payat
tent
iont
owhati
sbei
ngsai
d.

Kwena:“
Yes,wehavedesi
gnedasimil
ar
pr
oductfort
heLet
abaFETCollege”

Cli
ent
:“Howlongwil
li
ttakebef
orewe
canbeful
lyoper
ati
onal
?”

Kwena:“MrZunguismoreli
kel
ytogi
ve
youacorrectest
imat
ethanIam
becausesoftwar
edevel
opmenti
shis
depart
ment”

Theyal
ltur
ntolookatmetobehonestI
di
dnothearexactl
ywhatpr
oduct
sdoes
t
hecl
i
entr
equi
ref
rom us.

Me:Cleari
ngmyt hroat
s“Iwi
ll
haveto
doaf easi
bil
i
t yst
udyandIpromiseto
getbacktoy ouwi t
hourtimel
ine”

Cli
ent:“
Wil
lyoupl
easel
etusknow
befor
ethecommencementofthe
proj
ect”

Me:
“Def
ini
tel
y”

Client
: “
Ohkgentl
emen,welookf
orwar
d
todoingbusinesswi
thyou”hesays
standingupandshaki
ngourhands.
Wepackupourt hi
ngsandmakeour
wayoutofthebuil
ding.Itr
ytocal
lRor
i
andherphonei
sst i
lloff
.Icur
seunder
mybreath.

Kwena:
“Whatiswrongwit
hy outoday
,
youwer
enotfocusedint
here?”

Me:
“Iam sor
ry,
Iwasabi
tdi
str
act
edi
n
t
her
e?”

Kwena:“
That’
snot
hingl
ikeyou,wi
lly
ou
beabl
etofocusonthenextmeeti
ng”
Me:
“Yes”

Kwena: “
Ineedy out
obe100%sur e
becausey ouneedtoleadthenext
meeting,devel
opmentisyourspeci
alt
y”

Me:“Rel
axohk,
Iwi
l
lbr
ingmyAgame
on”

*
***
**

Ror
isang

Iam wokenupbymaMavi
s,sheis
hol
dingabowlofbr
ownsoftpor
ri
dge.I
knowshepour
edadashofv
ini
gercozI
cansmel
lit
.

maMavis:“
Here,y
ouneedt oeat
somet
hing”shesayshandi
ngmeabowl .
Thi
swomani sverysweetandIam v
ery
l
uckyt
ohav eher.

Me:
“Thanky
ouv
erymuchma”

Isi
tupandt akethebowl ofporr
idge
andaspoon.Ilookatt heti
meont he
wallandnoti
ceit
s12:30i nthe
aft
ernoon.Orawill
notbecomi ngback
earl
ytodaybecauseshenor mall
yhas
swimmi ngl
essonsafterschool
.Ilookat
MaMaviswhoislooki
ngatmel
i
keshe
hassomethi
ngtodiscuss.

Me:“
Gonal
ebot
hat
ama?(
Ist
her
ea
pr
obl
em ma)

Shesl
owl
yshakesherheadandsi
gh.

Her:
“Iam worri
edabouty
ouandIthi
nk
i
tsbestyougoseeadoctor.Thi
s
vomit
ingisnotnor
mal”

Me:“OhkmaIwil
ldot
hati
fIam not
bet
terbyt
omorr
ow”
Shesay sohkandwal ksoutleavi
ngme
toenjoymysof tporr
idge.If
ini
shupand
putonasummerdr essandsl i
ppersso
thatIcangoputt hebowl i
nthekit
chen.
Iwasht hebowl bef
oreplaci
nginitini
ts
ri
ghtfulpl
ace.

Me: “Thanky ouma”Isaybef orewal ki

ng
backt omybedr oom.If eeltir
edmay beI
needt orestsomemor e.Iopent he
bl
anket sandgeti nsidebef oret akingmy
phoneandswi tchingiton.Igetf looded
bymanymessagesf rom myPar ents,
brothers,Thali
taandPhuml a.IguessI
will
replythem later.Itakeoutmyl aptop
andl ogont oNet f
lixforamov ie.
*
***
**

Phuml
a

Iwal kintoherbedr oom andfindher

sleepingpeacef ull
y,nexttoherisher
l
apt op.Iwal kcloserandpauset he
mov i
ethatshewaswat chi
ng.Shemust
hav efall
enasl eepwhilewatchingit.I
mov ethelaptopt oasidetablebefore
takingof fmyshoesandj acketand
gettingintobedwi t
hher.Ipullheri
nand
kissherf orehead.

Ror
i:“
Manz
ini
”shesay
sinasl
eepy
voi
ce
Me:“Sor
rybaby
,Idi
dnotmeant
owake
youup”

Ror
i:“
whendi
dyougether
e?”

Me:“Ijustgotherenow.Whatiswrong
baby?maMav i
stell
smey oucan’
tkeep
anyt
hingdown”

Her:for
cingasmi l
e“Iam sur
eshe
exaggerated,
Ieatsoftpor
ri
dgeandIam
fi
ne”

Me:
“ohk,
Pleasedon'
tev
erswi
tchof
f
youphoneliket
oday.Youhadme
worri
edsickbaby,
Icouldn'
teven
concent
rateatwork”isaypul
l
ingheri
n
forasof
tkissontheli
ps

Her :
“Iam sorry
,Ijustwant edtorest
and…”shest andsupandr unst o
bathroom beforefi
nishinghersentence.
Ifoll
owherandf i
ndsheronknees
throwingupinsidethet oi
let.Ihol
dback
herdreadlockswhi l
eshet hrowsup, I
helpherupandcl oset helidbefore
fl
ashingdownt hev omi t
.Shewal ksto
thesinkandr i
nsehermout h.

Me:
“Ineedt
otakey
out
othedoct
or
baby
,thi
sist
oomuch”

Iknowshewantstoresi
stbutIwi
l
lnot
betaki
ngnoforananswer.
[
05/
04,
15:
28] :
Inser
t29
(
Mini
ski
rt
)

Phuml
a

Wear ei
nt heDoctor’
sroom atRediMed.
IhadtoforceRoritocomebecauseshe
didnotwantto.Thev omiti
nggotworse
andIcouldn’
ttakeitanymore.Shecan’t
survi
vel
ikethi
s.Shewant edtobuypill
s
atapharmacybutIcoul dn’
tall
ow.Ionly
exactl
ywhatIhavebeenupto.The
doctorhadt
odoacoupl eoftestand
fi
nall
yapregnancyt
est

Me: “
AreyousureDr
.”Isaynotev
en
hi
dingthejoyonmyface.

Dr.“Yes,6weeks”hesaysbusymov i
ng
ahandhel dscanneronherbel
lyand
focusingonthemonitorbef
orehim.

Il
ookatmyPedi andsmileandshe
fr
own.Iknowwhol ooksworri
ed.Iknow
shei
sscared,weoncehada
conver
sati
onabouthavi
ngachi l
dand
shesai
dsheisnotready.Iguesswhat
shewentthr
oughduri
ngf
ir
stpregnancy
hasl
eftscar
sdeepert
hanIcanimagine.

Rori
:“Howi sitpossibledoctor
”the
doct
orgi v
esheraconf usedlook“I
meanIhav ebeencar ef
ul,v
erycaref
ul.
Wealway susedcondomsandt hefew
ti
mest hatwedi dnotImadesur eIt
ook
morningafterpil
ls”

Dr
:“Wel
lMissMokeona,
cont
racept
ives
ar
enotal
ways100%safe”

Me:
“Sothepi
l
lscoul
dn’
thav
eaf
fect
ed
t
hechi
l
d?”
Dr
:“fornowIdon’tseeany
thing
al
arming.Butwewi l
lmoni
torthe
pr
egnancythroughoutt
heremaini
ng
months”
Inodandtakemyqueen’ shandinmi ne.
Il
ookatherandmout h“
Thanky ou”she
smil
efaint
ly.Iknowwhatshei st hi
nking
butsheshouldn’tbeworriedbecauseI
am wil
l
ingwal kthroughthisj
ourneywi t
h
her.

Me:“
So,ist
her
esomet
hingshecant
ake
f
ornausea”

Dr
:“Yes,
Iwi
l
lwr
it
edownapr
escr
ipt
ion
forfewmedi
cati
onsandvi
tami
ns.You
canpassbythephar
macyandbuy
them” Hesayswipi
ngof
fthegelonher
bell
y.

Hemov est
ot hedeskandwrit
efew
t
hingsdown.Ihelpherupandtakeher
i
nforadeepki ss.

Dr:
“Dr’
sroom pl
easegetar
oom”he
sayschuckl
i
ng

Me:“
Sorr
yDr
.Iguesswear
etoo
ex
cit
ed”
Dr
:“Fi
rstchi
l
d?”hesay
shandi
ngmet
he
pr
escr
ipti
on.

Me:“No,Second.Fi
rstonei
sagi
rlsoI
am hopi
ngforaboy ”

*
***
Ror
i

Me:“Youdon’tunderst
andPhuml a,
akereyouareaman.Youwi l
lnever
underst
and”Ishoutswithouti
ntendi
ng
to.

Wecamebackf
rom t
hedoct
orand
drov etohishousei nsi lence.Iam not
pleasedwi tht henewst hatIjust
recei v
edwhi lePhuml aont heotherhand
coul dn’thi
dehi sexci t
ement .HowdoI
tellmypar entst hat’sIwentandf all
en
pregnantf orthesecondt imeoutof
wedl ock?Howam Igoi ngt ocopeagai n
afterwhatIwentt hroughi nmyf i
rst
pregnancyal l
alone?HowdoIknowt hat
Phuml awillsti
ckar oundt otheendor
fewday sdownt hel i
nehewi l
lbe
accusi ngmeoft ryingt ot r
aphi m wi
tha
child?Wehav ebeenar guingaboutt his
i
ssuesi ncewegother e.

Phuml a:
“Thenmakemeunderst
and
Sthandwasami”hesay
ssof
tl
y.
Me:
“Pl
easet
akemehome, Ij
ustwant
t
ogohomePhumlani
”Isaycr
ying.

Phuml
a:“Pl
easest
opcry
ingandtal
kto
me.Makemeunderst
andwhathasyou
sowor
kedup”

Me: “Iam notreadyPhumlaforanother

chi
ld.HowdoIdi sappoi
ntmyparents
again?HowdoIsur vi
vewhatIwent
thr
oughmyf ir
stpregnancyPhumlani?”

Phumla:
“Iunderst
andthaty
oudidnot
haveaneasypregnancywhi
leexpect
ing
ourpri
ncess,butbabypleaseNgikhona
manje(Iam herenow)andIpr omisewe
wil
lgothroughthistoget
her.Wear ein
thi
stogetherandIam notplanni
ngt ogo
anywhere”hesayspulli
ngmei nfora
hug.
Ibreakdownandcrytoapointofhavi
ng
hi
ccups.Iam real
l
yscared,Iknowit
’s
notfairt
opunishPhumlaforwhat
Thapelodidt
omei nthepast.

Phumla:“Thul
ababy,youar
ebreaking
myheartnowandy ouareupsett
ingour
baby.Ngit
hembe(Trustme)Iwil
ldomy
besttomakeourpregnancyassmoot h
aspossibl
eforyou.
”Hesay ski
ssingt
he
topofmyhead.
Me:
“Doy
oupr
omi
se”Iaskswi
pingher
t
ear
s.
Phumla:“Ngiy
athembisa(Ipromise)my
Pediqueen,Il
oveyout oomucht olet
yougo.Iloveyoumor ebecausey ou
gavemet womostpr eciousgif
ts”

Me:“Whatt
wogi f
t,Ididnotheart
he
doct
orsayIam carr
yingtwins”

Phumla:“
Imeany oublessedmewi t
h
twogif
ts,t
hefi
rstbeingourPri
ncess
andthesecondbeingthatpri
ncewe
nowcarry
ing”
Me: “
OoohManzi ni,
whathaveIdoneto
deser
vey ou”Phumla,i
ssuchablessi
ng.
Isometi
meswonderi fheisgenui
ne.I
haveneverthoughtamancouldloveme
thi
smuch.

Phumla:“Yousur vi
vedev er
ythingthat
youwentt hroughinthepastbabyj ust
soyoucanexper i
encemyl ove.Now
stopdoubtingmyl oveforyou, andall
ow
met olovey outhewayy oudeser veto
beloved”hesay sbeforekissingme
deeply
.
[
05/
04,
15:
29] :
Inser
t30
Ror
isang
Iam onmywayt oseemypar ents.
Phuml asaidthesoonerIt ell
them t he
bet t
erbecauseIam stressingev eryday
aboutthem findi
ngout .Iaskedmy
brothertocomehomef orsomemor al
support.Hewasn’tthril
ledwhenIt old
him aboutthepregnancy .Idon’tblame
him becausehewast herewithme
throughoutmydepr essionandwhenI
wasr eadytogiveuponmyl i
fe.Itbroke
hishearttoseemei nt hatstateandhe
felthefai
ledcozhecoul dn’
tprotectme
from such.

Mybrot
herhasalwaysbeenprot
ect
ive
ofmesinceIwasatoddler
.Il
ovehi
m
verymuchandIappr eciat
etheperson
thatheisi nmyli
fe.Igetof fthetaxi
,and
walktowar dsmyst reet.Phuml awanted
todrivemebutIr efused.Idi dnotwant
himt ocomeher ewhi l
eIhadsucha
seri
ousi ssuetodiscusswi thmy
parents.Idon’
twantt hem tofeel
disr
espect edwhent heyseehi m
droppingmeof f.

Iwasnotawar eofhowmuchImi ssed

homeunt i
lnow.YesIdocomeandv i
si
t
ever
ynowandt henbutIst
il
lmi ssit.
Thereisnothi
ngniceaboutstayingin
town,weareclosetomanyt hingsbut
ther
eisnosenseofcommuni ty.Ihave
beenthereforfewmonthsnowbutI
don’
tev
enknowmynei
ghbor
s.

Neighbor:“
DumelaRori
sang,gapeo
botsegampe, l
eret
imaengkat or
opong
nah?(Greeti
ngsRor
i,y
oulookv ery
beauti
ful
.Whatareyouhavingin
town?)”

Me: “
ThobelaMmaPhalane,l
ehlwi
le
botse?(Gr
eeti
ngsMaPhalani
,howare
youdoing?)
”

MaPhalani
:“Rehl
weleokaengwana?(I
am doi
ngwel l
,wher
eisyourchi
l
d?)”
Me:“Asel
emmone?Ot l
il
emomabane
l
eThuso.(
Youhaven’
tyouseenher
?
shecameher
eyester
daywit
hThuso)”

MaPhalani
:“Ohk,
ket
lamonna(
Iwi
l
lsee
herar
ound)”

Isaymygoodby esandwal ktot heyard.

Iwal kt
othehouseandf oll
owt hevoices
i
nt hesit
ti
ngr oom.Iwalki nagr eat
everyonebeforeproceedingtomyr oom
toputmyov er ni
ghtbag.IdecidedthatI
wil
l bespendingtheweekendathome.

*
***
*
Phuml
a

Sy:
"soyoureal
l
ydi
dit
.Mf
wet
hu"he
say
slaughi
ng.

Me:
"Iwasn'
tj
oki
ngwhenIsai
dngi
funa
umt
wana(Iwant
edachi
ld)
"

Sy:“Wowcongr
atul
ati
onsmfwet
hu,I
knowhowmuchy oualway
swanteda
chi
ld”

Iam onthephonewithSy,f
il
linghi
mi n
onthelat
estnews.Iam sohappy ,
Ihad
toshar
ewi t
hsomeoneandr ightnowSy
i
smoreli
keabr
othert
omant
hanj
usta
f
ri
end.

Me:“Ngiy
abongaSy ,
yazi
thewayIam
exci
tedneh.Idon’
tknowhowtothank
her”

Sy:“
maybeyoushoul
dbuyher
somethi
ng”

Me:
“It
hinkIhav
esomet
hingi
nmi
nd”

Sy
:“Somet
hinbi
gangi
thi
”

Me:
“Def
ini
tel
y,y
ouknowwi
thmei
t’
s
ei
therIgobi
gorgohome”Isay
l
aughing.

Sy:“
Sinceyoudeser v
esomethingfor
scor
ingIwillcour
ieryouaboxofcigar
andabot t
leofexpensivewhi
skyfor
cel
ebrati
on”

Me:
“Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hatv
erymuch”

Sy:"
sohowdidyoudoi
tcozshewas
adamantt
hatshei
snotr
eady"

Me:
"nah,
Iam nott
ell
i
ngy
out
hat
"
Sy:"HaiNdodaunesibi
ndiyazi(y
ouare
brave)
.Iwishyouallt
hebestngoba
pregnancyhormonesareverystr
essf
ul
prayshewon’tatt
empttokil
l y
ouunti
l
shegivesbir
th"
Il
augh

Me:"Iam readytoexperi
enceitall
.All
I
needfrom heristostopstr
essingalot.
Thatex-boyf
riendofherswholefther
whil
eshewasexpect ingthepri
ncess
l
eftdeepscars"

Sy
:"ar
en'
tyouwor
ri
edabouthi
m?”
Me:
“wor
ri
edabouthi
m ngani
?”

Sy:“
Areyounotafr
aidhemightcome
backandcl
aim hi
schil
dfewyearsdown
thel
ine?
"

Me:
“Buthedoesn’
thav
eachi
l
d”

Sy
:“YouknowwhatImean”

Me:chuckl
ing"ngingamhlangani
sa
nabokhokhobakhe( Iwi
l
lmakehim
meethisancestor
s)"

Sy
:“Iwi
l
lgl
adl
yhel
pyout
her
e”
*
***
*
Ror
isang

Mom: “
HaiRori
,Iknowy ouareoldbut
thi
sIdi
dnotexpect.Howl onghaveyou
beenwit
hthi
sguy…. .Huh?”

Icouldn’
tevenl ookheri ntheey e.Iwas
l
ookingdownandt earscouldn’tstop
fal
li
ng.Ihearexact l
ywhatmymom i s
sayi
ngandIwi shshecoul dbeli
ev ethat
i
twasnoti ntentional.Wor separtmy
dad,walkedoffshaki nghi shead.Thuso
sai
dhewi l
ltal
kt ohiml ater,Ir
eallydon’
t
knowhowIwasgoi ngtohandl ethisif
Thusowasnother
e.

Thuso:“Mom,It
hinkt
hati
snotr
eal
l
y
necessar
yri
ghtnow”

Mom:“AowaThuso,
wecan’
tbedeal
i
ng
wi
tht
hesame
problemstsaRORI SANG.Ithoughtshe
l
ear nedfr
om herfir
stpregnancybut
clearl
yshedidnot….It
’sli
key enagea
hlakanalemothoomoswawai ma(It
’s
l
ikeev er
ytimeshemeet sanewper son
shehast ofal
lpregnant)
”

Me:
“Kemaswabamma(
Iam sor
ry
mom),i
twasnotr
eal
l
ymyi
ntent
ion”I
sayl
ooki
ngdown.

Mom: “SoOrobet
selemonnaRor i,
kantl
elecondom,osaekemisetsago
i
mmahuh?( Soyousleptwit
haman,
wit
houtacondom andi twasnotyour
i
ntenti
ontofal
lpregnant?
”

Thuso:“
Mma, Idon’
tthinky el
l
ingather
nowwouldsolveanyt
hing.Ihav emeet
thi
smanandheseemsr esponsibl
e.I
bel
ievehehasgoodintentionsforRori
andthewayhelovesOr alikehisownI
doubthewil
lwalkawayf rom hischil
d”
Mom: “Youareoldngwanaka, Iwoul d
notexpectyoutofallapartl
ikethelast
ti
me.Likeyourbrothersays,it
’sal
ready
happenedandwecan’ tchangethe
si
tuati
on”

Thuso:“
Rekgopel
alebolel
elebopapa
(Pl
easetal
ktodadforus)
”

Mom: “Iwil
ltalktohim, Oskawara
(Don’
tworry)Ror ihewi l
lcomearound.I
am sureheisj ustconcernedabouthi
s
onlydaughter.Weal lknowhowy ou
werethelasttimeandnopar entwants
toseetheirchildgothroughthat”
Shewal
kst
owar
dsmeandgi
vesmea
hug.

Me:
“Keal
ebogamma”

Mom:“Nowstopcryi
ng,
wedon’
twant
t
ostr
essthebaby”

Lateronthatdadmyf at
hercamet ome
andwehadachat .Hesay sdidnot
meant ohurtmebywal ki
ngout .This
wholethi
ngbr oughtbackallthe
memor i
esofmyf ir
stpregnancyand
rev
okedal l
hisfears.Iknowmyf ather
l
ovesmedear l
yandhewoul ddo
anythi
nginhispowert omakesur eIam
happyandhewi shhecouldpr otectme
from all
thehur tanddisappoint
mentof
thisworld.Hesai dt
hatIhav ealway
s
beent hefragil
eoneandt hatmakeshim
mor econcer nedaboutme.

*
***
**
Dur
ingt
heweekatwor
k
Ror
isang

Iam f eeli
ngv erysleepyandIam
expect edtol i
stenattenti
velyt
ot he
present at
ion.Icraveahotbl ackcof f
ee
butIcan’ tindulgebecauseIhav ebeen
advisedagai nstitandmanyot herthings.
Il
ookatt het i
meandIsweari tnot
mov ing.Ilookbl anklyatthepresenter
andpr
etendt
obelist
eni
ngandhear
ing
whati
t’
sbeensai
d.

Finallythepresentati
onisdoneaf t
er
whatseemsl ikeadecade.Ipackupmy
thingsandmakemywayt otheoff
ice.
I
t’swei rdbecausepeopl earestanding
att hereceptionarealookingoutsi
de
throught hewi ndow.Iwonderwhatt hey
arel ookingatasIwal kpastthem.IfI
wasnott hi
stiredIwasalsogoingto
j
oint hem.

Iwalktomyoffi
ceandthrowmy selfon
thechai
r.Imustseeadoctoraboutt his
fat
igueorel
seIwill
notsurvi
veli
ket his.
IlookatmyphoneandIhavenot
recei
vedanymessagesormissedcal
ls
from Phuml
a.Isi
gh.Hedi
dsayhei s
goingtohaveahecti
cday.

Thali
tha:
“thenwena,whydoyoulook
l
ikeyouwer ehitbyat
rai
n”shesays
aft
ershewal ksinmyoff
ice

Me:“
Eishkel
api
l
eboshai
de(
Iam dead
t
ir
ed)
”

Thal
it
ha:Laughi
ng“Odi
raengboshego
gererobet
se?(Whatar
eyoudoingat
ni
ghtwhenwear
esl
eepi
ng?
)”

Iam savedbytheknockont hedoor.I

si
ghtandThaligi
v esmeaconf used
l
ook.Iam notinthemoodf orpeopl
e
ri
ghtnow.Iwishtheycouldjustgoaway
butIguessnotcozt heper
sonkeepson
knocki
ng.

Thali
tha:
“Comein”shecal
l
soutbef
ore
gi
vingmet hel
ook.
Iwhitel
adywal ksinwit
hahugesmile
onherface,Idon’tknowwhysheis
gri
nningl
ikethatcozIhavenevermeet
herinmylif
e.
Her:“Goodmorni
ngladi
es,mynamei s
CindyJonesandIam l
ooki
ngf or
Roli
sangMokoena”shesti
l
l hasher
annoyinggr
inon.

Me:“
Rori
sangMokoenanotRol
i
sang,
howcanIhel
pyoumam”

Cindy:“Pl
easefor gi
vemef orbutcheri
ng
yourname.Iam r eall
ysor ry.Ihavea
deli
veryforyoudownst air
smayy ou
ki
ndlysignheref orme”shesay s
handingmeabunchofy el
lowr osesand
asmal lbox.Iwonderwhatmeani ngli
es
behindthispart
icularchoiceofcol or
.
Irecei
vebotht hefl
ower sandthebox
andplacethem downbef or
etaki
ngthe
paperthatIneedtosi gn.Il
ookat
Thali
thawhoj ustshrughershoulder
.

Cindy
:“Thankyoumam,Iwishyou
nothi
ngbuthappyki
lomet
ers”shesay
s
befor
ewalkingof
f.

Thal
it
haandIbursti
ntol
aughteras
soonassheclosest
hedoor.White
peopl
eareveryodd,
whatdoeswhatshe
j
ustsaidmeans.

Thal
i
tha:
“wow, whatdi
dyoudotomake
amansot hankf
ul?
”shesaysl
ooki
ngat
thecard.Iwasl aughingsohar d,Idon’t
evennot i
cehert aki
ngthecar d.Iquickl
y
grabitfrom herandread, somepeopl e
don’trespectotherpeople’spri
vacy.

Ireadt hecar dandsmi le,i

t’
sf r
om
Phuml aandhesay st hathecannev er
bet hankmeenoughf orloving,hehopes
thesmal l gif
tIrecei
v edwi l
l makemy
j
our neysi mple.It
’snotasbi gor
especi alaswhatIhav egi v
enhi m.He
shallforeverbegr ateful.NowIam
curi
oust of i
ndoutwhatgi fthesentbutI
am notgoi ngtoopeni tinfrontof
Thalitha.
Thal
i
tha:“
areyounotcur
ioust
ofi
ndout
what
’sint
hatbox?”

Me:Chucking“
No,butIknowyouare
andIam notgoi
ngtoopenitnow.Iwi
ll
openitwhenIgethome”

Shelaughs.Wecont i
nuetal
kingabout
thi
sandt hat
.Sheasksmemi l
l
ion
questi
onsaboutThusowhi chIdomy
bestnottoentertai
n.Thal
it
haev ent
uall
y
l
eavesmyof f
iceandtell
smeshewi l
l
seemet omor rowcozsheisknocking
off
.
Igetbacktomywor kandtr
ytoworkon
aprojectIam cur
rentl
ybusywit
h.Af
ter
somet i
meIlookatthewat chandr eali
ze
i
t’sti
met ogohomeandPhuml ahasn’t
call
edme.Iam gettingpissedbecause
heknowst hatheismyr idehome.I
takeoutmyphoneandsendhi m an
SMSaski ngifhewil
l beabletofetchor
shouldIcal
lacab.It’soddbecause
whenhei snotavail
abletocoll
ectmehe
normallyl
etsmeknowi nadvancet hat
hewi l
lbesendingadr i
verforme.

Phuml
a:“
MyPedi queen”He
i
mmediat
elycal
lmeback.

Me:“Phuml
ani
,i
fyoucan’
tfet
chme
pl
easehavet
hedecencyt
oletmeknow
i
ntime”ohkIdidnotmeant
osoundt
hat
di
srespect
ful
tohim.

Phumla:“Wow, maseungibi
zange
gamalami ,ngi
yakakwazi
ukuthi
ukwati
le(Iknowyouareangrywhenyou
cal
lmebymyname)di dn’
tyourecei
ve
yourgi
ft”

Me:“Idi
d,buti
tdoesn’
tsol
vemy
t
ranspor
tprobl
em nowdoesit
?”

Phumla:“ohk,
Angizwisisekemanj
e.
Uthol
einikahl
ekahle?(NowIdon’t
under
stand,whatexactl
ydidyour
ecei
ve)
”
Me:
“Fl
ower
sandasmal
lbox”

Phumla: “
Ohk,Isee.Ngiyaxoli
sa(I
apol
ogize).Packyourthingsandcome
downst ai
rs.Iwil
lmeety outher
e…..
and
mylovepl easedon’
tleavethatsmall
boxbehindanddon’ tdropthephone
ei
ther
”

Ipackupmyt hingsandwal kdown

stair
swhilest
ill
ont hephone.Peopl e
arebusywhisperingont hecorri
dor s
andot her
sarestil
l l
ooki
ngout side
throughthewindowsl i
keearli
er.Ireall
y
wonderwhathast hem sofascinated.I
wal
koutandgetmorepi
ssedatthi
s
manbecausehei
snotoutsi
del
ikehe
pr
omisedmehewill
.

Me:
“Youar
enother
eli
key
oupr
omi
sed”

Phumla:
“OhkSthandwasam,cany
ou
pl
easeopenthatsmall
box”

Yoh,t
hisguyiff
ull
ofjokestodayandI
am noti
nthemood.Itakeoutt hebox
fr
om myhandbagandopeni t.Idropmy
j
awwhenIseewhati sinside.Imov emy
eyesandfi
nal
lynoti
ceabr andnewcar
ononeofourparki
ngspacewi tha
yel
lowri
bbon.Whatthefickerdell
?Itake
outthekeyf rom theboxandpr essit
andt hecarf lashest heli
ghts.Iam mor e
scaredt hanexci tedr i
ghtnow.Peopl e
aretakingv i
deoswhi l
eothersare
clappinghands.Tear sar
efalli
ngr i
ght
nowandIev enf orgotthatIam ont he
phonewi thPhuml a.Iwalktothecarand
remov et heribbon, whydidThal i
tha
l
eav eear lymar a?Ineedhert otellmeI
am notdr eamingr ightnow.

Guysthisisnotjustacar ,
it’
saf r
eken
JaguarF-Pace,Ihaveat hi
ngf orbig
carsandthiswasnotev enonmyl i
stof
afir
stcarbecausei t
’sv erypricey
.Iopen
thedoorandslideinside.Thi smancan’t
bereal,
suchabi ggiftjustbecauseIam
expecti
nghischil
d.Iwi
peoffmytears
andtrytosearchformyphone.If
indi
t
i
nt hebag,Ir
eali
zehedidnothangup.

Me: “
Manzini
,thi
sistoomuch,
Ican’
t
acceptt
his”Isaycr
ying

Phumla:
“Youalr
eadyaccept
edbaby
,
rememberyou’
resi
gnedfori
t”

Me:“Iam t
ooemot i
onal
,Idon’
tthi
nkI
wi
ll
beabl etodr
ive”myeyesaresti
ll
wet
.

Phuml
a:“
Giv
emef
ewmi
nut
esandIwi
l
l
bet
her
e”

HehangsupandIseehi m walking
t
owardsthecarl
ookingallsexy.Atleast
t
hecrowdhaddieddown.Igetoutof
t
hecarandrunint
ohi sar
ms.He
r
ecei
vesmeandki ssesmedeepl y
.

Phumla:“Iguessyouwil
lbedri
vi
ngme
toworktomor r
owbecauseIam leav
ing
myemsebenzi ni
(Atwor
k)”hesays
breaki
ngthehugandkiss.

Hetakesmyhandandhisandl eadsme
t
othecar.Heopensthepassengerdoor
f
ormeandIslidein,
heclosesthedoor
andIwat
chhi
m wal
ktot
hedr
iver
’ssi
de.

Phumla:“
areyousureyouwantmeto
dr
iveyournewcar,ev
enthoughInev
er
l
etyoudriv
emi ne”
Me:“Iwi
llonl
yal
lowyoutodrivej
ust
t
hisonce”Isaywit
habiggestsmil
e.

Thepushesabut tontost
arttheignit
ion
anddrives.Isti
ll
can’tbel
iev
et hi
sman
boughtmeaf ri
kkenJaguar.Howl ucky
canagi rlr
eall
ybe?DearGod, ift
hisisa
dream pleasedon’tletmewokeup.
[
05/
04,
21:
11] :
Inser
t31

Ror
isang

Phumla:si
nging“ I
fi t'
smeantt obe,i
t'
ll
be,i
t'
l
lbe.Baby,justl etitbe.Ifi
t'
s
meanttobe,i
t'l
lbe, i
t'llbe.Baby,j
ustlet
i
tbe.So,won'tyour idewi thme, r
ide
wit
hme?Seewher et histhinggoes.i
f
i
t'
smeantt obe,it'
l
l be, it
'l
lbe.Baby,i
f
i
t'
smeantt obe”

Me:singing“Idon'tmeant obeso
upti
ght,butmyhear t'
sbeenhurta
coupleti
mes.Byacoupl eguysthat
di
dn'ttr
eatmer ight.Iai
n'tgon'
li
e,ai
n'
t
gonnali
e.'
CauseI'
mtir
edofthef
ake
l
ove,showmewhaty ou'
remadeof.Boy
,
makemebel i
eve”

Phumla:si
nging“Butholdup,gi
rl
,don'
t
youknowy ou'
rebeauti
ful?Andi
t'
seasy
tosee”hewinksatmebef or
efi
xi
nghis
eyesbacktotheroad.

Me&hi m:singing“ Ifit'

smeantt obe, it
'l
l
be,i
t'
l
lbe.Baby ,justl etitbe.Ifi
t'
s
meanttobe, i
t'
l
l be, i
t'llbe.Baby,justlet
i
tbe.So,won'ty our idewi thme, ri
de
wit
hme?Seewher et histhinggoes.If
i
t'
smeantt obe, it'
l
l be, it
'l
lbe.Baby ,
if
i
t'
smeantt obe”
Ihavet obehonest ,Iam atmyhappi est
ri
ghtnow.Idon’ tthinkIhav eev erbeen
thi
shappyi nmyl ife.Imean2019has
real
lybeenaboutni cethingssof ar.I
knowsomepeopl emi ghtsayal lgood
thi
ngscomet oanendbl ahbl ahblah,
butrightnowIchooset oi gnor eallthat.
Ichooset obuskinmycur rentst ateof
emot ionswhichishappi ness.Ichoose
tobehappyandenj oythisf eeli
ng.I
choosenott owor ryaboutwhat
tomor rowmightbr i
ng.Iread
somewher ethatwemustl iv etodaywi th
j
oyandnotwai tfort omor rowbecause
tomor rowmaynev ercome.
Itakeal ookatt hi
shandsomemanandI
can’thel pbutsmi le.Wecont i
nue
singingal ongt o‘ meantt obe’ byBebe
Rexha.It hinkwef oundouront her oad
singal ongsong.Wehav ebeenpl aying
thesongonr epeatf orov er15mi nutes
now.Imustsaywear ebot h
assassi nat i
ngt het unebutwedon’ tcare.
Ifwewer etogot oi dols,wewoul dev en
l
oset hewoodenmi cchal lenget hat’
s
howbadwebot har eatsi ngi
ng.ButI
guesswedon’ tcare, thisiswhowear e
wheni t’
sj ustthet woofus.Wel etloose
andf orgetaboutbei ngper f
ect.

Phumla:“
Doy ouwantustostopher
e”
wejustpassedasi
gnlett
ingusknow
weareappr
oachi
ngaf
il
li
ngst
ati
oni
n5
km.

Wedeci dedt otakear oadt r

iptoKruger
nationalparkviaMpumal anga.Themain
reasonbeingt otestdrivethenewcar .
Toobadwehadt ol eaveOr abecause
shewant edt oattendLorna’sbirt
hday
party,t
hankfull
ymypar entsagreedto
accompanyher .Whenwewer emaking
arrangement sandbooki ngsforthetri
p
wehadt otal
lyfor
got t
enaboutt heparty
.

Me:
“Yespl
ease,
Ineedt
hel
oo”

Hechuckl
esandshakeshi
shead.
Phumla:“I
tmustbeal l
thatbit
terjuice
youhavebeendrinki
ng,angizwisi
siuyi
sel
anjaniyi
mbithatthi
ng(Idon’ t
under
standhowy oudrinkit
,it
sbi t
ter)
”

Irollmyeyesathim,goodt hi
ngheis
focusedont heroadaheadbecause
trustmehehat eitwhenIroll
myeyesat
him.Heoncet oldmet hathefi
ndsi
t
disrespect
ful
.

Me:“
Ebosekudu(
It
’sver
ynice)y
ouare
mi
ssoutshamepl
usit
’sver
yhealt
hy”
Phumla:
“Dankiengi
yabonga(Nothank
you),
Iwil
lst
icktomydelici
ous
smoothi
esifIwantheal
thy”hesay
s
shaki
nghishead.

Wedr i
vei ntothefi
ll
ingstat
ionandpark
thecar.Webot hgetoutofthecarand
walkont othestorehandinhand.Iwalk
tothefemal etoil
etandhewal kt
othe
maleones.If i
ndhi m busyonthephone
whenIwal kout.Hegivesmeandwar m
smileandsayby etothepersononthe
otherside.

Phumla:“
Thatwasmybr ot
her
…..
onthe
phone”hesaysassoonaswegetinsi
de
t
hecar
.

Wepi ckedupf ewthi

ngsinthestore
fi
rst,i
ncludi
ngmyj ui
cethathasPhuml a
cri
nging.Idon’
tunderst
andwhyt hough
becauseIf i
ndgrapef
rui
tjui
cequitenice.
InfactIdon’tl
i
keapplejui
ce,If
indittoo
sweetf ormyli
king.

Me:
“Oohhowi
shedoi
ng?
”

Phuml
a:“
Notsogr
eat
”hesi
gh

Me:“
Whatiswr
ongwithhim?”It
urnt
o
l
ookathi
m,nowIam concer
ned
becauseIcanseewhatev
ertheyspoke
abouthadmyZulukingstr
essi
ng.

Phuml a:
“Wewi l
ltal
kaboutitl
aterohk,I
promisedyouaf unroadtr
ipandthat’
s
whatIplannedtogiveyou”hesays
forci
ngasmi l
i
ng.

Me:“Ohk,whatgenreareweli
sti
ngto
next
”wehav ebeentryi
ngdif
fer
ent
genreofmusic.Fr
om kwait
o,to
gospel
.“
May bewecant r
ycountr
y”i
saysusi
ngat axi
saccent.

Phumla:
“Count
ryy
yyyy
y y
yy?Yoh,
Ithi
nk
Ionl
yknowBlakeShel
ton………yepthat
’s
t
heonl
ycount
rysi
ngerIknow”

Me:“Iam sur
eyouknowDol
l
yPar
ton
baby
”

Phumla:“
oohyesDol
l
yPar
ton,
howcan
If
orgether
?”

Me: “
Wel ll
etmei ntroduceyoutoBr ad
Parsl
ey ”Isaysearchingforhissongson
YouTube.That ’
showwehav ebeen
playi
ngmusi callalong.Thesoundof
Bradpar sl
ey’
s‘Then’ fi
l
lsthecarandI
seemymanl aughi
nghi sassoffasI
si
ngal ong.
Phumla:
chuckli
ng“ Youandyourwhit
e
peopl
emusi cfi
rsti
twasJamesBl unt
andnowthis?howdi dyouenduplist
ing
tothi
smusic,Imeanwhot heheck
l
ist
entoBredPar sl
ey”

Me: Si
ngi ng“nowy ou'
remywhol eli
fe.
Nowy ou'remywhol ewor l
d.Ij ustcan'
t
believet hewayIf eelabouty ou, man.
Likear i
vermeet sthesea, Strongerthan
i
t'sev erbeen.We' vecomesof arsince
thatday .AndIt houghtIlov edy outhen”
Isingal ongl ookingathi m, Isli
demy
ri
ghthandi nhislefthand,thankgodf or
automat iccar.Noneedt obechangi ng
gear s.Phuml akeepsgl ancingatmeand
backattheroadasIsi
ngandIswearI
sawaZul umanblushi
ngandi
twasjust
pri
cel
ess.

Phumla:nodding“BradPr
esleyneh,my
newfavori
tecountrymusicsinger
,I
swearyouar egoi
ngt omakemel ose
mystreetcred”hesaysattheendofthe
song.

*
***
**

Thapel
o

Hi
m:“
Soy
ouar
echoosi
ngt
heeasyway
out
……….
.Youchooset
orunaway
”

Me: “
Iam notrunningaway
,ther
eis
nothi
nglefther
ef ormeanymore”Isay
packi
ngmycl othesint
oabag.

Jakeisgoingupanddownwat chi
ngme
packupmyt hings.Ineedt
ogetoutof
thi
splace.Hemayl ookasbei
nga
cowardandr unni
ngawaybutIcan’
t
stayhere.

Jake:
“Howl
ongwi
l
lyoubegone?
”

Me:
“Idon’
tknow”
Jake:
Chuckl
i
ng“Youar
enotcomi
ng
backarey
ou?”

IstopwhatIam doi ngandlookathi

m.I
canseehei sbrokenbyt hedeci
si
on
thatIhavetaken.Ihavetri
edtomake
him underst
andthatIneedt odothi
sfor
mebuthei sj
ustchoosingnotto
understand.

Me:“Idi
dnotsayt
hat.Ij
ustcan’
tgi
ve
youanyti
meframes”Isaycal
mly.I
needhimtocal
m down
Jake:“Youar enotpl anningtocome
backar ey ou?”Isi
ghandcont i
nue
taki
ngcl othesoutofacl osetand
packingt hem int
oasecondbag“ Soyou
arewi l
l
ingt ogiveitallup,allofit
?”he
saywi t
hcomposur e.Hemusthav e
real
izedt hatshoutingatmei snotgoi
ng
tohelp.

Me:“What
’st
her
etogi
veup?
……………Huh?Tellmewhat
’sdoIhav
e
l
eft
?”

Jake:“Iguessyouareright
,youhave
nothi
ngt olose”heshoutsbefore
l
eav i
ngandsl ammingthedoor .
Ishakemyheadandcl ickmyt ongue
whileIconti
nuet opackmybags.Ir eall
y
havenot hi
ngl efti
nt hisGodf orsaken
place.Ihavelosti tal
l,soIchooset o
l
eav ewiththel i
ttl
edi gnit
yIstil
lhold.
May beachangeofscener ywil
ldome
good.Iam wi ll
ingt ostartafr
esh.Jake
mustunder standt hatthishasnot hing
todowi thhim.Ineedt odot hisformeI
can’tmakehi m happywhi leIam not .

*
***
**

Phuml
a
Mpumalangawassuchabr eat
hoff r
esh
ai
r.Ther
eissomethi
ngaboutspendi ng
ti
mewi t
hal ov
edoneinanunfamiliar
pl
ace,wakingupi
nadiff
erentspace
andexperi
enci
ngnewplacestogether.
Wewentonsomanyadv ent
ures

Theadv ent ureswewentonev ent hough

shecoul dn’tparti
cipateinallofthem
sincewear ebeingcar efulandall.The
tri
pwasmuchneeded, spendingtime
together,justthet woofus.Weev en
exploredouradv entur
oussi des,we
walkedt hel i
onsi nthemor ningand
enjoyedt hewhol eelephantexper ience.
Me:
smi
l
ing“
Manzi
ni”

Thapel
o:“Hai,t
hisplacei
sfarIst
opped
atagaragejustaft
erSebeti
elat
ollpl
aza.
Am Ist
ill
far
? ”

Me: chuckl
ing“It
oldyout ogetafl
i
ght,
butdon’tdespair
,youjustpassedt
he
l
astt al
lgat
e.Just45mi nandy ouwil
lbe
here”

Thapel
o:“
Yoohai,allIneedwhenIget
ther
eisahotmeal,showerandabed,I
am deadt
ir
edit
’snotev enfunny
”
Me: Laughing“Wewi llseewhatwecan
dotoaccommodat eyoumf o,st
op
whinningandj ustgetontheroad.The
soonery ouleavetherethesooneryou
wil
larriv
e”

Thapel
o:“Ki
ndl
yaskyourPediqueent
o
cookanicewarm meal
please”

Me:“
Iwil
laskhernicel
y,butIdon’
t
pr
omiseyouanyt
hing”

Thapel
o:“
ThanxBr
o,Iwi
l
lseey
oui
na
bi
t”
[
05/
04,
21:
12] :
Inser
t32
Phuml
ani

Me:
“Sowhat
’snextf
ory
ou?
”

Iam busyi
ngturni
ngthemeatmaki
ng
surethati
tdoesn’
tburnsoi
havemy
backtohim.

Him:“Wel
lIdon’tknowyet”It
urnt
olook
athi
m“ Ei
sh……..Iwasthi
nkingmaybeI
coul
d,youknow…. .l
ookforajobt
his
si
de”hesaysbef or
etaki
ngasipfr
om
hi
sbottl
e.
Inodandt akeasi pform mygl ass
bef oretaki
ngasi tnexttohi m.Iam
hav ingwhiskywhi l
ehei shav inghis
Wi ndhoekDr aft
.Wear esi
ttingout side
byt hepool dri
nkingbeerwhi l
ebr aaing
somemeat .Roriwasnotf eelingwel l
todaysoshecoul dn’tcomeandmeet
mybr other
.SoIhadt opassi mpr ovise
andcookpapbef oresetti
ngt hef ir
ef or
abr aai.Iwouldhav esettl
edon
takeaway sbutthisonei nsistedon
homecookedmeal .

Me:
“Manzi
niwhatr
eal
l
yhappened?
”

Thapel
o:Si
gh“
Eishi
t’
swasj
ustamess.
Oneoft
hest
udent
sthr
ewher
sel
fatme
and….
.”

Me:
“ Tel
lmey oudidnot
”Isaypoi
nti
ng
myforef
ingerathi
m.

Thapelo:shaki
nghishead“OfCouseI
didn’
t,shewasjustachil
dandbesideI
wasnotev enintoher
”sigh“Youhaveto
beli
eveme, ever
yonealr
eadythinkIdi
d
i
tIcan’thavemybr ot
herthi
nkingli
ke
thataboutme”

Me:
“Sowhat
?Sheaccusedy
ouofr
ape”
Thapelo:“Nonosheknowt here
wouldn’tbeproofforthatsoshe
accusedmeofsomet hingfarwor se”I
giv
ehim al ookthatsay scontinue“ She
accusedmeofsexual harassment .She
sai
dIaskedherf orsex ualfav
orsand
thr
eatenedherwi thaf aili
fshedoesn’ t
comply”

Me:
“Sot
heyj
ustbel
i
evedher
?”

Hest
oodupandwentt
otur
nthemeat
.

Thapel
o:“
Obvi
ousl
ytheybel
ievedher
,I
meanwel i
vei
nawor l
dwherewoman
andchi
ldr
enhavebecometarget
sof
fi
lthyper vertsandar epronet osexual
harassment .Mostoft het imet he
victi
msdonotr eportthei nci dents,so
whenagi rlchil
dr eportssomet hi
ngl ike
thisandt hereisnopr ooft or efuteher
claimi tbecomet heaccused’ swor dsvs.
thecompl ai
nant ’
swor ds”heav ysigh
“Andguesswhoget sbur ned……. .The
accusedobv i
ousl y,becausei ftheydon’ t
taket hecompl ainant’swor dt heyar e
maki ngi tdiffi
cultforreal vict i
mst o
speakout ”hesay splacingt hemeati nto
abowl .

Damn, peopl
ecanr ui
nyourl
ifeoutther
e.
Imeant hedamagegoesbey ondone’s
reput
ationbecauseshoul
dthetrut
h
comeoutt hattheaccusati
onwasf al
se,
noonewi llbeli
evet hereal
victims
wit
houtpr ovingproof.Ithi
nkwemust
al
sokeepi nmi ndthatnotallsexual
har
assmentcasescanbepr oven.I
wonderifthislitt
legir
lknowhow
damagingherf al
seaccusationare,if
sheherselfwi l
lbeablet ol
eav ewiththe
damaget hatshehascaused.

Me:“
Sotheyt
houghti
tsbesty
ouget
f
ir
ed?”

Thapel
o:Shaki
nghishead“Iwasn’
tfi
red,
Iwasadvisedt
oresi
gn.Atleastt
hat
waynothi
nggoesonr ecor
dandIcan
sti
l
lapplyforaj
obasat
eacher
.SoI
sawitbestto….
.”

Heisdist
urbedmyringingphone.I
smil
ewhenIseet hecallerI
D,Thapel
o
rai
sehi
sthumbt osayImustgoahead
andanswerashewal ksbacktothe
house.

*
***
*

Me:“MaZunguwam omuhle”Ican’
t
hel
pbutsmile,
Imissmyqueen.Sheis
al
waysti
redtheseday
s.
Ror
i:“
Zungu,
someonewant
stospeak
toy
ou”

Me:chuckl
i
ng“andher
eIwast
hinki
ng
youmissme”

Ror
i:“
nah,
don’
tfl
att
ery
our
sel
f”

Me:l
aughi
ng“wellt
henMaZungu,
letme
t
alkt
omypr i
ncess”

Ora:“
BabaLani
,Imissy
ou”shesound
l
ikeshewascry
ing

Yes,
Itoughthert
ocal
lmebabaLani
i
nsteadofuncl e,Iwantt
obeafatherto
herinallaspects.Thel
astt
imeIsaw
herwasbef orewewentt oMpumalanga
andthat’saweekago.Shewasather
grandparent’
splacesoIcoul
dn’
tseeher
whenev erIwantedto.

Me:“Whati
swr
ongpr
incess,
tal
kto
Baba”

Ora:“
Idon’
twanttosl
eepher
e”Sni
ff
s
“Pl
easecomefetchme”

Me:“Omypri
ncess,
Imi
ssy
out
oo
pr
incess”
Ora:“
Butyoudon’
tcomet
oseeme
anymoreBabaLani
”

Me:si
ghi
ng“
Ohkpr
incessIam comi
ng
ok,
giv
emommythephone”

Sheholdonthephonewhilesni
ffi
ng,I
guesssheiscry
ing.Myheartbr
eaks
becausesheisalway
sjol
lyandrarel
y
cri
es.

Ror
i:"
Manzi
ni"

Me:
“Kant
iikhal
elai
nii
ngani
(Whyi
sshe
cr
ying?
)”

Ror
i:“
Hay
i,Or
awakgany
a(shei
sjust
bei
ngacr
ybaby)
”

Me:“Pl
easepackanover
nightbagf
or
bot
hofy ou,
Iam comi
ngtopickyouup”

Rori
:“Aowa,Justcomeandyouwil
l
sl
eepov er
,Iam al
readyi
nbedIam t
oo
l
azytoleave”

Me:“
Ican’
tleavemybr ot
herher
eal
one
onhi
sfi
rstnightpl
ease”
Rori
:si
gh“Ohkthen,Justcomeand
fet
chthi
scrybaby”

Iwal kt othehouseandgr abmycar

key s.Ror ii
snotf ri
endlyt obearound
theseday s.Iguessi t
’sthepr egnancy
hormonesandIf eel f
orOr abecause
shei sav eryener geti
cchi ldwhoneeds
attention.Iknowshecanbeahandf ul
butt ohearhercr yov ert hephonel ef
t
myhear ti
npi eces.Itlikeshei satthe
receivingendofhermot her ’
swr at
h,I
thi
nkt hisi sther easonwhyshechoose
tost aylongeratt hegr andparent’s
house.Isayby et omybr otherandhead
off.
*
***
*

Thapel
o

Iam si
tt
ingonacouchwhenIseemy
bot
herwalkinwi
thabeaut
if
ulbabygi
rl
.

Me:“AndyoumustbeOra”Isay
st
andingupfr
om wher
eIam seated.

Shehidebehindherfat
her’
sleg,
Iguess
sheisjustbei
ngshynotli
kethedayI
spoketoheroverthephone.

Phuml
a:“
Comesayhi
tobabaomcani
pr
incess”

Or
a:“
Hel
l
o”

Me:
“Hipr
incesswaMal
ome,
comegi
ve
meahug”

Shehesit
ateandlookatPhuml afir
st
befor
e.Iguessshei sseeki
ngapproval
fr
om him.Goodgi r
l.It
hinktomyself
becauseweliveinamessedupwor ld
whereperver
tspreyonsmal lchi
l
dren.
Phumlagivesheranodandshewal ks
i
ntomyar msf orahug.
Or
a:“
Hel
l
oMal
ome”shesay
sshy
ly.

Phumla:“Ohkpr
incessgoputy
ourbag
i
ny ourr
oom andcomedownandeat
wit
hbabaneh? ”

Shenodsandrunupst
air
s.Thi
sli
tt
le
humans,t
heyareal
waysrunni
nghey.

Me: “I
sthatthesamechi l
dwhowas
askingme21quest ionsonthephone
theotherday?”Isaypoint
ingatt
he
dir
ectionshewent.

Phuml
a:l
aughi
ng“
Giv
eherf
ewmi
nut
es
andyouwil
lsee”hesay
swal
ki
ngt
othe
ki
tchen.

If
oll
owhim andfi
ndhim dishi
ngf
or
hi
mselfandthepr
incess.

Me:“Sowher
eishermother?Iam
st
art
ingt
othi
nkshedoesn’twantto
meetmeoryoudon’twanthertomeet
me”

Phuml a:
“Uy
ahl
any
a(Youarecrazy)
str
aight,
whywoul
dn’
tIwanthertomeet
you?
Me: “Maybey ouar
eafraidshewil
l
real
izethatsheiswit
ht hewrong
brother
,PhelaIam whatwomancal l
a
catch”Isaylaughi
ng.

Phuml a:throwi
ngahandt owel atme
“MyPedi queenandIwer emadef or
eachot herManzi ni
.Shewoul dn’teven
l
ookaty out wi
ceev enifshewer eto
meety ousomewher e.Besideher
pregnancyhor monesandsi cknesses
arejustonst er
oids.Hopef ul l
yyouwi l
l
meethert omorrow? ”

If
oll
owhi
mtothesi
tt
ingr
oom andcal
l
Orat
ocomeandhav
edinner
.Il
ookat
howbeaut if
ulofar el
ationshipmy
brot herhaswi thhisdaught er
.Ican’t
helpbutwonderwhatki ndofaf at
her
willIbeori fIam meantt obecomea
father .Thi schildisdef initel
ydaddy’s
l
itt
legi rl
,shesetonherf ather’
slap
whi leeat ingdi nnerandnowwear e
madet owat ch‘Sophi at hefir
st’i
nstead
oft heLi v
er pool gamet hati sair
ingon
superspor t.Idon’ tknowwhy ,butOra
l
ooksf ami li
ar.Ifeel l
ikeIhav eseenher
befor e, butIcan’ tquitepl acetheface.
Shepr obabl yhasoneoft hosefaces
thatl ookf amili
ar ,
Iknowmostpeopl e
dohav esuchf aces.

Or
a:“
NoBaba,
it’
sti
ckl
i
sh”shesay
s
al
mostoutofbr
eat
h.

Shei sl yingonherbackwhi l
eherfather
ti
cklesherbody .Youcan’thel
pbut
nothinghowgoodofaf at
hermybr other
i
s.Isowi shIhadhimi nmyl i
fewhil
e
growi ngup.Iam sur ehewoul dhave
beent hebestbi gbrot
heranyonecould
askf or .Ihavenotknownhi mforlong
butIhav elearnedhehasabi gheartand
familymeansev er
ythi
ngtohim.

Phumla:“
Ohkpr i
ncessi
tsbedtime,l
et’
s
gotuckyouin”hesayspicki
ngherup
fr
om thecouch.“
SaynightMalome”
Or
a:“
Goodni
ghtMal
ome”

Me:
“Goodni
ghtpr
incess,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou
t
omorr
ow”

Theywalkupstair
swithOralaughi ng
l
oudlyIcan’
thelpbutsmile.Shei sfr
ee
spi
ri
tedandhasabeaut if
ullaughterthat
canmelteventhecoldesthearts.Ipick
uptheremoteandchanget hechannel
towatchtheLi
v er
poolgame.
[
05/
04,
21:
13] :
Inser
t33

Phuml
a
Thapelo:"youcan'
thonest
lybl
ameme.I
reall
ythoughtsheabort
edthechil
dli
keI
toldherto"hesaysasIwalkinthe
house.

Hei sbusycl eani

ngbloodt hati
soozing
outofhi snose.Itrul
ylostitwhenI
askedhi m whathappened, whydidRori
reactlikethataft
erseeinghim.Allhe
coul dsayt omewas" Ithi
nkIam Or a'
s
father".Icoul
dhav ehandleditbet
terbut
Iallowedangert ocloudme.Imusthav e
l
osti tbecauseIfoundmy sel
fbeati
ng
him up.

Ipassedhi
mther
eandwal
ktot
he
bedr
oom.Ihavefarbetterthi
ngsto
worr
yaboutthanwhathet houghtshe
di
dafterhel
eftherpregnantandbroken.
Yes,
Iknowhowbr okenshewasaf t
er
hewalkedof
fonher .

Shemi ghthav enotshar editwithme

butherbr ot
herdid.Het oldmeabout
herstateofmi ndpostt hebr eakup,t
he
depressionandt hesuicidalthoughts
andat t
empt .Ivowedt olov eherand
protectherfrom al
lthehear tbreakand
headacheandnowIf eel l
i
keIf ai
ledher
.
Ibroughthim backtoherl i
fe.

Ichangei
ntoacl
eant
-shi
rtbecauset
he
oneIam wear ingi sallbl
oodi edup.I
grabmycarkey sandphonebef ore
runningoutoft hehousei gnor i
ngmy
brother.Fuckhi mf orallicare, Ihave
mill
ionst houghtr ushinginmymi nd
ri
ghtnow.Iam wor r
iedaboutt hest at
e
shewasi nasshedr oveout ,
Ipr ayshe
arri
veshomesaf e.Ialsopr aythatmy
unbor nchildandpr i
ncessar ef i
ne
becauseIsawhowshecr iedf orme
whenhermot herwasdr i
vingof f
.

Ikeept ryingherphonewhichj
ustrings
until
v oicemail
.'Fuck'
Icur
sehi
t t
ingthe
steeringwheel.IknowIam dri
vinglikea
mani acbutmymi ndi
snotonthespeed
l
imitsri
ghtnow.Isoonar r
iveatRor
i'
s
house,Idon'
tseehercarsoassumeshe
parkedinthegarage.Ir
unoutofmycar
assoonasIpar k.

Iknockoncebef oreusingmykeyand
l
etmy selfi
nsidethehousewhi chlook
desert
ed.Igof r
om room t or
oom calli
ng
OraandRor i
'snames.I tl
ookslikethey
didnotcomeher ewhi chleav
esmewi th
oneoption.

*
***
**

Ror
isang
Howdidmyl i
febecomesuchamessi n
aspl
itsecond?Fewday sagoIwasat
myhappiest.Iwasenjoyi
ngmy sel
fwith
amanwhohasshownmenot hi
ngbut
l
oveandcommi tment.Amanwhol oves
mychil
dlikehisown.Aselfl
essman
whowouldsacr i
fi
cehisownhappiness
j
ustt
oseemehappy .Amanwhowas
al
wayspat i
entwithmenomat terwhat.

Yes,Ihadmyst r
essf
ultimesupon
fi
ndi
ngoutt hatIam pregnantagain,
but
Phumlaeasedmei nt
ol ovi
ngtheideaof
havi
ngachi ldwithhi
m.Ishoul dhave
knownt hatall
thiswi
llcomecr umbli
ng
down.Happyendi nghav eneverbeenfor
gi
rl
slikeme.Ihav eneverthoughtinmy
wil
destdreamst hatThapelowould
comebacki nt
omychi l
d’sl
ifeinthi
s
manner.Noti nmyhor r
if
icnightmares
di
dIev erthinkthatmypastwi t
h
Thapelowoul dthreatenmyhappi ness
wit
hPhuml aoranymanf orthatmat t
er.

Iwipemyt earsusingat issueinmy

hand.Iam sit
ti
ngatt hispar ki
nglot
cryi
ngmyey esout .Icoul dhav edri
ven
tomyhousebutIcoul dn' tbecauseI
knewPhuml awi l
lbef ollowingme.SoI
drovetohomeanddr oppedOr awho
wassleepi
ngf rom allthecr y i
ngand
droveher
e.It’
sagoodt hingIonlyfound
AuntSophyathome.Myf at
herwould
haveseenr
ightt
hroughmeandIam not
sur
eIwouldhavebeenstr
ongenoughto
hol
don.

Itakeinadeepbr eathandwal koutof

thecart otherecept i
on.Ibookmy sel
fa
room, Iseepeopl elookingatmewei r
d.
Itmustbebecauseoft hisdarkshades
thatIam wear i
ngi ndoor s.Ican’
ttake
them offbecauseofmyswol l
enred
eyes.Itakemykeyandwal ktomyr oom,
Isighandt hrowsmy sel
font hebedas
soonasIwal kinside.Ineedt osleepoff
thi
sheadachet hatIam f eel
ingsinceI
can’
tingestanypi
l
l.

Imakesur ethatmyPhonei sswi tched

offbecauseIdon’ twantt ot alkto
any oneespeci al
lyPhuml a.Hehasbeen
blowi ngmyphonewi thcal ls.HowdoI
l
ookathi mt hesamewayagai n?How
doIst i
llcontinuebeingwi thhi m?Iam
notsur ehowal l
thiswi l
lpl ay out,butI
willneedhi mt oseer eason.Ihat ehis
brotherwi thpassi onf orall hehasput
met hroughandi twoul dbesel f
ishof
met oexpectPhuml at otur nhi sbackon
hisbr other.Theyonl yhav eeachot heri
n
thiswor ld,sobei nginPhuml a’
slife
meanshav ingThapel oi nmyl i
feandmy
daught er’slif
e.Adaught erhewant ed
ki
ll
edevenbeforeshewasgivena
chancetol
i
fe.Iwil
lneveral
l
owt hat
,
evenifi
tmeanswalkingawayfr
om the
l
ov eofmyl
ife.

I
sitevenallowedcultur
all
ytosleepwit
h
twobrother
s?Ev enworsebearthem
bothkids?HowdoIcont inuewith
Phumlawhi l
ehav i
ngmyexwhoi sa
fat
hertomyf ir
stchil
dasabr ot
herin
l
aw?Idozeof fwi t
hallt
hesethought
sin
mymi nd.

*
***
*

Phuml
a
Iwal kint ot hehouseandgost raightto
thest udy .Ineedt of
indt hecarpol icy
document sandt r
ytohacki ntot he
trackingsy stem inst
all
edi nt hecart o
trackRor idown.Iam wor r
iedabouther
andmyki ds.Especiall
ytheonet hatshe
i
sst il
l carr y
ingbecauseshecaneasi ly
l
osehi m orher .Ipuncht hewal latthe
thoughtofherl osingmychi ld.Shi t
, my
knuckl esandhandhur tsl i
kehel l
.Wher e
thehel lissheandwhatt hought sar e
goingt hr oughhermi ndrightnow.Iwi sh
wecoul dhav eallsetdownand
discussedt hi
swhol ethingr ationally.I
pourmy selfagl assofwhi skeyasIgo
throught hepaper si
nthebot tom dr awer.
Aft
erleavi
ngherhouseIdrovetoher
homei nSeshegoandther
ewasnosi gn
ofherbecausethecarwasnotpar ked
outsi
de.Isentachil
dwhowaspassi ng
bytogoandcal lherf
ormejustincase
andthechil
dcamebacksay i
ngt hatshe
i
snothome.

Thapel
o:“
Aret
heyohk?
”

Ilookupandf i
ndhim standingbythe
door .Icli
ckmyt ongueandl ookbackto
thelapt opandthepaperstryingtoent
er
theVI Nnumberont hesystem.He
betternotcomenearmebecauseIwi l
l
t
akeoutal
lmyf
rust
rat
iononhi
m.

Thapel
o:Si
gh“
Phuml
aIam v
erysor
ry,
I
di
dnotmean…….”

Me: “Youareapologi
zingtot hewr ong
personThapeloandIdon’ thav eti
mef or
yoursorrymina”Isaycuttinghim of f
withoutevenlooki
ngathi m.“ Doyou
evenknowt hedamagey oudi dtoher ?
……. .huh?………Doy ou?”Isayl ooking
upandpoi nti
ngaf i
ngerathim.
Thapelo:
“NoIdon’t
”hesayssl
owly
shaki
nghishead“Iwasyoungandnaï
ve
then”

YoungandNaï v
emyass.Hewasol d
enoughtoknowwhatwasr ightand
wrong.Heprobabl
ydidnotloveher
enoughbutheshouldn’
thaveturnedhi
s
backonhisownchildandmakehergo
thr
oughallt
hatshewentthrough
becauseofhiscowardi
ce.

Thesy st
em isnotr
espondingwel
land
thisfr
ustr
atesmesobadt hatIt
hrewa
glassofwhiskyatwal
lnexttowherehe
i
sst andi
ng.
Me:“Getoutofher
ebef
oreIki
l
lyou,I
needtofi
ndmywomanandchi l
dren”I
shoutathi
m.

Hestandsfi
xedatthesamespot.Thi
s
gi
vehim adeathstar
e,heshoul
dnot
pi
ssmeof fri
ghtnow.

Thapelo:“
Mydaughteri
souttheretoo
stopbeingsel
fi
shli
keyouaretheonly
onewhohasal ovedonemissing”
shoutsback.

It
akeadeepbr
eat
h,Icoul
dst
andup
andbeathi
mt onextyearbutIdon’t
havethel
uxur
yoftime.Ineedtofind
Roriandmakesuresheisok.

Me: “
Awuna‘mt wanaThapelo(Youdon’t
haveachi
ld).Youhady ourchil
daborted
al
lthoseyearsago”Isaycalmlyand
conti
nuewhatIam doingont helapt
op.

Thapelo:chuckl
ing“Keepfooli
ng
yourself
”hesaysbef or
ewal ki
ngoutof
thestudy.Whydi dOra’
sfatherhaveto
bemybr ot
her?Iwishitwassomeone
elsebecauseIwoul dnotevenhesit
ate
toarrangehim ameet i
ngwithhis
ancestors
*
***
*

Ror
isang.

Imusthav edozedof ffewhoursago

becauseit’
sdar ki
nther oom.Iswitch
onthelightsandtakeaqui ckshower
beforegoingdownstairsfordi
nner.Iam
famishedrightnow,Ijustremember ed
thatIhavenoteatenany thi
ngthewhol e
daybecauseIwassadandst r
essedout .

Idishmy sel
faplat
eofalmost
everyt
hingoffer
edonthebuff
etbef
ore
grabbi
ngachaironanempt
ytabl
eto
enjoymyfood.

Him:Laughi
ng“
Wow, y
oumustber eal
l
y
hungr
y,somuchfoodforoneper
son”

Il
ookupandsmi
l
e,Ihav
en’
tseenhi
m
l
atel
y

Me:“
Ieatf
ort
woy
ouknow”Isayr
oll
i
ng
myeyes

Him:Shocked“Congrat
ulat
ions,
byall
meanseatallthefoodyoucanstomach
dear
”hesay spull
i
ngachairandjoi
ning
me.

Me:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”

Him: “
Ihadalat
emeet ingwit
haclient
fr
om Jo’bur
gsosi nceheisbookedhere
Ithoughti
twoul
dmakesenset omeet
hereplusIl
ovetheirf
ood.Whatabout
you?”

Me:
Taki
nginadeepbr
eat
h“Ij
ustcame
f
ort
hefood”

Him:Chuckl
i
ng“ I
fyousayso,
Iam not
goi
ngtoasky ouamill
i
onquesti
onsli
ke
oneofmysubj ect
si nt hecour troom.I
canseet hatyouarenotf inebutIt rust
thatyoudoknowwher etof i
ndme
shouldyouneedt ot alk.Ididmeanwhat
Ioncesaidt oyou,Iam her efory ouasa
fri
end.Anytimeallthet ime”hesay s
givi
ngmeaconcer nedl ookandIt r
yt o
fakeasmi lebutmyt earshadt ofailme
andfalldownlikear iver.

Hehandmeahandker
chi
efwhi
chIuse
t
owipemytear
s.

Me:“Iam sor
ry,
pleaseexcusemy
mess”Isaysti
llwi
pingmyt ear
s
Him:“It
sok,youar
est i
llabeauti
ful
mess.Toobadpeopl einthispl
aceare
star
ti
ngt ogi
vemef unnylooks.Ibet
theythi
nkIam har
assingy ou”

Il
ookaroundandIl
aughandhejoi
ns
me.Thendocanbecrazysomet
imes,
no
onei
spay i
ngatt
ent
iontous.

Thendo:“Nah,keepi
tasasouv eni
r,
maybeframei fwhenyougethome”he
sayswhenIt r
ytohandhim backhis
handker
chief.

IlookupandseePhumlawalki
ng
towardsus.Isi
ghsi
nceIam tr
yingt
o
hidefrom hi
m andher
eheis.Iwonder
howhef oundme.Thendo,t
urnstolook
behindhimtoseewhatIhavemyey ed
focusedon.

Thendo:“
Doy ouwantmetogetri
dof
hi
m? ”hesay
ssoftl
ylooki
ngbackatme.

Ishakemyheadandtakei
nadeep
breat
h.Iwi
shhecanbutIj
ustdon’
t
wantdramaandIknowhowstubbor
n
Phumlacanbe.

Phumla:“Ror
iasambe(
Let
sgo)
”he
saysgrabbi
ngmyarm
Me:
“Iam notl
eav
ing”

Thendo:“
Youheardher
,shei
snot
l
eavingsobeati
t”

Phumla:“
Ungenaphiwena?(
Howi sthi
s
anyofyourbusi
ness?)
”Phumlasays
l
etti
nggoofmyar m andmovi
ngin
Thendo’
sface.Thendost
andupasifhe
i
sreadytotakePhumlaon.

Thisisgett
ingoutofhandsand
attr
acti
ngunnecessaryatt
ent
iont
oour
tabl
e.Ishouldhavestayedi
nmyroom
andstarvedtodeat
h.Ionl ywantedto
havemymeal i
npeacebef oregoing
backtosleepandnowt heset woman
areabouttograbeachot her
’sthroat
sin
arestaur
antful
lofpeople.

Thendo:
“ Cl
ear
ly,
youdidnothearher
.
SoIam tell
i
ngyou,shei
snotgoing
anywher
e”

Atthi
spointIst andupandl eave.Ifthey
wanttofi
ghtl i
kel i
tt
leki
ds,themustj ust
doitontheirown, Iwil
lnotstayher e
andwatch2gr ownassmanf i
ght.Idon’t
evenunderstandwhatt heyaref i
ghting
for
.Iwalktomyr oom andcr ymy sel
ft o
sl
eep.Myli
fei
samessal
lthankst
othe
Zungubr
other
s.
[
05/
04,
21:
13] :
Inser
t34

Ror
isang

Ismellhi
scol ognebeforeIcouldeven
openmyey es.Iam notsur ewhattime
didIfal
lasl
eepbutIam sur ehewasnot
herewhenIdi d.Ial
soknowt hatIlocked
theroom beforegoi
ngt osleep,which
l
eavesmewi ththequestion‘Howdi dhe
getinhere?’

Isl
owl
yopenmyey
esbef
oresi
tt
ingup.I
feelver
ypr essedsoIgetupf rom the
bedanddr agmyf eettothebedr oom.
Yep,heisher esl eepi
ngont hesofa.I
takealookathi mt omakesur ehehas
nobr ui
sesonhi sfacebef ore
proceedingtot hebat hr
oom.For t
unatel
y,
hehasnonIhopeThendoi salso
withoutanybr uisesthismor ning.I
wonderwhatt heygotupt oafterIlef
t
them ateachot her ’
sfaceslastnight.

Iwalkinthebathroom anddomy
business,
Imusthav ereall
ybeen
pressedcozitsoundslikeIopeneda
tapofwat er
.Iwipemy sel
f,getupand
closethetoi
letl
idbeforefl
ashing.Iread
somewher ethatyouneedt oclosethe
l
idbeforeflashi
ngsot hatthegerms
don’tfl
yintheroom.Iwal ktothebasi
n
takealookatmy selfbeforewashingmy
hands,faceandbrushingmyt eeth
beforegoingback.Imustsay ,Il
ook
exactl
ythewayIf eel,
drained.

Me:“
Goodmor
ning”Isaywal
ki
ngback
i
n.

Phuml aisupstret
chi
nghisar msand
twi
st i
nghisneck.I
tmusthav ebeenvery
uncomf ort
abl
eforhim sl
eepingonthe
sofa.Anywayhedi dnothavetosoI
don’tunderst
andwhyhedi d.
Phuml
a:“
What
’ssogoodabouti
t?”

Isn’
thebeingdramaticri
ghtnow?Heis
notall
owedt obecrankyatme,it
’snot
l
ikeIforcedoraskedhimt osl
eeponthe
sofa.Ir
ollmyeyesassoonasIpass
him makingsurethathedoesn’
tseeme.
Iknowhowmuchhehat esit
.

Me:“Howdi
dyougeti
nhere?”Iaf
ter
get
ti
ngbacki
ntomybl
ankets.

Phumla:“Ihavemyways”hesays
bef
oreleavingtogot
othebathr
oom.
Iam notev engoi ngtoaskwhatway s.I
takemyphoneandswi t
chi tbackon.
100messagescomesf loodi ngin.Iam
notev eninterestedinanyoft hem Iwill
checkt hem later.Theonlypeopl eIneed
tocallaremypar entsandmychi ld.I
don’tli
kehowshewast hel asttimeI
sawher .Someofy oumi ghtcal lme
chil
dishandsel fi
shbutnoneofy ou
knowswhatIam goi ngthr ough.Noneof
youcancompr ehendthel ev elofhateI
havef orThapel o.Ohyes, Idobl ame
Phuml abecausei fhehasnotcomei nto
myl i
feThapel owoul donl ybeapar tof
myhi storyandnotacur rentt horninmy
l
ife.
Mybi ggestfeari
sf orhi
mt owantt o
takeawaymychi l
dbecauseIam
def i
nitel
ynotwil
li
ngt ol
ethim bepartof
herlife.Notwhenhemadei tcl
eartome
thathedi dnotwantherinthef i
rstpl
ace.
Iwoul dnotwantmychi ldtogrowup
thi
nkingshewasami st
akebecauseshe
wasmor et
hanthat.Shewasmyl i
ttl
e
giftfr
om univer
sethatsawmef itto
mot herher.

Mom: “
Ohmybaby ,wherearey ou?
Pleasetel
l mey ouareallr
ight.Gape
asekerobalemabanengwanaka( I
couldn’
tsleeplastnightmychi l
d)and
yourphonewasof fandnooneknew
wher eyouare.Boyagaehl e(Please
comebackhome)Rori
sang”shesay
answer
ingt
hephone.

Idi
dnotmeant ostressthem outIjust
neededspaceandknowi ngmymot her
shewoul dhav efussedov ermet he
wholenight.Ialsodidnotwantmy
fat
hertot hi
nkIam goi ngbacki ntothe
darkment alspaceIwasoncei n.

Me:“Kekgopelatshwarel
omma( Iam
sorr
ymom) ,Idi
dnotmeant ostr
essyou.
Ij
ustneededsomet i
mealone.Iwil
l
comehomet oday .Kekgopel
aleapeye
Kgogoyabothata( Pl
easecookthehard
bodychi
cken)”
Mom: “Iwil
lbaby ,
butjustknowIexpect
yout otellmeev eryt
hingthathappened
yesterday.Idon’twanty oukeeping
thi
ngsf rom usandf eeli
nglikeyouare
allal
onebecausewear ehereforyou
always.Notj ustusbuty ourbrot
herstoo
okbaby ”

Ican’thel pbutsmile.Myfamilyhas
alway sbeenmyr ocktoleanon.They
hav ealway sbeenthereforme
whenev erIneededthem.Theywer emy
strengthwhenIwasweakdur i
ngt he
whol eThapel osagaandt heyall
played
arol einpar ent
ingmychildhenceshe
nev erfeltl
ikeshehasasi ngl
epar ent
.
Phumlawalksbacki
nwr appedi
na
towel
,Iguesshewastakingashower
whil
einthebathr
oom.

Me:
“Iwil
lmma(Mom) ,Ineedt
ogonow.
Wewil
ltal
kwhenIgethome”

Mom: Deepbr
eath“
Reagor at
a
Ror
isang(Welov
eyouRor
isang)”

Me:“
Lennakealeratamma( Ial
sol
ove
youmom)”Isaybeforehangi
ngup.

*
***
***
Phuml
a

Damnmybodyi spai nf ulashel l

.Iam
neversl eepingonasof aagai nno
mat terwhat .Itfeel likeIhav ebeen
beat enupwi that onofbr i
cks.Ihatethe
feeli
ngbecausei tr emi ndsmeoft he
fi
rstweekIsl epti npr ison.It houghthe
hotwat erwi l
ldomej usticebutmybody
i
sst ill
stiff.Idressupi ny esterday’
s
clotheswhi l
epl ayingdi fferentscenari
os
i
nmymi ndofhowt hingsar egoingto
turnoutf orRori andI .

Me:“
So,ev
erytimewerunint
oa
st
umbli
ngblockyouwi
l
l r
untoanot
her
man’sar
msRor i
sang?”Isaycal
mly
pl
acingachai
rnexttothebedand
si
tt
ingdown.

Shepl aceherphoneont hesi

deandl i
ft
herheadt olookatme.Iseetears
buil
dingupi nhereyesandIclosemy
eyesandsi gh.Howam Isupposedt o
haveaconv er
sati
onwi t
hherwhil
eshe
i
scr y
ing?Di dn’
tshecryenoughlast
ni
ght?Nakhoukhal elani
?(Whyisshe
evencr yi
ng?)

Rori
:“Wow,youthi
nkwithever
ythi
ngI
am goingt
hroughIwoul
druninto
anotherman’
sarms,Phumlani
.Isthat
howl
owy
out
hinkofme?
”

Me: Chucking“ Whatam Isupposedt o

thi
nk?Youdr oveoutofmyhousel ike
youwer eonf irewhil
ecryinglikeI
want edtomur deryouwi t
houtev en
try
ingtoletmei nonhowy ouwer e
feel
ingorwhathappenedt osetyouof f
l
ikethat.Youswi tchedoffy ourphone
andIf i
ndy ouinacompanyofanot her
manhav i
ngdi nnerandlaughing.Aman
whohast heaudacitytostandupt ome
whenIam t al
kingtoyou………….Tel l me
whatam Isupposedt othink?”Isti
llsay
calmly.
I
fther
ewasonet hi
ngspendi
ngtimei
n
pr
isontaughtmewaspati
ence.

Imeanspendi ngti
meinasmal lpri
son
cel
lfor4y earsdoingnothi
ngmuchand
notseeingany thi
ngnewandst il
lbeabl
e
tofi
ghtofft heedgetododr ugsor
commi tsuicidecanhavethatsortof
eff
ectony ou.

Rori
:“YOUARESUPPOSEDTOASKAND
NOTASSUMEPHUMLANI !!
”shesay
s
wipi
nghertear
s.

Di
dshej
ustr
aiseherv
oiceatme?
Me: Chuckli
ng“RESPECTRORI !
!”Ishout
back“showsomer espectok.Iam
tal
ki
ngt oyoucalmlyandIexpectt he
samecour tesyyoufrom you”Isay
cal
ml ywithmyey esclosed.

Rori:
Sniffi
ng“Iam sorry
,Idi
dnotmean
toraisemyv oi
ceaty ou”Sni
ff
ing
“Ev
er yt
hingisj
ustamessandal ltoo
muchf orme”

Istandupandsi tonthebedandlether
cryonmyshoul derswhil
erubbi
ngher
back.Iunder
standwhatshemeans
whenshesay sev er
ythi
ngisamessbut
Ineedhertobestr
ongnotj ustf
orme
butfort
hechil
dthatsheiscarry
ing
becausetoomuchstressinnotgoodf
or
hi
m/ her
.

Me: “
Tell
mewhaty ouwantandIwi ll
gi
veittoyou.Any thi
ngnomat terhow
di
ffi
culti
tisforme…. .Iwil
ldoit.Aslong
asit’
ssomet hingt hatwouldmakey ou
happyandr el
iev ethestresst
haty ouare
pl
acingony our sel
fandourbaby ”I
whisperi
nherear s.

Shepull
sbackfrom myembraceand
wipehertear
s.Iwalkt
othebarfr
idge
andbri
ngherabot t
leofwat
er.Imeant
everywor
dIsaidtoher
.Iwil
ldo
anythi
ngshewantsmet odori
ghtnow
aslongasitwi
l
l bef
orthegoodofboth
herandmychil
d.

Shetakesthebottl
eandgulpthewat
er
down.Itakeasitonthechai
rbythebed
agai
n,Ineedtolookatherwhil
ewe
havethi
sconversati
on.

Me:“So,
ufunai
nif
rom mi
na?(
Whatdo
youneedfr
om me?)
”

Rori
:Deepbreat
h“ Ineedyout
ogiveme
space”Sni
ff
ing“Spacetodealwi
th
ever
ythi
ngthati
shappeninginmylif
e
ri
ghtnow.I nf actwhatIneedi sbreak.I
knowt hatbei nginy ourl i
fer
ightnow
meansbei ngi ny ourbr other
’sli
feandI
don’thav ethest rengt htodeal wit
hhim
andal lthebadmemor ieshecomeswi th.
Likey ousaid, Ineedt obeatmy
strongestr i
ghtnow, bot hphysical
lyand
emot ionall
y.Iowei ttobot hmychi ldr
en
andmy sel
f,especiallythechildthatIam
carryi
ngbecausebel i
ev eyoume, Iam
readyt obeamot hert ohi m/herandI
can’trisklosingt hi
schi l
d”shesay s
rubbinghert ummy .

Itr
yandswall
owthehugel umponmy
thr
oatwhi
lewipi
ngthetearthat
escapedf
rom myeye.Thisisonet
urn
ofeventIdidnotexpect.Itr
eallyhurt
s
sobadly,IdoloveRorisangmor ethanI
haveeverlovedbeforeandIt houghtwe
wouldbet oget
hernomat t
erwhat .I
expect
edust obet ogetheragainstal
l
odds.

Rori
:“Il
oveyouv
erymuchManzi ni
andI
wil
lal
way sl
oveyoubutIcan’
tbewith
you”

Ihavemyey esclosedandmyf ace

coveredinmyhands.I t’
sall si
l
entint
he
room, t
heonl ysoundaper soncanhear
i
shersni f
fing.Sheiscryingandher
tear
sar eteari
ngmeupi nsidehenceI
burymyfacesothatIdon’
tgett
olook
ather
.Idon’
tunderst
andhowcouldthi
s
bewhatsheneedswheni t
’shur
ti
ng
bothofussobad.

Rori
:“Youpromisedtograntmeany
wishaslongasit’
sforthegoodofboth
meandourchi l
d……..AndthisiswhatI
needfrom y
ouSengway o”Ili
ftupmy
faceandforceasmile.

Me:“Youar
enotr
unni
ngt
ohi
m ar
e
you?
”

Rori
:“No,
Iam not
”shesay
sshaki
ngher
headandInod.
Me: “
Iloveyouv erymuchMaZunguand
i
fsettingyouf r
eemeansmaki ngy ou
happyandst ressfreethenIwill
doi t
.As
dif
fi
cultasitisIwilldoitf
oryouandour
chil
dren.Iwoulddoany thi
ngfory our
happinesseveni fi
tmeanssacr i
ficing
myownhappi ness.ButIwill
needone
thi
ngf rom y
out oo”

Ror
i:“
Any
thi
ng”

Inodsl
owl
y

Me:
“Ineedy
out
oal
l
owmyuncl
est
o
comet oyourparent sandpaydamages
forbot hkids.Iwantt hem todoal lt
he
tradit
ionalri
tessot hatmychi ldcanbe
bor naZungu, Ialsoneedy out oletme
ex peri
enceev er
ystepoft hispregnancy
wi thyou.Letmeat tendev erydoctor’
s
appoi nt
ment ,l
etmeknowabouty ou
crav i
ngsImeanev ery……littl
e………t hing”

Rori
:Smil
i
ng“ Iwoul
dnotexpect
anyt
hingl
essf r
om youManzi
niwhenit
comestoyourchil
d.Ipr
omisetolety
ou
i
nonev er
ythi
ng”

Me:“Ror
iIaskedf
ort
hedamagest
obe
pai
donbothkids”
Ror
i:“
Idon’
tunder
stand”

Me: sigh“Ineedyoutogiveme
permi ssi
ontoaskSyt odraftmel egal
paper stoadoptOralegal
lyasmi ne.She
i
sasmuchofaZunguast hatchildyou
arecar ry
ingandIloveherli
kemyown
andIcan’ tj
ustabandonher,soIneedt o
continuebeinginherli
feasf at
herin
everyaspect”

Rori
:“Idon’
twanty
ourbrot
heri
nmy
daughter
’sl
if
ePhumla”
Me:“Li
keIsaid,sheismydaughtert
oo,
soIwill
dealwithThapeloyoudon’
t
hav
et oworr
yy oursel
f.Justgi
vemea
goaheadtotalktoSy”

Rori
:“Ineedtot
alkt
omyparent
sfi
rst
concerni
ngtheOrai
ssue”

Me:
“That
’sal
lIask”

Istandupandmakehergetoutofbed.I
pullherintomyembr aceandholdont
o
herlikethereisnotomorr
ow.Myheart
i
sinpi ecesrightnowandIpraytoGod
andt heZunguancestorstogiv
emeall
thest r
engthIneed.
Me: “
GoshowerandIwi l
ldri
vetothe
malltogetyouachangeofclot
hes,I
needtofeedyouanddriveyouhome”I
saykissi
ngherf
orehead.Shenodsand
walkstothebat
hroom.

Ijustbreakdownandf al
lonmyknees
andl etital
lout.Ipullapil
lowonmy
faceandl etthet earsf
alldownwhile
tryi
ngconceal i
ngt hesoundwi t
hthe
pill
ow.Someonemi ghtaskwhyam Inot
fi
ght i
ngharderf orherbutwhatIknowi s,
somet imesy ouhav etosetthem f
ree
andi ftheyarereallymeantforyouthey
willcomeback.I fi
t’
smeantt obeitwil
l
be.
[
05/
04,
21:
13] :
Inser
t35

Phuml
ani

Todayi sthemostdr eadf

ul dayforme.I
feelli
keawal ki
ngzombi e,Ijust
pret
endedt obef i
newhenIwaswi t
h
RorisangbutdeepdownIam
heartbroken.It
ookheroutf orbr eakfast
anddr oppedheroffatherhomei n
Seshegobecausesheneededt ot alkto
herpar ent
sandcalledamaxi taxito
takemebackt othehoteltocol l
ectmy
car.

Icoul
dn’
tletherdr
ive,
may
bebecauseI
wasj ustbeingselfi
shandj ustneededa
reasont obei nherpresence.Ipraythat
herpar ent
st al
ksomesensei ntoher
becauset hebr eaki
st aki
ngquiteatoll
onme.

May beIdi vedintoodeep, Iknewshe

wasnotr eadyforacommi tmentandI
tri
edt oforceitonher.Someonemi ght
sayIwasj usttoohasty,Icouldhave
takenmyt imet oknowherandherpast
butt her
eal i
tyofthemat terisIwas
underpressur e.Underpressuret omake
upf oral
l theti
met hatIhav elostwhi
le
i
ncar cer
at ed.
WhenIcomeoutIf el
tli
keIwasleft
behi
ndi nlife.Mostofmyf ri
endswere
married,hadkidsandboomi ngbusi
ness
whil
eIdi dtimef orthem.May beIwent
aboutitthewr ongwayandnowIam
gett
ingbur nedforit.Whatisdoneis
doneandImustst opbeati
ngmy sel
fup
fori
t.

Noonecoul dhav epredictedthe

outcome.If eelinloveandIt ookmy
changeandIdon’ tregretany t
hingabout
i
t.Iam happyt hatsomet hinggoodi s
comi ngoutoft hisrel
ationshipthat
RorisangandIhad, Ican’twaitforour
babyt obebr oughtintot hi
swor ld.The
l
itt
leev i
denceofourl ov e.Ismileatthis
t
hought
.

Thapel
o:“
Youar
eback?
”

Me:“Il
iv
eher ei
ncaseukhlohliwe(You
for
got)
”Isaywithoutli
fti
ngmyheadt o
l
ookathim.Iam sitt
ingont hecouch
wit
hmyhandonmyf oreheadand
hol
dingaglasswithanother.

Thapel
o:“
Don’ty
out
hinky
ouar
ebei
ng
sel
fi
shPhumlani
”

Ichuckl
eandkeepqui
et,
hei
sonet
o
tal
kaboutbei
ngsel
fi
sh.
Thapel
o:“
Shei smydaught
erPhuml
a
andIneedher”het
akesaseatona
couchadj
acenttome.

Ilookathim andkeepqui t
e.Heshoul
d
takethi
soppor tuni
tyandsayhispi
ece.
WhenIst artt
alkingIwil
lnotbeaski
ng
him questi
onsbutIwi l
lgi
vehim
i
nst r
ucti
ons.

Thapelo:“Yes,Icoul
dhav edonethings
di
fferent
lywhenIf oundoutshewas
pregnantbutwecan’ tcryoverspi
l
tmi l
k.
Iwouldliketoapologiestoherandown
uptomymi stake.Surel
yIcannotturn
backt i
meandundowhatIdi d,Ican’
t
undot hepai nt
hatIcausedherbutI
wantt ot r
yandmakei tuptoher.Ineed
togett oknowmychi ldandshe
deserv estoknowherfather
.Iam not
planningtocomebet weenyouand
Rorisangal l
Ineedistobepartof
Oratil
we’slif
e”

Me: “Whatar eherful

lnames? ”sil
ent .
“Wheni sherbirthday?
”silent
.Inod
slowly“ohkatleasttellwhatareher
favorit
ecar t
oons?”sil
ent“Whatgr adei s
shei n?”si
lent“
Whati ssheal l
ergi
ct o?”
stil
lsil
ent.“Well
,Isayit
’stoolatetopl ay
daddydear estnow, Melenahasaf at her
andshedoesn’ tneedasper m donor
complicati
ngherli
fe.Hermotherwould
appreciat
eiti
fyoust ayawayfr
om her
chi
ldandsowi llI
”Isaybeforegul
ping
downt heremaini
ngdr i
nkinmyglass
andwal ki
ngoff.

Hecansi tthereandcr yal

lhewants,he
madeachoi cet owalkawayandthese
aretheresults.Toobad,myheartandI
werecaughti nt hecr
ossfi
re.Ist
opat
thedoorandt akealookandhim.

Me: “
Bytheway ,
youar emovingtoKZN
andbeforeyougo,Iwillgi
veyousome
documentstosignandy ouwill
sign
them,ngoba(because)Iwil
lnotbe
askingyou.Afr
iendofmi newil
lmake
sureyouareemploy edatsomeschool
thatsi
de,youbett
ernotfuckthi
schance
up”Isaybefor
ewal kingoff
.

*
***
*

Ror
isang

Mom “ Sobothy ourkidsaregoi

ngto
growupwi thoutfathersRori
sang?I
understandthatyoudi dnothavea
choiceinthemat terkaOrabecausethat
stupidboywalkedof f.Butnowgonait’
s
yourdoing”
Shei sdisappointedinmychoi ceinthe
mat t
er.Icanheari ti
natone, sheisnot
event r
yingt oseet hi
ngsf r
om my
perspective.Ican’tevenlookanyof
them intheey e.Iam justlookingdown,
tearsarej ustf
all
inglikethePhi phi
di
waterfal
l andallIcandoi slett hem f
all
.

Dad:“Soy ouhaveamanngwanaka( My
chi
ld),……..Whowantstobewi thyou?
…………Amanwhosechi ldyouar e
carr
yingandhewant st
obet hereforhi
s
chi
ld.……………Thismanal sowant sto
adoptlegall
yandrai
sehisbrot
her ’
s
chi
ldwhom y ouhavemotheredy ear
s
agoandi snotevenmovedbyt he
hist
or ybet
weeny ouandhisbrother,but
youchoosenott obewi ththisman.
……………….Ev ent houghyouclaimt hat
youlov ehi
mv er
ymuchandhel oves
yout oo”Chuckl
ing“ Hai
akekwi shishi(I
don’tunderst
and) ”myfathersays
shakinghishead.

Wehav ebeengoi ngbackandforthon

thisi
ssuef orovert wohoursnow.
Clearly,t
heydon’ thearmeandIdon’ t
heart hem.Sowemi ghtaswellagreeto
disagree.Thisismychoi ceandIwi ll
j
ustleav ewithit.Iwipemyt ear
sand
continuesniff
ing.Ihav esai
denought o
them Ihav enothingmor etosay.
Mom:
“May
bet
hisi
sagoodt
hing”

Il
if
tmyheadandlookatmymot her
.I
don’
tunderst
andwhatcoul
dbesogood
aboutt
his.

Mom: “Imeancl ear l

y,y
oudon’tdeserve
thisman.Okwagal aagudil
eka
hlaloganyong( Hesoundsmat ured)and
youont heotherhandst il
lneedsto
growup.I tsobv i
ousngwanaka( My
child)youar enotr eadyforacommi tt
ed
relati
onship”shet urnsandlookatmy
father“Mokoena, dumelelabathoba
bat l
ebadi rel
ebanababonadi swanelo.
Ror i
sangopal etswegommear etlo
pani
shabanal emonnay owabatho”
(Mokoenaletthosepeopl
ecomeand
paydamagesf orthei
rchi
ldr
en,
clearl
y
Rori
sangfail
edandwear enotgoingto
puni
shthekidsandt hi
spoorman”

Iseemydadnoddi
ng.

Dad:“Iagr
ee, t
hismani sreadytoFat
her
bothchil
drenandIbel ieveeverychi
ld
needshis/herfather
’ssurname”he
tur
nsandl ookatme“ Tellthi
sman
wagaZungu, tosendhi suncles”

Hest
andupandwal
ksof
f.
Mom: sighing“ Watseba( Youknow)
Rori
sang, IthoughtIraisedy oubetter
thanthi
s.Mar kmywor dsmychi ld.
MonnaowagaZunguot l
omogopol a
tsat
silelengwe( Youwi llremembert hi
s
Zungumanoneday )
.Ipr ayforyour
sakeitwillnotbetool ate.From whatI
heardabouthi m andhi sactions,ke
monnagar egabanna( Hei saman
amongstman) ”

Shei
snotwr
ongaboutPhumlabei
nga
manamongman.Iknowthatt
oowell
.

*
***
***
(
3mont
hsl
ater
)

Ror
isang

Ora:
“Mommypl
easecall
Babaandask
whatti
mehewi
l
lbehere”

Irol
lmyey esatthi
sone, shej
usttoo
exci
ted.Whoam Ikidding,shei
salways
exci
tedtogot oPhumla’shouse,whi
ch
hasbecomehersecondhome.Idon’ t
underst
andwhyt houghbecauseshe
goesthereeveryFr
idayandcomesback
onSundaynight.
TheZungusdi dcomeandpai d
damagesf orbothchildrenandPhuml a
hasadoptedOr aLegal l
y.Al
lthatisl
eft
i
sf orhertochangehersur namet o
Zunguaf t
ersomet raditi
onalri
tualt
hat
needtobedonei nPhuml a’
shomei n
Kzn.Weagr eedtowai tforPJtobebor n
fi
rstsothattheri
tualscanbedonef or
bothkidsatonce.

Yes,Iam carry
ingaboyandPhuml ais
j
ustov ert
hemoon.Ist i
ll r
emembert he
daywef oundout,hewassoexci t
edhe
endedupki ssi
ngmei nt heDoctor
’s
room.Ikissedhim backandhequi ckly
pull
edbackandapol ogized.Thedriv
e
backwasjustawkwar d,Iwon’tl
iethe
ki
ssfel
tsogoodandIwant edmor e.
Toobadher ef
usedmyi nvi
tat
ionto
comeinwhenhedr oppedmeof f,he
j
ustsai
dhecan’ tcomei ncozhehasl ot
ofworktodo.

IhavenotseenThapel osincethatday ,
Phuml atoldmet hathebani shedhimt o
KznandIam gl adbecauseIwoul dn’t
feel
ingcomf or
tablewi t
hhi m nearmy
chil
d.Yes, Idespisehimt hatmuch.I
don’tknowhowPhuml agothi sbrother
tosignov erhispaternalrighttoOr abut
Iwil
l f
oreverbegr ateful.
“Hel
lo”af
emal
evoi
ceanswer
sthe
phone.

Ilookatthescr
eentomakesur
eIcal
l
ed
thecorr
ectnumberandt
hecall
eri
d
doessayZunguP.

“
Hel
l
ooooooo”t
hef
emal
evoi
ceagai
n

Me:“Hi,
canIpleaset
alkt
oPhuml
ani
”I
sayhesi
tant
ly.

Femal
e:“
Ooopleasehol
don,
hei
sjust
comi
ngoutoft
heshower”
Wow.Iam notsur
ewhybutIf
eel
my
cheeksbur
nwitht
ear
s.

Female:“
Phumlani
,ther
eissomeoneon
thephonefory
ou”

Wow, Iwonderwhathesav edmy

numberasifthi
sgirl
justcall
sme
someoneont hephone.Iwasnotev
en
awarethathemovedon, i
tmustbe
ser
iousifheall
owshertoanswerhi
s
phonecall
s.

Phuml
a:“
Phumlanihel
l
o”hesay
swi
th
hi
sdeepsexyv
oice.
Itakeinadeepbreath,Ican’
tlethi
m
hearthatIam cr
ying.

Me:“
Hi,PhumlaIam sor
ryIdi
dnot
meantodist
urbyou”

Phumla:
“It
sohkbabe,youcannever
di
stur
bme.I sev
ery
thi
ngohk?Ur i
ght
”

Me:“YesIam f
ine,
Orawant
edt
oknow
whatti
mewillyoubeher
e”

Icant
ellhei
ssmil
ing,
thewayt
hisman
l
oveshiski
dsneh.
Phuml
a:“
CanIpl
easet
alkt
oher
”

Me:
“Pl
easet
ell
mey
ouar
est
il
lcomi
ng”

Phumla:“
OfcauseIam comi
ng,
hav
eI
everst
oodherup?”

Me:“
No,
youhaveneverst
oodherup.
Or
acometal
ktoBaba”

Shecomesbol
ti
ngi
nli
keal
i
ght
ning.

Or
a:“
Baba,
whatt
imear
eyoucomi
ngt
o
fetchme? ”l
ist
ens“yesImissy ou”
Listens“OhkBabaIwill
seey ousoon”
Listen“Il
oveyoutoo”shesay sgiggl
i
ng
beforehandingmethephone.

Phuml
a:“
Pleasemakesur
eshei
sready
i
nanhournebabe”

Me:
“Xo,
ehPhuml
a,whoi
sshe?
”

Phuml
a:Sighi
ng“
No,
youdon’
tgett
o
askmethat”

Me:“Shei
snotmeetingmydaught
eri
s
she?
”Iaskworkedup.
Phumla:“
No,shei
snot.Youneedt o
cal
m down.Iwoul
dobviousl
ydiscuss
suchthi
ngswit
hyoubeforethey
happen”

Sot
heywi
l
lst
il
lhappen?

Me:
“Ohk”

Phuml
a:“
AnhourRor
i,ohk”

Me:
“Shewi
l
lber
eady
”
Wesayourgoodbyesandhungup.I
gr
abmypill
owandcuddlewithi
t.Imiss
hi
m sobadbutiam t
ooproudtotel
lhim.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t36

Phuml
a

Thedaysi spendwithmydaughterare
alwaysthebest .Shegivesmestrengt
h
towakeupeachmor ningandnotgive
up.Idon'tthinkIwouldhavesurvi
ved
thepast3mont hswithoutheraf
terRori
chosetol eaveme.

Sj
avawasr
ightwhenhesai
d'y
azi
kubuhlunguukuthandaumuntu,ut
hi
umnikaut handolwakhi
andtheydon'
t
appreciat
eit'

Iwouldhav edr ownedmysor rowsin

al
coholandwal lowedi sselfpi
tybutI
hadtobest rong.SoIchoset obur y
myselfi
nwor kandf ocusonbui ldi
ngan
empireformyki ds.Ialsoentert
ain
myselfwithfewwomenher eandthere
whil
emaki ngi tclearforthem Ican'
t
off
erthem any thingser i
ous.

Iam notgoingtostopsl
eepingwit
h
womanj ustbecauseIhavenothi
ng
moretoof f
erthem.ihaveal
readylost
outfouryearsont
hatsothel
eastican
doistobehonestwitht
hem nlett
hen
maket hatchoi
ce.

Iam veryfocusedandIdon' tneed

dist
ructi
ons.Iowei ttobot hmy
daughterandunbor nson.Icr iedhappy
tearswhenwef oundoutt hatwear e
expecti
ngason, alitt
leZungupr i
nce.
Toobadhewon' tbegr owingupi na
homewi thbot hparent s,butwewi ll
makei twork.Thesamewaywemakei t
workwi t
hthepr i
ncess.Or aandIcan' t
waitforPJt ofinall
ygr aceuswi thhis
presence,wespendt hedayonl i
ne
buyingstufffornurserybef oregoingfor
aswi m.
Thislittl
epr i
ncesssurel ef
tadentonmy
account .Shechosesomanyt hi
ngsfor
herbrot herandher sel
fobv i
ously
i
ncludi ngani Padforherself.Ismil
e
knowi ngt hatisti
l
lhav etofighther
mot hert oletheruseit,shesay sher
parentsandIspoi lOraandshecan' t
standi t.

Ora:"
Baba"shesay
swal
ki
ngi
ntot
he
ki
tchen.

Iam st
andingbythestovetryi
ngtofix
somethi
ngf orust
oeat.Nothinghecti
c,
j
ustpastaandmeat bal
lsbecausethats
whatt
hepr
incesswant
s.

Me:"
Yesbaby"isaypi
ckingherupand
pl
aci
ngheronthecountercl
oseto
wher
eiam cooki
ng.

Or
a:"
Whenar
etheyar
ri
vi
ngBaba"

Me:"
whatbaby
?"iaskst
ir
ri
ngt
hepot
s
andl
ooki
ngather
.

Ora:
"Ourthi
ngs,
theoneweboughton
t
heinter
net"

Ichuckl
ewhi
l
eshaki
ngmyhead,
i
mpat
ientar
en'
twe.

Me:
"OnFr
idaybaby
"

Or
a:"okbabaican'
twai
t"shesay
swit
h
abi
ggestsmil
e"Canihaveatast
e?"

Ismi
l
eandgi
vehert
ast
eoft
he
meat
bal
l
ssoup.

Or
a:"
Notenoughsal
tpl
easeaddmor
e"

Ichuckleatthi
sli
tt
lepri
ncesswhoist oo
bigforherownage.Itastethesoupand
sheisrightt
hesalti
snotenough.Itake
thesal
tandspr
inkl
eint
hepotbef
orei
closet
heli
dandleti
tsi
mmer.

Ipi
ckOr aupnmov etotheloungef
ora
mov i
e,car
toonsobv i
ouslycozIenj
oy
spendingt
hisli
tt
lemomentwi t
hmy
pri
ncess.Mydaught erandiknowhow
tohavefunwithoutleavi
ngthecomfort
ofourhouse.

*
***
**
Ror
isang

Man:
"Hi
,sor
rytodistur
by oubutdoy
ou
mi
ndifi
shareatablewithyou?
Il
ookupandf i
ndthisgoodlooki
ngman
whom ihaveneverseenbef
orestandi
ng
i
nfrontofme.

Me:"Iam actual
l
ywait
ingf orsomeone
si
r"Isaygivi
nghim af
riendlysmil
i
ng.

Il
iediam notwant ingforanyone.Iam
herehav
ingl unchalonebecauseIwas
cravi
ngtheirpastaandobv iousl
ybored
athomesi nceMaMav iswenthomeand
OrawenttoPhuml a'sfort
heweekend.I
wonderwhatt heyar egett
ingupto.
Iwon' tli
ei missthem bothsomuch.
Theyar ebot hsoclosey etsofar(i
f
thereissuchaphr ase)
.Itsli
kewheni
pushedPhuml aawayhet ookmychi l
d
withhi m.Iam happywi ththekindof
rel
ationshiptheyhav ewitheachother
butithur t
smesomucht oknowmy
chil
dpr eferstospendall herweekends
withhi m andnotmewhi lewedon'tsee
muchofeachot herduri
ngt heweekdue
toherschool andmywor k.

Man:"Iwil
ll
eaveassoonastheperson
ar
ri
ves,hopef
ull
ysometabl
eswillbe
cl
ear
edupbyt hen"
Ilookar oundandnot icethatthe
restaurantisactuall
yfullypacked.Al l
tablesar eoccupiedandIam t heonl y
onesi tt
ingalone.Somet imesi forgot
howpackedt hismal lcanbeespeci ally
onpay dayweekendsl ikeyour15th, 25th
andmont hend.Ishoul dstartgoingt o
Savannahmal lbecauset hecrowed
thereisal waysbearable.Ismileandnod.
Her eturnsthesmi l
eandgr absthechai r
.

Man: "
Youaretookind"hesaysmaking
himselfcomf
ortabl
e."Mynamei s
Aggreybytheway ,
AggreyKonje"he
saysstret
chi
nghishand.
Me:"NicetomeetyoumrKonj
e,Iam
Rori
sang"Istr
etchmyhandt
omeethis
foragreet
ing.

Aggrey:"MrKonjeismyfather,atl
east
thatiswhatev er
yonecal
lshim please
callmeAggr ey"hesayswit
hone
beautif
ulsmileexposi
nghisperfect
whiteteeth.

IjustnodbecauseIhav enocomeback
forthat.I
nfacti am notplanni
ngt ohave
smal lt
alkwit
ht hismanIbar elyknow.I
continueenj
oyingmymeal insil
ence.

Aggr
ey:
"Iwi
l
lhav
ewhat
evershei
s
havi
ngwithaglassofredwineplease"
hesaystowait
resswhot akestheorder
andleav
es."
Ihopei won'
tregretthi
s"

Me:
"regr
etwhat
?"i
lookathi
m puzzl
ed.

Aggrey:
"or
der
ingwhatyouarehaving,
i
am notmuchofapastafaninf
acti
nor
mal l
ycameher
efortheirpi
zza"

Me:"
Thenwhydi
dor
derpast
ainst
ead
ofpi
zza?
"

Aggrey:"
Becauseyouseemst
obe
enj
oyingit
"hesayswit
habigsmi
l
e.
Me: l
aughi
ng" welly
oushouldknow
bett
erthantotrustapregnantwoman'
s
tast
e.Weirdthingshav
ebeenknownt o
tast
egoodt ous"

Aggr ey
:"wowCongrat
ulat
ionsonyour
pregnancy.Doyouthi
nkit
slatet
o
changemyor der?
"heasksloweri
nghi
s
voice.

Il
aughandshakemyheadno.

Me:"
her
e,tast
eforyoursel
fanddecide
i
fyouwanttochangeyourorderorkeep
i
t"i
sayhandi
nghi
m af
ork.

Hetakestheforkanddigsint
omypl ate.
Il
ookathim asheplacesthefoodinhis
mouthandmoanswi t
hhiseyesclosed.
Ican'
thelpbutl
augh.Ithi
nkheisbeing
ali
ttl
edramati
c,li
keachil
dwhot aste
sugarfort
hefir
stti
me.

Aggrey
:"Ohki
am sol
d,i
thi
nki
wil
lbe
keepi
ngmyorder
"

Inodathim andsmil
e.Hisfoodsoon
arr
ivesandwebothenjoyourmeals
overaflowi
ngconver
sati
onf r
om pet
rol
hi
ket ohurr
icaneI
dai
.Aggreyisasmart
per
sonandwel li
nfor
med,i
guesshei
s
oneofthosepeoplewhowatches
not
hingbutnewsonTV

**
*Aspromised,iguessiwil
lhavea
l
ongEasterweekendsincemostofus
wil
lbeinchur
ch,thebonusesare
makingupforEasterFr
idaythe19t
h
***
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t37
Ror
isang

Ora:
“mommyImissedyou”shesay
s
l
aunchi
ngher
sel
finmyarms.
Oohmyl i
tt
lepr
incessImi
ssedhert
oo
somuch.Myweekendwasv eryl
ong
wit
houther.

Me:“
Imissedyoutoopri
ncess”Isay
ki
ssi
ngheral
loverherf
ace.

Phuml
a:“Ihopey
oumi
ssedmet
o
mommy ”

Il
ookupwi thoutbreaki
ngmyhugwi t
h
Oraandgivehim mybi ggestsmil
e.Thi
s
manisjusttoodamnhot .Heisweari
ng
whit
eshorts,yel
lowmuscl etankt
op
andyel
lowbat hushoesexposinghis
sexymuscles.
Me:“
Yes,Imissedy
out
oobabaLani
”I
sayj
oki
ngly

Hel aughsandshakeshi sheadandwal k

pastust othesi
tti
ngr oom.Imaysound
l
ikeIam jokingbutIam not, Ir
eal
l
ymi ss
him sobad.Imisshiswar m hugs,wet
kissesanddeepslowst r
okeswhenhe
makesl ovetome.Isnapoutofmy
thoughts,Imustbev eryhornyandthi
s
pregnancyisnotdoingmeanyf avor
s.

Ora:
“BababoughtmeaniPadmommy
”
shesaysbr
eaki
ngthehug.
Me:“
Wowbabyt hat’sgreat
,Iam happy
f
oryou.Ubabaisjustspoil
i
ngy outoo
muchneh.
”Isayforcingasmi l
e.She
r
unstoherroom.

Ihavetol
dthesepeopleov erandover
agai
ntostopspoili
ngOr a.Shehasso
manyunnecessarythi
ngsf orachil
dher
age.Whoownsani Padatage6?I
guessshewillbegett
ingacarnext.

Me: “
AniPadManzini
?Whatdidwesay
aboutspoi
li
ngthechi
ld?
”Isaywal
ki
ng
tothesi
tti
ngroom.

Hemout
h‘sor
ry’
andwi
nksatme.Ij
ust
shakemyheadbef or
ej oinhim onthe
couch.Hepullsmecl osertohim andI
j
ustsinkintohisembraceandr estmy
headonhi schestwhileawar pmy
handsaroundhi swai
st .Imissedthe
smellofhiscologne,
Iam gl adIstil
l
enj
oyitdespitenotbeinghat i
ngcertai
n
smell
.

Phumla:
“Kudl
iwani
laekhayazakwami
?”
(What
’sarewehavi
ngforsupper?
)

Me:“Ididnotknowyouar
est
ayi
ngf
or
supper”Isaysof
tl
y.

Phuml
a:“
Yazi
Iwasf
orcedt
oeat
macaroniandmeat bal
l
sthewhol
e
weekend.Ireal
lyneedukudl
akwange
mpela(Realfood)”

Ican’
thelpbutlaughoutloud.I
tserv
es
himrighttoeatmacaroniandmeatball
s
becausehenev ersaysnotoOra.She
shouldjustcont
inuebul
lyi
nghim
becauseshecanseehehasav erysoft
spotforher.

Me: “LuckyforyouIcookedenough
food.Iam justwait
ingfort
heroast
chickentobedoneandwewi ll
eat”

Phuml
a:“
Thanky
ouMmawengani
zam”Hesay
ski
ssi
ngmyf
orehead.

Ismil
eandhughi mt i
ghter
.Il ove
PhumlaverymuchandIbel iev eheismy
soulmate.IknowIam conf usingalot
ofyouri
ghtnowbutIhav eal waysand
wil
lal
way slovethi
sman.Menotbei ng
abl
etobewi t
hhim hasnot hingtodo
wit
hmenotl ovi
nghim orhi m notloving
me.Welov eeachot herdear l
yandt here
i
snodoubtaboutt hat .

Wear enottoget
herbecauseIdon’
t
wanttoendupwi thThapel
oasmy
brot
herinlaw.Idon’
twanttoatt
endthe
samef ami
lygatheri
ngswit
hhim.Ican’
t
evenimagi nebei nginthesamespace
withhim.So, shoul dPhuml aandIend
uptoget herthatwi l
ldefi
nitel
yhappen
andIj ustcan’ tdeal.May beIneed
professional help,may beIhav enot
dealtwitht hepai nthathecausedme,
sount ilthenIwi lldoanythinginmy
powert ost aycl earofhim evenifit
meansl osingoutongr eatestlove.

*
***
**
Phuml
a

Me: “wowthefoodwasgood,canI
pleasegetatakeawayformylunchbox
tomor r
ow”Isaybit
ingi
ntomylastpi
ece
oft
hemeat
.

Rori:“Iwi
ll
packsomef ory
ou”shesay
s
cleari
ngtheplat
esonthetabl
eand
takingthem t
otheki
tchen.

Me: “Babaneedst oleav

eangit
hi
princess,Iwi
llpi
cky ouonWednesday
from schoolfortheappoint
mentwit
h
thedent i
stangit
hi?”

Or
a:“
Doyouhav
etoleav
e?”shesay
s
wi
tht
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngtofal
l.

Me:
“Youhav
eschool
tomor
rowandI
havewor
k”Isaypicki
ngherupand
huggi
nghert
ight
ly.

Shenodswi thherfaceburiedonmy
chest.Iknowshei scr
y i
ngbutt he
sit
uationr i
ghtnowi swhatitis.Ihold
herli
ket hatforfewsecondsaswe
remaininsi l
ent.Iknowshei scryingbut
Iam gladshei sdoingitsil
entlybecause
hersobbi ngwillj
ustbreakmyhear t
.
Oraisgoi
ngtobeadaddy
’sgi
rland
boyswil
lhav
etogothr
oughmef i
rst
.

Hermot
herwalksbackinandaskwhat
i
swrongusi
ngsignal
.Ishakemyhead
andmout
hthatsheshouldnotwor
ry.
Shestret
choutherarmsformet
ogive
herOrabutIshakemyheadnobecause
Iknowshestil
lwantstohol
dont
ome.

Me:“
Babydoy
ouwantBabat
otucky
ou
i
n?”

ShenodsandImov ehert ohermom t o

kissgoodni ghtbeforewalkingtothe
bedroom tot uckherit.I
t’
sagoodt hing
thatshechangedi ntohersleepwear
afterbat
hingwhi l
ewewer est i
l
lwait
ing
forhermot hertofi
nishupcooki ng.I
openherbl anketbeforeplacingheron
thebedandcov eri
ngher .
Me:“
Goodnightpr
incess,Babalov
es
youv
erymuchohk”Iwhi speri
nherear
.

Ora:“
Ilov
eyout
ooBaba”shesay
s
fai
ntl
y.

Imovef
rom t
hebedandmakemyway
tot
hedoor

Me: “
Doyouwantmet
oswi
tchof
fthe
l
ightorl
eav
eiton?
”

Or
a:“
Pleaseswi
tchi
tof
f”

Iswi
tchof
fthel
i
ghtandcl
oset
hedoor
behi
ndme.

*
***
*
Ror
isang

Me:“Youar
eleav
ingal
ready
”Isayto
PhumlaashecomesoutofOra’
sroom

Phumla:“Unl
essyouwantmetot
uck
youi
nt oo”hesay
schuckli
ng

Me:“
Pleasebabat
uckmei
n”Isayt
ryi
ng
t
oimit
ateOra’
svoi
ce.
Phuml ajustshakeshisheadandl augh.
Yoooot hatbeauti
f ull
aughdoes
somet hingstr
angedeepi nmyst omach.
Whyam If eel
i
ngt hiswaytoday,damn
thi
spr egnancyhor monesIjustonahi gh
l
ev el
.Phuml apull
smei nforahugfor
goodni ghtandIfoundmy sel
fatt
acking
hisli
ps.

Atfir
stheistooshockedt okissme
backbutaftersomef ewsecondshe
ki
ssesmer ightback.Thekissisjui
cy,
hotandallt
hi ngsgreatt
hatcanmake
youloseal
l yoursenses.Icanfeeli
tin
hiski
ssthathi sneedformeisasdeep
asmyneedf orhim.
Ipushhim againstt
hewallandcontinue
l
etouttonguedancei neachother’
s
mouths.Idon’tevenknowwher eIgot
thest
rengthtopushhi m.

Hiswarm handsroamsareall
overmy
bodymaki ngmeweakerandweaker.At
thi
spointIfeel
hishar
dmanhood
pokingonmyabdomi nal
.YesPhumlais
tal
ll
ikethat.

Me: “
Takemet obedManzini”Iwhi
sper
almostoutofbreat
h.Ican’
teven
recogni
zemyownv oi
ce.

Phuml
a:“
Arey
ousur
ethi
siswhaty
ou
want?”hesay slooki
ngatmewitheyes
al
mostcl osed.Ican’
tbri
ngmysel
fto
sayanythingsoIjustnod.

Hepi cksmeupandIwr apmyl egs

aroundhi swaistandwal kmet ot he
bedroom.Hecl osesthedoorandmakes
surehel ocksit
.Iguesshedoesn’ twant
anyunwel comedsur pri
sesf rom his
daught er
.Atthispointi
nt i
mebot hour
heartsarebeatingfastandt he
breathingpatt
er nshaveint
ensifi
ed.

Helaysmegentl
yont hebedand
unbut
tonsmydress.Het hr
owsi
tdown
assoonashetakesitoffmybody.
Phumla:
“ Damn,
Ror
iImi
ssedyou”he
sayl
ookingatmyal
mostnakedbody
.

AtthispointIam l eftwi t
hjustmypant
andmat chingbr a.Hemov estomybelly
andkissesi tallover.Hecomesbackby
l
eav i
ngwett r
acesofki ssedashe
mov edtomymout h.Iam sureIam wet
l
ikeaswampdownt her eandthisman
i
st aki
nghi sprecioust imewor shipi
ng
mybody .Ipul luphi stankt opand
exposehissexybodyt hatmakesme
crazy.

Heki
cksof
fhi
sshoesbef
oret
aki
ngof
hisshorts.Iswal
l
owhar dIseethe
evidenceofManzinireadyforbattl
e
throughhisboxershorts.Heunhooks
mybr aandcupsbot hmybr eastashe
l
ay smeont hesi
dewi t
hhi m behi
ndme.
Boxersoff,
pantyoffasheplaceswet
kissesonmyneck, myweakestpost .
Hishandmov estomynanaandpl ay
s
rubsitmakingmecr avehi
m ev enmor e.
Itdoesn’
tevenmakei tbet
terfell
i
nghi s
hardmemberpoki ngmybut t.

Fi
nal
l
y,hepar
tsmyl
egsandent
ersme.

Asoftmoanescapemymout
handasI
moveclosert
ohimtoal
l
owhimtogo
deeper.Hest ar
tsof fslowlyl
i
keheis
taki
nghist i
meort ryi
ngtomakeitlast
l
onger.Iam moani ngandhei sgr
oaning
whileheisbusywhi speri
nghowmuch
helovesandmi ssesmei nmyear.I
knowt hatinthemomentofweaknessI
alsoprofessedmyl oveforhi
m.

Hepi cksupt hepaceashegoesi n

deeperanddeeperbutcar eful
enough
nottohur tmeorhi spreciouscargo.I
soonr eachmyhei ghtbeforefeeli
nghis
war m evi
denceinmynana.Igi ggl
e
whenIf eelhismembert wi t
chinsideof
me.Wel ayli
kethatandIsoonf al
l
asleepwr appedinhisarms.Ihav eno
regrets,
Ishalldealwit
ht he
consequencesi
nthemor
ning.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t38

Phuml
a

Me:“y
oubet t
ergooutt
hereandfi
xthe
l
it
tl
emesst hatyoumadeoryouare
f
ir
edy ouhearme…..
…….FI
RED”Ishout
.

Pusel
etso:
“Iam sorryi
twil
lnever
happenagain”shesayscr
ying.

Me:“I
tbetternotort
hisconversati
on
wi
llbeconductedbyHRdi scussingyour
ex
itpackage.Wheny ougethome
pleasemakesur eyougot hr
oughyour
contractagai
nandf ocusonthel
it
tl
e
sectionaboutperf
ormanceandnon-
performance”Isaysoftl
y.

Shenodswhi lesnif
fi
ng, herli
ttl
etears
andsniffi
ngar ei
rr
it
atingmet othecore.
Thispeoplearetoorelaxedint hi
s
company .Wepayt hem wel landgive
them benefi
tsthatareabov ewhatmost
peopleintheindustr
yr ecei
veandal lwe
requi
refrom them i
stobecompet enti
n
thei
rwor k.

Me:“Andpl
easewipethosedamntear
s
bef
oreyougetoutofhere.Wear
e
runni
ngabusinessherenotapr
e-
school
”Isaygetti
ngoffmychai
rto
openthedoorforher
.

Shewi peshert earsandf i

xherhai r
beforeleav i
ngmyof fice.Icloset he
doorbehi ndherandpourmy selfaglass
ofwhiskeyf rom t hecabi netthatIkeep
i
nmyof f
ice.Idowni tneatonago
beforelooseni ngupmyt ie.Puseletso
havecr eatedahugemessf orthe
companyandwehav et opay1mi l
li
onin
penalti
es.Ibur ymyheadi nmyhandat
thethoughtofal lthemoneywear e
l
osingbecauseofher .Myof f
icephone
conti
nuer i
ngingdespi t
emei gnoringit.
It
’sKwenaandIknowhei snotpl anning
t
ost
opcal
l
ingl
unt
ilIanswer
.

Me:“Kwena,whatcanIdof
oryou”Isay
af
terpl
acingthephoneonmyear.

Kwena:Chuckl
ing“Iguessthe
employ
eesarenotlying”si
lent“Ihear
youhavebeenbiti
ngev er
yone’shead
offf
orthepastfewweeks”

Me: “
Didyouhonestlycal
lmetosharea
l
itt
leoffi
cegossip?Seri
ousl
yli
keIcar
e
whatpeoplesayaboutme”Isay
soundingannoyed.
Hehangsupt hephone, howr ude.He
shouldnothav ecalledmet odiscuss
uselessthingswhenwehav eseri
ous
i
ssuest odeal withliket he1mi ll
ionrand
fi
net hatwear ef acedwi th.Mydoorf l
i
es
openandKwenawal ksinandset tl
eson
acouchbyt hewal lawayf rom myt abl
e.
Il
ookathi m withanger .Howdar ehe,
fi
rstheblowsmyphoneandhangsup
onme.Nowhebudgesi ntomyof f
ice
withoutknocki ngandset t
lesonmy
couchwi thoutani nv i
tat
iont odoso.
Mxm.

Kwena:Deepbr
eat
h“Zungu, Ir
espect
youver
ymuch………andi thastakenalot
formetocomehereandtalktoyou
aboutthi
s………..butIfeel Ioweitt
othe
employeetohav ethi
sdi scussi
onwith
you,nomatterhowdi ff
icultiti
s….
.If
eel
l
ike…”

Me:
“GettothepointKwenaIdon’
thav
e
t
hewholeday”Isnapathim.

Kwena: “Wow, l
etmegetstraightt
ot he
poi
ntt henZungu.Youhavebeen
makingev er
yone’sl
if
eherev erydif
fi
cult
.
Forthepastfewweeksy ouhav ebeen
makingev er
yonewalkaroundeggshel l
s
peoplecannotproduceanyt
hi ngofgood
qual
itywhent heyar
escaredi nthework
pl
ace.ImeanPusel etsowalkedoutof
y
ourof
fi
celi
ter
all
yintear
stodayj
ust
f
ewminut
esago…..”

Me: “DidIbeatherup?No.di dIv erball

y
abuseher ?No.Al lIdidwast oaddr ess
theissueathandwhi chwascausedby
herincompet encer esulti
nginushav ing
topayaf ineof1mi ll
ionrands.Am I
maki ngherpayt hemoney ?NoIam not ,
andy ouareaski ngmet osmi l
eandsay
i
tsokPusel otsei t
’sjustami stake.You
andIbot hknowt hatt hel
ittl
emi stake
thatcouldhav ebeenav oidediscost ing
thecompanyagr eatdeal”

Kwena:
“ThatIunder
standandIam not
sayi
ngsheshoul dgetawaywi t
hi t
.The
i
ssuescanst i
llbeaddressedwi thout
anyonehavingtoshedat ear
.Shemade
ami st
ake,sheacknowl edgeditandshe
i
sget t
ingawr i
ttenwarningforthat.
Yourmeetingwi thhertodaywasr eal
ly
notnecessary
.”

Me: “
Thisemployeesneedstobe
remindedthatt
hisisaworkplaceand
wear erunni
ngabusinessnotplay
house.Suemef orbei
ngfrankwith
them”

Kwenast
andsupfr
om t
hecouchand
wal
ktomydesk.Hehol
dsonitwi
thtwo
handsandl
eansforwar
dtocomeali
tt
le
cl
osertomyfacebutnott
oocl
ose.

Kwena: sigh“ Yourmoodshav ebeenoff

forthepastf ewweeksZunguandy ou
arenothear i
ngwhatIam say ingtoyou
ri
ghtnow.Taket i
meoffanddeal wi
th
what everi ssuesyouhav eandcome
backwi thar enewedatti
tudebecause
wewi l
lloseal lourbestdevelopersno
onewant st owor kforadragonboss
whospi t sf i
reatallt
imes.Itoowoul dbe
verydemot i
vated”hesayssof tl
ybefor
e
walkingoutofmyof fi
ce.

May
behei
sri
ght
.Mymoodshav
ebeen
offfort hepastf ewweeks.6weekst o
beexact .That’
sexact
lyhowl ongithas
beensi nceRor i
andImadel ove.We
wor shipedeachot her
’sbodiesthat
night.Wemadeeachot herfeelsogood
Isweart imestoodsti
llandIam sureall
thest arsaligned.

Onl yforhert owakemeupat3am i n

themor ningaski ngmet ol
eavebecause
shewasr egrett
ingourloveact
.She
blamedi tont hepregnancyandhow
hor nyit
’sbeenmaki ngherfeel
.It
ri
ed
talkingtoherbutshewasadamantt hat
i
twasnotsupposedt ohappenandit
wasal l
ami stakewhichwill
never
happenagai n.
Iam notangr ythatwemadel ov ethat
nightandsher egret t
edi t
.Iknewi t
mi ghthappent hatshecoul dwakeup
andsayi twasami stake.Iam angr yat
howshehandl edt hewhol ething.
Chasi ngmeoutat3am andav oi
ding
mel i
keapl aguef ortheent ir
eweek
i
ncl udingnotanswer ingmycal lslikeI
wasj ustaboot ycal l
andnott hef ather
ofherki ds.

Istandupandpackupmyt hi
ngs.Ineed
togohomeandbl owsomest eam int
he
gym.Ineedt oclearmymi ndandst ar
t
planni
ngitwithoutRori
sangint he
pictur
e.Icannotforcehertobei nmy
l
i
fewhil
eshepref
ersnott
o.Iam t
oool
d
f
orhergames.

*
***
**

Ror
isang

Thendo:“
Youknowy
oucanst
il
lchange
yourmindri
ght
?”

Me:“Pl
easewhywouldIdothat,
Imean
wherewoul
dIevengetanoutfi
tthi
s
l
ate?
”

Thendo:
“Iam sur
eyouhav
esomet
hing
i
nyourcl
osett
haty
oucoul
dwear
”

Me:“Pl
easeThendohav eyouseenhow
bi
gIhav egrowninthepastfewmonths.
Mostthingsinmyclosetdon’tf
itme
anymore”Isaylaughi
ng.

Thendo:“
Yahyouhaveapointt
her
e……
OrIcoul
dcallmysi
sterwhoownsa
bouti
queincy
cadtohookyouupwith
somethi
ng”

Me:“hai
ThendoIam t
ir
edIwon’
tev
en
begoodcompany”
Thendo:“
Haiinwiniavhapha(
youar
e
l
azy)”hesay
sj oki
ngly
.

Me:“
Yehri
ght
,Oksal
ayoIam not
comi
ng”

ThendoandIhav egrownqui t
ecloseas
j
ustfri
endov ert
hepastfewweeks.He
makest i
met oseemewhenev erheisin
Polokwanebecausehei sbasedboth
hereandinVenda.Heunder standsthat
Icannotoff
erhim anyt
hingotherthan
fr
iendshi
pandhei scoolwiththat.

Thi
ngshav
ereall
ywentsout
hbetween
Phuml
aandIsincet
helastt
imewe
weretogether.Ihavenotseenhi m
i
nexactly6weeks.Hehasnotev enbeen
tothelastdoctor’
sappoi nt
ment
becauseIchosenott otell
him aboutit.I
knowIam t oblamef oral
lthisbecauseI
i
gnoredhim andal lhistextsandcalls
forawhol eweekaf terIchasedhim out
ofmyhouseat3am.Iwasj ust
embarrassedandcoul dn’
tfacehim.

Afteraweekhegav euponcal l
i
ngme
andst art
edcal
l
ingOr adirect
lyonher
phoneandnotcomi ngi nthehouse
everytimehecoll
ectedherordr opped
heroffonweekend.Somet hi
ngwhi ch
hehasbeenv eryconsistentwit
h.He
sti
llsendsmemoneyl i
keheusedt o
whichIf
eelit
’sali
ttl
etoomuchforthe
ki
dsplusheisstil
lpayi
ngformycarand
al
litsmai
ntenancecosts.

Iemailedhimt hescansf rom theDr ’s

vi
sitofhischildwhichher epli
edwi t
h‘I
hopey ouar enotplanningt okeep
anymor edoctor ’
sappointmentf rom me
becauset hatismychi l
dt ooandy ouwill
notdenymeanoppor tunityto
experi
enceal lthi
s.Thanky ouforthe
scans,letmeknowoft henextdoct or’
s
vi
sit’

IknowIwaswr ongtokeepi
tawayfr
om
him andIf
eltal
it
tl
eguil
tyaf
ter
wards
becauseIknowhowmuchPhumlaloves
hi
skidsandhowhewouldwal
kthrough
hel
landbackjustf
ort
hem.

Thendo:
“Sowhatdoy
out
hinkoft
his
one”

Me:“No,It
hinkIli
ket
hebei
geone
bet
ter
”Isayshacki
ngmyhead.

Thendo:“SeewhyIneededyouhere.I
wouldhavechosenthewrongsui
te”he
sayswalkingbackt
othechangeroom.

Wear
eat
ail
ort
ohel
pThendopi
cka
sui tbecausehehasanawar dceremony
thatheneedst oat tendtomorrownight.
Hisl awf i
rmr eceived3nomi nati
onsand
hehopest oatl eastcomebackwi th
mor ethanoneawar d.Hedeser v
es
ev eryrecogniti
oncomi nghisway ,heis
ahar dworkerthatbui l
thisl
awf ir
m
from t hegroundupt owhatitistoday.

Thendo:
“Ar
ey oust
il
lupf
ori
cecr
eam?
”
hesayshel
pingmeup

Ismi
l
eandnod

Thendo:
“Comel
etsf
eedy
ourcr
avi
ngs”
Ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
thi
m wi
thmybag.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t38A(
Bonus)
Phuml
a

Me:
"Becareful
pri
ncessanddon'tgo
f
ast
"Ishoutsothatshecanhearme.

SMHshedoesn' tli
stenbecauseShejust
giggl
esandcontinuegoingfast
er.Thi
s
oneisgoingtogrowupandbean
adrenal
inej
unki
e.Or acanbeapr i
ncess
whenshewant sandaf earl
essri
sk
takerwhensheneedst obe.Maybeits
becauseshespendst oomucht i
mewi t
h
meandial
waysfindusadv
ent
ures
t
hat
srequi
resbr
av el
y.

WearegoKar t
ingatMer opacasino.I
havetakenKwena' sadviceandtook
somet i
meof fwork.Itsbeentwoweeks
andispendallmyaf ternoonwithOra
whom i pi
ckupf r
om school ev
eryday.
Hermot herf
inall
ytookhermat erni
ty
l
eaveandshecangi vebirt
hatanygi v
en
ti
me.

Me:
"Sbuda"i
sayanswer
ingt
hephone

Sbu:"
onl
yyousti
l
lcal
lmet
haty
azi
"he
saysl
aughi
ng.
Me:
"Ur
ightkodwa?
"(ar
eyougood)

Sbu:
"Ngi
right
,wenaunj
ani
?"(
iam good
howarey
ou? )

Me:"
Kuyanamal
anga"(
it
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
wi
thday
s)

Sbu:"kuzolunga(i
tshallpass).SoI
wantedt ot
ellyouthatwear eallcoming
downt oLimpopofory ourbir
thdaysince
youmadeuscancel thetri
pto
Windhoek"
Icouldn'thaveagreedtotraveledto
Nami biawhileRoricouldgiv
ebi rt
hat
anygiv enti
me.Ineedt obet herewhen
mychi ldarri
vesandi cannotmi ssitf
or
anything.Icanalwaysgot oNami biaat
anygiv enti
me.

Me:"Oraslowdowny ouar
e
approachi
ngacor neruzol
imal
a(y
ou
wil
lgethurt)
"ishout.

IhearSbul aughing,iknowwhathei s
thi
nking.Theysayi am t ooprot
ecti
ve
andi shoul
dl etherfallandgethurt
everyoncei nawhi l
et hat'
showkids
growup.Theywer eher eaboutamont h
agowi t
ht hei
rwi vesforRori
'sbaby
showert hatDineohadpl anned.Except
forSbu'swomanbecauseshe
apparentlycouldn'tt
aketimeoffwor k.

Me:
"It
hinky
ouguysj
ustli
keitt
hissi
de,
may
beyoushoul
dall
rel
ocateandjoi
n
me"

Sbu:l
aughing"
Not hankyou.Li
mpopoi
s
toohotformyli
kingplusal
lmy
busi
nessesarethissi
de"

Me:"I
tsohky
ouguy scancomeasl ong
asyouwil
lor
gani
zeev er
ythi
ng.Iwon'
t
geti
nvol
vedi
nanythingbecauseIdi
d
notwantacel
ebr
ati
ont
obegi
nwi
th"

Sbu:"
Wewi l
ltakecar
eofev er
ythi
ngy
ou
wontevenhavetoworryabout.
..
"

Me: "Ei
shSbui havet
ogo,Orahashur
t
herself
"isaycutti
nghi
m of
fbefor
e
droppingthephone.

Irusht
oherandalreadyonel
adyi
s
comfort
ingher
.Itmuatbeoneoft
he
momsher e.

Lady:
"Ar
ey out
hefat
her
,it
hinkshehur
t
herar
m butnot
hingi
sbr
oken"
Shesaysassheseesmer unni
ng
towardsthem.Inodandt akeOrainmy
arms,ineedtogethertoadoct orf
ast.
Sheiscryingoutandiknowshei sin
pain.

Me:"Thankyousesi
,iwil
ltakehert
oa
doct
orjustt
omakesur e"

Shenodsandsmi
l
e.

Lady:"
Ify
oudon'tmindyoucanfol
low
met omysurgerysothati
cancheckher
outandgivehersomepainmeds"She
sayspi
cki
ngupherbagandr
unni
ng
aft
erme.

Me:
"Ar
eyouaDr
?"

Shenodsandbr
ushOr
a'shead.

Lady
:"Youneedtobebr
avenenana,
youwil
lbeal
right
"

ShesaystoOr aaft
erIplacedherontge
backseatofthecar.Shepointsout
whereisparkedandaskt hatishoul
d
dri
vebehindhertohersurgerybefor
e
walki
ngof f
.
Me: "
wai taren'
tyoufor
get
ti
ngyourown
kids"i calloutbefor
esheget
sany
further.

Lady:"Idon'
thav
ekidssir,i
wasjust
herewi t
hmysisteri
nlawandherkids.
Trustmet heywi
llbefi
ne"Shesays
beforerunni
ngofftohercar.

Howdoessheev
enr
uni
nthoseshoes.

*
***
**
DrMadisha:
"shewil
lbefine.Shej
ust
needt
okeept hear
m braceonuntilt
he
swel
l
ingsubsi
desandshewi
l
lbeAok"

Me:
"Thanky
ouv
erymuchDrMadi
sha"

Dr:"
Pleasecal
lmeDipuo"shesay
s
handi
ngmeOr a'smeds.

Shei ssleepingbecausethankstoDr
DipuoMadi shaherewhogav ehera
smal ldoseofsl eepi
ngpil
ls.Shewas
cr
y i
nghy st
erical
lyandt
heDrwashav ing
di
fficult
iesassessingherarm.

Me:"Thankyouv
erymuchforgi
vi
ngmy
daughteraVI
Ptr
eatment
"
DrD:"
Noneedtot
hankmei
wasj
ust
doi
ngmyjob"

Me:"
Sti
llyouhadtoabandonyourplans
wi
thyoursist
erandnephewsornieces
j
ustt
ocomet oourai
d.Thankyou"

Shesmilesandnods.Ihavecometo
real
i
zethatshedoesthatalot
.Imean
thenoddingandsmil
ing,i
guessshe
doesn'
tli
ketotal
kmuch.

Me:"
MaybeIcoul
dtakey
out
odi
nner
j
ustt
osaythanky
ou"
DrD: "Iam sureyourwifewould
approv e"shesaysthrowingahintof
sarcasm." Pl
usy oumedicalai
dwi l
lbe
thankingmewi t
hchingching"

Me:
"Whatwi
fe?
"

DrD:sighi
ng"Iwillseethi
slitt
lel
ady
nextweektocheckhowt heswelli
ngis
andifwecanr emov ethebrace.Pl
ease
l
eaveyourmedi calaiddetai
lswit
hNora
upfr
ontifyouarenotmaki ngacash
payment"shesay schangingthesubj
ect.
Me:
"Iwil
lpaycash,
shei
sonher
mot
her'
smedicalai
dandIdon'
tknow
t
hedet
ail
s"

Dr:"TakecareofherMrZungunomore
rushingtoDrroomsnow"shesayswi
th
abeaut i
ful
smile.

Ismilebackbeforewal ki
ngout .Dr
DipuoMadi shaisav er
ybeaut if
ul l
ady.I
haven'tnot
icedearl
ierbecausei wasin
panicmodeandOr awascr y
ingherey es
out.Iaskforthebusinesscar dat
recepti
onaf t
ermakingpay ment s.Thank
Godhercel l
phonenumber sar eont he
card'i
ncaseofemer gency'.I
tatleast
savesmethel
i
ttl
etr
oubl
eofsear
chi
ng
hernumber
sonacomputer
.

Icareful
l
yplaceOraatt
hebackofthe
carmakingsureshedoesnotwakeup
beforedri
vi
nghome.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t39
Ror
isang

Me:“
Whathappenedtoherar
m?”Isay
l
eani
ngbyt
hedoor .

Phumla:“
Shefellandhur
ther
sel
f”he
sayspl
acingheronherbed.
Whenhewal kedi nhejustgreet
edand
passedtoOra’sroom.Inot i
cedshewas
hurtbyt
hear m bracethatshehadon
andhowcar ef
ul heheldher.Iwatchhim
ki
sshercheekaf tercover
ingherwith
smallbl
anket.

Phumla:“
Iwi
ll
bringhermedi
cat
ionf
rom
thecar
”hesaysbefor
epassi
ngmeby
thedoor
.

Thesituati
onbetweenusisjust
awkwar d.I
t’
shardtobeli
evethatwe
usedtohav esomucht osaytoeach
otherandnowwecanbar el
yholda
conversati
on.Imovetothekit
chento
startt
otakeoutatubofi
cecream
beforemovingt
othesit
ti
ngroom.

IwatchPhumlaashewalksbackinand
proceedt
oOra’sroom wi
thwhatI
presumeisapackageofmedicat
ions.

Phumla:“
Sengiyahamba(Iam l
eavi
ng)
.
Ifshewakesupcryi
ngformejustl
etme
knowIwillcomefet
chher”

Me:“Sengway obef
oreyougo.CanI
pl
easehav efewminutesofyourt
ime?
..
..
..
..
..Pl
ease”
Hestandsthereasifhei
sdebati
ng
whetherornottogi
vemehistime.Igi
ve
hi
m puppyey esandIseehi
sface
sof
teningup.

Hesi ghsbefor
etaki
ngasitonaone
seatercouchfurt
hestawayfr
om me.He
l
ooksatmewi thrai
sedeyebr
ows.I
guesshewant smet osaywhatev
erI
wantt osaysothathecangetasfar
awayf rom meassoonaspossibl
e.

Me:“
Iwoul
dliketoapologi
zef
or ….
.f
or
…….Wowit’
snotaseasyasIt houghti
t
woul
dbe”Isayexhal
ingdeepl
y.
Phuml a:“
LookMakaOr a,i
tsfi
ney ou
don’thavetoapol ogi
ze.Ihaveforgiv
en
youf orev
er y
thingandIacknowledge
thatIam alsotobl ameforcert
ain
thi
ngs.Sol et’
sletbygonesbeby gones”

Inodbefor
ewefi
ndoursel
vesi
nan
uncomfort
abl
esi
l
ence.

Me: “
Thenextdoctor’
sappoi
ntmenti
s
nextweekFri
dayat12:30.I
fyouaref
ree
Iwouldappr
eciat
ei fy
oucanpickme
up”

Phuml
a:“
Iwi
l
lmaket
ime”
Yoot hisisbad.Ifsomeonecoul dhav e
tol
dmet hatPhuml aandIwoul dfind
ourselvesbeingsouncomf ort
able
aroundeachot herIwouldhav elaughed
totheirface.I
tal l
seem sounr eal,I
meanev enafterthebreakupwewer e
sti
llcl
osebutnowwear etwost r
angers
whoar eonl ybroughttogetherbyki ds.

Phumla:“
Ineedtogo.Haveagreat
eveni
ng”hesaysst
andingup“
Whati s
wrong”hesaysgi
vi
ngmeawor riedl
ook.

Wowhest
il
li
t’
sgoodt
oknowhest
il
l
car
es.
Me: “
Juniori
skicki
ngmeroughl
ythan
usual”Isaywit
habigsmil
eonmyf ace
andmyonehandonmyt ummy .

Il
ookathisfacebright
enupasIhold
myhandt ohimt ocomefeel
thebaby.
Hecrouchinfrontofmeandplaceshi
s
handnexttomi neonmybell
y.

Phumla:
“Wow”hesay
swi
tht
hebi
ggest
smil
e.

Idon’
tknowit’
safatherandson
connect
ionorwhatbutjuni
or’
ski
cks
i
ncreases.PhumlaandIfi
ndoursel
ves
l
aughing.Fi
nall
ytheki
ckssubsi
des
bef
orestoppingcomplet
ely
.

Phumla:Chuckl
ing“That
’sonethi
ngI
am goi
ngtomi ssaboutthi
spregnancy”
hesaysbeforemovinghisheadcloser
tomybelly
.

Il
ookathim puzzledashewhi sper
slow
enoughthatIcan’
thearwhathei s
sayi
ng.Iguessit
’sasecretbetweenhim
andjuni
or,Ismil
easIwat chhim ki
ss
mybellybefor
eget t
ingup.IguessLani
andIarenowbackt oournor malst
ate.
Me:
“Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Di
neot
oday
”

Phumla:Chuckl
ing“Butyouguy
scall
eachotherever
ydaymos”hesay s
si
tti
ngonacouchnextt ome.

Idi
dtellyouthatjuniorusedhisspeci
al
powerstogetmommyanddaddyback
tot
heirnormal st
at e.Il
aughandshake
myheadashet akesmyi cecr
eam tub
anddi
gsi nt
oi twithoutaninvi
tat
ion.
Comfortabl
eIsee.

Me:“Shewast
ell
i
ngmeabouty
our
bi
rt
hdaycel
ebr
ati
on”
Phumla:“Idon’
tknowwhy theyareso
eagertohavemecel ebr
atemybi rt
hday
becauseIam noteveninterest
ed”

*
***
*
Phuml
a

Iwon’tli
eIhadagr eattimewi t
hRor i
today.Ir
eall
ymi ssedher ,Imi ssedbeing
abletositwithher,chatandl augh.I
endedupst ayingov erfordinnerandi t
wasagoodt hingbecauseOr awokeup
needingme.Shei sj ustadaddy ’
sgirl
thatone.Shewasst il
li
npai nbutl ucki
ly
themedicationsthatDr .Dipuogav eher
wasst
rongenought
onumbt
hepai
n.

SpeakingoftheDoct orIhavebeen
contemplati
ngweat hertocallherornot
si
nceIgotbackher e.Iknowi t’
slateand
shemi ghtfi
nditoff
ensive,Iwillj
ustcal
l
hertomorrowdur i
ngt heday.Ineedto
cal
litanearlyni
ghtbecauseIam goi ng
backtowor ktomorrow.

*
***
*
Me:
“Goodmor ni
ngSi
ndy”Isaypl
aci
ng
myl
aptopbackonherdesk.

Si
ndy
:“Goodmor
ningMrZungu”she
say
swi
thaf
orcedsmi
l
e.

Icanseeshei snotcomf ort

able,it
’sas
i
fsheisscar edofme.Iunder stand
exact
lywhyshef eelsthewayshedoes.
Ihavebeenadi ff
icul
tbossint he6
weeksleadingtomy2weeksl eave.I
hadashor ttemperandIplacedt oo
muchpr essureoneveryone.

Me:“Pl
easechecki
fIcanbeabl
etoget
ameetingwi
thevery
oneint
he
boar
droom t
oday”

Si
ndy
:“Ev
ery
onesi
r?”
Me:“Yes,
everyonewhowor
ksfort
his
companyincl
udingt
heout
sour
ced
stuf
f”

Sindy:“Ohksi
r,Iwi
l
lbl
ockever
yone’
s
calendarfort
hemeeti
ngat12:
30”

Me: “Thatwouldbemuchappr eci

ated.
Woul ditbepossi
bletoorgani
zelunch
foreveryone,
Iwill
takecareofthebil
l
personall
y”

Sindy
:“Iwil
lseewhatIcandosi
r”she
saysshocked.
Me:“
ThankyouSindy”Isaybef
ore
t
aki
ngmybagof fhertabl
eandwalki
ng
t
omyof f
ice.

Ihav
ebeenadr agonbosst omy
employ eesspitt
ingf i
reateverychanceI
got(
inKwena’ swor ds)soIneedt o
smootht hingsov erwiththem.Kwena
wasrightpeopl eproducebet t
erresul
ts
whent heyar enotwor ki
ngi nf
ear.

Lady
:“DrMadi
shaoffi
ceNor
aspeaki
ng
howmayIhelpyou?
”
Me:“
Goodmor
ningmam,
ist
heDoct
or
i
n?”

Nora:
“Unfortunat
elysi
r,t
heDr.onl
y
comesinafter10becauseshehast o
doherroundsatMedi cl
ini
cfi
rstsi
r.I
s
thi
sanemer gency?”

Me:
“No,
it’
snotIwi
l
lcal
lagai
naf
ter10”

Nora:
“Havealov
elydaysi
r”shesay
s
bef
orehangi
ngup.

Wowthi
sisi
mpressi
ve.DrDi
puo
Madi
shai
satruedef
ini
ti
onofbeaut
y
andt hebrai
ns.Sherunsasur geryand
sti
llaffi
l
iat
estooneoft hebiggest
pri
vatehospitalgr
oupinthecount r
y.
Shei sdefi
nit
elymytypeofgi r
l,
ambi ti
ousandhardworking.Iam
broughtbackf r
om mythoughtaboutt he
gooddoct orbytheknockont hedoor.

Me:
“Comei
n”

Kwenawal ksi nwit

hasmi leonhi
sf ace.
Iguesshemi ssedhavi
ngmear ound.I
knowt hel asttimehewasher ewehad
anunpl easantconv er
sati
onbutwe
neverhol dgrudges.
Kwena:“
WelcomebackZungu, Ihope
thedr
agonthatt
err
ifi
edall
myst uff
membershasbeenchainedinsome
cavei
nKZN”hesay sbefor
esettl
ing
downonachairi
nfrontofmydesk.

SeewhatImeanaboutnotholdi
ng
drudges,i
t’
sal
lwat
erundert
hebr i
dge.I
can’thel
pbutl
aughathi
sdryjoke.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t40
Phuml
ani
.

Ismil
easIseeherwalkinthr oughthe
doorandletoutasi
ghofrelieve.Iam
happyshecameIwasst ar
tingt odoubt
shewil
lmakei t
.Iwaveathersot hat
shecannoticewhereIam seatedand
shesmilesbackandwal ktowardsmy
dir
ect
ion.Istanduptogiveherafri
endl
y
hugwhichsher et
urns.

Dipuoi st
all
,l
ightincomplexionand
possessescapt i
vati
ngcurves.Shehasa
curl
yweav eonunl i
kethefir
stdayIsaw
herwher eshehadashor tonewhi ch
was3weeksago.Iguessshel ov
es
weaves.Shei swearingadust ypink
sl
imf itdr
essthatisaboveherknees
withbeigesti
lett
os.Thedressi s
exposingherbeaut i
ful
bodyshapeandI
sawf ewheadsi ntherest
auranttur n
andadmi re.
Ihav ebeencall
ingandtextingher
askingeversinceanditsonlyy ester
day
thatsheagreedt ogooutwi thme.
Imagi ne3wholeweeks, begging,
sendingflowersandtryi
ngal ltr
icksin
thebookwhi leshekeptsay i
ngno.Iwas
overt hemoony est
erdaywhenshe
fi
nallysai
dy es.

Me:“Wowyoul
ookamazing”Isay
bef
oreki
ssi
ngbot
hhercheeks.

Ipul
loutachai
rforherandshegi
ves
meawar m smi
le.

Di
puo:
“Thanky
ou,
youdon’
tlookbad
y
our
sel
f”shesay
sasshesi
tsdown.

Ichuckl
esandwalkbackt omychai
r
andpulli
tbacksothatIcansi
tdown.

Me:“Thankyouf
orcoming.Iwas
st
art
ingtothi
nkyoust
oodmeup”

Shesmi
l
eandshakesherhead.

Dipuo:“Iam awomanofmywor dMr

Zungu.Iwoul dhavetol
dy ounoifIwas
notplanningtopit
ch.Iwasjustheldup
bylastmi nut
espati
ents,Iam sor
ryfor
notkeepingtime”
Me:“PleasecallmePhumlani
,thi
sMr
Zungut hi
ngmakest hi
ssoundmor el
i
ke
abusinessdinner”

Shesmi l
esandnods.Iweav emyhand
atthewaitertolethim knowwear e
readytoorder.Het akesourorderand
askifwewoul dlikesomet hi
ngtodrink
whilewewai tforfood.

Me:“Iwoul
dli
keaglassofyourfi
ne
whi
skyandaglassofwaterwithl
emon
f
orthelady
”Isayl
ookingatthemenu.
Dipuo:
“Nosorryscr
atchthewat
erand
givemeaglassofyourfi
neredwine”
shesayst
ot hewait
er.

Ipauseandlookather .Ireal
izedI
for
gotwhom Iam diningt oni
ght.I
mistakenl
yorderedthatforherthi
nkingI
am withRori
sang.Whywoul dIevenbe
thi
nkingaboutmyexwhi l
eIam dining
suchabeautiful
ladyli
keDi puo?

Me:“Iam sor
ryaboutt
hegl
assofwater
t
hing.Ishoul
dhaveaskedy
ouwhatyou
wantedtoyoudri
nk?”

Di
puo:
“It
’sok.Iwoul
dhav
egonef
ort
he
gl
assofwat ertoo.ButInormall
yhavea
wineglassortwoaf t
erav er
ylongday
andtodaywasoneoft hosedays”

Me:“
Iguessdoct
orsknowsbest
”Isay
j
oki
ngly
.

Dipuo:“
Lit
tl
esecr
etDoctor
sdon’tknow
shit
”shesayswhi
speri
nthe'shi
t'
part.

Il
ookathershocked.

Di
puo:
“ExcusemyFrench,
whatImean
i
sasdoctor
sweprescri
bemedici
nesof
whi
chweknowlit
tl
eabout,tocur
e
diseasesofwhichweknowl essabout
,
forpeoplewebar el
yknow.Forexampl
e
i
fy ouaskmewhatgoesi nt
oasimple
coughmi xtur
eIwoul dn’
tev
enknow2
i
ngr edi
entsbutIknowIam supposedto
prescri
beitforsomeonewhohasa
cough”

Me:laughi
ng“Damnandtothi
nkItrust
doct
orswithmychi
ldr
en.Youincl
uded
fort
hatmatter
”

Dipuo:“Wel
liti
swhatitis.Imeanyou
arealsoaspecial
isti
nyourfiel
dand
peoplearesupposedtotrustyouar
en’
t
they?”
Inod,smart
.Thewai t
erbri
ngst
he
dri
nksandplacesthem onthet
abl
e
befor
ewalki
ngof f
.

Di
puo:
“Sohowi
syourdaught
er?
”

IsmilewhenIt hinkaboutmyl it
tl
e
pri
ncess.Shemakesmesopr oud,one
oftheteacher saskedmet ocomeand
seeherwhenIwascol l
ecti
ngOr afrom
school theotherday .Shet oldmet hat
Oraisthest aroft hecl assandshowed
meal lherprogr essrepor tfrom the
beginningoft hey ear.Shet oldmet hat
weshoul dconsidersi gningherf orthe
spel
li
ngbeecompet it
ioncomi ngupbut
hermotherandIfel
tshei stooy oungto
bethrowninsuchcompet it
ion.Sheis
notyetemoti
onall
yintel
li
genttodeal
wit
hcompet i
ti
onstressesandl osing

Me: “
WellOr
aisf
ine,
thankstothesuper
doctorwhocametoherrescuethe
otherday
”

Di
puo:
“Andhowi
sherMot
her
?”

Il
ookatherpuzzl
ed

Me:
“Whywoul
dyouaskmeabouther
mot
her
?”

Dipuo:“WellIneedtounder st
andwher e
sheisinthepicture.Imeany ouhave
beenaskingmeoutf orthepast3weeks
nonestop.WhatIknowi syouhavea
daughterwhoobv i
ouslyhasamot her.
SoIneedt oknowbecauseIdon’ tl
ike
darl
ingaroundt heperipher
ybecauseof
myageobv i
ously.Ili
ket oj
umpi nt
oa
si
tuati
onwi t
hbot hmyey esopened”she
saysbeforetakingasi pofherwine.

Wow, astr
ongwil
ledwomanwho
obvi
ouslyknowswhatshewantsi
nli
fe
andhasnot i
metoplaygames.Wher
e
wassheal
lmyl
i
fe?

Me: “Wellli
key ousaidshehasamot her
obviouslyandIam herf atherand
together,hermot herandIar er
aisi
ng
hersepar atel
ythebestweknowhow.
Webot hpl ayourpar t
sasherpar ents
butwear enottogether.Theonlything
thatbringsust ogetherarethechil
dren”

Dipuo:“Chi
l
dreny
ousai
d?”shesay
s
chokingonherwi
ne.

Me:sigh“Yes,
Oraandherunbor
nbaby
br
other”
Dipuo:“sosheiscur
rent
lypregnant?
”I
nod“Sower eyoutwomar r
ied?”Ishake
myheadno“ Sohowlongwer eyoutwo
together?
”

Me:
“7y
ear
s”

ObviouslyIli
e,Iwouldn’
twantany
womant hatIdateorendupwi t
h
knowingt hatOraisnotmybiologi
cal
chi
ld.Becausey oudon’tneedtoprovi
de
aspermt obeaf at
herplussheis100%
aManzi ni”
Di
puo:
“Wowt
hatl
ong”

*
***
**
Ror
isang

Him:“Therear
emanyway stodealwit
h
yourboredom.ImeanIcoul
dflydown
toPolokwaneandtakeyououtforour
pastadish”

Me: “
Yehr i
ght,
whywouldy ouflydown
toPolokwanetotakemeoutj ust
becauseIam bored.Sur
elyyouaintgot
ti
mef orthat
”
Him:chuckl
i
ng“
Wel
lyouwil
lbeshocked.
Justgi
vemeagoaheadandIam t
here”

Me: “
Havey ouseenhowbi gIhave
becomel at
ely
.It
’sl
ikeIcouldpopand
anygiventi
me”Isaymov ingthephone
aroundsothathecangett heful
lpi
ctur
e
ofhowbi gIam.

Hi
m:“Pregnantwomanhavetoeatt
oo.
Pl
usIwantanexcusetoshar
emypasta
wi
thyou”

Me:
“ButAggr
eyy
ouhat
ePast
a”
Aggrey:“
Thatwasbef
oreImeetyou.
Rori
y oucoul
dmakethedevi
lhimsel
f
l
ovechurchandli
vebythebi
ble”

Thewaymynamer oll
soffhi
stongue
neh.HaiInev
erthoughtmynamecould
soundsoniceunti
lIheadAggreysayi
t
i
nhisMal awi
anaccent.Aggr
eyandIare
onav i
deocall
.

Me:“
Idoubtt
hat.ImeanIdon’
tbel
i
eve
i
nchurchmysel
f”

Aggrey
:fr
owning“
Whyisthat
?Who
doesn’
tbel
iev
einchur
chandGod?
”
Me: “WhyshouldIwhensomanygood
peoplesuff
erinthisworldwel i
vein.
younginnocentgir
lsareraped,kidnaped,
tr
affi
ckedorkill
ed.Whilethehardest
workingpeoplearethepoorestandt he
mostnot or
iousgangstershidebehind
churchesandthewor dofGod? ”

Aggr
ey:
“Soy
oudon’
tbel
i
evei
nGod?
”

Me:“
NoIdon’
t”Isayshaki
ngmyhead
sl
owl
y.

Aggr
ey:
“Sowhodoy
out
hinki
syour
maker
?”

Me:“
Mymot herandf
athercame
t
oget
herandIwasconceived”

Aggr ey:“
Wellchi
ldyouneedsome
saving.Thatit
,Iam fl
yi
ngdownto
Polokwanenex tweekendandIam
bri
ngi ngmybibleyouneedsomere-
educat i
on.DamnIhav enev
ermeetan
atheistbefor
e”

Me:“Ar
eyouscar
ednowt
haty
oumeet
one”
Aggrey:Chuckl
ing“
No,Iam amanwho
l
ikeschall
engesandIwelcomet
his
chal
lengeRori”

Ilaugh, Ienjoypul li
nghi sleg.Iam not
reallyanat heist,Idobel ieveinGod, t
he
creat orofheav enandear t
hbutIjust
don’ tgot ochur chbecauseIam nott hat
reli
gious.Mypar entsalsor ai
sedust o
beli
ev ethatyoudon’ tneedaphy sical
buildingt owor shipGodandweshoul d
nevershyawayf rom ourt r
aditi
onand
chur chest endt of r
ownupont hat
somet imes.

Aggr
ey:
“SoIwi
l
lseey
ounextweekend
r
ight
”

Me:
“Noy
oucan’
t”Isaysmi
l
ing

Aggr
ey:“
OfcourseIcan,
whatdoy
ou
meanIcan’
t?”

Me:“Wel
lIhavebabydaddy’sbi
rt
hday
par
tytoat
tendthatweekend?”

Aggrey
:“Ooh,It
houghtyousaidyou
guysarenott
ogetheranymore”

Me:“Wearenotbutwehavet
oco-
par
ent.Wehaveachil
dandoneont
he
way…..
soooooy
ah”Isayshr
uggi
ngmy
shoul
ders.

Aggr
ey:
“Soy
oucan’
tbr
ingaf
ri
end?
”

Me:Laughi
ng“
No,i
t’
snotmypar
tyt
o
i
nvi
tepeopl
eAggr
ey”

Aggrey:“
Andshesaysmynameso
beauti
ful
ly”hesay
swit
hthemost
beauti
fulsmil
e.

Il
aughandcovermyf acewit
honehand.
Aggr
eyissuchafl
irt
.Iam sureIsayhi
s
nameli
keeveryot
herperson.We
continuetal
kingunt i
l Idecideit
’stime
wecal li
tani ght.Wehav ebeenont he
phonesol ongIdi dnotev enfeelthat
ti
mef l
ewby .Icheckt hetimeandr eal
ize
i
ts12mi dni
ght .Ishouldreall
ygetsome
sleep.Aggreydoesn’ twantt ohangup
andhei stheonewhohaswor k
tomor r
ow.Idon’ tandIcansi mplywake
upat10becauseOr ai salsonother e
butatmypar ents.

Aggrey
:“Oksl
eepyhead,goaheadand
hangup”hesaysl
aughing.

Me:“
AAwear etoool
dfort
hisgood
ni
ght
”Isaybef
orehangi
ngup.
Iam notaboutt
oplaytheyouhangup,
noyouhangupgames.AAar ehis
i
nit
ial
s,AggreyAl
exandrasoIcal
lhi
m
AAsomet i
mes.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t41

Phuml
ani

Iam wokenf r
om mybeaut i
fulsleepby
myi r
ri
tat
ingphone.HowIwi shi twason
si
lentmoder i
ghtnow.Ipullapillowand
covermyselfinanattempttoignoreit
andmaket hesoundf adeaway .Idon'
t
knowwhatt imeitisbutIam sureit’
s
sti
llt
ooearlyinthemorningtobet aki
ng
cal
l
s.

Il
etoutasighofreli
efwheni tfi
nal
ly
goesqui
et.Ichangemysl eeping
posi
ti
onandt r
ytofallbacktosleep.I
guessIt
hankedGodt oosoonbecause
myphonest ar
tedir
ri
tati
ngmeagai n.

Me:
"Hell
o"Ianswerwi
thoutchecki
ng
t
hecal
lerI
D.

Iam tr
yingbyal
lmeansnott
osound
rude.

Her
:"happybi
rt
hdayt
oyou.
..
..
..
..happy
bi
rthdayt
oy ou...
..
..
..
.Happybirthday
dearPhumlani Zungu..
..
..
..
.happy
bi
rthdayt
oy ou...
..
..
"asweetv oi
cesings
ontheotherside.

Ismileandli
stent
oherasshegoeson
andonsi ngi
ng.Wow,
it’
smybir
thday
todayandwhatawaytobewokenup.

Me: "Thankyouv er
ymuch.Youare
actuall
ythefir
stpersontowishmea
happybi r
thdaytoday"Isayatt
heendof
hersong.

Her:"Exact
lywhatIai
medf
or"shesay
s
exci
ted.
Me:"Wel
lyouwouldn'
tbeatr
ue
MaZunguifyouwerenott
hefi
rst
per
sontocallmeonmyspecialday
.
Whatti
mei si
tanyway?"

Her
:"I
ts03:
30”

Me: “
Whysoear ly,
itnotl
i
keanyoneis
goingtocallme.Youwouldhavebeen
thefi
rstevenifyouweretocal
lat6in
theafter
noon”Isayyawning.

Her
:“BecauseIr
emembery out
ell
i
ng
methatyourmothersai
dyouwere
deli
veredat03:25am.SoIthoughti
t
wouldbegr eatcal
l
ingyouexact
lyat
thatti
me"

Me:"
Soy ouare5minut
esl
ateMmaka
Or
a"Isaylaughi
ng

Rori
:"Onl
ybecausey
outooky
oursweet
ti
met oanswert
hephone"

Me:“
OhkIam sor
ryaboutt
hat
,Iwas
f
astasl
eep”

Rori
:“I
t’
sok.Socanyoupl
easej
oinus
forbr
eakfasti
nmyhouset
hismorni
ng?
Yourdaughterwantstogivey
ouyour
presentbef
oreyourlunchdat
e?"

Me:"Therei
snothi
ngIwouldli
kemore
t
hant ohavebr
eakfastwi
thyouguy
son
t
hisspecial
day"

Ror
i:“
Ohkcoolthenwewi
l
lseey
ou
whenyougethere”

Me:
“OkcanIsl
eepnow?
”

Ror
i:Laughi
ng“ Sweetdr
eamsbirt
hday
boy
”shewhi spersbefor
ehangi
ngup.
Iputmyphoneonsi lentassoonasshe
hungup.Ifal
lasleept hi
nkingaboutthe
dayahead.BreakfastwithOr aandRori
fol
lowedbyal unchdat ewithOrathena
barbecueatmyhousewi thfri
ends.

*
***
***
*

Ror
isang

Ipackev
ery
thi
ngni
cel
yont
het
abl
e.I
prepar
edanEngl
ishbr
eakf
ast
,exact
ly
howPhumlali
kesit
.

Fri
edcri
spybecon,poachedeggs,gr
il
led
tomat
oes,toast
edbrownbr eadand
spi
cykoobeans.Iwipemyhandswi tha
handtowelwhenihearacarpulli
ngup.

Me:
"Or
ababai
sher
e"i
cal
lout
.

Shecomesrunningfr
om herbedr
oom
andshootst
rai
ghttothedoor.

Ora:
"Happybir
thdayBaba".Shesay
s
l
aunchi
ngherselfi
nhisarmsassoonas
hest
epsi
n.

Hepi cksherupandki ssheral lov erher

facebef oretickli
ngher .Shei slaughing
hardasshebegshi mt ost op.Ilookat
thi
samazi ngsi ghtinfrontofmeand
can'thel pbutshedat ear.Thisar etears
ofjoy .Thankst ot hi
sselflessmani nour
midstmydaught erhasaf atherwho
l
ov esherv er
ymuchandwoul ddo
any thinginhispowert omakesur eshe
nev erlacksany thing.

Fi
nal
l
yheputsherdownandwalks
sl
owl
ytowar
dsme.Ibur ymy
sel
finhi
s
embr
acebef
orehekissesmeonthe
for
ehead.Hegoesdownononeknee
andholdmybell
ywithbot
hhands

Phumla:"
Manziniy
oubet t
ergether
e
soon.Iam out
numberedinthi
shouse
buddy"hesaysbef
orekissi
ngmybelly
.

Irol
lmyey es.Asthebabyrespondst
o
hi
sfather'
swor dsandacti
onbykicki
ng
mer oughl
y.Phumlalooksuptomewi th
onebiggestwarm smil
e.

Or
a:"
BabacomeIhaveagi
ftf
ory
ou"
Or
asaysi
mpati
ent
ly.
Ican'
thel
pbutl
augh.

Phumlani
:chucki
ng"SeewhatImean
j
unior
"hesaysbeforeget
ti
ngupand
fol
l
owOr atoherroom.

Imov ebet weenthekitchenanddining

room placingeveryt
hingweneedont he
tabl
e.Includi
ngaket tl
ewi t
hboiled
water.Phuml aloveshiscoffeewhil
eI
pref
erjuice.Icall
them backt ocome
andeat .

Phumla:"
Wowi sthi
sforme?
"Hesays
l
ookingatagi
ftbaginthemi
ddl
eofa
tabl
e.
Me:
"Agiftf
orabi
rt
hdayboy
"Isay
smi
l
ing.

Phumla:“
Uy adelelaRori
,ngi
mdalaku
nawe(Youar ebeingdisr
espectf
ulRori
,I
am ol
derthanyou) ”Hesaysplayf
ull
y

Me:Laughi
ng“Whatdoy
oumeanIam
bei
ngdisr
espect
ful
”

Phumla:“Youcal
l
edmeaboyt wice
today
.Iwillt
akeyour
ighther
erightnow
andremindyouwhoisnotaboy ”he
winks
Ora:
“Takeherwher
eBaba?”shesay
s
st
uffi
ngbreadi
nhermouth.

Ican’thelpbutlaughatPhumla’sfaci
al
expressionthatsayshedoesn’tknow
whatt osay.Icantell
youOracaught
bothofusof fguard.

*
***
***

Phuml
ani

Sy:
“Mi
naIthoughty
ouguyswerej
ust
goi
ngt
hroughaphaseandwi
ll
ev
ent
ual
l
ywor
kthi
ngsout
”

Me:“
Welli
tiswhati
t”Isayshr
uggi
ng
myshoul
ders.

Sbu:“Butyouguy slov
eeachot her
,any
foolcanseet hat.Evennowt he
chemistr
ybet weent hetwoofy ouisso
str
ongonecan’ teventel
lyouarenot
eventogether”hesay stur
ningthemeet
onthebraai stand.

Me:“Iguessl
ovedi
dnotconqueral
l”I
saybefor
egulpi
ngdownthebeeri
nmy
hand.
Xolani:“I
t’
sjustwrongman.Twopeopl e
cannotloveeachot hergenui
nelyand
notfighthardenought obetogether
.
Justwr ong”

Ihearwhatt heyaresay i
ngbuti tnotas
easyast heymakei tsound.A
rel
ationshi pisat wowayst r
eetwher e
bothpar tiesshoul dhav et heinterest
anddr ivet obei nit.Icandoany t
hingin
mypowert oshowRor isanghowmuchI
l
ov eherbutunt i
lsheacknowl edgesmy
eff
or t
si t
’sj ustuseless.Ican’tlose
my selftryingt oshowsomeonehow
mucht heymeant omebecause
eventuallyIwi llhavenot hingbet t
erto
of
ferher
.

Wear echi ll
i
ngatmyhousef orthe
bir
thdaybar becue.Theguy sandt heir
womanl andedi nPol okwanear ound
16:00.Thi sisthefirstbir
thdayI
celebratedout si
depr isoninthepast4
yearshencet hereasonwhyt heyfelt
theyshoul dflydownandt rytomakei t
special.Thel adi
esar einthehousebusy
withsal adswhi l
etheki dsareplayingin
theswi mmi ngpool .MaMav i
sis
super vi
si ng,wehadt oaskhert ocome
andassi stbecauseRor ican’
tdoal lt
hat
andweknewt heladieswouldal sowant
theirspace.
Sy:“
Sowher
eist
hisDrLadyofy
our
now?”

Me:“Wel
lIcoul
dn’
tinv
itef
orobv
ious
r
easons”

Thel
augh

Xol
ani
:“Whi
chobv
iousr
easons”

Sbu:“Soy
oudon’twantRor
itoknow
thatt
oknowthatyouaremovingon”

Sy:
“Iguessyoust
il
lwantt
okeepy
our
opt
ionsopenneh.
”
Me:“
Whyar
ewedi
scussi
ngmyl
ove
l
if
e?”

Sbu:“Yourlov
eli
fei
smor eint
erest
ing
thanallofour
scombined”

Thecont
inuel
aughi
ng

Me:“andyetIhav
enev
ermeetSbu’
s
ghostl
over”

WelaughharderasSbusulks.Ser
ves
hi
mr i
ght,hi
sloveral
wayshasexcuses
wheneversheshouldcomewi t
hSbu.
Me:“
Iam st
art
ingt
othi
nkshedoesn’
t
ex
ist
”

*
***
*

Ror
isang

Wearesitt
ingintheki
tchenbusy
pr
epar
ingsalads.It
’sme,Dineoand
Phi
ndi
lewhoi sXolani
’
sgirl
fri
end.Imeet
Phi
ndi
lethelastti
metheywer eheref
or
mybabyshower .
Di
neo:
“Ar
eyousur
eyouar
eok?
”

Inodandf orceasmi l
eshesmi l
esback
atmeandcont i
nueswi t
hwhat evershe
wasbusywi t
h.Itakeabottleofwater
fr
om thef r
idgeanddrink.Ihavebeen
havi
ngr eoccurr
ingpainsforfewhour s
now.Itcan’tbelaborpainsbecausethis
bundl
eofj oyisonlyexpectedtoarri
ve
nextweek.

Di
neo:
“Sowhenwil
lyouandPhuml
a
st
oppl
ayi
ngcatandmouse?”
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”

Phuml
a: “
Shemeansy ouguysarein
l
oveandy etyouarebot
htooproudto
l
etgoofwhat everi
shol
dingy
ouback
andbetogether
”

Me:
“Somet
imesl
ovei
snotenough”

Dineo:“
Nothi
ngi
sev
erenough.Buti
t
wouldbeworset
obeinalovel
ess
rel
ati
onshi
p”

Me:“Aaaaaaauch”Iscr
eam putt
ingmy
handonthebottom ofmybelly
.
Thepai
nisnowget
ti
ngwor
se.

Phumla:“What
’swrongbaby?”hesay
s
runni
nginsi
dethehousefol
l
owedbyal l
theguysandDineo.

Idon’tevenknowwhenshewentoutt o
callhi
m.Icont i
nuescreamingasthe
paingetswor seandwor se.Phuml
a
takesmyhandandl eadsmeoutoft he
kit
chentot helounge.

Phi
ndi:
“Ical
ledanambulance,
it’
soni
t
way.It
hinksheisi
nlabor
”
Me: “
Nonono, Ican’
tbe.My………my
gynecol
ogist…………sai d…….
Iam onl
y
due…….nex t
………nextweek”Isayin
betweenthepai n.

Phumla:“
Fuckthi
s,Sybr
inghercarwe
aret
akinghert
othehospit
alnow.Di
neo
fi
ndherDoctor
’scar
dinherbagandlet
hi
m knowwear eonourwayt oMedi
-
cl
ini
cheshouldmeetusthere”

Hescoopsmeupandwal
kwi
thmet
o
thecar .Iam feeli
nghotandsweat i
ng.
Thepai nisget ti
ngwor seandwor sethe
evidencei sinmyscr eams.Phuml a
placesmegent l
yinthebackseatbef or
e
j
oiningme.Ev idenceofworryispainted
acrosshi sface.Hei sbusywipingmy
sweat swhi l
erubbingmybel l
y.

Phumla:“Iam heremyPedi queen,

pl
easebest r
ongforme.Iknowi t
’s
pai
nfulnowbuti twill
beworthitsoon”
hesaysbef oreki
ssingthet
opofmy
head“Steponi tSy”hesaysfol
lowing
myscream.

Iam r
est
lessi
nthebackseatasIcan’
t
f
indacomf
ort
abl
eposi
ti
ont
osi
tin.

*
***
*

Phuml
ani

Sy:Chuckl
ing“
Youluckysonofaman,
fi
rstchi
ldandi
t’
sasonwhochoosesto
arri
veonyourbi
rt
hday”

Me:Si
ghing“Shehasbeenint
heref
or
anhournow.Whyaren’
ttheyt
ell
i
ng
any
thi
ng?”

Sy
:“whyar
en’
tyoui
nther
eagai
n?”
Me:“Shechasedmeoutangi
thi
”Isnap
athi
m

Dineo:“begl
adshedid,
youwouldnot
stomachwhatit’
sabouttohappeni
n
there”

Wearesit
ti
ngint
hewaiti
ngroom.I
can’
tbr
ingmysel
ftosi
tsti
ll
.Iam goi
ng
upanddown.

Dipuo:“HeyPhuml
anif
ancyseei
ngy
ou
here?”shesaysgi
vi
ngmeahug.
Ismilebackatherandgiv
eher
somewhataf ri
endl
yhug.Icansee
Dineogivi
ngmeanev il
eye.

Dipuo:
“Isever
ythi
ngokwit
hOra?
”she
sayscausi
ngDineotofr
own.

Dineo:“Andhowdoy ouknowhi
s
daughter”sheaskswitha
condescendingtone.

Syclear
shi
sthr
oat
,whydoesn’
the
repr
imandhi
swoman?

Me:
“Shei
sOr
a’sdoct
or”
Inoti
cehurtonDi
puo’
sf ace.Iam not
evensur
ewhyIsaidthat.May beIam
worri
edthatDi
neowil
l t
ellRorit
hatIam
seei
ngsomeoneandt hatcouldkil
lany
chancewehadofgetti
ngbackt ogether
.

Xolani:“Wow, IguessRor i
sangj ust
want edtotopal lourbir
thdaygiftsneh.
Givi
ngbi rt
ht oyoursonony ourbi r
thday
”
hesay sast heywal kint
othewai ti
ng
room.“ Hereissomef oodfrom y our
partyIknowy ouhav en’
teatenany thi
ng”
hesay shandi ngmeacont ainerwith
food.
Dipuo:“
Happybir
thdayand
congrat
ulati
onst
oy ou”shesay
sbef
ore
walki
ngof f
.

Syhol
dmemywr i
standshakeshi
s
headasIat
tempttofol
l
owher .

Sy:“
Leaveher
,youar
eboundbr
eakher
hear
tsoonert
hanlat
er”

Phindi
:“Whatwasthatal
labout?
”she
askslookingatDi
neowhojustshrugs
hershoulders.
Me:“
Fuckwai
ti
ng,
Iam goi
ngt
othat
war
d”

Sy
:“That
’st
heat
ti
tude”hesay
spat
ti
ng
myback.

*
***
*

Ror
isang

Dr
:“Gi
vemeonel
astpushRor
i”

Ishakemyheadno,
Ihav
ebeenpushi
ng
andIcan’
tpushany
mor
e.Ican’
t,
Iam
j
ustti
red.

Phimla:“Pl
easebabyonel astpushand
that’
sitmyPedi queen”hesay s
brushingmyhairwithhisonehandand
holdi
ngmyhandwi thhisotherone.

Igi
veitonelastl
ongpushandIseethe
Doctorsmi
lebeforet
heroom i
sfi
ll
ed
wit
hmybaby ’
scry
.

Dr.
:“I
t’
sagi r
l,aheal
thybabygi
rl
”He
sayshandingPhumlaapairofsci
ssor
s
tocuttheumbi l
i
calcor
d.
Phuml aandIlookateachot her
surpri
sedbecausewehav ebeentold
thatwear eexpect
ingasoni nallt
he
visi
twehadwi thourgy necol
ogi
st.
Phuml atakesthescissorsandcutthe
cord.TheDrhandst hebabyt othenurse
tocleanherup

Me“ Butyoutol
dusnumer ousti
mes
thatweareexpecti
ngababyboy ”Isay
beforel
etti
ngoutanotherscream fr
om
apainIam notsureisresult
ingfr
om
what.

Thedoct
orandPhuml
arushesbackt
o
me.Icanseet hatPhumlaisfrust
rat
ed
ashesitbymysi denexttomyhead.
TheDr.pressesmybellytoinspectwhat
coul
dbewr ong.

Dr
:“Iam sor
ryRoributy
ouhav
etogi
ve
meanotherpush”

Phuml
aandI
:“What
”

Obviouslyweareshocked.Coul dn’
t
someonehav etol
dusi fwewer e
expecti
ngt wi
nsort r
iplet
sforthat
matter?Ifoundmy selfpushi
ng
i
nvoluntaryastheurget odosof or
ces
met o.Phumlaisreallyoutofhiswitas
hecan’tcompr
ehendwhatishappeni
ng
andthesoundsofmyscreamsarenot
hel
ping.

Dr
:“onel
astl
ongpushhi
sPedi
queen”

Notthetimetopl
ayarounddr .Igiv
ehim
onelastpushasperhisrequestandI
watchhisexpr
essi
onashesmi lesagai
n
andanotherl
audvoicefi
ll
st heroom.Oh
l
ord,Ij
ustgavebi
rthinpairs.

Dr
:“Ourl
ongawai
tedbabyboy
”

Phuml
aki
ssesmyf
oreheadbef
ore
j
umpingt
ot akethepai
rofsci
ssor
s
f
rom t
hetabletocutt
hecord.
Me: "Happybir
thdayManzini"Isay
beforedozingoff.Pushi
ngtwopairsof
babiesisnotachi l
d’
splay.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t42
Ror
isang

Phumla: "
Thankyouv erymuch,youhav
e
nowgi venmear easont ocel
ebr
atemy
bir
thdayev er
yyeargoingforwar
d"he
sayskissingmyforehead.

Ican'
thelpbutsmil
ebackatt
his
obvi
ouslyhappyandpr
oudfat
her.I
couldn'thav
echosenany onebetterto
fathermykids.Ihav enodoubtinmy
mindt hatourchil
drenwi l
lalways
experiencethei
rfather'
swar mthand
l
ov e.Phumlaloveshi ski
dsandt hereis
nothinghewoul dn'
tdof orthem,all3of
them.

Me:"Youar
ewelcomeManzi
ni.Di
d
any
onecallmyparent
s?"

Di
neo:
"Idi
d.Theyar
eont
hei
rway
"

Me:
"Thanky
ouv
erymuch"
Sy:"
congr
atul
ati
onst
obothofyouon
yournewaddi
ti
ontothef
amil
y"

Xolani:
"youmeanaddi
ti
onsnot
addit
ion"hesay
sdramati
cal
l
y.

Wel augh.Iam tr
yingnottoover
doit
becauseIstil
lfeelpai
nfrom t
hesti
tches.

Ihavecometolearnt
hatXol
anii
sthe
groupcl
own.Heisalwaysmaki
ngfunof
onethi
ngortheother
.

Phuml a:
sul
ki
ng"Imisst
hem al
ready
yazi
,thedoct
orhasbeengonef
ort oo
l
ongnowmay beIshoul
dgocheckif
ever
ythingi
sok"hesayslooki
ngathi
s
ti
mepi ece.

Yes,ti
mepiece.Iwasoncegi venan
educati
onbySbuwhenIof fendedhim
byinnocent
lycall
inghi
s'ti
mepi ece'a
watch.Apparent
lythei
rdi
fferenceisthe
sameast hediff
erencebetweendr i
vi
ng
aFordFocusandaLambor ghini
Gall
ardo,whatev
erthatmeans.

Wecan' thelpbutlaughatPhumlani
.It
’s
onlybeenf ewmi nutessi
ncethe
chil
drenarrivedandhealreadymiss
them.Plust hedoctoronl
ytookthenli
ke
8mi
nut
esago.

Phumla'sfaceli
ghtsupasthedoctor
walksinfoll
owedbyt henur
sepushinga
doublebabycot.Auch.Ihur
tmyself
tr
yingtositup.Phumlanoti
cesand
hel
psmeup.Ican' thelpbutsmil
eback
athim.

Dr.:
"It
sfeedingti
memommybutIwi l
l
havetoaskt hevi
sitorstoleav
ethe
room becauseit
’stoocrowded"she
sayslooki
ngatev eryonewhohasnow
surr
oundedt hebabycot .

Shehasoneoft
hosedon'
tfuckwi
thme
l
ooksthatnur
sesusual
l
ygi
veatpubl
i
c
cl
i
nics.

Phuml
a:"
Ican'
tl
eav
e"

Dr:"
ofcause.Onl
ythef
atheri
sal
l
owed
tostay
"

Sy:"
Befor
eweleav
e.Whataretheir
names?"hesay
splay
ingwi
thjunior
's
ti
nyfi
ngers.

Me:"Manzi
ni?
"Isaygiv
inghi
mthe
pl
atf
ormtonamehi sbabi
es.
Hesmil
esandpi
cksj
uniorupwhoi
s
wr
appedinabl
uebabyblanket
.

Phumla: l
ooki
ngint
ot hebaby'
seyes
"LwandlePhumlaniZungu"hesay
s
befor
el ooki
ngatmef orappr
ovalwi
th
oneraisedeyebr
ow.

Inodforappr ovalbeforerecei
ving
Lwandlefrom him.Myhear tmeltswhen
myey esmeethi s.Myper fectbabyboy .
Productofmywomb.Ipl aceasof tkiss
onhissmal lpinkl
ips.Het ookhis
fat
her'
slightcompl exionandbeaut if
ul
nose.Theey esaredef ini
tel
ymine, big
andbeaut i
ful
.Lwandl eisjustbeautif
ull
y
per
fect
.

Phumlapickshissecondpr
incessf
rom
thecotandlooksherdeepi
nt heey
eli
ke
hedidwithLwandle.

Phumla:"
Nol
wandlePhuml
i
leZungu"he
sayswit
hawarm smil
e.

Every
oneclapstheirhandswhil
eSy
chanttheZunguclannamesmucht o
thedoctor
'sannoyancewholookslike
shecanphy si
cal
lythrowthem out
.

Di
neo:
"Wowsuchbeaut
if
ulnames
i
ndeed"

Xolani
:"Youmisstheoceant
hatbad.
Thismustbey ourwayofhav
ing2
oceansinLimpopo"hesaysl
aughi
ng.
Haha,
notfunny
.SeewhyIcal
lhi
mthe
gr
oupclown?

Phuml a:"Doyourwor
seX,todayyou
can'tspoilmymoods.Iam waytoo
blessedtoall
owy outodothat
"hesays
beforekissi
ngNolwandl
e.

HegivesNolwandl
etomeashet akes
Lwandleback.Mybeaut
if
uldaught
er.
Shei sperf
ectl
ywrappedinapi nk
blanket.Il
ookatthisZungupr i
ncess
whochoset osur
priseuswi t
hher
entrancetothewor l
d.Shewasnot
expectedasshest ayedhiddenfor
reasonsnotknownt oany
one.

Phuml a:"don'tminduncl eXy ezwa( you

hear).Inamedy ouandy oursi st
er
Lwandl eandNol wandl ebecause
Uthandoongi nalof orninal ungango
l
wandl e(theloveIhav efory ouguy sisa
deepasanocean) .Plust heoceannev er
runsdr yj
ustl i
kemyl ovef orallofyou,
i
ncludingy ourbigsi sterOr awhom y ou
will
meetv erysoonandy ourmot her"he
sayspl ay
ingwi thLwandl e'st i
nyfingers
bef
orel
ooki
ngatmewi
thpuppyey
es.

Di
neoandPhi
ndi
:"aaaaahhhh"

Il
ookathim withonebigsmi l
e.Phumla
i
ssuchadr eam.It’
sli
kehest eppedout
ofmydream andstrai
ghtintomyl i
fe.
HowIwisht hi
ngswerenotas
compl
icat
edast heycurrent
lyare.

Dineo:
“Ohkmommy,wewil
lcomesee
youtomorr
owneh.
”shesay
shuggi
ng
me.

Theyal
lfol
l
owsui
tandhugme,
kisst
he
babiesandshakinghandswi thPhuml a
beforewalki
ngoutwi t
ht hedoctor
behindthem.Itakeoutmybr eastand
wipeitwithawetclothbeforepl aci
ngit
i
nNol wandle’
smout h.Ismilewat ching
hersuchonmybr eastfordearlife.

Phumla:“
Theyaresoperf
ect.Thankyou
ver
ymuchf ormaki
ngmeaf atheronce
more”hesaysnottaki
nghi
sey esoff
Lwandlewhoissl
eepingi
nhisfather
’s
hands.

Me:“SoManziniar
eweser i
ousl
ynot
gi
venthem anyPedinames”Isayt
ryi
ng
myluck.
Iknowwehadt
hisconv
ersat
ionbef
ore.

Phuml
a:“
Aret
heyPedi
?”hesay
swi
tha
fr
own.

Iguessi
tat
ri
ckquest
ion.

Me:
“No,
Butt
hei
rmot
heri
s”Isaysof
tl
y.

Phumla:Chuckli
ng“Theyar
enott
hei
r
mothernowar ethey
?”

Ishakemyheadandf
ocusonmy
secondpr
incessbecauset
hisi
sone
topi
cIwil
lneverwin.

Phumla:“Nochi
ldofmi newi
llhavea
Pediname.Wehadt hisconv
ersati
on
befor
e.Orawil
lalsohavetochangeher
namet oaZulunamewhenwechange
hersurname.
”

Ij
ustnodwithoutevenlookingathim.
Phumlaj
ustliketohavethingsgohis
way.Hestandsupf r
om wher ehewas
seat
edtogivemeLwandl ef orf
eeding
whil
ehetakesNol wandl
eforburping.

*
***
***
***
Phuml
ani

Ora:“Sobabawhenarewetaki
ng
LwandleandNolwandl
ehome?”she
saysbefor
eplaci
nghercanofj
uiceon
thetabl
e.

Me:“Maybet
omorrowort
hedayaf
ter
.It
dependsont
hedoctor
”

Or
a:“Ican’
twai
t”Shesay
swi
tht
he
bi
ggestsmil
e

Me:
“Iknowbaby,youaregoi
ngt obe
t
hebestsi
sterev
er”Isayear
ningmysel
f
ahug

OraandIar esi t
tingatthecaf eteri
a.I
l
efttheroom assoonasRor i
’sparents
arri
ved.Icouldn’tstayinthereoutof
respectforthem.Or aonlystayedin
thereforfewmi nut esbeforefollowing
meout side.Shei sv er
yhappyaboutt he
newaddi ti
onsandkeepsbr agginghow
sheisnowabi gsi ster
.Shesay sshewi l
l
takecareoft hem andpl aywi t
ht hem
everydayaf t
erschool .

Di
puo:
“Thobel
a(Gr
eet
ings)
”

Me:
“Hi
Dr.
”
Or
a:“
Dr.Iam nowabi
gsi
ster
”shesay
s
ov
erl
yexci
ted.

Dipuo:“Real
lynow?BoyorGi
rl
?”she
sayslookingatme

Ora:“
Aboy….
.anda…. .gi
rl
.Andwear
e
t
akingbot
hofthem home”

Di
puo:
“Wowcongr
atul
ati
ons”

Inodthi
ngsar
ejustawkwar dreal
l
y.I
thi
nkSywasri
ght.Iwi
lldefi
nit
elybreak
herhear
t.I
tmi
ghtnotbet odayof
tomor r
owbutit
’sboundtohappensoon.
Iknowv erywel
lwheremyheartis
stolenanditwi
l
lnotbefai
rtogiveher
halfofmebecauseRoriwil
lal
way sbei
n
myl if
e.

Dipuo:“
Ohk,IguessIwil
lseey ou
aroundIneedtogodomyr ounds.
”She
saysbefor
ewalkingoff
.

Me:“
Comepri
ncessIam sur
eyour
gr
anni
esar
ereadyt
oleave”

Ora:
“ButIdon’twantt
oleavewi
tht
hem.
Iwantt
osl eepher
ewithLwaandNo”
shesaysthreat
eni
ngtocry.
Me:“Butpri
ncesskababa(daddy’
s
pr
incess)
,thi
sisahospit
alyoucan’
t
sl
eephere”Isaysoft
lyl
ooki
ngherinthe
ey
e.

Ora:
“Butyousai
dyouar
esl
eepi
ngher
e”
shewhines.

Me: “
Iwillnotbesl
eeping.Iwil
lbe
makingsur enoonestealsyourli
ttl
e
si
sterorbr ot
her
.Ordoy ouwantt hem t
o
bestolen”Isay.

Sheshakesherheadnoandwi
pesher
tearyey es.Isomet i
mesy ouhav eto
throwi nawhi t
eli
ebecauseki dsdon’t
alway staket hi
ngsast heyare.Wemake
ourwayt othewar dandi ndeedf i
ndthe
grandpar entsreadyt oleave.Ishakethe
father’
shandandIgetpul l
edintoahug
byt hemot herasIt ryt oshakeherhand
goodby e.Imustsayi tfel
tgreatand
wei rdatthesamet imebecauseI
hav en’
thadamot her’
sembr aceina
l
ongt i
meandIam noty etcomf ort
able
aroundRor i
’sparents.

OnethingIlear
nedaboutherparentsis
thatt
heyarenothardcor
et r
adit
ional
ist
.
Iguessital
soworksinmyf avor
becausetheyarenotmakingmyl i
fe
dif
ficultwhenitcomest owhatIneedt o
dof ormyki dssuchast hetradi
ti
onal
ceremonyt hatneedstobedonei nback
home.Theysai dtheyrespectmyculture
andt heywillneverst
andi nthewayof
doingwhatneedst obedonef ormyki ds.

*
***
***
**
Ror
isang.

Dr:
“Hi,Iam DrMadi shaandIwil
lbethe
onedoingther oundhereunt
ilt
omorrow
morni
ng.Isev eryt
hingohkori
sthere
somethingthatyouneed”shesayswith
awarm smile.
Me:“
NicetomeetyouDr.i
sitpossi
ble
t
hatIcangetanext
rabl
anketformy
r
oommat e?
”

DrMadisha:
“Roommat
e?”sheasks
conf
used.

Me: “
newborndaddysy
ndr
ome.The
fat
hersayshei
sspendi
ngtheni
ght
”I
sayshruggi
ngmyshoul
der
s.

Dr.Madisha:“
Youarev er
yluckytohave
hi
m wantt obeherewithyou.Most
womangot hr
oughallt
hisalone.My
advi
ce,holdontohim.Unfortunat
elywe
don’
thav eanext
rablanket.Ican
suggesty
oucal
lsomeonet
obr
ingy
ou
one”

Ismileandnod.I ndeedIam veryl

ucky.I
knowhowi tistogot hr
oughital
lal
one.
Iexperi
enceditwi t
hOr aandnowIam
j
ustgladPhuml ai ssteppi
ngup.Ishould
j
ustcallhi
mt odr ivehomeandget
himselfablanketsincehedroveint
o
towntobuyt akeaway s.Hesaysthe
foodinthecafeteriai
snotentici
ng
enoughforhimt oeat .

Thedoctorchecksthebabi
esbefore
wri
ti
ngsomet hi
ngdownonhernot epad.
Shecheckthem outandscri
bes
somet
hingont
hei
rfi
l
es.

Me:“Canyoupl
easehandmeLwandl
e?”
Iaskni
cel
ybecauseIcanseehei
s
awakeandabouttocr
y.

Dr:
“Whichonei
sLwandl
e?”shesay
s
l
aughi
ng.

Me:
Laughi
ng“
Theonei
nbl
ue”

Shepickshi
m upandplayswi
thhi
ma
l
itt
lewhil
ecomplement
inghowbeaut
if
ul
theyare.
Dr:“
Lwandleissuchasbeaut
if
ulname
andwhatisthegir
l’
sname?”shesays
handi
ngmet hebaby.

Me:
“Nol
wandl
e”

Shelooksatmeshocked.Shei
s
probabl
yaskingher
sel
fwhyIgavemy
chil
drenNguninameswhil
eIam Pedi
in
Li
mpopo.

Me: “
Welldaddysay
shisloveforusis
asdeepasanocean.Toodeepandt oo
wide.Pl
usanoceannev err
unsdry”Isay
withasmileonmyf ace
Dr:
“Wowgirl
aren’
tyouj
ustl
ucky
.You
bet
termar
rythat
man.Ther
earen’
tenoughmanl
i
kehi
m
outt
heret
rustme”

Ibreastf
eedLwandeast hedoct ordoes
herroundsbeforeleavi
ngmywar d.Iam
thi
nkingaboutwhatshej ustsaidandI
knowt herei
ssomet r
uthtoit.Ther e
aren’
tmanymanl i
kePhuml aoutt her
e
andIam justluckytohav ehimi nmyl i
fe.
Letmet akemyphoneandcal lhim
abouttheblanketbeforeIforget.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t43.
Phuml
ani
.

Iam hol dingNolwandl einmyar ms

becauseshei sawake.Herbr otheri
s
sleepingpeacef ul
lyinhiscot .Ican’
t
believethatGodsawmef i
tandwor t
hy
tofat herthi
sangels.Ismi letomy sel
f
asIl ookbackatt her oadthatIhadt o
tr
av el t
oendupher e.Whowoul dhave
knownt hatIhadtot ravelall
t hewayto
Limpopot ofalli
nloveandf i
nally
becomeapar ent?

Her:
Chuckl
i
ng“Ishoul
dhaveknown”
shesay
sbri
ngi
ngmef rom mythought
s.
Me:“HiDipuo,Idi
dnotknowyouwere
theoneattendi
ngtous”Isayr
ather
shocked.

Dipuo:“WellIwor
kherei
ncaseyou
forgot
”shesay st
aki
ngafil
efr
om
Lwandle’scot.

Iwasal oneintheroom watchingover

thetwinsasRor iwenttotakeabath.
Wewer etol
dtheDrwoul dseeusat7
anddischargeus.IguessDi puoist
he
Dr.wehav ebeenwai t
ingfor.

Me:“LookDi
puoIam v
erysor
ryok”Isay
sof
ty
Dipuo:
“Whatar
eyousorr
yforexact
ly?
”
shesaysf
oldi
ngherar
ms.

Itrul
yunder st
andherangert owar dsme.
Shemadei tcleart
hatshei stoool dto
bepl ayi
nggamesandt hatIshouldnot
wast ehertime.Wewentout3t i
mes
andeacht i
mesheaskedmei fIwas
overOr a’smotherandIsaidy es.Iknow
i
twasj ustsel
fishofmet ouseherl ike
that.Butinmydef enseIwassur eIwas
donewi t
hRorisangandherchi l
dishness.
Butt heheartwantswhatt heheart
want s.
Me: takingadeepbr eat
h“Iam sorryI
wast edy ourti
me.Iam sorr
yIwas
self
ishenought otr
yandpursuea
rel
ationshipwi t
hyouwhenIwasnot
overt hemot herofmykids.Iam sorr
y
thatI…..”

Dipuo:“Youknowwhatj ustsaveit.I
don’twanttohearanyofy oursorr
y .I
wasopeni ngmyhear tf
ory ouPhuml ani
.
Iwasr eadytoloveyouandgi v
eyoumy
al
l.ButIguessy ouarenottheonef or
meaf teral
l”shesayswipinghertears.

Ireal
lyf
eelbad.I
twasnotmyi
ntenti
on
tobreakherhear
tort
obethecauseof
hertears.Itr
ulywishIhaddonethi
ngs
di
fferentl
y.IwishIhadneverpur
sued
her.

Me:“Beli
evemethiswasnotmy
i
ntenti
on,It
houghtIcoul
dgetov
erher
andjustmoveon”

Dipuo:
Laughi
ngsar
cast
ical
l
y“Youknow
Iam gl
adreal
l
y.”

Me:“Idon’
tunder
stand”Isaygi
vi
ngher
apuzzledl
ook

Di
puo:
“Iam gl
adt
hatal
lthi
sis
happeni ngnowrat herthanlater
.It
’s
obviousshehasy ourheart.Thewhol e
ofitandIbety ouwoul dhav enothing
l
efttoof ferme.Iwoul dbet he
consol ati
onpri
zewhi leshewoul d
remai ntheoney ouwantt obewi th.Di
d
shet ellyouIwasher elastnight
?”

Me:
“No,
shedi
dnot
”

Dipuo:
laughi
ng“Whywouldshet el
lyou
i
fshedoesn’tknowaboutmeright?Did
youtel
lheryouweremovingon?”

Wor
dswerefai
l
ingmesoIj
ustshook
myheadno.
Dipuo: “Shelovesy out rustme, Isawi t
alli
nherey esasshewast ell
ingmet he
meani ngbehi ndthet wi ns’names.How
yourlov eforthem r unsasdeepandas
wideasanoceanandhowi twil
lnever
rundry .Fixwhatev eriskeepi ngyoutwo
apartbecausey ouar ebot hnotcapabl e
oflovi
ngot herpeopl e.Yout wohol ds
eachot her’shearts.Icanonl yhopeto
fi
ndlov easdeepast heoney outwo
possess. ”Shesay swi pinghertears.

IplaceNolwandleinhercotandpull
Dipuoinforahug.Heremot ional
i
ntelli
genceshockme.Iam gl adshei
s
asst r
ongasshei s,aswiseassheis
becauseIknowIcouldn’
thavebeen
abl
et odealwit
hanimmat ur
epsychoti
c
i
ndivi
dual.Il
ethercr
yonmyshoul der
s
andbrushherback.

Me:“Iam t
rul
ysor
ry”Iwhi
speri
nher
ear
s.

Icanf eel
hernodagai
nstmychest .Few
stayli
kethatforf
ewsecondsuntil
we
aredistur
bedbyRori
sangclear
ingher
throat
.

Ror
i:“
Whatisgoingon?”shecausi
ng
Di
puotobreakthehear
t.
Dipuo:“Iam t
rul
ysor
ry”shesays
throughhertear
sbef
orerunni
ngoutof
theward.

Ii
gnor
eherandmov
etot
hebabycot
.

Rori
:“Soyouarenotgoi
ngtotel
lme
whatthehel
lisgoi
ngon?”shehalf
shout
s.

Me:“RespectRori
sangandmindyour
l
anguagewheny outalkt
ome”Isay
sof
tl
ybeforepicki
ngLwandl
eup.
Rorisang:“
Soshoul dIj
ustignoret
he
factthatIfoundmydoct orcry
ingi
nyour
armsManz ini
?”shesaysfoldi
ngher
armscl ear
lygetti
ngworkedup.

Me:Chucki
ngandshakingmyhead“ You
hav
enor i
ghttocomplai
nov erwhocri
es
onmyshouldersRor
isang”

Iseehereyesget t
ingteary.Sheishurt
andIdon’tevenunder st
andwhy .It
painsmet oseehercr ybutsomet hi
ngs
areherowndoi ng.Iwouldhav enottri
ed
tomov eonwi t
hDi neoifshewasnot
constant
lypushingmeaway .Iplace
Lwandlebackinhiscotandpul l
herin
myembr
ace.

Me: “Theproblem wi t
hy ouRorisangi
s
thatyoudon’tseeme.Youdon’ tseemy
l
ov eforyou.DamnwomanIcanwal k
throughhellandbackj ustf ory
ou.You
arejusttoounpr edict
able.Onemi nut
e
youwantt obewi thmeandnextmi nute
youdon’ t
.Peopl esayy oulovemeand
i
t’svisi
blebuty oudon’tshowi ttome.
Youmakemyef for
tsseem wor thl
ess
and…. ”

Ror
i:“
Iam t
rul
ysor
rySengway
o”she
say
ssnif
fi
ng.
Me: “
St oppushi ngmeawayRor i
sang.
Stopput t
ingot herwomani nasituati
on
wheret heygett ohav etheirheart
s
brokenbymebecauseIcan’ tlovethem
enough.Iwanty ouandonl yy ou.Stop
fi
ghtingitmyPedi queen, MaZungu
wam’ omuhle”Iwhi sperinherearas
shehasherf acebur i
edonmychest .

*
***
**

Rorii
sf eedi
ngNolwandlewhi l
eIam
helpi
ngLwandl etoburp.Allt
hebagsare
readyandpacked, wearejustwait
ing
forDineoandSyt obringthecarseat
s
becauset hehospi
talpoli
cydoesn’
t
al
lowustol
eavethehospi
talwit
h
newbor
nsnotst
rappedtothei
rcarseat
s.

Myki dsarejustmyprideandj oy,

all3of
them andIcan’twaitt
olivewiththem in
oneroof.RoriandIhadat alkandshe
tol
dmeal lherfearsandIunder st
and
whereshei scomingfrom.Weagr eed
thatshewillgett
heprofessionalhelp
thatsheneedsandwewi l
lwor konour
rel
ati
onshiponestepatat ime.

Iam justnothappythatshehastogo
stayatherparent’
shouseforthenext7
sothathermot hercanbeabletoassist
heruntilshei
shealedandthetwinslose
t
hei
rcor
ds.

Itri
edtofi
ghtofftheideaofherstay i
ng
i
nSeshegof ormyownsel f
ishreasons
butIendedupunder standi
ng.It
’snot
goingtobeeasyf ormet oseemyki ds
asmuchasIwantt obutRor i
’
spar ents
saidthatt
heydon’tmindmecomi ngt o
seethekidseveryday.Iwishtheywer e
stayi
nginRori
’shousebutshedoesn’ t
haveenoughroomsorspacef orthat.

Iam l
ookingforwardtoourt r
ipt
oKzn
fort
hewel comingceremonyoftheKids.
Wewi l
ltr
av el
inaweek’ sti
me.Ever
yone
athomehasal readystart
ed
preparat
ionsfortheceremony.Iknow
Roriisnotlooki
ngforwardtoseeingmy
brotherther
ebutast hebiol
ogicalf
ather
toOr aheneedstobet hereforthe
ri
tuals.

*
***
***

Ror
isang

Iam gladManzi niandIhadat al

k.
Final
lyIwasabl etotalkt
ohim about
myf earsandheassur edmet hathewill
bewi t
hmeev erystepoftheway.Ilov
e
Phuml av er
ymuchandIhav enodoubt
i
nmymi ndthathelovesme.Hehas
provedhi mselfoverandoveragain.I
agreedt ogiveusat ry
.Ir
eali
zedt hatmy
biggestfearislosi
nghimt oanother
woman.ThemomentIwal konhim with
DrMadi shainhi sarmsmyhear tbroke.
Heexpl ainedtomet hatt
heywentt o
fewdat esandhewaspur sui
ngher .

IknowIal soent ertai

nedAggr eyont he
sidebutknowi ngt hatInear l
yl ost
Phuml atoanot herwomanwhowas
willi
ngtogi v
eher selftohi m wokeme
up.Speaki ngofwhi ch, IsentAggr eyand
SMSt hatIcan’
tent ertainhim any more
asIam pr eparedt owor konmy
relati
onshipwithmyKi d’sfather.Iam
gladhesai dheunder standandr espect
s
mydeci si
on.Ial
sospoketoPhuml a
aboutThendobecauseIcan’tbelosi
ng
fr
iends.ThendoandIarejustf
ri
ends
andheunder st
andsthat
.

Iam notl ookingf orwar

dt otheKznt r
ip
forobv i
ousr easonsbutmay befacing
Thapeloist hecl osurethatIneed.Iam a
mot herof3nowandIhav etothink
aboutmyownhappi nessandt hatofmy
kids.Phuml ani l
ov esmeandhemakes
i
thi sli
femi ssiont omakemehappyso
whydenymy selfandmyki dsallt
hat.

Itakeapi
cofmysleepi
ngbabi
esand
sendtoManzi
niwi
thagoodnightt
ext
.
Myphoneri
ngsimmediat
elyandIsmi
l
e
whenIl
ookatthecal
l
erID.

Me:“Manzi
niwam”Isayanswer
ingt
he
phone

Phumla:“MaZunguwam’ omuhl
e(My
beauti
ful
MaZungu)”Icantel
lheis
smil
ingontheothersi
deofthephone.

Thesoundofhisvoi
cemakesmewant
topackupmykidsanddr
iveovertohi
s
house,butt
henagai
nmyparentswoul
d
kil
lme.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t44

Phuml
ani

UncleFunani
:“Nit
hikahlekahl
eku
bangwanilaekhaya?(Whatarey out
wo
fi
ghti
ngfor?)
”hesay slooki
ngfrom me
toThapeloandbackt omeusingast er
n
voi
ce.

IlookatThapeloexpectinghimt o
answert hequesti
onaskedbecausehe
i
st heonewhor ant otheunclescrying.I
don’tevenunderstandwhathei s
compl ai
ningaboutbecauseIt hought
thisi
ssuewasdeadandbur ied.Hehas
thenervereall
ytoinvol
vetheel
der
sin
thi
sasi fheinvol
vedanyonewhenhe
chosetor unawayf r
om hi
s
responsibi
li
ti
es.

Uncl
eGatsha:
“Khul
umani
phel
a”(
Tal
k)
heshout
s.

Me:“Angazi
ukut
hini
khul
umangani”(
I
don’
tknowwhatyouaret
alki
ngabout
).I
saycal
mly

UncleG:
“Youtwothi
nkwehaveti
mef or
gamesneh?Thepel
okhul
uma(Talk)”he
sayspoi
nti
nghiswal
ki
ngsti
ckathim.
UncleGat shai st hef i
rstbornint he
family
, f
ollowedbymyf atherthenuncl e
Funani whoi st hel astbor n.Oft hetwo,
uncleGat shai sst ri
ctandwasnotaf rai
d
tousehi sbel torst ickt oputachi l
din
l
ine.Ilaughi nwar dt hi
nkingt hatThapelo
shouldbegl adt hathei snowol d
becausehewoul dnothesi tatetopanel
beathimf orabandoni ngtheZungu
bloodall t
hosey ear sago.Myf amilycan
bemanyt hingsbutbl oodi sbloodand
nochildshoul dbel eftoutther e.
Somet hingmyf atherwasr eprimanded
harshl
yf ortheThapel osaga.

Me:
“Idon’
tev
enknowwhyIam her
e.I
wasj
ustsummoned”Isayst
il
lcal
m.

UncleF:
“Thapel
o.Her
eisy
ourbr
other
tal
k”

Itur
nandl
ookatThapel
owhoi s
choosi
ngt
olookatever
yonebutme.

Thapel
o:“Thepr
obl
em i
sthatPhuml
ani
wantstokeepmeawayfrom my
daught
er”

Me: “f
ir
stl
yIam y
ourolderbr
other
uzothibhut
iPhumlani
wheny ouare
tal
ki
ngaboutme.Secondlywhich
daughterar
eyoutal
ki
ngabout
?”Isay
gett
ingworkedup.

UncleG:“Naweuzoy ehl
isaumoya.
Kutheni
ungathi
uyalwa?”(Youwil
l also
comedown.Whydoesi tsoundsl
ikey ou
arefi
ghti
ng)hesayspointi
nghisstickat
me.

Ilookdownandr ai
semyhandupasa
signofaskingforforgivenessbef
ore
l
ookingbackatmyuncl ewhonodst o
acknowledgemyapol ogy.Myunclesare
oldschools,nothi
ngmeansmor eto
them t
hanr espect.
UncleF:“
Whichdaught
erareyout
alki
ng
aboutkeThapel
o?”hesayscal
mly
.

Irai
semyey ebr
owasIam al so
i
nterestedintheanswert hathehas.I
am shockeduncl eFunani i
snotdrunk
today.Heisusuallypopdr onkbynow, I
guesspeopl earecapableofchanging.I
hopeandpr ayhewi l
lsti
llbesober
tomorrowIdon’twanthi mt oembarrass
mei nfrontofmyf ut
urein-laws.

Wear ef
inal
lyi
nKZNf ort
hekid’s
welcomingcer
emony.Wear r
ivedtoday
butRori
andherfamil
yarebookedi nat
aguesthousenotf
arfrom myhome
andwil
lonlycometomorrowearl
yinthe
morni
ng.Ithasnotevenbeenanhour
si
nceIhavearri
vedandwear eal
ready
sol
vi
ngissues.

Thapel
o:“
WellIrecent
lyf
oundoutt
hatI
haveachil
dwit
hawomanBhut i
Phumlani
isdati
ng”

Uncl
eF:
“Hai
wena!
!!
”hesay
sshocked

UncleG:“
Kanjani
Phuml
ani
?”(
How?
)He
saysconf
used.

Me:
taki
ngadeepbr
eat
h“Fi
rstofal
lwe
ar
enotdati
ng,si
yat
handana(
Wear
ein
l
ove)
,Secondl
y….
”

Thapelo:
“Samedi
ff
erence”hesay
s
cut
tingmeoff.

I
ft hisboywhohasnotev enbeent ot
he
mount ainsthinkIam afraidofwhi ppi
ng
hisbl ackassi nfrontofhisuncl es,he
bettert hinkagain.Iam slowlylosingmy
patiencewi t
hhi m andhisdisrespecti
ng
tactics.Hebet t
erchangehi sattit
ude
becauseonceIst andupher enoone
woul dbeabl etost opmeunt i
l hewakes
upi nahospi t
al.
Me: “I
t’
snotthesame.Dat i
ngi swhat
youandherwer edoi ngal
lthoseyears
agot hat
’swhyy ouranawayt he
momentshet ol
dy oushewaspr egnant
abandoningyourownchi l
d,yourown
blood”Isayhalfshouti
ng.

Thapel
o:“IwasyoungandItr
iedt
o
apol
ogizeforal
lthat
”hesay
s.

UncleG: “
Thapel
oyouwer ewr ongto
turnyourbackonyourownchi ldno
mat t
erthecir
cumstances.Kodwa( But
)
Phuml aniy
oualsohavenor i
ghttokeep
hischil
dawayf r
om him.Yinganiyakhe
(It
’shi
schild)
”hesaysemphasi zi
ngthe
l
astpar
t.

Me: “Legal l
yshei smychi ldbecausehe
signedawayhi spaternal ri
ghtt ome.
Traditionall
yt hesameZungubl oodt hat
runsi nherv einsalsor unsi nmi ne.
Meani ngIam asgoodasaf athert oher
becauseIcanper form anyt r
adi ti
onal
ri
tual f
orher .Shedoesn’ tknowThapel o
asherf ather,sheonlymeethi m oncei n
herwhol elif
eandhecan’ tjustcome
backandwantt odisturbherl ife.Shei s
tooy oungt ounder standwhati sgoi ng
onandIwi ll
notallowsomeonewho
want edherki lledbeforeshewasbor nto
confuseher ”Isayst ernl
y .
Uncl
eG:“Hail
einzi
mamadoda”(Thi
sis
adif
fi
cul
tone)hesaysshaki
nghi
shead.

Ihavenev erseenmyuncl el
ookingso
hel
pless.Onecanseehowheav ilyal
l
thi
siswei ghingonhi
m.Wear ebothhis
sonssinceourf at
herpassedawayand
hewoul dn’twantt
obepi cki
ngsides.

UncleF:“
Kuthi
wani
makunje?”(Whatdo
wedonow? )Hesayswi
thhisboth
handsrai
sed.

Thapelo:“
Ijustwantt
obeinherl
i
fe
that
’sall
”hesayscryi
ng.
I
sher eal
lycryingorhei
sjustt
ryi
ngto
buysympat hyfrom t
heuncl
es?
WhateveritisIcan’
thel
pbutchuckl
e.

UncleG:“Phumlani
imagi
neift
hiswas
yourchil
dandsomeonewaskeeping
herawayf r
om y
ou”myunclesays
pleadi
ng.

IguessThapel
o’scr
ocodi
l
etear
sar
e
soft
eninghi
m up.

Me:
“Ican’
timagi
net
hatbecauseI
wouldneveraskawomancar ry
ingmy
seedtodoanabor t
ion.SecondlyIwould
notknowingl
ytur
nmybackonmyown
chi
ldnomat t
erhowmucht hemot her
andIhateeachother.Uzenzi
leaka
khal
elwa(Wecan’tfeelsorr
yforhim
whil
eitwashisowndoi ng)”

Thapelo:
“Soitwasokwhenmyown
fat
herabandonedme?”shesay
s
sni
ffi
ngandpointi
nghi
sownchest
.

UncleF:“Haindodana(
Son)youdon’
t
speakill
ofthedead”hesayssl
owly
shakinghishead
Me: “Youofal
lpeopleknowst hepainof
growingupwithoutafatherandforthat
reasonyoucan’thavewantedy ourchi
ld
togot hr
oughthesamepai n”Isay
pointi
ngmyf i
ngerathim.

UncleG:“Yehl
isaniumoya(Cal m dawn).
Weneedt odowhati sbestf orthechil
d
ri
ghtnow.Fighti
ngamongy ourselvesas
brot
hersisnotgoingtohelp.Thapel o
howdoy ouwantt obeinvolvedi nthi
s
chil
d’sl
i
fe.Keepinginmindt hatit’
sfor
herowngood.

NowIam getti
ngpi
ssed.Howdoeshe
evengetanopti
ont
odecidehewantst
o
beinherlifewhenhecl ear l
ydidnot
wantherint hefirstplace?IhopeThuso
dealswithhimt omor rowbecauseI
knowhowmuchheusbay i
ngforhis
blood.Thepr oblem herei sthatThapel
o
doesn’tunderstandwhathemadeRor i
got hr
ough.Herf amil
yknowsi twell
becausethewat chedhel plessl
yasshe
washur ti
ngt oapoi ntofdepr essi
onand
Idoubttheywi lleverforgivehim or
al
lowhi mt obeaf at
hert oOr a.

Me: “BhutiIam pl
eadingwithyoujustt
o
all
owmet obei nherlif
e.EvenifIam
therejustheruncl
eandwhenshei s
olderenought ounderstandwhatis
goingonwecant ell
hert hetr
uth.
Please”hepl
eadbri
ngi
nghishands
togetherasi
fhei
sprayi
ng.

Uncl
eF:
“It
hinkt
hatsoundsr
easonabl
e”

Me: “
Unfort
unat el
yIam notasingle
parent
.Ican’tmakesuchdeci si
ons
al
one.Iwillt
alkt othemotherandsee
whatshesay s.Justknowi t
’snotmy
placetoconvincehert oagr
ee.Isshe
saysnothent hat’sit
”

*
***
*
Ror
isang
Ora:“
Whatnamewi
l
lIgetmommy
?”she
saysexci
ted.

Shehasbeenaski ngmet hisquest i

on
forthewhol eweekandmanyot her
questi
onsl i
ke.Wear esit
tinginour
room ev er
yoneelsewentt osleep.This
l
itt
leprincessrefusedtogosleepwi t
h
herparentsbecauseherbabasai dhe
will
comebef oreshegoest obed.SoI
tol
dmypar entsIwill
bri
nghert ot hei
r
room later
.

Me:
“Idon’
tknowbaby
, wewi
ll
findout
t
omorr
ownana”Isayroll
i
ngmyey es.
Ora:“
Aslongasi
t’
sazulunamel
ikeLi
l
e
andLwa”shesay
sshruggi
ngher
shoul
der
s.

WhenPhuml asaidwecan’tbecall
ing
Nolwandle‘
No’asifsheisanegative
answerOraherecomeupwi thanew
shortnameforherbabysist
er.Li
l
ef r
om
Phuml i
l
ewhichwealllov
e.

Me:“Ofcausebaby
.It
’sgoi
ngt
obea
Zul
uname”

Ora:
“Youknowmommyf rom t
omorrow
whensomeonesaysOratomeIwill
just
i
gnorethem”shesay
sall
dramati
c.
Or
acanbeal
i
ttl
edr
amat
icatt
imes.

Ora:
“Yah,
babaishere”shesay
s
hear
inghi
m knock.

Me:“Goopent
hedoorforhim baby
”I
asksi
nceIam br
east
feedi
ngLwa.

Sher
unsof
fexci
tedl
ytoopent
hedoor
.

Phumla:“oooooPrincesskababa
(Daddy’
sprincess)
”hesay skissi
ngher
all
overherfacebeforeti
ckl
ingher.
Shejustgi
gglesandburiesherfacein
hischest
.Hewal ksovertomeandki ss
Lwandleontheforeheadbeforedoing
thesamet ome.

Phumla:“
Mybeaut
if
ulPediqueen”he
sayswit
hasmil
eonhisface

Me:
“MyZul
uki
ng”

Phumla:
“ILov
eyou”hesay
spl
aci
nga
small
peckonmylips.

Me:“Il
ovey
out
ooManzi
niwam”Isay
s
sof
tl
y.
Phuml
a:“
Orawher
eisLi
l
e?”

Or
a:“
Shei
swi
thMamaandpapa”

Phuml
a:“
Butbabami
ssesherpr
incess”

Irol
lmyey esatthi
sdr
amati
cman
makingsurehedoesn’
tseemedoit.I
guessthatstat
ementwasmeantf
orme
andnotOra.

Ora:
“Iwil
lgofet
chher”shesay
str
ying
t
owi ggl
ehersel
ffr
om hi
m.
Phumla:“May
bemommyshoul dgotake
herwhil
ewelookaf
terLwa.Whatdo
yousays?”

Hesaysplaci
ngherdownandgi
vi
ngme
apl
eadinglook.

Ismileandhandhi m Lwandlebef ore

makingmywayt omypar ent’
sroom.
ThewayPhuml aishandsonwi t
hhi s
ki
dsmakesmewonderwhycan’ tall
menbel i
kethiswhenitcomest ot heir
chil
dren.Ihopehei snotplanni
ngt o
stayhereforlongerbecausewehav eto
beupear lytomorrow.Iwast ol
dt hat
partoftheceremonyneedst obedone
befor
esunrise.I
fonlymyparentswer
e
notaroundIwouldbreaktherul
esand
al
lowhimt osleepherewit
hus.Imiss
hi
scomf ort
ablebroadchest.

Iwalkbackt otheroom andsmi l

eat
whatIwal ki
nto.Phumlalayingonhis
backwi t
hLwandl eonsleepi
ngonhi s
l
efthandandOr aburi
edunderhisright
arm withherheadonhi schest.He
smileswhenheseesmewal kinand
createspaceforLil
einthemi ddl
eoft he
two.Iplaceheront opofhim chest
down.

Phuml
a:“
Likeanoceanmyl
ove”he
say
swi
nki
ngatme.

Ismil
eli
keahi ghschool gi
rlbecauseof
themeani
ngbehi nditall
.Iknowhe
meanshisloveforusi sasdeepandas
wideasanoceanandIhav enodoubt
aboutt
hat.Itakeoutmyphoneand
snapsaperfectpict
ure.Somemoment s
aremeanttobekeptf orever
.
[
05/
04,
21:
14] :
Inser
t45

Phuml
ani

Ror
i:“
Manzini
it’
snott
hatwearenot
enj
oyi
ngyourcompany.Butwear
e
expect
edt obeatyourhomeint
heearly
hoursofthemorni
ngandIknowy our
kidswil
lbekeepi
ngmeupandIneedt o
restabi
t”shesaysyawning.

Me: “Iwashopingthatyouwillt
akeOra
tosleepsot hatwecant al
k”Orais
sleepingwit
hhergr andpar
entsbecause
wecan’ tr
iskallt
hreeofthem i
nonebed.

Oraisnotagoodsleeper
.Shekicksand
sl
apsinhersleepsowecan’tt
ake
changeswit
ht het
wins.
Ror
i:“
Shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed?
”

Me:“
Notr
eal
ly”IsaybecauseIknow
howshef
eel
sabouttheThapelotopi
c.

Shegi vesmeaquest i
oninglookandI
sighbecauseIdon’ twantt osay
any t
hingwhileOr aisstilli
ntheroom,
sleepingornot.Ihopewecanbeabl eto
talkaboutthi
si ssuescal mlybecauseI
woul dn’
twantust obef ighti
ngov er
somet hingsost upid.IthinkThapelois
j
ustbei ngselfi
shandhei sdoingallt
his
tocausepr oblemsbet weenRor iandI.

Iki
sst
hesl
eepi
ngOr
aonherf
orehead
befor ehermothertakesherof fme.She
fel
l asleeponmychest .Ismileand
stretchmynowdeadar m bef oregett
ing
upt oopent hedoorforRori.Iplaythe
scenar ioofhowtheconv er
sat i
oncould
takepl aceandprayforthebestpossi bl
e
outcome.

Ror
i:“Iam al
lear
sManzi
ni”shesay
s
set
tl
ingonacoughnextt
ome.

Itakeinadeepbreat
hbeforetur
ningto
l
ookather.Shehashebeaut i
ful
smile
onandIcan’thel
pbutsmileback.Damn
thi
swomani sverybeaut
if
ulandIam
deeplyinl
ovewit
hher.
Me:“MyPedi queen,mot herofmy
beauti
fulki
ds,t
hel oveofmyl i
feIl
ove
youandourkidsv erymuchandIcan’t
evenimaginemyl i
fewithoutthe4of
youinit”

Ipl
acemyfingeronherli
psbefor
eshe
say
sanyt
hing.Shejustsmil
es.

Me: “
Iknowt hi
si sonetopicweboth
hatebutunfortunat
ely,i
t’
ssomethi
ng
wehav etotalkabout.Iwascall
edint
oa
meetingbymyuncl eswhenIgothome
todayandtheywantust oall
owThapelo
t
ohav esomesor
tofar
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
Ora”

Iwat
chherf
aci
alexpr
essi
onchange
i
ntoafr
own.

Her
:“I
sthatwhaty
ouwant
?”shesay
s
sof
tl
y.

Me:“MaZunguwam omuhl e,
allIwant
whatisbestf
oryouandourdaught er
al
ongwithhersi
bli
ngs.I
fitmeans
al
lowi
ngThapeloinourli
vesasher
uncl
eandmay betel
lherabouthim
bei
ngherfat
herwhenshei
s18t
henI
am goodwit
hit
”

Rori
:“Howdoeshewantt ohav ea
rel
ati
onshipwi t
hourdaughterManzini
whenhehasnev erapol
ogizedtome
andmyf ami l
y?Howdoeshewant sto
beinherlifewhenhedidnotwantheri n
thefi
rstplace?Imaysoundbi t
terbuthe
didnotcareaboutthisv
erysame
daughteruntil
hesawmeaty ourhouse
fewmont hsago.Whynow? ”shesays
cryi
ng.

Me:"Youdon'
thav
et oagr
eeifyoudon'
t
wantitt
ohappenok.It
syourchoi
ce"
IpullhertomychestandlethercryasI
brushherhair.Youseenow,thi
siswhat
Ihatev erymuch.Toseemywomancr y
l
ikethis,Thapelosur
eknowshowt obe
athorni nourli
ves.

Me:“Woul
dy oubewi
ll
ingtohearhi
m
outi
fheweretoapol
ogize?
”Isay
al
mostwhisperi
ng

Shenodswhi
l
esni
ff
ingandi
alsonod

Me:
“OhkIwi
l
lmakesur
ehedoest
hat
t
omorr
ow”
Rori
: “Onl
yifhemeansi t
.Heshouldnot
apologizej
ustforthesakeofit
.Hemust
real
lymeani t”shesaysthr
oughher
snif
fing.

*
***
***
***
*

(
Thenextday
)

Ror
isang

MaZungu:
“Don’twor
rynot
hingi
sgoing
t
ohappentothem”shesaysgiv
ingmea
war
m smil
e.
Itakeinadeepbr eathbeforef orcinga
smilewithanods, whatelsecanIsay ?I
am wor ri
edbecausemyt wi
nsar ecr ying
hysteri
call
yandIam expect edt osi t
hereanddonot hing.Iam sitt
ingwi t
h
mymot herandPhuml a’sst
epmot her
outsidethehutwheret heri
tual i
st aking
pl
acebecauseIwasnotal l
owedi n.

Ijusthopethatwhat evertheyar edoi ng

theyarenotcuttingmeki dsup.IknowI
shouldn’
twor r
ybecauset heirfatherisin
theretooandhewoul dn’tdoany t
hingto
hurtthem butit
’smyj obasamot herto
wor r
y.Theyhavebeeni nt hereforov er
anhournowandr eal
lyIcan’ ttakeit
anymore.Thi
sisj
ustpuretor
tur
eandI
canfeelmyowntearsburni
ngonmy
cheeks.

Mom: “AowaRorioskalla(Don’tcry
)”
mymom say spulli
ngmei ntoher
embr ace.Shebr
ushesmybackbutal lI
couldconcentr
ateoni smyki d’
scr i
es.I
l
ookupasMaZungust andsupand
walksintothehut.Ihopeshei sgoingin
ther
et omakemybabi esstopcr y
ing
becauseIcan’ttakeitanymore.

Mom: “
KganemaraRor
iot
lat
eswara
bjang?banabal
l
alewenawal
l
ahaiman
suka”(Howcanyoubehav
eli
ket
his?
Thebabi
esarecr
yingandyouareal
so
cr
yingnoman)shesaysir
ri
tat
ed.

Itakeinadeepbr eathandt r
yto
composemy self.Iam feelingbet ter
nowbecauseLi l
ei squiteandonl y
Lwandl eiscry i
ngandhi scriesar eal so
subsiding.Ican’teasi l
ytellwhoi swho
from theircr
iesbecauseLwandl ecr i
es
i
nadeeperv oicethanLi le.Mymot her
handsmeapockett issuet owi pemy
tearsandagl assofwat er.Ifeelbet t
er
nowbecauset heyarebot hquite.Ist and
upt oreceiveLwandl ef rom MaZungu
themomentshest epsoutoft hehut
wi t
hhim.
Myhear tbreaksbecausemychi l
disleft
i
nnot hi
ngbutanappy .Whydi dthey
takehi sclothesof f?Iam nowev en
pissedbecausemybabyi spinkf r
om all
thecr yi
ng.It akeoutawetcl othf r
om a
nappybagnextt omeandwi pemy
breastandni pplebef oreshov i
ngitinhis
mout h.Hesucksmybr eastf ormilk
thoughhi ccupsbef oref al
lingasleep.
Fewmi nutesl aterPhuml acomesout
carryingOr awi t
ht heol destuncl eis
carryingLilefoll
owedbyoneot heruncl
e
andThapel o.Iletoutasi ghofr eli
ef
becausei tmeanst heywer edonewi th
what evertheywer edoi ng.

Igi
vehandt
henowsl
eepi
ngLwandl
eto
mymot herbef
oret
akingLil
efrom the
uncle.Mypoorbabiestheyarejusta
weekol dIwonderwhatwasdonet o
them.

Uncl
eG: “
Siyabonga,konkekuhambe
kahl
e(Thanky oual
lwentwel l
),t
he
Zunguancestorswil
lnowprotectthe
ki
ds”hesayshandingmeLi le.

Me: “
Thankyou”Isayforci
ngasmi l
e
befor
estuff
ingtheotherbr
eastinher
mouth.Iam gladthi
swholethingis
done.

Mymot
herandIbot
hwat
chwi
tha
frownasThapel otri
est ot
akeOrafrom
Phuml ani.Asmi leescapesmymout h
asOr arefusesandcl ingstoherf
ather
fordearlife.Iguesskidscansense
wheret heyar elovedandwheretheyare
not.Weal l watchasThapelostor
msi n
tothehouse.

UncleF:“Haimadoda”hesaysbef or
e
andtheotherunclewalkofft
ojoina
groupofmansi tt
ingunderadri
nking
tr
adit
ionalbeerandeati
ngmeet.

MyMot herf
oll
owsMyZunguintothe
housetoputLwandl
edownbecausehe
i
ssleepi
ngbeforej
oini
ngot
herwoman
whoar ecookingbehindthemainhouse.
Myf at
herdrovetotheairportt
ocoll
ect
bothmybr other
s.Iexpectedthi
stobea
smalleventbutapparent
lytheyhadto
i
nvit
epeopl ebecauseasheepanda
goatwereslaughter
ed.

Phumla: “
Areyouokzwakwami?”he
sayskissi
ngthetopofmyheadbefor
e
set
tli
ngonachai rnextt
ome.

Me:
“NoIam not.Whatwasdonet
o
t
hem t
obecr
y i
ngthatmuch”

Phumla:Chuckl
i
ng“Wowmommybear
,
don’
ttel
lmey ouwer
ewor
ri
edt
hatwe
werehurt
ingthem.Theyaremykidsand
Iwouldneveral
lowanyonetohur
tthem,
never
”

Me:“Iknow,Iam sor
ryIjustf
elt
hel
plesswhenIheardthem cryi
ngandI
coul
dn’tdoanyt
hing”Isaysoft
ly.

Phumla:
“ Iam sor
ryaboutt
hat
”hesays
bef
oreplacingasoftpeckonmyl
ips.

Me:
“Sowhatnamedi
dOr
aget
?”

Phumlani
:“Thandi
we,becauseoneI
wantedtokeeptheor
iginalmeani
ngof
herPedinamesi
nceitmeantsomethi
ng
toyouandtwobecauseIr
eall
ydolove
herli
kemyown"

Me:“
OhhIlovet
hatandIl
ovey
ouv
ery
muchZungu”

Phuml
a:“
Ilov
eyoumor
e”

Imeltsandsmi le.Wesi tforfew

minuteschatti
ngev erythi
ngbef or
ehe
di
rectsmet ohi sbedroom toputLile
downsi nceshef el
lasleepinmyar ms.I
getupandwal kint
ot hemai nhouse.It
’s
myf i
rstti
mei nsidethemai nhouseand
Phuml abasi
callyforcedmet ogoi nby
ref
usingtogoputdownhi
ssl
eepi
ng
daughter
.

IwanttoturnbackandgooutbecauseI
forgotwhi
chroom hesaidImustgointo.
Itakeadeepbreathbeforewal
ki
nginto
thesecondroom ontheleft
.

Me: “
OhmyGodIam sorryIshouldhave
knocked”Isayst
andi
ngt
herefrozen.

Thesightbeforemenearlygavemea
heartat
tack.Iwanttowalkoutasf ast
asIcanbutmyf eetar
efail
i
ngmeI
guessmybr ainisfai
li
ngtoregi
sterall
thi
s.
Thapel
o:“
Roril
ookt
hisi
snotwhatis
l
ooksli
keok”hesay
sbuttoni
nghi
sshir
t.

Me: “
Iam real
lysorr
yIshouldhav
e
knocked”Isaybeforer
ushingout
.

IcanseePhuml alooki
ngatmepuzzled
maybebecauseIam st i
ll
carr
yingt
he
babythatIwentinthehousetoput
down.

Phumla:laughi
ng“Sthandwasam’(my
l
ove).Isaidthesecondroom ony
our
r
ightIam sur
eit
’snotl
ocked”

Me:“Canyoupl
easegoputherdown
pl
ease”Ipl
eadwhil
ehandi
ngLil
etohi
m.

HecanseeIam notf inebecausehe

takesherandwalkstothehouse.Ihave
seenenough.Thapeloisgay.Howl ong
hashebeengay ?Washegayal l
along
whenwewer etogetherorisitarecent
thi
ng?IwishIcanunseewhatIsawi n
there.
[
05/
04,
21:
15] :
Inser
t46
Thapel
o
Me:“
Shitshi
tshi
t”Isayt
ryi
ngt
oputon
myshoes.

Njabul
o:“
Dude,howcanyouleavethe
dooropenkodwa?Whatifshetel
lmy
mom man? ”hesay
sputt
ingonhist-
shir
t.

Me:“Howcanshet
elly
ourmom, she
doesn’
tknowwhoyouareorwhoyour
mom is?”

Njabul
o: “
That’
sbesidethepointj
ustdo
something,t
alktoherandmakeher
promisenottotell
anyoneplease”
Me: “
Babypl
easecal m down.Iwil
l f
ix
thi
sok.Iam goingt
ot alktohernow
andIam suresheisst i
l
lasreasonable
assheusedt obeallthoseyearsago”I
sayplaci
ngbothmyhandsonhi schicks
befor
eplaci
ngasof tpeckonhislips.

Ipretendnottobewor r
iedabouti t
becauseIneedt ocalm hi m downbef ore
hedoessomet hingstupid.Thingstook
anunexpect edturnofev ents.Iam shit
scaredrightnowbecausemysecr ethas
j
ustbeenexposed.Iam notsur ewhat
thoughtsarerunningthroughhermi nd
ri
ghtnow.Iknowi tcameasashockt o
walkonmemaki ngoutwi thanother
man.Especi
all
yforherbecausewe
werei
nal ov
erelat
ionshi
pf or3year
s
andIchi
ldcameoutoft hatrel
ati
onshi
p.

Me: “
NowIam goi ngtogooutandIwi ll
sendy ouat exttowal koutoncet he
costisclearokay .Pleasecalm down
andletmet akecar eoft hi
s.Justl
ock
thedoorsot hatnoonewal kinonyouin
here”Isayagai nsthislips.

HenodsandImakemywayoutbef ore
closingthedoorbehi
ndme.Imeetmy
brotherbythepassagecar
ryi
nga
sleepingLil
e.Ismi
leathi
m andpassas
fastasIcan.Ispothersi
tt
ingwhereshe
wasseatedearl
ierwit
hherheadbur i
ed
i
nherhands.Atleastsheisall
alone.I
needtodothisbefor
ePhuml acomes
back.It
akeinadeepbr eat
hasIget
cl
osertoher
.

Me:“Ror
isangcanIpleasetal
kyou
pl
ease”Isaysoft
lycr
ouchinginf
rontof
her
.

Shelooksupandlooksatmewithher
redeyes.Shemusthavebeencryi
ng.I
am notsurehowsheisfeel
ingr
ightnow
butIneedtoconvi
ncehertomov etoa
quietpl
acewithmesothatwecant al
k
freel
y.
Rori
:“LookThapelo,Idi
dnotmeant o
budgeinyourroom ok.Ijustgotl
oston
mywayt oputLiletosleepandIam
sorr
yIdidnotknock”

Me:“Canwepleasemov et oaqui
tpl
ace
sothatwecantalk.Iam surey
ouhavea
mil
li
onquesti
onsaboutwhaty ouj
ust
saw”Isaypl
eadingly.

Luckyformeshenodsandstandsup.I
walktomycarandshefol
lows.

*
***
***
Ror
isang

Thapelo: “
Bef oreanyt hings.Iwouldlike
toapologizef ormyst upidbehaviorall
thosey earsago.Ican’ tbegi ntoimagi ne
whaty ouwentt hroughal oneandIwi sh
i
twaspossi bletogobackt rustmeI
woul dchoset odoev erythi
ngdi f
ferently
.
Iknowy ouhat emeandy ourhatefor
mei sjusti
fiable.Iam r eall
ysorry
Rorisang”hesay slookingi nmyey es
l
ikehei stryingtosear chmysoul .

Itakeoutmyphoneandt extPhuml
a
thatheshoul
dn’tworr
yaboutme.Iam
i
nhi sbr
other
’scarbecausehewanted
toapol
ogi
zet
omeandthi
swast
heonl
y
qui
tepl
aceav
ail
abl
e.

Me:“
CanIaskwhydi
dyouthi
nkI
want
edtot
rapyouwi
thachil
d?”Iask
pl
aci
ngt
hephoneonmylap.

Thapelo:“
Thepregnancyreall
ycameas
ashocktomeandIt ri
edtoblamey ou
eventhoughIknewy ouwer enott
obe
blamed.IknewthenlikeIknownowt hat
ther
ewasnof utureforyouandI.Iam
sorr
y”

Me:“Soyouknewyoul
ikedmant hen?”
henodsslowl
y.WowIam justshocked.
“Soy ouar
eint
obot
hmanandwoman
orjustman?”

Thapelo:
“ Justman.Ihaveneverhad
feel
ingsforwoman, evenwhenIwasa
youngboy .Iwasalwaysatt
ractedto
otherman”

Me:“Butweweret
oget
herf
or3y
ear
s
Thapel
o.Why?
”

Thapel
o:“BecauseIwasashamedof
whoIam.It houghti
fIhadagirl
fr
iend
mymat eswouldstopteasingmeand
mysecretwouldbeex posed”
Me:“Soyouusedme,
for3whol
eyear
youusedme?”

Thapelo:“AndIam sor
ryaboutt
hat
.It
wasv eryself
ishofmeandIam sor
ry.
Pl
easef orgi
veme”

Me: “
Iblamedmy self
,IthoughtIwasnot
enough.IthoughtIwasnotloveable.
Youcoul dhavebeenhonestwi t
hme
thanletmebepar tofyourli
eswhileI
wasjustindarkness.Sowhoel seknow
i
nt hefamily
?
Thapel o:“Noone”Igi vehima
quest i
onabl elookwhy“ WhenIwas8
year sol dmymot herfoundmepl aying
wit hhermakeupandwear i
ngoneofher
t-
shi rtsasadr essandshesai dnochi ld
ofher swoul dgr owupt obea‘ stabane’
.
Thatni ghtshedr aggedmet oapr i
est
whowassupposedt opr ayfort he
demonst hatpossessedmet oleaveme.
WhenIwasdoi ngmat r
ic,ItoldherI
want edt ost udyf ashiondesi gnandshe
poi ntblacksai dno.shesai dboy swho
studyf ashionar econf usedandt heywill
nev ermakei ttoheav enbecauset hey
sleepwi thot herman.Howcoul dIhave
ex pectedot herpeopl et oexpectme
whi lemyownmot herrejectedmyt rue
i
dent
it
y?”hesay
scr
ying.

Thi
sisr
eall
ysad.Inowunder standwhy
hedi
dwhathedid.Idon’tagreewiththe
wayhewentaboutitbecauseitaffect
ed
menegati
vel
ybutInowgetwher ehe
wascomingfr
om.

Me: “
Ifor
giveyouThapelo,butyouneed
tobehonestwi t
hy ourf
amily.Youcan’
t
conti
nueli
vingalie.Youarenolonger
that8yearoldchil
dorthe18y earol
d
mat r
icst
udents.Youar ecapableof
makingyourownchoi cesnow”

Thapel
o:“
thanky
ouv
erymuch.Cany
ou
pl
easegivemetimetotel
lthem onmy
own?Pleasedon’
ttel
lany
onenoteven
mybrot
her ”

Me:“Ofcause,butdon’tt
akeyourt
ime.
Thelongeryoutakeli
vi
ngaliethemore
di
ff
iculti
twil
lbe.Sowhoi she?”

Thapel
o:Chuckl
i
ng“HeisNjabul
o,he
stays3housesf
rom her
eandwewor k
atthesameschool
”

Me:
“Youl
ovehi
m?”

Thapel
o:“
It
sear
lyst
agesbutIcansay
t
hatIenj
oyhi
scompanyal
ot”

Myphonev ibr
atesandit’
sat extf
rom
PhumlaaskingifIam okayordoeshe
needtobreakhisbrot
her’sneck.Ismil
e
atthescr
eenbef or
elookingatThapel
o.

Me:“IhavetogoThapelo.Setyoursel
f
f
reeandbehonestwi thpeopl
ear ound
you”Isaygett
ingoutofthecar

Thapelo:
“Thankyouonceagai
n,Iwi
ll
do
i
t.Ihavebeenhidingf
ort
oolongandit
’s
gett
ingharderandmoredepr
essi
ng”
Ismi l
eandwal kaway .Ican’tbel
iev
et he
turnofevent.IseePhuml awalki
ng
towardsmeandIgi vehi m asmil
et o
assurehim Iam fi
ne.Heopenshi sarms
andal l
owmet owalkintohi sembrace.I
takeinhisscentandbur ymyheadon
hischestearningmysel fakissonmy
forehead.

Me:“
Ilovey
ousomuchSengway
o”I
whi
sper.

Phumla:“
Ilov
eyoumor
emyPedi
queen”

*
***
**
Phuml
ani

MrMokoena: “Iam notaccept

ingyour
son’
sapology.Personall
ythi
ssonof
yoursi
nanon- factori
nourli
ves”He
saysinaster
nv oi
celooki
ngatmyuncle.

Ihonestlydon’tblamehi m.Iwoul dfeel

thesamei fanyonedidwhathedi dto
anyofmydaught er
s.It
’slikewear e
solvingi
ssuesev er
ydayi nthi
shouse
sinceThapel obecamepar tofourlives.I
dol ovehim, heismybr otherbutright
nowhei screati
ngal otofmessi nmy
l
ife.Fir
stlythewomanIl oveattempt ed
toleavemebecauseofhi m andnowhe
wantstof
ighttobepartofmy
daught
er’
sli
fe.Adaughterwhodoesn’
t
evenknowhim?

UncleG: “
Iam real
lysorr
yMokoena
kodwa( But)oursonhasacknowledged
hiswrongsandher eall
yisapol
ogeti
c
forwhathedi d”

Thuso: “
Idoubthei
sapol ogeti
cbecause
i
fhewashewoul dhav ecomet oour
homei nLimpopotoapologize.Nottake
advantagethatweareinhishomeand
thentellust
hatheissorry.Wearenot
hereforhisapol
ogi
esaswear einvi
ted
forthechil
dren’
swelcomingceremony ”
UncleF:“Kodwa( But
)arewegoingto
i
gnorethef actt
hatheisThandi
we’s
fat
her?”

MrMokoean: “
Yes, Si
mplybecausewe
don’trecogni
zehim.Wehowev er
recognizeyouroldersonasour
granddaughter’
sfatherbecausehedid
allt
hatwasr equiredofhimtradi
ti
onal
ly"

Ismil
elookingatmybr otherwhois
nursi
nghisswolleneyewi t
hapackedof
fr
ozenveggies.Yes,hi
sey eisswoll
en
becausehehadar uninwi thThuso’
s
fi
stsearl
i
er.Wewer eallbusyminding
ourbusi nessi nthey ar
dwhenchaos
eruptedout side.Itwasjustaf t
erThuso
arri
vedwi thhi sfatherfr
om theai r
port.
Appar entl
ytheymeetwi t
hmybr otherat
thegat eashewasgoi ngout .Ibethe
wisheshehadnott r
iedtoleaveatt hat
momenti nt i
me.

Hei sl
uckythatMrMokoenawasnear by
ashemanagedt opullThusoof f
Thapeloandbr eakoffthefight
.Orelse
i
tcouldhav ebeenwor se.WhenIar r
ived
atthesceneIf oundThapeloonhi s
kneesont hegroundhol di
nghis
stomachwi thonehandandhi sl
efteye
withanother.
Thapelo: “Iam r eall
ysor ryMrMokoena,
Inowknowt hatmybehav i
oris
i
nexcusabl eandIwi shIcoul dhave
donet hi
ngsdi fferentl
y.Idor eal
izeI
havecausedy ourdaught eragreatdeal
ofpainandIr eall
ydon’ tdeserveanyof
yourforgiv eness.Uncl es,Iam sorryt
hat
Ihavebr oughtsomuchshameunt oour
famil
ybecauseoft hisissue.Icannever
say,youdi dnott rytohel pbecauseyou
did.I
t’
sjustunf ortunatebecauset he
messIcr eatedi sv er
ybi g.

BhutiPhumlani,Manzini,
Sengway o.
Pleasefi
nditiny ourhearttoforgi
veme
forall
theheartacheandt roublesI
causedinyourr el
ati
onshipbecauseof
thi
sissue.Iam backi
ngof ftoletyoube
af at
hertoThandiwe,Ireali
zethatyou
aremor eofaf at
hertoherthanIcan
everbe.Iam real
lysorr
y ”hesaysbefore
standingup.

Uncl
eG: “
Heywenamfana(Heyyou
boy)
,SITDOWN.Youdon’twal
kouton
el
ders.Wear
enotyetdone”

Thuso:“Thapelo,
y ouwantust of or
giv
e
youandy etyouaredisrespecti
ngus.
Howdar eyouwal koutwhenwer eare
notyetdone?Youar enotgoi ngtohav e
thel
astwor dwakwa( Youhear).Ihear
youapologizi
ngtoev eryonebuty ou
havenotapol
ogi
zedtooneperson
whom youshoul
dreal
lybeapologi
zi
ng
to.Oneper
sonwhoselif
eyounearly
rui
nednotoncebutt
wice”

Thapeloshamef ull
ytakeshissitback.I
real
lyfeelsorryforhim.Idon’tthinkany
ofushasev ertakenourtimet oaskhi m
whyhet oot hedeci si
onthathedi d.I
takeithewasscar edwhenhef oundout
andreactedst upidlybutwhatIdon’ tget
i
swhyhenev erbotheredtogobackt o
l
ookf orhischild.Didheev enthink
abouther,whet herornotthechi ldmade,
i
fitwasagi r l
oraboybecauset hat’
s
somet hi
ngIwoul dhavedef i
nit
elydone.
Me: “
Doesyouapologymeansyouwil
l
nevertr
ytofi
ghtmeandRorisangf
or
Thandiwe’
scustody”

Thapel o:“NoIwon’tandIwi llsti

ckto
mywor d.Ihav eal
readysignedof fmy
paternalrighttoherandIwi l
l backoff.I
am gladshef oundherwayhomeand
ri
ghtf ull
yusinghersur name.Ibelieve
thatyoumov ingtoLimpopoandf all
i
ng
i
nl ovewi thhermot herwast heZungu
ancest or
sway sofmaki ngsurethatyou
carryherhome.Shei snowhomeand
that’
sal lt
hatmat t
ers”

Iam gl
adt
ohearmybr
othert
alkl
i
ke
thi
s.Thisisthefir
stt hingt hatmakes
sensethathehassai dr ecently
.Ihav e
neverl
ookedati tli
ket hat .May behei s
ri
ght.I
twasnotacoi nci dencef ormet o
choosetomov etoLimpopoofal l
provi
nces,meseei ngRor iandf alli
ngin
l
ov ewit
hheratf ir
stsi ghtandmel oving
Thandiweuncondi t
ional lybeforeIev en
meether .Defi
nit
elytheZunguancest or
s
knewwhatt heywer edoi ng.Because
thosewhocamebef oreusbel i
ev edthat
noManzi nibl
oodmustl ivether estof
thei
rli
veswi t
houtthei rZungusur name.

Uncl
eG:“Mokoenawoul
dyouplease
al
lowust
osendacowt oyourhometo
beusedt
ocleanset
heshamethatour
famil
yhasbestoweduponyour
daughterandy
ourhome?”

MrMokoena: “Idon’
tthatthatwouldbe
necessary.Ibeli
evethattheshamet hat
oneZungusonbest oweduponuswas
l
aterwashedawaybyy oureldersonher
whohasdonenot hi
ngbutlov eour
daughterandher3ki ds”

Wow, MrMokoena.Thewayt hi
ngsare
rol
li
ngcurrentlyandhowMr .Mokoena
hasbeensay ingnothingbutgoodt hings
aboutmesi ncewesether eIfeell
ike
aski
ngtheuncl est
ost ar
twiththelobola
negoti
ati
onsr ighther
eandr ightnow.
Uncl
eF: “
Wear ereal
lyproudofhow
Phumlanihastr
eatedyourdaughterand
wearegladthatyourdaughterhas
bl
esseduswi t
hnotonebutt hree
Zungu”hesayswithagenuinesmi l
e.

Ever
yonel
aughsandIguessthemood
i
sgoodagainandIj
ustdeci
detosei
ze
themoment.

Me:“MrMokoena,mayIpl
easebot
her
youwit
honelastt
hing?
”

Iseeev
ery
onel
ooki
ngatmesur
pri
sed.I
meant herei snotimel i
ket hepresent
soiteithernowornev er.Ibelievet
hat
Rori
sangandIhav eneverbeenatput
happiestlikeinthecurrentmoment .We
havegr ownsomuchdeepi nl ov
e.We
havebot hr eachedanemot ional
maturit
yi nourr el
ati
onshipwher ewe
areablet ocommuni cateourneedsand
feel
ings.

Ikeepmyey esonMr .Mokoenawho

nodsatmet osaymypeace.It akei
na
deepbr eat
handletitalloutbef
ore
speaking.Idon’
tknowwhyIam ner vous
butIfeelmyheartbeatingfast,
my
palmsmoi standsweatf all
i
ngoffmy
face.
Me: “
Ntat
eMokoena,Iwouldli
ketoask
forpermi
ssi
ontomarryyourdaught
er”I
saysinalowvoi
ce.

Ikeepmyey esdownashechuckl es
whil
eeveryonemakesgapi ngsounds
becauseofshock.Ireal
lyprayhesays
yesbecausehisblessi
ngsar ever
y
i
mpor t
anttome.

Mr:“Ar
eyousureyoushoul
dn’
taskmy
daught
erf
ir
st”hesaysamused.

Iguesst
hat
’sagoodi
ndi
cat
ionbecause
hei
scl
ear
lynotangr
y.

Me: “
Iwantedtoaskf ory
ourblessings
fi
rstsi
rbeforeproposi
ngtoher.It
’sout
ofmyr espectf
ory ouasherf
ather
NtateMokoena”

Thuso: “
OhPapabl esshi m already,heis
alr
eadyt hebestsonin-l
awy oucanev er
askfory ouronl
ydaught er.Wehav e
bothwi t
nessedhislovef orherandher s
forhis.Heloveshiskidsandy ouknow
thatyourdaughterwouldnev erstarve.
Howel sedoy outhinkshecanaf f
ord
thatbigcarplusthehouseshei s
stayi
ngat ?”hesaysexcitedly.
MrMokoena: “
Yes,youhav emy
blessingZungu.But,shoul
dsheever
comehomecr yingbecauseofyouwhat
Thusodi dtoyourbrotherher
eis
nothingcomparedtowhatIwoul ddoto
you"

Me: “
Ipromi
seyouNtat
eMokeona,t
he
onlytear
sshewoul
dcryar
etear
sofjoy
”
Isaygivi
nghi
m mywarmestsmi
le

Hesmil
ebackandnodsforappr
oval.
NowIneedtopl
anaperf
ectproposal
.
*
**seey
ouTuesday *
**
[
05/
04,
21:
18] :
Inser
t47
Twoweeksl
ater
Phuml
ani

Me:“Soyouar
enotshocked?
”Iask
conf
used.

Rori
:“No.Iam not
”shesay
sshaki
ngher
head.

Wearest andi
ngi nthekitchenassheis
busyprepari
ngf eedingbottl
esfor
LwandleandLile.Ijustcamebackf rom
Kznforaf amil
ymeet i
ngwher eThapel
o
i
nf or
medusabouthi ssexual
ity
.You
shouldhav eseenuncl
eGatsha’s
reacti
on,Ithoughthewasgoingtohav
e
ahear tat
tack.Hewasv er
yfuri
ous.

Ihadt ocal m hi m downbecausehe

want edt obeatt hegay nessoutofmy
brother( hiswor ds,notmi ne).Ihadto
stayathomel ongert hanIintended
becauset hesituationwasv eryhosti
le.I
hadt osi tmyuncl edownandhav ea
seri
ousconv ersati
onwi t
hhi m.Iam gl ad
thathef i
nall
yaccept edwhomybr ot
her
i
sev ent houghhesay shewi l
lnever
under standhi schoi ce.Ast heZungu’ s
weagr eedt osuppor tThapel oinhis
j
ourney ,Iam gladhenol ongerlivesalie.
Thejourneyaheadisgoingtober
ough
andruthlessbutaslongashehasus
behi
ndhi m hewill
makei t
.

Me:
“Nj
ani
?(How?
)”

Ror
i:“Hetol
dmeabouti twhenwewer e
i
nKZN2weeksback.It hi
nkthat
’swhyI
wasabletofor
givehim.Ireal
i
zedthat
hi
m,leavi
ngwasnev eraboutmeorany
ofmyshor t
comingsbutabouthi
m not
embraci
ngwhohewas. ”

Me:“Youknewf or2weeksandy
oukept
i
ttoyourself
.Twowholeweeksmy
queen?”Iaskfai
li
ngt
omaskedmy
di
sappoi
ntment
.

Sheputdownt he2oceans’bott
les(y
es
wecal lt
hem that,
2oceans)before
walkingtome.Shewr apsherarms
aroundmyneckwhi l
eshestandsonher
toesandl ookuptomebef orepl
acinga
softkissonmyl i
ps.

Rori
:“I
twasreall
ynotmypl acetotel
l
you.Heneededtimetogatherenough
str
engthandcouragetodoit.Icoul
dn’t
betr
ayhisconf
idence”shesayssofty
l
ookingdeepl
yinmyey es.

Me:
“Under
stand,
Iam al
sogl
adt
haty
ou
weretheretol
ist
entohim and
encouragedhi
mt ospeakout”Isay
soft
ly.

Iwatchhersmilebeforedev ouri
ngher
l
ips.Asalwaysherli
psar esoftandjui
cy.
Ipickherupandletherwr apherarms
aroundmyneckandhel egsaroundmy
waist.Iwal
ktothekitchencount eri
n
fr
ontofmebef orepl
aci ngheront op.

Ipartherl
egsandstandinthemiddle
beforecont
inui
ngt
ol ockl
ipswithher
.I
missedhersobadandIknowshe
missedmet oobythewayshei s
respondi
ngtomykiss.Wehav en’
tbeen
i
nti
matef ormonthsbeforet
hetwi
ns
wereborn.Youcanjustimagi
nemy
t
hir
stforher.
Ican’
ttakehertothebedr oom because
the2oceansaresl eepinginther
e.She
bett
ernottryt
ost opmebecausemy
ball
scan’tt
akeit.Iam gladMaMav is
wenthomef ortheweekendand
Thandi
wei sathergr andparent
s.

Imovetoherneckandsmileassoft
moansescapeshermouth.Iknowit
’s
herweakspotsoIam l
ett
ingitwor
kto
myadvantage.

Me:
“Damnl
i
ttl
erascal
hasnot
imi
ng
yazi
”Isayi
nfrust
rat
ionr
espondi
ngt
oa
cryi
ngLwandl
e.

Ror
i:“
Benicebaba,t
hat’
stheonlyt
eam
memberyouhaveinahousefil
ledwit
h
woman”shesayslaughi
ng.

Ifr
ownasshejumpsofft
hecount
er
befor
efi
xi
nghert-
shi
rt
.

Me:“
Heisnotbehavi
ngli
keat eam
memberr
ightnow”Icomplai
n

Shecont
inueslaughi
ng,grabst
het wo
bot
tl
esandr ushtoherbedroom t
o
att
endtohim.If
ixmypant sandgr aba
col
dbeerinthef
ridge,
thankyouv ery
muchLwandlenowBabai sforcedt o
putsomeiceonit.

*
***
***
Ror
isang

Me:“Areyousur
eaboutt
hismylove?
”I
saypacki
ngmyshoesinasuit
case.

Phumla:“
OfcauseIam sur
eMaZungu,
youneedthi
s”

Me:
Deepbr
eat
h“Iam notsosur
e”Isay
l
ooki
ngathi
m.

Phuml a:“Look,
y ouareexhaustedand
youar enogoodt oanyofthoseki ds
wheny ouar eti
red.Youneedsomeme
ti
me, soy ouaregoingont hi
stripand
youar egoingtoenjoyyoursel
fwi thout
anygui l
t.Okay?”hesayshandingme
anotherpairofshoesaccompani edbya
bigsmi l
e.

OfcauseIwantt ogotoJohannesburg
withmyf r
iendandenj oymy sel
fbutIam
goingtomi ssmyl i
tt
letri
o.Iam not
evensuremy2oceanswi l
lsurvi
ve
withoutmesi nceIhaveneverspenda
ni
ghtawayf
rom t
hem.

Me:“Butwi
lly
oucopemyZul
uki
ng?
”I
saywrappi
ngmyarmsar
oundhi
swaist
.

Phumla:“Don’ twor ryaboutusmommy .

Wewi l
lbef inepl usMaMav isand
MaMar i
awi l
lbet heretohelpme.I
wouldn’
thav eof feredyout histri
pifwe
werenotgoi ngt ocope.Youhav ebeen
al
laboutt hekidsl atel
yandIf eely
ou
needthismet imepl usIknowhow
muchy oul ovey ourwhi t
epeopl emusic”
hesayst heendpar tshakinghi shead.

Phuml
ahi
redasecondexecut
ive
MaMar iatohelpwiththeki
dsafterI
mov edbackf r
om home.Thet woof
them beingsuremakest hi
ngseasyfor
me.Hav i
ngthistwoolderwomani nthe
househel psoutalot.

IknowPhuml awant sbet ogobecause

heisfeeli
ngali
ttl
egui l
ty.Ihav en’tbeen
havi
ngagoodni ghtsleepf or3ni ghts
l
atelybecauseLi
lewasnotf eel i
ngwel l
.
Sowet ookhertoapedi atri
cian
yest
erdayandshei snowbet ter.Ithi
nk
themedicati
oniswor ki
ngbecauseI
managedt ogetagoodni ghtsleep
yest
erday.
Me: “
Youarer
ightyazi
,Imightjustmeet
someonether
ewhol oveswhitepeople
asmuchasIdo.Notj ustoSjavaand
Blackdi
amonds”Isayteasi
nghi m.

Phumla:
Chuckl
ing“
Iseeyouwantbl
ood
onmyhands.Youal
solov
emyt ypeof
musicnj
e”hesaysj
oki
ngl
y

Ilaughandcont inuepacking.Thisisa
oncei nalif
et i
meoppor t
unit
y.Phuml a
i
sr ightIneedthismet i
meandIam
goingt oenjoymy self.Hesurpr
isedme
with2VI Pticket
st oEdSheer an’sDiv
ide
Touratt heFNBSt adium f
orThalit
aand
I.Hebookedusar eturnfl
i
ghtto
Johannesbur
gandahot
elr
oom f
ort
he
weekend.

Ifi
nishpackingupmyt hi
ngsandhand
himt hebagt ogoputi nthecar .Iwalk
tothe2oceansr oom andpickt hem up
onebyonewhi l
eplanti
ngsof tkisseson
thei
rlips.Iam goingt omisst hem alot.
Isnapapi cturebeforeheadingout .I
walkt oOra’
sr oom whom Ifindbusyon
herIPadplay i
nggames.

Me:“Oraarey oucomingwithustot
he
ai
rportpr
incess”Isayset
tl
ingnextt
o
heronthebed.
Shegivesmeonel ookbeforel
ooki
ng
backatheriPad.It
akeinadeepbreat
h
becauseIknowwhatt heprobl
em i
s
here.

Me:“
Thandi
weZungu,
arey
ougoi
ngt
o
i
gnor
eme? ”

Thandiwe:“Yesmommy ,Iam comi

ng
wit
hy outotheair
por
t”shesay swi
tha
hugesmi l
e.

Mysmi l
ekeeper
,Iam soogoingtomiss
herandherl
it
tl
eattit
ude.Shewasn’
t
ki
ddingwhenshesaidshewi l
li
gnor
e
ever
yonewhostil
lrefer
stoherasOra.
Shehasdonethatt
omeal
otbecauseI
keepf
orget
ti
ng.

*
***
*
Thali
tha:
“Ican’tbel
i
ev ewear eseei
ng
EdSheeranliv
emyf r
iend.Waitsi
Phuml ai
sforkeeps”sheshout s
thr
oughthemusi csot hatIcanhearher
.

Inodandsmi l
ewarml
y.Shehasn’t
stoppedsay
inghowPhumlaisforkeeps
si
ncewegother e.
Wear ebot
hreal
l
yhav i
ngfunandt he
tr
iphasbeennot
hingbutabli
sssof ar.I
wasnotsureIwouldenj
oymy sel
fbutI
am happyt
obehere.Gomonat egoba
mo, i
t’
snicetobeher e.Iam sur
eIam
goingtowakeupv oicelesstomorr
ow
thewayIhavebeenshout i
ngatthetop
ofmyv oi
ce.Idon’tevenmi nddanci
ng
hardbecausewehav eaSpadat e
tomorrowcurtesyofSengway o.

EdSheer
an:“OhkJohannesburgareyou
enj
oyi
ngyoursel
vesthisev
ening?”he
say
sinhisangel
icvoice

Weal lscr
eam
yesssssssssssssssssssss.It
ellyou
SouthAf r
icansknowshowt ohavef un
andtheener gyinthi
splaceisjusttoo
awesome.Iam sur eEdSheer anis
f
eel
i
ngi
ttoo.

Ed:“Ohkwet ol
dy ouaboutour
compet i
ti
ontodayri
ght.Soit’
sthatt
ime
whereoneofy ouwillbejoi
ningmeon
stage.Areyoureadytocomej oi
nmeon
stage?”

Thecrowdscr eams,hellweareall
screami
ng.Whowoul dn’twanttobeon
stagewi
t hEdSheeranandhav ehim
si
ngt oyouoneofhissongsl i
kethe
songwasact uall
ywritt
enf oryou?

Ed:“OhkJo’
burg,
pleasecheckyour
ti
cketnumberasyoumi ghtbet
helucky
l
adyortheluckyguy”hesay
sputt
inghis
handint
oabi ghatt
hathassometicket
numbersbeforepul
l
ingoutapi
eceof
papersmil
i
ng.

Ed:“Ohk,t
heluckhumanbeingist
he
holderoft
icketnumber362int
heVIP
secti
on”hesay sandthecr
owdscreams.

Thali
tha:
“Ror
i checkyourt
icket
,mi
nei
s
363.Areyou362or364? ”Sheasks
shaki
ngfrom shock.

Itakeoutmyt i
cketf
rom thebagand
checksit.OhmyGod, i
t’
smi ne.Ican’
t
beli
evethis.
Thal
it
ha:“I
t’
shers,
sheisti
cketnumber
362”sheshout
spoint
ingatme.

Thecamer aandt hespotli

ghtmovesto
mydi rect
ionandIj ustsmil
e.Thecrowd
i
sscr eamingasIwal ktot
hestage.I
prayIdon’ttripandf al
lwi
thall
thi
seyes
onme.Icani magi nethef
iel
ddayblack
twit
terwoul dhavet omorr
owshoulda
fal
lont hi
sst age.

Ed:“
Hibeauti
ful
Lady,whati
syourname
andwhereyoufrom”hesayspul
li
ngme
i
ntoanembrace.
Yoo, Ij
usthuggedEdSheeran.Isti
l
l
can’tbeli
evethi
s.Okaymay beIhel
don
tothehugl ongerthanIwassupposed
tobutwhocanbl ameme.

Me: “
Iam RorisangandIam f r
om
Polokwaneint heLimpopoprovince”I
saythroughthemi crophone.

Ed:“
OkayRol i
sangfrom Li
mpompo.Isi
t
okayifIsi
ngtheThinki
ngoutloudsong
foryou”hesaysstr
appinghisgui
tar
.

Inodli
kearetard,
Edwiththataccent
youcanbutchermynameandmy
prov
inceal
lyouwantbrother.Forhi
mI
canbeRol i
sangf r
om Limpompo.Ijust
l
ov ehi
m.Ofcausehecansi ngthatsong
forme.It’
sst il
lmyal l
timefavor
it
e.I
standtherelikeahighschoolgir
lwhoi s
j
ustlovestuckwhi l
eIgrinatt
his
awesomesi ngerlooki
ngatmewi thhis
beauti
fulblueey es.

Ed:
Singi
ng
“Whenyourl
egsdon'
twor
kli
ket
hey
usedtobef
ore
AndIcan'
tsweepy
ouof
fofy
ourf
eet
Wil
lyourmout
hst
il
lremembert
het
ast
e
ofmylove
Will
yourey
esst
il
lsmi
l
efr
om y
our
cheeks
Anddar
li
ngIwi
l
lbel
ovi
ngy
ou'
ti
lwe'
re
70
Andbabymyhear
tcoul
dst
il
lfal
lashar
d
at23
AndI
'
mthi
nking'bouthowpeopl
efal
li
n
l
ovei
nmyst
eriousway s
May
bej
ustt
het
ouchofahand
OhmeIf
all
inl
ovewi
thy
ouev
erysi
ngl
e
day
AndIj
ustwannat
ell
youIam”

ThecrowdisscreamingbutIdon’
teven
heart
heirsound.Iam capt
ivat
edbythis
manwhosi ngsformeasi fhewrot
et he
songspeci
fi
cal
l
yforme.

Ed:“
Rol
imayyoupleasetur
naround”he
say
sinthemi
ddleofthesong.

Il
ookathi m confusedandhenods
whil
ehecont inuesplayi
ngsof t
lyonhis
guit
er.Itur
nandt omyshockIf indmy
Zulukingonst age.Kneel
inginfrontof
mewi t
habeaut i
fulRubyringinhis
shakinghands.Tearsarejuststreaming
downl ikeabeautif
ulwaterfal
lweonce
vi
sitedinVenda.

Phumla:“
MyPedi queen,
mot
herofmy
beaut
if
ulkids,
thelov
eofmyli
fe,
may
youpleasemakemet hehappiestman
andtakemysur name,pl
ease”hesays
wit
hhi shandsshaki
ng.

Il
ookathim shockedasIstoodther
e
fr
ozen.Iheart
hecrowdscreamingwhil
e
other
sareshouti
ng‘SAYYES’.

Thecr owdisreall
ygoingcr azy.You’
d
sweart heyweretheonesget t
ing
proposedonEdSheer an’sstagewith
hi
m singingaf i
tti
ngsongs.OhmyLor d.
Thisthismanj ustproposetomei n
fr
ontofal lt
hispeople,i
nt hemi ddl
eof
EdSheer an'
sliverendi
tion.
Me:“Yes,
yes,yes.Iwil
lmarr
yyoumy
Zul
uKing.Wow, ofcauseIwoul
dmar r
y
youSengwayo”Isaywipingmytear
s.
Tear
sofjoy.

Thecrowdcheer sashet akesmyl eft

handandsl idesther ingonmyf i
nger.It
fi
tsperfectl
ylikeitwascr aftedforme.
Phumlaget supandpi cksmeupbef ore
spinni
ngusar oundwhi l
eweshar ea
deepkiss.Iknowt hisispr obablygoing
toenduponmanysoci almedi a
networksbyt omor row.ButIdon’ tcare,
Blacktwitt
ery oucan’ tfaultthi
s.Sout h
Afri
cadeser vestoknowt hatthi
sman
andIloveeachot herdeepl y.
Ed:“
WowJohannesbur g,
wej ust
wit
nessabeautifulmomenther e.I
sn’
t
l
oveabeautif
ulthing.Let
’swishthem
not
hingbutprosperi
tyinthei
runion”

Thecr owdisjustgoingmoreandmor e
crazy.AsEdSheer ancont
inuesto
serenateuswithhisangel
icvoiceand
beautiful
words.

Ed:
singi
ng
“
Sohoneynow
Takemei
ntoy
ourl
ovi
ngar
ms
Ki
ssmeundert
hel
i
ghtofat
housand
st
ars
Pl
acey
ourheadonmybeat
inghear
t
I
'
mthi
nki
ngoutl
oud
Maybewef
oundl
over
ightwher
ewe
ar
e”

“
Whenmyhair
'sal
lbutgoneandmy
memor
yfades
Andt
hecr
owdsdon'
tremembermy
name
Whenmyhandsdon'
tpl
ayt
hest
ri
ngs
t
hesameway,mm
Iknowy
ouwi
l
lst
il
ll
ovemet
hesame

'
Causehoneyyoursoul
cannev
ergr
ow
ol
d,i
t'
severgr
een
Babyy
oursmil
e'
sfor
everi
nmymi
nd
andmemory

I
'
mthinki
ng'bouthowpeopl
efal
li
nlov
e
i
nmyster
iousways
May
bei
t'
sal
lpar
tofapl
an
I
'l
ljustkeeponmaki
ngt
hesame
mistakes
Hopi
ngt
haty
ou'
l
lunder
stand

Butbabynow
Takemei
ntoy
ourl
ovi
ngar
ms
Ki
ssmeundert
hel
i
ghtofat
housand
st
ars
Pl
acey
ourheadonmybeat
inghear
t
I
'
mthi
nki
ngoutl
oud
Thatmaybewef
oundl
over
ightwher
e
weare,
oh

Sobabynow
Takemei
ntoy
ourl
ovi
ngar
ms
Ki
ssmeundert
hel
i
ghtofat
housand
st
ars
Ohdarli
ng,pl
acey
ourheadonmy
beat
ingheart
I
'
mthi
nki
ngoutl
oud
Thatmay
bewef
oundl
over
ightwher
e
weare

Ohmay
bewef
oundl
over
ightwher
ewe
ar
e
Andwef
oundl
over
ightwher
ewear
e”

Phumla:
“Il
oveyouver
ymuchRori
sang
soontobeZungu”hewhi
sper
sinmy
ears.

Me:“Ilov
eyoumor
emysoont
obe
husband”

Indeedwef oundloveri
ghtwherewear e.
IwonderhowmyZul ukingpull
edallt
his.
Sout hAf
ricayoucandefini
tel
ylear
na
thingortwofrom thi
sawesomemanof
mi ne.Mymanmakest hi
ngshappen.
[
05/
04,
21:
15] :
Inser
t48

Ror
isang

Me:“Youar eamazingManzini
.Howdid
youev enpull
thatoff
?ImeanonEd
Sheeran’sst
age”Isayssl
i
dingmyright
handintohislef
thand.

Phumla:“Ihavemywayszakwami
”he
sayswinkinghisey
e.

Ican’
thelpbutsmil
eback.Itakeal ook
atmyfingerandadmirethebeautif
ul
ri
ngthatnowoccupiesit
.Ican’thel
pbut
smile.HowdidIbecomet hisluckyinl
if
e?
Iwokeupagi rlf
ri
endandIam goi ngto
sl
eepassomeone’ sfi
ancée.Notjust
anyone’sf
iancée,butPhumlaniZungu’s
fi
ancée.It
ellyouitdoesn’
tgetany
bett
erthanthis.

Phuml aandIareinthecardr i
vingback
tothehotel
.Wecoul dn’tevenwaitfor
theshowt oend.Wel eftassoonaswe
gotoffthestage.Thali
tastayedbehind.
Shesaidshest i
llwantstopartyandwe
shouldleav
eandenj oyourselves.

Me:“
Ifeelbadthatwel
eftThal
i
tha
al
oneattheconcert
”
Phumla:“Sheisnotal
one.Icamether
e
withyourbrot
hersoIam surehei
s
taki
ngcareofher”

Ofcausewhyelsewoul
dshehappi
l
y
st
aybehind?SheknewThusowast
her
e,
mxm.

Me:“Ohhgosh, morereasonformet o
beworried.ThosetwothinkIdon’
tknow
whattheyaredoing”

Phuml a:
“Theyarebot
hadul
tsl
ove.Let
them be”hesaystaki
ngmyhandand
ki
ssi
ngi
t.

Thali
thaandThusohav ebeenseei ng
eachotherbehi ndmybackf ormont hs
nowandt heyt hinkIdon’tknow.Phuml a
hastoldmecount lesstimesnott oget
i
nv ol
vedint heirbusi nesssincet heyare
bothadults.IknowThal i
thahaspl aced
herengagementonhol dafterf i
nding
outthatherf i
ancéehasi mpr egnat ed
somegi r
l.Iwi shshecoul djustdeal wit
h
thatwit
houtt ryingt oescapei ntoanext
rel
ati
onship.Especi all
ywithmybr other
whoi sal
lergict ocommi tment s.

Phuml
a:“
Stopwor
ryi
ngy
our
sel
fabout
otherpeople,
wehav eaweddingt
oplan.
Plus,Ineedtosendmyunclestoyour
housenextweekf orLobol
a
negotiat
ions”

Me:“OhmyGod.Sosoon.Phel
aIst
il
l
needtot
alkt
omyparent”

Phumla:Chuckli
ng“
Don’tworr
yabout
yourparent
s.Myuncleswil
li
nfor
mthem
soonviaalett
er”

Me:“OhhSengway
owhost
il
lsendsa
l
ett
erin2019?”
Phumla:“
Wear edoingever
ythi
ngt
he
ri
ghtwayincl
udingsendi
ngahand
wri
ttenl
ett
er”
Inodandsmi le.Iknowwhenhehasset
hismindondoi ngthi ngstherightway
noonecant ellhim any t
hing.Hei smy
Zuluking,
stubbornandhel lbenton
tr
adit
ionanddoi ngt hingstherightway
l
ikethat.

*
***
***
Hegr absmebyt hebackofmyneck
andpul l
mecl oset
ohim assoonaswe
closeourbedroom doorbehi
ndus.I
closemyey esaspouroutallmylove
forhiminthekissweareexchanging.
Wecoul dn’tev enwaittogettother oom
asweexchangesomest eamyki ssesin
theelevator.Forgiveusforbeingt oo
hastybutithasbeenl ongsincewehav e
beeni nt
imat e.AtleastIspeakfor
my sel
fbecauseIam wel lawaret hat
therehasbeenot herwomani nhi sli
fe
duringorbreakup.

Ishakemyheadandqui cklygetthose
thoughtsoutofmymi nd.Iwillnotbe
prosecutinghimforsleepingwithot her
womanwhi lewerebrokeup.Yes, Iwish
hewai tedformebutIknowIal somade
i
tdiffi
cultforhi
m becauseIwas
adamantwewoul dnev ergetback
together.
Iloosemy selfi
nhiski
ssesandwar m
touches.Hepicksmeupbr i
dalsty
leand
mov emet othebed.Hel aysmedown
gentl
yandt akesoffmyshoes.Myj eans
fol
lowsandt hem myt-shir
t.Isi
tupand
helphimtakehisclot
hesof f.

Phumla:“
Ngiy
akuthandaRori
sangka
khul
u”(Il
oveyouv
erymuchRorisang)
hesaysinbet
weentheki
sses.

Me:“Il
oveyouevenmoreManzi
ni”Isay
bef
orepull
i
nghim downtot
hebadwi t
h
me.
Ipushhim of fmeandqui cklygetont op
ofhim.Hegi v esmeabeaut i
ful smileas
helooksupt ome.Hemov eshi shand
tomyheadandunt i
esmyhai r.Iknow
j
usthowmuchhel ovesmyhai rloose
duri
nglovemaki ng.Igivehima
seducti
vesmi lemov i
ngmyf acecl ose
tohisforakiss.Asusual thechemi stry
i
soutoft hiswor ld.Ican’
tbel i
ev eI
nearl
yletthismango.

*
***
***
*
Af
teraweek.

Phuml
ani
.
Me: “
KodwaMal umeIsai dyouarenot
goingther
et onegoti
atebutrat
herpay
theLobolathattheywant”

Uncl
eG:“Phuml
ani
whatt
heywanti
s
toomuch”

Me:“
Giveitt
othem Mal
ume.Shei
s
wor
thitandmore”

Uncl
eG:“Quit
efr
ankl
yIthi
nkyoucan
getasui
tabl
ebri
debackhomeway
l
ess”

Me:
“ButIdon’
twantabr
idebackhome
nowangit
hi.Sojustgivet
hem the
moneyandt el
lthem ther
estofthei
r
demandswillbebroughtintwoweeks’
ti
meandweexpectt hem t
operform al
l
thet
radi
ti
onal r
it
esthen”

Myuncl esai dthatont opofthemoney

requested,theygav ethem alistofot her
i
temst hatneedt obebr oughtplusal ive
cow.Appar ent l
y,t
heyneedt oper forma
ri
tualinRori’
shomegoonceal ltheir
demandshav ebeenmeetbef oreour
mar r
iagecanber ecognizedbyour
ancestors.Iam wi l
li
ngt odoev erythi
ng
tohav eherbecomemywi f
e.
UncleG: “
Thi
speoplewilll
eaveyou
bankruptandthenangazini
yodl
ani(I
don’
tknowwhaty ouwil
leat)
”

Me: “
Ihavetwouncl
eswhoownsfarms
andhaveplent
yofcowsbackathome
so,Iwil
lbesor
ted”

UncleG: “
Uyahlanya(Youar
ecr azy
).Let
megobacki nther
eandgivethem
ever
ythingtheywant”hesaysbefore
hangingup.

Myuncleisexagger
ati
ng.Theamount
thatRor
i’
sunclesar
easkingforisnot
eventoomuch.Quit
efrankl
y,Ibeli
eve
theyunder
char
gedme.Iam di
stur
bed
bymyhousephoneri
nging.

Me:
“Zungur
esi
dencehel
l
o”

Call
er:
“MrZungu, thi
sisThabangatthe
mainentrance.TherearesomePoli
ce
offi
cer
slookingforyou.Shoul
dIlet
them i
n?”

Me:“Yes,Thabangpl
easel
ett
hem i
n”I
saybefor
ehangingup.

Whywouldpol
iceoff
icer
sbecomi
ngt
o
seeme?Iwonder.
Imakemywayt othedoort owaitfor
them.Howcl assictheycan, theycame
i
n2pr i
vatecarsandav an.Iwatchas
twoof f
icersinprivateclothesmadet he
wayoutoft hei
rcar stowar dmydoor ,
foll
owedby3uni formedof fi
cers
carryi
ngguns.It akeoutmycel l
phone
anddial Si
monwi thoutput t
ingmy
phoneonmyear .Ihav eaf eel
ingIam
goingtoneedal awy ersoIneedhi mt o
hearev ery
thingthatisgoi ngon.

Pr
ivateuni
form:“
Goodmor ni
ng.Wear
e
l
ookingforPhumlani
Zungu”
Me:
“Andy
ouar
e?”

PU:Chuckli
ng“Wher earemymanners,I
am det
ectiv
eTiisetsoMakgeruandt
his
i
smypar tnerdetecti
vePhetol
oMmadi.
Li
keIsaidwear elookingf
orMr
PhumlaniZungu”

Me:
“Iam Phuml
ani
Zungu”

Makger
uhandsmeapieceofpaperand
iscant
hroughi
tasMmadispeaks.

Mmadi
:“MrZungu,y
ouareunderarr
est
f
ort
herobber
ythatt
ookplaceatSBS
pri
vatebankf ewmont hsback.I ny our
handisy ourarrestwar r
ant.Youhav e
theri
ghtt oremainsilentandmayr efuse
toanswerquest i
onsasked.Any thing
yousaymaybeusedagai nsty oui na
courtoflaw.Youwi l
lbegiv enachance
tocontactal awyerofy ourchoi cewhen
wegett ot hepoli
cest ati
oni fyoucan’ t
aff
ordonet hestatewillprovidey ouwith
one”

Makgeru:“
Areyouwal
ki
ngwil
l
ingl
yto
thevanorshoul
dwehelpy
ouMr
Zungu?”

Me:
“Iwi
l
lwal
kwi
l
li
ngl
ythanky
ou”Isay
cl
osi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndme.

IhopeSyhear dthatandhei swor ki

ng
onget t
ingmeof fbeforetheendoft he
day.Todayi sthewor stdayforthem t o
bedoingt hi
s.Myf ami l
yisnegot iati
ng
l
obolaonmybehal fandnowIam
makingmywayt othecells.IthoughtI
wouldnev erseemy sel
fbackher eagai n.
Whocoul dhav esoldmeof f?Thear rest
warrantstatesthatthearresthasbeen
madebecauset hereisawi tnesswho
hascomef orwardandi swilli
ngt o
att
esttomyi nvolv
ementi nther obbery.

Whatam Igoi
ngt
otel
lmyPedi
queen?
*
***
*
Ror
isang

Ihav ebeent ryi

ngt ogethol dofPhuml a
forthepasthournowandhi sphonehas
beenof f.Thenegot iati
onshav egone
wel l
andhi sfami l
yhaspai dof fallthe
monet aryvalue.Theonl yit
ems
remai ningar ethelistofgiftthatthey
mustpr esentt omyf amil
ypl usalive
cow.Thet wof amili
eshav eagr eedt hat
woul dt akeplacei nthenextt woweeks.
Wewi lldot hetraditi
onalri
tesheri n
Limpopobef oregoingt oKZNf ortheir
tradi
tional ceremony .Phuml aandI
deci
dedwewi l
lhav eawhiteweddi
ng
aft
erallt
hetr
adit
ionalri
tesar
e
perf
ormed.Howev erwearegoingt
o
si
gnatHomeAf fairsbefor
ethewhit
e
wedding.

Idon’tknowwhati swrongwithLwandl e
hehasbeenr estl
essandcr yi
ngforthe
pasthour .Hecan’tseem t
osl eepfor
l
ong.Ihopehei snotcomi ngdownwi th
somet hi
ngIcan’ thandl
eahi m bei
ng
sickri
ghtnow.Iam v er
yexhaustedfrom
allt
hepr eparat
ionswehadt odol eading
tothisday .

Me:
“Manzi
ni,
Ithi
nkt
hisi
sthe100t
h
voicemail
Iam leavi
ng.Pl
easecallme
backassoonasy ougetthi
s.Youare
wor r
yingme”Isayaftert
hetonebefore
pressingt
hehashkey .
[
05/
04,
21:
15] :
Inser
t49

Phuml
a

Sy:
“Iam wor
kingonitMhl
ehl
opl
ease
gi
vememor etime”

Me:
Sighi
ng“YouknowIdon’
thav
e
mor
etimeri
ght?
”

Sy
:“Iknow.KodwaIam doi
ngt
hebestI
can”

Me: “
Well
,yourbestisnotgoodenough
Sy.Fi
ndoutwhodi dthisfastcozIcan’
t
spendthenighther
e”

Ihearhim si
ghont heot hersi
de.Iam
onthephonewi thSyt ryi
ngtosor tout
thi
smess.Iam f rustr
atedreal
ly.Their
ti
mingisreall
yof f
.Myf amilyi
sher eand
theydon’
tknowwher eIam.Ror isang
mustbewor r
iedsickbecauseshecan’ t
getholdofme.Ihopeshedoesn’ tt
hinkI
devel
opedcol dfeetandr anawayf rom
thecommi tmentIam aboutt otake.I
havebeenher eforanhourandonl y
recei
vedmyonephonecallnow
becauseIr
efusedtotal
ktothem unt
ilI
havemylawyerpresent
.

Me:“
Justcal
lmywif
eformepl ease.
Shemustbewor
ri
edsick”Isayrubbi
ng
myeyes.

MyheartacheswhenIthinkofhowal l
thi
swil
laff
ectherandmyki ds.Ir
eall
y
hopeshewon’tl
eav eme.Myl i
fewil
l
j
ustbemeaninglesswit
houther.It
rul
y
l
ovehershemademebel i
evein
soul
matesandal l

Sy
:“Ei
shmanj
e,whatmustIt
ell
her
?”
Ipauseforamomentbef oreansweri
ng
Sy.IpromisedherhonestlyandIdon’
t
wanttoshotmy selfi
nthef ootbyl
yi
ng
becauseshouldthetrut
hcomeoutl ater
shewillnevert
rustmeagai n.

Me:Af
teradeepbr
eat
h“Justt
ell
hert
he
t
rut
h”

Sy
:“Thewhol
etr
uth?
”heaski
nshook.

Me: “
Justbeeconomical
withi
t.Be
tr
uthful
aboutwhereIam andwhatIam
accusedof”
Sy
:“Doy
out
hinki
t’
swi
se?
”

Me: “
AngaziSy(Idon’
tknowSy ).I
fIam
goi
ngt ospendtherestofmyl i
fewit
h
thi
swoman.Ibet t
errespectherenough
nottomakeaf ooloutofher.Soyahtel
l
her”

Sy:“
Okay.Justst
ayst
rongandy
ouwi
l
l
hearfr
om mesoon”

Ihandupandmov etomyholdingcel
l.
Li
feismessedupindeed.Nogooddeed
goesunpuni
shed.Iwasonlyt
ryingt
o
helpoutaf r
iendandnowmyl
i
fehangi
n
thebalance.

Det
ecti
veMmadi :“Zungu,y
oustil
ldon’
t
wantt
ot al
k?”hesaysstandingonthe
ot
hersi
deoft hebars.

Me:“Ican’
ttalkaboutwhatIdon’
tknow
nowcanI ?”Isaystar
ingathi
m
i
ntensi
vely
.

Mmadi:“Youwil
lbr
eaksoon”Hesays
chuckl
esbefor
ewalki
ngawaywhist
li
ng.

Isi
tbackandr
estmyheadont
hecol
d
wal
lbehi
ndme.Thisfeelsnothingl
i
ke
t
hefir
stt
imeIwasar r
ested,Ihavemor
e
t
olosenowthanbefore.

*
***
***
*
Ror
isang

Iam speakingtoSyont hephone.Ican’

t
beli
evewhathej usttoldme.Iknowhe
saidPhuml awasonl yhelpingouta
fr
iend’schi
ldbutIthoughthei snot
aboutthisli
feanymor e.Howcoul dhe
havebeensosel fi
sh?Washet hinki
ng
aboutmewhenhet ookt hedeci
sionto
dot hejob?
Iam v er
yangryathi m.Heruinedmyday ,
myl oboladay.NowIhav etogot ohi
s
houseandt akecar eofhi
suncl es
becausehemi ghtbespendingt heni
ght
i
nj ai
l.Whatam Iev engoi
ngt osayt o
them?

Me:
“Whyar
en’
tyouar
rest
edSy
?”

Sy:
“Ang’
zwisi
si(
Idon’
tunder
stand)
”he
say
sshocked.

Idi
dn’tmeanfori
ttocomeoutl
iket
hat.
Butthi
swholethi
ngdoesn’
tmakesense.
Me:“Imeanyouwerewhatfi
veonthat
Jobandonlyhegotar
rest
edwhy?”

Hekeepsqui t
e.IknowwhatIam say i
ng
tohim cameasashockbutIhadt oask.
Ican’
tjustl
ethim gotojail
.Hehas3
kidst
hatIam notgoingt orai
seonmy
own.Sybettergethim outsoon.

Me: “LookSy .Fi

ndoutwhodi dthi
sand
getmymanoutoft here.Myki dsneed
theirfathert
heyar etooy oung,
Thandi wewillneverrecov erfr
om thi
s.I
needmyhusbandbackSyandbel ieve
mewhenIsayhei snotgoi ngdown
alone.Thi si
snott helastt i
me”Isay
bef
orehangi
ngup.

Ipickmyki dsbagsandstar
tmov i
ng
them tothecar.Atl
eastmyparent
s
knewt hatIhadtogobacktotowntoday
sot heywon’tbeaski
ngmet oomany
quest i
ons.

*
***
***
(
Thenextday
)

Phuml
ani

Me:“
Shityoulookmorel
i
keamesst
han
Iam”Isayhugginghi
m.
Sy:“Icoul
dn’
tsl
eep.Ihadt
owork
ti
rel
esslyt
ogetyououtofher
e”hesay
s
breakingt
hehug.

Me:
“Thi
ssur
efeel
sli
keadéj
àvu”

Sy:“Nah,wehav ebeenher ebefore

ndoda.Mepi ckingyouupf rom
spendingti
mei njail
.Theonl ydi
fference
i
st helengt
hy ouspendandt hephysical
l
ocationofthepr i
sonitsel
f.Butthisis
nodéjàv u,
itdidhappen.Let ’
sgetoutof
hereyoustink”hesay spushingme
playf
ully
.
Ican’
thel
pbutlaughbecausehel ooks
l
ikehehadawor senightthanIdi
d,I
fol
lowhimtothecar.AllIneedi
sahot
showerandtoholdmywi f
eandkidsin
myar ms.

Idon’tknowwhathappenedbutIwas
rel
easedt oday.Apparent
lyt
hesocalled
witnesswentandt oldthepol
icet
hat
thatthestatementtheygavewasal i
e.
Syst i
ll
needst ofi
llmeinonwhodi dthi
s
andwhy .

Me:“
Sowhowasi t
?”Isayaft
era
momentofawkwardsi
lencei
nthecar
.
Sy:“wil
ltal
kabouti
twhenwegett o
yourhouse”hesayslooki
ngaheadon
theroad.

InodasIwat chhim driveav oi

dingto
l
ookatme.Iknowhedi dnotbet rayme
becauseItr
usthi m wi
thmyl if
ebutI
senseheblameshi msel fsomehow.I
wonderwhy .IguessIwi llhearabouti
t
whenIgethome.Iopent heglove
compartmentandr etr
ievemyphone.I
swit
chitonandgot hroughmessages
andvoicemails.Mostl
yar ef r
om
Rori
sangandmyuncl es.

It
akeadeepbr
eat
hasSypul
l
sov
eron
mydr i
veway.Iam wor ri
edbecauseIam
goingtodealwit
hanangr yRor
isang.He
angerdoesn’
treal
lyscaremebutt he
factt
hatsheisunpredictabl
edoes.She
canthrowall
thetantrumsshewant sas
l
ongasshedoesn’ tl
eav eme.

Me:
“issheangr
y?”

Sy
:“Shet
hreat
enedme”hesay
sangr
il
y.

Me:“Wi
thwhat
?Lwandl
e’
sshoe?
”Isay
l
aughi
ng.

Ror
ithr
eat
eni
nganot
herhumanbei
ng.
Sheistoosof
ttoev
ent
hinkofdi
shi
ng
thr
eats.

Sy:
“Hl
eka(Laugh)buti
t’
snotf
unny
”he
say
snotl
aughing.

Me:“Youarebeingser
ious,
Rori
sang
t
hreatenedyouandyougotscar
ed”

Sy:“Shetol
dmethati
fyougodown,we
wil
lallgodownwit
hyou.Sheev
ensaid
thi
sisnotthel
astt
ime.
”

Me:“Shewasobvi
ouslyscar
edand
t
ryi
ngtomotiv
ateyou.YouknowIcoul
d
nev
ersel
lyouout
”

Sy:“Iknowt hat,butt hi
ngshave
changednow.Youhav eawi f
eand3
ki
dsnow.Soy ah, shedidscareme.
Anywayl et
’sgoi nsi deandtal
kabout
whyy ouwer einj ail
.”Hesaysbefor
e
gett
ingoutoft hecar

If
oll
owhi
minsi
det
hehouse.

*
***
**
Me:“SoSyy ouknewandneversai
d
anyt
hing.Howcouldyoulett
hathappen?
Idon’
tcarethatshemovedonbutthere
i
sabr
ocodemf
wet
hu”

Sy:“
Iam r
eall
ysor
ry.Iwi
shItol
dyou
abouti
tassoonasIfoundout”

Me:“Wherei
sSbu,
shoul
dn’thebeher
e
apol
ogi
zingt
omeaswell?”

Sy:“Hecouldn’tcomebecausehehad
tomakesur ethatZi nzi
wit
hdrawsher
stat
ementfrom t hecopssothat
chargesagainsty ougetdr
opped”

Me:“Yazi
Sy,Inev
erlovedZi
nziandy
ou
bot
hknewt hi
sbutforSbutosl
eepwith
herwhil
esheandIwer eanit
em istoo
much.Ithoughtwehadabrocode.How
am Isupposedtot
rustanyofthem near
Rori
sang?”

SyandIar esitti
ngi nmyst udy.Hejust
tol
dmet hatZi nziistheonewhowentt o
thecopsandgotmebur ned.Apparentl
y
myexi st hemot herofSbu’stwoki ds
andcurrentl over.Irescuedhersonf rom
akidnaperandshegoesandr atmeout
tothecopsbecauseshewasj eal
ous
aft
erseeingmypr oposal t
oRor ion
social
medi a.Thatwomani sapsycho,
sheandSbudesear veeachother.
Sy:“
Iam sorr
y.Icoul
dhav
etol
dyouas
soonasIfoundout”

Me: “
It
sfinewhat ’
sdonei sdone.You
tel
lSbu,Idon’twanttoseehi mi nmy
l
ifeeverandit’snotbecausehei swit
h
myex.Idon’thav eaproblem thatheis
withher,i
nfactIam happyf orthem
becauseInev ercaredabouther.Sheis
j
ustagol ddiggerandIhopeshedoesn’ t
milkhim dr
y”

*
***
**
Ror
isang
Thandiwe:“
Baba”shesayt
hrowi
ng
hersel
finhi
sarms.

Phumla:
“Pr
incesskababa”shesay
s
bef
oreki
ssi
ngbot hherchi
cks.

Thandiwe:“
Mommyt ol
dmeyouwentt
o
Durban,whatdi
dyoubr
ingme?
”

Phuml
a:“
Hav
eyoubeenagoodgi
rl
?”

Thandi
we:“
Alwaysbaba,
Iwasplay
ing
wit
hLil
ebecauseLwaisnotwel
l
”

Phuml
alooksatmewi
thr
aised
eyebrows.Ofcausehewoul dn’tknow
thathischi
ldwassickbecausehehas
beenlockedup.Iwatchasheput
Thandiwedownandwal ktome.Iam
exhausted,
Lwandleisfinal
lyasleepand
wehav ebeenupal l
night.Hepul l
sme
i
ntohi sembrace.

Phumla:“
Iam sorrymyPedi queen.
Whathappenedy est
erdaywil
lnever
happenagain”hewhispersi
nmyear s.I
am onthevergeofcryi
ngbecauseIhad
aroughnightandhewasnother eto
assi
stme.

Ihadt
oanswermi
l
li
onquest
ionsf
rom
hisunclesandli
ef orhim.Ihadtomake
surethatthegotaf l
ightt
oKZNbef or
e
theycouldseethroughmyey es.

Me:“DoIneedtostar
tprepari
ngt
o
at
tendcourtt
ri
als?
”Iasklooki
ngathi
m
i
ntensi
vel
y.

Phumla:“No,t
hechargeswer
edropped.
I
t’sal
lbehindusnow.CanIpl
easesee
the2oceans?”

Me:“
Sure,
Lwandlehasn’
tbeensl
eepi
ng
wel
lsi
nceyest
erdaynoon”
Phumla:“
Iam sorryaboutthatl
ove.Iam
backnow.Hewi llbeal
lri
ght.Comelet’
s
gowaket hem up.Daddymissesthem”
hesaystakingmyhandandwal ki
ngto
thenur
sery.

Iwatchashepi cksLwandl
ef i
rstand
whispersomethingi
nhisears.He
ki
sseshisforeheadbefor
eputtinghi
m
backinhiscotandmov etoLil
e’sand
doesthesame.Het ur
nsandwal ks
backtome.

Phumla:“
Ilov
eyouv
erymuchMr
s
Zungu”
Me:
“Ihav
enotf
orgi
veny
ouy
etZungu”

Phumla: “Letmemakei tuptoy ou.I

promisey ouwhathappenedy esterday
will
nev erhappenagai
n.PlusIwoul dn’
t
wanty out hr
eateni
ngpeopl
enow”he
saysbef oreatt
acki
ngmyl i
ps.

Ikisshim backandl osemysel

finthis
moment .Ithi
nkIhav egr
own,Iam
surpri
sedatmyr eacti
onstosi
tuat
ions
thi
sday s.Iam suretheoldmewoul d
hav et
hrownat ant
rum andtol
dPhuml a
thatit
’sov er.

Iguessi
am r
eadyf
ort
hismar
ri
age
t
hing.Iam i
nfort
hel
onghaul
.
[
05/
04,
21:
15] :
Inser
t50

(
3year
slat
er)

Phuml
a

Me:“Ican’
twai
ttoseeyouiny
ourwhit
e
dr
ess,Iknowyouwil
llookl
i
keadream”

Rori
:Gi
ggl
ing“Ican’
twai
ttoseeyouin
your3pi
ecesuit
.Iknowever
ywoman
wil
lbedyi
ngwithenvywhentheysee
you”
Me:“
Then,
youMr
sZunguar
ever
y
l
ucky
”

Ror
i:“
Iam l
uckyi
ndeed………”

Sy:“Iam sor
ryhi
sPediqueenbutheis
all
mi netoni
ght
”hesay
saf tersnat
chi
ng
thephonef r
om me.

Ishakemyheadasheswitchesi
tof
f
andplacei
tinhi
spocket
.

Me:“Wow, Sy
.Uy adel
ela(youar
e
di
srespect
ful
)”Ihasjokingl
y.
Sy:“
Ndoda,t
akeadv ant
ageoft
hisnight
andenj
oyyoursel
f.Beli
eveme,marr
iage
i
snowalkinthepark”hesayshandi
ng
meaglassofabeer .

Kwena:“Dudeyouwon’tev
enbeabl et
o
changetheTVchannel
.Ifyouever
wantedtochangetheworl
dforgeti
t
thatshi
phassail
ed”

Theal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.

Me:“Youguysareawar
ethatIhav
e
beenmarri
edfor3year
snowr i
ght
”
Xolani
:“Wel l
thatdoesn’
tcount,angit
hi
theworlddidnotknowandshest il
l
wantedaf ancywedding.Sonow, kuzo
shubababa( It’
sgoingtogettough)"he
sayslaughinghard.

Weenjoyourdri
nksandcigarswhil
ethe
guy
scontinueswit
hthei
rsil
lytal
k
adv
icesonwhatIshoulddotosurvi
ve
marri
age.

Imadei tcleartoSythatIdon’twant
str
ippersatt hi
sparty
.Iftheywantto
watchstripperstheymustnotusemy
bachelorpartyasanexcuse.Iwonderif
i
tstil
lqualifi
estobecalledabachelor
part
ysinceRorisangandIhav ebeen
marri
edandl i
vi
ngt ogetherashusband
andwi f
efor3year snow.Both
tr
adit
ional
lyandlegall
y.

Afteral
lthet
raditi
onalri
teswere
perfor
medRor iandIwentt ohome
aff
airsandsi
gned.Sowehav ebeen
l
ivi
ngashusbandandwi feallalong.She
j
ustdidnotwantawhi t
eweddi ngatt he
ti
me.Sowedeci dedtowaituntil
LwandleandLilewereoldenought obe
partoftheweddingparty.

Reall
yal othavehappenedint
hepast
thr
eey ears.Ror
iquitherj
obandst
art
ed
herownconsul t
ancycompany .The
companyi sgr owingfrom strengt
ht o
str
engt handIhav ewat chedhergr ow
bothemot ionall
yandi nbusiness.Iam
veryproudofherandIf alldeeperinlov
e
withherev erysingl
eday .Sheismybest
fr
iendandIam her s.Sheist hebest
mot hertoourkidsandIgr eatwif
et o
me.Shei sat otalpackage.

ThapeloandNj abul
omov edto
Johannesburgbecauset hecommuni t
y
backathomemadei tdif
ficul
tforthem
toenj
oytheirli
v est
here.Theybot hgot
j
obsinJohannesbur gandmov ed
permanentl
y.Theyev enboughtahouse
toget
herandt heyarev er
yhappy .We
hav egrownqui t
ecl ose,Thapel oandI.
Wehav i
ngabestsi bl
ingt ypeofa
rel
at i
onship.Hefindsi teasiertoopen
upt omeandRor i andIhav ebecomea
pil
larofstrengthandsuppor ti
nhisli
fe.
Hei sagr eatuncl
et omyki dsandt hey
all
lov ehi
m andhel ovest hem justas
much.

Sbutriedt oapol ogizebutIcuthi m of

f
myl i
fecompl etely.Ican’thavesomeone
Idon’ttrustinmyl if
e, worseofallasa
fr
iend.Hebet ray edme, notoncebut
manyt imesbecausehehadpl ent
yof
ti
met obehonestwi thmebuthechose
notto.Iwentt ojailforSbu’smi st
akes
andgr eedinessandheofal l
people
choset obetraymei nt hewor se
possibleway .Heev enusedmet o
rescuehissonwi thoutbei nghonest
withmeaboutwhot hemot heroft
he
chil
dwasandt hatnear lysentmetojail
forthesecondt i
me.Iev ensoldoff
everysingleshareIownedi nanyofhis
compani esandi nv estedt hemoneyin
mywi fe’sbusiness.Idi dnotwant
anythi
ngt hatli
nkedmet ohimin
anyway .

Myki dsaregrowingmorebeautif
ulby
theday.Theyareallheal
thyandhappy.
RoriandImakei tapointthatwe
showerthem withloveeveryday
.Ihave
foundmy sel
finadoghouseacoupl eof
ti
mesbecausemywi f
efeltIam spoil
ing
thekidstoomuch.Appar entl
yOr a
knowst hatshecangetawaywi t
h
anythi
ngwhenIam ar ound.Itri
edt o
toneitdownsot hatIdon’tappearas
themor eunderst
andingparentwhile
Roriappearsasthestri
ctone.Wemake
decisi
onstogetherandpunishthekids
asat eam whenevertheneedar i
se.

Or aisnow10y earsoldandst i
ll
daddy’s
princess.Sheisthesmar t
estinher
classandIam v eryproudtobeher
father.Iknowshei ssti
l
lyoungbuther
academi cperf
ormancesar ereall
y
somet hingtobragabout.Hermot her
andIar ealwaysinvit
edtotheschoolat
theendoft hey eartocollectawardson
herbehalf.Shehasconst antl
yremai ned
atopper for
meri nallhergr adessof ar.
Shejoinedthechesst eam, debat
ing
team andspellingbeegr oupandshei s
excell
i
ngi nallofthem.Shenol onger
wantst obeav eteri
narianbutshest ill
wantst ostudymedi ci
ne.Iam st i
ll
hopingshecoul dchangeandendup
studyi
ngl awbutf ornowshei sallabout
becomi ngadoct or.

LwandleandNol wandlearenowatt hei

r
naughtystages.Theydriv
et heirmother
verycrazysomet i
mes.Lwandl eis
alwaystheringleaderofstarti
ngup
mischiefandNol wandl
ecopi esfrom
him.Justl i
keOr a,Lileisdaddy’s
princesswhi l
eLwandl eismommy ’
s
baby .Isomet i
mesf eelli
kehelov eshis
mot hermor ethanhel ovesme.Hehas
hitmewi t
hfewobj ect sbeforefor
kissingmywi f
e.IthoughtIwoul dhav ea
team playerinhim butIsomet imesr efer
tohim asacockbl ocker .Whenev erhis
mot herandIar ecuddl ing,hewoul d
breakusof fandcl ingonhi smot her
whi l
eIam bei ngkickedof ftomov efar.
Weal sohaveourboy s’moment sand
playsoccert ogetherorpushhi m ona
bikei ntheyard.ButIcanonl yenj oy
suchmoment swhenhi smot herisnot
around.
Ingener al
Icouldsaywear eaver
y
happyf amilyandIthankGodandthe
Zunguancest orsforprot
ecti
ngusand
showeringuswi thblessi
ngsonheal
th,
happiness,loveandwealth.

*
***
***

(
Thenextday
)

Ror
isang

Bal
eseng:
“Ther
eyougo,
per
fect
”she
sayssteppi
ngbackwar
dtol
ookatme
proper
ly.

Thal
it
ha:“
Wowmyf ri
end,youlook
ammmmazzzzzzi
ii
nggglybreat
htaki
ng”
shesaysbei
ngal
ldr
amat i
c.

Irecei
vethemi r
rorfrom Balesengt o
checkmy selfout.Wow.Shedi dan
amazingjobi ndeed, f
rom thehai rt
ot he
makeup.Ilov eever y
thing,
damnIl ook
l
ikeamodel .Iopt edforami neral
makeupbecausei tuseschemi cal-
fr
ee
cosmeticsthatdonotdamaget heskin
plusIam notr eal
lyaf anofmakeup.My
dreadl
ockar eplaitedupwar dsandt ied
i
ntoaneatbunint hemiddle.Thebuni s
decor
atedwit
hdi amondl i
kest onesthat
for
m abeauti
fulcyclear
oundt hebun
andsparkl
ewhenhi tbyli
ght .Ideci
ded
agai
nstavail
fornopar t
icularreason.I
j
ustwantmymant oseemyf acefr
om
themomentIwal kintot
her oom.

Baleseng:“Youarethemostbeaut
if
ul
bri
deIhav eeverseen”shesayswi
ping
hertears.

Me:“Ibetyousaythattoal
lthebr
ides
youwor kwit
h”Isaygiv
inghera
beauti
fulsmil
e.
Baleseng: “
NoIdon’ t,
trustmewhenI
saythis.Ienjoy edwor ki
ngwi t
hy ouand
workingony ou.Iam notj ustsayingthi
s.
Yourski nisflawless,youar enatural
ly
beautifulandy ouar enotfussy,Ihave
workedwi t
hdi f
f i
cul
tbr i
desandy ou
weret hemostpl easanttowor kwi t
h”
shesay sgi
vingmeahug.

Balesengi sthemakeuparti
stwhoi s
partoftheev ent
scompanywehav e
hir
edt oplanourwedding.Phuml asai
d
hedoesn’ twantmet obestressedbyall
theweddi ngplanni
ngsohesour cedthi
s
companyt odothejob.Theyarethe
bestinPol okwaneandIdon’tknow
whatst r
ingsmyhusbandpul ledtohave
them dothi
sjobbecauset
heyar
e
alwaysful
lybooked.

Il
ookatthedoorasitopensandmy
motherwalksi
n.Thal
it
hasqueezemy
handbefor
egreeti
ngmymom and
walki
ngoutfol
l
owedbyBal eseng.

Mom: “Ohhbabyyoulookverybeauti
ful
.
Zunguwill
bef i
ght
ingalotofmani n
thatr
oom befor
eyoureachhim atthe
endoftheisl
e”shesayshuggingme.

Tr
ustmymot hert
obeal
ldramati
c.I
smil
ebackandrol
lmyeyesear
ning
myselfapi
nchonmyhand.
Me:
“Aouchmom.Wher
ear
etheki
ds”

Sheset
tl
esont
hebednextt
omeand
hol
dmyhand.

Mom: “Theyaref i
ne,don’tworryabout
them.Todayisal laboutyoumychi l
d.
LookRor iy
ouar eawomannowandI
am notgoingtogiv eyoual otof
speeches.Ihaveal r
eadydonet hat
duri
ngy ourtr
aditi
onal weddingandI
wouldli
ket obeli
ev ethatyouheard
every
thingIsaid”
Me:
“IdoMma”Isaywi
thasmi
l
e

Mom: nodding“Good.Ij ustwantt o

remindy ouonet hing.Thatt hismar r
iage
i
sy oursandy ourhusbandal one.You
arenotgoi ngtocompar eitwi thmy
mar r
iageorany oneel se’smar ri
agef or
thatmat ter
.Youar egoi ngtol ovethat
manf orwhohei slikehel ovedy oufor
whoy ouar e.Youwi llrespecthim but
youwi llnotl
osey ourselfory ourdreams.
Okay? ”shesayssqueezi ngmyhand.

Me:“Thanky
ouv er
ymuchforev
eryt
hing
mom”Isaypett
ingmytearssot
hatthey
don’
tfal
lonmyfaceandrui
nmy
makeup.

Mom: “Let
’snotgetemoti
onalri
ghtnow
mychi l
d.Wedon’twanttomessupy our
makeup.It’
sti
met ogobeforeyour
husbandsendsdownasear chpart
y
pl
usy ourf
atheri
swaiti
ngforyou
outsi
de”

Me:
“Youknowhi
m wel
l
”Isayl
aughi
ng.

Mymom hel psmeupandtakesoffthe

gownt hatIhaveontopofmywhite
dress.Shestepsbackandsmil
e.Idoa
turnar
oundt oshowoffandmymot
her
clapsherhandsproudl
y.

*
***
***

Dad:
“Arey
ouready?
”hesay
sgi
vi
ngme
hi
selbowt
oholdon.

Ismil
eandnodbef or
etaki
ngadeep
breat
h.Ihearmywalkontheai
slesong
comingin.Thesongi
scall
edLuckyby
JasonMr az.

Doy
ouhearme,
I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou

Acrosst
hewat
eracr
osst
hedeepbl
ue
ocean

Undertheopensky
,ohmy
,babyI
'
m
tr
ying

BoyIheary
oui
nmydr
eams

If
eel
yourwhi
speracr
osst
hesea

Ikeepy
ouwi
thmei
nmyhear
t
Youmakei
teasi
erwhenl
i
feget
shar
d

Thedoor
sopensandmyf at
herandI
wal
kinhandinhandwhenthesongi
s
onthi
spart

I
'
mluckyI
'
minl
ovewi
thmybestf
ri
end

Luckyt
ohav
ebeenwher
eIhav
ebeen

Luckyt
obecomi
nghomeagai
n

(
Thi
spar
tonr
epeatunt
ilIr
eachmyman)
AsIwal kinwi ththevoiceofJason
Mr ezser enati
ngus.Ichooset oignore
everyonewhoi snowst andingont hei
r
feet,bothonmyl ef
tandmyr ight
.My
focusisonmyhotZul uKingwhoi s
standingnextt othepriestwi thhis3
kids.Theyal llookbreathtakingly
beaut i
ful.TrustLwandl etoabandonhi s
father’
ssi deandcomer unningt o
mommy .Ican’thelpbutsmi le.Atleast
Lil
ei ssleepingi nherfather’
sar mswi th
herheadr estedonhi sshoul der.

ThecrowdcheersasItakemyl i
tt
le
pri
nceinmyotherhandandwal kwith
hi
m downtheaisle.I
t’
sabeauti
ful
pi
ctur
eindeed,
Phuml aattheendofan
ai
slewi thhi
stwopr incessesandme
walkingdownt heai slewithmyf at
her
onmyr i
ghthandsi deandLwandl eon
myl efthandside.Ifinall
yr eachmyman.
Myf athershakeshandswi thPhuml a
beforeheplacemyhandi nhis.
Phuml a’ssmil
eisjustpr iceless.Thank
Godf orDineowhot akest hesleeping
Li
lef r
om Phuml aandMyy oungerfather
whot akesLwandl ef rom myf eet.

Wow,t
hismanwascryi
ng.Ionl
ynot
ice
nowt
hatIam cl
oset
ohim.

Pri
est
:“Dearfamil
yandf
ri
end,weare
gat
heredheretodayt
owit
nessand
cel
ebratetheunionofPhuml aniZungu
andRorisangMokoeana.Wi thloveand
commi t
ment ,t
heydecidedtobecome
oneashusbandandwi fe.Todayasthey
j
oininmar ri
age,t
heyalsocreateanew
bondandnewsenseoff amil
y.Iwas
tol
dthatyouwoul dli
ket osayyourown
vows”hesay slooki
ngfrom met o
Phumlaandback.

Wenod,andheplacethemiccl
oset
o
mesothatIcanspeakthr
ough.

Me:Smili
ng“Gwabini
.Geda,Mhl
ehlo,
Ncwane,Manzi
ni!
”Ilookathi
m shocked
buthappy.
YesIhadtogoogl ethosecl
annames
andIam gladIam getti
ngthereact
ion
thathei
sgiving.Icoul
dalsohearhi
s
fri
endscheer
ingmeonasIsayt heclan
names.

Me: “
Sengway o,youcamei nt
omyl i
fe
whenIl eastexpected.Youbr okewal ls
thathavebeenst andingforyear sand
repl
acedt hem withsunshinet hat
nouri
shedt heseedofl ovewithinme.
Youpr omisedmer osesanddel ivera
botani
cal gar
den.Ihav enotalway sbeen
themostpl easantcompani ont otravel
thi
sjourneywi t
hbuty ouhav eal ways
beenpat i
entwithme.Thanky ouf or
fi
ndingmewor thytocarr
yyourseeds
andy oursurname.Iloveyouv erymuch
myZul uKing,allt
hatIhave,allt
hatIam,
al
lthatIwilleverbeisyoursforeverand
ever”

Pri
est
:“Beautif
ul.Shesaysshewi l
lbe
hi
sforeverandev er
.Isn’
tthatbeaut
if
ul”
hesaysmov ingthemi ct
oPhuml a.

Phumlatakesthemi
candwaitf
ort
he
crowdcheeri
ngandhandcl
appi
ngt
odie
down.

Phumla:“
MyPediqueen,
mot
herofmy
beaut
if
ul3ki
dsandmanymorethaty
ou
pr
omi
sedme”

Ican’
thel
pbutl augh,thismansai dhe
want11kids,justimagine.Inthisday
andagemot hering11ki dsjustbecause
myhusbandl ovessoccert hatmuch.

Phuml a:“
Ourlov ewaswr itt
eni nthe
starslongbef orewewer ebor n.Iwas
drawnt oyoufrom mi l
esaway .
Circumst ancespushedmet owar dsyou
byf orcingmet or el
ocatefrom KZNt o
Li
mpopo.Fr om t hemomentIl aidmy
eyesony ouatt herestaurantIwas
capt i
vated.Youbecamet hel i
ghtt hatI
neededt obri
ght enupmyl i
fe.The
harderyoumademechasey out he
deeperIkeptfalling.Wheny ouleftme,I
real
izedyoutookapi eceofmewi thyou.
ApieceIcouldn’ tli
vewi thout.Youare
myl i
feRori
sangMokoena.Il oveyou
mor ethanli
feitselfandIt hanky oufor
carryi
ngmy3ki dsf ormeand
abandoningyoursur namet ot akemine.
Ipromiseyout hatasl ongasIam al i
ve,
youshallneverlackany thi
ng.Iloveyou
verymuchmyPedi queen, t
oday
tomor r
owandf or ever”

Atthi
spointIwasi
ntear
s.Thepri
esti
s
taki
nghi
st i
meandIwanttobeinmy
man’sar
ms.
Pri
est:“
Thiswasverybeaut
if
ul.Mr
Zungupleaset
akethisri
ngandputiton
herfi
nger”

Phumlatakest
heringandsl
i
dei
nonmy
fi
ngerandIdothesame.

Priest
: “
Inowpr onouncey ouhusband
andwi feintheey esoft heLord.You
maynowki ssthebr ide.Phuml apull
s
mei nforadeepki ss.Theki ssthatsays
IloveyounowandIwi l
lloveyouf or
ever.
Thekisst hatsaysIhav ear r
ivedwher eI
am going.It’
spassi onateandi t
’s
steamy .Heonlypul ledbackbecause
thepriestkeptclearinghisthroats.
Het akesmyhandi nhi
sandwewalkout
ofther oom f
oll
owedbyourf
ami
lyand
fr
iends.

**
***
****
***
**TOBE
CONTINUED***
***
***
**
[
05/
04,
21:
15] :
Inser
t50cont
inues
Ror
isang

Baleseng:“CanIpl
easest
ealherf
orfew
secondstor et
ouchthemakeupbefor
e
thepictur
eMrZungu”shesay s

Phuml
a:“
Butshei
sper
fectnj
ena”he
l
ooki
ngatmewi
thaseduct
ivesmi
l
e.

Ican’
tbel
i
eveIam marriedt
ot hi
shot
sexymanwithabeaut
ifulsmil
ethat
’s
showsofhisdi
mplesandperfectwhi
te
teet
h.

Bal
eseng:
“Pl
ease”shesay
sbeggi
ng.

Me:“Iwi
llbebackbefor
eyouknowi t
Manzini
”Isayplaci
ngasoftpackonhis
l
ips.

Ifol
lowBal
esengtoali
ttl
etentshehas
setupint
hegardennexttowherewe
goingtohaveourpict
urest
aken.Wear
e
sti
l
l wai
ti
ngforthecamerapeoplet
o
fi
nishset
ti
ngup.

Isett
ledownaf tercoveri
ngmy sel
fwit
h
awhi t
ecl ot
htoav oi
dget t
ingmakeupon
myper fectl
ywhitedress.Baleseng
takesoutherbrushesandst artswith
theretouches.

Bal
eseng: “
Wow, girl
thosev owswere
j
usttoobeauti
ful.Wat sebaIfound
myselfsheddi
ngt ears.OhhmyGod”she
say
sal ldr
amatic.

Me:
“Thanky
ou”
Baleseng: “
Yourl oveisonei nami ll
ionI
tel
ly ou.Phel aever yonecanseebyt he
wayy oul ookateachot herthatlove
definitelyli
vesher e.yoool ennaIwant
mymant olookatmet hewayt hatman
l
ooksaty ou.Wai tse,heev enshedat ear
whenhesawy ouwal ki
ngdownt heaisl
e.
Shoooo, thisisdef i
nit
elythemost
beaut i
f ulunionIhav eev erexperi
enced”

Ismileandl i
stentoBalesengasshe
goesonandonabouthowPhuml aandI
makeabeaut if
ulcouple,
howl uckyIam
andhowev erythi
nglooksbeautif
ul
i
ncludingthekids.Iam savedbyNaomi
whot ell
sust hatthecamerapeopl ear
e
doneset
ti
ngup.Bal
esengfi
nishesup
andImakemywayt othepi
cturear
ea.

Firstpict
uresareofmeandPhuml ani,
thensomewi thour3kids.Then
pictureswiththeMokoenaf ami
lyalone,
thent heZunguf ami
lyandthenwith
bot hfamil
iesinonepictur
e.Weopt ed
nott ohavebridesmaidsandgroom’s
mansowet ookotherpict
ureswit
h
fri
endsandsomewi thcoll
eagues.

Lwandl
e:“Mommyy oulookbeaut
if
ul
l
ikeapri
ncess”hesay
scuppingmyf ace.

Me:
“Thanky
oumyPr
ince.Youal
sol
ook
beauti
ful
inyoursuit
”Isaybef
ore
ki
ssinghisf
orehead.

Hegigglesandburieshi
sheadonmy
neck.Lwandleisi
ndeedmommy ’
sli
tt
le
pri
nceunlikeOraandLil
ewhoare
daddy’sgi
rls.

Naomi:“Ror
iyouneedtogochangeso
thatwecanmov et
ot her
ecepti
onIam
surepeopl
earegett
inghungr
ybynow”
shesayswithasmil
e.

Inodandret
urnhersmil
e.If
oundmy
motherandhandherLwandl
ebefor
e
fi
ndi
ngZungutogoandchange.
*
***
*

Phuml
ani

Me: “
Yazi
,IwashopingIwil
ltakeof
fthi
s
dressonl
ywhenwegett oour
honeymoonsuit
”Isaysunzi
ppingher
weddinggown.

Ror
i:“
Icanst
il
lkeepiton,onl
yify
out
ell
mewhereyouaretakingme”

Me:Chuckl
i
ng“For
geti
t,i
t’
sasur
pri
se”I
saywhi
speri
ngi
nherear.
Ror
i:“
HowdoIknowwhattopack
mara?”shesay
spl
eadi
ngl
y.

Me: “
Don’tworr
y,yourbagsarepacked
foryoualr
eady.Makesur eyoukissyour
kidsgoodbyeandhugt hem because
youwon’tbeseeingthem foraweek”

Wear einoneoft her oom webookedat

theRanchhot el
wher et heweddingis
taki
ngplace.Icouldn’tbeli
eveitwhenI
sawherwal ki
ngdownt heai
sleearli
er,
shelookedsoper fectlikeanangel.I
watchedasev eryt
hingwashappeni ngin
slowmot i
on,Ievenf oundmy self
sheddingtear
sofj oy.Whocanbl ame
me,mywi felookedal
lshadesof
beauti
fulwi
thherwhit
emer maidgown
that
’sexposedhergorgeousbodyand
curv
es.

Itakeoffmyj acketandwaist
coatand
waitforRoriasshechangesi nt
oa
cream whit
ebodyhuggi ngdressthatis
abovethekneesandr edbott
om heels.

Me: “
Wowbabyareyoutryi
ngt
omake
al
lthosemani
ntherehatemetoday
”I
sayli
cki
ngmybott
om li
p.

Ror
i:“
Hat
eyouwhy
?”shesay
samused.
Me: “
BecauseIam marri
edtothemost
beauti
fulwoman,wit
habangingbody
andshehasbr ai
ns”Isayzi
ppi
ngher
dressfrom t
heback.

Rori
:“Lett
hem hateyouManzini
,
oksal
ayotheycannev erhav
ethi
s”she
sayspoint
ingathersel
fupanddown.

Naomi:“Sorrytodi
stur
bbutwear e
runni
nglate.Canyoupleasehurryup
guys,t
imei snotonourside”shecall
s
outontheot hersi
deofthedoor.
Ror
i:“
Wearecomi
ngNaomi”shesay
s
bef
orewebust
edi
ntol
aught
er.

Onewoul dswearitsNaomi ’swedding

thewayshehasbeenbossi ngusar ound
todaywheni tcomest ot i
mekeepi ng.
Peoplemustunder standt hattheycame
toourweddi ng.I
fwechooset omake
them waitfor4hourst heyshoul dj
ust
wait.Wef i
nall
yfi
nishandwal ktothe
recept
ion.

*
***
***
*

Ror
isang
PhumlaandIwai
toutsi
deforthe
masterofcer
emonytoannounceus
bef
orewecouldwalki
n.

MC: “Ladi
esandgantl
eman,please
standupaswewel comeourbeautiful
coupleMrandMr sPhumlaniZungu”He
say.

Thedoor sopenandPhuml aandIwal

k
i
nst eppi
ngtoNathi
’sbeautif
ull
iv
e
perfor
mance.Thecrowdisuponi tsf
eet
clappi
nghandsaswedancet oQeqe.
Naomi ’
scompanyhasout done
themselveswit
hthedecorati
onofthe
venue.Every
thi
ngisv er
ybeauti
ful
and
elegantandIam l
ovingthel
iveband
performancebyNathi.

Wef inall
yset t
ledownandt heMcst ar
t
withthepr ogram oftheday .Wel augh
throught hespeechesandj okest hatour
fri
endsandf amilyonthepr ogram
sharedwi thus.Thewor dsof
encour agement sandwel lwisheswe
receivedwer eov erwhelming.Finall
ythe
program camet oanendandwehadt o
bidourf amilyandf r
iendsgoodby eas
wehadt oleavef orourhoney moon.

Themostdi
ff
icul
tpar
twasl
eav
ingmy
chi
ldr enbehi
ndknowingt hatIwill
only
seet hem aft
er7ful
lday s.Iam sure
goingt omissthem alotandbutIam
sti
l
l goingtoenjoyt
histimeaway .

*
***
**

Phumla:“Babyyouneedtowakeupwe
areabouttoland”hesay
sshaki
ngme
soft
ly.

Iopenmyey essl
owlyandsmi
l
eatt
his
beaut
if
ulhusbandofmine.

Me:
“Younev
ert
oldmewher
ewear
e
goi
ngSengway
o”Isayy
awni
ng.

Phuml
a:“
Youwi
l
lseeassoonaswe
l
and”

Imov etomysi tandbuckleupwi t

h
Phuml asettl
ingnextt ome.Having
accesstoapr i
vatejetsuredoeshave
i
tsadv antages.Thedoor sareopensas
soonast hejetlands.Phuml asmil
es
andtakemyhandi nhisaswest epout
ofthejet.Iam greetedbyabeaut i
ful
seabreeze.

Woman:“MrandMrsZunguwelcometo
Amanki
l
a,wehavebeenexpect
ingyou
andy ourhoney
moonsui
tehasbeen
prepared”

Ismi
leandnodasPhumlat
hanksher
anddi
rectt
hemansheiswi
thtoour
l
uggage.

Phumla:“
WelcometoBalimyl
ove”he
sayshuggi
ngmefrom behi
nd.

Itur
nmyf acetoki
sshim bef
orewe
walkint
otheresor
tandcheckint
oour
suit
.

*
***
*
Phumlani:“
Ilov
eyouv
erymymuchmy
Pediqueen”

Hesay sbeforeki
ssingmepassi onatel
y.
Irespondhungril
ytohiskiss.Ihav e
beenwi t
hthismanf ormor ethan4
yearsnowandhi skissesalway sleave
mey earni
ngformor e.Hemov eshi s
softwarmlipstomyneckandheknows
exactl
yhowt hat’
sdrivesmecr azy .I
l
ov ethewayheknowshi swayar ound
mybody .Heknowsexact lywhi chareas
tokissandtouch.

Thehoney
moonsui
tei
sfi
l
ledwi
thmy
softmoansasourcl othesar efl
yi
ng
acrosstheroom.Isoonf i
ndmy sel
f
starknakedbeforePhuml alaysme
downgent l
yont hebed.Iwat chashe
stepsbacktotakeal ookatmeasIl ay
therevul
nerabl
eandy earningforhi
mt o
enterme.

Het ookoffhisboxesandexposedhi s
hardManzi ni
leavingmet oswal lowmy
sali
vaashest oodt herel
ickinghis
bottom li
psandgazi ngatmynaked
bodyly i
ngont hebed.Ithinkhewant s
tomakemebegbecausehei sjust
standingther
est r
okinghimsel f
.
Me:“Sengwayopl
ease”Isayi
na
br
eakingvoi
ce.

Phumla:Chuckl
i
ng“
Pleasewhatmy
Pediqueen”

Me:“Pleasemakel
ovet
ome”Isay
pl
eadingly.

Hemov essl owlytowar dst hebedand

l
ayont opofmewhi l
eat t
acki ngmylips.
Herubshi smemberonmynunawhi le
hesqueezemyl eftbreastwi thhisother
hand.Ifeelmy sel
fget t
ingwet t
erand
wetter
.Ifeeltoohotmybr eathingi
s
i
ntensi
fied.Ifeelasmi l
ef or m onhi
sl i
ps
ashepusheshimselfinsideofmeand
quickl
ypull
sout.Thi
sgoesonf orfew
secondsbefor
eIlockhimi nwit
hmy
l
egsassoonasheent ersme.Iusemy
l
egst opushhi
m deeperandIhearhim
groan.

Heslowlyst artmov i
nghi sbodyupand
downr ockingmywor ld.Ther oom i
s
fi
ll
edwi t
hmyl oadmoansandhi s
groans.Weswi tchpositi
onsf ewtimes
withmeget t
ingont op, l
ayi
ngont he
si
deandf i
nallylayi
ngonmyst omach.
Webot hf i
nallycli
maxscr eami ngeach
other’
snamesandpr ophesy i
ngour
undyinglovef oroneot her.
Phuml
a:“
Ilov
eyouMaZungu”

Me:
“Il
ovey
oumor
eZungu”

I
nthismanIfoundafr
iend,
anadvi
sor,a
pi
ll
arofstr
engt
handmostimport
antl
yI
havefoundahome.

*
***
***
***
***
*THEEND*
***
***
***
**