Beaut

yandt
hehandsomej
erk
I
nser
t0
.
Thingshav eal waysbeenhar donme.Fi rstil
ost
myt wi nbrotherwheni wasv er yyoung.I
sufferedfrom xxdepr essionsomucht hatmy
parentsmademesl eepwi t
ht hem ev er
ynight.I
grewupwi thjustmypar entsandmybi g
brotherSf i
so.Ihaveal way sbeenspoi l
tbutthat
endedwheni metMi keNene.Myf amil
ywarned
meagai nsthim,theydi dnott r usthim but
stupidmei wasi nlov e.

Il
ov edhim somuchthatimovedawayfrom
homewheni wasdoi
ngmyf inaly
earandmy
par
ent sdi
sownedme.Onedayi wasfeeli
ng
si
ckanddeci dedt
ogohomeear lyonl
ytobe
welcomedbymy2f r
iendshavi
ngathreesome
wit
hMi ke.
Iranoutthedoorwithnowher etogo.Ialso
foundoutlat
erthatiwaspregnant.Ididn’tev
en
gohome, iwasthatstubborn.Iwenttomy
aunt’
splaceinDurbanNorth.Myauntl ovesme
todeathbutsheanddadhat eeachother.

Itol
dauntSi ndi everythi
ngandshet oldmenot
towor ryshewi llt
akecar eofme.Soi fi
nished
myschool i
ngwi thmyauntl ookingaftermyson
Emi hl
eandi f
inall
yqual i
fi
edt obeanar chitect
.I
gotaj obandr ightafterigotmyf i
rstpaymy
auntpassedaway .Iwasdev astat
edbutt omy
surpri
sei becameami ll
i
onaireaft
ershepassed
asshel efteverythinginmyname.

Onthedayofthefuner
aliaskedmyparent
sfor
for
giv
enessandmydadf orcedmet omove
backhomebecauseheneededf ormetocome
backsoimovedbackhome.
Imetthi
swomanwhowasv i
cepresi
dentatmy
aunt’
scompany,MYcompany.Hernamei s
NingiMzul
wini
andwebecamebestf r
iends.
MynameisZekhet
hel
oNgcobo.Iam 27year
s
ol
dandsi
ngl
e.Joinmeasitel
lmystory.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t1
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Mondaymor ning.Il
ovedMonday s,1stdayof
theweekfullofopport
unit
iesandpossibil
i
ties.I
waswokenupbymyv eryhypersonfoll
owedby
mybigbrother.Theycamei nadivedintomy
bed.

Me:“Guy
s!”i
groanedput
ti
ngmyf
aceonmy
pi
l
low.
Asmuchasi l
ovedMondaysial
solovemy
sl
eep.Mybrot
herSfi
so,
hewasv i
sit
ingf
ort
he
weekendandhewasschedul
edtogobackto
Jobur
gMondayafter
noon.

Sf
iso:“Can’
tishowmysi
sterl
ove?
”isi
deey
ed
hi
m andhechuckled.
Me:
“GoodMor
ningt
oyout
oo”
Emi
hle:
“Morni
ngmommy
”hest
oppedjumpi
ng
ont
hebedandcamet
ogi
vemeakiss.

Me:
“Di
dyoupr
ay?
”
Emi
hle:
“Yes”hesai
dnoddi
ng.
Me:
“Br
ushedy
ourt
eet
h?”
Emihl
e:“Yesssmom.”Hesai
dnoddi
ng
count
lesst
imes.Mysoni
s6y ear
sol
dbyt
he
way.
Bothmypar entsenteredmybedr oom weari
ng
thei
rgowns.Mom camet ojoinmei nbed.Dad
wenttothecouchandSf isojoinedhim.Iknow
you’
reprobablythi
nkingthatwehav esomesort
ofmeeti
ngbutno, it
st radit
ion.Weusually
spendanhouri nwhichev erbedroom wedecide
on.

Me:
“Mor
ningpar
ent
s”
Dad:“Morni
ngmyangel
”ibl
ushedandSf
iso
chuckl
ed.
Sf
iso:
“Ty
pical
daddy
’sgi
rl
”
Me:
“Daddddy
”iwhi
nedandmom l
aughed.

Mom:“Aysukaa.Nowonderyouaren’
tmar
ri
ed,
youar
ejustt
ooattachedt
oyourf
ather
”
Dad:
“Nosi
pho..
”hesai
dwi
thawar
ningt
one
andmom l
ookedatme.
Themarri
ageorr
elationshi
ptopi
cwasoffl
i
mit
s
forme.I
t’
sbeen6y ears.Mikewasmyf
ir
stand
only
.
Mom:
“I’
m sor
rybaby
”inodded.

Sfi
so:“Lookatthet
ime.ComeEmihle;
let
sgo
havebreakf
ast
”hepull
edhim andt
heywentout
.
Dad:“Getyourbut
tofft
hatbedandcome
makemet ea”hethenwalkedoutaf
terseei
ng
melaugh.
Theroom suddenl
ygotqui
et.I
twasj
ustme
andmymom.Mymom wasmybestf ri
endand
shealway
sspokeaboutmemov i
ngon.

Mom:
“I’
m sor
ry”
Me:“Mom.It’
sokay
.Iknowy
ouwantwhat
’s
bestf
ormebuthavi
ngamandoesn’
tmeanthat
i
tswhat’
sbest”
Mom:
“Honeyi
t’
sbeen6y
ear
s”
Me:
“I’
mfi
nemom.Ipr
omi
sei
’
mfi
ne.

Mom:
“Wi
l
lyouev
ermov
eon?
”
Me:“Ihav
e”isai
dgett
ingoutofbedput t
ingon
mygown.Iwenttot
hebathroom,brushedmy
t
eethandwashedmyface.Iwentoutandwas
metbyMa’’
Ntombimakingmybed.

Me:
“Mor
ningMah”
Ma’
Ntombi
:“Heybaby
.Br
eakf
asti
sready
”
Me: “Thanksmom”i tookmyphoneandwent
tonkit
chen.Iwalkedi
nandmyfamil
ywas
alr
eadyeating.

Me:“Youcoul
dn’tevenwaitforme?Somuch
forl
ove”dadl
aughed.Isatdownandhecl
ear
ed
hist
hroat.
Me:
“Dad?
”
Dad:
“Myt
ea.
.”
Me:“Kodwababa*butdad*
..
”hei
ndi
cat
edwi
th
hi
sheadformetostand.

Iwentandmadehi m hi
steaaski
ngev ery
oneifi
neededany t
hing.Igotmysel
fwaterandmyson
j
uice.Isatdownandj oi
nedthem forbreakf
ast.
Dad:
“Wehav
eal
unchdat
ebabyneh?
”
Me:
“Todaydad?
”

Dad:“Yes.Weneedtot al
kaboutt
hatreport
yousentmysecret
ary.Idon’
tgeti
t.Thati
stoo
muchmoneyf orj
ustonebuil
ding”
Me: “That’
snotjustabuil
ding.I
t’
sgoingt obe
theebuil
dingandit’
sgoingtohavet hebestif
l
awy ersandbestofeveryt
hinginlaw
enforcement,
justli
keyouhav eeverwishedfor
dadand.
..
”

Sfiso:“Okaywhooay ouaremakingmedizzy
withthisbusi
nesstalk”Sf
isoownedachainof
restaurant
sinJoburgandCapeTown.
Me:“HowisLungi
l
e?”Lungil
eisSf
iso’
swi
fe.
Theyhav
e2beauti
ful
gir
lsand1boy.
Sfi
so:
“She’
sgood.Hol
dingt
hef
ortwhi
l
ei’
m
away”

Dad:
“Whydi
dyoucomeal
oneany
way
s?”
Mom:
“Ihopey
ou’
renotcheat
ingSf
iso.I
..
.”
Sfi
so:“Nomom.Iwantedt
oseey
ouguy
s.
Especi
all
yZekhet
hel
o”
Mom:“Boy,
ihopef
ory
oursakey
ouar
etel
l
ing
t
hetr
uth”

Thecarhootwentof
fandEmi
hlegotup
r
unni
ngoutt
heki
tchen.
Me:
“Nor
unni
ng!
”
Hejustranandwenttogethi
sschool bag.
Minuteslat
erhegoti
nwithhisschoolbag.
Ma’Ntombipackedhisl
unchandwegotour
ki
sses.Hewenttoschool.Af
terhelef
ti gotup.
Dad:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”

Me:“Ineedtobathandgotoworkdaddydad”i
ki
ssedhischeekandwalkedout
.
Iwenttomybedr oom.Tookoutanout fi
tof
bl
ackslimfitpantswit
hgoldzipsontheankles
andpocketsplusawhiteshir
tandnude
pl
atfor
m shoes.Iwenttotakeashowerand
dri
ed.Igotdressedandheadedout.Ifound
mom intheloungearea.Mymom i sa
housewif
e.

Mom:
“Leav
ingal
ready
?”
Me:
“Yes”i
kissedhercheekandt
ookmybags.
Me:
“Ki
ssdadf
orme”
Mom:
“Eeewno!
”il
aughedoutl
oud.
Me:
“Whynot
?”
Mom:
“justno”
Me:“Bymom.Il oveyou”i
wal
kedout.Wentt
o
thegarageandgoti
nmyRangeRoverand
droveout.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t2
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Getti
ngtowor kwasahust l
ebecauseIcame
acrosstr
affi
c.Ohbyt hewayIwor kintown
(DurbanEthekwi
n)iandhomei satUmlazi.My
fat
herhasal l
themoneyy oucanthinkofbuthe
j
ustdoesn’twanttomov eaway .
Igott owor kandparkedonmypr esi
dent
ial
parking.Itookoutmybagsandheadedi nsi
de
thebui l
dinggreet
ingev ery
onefrom t
hesecuri
ty
ont hedoort omysecr etaryout
sidemydoor.
Nel
l
y:“
Mor
ningMi
ssNgcobo”

Me:“GoodMorni
ngNel
ly,howar
eyouont
his
beaut
if
ulMondaymor
ning?”
Nel
ly:
“If
orgothowmuchofaMondaymor
ning
per
sonyouare”Il
aughed.
Me:
“Hect
icweekend?
”

Nel
l
y:“
In-
laws”shesai
dinanannoy
edt
one.
Me:
“Sor
rybabe.I
sNi
ngi
iny
et?
”
Ni
ngi:
“Yes,
Iam i
nnow”shesai
dwal
ki
ngi
nmy
of
fi
ce.
Nel
l
y:“
Mor
ningMi
ssNgony
ama”
Ni
ngi
:“t
oldy
out ostopwi
tht
hismi
ssnonsense.
MynameisNingi
,sayi
ngi
twit
hme?”
Nel
ly:
“Ni
ngi
”Il
aughedbecauseshel
ookedso
cut
enoddi
ngli
kea2y earol
d.”
Me:“Nel
lygetus3coff
eesandmydi ar
y
pl
ease”shenoddedandwalkedout
.
Me:
“Andy
ou,
whathappenedt
oyou?
”

Shewaswear i
ngsungl
assesandshel
ooked
outofi
tbutshewasdressedt
okil
lasal
ways.
Ningi:
“Ei
shbabe,mybi
gbrot
heri
shomesowe
part
iedthewhol
eweekendnowmyheadhur
ts”
Me:“
Serv
esy ouri
ghtandyoubet
tergeti
t
t
oget
herbecausewehav el
unchwit
hMuzi”
Ni
ngi:
“Jesusbabehowcany ouagreet
ohav
e
l
unchwithyourf
atheronMonday?”
Me:
“Hej
ustt
oldme.Icoul
dn’
tsayno.
”
Ni
ngi
:“Jeez
.Let
’sgetonwi
tht
hebr
iefsot
hatI
cant
akeashor
tnap”
Nell
ywal kedinwi t
hmycof f
ee,weakwit
hno
sugar.Shewal kedoutandcamebackwi t
h2
morecupswi t
ht hedi
aryunderherar
m.She
gaveNingi her
sandshet ookaseat.

Me:“
Right
,gi
vei
ttomeNel l
ywhatdoIhave
t
odayandimpor
tantmeet
ingst
hisweek”
Nell
y: “
Youhav ebri
efi
nginanhouratthe
boardroom af
terthatyouhavea11o’clockwit
h
HR.y ouhavelunchwithubabauNgcobo.After
l
unchy ouhavea15h00wi t
hMrLionel”

Me:
“That
’showmydayi
slooki
ng?
”
Nel
l
y:“
YesMam.
”
Me:
“Okayt
hanks,
I’
ll
cal
lwhenIneedy
ou”
Shewal
kedoutandIwaslef
twit
hNingiand
shewasal
sogoingt
hroughheri
Padlooki
ng
thr
oughhermessages.Iopenedmyl
apt
opand
swit
chedi
ton.

Ningi:
“Iwant
edtotal
ktoyouaboutsomethi
ng
duri
nglunchbutsi
ncewe’
rebei
ngjoinedbut
unclebaeMuzii.
..
”
Me:
“Fuckof
f.Mydadi
snobae”shel
aughed.
Ni
ngi
:“Rel
ax.I
’mjustmessi
ngwit
hyougreen
ey
edmonster
.”Il
aughedandcl
i
ckedmytongue.
Me:
“So,
whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
kabout
?”

Ningi
:“Mybrother.Si
ncehecamebackhome
hehasthi
sprojectthatherunsatKwaMashu.
It
’saproj
ectt
ohel punderpri
vil
egedchi
ldren
andweneedf undssoi sai
di wi
llt
alkt
ot hebi
g
boss”
Me:
“Yeah,sur
e.Iwoul
dlovet
ohel
p.Justgi
ve
methepl
aceandti
mei’l
lcome”
Ni
ngi
:“Act
ual
l
ywear ehav
ingasmal
lthi
ngat
myhouset
oni
ghtand.
..
”
Me:
“Dr
inki
ngagai
n?”

Ningi
:“Iwi shbutli
keisai
dwearer
aisi
ngfunds.
Iam helpinghim sowehaveasmal
lthi
ngandi
wouldlov eiti
fyoucameandmeetmybr ot
her
sothaty oucantalkmore”
Me:
“Isi
taf
ormal
thi
ng?
”

Ningi
:“SemiFormal.Justl
ookasgor
geousas
younormall
ylookokay?”
Me:
“Okaynowgetoutofmyof
fi
cei hav
ework
t
odo”i
blewheraki
ssandshewalkedaway
.
Istartedreadingemail
s,repor
tsandaft
eran
houri wenttot heboar
droom fort
hebrief
.
Qiniso,theMDwhoi salwaysl
ookingatmy
behindwast heref
ir
st.
Me:
“Mor
ningQi
niso”
Qini
so:
“Beauti
ful
”ihav
ehi
m av
erycol
dlook
andhechuckl
ed.
Qi
niso:
“Mi
ssNgcobo”
Me:
“St
ayony
ourl
aneQi
niso”

Theboar
droom st
art
edt
ofi
l
loutandev
ery
one
wasseat
ed.
Me:“Isther
eany t
hingyouwouldl
iketosayt
o
me?”theroom gotquiet
.Il
ookedaroundand
ev
eryoneseemedl ost.

Me:“Iam goingtorepeatmysel
fandf
ort
he
l
astti
me;I
st hereanythi
ngyouwouldl
i
ketot
ell
me?”
Qi
niso:
“Who?
”
Me:“Theyknowwhot
heyare.I
fyoudon’
tgibe
your
sel
fupnotonl
ywi
lli
fir
eyoubutiwil
lfi
re
you,blackl
i
standhav
ey ouarr
est
ed.Tal
k!”i
shoutedbangingt
hetable.

Thi
sbeaut
iful
bigboot
ychi
ckst
oodupandshe
wasshaki
ng.
Me:
“Whoar
eyou?
”
Girl
:“Idi
dn’
tmeantomissNgcobo.Iswear.He
promisednott
ouseyourwor
khej ustwant
ed
tosee”
Me:
“Who?
”
Gi
rl
:“Myboy
fri
end”
Me:
“Whoi
syourboy
fri
end?
”
Gi
rl
:“Myboy
fri
endi
sMi
ke,
MikeNene”
Me:“Sonofabi
tch”i
stor
medoutoft
he
boar
droom f
umi
ng.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t3
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Islammedt hedoori nmyof fi
ceandi screamed.
Iwasf uming.Howcoul dMi kedot hi
stome
andt hedir
tybitch,howcanshedot hat
?Nowi
am losingcli
entsbecauseofher .Inowhadt o
dodamagecont r
ol.Qi
nisogotinfoll
owedby
Ningi.Theylookedsowor ri
ed.

Ni
ngi
:“Whathappened?
”
Me:
“Wher
eisshe?
”
Qi
niso:
“Shei
sint
heboar
droom and.
..
”
Me:
“Fi
reherQi
niso”
Qi
niso:
“Bi
gbossshe.
..
”
Me:“FI
REHER!”sheroaredandNingi
jumped.
Qi
nisoqui
ckl
yrushedoutofther
oom.

Ni
ngi
:“Whathappened?
”
Me: “Thatdi
rt
ybitch“Mike’
sgirl
fri
end”has
beengivingt
hatfuckermyclient
sinformati
on”i
wasbowpaci ngupanddown.Ni ngi
’seyes
widenedinshock.
Ni
ngi:
“TheeMi
ke?YOURMi
ke?
”il
ookedather
wei
rdl
y.

Me:“Bi
tchhei
sn’
tmine”iwentt
osi
tont
he
coucht
aki
ngoffmyshoes.
Ningi
:“Youknowwhati
mean.Wher
ehashe
been?”
Me:“Idon’tknow.Ihaven’
tseenhimin6y ear
s
andnowhewant st
or ui
nmyl i
fe.Myfucki
n
car
eer”iswearalotwheni am angr
y.
Ni
ngi:
“Babethati
shect
ic.Whatar
eyougoing
t
odo?”iworemyshoesandfixedmyski
rt
.I
r
ushedoutmyoffi
cewit
hNingionmyheels.

Ni
ngi
:“Khet
he,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
ZEKHETHELOOO!
”
IrantowardsQini
so’
soffi
ceandfoundthegi
rl
cryi
ng.Ichar
gedforherbutQi
nisol
ift
edmeup
spinni
ngmear ound.
Me:
“Qi
nisol
etgoofme”
Qi
niso:
“Youneedt
ocal
m down”
Me:
“Gety
ourf
ucki
nhandsof
fme”
Heletgoofmebutbl
ockedme.Ichuckl
edand
l
ookedatthegi
rl
.
Me: “Igavey ouajob.Awell
payi
ngj
obyou
haveacarani ceapart
mentbuty
ousel
lmeout
fordick,
youwantt obringmeandmycompany
downf ordick!!
”

Gi
rl
:“Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry”
Me:
“Howmuch?
”
Gi
rl
:“Howmuchwhat
?”
Me:
“Howmuchi
nfor
mat
iondi
dyougi
vehi
m?”
shel
ookeddownpl
ayi
ngwi
thherhands.
Me:
“Getoutofmycompany
”

Gir
l:“Mi
ssNgcoboi
…”Igav
eheracol
dlook
andshewal
kedout.
Iwal
kedoutofQi
niso’
sof
fi
ceandwentt
omi
ne
l
ocki
ngit
.Mydeskphonerang.
Me:
“Zekhet
hel
oNgc….
”
Mi
ke:
“St
il
lpr
im andpr
operIsee”
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Mike:“wai
twai
t,hol
dit
.Ihavever
yval
uabl
e
i
nformati
onher
eandIwillusei
tif
…”
Me:
“Usei
t?”hecoughed.
Mi
ke:
“What
?”heaskedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
Me: “Useit
.Usethedamni
nfor
mat
ion”Ihung
up.Ithencal
ledmydad.
Dad:
“Babyi
sitt
imeal
ready
?”Ij
ustcr
ied.
Dad:“Zeekhet
hel
owhat
’swr
ong?Whyar
eyou
cr
ying?”
Me:“It’
sMike.He…”dadhungupbef
oreIcoul
d
cont
inue.
HonestlyIdon’tevenknowwhyIwascr yi
ngbut
Itf
eltgoodbecausemydadwasgoi ngtotake
careoftheMi keissue.Ibur
iedmy
selfi
nwor kI
wasl at
erdist
urbedbymyphoneagai n.

Me:
“Hel
l
o?”
Dad:“Iam wai
tingf
ory
out
ogether
e.Ibooked
atabl
eatBeluga”
Me:“HaibodadIworki
ntown,
whyy
out
aki
ng
usal
lthewaytoGateway?
”
Dad:“You’r
etheboss.Maket
ime.Okay
?Iam
wait
ing”hehunguponmey etagai
n.
It
ookmyt
hingsandwentt
oopent
hedoor
.It
wasasifNingiwaswai
ti
ngbythedoorbecause
assoonasIopenedsheatt
ackedmewitha
hug.Il
aughedandshei
nhal
ed.

Me:
“Okayst
opsni
ff
ingme”
Ni
ngi
:“Justmaki
ngsur
eyou’
real
i
ve”
Me:
“I’
m okay
.Let
’sgo”
Ni
ngi
:“Gowher
e?”
Me:“Lunch,I
’
llwai
tforyouinthecar
.”Iwalked
awaystar
ti
ngatQini
so’soff
ice.Hequickl
y
st
oodupandcamet omewhenhesawme.
Que:
“Ar
eyouokay
?”

Me:
“I’
m okay
.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sinor
der
?”
Que:
“Afr
aidno.Wearel
osingcl
i
ent
sver
yfast
andt
her
eisnostoppi
ngi
t.”
Me:“Getholdofall
theadmini
str
ator
s.We
shal
lgetdowntoloadsofbusi
nesswhenIget
back.Iwantt
hei
rcontr
act
srevi
ewed.Ai
n’
t
nobodywalki
ngoutofher
e”It
urnedandwal
ked
out.
Iwentt othepar
kinglotandNingi
wasal r
eady
wait
ingf ormebyt hecarIr
ushedt
ot hecar
openingit.Shej
umpedi nbangi
ngthedoorI
chuckledgoingi
n.

Ni
ngi
:“Youcouldhavewarnedmebef
oregoi
ng
t
ogetaquicki
ewithQini
so”
Me:“Ohshutup.Ineedhi
mi nsi
deme”we
l
ookedateachotherandl
aughedoutl
oud.
Ni
ngi
:“Youar
enast
y”
Me:
“Don’
tIknowi
t”

Therestofthedrivewasfil
l
edwithchat
sand
l
aughter.Wegott oGatewayandwewere
runni
ngt oBel
uga.Wegott her
eandfounddad
l
ookingpissed.Iki
ssedhischeekandhewiped
i
t.
Ni
ngi:“Maphol obawear esorryt
hatwearel
ate,
wewer ejustdealingwi
thanissue.Sor
ry
Mashiyamahl e”anddadsmiled.Morel
ike
bl
ushediy oooh!
Me:
“Hai
bobaba”hechuckl
edshaki
nghi
shead.
Dad:
“Ial
readyor
der
edf
ory
ou”
Me:“Thanksdad.Whathappenedaf
tery
ou
hunguponme? ”
Dad:
“Whenwast
hat
?”Igav
ehi
mtheduuh
l
ook.
Me:“Okaywhatdi
dyoudoaboutt
heMi
ke
i
ssue?
”
Dad:“It
ookcar
eofit
”hisf
acechangedfora
secondi
twasfi
ll
edwit
hrageanddarkness.
Me:
“Dad?
”
Dad:“Eat
”ikeptqui
etbecausei
knownott
o
quest
ionmyfather
..
.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t4
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Wehadl unchwithdadbutNingididmostofthe
tal
ki
ngsi ncetheprojectwasherbabytoget
her
wit
ht hedesigns.Icompletel
yzonedoutof
conversati
onuntilif
eltsomeoneplaceahand
ontopofmi ne,
itwasdad.

Dad:
“You’
reokaybaby
?”i
nodded.
Me: “Yesi
’
m okay
.Justworr
iedaboutwork,
the
amountofbusi
nessthati
am losi
ngbecauseof
Mike.”
Dad:
“Hewon’
tbot
hery
ouagai
n.”
Me:
“Dad?
?”

Dad:
“What
?Youcal
l
edmecr
yingandhewas
responsibleforthatsoihadt
osor thim out
”i
l
ookedacr ossthetabl
eandNingiseemed
fri
ghtenedabi tbecausedadisnotonet oshout
buthej ustshoutedalit
tl
etooloudbecause
peoplewer elookingatusatt
hisrestaurant
.

Me: “Dadfi
ne.Sor
tever
ythi
ngoutwi
th
vi
olence”i
stoodupandkissedhi
scheek.
Dad:“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngNt
omb’
Zekhet
hel
o
Ngcobo?
”
Me: “I
’
m goingtoworkdad.YoucomingNi
ngi
?”
iaskedbecauseshewasstil
lseat
ed.
Dad:“I
ncaseyoudidn’
tknowornoti
ceisthat
t
hisi
sabusinessmeetingsoNi
ngiwil
lj
oinyou
whensheisdone.
”Ningist
oodup.

Ni
ngi:“We’v
ediscussedever
ythi
ngther
eis.I
wi
llemail
yoursecret
aryt
hechanges”
Dad:
“Okaynopr
obl
em”hest
andsupt
ohug
andki
ssmyf
oreheadshaki
ngNi
ngi
’
shand.
Wewal
kedoutl
eav
inghi
mtoset
tl
ethebi
l
l.
Ni
ngi
:“Gi
rly
ourdadi
shot
!”

Me:“Mymom i
sst
il
lal
i
veandv
erymuchi
n
l
ovewit
hhi
m”
Ni
ngi
:"Iwasj
ustsay
ingf
ri
end"
WewentgoWool wlr
thsandboughtsome
goodiesbecausewehadal ongdaytopr
epar
e
for.Aft
erthatwewentbacktowork,ont
heway
Ningireci
evedaphonecall
.
Ni
ngi
:"Sazi
"
Cal
l
er:
"..
..
..
"
Ni
ngi
:"Iam onmywayt
otheof
fi
ce.
"
Cal
l
er:
"..
..
."

Ni
ngi
:“Yesi
spoket
oherandwear
eonour
wayback.Shewi
l
lbeat
tendi
ngt
oni
ght
”
Shespokesomemor
eandhungup.
Ningi
:“Thatwasmybr
otherSazi
.Hewas
confi
rmingtoni
ght
”
Me:“What’
shappeni
ngt
oni
ght
?”j
ustwant
edt
o
messwit
hher.
Ningi
:“Zeee!Theprogr
am fort
heki
ds.Theone
Saziwantsyoutohelpwit
h.Theonei
n..
..
”
Me: “Okayokay
.Igeti
t.Iwasj
ustmessi
ngwi
th
you.Ofcoursei
’l
lcome”

Ningi
:“Thanky
ouf
ri
endandpl
easebr
ingaf
at
paycheck”
Me: “Youwish”welaughed.Wearr
ivedatthe
of
ficeandwewentoutsepar at
eway s.5
minuteslat
erQini
socameknockingandi t
old
hi
mt ocomein.
Que:
“Bossl
adyi
hav
ethet
eam r
eady
,meetat
t
heboar
droom?
”
Me:
“No.Br
ingt
hem i
nher
e”

Igatheredt hi
ngsthatiwouldneedandwentto
takeaseatont hecouchtakingof
fmyshoes.I
putmyf eetundermybum, makingmyself
comf ort
able.Theyallgoti
n,itwas5peopl
e
i
ncludingQi ni
so.
Me:“Pl
easedocomeinandgetcomf
ort
abl
e.”I
coul
dseethatt
heywer
enerv
ous.
Me: “Come.Idon’tbit
e”theylaughedand
camei n.Oneguysayont hecarpetandhi
s
backont hecouchiwassi t
ti
ngont aki
ngoffhi
s
blazer
.Thegirlt
ookofhershoesandsatjust
l
ikeme.Theot herstookchair
sandsat.

Me:“Quepleasegetusdr
inks.I
’
llhav
ecof
fee
pl
ease.Bi
ggestcup”
Ther
estofguy
sal
sot
oldQuewhatt
heywant
andhekeptpr omi si
ngtof i
ret hem ashei sthe
bossandt heyaremaki nghi m anerrandboy .
Hewentoutt oor derandi justrepli
edonsome
emails.Theoffi
cewasawf ullyquiet.Il
i
fterup
myheadandl ookedatt heseguy s.Theywer e
al
llookingatme.
Me:
“What
?”
Guyont
hefl
oor
:“We’rej
ustwai
ti
ngf
ory
out
o
t
ell
uswher
etostar
t”
Me:“Waiti
ngforQuet
ocomebackwi
thour
dri
nksbuti
nthemeanti
medot
ellmeyour
names.”
Guy1:
“Li
ndani
”inodded.
Guy2:
“Ml
ondi
”
Gi
rl1:
“Nont
okozo”
Gi
rl2:
“Mi
nenhl
e”

Me:
“Ni
cet
omeety
ou.Mi
nai
’
m..
.”t
heybr
oke
outi
nlaught
er,
justwhatiwanted.Iwasn’
t
aboutt
o wor kwithsti
ffpeopl
e.Quegotinas
wewerelaughi
ng.
Que:
“Shar
ethej
oke”
Me:“Boss,
chi
l
l”igav
ehimthehandandthey
l
aughedsomemore.Quesaydownandhanded
meastackoff
il
es.
Me:
“Thesear
ethepeopl
ewel
ost
?”henodded.
Que:
“Shoul
digethol
dofourl
egal
team?
”
Me:“Notyet
.Let
’sseeifwecangetthi
sdone
onourown.I
fnotthenwewil
lcal
lthem okay
?”
Minni
e:“Goodt
hinki
ngboss.
”Il
ookedather
andsmiled.

Wet henstart
edtowor k.Eachper sonwas
fi
xingandtryi
ngtododamagecont rol
.Isaw
thedooropenandNi ngi gotinj
oiningus.She
satont heoneseat
erandal sost
ar t
edtowork.
Aftersomet i
metheylookedupsi ghing.
Me:
“Don’
tev
ensayi
t”
Mlondi
:“Act
uallyiwasabouttosaythatwe
coul
dforcet
hem tocomebackort heyface
mil
li
onsofchargespluspayusthemoneythat
wasagreedupon”
Me:“Nono.Iam let
tingthem gobutt
heyhave
topay”il
ookedatNingismil
ingandshe
nodded.Sheknewthatiwasupt osomethi
ng.

Que:“Ar
eyououti
fyourf
ucki
nmind?
”Nel
l
y
goti
n;weal
ltur
nedtol
ookather
.
Nel
l
y:“Mi
ssNgcoboy
our15h00wi
thMrLi
onel
”
Me:
“Cancel
pleaseandf
ithi
min8h30
t
omorr
ow”
Nel
ly:
“Yesmam”shelef
tandcl
osedt
hedoor
.I
t
urnedtol
ookatQue.
Me:
“Youwer
esay
ing?
”hel
ookedatme
f
uming.
Me:“Pleaseexcuseus.Wear
edonef
ortoday
”
wesaidgoodbyeandleft
.Wewer
enowleft
wi
thQueandNi ngi.
Que:
“Whywoul
dyoul
etgooft
hosecl
i
ent
s”
Me:
“Iwantt
orui
nthem”
Que:
“But
..
”

Ningi
:“Gi
vei
tupQini
so.Letthebossdoherj
ob.
Sheknowswhatshe’
sdoing”
Que: “Whenthingsgowrong,don’
tcome
runni
ngt ome”heat t
emptedtoleav
ebuti
commandedhi mtostop.Iwal
kedtohim.Iwas
real
lypissed.
Me: “Thisismycompany .Thedecisi
onsimake
willbenefi
tus.Ify
ouhaveapr obl
em withthat
pleaseleave.Isur
eashellwil
lnotmissyoubut
rememberonet hi
ng,
don’
ty oueverdisr
espect
mel ikethat
.Youhearme? ”henodded.I
openedt hedoorandpushedhi m out
.It
urned
andl
ookedatNi
ngj
andwel
aughed.

Ni
ngi
:“Ohgi
rly
ouar
esoghet
to”
Me:
“Shutupwench!
”wegi
ggl
ed.
Ningi
:“Lookattheti
me.Ihavetogohomeand
helpoutaf
tert
hatineedtochange”
Me:“Okaybabe,
iwil
lseeyoutomor
row”she
gav
emeabor edlookil
aughed.
Ni
ngi
:“Don’
tbor
emepl
ease”

Me:
“Cani
comedr
essedi
njeansandchucks?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Any
thi
nggoesbabe.By
e”
Me: “Later
”shewalkedoutofmyof fi
ceclosi
ng
i
t.Isatdownandt houghtofcancel
l
ingbuti
thoughtthatshewouldneedmesoi wil
lgo.I
gatheredmyt hi
ngsandheadedhome.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t5
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Ittookforevertogethomebutassoonasi
parkedmycarEmi hl
ecamerunni
ng.Jeezthi
s
child;
ialwayst el
lhim.Hecameandopenedt he
passengersi de,hegavemethati
nnocentsmile
ijustmelted.
Emi
hle:
“Heymommy
”het
hrewhi
msel
fatme.
Me:“Heybaby.Howwasschool
?”i
asked
huggi
nghi
mt i
ghtl
y.
Emihl
e:“Mooom!Youar
ehol
dingmet
oo
ti
ghtl
y”

Me:“Sor
rybabyyouj ustsmel
lsogood”i
i
nhal
edandhewi ggledhiswayoutofmyarms.
Hesatonachairlookingatme.
Emi
hle:
“It
’sour“
Wonder
ful
dad”dayonFr
iday
andme.
..
”het
rai
l
edof
flooki
ngsad.
Me:
“Youwi
l
lgowi
thGr
andpa”
Emihl
e:“Iwantt
ogowi
thdad,
wher
eismy
dad?”
Me:“It
oldy
outhathewenttoapl
acef
araway
.
Onedayhewil
lcomeback”

Emihle:
“Whydoesn’
thelovememommy
?”i
fel
ttear
sthr
eat
eni
ngtofall
.
Me:
“Mommyl
ovesy
ousomuchmor
e”
Emihle:“Il
oveyout
oomommy .Don’tcry
,i
won’ttal
kaboutmydadeveragainjustdon’
t
cry
”hesai dwipi
ngmytear
sandki ssi
ngmy
nosei smil
ed.
Me:“Il
ovey out
oobaby
.Nowrunalong,
i’
ll
comeinjustnowandNORunni
ng”

Henoddedandj
umpedoutt
hecarr
unni
ngi
nto
thehouse.Isighed.Iputmyheadonmy
steeri
ng.Iletthetear
sfall
.Ir
eall
ywant edmy
sont ogrowupknowi nghisfatherbutmom
madei tclearthathehateshi
m heev enwentas
farasgoi ngtocourtandmademesi gnthati
willnevertel
lEmihleabouthi
m.

Iwouldof t
enseehi m atmallsbuthewoul
djust
pret
endasi fhedoesn’ tknowme.Heisso
heart
less.Ithoughtthatifhesawhesonhe
wouldchangehi smindbuthej ustwal
kedpass
usli
keheai n’tknowus.

Iwasdist
urbedbyaknockonthewi ndowand
mom waslookingatmewitheyesfullofpi
ty.
Sheopenedthedoorandij
ustfel
li
nherar ms.
Nowmom i soneofthoset
all
ladi
esandshe
j
ustengul
fedmei nati
ghtwarm mot her
lyhug.
Mom:“Shhh,
it’
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine”sher
ubbed
myback.
Me: “Hewantstoseehi
m mom.Whatam i
goingtotel
lmyson?Howam igoi
ngt
otell
him
thathi
sfatherhat
eshi
m?”
Mom: “Godwill
makeawaymybaby ,
nowst
op
cr
ying.Youar
ebr eaki
ngmyhear
t”

Dad:“Andi r
eal
lydon’
tli
kemywi f
e’shear
t
br
eakingandmybabygi r
lcryi
ng.I
t’
sokaymy
l
ove.Iwil
ltakei
tfr
om here”
Mom:“I’
l
lbeinsi
de.I’
l
lfi
xyouani
cewar
m bat
h
andmakesoupforyouokay?
”
Me:
“Chi
ckensoup?
”

Mom:“Nodoubt
”sheki
ssedmychi
nand
wal
kedi
nsi
de.
Dad:
“What
’swr
ongpumpki
n?”
Me:
“Daaaad”hechuckl
ed.
Dad:
“You’
renol
ongermypumpki
n?”
Me:“Iam”isai
dhidi
ngmyfaceinhi
schesthe
l
aughedandhiswhol
ebodyshook.
Dad:
“nowt
ell
dadwhat
’swr
ong?
”

Me: “It’
sEmi hledad.Hewant safat
herand
Mikehat eshim.He’ ssoy oungy
ethe
under st
andst hathehasamom andnota
fat
herdad.Mysoni shurti
ngandther
eis
nothingi cando”i sobbed.

Dad:“NowNow, hushnowpumpki n.It

’snot
yourf
aultt
hatgoodfornothi
ngSOBdoesn’ t
wanttheboybutyouhavebeensinglefortoo
l
ongthatIam al
sostart
ingtowonder”ipulled
awaylooki
ngathim weir
dlyandhehadt hi
s
amusedlookonhisface.
Iwasverypi
ssedthatit
ookmybagfrom my
carandbegantowalkaway.Hel
aughed.
Dad: “Baby,iwasjustmessingwit
h
you..
pumpki n.
..
nono”hekeptshouti
ngand
l
aughi ng.Igoti
nsi
det hehouseandheaded
strai
ghttomybedr oom.Istri
ppedandwentto
takemyl ongbath.

Imusthav ef
all
enasleepbecauseiwokeupto
Emihlerubbi
ngmyboob.Hedoest hatalot
.I
openedmyey esandlookedathim.Heseemed
sofocusedatwhathewasdoi ngial
most
l
aughed.Hewasal sotal
kingtohi
mself.

Emihle:
“Ipromi
setotakecar
eofyoumommy
becauseil
oveyou.
”Hekissedmybooband
sl
appedmycheekal i
tt
le.
Me:
‘Mmmmm”
Emi
hle:
‘Wakeup,
thewat
eri
scol
d.”
Me: “Okay.I
’l
lbeoutjustnow”hewal kedout
ski
ppingandi gotouttodrymybody .Drai
ned
thewater,washedthetubandwalkedout .I
wentpasttheclosetandwor emypjs.Iwentto
mybedr oom,checkedthetimeanditwas
17h48.Iam goingtotakea2hournapbef or
e
goingtoNingi’
splace.

Mom goti
nwi
thmysoupandEmi
hler
ight
behi
ndher
.
Mom:
“You’
resl
eepi
ngal
ready
?”
Me:
“Justgoi
ngt
otakeanap,
ihav
eanev
ent
t
oni
ght
”
Mom:
“Thanky
oul
ord”i
rol
l
edmyey
es.

Igoti
nbedandmysoncamet
obedaswell.He
cuddl
ednextt
ome.It
ookmysoupf
rom mom
andbegantoeat
.
Me:“It
’ssomesortofchar
it
yevent
.Ni
ngi
and
herbr
otherar
ehosti
ngatherpl
ace”
Mom:
“Wel
lihopey
ouf
ind.
..
”

Me:“Mom pleasestopital
ready
.Giveupon
t
his“f
indaman”st ory
.Idon’twantorneeda
manbecause..
.”
Mom:“Youhav
edildosandvi
brat
ors.Iknow”
sheal
sorol
l
edhereyes.Myj
awdropped.
Mom: “Cl
oseyourmout
handeat.
”If
ini
shed
eat
ingandgav
emom herdish.
Emihl
e:“Iam goi
ngtodomyhomewor kand
bat
h.Iwil
lseeyoulat
er”heki
ssedmycheek
andranout.
Me:
“NORUNNI
NG”i
yel
l
ed.

Emi
hle:
“Sor
ry.
”Hey
ell
edbackmom l
aughed.
Mom l
eftandi
tookmynap.Iwaswokenupby
myr
ingi
ngphone.
Me:
“Mmmmm”
Ni
ngi
:“Bi
tchdon’
ttel
lmey
ou’
resl
eepi
ng”
Me:
“What
’st
het
ime?
”

Ningi
:“19h30.Gety ourassher e”shehungup.I
satupandsi ghed.Iwenttof reshenupand
choseanout fi
t.Iopt
edf orblackleat
her
j
eggings,awhi teshi
rtandmywhi teheel
sneakers.Idi
dmyey ebrowsandwentoutmy
room tothelounge.Mypar entsandEmi hl
e
weretherewat chi
ngt henews.
Mom:
“Looki
ngsexy
..
”

Me:
“Mom.
.”
Mom:
“Whaaat
,youl
ookbeaut
if
ul”
Me:
“Thanky
oumom”
Emi
hlecameandst
oodi
nfr
ontofme.
Emi
hle:
“You’
rebeaut
if
ulmommy
”

Me:“Thanky
oubaby.Gr
andmawi
l
ltucky
oui
n
okay
?Ihavetogot
owork”
Emihl
e:“Okay
”hehuggedmyl
egsandhewent
tosi
tbackdown.
Me:
“I’
l
lbebacksoon”
Dad:“Youcanev encomebackt
omor
row
and.
..
”ijustt
ookmycarkeysandwal
kedout
.I
l
eftt
hem laughi
ng.

IgotinmyPor scheCayenneanddroveout.I
gottoDurbanNor thi
nrecordt
imeanditwas
packed,noparkingatal
lbutimanagedto
squeezemy sel
fin.
Imademywayi
nsi
debuti
bumpedi
nto
someone.
Per
son:
“Wat
chi
tDur
banBi
tch”
Me:
“Excuseme?
”
Per
son:
“You’
reexcusednowmov
eal
ong”
Il
ift
ermyheadupandwasmetbyt hese
wonder f
ulsexygreyeyesonatalldarkbr
oad
shoulderedhandsomeguybuti quickl
ystopped
drooli
ngbecausei wassoannoy edbythi
s
personwhocal l
edmeabi tch.
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoucal
lme?
”

Person:
“Abitch.ADurban..
.”ididn’
tev enwai
t
forhi
mt of
ini
shbecausei kneedhi m and
walkedi
nsi
deleavinghi
mt onur sehissack.
Il
ookedf
orNingi
andlucki
lyif
oundheri
nher
bedr
oom maki
ngoutwithsomeguy.
Me:“Eeewstop”shegotof
ftheguyscr
eami
ng,
shecametohugme.
Ni
ngi
:“Whendi
dyougether
e?”
Me: “Justnowi
..
.”befor
ei coul
danswerthe
rudeguycameinbr eat
hingheavi
lyl
ooki
ng
pissed.
Ningi
:“Whathappenedt
oyou?
”Sheaskedt
he
guyandial
solookedathi
m.
Guy:“Somebi
tchki
ckedmybal
l
s”Ni
ngi
just
l
aughedoutl
oud.

Guy:“Andbi
tchknowsbet
tert
hant
oki
ckmy
bal
l
s”helookedsoscar
ynow.
Ningi
:“Yeahwell
,enoughaboutthat.
Zekhet
helothi
smybr otherSazi
.Sazi
thi
sismy
fr
iendandbossZekhethelo”
Sazi
andZekhet
hel
o:“WHAT?
??”
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t6

Zekhet
hel
o
Aft
erthati
ntr
oduct
ionrudeguyandIj ust
l
ookedateachother,
hel ookedsoangrybutI
j
ustdi
dn’tcar
e.Helookedatmeagai n,cl
icked
hi
stonguebefor
ewal ki
ngout .

Ningi
:“Whatj
usthappened?
”Ipul
ledherbyher
handleadi
ngtotheki
tcheni
gnori
ngher.
Me:
“Iam superhungr
y,what
’sgoodt
oeat
?”

Ni
ngi
:“Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?”
Me:“Sur
pri
semebutIwantsomethi
ngf i
ll
ing”
shenoddedanddi
sappear
edint
hekitchen.

Alotofpeopl
eseemedt obeenjoyingtheparty
f
rom outsi
debecausetherewerefewpeopl e
i
nsidethehouse.Iwentt
ot hedi
ningroom
whichseemeddesertedandIsatthere.It
ook
outmyphi
neandcal
l
edmom.

Mom:
“Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Me:
“Real
l
ymom?
”

Mom:
“Shoul
dn’
tyoubesoci
ali
sing?
”
Me:
“Ij
ustcal
ltot
ell
yout
hatIar
ri
vedsaf
e”

Mom: “Ohokay,nowgopart
yandgetdrunk”
shedidn’
tevenwaitf
ormetoanswerbecause
shejusthungup.Momentsl
aterNi
ngicamein
wit
hapl atewi
thgoodi
esandaglassofwater.

Me:“Thanksbabe.Doyoust
il
lhav
emy
ov
ernightbaghere?
’’
Ningi
:‘
’Wherewouldi
tgo?’
’sheaskedsi
tt
ing
downjoini
ngmef orf
ood.
Me:‘’
I’
mj ustt
hinki
ngofsl
eepi
ngov
ery
ou
know..
’’
Ni
ngi
:“Whi
chcarar
eyoudr
ivi
ng?
’’

Me:
‘’
ThePor
sche”
Ni
ngi
:‘
Givemet
hekey
s.I
’
llaskSazi
topar
kiti
n
t
hegarage’
’

Me:
‘’
Onsecondt
hought
sI’
l
ljustdr
ivehome’
’
Ni
ngi:‘
’
whathappenedbet
weeny
ouandmy
br
other
’’

Me:“
He…”Iwasint
errupt
edbythedevi
lhi
mself
.
Hecal
ledNi
ngi
andt heywal
kedouttoget
her
.
Isatal
oneeati
ngmyfood.Thi
snicel
ooki
ng
gentl
emancameandsatopposit
emychair,
he
j
ustlookedatmeandsmil
edhelpi
nghimsel
fto
myfood.IkeptquietbecauseIwasst
il
lpi
ssed
ov
erthi
sSazi sagasoIj ustmi
ndedmysel
f.

Guy
:“y
ouar
ebeaut
if
ul’
’
Me: ‘
’
Youarerandom”helaughedoutl
oud
thr
owingbackhishead.Helookedcut
eshame
wit
hanicesmi l
ebutascuteashewashehad
nothi
ngonSazi.

Guy:“
ThandoMav
undl
a’
’hest
uckouthi
shand
andIshooki
t.
Me:
“Nicet
omeetyou”Icont
inuedt
oeatmy
f
oodandhechuckl
ed.

Me:
“what
?’’
Thando:“Ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lmey
our
name?’’
Me:
‘’
Wel
lyoudi
dn’
task”
Thando:“
Wel
lsomeonetell
syouthei
rname;
youshoul
dal
sotel
lthem y
ourname”

Me:
“Isi
t?Wher
eist
hatwr
it
ten?
’’
Helaughedpul
l
ingouthi
sphoneandmadea
phonecall
.
Thando:“Pl
easecomet othelounge”hehung
upafter
wards.Ij
ustkeptquietbecauseIreal
l
y
wasn’ti
nthemoodt otal
kt othi
sguy .Ni
ngi
walkedin.

Ni
ngi
:‘
’Cousi
n’
’sheaddr
essedt
hisThandoguy
.
Thando:“
Yourf
ri
endi
supt
ightasf
uck,
thi
nks
shefar
tshol
yair
”

Me:
“excuseme?
’’
Ni
ngi
:“Hai
boThando,
what
’sy
ourpr
obl
em
dude?
’’

Thando:‘
’Iam t
ryi
ngtomakeconversat
ionwit
h
herbutsheseemst obeall
pri
m andproper
.I
don’
tknowwhatherpr obl
em i
s.Shedoesn’
t
evenwantt ogi
vemehername.”

Me:“ohmyGoodness,Iseem t
obeat
tract
ing
j
erkstoni
ght
.Excuseme”
Istoodupandmademywayout sideandwhen
Igottherethecrowdhadgot tenbigger.Isaw
someonedr iv
inginmycari nthegar ageandI
real
i
sedt hatNingitookmykey sandgav ethem
toherbrother.Ist
oodbyt hedoorandIwas
observi
ng.Gi rl
sinbarel
ytherecl
ot hingand
guysalloverthem.

Ij
ustf
eltoutofpl
acethatwhenIsawthe
gar
agedoorcloseIwentbacki
nthehouseand
wentint heguestbedr oom t hatInor mallyuse.I
tookoffmyshoesandwentoutl ookingfor
somethingt osleepi n.Ni ngi andhercousi n
werest i
l
l argui
ngi nthedi ningar easoIwent
i
ntoanot herbedr oom butIi mmedi atel
y
regr
ettedi tbecauseSazi wasst andinginthe
middleoft heroom shi r
tless.Idi dn’tevenlook
anywhereel sebecausemyey estrail
eddownt o
histor
soandt hevl eadingdownt o..

Iwasi
nter
rupt
edbecausehecl earedhi
sthr
oat
.
IwassoembarrassedbutIdecidedtol
ookat
hi
mintheeye.
Sazi
:“Done?
’’

Me:
“Donewi
thwhat
?”
Sazi
:“Doneogl
i
ngme?
’
Me:“Ohpl
ease,getovery
our
sel
f.Ij
ustcameto
getmycarkeysIneedmybaginsi
dethecar
’’
Sazi
:“I
’
m noval
etboy
,Idon’
tknowwher
eyour
carkey
sare’
’
Me:
“Youdi
dn’
thav
etober
ude”

Iwal
kedt
othebedandt
ookmykey
sbuthe
hel
dmyhandti
ght
ly.
Sazi
:“Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
’’hegr
it
ted
thr
oughhist
eet
h.

Me: “
Youar ehurti
ngme, l
etgo’
’Ipulledoutof
hisgr i
p.Il
ookedatmyhandandmywr i
stwas
turninggreen.Islappedhi
m wit
ht hathandand
wal kedoutoft heroom wi
thhim closebehind
me.Hecaughtupwi t
hmeandher oughly
turnedmear ound.

Sazi
:“Don’
tyouev
erputy
ourhandsonme,
ever
agai
n.Ar
ewecl
ear
?’’
Me:
“Getyourf
ucki
nhandsoffme”hegr
ipped
meti
ght
erandIfel
ttear
sthr
eat
eni
ngmyey es.

Sazi:“
areweclear
?’’
Inoddedandtear
sr ol
l
ed
downmyf ace.Heletgoofmyarmsand
walkedaway.Ningiappear
edandsawme
cryi
ngsherushedtomeandpul l
edmei nher
arms.

Ningi
:“whathappened?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
’’
sheaskedrubbingmyback.
Me:“Iwannagohome”sheletgoandhel
dmy
hands,Iwi
ncedandshel
ookedatmywr i
sts.
Hereyeswidened.
Ni
ngi
:“Whathappenedt
oyourhand?Whodi
d
t
hist
oyou?’
’
Me: “Noone.Ij
ustwanttogohome.Please”I
whisper
edthelastpar
tandtear
sjustf
ellnon-
st
op.
Iwasn’tcryi
ngbecausei thurtIwascryi
ng
becausethisguyt ookmebackt ot heMikeer
a.
Ningij
ustpul l
edmet otheguest r
oom andput
met obedt here.Shecuddl edwithmehushing
met osleep,shewasr ubbingmyheadsoni cel
y
thatIf
ellasleepafterthat.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t7

Zekhet
hel
o

Iwokeupear lythenextdayandIhada
poundingheadache.Icheckedtheti
meandi t
wasonl y5h15.Igotupandmadet hebedafter
thatImademywayi ntothebathr
oom, t
ooka
niceshooti
ngshowert ocalm mynervesand
theheadache.Af t
ert
hatIwentbackloti
oned
andputonmywhit
elacepant
iest
hatdi
d
wondersf
ormybutt
.

Shor tdescri
ptionofme.Iam medi um hei
ght
,
bloodyy el
lowbonev eryclearsmoothskinand
“beautif
ul”becauseev er
yonethatImeetsays
that.Ihavepinkl i
psandabeaut yspotonthe
sideofmychi n.Iam asize34andblessedwith
abigbootandv er
ybigboobsbutnotsaggy .

SoIwor ethepanti
esandabi gwhitetowel ,
aft
erthatIwal kedoutandwentt othekitchen.
Thehousewasdi rt
yandt herewer epeopl eall
overthehouse, somesl eepingandsome
l
eaving.Ijustwantedor angej ui
cesoIwentt o
thekitchenandgotmy selfthejuice.Thehouse
wasv erydirt
y;Iwalkedout sidejusttoseet he
sunrise.Istoodoutsidedr i
nkingmyj uice.
Ifeltsomeonel ooki
ngatmeandwhenIt ur
ned
aroundi twasSazi ,hewasshi r
tlessy etagai n.I
quicklyturnedbackar oundandj ustmi ndedmy
business.Ist oodforanother10mi nutesand
wentbacki nsidethehouse.IfoundSazi ,hi
s
cousinThandoandsomegi rl
sint heki tchen.
Theot hergirlwasal l
overSazi Ijustrinsedmy
gl
assandwal kedoutthekitchen, Ihear d
l
aught erafterIleft
.

Iwalkedtot heguest room andIpushedthe

doornotlocki ngi
t,Ilookedforsomet hi
ngt o
wearanddr essedinmyol i
vecot
tonbody
huggingdr esswithnudepl atf
orm shoes.Idid
myey ebrowsandt hedooropened.I ncame
Saziwithoutknocking.Hej ustst
oodbyt he
doorlookingatme; Ifini
sheddoi
ngmyshi tand
packedmybag.

Sazi
:“Br
eakf
asti
sready
”InoddedandIt
ook
myphonemaki
ngaphonecal
landhewal
ked
out
.
Mom:
“Baby
”

Me:“
Mor ni
ngmom”Isuddenl
ybecame
emot
ional.
Mom:
“Whathappened?
’’

Me:
“Emi
hlegonet
oschool
alr
eady
?’’
Mom:“Yesheisgone.Tel
lmewhati
s
bot
her
ingyou?
’’

Me:“Nothing,Iwil
lseeyouwhenIgethome”I
hungup,tookmybagandwal kedoutcl osing
thedoorbehindme.Iwentt oNingi’sbedroom
andknockedbutshedi dn’
tanswer .Iwentin
andshewasn’ tther
esoIfigur
edt hatshei si
n
theki
tchen.WhenIgott otheki
tchennoone
wast heresoIwentout si
deandfound2mor e
guyst hatIdi
dn’
tknowandsomegi r
lwitht
he
restofthepeoplethatIsawinthekit
chenthi
s
mor ni
ng.Ni ngi
sawme; shesmil
edandcame
tomegi vi
ngmeahug.

Ni
ngi
:“Mor
ning,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ngsoear
ly?
’
Me:
“Ear
lyst
art
,Iam goi
ngt
otheof
fi
ce”
Ni
ngi
:“Joi
nusf
orbr
eakf
ast
”
Me:
“Not
hanksIshoul
dgetgoi
ng”

Ni
ngi:
“Youar
eamorningandbr
eakfastper
son,
si
ncewhendoyout
urndownbreakf
ast”
Me: “I
’
mj ustnotfeel
ingwel l.Ihavetogo”I
kissedhercheekandwal kedt omycarbecause
thegaragewasopened, Iplacedmybagsi nsi
de
andwhenIt urnedaroundIcol l
idedwit
hSaziI
almostscream.Hehel dt hehandt hathehurt
meonandhi sjawt i
ghtened.
Sazi
:“Comehav
ebr
eakf
ast
”
Me: “Iam nothungr y”Ipulledmyhandf r
om his
andgoti nmycar .Hel ookedreal
lypi
ssed,I
didn’tcar
e.Ijustwant edt ogetoutofthi
splace.
Ireversedandt urned.WhenIl ookedonmy
mi r
rorhewasst i
l
l st
andi nginthegar
age
l
ooki ngatmycar .Idr oveoutandmycarphone
rang, i
twasNi ngi
.

Ni
ngi
:“WhathappenedZee”
Me:
“We’
l
ltal
kwheny
ougeti
n”
Ni
ngi
:“i
sitmybr
other
?Whatdi
dhedot
oyou?
”

Me: “I
’mf i
ne,
li
keIsaidIam notf eel
ingwell”we
endedt hecal
landIdrovetowor k.Igotthere
andv eryfewpeoplewerethere.Iorderedmy
breakfastandstar
tedworking.Whenmy
breakfastcameIateli
keIhav en’
tateinal ong
ti
me.Ididn’
tevenr
eali
set
hatNi
ngi
was
standi
ngbythedoor.

Ningi
:“Whydon’tyouwantt
otel
lmewhat
happened?
’’Igotafri
ght
.
Me:
“Howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
andi
ngt
her
e?’
’

Ningi
: “
Clear
lysomethi
nghappenedlastni
ght
becausey ouranf
rom breakf
asty
ethereyou
arestuff
ingyourf
ace”
Me:“Igothungr
ywhenIgother
e”sher
aised
upherhandsinsur
render
.

Ni
ngi:
“Youknowwheret
ofi
ndmewhenyou
wantt
otal
k”sheat
tempt
edt
oleav
ebutI
st
oppedher
.
Me:
“It
’syourbr
other
,okay
?’’
shequi
ckl
ycl
osed
t
hedoorandcamet osi
t.
Ni
ngi
:“Whatdi
dhedo?
”

Me:
“I’
m scar
edofhi
m”
Ni
ngi
:“Whatdi
dhedo?
’’
Me:“Hei
stheonewhohur
tmywr
istl
astni
ght
and…”

Ningi
:“Saywhatnow?Sonofabi tch”shestood
upandIcalledaft
erherbutshewasl onggone.
Ipushedtheplat
easideandjustconti
nuedwith
work.

Ihadmyschedul edmeet i
ngwi t
hMRLi oneland
outofallmyempl oyeesandcolleagues,him
andNi ngiIt
rustthemost .Aft
erourmeet i
ngI
hadaconf erencecallwit
hsomeofour
i
nv est
orsandIl etthem i
nont heplant hatIwas
wor ki
ngon.Theyseemedr eall
yimpr essedwith
thewor kandthepr ofi
tsthatwemadei nthe
l
astquar
ter
,thatIwhatIdo.Imaket
hem l
oads
ofmoney.

Qini
sogotinwhileIwasonthecal
lbutitwas
towardstheendofthecal
landhesatdown.He
j
ustlookedsour.Iendedt
hecal
landlookedat
him.
Me:
“CanIhel
pyou?
’’

Qi
niso:
“Soyouarer
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
hroughwi
th
t
hismadness?
’’
Me:“I
fyounolongerwantt
oworkforme,t
here
i
sthedoor.Iam r
eal
lynoti
nthemoodforyour
bul
l
shit
.Whatdoy ouwant?
’’

Qi
niso:“Ij
ustcametoconfi
rmthedir
ector
s
meeti
ngonFr i
day,
Iwanttosendoutthe
memo.”
Me:
“Whatt
ime?
’
Qi
niso:
“12h00”

Me:“Booki t
”henoddedsourlyandwentout.I
t
wasafterlunchwhenIsawNi ngiandshe
l
ookedlikeshehadbeencrying.Iwenttoher
of
fi
ceandshewasbusywi thwor k.
Me:
“What
’swr
ong?
”

Ni
ngi
:“Iwentt
omypar
ent
’sgr
aves”
Me:“I
’
m sorr
ybabe, y
oushouldhav
et ol
dmeto
comewith”shejustcri
edandIpul
ledheri
nmy
armsconsol
ingher.

Me:“Shhhh…I’
m sosorry
”Ikepthushi
ngher
andconsoli
ngunti
lshewasokay.Therewasa
knockonthedoorandaguywi t
haboxf ul
lof
redandwhitef
lowers.
Guy
:“Mi
ssNgcobo”

Me:
“That
’sme”
Guy:“
Pleasesignher
e,thesearef
oryou”I
si
gnedandt ookthef
lowersreadi
ngt
hecard.
Thecar
dread“Iam sor
ry.Iwashopi
ngwe
coul
ddodinner
?S”

Whatt
hehel
li
sthi
sguypl
ayi
ngat
?
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t8
.
Sazi
.
Mynamei sSazi Ngonyama, iam 32y earsold
andmyonl yfami lyismysi st
erNingi.Our
parent
sdiedinat ragi
ccaraccident.Ilater
foundoutthatitwasapl anedhitwheni grew
upandt heguyt hatplanneditwasmyf ather
’s
bestfr
iend.Wetr
ustedhi
m wit
hev er
ythi
ngand
attheendofthedaywelostever
ythi
ng.
Ihadabeaut i
fulgir
lf
ri
end,Mandy .Wehadbeen
toget
hersincehighschool unti
lif
oundheri n
bedwithmycousi nThandol astyear
.That’s
wheni deci
dedtocomehome.Byt hewayi am
aselfmademi ll
ionair
e.IownaI Tbusiness.I
alsohaveaprojectthatiam runni
ngi am sure
youheardabouti t
,aprogram forboys.
Ihostedapar tylastnightwi thhopest hat
peoplewillcomebutaski ngmycousi nThando
toinvi
tepeoplewasabi gmi stakebecausehe
turnedi
tintoahousepar t
y .Wheni wentoutthe
houseafterthear gumentt hati hadwi thhi
mi
bumpedi ntothiswomanandwheni lookedat
hershewasabeaut i
fulgoddessbutt heni
remember edMandyandi cal l
edthiswomana
bit
.Heeet hischickkickedmybal lsandi onl
y
foundoutlaterthatshe’sNi ngi’sfr
iendand
boss.
Ij
ustwantherdonati
onandofcour seforherto
comearoundandbewi ththekids.Idon’treal
l
y
needt
hemoneyf orthesekids,icandoi tonmy
ownbutwhatineedispeopl ewhowi ll
come
hel
dandbuil
drelat
ionshipswit
ht hesekids.
Lastnightwasanepicf ai
lpl
usi endedup
hurti
ngherandwheni sawhercr ymyheartj
ust
broke.Idon’tev
enknowwhyi behavedli
kethat
.
Imeani hav emetalotofwomeni nmyli
febut
seeingher,seei
ngZekhethel
odr ovemecrazy.
Shel ooksandsmel lsnice, sexywithabeautif
ul
voiceandt heni hadt ogoandmessi tupbut
may bei t
’sforthebest .May beineedforusto
hateeachot herbecausei cannotdealwith
anotherhear tbreak.Ni ngi call
edmet hi
s
mor ningandshewascr azymad.Shehadnev er
i
nherl i
feraisedherv oiceatmebutt odayshe
didbecausei hur tZeket helo’swri
standarm.I
didseeherwr istt odayandi twaspurplegreen.
Icoul
dn’
tev
enapol
ogi
se.

Sowheni gottoworkidecidedtosend
Zekhet
helofl
owerstoapologiseandpossibl
y
gofordi
nner.Ihavebeenwai t
ingforhercal
l
thewholedaybutshenevercal l
edsoi j
ust
deci
dedtogot oherworkpl
ace.
If
ir
stgobutaboxofchocolateandi gothere.
Whenigott
heretherecept
ionistsaidthatthey
ar
einameetingwit
hmysi stersoi decidedto
wait
.
Idon’tevenwantar el
at i
onshi
pwi thher,i
just
wantt obecivilbecauseshemeansal ottomy
si
stersoi havet obeni ce.Aft
eranhourorsoi
wast oldthaticouldgoi t.Iwenttoheroffi
ce
andgoti nwithoutknocki ngsinceitwasopened.
Istoodbyt hedoorl ookingather,damnshe’ s
beautif
ulandshedi st
urbedmeogl i
ngherwhen
sheclearedhert hroat.
Zee:
“Cani
hel
pyouMrNgony
ama?
”ichuckl
ed.
Me:
“Iguessi
deser
vet
hat
.Icomei
npeace”
Zee:
“Whatcani
dof
ory
ou?
”
Me:“St
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nti
li
kei
t.Ineedy
our
hel
pwit
htheki
ds”
Zee:
“Okay
,any
thi
ngel
se?
”
Me:
“Huh?Youar
egoi
ngt
ohel
pme?
”
Zee:“That’
swhati
said.
”Shesai
dgoingback
toherreadi
ng,
iwasactual
l
yshocked.
Me:
“Why
?”

Zee:
“Theki
dsneedhel
pdon’
tthey
?”
Me:“Yesbutwhyar
eyouhel
pingmeaf
terl
ast
ni
ght?
”
Zee:
“Thosekidsdi
dnothi
ngwrong.Soift
here
i
snothi
ngelseiwoul
dli
ketogetbacktowork.
”
Me:
“Sonodi
nner
?”
Zee:
“Notnecessar
y”i
gotupandwal
kedout
buti
camebackandsatdown.Shej
ustl
ooked
me.
Me:
“Whyar
eyoubei
ngex
tra?
”
Zee:
“Excuseme?
”
Me:“Youarebei
ngextr
afornoreason.Iam
t
ryi
ngtobenicebuty
ou’r
ethrowi
ngthatback
t
omyf ace”
Zee:“Andhowar
eyoubei
ngnice?”shest
ood
upandwenttocl
oset
hedoor.Shecameand
satonthet
abl
eri
ghti
nfr
ontofme.
Me:
“Iof
fer
edt
otakey
out
odi
nner
”
Zee:
“Busi
nessdi
nnerr
ight
?”

Me:
“Yesabusi
nessdi
nnerandt
oapol
ogi
se”
Zee:“Youcanapol
ogisenowandwehav
e
al
readydi
scussedbusi
ness.
”
Me:“Ser
iousl
ythough,i
can’tandwon’
tbegyou.
I
fyoudon’twantdi
nnerfi
ne.Iwil
lemai
lyout
he
det
ail
soft
hepr
ogr
am,
goodby
eMi
ssNgcobo”
Zee:
“Ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
oapol
ogi
ze?
”
Me:
“Onl
yladi
esdeser
vesuch.Goodby
e”
Il
eftherof
fi
ceandwenttolookformysister
andfoundher
.Iknockedandshejustl
ookedat
me.
Me:“You’
resti
llnott
alki
ngtome?”iwentt
osi
t
att
hecornercouchandlookedather
.
Ni
ngi
:“Whaty
oudi
dhur
tme.
”
Me:“Howexact
lydi
dithur
tyoubecausei
did
not
hingt
oyou?”
Ningi:
“Ify
oucameher
etoo.
..
”Zekhet
hel
o
bursti
nherof
fi
cef
uming.
Zee:“Cany oubelieveyourstupidbrother?He
di
dn’tev enapologize,hewant edtodot hat
whenwehav edinnerbutitur
nedi tdownand
hethingshedoesn’ thavetoapologize.Who
doest hat?”
Ni
ngi
:“Zekhet
hel
oi.
..
”

Zee:
“He’scuteandshi
tbuthi
sat t
it
udemakes
hi
ml ookl
ikeamonster
.Ir
eall
ydespisepeople
whoactli
ketheowntheworl
di hatethatshi
t”
Ni
ngi
:“Zekhet
hel
ohe.
..
”
Zee:“Andhehasthefucki
nner
vet
ocallme
extr
a!”shet
hensatdownonachai
ropposi
te
Ningi
.
Me:“It
’sgoodtoknowhowy out
hinkabout
me”shelookedatmeshockedbutqui
ckly
r
ecovered.
Zee:“Yeswell
i’
m gl
adyouwer
eher
etohearal
thegoodthi
ngsabouty
ou”
Me:“MissNgcobogetof
fthathi
ghhor
seof
your
sand..
..
”

Zee:
“Whoaabackupbuddy
,you’
veknownme
for2secondsandyoualr
eadyseehowhighmy
horsei
s?GetoutofhereMrJokes”hehethi
s
womani srudebutsheil
i
kedit
.
Me:“Takeachil
lpi
l
lbabyandcal
lmewheny
ou
wantt
or el
easet
hetensi
on”
Zee:“Whattensi
on?
”igotcl
osert
oherand
rubbedherneck.
Me:“Sexualt
ensi
on”herfacechangedandi
sawthatshewant
edtoslapmey etagai
n
Zee:“Fuckyou”shesaidthatandwal
kedout
theoff
iceandilaughed.
Ohdear,i
thinkiam gonnalov
emakingher
angr
y.Shelookssexierwhenshei
sangry
.
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t9
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Igoti
nmyof
fi
ceandi
wasf
umi
ngbutaf
ter
somet imei chuckl
ed.Itf
eltgoodtoberat
tl
ed
again.Il
aughedoutl oudandNi ngi
goti
nmy
off
ice,shelookedatmewei r
dly.
Ni
ngi
:“What
’ssof
unny
?”
Me:
“It
syourbr
other
.Hei
sgood.Igi
vehi
m
t
hat
”
Ni
ngi:“Whatdi
dhedo?”sheaskedget
ti
ng
cl
oserandsatonachai
r.
Me:“
Hemakesmemad.Hemakesmesoo
madandi
tjustf
eltgood.
”
Ningi
:“Okayyouar
ebeingweir
d.Ij
ustcamet
o
checkonyou.Youwer
eprett
yupsetwhenyou
l
eftmyoffi
ce”

Me:“Youbrot
herwant
smet olosemycool
.I’
m
notgoi
ngtogi
vehimthesat
isf
acti
on.
”
Ni
ngi
:“What
’sf
orl
unch?
”
Me:
“Lunchi
sov
erhun”
Ni
ngi:“Welliam hungryandi
nev
erhavemy
l
unchwithoutyou”i t
ookmyphoneand
or
deredlunch.
Igotanemailf
rom Sazitel
li
ngmeaboutthe
progr
am onSatur
day .Hesaid“Youar
easexy
ti
nythi
ngbytheway ”igotsomadi want
edto
seeandstr
anglehi
m.
Ningi
:“Hai
bowhat
’swi
tht
hest
eam comi
ngout
ofyourear
s?”
Me:“I
t’
syourbr
other
.Hei
sget
ti
ngonmyl
ast
ner
ve”

Thedaywentbyquickl
yanditwast
imet
ogo
home.Igotr
eadytoleaveandi
ncameQi
niso.
Me:“Canwedot hi
stomor
rowQi
niso,
ihada
l
ongday.Iam t
ir
ed”
Que:“Isentoutt
hememoandi alsotol
dthe
di
rect
orstoopposet
hisbul
lyou’
retry
ingtodo
and.
..
”
Me:“Don’
tyoufucki
ndar
e!Don’
tyoudar
e
comeinhereandtel
lmehowtorunmy
busi
ness”
Que:
“Iam j
ustl
ooki
ngoutf
ort
hecompanyi
..
.”

Me:“Shutup.Shutup.Nowy ouaregoi
ngtogo
backtoyouroff
iceandt el
lthem youmadea
mistakeorsohelpmeGodi wil
lshowyou
fl
amesy ouwil
lwishy ouhadnev ermetme”i
shoutedandhest oodupbangi ngthedoor
.My
phonerangandi answered.

Me:
“What
?!”
Sazi:“Whooachil
l
.Youreal
l
yneedt
ocalm
down.Allt
hisangeri
snotgoodf
oryourbl
ood
pressur
e”
Me:“Ohi am sor
ryDrNgony
ama”i
sai
d
sar
cast
icall
y.
Sazi
:“Di
dyougetmyemai
l
?”
Me:
“Yesi
gotmyemai
landev
enr
epl
i
edt
oit
”
Sazi
:“Ohy
oudi
d.Imustcheck.
”

Me:“Soist
hereanyt
hingi
canhel
pyouwi
th?
”i
sai
dreal
l
yannoyed.
Sazi
: “You’r
ereal
l
ynotgoi
ngtogooutwi
thme
todinner.Imeanyou’
l
lpaysi
ncey
ouarer
oll
i
ng
idoughand. .
.”
Me:
“Goodni
ghtMrNgoy
ama”
Sazi
:“Sazi
,mynamei
sSazi
.”
Me:
“What
ever
”ihungupandhuf
fed.

Itookmybagandl ockedmyoffice.Iwentt
o
thepar
kingl
otandNi ngiwasgoneal r
eadysoi
gotint
hecaranddr oveawayrockingJCole.I
gothomeinrecordtimeandasusual myson
rantomycar.Igotoutandhethr ewhimsel
fat
me.
Emi
hle:
“Mommy
!”
Me:“Baby!
”ipi
ckedhi
m uppl
ant
ingki
ssesal
l
ov
erhi
sface.
Emi
hle:
“Imi
ssedy
oumommy
”

Me: “Imissedyoutoo”i wenti

nthehouseand
mypar entswerei
nt helounge.Mydad
whisperedsomethingtomom andshet ur
ned
cr
imsongi ggl
ing.
Me:
“Getar
oom”
Dad:
“Yeahwel
lthi
sisourhouse”

Me: “I
sit?Maybei
shoul
dconsidergett
inga
pl
aceofmyown”i sai
ddisappear
inginthe
passage.Themomentigottomyr oom my
parent
swer eonmyheel
.
Mom:“Youwanttoleav
eus
Nt
omb’Zekhet
hel
o?”
Me:
“Iwasj
oki
ngmom,
rel
ax”i
sai
dtaki
ngof
f
myfeet
.
Dad:
“It
’snotf
unny
.Yourj
okei
sver
yst
ale”

Me:
“Youguysneedtorel
ax”i
wentt
oseaton
t
hebedandbr
eathedoutcl
osi
ngmyeyes.
Mom:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Me:
“It
’swor
k.I
t’
sst
ressi
ngmeal
ot”
Mom:“Comebaby.Let
’sgogetmommyt
ea”
shet
ookhi
m andwentout.
Dad:
“Tal
ktome”

Me:“It
’sQi
niso.Heisgoingagai
nstmy
deci
si
onoflett
ingthepoachedcl
ient
sgo”
Dad:
“Whywoul
dyoul
ett
hem go?
”
Me:“Theyarest
il
li
ncont
ractandbyl
eav
ing
t
heywil
lbe..
..
”
Dad:
“Inbreachofcontr
actandyouwi
l
lsue
t
hem formil
li
onsmakingy oumor
emoney.
GENI
US!”dassaidchuckl
ing

Me:“That
’st
hei
deabutQi
nisoi
sget
ti
ngi
nthe
way
”
Dad:
“Iwi
l
lsor
thi
m out
”
Me:
“Butdad.
..
”
Dad:
“Iwi
l
lsor
thi
m out
”hesai
dget
ti
ngupand
pl
ant
edaki
ssonmycheek.
Iundr
essedandhitt
heshower.Igotbackt
omy
room andmyphonewasringi
ng.
Me:
“Hel
l
o..
.”i
sai
dbr
eat
less
Sazi
:“Whydoy
ousoundsobr
eat
hless?
”

Me:
“Dudewhatdoy
ouwant
?”
Sazi
:“Justchi
ll
wil
lyou.Tomor
rowmorning
ther
eisabreakf
astmeeti
ngatThePi
er.Be
t
her
eat09h00”hehungupaf
ter
war
ds.
Sonofabi
tch.
.
.
.

Sazi
.
Ij
ustlovedrattl
i
ngmissPosh.Gi
rl
slikeherpi
ss
meof f,
that’
swhyiwantedtoseehowshe
wouldbear oundki
dssoitol
dherthatineed
peopletocomebyandhelpout.Iwentoutfor
dri
nkswi t
hThandoandSashatDrosi n
Gateway.
Thando:
“Dudei’
m sur
eyourbeeri
shotnow”
hesaidi
ndi
cat
ingwit
hhiseyes.
Me:
“Idon’
twantt
ogetdr
unk.
”
Thando:
“Younev
ergetdr
unk.
”
Sash:
“He’
stooposh”andt
hel
aughed.Ij
ust
smi
l
edatt
hesef
ool
s.
Awai t
resscamet oourtabl
eandaskedifwe
werestil
lgood.Shewasgi v
ingmetheeyeandi
j
ustlookedatherv er
yboredshel
eftaf
ter
f
ail
ingtomakemenot i
ceher.
Thando:“Duuude,
sheastot
all
ychecki
ngy
ou
out.Li
kesheissoint
oyou”
Me:
“Noti
nter
est
ed”

Sash:“Lastni
ghtgi
rl
swer eal
lov
erhi
m buthe
di
dn’tevenhit
.Notevenonce”
Me:“Yeahwellidon’
twanty
ouguy
stoknow
whoiam fucki
ng”
Thando:
“Whynot
?”
Me:“Youf
orgot
?Imeany
ouf
uckedCandy
and.
..
”
Thando:
“Howmanyt
imesmusti
apol
ogi
ze?
”
Me:
“Ij
ustdon’
tgeti
tman,
youknewhow
muchi l
ovedherbutyoust
il
lwentandmade
herpr
egnant.Why?”
Sash:
“Cal
m downdude.Wear
eatapubl
i
c
pl
ace”
Me: “Yout hinkigiveafuck?Youknowwhati ’
m
out”i tookmywal l
et,
keysandphone.Il
eft
,the
reasonwhyi wassomadwasbecauset hiswas
thefirstti
mei ev
ersatdownwi t
hThandoafter
thatincident.Henowwant stoactli
ke
everythingisperfectandweareahappyfami l
y.

Thandoismydad’ sbrother’
sson.Gr owi
ngup
hehadalwaysf el
tenti
tl
edandi ’
llbedamnedi f
l
ethimtakeov erever
ything.Idi
dn’tevenwant
toinv
olvehim onmyweekendpr ogram
becauseknowinghim hewoul dcallthemedia
andmakei tl
ooklikei
twashi si
dea.
Idr
oveoutofGat
ewayandcal
l
edNi
ngi
.
Ni
ngi
:“What
’sup?
”
Me:“Wat
chhowy
out
alkt
ome.Iam noty
our
f
ri
end”
Ni
ngi
:“Sazi
sewhatcani
dof
ory
ou?
”
Me:
“Ar
eyouhome?
”
Ni
ngi:“Yesbuti
am get
ti
ngr
eadyt
ogot
o
Umlazi
”
Me:
“What
’shappeni
ngatUml
azi
?:
Ni
ngi
:“Iam sl
eepi
ngov
eratZee’
spl
ace”
Me:
“Shel
i
vesatUml
azi
?”i
chuckl
ed.
Ni
ngi
:“Yeahshedoes”
Me:
“i’
l
ltakey
out
her
e”

Ni
ngi
:“Why
?”sheaskedi
nasuspi
cioust
one
Me:“It’
snotsaf
esoi wil
ldr
ivey
out
her
e”she
keptqui
etforasecond.
Ni
ngi:“Ohokay,
we’l
lgooutf
ordi
nner.Iam
j
ustgoingt
hereandwe’
ll
gofordi
nnerlat
er”
Me:
“Iwi
l
ldr
ivey
ouguy
s”
Ni
ngi
:“Not
hanks”
Me:“Iwasn’
taski
ngory
oumi
ghtaswel
lnot
goatal
l”
Ni
ngi
:“Dudeno,
iam 27y
ear
sol
d”
Me:
“Andi
am 32y
ear
sol
d.What
’sy
ourpoi
nt?
”
Ningi
:“i
am wait
ingfory
ou”shesoundedl
ike
shewasmov i
ngaroundbecauset
herewer
ea
l
otofshuff
li
ngsounds.
Me:“Iam act
uall
ywaiti
ngf
ory
ouout
side”she
hungupandi chuckl
ed.
Shecameoutwear i
ngawhi tedr
esswithgreen
sneaker
s.Sheplacedherbagsatt hebackseat
andcamet othefront.Istar
tedt
hecarand
droveout
.Shelookedpi ssed.

Me:“Youlookhideous”ichuckl
edwhenshe
gav
emet heannoyedlook.
Ni
ngi
:“ThanksFashi
onCop”i
laughed.
Ther estofthetr
ipikeptteasingherand
l
aughi ng.She’
dpullmynoseandi would
swer vethecaronpurposej ustsoshecould
scream.Wef i
nal
lyarr
iveatt hi
sfreaki
shlybi
g
andbeaut if
ulhouseatUml azi.I
twasasi ngl
e
storeyhousebutmani twasboss.Ni ngimade
aphonecal l.
Ni
ngi
:“Weareout
sidecomelet
sgo”shehung
upaf
ter
war
dsandlookedatme.
Ni
ngi
:“She’
scomi
ng.
”
Mi nut
eslaterthegateopenedandshest epped
outdressedi nri
ppedskinnyjeans, amar oon
hoodieandmar oonstil
ett
os.Shel ookedso
beautif
ulthatsheal most,al
mostt ookmy
breathaway .Shecamet ot hecarandgoti nthe
backseatandgr eeted.Hersweetscentf ill
ed
thecarandi j
ustgotmesmer i
sedrightt
her e.I
turnedandl ookedather,sheraisedabr owasa
signofannoy ance.
Me:
“Wher
etoMi
ss?
”
Zee:“Pavi
li
on.”Sheansweredandfocusedon
herphone.Sheranhertongueoverhermaroon
col
oredli
psandi knewrightt
henthatiwas
screwed.
..
[
01/
04,
19:
03]Ron:
Inser
t10
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Bei
ngisthi
scarwi
thSazisomehowunsettl
es
me.Idon’
tknowwhysoi j
ustdecidet
ofocus
onmyphoneandkeepquiet.Onthewayigota
phonecal
lfr
om Qi
niso.
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwantQi
niso?
”
Que:
“MissNgcobo,i
justcal
ledt
osayi
’m sor
ry
andt
hatiwi
ll
getthedir
ector
sonboar
d”
Me:“Whatchanged?
”Sazicl
earedhisthr
oat
l
ooki
ngatmei nthemir
rorii
gnoredhim.
Que:“
Nothingmi
ss.Iapol
ogi
se”andhehung
up.Il
ookedatmyphoneandcall
edmyfather
.
Dad:
“Mypr
incess?
”
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Dad:
“Whatdi
dido?
”

Me:
“Whatdi
dyousayordot
oQi
niso?
”
Dad:“Ohhecal
ledyou.I
’
m gl
adi
t’
ssor
ted.
Enj
oyyourni
ghtout
”
Me:“Muzi!
”hehungup.Isi
gheddeepl
yand
Ni
ngichuckl
ed.
Ni
ngi
:“Uncl
eBaebegi
vi
ngy
oui
ssues?
”
Me:
“Youhav
enoooi
dea”
Ni
ngi
:“Howi
sheany
way
s?”
Me:
“He’
samazi
ngshame”
Ningi
:“Youshouldsaythati
meanhebought
youaPorscheforChri
stmas”
Me:“Whoel
sewasgonnabuyitforme?
”Sazi
gav
emeanev i
ll
ookbuti
justmindedme.
Sazi
:“Iwi
ll
fetchyoulater
”hesai
dparki
ng.I
di
dn’
tevenreali
zethatwehadalr
eadyar
riv
ed.
Ni
ngi
:“Noneed.We’
l
lcat
cht
heUber
”

Sazi:“Iwasn’taski
ngyou.Besi
desy
our
overnightbagisinher
e.I
’l
lgotoWestVi
l
leand
waitforyouthere”
Me: “Thanksforther
ide”isai
dgettingoutthe
car.Istoodoutsi
dewaiti
ngforthem tofi
nish
tal
king.Ningi
cameoutl ooki
ngpissedasev er
.
Me:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Not
hing.I
t’
sal
lgood.
”
Idecidedtol
etherbe.Wefirstwentt
owat cha
mov i
e.Aft
erthemov i
ewewentf ordinner
.
Havingsil
l
yconversat
ionshereandthere.
Ni
ngi
:“Whatdoy
out
hinkofmybr
other
?”
Me:
“He’
sal
ri
ght
”isai
deat
ingmychi
ps.
Ni
ngi
:“Woul
dyoudat
ehi
m?”

Me:“What ?”i
chockedonmyfoodand
coughed.Shegavemewaterandidr
ank.
Me:“Iwouldn’
tdat
ehi
m ev
eni
fhewast
hel
ast
guyoneart
h”
Ni
ngi
:“Hmmmmm.
”Shel
ookedsi
deway
s.
Me:
“Whatwast
hat
?”
Ni
ngi
:“Whatwaswhat
?”
Me:
“Thathmmmm?
”
Ningj:
“Ohlookattheti
me.Weshoul
dget
going.
”Shestoodupasi set
tl
edt
hebi
ll
andi
foundherwait
ingout
side.
Westart
edtowalktowardswher
eshesaidSazi
i
sparkedbutshequickl
ytur
nedwhenshesaw
Sazi
’
scar.
Ni
ngi
:“Iam pr
essed,
i’
ll
bebackshor
tl
y.I
’
llf
ind
y
ouint
hecar
”shequi
ckl
yranl
eav
ingmet
o
t
her
e.
Itur
nedandwalkedtothecar.Icoul
dfeelhi
s
eyesonmeasi madewayt ot hecar
.Itr
iedt
o
openthebackdoorbutitwouldn’
topeni
knocked.
Me:
“Pl
easeopent
hedoor
”

Sazi
:“Comethi
ssi
de”heindi
catedwi
thhi
s
headformet
ocomesiti
nthefront
.
Me:“I
’l
lsi
therethanks”hekeptqui
etand
l
ookedahead.Isi
ghedandwentt osi
tupfront
.
Sazi
:“Wher
edoesi
thur
t?”
Me:
“What
?”
Sazi
: “Wheredoesithurt,imeany oudidn’
t
wantt ocomesithere.Justchecki
ngify ougot
i
njuredwhil
ecli
mbi nginthefrontseat.
”Ijust
chuckledandkeptquiet.Iwasreall
ypissesif
youaskmebuti wasn’tgoingtogivehimt he
sat
isf
act
ion.
Sazi
:“Youneedt
okeepy
ourl
over
sawayf
rom
mysist
er”
Me:
“Whatl
over
s?”
Sazi:“ThatQi
nisoandUncl ebaey ouwer e
tal
kingtoonthephone.”Ikeptquietfora
secondandi burstoutl
aughing.Ilaughedso
hardthatmystomachhur t
.Ningicamei nasi
wasl aughi
ngievenhadt earsinmyey es.
Ni
ngi
:“What
’ssof
unny
?”
Me:“Yourbrother
.Yourbrot
heristheKingof
Comedy”ilaughedoncemor eandireal
l
y
coul
dn’
tstop.Heclickedhi
stongueanddr ov
e
away.
.
Sazi
.
Thewayshewasl
aughi
ngwasr
eal
l
ypi
ssi
ng
meoff.Imeanwhat ’
sfunnyaboutmelooki
ng
outf
ormysister.Idon’
twantherget
ti
ng
i
nvol
vedwitholdshadymen.
Ningi
:“Babewhyareyoul
aughing”Zeehadnow
quiet
eneddownbutwouldlookatmeandstart
l
aughingallov
eragai
n.
Me: “Pleaseaskherbecauseshei sjustbei
ng
chil
dish”shelaughedoutl
oudal loveragain
thatihitthebrakesohar
dt hatshewental lt
he
wayt othedashboardandi heardherhead
makingcont acttoit
.Ni
ngiscreamedand
Zekhetheloremainedbowingbyt hedashboard.
Ni
ngi
:“Zee,
arey
ouokay
?”

Zee:
“Yesi
’
mfi
ne.Justgetmehome”
Me:“Letmeseeyourf
ace?
”it
ri
edt
ouchi
ngher
butshepul
l
edaway.
Zee:“Don’
ttouchme”carswer
ehooti
ng
behi
ndmesoi deci
dedt
oparkonthesi
de.
Ningi
gotoutandwenttoopenZekhet
hel
o’s
doorandsheexcl
aimed!
Ni
ngi
:“Ohmywor
dSazi
whathav
eyoudone?
”
Igotoutofmysi deandwenttoher.Shewas
bl
eeding,hernosewasbleedi
ngplushernose
hadturnedpurpl
e.
Me:“Jesusar
eyouokay
?”itr
iedt
ouchi
ngher
noseandshesl
appedmyhand.
Zee:“I’
m okay.Justgetmehome”shesai das
shesuppressedal aughandsheleti
toutagai
n.
Igotfucki
nmadi wentaroundandstar
tedthe
car.

Ni
ngi:“Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ngZekhet
hel
o
Ngcobo?”
Zee:“Yourbr
othersai
dishoul
dst
ayawayf
rom
you”
Ni
ngi
:“Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?”
Zee:“Hesai
dihavealotofl
over
ssoi
shoul
d
keepawayfr
om you”
Ningi
:“Haibowhatl
overs,
unlessyouhav
e
boyfr
iendsthaty
ouhavebeenhidi
ngawayfr
om
me”
Me:
“Ni
ngi
Shutupanddoasi
say
”
Zee:“That
’snotthef
unpar
t,t
hefunpar
tist
hat
Qini
soandMuzi aremyboy
fri
ends”
Ningi
:“What??
”shel ookedatmeandj oi
ned
Zekhethel
oandtheylaughed.Iwassoannoyed
iwantedtost
opt hecarandtellt
hem t
ogetoff
.
Me: “I
fyoutwodon’tshutupiwil
ldr
opy ouoff
hereinthemiddl
eofnowhere”Zeeturnedto
meandputherf i
ngerinhermouthandi wi
nced.
Herfacelookedr
eall
ymessedupandi madea
tur
n.Ihadtogethertoahospit
al.

Zee:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Me:
“Taki
ngy
out
othehospi
tal
.Yourf
ace
l
ooksl
i
keamess”
Zee:
“I’
mfi
ne.I
’
llputsomei
ceonmyf
ace”
Me:“I’
m nott
aki
nganychances.
”WegottoSt
Augusti
ne’
sHospi
tal
andwewer eat
tendedbya
DrEvans.
Dr
:“Hel
loMynameisDrEvans,DrThoba
Ev
ans.Whatseemst
obetheproblem?”
Me:“Zekhet
hel
oherehadali
ttl
eacci
dent.I
washopingi
fyoucoul
dcheckheroutandsee
i
fther
eisanydamagetoherface”
Dr
:“Nopr
obl
em.Thi
swayMi
ss.
..
?”
Zee:
“Ngcobo”
DrEvans:“Mi
ssNgcobof
oll
owme.Doy
ou
needhelpwal
ki
ng?”
Zee:“Ihi
tmyface.Notbody
”her
aisedhi
s
handsupassurr
ender.
Me:
“Ihopeshei
sokay
”
Ni
ngi
:“Ihopesot
oo.Your
eal
l
yhur
ther
”
Me:“Shewasannoyi
ngmewi
thal
lthel
aughi
ng
ij
usthadt
oshutherup”
Ningi:“Shehadever
yri
ghttolaughatyou
becauseQi ni
soi
sheremployeethatwasgiv
ing
herissuesandMuziisherdad”
Me:
“What
??”
Ningi
:“Yes,whatindeed”shesai
dthatand
walkedawayleav
ingmef eeli
ngli
keshi
t.Iam
suchanass!
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t11
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupandmynosehur tl
ikehel
liwant
edto
scream.Ilookedformyphoneandi twasunder
thepil
low.Ireal
isedthati
twasthefol
lowi
ng
dayear l
ymor ni
ng.TheDrgotinasiwasabout
t
ogobacksl
eep.
Dr
:“Mor
ning.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?”
Me:“If
elll
i
keiwasinabigacci
denti
nvol
vi
nga
boat
,tr
ainand.
..
”hechuckl
ed.
Dr:“Okayi
geti
t.Ihav
egodnewsandbad
news”
Me:
“Gi
vemet
hegoodnews.
”
Dr
:“Wel
lyournosei
snotbr
oken”
Me:
“That
’sar
eli
ef”
Dr:
“Badnewsi sthatyouaregoingtohav
e
motherofheadachesunti
ltheswell
i
nggoes
down”
Me:
“Damnwhatdoest
hatmean?
”
Dr
:“I
tmeanst
haty
ouar
eof
fwor
kfor2weeks”
Me:
“Saywhatnow?
”

Dr
:“MrNgony
amahaspai
dthehospi
tal
bil
l
.I
wi
l
lbebackwi
thy
ourdi
schar
gepaper
s”
Hewal kedoutl
eavingmeannoy ed,iguesshe
couldseethatiwant edt
oar gueabouthim
gi
vingmesomucht imeout.Thedooropened
andmypar entswal kedi
nf oll
owedbyNi ngi
.
Shelookeddevastatedijustlaughed.
Dad:
“Tr
usty
out
olaughdur
ingt
ought
imes”
Me:
“Youguy
slooksosad”
Mom:
“Howi
syournose?
”
Me:
“Notbr
okenbutt
hat
’snott
hebadnews”
Dad:“What?There’
sbadnews?What
happened?Ar
ey ouokay
?”
Me:‘
Relaxdad.Ihav
ebeenbookedofwor
kfor
2weeks”
Mom: ‘Thati
sgoodnews”Ni
ngianddad
noddedasasignofagr
eement.
Me:
“Ihav
etobeatwor
k.Ineedt
o..
.”
Dad:
“Ni
ngi
wil
ltakecar
eofev
ery
thi
ng,
won’
t
youbaby
?”shebl
ushedandmom r
oll
edher
eyes.
Mom: “YeywenaNingi.Focus.Don’
tall
owhi
m
towetyourpant
ieshoney,heuseshismouth
qui
etwell
.Thesamemout hthatgoesdownto
my..
.”
Me: “Whooamom t
oomuchi
nfor
mat
ion”dad
chuckl
ed.
Ni
ngi
:“Kodwamah.
.”shej
oinedi
nthel
aught
er.
Dad:“SoNi
ngi
wil
lhandl
eev
ery
thi
ngt
hing,
ri
ght
?”
Ni
ngi
:“Youdi
dmakemev icepr
esi
dentf
or
t
imesl
iket
hese”shewi
ggl
edherey
ebrows.
Me:“Youtri
edtokil
lmenowy
ouwantmy
posi
ti
on.Sneakygi
rl
”
Ningi:“Iwil
lcomelaterwit
hmybr oom and
stealyou.Boohahahahah”shegavethatev
il
l
aughandi l
aughedsohar dbutiendedup
hurti
ngmysel f.
Mom:
“Ni
ngi
,l
eav
e.We’
l
lgett
heUberf
ory
ou”
Me:
“Comeseemel
ater
?”sheki
ssedmycheek.
Ni
ngi
:“Justt
ryandkeepmeaway
.Il
ovey
ou”
Me:“Iloveyoutoo”shewal
kedoutandi
ngot
DrEvans.Hegreetedmyparent
sanddad
si
gnedmydi schar
geforms.
Dad:“I
tsay
sher
ethebi
l
lhadal
readybeen
pai
d”
Dr:“Yessi
rMrNgony amahasal
readypai
d.
KeepwellMissNgcobo”hewal
kedoutaft
er
that
Dad:
“Whoi
sthi
sMrNgony
ama”
Mom: “He’sNingi
’sbrot
her
.Youngni
ce
chocolat
ecandy.Dropdeadgor
geouspant
y
dropperand.
..
”
Me:“Mom!
”ishout
edanddadl
ookedamused.
Hecamecl
osert
omom andwhisper
edal
it
tl
e
l
oud.
Dad:“Iam sogonnafucky outonight”mom
tur
nedcri
msonr edandi j
ustlookedatthem.
Theyreal
lyneededt
ogr owupandst opfucki
ng
l
ikerabbi
ts.

Igotoffthebedandwal kedaheadofthem.I
wasn’tgoingtostickaroundandwatcht hem
fuckaround.IlookedatmyphoneandSazi had
notcall
ed.Ikindafeltdown,idon’
tknowwhy
butithurt
.Dadcame, hewasdr i
vi
ngmycar .
Me:
“Real
l
ydad?Whymycar
?”
Dad:“What
’sy
our
sismi
neandwhat
’smi
ne
i
s..
..
”
Me:
“Mi
ne”
Dad:
“Goodgi
rl
.”
Igotinandsatatt
heback.If
ell
asl
eeponthe
way.Iwokeupwhendadl i
ft
edmeupf r
om the
car,
ijustcl
osedmyeyesandhechuckl
edasi
snuggl
edcl
oser
.Heputmeonmybedandi
ki
ssedhim.
Me:
“Thanksdaddy
”
Dad:
“You’r
ewelcomebaby”het
uckedmei
n
andif
ell
asleepi
mmediat
ely.
Iwaswokenupbyr
ingi
ngphone.
Me:
“Hmmmm?
”
Sazi
:“Iam out
side”
Me:
“Huh?
”
Sazi
:“Pleasecome.Iwoul dl i
ket oseeyou”he
hungup.Igotupandwentt ot hebathroom.I
l
ookedatmyf aceandilookedv er
yuglyi
wantedtocr y
.Idon’
tevenwearmakeup.I
changedtoadust ypi
nkdr esst hatwasthigh
l
engthandwor emywhiteNi kesneaker.Iwent
outanditlookedasifnoonewashome
becauseitwasonlymycart hatwaspar kedin.
Iopenedt hegat eandwalkedout.Imusthave
hadami niorgasm ther
ebecausebrotherman
wasstandi ngbyt hedoordressedi
nblack
sneakers,jeansandabl acklongsl
eevetshi
rt
helookedsogood.Igott ohim andhelooked
pret
tytense.
Sazi
:“Er
m Hi
”
Me:
“Hi
”
Sazi
:“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Me:
“I’
vebeenbet
ter
”
Heopenedthecardoorandgotabagf
rom
Spurandaplast
icf
rom wool
ies.
Sazi
:“Igoty
oul
unch”
Me:
“Thanks”
Sazi
:“Okay
,i’
l
lseey
ou”hegoti
nthecar

Me:
“Your
eal
l
ycan’
tsayi
tcany
ou?
”
Sazi
:“Saywhat
?”hel
ookedatmei
nconf
usi
on.
Me:
“Sayy
ou’
resor
ry”
Sazi
:“Idi
dgety
oul
unchdi
dn’
ti?
”
Me:
“Icoul
dhav
eeasi
l
ygot
tenmy
sel
flunch”
Sazi
:“Yeahwellenj
oy”hest
art
edt
hecarand
drov
eoff.Fucki
nJerk.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t12
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Afterleav
ingNi ngi
’
shousei wentforadr i
ve.I
want edtoclearmyheadi meanmyspiritj
ust
wentdownwheni sawSazi andthatgi
rlplus
shet oldmet ostayawayf r
om hermansoi ’
l
l
stayaway .IwenttoUmhl angabeachafter
gettingmy sel
fIceCream andsomebot t
led
wat er.
It
ookastr
oll
bythebeachandisatther
e
cl
ear
ingmyhead.Byt
hetimeiwalkedbackt
o
mycaritwasst
art
ingt
ogetdar
k.Igoti
nthe
carandcal
l
edmymom.
Mom:
“Baby
?”
Me:
“I’
m onmywayhome”
Mom:
“Okaybabe,
i’
m gl
ady
ou’
resaf
e”
Me: “Woul dyoustoptalkingli
keat eenager?
”
wel aughedandi endedt hecall
.Iwentpassed
Steersasi iwascravi
ngf orabur gersoi
boughtf orever
yone.Igoti nt
hecaranddr ove
home.Igotacal lfrom Ningiontheway .

Ningi
:“Wher
ethehel
lhav
eyoubeen?Ihav
e
beengoi
ngoutofmymindwit
hworry”
Me:
“Rel
ax,
iwasatt
hebeach.Iam f
ine”
Ni
ngi
:“Whathappened?
”
Me:
“Huh?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Whathappenedbet
weeny
ouandSszi
?”
Me:
“Not
hing.Why
?”
Ningi
:“Hei
sspi
tt
ingfir
e.It
oldhi
mican’
tfi
nd
youandhei
spanicki
ng”
Me:
“Not
hinghappened,
itookt
hef
il
eandl
eft
”
Wecont i
nuedtal
kinguntili
gothome.Iparked
andtookoutthethingsthatibought
.Iwent
i
nsidethehouseandf oundeveryonei
nthe
l
ounge.

Mom:
“Iam sohungr
y.Whatdi
dyoubr
ing?
”
Me:
“Whosai
diboughtany
thi
ng?
”
Mom: “Honey
,youaremi ne.Iknowy
oul
i
ket
he
backofmyhand.”Ichuckled.
Igott
heBur gersandDadalsoboughtwings
fr
om ChickenLickenandwestartedt
oeat.
Emil
efini
shedf i
rstwant
ingseconds,
igavehim
hi
ssecondbur ger.
Emi
hle:
“Mommy
”
Me:
“Yesbaby
”
Emi
hle:
“Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”
Me:
“Nothi
nghappened.Ihadanacci
dent
t
hat
’sal
l
”
Emi
hle:
“Cani
touchi
t?”

Me:“Noi t
’st
oopai nful
”henoddedand
conti
nuedwithhisf ood.Wef i
nishedeatingand
iwenttomybedr oom.Itookoffmycl ot
hesand
wenttotakeal ongshower .Wheni cameout
Emihlewasalreadyi nmybeddr essedinpjs
pl
ayingwithmyphone.
Emi
hle:
“I’
l
lsl
eepwi
thy
out
oday
”
Me:
“Okaybabyl
etmegetdr
essed”

Iwenttotheclosetandworemysl eepwear.I
appli
edtoneronmyf aceandsomeoi l
aft
erwards.Igottomybedroom andEmihle
wastalki
ngt osomeoneonthephone.
Emi
hle:
“Shel
oveschocol
atesandbur
ger
s.”
Cal
l
er:
“..
..
”
Emi
hle:
“Yessher
eal
l
yisbeaut
if
ul”
Cal
l
er:
Emihl
e:“I
’
llgi
veherthephonenow.
Goodni
ght”hehandedmethephone

Me:
“Hel
l
o”
Sazi
:“Howar
eyou?
”if
rowned.
Me:
“I’
mfi
net
hanks.Howar
eyou?
”
Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
ry”
Me: “Thanky
ou.Fi
nal
l
yyouapol
ogi
sed”he
chuckled.
Sazi
:“Iam sor
ryf
ort
hatt
oobuti
’
m most
ly
sorr
yfort
oday”
Me:
“Whathappenedt
oday
?”
Sazi
:“Meandt
hegi
rlt
haty
ouf
oundmewi
th.I
am.
..
”
Me:
“Thati
snoneofmybusi
ness”
Sazi
:“Iknowi
t’
sjustt
hati
feel
li
kei
shoul
d
expl
ain”
Me:“
Ther
eisnoneedSazi.Youareagr
own
manandmybestfr
iend’
sbrother
”hegr
oaned.
Me:
“What
’sup?
”
Sazi
:“Nothi
ng.I
..
.i’
m gl
ady
ou’
reokay
.Hav
ea
goodeveni
ng”
Me:“Goodni
ght
”weendedt
hecal
landi
goti
n
bedwit
hmyson.

Wewat chedt.
vandamov i
e.Hal
fwaythrough
themov i
eEmihlef
ell
asleepsoigotoutofbed,
wenttomydeskanddi dsomewor k.Ar
ound
2.am amessagecamet hr
ough.
“Yout
hinkhavi
ngapowerf
ulfat
hercankeep
meawayfrom youandmyson,youhav
e
anot
herthi
ngcoming.Iwil
lfi
ndy
ouZekhet
hel
o
myloveandiwil
lki
llyou,
meandourson”
ij
umpedandmyphonefel
l
.Itr
angaf
ter2
mi
nut
esanditwasSazi
.
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwantSazi
?”
Sazi
:“Whyar
en’
tyousl
eepi
ng?
”
Me:
“Ier
mi.
..
”
Sazi
:“What
’swr
ong?Yourv
oicesoundsshaky
”
Me:
“I’
mfi
ne.By
e”

Igotanothermessagefrom t
henumberwit
h
mypicturefrom t
heprev
iousdayandEmihl
e’s
pi
cture.Iscr
eamed.
Me:“Daaaaaaad!
”dadbursti
nmyroom andi
showedhim myphone.Hewasfuming.
Hegotoutandwentt
omakeaphonecal
l
.I
caughtt
heendoft
hecal
l
.
Dad:
“Youf
indhi
m Bennyandmakesur
ethat
y
ouki
l
lhi
m”hehungup.
Me:“Dadno,
tel
luncl
eBennynott
oki
l
lhi
m”
Dad:“Eyv oetsekmanZekhethel
o.Youthinki
am goi
ngt ol ett
hatboypi
ssonmyheadand
l
eaveitl
iket hat?Don’
tpi
ssmeof f”i
lookedat
hi
m andmar chedtotheki
tchenandhewas
ri
ghtbehindme.
Dad:
“baby
..
.”
Me:
(si
l
ence)
Dad:“I’
m sorryokay.Iam sor
ryf
orshout
ing
okay
? ”ikeptquietandhehuggedmekissing
myheadcount lesstimes.
Iwentbackt obedtosleept
histi
meandi
couldn’tsl
eepsoiwenttosl
eepwi t
hmy
parentsbutiwasdistur
bedbythesounds
comi ngoutofthei
rroom.
Dad: “Canyoutakemore?”mom moanedandi
ranawayt omybedroom shut
ti
ngmyey esand
ears.Idon’
tevenknowwheni fel
lasl
eepbuti
di
d.
.
.
I
'l
lpostagai
nwheni
wakeup.Ihar
dlysl
eptl
ast
ni
ght.
..
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t13
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Ther estoftheweekpassedwi thoutSazi
andI
speaking,notthatimissedhi m butiwant
ed
himt oapologise.Ir
eceiv
edanemai lfr
om hi
m
aboutt hemeet i
ngonSat urday.Wewer egoi
ng
tomeetatsomehal lKwaMashuandmeett he
kids.Healsoincludedalistofthingstobuysoi
bought .

Todayi
sSat
urdayandmyspi
ri
tsar
ehi
gh.
Thereisnothingthati
sgoi ngt
obr i
ngmedown
eventhatjer
kassSazi .Igotoutofbedand
madei t
.Iwentt othebathroom andtookalong
soothi
ngbat hinthetub.Idrai
nedwat erand
cl
eanedt hebathroom.

Iwentt othebedr oom andlotioned,woremy

underwear .Iworemyf adedjeanshortswi t
ha
bluetshir
tandbl ueNi kesneakers.Iti
edmyhai r
i
naneatpony t
ailandwentf orbreakfast.I
foundmyf amil
yhav ingbreakfast.Igavemom
akissandwheni tr
iedt oki
ssdadhepul led
back.Ilookedatmom andsheshookherhead.
Ichuckled.Itookaseatandsatdown.

Dadkeptthr
owingmedagger
sbuti
justhadmy
br
eakfasti
npeace.
Mom:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Me:
“I’
m goi
ngt
otheki
dspr
ogr
am atKwa
Mashu”
Mom:
“Okay
.Hav
eagoodday
”
Emi
hle:
“Mommydi
dyoubuyPr
ince’
spr
esent
?”

Me: “Yes.I
t’
sontopofyourbedand.
..
”bef
orei
couldfi
nishhewasuprunningdownthe
passage.
Me: “NORUNNI NGEMI HLE!”butthatf
ell
into
deafears.If
ini
shedmyf oodanddadwasj ust
star
ingatme.Iwasn’tevengoi ngt
oaskhim.
He’stheonewiththeproblem soheshould
speak.
Igotupandwentt
omybedr
oom andmom got
i
n.

Mom:
“Don’
tmi
ndy
ourf
atherbaby
”
Me:“Iam notev
engoi
ngt
oaskwhathi
s
pr
oblem i
s”
Mom:
“He’
sjustl
ooki
ngoutf
ory
oubaby
”
Me:“Howmom?Idon’ tev
enknowwhathi
s
pr
oblem i
s”mom si
ghedandcamet
ohugme.
Mom:
“Enj
oyy
ourdayl
oveokay
?”
Me:
“Thanksmom.Il
ovey
ou”

Mom:“Il
ovey
outooandi’
ll
takecar
eofEmi
hle.
Wi
ll
takehi
mtothepar
ty”
Me: “Okay.Later
”wewentoutofmybedr oom
andi gott
omycarout si
de.Ireal
i
sedthatitwas
shinyandwheni lookedinsi
dedad’sthi
ngs
wer ei
ntheresoi wenttotaketheRangerRover
keysbecausei di
dnotwantt ogetint
oan
argumentwi t
hdad.

Igotinthecaranddroveout.Dadhadalready
l
eft,wheniwentinsi
dethehousei am guessi
ng
thati
swhenhedr oveout.Idon’
tknowwhathi s
probl
em isandiam notgoingtoask.Idrove
towar
dsKwaMashubuti madeaquickst
opat
Bri
dgeCit
ytogetsomesuppl
iest
hatSazisent
formetoget
.

IdrovetoKwaMashuandifoundt
heplace
easil
y.Ipar
kedmycarandwhenigotoutNi
ngi
wasal r
eadymaki
ngherwaytomycar.
Ni
ngi:
“Babe!”shescreamed.Il
astsawheron
Wednesday
.Ilaughed.
Me:
“Heybabe”wehugged.

Ni
ngi
:“Yousmel
lsogood”
Me:“Don’
tial
way
s?”i
mockedherwhi
l
e
l
aughi
ng.
Ni
ngi:
“Aren’
twef
ull
ofour
sel
vest
his
morni
ng?
”

Me:
“What
ever
.Sowhat
’shappeni
ng?
”she
hookedherar
mi ntomineandwewal
ked
towardst
hehall
.Itwasreal
l
ybig.
Ningi
:“Wearejustset
ti
ngupandSazi
.
...
about
Sazibabei
..
.”
Me:“Noneedt oexpl
ainyourbrot
her’
s
behav
iour.Asl
ongasy ouremainmyf r
iendi
don’
treall
ycar
ewhathet hi
nks”shenodded
andsmiled.Weconti
nuedtowardsthehall
.

Whenwegotint her
ewerealotofpeoplether
e
andtheywer
eorganisi
ngfoodparcel
s.Itwasa
hugethi
ngbecausether
ewasnoiseev ery
where.
Me:
“Wow”
Ni
ngi
:“Myt
hought
sexact
ly”
Me:
“Thi
sishuge”

Ni
ngi
:“Iknow.Come”shepul
l
edmei
nsi
de.
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
’shej
ustkept
quietandl edmet osomepeopl e.She
i
ntroducedmet oawhol elotofpeopleasher
bestf r
iendandboss.Wegott oagroupofguy s
andt hatiswheni sawhim.Hewasdr essedin
j
eanshor t
sabl uetshi
rtandnavysneakers.We
weredr essedjustthesameandi tir
ri
tatedme.

Ningi:
“Guys,thi
sismyfriendandBoss
Zekhethel
o.Zeethesear
et heguysandof
courseyouknowmybr otherSazi
”
Me:
“Hel
l
o”i
greet
edwav
ingmyhand.
Guy1:
“I’
m Loy
iso.Doy
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end?
”
Sazi
:“Howi
sthatanyofy
ourbusi
ness?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Sazi
!”

Sazi
:“Stayoutofi
tNi
ngi
.Whydoy
ouwantt
o
knowLloyd?”
Loy
iso:
“She’
sbeaut
if
ulandi
woul
dn’
tmi
nd
maki
nghermi
ne”
Sazi
:“She’
stakenal
ready
”
Me:
“Isi
t?”
Ni
ngi
:“Real
l
y?Bywho?
”

Guy2: “Sheistaken.Sost opasking

unnecessaryquestions”idecidedtojustl
eave
theguysbecausei wasgoi ngt ohaveahuge
argumentwi t
hSazi .Iwentaroundlookingandi
cameacr ossagr oupofteenagegi r
lsandthey
weresitt
ingonamat .
Me:
“Cani
joi
nyou?
”theynodded.

Theywerepl ayingcardgamesandi whipped

them.Per
ksofhav i
ngapr o( dad)plushe
taughtmeEVERYTHI NG.Wepl ayedanditwas
somuchf un.Theykeptaski ngmeaboutmyl i
fe
andwhati do.Thi sonegirlsaidshewi shesthat
l
ifewasdifferentandt hatshewoul dkill
tobea
Doct
or.HernamewasSt
ha.

Me:
“Whi
chgr
adear
eyoui
n?”
St
ha:
“Gr
ade11.
”
Me:
“Youwantt
obeaDr
?”
St
ha:
‘Yes.
”
Me:
“Why
?”

Stha: “Tohelpmyf amil

ybecausewehav ebeen
sufferingforsolongandijustwantt omakemy
parent spr
oud.Ihaveay oungersisterbut
al
readyshehasachi l
d.Mybi gsisterhasa
whol elotofchil
drenwit
hdiffer
entdaddi esand
mymom suppor t
suswithherTeachersal ary”

Me:
“Whatabouty
ourf
ather
?”
St
ha:“Hedri
nkshi
smoneyaway”itwassosad
soideci
dedt
ochanget
hetopi
c.Iwasgoingt
o
t
alkt
oSt
hapr
ivat
ely
.
Ihear
dsomeonepokemeonmyshoul
derand
i
twasSazi
.

Me:
“Yes?
”isai
dlooki
ngupathi
m.
Sazi:“Canwet alk?”igavehim myhandandhe
pull
edmeup. .
therewast hatel
ectr
icshockthat
wasundeni abl
et hatbothofuslookedateach
othershocked.Wewal kedoutsi
deandi
real
isedwheni gotoutsi
dethatihadtakenoff
myshoesandi wasinmywhi t
esocks.
Sazi:
“Wherearey
oushoes?
”hel
ookedatmy
feetf
rowni
ng.
Me:
“Theyar
einsi
de.What
’sup?
”
Sazi
:“Youhav
eti
nyf
eet
”hegr
inned.i
wear
si
ze3or4.

Me:
“I’
m sur
eyoudi
dn’
tcal
lmeouther
eto
di
scussmyshoesi
ze”
Sazi
:“Yeahier
mi gott
hef
oodt
haty
oubought
.
Thankyou”i
nodded.
Me:
“Youwel
come”
Sazi
:“Andi woul
dal
sol
i
ket
othanky
ouf
rom
comingtoday”
Me:
“Idi
dsayi
wasgoi
ngt
ocome”

Sazi
:“pl
easest
ayawayf
rom Loy
iso”
Me:
“Okay ”hel
i
fteduphi
sheadandl
ookedat
meshocked.
Sazi
:“What
?”
Me:
“Isai
dokay
.Iwi
l
lst
ayaway
”
Sazi:
“Whyar eyouagr
eei
ngwi
thev
ery
thi
ng
thatiam say
ing?
”
Me:“Idon’twantt
oarguewit
hyou.I
’
mj ust
t
ir
edofy oushouti
ngatme”andhewinced.
Sazi
:“I
twon’
thappenagai
n”

Me: “It
’sfi
ne.”Iwavedmyhandandat tempt
ed
towalkawaybuthepul l
edmebackandi
crushedonhi schest.Myfacewasinchesf
rom
hisface.Icouldsmellhi
smi nt
ybr
eath.
Sazi
:“Iam sor
ry”hewhi
sper
edagai
nstmyl
i
ps.
Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
ry.Doy
ouf
orgi
veme?
”inodded.

Sazi
:“Sayi
t.Sayy
ouf
orgi
veme”
Me: “Yes,y
esi f
orgi
veyou”iswal
l
owedhard
andhemov edhi
smout htomyearand
breathedhi
shotbreathagai
nstmyearandsai
d;
Sazi
:“Thanky
ou”hel
etgoofmeandwal
ked
away.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupt henextmor ni
ngandEmi hlewasnot
i
nbed.It ookmyphonet ocheckandi twas
9h45.Iquicklyjumpedoffbedbutr eali
sedlat
er
thatiam offsickfor2weeks.Itookof fmy
py j
amasandwentt otakeabath.Af t
ermybat h
iloti
onedandgotdr essedinmyBl ackknee
l
engt hlongsleevebodyhuggingdress, whi
te
sneakersandawhi t
edenimjacket.Ilookedat
myf aceandt heswelli
ngwasget t
ingabi t
better.
Iwentoutmybedroom t
othekit
chen,iwarmed
myf oodint
hemicrowav
eandwentt osit
.Iwas
di
sturbedbyaphonecal
levenbefor
eicould
eat
.
Me:
“Yi
niSf
iso?
”
Sf
iso:“Mom t
ell
smey
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end”i
l
aughed
Me:
“Wher
edi
dshegett
hatnonsense?
”
Sf
iso:
“Wel
lshesai
dheboughty
oul
unch!
”
Me:
“Hai
bowai
t,si
ncewhendoy
ougossi
p?”
Sf
iso:
“Babygi
rl
.It
’sbeen6y
ear
slov
e”
Me:
“6y
ear
sofwhat
?”

Sf
iso:
“Dr
ought
”hechuckl
ed.
Me:“I
’m sur
eyoudi
dn’
tcal
lmet
ogossi
p.
What’
sup?”
Sfi
so:
“Ineedaboostmysister
.JustR100k
andiwil
lsor
tyououtsoon”
Me:
“Wi
l
lcl
eari
toutf
ory
oul
ater
”
Sfi
so:“You’
renotgoi
ngt
oaskmewhat
’si
t
for
?”
Me: “I
fit
sfordr
ugsandyoudieigetmor et
han
100kwheny oudi
e.Ifi
tsf
ory
ourbitchesiwil
l
sti
ll
kil
lyouandgetmymoneyback.Eitherwayi
win”hewasinsti
tcheswi
thl
aughter.
Sf
iso:
“Youar
ehear
tl
ess”
Me:
“I’
m awi
tch!
”ishout
edandwel
aughed.
Me:
“I’
l
linj
ecty
oudur
ingt
heday
”
Sf
iso:
“Thankssi
s.Iappr
eci
atei
t”
Me:
“Youcant
alkt
omey
ouknow?
”
Sf
iso:
“I’
l
lbef
ine.Ipr
omi
se”
Me:“Il
ovey
ou”hekeptqui
etf
orasecondand
si
ghed.
Sfi
so: “Il
ovey
outoo”hehungup.Isi
ghedand
fi
nishedmybreakf
ast.
Iwenttomyr oom t
ookmycarkey sandl ef
t.I
wenttot hebankandaf t
erthatiwenttoworkto
seemyf riend.Ev
eryonewassur pr
isedtosee
medr esseddown.Iwentt oNingi’
soffi
ceand
knocked.
Ningi:
“Ithoughtisaidnointer
rupt
ions,it
’snot
badenought hatt
hebossi snotherebutt he
bossismybestf r
iendandshei shurt.Inow
haveto..
.”shewasn’tevenlooki
ngatme.I
couldseethatshewascl osetobreaking.
Me:
“Whoawooa.I
t’
sonl
yme”
Ni
ngi:“Zekhethel
o”shel
ookedupandsmi
led
br
ight
lybeforecomingar
oundtohugme.
Ni
ngi
:“OHgod!Ihav
emi
ssedy
ou”
Me:
“I’
m her
enow.I
’
m okay
.”Shehel
dont
ome.
Ningi
:“Iam sohappytoseeyoubuty
oul
ook
l
ikeyouhaven’
tslepti
ndays”
Me:“Iwaswor ki
ngonthef
il
elastni
ghtandi
gott
his”ishowedhert
hemessageandshe
waspissed.
Ni
ngi
:“Whatt
hehel
l
?”

Me:“Tel
l meaboutit
;imeanwher
ehadhe
beenal
lthist
ime?”
Ni
ngi
:“Iwi
l
lfuckhi
m up.
”Shewaspaci
ngi
want
edtol
augh.
Me:Sohowdoesitfeel
bei
ngaboss?
”she
l
ookedatmewei
rdl
y
Ni
ngi
:“Howdoy
oudoi
t?”
Me:
“Dowhat
?”
Ningi
:“Handl
esomuchwork.Iam cr
acki
ng
hereandthecr
acksar
est
art
ingtoshow.”
Me:“I
fitmakesy
ouf
eel
anybet
teri
wil
lcome
backi
nMonday”
Ni
ngi:“Nobabeyouhavet
or est
.Imeanmy
br
othergoty
ouintot
hismess”
Me:
“I’
mfi
ne.Ipr
omi
senowl
etsbuyl
unch”
Ningi
:“Erm aboutl
unch.Sazi
wasgoi
ngto.
..
”a
knockint
err
uptedherandincameSazi
.
Helookeddel
iciousi
nasl
imfi
tnavysuitwi
tha
cri
spwhit
eshirtandanav
yti
eplusbrown
It
ali
anshoes.
Sazi
:“GoodDay”hewascarr
yingapaperbag
andhewentovertoki
ssNingionthecheekand
i
twasmyt urnmyphonerang.
Me:
“Baby
!”
Sf
iso:
“Thanky
oubabyf
ort
hemoney
”
Me:
“Anyt
hingfory
oumyl
ove”Sazi
lookedat
meandf
rowned.
Sf
iso:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”andweendedt
hecal
l
.
Ni
ngi
:“Sf
iso?
”
Me:
“Yep.Sowhat
’sf
orl
unch?
”
Sazi
:“Igotlunchformysist
eronly
.Ify
ouwant
l
unchbuyy ourowni meanyouhavemen
cal
li
ngyouleftri
ghtandcentr
e..
”
Ni
ngi
:“Sazi
!”

Sazi
:“What
?Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngat2am?
”
Me:
“Thati
snoneofy
ourdamnbusi
ness”
Sazi
:“You’
reri
ght
snot.Ijustfeelsor
ryf
oryour
sonwhohasamot herl
ikey ou.Alway
stal
ki
ng
tomen,whoknowswhatel sey oudowit
hthose
men?You..
.”
Ni
ngi:
“Sazi
stop!Sf
isoi
sherbrot
her
.The
r
easonwhyshewasuplatei
t’
sbecause.
..
.”
Me: “LeaveitNingi.Ij
ustdon’tcar
e.Youcan
thinkwhateveryouwantaboutme.Idon’ tcare”
itookmybagandwal kedouttheoffi
ce.Iso
want edtocrybuti hel
dmyt earsunti
ligotto
thecar.Ikeptaskingmy sel
f“Whydoest hi
s
guyhat emesomuch? ”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t14
.
Sazi
.
Zekhethel
owhooawomanbeki l
l
ingmeand
whatmakesherev ensexyisthefactthatshe
doesn’
tbegme.WhenI ’mr udeshe’sr
uder i
ght
backandshedoesnotcar e.Shecamet hr ough
aft
erthatdisagreementthatwehadatNi ngi’
s
off
ice,haditbeenanothergirl
shewoul dhav e
sul
kedandnotcome.Seet hat
’saladyright
there.Wewerenowser
vingtheki
dsl
unchandi
wasnexttoZekhet
hel
o,Loyi
sowasonmyr i
ght
sideandZekhet
hel
oonmyl eft
.

Loy
iso:
“So,
Zeewhoi
syourboy
fri
end?
”
Me: “That’
sZekhet
hel
otoy
ouandi
t’
snoneof
yourbusiness”
Loy
iso:
“Zekhet
hel
o?”
Zee:“Myboyf
ri
endisEmi
hle.Wehav
ebeen
toget
herf
or6year
snow”
Loy
iso:“Oh”i
chuckledbecausei
knewt
hat
Emihl
eisher6yearoldson.
Zee:
“Anymor
equest
ionsLl
oyd?
”

Loy
iso:“Nope”hi
smodsuddenlychangedandi
j
usthadtotal
ktohim becausei
wasplanni
ng
onmakingZekhet
helomine.
Me:
“Iwoul
dli
ket
omeety
ourboy
fri
end”Zee
t
urnedandl
ookedatme.
Zee:
“Youwoul
d?”sheseemedsur
pri
sed
Me:“Yes,ov
erahappymeal”iwhi
sper
edand
shel
aughedsoloudt
hatev
er y
onetur
nedand
l
ookedatus.
Zee:
“Youar
esneaky
”ihi
thernosewi
thmy
i
ndexfi
nger
.

Me:“You’
ret
henaughtyone,
maki ngt
hepoor
guyt
hinkt
hatyouhaveaboyfr
iend”
Zee:“You’r
etheonewhohasbeentel
li
nghi
m
thatiam t
aken.Woul
dyourat
herit
oldhimt
hat
Emihlei
smyson? ”
Me:
“Youwoul
dn’
tdar
e”i
sai
dchuckl
i
ng.
Loyi
so:“Sharethej
oke”Zeej
ustl
aughedand
cont
inueddishi
ngup.
Me:
“I’
l
ltel
lyoul
ater
”
Ther
estoft
hedaywasl
ovel
yandahuge
successthatwepl annedtodoi tagai
nthe
fol
lowingweekend.Itwasnowt imetogohome
andwehadpackedev er
ythi
ngi nourcar
s.Isai
d
goodby etothegentspromisingtoseethem
duringtheweek.Iwasnowl eftwit
hmysister
andZekhet hel
o.ToldNingit
hati wil
lwal
kZee
tohercar.

Me:“Todaywasahugesuccess”i
sai
daswe
wer
ewalki
ngtowar
dshercar.
Zee:“Ohmygoodnessi
twasamazi
ng”her
facel
itupi
smil
ed.
Me:“Thankyouforcomi
ngt
hroughaf
teri
behav
edlikeaj
erk”
Zee:“You’
real
waysajer
k”i
laughed.She
tur
nedandlookedatmesmil
ing.
Me:
“Soy
oubusyt
omor
row?
”

Zee:
“Ihav
echur
chi
nthemor
ning.Af
tert
hati
am f
ree”
Me:“Iwoul
dli
ket
ot akeyoutodi
nner
.”She
l
ookedatmeandpretendedt
obeshocked.
Zee:Ar
eyouaski
ngmeoutonadat
e?”
Me:
“It
’sj
ustdi
nner
”
Zee:
“Di
nnerdat
e?”

Me:
“It
sdi
nner
.We’
l
leatf
oodandchi
l
l.
”
Zee:“Goodf
ood,
conv
ersat
ion.Soundsl
i
kea
datet
ome”
Me:“Okayfi
ne.Adat
e”shel
i
ftedupherar
ms
andcheer
ed.
Zee:
“It
’sadat
e”shethenjoggedt
ohercar
l
eavi
ngmesmili
ngli
keaf ool
.
Iwentbacktolockupandwentt
othecar
wheremysisterwaswait
ingf
orme.
Ni
ngi
:“Sexyi
sn’
tshe?
”
Me:
“Who?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Mnxi
m”i chuckl
edandwedr
ovehome.I
wassot
ir
edthatigothome,t
ookashowerand
sl
ept
.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..

Wokeupt henextdayandhadwentf ormy

mor ni
ngjog.Wheni camebackt hehousewas
supercleanandbreakfastwasready.Ir
eal
i
sed
thatourhelperwasback.Iwenttotakea
showerandgott othekitchent
oeat.
Ningij
oinedmeandshewasi nthephonewit
h
Zekhethelobyt
hesoundofthi
ngs.Sheended
thecal
l andcametosi
t.Il
ookedather.

Me:
“So?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Sowhat
?”
Me:
“howi
sshe?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Howi
swho?
”igr
oaned.
Me:
“Howi
sZekhet
hel
o”
Ni
ngi
:“Cal
lher
”igoti
rr
it
ated.
Me:
“Ni
ngi
please”

Ni
ngi
:“She’
sfi
ne.She’
sonherwayt
ochur
ch”
Wef i
nishedbr eakfastandiwenttol ockmyself
i
nmyst udy.Imusthav eworkedthroughoutthe
daybecausewheni checkedthetimei twas
17h34andNi ngicameknocki ng.
Ni
ngi:“Pl
easecomeeat”shegoti
nandcame
t
oclosemyl apt
op.Shepul
ledmebymyhand
wal
kingout.

Me:
“I’
l
lhav
ejui
ce”
Ni
ngi
:“Youhav
en’
teat
enal
lday
”
Me:
“I’
l
leatatdi
nner
”
Ni
ngi
:“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Wi
thwho?
”
Me:
“Iam goi
ngoutwi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend”
Ni
ngi
:“Heheokay
”

Iwenttomybedroom tookabathandgot
dressedi
ncream chi
nopantsnavyshoesanda
whiteshi
rt
.Ical
l
edZekhethel
o.
Zee:
“I’
mleav
inghomenow”
Me:
“Hel
l
oMi
ssNgcobo”
Zee:
“Ohsor
ry.Hey
,ij
ustdon’
twantt
obel
ate”
Me:
“Okay
.Seey
ousoon”
Igotinthecaranddroveout.Iwasi
nhigh
spir
it
s, i
gottoUmhlangaOy st
erBoxandwaited
forher.Iwentt
oourtableandsatdown.20
minuteslat
ershewalkedin.Iwassosurpr
ised
andconcerned.Ihadafrownonmyf ace.
Me:
“Youf
lew?
”
Zee:
“No.Idr
ove”
Me:
“Don’
tdot
hatev
eragai
n”
Zee:
“Iwon’
tdoagai
ndad”
Me:
“Zekhet
hel
o”i
sai
dinawar
ningt
one
Zee:
“Itwon’
thappenagai
n”
Me:
“Shal
lwe?”il
edhert
oourtabl
eandi
got
t
oseewhatshewaswear
ing.
Shewaswear i
ngakneelengt
hpeacedress
wit
hacream coat
.Shelookedbl
oodysexyifel
t
mybloodrunni
ng.Toni
ghtisgoi
ngtobeagreat
ni
ght.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwasabi
tobser
veddur
ingt
hisdi
nner
,imean
wheni f
ir
stmettheguyhewasnot hi
ngbuta
j
erkandnowhe’ shavi
ngdinnerwi
thme.We
hadjustor
deredourdri
nksandhewasnow
si
tt
ingstari
ngatme.
Me:
“What
?”
Sazi
:“Justl
ooki
ngaty oumi
sscoconut
”i
l
ookedathimindisbel
i
efandhel
aughed.
Me:“I
’
m notacoconut”hesmi
ledandl
eaned
ont
hetabl
eputt
inghisarmsontopofi
t.
Sazi
:“Iam j
oki
ng.Youar
etooupt
ight
”
Me:
“Ihav
emyr
easons”her
aisedabr
ow.
Sazi
:“We’
l
ltal
kont
hatl
aterbutf
ornowt
ell
me
abouty
ou?
”
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwantt
oknow?
”
Sazi
:“Ev
ery
thi
ng”hewi
ggl
edhi
sey
ebr
owsI
l
aughed.
Me:“Iam 27year
sold.Il
i
vewi
thmyparents,
I
hav
ea6y earoldsonandabi
gbrot
herSfi
so.I
hadat wi
n,hepassedawaywhenwewer e
young.Thecompany,Ii
nher
it
editf
rom myaunt
andtheresti
sblablabl
ah”Irol
l
edmyey es.
Sazi
:“What
’st
hat
?”
Me:
“What
’swhat
?”
Sazi
:“ThatBl
abl
ahbl
a?”
Me:
“Not
hing.Iwasj
ustsay
ing”hechuckl
ed.
Ourfoodcameandwehadlightconversat
ion.
Sazii
sreall
yfunt
ohangwi
th.Wef i
nishedour
maincourse.
Sazi
:“Youhavebeendr
inki
ngwatersi
ncewe
camehere.Or
dersomet
hingel
se.Icanaff
ord
i
t”
Me:
“Icanaf
for
dmyownf
oodandi
…”
Sazi:
“Idi
dn’
taski
fyoucanaff
ordornot
.All
I
askedisf
oryout
oordersomet
hingel
seto
dri
nk”
Me:
“Idon’
twantany
thi
ngel
se.Wat
eri
sfi
ne”
Sazi
:“Whyar
eyoubei
ngdi
ff
icul
t?”
Me:
“Ionl
ydr
inkwat
erort
ea”
Sazi
:“Whydidn’
tyousayso?”Ij
ustkeptqui
et
becausehewasreal
lyt
esti
ngmypat i
ence.

Ihaddesser
tandIkeptcl
osi
ngeyesmoaning.I
openedmyey esandf
oundhim st
ari
ngatme.
Me:“What
?”Isai
dwhi
l
efor
kwasst
il
li
nmy
mouth.
Sazi
:“Youdot
hatal
otdon’
tyou?
”
Me:
“Dowhat
?”
Sazi
:“Moanwheneat
ing?
”myey
esshotup
andhechuckl
ed.
Me:
“Foodi
ssogood.Iam sor
ry”hechuckl
ed.
Sazi
:“I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
set
haty
ou’
dli
ke?
Me:“Howmucht i
medowehave?”hel
ookedat
hi
swristwat
chandbackatme.
Sazi
:“Wehavet
hewholenight
”hi
sey
es
becamedar
kandIchoked.
Sazi
:“Youokay
?”
Me:“Yeah, I’
m good”Idr ankwat erandwiped
myt ears.Hestoodupaf terset t
li
ngt hebi
l
land
hel
douthi shand; Itookandi thappenedagain.
Thatelectri
cshockt hattravel
ledthroughmy
bodyandhef el
tittoobecausehesqueezedmy
hand.Hel edoutoft herestaurantandwewent
out.
Sazi
:“Youwanticecr
eam?
”Iqui
ckl
ytur
ned
andlookedathi
m.
Me:
“Iam notaf
anofI
ceCr
eam”
Sazi
:“Thef
uck?
?”hel
ookedatmewei
rdl
y.
Me:“Ionl
yeati
cecr
eam WHENImi
ssi
sand
t
hatishar
dly
”
Sazi
:“Sowhatdoy
ouwantt
odonow?
”
Me:“Let’
stakeawalk”wetookawalkt
alki
ng
aboutsi
l
lstuffaf
tert
hatwewentbackt
oour
car
s.
Sazi
:“Ihadf
unwi
thy
out
oday
”
Me:
“Ial
sohadf
un”
Sazi
:“Youwer
enoty
ourusual
bit
chysel
f”
Me:“Excuseme,whydoy
ouf
eel
theneedt
o
cal
lmeabi t
ch?
”
Sazi
:“Wel
lIcal
lev
erywomanabi
tch”
Me:“Fuckoffwi
thy
ourst
upi
dit
ybecauseIam
notabi
tch”
Sazi
:“al
lwomenar
ethesame”
Me:“Ishoul
djustgobef
orey
oucompl
etel
y
r
uinmymood”
Sazi
:“Whyy
our
unni
ng?
”hehel
dmyar
mti
ght
ly.

Me:
“Youar
ehur
ti
ngme”
Sazi
:“Ar
en’
tyouabi
tch?
”
Me:
“Sazi
letGo!
”Iy
ankedmyar
m andwentt
o
mycar
.
Sazi:“Zekhethel
oIdon’tknowwhattodowi t
h
thesefeeli
ngsthatIhaveforyoubutwhatIdo
knowi sthatIam notgoingtoactont
hem.I’l
l
bedamnedi fIl
etyouplayme”
Me:“Youdon’
tevenknowmeli
ket
haty
ety
ou
t
hinkIam l
i
keeverywoman”
Sazi
:“IhavebeenhurtZekhethel
obeyondt
he
wordhurtandIcan’
tlety
oui n”Icl
osedmycar
doorandwalkedtohi
m.
Me:
“Sowhatwast
his?Thedi
nner
?”
Sazi
:“Ij
ust
…for
geti
tbutIj
utcan’
tgi
vey
ou
whatyouwant
Me:
“Andhowdoy
ouknowwhatIwant
?”
Sazi
:“Ihavetogo”hegoti
nthecaranddr
ive
away.Helef
tmest andi
ngt
hereandIgoti
nmy
caranddrovehome.
Idon’
tknowwhenorhowIgothomebutwhenI
gothomethel
i
ghtswereof
f.Il
ockedt
hecar
andmyphoner
angasIwast
oopent
hedoor
.
Me:
“Sazi
please.Ineedt
osl
eep.I
…”
Sazi
:“Iam sor
ry”her
eleasedadeepbr
eat
h.
Me:“I
t’
sokay
.Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.Ihav
etogo
sl
eep”
Sazi
:“Pl
easegi
veme5mi
nut
esofy
ourt
ime”
Me:
“Wear
etal
ki
ngSazi
sot
alk”
Sazi
:“Iam out
side”hehungup.
Isi
ghedandIwentoutt
hegateandhewas
par
kedonehouseaway.Hegotoutwhenhe
sawmecomi ng.
Sazi
:“Iam sosorr
y”hesaidcuppi
ngmyf
ace
wit
hhisver
ywar m hands.
Me:“I
t’
sokay
”Iwhisper
edl
ooki
ngupathi
m
andhepul
l
edcloser
.
Sazi:“Wouldy
ougooutwi
thmeagai
n?”he
whispered.
Me:
“Toosoon”Iwhi
sper
edback.
Sazi
:“Whyar
ewewhi
sper
ing?
”hegotcl
oser
and…
Dad:“Voet
sekmanZekhethelo.Geti
nthe
houseri
ghtt
hismoment!
”wepul ledapar
t;he
tur
nedandwalkedbacki
ntothehouse.

#i
amt
ir
edwi
l
lfi
nisht
omor
row
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t15
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Igoti
nthehouseandmypar ent
swereint
he
l
oungesit
ti
ngdown.Iwalkedpasti
tandmom
cal
ledme.Iwentandsatacr
ossthem
Dad:
“Hav
eyounor
espectf
ory
our
sel
f?”
Me:“Whatdoyoumeanbecausei
am ol
d
enought
o..
..
”
Dad:
“Thati
swhyy
oual
way
smakebad
choi
ceswheni
tcomest
omen”
Mom:
“Muzi
”
Dad:“What?!Sheknowst
his,
ifshedi
dn’
thave
abadchoicehersonwoul
dknowherfather
”i
fel
tai
rleavemybody.
Me:
“Howcoul
dyousayt
hatdad?
”
Dad:“ItstrueZekhet
helo.Youar
egoodwith
every
thingbutyourchoiceinmenncnc.
.”he
saidshakinghishead.

Me:
“Youdon’
tev
enknowSazi
!”
Dad:“Iam busydeali
ngwi t
hthisMikeissuey
et
youaregal
li
vantingt
hest r
eets.Youare
behavi
ngli
keal osegi
rl”
Me:“Whati
syourpr
obl
em dad?
”hest
oodup
andcametome.
Dad:
“Whatwast
hat
?”
Me:
“Whati
syourpr
obl
em?Youhav
ebeeni
na
sourmoodsinceyest
erdaysopl
easedot
ell
me
whatthepr
oblem i
s?”
Dad:
“Youdonotgett
otal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
”
Me:
“Ifyounol
ongerwantmeher
epl
easet
ell
metol
eaveandiwil
l
...
.”
Ifeltmycheckgethoti
nasecondfol
lowedby
aliqui
dcomingoutofmynose.Itwasblood
anddadhadsl appedme.Mom washysteri
cal
.

Dad:
“Iwi
l
lnotbegy
out
ost
ayi
nMYhouse”
Me:“Al l
ofusknowt hatyouneverwantedme
tocomebackhome.Mom f orceyouto.
..”
anotherslappedf
oll
owedandmom wasi nfront
ofhiminasecond.Ilookedupathim shaking
myhead.
Me:
“Iwi
l
lleav
eyourhousei
nthemor
ning”
Dad:
“Makesurewheny ouleav
ey ounev
er
comeback”Mom j
ustsobbedlouder.
Istoodupandwentt omybedr oom.Myphone
hadbeenr i
ngingnonstopandi switchedi
toff
.I
tookoffmycl ot
hesandwentt otakeashower.
Inthebathroom il
ookedatmy selfi
nthemirr
or
andmyl efteyewasclosing.Theothereyewas
bloodreadandswol l
en.Iwipedthebloodand
showered.

Icri
edsomuchbecauseallofi
twasmyfaul
t.
Hadi notfol
l
owedMikenonofthi
swoul
dhave
happened.Whenigotout
,iwentt
omy
bedroom andmom wassit
ti
ngonmybedand
shewascr yi
ng.
Mom:
“Pl
easedon’
tgo”
Me:
“Whydi
dhehi
tmemom?
”
Mom: “OhmygodZekhet helolookatyou.Look
atyoureyes.Iam gonnaki l
lhim”shestoodup
andrushedoutofmyr oom.Secondsl ateri
heardshouti
ng,gl
assbr eaking.Iputonmypj s,
drankmypai nki
ll
ersandwentt obed.
.
Iwokeupt henextmorni
ngandi hadashar p
headache.It
urnedandmom wassl eepi
ngon
myside.Hernosewasallredandf aceswoll
en
fr
om cryi
ng.Sheevenhadhiccupsinhersleep.
Igotoutofbedandwentt oshower.Af
termy
showeri wentt
othecl osetandworemynavy
tr
acksuitandsocks.Istart
edpacki
ngmy
cl
othes.Mom gotinasi waspacki
ngmyshoes.
Mom:“Youdon’
thav
etogo.Iaskedhi
mto
l
eav
e”
Me:
“Mom thi
sishi
shouse.Ican’
tlethi
m
moveout
.Iwi
l
lgo”
Mom: “Babyplease,pl
easedon’tgo”she
star
tedcr
yingagain.Ipul
ledherinmyarmsand
shecri
edsomucht hati
tbrokemyhear t
.

Mom: “I
t’
sbadenought
hati
havetoli
ve
wi
thoutKhet
hel
obutnowyouhavetogoas
well
.Ican’ti
can’tZekhet
hel
o.Don’
tmakeme
l
iv
ewi thoutyou”
Me:
“I’
l
lcomev
isi
tmom.I
..
.”
Mom: “Idon’
twantyoutogo”shesai
dwi
ping
hert
earsandkneel
ing.
Mom: “Iam beggingy
ou.Ifyouleav
eyoul
eave
wit
hEmi hl
e.Ifyougoilose90%ofmyheart
.
Youoccupy70%andhi m 20%.”
Me:
“Mom.
..
”
Mom:
“Youar
emysunshi
ne.Myl
i
ght
.Don’
tgo”
Dad:‘You’
resti
l
lher
e?Ithoughty
ouwoul
d
havebeenlonggonebynow”
Me:“Iam donepacki
ng.Auntal
readypacked
f
orEmihl
e”
Dad:“Takeyourcarandl
eav et
heoneibought
fory
ou.Thatismymoney .Iam sur
eyoucan
buyyourown”inodded.
Mom:
“Ift
heseki
dsl
eav
eMuzi
iwi
l
lnev
er
f
orgi
vey
ou”
Dad:
“You’l
lj
usthav
etol
i
vewi
thahusband
t
hatyouhat
e”
Mom:“IhateyouMuzi”hewal
kedoutand
mom t
urnedtolookatme.Pl
eadi
ng.
Itookmysui
tcasesi
nthecarandwentt
osay
goodbye.

Me:“I
’
llbearoundDur
banpl
usiwor
kintown.I
wi
ll
seey ouEVERYDAYmom.Il
oveyou”
Mom:“Ilovey
ou”sheki
ssedmeal
lovermy
f
ace.Wehuggedforal
ongti
meandshedidn’
t
wantt
oletgo.
Wef i
nal
lypulledawayf rom eachotherandi got
i
nthecar .Idroveoutlooki
ngi nthemirrorand
mom wascr y
ing.Shewasev enkneel
ing.Igot
outtheyardandpar kedaroundthecor nerand
l
etitout
.Icr i
edforgood30mi nutesbefore
pul
li
ngmy sel
ftogether.
Idrovetotownandl ookedf orahotel
.Ifound
oneandi bookedi nforaweek.Mybagswer e
broughtinandi swit
chedonmyphoneand
messagesf l
oodedi nmost l
yfrom Sazi
.Iputi
t
onsi l
ent
,switchedont healar
m sothaticoul
d
gof et
chEmi hleandslept.
.
Iwokeupandf reshenedup, myf acel ookedso
messedupwi thaclosedey eandabl oodr ed
swoll
eney e.Iputonhugeshadeandwentt o
Emihle’
sschool .Wheni gottherei wentst raight
tohisclassr
oom, hisclassteacherTi rshai san
oldfr
iendofmi ne.Ilookedatherwi t
ht rembl i
ng
l
ipsandshegott omequi ckly.Shedi smi ssed
theclass5mi nutesearly.
Ishowedhermyf aceandnarr
atedthestor
yto
her.Sheofferedmeapl acet
ost aybuti
decli
ned.Talkingt
ohermadei tbett
erabit
.
Whenwewer edoneitookEmihl
eandwewent
tothehotel
.
Emi
hle:
“Thi
sisournewhomemommy
?”

Me:
“Wear
ejustv
isi
ti
ngher
e”
Emi
hle:
“Cani
takemyaf
ter
noonnap?
”
Me:
“Sur
ethi
ngmyl
ove”
Hetookhi
snapandi alsosl
ept
.Iwaswokenup
byaknockonthedoor.Ist
oodupandwentto
openanditwasSazi
.
Me:“Whatarey
oudoingher
e?”i
askedhi
m
wi
thashockedexpr
essi
on.
Sazi
:“Whatt
hehel
lhappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”
Me:
“I.
..
ermmm.
..
.”
Sazi
:“Andwhatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nahot
el?
?”
Me:
“Howdi dyouknowiam her
e”hepushed
measideandwentt
obed.Hescoopedup
Emi
hleandwalkedt
owar
dsthedoor.
Sazi
:“Isuggesty
out
akeal
lyourbel
ongi
ngs
andfol
lowme”
Me:
“whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”

Sazi
:“Takeyourbagsandfoll
owmehome;
whereyoushoul
dhavecamei nthef
irstplace”
hewalkedoutwit
hmysonl eavi
ngmeal onei n
thehot
elroom.Ihadnochoicebutt
of ol
low
him.
Ical
l
edt hehot
elserv
icesandt
heycametotake
mybags.Theyhelpedmei nmycarandi
drove
toNingi
’
splace.
Whenigotther
eSazi
wasalreadyther
e.He
cametomycarandtookoutthebags,he
wasn’
ttal
ki
ngtomesoi l
ethim be.

Weplacedt
hebagsintheguest
room wher
e
Emi
hlewassleepi
ng.
Sazi
:“Pl
easetakecareofEmihl
ewhenhe
wakesup”hesaidtothehel
perandpul
l
edme
bymyhandtowar dst
hebedroom.
Me:
“Whatam i
doi
ngher
e?”
Hemademesi tonthebed.Het ookoffmy
takki
esandjacket
.Hepul l
edbackthecover
andtoldmet ogeti
nside.Hetookoffhisshoes
aswellandcamet ojoi
nme.Hepul ledmei n
hisarms.
Sazi:
“Sl
eep.
..
”andthat
’st
hel
astt
hingi
hear
d
befor
edozi
ngoff.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Muz
i
.
Mynamei sMuzi Ngcobo, mar r
iedt oEl
ina
Ngcobo.Longago, beforeievenhadki dsi l
eda
verybadli
fe.Sobadt hatievenwentt opr i
son
whenmywi f
ewaspr egnantwi thmyol destson.
Icameouti n2y earsandv owedt hatiwil
ll
eave
thegangbuti hadt okill
theper sonwhoputme
i
nj ai
li
nthef i
rstplacesoi plannedanacci dent
,
i
ttookhi
slif
eandhiswi
fe’
sli
fel
eav
ingt
hei
r2
chi
ldr
enorphaned.

Idon’tmindmydaught erbei
ngf r
iend’swit
h
Ningibutactuallydat i
ngherbr otherSazi,t
hat’
s
l
ikespitt
ingonmyf ace.Ican’tletherdatehim;
hewi l
ldi
scov erthet ruthandi wil
l l
osemy
daughterfor
ev er.Ir athershehat esmef or
beingamonst erthanbei ngamur dered.

Ichasedheroutoft hehouse,l
ordknowsi
didn’
twantt hatt
ohappenandwhenshel ef
tit
brokemywi f
e’sheart
.Ir
eall
ydidn’
twantthem
toleave.Whenshedr oveoutofthehouseshe
parkedaf ewhousesawayandshecr ied.I
knowt hisbecauseihadherfol
lowed.

Mywifeontheot
herhandi
sbrokensobadthat
idon’
tknowhowtomakeupforit
.Ifoundher
i
nourbedr
oom cr
ying.
Me:“Baby
”it
ri
edt ouchi
ngherbutshemov
ed
awayfr
om mytouch.
El
i
na:
“Don’
ttouchme”

Me:
“Babyshewasgoi
ngt
ofi
ndout
”
El
i
na:“Whydidyouhither
?Youhur
ther
wi
thoutt
hinki
ngt
wice”
Me:“Sheisf
all
i
ngi
nlov
ewi
thhi
m.Ican’
tlet
t
hathappen”

Eli
na:“Youar ereal
lystupi
d.Howcoul dyou
thi
nkthat?Thef i
rstpersonthatsheisgoi
ngto
i
sNi ngiandthatboyliv
eswi thNingi
”
Me:
“She’
satahot
el.
”
El
i
na:
“Thatmakesi
tokayMuzi
?”
Me:
“Youhav
etof
orgi
veme.
”
El
i
na:
“Whati
wil
ldoi
stol
eav
eyou”
Me:
“Leav
emeandgowher
e?”

El
ina:“Zekhet
heloandiwil
lbuyahouseand
getawayfrom you!
”shewascryingandiso
wantedtoholdherbutshewouldn’
tletme.
Me:
“Youdon’
tmeant
hat
..
.”
El
i
na:
“Imeani
t.Imeani
tyoumonst
er!
”

Talkabouthear
tbreak,i
gotupandwentt omy
study.Idi
dsomewor kt
ryingtofor
get
every
thingbutij
ustcouldn’t
.Mybaby’
scri
es
keptringi
nginmyheadsoi deci
dedtocal
lone
ofmyboy s.

Mci
mbi
:“Shoboss”
Me:
“Wher
eisshe?
”
Mci
mbi
:BossTaMt
handeni
’
ssoncamet
o
f
etchher
”ist
oodupshocked.
Me:
“Whyt
hehel
ldi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”ishout
ed.
Mci
mbi
:“Yousai
dishoul
dfol
l
owherTa”
Me:
“Youar
ewher
eshei
s?”
Mci
mbi:“YesbossbutTaMt
ha’
ssonwentout
wi
thl
it
tl
eboss”
Me:
“Emi
hle?
”
Mcimbi:“Yesboss”ihungupandt hrewmy
phoneont hewall
.Thi
sboyistest
ingme
toget
herwithmystubborndaught
er .Mywi
fe
gotinthestudyaf
tert
hatepi
sode.

El
i
na:
“What
’swi
tht
henose?
”
Me:
“yourdaught
erEl
l
y,y
ourf
ucki
ndaught
er”
El
i
na:
“Whatdi
dshedo?
”
Me:
“Shewentt
othatboy
”
El
i
na:
“Oh.Iam goi
ngoutt
oseemydaught
er
andgr
andson”shewal
kedoutandf
oll
owedher
Me:
“Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”

El
ina:
“Later
.Bye”shel
eftmest
andi
ngthere
andiknewthatihadt
odosomethi
ngfast
!
Irecei
vedacal
lfr
om ani
nter
nat
ional
number
andcussed.
Cal
ler
:“Ithoughtmebei
ngawaywasmeantt
o
pr
otectherbutnowshei
souti
nthecol
d”
Me:
“Iwi
l
lsor
titout
”

Call
er:
“Sorti
toutorel
seiam comingback.I
can’
tbeherewhil
ethewomani car
eaboutand
l
ovesuffer
s”
Me:
“Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbesor
ted.Ipr
omi
se”
.
Call
er:“bet
tersor
titoutorel
seiwil
lbeonthe
fi
rstf
li
ghtout”cal
lerhungupandisi
ghed.I
wasinbigtroubl
eandi hadtosor
tever
ythi
ng
outsoonbef
oret
hingsgetoutofhand.

Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupal oneinbedandagaini
hada
headache.Ihel
dmyheadandi twaspi
erci
ng.I
fel
ttear
sthreati
ngtofal
lbutt
hedooropened
butichosenottolookup.
Sazi
:“You’
reawake?
”
Me:“Yes.
”Iwhisper
ed.Hegoti
nbedand
cuppedmyface.
Sazi
:“Hey
”hesmi
l
ed
Me:
“Heyr
ightback”andt
hesest
upi
dtear
sfel
l
.
Sazi
:“Don’
tcr
y”hewi
pedmyt
ear
sandki
ssed
mynose.
Me:
“I’
m okay
”

Sazi:“I
t’
sokayt obreakdown.I t’
sokayt ocr y
”
hesaidrubbi nghisthumbsonmycheeksand
thetearswer efall
i
ngnonst op.Hepulledmet o
him andi sobbed.Icrieduntilil
ostmyv oice.
Hekeptr ubbingmybackki ssingmyf orehead.
Aftersomet imei calmeddown.Wheni pulled
backhegav emeagl assofwat erandi drank.

Me:
“Thanky
ou”
Sazi
:“Lookatyounow.Youl
ookev
enmor
e
ugl
ynow”wel aughed.
Me:
“Wher
eisEmi
hle?
”
Sazi
:“He’swit
hNi
ngi
.Itt
ookalott
okeepher
outt
here.Shei
sbr
eat
hingfi
re”

Me:
“Iunder
stand,
ifi
rstneedt
oseemyson
af
tert
hati
wil
lseeNi
ngi
”
Sazi
:“You’
regoingtot
ell
mewhathappenedt
o
you”hi
sfacechanged.
Me:
“Yeahermi
fir
stneedt
oseemysonand
myfr
iend”
Sazi:“Letmegogett hem”hegotupand
walkedout .Secondsl
ater
,befor
ei coul
deven
preparemy selft
hedoorburstopenandincame
Emihle;running.

Me:“Norunni
ngEmi
hle”ishoutedbuthe
j
umpedtobedandhuggedme, bury
inghi
sface
onmyneck.
Emihle:“Mommy
”hesni
ff
edandi
huggedhi
m
ti
ghter.
Me:
“Heybaby
”
Emi
hle:
“Mom i
t’
stoot
ight
”
Me:“Sorr
ybaby.Haveyoueat
en?
”hel
i
ftedup
hi
st-
shir
trubbi
nghistummy.
Emihl
e:“Byemommy
.Lov
eyou”hegotoutof
bedandranof
f.
Igotoutofbedandwenttothebathr
oom.
Wheni gotbackNi
ngiwassit
ti
ngont hebed.
Shelookedli
keshewascryi
ng.Shelookedat
me.
Ni
ngi
:“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”

Me:
“Idi
dn’
twantt
obeabur
den”
Ni
ngi
:“Abur
denZekhet
hel
o?Ar
eyouf
ucki
n
ki
ddi
ngme?!
”
Me:“I’
m sor
ryi.
..
”sheat
tackedmewi
thahug
hol
dingmetight
.
Ni
ngi
:“Whodi
dthi
stoy
ou?
”
Me:“Muzi
,wearguedand.
..
”shel
etgoofme
andl
ookedatme.
Ningi
:“Ihat
ehim!”i
chuckl
edandwesatonthe
bed.It
oldherev
eryt
hingt
hathappened,
byt
he
ti
mei wasdonehermouthwashanging.
Me:
“Cl
osey
ourmout
h”

Ningi:
“SoSaziisr
esponsi
blef
ort
his?
”bef
orei
couldanswerSazi
walkedi
n
Sazi
:“Responsi
blef
orwhat
?”
Ningi
:“Herf at
herhitherbecauseofyou”hi
s
facechangedandt herewasr agewri
tt
enall
overhi
sf ace.
Sazi
:“Ni
ngi
excuseus”
Ni
ngi
:“Wewer
est
il
ltal
ki
ng”Sazi
gav
eherl
ook.

Sazi
:“Isai
dexcuseus”shecl
i
ckedhert
ongue
andwalkedout
.Hewentandlockedt
hedoor.
Sazi
:“Yourf
atherhi
tyoubecausey
ouwer
e
st
andingout
sidewit
hme? ”
Me:“Thatst
art
edthear
gumentand.
..
”het
ook
hi
skeysandwalkedtot
hedoor
.
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”

Sazi: “Out.Don’
twor r
yi am notgoingt oyour
father.I’
l
lbeback”heki ssedmymout hand
openedt hedoor .Heturnedaroundandcame
backki cki
ngt hedoorwithhisfoot.Hecupped
myf aceandheki ssedtheday l
i
ght soutofme.
Hist onguemov edi nandourtonguesdanced
together.Thekisswassogoodt hatitfel
tli
ke
freshmi neralwater.
Wepull
edapar
tbr
eat
hingheav
il
yandhe
br
ushedmyli
pwit
hhisthumb.
Sazi
:“Yout
ast
egood”
Me:
“It
ast
egoodal
lov
er”her
aisedabr
ow.
Sazi
:“I
sit
?”hel
i
ckedhi
sli
ps.
Me:“Yesi
tisbuti
am hungr
y.Ineedfood”i
hur
ri
edtot
hedoorandhechuckled.
Sazi
:“Cowar
d”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t16
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Afterthatli
tt
lemakeoutsessionwi t
hSaziir
an
offtothekitchenandwentt ochil
l wit
hmyson
whileNingicooked.Sazicamet ojoinusand
ni
ggaki ssedmeont heli
psinfrontofmyson
andsister.Ningicougheduncontroll
ablywhi
l
e
Emi hl
ehadt hishugesmi l
eonhisf ace.
Ni
ngi
:“Whatt
hehel
l
?”
Sazi
:“Hey,
languagei
nfrontofmyson”i
l
ookedathi
m shocked.
Me:
“Whatt
hef
uck?
”hel
ookedatmeangr
il
y.
Sazi
:“Isai
dlanguage,
idon’
tknowify
ouwant
metostartnowteachi
ngmanners”
Me:
“Sor
rybuthe’
snoty
ou.
..
”
Sazi
:“Zekhet
helo.
..
”hesai
dinawar
ningt
one
soichosetoshutup.
Emi
hle:
“Soy
ou’
remydad?
”
Sazi
:“Youbetiam”herubbedhisheadand
Emihl
elookedathi
m pr
oudly.Iwaspissedon
theot
herhand.

Emihl
e:“Soy
ou’
l
lcomet
omygameon
Sat
urday?
”
Sazi
:“Ihavemissedsomanygamesandiam
notmissi
ngthi
sgame.Iwil
lbether
efr
ontseat
”
Emihl
e:“Yeaaaah!
”hegotupandjumped
ar
ound.Ningil
aughedwhil
eSazi
smiledl
i
kean
i
diot
.Iwantedtoslapt
hatgri
nof
f.
Me:
“Si
tdownEmi
hle”
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
oi am warningyou”helooked
atmeangril
ybutididn’
tcare.Iam notaboutt
o
l
ethimtell
mehowt orai
semyson.
Me:“Sazi
please.Leav
emet
orai
semyson
pl
ease”
Sazi
:“Wellhe’
smysont oo”Ningi
tookEmihl
e’
s
handandhurri
edaway.Sazit
ookachairand
satdi
rect
lyi
nfrontofme.Hisl
egslocki
ngme
i
n.
Me:“
Whendi
dwegett
obedandmadea6y
ear
ol
dson?
”
Sazi
:“Ohsothat
’swhatthi
sisabout
?”he
l
ookedamusedandthatannoyedmeeven
more.
Me:
“What
?”
Sazi
:“Youwantmet
obl
esswi
thy
ouwi
thmy
Johnnyher
e?”
Me:“Nothanks,
idon’
twanty out
ickli
ngme
wi
thyourtoot
hpi
ck”helaughedoutloud.
Sazi
:“Don’tsayshi
tthatwi
l
lgetyoui
ntr
oubl
e
becauseiwil
lfucky
ousenseless”
Me:
“Sazi
please”i
swal
l
owedhar
dtr
yingt
o
mov
eawaybutni
ggahadl
ockedmei
n.
Sazi
:“Weneedtotal
k”InoddedbutIwasv er
y
muchsav
edbythehousephoneringi
ng.Sazi
st
oodupandgoti
t.
Sazi
:“Hel
l
o”
Per
son:
Sazi
:“Yest
heyar
eher
e”hel
ookedatme.
Per
son:
Sazi
:“Iam openi
ngfory
ou”heputdownt
he
phoneandcamet ome.
Me:
“Whowast
hat
?”

Sazi
:“Yourmot
her
”Ist
oodupandr
anout
side.
Isawmom’scarcomingupthedr
ivethr
ough.
Bytheti
mesheparkedIwasbyherdoor.I
openedi
tandf
lunginherar
msandcr i
ed.
Mom:
“I’
m her
e.Nownow.
.i
t’
sgonnabeokay
”
Me:“Whatdi
dIdomom?Whydoeshehat
eme
somuch?”
Mom: “Youfell
inlove”mom cuppedmyf ace
andwewal kedtothehouse.Wewentt ot
he
l
oungeandEmi hleracedin.Ij
ustkeptqui
et
becauseSaziwaslookingatme, wai
tingf
orme
toshoutathis“
son”
Emi
hle:
“Gogo!”hefl
unghi
mselfonmom and
mom cr
ied.Pat
ti
nghi
m al
lover
.
Mom:“Imissy
ou.OhGodImi
ssyoumyEmi
”
Emi
hlepul
l
edbackandwi
pedhert
ear
s.
Emihle:
“Don’
twor
rygogo,
wewi
l
lcomeand
vi
sitwit
hdaddy
”

Mom:“Daddy?
”mom l ookedatmeandIshr
ug
myoneshoul
der.Sazi
clearedhi
sthr
oat
.
Sazi:
“Comeboy ,
let
’sgogett
hatcri
cketki
t
thatyouwant
ed”butIdi
dn’
tknowthathe
wantedanewkit.
Me:
“Sazi
i…”
Sazi
:“NotnowZekhet
hel
o”hesai
dinaster
n
voi
ceandbidmom far
ewel
lbef
oretaki
ng
Emihl
e.
Mom:
“Okay
,whatj
usthappened?
”
Me:“Sazi
keepsfi
ll
i
ngt hesei
deasinEmihl
e’
s
headt
hatheishi
sfather”mom j
ustsmil
ed.
Me:
“Whyar
eyousmi
l
ing?
”
Mom: “Youl
ovehi
m,don’
tknow?
”Iwast
aken
aback.
Me:“I
tsnotlov
emom butt
herearef
eeli
ngs”
mom noddedandwewerej
oinedbyNingi
.She
cameandjoi
nedus.
Ni
ngi
:“Hel
l
omommy
”theyhugged.
Mom:
“Heybaby
.Howar
eyou?
”
Ni
ngi:“I
’m okaymom.Justwor
ri
edaboutour
gi
rlher
e”
Mom:
“Iwi
l
lsor
titoutbabybutIcanseey
our
br
otheri
staki
nggoodcar
eofher
.”
Ningi
:“HeeeMah!Thisone,
theykissedinthe
ki
tchen.I
nfrontofEmihl
eandI.Sazievenwent
asfarascall
inghimsel
fEmihl
e’sfat
her”they
l
aughedandIl ookedatt
hem annoyed
Me:“Mom wouldyouli
keany
thi
ngt odr
ink?
”
sheshookherheadcl
osi
nghereyes.
Mom: “Ican’
tkeepany
thingdownsi
nceyou
l
eft
.Iam suff
eri
ngbaby,Ireal
l
yam.Iam goi
ng
t
oleaveyourfather
”

Me:“Don’
tdothatmom butwhatIwantt
o
knowiswhydoeshehat
emesomuch?Hehurt
memom”
Mom:
“Honeyy
ouf
ell
inl
ovewi
thSazi
”
Me:“What ’
swr
ongwit
hSazi
?”Ni
ngiclear
ed
herthr
oatandt
heywer
ecommunicat
ingwith
thei
reyes.
Mom:
“Not
hingIer
m Iwoul
dli
ket
ea”
Me:“No,
youar
ebot
hgoi
ngt
otel
lmewhat
’s
goi
ngon?”
Ni
ngi:“It
hinky
oushoul
dtal
ktoSazi
about
t
hat”
Me:
“Whywon’
tyout
ell
me?
”
Mom:
“It
’sbet
teri
fyouher
eitf
rom hi
m baby
”
Aftert
hatepisodeIcompl
etel
yzonedoutoft he
conversati
onunti
lmom deci
dedtoleave
promisingtocomebackthenextday.Iwalked
backintothehouseandNingiwasintear
s.
Me:“What
’sgoi
ngon?Somet hi
nghappenedto
Sazi
andEmihl
e?”sheshookherheadwi
ping
hert
ear
s.
Ningi
:‘
”Pl easedon’
teverdoubtt
hatIl
ovey
ou
l
ikeasister.Nomat t
erwhathappensy
ouwil
l
alway
sr emembert hat”

Me:
“Youar
escar
ingme”
Ni
ngi:“Pr
omi
seme”Inoddedandwi
pedher
t
ears.
Me:“Ipr
omise”IhuggedherandSaziwal
kedi
n
wit
hasleepi
ngEmihle.Hetookhi
mt obedand
camebacktowherewewer e.
Ni
ngi:
“Tal
ktoher
.Makeherunderst
and”she
wal
kedawayl
eavi
ngmewithSazi.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi
:“Li
keItol
dyouear
li
erbef
orewegot
i
nter
rupt
ed,weneedt
otalk”
.
.
.
.
Muziwaspanicki
ng.Hecoul
dn’
tgethol
dofthi
s
per
sonforsomet i
meunti
lhepi
ckedupaft
er
someti
me.
Per
son:
“Youar
ereal
l
ybot
her
ingmet
oday
”
Muzi
:“Pl
easedon’
tcomeback.I
twi
l
lrui
n
ev
ery
thi
ng”
Person:“Makethi
ngsri
ght.Shemustgoback
toyourhousebytoni
ghtorelseIam comi
ngto
getherwithhersonandyouwi l
lnev
ersee
them again”
Muzi
:“Pl
easegi
vemeachance.Iwi
l
lmakei
t
r
ight
”
Person:
“Bett
ermakeitr
ight.Youpr
omisedshe
wil
lbewell
takencar
eofbuty ouseenowwhat
youaredoi
ng?Youarehurt
ingher”

Muz
i:“Okay
.Iwi
l
lbr
ingherhome”
Person:“Makeherhappyagai
n.Br
ingbackt
hat
beauti
fulsmi
leofher
s.”
Muz
i:“Okay
.St
ayput
”
Per
son:“Iwon’
tthi
nktwiceaboutcomingt
here.
Il
ovehermorethananyt
hingplusIhav
e
not
hingtol
ose.Fi
xthi
s”hehungupandMuz i
wassweat
ing.Hecal
l
edMci
mbi
.
Mci
mbi
:“Sur
eboss”
Muz
i:“Gi
vet
headdr
esswher
emydaught
eri
s”
Mcimbi:“Iwil
ltexti
ttoyou”hehungup.A
minutelat
eramessagecamet hroughwi ththe
address.Muzit
ookhi scarkeysandleft.Hehad
togethisdaughterandgrandsonbackbecause
i
ftheydon’tcomebackawhol elotofshitis
goi
ngt ohappenandhei sn’
treadyforthatyet.
.
.
.
Lasti
nsertl
atert
hanaf
tert
hati
wil
lseey
ouon
sunday.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t17
.
Sazi
.
Idon’
tknowwher etostartexplainto
Zekhethelothati developedf eeli
ngsf orher
ri
ghtaftersheki ckedmybal l
s, waybef orei
knewthatherf at herki
lledmyf ather.Shewas
l
ookingatmewi thergl ossyey esandi knew
thatt
hiswasgoi ngt obet hehar destt hingi
everdi
d.Wewer esitti
ngi nbedandi l
ockedher
l
egswi thminei ncaseshewant edt orun.

Me:“Iknowthatthi
swil
l bev er
ybitt
erto
swal
lowbutithi
nkit’
sbesti tel
lyouever
y t
hing
bef
orewegoanyf urt
her.Pleasedon’ti
nterr
upt
meuntilI
’
m done.
”Shenodded.

Me:“Myf ather
,hisnamewasMt handeni
Ngonyamamar r
iedtoLuciaNgony ama.One
ni
ghtont hei
rwayhomef rom dinnertheywere
i
nvolv
edi nacaraccidentandt heydied.I
i
nvesti
gatedandf oundoutthathewaski l
led.
Seemyf atherwasawel lknowndr ugl or
dand
hehadenemi esall over.Sohemadeav ery
i
mpor t
antmanangr yandhel andedi njail
.
Duringthattimei gr ewuphar dandwhatmade
thi
ngswor sewast hathemol est
edNi ngiwhen
shewasst il
lagirl
.Iwant edt of i
ndtheper son
thatkill
edhim sot hati couldseehi m and
avengemyf atheratt hetime.Idi dn’
tevenknow
aboutNi ngibutwhenshet oldmei j
ustlet
everythi
nggoandt oldmy selfthatmandi dme
afav our.
”

Zee:
“Whoki
l
ledy
ourpar
ent
s?”
Me: “Sot hei
ssuewi thmyf at
heril
etitgo
becausei wantedt oavengemymot herand
wheni f
oundoutt hatyourf
atherki
ll
edmy
parents,icameupwi t
haplantodestroyyour
fat
hert hr
oughy ou”hereyeswidened.
Zee:
“What
?”shewhi
sper
ed.
Me: “Iam sor
rybabebutihadt ot
ell
youso
thatwecouldstar
tthi
srel
ationshi
ponaclean
slat
e”
Zee:“Youusedme?”shet
ri
edget
ti
ngawaybut
ihadlockedheri
n.
Me:
“Noi
didn’
ti.
..
”

Zee:
“YouandNi
ngi
usedme”
Me:
“It
snotl
iket
hat,wel
li
twasbutNingitol
d
metol
eti
tgobecauseshefor
goti
tlongago.”
Zee:“Soal
lthi
sti
me, methi
nki
ngif
ounda
fr
iendbuti
twasallpar
tofsomepl
antouseme
togettomyfat
her”

Me:“Zekhet
heloi
t’
snotli
kethati
..
.”she
wi
ggledherbodybuti
lockedheri
n.
Zee:
“Sazi
youahur
ti
ngme.Letgoofme”
Me:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
oleav
eme”
Zee:“Pl
easel
etgo”shetri
edbreaki
ngfree
agai
nbutihel
dherti
ghterandshelookedver
y
pi
ssed.
Me:
“Pr
omi
senott
oleav
e?”
Zee:“LetgoofmeSazi”it
ri
edt
ouchi
ngher
facebutshebackedaway
.
Zee:
“Leav
emeal
onepl
ease.
”
Me:“okaybuty
ouarenotleav
ingme”iletgoof
herl
egsandshegotoutofbedsofastr
unning
outt
hedoor

.
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
AssoonasSazil
etgoofmyl
egsi
rushedout
goi
ngtol
ookforNingi
.
Me:“Ni
ngi
!Ni
ngi
!
”ishout
edl
ooki
ngal
lov
erf
or
her
.
Ni
ngi:“Noneedtoshouti
’
mri
ghther
e”she
wal
tzedinsmil
i
ng.
Me:“Youusedme.Youhav ebeenusi ngmeall
al
ong.Youdon’tcareaboutme.Youj ust
wantedtobeclosetomet ogetrevenge.You
wantedMuziandy ouusedme”i wascr yi
ngand
sheheldhermouth.
Ningi
:“I’
m sor
ry.Iam.
..
”shet
ri
edt
ouchi
ngme
butibackedaway.

Me:“Pl
easedon’t
,don’
ttouchme.Youl
ied!
”i
wassobbi
ngloudl
yandSazi wal
kedi
n.
Sazi:“Pleasest
opcry
ingZekhet
hel
o.Youar
e
breakingmyheart”
Me:“Leav
emealone.
”It
urnedandlookedat
Ni
ngiwhowasnowcryi
nguncontr
oll
ably.
Me:
“Meandy
ouwewor
ktoget
herbuti
tends
t
her
e.Iam donewi
thy
ou,
bot
hofy
ou”

Iwenttotheguestr
oom andtookourunpacked
suit
cases.Af
terl
oadingthem i
nthecariwoke
Emihleupandputhimi nthecar
.Sazicame
tr
iedtostopmefrom leavi
ng.
Sazi
:“Pl
easedon’
tgo.Myf
eel
i
ngsf
ory
ouar
e
genui
ne”
Me:“Don’tf
ooly
oursel
fSazi
andidon’
twant
youfeel
i
ngsorr
yforme.Goodby
e”
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
opl
ease.
..
”
Me:
‘Getoutofmyway
”

Hegotoutofmywayandidroveoutbutgot
bl
ockedbymyfat
her
’scarbythegate.Hegot
outandcametomycar
.
Dad:
‘Pleasecomebackhomebaby.I
’
m sor
ry”i
wasshakingmyheadnonst
opcryi
ng.
Me:“Muzipl
ease.Ineedt
ogetouti
fher
e.You
ar
eblocki
ngmyway ”
Dad:
“I’
m sor
ryi
washor
ri
blet
oyou.Justcome
home”
Me:“Ican’
t.Idon’
twantt
o.Youhur
tand
bet
rayedme”
Dad:
“Iam sor
ry.Iwasj
ustbei
ngst
upi
dand.
..
”

Me:“Youkil
l
edt hem dad.Youki
l
ledt
hei
r
par
entsandall
ofy ouknew”
Dad:
“Iam sor
ry.Cam wegohomeandt
alk”
Me: “Getoutoft heway .Ineedtogopl ease”
mom wascal li
ngnonst opbutiignoredit.Dad
l
ookedt i
redanddef eatedsohel etmepass.I
wentt oadifferenthotel andbookedin.I
ordereddinnerf orEmihle.Iwasn’tgoingtobe
abletoeat.
Emi
hle:
“Ar
eyouokaymommy
?”
Me:
“Yesbabyi
am good”

Emi
hle:
“Isdaddycomi
ngt
osl
eepher
ewi
tus?
”
Me:“Sazi
isnotyourdadandy
ouar
enev
er
goi
ngtoseehim agai
n”
Asifineededanymoreproblems,Emihle
star
tedtocrysomuchthathewasr ol
l
ingon
thefl
oor.Event
hehotelmanagercamebuthe
wouldn’
thearofithewasjustcr
ying.
Manager:“Ithi
nkit
’sbestyoucall
theguy
becauseyouwon’tsleepatal
ltoni
ghtandyou
l
ookpr et
tybeatup”

Me:“Canyouor
gani
semesomepai
nki
l
ler
s?I
wi
ll
callt
heguysol
ong”
Manager:
“Foodandpill
sri
ght?”hegav emea
smil
eandi smi
ledbackweakl
y.Hewasav ery
ol
dmanandher emi
ndedmeofmyf atherwhen
hesti
ll
caredaboutme,i
fheeverdid.Tears
cameback.Iwasr
eal
l
yti
redofcr
ying.

Me:“Thankyou”herubbedmyshoul
derand
wal
kedout.Iwentt
omyphoneandcal l
edSazi
.
Sazi
:“Babe?
”
Me:“Don’
tcal
lmet hat.Emi
hlei
scryi
nghere.
Hedoesn’
twantt
osl eep.Hewantshi
scri
cket
ki
tandhewantsyou”

Sazi:“I’
m onmyway ”hehungupandi l
ooked
atthephone.Icamet oarealisati
onthatthi
s
guyseemst oknowmyev erymov eandihadto
fi
ndouthow.Themanagercamebackwi th
foodandpi l
l
s.Iat
e,inthemi ddleofmymeal
therewasaknock.Iwentt othedoorandSazi
wast hereil
ethi
mi nandhewal kedtobed
wher eEmihl
ewascr yi
ng.

Sazi
:“bi
gguy
”Emi
hlewokeupandj
umpedi
n
hi
sar
ms.
Sazi
:“Iam her
e”
Emi
hle:
“Youl
eftmedaddy
”
Sazi:“Iwon’
tleaveyouagain”hewalked
aroundtheroom calminghi
m downandaf t
er
whatseemedl ikefor
everhewasfinal
lyasl
eep.
Heputhi mtobedandi wal
kedtothedoor.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
helowhatwil
lyousaywhenhe
wakesupandi am nott
her
e”
Me:
“i’
l
ltel
lhi
myoudi
ed”

Sazi:
“Don’
tdot
hispl
ease”i
openedt
hedoor
wider.
Me: “GoodbyeSaz i
”helookedatmepl eadi
ngl
y
butilookeddownandaf tersometimehe
walkedout.Iclosedthedoorandisli
ddown
thedoorandi cri
ed.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Imusthavecri
edunt i
licoul
dn’tcr
yanymore.I
stoodupandwentt otakealongsoothi
ng
shower.Aft
erthati
wentoutandwor emyv ery
shortpj
sandsayont hebedthinki
ng.Iwas
dist
urbedbyhardknockingonthedoorandit
wasSazi.

Me:
“Whatdoy ouwantnowSazi
?”hepushed
t
hedoorandcamein.
Sazi:“Forgi
vemeZee.For givemef orfail
i
ng
myl i
felongmissiont odestroyy ourfamily,
forgi
vemef ornotav engi
ngmypar ents.Forgiv
e
mef orbeingstupidandnoti nvolvingyoui nmy
plansfrom t
hewor dgo.For givemef orfall
ingin
l
ov ewithyoubutmostofal lforgivemef ori am
notleavingyoualone.”
Me: “Ican’
tdot
hisri
ghtnowSaziy
ouneedto
go”hecuppedmyf aceandbr
oughtourbodi
es
together
.
Sazi
:“Ican’
tletyougomydi amond.Ican’t
.
Youaretheperfectwomanformeandi ’
llbe
damnedifil
ety ougojustl
i
kethat”
Me:
“Youcan’
tfor
cemet
obewi
thy
ou”

Sazi:
“Babyi
justtol
dy out
hatiam notlet
ti
ng
yougosoyoubetterpackyourt
hingsand
fol
lowmeagain”
Me: “Youcan’
tdot hi
sSazi
.Youcan’
tcomei
n
hereanddict
atetomet el
li
ngmewhattodo,
orderi
ngmear ound”

Sazi
:“Iam notl
ett
ingy
ougo”hekissedmeso
suddenl
yandohsodeeplyi
melted.Thi
sman
doeswondersgomybodyandicouldn’
thel
p
butmoanr et
urningt hekiss.Itwasmor e
i
ntenseandpassi onatethanbef ore.Hepulled
meclosermaki ngmef eelhisserecti
onandi
moanedev enmor e.Weki ssedforthelongest
ti
meandi feltapool betweenmyl egs.OhGod
i
thasbeent oolong.Hemov edfrom myl i
ps
andkissedmedownmyneckcuppi ngmy
boobsandhest opped.

Sazi
:“Pl
ease”hi
sey
eswer
esmal
l
Me: “Pl
easewhat ?
”ili
ckedmyl i
psandhe
ki
ssedmeagai n.Hishandstrav
ell
ingal
lov
er
mybodyi tf
eltsoamazing.Icamebacktomy
sensesandpulledback.
Me: “Sazipl
ease.Ineedtime.Ineedtimet
o
thi
nk.Ijustf
eelbetr
ayedbyal l
ofy ousopl
ease
giv
emet imetothi
nkthingsthrough”
Sazi
:“Youwon’
tfi
ndanot
herman?
”
Me:
“May
bei
wil
l
,idon’
tknow”
Sazi
:“Youar
enowtal
ki
ngnonsense”hel
ooked
pi
ssedial
mostsmi
l
ed
Me:
“Ineedt
osl
eepokay
?”
Sazi
:“Iwi
l
lcomecheckony
oui
nthemor
ning”
Me: “Don’
t.Iwil
lcal
lyouwhenI’
mreadyt
osee
you.Justgivemeabi toft
ime”
Sazi
:“Howl
ong?
”ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s
Me:
“Mi
nimum aweek”

Sazi
:“What
?Thati
sbul
l
shi
t!
”
Me:
“Goodni
ghtSazi
.Ineedt
osl
eep”
Sazi:
“Iam givi
ngyou2days;aft
erthati
am
comingforyouandEmihl
e”inoddedandhe
gavemeal ongbabyki
ssbeforel
eavingt
he
hotelr
oom.
Idrankwhatwasleftoft
hepill
sbutij
ust
couldn’
tsl
eep.Iwasveryti
redandcr
anky.I
t
ookmyponeandcal
l
edmymom.

Mom:
“Ohmybaby
!Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Me:
“I’
m okaymom.
”repl
i
edi
naf
latt
one.
Mom:
“Ar
eyouokaybaby
?Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Me:
“Youknewmom?
”
Mom:
‘Knewaboutwhat
?”.

Me:“AboutNingi
’
sfather
”shewhisperedaver
y
t
iny“ohGod”andrel
easedashakybreath.
Mom:
“Whot
oldy
ou?
”
Me:
“Sazi
.Hewant
sust
ogi
vei
tanot
hershot
”
Mom:
“Oht
hati
sgoodnews”
Me:
“Notsof
ast
,whydi
ddadhi
tme?
”

Mom: “Youfel
li
nlov
ebabyanddadwas
scar
edhissecr
etwasgoi
ngtocomeout
”
Me:
“Soi
hav
ebeent
hest
upi
doni
nal
li
fthi
s”
Mom:“Don’
tsayt
hatpl
ease.Ij
ustf
eel
sobad
f
orkeel
i
ngyouint
hedark”
Me:“Ihav
etogomom.Wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.
Thepi
ll
sareki
cki
ngi
n”
Webi deachotherf
arewel
landitri
edtosleep
buticoul
dn’t
.Wheni l
ookedattheti
mei twas
sti
l
l21h36.Icall
edNingi
.Fi
rstt
hingiheardwas
sni
ffs.

Me:
“Why
?”myv
oicewashoar
se
Ningi:“Iam sor
ry.Iam sosorr
yZee.Idon’
t
wannal oseyou.Youaremybestf r
iendand
sister
.Idon’
tknowwhati wi
ll
doifyoudon’
t
forgiv
eme”
Me:“Iam notbeaut
if
ulenough?Idi
dn’
tgi
ve
youenoughti
meorpayy ouenough?Whydid
youdoit?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Pl
easedon’
tsayt
hatZee.
.il
ovey
ou”
shecr
iedshamei
tbr
okemyhear
t.
Me:
“Pl
easecomeov
er”

Ni
ngi
:“Wher
ear
eyou?
”herv
oicebecameal
ert
.
Me: “askyourbrot
her”ihungupandcl imbedin
bed.Isattheref
orgood30mi nut
es,iwas
star
tingtodoseoffwhenaknocki nt
err
upted.I
wentt oopenadNi ngiwasstandingthere
cryi
ng.Sheflunghersel
finmyar msandwept ..
Ni
ngi:‘
Iam sorr
y.Iam sosor
ry”shedidn’
twant
t
oletgosoi pul
l
edherinandclosedthedoor.
.
.
Muz
i
.
Mywifelookedsobrokenandtheperson
woul
dn’tstopcal
l
ing.Iwenttoourbedroom
andf
oundmywi f
ecryingherl
ungsout.Ipul
led
heri
nmyarmsrocki
ngherbackandf
ort
hunt
il
shecal
meddown.
El
i
na:
“Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonowMuzi
?”
Me:
“Hei
scomi
ngbackf
orher
,fort
hem”

El
ina:
“Isther
eanyotherway?Iunder
stand
howhefeelsbuthemustgiv
eust i
mewi t
hour
baby”
Me:“Hehasbeencall
i
ngnonst
opandhewi
l
l
comebacksoonerorl
ater
”
El
i
na:
“Shei
sgoi
ngt
ohat
eusf
ort
his”
Me:
“Ihopeshedoesn’t
.Wehavekeptheri
n
t
hedar
kforsolongihopeshef
orgi
vesus”

Mywi fesnuggl
edclosert
omychestandsl ept
duri
ngourconv er
sati
onsoi endedupsl
eeping
too.Iwokewithastartwhenmyphoner ang.I
real
isedthati
twasthenextdayat12h30.I
can’
tbeli
eveisl
eptf
orsuchal
ongt
ime.It
oo
thephoneandanswered.
Me:
“Hel
l
o”
Cal
l
er:
“Opent
hegat
e.Iam out
side”

Me:
“WHAT???!
”isprangoutofbedwaki
ngup
mywif
einpr
ocess.
Cal
l
er:
“Iam out
side.Open”hehungup.
El
i
na:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Me:“He’
sout
side.Hehascomef
orher
”my
wi
fe’
seyeswi
dened.
.
.
.
#SeeYouOnSunday
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t18(Cr
opTop)
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupthenextmor ni
ngwithNingi
holdi
ng
melikev
icegri
p.Itr
iedgett
ingawaybutshe
hel
dmet i
ghtergr
oaningichuckl
ed.
Me:“Letgoofmeyoutr
aitor
!”shequickl
ysat
upandlookedatmegui
l
til
yilaughed.
Me:“Nowi knowwhatt
ocall
youwheni
want
toscar
eyou”shel
ookeddownpl
ayi
ngwi
thher
hands.
Me:
“Willy
ouj
ustchi
l
l?”i
gotupandwentt
o
t
hebat
hroom.

Igotint
oashowerandtookaquickone
becauseihadtogetEmi
hlereadyforschool
.I
gotoutandNingiwassi
tt
ingther
elookingso
sad.
Me:“Stopi
tnow.Youlookli
keanoldr
eti
red
pussy
”shegiggl
edandlookedatme.
Ni
ngi
:“Iam sor
ryZee.Ir
eal
l
yam”
Me:“It
sgonnataketimet
ogobackt
ohowwe
werebefor
ebutyouhavet
omakeme
under
standev
eryt
hing”
Ni
ngi
:“Okay
.Thanky
ou”

Me:“Nowletmegetmysonr
eadyf
orschool
.
Pl
easeor
derbreakf
ast
”
IwenttowakeEmi hleupandhedi dn’
twantt
o
getupbutev entual
lyheagreedandwewentt o
shower.Wellihelpedhimtaket heshower
.
Aftert
hatihelpedhim getdressedandhehad
breakf
ast.Thencameaknockont hedoor
,i
wenttogetit.ItwasSaziiroll
edmyey eswhi
le
hechuckled.

Sazi
:“Cani
comei
n?”hef
lashedasmi
l
e.
Me:
“No.Wear
ebusy
”
Sazi
:“Whoi
swe?
”
Me:“Mysonandfri
end”hechuckl
edand
pushedt
hedoorget
ti
nginigotir
ri
tat
ed.Emi
hle
sawhim andj
umpeduptohim.
Emihl
e:“Daddy
!”Sazi
laughedandpi
ckedhi
m
up.

Sazi
:“Howar
eyouboy
?”
Ni
ngi:“Heybr
o”henoddedandt
urnedbackhi
s
at
tent
iontoEmihl
e.
Emihle:“Mommysai dy ou’
redead”Sazi
gave
meal ookandi rol
l
edmyey es.Iwal
kedtot
he
bedroom tochange.Sazigotinasiwaspul
li
ng
upmyj eans.

Sazi
:“It
houghtwespokeaboutmebei
ngi
n
Emihl
e’
sli
fe”
Me:
“He’
smysonSazi
.Mi
ne”
Sazi:“Iwantt
obei
nhisl
if
etoo”i
tur
ned
aroundandwentt
olookf
oratopinmy
suit
case.
Me:“Gomakeyourownchil
d”i
satonthebed
andputonmyshoes.Hecameandsatbesi
de
me.
Sazi
:“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”

Me:
“I’
m get
ti
ngdr
essed.Ineedt
otakemyson
t
oschool
”
Sazi
:“I
’
llt
akehi
m”hesai
dget
ti
ngup.
Me: “Noi
t’
sfi
nei ..
.”hepushedmet obedand
kissedme.Hekissedmesor oughly
.Hegoton
topofmeopeningmyl egs.Hebegangri
ndand
imoaned.Hepulledbackandsmi l
ed.

Sazi
:“Iwil
ltakeEmihl
etoschoolokay
?”i
noddedbuthelookedatmeblankl
y.
Me:
“Okay
”
Sazi
:“Andwheni
comebackwewi
l
lmake
anot
herbaby
”
Me: “Thefuck?
”igav
ehi
m al
ookandhe
chuckled.

Sazi
: “Language.I’
l
lbeback”hewentoutafter
ki
ssingmyf or
ehead.Isatont
hebedf or10
minutesafterthatiwal
kedoutandfoundNingi
wearinghershoes.
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Ningi
:“Iam goi
ngt
oworkplusSazi
sai
dtot
ell
youtomovebacktoourpl
ace”
Me:“Thatai
n’
tgonnahappen”i
sai
dmov
ing
ar
ound.

Ningi:
“Iam r
eal
l
ysorr
y”i
tur
nedandl
ookedat
her.Shewant
edtocr
y.
Me:“I
tsnotbecauseofyouorany
thi
ng.Ij
ust
needt
imetomy sel
f.Justmeandmyson”
Ni
ngi
:“Okay
.Letmegohomeandgetr
eadyf
or
wor
k.”
Me:
“By
e”wehuggedandshel
eft
.

Isati nt
hathotel r
oom checkingmyemai l
s.
Sazi cameknocki ngbutij
ustst ayedinbedand
pretendednottohearhi m.Ifellasleepduring
thattimeandwheni wokeupi twas2hour s
l
ater.Ili
ftedupmyheadandf oundSazi si
tt
ing
onthecouchdoi ngsomewor k.Hewasonhi s
l
aptoppl ustherewer esomepaper saround.I
satonmybum andl ookedaroundt her oom.

Sazi
:“You’
reawake”
Me:
“Yesandhowdi
dyougeti
n?”
Sazi
:“Iwasaconcer
nedboyf
ri
endandasked
managertoopenupasiwasworr
ied”
Me:“Worri
edboy
fri
endmyass”i
snor
tedand
hechuckl
ed.
Sazi
:“Youl
i
keusi
ngfoul
language?
”heasked
l
ooki
ngathi
slapt
op.

Me:
“Iam waytoooldt
oanswert
oany
onepl
us
myfat
heri
ssti
l
l..
.”
Sazi
:“Don’
tbetoohardonhi
m oryour
self
.You
shoul
dgospeaktothem.Fi
ndoutwhatthey
havetosay
”
Me:
“HowwasEmi
hlet
hismor
ning?
”hesmi
l
ed.
Sazi
:“Aj
oy!Mysoni
sbr
il
li
ant
”
Me:“st
opcall
inghimthat
!”i
saidget
ti
ngoutof
bed.Myphonerangonthedressi
ngt
able.

Me:
“Zekhet
hel
oNgcobohel
l
o?”
Cal
l
er:
Me:
“Hel
l
o?Any
onet
her
e?”Sazi
lookedatme
andputhi
slapt
opasi
de,
wal
kedt
ome.
Sazi
:“Whoi
sit
?”
Me:
“Idon’
tknow.Hel
l
o?”
Call
er:“Zeze”i
frozeandmyphonesli
pped
from myhandsfall
ingdownt
ogetherwi
thmy
tear
s.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
10y
ear
sago
.
Ihadjustfi
nishedmyt r
ailexams,iwasdoing
grade12andi washappybecausei wasgoing
awayforahol idaywi thmyf avour
iteman.I
wenttothegat eandacarwasal readywai
ting
forme.Usuallyi t
’sjustthedriv
ewhocomesbut
todayhecamewi thhim.Igotinthecarandi
fi
guredhecamet ofetchmesowecoul dgot o
theair
portstraightaway .
Him:“Zeze,howareyou?
”hepul
ledmecl
oser
andputhisarm ar
oundmyshoul
der.
Me:
“I’
m good.Howar
eyou?
”hesi
gheddeepl
y.
Hi
m:“Iam okay
.I’
mjustt
ir
ed”
Me:“Wewi llr
estt
omorr
owwhenwegett
o
London.Ican’
twai
t.”
Him:“Zezeweneedtotalk”het
urnedl
ooki
ng
atme.Helookedser
ious.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Hi
m:“Ican’
tgowi
thy
ou”
Me:“Iam goi
ngalone?Oht
hat
’ssad.CanSf
iso
comewith?You’
l
l.
..”
Hi
m:“Zezepl
ease.St
optal
ki
ngandl
i
stent
o
me.
”Il
ookedathi
m andsmil
ed.
Me:
“Okay.Iam sor
ryi
wil
lkeepqui
et”he
smi
l
edfai
ntl
y.
Hi
m: “Zezei
havetogo.Ihav
etol
eav
eandi
am notcomi
ngback”
Me:“Whatdoy
oumean?
”myv
oicewas
br
eaki
ng.
Him:“Iam l
eav
ingy
ou;
thi
spl
acei
stoo
danger
ous”
Me:
“Takemewi
thy
ou”t
ear
sfi
l
ledmyey
es
Hi
m: “Ican’
tbaby
.Ir
eal
l
ycan’
t”Hesai
dwi
ping
mytears.
Me:“Whyar
eyougoi
ng?Howdoi l
i
vewi t
hout
you?
”hepul
l
edmeinforahugandisobbed.
Him:“Don’
tcry
.Pl
easedon’
tcr
y”i
shookmy
headnonstop.
Me:
“Ify
oul
eav
eiwi
l
lnev
erf
orgi
vey
ou”
Hi
m:“Zezepl
ease.
..
”
Me:
“Iwi
l
lnev
erev
erf
orgi
vey
ou”
Him:“Ihavet ogoZeze”t
hecarcametoastop
andireal
isedthatwewerehome.Itookmybag
andopenedt hedoor
.
Me: “Ihopeyoudie”icl
osedthedoorrunning
tothehouse.Idroppedmybagatt hepassage
andwentt omybedr oom cl
osi
ngthedoor .I
cri
edunt i
lif
ellasl
eep.Wheniwokeupl ater
nexttomypi l
lowwasal ett
eri
nsi
dethel ett
er
ther
ewasacar dinit
.Thelett
err
ead;

DearZeze

Itbreaksmyhear ttoleav ewithouty our

blessingsandpr opergoodby e.Youar emy
whol ewor l
dZezeandi wanty out obehappy.I
havet oleav ei
nor derfory outol i
veanor mal
l
ife.Ihav etri
edt opr otecty ouandnotexpose
yout othismessy oucal lmyl i
febuti j
ust
couldn’t.Icouldn’tletyoui nmycr uelworl
d
becauseoncey ou’reinitsov er.Il
ov eyouZeze
andi willalwaysbewat chingov eryou.
Lov
e;
Gr
andpa.
.
Thatwasthel
astt
imeiheardf
rom him.He
tookapi
eceofmyheartwit
hhim andfort
hat
hewil
lal
waysbeapartofmyli
fe
Iwokeupwi
thast
art
,Sazi
qui
ckl
ycamet
omy
si
deandhel
dme.
Sazi:“Shhhhh,y
ou’
reokay
.I’
m here,
iam r
ight
here”hekissedmyheadcountl
essti
mes.
Me:
“Whathappened?
”
Sazi
:“Youreceiv
edacal
landyouwere
hyst
eri
cal
.Aftert
haty
oufai
nted.
”Andtheni
tal
l
camebacktome.
Me:“He’
sback.Heshouldn’
thavecameback.I
don’
twanthi
m her
e.Idon’twanthi
m Sazi
”
Sazi
:“Whoarey
out
alki
ngaboutBaby
.What
happened?
”
Me:
“Idon’
twantt
oseehi
m.Pr
omi
sei
won’
t
seehi
m.Pl
ease.
.”i
wascr
yingal
lov
eragai
n.
Sazi
:“Ipr
omi
se.Noonei
sgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou”
Me:
“Nooneel
seexcepty
ou;
right
?”
Sazi:“Zekhethel
o..
.”hesaidsoftl
y.Igotoutof
hisarmsandwentt othebathroom.Iopened
thetapsandi cri
ed.IheardSaziknockbuti just
i
gnoredhi m.Icri
edt i
l
licouldn’
tcry.If
inall
ygot
outthebathroom andEmi hlewasbackf rom
school.Sazif
etchedhim.
Emihl
e:“Mommy
!”her
ant
omeandi
picked
hi
m up.
Me:“heybaby
..
howwasschool
?”i
kissedhi
s
f
ace.

Emihle:“Schoolwasgreat.Myteacherwas
touchingdaddy”igaveSazial
ookandhe
l
ookedpi ssed.Ismil
ed.
Me:
“Isi
t?”
Emihle:
“Yesandshesaidshewant
stobemy
mommy ”i
chuckl
edwhil
eSazicl
i
ckedhi
s
tongue.
Sazi
:“Emi
hle,
come”
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ng?
”
Sazi
:“Wear
egoi
ngoutf
orl
atel
unch”
Me:
“Oh,
enj
oy.
”Isai
dtot
hem.
Sazi:“Imeantal
lofus,
the3ofuswearegoi
ng
out.Emihl
egochange”herant
otheot
herroom
andi waslef
twit
hSazi.
Sazi
:“Idon’
twanther
.Shewasj
ustt
ryi
ngher
l
uck”
Me:
“Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng”
Sazi
:“Youar
ejustt
oof
orwar
d.”Il
aughed.
Me: “Okaydaddy!
”hecl
ickedhi
stongueagai
n
causingmetolaugh.Myphonerangyetagai
n.
Itwasmom.
Me:
“El
i
na”shesi
ghedl
oudl
yandi
knewt
hat
Gr
andpawaswi
thher
.
Mom: “Coul
dyoucomebackhome?
”she
soundeddown.
Me:
“Why
?”
Mom:“Ican’
texpl
ain.I
..
.”i
hear
dshuf
fl
ingand
hecameontheli
ne.
Grandpa:
“Zeze,
Pleasecome.Ineedt
otal
kto
you”
Me:
“Youl
eav
emeal
oneokay
?”
Gr
andpa:
“Ineedtoseeyoubaby.Pl
easecan
wemeet?”i
hungupandi j
ustf
eltemoti
onalal
l
ov
eragai
n.Ifel
tSazi
wrappi
nghisarmsaround
me.
Sazi
:“I
t’
sgoi
ngt
obeokay
.Ipr
omi
se”
Me:“Hehur
tmesobad.Her
eal
l
yhur
tmeandi
nol
ongerwanthi
m”
Sazi
:“Shhhh”hehushedmetil
liqui
etened
down.Heturnedmetolookathi
m andhe
ki
ssedmynose.
Sazi
:“You’
rebeaut
if
ul”
Me:
“Youarely
ing.Iam sur
eil
ookugl
ywi
thmy
r
edfaceandbl
ockednose”
Sazi
:“Don’tf
orgetswoll
eney
es”i
punchedhi
s
shoul
derandhechuckled.

Me:
“Thanky
ou.
Sazi:
“Don’ tt
hankme.Iwillal
way sbeherefor
you,withyou”hesmiledandkissedmyl i
ps.He
puthishandonmycheekandki ssedmedeepl
y.
Hegr oanedleani
nginmakingmef eel
his
erect
ion.Iquickl
ypul
ledawayy etagai
n.
Sazi
:“Chi
l
l.Iwon’
ttakey
out
obedy
et.
.”
Me:
“Yousoundsosur
eofy
our
sel
f”
Sazi
:“Makenomi
stakeZee,iwi
l
lmakey
ou
scr
eam mynamev
er ysoon”
Me:
“Weshal
lsee”i
sai
dwal
ki
ngt
othe
bedroom andfoundEmihlesl
eepi
ngonthebed.
Iputablanketoverhi
m andwenttowhereSazi
was.Ifoundhim watchi
ngt.
v.Hestoodup
whenhesawme.
Sazi
:“Wher
eishe?
”
Me:
“Hei
ssl
eepi
ng”
Sazi
:“Hemustbet
ir
ed”
Me:“Yeahfrom wat
chingdaddymaki
ngout
wi
thhisteacher
”helookedatmeandilaughed.
Sazi
:“Iam goi
ngt
oflatt
eny ourchest
”i
chuckl
edandwentt
oor dersomecof f
eeand
Saziwashungr
ysoialsoorderedforhi
m.
Me: “Letmechange”i wentt othebedroom
andwor emyt ennisski
rtandaspor tsbra.I
l
ookedatmy selfi
nthemi r
rorandi l
ooked
sizzl
ing.IwentoutandSazi waspay i
ngt herom
servi
ceguy .Hewasf aci
ngt heotherwayand
theguywasl ookingatmewi t
hhismout hwide
open.Sazi t
urnedandlookedatme.Het urned
andl
ookedatt
heguyt
henbackatme,
he
fr
owned.
Sazj
:“Heyyou,v
oet
sekoutofher
e”hepushed
theguyandsl
ammedthedoor.
Me:
“That
’ssor
ude”hesqui
ntedhi
sey
es.
Sazi
:“Your
eal
l
yli
ket
est
ingmedon’
tyou?
”
Me:“Whatdi
dido?”i
lookedathiminnocent
ly
f
lappi
ngmyeyebr
ows.Hechuckled.
Sazi
:“Whatar
eyouwear
ing?
”
Me:“Cl
othes.What
’swr
ong?
”il
ookedat
mysel
fthenhim.
Sazi
:“Letmeeat.“hesatdownandat
e.He
avoi
dedlooki
ngatme.
Sazi
:“Icheckedy
ououtoft
hehotel
.When
Emihl
ewakesupweareleavi
ng”
Me:“It
oldy
outhati
am f
ineher
e.Iwi
l
llookf
or
apl
acetost
ay”
Sazi
:“Iknowbuti
checkedy
ououtany
way
s”
Me:“Youdon’
tgett
omakedeci
sionsf
orme
Sazi
”

Sazi:
“Zekhethel
o.Wearel
eav
ingwhenEmihle
getsup.That’
sit
”icl
i
ckedmytongueandwent
tothebedroom.
Iwaspacingupanddownbecausei waspissed
butaf
tersomet i
mei justdeci
dedtocal
m down
andgowit hhim becausehewasnotgoingt o
l
etmegoei therway.Ipackedourbagsand
wokeEmi hleup.
Me:
“Comeboy
.Wehav
etogo”
Emi
hle:
“Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngmommy
?”
Me:“Wearegoingt
ouncleSazi
’
shouse.We
wil
lst
ayt
here”hequi
ckl
ysatupandgotoutt
he
bed.
Emi
hle:
“Let
’sgomom”
Me:
“Teet
handf
acef
ir
st”
Hewenttowashhi sfaceandiwheel
edthe
bagstot
hel oungear
ea.Theguywasalready
ther
etogetourbags,hedrool
edagai
n.Sazi
l
ookedpissed.
Sazi
:“Thanky
ou.Takethebagsdownstai
rswe
wil
lcomedownjustnow”helef
taft
ersnappi
ng
outofi
t.
Me:“Iam j
ustwai
ti
ngf
orEmi
hlet
henwecan
go”
Sazi
:“Ar
en’
tyougonnachange?
”
Me: “I’
m good”i tookmyhandbagandEmi hle
camer unning.Wewal kedoutwi t
hSazi wal ki
ng
slowlybehindme.Hekeptt i
ghteni
nghisj aw.
Wegott othel obbyandwet ookourthi
ngst o
thecarandawaywedr ove.Sazii
nsist
edt hat
wet akehiscar.Hewi l
lgetsomeonet of etch
mycarandt hatremindedmeofsomet hing.
Me:“Sazihowdi
dy oufi
ndme?Howdi dyou
knowwhichhot
eliam atandi
thappened
twi
ce”
Sazi
:“Leav
ethatZee.I
t’
snoti
mpor
tant
.”
Me:
“It
simpor
tantt
omesot
ell
me”
Sazi
:“Leav
eit
!”her
aisedhi
svoi
ceabi
tandi
camebackhar
der.
Me:
“Tel
lmehowt
hef
uckknew?
?!”
Sazi
:“Ibuggedy ourphoneokay ?Iknow
ever
ythi
ngthatisinsi
dey ourphone.Ever
yemail,
numberandev er
yconv er
sation.If
uvkinbugged
you”
Me:
“Whywoul
dyoudot
hatSazi
?”i
whi
sper
ed
t
hat
.
Sazi
:“Myini
tialpl
anwast odest
royyouand
l
eaveyouwithoutacenttohurty
ouandy our
fami
lybutt
hatallchangedwheni metyou”
Me:
“Whathappenedwheny
oumetme?
”
Sazi
:“If
ell
inl
ovewi
thy
ou”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t19
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Ther estofthedr i
vehomewasf i
ll
edwith
sil
enceonl yEmi hl
ewast al
kingandiwasn’t
evenpay ingattent
ion.Wedrov ebyatakeout
placetogetf oodandcont i
nuedhome.Af ter
somet i
mewear ri
ved.Wegotoutoft hecarand
iattemptedtohel pSaziwit
ht hebagsbuthe
saidtoleaveit.Heplacedthem inthe
guestroom andl ef
t.
Igotinbedandt ri
edtosleepbuti couldn’
t.I
keptt hi
nki
ngaboutwhathesai dt omei nthe
car.Hebuggedmyphonet ogeti nformati
on
thatisinmyphoneandhet ur
nsar oundand
sayshel ovesme.Forgiv
emebuti don’
tbeli
eve
that.Thati
spureutterbull
shi
tandi fSazithi
nks
iam goingt ogi
veinhehasanot herthing
comi ng.
Ihav
ehadahardt
imewit
hMi keidon’
tthi
nki
canbel
i
eveany
thi
ngt
hatconcernsl
ove
especial
l
ywheni knowthemot iv
ebehi ndyou
“f
alli
nginlov
e”withme.Itookmyphoneand
call
edanagent.Isawabeaut ifulhouseina
nicecomplexsoishouldjustlookf oraplaceof
myownf ormysanity
.Imanagedt obook
my sel
fanappoint
mentf orthenextday .Ningi
camei sasiwaswr appi
ngupmycal l
.

Ni
ngi
:“Cl
i
ent
/wor
k?”
Me:“No,t
hatwasanagent
.Iam l
ookingfora
pl
acetost
ay.Iwantt
obeoutofyourhairi
na
week”
Ningi
:“Ireal
lycan’tapol
ogi
semoref
orwhat
happened.Iam reall
yashamed”
Me:“It
’snotyou.I
tsme.Ineedt otakecontr
ol
ofmylif
ebecauseevery
onet hinkstheyhav
et o
cont
rolofmesoi j
ustneedthis.Ineedtogo
backtoworkandbeonmyown”
Ni
ngi
:“Youcan’
tst
ayher
e?”
Me:“Ican’
tstay.Yourbr
otheri
sthemai
n
r
easonwhyi can’tst
ay”
Ni
ngi
:“Why
?”
Me:“Itwouldhavebeenbett
eri
fwestar
tedon
agoodnot ebutnowthi
ngsaresomuchofa
messi havel
ostcont
rolev
enofmyli
fe.Ineed
t
ofindmy sel
f”
Ni
ngi
:“Whenar
eyoul
eav
ing?
”

Me:“Assoonasi
getapl
acet
ost
ayi
wil
l
l
eav
e”
Ni
ngi:“Okay
”shenoddedandstoodup.She
wentoutoft
heroom l
ooki
ngreall
ysad.
Isatont hebedl ookingatfurnit
ureandsaved
thethi
ngst hati l
iked.Iwasgoingt obui
lda
homef ormeandmyson.Ij ustsawthatihad
noonebutmy sel
f .Af
teriwasdonewi th
everyt
hingi putonat -
shi
rtandsomesl eeper
s.I
wentoutandf
oundEmi
hledoi
nghi
shomewor
k
wi
thSazi.

Iwenttothekitchenandlookedf
orsomething
toeatbutijustmadeapeanutbutterandbutt
er
sandwich.Imadet eaandsatdown.Sazi
walkedinasi waseati
ng.
Sazi
:“Whatar
eyoueat
ing?
”
Me:“Peanutbut
ter
”hel
ookedatmeand
f
rowned.
Sazi
:“Ther
eisf
oodi
ntheov
en”
Me:
“Thi
sisf
inet
hanky
ou”
Sazi
:“Youcan’
tgot
obedonbr
eadonl
y”

Me:“Sazi
please.Iam f
inewi
thmybreadand
t
ea”icont
inuedtoeatandhewalkedout
.
If
ini
shedeat
ingandicl
ear
edtheki
tchen.I
wenttot
heloungear
eaandfoundever
yone
wat
chi ngtv.Isatonaoneseatcouchand
Emihlecamet osqueezehimselfnextt
ome.
Wecuddl edlikethatandwatchedt v
.Sazikept
l
ookingatmebuti j
ustkeptmyey esonthetv.

Me:
“ComeEmi
hle.Bat
handbed”
Emihl
e:“Okaymommy ”hegotupandwentto
Sazi
.Hehuggedhi
m andtoldhi
m goodni
ght
andsamewentforNi
ngi.Ial
sogoup.
Me:
“Goodni
ght
”iwhi
sper
ed.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
o..
”heat
tempt
edt
ost
andbuti
st
oppedhim.
Me:“Sazi
please”hesatbackdownandi
went
out
.

Wegottothebedroom andi helpedEmi hl

e
bat
h.Af
terthebat
hhewentst raightt
obed.I
al
sowentforashower.Aftertheshoweri put
ononeoversi
zet-
shir
tthatifoundi nthecloset
.
Ismell
edofSazi
.Ial
soputonmybl
ackl
ace
pant
iesandwenttobed.

Aftersomucht ossingandt urni

ngi gotupand
openedt hedoorl eadi
ngout side.Itookaboo
andi wentout si
det oread.Itri
edt oreadbuti
wasj uststuckononepagesoi eventuall
ygave
up.Iburiedmyheadonmykneesandi began
totearup.Ihav ebeenhol di
ngonf orsol ong
thatital
lcamebackandi criedmaki ngsur e
thatnoonehear sme.

Idon’
tknowhowlongisattherebecausewhen
il
if
tedupmyheadSazi wasstandi
ngbyt he
doorl
ookingatmeigotfr
ight
ened..
Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeant
ofr
ight
eny
ou”
Me: “I
t’
sokay
”mynosewasbl
ockedf
oral
lthe
cr
ying.
Sazi
:“Cani
sit
?”
Me: “I
t’
syourhouse”i
scootedupandhesay
nexttohe.Hesighedl
oudl
yandbreat
hedout
l
oud.
Sazi
:“Iam sor ry
.Iam sorr
yforthewaywemet .
Iam sorrythatNingii
scaughtupinall
ofthi
s.I
am alsosorrythatyouarehurtbuti
am not
sorr
yf orl
ov i
ngyou”

Me:
“Okay
”inodded.
Sazi
:“I
sthatal
lyou’
regonnasay
?”
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwantmet
osaySazi
?”
Sazi
:“Any
thi
ngei
thert
han“
okay
”.
Me:“Iam tir
ed.Iam exhaust
ed.Ineedt
o
br
eath.Ineedtogetaway ”

Sazi:
“Don’tgetawayfrom me,i
needyoutobe
hereZekhethel
o.Theselastf
ewweeksthati
metyouhavebeenbli
ssf
ul.Youchall
engeme
andyoumakemewantt obeabet t
erperson
Zee.Pl
easedon’
tleav
eme.Ineedy ouand
Emihl
e”

Me:
“Sazi
ineedt
ogo.Ineedt
oleav
e”
Sazi:
“Letsgoaway .Forafewday s.Getto
knoweachot herf i
rst.Ifiam notwhatyouwant
theniwilll
eavey oual onebutifweworkthen
wewi ll
takethistot henextlevelandhavea
bangingrelat
ionship.”
Me:
“Sazi
i.
..
”

Sazi
:“Justgiv
eust
hischance.Gi
vemet
his
chance.Pl
ease”
Me:
“Ifi
don’
tagr
eewi
thany
thi
ngi
wil
lgo?
”
Sazi:
“Iwi l
ltr
ybyallmeanstomakethistr
ip
theebesteverbutifandt
hatisabi
gif.I
fyou
feell
ikeiam notoneforyou,
youar
efreetogo”
Me:
“Okay
.Wecango”

Sazi
:“Come.Let
’sgot
obed.
”
Me:
“Emi
hlei
s..
”
Sazi
:“Heissl
eepi
ngwi
thNi
ngi
sodon’
twor
ry
abouthi
m.Come”

Me: “Whendidyoumovehi
m?”i
asked
standi
ngupandhescoopedmeuptohi
sar
ms
andi l
aughed.
Sazi
:“Whenyouwerebusycr
yingyourey
e
bal
lsout”i
punchedhi
sshoul
derandhe
chuckl
ed.
Heplacedmeontopofthebedandwentto
cl
osethedoor
.It
ri
edgetti
ngundert
hecovers
buthepull
edmebackandi l
ayonmyback.He
l
ookedatmeandsmiled.
Sazi
:“Youl
ookgoodi
nmyt
-shi
rt
”
Me:
“Thanky
ou.
”

Helif
teditupexposi ngmyst omachand
panti
eshei nhaledandkissedme.Heki ssed
mesosof t
lyyetsodeepl ythaticouldn’thelp
butmoan.Hewaski ssi
ngmet ouchingmy
stomachandi mov edwithhishand.Heki ssed
myjawlinegoingdownt omyneck.He
squeezedmyboobst hr
ought het-shir
tand
wentdownt omyst omach.Heki ssedmy
stomachall overandcurledhistonguear ound
mynav el.

Hewentupt okissmeandt ookoffmyt-shi

rt
.
Heki ssedmesogoodandsohar dthatmy
bodywassohot .Hewentdownmyneckand
l
ickedmyni pple.Igaspedandhelookedatme.
Iclosedmyey esandhest opped.
Sazi:“Lookatme”i openedmyey esand
l
ookedathi m.Hef li
ckedhi tongueonhi sother
breastwhil
epinchingtheot herwi t
hhisfingers.
I
tf el
tsogoodi moanedl ouder.Heletgooft he
otheroneandat t
endedt heot her.Aft
ersome
ti
mehewentdownmyst omachagai n.Hewent
l
owert aki
ngoffmypant ies.Heopenedmyl egs
widerandhekneltwi thhisf eett
uckedunder .
Hegr oanedandbithislip.

Sazi
:“Thi
slooksheavenl
y”heopenedupmy
fol
dsandijumped.Hechuckl
ed.
Hecamedownandi
nhal
ed.
Sazi
:“Yousmel l
good”inoddedandhi stongue
wentin.Helickedmesogoodandheputhi s
handsundermybum.Hepul ledmecl oserto
hi
m andhi stonguewentdeeper .I
tkeptgoi
ngin
andout.Ithasbeentoolongt hatifel
tmysel
f
bui
ldup.
Sazi
:“t
oosoon”hesai
dandpul
l
edback.
Me:
“Sazi
please”
Sazi
:“Pl
easewhat
?”
Me:
“Ineedmor
e”

Sazi:“Yesmam”hepul ledmeupandmyass
wasi ntheai r.Hedi vedinwi t
hhi stongue.His
groansv ibrati
ngonmybut tonitfeltsogood.I
wasgr indingagai nsthismout handi thegaveit
tomesogoodt hati nearl
yfainted.Ifeltmyself
buil
dupy etagai nandhewenthar dert han
before.Hesuckedmedeeperandr oughlythati
cameapar t.Ithoughthewasgoi ngt oletmego
butjecont inueddoi ngmewi thhist onguethati
cameagai nandagai n.Aft
ersomet i
mehe
fi
nall
yletgoofmeandi coll
apsedont hebed.

Ourbr
eat
hingwasoutofcont
rol
andhewentt
o
thebathr
oom camebackwi
thatoweland
cleanedmeup.Hecameback,
tookoffhi
s
j
eansandwecuddled.Hewassoturnedon.
Me:
“Sazi
”
Sazi
:“Hmmmmmm?
”hesoundedsl
eepy
.

Me:“Whatabouty
ou?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
osl
eep
l
iket
hat
?”
Sazi
:“Sl
eep”
Me:
“Wi
l
lyoube.
..
”
Sazi:“SleepZekhet
helo”hepulledmecloser
andbur i
edhi sf
aceinmyhai ri
nhali
ng.Isatl
ike
thatforaf ewminut
esandi ndeedhewasf ast
asleep,ihadnochoicebuttojoinhi
m andalso
sleep..
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t20(
Cropt
op)
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupt henextmor ningandi f
eltgood.
Reallygood,i
feltti
nglesonmyar m anditas
Sazi.Hewasbusybr ushingmyar ms.Hewas
si
tti
ngont opoft hecov ershi
rtl
ess,helooked
damnsexy .Il
ookedathi schesttohishard
stomachandhei say ummymor ningdish.He
chuckledbecausei wasdr ool
ing.
Me:
“Mor
ning”
Sazi
:“Mor
ningbaby
.Howar
eyou?
”
Me:
“Baby
?Hmmmm”
Sazi
:“Yes,
you’
remygi
rl
fr
iendnow”
Me:
“Isi
t?”i
smi
l
ed.

Sazi:“Yesi ti
s.Imeanaft
erlastni
ghtyou’
remy
gir
lforreal”hestoodandtookoffhij
eansaft
er
thathejoinedmei nbed.Hewasi nhi
sboxer
bri
efs.Imadespaceandwecuddl ed.
Me:
“Ihav
etogetEmi
hler
eadyf
orschool
”
Sazi
:“Thatisal
ltakencareof.Auntyi
sget
ti
ng
hi
mr eadyandNingiwil
ltakehimtoschool
so
wewillchi
l
linbedthewhol edaytoday
”
Me:
“Doi
ngwhat
?”

Sazi:“Thisandthat”hekissedmepulli
ngme
closerbymyhair.Itfeltr
eal
lygoodimoaned
ri
ghtthere.Hisf
ingerwentdownmyt ummyto
mywomanhoodandi tst
ayedther
e.Hebroke
thekissandlookedatme.
Sazi
:“Ir
eal
l
ywantt
omakel
ovet
oyou”
Me:
“Whydon’
tyou?
”
Sazi
:“Iwil
lj
ust
..
.”hekissedmeagainandgot
ontopofmebutmyr ingingphonei
nter
rupt
ed
me.Itwasmyfather
.

Me:
“Sor
ryi
hav
etot
aket
his”i
gotoutofbed
wear
inghi
st-
shi
rt
.
Me:
“Mor
ning”
Dad:“Yourmom i
sinhospi
tal
”mywhol
ebody
wentaler
t.
Me:
“Why
?Whathappened?
”
Dad:“StAugust
ine’
s.Comequi
ck”hehungup.
Ispr
ungoutofbedandSazial
sostood.
Sazi
:“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”

Me:“Ihavetogettothehospi
tal
.Mymom has
beenadmitt
ed”isaidheadi
ngtothebat
hroom.
IgotinandSazij
oinedme.Ifi
twasanyot her
dayiwouldhavejumpedonSazibutiwasina
hurr
y.Hehelpedmewashandhewast ur
ning
meonbi gti
me.

Me:
“Sazipl
ease.Ihav
etof
ini
shher
eandgot
o
t
hehospi
tal
”
Sazi
:“Doy
ouwantmet
otakey
ou?
”
Me:“No, i
’l
lbefine.Pr
omi se”wefini
shedt he
showerandwentt ogetdressed.Iquicklyput
onmyunder wearwhil
eSazi tookoutmy
cl
othes.Hehet hisguytookputboy f
ri
endj eans
andasweat er
.Haibowhatt hehell
?Int hi
s
weather.Itookoutakneel engthwhit
edr ess
andsandals.Itiedmyhairandheadedout .Sazi
wasonmyt ai
l
.

Sazi
:“Ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
oeatbr
eakf
ast
?”
Me: “Notime!
”iki
ssedhi smout
handwentto
thecar.Hi
scarparkedmei nsoihadtogo
back.Itur
nedandhet ossedmethekey.

Me: “Thankyou”ibl
ewhim akiss.Igotinand
droveaway.Iwasshakingandpanicking.Ikept
thi
nkingwhatwasi goi
ngtodoi fil
ostmy
mother.Mymi ndwasallovert
heplacei don’t
evenknowhowi gottot hehospi
talwit
hout
causinganaccident.Igottothehospit
aland
rushedin.Igott
ot herecepti
onareaandasked
wheremymom was.Theyt oldmet heroom
andi ranther
e.

Wheni gottotheroom shewasi nifoundherin

bedwi t
hdadnextt ohersit
ti
ngonthechai r
.On
thefarcornerwasmygr andfat
herididn’
teven
acknowledgedhim.Irushedtothebedand
huggedmom.
Me:
“Ar
eyouokay
?Whathappenedt
oyou?
”

Mom: “I
’
mf ine.Isprai
nedmyanklewheniwas
tr
yingtoreacht hetopshelfsoi
cli
mbedonthe
chairanditwasn’tstabl
e.”
Me: “Coul
dn’
tyouhav easkedanyoneel
se?You
knowy ou’
renotsupposedtoreachhi
gh
places.
”
Mom:“Emi hleusedt
ogetthi
ngsformebut
now.
..
”shelookedatdadandijustl
ookedat
mom.Ididn’tevenwantt
ogothere.

Grandpa:
“YouhavetocomebackhomeZez
e”i
t
urnedsoquickl
yandlookedathi
m.
Me:
“Youdon’
tgett
otel
lmewhatt
odo”
Dad:
“Baby
..
”
Me:“Nodad,hedoesn’thaveari
ghttobeher
e.
Hecan’
tjustwal
tzbackinhereandthi
nkiam
goi
ngtowelcomehim withopenarms”
Gr
andpa:
“Ify
oucoul
djustl
etmeexpl
ain.
..
”

Me:
“Whycoul
dn’
tyouexpl
ain10y
ear
sago?
”
Gr
andpa:
“Itwashar
di.
.”
Me:“Wel
lit
’shar
dformenowandidi
dn’
t
comeher
eforyou.Icamef
ormymom”
Hewentbackt
osi
tonhi
schai
randi
att
ended
mom.Ireall
ywasn’ti
nthemoodf ort
heseold
men.Iseri
ousl
ywantedtogetoutofherebuti
coul
dn’
tjustl
eavebecauseicametoseemy
mom.

Me:“Iam angry”dadt
ri
edtotouchmebuti
qui
cklymov edawayfr
om hi
st ouch.
Me: “Iam angr
yatyoumom.Iam angr yfor
keepingmei nt
hedarkaboutmyf r
iendandher
brot
her.Forknowi
ngt haty
ourhusbandisanex
con.Forlyi
ngtomyf acesayi
ngtouloveme”
Mom:
“Babyi
..
.:

Me: “Iam angryatyoudad.Angrythatyouhate

me.Hat emyl i
feandkid.Iam angr
ythaty ou
neverwantedme.Iam angr ythati
disappoint
youandi am alsoangrythaty
ouareaki l
ler.
”
Mom:“Babycal
m down”i
wasnowcr
ying
hy
ster
ical
l
y.
Me:
“Andy ou!
”ipoi
ntedatgr
andpawal
ki
ng
t
owardshi
m.
Me:“Youleftme,for10year
sy ouleftmeal l
al
one.Youpromisedtoneverl
eav emebuty ou
l
eft
.Youleftmeandi mademi stakes.Notthati
bl
amey oubutyoushouldhavebeent here.You
pr
omisedmet hewor l
dbutyouendedupgi ving
mehellandihat
ey ou!”

Grandpa:“Youdon’tmeant
hat”hesai
dina
softpl
eadingvoi
ce.Ial
mostfel
tsor
ryf
orhi
m.
Me:“Imeanit
.Imeanandiwil
lnev
erf
orgi
ve
youforl
eav
ingmeall
alone”
Gr
andpa:
“Cani
justexpl
ain?
”
Me:“Explai
nwhat
?Huh?Ishoul
djustleav
e”
dadquickl
yhel
dmeinpl
aceandpulledmef ora
hug.Icri
ed.
Grandpa:“Il
eftherwi
thyouMuzi
.Sheisy
our
daughter
.Youhadt ot
akecar
eofher,
igave
y
out
hatt
odobuty
ouf
ail
edher
.Youf
ail
ed.
”

Dad;“Imessedupwheni wastr
yingt
obea
fat
herandcontr
olher
.Iendeduplosi
ngherand
mygrandson”
Grandpa:“Idon’
tgi
veaf
uckwhathappened.
Pointi
sy oumadeamess.Ishoul
djustgoon
andcallhim”
Dad:
“Dad,t
hatwi
l
lsur
elyr
uinher
”
Grandpa:“Lethergot
hrought
hepai
nnowand
healatonce”
Mom:
“Thati
snotagoodi
dea”

Grandpa:“Idi
dn’
taskanyofy
ourpermi
ssi
on”
theywereargui
ngandiwassti
ll
inmyfat
her’
s
arms.Grandpamadeaphonecall.
Gr
andpa:
“Yes.Youcancomet
hrough”
Cal
l
er:
Gr
andpa:
“Yes,
comenow.Shei
sher
e”
Cal
l
er:
Gr
andpa:
“Gether
enow!
”hehungup.
Dad:
“Dad,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”

Gr
andpa:“Shutupboy
”dadscoopedmeupin
hi
sarmsandwewentt osi
tonthecouchwi
th
meonhislap.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Grandpa:“Youwi
l
lfi
ndoutj
ustnow”seconds
l
aterther
ewasaknockonthedoor.
Dad:Dad,
don’
tdot
his.At
leastnotnow”
Gr
andpa:
“Isai
dshuti
t”

Hewenttoopent hedoorandcameinwit
h
someone.Il
if
tedupmyheadt oseewhoitwas.
Theshockigot!Icoul
dn’
tbel
ievei
t.Howcome,
whyandhowagai n.
Hi
m:“Hel
l
omom,
dad,
Zekhet
hel
o”

Me:
“Khet
hel
o”i
whi
sper
edbef
orei
zonedout
.

.
.
#iam int
hebundussincemybi
gbrot
her
passedaway.Idon’
tknowwheniwi
ll
posta
conti
nuat
ion.Toni
ghtort
omorr
ow.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zee
.
Howisthisevenpossibl
e?Ilostmybrot
her
wheniwasv eryyoung.12yearsol
dtobeex act
,
iwasverydepressedandallthi
sti
mehewas
al
iv
e.Whatf ucker
yisthisnow?Whoisthis?
Me:
“What
?Whoar
eyou?
”
Hi
m:“I
t’
sme.Yourbr
other
,Khet
hel
o.”
Me:“Mybr ot
herdied,
ionlyhaveonebr
other
andthati
sSfiso.Myotherbrot
herdi
ed”
Khet
he:“Idi
dn’
tdi
e.Asyoucanseei
am al
i
ve”
hesmil
edandmadehiswaytome.
Me:
“Youar
edead.Youdi
ed.Ibur
iedy
ou”

Khethe:
“Iam al
i
vesis.Iam home”het
ri
edt
o
touchmebutisl
appedhishand.
Me: “Getyourfi
lt
hyhandsoffme”igotoffdad
andstood.Ilookedar
oundtheroom and
chuckled.
Me:“Whati
sgoi
ngonher
e?”i
wav
edmyf
inger
att
hem.
Dad:
“Youneedtositbaby
.”Hel
ookedsosad.
Hewasal
mostintears.
Me:
“What
’swr
ongdaddy
?”i
sai
dinasmal
l
voi
ce.Don’
tlookatmeli
kethat,yeshef
ucked
meupbuthewasst il
lmyfatherandiam a
daddy’
sgir
l.

Dad:
“Sit”isatdownandheldhi
shand.He
br
eathesoutloudandgr
ippedmyhandtight
er.
Dad: “Afterkil
l
ingtheNgony amasi was
arrestedanddadwasv er
ydisappoint
edinme.
Ther ewerepeopl eafterme, aft
erthefami l
yand
theyoncet ookKhet helo.Youmi ghtnot
rememberbuthewasonceki dnappedandwe
tol
dy ouhewasv i
sit
ingaf ri
end.Af ewweeks
afterthathe“died”.Wedi dittoprotectyou
becauseaf terthatwemadeapl antoshiphim
toLondonanddadf ollowedhi m 5yearslat
er.
”.

Me:“Soall
thi
sti
me,
thedepr
essi
onwasal
lfor
not
hing?
”
Dad:
“Babyi
am sor
ry.I
ficoul
ddot
hings
dif
fer
entl
yi woul
dbutitisdoneandi
apol
ogi
ze
foral
lofthepaincaused”
Me:“Wait
,whyar
eyout
heonl
yoneapol
ogi
sing?
Wasthi
syouri
dea?”
Dad:
“Noi
twasn’
titwas.
..
”

Me:“Ishoul
dhav
eknown.Youol
dtwi
sted
man”
Mom: “Woul
dyousityourassdownandletus
expl
ain?
”mom shout
edhmm t hat
’saf
ir
st.
Dad:“Comesi
tnexttome”hepat
tedt
hespace
nextt
omeandi sat
.
Dad:“It
’sal
lmyf aul
t.I
fi st
ooddownl i
kef
ather
saidnoneofthi
swoul dhavehappenedandi
am sorr
yforever
y t
hingthathappenedi
nyour
l
ife”
Grandpa:“Iam sor
rypri
ncess.Thi
shavebeen
hecti
cfrom thewordgoandi wantyout
o
for
giveyourbrot
her”
Me:
“Idon’
twantt
o”
Khethe:
“Ar
ewereal
l
ygoingtobegher
?Imean
wecameheref
oronethi
ngandnowwehave
to.
..
”
Grandpa: “Boyy oubett
ershutyourbigmouth
befor
ei fucky ouup”Khethel
owentt ostandby
thewallandf oldedhisarms.Helookedsobuff
andbigmci m bl oodyBat
ist
a.
Me:“NoGr andpa,l
ethi
m saywhathehasto
say?Idi
dsaySf i
soismyonlybr
otherand
Khethel
oisdead”

Mom: “Cany
ouj
ustzi
pit
?”sheseemed
i
rr
it
ated.
Me:“Whatthehel
li
syourprobl
em woman?
Whyareyoutaki
nghi
sside?Areyouev
enmy
mot
her?”
Mom:
“ofcour
sei
am y
ourmot
her
.Don’
tbe
si
l
ly”
Me:“Couldyoust
opapologi
zi
ngandtell
me
whyiam her
e.Iwoul
dreall
yli
ket
oleave.
”
Grandpa:“Ihear
dt hatMuzichasedy
ououtof
thehouseandgav ey ouabeati
ngsoithoughti
shouldcomegety ou”

Me:
“getme?
”
Gr
andpa:
“Yes,
gety
ou”
Me:
“Getmet
odowhat
?”
Gr
andpa:“Getyout
ocomewi
thus.Comel
i
ve
wi
thusinLondon”
Me:“You’r
ejoki
ngr i
ght?”il
ookedaroundthe
r
oom andtheyallseemedsoser i
ousi j
ust
l
aughed.Aft
ersomet i
mei sawthatnoonewas
l
aughi
ngwi t
hmesoi justst
opped.
Me:
“Youguy
sar
eser
ious?HELLNO!
”
Mom: “Babyt
hinkaboutit
”shesai
dtr
yingt
o
getof
fthebedandi j
ustchuckl
ed.
Me:“Don’
tbabyme.Iam goi
ngnowhere”i
l
ookedatdadandhewaslookingdownonthe
f
loor
.
Me:“Daddy”hel
i
ftedhi
sheadupandgav
eme
afai
ntsmil
e.
Dad:
“Yesbaby
”
Me:
“Doy
ouwantmet
oleav
e?”.
Dad:“Wel
lbabyi
t’
snotupt
ome.I
t’
supt
oyou
and.
..
”

Me:“Iam aski
ngyou,
doyouwantmetogo?
”
dadshookhisheadwi
tht
earsf
all
i
ngdownhi
s
face
Dad:
“Idon’
twanty
out
ogobaby
.Il
ovey
ou”
Gr
andpa:
“Iwasn’
taski
ngy
ou”
Me:
“Wel
lbi
temeGr
andpabuti
ain’
tgoi
ng
nowher
ewi
thy
ou”
Gr
andpa:
“Muzi
,tal
ktoher
”

Dad:“Baby,y
ouneedtogowiththem.Bea
goodgir
landknowthati
will
alwayslov
eyou.I
l
oveyoulikemyownand..
”
Me:
“Wai
twhatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?”
Dad:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me: “Youl
ovemeli
keyourown,
aren’
tiy
our
s?”
iaskedwit
hashakyvoi
ce.
Dad:“Youar
emi
ne.Youhav
eal
way
sbeen
mine”

Me:“Sowhatdi
dyoumean?
”dadkeptqui
et
andl
ookeddown.
Gr
andpa:
“Tel
lthepoorchi
l
dthet
rut
h”
Me:
“Whatt
rut
h?Mom?Dad?
”
Mom: “Honeyi
am sosorr
y.Yourfat
herwasi
n
j
ail
andhewashere.If
ell
pregnantwit
hyou
guysand.
..
”
Me: “Whowashere?Whatthefuckar
eyou
tal
ki
ngabout?”i
stoodupandtearswere
gushingout
.
Mom:“Iam sosor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeanf
oranyofi
t
t
ohappeni
..
.”

Me:
“Dad,
tel
lmewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Dad:
“Iam noty
ourf
ather
”
Me:“What
?Whatdoy
oumeany
ou’
renotmy
f
ather
?”
Dad:“Iam notyourf
atherbutiam y
our
br
other”hesobbedaftert
hat.

Me:“Thef
uckyoumean? ”i
scr
eamed.Isaw
Khet
hel
ogett
ingcl
oserandmyheadwas
spi
nni
ng.
Mom: “Youneedt
ocal
m downbaby
.Br
eat
he
babybreat
he”
Me: “Cansomebodytel
lmewhat’
sgoi
ngon?”i
wasnowcr yi
ngbecausemyfat
herwasal
so
cr
ying.
Gr
andpa:“Iam sosor
rypri
ncess.Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn’
t
meanforyoutofi
ndoutthi
sway .
”
Me:
“Fi
ndoutwhat
?”

Gr
andpa:
“Thati
am y
ourf
ather
”
Me: “What?”if
eltairl
eavemybodyandr
ight
thatmomenti r
eallydi
dfaint
.Ihear
dacr
ackas
ilandedonthefl
oorwi t
hmyheadandaftert
hat
ev er
ythi
ngwentblank
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t21
.
Sazi
.
I
thasbeen3day sandZekhet hel
oissti
llnot
wakingup.Shet ookapr ettybadfal
landi
wondercausedhert ofall.Irecei
vedacall3
daysagofrom herf athert el
li
ngmet obri
ng
Emihlebacktohi shousebecausehi smot her
washospital
ised.Iflatrefusedandi tol
dhi m
thatwewillwaituntilZeewakesupandl ether
decide.

Iwassit
ti
ngatt
herecepti
onar
eawhenher
fat
hercameandsatnextt
ome.
Z’
sDad:
“Howmuchdoy
oul
ovemydaught
er?
”
Me:“Il
oveherver
ymuch.Iam sodevast
ated
t
hatsheisnotwaki
ngup.Ir
eal
lyneedherto
wakeup”
Z’sdad:“Okaydon’
tbeapussyaboutit
.Looki
knowi ki
ll
edyourpar
entsandyouhaveevery
ri
ghttohatemebutpleasesav
emydaught er”
Me:“Whatdoy oumean?”bef
orehecoul
d
answerthi
stal
lscar
yoldmancameourway
andhelookedj
umpy .Hest
oodupandlooked
atme.
Z’
sdad:“We’llt
alkl
ater”hequi
ckl
ywal
ked
awayandtheoldmanl ookedatmeandpassed.
Awkward.Ist
oodupandwentout si
detomake
aphonecall
.
Ni
ngi
:“Anychanges?
”

Me:
“Howar
eyouNi
ngi
?”shesoundedi
rr
it
ated.
Ningi
:“Sazist
opit.I
twouldcomeseemy
fr
iendbutiam her
elooki
ngaftery
oursonso
pl
ease.Tellmewhat’
shappening?
”
Me:“I
t’
sstil
lthesame.Not
hinghaschanged
andi
t’
sslowlyeati
ngmeup”
Ni
ngi
:“Iam r
eal
l
ysor
rySazi
.Ir
eal
l
yam”
Me:“Canyougiv
eEmihlethephone?
”ihear
d
shuf
fl
ingandhecametothephone.
Emi
hle:
“Daddy
”itnear
lybr
okemyhear
t.
Me:
“Hel
l
oboyboy
.Howar
eyou?
”
Emi
hle:
“Wher eareyoudaddy
?Wher
eis
mommy ?”hesoundedsosad.

Me: “Iwil
lseeyoutoni
ghtmyboy.Mommyi s
verysickandifyouseehery
ouwill
alsoget
sicksoshewi l
lcomebackwhenshei sbet
ter”
Emihl
e:“Okaybuti
wil
lseey
oubef
orei
sleep,
ri
ght?
”
Me:
“That
’scor
rectmyboy
”
Emi
hle:
“Iloveyoudaddy
.Gi
vemommyaki
ss,
wai
tdon’
tkissher
”
Me:
“Whynot
?”i
chuckl
ed.
Emihle:
“Youwil
lgetsi
ckandyouwon’tcome
backsopleasey
ourli
psshoul
dstayawayfrom
herl
ips”
Me: “Okaymyboy.Iwon’tki
ssher”wef i
nished
tal
kingandhungup.Iwasaboutt ogetinwhen
iheardpeopl
ewhisper
ingbutshouti
ngateach
other.I
twasZee’
smom andt hatoldscaryman.
Z’
smom:
“Youcannotdot
hat
.Youcan’
ttake
her
”

Ol
dman:
“Whoi
sgoi
ngt
ost
opme?You?
”
Z’
smom:“YouknowMuzi
isnev
ergoi
ngt
o
al
l
owyoutodothat
”
Ol
dman:
“Iam notscar
edoft
hatf
ucker
”
Z’
smom:“Wel
lidon’
tcarbuthewi
l
lnev
er
al
l
owyouandi
won’tt
oo”
Ol
dman: “Hav
eyouf
orgot
tent
hati
hav
est
uff
onyou?
”
Z’smom:“Ireal
l
ydon’
tcare.Yougotohell”
shesai
dthatandwal
kedaway .Ial
sowalked
i
ntothehospi
tal
andwentstrai
ghttoZee’
s
room.
Igotinandfoundherdadsitt
ingbyherbed
cry
ing.Icl
earedmythroatandheturnedtol
ook
atme.
Me:“Sorr
ytoi
nter
ruptbutcanIcomein?
”he
nodded.It
ookaseatonachairacr
osshim.
Me:
“Howi
sshe?
”het
ear
edup.

Z’
sdad:“She’
sst
il
lthesame.Whydoesn’
tshe
wakeup?”
Me:“IwishIknew.Ij
usthopeshewakesup
soon.Emihl
emissedher”
Z’sdad:“Youdidwell
whenyousaidyouwant
tokeephim.HeIssafeandhappywit
hyou”Zee
groanedmovingherheadandZee’
sdadwason
hi
sfeeti
nst
ant
lywi
thmebyhersi
de.

Z’
sdad:“Baby
..
pleasewakeup.Wakeup
pl
ease”
Zee:“Sazi
”shewhi
sper
edmynamet
ryi
ngt
o
openhereyes.
Me:
“Letmecal
ltheDr
”Isai
dwal
ki
ngt
owar
ds
t
hedoor
.
Z’
sdad:“NoDon’
t!
”heshout
edandZee’
sey
es
opened.
Me:
“Why
?”

Zee:“Li
stentohi
m.Noonehast
oknowabout
thi
s”shelookedl
i
keshewasi
npain.
Z’
sdad:“Howarey
ouf
eel
i
ng?
”shel
ookedat
hi
m andcri
ed.
Zee:
“Youaremydad.Idon’
tatwhatany
one
el
sesay
s.You’
remydad”
Z’
sdad:“YesIam.Iam y
ourdad.Noonei
s
goi
ngtochanget
hat”

Zee:“Ihear
dever
ythi
ngy
ousai
dandIal
so
hear
dhi m.Hewantst
omoveme”
Z’
sdad:“Pl
easehel
pusSazi
”hesai
dlooki
ngat
mepleadi
ngl
y.
Me:
“Hel
pyouwi
thwhat
?”
Z’
sdad:“Hel
pusmov
eZekhet
hel
ooutofher
e.
Toni
ght
”
Me:
“Mov
eherwher
e?”

Zee:“Dadpl
easegiv
eussomepr
ivacy
”herdad
ki
ssedherheadandhel
eft
.
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Zee:“Ki
ssme”Ichuckl
edandgav
eherababy
ki
ss.Shegr
oaned.
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngandwhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Zee:“Ineedyoutohel
pmemove.GetEmihl
e
toaplaceofsafet
yandmeaswel
l.Ineedt
o
getoutofher
etonight
”.

Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Zee:
“Pleasehel
pme.Iwi
l
ltel
lyouwhenwe
gett
osafety
”
Me:“Okay
”Ikissedheragai
n.Iwentoutand
cal
l
edherfat
her.Imadeaphonecall.
Cal
l
er:
“Sur
eboss”

Me:
“DudeIneedyoutoorgani
segetawaycars
f
ormeand5peopleandIneedmysafeplace
t
obepr
eparedfort
oni
ght”
Cal
l
er:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Me:“Ineedy
out odot hesethi
ngsforme.We
wi
ll
meetont heotherside.Okay?
”
Cal
l
er:
“Sur
eboss”
Afterthatphonecal
lIwenthomeandf
ound
Emi hl
echill
ingwi
thaunt
y.Whenhesawmehis
faceli
tup.
Emihl
e:“Daddy”hecamer
unni
ngt
omeandI
pi
ckedhim up.
Me:“Heymyboy.Haveyoubeenagoodboy?”I
ki
ssedhi
scheekandhegavemetheotherone.
Emi
hle:
“Av
erygoodboy
.Ipr
omi
se”

Me:
“That
’sgoodbecauseIhav
egoodnews”
Emihl
e:“What
?”hesmi
l
ed.ManIl
ovet
his
youngfel
l
a.
Me:
“Youwi
l
lsee
mommyand…”myphoner
angi
nter
rupt
ingme.
I
twasShaun.
Me:
“YeaShaun”
Shaun:
“Yesboss.Wear
ereadyandwemi
ght
hur
taf
ewpeopl
ether
e.”
Me:“Shootherf
atherontheshoul
derbutonl
y
afl
eshwoundandpl easesedat
eher”
Shaun: “Surethi
ngboss”Ihungupandwent
backt oEmi hl
e.IaskedAunt ytopackfor
everyoneandIcal l
edNi ngitocomeouther
studyast heyhadt oleave.Imadesurethat
theyhadenoughpr ot
ectionandIsawt hem of
f
promisingtoseet hem soon.AnhourlaterI
recei
v edacallfr
om Zee’ sdad.
Me:
“Hel
l
o?”

Z’
sdad:“Het ookherandt
heyshotme.Shei
s
gone”hesobbed.
Me:“Okay.Iwil
lbet
hereshort
ly”Ihungup.
Shauncal
l
edi mmedi
atel
yafter
.
Shaun:
“It
’sdoneboss”
Me:
“Isshesaf
e?”
Shaun:
“YesandIbel
i
evey
oursonandsi
ster
areonthei
rway
”
Me: “Expectthem in2hour s.
.Iwil
lcomein3
days.Keept hem safe”Ihungupandwentto
washmyf ace.Ihadt oputonthebestacti
n
fr
ontoft hatscarymanandj needZee’
sdadto
gi
venot hingaway .
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion(
cropt
op)
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupi nast rangeroom andi coul
dsmel l
thesea.Howl ovel
ybutwai t
,aren’
tisupposeto
bei nhospital?Isatupf astbutregr
ett
edit
i
mmedi atelybecausemyheadwaspoundi ng
andi hadabandageonmyhead.Iscanned
aroundt her oom anditsmel l
edgood.Smel l
ed
fresh,whilei wasstil
latthatthedooropened
andaguyt hati havenev ermetcamei nsmili
ng.
Him:
“You’r
eawake.Good,
i’
ll
askauntyt
obri
ng
youy
ourfood.Wedon’
twantthebosski
l
li
ngus
f
ornotf
eedingyou”

Me:
“Whoar
eyou?
”
Him:“Ohi’
m sorr
yaboutthat
.Mynameis
Shaunandiam heret
otakecareofy
ourneeds”
Me:
“Wher
eam i
andhowdi
digether
e?”
Hi
m:“Wetooky
ouf
rom t
hehospi
tal
.Boss’
s
or
der
s.”
Me: “Whoisyourboss?
”hisphonerangf
rom
hispocketandhetooki
tout.Heshowedme
thescreen.
Shaun:
“It
’st
hebosscal
l
ing”heanswer
ed.

Shun:“Sur
eboss.
..
yessheisokay.
..
.okayhol
d
on.
..
.hewantstot
alktoyou”hehandedmet he
phone.
Me:
“Hel
l
oboss”hechuckl
ed.Di
ckhead
Sazi
:“Heybaby
”
Me:
“Sazi
,whyam i
her
e?”i
askedangr
il
y.
Sazi
:“Cal
m downlove.Get
ti
ngwor
kedupi
s
notgoodf
ortheheadache.
”
Me:
“Okay
.Iam cal
m,whyam i
her
e?”

Sazi
:“Ihadtogety
outosafet
y.Youremember
thet
alkyouhadwit
hyourf
ather?It
ookyou”
Me:
“Isheokay
?Mydad?
”
Sazi
:“Justaf
leshwoundonhi
sshoul
der
”
Me: “Sazi!Noonewassupposet
ogethur
t,
especial
lymydad”

Sazi:“Ithadtolookprett
ystagetogetyour
grandfatherof
fy ourf
ather’
sbackanditworked.
He’sthinkingi
tssomeRussi anmogul”
Me:
“Whenar
eyoucomi
ng?
”
Sazi
:“I
naf ewdaysbuti
dohav
easur
pri
sef
or
youi
nthathouse”
Me:
“Whati
sit
?”
Sazi
:“Don’tworry
,youwil
llov
eit
.Lookbabei
havetogo.Ilov
ey ouokay
?”
Me:“Ilovey
out oo”hebreat
hedoutloud.I
under
stoodbecauseitwasthefi
rstt
imesay i
ng
i
tback.
Sazi
:“Sayi
tagai
n”hewhi
sper
ed.

Me:
“Il
ovey
ou.Il
ovey
ou.Il
ovey
oubaby
”
Sazi:
“We’llt
alkl
ater
.Stayoutoftr
oubl
eand
pl
easelist
entothoseguys,don’
tgi
vethem a
hardti
me”
Me: “Who?Meee?Ohiam agoodgi
rl
”he
chuckl
edandhungup.
Shaunwasl
onggonef
rom t
her
oom soi
stood
up.Theminuteistoodif
eltdi
zzysoi
coll
apsed
backtobedgrunti
ng.Thedoorfl
ewopenandin
cameEmi hl
efly
ing.
Emihl
e:“Mommy ”hejumpedi
nbedand
huggedmesqueezingme.
Ningi
:“Takei
teasywi
thmommy
”Shesai
d
appeari
ngbyt
hedoorway.

Me:
“Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?”
Ni
ngi
:“Youmanf
orcedust
obeher
e”
Me:
“Sazi
mci
m.Howar
eyoumyboy
?”
Emi
hle:
“Whathappenedt
oyourhead
mommy ?”
Me:“Ifel
landhitmyhead”hetr
iedt
otouchbut
hecoul
dseet hatiwasi
npainsohedeci
des
agai
nstit
.
Emihl
e:“Iam sosorr
y.Daddysai
dyouar
esi
ck
andthathedoesn’
twanttoki
ssyou”he
gi
ggl
edandhi
dhi
sfaceonmyneck.

Me:“Daddyisnaught
y”hel
ookedatme
shockedandgi
ggledsomemore.Ni
ngi
joi
ned
usinbed.
Ni
ngi:
“What’
shappeningZee?Tal
ktome?”i
f
eltal
umponmyt hroatandshookmyhead
t
onsofti
mes.
Me:Notnow”i saidi
nacrackedvoi
ce.She
noddedandhuggedme.Ireal
lywant
edtoleti
t
outbutihadt
othinkofmyson.

Wespentt
hewhol
edayi nbedtal
ki
ng,watchi
ng
movi
esandsl
eepi
ng.Sazical
l
edagainlat
er.
Me:
“Babe?
”
Sazi
:“Whoar
eyou?
”
Me:
“Huh?
”
Sazi
:“Whoar
eyour
eal
l
y?Ther
eisav
erybi
g
sear
chforyouandi
t’sonthenewst
hatthe
Russi
anpri
memi ni
steri
sonhiswaytohel
p
wit
hthesearch”
Me:
“Whatt
hehel
lar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

Sazi
:“Idon’tknowbabe.Ther
eissomet hing
hugethati
sgoi ngonher
eandi wanttoknow
whatiti
s.Ihavetoknow.Iwil
lcal
lyoulater”he
hungup.
Heleftmewi t
ht onsofquesti
onsastowhat
exactl
yishappening.Mynursegoti
nandgav e
mef ood.Aft
erthatitookmypill
sanddrank.I
fel
lasleepaf
terwards.
.
Meanwhi
l
e
.
MthunziNgcobo(Zee’sgrandpa)was
pani
cking.HehadtofindZekhethel
obecausei
f
shereall
ywaskidnappedbythepersonhe
thi
nkstookher,hisli
fei
sover.SeeZekhet
helo
hasall
thepr ot
ecti
onintheworldandnowt hat
sheisbeingsearchedfori
t’
sgoingtoaler
t
peopl
et hatsheisali
ve.

Nowy ouwonderwhyhei ssopani cky,

Zekhet helohasorhadar ar egift
.Shecoul d
readamemor iseinfor
mat ionwi t
hinmi nutes
afterthati tisst or
edi nhermi ndforever.When
shest umbl edacr ossthei nformationt hat
i
mpl icat edt heSAgov ernmentwi t
ht he
Russi ansi hadt odosomet hingsoi got
someonet oer asehermemor yandmakeher
forgetev erythi
ng.I fNi
ckMi l
lergetst oher,he
willgethi sf reedom andi tisov erforus.
.
.
Thisisthelastoneandiwil
lpostagai
non
fr
idayifnotbusybutwil
lseeyouonsunday.
#YouKnowI
Hav
eTheDat
aIssue
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t22
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Thef ol
lowi ngday swegood.Iwasr ecovering
wellbutIhav en’
thear dfr
om Sazi in3day sand
thatwor r
iedme.Iwoul daskShaunandhe
wouldtell menott owor r
y.Sot odayisSat urday
andwepl anedt ogodownt othebeachand
haveapi cni c.DidIment i
ont hatwear eona
priv
atebeachandSazi ownst heplace?Hmmm
soany way smynur sehadtakenof fthe
bandageandr eplaceditwithasmal lplasterso
i
tdoesn’ tlooksobad.Myf acehadcompl etely
recoveredandIwasbackt omyol dsel fagain.

Iwokeupfrom bedandwentt
oshower
.Itook
alongshooti
ngshowerwashi
ngmyhai
r,t
he
nursegavemeaagoahead.SoIwashedmy
hairi
tfel
tsogood.Af tert
hatlongassshowerI
gotoutandwr appedat owelaroundmybody
andanotheroneonmyhead.Igoti nt
ot he
bedroom tol
ookf orsomethingtowear.Ihadto
dresscasual
lyaswewer egoingdowntot he
beachwhichis2secondsaway .

Itookoutmywhi tebiki
niandplacedi
tonthe
bed.Idroppedthetowelandstartedt
olot
ion
mybody .Ningi
bargedinwhenIwasj ustabout
tofini
shandshewhi stl
ed.
Ningi
:“Youhav
eafucki
nbangi
ngbody
”she
spankedmeandIl
aughed.

Me:“Handsof
fSazi
’sproper
ty”shel
i
ftedher
handsupi
nsurr
ender.
Ningi
:“WellIam noti
nter
estedonyourass.I
gotsomelastnightFYI
”Igaspedandshewent
tosi
tonthebed.Iputonmymatchingbi
ki
ni
qui
ckl
yandwentt osi
tnextt
oher.
Me:
“Dot
ell
dot
ell
”shebl
ushed.

Ni
ngi
:“I
twasShaun”shegi
ggl
edhi
dingher
f
ace.
Me:
“Youbi
tch!Howwasi
t?”
Ni
ngi:“Ohmygooodness!I
twasoutoft
his
wor
ld.BestsexIev
erhad.
”
Me:
“Howmanyr
ounds?
”
Ningi
:“What?Wedidn’
tsl
eepatal
l
.Fr
om
22h00lastni
ghtt
il
l5am”

Me:“Hewaski
l
li
ngyouwi
thdi
ck”shegr
oaned
wi
thherey
escl
osed.
Ningi
:“Verygooddick.Ni
ce,bi
gandf i
rm.Fil
l
ed
meupt i
llIcoul
d‘tt
akeitany
mor ebutassoon
ashewithdrewIwouldwanthim backinsi
de”
shebl
ushed.
Me:“hehel
ookatyou.Yougotsomeaft
ersuch
al
ongtime”shequi
cklyt
urnedandl
ookedat
me.
Ni
ngi
:“I
t’
sbeenmont
hs.You,
it’
sbeeny
ear
s.”

Me:
“Ohshutupandgogetdressed”shewas
i
naboobt
ubewhitemaxi
dress.
Ni
ngi:
“Iam al
readydr
essed”shel
ookedt
he
ot
herway.
Me:
“Int
hatdr
ess?
”Iey
eshersuspi
ciousl
y.
Ni
ngi:“Wel
lthi
siswhatIf
eel
li
kewear
ing”she
bl
ushed.
Me:
“St
ri
p”herey
esshotup.

Ningi:
“Huh?What
?”shepl
acedherhandson
herthi
ghs.
Me:
“Youhav
ehi
cki
es!
”Il
aughedandshe
walkedoutoft
heroom embar
rassed.Iputa
sar
ongonandwor emybighat,sungl
assesnot
for
getti
ngmyfli
pfl
ops.
Iwal
kedoutoft
her
oom andEmi
hler
ant
ome.
Emihl
e:“Mommymommy !Hur
ry.Iwantt
o
bui
ldsandcast
les!
”hewasj
umpingupand
downandtheroom er
upt
edinl
aughter
.

Me: “Okay.Let
’sgo”Itookhishandandwent
tothekit
chen.Itookthepicni
cbasketandt
his
guycameandt ookitf
rom me.
Shaun:“Whatar
ey oudoi
ng?
”heasked
appear
ingonthedoorway
.
Me:“Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pcar
ryt
hingsdownt
he
beach”
Shaun:“Wecandot hatoursel
ves.Justgety
ou
andyoungmandownt hebeachory ouwant
someonet ocar
ryyou.Icanorgani
seaguy
to….
”Istoppedhimrightt
here.
Me:“Whoooahhol
ditr
ightt
her
eIcanwal
kon
myown”

Shaun:“
Justmaki ngsure.BosssaidIshould
makesur ey ouar ecomf ort
able”hetookmy
beachbagandl edt heway.Ir
olledmyeyes.
Onceoutsidehewentt oNingiandkissedher
cheekholdingherhand.Sheseemedsur pri
sedI
j
ustchuckled.If ollowedthem slowl
ybehind
wit
hEmi hler unningahead.Someguy swere
fol
lowi
nghi m closebehi nd.

Wegott ot
hebeachandt her
ewer ealr
eady
chairs,
bedsandagazebor eadyputupf orus.I
turnedandlookedatt hehouseanditwas
huuugewi t
hv eryti
ghtsecuri
ty.Ther
ewer e
guardsallover.Isatdownont hesofabedand
tookoffmyf lops.Emihl
ewasbusyswi mming
withNingiandShaun.St upi
dfoolsplayi
ng
happyf amil
ywi t
hmyson.Il ayonmyst omach
andenj
oyedt
heseabr
eezeandt
hesun.

Ilayt her
eforquietawhileandIdosedoff.I
waswokenupbyt hesmel lofbr
aaimeat.Iam
al overofbraai
dmeet .Youcangot oyour
restaurantsandeatyourfancystuf
fbutgiveme
braaidmeathmmm t oogood.

Iwokeupandoneoft heguy shadsetoutt he

fi
re.Il
ookedaroundandEmi hlewaswiththe
couplebui
ldi
ngsandcastles.Iwalkedt
owher e
theguywasandIaskedf orapi eceofmeatand
somesausage.Iwenttosi tandatemymeat .
Anotherguycametositnextt ome.
Guy
:“I
’
m Sol
o”hehel
douthi
shand.
Me:
“Iam ZeeandI
’
m eat
ing”Iwav
edathi
m.

Sol
o:“You’
rer
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ult
hebossi
sver
y
l
uckytohav
eyouashi
s”
Me:
“Thanks”Isai
dfr
owni
ng.
Sol
o:“Sotel
lmeaboutyou?”IsawShaun
qui
ckl
ystandi
ngandrunni
ngmyway .Hegott
o
usqui
ckl
y.
Shaun:
‘Andnow?”Sol
ost
oodupandsmil
ed.
Hewalkedawayl
eavi
ngmefr
eakedout
.
Me:“Heneedstol
eave.Idon’
ttr
usthim pl
usI
don’
tli
kehi
m atal
l
”Shaunlookedpissed.
Shaun:
“Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofi
t”

Me: “Onsecondt houghtsdon’

tfi
rehim.He
mightbeworkingf orsomeone.Justtakehimto
aplacewherey ou’l
lholdhi
m capti
ve.Iwil
ldeal
wi
thhi mlat
er”
Shaun:“Bossl
ady
?”heseemedshockedand
confused.
Me:“DoasIsay,Sazi
saiddoeveryt
hingIt
ell
you”henoddedandwalkedaway.Ni
ngicame
r
ushingtomeandIatemyf ood.
Ni
ngi
:“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”

Me:“Idon’
ttr
ustt
heSol
iguy
.Hei
supt
o
somethi
ng”
Ningi
:“Ohwhatdi dhedo?”shesnuggl
edcl
ose
tomeandat emymeat .Il
ookedatheri
n
annoyance.SheknowsIdon’tshar
emymeat.

Me:“HesaidIam beaut
if
ulandaskedmet
o
t
ell
him aboutmysel
f”
Ningi
:“Heshoul
dbehappyt
hatSazi
wasn’t
hereorel
sehe’
dbedeadbynow”shesai
d
rol
li
ngherey
es.
Me:“Emihl
e!Comeeat !
”Ishoutedandhel eft
hist
oysandcamer unni
ngtome.Emi hl
eloves
foodandSazisay
she’sagrowingbotbut
Emihl
eranpastusandshouted“ Daddy”
NingiandIquickl
yturnedandthereheis.
Wearinggreenshortsandawhi t
ev estwit
h
f
lops.Hewasal sowear i
ngsunglasses.He
l
ookedy ummyIwant edtoeathi
m up.
Hepi
ckedupEmi hleandtheygr
eet
edeach
ot
her
.Ijustcont
inuedtoeatmynowwarm
meat
.
Ni
ngi
:“Yourcl
i
tmustbedanci
ng”Il
aughed.
Me:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”
Ni
ngi
:“Yourmani
sher
e”Ishr
ug

Me:“Yeahy eah.Hoor
ay!
”Il
i
ftedupmyhands
andshelaughed.
Ningi
:“Youi
sacoldbi
tch”Sazir
eachedusand
Ningi
stoodt
ohughim.Hiseyeswereonme
andhewasfrowni
ng.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
o”
Me:
“Sazi
”Inoddedandgav
eEmi
hlehi
sfood.
Hel
etgoofNi
ngi
andpul
l
edmeupswi
ft
ly.

Sazi
:“Hi
”
Me: “Hi”wewer elookingdeepi ntoeachot her’
s
eyes.Hel ookedatme, hiseyesr unni
ngallov er
hi
sf acebef or
ehepulledmei nf orakiss.His
ki
sswasf il
ledwit
hlongingandsomuch
passionandhepi ckedmeupandmyl egswent
aroundhi swaist
.Hehel dmef i
rml yand
continuedtokissmedeepl y.Ifelthim gr
own
andIt ri
edtopullawaybuthehel dmei nplace
groaning.

Ningi:
“Guy sst
op.Emi
hlei
sar
ound”wepul
l
ed
apartlaughi
ng.
Sazi:‘
Ishouldn’tbeawayfr
om y ouforsol
ong”
hebabyki ssedmeandwesatdown. .hesat
andIsatj nbetweenhisl
egs.Hebi tmyearand
whispered;“TonightIwi
l
loffi
cial
lymakeyou
mywoman”andhebi
thar
dercausi
ngmet
o
moan.

Rightt
hatmomentIr
eall
ycouldn’
twaitunt
ilwe
wentbackint
hehouse.Shaunappearedwit
ha
bagandhecall
edmeaside.Sazir
efusedsohe
camewi t
h.
Shaun:
“Bossl
ady
,doy
ouknowaMi
ke?
”
Me:
“Emi
hle’
sfat
her
”
Shaun:“Sol
oishi
sbestf
ri
endand…”sazi
i
nterr
uptedhi
m.

Sazi:
“ShaunthanksIwi
l
ltakei
tfr
om her
e”he
tookthebagandShaunl
eft.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi:“Soli
wantedrev
enge.Hewant
stoki
l
lyou
forhavingMikeki
ll
ed”
Me:
“Mi
kei
sdead?
?”
Sazi
:“Yes,
yourf
atherki
l
ledhi
m hi
msel
f.He
shothi
m 6ti
mesinthehead”
Whatthehell
?Can’tIgetanypeaceandbe
happyjustt
hisonce??
.
.
#Seey
ousundayev
eni
ng
[
01/04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion-Thankst
o
Si
si
phoGif
tTshambu
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Itri
edsor ti
ngoutthisSoloi
ssuebutSazi
woul dn’
tletme.Het ol
dmet ochil
lashewil
l
takecar eofit
.Sowespentt hedaydownatthe
beach.Wewer egluedtogetherandhedidn’
t
wantmeawayf r
om him.Wesatt her
ewatchi
ng
Emi hleenjoyhi
mself.Ningi
andShaunhad
di
sappear
edbutSazi
pai
dnoat
tent
iont
othat
.

Sazi
:“Whyar
eyoushowi
ngsomuchski
n?”
Me:“Whatdoesonewearatt
hebeach?
”hebi
t
myearabithar
dandiscr
eamed.
Sazi
:“Notpant
iesandbr
aonl
y”
Me:
“It
’sswi
mwear
”hechuckl
ed.
Sazi
:“I
tlooksgoodbutidon’
tappr
eci
atet
hese
boysl
ookingatyoul
iket
his”
Me:“Li
kewhat
?”heturnedmearoundandi
st
raddl
edhi
m.Isatdi
rectl
yonhi
scrotchhe
gr
oaned.
Sazi
:“Thef
ucky
oudoi
ng?
”il
aughed.
Me: “Iam si
tt
ingont
opofmyboyfr
iend”i
l
ickedhisli
psandpul
ledback;
hewi
ped.
Sazi
:“That
’sdi
sgust
ing”
Me:
“Youl
ovemyki
sses,
whynotmyt
ongue?
”
Sazi
:“Don’
tli
ckmyl
i
ps!
”
Me: “Youdon’twantmetoli
ckyou?”isai
d
seducti
vel
ykissi
nghisj
awli
neandwentt ohi
s
ear.Ibr
eathedinhi
sear.Hegroaned.
Sazi
:“WhatareyoudoingZekhethel
o?”hesai
d
i
nast r
ainedv
oice.Hegrewharder.
Me: “Iam spendi
ngt
imewi
thmyboy
fri
end”he
chuckled.
Sazi
:“Don’
tdoshi
tyoucan’
tfi
nish”

Ipulledhisheadandpl acedi tinbetweenmy

breasts.Ishookt hem andhel dhisheadf orhi
m
nott opullaway.Iwasmessi ngwi thhim buti
felthist
ongueonmyni pple.Hesuckedme
throughthef abri
candi moaned.It ri
edtopull
backbuthehel dmei nplace.Il ethi
m beandi
placedmyf aceonhisnecki nhali
ng.Hesmel l
ed
sogood.Hesuckedmyni ppleandpul ledback.
Heli
ft
edmyheadupusi
nghi
sshoul
derandi
l
ookedathi
m.

Sazi:
“Lookaty
ouwi
thy
ourbeaut
if
ulChi
nese
eyes”
Me:
“Shutup”hechuckl
ed.
Sazi
:“Youwantt
ogetoutofher
e?”
Me:
“Whatabouty
ourson?
”

Sazi
:“Goupandshower.Iwi
l
ljoi
nyouj
ust
now”igotof
fhi
m andiwassoaki
ngwetandhe
noti
ced.
Sazi
:“I
’
lltakecar
eofyoujustnow”heki
ssed
medeeplyandletgoofme.

Iquickl
ywentupandwheni wal
kedinNingi
andShaunwer eki
ssi
ng.Icl
ear
edmyt hr
oatand
passedthem.Iwentt
othebedroom and
str
ipped.Iwenti
ntotheshowerandwashed
awayt hesand.I
tfel
tsogood.Minut
eslat
eri
heardtheshowerdooropen.Hegotinand
pull
edmet ohim.Mybackwasagai nsthi
m and
weshower ed.

Hishandsbr ushedmybr eastspinchingmy

nippl
es.Her ubbedandsqueezedmybr easts.I
t
wasdar ngood.Hi shandst rail
eddownmy
stomacht omynav elandhebr ushedmy
stomachni cel
y.Het henwentt omy
womanhoodandr ubbedont opofit.He
brusheditandi openedmyl egsforhim.He
rubbedonmycl i
tandpushedi nhismi ddle
fi
ngerijumpedal ittl
e.Itf
eltgoodashest arted
mov i
nghisf i
ngerinandout .

Sazi
:“Youokaybaby
?”hewhi
sper
ed
Me:
“Yesy
es.Aaaahy
es”i
whi
sper
edr
ightback.
Het ur
nedmear oundandki ssedme.Heki ssed
mer oughlyandigrindi
ngonhi m.Heswi t ched
offthetapsandopenedt heshowerdoor .He
steppedoutandpl acedatowel onthefloor .I
gotoutandhehel pedmedr y.Af t
erdryi
nghe
pi
ckedmeupandwewentt othebedr oom.

Heplacedmeont hebedandlookedatme.He
camedownt omeandst ar
tedki
ssingme.His
handstouchi
ngmeallover
.Iwantedhim andi
coul
dn’tkeepst
il
l.

Sazi:“Keepstil
lbabe.I’
m aboutt obrandyou”
hekissedmedownmyneckgoi ngtomy
stomachandf inal
lyhecamei ncont actwithmy
womanhood.Hi stonguestayedonmynuna
andhest art
edt oeatmeout .Heat emet il
li
couldn’
ttakeitnomor e.Hepi ckedmeupmy
assintheairandhi stonguewentdeeper .Itr
ied
togethi
mt ostopbuthej
ustkeptgoi
ngandi
hadmyor gasm.Di
dthatst
ophim?No, hekept
goi
ngonandon.

Aftersomet
imehefi
nal
lyl
etmego.Hegotout
thebedandihear
dsomeshuff
li
ng.Hecame
backandset
tledi
nbet
weenmyl egs.
Sazi
:“Yousur
eyouwantt
odot
his?
”
Me:
“Yesbabypl
ease”i
sai
dpl
eadi
ngwi
thhi
m.

Sazi
:“Oncei
brandy
ou,
you’
ref
orev
ermi
ne”
Me:
“Yes,
your
s”
Hepositi
onedhimselfinbetweenmyl egs,
poi
ntedhiswell
endowedmanhood.Hepoi nted
i
tinmywomanhoodandent er
ed.Iscr eamed
andjumped.Damnithewassoobi g.Itfeltl
ikei
waslosi
ngmyv irgi
nityal
loveragain.Islapped
hi
sar msbuthedidn’tbudge.
Me:
“You’
rei
ntoodeepSazi
”
Sazi:“Youfeelsogoo.Soti
ghtandwar
m”he
groanedclosi
nghiseyes.
Me:“Babyithur
ts”hestart
edtomoveandi
gasped.OhmyGodt hatfel
theav
enl
y.
Sazi:“I
thurts?”hepushedi nandmyey es
rol
ledback.Iev endrooled.Ifel
tmyj uicesgush
downbuthewast here.Hewast herepumpi ng
i
nmesl owl
yanddeepl y.I
tfeltunbelievably
greatij
ustletgo.Hewasr ightthere.Tel l
i
ngme
toletgo.

Sazi:“Letgobaby.Comeon”byt hatti
mehe
waspumpi ngmehar deranddeeper.Iam sur
e
thepeopleinthehousecoul
dhearme
screaming.
Me:“Ohbabe.Itf
eel
ssogooddon’
tst
op.
Pl
easedon’
tstop”
Sazi
:“Youwantmor
e?”

Me: “Yesi do.Giv

eittome”hepumpedf aster
andi f
eltthathewascl ose.Webothcameat
thesamet i
me.Hecol lapsedont opofme.Hi s
manhoodkeptt wit
chingi nsi
deme.West ayed
thereforalongtime.Iev enthoughthehad
fal
lenasleep.Hepul l
edbackcausi ngmet o
wincebecauseofhi sbi gguy.Hediscardedthe
condom anddi sappearedi nthebathr
oom.

Icl
osedmyey esinatt
emptt osleepbutt
he
nextthi
ngiknowi wasbei
ngl i
ft
edup.Wewent
tothebathr
oom andhehadpr eparedabathf
or
us.Heputmei nandgotinbehindme.He
pull
edmet ohim andir
estedmyheadonhi s
chest.
Sazi
:“Youokay
?”
Me:
“Mhhm i
’
m good”
Sazi
:“6y
ear
s!”hechuckl
ed.
Me:
“6y
ear
swhat
?”
Sazi
:“6year
snothav
ingsex.Wor
thi
t!
”we
l
aughed.
Me:
“Iam abi
tsor
e”
Sazi
:“I
thappens.Youknowwhathappensnow
ri
ght
?”
Me:
“Whathappensnow?
”

Sazi
:“Youar
enowmineandi
am nev
erl
ett
ing
yougo”ismi
l
edandcl
osedmyey
es.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t23
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ghtpr
essed.
Sazi
waswrappedaroundmelikevi
cesoihad
tomovehi
m awayfrom me.Hewokeupjust
wheniwasaboutt
ogetoffthebed.
Sazi
:“Wherearey
ougoing?”heaskedina
sl
eepysexydeepvoi
cewit
hhiseyesclosed.

Me:
“Bat
hroom.Ineedt
opee”hegr
oaned.
Themomenti setf
ootonthefl
oormywhol e
bodyached.Itwasiknotsandverysor
e.I
l
impedtot hebathr
oom andpeed.Wheni was
done,if
reshenedupandwentbackt obed.I
foundSazisit
ti
ngup.
Me:
“Whyar
en’
tyousl
eepi
ng?
”
Sazi
:“Iwaswait
ingf
ory
ou”hemadespacefor
meandi wenti
ntohi
sar
ms.Wecuddl
ed.If
elt
hi
serect
ion.

Sazi
:“I’
dt akey
ouagai
nbuty
ou’
rest
il
lsor
e
fr
om earl
ier”
Me:
“Okay
”heki
ssedt
hesi
deofmyf
ace.
Sazi
:“WhathappenedZee?Whywereyouin
hospi
tal
?”icl
ear
edmyt hr
oat
.Igotouthi
s
embracesndsatonmybutt.
Me:“Thedayi gott
hephonecall
i wenttothe
hospi
talandfoundmymom, dad,grandf
ather
andtwinbrot
her”
Sazi
:“Wai
t,t
winbr
other
?Di
dn’
thepassaway
?”

Me:“Iwasgoingtof i
ndouthowallofthatis
possi
blebuteveryonestar
tedar
guingandt hen
Mthunzi
,mygr andfat
hertol
dmet hatiam his
daught
er”ist
artedteari
ngup.Sazisatupin
shock.
Sazi:“Wait
,you’r
esayi
ngt
haty
ourf
atheri
s
actuall
yyourbrot
her
?”
Me:“He’
smyf atherokay
?Mthunzi
isnotmy
f
ather
”igotoutofbedandoutonhist
-shi
rt
.
Sazi
:“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngnow?
”
Me: “Ineedt ea.Teacalmsmedown”hestood
upandst r
etched.Damnt hi
sguy.Hel
ooksso
del
icious.Ican’tgetenoughofhowgoodhi
s
bodyl ooks.
Sazi
:“Si
t.I
’
llgety
ouy
ourt
ea”hepul
l
edonhi
s
shor
ts.
Me:
“Let
sgot
oget
her
”hegav
emeal
ook.

Sazi
:“Si
t.Iwil
lbr
ingyouy
ourt
ea.Nowhowdo
youl
ikei
t?”isi
ghed.
Me:“Black,
bagoutandtwoteaspoonsof
sugar
”henoddedandkissedmycheek.
Itookmyphoneandsecur
emyl
i
nebef
ore
call
ingMuzi
.
Dad:
“Muzi
hel
l
o?”
Me:
“Dad,
it’
sme”
Dad:‘Wher
ear eyou?Ar
eyouokay
?”he
soundedworr
ied.
Me:“Iam okay.Wedon’
thavemuchtime.Ij
ust
want
edtot el
lyout
hatiam okay
.Iam saf
eand
t
hatil
ovey ou”
Dad:“Il
ovey
oumyangel.Keepsaf
e,okay
?”
Sazi
gotonandsai
dgoodbye.
Me:
“Okay
.Il
ovey
ou.By
e”
Hegav ememyt eaandi pl
aceditont
hetable.
Makinganotherphonecall
.Sazi
wasjustsi
tt
ing
t
herelooki
ngatme.

Me:“Heybaby
.Iam okay
”isawhi
m get
ti
ng
angr
y.
Sfi
so:
“Lovewher
ear
eyou?Iam i
nDur
banand
youar
emissi
ng”
Me:“I
’mf
ine.Justspoket
odad,
thoughti
’
dcal
l
you”
Sf
iso:
“You’
regoi
ngt
ocal
lmon?
”
Me:“Ihav
enot
hingt
osayt
oher
”hebr
eat
hed
out
.
Sf
iso:
“Whathappened?
”
Me: “Askyourmotherbecausemineisdead”i
hungupandmyphonef ell
downifol
lowedit
fal
l
ingonmyknees.Icr i
edsomuch,myl if
e
wasamessandi didn’tknowwhenthisthi
ng
wasgoi ngt
obeov er.Sazicameandhugged
me.Wesatont hef l
oorandhekeptrockingme.

Sazi
:“Shhhbabe.I
t’
sgoingtobeokay.I
promi
se,thi
ngswil
lgetbet
terokay
?”i
nodded.
Me:“If
eel
li
kedyi
ng.Ever
ythi
ngisamess”he
mademelookathi
m andcuppedmyface.
Sazi
:“Whoar
eyougoi
ngt
oleav
emewi
th?
”
Me:“Iam notgoi
ngt
oleav
eyou”i
pout
edand
heki
ssedme.
Sazi
:“Good.You’
remi
nenow”

Me:“Iam sl
eepy
”igotupanddr
ankmy
l
ukewarmtea.
Sazi
:“Didyounot i
cehowf
ri
endl
yNi
ngi
iswi
th
Shaun?
”i coughed.
Me:
“Oh”t
hat
’sal
limanagedt
osay
.
Sazi
:“Yesisawthem bei
ngal
ltouchy
”he
soundedannoy
ed.
Me:“What
’swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?”i
lookedathi
m
si
deway
s.

Sazi
:“Areyoukiddingme?Real
l
ybabe?You
areser
iousl
yaskingmethat
?”
Me:
“Yeah,
what
’swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?”
Sazi:“Woul
dyougooutwi
thy
ourbr
other
’s
fr
iends?”
Me:
“Hel
lno.Thoseguy
sar
efuckboy
s”
Sazi:“Exact
ly!
”hetookof
fhi
sshor
tsandcane
totakeoffmyt -
shi
rt.
Hepul ledmer oughlytotheedgeoft hebed.He
pulledmeupandki ssedmesensel ess.He
pickedmeupandwentt opi nmeont hewal l
.
Thecol dnessmademej umpbuthi sbodyheat
mademef orgetaboutallthatinseconds.He
pickedmeupandi wasdangl ingint heair.He
kneltandheki ssesmei nbet weenmyt hi
ghs.
Hewentt omywomanhol eandst uckhi s
tonguei nsi
dei moaned.Iwant edt omov ebuti
wasaf r
aidthatiwasgoingt of al
lbuthewas
holdingmef i
rmly.Mylegswer espr eadwi dely
apar ti
neachofhi sarms.Hewaseat ingthe
daylightsoutofmeandi f
eltmy selfnearing.

Me:
“Aaaaaah.Baby
..
”
Sazi
:“Hmmm?”hepushedhi
stonguedeeper
andist
art
edt
oshake.Hewai
tedunti
lif
ini
shed
andhel
ickedmecl
ean.Hecanebackupand
ki
ssedmemakingmetast
emy sel
f.
Sazi
:“Yout
ast
eandsmel
lheav
enl
y.
”

Her epositi
onedholdi
ngmei nmyar msandhe
enteredmesosmoot hlyimoaned.Hethen
start
edt omov e.Hemov edinandoutsweati
ng
andl ookingal
lsosexy.Hekissedmeand
pull
edbacksmi l
ingshaki
nghishead.Aft
er
somet i
mehepul ledoutandputmedown.He
l
edmet obedandmademekneel .

Hecamef rom behi

ndandheent
eredbutifel
l
onmyst omachcausinghi
mtopulloutwi
th
thatpoppi
ngsound.
Sazi
:“What
’swr
ong?
”
Me:“You’
rei
ntodeep”i
placedahandonmy
nuna.
Sazi
:“Okay.Iam sor
ry”hepul
l
edmebymyleg.
Heturnedmearoundandgotinbet
weenmy
l
egs
Sazi
:“I’
m sorr
ybabe.Ican’
tgetenoughofyour
sweetbaby”hepul
ledbackandkissedmy
womanhood.Hehav emeal i
ckaswel l
.He
camebackupandent eredmecausingmeto
scr
eam.
Sazi:
“Shhhhsosor r
yohGodbabyy oufeel
aaaaah”hestar
tedtomov efast
erandin
secondswebothcamet ogether
.Afterthatwe
dri
ft
edtosleepwithhim bur
ieddeepinsideme.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Themorni
ngaft
er.Jeez.Iwokeupsnuggl
edi
n
Sazi
’
sarms.It
urnedtoseeifhewasawakeand
hewas.Hewaslookingri
ghtint
ome.He
smi
l
edandbabyki
ssedme.
Sazi
:“Mor
ningmybeaut
if
ulsexyl
ove”he
ki
ssedmynose
Me:
“Sexyl
ove?
”
Sazi
:“Sexyl
ovel
i
ttl
ethi
ngsy
oudo
Keepsmest
rongkeepmer
unni
ngback
t
oyou
Ohilov
emaki
ngl
ovet
oyou”hesang
andi
laughed

Me:
“Hmmm y
ousi
nghmmm”hechuckl
ed.
Sazi
:“Fuckof
fBeyonce”i
tri
edgett
ingoutof
bedbuthepul
ledmebackquickl
yibounced
l
aughing.
Me:“St
opi
t.Iwantt
opee”hel
ockedmei
nhi
s
ar
ms.
Sazi
:“Youar
eal
way
spr
essed.Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Okaygetof
f”
Sazi
:“Sayy
oul
ovemet
oo”heki
ssedmynose
Me:
“Noi don’t
”isai
dlaughi
ngandhet
ickl
ed
met
il
licr
ied.
Sazi
:“Sayy
oul
oveme?
”
Me: “Ilovey ou”i qui
cklykissedmeandr ushed
tothebat hroom.Ipeedf l
ushed, washedmy
hands, f
aceandt eeth.AfterthatIwenttot he
bedroom andf oundSazi sitt
ingtheregoing
throughhisphone.Idi dn’
twantt odi
sturbhim
soIwentt ooutt hedoorbutbef oreIcouldeven
closeithecal l
edme.

Sazi
:“Getdr
essed.
”Hesai
dsti
ll
focusedonhi
s
phonenotev
enlooki
ngatme.
Me:“Iam dr
essed”hest
oppedt
ypi
ngand
l
ookedatme.
Sazi
:“Iam sur
eyouwantt
ospendt
imewi
th
Emihl
etoday…”hesai
dgoi
ngbackt
ohi
sphone.
Me:“OfcourseIwantt
ospendt
imewi
thmy
son”henodded.

Sazi
:“Getdr
essedanddon’tmakemer
epeat
myself
”hesai
dinaster
nv oice.
Iwenttotheclosetandtookoutavestand
somepant s.Iworethatandwentout
.Ibanged
thedooronmywayout .Heshoutedmyname.I
wentbacki nsi
de.
Me:
“Yes?
”

Sazi
:“St
opbehav
ingli
keachi
l
dorel
sewe’
re
goi
ngtohav
eaproblem”
Me:“Yessi
r”Icl
osedt
odoorgent
lyandsai
d
“Jer
k”onmywayoutcausi
nghimtochuckl
e.
Iwentt
othekitchenandfoundever
yonet
her
e.
Assoonasinent er
edNingipul
l
edmebymy
handout
side.
Ningi
:“Yoooohy
oucanscr
eam”shecl
apped
herhands

Me:
“Ohgody
ouhear
dus?
”Ihi
dmyf
ace.
Ni
ngi
:“Al
lni
ghtl
ong”shesai
dhumpi
ngt
heai
r.
Me:
“Iam sor
ry”Igi
ggl
ed.
Ningi
:“It
’sal
lgood,
Imeani
thasbeen6y
ear
s”
shelaughed.
Me:“Yourbr
otherknowsaboutShaun”herey
es
shotup.

Ni
ngi
:“What
?How?Yout
oldhi
m?”
Me:“What?No,hesawhowt
ouchyy
ouguy
s
wer
earoundeachother
.”
Ni
ngi
:“Werewereall
ytouchy
?”shehi
dherf
ace
i
nembarr
assment.
Me:“Yesandhewant
stoputast
opt
oitsay
ing
t
hatShaunisaf
uckboy”
Ni
ngi:“Trustmybr
otherf
orwant
ingt
orui
n
t
hingsforme”

Me:“I’
m sor
ry.Ij
ustthoughtIwoul
dgiveyoua
head’
sup”Irubbedherarm andshenodded
Ni
ngi
:“I
t’
sokay.Thanky
ou”Emi
hlecame
r
unni
ngtous.
Emihle:“Mommy ”Ipi
ckedhi
m upandki
ssed
hi
slips.Hewipedthem.
Me:
“Hey
!Youwi
pemyki
ssesnow”

Emihle:
“Mom pl
ease.You’
reagi
rlandy
ou’
re
ki
ssingmyl
ips”
Me: “Younol
ongwantmetoki
ssyou?Iam
yourmom Emihl
e”hegi
ggl
edhi
dinghi
sfaceon
myneck
Wecontinuedtotal
kchi
l
li
ngout
sidewit
h
Emi
hle.Aftersometi
mewewerecall
edinsi
de
forbreakf
ast.Wegoti
nandt
heguy
swer
ether
e
exceptforSazi
.
Ni
ngi
:“Gocal
lyourmanf
orbr
eakf
ast
”

Me: “He’syourbr
other”Itookaseatafter
di
shingf ormeandmyson.Isai dgr
aceandwe
start
edtoeat.Saziappearedinwhit
eshorts
barefootandtopl
ess.Hel ookeddel
ici
ousbutI
stoppedmy sel
ffr
om dr ooli
ng.
Sazi
:“Wher
eismyf
ood?
”heaskedki
ssi
ngmy
neckandbi
ti
ng.
Me:“Youhavehandsdon’
tyou?Di
shupyour
ownfood”hechuckl
edandki
ssedmyneck
somemor e.

Sazi
:“You’
rest
il
lmadatme?
”
Me: “Iam rej
oici
ng”hechuckl
edandwentt
o
dishupforhimself.Wehadbreakf
astwi
thl
oud
funconversati
on.Afterbr
eakf
astwewentt
o
fr
eshenup.Iwentbackt
obedasIwast i
red
andslept
.Iwaswokenbyaphonecal l
.Strange,
noonecangetthroughmyphone.Exceptif
Mthunzif
oundme.

Me:
“Hel
l
o?”
Cal
ler
:“Hel
l
o,Iam Ni
ckMi
l
ler
.Ibel
i
evey
oucan
hel
pme”
Me:“Howdidy
ouf
indt
hisnumberandget
t
hroughi
t?”
Cal
l
er:
“Ihav
emyway
s.Look,
canwemeet
?”
Me:
“Why
?”
Call
er:“Ihavei
nfor
mati
ont hatwil
lchangey
our
l
if
ef orgood”hehungupleavingmewi t
h
questi
ons.Saziwal
kedi
nr i
ghtthenand
fr
owned.

Sazi
:“Youst
il
lmad?
”
Me:“Huh?What
?”Isnappedoutofmy
t
hought
s.
Sazi
:“Ar
eyoust
il
lmadatme?
”
Me:“No.I’
m overt
hat.Ij
ustr
ecei
vedaver
y
st
rangephonecall
”hejoi
nedmeinbed.
Sazi
:“Whatphonecal
l
?”It
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
ng.

Sazi
:“Yousur
eyourl
i
nei
ssecur
e?”
Me:“Duuuh”hepi nchedmeandwesatt her
e
forawhi le.Ihear
dcommot i
oncomingf
rom
theoutside.SaziandIstooduptogosee.We
gotthereandf oundthisfr
eaki
shl
ybeaut
iful
womanshout ingSazi’
sname.
Sazi
:“Mandy
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Woman: “Baby!Imissedyou”shecameand
huggedhim ki
ssinghim ont
hemout h.
.
.
Ali
tt
lesomethi
ngsi
ncetodayi
tst
hef
uner
al.
Seeyouguystomor
row.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t24
.
Sazi
.
WhenIsawMandyIj ustfeltsoangryand
pissed,notbecauseofwhatwehadwi t
hher
butbecauseZeewasher eandMandyki ssed
me.If roze.Thequest i
ont hatkeptr
unningin
mymi ndi showdi dshef i
ndusandwhati sshe
doingher e?It ookherhandandpul l
edheraside.
IsawZeet ur
nandwal kingbacki nt
hehouseI
foll
owedher .Icaughtupwi thherasshe
enteredt hebedr oom.

Me:
“Baby”shej
ustkeptqui
etwi
thherback
f
aci
ngme.Iwentandsatonthebed.
Me:
“Baby
,Ineedt
otal
ktoherandf
indout
whatbr
ingsherher
e”shej
ustnodded.
Me:“Sthandwasam ngyakcel
a.Iwil
lcome
backandexplai
nev
erythi
ngt oyou”
Zee:“GoSazipl
easeandj
ustleavemeal
one”I
si
ghedandtookoffmyshoes.Igoti
nbedand
pul
ledhert
ome.

Me:“Tel
lmewhatt
odobabe?
”shesi
ghedand
l
ookedatme.
Zee:“Yousti
lll
oveher?”Itur
nedheraroundand
cuppedherfacebutf i
rstImadeherst
raddle
meandki ssedher.Iki
ssedunti
lIwasbr eat
hing
herveryai
r.Il
etgoandl ookedather
.
Me:“Iam overher
.Il
oveyouandonl
yyou.
Nowandforeverokay
?”shebl
ushedandsmil
ed.
Zee:
“Okay
”shenodded.
Me:
“Letmegot
alktoher”Iki
ssedherone
mor
eti
meandgotoutofbed.
ItookofftheshortsIwasweari
ngandpull
ed
onjeans,blacksneaker
sandasleev
elessbl
ack
top.Zeewasl ooki
ngatmethiswholeti
me.
Zee:
“Youl
ookdanger
ous”Ichuckl
ed.

Me:“Il
oveyou”Iki
ssedherandwal
kedout
.
Shaunwasstandi
ngbythedoor.
Me:
“Whereisshe?
”Iaskedheadi
ngt
owar
ds
t
hedoorl
eadi
ngoutsi
de.
Shaun:
“She’soutsi
deboss”Inoddedand
st
oppedwalking.
Me:
“West
il
lneedt
otal
k”hel
ookeddown.
Shaun:
“Iknowboss”

Wecontinuedtowalkandgotoutside.Mandy
wassit
tingonthechairi
nati
ghty ell
owdress,
myleastfavour
it
ecolour
.Iwentandsatacross
her
.
Me:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eMandy
?”
Mandy
:“AhhIj
ustmi
ssedy
oubaby
”Ichuckl
ed.
Me:“Youfor
goty
ouf
uckedmyf
ri
endand
cousi
n?”

Mandy:
“Thatwas2y
ear
sago”shewav
edher
handar
ound.
Me:
“Whyareyouher
e?”Il
eanedclosertothe
t
abl
eandIwat
chedhershi
ftuncomfort
ably
.
Mandy:“Icametoseeyou”Ichuckledand
l
eanedback.Shetookhergl
assofchampagne
anddrank.Iwat
chedherandsmiled.
Me:
“Youl
i
key
ourchampagne?
”shesmi
l
ed.
Mandy
:“Your
emember
ed?
”

Me:“Actuall
yno.ItwasNingi
’
sandIbor rowed
i
t”shesmiledfai
ntly
.Il
eanedcloseragai
n.I
motionedforShauntocomecloser.Hegavea
smal
lbot
tl
eandl
eft
.
Mandy
:“Ohokay
.It
’sni
ceei
therway
”
Me:
“Whosenty
ou?
”
Mandy:“Al
lIwanti
sthegi
rlandI
’
llbeonmy
way”shehel
dherhead.
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Mandy
:“Myheadi
sheav
y”

Me:“Yeahwelli
fyoutel
lmet hetr
uthIwil
lgi
ve
yousomethi
ngtomakey oubetter
”Iwavedthe
bott
lei
ntheairr
ighti
nherface.
Mandy
:“Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyougi
veme?
!”
Me:“Justalit
tl
esomet hi
ngandy
ouhave10
mi
nutestil
lyoudie”Il
ookedatmywat
ch.
Mandy
:“You’
rebl
uff
ing”sheshookherhead.
Me:“Act
ual
lyI
’m not
.Thedrugwi
ll
makey ou
got
osleepandyouwon’twakeupeveragai
n”
Mandy
:“OkayIwi
l
ltal
k.Iwi
l
ltal
k.”

Me:
“Youhav
e8mi
nut
es.Tal
k”
Mandy
:“All
Iknowist
hatIwassupposedt
o
dr
ugyouandleav
ewit
hthegi
rl
.”
Me:
“Howdi
dyouf
indt
hispl
ace?
”
Mandy :“IwasjustdroppedoffhereandIwas
giveninstr
ucti
onsthatIhavetodrugy ouand
callwhenallofyouareasleep”Istoodupand
gav ehertheanti
dote.Shesnatcheditand
drankitinseconds.
Me:“It
’sunf
ort
unatethatIjustcur
edyouand
nowIhavetokil
lyou”Itookthegunfr
om
Shaunandshotherinthehead.

Ihur
ri
edinsi
dethehouseandtol
dNingit
oget
whatshewil
lneed.It
henwenttomyroom.
Me:
“Getdr
essedweneedt
omov
e”shespr
ung
upandl
ookedatme.
Zee:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Me:
“Getdr
essed.Iwi
l
ltel
lyouont
heway
”
It
ookabagfr
om t
hecl
osetandt
oldmybaby
weshoul
dgo.
Wegotout
sideandt
hecar
swer
eready
.

Me:“Shaun,
youknowwhatt
odor
ight
?”he
noddedandwelef
t.
Zee:“Whoareyou?
”Ii
gnor
edherandt
ook
Emihlef
rom her
.
Me:“Babypl
ease.Notnow.Ineedt
ogety
out
o
saf
ety
”myphoner angonourway.
Me:
“Hel
l
o”
Per
son:“Giv
ememyf ucki
ngr
anddaught
er
bef
oreIcast
rat
eyou”
Me:“Ohit
’syou.Godri
nkyourbl
oodpressur
e
pi
l
lsandstayfarawayf
rom mebecauseIwil
l
ki
l
lyou.
”IhungupandZeel
ookedatme.
Me:
“What
?”sheshookherhead.

Me:“Don’
tactall
innocentherbecausey
ou
hav
edonewor se”
Zee:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Me: “It
hinki
t’
sti
mewev isi
tedyourdoctorand
yourfat
her’
slonglostf
ri
end”Icontinued
cuddli
ngEmihleandlookedahead.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Ikeptsteal
ingglancesandSazi buthejust
l
ookedaheadcuddl i
ngasleepingEmihle.Ihad
somanyquest ionsrunni
ngt hr
oughmymi nd
butijustdeci
dedt okeepquiet
.We’ l
ltal
kwhen
wegett owhereverhewast akingus.Ijustgav
e
upandfel
lasl
eep.IwaswokenupbyNi
ngi
shaki
ngme.
Ni
ngi
:“Getupbabewe’
reher
e”i
wokeup
r
ubbi
ngmyey es.
Me:“Wher
ear
ewe?
”isai
dget
ti
ngoutoft
he
car
.

Ni
ngi:
“Askyourman.Ihav
enoidea”ilooked
ar
oundandt
heplaceseemedf
ami l
iar
.
Me:
“I’
vebeenher
ebef
ore”
Ningi
:“Ican’
thel
pfeel
thesame”t
hecol
dhi
t
ushardweheldeachother
.
Me:“Wher
eisever
yone?
”theguy
sappear
ed
f
rom t
hehouse.
Sazi
:“Wear er
ighther
e”i
lookedathi
m and
keptqui
et.

Shaun:
“Wehav
efi
nal
l
yar
ri
vedbossl
ady
”
Me:
“Wher
ear
ewe?
”iaskedShaun.
Shaun:
“Wear
e..
.”
Sazi
: “Cani t
alkt
oy ou?”hegrabbedmebymy
arm beforeicoul
danswerhi m.Hewenttot
he
housel eadi
ngustoabedr oom.Iyankedmy
armf rom hi
m andlookedathim.
Me:
“What
?”

Sazi
:“Whyar
eyoumad?
”
Me:
“I’
m notmad”i
satont
hebed.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
helodon’
tmakemeangry
”he
st
oodbyt hedoorl
eani
ngagai
nsti
t.
Me: “Idon’tl
ikethatyouknowthingsaboutme
thatidon’tknoworr ememberandy ousayshi
t
thathurtsbecauseofwhaty outhi
nkismypast.
Idon’thaveapast .Eveni
fido,idon’t
rememberany t
hingbuthereyouareshit
ti
ngme
andt hathurt
s”.
Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
ry”

Me: “Ithoughtihadyouonmycor nerbutit

seemsl ikeiam l
osingpeopleev
erydayandyou
don’tseem tocare.Ally
oucareaboutisyou
andf i
ndingoutaboutwhathappenedtoy our
parents.Youarestil
lusingmeSazi
”
Sazi
:“That
’snott
rue”
Me:“Isi
t?I
fit
snott
ruet
henl
etmego.Letme
gobackhome”
Sazi
:“Icannotl
etyoudothat
.Yourgrandf
ather
i
soutforyourheadandiknowyouhat eme
ri
ghtnowbutletmetryandprot
ectyouokay?”
Me:
“You’
l
lletmegohomeaf
ter
war
ds?
”

Sazi:
“Youareoutofy
ourmindnow.Zeei
lov
e
you.You’
reminesopl
easest
opaski
ngmesil
ly
questi
ons”
Me:
“ButSaz
ii.
..
”
Sazi
:“Shhhhh”heplacedafi
ngeronmymout
h
butqui
ckl
yreplaceditwit
hhi
smouth.He
ki
ssedmedeepl ypul
lingmetohi
m.
Sazi
:“Il
ovey
ou”hesai
dagai
nstmymout
h.

Me:“i
lov
ey outoo.Pl
easetel
lmewhat
’sgoi
ng
on?
”hesighedandsatonthebed.
Sazi
:“Youneedt
orest
.We’l
ltal
konceyou’
ve
rest
ed”het
ri
edtost
andbutipul
ledhi
m back.
Me:“Ifyoudon’
ttal
ktomenowconsiderus
done”hechuckl
edshaki
nghi
shead.
Sazi
:“Ser
iousl
y?”

Me:
“Yesnowt al
korwe’
redone”hel
ookedat
melongandhardhesmi
ledaft
erwar
ds.
Sazi
:“Shift
”ishi
ftedandhesatcomf
ort
abl
y
aft
erthathepull
edmecl oset
ohim.
Sazi:“Youknowt hati loveyour i
ght?Thereare
somet hingsthathappenedi ny ourl
ifebutthey
werewi pedawayf rom y ouandy ouneedto
remembert hose.TheDrt hatyouusedt ouse,
he/shewasony ourgr andfat
her’spayrol
land
theyhav ebeenbury i
ngwhat evermemor yyou
havedeepi nsi
dey ourmi nd”
Me:
“Soiknowt
hingst
hati
am notsupposed
t
oknow?
”

Sazi:“Nobabyy ouar esuperbri

ll
iant.That
’s
whaty ouaresoy oucatchonf astandy our
grandfatherusedthatathisadvantagebut
whent hingsstar
tedtochanget heymadey ou
forget”
Me:
“SoMuzi
knew?
”
Sazi
:“Whatwashetodo?Thatol
dmani
syour
fat
her.Bot
hofy
ou”
Me:
“Muzi
ismyf
athersopl
easedon’
ttel
lme
t
hat”hekissedmyheadandpul
l
edmet
ohi
m
muchcloser.

Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
ryaboutMandy
.Hershowi
ngup
l
iket
hat”
Me:
“Whywasshet
her
e?”
Sazi
:“Yourgr
andf
atherofCos”
Me:
“Soy
ouki
l
ledher
?”hemov
edt
olookatme.
Sazi
:“Ishoul
dn’
thav
e?”hel
ookedamused.
Hehethi
sguy.

Me:“Iwoul
dhav
eki
l
ledhermy
sel
f.Don’
t
wor
ry”
Sazi
:“That’
smygangsterbaby
!”welaughed
andist
raddledhi
m.If
elthi
m growandi
l
aughed.
Me:
“Don’
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t!
”
Sazi
:“Idi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng”hi
shandswentt
o
mybum andi
star
teddr
yhumpi
nghi
m.
Me:
“Wher
ear
ewe?
”hel
ookedatmeshocked.
Sazi
:“Youdon’
trecogni
set
hepl
ace?
”
Me:
“Nope,
wher
ear
ewe?
”

Hetookholdofmyhandandl edmeoutside.
Wewentr i
ghtuptothegateandheopenedthe
smalli
rongat
e.Iwasn’tr
eadyfort
hatki
ndof
shock.
Me:“Sazi!Whatt
hehell
?”hequickl
ypul
l
edme
backi
nsideandclosedt
hegate.Hesmil
ed.
Sazi
:“Ni
ceneh?
”
Me:
“Coul
dn’
tyouf
indsomepl
aceel
se?
”
Sazi
:“Keepyourf
ri
endscl
oseandy
our
enemiescl
oser
.”
Me: “Arey
ouhear
ingyoursel
f?Weareri
ght
acrossmypar
entshouse.Mygrandf
atheri
sin
there”
Sazi:“Hewi l
lneverguesst hatyouarehere.
Hidinginplai
nsight”hewi nkedandwal ked
backt othehouse.Myhear twasbeatingoutof
mychest .Icoul
dn’tbel
ievet hatSazigotusto
stayinahouseacr ossmypar entshouse.Ri
ght
i
nf r
ontofMt hunzi’
swat ch!
.
Lit
tl
esomething.Iam st
il
lnotback.Wi
l
lsee
younextweek.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t25
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwentbackinthehouseandf oundSazi chi
ll
ing
coolyint
heloungewiththeguy s.Iwenttothe
bedroomsandf oundNingicr
ying.Shequickly
wipedhertear
swheni gotin.
M:“Hey!What
’swrong?Whathappened?”she
bur
iedherf
aceint
hepill
owandshecriedloudl
y.
Isatthererubbingherbackunt
ilshequiet
ened
down.Shet urnedandlayonherbackst ar
ingat
theceil
ing.Ij
oinedherandwait
edf orhertotal
k.
Ningi
:“Il
i
ed”shesaidinasadt i
nyvoi
ce.I
tur
nedandlookedather.Shehadtear
srunni
ng
downthesideofherf
ace.

Me:“Whathappenedbabe?Tal
ktome?
”i
wi
pedhertear
s.
Ningi
:“Ili
edaboutmeandShaun.Wehave
beentogetherf
ornear
lyay
earnowand.
.”
Shestar
tedcryi
ngagainandipull
edheri
nfora
hug.Imeanwhat’swrongwitht
hem bei
ng
toget
herexceptf
orSaziofcour
se.
Ningi
:“Sazii
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme”shesai
d
betweensobs.
Me:“Whywouldyousaythat?”il
ookedather
nowpuff
yfaceandredeyes.Icuppedherf
ace
andki
ssedherf
orehead.
Ni
ngi:
“Iam pregnantZeeandShauni sthe
f
ather
”ihardl
yheardthelastpartbecauseshe
wasalr
eadycryi
ng.Sazibargedintheroom and
f
rozewhenhesawhi ssister’
sface.
Sazi
: “Ni
ngiwhyareyoucry
ing?What
happened?”iqui
ckl
ystoodupandpushedhi
m
outroughl
y.
Me:“Getout
!Getout
!Getout
!Andstayout!
”i
sai
dbangi
ngthedooronhi
sfacehi
tt
ingit
.

Sazi:“Zekhethel
oopenthi
sdoor”hewas
bangingont hedoorsi
nceil
ockeditbuti
walkedbackt obedandsatdown.
Me:
“Hav
eyout
oldShaun?
”ihel
dherhand.
Ningi
:“Yesandheisfr
eaki
nhappybutSazi
wil
l
neverl
etusbetoget
her.Pl
easet
ell
Sazif
orme”
Me:
“Youwanthi
mtoki
l
lme?
”shel
ookedat
mewei
rdl
y
Ni
ngi
:“Sazi
ador
esy
ou.Hewi
l
lli
stent
oyou”i
l
aughed.
Me: “Don’tworryaboutyourbrot
her.Iwil
ltake
careofhim”i huggedheront hesideandwe
stayedli
kethatforalongtime.Shef el
lasl
eep
onmyshoul derandi puthertosleep.

Igotupandwentoutt hedoor .Iwentt ocheck

onEmi hl
eandhewasf astasleep.Ifoundthe
guysstil
li
nthel oungeandt heywer eplayi
nga
game.Sazifollowedmet othekitchen.He
l
ookedsopi ssedandi hadt ododamage
contr
ol.Soitookoutchocol atesy r
up,whipped
cream andstrawberri
es.
Itur
nedandl ookedatmyhandsomej erk.He
l
ookedannoy edandi j
ustwinked.It
ookthe
stuf
fandwal kedoutofthekit
chengoingtothe
bedroom wit
hSaz ir
ightbehi
ndme.Igoti nand
heclosedthedoor,l
ockingit
.
Sazi
:“Whatt
hehel
lwast
hat
?”heshout
ed.
Me:“Saziplease.Iam r
ighther
e,stop
shouti
ng”isaidtaki
ngoffmyt -
shi
rtandshor
ts.
Itur
nedandl ookedatSazi.Heshi
ftedandhe
l
ookeduncomf or
tabl
e.
Sazi:
“WhywasNi
ngi
cry
ingandwhydi
dyou
chasemeout
?”
Me:“It’
swomenpr oblem andshecoul
dn’ttal
k
toyou”isai
dtaki
ngof ft
her estoft
het
hinks.I
wrappedatowelaroundmybodyandl ookedat
Saziagai
n.
Me:
“Ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
se?
”
Sazi
:“Whycouldn’
tshetal
ktome?Shei
sMY
si
sterZekhet
hel
o.Sheshoul
dtal
ktome”
Me:
“Shei
sMYf
ri
end.Shewant
edt
o..
”

Sazi:“Yousureknowhowtost i
ckyournosein
otherpeopl
e’sbusi
nesswheny oucan’
teven
handleyour
s”her egr
ett
editr
ightaft
erhesaid
becausehemut t
ereda‘f
uuuck’af t
erwards.I
wasn’tevenbot
heredbyitsoi j
ustretreat
edto
thebathr
oom andopenedtheshower .Ist
ood
outsi
detheshowerandSazi gotin.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
o”i
keptqui
etandst
art
ed
si
ngi
ng.
Me: “Youshouldhaveboughtmef lowersand
heldmyhand.Shouldhav egavemeal l
your
hourswheny ouhadachance.Takey outo
everypar
tycausealliwantedtodowasdance.
Nowbabyi am dancingbuti’
m dancingwith
anotherman”iactual
lysangthelastpartwhi
le
l
ookingathim.
Igoti
nt heshowerandenjoyedmyshower
.
Sazij
oinedmeawhi lel
ater.

Sazi
:“Areyouboil
i
ngy ourself?Thisshoweri
s
superhot
”hesaidadjust
ingt heshowerbuti
j
ustkeptqui
et.Hestart
edr ubbingmybodyso
ni
celymybodyresponded.Iwast r
yingtobe
“mad”athi
m butjekeptt
ouchi
ngmeunt ili
sl
appedhishandsawayfrom me.Igotoutthe
showerandwalkedtothebedr
oom dryi
ngmy
body.
Saziappear
edr i
ghtaft
ermeandhelooked
yummy .Iwrappedaveryshortt
owelar
oundmy
bodyandwentoutt hebedroom t
ocheckon
Ningi
.
Sazi
:“Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ou’
regoi
ngdr
essed
l
iket
hat?
”

Me:“Leavemeal one.Iam notyourconcer

n”
hewincedandiwal kedout.Wheniwentpast
thel
oungeareaitsuddenlybecamequietand
theguysl
ookedatme.Sazi camerunni
ngwi t
h
agownandmademeweari t.Het
urnedtothe
guysandbarkedatt heguys.
Sazi:
“Whatt hefuckareyoul
ookingat?
”ilef
t
hi
m wi t
htheguy swhi
letheywereeat
inghot
potat
oesi wantedtol
augh.IgotinNi
ngi’
s
bedroom andshewasinbedcuddl
i
ngwi
th
Shauniquickl
ylockedt
hedoor
.
Me:“Ar
ey oucrazy
?”Shaunspr
ungoutt
hebed
l
ooki
ngalarmed.

Ni
ngi
:“Babe.
..
erm hi
”
Me:“YouwantSazit
okil
lhi
m bef
orehemeet
s
hi
schil
d?Whatthehel
li
swrongwithyou?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Wewer
ejust
..
.”
Me:“Noguysisaidiwi
ll
talkt
oSazi butdon’
t
makethi
ngshardert
hantheyal
readyare”
Ningi:“Hol
ditZeet hi
sismyli
fe,mybodysono
needt oshout.Iam noty
ourchi
ld”i
laughed
sarcasti
cal
ly.
Me:“Okay
.Fi
ne.Dealwit
hyourownshi
t!
”i
t
urnedtot
hedoorbutShaunst
oppedme.

Shaun:
“Zeepl
ease.Don’
tleav
e.Ni
ngi
..
.”Ni
ngi
l
ookeddownpl
ayi
ngwi
thherhands.
Me: “Iunder
standthatyouguy sarepani
cki
ng
butnoneedt obull
shitme.Iam notyourparent
Ningiyou’
reri
ght.Ij
ustreal
isedthationl
yhave
Emihleinthi
swor l
dsoi wil
lstayoutofyour
way.”
Iopenedthedoorandbangeditont
hewayout
.
Igottothebedr
oom andfoundSazi
paci
ng.
Sazi
:“Whatthehel
lZekhet
helo?”heaskedand
heclosedt
hedoorl
ockingitqui
ckly.It
ookof
f
thegownnotmindi
nghim andloti
onedmy
body.

Me:“Saziiam ti
red.Youjustt
alkedtomel ikea
nobodynotsolongagoandnowy oursi
sterdid
thesame.Ineedtosleepleavemeal one”i
conti
nuedtolot
ionpretendi
ngtobesad.
Sazi
:“Iam sosorrybabe.Ididn’
tmeantotal
k
toyouli
kethatbabe.Iam taki
ngstr
ainand.
..
”
Me:“am ialsonottaki
ngstr
ain?Thi
sisall
aboutme.Iam beinghunt
edandi don’
tknow
whatpeoplewantfrom me.Iam t
ryi
ngtohelp
butigetki
ckeddownl i
keadog.Iam ti
red”
Sazi:
“Babe.
..
.”hesaidthati
nthemostsi
ncer
e
toneial
mostfeltbad.Hetur
nedmearoundand
heldmeinhi
sar ms.

Sazi
:“Babei ’
m sorr
y.Iam r eall
ysorr
y.Wishi
coul
dtakebackev erythingisaidtoyoumy
l
ove”hekissedmyf or eheadandi snuggl
ed
cl
osel
ytohi m.Hest artedrubbingmybody
agai
nandi tsentshi
v ersallover.
Ipull
edbacklookingathisbeauti
fulbrowneyes
andstooponmyt oes.Il
eanedinforakiss.He
pull
edmecl oserandkissedmedeepl y.Hi
s
armswentt omybut tholdi
ngme.He
unexpectedl
ypickedmeupandi cir
cledmy
l
egsar oundhiswaist.Heledustobedand
pl
acedmegent l
yont hebed.
Heki ssedmeagai nandpulledout
.Kissi
ngmy
j
awl i
negoi ngdownmyneckt omyboobs.This
ti
mear oundbr ot
hermanl ef
tlovebit
esinevery
ki
ssandbi te.Iwantedtostophim buthewas
doingmesogoodi di
dn’tst
ophim.Hewentt o
myst omachandki ssedmyst omachallover
.
Hel ookedatmer ubbingmyst omach.
Sazi:“Soony ouwi l
lcarrymydaughter”my
headshotupbutwor dsdidn’
tcomeout
becausehequi ckl
ykissedmywomanhood.He
fl
attenedhistongueandst ar
tedtoli
ck.He
l
ickedmesogoodi f
eltmywhol ebodyshake.
Notf r
om orgasm butf rom puregoodnesst
hati
wasst il
ltoenjoy.

Hepull
edoutandcamebackt okissmyl i
ps.
Hi
shandsr unningal
lovermybody.Hetookhis
manhoodandposi ti
onedhi
mselfbuti
quickl
y
t
urnedhim aroundandhesmil
ed.
Itookt hesy r
upandsmear editonhi spacks.I
l
ickedandsucked.Maki nghi mj umpandev er y
l
ick.It hent ookt
hestrawberri
esandweshar ed
them.Ki ssi
ngwhileexchangingi ti
nourmout hs.
Ikissedhi m downandwheni gottohis
manhoodi twasstandi
ngpr oudandv er
ybig
withv einspopping.

Itookt hewhi ppedcr eam andputsomeonhi s

ti
p.Isuckedoni tcausinghi mtomoan.Al lt
his
ti
mehewasl ookingatme.Hi seyeswer ehal
f
closedhel ookedsosexy .Ikeptteasinghis
manhoodandhewasgr oaningnonst op.After
thatitriedpul l
i
ngal lofhimi nmymout hbuti
gaggedf ai
lingdismal l
y.Icouldseet hathewas
closesoi quicklycameupandki ssedhi s
mout h.Islowl ysatonhi m wit
hbot hofus
moani ngandgr oaningl oudly
.Hemut tereda
l
ong‘ fuuuck”andhi shandsl andedonmybut t
.
Isatthereforthel ongestt i
mehi sdickstar
ted
totwitchsoi al
sost art
edt omov e.Hewasi n
toodeepandi didn’twanttr usht hi
ngsasitfel
t
sogoodbutSazi hadot herideasbecausehe
star
tedincreasingt hepaceandi started
moani nglouderthanbef ore.Ifeltmy sel
f
gett
ingcloseandi sawhi m smi l
e.Heputhi s
handmycl i
tandst ar t
edr ubbing.Icameso
hardthati f
ull
ysatonhi m addi ngt hose2
i
nchesofdi ckthati wasav oiding.

Icoll
apsedonhim breat
hinghardandsweaty.I
gotupf r
om hi
schestandi satcomfor
tabl
y.I
thenstart
edtomov ehardanddeep.Thatgotto
Sazibecausehi
sfacewasf il
ledwit
hemot i
on.I
sawt hathewasgetti
ngclosesoisawt hi
sas
mychance.
Me:“Baby
”fl
op.f
lop.
fl
op.
..hesl
appedmybut
t
andmovedhar
der.
Sazi:
“Hmmm”heanswer edwithhi
sey es
cl
osed.Hewasr eal
lyget
ti
ngtherebecausehi
s
breat
hingchangedandhedidmehar d.
Me:“Ningi
ispregnantandShauni
sthefather
”
heshotupbutipushedhim downandbounced
onhismanhood.
Sazi:
“What?
”ibouncedhar
derandisquat
ted
onhim.It
henstar
tedtot
werkandhewent
crazy.

Me:“Youheardme”i t
uckedmybot
tom l
ipon
myteethandcont
inuedtotwer
konhim.Jeezi
t
f
eltgood.
Sazi:“DamnZee.OhDamnt hatf
eels
aaaaaaaaaah”hethrewhi
sheadbackand
star
tedtwit
ching.If
oll
owedcl
osebehindand
coll
apsedontopofhi m.
Wewer
ebot
hsweat
ybr
eat
hingf
astandheav
il
y.
Sazi
:“Sl
eep.We’
l
ltal
kint
hemor
ning”
Me:
“Sazi
i.
..
”
Sazi
:“Sleepst
handwasami
.Youwil
lneedt
he
ener
gywheny ouwakeup”i
openedmyeyes
andlookedathi
m.
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?”
Sazi:“Si
ncewetelleachotherser
iousthi
ngs
throughfucki
ngt
heni suggestyougetsome
sleepbecausemylovei havepl
entytotel
lyou.
Nowsl eep”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupt henextmorningt
onoi seofpeople
fi
ght
ing.Iquickl
yjumpedoutofbedandi f
elt
whereSazihadbeen.Itwasalitt
lesore.Iwore
myjeanshortsandhist-
shir
t.Iquickl
ywentout
thedoorandwasgr eetedbyacry
ingNingi
.Sazi
waspinningShaunont hewal
lstr
angl
inghim.I
quickl
yrushedtot
hem andi t
ri
edtopullhi
m
buthepushedmewi t
hhisonehand.
Shaunwasbl eedingt hr
oughhi smouthand
nose.Ningiwashy steri
cal.Igotupandt r
ied
againt
hist i
mei tackledhim andendedup
touchi
nghi sbal
ls.Hequi cklyletgoofShaun.
Themi nutehelethim goi toldhimtorun.

Me:“Shaungotooneoft hebedr oomsandi

wil
ldeal
withthi
s.GO!”hestoodupqui ckl
yand
rantoNi
ngi’
sbedroom.Reall
y ?IturnedtoNingi
andshetri
edtohugmebuti didn’
treturni
t.
Ningi
:“I
’m sorryaboutlastni
ght
.Iwasabi
tch
anditwasn’tcall
edfor.
”
Me:
“Yesy
ouwer
e”i
sai
dwal
ki
ngaway
.
Nowi wasfacedwit
haprobl
em ofaver
yangr
y
man.Iwenttoourbedr
oom andif
oundhim
sit
ti
ngont hebed.Helookedsocoolli
kehe
hadn’tbeenhitt
ingsomeoneaf ewmi nut
esago.
Iwentt othebathroom andtookaashower.I
real
lywant edtowor konastrat
egytogetthi
s
guytocalm downandnotf uckmeup.

Ifi
nishedmyshowerandsteppedoutofi
t.Igot
tothebedroom andhewasgoingt
hroughmy
phone.
Me:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Sazi
:“Iam pl
ant
ingabug/
tracker
”
Me: “Ohokay.Itookof
fthet owelandstarted
toloti
onmybody .Wheni wasdonei wor emy
whitelaceboyl
egpanti
esandputonhi st-shi
rt
again.Iwentt
obedandj oinedhim butfaced
theotherway.Iwasmadnowbecausewheni
l
ookedatt heti
mei swas4h30am andSazi
thoughtit
sbesttowakeev eryoneupatt he
ti
me.
Iwasdri
fti
ngtosl eepwheni f
elthishandmake
i
tswaytomybody .Iswattedi
tawaybuti thel
d
ti
ght
erandmov edhi gher
.Het r
iedtotakeoff
myt-shi
rtbutiheldont oit.Ir
emember edthat
hehadpromisedt of uckmybr ainsout.
Me:“Sazino.Iam sl
eepy
”isai
dwi
thanotso
conv
inci
ngv oi
ce.

Sazi
:“Youwer en’tsosleepywheny ouwere
busytouchingmybal l
sinfrontofevery
one.
Wakeupi beli
evewehav eplentytotal
kabout
baby”
Me:
“It
’ssor
ebaby
”iwasr
eal
l
ywhi
ning.
Sazi:“Iwi
llki
ssi
tbetter”tur
nedmear oundand
tookoffmyt -
shi
rt
.Hel ookedatmeandsmi led
whileli
cki
nghisl
ips.Heey eswereroaming
aroundmybodyandhechuckl ed.
Het ookoffhissweatpant
sandv est.Af
tert
hat
hekneltbetweenmyl egsandwentdownt omy
womanhood.Hei nhal
edandsmiled.He
pressedhisnoseonmycl itandi
jumpedbut
heldmet oplace.
Hel i
ckedmeov ermypant iesorr at
herateme
outofmypant i
es.Thef eeloflacebeingti
ght
ly
pressedonmef eltincredible.Histongue
mov ementswentt ogetherwi thmybody
mov ements.Af
tersomet imehet ookoffmy
pantiesandcameont opofme.

Heswi f
tlyenter
edandbot hofusmoaned
l
oudly.Heheldmyl egsupt oopenmewi der
andifelthi
m goingdeepert hanever
.Imoaned
andtri
edt ogetawaybuthewaspi nni
ngme
down.Hewasheav i
lybreathingandsweaty.He
wipedhisforeheadwit
hhi shandandl i
ckedhis
l
ips.
Sazi
:“Ohy
es.Weneedt
otal
k”hepushed
deeperagai
nli
kehewasbounci
ngandi
screamed.
Me:“Saziplease.You’
reindeepert
hanusual
andiaaaaaaaaah..
”iscreamed/moaned.
Sazi
:“Am i
hur
ti
ngy
ou?
”

Me:
“Noi
tsj
ustt
hat
..
.”
Ididn’
tevenfini
shtal
kingbecausehest ar
tedto
mov e.Hemov edsoqui cklythatif eltan
orgasm coming.Hewasr eall
ykill
ingme
becausehi smovementswer edifferenttoday.
Hewenti nsodeepandi couldf eel t
hathewas
alsolosi
ngcontrol
butunf ortunatel yformemy
orgasm hitmesohardbuti twasr eal l
ysquir
t
thatwascomi ngout.

Ithoughtthathewasgoingtomoveawaybut
hekeptst i
ll
watchi
ngmecomeal l
overhi
m.I
thoughtthathewasgoingtogi
vemetimeto
r
estbuthejustt
urnedmear
oundandent
ered
mefrom behi
nd.
Imoaned.I tf
eltheavenl
y.Heopenedupmy
buttcheeksandmov ed.Hewasgi vi
ngi ttome
realgoodbuti wasstart
ingt
ofeelmy selfget
ti
red.Itr
iedtoturnbutheheldmyassandwe
mov edtogether.Hewasgoingatitharduntil
i
cameagai n.

Het urnedmear oundy etagainandmademe

l
ayonmyback.Hewentt omywomanhoodand
start
edeat i
ngmeup.I twasl oudandmessybut
soogoodi di
dn’twanthi mt ost op.Hekept
groaningt ell
i
ngmei t
astedgoodandi tfeltso
goodbuthef el
tthatiwasgoi ngt ocomeagai n
soheent er edmeagai n.Missionar y.Hejust
heldmecl osetohi m andst artedtomov e.Isaw
thisasanoppor tuni
tyt owrapmyl egsaround
him, l
ockinghi min.Imov edashar dandasf ast
withhim.Het ri
edbr eakingawaybuti heldhim
ti
ghter
.Hehumpedmesohar dandf
astiwas
screamingnonstop.Iam sur
ethewhol
ehouse
heardmel oudandverycl
ear.

Hekeptatitforalongt i
mebef or
ehest art
edto
shake.Wewentov ertogetherandhecol l
apsed
ontopofmewi thhi
sdickt wit
chi
nginsideme.
West ay
edinthatpositi
onf orsolongthatifel
t
asifhewassl eepi
ng.Itri
edtomov eandhe
pull
edback.Hewaswi deawake.
Sazi
:“You’
reokay
?”
Me:“Yeah”isai
dnoddi
nginaveryhoarse
voi
ceifel
thi
mt wit
chandiknewthati
twillbe
onl
yamat t
eoftimebefor
ehestart
sagain.

Sazi
:“Idon’
tknowhowi’
m goingtolookat
Shaunnow.Hehasbeeninmyt eam foral
ong
ti
mebuthefelti
t’
sbestt
osleepwithmysister
.
Notonlyt
hatbuthemadeherpregnant
Zekhet
hel
o.”
Me:
“I’
m sor
ry.I
..
”
Sazi
:“Youchoset
obeont
hei
rsi
deandl
eftme
outi
nthecold”
Me:
“Idi
dnosucht
hinkbaby
.I.
..
”

Sazi
:“It
’sokay.We’rest
il
lgonnatalk”if
elthi
m
growyetagaininsi
demeandhepi ckedmeup.
Hewalkedov ertot
hewallandplacedmeoni t
.
Heplacedmyl egsonhi sarmsandbal anced
hi
msel f
.Het henst art
edt omov ebuthet urned
andleanedont hewall.Het oldmet ostar
t
mov i
ng.Ist artedboundi ngonhi m wi t
hmyl egs
dangli
ngi nt heai r.Hejustkeptmov i
nghere
andthere.Itf eltincredible.Hewasr eal
ly
enj
oyingt hisandhewai tedtomet oorgasm
befor
eput t
ingmedownont hefloor.Onelegon
hi
sshoul der ,theot heronef latont hefl
oor.
Iwishicoul
dsayt hatwasthelastr
oundofsex
wehadbutitwasn’ t.Wewereatitt
hewhole
dayunti
lEmihlecameknocking.Saziwentt
o
att
endtohim andi sawthi
sast het
imetogo
fr
eshenup.From 4h30am til
l16h56pm.
Igottothebat hr
oom andranmysel
fahotbat
h.
Ineededt orel
axbecausemywholebodywas
i
nknot s.Ilai
dbackont het
ubandenjoy
edmy
veryhotbubblebath.Hecameinandjoi
nedme.

Me:“Saziiam t
ir
ed.Iam r
eal
l
yti
redandi
am
sor
ryforwhatidi
d”
Sazi
:“Getsomer
estbaby
.”Hesai
drubbi
ngmy
ni
pples.
Me:
“Pl
ease.Ican’
ttakeany
mor
e”

Sazi:
“Iwon’
tgiv
eyouanymore.Justenj
oyt
his
bathandwe’
ll
goeat”heki
ssedmyhead.
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoursonwant
?”
Sazi
:“Hemi
ssedus”
Me:
“I’
l
lgoseehi
m af
tert
his”

Sazi
:“Howsaf
eisy
ourpr
event
ioni
nject
ion?
”
Me:
“It
’sv
eryv
erysaf
e”
Sazi:“Areyousur e?Iswearif
uckedyou
pregnanttoday”igotangryandgotoutofthe
waterwi t
hhiml aughi
ng.Iwenttothebedroom
andgotdr essedbutwheni openedthedoor
oneoft heguyswasaboutt oknock.
Me:
“What
’supSi
ms?
”
Sims:“Bossl
adyt
hereisamanonthegat
e.He
sayshewantstot
alkt
ot heper
soni
nchar
ge”
Me:
“Whatman?
”
Si
ms:“Hesaysheli
vesacr
osstheroadand
want
stowelcomehi
snewneighbours”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t26
.
Sazi
.
Thenextcomingdayswerehect
ic.Iwasbusy
wit
ht heboysget
ti
ngreadyt
omov etoyet
anothersaf
e
placebecauseatthebraaitheol
dmanwas
snoopingaroundsowehadt ol
eavebef
orehe
caughton.Zekhet
helohasbeenv er
yquietandI
waswor ri
edabouther.Iknowthatsomeare
questi
oningmy
motivesandtr
ustmet
her
eisnoagenda.Wel
lI
don’
thaveone.
Al
l Iwantisf
ormywomant or
emember
everyt
hingsothatwecanmov
eonwit
hour
l
iv
es.Idi dmy
thoroughresearchonZee.Thati
swhyIknow
somuchabouther .Asf
ormebeingangryat
Ningii
tsbecauseIknowt heki
ndofguyShaun
i
s.Ialsoknowt hathehasbeenfucki
ngaround
t
hesel
astf
ew
weeks,
Iknowt hi
sbecausehewor
ksf
orme
andweareusuall
ytoget
her.
Fi
ndi
ngoutthatmysi
steri
spregnantbyhi
m
mademer eal
l
yangr
ybecause2weeksagohe
waswini
ng
anddini
ngsomegi r
lbutifNi
ngiwantstomake
t
hatmist
akeIwill
lethermakeitbutIcal
led
t
hem bothandspoketothem.
Me:“Many ouknowIl
ovemysisterv
erymuch
andIwanthertobeal
wayshappybecauseshe
i
stheonlybloodf
amil
yIhav
e”
Shaun:
“YesIknowand…”

Me: “I
’m notdonetalki
ng.Youwi l
ltr
eather
ri
ghtandst opmessingaroundShaunbecause
i
fy ouhurtherIwil
lputabulletthr
oughyour
skull
”henoddedqui ckl
yandNi ngicr
ied.
Ni
ngi
:“Whycan’
tyouj
ustl
etmebe.Whycan’
t
y
oubehappyt
hatIam happy
”
Me: “Ningi y
ouhav ebeenfucki
ngmyf ri
end
undermyr oof.
.hmmm wellI’
vebeendoingthe
samet hing”weal l
brokeoutinlaught
erand
Ningicameandhuggedme.
Ni
ngi
:“I
’
m al
lgr
ownupnowbr
o.Letmebe”
Me:“Ican’
thelpbutwor
ryandf
eelov
er
pr
otect
iveofyou”
Ni
ngi
:“Il
ovey
ouf
ort
hatbutl
etmegr
ow”
Me:“Don’tcomecryi
ngtomewhenhehur
ts
you”Iwasgett
ingr
eall
yannoy
ed
Shaun:“Sazi
man,Il
oveyoursi
sterandIwant
herandourbabyt
akencareof”
Me:“Ify
ouhurther
…”Isai
dsteppi
ngcl
oserto
hi
m buthebackedupwit
hhishandsr
aised
hi
gh.
Shaun:
“Iwon’thurtherman.Ipromise”I
l
ookedatmysisterandsmiled.Shesmiled
thr
oughhert
earsandgav emeahug.Ihel dher
asshecr
ied.
Ni
ngi
:“Pl
easeaskZeet
ofor
giv
eme”
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Ningi:“Iwasverynast
ytoherandIhaven’
t
gottentimetotal
ktoher”Inoddedandwentt
o
thehouse.
Igottothebedroom andfoundZeesl eeping.
Shehasbeensl eepi
ngsincemorni ngandIwas
getti
ngworri
ed.Iwenttohersideandshewas
heati
ngup.Shewasal sosweaty, Iquickl
y
wokeherupandshewokeupwi thast art
,
breathi
ngheavi
ly.
Me:
“Baby
,it
sme.What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Zee:
“Iwashavi
ngadream.Moreli
kea
memoryofmysel
fwhenIwasyounger
”
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoudr
eam about
?”
Zee:“Iwasayounggir
linmygrandf
ather’s
st
udy.Iwasgoingt
hroughhi
spapers.Iread
ever
ythi
ngther
ebecauseIwasboredandf ound
them i
nter
esti
ng.Onthedayoft
hebr
aai
my
grandf
atherhadalot
ofmenov erandt heyweretalki
ngbusiness.
I
nfor
mati
ont hatwasont hosepaperst
hatI
r
ead.WhenIr elatedt ot
hem hisfri
endsstart
ed
t
oquesti
onmeandhowIknowal l
that
i
nfor
mati
on.It oldt hem I
readthem from mygr andfat
her
’sthings.They
weresointerestedi nwhatIhadtosayt hatthey
tookmetot hest udyandaskedmeev eryt
hingI
know.ThatiswhenIst artedtot
ell
t hem
every
thi
ng.Af t
ert hat

theywouldgi vemethingst oreadandasked

meaboutt hem monthsl ater
.Iwouldtel
lthem
ever
ythi
ngwor dforwor dbutt hedr
eam
changed.Thingsst
artedt ochange.
”
Me:“Whathappened?
”shet
henst
art
edt
ocr
y
andIpul
l
edhertome.
Me:“Youdon’thavet
otel
lmeanythi
ng.It
’s
okay
.”Shegotoutofmyembraceandlookedat
meshakingherhead.
Zee:“NoIwantot el
lyou.It
’sall
Iseem t
othink
aboutordream abouttoday.Thi
ngsstar
tedto
change.Onedayt hi
sfri
endofmygr andf
ather’
s
fet
chedmef rom schoolandtoldmethatmy
parent
scouldn’
t
fetchme.Ilef
twithhim andhegav emeaf i
l
e
toread.Ir
eadthatfi
l
eandbyt hetimeIgot
homeIwasdonewi t
hit.Heburntitri
ghti
n
fr
ontofme.Het hetoldmet hatIam theonl
y
personwhoknows.He
leftmeatt hegateandsaidav eryweir
s
goodbye.Hesai dthattheonl
ypersonIshoul
d
aboutthefil
eismyf atherandgrandf
ather
.The
nextmor ni
nghewasf ounddeadinhishome.
Day saf
terthefuneralmy
grandf
athercal
l
edmeandIgav
ehi
mthe
i
nformati
on.”
Me:
“Whathappenedaf
ter
war
ds”
Zee:“Onedayhegav emeabl ackfi
lewit
h
i
nformationonaMrNi ckMi l
lerandMrs
NobuhleMi l
l
er .Itwasthef i
rstpagewaswr i
tt
en
“Cl
assi
f i
ed”insidethef i
lewasi nf
ormati
on
aboutthatcoupl eandt her
e
wasal sofalseev i
denceagainstt
hem.Thi
ngs
thatwouldsett hem freeandwhenIst
art
edto
questi
onhi mt hatiswhenheputastopon
every
thing.Het ookmet oaDrandwhat
happenedaf terthatIdon’t
remember”shecr
iedagainandIhel
dhert
ight
.
Soot
hingandcomfort
ingher.
Zee:
“What
’shappeni
ngt
omeSazi
?”
Me:
“Youar
eremember
ing”
Zee:
“Remember
ingwhat
?”
Me:
“Whoy
our
eal
l
yar
eandwhaty
oucando?
”
Zee:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Me:“Doy oust
il
lhav
eorr
emember
ev
eryt
hing?”
Zee:
“Li
keIwasr
eadi
ngi
tyest
erday
”
Me:
“Wehav
etogety
ououtofher
ebaby
.”

Zee:“Okaybutcanwejuststayl
i
kethis.Only
fort
oday.Tomorrowwe’l
ldealwi
theveryt
hing
butj
ustfortoday
,canwestayonthi
sbed.I n
eachother
’sarms”
Me:“
Letmegetyousomemedsandfoodt
hen
we’
l
lstayher
ethewhol
edayandni
ght
”
IgotoutofbedandaskedAunt yt
omakeher
soup.Imadeheraf r
uitsal
adandtea.It
ookthe
medst hatwehadandt ookev
eryt
hingtothe
bedroom.Igaveherfood,wel
lmoreli
kefedher
thefood.Aft
ershe
fini
shedIt
ookeveryt
hingbackt
otheki
tchen
andwentbackt
ot hebedroom.
Igoti
nbedandwecuddl
ed,af
ewmi
nut
es
l
atershewasfastasleep.Iwat
chedhersleep
andIkeptthi
nki
ngt hatthi
ngswereaboutto
getmessybutIwasgoi ngtobether
eforher
thr
ough
everyt
hingandIwasn’
tgoi
ngt
oletany
thi
ng
happentoher.

Iopenedthedr awernexttomeandlookedat
theboxi
nt hereandsmi l
ed.Icl
osedi
tandmy
phonevi
brated.IcheckedanditwasMpil
o.
Me:
“Thi
sisanemer
gencyI
’
m guessi
ng”
Mpilo:“Youhav
e4hourstogetoutoft
hat
house”Isatupalar
medandZeewokeupin
process”
Me:
“Tal
ktome”
Mpil
o:“Theol
dmanandhi sdogsarecoming
tosni
ffar
oundtoni
ght
.Getoutoft
here”he
hungupandZeesatuplooki
ngatme.
Zee:
“What
’sup?
”
Me:“Nothi
ngbabe.Sl eep.Iwil
lwakeyouup
soon”shesl
eptagainandIwasgoi ngtowake
herupin2hours.Thisoldmanwasr eall
y
cal
li
ngmet oki
llhim,hewant edwarandIwas
goi
ngtogivei
ttohi m
[
01/04,21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
#Very
VeryShor
t
.
Sazi
.
Ihadal ongday ,mor el i
keamar athonwi th
Zekhethelo.Iadmi tthati wentoverboar dbut
everyti
mei wentinsidehershef el
ttighterand
muchmor ewar m.Igav eheranhourbr eaksin
betweenbutwi llcont i
nuewi thit
.Ittookt he
wholedayandi am sur ei madeherpr egnant.
Wedi dn’teventalkaboutany thi
ng.Afterwe
wereinterrupt
edbyEmi hleZekhethelowentt o
bathwhi l
ei at
tendedt ohim buttoldhimi woul
d
tal
ktohi m aft
erbat hing.
Zekhethel
ohadleftmeinthetubaft
ertel
l
ing
herthatimadeherpregnant
.Igotoutt
hetub
andasi wasdryi
ngZekhethel
orushedi
n
l
ookingalarmed.
Me:
“Whatgoi
ngon?
”
Zee:“Someonei
satthegate.Si
mssayi
tsa
manf r
om acr
osstheroadandhecamet
o
welcomethenei
ghbour”
Me: “Whyarey oupanicking?”i askedgoingto
thebedroom.Iappl i
edloti
onandgotdr essedin
j
eansandav est.Iputonmybl acksneakers.I
walkedoutthebedr oom andf oundSi ms
standi
ngoutsidet hebedroom.
Me:
“Andt
hen?
”

Si
ms:“I
tst
heoldmanboss.Hewant
stosee
hi
snewnei
ghbour
.”
Me:
“Gocal
launt
yforme”hewal
kedawayand
ipr
oceededt
otheloungear
ea.Isatandav
ery
ner
vousZeesatnextt
ome.
Aunt
y:“Youcal
l
edf
ormeSazi
?”
Me:“Mamzopl easegetdr
essednicely.You
andyoursonSi mphiwe(Si
mz)hav eav isi
tor
.
Wear egoingtotheoutsi
debuil
ding.Allofus.
We’l
lleaveyouwi t
hSimsandMpho. ”She
noddedandl ef
t.Itol
dSimztogetev er
yonet o
theoutsi
debuildi
ngandi l
eftwi
thmybaby .

Shewaswalki
ngv er
yuncomf
or t
ablyandthat
mademef eel
bad.Whenwegott hereNingi
wascuddl
i
ngShaunandhequi ckl
ystoodwhen
hesawusgetin.Emihl
erant
omeandi picked
hi
m up.
Me:
“Howi
smybi
gbr
aveboy
?”
Emihl
e:“I
’m okaydaddy
.Imi
ssedyouand
mommy ”Zeecamet ousandki
ssedEmihl
e.
Shetookhi
mf rom meandwentt
ositwi
thhim
onthecouch.Ni
ngiandShauncamet
omeand
ij
ustl
ookedatthem.
Ni
ngi
:“Bhut
iiam sor
ry”

Shaun:
“Noi shouldapologi
se”hewasrubbi
ng
hi
shandstogether.Igotcl
osert
ohim andiwas
aboutt
opunchhi m whenZekhethel
ocall
edme.
Zee:
“Ngony
ama”hehei
fguy
scoul
dmel
ti
woul
d.
Me:“Sthandwasam”isai
slooki
ngatherand
shepoi
ntedatEmihlewi
thherey
es.It
urnedto
Shaunandlookedathi
m.
Me:“Thi
sisn’
tov
er”i
gav
ehi
m asl
apl
i
kepat
onhi
sface.

Iwenttomywomanandj oinedherbutmy
phonerangasi wasenjoyingmyt i
mewi t
h
them.Iexcusedmyselfandwentt oabedroom
andanswered.
Me:
“BabNgcobo”t
hatwoul
dbeMuzi
Ngcobo.
Muzi
:“Wherearey
ou?Wher
eismydaught
er?
Ar
eyousafe?”
Me:“Don’
tpani
c.Wear
esaf
e.Saf
ert
hany
ou
t
hink”
Muz
i:“Cani
tal
ktoherpl
ease?
”

Me: “Youknowthati
tsdanger
ousbutiwil
l
securethel
ineandshewil
lcal
lyoul
aterokay
?”
Muzi:“Thankyouson.Takecareofher.Shei
s
mydaught er
.Idon’
tcarewhatanyonesay
aboutanythi
ng.Shei
smydaught er”hehungup
andiletoutadeepsigh.
Iwalkedt
othebedandsatther
e.Ihear
dthe
dooropenandNingi
goti
t.
Ni
ngi:“Bhut
i.Iam sor
rybuti
lov
ehi
m”i
qui
ckl
y
t
urnedandlookedather.
Me:
“Youcameher
etot
ell
mekak?
”
Ningi
:“Bhutiwear
ehavi
ngababy
.Whether
youli
keitornotwear
ehavi
ngababy
.Ieven
methisfamiy.
”
Me:
“Nt
ombi
zi
Ningi
doy
ouknowwhatwedo?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Yes.Youdeal wit
hcomputer
sandyou
ar
egangst
ers”ichuckledshaki
ngmyhead.
Me:
“Thi
sboyi
sst
upi
d.Het
oldy
out
hat
?”
Ni
ngi
:“No.Iknew.I
’
veal
way
sknown”

Me:
“I’
m st
il
lgonnabeatuphi
sass”
Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoorandi
ncame
Si
ms.
Si
ms:
“Sur
ebosshe’
sgone”
Me:“Whowasi t
?”igotoutoft
heroom and
ever
yonehadlef
texceptf
orZee.Ihel
doutmy
handtoherandshecame.
Sims:
“Itwasthegr
andf
atherandhei
nvi
tedus
toabraai
tomorr
ow”
Me:
“Hewasn’
tanysuspi
ci
ous?
”
Si
ms:“Nohewasn’tbuthewasf
li
rt
ingwi
th
Mamzo”ichuckl
ed.
Me:“Perf
ect.Youcango.
”Hewal
kedoutandi
waslef
twithmygirl
.
Zee:
“ItwasMt
hunzi
?”

Me:
“Yep.Hei
nvi
tedt
hem f
orabr
aai
t
omorr
ow”
Zee:“Ihear
d”iki
ssedthet
opofherheadand
l
eanedagainstt
hecouch.
Me:“Babeweneedtogetamoveon.Weneed
t
oseet hewomant
hatwasyourDrwheny
ou
wer
ey oung”
Zee:“Idon’
trememberany
thi
ngSazi
”ihel
dher
squeezi
nghertome.
Me:
“Wewi
l
lgety
out
her
ebabei
promi
se”

Zee:
“Whati
swr
ongwi
thme”
Me: “Letmeputi ti
nlanguagey ouwil
l
understand.Youareawal ki
ngcomput er
.A20
TBwor thofspaceandoncewecr ackthe
passwor dalotofsecret
swillcomeout ”
Zee:
“Whodi
dthi
stome?
”
Me:“Youwerebornwithi
t.Nowit
stimeto
embraceanduseever
ythi
nginyoubecause
babyweareaboutt
ostartaworl
dwar..
..
.”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t27
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupanhourlat
erfeeli
ngbett
er,il
ift
edmy
headandfoundSazi
packingourstuf
f.Isaton
thebedandhear
dmov i
ngsoundsal l
ov erthe
house.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi
:“Iam packi
ng.Get
ti
ngr
eadyf
orust
o
move”
Me:
“Mov
ewher
e?”i
askedget
ti
ngoutofbed.
Sazi
:“Yourgrandf
atheri
sgoingtor
aidt
his
housetoni
ghtsowehav etogetgoi
ng”
Me:
“What
?Howdi
dhef
indout
?”

Sazi
:“Hedoesn’tknowwe’
reher
e.Hesuspect
s
somethi
ngthough”
Iwalkedt ohim andhel pedhi
m pack.Hehet his
guyist ooorganised.Wehadacl osetosmall
bagf orundergar ments,Medium fort
-shi
rt
s, my
dressedandabi gonef orpants.Wehada
separateonef orshoesandsneaker s.
Af
terweweredonewewal
kedoutandfound
ev
eryonest
andi
ngint
hel
ounge.Iwentt
omy
sonandpickedhim upandhuggedhim.Sazi
cameandf i
stbumpedwi t
hhim.Het henki
ssed
mesosweet lyi
almostforgotaboutt
hepeople
aroundus.
Me:“St
opit
”hechuckl
edandki
ssedmeagai
n.
Ipul
l
edoutl
aughi
ngandhewinked.
Ni
ngi:“Canwegetamov
eon?
”shesai
dina
r
atherannoy
edtone.

Sazi
: “Youshutitoriwi
llfuckyouup.It
oldyou
tobehav e,i
fyoucan’
tstayhereandgetkil
l
ed”
hisvoicewasstern.Ni
ngilookeddown
i
mmedi atel
y.
Ni
ngi
:“I
’
m sor
rybhut
i.Ij
ust
..
.”
Sazi
:“Iam noti
nter
est
ed.
”
Itookmyboyandwal kedoutside.Wheni
steppedoutisaw5blackLandRov erswi
th
ti
ntedwindows.Eachcarhaddr i
ver
sinornext
tothem.The2ndcaropenedf ormeandi went
i
nsideit
.Igotinandasiwasaboutt
ocl osethe
doorSazienter
edandclosedt
hedoor.Ilooked
aroundtheyardandever
yonewasfi
ll
i
ngt he
cars.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi
:“Wear
eget
ti
ngy
out
osaf
ety
”

Me:“What’
ssospeci
alaboutme?Whyar
eyou
doi
ngthi
s?”
Sazi
:“Whyam i
doi
ngwhat
?”
Me:“Hel
pingme,maki
ngsuret
hati
am okay
.
Wanti
ngmet or
emember?”
Sazi:
“Firsti
twasallaboutrevengebutnowi
needy outorememberthiscrucial
inf
ormat
ion
forme.Itcouldhel
pmef indclosureandal
so
helpyourfat
heraswell”
Me:
“What
,soy
ou’
reusi
ngme?
”
Sazi
:“Ineversai
diwas.Iwanty
out
ohel
pyour
fat
herknowthetrut
h”
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Sazi
: “Ididalotofresearchaboutyou,
thati
s
wheni foundoutabouty ourgif
tbutial
sofound
outthaty ourf
atherdidn’
tkil
lmyparent
s”i
gaspedi nshock.
Me:“Whatar
eyoutal
ki
ngabout
?”i
star
ted
get
ti
ngemoti
onal
.

Sazi
:
:”Yourgr
andf
atheror
chestr
atedever
ythi
ng
andiknowyouknow.Youjustdon’
tremember
i
tyet.
”
Me:“Allthi
sti
me,youwereonlytr
yingtoget
metor ememberthatmygrandfat
herhurty
our
par
ents.Youdidn’
twantorcar
eaboutme”
Sazi:
“That’
strue.Iwastry
ingtogetyouto
rememberbuti f
elli
nlovewit
hy ou.Youar
emy
speci
algi
rlandiloveyoudearl
y.Iwoulddo
any
thi
ngt
omakey
ouhappy
”
Me:
“Youmeant
hat
?”
Sazi
:“Comeher
e.”Iscoopedcl
osert
ohi
m.

Sazi
:“Imeanitbaby.Il
oveyouandiwi
l
lmake
i
tmyl i
fet
imemissi
ont oshowyouhowmuchi
l
oveyou”
Me:“Iloveyoutoo”heki
ssedmyf
oreheadand
Emihl
easwel l
.Mypoorbabywasl
ookingatus
al
lconfused.
Emi
hle:
“You’
reokaymommy
?”
Me:
“I’
m okaybaby
”iki
ssedhi
scheek.
Sazi
:“Canwegetamov
eon?
”hesai
dtot
he
dri
ver
.
Thecarsst
art
edtomov e.3car
swentt heother
wayand2carswentleft
.Thetwocar shadus
andihadnooideawhowasf ol
lowingus.We
drov
eforabout1hourandcamet oastop.
Ri
ghtthatmomentSazirecei
vedaphonecal
l.
Hegotoutthecarandansweredwal
kingaway.
If
eltali
ghttaponmywindow
anditwasNi ngi.Iopenedthedoorandgotout.
Emihleranaroundthey ar
d.Itookthatasan
opportuni
tyt
ol ookaroundandt heplacel
ooked
real
l
ygood.
Il
ookedatNingiwai
ti
ngforhertospeak.She
seemednerv
ousbuti j
ustl
ethergatherher
sel
f
sosshecoul
dt al
k.
Ni
ngi
:“Canwet
alk?
”
Me:
“Tal
kNi
ngi
iwantt
orest
”
Ningi
:“Iam sor
ryf
orbei
ngabitch.Iam al
so
sorr
yfortr
yingt
ocauset
roubl
ebet weenyou
andSazi.I
..
”
Me:“Whatdoy
oumeany
out
ri
edt
ocause
t
roubl
e?”

Ni
ngi
:“Wheny
ouwer
esl
eepi
ngi
tol
dhi
m
aboutyourrelat
ionshi
pwi t
hMikeandhowi t
ended.It
oldhi my ouarehungoverMikeand
thatyouarejustusinghim”if
eltai
rleav
emy
body.
Me:
“Whywouldyoudothat?
”iaskedwi
th
t
ear
sfal
l
ingf
rom myeyes.
Ni
ngi:
“Hehasbeenspendingsomucht i
me
wi
thyouandhehasn’tbeenspendinganywit
h
me.Pl
usyouabandonedme.If el
tlef
tout”
Me:“Thatmakesi
tokayf
ory
out
otr
yandr
uin
t
hingsf
orus?”

Ni
ngi :
“I ’
m sorr
y .I
’
m sosor ry”shesai
dcrying.I
si
ghedl oudlyandpul l
edherinmyar ms.She
j
ustcriedloudly.I’
m sureyout hi
nki
ngi l
ether
of
fv eryeasil
ybuti wast i
red.Iwasreall
yti
red.I
j
ustneededal lthesupportandl oveicoul
dget .
Whichr emindsme.
Me:
“Cany
oul
endmey
ourphone?
”
Ni
ngi
:“Why
?”
Me:
“Iwantt
ocal
lmybr
other
”

Ningi
:“I
sitsaf
ef oryoutocal
l hi
m? ”it
hought
abouti
tanddecidedagainsti
t.Iguessihadto
askSazif
orasecur eli
ne.
Me:“Ni
ngii
hat
ethi
s”i
star
tedwal
ki
ngandshe
f
oll
owed.
Ni
ngi
:“Whatdoy
ouhat
e?”
Me:“Ihatet
hatirelysomuchony ourbr
other
.I
hat
ethatmylif
ehast urnedupsidedownand
nowiam indanger,ihat
efeeli
ngsodamn
vul
ner
ableandijustfeelsohel
pless”
Ningi
:“Iam sorr
ybabe.TalktoSazi
.Tel
lhi
m
howy oufeelandiam sur
ey ou’
l
lbefi
ne”

Weconti
nuedtal
kingandwalki
ngaroundt
his
hugeasshouseandthensuddenl
yweheard
gunshots.Weranforcoverscr
eamingand
cryi
ng.Wet ookcoveri
nthisol
dcarthatwasat
theback.Thegunshotswentonfor20mi nut
es
andthenitwasquiet.Ni
ngi’
sphonerang
i
mmedi atel
y.
Ni
ngi
:“I
tsShaun.Hel
l
o?”
Shaun:
..
..
.

Ningi
:“OhMyGod.Wear ecoming”shehung
upandt ookmyhand.Wequicklyr
ant ot
he
houseandEmi hl
ecamerunningtohim.Iki
ssed
hi
m alloverhi
sfaceandhewascr y
ing.
Me:
“Ar
eyouokay
?”
Emihl
e:“Yesmommy ”hewaswail
i
ng.Ihel
d
hi
mt i
ghterandsawShauncomi
ngmyway .
Me:
“Wher
eisSaz
i?”hescr
atchedhi
shead.
Shaun:
“Bossl
adyi
..
.”
IputEmi hl
edownandr ushedtot hehouse.I
foundtheseguysstandi
ngar oundt hebody.I
gotcloserandsawSazi l
ayingthere.
Mot i
onlessandbl
eedingfrom hismout h.
Me:“Sazi
i
ii
ii
!”i
screamedandt
ri
edt
ogot
ohi
m
butt
heguysheldmeback.
Si
ms:
“Thepar
amedi
csar
eont
heway
”
Me:“LetmeGO!”icr
iedandcri
edt i
l
lif
ell
down
onthefl
oor
.Il
ookedoveratSaziandhewas
j
ustlay
ingt
her
ewithhiseyescl
osedandnot
br
eathi
ng.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
IwishicouldsaythatSaziwokeupbuthe
di
dn’t.I
nsteadhewast akenawaybythe
paramedicstoahospital
.Ifol
l
owedclose
behindwithShaun,Si
msandNi ngi
.Theother
guys,Emihl
eandAunt ywenttoasaf ehouse
andthatmeanttotaldi
sconnecti
ontot hewor ld.
Icoul
dn’tst
opcryingandmyheadhur tplusmy
eyeswereheavy.IhadmyheadonSi msbut
Shaunsaidishouldgeti
toff.I
fitwasanyot her
dayiwouldhavelaughedbutrightnowi justfelt
l
ikeshit
.

Wear r
ivedatthehospitalandSazi wastakento
theemer gencyroom.Itri
edgettinginbutthe
pushedmeout .Isankonthefloorandi cr
ied.
Myhear twassor eandbroken.Ni ngi
cameand
tri
edtocomf ortmebuti j
ustcriedlouder.
Me:
“Ican’
t.
..
..
.ican’
t.
..
..
..
.ican’
t.
..
..
..
”
Ni
ngi
:“Youneedt
obr
eat
he.Br
eat
heZee”
Me:
“Ineed.
..
..
.need.
..
.needhi
m”

Ningi
:“Ineedhi
mt oobutyoucanneedtocal
m
downbabeplease”shepul
l
edmet ochest
r
ocki
ngme.
Westayedinthatposit
ionforal
ongti
me
bef
oreicamet omysenses.Istoodupand
wenttothecanteen.Ever
yonewasfol
l
owing
me.
Me:“Cani haveacupoft eapl
ease?”i
whi
speredtothel adythatwassell
ingbuti
r
eal
isedthatididn’thaveanymoneyonme.
Sims:“Letme”hepai dandi wal
kedaway .I
wenttositandtheothersataswell.Si
mscame
moment slat
erandgav ememyt eaandalso
satdown.Itookasipandl ookedattheguys.
Me:“Whodi
dthis?
”theyall
keptqui
etandthat
pi
ssedmeof
f.Ibangedthetabl
eandthey
j
umped.
Me:
“Whot
hef
uckdi
dthi
s?”.

Shaun:“Bossl
adyMpil
oisl
ookingint
oitbutwe
suspectitt
obeyourgr
andf
ather”i
chuckled
anddankmytea.Ningilookedatmeandshe
wasuneasy
.Sheknowst hatwheni
getl
iket
his
iusual
l
ydotheunthinkable
Ningi
:“Zekhet
helo,
don’
tdoany
thi
ngst
upi
d.”
Shesaidinashakyvoi
ce.
Me:“Mygr andf
atherdi
dthi
s?HehadmySazi
shotatl
ikeadog?”isai
dshaki
ngmyheadwit
h
asmileonmyf ace.
Ningi
:“Zeehe’
l
lbeokay
.Justl
eti
tgount
ilSazi
getsup”

Me:
“Howlongisthatgoi
ngt
ot ake?Ihav
eto
moveandi
havetomakesurethathepays.”
Shaun:
“Bossl
adyi
am notsur
ethat
..
”
Me:“Shaun,
iwasn’
ttalki
ngt
oyou.Ni
ngi
you
needt
ogettosafet
y.”
Ni
ngi
:“What
?NO!Iam notl
eav
ingy
ouher
e!”
Me:
“Me?WhataboutShaun?
”shekeptqui
et.
Me:“LookIt
smet hathewantsandhe’l
lkeep
comingatusunt
ilhegetsordestr
oyswhathe
want
ssoi havet
ogotbackt ohim”

Ni
ngi
:“Hewil
lki
l
lyou!
”shey
ell
edandst
art
ed
t
ocryagai
n.
Me:
“Hewon’
tdo.
..
”
Wewer ei
nter
rupt
edbyaDrwalki
nginlooki
ng
forMrNgonyama’
sfamil
y.Hei
ntr
oduced
himsel
fasDrMatheandhetol
dusaboutSazi’
s
condi
ti
on.

Dr:“GoodEv ening.MrNgony amawasshot3

ti
mes.Twi ceont hestomachandhi sleg.He
l
ostal otofbloodandf elli
ntoacoma.Hi s
condit
ionisverycrit
ical.Thenext48to72
hourswillbeverycri
ticalbecausehi
sconditi
on
i
sholdingonbyat hread”
Me:
“ExcusemeDrbutwhati
sitt
haty
oudo
her
e?”
Dr
:“Iam notsur
eif
oll
ow?
”
Me:
“Whyar
eyouher
e?”
Dr
:“Iam her
etodomyj
obandhel
ppat
ient
s.”

Me: “Rightbuthereyouar etel

li
ngmeshi t
wheni tcomest omyboy fri
endy etyou’
retell
ing
meaboutcr i
ti
cal.Li
stenherewhi t
ecoatboy ,i
wantmySazi .Iwanthim al
iveorelseiwil
l sure
yourassy ou’
lloybeleftwithpubichair
”the
guyschuckledandNi ngipulledmeaway .
Ningi:“
Wil
lyouj
ustcal
m down?
”shesai
d
pull
ingmefurt
heraway.
Me:“IwantSazi
Ningi
.Iwanthi
m her
e”she
huggedme.
Ningi
:“Iknowbabe.Iwanthi
mtoo”she
conti
nuedtohugmeandpul l
edaway.
Ni
ngi:“Areyoucal
m now?”inoddedwit
ha
t
earf
ul smil
e.Wewalkedbacktotheguy
s.
Me:
“Whencani
seehi
m DrMat
he?
”
Dr
:“Hei
sini
ntensi
vecareandhei
sonly
al
l
owed2vi
sit
or”Ni
ngipushedmefor
ward.
Me:
“Cani
goseehi
m?”

Dr:“Foll
owmepl ease”hewal kedawayandi
fol
lowedclosebehind.Wewentt ot hi
s
secludedwingonthehospi t
alandwasgi ven
somescr ubstowearandamask.Iwal kedin
andwheni sawhimtearsjustfel
l.Igotcloser
tohim andhehadal lt
hosemachi nesal lover
hisbody.Iwalkedtohim andhelookedso
beautif
ulandpeaceful
.Imissedhi m.
Me: “Baby
..
..canyouhearme?”i
kissedhis
cheekandlookedathi
m.Iwasnowcr ying
heavil
ybutimadesurenottodoitl
oudly.
Me: “Baby,ineedyou.Ni ngi
needsy ou.Emihl
e
needshisfather.Pl
easebaby .Getbetter
.Wake
up.Iloveyouandi promi set
onev erdefyyou
againjustwakeup.Pl easeSaziwami !
”icri
ed
andcr i
eduntilt
henursecamet ogivemewat er.
Nurse:
“Your eall
yneedtocalm downsi si
.You
needtostaystrongforhi
m andy oursel
f.Don’
t
for
gettoprayokay?”inodded.Iclosedmyey es
anddecidedtopray.

Me:“DearGod, iknowt hatidon’

ttalktoy ou
muchandi am sorryforbeingachi l
dthatdoes
notdori
ght.Iknowt hatiam alsoaskingal ot
butpl
easesparehi sli
fe.Ineedhim God.Il ov
e
hi
m somuch.Pl easeGod.Pl easejustlethim
beokay.Amen”
Af
terthatshortprayeri
wentoutt
hewardand
wentbacktoNi ngiandther
est
.Ifel
li
nher
ar
msandcr i
ed.
Ni
ngi
:“Nownow,
cal
m downy
ouneedt
ost
ay
st
rongf
orhi
m”
Me:
“Shaun,
pleasesecur
eal
i
nef
orme?
”
Hesecureitandittookagood5mi nut
es
becauseofthenetwork.I
tfinal
lycamethrough
andimadeacal lhome.Mt hunzianswered.

Me:
“Gi
vemyf
athert
hephonepl
ease”
Mt
hunzi
:“Ohbuti
am y
ourf
ather
”hechuckl
ed.
Me:
“Ineedt
otal
ktomyf
atherpl
ease”
Mt
hunzi
:“Ohy
ouhav
en’
thear
d?”
Me:
“Hear
dwhat
?”
Mthunzi:
“Hewasf
ounddeadi
nhi
scart
his
morning”
Me:
“Youar
ely
ing”

Mthunzi
:“Hei
sdeadokay?Nowbeagoodgi
rl
andcomebackbecausei
wil
lkeepki
l
li
ng
peopl
ewhomat
tert
oyouunt
ily
ouar
elef
t
al
one”
Me:“Fuckyou!
”ihungupandcal
l
edSf
iso.He
answer
edinaverysoftt
one.
Me: “Sf
iso!Whereisdad?”hej
ustcr
ied
becausei hear
dhim sni
ff
.
Sf
iso:
“ComehomeZee.
”
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon,
wher
eishe?
”
Sfiso:“Theykil
ledhim Zee.Theyreal
lykil
l
ed
hi
m.Hei sdead”rightaft
erhesaidthatthe
phonesl i
ppedthroughmyf inger
sandf el
ldown.
Ifolloweditcl
osebehindandev eryt
hingwent
dar k.
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupl
aterandy
es,
iwasi
nahospi
tal
bed.
Ningiandtheguysweresi
tti
ngaroundmyroom.
Iclear
edmyt hr
oatandall
attent
iontur
nedt
o
me.Ni ngi
camer unni
ngt
ome.
Ni
ngi
:“Ohmygod.Ar
eyouokay
?”
Me:
“I’
mfi
ne.Whathappened?
”
Ningi:
“Afterthatphonecal
lyouf
aint
ed”t
hat’
s
wheni st
artedtorememberandistar
tedcr
ying
again.
Ni
ngi
:“Whathappened?
”
Me:
“Heki
l
ledhi
m.Heki
l
ledhi
m”

Ni
ngi
:“Who?Whoki
l
ledwho?
”shehuggedme.
Me:“Mthunzi
kil
ledMuzi
.Heki
ll
edhi
m”Ni
ngi
gaspedandif
elthert
ear
sgoi
ngdownmyback.
Ni
ngi
:“I
’
m sosor
rybabe.
”Shecomf
ort
edme.
ThedooropenedandincameDrMat he.Ifi
wasn’tsomuchinlovewit
hSazii
woul dhave
drool
edbutnothanks.Saz
icomplet
elyrui
ned
mef
orot
hermen.
Dr
:“Mi
ssNgcobo.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Me:
“If
eel
ali
tt
ledi
zzyandasl
i
ghtheadache”
Dr
:“Thati
sbecauseofthest
ressl
evel
sanda
hi
ghbl
oodpressur
ewhichisnotgoodf
oryou”
Ni
ngi
:“That
’sal
lther
eis?
”

Dr:“Notr
eall
y.Youmindi
fwetal
kal
onemi
ss?
”
il
ookedaroundther
oom andt
heguy
swere
al
ertandij
ustshookmyheadno.
Me:
“Wearefamil
y.Youcansaywhaty
ouwant
t
osayi
nfr
ontofevery
one”hecl
ear
edhist
hroat
.
Dr:“MissNgcobother easonf
oryourhi
gh
bloodpressur
eit
’sbecauseofstr
essyesand
youare3weekspr egnant”
Me:“What
?”isatupinbed.Theguysmade
noi
sewhi
stl
ingwhil
eNingismil
edli
keanidi
ot.
Dr
:“Youar
e3weekspr
egnant
.Congr
atul
ati
ons
Mi
ssNgcobo.
”
Me:“How?When?
”ther
oom er
upt
edwi
th
l
aught
er.
Shaun:
“Ithi
nky
ouknowhowandwhenwas3
weeksago”t
hel
aughedagai
n.
Ni
ngi
:“Iam sohappy
!”
Dr:“Iwil
lgett
henursetobri
ngyousomemeds
aft
erthatyouneedt
or est
.Youwil
lgohome
tomorrow”
Me:
“Iwantt
oseeSazi
”
Ni
ngi
:“Thebabydaddy
”theyl
aughedagai
n.

Dr:“aft
eryou’
veeatenandy ou’
l
lbesupervi
sed.
Youaregoingtostr
essandcr ysoiwil
lget
someonet obewit
hy ouforashortwhi
le”he
wrotesomenotesont hefi
leandthenheleft
aft
erthat.
Me:
“Iam nothungr
y!”
Ningi
:“Youareacti
ngcr
azynow.Youwi
l
leat
.
Youwillnotst
arv
emynephew”
Shaun:
“Whosaidit
’saboy
?”hesai
dcomi
ng
cl
osertot
hebed.
Si
ms:
“It
saboy
.BhutSazi
shoot
sboy
s!”
Ni
ngi
:“See?I
tsaboy
,ev
enSi
mphi
weagr
ees”

Me:“Well
idon’
tev
enwantt
oguess.Iwantmy
Sazi
”iwhi
ned.
Thenursegoti
nwithmyfood.Shewaspacki
ng
some,beaut
if
ulaswell
.Shewasacti
ngal
lshy
andsmili
ngattheguy
s.
Ningi
:“What
’samusi
ngy
ou?
”askedan
annoyedNi
ngi.
Nurse:
“Nothi
ng.I
..
.Mi
ssNgcoboyourf
ood”
sheputdownmyfoodandhurr
iedaway.
Me:
“Youar
enast
y”
Ni
ngi
:“Shecan’
tbecomi
ngher
elooki
ngatour
men”shebr
oughtt
hef
oodcl
osert
ome.
Me:“Speakfory
our
self
”weconti
nuedtospeak
andit
ookmymeds.Theybi dmefar
ewell
promi
singt
oseemel at
er.

Ifellasleepaftercomingbackt oseeSazi.I
didn’ttellhi
m aboutthebabyy et.Hewas
unconsci ousandst i
l
l t
hesame.I tpi
erced
throughmyhear tandi wastakenawayassoon
asi startedcryi
ng.Igottobedandr ested.
Iwaswokenupbyahandcover
ingmymouth.I
openedmyeyesandsawt
hisbl
ueeyedman.
Man:“shhhhi
won’
thur
tyou.Ipr
omi
se”i
just
l
ookedathim.
Man: “Caniremovemyhand?Promisenotto
scream?”inodded.Heremovedhi
shandandi
satup.Isl
appedhim sohar
dhisfacegotr
ed.
Me: “Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
”her
ubbedhi
s
cheek.
Man:
“Mynamei
sNi
ck.Ni
ckMi
l
lerandi
hav
e..
”
Me:
“Oht
her
unner
”hechuckl
ed.
Ni
ck:
“Ineedy
ourhel
p.You’
remyonl
yhope.
”
Me:“Ir
eadabouty
ou.Mygr
andf
atherhat
es
you”
Ni
ck:
“Somuchandthi
ngsgotwor
sewheni
r
anawaywi
thNobuhl
e”
Me:
“Yourwi
fe?
”

Ni
ck:“Yesandhehadherki
l
led”her
ubbedhi
s
f
acesit
ti
ngdown.
Me:
“Sowhatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
”
Ni
ck:
“Ineedy
ouhel
pcl
ear
ingmyname”
Me:
“Whywoul
didot
hat
?”
Nick:“Iwasblamedforthingsidi
dnotdo,they
sayihaveinfor
mationthatcoul
druinpeopl
e
butthepersontheyarereal
lyl
ooki
ngforisyou”
Me:
“Howdoy
ouknowsomuchaboutme”
Ni
ck:”Ihavebeenonther
unf
orsol
ong.Ineed
al
lthehelpicanget
”
Me:“Agai
niask,
whydoesmygr
andf
atherhat
e
yousomuch”
Ni
ck:“Becausehi
sdaught
erchoseme”i
gav
e
hi
m aconfusedl
ook.
Me:
“Whatdaught
er?
”
Nick:
“Mywi feNobuhlewasMt hunzi
’
s
daughter
,yourauntorr
athery
oursist
er.
..
..
.”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t28
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Myheadisseri
ouslyspinni
ng.Thi
sist oomuch
t
ohandleforonepersonandi am caughtr
ight
i
nthemiddleofeveryt
hing,
itsuptomet osort
i
toutandputastoptoi t
.Nickwasst andi
ng
nexttomybedt el
li
ngmet hatMt hunzikill
edhis
wife,hiswi fewhohappenst obemyaunt .Yes,
myaunt .Irefuset
obel i
evethatMuzi i
smy
brother.Hei smyf at
herandhei sdead, that
broughtt earsinmyey es.Nickgaveme
somet hingt owipemyey es.Itur
nedt olookat
hi
m.

Me:
“Whatdoy
ouneedmet
odo?
”
Ni
ck:“Ineedyoutogobacki
ny ourmindand
l
ookforafil
ethathasmeandyourauntini
t.
Ever
ythi
ngthatset
smefreei
sthere”
Me:“Iwantt
odot
hat
.Ir
eal
l
ydobuthowdoi
doi
t?”
Nick:“Youneedtobeinaplacewherenobody
willdi
stur
byou.Foratl
east24hours,j
ustt
o
gatheryourthought
s”
Me:
“Wher
ecoul
digo?
”
Ni
ck:
“Wel
licangetmysoni
nlawt
odi
schar
ge
younowandi’
lltakeyoutohishouse.You
won’
tbedist
urbed”ichuckl
ed.
Me:
“WeNi
ck,
whyshoul
dit
rusty
ou?
”

Nick:“Ineedy ourhel
pandi hateyour
grandfat
her.Youar ehi
sonlyweaknessthati
know.Trustmehewi ll
neverkil
lyou.Hewoul
d
ki
llpeoplearoundy oubutneveryou”
Me:
“Whatmakesy
ousosur
e?”
Ni
ck:“Hel
ovesyou.I
nhi
sfuckedupt
wist
ed
way,
helov
esyou”
Me:
“You’
rej
oki
ngr
ight
?”
Nick:
“Iwishiwasbuti
’
m not.Thati
swhyy
ou
havetouseyour
sel
ftogett
ohim”
Me:
“Howwi
l
lidot
hat
?”
Ni
ck:
‘Li
kei
sai
d,y
ouneedacal
m pl
ace”

Me:
“Okay
.Cal
lyourguy
.Ineedt
ogett
hisov
er
anddonewi
th”
Hewentoutoft her oom andl eftmet here.I
searchedf ormyphoneandi twasn’ ttheresoi
j
ustsatandt houghtabouthowmuchofamess
iwas.Myf atherisn’tmyf atherbutmy
grandfatheris.My“ dead”t wi ni snotsodead.
Myf atherisdead, hewaski ll
edbymyf ather
.
Myboy f
riend,theonemani ev erlovedi sin
hospitali
nacomaandi t
smyf ault.Iam
pregnantandal one.Itr
eallyhur tplusmysoni s
i
ndangerandsoi smybestf r
iend.
Nowt hi
sNickguyi sonmycaset el
l
ingmehe
wantsmyhelpandi nprocessi
’l
lbehelpi
ngme.
Ihaven’
tseenSfisoinalongti
meandnowi
misshim.Istar
tedoutsoftl
yandbyt het
ime
Nickcamebacki wassobbi
ng.

Ni
ck:
“Hey
.What
’swr
ongnow?
”
Me:“Ever
ythi
ngiswr
ong.Ihat
efeel
i
ngl
i
ket
his.
IwantmySazi”.
Ni
ck:
“Younol
ongerwantt
ohel
pme?
”
Me:“Iwillhel
py oubutineedt otel
lmyf r
iend
wherei’
m going”someonecl earedhisthr
oat
andilookedbythedoori twast heDrthat
hel
pedmewheni hadthataccidentwithSazi
andmynose.
Dr
:“Wemeetagai
nMi
ssNgcobo.Thoba
Ev
ans”
Me:
“Hel
l
oDrEv
ans.Ni
cet
oseey
ouagai
n”
Thoba:
“Pleasecal
lmeThoba.Ni
ckher
etel
ls
methatyouneedaplacet
ostayf
oradayor2”
Me: “Li
keitol
dNick.Ineedt
ospeaktomy
fr
iendsfi
rstbef
oreicoul
ddoany
thing”he
nodded.
Thoba:“Soithastobetomorrow.Iam goi
ngto
delayyougett
ingdi
schargedi
nthemor ni
ngso
thatyoucanleavewi
thoutany
oneseeingyou”
Nick:“Thanksson.
”Thobanoddedandheaded
out.
Ni
cktookachai
randcamet
ositnextt
ome.He
pl
acedhi
sheadonmybedandsighedl
oudl
y.
Me:“I’
m sorr
y”hel
i
fteduphi
sheadandsmi
l
ed
f
aint
ly.0al
Nick:“Zekhethel
oi am j
ustt
ir
edhey.Iwantto
comebackt oSouthAfri
caandspendmyl ast
dayssurroundedbymydaught er
sand
grandchi
ldren”
Me:
“Youhav
eki
ds?
”
Nick:“Yep.2grownupgi
rl
s.Aphi
weandSne.
Aphiweismyl ast
bor
nmarri
edtoThoba”
Me:
“Ohy
esy
oudi
dsayt
hathei
syoursoni
n
l
aw”
Ni
ck:
“Yeahandi
’
m sor
ryf
orhowwemet
”
Me:
“Wat
erundert
hebr
idge”

Wet
hensati
nthatcomf
ort
abl
esi
l
ence.I
start
edfeeli
ngsleepyagai
nbutthedoorbur
st
openandt heroom fi
ll
edwit
hloudlaught
er
beforei
twentqui et
.
Sims:“Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
”askedav
ery
angrySi
ms.
Me:“Cal
myourt
it
s.He’
snott
heenemyso
chi
l
l”
Shaun:
“Chi
l
l?Howdi
dhegeti
nher
e?”
Ni
ngi
:“Whoi
sthi
sZee?
”
Me:“Thatiswhaty
oushoul
dhav
easkedi
nthe
f
ir
stplace”

Ni
ck:“MynameisNi
ckMil
ler
.I’
m heruncle”
t
heguysl
aughed;
bot
hNickandikeptstraight
f
aces.
Shaun:
“Wai
tyouguy
sar
etel
l
ingt
het
rut
h?”
Ni
ck:“Welly
esdumbass”ismil
eandShaun’
s
f
acechange.Hechar
gesf
orNickandhe
quicklyst
andsup.Shaunt hrowsapunchandi
reall
ydon’tknowhoworwheni thappenedbut
Shauni sonthefloorwit
hNi ckontopofhim
andaguni nhismouth.Ij
umpof fthebed
becauseev ery
oneinthisroom seemstobe
frozen.
Me:“Getoffhi
m Ni
ck”hel
ooksatmeandback
atShaun.

Nick:“Listentomeandl ist
encarefull
y.Iam
notyourf ri
endandwear enoteveni nthesame
agegr oup.Keepyourhandst oyourselfornext
ti
mei wi l
lcutthem of
fam i cl
ear
?”Shaunj ust
keepsqui etandNickclocksthegun.
Ni
ck:“Am i
clear?
”henodsquickl
yandNi
ck
l
etsgoofhi
m andstoodup.Heputshi
sgunon
hi
sbackandlooksatmesmili
ng.
Ni
ck:“Sor
ryZee.Ij
ustdon’
twantany
one
t
ouchi
ngme”
Me:“It
sall
goodbutnextt
imekeepyourkar
ate
assout.
”Hechuckl
edandnodded.
Ni
ck:
“Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.Wi
l
lseey
ou
t
omorrow?
”

Me: “Yep.Tomor r
ow”henodsandki ssedmy
hand.Hewal ksov ertoNi
ngiandkissesthe
cornerofhermout handNingilooksli
kesheis
goingtofaint
.Meont heot
herhandi wantto
l
aughbecauseofhowangr yShauni s.Assoon
asthedoorcl osesShauntakesaglassand
thr
owsi tonthewal l.
Me:
“Cal
m downt
iger
.Noneedt
obr
eakt
hings”
Shaun:
“Whot
hehel
li
sthat
?”
Me:
“Thati
sNi
ck.Myuncl
e”

Ningi
:“Youruncl
e?”shesayscomi
ngcloser
.
Shelooksl
ikeshehasrecov
eredfr
om t
hat
momentofdr ool
i
ngthatshehad.
Me:“Yes.Av er
ylongstor
ythatiwi
l
ltel
lyou
l
aterbutr
ightnowi needt
otell
yousomethi
ng
i
mpor t
ant
”
Ni
ngi
:“What
’sup?
”
Me:
“Ineedt
obeawayf
oraf ewdays.Ineedt
o
r
emembermyli
fe;
howt
hingswerebefore”
Ni
ngi
:“Youcan’
tdoi
ther
e?Ar
oundus?
”
Me:“Ineedtobeaway.Ineedtoputanendt
o
al
lofthi
s.”Ni
ngi
star
tedtocry.
Ningi
:“Zeeyouarepregnant
.Mybr
otherneeds
you.Youcan’
tjustdi
sappear
”
Me:“Iknowthatbutineedtodot
his.I
nor
der
f
ormet oli
vemylifef
reely
.Ineet
oputastop
t
othismadness.
.
.

[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t29
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
IwokeupatnightandwenttoSazi ’
sward.
Ther
ewasn’tanychangeandt hatmademy
hear
treal
l
ysore.Icoul
dn’tev
enst aybecause
al
liwasdoingwascry.Igotbackt omywar d
andtomysurpri
seNickwast herewithThoba.

Me:
“Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?”
Ni
ck:
“ThankGody
ou’
reokay
.Wet
houghthe
t
ookyou”
Me:“Whot
ookme?
”isai
dget
ti
ngcl
osert
othe
bed.

Thoba:“Yourgrandf
ather.Weneedt ogetyou
outofhereASAP.Therear eclot
hesinthe
bathr
oom.Pleasegoint hereandchange.I
quickl
ywentt
othebathroom andint
hebag
therewasaver
yshortreddressandgol
dheel
s.
Really
?

Iworethatandwentt
otheward.If
oundthem
standi
ngwithawomanthatwasdressed
exactl
yli
keme.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Nick:“Di
ver
sion.Hemi ghtcometoni
ghtsowe
don’twantt
hestaffseeingussneaki
ngyou
out”
Thobat
urnedt
othewomanandasked.

Thoba:
“Wi
l
lyoubeokaySi
hle?
”
Woman: “I’
llbegood.Iwouldli
ketoseea
motherfuckertr
yandt ouchme”hechuckled
andweheadedout .Myhear twaspoundingon
thewayoutbutwemanagedt oleavewithout
anyonebeingsuspici
ousi meanthehospit
al
waspr
act
ical
l
yempt
y.Wegott
othecarand
t
heydr
oveaway.

Thedr i
vewasv er
ysil
entandtense.Ikept
thi
nkingabouthowstupidiwasbecausei just
l
eftwithoutt
ell
inganyonewherei’
m going.We
drovefor20minutesandaftert
hatThoba
pull
edupi nt
hishousewithabigwoodengat e.

Thegateopenedandhedr ov
ethrough.The
housewasr eal
lybeauti
ful
butididn’
thavethe
ti
met ol
ookar ound,iwastoonervoustocare.
Heparkedrightinfr
ontofthedoorandgotout.
Nickgotouttooandopenedt hedoorforme.

Igotoutthecarfeel
i
ngverycol
dbecauseof
theweather.Wewalkedupthestai
rsandThoba
openedthedoor.Hegotinandshouted.
Thoba:
“Aphi
we?I
’
m homebabecome”I
l
ookedaroundthehouseandi
twasreall
y
beaut
if
ul.Thobal
edustothel
oungeareaand
wesatthere
.
Ni
ck:
“Woul
dyoul
i
keany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
”
Me: “Iwouldloveacupoft ea”ri
ghtaf
ter
sayi
ngt hataverybeaut i
fulyoungwomancame
i
n.Thobasmi ledlikeani di
ot.Hestoodupand
wentov erher
.Hepul ledherinhisarmsand
ki
ssesher .Hekissedhersodeepandl ongt
hat
Nickclearedhisthroat.Theypull
edapart
l
aughing.

Thoba:“Aphiwe,
thi
sisZekhet
hel
o.Youraunt
”
shelookedatmeweirdl
yandIret
urnedt
helook.
Aphi
we:“Myaunt?Wheredoesshecomef
rom?
Wherehasshebeenal
lmyli
fe?”
Ni
ck:“Honey,
y ouknowthatmeandyour
mothercamelatei
ntoyourl
if
epl
usshereal
l
y
needsourhel
p”
Aphi
we:
“Howi
sshemyaunt
?”

Thoba:“She’
syourmother’ssister
”shelooked
atmelongandthenherbot tom li
pstart
edto
tr
embleIwantedtorol
lmyey es.Shethencame
cl
osertomewi t
htearsroll
ingdownherf ace.I
stoodupandmetherhal fway .

Me:“Hey”Iwhispered.Shej ustthr
ewhersel
fat
meandIhuggedhert ight
ly.Shecriedl
oudl
y
andIjusthel
dher .Ikepthushingherandshe
keptcryi
ng.Iendedupcr yi
ngwi thher.
Aphiwe:“Iam sosor
ry.I
’
mj usthappythatI
havesomeonef r
om mom’ ssi
deoft hefami
ly”
shepull
edbackandIcuppedherf ace.

Me:“It
’sokay
.It
’sr
eall
yokay”Iwipedhert
ear
s
andIki
ssedhernose.Shegi
ggled.
Thobathenwal
kedt
ousandci
rcl
edhi
sar
m
aroundhi
swif
e.
Nick:
“Ishouldgetyouyourt
eaandyouget
somer est
.It
’sr
eall
ylat
eandyoutookapr
ett
y
badfallwi
thyourbaby”

Me: “Yes.Ineedbedandf
ood.
”Ismi
l
ed
sheepishl
y.
Aphi
we:“I
’
llbr
ingyouwhaty
ouneed.Dad
pl
easet
akehertoherr
oom”
Ifoll
owedNickupstai
rsandwenttothi
snice
cream andpeachroom.Ijustwentt
othebed
andsankin.Nickchucked.
Hi
m:“Ti
red?
”

Me:“Exhausted.Ineedtoclosemyey esand
sl
eep.Wil
lstarttheprocesstomorrow”he
noddedandwal kedout.Iwenttotakeaquick
showerandwentbackt otheroom.Ifound
Aphi
wesi
tt
ingt
her
ewi
thsomecl
othesnextt
o
her
.
Aphi
we:“Iboughty
ousomethi
ngt
osl
eepon
andsomethi
ngfort
hemorni
ng”
Me:
“Thanky
ou”

Aphiwe:
“I’
mreal
lysorr
yaboutwhat’
s
happeni
ngi
nyourli
fe.
”Inoddedandshewent
out.
Il
oti
onedmybodyandgotdr
ess.Ihoppedi
nto
bedandfel
lasl
eep.
.
Iwaswokenupbyt hi
scoldbreezeinthe
bedroom.Ilookedupandt hewindowwas
opened.Iquicklysatupinaler
t.Il
ookedaround
theroom andt her
ewer etwoshadowsst andi
ng
byacorner.
Me:
“Ify
oudon’
tshowy
our
sel
f…
Per
son:
“Iwi
l
lscr
eam”hechuckl
ed.

Man1:“Youreal
l
yneedt
oli
ght
enupsi
sandbe
unpr
edi
ctabl
e”
Me:
“Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
”
Man2: “LanguageZeze”myey
esshotupi
n
shock.
Me:
“Dad?
”

Theycametotheli
ght .I
twasmytwinbr
other
andmyfat
herMuz i.Istoodupqui
ckl
yand
j
umpedathim cr
ying.Hecaughtme.
Muz i
:“Shhhhhhushnow.Iam here.Everyt
hing
wil
lbeokay”Ijustcr
iedi
nhisar
ms.If elt
someonepulli
ngmeawayf rom hi
m and
scoopedmei nhisarms.
Khethel
o:“Ihav
ebeenwanti
ngtodothi
ssi
nce
Icameback”heinhal
edandsatont
hebedwit
h
meonhi
slap.
Me:
“Dad!Howar
eyoual
i
ve?
”
Dad:
“I’
m adi
ehar
dbaby
”theyl
aughedandf
ist
bumped.
Me:
“Idi
ots”Il
aughed.
Dad:“Iwil
ltel
lyoual
lther
eist
oknowwhenwe
getoutofhere.Wehavetogonow”
Me:
“Why
?”
Khet
hel
o:“Wehavetogo.Sazi
isawakeand
he’
saski
ngfory
ou”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Il
ookedatthesemenweirdl
yandMuzi
chuckl
ed.Sazii
sawake?Isawhim afewhours
agoandtherewasn’
tanychanges.Isatonthe
bedandKhethelol
eanedagai
nstthewall.
Me:“Youguy
sar
emessi
ngwi
thme.Sazi
isn’
t
awake”
Dad:
“He’
sawake.Ipr
omi
se”
Me:
“Whathappenedt
oyou?Youwer
edead?
”

Dad:“Di
dyouseemybody?”ishookmyhead
noandKhet
hel
o’sf
acechanged.
Khet
hel
o:“That
’swhathappenswheny
ousend
aweakasstoki
llhi
sownbr ot
her
”
Me:“Whatdoyoumean?”i
sai
dstandi
ngup.I
wal
kedovert
oKhethel
oandhepul
ledmeinfor
ahug.
Khethel
o:“Ican’tbel
iev
ei wastedsomuch
ti
mebei ngawayf r
om you.Ithoughti
twas
goingtobenefi
tmebuti tj
ustchangedme”i
pull
edbackandl ookedathistatt
ooedarms.
Therewasahugeoneonhi sar mthathadmy
name.Ijustcr
ied.
Me:
“Dadhowar
eyoual
i
ve?
”
Dad:“Sitandwe’
l
ltal
k.”Isatont
hebedandhe
satnexttome.
Dad:
“Youar emydaughter
.YouandKhet
hel
o
ar
emi nebutSf
isoi
sn’
t’
Me:“Whatdoyoumean?Youtol
dmet
hati
am
hi
sdaught
erandnowi’
my our
s?”
Dad:“Yourmot herandmyf at
herhavebeen
havi
nganaf f
airsinceyouwer eborn.Whenyou
wereconceiv
edi twasar oundtheti
mewhenhe
wasaway .WhereasSf isowasconceivedon
theni
ghtofmyweddi ng”
Me:
“Howi
sthatev
enpossi
ble?
”

Dad:“Myf athertoldmet hatther

eisan
emer gencyi nanotherprovi
nceandi hadto
rushthere.Mont hsl at
eryourmom was
pregnantandi wasv eryhappy.WhenSf i
sowas
bornmyf athertookhimf i
rstandhecried
sayi
ngthathe’
shisson.Il
ookedatyourmother
andshelookeddown.Iknewthenthathewas
his.
”
Me:
“Whydi
dyoust
ay?
”
Dad:“Il
ovedherpl usiwast i
edupinacont r
act
wit
hbothofthem.Sf i
sogrewupknowi ngthat
Mthunzii
shisfather.Thatiswhyihatedthat
yougavehim moneyt ogambl ewhereashe
wouldgi
veinformat i
onaboutyoutohim”
Me:
“Whydon’
tyouwantmet
oremember
?”
Dad: “It
’snotthatidon’
twantyoutoremember
.
Idon’twanty outorememberthethi
ngsthat
Mt hunzimadey oudo”hestart
edcryi
ngandi
tr
iedt oholdhim buthequi
ckl
ystoodup.
Me:
“Dadi
..
.”
Dad:“Iknowiam hor
ri
ble.Iam sor
ry.Icoul
dn’
t
pr
otectyou”

Me:
“It
’sokay
.It
’sr
eal
l
yokay
”ihuggedhi
m and
hesobbed.
Khet
helo:
“Dady
oupr
omi
sednott
ocr
y”dad
l
aughed.
Dad:“Shutupbi
tchnigga!”weal
ll
aughedand
dadpull
edhimsel
ftogether.
Me:“Icameher
etor
emembert
hingsandt
o
hel
pNick.
”
Dad:
“Thereisnoti
me.Ihav ef
il
est
hatNick
want
s.Whatslef
tisforustogotoMthunzi
and
endt
hisonceandforall
.”
Me:“Whydon’
tyouwantmet
oremember
dad?
”
Dad:
“Becauseer
mm mmm.
..
”
Khethel
o:“We’
l
lcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenweget
toi
t.Fornowwehavet
ogo”
Me:“Wearenotl
eav
ingunt
ily
out
ell
mewhati
needt
oknow”
Dad:
“Mt
hunzi
usedy
out
oful
fi
lhi
sdi
rt
yjobs.
Heusedyoutodest
roypeopl
eandl
i
ves.To
dest
royhomes.
”

Nick:“Iusedtoworkfory
ourf
ather
..
.”hesai
d
enter
ingtheroom f
oll
owedbyThobaandhis
wife.
Nick:“Iusedt owor kforMt hunziandi
stumbledacr osssomei nfor mati
onwhi chled
met ojoiningt hef orce.Ithenmety ouraunt
Nobuhl e.Shewassobeaut i
fulandshel ooked
j
ustlikey ou.Wheni cameacr ossthis
i
nf or
mat ioni t
oldy oursisterandf i
nall
yshehad
aholdov ery ourfather.Wet ookt hefil
esand
wentt othr eatenhi m.Nobuhl ehadseenenough
ofhim usi ngy out hatshewant edtoputast op
toitbuthewasal readywai t
ingforus.Thatis
whenwest ar t
edtor un”

Dad:
“Wet r
iedgett
inghimtost
oppeoplefrom
t
urni
ngagai
nstthem buthei
sav er
yinf
luenti
al
man.
”
Me:“Whydi
dyoul
ethi
m getawaywi
thso
much?”
Dad:“Atfi
rsti
thoughitwashi mlovi
ngy oubut
asyearswentbyisawt hathewasusi ngyou.
Bothofyou.Hesawitfitthatheshouldtake
Khethel
oawaybecauset he2ofy outogetheri
s
ver
ydangeroustoalmostev er
yone.“
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Khethelo:“Youareagenius.Youcouldcome
upwi thariskypl
anandi wi
llseei
tthrough.We
canrobpeopl edryandhavenoonet raceit
backt ous.Youdrawplans;imakethem
happen.Bot hofustoget
hercompletethe
puzzle.”
Me:“Whatt
hehel
lareyoutalki
ngaboutwena
sl
i
ma?”ther
oom er
uptedinlaught
er.
Dad:
“He’ssayi
ngthatyouguysarean
unmovabl
efor
cetogetherandyoucando
massi
vet
hingst
oget
her
”

Me:“Okaydad.Tel
lmewhatMt
hunzi
mademe
do?
”hestart
edtear
ingup.
Nick:“Aft
erf
indi
ngy ourtal
entandt
hethi
ngs
youcandohest art
edobsessingwit
hyouand
hestart
eddoingthi
ngst oyou”
Dad:
“Ni
ckshutup”
Me:
“Whatt
hings?
”
Ni
ck:
“Hewoul
dgety
oui
nar
oom al
oneand.
..
”
Dad:
“SHUTUP!SHUTTHEFUCKUP!
”

Ni
ck:
“Shehastoknow.Sheismuchcl
osert
o
t
hetr
utht
hanyouthi
nk.Shehast
oknow”
Me:
“Knowwhat
?”
Zekhet
hel
o:“Hemol
est
edy
ouZee.Mt
hunzi
Molest
edyou.
”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Ver
yver
yshor
t
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Il
ookedar oundt her oom andi l
aughed.I
l
aughedsohar dthati hadt earsinmyey es.I
l
ookedatmybr ot herandhehadt earsroll
i
ng
downhisey es.Muzi waskneel ingont hefloor
cry
ing.Nickal sol ookedsosadwhi leThoba’s
backfacedme.Thati swheni sawt hathe
wasn’tl
ying.Ist oppedl aughi ngandmywhol e
bodystartedt oshake.Khet helogott ome
befor
ei f
el l
ont hef l
oor.Ifelttheairleavemy
body.

Khet
hel
o:“Br
eat
he.Br
eat
hemyal
l
.Br
eat
he”
Me: “I
t’
snott r
ue.It
’snottrue.I
t’
sal l
lies”isai
d
thatbr
eathinghard.IheardMuzi crylouderand
l
ouder.Thatiswheni tall
broke.Ijustletgoof
mybodyandK. Tstil
lcaughtme.Icr i
edsol oud.
Mor el
ikeiscreamedandK. Thel
dmet hr
oughit
all
.

Me:
“Whycan’
tir
ememberbaba?Whycan’
ti
r
ememberi
tal
l
?”
K.T:
“Hemadesur
ethati
t’
sthel
astt
hingy
ou
remember
”
Me:
“Howdi
dithappen?
”
K.
T:“Hmmm?
”
Me:
“Don’
thmmm me,
howdi
dithappen?
”

K.T:“Itoldyouhe’dmakeyoudothi
ngsandhe
didn’
tevent ouchormadeyoudoshi
tforlong.
Ithappenedoneday .Heerm.HeHehe..
.”he
sobbedl oudlyandicr
iedwi
thhi
m.
Me:“Tel
lme.Tel lmebecauseiam sur
eMi
ke
wasmyf i
rst.Ibl
ed!If
ucki
nbled!
”ifel
t
someonelif
tingmeupandi twasMuzi.

Dad:
“Pl
easestophur
tingyour
selfl
iket
his.
St
opdoi
ngthi
st oy
ourself
.Iwi
lldealwi
th.
..
”
Me:“Iwanttoknowwhathappenedbaba.
Pl
ease.Youowemethatmuch.”
K.
T:“Zeeifeel
you.If
eeleveryheartbr
eakand
ever
ypai
n.Yourhappi
nessi f
eeli
t.Thatnight
whenhecamet oyouifel
tyourpain.If
elthi
m
i
nmeZee”

Me:
‘Youf
elthi
miny
ou?
”
K.
T:“Yes.Heenter
edt
heot
herhol
ethati
swhy
Mi
kewasy ourf
ir
st”
Me:“Wait
;hef
uckedmyass?
”isai
dloudl
yand
dadpi
nchedme.
Dad:
“LanguageZekhet
hel
o”
K.T:“Yes.Heent
eredy
ouanal
l
y.Thati
showi
fel
tit
”

Dad:
“Khet
hel
owi
l
lyouj
ustshutup?
”
Me:
“Whoknewaboutt
his?
”
K.
T:“Mom and.
..
”
Me:
“Sheknew?Mom knewaboutt
hatani
mal
r
api
ngmeandshedi
dn’tpr
otectmefr
om hi
m”
Dad:“Shewasorratheri
ssomuchi
nlov
ewi
th
Mthunzit
hatshechosehim”
Me:“Youwerehappybaba.Al
lthesey
ear
s,y
ou
wer
ehappy.Soinlov
e”

Dad:“Onlyfort
imebei
ng.Istay
edf oryou.
Sfi
soisanassnjebutihadtomaket hings
workforyounottobr
eak.Nowt hatMthunzii
s
back,i
t’
soverformeandyourmot her.
”
Me:
“Butdad.
..
”
Dad:
“Sheusedmebaby
.It
sal
lov
er.We’
l
ldeal
hi
m”
Me:
“Whoi
swe?
”
K.
T:“Dad,
NickandSazi
.Pl
usmeofcour
se.I
’
ll
begoi
ngonyourbehal
f”
Me:“Whataboutme?”iaskedsul
ki
ngandi
got
outofdad’
sembrace.
Dad:
“Youneedtogot
othehospi
tal
.Youhav
e
t
obewithSazi
.”
Me:
“Ningi
ist
her
e.Iwantt
o..
.”Khet
hel
ocut
meoff
.

K.T:
“Thisisnolongeryourfi
ghtme.Youneed
tobackoffnow.Wewi l
ltakeitf
rom her
e”
Me:
“Iwantt
obet
her
ewheny
ou.
..
”
Thoba:“Nooo.I
t’
snotgoodfort
hebaby
”
ever
yonetur
nedtolookatme.
K.
T:“Baby
?!”
Dad:“Whatbaby.Whatthefuckar
ey outal
ki
ng
aboutwenaMlungundini
?”heshouted.
K.
T: “Whatdoy
oumeanbaby
?Sazi
scor
ed
al
ready?
”
Me:“Shutup”i
gri
tt
edmyt eet
handhelaughed
outl
oud.Dadontheot
herhandwasfuming.

Dad:
“Don’
tyouknowhowt
ousepr
otect
ion?
”
Me:
“Dadi
’
m sor
ry.I
twasn’
t.
..
”
Dad:
“Damni
tman.Thi
sboyi
sdi
srespect
ful
”
Hewaspaci ngupanddown.K.
Twasi n
sti
tchesandiwaslooki
ngdowninshame.He
keptsweari
ngancussingbi
gheadjustl
aughed
andlaughed.
Dad:
“Wheni
seehi
miwi
l
lshoothi
m”
K.T:“Heal
readyhas3bul
l
ethol
esbaba.So
chil
l
”
Dad:“Iam nott
alki
ngt
oy ou.Westi
llneedt
o
t
alk”dadsatdownandsighedloudl
y.
Dad:“I
t’sall
myf aul
t.Ifihadstooduptohim
noneofthiswouldhav ehappened.I
fist
oodby
you,
ifiacceptedmyf ateiwouldn’
tbeherebut
youwouldbesaf eatleast”
Me:“Dadwhatdoy
oumean?
”isai
dget
ti
ng
cl
osert
ohim.
Dad:
“If
ail
edy
ouZekhet
hel
o.Iwassel
fi
sh.
”
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Dad:“Ishoul
dhavepr
otect
edyoubuti
nst
eadi
prot
ectedmysel
fandhehadproof
.Iwasgoi
ng
togotojai
landiwoul
dhavebeenawayfr
om
you”

K.
T:“Dad.
..
”hecamecl
oserandknel
tnextt
o
me.
Dad:“Mthunzjhadatwin,Ophil
isay
o.Heknew
youwheny ouwereli
ttl
eandhewant edy
ouf or
himsel
f.Onenighthewast ry
ingtotakeyou
awayfrom hi
m andi..
..
.i
..
..
”
Me:
“Whatdi
dyoudo?“hekeptqui
et.
K.
T:“Whatdi
dyoudodad?
”
Dad:
“Iki
l
ledhi
m.Iki
l
ledmyuncl
e.”
[
01/
04,
21:
51]Ron:
Inser
t30
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Paini swhatif
eelalmostev erydaythesel ast
fewweeks.Iam i nthisroom f i
ll
edwi thmen
thatIlove,t
hatI
’velov
edal lmyl if
e.Iwi shI
couldsayIam strongandIcanov ercomet his
butrightnowIfeelsohor r
ible.Ifeelli
keleaving
thi
spl aceandnevercomeback.Thepai nIfeel
i
si ndescri
babl
e.Everyoneint hisroom is
l
ooki ngatme,waiti
ngf ormet osaysomet hi
ng
butIhav
enowor
ds.Iam t
ir
edanddr
ained.

Dad:
“Talktomebaby ”hesai
dget
ti
ngcl
osert
o
meIjustkeepqui
et.
K.T:“Hal
f…”Ij
ustst
areatt
hem andsi
ghed
deeply
.
Me:“Iwantt
osl
eep”Isai
dgett
ingi
nbedbut
Khet
hel
opull
smebymyl egsIendupl
aughi
ng.
K.
T:“You’
recomi
ngwi
thme”
Me:“Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”heputonmyshoes
andpul
l
edmeup.
K.T:“Youhav
etomeetmydaught
er”myf
ace
l
itup.

WhenIlookedatdadhelookedsosadand
al
one.If
eltreal
l
ybadsoIwentovertohim and
huggedme.Hei nhal
eddeepl
yandsqueezed.
Me:
“Il
ovey
oudaddy
.It
’sgoi
ngt
obeokay
”
Dad:“Ishouldbetheonesay
ingt
hat
.Ishoul
d
apol
ogize.Youwentthr
oughsomuchbecause
ofmysel f
ishness”
Me:“Doyout
hinkI
’
dst
il
lbeal
i
vehady
ounot
st
ayed?
”
Dad:
“Iheary
oubutIshoul
dhav
eputy
ourf
ir
st”
Me:“Youdidt
hat;
youst ay
edwit
hme.Mthunzi
chosetobeamonster.
”Heshaki
nghi
shead
nonstopandt
hatbrokeme.

Dad:“Iam sosor
ry.If
ail
edy
ou.Ir
eal
l
yfai
l
ed
you”
Me:“St
opit.Youdi
dall
youcoul
d.Il
ovey
ou”I
ki
ssedhischeekandwentt
oK.T.
Me:
“Let
’sgohal
f.Wehav
eal
ott
otal
kabout
”
Ni
ck:
“Zekhet
hal
oi…”
K.
T:“I
t’
sZekhet
hel
oorZeeweNi
chol
as”
Nick:“Zee,I’
m sorryIwant
edt
ofightmy
battl
esthroughy ou.Youar
emylasthopeandI
pressur
esy ou.Ishouldhav
egi
veny outi
me
pl
usy ou’r
epr egnant”
Dad:
“Pleasedon’
tremindmethatIst
il
lneedt
o
t
alkt
othatboy.
”Ev er
yonel
aughed.
Thoba:
“Iguesst
hisi
sgoodby
e?”
Me:
“Ti
l
lnextt
ime”weshookhands.

Khethel
otookmyhandandwewentout
fol
lowedbyMuzi.Wewentout
sidethegat
eand
sawacarparkedonthef
arendoftheroad.I
tur
nedandlookedatt
hem.
Me:
“Soor
igi
nal
”Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
Dad:“Missi
oni
mpossi
blemybaby
”Khet
hel
o
chuckl
ed.
Me:
“Dadpl
ease”
Wewal
kedt
othecarsi
l
ent
lyandIgoti
nthe
backseatwhi
l
etheguyst
ookthef
ront.Isat
ther
easKhethel
odrov
eaway.Myheadwas
buzzi
ngandIneededt
oknowwhat’snext.

Me:“Whathappensnow?”Iaskedast
hecar
wasmovingveyfastt
owardstown.
Dad:“Youbakewhateveriti
syouhavei
nyou
ovenandyouletustakecareoft
herest
”K.T
chuckl
edandIhithi
shead.
K.T:“Whatt
hehel
l
?”Ismi
l
edandst
uckoutmy
tongue.
Dad:“Babyweneedtokeepyousafebutfi
rst
youhavetogoseethatboy
fri
endofyour
sin
hospi
tal
”
Me:
“Dadi
…”hecutmeof
f.

Dad:“Sav
eitbrat
.Iwi
lldealwit
hhim whenhe’
s
goodandready
.Iwil
lshoothisbabymaking
di
ck”myhandflewtomymout hwit
hshockand
Khet
hel
olaughedv
eryl
oudl
y.
Ideci dedtokeepquiet .Therestofthedr i
veto
thehospi t
alwasfil
ledwi t
hsilence.Onlymusic
playinganditwasrel axing.ImissedmySazi .I
mi ssbeinginhisar
ms.Imi sshiskisses.Imiss
hisrudeness.Every
t hing!
Khet
hel
o:“Heyhalf
.Whati
fyourmani
snow
cr
azyorhel
osthismemory”

Me:“Yousaidheaskedf
ormesodon’ tbe
ext
ra”dadchuckl
edandHal
fjustl
aughed.
K.
T:“Youar
ev er
ycol
dyouknow.Iwonder
whatmanwil
lmarryy
ou!
”
Dad:
“Khet
hel
o…”
Me:“Sazi
wil
lmar
ryme”hel
aughedhi
tt
ingt
he
wheel
.

K.
T:“Hasheaskedy
ouy
et?
”Ij
ustkeptqui
et
becauseIdidn’
twanttoar guewithhim andhe
wastell
ingthetrut
h.Ifel
tlikecr
ying.Ihave1
boywithoutafather
,anotheroneont heway
whosef at
hermightnotev enmarrymebecause
ofmymessedupl if
e.Dadmusthav eseenthat
Iwastooqui et
.
Dad:“Zezear
eyouokay
?”Inoddedwi
tht
ear
s
bl
indi
ngme.
Me: “Yeah.I
’m gooddad”Ianswer
edwi
tha
shakyvoice.

K.T:
“HalfIwasj
ustj
oki
ng”Inodded.He
coul
dn’
tseemebecausehewasdr i
vi
ng.
Dad:“Stopstr
essi
ngmybaby.Sazi
lovesyou
okay
? ”Il
ookeduptohi
m andhesmiled.
Dad:“See?Youar
ebeauti
ful
.Nomanwoul
d
wanttolety
ougo”Il
aughed.
Wefinal
lygottot
hehospit
alandthemi nute
Khet
heloparkedhegotoutofthecarquickl
y
andcametoopenmydoor
.Heengul
fedme
wit
haveryt
ighthug.
K.T:“Iam anidi
ot.Iam sor
rymyhalf
.”He
cuppedmyf aceandkissedmyforehead.

Dad:“Yesyouareanidi
ot,
youass.
”Dadsaid
walki
ngaway.Khet
heloandIl
ookedateach
ot
herandlaughedfol
l
owinghi
m.
Wegotinsi
deandassoonasNi
ngisawmeshe
r
ushedtome.Wehuggedeachot
herasshe
wascry
ing.
Ningi
:“It
houghtsomet
hinghappenedtoyou!
”
shekeptt
ouchingmeal
lover,checki
ngi
fI’
m
okay.
Me:
“I’
m sor
ry.
.i
’
m okay
.Wher
eishe?
”
Ningi:“Hei
ssoangry.Hehasbeenaskingf
or
you.”Shesai
dleadi
ngmet ohi
swar d.When
shegotoutsi
deshestoppedandlookedatme.
Me:
“andnow?
”
Ningi:
“Gof aceyourshital
one.Go!”she
pushedmei nsideandthemomentIwenti nI
sawhi m.Damni thelookedgorgeous.Hehad
thatshadowonhi sjawandi tmadehim super
sexy.CanIjustsayIwasdr ool
ing.
Me: “Hi”Isai
dinawhisper.Hej
ustl
ookedat
me.Hewast opl
esswithabandagear
oundhis
torso.Henolongerhadthosemachi
nesaround
him.

Sazi
:“Comehere”hesai
dsit
ti
ngupandyou
coul
dseethathewasinpai
n.Iwentt
ohi
min
ver
yslowsteps.
Me:
“Doy ouneedany
thi
ng?
”Isai
dasIst
oodat
t
hefootoft
hebed.
Sazi
:“Comecl
oser”Iwentaroundthebedand
wenttohi
ssi
de.Helookedatmef oralong
ti
meandyoucouldseethathewaspissed.He
gav
emeaaf
akesmi
l
e.
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”

Sazi:
“Sit
”Isatonachai randhet ookouthi
s
phone.Hecall
edShaunandhungupaf t
er
barki
ngouti
nstruct
ions.Ijustkeptqui
etasI
di
dn’twantt
oangerhi m mor e.
Shaungotincarryi
ngaplasti
cbag.Hetookthat
tableonwheelsandpushedittome.He
adjustedi
tanditwasonmyl evel
.Hetookout
thi
sy ummychickensoupwithgarl
icbr
ead,f
ruit
saladandwater.Il
ookedatSaziandhe
mot i
onedwithhisheadformetoeat.
Sazi
:“Eat
.”
Me:
“Sazi
i…”hecutmeof
f
Sazi
:“Eatbaby
.Wewi
l
ltal
kwheny
ouwer
e
done”
Istar
tedeatingri
ghtaway .Iwaseat i
ngand
groani
ng.IlookedoveratSazi andhel ookedso
angry,forwhatIdidn’
tcare.Iateandat e.When
Iwasf ul
lIdrankwaterandbur ped.Ilookedat
Shaunandhegav emeav eryweaksmi l
e.He
cl
earedupandl eft
.Ithankedhi m bef
or eleav
ing.
Sazi:
“Doyouwantmetogocr azyonyou?
”he
askedinaver
ylowbutt
hreat
eningvoi
ce.
Me:
“NoBabyIwasj
ust
..
”

Sazi
:“Youweren’tt
hinki
ngZekhethelo..you
werereckl
essandIcouldhav
elosty ou.We
coul
dhav el
ostyou.Whydon’tyouthink?Ev en
i
fyoudon’tcar
eaboutmet hi
nkofEmi hleat
l
east”
Me:“BabyI’
m sor
ry.Ij
ustwant
edt
ofi
ndt
he
peopl
ethatdi
dthi
st oyou”
Sazi
:“Soyoucangetkil
l
ed,wouldithav
ebeen
wort
hit?
”Ikeptqui
etandlookeddown.
Me:“Iam sor
ry”

Sazi
:“Notassorryasy ouar
egoingt
obewhen
Igetoutofher
e.Iwil
lteachyounott
omess
wit
hdangerZekhethel
o”
Me:“Youcan’
tpuni
shmet
hatbadl
y”Isai
d
qui
ckl
y.
Sazi
:“Whyi
sthat
?”
Me:“I’
m pr
egnantSazi
.”Isai
dinati
ny
annoy
ingvoi
cebutIknewi twoul
dgett
ohi
m.
Sazi
:“Whatdidy
ouj ustsay
?”hi
sfacel
i
tup
andhesoundedbreathl
ess.
Me: “Iam 4weekspr
egnant”t
hesmileonhis
face.Thesmil
eonhisfucki
nface,pr
icel
ess.
Zee1Sazi 0!
!
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t31
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
WhenSazitookoutt
hatboxif
eltai
rleav
emy
body
.Itwasevenworsewhenheaskedmeto
marr
yhim.
Ijustcried.Thisbloodypregnancywasmaki ng
meacr ybaby .Il
ookedatther i
ngandi twas
real
lybeaut i
fulwit
hani cediamond.Ilookedup
tohim, t
earsbl i
ndi
ngmeandhel ookedvery
scared.Ismi l
ed.

Sazi
:“Babe?
”inodded.
Me: “Yes.Yesyoufool .Iwi
l
l marr
yyou”ifl
ew
tohim andhuggedhi m.Hegr unt
edinpain.I
reall
ydidn’
tcar
e.Ipulledbackandkissedhim
alloverhi
sfacesayingy esyesyes!He
chuckledandkissedme.

Ipul
l
edbackwhenhegr
oanedandhel
ooked
l
i
kehewasinsomuchpain.
Me:
“I’
m sosor
rybabe.Iam sor
ry”
Sazi
:“It
’sokay
.Givemey ourhand”igavehi
m
myhandandhesl i
ppedthebeautif
ulri
ngonmy
fi
nger
.Icri
edallov
eragain.

Me:
“It
’sbeaut
if
ul”hesmi
l
ed.
Sazi
:“Justl
i
key
oumyl
ady
.Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”

Sazi:
“Ifiwasn’
tthisf
uckedupiwouldbe
showingyoujusthowhappyiam andhow
muchi l
oveyou”hiseyesdar
kened.Ismi
l
ed
shaki
ngmyhead.

Me:“Youneedt
orest.St
opbei
ngnaught
y”i
ki
ssedhi
sli
pscount
lessti
mesandst
oodup.
Sazi
:“Helpedmetobed”iwheel
edhi
mtobed
andthati
showfarheall
owedme.
Sazi
:“Thanks.I
’
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e”
Me:“Sazihowareyougoi
ngt
ogett
obed?
You’
l
lhurtyour
sel
f!
”
Sazi
:“Don’tworr
yMr sNgony ama.Iwi
l
lbefi
ne
okay?”inoddedbutst
il
lassistedhi
mtobed
becausehedidneedmyhel p.

Me:“Youar
estubbor
n”isai
dthi
sbecausehi
s
f
acewasevenstar
ti
ngtogetpal
e.Hewasina
l
otofpai
n.
Sazi
:“Tol
dyoui
’
llbef
ine”

Me:“Youmi ghtnotwantt
omeetyourchi
ldbut
iwantyouherewithme.Letmecal
lanurseto
gi
veyousomet hi
ngforpai
n”
Sazi
:“Pl
easedon’
t.Theymakemybodyache.
”
Me:
“You’
l
lfeel
bet
ter
.Pl
easebaby
”henodded.
Iwentoutandlookedf oranur
se.Isawthi
s
real
l
ybeauti
ful
wel lshapednurseandshewas
theonl
yoneavailable.

wentt
oherandaskedf
orassi
stance.

Me:
“Excuseme?”shetur
nedar
oundand
smi
l
ed.Damnshe’spr
etty
.
Nur
se:
“Yesmi
ss?
”shehaddi
mpl
es.

Me:“Sazi
Ngony
ama,room 302i
sinpai
n”she
l
ookedatmeandfr
owned.
Nur
se:
“Whatar
eyout
ohi
m?”i
smi
l
ed.

Me:
“Pl
easegethim somet
hingf
orpai
n”i
smi
l
edandwalkedaway.
Igott
otheroom andSazilookedupfrom hi
s
i
Pad.Hewaswor king,
igottohim qui
ckl
yand
tooki
tawayfrom him.

Me:“Couldy
our el
ax?Pl
easej
ustr
est
.”He
noddedandwinced.
Thenursegotitandherski
rtwasnowshorter
thanihadseenwheni sawher.Sheswayedher
hipssi
dewaysandlickedherpi
nkpaint
edli
ps.I
l
ookedatSazi andhewasf r
owning.Hel
ooked
atmeandshr ug.

Nurse:
“Pleasestepoutsi
demi ss.
..
?”l
ookedat
mebendingoverSazi’
sface.Rubbingher
br
eastsonhisface.Hegentlyr
emov edher.
Sazi
:“Myfi
ancest
ays”shehadt
hatshocked
expr
essi
ononherf
ace.
Nur
se:
“Yourwhat
?”sheshout
ed.
Sazi:“Fiance.Pleasegiv
ememymedsi want
torest”sheinjectedhi
m andwalkedout
cli
cki
nghert ongue.Il
aughedwhil
eSazi
seemedannoy ed.
Me:
“Yourgi
rl
fr
iends!
”icl
appedmyhands.

Sazi:
“Don’ tbeext
raplease”hesmi l
ed.He
l
ookedsl eepyandiki
ssedhi sfor
ehead.
Minuteslaterhewasfastasleepsoi wenttosi
t
onthecouchandmadesomecal ls.Ist
arted
withNingi.Ical
l
edandsheanswer edaft
erthe
4thri
ng.

Ni
ngi
:‘Babe?
”shesoundedbr
eat
hless.
Me:
“Am i
dist
urbi
ng?
”iasked.
Ni
ngi
:“No.Wecant
alk”
Me:“SoSazipr
oposedand.
..
”shejust
scr
eamedevenbefor
eicoul
df i
nisht
alki
ng.She
wasscr
eamingandShaunaskedwhat’s
happeni
ng.

Ningi:“Sheisgett
ingmarri
ed.Sazii
sgetti
ng
married.Zeeisgetti
ngmarri
ed.Theyare
gett
ingwooooooaaah! ”Shaunjoi
nedinand
al
sost art
edwhistl
ing.Ij
ustl
aughed.
Thenursegoti
nagainandshel
ookedatme
angr
il
y.Ij
ustcont
inuedwi
thmyphonecal
l.
Me:
“Cani speakpl
ease?
”thenur
senudged
meandi
lookedather.

Me:“Pleasehol
dforami
nute?
”isai
dtoNingi
andshewasst i
l
lscr
eami
ng.Il
ookedatherand
shr
ugged.
Nur
se:
“Youar emakingnoi
se,
mypat
ienti
s
t
ryi
ngt
osleep”il
aughed.
Me:
“Yourpat
ient
?”
Nurse:“YesMYpatient
.MYSazi
”shesai
d
confi
dentl
yij
ustnodded.
Me:“Iapol
ogise”shenoddedandwalkedout .I
cont
inuedwi
thmyphonecal lwi
thNingi.Wheni
wasdoneicall
edmybr other
.Heanswer edand
hesoundedl
ikehewasi naloudpl
ace.

Me:
“Wher
ethehel
lar
eyou?
”hel
aughed.
K.
T:“Wear
eatacl
ub”heshout
edy
eeeeah!
Me:
“Youandwho?
”

K.T:“MeandDad.Hehasahardon.Heishor
ny.
Bitchisri
dinghi
m”hewasevensi
ngi
ngthat
part.Il
ookedatmyphoneandpl
acedi
tbackto
myear .

Me:“Khethelo?
?!”hehungup.Il
ookedatmy
phoneandi wasv er
yconf
used.Iwant
edtoca
mymot herbuti
deci
dedagainsti
tbecauseshe
hur
tme, mydadandK.Tmor ethanmoresoi
j
ustdecidedtor
estmyfeet
.

Isattherethi
nki
ngaboutt hi
sbitchnur
seandi
wasgoi ngtowaitforSazitowakeupbef or
e
deali
ngwi t
hher.Shebetternotactmorestupid
thanshealreadyhasbecausei wasreal
lygoing
tomessherup.
.
.
Ist
il
lhav
eheadachesandl
i
ghtmakesi
twor
se.
Iwi
llmakei
tuptoy ou.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Khet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupnextdayandmyheadwaspoundi
ng.
Iwassleepingonthisbigcouchl i
kebed.I
l
ookedar oundwithmyheadupandsawdad
sl
eepingont hebedinhisjeansandv est.I
stoodupandi fel
lri
ghtbackt othecouchand
chuckl
ed.Myheadwasspi nning.Ishookmy
headv i
gorousl
yandi madei tworse.Iheldmy
headandgr oanedlouder
.

Iheardgroani
ngevenmore,dadtriedgett
ingup
andhef el
lbackonthebed.Ichuckledbut
quickl
yregret
tedi
t.Dadgotupagai nandsaton
thebed.

Dad:
“Youf
ucker
!”hehel
dhi
shead.
Me:
“Dadpl
ease”i
chuckl
ed.
Dad:
“Wow.Thatwaswooooooah!
”hel
i
ftedup
hi
shandsshaki
nghi
shead.

Me:
“Yousur
eknowhowt
opar
ty”hesi
deey
ed
me.Hi sothereyewascl osed.Hestoodupand
wal kedtowherei wasseat ed,
hekeptbumping
i
nt othingsandgroani
ng.Iwant edtolaughbut
myheadwasv erypai
nful soij
ustgri
nned.He
satdownt hr
owinghimselfont hecouch.He
placedahandov erhi
sey es.

Me:
“Lastni
ghtwasepi
c!”
Dad:“Remindmenott
ogopar
tyi
ngwi
thy
ou
everagai
n!”
Me:“Youarenotsupposedt
opart
ydad”he
l
if
tedthear
m andlookedatmebef
orecl
icki
ng
hi
stongue.
Dad:
“Iwi
l
lst
ickt
ogol
fthanks”i
chuckl
ed.

Wesatt herequietl
yuntildadtookthehotel
phone.Heor der
edbr eakfastandwentt o
shower.Thatgav emeachancet ol
ookformy
phone.Ifounditont hetable.Iswit
chediton
andihadtonsofcal
lsf
rom Sl
iandmysi
ster
.I
cal
ledSl
ifi
rst
.Iknowshewasangry
.

Me:
“Iam sor
ry.Sosor
rybaby
”
Sl
i
:“What
,di
dyoucheat
?”
Me:“NO.Iwentt
ogetdr
unkwi
thmyf
ather
”
shegi
ggl
ed.

Sl
i:“Iwasworri
edabouty
ou”i
lookedatmy
phonethenputi
tbackonmyear.
Me:“You’
renotmad?
”iaskedi
nanuncer
tai
n
voi
ce.
Sli
:“Nah;j
ustgl
ady
ou’
rewel
lbaby
.Imi
ssy
ou”
isi
ghedloudl
y.
Me:“Imi
ssy
out
oo.I
’
llcomeseey
ousoon
okay
?”

Sl
i
:“Okay
”shesoundedr
eal
l
ysadandi
fel
tbad
butdadneededme.
Me:“Iwi
llseey
oulater.Ther
esomet
hingt
hati
wanttot
alktoyouabout”

Webi deachot herfarewellandendedt hecall.I

tookmycarkey sandwal kedout .Iwenttothe
parkinggroundandl ookedf ormycar .Byluckit
wast hereandi nonepi ece.It ookmyov ernight
bagandmademywaybacki nside.Igotinto
theelevatorandi ncamet hi
sbeaut i
fulsexy
womanwi t
hdimpl esandshi tbuti j
usttol
d
my selfnottoev enlustoverherbecauseofSl i.
Shekeptonl ookingatmel i
keshewasst udying
me, thatiswheni f
rownedbecauseshewas
eyeingmev eryweirdly.

Fi
nallyt
heli
ftcametoastopandigotof
fmy
fl
oor.Iwal
kedtothesui
teanddadwasdressed
i
nshor t
sandat -
shi
rt
.Helookedatmeand
noddedhishead.
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngol
dman?
”

Dad:“Sofr
eshandcleanbutnott
hatf
resht
o
gotoaclubagai
n”ichuckl
ed.
Me:
“Letmegr
abashowerandwe’
l
ltal
k”

Iwentt ot akeamuchdeser v edlongshower

andwal kedoutaf ter
war ds.Igotdr essedin
mat chingcl othesasmyf atherbutdi dn’
tputon
anyshoes.Ij oinedhim andhewasonacal l
withsomeonet ocomeov er.Idi
shedupand
wentt osi t.Istart
edtoeatandi ttastedsogood
icl
osedmyey es.Dadlaughedandi openedmy
eyest ol ookathi m.

Me:
“Youl
ookbet
ter
”
Dad:“Ifeel
bet
ter
”hepl
acedhi
sphonei
nhi
s
pocket
.
Me:“Sowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoabout
gr
andpa?
”

Dad:
“Howi
syourr
elat
ionshi
pnow?
”
Me:
“Assoonasi
landedt
hingschanged”
Dad:“Whatwasyourplanr
eall
y?Whenyou
guyslef
tLondonwhatwasyourpl
an?”
Me:
“Dad.
..
”

Dad:
“Tel
lme.Tel
lmewhaty
oupl
annedt
odo”
Me: “Fir
sthewasgoi ngtotakeZeeandmake
herr emembert hi
ngsaboutMi li
taryrel
ated
things.Hewant edt ot
akeov ertheweapons, al
l
oft hem andsellthem t
otheRussi ans.Aft
er
thathewasgoi ngtotakeherbackwi t
hus
alongwi thmom.Hewassupposedt okil
lyou
ashel ongerhadanyusef oryou”
Dad:
“What’st
hatsupposedt
omean?
”he
fr
owneddeepl
y.
Me: “Likeisai
dhewasgoingtotakemom and
ki
llyoubecauset her
ewouldhav
ebeennot hi
ng
standinginthei
rwaytogetmarr
ied”dadsat
downi def
eat.
Dad:“Theypl
annedonget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”he
whisper
ed.

Me:“Idi
dn’tknowhewastalki
ngaboutherat
thet
ime.Ionlymadeaconnecti
onwhenthey
saweachother”
Dad:
“It
’sokay
.Ineedsomet
imet
orestandbe
al
oneokay?
”inodded
Me:
“Ineedt
ogocheckonmyf
ami
l
yany
way
s.”

Iwenttothebedroom andpull
edonmy
sneaker
s.Itookacapf r
om thecl
oset.Dadhas
acap,hehe.Itl
ookedreal
lygoodwit
hl eat
her
f
eel
.Iwentoutandhewasl
ayi
ngont
hecouch
wi
thhi
seyesclosed.
Me: “I
’l
lseeyoulateroldG”hewav edandi
wentout.Iwait
edf ortheli
fttocomeupand
whenitdidoutsteppedoutt hisver
ysexy
beauti
full
ady.Todayi seem tobeseei
ngalot
ofthose.

Lady
:“Khet
hel
oHi
”okay
,sheknowsmyname.
Me:
“Hi
..
”
Lady:“Ohsor
ry,
iam Ni
ngi
.Zekhet
hel
o’sbest
fr
iend”
Me:
“Ohhey
”weshookhands.

Ni
ngi:
“Iam act
ual
l
yonmywayt
oseey
our
f
ather
.Ishei
n?”
Me:
“Yeshe’
sin.Hei
snotf
eel
i
ngsogood”
Ni
ngi
:“Iwon’
tbel
ong”
Me: “Okay,y
ouknowtheroom numberri
ght?
”
shenoddedandsmiledsweet
ly.Ibi
dher
farewel
landwal
kedaway.Igottothepar
king
ground,goti
nmycaranddroveaway .
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Ni
ngi
.
Igotcl
osertothehot el
room andi breat
hedout.
Iwasreall
ynervous.Iknocked.Iwaitedandthe
dooropened.Iclosedmyey esforasecondand
openedthem.Ilookedintohisbrowney esand
smil
ed.Hesmel ledsogood, helookedeven
sexi
er.

Me:
“Hi
.”Isai
dinanal
mostwhi
sper
.
Muzi
: “Comein”hemadewayf ormet ogeti
n.
Heclosedthedoorandtookmyhandbag.I
f
oll
owedhimt otheloungeandsatdown.He
di
sappearedtot
hebedroom andisatt
her
e.I
deci
dedtotakeoffmyshoes.Hecameback
andsatnexttome.Hesmiled.

Muz
i:“Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Me:“Whydowekeepdoi
ngt
his?
”hei
nched
cl
oser
.
Muz
i:“Howar
eyouNi
ngi
?”
Me:“I
’
m okay
.We’reokay
”heey
edmy
st
omachandnodded.

Muz
i:“Ar
eyouhungr
y?”
Me:“Iam al
wayshungr
y”hesmi
ledagai
n.I
swearev
eryti
mehesmi l
esimel
tandheknows
i
t.
Muz i
:“That’
sgood.Ior
deredsomefoodf
or
you.Completel
yheal
thyfort
hebaby
”
Me:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Wethenfel
lint
othiscomf
ort
abl
esi
l
enceand
l
ookedateachother.
Me: “Weshoul
dn’
tbedoingthisMuzi
”he
chuckl
edandhelookedannoyed.
Muzi
:“Whyar
ey ouher
ethenNi
ngi
?”heasked
andhewaspi
ssed.

Me:“Icamebecausey
ouaskedmet
ocome”i
f
idget
edwit
hmyhands.
Muzi:
“Youcoul
dhav
eeasi
lydecl
inedNingi.I
f
yousofeel
li
key
oudon’
twanttobehereleave”
Me:
“Muzi
i.
..
”hecutmeof
f.

Muzi:
“LeaveNingi
.Iwon’
tbegyouhey
”igot
angr
ymy sel
fandworemyshoes.
Itookmybagfi
xi
ngmy sel
fandwal
kedtowar
ds
thedoor
.Bef
oreicoul
dopeniti
fel
thi
m pul
li
ng
metohim.Hecircl
edhisar
m aroundmywaist
andpull
edmecloser.Damnithesmel
ledgood.
Hebreathedonmyearandnibbl
edonit.

Muzi
:“I
’m sor
ry.Pl
easedon’
t.
..
don’
tleav
e?”he
whi
sper
edinmyear .
Me:“Idon’
thav
etobehereMuzi.Ireal
l
ydon’t
andify
ouwanttobeanassaboutitimightas
well
go.”
Heturnedmear oundandlookedatme.His
eyespleadi
ngwithme.Hehuggedmeandi
huggedhim back.Myhandsroamingal
lover
hi
sbackandhi shead.Hegroanedwhenthere
wasaknockont hedoor
.

Muzi
:“Yourf
oodisher
e”heki
ssedt
hecor
ner
ofmymouthandsmil
ed.
Iwal
kedonbacktositandt
ookof
fmyshoes
andmyjacket
.Iwasnowlef
tinmykneel
engt
h
vel
vetdress,inmar oon.Muziappearedasiwas
get
ti
ngcomf ortable.Hegav ememybr eakf
ast
anditlookedy ummy .Greasyandstuff
.Ifi
wasn’tpregnanti wouldhav eranawayf r
om so
muchf at.

Muzi
:“Don’
teventhi
nkaboutt
hef
at.Justeat
”i
smi
l
edandi st
art
edtoeat.
Ihadmyeggswi thbaconandpancakeswith
applejui
ceistart
edtoeatandhewasl ooking
atmesmi li
ng.Itoldhi
mt ostoporiwould
chokeonmyf ood.Hekeptsteal
ingmyfood
andi sl
appedhishandaway .Aft
erawhilei
fi
nishedeati
ngandhet ooktheplateaway.

Hecamebackr ubbinghishandsandi knew

nowthathemeantbusi ness.Hedidn’
tevental
k.
Hekustpickedmeupf r
om thecouchandi
aut
omaticall
yenci
rcledmyl egsonhiswaist
.
Mydressinchedhi
gherandmyt hi
ghswer e
exposed.Hebr
ushedt
hem andmov
edt
owar
ds
thebedroom.

Hegentlyplacedmeont hebedandpul l
edback.
Helookedatmewi thhisli
ptuckedonhist eeth
ij
ustshivered.Heknel tonthebedopeningmy
l
egsandgoti nbetweent hem.Hecamecl oser
andhekissedme.Hegav emethatteasi
ngki ss
pul
li
ngmybot tom li
pwi thhist
eethimoaned.
Hethenki ssedmeabi troughl
yandhisone
handwentt omyboobandt heotheronewent
i
nbetweenmyl egs.Imoaned.

Muzi
:“Yougoodandr
eady
”hi
svoi
cesounded
st
rai
ned.

Weconti
nuedtokissandhepul
ledawayaft
er
someti
me.Hest oodupandpul
ledmewithhim.
Tur
nedmear oundandunzi
ppedmydress.He
peel
editoffmeandi wasonl yl
eftwi
thmy
peachunderwear.Hegroanedandpickedme
upagain.Hemov edusrighttot
hemi ddleof
thi
sbigkingbed.Hehadt akenoffhi
st-shi
rt.
Heunclaspedmybr aandmybr eastwerefree.

Hesqueezedthem andiscreamed.Theywer ea
bitpai
nful
buthej
ustkissedonmyni ppl
es.He
pull
edthem t
oget
herandheki ssedandlicked
them.Hekeptgoi
ngbackandf ort
hitwas
amazingandmymoani ngwasv er
yloud.

Het hentrail
edkisseddownmyst omachand
heki ssedmynav el.Hetookof fmypant iesand
attackedmywomanhoodr ightaft
ertakingmy
pantiesoff.Mybr eathcaughtandheki ssesme
there.Histonguegoi nginandoutwor kinghis
magi ciffel
tsogood.If eltthatiwasneart he
endandhequi cklytookof fhispants.Heknel t
betweenmyl egs,hepositionedhisguyr i
ghtin
myhol e.Hepushedinandijumped.Happens
al
lthet i
mewheni am wit
hhim.Hepushed
againandheenteredmef i
nall
y.Hegroaned
andi moaned.

Hestart
edt omovesl owl
yandni cel
y.I
tfel
tso
goodmynubwasv ibrati
ng,
asi fiwasinvi
ti
ng
hi
m heplacedhisfingeronitandstart
edtorub.
Iwentcrazyandhispacepickedup.Itfel
treall
y
goodisstart
edtolosemybr eathasi wasnear.
Hewasr ubbingandsexingmei twasoutoft hi
s
worl
d.

Noothermanhasmademef eell
ikehemakes
mefeel.Whenev eri waswithhimi for
gotthat
hewasmybestf r
iend’
sf at
her!Hewentfaster
anddeeper .Thati
swheni came.Icameso
har
di blackedoutf orafewseconds.Wheni
camet ooheal sowasempt yi
nghisseedinside
me.
Wecaughtourbreat
hwi
thhim st
il
lbur
ied
i
nsi
demeandhi ssguyt
wit
chinginme.
Muzi:“Wehavetotel
lthem t
hetr
uth.Ican’
t
cont
inuel
iket
his”hi
sbreathi
ngwasreturni
ng
tonormal
.
Me: “Notyet
.Notj
ustyet”hepul
l
edoutandi
winced.Hewenttot
hebat hr
oom,af
terawhi
l
e
hecamebackandcl eanedme.

Heopenedthecover
sandwegoti
n.We
cuddl
edandtal
ked.
Muz
i:“Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
otel
lthem Ni
ngi
”
Me:
“AssoonasSazi
get
soutoft
hehospi
tal
”

Muzi
:“Good.Iam t
iredofthatcol
our
edf ucker
t
ouchi
ngyou,busythinki
ngthatmychil
dishis”
.
Yesladiesandgentlementhebabyi
sMuzi ’
s
chi
ldandi am sureyouarewonderi
nghowwe
gothere?Wellthat’
sastoryf
oranotherday
.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupt osomeoneshout i
ng,Sazishouti
ng
atthatnur
se.Shewast ry
ingtokisshim andi
sprungonmyf eet.Shewentforhim agai
nand
heslappedher.Irushedt
othem andpushed
thenurseawayf r
om him.

Me:“Whatt
hehell
arey
oudoi
ng?
”shegot
angr
yandpushedmeoff
.
Luckil
ythedooropenedandThobagoti
nwit
h2
nurses.Whenhesawwhatwashappeninghe
rushedtousandlookedatme.
Thoba:
“What
’sgoingonhere?Zekhet
hel
o?
Nomonde?
”aahthatshername,Nomonde.
Nom:
“DrEv
anst
hiswomansl
appedmeand.
..
”

Me:
“Idi
dnosuchy
oust
upi
ddog!
”
Nom:“Don’
tcall
meadog”shest
ompedher
f
eetl
i
keal i
tt
legi
rli
want
edtol
augh.
Me:
“Bi
temedog!
”shescr
eamed.
Thoba:“St
opi
t!Bot
hofy ou.Nowwi
l
loneof
youtel
lmewhathappenedhere?
”

Sazi:“Iwaswokenupbyy ournur
se.Shewas
tr
yingtotakeof
fmycl ot
hes,whenshedidn’
t
succeedshetri
edtokissmeandalsotri
edto
getont opofme”if
eltmybloodboil
.
Thoba:
“Ist
hatt
rueNomonde?
”
Nom:“DrEvansilov
ehi
m.He’smybaby
”she
pout
edandSazi’
seyeswi
dened.
Sazi
:“Idon’
tev
enknowy
oucr
azy
”
Nom: “Iam notcr
azy
!”shescr
eamedhol
ding
herhead.

Thoba:“Ineedyoutocl
eary
ourt
hingsand
l
eavethishospi
tal
now.”
Nom:
“ButDrEv
ans.
..
”
Thoba:“NowNomondeanddon’ tcomeback
her
e”heshout edandi nearl
yjumped.The
nursestompedherf eetagai
nandl eft
.Ij
ust
walkedtothecouchandsatt hereagain.Thoba
wenttot al
ktoSaziandgav ehim hi
smor ning
meds.Heal sotoldhimthatthenursewillbed
bat
hhi m.Aftert
hatthenursesleftandThoba
camet owher eiwasseated.

Thoba:
“Youar
efei
sty
”hechuckl
ed.
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouwant
?”i
rol
l
edmyey
es.
Thoba:
“I’
m sor
ryabouttheNomondei
nci
dent
.
I
’l
lmakesureSazi
issafe.”
Me:“IcanTakecareofSazi
.Justkeepy
our
nur
sesinaleash”her
aisedabrowandnodded.

Hewal kedoutaf t
ert
hatanditookmyt oi
l
etry
bagsinceSazi washavinghi
sbat h.It
ooka
changeofclothesandheadedf orashower .I
gotintheshowerandt hewaterwast hebest
temperatur
e.I
tf el
tsogoodonmyski n.It
ooka
l
ongt i
met ogetdonebutwheni wasdonei got
outanddr i
ed.

Iappliedlot
ionandgotdressedinmynike
tracksuit
.Iworewhit
esocksandmygr ey
fentys.Igotoutandmybr ot
herwassi
ttingnext
toSazi andtheywelaughi
ngl i
keol
dfr
iends.
Me:
“Mor
ning”
Sazi
:“Mor
ningbaby
”
K.T:“Morningsi
s”iwalkedtothecupboardand
putmyt hi
ngsin.Iwentbacktothebathroom
andt i
edupmyhai ri
nat i
ghtponyt
ail
.Ithen
retr
eatedbacktotheward.Itookachairand
satnexttoSazi.
Sazi
:“Yourbr
eakf
astwil
lbeher
eshor
tl
y”he
putahandontopofmine.
Me:“Thankyoubaby”il
ookedatmybr
other
andhestuckouthi
stongue.

K.T:“Ihearcongr
atul
ati
onsar
einorder
”i
fl
ashedhimt heri
ngandhenodded.
Me:“ThankyouKhet
hel
o.Speakingof
congr
atul
ati
ons,
wherei
smyni ece?”
K.
T:“She’
satPr
oteaatUmhl
angawi
thher
mom.”
Me:“Youguysplanonset
tl
ingorgoi
ngback?
”
heshi
ft
edfrom hi
sseat
.
K.T:“Iwanttoset
tlesoi ’
llher
efr
om Sl
ibuti
reall
ywanttosett
le.”Inoddedandmy
breakfastwasdel
ivered.Ismil
edli
keakid
clappingmyhandsandShaunsmi l
ed.
Sazi
:“Thewayy
oul
ovef
ood”
Me:
“Yoursonl
ovesf
ood”hef
rowned.

Sazi
:“No.Iwantadaught
er,
it’
sagi
rl
.”
Me:
“Boypl
ease.Thi
schi
l
disaboy
”
Ist
art
edeat
ingmyf
oodandi
twasheav
enl
y.
K.T:
“Speakingofwhich,i
sawyourf
ri
endthis
morning”hetookouthi
sphoneandstar
ted
pagi
nghi sphone.
Me:
“Whatf
ri
endar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

K.
T:“Ni
ngi,shewasonherwayt
oseedad”i
al
mostchokedonmyfood.
Me:
“Shewhat
?”hel
ookedatmewei
rdl
y.
K.T:“Shewas. ..
”Ni ngiwalkedinbefor
ehe
couldfi
nishtalki
ng.Ther oom gotquietandshe
smilednervously.Icont
inuedeat i
ngmyf ood
anddadwal kedi nafter
wards.Ilookedatboth
ofthem andtear sjustf
oundt hei
rwaydownmy
face.
Ni
ngi
:“Zeei
canexpl
ain”

Me:“Expl
ainwhat
?”shegotcl
osert
omeand
t
ri
edtotouchme.
Ningi
:“Wenev
ermeantf
ort
hingst
ogetoutof
hand”
Me:“whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”i
stoodbyt
he
bed.
Ni
ngi
:“Yourf
ather
,thebaby.Wenev
ermeant
f
oranyofi
ttocomet ot
his”
Sazi
:“St
opt
alki
ngi
nri
ddl
es!Whati
sgoi
ng
on?!
”
Dad:“Thechi
ldthatshei
scar
ryi
ng,i
smine”i
fel
tshar
ppaininmychestandabdomenaft
er
t
hatifel
l.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t32
.
Sazi
.
Iwatchedherfal
l andshel andedonherknees
aft
erthatsheheldont oherabdomenandshe
screamed.Iwantedt ogetoutofbedandhol d
herbutmyi nj
uri
esdi dn’tallowmesoKhet hel
o
wasonhersi deinstantly.Idon’tknowwhen
Shaunleftt
heroom buthecamebackwi t
h
Thobaandsomenur sesf oll
owinghim.

Thoba:“Ineedtomovehersomepl
acequi
et”
shewasscr eami
nganditt
oremyhear
t.
Khethel
oscoopedherupandfol
l
owedThobato
whereeverhewastaki
ngher.
Wewer enowleftwit
hNi ngi
,Zee’sdad,Shaun
andSimz.Il
ookedar oundt heroom and
ever
yonewasjustqui etbutisawt hatShaun
wasabouttoexplode.
Me:
“Simz,excuseus”hedidn’
tevenwai
tfor
metof
ini
sh.Hejustrushedout
side.
Shaun:“Youar
eunbel
i
evabl
eNi
ngi
.Youar
ea
bi
tchand..
.”

Muzi
:“Holdi
tboy,
youdon’twantt
osayt
hings
t
hatwil
lgety
ouintr
oubl
e.”
Shaun:“Youknowwhat ,ihopeyou’
rehappy.I
hopeyou’l
lbehappywithhurti
ngyourbest
fr
iend.
”Ningij
ustsobbedandShaunwal kedout.
Iwasnowl ef
twiththelov
ershere.
Me:
“Doy
our
eal
i
sewhaty
ou’
vedone?
”
Ningi
:“Thi
ngswerenotsupposedt
ogetoutof
handli
kethi
sand.
..
”
Me:“Ir
eall
ydon’tcare.IfZekhet
hel
olosest
he
baby
,consi
deryourselfdeadtome”
Muzi
:“Youdon’
tmeant
hat
.Wel
oveeach
ot
her
”

Me:“Youwhat?Pl
easegetoutofher
ebef
orei
sayt
hingst
hatiwi
llr
egr
et”
Ningi:
“Weneedyouonoursidet
otal
ktoZee
forus.Weneedy
ouplease”i
shookmyheadon
disbel
ief
.
Me:“It’
seasyforyoutobet
rayher.Ihurther
onceandi won’
tdoitagai
n.Sheisthemot her
ofmykidsandi wil
lst
andbyherallthetime.As
fory
ou2, youareonyouown”Ningi hungher
headinshame.

Muz
i:“You’
ret
heonl
yoneshewi
l
lli
stent
o.
Pl
easeSon.Pl
ease”
Me:“Youhaveanerve,youareevencall
ingme
sonandmysist
eriscarryi
ngyourchi
ld.Iam
engagedt
oyourdaughterandyouarethe
fat
herofmyunbor
nni eceornephew.You
shoul
dbeashamedofy oursel
f.
”

Ni
ngi
:“Bhut
ipl
ease.
..
”ir
aisedupmyhand.
Me:“Pl
easel
eave.Iwantt
ogocheckonmy
womanandchil
d”
Ni
ngi
:“Bhut
iiam beggi
ngy
oupl
easej
ustt
alk
t
oher”

Me: “I
fiwasmy selfiwouldhavesl
appedt
he
dayl
ightsoutofyou.LeaveNingi
.Leav
ewit
h
yourbabydaddy.Leave!”ishout
edandMuzi
pull
edherinhisarms.
Me:“Youar
enotevenashamedofwhatyou
hav
edone.Li
steni
don’
tcareaboutwhoy
ou
sleepwithbutt
hefactthatyouhur
tZekhet
hel
o,
ican’tl
ookpastit
.I’
m sorr
ybutyouneedto
l
eav e”

Muz i
noddedandpul ledmycr yingsisteroutof
thewar d.Honestlyt
hough, idon’tcareabout
theagedi f
ferencebutshei shav i
ngababywi t
h
herbestf r
iend’
sfather.Thatisthewor sekind
ofbetrayal.Icall
edShaunandhecamei nwith
hiseyesall r
ed.

Me:
“I’
m sor
ryShaun.Ir
eal
l
yam”henodded.
Shaun:“It’
sokayboss.Youneeded
something?”
Me:
“Ineedt
otakey
ouwher
emywomani
s”

Hewentoutandcamebackwithawheel chai
r.
Hehel
pedmet oitandhewheeledmeout .We
wentl
ooki
ngforZeeandwefinall
yfoundherin
theAntiNat
alDepart
ment
.Wel
lwefound
Khethel
o,herushedt
omeassoonashesaw
me.
Me:“What’
shappeningbr
o?”hehadhi
sey
es
outandhel
ookedreall
yshaken.

K.T:“Theyar esti
llworki
ngonherbro.She
couldn’
tstopcrying.Evennowifeelherpai
n,
herhearti
sr eal
lybroken.Howcoulddaddo
thi
st oher
? ”
Me:“Idon’
tknowmanbuti
hopemybabi
es
makeitoutokay
”

Wesatt heremi ser

abl
e.Ievenhadmyl unch
t
here,tookmymedsandThobawasst ill
insi
de.
3hourslaterhecameandhel ookeddr
ained.I
f
elttheairleavemybody .Iwasexpect
ingthe
worse.Ireall
ywas.
Thoba:
“Rel
ax,
youar
egoi
ngt
ofai
nt.
”He
chuckl
edandi
cal
meddownal
i
ttl
e.
Me:
“What
’shappeni
ng?
”

Thoba:“Wemanagedt ostabil
izeher .Shead
thebabyar
eokay.Herbloodpr essureisscary
butwearetry
ingt
obringitdown.Shei snotout
ofdangery
etbutshewillbejustfine.Ipromi
se”
Me:
“Cani
goseeher
?”henodded.

Thoba:
“Oneatat
imeandpleasedon’
tst
ress
her
.Youhav
etogobackandrest.
”
Me:“Can’
tyoumoveusnextt
oeachot
her
,
pl
ease?
”Thobachuckl
ed.
Thoba:
“Nothappeni
ng”
K.T:
“Pl easeman.Shewi
l
lrecov
erqui
ckl
ywi
th
Sazinexttoher
”
Thoba:
“I’
l
lseewhati
cando”
Iwheel
edmy sel
finandisawheri
nbedlay
ing
i
naf at
alposi
ti
on.Shewascryi
ngandt
hat
brokemyheart.
Me:“Baby
”shel
i
ftedupherheadandsmi
l
ed
f
aint
ly.
Zee:“Hey.I
’
m sorryf
orputt
ingt
hebabyin
danger
.Iam sorr
yfor
..
.”shewascr
ying.I
wantedtopull
herinmyarms.
Me:“Hey.I
t’
sokay.I
t’
sreal
l
yokay
.I’
m happy
you’
rebot
hokay”
Zee:“Howcoul dtheySazi?Idon’tcareabout
mymom anddaddi vorci
ngbutf orthem to
sl
eept oget
hertoapointwhereshef el
l
pregnant?I
tsmydadandbestf ri
end.2oft he
mostimpor t
antpeopleinmyl i
feandi thur
ts.
”

Me:
“Iknowbaby
.Iknow”
Zee:
“Whatam i supposedt
ocall
hernow?
Mom? ”i
laughedandshesmiledt
hroughher
t
ear
s.Beaut
if
ul.
Zee:“Ijustneedthem t
ostayawayf rom mef or
awhile.Ineedtimetogathermyt hought
s;keep
them awayf r
om meuntili
’m bet
terbecauseifi
seethem iwillf
li
pandwe’lll
osethebaby ”
Me: “Okay.Okay,j
ustgetsomerestandi
wil
l
takecareoftherest.
”Iki
ssedhandandshe
closedhereyes.
Isatt
hereandiknowt
hatihav
enothealedyet
butit
hinki
tst
imetost
artmovi
ng.Myfamil
y
needsme.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion3weeksl
ater
.
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwasoutofhospit
alandtodaySaziwas
cominghome.Ihaven’
tseenNi ngi
.Ohandmy
sonisback.Iwasver
yhappyt oseehim.We
spentt
hewhol eni
ghtcat
chingup,hehad
grownsomuchandhemi ssedhisdaddy .
Speakingofdaddi es,myf athercall
edmeand
tol
dmet oacceptNingibecauset heylov
eeach
other.Ithoughtitwasaj okebuti guessnotsoi
j
ustbl ockedallhisnumber s,emailsandNingi
’
s
aswel l.Shesentmeanemai lwit
hherwor k
addressf ormenott otakeawayherj ob.

Iam now6weekspr egnant.Sazi i

sdamn
exci
tedbecausehewant sagi r
l.Hewant sa
pri
ncessandi sayit
saboysowemadeabet .
Whoev erwinsgetami ll
i
onr ands.Sot odayi t
s
Thursdayandi am f
etchingmybabyf rom t he
hospit
alsoi wokeupandt ookav erywar m
soothi
ngshoweraf t
ermyshoweri wentout
andfoundEmi hlei
nmybedr oom.Ohhey ;we
arestayi
ngatSazi’
shomei nBal l
it
o.Anot her
oneofhi si
nvestments*roll
sey es*.Igreeted
myboyandgotmysel fakissonmycheek.
Emi
hle:
“Mommy
.”
Me:
“Yesmyl
ove”
Emihl
e:“Am ihav
ingababysister
.Cani
hold
herwhenshecomes?Willsheloveme?Wil
lshe
l
ookli
keme? ”
Me:
“Whoooasl
owdown.Whot
oldy
ouabout
t
hebaby
?”

Emihl
e:“Dadtol
dme.Het
oldmeal
otoft
hings
butsomeareasecr
et.
”
Me:“Whatsecr
ets?
”iey
eshissuspi
ciousl
yand
hegi
ggl
edputti
ngahandoverhi
smout h.
Emihl
e:“Dadsai
dhewil
lshowyouf
lames!
”he
l
aughedandranoutt
hedoor.

Ishookmyheadsmi l
ingandcont
inuedwith
getti
ngdressed.Aft
eriwasdoneiwas
breathi
ngheavil
y;damnthispr
egnancy.Iwas
wearingmykneel engt hjeanshortswithawhi te
vestandgr eysneakers.IputonSazi ’
sgr ey
snapback.Itookmyphoneandcarkey s.I
headedoutt othekitchenandf oundev eryone
ther
e.Byev eryoneimeanShaun; Sims; Aunty
andMyson.Theot herguy swer eoutsi
de
smoki ng.

Me:
“Morni
ngpeopl
e”isang.Shaunl
ookedat
mebumpi
nghi
shead;amused.
Shaun:“Someonei
sinagoodmoodt
oday
”i
winked.
Me:“Whowoul dn’
tbei
nagoodmood.Thesun
i
sshiningandandand...
”hechuckl
edandwent
abouthiseat
ing.
Aunty:
“Shoul
didi
shupf
ory
oubaby
?”i
smi
l
ed
shyl
y.

Me:
“Yespl
easeandbegener
ouspl
ease”Si
ms
chuckl
edandi
gav
ehi
m al
ook.
Shaun:
“Cuti
tout
”
Sims: “Sheisgetti
ngf at
.Sheismakingitmore
wor sebystuff
ing..
.”hedidn’
tevenfi
nishtal
ki
ng
becausehewasal readyontheground.Myson
beingmysongotont opofthetabl
eand
startedtocheer.Oneoft heguysgotShaunoff
Simsandt heot heronegotmysonof fthetabl
e.

Guy1:
“Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou2?
”
Sims:“Iwaswonder
ingwhenyou’l
lcomeout
toplay
.ComeShaun;comeplay.“hespi
tout
bloodandiwasver
yconfused.
Shaun:
“StayoutofmywaySi
mphi
weanddon’
t
messwithmeori wi
ll
..
.”
Si
ms:“You’
llwhat?You’l
ll
eavemet osl
eep
wit
hyourgi
rlli
ketheoldmandid?Notonlyt
hat
BUTsheispregnantbyhi
m and..
.”
Me:
“Shutup.Shutt
hef
uckup”
Sims:“I’
m sor
rybossl
adybutyourfatherisa
hero.He’
saGandhef uckedNingipregnant
andnowy ouarelef
twi
thouta.
..
Voice:“ENOUGH! !!
”weallj
umpedandt urned.
Saziwasst andi
ngbythedoorfuming.Ilooked
athim; r
eall
ylookedathim.Hewaswear ing
darkjeansthatwereri
dingonhiswaist
.Al ong
sl
eev egreyt-
shir
tandgreysneaker
s.Yeeeah!
BabyMaaan!
Sazi
:“Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngoni
nmyhouse?
”

Shaun:
“Bossi
..
.”
Sazi
:“Si
mphi
we.
..
”
Si
ms:“Hadeboss.Iwasj
ustbl
owi
ngof
fsome
st
eam”
Sazi:“Byinsult
ingmyfi
anceandShaun!
”he
barkedandi jumped.Emi
hleappear
edouti
f
nowher e.
Emihle:
“Daddy!”herantoSazi
wit
hhi
sar
ms
opened.Sazi
pickedhim up.

Me:
“Carefuly
oumi ghthur
tyour
sss.
..
”hegav
e
metheeyeandishutmymout h.
Sazi
:“Howar
eyoumyboy
?”
Emi
hle:
“Imi
ssedy
oudaddy
”hehuf
fed.
Sazi
:“What
’swr
ong?
”
Emihl
e:“Mommymi ssedy
ou.Shewascryi
ng
l
astni
ght”Sazi
lookedatmewor r
iedandi
rol
l
edmyey es.

Sazi
:“Wewi
l
ltal
klat
ermyboy.Letmecheck
onmommyokay?”heputhi
m downandthef
ist
bumped.
Emi
hle:
“Lat
erdawg”huh?Whot
aughthi
mthat
.
Whenhelef
ttheki
tchenSazi
walkedtome;he
wasst
il
ll
impingandimustsayhelookeddamn
sexy .Thelimpi
ngaddedsomesortofswagto
hiswal k.Hegottomeandcuppedmyf ace.He
kissedmedeepl yandhungri
l
yimoanedstand
onmyt oes.Hepulledmecl
osert
ohim andi
felthim grow.Af
tersometi
mewepul l
edaway
andi smil
edathim.

Sazi
:“Hey
”hewasl
ooki
ngi
nmyey
esdeepl
y.
Me:“Hey”hepl
ant
edanot
herki
ssonmyl
i
ps
andanot
heroneonmyfor
ehead.
Sazi
:“Giv
emeanhourt
osor
toutsomet
hing.
Okay?”
Me:
“Okay
”
Sazi
:“Il
ovey
ouMywi
fe”

Me:“Il
oveyoutoo”heki
ssedmeagai
nand
wal
kedtowardsthest
udy
.
Sazi
:“Gety
ourassesi
nmyst
udy
.Youhav
e
f
orgot
tenwhati
am madeof
!”
Theguy
sr anbehi
ndhi
m andi
smi
l
edwar
mly
.
Mybabyishome.
Ifi
nishedmynowcol dbr
eakf
astandcl
ear
ed
thekitchen.Aunt
ycamei
njustasiwaswi
ping
thecount er
.

Aunty
:“Chi
ldwhatareyoudoing?”sheputher
handsonherhead.Ladywasbeingdramati
c.
Me:
“I’
m doneAunt
ysor
elax.
”Iy
awned.
Aunt y:“Gorest
.Iwi
llbri
ngyout ea”iwalked
away .Thankgoodnessthishouseisasingle
storey.Igottot
hebedroom andt ookoffmy
cl
ot hes.Iwasonlyl
eftwit
hmypant i
esandi fel
l
asleep.

.
.
Iwaswakenupbycoldli
pskissi
ngmycheek.I
smil
edandhel
dhishead.Hisbeardwasn’
t
shav
edandthatmadehim ul
trasexy
.
Me:“Hey
”her ol
l
edtotheothersi
deandwe
wer
enowf aci
ngeachother
.
Sazi
:“Heybeauti
ful
.Imi
ssedy
ou;
missed
bei
nginbedwithyou”

Me: “Imi
ssedy outoomyl ove.Imissedbeing
i
ny ourar
ms”heki ssedmeandi snuggl
ed
cl
osertohim buthepushedmebackchuckl ing.
Hegotoutofbedandt hat’
swheni real
i
sedt hat
hewaswear i
nganav ytuxwit
hbr ownshoes.A
cr
ispywhiteshi
rtnotieandhel ookeddeli
cious.
Me:“Goi
ngsomewhere?”i
askedsi
tt
ingup
r
ubbingmyeyes.Hej
ustsmil
ed.

Sazi:“Yepandyouarecomi
ngwithme.There
i
sy ourdressandshoesont
hecouch.Hai
rand
makeupi
nafewminut
es.Meetmedownst
air
s
i
nanhour
”heki
ssedmycheekandl
i
mped
away
.Hel
ookeddamnsexy.
Igotupandassoonasmyf eettouchedthe
groundthedooropenedandi ncamet hese
l
adies.Theydr
aggedmet ositdownand
star
tedonmyhai randmakeup.Wheni was
donei l
ookedatmy sel
fandi l
ookedbeaut i
ful
.

Iwenttothecouchandopenedt hebagwi thmy

dressij
ustcri
ed.Itwasabeaut i
fulopenneck
goldsequencedresswithcr eam sti
let
toes.I
hadtakenashowersoi st
eppedi ntomydr ess
andtheladi
eshelpedwi t
hmyshoes.Il ooked
amazing.Iwasreallyemotionaladmymakeup
wasgoingtober uinedbeforeiev engottoSazi
.

Iwasfinal
l
ydoneandtheladieslef
t.Iwaslef
t
al
onetogat hermyt
houghts.Wheni wasokayi
gotoutandi wasmetwit
hr osepet
alsonthe
fl
oori j
ustlaughedwhent ear
sf elldownmy
face.Ifol
l
owedt hepetalsandal ongthe
passagewer ecandl es.If
inal
lygott othe
l
oungeandi justsobbed.Emi hl
ewasdr essed
j
ustlikeSazi andhewaskneel i
ngnextt ohim
withaboar dwr i
tten“MOMMYPLEASEMARRY
THISFOOLICALLDADDY"
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ionCr
opTop
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Istoodtherecryi
ngandlaughing.Il
ookedat
Saziandhel ookedner
vous.Itri
edtospeakbut
hehushedme.Hewal kedclosertomeand
stoodinfrontofme.

Sazi
:“Iknowthatipr
oposedatthehospi
tal
andyousaidyesbutal
lowmeachancet odoi t
ri
ght
.Theselastf
ewweekshav ebeenhel
l on
youandt otopi talloffyouhav eexperi
enced
thewor sekindofbet rayal.Ishouldbekneel i
ng
becausemyr equestneedsal if
eti
meanswer
andy ouneedt obehappyf l
rt herestofyourli
fe.
Babyy ouareamazi ng.Youar ebeauti
fuland
kind.Havingyoui nmyl ifehasbeennot hingbut
thegreatestgif
tev er.Il
ov ey ousthandwa
sam. ”

Argmymakeupwasl ongrui
nedbecausei was
j
ustcryi
ngnonstop.Emihl
ereachedinsi
dehis
pocketandtookoutari
ngbox.Insi
detherewas
arosegoldpri
ncesscutdi
amonddet ai
lwit
ha
hugerockri
ng.
Sazi
:“Lookatmeplease”il
ift
edupmyhead
andhelookedsoemotional
.

Sazi:“Zekhethel
oilov
ey ouandi wantt
ospend
therestofmyl if
eshowingyoujusthowmuch.
Will
y oumar r
ymemyl oveand.
..
.”
Me: “Yesyeayes.Iwil
lmarr
yyou.
”Idi
dn’
tev
en
waitforhi
mt ofi
nish.Hepi
ckedmeupand
spunmear ound.Mysonwasj umpi
ngupand
down.
Me:“I
’m di
zzy
”igi
ggl
edandheputmedown.
Hehuggedmeunti
liwasst
eady
.
Sazi
:“Come.Yourl
unchawai
ts”

Iwasledtoatabl
einthemi ddleoftheroom
with3chai
rs,y
es3.Me, SaziandEmi hl
e.Itwas
sosweetiwantedtocry
.Sazi openedachai r
formeandsatdown.Emi hl
est oodther
e
l
ookingathim.
Emihle:“Real
l
ydad?Justl
i
ket
hat
?”Sazi
chuckled.

Sazi
:“Boysi
tdown”
WesatdownandAunt yappear
edlookingso
beaut
if
ul.Sheser
vedusfoodplat
terforst
art
ers
*r
oll
seyes*aft
erthatwehadourfrui
tjui
ce.

Emihl
e:“Somom whatdoy
out
hingaboutour
sur
pri
se?”
Me:“Itsf ant
asti
cbaby.Il
ovei
t.
”Ikissedhis
hand.IlookedatSaziwhowasalreadylooki
ng
atmei ntensel
y.Ishr
uggedmyshoulderandhe
shookhi shead.

Sazi
:“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”i
leanedi
ntoki
sshi
m.
Emihl
e:“Eatmommy.Wehav
eanot
her
sur
pri
sesli
nedupf
oryou”

Me:
“Ther
eismor
e?”
Sazi
:“Mysondi
dn’
ttel
lyou?
”hel
ookedat
Emi
hlewhoj
ustgi
ggl
ed.
Me:
“Tel
lmewhat
?”

Sazi
: “Iwil
lshowyouf l
ames! ”thef i
stbumped
againblowingeachother’
sf i
sts.Ijustsmil
ed
andcont i
nuedtoeat.Auntyser veddessertbuti
passedbecausei wastoof oolandi wantedto
gosleep.Iyawnedrubbingmyt ummy .

Me:
“Wewantt
osl
eepnow”
Sazi:
“Nooo.Nosleep.Wehav
eonemor
e
surpr
iseat
least
”
Me:
“Okay
.Doi
needt
ochange?
”
Emi
hle:
“Eeeehno.Youdon’
tneedt
ochange
mommy .
”

Sazi
:“Youcandi
tcht
heshoes.Letmegoget
yousomeshoes.
”Hewenttothebedr
oom andi
wasl
eftwi
thmyson.Hegotof
fhi
schai
rand
camet
ostandnextt
ome.
Emihl
e:“Thanky
oumom”i
waseat
ingagai
n.
*hi
des*
Me:
“Whatf
or?
”

Emihl
e:“Forl
ovi
ngmeandf ordaddy .Ilovehim
mommyandhel ovesusmommy .Ilov eyou”he
ki
ssedmycheekandijustcr
ied.Sazi appeared
wi
thsomesandalsandsatonachai r.
Sazi
:“Whyar
eyoumaki
ngmywi
fecr
y
Emihl
e?”
Emihl
e:“Iwasnot.Mommylikestocrythese
day
sandshei syourbaby
”Sazichoked.
Sazi
:“Mybaby”henoddedandpatt
edhi
sthi
gh
formetoputmyfootontopofhi
m.Iputt
hem
ontopofhi
sthi
ghsandheputonmysandals.
Aftert
hatwewenoutandwegoti nthi
s
beauti
fulbl
ackRangeRover.IhavetoaskSazi
aboutthesecars.Hecl
osedthedooandwent
theotherway.Emihl
ewasinbet weenus.
Me:“What
’swit
htheblackranger
over
s?”i
seat
edmysel
fcomfor
tably.
Sazi
:“Bul
l
etproof
”thatshutmeupandoutwe
went.Wedrov
eoutofBalli
toandi
fel
lasl
eep
al
ongtheway.

IwaswokenupbyEmi hle;wheniwokeupwe
werepar
kedinf r
ontofthisbeauti
fuldouble
st
oreyhouse.IgotoutandSazi wasst andi
ngi
n
fr
ontofthedoorwithhishandstretchedoutto
me.
Sazi:“Come”iwentt
ohi m sl
owlyhol
dingmy
dressfol
lowi
ngEmihle.If
inal
lygott
ohim and
hewassmi li
ng.Heheldbothmyhands.
Sazi
:“You’
veagr
eedt
obemywi
feandwe
al
readyhaveabeaut
if
ulboytoget
her
.Youar
e
mine,hei
smineandi am y
ours”

Me:
“Wer
eyouapoeti
nyourpr
evi
ousl
i
fe?
”
Sazi
:“Shutupy
ouar
eint
err
upt
ingme”i
nodded.
Sazi
:“Il
ovey
oumybaby
.”
Me:“Whatar
ewedoinghere?Wear eher
efor
di
nner
?”hechuckl
edandEmihl
elaughed.
Sazi
:“No.
”Hetookoutkey
sfr
om hi
spocket
andgavet
hem t
ome.

Sazi:“Openit”myhandswer eshakingasi
steppedclosert
ot hedoor .Iunlockedandt ook
adeepbr eathbefor eopening.Iwasmetwi th
yetanothersetofr osepetalsont hefl
oor.I
walkedinthehouseandi twasempt y.It
urned
andlookedatSazi .Emi hl
ehady etanother
boardwr i
tt
en:“WELCOMEHOMEMOMMY”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Sazi
.
Shel
ookedaroundthehouseandscr eamed
j
umpingupanddownwi t
htear
sstreaming
downherf
ace.IlookedatEmihl
eandhewas
al
sojumpi
ngupanddown.Tobehonesti
want
edtotakemypai nmedsandsl eepbuti
hadt
oexhaustZekhethel
owithhappiness.

Ireal
lyloveherandi am happyt hatigetto
spendt herestofmyl if
eget ti
ngt oknowand
l
ov i
ngher .Overthelastfewweekst hingshave
motbeeneasyonher .Afterthatinci
dentatthe
hospit
al wit
hNi ngiandherf athershebecame
depressedandshewoul dcr y.Plusshef el
lbuti
am gratefult
hatthebabyi ssaf e.

Ningicametomewheni wasinhospi
talandi
askedwhatshewast
hinkingget
ti
ngtogether
wit
hZekhet hel
o’sf
atherandshetol
dmet hat
sheloveshim.Shewi l
lbewithhi
m whetherwe
acceptthem ornot.Iki
ckedheroutbecause
shewasgi vi
ngmeat ti
tude.

Sobackt
otoday,Zeeandournewhouse.She
wasfi
nal
l
ycalm andshewalkedt
ome.
Zee:“Sazi
..
.”shewhisper
edshakingherhead
nonstop.Shestar
tedcryi
ngall
ov eragai
n.I
pul
ledhertomeandshej ustcr
ied.

Emihle:“Canitakeof
ftheshoesnow?Theyare
ugl
y!”thatear
nedZeeagiggleandshepul
led
back.
Me:“Taket
hem of
fmyboy
”her
ant
owar
dshi
s
bedr
oom.
Zee:
“Howcomeheknowswher
etogo?
”
Me:
“Wecamet
ovi
ewt
hehouset
oget
her
”
Zee:
“whenwast
hat
?”

Me:“Longago.Themomentiknewt
hatil
ove
you,
ial
soknewt hati
wantt
ospendt
herestof
myli
fewit
hy ou”
Zee:“Thanky
ou.Thanky
ousomuch.I
..
.”i
pl
acedahandonhermoutht
oqui
etenher.
Sazi
:“Youar
emygi f
tandi
lov
eyou.I
ficoul
d
domoreiwouldand.
..
”
Zee:
“Thi si
senough.Waaayenoughandi
ts
amazing.You’
reamazi
ng”

Sazi
:“Doy oumindi
fwesi
t,myl
egi
sachi
ng”
hereyesshotup.
Zee:
“Ohmygodbaby.Whydi
dn’ty
ousay
somethi
ng?
”shet
ookmyhand.
Zee:
“Doest
hebedr
oom hav
eabed?
”
Me:“Yes.Onlytheki
tchen,
loungeanddini
ng
r
oom areempt y
.”Sheledmet oourbedr
oom
wi
thydir
ecti
onandsatmedown.
Zee:
“Wher
ear
eyourmeds?
”
Me: “I
nthecar .Getoneoftheguy stogetitf
or
you.Youjustgetmeabeanbagi ntheki
tchen.
Makesuret hatit’
sreal
l
yhot.Pleasemyl ove”
shenodded.Shel ookedreal
lyalarmed.She
hurr
iedoutther oom.

Isatont hebedandl i
stenedtot hepain.The
pil
lswer enowwear i
ngof fandmywoundshur t
l
ikehel l
.Ihadt ochangemybandages.It ook
offmyshoesandshi r
t.Iwasl eftwithmypant s
andsocks.Iwentt ostandbyt hedoorl eading
out side.Zeegoti nwiththebeanbagandpi ll
s.I
smi ledf aintl
y.Iwasinal otofpain.Shequi ckl
y
gotoutagai nandcamebackshor t
lywitha
glassf il
ledwi thwater
.Shegav emepi l
lsto
drinkandt ol
dmet osit.Ihadtot akeoffmy
pant
ssoist
oodupandtookt
hem off
.Zee
l
ookedatmeandswal
l
owed;ichuckl
ed.

Me: “You’l
lgetal
lofthi
ssoon.Soonert
hanyou
thi
nk.Rightnowi j
ustneedt
or el
axandfort
he
pai
nt ogoaway .”
Zee:“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
haty
ouar
einpai
n
Sazi
?”
Me:
“I’
m sor
rybaby
.Ir
eal
l
yam.

Zee:“Okay.Liebackandputthebeanbagon
yourl
eg.I’
l
l whipyousomethi
ngtoeatqui
ckl
y
sothatyoucanr estokay
?”
Me:“Therear
eri
bsint
hefr
idge;
justpopthem
i
ntheovenwitht
hepot
atowedges.Ther
eis
gr
eensaladaswell
”
Zee:
“Okaybabyr
est
.I’
l
lbebackshor
tl
y”
Me: “Don’
tyouwantt ochangef i
rst?”she
l
ookedatherout fi
tandr emembert hatshewas
sti
l
lwearingthatdress.Shewal kedt othe
cl
osetanddisappearedf or5mi nutes.When
shecamebackmyey espoppedout .Shewas
wearingmywhi t
eshi r
tandi twasunbut toned.
Shewasn’twearingabr ajustherblackl ace
pantiesii
mmedi at
elyhardened.

Me:
“Youcannotgot
otheki
tchendr
essedl
i
ke
t
hat
!”
Zee:“Emi hl
eisasleepandtheguysareoutside.
Theywi l
lknockiftheywantsomethi
ng.”She
walkedoutbar ef
ootandshewasal r
eady
pregnant;mani waslucky
.Itookt
het i
met o
rel
axandcal lShaun.
Me:
“Youngbl
ood”
Shaun:
“Br
other
”
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyoudawg?
”
Shaun:“Iam out sideandwecanseey our
womani ny ourshirtwith.
.”ididn’
tevenwaitfor
himt ofi
nishisprungupandhunguponhi m.I
rushedtot heki
tchenandf oundZekhethel
o
bendingov ert
hest ove.Jesuschirst
.Iwentand
stoodbehindher ;shejumpedwheni t
ouched
her.
Zee:“Yougav
emeaf
ri
ght
;whatar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
”
Me:
“Comewi
thme.
”

Zee:
“Ineedt
ofi
nishmaki
ngy
ourf
ood”
Me:“Theguyscanseeyou.Aunt
ywil
lbeher
e
i
n5mi nut
essoshewill
conti
nuewit
hthi
s.You
comewithme”
Zee:
“Ohokaysor
ry.Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
It
ookherhandandwewentt
othebedr
oom.I
cl
osedt
hedoorandigoti
nbedaski
nghert
o
j
oinme.Shetookoffmyshi
rtandcl
i
mbedin
bed,
sheputherheadonmychestandwesl
ept
.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t33
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupt oamout hwater
ingaromathatfi
ll
ed
thehouse.WhenIl ookedtomysi deSaziwasn’
t
i
nbed.Ideci dedtoj ustl
ayinbedandnotget
outofbedf orawhi le.Thedooropenedandin
camear unningEmi hl
e.Hegott obedand
j
umpedi n.Hegi ggledashel andedonhisback,
hethenturnedtol ookatme.
Emi
hle:
“Heymommy
”
Me:“Hey
.Comeher e”Iopenedmyarmsand
wecuddl
ed.Iki
ssedhisfaceandhej
ust
gi
ggl
ed.
Emi
hle:
“Ihav
eawi
shmommy
”
Me:
“Whati
syourwi
sh?
”

Emihl
e:“Fory out
obeal way shappy .Il
oveit
whenyoual wayslaughandsmi l
e”Ismi l
edand
bi
thisear.HescreamedwhenIt ickedhim.
Aaahmyhear tsqueezed,nothingmademe
happi
erthantoseehi m happy.JustlikehimI
wanthimt oalwayslaughandsmi l
e.
Me:
“Ial
sowantt
hesamef
ory
ou”
Emi
hle:
“Er
rm mommy
…?”het
urnedar
oundt
o
l
ookatme.
Me:
“Yesmyl
ove…”hef
rowned.
Emihl
e:“Pleasemakeupy ourmind.Daddy
cal
lsmehisboyandcal lsy
ouhisbaby .You
shoul
dgivemeonenamebecausey oualsocal
l
daddyyourlove”Il
aughed.

Me:
“I’
m sor
rymyboy
.You’
remyboy
”
Emi hl
e:“Okay.Good.Sowherewouldyoul
i
ke
tohav eyourweddi
ng?”Ichockedonmysal
iva.
IjuygotengagedandIwasn’tgoingt
oget
mar ri
edunti
lIgi
vebirt
h.
Me:“Idon’
tknow.InCapeTownorZanziBar
byt
hebeachwi t
hthemostimpor
tantpeopl
ein
myli
fe”
Emi
hle:
“Whoar
ethosepeopl
emommy
?”
Me: “IwishIknewmyboybutknowthi
s;y
ou
anddaddyar emynumberoneGs”hesmil
ed
rev
ealinghisteet
h.Thati
swhenIsawt
hathe
hadami ssingtooth.
Me:“Whendi
dyoulosey
ourt
oot
h?”he
cov
eredhi
smouth.

Emihle:
“Notsol
ongago.Daddyt
ookmytoot
h
whenhewokeup.Sai
dthetoothf
air
ywi
l
lcome
toni
ght!
”
Me:
“That
’sni
cebaby
”myst
omachgr
owl
ed.
Emihl
e:“Youguysar
ehungr
ynow”her ubbed
mystomachandIwasshocked.Idi
dn’
ttel
lhi
m
aboutt
hebaby.
Me:“
Whotol
dyouaboutt
hebaby
?”hegi
ggl
ed
andr
anaway
.
Emi
hle:
“Letmegocal
ldaddy
!”
Ismil
edshakingmyhead.Isatont hebedand
tookmyphoneont hebedside.Idial
leda
numberanditwenttother
ecept i
onist.

Woman:“Ngcoboandassoci
ateshowcanI
hel
pyou?
”
Me:
“Putmet
hrought
oQi
nisopl
ease”
Woman:“Andyouare?”shesai
dwi
than
at
ti
tudeIj
ustl
aughed.
Me:“It
’sZekhet
hel
oNgcobo.Pl
easeputme
t
hrough”
Woman:
“Uuuuh….
.i
……er
mmmmm”shequi
ckl
y
putmet
hrough.I
trangt
wiceandheanswer
ed.

Qi
niso:
“Qi
nisoHel
l
o?”
Me:
“Que,
Howar
eyou?
”
Que:
“ohmygoodnessbossl
ady
,whenar
eyou
comi
ngbackt
owork?”
Me:
“Whyi
sther
eany
thi
ngwr
ong?
”
Que: “No..
ever
ythingisfi
ne.JustthatIwantto
saluteyou.Iam nevereverquest
ioningyouever
again.Youmakey ourj
obseem soeasy .You
areast r
ongwomanand…”Iwasl aughingall
thi
st i
me.Sazigoti nandeyedmewei r
dly.
Me:“Welli
fyoumustknow.Iwi
l
lbet
hereon
Monday.I
tsal
readyFri
dayt
omorr
owso
MondayIwil
lbether
e”
Que:“Yes.Pl
easethankyou”Il
aughedagain
andSaziwassit
ti
ngr i
ghtnextt
omel ooki
ngat
me.
Me:‘SeeyouonMonday”weendedthecalland
Il
ookedatSazi
.Heshr
ughisoneshoulderandI
di
dthesame.

Sazi
:“Whowi
l
lyouseeonMonday
?”
Me:“Qi
niso.Iam goingbackt
owor kon
Monday
”Isaidplayingwit
hmyf ingers.The
r
oom wasquietforawhileandthenhespoke.
Sazi:“Iwast
hinki
ngaboutEmihl
egoingback
toschoolonMondayandhisschooli
sv er
y
closeby”
Me:
“Real
l
y?Iwoul
dreal
l
yli
ket
hat
”
Sazi
:“Okay
.Ishouldgety
ouextrasecur
it
y”Il
et
outadeepbreat
hthatIdi
dn’
treal
iseIwas
hol
ding.
Me:
“Okayt
hanks”
Sazi
:“YouthoughtIwasgoi
ngt
osaynow?
”he
chuckl
ed.
Me:
“Act
ual
l
yyes.That
’swhatIt
hought
”

Sazi
:“Nah.Iknowhowmuchyoul
oveyour
companyplusyoul
ostal
otoft
imenotgoi
ngt
o
work”
Me:
“Thanky
ou”Iatt
ackedhi
m wi
thahugand
wef
ell
ontothebed.
Sazi
:“CanIasky
ouf
oraf
avour
?”
Me:
“Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou”
Sazi
:“Pleasedon’
tleav
ethi
sroom wi
thout
decentcl
othi
ng”
Me:
“I’
m sor
ryaboutear
li
er.Idi
dn’
tknowt
hat
…”
Sazi:“Don’tworr
yabouti
t.Youwantt
oshower
?
Dinnerisready”

Me:“I
’l
lj
ustf
reshenup.Wi
l
lshoweraf
ter
di
nner
”
Igotupandwentt
ofr
eshenup.Iendedup
taki
ngthatshower.WhenIgotoutSazi
was
sit
ti
ngont hebedalr
eadydressed.
Sazi
: “Real
ly
?Afterdi
nner
?”hewasamusedby
thi
sIjustrol
ledmyeyes.Hest
oodupandcame
tostandbehindmeasIwasapplyi
ngl
oti
onon
mybody .
Sazi
:“Youseethatey
esrol
li
ngshityoual
ways
do;I
thasear
nedy ouawonderf
uleveni
ngfi
ll
ed
wit
hsuchjoy”
Me:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

Sazi:
“You’llsee.Getdressed”hespankedme
andleft.If
ini
shedwi thlot
ioni
ng.Iputonmyr ed
andblackunder wear.Iwenttotheclosetand
tookSazi’H&Bnav yt-shir
t.Iwor
emygr ey
sweatpants,whitesocksandmypi nkFenty’
s.I
j
ustranmyf i
ngersthroughmyhai randwal ked
tothelounge.
If
oundev
ery
oneseat
edandIgr
eet
ed.Si
ms
wasal
sother
ewithamessedupey
e.Isatnext
t
oSaziandheki
ssedmycheek.
Sazi
:“Youal
wayslookgood”Il
aughed
thr
owingmyheadback.
Me: “Youjustlovemethat’sall”henuzzledmy
neckanddi nnerwasserved.Weat ewithav er
y
l
ightconversati
ongoi
ngon.Inot icedShaunand
Simswer en’tpar
ti
cul
arl
yenj oyingthemselves.
We,Emi hl
eandIhaddesser t.Sazideci
dedt o
speakast heguyswereaboutt oleave.

Sazi
:“Tonightwewillbewat
chingr
eal
li
fe
boxi
ng/wresti
ng/st
reetfi
ght
ing”
Me:
“We’
l
lgoandwat
chi
t?”
Sazi
:“Ohno.Wewi
l
lwat
chi
tout
side.Li
ve
toni
ght
”
Me:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Sazi
:“Si
msandShaun;t
heywi
llbefi
ght
ing
toni
ght
.Theywantt
obehav
eli
kekidssothey
wi
ll
dothechi
ldr
en’
sspor
tandf
ight
!”hebanged
t
hetabl
ewit
hhisfi
st.

Si
ms:
“Bossi
…”
Sazi
:“Youst
artedi
t.Youst
art
edi
tBr
uceLee.
Soyoushal
lfi
nishi
t”
IsawShaun’sj
awtight
enandSimswas
sweat
ing.Iwentt
oSaziandsatonhi
slap.
Me:“Shauni sgoingtowhipSimsass.You
knowi tandhedoesn’twanttodoit
.Bothof
them babypleasedon’tmakethem f
ightone
another”

Sazi
:“Youarethei
rspokesper
sonnow?
”he
wasirr
it
ated.
Me:“Nobutdon’
tdothi
s.Shaunal
ready
messedupSi
msey e”
Sazi
:“Thatwasme.
”Iwasshockedbecause
Sazi
isn’
treal
l
yav
iol
entper
son.
Me:“Fi
net
henbutdon’tmaket
hem f
ightone
anot
her
”hechuckl
edrubbi
nghi
schi
n.
Sazi
:“Iam goi
ngt
ofucky
ousohar
dyouwi
l
l
wanttohavemearr
est
ed”
Me:“Ohreal
ly?Wit
hwhatbodygr andpa?”he
l
aughedsohardandkissedme.Heki ssedand
bi
tmesohar dIt
ri
edt opul
lbackbuthe
woul
dn’tl
etme.Hefinal
lyl
etmego.

Sazi
:“Ir
eal
l
ywi
shy
ouhadnotsai
dthat
”
Me:“OhbutIdi
dGr
andpa”Hiseyesdarkened
andhegav
emeanev i
lsmil
ebeforet
alking.
Sazi
:“Youguyscango.Bossladyherehas
deci
dedtotakeoneforthet
eam”iregret
tedi
t
ri
ghtaf
terhesai
dthat.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
IsattherelookingatSaziwi thmymout hwide
open.Hel i
ftedmychi nsot hati canclosemy
eyes.Theguy swer esti
lli
nt heroom.Sazi
l
ookedar oundandhet heyhur r
iedaway .Emihl
e
hadlonggonet obedandAunt ywaswashi ng
thedishes.Itr
iedstandingbutSazi hel
dmy
waistpull
ingmedown.

Sazi
:“Wherearey
ougoi
ng?
”hewasl
ooki
ngat
meintensel
y.
Me:
“Ineedt
orest
.I’
mti
red;
youchi
l
dist
ir
ing
me”
Sazi
:“Okay
.Go;
i’
ll
bewi
thy
oushor
tl
y”

Istoodupquickl
yandhur r
iedtoourbedroom.I
gotinandclosedthedoorleani
ngagainstit
.I
breathedoutl
oudthinki
ngaboutwhati had
gott
enmy sel
finto.Istart
edpaci ngupand
down.Imeant helasttimeSazi didsomething
l
ikethi
si couldn’
tsitproper l
yfor2day sand
nowhewant stodoi tagai n.Idecidedthenthat
iwil
lgobackandt ellhimt otelltheguysto
comebackandf ight.Iturnedandopenedt he
dooronlytonemetbyhi m standi ngoutsi
dethe
door.

Sazi:“Goi
ngsomewhere?”hesteppedinfront
ofmecausi ngmetowalkbackwar dst
othe
bedroom.Hegotinandlockedthedoor.He
tookoutthekeyandputi
tinhisjeanpocket.

Me:“Yesierm want
edtotelly
outhatyou
shoul
dtel
ltheguyst
hattheycanfi
ght.Iwon’
t
beabl
etotakeonefort
het eam”hesmi l
ed.
Sazi
:“Ohreal
l
y?Theguysareal
readygoneso
youmylov
ewi l
ltakei
tasy
oushould”
Me:“Youhaven’
tev
enheal
edy
et.Youcan’
tdo
t
histoyour
sel
f”

Sazi:
“Iappreciateyoucar ingformebuti wil
l
bejustf
inebaby ”hewal kedt omeandi walked
backwards.Hegotcl oserandi bumpedinto
thebedandf el
l.Iquickl
yst oodupandhe
l
aughed.Hesatdownont hebedt aki
ngoffhi
s
shoes.Itookof fmyf l
opsandt hesweatpants.
Iwasonlyleftwithhist-
shi rt
,socksandpanti
es.

Sazi
:“Ihav
egoodnewsf
ory
oubyt
heway
”
Iwalkedtohim andhelpedhi mt akeoffhis
sneakersandsocks.Ialsotookof fhist-shi
rt
andhehad2bi gplastersonhi sst omachi f
elta
l
umponmyt hroat.Inearlyl
osthi m.Ilooked
downnotwant i
nghi mtoseet hetearsbuthe
caughtonandlift
edupmychi n.Themoment
oureyesmadecont act,thetearsjustfel
l.
Sazi
:“I’
m okay
.Iam al
iv
eandnothingi
sgoi
ng
tohappentomeokay?”inodded.
Me:“Icoul
dhav
elosty
ou”myv
oicewas
br
eaki
ng.
Sazi
:“HeyHeyHey..
.comeher e”hepull
edme
tohi
slapmakingmestraddlehim.Ijustcr
ied
onhim andhehel
dmecl oser.
Me:
“Pr omi
senottol
eav
emeSazi
”hecupped
myfaceandki
ssedmyeyes.

Sazi
:“Iam goi
ngnowhere;
okay?
”ismi
l
edandi
fel
thi
m grow.Ishi
ft
edbuthehel
dmetopl
ace.
Me:“Whatwer ethegoodnewsyouwantedt
o
shar
e?”if
elthiszi
pgodownandhepul l
ed
downhispants.Itr
iedget
ti
ngof
fhisl
apbuthe
hel
dme.
Sazi
:“Justwantedy
outoknowt
hatthi
sr oom
i
ssoundpr oof
..
”hepul
l
edmypanti
esaside.
Sazi
:“Andi t
oldAuntythatwewill
seeher
tomorr
owaf t
ernoon”heeasedinandimoaned
l
oudly
.Itsbeenawhi l
eanditfel
tsogood.
Sazi:“She’
ll
takecareofEmihleforus”he
pushedupandmybackar ched.Ijustwent
crazybecausehefeltbi
ggerandwaaayf ul
ler
thanhehasev erbeen.

Me:“OhJeez.Feel
sgoodfeelsgood”ibi
tmy
bot
tom l
i
pandst ar
tedt
ogrindbuthejusthel
d
myhipsgui
dingme.Hisst
rokesweresosl owi
wantedt
ocrybecauseir
eall
ywantedtocome.
Sazi
:“Iwanty outofeelme.Iwantyoutofee
meev eninyourli
verbaby”hepushedharder
andiscreamed.

Sazi
:“That’
sit
.Scream al
lyouwant;scr
eam
mybeauti
fulwif
e.Scream f
oryourhusband”
Suddenlyhef l
i
ppedusov erandhewasont op
ofme.Hepushedhi sjeanswi t
hhisf eetandhe
posit
ionedhi msel fi
nbetweenmyl egs.Onel eg
onhisshoul der,theotheroneflatont hebed
andhisthumbonmynub.Hest art
edt omov e
anditwasn’ tthoseslowsensual mov es.Itwas
hardandf ast.Deepandf ast.Iwasmoani nga
l
otandi didn’tknowwher etotouchhi m
becausei felthishandsallovermybody .He
wasev ery
wher eandi l
ovedit.

Itwasroughandslow;itwashardandsweet
;it
wassensualandfast.Hedidthi
ngstomybody.
Ievenaskedhimforstupidt
hings.
Me:“Canibuyy
ouagoatbaby?
”hewas
j
ammi ngi
nmesohar
di waspull
i
ngmyown
hai
r.
Sazi:
“Huh?”hehadt
hisstupidsmi
l
eonhi
s
faceandhepumpedyetagain.
Me:
“Foraj
obwel
ldone”hel
aughedoutl
oud
andtobehonestidon’tevenknowwherei
got
thatf
rom.Iwasjustbeingnonsensi
cal
.

Nextthingi knowi am ont hewal landv er

y
naked.Idon’ tevenrememberwheni t
ookoff
thet-
shirtandbr a.Thepant ieswer eri
ppedof f
l
ongago.Myl egsarear oundhi swai st.One
handishol dingmyl egsabov emyheadandt he
otheronmywai st
.Hesankhi steethonmy
neckandsucked.That ’swheni f
elttheorgasm
come.Itcamel ikeashockwav ebecause
everyt
hingjustwentbl ankandi am surei
squir
tedonhi m becausei feltthisli
quid
gushingdownmyl egs.

Wewentdownt othefl
oorandwewer e
breathi
ngoutloudandfast
.Iwasontopofhim
andhehadt hatsmir
konhisface.Iwantedt
o
wipeitofsoisquatt
edonhim andistar
tedt
o
mov e.Hesprangupbecausehewasn’t
expectingsuchabol dmov efrom me.Ipushed
him backdownandhi smout hhungopen.Iwas
ri
dinghi m wi t
hmymout hwideopen.Igott ir
ed
andsatf ull
yonhi m andhi smout hformeda
perfectO.Ist art
edt ogrindandt hatput
pressureonhi m becausey oucoul dseethathe
wasaboutt ogiv
ei n.Het ri
edtogetmeof fhim
buti quickenedmypace.Hesl appedmybum
andt hatjustputmor efuelont healr
eadyhot
fi
re.Het riedtogetmeof fbutiwouldn’thearof
i
t.

Me: “Shutupandtaket hispussyli

keaman”
Bigmi st
ake!Hugemi st
akebecausehehooked
hishandsbehindmyl egssi t
ti
ngup.Heknelt
andplacedmeatt hecor nerofthebed.I
thoughthewasgoi ngtof uckmehar dbuthe
j
ustdidslowstrokesjustsot hathecoul
dhold
offtheorgasm.
That
’showt
hingswer
ethewhol
eni
ght
;ify
ou
mustknow:IAM NEVERTAKI
NGONEFORTHE
TEAM EVERAGAIN.
.
.
MONDAY.
..
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t34
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Mondaymor ningt healarm wentoffandi got
upt oswitchitoff.Ireal
lywasn’tlooki
ng
forwardtowaki ngupbecausei justwantedto
sleepbecausemywhol ebodyached.It ookone
fortheteam thewhol eweekend.Hehei reall
y
didwantt ocallthepol i
ceonhim.

Igotofthebedandstr
etchedmybonespopped.
Jeez.Il
ookedatSazi
ont hebedandhewas
sl
eepingsopeacefull
y.Idecidedt ogoshower
wit
houtwakinghim.Itookav erylongsoothing
showerremember i
ngtheev entsoft he
weekend.If
inal
lyfi
nishedandi switchedoffthe
shower.Idr
iedandheadedt ot hebedr oom.
Saziwassti
llsl
eeping;ser
veshi mr ight.

Theweat herwasn’treall
ygoodaswewer efast
approachingwintersoitwaschil
lyoutside.I
tookoutmyhal terneckkneelengthbody
huggingwool dress,blackst
ockingsandbl ack
courtshoes.I
twascol dy esbutitookoutt he
dressbecausemywhol ebodywascov eredin
mar ksandlovebites.

Iappl
iedlot
ionandgotdressed.Itookmy
hai
rdryermaki
ngament alnotethatihadtodo
myhai r
.Idr
iedmyweav eandst r
aight
enedit.
Wheni wasdonei wal
kedbackt othebedroom
andfoundSazisit
ti
ngont hebed.Helookedat
meandf
rowned.

Me:
“Mor
ning”
Sazi
:“Wher
eareyougoi
ng?”heaskedl
ooki
ng
atme,hi
seyesr
unni
ngallov
ermybody.
Me:“Work.It
oldyou”isatdownandwor
emy
shoes.Mywatchandri
ng.
Sazi
:“Wer
eyouser
ious?”hegotoutofbedand
cametowher
eiwasstanding.
Me:“Yesiwasser
ious.Ineedt
ogoSazi
”he
st
eppedbackandchuckled.

Sazi:“Sazi
,real
lynow?”iwasreall
yannoyed.I
couldbarel
ywal kandihadmadeapr omi
seto
gobackt owor kbuthejusthadtofuckme
senselessunti
licoul
dn’ttakei
tanymore.
Me:“Isn’
tthaty
ourname?
”iwalkedt
othe
cl
osetforabag.Hewasri
ghtbehi
ndme
l
aughi
ng.
Sazi
:“Don’
tbeli
ket
hatbabe.I’
m sor
ry”hewas
smil
i
ngtryi
ngtohol
dinalaugh.

Me:“Noy ou’
renotsorry
.Sazi
i’
m cov
eredin
marksandbites.Ihav
etobeatworkbutyou’
re
her
elaughingyourassout”
Sazi
:“Noonesaidy oushoul
dgobackt owor
k”
igavehi
m alookathesmi l
ed.Itookmybag
andwalkedt
ot hebedroom.Itookwhati
neededandwalkedouttothekitchen.

Al
lthi
st i
mehewasf oll
owingme.Ijustwant
ed
hi
mt oleavemealone.Itookanappleand
at
temptedtoleav
ebuthepul l
edmebackbymy
ar
m.
Sazi
:“Youwi
l
lnotl
eav
ethi
shousewi
thout
eati
ng”
Me:
“I’
l
leatanappl
e.”
Sazi
:“Si
tZekhethel
o.Iam notgoi
ngtoaskyou
agai
n”inar
rowedmyey esathim andheshook
hi
sheadclear
lyannoyed.
Me:“You’ r
enotthebossofme.Leav eme
al
one”hel etgoofmyar m andiwenttosi
t.
Auntydishedupf orme.Theguyswerealr
eady
eat
ing.Emi hl
ewasl onggonewhichmademe
wonderaboutt heti
me.

Saziemergedfrom thebedroom andhehad

changedtojeansandat -
shirtwi
t hsneakers.As
muchasi wasmadathi mi coul
dn’thelpbut
star
e.Helookedgoodi neveryt
hing.Hesat
downandat ehisbreakf
ast.Ifi
nishedeating
andstoodup.

Sazi
:“Si
t.I
’
llt
akey
out
owor
k”
Me:
“Iam al
readyr
unni
ngl
ateand.
..
”hel
ooked
upt
ome.
Sazi
: “Isaidsit
.Iwil
ltakeyou.I
’l
lbedonei na
minute”i satdownandcl i
ckedmyt ongue.He
l
if
tedhi sheadsof ast
.Hewasr atherangrybut
hechuckled.Shaunexcusedhi mselfandwent
outthedoorl i
kesomeonewaschasi nghi
m.

Hefinal
lyf
ini
shedeati
ngandt
oldmetowaitf
or
hi
mi nthecar.Iwal
kedtot
hecarandf
ound
Shaunwaiti
ngnexttoit
.
Me:“Soyou’
remychauf
feur
?”hesmi
l
ed
r
ubbinghi
schin.
Shaun:
“Yepandy
oursecur
it
ydet
ail
”ismi
l
ed
l
ikeakid.
Me:“Yi
peee!Wher
eisgrandpagoi
ngsi
nce
you’
remyshadow?”hel
aughed.

Shaun:
“Lethi
m hearyousaythat
..
.he’
scomi
ng
backwit
hthecar
.Togetherwi
thSims”
Me:
“Ohokay
.Thati
ssocool
”wef
istbumped.
Sazifi
nall
ycameoutf ol
lowedbySimsand2
guys.Hegotinthecarwi t
hSimsint hefr
ont;
Shaunwasdr ivi
ng.Theothercarf
ollowedus.
Wesati nsil
enceandaftersometi
mehet ook
myhandandl i
nkedourhandstogether.

Sazi
:“I
’
m sor
rybaby
”isnuggl
edcl
oserand
pl
acedmyheadonhisshoul
der
.
Me:“I’
m sor
ryt
oo”i
closedmyey
esandsi
ghed
deepl
y.
Sazi
:“Idon’
twantt
ocontr
olyourl
i
fe.Ij
ust
wantyousafeandr
est
ed.Il
oveyouandour
babi
es.”
Me:“I
’vebeenal
onef
orsolongt
hati
usual
l
y
t
hinkf
ormeandmyson.I..
.”

Sazi
:“Ourson”hei
nter
rupt
edmeandi
rol
l
ed
myeyes.
Me:“Ourson.Sor
ry.I
’
m sor
ry;
i’
ll
tryr
espect
andl
ist
entoyou”
Sazi
:“Youdolist
enbabe.Iwasj
ustbei
ngan
ass”il
aughed

Me:“Il
ovey
ou”ilookedathi
m andhegavea
l
ongbabyki
ss.Imovedawayandhesmiled.
Sazi
:“Ididnotgetmymor
ningki
ss”hewi
ggl
ed
hi
seyebrows.

Me: “Youwer ebei

nganassear l
ier
”hesmi l
ed
andpul l
edmet ohim.Hi shandwentt omybutt
andpul l
edmet ositont opofhisstr
addli
nghim.
Ilookedathim andpointedattheguyswi t
hmy
eyesandhej ustwinked.Heplacedahand
behindmyneckandki ssedme.Theki sswas
heatedandar ousi
ng.Hishandwenti nbetween
myt highsandhegr oanedwhenhe
remember edthatihavestocki
ngson.Hepul l
ed
awayandkissedmyneck;sucki
ngoni
thar
d.I
j
ustpushedhimlaughi
ng.

Me:“Youaresneaky
”hewassotur
nedonand
l
uckyformethecarcamet
oastop.
Sazi
:“Youdi
dn’
tbr
inganyl
unch”
Me:“Iwi
ll
or dersomethi
ngorShaunwi
llget
mesomething.Okay?”henoddedandi
could
seet
hathedi dn’
twantmetogo.
Sazi
:“Il
ovey
ou.Behav
e.”

Me: “Iwil
lbehave.I’m agoodgi rl
.”Iwinkedand
hechuckled.Shaunopenedt hedoorf ormeand
isteppedoutfi
xingmydr ess.IlookedatSazi
oncemor eandbl ewhi m akiss.Shaunt ookmy
bagandwewenti nsi
debuilding.Everyone
seemedhappyt oseeme.Someshaki ngmy
handandhuggi ngme.Shaunwoul dstopt he
guystryi
ngtohugme.Af terawhi leiwasdone
onthegroundf
loorandwet
henwentt
omy
of
fi
cefloor.

Wheni st
eppedoutoftheelevat
ort
her ewas
thi
swomanatt hefr
ontdeskandshewasas
ski
mpyast heycome.Shewasev eneat i
ngand
poppinggum.Whenshesawusshej ustturned
herbackonusandmadeaphonecal l.Shaun
wantedtospeakbutistoppedhi
m.Iwentt o
thedeskandstoodther
e.

Me:“Excuseme?”shejustconti
nuedchat
ti
ng
onthephonel
aughing.Ij
ustdroppedt
hecallon
mysideandshetur
nedandl ookedatme
angri
l
y.
Her:“Whatthehelli
syourprobl
em?Sowhat
you’
reheretoseesomeone?Justsitdownad
waityourt
urn.Getawayfrom mydesk”
Me:“Wheniseeyourboss;iwil
lmakesurei
t
ell
them t
ofi
reyou”shelaughedloudl
y.
Her:
“Iwouldl
iket
oseeyoutr
y .Nowgosi
t!
”i
smil
edandwenttosi
t.WhenisawShaunst
il
l
st
andingi
call
edhi
mt ocomesit.

Il
ookedatt hewat chandsawt hatiwillsi
tfor
10mor emi nutesbecauset heyhadaMonday
briefattheboar droom.Mi ssthi
ngcont inued
maki ngphonecal l
sandl aughi
ngpoppi nggum.
Shaunwasi r
rit
atedandt obehonesti wasmad
ashel lt
hatmycompanyhasnowt urnedintoa
ci
rcus.Af tersomet imet heboardroom opened
andQi nisocameout .Whenhesaemeherf r
oze
andsodi dev er
yonebehi ndhim.Ther ecepti
on
womanl ookedatQi nisoandshoutedBaby !!
Qinisowi nced.Hewal kedpasthim andshewas
ri
ghtbehi ndhi m.Istoodupandhecamet o
standinf rontofme.
Qi
niso:
“Boss.
..
hi”hest
art
edt
oswear
.
Her
:“Boss?
!Whoseboss?
”shewasl
ooki
ngat
methi
swholet
ime.
Qi
niso:
“Myboss!Nowshutup”
Me:“Itol
dyouthatwheni seeyourbossi
wil
l
makesuretheyf
ireyou.Star
tpacki
ng.Wena
Qi
niso,
whereismypr evi
ousgir
l?”

Qi
niso:
“She’
supst
air
s”
Me:“Iwantherher
ethi
sminut
eandwhyi
s
ev
eryonest
andingt
herel
ooki
ngatme?
”
Rightt
henNingi
emergedfr
om theboardroom
andshelookedr
eal
lyni
ce.ShelookedatShaun
andme.Shewalkedtoheroff
iceaft
ersizi
ngus
up.

Me:“You’
regoi
ngt
obeokaywi
thherbei
ng
her
e?”
Shaun:
“Yep.Iam apr
ofessi
onal
”
Me:“Okay.Youhurryandgetof
fmyproper
ty.
Yougetmypr ev
iousgir
landcomebr
iefmein
myoffi
ce”

Iwal
kedtomyof fi
ceanditlookedjustl
i
kehow
i
twasbefore.Ist
oodbythedoort aki
ngital
li
n.
It
henwalkedtomydeskt akingoffmyshoes.I
l
ookedatShaunandsmiledshy l
y.
Shaun:
“Whati
sit
?”hechuckl
ed.
Me:“Iam hungr
y”hisey
esshotup.Musthave
beenbecauseoftheamountofbr
eakf
astthati
had.
Shaun:“Erm whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?”he
cl
earedhisthroat
.

Me:“SpurRibsandWingspl
uslargeDoubl
e
St
ackmeat ypi
zzaandabigfr
uitsal
adfrom
Woolwort
hs”
Shaun:
“You’
l
leatal
loft
hatal
one?
”
Me: “Yes.Iam hungr
y”henoddedandtookout
hisphone.Herepeatedever
ythi
ngandended
thecall
.
Shaun:“30mi
nut
es”i
smi
l
edcl
appi
ngmy
hands.

Me:“Thankyou”hewenttosi
tonthecouch
andisawhissidet
hathadagun.Ishookmy
head;
Sazit
hough.Qini
sogoti
nwi t
ha
mountai
noffi
lesandcametositonmydesk.
Me:“Wewon’ tdoal
loft
hist
oday
.I’
mleav
ing
af
terLunch”
Qini
so:
“Yesofcour
seboss”hewasshaki
ng
andsweat
ing.

Me: “Whyareyoual
lovert
heplaceQue?Itol
d
youthatiam comi
ngbacktodaysowhatisthe
problem?
”
Que:“Ir
eal
l
ythoughtt
haty
ouwer
ejoki
ng”i
l
aughed.

Wet henst
artedwiththef il
es.Ever
ythi
ng
seemedinorderandsf arhewasdoi ngareal
l
y
goodJob.30mi nuteslatermyf oodcameand
theyputi
tont opofthel oungetabl
e.Iwent
overtowhereShaunwassi tti
ngandi st
art
edto
eat.
Que:“That
’salotoffood,
youwi
l
leati
tal
one?
”
igav
ehimt heevi
leye.

Me: “
Youwantt
okeepy
ourj
ob?
”Shaun
chuckled.
Shaun: “Myguy;l
eav
eherandherf ood.Sheis
eati
ngf or2”Quel
ookedshockedandt hen
l
ift
eduphi shandsassurr
ender.Wecont i
nued
workingandtimewasgoingfastbecausenext
thi
ngi knewShaunorder
edlunchforthe3ofus.
Wetookabreakandat
eourl
unch.Iat
emor
e
t
hentheguy
s.

Imustsayitf
eltgoodtobeatwor
kandin
cont
rol
.Wecont i
nuesaft
erl
unchandat14h00
wecall
editaday.
Me: “Quel
etuscont
inuet
hist
omor
rowpl
ease.
Ineedtohurr
yhome”
Que:“Sur
ethingbossl
ady.I
’m gl
adyou’
re
back.
”Ismil
edandwef i
stbumped.
Iwentt
omydeskandi st
retchedy
awni
ng.I
tookmycel
lphoneandcal
ledSazi
.

Sazi
:“Babe?
”
Me:
“Pl
easecomegetus”i
yawnedagai
n.
Sazi
:“Youmi
ssmeal
ready
?”i
smi
l
ed.
Me:“Ial
waysdo.
”Ningigoti
nasi
wasont
hat
phonecal
lmaki
ngnoise.
Sazi
:“Whoi
sthat
?”heaskedal
armed.
Me:
“Yoursi
ster
”
Sazi
:“Shebet
terst
ayt
hef
uckawayf
rom y
ou”
hesoundedpi
ssed.
Me: “Relax.Seeyou.Ilov
ey ou”ihungupand
l
ookedatNi ngiwhowast r
yingtotalkt
oShaun
buthewasj usti
gnori
ngher.WhenShaunsaw
thatiwasdonewi t
hthephonecal lhest
ood
andwal kedt ome.Ningif
oll
owedhi m.

Ni
ngi
:“Notonl
ydidyoutur
nmybr ot
heragai
nst
mebutyout
urnedShaunagai
nstmeaswel l
”
Me: “Youdi
dthatal
lony
ourown”i
star
ted
packingmythi
ngs.
Ni
ngi:“Youar
epathet
icZekhet
hel
o.Youar
e
j
ustangryt
hatdaddyl
ovesmenow.”
Me:“Youareev
encal
li
nghim daddywhich
makesthi
smoredi
sgusti
ngthenbefor
e”itook
myphoneandsomefil
esput
tingiti
nmybag.I
st
art
edwalki
ngtot
hedoorbutNingist
eppedin
fr
ontofme.
Ni
ngi:“Admiti
t,i
won”shehadt
hatsmugsmi
l
e
onherface.

Me: “Howexactl
ybecauseyourbrotherwant
s
nothingtodowit
hyou,Shaunhatesy ouandi
don’tgiv
eashit
.Howdidy ouwin?”shegot
angry.
Ningi:“Youstupidbit
ch!Nowonderwhy
Mt hunzir
apedy ourass,y
ouareuselessand
stupid!
”islappedhersohard.Sheheldher
cheekandsmi l
ed.

Ningi
:“Youcanhi
tmeallyoul
ikebutyou’
re
damagedgoods”shel
aughedandwalkedout
ofmyof fi
celeavi
ngmewi t
hav er
ysor ebr
oken
heart
.Ifel
ttearsrol
l
ingdownmyf ace.I
stumbledabitandShauncaughtme.

Sazi:
“Whatt hehelli
sgoingoni nhere?”il
if
ted
upmyheadandl ookedathim.Hecamecl oser
andi j
uststar
tedtocry.Iheldontohim andi
cri
edloudly
.Icri
edunt i
liranoutoftear
s.Sazi
hel
dmeandsoot hedme.Af t
ersomet i
mei
pul
ledawayandhel ookedatme.

Sazi
:“Whathappened?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Me:“Ni
ngi
;She.
..
.she.
..
”istar
tedt
ear
ingup
agai
nandhewipedmytears.
Sazi
:“Whatdi
dshedo?
”
Me:“Shesai diwasdamagedgoodsbecause
Mthunzir
apedmeand. ..
”hel
etgoofmeas
soonasi saidt
hat.Heatt
empt
edtowalkaway
butihel
dhi sar
m.
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”

Sazi
:“Iam goi
ngt
osor
toutNi
ngi
onceandf
or
al
l.
”
Me:
“Shei
syoursi
ster
.Leav
eitl
i
ket
hat
”
Sazi:“Iam allaboutfami l
ybabybutnobody
messeswi thwhatsmi neandy ouar emine.
Shaunt akehertothecar .I’
ll
seey oushortl
y”he
l
eftmest andi
ngthereandhel ookedsoangr y
.I
j
ustknewt hatwhateverhewasgoi ngtodowas
goi
ngt ocausehar m.Il ookedatShaunandhe
shruggedhi sshoulder
s

Wewal kedouttheof f
iceandthebui l
ding.I
wantedtocrybuti hel
dmy selfandassoonasi
goti
nthecari cri
edsomemor e.Icr
iedtil
lifel
l
asl
eep.IwaswokenupbySazi pul
li
ngmet o
hi
m.Hewasshaki ngandcl earl
ylookedangr y.
Me:“Whatdidyoudo?
”her
ubbedmybackand
br
eathedoutl
oud.
Sazi:“Noonei sgoingtohur
tyouaslongasi
l
ive.Sleep;iwil
lwakeyouupassoonasweget
home. ”Isnuggledcl
osert
ohim andi
slept
.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion
.
Muz
i
.
Iam sureyouar eprobablywonder i
ngwhati s
goingonwi thmeandNi ngibutthetruthisthat
ili
keher.Yes;ili
keherandshemakesmef eel
goodaboutmy sel
fafterallt
hosey earsfeel
ing
l
ikecrapwi t
hmywi f
e.West ar
tedjokingl
yas
werewoul dmeetf orbusinessmeet i
ngswhen
Zekhethel
oi sbusywi t
hsomet hing.Sooneday
webookedi ntoahot elroom andthati swhen
thi
ngsstarted.
Nowshei spregnantandi losttheoneper son
whomat t
ersthemost ;mydaught er.Idi
dn’t
meanf orthingstogetlikethatbutNi ngihas
beenher eforawhi l
enow.Khet helotri
edtotalk
tomeaboutf i
xingthi
ngswi t
hZekhet helobuti
am justgivi
nghert i
me.I ’
m givi
nghert imeto
calm downbecausei knowmydaught erbett
er
thananyoneandwhenshei sangryitsbestto
l
eavehert ocool down.

Mthunzi;
wel lthatonewekindofsortedhi
m out
wit
hKhet helo.Wewer eatmyhotelroom wit
h
Khethel
ot al
kingaboutgett
ingri
dofMt hunzi
andthiswasbef or
eZekhet
helofoundoutabout
meandNi ngi

K.
T:“Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoaboutgr
andpa?
”
Me:
“Weneedt
ofi
ndawayt
ogetr
idofhi
m”
K.T:“Weneedt
opl
anwel
landbeext
racar
eful
becauset
hatmani
ssl
i
pper
yasaneel.
”
Me:
“Don’tworr
yabouti
tson.Wegot
ohi
m
t
oni
ghtokay?
”

K.T:
“Igotthesecur
it
ycover
ed.Icanhol
dyou
offt
il
lyougett
ohim.Thatshoul
dbeenough
ti
mer i
ght
?”
Me: “Yep.Ijustneedt hatmucht i
me”i wentto
thebedr oom tochange.It ookoutt he
bull
etprooflongsleevev est,i
twasheav yli
ke
hell
.Iwor emybl ackjeansbl acksneakersand
greytopwi t
ht hevestunder neath.Iworeagr ey
beanie.Iwentt otheloungeandKhet helowas
ther
ewi t
hSliandtheirdaught er
.Iwentt othem
andpi ckedherup.

Me:
“Hel
loBarbi
e.Hel
l
obabyboo.HeySl
i
”we
smi
l
edandhugged.
Sl
i
:“Youl
ookl
i
key
ou’
regoi
ngsomewher
e”

Me:
“Yesi.
..
”iwasi
nter
rupt
edbyaknockon
t
hedoor
.
K.T:“I’
l
lgetit
”hestoodupandwentt oopen
thedoor.Zekhet
helowasont heothersideand
assoonast heysaweachot herKhethelopull
ed
hissist
erinhuggi
ngandspinningherar ound.
Shelaughedoutloudandi l
ookedatt hem
smili
ng.My2beaut i
ful
kids.

Zee:
“Putmedown”shewasl
aughi
nghi
tt
ing
Khet
hel
o’sshoul
der
s.
K.
T:“Nope.Idon’
twanna”hechuckl
edbur
ying
hi
sheadinherneck.

Il
ookedatSl
iandherfacehadchanged.Mine
woul
dalsochangei
fiwereher.Mydaughteri
s
dr
opdeadgorgeousandthefactt
hatthey
nev ermetjustmadei tworse.Iclearedmy
throatandt hese2r ascalscarr
iedonl i
ke
nobody ’sbusiness.Sliwascloset otearsi
want edtolaugh.Theyf inall
ypull
edapar tand
K.Tbabyki ssedhi ssist
erandt henhookedhi s
arm aroundherneck.Theyt urnedt oSliandher
l
ipswer et r
embl i
ng.Khet hel
oquicklyletgoof
hissisterandwentt oSl i
.Zekhethelosawt hi
s
asanoppor tuni
tytocomet ome.

Zee:
“Heydaddy
”sheki
ssedmycheek.
Me:
“Heybaby
.Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
”

Zee:
“I’
m al
ri
ghtdaddy
.Justmi
ssedy
ouguy
s”
Me:“Yourguyl
etyoucomeher eal
one?
”she
r
oll
edhereyesshaki
ngherhead.

Zee:
“Secur
it
ydownst
air
sandout
sidet
his
door
.”
Me:“Okaybabybutwehav
et ogo.Youknow
t
hatri
ght?
”shenoddedl
ookingsad.

Zee:
“Becar
eful
daddy
”ihuggedsqueezi
ngher
ti
ght
.
Me:“Iwi
llbecar
eful
andiwi
llseey
oulat
ermy
l
oveokay
?”shenoddedagai
n.Khet
hel
ocame
over
.

K.T:“Zeei
woul
dli
kefory
outomeetSl
imy
number1woman”Zeefol
dedherar
ms
dramati
cal
l
y.
Zee:
“Ifshei
snumber1;
whatdoest
hatmake
me?”

K.T:
“Thequeenofmyhear
t”hechuckl
edand
herfacel
i
tup.
Zee:
“Yeah?
”
K.T:
“Yeah.Asi
wassayingSlimynumber1.
Babythi
sismytwi
nsi
sterZekhet
helo”
Sli
:“Oooh.Twi
n..
.”shel
ookedembar
rassed
andZeejustl
aughedandhuggedher
.

Zee:
“I’mthequeenandy
ou’
renumber1.
Ri
ght?”Sl
ij
ustsmil
ed.
Me:“Okayki
ds.
.wehavetogo.Baby,il
ovey
ou
andwai
tformetocal
lbef
oregoingbackhome
okay
?”

Zee:“Okay.Lov
eyou;
bot
hofyou”igaveher
thebabyandwenttot
hebedr
oom t
ot akemy
bag.
Iwalkedbacktothel
oungear
eaandf ound
them st
il
ltal
ki
ng.Wel
lZeewastal
king.She
alwayshadbeenamissloudmouth.
Me:
“Wehav
etogo”
Zee:
“Becar
eful
daddypl
ease”i
nodded.

Me:
“Iwi
l
lbecar
eful
.
”
Itookmyduf f
elbagandwal kedoutoftheroom.
Iwasmetby2guy sst
andingbyt hedoor;Zee’
s
guards.Igreetedandl
eft.Igottotheel
evator
andKhet hel
ocamet ostandnextt ome.

K.T;
“Youdoknowt
hatwemi
ghtnotmakei
t
outal
iv
eri
ght
?”
Me: “Boyshutup.Iknow”wegoti nandwent
al
lthewaydownt ot hecarparki
ng.Wethen
wenttoK.T’snavyvrrr
rphaaaa!Weloadedour
bagsandgotinthecar .

Hedr
oveawayt
othel
ocat
ionwher
edad’
s
l
ocationwas.Wedr oveinsil
enceandmyheart
wasbeat i
ngr eal
lyf
ast.Icankill
anyoneinmy
sl
eepbutt hiswasdi f
fer
ent.Iwassupposedto
ki
llmyf at
herandi wassur eashellt
hatmy
mom wast urni
nginhergrave.Imeanmom
wasn’taviolentper
son.Sheal wayswanted
peaceandshemadebot hparti
esapologi
seno
matterwhowaswr ong.

Iwasbr
oughtbackbyK.
Tsnappi
nghi
sfi
nger
s
onme.
K.T:
“Wher edi
dyougo?
”wewer
eatt
hisf
orest
l
ikeplace.

Me:
“We’
reher
eal
ready
?”
K.
T:“Yepwear
eher
e.Ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
o
dothi
s?”

Me:
“Yesiam sur
e.Gi
vewayi
’
llbeouti
nless
t
hananhour
.Okay
?”wef
istbumped.
K.
T:“Il
ovey
oudad”i
noddedandsmi
l
ed.

Me: “Pussy !
”hechuckled.Igotoutoft hecar
andt ookmybagwi th.Iwalkedtherestofthe
wayandmanagedt ogetpastsecuri
tywhen
theywer en’
tlookingandsomei ki
ll
ed.Ifi
nall
y
gotinside.Isearchedeveryroom andhewasn’ t
ther
eatal l.

Iwentt
otheki
tchenandsawt hi
sbeaut
if
ull
ady
si
tt
ingonchai
r.Ihadseenhersomewher
e.
Lady
:“Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngfory
ou”shel
ooked
atmewithherbi
gbrowney
es.

Me:
“Wherei
she?”shestoodupandwal
ked
t
owardsmewi
thapieceofpaper
.
Lady
:“Sai
dishoul
dgi
vey
out
his”i
tooki
tandi
t
r
ead“TI
LLNEXTTIME”igotver
yangryt
hati
f
ist
edmyhandonherhai
randpull
ed.

Me:
“Wher
edi
dhego?
”shescr
eamed.
Her:“Idon’tknow.Iwasj usthismi st
ressand
wast ol
dtol ookint
oy ourli
ves”ibangedher
faceonthecount erandshescr eamedsome
mor ecry
ing.Ili
ft
edherheadandshewas
bleedi
ngonhernoseandherf orehead.

Me:
“Whoar
eyou?
”
Her :
“Iam Zinhle.Ipr
etendedtobeanurseat
thehospitalt
okeepaney eonZekhet
hel
oi al
so
stayedatthesamehot el t
haty
ouwerein.Ionl
y
toldhim whatisaw”

Me:“Andwhatdi
dyousee?
”isl
appedherand
shecr
ied.
Her
:“Sazi
bei
ngshotandwher
eev
ery
onei
s.”

Me:“Youjustsi
gnedy
ourdeat
hwi
sh”shej
ust
sobbedl
oudly.
Her:
“Pl
easepl
ease.Don’
tki
l
lme.Iam beggi
ng
you”

Me: “Okay
”igrabbedherbyherhairandwe
walkedoutsi
de.Iwalkedtothecarand
Khethel
ocameoutl ookingconf
used.
K.T:“Andt
hen?
”it
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
ngandabout
thegir
l.

K.T:
“Sowhatarey
oudoi
ngwi
thher
?Whyi
s
shesti
l
lal
i
ve?”
Me:“Shebeggedmenottokil
lhersooo.
..
.”he
t
ookouthisgunandshotheri
ntheheadtwice.
Weleftherbodyt
her
eandwedr ovehome.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t35
.
Zekhet
hel
o–4mont
hsl
ater
.
Iwasnow5mont hspregnantandilookedand
walkedli
keapenguin.It
ookleaveoffwork
becauseiwasalwayssickandsleepysoSazi
tol
dmet oqui
torelse..
.

Ohy eswhathappenedbet weenhim andNi ngi

thatdayatt heoffice?Ialsodon’tknow.Al li
knowi st
hatican’ttalkorseeherunt i
ligive
birt
h.Sot odayisFr i
dayEmi hl
ehasacr icket
gameandSazi promisedhi mthatwewi ll
go.
Todaymywhol ebodyachesandi j
ustwantt o
statinbedandsl eept hewholeday .Iwasst i
ll
resti
ngmyey estryingtofindawayt ogetout
ofgoi ngwheni feltSazi
’shandonmyt ummy
andt hisbabyjustjumped.
Sazi:“Don’
teventhi
nkabouti
t”hegotcl
oser
pressinghi
sboneronmybut t
.
Me:
“Thinkaboutwhat?”heki
ssedt
hesi
deof
myfaceandwecuddled.

Sazi:“Wearegoingtot
hegame.Iwil
l gety
oua
wheelchai
rifneedbe”i
openedmyeyesand
tr
iedgetti
ngawaybutheheldmeinplace.I
star
tedtocry;hehat
esitwheni
cry.

Me:“Idon’twannago”i
sai
dinacr
acki
ngv
oice
andhesighed.
Sazi
:“Oursonneedsbot
hofustobether
e
baby
”heturnedmearoundt
olookathi
m.

Me:“Ilookli
keahippo.Iam f
atSazi
andihate
i
t.Iwantfoodal
ltheti
meandi wantyounextt
o
meal
lthet
ime.
”
Sazi:
“Youar emybeauti
fulhippoand.
..
”ij
ust
cri
edlouderandhechuckled.Hesatupand
pul
ledmei nforahug.

Me:
“Youar
ecal
l
ingmeahi
ppo!Youar
ecal
l
ing
mefat
!”
Sazi
:“Babyy
ou’ret
heonewhosaid.
..
”igotout
ofbedandwalkedt
othebat
hroom.
Sazi
:“Baby
!We’
rest
il
ltal
ki
ng”hewasl
aughi
ng.

Me:“Leavemeal one”i gottothebat hroom

andopenedt heshower .Itookmyt oothbr ush
andthemi nuteistart
edbr ushingifeltli
ke
vomiti
ngandi did.Sazijustheldmyhai r.Mcim
whendidhegether e.Ifi
nishedandbr ushedmy
teet
hagain.Afterthatienteredtheshower .
Saziwassmi li
ngandi f
eltli
kepunchi nghim.He
gotinbehi
ndmeandt ri
edadj usti
ngt hehot
wat
er.

Me:“Ifyouhaveaprobl
em wit
hthe
temperat
ureLEAVE.Idi
dn’
taskyoutoj
oinme”
heheldmyt ummy.
Me: “Getyourcri
cketwatchinghandsoffme!
”
helaughedoutloudclappinghishands.I
soapedandr i
nsedquickly
.Ijumpedoutofthe
showeranddr i
edoutside.
Sazi
:“Mywi
fe.
..
”

Me: “Shutup.Wear enotev enmarri

edyetso
zipitnosy!”iwenttothebedr oom andsaton
thebed.Itwasr eal
lyhotinNov embersoi had
towai tf
orSazi t
ohelpmel oti
onbecausesome
placeswer ehardtoreach.Isatthereandmy
phoner ang.I
twasmyf ather.Ifr
ownedbefore
answer i
ng.
Me:
“Mor
ning”i
sai
dinabor
edt
one.
Dad:“It
’sbeen4monthsbaby
.Pleasejust
coff
eeireal
lyneedt
oseeyou.Imissyou”he
soundedsosad.
Me:“Youdi
dthi
sbaba.Youdi
ditsopl
ease
don’
tcomeher
eall
sad”
Dad:“Iknowit
smyfaul
t.Ij
ustneedtotal
kto
you.Pl
easebabyi
am beggi
ngy ou.Il
oveyou
andyouaremybabygir
l.
”
Me:
“Dadi
..
.”i
wasnowcr
ying.
Dad:
“Justcof
fee.Pl
ease”
Me:“Wel
li
’m notal
l
owedt
odr
inkcof
feeand.
..
”
hecutmeof
f.

Dad:“Teathen.Justt
ea.Ij
ustwanttoseeyou
pr
incesspl
ease”inoddedasifhecouldseeme.
Me:
“Okay
..
.”i
whi
sper
ed.
Dad:
“Thanky
oubaby
.Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
”he
hungupandi j
ustcr
ied.Sazi
cameandhugged
mefrom behi
nd.

Sazi
:“I
t’
sokay.I
’
m sor
ry”hemademest
andup
andhuggedme.
Me: “Idon’
tknowifiwantt
ofor
giv
ehi
m.Your
si
sterisanotherst
ory
”
Sazi
:Itoldt
hatonet
ostayawayfrom y
ouso
youdon’
thavet
oworrypl
usiam comingwi
th
youokay
?”
Me:
“Thanky
ou.
”Hewi
pedmyt
ear
s.

Sazi
:“Nowst opcry
ing.Youaremaki ngmy
daughtersad.”Ismil
edandheki ssedme.He
hel
pedmel oti
onandthroughoutthathehada
boner.Hetiredmeoutlastnightsononice
thi
ngsthismor ni
ng.
Wewentt othekit
chenaf terar
guingaboutwhat
towearHEf i
nall
ysett
ledf orami -
thi
ghdenim
dressandawhi tedenimj acketwithwhite
sneaker sf
orme.Hewor edenim shortsanda
whitet-shi
rtwit
hwhitesneaker s.Wegoti nand
Emi hl
ejumpedathi m;hewasgoi ngtoleave
withus2hour sbeforethegame.

Emi
hle:
“Heymydaddy
.”
Sazi
:“Myboy .Howareyou?”heputhi
m down
andhecamet ome.Her ubbedmytummyand
thebabyki
cked;hesmil
ed.

Emihl e:“Mor ni
ngmommy .Morningbaby;i
can’twai ttomeety ou.Boywearegoingto
havef un”heki ssedmyt ummyandwentt osit
.
Sazi pull
edachai rf
ormeandi satwit
hnextto
him.Hedi shedupf ormedishi
ngev er
ythi
ng
thatwasont het abl
e.Theguyslookedatme
witht hei
rmout hagape.
Me:“Don’
tyoudar
ebi
tches!
”Sazi
chuckl
edand
ki
ssedmycheek.
Sazi
:“Babyt
hereisachi
l
di nt
het
abl
emyl
ove”
il
ookedatEmihl
eandsmiled.
Me:
“Sor
rybaby
”hesmi
l
ed.

Weat eourbreakfastandthegamewasat
13h00sowewer etoleaveat11h00.We
fi
nishedeat
ingandheadedt oGateway.Ihad
cal
leddadthereandwemetatMugg&Bean.
Wegott herefir
stjustmeandSazi.Wesatand
HEor der
edforme.
Me: “Youli
keor
der
ingmear
oundneh?
”he
chuckled.

Sazi
:“Justf
eedi
ngmydaughter.
”Justthendad
appear
edandhewasalone.Ir
eall
ythoughthe
wouldcomewithNi
ngi
.Sazist
oodupandt hey
shookhands.Ij
ustsatdowneat
ingmyf
ood.
Dad:
“Thanky
ouf
oragr
eei
ngt
omeetwi
thme”

Me:“Wedon’
thav
emucht
ime.Emi
hlehasa
game”
Dad:“Okay.Ijustwant
edtot el
lyouthati
am
sor
rybaby.Ireall
yam sor
ry.Ineedyoubacki
n
myli
fe..
”
Me:“Whydidy oudoi
tdad?Mybestf
ri
end?My
f
iance’
ssi
sterdad!
”

Dad:“Icannev
erer
aset
hepai
nicausedy
ou.I
am sor
rybaby”
Me:“Whydad?
”hi
sphoner
angbef
orehe
answer
ed.
Dad:
“Ni
ngi
”ir
oll
edmyey
es.

Ni
ngi
..
..
..
Dad:
“Iam hav
ingbr
eakf
astwi
thmydaught
er!
”
Ni
ngi
..
..
..
.
Dad:
“What?Youfol
l
owedme?”hel
ookedat
t
hephoneandsai
dshehungup.
Dad:“Shesaidsheiscomi
ngher
e.She.
..”she
appearedfr
om thedoor
wayandweallt
urned
andlookedather.Hert
ummywasbigbutnot
asmi ne.

Me:
“Aaaahf
uck.Idon’
tgott
imef
ort
hisshi
t!
”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Cont
inuat
ion-
Cropt
hings
.
Zee
.
Il
ookedatherandi chuckled.Dadlookedatme
nerv
ouslyandwentt oher.Hetri
edt ohol
dher
arm butsheyankeditandmov edtoourtabl
e.
Sazitouchedmyt hi
ghhishandt r
aveli
ngupto
mynana.Il
ookedathi
m andsmiled.Ist
art
ed
eat
ingmyfoodagai
nshakingmyhead.Shesat
downopposi
teme.Idi
dn’tevenl
ookatheri
j
ustate.

Ni
ngi:
“Lookatme”i
justi
gnor
edherandat
e
myfood.
Sazi
:“Itol
dyoutost
ayaway
.Whatt
hehel
li
s
yourpr
oblem?”

Dad:“Ningi
let
’sgo.Youdon’
twantt
ost
art
t
rouble”
Ningi
:“Howexactly?Whyshoul
dwebend
backwardsforj
ustoneper
son?What
’sso
speci
alabouther?
”

Me:“Sett
let
hebil
l
.Dadcal
lme;
itwasni
ce
seei
ngyouagai
n”
Nowi knowyouthi
nkwhyam i beingnicetomy
dadandnotNingi
?Sheisgiv
ingmeat ti
tude
andihatedt
hat.I
fist
ayonthistableimi ght
endupdoingsomethi
ngiwil
lregret.Soi stood
upandshepull
edmedown.Sazi stoodquickly
andtr
iedtosl
apherbutihel
dhi shandandsat
down.

Me:
“Tal
k”shehadasmi
rkonherf
ace.
Ningi
:“Idon’
tunderst
andwhyy ou’
reangryat
me.Youar ef
ucki
ngmybr other
.What’swrong
withmeandMuzi ?Whydowehav etobeafter
you?ImeanSazi hasfor
giv
enmebuty ouare
allhi
ghandmighty”

Me:“Sazi
..
.”helookeddowngui l
ti
ly
.Iwasn’
t
ev
enmadorany thi
ng.Shei
shissisterandt
hey
ar
eboundtot al
kbuthehiditfrom me.Iwasn’
t
ev
engoingtohat ehimfori
t.Theyarefamil
y.
Ningi
: “Ohhedidn’
ttel
lyou?Weev enhave
l
uncht oget
herbutyouarejustst
uckinyour
pri
ncessbubble.Getoveryour
sel
f”ismil
ed
nodding.

Me:“Iwi
l
lgetov
eryour
sel
fonceyout
ell
me
whygoaft
ermydadandsl
eepwit
hhim?”
Ningi
:“Iwantedev
ery
thingyouhave.Youhav
e
yourpar
entsandMuzilovesyousomuchi
wantedthat
”
Me:
“Thatmeantsl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m?”i
shout
ed!

Ningi
:“Iwantedtotaketheat
tenti
onfrom y
ou
andmakepeopl enoti
ceme.Iwasr eal
lyt
ir
edof
yourbi
tchi
nessreal
ly.Ij
ustwantedtobehere
andbeknown”

Me:“Amen!”i
tookmybagandwalkedout.She
wasfol
l
owingmeshout
ing.Muzi
tri
edblocki
ng
herandSaziaswellbutij
ustwalkedaway.
Nextthi
ngiknowi am onthefl
oorandbleedi
ng.
Shepushedme!Sazi r
ushedtomeandpi cked
meupr unni
ngtothecar.

Iwasi
nsomuchpainandiwantedt
osl
eep.
Dadwaswithmei
nthecarandhehadmyhead
onhi
slap.
Dad:
“Im sosorr
y.Iam sorr
y”hekeptr
ubbi
ng
myheadtil
lif
ell
asleep..
.
Iwokeuplat
erandmydadwasnextt
omeina
hospi
tal
room.Assoonasi
movedmyheadhe
wasri
ghtnextt
ome.
Dad: “Baby,areyouokay ?
”inoddedandi f
elt
tear
st hreat
eningtofall
.Hesatmeupand
huggedme.Ij ustleti
tout.Icr
iedbecauseof
myr uinedrel
ationshi
pwi t
hmyf r
iend.No
matterwhat ,i
wi l
lnevergobacktohowt hi
ngs
were.Icr
iedbecauseiloveSaziandhissi
steri
s
thecauseofmebei nghere.If
inal
lycal
med
downanddadpul ledback.Hekissedmy
eyel
idsandnose.

Dad:“Youarebeaut
if
ul”i
smi
ledfai
ntl
yand
hel
dmyst omach.Mybabyki
cked.
Me:
“Whatdi
dtheDrsay
?”

Dad:“Sazi
tol
dhim nott
otal
ktoyouunti
lhe
comesback.HehadtogotoEmihl
e’sgame.He
shoul
dbeheadedbacknow”
Me:“Dad...
”ist
art
edcry
ingagain.Heheldme
andsuddenlyhest
eppedback.Ilookedupand
Sazi
wasl ooki
ngatmesosad.Hepul l
edmeto
hi
m andicriedsomuch.

Sazi
:“Shhhbabeplease.I
t’
senoughnow
pl
ease”herubbedmyback.Hesmel l
edso
goood!Hehuggedmet i
ghter.Wehear
d
someoneclear
inghi
sthroat.I
twasThobawi
th
anotherf
emaleDr.

Thoba:“Hell
ofamil
y.Thi
sisTalenty
our
gynaecol
ogi
stZeeandshewillbetheone
handli
ngyourcasef
rom nowon”
Me:
“Ni
cet
omeety
ou.I
smybabyokay
?”

Talent
:“Actual
l
ythat
’swhati
wantedtot
alkto
youabout.Iwantt
otakeyoutomyroomsfora
scanthenicanupdat
eyou”

Me&Sazi :“Let’
sgo”wel ookedateachot her
andlaughed.Sazipickedmeupandputmei na
wheelchai
r.Wef ol
lowedt hem t
oal owerf l
oor.
Wegott oherroomsanddadwai t
edout side.
Thobaalsosteppedoutsoi twasjustmeand
Sazi
.Ilayinbedandpul ledupmydr ess.She
appli
edgelonmyst omach;itwassocold.She
ransomethi
ngonmyt ummyandi twasquiet
forawhil
eandafterthatBOOM!Hear t
beatwas
soloudil
aughed.Iwassohappy .Saziwas
smili
ngandhewascr ying.

Talent
:“Woul
dy ouli
stent
ot hat?2heartbeat
s”
iswearmyworldstoppedforthosefew
seconds.
Sazi
:“Excusemewhat
?”
Tal
ent
:“Shei
scar
ryi
ngt
wins.Congr
atul
ati
ons”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t36
.
Sazi
.
Whenmysi stercamet ojoi
nusfort
hemeet i
ng
thatZeeandherf at
herhadiwasverypi
ssed
becauseiknewt hatshewasaboutt
ostartshi
t
andshedid.Itwaswrongofmenott otell
Zekhethel
othatNingi
andi tal
kandgooutbut
all
thatwentoutthewindowwhenshepushed
her.Myheartski
ppedfewbeat sandal l
icoul
d
thi
nkofwasmybabyandZekhet hel
o.Iwanted
togetthem t
osafetyfi
rstbefor
edealingwith
mysister.

FindingoutthatZekhetheloiscarryi
ngtwi
ns
mademyhear tswel lsomuchi t
houghtiwas
goingt oburst
.Iwasgoi ngt onowhav e3kids.
Emi hleismysonandsi nceMuzi tol
dmet hat
heki l
ledMike;heisgoingt ogrowupknowi ng
thati am hi
sfatherandhei saNgony ama.

Iam i
ntheprocessifchanginghissurnameand
doi
ngimbelekoforhim.Zekhethelotr
iedtal
ki
ng
meoutofitbutiwouldn’theari
t.Iwantedmy
sontogrowupwi thmynameandi al
sowanted
tomarryhi
smot hersoon.
Backt oNi ngi
;Iwasgoi ngtomakesur ei
punishheranddoi tgood.Iwasnowi nthe
wardwi thZeeaf tert
heDr’sconsultati
on.Both
ofuswer equietandshehadsomebel t
si nher
stomacht omoni torthebabiesheartbeats.She
wasf all
ingasleepwheni li
nkedourhands
together.Shegav emeat ightsqueezeand
wheni lookedathershewascr yingwithher
eyesclosed.

Me:
“Baby
;ar
eyoui
npai
n?”shenodded.
Zee:
“Yes.Iam i
npai
n”herv
oicewashoar
se
andbreaki
ng.

Me:
“Wheredoesi
thur
tbaby
?”Iwasnowon
myfeet
.
Zee:
“Myhear
t.I
thur
ts.Il
ostmyfr
iend;
ireal
ly
l
ovedher
.Howcanshehatemeli
kethat?”i
want
edtohol
dherbutt
hesedamnbel
tsonher
wai
st.

Me:“
Babyi am sor
ryyouhadtofi
ndoutl
i
ke
t
hataboutusmeeting.Iam r
eal
l
ysorr
ybabe”
Zee:
“I’
m notangr
y.Justdi
sappoi
ntedt
haty
ou
di
dn’
ttell
mebutshei syourf
amil
y”

Me:“Ishouldhavet
oldy
ouand.
..
.”sheshook
herheadstoppi
ngme.
Zee:“I
t’
sfiner
eally.Iunder
stand”i
tookbot
hof
herhandsandkissedt hem.

Me:“Babe;whywerey
ousocal
m whenNingi
wasallov
eryourf
ace?
”shesmi
ledshaki
ngher
head.
Zee:
“Idon’
twanttohurthersoi
tsbestifi
just
l
eavethi
ngsbebecauseonceist
arthi
tti
ngheri
won’
tst
opt
il
lsheendsupi
nhospi
tal
”

Me:
“Doi
t”shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Zee:
“Dowhat
?”i
smi
l
edandki
ssesherl
i
ps.

Me:“Beatt
heshi
tofouther
.Iwoul
difi
coul
d
buti
’
llki
l
lher
”
Zee:“Nahwe’r
estil
lpregnantbutoncei gi
ve
bi
rth.
..
”wesett
ledinthiscomfort
ablesil
ence.
TheDrwalkedinasZeewasf al
l
ingasleep.She
wenttocheckonthemachi neandZeeaswel l
.

Dr:
“Wearegoodtogo.Ev er
ythinglooksgood.
Mommyisingoodshape.Stayawayf r
om
t
roubl
eandyoushal
ldel
ivernicely
”
Zee:
“Doest
hismeani
cangohome?
”

Dr
:“Yesy
oucan.Pl
easeeatl
otsoff
rui
tsand
l
otsofwat
er.
”Isnor
ted.
Me:“Sheeat
sandbreat
hesthoset
hingsplus
pr
unejui
ceaswel
l”Drnoddedandsmiled.

Dr:“That’swhyyouseemedperfect
lyheal
thy
.I
j
ustwant edtocheckonhowthebabywasand
wef oundtwinssowearegood.Yournext
appointmentisi
n3weeks.”
Me:“ThankyousomuchDr”shescr
ibbl
ed
somethi
ngonapaperandgavei
ttome.

Dr
:“Pleasegobyt hepharmacyandgether
medicat
ion.Solongasyouaregetti
ngr
eadyi
wi
llgett
hedi schar
gefor
msr eady
”
Zee:“Thanky
ou”shesmi
ledandpat
tedher
hand.Shewal
kedoutl
eav
ingus.

Me:
“Comel
et’
sgety
ouhome.Emi
hlewasso
wor
ri
edabouty
oupl
usy
oumi
ssedt
hegame”
Zee:
“Howwasi
t?”i
hel
pedhergetoutofbed.

Me:“Heplayedsowell
.Theynomi
nat
edhi
m
capt
ain”herfacel
i
tup.
Zee:“Real
l
y?Ohwowt hati
sfant
ast
ic”i
noddedandki
ssedherhead.

Me: “Let’
sgo.”Itookherhandandwewal ked
out.Iwenttot henurse’
sst at
iontotheDrand
signedtheforms.Iquicklywenttothe
pharmacyf orherpil
l
s.Afterthatiwentt ofet
ch
herandwewentt othecar .Iopenedthedoor
forheranddr ovehome.Onmywayi askedher
whatshewant edtoeat.

Zee:“Ineedt
hatfr
uitsal
adf
rom wooli
es.The
superl
argeoneandsomecracker
splease”
Me:“Youdon’
twantanychocol
ate?
”sheshook
herheadandi
drov
eushome.

Me:“Igott
hefr
uitsal
adwhenitookEmi
hle
homefrom t
hegame”sheyawned.
Zee:
“Iwannasl
eep”

Me:“Sl
eep.Iwi
l
lwakey
ouupwhenweget
home”
Idroveushomeandmyphonekeptonr inging.I
knewitwasNingical
l
ingbecauseZee’
sfather
askedtobeexcusedandheleft
.It
oldhi
mi ’d
cal
l hi
mlat
erwhenwegethome.

Wefinal
l
ygothomeandZeewassl eeping.I
l
ookedatherandmyhear tbeatfast.She
l
ookedsobeauti
fulwithherl i
pspout ed.I
l
eanedoverandkissesher .Ipul
l
edbackandl ay
myheadont heheadrest.Shewokeupand
l
ookedatme.

Zee:
“We’
rehome?
”.
Me:“Yep.Wear ehome”i gotoutofthecarand
wenttoopenforher.Iscoopedherinmyar ms
andwalkedtohehouse.Ev er
yonewasseat ed
i
ntheloungeplayi
ngaboar dgame.Assoonas
Emihl
esawusher antous.

Emi
hle:
“Mommy
!Daddywhyar
eyoucar
ryi
ng
mommy ?”
Me:
“Shei
ssi
ckandsheneedst
osl
eep”

Emihle:“Okay.Iwil
lseey
oul
ater”heranback
tothetable.Ipr
oceededt
oourbedroom and
l
aidherinbed.
Me:“Doyouneedany
thi
ng?
”shewasr
eal
l
y
sl
eepy.
Zee:“Justmyfrui
tsaladandl otsofwater
”i
noddedandwenttot akeherfood.Wheni
walkedbackshewasf astasleep.Ij
ust
changedherint
ohershortsleepshirtandwent
tojoi
ntheother
s.Shaunwasj ustsi
tt
ingatthe
kit
chenhavi
ngbeer.Iwenttot hefri
dgeand
tookmybeeraswel l
.Ijoi
nedhi m.

Shaun:
“Isshegoi
ngt
obeokay
?”
Me:“Yeahman.Shewi l
lbeokay.Shei
s
car
ryi
ngtwi
ns”helookedshockedandchuckl
ed.

Shaun:
“Youscor
edoubl
e”wel
aughed.
Me:“Idon’
thavetimetoplay
.It
’sdoubl
eor
not
hing”welaughedagai
n.

Shaun:
“Whathappenedt
hatcausedhert
oend
upi
nhospi
tal
?”
Me:
“Ni
ngi
is.
..
”her
aiseduphi
shand.
Shaun:“Okay.Ihearyou”ichuckl
edbecause
hedidn’
tknowt hewholestory.Wecont
inued
si
tti
ngandtal
king.Istoodupaf t
eranhourand
wenttocheckonZee.Shewasupandshe
l
ookeduncomf ort
able..
Me:
“Baby
?”

Zee:“Mysi dehurts.Notthatmuchbutitdoes”
il
ift
edhersl eepshir
tandt hati
swheni sawthe
brui
singont helef
tside.Igotsoangryiwanted
toexplode.Shemusthav eseethatiwasangry
becauseshepl acedahandont opofmine.

Zee:“Justgi
vememymeds.Iwi
l
lbeokay
.I
promise”
Me:“Ni
ngiisgetti
ngonmyl
astner
veandt
o
hur
tyoul
ikethatncnc.
..
”
Zee:“Likei
sai
di’
l
lbeokaysoforgetaboutit
”i
shookmyheadcount
lessti
mes.Iwasr eal
ly
angry.
Zee:“Pl
easej
oinmeinbed.Imi
ssf
eel
i
ngyour
armsaroundme”ismi
ledandwi
ggl
edmy
eyebr
ows.

Me: “Whatelsedoyoumi ss?

”iaskedtaki
ngoff
myshoesandt -
shi
rt
.Ij
oinedherinbedand
pul
ledhertome.Myhandwentt oherstomach
andt heyki
cked.
Zee:
“Ij
ustmi
sst
his;
spendi
ngsomucht
imei
n
bed”

Me:“Wel
lbabyifwecouldwewouldbutineed
tomakemoneyf orus”y
epihadal
sogoneback
towor
k.Notthatiwasawaybutiwor
kedfrom
homemostofthet i
me.
Zee:“Fi
ne!”ichuckl
edandputmyl
egi
n
betweenhers.

Me:“Don’
tbemadokay?Aft
erourki
dst
urn10
youcangobackt
owork”shespr
ungupandi
l
aughed.
Zee:“Areyouheari
ngyour
sel
fri
ghtnow?
You’r
esayingthaty
oudon’
twantanychi
l
dren
aft
erthetwins?”
Me:“Ofcourseiwantmor
e.Whatgav
eyou
t
hatidea?
”ichuckl
ed.

Zee:“YouknowwhatSazi Ngony ama, Fuck

off
!”ilaughedandshet riedgetti
ngoutofbed
butipulledherback.Ikissedhersoodeepl y
becausei fidon’
twe’ll
fight.It
ookof four
cl
othingandent eredher.Shealwaysf eltwarm
andsnuggl y.Iwantedtohowl erf
oraspar edick
andmakel ovetoherforever.Aft
erthatlove
maki
ngsceneshei
mmedi
atel
yfel
lasl
eep.

Igotoutofbedandwentt ot akeashower .I
fi
nishedandwentt ogetdressed.Aftert
hati
kissedmysl eepi
ngbabyandl eft
.Shaunasked
mewher ei wasgoingbutijusttoldhimi’l
lbe
backshortl
y.Idroveouti
nspeedheadedt omy
oldhome.Wheni gott
hereNi ngi
’scarwas
theregood.Ijumpedoutoft hecarandr anto
thehouse.Iopenedthedoorandourey esmet .
Shewasst andingbythekitchentabl
eandshe
backedaway .

Ni
ngi:“I
’m sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeant
opushher
”igot
cl
osertoher.
Me:“Younearl
ykil
l
edmychi
l
drenNi
ngi
”she
l
ookedshocked.
Ni
ngi
:“Babi
es?
”
Me: “Twins,she’scarr
yingtwinsandy ounear l
y
ki
lledthem.Wespokeaboutt his.It
oldy outo
stayawayf rom herbutyouhadt oshow
yourselfandyouhur tt
hem inprocess.”Ipinned
hertothef r
idgeandshest art
edt ocry
.

Ningi:
“Iam sosor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeanit.I
twon’
t
happenagain”i
punchedthefr
idgewhi
lemy
otherhandwasonherchest.
Me: “Youdamnri
ghti
twon’thappenagain
becausewearedoneNingi
”iletgoofherand
sheheldmyarm.

Ningi
:“Whatdoyoumean?”shewassobbi
ng
andthatbr
okemyhear
tbutshenear
lygotmy
ki
dskill
ed.
Me: “Iam donewit
hyou.Don’tcal
lme.Weare
t
hrough!”iyankedmyhandfrom herand
walkedoutleavi
ngherwit
hherloudcries.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
36cont
inuat
ion
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwaswokenupbyapaci ngSazi .Hewasev en
breathi
nghardandangr y.Isatonmybut t
rubbingmyey es.Il
ookedathi m andhe
seemedl i
kehewasi nawor ldofhisown
becausehedi dn’
tnoti
ceme.Icl earedmyt hroat
andhest oppedpacing.Hel ookedatmeand
smiled.Hecamet ositont hebedandhel dmy
handskissingthem.Hehandswer eshaki
ng.

Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi
:“Withwhat?”hetri
edpul
l
ingawayhi
s
handsbutij
ustheldthem.

Me:
“Wi
thy
ou,
youar
eshaki
ngandangr
y.
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sazi
:“Iwentt
oseeher
”inoddedandhesi
ghed.

Me:“Youwor
kedt
hingsout
?”heshookhi
s
head.
Sazi
:“Itol
dhert
hatinev
erwantt
oseeher
agai
n.Sheisasgoodasdeadt
ome”

Me: “Youdidwhat?!”ishoutedandiwasreal
l
y
shocked.Mybabiesmov edandiheldontomy
tummy .Icoul
dseet hei
rmov ementsasmy
tummywasmov i
ng.Hescoot edcl
oserand
placedhishandsonmyst omach.

Sazi
:“Youneedtocal
m down.I
t’
snotgoodf
or
mykids”i
nodded.
Me:
“Okay.Iam sor
rybutwhydi
dyousayt
hat
t
oyoursi
ster
?”
Sazi
:“shehur
tyoubabyandwenear
lyl
ostout
ki
dsbecauseofher
”
Me:“That’
scorr
ect.Wenear
lylostt
hem;we
di
dn’tl
osethem baby
.Yououghttogobackt
o
herandworkthi
ngsout.
”

Sazi
:“Whywouldi
dot
hat
?”hel
ookedatme
l
ikeiwascr
azy
.
Me:“Sheisyouroneandonl
ysi
ster
.Sheal
so
hasnoone.”

Sazi
:“Shehasy
ourf
atherand.
..
”icuthi
m of
f
Me:“Hecanonl
ybethereforherassomeone
whoshareachi
l
dwithher.Youareherfami
ly
.
Shewassowrongandshehurtmebuty ouare
thel
astper
sont
oturnhi
sbackonher ”he
smil
ed.
Sazi
:“Youhavebeenamazingbaby.Youar
e
amazingandil
oveyou.Idon’
tknowwhatidid
todeser
veyou”
Me:“Well
youdi
dcallmeaDur
banbi
tchand.
..
”
hel
aughedoutl
oud.

Sazi:
“You’
reneverl
etti
ngt
hatgoright
?”he
stoodupandtookoffhi
ssneaker
s.Hecameto
bedandsatnexttome.
Me: “Youstart
edi
t.Now,you’
ll
tal
ktoyour
si
sterright
?”hesi
ghedandrubbedhi
shandon
hi
sf ace.

Sazi
:“I’
l
ltal
ktoherandi
fshehurtsyoubabyi
wil
lki
ll
her”il
eanedonhi
sshoulder.
Me:“Youwon’tl
ethercomenearme”i
closed
myeyesandjustsatt
hereenj
oyi
ngt
hesil
ence.
.
momentslat
erBOOM!
Emihle:“Dady ou’
restil
li
nbed?Ithoughtyou
sai
dwe’ ll
goshoppi ngformysneakersbecause
iam captain!
”herolledhisey
esandi l
aughed.
Sazi
:“Mommyi
snotwel
land.
..
”

Me:“Wecango.Icoulddowithsomeai
r.
”I
sai
dstandi
ngup.Sazi
lookedatmeamazed.
Sazi
:“Yousur
eyouwantt
ogo?
”inodded
qui
ckl
y.

Me:
“Yes!Ial
sowantnewcl
othes.Not
hingf
it
s
meany
mor e.
”
Emihle:“Weneedbabyclot
hes.Wecan’thave
anakedbabyhey ”Sazi
andilookedateach
otherandbacktohim.Heshrughisone
shoulder.
Sazi
:“Er
m okay
.We’
l
lgetready”her
anoutof
ther
oom andwewer
elef
talone.
Me:
“Whotoldhi
m aboutbabycl
othes?
”he
smi
l
edshaki
nghi
shead.

Hegotoutofbedandwewentt otakeashower.
Aft
ertheshowerwegotdr essedandwentto
j
ointheother
s.Simsstoodandcamemyway .
Hestoodinfrontonmelookingathisf
eet
.I
l
ookedatSazi buthej
ustkeptwalki
ng.
Si
ms:
“I.
..
I.
..
Iam sor
ry”

Me:
“Sor
ry?
”
Sims:“I’
m sor
ryf
orthewayiwas.I
’
m sor
ryf
or
thethi
ngsisai
dtoyouandShaun”

Me:“Whydidyoudoit
?Whydidyousayal
l
t
hosethi
ngs?”her
ubbedhi
shead.
Sims:
“Wel l
i wasjustt
ri
ppinandijustwant
ed
tr
oubl
e.I’
mr eal
lysorr
y”ipunchedhim andt
he
guyst
urnedwi t
ha“Whooa”

Me:“I
’
m notyourbi
tchwena.Don’tt
ri
pand
f
uckwithme.
”Henoddedcountlessl
y.
Si
ms:“I
’mreal
lysor
ry.I
twon’
thappenagai
n.”I
gav
ehim asl
apagai
nandsaidokay.

WewalkedoutsideandSaziwasinstit
ches
wi
thShaun.Istoodbetweenthem andslapped
t
hebackoftheirheads.
Me:
“Idi
ots”
Sazi
:“Babyy
ouar
eabusi
ve”

Me:“Aaahshutup.
”Shaunchuckl
edandi
pi
nchedhi
m.
Shaun:
“Let
sgobossl
ady
.”
Wegotinsidethecar.Emihl
ewasalreadyi
nsi
de
andoffwewent .WegottoThePav i
l
ionandwe
wentourseparateways.Sazit
ookhi
ssonand
Simswhil
ei l
eftwit
hShaun.
WewenttoWool i
esandwewer
elooki
ngat
babi
escl
othes.

Shaun:“Youhav
ebr oughtsuchhappi
nessin
ourl
ives.I
nyouifoundasisteri
neverhad”
Me:
“Whyy
ousoemot
ional
?”hechuckl
ed.

Shaun:“Justwishi
couldpr
otecty
ouandmake
sur
ey ouareokayal
lti
mes.Youmakemyfri
end
ver
yhappy ”
Me:
“Howdi
dyouguy
smeet
?”

Shaun:
“Wel
lwe.
..
”hewasi
nter
rupt
edby
someonecleari
ngtheirt
hroat
.It
urnedandit
wasmymot her
.Ihaven’
tseenherinmonths.
Shehadtearsinhereyesandmyheartwas
poundi
ng.

Mom:“Heybaby
.I’
m sohappyt
oseey ou.
”She
t
ri
edt
otouchmystomachbutibackedaway.
Me:“Don’
ttouchme”myv
isi
onwasnowbl
urr
y
wi
thtear
s.

Mom:“Babyplease.Iam goi
ngt obea
gr
andmotheragai
nandi would..
.”it
urnedt
o
l
eaveandsherantostandinfrontofme.

Me:“Getoutofmywaynow!
”Shauncameand
gotmom outofmyway.
Mom: “Okayiwil
ll
eaveyoualonebutpl
ease
tal
ktoyourfat
herforme.Tel
lhimtocome
home.Imisshim”
Me:“Whatt
hehel
l
?Whathappenedt
osugar
daddy
?”
Mom:“Henev
erlov
edme.Muziistheonlyman
whohasev
erl
ovedme.Pl
easegethim cal
l
me.
”
YoohJesust
akeov
er.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t37
.
Zee
.
Aft
erthatencount
erwithmom i leftherther
e
andwenttojoinSaziandEmi hle.Wehadl unch
atSpurbecauseiwantedribs.Aft ereati
ngwe
wenttothecarsbutSazisaidhewi llseeus
l
ater
.Hehadt ogoseehi ssister.

Me:
“Don’
tbet
oohar
donher
.Justbeher
br
other
”
Sazi
:“Ineedyoutounderstandsomet
hing.I
needyoutoknowthatifeverther
ewasa
choi
ceitwil
lbeyou.Al
way s.”

Me:“Youshoul dn’
thavetochoose.Iam going
tobeyourwi f
eandshei syourbl
oodrel
ative.
Yoursi
ster.Nomat t
erhowmucht heyhurtus;
fami
lywill
alway sr
emain”

Sazi
:“Soyou’r
esayingt
hatify
ourgr
andf
ather
wastosetfoother
eand..
.”
Me: “I
t’
snott hesamething.Youcannev er
compareNi ngiandMthunzi.Herapedme.How
couldyouev enstar
tcompar i
nghimt oher?”i
wasget t
ingangryandtearswerethreateni
ngto
fal
l.Hetri
edholdingmyhandbuti yankedit.

Sazi
:“Babyi
..
”il
i
ftedupmyhand.
Me:“GoSazi
.Iwantt
ogohomeandrest
”i
cl
osedt
hedoorandaskedShaunt
odr
ive
l
eavi
ngSazit
her
e.

Emihle:“Doesthi
smeanyouguyswil
lgeta
div
orce?”iwassoshockedathowqui
ethewas.
Ievenforgott
hathewasinthecar
.
Me:
“Whosai
dany
thi
ngaboutadi
vor
ce?
”

Emihle:
“Well Crai
gsaidwhenparentsfight
theygetadivorceandliv
eindif
ferenthouses.
Mommyi sdaddycomi ngbackhome? ”ipull
ed
himinmyar msandki ssedhishead.
Me:“Wearenotget
ti
ngadi
vorceanddaddyi
s
goi
ngtoseeauntNi
ngi
.Hewil
lcomeback
home.Ipr
omise”

Emihl
e:“Okaygood.Il
ovey
oumommy.Il
ove
youbaby”hesai
drubbi
ngmyst
omachandthey
ki
cked.Hi
sfacel
i
tup.
Me: “Wel oveyout oobaby”hepl acedhishead
onmyst omachandi twasliket hattherestof
theway .Shaunkeptsteali
nggl ancesatmebut
ijustl
ookedst r
aightahead.Wef i
nallygot
home.Shauncar r
iedEmihleinsideandcame
backfort hebags.Hisphoner angandhe
answered.Af t
erspeakinghegav eittome.

Me:
“Yes?
”hesi
ghed.
Sazi
:“Whyar
en’
tyout
aki
ngmycal
l
s?”

Me:“Myphonei
sinmybagandi
t’
sonsi
l
ent
.
Youwant
edsomethi
ng?
”
Sazi:“We’l
ltal
kwheni gethome.Il oveyouand
iam real
l
ysor r
y”hehungupandi huf f
ed.Igot
outofthecarandi wentinsi
dethehouse.Iwas
welcomedbyt hismouthwateri
ngar oma.I
wantedtoeatrightt
hen.Iwenttot hekitchen
andfoundaunt
ycooki
ngupast
orm.Igoti
n
rubbi
ngmystomach.

Me:“Smel
l
sgoodi
nher
e;i
woul
dli
kef
ood
pl
ease?
”
Aunt
y:“I
twil
lbereadyi
nanhour
.Icanmake
youasandwi
chifyouwant
”if
rowned.

Me:“Nothanks.Iam goingtol
aydown.Please
wakemeupwhendi nnerisr
eady”shenodded
andil
eftt
hekitchen.
Iwenttoourbedroom andistr
ippednaked.I
tookanot
hershowerandi goti
nbed.Igotacall
from myf
ather.

Dad:
“IfSazicam f
orgiv
ehissi
ster
;sur
elyy
ou
canf
orgi
vethisol
df ool
ishman”
Me:
“Hel
l
otoy
out
oodad.Howar
eyou?
”
Dad:“I’
m sor
rybaby.Iknowihurtyousobadl
y
andi woul
dreal
lyl
iketoapol
ogise.Pl
ease
forgi
veme.Imissmyl i
ttl
egi
rl
.Mypony ”i
giggl
ed.
Me:
“Daaad!
”hechuckl
ed.

Dad:“Ineedy
oubacki
nmyl i
fe.Youand
Khet
heloaret
heonl
ypeopl
ethatmatter
”
Me:“Ineedti
me.Pleasegi
vemesometime
andyourgi
rl
fri
endatt
ackedmedad;
inear
lyl
ost
mykidsbecauseofher”

Dad:“Iam sor
ry.Icanneverfor
giv
emy
sel
ffor
t
hat.I
tsall
myf aultandiam sor
ry.
”
Me: “Howl onghaveyouguysbeenscr
ewing
eachother?”hecoughedsobadlybuti
justkept
quietbecauseireal
l
ywantedhimtoanswer.
Dad:
“1andhal
fyear
s.”Iwassoshocked.
Me:“What?It
’sbeenhappeni
ngr
ightundermy
nose!Dadhowcouldyou?Mybestfr
iend!
!!
”

Dad:“Iam sor
rybaby.Iwasl
onel
yandshewas
t
here.
..
”icuthi
m off.
Me:“Idon’
tevenwantt
oknow.Youknowwhat
dad;
we’l
ltal
ksomeothert
ime”

Dad:“Pleasethi
nkaboutit.Pl
easeletmeback
i
ntoyourlif
e.Imissed4yearsofEmi hle’
sli
fe
andidon’twantthesamewi ththet
wi ns.Iam
notpressuri
ngyouthough.Takeyourt i
meokay
pony?”

Me:“Okaydad.Bye”i
endedthecal
kand
si
ghed.Myli
feisacomplet
emessanditwas
sl
owlysli
ppingf
rom myhands.Everythi
ngwas
j
ustoutofcontr
olandihadtogetitbackon
tr
ack.It
ookmyl apt
opandstart
edsomewor k.I
evenworemyglasses.Somethi
ngi haven’
t
doneinalongti
me.

Ievenspoket oMrLi onelandheinvit

edmef or
dinner.Apparentl
yhewasgoi ngtomar r
yNelly
?
Rememberher ?Myper sonalassi
stant
.Yep;my
biggestcli
entwasgoi ngtomar r
ymyassi st
anti
decidedtocal l
her.

Nel
l
y:“Bossl
ady
”il
aughed.
Me:“Ishoul
dbecal
l
ingyouthat
.Youar
ethe
bossl
adynowyousneakychi
ld”shegi
ggl
ed.

Nel
l
y:“I
’
m guessi
ngNat
eal
readyt
oldy
ou”
Me:
“Yeo.Soy
ou’
l
lbemybossnow?
”
Nell
y:“Nopeandi wi
ll
conti
nueworki
ngforyou.
Itol
dhim so.”Wecont
inuedtal
ki
ngandshe
updatedmeaboutherli
feandfamil
ysoitol
d
heraboutNingi
.
Nel
ly:
“Youl
i
e!”shecl
appedherhandsandi
l
aughed.

Me:
“Wi
shi
was”
Nelly:“Howareyouthough?Wit
hev er
ythi
ng?
Arey ouhappy?Areyoucopi
ng?Howar ethe
kids?”othenstar
tedget
ti
ngemot i
onal
.Hereis
aper sonwhocaresaboutmefir
stbefore
anythingel
se.Whocaresaboutmydamn
feeli
ngs.

Me: “Iam copi

ng.Ihavet
ocope.Imeaniam
str
ong.IhaveSazi.Event
houghiam v
eryangr
y
athimr i
ghtnow”isaidwi
pingmytear
sandthe
dooropened.Hecamei
nandhel
ookedsad.

Nell
y:“Don’tpushhim away.Lethi
m bethere
foryou.Bothofyouarecaughtinthemiddleof
ever
y t
hingandyouhav eeachotherbecause
youaregoingthroughthesamet hi
ngsol ethi
m
i
n.Don’tshuthim out
”i noddedl
ikeshecould
seeme.

Me:
“Ihav
emi
ssedy
ouf
ri
end”shesni
ff
ed.
Nel
ly
:“Iam herefory
ou.Always.
”Sazi
took
awaymylaptopandclosedit
.Hecameandsat
onmysideifthebednexttome.

Me: “Thanky
ouf orl
ist
eni
ng.We’l
ltal
k
tomorrow”webideachotherf
arewellandi
placedmyphoneont hesi
de.Sazil
ookedatme
andwi pedmytears.
Sazi
:“Iam sor
ry.Ir
eal
l
ydon’
twantt
olosey
ou”
Me:“Youwon’
tloseme.I
’
m sor
ryt
oo”he
huggedme.
Sazi
:“IspoketoNi
ngiandshewant
stomeet
wit
hyou”ipull
edback.

Me: “I
t’stoosoonbabe.Noty et”henodded
andleanedcl osert okissme.Heki ssedmeso
good,itwasl i
ket hef i
rsttimehekissedme.
Thekisswasget tingheat edandhe
reposi
tionedhi mself.Iwasal r
eadynakedsohe
tookoffhi scl
othesaswel l
.Hekissedmeagai n
andhiski ssedtrail
edal lt
hewaydownt omy
womanhoodandheat emeout .Today
everyt
hingwasext raintenseandsooogood.He
gavemeanor gasm andhecameupandki ssed
me.

Sazi
:“Youal
way
stast
egood”hemademel
i
e
onmyside.Hel
if
tedupmylegandheent
ered
me.Imoanedsoloudt
hathest
oppedonhiss
tr
acks.
Sazi
:“Ar
eyouokay
?”i
nodded.

Me:“Mmmhhmm.Justf eel
ssogood.Ni
ceand
deep”Imoaneddamni
twassogood.
Me:
“Di
dyouenl
argebaby
?Itf
eel
ssogood.
”

Sazi
:“I
tsgoodbabe?
”hesai
dthr
ust
ingdeeper
.
Me: “I
tssoogoodbaby .Yougotanewone? ”
hechuckledandhepul l
edout .Het ur
nedme
aroundandhet hr
ustdeeperandi pull
edthe
sheetsmaki ngthecor nersoft hecomeout .He
keptatitforav er
yl ongtimeunt il
mywhol e
bodygav ein.Icol
lapsedont hebedonmy
tummyandhequi cklyturnedmear ound.He
gavethreedeepst rokesandhecame.
Sazi
:“Il
ovey
oumybeaut
y.”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oomyhandsomej
erk”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t38
.
Zekhet
hel
o4mont
hsl
ater
.
Iwasnow9mont hspr egnantandl
ookedl i
kea
whale.Sazi wasalwayshome.What everhe
wantedhet oldtheguyst ogooutandgeti tfor
him.Myduedat ewas3day sagobutsti
ll
nothing.Ihavebeeneat i
nglikeapi
gandSaz i
keepsf eedi
ngandf uckingme.Yes;idon’tknow
howmanyt imeswehav esexadayitexhaust s
mebutSazi isamachineandi tget
sbetter
everytime.

Mydadandi wor
kedthingsout;wel
lideci
ded
tojustst
opbeingangrybutial
sotoldhimto
keephisdist
anceashechoset omakehi s
womanpr egnant
.Ningihasbeencoming
aroundt hehouseanditrybyall
meansnott o
bearoundwhenshecomes.Sazi promisedto
kil
lherifshetri
edanyt
hingstupid.Ican’tt
ell
them nottokeepincontact.

Iwokeupwi thasor ebodyandSazi wasn’tnext

tome.Isatonmybum andr ubbedmyst omach.
Thebabi eswer enotmov ingasbef orebutthey
mov ed.Igotoutofbedandwal kedtot he
bathroom.It ookav eryl ongl ukewarm shower
andt odaywasabi tcold.I fSazi weretocome
i
nher ehewoul dhaveaf it.Aftermyshoweri
walkedoutt ot hebedroom andt hebedwas
madeal ongwi thbreakf astont opofit.Iputon
mymaxi dressnotbot her i
ngt oputonany
pantiesbutihadamat er nit
ybr aunderneath.

Saziwalkedi
nasi
wasaboutt
osi
tdownf
or
breakf
ast.
Me:
“Thoughty
oul
eftf
orwor
k”
Sazi:
“JusttookEmi
hlet
oschool
”hewasin
grade2bythewayandahandful
buthi
sfat
her
handledhi
m.
Me:“Thanksf
orbr
eakf
ast
”i st
artedeat
ing.Al
l
t
histi
mehewasstandi
ngtherelooki
ngatme.

Sazi
:“Don’
tyouthi
nkweshoul
dgot
othe
hospi
tal
andcheck?”
Me:“Wewenty ester
day.Iam per
fect
lyfi
ne.
Wewi l
lwai
tforthewatertobr
eakandi t
sclose
now.Iam f
ine”

Sazi
:“Idon’
twantanyt
hingbadhappeni
ngt
o
youandmychil
dren”
Me:
“Yourchi
l
dren?
”iscof
fed.

Sazi
:“Youknowwhati
mean”hesatont
he
couchandt
ookouthisl
apt
op.Hest
art
ed
worki
ngandij
ustsati
nbedaft
ermybreakf
ast
.
Me:
“Cani
gof
orawal
kwi
thShaun?
”

Sazi:
“YouandShaunseem pret
tycl
oset
hese
days”hesai
dwit
haraisedbrow.
Me:“Wellhe’
sli
keabrothert
omeandwe
gossi
paboutyou”hegri
nned.

Sazi
:“Iam gl
adyou’
ret
her
eforhi
m.Mysi
ster
di
danumberi nhi
m”
Me:
“Socani
gof
ort
hatwal
k?”

Sazi
:“30mi
nut
esbebackher
eorel
se.
..
.”
Me:“Yeahyeahyeah.Iwi
l
lbebackin30”he
cameandhelpedmeoutofbed.Hekissedme
onthel
ipsandwalkedmeoutsi
de.
I
twasdr i
zzl
ingandtheguyswer
ehavi
ngcoffee
overaboardgame.Itur
nedandl
ookedatSazi
hegri
nned.
Me:
“Yout
ri
ckedme”hewi
ggl
edhi
sey
ebr
ows.

Sazi
:“Iknownowcomeandl etsgetsome
sl
eep”heledmebackinsideandi wenttothe
l
ounge.Toldhimidi
dn’
twantt osleepanymore.
Hewentt ogethi
sworkthingsandsatwithme.
IwatchedTvandiwasveryboredbecausei am
notafan.

Sazi
keptgoi
nginandouttal
kingonthephone.
Aunt
ywasalsomissi
ngandtheguy sal
soleft
.
Sazi
camebackfrom y
etanotherphonecal
l
andhehadastupi
dsmileonhisface.
Me:
“Whatar
eyousmi
l
ingat
?”

Sazi
:“Can’
taguysmi
l
enj
e?”hechuckl
ed.I
cl
i
ckedmyt
ongue.
Me:
“Idi
ot”

Sazi
:“Wannagoout
?”
Me:“Huh?Wer
en’
tyout
heonewhosai
d..
.”
?He
cutmeoff
.

Sazi
:“Yeahyeahichangedmymi
nd.Youwant
tocomewith?”hest
oodupandhel
pedmeup.
Me:“Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”iwasexci
tedl
i
kea
damnbaby
.

Sazi
:“Anywher
eyouwantt
ogobutf
ir
stwe’
l
l
st
artatt
heoffi
ceyeah?
”
Me: “Yesss!
”iwasreall
yhappyaboutl eavi
ng
thehouse.Iwasevensurprisedthathel etme
gooutbecausehei sscaredthatimi ghtgive
bir
thont her
oad.Iputonmysandal s.Luckyfor
memyf r
etwerenotswoll
enbutmynoseand
f
ace.Iwant
edtocry.Icombedmyhairandtook
t
hebabybags.Sazi
loadedthem i
nthecarand
welef
t.

Iwasn’
tevenpayi
ngatt
enti
ont owherewewere
goi
ngiwasjusthappy
.Wedr ovetoZimbali
Resor
tandthati
swheni st
artedquest
ioni
ng
hi
m.
Me:
“Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?”

Sazi
:“Wecamef
orl
unch.
”
Isteppedoutofthecarandwaswelcomedby2
prett
yladi
es.Theyledmeinsi
de.It
urnedand
l
ookedatSazi conf
used.

Sazi:“Theyaregoingtodol
lyouup.Iwil
lsee
youlater
.Ilov
ey ou”heblewmeaki ssand
walkedtheotherway .
Ifoll
owedt owher
et heladi
esledmeandi was
fi
rstgivenaful
lbodymassage.Adeepf aci
al
cl
eanse.Iwassor elaxediwantedtosleep.
Afterbeingpamperedi di
dmymani andpedi .I
wassohungr ybutwasser vedveryl
ightbut
fi
l
linglunch.

Theytookmet oaroom andmademeweart hi

s
beautif
ulwhitebeadedmer mai ddr ess.Itwasa
boobt ubedressanditwasgor geous.I tdi
d
wonder sformybodyandbump.Theyst yl
edmy
hairandmakeup.Af terthattheyl efttheroom.I
stoodinfrontofafulll
engthmi rrorandi l
ooked
gorgeous.Almostli
keabr ide.Ilaughedatt he
thought.

ThedooropenedandincameNel
l
yandAphi we.
Theyweredressedi
nmatchi
ngmintdr
esses.
Me:“Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
nghere?”they
gi
ggl
edandEmihl
ecamei
ndressedinatux.
Me:“Whyar
en’
tyouatschool
?What
’sgoi
ng
on?
”
Emi
hle:
“Come”

Hetookmebyt hehandandl edmeout side.

Theplacehadt r
ansformedi ntolov elymi ntand
whit
ewi t
hat ouchofgr ey.Hewasr unningandi
wastryi
ngt okeepupbecausehewaspul l
ing
myhand.Thel adieswer efol
lowi ngbehi nd
gi
ggli
ngaway .Iwasst ar ti
ngtogetpi ssedwhen
wecamei ntoav i
ewl eadi ngtot hepool area.
Ther
ewer epeopl esittingont hechai rsandi t
waspeoplei know.Fr iendsandr el
at i
ves.I
l
ookedcloselyatt heendoft hei sleandSazi
wasstandingt hereinat uxmat chingEmi hle.

Me:
“Whatt
hehel
li
sgoi
ngon?
”
Dad:
“Wel
comet
oyourweddi
ngbaby
”hecame
walkingfr
om thefrontandhewasdr essedina
nicegreysui
twithawhi teshi
rt.Iwassoo
surpri
sedandi l
ookedatSazi.Hewasst anding
therewit
hEmi hl
enextt ohim withyetanother
board“Mar r
yUSt oday”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
38Cont
inuat
ion
.
Sazi
.
Planningthesurpriseweddingwasr eall
yhard
becausei wantedev eryonetoparti
cipat
eandi t
washar dkeepingt hi
ngsf r
om her.Ialways
wantt otel
lherev ery
thi
ngbecauseshei sso
goodatdi ggi
ngshef i
ndsoutbeforey oueven
concludedoingy ourthi
ngbutwi t
ht hehelpof
everybodywemanagedt okeepitunderwr aps.

Nowt hatshei
sher
eatt
heothersi
deofthei
sle
ican’
thelpbutf
eel
emot
ional
.Shehasbeenso
strongandi r
eall
ywant edtomakeherminein
everyway.Iwasst andi
ngtherewi
thEmihlenext
tomeandZekhet helowasjustf
rozenwit
h
tearsgushingdownherf ace.

Emihl
e:“Dadmyhandsar
eyout
ir
ed”heputhi
s
handsdownwit
htheboar
d.
Me:
“Sor
ryboy
.It
’sokay
.Youcanr
estabi
t”

Emihle:“Whyi
sn’
tshemov i
ng?”iwasalso
confusedbuti
sawherfri
endrunningi
nside.
Shecamebackandwi pedherface.

Zekhethel
ost r
aightenedherdressandhooked
herhandinherf ather’
sarm.Itookadeep
breat
handShaunpat t
edmyback.Ilooked
downbl i
nkinguncont r
oll
abl
y.Iknewthatas
soonasi li
ftupmyheadt hetearswi
llj
ustf
all
.I
l
ookedupandshewascr yi
ng.Sheevenhad
hi
ccupsandal
liwant
edwast
ogot
oherand
pul
lheri
nmyarms.

Shefinal
l
ycametomeandiwalkedtowhere
theywerest
andi
ngwi
thherf
ather.Heshook
myhand.
Z’
sdad:“Takecareofher”thegr
ipwast
oo
ti
ghtandhedi
dn’twanttoletgo.
Me:“Iwil
ltakegoodcareofher”heletgoof
myhandandi rubbedit
.Heletgoofhis
daught
erandlinkedourhandstoget
her.

Zee:
“Sneakybast
ard”i
chuckl
ed.
Me:“Youlookbeaut
if
ul”i
kissedhercheekand
ev
eryonesatdown.Thepri
eststar
ted.

Pr
iest
:“Wearegatheredher
etowit
nessinhol
y
matri
monyofZekhethel
oNgcoboandSazi
Ngony ama.I
fanyoneofy ouf eel
sthatt
his
unionisnottobejoined;speaknoworf or
ever
holdyourpeace”iturnedaroundandlooked.
Ningiwasseatedfarbackandev er
yoneel
se
keptitshut
.Zekhethelo’
smom wasal sothere.

Pri
est:
“Ibel
iev
ethecouplehavethei
rownset
s
ofvows?MissNgcobo”shelookedannoy
edi
wantedtol
augh.
Zee:“Wellidi
dn’
tknowanyt
hingaboutt
oday
soirat
herpass..
.”ev
ery
onel
aughedbutijust
gotabitangry
.Howcanshenothaveanything
tosayaboutme.

Zee:“Wel
liam j
oki
ng.Sazi
nearl
ycried..
”they
l
aughedagai
nandismiledali
tt
leshakingmy
head.
Zee:“Wel
lmeeti
ngSazichangedmyl
i
fe.Fi
rst
fort
heworsebecauset
hefir
stti
mewemeti
ki
ckedhi
sballs.
.”peopl
ewer
einst
iches.Shaun
wasevecry
ing.

Zee: “Okay .Ont hereal though.Thisman

standinginf r
ontofmei sper f
ect.Yes; nooneis
perfectbuthei sperfectf orme.Ilovehi m.He
hasl ovedmei nmywor standl owest.He
knowsev erybadandev ilaboutmebuthe
stayed.Hei sagr eatfathertoourson; mybest
fr
iend.Hei salway stherewheni needt ov ent
;
hejustsi t
sandl ist
ens.Hegi v
esmehi scar dto
goshoppi ng* peoplelaughed* .Thanky ouSazi.
Thanky ouf orseeingthati am womanenough
tocar r
yy oursur name.Thanky ouforlovingthi
s
crazymeandt hankyouf orbeingmyhusband”i
wipedhert earsandki ssedhernose.Iwas
goingf orhermout hwhent hepr i
estpul l
edus
back.

Me:
“Thanky
ouqueenofmywor
ld.Zekhet
hel
o
ki
ckedmyball
shey”t
heyl
aughedandShaun
cameandfi
stbumpedwit
hZeecausi
ngmore
l
aughter
.
Me:“Ihav
enevermet.
..
”Zee’
shandshottoher
st
omachandsheshif
teduncomfor
tabl
y.

Me:
“Ar
eyouokaybaby
?”shenoddedqui
ckl
y.
Zee:
“Yesj
ustabi
tof.
..
ooooaaaaah”shehel
d
hert
ummyandever
yonewasont heirf
eet
.

Me:“Thebabiesar
ecomi
ng.Wegot
tagety
ou
t
othehospit
al”
Zee:
“Noty
et.Youneedt
ohur
ry”

Me:“Coul dyouannounceushusbandandwi
fe?
Nowpl ease”thewaterbr
okeandever
yone
gasped.
Zee:
“Si
tyourassesdown.Thi
sismybl
oody
wedding.Youcont
inue”shewassweat
ingand
squeezi
ngmyhands.

Me:“Ar
ey ousur
ebaby
?Wecangetmar
ri
ed
someothert
ime”
Zee:“Shutup.Wear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
edSazi
and
aaaaaaah!
”

Me:
“Thi
siscr
azybaby
.Let
’sgo.
”
Pr
iest
:“Whatgodcombinedtoget
herletno
mancomeinbetween.Theri
ngsplease”

Zee:“Aaaaaah.Hurr
yup.
”Weslippedr
ingsi
n
eachother
’sfi
ngersandwai
ted.
Pri
est
:“Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwi
fe.
Youmaysalut
ey ourbr
ide”

Assoonashesai
dthati
scoopedZeei
nmy
armsandranforthenear
estexit
.Shaunhad
al
readywentfort
hecarsowef ounditupfr
ont
.
Thecontr
acti
onswerenow2mi nut
esapart
whichmeantshewasv er
yclose.

Me:“Hanginthebaby
.We’
real
mostt
her
e.
Ev
eryt
hingwil
lbeokay”
Zee:“Howt hef uckisev
erythi
nggoi ngtobe
okay?!
!Ar eyougoingtosuckt hesebabiesout
ofme?Sazi youmademepr egnant.Youmade
mepr egnantandi hateyou”shesqueezedmy
handy etagainwhil
eShaunchuckl ed.Hewas
dri
vi
ng.

Me:“Manhurrybutdon’
tgetuski
l
led”hedr
ove
andwhenitur
nedtherewasaconvoyofcar
s
fol
l
owingus.
Me:
“Wher
ethehel
lar
etheygoi
ng?
”
Zee:
“Wherei
swhogoing?”shewasabitbett
er
andshewasdoi
ngherbr
eathi
ngexer
cises.
Me:“Ever
yonei
sfol
l
owi
ngust
othehospi
tal
.
Theyar
e..
.”

Zee:“Wherethefuckaret
heygoing?Thi
sisn’
t
thebir
thofJesus!
”Shaunlaughedandaf
ter
whatseemedl i
kefor
everwegottothehospit
al.

Iram insidewithherinmyarmsandt heytook

herplacingheront hehospi
talbed.Ifoll
owed
ri
ghtbehi nd.HerDrwasalreadytherebecause
Shauncal ledher.
Dr
:“Theyf
inal
l
ywantt
ocomet
othewor
ld”

Zee:
“Pleasegett
hesemonst
ersoutofmy
tummy”
Dr
:“Let
’scheck”shewentunder
neat
hand
camebacki
nseconds.

Dr:
“Youar
ef ul
lydi
l
atedandonei
scomi
ngout
t
hismoment.Dadcomethissi
de.
”
Zee:
“Ithur
tsSazi.Idon’
that
eyoubutpl
ease
nomorebabies.
”

Me:
“Okaybaby
.”Iki
ssedhersweat
yfor
ehead.
Zee:
“Pr
omi
seme”i
chuckl
edandpr
omi
sedher
.

Dr:
“OkayMrsNgony
amaonthecountof3i
wanty
outogiv
emeonebigpush.
”Zeestar
ted
t
opushandaft
er5minut
esababycameout.

Dr:“I
t’
sagir
l”ismil
edli
keanidiotwitht
ears
rol
li
ngdownmyf ace.Mi
nuteslatershehadto
pushagai
n.Shepushedandgav ebirt
htoa
babyboyaft
ert
hatshepassedout .
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t39
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwokeupmuchlat
erandSaziwasri
ghtnext
me.Hewashoveri
ngmeactuall
yandhehada
st
upidgr
inonhi
sface.
Sazi
:“Fi
nal
l
y!Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
out
o
wakeup!
”

Me:“Wherear
emybabies?
”isatupqui
ckl
ybut
qui
ckl
yregr
ett
edi
t.Mywomanhoodwasonf i
re.
Sazi
:“Ar
eyouokay
?”

Me:“Yeah.Wher earet
hebabi
es?”thedoor
openedand2nur sescameinwheel
ingmy
babies.Theygott
omeandi sawthatitwasa
gi
rlandaboy .
Me: “Cani holdthem please?”Sazi passedthe
gir
lont omeandshecr i
edf orasecondt hen
snuggledclosertome.Ii nstantlyfelli
nlove.
Shewassot inyandsobeaut if
ul.Ilookedat
Saziandhehadapr oudsmi leonhi sface.He
handedmet heboyaswel landhewassucki ng
onhisf i
staahmyhear tsqueezed.

Me:“Theyaresobeaut
if
ul”i
kissedt
hei
r
f
oreheads.
Sazi
:“Myseed!Iscor
edouble”t
henur
ses
bl
ushedwhi
letheDrchuckl
ed.

Dr:“Wouldyoul
i
ket
obr
east
feedt
hem?
”my
facel
itup.
Me:“Yesplease.”Igav
eSazi t
heboyand
st
art
edbreastfeedi
ngthegir
l.Hepl
acedhim on
hi
sbedandcamet olookatmebreastf
eed.His
headwasl
i
ter
aryonmychest
.Ipushedhi
m
away.

Me:
“Ican’
tev
enseemybabyeat
”hef
rowned.
Sazi
:“Ial
sowantt
oseeherf
eed”i
shookmy
headno.

Me:
“Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
onamet
hem?
”
Sazi
:“Gi
rli
sZanot
handoNgony
amaandt
he
boyi
sZanokuhl
eNgonyama”

Me:
“Il
ovet
hem.
”
Shefedunti
lshefel
lasl
eepagai
n.Igaveherto
Sazi
t obur
pher.Hewalkedar
oundtheyard
makingshshshsoundsitwasactual
lyfunny
.

It
ooktheboyandf
edhim aswell
.Heheldont
o
myboobandfedonfordearl
i
fe.Aft
ert
heir
feedsSazit
ookt heboyandbur pedhim aswell
.
Hegentlypl
acedt hem onthei
rbeds.TheDr
andnursesleftt
her oom andsaidtheywil
lfet
ch
thebabi
eslater.

Sazi
:“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”heki
ssedmy
hands.
Me:“Li
keanewmommy
.Iam i
nlov
ewi
th
t
hesetwo.
”

Sazi
:“Arey
ouhappythough?
”il
ookedatmy
handandmyweddingri
ngwasn’
tther
e.
Me:“Myr i
ng?Ilostmyr i
ng”Sazist
oodupand
t
ookt her
ingoffhispocket.Hegent
lysl
i
dinon
myfinger
.

Sazi
:“Mr
sNgony
ama”i
punchedhi
sshoul
der
.
Me:
“Yousneakybast
ard.Howdi
dyoupul
lthat
of
f?Thesurpr
iseweddi
ng?Howdi
dyoudoi
t?”
hechuckl
ed.

Sazi:“Ihadalotofhel
pfr
om yourpar
ent
s.
Pleasedon’tbemadbutNingi
foundthevenue”
Ningigavebirt
h2mont hsago.Theydecidedto
co-par
entwi t
hdadbecauset heyr
eali
sedthat
theydidn’
tloveeachother
.Dadalsofil
edfor
divor
ceandmom woul dn’
tstopcal
li
ng.Beggi
ng
met otalkt
odadf orherbecausesheloveshi
m
andshemadeami st
ake.

Me: “Iam notmad.Iam happy.Wemaynotbe

bestfri
endsanymorebutshewi l
lal
waysbe
partofmyl i
fesot
heleasticandoistoget
al
ongwi thherasyoursi
ster.
”
Sazi
:“You’
ret
hesweet
est
”

Me:
“Iknow.Sot
ell
memor
e.Howdi
dyoudo
al
loft
hat
?”
Sazi:
“Iwant edourbabiestobebornas
Ngonyamaspl usididsaythatiwantEmihl
eto
haveimbelekosotheweddi ngwasgoingto
happenlastweekbuti wasscaredyou’
dgive
bi
rthontheday ”
Me:
“Ir
eal
l
ydi
dgav
ebi
rt
honourweddi
ngday
”
Sazi
:“Tr
ipl
eblessings.Thanky
oubaby”the
doorbur
stopenandi ncamedad;Shaun,
Sims;
Aunty
;Emihl
e;NingiandMom.

Me:
“Whooah”i
whi
sper
ed.
Sazi
:“Iknooow”hestoodupandgave
ever
ybodyhugs.Emihl
eranandj
umpedont he
bed.Hewasstil
ldr
essedinhi
stuxbutwi
thout
thej
acketandbowtie.

Emihl
e:“Mom.Youhavebabi
esnow.Yougav
e
bi
rt
h”ichokedonmysali
vaandSazi
also
coughed.
Sazi
:“Whot
oldy
out
hat
?”
Emihl
e:“Ihear
dgr andpat
alki
ngtouncl
e
Shaun”weallt
urnedandlookedatt
hem.

Dad:
“Emihl
ey ouwer
eeavesdr
oppi
ng”he
gi
ggl
edcover
inghisf
ace.
Mom:
“Cani
seet
hem?
”inodded.

Sazi:“Don’twakethem uppl
ease.Theyar
e
ti
red”theroom erupt
edwithl
aughter
.
Dad:
“Tir
edofwhat
?Theyj
ustar
ri
vedbutt
hey
ar
eti
red”

Me: “Theyneedtosleepbecauseatnightwil
l
beanotherstor
y”al
l t
hist
imeNi ngiwasjust
standi
ngtherel
ookingrat
herlost.InudgedSazi
andhewentt oher.
Sazi
:“Woul
dyouli
ket
oseet
hem auntNi
ngi
?”
mom rol
l
edherey
es.

Dad:
“Don’
tdothat
..don’
trol
lyoureyespl
ease.
I
fyoudon’
twantt
obeher epl
easeleave”
.
Mom:
“Iwasj
ust
..
.”

Me: “Mom please”ishookmyheadandshe

rai
sedherhandsi nsurrender
.Afterthat
conversati
onfl
owedandev er
yonewasenj oy
ing
themselves.Awhilelat
erthenursescameand
tol
dev ery
onev i
sit
inghoursareov er
.

Emihl
e:“Seey out
omorr
owwheny oucome
home.”Hekissedmycheekandj
umpedfrom
thebed.Webidevery
onegoodby
eandtheyl
eft
.
Nurse1: “MrsNgony
amapleasef
eedthe
babiesagai
nsothatt
heycangogetcl
eanedup
andsomemeds”
Sazi
:“Whatmeds?
”
Nurse2:“Justhospit
alpr
ocedur
es.I
tssome
sor
tofimmuni sat
ion/
multi
vi
tami
n”

Sazi
:“Ohokay ”i
br east
fedmybabi esandSazi
wasrightonmyf acewantingtoseet hewhol
e
thi
ng.Aftert
hatt
henur sestookthem away.
Sazihel
pedmeoutofbedandwal kedmet othe
shower.Webothtookashowertoget herand
aft
erthatwegotoutandgotdresses.Iwor e
pyj
amaswhi l
eSaziworesweatpant sat-shir
t
andsomesneakers.

Me: “Don’tyouwantt ogohomeandr est

?”i
askedget t
inginbedwi t
hSazir
ightbehi
ndme.
Heki ckedoffhisshoesandjoi
nedme.
Sazi
:“I
’
drat
herst
ayher
ewi
thy
ou”
Wef ell
intothi
ssilenceandmoment slateri
reali
sedthathewasasl eep.Iwasaboutt o
sleepwhent hedooropenedr oughl
y.Shaun
camei nsweating.Saziwokeupandst oodup
quickl
y.

Sazi:
“What’sgoi
ngon?
”heaskedwear
inghi
s
sneaker
s.Ial
soworemygown.
Sazi
:“Getbacki
nbed.
”

Me:
“Shutup.Shaunwhathappened?
”
Shaun:“Idon’
tknowwhathappenedbossand
howithappenedbutwelookedever
ywhere
bosswecan’tfi
ndthem”myheartskippeda
beat.

Sazi
:“Youcan’
tfi
ndwho?
”
Shaun:“Okuhl
eandThando.Someonetook
them andwefoundt
hesenotesonthei
rbeds”
Theywer
ewri
tt
en“ITOLDYOUTHATWEWILL
MEETAGAINSOCATCHMEI FYOUCAN”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t39cont
inues
.CROPTOP
Sazi
.
Il
ookedatthepaperandbackatZee.The
paperandbackather.I
tfi
nal
l
ydawnedonher
andshefell
downont hefl
oor.Ikneltinfr
ontof
her.Shewasshaki
ngherheadcount lessl
ybut
al
soshewasn’tcry
ing.Shewasbr eathingver
y
hard.

Me: “Br
eat
he”it
ri
edt
ouchi
ngherar
m butshe
backedaway.
Zee:
“It
’smyf
aul
t.I
t’
smyf
aul
t.I
t’
smyf
aul
t”
shekeptr
epeat
ingt
hat
.

Me: “I
t’
snotyourf
aul
t.Mt
hunzi
isasi
ck
bastar
dand..
.”myphoner
angandi
twasmy
si
ster.
Me:“Ningi
nowi
snotav
eygoodt
ime”shej
ust
sobbed.

Ni
ngi:
“Theytookhi
m.Theyt
ookFezi
l
e”she
cr
iedl
ouderandmyheadwasspi
nni
ng.
Me:
“Whot
ookhi
m?”

Ningi:
“Somemencamei nthehouseandthey
heldmeatgunpoi nt.Nextthi
ngZekhethel
o’s
grandfat
hercamei nandt ol
dthement olook
forFezil
e.Theyshotmeonmyt hi
ghandknee.
I
thur t
s”ijusthungupthephone.
Me:“Shaunpl
easegohome.Ni
ngi
needssome
hel
p”
Shaun:
“Bossi
woul
drat
herbeher
eand.
..
”

Me:“Doasif
uckint
ell
you”hequickl
yrushed
outandi
waslef
twit
haadev ast
atedZee.
Zee:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”shest
il
lhadn’
tcr
ied.

Me:“Muzi t
ookFezi
l
eandshotNi
ngi”she
gasped.Shest
oodupandt
hentear
sf el
lfr
om
hereyes.
Zee: “Hewantsme.I fhet akesmet hekidswill
comebacksaf e.Ihav etosav ethekids”she
hurri
edtothebat hr
oom andi r
anafterher.I
foundherstr
ippingget t
ingreadytoshower .I
pickedupherclothesandwentt oher.

Me:
“Getdr
essed”sheshookherheadt
ear
s
st
reami
ngdownherf
ace.
Zee:
“Whatam i
goi
ngt
odoSazi
?”i
pul
l
edher
i
nmyarms.

Me:“Wear
egoi
ngt
ofi
ndt
hem.Ipr
omi
semy
l
ove”
Herphoner angf
rom t
hewardandsherant
o
getit.If
oll
owedbehi
ndandplacedagownover
her.Shestart
edscr
eaming.

Zee:“Givemebackmyf uckinKids!
”i hurr
iedt
o
mybagandgotat r
ackingdev i
ce.Ipluggedit
onZee’sphoneandi needMt hunzijustfor15
seconds.That
’showf asticantrackhim down.
Mthunzi
:“Youcomeandi
wil
lgi
vey
out
heki
ds
BUTi l
eavewi
thyou”

Zee:
“Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
”shecr
ied.
Mthunzi
:“Ij
ustwanty
ouwi t
hmeal
ways.You
haveamagicalmi
nd”igothi
m.Hewasheaded
fort
heair
port
.

Zee:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Mthunzi
:“Wil
ltel
lyou.Iwil
lcontacty
ou”he
hungup.Thoughtidi
dn’tgethi
m.
Me:“Okayineedy
out
okeepcal
m.Iwi
l
ltakei
t
f
rom her
e”
Zee:
“No.Theyar
emychi
l
drent
oo.I
..
”

Me:“DAMNITZEKHETHELO.LETMETAKE
CAREOFTHIS”ishoutedandshej
umped.I
real
l
ydi
dn’
tmeant oshout.
Zee:
“Sor
ry”

Ij
ustgotourofthewardandcall
edherbr
other
andherfat
her.Ial
socal
ledShaunandhetold
methatNi
ngilostalotofbl
ood;
hewasr
ushi
ng
hert
othehospit
al.
Iwaitedoutsi
deandsi nceimanagedtobug
Mthunzi’sphoneicouldseehi
sev er
ymov e.
Khethelocamef i
rstandherantome.

K.
T:“Whathappened?
”
Me:“Mt
hunzitookThandoandOkuhl
e”he
l
ookedr
eal
lyshocked.

K.T:“whydi
dn’
tyoucallmesooner
?Hemi ght
begonebynow”i waspaci
ng.Mymindwas
real
l
yjammedandi neededmykidsback.
Me: “Heisgoi ngtotheair
portandhewants
Zekhetheloinexchangeforthetwins”Muzi
camer unningt ous.Khet
heloBri
efedhim.I
excusedmy sel
fandwentt oZee.Ifoundheron
thefloorcryi
ngi wentandpull
edherinmyar ms.
Me:“Iam sosorry.Iwil
lgetthem backi
pr
omise”shejustcriedharder.
Zee:
“Br
ingt
hem back”
Me:“Wear eheadedtotheairpor
t.Heis
headedt
herewiththetwins”shequickl
yst
ood
upandistoppedher.

Me:
“Whoooahwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Zee:
“I’
m comingwi
thyou”shet
ookof
fher
gownandpull
edonhertr
acksui
t.
Me:“Youarest
ayi
ngr
ighther
e.Youj
ustgav
e
bi
rt
h.You.
..
”

Zee:“Thesearemychil
drentoo.Iam goi
ng
wit
hy ou”sheputonhershoesandweheaded
out.Whenshesawherf at
hersherantohim
andcried.Iwentt
oKhethel
oandspoket ohi
m.
Me:
“Weneedasni
perj
ustt
o..
.”
K.T:“Al
readydone.It
oolcar
eofthataswell
as
extr
amen.Whatweneedt odori
ghtnowisto
headtotheairpor
tbef
oreit
stool
ate”ipul
l
ed
Zeetotheside.
Me:“Ar
ey ousur
eaboutt
hisbaby
?”i
pul
l
edher
i
nforahug..
Zee:
“Let
’sgogetourbabi
es.
”
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t39cont
inuat
ionpar
t2
.
Zekhet
hel
o
.
Iwasn’ tfuncti
oningwellatal l
.Ineededmy
babies.Ifitwasn’tforSazii wouldhav elostmy
mind.Ij ustgotmybabi esandi cannotlose
them.Iam supposedt obehappybutnowmy
heartisbr oken.Iam broken.Wewer edr i
vingt
o
theairportandSazi wasbusyont hi
sphone.My
dadwasonhi sphonebar kingoutor ders.
Wef i
nal
l
yarri
vedattheair
por
tandwewentto
thi
ssecl
udedarea.Ther
ewerealotofcar
sand
peopl
earound.

Me:‘Dadwhat’sgoi
ngon?”helookedatme
andfi
nishedt
alki
ngtot
heguy .Saziwast
ypi
ng
awayandhenowhadal aptopwithhim.
Dad:“Mthunzi
startedawarandwearegoi
ng
tofi
ghthi
mt wi
ceashar d.Thosear
emybabi
es
andineedthem back.”

Me:“Wehavetofi
ndthem dad.Theyhaveto
comebackhome”Sazif
ini
shedtypingand
cametous.
Dad:
“So;
whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
”

Sazi
:“Iwashacki
ngi
ntot
heai
rpor
tsy
stem
aft
erthatimanagedt
ogeti
ntothejett
hathe
wil
luse.Idi
sabl
edsomecontr
ols.Hewon’tbe
abl
etof l
yout”
Me:“Sohewon’
tgetaway
?”hepul
l
edmet
o
hi
m.

Sazi
:“Notasfarasi
’
m concer
nedandhei
s
surr
ounded.
”

Khethel
ocamet ousandawhol elotofcars
pull
sup.Slicamewi thabul l
etproofvestand
gaveittoKhethelo.I
twr i
ttenK.
T.Z.hetookit
andwor ei
t.Af ewot herguyscamet ouswi t
h
vestsandwewor ethem aswell.Sli
lookedso
badasswi t
hheral lblackonepiecesuitand
combatboot s.

Sli
:“Iam goi
ngt
otakeashotathi
m assoonas
iseehim.
”
Dad:“Whydoesn’
tKhethel
odoit
?”Sl
ihel
dup
Khet
helo’
shandanditwasshaki
ng.

Me:
“Whati
fhehasoneoft
heki
dswi
thhi
m?”
Dad:“Hewon’thav
ethem wi
thhi
m.Tr
ustme.
”
Il
ookedatdad.

Me:
“Howdoy
ouknow?
”
Dad:
“It
’snotthefir
stti
mehe’sdonet
his.He
won’
thavethekidsinsi
ghtbutt
heyar
e
pr
obabl
ystrappedinbombs”

Me:
“Hehasdonethisbef
ore?Ar
eyoukiddi
ng
meri
ghtnow?Youknewhewoulddothi
s?”
K.
T:“Dadsuspect
editwoul
dhappensothati
s
whyweinst
all
edtr
ackersi
nthei
rbodi
es.
”

Sazi
:“Youdi
dwhat
?”hechar
gedf
orhi
m buthe
waspul
l
edbackbySi
msanddad.
Dad:“Wei nject
edthem wit
hmicrochipsthat
goesinsi
deandal l
ov ert
hebody”ipunched
Khet
helo’
sj awsohar dhi
sfacedarkened.

Me:
“Staythef
uckawayfr
om myki
ds.
”Itr
ied
t
owalkawaybutKhet
hel
opul
ledmeback.
K.
T:“Iwil
ltakeoneshotathi
m.Tel
lme
wher
e?”i
pointedatt
hemi ddl
eofhi
sey
es.

Me:
“Ri
ghther
e”
Sli
:‘Let
’sgetgoi
ng.Myguy
sar
eher
e;we
shouldmove”
Wewalkedtot
hecarsandgoti
n.Icuddl
edSazi
andhehel
dmet i
ght
.

Sazi
:“Iam sor
ryi
coul
dn’
tkeept
hem saf
e.Iam
sosorr
y.”
Me:
“Wehav etof
indt
hem Sazi
.Ohmywor d
Emi
hle!
”ihal
fscr
eamedandSazisqueezedme.

Sazi
:“Hei ssafe”wedr ovefor5mi nut
esand
westopped.Ilookedout si
deandwewer eri
ght
nexttothejet
.Igotoutandt oitwithSazion
myheel shepickedmeupandwal kedbackto
thecarewithmeki cki
ngandscr eaming.

Me:
“Letmego!
”
Sazi
:“Youwannagetki ll
ed?Sityourassdown”
heshoutedandi keptqui
et.Sazi
madeacal l
andputi
tonl oudspeaker.

Sazi
:“GiveitupMthunzi
.Br
ingmemykidsand
wewilll
etyouleav
eunharmed.”Mt
hunzi
l
aughed.
Mthunzi:
“Icanjusttaket
hekidswit
hme.I
askedforZekhet
helobutyouarenowtel
l
ingme
shi
t”
Sazi
:“Go.
”

Me&Mthunzi
:“What
?”i
wasv
eryshockedand
Sazi
gav
emeal ook.
Sazi
:“Taket
heki
dswi
thy
ou.Go”Mt
hunzi
l
aughed.

Mthunzi
:“Gladl
y.
”Weheardshuff
li
ngsound
andnextthi
ngthejetmadesomenoise.I
scr
eamedbutKhethelohel
dme.
Me: “St
ophim.Sazi st
ophi m.He’
sleavi
ngwit
h
mybabies.”Icr
ied.Saziseemedunfazedand
dadwassweat i
ng.Thej etmadethi
ssoundand
thenswit
chedof f
.

Sazi
:“GoMt
hunzi
.Takethosekidswit
hy ou.
”
Hewassoangr
yevenhisforeheadhadveins
poppi
ng.Ihav
enev
erseenhi
mli
ket
hat
.

Mthunzi
:“Whatthefuckdidyoudot
omy
pl
ane?”hesoundedpanicked.

Sazi
:“Itoldy outorunandy oudidn’t
.Nowi am
comingfory ou”hepr essedabuttononhis
phoneandt hej etdooropened.2guys
appear
edatt hedoorandSl it
ookthem down
i
nstant
ly.Itookagunt hatwasundertheseat.

Theyrant othedoorandst oodnexttoit.

Khethelowentupt hestairsandassoonashe
goti
nagunf ir
ed.Sliscreamedandi knew
Khethelowasshotbecausei fel
tpai
nonmy
arm.Iwant edtogetclosebuti wasscaredof
whati mightdo.Therewasanot hergunshot
andthenKhet hel
osignalledSazitocomeup.
Hecamedownandhi sarm wasbleedi
ng.
Secondslat
erSaziappear
edwit
hmyscreami
ng
babi
es.Igotoutofthecarandr
ant
othem.

ItookThandoi nmyar msandki ssedkissed

ki
ssedher .IalsotookOkuhl eandkissedhi m.
Mybabi es.Iwashy steri
calandSazi t
ookt he
babiestohav ethem checkedout .It
ookt hegun
andr anupthest ai
rs
Dad:“Zekhethel
o!”heshout edformebutiwas
al
readyintheplane.IfoundMt hunzisi
ti
ngt
here
wit
hbloodonhi smout h.Sazimusthav e
punchedhim.Dadcameandst oodbehindme.I
al
readyhadagunpoi ntedatMt hunzi
.

Dad:“Putt
hegundownbaby
.Hei
sgoi
ngt
o
j
ail
”

Me:“Whatdi
diev
erdotoyouGrandpa.Al
li
ev
erdi
dwasloveyouandt
ri
edtobet hebest
gr
anddaughterbutal
lyoudi
dishur
tme.Why
?”
helaughed.

Mt hunzi:
“Ij ustlovedyourmindandi ncase
youhav en’tnoticedy ouhaveabangingbody
and...
.”hedi dn’
tev enfi
nishedbecausei shot
hislegandhescr eameddadt ri
edcomi ng
closerbuti screamedathi m.
Me:“Ifyouknowwhat
’sgoodfory
ou;you
won’tcomeanycl
oser
”K.TandSazial
sojoi
ned
us.

Mthunzi
:“Morepeopl
etothepar
ty.
”He
l
aughedandishothi
sotherl
eg.
Sazi
:“Zekhet
hel
ost
opi
t”i
gav
ehi
m al
ook.

Me:“Pi
ssoff.Al
lofyou.Thi
sisbet
weenme
andmygrandfat
her.Whatdi
dieverdot
oyou?
”
Mthunzi
:“Babygi
rly
ouar
eki
l
li
ngme.
”Hewas
nowcryi
ng.

Me: “Idon’
tcar
e!Justt
ell
me!
”iwascr
yingand
ishothisot
herarm.
Mt hunzi:
“Youar eperfect.Youar ebeautiful
andi wantedt oscrewy ouoverl i
kei di
d
everyonebuty ouhaveal waysbeenst r
ongandi
want edthattobeme.Ihi dbehi ndt hesui
tbut
honestlyihavealwaysbeenscar edofy ou.Of
yourmi nd;youcanbr i
ngt hewhol ewor l
dtoi t
s
kneesandi wantedthatformy self.Thatiswhy
ihadt odestroyyou”hewasnowcr yi
ngwi th
tearsandsnot .

Me:
“Wasi
twor
thi
t?”hel
ookedatme.
Mt
hunzi
:“What
?”

Me:
“Wasi
tal
lwor
thi
t;i
meanl
ookaty
ounow.
Youareatmymer cy.Sowasital
lwor
thit
?”i
st
eppedclosertohi
m andtheguysal
so
st
eppedcloser.

Sazi
:“Baby
;gi
vemet
hegun”
Mthunzi
:“Iam sor
ry.Iam sosor
ry”hel
ooked
atmepleadi
ng.

Me: “I
t’
stoolateMthunzi.I
t’
sreal
lytoolate”i
closedmyey esandstart
edshooting.Iheard
theguysscreamingandaf t
erthe5thbull
etSazi
tri
ppedmeov er
.Ij
ustsobbedloudly.Hestood
upandpulledmet ohim.

Sazi:“It
’sokay .I
t’
sal
right”icriedonhischest
forav eryl
ongt imeuntilicouldn’
tcryanymore.
Ilookedupandi sawhi m sit
ti
ngont hechair
withhisey esopened;bloodgushi ngoutofhis
mout h;Lif
eless.
[
01/
05,
10:
10]Ron:
Inser
t40FI
NALE
.
Nar
rat
ed
.
Aft
erthati ncidentatt heairportSazi; Khethelo
andMuzi wer ewor riedaboutZekhet helobut
shenev ershowedsi gnsoft r
aumaor
depression.Theyt ookt heki dsincludingFezi l
e
andwentt ot hehospi tal.Tehbabi eswer eokay
andtheywer edi schar ged.Theyt ookt hekids
homeandEmi hlewashappyf ortheki dsbeing
home.Ni ngi couldn’ tgohomeasy etbecause
shelostal otofbl oodsoZeehadt ot akecare
ofthekidsher self
.Shaunwasar egul aratthe
hospit
al l
ooki ngaf terNi ngi
.

Eversincet
hekidswer
ekidnappedSaziwas
al
way songuard.HeevenuppedEmihl
e’
s
securi
tyguys.Hewoul
dstayupandlookaft
er
hi
sfami
l
y.

Sazistayedupallnightwat
chingoverhis
babies.Hedidn’
twantami stakewit
ht he
babies.Zekhet
hel
owokeuponeni ghtandSazi
wasn’tnexttoher.Shegotoutofbedandwent
l
ookingf orhi
m.Shef oundhim st
andingbyt
he
windowl ooki
ngoutsidewit
hhandsi nhis
pyjamapockets.

Zee:“Baby”het
urnedqui
ckl
yandl
ookedather
wit
haf ai
ntsmil
e.
Sazi:
“Hey”hestr
etchedouthi
shandtoherand
Zeewenttohim.Heheldherinfr
ontofhi
m and
theyfel
lsi
l
ent
.

Zee:“Howl ongareyougoingt
odot
hist
o
your
selfbaby?”Sazi
sighed.
Sazi
:“If
eel
li
kei
fai
l
edy
ouandourki
ds.They
werebarelyadayoldy ettheygotki
dnapped.
Whatkindoff at
heram i?”hesoundedangry
andZeet urnedtol
ookathi m.Shecuppedhis
faceandmadehi ml ookather.

Zee:“Youdidn’
tknow.Youdidwellbaby.They
aresafeandthat
’sal
lthatmatt
ersbecause
nobodyisgoingt
oharmt hem.Theyareokay”
theyhugged.

Aft
erthatt hi
ngswentbackt onor mal.Months
passedandNi ngi wasbackt oheroldselfagai
n.
Thetwinswer e3mont hsoldandt heywereto
goforchr i
stening.TheNgony amaFami l
y,Sazi
,
Zee;Emi hl
eandt hetwinstogetherwithMuzi,
Khethelo,Sli
,Ningi,Fezil
eandZee’smot her
madet heirwayt ot hechurchdressedinwhite
andmi nt.
Theki dswerechri
stenedanditwasabeautif
ul
ceremony .Af
tert
hattheywenttohav el
unch
preparedbyauntyattheirhome.Theywere
si
ttingandhavingconversati
onoversome
dri
nks.
Ni
ngi:
“Thesel
astf
ewmont
hshav
ebeenr
eal
l
y
t
ough”

Zee:“Yeahy
ouwouldknow.Imeany
ouhav
e
beenbedhoppi
ng”
Muzi:“Zekhet
hel
o”sher
aisedherhandsi
n
sur
render.

Ningi
:“NospeakZee.Icanseeyouhave
somethi
ngyouwanttogetoffyourchest
”

Zee:“Ther
eisreal
l
ynothingtosayexceptthat
you’
reabit
chwhoj umpsfrom onebedto
anot
her.Imeanwhoi nt
heirr
ightmindfucks
thei
rbestf r
iend’sf
atherandhaveababywith
them? ”Sazijustdr
ankhisbeer.Hewasn’
tgoing
togetinvolved.Thi
sconv er
sat
ionwaslong
overdue.

Ningi
:“Zeeiam sor
ry.Ir
egr
etwhati
did.Imi
ss
youeveryday
”
Zee:“Noshit”shedr
ankherwat
er.Shewas
breast
feedi
ngsonowi nef
orher
.

Muzi
:“Zekhet
hel
oshei
str
ying”Zeel
ookedat
herf
ather
.
Zee:“Stayoutofthi
sdad.You;whatam i
supposedtocally
ounow?Mom? ”Zee’
S
motherlaughedandZeeturnedwit
hasmi l
e
l
ookingather.

Zee:“Iam comingt
oyouj
usty
ouwai
t.You
tur
niscomi ng”
Ningi:“Iam sor ry
.I.
.”Zeer eachedacr ossthe
tableandsl appedNi ngi
.Itwassof astnobody
expectedi t.Ev er
yonequi cklystoodupand
madeway .Shewental laroundt hetableand
gottoNi ngi .Shepulledherof fthechai rbyher
hairandshescr eamed.Shesl appedheragai n
andshef ellont hefl
oor.Shesatonherchest
andst ar
tedt hrowingslapsather .WhenNi ngi
start
edbl eedi ngonlythem di dSazi getheroff
her.

Muz i:“Ar
eyoucrazy?Shewasshotnotsolong
agoandy ouhither
”Ningist
oodupwithabadly
bruisedbody
.Shewasev entur
ningbl
uein
colour.

Zee:“Idon’tcare.Shebetr
ayedmeandnowwe
areeven”sher eachedoutherhandfora
handshake.Ningi l
ookedati
twithtear
sfal
l
ing
downherface.Shedeci
dednottoshakeher
hand.Shel
impedbacktothetabl
eandsat.
Zee’
smom laughed.

Zee:“You!Whatkindofpersonar
eyou?What
ki
ndofmot herl
etsherchi
ldberapedbyher
l
overwhohappenst obehergrandf
ather
?”she
movedclosertohermom.

Z’smom:“Babyiam sorr
y.Idi
dn’
tknowt
hat
thi
ngswoul
dturnthatway”
Me:“Ri
ghtsowhymesswi thdad?
”theybot
h
t
urnedandlookedatMuzi
whowasl ooki
ng
wi
thint
erest
.

Z’
smom :“Iwasbeingself
ish.
.iam sor
ry.Ist
il
l
l
oveMuzi
andi wantustogether
.I.
..
”
Muz
i:“Hol
ditri
ghtthere.Idon’twantany
oneat
t
hemoment.Iam fi
xingmy selfandidon’
tneed
anyst
ressf
rom women”

Zee:
“Apol
ogi
semom!
”
Z’
smom: “I
’l
lneverstopapol
ogi
sing.Ir
eal
l
y
am sorr
y.Iwouldli
ketobepartoftheki
dsli
fe.
Justonechance.”Zedtur
nedandlookedather
husbandandhenodded.

Zee:“Youmesst
hisup;
itsover
”hermom
noddedqui
ckl
ywipi
nghertear
s.

Sazi: “Okay.Nowt hat’

soutofthewaycanwe
celebr at
e?”rightthatmomentt hedooropened
andEmi hlecameoutr unni
ngwi t
hhiscousi
n,
Khet helo’
Schi l
d.Sl i
wasalsopregnantandthey
wer eget t
ingmar riedin2months.Theydecided
togobackt oLondon.Thei rli
fewasthereand
theywoul dv isi
teachot her
.Zeedecidedtoput
Qinisoof fi
ciall
yinchargeodthecompany .
Betweent hetwins;Emi
hleandherhusbandshe
hardlyhadtime.Soshewasamaj or
shareholderandsheworkedf r
om homewhi l
e
Qinisotookov er
.Sheal
sofiredNi
ngijustoutof
spit
e.

SaziandZekhethelof i
nal
lywentt otheir
honeymoonwhent het wi
nswer e6mont hsold.
I
twasaf amilyvacat i
on.Theywentt oDi sney
Worldbecausethati swhatEmihlewant ed.
Theyhadjustgottenbackt otheirhousewhen
Zeewokeupf eeli
ngnauseoust henextmor ni
ng.
Sherantothebathr oom andpuked.Sazi woke
upandwentt ocheckonhi swif
e.Hef oundher
l
eaningonthetoil
etseatandpuki ng.

Sazi
:“Baby
;what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Zee:“Idon’tknowbutifeelv
eryli
ghtheaded.
”
Saziopenedt heshowerandpull
edhertohim.
Hetookof fherclot
hesaswellashis.
Sazi:
“Comeletsshowersot
hati
cant
akey
ou
totheDoct
or”
Zee:“Ohi t
snot hing;probablyast omachbug”
theyshower edenj oy i
ngt hei
rmor ninggloryin
theshower .Af tert heshowert heywentf or
breakfast.Aftert heyat eZeef eltnauseousy et
againandpuked.Af terwashinghermout hSazi
tookherhandandt ookhert otheDr .Thatis
whent heyf oundoutt hatZeewasamont h
pregnant.Shegav ebi rt
ht oababyboy .Thando
wast heappl eofherf ather’
sey eandshewas
real
lybeaut i
ful.Theynamedt heboy
Sibongakonke.

Zeehadjustputhi
mt osl
eepandshewentt
o
j
oinherhusbandinbed.
Sazi
:“He’
sasl
eep?
”
Zee:
“Fi
nal
l
y.”Theyf
ell
insi
l
entandt
hey
star
tedl
aughing.Theylookedateachotherand
l
aughedlouder.Aft
ersomet i
met heypul
led
themsel
vestogether.

Sazi
:“Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?”
Zee:“Whatar
eYoul
aughi
ngat
?”sheal
so
askedhi
m.
Sazi
:“Thef
ir
stt
imewemet
”

Zee:“Wheniki
ckedy
ourbal
l
s.We’
vecomeso
farsi
ncet
hen”
Sazi
:“Yeswehav
emyDur
banBi
tch”Zee
punchedhi
m.
Zee:
“Jer
k”hechuckl
ed.

Sazi
:“Il
ovey
oubaby
”
Zee:
“Il
ovey
out
oomyhandsomej
erk.
”
THEFUCKI
NEND!
!