ONYI

YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER1

ONYI
YE

Onyiye-Onyi
ye-Onyiye!Honestl
yshehat est
his
namebutwhatcanshedoabouti tnot
hing!The
reasonofthehateforthisnameisthatit
'sbei
ng
abusedtothecore.Nyiye-Nyoyo-Nyuye.That '
s
howt heywil
lmimichernameunt i
lshebursti
n
anger.Theysaythi
snamemeansgi f
tofGod, but
therhymeishardtopr onounce!

An19-year-ol
dwhoi ssti
llt
ryingtofi
ndherself
.A
verydark,
slim shor
tgi
rlwhowasonceever yone'
s
favour
it
e,butnowshe'sever ybody'
senemy.How
didshebecomeanenemyagai n?Bygett
ingwhat
youshouldgotwhenonesmar r
ied.
Thatf
ait
hfulni
ght-t
henightwhenshewasonl
y18
enj
oyi
nghermat r
icdance.Hermot
hermadeal
l
arrangements,spentthelastcentonherbutlook
wher esheistoday…ifonl
yshewasr esponsi
blethat
nightshewoul dn'
tbehere,shewouldn'tbehavinga
fatherl
essnewbor nchil
d.Herbabyi sjustasix
mont hsoldandl i
fei
salreadyshowingherf l
ames.
Peoplecl
aimthatdrinki
ngistoblamef orthe
changesinone'
sper sonal
it
y,t
hesemyt h-debunki
ng
boff
inshaveconcludedthatal
coholdoesnot ,i
n
fact
,radi
cal
lychangeyourpersonali
ty.Sadisn't
?
Sheoncet houghttoherselfthatmaybe-havi
ngan
aborti
onwillsolveherproblems.Gi
vingthebabyup
foradopt
ion.Keept hebabyasasi nglepar
ent.She
wasondebr ief….
Sheaskedher selfastohowmanysper msdoyou
needt ogetpregnant ?It'
stakesjustonespermt o
fert
il
izeawoman' segg.Justoneni ght,oneround
gothergetpr egnant ….
thefactthathehadt oexpl
ain
thatshewoul dr atherandwouldr at
herforgett
he
cir
cumst ancesanddonotwantt otalkaboutit
.
Andathomet
hesi
tuat
ioni
swor
serbyt
hesecond.
CookOnyi
ye,cl
eanOnyi
ye-why?Becauseherlife
i
sonstandby.Nofut
urebutshemanagedt omake
her
sel
fhappybypassi
ngallhersubj
ectsi
nflyi
ng
col
our
s.Washermotherhappyforher?Notatal
l.
"Mum Ipassed!
"Sherememberstheexult
ati
onin
herbutmothercont
inueddr
inki
ngherteali
keit
'sno
body’
sbusiness.
Sher emembersthedisappoi
ntment-hear
tacheshe
fel
t.Ever
ythi
ngisplayingbi
tbybit
.
Shewipeshert
earsandl
ooksatherbabyboywho
i
ssleepi
ngpeacef
ull
y.

Herbabyboyi sjust6mont hsoldandshecannot

waitf orhimtofinal
lygrowandbeabi gboy.
Dependi ngonherchi l
d'sgrantforsur
vivali
s
somet hi
ngshecannotwi shonsomeoneel se.The
factthatshehast ogohouset ohouseandof ferher
servicest ocl
eanandwash.Get ti
ngpaidpeanut s-
somewi llgi
veherR10af termakingherslavef r
om
mor ningt onoonwithoutfoodwi t
hherbabyonher
back.
Sheknowshowi
tfeel
sli
ket
osl
eeponanempt
y
st
omach.
Sitt
ingandmoppi ngaboutherusel
essli
fewil
lhel
p
thefactshe'
sindeeduseless.Shesi
ghsgett
ingup
from herspongewithweakt i
redbl
anket
s.
Sheneedstocleanandcookbef or
etheygetback
fr
om wherevert
heyare.Hersist
erworksi
n
Cambri
dgeandacashi erandhermotherisamaid
i
nsomer i
chman' shouseintown,EshoweLocti
on.
Shelovesherr
uralar
ea,shedoesn'
tseeher
sel
f
l
ivi
ngherli
feoutsi
deofEshowe.
Shestepsoutofherr
ondovelcl
osi
ngi
tsot
hatt
he
chi
ckenswon'twakeherbabyup.

Sheseesthewomenenteri
ngt
hegateandshe
knewthattr
oubl
eisaboutt
ost
ir
.Shedoesn'
tneed
i
ttoday….
"Hau,I'
vebeenknocki
ngthiswholeti
meandyou
aretheresl
eepi
ng.Nxa,yourmothersaiddon'tcook
herdaughteri
t'
staki
ngherout.Pickyoursel
fMaan,
l
ookatyouragematestheyar
egoingt
ovar
sit
ies
andyouareher
ebreast
feedi
ng….
"
"Okay,
"shetur
nstol eaveMam' Dludlispit
ti
ngfir
e
fornoreason-asusual .Shesawherent eri
ngthe
gateandnowshehasbeenknocki ngf orlong.She
shakesherheadtakingherbaby'sclothesoffthe
l
ine.Sheneedstoironthem beforehermot her
comesback.Hedoesn' thavealotofclothes
anyway….

Theyareback,at
leasti
t'
sveryclean.Herandher
sist
erdon'
tseeeyetoeye.Theirmot herhasal
ways
favour
edhersist
erevenifsheistheonewr ong.
ShelooksatSisi
phowalki
ngri
ghtpastherwi
thout
evenacknowledgedi
ngherpr
esence.She'
susedto
thetr
eatmentanyway.

Thewholehouseiscleannothingneedsher
att
ent
ionnowinthishouse.Shewal ksoutoft
he
houseusi
ngthekit
chendoor ,shejustneedst
o
cuddl
eherson.
"PapiVuka.
"Heissti
llsl
eepi
ng.Maybehei s
comingupwi thaf
lueorsomething."Ndi
mu,"she
shakeshim andheslowl
yopenshereyes.Hei snot
burni
ngbutsomethingisdef
init
elywrongwithhim.
Howdoessheknow?Thecol ouroftheski
nispink.
Shepickshim upandpl
aceshim onherl
apmaking
surethathi
shearti
sbeat
ing,goodthi
ngheissti
ll
breat
hing.Goi
ngtohermotherisnotanopt
ionnow.
Sheplaceshersononherbackcover
inghi
m wi
tha
towelandrushesoutoft
hehouse.

"Gi
ft,
whathappened?Whyareyouheret
hist
imeof
thenight
?"I
t'
sonly6'
0Cl
ockintheeveni
ngand
alr
eadypeoplear
econsi
der
ingitasni
ght.
"Mah,
Ineedyourhel
p."Doesshewantt
obr
eak
downandcry?Yes!
"Comei n,
"atl
eastt
hiswomaniski
ndenoughforher
toletheri
nherhome.Haveasit.
"Onyiyeunst
raps
hersonof fhebackandsi
tsdownplaci
nghim on
herlap.
"It
hinkheiscomi ngupwithafl
ue.
"Shetel
lsher.
Thewomanl ooksatherandsi
ghstaki
ngthebaby
offherhands.Sheinspect
sthebabyandfi
nall
y….
"Hejustneedst
obecl
eaned.Hi
sst
omachi
s
bloat
ed."
"
WhatdoIf
eedhi
m?"Onyi
yeaskoutofpani
c.
"Gi
vethechil
dwarm waterwi
thpinchofsal
t-ori
fa
spoonofgrapewat
er,t
hat'si
fyouhaveone."
"
Ithi
nkwar
m wat
erwi
lldo.
"
"Thoughtasmuch.Nowi fyoudon'tmindIneedI
sleep.Here,"shehandshert hebabyandr emai
ns
standing."
Yourbabyl ookslikehe'
ssufferi
ngfr
om
l
essvi tamins-ngathiunekhwashul omntana
maan. "
"Hewasbornl i
ket
his.
"Shelooksatherchi
ld'
sred-
maroon-orangehair
."Whatcolouri
sthi
s?Lookat
hiswhi
teskin.I
sheanalbino?"
Thattouchedanerve.Shestandsupfr
om the
couchwi t
htearsbli
ndi
nghervisi
on."
EyNani
nokuhambani l
ala,
nozenil
alenabat
hakat
hiinkosi
i
mpel
a."
"
Staywel
l,
"nof
urt
herwor
dsoutofhermout
h.

Nooneget susedtotheremarksbeingthr own

ar
ound.Ithurt
sthatherchil
dwi l
lgothroughthis
whengrowingup.It'
sapitythatshedidn'tseethe
man'
sface.
Theywer ebothint
oxicated,itst
art
edwi t
hakiss,
clothesf l
yingofft
heirbodiesandonet hingl
eadto
anot her.Therewherebothi nadarkroom andthat
fait
hf ulnight
,shegotpregnantwi t
hast r
anger'
s
chil
d.
Ndimuphiweist
henameofherchil
d.Andshewi l
l
for
evercher
ishhi
m.Thebestt
hingthathasever
happenedtoher
.

Arri
vinghomeshef i
ndshermotherstanding
outsi
de.Shewal kspastherandheadingtoher
rondovel.Therondovelt
hatshegotthetimeshe
waspr egnant.Shewaskickedoutofthemai nmai
n.
"
Sinceusumfazi,Iwantyououtofmyhouse."Ther
e
wasnousepl eadingwit
hheratthatt
ime.She
walkedouti
npi ece….
"I
fyoust i
lll
eaveundermyr oofIwi l
lnotletyou
whoreinmyhousei nbroaddaylight.I
fikushisa
i
mpene, here'
sthegate-gooutandneverl ook
back."Shepointsoutatthegate.Sheknowsver y
wellnottorespond.
Shenodsherheadandcont i
nueswithherjour
ney.
Hermotherpul
lsherbackbyherhairmakingherto
al
mostdropthebabyfrom herbackbutsheheldon
ti
ghtont
othetowel.
"I
'mtalkingtoyou."Asl aplandsonhercheek.
"Don'tyoueverwalkawaywhi l
eI'
m st
il
ltaki
ngto
you,yousl ut
."Anotherslaplandsonhercheek.
She'sbeencr yi
ngal lherli
fe.Andsheisdefi
nit
ely
donecr ying.

Parent
sar er
equi
redtoprovi
defort
hei
rchi
ldr
en
andprotectt
hem f
rom danger
.
Shei
sst
ruggl
ingt
orecal
lthel
astt
imeshespent
quali
tyti
mewi thhermot her
,ithadst
ingupandhas
acceptthataconsiderabl
eamountoft i
mehas
passedandshewi llneverhaveamot herand
daughterrel
ati
onship.Evengrowinguptherewasn'
t
one.
Manypupi l
sinschoolusedt odescri
bethei
r
mot her'
saswar m,attenti
ve,andkindbutnother
mot her!Asachi l
d,shehasal wayscraved
uncondi t
ionall
ove.Buti nsteadofcuddlesand
familyout i
ngs,herlasti
ngmemor i
esareofbit
ter
rows.Thewayhermot hertreatshersonher
surprisedthatshewasabl et orai
setwochildr
en
herself.
Shemaymeetherever ywor dwi
thharshcrit
ici
sm
ormakeherfeelgeneral
lyunwort
hy.Shetakesout
herangerandfr
ustrat
ionsfr
om otherar
easofher
l
ifeoutonher,
withoutconsi
deri
ngorcaringifshe
hurt
sher.

Shepatsinherson'
sbackaftergi
vinghim aquar
ter
ofwarm waterandsal
t.Heburpsoutloudand
i
mmediat
elyhepoopswaterypopmessi
ngal
lover
hi
snapki
ntowelheisweari
ng.
Nowshehashast
owashhi
spoop!
Shedecidedt obathehim atnight.Nomat terhow
brokesheisbutshemakessur ethatherbaby
neverrunsoutofl oti
onsforhi
ssensi ti
veskin.A
veryli
ghtskinnedchildwithmar oonhairanda
blackwartplanterri
ghtbelowhisr i
ghteye.Normal
peoplehavebr ownishorblackhairalloverthei
r
skin.Butnotherboy-boy.
Aknockonherwi ndow,shefr
ownspulli
ngher
br
eastsoutofherson'sti
nymouth.Shelet
'sher
br
eastshangoutsidehert-
shi
rt
.

"
Onyi,
"ther
e'sonl
yonepersonwhocal
lsherl
ike
t
hatandthatisherf
ri
end.
"St
huphethu,"shewhi spersback.Shefi
nall
yopens
thewindowandhel psherin."Whatareyoudoing
her?
"Sheasksr emember ingherexposedbreast
.
Sheshamef ull
yt ucksitbackinandhalfsmil
es.
"Ubunceli
sa?
"Sheaskspushi
ngherasidebeaming
i
nexcitement."
Myfavour
it
eboy,"sheki
sseshi
s
cheek."Mymothert
oldmethatyoucameby."
Onyiyesit
sdownbesi dehercr
azyfri
end.Li
ndi
weis
onehellofatal
kati
veoneandOnyi yeontheot
her
handisthequiet
est.Peopl
ealwayswonderedhow
dotheykeeptherefri
endshi
pgoing.
"
Yeap,Ndi
muwassick,wel
lnotasi
nsickbuthe
wasnotokayt
obepreci
se.Hewasn'
tpoppi
ngsoI
wentt
oyoumum forhel
p."
"
Fri
end,nevereverseekassi
stancef
rom that
woman.Idon'tknowwhathappenedt omysweet
mother
.Justbecauseyoumadeami stakeshe
wantsmetof or
getaboutyou,mxm."
"She'syourmotherSt
hu.AndIappr
eciatei
tthatyou
sti
llbesi
demewhenever yonehast
urnedthere
backsonme. "Shewil
lfor
everbegr
atefulf
orthat.
"Aysuka!I
'm nother
etot al
kaboutthatevi
lwoman.
I'
m heretogiveyouthis.Iwantyoutoapplyandgo
dowhatyoul ovebest.Rememberwhenwehadbi g
dreams?"
Onyiyesmil
esremember i
ng."Dr
eamsofusbei
ng
marriedtomil
li
onai
res,
drivi
ngexpensi
vebi
gcar
s,
l
ivi
ngt hedr
eam li
keSomiziwouldsay.
"
"I
'
m gladt hatyoust i
llr
emember .Youmaynotmake
enought oaf f
or dtheextraexpensesofmybaby.
Additi
onally,childcareisexpensive.Youmaynotbe
abletoaffordt hechildcareneededt oconti
nue
doingthesi dejobsyouar edoing.Iknowpr ovi
ding
youwi t
hwhatIal sogetisnotenoughbutIl ove
howyougoabouthouset ohousewant ingtoputa
handtogetpai d.
Iwon'tbeavail
ablef
orlong,youknowt hatI
'
m
l
eaving,soongoingtoschool.WhenIcomebackI
wanttoseeyoubet t
erandst r
ongerthanthi
s.Iwant
toseemyf ri
endoutthere.Iwanttoseeyouprosper
i
nyourf armi
ng."
"
Ial
sowantto.
"Onyi
yerepli
es.Theposit
ivi
tyher
f
ri
endhasf
orherisbeyondeveryt
hing.
"
Anditallst
art
shere.
"Shehandshert
hepaper
s.
Onyi
yelookedatt
hem car
eful
lyandsi
ghedsmi
li
ng.
"
Ipr
omi
senott
odi
sappoi
ntyou.Youar
ethebest
t
hingst
hathaseverhappenedt
ome.
"
"Andal sot hinkaboutwhatyouwi lltel
lyourchi ld
whent hey'reol der.Thisshoul df ormt hebasisf or
whatyout ellyourf amil
y, causeIknowyouar est i
ll
stuckont hatsameol dsong.It hi nkifitweremeI
wouldsayt hatIwasoutwi t
hf r
iendsandhavi nga
wonder f
ult i
me.ImetsomeoneIf eltareal
chemi strywi t
handt houghtImi ghthavea
rel
ati
onshi pwi th.Asar esult,wemovedt oofast
andsadl yitwasal loverbef orewer eall
ykneweach
other.Thei mpor tantthingi sthatt hemoment s
whenyourbabywasconcei vedwer ehappyones.
Bestr ong.You' reanadul twhohasdeci dedtokeep
herbaby.St andbyyourchoi ces.It'shardonyour
own, butal lthesef earsandt hef acthewasar esult
ofaone- nightst andwi l
ldi sappearassoonasyou
seeyourbabygr owi ntoayounghandsomel adi es
man.Ot herpeopl e'
sopi nionsar enoti mpor t
ant .The
peoplewhol oveyouar et hereforyouar etheones
whomat ter.
"
Onyi
yesni
ff
slooki
ngdownontheground.Theonl
y
per
sonwhohasevercar
edforher
.Notevenher
si
steri
sthi
slovi
ngt
owar
dsher
.
"Ihavet
ogobef or
emonstermothernot
icest
hatI
sneakedout
."Shestandsuppul
li
ngherdressdown.

Shelooksatherfri
endasshedi sappearedoutof
si
tei
nt hedarkness.Shesmi l
edclosingthewindow
andlooksatthediapers,
DanoneandPur it
ythat
sheboughtforNdimu.Sur el
yshest olehermother
's
moneyt obuythese.
Li
ndiwehasalwaysbeent
her
eforhereveni
nthe
dar
kestdays.
Shetakesthedocument sandneatl
ypl
acedt
hem
underhersponge,shehasnoprivacywheni
t
comestoherbelongings.

Partofherisbr
okenthatherfri
endisgoingawayto
studybutsheisdefi
nit
elyhappyforheratthesame
ti
me.Thef actt
hatshegaveherthismeansal ot
.
Sheneedst
osl
eep,t
omorrowi
sanotherdayf
orher
togoworki
nashebeenf
il
edwit
hdrunkme.Atleast
i
t’
sgoi
ngtobeR150aday.Shewi
llsaveupal
oti
n
t
hisweek.

I
t'
smor ni
ngaround5am andal
readyshe'
sawake.
Hersonbathedandreadyf
ort
heroad.
Sheput sthesl
eepi
ngNdimuonherbackandas
usualcovershi
m wit
hthetowel
.Shestepsout
side
andclosesthedoorfor
get
tingt
olocki
tli
kewhen
shewillnormal
lydo.
I
t'
sfr
eezi
ngcol
dandi
t'
sver
ymuchdar
kout
side.

Shewillbewor ki
nginthebott
lestor
et odayor
shebeenwhat evert
hedrunkardscalli
t.I
t'
smonth
endandi twi
llbepacked.Atl
eastthewomanwas
ki
ndenought obabysitforher
.
"
Knockknock-
"
She'sst
andi
ngout
sidewi
thasmi
lepl
ast
eredonher
face.
Thedoorf
ull
yopensandt
hemanoft
hehouse
st
epsout.
"CanIhelpyou?"Thatscar
yvoicewi
pedhersmi
led
offherfaceandrepl
aceditwi
thasli
ght
lyf
rownon
herface.
"
SawubonababaI
'
m her
etoseeMaThusi
."
"
Hmmm,
"theol
dmanr
esponds.
Heleavest
hedooropenandst
epsi
nsi
det
ogocal
l
hi
swi f
e.
"
HayNont
ombi
,comei
nmychi
ld.
"
That
'sanawkwar
dname.From Onyi
yet
oGi
ftnow
Nont
ombi?Whatanupgr
ade.
"
Mah,
"
Thet owelisbei
ngi
ntackedt
ight
lyaroundher
breastarea.Ndi
mubeingpul
ledoffherback.
"
I'
llputhi
mtobed.
"She'soutofsi
ght
.Thewoman
who'snotaf
rai
dofherchi
ld.
Shecomesbackandsmiles."
Idi
dn'
texpectyouso
ear
ly.Youcanhaveasi
t.
"
"
I'
m anear
lybi
rdmah.
"
"
Icansee,
akushowenaNont
ombi
.Sohowar
e
you?
"Howi
sshe?
Sheshr
ughershoul
der
s,"
Idon'
tknow.
"
MaThusinodsherheadandsi
ghs."It
'sgoingt
obe
busyforther
estoft
heweek.Usuall
ymyki dshel
p
aroundwhentheyar
eherebutschooliskeepi
ng
them.Letmegobathsowecouldstart.
"
Her
egoest
hecycl
eofherl
if
e.
[
08/
18,
03:
30] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER2

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Apparently,drinkingisl
ikesi t
ti
ngont heTV
remote'svol umeupbut t
on, exceptdrunkpeopl eare
theTVandt heycan' tfi
ndt heremot e.Onefriend
notonlyst artstoshoutaf terafew,butheal so
won'tstopt alki
ngandcur sing.Normal l
yshe
wouldn'tmi nd—t hei
rconver sati
onsar eli
tt
eredwi t
h
expl
etives.
Theyar
esowei
rdl
yinsecur
e.

Whi ch,fr
ankly,i
sasur pr
ise.Takeaper sonwho's
pleasingtotheeye, i
ntel
li
gent,puttogether,and
whensober ,brazenlycompet ent
,and
conf i
dent—butaf t
erafewwhi skysour s,thatper
son
turnsintoapar anoidmessofsel f
-doubt .She
knowswhatal coholdoestoyourbl oodst ream.
She’st hevi
ctim ofit
.
"Awu,mfazikamfowethu,
"saysCli
veonoft heguys
heusedtoattendschoolwit
h.Shelastsawhimt wo
monthsago.Peoplearebusywiththei
rli
ves.
"Cl
ive,
"shesmi
leswi
pingt
hecount
er."
Whatbr
ings
youhere?"
"Ij
ustmisshome.Ngi
sazobambai
ngudu
ezi
mbalwa."
"I
t'sgoodthatyouhaveneverfor
gott
enhome.I
'
m
gladthatci
tyli
fedi
dn'tchangeyou.
"

Cl
ivei
sdoi
nghi
sfi
rstyeari
nDUT,
studyi
ng
mechani calengineering.Hewasherpar t
nerinthei
r
matri
cdancebutni ggerdisappeared,i
twas
understandable.Ever yonewasdr unk-load
sheddinghappened, onethingleadt oanother
.She
foundher sel
fkissingat otalst
ranger.
"Ij
ustmi
ssmyruralhometown.Cit
yli
feisnotfor
me.Butmosti
mportant
lyImissmymot her'
s
cooki
ng.
"Hehashishandsleanagai
nstthecount
er.
"
Sti
llamama'
sboyIsee.
"
Helaughsshyl
yandseesawomanwi
thababyi
n
herhands.
"I
sthatmyNdimu?CanIt
akehi
m homemamawi
ll
besodeli
ght
edtoseehi
m."
Onyiyel
ooksatMaThusiwhohasherhands
wrappedti
ght
lyar
oundNdimu.
"
Err
m,"
"Hemustbebackwi thi
nanhour ."ShehandsCl ive
thebabywhowassmi l
ingfrom eartoear."Make
surethatthesundoesn'
tburnhim.Hi sskinistoo
sensi
tive.
"Sheputshim hi
shatandgi veshim an
umbr
ell
a."
Iwanthi
m backwi
thi
nanhour
."
Ifonlyhermotherwasthi
soverpr
otect
ivet
owar
ds
heritwouldhavebeen….
"Mfazikamfowethu,wewil
lbeback.Keepthose
bott
lessaf
eforme. "Hewal
ksoutcarryi
ngNdimu.
Shehasneverreall
yaskedhim whyhecall
shim
that
.
Thedaywentpret
tyfast
.Shedidn'
tevennot
icet
hat
i
t'
sknockoffti
me.Lockathersoundi
ngli
kea
prof
essi
onalbusi
nesswoman.

Howcanshestandl onghour
swit
hsuchpai
n?
Hopef
ull
yshewillbecomeaccust
omedtost
andi
ng
bydoi
ngitever
yday.
"Ni
sal
ekahlemah,"she'
sreadytoleaveandbe
homeinherspongereadi
ngthroughthose
document
s.
"
Seeyoungo8:00am notby5:
00am pl
easet
uuu.
"
MaThusit
ell
shermakingOnyi
yet
olaughabit
.
"
Ipr
omi
set
ocomear
ound8:
00.
"
MaThusihandshert
hemoney…R250!Shewas
def
ini
tel
ynotexpect
ingi
tonebi
t.
"Haumah,Godblessyouf orme."Shewant
sto
kneel
downancr y.Thi
smeanssomucht oher
.She
knowsthatshewil
lsavethisweekandbuyher
babymorediaper
sandf ormula.
"Don'
teventhinkaboutit
!"MaThusister
nlywar ns.
Sheishalfwayt hr
oughkneeli
ngbutwasf orbidden.
"You'
vehelpedmeal otandmycust omerslovedyou.
Keepthi
shear tofyoursyouwil
lgof ar
."

Shefeelsconf i
dentandliber
ated.Thi
sfeel
sli
kethe
fi
rstpay-check,apay-checkthatwil
lgi
veheratast
e
ofwhat'sinstoreforher.
Earni
ngthatli
tt
lemoneyjustgaveherconfi
dence
becausethenshecanbef i
nancial
lyi
ndependent
anddoesnothavetobedependentonot hers.Not
,
especi
all
yhermotherandsister
.
It
'sfunnyhowtheyli
veinoneyardbutt
heydonot
acknowledgeeachother
'spr
esence.
Today-shedoesn'thavetostealf
oodfrom t
he
house.Shewil
lsleepwithafullst
omach.Ndimuis
tackedonherbackasusual l
ikeever
yotherday.
Onherwaybackhomesheboughtt wofat
koeks,
fr
iedchipswi
thyababaanda2li
tr
ecoke.She'
s
goingbackhomehummi ngi
nexci
tement.

Hermotherisoutsi
detheyardwithherfavour
it
e
daught
erreadyforheral
ready.Thatsheknowsand
heri
nsti
nctstel
lher.
"WeSf
ebe,
wozala!
"Okaywhathasshedonenow.
Shemakessur
enottost
eponanyone'
stoes.
"
Mah,"shetakesfur
therst
epstowar
dst hem.She
l
ooksdownont hegroundbecausesheknowst hat
asl
apcouldfoll
owforlooki
ngather."
Whatthehell
i
sthi
s?"Sheshovesthepapersonherface.
Herhear
tdr
opsi
mmedi
atel
y….
"
Youwentt
hroughmyst
uff
?"She'
sbr
oken,
hur
t.
"
Whosehousei
sthi
s?Youi
ntendtoforgetthet
his
i
smyhouseandmylat
eboyfr
iendbuil
titforme.
Yout hinki
ngofgoingbacktoschool
?Who'sgoing
totakecar eoft
hatthi
ngyoucallachi
ld?Wena!Go
takemat chesendli
n.Iwi
llt
eachyoualessonyou
willneverfor
get!
"
She'sl
ookingatthepapersburni
ngri
ghtinfr
ontof
hereyes.Theeff
ortherfr
iendmadebringi
ngher
theseonlytobedestr
oyedinthismanner.
"
Mah!
"Hert
rembl
ingl
ipsandwat
eryeyes.
"
Idon'
tgi
vebi
rt
htoskanksmi
na.
"
She'
sst
andi
ngt
her
est
il
lfr
ozen,
hur
t.
Shef eelsasifshehasf al
leni
ntoacact us,
andher
hearthasbeenpunct uredami l
li
ontimesoverby
ti
nypi ns.I
tstungatfi
rst,butnowitfeel
sasi f
they'
vel ef
thernumb—notevensl ightl
ypainful
,j
ust
numb.
Looki
ngattheashesonthegr
asswi
tht
ear
s
runni
ngoneaft
eranother
.
"
Mxm,
"hersi
stert
urnst
owal
kbackt
othehouse.
She'
ssitt
ingonherspongel
ostint
houghts.She
cannotevencel
ebr
atethevi
ctor
yofear
ningthat
R250.
Shelaysonherbackwi
thherachi
ngf
eetf
aci
ngt
he
cei
li
ng.
Shesi
ghspai
nful
lyasshebur
sti
ntot
ear
s.

Sheonlywantedtostudyagr
icul
tureandbeabett
er
Mom toherson.Sheonlywantedtomakeher
fut
urebett
er.Butal
lofherpl
ansjustshat
ter
edr
ight
i
nf r
ontofhereyes.
Acceptwhati
s,l
etgoofwhatwas,andhavef
ait
hin
whatwil
lbe.Aquotesheoncehear
d.
Shel aysfl
atawakeatni
ghtachi
ngf
orr
estand
rel
ieffrom herr
aci
ngmind.
Onedayr
unningstrai
ghti
ntothenext,
andthenext
,
andt
henext.Anendlesshor
ror-
fi
lmloop.That
’s
howshecoulddescri
beherl
if
egr owi
ngup.
Shef
eel
slost
.
Andal
one.
I
twasn’
tanewf
eel
ing.Shehadf
eltt
hatwayf
or
year
s.
Shel i
esawakeandwonderwhyshedi dn’
tfeel
better
,wishshecoul
dfeell
ikeeveryoneel
se
seemedt o—cont
ent,
confi
dent,happy.Whywasn’t
thatherl
ife?

Thehar dershef i
ghtst hewayshe'sf
eeli
ng,t
he
harderiti
st ofeelthatway.Themor eshelet
si tbe
there,
theeasieritgetst ofeelt
hatway.Thefeeli
ng
nolongerf eel
sscar y,orli
kesomethi
ngsheneeds
totrytoavoid.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"St
hembi
soMaan,
ifyouknowwhat
'sbestf
or
you….
"
"Mah,I
'm comi
ng!
"Hehissesgett
ingof
fthebed
cur
singunderhi
ssmel
lymor ni
ngbreat
h.
Thesuni
sburninghi
sski
nsopainful
ly-her
uns
backt
othehousetowearhi
st-
shir
tandhishat
.He
hasat
wobedr
oom out
sidet
hemai
nhouse.
Nowhisbodyisi
tchy-scrat
chingwi
llf
oll
owt
hen
bl
ist
ersandr
ednesswillpopup.
"Heretake.Gototheshopsandbymet his.
"His
mot herhandshi
mt hepieceofpaperf
il
edwith
groceri
es.
"I
t'
shot,can'
tIgothi
saf
ter
noon?
"Maybehewi
ll
pullt
hatcardonher.
"NowSthembi
so!
"Sheraws.Whatdot
heysay
aboutBl
ackPar
ents!
Hi
smouthi
sfor
evercur
sing-"
ay,ay,
ay,
"hei
s
st
ompi
nghi
sfeetl
ikeafi
veyearol
d.
"A25yearsold-whatadi sgr
ace.
"Hismotheradd
befor
eturni
ngtoleave.Sheknowsherson,heis
for
evercomplai
ningandthatdoesn’
tbugherany
l
onger.
Hefi
xeshishatandsi
ghsst
eppingoutoft
heyard.
Hi
sfatherhasf
orbi
ddenhi
mf r
om usi
nghiscar
s.

Theol
dmandoesn'
tunder
standt
hathewasdr
unk,
damnheevengotlai
dthatnight
.Hewasinvi
tedto
amatri
cdancethatt
urnedouttobehi
spersonal
matr
icdance.
Dri
vingbackhomemadehi mlooseallofhi
ssenses,
hefoundhimsel
fcrashi
ngsomeone'scar.
Wheneverhethi
nksofthatni
ghthefi
ndhi msel
f
smil
ing.
Shewaswayt
oot
ightandver
ysweet
.
Herpussyt astedlikest
rawber
rysweetaid.He
wouldstealpicturesofherwit
houthernoti
cing.Hi
s
gal
ler
yisf ullofthosemoments.
Hissmi l
ingl
ookingathisfeetcount
inghissteps.
Hewi sheshecouldspendj ustonemorenightwith
her.Herverydarksof
tskin….Hehasbeeneyei ng
hersincehespot t
edhi
syesonhert hatnight.I
t'
sa
pit
ybecauset hatwasthefirstandl
astdaysincehe
sawher .
Hermoansfi
ll
inghi
searsundert
hosebl
ast
ing
speaker
sspi
tt
ingmusi
c.
Hecouldst
il
lhearhervoi
ce,
tiny.Hetook
someone'
spuri
ty!Heneedstober ect
if
iedt
o
r
ecei
vet
his.

Ahonkmakeshimtofr
eezeandst
andssti
ll
.Heti
lt
s
hi
sheadfi
ndi
nghimsel
finthemi
ddleoft
heroad.
Howdidhegether
e?
Hishear
tpoundi
ngl
ooki
ngatt
hecar
spassi
nghi
m
-somesweari
ng.
"Whatthef
uckman!Wat
chwearyougoi
ngyou
pussy!
"
I
fthismani
srefer
ri
ngtothepussyhi
simagi
ning-
t
hanbyallmeansheisdel
ight
edtobecompared
wit
hit.
"
Herpussywassweet
."Heshout
sbackst
icki
nghi
s
middl
efi
ngerout
.
Thedr
iverst
epsoutofhiscarmarchi
ngtowards
hi
m."Owshit!
"Izi
ndukuzesi
nukhaareoutofsight
.
I
magi
neaski
nnyguyr
unni
ngf
orhi
sli
fe.

St
hembi
soi
shar
dlyseeni
nther
oad.Hei
sfor
ever
athomei
fhei
snotatwor
k.
Fi
nal
lyheisintown,hedoesn'tli
kecrowdedplaces.
Heenjoysbei
ngaloneandtalkingtohimsel
f.

Peopleal
wayslookathiminthemostweirdestway
anditdoesn'
tbotherhi
m anyl
onger.Hi
sreddish
hai
risneatl
ycut.Whatisamanwi t
houtafade.
"St
hembi
so!
"Heknowst
hatvoi
ce.Andi
tannoys
himtot
hecore!
Hecomposeshimsel
fandturnst
olookather
.Her
st
omachissofuckenhuge!
"
Mazet
!"
"
Areyoust
il
ldenyi
ngt
hispr
egnancy?
"
"Howam unsur
ethatt
hebabyi
sminesi
nceyou
sleptwi
thmybrot
herDumi
sani
?"
"Wedi dn'tsl
eept oget
her
!Weonlykissed!
"MaZet
halfshout sat
tracti
ngeyes."
Youknowwhatyouare
useless.Idon'tevenknowwhatIsawi nyou
becauseyoucannotevenper f
orminbed.
Iyafhathuzanje."
"Say'
ssomeonewhohasahol
eforthewhol
e
Eshowetoshar
e!"St
hembi
sospi
tsback.
MaZetgaspsi
nshockasherl
ipst
rembl
ed."
You
bast
ard!
"
Heseesstarsafterthathandfulsmackonhi
sr i
ght
cheek.Si
ll
ypervertscenes-HesawherJuggling
Assetsandallduri
ngheref f
orttosl
ap.Butt
hatwas
ashortpai
nandi nsult.

Alleyesonthem,
greatjustgreat
.Thedevi
lhaslef
t
l
eavinghimtoearnevileyes.Heisst
andi
nginthe
queuewaiti
ngimpati
ently.
Fi
nall
yhistur
ncomes,hel
ooksatt
hel
adychewi
ng
gum andshakeshi
shead.
"Ishoul
dtel
lmybl
ackndonit
oteachyouhowt
o
chew."
"
Sor
ryukhul
umanami
?"t
het
il
lladyasks.
"
Nyori,
chaI '
mt al
kingtothechickenbehi
ndyou.
"he
mimicshervoice."Youreyebr
ows-l ongwal
kto
f
reedom,longHal l
oweenwayDPDt ruck.
"Hesi
des
eyeher.Thegi
rlj
ustl
ooksathi
m andsi
ghs
conti
nuingt
owork.What’
stheuseofar
gui
ngwi
tha
fool
.
"
Plast
ic?
"Sheasks,
frust
rat
ed,
mad.
"Cha,
Idon' twantmypl asti
cbeingturnedintoa
zombie."Hepul l
soutforapacketbehi ndhispocket
andsmi rkslookingather.Heshovest hei
tems
i
nsidethepl ast
icsandsmi leswidel
y.
There'
snot
hingmorethanhehat
esl
ikebei
ngi
na
taxiwi
tht
hesebunchof….
"Si
bawu4,"ownoshedi
dn'
thi
thi
m wi
tht
hemoney
onhischeek.
Hetur
nstol
ookather,
"I'
m notapassenger
,"he
t
urnstof
acefr
ontandfocusesonhisphone.
"
Hai
boBut
i!Dl
uli
sai
mal
i.
"Anot
hershout
s.
"Idon'
tworkher
e,angi
sosi
cabhami
na.
"Hehi
sses
sti
llf
ocusedonhisphone.
Thedriverst
opst
het
axi
,"weBut
iut
hii
mal
i
yenzeni?"
St
hembi
sot
il
tshi
sheadt
olookatt
hescar
ydr
iver
.
Heswall
owshar dandchokesonhisownsaliva.I
f
hewasrelat
edtoamar at
honistsur
ehewouldhave
beenoutofthi
sdoor,
heisevensuitednextt
oit!
"
Who'
stal
king?
"Heasksl
ooki
ngatt
hedr
iver
.
"
Yeywenabot
ela,
dlul
isai
mal
iMaan!
"
"
Readmyl i
pscert
ifi
eddri
ver-Idonotwor kfort
he
t
axiassoci
ati
on.I
'
m notyourpersonalassi
stant
."
Sthembisol
ockshi
sphonepl
aci
ngi
tbackt
ohi
s
pocket
.
"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"
"Sot
hedrivercanspeakEngl
ishaf
teral
l,
hahahah
howfunny!"

Thedri
verstepsoutandwalksaroundhistaxi-he
opensthepassenger
sdoorandpul l
sSthembiso
outbygrabbinghi
m wit
hhisshir
t."Repeatyour
wordsboy."
"Letgoofme! "Hetr
ieswiggl
inghimselfbuthei
s
j
ustwayt othinfort
hebuffytaxidr
iver
.Hehashim
pressedagainsthi
staxi
.
"Uzonyasaan"heletsgoofhim makingsureto
drophim onpurpose.Thedr
ivertakehi
splasti
cout
andthrowsthem ontheroadwithfoodbeing
scatt
eredontheground.
Justl
iket
hatt
hecr
ueldr
iveri
sdr
ivi
ngaway.
"
Thankyou,Sol
idar
it
eit
!"Hestompshisf
eetcursi
ng.
"
Whatnow."Hepickseveryt
hingl
ucki
lyt
heplasti
c
i
ssti
llf
ine.
Walkingbackhomeint
hisheatfeel
sexhausti
ng.
Everypartofhi
mispai
nful-sor
eanditchy.

Ahooterhonksf
rom behi
nd.Hej
umpsoutofshock
andscreamsinf
earabit.
"
Shi
t!
"Hest
andsasi
de.
"
Geti
n!"I
nst
ruct
sascar
yman.
"
Weee,
sor
ry.I
'
drat
herdi
eint
hisheat
."
Thedri
verst
epsoutandwal
ksaroundhi
scar
towar
dshim,hest
andsri
ghti
nfr
ontofhi
syel
low-
whit
eface.
"
Isai
dgeti
n."Agun!
St
hembi
soshoot
shi
seyeswi
deopen.
"Woahh! "Hetakesstepsback.Nowhewisheshe
didn'tcomehomef ort
heweekend.Dur
banispret
ty
fullandannoying.Lotsofcarsgoi
ngupanddown
maki nghim gocrazy.Nowt hi
s!
Themanpoi
ntst
hegunr
ightonhi
sface.
Sthembi
soqui ckl
ytr
iesr
eachupandtakehol
dof
thebar
rel
,tr
yingtoaimitawayf
rom hi
sbody.

Themanleavesamanfulpunchonhi
sfaceandhe
st
agger
sbackloosi
ngbalance.
"Don'
ttr
yit
!"Themanhi
sses.Looki
ngscar
iert
hen
heis.
"
Okay,
okay!
"
Het
oucheshi
spai
nfulj
awandsi
ghsdef
eat
edl
y.
"
Geti
n,youar
ewast
ingmyt
ime!
"
"Wher
ear
eyoutaki
ngme.AtleastcanIl
eavet
hisat
homebef
oremymotherki
ll
sme. "
Hi
sti
nyar
sei
sint
hebackseatoft
hist
inyr
edTazz.
"Shutthefuckup!Youaresoannoyi
ng!
."Theman
pressesharshl
yont hebr
eaks.
Hi
sbodytendstokeepmovi
ngforwardal
most
hi
tt
ingt
hewindscr
een."
Ouch!Youalmostki
ll
ed
me!"
"Iwonderhowyoubecameasecur
it
yguar
d
becauseyouar
esuchasissy.
"
"
Mxm,
"
Stil
lcar
ryi
nghi smother
'spl
asti
cswit
hapainfulj
aw.
"Whydidyoubr ingmehereagain?
"Theare
somewher earoundEshowe.Hehasneverbeenthi
s
sideoftown."Wherearewe?"Heaskswit
ha
confusedfrownonhi sf
ace.
"
Heaven.
"Themanr epl
ies.St
hembisoi
sfol
lowi
ng
t
hemanar oundl
ikealostpuppy.
Theyenteraheavenlyhouse-"wow,"heexcl
aims
l
ookingup.Thissideoftownreal
lydoeshave
beauti
fulhouses.
I
nsi
dei
sdef
ini
tel
ywor
se."
Whol
ivesher
e?"
Themanl
eadshi
mtowher
etheot
hermenwher
e.
"Final
ly,
youar
eher
e."Saysahugeanwi
thahuge
stomach.
"
Isyourst
omachreal
?"St
hembi
sosl
apshi
smout
h
i
ntoathi
nline.
"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"
"Owshi
t!
"Hecur
ses.Evenhi
svoi
cei
sdeepand
scar
y.
"
Takehi
mtot
heboss.
"
Thedri
vercomesupandpullshi
mr oughl
yt owar
ds
anot
herpassage.Anot
hergr
abstheplast
ics.
"
Hei
,notmymot
her
'sgr
ocer
y!"
"
Rel
axsdi
didi
."
St
hembi
sof
inal
lyl
et'
sgooft
hepl
ast
icsr
eluct
ant
ly.
Thedoorf
ull
yopensandt
hest
epi
n.
"
WTF!
"He'
sshocked.Whoownssuchcr
edi
tcar
ds.
"
Haveasi
t.
"
"
Whoar
eyou?
"St
hembi
so.Hedoesn'
twantt
otake
chances.Hewasf or
cef
ull
ypul
ledher
ewi
thagun
hel
dathi m andnowthi
s!.

Themanf i
nal
lyt
urnsaroundwithawi
desmi
leon
hi
sface.Thi
scannotbehisboss.
"
Iknewt
hatyouwi
llcome.
"
"Khoza.
"Thi
sdoesn'
tmakesense.Thi
smanishi
s
boss,whatt
hehel
lishedoi
ngwithsomanybank
cards?
"
Yes,
waxwaya.I
'
m yourbossi
sn'
t?
"
"
Yes,
but
….butwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"
"
SitdownI
'
llbr
iefyou.
"
"What!Soyoutr
yingt
otellmet
hatyouguys
schemegovernmentwit
hyourevi
ldeeds?
"
"Andwi
ththatmoney-thati
showyougetpai
d.
LookIj
ustneedyourski
ll
sinITandt
hat
'si
t.
"
Sthembisocri
ngest
othesoundofthat
."Andi
fI
don'tbar
gein?Thi
sthi
ngisi
ll
egal
."
Themansmi
les-youseet
his"heshowshi
ma
vi
deoofhismot herwat
eringherplants."
andthis…."
Anothervi
deoofOnyiyestandingbesidestheroad
wit
hahugest omachanot herpict
ureofhercarryi
ng
ababyboyt hat
'sarepl
icaofhim!
Hi
sheartpoundsinfear
,hesl
owlyst
andsupand
t
akebabystepstowardsthet
abl
e.
"Wher
edi
dyougetthese?
"Hisvoiceisbar
elyout
.
Themanchuckspuf
fi
nghiscigar
ette.
"I
'
vebeenf ol
lowi ngyouf orawhi l
e.Ikeptt
abson
you.Inowwhenyouar esleeping,bathi
ngoreven
l
ookingatherpi ctures.It
'sapi t
ythatyouonlysaw
heronenightint hatmat ri
cdance. "Theman's
l
aughsal i
ttl
e."Youseei fyoudonotdowhatIask
youtodoyouwi lllooseyourf amily.Youwil
lloose
yourchil
dyouevendi dn'
tgettomeet .
"
"
Howdoyouknowt hatthechil
dismine?"Het r
ies
t
osoundbravebutdeepinsi
defearhascreepedin.
Nothi
sNdoni.
“Ihaveeveryli
tt
ledet
ailofyou.Ievenknowt
hat
youapr oductofanaff
air.
”
Hi
sbl
oodpr
essur
eandhear
trat
eincr
ease.He
star
tsbr
eathingfast
er.Evenhisbloodfl
owchanges
—bloodactuall
yflowsawayhi sheartandi
ntohi
s
l
imbs,makingiteasierforhi
mtoloosehissi
ght
andstar
tedthrowingsissypunches.
Aloudbangthundersatthebackofhi
shead.
Immediat
elyhi
ssightbecomesfuzzy,
hefeel
sli
ght
headed.
"
Knockhi
m out
."
Thel
astwor
dshehear
sbef
orecl
osi
nghi
seyes.
[
08/
18,
03:
30] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER3

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Threedayslat
erSthembisowokeupwi tha
thunder
ousheadache.Hegr oansloudl
yhol
dingt he
backofhishead.Theroofisspinni
ng-ever
ything
pil
esuprightuphisthr
oat.Hegagsandeverything
j
ustcomesup.
Helaysonhisside.Ther
eisnoeyemovementor
muscleact
ivi
ty.Heisnotadjusti
ngimmedi
atel
y
andhefeel
sgr oggyanddisori
ented.

Sever
almi
nut
eslat
erheopenshi
seyesf
ull
ywi
de
awakeast
heywereopened.
Hegr
oanst
ryi
ngt
ogetof
fthebed.
Hemissesast
ephetr
ipsandf
all
sof
fthebed
l
andi
ngonhisawf
ulvani
ll
a.
"Ar
gh,"hesaysget
ti
ngup.Het
ri
esget
ti
ngbackup
butfal
lsbackdownagai
n.

Thedoorcr
acksopenandt
heTazzmancomesi
n
hol
dingagl
assofwater
.
Hesi
ghsplaci
ngt
heglassontoofthecounter
."Not
asst
rongasyouwer
ethreedaysagohuh."Hesays.
"Thre,t
hreedaysago."Hestammer
sandfi
nal
ly
getsthecouragetostand."
Whatdoyoumeanby
threedaysago?"Helost!
TheTazzmanj ustl
aughs-"
youhavebeensedat
ed
fort
hreedays.Gotakeabat
hyousti
nk.Wil
lgeta
maidtocleanyourmess.
"

Bathi
nghasalwaysbeenli
nkedtohismentalheal
th.
Wheneverheisi
nashowert hati
swher ehegetst
o
thi
nkofallt
hetr
aumahewentt hrough.The
chil
dhoodtr
auma.Hesti
llhasanxiet
yofthose
events.
Forhi
m, war
m showerr
educesdepr
essi
onand
anxi
ety.
"
Shi
t!
"Hef
inal
lyr
emember
ssomet
hing.
Hestepsoutoftheshowerandwr
apshimsel
fwi
th
atowelnotbot
heri
ngtocloset
herunni
ngwat
er.
Dri
ppingwet,hi
sfeetleavesf
ootpr
int
sont hefl
oor
.
Herunsaroundthishugehouseandfinal
lyst
eps
outofit
.Hi
smi ndfreezesabit
.
Thi
spl
acesdi
dn'
tlookl
iket
hisyest
erday.
Herunsbackinsi
deandrunsoutagai
n.St
il
lno
changes-hesqui
ntshi
seyesmulti
plet
imes."
I
bel
ieveI'
m bl
ind.
"Hesaystohimsel
f."
Mah!
"He
conti
nuestorunaroundl
ookingf
orsomet
hingor
someone,hespotstheguys.
"
Awyouareawake.Tazzgi
vehi
m cl
othestowear
."
Hi
sbossKhozasayshandi
nghi
m adrink.
"
Not
hanksIdon'
tdr
ink.
"Hi
sfaceshr
inks.
"
Sui
tyour
sel
f.
"
"
Mymot her
'sgr
ocer
y,i
fIdon'
tgohomemymot
her
wil
lki
llmetodeath.
"
Hewant
stocr
ysobad.
"
Don'
twor
ry,
thathasbeent
akencar
eof
."
"
How?
"Heasks.
Khozasighs,
"Isee,yousti
llhavealongwaytogo
ntwana.
"Hetakeshi sphoneoutgivi
ngitt
ohim.
Sthembisogr
abst hephoneandi mmediat
ely
puncheshismother'
snumber .
"
Mah!"Thephonei
sst
il
lri
ngi
ng.Hei
simpat
ientshe
i
snotansweri
ng!
"
Hal
o,"phewf
inal
ly!Thi
swomanwi
llbet
hedeat
hof
hi
m.
"Mah!Helptheyki
dnappedme!
"Khozal
ooksathi
m
notbel
ievi
ng.
Funnil
yitsounds, hi
smotherl
aughsontheother
sideoftheline."
Thankyoufort
hegrocer
iesandthe
moneyt hatyougaveme.Ican'twai
ttofl
auntto
thesestokvelwomen. "
Heisconf
used,
"mahI'
m ki
dnappedandyouar
e
her
e….wai
twhatmoney?
"
"Yourbossgavememoneyandsai dyouwere
assignedt
obeonduty."St
hembi
sot ur
nstolookat
Khoza."Mypotisbur
ning.
"Thel
inegoesdead.
Hesi
ghsnotknowi
ngwhatdosoanymor
e.
"
Youcangoaheadandask.
"Khoza.
"HowdoyouknowIwantt
oask?
"St
hembi
sol
ooks
athi
m br
ief
ly.
"Onceyourl
owerlipt
wit
chesIknowyouwantt
o
knowsomething.Nowask.
"
"About
,"hecl
ear
shi
sthroat
.Heisso
uncomfort
abl
e."
AboutNdoni
,howdoyouknow
her
?"
"Thedayyout oldmet hatyouwer einvi
tedina
mat r
icdanceIdeci dedtof ollowyou.Ever y
movement-Icapt ured.UntilInot i
cedyout aki
ng
videosandpicturesofacer tainthingonlytofi
nd
outyouaretakingapi ct
ureoft hatti
nydarkbeauty.
Aymuhl eyena.Nowonderyoucr azyabouther.
AnywayIdeci dedt okeept absont hatgi
rland
guesswhat .
"
"
What
?"Hi
svoi
cei
sbar
elyout
.
"Shehasyourchild.Youleftthatgir
lpr egnantthat
nightandneverevenbotheredt ofi
ndher .I
fyou
l
ikedorlovedherasyoucl aim youwoul dhavehad
thecouragetolookforhersinceshel ivesaround.
OryetaskClive-butniggerwon' tt
ellyoushi t
becauseshewant shertohi mself.
"

"
What
!"
"Thati
snott
hepoi
nther
e.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ohel
pme
ornot?"
"
What
'st
hecat
ch?
"St
hembi
soasks.
"Myofferi
stohelpyourgi
rloutfr
om t
hattoxi
c
envi
ronment,
findherabet
terplacet
olivei
nalong
wit
hyourchil
d."
"Toxi
cplace?Whatdoyoumeant oxicplace.
"He
feel
sstupidfornotevenmakinganef f
orttotr
y
l
ookingforher.Hefeelsst
upidtoeventhink….Cli
ve
-heconsider
edhi m ashi
slit
tl
ebrotherbuthejust
wantedhimtoeatwher ehedips.
"Thatgi
rli
sbeingabuseddaily.Mysaucetol
dme
thati
t'
ssomethingthathasbeenhappeningever
sinceshegrowingup.Rightnowsheworksina
bottl
estor
ejusttomakeendsmeetf orherson
Ndimuphiwe."
"Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.I
sthathi
sorher
name?"
“
Hisname.
”

Thisi
sdefi
nit
elytoomuchoft
akei
n.Het
akesa
deepbreat
hfai
lingtobr
eat
he.
"
CanIscr
eam?
"
"Er
m sure,
"Khozaisconf
used.Hel
ooksathi
msel
f
str
uggl
ingtobreat
he.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh,
"hel
etsoutt
hel
oudestscr
eam and
sighscal
mly.
"Yougood?"Khozai
sconcerned.Maybeheshoul
d
haveapproachedt
hismat
terinanotherway.
"I
t'
stoomuchtotakein.Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
o
say.If
eelst
upi
d,usel
ess."
"Iknowthatf
eeli
ng.Sowhat'
sitgoi
ngt
obe?Ar
e
youinoryouyfamil
ysuff
ers?"
"
CanIat
leastt
hinkabouti
t?"Hei
snotsur
e.
"I
'
m givingyouanhour
.Gogetdressedandeat
."
Khozasuggest.Hehasevenf
orgott
enthathei
snot
dressed.
"
Ismymot
hersaf
e?"
"
Shei
s."
Sthembi
sol
ooksatKhozabr
ief
lybef
oreheadi
ng
backtot
hehouse.Hest
opsonhistr
ack….
"where
ar
ewe?
"
"Jozi.
"Khozastandsupgul
pingt
hewhi
skeydown
histhroat
.HeleavesSt
hembisowit
hhi
smouthhal
f
opened.
"
Jozi
!"
"Ithi
nkKhozahavethi
sboyalotofPropofol
."The
restoftheguysl
augh.Sthembisol
ooksatthem
andclickshi
stoungetur
ningtowalkaway.

Hedoesn'
twanttomakedecisi
onsbasedonf ear
andthepossi
bil
it
yofwhatmighthappen.Hisfami
ly
comesfi
rstandnowhehasababyhedi dn'
tknow
aboutwi
thawomanheal waysdreamsof .
Hi
smot heroncesai
dt ohi
m gr
owingup-t
rustyour
i
nsti
nct
s,andmakej udgement
sonwhatyourheart
t
ell
syou.Theheartwil
lnotbet
rayyou.
I
sheaboutt
omakear
….
Thedoorcr
acksopendi
stur
binghi
sthought
s.
"I
'
vegivenyouenoughti
metothink.Khozasays
steppi
nginsi
deoft
heroom andsit
stoachairthat
wasopposi
tehi
m.
"
I'
m scar
ed"indeedhei
s.St
hembisoi
sisonthebed
wit
hhishandsonhischi
n.Hesi
tsupsstr
aightand
f
aceKhoza.
"
Whatof
?"
"Ever
ything,mehavingachi ldouttherewhichIdid
notknowabout .Mehavi ngheart hatheli
vesunder
anenvironmentt heisverymucht oxic.I
'
m sadden
andmyhear tbleeds.Ifeell
ike,
li
ke….stupidl
ike
theywillal
wayssay. "Hesighspul l
inghi
smucus
from deephisnostri
l.
“
Gandhioncesaid,youmustbet hechangeyou
wishtoseeintheworld.Li
veforwhat'
swort
hdying
f
or,andlever
agetechnologyt
ocreatetheworl
dyou
wishtosee.”

Hedoesn’
twanttobeagonizeoverdeci
sions.He
hasbeensi
tti
ngonthi
sbedf orhour
slookingather
pi
ctur
es.Hersmi
le,
thatski
n.
Shei
sthemostbeaut
if
ulgi
rli
nthewor
ld.Themost
sweetestyoucoul
dfi
nd.Helogsoutofhisgall
ery
l
ockinghisphoneandshovi
ngiti
nhi spocket
.He
st
andsupst ret
chi
nghimsel
fyawning.
Hefi
nall
yst
epsoutoft
her
oom andf
oll
owst
he
noi
se.

"
Iwasaboutt
otel
lTazzt
ogocal
lyou.
"
"NoneedI'
m hear.
"Hesays.Hi
stir
ed,hef
eel
siti
n
hisbonesthatwhathei
sabouttodoormakewil
l
havehimlockedupforyear
s.
"Takeaseatandt heguyswillbr
iefyou."Khoza
offer
shim asitandSt hembi
sositslookingatt
he
mul t
ipl
elapt
opsinfrontofhi
seyes.

St hembisoisnowsi t
ti
ngbehindthegar denwit
h
alotofthoughtsburi
eddeepinsidehim.I she
i
ndeedachi l
dofanaf f
air
?Buthel ooksexactl
yli
ke
hisfather.HelooksatKhozamakinghi sway
towardshi m.
"
Wer
eyouser
ious?
"Heasks.
"
About?"Khozaset
tl
esdownonachampchai
rthat
wasbesidehim.
"
ThatI'
m aproductofanaf
fai
r?"Sayi
ngi
twi
thhi
s
mouthsoundsbit
ter.
Khozachucksshaki nghi
shead."Iwantedtoget
youattent
ion.That'
sabluntli
e.Heret
ake."He
tossesaroleofmoneyt oSthembisowhot r
ied
catchi
ngbutitsli
ps.Hepicksitf
rom t
hegr ound
andlooksatit.
"
What
'st
hisf
or?Somuchmoney.
"
"Yourfi
rstpaymentfort
hefi
stjobyoudid.I
f
conti
nuet hi
swayimaginehowmuchyouwi l
lmake
everyweek.Doingyourjobi
sjustR10Kbutifyou
wanttobepar toft
hecrewit
'sgoingtobemor e
thanthat.
"
"ButIdon'
twanttobepar
toft
het
eam.I
'
mfi
neasa
securi
tyguar
d."
"Wil
litbeenoughtotakecareofyourfamilyand
babymama?Youdonott hinkforyoursel
fonly.
Nowt hatyouknowthatyouhaveachi ldoutther
e-
workf orhi
m eveni
fitmeanskill
ing.
"
Hesqui
ntshi
seyesi
nfear
.
"Ki
l.
..
."Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.Thewor
dist
oobi
gfor
him.
"
Yeski
ll
ing.
"
Sthembi
sotakesadeepbreat
hlooki
ngatthe
moneyinhishands.Hehasnevermadesomuch
befor
e.Maybegivi
ngitt
ohisbabymama.
"
Iwantt
ogi
vei
ttoNdoni
."
Hef
aint
lysmi
les."
ButIdon'
tknowhow.
"
"Youatechni
cian,
figur
eitout.
"Khozat
apsonhi
s
shoul
derandturnstoleave.
Hehashadi tallf
igur
edout.Hei
ssmi l
ingeartoear
,
maybesearchingforhe-heckhedoesn'teven
knowhername.
Hedeci
dest
ocal
lCl
ive.
..
.
"Whati
sthatdar
kbeaut
iesname?
"Heaskspr
ayi
ng
heanswershim.
"
Whi
chdar
kbeaut
y?"
"
Theonet
hatwasyourpar
tneri
nyourmat
ri
c
dance.
"
Hef
eel
sli
kecur
singbutheneedshel
p.
"
Whyar
eyouaski
ngabouther
?"
"Ij
ustsawsomeonewhol ooksli
keherandshesai
d
hernamei sPhi
ndi
lebutshedoesn'
tknowyou.I
swearitwasherbutsheisdenyi
ngeverbei
ngyour
part
ner.”
Cli
velaughsovert
hephone,
"thati
sdef
ini
tel
ynot
her,hernameisOnyi
ye.
"
"Oho,aypeopl
elookal
ikeyoh!Anywaywi
llseeyou
around.
"

Nowthathehashername,
het
houghtf
orasecond.
Whati
sherlastname?
Hewoul dn'
thaveaskedhi
m,hewoul
dhavebeen
suspi
ciousri
ght?
Heopensthelapt
optophewaspr ovi
ded.Fi
rst
,he
wi
llsear
chforheronFacebook.
Toomanyoft
hem buthemanagedt
ospother
.
Looksl
ikeshehasneverbeenacti
ve.Shecr
eat
ed
anaccountbutonl
ypostedonpict
uretwoyear
s
ago.
I
twouldhavebeenbet
teri
fther
ewasherlastname.
Buthewil
lnotgi
veupunti
lhefi
ndsherl
astname.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"It
ookyouf r
om t
hegutt
ersandmadeyouwhatyou
aretodayandyouhavethegut
stost
ealf
rom me
Nontombi.R700wonkePho!"
"MahIdidn'
tst
il
lyourmoneyIswear.
"She'
s
kneel
ingdownwithherhandsr
ubbingagai
nsteach
other
.
"St
anduppackyourt hi
ngsandgett hehelloutof
mycompound!Iwast r
yingtomakeyouabet ter
person.Iwastryi
ngtopr ovetopeoplethatyouare
notwhatt heysayyouar e,
youhavej ustpr
ovedt o
met hatyouarereal
lywhatt heysayyouar e.Your
mot herwarnedmeaboutyouandIdi dn'tl
ist
enand
nowIr
egr
etnevert
aki
nguponheradvi
ce.
"

Sheknewt her
e'snot
hingmorethatshecoul
dsay.
Shestandsupandf i
xesherbabyonherback.
"
Usalel
ekahl
emah,"shet
urnst
oleavet
het
aver
n
wit
houtgl
ari
ngback.
Justwhenshethoughtshehasherl
if
ecomi
ng
toget
herandr
ightal
ong.

Problemsseem tober isi

ngoneafteranother,
l
eavingherfeeli
ngliketheworl
disagai nsther.She
i
st r
yingsohardtost ayontopofthingsbutf eel
s
l
ikethehardershetries,t
heworsethingsgo, and
theprobl
emsj ustkeeponpili
ngup.

Aft
eradr eadf
uldayshejustwant
stoputhersel
f
i
ntosleepandt hi
nkthi
ngsthr
ough.Ever
ythi
ngwas
fi
newithMaThusi '
s.Herki
dsdeci
dedtocomeback
andeverythi
ngbeginstovani
sh.
She'
snotonl
ydeal
ingwi
thapi
leofpr
obl
emsbut
al
soexhausti
onfrom sl
eepdepr i
vat
ion.Shehas
beenhavi
ngahar dti
met osleeplat
elyandthi
sjob
wastheonlythi
ngthatonlykepthersane.
Sheputsherbabytosl
eepandgoest
owher
eshe
keepshermoney.
Maybeshei
snotseei
ngr
ight
.
"No,
no,no!
"Shebegi
nst
orambl
eever
ythi
ngupsi
de
down.
Shecannotj
ustlooseR1,200justl
iket
hat
.She
opensthet
inagainandthere'
sisnothi
ng.
Tearsbli
ndinghervi
sion-shewant
stoscr
eam and
cryout-
loud.

Shemarchesoutofherrondovelgoingtothemain
housefi
ndi
nghermot herandsisterhavi
ngthe
goodti
meoftheirl
ives.Newclothesscatt
eredal
lof
thepl
ace.
"
Didanyoneent
ermyrondovel
?"Sheaskscal
mly
wit
htear
salr
eadyst
reamingdown.
"
OwyesIdi
d.Youcannotl
eaveher
eforf
ree.It
hink
i
t’
shightimeyounowpayrent
.Icannotf
eedt
wo
f
atherl
esskidswor
styoudon'
tevenknowwhatyou
wantinli
fe.
"
"
Mah!Doyouhaveanyideahowmuchi
ttookf
or
met
osavethatmoney!
"
"Whoareyoushouti
ngat
?"Hermotherstandsup
givi
ngheronehel
lofabacksl
ap."
Getthehelloutof
myhouseandf r
om nowonwardsknowthatyou
mustpayrent
."
"
Whatabouther
?"Shepoi
ntsoutathersi
ster
.
"She'
smydaught
er.Igavebir
thtoher
.Somet
imesI
wonderwhyIdi
dnotkillyouwhenIst
il
lhada
chance.
"
Onyi
yegaspshol
dingherchestcl
ingi
ngont
oit
.
"
Mah,
"she'
sshockedbeyondmeasur
es.
"I
'm notyourmother!Gett
hatthroughyourthi
ck
skull.Gett
hehelloutofmyhouse.AndIwantt hat
rentmont hend.I
'l
lmakeitcheaperforyou.R500
willdo."
Shest
oodt
her
elooki
ngatt
hem t
alki
ngandeat
ing
j
unkt
hatwasboughtwi
thherhar
dear
nedsweat
.
"
Okay,
"
She'sl
ookingattheropethatisri
ghtinfr
ontofher
eyes.Shethoughtaboutcommi tt
ingsuicidetoo
manyt i
mes.Butwheneveri t'
sti
mef orhertodoi t
shechickensout.Buttoday-todaywast helast
str
awf orher
.Whathermot herj
ustdidcan'tbe
undone.
Shel
ooksatherpi
ll
ow.Maybesuff
ocati
ngherson
i
nhissl
eepthenki
llher
sel
fwi
llmakethem happy.
Sheplacesthepi
ll
owonherbabesf
aceandbegi
ns
topr
esswi t
htear
swail
ingput
.
[
08/
18,
03:
31] :SPONSOREDBYMAPULE

ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER4

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
"Nyi
!"Ahardknockonthedoor
.Sheget
sst
art
led
andthrowsthepil
lowasi
de.
Thepersonl
et'
sthemsel
vesi
nandfindOnyi
yesit
ed
i
nnocentl
yonthespongewit
hherswoll
eneyes.
"Nyi
,what
'swr
ong."Asver
ydar
kasshei
sLi
ndi
we
canseeri
ghtt
hroughher
.
Sheknowsherf
ri
endmor
ethananyone.
"
Sthuphet
hu,di
dn'
tyousayyouwerel
eavi
ngt
his
morni
ng?"Onyi
yechangest
hetopi
c.
"
Iam butIcoul
dn'tl
eavewithoutseei
ngmybest
f
ri
end."Li
ndiwesett
lesdownnextt oher
."Di
dyou
f
il
lthefor
ms?Ineedt otakethem wit
hme."
Onyiyebur
sti
ntot
ear
sandLi
ndi
wewonder
edwhat
seemstobethepr
obl
em.
"
Hey,
tal
ktome.What
'swr
ong.
"
"Asyouknew, Igotajobatthebott
lestore-taver
n
whateveryoucalli
t.Igotf
ir
edtodaybecauset hey
saidapparent
lyIstol
emoney.Notonl ythat
,that
hasbeeneat i
ngmeup…. "shestopstalki
ngand
takesadeepbr eat
h."WhenIgotbackhomedays
ago,thefor
msyoubr oughtformetofi
lloutwher
e
burnttoashesri
ghti
nfrontofmyeyes.I'
m hur
t
fr
iend-Ireal
lyam."
"
Whyisyourmot
hersoevi
l?Whynotl
ookf
oryour
f
ather
?"
"Sherefusedtotel
lmewhomyf at
heris.Judgingby
thenameIhaveandt hecolourofmyski n.It
hinkhe
resi
desinNi ger
ia,
Kenya,
Zambi a-youknowst hose
countri
es."
"Iunderstand,
"Lindiwesidehugsher .Shepul
lsout
forherol dphonegivingittoher
."Iknowit'
snot
muchbutIwoul dlikeust ocommuni cat
ewhenI'm
gone,tellmeallthejuicystuf
fs.
"
"
Thi
sisyourphonenj
e."
"Was,Tat
aboughtmeanewone.SoIdon'
tmi
nd
givi
ngitt
oyou.
"
"
Whatwil
lIeverbewi
thoutyou?"Onyi
yesni
ff
s
t
aki
ngthephoneoutofherhands.
"St
huphet
huesil
ahl
akwimatricdance.
"Theyl
ook
ateachot
herandbursti
ntol
aughter
.
"
Mxm,
"Onyi
yesaysst
il
llaughi
ng."
Youcr
azy.
"
"Iknowandyoulovemet hatway.Letmeshowyou
somethi
ngthatIneedyout oodoformewhenI'm
gonecauseIdon'thaveenoughtime.
"Shet
akesthe
phoneandscrol
lsthrough."I
'
m suret
hiswi
llbr
ing
backthesmil
eonyourf ace."
Onyi
yegaspsgrabbi
ngthephoneoutofherhands.
"owmyGod!"Shestandsupandbeginstojumpup
anddown."
Ipromisenottol
etyoudown,Ipromise
onmygrandmother'
sgrave.
"Theexci
tementist
oo
much.
"
I'
llseeyouwhenIgetbackandpleasedon'
t
r
eplacemecauseifyoudoI'
llki
llt
hebit
ch.Youar
e
mineandminealone.
"
"
Yousoundl
ikeapsychopat
hri
ghtnow.
"
"
Aysuka,
buymybabyhi sf
avour
it
e.Iknowhow
muchhelovesDanone.
"
"
Youspoilt
hischi
ldt
oomuch.I
'm begi
nni
ngt
o
t
hinkyougavebir
tht
ohi
m."Onyi
ye.
"
Ipushedhi
m outofmyVi
rgi
na.
"
"
Pleasdon'tr
emindmeoft hatday.Idon'
tsee
myselfgoi
ngbackther
e."
"Iwil
lremi
ndyouthesewordsoneday.I'
m not
goingtoansweryounowbutther
ewillbeadayI
willr
emindyouon.Letmegetgoi
ngmyl ove."

Thatl
ovesheshar
eswi
thherf
ri
endi
sbeyond
magnif
icent
.

Sheregr
etsevert
hinki
ngt
hatdeat
hist
hesol
uti
on
toherpr
oblems.
Shewasf acingoverwhelmingsadnessanddespai
r,
suchthatfacingdail
ytasksthati
sitj
ustmaking
herl
if
egoi nci r
cles.
Havi
ngLindi
wereal
lyboughtt
hatposi
ti
vit
ythatl
if
e
goesonevenwhenyoudownandnot hi
ng.

Herf
ri
endshiphel
psherf eelvi
brantandenergized.
Shef
eelsthecouragetopursuethethingst
hat
makeherdeli
ri
ouslyhappy.Self
-j
udgmentfalls
away.
Af r
iendshehasi sonewhoover l
ooksherbroken
fenceandadmi restheflowersinhergarden.Her
goodf ri
endisl
ikeaf our-
leafcl
over:har
dtofind
andl uckyt
ohave.Ther eisnothi
ngshewoul dnot
dof orherandsheiswi l
lingtokeepherpromiseto
hertruefri
end.

She'
sstandi
ngunderat
reeneart
her
oadwai
ti
ng
forat
axi.
Shej ustwanttospoi
lhersel
fandforgetabout
everythi
ngshehasbeent hroughthewholeof
yest
er day.Todayi
sanotherday,shewokeup
feel
ingbet t
er.
"
Mysister,I
'
m done.Ithasbeensubmit
ted.Just
wai
tforthem t
oreply.
"She'
sattheint
ernetcafe….
"
Owwowt
hankyou.
"She'
sbeyondhappy.
"
Goodl
uck.
"
"
Thankyou,
"sheneedsi
t.
Shest
epsoutoft
hei
nter
netcaf
e,f
ixesherson'
s
hat
.
"Mamawi llbutthatpapandgr avyshepr omi
sed
you,
angi t
hibabazi."She’skeepingherpr omi
set o
herf
riend,spoili
ngherf avouri
teniece.R300iswhat
shegaveher ….Sheki sseshischeekandsmi l
es
l
ookingathersonst eeth.Shenoticesaman
l
ookingatt hem,mor el i
ketaki
ngpi ct
ures.Hestops
whenhenot i
cingOnyi yelooki
ngbackathi m -he
goti
ntoar edTazzanddr oveoff.
Sur
elyhewast
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofherson.

She'
sst
andi
ngi
naqueuewai
ti
ngf
orhert
urn.

Lastmont
hshedi dn'
tusethegrantmoneybecause
shewascovered.Todaysheneedsitandshe'
s
runni
ngoutoffoodhersel
f.
Fi
nall
yhertur
n-shechecksf
orthebal
ancefir
st
bl
inksmult
ipl
eti
mes.Maybeshereadt
hefigures
wrong.
Shel
ooksbackandever
yonei
slooki
ngather
i
mpat
ient
ly.
Shecancel
sthewi
thdr
awal-maybeshewi
llt
rywi
th
anot
herbank.
Samestory,
howdi
dR10Klandi
nhercard.Grant
moneyforki
dsi
snott
hatmuch,
it'
sjustacoupleof
randsorso.
Shedecidestowi t
hdrawR1500, notf
orget
ti
ngt
he
renthopi
ngitwi l
lbri
ngpeace.Thismoneyshe
withdr
ewwi l
llastherthewholemonth.
St
il
lshockedast
owher
ethemoneyi
scomi
ngf
rom.

Donewit
hthel
it
tl
eshoppi
ng,
howwi
llshemanage
al
loft
hesepl
asti
cs.
"
Sistera,
doyouneedhel
p?"Asksaphar
athatwas
walkingpast
.
"
Not
hanks.
"
"
Iwon'
tdoanyt
hingt
o.Ij
ustwantR5f
orbr
ead.
"
"
I'
veneverseenbr
eadthatcost
sR5.
"Shechucks.
"
It
'sf
ineyoucanhelpme."
Hei
ndeedhel
pedherandlef
theratt
her
ank.Outof
t
hegoodgest
ureshegavehi
m R50.
"I
nkosiikubusisesi
ster
a.Shel
ooksatt
hepharaas
hewal kedaway.Hopehewi l
lmakesomet
hing
usefulwiththatmoney.

Al adywalkspasthercar
ryinganewbornbaby.
Onyi yei
ssitt
ingonthepavementbreast
feedi
ng,
shecover edherbr
eastwitharecei
ver–baby
blanket….
"
Sisi
,
"gr
eet
stheunknowngi
rl
.
Onyi
yel
ooksupandf
indsherl
ooki
ngdownonher
.
"
Hei
."
"
Please,
Ineedyourhel
p.Ij
ustneedt
ousethet
oil
et
ManjeIcan'
tgoinwit
hmybaby."Shesays.
"
Howcanyout
rustmewi
thyournewbor
nbaby?
"
"
Causeyouar
eal
soamot
her
."
Onyi
yesi
ghs.
"
PleaseSi
si.Ir
eal
lyneedt
ochangemypadandt
he
st
it
chesar
enotdoi
nganyj
ust
iceonme.
"
"Okayfi
ne.I'
m givi
ngyouf ivemi nutes.Iwasj ust
sit
ti
ngdownher esot hatIcouldbr eastfeed.
"Onyiye
peepsthroughthereceiver–babybl anketand
noti
cesthatNdimui sfastasleep.“Letmeputhi m
onmybackandIwi llholdyourbaby. "Shest ands
upputti
ngNdi muonherback.Hest il
lhashishat
onandhisf aceiscoveredbeingpr otectedfrom t
he
sun.
"
Okayyoucanbr
inghi
m."

She'
sbeenchecki
ngtheti
meandi thasbeen
al
mostandhourwiththel
adygone.Ndimuisnow
wideawakecr
yingonherback.
"Shhh.
"Shepatsonhi sbutwit
hanotherhand
holdi
ngthebaby.SurelyNdi
mui snowthir
sty.He
dri
nkswaterver
yoften.
"OwGod,
"shewantst
ocr
ysobad.Thewomani
s
notcomi
ngbackaspr
omised.
"
WhatdoIdo?
"Sheasksher
sel
f.She'
shol
dinga
babyshehasn' tevenbot
herchecki
ng.Shepeeps
throughtheblanketandst
aggersbackalmost
droppingthebaby.
"
Jesus!"Shehur
therfootabi
tthati
snott
he
i
mportantcaser
ightnow.
Shel
ooksagai
nandshecannotbel
ievehereyes.
Coul
dthi
sbe….Maybet
heyarerel
ated.
Maybethewomanlefthercell
-phonei
nherbag-
shewi
lldef
ini
tel
yfi
ndsomet hi
ngi ni
t.

Shebendsdownunzippingthebaby'sbagand
comesacrossaneatl
yfoldedlet
ter
.Sheopensit-
maybeithasaaddressorsomething.

"
Dearmnt
anami
,

Iwanttoapologizet
oyoufrom t
hedepthsofmy
soulforhowmyact i
onsbecamesototall
youtof
control
,resul
ti
ngint
remendoushur
ttoyouinthe
process.
IknowIsoundsel
fi
shr
ightnowbut
…."

Sheshakesherheadnotbeli
evi
nghereyes.This
cannotbehappeni
ngtoher.Notwhenherli
feisthi
s
messy.
Shedoesn'
twanttor
eadanythi
ngf
urther,shedi
gs
i
nthebagagainandever
ythi
ngisi
nthere.Baby
cl
othes–formul
a…..
"No,
no,no,Godwhydoyouhavet
ofor
sakeme.
”
Shebur
stintot
ear
s.
"
Mysist
erisever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?"Askamanwho
waswal
kingpast
.
Onyi
yebur
sti
ntot
ear
sal
loveragai
nnotknowi
ng
whatt
osay.
"Aladyaskedmet
oholdherbaby-shel
eftal
etter
i
nthebagandsheisgone.Shehasbeengonefor
hoursand…."
"
Letmeseet
hebaby.
"
Onyi
yeuncover
sthebabyandshowshi
m.Ndimu's
hatf
allont
hegroundandt
hemangaspsinshock.
"HauSisi
,wazekhohl
akal
a.Youwantt
othr
owaway
yourki
ds!"
"
No,no.Theoneonmybacki
smi
neandt
heone
I
'
m carr
yingi
snotmi
ne.
"
"
Youaresuchali
ar,
inf
actadi
sgracet
o
womanhood.Howcanyoubethi
sevil
?"
"Iswearonmygr andmother
'sgrave,
thi
soneisnot
mi ne.
"Sheshakesherheadwithtear
sstreami
ng
downherf ace.
"I
t'
sokaybuti
,I
'l
ltakei
tfr
om her
eyoumayleave
now."Tazzmansays.Theunknownmanchucks
notbeli
evi
ng.
"Thisi
swhatyougetforopeni
nglegsatyouage,
siesmaan."Hespit
sonthegroundandconti
nues
withhi
sjourney.
Tazzl
ooksatbot
hbabi
esi
nconf
usi
on.
"Iswearheisnotmine.Thatwasmyreacti
onwhen
Isawhim aswell.Pl
easebeli
eveme,
thischil
dis
notmine."
"
Ibel
ieveyou.Butr
ightnowyoushoul
dsaveyour
energybecausenoonewil
lbeli
eveyou.Ar
ethese
yourbags?"Shenodsherheadwithmucusmixed
wit
ht ear
s.
"
Gogeti
nthecar
,I'
l
ltakeyouhome.
"
"Mymotherwi
llki
llme.Whynott
akehi
mtot
he
pol
icest
ati
on?
"Sheasksoutoffear
.
"
Thecopswon'
tbuyyourst
oryandyouknowwhy.
"
Shenodsherheadunderst
anding."
Howdoyou
knowthatI
'
m notlyi
ng?"Outofcuri
osi
tysheasks.
"Iwasseatedther
ehavi
ngameal.
"Hepointsouta
caravant
hatisacrosst
her
oad.“
Isaweverythi
ng.
”

She'snotlookingfor
war dtobehome.Looki ngat
hersonandl ookingatthisunknownchi ldmakes
hershrinkinfear.WhyhasGodt ur nedhisbackon
her?Didsher eal
lyhavetogot hroughwhatshei s
goi
ngt hroughnowatt hisage.Ever yoneseemsto
bespitt
ingonherf ace.
Ar
rivi
nghomeshefi
ndsheclothesout
side.She
pl
acesthebabyont
hebackseatandmakesNdi mu
si
tscomfor
tabl
yfixi
nghishat
.Hisskini
sver
y
muchredmeaninghewon'tsleepatni
ght
.Hewi
ll
becryi
ngbecauseofthei
tchi
ness.
"
Mah,
"she'
sli
mpi
ngt
owar
dsherr
ondovel
.
"Angi
thiWenayoudeci det ostealwhatfeedsyou!
I'
mt i
redofyouOni ons!I
'mt i
redthateverymember
ofthi
scommuni t
yhast ocompl ainaboutyou.I
f
youdonotst ealyousellyourbody!"
Shepull
sherbyhai
rmaki
nghert
olayont
he
ground.
"Kahl
engol
akaSi
si.Ij
ustcameIt
ellyouwhyIf
ir
ed
her.
"
"
YaziWenauzonhazinamuhl
a!.
"
Thebel
tisal
readyi
nherhands.

Forthel
atter
,itmakesherbodybur nandst i
ngand
eachstr
okeintensif
iesthefeel
ingunti
litendsup
l
ikether
e'safireburni
ngalloverherbody.
I
tgi
vesl
ongl
ast
ingpai
n….
.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
"nomor
etear
slef
tinher
.
"Bl
oodyusel
essprosti
tute.Getyourbagsinsi
dethe
housebef
oreIki
llyoulikeyouruselessf
ather
."
Shesl
owlyget
supfr
om t
hegr
oundandkneel
s
i
nfr
ontofhermot
her
.
"Mah,what everwrongIdidtoyoupl
easef
orgi
ve.If
I'
m dyi
ngf ormyf ather
'ssi
ns,pl
easel
ooki
ntoitand
youwillnoticethati
swasnotmyf aul
t.
Sorr
yfornotunder
standi
ngyourint
enti
onsand
hurt
ingyou.I
'
m sorr
yfornotbei
ngthebestchi
ld.
From t
hedepthofyourhear
t,pl
easefor
giveme."
Hermotherl
ooksatherbr
ief
ly-shesighsthr
owing
t
hebeltonthegr
oundandwal ksbacktothehouse
wit
halongface.
Onyi
yefi
nall
yfoundthecour
aget
ostandup.
MaThusii
sstil
lst
andingt
ounget
ied.
"
Onyiye,
"shecall
soutforherbutOnyiyemadeher
waytoherrondovelt
oplaceeveryt
hingbackasi
t
was.
She'
slookingattheblackmarksonherbackand
si
ghssadly.ItwasjustherandNdimu.Shesit
s
downont hespongeandcont i
nuestocryherl
ungs
out.
Ther
e'swasonceawhit
ecandl
ethatshebought
sayi
ngshewil
lusei
tforpr
ayi
ng.
ShetakesherR1coinputt
ingiti
navi si
bleglass-
fi
ll
edtheglasswit
hwaterthenplacedtheglass
nextt
ot hecandl
e.
Sheli
ft
sthecandl
eandkneel
sdownpour
ingher
hear
tout….
.

"LovingGod, Ipr aythatyouwil

lcomf ortmei nmy
sufferi
ng,lendski l
ltothehandsofmyheal ers,and
blessthemeansusedf ormycure.Givemesuch
confidenceint hepowerofyourgr ace,thateven
whenIam af raid,Imayputmywhol etrustinyou;
byyourpat iencei nsufferi
ngyouhallowedear t
hly
painandgaveust heexampl eofobediencet oyour
Father'
swi ll
.Benearmei nmytimeofweakness
andpai n;sustainmebyyourgr ace,t
hatmy
str
engthandcour agemaynotf ai
l;healme
accordi
ngt oyourwil
l;andhel
pmeal wayst
o
beli
evethatwhathappenstomeher eisofl
it
tl
e
accountifyouholdmei neter
nallif
e,myLordand
myGod.Amen. "

Sheblowsoffthecandl
e,shefeelsabitl
ight
er.A
spi
ri
tofcalmnessassuresherthatal
lwil
lbewell.
Sheprayedunti
lshefel
tit
.
Shegulpsdownt hewat erwi
ththeR1sti
lli
nsi
de.
Shedr i
nkshalfandleaveshal
ftospr
inkl
earound
thehouse.Maybet hebadomenwi l
lfl
yaway.She
i
st i
redofleavi
ngli
ket hi
s!

Allshewantsatthemomentistosl
eepandfor
get
abouteveryt
hing.Thankssot
otheTazzguywho
helpedherwithcleani
ng.
Nowshedoesn'
tleaveandbreat
hforonl
yNdi
mu.
Shehasanot
hersoultothi
nkabout
.
Shel
ooksatt
hebabyast
ear
sbl
indhervi
sion.
"Ngiphi
weisyourname.YouweregiventomeandI
beli
eveyouareaweekoldjudgi
ngfrom yourbi
rt
h
cert
ifi
cat
e.Idon'
tknowwhethert
oinfor
mt hepoli
ce
orkeepyoualltomysel
f.Onl
yGodknowsabout
us."
Sheswi
tchesthesi
del
ampt hatshefoundonthe
dumpi
ngsiteandmadeitshi
nebrighti
nherroom.
Hopesl
eepdoesnotdepr
ivehertoday.Sheneedsi
t
nowmorethanevert
ohealthescarsonherbody.
[
08/
18,
03:
31] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER5

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Fi
stdayatschoolandal
readyshe'
snotl
ovi
ngher
fi
rstdayatal
l.
Busyst
reet
sofDur
ban-maybegoi
ngbackhome
wil
ldo.
Ever
ythi
ngher
eisj
ustdi
ff
erent
,conf
usi
ng,
noi
sy,
t
oomanyr
oadsandcar
s!
Thankf
ull
yshel
ivesi
ntheschoolpr
emi
ses.

Shelooksaroundtheschoolyardhopi
ngt hat
maybe,justmaybeshewillspotherf
oreversmil
i
ng
fr
iendevenshe'sgoi
ngthroughthemost .
Shesighssadl
ynoti
cingthatOnyiisnotwi
thher
butbackathomeinthatabusiveenvi
ronment
.
Butshei
shopi
ngf
orsomet
hingposi
ti
veaboutand
i
nher.

Fi
rstlessoni
nBostonCi
tyCampuswasn'tt
hatbad.
Sheisactual
lyl
ooki
ngfor
wardi
nherstudyfor
Media.
BJMC(BachelorofJour
nali
sm &Mass
Communicat
ion)hasalwaysbeenherfavouri
teever
si
ncegrowi
ngup.Andnowt hatsheisi
nthis
i
ndust
ryshewi l
lmakethemostofi t
.
"You'
vebeenl ooki
ngatt hosebookseversinceyou
camebackf rom class.Youst i
llhaveal
otofthose
i
nt henextupcomi ng3year s.Noshootthat,
you
mayhavet hechancet oaddasandwi chyearand
spend12mont hsinindustr
y, meaningt
hatyour
degreewil
llastfouryears.
"

Li
ndiwesighscl
osi
ngherbook.Thi
sgi
rll
ooks
not
hingl
ikeherNyi
.
"
Hai
,
"nott
oosur
ehowt
orespondt
oherst
atement
.
"Hai
,I’
m Thabisil
eandIlivearoundherei
nDur ban
butpref
erstayingincampus.Wher eyoufr
om? "
Thabisi
leasksasshet ookoffherclot
hesthr
owi ng
them onthefl
oor.
"
Eshowe,
"sher
espondspol
it
ely.
"Umkhaya,
"shelaughsoutloud."
Isitt
ruet
hatwhen
youarefr
om therural
'
syouar eoutdat
ed-undat
ed.
Whatdoyoucallyoursel
ves?Amaqabar i
ght?
"She
cont
inuestol
augh.
Toomanyredfl
agsshehasnot
icedont
his
Thabi
sil
egi
rlal
ready.
Booksi
swhatshecameherf
or.
..
.
"
Therei
saclubdownt ownfar
m Juli
a,woul
dyou
l
iket
otagal
ong?Maybemeetamaboysnyanya
whodon'
tsmellofsmokebutexpensi
veper
fumes.
"
"
Not
hanks.Cl
ubsar
enotf
orme.
"Li
ndi
we.
"
Becauseyouguysdonothaveone,
right
?"
"
Maki
ngf unofmyhometownandwher
eIcome
f
rom.
..
.youknowwhatI
'
m waytomatur
edfort
his.
"
"AndI'
m not
?2mi nutesnyanayoui nDurban
alr
eadyyounowt hebiggestwordmature.Hehehe
wondersshal
lneverend."Shelaughsheadingto
thebat
hroom but
tnaked.
Looksl
ikeshewi
llhavetolookf
oranot
herr
oom.
Shecan'tst
andt
obedi sr
espect
ed.

Shet akesherphoneanddi
alshermot
herbutt
hinks
twiceanddr opst
hephonebefor
eshecoul
deven
pickup.
Ifshetel
lsthatwomanshewi l
lcomeher
ewitht
he
fir
stavai
labletaxiandcausehavoci
nthecampus
andshedoesn' twantanyofthat.
Shedial
sOnyibef
oreitcoul
devenr
ingf
ort
he
secondti
meshepicksup.
"
Sthuphet
hu,
"
"Fr
iend.
"Li
ndi
wei
sdel
ight
edt
oheronl
ytr
uef
ri
ends
voi
ce.
"Missmealready?
"Sheasksgi ggli
ngoverthe
phone.Thi
siswhatLindiwemeant .Onyiyesmil
es
andlaughsthoughthepainsshe'sfeel
ing.
"I
nanactualf
actIdo.Ever
ythi
ngthissi
dei
sjust
notforme.Ij
ustwi
shyouwer eherewit
hme,you
know."
"Met oobuthayi
tiswhati
sit
.Whyar
eyounot
sleeping?
"
"
Onyi
yei
t'
sonl
y4pm,
"
"Owthoughtt
hatmaybet
het
imesar
edi
ff
erentyou
know."
Li
ndi
webur
sti
ntol
aught
er."
Onyi
!Gi
rl
."She
cont
inuest
olaugh.
"
Stopl
aughi
ngnow.Igett
hepoi
nt.
"
Shesaysgi
ggl
ing.Aknockont
hedoor
.
"
Someonei
satt
hedoor
,Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
"

Sheopenst
hedoorandf
reezef
oramoment
.
"
Sure,
"theguylet
'shi
msel
fin."
IsThabiar
ound?
"
Heaskssett
li
ngdownonthecouch.
"
Thabi
?"
"
Thabi
sil
e,
"
Shefeel
sst
upi
d."
Ow,
"shewal
ksbackbuthest
ops
her
.
"
Mpi
lwenhl
eMyezai
sthename.
"
Shet
urnst
olookathi
m conf
used.
"
Huh,
"
""
Mpil
wenhl
eMyezai
smyname.
"Her
epeat
s
calml
y.
"
Owokay,
"shehur
ri
esbackt
oherr
oom andshut
s
thedoorholdi
ngherchestdoi
ngbr
eat
hing
exer
cises.
DoDur
banhavesuchhandsomemean?
Thoseneatl
ymadedreadl
ocks,thatTat
tooonhi
s
arm.Bylooki
ngathi
m hejustscreams-D-
A-N-
G-E-
R-O-
U-S!

Herphoneri
ngsonherhandandget
sst
art
led.She
l
ooksatthecal
lerI
Dandherhear
tdr
umsinfear.
"Samanga,
"sheswal
lowsahar
drockt
hati
sst
uck
uponherthroat
.
"
Ist
hathowyougr
eetyouman?
"
"Babeunj
ani?
"Sheasksasgui
ltst
rike.Shej
ust
compli
mentedanot
hermanjustminutesago.
"I
'
m goodbabe,
Ijustmissyou.
"Sheblushslooki
ng
onthegr
ounddrawingcir
cleswi
thhertoes.
"NamiImissyoumuntuwami.Howi
sDurban
tr
eati
ngyou?"Di
dhereal
lyhavet
oasksucha
quest
ion?
"Busy,bori
ng.I
t'
sjustwaytoomuchf
orme.Can't
waitforthehol
idaysandbehomeandtoseeyou.
"
Shesayssmi li
ng.
"
Canwedoavi
deochat
?"
Li
ndi
wedropsthephone,
loggedi
nonher
What
sApp..
..
"
Ther
eyouar
e,"hel
ookscut
ewhensl
eepi
ng.
"Al
readysl
eepi
ng?I
sn'
tear
ly?
"Sheaskswi
tha
sli
ghtfr
ownonherf
ace.
"
I'
mt i
red.Wasr
acki
ngt
heyar
dandwentt
ofet
ch
water
."
Li
ndi
welaughs."Yoh!Aybaby.Ar
eyouf
orr
eal
?I
l
ongsai
dthiswivil
amuntuwami .
"
"Don'
tstar
twit
hmeplease.Icoul
dn'
tconcent
rat
e
becauseofyouKuku.
"
"
Smanga!
"Shehi
desherf
acesmi
li
ng.
"
Yini,
Ilovet
hatKuku.Andi
thur
tst
hatI
'
veonl
y
t
astedittwi
ce.
"
"
Yousi
ck!
"
"
Youmakemesi
ck.I
t'
sthel
ovepot
ionyougave
me.
"
"Ishoul
daddmor e.Wast
ryi
ngtodoanassi
gnment
andI'm sol
ost
."Shemoveshercamer
atoher
booksshowinghim.
"
Weee,babycr
ackyoumindl
apho.MinaI'
m st
il
l
wai
ti
ngthegover
nmentt
orepl
yonthattender
."
"
Hopet
heyf
undyoubabe.
"
"
Iloveyoudonoteverdoubtt
hat
."Het
ell
sher
.
"
Iloveyouhlanyo."Thei
rvideocal
lend.Shesmil
es
r
emember inghim al
ready.Sheti
lt
sherheadfi
ndi
ng
'
that'
guylooki
ngather .
"
Erm Thabii
sinthebathr
oom."Shepoint
sout.He
j
uststandst
herelooki
ngatherwit
houtsayi
nga
word.
Sti
llfocusedonherhetakesf
urt
herstepscomi
ng
towardsherbed.Hesquatsri
ghti
nfr
ontofherand
caressesonherri
ghtcheek.
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
"hi
svoi
cei
ssodamnf
ine.
Sheswaysherheadtothel
eftsi
deandshi
vers.He
pul
lsherfacebackt
ofacehi
m.Herchubbycheeks.
Li
ghtbrowneyescompli
mentsthecar
amelskin.
"WhatdoyousaywhenIt
ellyout
hatyour
beaut
if
ul?
"
"
Th.
..
.thankyou.
"She'
shol
dingherbr
eat
h.
Domensmel lt
hisnice?Hisbr
eathsmel
lsl
ikemi
nty
sweet.Hecomescloserandpull
sherl
owerli
pby
sucki
ngit.
Hisl
ipsarewaytoosoftandsli
pper
y.Withher
sl
oppykissever
ythingcamebacktohersenses.
Shepull
sbackli
ckingherli
ps.
WTFi
swr
ongwi
thher
?
"Pl
ease,Idon'
twantanyt
roubl
e."Shesaysi
n
shakyvoice.
Mpilostandsupandsmi r
kslooki
ngather.He
l
eavest heroom andshesi
ghsinrel
ief
.The
bathroom dooropensandThabicomesoutful
ly
dressed.Shesniff
stheai
r.
..
.
"
Wassomeonei
nher
e?"
"
Erm yes,
ther
eisaguylookingforyou.
"She'
s
f
ocusedonherbooksnotlookingather
.
"
Iknowmyboyfriendpr
ettywell
.Don’twai
tupfor
me."Shet
akesherover
nightbagleavi
ngtheroom.
Shehateshersel
frightnow.Shewasn'trai
sedl
ike
thi
s,shewasn'tr
aisedtobet hi
scheap.Thi
sman
j
usttooadvantageofherlips.
Shejustcheated!Noamountofwhat
evershecoul
d
j
usti
fyanything!

Shedecidedtotakehermindoffthi
ngsandcook
forher
self
.Ift
hisiswhatshewi l
lbesubj
ectedto
thenshedoesn'twantt
hisli
fe.Shedoesn'twantt
o
bemen'splayground.Shesniff
singuil
t,maybe
tel
li
ngSmangawi llt
akewhateversheisfeeli
ngoff
herchest.
Hermot her'
snamepopsont
hescreen.Shenow
regret
severshowi
ngherhowtodoaWhat sApp
videocall
.
"
Whatar
eyoucooki
ng?
"
Li
ndiweshowsherthechickenstewint
hepotand
hermothersmi
les."
Don'tcookfort
hewhol
e
campus.Iknowyou..
."
"
TrustmeI
'
vegr
own.
"
"
Wher
eyoucr
ying?
"
Howdoesshet el
lhermothert
hatshecheat
ed?She
doesn'
tevenknowthatshehasaboyfr
iend!
"Oni
ons,I
'
m neverusi
ngoni
onsf
rom Dur
banever
agai
n!"
Hemotherl
aughssol
oudandendedupcal
li
ngher
f
ather
.
"
HauNana,
uthit
heoni
onsdi
dwhat
?"
Theyal
llaugh."
Haimama!
"
"Ididnotseethiscomi ng.Pl
easedon'tl
etDur
ban
changeyou.Idon' twantyoucomi nghomewitha
father
lesschil
dlikethatOnyigirl
.Youknowshe'
s
veryuselessMaanandIdon' tevenknowwhatyou
sawi nher."
"MahIhavetogo.Ihaveat estt
omorrowmor ni
ng
soIneedIeatandstudy."Sheli
es.Shejustwant
s
tocl
osethi
schapteroftheconversat
ion.
"Okaymntanami
,domepr oudandmakesur
ethat
youstayawayfr
om boys.
"

She'
sdonewithcookingherst
ew.Thatknockagain!
Seemsli
kethi
sgirlhasal
otoffri
ends.Sheswi
tches
thest
oveoff
,wipesherhandwithaclothandwent
togoopen.

"
Smell
sni
cei
nher
e,butt
hat
'snotwhatI
'
m her
e
f
or.
"
Hepushesheragai nstthewal
lcl
osingthedoor
withanotherf
oot.Lindi
wetri
espushinghi
m offbut
everyl
ipssuckjustmakesherbodyweak.
"Justcamet
osaygoodbye.
"Justl
iket
hathewal
ks
out.
"
OwGod!"Shestandsst
il
lleani
ngagai
nstt
hewal
l
wit
hherhear
tpoundi
nginfear.
STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hedoesn' tli
keJobur gonebi t.Hehashear dt oo
manygangst erficti
onalst or
iesaboutt histown.
Stor
iesthatdoesn' tmakesense, stori
est hatwi l
l
makeyourbl oodr un.Hei sstandi ngint hebalcony
l
ookingatt hebusyst reetsfullofpeopl e.Somel ate
forwork,somepr ostit
uting–ever ytownhasi ts
owndi l
emma.Whoi shef oolingDur bant hebusi est
youcouldf i
nd.I fyouhaven’ tseenPoi ntinDur ban
atnight
,youar emi ssingout.Whi chr oadi sthis
again?Hisinnersel fasks.

Hedrinkst hecol
athatwasinthegl
assandwal
ks
backinside.Hefi
ndsTazzsitedont
hecouch
thi
nki
ngdeep.Themi nut
ehiseyesl
andedon
Sthembisoheshookhi shead.
"Howmanybabi esdoyouhaveoutthere?"Heasks.
Thereisnot
hingmorethatheneedsotherthan
sleep.Hei
sbeenupallnight
.
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Sthembi
soasksset
tl
ingont
hecouchopposi
te
faci
nghim.
"YazOnyiyeisgoingthroughthemostandyouare
herenottryi
nganything.Ther
ewasababyt hatwas
dumpedi nherhandsbyanunknownwomanand
guesswhat-t hatbabyistheyoungyou.
"Tazz
takesouthisphoneandshowshi mt hepi
ctur
es.
"
Whoi
sthemot
her
?"
"Al
lyoucar
eisaskingwhoisthemother?How
aboutt
hegir
lthatyouar
elett
ingsuf
ferbecauseof
yoursi
ns?Tel
lmesomet hi
ng,whati
syourplan
wit
hthatgi
rl
?”
"
The….
b….
wish.
"
"Exact
lyei
sh.Moneyal
oneisnotenough.Idon'
t
knowhowyougoaboutdishingmoneywhent he
envir
onmentshe'
sini
sverytoxi
c.Youannoyme
maan!"
Tazzhal
fshout
s."
Growupandbearesponsi
ble
man,don'
tonl
ythi
nkwit
hyoudi
ck!
"
Hedecidet otakeawalkaroundtowni nJoburg.His
hear
tisheavy-i fheweretosomet hi
ngwhatcoul d
hepossiblydo.Hehasapl an,aplanofhavingguys
ofapproachingNdoni,andsendi
nghert ohis
mother,unti
lheisabletofi
ndherahouse.
Sur
elyhi
smot
herwi
llsuehi
sbal
lsunt
il
….
"Wat
chwher
eyougoi
ng!
"Saysawomanwal
king
past
.
"Nye,
nye,
Nyemyf oot
.Thi
sisnotyourf
ather
s
compoundbi
tch.
"
St
hembi
soandhi
srunnymout
h.
"
Wenj
a,masendekayi
hlo!
"
St
hembisogasps,
"it
'syou,
youti
kil
in,
thegi
rlt
hat
myfat
heroncecheatedwit
h!"
"
What
!"
"Don'
twhatmel
a.Fut
hinj
eyouarethewasteofmy
breat
hmoveoutofmyway."Hepushesherasi
de.
"
Zombi
e!"Thegi
rlscr
eams.
"
Manqi
naezi
nza!
"
Heaccompanieshi
stoungewi
thacl
ickl
oud
enoughf
orthegir
ltohear
.
Nowhi smodehasgonesourallthankstothat
Barbi
estupi
ddoll
.At
leasthei
sleavingtoday,goi
ng
backhometosavehisBlackQueen.

Agroupofmencameoutofnowher
eandsur
round
hi
m.
"
YesWenasnyayi
.Zi
shar
phngawe?
"
"
Areyout
alki
ngt
ome?
"
"
Sizosebenzal
a,"t
heybegi
ntoempt
yhi
spocket
s.
"
Help!Hel
p!"Hetri
eswiggl
inghimsel
ffr
om these
t
hreemen.Everyonei
sjustwalki
ngpastthem
mindi
ngtheirownbusi
ness.Theyknowtoowel lnot
t
ointer
fer
e.
Sthembisotr
iesbeingamanpunchi ngoneofthem.
Themanst aggersbackloosi
ngbalance.Hefr
ees
himselff
rom anotherandpusheshim asi
de
forcef
ull
y.Hetakestwostepstryi
ngtorunaway
fr
om thescenebuthei
sbei
ngpul
ledbackbyhi
st-
shir
t.
"
Shi
t!
"Hef
all
sont
hegr
oundonhi
sback.
Hi
sDHj
eansbei
ngf
orcef
ull
ypul
ledbyanot
her
.
Sthembi
sofinal
lymanagesthest
rengt
htost
andup
andcont
inuestofi
ghtforhi
sli
fe.
"Asimasheayinali
tholentwana.
"Theonewit
hthe
pantsdisappearsint
ot hecrowd.St
hembi
soislef
t
withhisshort
s.

Outofnowher e,t
here'
sanintensetingle,
li
kea
severeel
ectri
cshock.That'
shisner voussyst
em
real
izi
ngthatthousandsupont housandsofcir
cui
ts
havejustbeenbroken.
Thenhefeel
stheheatsl
owingdown.I
t'
saheatl
ike
nothi
nghehaseveri
magined.
Kni
fegoi
ngi
nduet
oAdr
enal
in….
Oncetheothert
woguysstart
edrunni
ngandhe
cal
meddown, hest
art
sfeeli
ngthi
sverywar
mliqui
d
j
ustrunni
ngdownhischestandeachti
mehe
br
eat
hest
hemor
ejustshotout
.

Thent hepai nstartstoki ndasinkin.Aboutt hat

ti
mehest artedget t
ingt hisfeel
inglikebei ngpoked
athousandt imeswi thneedl esonhi sl egs.Hestart
l
osingat onofbr eathandbr eathi
ngbecomesa
chorei nofi tsel
f.Eachbr eathjustget sshor t
erand
shorterandhecan’ tevendoanyt hingabouti t
.
Whenhet ri
est otakeadeepbr eathhi sbodyj ust
doesn’tl eti tinandhekeepsonget tingar eall
y
painfulhur twi t
heachheavyi nhalemi ndhi m,
himsel fisnotevent akingi nthatair
.Hei s
beginni ngt ol oseallofhi sener gyandhi slegsare
j
ustgi vingupcompl etely.Theyhavej ustbecame
str
aightupnoodl es.Hishandshel dont ightagai
nst
hisri
bs-st illst
andingt allnotwant i
ngt obackdown
andf all.Buthei sget t
ingweakerbyt hesecond.

Hiseyesar eopenbuthisvisi
onisstar
ti
ngtoget
dark,i
t'
slikeabackcircl
ejustcl
osi
nginandhe
couldjustseeli
kethatsmalll
ighti
nthemiddl
e
ever
ythi
ngst
art
sget
ti
ngbl
urr
y.
Gotst
abbed3timestwiceonhi
sri
bsandonhisl
eft
si
deandonenastystab1mm byhi
sheartwhi
ch
punct
uredhi
slung.
Hecont
inuest
olaythereonthegr
oundasOnyi e'
s
f
acefl
ashedri
ghti
nfrontofhi
seyes.Thatsmi
le….
Voi
cekeptoff
adi
ngsl
owl
y….

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Howwi l
lshel
eavet
hishousewit
hanewbor nbaby.
Sendi
nghimtothecl
ini
cforhi
sfir
stcheckupj
ust
tomakesuret
hatheisfi
neand….
At
leastt
hemot
herdi
dri
ghtbyput
ti
ngever
ythi
ngi
n
hi
sbag.
Herbodyisst
il
lachi
ngfrom t
heevent
sofyest
erday
-t
hemor eshethi
nksabouti
tthemoreshewantsto
cr
y.
She'
sat
oughgi
rl
,maybeGodbr
oughtheri
ntot
his
wor
ldf
orapur
posebutnott
osuf
fer
.
"Boyi
zalamama,"shebrushesNdimu'sreadhair
andsighsthought
ful
ly.Maybeputt
ingcolouronhis
hairwi
llmakepeoplenottobesacredofhim or
questi
onhisnati
onali
ty.

Noshewi
llneverhur
thersonl
iket
hat
.
Shel
ooksatNgimuphi
we'sl
it
tler
edcur
lyhai
r.
Coul
dthisbet
hatt
heyareofthesamefat
heror
fami
ly?
Itwoul
dhavebeenbett
erisshesawthemant hat
day.Butr
egret
sofdoi
ngi tar
enott
here.I
fgi
vingan
opport
uni
tyshewil
ldoitagain!

Kidsbatheandfeed.Nowshe' swonderinghowwi l
l
shetakecareoft woident
icalbabiesinpubli
c.No
onewilleverbel
ieveherthatthischil
disnotfrom
herwomb.
Maybeshewi
llpassbyt
hepol
icest
ati
onaf
tert
he
cl
ini
c.
Ndimui sonherbackNgi
mui sgent
lyt
ackedonher
softhands.Heisnotat
roubl
esomechil
d.Hesl
ept
thr
oughoutthenight
.
Shest
epsoutofherr
ondovel
….
"
Yewenasdwedswe,
umi
theni
ni?
"Hersi
stershout
s.
"
Mama!Mama!Comesee."
Hermot hercomesoutr
unni
ngoutwi
thsoapal
l
overherplace.
"Yi
ni?"She'
salsopant
ing.Oldpeopl
ewit
hnone
energy.Howcanshepantt hi
sbadrunni
ngf
rom t
he
bathroom j
usttobeoutsi
de?
"
Look,
"she’
spointi
ngoutatOnyi
yewhowas
l
impi
ngtowardsthegat
e.
"
Yougott
obeki
ddi
ngme!
"
Hermotherst
ri
dest owar
dshergr
abbi
ngt
hebaby
f
orcef
ull
yfrom herarms.
"Who'
sbabyisthi
s?"Sheunwrapsthebabyand
gaspalmostdr
oppingthebabybutOnyi
ye
managedtocatchhim bef
orehecoul
devenlandon
thegr
ound.
"
Isai
dit
!Whati
sshegoodat?Spreadi
ngherl
egs
f
ormen.Iwasmyhandsoffyou.
"Shespi
tsonher
f
acewit
hthemorni
ngsal
iva.
Nowordcomingoutofhermout
hsheconti
nues
wi
thherj
ourney.Hert
hroati
sbl
ockedduet
othe
massi
vepai
nshe'sfeel
ing.

Shetr
iestobl
ockthepai
nbutshecannottakei
t
anyl
onger.Cr
yinghasbeenherr
outi
nethesedays.
Shedoesn'
tcr
youtofjoybutshecr
iesoutofpai
n.
Shetakesawiperoutoft
hebaby'
sbagandsi
ghs
wipi
ngherface.

She'
swal ki
ngwit
hmi ndf i
ll
edwi t
hthought
s.
Somethingcomesi nmi ndasshel ookedaround.
Shetakesashortleftthatisleadi
nghertothe
bushes.Shecannotsuf ferl
ikethi
sforachildthati
s
nothers.
Sheli
mpsdeepi
ntot
hebushesandsighsplaci
ng
thebabyont
hegr
oundandhisbagnexttohim.
"
I'
m sorr
y-Ihavenochoi
cebuttodothi
s."She
t
urnstoleaveast
heti
nycri
esfi
ll
edthebushes.
[
08/
18,
03:
31] :SPONSOREDBYAMANDA

ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER6

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Fort
hewhol
emont hofSthembi
sonotwaki
ngup
hashadal
otofpeopl
eloosehope.
Hismot herhasbeenonaf asti
ngmodeeversince
shehear dthenewsofhersonbei ngst
abbed,
almosttodeat h.Receivi
ngthatphonecal
l–she
tooktheavailablefl
ightt
oJohannesburg.
Sti
lli
nJoburgandnottoosur
ehowtotackl
ethe
i
ssue.Shemaybever yhar
donhersonbutinal
l
honestyshel
oveshersontodeat
h.
Themachinesbeepinghopi
ngthathewakesup.
Shemisseshisrunnymouth,st
upi
datt
it
udeand
most
lyhisweirdways.
"Hewi l
lbefi
nemah,"Dumisanicamebackhome
from Pi
eter
mari
tzburgaf
terheari
ngt
hestabofhi
s
brother
.
"I
t'
sbeenawholemont
hDumisani
!Howcanyou
sayhewil
lbef
inewhenhei
snotwakingup?
"
Dumisanisi
ghssadl
ylooki
ngathi
sannoyi
ngl
it
tl
e
br
other.
Dumisanihasanormalskincolour
,hastheexact
samef eat
uresasSthembisobutDumisanipr
efer
s
tochangecolouronhishair
.Bl
ackiswhathis
pref
ers.
"
Iknowmah,
I'
m sor
ry.
"
"Ishoul
dn'thavesaidthatandI '
m sorr
y.Canwe
prayatl
east,at
leastIwil
lfeell
ighter
.”Duminsani
nodslet
tinghismot herholdhi
shand.

"
Itr
usti
nYourpowerandgr
acet
hatsust
ainand
restor
emyson.LovingFather,t
ouchhim nowwi t
h
Yourheali
nghands,forIbel
ievethatYourwilli
sfor
himt obewel
linmind,body,soulandspiri
t.Cover
him wit
htheMostPreciousBloodofYourSon, our
LordJesusChri
st,f
rom thet
opofhi sheadt othe
solesofhi
sfeet.
Healmysonf
ather
…."

"Hmmmm, "hismot
herst
opspr
ayi
ngandshoot
s
hereyesopen.
"
Sthembisomnt anami,
"sher ushestowardshisbed.
Hetri
esremovingthemobi li
zeroffhisfacebuthi
s
weakhandthunder sbackdownont hebed.Hejust
wanttol
etital
lout.It
'sblockinghi
sai r
ways.
Hi
smotherremovest
hemaskof
fhi
sfaceandt
ri
es
t
ohel
phim sit
.
"
Dumi
sani
,gocal
lthedoct
or!
"
Whowouldhavet
houghtt
hatonedayhersonwi
ll
wakeup?
"
O….
Ndoni
."Thef
ir
stnamet
hatcomesoutofhi
s
mout
h.

Heti
lt
shisheadont hesi
dethr
owinguponthe
fl
oor
.Theroom begantospi
naroundmaki
nghimt
o
cl
osehiseyeswit
htheevent
sflashi
ng.
"
Uthi
ni?
"
Sthembi
sotri
esgett
ingof
fthebedwi t
hever
ythi
ng
comingf
lashbacksl
ikeahurr
icane.
"
Ineedt
oseeNdoni
,
"
Thedoctorwalksi
n."Iseemyghosthaswokenup.
"
Hesmiles."
I'
m evensurpri
sedt
hatyouar
eawake.
Youalmostsawdeath."

"TakemetoOnyi
ye.
"Her
emovesever
ythi
ngt
hati
s
att
achedt
ohim.
"
Thatnameagai
n."Thedoct
orchucks.
"Doyouknowthi
sNyokoper
son?
"Hi
smot
her
's
asksconf
used.
"
No,
butt
hisi
sthenamet
hathehasbeensi
ngi
ng
eversi
ncehegotadmi
tt
ed.I
fit
’snotOnyi
yei
t’
s
Ndoni.
”
"
Dumi
sanidoyouknowNyoko.
"
Dumisanilaughsabi
tshaki
nghi
shead."
I'
venever
hear
doft hatnamebefor
e."
"
Sthembi
so,
awukahl
euzozi
li
maza!
"
Tool
atehei
sal
readyst
andi
ngr
eadyt
oleave.
"Mybaby,"hepant
scat
chi
nghisbreat
he."
Iwant
myfamily."Hehol
dshi
schestduetomassi
ve
achi
ngpai ns.
"
Ineedt
osedat
ehi
m.Maybehei
sst
il
linshock.
"

Sthembisotakesstepsbackwar
dsshakinghi
shead
no,"youdon'tunder
stand,
IneedNdoniandmy
ba…."
Notgivenanopport
unit
ytof
urt
hert
alkt
hedoctor
i
nject
shim onhisbackandSt
hembisof
all
sback
ontot
hebed.
WithDumisanil
ookingatal
lthescenethat
'sbeen
happeni
ng.Hedecidedtogowher eKhozais.He
needsanswers,
maybehemi ghtf
indone.
"Whatbri
ngsyouhere?"Nooneent er
shi
soff
ice
exceptSt
hembiso.Khozaaskssit
ingdownwitht
he
glassonhishandsfi
ll
edwhiskey.
"I
t'
sregardi
ngmybr ot
her.Whois….Ona,
Oni
..
,
somethingalongt
hoseli
nes?"
Khozaleansbackwi
thhi
sonel
egont
opoft
he
ot
her.
"
Onyi
yei
shi
sbabymama.
"
Dumi
nsani
'
seyesshootopen.
"
What
!"
"
Thei
rsoni
s7monthsoldi
fnotmi
staken.Heonl
y
f
oundoutl
astmont
h."
"
Wow,
"
"
Butwehaveapr
obl
em,
"
"
Whatpr
obl
em.
"Dumi
sani
asks.
"
Wecan'
tseem t
ofi
ndt
hegi
rl
.Wewer
esocaught
uponSthembi
so'
sheal
ingf
orget
ti
ngt
hatwehadt
o
keepaneyeonher
."
"
Wher
edoesshel
iveKant
i?"
"
Atherhomebuthermot
herchasedherout
."
"
Thi
sis….Idon'
tknowhuge.
"
"Don'
ttel
lhim asyettil
lwefi
ndher
.Whenheask
j
ustsayshei ssti
llathome.Wedon'
twanthi
s
heali
ngtotakestepsback.Hehasafamil
yout
ther
e."

Learni
ngthathi
sbabybr
otherhasbabi
essoundso
surr
eal.
Sthembisodoesn'
tst
ri
keasaguythatdoest
he
deed.Judgi
nghischaract
erhei
s….

Hismothersi
tsdoesnextt
ohim.Theyhavebeen
hereinJobur
gforaboutamonthnowwaiti
ngfora
miracl
etohappen.
"
Youseem f
arawayi
nthought
s."Theyar
esi
ted
outsi
dethegar
denar
eal
ooki
ngatt
hebeaut
if
ul
fl
owers.
"
I'
mthi
nki
ngofmybr
other
'schi
ldr
enandbaby
mama.
"
"
Nawefut
hiyouar
eonthat.I
’
m beginni
ngtothi
nk
t
hatmychi
ldhasl
osthi
ssenses.Hewakesupf r
om
t
hedeadasasksf
orbabi
esthatdoesn’
texi
st.
"
"Ihaveconf i
rmedever
ythi
ngmah. "Dumisanihands
hismot herapict
ureofali
tt
lebabyboy.Shel ooks
atthepicturewit
hhereyesalloutnotbel
ievi
ng.
She'slookingatt
heyoungSt hembiso.
"Wherei
sthebaby?Takemetothebaby.
"She'
s
alr
eadyonherfeetr
eadyt
obetaken.

Dumi saninarrati
ngonwhathehasbeent ol
dmakes
hismot herdizzy.Shet hrowshersel
fbackonthe
chairinconfusion."Sthembiso,haskidsandIknew
nothingabout .
"Shef eelsbetr
ayed,r
obbedachance
ofbeingagr andmot her .
"
Heal
sodi
dn'
tknowmah.Wedonotevenknow
howtogoaboutfi
ndingt
hem becauset
heyare
missi
ng.Wedonotknowexactl
yast owhat
happenedt
othem.”
“
Thi
sist
oomuchf
ormeal
li
noneday.
”

Dumisanil
ooki
ngatallthr
eepi
ctur
est
akeni
n
di
ff
erentdays–occasions.
"
Ihaveapl
an,
"Khozasaysl
ooki
ngatTazz.
"
Wear
eli
steni
ng.
"
"
Iwantyoutogetcloset
ot hatst
upi
dsisterofhers.
Makehersi
nglikeshe'
ssinginganat
ionalanthem.
I
'm sur
eherandhermotherknowwher esheis."
Tazznodshi
sheadagr
eei
ngt
othesetup.
"
I'
min.
"
"Ikeepsentmoneytohergrantwhat,whatcauseI
managedt otr
ackSthembi
so'slastt
ransact
ions.
ButIdoubtsheusesbecausethelasttr
ansacti
on
wasmadet wodaysago.
”
"
Youguysgi
vehermoney?
"Dumi
sanii
sshocked.
LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

she'
slooki
ngatt
het
wolineswi
thaheavyhear
t.
Hermother'
swor
dsr
ingi
ngnon-
stopbuzzi
nginher
ear.
Shebursti
ntotear
sf ai
li
ngtocont
rolherfearof
l
oosingherfamil
y.I
twast hemomentofweakness
andsheassureshersel
fthatshewil
lnevergodown
thatr
oadagain.
"
Asyoucansee….
"
Iwantt
ohaveanabor
ti
on.
"
"Ar
eyousur
e?"Thedoct
oraskswi
thasl
ightf
rown
onherf
ace.
"Yes,
yesI
'm sur
e."Shebl
inksawayintear
s.Thi
sis
nothowsheenvisi
onedherli
fe,
hersel
f.

Wal
kingoutoft
hedoct
orsmadeherheartt
hudi
n
f
ear
.Goingbacktor
esfel
tli
keever
yoneknows
whatshedi
dorwhathei
saboutt
odo.
Thecoul
dshoul
derthatshe'
sbeengi
venSmanga
outofaDur
bandick.
Thabi
isnotar
oundandsurel
ysheiswi
tht
heman
whocheat
sonherli
kether
e'snot
omorr
ow.
Shelooksatt
hepil
ls-shedrankt
woandanot
her
twohasbeeninser
tedinhervi
rgi
na.

Shel
aysther
eont hebedhopi
ngt
hatt
hepai
n
st
art
ski
ckingsoon.
Whowasshef
ool
ing?Not
hingi
shappeni
ng!

Shet
akesherphoneandphonesSmanga.
"
Hal
o,"
"
Heibabe,
"sheswal
lowshar
d.
"
Sur
e."
Thatwascol
d,shet
hought
.
"
Imi
ssyou.
"
"
WhatdoyouwantLi
ndi
we?
"
Ouchguessshedeservest
hatsheagr
eesshehas
hur
thi
m beyondreasonabl
edoubt.
"Imi
ssmyman. "Shesayssni
ff
ing."
I'
m notcopi
ng.
Ever
ythi
ngi
snotgoingtowhatIexpect
ed.School
i
shardandstr
essing.Iwi
shIcoulddi
eSmanga."
Shel
ies.
"
Uthi
niki
miLi
ndi
we?
"
"
Ineedyou.Canyoucomet oDurban.Wewil
lbook
ahotelandspendtheweekendt
ogether
.MaybeI
wil
lfor
getaboutever
ythi
ng.
"
"
Whendoyouwantme?
"
"Monthendwil
lbefi
ne.I
'm sur
ewewoul dhave
savedal
otfort
hetri
pandsleepover.
"Shesni
ff
s
andSmangasmi l
esontheotherli
ne.
"
Whydidn'
tyoutellme?Her
eIam thi
nki
ngt
hat
maybeyouhavefoundsomeonebett
er.
"
Li
ndi
weswal
lowspai
nful
ly.
"
No,
never
.Ionl
yhaveeyesf
oryoumyl
ove.
"
Li
tt
lepai
nst
ruckonherl
owerabdomen.
"I
'm gl
adtoheart
hat
.IloveyouLi
ndiwe.Don'
tlet
schoolmakeyoufor
getaboutme.Ihavebigpl
ans
foryou.
"
Tearswailupinhereyes.Shehasmadet
hebi
ggest
regr
et-decisi
oninherli
fe.
"Ipr
omise.Ineedt
olaydownI
'
m notf
eel
inggood.
"
Shesays.
"
Don'
toverwor
kyour
sel
fmamazi
.Youknowwhat
I
'
m comingi
ntwoweeksti
memonthendi
stoof
ar.
"
Hopebyt
henshewoul
dhaveheal
ed.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Feeli
ngsofempt
iness—al
ackofmeani
ngor
purpose.
I
t’
snotl
ikehertol
osetouchwithher
self
.Alackof
i
nsi
ghti
ntohersel
fisl
eadinghert
othatli
nger
ing
empt
inessf
eel
ing.
Somepeoplecallt
his“li
vingwit
houtapur
pose.
”
shedoesn'
thaveclari
tyont het
ypeofper
sonshe
hasbecomeorwant stobecome.

Hisgroansfi
li
ngherear
sasOnyilai
dthere
hel
plessl
y.Shehasbecomeusedtoit
.Forthat
wholemonthshehasbeensubject
edtothi
s.

Let
ti
ngamanhavinghi
swaywi
thyout
hewayhe
wantsandf
eel
s.
Shebl
inksawayintear
sashegr
unt
sshoot
inghi
s
l
oadsi
nt hecondom.
Sometimesshef eelsmelanchol
yandt hatmight
havetodowi t
hal onggr i
evi
ngprocessthatshe
hasn'
texplor
edyet .Anunresol
vedpainful
exper
ienceinherchildhood.Asenseof
abandonmentfrom af amil
ymember .

Hepul
lsoutofherwi
thhi
scum f
il
ledi
nacondom.
Asusual,
shest
andsup-get sdr
essedandwal
ks
outoft
heroom wi
thoutsayi
ngawor d.
f
eel
ingsofhel
plessness,
shame,
def
ect
iveness.
..
There’sastigmaat tached.I
tmakesherfeeldir
ty
andweak.She’ sal sobeaf r
aidofhowotherswill
react.Wi
lltheyjudgeher ?Lookatherdi
ffer
entl
y?It
seemseasi ertodownpl aywhathappenedor
keepingitasecret.Butwhenshest ayssi
lent,
she
deniesherselfhel
pandr ei
nfor
cevict
imhood.

Si
ti
nginthebathroom t
il
esthi
nkingofhowher
motherhavehatedheral
lherl
ife.
”

Hermot hercametoherthedaysheal mostt hrew

thebabyaway.Comi ngbackf r
om t hecl
inicshe
wast ol
dthatshei
sgoi ngt
obeamai dinsomeone
else'shouse.Sheagreedhappil
ythinki
ngt hatthis
mi ghtbeherescape,herfr
eedom intobeingt he
Onyi yesheknowswhenshe' saroundherf ri
end.
Thedaysheal
mostl
eftNgi
mui
nthebusheswas
t
hedayherl
if
etookadr
ast
ict
urnf
ort
hewor
st.

Shecouldn'
tbri
nghersel
fintodoingi
t-thr
owingan
i
nnocentchil
daway.She'sfacingal
otofchal
lenges
yesbutwhatsheisgoingthroughnowisbeyond
hurt
ful
.
Shescrubsherbodytr
yingt
otakeofhi
ssmel
lyol
d
ful
lscentof
fherbody.
Shehatesithowherbodywil
ljustgi
veinandr
eact
toeverencount
erevent
houghit’
spainf
ul.

Shecooksandcl eansforthem buttheseoldpeople

areneverappreci
ati
veofher .Hercardsweretaken
awayf r
om herbythiswomanandsheoncesai d
shedoesn'tneedthem becauseshe'sbeingnatured
i
nt hi
shouseandshe' sachild.She’
sf or
bidden
beingoutsi
denortalki
ngtopeopl e.
Shedoesn'
tcar
eaboutt
hatmoney.Al
lshecar
es
abouti
srunni
ngawayfr
om t
hishel
lwhole.
Acarpar
kingoutsidemakesherhear
tdr
um infear
.
Thi
swomani sforevercompl
aini
ngandshout
ing.
Shestepsint
othehouseandt
hemoodi
mmedi
atel
y
changes.
"Haveyoucooked?
"Herdi
sgust
edf
acei
s
somethi
ngshecannotpi
npoint
.
"
Yes,
"shel
ooksdown.
"Yeswho?Am Iyourmat e?"Aslaplandsonher
face.Sheholdsherfacei
ndisbeli
efwitht
ear
s
bli
ndinghervisi
on.
She'
sbeenintr
aumat
icexper
iencemor
ethant
his.
Sheref
usestobowdowntothiswoman!
"AuntSandi,
"shesi
ghspai
nful
ly.Sandii
sher
mother'
sbestfri
end.Af
ri
endthatsheshares
secret
swith.
"Good,don'
ttal
ktomel i
keI'
m youragemat e.Mi
na,
i
nyouageIwasi nvarsi
tychasi
ngmydr eamsand
notgivi
ngbabiestothewholenati
on.Babieswho
haveikhwashu.Wisi
dwedwemaan. "Shegr abst
he
glassofwaterfr
om herhandsandpoursitonher
f
ace.Shel
eavestheki
tchenwi
thherwedgeshoes
maki
ngamuf f
ingwetsound.

I
t'
sroundabout20:
30pm andt
hecoupl
e'
sinbed.
She'
sst
andi
ngbythedoordebat
ingwi
thher
sel
f
whet
hert
ogoinornot
.
She'
shear
saconver
sati
on,
aconver
sationthatshe
hasbeenl
ongi
ngtohavewi
thhermother.
"
IonceheardBrendasayi
ngherf
atherisfr
om
Ni
geri
a.I
'm nott
oosurenamibutthat
'sthest
ory.
"
"Sincetheyar eabusi
ngher ,whynott akeherback?
"
Onyi yechucksindisbeli
efnotbelievi
ngherears.
Thismani sunbeli
evable.Middayhegr untsontop
ofheral ldayandwhenhei swi t
hhiswi f
ehe
pretendst otal
kli
kethis?Asi fhecares.
"Idon'
tknowandquit
efrankl
yIdon'
tcare.Al
lI'
m
happyaboutist
hatIhaveadogtodoallmywor ki
n
thehouse."
Shegaspsi
nshockcover
inghermout
h.
"
Whatwasherf
ather
'sname?
"Themanasks.
"Obi
nnaOkoj
ie.
..
.somethi
ngliket
hat
.Whyar
eyou
aski
ngmeaboutthist
hing?"
"
Justmaki
ngconver
sat
ion.
"

Sheslowlyt
akesbabyst
epsandl
eavesheadi
ngt
o
theshacksheli
vesi
noutsi
de.
Leavingatherhomewasf armor ebettert
hanthi
s.
Singerfat
herisObinnaOkoji
efr
om Ni geri
a?She
willkeept
hisinf
ormationf
orpersonaluse.
Shelooksaroundandherbabi
esareasl
eep.They
sur
elydon'tknowwhat'
shappeni
ngbutsomeday
shewillt
ellastor
y.
Event
houghshe'
stoomuchbr
okenont
hei
nsi
de
andawalki
ngzombie.

Li
feisbeaut if
ulbutnotalwayseasy.I
thas
problemst oo,andthechall
engeli
esinfaci
ngthem
withcourage, l
etti
ngthebeaut
yoflif
eactli
kea
painkil
ler
,maki ngthepai
nbearabledur
ingtr
ying
ti
mesbypr ovidinghope.
Happi nessandsorrow, vi
ctoryanddef eat,dayand
nightarejustt
wosi desoft hecoi n.Si
mi l
arl
y,lif
eis
fullofmoment sofjoy,pleasure,success, and
comf ortpunct
uatedbymi sery,defeat
, fai
lures,and
problems.Thereisnohumanbei ngonEar t
ht hati
s
strong,powerf
ul,wise,orrichwhohasnot
experiencedstr
uggle,sufferi
ng, orfai
lure.

She'safai
lurenowbuti nfewyearstocomeshe
assureyhersel
fthatshewillbedef
ini
tel
ysomeone
thatshe'
sbeenl ongi
ngfor.Someonewhowi l
llook
i
nandatherpastandl aughbecauseofthepai
n
shehasendur ed.
Shepullsoutforabookthatwashi dden
somewher esafemakingsur et
hatnoonecant r
ace
i
t.Shebeginslooki
ngovert hechapter
sandsighs
smil
ingwithtearsst
reamingdownherf ace.Thi
sis
defi
nit
elywhatsheisdestinedfor.Andfort
hatshe
wil
lcheri
shitoneday.
[
08/
18,
03:
32] :SPONSOREDBYDUDUETSANG
ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER7

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Forthefi
rstt
imeinthewhi l
emonthshegetsto
havepeaceandsilence.Gatesl
ockedandshe
doesn'
thaveaccesstoanykeys.Theyhavebeen
goneforonedaybutal r
eadyshefeel
sherinner
peace.
She'sabsor
bingt
hepeacethatcomesfrom
st
il
lness.I
t’
stempor
arybutshe’
senjoyi
ngever
ybi
t
ofi
t.

Innerpeacei
spossi
bleifshebel
ieves,andshe
doesnotneedtomeditateonamount aint
opor
breakthebankf
orawel l
nesstr
eatinordertof
indi
t.
Focusingherat
tent
ionont
hoset
hingsshecan
contr
ol….
She'
sdonewashi ng,cl
eaningasusual-nowshe
needstofocusonherkids,butfi
rstshewant sto
haveaccesstohergrantcard.Thei
rbedr oom door
i
slockedandshedoesn' tknowwher etheykeept he
sparekeys.Shehassearcheverycornerofthe
housebutstil
lnot
hing.
Disappoi
ntedasshei
sshewalksoutt
odouble
checkift
hegateiscl
osed–l
ocked.Asusuali
tis,
si
ghs!

Somethi
nginhertoldhertowi t
hdrawever ycent
andshedid.Shesomet i
meswonderi fdi
d
gover
nmentmakeami stake….alotofmoneyput
thr
oughanditdoesn'tmakesense.
Themoneyishiddensomewher
e,i
napl
acenoone
coul
devert
hinkof.

"
Idl
ababe,
"feedingNdi
muisast
ruggl
ebecausehe
j
ustspi
tsi
tout,henowcrawl
sar
oundandwor st
ly
henowst
andsbyhol
dingont
othi
ngs."
Babe,
come
on.
"
Shegiggleswipi
nghismout
h.Li
kel
yhemanagedt
o
fi
nishthebutt
ernut
.
Shedeci
dedtoputhi
m outoft
hebr
east
mi l
kand
gi
vehimfor
mula.Ngi
mui snowbei
ngbreast-
feed.

Ki
dsasl
eep,
shenowshehast
imet
oher
sel
f.

Shelooksatherselfinthemir
rorandnot
icesdar
k
pat
chesar oundhereyes.Whenwast hel
astti
me
shelookedatherselfinthemi
rror
.
She'st
ir
edandonewi
thcrying.Shehasbeencr
ying
eversi
nceshewaspr
esentedtothi
sworld.
Si
ghs!Thati
swhatshehasbeendoi
ngal
otl
atel
y.
Shel ooksathersaggyti
nyboobs-wrinkled
stomach, hert
inyhi
psmovi ngdownwar ds.Her
bodyi snolongeratt
achedtoher-i
t'
sli
kei t'
sbei
ng
pealedoffandnowever yt
hingisj
ustdisgusti
ng.
Shewaresherlongdress,bi
gJerseyandadoek.
That'
showshehi deshersel
ffr
om under
neat
h.It
's
theshamethatcomeswi thi
t.

Shesitsonthehar
doldbedwithspri
ngspopping
out.Shescr
oll
sthr
oughhercontactl
istandl
ooks
athermother'
snumber.

Despit
ethef actthatshegrewupf r
om anabusive
homeandenvi ronment-shepr aysandwishesthat
somedayherandhermot herwillhaveadaughter
andmot herrelati
onship.Shewant shersi
stert
obe
overprotect
ivelikeeveryotherbigsist
erwhodoes
fort
heirsibl
ings.
Shedeci
dest
ocal
lherf
ri
end.
"
Nyi
,
"she'
sdownandt
hati
ssounl
ikeher
.
"
Areyouokay?
"
Lindi
wesniff
sovertheli
ne."
I'
m notgood.Imade
thehorr
ibl
emi st
akeever
.Ican'
tbeli
evehowstupi
d
Iam."
"St
huphet
hu,whatdi
dyoudo?Donott
ellmet
hat
yousl
eptwit
hsomeone!"
Lindi
webur sti
ntot
earsnotknowi
nghowt
o
respond."
Itwasami st
ake!
"
"
DoesSmangaknow?
"
"
HowdoIt
ellhi
m?Wher
edoIevenbegi
n?"
"St
artbytel
li
ngyouri nnersel
fthi
siswhatyouwant
todo.Whatr eal
lyhappened?Canyoustartbyt
he
begi
nning."

Lindi
wet akesadeepbr eath,"
Thegir
lI'
m shar i
ng
theroom withi
sdat i
ngt hi
sguy.Shewasi nt he
bathroom andIwast al
kingtoSmangaovert he
phoneshowi nghim mybooks.Iconcludedt hecall
withSmangaandt hi
sguyi ntr
oducedhimselfas
Mpi l
wenhleMyeza.Thenextt hingheiskissi
ngme
andIgott empted.Tocutthest or
yshortwehave
beent hi
sforawhi l
eandt herewasababyi nt he
processandIendeduphavi nganaborti
on."
Onyi
yegaspsi
nshock."
No!Doyouwantmet
osl
ap
you?"Onyi
yesighs,"youdidwhatyoudi doutof
i
nkanuko.ButIwon'tjudgeyou.Iwantyout ofocus
onyourbooksandf orgetaboutever
ything.After
ever
ythi
ngIstil
lloveyouandt hatwon'tchange.
Youdidadecisionthatyouthoughtwast hebest
andIsupportyou.Just,pl
easemakemepr oud."
"Thankyou.Ifeelabi
tli
ght
ertal
kingtoyou.NowI
havetotel
lSmangabecausethegui l
tiseati
ngme
up."Shesays."Idi
dn'
tbuyyouthi
sairti
met ocal
l
me.Iboughtforyoutobydataslminamdi ni
!"
Onyi
yegi
ggl
es,
"yohI
'
m sor
ry.
"
"
It
'sokayI
'
llj
ustbutyoudat
anextt
imenotai
rt
ime.
Howaremybabies?"
Onyi
yetol
dLindi
wehowshef oundNgi
muandhow
sheal
mostthrewhi
m away.
"Theseki
dssleepl
iket
here'snotomor
row.Once
youfeedthem t
heyfal
lint
osleep."
"Youshouldcomeupwi t
haplanofl
eavi
ngthat
housebeforei
t'
stoolat
e.Whatt
hatgr
andpais
doingt
oyoui stot
all
ysi
ck!"
"It
rytostaystrongf
ormykidsLee,eachday
comeswi thit
sownandI'mleavi
ngwi t
hthatpai
n.
ThefactIlovemykidst
hroughallobst
aclesI
'm
good.
"
"
Ihavet
opr
epar
efort
het
estt
omor
row.
"
"
Letmenotkeepyou,
I'
m goi
ngcr
azymysel
f.
"

Shelooksthroughthepagesdoingthel
astf
inal
touches.Sheclosesherbookssmil
ing.
Shealwaysfeel
sbett
erwhenevershehasadeep
conver
sati
onwithherfr
iend.
Shesubmit
severydocumentonli
ne,closesher
dat
alocki
ngherphoneandplacesitasidesmil
ing.
Shelaysontopoft hebedlookingatthecei
li
ng
counti
ngyears.I
t's3yearsfrom now….That'
sal
ot
ofthosebuti
twillbeworthitintheend.

I
NTOWN
AuntSandii
sint
ownwi
thherhusband.
Shetri
eswi
thdr
awi
ngt
hemoneybutt
her
eis
not
hing.
Shechecksf
ort
hebal
anceandt
her
eisonl
yR50.
"Howisi
tpossi
blet
hatt
her
eisnomoneyi
nthi
s
card?
"
"
Maybeshewi
thdr
ew.
"Thehusbandr
esponds.
"
Maybeshegavemet
hewr
ongpi
n."
"
How?Wer en'
tyouabl
etocheckf
ort
hebal
ance?
"
Heasks.
"
Yeayouar
eright
."Shesi
ghssteppi
ngbackfrom
t
heATM."Maybethemoneyisnotinyet
.Let
'sgo."
"Iwanttogohome,
youdowhatyouneedtodowi
th
yourfamil
yandIwi
llbehome.
"Hesays.
"Okay,
takemehomef ir
stt
henyougohome.Keep
aneyeont hatgi
rlIdon'
ttr
usther
.”

Thehusbandkepthi
sword.Helefthi
swi
feand
drovest
rai
ghtbackhomeinarush.
Outofnowherehiscarr
unsoutofpet
rol
.It
i
mmedi at
elybr
eaksdownint
hemi ddl
eofther
oad.
"Comeon!"Hehissessteppingoutofthecar.Thi
s
cannotbehappening.Ablackcarparksinfr
ontof
hisMercedes.
"Needhel
p?"Twomenst
epoutwi
thgunsont
her
e
hands.
"
No,yes.
"Heswal
lowst
aki
ngst
epsbackwar
ds
r
eadytorun.
"
Giveust
hecarandwewi
lll
etyoul
eave.
"Onesays.
"
I.
..
.I
..
..
"
"Shhh,
madal
a.Doyoust i
llr
ememberme?
RememberwhenItoldyouthatonedayweshal l
meetagai
nandoncewemeetIwi l
lnotletyoul
ive.
"
Theoldmanlooksattheunfami
li
arface.
"
ButIdon'
tknowyou.
"
"Luthando,16yearol
dgirlt
hatyourapedr
epeat
edl
y
untilshetookherownli
fe.Doesthatnameri
nga
belltoyou?"
Theol
dmanswal
lowshar
drunni
ngoutofbr
eat
h.
"
AndI'
m surether
earemoreki
dsoutt
her
ewhoar
e
avi
cti
m becauseofyou.
"
"
It
..
.Itwasn'
tme.
"

Themanchuckst aki
ngfurtherstepsinmuch
annoyance." Youknowwhatmysi stersaidasI
watchedhergr aspedforairunabl etobr eath?She
sai
dyouf orcefull
ymadeherabor t
.Shebeggedf or
youtost opbutyouneverdi d.Today, todayi sthe
dayIwillletyoubeg, Iwantt hewhol ewor l
dt o
knowwhatki ndofamanyouar e.Iwantyourki ds
tofeelt
hepai nyoumadeever ychi l
dgot hr
ough.
Andguesswhat ,youwi l
lbetherewat chingever y
holeintheirbodiesbei ngfucked."
"
Okay,okay,canwetalkaboutt
his.Icangi
veyou
moneyifthat'
swhatyouwant."
"
Afr
icat
akehi
m….
"

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE
Thedoctorsi
ghst
aki
ngof
fhi
sgl
ovesr
unni
ngout
ofwords.
"
Butyouar
enotf
ull
yheal
ed.
"Heexpl
ains.
"I
'
vebeenheref
oraboutamonthnow.Ineedtofi
nd
someonebef
oreit
'st
oolat
e.Ipr
omisenottoover
workmysel
f.
"
"
Idon'
thaveachoi
cedoI
?"
"Fort
hisoneDocnoyoudon'
thaveachoi
ce.Ir
eal
ly
needtobeoutasi
nyester
day.
"
"Fi
ne,Iwillsi
gnt hedischar
gepaper sandIwi l
lgive
youmedi cati
onf orpain.Pl
ease, i
fyoufeel
somethingwr ongorunusualpl easecomebackso
wecoul ddocheckupsonyou.Tr ykeepingyour
heartatease.Anddon' tstr
esst oomucht hatmight
beasetbackf oryourheali
ng."

Sthembi
soiswaiti
ngf orKhozatappi
nghi
sfoot
downimpati
entl
y.Finall
y!Hestandsupl
eavi
nghis
bagonthebench.
"
Andyourbag?
"Khozaasks.
"Doyoureal
lyexpectmetocar
rysuchaheavybag.
Youclai
m youcareaboutme.I
fyoucar
eyouw. .
..
"
"OkayIgetyourpoint!
"Khozahissesst
eppi
ngout
ofthecar.Heroughlygrabshi
sbagandpushesit
i
nt heboot.

Thedr
ivewasf
il
ledsil
enceandt
hati
t'
sunusual
wheni
tcomestoSthembiso.
"
Yougood?
"Khoza.
"If
eell
ikeyouguysar ehidi
ngsomethingfrom me.
Theawkwar dnessthatyougivememakesmeso
uncomfort
able.Ift
here'
ssomet hi
nggoingoncan
youtel
lme."Sthembisotakesadeepbr eat
h.
Khozasi ghspulli
ngatt hesideoft her oad.He
adjusthi sseatmaki ngitleanbackwar ds."Okay,
you'rerightthereissomet hinggoi ngon.Wewer e
socaughtonyouandwef orgoteverythi
ng.The
statetheguysf oundyoui n-wewer e, Imeanwe
justthoughtt hatwewer eloosingyou.AndMi naon
theot herhandIwasl oosingmoney.Daysl ater
Tazzt ri
edt okeept absonherbuthel osther,she
nolongerl
iveshomeandwearesuret
hat,
somehowhermot herknowswher
esheis.
"

Sthembisokeepsqui
te.Notwhenhejustf
ound
aftersomanymonthsofhim notknowi
nghowto
takeheroffhi
shearandmind.
"
Hadent
wana,
"
"Dri
ve."Sthembiso.Hei
snotmad,
hei
sjust
disappointed.

Ar
ri
vingatKhoza'
shousehef
indst
hegent
ssi
ted
wat
chingamovie.
"Whenandwherewasherl
astwit
hdr
awal?
"
Sthembi
soasksbef
orehecoul
devengr
eetthem.
"Today,Empangeni.Butther
e’snomoneyont he
card.Shedi
dt helasttr
ansacti
onlastmonth.And
webel i
evet
heper sonwhot r
iedtowithdr
awi snot
her.Shewouldn'tcausesheknowst hatt
hereisno
money."
"
Whi
chbank?
"St
hembi
soasks.
"
Nedbank,
"
"
Pict
ures?
"
Theyal
llookathi
m conf
used.
"
Whatpi
ctur
es?
"
"Ever
yATM hasacamer
a.I
'm surewit
ht hel
ocat
ion
andtimewecanbeabl
etospotthatpersonusi
ng
thei
rpict
ure.
"
Makessenses,
theyal
llookathi
m dumbf
ounded.
"Whendidyoubecomethi
swise?"Dumisanii
s
ast
onishedbyhi
sbrot
hersbehavi
our.
"
I'
veal
waysbeenl
iket
his.
"
Heopenst
hecomput
erwai
ti
ngf
ort
hef
il
est
oopen.
"
Areyouguys?Youknow.
..
."
"ChaDumi saniwearejusthumanbeingsgoi ng
aft
erlif
e.Robbinggovernmentisourjob.Wehave
famili
estotakecareof.Iaskedyoutojointhe
gameandyour ef
used.Imaginewhatdiffer
enceit
couldmake.Youcanevenst ar
tupyouown
business.
"Khoza.
"
Whati
fyouguysgetcaught
?"
"
It
'snotper
manentt
hing.Tryi
ngtosaveasmuchas
wecouldsowecoul
dst ar
tourownbusiness.
"
"
Isee.
"

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Whoeversaidli
feout
sidehi
ghschooli
samazi
ng
cl
ear
lyl
ied.There'
snothi
ngamazi
ngaboutwhat
shei
sgoingthroughnow.
"I
sitpossi
blei
fIchangedrooms? "She'
satthe
secret
ary'
soff
ice.Seei
nghim ever
ydaybri
ngsback
allt
hoseshamef ulmemor
ies.
"I
t'
sonlythebeginni
ngoft
heyear
.Wecanonl
ybe
ableIchangeroomsbyJune.
"
"I
sther
eanyt hi
ngthatyoucoul
dbecauseIr
eal
ly
needtoleavethatr
oom."
"Tel
lmesomething,
"thesecr
etar
yclosesherl
apt
op
andsit
supst
raightlooki
ngather."
Whyareyou
al
soeagert
omoveout
?Di
dsomet
hinghappen?
"
"Yes,
no.I
'mjustnotcomfor
tabl
e.Myroom mat
e
hastoomanyfriendsandi
t'
smakingme
uncomfor
tabl
e.”Sheli
es.
"Isee,asIhavet ol
dyou.Wecannotdoanythi
ngat
thismomentbutwecanmakechangesi nJune
oncet herearevacantr
ooms.Moststudent
sprefer
renti
ngi nfl
ats.Maybeyoushoul
dconsiderdoi
ng
i
t."

Shesighsgi
vingup.Mayberenti
ngar oom wi
lldo
buthowmuchi stheroom?Shedoesn'thavethat
moneyandherpar ent
sdonothavethatamountof
moneysincetheyarepayi
ngforexpense.

She'
sgoingtocl
assandnot
icesal
leyesandever
y
eyeonher.
"I
sthi
sher?"Oneofthegir
lsasksast
hey
sl
aughter
edinlaught
er.
"
Ithi
nkso.
"
"
Damn,Iwonderhowi
tfeel
sli
kebef
uckedby
Mpi
lo.
"
Herheartsbeatsabnormall
yfail
ingt
ocontr
olher
breat
hings.Sherunstothetoi
letandfi
ndsagroup
ofgir
lslaughi
ngsharingaphone.Theyallt
urnto
l
ookatherasshest oodtherewithherweaklegs.
"
Wowgi
rl
,howwasi
t?"Oneasks.
"
Howwaswhat
?"Li
ndi
we'
svoi
cebar
elycameout
.
"Thi
s,
"thegi
rlshowshert
hevi
deoofherandMpi
lo
changi
ngpositi
onsi
nbed.
Shehandst
hegi
rlherphonebackandr
unsbackt
o
res.
Laught
er,
laught
er!

Shelockshersel
finherbedr
oom andcr
iesher
l
ungsout.Ifhermotherfi
ndsthi
sthani
twil
lbethe
endofher.
Herphoner
ingsandi
t'
sSmanga.
"
Babe,
"
"Li
ndiwe,
"hekeepsqui
tef
orawhile."
Isi
ttrue?
"
Howdi dhefi
ndout?Shecl
oseshereyesimagini
ng
hishurt
,bet
rayedf
ace.
"Y.
..
.yes.IswearIwant
edtot
ellyoubutIwas
afr
aid."Shebursti
ntot
ear
s.
"Howcoul dyouLi ndiwe.Aftereveryt
hingwe
promi sedandshar edwitheachot herthi
sishow
your epaymebygr ati
ngmyhear tint
opieces.
Wasn' tIenoughforyou?Di dn'tIsati
sfyyouenough?
IsitbecauseI'm broke?"
Smangai
sbeyondhur
t.
"No,
no,nobabe.IknowImadeami st
akeabiggest
onefort
hatmatter
.Ipr
omisenott
odisappoi
ntyou
agai
nmyl ove.
"
"
Wow, t
hat
’sal
lIcansay.ByeLi
ndi
we,
hopehe
t
reat
syoubett
erthanme."
"Smanga!Hell
o,hel
lo.
"Theli
negoesdead."
No,
no,
nobabepleaseIneedyou."

She'
ssi
ti
ngonherbedr
ocki
ngher
sel
fbackand
f
ort
h.Hermot
herhasbeencal
li
ngnonst
op.
She'
sjustwai
ti
ngf
ort
hepi
ll
stoki
cki
nandt
hendi
e
peacef
ull
y.
Shesentherf
ri
endal ongassmessagetel
li
ngher
howmuchshel ovesandcar esf
orher
.Aft
er
sendi
ngatexttoOnyiyeshesentanot
hert
o
Smangabutheonl ybluet
ickedher
.
She'
sfeel
ingdrowsyandconfused.Shel
aysonher
si
deandwai t
sforGodtoaccepthersoul
..
..

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"Smangaplease.I
fngi
nawoAmandlaIwoul
dhave
gonetoDurbanmyselfbutmyhandsar
eti
ed.You
aret
heonlyonewhocansaveher .
"
"Maybeshe'
spull
ingoneofherstunt
s.I'
m done
wit
hyourfri
endhonestl
y,shehasbeatenmore
of.
..
."
"Canyoust
opbei
ngself
ishjustf
oronce!Iknow
Lindi
wemoret
hananyone.Iknowwhenshe' s
faki
ngandbeingser
ious.Ri
ghtknowshe'sser
ious.
PleaseSmangadosomet hi
ng.Iknow.
..
."
Thel
inegoesdead.Herai
rt
imei
sfi
nished.

Shelooksathermother
'sf
ri
endsnumberdebat
ing
wit
hherthoughts.
Shegr
owsgutsandsendshermult
iplecal
lbacks
oneaf
tert
heot
herunti
ltheyr
anout.She'
spacing
upanddownnotknowi
ngwhattodo.
Shesit
sdownwi t
htear
srol
li
ngdownhercheeks.
Shefai
ledher
..
..
Herphoner
ings.
..
.

"
Mah,
MakaLi
ndi
we.Thi
sisOnyi
ye.
"
"
Weeewhatdoyouwant
?"Shehi
ssesandcur
sing.
"Pl
easeIneedyourhel
p.It
hinkmyf
ri
enddi
d
somethi
ngstupi
d."
"
Somethi
ngstupi
dli
kewhat?Whatdoyouknow
whenyougoodatopeni
ngyourl
egstomenand
br
ingf
ather
lesski
ds.
"
"Todayyoucaninsul
tmeal lyouwantbutj ustso
youknow.Lindi
weneedsyou, pleasetrycontacti
ng
theschoolandconfi
rmifshe'sokay,Ibegyoui n
thenameofJesusChr i
st.
"Shesni f
fs.Hermot her
sighs.
"I
'
vebeentryi
ngtogetholdofherthi
swhole
aft
ernoonshe'
snotpi
ckingup.Ibeli
eveshe'
sin
cl
ass."
"
Sheisnot!Canyoul i
stent
omej ustforonce!
Naweyousel f
ishMaan!Justf or
getit.Iwi
lldi
al112
t
ohelpmyf ri
endwithoutyourhelp."Shedropshe
l
ineandbeginstocallt
hepolice.Thankful
lyit
'sa
t
ollf
reenumberhopeshewi llbesavedi ntime.
[
08/
18,
03:
32] :SPONSOREDBYDUDUETSANG

ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER8
"Webeli
evesheswal lowedapoisonousmat
eri
al,
toomuchal coholoralar
geamountofmedicat
ion.
Thedoctorsarestil
lbusywi
thher."Thenur
se
expl
ainstotheLindiwe’
sparent
s.
"
Whatr
eal
lyhappened?
"Hermot
herasks.

Theydroveal lnightaf
tert
heconversati
onshehad
withOnyiye.Despi t
ethatf
actthatshemadea
mistakebyhavi ngbabiesinayoungage, butan
actualf
actsheknowst hatshewoulddefini
tel
y
wishherfrienduponbad.Shet ookherwor dandto
hersurpri
seherdaught erwasf oundbythepoli
ce
l
ayingunconsci ously.
"Wedonotknowwhatreal
lyhappened.Sheist
he
onewhocantel
luswhenthedoctorsaredonewit
h
her
."

I
NTHEWARD

Thedoct
orpr
epar
esagast
ri
csuct
ionpr
ocedur
e,
theybeginbynumbingherthroatt
odecr ease
i
rrit
ati
onandgagging.Then,t
hedoct ori
nsert
sa
l
ubr i
catedt
ubeint
othenoseandt hreaditthr
ough
heroesophagusandintothestomach.
Thedoctorthensprayssal
inedownthetube.
Final
ly,
theyapplysucti
onthr
oughthetubeto
removetoxiccontent
sfrom t
hestomach.

Fourshour
soft
hepr
ocessandf
inal
lyt
heyar
e
done.
Thedoct
orst
epsoutoft
hesur
ger
yroom….
"MrandMr sNgobese,Ihear
dthatyouar
eher
eand
youdroveallt
henight
."
Hesmi
lesshaki
nghandswi
tht
hem.
"Youhavenoi dea.Howisshe?"Hermot herisver
y
muchi mpatient
.Shehatesitwhendoctorsmake
uselessconversat
ionsi
nsteadofthem going
str
aighttothepoint!
"
Wemanagedt ocleanher
…"Hekeepsquit
efora
whi
leanddoesn'
tknowwhethert
oconti
nueornot.
"
But
?"
"That
'sal
l.Shewi
llbef
ine.Youcangoi
nandsee
her.
"
Thedoct
ordeci
dest
okeept
hist
ohi
msel
f.

"
KodwaLi
ndi
we,
whathappenedmnt
anami
?"
Lindi
weisawakebutver
ymuchinpain.Shewant
s
total
kbuthervoi
cewon'
tcomeout.
"W….whotol
dyou?"Hervoi
cei
ssqueakyand
str
uggl
ingtocomeout.
"Gif
ttoldme.Shesentmet onsofcal lbackslast
night.Idi
dn'
tbeli
eveheratf i
rst.Ithoughtthat
maybeshespeaksoutofj ealouslybutumnt ana
bantuwast al
kingthetr
uth.Idon' tknowi fIdi
dn'
t
beli
eveher.She'stheonethatcal ledforhelpby
call
ingthepol
ice."
Lindi
we'
svisi
onbl
urr
yintear
s.Herdr
owsi
nessi
t
taki
ngcont
rolbyt
hesecond.
"
Ithi
nkmypat
ientneedst
orest
."
Herpar
ent
sdeci
dedt
obookt
hemsel
vesi
ntoahot
el.
"
Ican'tbel
ieveLi
ndi
wet
ri
edcommi t
ti
ngsui
cide.
Aft
ereverythi
ngwedof
orhershegoesanddoes
t
his!
"
Hermot
heri
stot
all
yhur
t.
"I
'm sureherf ri
endknowswhathappenedt hatis
whyshei nformedyou. "Thehusbandr epl
ieswi pi
ng
himselfwi t
hat owel ."
Thatistheonlyoneper son
whocoul dgetthroughLi ndi
we.Leaveyour
hatenessasi de,everychildmakesthereown
mistakesandt heylearnformit.I
'm sur
eifyout alk
toOnyi yefrom mot hertodaughterli
keyouuset o
dopr eviously.
"
"So,doIreal
lyhavetocal lher
?"Sheasks.The
soundofhercallingOnyiyedoesn'tsi
tri
ghtwit
hher.
Shecringesi
ndi sgustandherhusbandl ooksather
andshakeshi shead.
"
Yes,behermotherannotherenemy.IfLi
ndiwe
makesamistakeonedayyouwi l
lhat
eherlike
t
his?
"
"
No,
"sher
epl
iesshamef
ull
y.
"Thanwhati ssohar df oryout olookbeyondt hose
mistakesandnat ureherl i
keamot herwoulddo.
Whyt hrowat owel f
orachi l
dthatnever
experiencedthemot her'slove.Iwantmyol dwi fe
backandnott hi
swi t
chyouar eturni
ngto.Honest ly,
Idon'tknowyouanymor e.Ifeelli
keI'
m marriedto
anotherversionofyouandi t'
st i
ri
ng.Therewillbea
pointwher eI'
llj
ustgiveupandmoveonwi t
hmy
l
ifeandl eaveyouhat ingonaGoddamnchi ld!."
Shegaspsnotbel ievi
ngherears."It
'ssi
ckeningto
event hi
nkthatyouwillsi
dewi t
hawomanwhof eed
herowndaught erpoisonattheageof5.I tshows
thatatsomepoi ntyouwillal
sowantt okil
lme
becauseofmaki ngawr ongdeci si
on.Thi
nkabout
yourpast,andcompar eyoursel
ft oGif
t’
ssituat
ion.
Atleastshegottokeepherbabi esnotkil
lthem!"
Hepull
shi
spant
supweari
ngthem.Sprayshi
s
f
ragr
anceandt
akest
hecarkeysf
rom t
hepedest
al.
"
Uyaphibaba?
"Sheaskswi
thashakyvoi
ce.
"
Somewher
epeacef
ul.
"Hewal
ksoutoft
hehot
el
r
oom bangi
ngt
hedoor
.
Shesi t
sont hebedt hought
full
y.Shegrabsher
phonet hatwasundert hepi
llow,sear
chesthrough
themessagesandr emember sthatshedel
etedthe
callbacks.Shecal
ledheryest er
day….
"
Hel
o,"shesoundsasl
eep.
"
Gif
t.
"
"
Mah!"She'
snowwi
deawake."
Pleaset
ellmeyou
f
oundher.
"
"Yeswedidbutweweretol
dthatt
heambul
ance
hasalr
eadytakenhert
othehospi
tal
."
"
ThankGod,
"ther
eli
efi
nhervoi
cecoul
dn'
tbe
missed.
"
I'
m sor
rythatIdi
dn'
tbeli
eveyou.Whatl
eadt
oher
t
ryi
ngtotakeherownli
fe?"
"Ibel
ievei
twillbeatifyouhearfr
om her.I
t'
snotmy
placetosharesuchsensiti
veinf
ormati
onwi t
hyou
sinceI'
m notinyourgoodbooks."
"Iunder
stand,
takecar
e."Shedropst
hecalland
saveshernumberasGift.I
t'
sverymucheasier
cal
li
ngherGi
ft
.
Shetakesti
met oher
sel
ftothi
nkaboutwhather
husbandjustt
oldher
.Maybeshewasdoi ngtoo
muchofit.Maybesheneedstotakestepsbacks
andbethewomanwhoshewasbef ore.
Shelaysdownonthebedcoveringhersel
fwit
ha
duvettr
yingt
ogetsomesleep.Shehardlysl
eep
middaybutnowshereal
lyneedsit.Shehasbeen
upallni
ght.

Unabletofal
lasl
eepwit
hherhusband'swords
ri
ngingi
nherhead.She'
stossingandturni
ngwit
h
heavyeyes.Shespot
sabot t
leofwine,
-great
maybethisiswhatsheneeds.
Gulpi
ngitdownglassaf
terglass,f
inall
ymadeher
ti
psyanddrowsy.Shecoversherselfagai
ntr
yingt
o
catchsomesleep.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Wakingupt othenewsofherf ri
endbeingassisted-
helpcamer i
ghtinti
meandt hateasesherhear ta
bit
.Nowsheneedst of
ocusonget ti
ngoutofher e.
Butfir
stsheneedsthosecards-ormaybeshe
couldjustdi
sappearwit
houtthem thanlat
ergot o
Sassaandsayshel ostthem andtheygetblocked?
She'smaki
nghersel
ffoodwhenshehearsacar
parki
ngout
side.Shesi
ghspl
acingever
ythi
ngback.
Heregoeshermood.
Thehi
ll
smaki
ngt
heemostr
idi
cul
oussoundever
.
"Wher
eismyhusband?"Sheasksplaci
ngher
Chi
nesehandbagontopoft
hekitchencount
er.
"
Husband?
"
"Iseem tof
orget,
youcl uel
essaboutli
fe.Onl
ygood
atgivi
ngbirt
h."Chucksmockingly."
Makemeacup
ofcoffeest
rongandbl ack.
"
"
Okay,
"Onyi
yet
urnst
heket
tl
eonr
oll
inghereyes.
Hermi
ndisupt
osomethi
ng….
"
Didn'
tmyhusbandcomehomelastni
ght
?"She
t
akeshershoesof
fandbegi
nsmassagi
ngherf
eet
.
"
Cha,
hedi
dn'
tcomeback.
"
"
Hau,
hesai
dhewascomi
ngback.
"
Shet
akesherphoneoutofherbreastanddi
alshi
s
number
sbutitt
akesherstr
aighttovoi
cemai
l.
"That
'
sstrange-unl
essifheisst
art
ingt
odot
hose
doggythi
ngs."Shecl
ickshert
ongue.
Maybe3dropswi
lldoinf
actshewi
llmakei
t5.She
st
ir
sthecoff
eesmil
ing.
"
Thankyou.
"

Thatissounli
kehertobethi
shumble.Shesides
smil
el ooki
ngatherandbegi
nstosi
ngsoftl
yasong
makinghersel
fbreakf
astandl
unch.
Shel
ooksatherassheyawnsstr
etchi
ngher
sel
f.
"I
'
mtir
ed,I
'
m goingtol
iedown.
"
Fi
rstshecheckedi
fthegat
ewasopened.

Sheput
sherbagsoutsi
det
hegatemakingsur
eto
l
eavenotr
acesbehi
nd.Nowthatshemanagedto
gethergrantcar
dwhi chwasinherhand-bagshe's
al
lsorted.Moneyneatlyt
iedaroundherwaist
makingsurethatshedoesn'tl
eaveitbehi
ndafter
diggi
ngitfr
om thegardenwher esheburi
edwhen
shefir
stcameher e.
Bagsallpackedreadytol
eave.SheplacesNdimu
onherbackandcar rysNgi
muonherhands.Not
tur
ningbackshewal ksupstr
aightt
ogatewithher
headlooki
ngf or
wardnotwantingtotur
nback.

She'
sbeenstandi
nghereoutsi
dethegatefort
he
past15minut
eswithnotaxi
,novanwalkingpast
.
She'sshiver
inginfearnotknowi
ngwhattodo.Her
eyesfil
lupwi t
htearsnottoosur
ewheretogofrom
here.She'sneverbeenoutsi
deEshowe.
Final
ly!Shespot
sataxif
rom adi
stance.Shewaves
herhandi nt
heairst
oppi
ngit
.
"
Needhel
p?"Oneoft
hepassenger
sask.
"
Yespl
ease.
"Onyi
yewar
mlysmi
les.
Thegi
rlget
sof
fthet
axiandhel
psherwi
tht
hebags
fi
rst
."Gi
vemet
hebabywhi
leyouunt
iet
heoneon
youback."
Sheoff
ers,Onyi
yelooksatherscept
ical
ly."
Youcan
tr
ustme,I'
m apoli
ceoffi
cer
."
Shesighsi
nreli
efandgi
veshert
hebabywhi
leshe
unt
iedthebabyonherback.
Ri
skcomesf
rom notknowi
ngwhatyou'
redoi
ng.

Nothi
nginlif
eistobefeared,i
tisonl
ytobe
under
stood.Nowisthetimeforhertounder
stand
more,sothatshemayfearless.
Notknowingwhereshewi lll
iveasyetbutsheis
wil
li
ngtogowherel i
fetakesher .MaybeDurbanwi
ll
beaplacethatwi
llbeagoodst artf
orher
.She
knowsnoonebutshe' swilli
ngtobeoutofthebox.
Li
f ei
sn'
taboutfi
ndingyoursel
f.Lif
eisabout
creat
ingyour
self
.Andt hati
swhatshei saboutt
o
do.Shedoesnotwantt odwellinthepast,
shedoes
notwanttodream ofthefutur
e,shejustwant
sto
concentr
atet
hemi ndont hepresentmoment.
She'sl
ookingatthemountai
nswithherhead
l
eaningagainstt
hewindow.Tearsbegi
ntostream
downherf aceandsi
ghstryi
ngtoholdhercri
es.
She'sf
ail
ing-shebit
esherlowerli
psmuffl
ingher
cri
es.
"Idon'
tknowwhatyouar egoingthroughbutIpray
thatGodpul l
syouthrough.Icanseet hatyouare
goingthroughthemostbutj ustkeephangingin
thereanddon'tfor
gettopray."Theladycopsays
squeezingherhandli
ghtly.
"
Thanks,
IguessIneedt
hat
."Shesmi
leswi
pingher
t
ear
s.
"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Thel
adyasks.
"
Honest
ly,
Idon'
tknow.Idon'
tknowanyonei
n
Dur
ban.
"
"
HaSi
siuyar
isker
.Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.
"
"
I'
llseewher
eli
fet
akesme.
"
"Bot
htheseki
dsar
eyour
s?"Sheasksoutof
curi
osi
ty.
Onyiyesmil
es."Yeaptheybothmi ne."Ngi
mu'scr
ies
getsherat
tent
ion."I
'm sur
ehi st
hirst
y.Theseki
ds
dri
nkswaterli
keit'
snobodi esbusiness.
"
Theyswapbabies-shebreast
feedsNgi
mubuthe
ref
uses.Onyi
yetakesoutabott
lewit
hglucose
i
nsidethebagandfeedshim.
"
Yourki
dsar
ewei
rd.
"Cop.
Onyiyelaughsabi
t.“
Igetal
otoft
hoseandi
t
doesn'tbugmeanylonger
."
Thecopl
aughsabi
t."
What
'syournameandt
he
ki
dsnames?"
"I
'
m Onyi
ye.TheoneI
'm car
ryi
ngisNgi
muphi
we
andt
heoneonyourlapisNdimuphi
we."
"
Wow, ver
yunusualnames.Evenyournamei
s
wei
rd.Guessyouareaweirdfami
ly.
"
Theybot
hlaugh.

Arr
ivi
nginDurbanmakeshert
oregr
ett
hedeci
sion
i
nstant
ly.Tal
lbui
ldi
ngs,
busyr
oad,t
oomanyst
ops.
"
Areyousur
eyouwi
llbeokay?
"
Theyst
andingout
sidet
het
axi
.Theyhavej
ust
gott
enoff
.
"
No,
"shepr
omi
sedher
sel
fnott
ocr
ybutt
his,
fear
…..
"Ihaveabackr oom athomewhichi
svacant
.The
rentisR1,500.I'
m notsur
eofyouwil
lmanage.I
'
m
sorryifIsoundrude."
"I
'
llt
akei
t,owmyGodt
hankyousomuch!Youdon'
t
knowhowmuchthi
smeanstome."
It
'sbett
ertohangoutwithpeoplebet
tert
hanyou.
Pickoutassoci
ateswhosebehaviouri
sbett
erthan
yoursandyou'l
ldri
fti
nthatdi
recti
on.Heri
nnersel
f
screams.
"
Wel
comet
omyhumbl
ehome.Thi
sisyourr
oom.
"
Onyiyelooksar
oundfeel
ingpleased.Oneopen
room withabathr
oom i
nside,
burglarguar
ds.I
t'
s
safeforherki
ds….
Shesmi
lesl
ooki
ngatt
hel
ady.
"
I'
llt
akei
t.Il
ovei
t.
"
"Thefur
nit
ureismissi
ng.ButIcanborr
owyoua
spongeandblanketsunt
ilyougetsomethi
ngof
yourown."
Thi
sisit-hernewbegi
nni
ngwi
thouthert
oxi
c
motherandsist
er.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"
Areyousur ethi
sisthecor
rectaddress?"
DuminsaniasksKhozawhowasdr i
ving.
"Yeap.Let
'sgoi
n."Heparksthecarout
sidethegate.
Theyallst
epoutofthecar.Thegatei
swi deopen….
"
Looksl
ikesomeonei
shome.
"Dumi
sani
.
St
hembi
soi
sal
lqui
te.Al
lhewant
sishi
sNdoniand
hi
ski
ds.
"Sthembi
so,uyaph?"Duminsanifol
lowshim.He
goesbehindthehouseandspot sanoutstanding
room.Hemi stakenl
ystepsonat oyanditmakesa
squeakysound.Hepi cksi
tuplookingatit
.It
'sa
yell
owduck….Hel ooksatitconf
used.
Helooksatthebackroom shackwi
ththoughts
debat
inginhishead.Heturnstowal
kbackt othe
guyspressi
ngont hetoy.
"
Looksl
ikenoonei
sher
e."Khoza.
Sthembi
sopassesthem andwalkstothehouse.No
tr
acesofhi
sNdoni.Buthisgut
sar eneverwrong.
"
Shewasher
e,"hesay.
"Howdoyouknowwhentherei
sknowt her
eisno
one?Entl
ekyouonl
ysawthi
spersononce.
"
Duminsani
.
"Iknowher
.Imi
ghthavespentonenightwi
thher
butIknowhowshesmell
s.Checktherooms."

Allt
hreeoft
hem goint
oseparat
erooms.Dumisani
fi
ndsawomansi tedonherbed,
looksl
ikeshehas
j
ustwokenup.
"Sure,
"thewomangetsstar
tl
edandstar
ts
screaming.KhozaandSt
hembisocomeinrushi
ng….
Sthembi
sopul
lsoutf
orherpi
ctur
ethatwasatt
he
backofhi
spocket
.
"Doyouknowher
?"Thewomanl
ooksatt
hepi
ctur
e
andlooksatt
heman.
"
Y….
yes.She'
smy…my.
"Shecl
ear
shert
hroat
.
"Sheiswhattoyoudammit!Canyoutal
k!"
Sthembiso.Themorehegetsangr
ythemor ehi
s
facebecomespale.
"
Mai
d,"
"
Okay-wher
eisshenow?
"
"
In….
int
hebackr
oom.
"Shewhi
sper
s.
St
hembi
sodashesoutofther
oom l
eavi
ng
Dumi
saniandKhozabehi
nd.
Heforcef
ull
yopenst
hedoorpant
ing.Hegr
oans
hol
dinghischest
.
"No, no,no.Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!
"Hecalmsdown.The
room isempt ynosi ghtofherbuthersmell
is
freshlyhere.Nosignofabduct i
on-atl
eastthat
count sforsomething,ri
ght?
"
Wher
edi
dshego?
"St
hembi
soasks.
"
Shemademet
eabef
oreIwentt
osl
eep.I
fshe'
s
noti
nthebackr
oom Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
s."
"
Meaningshewai
tedf
oryout
obeasl
eepandl
eft
?"
Khoza.
"
Nahshedi
dn'
t,
shedr
uggedherandl
eft
."

Sandigetsthehockofherl
if
e."
Whichmeansshe
wasn'thappyhere.Tel
lmesomethi
ngwhydi
dyou
tr
ytowi t
hdrawhermoney?"
Shewidenshereyesi
nshock."
Ho.
..
.howdi
dyou
know?
"Shest ammers.
"Thatdoesn'tmatter.JustpraythatIf
indmyfamily
ali
ve,safeandsoundcausei fnot.Nci
,nci,
nciGod
knowst hatIwil
lbecomi ngforyouandyourfamil
y.
Iwi l
lst
artwitheverythingt
hatyouown.Yourkids
willnothaveamot her .Iwi
llbur
yyoual i
vewhereno
onewi l
lfi
ndyou. "
Sandishi
ver
stothesoundoft
hethreats.The
clot
hesshe'
sweari
ngbecomeinst
antlywet,wet
ti
ng
thebed!
[
08/
18,
03:
33] :SPONSOREDBYMAPULE
ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER9

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"
YazIdi
dn'
tgetyournamet
hel
astt
ime.
"
Onyiyet
ell
sthecopwhohadNgi muneatl
ywr
apped
wit
habeaut i
fulpowderbl
uebabybl
anket
.
"
Sbahl
e,
"shesmil
esast heycr
ossedthestr
eet
l
ooki
ngforast
orethathasaff
ordabl
efur
nit
ure.
"
Itsui
tsyou.Yousur
ear
ebeaut
if
ul.
"
"Okudlul
aWena.Nomat t
erhowdarkyouar
eyou
sti
llbeaut
if
ulunder
neat
hthatdar
kness.
"
Onyi
yel
aughsal
it
tl
e.
"
Thankyou,
"Thatwasawkwardespecial
lycomi
ng
f
rom agi
rl
.Shefi
ndsitsomehowwei r
d.
"It
oldyoutol
eavethekidswithmymot her.Look
nowwel ookl
ike…l
ike.Idon'
tevenhavetheright
wordforus.
"
"
Youar
ejustdr
amat
ic.
"
"
Manj
emf
ethuawushoi
mal
iengakawet
hat
haphi
?"
"Ial
wayssaved.Iusedtobeahust
lerbackathome.
Iwouldgodoortodoorwashpeopl
e'sclot
hes,wor
k
i
nbot t
lest
orestosavealot
."
"
Iadmireyourst
rength.R3,
500,
areyousur
eyou
wil
lbeabl
etopayt hatki
ndofmoney?"
"I
'
m sureandIhavetobuygr
ocer
iesal
so.
"Sbahl
e
nodsherheadconfused.

ShelooksatOnyi
yewit
hhereyebr
owsached,
she
doesn'
tbuyherst
oryonebi
t.
Ontheot herhandOnyiyedoesn'
teasi
lyt
rust
.She'
s
acopyesbutt hatdoesn'
tthatsheshoul
dnowtrust
hereasi
ly.
Theonlypersonshet
rust
sint
hiswor
ldi
sherbest
fr
iendLi
ndiwe.
Shehasunpackedeveryt
hingaf
tert
hatawf
ul
shoppi
ngwit
ht hehel
pofSbahle.
"Knock,knock,"Sbahl
e'
smot herknocksont hedoor
andleft
'sherselfi
n."Kwakuhlekwakho,"shesmiles
l
ookingar ound.
"
Youboughtal
lthef
urni
tur
e!"She'
sshocked.
"Haumah, i
tsonlythesi
ngl
ecouch,t
woplat
estove
andgroceri
es.I
’vebeensavi
ngeversi
nceIf
ound
outthatIwaspregnant.
"
"
Ili
kethi
soneSbahl
e-keepherasaf
ri
end.
"Sbahl
e
l
aughsabit
.
“Doyouunder
standt
heagedi
ff
erencemah?
"
Sbahl
e.
"
Agei
sjustanumbermydaughter.Whati
smor e
i
mpor
tanti
sthi
s."Shepoi
ntsoutf
orthemind.
"
Letmet
ellyousomet
hingyoudonotknow;
-"
"Mahdon'tstar
t,youwillbenowt el
li
ngusoft he
ver
sesoftheBi bl
e."Sbahleisannoyed.Sheknows
hermotherthatonceshest art
spreachingabout
bi
blesheneverst
ops.
"At
leastyouknow,youseemychildi
nthisworld
youchooseaf r
iendwhogetsyourqui
rks,oddi
ti
es,
andwei r
dsenseofhumour.
Proverbs12:26-Ther i
ghteouschooset hei
rfri
ends
carefull
y,butt
hewayoft hewi ckedleadsthem
astray.Twopeoplearebetteroffthanone,fort
hey
canhel peachothersucceed.
Pr
over
bs18:
24
Onewhohasunrel
iabl
efr
iendssooncomest
orui
n,
butther
eisaf
ri
endwhostickscl
osert
hana
brot
her.
"
"
Wow,
"sheexcl
aimswi
thhervi
sionbl
urr
ed.
"Usuf
ikeekhayalana.Iwantyoutobeachild.And
j
ustsoyouknowi fyourunforboysIwi
llwhipyour
arse.
"Thealll
augh.
"
Whatdi
dIt
ellyouaboutmymot
heragai
n?"Sbahl
e.
"Gossi
pallyouwant."Hermotherst
andsupto
l
eave.Butshestopshalfway,
"eheanot
herthi
ng.If
youwanttogopar t
y-Iwantyout omakesurethat
youopent hepar t
yinthisbackroom.Buyal lthe
alcoholyoulikebutknowt hatyouwillneverl
eave
thisyarddrunk.Everyonegoest ochurchinthis
compound. "
"
Ili
keyourmother.
"Onyi
yesayssmil
ingimaging
whatitwoul
dhavebeenli
keifhermotherwasthi
s
t
alkat
iveandopen.
"
Wehdon'tevent
hinkabouti
tbecauseyouwil
l
r
egr
eti
t.Letmegopr epar
eformynightshi
ft
."

Shewal
ksl
eavi
ngOnyi
yesi
tt
ingont
hesponge.

Whyisn'
thermot herthi
sopenagai
n?Willshebe
thatt
ypeofgir
lthatreal
lypr
efer
speopl
et hatt
hey
arenotr
elat
edto?
Shewantstobeabet t
erparenttoherki
ds.Shehas
growntol
oveNgi muandever ysecondthatpasses.
Helooksl
ikeNdimu.Onewoul dsweartheyareof
thesamefather-wel
lthat
'snotthecaseatthe
momentbecauseshecannott el
lwhoherownbaby
daddyi
s.
Sheneedst
ocal
lherf
ri
endandcheck-
uponher
.

"
Babe'
s"Li
ndiwe'
svoiceisti
redbutbecomesl
ivel
y
whenshehearsherbestf
ri
endsvoice.
"Manjeyouwantedtodieandleavemeal
onei
nthi
s
cruelworl
d?"Onyi
yeasksgiggl
ing.
"Youf
orevergi
ggl
ing.Ial
wayswonderi
fwe'
reyou
bornt
hatway."
"Youknowmoss.We' vebeenf riendssince
chil
dhood.I '
m sur eyouknowmemor et hanmyself
l
ikeIknowyoumor eofyour self.Letmet el
lyou
somet hing, l
if
ei savi ciouscycle.Whatgoescome
around.Ibel ievet hereisnoendofanyt hing,Even
thecosmosi sinfini
ty.Thereisnoendt oiteven
thoughhumandi es.Thus, unt
ilandunl esswear e
surviving,iti
spr ettysur ewemusthavet oendure
certainchal l
enges, dilemmas, confusions,drama
andmuchmor e.Li f
ehashadneverbeeneasyf or
us.Nei therthelifenort imespar esus.Thepat ter
n
oftheUni ver
sei schal kedinsuchawayt hatther
e
i
snopersononthi
suniver
sewhoissat
isf
iedand
cont
entwi
thhi
mselforwit
hother
s."
Lindiwesi ghsemot i
onall
ynotbelievi
ngt hewise
wor ds." Al
lI'
m notsati
sfi
edwiththedeci si
onyou
took, vukauzithat
he.Iwantyoubackwi ththat
degr eecausei fyoudon'tt
rustmeIwi llkil
lyou
mysel fevenyourmotherwon'tsaveyou. "
"Il
oveyou.Thedoct
ori
sher
ewi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.Say
hitomykids.
"

Shedidn'
tgetthechancet
otel
lherthatshei
sin
Durban.KnowingLi
ndiweshewil
ldefi
nit
elywantt
o
behererightt
hisminut
e.

Thesmal
lcr
iesi
fNgi
muwaki
ngup….
"Youki
dsareforeverasleep.
"Shesmi
lest
ouchi
ng
hissmal
lreadcurlyhair
.
She'sj
ustgratef
ult
hattheyar
ekidsthatdon’
tcry
fornoreason.Shechangeshi
sdiaperandgives
himtheglucoseandhedosesoffagainaft
er
sucki
ngont
hebot
tl
efordearl
if
e.

Hereyesar
est
rai
nedshehasbeenati
tforf
art
oo
l
ongandsheneedst
orest
.
Shejustwantsahomecookedmealbutshe’sti
red
tocook.Sheneatl
yfol
dsherpaper
sclosi
ngthe
bookplaci
ngitunder
neat
hthesponge.Ndimucan
beadestroyerwhenheli
kesandshecannotri
skit
.
"Iwonderifwil
lIgetthemoneyt hisupcomi ng
mont hend."Shesighsthinki
ngtoherself
.Dwel l
ing
ontoi twi
llmakeherstress-herspiri
tishigh.No
viol
ati
on,noabusef rom hermotherandthe
communi ty.I
t'
sjustherandherbabies.

Nocooki ngtoday-eatingtakeaways.Somet hing,

thi
sf eelsli
keanachi evementshecannotexpl ain.
Shehasdeci dedtoappr oachunpleasant nessi na
mor eposi t
iveandpr oducti
veway.Shet hinkingof
thebestt hatisgoi
ngt ohappen, notthewor st.
Positivethinki
ngoftenst ar
tswit
hself -
talk.Self-tal
k
i
st heendl essstr
eam ofunspokent hought sthat
r
unt
hroughyourhead.
Shetalksalott
ohersel
flatelyandit'
sfunnyasto
howshehasaccept edever yt
hingli
kethat,
accept
edt hatshewil
lleavewithitandleavewhat
happenedbehind.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

"
Wast
hatGi
ft
?"
Hermotherstepsbesi
desthebedwi
thalongf ace.
SheneverknewthatOnyi
yeissuchani
nfluencer.
"
Yes,
"shesi
ghssi
ti
ngupst
rai
ght
.
"Thatwasamouthful
lfr
om her
.Ineverknewshe
couldgi
vesuchadvi
se.
"
Li
ndiwesmil
es."
Idon'
tseemysel
fwi
thanyot
her
fr
iendot
hert
hanher.
"
"Hmmmm.Awushowhathappened?"Sheset
tl
es
downont
hechai
rthatwasbesi
dethebed.
"
Wit
hwhat
?"
"Youbei
nghere.Tel
lmewhatdidyoudeci
det
otake
youli
fe?
"Cal
m…. maybeshecanopenup.
"IcheatedonaguyIlovemist
akenl
ywi t
haguy
from school
.Gotpr
egnanti
ntheprocessandhad
anabor ti
on.
"
Hermot
heri
nhal
esshar
ply."
WhyLi
ndi
we?
"
"
Idi
dn'
twanttodi
sappoi
ntyou.
"Shebur
sti
nto
t
ear
soutofshame.
"
Idon'tknowwhatt
osay.Whoel
seknowsabout
t
his?
"
"
Onl
yOnyi
ye.But
….but
..
"
"
Butwhat
?Hermot
herasks.
"
Ther
e'savi
deoofmecirculat
ingaroundtheschool
.
Avi
deoofmehaving….
siganganalomfana."
"Jesu!"Hermothersi
nksdownonachai rrunni
ng
outofwor ds.Thi
sdefi
nit
elycannotbehappeni
ngto
her."Lindi
we!"
She'
soutofwor
ds.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
"
"
Dot
het
eacher
'sknow?
"
Li
ndi
wenodsherheadr
epeat
edl
y.
Themor eshethinksaboutt
hist
hemor
eshet
hinks
aboutherwell
-beingasawoman.

ATSCHOOL

"Al
lIwantt
oknowishowwi l
ltheschool
,thi
sboy
goaboutfi
xingmydaught
er'
simage?"
"Wewillt
akehert
ocounsel
li
ng.Theboywi
llbe
suspendedforamont
h…."
"Amont hwhi l
emydaught erwalksineggshell
s?Mr
Deput ywhat ,what….doyouknowt hatshetri
ed
takingherl i
feandwenayouar eher etal
kingabout
onemont h'ssuspensi onandtherapyformychild?I
thinkitwillbebetterifwehandt hemat t
ertothe
policebecausecl earl
yi nthi
sschool,youdonot
car eaboutyourpupi l
swel lbei
ng!"
"
MrsNgobese,
Iassureyouusasaschoolwewill
l
ooki
ntot
hemat t
er.Noneedtoi
nvol
vethepol
ice.
."
Thedeput
ytel
lsMr
sNgobesewhochucked
unbel
i
evabl
y.
"
Wow!
"
Thi
sisnotwhatshehopedforshewant
edt
hatboy
topayf
orhissi
nsbybeingexpell
ed!

Intheschoolpr
emisesagr
oupofgi
rl
ssendi
nga
videot
oeachot her
….
"
Isyourphonewor
king?Mynet
wor
kseemst
ohave
aprobl
em."
"
Myonej
ustcr
ashed!AndIr
eal
lyneededt
hatvi
deo!
"Looksli
keal
lofourphoneshavet
hissame
problem.
"

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Sheslowl yopenshereyes-therei
sashadownext
toher.Herpuffyeyesfull
yopenandlooksatt
he
fi
gurerightinf
rontofhereyes.
Hei
swear
ingahoodywi
thacapunder
neat
h.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Shei
sreadyt
ocr
y.
"
Icamet
ocheckuponyou?
"
"Af
terthedamageyou’
vecaused,
youst
il
lcome
her
et orui
nmylif
e!"
Hesi
tsdownhol
dingherhandf
ir
mly.
"I
'
m notheretofight
.I'm heretoapologizefora
cri
meIdidn'tcommi t
.YesIenj oyedever yminute
andsecondwi t
hyou.Gi venanoppor tunityIwould
havemadei tl
astforlonger.Ididn'
ttakethatvideo
ofusbutitwasyourr oommat e."
"
Youhavenothi
ngt
odowi
tht
hevi
deo?
"Sheasksi
n
ashakyvoi
ce.
"
No,Idon'
t.Idon'
thavet
hegutstohumi
li
atea
womaninthatmanner.I
'
m happywit
hyousowhy
r
uini
t.
"Hesays.
"
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
"
"Pi
tyhim causeyouareminenow.Iwantyoutocal
l
him anddumphi m."Hehandsherphone.Shel
ooks
athim notbel
ievi
ng!
"I
'm goi
ngthroughal otri
ghtnowandyoucannot
addsalttothewoundI '
mf eel
ing.I
'm hur
ti
ngand
youdonotunder standthat!"Shetakesdeepbreat
h.
"Pl
easeleave,Idon'twantt oeverseeyouagai
n."
"Okayfine!Iwi
llleave.But
,jutsoyouknow-you
can'tdumpmej ustwhenIf oundyou.Don'
tworr
y
aboutthevideomyuncl ehastakencareofi
t.
"He
standsupandki ssesherdr yli
psandwalksoutof
thewar d.

Smanga'
scal
lcamet
hrough….

"
Hal
o."
"Hai
,I'
m out
sidet
hehospi
tal
.Whi
chwar
dar
eyou
on."
Herheartbeatsabnor
mal l
yagainstherchest
.She
takesbr
eathingexer
cisestr
yingtocalm her
self
down.
"Okay,I
'
llt
ellanur
set
obr
ingyouup.
"Shecl
oses
hereyesinfear
.
Justwhenshethoughtshehashadi
tallf
iguredout
thi
shappens?.Whydidhecomeback?Shej ust
wantstofocusonhersel
fandSmanga!
SheseesSmangamakinghi
swayinlooki
ngall
cut
e.Hedidahai
rcut
!Herhear
tjumpsinjoy.
"
Youl
ookcut
e."Shesaysbi
ti
nghert
ounge.
"Thanks,
"thatawkwardsi
lencethatshewasn'
t
expecti
ng.Usuall
y,whent
heyseeeachot heraf
tera
verylongti
me….theyhug,kissandstayi
neach
other'
sarms.
"Youcame,"she'
str
yingt
obest
rongnotl
eavi
ngt
he
coldeyes.
"Iwasactuall
yinDurbanf
orafewthi
ngs.Deci
ded
topassbyandsayhiandgoodbye."Samangasays
sti
llst
andingwit
hhishandsburi
eddeepi
nhis
pocket.
"
Yougoi
nghomeal
ready?
"
"
No,
I'
m goi
ngt
oli
vei
nSwazi
land.
"Shocker
!
"
What
!Tel
lmeyouj
oki
ng?
"Shesear
chesf
ort
he
answer
sinhi
seyesbutnot
hing.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Theyf
alli
ntoacomf
ort
abl
eyetawkwar
dsi
lence.
"
Whendi
dyouknowt
hatyouar
eleavi
ng?
"
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatnotwant
ingt
olookather
.
"
Mont
hsago.
"
"Wow, andyouneverbot
heredt
ot el
lmebutI
sharedeveryl
it
tl
edetai
lwit
hyou."Shefeel
s
betr
ayed.
"Look,
itwasf unwhilei
tlast
ed,butt
hissummer
romancehadt oendsomet ime.Idi
dn'
timagine
spendingtherestofmylifei
nthatcareer
,buti
twas
funwhi l
eitl
asted.I
…."
"
Youknowwhat,pl
easeleave.I
'veheardenough.
"
Hest
andsup,
looksatherbrief
lybefor
eleavi
ng.
"Justsoyouknow, "shestopshi m.Het ur
nstolook
atherwi t
haconf usedl ook.-"Parti
ngwaysi s
harrowingbutitalsogivesmear ayofhopetobe
togethersoon.Ifyoudonotr eal
lyclai
mt oloveme
asyouj ustsai
d.Idon' tmindyoumovi ngonandI
shal
ldothesame."i
thur
tsthatshemightnotbe
seei
nghi
m everagai
n.Shelovedhim wit
hallofher
hear
tonl
ytofindouthewasn'ti
ntoher.Maybethis
i
sbadluck.

Shetakesti
metorecoll
ectwhatshehavej ustheard.
Smangaoutofallpeopl
ecannotdoherl i
ket hi
s!
What'
stheuseoftryi
ngtofixabrokenrel
at i
onship
whentherewasn'
tone.Thefactthatshewant edto
fi
ghtandreki
ndl
etheirl
ove.
...
shefeelsst
upid!Now
shedoesn'
tregr
etcheati
ng.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hi
sdrunkt
oapoi
ntt
hathedoesn'
tevenr
emember
hi
sname.
"
Heistaki
ngalloft
histhewr
ongway.
"Khozasays
l
ooki
ngatthedrunkSthembi
so.
"Idi
dn'
tknowthat
,thatNyi
Nyigi
rlhassucheff
ect
onmybr ot
her
.Tobehonestshet oobeaut
if
ulfor
hi
m."Dumi
sani
.
"Whatdoyoumean?
"Khozaisshockedoft
he
stat
ementcomi
ngoutf
rom hi
sbrother
smouth!
Dumi sanireal
iseswhathejustsaidwi t
hout
thi
nking."Owno, Ididn'
tmeanitli
kethat.Pl
ease
don'tgetmewr ong.WhatIwastryingtosayis,hi
s
mad, andInevert houghtt
hatmybr otherwi
llgofor
suchbeaut y.I
nanact ualf
actI'
m proudofhim."

Khozagul
psdownhisbi
tt
erwhiskeyandsideeyes
hi
m asheswall
owedavoi
dingeyecontact
ing.

"What
evergameyouhavei nt hatheadofyour
stake
i
toutofyourhead.Iwi
llnotletyouhurti
ntwana
Yamikanj
alo.Ngi
mukhonzileuSt hembi
so.Donot,I
meanNOTdowhatyouar ethi nki
ng.
"
Khozast
andsup,
andpicksSt
hembisoupf
rom t
he
coucht
ogolayhi
m downonhisbed.

Dumi
sanisatt
her
edebat
ingwi
thhi
sthought
s."
NoI
needthisstopthi
s."Heshakeshisheadgettingup
from t
hecouchandheadst othebedroom.He
throwshimselfonthebed,pul
lsoutforapicture
underneat
ht hepi
ll
owandst ar
esatitunti
lsleep
overpoweredhiseyes.
[
08/
18,
03:
33] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER10

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"Howlongdoest hehangoverl
ast
?"Sthembi
siasks
groani
ngholdi
nghi spoundi
nghead.Hefeel
s
sluggi
shness,
tir
edandr ai
ned.
"
Her
e,dr
inkt
hisyouwi
llbef
ine.
"
Khozagi
vehimtwopackedofgr
andpa."
Dri
nk
t
hose,I
'l
lmakeyouf
oodsolong.
"
St
hembisogul
psdownthegr
andpaguggl
ingi
tin
hi
sthr
oatandswal
lows.
"
I'
llgot
akeacol
dbat
h."Heget
sof
ftheki
tchen
stoolstumbli
ng, al
mostfalli
ng."Shit!
"Hebal ances
againstthewallandcont i
nueswi t
hhisjourney.He
passesbyDumi sani'
sroom findinghimf astasleep.
Thepi ct
ureofOnyi yegetshisattenti
on.Whatcoul d
hebedoi ngwithOnyi ye'
spicture?Heshakeshi s
headnotbel i
eving.Hewal ksoutoft heroom feeling
NOTbet t
eragai
n!

Standinginthecoldshowerthi
nki
ngofthe
possibil
iti
esofhisbrot
herwant
ingtogoafter
Onyiyemakeshi sbloodboil
.Heremembersallthe
events,theheart
acheshewentthroughbecauseof
hisbrother.
Whenhel earntthathim andLer ato-hisexgi r
lf
ri
end
onceki ssed,wi t
hhiselderbrother.Hewasf uri
ous
butforgaveherandt heymovedf orward.Theended
upbr eakingupbacki nApr i
loflastyear,unrel
ated
tothi
s, becauset heyjustwer en’
tinlovewi t
heach
otheranymor e.Hehadbeenst ruggli
ngwi ththe
i
deaofseei nghi sbr
other( whodidn’tknowheknew)
forawhi le,buthedeci dedthatheneededt olethi
m
knowwhyhehassuddenl ygonequi etonhi m.He
askedhi sexfordet ail
sonwhathappenedbecause
heknewhe’ dt
ryanddenyi t
,butasitturnsout,she
admi tt
edtheysleptt ogetheranditwasn’tjustakiss,
j
ustaoneof fthing.Heconf ront
edhi sbrotherabout
i
tandt ol
dhim he“ knewwhathappened”sohe
couldn’ttr
yandwor m hiswayoutofi t.Their
rel
ationshipwithLer atodidn'
tevenlastt wo
mont hsandbyt hatt imehehasal readymovedon
wit
hMaZet .
WithMaZett
heywer eonitforacoupl
eofmonths
andsamestoryhappened.Buttheydi
dnotsl
eep
toget
hert
hatheknowsandsur eof.
Hetakesadeepbr
eat
hthi
nki
ngoft
hebabyOnyi
ye
has.
I
fTazzdescr
ibesthatunknownwomani nthat
manner
,heisdefi
nitel
ysurethati
tisMaZet.

Theknockont hedoormakeshim cl
osethet ap,
wrappinghi
mselfwithatowelandsi
ghst i
redly
steppi
ngoutofthecoldshower.Heopenst hedoor
fi
ndingthehousehelpwit
hat r
ay.Hestepsasi de
l
ett
ingherinandmi st
akenl
ythet
oweldrops.The
hel
pgirlt
urnsaroundandfi
ndshim st
andingther
e
unbot
heredly.
"
Tellmewhenyoudonelooki
ng.
"Hefol
dshi
sar
ms
wit
hwaterdr
ippi
ngdownhisbody.
Hi
swhi t
eskin,redhai
r,orangel
ips.Youcantel
lhe
i
snotanal bi
nobutclose.Eveni
fhewasst i
llhe
wouldhavelookedsodamngood!Maybehei s–
al
binosarecute.
Sheclear
sherthroatafterdrool
ing."
CanItouchit
."
Shetakesfur
thersteps.Itl
ookssosof t
,sensi
ti
ve
ver
yclean.
"
No,
thi
sbel
ongst
omybabymama.Getout
."
Shehur
ri
esoutshamef
ull
y.Howwillshefacet
his
manaft
ertr
yingt
odowhatshejustdid?
Hesit
sont hebedbutnaked.Hejustfeel
sli
ke
l
azi
ngaroundandhat ti
swhyhepr efershi
sown
per
sonalspace.Hehaslockedt
hedoor ….

"
MaZet
,I'
m goi
ngt
oaskyouhi
sonequest
ion.And
thi
nktwi
cebef
oreanswer
ingme.Wher
eismy
baby?
"
"
Ihadami
scar
ri
age.
"
"
Thi
nkt
wiceofyourr
esponse.Wher
eismybaby?
"
"
Sthembisoareyoudumborsomet
hing?Didn'
tyou
j
usthearmewhatIjustsai
d?St
hembisoI
'm busy
wit
hmyl i
fe.
"
"OkayIunder
standthatyouar
ebusywi
thyourl
if
e.
Butwhowast hatwomanyougavemychil
dt oi
n
town?"
"
What
!Howdi
dyouknow?
"
Hecanfeelherheartbeati
ngabnormal
ly.Hebri
efl
y
smi
les."
Youhavej ustconfi
rmed.ByeMaZet.
"
"
Sthembi
sowai
t!I
…."
Hedropst
hecal
landl
aysonhi
sbackpl
aci
nghi
s
phoneonhi
schest
.
Hetr
ieseat
ingandsurpr
isi
ngl
yfoodiseatabl
e.
Onl
yboil
edhealt
hyfoodnotfr
iedbr
eakfast.
Hewareshi
sclot
hesandstepsoutoft
her
oom
bumpi
ngtothehousegi
rl
.
"
Wher
ear
ethegent
s?"
Heasksl
ooki
ngather
.
"
Out
side,
"
Hewalkspasthergoi
ngout
side.Hef
indsever
yone
her
e.
"
Yourawake?
"Dumi
sani
.
"Cha,I'
m di
ed."Hesi
tsdownundert
heshade
preventi
nghisski
ntobeburntbyt
hesun.
Khozachucksshaki
nghi
shead."
Iseet
hehangover
hasyoubad."
"
AyluthomfanakaKhoza.Ij
ust
….j
ustwokeup
f
eel
ingfunny.
"
"
Howso?
"Khozaaskspuf
fi
nghi
sci
gar
ett
e.
"Youknowbet r
ayalisamongthemostdevastating
l
ossesaper soncanexperi
ence.Wel i
veinacultur
e
thatisbli
ndtobetr
ayalandi
ntoler
antofemotional
pain.Losshappensinmanyexperiencesand
ci
rcumst
ances,
anditcanaf
fectusdeepl
y.Theone
whohasbeenbetr
ayedisgr
ievi
ng.
"
"Whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
."Khozawant
stohear
andknowmore.
"Itiseasiertoforgiveanenemyt hant oforgivea
friend.Whenyoucar eaboutsomeone, youcan' t
tur nthatoffbecauseyoul ear
nt heyhavebet rayed
you.I tmakesf oradi ffi
culti
nternalconf l
ict
.
Whet hertheafter
mat hi sexpressedt hrough
apol ogiesorbeingi gnored,betrayalhur t
slikehell.
Wecanheal ,butitwillhavetobei nourownt i
me
andonourownt erms. "
Theyal
lfal
lint
oanawkwar
dsi
lence.
"
I'
m goi
ngoutf orawalk.OwandTazzdon' tgof
or
t
hatgir
l.Leaveherwewi llf
indanot herwayofdoi
ng
t
his.
"Hest andsupleavingt hem astoni
shed.
It
'stowardsmont hend.Maybehewi llfi
nd
somet hi
ngt hatwil
lli
nkhimtoOnyiye.Henever
knewt hatthisgir
lhassuchholdoverhim.He
smi l
eskickingthestonesi
magingthatnight
.What
willhedowhenheseesher ?Fuckher ?Embrace
her
?Tal
k?Apol
ogi
ze?
I
t'
sal
waysenj
oyabl
eseeni
ngsomeoneaf
teral
one
t
ime.
Surewhenhemeetsher-hewi
llr
eal
isehow
st
ressf
uli
twasnotseei
ngher.
"But
i,canyouwal
kfastsomeofusar
einahur
ry.
"
Thewomanpusheshi m asi
de.
"
Yournotevencut
e."Shewal
kspasthi
minahur
ry.
"
Zombi
eseatbr
ainssoyousaf
e."
"
Ner
d!"Shepul
lsoutf
orami
ddl
efi
nger
.
"Hey,t
her
e'sworse.Icouldbeyou.Changeofmi nd
withi
npoli
cymunut wowrongdon'tmakear i
ght.
Takeyourparent
sf orexample.
"Heshouts.He
whistl
eswalki
nglikehedidn'
tsayanythi
ng.Hel ef
t
thegir
lst
andingtherewithhereyesandmout h
wideopen.
Hepassesbyt
her
eeat
eryandbuyshi
msel
fmeat
.

Hi
smi
ndf
lashesbackt
owhathef
oundi
nther
oom
thatDumisaniuses.Coulditbet
hathewantstor
e-
roasthi
sheartagain?Sohepr ef
erstoseehim
vulner
ableandlonely.Hetakesadeepbreat
h
suddenlyfeel
ingful
l.
Hecal
lsoutf
orawaiterandasksf
orhert
opackhi
s
f
ood.Hehaslosthi
sappeti
te.
"
Thankyou.
"Het
akest
het
akeawayandt
ipsher
wit
hR300.
"
Hawe,
ngyabonga.
"Shesmi
lesnotbel
ievi
ng.
"Keepthegr eatservice.
"Hest andsupandl eaves
theeater
ygoi ngbackt othehouse.Ifonl
yheknew
i
fhisOnyi yehaseat enwher eversheis.Arethekids
eati
ng?Dot heyhaveal lwhattheyrequir
e?Thef act
thati
t'
sint hemi ddleofthemont hhauntshim.He
wantstot rackherlocation.I
fshedoesn'twithdraw
theneverythingstops.

Hedoesn'twantt
oputherinthespotli
ghtbyusi
ng
herpi
ctur
e.Whatheissureofisthatsheranaway
fr
om t
hathouse.
"
Youback?
"Dumi
sani
ner
vousl
yasks.
"What?Youdon'
twantmetobeher
e?"St
hembi
so
askssett
li
ngonthecouch.
Dumisanisi
ghsnotknowhowtor
espond.The
act
ualfact
,hedoesn'
tknowhi
sbr
othert
hatwe'l
lis
get
ti
ngt ohi
m.
"
What
'swr
ong?Li
kewhat
'seat
ingyou?
"
Sthembisochucksleani
ngback."Iwanttostar
ta
gym.I'mti
redofbeingskinny,buythosedi
ary
product
sfrom her
balntoni,nt
oni.
"
"
Why?
"Heasks.
"Peopletakeadvantageofme, t
hesit
uationI'
min
andper sonall
yofhowIam.I t'
sti
meIt akea
dif
ferentrouteandchangefortheworst.Maybe
beingamonst ernoonerecogni
ses.Don'tt
rytal
king
mei ntoitbecausemymi ndhasbeenmadeup. "
Dumisanilooksathi
m wit
hhisheartpoundi
ngin
fear
.Maybehesawt hepi
ctur
e,becausewhenhe
wokeupt hepict
urewasn'
tonhischest.-he
t
houghttohi msel
f.
Hel ooksdownshamef ull
yandt
hought
ful
ly,he
thoughtabouthowhehasbeenapai nt
ohi s
brotherfort
hepastyears.
"I
'
llsuppor
tyou."Hi
smistakenl
ybi
teshi
stounge
andshutshiseyescl
osed.
"
Thankyou."Sthembisostaresathi
m wi
thhi
sheart
r
aci
ngbitcontainshimself
.Heneedstobest
rong
f
orOnyi
yeandhi ssons.

Maybedr
inki
ngagai
nwillnumbt
hepai
n.Hehas
t
wobeerscandownalr
eady.
Af
teraf ewdr inks,
hebecomesmor esociabl
e,less
st
ressed, andhappier
.Probabl
yreachforanother
dr
inkbef oretoolong.
Dri
nki
ngdoesr eall
ynumbt hepain—notj
ust
emoti
onaldi
st r
ess,butactualphysi
calpai
n.What
doesheachievesbyt hi
s?Bydampeni ngdownthe
pai
nsignal
st hatsensoryneuronssendtothebr
ain.
Heburpsandsmil
esget
ti
ngofft
hechair."
Lif
eisso
unf
air
."Hesni
ff
s.Hewasallsmi
lessecondsago….
gett
ingKhozaconf
used.Somet
hingi
sdef
ini
tel
yis
wrongwith.
"
Sthembi
so.
"Khozacal
lsoutf
orhi
m.
"I'
m sur
roundedbybetrayers.Theyclaimtocarefor
meKant ii
zinj
azingi
dlaizit
hende!Whyme!Whyme!
Youguyscant akeeverythi
ngofmi ne.Ifit
'sabout
themoneyt akei
t,al
soIdonotwanti t!Butnotmy
Onyiye.
"
"
Sthembi
so,
"Khozat
rieshol
dinghi
m butSt
hembi
so
j
ustfi
ght
shi
m back.
"Leavemeal one!
"Hebursti
ntot
ears."
Hadyou
brothertakenawomanyoulove?Notonlyoncebut
twice!Hereheiswanti
ngmyNdonimot herofmy
kids!"Heburbsstumbl
ingOnthefl
oor.
"I
'
lltakehimt
osleep.
"Tazzof
fer
s.Li
keasackof
potatoeshei
sbeingcar
ri
edoutoft
hedi
nningroom
area.
"Doyouseethedamageyouhavecaused?"Khoza
asksDumisaniwhowaslooki
ngdownshamef ul
ly.
"I
'm sur
eyouarehappyseei
nghi
mt hishurt
.The
painyouhavecausedhi
m hehashelditi
nsi
defor
fartoolongandyouar esti
llcontinui
ngtohurthi
m.
I'
vewor kedwithSt hembisoformanyyear s-I'
ve
seenhi m hur
t,angryandbr oken.Buttoday,
todayI
witnessedanotherSt hembisoIdonotknow…. "He
stopstalkandt akesadeepbr eat
h."Ithi
nki
t'
s
betteri
fyouleavebecausecl earl
yyouare
destroyi
nghim mor e.
"
Withoutdi
sputingDumi
saninodshishead
underst
anding.Maybel
eavingwil
lbethebest
.
Goingbackhomet othi
nkthingst
hroughsi
ncehe
resi
gnedfrom hispr
evi
ousjob.
Hehasbeenl ockedthisthi
sroom forhour
sjust
stari
ngatherpictur
es.Howcanadar kwomanbe
thisbeaut
if
ul.Healwaysheardthatdarkpeopl
eare
themostugliestbutthi
sgir
lissomethingel
se.
Inanactualf
actdar
kbeauti
esar
ethebeasts-the
fant
asyhenowl i
vesinmakeshi
mthinkoverboar
d
ofli
fe.
"
Ubani
!"
Hejustwanttobel
eftal
one.Whoeveri
sknocki
ng
sur
elydist
urbi
nghi
speace.
"Ij
ustcametocheckonyou?"Great
,justgreat
!It
's
thehousehel
p.Heinhal
essharpl
yget t
ingoffthe
bedandopensthedoorfi
ndi
ngherstandi ng.
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Heaskscal
mly.
"Ij
ustcametoseei
fisther
eanyt
hingyouneed?
"
Shesaysfl
appi
ngherlongeyel
ashes.
"Ar
eyoumybabymama? "Herai
sesoneeyebr
ows
upandawai
tsf
ort
heresponse.
"
Erm no,
"she'
sconf
used.
"
Exact
ly!Theonl
yper sonwhohastherightt
oask
methatismyNdoni."Heshutsthedooronherface
f
eel
ingannoyed.Bi
tchhaveguts!
Heneedstomoveoutoft
hishouseandrent
somewherei
fthi
sishowhewillbevi
olat
edever
y
second!

Latert
hateveni
ng-"
isi
tcomingalong?
"Khoza
asksSthembisowhowasfocusedonhisl
aptop.
"I
t'
ssearchingf
oralocati
on.
"Her
espondsl
eani
ng
backrunningoutofopt
ions.
"
Shi
t!
"Khozabangst
het
abl
einf
rust
rat
ion.
"
Myquest
ioni
sthi
sourl
astscam orwhat
?"
"5mi ll
ionwasdepositedinthegeneralspersonal
accountyesterdaybyt hetendergovernmentshit
.If
wet akeallofthatwewi l
lspli
t1mi l
li
oneach, l
ay
l
owf orali
ttl
ewhi l
eandstartupbusinessont he
side."Khoza.
"
Soundsl
ikeapl
an.
"Bi
ggy.
"
Encr
yptagai
nandseewhatopt
ionsi
tgi
vesyou.
"
Sthembi
sotri
esagai
n-readsthroughthenumer
ous
codes."
Opened.
"Theyal
lsighinrel
ief
.
"
Off
shor
eaccount
,isnott
raceabl
e."Bi
ggy.
"
Sayswho?
"Khozaasks.
"
Iknowat
hingort
wo.
"Her
esponds.
"Justsayyoulovemoneybi gti
meandst optalki
ng
nonsense."St
hembisothinksdeepforasecond.If
heput sal
lthi
samountofmoneyorhal fofitin
Ndoni '
sSassagrantcar
d….itwi
llbedef
init
ely
traceabl
e.Heshouldcomeupwi t
hanotherplan.
Lookingforherusi
ngherlastnamewi l
ldo.
"
Andwear
ein!
"St
hembi
soannounces.
"
Meani
ngwear
eami
ll
ionr
icheach?
"
"
Wit
hdr
aw.
"
Theyalllookedatt
hemoneybei ngwit
hdrawnand
beingtr
ansf er
redi
ntodi
ff
erentnon-
exi
sti
ng
accounts.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

She'
snotlooki
ngfor
wardI
ntoseei
ngherr
oom
mate.Maybeconsi
deri
ngmovi
ngoutwon'
tbea
badidea.
Shecomesinlookingangry,
bangst
hedoorand
wal
ksstr
aighttothebathr
oom.
Shehearshersingi
ngfr
om thebat
hroom t
henext
thi
ngsheopensherBluetoot
hspeaker
.Thisi
snot
whatshesighedupfor
….
Howwil
lshest
udywhenthi
sishappeni
ng.Maybe
goi
ngt
otheli
brar
ywi
lldo.
Sheneatlypacksherbooksstandingupand
l
oadingthem inherbackpack.Shegrabsherphone
fr
om thechargerandwalksoutoft her
oom.She
wasdischargedthi
smor ni
ngandshehasn' tbeen
out.
Howwillshef
acet
hewor
ld?Thehumi
li
ati
oni
stoo
much.
Havinggonethroughsever
ehumi l
iati
onmustbe
feel
ingasifsheisthecent
reofeveryone'
smocki
ng
now.
Al
leyesonher
!
Facinghumil
iationpubl
icemoti
oninvol
vesabeli
ef
thatother
swillviewherasdi
minished,
andwil
l
l
ikelymockandpassr emarks.
She'
shol
dingont
ightont
oherbackpackl
ooki
ng
down.

Ever
yonepoint
soutatherwiththei
rheadsand
l
aughs.Tear
sblindhervi
sion-Haveyoubeen
knockeddownmanyt i
mesinlif
e,andhaveyou
enduredmanypai nfulandcutt
ingblowst hatl
eave
youfil
ledwit
hdespai r,
furyanddegradation?Have
someoft hecut
sandbl owsbeendel i
veredas
other
swer ewatching?Hasi tl
eftyoufeeli
ng
humili
ated?Thatist heamountofpainherhear t
feel
s.
Laught
er,
laughter-oneaft
eranot
her
.Nowshe
feel
sshedidn'
tleavethatr
oom.
Shestopsonhert
rackswhenacarpar
ksnextt
o
her
."Geti
n."
Heinstr
uct
s.Shelooksathi
m br
ief
lybef
ore
cont
inui
ngwithherjour
ney.
"I
fImakeyouforcef
ull
yenterthi
scaryouwil
lsee
heavenI
'
mt el
li
ngyou.Nowgeti nbefor
eyoumake
memad."Heleansoveropeningthedoorofher
.
Sheshakesherheadnowi t
htearsbl
indi
ngher
vi
sion.Shecl
utchesontoherbagpackagai
nsther
chestwit
htear
sf al
li
ng.
Hesi
ghssteppi
ngoutoft
hecarwal
kingar
oundi
t
andf
inal
lyget
shol
doftheLi
ndiwest
atue.
"Comeheremnono."Hepul
lshertohischest
.She
snif
fsandevent
ual
lybur
sti
ntotears.
"
Shhhh,
aski
esmama.
"
"I
thurts.It
'snotyouwhogoesthrought
he
humili
ation,t
hestaresandever
ythi
ngbutme!
I.
..
.I
..
..
"
"I
t'
sokay.I'
m herenowam I .I
'm neverl
eavi
ngyou. "
Hel etsgoofherandlif
tsherheadwi t
hhisindex
fi
ngerandsmi l
es.Heal wayshasthatthi
ngf or
chubbywoman, i
nfacti
t'
sthegenerati
oncurse
withinthef
amily.Heperksonherl i
psbutsheslides
herheadbeforehecoul devenkissher.
"
Ifyourmanki
ssesyour
espond.Nowki
ssyour
man."
"Younotmyman. "Shestepsbackandwi pesthe
tearsoffherfacetaki
ngadeepbreath."Ineedtogo
study,I
'
veal r
eadymi ssedoutonal
ot."
"
Okay,
wher
e?"Heasks.
"
Libr
ary.
"
"
Okay,
geti
ntot
hecarIwi
llt
akeyou.
"Shef
rowns
l
ooki
ngathi
m.
"Aibo!Theli
brar
yisri
ghtbehi
ndyou.Ij
ustneedt
o
crosstheroadand..
."
"Oho,suyobonaamadoda?Yazi
n,geti
n."Hehi
sses
pull
ingherbyherar
m.
"Wher
ear eyoutaki
ngme?"Sheasksfi
ghti
ngtobe
fr
eeoffhisarmsbuthewasjustt
oostr
ongf orher
.
Heshovesherinthecarcl
osi
ngthedoor.Hewalks
ontheothersi
de.

Hepar ksout
sidet
hef
latandt
heysi
tincomf
ort
si
lence.
"Let
'sgoi
n."Hestepsoutandsheremai
nsbehind.
Heturnsnoti
cingt
hatsheisst
il
lseat
edi
nthecar .
Heshakeshisheadturni
ngbacktogoopenthe
door.
"Phuma,"shetakesheronel
egoutandt
heother
fol
lows.Hegrabsherhandandmakesherf
ollow
behind.
"
Youwal
kingt
oof
ast
."Shecompl
ainsal
readyt
ir
ed.
"Shewillbeheret hewholeweekend."Novisi
tor
s
areall
owedf orsleepovers.Hepaystheguardand
theguardtakesi twit
hthecamer asnoti
cing.
"Removet hefootagealso."Theywalki
nhandi n
handwi thherlookingaround.She’
sbeing
kidnappedandambushed!
"
Youl
ikei
t?"Heasksl
ooki
ngherast
oni
shedf
ace.
"Looksniceli
keI'
vejustent
eredheaven.I
'
venevera
beauti
fulfl
atli
kethi
s."
“
Itbel
ongst
omyf
ather
's.
"
Shel
ooksathi
m shocked.
"Kant
i,howmanyfat
her'
sdoyouhave?"Sheonl
y
hasherfather
,owwel
landherf
ather
'sbrot
her
.
"
Alot
,Ievenl
ostcountoft
heseMyezamen.
"
"
Wow,
"
Event
her
oomsar
espaci
ous.
"
Youl
iveal
one?
"
"Yeap,
Ilikeshar
ing.I
'
m hungr
y,canyoumakeme
somethingtoeat.
"Hegoestothebat
hroom.
Shet
houghtshe'
sher
etost
udynowshehast
o
makefoodf
oragrownassman!
[
08/
18,
03:
33] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER11

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

She'slooki
ngatthefr
eshsoi
lsmil
ing.I
fonl
yshe
couldmakegooduseofi t
.Whoknowsmaybei twi
ll
tur
ni tuptosomethi
ngshewants.
"Youbeenl
ooki
ngatmybackyar
deversi
nceyou
camehere.
"
Phil
isi
wesaysplaci
ngherhandsonherwaist
."I
s
ther
esomethi
ngwr ongwit
hmybackyard?"She
soundsof
fended.
"
What!Nonotonebitma.I'
mjustt
hinki
ngofhow
t
hespinach,
cabbageswi
lll
ookinhere.
"
"Wetr
iedandfai
led."Shedramat
ical
lyr
olesher
eyesmakingOnyiyetolaugh.
"
Maybei
t'
sthewayofhowyoudi
dit
."
"
Igr
ewupintherur
alar
eas,It
houghtIst
il
lhadi
tin
meKant
ichaIwasfool
ingmysel
f.
"
OnyiyeplacesNdi
muontheground.I
t'
sverycl
ean
andshedoesnotmi ndhi
m wal
kingaroundpl
ayi
ng
wit
hdi r
t.
Thewayhemakesnoisenowandal lt
hegibber
ish
hehasbeensayi
ng.Heneversaidthatbackhome.
Hewasalwaysquit
eandforeverasl
eep.
Shesquatsandfeel
sthesoil
."Youseehere,
itcoul
d
har
vestandblossom.Ithi
nkyoushouldtr
yagain.I
wil
lli
ket
oplantthosesomedayoryetownaf ar
m."
"Youwayt ooyoungtobedreamingthi
sbig–but
I’
m happy.Icanbetonmyancest or
s….
itwi
llnot
grow.Iwil
lgiveyoutheseeds-Ihavef
oronions,
tomatoesandspinach.
"
"Br
ingi
tingi
rl
.I'
m alsobett
ingonmyunknown
ancest
orsi
twil
lharvestandblossom.
"
Phi
li
siwe-Sbahl
e'
smotherhuf
fsgoi
ngtot
hehouse
andcomesbackwithabi
gblackpl
asti
cgi
vingi
t
Onyi
ye."Goodluckmagici
an.Thi
sIwanttosee.
Shoul
dIlendyoumysi ze5gardenboot
s,pl
ow
(i
gej
a),
wat er
ingcan?IhaveIal
lnt
ombo."
Onyi
yel
aughsshaki
ngherhead.
"Youcanbr ingitmah, Iwil
lbedelighted.Forthe
onionsIwi l
lfi
rstplanttheonionseedsi ndoorsfor
about8–10weeksbef oretr
ansplanti
ngt hem
outsidejustbefor
et heaveragelastfrostdateinthe
area.Seedsshoul dbesown¼i nchdeep.Oni ons
requireanopenandsunnysi te,f
erti
lesoil,andgood
drainage.That’
swhyIwasadmi ri
ngit."Mam
Phili
siwelooksatherl ost.

Phil
isi
weiswatchi
ngoverthekids,si
tt
ingunderthe
shadeeati
ngicecream.Onyiyest
opsf orasecond
andlooksatherki
dsgiggl
ing.
Theyneverfeltthei
rgrannieslove-hermindgoes
backwhensheal mostthrewNgi muawayi nthe
bushes.Shewi peshersweat yforeheadandsmile.
Phil
isi
wenoticesandsmi leswavi ngather.
"Sebenzagi
rl.
"Onyiyelaughscont inui
ngtowork.
She'
slooseni
ngyoursoi
lbydi
ggi
ngdowndeep.
Shethenappli
esthef er
ti
li
sermaki
ngsuretouse
onehandfulf
oreverysquaremetreofsoi
l-mixi
ng
thesoi
landthefert
il
iserwit
hthegardenf
oil
.
Putt
ingseedl
ingsint
othegr ound,worki
ng
accordi
ngtotheinst
ruct
ionsont heseedpacket
.
Nowt heshei
sdoneshef eelssat
isf
ied.
"Alldone.Isayfrom 6weekswewi l
lbesingi
ng
anotherdiff
erentst
ory."Onyi
yesaystaki
ngofft
he
glovesthatMam Phi l
isi
wehaveher.
"
Iwil
lwaitwi
thyout
il
lJesuscomeback.
"She
l
aughs.
"
CanIgohaveaqui
ckbat
h.If
eelsandy.
"
"
Ow,gomychi ldandtakeyourt
ime.Iwi
llt
ake
t
hesefel
ler
sinsidet
ogowat chZimZim.
"Shepicks
t
hem bot
hup.
Shelooksatt
hekids-t
heyaresur el
ygaining
weight
.Whichmakesherverymuchhappy.And
thatr
emindshershedi
dn'
ttellherfr
iendthatshei
s
i
nthi
ssideoft
own.Shegoest
oheroutsi
deroom
t
hatsheisr
ent
ing,
str
ippi
ngal
lofhecl
othes.

Shejustf
ini
shedcookingforNdi
mu.Hel
oves
chi
ckensoupwithsoftpap.
Thei
rski
nisf
lawl
esseven….
"Knock,
knock.
"Sheknocksandlet
'sher
sel
fin.
That'
showshewast ol
d.Sheknocksandbounces
i
n.
Shef i
ndsNdimust
andingi
nfr
ontoft
heTV.She
rushestowar
dshimremovi
ngbuthercr
ies.
"
Leavehi
m."Mam Phi
li
siwesays."
Weneedt
otal
k."
Onyiye'
shearthur
tsi
nfear
.Didshedosomething
wrong?Shenowsuddenlyfeel
snotwel
latal
l.She
nowf eel
shotandsuff
ocat
ed.
"
Haveyounot
iceshi
sri
ghteyet
wit
chi
ng?
"
Onyi
yenods.
"Idi
d,t
henur
sessaidIhavenothi
ngtoworry
about.
"Sher
espondsandlooksathersonwhowas
f
ocusont
het
elevi
sion.
"Ihavebeenexami ni
nghi mforacoupl eofdays
now, hissightisnott hatgood.Hei sstr
uggli
ngt o
seesomet hi
ngf rom adistance.Ifhetri
eslooking
closelyhisrighteyet wit
ches,themor eitt
witches
themor eheget sf rustr
atedandemot ional
.That
wher ehisfacet urnsradical
lyred."
Shefeel
sbadthatshedi
dn'
ttaket
imei
nnot
ici
ngal
l
thesymptoms.
"
I'
m abadmother
."Shesayspl
aci
ngt
hebowlon
t
opofthecof
feet
able.
"No,no,noyouar enot
.Notf oroncedoubtyour
parent
ingskil
ls.Youarevery,andverymuchyoung
tobetakingofthesebabiesalone.Letmetel
lyou
somethingyoudonotknow….
Parenti
ngitselfi
sadi f
fi
cul tj
ob.Looki ngaft
eryour
chi
ldandensur i
ngthei
rpr operupbr i
ngingis
somethingallparentsstr
ivef or.Ont opofit
,ifwe
tal
kaboutbei ngasinglepar ent,i
tisevenmor e
chall
enging.Parenti
ngget sfarmor ecompl i
cated
whenonl yonepar enti
sinvol ved.Singleparenti
ng
i
sconsi deredoneoft hemostchal l
enging
responsi bil
iti
es.Butatt hesamet i
me, i
tisgr ati
fyi
ng
aswel l.Beingagoodsi nglepar
enti ssomet hing
thatyoudonotl earnover ni
ghtbutinsteadl earn
overal ongper i
odoft i
mewhi l
ef acingmany
hurdlesandbar ri
ersuntilyougettoknowyourway
aroundi t.Youar estil
lyoungandyoust il
lyett o
makehugedeci sionsthinki
ngthatyouar er ightbut
youwi lllearnfrom t hem.Nowt hatyouknowabout
Ndimu' sst ate,heneedst oseeapr ofessi
onal
doctor.Iwi llaskSbahl et oaddthem underher
medi calaidsohecoul dseeapr ofessionalsbef or
e
i
t'stool ate."
"Idon'
tknowwhattosaymah.IthankGodfor
bringi
ngmehere.I
fIdidn'
tgett
oknowawoman
l
ikeyouIseri
ousl
ydonotknowwher eIwouldbe
nowwi thmychi
ldr
en."
"Andanot hert
hing,
it'
snotonl
yyourchil
dren.I
t'
s
ours.Learnthatyouarenownotalonebutyouare
surroundedbypeoplenotmonsters.Iwi
llt
alkt
o
Sbahlewhensheget sbackfrom work.
"
Shesmi
lesl
eani
ngherheadagai
nstMam
Phi
li
siwe'
sshoul
der
.

She'sdonewit
hhert
asksafterbi
ti
ngherpenf
ora
coupleofhour
sduetost
ress.Nowsheknowshow
harditi
sNOTbeinadesk….
aknockonherdoor,whocouldt
hisbe?It'
sway
past21:
00pm andeveryonei
sasleep.Shepacks
herpapershi
dingt
hem under
neat
ht hesponge-
fi
xeshersel
fandopen.
"
Sbahl
e,
"
"
CanIcomei
n?"
Howrudeofhert
omakesomeonest
andout
sideso
l
ateatni
ght
.
"
Yes,
surecomein.I'
m sor
ryi
t'
sjust-Ihaveal
oti
n
mymind.
"Sheresponds.
"Mum tol
dme.Icameheret
oaskfortheki
dsbi
rth
cert
if
icat
esot
hatIcoul
daddthem onthemedi
cal
aid.
"
"Ar
eyousure?Won'
titcostyoual
ot?"Sheasks
concer
ned.Howcanonejustoff
erservi
cesjust
t
hateasi
ly."
Doesn'
titcost
?".She'
scl
uel
ess.
Sbahl
efrownslooki
ngatherandquickl
y
remembers."
Luthomntase,
kidsar
everycheap
yazi
."
"Okay,
let
smeknowhowmuchandIwi l
latl
eastpay
everymonthend.
"Sheoffer
s.She'
snotusedfor
thi
ngsbeingdoneforher
.
"
Don'
tbesi
ll
y."Sbahl
echucks.
"
NoIi
nsi
st.
"Sbahl
esi
ghsoutofdef
eat
.
"Okayhowaboutofyoupayhalfandthe
governmentpayshal
f?"Fai
renoughshewi
llagr
ee
tothesetup.
Shehandsherbot
hoft
hebi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
es.

It
'sherprayert
imeandr i
ghtnowshefeel
sshe
couldconnecttoherGod.Sheknowsshehasone
guardi
anangeloutthere-thel
ighti
sbei
ngshown
toherbitbybit
.
Theonerandt
hatshehasbeenusingforherprayer
sessi
on.Shet
akesi
toutofherhandbagthatshe
doesnotuseandput
stheoner
andi
nthegl
ass
fi
ll
edwit
hwater.

"Thankyou, Lord,forthebl essingsyouhave

best owedonmyl ife.Youhavepr ovidedmewi th
mor ethanIcoul deverhavei magi ned.Youhave
surr oundedmewi thpeopl ewhoal waysl ookoutf or
me.Youhavegi venmef ami l
yandaf riendwho
blessmeever ydaywi t
hki ndwor dsandact ions.
Teachmet oofferyouahear tofthanksgi vingand
praisei nallmydai l
yexper iencesofl i
fe.Il ongt o
bringpl easuretoYourhear tdail
y.Breakt hepower
oft heenemyi nmyl if
e.Def eathimt hroughmy
sacr ifi
ceofpraise.It r
usti nyouowLor d,Ipl acemy
l
ifei nyourhands.Ipr ayt hatonedayyouhowme
thef atherofmyki ds.Wat chovermymot her ,Ipray
thatyouwoul dr estoremymot hertoful lheal t
h.Her
ment al,
emot i
onal ,andspi ri
tualhealthhavebeeni n
decl ineasoflate, Lord-Amen. "

Sheopenshereyesandgul
pst
hewat
ert
hat
'si
nthe
gl
ass.Pour
ssomei ntheki
dsbott
lewhenthey
wakeuptheywi
llsurel
ywantsomewater.
Shesnuggl
esher
sel
fnextt
oherki
dski
ssi
ngt
hem.

Morningcameaf t
erapeacefulsl
eep.Todayis
Sunday-afteraveryl
ongti
meshewi l
lbeinchur
ch
andsheislookingfor
wardtoit.
Sbahl
e'
shonkshercarout
side-Mam Phi
li
siwe
hel
psherwi
thbagswhileshecar
ri
edbothbabi
es.
Sbahl
eisdr
ivi
ngawhi
teAvanza.
"
Letmehel
pyouputt
hesegent
sint
hei
rchai
rs.
"
"
I'
llputt
hem onmyl
api
t'
sfi
ne.
"Onyi
yesuggest
.
"Youmean,youmademesweatf ortheseal
lfor
nothi
ng!Comeongir
l.
"Sbahl
estepsoutofthecar,
shestar
tswit
hNdimubuckli
nghim upinhisbaby
carseat
.
"Whereandwhendi
dyoubuythese?
"Hermother
asksadmiri
ngt
hem."Theyl
ooksoexpensi
ve.
"
"
I'
m acopr
emember
."Sbahl
ewi
ggl
eshereyebr
ows
l
ooki
ngathermot
her
.
"
Jesus!
"Shecl
oseshermout
hinshock.
"Wheredi
dyoubuythem? "Onyiyeasks-she'
snot
usedtopeopl
edoingt
hingsforher.Theonly
personwhodoessomethi
ngf orherisLi
ndiwe.
"
Onyi
ye,ar
eyouthatsl
owdude!"Sbahl
elaughs
l
ooki
ngatherconf
usedface.
"
Ist
olet
hem.
"
Onyi
yegaspsi
nshock."
Sbahl
e!"
"
What
,"shel
aughsj
oini
ngt
her
oad.
"Honest
lyyoushoul
dr esi
gnandbeat hi
efstr
aight
.
Whybeacopwhenst eal?
"Hermotherasks.Thisi
s
notthef
irstt
imeSbahlecomesbackhomewi t
h
somethi
ngshedidnotbuy.
"Youwillunderst
andonedaymah,it
'spartofour
servi
ces."Alr
eadytheyhavear
ri
vedinchurch.The
allst
epoutoft hecar.
"
Looksl
ikewel
ate!
"Mam Phi
li
siwehur
ri
esi
nsi
de.
Onyi
yest
epsi
nsi
det
hechur
chandi
mmedi
atel
yshe
feelsherspi
ritup.Sheinhalest
hefreshairfi
ll
ed
withnewpeopl e.Shefoll
owsSbahlewhohad
Ngimuonherhands.Sbahl eseemst obefindof
thesekindsdaybyday.Theysi tdownr i
ghtafterthe
signingended.ThepastorlooksatOnyiyebri
ef l
y
withouthernotici
ng.

"Matthewver
se6:15.Cansomeonereadthatver
se
out-
loudforme.
"Thepastor'
ssaysstandi
ngatthe
podium.
Agirlf
rom t
hecr owdstandsupwi t
hherbible
opened.Shereadsout-l
oudthroughthemic."Butif
youdonotf or
giveother
stheirsi
ns,yourFatherwil
l
notfor
giveyoursins.
"Shesit
sdownaf t
erreading.
Thepastorsmilesshaki
nghishead.
"
Whenweembr acewhatt
hebi
blesaysabout
f
orgi
veness,
that’
swhenwecanbegintoexper
ience
t
rueheal
ing.
Itmaynotal
waysbeeasytoforgett
hepast,but
l
ooktowardthef
utureandwhatisahead.Godis
graci
ousandmerci
ful,
andwil
lnotfai
lyouinyour
ti
meoff r
ust r
ati
onandangertowardssomeone,but
provi
depeaceandcl ar
it
ytoforgi
ve.Hewil
lnot
l
eaveyoui nyoursadnessforwrongi
nganother
,but
giveyoustrengt
htoconfessyourwrongandaskto
beforgi
ven.
Mayt heseBiblever
sesaboutf or
givenesscause
youtopausei nprayerandspeakwi thGodf ora
moment ,
toseekHisforgi
veness,andt ogive
for
giveness.LoveoneanotherasGodhasl oved
you,letgoofthepast,andlookaheadt owar dst
he
l
ightofMessi ah.Bl
essYouAbundant l
y!.
"
"
Amen.
"
"Al
isheicul
o!Comefor
wardandhandyourl
if
eto
Christ
!Comef or
war
difyouwantGodtogi
veyoua
message!"
Thesamegi
rlt
hatwasr
eadi
ngt
hever
sest
andsup.

"
SiyaKudumi
saThi
xo!
Al
might
yGodwepr
aiseYou!
Si
yakuvumaukubaunguYehova.
Weconf
essyout
obeourLor
dJehovah.

Umhl
abawonkeubedeshaWena
Thewhol
eEar
thwor
shi
psyouet
ernalFat
her
.

UYi
seongunaphakade.
Ever
last
ingFat
herGodet
ernal
.

Zonkei
ingel
osizi
memezakuwe
Tot
heeal
langel
ssi
ngal
oudi
nheaven

Kwanezul
unawoonkeamandl
aakul
o.
Al
ltheheavenl
ypower
sbowdownt
oyouOLor
d….
"

Thepastorbegi
nstopr
aywhilewit
hhi
shandsi
n
theai
r.Onyi
yegetsemoti
onall
iket
hepast
or
somewhattalki
ngtoher.Sheawkwar dl
ystandsup
wit
htearsdroppi
ngdownherf ace.Mam Phili
siwe
nodswithahugesmi l
eonherf aceandbrushedher
backassur
ingherthatsheishere.
Shewal ksdownt owher
ethepast
orwasprayi
ng
forpeople.Shekneel
sdownandwaitf
orherturn.
Shefeelsheavyhandsonhershoul
der
sandcl oses
hereyes.
"Thi
nk,O'God,ofyourchil
dwhoi sillemoti
onall
y
andphysical
ly,whom wenowcommendt oyour
compassionateregar
d.Thatnoheal ingi
stoohard
i
fitbeyourwi l
l.Wetheref
oreprayt hatYoubless
yourchi
ldwithYourlovingcare,renewherst r
ength,
andhealwhatai l
sherinyourlovingname, Amen. "
Shestandsupwi thnowal ightheart.
"Letyourheartgui
deyou-ifyoucontinueholdi
ng
thisheavygrudgeagai
nstyouwillneversucceedin
l
ife.Conti
nuetoprayandGodshal ll
eadyout othe
answeryouhave.Godbl essyou.Onedayyouwi l
l
findyourfat
herifyoubel
ieve.
”
She'
sleftwithsomanyquest ionsandunfort
unatel
y
shedoesn'tknowwhowi llf
il
linthegapforit
.She
l
ooksathim confused-shewant stoaskformore
quest
ionsbutthisi
sdefinit
elythewrongplaceand
thewrongtime.Shesmilesandt urnt
owal kbackto
whereshewas.
"I
'
m soproudofyou.
"Mam Phili
siwesaysproudl
y
makingSbahl
etorol
lhereyessmili
ng.Hermother
canbeexagger
ati
ngatti
mes.

Fi
nall
ytheser
vicesi
soverandt
heyar
enowdr
ivi
ng
backhome.
"
YazsomehowIbeli
evet
hatt
hepast
orwast
alki
ng
t
ome."Shesays.
"
Weal
lhavet
hosedaysmydaught
er.
"
"I
t'
sverywir
ed.
"Shesaysr
epl
ayi
ngt
hosewor
dsi
n
herhead.
"
Dowhatt
hepastort
oldyout
odoandf
ocuson
movi
ngf
orwar
d."
Mam Phi
li
siweadvi
cesbutt
hati
sjustt
hehar
dest
deci
sion.Justfor
get
tingoft
het
roubl
eshewent
thr
oughgr owingup.
Beingabusedbyherownmot
her!Bei
ngtoldt
hat
she'sathi
efwhensheknewt
hatsheneverst
ole
anythi
ng.
Bei
ngmolestedbythatoldman!Andnowshe'
s
her
etr
yingtofi
gureherselfout
.
"
Iknowi
t'
shar
dbuti
t'
sfort
hebest
."

Latert
hateveningSbahl
eprepar
edforhersel
ftogo
towork.Workingni
ghtshif
thasneverbeenher
favour
it
ebutshehasnochoi cenowdoesshe?
Shepacksherl
unchwalki
ngoutofther
oom
bi
ddi
ngf ar
ewel
ltohermotherandt
heki
ds.

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON

Sbahl
eparkshercarathernormalparki
ngspotand
st
epsoutofhercarhummi ng.Shelooksatt
he
piecesofthechi
psatthebackseatandstops
hummi ng."AhhNdimu!"Shesaystohersel
f.One
reasonwhyshepr ef
erstravel
ingi
nataxibecause
shejusthateswashingthecar!
"
Const
abl
eMagaye.
"Oneoft
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
sgr
eet
.
"Zul
u,"shewalkspasthi
m buthegr
absherbyar
m
andwhi sper
sinherear.
"Youseethatwanttobecrookofthatboyf
ri
endof
yours-can'twai
ttosquashhi
mlikeacockroach
thatheis.
"
Sbahleyanksherhandof fhi
m andsi ghputt
ingon
herbraveface."Youhavebeensingingthatsong
fort
hepast3- 4yearsnow.Don'tyougettir
ed?"She
askssmili
ngl ooki
ngathim.
"
I'
m wat
chi
ngyou.
"
"Youcanwat chtil
lJesuscomebackIdon' tcar
e
honestl
y.I
'
mt i
redofyoubi ckeri
nglikeatoothl
ess
dog.Dosomet hingmeani ngfulwit
hyoulifeand
makeyourselfusefularoundt hepoli
cestati
on.
"She
cli
ckshertongueandent ersthestationl
eaving
Zululi
keastatue.
"
Magaye,
weneedyouropi
nionl
a."
Shel
ooksatt
hepol
i
cemensur
roundi
ngt
het
abl
e.
Shewal
ksuptot
hem -
,
"
What
'sup?
"
"
Weneedanot
herst
rat
egyt
ogett
hesemen.
"
Sbahl
elooksatt
hethr
eephot
osont
opoft
he
count
erandswall
owshar
d.
"What
'sthepl
an?"She'
saskswi
thherhear
t
drummingagai
nstherchest
.
"That
'
stheprobl
em wedonothaveaplan.Wedo
nothaveanyinf
ormat
ionaboutt
hesemen."
"Sohowdi
dyoufindoutaboutt
hem?
"Sheasks
soundi
ngbr
ave.
"Anot
herratpimpedt hem outbutweareholdi
ng
himincustody.Theinformati
onhetoldusexactl
y
matchesthewhatt hegovernmenthasbeengoing
thr
oughforthepastcoupl eofmonths.Daysback
moneywaswi t
hdrawnf r
om oneofthe…..
"
ExcusemeIneedtotaket
hiscal
l."
TheSar
gent
handli
ngt
hecasestepsoutoft
alki
ngtohi
sphone.
Sbahl
estoodther
elooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
esr
unni
ng
outofwords.
"I'
l
lbebackoncet heSar gentisback.Letmegoput
theseintheoffi
ce."Shewal ksoutasfastasshe
could.Shepullsoutforherphoneoutofhepocket
diall
ingherboyfr
iend.
"Howcanyoubesocar el
ess?Youtol
dmet hatt
he
j
obt hatyoudi
dweeksagowast hel
ast!Di
dyoulet
anyoneintheci
rcl
e?"
"
Nobabywhy?
"
"Isweari
fyougetcaughtyouwillgodownal
one
andnotwithme!"Shehissesdi
sconnect
ingt
hecal
l.
[
08/
18,
03:
33] :SPONSOREDBYMAPULE
ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER12

ATTHESTATI
ON

Sbahl
esi
tt
ingqui
etl
yrunni
ngoutofopt
ions.Khoza
willdefi
nitelybethedeat hofher
.Thismandoes
notf oroncel i
sten!Everyonei
supanddown-
'
prepar i
ngf orwar 't
heysay.Bull
et-
proof
sbei
ng
grabbed, gunsbei ngloaded.
"Awu,Zul
u….ar
eyougoingtowarorashooti
ng
spree?
"Sheasksoutofcur
iosi
ty.Shej
ustwant
sto
checkthepr
ocess.
Zul
uchucksfasteni
nghiswaistbeltti
ghter."
Itol
d
youthatsomedayandst upi
ddayIwi llcat
chyou
andthatwanttobecrookofyours.I'
mt heboss
her
e!"Hesmirks.
"Ifyouar ereferri
ngt oMazisiKhozamyman
then…."Sheshr ughershoul der
s."Thenyeshei s
defini
telyawantt obecr ook.Byallmeanspl ease
gohavehi m arrested.Youseemeandt hatman, we
havebeenati tforagesandI '
m beginni
ngt oloose
count-I '
mt elli
ngyoui nformati
ont hatmightbe
useful.Lookf orser i
ouscasesi nst
eadofst i
cking
yournoi seincol dcases.Justbecauseheshota
manyear sbackwi thoutali
censedgunyou’ llhol
d
thatagai nsthim?Yoh!If eelsorryforyourwife.
Yazinunamagqubundoda.Healnt wanaMaan. ”She
smi
les.
"
Mxm,
"
"Bytheway,themanthatyoualooki
ngforisi
n
Joburg.ShouldIpr
ovi
deyouwithanaddress?
"She
askslooki
ngatthedumbfoundedZulu.
Hel
ooksatherconf
ound."
Jobur
g?"
"Areyouaski ngmecauseyouwantt tconfi
rm or
youaski ngmebecauseyouar eshocked?Itoldyou
beforeyoubecamewhyt ooobsessaboutmyman
ukuthigoodl uck.Anyways,"shelaughslookingat
Zulu'
sf ace."Didn'
tyoursourceprovideyouwi t
h
effi
cientinformati
on?AwuZul uaskiesbrawami .
"
Shecont i
nuest ol
aughwithZul uwalki
ngout
angrily.Shetakesoutherphoneandsendsaqui ck
text
."RUN! !"Shedelet
esandi nnocentl
yputsher
phonebacki ntoherpocketandcontinuedwor ki
ng.
I
NSWAZI
LAND
"Youl
ookt ensebabe-areyouokay?
"Askhi s
heavi
lypregnantgir
lf
ri
end.Smangasighscaressi
ng
onherstomachf eel
ingthebaby'
ski
cks.
"I
'
mj ustaf
rai
d-afr
aidthatI
'm goi
ngtobeadad
soonandIdonotknownot hi
ngaboutbabies.I
t
wouldhavebeenbett
erifmymot herwasaround.
"
Hethrowshisheadbackinfrust
rat
ion.
"Andyouknowver ywellthatyoumot herdoesn'
t
l
ikemeonebi tandIdon'tevenknowwhatwr ongI
didtoherorwhatcri
meIcommi t
ted.
"Shesays
fi
xingthepi
ll
owsmaki ngher sel
ftosi
tcomf ort
abl
y.
"
That'
snottruemyloveandyouknowi t
.Mymot her
i
sjustangr
ybecauseshethinksyouarethenone
whoistaki
ngmeawayf rom home."Smanga
r
espondslooki
ngatherbigeyes.
Nokwazii
snot
hingcompar
edt
oLi
ndi
we.
Li
ndiweisoutandaboutandalwaysachatterbox.
Wit
hNokwazitheysomet i
mesrunoutoftopics
whichi
sverymuchdr ai
ningf
orhim.
"
Isee,butshemustl earntol
ivewit
houtyou.You
won'
ttostickaroundwi t
hherfor
ever.
"Hedoesn't
l
ikewherethisconversati
oni
sheading.
"
Whenisshecoming?
"Hedecidestochanget
he
t
opi
cbefor
eitcoul
devengetoutofhand.
"Smanga!Youaskmethisquest
ional
most
ever
yday."Shel
aughs.
"
Iwantt
obepr
epar
edmoss.
"Hesmi
les.
"Anditseemslikeyouar
eoverdoi
ngi
tandit
'sver
y
funnyinaway."Theybothl
augh.Hesnuggl
es
himselfnextt
oher.
"
Ijustcan'
twai
ttohol
dhi m orherf
orthever
yfi
rst
t
ime,inmyarms."Herespondsgetti
ngontopofher.
"YouaresquashingusSmanga.
"Shegi
ggl
es
cover
ingherface.
"
Iwon'
ttakel
ong.
"Hei
sal
readyhar
dasar
ock.

Thepi ct
ureofLindiweflashesinhiseyes.Those
bigbreasts,l
it
tl
estret
chmar ksaroundherhipar
ea,
thatmeat ypussy.Howherwal l
shughisdickso
perfectl
y.HerhasNokwazi 'slegshangi
ngoverhis
shoulders.Hemoandr ippingsweatonhi sfor
ehead.
"Shit!
"Hesqueezeshert highs,hehashiseyes
closed.
Nor
mal
lyLi
ndi
wewoul
dcar
essonhi
schestl
ett
ing
outt
hosesweatmoans.
Heletsgoofherthighs,gr
absherhandsandpl ace
them onhischest
.Hei sdisappoi
nted-hewanted
hertocaressonhischest!Hei st
otal
lyt
urnedoff
hissoftdi
ckpopsout .
"
Yourdone?"Shei
sshocked.Thatdi
dn'
tevenl
ast
t
womi nut
es!
"
I'
m sor
ryIj
usthavealotonmymi nd.
"He
r
espondsget
ti
ngoffthebed.Heneverexpectedi
t
t
ohappenandnowt hati
thappenedhefeelsguil
ty.
Howcanhet hi
nkofanotherwomanwhi l
ehehas
themotherofhischi
ldri
ghtinfr
ontofhi
seyes.He
doesn'
tfeelnot
hingf
orthisLindi
weforcryi
ngout
l
oud!
"Whichis?"Shest
ruggl
esget
ti
ngoutofbedbut
eventual
lydoes.
Hesitsonthebedcover
inghisfacewit
hhishands
shameful
ly."
Canwenott al
kaboutthi
s?Iam noti
n
ther
ightstat
eofmind.
"
"
Okay,
"sheget
sdr
essedandl
eaveshi
m seat
edon
thebed.Smangascr ollst
hroughhiscont actlist
andremembersthathedel etedhernumber s.After
thedayhewenttoweheri nhospi t
al.Helogsi non
Facebook-scr
ollthroughherpageandnot icest hat
shehasdelet
edalloft hei
rpictur
est oget
her .That
hurt
sinaway.Hesi ghsloggingoff-maybehewas
star
ti
ngtobeattachedt oherwi t
houthim not i
cing.
Maybehewasbegi nningtofalli
nlovewithher !
Heari
ngthathecheateddidn'
tbotherhim muchbut
now-it'
smakinghim havealotofquesti
ons.Those
l
astwordshet ol
dheracheshi sheartt
il
ltoday.I
t
wasasl i
poftoungeunint
entional
ly.Hetakesa
deepbreath-i
shenowconf used?
Hewassoadequateandl
ookingf
orwardtobewi
th
Nokwazibutnowhei
snolongeri
nter
ested.

Hefi
nall
ygetsofthebedandhavet hestr
engt
hto
wearhi
sclot
hes-stepsoutoftheroom fi
ndi
ng
Nokwazimakingcheeset
oastedsandwich.
"
Canyoualsomakesomef orme?"Hehugsher
f
rom behi
nd.Shekeepsqui
teandcont
inuest
obe
busy.Het
urnsherar
oundt
ofacehi
m.
"Okay,I'
mj ustunderalotofst
ressbabet
hatmy
babewi l
lcomesoonert hanexpect
edandworst
lyI
haven'tstart
edwor ki
ng.NextweekMondayseems
abitfarand…. "
Sheki
sseshi
sli
ps.Nokwaziisanaver
agehei
ght
wit
hSmanga.Hekissesherback.
"It
oldyoutost
opbi ckeri
ngyour selfwit
hthoughts
andfocusonthefuture.Wear et
otall
ycoveredfor
thi
smonth,soyouhavenot hingtowor r
yabout.
Andaboutyourfi
rstpayont hattenderyouwil
lbe
earni
ngpret
tymuchmor e."
Hestar
esathert
aki
ngasmi
l
e-t
hecol
dnessi
nthe
st
are.
"Youbeaut
if
ul.
"Hesaysr
andoml
ymaki
nghert
o
smil
e.
"
Thankyou.
"Shebl
ushesbutsomet
hingi
sjustof
f.

Maybet
heyaregoingthrougharoughpatchand
t
hei
rrel
ati
onshi
pfeel
sr ocky,
orperhapst
heyare
t
ransi
ti
oni
ngoutoft
hehoneymoonphase.
Hefeel
sbadal
readyforimagi
ngherassomeone
el
sehowworsecoulditget
!
Hepull
sherint
oat i
ghthugandagai
nheis
di
sappoi
nted-shedoesn'
tleanonhi
schestbut
l
eansonhisshoulder
.
"
Wewi
llbef
ine.
"Heassur
esher
.
"Yeswewill
."Shesi
mpl
yhasnocl
ueofwhat
's
goingon.
"
Nowmakeyourmant
hatsandwi
ch.
"Shesmi
les….
.

I
NJOBURG

"SoKhoza,youmeant otel
lmethatDumisani
,my
brot
herwentandr ant
edonthecopsaboutour
hustl
ejustbecauseheisaft
ermybabymama? "
Sthembisoispaci
ngupanddowni
nfr
ust
rat
ion."
I
swearthatbit
chwil
l….
"
"
List
enSt
hembi
so,
yourbr
otheri
snotwor
thi
t.You
shoul
dbewor r
iedthatheisinDurbanaswespeak
i
nahol di
ngcel
lsingi
nglikeacanoethatheis.
"
Khozapacksupthelastbit
sofhisequipment.
"Iam goi
ngt oDur
ban.
"Hepull
shisbagpackfr
om
thebed."IswearI
'
m goi
ngtoki
llhi
m bef
oreJesus
does.
"
Khozasighsl
ookingathim.Tal
kingtohi
m nowwi
ll
notcal
m him down.Looksl
ikeheisaddi
ngmoret
o
i
t.
"Putt
heseinavan."KhozahandsBiggythelaptops.
Helooksathim ashewalkedoutandturntoface
Sthembi
so."Iwantyoutolookmeintheeyesand
confi
rmthatyouareamannotacowar d.Markmy
words-It
'
sme, youandTazz."
Sthembisolooksathim confusedandl
aterhi
smind
regi
ster
s."What!"Khozazipshismouthbyputt
ing
hishandsonhi smouth.
"
Yes,
wehavet
odoi
t!
"
"Iam begi
nningtohavequest
ionsaboutyou.How
am IsurethatIwil
lnotf
oll
ow?Howwi llIt
rustyou
thati
t'
snotmet hatyouwanttoter
minate?"
"BecauseIt
rust
.Iknowmor
ethanyouknow
yoursel
f.
”

Theyarepackedr
eadyt
oleave.TheyhandJohnhi
s
housekeys.
“Remember ,wedon’tknoweachot herandwe
nevermet .Wewi llmeetagai
n.”Khozaand
Sthembi sostepoutofthehouseheadi ngtothecar.
“Wewi llmakeitlookli
keanacci dent
.”Khozatel
ls
Sthembi sowhol ookedathim andfelthi
sarse
shiver
ingf r
om ice.

LI
NDI
WE*
***
NGOBESE

Hewon'tevermissanoppor t
unit
yt oprovehei s
ri
ghtandmakesyouf eel
inferi
or.Hewi llgobeyond
boundar
iesjustt
oprovehispoint,eveni fdoesn'
t
adduptoanyvalueintherelat
ionship,hest i
ll
makessuretoproveinfr
ontofyou.
She'
sst
ir
ri
ngt
hepotl
ooki
ngatMpi
lowhowas
focusedonherphone.I sheapsychopath,perhaps?
Shehasal otofconcerns.Shedoesn'
trecallbei
ng
askedoutonadat e-thefir
stdayhekissedherhe
clai
medherjustli
kethat.Shewasclaimedl ikeabet
!
Tear
sbli
ndhervisi
on….shesnif
fscl
osi
ngthepot
.
Mpil
oti
lt
shisheadlookingatherwi
thasl
ight
fr
ownonhisface.
"Stufuza,uri
ght
?"Heputsherphonedownand
sighsst andi
ngup.She'
safr
aidofhim andhecan
tell
.
Hedoesn'tbl
amehert
hough,
hehadherl
ockedup
al
lweekend….
"
Iwantt
ogohome.
"Shemi
ssesherhomemor
e
t
hananyt
hing.
"Why?"Hestandsri
ghti
nfr
ontofher
.Hi
sper
fume
smell
ssodivine!
"Imi
ssmymum. "I
t'
sthetr
uth.Shehasneverbeen
awayfr
om hermot
herhisl
ong.
"OkayI'
llaskmyuncl
eIdri
veyouhomesinceI'
m
notall
owedt odr
ivel
ongdi
stances.
"Hesays
caressi
ngonherchubbyweatcheeksfr
om tear
s.
Arewomanalwaysthisemoti
onal?Hisi
nnerself
asks.
"Iwi
llcatcht
axi
sdon'
twor
ry.
"Sher
espondsl
ooki
ng
awayf r
om hi
m.
"Ar
eyougoingt oseethatusel
essboyf
ri
endof
yours?I
'
llki
llhi
mt henhandmyselfi
ntothecops.
"
Shelooksathi
m ast
oni
shed.Shehasconf
ir
medher
suspi
cions,
thi
smanisapsychopath.
Shet
akesst
epsback-l
ooki
ngaf
rai
d.
"Idon'thurtwomen, butifyouthinktwiceof
cheatingonmeIwon' thesi
tat
et ofuckeveryhol
ein
yourbody. "Her oughlypul l
shertowar dshi
m."You
shouldgett hisintoyourhead.Youar emywoman
andI '
m yourman. "Hesmi l
esreveali
ngthose
perfectteeth.Sheshi versabit….

Hei
ssi
tt
ingont
hecouchwi
thhi
sfeetont
het
abl
e.
"Comesitnextt
ome."Hepat
sontheseatnextt
o
him.Shemovesclosert
ohi
m sl
owlyunt
ilshewas
nexttohi
m." Whendoyouwantt
ogohome? "She
smilesabit-t
hesoundoft
hatmakesherhear
t
j
umpi njoy.
"NextweekFriday,
"shepl
ayswiththeti
pofher
fi
ngers.Helooksathersmil
ingeartoear.He
smilesbackanddamnhewi shesthattheycoul
d
stayli
kethi
stil
lJesuscomeback.
"
Youwi
llgo,
Ipr
omi
se.
"

Herphonechimesandthename‘mybabe'popsup.
Heclencheshi
sjawsfaci
ngtheot
herwaynot
wanti
ngtorevealhi
sanger
.Deepdownhisblood
wasboili
ng.
"Mylove,
"she'
sbubbl
y-heisseei
nganot
hersi
de
hehasneverseenbef
ore.
"
Guesswhat
?"SaysOnyi
yeont
heot
herl
ine.
"
What?
"Shel
ooksconf
used.
"I
'
mi nDurban.
"ShesaysmakingLi
ndi
wet
olaugh
out-
loud."
What,I
'
m ser
ious.
"
"
Don'
tjokel
iket
hat
.Howar
emybabyboysdoi
ng?
"
Li
ndi
weasksmaki
ngMpi
lot
oswal
lowhar
d.
"Theyfi
ne.Il
ivei
naplacecall
edChest
ervi
ll
e."
Lindi
weremovesherheadfrom Mpi
lo’
schestsit
ing
upstrai
ght.
"Babepl
easedon'
tli
etome,"t
hosebloodytear
s.
Mpilost
andsupnottaki
ngtheconver
sati
onnottoo
well
.Heheadstothekit
chent
odishoutfor
himsel
f….
Hehear sherscreaming,j
umpi ngupanddowni n
exci
tement .Cl
earl
ythispersonbri
ngsoutthebest
i
nher !Heneedst otakehim outonceandforallso
hecoul dhaveapeaceofmi nd.Hecannotsuf
fer
l
ikethis!

"Ineedafavour
."Mpiloti
lt
shi
sheadandl ooksat
herwithnoemotionsmakingithar
dforLi
ndiweto
tal
k.Hesitscomfort
ablyandawait
sforhertotal
k.
"
Sur
e,"
"
Canyoutakemetothi
slocati
on."Shehandshim
t
hephone.Hel
ooksatthelocat
ion.Maybeifhe
takesherhewi
lldef
ini
tel
yknowwhoshei
smeet
ing
upwi t
h.
"Yeasur ewhynot.Letmegof et
chmyt -
shirt
."He
headst othebedr
oom.Hereyesf ol
lowhi sbackand
thattatt
ooonhisback.Afuckenwoman' sface
coveringhiswhol
eback!ThatisnotThabi-and
from whatsheheardtheywerejustfuckbuddi es,
unfortunat
elyf
orThabishestart
edcat chi
ng
feel
ings.
Herhear
tsankabi
t-i
thear
tsnol
ies.
Hei
sfoll
owingtheGPRSunt
ilt
heyhaver
eached
t
hei
rdesti
nati
on.
"Iwil
lbeback.
"Shegetsoffweari
ngthebiggest
smi l
eonherface.Shefor
get
sherphoneont hecar
frontseat
.Mpil
oglancesati
tforawhil
e.Hegets
holdofit,
unl
ocksit.
Ndimuphi weisthepasswor dofherphone.He
shakeshisheadi ndisbel
iefagai
n.Twokidsasa
screensaver?Hethoughtmaybehesawwr ong.
Surethosear ehers.Atfi
rsthedi
dn'tpaynomi ndt
o
i
tbutnowi tmakesallsenses.Helooksatheras
shedi
sappear
edi
ntot
hehouse.

"Hell
omysweet estf ri
end, Iwantyout oknowt hat
I’
m blessedt ohaveagr eatfriendli
keyou.Your
fri
endshipi sinvaluablet oplaceapr icetagon,and
i
t’smor epr ecioust hant hefinestgol
dandsi l
verin
theentir
euni verse.You’vet ouchedmyhear tinso
manywayst hatIcoul dneverhavet houghtofyour
careandl oveandIwi l
lal wayst r
easureour
fri
endshipwi t heverybr eathinme.Il oveyou,my
beautif
ulfriend."Lindiweexpr esseshersel
fmaki ng
Onyiyetol augh.
"Lastti
meIcheckedIwasst
rai
ght
,li
ket
otal
ly
strai
ght.
"
"
Andshehadtor
uint
hemoment
."Theypul
loutof
t
heembrace.
Theybot hlaughunbeli
evably-theymisseachot
her
everyday.Theyareir
replaceabl
e,theki
ndof
fr
iendshiptheyshareisincomparable.
,
…
"Come,l
etmeshowyouinside.
"Onyiyepull
s
Lindi
webyhandleadi
nghertowheretherebabi
es
wher
e.Theexpr
essi
ononherf
acewaspr
icel
ess.
"What
!"ShepicksNdi
muupandhegiggl
eslooki
ng
ather
."Herecogni
sesme.
"Shef
eel
semot i
onal.
"
Howcanherf
orgetyou?
"Onyi
yeaskschangi
ng
Ngi
mu'
sdi
aper.
"Haibomngani
!Dupli
cat
e?"She'
sshocked.She
neverseenNgi
muf acet
ofacebuthehaspictur
es
ofthem.

Theysitdownandtal
kf orhour
sfor
get
ti
ngt
hatshe
l
eftsomeoneatthegate.
"If
orgot
,Ileftsomeoneatt
hegate.
"She'
sal
ready
onherfeetreadytorunout
side.
"
Who?
"Onyi
yeasksi
nconf
usi
on.
"
TheguyIwast el
li
ngyouabout
.Iwantyout
omeet
t
hatpsychopat
hoe."
Onyiyel
aughspicki
ngNdimuwhowaspl ayi
ngwith
hi
stoysbutLindiwegrabshi
m outofherhands,
Ngimuwasf astasl
eep.
Theybothst
epoutofthehouseandwalkt
owards
thegat
e.Li
ndiweknocksonthewindowst
art
li
ng
Mpil
o.
"Mngani,t
hismandoesn' tstr
ikeasapsychopath."
Onyiyewithhersl
ipperymout h.Li
ndi
wesecr et
ly
pinchesherthi
ghsignall
inghertoziphermouth.
Mpi l
orai
seshiseyebrowsl ooki
ngatthem confused.
Hi
seyesar
eredandl
ookst
ir
ed.
"Thisismybestf
ri
end,si
sterOnyi
yebutyoucan
callherGi
ft
.Mylovethi
sisMpilo.
"
"
Hei
,youl
ookt
ooser
iousbut
i.Ar
eyouokay.
"
"
NgisharpSi
si."Hesmilesabit
.Lindi
wesmil
es
l
ookingatOnyiye-knowingherfr
iendshei
sabout
t
ogivehim alongassspeech!
"I
fyouhur tmyfriendIwillmakeyourdeat hl
ook
l
ikeanacci dent
.Youseet hi
swoman, Iloveherwit
h
everythinginme.She' sallthatIhave,mymot her,
mysi sterandadaught er
.Wear eofsameageyes
butwel ookoutf oreachot her.Ifyoumakehercr y-
j
ustevenat i
nydot…..
youwon' tseeheaven.Iwil
l
bit
eyourbal l
ssohar dthatyouwi l
lfor
getwho's
yourmot her.
"Mpi l
ocringestothesoundofthat.He
cant akeeverythi
ngelsebutnotthemotherpart."I
don'tknowyoubutI '
m givi
ngyouachance.Thel ast
punkt ol
dhert hatshewasn'tworthi
tbutshe'ssti
ll
standingtal
lher ewit
hme.
She'
sthemoststubbor
n,beaut
if
ul,
funny,i
nsane,
goof
ypersonIknow.Don'
tchangeher.Shehasa
bi
gheart.
Also,she'
spr et
tyseti nherways.Shel ikesal otof
theoldschooltraditi
onsondat i
ng.Chivalryiskey.
Whenshel ovesshel ovesdeepandwhenshe
decidestodiscardyoushewi l
ldoitwithouthavi ng
doubts.Whenshecr ies,wipeawayhert ears.Bri
ng
herthebiggestchocol atemilkshakeyoucanf ind.I
f
she'scryi
ngbecauseofyou, Ihavescr eenshot sshe
sentmef orwhat everyoudo.Iwi l
lhol
dt hem
againstyou.Nowt hatIhavesai dmypar t
….isthere
anythingthatyouwi lll
ikeIknowaboutme? "
Mpilolooksatherdumbfounded.Neveri
namil
li
on
yearshasheeverbeenthreghtenedbyawoman
before.
Hechucksshaki
nghi
sheadnotbel
ievi
ng.He
decidest
ost
epoutoft
hecar
,andstandnextt
o
them.
"Ihearyoumi ss,
"heleansagainstthecarcrossi
ng
hislegswithhisarmscr ossedacrosshi
schest .
"Katirel
ax,sheisinsafehands.She'sst
il
lshy
aroundmebutwhent heti
mei sri
ghtIknowt he
crazyLindiwewillpopout.Youcant r
ustyourfri
end
withme. "
"
Ver
ywel
lthen,
fornow-Iwi
llt
akeyourwor
dfori
t.
"
Onyiyesmi l
escar essi
ngonLi ndi
we'schubby
cheeks."I'
m str
aight-justi
ncaseyouf or
get.
"They
bothlaughmaki ngMpi lotoshakehisheadnot
bel
ieving.It
'snotwhathet houghtitwas!
[
08/
18,
03:
34] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER13

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE
she'
ssmi
li
ngal
lthewaywi
thMpi
logl
anci
ngather
.
"So,that'
syourlove?
"Heasksswal l
owingabit.He
sti
llcannotgetoverthefactt
hatt
heycalleach
otherwithsuchnames.WhoknowswhatLi ndiwe
tol
dt hatgir
lbackinther
e.Maybeit’
sjustacoverup.
"
Who?Onyi
ye?
"
Henodshishead."
Moret
hanmylove.I
'm sohappy
toseeherandmybabi
es.
"Shesqueal
sin
exci
tement.
"
Babi
es?Idi
dn'
tknowt
hatyouhavebabi
es.
"
"
Technical
lyt
heynotminef
rom bi
rt
hbutt
heymi
ne.
What'
shersismines.
"
"
WhichmeansI'm al
soher
s?"Hiseyebr
ows
f
urr
owedsti
llf
ocusedontheroad.
"
Evenmor e,
"sher
esponds-hehar
shlypr
esseson
t
hebrakesmakinghert
omoverforwardabi
t.
"
Shi
t!Ar
eyouokay?
"
"
Wer
eyout
ryi
ngt
oki
llme!
"She'
smad,
"
It
'syou.
"
Shel
ooksathi
m bri
efl
yandbursti
ntol
aught
er."
It
's
methatmadeyoupresshar
dlyi
nthosewhat
,
what
?"
"
Mxm,
"hesmi
lesshor
tl
ybef
oregoi
ngt
enseagai
n.

"Areyoual
waysthi
supti
ght
?"Li
ndi
weasks
steppi
ngoutoft
hecar
.She'
sbackher
eagain!
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Hel
ockst
hedoorandwal
ks
t
owar
dstheli
ft
s.
"
Youdon'
tlaugh,
har
dlyt
alk,
njeyoust
if
finaway.
"
"Dependsonwhoyouar e.
"Her
espondsandcheck
hiswristwat
ch."
I'
m goi
nghomelat
eron.Myuncle
willf
etchme."
"
Okay,
Iwi
llgot
orest
hen.
"
"No!
"Theystepoutoft
hel
if
twi
thLi
ndi
wel
ooki
ngat
him ast
oni
shed.
"What!I
'
m beginni
ngtothinkt
hatyouarea
cont
roll
ingbastar
dthatonlyt
hinksofhi
m…."
Adeepheavyki
ss.Al
ust
yki
ssonherl
ips,
the
cl
assi
cmake-outsessi
onmaki
ngherkneesweak.
Hepull
sherl
owerlipshar
dandsof
tl
ybiti
ngthem.
"
Ihewashakhekhe!
"
BothMpil
oandLindi
wegetst
art
ledbyt
hevoi
ce
andthecl
apofhands.
"
Baba,
"Mpi
lo'
seyeswanderar
ound.
"Chadon'tbabame.Am Ichil
li
es?
"Embar rassi
ng!
"Ntokazi
,gegal
agegeangi
thukiWenangithuka
uthando.Uyangi
fakanomauyangifaka?
"
"
Lindiwegoi nsi
deandwaitforme."Mpil
oinstructs.
Withoutaskinganymorequesti
onsLindi
wehur ri
es
f
orherl i
fe.ShethanksMpil
oforsavi
ngherl i
fe
t
her e.Mpil
oisleftt
odealwit
hthecrazySpikes.

Bef
oret
heyl
eftLindi
wehasalr
eadycooked.Justa
si
mpledi
shputhuandchi
cken.
Spi
keseat
swi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d….
"
Por
nSt
ar,
yourf
oodi
sessent
ial
s."
Li
ndi
wel
ooksathi
mlost
."Yousee,
youwi
llf
itwel
l
i
nourcategory.Justsoyouknow,ifyoumarryt
his
j
unki
e-youar emar r
yingever
ybitoftheMyeza
i
ncl
udingGingermydog. "
"Babaplease,
youar
eembar
rassi
ngme.
"Mpi
lo
hisses.
"Letmetel
lyousomethingaboutthisDom Kopp.
Youseethescarsonhisforehead.Heusedto
bumphisheadallover-nowonderhei smindless.
Didyouseethetat
tooonhisback? "Li
ndi
wenods
herheadinagr
eement.
"That
'shi
smother
.Youknowwhatshedi
dwhen
shefoundoutt
hathedr
ewherf
aceonhisback?
"
"
Whatdi
dshedo?
"Li
ndi
weasks.
"
Sheb….
"
"
Mal
ume,
that
'senough.
"Mpi
lopl
eadswi
thhi
seyes.
"Mypor nstarchi
ldr
en."Spikespat
sonMpil
o's
shoulder-hesighsindefeatmode.Themanwith
therunnymout hinthefamily!

Li
ndi
wei
stext
ingbackt
obackwi
thOnyi
ye.Mpi
lo
l
ooksatherbri
efl
yandnoti
cest
hatshel
ovesher
f
amil
ymor ethananyt
hing.
Theyhavebeencoopedupi
nthi
sfl
atwat
chi
ng
movies….
I
t'
shar
dtoresi
stsuch,
hei
samanbuthehast
o
t
akei
tdownasitis.
Sheput
sherphonedownsmi
li
ngandt
urnst
oface
hi
m.
"Goodni
ght.
"Shesayslooki
ngathim.Sheslides
downont hebedcover
inghersel
ftheduvet
.
Nott
hatheisafrai
dofhavingint
imacywit
hher.I
t'
s
j
ustthatt
hei
rrel
ati
onshipstar
tedonawrongfoot
andnowbeinglabel
ledasapsychopath.
"Who'sapsychopat
h? "Hefi
ndshi
msel
faski
ng.
Lindi
weuncoversherself
…..
"
Idi
dn'
tsayyouwer
e."Feari
nhereyes.
"It
'sokay-youmostdef ini
tel
ywerenotwrongto
thinkwhatyourmi nddroveyouto.Butj
utsoyou
know, Iwil
lneverhurtawomani nanyway.My
mot herneverthoughtmeinthatmanner.Ir
espect
womanmor ethanIrespectmyself.Ihaveabunch
ofsibli
ngsbackathome. "Hesi
ghssl idi
ngdown
alsolayi
ngnexttoher."Thi
sisjustme, butyouwi
ll
getusedtomewhent imegoesby.I '
m notgoingt
o
forceyou-butIwilll
etthecour
sedof ori
tsel
f.
Wenanj ejustknowthatyouaremi neandmi ne
alone."
"
Howwi l
lIknowi
sthatyouar
enott
oyi
ngwi
thmy
f
eel
ings?
"Sheasks.
"Myactionswil
lspeakforitself
.I'
m notmuchofa
tal
kerbutIcandefi
nit
elyact .
"Her espondskissi
ng
thebri
dgeofhernoise."Areyoudonewi thyour
peri
ods?"Heaskswi t
hhi salreadyhandtraveli
ng
downtoherhoneypot .
"
Justl
it
tl
edr
ops.Byt
omor
rowt
heywi
llbegone.
"
"Comesl
eep.
"Hel
aysonhi
sbackandpat
sonhi
s
chest
.
Thi
sfeel
ssoi
mpl
ausi
bly….
.
"Whatdoyouseeinme?WhenIlookatyouIseea
manwhoi st
hattypet
hatdat
eshist
ype."Shehas
herheadonhi
schestwit
hhisar
m aroundherwaist
.
"That
'swhereyouar ewrong.Mytypeisnotwhat
youthink.Mytypeisyou,Imaynothaveagood
wayofappr oachi
ngbutjustknowthatyouaret
he
bestonecant rul
ydesi
re."
"
Isee,
"shesi
ghsnott
oosur
e."
WhataboutThabi
?"
"
Whatabouther
?"Hegl
ancesather
….
"Nevermind-"doesshetellhimthatshehas
i
nsecurit
ies?She'snotconfidentenoughabouther
selfest
eem.
"
Tal
k."Hecommands.
"Okay,si
nceyousaywearedat
ing.Wi
lli
thappen
thatyouwil
lfi
ndyour
sel
fmissi
ngher?
"That
questi
on….
"Honest
ly,Thabiiswil
dinbedandknowshert hi
ng
butIwil
lneverdateher.Somyanswert oyoui sno-
onceItakefurt
herstepsIdon'
tlookback.Angeke
ngihl
anzeumhl anzongiphi
ndengiwudl
e.I'
m aman
ofmyownwor ds.SotrustmewhenIsayIwi llnot
gobackt oher.
"
St
il
lshe'
snothundr
edper
centsur
eoft
hissetup.
"Wenajustfocusonyoursel
fandbookst herestwi
ll
fol
low.
"Headdsmaki nghert
omel t
.Maybehei s
notapsychopathafteral
lassheconstruct
edhim.
Maybegivinghim achancewon'tbeabadi dea.
Shesmilesremovingherheadoffhischestbuthe
hol
dshert i
ghter
.
"Ij
ustwantt ousethebathroom."Shegi ggles
gett
ingoffthebed.Shecameherwear ingaf lor
al
shortdresswithf
li
pf l
opsandabi ckerjacket.Since
Fri
dayshehasbeenwear i
nghist-
shirt
st hat'
s
almostasizeofadr essonher.Atleasthewasman
enought obuyhertoil
etr
iesandunder wear’sfor
changing.
"Whyar eyoufoll
owingme?"Shest
opsonher
tr
acksandl ooksathim.Heenj
oyswal
kingar
ound
halfnaked,t
hatshehasnoti
ced.
"
Idon'tt
rustyou.Youmightj
ustj
umpoutoft
he
window.
"Hesayspushinghertowar
dst
hetoi
let
.
"I
t'
salmost10pm andwenayouthi
nkImight
escape?
"She'
sconfused.Whywoul
dhethinksuch?
"
Aft
ert
hequest
ionsyouhavebeenaski
ngmeIdo
nott
rustyouonebi
twoman.Godoyourbusi
ness.
"
What
!
Shehasneverhear
dsuch!
Shehasalwaysbeennakedi
nfr
ontofhi
m because
heissuchaninspect
or.
Shepullsherpant
iesdownandnot i
cesthepadhas
notspots.Shesmilesi
nrel
iefbutgui
ltt
akeover
.
It
'snothernormalperi
odsbutshekil
ledan
i
nnocentsoul.

Shepeel
sthepadoffherpanti
es,r
oll
ingitand
secur
esi
twithatoi
letpapert
hrowi
ngi ti
nthebin.
Shepull
sherpant
iesupandflushest
hetoil
etwit
h
Mpilogawki
ngather.Shewashesherhandswipi
ng
them wi
thhert
owelthatshewasbought.
"Youshoul
dhavesomeofyourcl
othesher
e?"Mpi
lo
suggest
.
"
Hai
bo!Why?
"
Ai
n'tt
heboymovi
ngt
oof
ast
?Soonhewi
llbe
aski
nghert
omovei
nwi
thhi
m.
"
Forcontr
ol.
"Heleavesherst
andi
ngandgoesback
t
otheroom l
eavi
ngherastoni
shed.
Shefol
lowsshort
lyaf
tershehasr
ecover
edand
col
lect
edhermind.
Sheget
sinbed….
"Tomorrowafter
noonIexpectsomeofyourclot
hes
here.Ishoul
daskMbusot omakeyouadi skandI
willmakeasparekeyforyou.
"
"
Don'
tyouthi
nkthatmaybeyouar
emovi
ngok
f
ast
?"Concer
ning!
Shepul l
stheduvetcover
ingherl
egsandleans
againsttheheadboar
d.Hejoi
nsinshort
lyafter
gett
ingfull
ynaked.That'
showheenjoyssleepi
ng.
"
No,Il
ovebei
ngnexttowhat
'smi
ne.Iwon'
tgeti
n
t
hewayofyourst
udiesandt
hati
sapromise.
"
Hetakesherhandandentwi
nehisfingerwi
thher
s.
"
Ilovehowsoftyourbodyi
s?"Seducti
veasmuch!
Shesmi
lesl
ooki
ngont
hesi
de.
"
Youneedt
ochangeyourbr
aids.
"
"
Idon'
thavemoney.
"Sher
esponds.
"
Butyouhavemoneytogi
veyouyourf
ri
end?
"He
r
aiseshi
seyebr
ows.
"Onyiyeistheonl yfr
iendI'
veknownsi ncepr i
mar y.
She'salwayst hereforme-she' sver ygoodi nmat h
andsheusedt odomyhomewor k’
swi thoutasking
anythinginr et
urn.Youseet hatgi rl
,sheis
everythi
nginme.Iwoul drathergi vehert hatlast
thatIhavet hentolethersuffer.Shegr ewup
sufferi
ngathomeso…. l
et'
snott alkaboutt hi
s."
"
Okay,Iunderstand.ButIhaveonelastquestion,
whydoyoucal leachothersthuphet
hu?"Lindiwe
l
aughs.Surel
yhel ist
enstoeveryconversati
on.
"Becauseshegotpr
egnantatt
hemat r
icdanceand
shedoesn'tknowwhothefat
herofherbabyis.
"
Shelaughs.
"That
'
sbabyyouwerecar
ryi
ngi
sher
s?Thebabi
es
onyourp.
pareher
s?"
"
Yes,
butt
heyar
emi
nest
oo.Wehadt
his
conver
sat
ion,
whyar
ewer
epeat
ingi
t?"
"
Ilover
epeat
ingconver
sat
ions.
"
Hai
bo!Whodoest
hati
nthe21cent
ury.
"
Youbor
ing.
"
"Notmydickt
hough.
"Hesaysmakinghert
olaugh
outloudandt
hisi
swhathewishescoul
dgodown
everyday.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"
AreyousureDur
bani
stheplaceyouwantt
obe
i
n?"AskKhozawhowasfocusedonther
oad.
"I
'
m sure.Ihavetofi
ndthem bef
oreDumisanidoes.
Ihaveafeeli
ngthathehasherpict
ures.
"
"
Igetyou.I
'l
laskmywomant
ohel
pin,
maybeshe
mightf
indsomethi
ng.
"
Khozaof
fer
ingt
ohel
ptoabr
otheri
nneed.
"
Appr
eci
ated.Sowhati
sthepl
anoft
heone'
s
f
oll
owi
ngbehi
nd?
"
Sthembi
soglancesatBi
ggi
escart
hatwas
fol
lowi
ngthem.Tazzisi
nfr
ontwi
thhi
sredTazz….
"Watchandsee. "Theyappr oacht herobotsand
theyallstandinonel ane.Thelightt urngreen,
Khozai ndicat
esr i
ghtandTazzt akest heri
ghtlane.
Theydr i
veabi tfasterleavingBiggi e'scarfar
behind.Khozapr essesabut tont hathehandonhi s
handsandt hecarbl ewi nt
oflamesscat teri
ngall
overther oad.
"OwJehovasibawoti
!"St
hembi
sosquealsi
nshock
andfar
ts."
Undressmyeyesintheseci
rcumst
ances.
Ithi
nkmybladderisful
lnoempty.OwGod,ar
ethey
dead?Iwantt
ot hr
owup. "
"
Itol
dyout
obeamanandgr
owsomebal
ls!
"
"HowmanymustIgr ow?Youdon'tunderst
anddo
you?Isawthem t
hroughthosefl
ames-they
shri
nkednothewerechoppedint
opieces!"
Hehal
fscr
eams.
Khozatakesashor
tlef
twit
hTazzfoll
owi
ngbehi
nd.
HeignoresSt
hembiso'
sbabycr
ies.
Sixhoursandfortyminutesont heroadandfi
nal
ly
theyareinDurban.Sthembisoisst r
uggl
ingt
oget
anysleep.Pi
cturesofflames,screams….
Hesi t
supst r
aight-t heycheckedinahot eli
nthe
middleoft henight .Maybehewi l
lbefaci
ngdeath
penalty.Heslowl yget softheenormousbed
headingt othebat hr oom topee.Hel ooksatthe
ref
lectionofhimsel font hemirror.
Hishandtr
avel
sdownt
owher
ehi
sbal
lsar
e-he
hastwo.
Whatdi
dKhozameanwhenhesai
dheshoul
dgr
ow
somebal
ls?
Arepeei
ngheshakeshi
smemberemptyi
ngi
tand
t
ucksitbacki
nsi
deandgoesbackt
obed.
Hekneel
sont hebedandsaysali
tt
lepr
ayer
."Ow
fat
her
,whoarearti
sti
nheaven.Amen,Moya
oyi
ngcwel
e."
ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Thefol
lowi
ngmor ningshehaspr
epar
edher
sel
fto
gotobeinthedoctors.
Sbahl
efet
chedherandsenthert
othedoct
or….
Thedoctori
susingthesli
tlampt
ocheckNdimu's
eyes.Hehasbeeninspect
inghi
mf ort
hepast15
minutes.
"It
'stooearl
ytotelli
fsur
geryi
sr equir
ed.ButwhatI
havenot i
cedisthathehasashor teyesightandat
thispointathi
sage-unfort
unatelyglassesare
required.
"
"I
sn'thetooyoungf orhimtowearglasses?Can't
yougi vehim medi
cationatl
east
?"Theconcerned
mot herasks.Onyi
yedoesn'tseehersonwear i
ng
glasses.Atl
eastanotheropti
oncanbepr ovi
ded.
"Yes,eyedropswillbeprovi
ded.Buttheglasseswil
l
stophiseyefrom twitchi
ngtotheri
ghtfrequent
ly.
Oncehi sayearold,thenwecandeterminei f
surgeryisr
equir
edornot .Atthi
spointit
'stooearl
y
totel
landhi
smusclesar
enotyetst
rongt
ohol
dan
operat
ionf
orhour
s."
Shesi
ghssadl
y,"
Ihearyou,sowhatnow?"Shegive
Ndi
muhisbott
let
hathasglucosei
nit.Ngi
muphiwe
i
sathomewithMam Phil
isi
we.
"
What
'st
hati
nhi
sbot
tl
e?"
"
Glucose.
"Sher
esponds.
"Howoftendogivehi
m?Eversi
nceyougotheryou
havebeengivi
nghimthat
."
"
Ever
yday,
"sher
esponds.
"
Morel
ikeshegi
veshi
m ever
yhour
."Sbahl
echi
rps
i
npoki
ngherwit
hherel
bow.
"Glucosei sgoodandbad.I tcanal sohavemany
negativehealtheff
ects.Hyper glycaemiacan
damaget hevessel
st hatsupplybl oodtovit
al
organs, whichcanincreasether iskofheartdi
sease
andst roke,ki
dneydisease,visionpr obl
ems,and
nervepr oblems
Itcanfur
thercauseconf
usi
on,f
ever,
sweati
ng,pal
e
skin,
severeshort
nessofbr
eat
h,chestpai
n.When
babiesarebetween6and12mont hsofage,breast
mi l
korformulacont i
nuestobeapr i
ori
tyoverwater.
Butifyouof f
erbreastmilkorfor
mulaf i
rst
,youcan
thenofferwater,
2-3ouncesatat ime.Fornow, st
op
givi
nghi m gl
ucose."Thedoctorsuggests.
"
OkayIunder
stand.
"
"Applytheseeyedr opseverymor ning.Youwi l
lbe
hereont hi
sdatet ocoll
ecttheinfantsglasses.
Babiesdon'tdevelopvisi
onf r
om distanceunt i
lthey
arearound12mont hsold,butiftheyareshowi ng
signsthatthei
rsightisnotdevelopingpr operl
y,
theywillbeprescri
bedglasses-justl i
ket hi
schamp
here.
"Thedoct ortouchesNdimu’ shair.

“
Ican'
tbel
ievemysonwi
llweargl
asses.
"
Onyiyesayssteppi
ngoutofthedoctor
s."
Can'twait
toseethem.Imaginehowcutehewi l
lbe.
"Sbahle
saysunlocki
ngherAvanza.ShetakesNdimufrom
Onyiyebuckl
inghim uponhiscarseat
.
"
EishIf
orgotmyphoneinthetabl
e."Onyi
ye
r
emember s."
Iwi
llbeback.
"Sherunsbackinsi
de
l
eavi
ngsbahl
einst
it
ches.
"Youmotherissomet hi
ngel seboy.
"Heopensa
packetofchi
psandhandsi ttohim."Don'
tdrop
them br
o."Ndimugrinsclappinghishandsin
exci
tement.Shelooksathisf aceandsmiles….
Sbahl
espot
sOnyiyef
rom adi
stanceandget
sint
he
carwai
ti
ngforher
.
Onyi
yebumpsi
ntosomeguywhowasheavi
ly
beat
en.
"Askies.
"Hesayswal
kingpasther
.Helooksather
closelyashi
shear
tpounded.I
sthiswhohethinks
i
ti s?
"
Nextt
imewat
chwher
eyougoi
ng.
"
"ExcusemeSi si,canwetalk.Li
ketal
k."Hecomes
closerbutOnyiyetakesstepsback."
Iloveyou.I
havebeenl ookingforyouallt
hiswhi
le."
"
Yousick.
"Sher unstowardst
hecarwit
htheman
l
impingbehi
ndher .Shegetsi
ntot
hecarcl
osi
ngi
t
wit
hherheartpounding.
"
Andt
hen?
"
"Idon'
tknow.Ithinkheissickorsomet hing.Heis
nothimself
."She'
sshiveri
ngoutoff ear.Sbahle
l
ooksathim closelybutshedoesn'trecognisehim
onebit.
"Shame,wonderwhathappenedt
ohim.
"Sheroar
s
theengi
ne,r
eversesoutoft
heparki
ngl
otand
dri
vesoff
.

"
IloveMcDonald'
s,i
t'
ssonice.
"She'
sli
cki
ngher
f
ingersenj
oyi
ngeverybi
teofit
.
"
Icantel
l,
"Sbahl
esaysleani
ngbackl
ooki
ngat
Onyi
yetaki
nghugebit
es.
"
Youwi
llchoke!Sl
owdown.
"Shet
ell
sher
."
"Youhavenoi
deawhatI'
mf eel
ingrightnow.Wena
youareusedt
othi
s.Canyoubel i
evethatthi
sisthe
fi
rstt
imeofmeeat
ingsuch.Abur gertobepreci
se.
"
Sbahl
elaughsshaki
ngherhead.I
t'
sfunnyhow
she'
sisenjoyi
ngandwatchi
nghereat.I
t'
s
memorable.
"
Youwi
llhaveal
otoft
hose.
"Shel
ooksatherwat
ch.
"
Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.Ihavet
obesomewher
e."

Sbahl
edrivest
hroughthehotelpar
kingl
ot."
Look
Ndimu,t
hatmanhast hesameexacthairasyours.
"
Sbahl
epointsoutatt
heskinnymanwhoj usttooka
cor
ner.
"Where?"Onyi
yemoveshereyesof
fNdimu.Sheis
cleani
ngthemessNdimumadewi t
hthechipshe
wasgiven.
"Hewasr ightther e,
hei
sgone.Sorr
yyourloss.
"
Sbahlegigglesl ooki
ngatt
heannoyedOnyiye.
"Ncese,nextt i
me.Don'tl
eavet
hiscarIwil
lbe
back."Shest epsoutandwalkstowardst
hehotel.
Onyiyei
slefti
nthecaradmi
ri
ngthetallbui
ldi
ngs.
I
ndeedDur banist
rul
ybeaut
if
ul.I
t'
ssounl i
ke
Eshowe.Herhometownissosmallbutyethomely.
"Iwonderhowthi
ngsareathome. "Shesi
ghs
l
eaningherheadback.Shewonder si
fwouldshe
havebeenthi
sopenandf ree.Whenwasthelast
ti
meherheartfel
tatease?Never!Thi
sisthefi
rst
.
Andshenowt rul
ybeli
evesthatGodworksin
di
ff
erentways.
[
08/
18,
03:
34] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER14

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

She'
sgett
ingi
nthehandoft
ownandsheenjoys
bei
ngaroundwit
hthehel
pofSbahl
eofcour
se.
Sbahletookhert otheli
brarythismor ningandshe
wil
lfetchherl at
eron.Sheneedsmuchr esear chas
shecouldget .Shedoest hefinaltouchesandf eel
s
sati
sfi
ed.Doi ngthismakesherr emembert hedays
shehadi nhighschoolandwhatshepr omi sed
hersel
f.She’sher edoi
ngwhatshel ovesmost .It'
s
nowt i
met ogobackhomet oherki ds.Shej ust
wantedtimeawaysoshecoul drewindandf eedher
mind.Shecl osesherbooksandshovest hem i nher
bagpack.Shest andsupsmi li
ngwi thi
nher self.She
neverimaginedher sel
fthisfocused.
Shest
epsoutoft
hel
ibr
aryandawai
tsf
orSbahl
e
butl uckil
yshespot sheracrosst her oad.Shewai t
s
patientlytocrossovertotheothersi debutt he
streetsareabusybee.Onyi yenot icesSbahl e
kissingamanandOnyi yegiggles.Themanst eps
i
nt oabr andnewcaranddr ivesof finfullspeed.
Finallyshecr ossestheroadandshecannotwai tt
o
talkabouti tall
.
"
Whowast
hat
?"Nosyasmuch.
"
Someone,It
houghtI'
llcomefet
chyouf
rom t
he
i
nsi
de.
"Sbahlechangesthesubj
ect
.
"
Youthi
nkIwoul
dgetlost
?"She'snotof
fended.
Dur
banist
oobigforagi
rll
ikeher.
"
Yes,
"theyl
aughget
ti
ngi
nthecar
.
"What
ever.I'
m wai
ti
ng-whowast
hatmi
ster
?"She
asksbuckl
ingup.
"
Noone,
youl
ovenewsWenangane.
"
"I
'
llt
ellmum. "Onyi
yefoldsherhandsdramat i
call
y.
Sbahlelooksatherandherheartsinksabit.She
l
ostasisterwhowasver ymuchnoisy-thatgirl
l
ovednewsl ikenobodiesbusiness.Nowondershe
i
ssodrawnt
oher.Sher
emindsheroft
hel
atesi
ster
whodr
owned.Shewasonl
y15years.
Shehi
dest
het
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngt
ocomeout
.
Shechucksshaki
ngherhead."Youcr
azy."She
st
art
sthecaranddri
vesofftaki
ngOnyiyehome.

Afterbei
ngdr oppedoffbySbahl
eshedeci dedto
cook.Justcouplepfdaysorweeksbeforemont h
endandshej ustwant st
ochangeherwar drobe.
WithoutOnyiyenoti
cingNdimusit
sonNgi mu' st
iny
face.Hist
inycr i
esgetsOnyi
ye'
sattent
ion.
"Jesus!
"Shedropst
hekni
feonthefl
oorandhurr
ies
removingthel
aughi
ngNdi
mu."Ndimuphiwe!
"She
shoutsremovi
nghim.
Hegrinsandcrawl ssofasttogetholdoftheknif
e
onthefloor
.Hegr abstheknife-sit
sdownand
begi
nstobangi tagainstt
hecar dboar
d.Onyiye
pi
cksupt hecr
yingNgi mut r
yingtocalm hi
m down.
"KodwaNkosi
.Whatthehel
liswr
ongwi
thyou!
"She
hissesmar
chi
ngtowardsNgimuwhowasl
aughing
hislungsout .Shegrabstheknifeoutofhishands
andsi ghsfeeli
ngexhausted.Sheplacesitontopof
thetableandl ooksathim pl
ayingwiththe
vegetablesscatter
edalloverthefl
oor.Shesinks
downont hef l
oorwit
hNgi muagainstherchestand
burstintotears.
I
fonlyhermot
herwashershewoul
dhavet
oldher
whattodo.
"What’
swithallt
henoise?"Mam Phil
isi
wesays
steppi
nginsi
detheroom.Shef i
ndsOnyiyeonthe
fl
oorcryi
ngherlungsout."Yi
niSi
si?
"Sheasks.
"
It
'shar
dbei
ngamot
her
."
"Parent i
ngi shardmychi ld.Itchangestoment al
health."Shel ooksatherf orasecond." I
t'
sokay-I
willtaketheki dswithme.Iknowi t'shardandyou
arest i
llhangupont hepastbutyouneedt oletgo.
Youneedt ogowat eryourgar den."Mentioningthe
wor dgar denmakeshersmi l
et hr
ought hoset ear
s.
Shest andsupsmi l
ingabi t
.Shewi pesthet ears
fal
lingf r
om herf aceandsi ghscollecti
ngher self
.
"I
'm sor r
yf orbeingabur den."
"What
,abur
den?Nodearyouar enot
.Itakeyouli
ke
myowndaughter.Youlooksomuchli
keher."The
pai
ninMam Phil
isi
we'seyesi
sverymuchvisibl
e.
"
Who?Sbahl
e?"
"
No,
she'
slat
e."Sher
espondswi
thaheavyhear
t.
"
Whathappened?
"Onyiyeasks.Shemakeshersi
t
i
nachairwi
thhersi
tt
ingonthesponge.
"Irememberitlikei
twasyesterday.Asafamil
y, we
decidedtogooutt othebeachandhavesomef un,
sincethei
rfatherwasaround.Heagr eedt
oitand
thenthefoll
owingdayonaSat urdaywewentt ot he
beach.ItwasmeSbahl e,myhusbandandmyl ate
daughter.
Shel ovednatur
ethatitannoyedmeattimesbutI
under st
andthatshetakesitf
rom herf
ather
.She
playedinthesandplantingfl
owers-onl
yGod
knowswher eshegott hem fr
om.
Irememberclear
lywhensheaskedmet ogoswim
i
nt hepoolandIagr
eedbecauseIknowit'
sno
dangerandIcanseethem.Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedbutwestart
edheari
ngnoise.Myhear
t
knewandt ol
dmet hatmydaught erisindanger .I
sawacr owdgat heredbyt heseaandIr anintothe
waterandst artedshout i
ngmychi ld'
sname, but
heardnor eply.Ijustclosedmyeyesandsai da
sil
entprayer.Isaid' Lor
d,ifi
t'
syourwill
,thenI
understand,justreleasemychi l
d'sbodytome' .I
thenfeltasenseofcal mnessovermybody, andI
justknewshe' sgone.
WhenIopenedmyeyes,
Ihear
dpeopleshouti
ng,"….
ther
esheis"
,asamancamecarr
yingherl
if
eless
bodytoshor
e.
Despi
tet
heirbestef
for
ts,
rescuer
scoul
dnotsave
mydaughter.
Aheartbeatwasr estor
edbypar amedicsandmy
chil
dwast ransportedtohospi t
alinacrit
ical
condit
ionwher ehospitalstaf
f,doctorsandnurses
conti
nuedr esusci
tati
onef for
ts.”Shetakesadeep
breat
hpr eventi
ngthetear sfr
om f al
li
ng.
"
Wow,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
"
"
Yea,i
t'
sli
febabegi
rl
.Andwehavetomoveon
f
rom i
t.Br
ingt
hesetwotome.Theymakeme
f
orget
."

She'
scleani
ngthemessNdimumade.Thi
schi
ldi
s
waytooacti
veandshecannotpi
ckup.
Shesitsdownonherspongei
nanemptyhouse
anditkindoff
eel
sweir
d-nokids,
nonoi
se,noone
toshoutto.
Maybet
aki
nganapwi
lldo.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

She'
sinresboredtodeath.Shestepsoutofthe
showerwrappi
ngher sel
fwit
hatowel.She'salone
wit
hnoThabithrowingshadesaround.
Thedoorhar
shl
ycl
osesmaki
nghert
ofl
inchabi
t.
Thr
eegi
rl
swal
kinandl
ockt
hedoort
urni
ngt
oface
her
.
"
Yeswena,"Li
ndiwestepbackwar
dswi t
hfear
.She
l
eansagai
nstthewallwit
hherheartpumpi
ngin
agonyf
il
ledwi
thf
ear
.
"
Th….
Thabii
sn….
nother
e."Shest
utt
ersaf
rai
dly.
"
Wecametoseeyou.
"Onesmi
rkst
aki
ngst
eps
t
owar
dsher
.
"Aboyf
riendsnatcher
."Anot
herr
espondsgr
abbi
ng
herbr
aidsforcef
ull
ymakinghertof
li
nch.
"Youhurti
ngme!"Shesaysholdingbackthet
ears
await
ingtodropoutofhereyes.Oneofthegi
rls
grabthetowelt
hatwaswr appedaroundhert
hick
bodyleavi
nghernaked.
Shetri
eshi di
ngherbr east
sandhoneypotfor
prot
ecti
onbutf ai
ls.Beingpul
ledbyyourbr
aidsi
s
extr
emelypainful-it
'sanunbearabl
epaint
hatone
cannottake.
Ahar shslaplandsonherfacecl
osingherlef
teye
i
nstantly.Shescreamsoutofpai
nandt r
iesholdi
ng
herfacebutherhandsquicklyf
lybacktothehead.
"Letmego!
"Shescr
eamsandt
ri
eswi
ggl
ingher
sel
f
outoft
heti
ghtgr
ip.
"
Ineedt
otakeavi
deooft
his!
"Oneoft
hegi
rl
sbeam
i
nexci
temental
readyr
ecor
dingt
heevent
s.
"
Hol
dherf
rom behi
nd.
"Theyi
nst
ructeachot
her
.
Onekick-t hepainbecomesmor egener
alisedwhen
i
treachest heabdomen.Thef eeli
ngofpressureis
i
ntensi
fiedbycr amping.Shegroanspainfullywit
h
thi
cksalivadri
ppingoutofhermout h.Anot her
punchont hefaceandshe' sbeingthr
ownont he
fl
oors.
"Holdherlegsapart
."Shet
ri
escur
li
nghersel
fint
oa
ballbutshe'
sbeingpull
edbyal
ldi
rect
ions.
Herlegsarebei
ngforcef
ull
yopenexposi
ngher
honeypot.Herhandsarebeinghel
dagai
nsther
head.Nomovement-hur t
,theshame….
"Awemahhh!"Shecr
iesoutl
oudmaki
ngt
het
hree
gir
lst
olaugh.
"Thi
sisIwantt
oshowt oever
yschoolmat e.I
nfact
,
Iwantthewhol
ewor l
dtoseethi
s.I
'm posti
ngiton
Facebookandt
aggingever
yone!
"Shel owersher
phonetaki
ngacloservi
ewofherneat
lyshaved
nuna.
Herdepressionhi
tit
slowestpointwhenshedi dn’
t
feelanyt
hinganymore.Shecri
ed, butshewas
numb.Shedi dn’
tcareaboutanythingoranyone.

Theyhaveleftandsheislef
talonewit
hathrobbi
ng
headache.Hereyesi
ghtisbl
urry-she'
sbl
eeding
fr
om thenoiseandherswollenmouth.
Shedragsherbodyf
rom t
hef
loort
ryi
ngt
ohol
dof
herphone.
Typi
ngt hatpasswordfeltl
ikeapunishmentshe
cannotexplai
n.Herfingershurt
.Theystompedoni
t
multi
pleti
mesunt i
ltheywer enumbf r
om pai
n.
Af
tert
hreef
ail
edat
tempt
sherphonef
inal
lyunl
ocks.
Lastnumberthatcal
ledhershepr
essest
hrough
herblur
ryvi
sion.
"He….he….hel
p."Herhandget
sheavierbyt
he
second.Sheremovesherhandsl owl
yasitdropped
onthef l
oorwiththecal
lst
il
lrunni
ng.Shecanfeel
herheartbeatstoppi
ngsecondbysecond.
Hear
ingvoi
cesf
rom af
ar….

Shefeelsli
keshe'ssl eepingonabl ockofconcret
e.
Shefeelsdisori
ented, confused,grouchy,scar
ed,
embarrassed.Painmedi cati
oncanmakeyouf eel
i
rri
tabl
e.Lossofst rengt h,j
ointfuncti
onand
mobili
ty.That’
showshef eels,afeeli
ngthatis
unexpl
ainable.
Shef eel
sscar
edandembar rassed.Hervi
sioni
s
sti
llblur
ryonthelef
tsideeye.At al
lmasculi
ne
fi
gurestandi
ngr i
ghtinfr
ontofheeyes.
"
Mnono,"t
hat'
samal esvoi
ce.Herbodyshi
ver
s
f
rom t
hesightofhi
m."Babe-it
'sme."
Herl
ipst
rembl
e….
"Shhh,
I'
m her
enowdon'tcr
y."Thebeddeepens
accommodati
ngtheheavyweight
."I
'
m herebabe.
"
Theevent
sarefl
ashingri
ghtbef
orehereyes.
Maybesheisl
oosingit
.
"
Mypat
ienti
sawake.
"Thedoct
orsaysst
eppi
ng
i
nside."Yourl
iphasbeensti
tchedf
inel
y-itwil
lheal
i
nnot ime.Lucki
lyyoudonothaveanybrain
damagesandnoner vewasdamaged."
Hescanshereyesagain."Oncetheswel
li
nggoes
downyoureyesightwi
llbebacktonormal
.Jj
us
needal
otofrestandtakeiteasy.
"

Mpiloisquiet
lysi
tedonthehospi
talchairwat
ching
thevideooverandoveragai
n.Hecanf eelhi
sblood
boil
ing….
"Ineedf reshair.Iwillbeback.
"Hesayskissi
ngt
he
sleepingLi ndi
weonherbust edli
p.Hest
epsout
collecti
nghi mselftakingadeepbreat
h.
Hetakesouthi
sneatl
ywrappedjoi
nt….
heneedst
o
thi
nkabit
.Two,thr
eepul
lswil
lcalm hi
sner
ves
down.
Af
tert
hosepul
lshef
eel
smor
ecal
merandsat
isf
ied.
SoThabidecidedtogothehar
dway.Helett
hat
caseprevi
ouslysl
ide-hert
aki
ngavi
deoofLindi
we
andhim makingoutandnowshesendsouther
bunchoffri
endst
oatt
ackwhat'
shi
s?Clear
lyshe'
s
doesn'
tknowwhosheisdeal
ingwi
th.I
t'
sti
met o
makeherlif
emiser
abl
e!

Hewal
ksbackandf
indsherhal
fawake.
"
You'
reawake.
"Heit
'sontopoft
hebedand
t
ouchi
nghermessybrai
ds.
"
Iwastryi
ngtosleepandt
henI’
dhearpeopl
e’
s
f
oot
stepsanditbuggedme."
Shesaysi
nhersl
eepyvoi
ce.
"SoI'
m peoplenotyourman? "Hechucksshaking
hishead."t
ellme, whathappened?
"Hewant sher
sideofthestory.Youknowwhent heysaythere'
s
twosidesoft hestory.
"Iwasint
hebathr
oom whenIhear
dthedoorbei
ng
harshl
yshutandl
ocked.
Iwascallednames-cal
ledamansnat
cher.The
nextthi
ngIknewIwasbeingbeat
ensensel
essl
y….
"
Herjawspain.
"
It
'sokay,
don'
ttal
k.Gobackt
osl
eep.
"Shesl
owl
y
cl
oseshereye’
sanddozedof
fimmedi
atel
y.

It'
sinthemi ddleofthenightshe'sfeel
ingcold,
teethclut
ching,knockingagainsteachot her
.She
findshersel
ftryingt
ogetof fthebedandget s
start
ledbeahugegi antnexttoher.Mpi l
oslowly
openshi seyes….
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Heasksi
nthatsl
eepyt
ir
edvoi
ce.
"
I'
m col
d."
Hetakesof
fhisjacketandcaref
ull
yhel
pshert
o
wearit
.Hetouchesherfeetandtheyar
ecol
dasice.
Het
akeshi
ssocksof
fandputt
hem ont
oher
.
"
Feel
ingbet
ter
?"
"
Notyet
.Thanks.
"Sheshamefull
ylooksont
hesi
de.
"
Youshoul
dgohome. "Shesuggests.
"Notwithoutyou.Wai
ti
ngfort
hedoctorf
ort
heto
dischar
geyoui nthemorni
ngthent
akeyouwit
h."
"Idon'
twanttogobackt
her
e.Theywi
llki
llme.
"She
afrai
dandthatbr
eakshi
shear
t.
"Ipr
omise,I
'
m nott
aki
ngyoubackthere."Het
akes
herredhandki
ssi
ngherswol
lenknuckles.
"
Wheream Igoi
ngt
ogo?Idon'
thavemoneyt
o
r
ent
."
"Myplaceunt i
lyougetbet
ter
.Oncebet
terthenwe
canli
vei ndif
ferentr
oomsbutsamebuil
ding."He
suggests.Shesighswit
htearsst
reami
ngdownat
thecornerofhereyes.
"
Hei
,i
t'
sokayI
'
m her
e."
Shel
ooksathi
m wonder
ing.
Thewor ldiscr azy,whir
li
ngandspi nningaround
them!Tur bulence,chaos,uncer
taintyabound!
Wheredoesshet urninthemidstoft heseti
mesto
fi
ndpeace, j
oy, t
rut
h,andsteadfastness?Isheher
safeplace?" Doyout rustme?Ot herthanthe
psychopat hyoul abel
ledmeas? "
Doesshet
rusthi
m?
Asinanypict
ure,t
herearemanynuances, each
ref
lect
ingadi
ffer
entfacetoftheover
allpi
ctur
e,but
eachnuanceorfaceti
svitalt
ograspinordertosee
t
hei
ntendedexpr
essi
on.
"Itr
ustyou.
"Shetr
iestosmil
ebutherwhol
eface
aches.Thesmil
edissol
vesquickl
y."
Theyt
ooka
videoofme,agai
n."
"
Itwi
lldi
edownbabedon'
tst
ressyour
sel
f.I
'
m her
e
f
oryou."

ATTHERES

"Youguysdidagr eatj
ob.Nowl et
'sseehowwil
l
Mpilolookatherface.
"Thabisayssippi
ngherwi
ne.
They'r
erejoi
cingandverymuchhappy.
"Weshoul dgetgoi
ng,i
t'
sgett
ingl
ate.
"Herf
ri
ends
say.It'
sinthemiddl
eoftheni
ghthavi
ngafew
glassesofwine.
Af
tert
heyhavel
eftThabitakeshert
imesnoopi
ng
ar
oundLi
ndiwe'
spersonalstuf
f.
Shecomesacr ossahospi
talcard-"
Iwonderwhat
diseaseyouhave.
"Shesayssiti
ngonthebedgoing
throughit
."Owwow,missyisnotsomissgoody
t
ooshoesaf
teral
l.
Shesnapsaf ewpict
uresofi
tandbegi
nspost
ing
them onFacebook.
"MissGoodyt ooshoesi
snotsomi ssinnocent
afteral
l.Farm Juli
ahadanabor ti
onformyman
thatshestolef r
om me.IfonlyMpilowaswi thme
wewoul dhavehadbeaut if
ulki
dstogetherbuthe
chosetobet raymewi t
ht hismurder.
"
Shepost
safterr
ightthatpar
agraph.Messages
begi
ntopingagainandagain.Shereadsthr
ough
thecommentsandbegi ntol
augh.
"
She'
samur
der
.OwmyGod!
"
"
Ihavenowor
ds.Notsoi
nnocentaf
teral
l!
"
"
Yourboyf
ri
endneedst
oseet
his.Akanasi
mil
o
l
amntanasi
es!
"
"Iseeabi t
terwomanwhoi snotoverherfuckbody.
Phelaweal lknewthatMpil
oneverlovedyou,i
twas
allaboutsex…."Shesi
ghsloggi
ngoutofFacebook
andpl acesherphoneasi
de.Shethrowshersel
fon
thebedandbegi nstodri
ftt
osleep.
Shewakesupinthemorni
ngandstret
cheshersel
f
fi
ndi
ngMpilor
eadingt
hroughthef
il
ethathefound
ontopoft
hebed.Herheartski
psabit
….
"Babe,
"sheget sofft
hebedyawi
ngsit
ti
ngonhis
l
ap.Her oughlypushesherof
fmaki
nghertol
and
painf
ull
yont hefloor
.
"
Mpi
lo!
"Shewi
nchesget
ti
ngup.
"Areyouenjoyi
ngeveryt
hingt
hatyouaredoing?"
Heaskspullingherupbyherthr
oat.Shegasps
tryi
ngtoremovehishandoffherneck.Shehas
neverseenMpi l
othatmadbefor
e.
Heletsgoofher-hepromi
sedhi mselft
oneverhi
t
awoman."Yourdayiscoming."Hepushesher
asi
deandbeginstopackeverythi
ngthatbel
ongst
o
Li
ndiwe.
Oneofther
easonswhyhehat
esschoolwi
th
passi
on!
"Mpi
lo,
Iwasangr
ythatyounevercar
edaboutme
anyl
onger
.Il
ovedyouandIsti
lldobutyounever
t
ookt
imet
onot
iceme!
"
"Idon'
tfalli
nlovewi t
hloosecannons.Youwer emy
spermreleaseandt hat'
sit!Lookatyoursel
fand
l
ooksatt hewomanI '
m with.Twodi f
fer
entpeople
withdi
fferentpersonali
ti
es.Youarenotcloseto
whatIwant .Thisshouldbet hefi
rstandthelast
ti
medecl ari
ngyourst upi
dl ovet
ome. "
Hegr absLindiwe'sbagthathasbooksini
tanda
hugel uggage.Hewi l
lbebacklat
erint
ototaket
he
restofthestuff.
"
Iwi
llshowyouwhoIam!
"Shehi
sses.
"
GoaheadSisi
."Hewalksoutl
eavi
ngherf
li
nchi
ng
t
othesoundofSisi
.Shesi
tsontopoft
hebedlost
f
orwords.
Mpi
locomesback,
heknowsherbel
ongi
ngs.
Nowthathehasever
ythi
nghedoesn'
tseeany
r
easonofherbei
nghere.
"Mpil
oplease.
"Hewal ksoutoft
hedoorhandful
wit
houtglari
ngather.Shenowbeli
evesthather
act
ionscostherbutshehasanotherpl
an.
Shetakesaqui ckshoweranddressesup.Hewill
comebackt ohercrawli
ng.Shestepsoutofher
room andeveryoneislooki
ngather-she'sgoi
ngto
thepolicest
ati
onandnoonei sgoingtostopher
from doingwhathewantsandgoingafterwhatshe
wants.
[
08/
18,
03:
34] :SPONSOREDBYAMANDA
ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER15

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

She'
sbeenFacebookact
ivelatel
y.Shedoesn'tpost
butr
eadmoreofthenewsf eeds.Cel
ebr
it
ylives….
Herphonehasbeenpi ngi
ngnonstoptohermuch
annoyance.Shegroansfi
nal
lywakingup.She
unlocksherphoneandgetst
heshockofherlif
e.
Shet r
iescal
li
ngherphoneandit
’staki
ngher
str
aighttovoi
cemail
.Shehasthatboysnumber-
Li
ndiweoncesentittoherwhenwascl ai
medby
Mpilo.Thatdayshewrotealongarsepar
agr
aph
t
ell
ingherhowscar edsheisofthi
sman.
Shescroll
sthroughhercont
actl
istl
ooki
ngf
or
psychopath.
Itr
ingsnonstopti
lli
treachesvoi
cemail
.Shecl
icks
hertongueandtr
iesagainsamestory.
Maybehei sasleepandbesi desitsti
llear
lyinthe
mor ning.It'
salmost6: 00am.Shet riesagainand
sti
llnol uck.Howwi llsheevenbegi nlookingforher
?
Shewakesupf rom t hespongeandr unstothe
bathroom t obrushhert eethbutforgetssomet hi
ng.
Theki dsar enother e!Herhear tpanicsinfearbut
quicklyr emember s.Shedozedof fwhenshet r
ied
takinganap.Shemusthavebeenr eall
yti
red,she
didn'tevenwakeupatni ght.

She'
slooki
ngf
orSbahl
e,maybeshemi
ghthel
p.
"Yi
nikwenzenjabi
."Onyiyei
sacryingmess.She
canfeeli
tthatherfri
endisnotokaywhereevershe
i
s.Lastti
meshet riedcommitt
ingsuici
de.
OnyiyehandsMam Phil
isi
wethephoneandher
faci
alexpr
essi
ons-she'
sshocked.
"Whoisshet
oyou?
"Sheaskshandi
ngherbackt
he
phone.
"Mybestfri
end.MahIbel
ievewher
evershei
sshe
i
shurt.Lastti
mewhenshewashumi l
iat
edshetr
ied
commi t
ti
ngsuici
de.
”
"KodwaJehova,youkidsaregoi
ngtobur
yus
young."She'
spanicki
ng.Onyi
ye'
sphonechi
mes
withoutwast
esher et
ri
evestoanswer
.
"Psycho,
wher
eismyfr
iend?Issheokay?Iwi
llbe
ready.
"Shedr
opst
hecallandlooksatMam
Phil
isi
we.
"Goandcheckuponher
.Besaf
eandcal
lmei
fyou
needanyt
hing.
"
"Ngyabongamah,"shethrowshersel
finherar
ms
feel
ingthemotherl
ylove.Shestepsbackandruns
backtoherbackroom togobath.

Seei
ngherf
ri
endt
oreherhear
tint
opi
eces.
"
Wher
eisshe?
"Onyi
yeaskhef
ri
endwhowasl
ivi
d.
"LeaveheraloneSt
hu,sheisnotworthit.
"Lindi
we
responds.Shehasbeendischargedfrom t
he
hospit
alandsheisbackinMpi l
o'sfl
at.
"Ar
eyousur e?
"Sheasks.Noonecanhurtherf
ri
end
l
ikethatandgetsawaywit
hitl
ikenot
hing
happened.Shewil
lfi
ndaway.
"
Yes,
"she'
sti
red.
"Iwil
lseeyoutomor r
ow.I
'm sureNdi
muhasbeen
givi
ngmam Phi l
isi
weahardt i
me.Thatboyi
s
becomingatroublesome.
"
Spendi
nghertimewithherf
ri
end….knowingthat
sheisfi
ne.Sheisi
njur
edyesbutshewi l
lheal.She
i
sast r
onggirl
.
Spendi
ngtimewi t
hherremindedherofherhome.
Maybesheshoul dgoandcheckuponhermot her
.
Maybesheismi ssi
ngherorsomet hi
ng-maybeshe
st
il
lhatesherf
ornoapparentreason.Butshe
doesn'
twanttodwellonit
.
"
Takemet ot
hatgir
l.
"Onyi
yei
nst
ruct
sMpi
lowho
wastaki
ngherbackhome.
"
ButLi
ndi
wesai
d….
"
"Li
ndiwei snothere, r
ight.Shewi llnotknowunl ess
i
fyout el
lher.
"She'slookingathi m shar ply.He
makesaU- TURNanddr i
vest ores.Theybot hstep
outoft hecarandal leyesar eont hem.Theybot h
walktowher eLindiweshar edar oom wi th.Shelet
's
herselfinandfindsthet wogi rl
ssi t
ti
ngonchai r
s
dri
nkingwi ne.Mpilo'sstandsbyt hedoorl eani
ng
againstitwithhishandsandl egsf olded.
"Babe,
"that
'sThabistandi
ngupmakingherwayt
o
him.Onyiyelooksathercaref
ull
yandsi
ghsi
n
anger.
Sheroughlypushesherasi
deandpul l
sherbyhair.
Thetwogirlsst
anduptryi
ngtointervenebutOnyiye
wentallcr
azythrowi
ngeveryobjecttowardsthem.
Theybothranoutofthedoorfortheirl
ives….

"Iwantyoutodoexact
lywhatyoudidt
omysister
!"
She'smad,angr
y.Maybetaki
ngallt
heangert
hat
shei
sbot
tl
ingupwi
llmakeherheal
.
Shebi
teshercheekbonesinkinghert
eet
hdeep
l
eavi
ngaforevermark.Thabiscreamsi
nagony
ki
cki
ng.
"
Helpme!"Shel
ooksatMpi
lo'
sforr
escuebuthei
s
j
ustst
andingt
herel
ooki
ngwit
houtcar
e.
Punchaf
terpunch-Onyi
yei
ssi
tt
ingonher
st
omach.
"
That'
senough,
"Mpil
o'spul
lsheroffThabiwhowas
r
oll
ingher
sel
fonthefl
oor.Onyi
yespitsthebl
ood
t
hatwasinhermouthbreat
hingheavil
y.
"Tr
ythatstuntagai
nandbeli
evemewhenIsayI
wil
lkil
lyouandmakeupyourf amil
ywatchyou
whil
eIburyyou."Shecl
ickshert
ongueandwalks
out.

She'sbackhome-maybeshewentt oofarwi
thout
thi
nking.Whati
fshegetsarr
estedforit
?She'snot
readytogotojai
l.Herki
dsaresti
llwaytooyoung.
"
Tal
k,youcal
ledme.
"Sbahl
esayssi
tt
ingdown
l
ooki
ngatOnyi
yewhol
ookedt
roubl
ed.
"
Ihi
tsomeone.
"Shesaysi
nfear
.
"Di
dyouf
ightordi
dyouhi
tsomeone,
li
keput
ti
nga
handont
hem? "
"
Ibi
thercheekandpunchedher
."Sbahl
elooksat
t
hei
nnocentpanicki
ngOnyi
ye.
"Youdidwhat!
"Sbahlebeginst
olaughoutl
oudtoa
pointt
hatshealmostchokedonherownsali
va.
"Uthi
niWenaKimimnt ase?
"
"I
t'
snotf
unny.Imi
ghtgoIj
ailf
orassaul
t!
"Shet
ell
s
her.
"
Shi
t,howbadi
tis?
"
"Ver
ybad.
"Shewant
stocr
ysobad."
Maybewe
shoul
dtel
lmot
her
."
"
What
!Noshewi
lldef
ini
tel
yki
llyou.
"
"Whowi
llki
llwho?
"Mam Phili
siwei
sst andi
ng
behi
ndt
hem withherhandsonherhips.

"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.Youar
eexact
lyl
ikemy
l
atedaughterAdeze.-Jesus?"Sheput
swehands
onherhead."Youcharacterscar
esmehonest
ly.
"
"IthoughtIwasgoingmadorsomet hing.I
've
noticedthesignstobutIdi
dn'twanttojumpi nt
o
conclusionbecauseofhowshel eftus.MaybeI'l
lbe
openingoldwoundsi fIt
oldyou."Sbahleleansback
takingadeepbr eat
h.
"
Onef
uckedupshi
t!
"Sheaddsl
eavi
ngOnyi
yel
ost
.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Beingwithpeopl
ewhomakeyouf eelconf
identand
goodaboutyourselfcanreallyboostyourment al
healt
h.Havingalaughreallyhelpedhertofeel
happier
.Onyiyewasher etalki
ngal lcr
azystori
es
Youmi ghtnotfeell
ikebei
ngaroundpeople,but
someti
mesnott hi
nkingabouthowyou'refeel
ing
andthem taki
ngyourmi ndoffthingscanbereall
y
hel
pful
.Andr i
ghtnowherconf idencehasboosted
up.
Mpilohasbeenlooki
ngathersomeot
herwayshe
cannotexpl
ain.
"
Whati
sit
?"Sheasks.
"
Ist
heresomethingyounott
ell
ingme?
"Heasks
wai
ti
ngforaresponse.
Shef r
ownsabitl
ooki
ngathi
m confused,
"was
ther
esomethi
ngIwas…."Herphonehasbeen
ri
ngingnonst
op.
Shepi
cksi
tupandr
eadsat
extf
rom anex.
"Idi
dn'tknowt
hatDur
banwi
llmakeyoudo
abort
ions."
Shereadsthetextoverandoveragai
nwithher
hear
tdrummi ngagainstherchest
.Thi
sisdef
ini
tel
y
i
mpossible.
Screenshotpoppingupcausehert
ot r
emblei
nfear
.
Hehear tdr
opst othest
omachcausingher
shortnessofbreath.
Shel
ooksatMpi
lo'
swhowasl
ooki
ngatherr
eady
tomur
der.
"
Mpi
lo,
"shecal
lsoutf
orhi
m wi
tht
ear
sbl
indi
ngher
vi
sion.
"
Doyoust
il
lhavenot
hingt
osayt
ome?
"Heask.
"
Itwaswaybef
orewecoul
devendat
e!"Def
ence
modeon.
"Buti
tdoesn'
tchanget
hef
actt
hatyouki
ll
edmy
baby!
"
Shef
li
nchest
othesoundofki
ll
ing.
"Iwasonlyamonthpr
egnantMpi
lo.I
twasn'
tevena
chil
datthatt
ime.
"
"Ar
eyouhear i
ngyoursel
fwoman?Youki l
ledmy
chi
ldandyouassumei ti
snotabigissue?How
shamefulofyou.YounowwhatIthi
nkit'
sbetteri
f
yourentel
sewher eandwegoourseparateways."
Hesaysstandingupfrom t
hebed.
"Wheream Igoi
ngtogothi
slat
e?"She'
shur
t.
Secondrej
ecti
oninonyear
!
"
Figur
esomet
hingout
.Angi
thiyouar
eamur
der
er.
"
Shegaspslooki
ngathi
m.She'snotgoi
ngtobeg
hi
m sheknowsherworthandsheisdef
ini
tel
ynota
beggi
ngtype.
"OkayMpilo'
s,Iwillgo.
"Sheslowlyst
andsup
pull
inghercrushes.Shelimpstotheleavi
ngroom
l
eavinghim behind.Shetakesoutherphoneand
call
sheronlyfri
endf orhel
p.

Mpil
oisgonet oonl
yGodknowswher e.Shewas
i
nstr
uctedtoleavet
hekeyswit
ht hesecur
it
yguar
d.
Abeautif
ulunknowngi
rlcamealongwithaver
y
dar
khandsomeman.
"
Lindi
weri
ght?"Shenodsherheadandletsthem i
n.
"
Whatarepacking?Myapol
ogiesI'
m Sbahleand
t
hisismyboyfri
endKhoza.
"
"
I'
m Lindi
we.Nicet
omissImeanmeetyou.Thi
s
wil
lbeall
.Idon'
thavemuch.
"
Theyt
akeherst
uffl
oadi
ngi
tint
het
ruckKhoza
camewit
h.
Lookingathisf
lat-wil
lshemissit
?Yes,i
twasfun
whil
ei tl
ast
ed.Shestepsoutlocki
ngi
tandhands
thekeystothesecuri
tyguar
d.
"I
'
m sor ry,
"Onyi
yehugsthecryi
ngLindiwe.Her
belongingswedroppedoutsi
dethegatebyKhoza
anddr oveoffl
eavi
ngSbahle….minuteslat
erOnyiye
cameoutoft hehouseandshesawt hebackoft he
cartakingacornerdi
sappear
inginf
rontofhereyes.
"
It
'sokay,guesswehavet olear
nthehardway.I
waswaiti
ngf orthi
sdayt ocomebutIdidn'
texpect
t
othissooner."Onyiyehelpshersi
tdown.
"Thatshowshi m hei
sacowar d.Howcanhel eave
youwhenyouneedhi mt hemost ?It
’sdif
fi
cultto
rescueyourselff
rom abadrelati
onshipwhenyou
sortoffeell
ikeyoubelongthere.ButI’
m gladyou
thoughtofyourinnersel
fanddi dn'
tbeghim. "
Onyiye.
"
I'
m notabeggarmi
nababegi
rl
."Theyl
augh.
"
I'
m happytoseeyoul
aughi
ngevent
houghyou
t
rendi
ng."
"Ithankthem formakingmef amousandIdon't
careyazi.Yesithurt
sbutheyi t'
sli
kel
if
e.Icannot
hideforever
."Lindi
wer esponds.
"
Howdoyouf
eelt
houghi
nanact
ualf
act
?"
"Idon'tknow, numb.Dumb. "Shechuckst akinga
sharpbr eath.“ Ther ei
sj ustsomuchhur t,
disappoi ntment ,andoppr essiononecant ake…The
l
inebet weenr easonandmadnessgr owst hinner.
I'
m stillgoingt obej udged, laughedat .Weal ldo,
whet herwel ikei tornot ,eveni fweknowordon’ t
knowwe’ r
ebei ngj udged.Ther eisanoldsayi ng
thatifyout hrowapar tyandr unoutoff ood,
everyonewi llal waysr ememberyout hrewabad
party.Ifyourpar tyhasmor ef oodthanpeopl ecan
consume, aft
erashor tper i
odoft imeever yonewi l
l
forget.Sadl ywel i
veinasoci etywher epeopl etend
tojudgeyoubasedont hemi stakesyou’vemade
mor ethant hesuccessesyou’ veaccompl ished."
"Andyouar er i
ght.Youar est i
llyettobehur tby
faci
ngal lofthosebutIwantyout obest r
ongno
matterhowbadt hesituationis.Iknowt hatbei
ng
hurtisat er
ri
blefeeli
ngt ohave.I tcomeswi t
h
emot i
onsl i
kesadness, feeli
ngsofabandonment ,
betr
ayal,andhear tbr
eak.Bei ngi nj
uredis
unpleasantbutunavoi dable.Weheal ,moveonand
pusht hr
ought hepain.Tr uthisever ybodyisgoing
tohurtyou:youjustgottof
indtheoneswort
h
suff
eringfor
."Onyiyesayshol
dingherhandl
ight
ly.
Theylookateachot herwarml
y….
"
Likeyou?
"
"
Likeme.Il
oveyouLi
ndi
we.
"
"
IloveyoutoobutI'
m st
raight
."Theybot
hlaugh.
"
CanIsleep-I'
m deadti
red."

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hehasbeenstari
ngatthecal
endarli
keausel
ess
l
azycow.Ever
yhour ,
second,
minutehewil
lcount
t
hehoursimpati
entl
y.
Hecannotwaitt
ost r
okeherhai
rawayfrom her
di
mpledcheek.Hecannotwaitt
oputherti
nyhand
onhi
schestnearhisheart
.That
'swhathedidthe
l
astt
imeandi tf
eltsogoodandright
.
"Sti
lll
ooki
ngatthecal
endar
?"Khozaask-he
alwayshasaglassonhishand.
"
Yes-IaddedanotherR10KinheraccountandI
j
ustprayshewi
thdrawsital
l.Ij
ustwantwhats
mine.
"
Sthembi sost
epsawayfr
om thecalendarandsi
ts
ont hecouchfaci
ngKhoza.Heisti
red…."
Maybeshe
willhatemeofwhatshewentthrough.NoDumisani
nayei sstr
essi
ngmeout."
"Wemightneverknowuntilwefi
ndout
.Awusho,
ther
earesomanygi r
lsoutther
ewhyspeci
fi
cal
ly
her?What'
sthatshehasthatot
herwomendon'
t
have?"
Sthembi sosmi leswidelywi t
hhi seyesli
ghti
ngup.
"Lamnt wanaKhozahasasmi lefordays.Aspretty
darkasshei sshehasahear tofgold.Thoseti
ny
hands…. hervoicentwanamakemykneesgoweak.
Seeingherador abl
esmi lemakesmyhear tmel
t,
hearinghervoi cemademehappy, andbeing
aroundhermadet hesunshi nebr i
ghterunderthose
star
sandl oadsheddi ng.Idon’tunderstandwhyI
am sol uckytohavesomeonel ikehertocarrymy
seedbutIwi l
lforeverwor shi
pever ystepshetakes,
butIt hankthest ar
sf ormakingi thappeneveryday.
Iwouldfol
lowherar
oundl
ikeal
ostpuppyj
ustt
o
hearhergi
ggles.
"
"Wow,sohowdi dyougetherpr egnant
?"Inter
est
ing
l
ovestoryforKhoza.Hedoesn'tbeli
eveinloveat
fi
rstsi
ghtbutthi
shewant stohear.Heleansback
crossi
nghislegsandli
stensat
tentivel
y.
"Theti
meweexper i
encedl oadsheddingthati
s
whereIgottheopport
unit
yt ogr abher
.Surpri
singl
y,
shefol
lowedmeundert hedar k.Idon'
tknowwher e
wewher ebutdamnIwi l
lforevercheri
shthat
moment .
"
"
Okay,
that
's….
"
"Tr
uel ovebaba,
"Sthembisostandsupand
str
aightenshispant
s."I
'
m goingoutforawal
k."
"Sol
ateatnight
?Youdon'tknowanyonet
hissi
de
ofDurban.Wil
lyoubeokay?"
"Ij
ustwanttounwindabit
."Khozanods
underst
anding.Hewat
cheshim unt
ilhedi
sappear
s
outofsight
.
Heisgoingar oundincircl
esnotknowingwherehe
i
sgoi ngl
uckilyheknowsDur bancausehehas
beenworkingt hi
ssideoftownforacoupleof
months.Thatr emindshim.Hehasahugechunkof
moneyandhedoesn' tknowhowt oevenbegin
star
ti
nguphi sownj ob.Heneedsideasfrom Khoza,
maybehewi llhelphim somewhere.

Heisintheparktryi
ngt ot
ickhi
sto-doli
st.Fi
nall
yit
r
egister
sonwhathewant stodo.Yes,hestart
ed
t
hisjourneyinail
legalpat
hbutnowhewant sto
t
akeitthelegalway.
Hestepsdownont hebri
ckwal
lthathewassi
tt
ing
on.Heneedsastablehome-housebefor
ehefi
nds
hi
sfamily.Hewon'
tbecrowdi
ngKhoza.
Hegoesbackt
othehouseandf
indsKhozast
il
l
st
ead.
"Yougood?"Heisconcerned.Hedoesn'tli
kethis
quit
eSthembiso.Thest
hembi soknowsi salways
rant
ingandneverrunsoutofconversat
ions.
"
YeahI
'
m cal
m now.I
'
vebeent
hinki
ng.Iwantt
o
buyahousef
ormyf
ami
ly.Somet
hingt
hatshewi
ll
admi
re.
"
"
Okaydoyouhaveanyi
deawher
e?"
"
I'
m sti
llcl
uel
essbutIwantaqui
tepl
acekodwa
i
phindeibenevi
be.
"
"Thati
syouimagi
nar
ypl
ace.Lookf
orsomethi
ng
smallfort
het
imebei
ngunt
ilt
hosecopsar
eoffour
tai
ls.
"
"Ihearyou.Guesswilllookf
orafourr
oom house
somewher eineloxi
on."Headds.Hedefi
nit
elyhasa
point.
[
08/
18,
03:
35] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER16

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Doesshecalli
tabr eakup?Cert
ainl
ynotor
cer
tainl
yabigfatyesthat’
sfi
nepathet
ic.Hehasn'
t
cal
lednort
extedforthepasttwoweeks.Shewas
star
ti
ngt
osoft
enuptohim,Godknowst
hatshe
wasbegi
nni
ngtofal
lforhi
m.Shesi
ghswipi
ngher
tear
s.
Fi
rstt
hingf
ir
st-istodel
eteever
ymessage,
pi
ctur
esofhim onherphone.
Blockhi
scontactanddel
eteever
ythi
ngonher
phonethat
’sassoci
atedwi
thhim.
She'snotheret
okinkshame,butsheshoul
dn'
t
teasehersel
fwi
thaccesstot
hem….
Nowthat'
sshe'
sdonewit
hthispr
ocessthattook
ti
meforhert
oheal,
hopef
ull
yshewon'tbelooking
back.

She'
sonthephonewi
thhermot
her-t
hankf
ull
yshe
di
dn'
tjudgeher
.
"I
'mjustdi
sappoi
ntedmydaught er
.Isentyouthere
tostudyandnottogal
li
vantwit
hmen.Idi dn'
ttel
l
yourfat
herbutI
'm sur
ehewillhereitf
rom
someone."
"
I'
m sor
ry-f
rom nowonwar
dsI
'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
d
tosti
cki
ngmyeyesont omybooksandnotboys.I
wil
lnotdisappoi
ntyou.
"Shesayssoundi
ng
convi
ncing.
"Youbet t
ernotmychild.Alr
eadyneighbour
sar
e
j
ealousofust hatyourareinDurbanandyouare
studyingtowardsyourdream.Focusonbeinga
j
our nali
stukhohl
weamadoda.Amadodaawaphel i
mnt anami.Therear
emanyt onsoft
hosemychil
d.
Domepr oud.”
"Yohmama,Ihavehear
d.Howisever
yoneat
home?"Li
ndi
weaskshermother.
"Ever
yone?Who?Lastt
imeIcheckedyoul
eftme
andyourfat
heri
nthi
shouse.
"Theylaugh.
"
Ukhonzeubaba.Iwi
llbeseei
ngyout
hisweekend.
"

Somet hinginherhasbeenlif
tedoff
.WithOnyi
ye
besideshershe'sallgoodtogo.She'
slooki
ngat
herpacki ngever
ythi
ngl i
keabigsi
sterbuti
nan
actualfacttheyareofthesameage.
"
Allset
.Ar
eyousur
ethatyouar
ereadyt
oli
ve
al
one?
"Concer
nedmot
herOnyi
ye.
"Yesmot her
.Iwil
lbefi
ne.Yourroom i
stoosmallI
cannottakeyourper
sonalspacefri
end.
"Honest
ly
speaki
ngshedoesn'twanttocrowdher.Shehas
donealotalr
eadywitht
hisfamil
y.Andshehasher
owndemonst odeal
swith.
"Ihearyou.Butyoudoknowwher
etof
indmeonce
umhl abaukushaya.
"
"Wisi
li
mawenakambe."Theybothlaugh.Sbahl
e
knocksont
hedoorandlet'
shersel
fin.
"Youready?
"SheasksLi
ndi
wewhowasl
eani
ng
againstt
hewall
.
"YesMadam S,
I'
mready.Haveyouguysever
noti
cedt
hatyoutwohavesomeresemblance?
"
"Who?Meandt hiscr
azychil
d?Getoutofher
e."
Sbahl
elaughspicki
ngupLindiwe'
sbag.
"I
'
m seri
ous,apartfr
om youguyshavingt
hat
dif
fer
entcomplexion-youdef
ini
tel
ylookthesame.
"
Li
ndiwe.
"
Youar
ebei
ngsi
ll
y.Inowt
hinkt
hatt
hosegi
rl
sdi
da
numberoneonyou.
"Theyal
ll
aughatOnyi
ye'
s
st
atement
.
"
Let
'sgobef
oreIki
llyour
ightt
hismi
nut
e."
Theyar
ehel
pingherunpack….
"Ti
mehasrunoutandunfor
tunat
elyIhavet
odash
home.Ihat
eni
ghtshif
t.
"Sbahlewhines.
"
Didn'
tyousayyouar
egoi
nghomet
oyourf
ather
?"
Onyi
ye.
"That'
stoday?OwshootItotal
lyf
orgot
!I'
m sur
emy
mot heri
salreadywai
ti
ngformereadytoskinme
ali
ve.Byeguys."She'
salr
eadyatthedoor
.
"
Ist
il
lst
and.Youguysl
ookt
hesameandi
t'
sscar
y."
"Herewegoagai
n.Li
ndi
wedoyouper
hapswantt
o
sleep?
"
"
Mxm,
hel
pmeunpack.
"

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE
Hedidsayhewant sanewhousef orhi
sfamil
yand
heisheretolookforone.Lookathimlooki
ngfora
houseforpeoplehedoesn'tevenknowwherethe
hel
ltheyare.
Hel
ikedChest
ervi
ll
eandhet
hinkshewi
llr
esi
de….
"Thi
sisaneightr
oom house.Recent
lyrenovated
andthecar
dboardsi
nt heki
tchenarefull
yfi
tted.
"
"
Howmuchi
sit
?"Heasks.
"
R120Kbutyoucanpaymont
hlyi
nst
alment
s."
Hel ovesit
.Nothingthatwilldrawat t
racti
ontothe
poli
ce.Somet hi
ngsi mplethatwi l
lfi
thisperfect
familyfortheti
mebei ng.Wi l
lhelivewiththem?
Hellyes!Hedoesnotwantt hiswomant obeoutof
hissighteveragain!Hehasl earnthislesson,God
mustf orgi
ve.
"I
'
llt
akethi
sone.Ididn'tl
ovet
heothert
wo.They
arej
ustwayt oosmallf
orme.Ilovet
hepaintand
howspaciousiti
s.I
'm suremyNdoniwil
llovei
t.
"
Heisimpressed!
"
Wel
comet
oyournewhomet
hensi
r.
"Sayst
he
r
eal
torhandi
nghi
mthekeys.
"CanIhavealookatherthebedroomsforthelast
ti
me?"Fivebedr
ooms, ki
tchen-dinni
ngroom alli
n
oneandveryspaciouspl
ust hedinni
ngr
oom ar ea.
Thisr
ightheri
sallhewant satt
hemoment .

Helooksathi
sphonewithanot
if
icat
iont
hathehas
beenlongi
ngforaver
ylongt
ime.
"
Noway!
"Hescr
eamsj
umpi
ngupanddown.
Thebackofhi shairstandandhej ustknowst hat
somethingisnotright.Helooksathi ssur roundings
andnoticestwomenf rom adistancel ooking
towardshisdir
ecti
on.Hehur r
iesof fstil
llooki
ngat
hisphonetryi
ngtot rackher.Somet hingi snotgood
andhesensesi t!
Hisphonechimesagain.Locat
ion!
!!
!!Hi
sheart
screams….Butshedi
dn’twit
hdr
aw, i
t’sj
usta
notif
icat
ionofwher
eherabouts.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Final
ly,
it'
smont
hend.Fort het
woweeksofshar i
ng
thespacewit
hherfr
iend,sheissaddenthatshei
s
movingoutandwil
lberentingaroom nearby.
"
I'
mti
red,
atl
eastyourr
oom i
scl
eanandever
ythi
ng
i
sset
."
Shehasbeenhel
pinghert
oset
tl
ein….
"
Iwoul
dn'
thavedonei
twi
thoutyou.Thanksmnge.
"
"Year
ight
.LookIhavet
odasht
otown.Youknow
howthequeueis.
"
"
Youshoul
dhavel
eftar
ound4i
nthemor
ning.
"
"Yoh!SeeyouwhenIgetback.Nosocialmedia
untilyouarecompl
etel
yheal
ed.
"Onyiyetel
lsher
fri
endasshedashesoutoftheroom t
hatsheis
nowr ent
ing.

Shenowregret
scomingtot
own, ever
yshopi
fful
l,
ever
ybankisful
lbutshewi
llbepati
entl
ywai
ti
ng.
Thel
ineseemst
obegoi
ngi
nasnai
lpace.She
hatesst
andi
nginaqueue.-Justimagini
ngher
self
crammedbetweentwopeopleisenoughtoi
nspir
e
annoyancei
nher.
Fi
nal
ly!Af
teranhourofwai
ti
ngi
t'
shert
urn.
She'shopi
ngandpr ayi
ngthatthegovernment
mademi stakeal
sotodaybyprovidi
ng…"Jesus!
"She
putsherhandonhermout h.She'
ssweat i
ng,
shiver
ingoutofshock.Thi
scannotbehappening.
R20andsomechange.Canshewi t
hdrawevery
cent?
Withouthesit
antshewithdrewallthemoney-
checksifsomeonefrom behindislookingatherbut
peoplearemindingthei
rownbusi ness.Sheroles
themoneyi ntoabal
landshovesi tinherbreasts
andleaveswithoutl
ookingback.Shewi llj
ustgo
str
aighthome.Shedoesn' tevenknowwhatt odo
withhersel
fri
ghtnow.

Arri
vinghomeshelockshersel
fintheroom and
recountsthemoney-t
histi
mesl owlyand
repeatedl
y.
Howi sitpossi
blethatshegetsthi
shugeamountof
money?Sheshoul ddef i
nit
elygotothepol
ice
stat
ion.Shedoesn'twanttofindher
selfi
nacellbut
fi
rstshewillt
alktoherfri
end.
"Onyi
ye,
"thati
sMam Phi
li
siweknocki
ngatherdoor
count
lessti
mes."
Openthi
sdoorbefor
eIbreakit
down!"
Shegetsstar
tl
edandhi
dest
hemoneyundert
he
matt
ress.
"
Comi
ng,
"she'
sbr
eat
hingheavi
lyoutoff
ear
.
Shef i
nal
lyopenst
hedoorandMam Phi l
isi
wel ooks
atherwit
houtsayi
ngawor d."
Youshouldlearnhow
tohidemoney.Ndimuwil
ldealwit
hit.
"Onyiye'
s
eyespopoutswallowi
ngherdrysal
iva.Shelooksat
thenoteonthefl
oorandshesighsinrel
ief
.
"It
houghtIst
ashediti
nmybag.Musthavef
ellout
."
Thankf
ull
yit’
sonlyaR100not
eonl
y.
"
List
enweareleavi
ng.WewillbebackonSunday.
Dotheki
dshaveeveryt
hingt
heyneed?"
Shehasneverbeenf
arawayf
rom herki
ds.Thi
s
r
ighther
e-she'
sdoesn'
tknowhowt
ofeelabouti
t.
"Idon'
tknowwhethertof
eel
exci
tedorsad.I
'
ve
neverbeenfarawayfr
om my-t
hekids.
"
"Youhavetol
earn.
"Ahooterl
inksf
rom out
sidet
he
gate."
ThatmustbeSbahl
e."
"
Iwil
lhel
pwi
ththebags."Shecl
osesthedoorand
f
oll
owsMam Phil
isi
wetothehousetofet
chthebag.

Shewentbacki
ntowntodoshoppi
ngforhersel
f.
Newwardrobei
swhatshedef
ini
tel
yneeds.
She'
sdonewi t
hherhair
,twi
stlongbrai
ds-
somethi
ngthatshehasalwayswantedtodoonher
headandtodayshedid.
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
Shelooksather
sel
finthemir
ror.Thehai
rdr
esser
real
lydi
dagoodwor konherafr
o.
"
Thankyou."Shesays.Tryi
nganewl
ooki
sgr
eat
f
oravari
etyofreasons.
Conf
idencedoesn’
tneedt
obeunwaver
ing,
buti
t
shoul
dbestrongsot
hatwecanf
eelatourbestas
oft
enaspossibl
e.
Nowt
hatshehaschangedherwar
drobeshef
eel
s….
"Aski
es,
"saysamansheoncesawandbumped
i
nto."I
'
vebeensearchi
ngforyouallthi
swhile.
"He
sayswithahugesmileonhisface.Hesti
lll
ooks
verymuchbeaten.
"Whoareyouagai
n?"Sheaskshol
dingherhandbag
closet
oher.
"
Dumi
saniImeanI
'
m St
hembi
so.
"
"
Whi
chi
swhi
ch?
"Sheasksr
eadyt
orunf
orherl
if
e.
"
Sthembi
so-howar
eyou.
"
"
I'
m notcutoutf
orsmal
ltal
ks.Canyougetst
rai
ght
t
othepoint.
"
She'
sir
ri
tat
ed!
"
Canwegosi
tsomewher
eandt
alk.
"
Het r
iesholdi
ngherhandbutshepushesitback.
"Thatisnotthewaytotal
ktothefat
herofyour
kids.
"Hesayswi t
haslightsmir
konhisface.
"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"Hervoi
cei
sbar
elyaudi
ble.
"
Canwet
alk,
please.
"Thosebeggi
ngeyes!
.
"Okay!Somewherepubl
ic.Tryanyt
hingst
upi
dI
swearIwillscr
eam f
ormyl i
fe.
"

Sheisl
ooki
ngclosel
yathi
m andsomet
hingj
ust
feel
sof
faboutt
hisguy.
"
WhatwasIwear
ingi
nmymat
ri
cdance?
"
Heshif
tsuncomfor
tabl
yandcl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
."A
beaut
if
uldr
ess."
"
Okay….
."She'
swai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtocont
inue.
"That
'
snotimport
ant
,what
’si
mpor
tantnowi
sthat
youareher
ewithme."
Notevenoncethi
smanhaseveraskedabouther
ki
ds.Therei
sresembl
anceyesbutshei
sdefini
tel
y
sur
ehei snott
heone.
"What
'smyname?"Shet
houghtmaybeshoul
d
coul
dtryanewt
ri
ckyquest
ion.
"
Onyi
ye.
"Hesmi
leswi
del
yfeel
ingpr
oudofhi
s
r
esponse.
"
No,
theoneyougavemet
hatni
ght
…."
Hei
squit
e,conf
usedatt
hename.Thi
sisdef
ini
tel
y
ani
mposter
!Tal
kaboutWhi
teChi
cks.
"
Givemeyourhand.
"Shet
ell
shi
m.
"
What
?Why?
"
"
Justgi
vemeyourhand."Shegrabshi
shandlooks
f
orsomethi
ngbutit
'snotther
e.Themanshewas
wit
hhadthesof
testhandsever.
"Ihavetogo.
"Shesaysstandi
ngf rom t
hechai
r.
Theywer ei
nsomer est
aurant
,thatfel
tli
ket
he
safestpl
aceforher
.
Sherunsoutoftherest
aur
antwit
hDumisani
fol
lowi
ngbehind.Shebumpsint
oadarktal
lman…
"
Sisi
,
"
"Aski
esBut
i.
"Shewant st
ocr ysobad.Thisisthe
momentthatshemissesherbestfr
iend.Theman
l
ooksatherbri
efl
yandhismi ndpi
cturestheday
Sthembi
sofi
rstshowedhim herpi
ctures.
Themant akeshi
sphoneoutanddi alsSt
hembiso
i
mmediatelybutnoti
cesDumisanirunni
ngaft
er
Onyi
yebutt hegi
rlwaslonggone.

She'
simpati
entl
ywaiti
ngforthet
axiwi
thherbody
get
ti
ngcolderbythesecond.
Cor
ti
solandadrenal
inearerel
eased….Herbl
ood
pr
essureandheartr
ateincr
ease.Shestar
ts
br
eathi
ngfast
er.
Final
lythetaxii
shere.Shel
ooksaroundhopi
ng
andpr ayi
ngthatthemanisn'
tfol
lowi
ngher.
Toomanyst
opsandt
hesepeopl
ear
ewast
ingher
ti
me!
"Emarobhot
hini!
"Sheshoutsfr
om t
hebackseat
.
Shehurri
edl
yj umpsoffandrunst
othehousenot
l
ookingback.
Thegateisl
ocked,
windowscl
osednotf
orget
ti
ng
thedoor
.
She'
sont
hephonewi
thLi
ndi
we….
"
Doyout
hinki
t'
shi
m?"Li
ndi
weasks.
"No,it
'
snot.Imayhavenotseentheguy'sf
acebutI
cantellt
hati
tisdef
ini
tel
ynothi
m."Onyiye
responds.
"
Thenwhyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing?
"
"
Whati
fhei
sout
sider
eadyt
omur
derme?
"
"
Youar
eexagger
ati
ngdon'
tyout
hink?
"
Shemightbeexaggerati
ngbutri
ghtnowshei
s
def
ini
tel
ynot.Herl
if
ei satst
akehere!
"I
'
m not.Hedidhavethatsli
ghtresembl
ancebutI
'
m
defi
nit
elyconveni
encedthati
t'
snothim."
"
Maybehisfami
lyi
ssearchi
ngforyouwhoknows?
Maybeheknowshernut
tedinyouand….
"
"Idoubt.Thatmandoesn'tevenknowhel ef
tme
pregnant."Shesaysbi
ti
ngherinnercheek.I
thur
ts.
"
Andyouar
est
il
lwai
ti
ngf
orhi
m?"
"Asst
upi
dasImaysound-Isti
llhavehopet
hat
somedayhewi
llcomeback.
"
"
Wisi
thuphet
hungampel
amngani
.Howcanyou….
"
"
Aysuka,
Irunni
ngoutofai
rt
ime.
"
Shel
aughsdr
oppi
ngt
hecal
l.
There'
snothingmucht odo-maybegoi ngt hr
ough
hernoteswilldo.Andplusshehasanassi gnment
sheisnotevensur eof,ofhowit
'sdone.She
defi
nit
elyneedsat eacher,
ift
hat
’swhattheyar e
cal
led-herinnerselfsays.
Shest
art
ingt
ofeel
drowsy…
Ndi
mui
snother
etospoi
lhermood.
Qui
eti
sn’
tal
lit
’scr
ackedupt
obe.
Thequiett
hatshesometi
mescr
avedforever
y
si
ngledaywhenherspacewassoloudwasfinal
ly
her
s.
Shehascomet oreal
isat
ionthatshewasn’tready
fort
hesi
lence.Shewasn’treadytohearhersel
f
thi
nk.
Theunf
il
ter
ednat
ureofachi
ld’
smi
nd….
Shefi
ndshersel
fsmili
ngandcryi
ngatthesame
ti
me.Shemissesthem sobadandnotevenoneday
hassheeverbeenseparat
edfr
om them.
She'
shesi
tantbutshej
ustwant
stoknowhowt
hey
ar
e.
"
It
'snoteven3hoursandal
readyyouarecal
li
ng?"
Mam Phil
isi
weteasesont
heotherli
ne."
Don'
ttel
l
meyoucr yi
ng?
"
"
I'
m not
."Shesni
ff
s."
Imi
sst
hem andi
thur
tsmah.
"
I
t'
sanact
ualf
act
.Herki
dsar
eal
lthatshehas.
"Theyarefi
ne.Iwi
llt
ellSbahl
etosendyouavideo
ofthem."Li
negoesdeadandshewai t
sglar
ingat
thescreen.
Atl
eastshewillsl
eepwithaheartt
hati
satease
knowingthatherbabesaresaf
e.
Apopupnot
if
icat
iononWhat
sApp.
Sheopenst hevideoandhereNdimuispul
li
ngever
clot
hont opofthetabl
e.Makingnoi
se-surel
y
thesepeoplewil
lbecert
ainl
ydeafbymorning.
WhenNdi muscr eamshemakessuretotoucha
nervei
nt heear
dr um.
She'
ssmi
li
ng-happyandsad.
Sbahl
eandhermum wenttovi
sitt
heirf
ami
lyi
n
Eshowe.Theyact
ual
lycomefr
om thesame
nei
ghbour
hoodbutEshowei
stoobi
gforhert
o
knowever
yone.

Shef i
ndshersel
flaughingremember ingSbahl
e's
fi
rstname.Ngoziishername.Shesawi tt
hetime
sheforgotherIDinthecaraf t
erthywenttothe
doctorforNdimu'sappointment.Hereshewas
l
aughingatthenameOnyi ye….waitaminuteher
nameact ual
lymeansacci dent!Maybeit'
snota
Zuluname.Shel aughsabi tshaki
ngherhead.
"Ourparent
swillsur
elyki
lluswitht
heseunique
names."Shesaysoutloudtohersel
f.Fr
om now
onwardsSbahleisnolongerSbahlebutNgozi!
Ifshe'snotfl
ippi
ngt hr
oughthosepagessheis
l
isteningtoherfavouri
tesongbyRudeBoy.She
hasherheadphonesonandshei shummi ngalong
enjoyingthebeatthatcomeswithit
.Themessage
i
nt hissong.
I
nt hesongChizobawhichmeansGodSaves,seeks
t
hehel pofGodsayingt
hatther
eshouldbean
i
ntervent
ioni
n“ t
hepeoplewhowanttocause
confusioni
nthei
rbr
otherhood.Toheri
t'
sthe
si
sterhoodshehasforherfr
iend.
Shebegi
nst
osi
ngal
oudr
hymi
ngal
ongt
hel
ine….
"
Somet
hingi
ski
ll
ingmesl
owl
y
AndI
'
mfeel
ingsol
onel
y
NowI
'
mlooki
ngupt
oGodo
Eyehyeh
Pai
dmyt
it
he,
Ipai
dmydues
Seedi
str
act
ionsever
ywher
e
Nowmef
eel
ingemot
ions
Ehh
Igetpl
enty,somanyt
hingst
hatIr
eal
lywan
complai
nt oyou
Seet
hosepeopl
eweyt
heyt
ryt
o
Br
ingconf
usi
oni
nourbr
other
hood,
eh
Bababl
essmyf
ami
ly,
blessmyenemi
es
Bl
essever
ybody
Toget
herwebesmi
li
ng
That
'swhymet
ellt
hem say….
"
Aloudbangonthedoorget sherstart
ledthrough
t
hoseblast
ingheadsets.Shetakesthem offand
t
hatloudbangagain.
"
Who'
sther
e?"
"
It
'sme."Agr
oaningsoundofaman.Shel
ooksat
t
hewatchandit
's22:
00pm onthedot
.
pal
pit
ati
ons,
wor
ri
some….
"Babeplease…."Hei
sbegging.Sheunl
ocksher
phonetryingtocal
lSbahl
ebutherphoneswit
ches
fl
atdead.
Widerangeofabnor
malheartrhyt
hms.Her
hear
tbeati
srai
singfast
erbythesecond.
"
Who,whoar
eyou?"Sur
pri
singl
y,hel
egscar
ryher
t
owar
dsthedoor
.
Shepausesandrunst
owardsthesi
nk,
opensthe
tapwi
thshakyhandsandgul
psdownthewateri
n
thegl
ass.
Footst
epsappr
oachi
ng,
manymor
efoot
steps,
malevoi
ces!
"
OwJehova.
"
Shewantst
okneeldownandpraybutt
he
ci
rcumst
ancesar
eprevent
ingher
….
"I
malindoda!
"That
'st
hevoi
ceshe'
shear
ingf
rom
outsi
de.
"
Idon'
thaveanymoneywi
thme.
"Anot
herr
esponds.
Ver
ysharpandloudbang.Alongerechothat
makesadeeperthudnoi
seechoingacrosstheyard.
Thegl
asssli
psoffherhandsscatt
eri
ngont hefl
oor.
Itf
inall
yregist
ers-thosearegunshot
s!Herl
egs
carryhertowardsthedoor.Shesaysali
tt
lepr
ayer
beforeopening….
"
Jesu!
"Sheclosest
hedoorwi
thherhear
tbeat
ing
r
apidl
ythannormal
.
Sheopensthedooragai
nandhermout
hgoes
i
nstant
lydr
youtoffear.
"Hel
pme."Thewordst
hatcomeoutoft
he
str
anger
smouth.
"
Ngenzenj
ani
?"Sheaskspaci
ngupanddown.She
j
umpsthemanthatwaslayi
ngfl
atonhi
sstomach.
"
Takemei
nsi
de.
"
"Uyahl
anya!Idon'tevenknowyou!
"Shepl
acesher
handsonherf ace.
"Pl
ease,I
'
mi npain.Hel
pmeNdoni .
"Shefr
eezesi
n
thesoundofthatname.Shef
inal
lyget
sthe
couraget
oturntheshotmanover.
"
Ubaniwena?
"She'
sacr
yingmess.
"Ir
emembert hedr essyouworethatni
ght.Purpl
e
wit
hglit
tersaroundyourboobarea.Thatfadehair
cutyouhad.Youknowwhatwast hebeatmoment
ofmyl i
fe.
"Hegr oansholdi
nghisstomach."Itwas
whenwemadel ovei nthedar
kinsomehal l
."He
chucks.
"I
t'syou.
"Shetakest
imet ofinal
lyl
ookathi
s
bloodedfaceandGoddamn!" Youl
ookli
kemy
son's.
"Shesit
sdownr ecall
ingthemomentsoft
hat
night.
"
It
'smeNdoniyami
."
Jesuscomebackandsaveyourdaught
er!
[
08/
18,
03:
35] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER17

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"
Wemf ana,
Ican'
tfi
ndt
henameI
'
mlooki
ngf
oron
t
hisphone!
"
Okayshe'
smadandcryi
ngatthesamet
ime.
Mucus,t
earsmi
xedport
ion.
"
Khoza.
"
Shetr
iest
okeephim warm asmuchaspossi
ble.
Thi
smani spal
e,col
d,cl
ammy….
Shesear
chesthr
ought
hecontactl
istAGAI
Nunt
il
shespot
sthename.Fi
nal
ly!
"Hal
o,"sher
emovest
hephonefrom herear
."What
's
yournameagai
nButi
?"Sheasks.
"
Sthembi
so,
"
"Hal
oamancall
edSthembisoisher
einmyr oom
shot
!Comegethi
m befor
eIkil
lhi
m agai
n!"
Shedr opst
hephonewithoutwai
ti
ngf
orKhoza’
s
responseandsendsdi
recti
ons.
Shewait
sforasi
gnofthecar–Maybel
ight
sora
hoot
erbuti
t'
sdeadqui
te.
Shest
epsoutoft
her
oom l
eavi
ngt
hehal
fman
deadt
ogostandont
her
oad…
Checkingalldi
rect
ions.She'
sblooded-l
ight
s
approachi
ng.Thecarpar ksnextt
oherandaman
stepsout.
Sheknowshi
m,hehasseenhi
sfaceandi
t'
sthe
boyf
ri
end!
"
Sbahl
eisnother
e."Tear
saf
tert
ear
s.
"
Iknow,
I'
m her
eforSt
hembi
so,
youcal
led.
"
"
Youar
eKhoza?
"Conf
usi
ng.
"
Yes,
wher
eishe?
"
"I
nside,
"sher
espondsandl
eadst
hewayt
othe
backroom.
Sthembi
soi
sint
hecarhal
fasl
eep.She'
swor
ri
ed
andscar
ed.
"Lockal
ldoorsandcomewi t
hus.I
t'
snotsaf
e,
thosemenmi ghtcomeback.
"Hetel
lsher
.Shei
sso
hesit
antbutevent
uall
ygi
vesin.
"
CanIgopackmybagsandcl
ean?
"
Khozasi
ghs,
heneedstounder
standheisdeal
ing
wit
ha19yearol
dhere."
Okay,wil
lfet
chyoulat
er.
"
She'
scl eaningthemessandwashi ngthebloodoff
thestoop.ShedecidedtocallSbahlet
otellher
what'
shappeni ngbutshejusttol
dhertogowi th
them restassuredshewil
lbemuchmor esafer
.
"
Idon'
tknowt
hem!
"Shehal
fscr
eams.
"Iwillbebackt omorrowmor ni
ng.Icannotdrive
now.Wenanj edoashet ellsyouandt r
usthim.
Thosemenwi llcomebackcausecl earlytheythi
nk
thereismoneyathome.Ri ghtnowdon' tbeselfi
sh
andt hinkaboutyourselfonly.Youhaveki dsto
thi
nkof .Thosepeoplewillfi
ndyoual oneandwhat
willhappen? "Herheartskipsabit-she'srunning
outofsal i
va!
"
Okay, okay, I
'l
lpack."Theyconcludethecallwit
h
Onyiyeagr eeingtothesetup.She’ spour
ingtonsof
wateront hest oopwashi ngthebloodoff
.Thebl ood
i
swashedof fbutnotcompl etel
y.Shewil
lseethis
t
omor rowmor ni
ng.
Sherunsbacki
ntot
hehousetopackherover
night
bagnottoosur
ewhatt
otakeandwhatnottotake.
"
Weneedt
ogonow!
"That
'sKhozast
andi
ngout
side.
Shel
ookingout
sidet
hewindowthinki
ngoft
hewhat
i
f’
sorift
heyhad.Wasshereadyto….
"Andwear ehere."Khozaparkshiscaroutsi
dethe
gate."Ai
n'twet akinghimtothehospital
?"Thi
sman
i
sbl eedi
ngt odeat hforcr
yingoutloud!Andhe
needsmedi calat
tenti
on.
"Hewi l
lgetmedi
calatt
enti
on.Helpmegethim
i
nside."Hesayssteppi
ngoutofthecar.Onyi
ye
stepsoutandlooksatthenei
ghbourhood.Sheonl
y
sawt hi
spartofsi
deonceandt hatwastodaywhen
sheusedpublictr
ansportgoi
ngtotown.
"Thi
sway.
"Shefol
lowsKhozai
nsidetheempty
housewi
ththegr
oaningSt
hembisoin-
between
t
hem."
Hel
pisont
heway.
"
"Twobull
etsontherightar m andonei nthe
stomach.Lucki
lynoser verdamages.Hej ustneeds
totakei
teasyandhewi llhealfast
."Thedoct or
fri
endsaystaki
ngoffhisof fhi
sgloves."The
medicat
ionhaskickedin, lethi
mr estfornowand
makesur et
hatyoupr ovidehi m wi
thsoftfood."
"
Weoweyouone.
"
"Anyt
ime.Letmegetgoi
ng.
"Hewal
ksoutcar
ryi
ng
hismedicalbag.
KhozaturnstolookatOnyi
yewhowassi
tt
ingon
t
hefloorstar
ti
ngt odozeof
f.
"Youcangosl eep.It'
ssaf
eherebecausenoone
knowsthisplace.Ifyouguysneedanythi
ngcallme
andplease,donotl eavet
hishousewi
thoutt
ell
ing
me.Comel ockup. "
Hewalksoutanddr
ivesof
fleavi
ngOnyi
ye
ast
oni
shed.
Shelockup….shewil
lbedamnedifsheswi
tched
thel
ight
soff.Ther
eisnowaythatshewil
lsuff
erfor
t
hesi
nsshedi
dn'
tcommi
t.
Shesawabat hr
oom somewherei
noneoft he
rooms.Aha,t
herei
tis.Bl
ackt
il
esallovert
hehouse.
Shefi
ndsthem wei
rdanddark.
She'
sbathingscrubbi
ngthebloodof
fherbody.She
hasneverseensomuchbl oodbefor
eletal
one
handl
eandi nj
uredperson.
Nowt hatshef eel
ssatisfi
edshest epsoutofthe
showerwr appingherselfwithatowel.Shebends
overandwashest hebathtubwi t
hherbuttocks
sl
ightl
yshowi ng.Thebat hr
oom doorclosesharshl
y
makinghert ojumpal itt
leinfr
ight.
"I
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeantoscar
eyou.Ijustwantt
o
pee.
"St
hembi
sosaysl
ooki
nghalfdead.
"Doyouwanttogotothehospit
al?"Whyisthi
sshot
manstandi
ng!"Youshouldbeinbed,whatwil
l
happeni
fyougetaninfecti
on?
"
"
Iwon't
.Ij
ustcameheretoempt
ymyt oolbox.
"Hi
s
whol
earmisbandaged."
Canyouhel
pme. "
Shel
ooksathi
m conf
used.Heneedshel
pwi
th
what
?Hest
il
lhasanswer
edquest
ionsokokuqal
a!
"Pl
easeunzi
pmypants.Myar
m hurt
s.I
'
m di
zzy
andwanttolaydownabi
t.
"Hesays.
Shesighssteppi
ngover-withouthesi
tantorfear
sheunzipshispantsandlowershispantsdowna
bit
.Shelooksathisdickangaspssteppingback.
"
Hol
dit
."Hei
nst
ruct
s.
"Useyouot herhand.
"Shesays.Shehasseen
enoughalreadyandbetterbel
ievei
thermi
ndis
traumat
ized.
"I
'm bal
anci
ngmyselfsothatIwon'
tfall
.Icannot
standfort
oolong.
"Heiswhining,
fakingtear
s.He
l
ooksl i
keheisi
npainyesandOnyi yeisdefi
nit
ely
fall
ingf
orit
.
"
Okay!
"She'
sdef
eat
ed.Shest
il
lneedscounsel
li
ng.
Heisdonet
heybot
hqui
tewai
ti
ngt
obei
nst
ruct
ed
whatt
odonext.
"
Tucki
tbacki
nbutf
ir
stshakei
t.
"
Whyisshesodamncal
m ar
oundhi
m?Shedoesas
i
nst
ruct
edagai
n!Hecl
oseshi
seyesandi
tkeeps
gr
owi
ngt
hickerandt
hicker
.
Sheshovesi
tbacki
nandzi
pshi
spant
s.
Theyf
alli
ntoanawkwar
dsi
lence….
Stil
lst
andi
ngint
hebat hr
oom -t
heystareateach
otherandhermi
ndtakeshertotheeventsofher
bestti
meofherl
ifeever.
Shewi l
lneverfor
getthosef ulll
ips,i
t'
sonlynowshe
getstoseethem pink.Shemaysoundcheesy, but
therewerefir
eworks-shest i
llr
emember sli
keit
wasyest er
day.Hisli
pswer esosof t
,heappli
edthe
ri
ghtamountofpr essure,andsmel ledsogoodt hat
shejustwantedtointoxicateherselfwit
hhis
cologne.Shedidn’
tknowt hathe’dbecomeherbaby
atthetime,butsheknewshewant edhimtobeas
crazyasshemaysound.
That'
swhyt heirf
irstki
ssdi dn’tnecessari
lyhadto
be"movieper f
ect"inor
derf oritfeelamazing,she
alwaysthought.I
fyou'rekissingsomeone—and
l
ikethei
rpheromoneswhi chal sohasal ottodo
withhowt heysmel l—youmaybei nspir
edtohop
i
ntobed.Thati sexactl
ywhathappenedt oherand
shedoesn'
thaveanyregretsofthatday.She
wishesshecouldj
ustrewindthatdayandr edo
whatshedid.Shej
umpedi nbedwi thastranger!
Howdoyouenj oyastrangerthatwasaoneni ght
standandleftyouwithababy?I sshemadathi m
forleavi
nghisseedinsideofher?Nosheis
defini
tel
ynot.Sheishappyandshel ovesherson
nowsonsmor ethananything.Shehasendured
mor ethanenoughinli
felivi
ngunderthatr
oof.
Ateardr
oprol
lsdownunexpect
edly.Nowi
ping,
no
sni
ffi
ng-j
ustbreat
hebei
ngsuspir
eandpuffout
.
Shewantstosaysomethingbutsomethi
ngis
hol
dingherback.Shewantst
oshar ewhatshef
eel
s
butever
ythi
nginherist
oungetied.Br
eat
hing
get
tinghi
gherandlower
….
Hiseyesarewarm anddrawnt owardsher,
maybe
shefeel
sstupi
dforfeel
ingthisway.Isshewrong?
"NO!
"Hersubconsciousscreams.Itfeel
ssori
ght
l
ookingint
ohiseyes.
Nowshewishesshegott
oseehisfacet
hatni
ght,
shewi
shedshehadseenhim ont
opofher….
his
eyesaregi
vingherasi
gnt
hatshehasbeenl
ongi
ng
allt
hesemonths.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hi
seyesar egi
vinghersi
gnshewant
stoki
ss….
i
ntenseeyecontact
.
Heli
mpsget ti
ngcloseri
nchstandi
ngr i
ghtinfr
ont
ofherface.Helowershi
sheadt ohershortsel
f
cl
osinghiseye.Thei
rli
pstouch….
Dopaminei
sr el
eased,
hei
sdoingsomethingthat
feel
sgood,
“happyhormones”makehi
mf eelgiddy
andeuphor
ic.Themorehegetsmoreoftheselips,
themorehi
sbodywant st
hem
"I
'
mi nl
ovewi t
hyoursloppykisses.
"Hesays.Hi
s
bodylanguageisgi
vinghim away.
Whileitmightjustseem l
iket
hey'r
eswappingspi
t,
theactofkissingisonewaytheirbody
subconsciouslydecideswhet
herornottheywantto
takethist
ot henextlevel
.
Theycont
inuet
oki
ss,
hisbodyj
umpsi
nto
over
dri
ve…
Theheartrat
egoesup,musclet
ensioni
ncreases,
hi
sbreat
hingr at
espeedsup,
andbloodfl
owst ohis
i
nter
nalorgans.
the'
lovehormone,'
againrushest
hroughhi
sveins.
Hepr esseshi
sli
psharderonhersandrubshi
s
harddickagai
nstherstomach.
Thisfeelsli
keadr eam,heiswit
hagirlt
hathe
tur
nedi ntoawoman.Thewomanwhobi rt
hedhi
s
son.Hehasn' tseenherforayearandsome
mont hsbuthewashopi ngtoseehersomedayand
dorightbyher .
Her
eshei
sr i
ghtinf
rontofhi
seye.Hest
epsback
l
ooki
ngdi
rect
lyinhereyes.
"I
'vebeenwantingt
odot
hisal
loft
hiswhil
e.I
tfeel
s
l
ikeadr eam.Canwegot
obedI'mti
redanddizzy.
Yourkissmademewobbly.
"
"Ar
eyouusuall
ythist
alkat
ive?
"Sheaskshelpi
ng
himtobal
ancehimselfonhershoulder
s.Hehashi
s
arm wr
appedaroundhershoulder
s.
"
Notr
eal
ly,
butI
'
mtal
kat
ivebynat
ure.
"
"
Whatdoest
hatsupposetomean?Whi
chis
whi
ch?
"Sheasks.Cl
earl
yshe'
sconf
used.
"
Youwi l
lgett
oknowme,wehavet
her
estofour
l
ivesaheadofust
oour
selves.
"
Shesmileshel
pinghi
m si
tonthebed.Heget
s
undercover
sandimmediatel
ydozeoff
.
Onyiyetakeshert
imelooki
ngathi
m -Li
ndiwe
def
init
elyneedstoknowaboutt
hisri
ghtnow!
Shetakesherphoneandsendsheraf
ewpi
ctur
es
ofhi
m sleepi
ng.
Li
ndi
wecal
lswi
thi
nsecondsvi
deocal
lgr
eat
!
Sheswipest
oanswerandsmil
esawkwardl
y
scr
atchi
ngherscal
pnotknowi
ngwhatt
osay.
"Muphi?Ist
hataphot
oshopnton,nt
on?"Li
ndi
we
asksl
aughing."
Ther
e'snowaythatyousawyour
onenightst
and.
"
Notknowhowtoanswershef
acest
hecamer
aand
zoomshisf
ace.
"
Owshi
t!
"Li
ndi
wei
sshocked."
How,
wher
e?"
"
It
'salongst
ory.Iwi
llt
ellyouallabouti
ttomor
row.
I
'
mt i
redandIhadalongday. "
"
Promi
se?
"
"
Ipr
omi
seasahear
tat
tack.
"
"
Wenotki
dsj
eez.
"Li
ndi
we.
"Iknow, whatj ustsett
ingtherecordstrai
ght .I'
m
sti
lli
nshock, confused.Idon'tevenknowwhatt o
sayrightnow.Ever yt
hingisjusttoomuchf orme
andit'sscary.Iwantt oaskhi m alotofquest i
ons
butIdon' tknowwher etoevenbegi n.Wekissed
anditf el
tsogoodt hatIwantedt ocry.Heevensai d
myki ssissl oppy."Li
ndiwelaughst hrowingher
headbackwar ds.
"Tol
dyouthatyouneedsomelessons.I
fyouki
ss
someoneyoualwaysmakethatsoundli
keyou
cli
cki
ngyourtounge.
"
Onyi
yegasp,
"that
'snott
rue.
"She'
snotof
fendedat
al
l.
"
RememberSkhusel
o,t
hatguyf
rom schoolwho
al
wayswantedyou.Hegottur
nedoffbyyour
sl
oppyki
ss.I'
m sur
pri
sedyouroneni
ghtstand
deci
dedt
ostay."
"Fusegi
."Shel
aughsdr
oppi
ngt
hecal
landshakes
herhead.
Wherewi
llshesl
eepbecauseal
lther
oomshaveno
bed?
Shehasnoot
heropt
ionbutt
oshar
ethebedwi
th
hi
m.
Sheget
sinl
eavi
ngal
otofspacei
n-bet
ween.
"
Sondel
a,Iwantt
obesur
ethatyouwon'
trunaway
f
rom me.
"
Ai
n'theasl
eep?
"It
houghtyouwer
esl
eepi
ng.
"Shesayswi
thher
backfaci
nghim.
"Iwaswait
ingf
oryou.Soyouki
ssesboysin
school
?"Heisver
ymuchsleepybutdepr
ivi
ng
himsel
ffr
om sl
eep.
"
Youhear
d?"
"I
'
m aver yli
ghtsl
eeper.Sondel
aendodeniyakho
yolahl
eko."Onyi
yelaughstothest
atement.
Shesl
idesherbodynextt
ohi
m andsi
ghs.
"I'
m sosl eepy, bi
tiff
eel deli
ghtedtobenextt oyou."
Hei sl
ookingatt hesleepingOnyi ye.I
t'
smor ning
andhei salreadyawakel ookingandadmi r
ingher .
Onyi yeslowlyopenshereyesbutqui ckl
ycover s
her sel
fwi t
ht heblanket."Yougoingt ogetusedt o
this.Wher ear emyki ds?"
"
Howdi
dyouknowwehaveki
ds?
"
"Ther
e'salotyoudon' tknow.Youseeaf terwe
spentthenightatthehal l
.Iwassoconvi ncedand
sosurethatIleftwhat'smi necauseyouwer epure
andverymuchcl uel
essi nthemedi caldepartment.
Fewdaysaf terIgotacal ltor eporttowor kin
Durbanandt hat'
swher ethedi st
racti
ont ookplace.
Cli
veknewyoubuthedi dn'twantt ot el
lmewher e
youli
vedandl etaloneyournamecausehewant s
you.Ihadalotofyourpi cturesonmyphonet hatI
tookthatni
ght.Iusedt owor kasasecur i
tyguard
unti
lmymanagerKhozaof feredmesomet hi
ng
bet t
er.Itooktheofferandbegi ntosearchforyou.It
washar dfindi
ngyouandt rustmeIsweat edalot
buti twaswor thit
.Ievenhadsomeonef oll
owyou
becauseIwasaf raidapproachingyou.Hewoul d
takepi ct
uresofyouwi thoutyounot i
cinguntilyou
l
ef thomeandt hatiswher eIlostt
rackofyouf or
twomont hs.Theladyt hatgaveyoumyl astbornis
myex. "
"Soyouwer
elooki
ngf
ormeal
lthi
swhi
le?
"Her
hear
thasmelt
ed.
"I
'
veneverstopped.Ipromisedmysel
ftoneverdat
e
unti
lIf
indyouandmychi l
dinwhichIdi
d.Andthis
ti
mearoundIam notl et
ti
ngyougo."
"Idon'
tknowwhattosay.Aloti
shappeni
ngandit'
s
scary.
"Sheisaf
rai
ddefi
nitel
ybutsheisnotaf
rai
d
ofhim.
"Iknow, I
'm afrai
dmysel
f.It
houghtthatmaybeyou
willr
ejectmeornotevenr ememberme.But
hearingthatyouhadyourhopeswai ti
ngforme
makesmehappi er.
"Hei
sblushing-hisf
aceis
turni
ngr edlikemashedtomatoes
"
Yourbr
eat
hst
inks.
"Randoml
yhert
oungesl
ips.
"
Whatawayofgr eet
ingyourfuturehusbandint
he
morning.CanyouhelpmeIf eelli
kemyst omachis
l
eaking."
"Yeasure.
"Sheget
sofft
hebedputt
inghersl
ipper
s
on.Shegoestotheot
hersi
deoft
hebedandhel ps
him of
f.
Hegr
oanst
othemassi
vepai
nshei
sfeel
ing.
"
Wil
lyout
akeabat
hfi
rstoryouwantt
ocl
ean
t
he.
..
."
"
Awar
m showerwi
lldo.Ismel
lofbl
ood.
"
Shenodsherheadandhelpshim st
ri
poffnaked.
"won'
tyouj
oinme? "Heasksst
eppingint
heshower
undert
hewarmr unningwat
er.
"I
'
llgomaket
hebed.
"That
'sj
ustt
ooawkwar
dfor
her.
"
Isti
llr
ememberyourt
inybushypunani
.Comet
ake
ashowerwi
thme."
Shesmilesl
ooki
ngdownbi
tevent
ual
lyt
akeal
lof
hercl
othesof
f.
"
Weneedsomet
hingt
oeatsot
hatIcoul
ddr
inkt
he
medi
cat
ion.
"
"There'
snofoodinthehouse.Unlessi
fyouwant
met ogot otown.
"Shesuggestsbuthel
lnoheis
notlett
ingheroutofhi
ssight
.
"What!Nowoman.Iwi l
laskKhozatobri
ngus
somethingt
oeat."Hetakeshisphoneandtr
ies
typi
ngamessagebutf ail
s."
canyoutypeandtell
him br
ingusfood.Realmenfood."
"
Whataboutwomanf ood?"Shedi
dn'
tknowt
hat
t
hisgenderhasi
tsowntypeoffood.
"
Youwi
lleatwhati
ndodayol
ahl
ekoeat
s."
Aft
erawholehourofwait
ingKhozafinal
lycomes
thr
oughwit
hTazzalong.Theyhavetakeawaysthat
couldl
astt
hem awholeblessedweek.
Onyiyei
ssomewher
eint
her
oomst
alki
ngt
oher
phone..
..
"So,youf
inal
lyf
oundher
?"Tazzasksbi
ti
ngahuge
chunkofmeat.
"
Wit
hthehel
pofmeofcour
se.
"Khoza."
Hewas
busyl
ookingforhouseswhi
leDumisaniwasout
andabouttopickupwherehelef
toff
."
"Huh?Soyout ryi
ngt
otellmet
hatDumisanisaw
Onyiyef
irstandmadehismove?"Tazzgul
psdown
hisbeer
..
..
"Lucki
ly,
sheranforherl
if
ebef
orehecoul
dtr
y
anythi
ngstupi
d."
"
LeaveDumisanit
ome.Iwi lldealwi
thhim myown
waywhenthetimeisri
ght.Hehasbittenmor eof
whathecanchewbutrightnowhei stheleastof
myworri
es.Mymai nconcernis,whoarethosemen
t
hatshor
tmeandhowdi dtheyknowIhave
money?"
Si
lence!
!!
"Iknowi t
'snotDumisani,
itcanneverbehi m.He
hadhi scutandtheonlythingher unsafterist
he
womanIdat eortryt
odat e.Thispersonhas
i
nf or
mat i
onofallofus.Aftertheyshotmet heydi
d
saythattheywi l
lbegoingafteryout wo,
butmy
questionsti
llst
ands.
..
.whoar ethosemen? "
Sthembiso.
"
AsmuchasIwi
lll
iket
oknow,
Ial
sodon'
tknow.
"
Somethi
ngisdefi
nit
elyof
fsomewhere.Butt
he
quest
ionst
il
lst
ands,whoarethey?
[
08/
18,
03:
35] :SPONSOREDBYDUDUETSANG

ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER18

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

She'
sint
heli
brar
ymi
ndi
ngherownbusi
nessand
herownday.
Shesuddenl
ythenf
eel
sof
f.
Thisi
sstrangei
thasneverhappenedbef
oreexpect
thati
thasbeenhappeni
ngal otl
atel
y.
Maybei
tisaf
igmentofheri
magi
nat
ion.
Iti
spr obabl
yaboutheroverwhel
mingphysi
cal
presenceandairofconfi
dence.
Butno,
somet
hingi
sdef
ini
tel
yof
f.
Bet
terl
ookaroundt
oseei
fther
eisdanger
…her
i
nnersel
fsays.
Str
angesensati
on,
sur
pri
se,
andt
henasenseof
apprehensi
on.
Shecl earshert
hroatandti
lt
sherheadfindi
nga
mangl ar
ingatherwit
houtbli
nki
ng.Shequickl
y
focusesbackt oherbookswithherhear
tdrumming.
I
t '
sthosedaysagain-thosedaysofherbecominga
topicagain.
I
magi
net
hehur
tofpeopl
egossi
pingaboutyoul
ive.
Thewhi
sper
saregett
ingl
ouderandl
ouder
.She
l
ooksar
oundthel
ibr
ary-gr
oupsofst
udents….
Shecannotfocus,
sheshoul
dn'thavecomehere,
nowshewi l
lbealaughi
ngstockagain.Maybei
f
shehaddiedshewouldhavebeenf i
ne.
Sheclosesherbooksshovingthem r
oughlyinher
bag.Apaperslipsdownandf l
oatsof
fthetable
wit
houthernotici
ng.Shewalksoutoftheli
brar
y
wit
hherf acedownandaf ewtearsdroppi
ngout.
Whenwillt
hisissuedi
edown?Shehasendur
ed
enoughandithurtst
oapointofnor
etur
n.
From adist
anceshespotsMpilowithanewgirl
.
Herheartst
opsbeati
ngf orasecond.Shei
str
ying
tobeexordi
albutal
sotryingt
onotbecompelled.
It
’sbeenawhi l
esinceshel astthoughtaboutherex.
Shetooktimetogrieve,heal,andmovef orward.
Andbyt helookofthingshehasevenst art
eddati
ng
someonewho’ sbetterthanher.Theywal kri
ght
pastherholdi
nghandsandt heboydoesn’ tdaret
o
l
ookherdi r
ecti
on.
Sheswal
lowshardcr
ossi
ngtheroadlooki
ngt
he
ot
herwayalmostbei
ngknockedbuscar.
"Excuseme,
"saysanunf
amili
arvoi
ce.Shetur
ns
aroundandfi
ndsthemanthatwasstar
ingatherat
theli
brar
y.
"
Yes,
"shest
epsont
hepavementandwai
tsf
orhi
m.
"Hai,youdr
oppedt
hisbackt
her
e."Hehandshera
pieceofpaper
.
"
Thanks.Musthavedr
oppedi
t.
"Shesayst
aki
ngt
he
paperandput
ti
ngi
tinherbag.
"
Wannagr
abl
unch?I
'
m bor
ed.
"
Lindi
wel
ooksathi
m withhereyebrowsfur
rowed.
"Whatmakesyout
hinkIcantrustyou?
"
"I
t'
sjustahar
mlessdateImeanlunch.Unl
essi
f
youhaveimport
antt
hingstodo.
"
Hesaysl
ookingather
.Shesighshopi
ngthatshe'
s
notmaki
ngtheworstdeci
sionofherl
if
e.
"
Okay,
onehouri
sal
lIcanspar
e."Shet
ell
shi
m.
Theyareatt
heeat
eryhavi
ngf
ri
edchi
psand
burger
s.
"Ihavebeenwat
chingyouatschoolforawhil
enow
andyouhaveneverpaidanyatt
enti
ont ome.I
'm
Sizwebytheway.
"
"Whywatchme?"Shesi psonhercol ddrink.Being
her
eisnotsobadaf t
erall.She'
sjustlet
ti
ngl oose
andfor
gett
ingabouteverythi
ngandever yoneatt he
moment.
"
Iwasaf
rai
dtoapproachyousot odayIdeci
dedt
o
manupandhavesomeballs.Ij
ustadmireyou
char
ismaandst
rengt
h."
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Sheasks.
"Af
terallyouhavebeent
hroughyousti
llstandtal
l
andfocusonwhatyouwant .Youdidn'
tletallt
hose
negati
veygettoyouandforthatIadmi
reyoual ot
."
"Youhavenoi dea.I '
vebeent hi
nkingabout
commi t
tingsui cidealot .I
tssohar dt ot al
kwhenI
wantt oki l
lyour self
.That 'saboveandbeyond
everythingelse, andi t
'snotament alcompl aint-
it
's
aphysi calthing, l
ikeit'sphysicall
yhar dtoopenmy
mout handmaket hewor dscomeout .Theydon' t
comeoutsmoot handi nconj unct
ionwi thmybr ain
thewaynor malpeopl e'swor dsdo;t heycomeouti n
chunksasi ffrom acr ushed-icedispenser ;I
stumbl eont hem ast heygat herbehi ndmyl owerlip.
SoIj ustkeepqui et.Thati swhySomet imesIt hi
nk
thatli
fedoesn' tmat t
er ,Idon'
tcareanymor eabout
l
ife.
"
"
Youshoul
dcare.Yourli
fei
simportant
.Youare
muchmoreimport
antthanyouthi
nk.Youcanmake
agoodi
mpactonmanypeopl e’
sli
fe.Maybeyouar
e
themosti mport
antper sonintheworld.Youmay
neverknow.Bepr oud,bestubborn,andnevergi ve
up.Somet i
mesweneedt ostaydownawhi l
ebef or
e
wef i
ndar easongoodenought ogetbackup. .
whateveritmaybeIhopeyouf i
ndyourwi l
lagain.
AllI
'm sayi
ngyouwi llhealf
rom thi
s."Headds
putt
ingal i
tt
lesmileonherf ace.
"
CanIuset
hebat
hroom?
"She'
sal
readyup.
"
Youdon'
thavet
oaskt
wice.
"
Everywhereshegoesi t'
sjustst
areaft
erstareand
thatdepr
esseshermor e.Sheli
esstr
aighttoher
fri
endandt ell
sherthatsheisfi
nebutdeepi nsi
de
sheisemot ional
lynotokay-maybedeat histhe
wayoutoft hisphaseshei sgoi
ngthrough.
Shelooksather sel
finthemir
rorandsighslet
ti
nga
fewtearsfal
l."
Iam strongert
hanthi
s."Shewashes
herfaceandwi pesitwitht
hepapertowelandsteps
outofthetoi
let
s.
Shef i
ndsSizwegl
uedonhisphone.Hesmiles
putt
inghisphonebacki
nhispocket."
Iwasaboutto
sendasearchpart
yther
e."Heleansbackgulpi
ng
downt
hel
astj
uicet
hatwasr
emai
ning.
"
I'
m back,
Ijustneedt
imet
omysel
f.
"
Theycont
inuetoeati
nsi
lencej
ustst
eal
ingaf
ew
gl
ancesateachother
.
"Thankyou,Ir
eal
lyhadagr
eatt
ime.Youser
iousl
y
don'tknowhowgoodyoumademyday."Shenot
l
ying.
Shehasbeenhi
dingfr
om thesoci
ety-l
ocki
ng
her
sel
fupandmissingcl
asses.
"I
'
m gladyoudid.Canyoudomeafavour
."Theyar
e
walki
ngaroundtheparkl
ist
eni
ngt
othebusycars
aroundtown.
"Yes,
"theybot
hst
op.Shepl
ayswi
tht
hebag
str
aps….
"Beyourol dselfbackandknowwhatyoucamef or
.
Don'tletthi
ssituat
ionyepandemicbri
ngyoudown.
Acceleratetowardsyourgoalsbytaki
ngdeci
sive
acti
on.Bet hatcourageouswomenknowswhat
theyarest r
ivi
ngtowardanddonotal l
ow
dist
ractionstoslowyoudown.Doyoupr omise
me?
"
"Yes,
Ipromi
set
hatthesit
uat
ionyepandemicwi
ll
notbri
ngmedown.Iref
usetobeli
evethat
."
Theybot
hlaugh….
.
"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng,
"
"Yeal
etmynotkeepyouwaiti
ng.CanIt
akeyou
home?"Heoff
ers,
shelooksathi
sgenui
neface.
Shebri
efl
ysmil
es.
"
Sur
e,t
axi
sar
ethi
sway.
"
"
Ist
olemymot
her
'scar
."Shegasps.
"So,yourathi
ef?
"Sheasksl
ookingathisinnocent
face.Heopensthedoorf
orherandhelpshersettl
e
i
n.Hecl osesi
tandgoestot
hedr i
ver
'ssideto
hopesin.
"
Iam,
ift
her
eisnecessar
y."Ahonestr
espond!
"Idon'
tbel
ievet
his.Idon'
twantt
ogot
ojai
l,
I'
m st
il
l
young!"
"
Yeari
ghtbutyourbut
tisi
nsi
desi
tt
ingcomf
ort
abl
y
i
nathi
evescar.
"
Theybot
hlaughandhedr
ivesof
f.
"
Welcometomyhumbl espace."There'
snot
hing
muchjustadoubl
ebed,t
wopl atestoveont
hefloor
wit
htwopotsandherl
uggage.
"
It
'ssocol
d."Hesi
tsont
hebed.
"
Ist
ruggleatni
ghtbecauseofcol
dness,
Idon’
thave
muchblanket
s."Sheal
sosit
sonthebed.
Theyf
alli
ntosi
lence….
"
Ishouldgetgoi
ngbef
oremymot
hercomesback.
"
Hestandsup.
"
Thankyouagainfortheti
meandt
het
hingsyoudi
d
f
ormetoday.Iappreci
atei
t."
"Youwelcome.I'
m gl
adyouwil
lsl
eepbet
tert
oday.
CanIhaveyournumber?Idon'
tmeantobepushy
oranyt
hing.Ij
ust….
"
"Yeasurewhynot
?"Shet
akeshisphoneand
puncheshernumber
sinandhandshim hi
sphone
back."
Ineedsomeonewhowil
ltakemearound
DurbanandmakemeseeplacesI'
veneverseen
befor
e."She'
ssmi
li
ngsomethi
ngheisadoring.
"I
'
m game,t
ellyouwhat
.Thi
supcomi
ngweekend
howaboutwegoclubbi
ng?"
Shedoesn'
tli
kei
t.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkitwi
llbeagoodi
dea,
I'
veneverbeen
i
ntoacl
ub.Idon'
tdrink.
"
"Don'tbesi
ll
y,t
heydosel
lwat
erbot
tl
es,
andnon-
alcoholi
cwine.
"
"I
fthat
'st
hecaset
hencountmei
n!"She'
swavi
ng
herhandsint
heai
rexci
tedl
y.
"
CanIgetahugbef
oreIl
eave?
"
Shestandsupsmi l
ing.Shewr
apsherhands
aroundhisshoul
dersandhesoft
lysneakshi
s
handsaroundherwai st
.
Ar
omant
ichugl
ast
slongert
hanapl
atoni
chug.
Sheknowst
hedi
ff
erence.
Theygentlycl
utchalit
tl
etighter.
..
.Shetakesadeep
breathandexhalel
oudly;r
elaxingint
othehugand
enjoyit
.Shecloseshereyesandf eel
sthemoment .
She'
sti
redofst
andi
ngonhert
oes-t
hismani
stoo
t
all
!
Sheunwrapsherarmsaroundhim andst
epsback
buthepul
lshergentl
ybacktowardshim.
"Canthi
slastfor
ever?
"Hisvoi
cehisraspyenough
forhert
omakehergi ggl
e.Heclear
shisthr
oatand
becomesnor malagai
n.
"Whatdoyoumeanlastforever
?"Shehasher
fi
ngerdrawi
ngci
rcl
esaroundhischestwi
ththem
sti
llst
andi
ng.
"Meandyoubeone.I 'vealwayswant edyoubuthas
beenaf r
aidtoapproachyou.Thef ir
sttimeImet
youwast hedayIbr okeyoursl i
pper sbyst epping
onthem bymi stake.Youlookedatmewi ththose
scarycuteeyesandIknewr ightthent hatIlikeyou.
Youcl i
ckedyourtoungeandwal kedawaywi thout
sayi
ngat hi
ng.EversincethenIt r
iedever ytrick
possibl
et ogetyourattent
ionbutyournevereven
noti
cedmeonce.Butt odayI'm herewi thyouand
I'
m verymuchhappyt hatyouf i
nallynoticedme. "
"
Youst
il
lowememysl
ipper
sbut
i.
"
"
Iwi
llpayt
hem.I
n-f
actIwi
llbuyyoubet
terones.
Whatsi
zedoyouwear
?"
"
Size5si
r.
"
"
ThedayIwi
llf
uckyouwi
llst
opcal
li
ngmesi
r,But
i.
"
Theyl
augh.AcallcomethroughonSi
zwe'
sphone
andhecursespi
ckingup.
"Mah, Iwenttothelibr
ar y.
..
.I'
m sor r
y, I
'
m comi ng
backhome. "Hedropsthephoneandsi ghs."I
'm
i
nvitingyout omyf uneral.I
'm goingt obef uneral
led
byt hiswoman."Hest ealsakissf rom hermout h
anddashesoutl eavinghert ot ouchingherl i
psi n
disbelief
..
..

ATTHETAVERN

MaThusicount ingthecashupandSTI LL
somet hingdoesn’taddup.Maybesheleftor
droppedt hemoneyi nthetaver
n.Maybeshehas
beencount ingwronglythesepastmonths.She
placest hemoneyunder neat
hthepil
lowandheads
tothet aver
n.
"Nomonde!"She'
sshocked.Notinherwil
dest
dreamshassheeverthoughtthatherownchi
ldwi
ll
stealf
rom her
.
"I
t'
syouallal
ong?Youwatchedmechaseumnt ana
bantul
ikeadogkantiyouar
ethecul
pri
tal
lthi
s
whil
e!Whywouldyoudosomet hi
ngthi
scr
uel?"
"
MamaI
'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
ost
eal
."
"I'
m highlydisappointedinyouNomonde.Toeven
thinkIhat edNontombif ornothingbecauseofyour
doings.Yourf atherwilldealwit
hyou.Ihaveno
wor ds.Iam highlydisappointedinyou.Wedo
everythingforyoui nthishousebutyoucont i
nueto
stealwhatf eedsyou.Youknowwhat ..
..
"Shetakes
adeepbr eathandst epsoutoft hetaver
n.Nowshe
hast ogol ookforOnyi yeandapol ogi
es.Hopeshe
i
sathome. .
..
"AwuMaThusi ,
ubekwayi nla?
"Onyiye'
smother
sayssit
tingonherbr okencouch.I
t'
sdirty-i
tshows
thatt
heirslaveisnotaround.
"I
'
m heretoseeOnyi
ye.
"MaThusir
espondsl
ooki
ng
atherhopi
ngtofi
ndsomeanswers.
"Thatchi
ldi
swor
kingasamai
dinmyf
ri
ends
house."
Sherespondsunbother
edlywit
houtcare.What'
s
theuseofaskinghermorefurt
herquesti
ons
becauseclear
lyshedoesn'
tcareaboutherchi
ld.
"Ijustcamet oapol
ogi
ze,
I'
vejustreal
isedt
hat
Onyi yeneverst
olet
hatmoney.ItwasNomondeal
l
along."MaThusi.
"Soyoutryi
ngtotel
lmethatthebeati
ngsthatshe
gotwasjustformahhal
a?It'
sokay,at
leastIgott
o
beather
."Sheshrughershoulder
s.
Okayt hat'
sit!I
t'
sti
meforhert
oleavethisgoodfor
nothingwoman.Shewal ksoutofthehousewi t
ha
heavyhear tnotknowi
ngwheretogonextandwhat
todo.Butt hedaysheseeshershewilldef
ini
tel
y
apologize.
She'
sbackhomewi
thherhusbandeat
ingl
unch.
"So,
youhatedOnyi
yeal
lthi
swhi
lef
ornot
hing?
"
Thehusbandasks.
"
Don'
tmakemel
ookbad,
Ial
readyf
eelbadf
ori
t.I
wishIcoul
djustseeherandapol
ogi
es.
"She'
shur
t
ofherchoi
ce.
"Itol
dyout hat-t
hatchi
ldisnotathi
ef.Hernatur
e
doesn'tst
rikeherasone.Shemaycomef rom a
toxicenvi
ronmentbutshe'sdef
ini
tel
ynotathief.
"
Shel
eansbackont
hechai
rwi
thherhear
tdr
oppi
ng.
Nowsher
egr
etsdel
eti
nghernumber
.

ATAUNTSANDI
'
SHOUSE

"Youtryingt otellmethatyououtofal lpeopl

e
molestki dsforyourownsel fi
shdesires?Ishoul
d
havel i
stenedt omydaught erwhenshet ol
dmet hat
youdi dittoher ewhenshewasonl y16!Ivouched
foryouandst oodbyyouwhenever yoneaccused
youofbei ngar api
st.Hereyouaretodaymaki ng
thefrontlineoft henewspapers.
..
."
"
I'
m sor
rymkami."Heregret
s,atf
irstitwasfunbut
i
ttur
nedtobeahabit.Forawholef ullmont
hthat
manandhisgoonsmadesur ethatt heydi
d
what
evert
heywantedwithhi
m.Hewast
her
e
br
eakf
ast,
lunchandsupper
.
Hef el
tthatlif
ecouldt akehisl
if
eanddi e.Hecould
sti
llsmelltheirsemen, hecoul
dstil
lfeelthem
drippi
ngoutandhehat eshimsel
f.So,thisishow
thesechildrenfeltl
ikewheneverhedi dittothem.
..
.
"Di
dyoual sodothatt
histhechil
dthatwashere?
Sheranawayandupunt i
ltodayIdon'tknowwhere
sheis.I
fherfamil
ycouldaskmeofher
whereaboutsIdon'
tknowwher eandhowIwoul d
answerbecausesheranf orherl
if
e!"Henodshis
headandshesi t
sdowni nshame
Thisal
lmakessense.Thewayshewasj
umpy
aroundwheneverhewasaround.
"
OwmyGod!
"Andsheaddedsal
ttot
hewound.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"Sowearej
ustgoi
ngtositl
iket
hisandlookateach
otheri
naemptyhouse?
"She'sl
ayingonherback
wi
thSt
hembi
sochangi
nghi
str
ouser
s.
"Upunt
ilI
'
mf ul
lyf
ittobeoutsi
de.Iwi
llt
akeyou
out.
"Hesaysandlaysnextt
oher.
"
You?Fi
t.Youski
nnypeopl
egetf
it
?"Shel
aughs.
"I'
m notskinny.I
'm am af
itsl
endermama.Theday
Idrivethatbushypussyofyoursyouwil
lknowme.
In-f
actngiyabuyawaither
e."Hegroansget
ti
ngoff
thebed.Ther e'
snothi
ngthattheover
dose
painkil
ler
scan'tfi
x.
Hegoesgohi
sbagandpul
lsoutforashavi
ng
r
azor
.Hecomesbackt
othebed..
..
"
Iwantyout
otakeof
fyourl
eggi
ngsandl
ayont
he
f
loorf
orme.
"
Shel
if
tsherheadandl
ooksathi
m cur
iosi
ty.
"
Why?
"
"Iwantt
oremovet
hatbushin-
bet
weenyourl
egs.
"
Hesaysgrabbi
ngatowelpl
aci
ngonthefl
oorwi
th
onehand.
"
Hai
bo!Ar
eyouser
ious?
"
"Mfazi
,I'
m seri
ous.Getyourshor
tsel
fla.
"Hepoint
s
out
.Shest andsupshakingherheadi
ndisbel
ief
andlaughs.
"Youcrazy!
"Shepul
lsherl
eggi
ngsdownal
ongwi
th
herunderwear
.
"
Haubabe,
umamhl
ongopho!
"
Theybot
hlaughoutl
oud.
"
Yeyuyakhul
umamaan!
"Shel
aysonherbackst
il
l
l
aughi
ng.
"Ineedt
otakeyoushoppi
ng.Yoursenseofst
ylei
s
kil
li
ngmeslowly.
"Hefi
tswit
hlaughtert
hrowi
nghis
headbackwards.
Hesit
sdownst
il
llaughi
ngli
keahyena.Heopens
herl
egswi
deandbeginstoshaveher
.
"
I'
m done,
youcangowashi
t.
"
Shest
andsupf
reel
y..
..
"
Ther
e'sai
rcomi
ngi
n."Shesays.
"That
'sbecauseyounevershave.Nowmypunanii
s
goingtocatchphenomena.
"
Shel
aughsgoi
ngt
othebat
hroom t
owashof
f.
..
.
I
tfeel
ssodi
ff
erent
,"If
eel
li
keI
'
m naked.
"
She'
swear
ingwhatshewaswear
ingbutshef
eel
s
someki
ndofweir
d.
"
Isi
t?"Hesmi
rkspi
tchi
ngt
hebr
idgeofhernose.
"
Mxm,
Iwantt
ocal
lmyki
ds.
"
Af
tersomet
imeMam Phi
li
siwepi
cksup.
"Yi
ni?
"She'spant
ing-t
hecamer
aisf
aci
ngt
heot
her
dir
ecti
on.
"Haumah,howaret
heki
ds?
"She'
saskshopi
ngt
o
seethegr
inni
ngNdi
mu.
"Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
"Shedi
sconnect
sthecal
land
shefrowns.
"
Thi
swomani
shavi
ngsex!
"Hel
aughs.
"
Ewu,
"that
'sj
ustgr
ouse.
"
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
"
Fi
nal
lyshecal
lsbackthescreenget
sbr
ight
enedup
byNdimu'
sscreamingface.
"
Hel
lomybaby.
"
Hei stouchingthescr
eensmil
ing.Sheshows
Sthembi sothephone-hesmil
esgetti
ngcloserand
holdsherwai st
.Hedoesn'
tsayanythi
ngbutsmi l
es
emot i
onally.
"
Mamami ssesyou.
"Ndi
mut hr
owst hephoneon
t
hecouchandcrawl
saroundscreaming.
Mam Phil
isi
wetakesthephoneandlaughs.
Sthembi
sojumpsr emovi
nghimsel
fawayf r
om her
befor
ehecouldevenbeseen.
"
Imi
sst
hem.
"She'
sanemot
ionalr
ack.
"Wewil
lseeyoui
ntwoweekst
ime.Ideci
dedto
ext
endmydayshereandpl
ust
heylovetheki
ds."
"
I'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Ij
ustmi
sst
hem.
"She'
scr
ying.
"AysukaWena, t
hebabiesarefine.Focusonyour
schoolbooks.I
fyouwantt oseet hem youcan
alwaysvideocallanyt
ime.Ihavetogo-wear e
goingout."
Onyi
yedi
sconnect
sthevi
deocal
landsmi
les
pl
aci
ngherphoneasi
de.
"Theywil
lbeback.Ican'
twaitt
omeett
hem.He
l
ookssomuchl ikeme."Hefeel
spr
oud.Hi
sgenes
arever
ymuchst rong.
"
Theybot
hdo.
"
"
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmet
hatyouar
est
udyi
ng.
"
"
Youneverasked.
"Shegi
ggl
es.Hesmi
lesenj
oyi
ng
t
hesoundsofthem.
Letthegi
ggl
esfi
llhermouthbecausenothi
ng
tast
esassweetasherlaught
er.Hi
sinnersel
fsays.
[
08/
18,
03:
36] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER19

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

"
Thanksf
ortheli
ft
.Youalwaysknowhowtomake
mydayyazi
.Dispi
tet
hefactthatyouar
eat
hief
."
She'
sgoinghomet oseeherparent
s.Wit
hthehel
p
ofSizweheoff
eredtotakeherhome.I
t'
sJune
hol
idaysandsheisheretospendti
mewi t
hher
mot
her
.
"
Iwouldst
ealf
oryouanyt
ime.
"Hesmi
lesl
icki
nghi
s
l
ips.
"
Ncr rr
r,boyfr
iend.
"Shecupshi
scheekskissinghi
s
l
ips.Hel aughssli
ght
lyhi
tt
ingherhandsoffhim.
"
I'm noNdi mu."
Hegottomeett
heot
herf
ami
lyt
hatkeepshergoi
ng
andsane.
Hehasneverseenf
ri
endst
hiscl
ose.
"Youarenotmygi
rl
fr
iend.
"Hej
oki
ngl
ysaysst
icki
ng
histoungeout
.
"
Ouch.
"
"
I'
llmi
ssyou,
"hebr
ushesherneat
lycombedweave.
"I'
l
lmissyoutoo.
"Shewant st
ocry.Nomanhas
evershowedherthismuchaff
ect
ioninpubl
icli
ke
thismanri
ghthere.It
'sf
unnyhowthei
rrel
ati
onshi
p
start
edbutdamnshe'ssoGoddamnhappywi t
h
him!
"
Don'
ttel
lmeyouwantt
ocr
y."
Hel
ooksatherasshewi
pedhert
ear
s.
"Ukut
hiyouhavenoi
deahowmuchyoumakeme
happy.
"
I
t'
sanhonestt
rut
h.
"Andyoumakemehappytoo.Tel
lyouwhat-Iwil
l
bookinanear
byBnBfort
wodays.Ngizogcwal
a
ngeghost
."
"What
!Yourmot
herwi
llki
llyou.
"She'
slaughi
ng
har
d.
"
Iwil
ltel
lherI
'm wi
thyou.Youknowhowmuchshe
l
ovesyou."Headdsmakinghertobl
ush.
"
Areyousur
e?"
"Ifyouaretal
kingaboutbooki
ngthenI
'
m defi
nitel
y
suremyl ove.
"Theybr i
efl
yki
ssandshestepsoutof
thecar.Hehaspar kedhousesaway-r
espect.
Sheopensthebootandt
akesoffherbags.She
wavesgoodbyesmil
ingl
ikeal
ooney.
"Ar
eyousur
eyoudon'
twantmet
odr
opyounear
by?"
Ai
n'thet
hesweet
estboyf
ri
endever
?
"Iwi
llbefi
nemylove.
"Sheassur
eshi
m butdudei
s
scepti
calasmuch.
"I
'
llf
oll
owyouf
rom adi
stancet
hen.Wal
k."Hei
sso
cari
ng.
Shedoesasi
nst
ruct
ed….

She'
sbythegate-sheturnst
olookathim and
ther
eheisparkedfr
om adist
ance.Shesmiles
shaki
ngherhead,shewavesherhand,heflashes
onthehazar
dsanddr i
vesoff
.

"Sanibona,
"she'sstandi
ngbythedoorlooki
ngal
l
scared.Hemot herstandsupfr
om thecouchgi
ving
herawar m hugf i
ll
edwithl
ove.
"Mnt
anami,
youdi
dn'tt
ell
susyouwerecomi
ng.
"
She'
sver
ymuchsurpri
sed."
YouevenhaveI
ndi
an
hai
r.
"
Shesmi
lesner
vousl
ylooki
ngatherf
ather
.
"
Baba,
"
Hejustnodshi
sheadacknowl
edgingherpresence.
Hestandsandwal
ksoutofthedoorleavi
ngthem
st
anding.
"Hehatesmemah. "She'
sver ymuchsaddent hat
herf
atherloathesher.Yesshemadeami stakeli
ke
ever
yot herchil
dthereeveris.Theonl
ythingthat
shecanbeabl etodoi stolearnfr
om t
hose
mist
akes.
"I
t'
sokaybabe, yourfat
herwil
lcomear
ound.Don'
t
beatyoursel
fintoit
.Goputthesei
nyourr
oom and
comet el
lmehowschooli s.
"

"Youaret
ryi
ngt otel
lmet hatyouandGiftgotot
he
sameschool?"She'sshocked.Hereshewas
thi
nkingt
hatsheisagoodf ornot
hingyoungnaï
ve
gir
l.
"Yes,bi
tshedoesn'
tat
tendcl
asses.She'
sst
udyi
ng
onli
nesinceshehaski
ds."
"
Wow,
"Shocki
ng!
"
Lookather,
"sheshowsherrecentpi
cturesof
Onyi
ye.Shel
ookscaref
ree,
happyandl esstr
oubl
ed.
"
Shelooksdiff
erent
.Shelooksli
keshebathsnow.
Nooffence-shewasverymuchdar kerl
ivi
ngunder
t
hatr
oofbutnowherski nisglowi
ngandal i
ve.She
i
ssti
llverydar
kyesbutherbloodisheal
thy."
"
Sheevenf
oundherbabydaddy.
"
Hermot heri
slooki
ngatherpi
cturesnotbel
ievi
ng
hereyes."Andheevenboughtheraverybeauti
ful
house."
"
What
!"
"I
'
m sohappyforhert
hatf
inal
lyherli
feseesl
ight
aft
erever
ythi
ngshe'
sbeenthr
ough."Lindi
we.
"Youl
ikeherdon'
tyou?
"Hermot
herl
ooksather
eyesshi
nning.
"
Iloveher
."
"
Nowyouar eget
ti
ngmeallworr
ied.Areyousure
t
hatsheissaf
etohaveaf
riendt
hatlovesherthi
s
much?"
"
I'
vebeenaskedt
hatt
oomanyt
imes.Youknowt
he
gi
rlt
hatsentt
hosegi
rl
stobeatmeup?
"
"
Yes,
whataboutt
hem?
"
"
Onyiyedidanumberoneont hem.Theydon'
teven
l
ookatmydi r
ecti
on.YeyIheardt
hatshegavethem
whoopingsf
orthei
rli
ves.
"
Hermot
herl
aughsoutl
oudandendsupchoki
ng.
"
Youwantmetokil
lmewit
hthesest
ori
esofyour
s."
"
I'
m ser
iousma,
shewasal
lJacki
eChanont
hem.
"
"
Onyi
yei
ssot
inynj
e."She'
swonder
ing.
"
Butshegavet
hem beat
ingsoft
hei
rli
ves.
"
"
Ilovet
hef r
iendshi
pyouhavewiththatgi
rl
.She
madeami stakeyes,butIl
ovei
tthatshei
slooki
ng
f
orwardinli
fe."
"
Yeap,
I'
m happyt
ohaveherasaf
ri
end.
"

"
I'
m out
side.Ican'
tsl
eep.
"
Shereadsthet
extnotbel
ievinghereyes.Si
zwe
cannotdoherl
ikethat
.Shepeepst hr
oughthe
windowandindeedthecarishereoutsi
de.
"
Youwi
llgetmeint
otroubl
e.Myf at
heri
snott
alki
ng
t
omeandI '
mtr
yingtowinhim back.
"Shewhi
spers.
"Only5minutesmama.Ijustwantt
ohugyouand
kissyou,
justoneki
ss,
please.
"
Shesi
ghsgetti
ngoffthebedweari
nghersl
ipper
s.
Shewi
llnotevenputt
inghergownon.
Li
ghtsareoff
!Ifsheusest
hedoorshewi
llget
caughtr
ight
?
Shesneaksoutoft
hewi
ndowandmakessur
enot
tomakeasound.
Thewi
ndowi
snott
hathi
ghf
orherbodysi
zet
o
j
umpout.
She'snervous-asshewal kedfur
therandfurther
fr
om herhome, thestr
eetli
ghtsaredim andthe
onlythi
ngt hatmadeherf eelthesl
ight
estbitbett
er
wast hefl
ashlightinst
all
edonherphone.
Fi
nal
ly,
shehopsi
nthecarsmi
li
ngandpant
ing.
"I
'
m notevenparkedthatfar
,whyareyoupanti
ng?
"
Hisfit
ti
ngwithl
aughtermakerhercheekbones
crackbecauseofbl
ushing.
"
Youhavenoi
dea,
thetr
oubl
eIwentthr
ough
j
umpi
ngoutoft
hewindow.I
'
m st
il
lshaki
ngeven.
"
"Ncr
rrr,mypoorbabe.I'
m sorr
y.Ij
ustwant
edtosee
yourfacebef
oreIsleep.I
'm usedbei
ngnextt
o
you.
"
"
Youmaki
ngmyl
if
ehel
landmi
ser
abl
e."
"Ow,i
sit
?"He'sl
aughing."
Ift
hat'
sthecaset
henI
'
ll
doitmoreof
tentoir
ri
tateyou.
"
"
Ihat
eyour
ightnow.
"
Thyebot
hlaughl
ooki
ngateachot
her
.
"
Myst
upi
dgi
rl
fr
iendbaki
thi
."
"
Mysl
eept
alkernkosiyami
."
"Youknowwhat
,gosl
eepI
'
m donel
ooki
ngatyour
uglyf
ace.
"
"
Mxm don'
tvi
deocal
lme.
"
Sheleansoverandtheyshar
eakiss.Theybr
eakoff
theki
ss,shestepsoutoft
hecarandsmi l
eswavi
ng
backathim.
Nowt
hepr
obl
em st
art
s-howwi
llshecl
imbback
t
hatwi
ndow.

Shet r
iedbutf
ail
ed.Shet
ext
edhi
mtocomet
othe
rescue.
Hei
shol
dinghi
slaughsobadl
y….
"
SteponmyhandandIwi
llhel
pyouup.
"
Shedoes,sheholdsonti
ghtontothewindowfr
ame,
pushesthecur
tai
naside.Thereafi
gureinherr
oom.
Lightst
urnon,
sheletsgoofthewindowf r
ameand
fall
sbackdownlandi
ngonSi zwe.
"
Mymot
her
…."
She'
scr
yingst
il
lont
opofhi
m.
Hermot herpeepsthr
oughthewindowandshakes
herhead."Whenyouar edonepl
ayinggetyouar
se
backinsidebefor
eyourfat
hercomesback."
She'
sshi
veri
nginfear
.Whowouldn'
tbei
nfearaf
ter
bei
ngcaughttr
yingt
osneakbacki
n.

"
I'
m di
sappoi
ntedi
nyou.Younoteven3hour
sback
andal
readyyouar
esneakingout
.Wenamf
ana,
is
thi
showyourmotherr
aisedyou?
"
"
Chamah,
"Si
zwel
ooksdownembar
rassed.
"Idon'tknowwhatt
osay.Li
ndi
weyourfat
heri
s
alreadygivi
ngmeahardti
meandnaweyouare…."
Shet akesadeepbr
eat
h."Youknowwhatdoasyou
please."
Shewal
ksawayl
eavi
ngLi
ndi
west
unned.
"Youneedt
oleave.
"ShepushesSi
zwet
owar
dst
he
door.
"
Givemeasmal
lki
ss.
"Hepout
s.
"Uyahlanya?
"She'
sshocked.She'
sint
roubl
eandal
l
hethinksabouti
salamekiss.
"
Justat i
nyki
ss.
"Helooksatherwi
tht
hoseeyes
t
hatjustmakeherweakandagreet
oever
ythi
ng.
Shesmil
esshyl
yandsheper ksonhi
sli
psqui
ckl
y
andst
andsbackinnocent
ly.
Hewal
ksoutandherhear
tmeltsbutqui
ckl
y
r
emember
sthatsheisinr
ealshit
.
"
Mama,"she'
ssit
ti
ngonherbedr
eadi
ngherbi
ble.
Whor
eadsaBi bl
eatt
hist
imeoft
henight
.
"
What
!"Oucht
hat
'scol
d.
Shesi
tsont
hebedsouncomf
ort
abl
y…
"I
'
m busywhatdoyouwant
?"Hermot
her
'svoi
cei
s
pained.
"
Whatdidyoumeanwhenyousai
dyouandmy
f
atherar
e….
"
"
It
'snoti
mpor
tant
.Itwasj
ustasl
ipoft
het
ongue.
"
"Byt
helooksoft
hingsIt
hinkyouwer
eser
ious.You
knowyoutal
ktomer i
ght
?"
"
Mxm nj
engobausaphumangamawi
ndiLi
ndi
we.
"
Lindi
wel ooksdownembar
rassednotknowi
nghow
torespond."I
'm sor
ry.
"
"I
'
mt oobr
okentoshoutatagrownasswomanwho
knowshowadicktast
eslike.
"
That
'sabithar
shwomandon'tyouthi
nk.She
secr
etl
yroll
shereyesl
ooki
ngonthesideandsi
ghs.
"Ipr
obablydeservethat
.AndI'
m sor
ryf
or
disr
especti
ngyoul i
kethi
s.Butt
hati
snott
hecase
now, whathappeni
ngbetweenyouandmyfat
her?
"
"It
hinkhedoesn'
tlovemeanyl
onger
."Shecl
oses
herBibl
e.
"
Whydoyousayt
hat
?Di
dyouguysf
ight
?"
Shesighsf eel
ingexhaust ed,"
no,IguessIhated
Gif
ttoomuchf orgetti
ngt hatshe'sjustachil
d.
Everychi
ldmakesmi stakesandIt houghtthat
maybeshewi l
linfl
uenceyouunt ilIgotto
underst
andonal aterst agethateveryonedoesthei
r
ownmi stakesnott hattheyar ebeinginfl
uenced.I
guessyourf at
hergott iredofmynaggi ng.
"She
shrughershoul ders."AndIt hi
nkhei sseeing
someone.Hesomet imesdoesn' tsleepathome."
Li
ndiwekeepsquiteforawhileranoutofwords."I
haveaperfectpl
an.AndIknowj usttheri
ghtt
rick
ondoingi
t.Wenasl eepandtomorrowIwantyout o
dosomethingyou'veneverdonebefore.
"Shesays.
It
'smorni
ngandshei sdonecl
eaningt
hehouse.
Herfat
herindeeddidnotcomebackandthati
sthe
l
eastofherwor r
iesnow.Shej
ustwantst
omake
hermotherhappy.
Shemadebr
eakf
astf
orbot
hoft
hem….
"
Whatdi
dyoudot
omyski
rt
?"
She'swear
ingaruffl
ehem houndstoot
hskirt
.Black
andwhitei
ncolour-justali
tt
leaboveherknees.
Withawhit
eshirtneatl
ytuckedin.
"
Didsomeli
tt
lebitofmagi
coni
t.Sl
eptver
ylat
e
worki
ngt
hatski
rtout.
"
"Ican'
twar
ethis,
it'
sver
yshor
t.Whatwil
lpeopl
e
say?I'
m amotherandawif
eLindi
we."
"Womanwakeup.Wear et
ryingtobr i
ngyou
husbandbackhere.Ifyouwanthi m backnawego
outweari
ngshortdresses,govisityousisterand
comebackverylate.Youwi l
lthankmel ater.
"She
says.
Hermot
herl
ooksatherwi
thhereyesal
lpopped
out
.
"
Thi
sisabsur
d!"
"
It
'sokaymah, letmeputsomel i
tt
lemakeup."She
i
sforcedtositdownandobeyt herul
es."Done.I
t
hinkthat
'shim.Whenheasksyouwher earegoing,
j
ustsayyouar egoingoutandhemust n'
twaitup
f
oryou."Lindi
wewi nksathermother
.
"
Ihaven'
tfor
got
tenthatyousneakedoutoft
he
window.
"Shehi
sses.
"
Wewi
lldealwi
tht
hatonceyou'
rehappy.
"
Herfat
herwalksinandstoponhist r
ackslooki
ngat
hi
swi f
ewearingashortski
rt
.It
'sbeenlong-she
neverwear
ssomet hi
ngthatisaboveherknee.He
cl
earshist
hroatandlooksatherfaceclosel
y.
"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Heasks.
"Out,don'twaitupf
orme.
"Shegrabsherbagont
op
ofthecount erandwal
ksoutl
eavi
nghim
astonished.
"Wherei
syourmot
hergoi
ng?"Heshift
shisgazeto
Lindi
wewhowaslooki
ngatherf
atherinnocent
ly.
"Idon'tknowshereceivedacallthenshet
oldmeto
dohermakeupandi ronherclothesshe'
sgoing
out."Sheshrughershoulder
sleavingherfat
her
breathingshar
ply.

I
t'
salmost20:50pm andthereisnosi
gnofhiswif
e.
Hehasbeenpacingupanddownf ort
hepasthour
.
"
Wherecouldshebe?"Het r
ieshernumbersf
orthe
l
astt
imeittakeshi
m str
aighttovoi
cemail
.
Hesi
tsdownf
eel
ingdi
zzy….
Hi
swi
fecomesi
nhummi
ngcar
ryi
ngpaperbags.
"I'
m soti
red.Ijustneedtosleep.
"Shewal kspast
them wit
houtgl ar
ingatherhusbandsdirecti
on.He
standsupandf ol
lowshiswifetothebedroom.
Lindiweislef
ttolaughinsi
de.Nowt hisi
showyou
dealwithacheat i
nghusband….
Sheleansbackonthecouchandchat
stoSi
zwe
smil
ingfr
om eart
oear.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Shel
ovest
hefurni
tur
ebutmosti
mpor
tant
lyshe
l
ovest
hecouches.
"
Manje,yourarsewil
lfor
everbei
nthesecouches?
"
Heasksshakinghishead.
"Hau,whyareyousogrumpy?"Sheasksremoving
hereyesfr
om theTVandstar
esathimfrowning.
"
Younol
ongercar
eaboutme.
"Hei
swhi
ningagai
n!
"Comesitnextt
ome. "Shepat
sont hevacant
couchnexttoher."
Wantmet orubyourcheek.
"
Thatsmi
le!
Hel
ayshi
sheadonherlapsandcloseshi
seyes
wai
ti
ngf
orit
.Shebegi
nscaressi
ngonhischeek….
"
Mymum mi
ssest
heki
ds.
"
Owhowcant heyforgett
hedaySthembiso
i
ntr
oducedhertohisfamil
y.Thewelcomeshegot
wassomethi
ngshedi dn'
texpect
.
"
Isi
t?"She'
ssmi
li
ng.
"
Yea,
Ithi
nkt
hehousei
sempt
ywi
tht
hosel
it
tl
e
Rascal
scr
ies.
"
Shesl
ight
lysl
apshi
m.Don'
tcal
lmyki
dsr
ascal
s.
"HaveIevert
hankedyou?
"Heasksst
il
lhashi
s
eyescl
osed.
"
Thankmef
orwhat
?"She'
sconf
used.
"Forgivingmesuchabeaut i
fulsonandt aki
ngcar e
ofmyot hersonwhenhewasabounded.Asyoung
asyouar e,youst eppedupandbecameamot her
ataver yyoungagebecauseofme.Youmademe
fal
linlovewhenIbel ieveditdoesn'texist.Alli
nall
,
thankyouf orprovidi
ngasaf eandl oving
environmentf ormyki ds.Thankyouf orwipingmy
chil
d’sendl essrunnynose–IknowI ’ve
accidentall
yf or
got t
ent i
ssuesinmypocket stoday
andhadt ocleanupt hewasher ,I
’m sur eyouhave
too…."
"Ar
eyounotgoi
ngtogettir
edofthethankyou'
s?"
She'
sgi
ggli
ng,t
hesweetestsoundtohisear
s.
"
I'
m not-asl
ongasIst
il
lli
veIwi
llf
oreverbe
t
hanki
ngyou."Hei
ssmil
ing.
Shecont
inuescar
essi
ngonhi
scheek.
Hecl
oseshiseyesmadf
li
pst
hem openagai
n,hi
s
bl
oodishot
!
Hesi
tsupst
rai
ghtbr
ingi
nghi
sfacecl
osert
oher
s.
Thei
rli
pst ouch-womanhasimproved.Nomore
sounds,
nomi st
akenl
ybi
ti
nghisl
ips.Hepul
lsback
andsmiles.
"
Youdi
dn'
tbi
teme.
"
Shesmil
eshidi
ngherf
acei
nhi
schest
."Uyaphapha
Sthembi
so.
"
Heki
ssesherhead….
"I
'
mt i
redofplayi
ngthe90dayrule.I
'm br
eaki
ngit
."
Hesaysfli
ppingheroverandpantsontopofher
.
Theyaresti
llont
hecouch….
"Condom,
"shesuggest
s.Shewant
shim al
so.She
hasbeencravi
ngforhi
m al
lthi
swhi
le.
"Ipromiset
opul
lout
,"hi
svoi
cei
shor
ser
eadyt
o
divein.
Clot
hesflyi
ngofft
heirbodi
es….
hest
andsupand
admiresherti
nybody.
"Mybabymamahasi kukuyokukubolekwa.Was
yourKukumadei nchi na?I
t'ssodamnt i
ny-ngathi
waf i
caeyokugcina,futhil
eeyokubanjiswa."She
blushescover i
ngherf acewithherhandssmi li
ng
closingherlegs.Buthespr eadsthem furt
herapart
.
"This,Ineedtoadmiref ort
her estofmyl i
fe.
"
Heget
sont
opofher
….
Heishardasar
ockr
ubbi
nghi
msel
fagai
nsther
t
inypussy.
Shestopski
ssi
nghi
m andt
il
tsherheadbackwar
ds.
I
tfeel
ssodamngood.
Hervagi
naswel
lsandi
tswall
sturnadarkercol
our
.
Shewantshi
mtotakeherr
ightt
hisminute.
Hercli
tori
sbecomessuper -sensi
t i
vetotouch-it
hasthisburni
ngsensation.Adesi ret
obebur i
ed
i
nsideofher.Shefeelshistesti
clespullupwar
ds
enj
oyingthesensi
tivetension.
Sexualexcit
ementreachesit
speak.Shecannot
takeitanymore.Shepull
shisneatl
yfadecutand
moanssof tl
yagainsthi
sear."St
hembiso,
"she'
s
breat
hingheavil
y.Themor ehegetshardt
hemor e
hisskintur
nsred.
"Ngif
ake?"Hetopsrubbinghi
msel
fagai
nsther
alr
eadywetpussy.Shenodsherheadinagreement
withhereyessti
llcl
osed.
Heposi ti
onshi mself,sal
viafi
llhi
smout hbecause
ofhunger .Heswal lowshar dashepushedi n
furt
herhert ightpussy.Thestrangestfeel
ingofher
wallsstretchingtoaccommodat ehi
slargemember .
Shef l
inchest othepainbuthol dson.Shewant s
him sobadt hatthi
smanr ighthereismaki ngher
toesfi
sti npleasure.
"
Ahhh,
"sof
tl
yshecr
iesdi
ggi
ngonhi
sar
ms.
"Aski
esmamas,"hekissesherandhi
sbr
eat
hing
getsheavi
erandf
aster.
Shefeelsasl
ightpainpr
essur
eandthenitf
eel
s
warmerandwar merashispeni
sgoesbackand
for
th.Theful
lnessandwarmthinher
.
Thi
sisoneofherf
avour
it
efeel
ingsi
ntheent
ir
e
worl
d.
Itfeel
sl i
kebeingslowlyfi
ll
edwithsomet hingthat
createsani mmensesenseofpl easure,ti
ngli
ng,and
agener algoodf eel
ing-butt
hesensat i
onofapeni s
enteringcoupledwiththeweightofsomeoneont op
ofheri sjustamazing.Shenevergottoexper i
ence
i
tthatni ghtbecauseshewaswayt ointoxi
catedto
evenf eelanythi
ng.
Musclesatt
hebaseofhispeni
sti
ght
enandr
elease,
r
eleasi
ngsemeninanejacul
ati
on.
"Wemalo,
"helaysfl
atontopofher."
I'
m sorr
y."
Theybothlookateachot
herandburstint
olaughter
.
Wholastsasecondwhent hei
rsexdri
veisthi
shigh?
[
08/
18,
03:
36] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER20

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE
Thi
swomanwi l
lsur
elybethedeat
hofher
.Ther
e’s
noneedf
orhertoshoutherl
ungsoutwet
hephone!
"Mah,"theemotionalblackmai l
.Grandmot hersare
gearedtowardfeelingwhatt heirgrandchil
drenare
feel
ingwhent heyinteractwiththem.I ft
heir
grandchil
dissmi li
ng,they'
refeeli
ngt hechil
d'sjoy.
Probablyhismot herfeelsaninsatiablel
ongingto
bewi t
hhergrandki ds.Hesighsr ubbinghisfacenot
knowinghowt or espond.
"Iwil
ldi
eanyti
mesoonandWenayouar edepr
ivi
ng
met hebondwithmyonl
ygrandchi
ldr
en.Why
Sthembiso?
"Shesni
ff
s.Jesus!
"Iknowmakotiwi
llbr
ingmemygr andkids.I
t'
sJune
holi
days,
ever
ychildi
swi t
htheirf
ami l
iesand
wena….whydoyouhat emethismuchSt hembiso
heh?"
Hel
ooksatt
hescr
eenandswal
lowsi
nshock.
"
Hai
bomah.Wewer
ether
ecoupl
eofweeksago.
"
Her
esponds.
"Idon'
tcar
e.I
twasnotenoughforme!Iwantmy
grandki
dsbytheendoft
hisaf
ternoon.
"Thel
ine
goesdead.Heisl
eftshocked,
stunnedbyhi
s
mother
'stant
rumssoearlyint
hemor ni
ng.
"Whati
sit?
"Onyi
yeasksl
ooki
ngatt
hef
rozen
Sthembi
so.
"Hai
bo,thatwasmymum.Justbecauseshewants
hergrandki
dsshehadtoincl
udedeat
handsayshe
i
sdying.Isshebl
ackmail
ingme?"
"Sheis.Youcansendt
hekids.Pl
usschooli
s
closedformeIdon'
tmind.
"
"
Areyousur
e?Imeanyouwher
ether
ec….
"
"Iwantmykidst ohavet hebestr el
ati
onshi pwith
thei
rfamil
y.Ididn'tgrowupundert hel oveandcare
householdbutwillneverdepr i
vemyki dsf r
om that
.
Ifshewantshergr andkids-letgogoseeher
grandki
ds.BesidesNdi mul ovesplayingwi thcow
dungandf ol
lowinghisgr andpaar ound. "She
warmlyrubshisar m andhesi ghsindef eat.
"MustIputonmydefencemodecausei
tlooksl
ike
youandmymot herwil
lbeal
waysonmycase? "
"
What
?"Shel
aughsnotbel
ievi
ng."
Idon'
tknowwhat
Ideser
vet
ohaveacr
azymanl
ikeyou.
"
Hegetsont opofherandst
art
sti
ckl
ingher
."Idar
e
yout
or epeatyourwordswoman.
"
Hegr
insont
opofhi
m.
"
Youdi
dn'
tbr
ushyourt
eet
h."
Shet
ell
shi
m….
"
Butyoul
ovemewi
thmyst
inki
ngmout
hri
ght
?"
"No,
theonl
ybreat
hIcoul
devertol
erat
eisNdi
mu'
s
andNgimu.
"Shegiggl
escover
inghermout
h."
"
You'
redef
ini
tel
ybor
ing.Who'
sgi
rl
fr
iendar
eyou?
"
"
Anotherst
huphet
hut
hatmademepr
egnantonmy
mat
ri
cdance."
Hegaspsandpr
essesheront
hebed.
"
Youheavymove!
"
"
Weshouldgotothechemi
standgett
hose
mor
ningaft
erpi
ll
s."
"Owshit,
Sthembiso!
"Shehasthepowerofpushi
ng
him of
fandspri
ntstothebat
hroom l
eavi
ng
St
hembi
soi
nst
it
ches.

She'
sdri
nki
ngwat
erandt
hrowst
hepi
ll
sinher
mouthandgul
psi
tdown.
"
Hopeithelps.
"Shebur
pscl
osi
ngt
hebot
tl
epl
aci
ng
i
tonherlap.
"
Itwil
lbabe.I
t'
sallyourf
aultt
hatIdidn'
tlast.
"He
f
astenstheseatbelt
.Onyi
yeissi
tti
ngwi t
ht hekids
i
nthebackseat.Theyhadtoli
veuponhismot her'
s
wordandgohome.
"
Arewest
il
lhungupont
hat
?"Sheasksenj
oyi
ng
t
heci
tyvi
ew.
It
'ssowei
rdonhowshej
ustf
eltcomf
ort
abl
e
aroundhi
m.
She'
sfal
li
ngforhi
m deepl
y-themoreshespends
ti
mewithhimthemoreshefall
sforhi
m.
"
Yes,"heleansoveratthebackseatandki
ssesher
l
ips."
Ilovehowyoul ookatme."
Hewi
llneverr
unoutofcompl
iment
s….
Eshowehasf ul
loft
hreadbar
eandmonot
onous
memories.Nothi
ngexcit
ingatal
l.
She'
slooki
ngathernei
ghbour
hoodandclosesher
eyest
ryi
ngtotakeal
lawaythepai
n,t
ryi
ngnotto
remember.
St
hembi
sol
ooksatheri
nther
earmi
rr
or….
"Smal
l,
Idon'tl
ikei
twhenyousad."Hesayssmi
li
ng.
Shesmilesbackandwinksathi
m bl
ushi
ng.
"
Okayl
ongTom.
"
"
Iwi
llcat
chyouf
ort
hatt
rustme.
"
Shesmil
esshaki
ngherheadandl
ooksout
sidet
he
window.
Final
ly,theyhavear ri
ved,theybot hstepoutoft
he
carthatSt hembi sohadr ecentlybought.It
’snot
hing
muchj ustasecondhandcarvehi clewhichisa
NP300Har dbody.It’
snothi sfavourit
ebutit’
s
somet hi
ngt hatwillkeephimf orthetimebeingti
ll
heget sast ablehomef orhisfami l
y.Hismother
gaspsi nshockdr oppingeveryt oolshehasinher
hands.
"Baba!"She'sascreami
nginexcit
ement,shegoes
theothersideofthecarandopensit
."Abazukul
u
bami."
Theexci
tementinhermadeSthembi
soswal
lowa
bi
t.Hesmilesemoti
onal
ly….
"Mama,"hecal
lsoutforher
.Alr
eadysheisf
ussi
ng
overhergr
andkids.Thi
swil
ldefi
nit
elybeal
ong
weekend.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Kidsbat
he,
feedandsl
eepi
ngi
nthei
rgr
andmot
her
's
room.
"CanIaskyouthemostof f
ensivequesti
onever?"
Sthembiso'
smotherconti
nuest owipethekit
chen
counterwit
hOnyiyewashingthedishes.Theyhad
j
ustfini
shedeat
ingdinnerandshe'shelpi
ngout.
"Yoh,
okay,"she'
sscept
icalandnotsocomf
ort
abl
e
aboutthequesti
on.
"Whatmadeyoukeepababyforamanyoudon't
evenknow?"Sheaskssmi
li
ng.Nott
hatshehasa
probl
em but
….
"Igr ewupinat oxi
cenvironmentmah, soaft
er
findingoutthatIwaspr egnantIdeci
dedtokeep
him.ThewayIwassost upi
dIwasevensur ethat
St hembisowillcomeback.Idon'tknowwhyIhel d
ont osomeoneI '
veneverseenbeforebutIdi
dhave
hopest hathewi l
lbeback.Andhedi d."
"MinaI'
mj usthappythatyouextendedmyf amil
y.
ThewayI '
m soj eal
ousIevenwantt olivewi
tht
hem
ful
lti
mesi nceyouar eschool
ing.I
'm verypr
oudof
youNana.Youar esoyoungandyouhaveami ndof
anadult.
"She'simpressed.
Sur
elyt
hisyounggi
rlwi
llmaket
hegr
eat
est
.
"Hadt ogrowupinanearlyagebutheiitslif
e.I
don'tevenhatemymot her,
sur el
ybehi
ndt hathat
e
I'
m prett
ysurethatmyfatherdidsomethingtoher.
She'sokaywithmyeldersisterSisi
phobutwi t
hme
i
t'sanotherst
ory.
"
Shesayswi
pingt
hedi
sheswi
thaheavyhear
t.
"Il
ovethespi
ri
tinyou.Tomor
rowwear
egoi
ngt
o
church.
"
"
YouwantNdi
mut omakenoi
sethr
ought
hemi
c
l
iket
hel
astt
ime?
"Theybothl
augh.
"Suchanembarr
assment
.Isweart
hatchi
ldi
s
exact
lyl
ikehi
sfat
her.
"
"
Whoisexact
lyl
ikehi
sfat
her
?"St
hembi
soasks
l
eani
ngagai
nstt
hedoor.
"
You,
"hi
smot
herpoi
ntsoutathi
m.
Sthembi sosmil
eswal ki
ngtowardsOnyiyeand
kisseshershoulder
."Nawebabymamayouhave
turnedyourbackonme? "Heiswhiningagai
n!
Sthembi soi
sbecomi ngcli
ngybythesecond.Ift
his
i
showl oveissheacceptsthem wit
hbothhands.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

"Mama, wereareyougoingsolate?
"Lindi
weasks
onpur poseasherfat
herstoodther
elooki
ngat
them swall
owing.
"Out,
lookal
ldoors.Imi
ghtnotcomeback.
"She
grabshercarkeysandwalksout
.
"Whereisyourmothergoi
ng?
"Heaskswi
thhi
s
chestri
singupanddown.
Herhear
tisr
ejoi
cingonthei
nsi
de.Thi
sisnotthe
waytotr
eatawomani fyounol
ongerval
uethem.
"Idon'
tknow.Iaskedherri
ghti
nfrontofyouand
shedidn'tr
espond."Shewal
kspasthim headi
ngto
herbedroom smil
ing.Shet
akesoutherphoneout
ofthepocketandsendsaquicktext.
"
Sayhal
otoaunt
yNi
ni.
"
She'
slayi
ngonherbedchatti
ngwit
hSizwe,t
his
manhast heaudaci
tytol
aughoft
heevent
sthat
happenedyest
erday-howcanhe?
"
It
'sallyourf
aul
tthatwegotcaught
."Shesays
l
ayingonherbackwi t
hherl
egshighupont hewal
l.
"
Butbabe,youcoul
dn'tcl
imbbackin.Howwasit
myfaul
t?"Surel
yheisgri
nni
nglikeapeacock….
"
Youknowwhat
,Iwi
llf
oreverhat
eyouf
ort
his.
"
Hei
slaughi
ngenj
oyi
ngt
hemoment
.St
upi
dhe!"
I
enj
oyedspendingt
imewi
thyou.Todayyoumade
mefeelspeci
al.
"
"JustbecauseIi
ntr
oducedyoutopeopl
ear
oundmy
hood?"Sheamazedwi t
hhisdrama.
"
Youhavenoideahowmuchthatmeanst
ome.You
mademefeell
ikeaKi
ngt
hatIam."
"
Yazi
nButi
,gotosl
eep.It
hinkyoursl
eepi
nessi
s
maki
ngyouri
maginar
ywiderthanyourbi
ghead.
"
Shel
ooki
ngt
hroughhergal
ler
y,pi
ctur
esofherand
Si
zwe.
Thismancamer ightinti
mewhenshewasgoing
thr
oughthemost .Partofherwant
edMpi
lot
orun
aft
erherbuthehasmovedonanddoesn'teven
l
ookatherdirect
ion,soisshe.
Shepauseslooki
ngathispi
cturethatsomehow
wassti
lli
nherphone.Shedecidestodelet
eit
.She
doesn'
twantanythi
ngthatl
inkshertothi
sMpilo
guy.
Shehear
sherr
oar
ingf
athert
alki
ngt
ohi
msel
f.
Shet
ipt
oest
othedoor-shecannothearpr
oper
ly.
Shethenopensthedoorandherehei
spaci
ngup
anddowntalki
ngtothephone.
"
Imadeami stakeokay.Whathappenedbet
ween
meandyouwasnevermeantt ohappen.Nowmy
wif
eischeat
ingonme! "
Owsoi
t'
str
uehewascheat
ingi
ndeed.
"Zandi
le,i
twast hebiggestmi stakeandIr
egretit
.
Juststopcalli
ngme! "Hethrowshi sphoneagainst
thewallbalanci
nghimselfagai nstthewal
l.The
room i
sspinning,thenextthingheknowshei son
theground.

Hermot
hercametothehospi
talwear
ingapi
nk
gownwi
thfl
ipfl
ops.
Herhusbandi
sint
hehospi
talbed….
"Iwil
lbeoutsi
de."Shedecidest ogivethem pr
ivacy.
Ithur
tsthatherf
atherisnowi nt hehospit
albed
becauseofheartatt
ack.Insteadoff i
xinghi
sfami l
y
hedecidestoseekcomf ortoutside.
"
Comeher
e."Si
zweopenshi
sar
msandl
et'
sher
si
nkintohi
schest."
Yourfatherwil
lbef
ine.
"He
assur
esher.Shecannotevencry….
"Idon'
tknowifyouwherenotherewhatwouldhave
happened.Thankyouf
orbringi
ngmyf at
herhere.
"
Shesighsholdi
nghimti
ghter.
"
It'
sokaylove.I
'
m gl
adIwasabl
etohel
pandcome
r
ighti
ntime."
Shepul
lsoutfr
om theembrace,
til
tsherheadt
o
l
ookatt
het al
lsel
fofhim.
"
Iloveyouandi
tscar
esme.
"Shesmi
lesconf
essi
ng.
"Anthenshedecidest
ost
eal
myf
avour
it
eli
ne.
"
Theybothlaugh.
"It
hinkweshouldgohome.Gameover."That
'sher
mother.Si
zwelooksatt
hem conf
usedbutdoesn'
t
show.

WiththehelpofSi
zwehedroppedherr ightatt
he
gatewi t
hLindi
we'
smotherdri
vinginfr
ont.Theysti
ll
haven’tsai
danywordstoeachother.She'ssti
ll
madt hathemadeheronlydaughtersneakoutthe
wi
ndowatni
ght
.
"Thatboylovesyou.I'mjuststi
llangrywit
hhimfor
whathedi d.Hedisrespectedmei nmyhouse."
She'sdri
nkingtea-whodr inksteaaroundthi
shour
.
I
t's11pm ont hedotforcryingoutloud!
"
Iapologi
zeonhisbehal
fmah.
"She'
sembar
rassed.
Nevertr
ustabl
ackparent
.
"Mxm."Justl
ikethat.Shei
slef
tseatedallalone.
Sheshouldtr
yhar dtowinhermother'
strustagain.
Shehasbeenadi sappoint
mentforfart
ool ongnow.
Maybeshewi llst
artbybuyi
ngherwhatshel oves
themost.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

It
’smor
ningandt
heyar
epr
epar
ingt
hemsel
vesf
or
chur
ch.
Everyoneisr
eadyexceptf
orSt
hembi
sowhowas
undecidedonwhattowear.
Fi
nal
lymaki
nghi
sfami
lywai
tfor15mi
nut
eshe
deci
dedtobrai
sethem wi
thhi
spr
esenceandt
hat
i
ntoxi
cat
ingcol
ogne.
"I
'
m stil
lfindi
ngithardtobel
ievethatyouar
emy
sonandyouar eaf at
heraswell.
"Hismother
chucksfixingherhatdramat
ical
ly.She'
sgoingt
o
churchtomakeast at
ement.
"
TrustmeIam yourson.
"Her
oar
stheengi
neand
r
eversesout
.
Thechur chservicewasgr
eat.Sheenjoyedit.From
adistanceOnyi yespot
shermotherandhersi ster
Sisi
phol aughi
ngandhavingtheirbestconversati
on
ti
meoft heirli
fe.

"
Ntombi,
"that
'sMaJiyaneSthembi
so'
smot
her
wal
kingpastcar
ryi
ngNdi mu.
"YeboSisi.
"Sher epli
eslooki
ngatNdimuconfused.
"Who'schil
di sthat?"Sheaskspoi
nti
ngoutwithher
head.Sthembi somakeshi swaytowardshi
s
mot herandtakesNdi mubutherefusesbycl
ingi
ng
ontohi sgrandmot her.
"
Leavehi
m al
one.
"MaJi
yane.
"Hau,shiyagir
l.Yousti
llhavethishugepai nton
yourface?Awushamegr aceyourpr esence
Cambr i
dgegirl
."Sisi
phobr eat
hsint error.Hewalks
pastandwhi st
lesgoingtot hecar.Hisf ather
approachescar r
yingNgimu.

"
Wher
e’smakot
i?"Heaskshi
swi
fe.
"
Inthecarwit
hSt
hembiso.
"Agai
nOnyiye'
smot
her
l
ooksatNgimuandf
rownsconfused.
"
Owt
hesear
emybel
ovedgr
andchi
ldr
en.
"
Sthembisohonksthecarr
eadytoleave."
Shouldget
going.Mysonisaveryimpati
entman."Sheleaves
them st
andi
ngwi t
hsomanyunanswer edquestions.
Onyiyesi
tt
ingquietl
yatthebackseatbreastf
eeding
Ngimu.Herheartisheavy.Asmuchasshej ust
wantedtojumpintohermot her
'sarms.She's
yearni
ngforherlove,hert
ouchandencour aging
words.Shewantst ohearhermothersomeday
tel
li
ngherthateveryt
hingwil
lbeokay.
Shehaswoundsandscar st
hatlackofconf
idence
andtrust
,di
ff
icul
tyset
ti
ngboundari
es,andbeing
over
lysensi
ti
ve.
Sheknowst hatl
ook-Sthembi
soisnotpleasedthat
sheissul
king.Shefakesasmil
eandhesmi les
backfaki
ngitmakinghertol
aughabit.

From chur
cht heydeci
dedtochillundertheshade
havi
ngcoldj ui
ceundertheheat.Kidsareasleep
andhismot herissomewhereinthehouse.Tal ki
ng
toSthembisomakeshert ocal
m down.
"Shewil
lcomear oundbabymama.Don' tl
etherget
i
ntoyouliket
his.ThisisthereasonwhyIdi dn'
t
wantustobethissidef ort
heholidayscauseInow
howmuchi twil
laffectyou.
"Hesayski ssi
ngher
knuckl
es.
"Il
oveheralotbutshedoesn’tknowhowt obe
aff
ecti
onatetowardsme.Ihaveaskedhertohug
mecount l
esstimesbutIwasneverthatgoodi
nher
eyestoeventouch.It
’sreal
lypai
nful
.NowIhavea
deepcravi
ngt obenurturi
ngtoother
sandto
mot herot
herpeopl
e,andIdon’
tknowhowtof
il
lthe
void.ButwhatIdoknowisIwil
llovemyki
dsmore
thananythi
ng."
Shewi peshert earsfal
li
ngof f,"Youknowasaki dI
wouldalwayst riedtodot hingst omakeherl oveme.
Whethert heywer ehandmadegi ftsorgoodgr ades,
butmost l
yIwi llmakehergar denal waysbeautif
ul.
Nothi
ngwasevergoodenoughf orher.She
destr
oyedal lofmyhandmadegi ft
si nfr
ontofme
andtoldmeaBwasat erriblegradeandi fIloved
herIwoul ddobet ter
.Ididbet terinschooland
passedwi thhi ghermar ksbutt hatwasj ustnever
enoughf orher ."It
'spai
nfulandt hisisnott
hel i
fe
shewant st heki dstohave.
"It
’sveryt r
ite,buttellyour selft
hatthingswillget
easierwi thtimebecauset hingscanber eall
y
painful
,Thef i
rstthingt hatyoushoul ddoi sgi ve
yourselfanappr opriateamountoft imet ogrieve.
Letyour selffeelyourf eelings,becauseyoudon’ t
wantt or epressthem, Youshoul dalsobesur eto
talkthr
oughanygr iefthatyouhavesot hatyoucan
wor konmovi ngpasti tinsteadofholdingont oit
.
I
'm her
eforyouandalwayswil
lbe.Tal
ktomeso
wecanhaveahealthyrel
ati
onshi
p.Doyoupr
omise
t
obemor eopentowardsme."
"
Ipr
omi
se.
"Shesmi
les.
"Nowwi pesthoset
earsyoul ookuglywhencr ying.
Imagineablackpersoncrying?Youar epracti
cally
naveMaanbaby. "Hesaysmaki nghertogaspi n
shock.Shelooksattheglassthat'sfi
ll
edwithjuice
i
nherhands.Thi swil
lnotbeenough.Shet akesthe
wholejugandsplashesitonhi sface.
"Saythatagai
n."Shest
andsupsmi
li
ngf
eel
ing
sati
sfi
ed.
"
Didyouj
ustpourj
uiceonme?
"Hei
snotbel
ievi
ng
i
t.Hei
sdri
ppi
ngwet.
"
No,
it'
syourcum br
otherS.
"
"Iwi
lldealwi
thyou.
"Shetakestwostepsbef
ore
shecanevenr unf
urt
herhergrabsherbywaistand
carr
iesherli
keasackofpotat
oes.
"
PutmedownSt
hembi
so!
"
"
Aft
ert
his.
"Het
hrowsheri
nabi
gdr
um f
il
ledwi
th
wat
er."
Iloveyoumnyamana.
"Hel
aughsoutl
oud
l
ooki
ngatherangryt
inyf
ace.
[
08/
18,
03:
36] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER21

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

I
t'
smor ningandshe'
swateri
ngt hegar
den.She
l
oveswhatshesees.It’
sli
keshewasbor nfort
his.
Forhertoconnectwi
thsoil
.Itsoundswei
rdbutshe
l
ovesit.
"Il
ovemygar den.I'
m sur
emynei ghbourswillbe
j
ealous.
"Mamazi-St hembiso'smothersays
l
ookingaroundherhugegar denfi
ll
edwi t
hvarious
ofvegetables.It
’sj
ustalit
tl
etokenofher
appreci
atingthegoodt i
meshehadher e.Herstay
wasmagni f
icent.
"
Youwillmakegoodmoneyi fyousell
.Justwaitfor
i
ttoshi
negreenerandbright
erthenyougoodtogo.
RememberhowIt aughthowtohandleeveryt
hing?"
Shel
ovesi
twhenshei
sinchar
ge.
"HowcanIforgetmntanami?Yaxiyouar
er ight.I
wil
ldef
ini
tel
ymakehugemoneyoutofsel l
ing.You
j
ustmademeabusi nesswoman."Sheproudl y
smil
eslooki
ngaround.Thiswomananddr ama!
"Mama, don'
tyout
hinkyouar
eexagger
ati
ngabi
t?"
Shelaughs.
"Never !Thi
siswhatIcal lli
fe.Younowunder stand
whyIal wayswantt hekidswi thme.I'
m always
alone-wi thubabaal wayslooki ngaf
terhi
scowsI '
m
foreveralone.NowIknowt hatIhavegr andki
dsand
i
nsi miYamit olookaf t
er.Fornowyouwi l
lnot
under standbutonceSt hembi sodoeswhathel oves
mostt henyouwillnoti
ce."
Mamazisayst aki
ngthethornsoffhershoes."
Are
youokay? "Shestopsandf eel
shertemperatur
e.
She’snotherbubbl ysel
f.Sheissomehowf eel
ing
downt oday."Youaresohot ,maybewehavebeen
standi
ngundert hesinkforfart
oolongnow.Let '
s
gobacki nside.
"Mamazi pull
sherbyhandt aki
ng
hertothehouse.
_
___
___
___
_
"It
hinkI'
llenjoyi
ngst ayi
nghere.It'
sapi t
ythat
tomorrowwehavet ogoback.
"Onyi ye-despitethe
str
uggleofgr owingupshe'sgr eatful
lthatshe
foundamot heri
n-l
awl i
keMamazi .Awomanwho
don'tsugar-
coatbuthasahear tofgold.Shesmi l
es
l
ookingathersadf ace,maybesheshoul dn'thave
saidthat.
"
Iwi
llmi
ssyou.
"
"Let
'smakeadeal
,howaboutweleavetheki
ds
behindandwefet
chthem af
ter2weeksunti
l.
..
."
"Youdonothavet oaskmet wice.Thedealishighl y
accepted.Youhavenoi deahowmucht hi
smeans
tome.Youj ustmademydayevenmor eexciti
ng. "
Shesqueezeshercheeksandsmi lesemotionally.
Hear i
ngthathersonhaskidspartofherwasnot
reall
yhappybutnowshehasj ustnoti
cedhow
blessedsheis.Theonlyprobl
em chil
dhereis
Dumi sani
.Heisstil
lal
ostcasewhohasn’ tfigured
outwhather eal
lywantsinli
fe.
"
I'
m happyt
hatyouar
ehappymah.
"Onyi
yesays
cheer
ful
ly.
"NowIknowwhymysonhasbeenal lcrazyabout
you."Shel
augyhshyl
yplayi
ngwi t
hadi shwasher
clot
h.Shehasn'
tfor
givenhi
mt hathethrewherina
drum.Andforheisacti
onsshe’snotfeeli
ngwell.
_
___
___
_
Shemi ssesSbahleandMam Phili
siwe.Shetal
ksto
them everydaybutshej
ustnevergetsenoughof
them.Thosepeopl ehel
pedherwhenshehadno
one.Theygaveherahome, loveandmadeherpar t
ofthefami l
y.
"
Ngozi
,Imi
ssyout
oosi
ster
."
Mam Phi
li
siwel
aughsatt
hebackgr
ound.
"
IswearIwi
llki
llt
hischi
ld!
"Sbahl
esayshi
ssi
ng.
"Kil
lwhome?Youshoul dstartbyki
ll
ingyour
boyfri
endwhoi salwaysatmypl aceeati
ngmy
food."Onyi
yesaysmaki ngSbahletorolehereyes.
Shest epsoutofhercarlocki
ngit.
"I
'
m atwork-wi
llt
heki
dsoncetheyareawake.Ow
andanot
herthi
ngIfmymanishungryfeedhi
m
Onyiye.
"Shewinksanddropst
hel
ineandwal
ks
i
nsidethepol
icestat
ion.
"WasthatBahl
e?'St
hembisoasksjumpingi
nbed.
Onyiyel
ooksathimreadytomurderandtur
ns
aroundfaci
ngtheot
herway."Haibabe?
"
"Mxm, "shesecr
etl
ysmi
lescover
ingher
sel
fwi
tha
blanket.
Sthembisosneakshi
shandaroundherwai st
….i
t'
s
notenough.Healsoget
sundercoverscomingclose
toher.Thatwayhewil
lhol
dherwai stper
fect
ly.
"I'
m sorr
y."Hedoeswhathedoesmostkissi
ngher
shoulder.I
sthishi
snewhabi
torwhat,causeifi
tis
thenheshoulddoi tmor
eoft
enbecauseGod
dammi tshelovesi
t.
Youknowwhenthefeel
ingofbei
ngtouched
warml
ytoapoi
ntthatyoujustwantt
oopenyour
l
egsverywi
deforone.
She'
satt
hatpoi
nt.Hersensi
ti
vespot
!
"
Ngyaxol
isamnyamanabaki
thi
.I'
l
lneverputyoui
n
adr
um everagai
n."
"Don'
ttouchme."Shemovesawayf r
om hi
m butt
he
manmovesf ol
lowingherbehi
nd.Shemovesagai
n
andhemoveshol di
ngherwaist
.
She'satt
heedgeofthebedwithnowhereelseto
move.Sthembisopat
satthespacethati
sleftand
noti
cesthatt
herei
snon.Hesmi l
esnaughti
lyashe
purposel
ypushedherof
fthebed.
"
Sthembi
so!
"Owshe'
smad.Hel
aughsget
ti
ngof
t
hebedandhel
psherst
and.
"
Iwantyout
opayat
tent
iont
ome.
"
"
WillyoupushingmesolvethatI
'm angr
yatyou?
Wil
litsol
vethatI'
m cat
chi
ngaf l
uebecauseyou
t
hewmei nt
oadr um?"Shesneezes….
"I
'm sor
ry.I'
l
lmakeyoumedl emon.Justgobackin
bed."Hehelpsherbackinbedandkisseshercheek.
"Uyagothruwababe,aski
esyevha.
"
Sighsshaki
ngherhead."Whyareyoumybabe
daddyagain?"Sheaskshi
m smil
ingforget
ti
ngt
hat
shewasangr ywit
hhimjustminutesago.
"
Becauseyounevergotenoughofmydi
ck,
that
's
why.
"Heissof
ullofhi
msel
fandsosur
eofwhathe
i
ssaying.
"Youknowwhat,gomakethatmedlemonbefore
youmakemyl if
emiser
abl
e."Shesneezesagai
n
cover
inghernose.
Her
aiseshi
shandsi
nsur
renderandwal
ksoutof
t
heroom.
She'
sshiver
ingoutofcol
d.She'
sunabl
etof
all
asl
eep.
"
Doyouwantmet
otakeyout
othehospi
tal
?"
Sheshakesherheadno."
I'
ll
bef
ine.
"
"
Butyourshi
ver
ingnj
e."Hisconcerned,
hedidn'
t
meanit-t
oputheri
nadr um ful
lofwater.
"Justhol
dme,Iwillbewarm.
"Herteet
hcl
att
er,
he
holdsherfr
om behind-t
oocl
ose.
"Damnyouburni
ng.Feel
ingbet
ter
?"Heasks
holdi
nghert
ight
.
"Iwil
lbebet
ter
."Sher
espondscl
osi
ngherheavy
eyes.
"Ngi
zokuchat
haekuseni.
"Shefli
pshereyesopen
notbeli
evi
ng.Thismaniscrazyandsheshoul
d
underst
andhim bynow.Shelaughswit
hherpainf
ul
chest
.
"
Goodni
ght
."
"
Goodni
ghtmnyamana.
"

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

She'spacki
ngt
helastbi
tsofherclot
heswit
ha
heavyheart
.Asmuchassheenj oyedbei
nginher
parent
shouseshe'
ssadthatsheisleavi
ngagai
n.
Shel
ooksatt
hewi
ndowandsmi
lesemot
ional
ly.
Theeventsofthatdaywhenshesneakedoutoft he
windowandbei ngcaught.I
twasfunbuta
dangerousgame.Thiswindowwillf
oreverbea
memor yforher
.Imagineifshemadeheadlines'
a
gi
rlwhosneakedoutf oraboyhadtroubl
esneaking
backin'
!
"
Ready?
"Hermot
herasksst
eppi
ngi
nsi
deofher
room.Shetr
ail
soutofhert
houghtsandnodsher
headwitht
earsbl
indi
nghervi
sion.
"
Iwi
llmi
ssyou.
"Sheconf
esses.
Asmuchasshewasabadgir
llat
elyhermot
her
kepthergoi
ngever
yday.
Thosesuicidalt
hought
shavevanished.Maybeshe
neededtobehomewi t
hhermotherandforget
abouteverythi
ngandever
yone.Beingoutofthe
soci
almedi aforal
it
tl
ewhil
eandithelpedalot.
"Iwil
lmi
ssyout
oonomaubuhl
uphanj
e.And
Lindi
we.
..
"
"
Mah,
"shel
ooksathermot
hersmi
li
ng.
Hermot
herplacesherhandonhershoul
derand
si
ghssmil
ing.
"Thankyouforbri
ngi
ngmymarri
ageback.
"She
pull
sherint
oat i
ghthugr
ubbi
ngherhai
r.
"Mah,
youar
emessingmyhair
!"Sheuntangl
es
her
sel
ffr
om t
het
ightgr
ip."
Youarethebestchi
ld.
"
I
ndeedsheis.Thi
swomant houghthermarri
age
wasoverbutherl
it
tl
edevi
lreki
ndledever
ythi
ng.
"
Iknowandt
hankyou.
"
"Whenwil
lyoubeback?"Shedoesn'
twantheronl
y
chi
ldtobethi
sfarawayfr
om her.
"
Decemberhol
idays.
"
"
That
'
sfar
,"shesi
tsi
nthebedl
ooki
ngsad.
"
I'
llseei
fmyschedul
eal
lowsmet
ocomet
hissi
de.
"
_
___
___
___
Howiseveryoneathome?"Thedar l
ingboyfr
iend
deci
dedtofetchhert
odayjustbecausehewas
missi
ngherandadaywi ththem seeingeachother
haunt
shimt otheworst
.
"
Theyf
ine,
mymum sendsherr
egar
ds.
"
Hei
sshockedhi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onsayi
tal
l.
"
Areyousur
eshedi
d?"Heasks.
"
Whatdoyoumean"
"Imeanyourmotherhat
esmebecauseImadeher
onlychi
ldsneakoutoft
hewi
ndowatnightj
ustf
or
akiss.
"
Shef
it
swi
thl
aught
erandl
ooksout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
"
Youcr
azy.
"
"Iknow,youaremakingme."Hepout
slet
ti
nggoof
thegearandholdsherhandfi
rml
ywithsomuch
care."
Ngiyakuncanwa.
"
"
Iloveyout
oo.
"
Thedrivewasprett
yshortenedwi
thSizwethr
owi
ng
al
lofthoseinsul
tsofsweetcomments.Hemade
herl
aughandcr yinjustt
wohours.Heisnow
hel
pingherunpackeverythi
ng.
"Yousureyoudon'
twantmetost
ayover
?"I
sn'
the
everyone'
sdr
eam boyf
ri
end?
"
I'
llbef
inebabe.
"
Hegivesheralovi
nghugandst
epsbacksmi
li
ng.
Thatsmil
e..
..
"
Cal
lmei
fyouneedanyt
hing.
"
"Si
zwe,judgingfrom yourwordsicanbetonmy
grandmother'sgravethatyouwillbebackher
ein
themiddleoft henightandsayIjustwantedt
o
makesur ethatyouhaveever yt
hingyouneed."She
t
ri
esmi
micki
nghi
svoi
ce.
"
Idon'
tspeakl
ikeasqui
rr
el!
"Hei
sshocked!
"Ididn'
tsayyouspeakl i
keone.It'
sjustyouwanting
tofitwhereyoudon'tbelongbabe."She'
slaughi
ng.
It'
stimeforhertocelebr
ateaft
ereverythi
ngherhas
putherthrough.Bymaki ngherjumpoutoft hat
window.
"Haubabe,youknowwhatI'm nol
ongergoi
ng."He
huff
staki
ngoffhisshoes,
pantsandhisjer
sey.
"
Iknewthatyouwereuptosomething."She'
s
l
aughi
nghard.Eventheghostf
rom theheaven
mort
uarycanhear.
"CanIsleepinpeace?
"Hecover
shi
msel
fwi
tha
blanketr
oll
inghi
seyes.
She'sdoi
ngherr evision.Anunexpect
ed
assignmentjustpoppedupandshe' sforcedtostay
awakeallnight.She'stryi
ngtomixthenumber sbut
nothingi
sgoingi nthroughthatheadofhers.
She'
sbi
ti
ngherpeni
nfr
ust
rat
ion!
"
Ithi
nkt
hatpai
nwi
llbr
eakt
hewayyouar
echewi
ng
i
t.
"
"Icannotseem togett
hisst
rai
ght
? "Shehalf
screamsthrowingherbooksscat
teri
nginthefl
oor
.
Sizwewakesupandl
ooksatherwi
thhi
seyebr
ows
ached.
"Whatdi
dItel
lyou?
"Heasksf
oldi
nghi
sar
ms
acr
osshischest
.
"
ThatIshoul
d'veopenupandt
ellyoui
fsomet
hing
i
sbother
ingme."
"
Thenwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Hewant
stoknow.
"Ij
ustgotfr
ust
rat
edandmadt
hatIcannotsol
ve
onesingl
eequati
on.
"
"Igetyou.Knowpickthosebooksupgetyourt
hick
arseoutofthatdoorandwalkbacki
nonceyou
havecalmed."
Shel
ooksathi
m shocked.Heknowsver
ywel
lthat
shei
safr
aidoft
hedark.
"I
'
mr eady,
phumaSi si
."Hepointsoutoft
hedoor .
Healwaysdoesthiswheneversheisangry.Buther
angeri
t'
ssomethingthathasresurf
aced-anger
t
hatshedi
dn'
tknowt
hatshehad.
Shepicksherbooksuppl
aci
ngt
hem ont
opoft
he
bedandwalksout.
"
Areyounowcal
med?
"Heasksscanni
ngherf
ace.
"Yes,
I'
m sorryforwaki
ngyouup.
"She'
s
embarrassed.
"
Comeher
e,"shesi
tsnextt
ohi
m.
"Nextti
mei fyouhaveapr oblem tellmebeforeyou
getangryoversomet hi
ngthat'
sver ymuchf i
xable
andeasyt ohandle.Taket i
mei nyout oanswer
beforeconfir
mingt hatyouarewr ongorcorrect.I
'
ve
alwaysaskedyout ol ookforassistancef
rom mei f
youneedone.Iwi llbeverydelightedtohelpyoumy
l
ove.Nowt el
lyourndodawhywer eyousogr umpy
earl
ieron?"Heisrubbi ngherfeet.
Shesighsrelaxi
nghermuscl
es."
Iwastr
yingto
solvetheequati
onbutt
henmymi ndi
stotal
ly
blank.
"She'sbei
nghonest
.
"Okay,gi
vemeyourbooksandwewi
llst
artf
rom
scrat
ch."
ONYI
YE'
SHOME

"I
'
m havi
ngtroublesl
eepi
ng.Ar
eyousurethatt
hose
ki
dsarenotOnyiye'
s?"Nt
ombiasksSi
siphowho
waspoli
shi
nghert oenai
ls.
"Thatstupidguylookedexact
lyl
ikeNqimu.Maybe
i
t'sthefatherofherkidswhoknows."Sheshr
ugher
shoulders.
"I'
vebeent r
yingtocal lherphoneisnotgoi ng
through.Sandisaysshel ef
twithouttell
ingher.I
sweart hatt
hischildwi l
lbeseriouslythedeathof
me.I maginemef indingheraj obthatwi l
lfeedher
andherunheal thykidsshegoesar oundanddoes
this?"
Shel
ivi
dandmad.
"Itol
dyounottogiveherthejob.Shedecidedto
packupandr un.Whoknows, maybeshewas
sleepi
ngwit
hAnt iSandi
'shusband.Ital
lmakes
sense-whywoul dshejustl
eavewi t
houttell
ing
anyoneofherwher
eabout
s?"Si
sipho.
"YaziIshouldhaveabort
edthatgoodfornothi
ng
whileIsti
llhadachance.I'
m surewher
eversheis
sheisopeni ngherl
egsforeveryt
hingt
hathasatail
i
n-between."Shecli
ckshertongueinsomuch
annoyance.
"It
hinkit
'sj
ustbet
terof
fwit
hherbei
ngwherever
sheis.Shehasbeenstr
essi
ngyouforf
art
ool ong
now."
"Whydidn'
tshejustbelikeyou,wai
tfort
her i
ght
thi
ngsinli
fe.Youarewor ki
ngandnotdependenton
aman.Youdon' thavefather
lesski
ds.Howdi dshe
evenfal
lpregnantwit
hthesecondonebecauseas
farasI'
m concernedI
'veneverseenherpregnant
."
"HaveyoueverheardofIdi
dn'
tknowIwas
pregnant
?"Si
siphoaskshermotherwhoj
ustl
ooked
atherdumbfounded.

_
___
___
___
"
I'
m of
ftosl
eep.
"Hermot
hersaysst
andi
ngup
headi
ngt
oherbedr
oom.
She'
stossi
ngandturni
ngwithheremoti
onsvery
hi
gh.Maybesheiscold.Shepealst
heblanket
soff
herbodyandgoestothewardrobet
otakeablanket
.
Atoymi
stakenl
yfal
lsoutofherbl
anketcausi
ngher
t
ojumpalit
tl
einfri
ght
.
"Whatisthi
s?"Sheaskspi
cki
ngitup.Shelooksati
t
closel
yandnoticest
hatt
hist
oybelongstoNdimu
hergrandsonshedespi
sesal
ot.
Shenowremember
showt
hist
oyl
andedi
nher
bl
anket
.
Onyi
yewaswashi
ngherbl
anket
sonasunnyday.
..
.
ShehadplacedNdi muont hi
sblanketwhi l
eshe
wasbusydoi ngt helaundry.Themi nuteshesaw
thatNdi
mui ssleepingonhercl eanbl anket,she
fl
ippedandstartedinsult
ingherwi t
hal ltheinsul
ts
onecanthinkof.
"
Youar eagoodf ornothi
ngpieceoftr
ash!Youare
j
ustli
keyouruselessfatherwholef
tyouformeto
r
aise.Ihat
eyou!"Sheremember sli
keitwasjust
hoursago.Shecloseshereyesasal lthe
fl
ashbackscamebackf looding.Shealmost
stompedonNdimu' sti
nyf aceandjustbecauseher
motherwastheretoprotecthim Onyiyeshiel
dedfor
herbabyandendedupget ti
ngameani ngfulki
ck
i
nstead.She'
sgreatful
lthatshehasl eftt
hehouse
andshewon'tbeseeingherf aceanytimesoon.
Shethrowsthet
oyasideandjumpsinbedtryi
ngt
o
getsomesleepbutnothi
ng-sl
eepevaded.
..
.
"
God!"She'
sfrust
rat
edtoapointt
hatshej
ustf
eel
s
l
iket
hrowingever
ythi
ngonthewall.
Shegetsofft
hebedt
ogoesdr
inkwat
eri
nthe
ki
tchen.
..
.

Sleepisdefini
telymi ssi
ngi t
saddresstoday.Wi l
l
sheforeverbet hissleepless.I
t'
ssomet hi
ngt hat
didn’
tstartasintoday, butit'
ssomethingthathas
beenhappeni ngal otlat
ely.Maybeshei snow
l
oosingit.Maybesheneedssl eepi
ngtablets.She
remember sthatshest i
llhasoneofthose.Maybe
poppinginoneort wowi l
lmakehersleep
i
mmedi
atel
y.
Aft
erdr
inki
ngthosepil
ls-overdose.Hebodyfel
t
col
dasice.Shedidn'
tunderst
andt hecol
dness.
..
Hereyesget
ti
ngheavi
erbythesecond.Herbody
react
ingt
othesl
eepi
ngpil
ls.Thi
sisjustwhatshe
needed
[
08/
18,
03:
37] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER22

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

It
'sMondayandshe’sbackt
oreal
it
y.Hol
idayswer
e
spentextr
emelywel
lwit
hpeopl
ewhovalueand
appreci
ateher
.
She'ssmili
nglookingatt hepi
ctur
esofherson'
s.
It
'ssoquiteandit'
sscar y.Thehouseishugef
orher
tobealone.Shedoesn' tli
vewithSthembi
sobuthe
doescomef rom toti
met ocheckuponherandthe
kids.Herentsaoner oom houseclosebyandfor
t
hatsheappr
eci
atesi
tthather
espect
sherwi
shes.
Imaginei
fshehadt osquatinwit
haman?That
wouldn'
tlookgoodatallonherconsi
der
inghow
Ndimuwasconcei ved.Whatexamplewi
llshebe
set
ti
ngatt hi
syoungage.
HerphonechimesandSthembiso'
snamepopsup.
"Mlungwana,
"that'
showshehashadhisname
stored.Sher
etr
ievest
oanswer
.
"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Nohel
lobabe…
"Att
hehouseobviousl
y,whyar
eyouaski
ng?
"She
decr
easesthevol
umeonTV.
"Getout
."Hedr opsthel
ineandshef rownslooki
ng
atthescreen.Shewearshersleepers-stepsoutof
thehouseandt hesunshinesbrightl
yonherskin.
Sheprotectsherfacebycover
ingi twit
hherhand.
Ther
eheisweari
ngablackandwhitesui
te.She
l
owersherhandandpl
acethem onherwaist
.
"Areyougoingforanint
ervi
ew?
"Sheasks.Cometo
thinkofi
t.Shedoesn'
tknowwhereheworks.How
stupidofher!
"Hell
obabe."Nowhedeci
destogr
eetaf
ter
droppingt
hephoneonher,mxm!
"
Uyaphi
?"
"Ihaveahugedeal-busi
nessproposalt
opush.I
j
ustcameher ef
oryoutoprayforme."Heisl
eani
ng
againstt
hecarwit
hhislegscr
ossed.
"
Huh?
"
Conf
usedOnyi
ye!
“
Isai
dIcameheresoyoucanpr
ayf
orme.
"He
wal
kstowar
dsher.
"Er
mmm, okay.Doyouwantmet
opr
ayf
oryou
outsi
de?
"
"Yes,
Iwantt
hewholeworldtoseethatmybaby
mamai sapr
ayingwarr
ior
."Heattemptst
okneel
downbutOnyiyest
opshim bef
orehecouldeven
kneel
.
"
Areyoumad?"Maybet
her
e'sal
oosescr
ewi
nsi
de
t
hisman'
shead.
"Okayl
etsgoinsi
dethehousethen.
"Hewalkspast
herwhi
stli
ng.Sheshakesherheadandf
oll
owshim
shor
tl
y.
"Cometot hi
nkofit,
you'venevert
oldwhatyoudo
forali
ving.YouhaveallthemoneyandIdon'tknow
whereyougoti tf
rom."Shesayssit
tingonthe
couch.
"
IfIt
ellyou,
youwi
lll
eaveme.
"
Hei
sembar
rassed.
"
Iwon'
t,
"
"
EvenifIwasar
it
ual
ist
?"Hel
ooksathersear
chi
ng
f
oranswers.
"Yes,
"sheanswerswithoutreluct
ant
ly."I
fyouwer e
i
ntothat,
Iwil
ladviseyout ocutoutbeforetheyask
youformychildr
en'sbloodoryourmot her'
s."He
cri
ngestothesoundoft hat.
"Owhellno!I
'
m notar
it
uali
st.
"Hesaysmaki
ngher
sighi
nreli
effr
om t
hei
nside.
"
Thenwhatdoyoudo?
"She'
sadamant
,shewant
s
t
oknow.
"Okay,me,TazzandKhozastolemoneyfr
om t
he
governmentpeopl
e.Notjustanypeopl
e.Weai
med
fort
hehi ghpr of
il
eones.Li
kepr esi
dent sand
minist
ers.I'
m notproudofwhatIdi d.ButIhadt o
doitbecauseIknewIhadaf ami l
yt otakecareof.I
wantedmyki dstohaveabetterfutureandlif
e.I
wantedmyf amilytohaveahome. "Hel ooksdown
i
nshame.
"I
'
m notgoingtojudgeyoubutI'm happythatyou
stoppedwhateveri
ll
egalshi
tyoudi d.Thankyoufor
beinghonestwit
hmeandIpr aythatnooneknows
aboutit
."
"
It
'soyme,
TazzandKhoza.
"
Si
lence!
"
Sowhat
'
sthedealf
ort
oday?
"Shewant
stoknow.
"Well
mysecurit
ycompanyhasbeenr egi
ster
ed,
j
ustneedpart
nersandfunderst
ofundmycompany
sothati
twi
llbenotsuspi
ciousi
nregardsofthe
moneyIhave."
"Isecondyou."Shestandsupandgosit
snextt
o
him."I'
m proudofyou.Yougooutt
hereandmake
uspr oud.
"Shesmi l
es.
"
Ifyoupr
ayf
ormet
hem yeahIwi
ll
."
"Okay,cl
oseyoureyes.
"Theyhol
dhandsand
Onyiyebegi
nstopray…."Wekneeli
nfr
ontofyou
dearLord….
"
"Amen. "Sthembisosaysfl
ippinghiseyesopen.
Onyiyel ooksathimrunni
ngoutofwor ds."
Ineeded
thatthankyou."Hekissesheront hecheekand
dashesoutl eavi
ngherintotalshock!
"
Wow,
"that
'sal
lshemanagedt
osay.

_
___
___
___
_

Inst
eadofcoopi
nghersel
finthehouseshedeci
ded
topayMam Phil
isi
weavisit
.Theplacei
scrowed
andnowher egr
etsbei
nghere.
"Nana,
"that
'
sMam Phi l
isiwebeaminginexcit
ement.
Shestandsupandhur r
iestowardsher
.Ther oom
becomessil
ent.Herpal
mssweati nfearasallthese
thr
eewomenandt womenl ooki
ngatherwithout
sayi
ngawor d.I
maginet hepai
nofwalkinginthe
housewhi l
eever
yoneishavi
ngaconversat
iont
hen
theroom deci
destobesil
ent
lyqui
tewhenone
enter
s.
"
Iwi
llbebacksomeot
hert
ime.
"Shewhi
sper
s.
"No,no,
nonsense.Thi
sisal
soyourhome
remember.Wherearetheki
ds?
"Shelooksbehi
nd
her.
"
Theyar
ewi
thSt
hembi
so'
smot
her
."
"OwhowImi ssthem.Thehousei ssoqui
tewi
thout
them.Sbahledoesn'twanttogiveme
grandchi
ldr
en."Shesulkslooki
ngatSbahl
ewho
hashereyesf i
xedont hemeat.
"
Yohmama,
"Onyi
yegi
ggl
es.
"Mywi fe,whoisherooo?"Oneofthewomanwhoi s
wear i
ngat r
aditi
onalatt
ir
eask.Sbahl
e'
smot her
smileslookingatOnyiyeeat
ingmeatwithSbahle.
"Onyiye,comeher eSisi
,
"shecall
soutforher
."Thi
s
i
sOnyi yeMazi buko.She'
sfr
om Eshowe."She
warml yrubsherback.
Theaunt
iest
alkamongsteachot
herl
eavi
ngOnyi
ye
andMam Phi
li
siwei
nanawkwar
dposi
ti
on.
"
Whoi
syourf
ada?
"Oneask.
"Idon'
tknowhi
m,I
'venevermethi
m bef
ore.Why
areyouaski
ng?
"She'sconf
used.
"I
t'
sokaybabe,
youcangobackt
oSbahl
e.Sbahl
e
canyougobymorespices.
"
"
Haumah,
ther
ear
eal
otofspi
cesnj
e."
"
Sbahl
e!"
Sbahlest
andsupandsi
ghsgr
abbi
nghercarkeys.
"Let
'sgoOnyi
ye.
"Theywal
kout
.

_
___
___
___
"I
sitmeorar ethosegrannieslookingatmeina
weir
dway? "She'sheart
broken.Maybet heydi
sli
ked
hertheminutetheylai
dtheireyesonher .Her
complexi
onhasal waysbeenapr oblem.
"I
t'snot
hingbig.Don'
tlett
hem gettoyou.Iknow
howst r
essfulmyaunt'
scanbe. "Sbahl
esays
picki
ngthepackageofchipsinthetrol
ley."
Doyou
wantal
cohol
?"
"I
'
veneverdr
ankbefore….
wel
lletmenotl
ie.Ionce
drankandIf
eltpr
egnant.
"
Theybot
hlaugh.
"
Thisti
mear oundngekeuhlahle.I
fyouwantt
lof
t
lof
,yourbabydaddyisjustaroundthecor
ner
."
"
Mxm,
I'
llhaveSt
rongbow.
"
Aft
erpayi
ngforthespicesandsnacks.They
passedbythel
iquorshopandbought12packeach.
"
Youshoul
dlear
nhowt
odr
ive.
"Sbahl
esuggest
s.
Onyi
yesmi
les….
"I
'
m doi
ngmyl ear
ner
'snextweek.St
hembi
sohadt
o
dragmeoutofmycomf or
tzone."
"Hei
sdoingagoodthi
ng.Youshoul
dli
veal
it
tl
e.
Yousti
llaki
dmaan.Unangaki
?18,
19?"
"
Tur
ning20domkopi
ntoweekst
ime.
"
Shel
aughspoppi
ngpopcor
ninhermout
h.
"Whatashame."Shel
aughsandparksout
sidet
he
gat
e.Onyiyel
ooksatherbr
ief
lynott
oosure
whethertoaskherornot
.Whati
fshedoesn'tknow
andplussheisacop?Sheshoul
dratherkeepthis
tohersel
f.
"
Whati
sit
?"Sbahl
easksl
ooki
ngatheri
ntensel
y.
"Nothi
ng,I
'mjustafr
aidofdri
ving.
"Shedeci
dest
o
ziphermouth.Nevertr
ustanyoneinthi
sworl
dbut
yoursel
f.
"
It
'snott
hatbad.Youwi
llbegood.
"
"I
fyousayso.
"Sheshr
ughershoul
der
sleani
ng
back.
"
Let
'sgogetwast
ed.
"
Theystepoutofthecarwi thOnyi
yefoll
owing
behi
nd."Youcanleavet heseint
hebackr oom, no
oneleavest
hereit'
sst
illvacantaf
teryouleft.Mum
hadhopedthatyoumi ghtcomebackandvi sit
."She
l
aughsabi t
.
"
Andher
eIam.HowImi
ssmyol
droom.
"
It
'sst
il
lasitwas.Herbel
ongingsarest
il
lher
e.Her
bigmattr
essthatsheboughtisst
il
lher
e.
Shepl
acest
he12packi
nhermi
nif
ri
dgeandwal
ks
outf
oll
owi
ngSbahl
ebehi
nd.
She'
slooki
ngatt hefamil
ytal
kingandhavingthe
ti
meofthei
rlives.Somehowshewi shedthather
motherwasthisbubblyandwar mtowardsher.But
womanhatesherwi thpassi
on.
Thelanguagebarr
ieri
ski
ll
ingher.Foramoment
shealmostfai
ntedwhenSbahlespokeafor
eign
l
anguage.
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Shewhi
sper
sto
Sbahl
e.
"Not
hingmuch.Theyarejustaski
ngquest
ions
aboutyouandsayinghowmuchyoul ookl
ikemy
l
atesist
erAdeze.
"
Shef r
ownsf orasecond.Thi sAdezechi ldt hatt
hey
keptonr ef
erri
ngt o….sheoncesawt hepi cturebut
shedidn'tl
ooknot hingli
keher.Well
, sheal sowasa
darkskinnedgi r
lbutnothingli
keher.Andf or
Sbahle-shet ookhermot her'
sfai
rcompl exion.The
nextthingtheywi l
lbesayingisher-t hatshewoke
upf r
om thedead.Shesi ghsnotknowi nghowt o
respond.Shef akesasmi l
eandexcusesher self
.
Maybeshewi l
lbebacksomeot hert
imewhen
thesepeoplearegone.Shecan'
tbecompar edwit
h
adeadper son-thatsheref
usestobeli
eve.She
goestothebackr oom anddeci
destodrinkand
waitsf
orSt hembiso’
scall
.

LI
MDI
WEMAZI
BUKO

"Makesur et hatyoupr ovidemewi ththemost

researchedscoop, somet hi
ngthatwillbeupdat
ed
ont heschool sblog.Whi cheverarti
clehasthe
mostvot esget stobepubl i
shedinourveryown
magazi ne.Goodl uckeachandever yoneofyou."
Thel ect
uresayscl osinghert ext
sbookst hatwere
ont hetable."Samet i
me, sameplacet omor
row."
Li
ndiwest andsupandr ushesoutsidejusttobe
awayfrom everyone.Somest i
llhavethevideosand
somest i
llmakefunofheri nf
rontofSizwe.Gossip
never
…..It'
ssomet hi
ngthatshecannotgetusedt o.
ShespotsMpil
oandhisthi
ckgir
lfr
iendfrom a
di
stanceandsi
ghs.Ever
yfai
ledrel
ationshi
pis
pai
nful
.Ithur
tsi
nawaynophysi
cal
woundscan….
Shewasemot i
onall
ytor
turedt hatti
me, al
otwas
goingon.Thet r
endi
ngvideoandherbei ngdumped
forabort
ion.Shewouldcrywhi leinclass.And
everyti
meshewoul dheart hesoundofsome
famil
iarl
ovesongs,shecoul dn'thel
pbutcr yher
heartout.
Shewant edtomoveon.Shewantedtoforgethi
m
assoonasshecoul dandthat
'swhereSizwecame
totherescue.Thatmanmadeherfeelspeci
almore
thananyonecould.
Everywhereshelooked,shesawhi m ….t
her
e'sjust
toomanymemor ies,
andshet houghtshewouldgo
crazytr
yingtoavoidthem.
Notthatshe'
ssadbutshejustdoesn'
twanttosee
him anywher
e.Shewalksoutofthegateandawai
ts
forataxi
.
Mpiloandhisgir
lf
ri
end!Di
dtheyreall
yhadtostand
besideherandcuddl
einfr
ontofher.Acarpar
ks
i
nfrontofher….
"
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmet
hatyourl
essonsar
eover
sdi
didi
?"Si
zwestepsoutoft
hecar
.Hegi
veshera
warm hugpi
cki
ngherupabit.
"Hau,It
houghtyouwerelonggone?
"Sherepli
es
steppi
ngbacksmili
ng.Sheisher
etodaybecauseof
thisman.
"Gonewhere?Icamebackf ormyQueeny.Guess
whatIboughtforyou?"Heisbeami
nginexcit
ement
clappi
nghi
shandst ogetherl
i
keahungrychi
ld.
"
Pizza?
"Shecur
iousl
ylooksathi
m.
"
Bhamf
oqo.
"Hesmi
leswi
del
y.
Li
ndiwel ooksathim dumbfounded.Shewil
l
normall
yl aughoutloudandsayt hewei
rdestt
hings
onearth.Butforthi
s..
..
it
'sj
ustleavi
ngher
speechless.
"
Ipr
ayinJesusnamet
opr
ovi
demewi
thamanof
mydreams.
"
Shewal
kspasthi
mthr
owi
ngher
sel
fint
hecar
.
"
Amen!"Sizwesaysfol
lowi
ngherbehind.Heent
ers
t
hecarleansoverf
orakissesanddr
ivesoffl
eavi
ng
Mpi
loburningi
nanger.
_
___
___
___
"Sothisart
icle,
whatdoyouwanti ttobeabout
?"
Lindiwesmilesalreadypi
ctur
ingherst
oryi
nthe
frontpagemaki ngheadli
nes.
"
Aboutmyf
ri
end.
"
"Onyi
ye?Tellmewhatar eyougoingtowrit
eabout
her?Byt hel
ookoft
hingsyouwi l
lneedtwopages
towrit
eaboutherstoryandherli
fesincei
tsway
back.Thisissomet
hingsmall,
withsimpleevent
s
happening."
"
Youarer
ight
.I'
mjustcl
uel
ess.
"Shesi
ghs
wei
ghi
nghershoul
dersdown.
"Anyt
hingthatcomesf r
om yourhear
twilldo.
Connectwithwhateveryouwanttowrit
eandyou
wil
lsee."Hecupshechubbycheeks.
"
MaybeIshoul
djustwri
teaboutmysel
f.Howwi
ll
t
hatl
ook?
"Shebiteshernai
ls.
"
Whatexact
ly?
"
"
Oftherecentevent
s.Maybeadviseot
herchi
ldr
en
whoarefreshfr
om highschoolt
onotfal
lont
he
mistakeIoncemade.
"Henodshi
sheadi
n
agreement.
"Thatwil
lbeagr eatstorybabe.Bebusywi t
hitand
I'
llbebusywithmywor k.Doi
ngamast ersdegreei
s
nochild'
splay.Ihavetoconf ess-Ihat
elaw!"He
groansthrowinghimselfonthebedcoveringhis
facewithhistextbook.

ONYI
YIE'
SHOUSE

"
MAMAWAKEUP!
"Si
siphoscr
eamsf
ort
hewhol
e
wor
ldt
ohear
.
Shelooksathermot
her
'swi
deopeneyes,
col
d
body,t
wist
edarm.
Aknockont
hedoor
….
Sheleaveshermot
herandat
tendst
odoorst
il
lin
shock.
"Icouldhearyoufrom myhouse.Whati
sit?"A
neighbouraskssteppi
nginsi
deofthehouse.Once
uponat imethishousewasascleanasacastle.
"
Mama,
Ithi
nkshe'
sdead.
"She'
sacr
yingmess.
"
Jesus!Godf
orbi
d!Takemet
oher
."
Sisi
photakesthenei ghbourtohermot her'
s
bedroom.Thenei ghbourstopsonhert racks
l
ookingatascar ywomanont opofherbed.She
pull
sherlegstowar dsNt ombifeel
ingherpulse.
"She'
sbarelyal
ivecal lf
oranambul ance?"She
i
nstruct
s.Sisi
phot akesherphoneseeki ngforhel
p….
_
___
___
_
"Wefoundahugedosageofsl eepingt abl
etsinto
yourmother'
ssystem andwebel ievet heoverdose
i
sthecauseofherst r
oke.Sleepmedi cati
onuse
mayindependentl
yincreasetheriskofst roke
beyondotherri
skfactorsinmiddle-agedtoolder
i
ndivi
dualswit
hnohi storyofstr
oke. "
"
Str
oke,
mymot
herhasst
roke?
"She'
snotbel
ievi
ng.
"Unfor
tunat
elyyes,wewi l
lkeepherf
ort
het
ime
beingunti
lsheful
lyrecovers.
"
"Wasshetr
yingt
oki
llher
sel
f?"Sheasks
swal
lowi
nghard.
"
Atthi
spointwecannott
ell
.Wewillwai
tforhert
o
f
ull
yrecoverandt
akeherst
atement.
"
Sisiphonodsnotknowingwhatt
oaskfur
therthan
this."Excuseme,
Iwil
lhavetoat
tendt
omyot her
pat i
ents."
She'sgoingbackhomewi t
hat aili
n-bet
weenher
l
egs.Sohermot heri
sreall
ysick?It’
sscaryand
draini
nginawayonl ypeoplewho’ vebeenthrough
i
tunder st
and.Nowt hatshethinksaboutit
,there’
s
nothingglamorousorenergizi
ngaboutcaringfor
ai
lingfamilymember .
Si
ghs!
Shesi
tsonthecouchlooki
ngar
oundt
hehouse.
Maybestar
ti
ngbycleani
ngwil
ldo.
_
___
___
___
_
Thehousei ssparkli
ngclean.Shejustneetdsome
restbutsomethi
ngdawnst oher.Shedidn'tgether
periodst
hismonth.Shel ooksatthecalendarand
herheartthudspainful
ly.Coul
dthisbe..
..
"
No!
"
Shet
akesoutherphoneanddi
alst
henumber
s.
Itr
ingstil
lshegivesup.Shet riesagainanditt
akes
herstrai
ghttovoicemail.Maybehei sbusyand
besideshei sabusinessmanwhohasabusy
schedule.Hewilldefi
nitel
ycallherback.Maybehe
hasbackt obackmeet ings.Butjusttobesureshe
needst otakeapregnancyt estfi
rst
.Shetakesa
quickbathandgoest ot own.
_
___
___
___
_
She'
slookingatthet
wolinesandherhear
tsi
nks.
Sheisindeedtr
ulypr
egnant.
Decidi
ngwhatt odoaboutandeal ingwit
h
unexpectedpregnancyisverydif
fi
cult
.Ther eisa
l
ottothinkabout.Shehast omaket hedecisionthat
i
srightforherandhermot her.Shecannot
di
sappointhernowt hatsheisthemostf avourit
e.
Maybetel
li
nghissi
sterwi
lldo.Shewillt
alkt
o
Lungi
sanioncehei
savail
ablesinceshecannotget
hol
dofhim.
Shetri
estypi
ngonherWhat
sAppbutherphone
fr
eezestaki
nghert
oever
ydir
ect
ionandviewi
ng
everyWhatsAppst
atus.Hereyecat
chesa
pict
ure.
..
..
She'
sshaki
ngandherphonei
sact
ingup.
Sheswitchesi
tofandt
urnsi
tbackon.Shevi
ews
thest
atusesagai
n.
"Lungi
sani
!"Herboyfr
iendforthr
eeyears.Thi
s
cannotbehappeningtoher.Tearsvei
li
ntohereyes
anddropconti
nuouslywithoutst
op.Thepainistoo
muchandunbear abl
e.
Soal lal
ongshewasbei ngmadeaf oolbythi
s
family.Hismotherneverl
overherthemi nut
eshe
l
aidhereyesonherandt hatwastheleastofher
worries.Shewasclosewi t
hallofhissist
ersand
theytooklikeafamil
ybuttheywer econnivi
ng
behindherback!
Shet
akesadeepbr
eat
hinpai
n.
Sheremember swhenhet oldhisparentsabout
thei
rrel
ati
onshipandalsotoldthem thattheywant
togetmarriedbutt
heytotal
lyrefusedtolistent
o
him.Especial
lyhi
smother.Hisfatheristhequietest
ofthem al
l.Shedoesn'
tknowhi mt hatwell.
Sheisnotabl
etoacceptt
hefactt
hathei
smar r
ied
andli
vingwit
hsomeothergi
rli
nst
eadofherand
heral
one!
Thebreakingofarelati
onshipisverymuchakinto
l
osingsomeoneandt heprocessinvol
vesgoing
thr
oughyourowngr ievingprocesswhichcanbe
rat
herdif
ficul
tdependingupont hecir
cumstances
i
nwhi chthebreakupishappening.
Imaginebreaki
ngupwi
thsomeoneandyouwer
e
nottold.
Shestopst
ypinganddel
etest
hemessagewi
tha
heavyhear
t.
Hegotmarri
edamont hago.Shewaswi thhimlast
monthandeveryt
hingwasjustfi
ne.Heseemed
normal
,happytobewithher.Helovedherand
showedherthebestti
meofherelife.
Allal
ongitwasalie!Andnowshei
slef
ttocar
ryt
he
consequencesal
one!
[
08/
18,
03:
37] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER23
STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Proposal
..
.hei
sl ooki
ngatallt
hesemennottoo
surewhattoexpect.Hispal
msar esweati
nginf
ear
.
Hisfacehasturnedredinoutmostfear
.Heis
guarant
eedthathedidhisoutmost.
Theareal
lreadingt
hrought
hef
il
esnotsayi
ngany
words-whi
chi sver
ymuchannoyi
ng.Ti
mewaits
fornoman!
"Whysecurityoutofallt
hebusinessyoucanst ar
t
up?Youdoknowt hatwehaveal otofsecuri
ty
servi
cesinthiscountryandyoudecidedtoadd
anothert
ot hepopulati
on.Areyouupf or
competit
ion?Whichi sverymuchridi
culous.
"
Hechucksnotunder st
andi ngthestatement."You
knowwhat ?"Hestandsupannoyed.St r
aightenshis
pantspul
li
ngt hem down…." Iwil
lpit
chmypr oposal
el
sewhere.Yourquestionisver ymuchsar casti
c.If
youthi
nkI'm goingtosithereandanswer s
nonsensethenthanksbutnot hanks.
"Hecl oseshis
f
il
eandat
tempt
stol
eave.
"I
'
m board-Ili
kehim.Hisat
ti
tude–keept
hat
att
it
udeanditwil
ltakeyouf
ar.Don’
tbegmyboy.
"
Oneoftheinvest
orssaysmil
ing.
"Countmeout,
I'
m notupfort
hisnonsense.
"He
pull
soutoft
hemeetingandstepsoutoftheboar
d
meeting.
"Don'tmi
ndhim.Hehasitbadthesedays,sal
tis
kil
li
nghim."Thet
wootheri
nvestorsl
augh.“You
knowhowgr owmenare.”
"I
'
m givingyouchancesi
nceyousecur
it
yof
fer
sal
l
sortofservi
ce.
"
St
hembi
sosi
tsdownwi
thhi
seyebr
owsf
urr
owed.
"Welcometothegame.I '
m count
ingonyouand
yourservi
ces.Don'
tletusdown."Theset
wo
grandpa'
sjustmadehi sday.

There'
snot
hingmorethanhewantsjusttobehome
wit
hhiswomanandt el
lherthegoodnews.He
passedbythefl
owershopsandpickedthemost
beaut
if
ulf
lower
soft
hem ki
nd.
Heknowsthatshelovesweett
hingsbutwoman
al
wayscri
estoothacheatni
ghtandhehastost
ay
upal
lni
ghtshushingher.
Acal
lcomest
hroughhi
sphone….
"
Tal
ktome.
"
"Thesi
tei
sreadyjustwait
ingf
oryoursi
gnat
ure.
Yourwomanwi l
llovet
his.
"
Khozaishappythatt
heyfi
nal
lyfoundeachother.
Afr
aidashewashet houghtt
hatmaybehewi ll
misusethemoneybutboyhasitallgood.Thi
nki
ng
ofthefut
ureofhiski
ds.
"Thankyoumfanakithi
.Youhavenoideahow
mucht hi
smeanst ome."Heisal
lmil
ess.Heis
standi
ngbythetil
lwait
ingf
orthewomant oshout
"next
"astheyusuall
ydo.
"Butii
fyoulostcanyouletpeopl
epass."Thet
il
l
gir
l….Sthembisoremoveshisphonefr
om hisear
,
"Ar
eyoutal
kingtomel i
ket
hat?I
'm st
illbusyonthe
phoneyouwillwai
tforme,
stupi
dgirl
."Heclickshi
s
t
oungeandcont
inuest
ost
andi
nthequeuet
alki
ng
t
othephone.
Amanpusheshi m asi
dehar shl
ymaki nghi
m hitt
he
tr
oll
eyont hesideofhisshoulder.Thefl
owerson
hishandsscatterontheground-t hegoodi
esinthe
basketar
er ol
li
ngalloverthestore.Heshoveshis
phoneinthepacket…
"
Dog!
"St
hembi
soshout
sat
tr
act
ingeyes.
Themanst
opsandt
urnst
ofacehi
m.
"
Whatdidyousay?"Hi
stal
lsel
fisst
andi
ngright
i
nfr
ontofhi
m.Sthembisoswal
lowsi
nfearand
f
aceshimli
keaman.
"
Isai
ddog,
"hepokeshi
m onhi
schestmul
ti
ple
t
imes.
Commot
ion!
Themanpusheshi m agai
nmakinghimt ostumbl
e
backwards-Sthembi
soisbeyondangry.He
marcheshisskinnyl
egsthr
oughthoseblackpant
s.
Heattemptstopunchbuthi
spunchwasblocked.
Unexpect
edlythemanpuncheshi
m onthestomach,
hegr
oanspai
nfull
ywit
hsalivadr
ippingoutofhi
s
mout
h.Hekneelsdowntr
yingtocatchhisbreat
h….
Heisbreat
hingf
ir
e,t
hemaniswal ki
ngtowar
dsthe
exi
t.St
hembisofi
nal
lyf
indst
hecouragetost
andup
-hewil
lnotbeshamedbyanotherman!
Hefol
lowsthemanandpusheshimforcef
ull
y.He
gr
absthebasketandsmashesi
tonhishead….
"I
'
m Sthembi sokayi
One.I'
m notweed-neverwill
!"
Hekicksthemant hathasfal
lenontheground.He
cl
ickshi
st oungeandgoesbackt ot
hestore.
Onewi
llr
uinhi
smomentofcel
ebr
ati
nghi
ssuccess
wit
hhi
sbabymama!

"
IknowthatI
'mlookabl
ebi
tpl
easedon'
tlookat
me."Het
ell
stheti
llgi
rl
.
Shescanst
het
hingsheboughtwi
thoutsayi
nga
word.

Dri
vingbackhomewithanachi
ngst
omach.That
asshol
ereall
yknowshowtothr
owameanpunch.
Heisstil
lpar
kedoutsi
deli
steni
ngtot
hepai
ns.He
cannotevencel
ebr
atehisvi
ctory!
"Maybeyoushoul
dgolaydownabit.
"Onyi
ye
suggest
s.Shewantst
olaughsobad.
"
Maybe,
"
"Come,"shehel
pshim st
epoutofthecarst
il
l
holdi
ngherlaugh."
Couchorbedr
oom? "Sheasks
l
ookingupathim.
"
Bedr
oom wi
lldo.
"
Shenodsherheadandhel
pshimtothei
rbedr
oom.
Hecaref
ull
ysi
tsdownandsighs….
"Iwi
llbr
ingyoupai
nkil
lersandfi
xyousomethi
ngto
eat.
"Shewalksoutl
eavinghim gr
oani
nginpai
n.

It
'sjustaqui
cksnackt hathewil
lbeabletodi
gest
.
Twosl i
cesofbreadwithasliceofcheeseand
polony,hi
sfavouri
te…
"
Ican'tf
eedmysel
f-everypar
tofmybodyhurt
s.I
f
eell
ikeI'
vebei
ngknockeddownbyatruck.
"
"
Whatexact
lyhappened?Yourdon'
twantt
otel
l
me.
"
"Let'
sdropthis.Iwi
llfi
ndthatmanandIwil
ldeal
withhim unt
ilhisancestor
scometother
escue."He
hissesoutofanger.
"
Ifyouhaveaf
uner
alcovert
hanI
'
m good.
"
"
Whatdoest hatsupposetomean?"Li
ke-heis
l
it
eral
lyconfused.I
sn'tshemeantt
osuppor
thim
t
hroughthickandthin?
"I
fyoudi eIwi
llmournyouandmoveon.Forget
aboutyou,fi
ndanothermangetmarri
edandr ai
se
ourkids.Youwil
lnothavet
hepri
vil
egeofbeing
call
edaf at
her.
"
Hefr
ownslooki
ngatthedevi
ltest
inghi
m."Ishoul
d
l
ookforcof
fi
ns,
star
ti
ngfrom nowonwards.
"
"Haibo!Howcanyouor
gani
semydeat
hwhi
leI
'
m
sti
llal
ive?
"
"Becauseyouwil
ldieanyti
mesoon.Youare
practi
cal
lyor
ganisi
ngyourowndeathanIwillhel
p
youtoorgani
seitfurt
her
."Sheshr
ughershoulder
s.
Hel
ooksatheri
ndef
eat
.
"
Ent
lek,
awungi
ncanwawena?
"
"Beli
evemeIl oveyouwi t
hever yt
hinginme.I
woul dn'
thavewai t
edforyouf orsol ongtobeback
i
nmyl ife.Thedecisionsyoumakesomet i
mesare
recklessSt hembiso.It
'snotwhatyouwantand
whatyouwi l
ldo.What eversil
lyacti
onyouar e
tryi
ngt otake,pleasemakesur ethatthekidsdonot
sufferbecauset heydoIwi l
l…."
"
Okay,noneedt oki
llmeIgetyourpoi
nt.
"Hesighs.
"
I'
m sorr
yI'
mj ustangryt
hat'
sall
.Mydaystart
edoff
i
nanotsogoodmoodandendedi nnotsogood
mood."Heexplai
ns.
"Aski
es,
sohowdidt
hepitchgo.
"Sheget
sinbed
andsnuggl
esher
sel
fnexttohi
m.
"
Notsohardbaby.Bel
ightwi
thmeI
'
minpai
n."He
r
emindsher
.
"
Bel
ightwi
thyou?Mxm,
so….
.?"
"
Igott
hedealsi
gnedever
ythi
ngandnowIwi
llhave
t
oputpost
ersonl
inef
orit
.Designt
hel
ogo–yoh
t
hixo.Justt
aket
hatbr
ownenvel
opeever
ythi
ngi
s
t
here."
Onyiyegr
absthebrownenvelopet
hatisontopof
t
hepedestalandr
eadsthroughthepaperst
hat
wereinsi
de.Asmil
egrowsonherf ace.
"
Wow,
somuchmoney!
"
Thezer
oesar
econf
usi
ngher
.
"That
'sal
lyoucareabout
,themoney?
"Hechucks
holdi
nghisachi
ngstomach.
"
Youhavenoi
dea.Igr
ewupwi
thnot
hingsot
his….
"
Hereyesgl
ist
erwi
tht
ear
s.
St
hembisosmil
esbrushingherf
aceadmiri
nghe
i
nnerandout
erbeauty."
IdidwhatIdi
dforus.
"
"
Thankyou.
"Shel
eansoverf
orakisspl
aci
ngher
t
inyhandonhi
sst
omach.Hegroans….
"Sor
r y.
"Shegi
gglescoveri
ngherface.Hesmi
les
pull
inghertosl
eeponhi schest
.
"
Youthebestinthehi
stor
y."Hebr
ushesheraf
ro.
Hehasneverseenawomanwhopr ef
erst
hei
rown
nat
uralhai
r.
"
Noti
nthef
utur
e?"
"
Nohi
stor
ymamazi
."
"
Mxm nowonderyouar
egoi
ngt
odi
eyoung.
"
Theybot
hlaugh.

She'sfastasleepandhej ustenjoyswatchingheri
n
hersleep.She'ssmi l
ingandtalki
ng.Thi
sone
alwaystalksinhersleep,shetalksoft
heevent s
thathappenedt hatverysameday.Hepul lshis
phonef r
om under neaththepi
ll
owanddeci desto
takeashor tvideoofher.Thi
swoman!
Hesl
owlyget
softhebed-heneedst
omakean
i
mport
antphonecal
l.

“
Lindi
wear
ewest
il
lon?
”
Heaskssi
tt
ingont
opoft
hecouch.
“
Whatt
imet
omor
row?
”
“Let
smakei taround12.Wewillmeeti
nthat
rest
aurantwelastmet.
”Hedisconnect
sthecal
l
smili
ng.

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

Sisi
phohasbeent ryingLungi
sani'
sphonesince
yesterdaywit
houtluck.Shedi
dn'twanttobel
ieve
thatthemanshel ovedwithherallgotmar
ri
ed
whiledeclar
edhisloveforher
.
It
'spastedineverysoci
almedia-everypostshe
comesacr oss.Si
nceheisnott aki
nghercall
sshe
willl
eaveamessageonhi sFacebookcomment
secti
onont herecentpi
ctureheuploaded.

"YazisomehowIf eelsost
upidthatIoncelovedyou
withmyall.Justlastmont
hyouwer ewi t
hme
declari
ngyourloveforme.Sweatingandmour ning
ontopofme.Tel li
ngmeal lsor
tsofpromises.The
heavenandear t
hyoupr omisedme.Youmademe
bel
ievethatyouar et heoneformeKant iyouknew
ver
ywel lthatyouwer eneverminetobegi nwi t
h.
Youmademef allforyousodeepl ythatIforgotto
l
ovemysel fi
nthepr ocess…"Shest opstypingand
burstint
ot ear
spai nfull
y.Shewipeshert earsoff
andcont i
nuest otype."It
'sfi
neIwilll
etyougo.Just
soyouknowyoul eftyourseedinme.Yes
LungisaniIam pregnantandt hebabyi syour s.I
f
youlikeyoucanyoucanbepar tofyourbabi eslif
e."

Shepostsandreadsthr
oughthecomment s.Most
l
aughingsayi
ngshe'sseeki
ngforat
tent
ionfrom a
marr
iedman.
Ar
esponsef
rom Lungi
sani-anunpl
easantone.
"Fi
rstofalli
t’
snotmour ni
ngi t’
smoaning.Itwasa
mistakeIwi l
lforeverr
egret.Idon'
tunderstandhow
Idatedawomanwhodoesn' tknowhowt o
dif
ferent
iatefi
lthandcleanliness,
moanand
mour ni
ng.Youhadanawf ulsmelldownt here-
haveyoueverwonder edwhyInevermuf fedyou?
I
'
m evensur
ethat-t
hatbabyi
snotevenmi
ne.
Pl
ease,st
opspreadi
ngrumour
sthatthebabyi
s
mine.Tal
kaboutsomeonewhohatesherown
bl
oodsister
.Mxm."
Sheholdsherchestpai
nful
lyandsobsl
ett
ingher
phonesli
pthroughherf
ingers.
She'snotbel
ievi
nghereyes.Sohehadtosayall
thosemean,hurtf
ult
hingswhenheenjoyedherj
ust
weeksago.
Shet r
ust
edhimthathewi
llnevermenti
onOnyi
yet
o
anyone.Nowthewholeworldknowsherasacr
uel
si
sterwhereaspeopl
edon'tknowther
eason
behindhati
ngher
.

Shegetsacallfr
om thehospit
altel
li
ngherthather
mothercannotnolongerbeinthehospi
talwhich
wasverymuchsur pri
sing.
"
Whatdoyoumean? "Shesi
tsupst
rai
ghtand
l
ist
ensat
tent
ivel
y.
"I
'
m sorr
ybutthebedsarefullandyourmother
's
si
tuat
ionisbeyondourcont
rol.Thelasti
s
tomorr
ow,
pleasemakesur
ethatyoucomef
etch
her.
"
"
Ihavetobeatwork.Noonei
sathome.Ican'
t
f
etchhert
omorrow."
"Unf
ort
unat
ely,
therei
snothingthatIcanbeablet
o
doonmyend.I'm al
sofol
lowingthedoctor
sorder
."
Ther
ecept
ioni
stsays.
"
Okay,
I'
llseei
fhatIcando.
"
Shedropstheli
neandsighssadl
y.Thi
siswhere
Onyi
yecomesi n.Shemustcomebackwherever
shei
st ot
akecareofthei
rmother
.Shecannotput
herl
if
eonhol d.

_
___
___
___

"
Hel
lomahunj
ani
?"
She'
ssmi
li
ngt
hroughherpuf
fyeyes.
"
Yebo,
"Li
ndi
we'
smot
herf
rowns.
"
I'
m her
etoaskf
oraf
avour
."
"
Yes,
whati
sit
?"
Shecl
ear
shert
hroatt
hati
ssuddenl
yfeel
ingdr
y.
"Canyouki
ndlyprovi
demewithOnyiye'
snumber.
I'
vebeentr
yingtogethol
dofherbuthernumberi
s
notgoi
ngthrough.
"
"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom her
?"
"Thethi
ngismymot heri
ssickandsheneeds
someonetotakecareofher.Si
nceOnyi
yeisnot
worki
ngshewi l
lhavetocomebackhomeandt ake
careofourmother.
"
"Sonowthatsheissi
ckallofasuddenOnyi
yei
s
herchi
ldt
oo?Inter
est
ing.
"
"
It
'snotl
iket
hat
…."
"Don'
t,j
ustsaveit.I
'
veneverseenhereversi
nce
yourmotherkickedheroutoft
hehouse.You
shouldgolookforherewhereyourmotherdumped
her.
"
Adoorbei
ngshutonherf
ace.
"
Wow!
"She'
snotbel
ievi
ng.

Wheretofrom her
e?Sheal sodoesn'
tknow.She
spotsCli
vefr
om adi st
anceanddecidestowaitfor
him.Lookslikeheistaki
nghisownsweett imeand
ti
mei snotonherside-sheneedstofindthatgi
rl
befor
enoon.
"
I'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
"Fi
nal
ly,
Cli
vecat
chesup
wit
hher.
"
Isi
t?Why?
"
"Ineedyourhelp.IwantyoutogivemeOnyi ye'
s
number .Iknowshe'syourbestfr
iendandyoucall
eachotherf r
om ti
metotime."She'shol
dingher
breath.
"Ihaven'
tspokentoOnyi
yeinmont hs.Il
ostmy
phoneandt hati
swhenIlosthercontact
."
Shesighsfeel
ingdiscouraged.Cli
vewasheronly
l
asthope!Shet r
iedcall
ingAuntieSandibutshegot
noassist
ance.Lookslikeshevanishedwithi
nthe
bl
inkofaneyef rom t
hesur f
aceoft heear
th.
"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
orheranyway?
"Heasks.
"I
t'
snothi
ngimportant
."Sheleaveshi
m standi
ng
andgoesbackhome.Fi r
stitwasLungisaniwi
thhi
s
dramaandnowt hi
s!She'sjustaddi
ngmor etr
oubl
e
totheal
readyt
roublet
hatshehas.

ATTHESTATI
ON

Zuluissearchi
ngt
hroughSbahle'
sfil
esl
ookingf
or
everyinf
ormati
onthathecoul
df i
nd.Not
hing
i
nformative!
Hecl
ickshi
stoungeannoyed,
maybeambushi
ng
hi
shousewil
ldo.
Thelastti
metheymadet hemsel veslooklikefools.
Heputshishandi nhi
spocket ,f
ishesforapaper
thathewasprovidedearl
ieronandmi st
akenlya
USBdr opsoutofhispocket.Withouthim noti
cing
hewalksoutofSbahle'
swor kst
ationandgoes
outsi
deforasmoke.Hebumpsi ntoSbahleatt he
door….
"I
'm comingfort hatboyfri
endofyours.I'
mt his
close.
"Hesmi rksashewal kspastherbutSbahl e
kepthermout hshut .Shewi l
lnotpayattenti
onto
him -hehasbeenseeki ngitforqui
tesomet ime
nowandhonest lyhissongi sstar
ti
ngtobeabor e
now.Shemi st
akenl ystompsonsomet hing…she
picksitupandl ooksati t
.
"AUSB? "Sheaskshersel
f.Maybesomeone
droppedit.Butwhati
f….
Shewil
ljustkeepthi
stohersel
f.Whoeverl
ostany
USBwillcomef or
ward.Sheshovesi
tinherpocket
andbeginstowork.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"Don'tyouthinkyoui
nabi tofar ush,perhaps?
She'sstil
lyoungandshe'sstil
lyettoseet hewor l
d.
Maybeshe' syettofi
ndherMrr ightandWenayou
wantt otr
apheri nmarr
iage?"Khozai snothearing
thi
sone, onebitatal
lAsmuchashei shappyfor
him heisjustafr
aidt
hathei smaki ngdrasti
c
deci
sions.
"I
'm sureKhoza.YouknowIneverhadthi
skindof
rel
ationshipwit
hmyownbr ot
her.So,
heari
ngyour
pointofviewisthebestf
orme.Sowhatdoyou
suggestIdo? "
Heasksbiti
nghispen.It
'smi
dni
ghtandt
heyar
e
chi
ll
ingl
ikeit
'smidday.
"Waitforhertograduatefi
rstt
hentakeadecisi
on
aft
eryou'veseenhert hatshecanhandleahouse
hol
d.Byt henshewi l
lbel i
ke24-25i
fI'
m not
mistaken.Wenanj ejustmakesureyougettoknow
herfrom thebackofherhead."
"That
'
sabitextr
emedon'tyouthi
nk?Knowi
ng
someoneatthebackoft
heirhead.
"
"YouunderstandwhatImeantandyouwi llknow.
Let'sgobacktothesi t
e.Asit
eisfi
negivi
ngittoher
asabi rt
hdaypresent.Inf
iveyear
stocomemoney
willberol
li
nginbecausewhatIdoknowi sshewi l
l
makegooduseofi tandplusshehasami ndofan
adult.
"
"
Seei
ngherl
ockedupal
ldaywher
easIknowt
hat
shel
ovesfar
mingmor ethananyt
hinghauntsme.
Youknowtodayshetoldmeshewant st
ogohelp
mum wit
hthei
rharvestbecausei
t'
stoobig.
"
"
Lethergoandhavefunwit
hthesoi
l.Maybeshe
missi
ngtheki
ds-shedoesn'
twantt
ostressyou.
"
Sthembisosi
ghssadly.Maybetel
li
nghertospend
theweekendwit
hhismot herwil
lbr
inghermood
back.She'
sbeensulkylat
ely.

Khozal
ooksathi
sri
ngi
ngphoneandsmi
lespi
cki
ng
i
tup.
"
Babe,okay,I
'
m wit
hSthembiso.Wearecoming.
"
HedropsthephoneandlooksatSt
hembisowho
wasl
ookingbackathim.
"Let
'sgo."Wi
thoutaskinganyquest
ionstheyst
and
upandwal kt
owar dsthedoor.St
hembisolocks
behind.

Khozadri
vest
oasecr
etl
ocati
onandf
indsSbahl
e
al
readyst
andi
ngwai
ti
ngforhi
m.
"Youshoul dlookatt
hisIdon'
thaveti
me."She
kisseshim andrunsbacktohercaranddrivesof
f
i
nf ullspeed.Khozadoesthesameanddr i
vesofft
o
hishousenearby.

BACKATTHEHOUSE

Onyi
yeslowlyopenshereyesinshockofunf
amil
iar
voi
ces.Herhear
tpoundsinfearassheslowl
yget
s
oft
hebed.
Wi
ndowsbr
eaki
ng…
Shegr absherphoneandt riescall
ingSthembiso
buthisphoner i
ngsfrom theinside.Shecursesnot
knowingwhatt odo.Shedi alsSbahlebutitj
ust
takesherstr
aighttovoicemai l
.Shelooksaround
searchingf
orapl acetohide.
Shelooksatthewindow,i
fsheopensi
tandj
umps
outofitwi
llt
heycatchher
?
Hermi
ndt
ell
shert
ogr
abagownandhersl
ipper
s.
Shet
hrowsi
toutoft
hewi
ndow….
Thevoi
cesareget
ti
ngcl
osermaki
ngherf
reezeand
shakei
nfear
.
Herphonesl
ipsfrom herhandsanddr
opmaki
nga
soundontheti
les.
"
Checkal
lbedr
ooms,
Ihear
dsomet
hing.
"Oneoft
he
mensay.
Shet
ri
espi cki
ngi
tupbuti
tsli
psunder
neat
hthe
bedf
urther
.Thebedr
oom opposi
teher
sopens,
the
ki
dsbedroom!
She'
sbi
ti
nghernai
lsi
nhor
ror
…
She'
st hi
nkinghardscrat
chi
ngherhead.Thedoor
handleofthedoordropsdownandt hedoorsl
owly
opens.She'sreadyf
orwhatevershewil
lbefaci
ng.
She'
sbeeni nwaywor sesit
uati
onsthanthi
s!
[
08/
18,
03:
37] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER24

ONYI
YE'
SHOME
Shefetchedhermot hert
hismorningandshe's
beenlookingathernotknowingwhatt odo.Her
motherdoesn'tt
alknormove.It'
slikeshehas
tur
nedintoacompl etezombi
e.
ShecalledAuntieBusi
wet odayandlucki
lyshewas
avai
labl
ej ustf
oramont h.Shecameassoonas
possibl
ewhenshehear dofhersisterbei
nga
bedri
dden.
"Wher
e'sOnyi
ye?"Sheasks.Shehasbeengawki
ng
att
hedooreversinceshegothere.I
t'
smidni
ght
andsheisnowher etobeseen.
"Idon'
tknow."She'
sti
redanddrained.Bei
ngasked
aboutthatusel
essgoodfornot
hingshameofa
sist
er!
"
Whatdoyoumeanyoudon'
tknow?
"
"Mymotherfoundheraj obaft
ergivi
ngtwobir
ths
tofat
her
lesskids.Sheranawayfrom thatj
oband
nooneknowswher esheis.
"Sheshrugher
shoul
der
swi t
houtcar e.
Aunt
ieBusi
wedeci
desnottosayanythi
ngfurt
her
.
Sheget
shunguponthestat
ement-'shegavetwo
bi
rthstof at
herl
esskids.
’Maybei t’
sherwhodoesn’t
understandtheseyoungster
sl anguage.Sheknows
abouthersisterNt
ombinotl ovingherown
daughter.
"Doesyourmot
hersti
llsayshewasr
apedwhenshe
concei
vedOnyi
ye?"
Thati
sali
ethatNtombihasbeencooki
ngever
si
nceshefoundoutt
hatherfat
heri
saforei
gner
.
Si
siphol
ooksatherauntconf
used.
"
Idon'
tgetyou.
”
"NevermindbutwhatIknowi sat rut
halwayshasa
wayofcomi ngout.Onedayi sonedayandt hatday
youwi l
lnotbel
ieveanyt
hing.In-
fact,
youwillbe
embarrassedtoevenlookather."
Shestandsupi
ndi
sappoi
ntmentandgoest
othe
bedr
oom.

Thisist
heonlyauntthatalwayshadOnyi
ye'
sback
wheneveryonetur
nedi nt
oabl i
ndeyei
ntoNtombi
'
s
l
ies.Sheknewhersister-howmuchofcruel
st
andar
dshecangetupt
o.

Si
siphoisl
eftwi
thal
otofunansweredquest
ions.
She'
slooki
ngathermotherbl
inki
ng.
"Mah,
"shehel
pshersi
t."
Ist
her
eanyt
hingyou
need?
"
From t
heposi
ti
onshe'
sin-paini
sevi
dentbutno
voicei
saudi
blemuchforhert
ohearanyt
hing.
Shesi
ghssi
tt
ingdown…
Thebl i
nkingagain,
Sisi
phoshakesherandstands
upt oboilwaterint
hekett
le.Probabl
y,j
ustmaybe
shewant sheraddi
cti
on.Oneteaspoonofsugar
andr ooibosteawit
hnomi lkhasalwaysbeenher
favourit
e.
Shemakest
het
eawar
m anddr
inkabl
eforher
.
Tomorr
ow,
shehastobeatwor
k.Howwi
llshecope?
She'
supal
lni
ght….
"Hmmm,"that'
shermothert
ryi
ngt
omake
communicati
on.Shel
ooksdownather
sel
f
shamef
ull
y.
"Di
dyoureall
yhavet
omessyoursel
f!
"Shehal
f
scr
eams."Ican'
tdot
his.Thi
sist
oomuchforme.
"
She'
scryi
ng.
Footst
epsappr
oachi
ng…
"Got
obed, I
'l
ltakeiffr
om here.
"Great
,justgr
eat!
NowAuntieBusi weknowshowmuchofaf ai
lur
e
shei
s.She'sfail
ingtotakecareofhermother.
Shestandsupwipinghertearsandgoestobed.
She'
sgoddamnpr egnantwithanunwantedchil
d
andontopofthatherli
fehadt obemiser
abl
ewi t
h
hermotherbei
ngsick!

Unabl
etofal
lasl
eepshe'
sbeent
ossi
ngandt
urni
ng
rambl
ingwit
hquest
ionsandt
hought
s.
"..
..
tr
uthalwayshasawayofcomi ngout.Oneday
i
sonedayandt hatdayyouwi l
lnotbel
ieveanyt
hing.
In-f
act,youwil
lbeembarrassedtoevenlookat
her..
."
Shesight
ryi
ngt
ocl
osehereyesbutt
hesewor
ds
j
ustkeeponbei
ngr
epeat
edl
yplayed.
STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"
Idon'tunderstandwhat
'sgoi
ngon.WhydoIhave
afeel
ingthatthesephot
oshavesomet
hingt
odo
wit
hDumi sani?"
Khozal
ooksatt
hescr
eenf
ocused.
"Lookatthi
svideo."Khozashi
ftst
helaptopto
Sthembiso.Hiseyeswideninshock.Thi
si s
defi
nit
elyhisOnyiye.Howdidtheygethere?
"
Thebast
ardhasbeenf
oll
owi
ngus.
"Hebagst
he
t
abl
einfr
ustr
ati
on.
"
Whi
chmeansyourwomani
snotsaf
e."Khoza.
"Ibumpedint
ohi m aweekagoandIthoughtt
hat
maybehenowl ivesthi
sside.Idi
dn'
tpaymuch
attent
iont
ohim because…"
"Tazz,
eveni
fyoudidn'
tpaymuchatt
ent
iontohi
m.
Youshouldhavet
oldus!"St
hembi
soisl
ivi
d.
"
Thi
sisnott
het
imet
opi
npoi
ntf
inger
s.Nowwe
knowt hathei snotr est
ingti
llhefindswhat'
syours.
Entlekthisfoolgavet hecopsever yinf
ormati
on.
"
Khozaal wayst hecal m onewhodoesn' tmake
drasti
cdeci sions.Theyallkeepqui t
elooki
ngatthe
evidencet hatwashandedt othecopt hatal
ways
hadbeenonhi stailf
oryears.Sthembisochucks
notbelieving.
“wow,”t
hat
’sal
lhecoul
dsayf
ornow.I
fheknewhi
s
brot
herwasanenemy…

Khoza’sphonechi mesf r
om thecof f
eetabl
e.He
picksitupandf rownslooki
ngatt hecall
erI
D.He
shift
shiseyest oSthembisolookingbackathim.
Hei slooki
ngatKhozawhohadt hisunexpl
ainabl
e
l
ookonhi sface.
Hegi
vesSthembi
sot
hephonebutr
etr
ievesi
tfi
rst
t
oanswer
….
Hel
ist
ensatt
ent
ivel
ytr
yingt
ogett
hemuf
fl
esand
t
heshuff
li
ng’
s.
"Maybeshedial
ledyoubymist
ake.
"Hesays,
he
handsthephonebacktohi
m.Khozaput
sthephone
onl
oudspeaker
…
"
Wher
eisyourphone?
"
KhozaasksSthembi
sowhoimmediat
elychecked
hi
spocketsandnosignofhi
sphone.
"
Ithi
nkIl
efti
tathome.
"Her
epl
ies.
Sthembi
sopi
cksthephoneupandpl
acest
he
phoneonhi
searagai
n…Herscreams!
"
Canyouwegonow!Ithinksomeonebrokein.
"
Wit
houtwast
eKhozadoesn'
taskanyquesti
onshe
f
oll
owsSthembi
sobehi
nd.
"Couldshebeindanger?Ofcourseshe'
sindanger
!"
Hei sscr
atchi
nghisl
owerl i
p.Thi
snormall
y
happenswhenhei sbeyondf r
ust
rat
edtoapoint
thathedoesn'
tthi
nkclear
ly.
"Whi
chmeansshet riedcal
li
ngyouandyourphone
i
s-Idon'tknow.Thenshetri
edme.Ithi
nk
somethi
ngbigisgoingoninthehouse.
"

Passi
ngever
yrobotwi
thoutchecki
ngifanycari
s
passi
ngby.Awhit
ecarwithli
ghtsonbri
ghtpass
t
hem i
nhi
ghspeed.
"I
sil
imalesi
,whobri
ght
ensl
ight
sli
ket
hiswhen
passinganot
hercar
?"
Khozaparksoutofthegat
e,t
heybot
hjumpoutand
hur
rytowardsthehouse.
Nosi
gnofanyone.Hesi
nksont
hecouchwi
tht
ear
s
dr
oppi
ngoneaftert
heot
her.
Khozai
soutandaboutt
hehouse…
"Weshoul
dgol
ookforher
.Thi
sisnott
het
imef
or
yout
obeaweakli
ng.
"
"
Wher
edoweevenbegi
n?"
St
hembisoispant
inginfear.Notinhiswil
dest
dr
eam hasheeverthoughthisbrotherwoul
ddo
hi
mli
ket hi
s.
"Weonl
ycamewi t
honecar.
..
youknowwhat
..
."
Tazzwascutshor
tbyKhoza.
"
Thatwhi
tecar
!"
Theyal
llookateachot
her
..
.
Khozaisdrivi
ngonedirect
ionj
ustmovi
ngforwar
d
nott
akingshortl
eft
's.Somethi
nginhi
m sayshe
mustjustkeepdri
ving.
"
Wear
eheadi
ngt
oMar
it
zbur
g.Di
dyounot
ice?
"
Thi
sroutei
snotfort
hefai
ntedhear
tli
keSt
hembi
so.
Nocars,
theroadi
snotevenbusy.
"
Icanbett
heydr
ovet
hisway.
"

Si
lence!

Adogcomesoutofnowher
eandst
andsi
nthe
mi
ddleoft
heroad.
Khozanot
ices-hepresseshar
shlyonthebr
eaks
makingSt
hembisotoleanoverbashi
nghisnoseon
t
othedashboard.
"
Fuck!
"
I
thur
tsandi
tfeel
sli
kehi
snosehasshi
ft
ed.
Hegroanspai
nful
lyhol
dinghi
sbr
eat
hwi
tht
ear
s
t
hreat
eningt
ocomeout .
"Youbleedi
ng,
don'tmove.
"Khozahol
dsthebackof
hisheadandplaceshi
shandonhisnose."
Thiswi
ll
hurt
..
."
Khozafor
cefull
yshif
tshi
snoseswipi
ngi
ttot
he
ri
ghtshi
ft
ingitbacki
ntoi
t'
sposi
ti
on.
Hescr
eamsinagonyandbursti
ntot
ear
sduet
othe
massi
vepai
nheisfeel
ing.
"Cr
yital
lout
."Khozaplaceshi
sheadonhis
shoul
derandrubshisback.Heist
ryi
ngt
ocalm hi
m
down.
Heremoveshi
sheadfrom hi
sshoul
derandl
eans
backt
aki
ngadeepsigh.
"
I'
m hur
t.
"
Sthembisol
et'
sputanot
hersi
gh.Khozaknows
exact
lywhathemeans.Boywil
lbefi
ne,hejust
needstobestr
ong.
Hest
art
sthecaragai
nanddr
ivesof
fbutt
hecar
i
mmediat
elybr
eaksdown.
“
no,
no!
”
Thi
scannotbehappeni
ng!
AUNTSANDI

Sheisamot herandguil
tiseati
ngherupslowl
y.
Shehastri
edOnyi yeonhercellphonenumber
count
lesst
imewi thnoluck.Shegulpsdownone
remai
ningdropofwi nei
nhergl ass.
Shecl
ickshert
onguesmashi
nghergl
assont
he
wal
l.
Shehateshersel
fthatshehasbeenleavingwit
ha
manshet houghtwasamanenought olookoutfor
hi
sfamilybutheisjustadogthatf
il
ledwi t
hgreed
anddesir
eforsleepi
ngwithki
ds.
Shehasn'
theal
ed-herowndaughterdoesn'
twant
anyt
hingt
odowi t
hher.Doessheblameher?No.
Shechosetobel
ieveagoodf
ornot
hinghusband
thanherownchi
ld!
Sheneedstotal
ktohermother
.It
'sl
atebutshe
needssomeonetotal
ktosomeone.
"
Mah,
"herl
ipsqui
ver
..
.
"
Sandi
siwe.
"
Hermot
heri
sst
il
lcol
dandt
hat
'sunder
standabl
e.
"
Youwer
eri
ght
."

Si
lence.

"Amot herknowsbet t
er.I
'm notgoingtosayItold
yousobutt hefactthatyouchoset osidewit
ha
mant hathas32t eethoveryourownchi l
dshocked
me.I'mt oooldt
obehavi nghear tatt
acksbecause
ofyou.Manj ewheni sthemanowni nguptohis
responsibi
li
ti
es?"
Shesni
ff
s."
whatr
esponsi
bil
it
iesmah?
"
"Angit
hiphel
ahelef
thi
sseedi
nmy
granddaught
er'
swomb.Tel
lhi
mthathi
ssoni
sa
yearold.
"
Thi
scan'tbehappening.Herdaughteri
sonly16to
beamot her
.Amot hertoherhusband!Shefail
ed
gi
vingherhusbandachi l
d.Outofal
ltheinci
dence-
howmanychi l
drendoeshehaveoutt here?
"No,tellmethati
snottruemah."She'sr
ocking
herselfbackandfort
hwi t
hherspineswell
ingin
sweat ."Nooneevertol
dme."I
thur t
sthatt
hings
havecomet othi
spoint
.
"That'
sbecauseyouchoseyourmar ri
ageoveryour
ownbl ood.Howwi llyouknowwhenyoudumped
herherelikeapieceofr ott
enmeat .Youwentaway
andneverl ookedback.Ididn'
tseeanyr easonto
tel
lyou.Asmuchasyouhavedi sappointedmei t
hurtsthatmyownchi l
dwasst upidenought omake
suchadr asticdeci
sion.Yoursistergotmar ri
edand
youwer eneverheret ogiveawaybecausencel ana
namasendeomnukubezi .
"
Herchesti
scl
osi
ngup.
Sheneedstobehomethisupcomi ngweekend.A
l
othasbeenhappeni
ngandlookslikesheisi
nt he
dar
k.Yes,sheagr
eeshermotherhasneverbeen
sof
twithwordsshet
ell
stherawtruthasiti
s.
"I
'
m sorry.
"Shehasranoutofwor
ds,
shameand
stupi
dit
ytaki
ngover
.
"
Ihearyou.Ineedt
ogobackt
osl
eep.Sbanii
s
gi
vingmeahar
dti
meatni
ght
."
Guesst
henameoft
hebabyi
sSbani
,she’
s
assumi
ng.
Shewantstoaskbutthequest
ionkeepsgett
ing
bl
ockedfrom comi
ngout.Hermotherdropst
heline.
Shelooksupclosi
nghereyes.
..

"
OwGod,
"
Herchestispai
ningmakinghertotakeadeep
breat
h.Shebangsherheadslight
lyontheki
tchen
counterandbur
stint
otears.

From t
hekit
chenshegoesbackt oherr oom fi
nding
herhusbandsnoringpeaceful
ly.Shetakest i
me
l
ookingathim -angerbr
ewingup.Shewant sto
know,didhedohi sshamingintheirbedroom?Or
didhebooksomewher e?Asmuchasi thurtsthe
plai
nfacti
sthatitwil
lnotchanget hefactthatthi
s
man-herhusbandi samol est
er !
Si
renswai
li
ngf
rom out
side.
..
Afterthatli
vevi
deoofhim confessi
ngalotchanged.
Al otofvict
imsspokeandfunnyasi thurt
shenever
evendat edanyofthem.Howwashegoi ngtodate
them?Theyar efuckenchi
ldrenforcryi
ngoutloud!
"What'
sthatnoi
se?
"Thedevi
lisupt
ryi
ngt
oregai
n
hissi
ght.
"Idon'tknow.Iwi
llgocheckout.
"Shet
urnst
oleave.
Maybet her
ewasanaccidentsomewher
e.She
slowlyopensthedoorbeforet
hecopscoul
deven
knock.
"Miss,isyourhusbandhome? "Herthroatdri
esup
runningoutofwor ds.Thiscannotbehappeni ng
j
ustwhent heshameofherhusbandmol esti
ngkids
hasbeenouti ntheopen.she’ssti
llt
ryingtoregai
n
thestrengthfrom i
t.She'
syetagainbei ng
humi l
iatedinf
rontofherneighbours.
"Yes,
"shest
epsasi
deandlet'
sthem i
n.Her
husbandJackcomesdownthestepsweari
nga
j
ersey.Hebri
ngshi
shandsforward.
"I
'
mr eady.
"Helooksathi
swifeonelastt
ime."I'
m
sorr
y.Mylawyerwil
lbeseei
ngyou,hewillbr
iefyou
aboutever
ythi
ng.
"
"
Not i
me!"Oneofthecopspushhim.Shest ands
t
herelooki
ngathi
m beingpul
ledbyhisneck.As
muchofadevilhewasshelovedandstil
lloveshim!
Lookingathim bei
ngcuffedandthrowni
nthevan
l
ikeacr i
minalisapict
urethatwi
llt
aketi
metobe
erasedfrom hermemories.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

St
il
lst
uckont
her
oad.
Khozat
ri
est
orest
artt
hecaragai
n.
"
Shi
t!
"Hebangst
hest
ari
ngwheelcount
lesst
imes.
"
Guesswewi
llhavet
opusht
hecar
."
Tazzsuggest
s.Itdoesn'
tmakeanysense.Thiscar
hasafullt
ank,i
twasservicedj
ustyest
erday.
Sthembi
soandTazzst
epoutoft
hecarandbegi
n
topushwhi
leKhozai
stryi
ngt
ostar
tthecar
.
Fi
nall
yafter45mi nut
esofpushi
ngthecarfi
nal
ly
gi
vesin.TheybothhopinthecarandKhozadri
ves
of
f.From thedi
stancehespotssomeli
ghts.
"
Ist
hatacarIsee?
"St
hembi
so.
"
Acarorl
ight
s?"
Tazzask.
"
Thosear
ecarl
ight
s."
Theydr
iveal
onghopi
ngt
oreacht
hecar
..
..

MEANWHI
LE

Onyiyesl owlyopenshereyes, hervi sioni sblur r

y.
She'sseei ngtrees…pani candf eartakinghert ot he
outmost .Herbl adderi sful
landshe' st ryingtot hink
hard.What '
sthewor stthatcoul dhappent oher ?
Shecar efull
yliftsherheadwi thoutmaki ngany
shuffl
ing’s.Thebushes.Herhear tpoundsr apidly
againstherchest .Sheswal lowst hroughherdr y
throat
.Af rai
dt obr eatheshecar eful
lyt akesl ong
breathandsl owl yt akeitout.Theonl yquest i
onat
handher
eis,
howwi
llsheescapet
hisequat
ion?
"
Wher
ear
ewet
aki
ngher
?"Oneoft
hemenask.
"
Towher
ear
ewesupposedt
otakeher
?"
“
Idon’
tknow,
yout
ellme.
”
"Youhear dwhattheguysaid.Webr inghertohim
andwegetwhatwewant-whi chismoneyof
course.Ineedtopee,"t
hecarpar ksatthesideof
theroad.She'
sallaloneinthebackseat.Thedri
ver
turnstolookatherbutshequicklycloseshereyes
beforehecouldevennoticeanything.
Hei
slooki
ngathersuspi
ciousl
y.
Hesear chesfortheothermanwhost eppedoutand
heisdeepi nt
ot hebushes-maybeoner oundofa
quicki
ewi l
lnotkil
lpl
usshe'sfastasleep–sohe
thought.Heunbuckleshispantsandsl i
desthezi
p
downandbegi nstopumphimsel funtilhegothar
d.
Hethenst epsoutoft
hecarandpull
shispants
downl et
ti
nghismemberspringf
ree,heopensthe
backseatdoor.
Hesear
chesf
oranymovement
sbutt
her
ewasnon.
Heopensherlegsslowl
yapar
tandsmi
lesl
ooki
ng
athert
inypussy….
[
08/
18,
03:
38] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER25

NARRATED

Herhear tbeatsrapidl
yoft het houghtofherbei ng
mol estedagai n.Beingt akenagai nstherwi l
l.She
remember sitvividl
ylikei twasyest erday.Thatman
groani ngont opofherenj oyingever yinchand
ounceofher .Shehasn' tforgottenthoughshel i
ves
throught hepai n.She'st oobr okent obeinthat
phaseagai n.Thosesi lentcriesshemuf fl
edwi thi
n
her.Thatmanmur deredherspi ri
t!Andforthat,her
mot herisasgoodasdeadt oher .Shewoul dn’tbe
herei fshehadamot her !Herei sanotherman
l
ooki ngathernakedness.
Themanpul
lshi
spant
sfur
therdownri
ghtbel
ow
hi
sbut
t…l
ooksar
oundagai
nforanysi
gnsofany
movements.Hestil
lhasthedoorwideopen.The
roadiscl
ear.Heopensherlegswi
derapartwit
hher
sti
lli
npret
enceofbeingdeepinsl
eep.
Herli
psquiverinshame.Obviously,
shewouldn'
t
handleanot
herpain!Shefeelshishandtr
avel
ingin-
betweenherthi
ghs.Herunshernunawi thhis
thumbandhegr oans.Thatsickenshert
othecore!
Helooksaroundsearchi
ngf oranymovementsbut
theotheral
li
anceisdeepintothebushes.
Hetri
espul l
ingherunder weardownbutthe
shuff
li
ngoft hebushesmakeshi m st
op.Hepull
s
herdressdowncl osingherlegsandslowlycl
oses
thedoornotclosi
ngi tshut.Hepull
shispantsup
andpretendstober eleasi
nghimself.
"Wecango. "Themansaysstompinghi
sfeetonthe
road.Helooksathi
m suspi
ciousl
y."
Whatareyou
doing?"
"
Peei
ng,
can'
tyousee.
"Hesnaps.
"Okay,t
henwhyisthegr
oundnotwet
?"Hewoul
d
alsoli
ketoknow.
"
Itj
ustwon'
tcomeout
."Hesayf
ast
eni
nghi
sbel
t
andzi
ppi
nghi
spant
sup.
"
Isi
t?"
"What'
swithyouandyourf uckenhundr ed
questi
ons?It'
sannoyingman.Let '
sgo."Heget si
n
thedri
vesseatandbuckl esupwi t
htheman
fol
lowi
ngbehi ndsti
lll
ookingathi m suspi
ciousl
y.
Hehopsi nthecarandl ooksatt hebackseat,
l
ookingatOnyi yepeaceful
lysleeping.
"
Forhowl
ongdoest
hisdr
ugst
ayson?
"
"Thr
eehours.Let
sgo,thatguyi
swait
ingf
orhis
package.
"Hestart
sthecarandbegi
nstodri
veoff
.

Onyi
yesl
owlyopenshereyeswi
thherhear
t
dr
umminginfear
.
Theirconversat
iondoesn'
tsi
twellwi
thher
.Where
aretheytaki
ngherto?Whowant sher?Shehasto
thi
nkofapl anofbeingoutofthi
scarasqui
ckl
yas
possibl
e.
"Ther
e'sacarf
oll
owi
ngus.
"Thedr
iversaysl
ooki
ng
attherearmi
rr
or.
"Inot i
cedt oo.Maybet heywi llpass."Het urnst o
l
ookatt hebackbutt hel i
ghtsar ebeingshi ned
brighter."Thi scari sheadi ngst rai
ghtt owar dsus.
Hitont heaccel er
at or!
"Themani nstructs.He
pressesont heaccel eratorbutt hecari sright
behi ndt hem.Onyi yesl owl yli
f t
sherheadcar efull
y
nott omakeanynoi se.Shel ooksatt hedoorand
not i
cest hatshecanopenandj umpr i
ghtoutofi t
.
Shesi tsupst raight-t heireyesmeet .Shel ooksat
thedr iver'seyesi nt her earmi r
ror…"whatt hef uck!"
Het urnst olookbacknot iceherf i
ddlingwi t
ht he
door .Hel oosesbal anceont her oadbutqui ckly
put sitbacki ni tsshape.Sheopensi twi dely-she
l
ooksatt hebot ht hem debat i
ngwi thhert hought s.
Theguysi ti
ngont hepassenger ssittri
esj umpi ng
togethol dofherbutOnyi yej umpsf orherl ife-she
j
umpsoutoft hemovi ngvehi cle.Herbodyr oll
ing
repeat edlyont her oadi naf astpaceast hecar s
speed.
Shelaysf
latont
hegroundnotmoving.Khoza'
scar
par
ksmetresawayf
rom thescene.
Thecart
hatOnyi
yej
umpedoutf
rom st
ops,
they
bot
hgetoutoft
hecarr
unni
ngt
owar
dsOnyi
ye.
SthembisojumpsoutofKhoza'scaral
soandruns
towhereOnyiyeis.KhozaandTazzfol
lowshor
tl
y
witht
heirgunsreadytoshoot
.
Sthembisopi
cksOnyi
yeupwhowasunconsci
ous
andbloody.
"Giveusthegi
rl
."Thedri
versayspoint
ingagunat
Sthembiso.Hedoesn'
tseem fazedbyit
.Rat
herhi
s
hearti
spumpingwi t
hrage.
"
No!
"Hehashercar
ri
edi
nabr
idalst
yle.
"Sthembi so,
geti
nthecar
!"Khozai nst
ruct
s.
Sthembi soconti
nueswi
thhisjourneybuthetur
ns
onel asttimetol
ookatt
hedriver.
"Thati
sthemanthatshotme."Heconti
nuesto
walktowar
dsthecaraft
ershari
ngtheshocki
ng
news.HeplacesOnyi
yepeaceful
lyi
nthebackseat
makinghercomfor
tabl
e.
"Shhh,I
'm hereNana.
"Hebrusheshermessyaf
ro.
She'sshi
veringandhehat
edt hat
.
"
Het
o…het
ouchedme.
"Shesayswi
thhert
eet
h
cl
utchi
ngagai
nsteachot
her
.
"
Noonei sgoingtotouchyoueveragai
n."Hesays
f
ixi
ngherdress.Shenodsherheadwi t
htear
s
r
oll
ingatthecornerofhereyes.
Theargumentisget
ti
ngheatedup.Khozapul
lst
he
tr
iggerf
ir
standTazzfol
lows.
Twomendown…

"
Let
'st
akehert
othehospi
tal
."

KhozamakesaU- TURNleavi
ngthedeadbodieson
theground.Thecarisfi
ll
edwit
hsilence,
nooneis
sayi
ngawor d.Justt
hecarandit
'ssounds.
Final
ly,t
heyarr
iveatthehospi
tal
.Onyiyehasbeen
admi t
tedandspecial
carehasbeentaken.Ei
ght
sti
tchesinherbody…
"
Willyoubeokay?
"KhozaasksSt
hembi
sowhoi
s
l
ookingal
lwornoutandt
ir
ed.
"
I'
llbef
ine.Ican'
tleaveheral
one.
"Hel
ooksather
sl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
y.
Khozanodshishead."
Cal
lmei fyouneed
anyt
hing."Het
apsonhisshoulderandt
urnst
o
l
eavewi t
hTazzfol
lowi
ngbehind.
It
'smorni
ngal r
eadyandhehasbeensitt
ingont hi
s
chairf
orhours.Hisbut
tfeel
snumb.Hesi ghs
standi
ngupandever yinchofhi
sbodyhur t
s.He
l
ooksatthetimeandi t
’sonl
y4:30am.Hegent l
y
pushesOnyiyeasideandsli
desnextt
oher .I
t'
s
cold…

"
He…hel
p!"She'
scr
yingi
nhersl
eep.
"Babe,vuka.
"Heshakeshergent
lymindi
ngthe
sti
tchesonherbody.Shesl
owlyopenshereyes
andlooksaround.
"Youhere.
"She'
shappyt
oseehi
m andl
ostatt
he
sametime.
"
I'
m heremylove.
"Hesays.Onyi
yel
ooksathi
m
wit
houtsayi
ngaword.
Shet
akesadeep,
"het
ouchedme.Theywer
emeant
t
otakemet
osomeone.
"
Shesays.
Sthembi socl enchhi sjawsi nanger ."Alloft hat
won'tbehappeni ng.Iwi l
lmakesur enott ol etyou
outofmysi ghteveragai n. "Heki ssesherf orehead
andsmi lesl ookingatt hisdar kbeaut yinfrontofhi s
eyes.Hisphonechi mes-hef i
shesf oritoutofhi s
pocketandsi ghsl ookingatt hescr een."Lindiwe! "
Hescr eamsf rom thei nside.Can' tthisgirlgetsome
sleep!It
'stoodamnear l
yt ober emi nded.It’snot
nearlyeven6: 00am andal readyshe’ sfi
ll
inguphi s
phone.Hei mmedi atelyput shi sphoneonf li
ght
modeandl ooksatOnyi yewhoi snowf astasl eep
again."Iwillbeback.Babydaddyhasaf ewt hings
totakecar eof ."Heki ssest het opofherhead,
j
umpsof fthebedandwal ksout .
Al
ongtheentr
anceheremembersthathecannot
l
eaveheral
one.Hecan'
taskLi
ndiweaswell.
"Ineedsomeonet
oguar
dbabymamawhi l
eI'
m not
around.
"Hesendsat
extandi
mpat
ient
lywait
sfor
therepl
y.
Per
ksofbeingri
chnowhehast wobloodyphones.
Per
hapsmaybeheshouldconsiderbuyi
nghisbaby
mamaanewphone.Themoneyhegi vesheri
s
bei
ngspenttowar
dshereducat
ion.
Atextcomest
hroughandhesmi
les."
Atl
east
Sbahl
eiscomi
ng,someonewhosheisfamil
iar
wit
h."
Hetal
kstohi
msel
fwhil
erequest
ingonhisot
her
phonest
andi
ngonthesi
deoftheroad.
..

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Leavingthehospi
talherequest
edtodri
venhome.
Asmuchashedi dn'tt
rustt
hoseappsheisgrat
eful
thatheishomesaf eandsound.Fi
rstt
hinghedid
wast oeatfort
hewhol enati
on.
Standi
ngint heshowerenj oyi
ngthatpeacefulhot
showerdribblinghisback.Heisfeel
inghisnerves
beingr
elaxedandcal mingaft
erastressf
ulnight.
Hisski
nhast urnedred.Heswitchesthetapoffand
st
epsoutoft
heshower
.
Hei
nhal
esshar
plycal
minghi
sner
ves.
Hegrabsabi gtowelandwipeshisbody,thr
owst he
towelonthefloorandst
epsonthebed.Heshakes
hisheadlookingatthet
owelonthefloor
.Ifshewas
herehewoul dhavegotthescol
dingofhisli
fe.That
womani saneatf r
eak.
Heget sundercoversandcl oseshiseyes.Themor e
het ri
escatchi
ngsomesl eepthemor ethescene
happensr epeat
edly.Hesawherj umpingoutoft hat
car,hesawherbodyr ol
li
ngnonst op,movi
ngal ong
sidewi t
hthecar.Thet i
meshef i
nall
ystopped
roll
inghehasal r
eadyaccept edthatshewasl ong
gone.Thet houghtaloneoft hatmakeshim...

Hewakesuppant i
ngwithhisscal
pfil
ledwithsweat
.
Maybeheshouldn'
thavecoveredhiswholebody
nowheishavingacoll
ecti
onofnightmares.He
get
soutofthebed.
Her
emember shi
mselfhavi
ngt
hosesl
eepi
ng
t
abl
ets.Onewon'
tki
ll
.
Hegulpsi
tdownwithchuckofwaterf
oll
owi
ng.He
si
ghscoll
ect
inghi
mselfst
il
lst
andi
ngwi t
hhi
sding
donghangi
ngin-
betweenhi
slegs.
Hebur
psandt
hrowshi
msel
fagai
nont
hebed.
-
_
___
___
___
Aft
eralongheartf
ullsleephefinal
lyfi
ndsthe
str
engt
htolookintohisfil
es.Nothi
ngismaking
senset
ohim atthemoment .Maybewaiti
ngforhi
s
womanwi l
ldo.Heisdef i
nit
elyt
iredofbit
ingt
his
penwit
hnowher eforward.
Hehasanotherpl
aninmoti
onapl
ant
hatwi
llputa
br
ightsmi
leonhisface.
"
Areyoust
il
lupf
ort
hatdat
e?"HeasksLi
ndi
we.
"
Yea,sur
e.Si
zwei
snotar
oundsoI
'
mfr
ee.
"She
r
esponds.
"
Samehotel
,samer
oom.
"Hesaysdi
sconnect
ing
t
hecal
l.
Hel
ooksathi
msel
f-hi
sskini
spr
ett
yred.Noneed
t
obathehedi
dear
li
eron.
Hespraysonhi
scol
ognet
hatt
hemadam bought
f
orhim.
Powderbluejeanswit
hAirFor
cewhit
esneakers.
Whit
et-shi
rtwithapowderbl
uebl
azer.Spotonfor
hi
m.
Hedr i
vesoutoft
heyardwi
thahugesmileonhis
face.Heparkshi
scari
nthepar
kingl
otandsteps
outofthecarwal
kingt
owardst
hehotel
..
.

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

I
t'
shalfpastsevenint
hemorni
ngandalreadyshe
i
slat
e.Shesleptlat
eandwakesuplat
e.Bythis
t
imesheshoul dhavebeenont
heroadonherway
t
owork.
Thekett
lei
staki
ngt
ool
ongandshe'
sver
ymuch
i
mpatient
.
"
Areyougoingsomewhere?
"AsksauntBusiwewho
i
sstr
etchi
nghersel
fint
hemi ddl
eoft
hekit
chen.
"
Wor
k."
"It
houghtt
hatmaybeyouwi l
ltakesomet
imeof
f
unti
lyoumotherr
ecover
s."
"I
'
dlovetobutIwillhavetoputfoodonthet
abl
e."
Shebei
nghonestnott hatsheisrunni
ngawayf
rom
herr
esponsi
bil
it
ies.
"Igetthat
,yourmotherneedsyou.Imaliayi
bal
eki
mnt anami.Youcannotstr
essyoursel
f.Youarest
il
l
veryyoungt obetr
oubli
ngyoursel
fwithsuch."
Si
siphosi
ghsf
eel
ingdi
scour
aged.
"
Thenwhatshal
lIdo?"Sheasks.I
fonl
yhermot
her
wasnotonmuteitwoul
dhavebeenbetter
.
"Hel
pyourmot herhealandthensor
tyour
sel
fout
.I
haverequest
edf orsomeonetocomeseeher.
"
"Who?"Whywon'tsherunthi
spasther
.Shei
sthe
car
etakeroft
hishouseandnother
.
"
Youwi
llsee.Justgetyourmot
herr
eady.
"
Shedoesn'
trespondshet
akest
heket
tl
e,pour
s
wateri
ntot
hebasinshewasgoi
ngtouse.
She'
sbathinghermotherandal
loft
hisf
eel
s-i
t
doesn'
tfeelr
ealatal
l.
Afterbathinghershedecidedtomakequi ck
breakfast.Maybelastnight
'sfoodwi
lldo.She
quickl
ywar msitupforher,
dishesupforherand
helpshereat .
I
t'
sastr
uggl
e.I
maginehavi
ngtof
eedagrownas
womanwhodoesn'
tli
keantt
oopenhermout
hful
ly!
"Ma,openyourmouth!
"Shesnaps.Hermothergag
tr
yingtot
akeitdownbuteveryt
hingcomesupto
herthr
oatandspewseveryt
hingdir
ectl
yatherf
ace.
"
Got
akeabat
h.I
'
llcl
eanupher
e."
Sisiphostandsupwithherhear tr
acingnot
believi
ng.Didhermotherreall
yhadt o.
..The
thoughtofitmakeherspewherownmor ni
ng
sickness.Sherunsoutsi
det oempt yherstomach
withhermot her'
smixtur
eonherf ace.Shet akesher
clothesofffeel
ingdi
sgustedbyher sel
f.Shewal ks
backi nthehousebutnakedt ohaveaqui ckbath.
_
___
___
___
___
Aknockont hedoor.Busiwest
andsuptogoopen
andf i
ndsaverybeauti
fulwomanweari
ngal
lwhit
e
standi
ng.
"Ungangena."Busi
weinstr
uct
sbutt
heladystands
sti
ll
.Shelooksaroundthehousewi
thasli
ghtfrown
i
nherf ace.
"
Wher
eist
heowneroft
hehouse?
"Thel
adyasks.
Busi
wepoi
ntsoutatOnyiye'
smotherwhoi
ssi
tt
ing
onhermat
tr
essstar
ingintothi
sspace.
"
No,
nother
."
"Then,
it'
sme."Sisi
phochipsin.Thewomanshakes
herheadnotwant i
ngtoconti
nuewi t
hthe
conver
sationbutshehadtosayi t
.
"Yoursi
ster,
istheownerofthi
shouse.Wher
eis
she?"Si
sipholooksatBusi
weconfused.Howdoes.
..
"
Idon'
tgetyou.
"She'
slost
.
"Yourmot herwil
lexplai
noncet heancestorsdeci
de
otherwise.Yourmot herhasalotofgrudgeheldup
againstherheart.Thatgrudgemadeherr esenther
ownchi l
d.Agr udgethatherdaughterknewnot hi
ng
of.Andyouont opoft hat
,youarel
ostandyou
needdir
ecti
ont owardsyourli
fe.Al
oti
shappeni
ng
butyouarepleasingthedevil
."
"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Shest
andsupt
oface
t
hewoman.
"I
t'
snotmyr i
ghttotellyoubutyourmotherwil
l.
Justsoyouknow, yourmot herwasneverr
aped.
Thatchil
dwasneverachi ldofrape.Shehadthat
chil
daccordi
ngtoherownwi ll
.Butyouwil
lnot
underst
andbecause...
"
"Iseewhatyouaredoi
ng!Youwantthatfather
less
dogt ocomebacki
ntomymot her
'shousejust
becausemymot heri
ssickandhasnoonebesi de
her."Sheshout
s.
"
Sisi
..
."
"Don'tyoudarecallmyname.Thi swasyourpl anal
l
along?Veleyouneverl i
kedme.I twasal laboutt
hat
preciousthi
ngcal l
edOnyiye.Howevi lcanyoube
mamncane?It houghtyouar ehereoutoft he
goodnessofyourhear tKanticha, I
'
m maki ng
mysel fl
ookstupid!Yazi
n,allofyourgetoutofmy
mother
'shouseandyourfakeprophetorpast
orof
your
s.Ihat
etoadmitthatIhat
eallofyou!"
Busi
wegaspsi
nshockandhol
odherchesti
n
di
sbel
ief
.
"
Sisi
pho!
"
"
Justpackyourragsandgett
hef
uckofmy
mother
'shouse!
"
"Onedayyouwi l
lfi
ndthetr
uth.
"Thewomanst eps
outofthehouseandleavestr
aces-dropsofwat er
thatshehasinherbot
tlewit
houtanyonenoti
cing.
Aunt
ieBusi
weshor
tl
yfol
lows.
"
Hopei
twon'
tbet
ool
ate.
"
Shest
epsoutofherhousewi
thherbags.
_
___
___
___
___
__
It
'smiddayandshe'
sbat
tl
ingwi
thherthought
s.
Canitbe?Noshedoesn'
twantt
othinktheworstof
hermother.
She'
sstandi
nginthekit
chenl
ookingf
orsomet
hing
tocookbutf
indsnothi
ng.Al
lcar
dboardsar
eempty.
Theonlythi
ngt hati
sinthi
shousei
sthatmeal
ie
mealthatauntBusiweboughtandt
hat2KGmix
port
ion.Shesighsbalanci
ngher
sel
fonthest
ove.
Ever
ythinghurts.
Hermot herissi
ck,nowshehasaf ather
lesschil
d
whensheswor enevertofal
lpregnantoutof
wedlock.Nowshewi l
lbealaughingstockli
ke
Onyi
ye.Shecannotaf fordtohavethischil
dalone.
Maybet el
li
ngLungisanitogiveherthatmoneyhe
oncepromi sedher.
Sheleavestheki
tchentosear
chforherphonei
n
herbedroom.Shesitsonherbedandsendsa
str
aightfor
wardt
ext.
"Youcansendmet hatmoney.Iwillhavean
abort
ionasyouhaveyouhaver equested.
"
Sheanxi ousl
ywaitsforaresponsebutnothing.She
l
oginsi nonherWhat sAppandf or
getsthat
everyoneinLungisani'
shouseholdhasblockedher.
Shesi ghsfeel
ingdiscour
agedandl ogsout.She
thr
owsherphoneont hesi
deandl aysonherback
l
ostint hought
s.
Aftersometi
meherphonebeeps, shewakesupi n
ful
lspeed.HehassentherR1500,00.Shefeelsher
shoulder
sbeingfi
ll
edwi t
haheavywei ght
.Partof
herhopedthathewillsaysheshouldnothavean
aborti
on.Sheshal
lkeept hebabyandmaybebea
secondwife.
"Mxm,"t
earsbl
indhervi
sion.Shehasal
ott
osay
butshehasnoonetotalkto.Shesi
ghswi
pingt
he
tear
sfal
li
ngoffherf
ace.

Abr
eaki
nggl
asssound.
..
Shehurri
esoutoft
heroom f
indi
nghermot her
sl
eepingonhersi
deshaki
ngvigorousl
y.Shelef
ts
herseat
ing!
Shepul l
sherlegsst
rai
ghtenthem andbur
sti
nto
tearskneel
ingdown.Whatwi l
lshedonow?She
standsupandr unsoutofthehousetogocal
lfor
herneighbour.
Sheknocksont
hedoorr
epeat
edl
y.
"
AwuI
'
m comi
ngbo!
"
Thewomansaysf ormt hei
nsideandopensthe
doorwit
hasl ightfr
ownonherf ace."
Yini
kwenzenjaniekuseni!
"Sheaskssteppi
ngoutofthe
houseclosingthekit
chendoorbehindher.
"
Idon'
tknow,
it'
smymot
her
."
"
Okayl
et'
sgo.
"Thewomanwear
sheshoesand
r
unsbehi
ndSi
sipho.
Shefi
ndshermother
'seyesroll
edbackwards.She
st
opsandfeel
sli
keherheartisbei
ngreapedout
i
ntopi
eces.
"Mama!"Shejumpsslappingherownthi
ghs,she
pul
lsherdressandplacesbothhandsonherhead
outofhorr
or.Nothermother!
"She'
sal
ive.GocallMahl
ase!
"Sher unsoutoft
he
housewi
t houtaski
nganyquest
ions.
_
___
___
_
Mahlaseiskneeli
nginf
rontofOnyi
e'smother
burni
ngincense.Shesneezesmult
iplet
imesunt
il
hereyesrol
ledbacknormally.
"
Sibonge,
"saysMahl
asepacki
nghi
str
adi
ti
onal
medicine.Hesi ghsr
ubbingblackointmentunder
herfeet.Heshakeshisheadandsi ghsagainwitha
heavypr esencesheissuddenlyfeel
ing.
"
Wher
eisyoursi
ster
?"HeasksSi
sipho.
Sheshrughershoulder
sunbother
edl
y.Itannoys
herthatever
yonehastoref
erherasherbloody
si
ster!
"Yourmotheri
sherownenemyher e."Hest
ands.
"Makesureshedrinkst
hiseverymorni
ngbefor
e
shecouldevenbrushherteet
h."Hehandshera
bott
leofmedici
ne.
Sisi
phot
akesitwit
hbot
hhandssti
llkneel
ingnext
tohermotherwhowasnowwideawake.
"
Whatdoyoumeanwhenyou.
..
"
"It
'snoti
nmyposi ti
ontotel
lyou.Youmot herwi
ll
tel
lyouinyourownt i
me."Hewal ksoutl
eavingt
he
neighbourst
il
linsi
de.
"
Sinceyoumot
heri
snowwel
lIwi
llbeal
sol
eavi
ng.
"
"Ngyabongamah.Idon'
tknowwhatIwouldhave
doneifyoudi
dn'
tagreetoputahand.
"Shesays
gr
atef
ull
y.
"That
’swhatneighbour
sdof
oreachother.Youwill
neverknowthedayyouneedsomeone'shelp.Let
megetgoing."
Shestepsoutl
eavi
ngSisi
phoinguilt
.Thiswoman
hel
pedherwhenherandhermot heralwaysr
efused
tohel
pwhenevertheyar
eindeed.
"
On.
..
Onyi
ye.
"
"
Huh?
"Maybeshedi
dn'
thearcor
rect
ly.
"
Go.
..
gocal
lOn.
..
Onyi
ye.
"sher
epeat
s.
"Onyi
yedoesn'
tli
vewit
husanyl
onger
.Remember
youchasedherout.
"
Shedoesn'
tunderst
andwhyal
lofasuddenshe
cal
lsoutt
hatgi
rlsname.
"
Cal
lher
e."Herf
latt
onesays.
Withoutaski
nganyquest i
onsshedialshernumber
butnoonepi cksup.I
t'
sgoingt hr
oughtoday,l
ucki
ly.
Shetriesagainbutnoresponse.
"
She'
snotpi
cki
ngup.
"
Hermot
hernodsherhead.
"
Hel
pmesl
eep.
"
"I
'
m goi
ngtotowntobuyaf ewstuf
fs.Wi
llyoube
okayal
one?"Sheaskshel
pinghert
olayont hesi
de
comfor
tabl
y.
"
Yes,
"
"Okay.
"Shestandsupandgoest oherbedroom.
Sheneedstopassbyherwor kplaceandtalkt
o
Shaneaboutherjob.Shecannotloosei
tnow.
Shewi
llj
ustchange.
..
_
___
___
___
_
Sheent ersherworkpl
ace.It
'spackedasusual
.
Everyonei si
ntherespotdoingwhattheyknowbest
.
Beingacashi erwasneverherdream j
obbut
povertyleadhertoit
.
Shet
akesadeepand.
..
"
Sisi
pho,
"oneofhercol
leaguemeetherhal
fway.
"Hai,i
sShanei
n?"Sheaskssuddenl
yfeel
ing
nervous.
"
Yes,
hei
sinhi
sof
fi
ce.
"Sher
esponds.
"
Iwi
llseeyouaf
terourmeet
ing.
"
Shewal
ksst
rai
ghtt
ohi
sof
fi
ceandknocks.
"Comei n!
"Shaneshout
sformthei
nsi
de.Shesl
owly
entershisof
fi
ceandsuddenl
yherpal
mssweatin
fear.
"
Ow,it
'syou.WhatcanIdoforyou?"Hestops
t
ypi
ngonhi sl
aptopandshi
ftshisf
ullf
ocustoher
.
"
Ineedt
otal
ktoyou,
"she’
sst
il
lst
andi
ng.
"
Haveaseat
."
Shesl
owl
ysi
tsdownr
unni
ngoutofwor
ds.
"I
'
m hert
opleadwi
thyou.Thet
hingi
smymot
heri
s
si
ckand.
..
"
"Thi
siswhatIhateabouthi ri
ngyoublacks.You
alwayscomeupwi thstorieswheneveryouhaveto
work.Ifi
t'
snotyourmot herit
'syourunheal
thy
chil
drenwithf
ather
lesskids."
Shekeepsquit
eforasecond."
Justacoupleof
dayssi
r,pl
ease.Iwi
llhavet
oworkdoubleshi
fti
fI
havet
o."
Themanl aughsmocki
ng."
Yourposi
ti
onhasbeen
takenbysomeonewhoneedsitbadl
y."
Shestandsupandkeel
sdown, "
please,Iwil
ldo
anyt
hingyouaskmeto."Shesoundst oodesper
ate
butshehasnochoi
cenow, doesshe?
"Anyt
hingyousay.
"Helooksatherf
rom head
downwards."
Standup.Youknowwhattodoofyou
wanttokeepyourj
ob."
Hesmi l
esrevealinghi
syellowteeth.Shegapsin
shock.Notagain.Shecannotdoi tagain.Shegot
thi
sjobbyopeni ngherlegsforthi
soldwhi teman
andnowshehast odoitagai
nforsecur i
ngherjob.
"
Isn'
tther
eanot
herway?
"Hert
ear
sbet
rayher
.
"Yourt
earsdon'tmoveme.It
'swithyougirl
y,do
whatIwantoryoul eavemyoff
ice.I
fyoupleaseme,
youwillear
nforthr
eemonthsandaf t
erthat,you
getyourjobback.
"
Shewi
peshert
ear
sindef
eat
."Okay,
"
"
Okaywhat
?"
"Iwil
ldoi
t."Shelooksatt
hefloorwishi
ngt
hatthe
groundcouldjustswal
lowherrightt
hismi
nut
e.
"Goodf or
,nowcomet opapa."Hestandsupt aki
ng
ofhispant soff
.Shelooksathi sl
ongt hi
nstickand
closeshereyes.Shewi l
lhavet obarewiththis
whitemanunt i
lheisdonedoi ngwhathedoesn' t
knowwhatt odo.Shepullsherdressupandt akes
herunderwearof f
.Shestandsi nf
rontofhim.He
pullshertowardshim,withoutwarningheshoves
histoungei nhermouthmaki nghertogagi n
disgust.
Heturnsherar
oundandmakesherbendwi
thher
chestontopoft
hetabl
e.
Heposi
ti
onshisfl
atbananaandshovesi
troughl
y
i
nhermakinghertost
iff
en.
..
[
08/
18,
03:
38] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER26

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
"Mydaught
er,
whathappened?"Mam Phi
li
siwe
alr
eadyf
ussi
ngoverher
."Ithi
nkyoushoul
dcome
backhome.
"
"Mah,youdon'tevenknowwhathappenedbut
alr
eadyyouwanthert o…"Sbahl
ewascutshor
tby
herri
ngingphone.Sheexcusesher
sel
ftoanswer
herphone.
"Onyiye,doyour
eal
lywantmetodieyoung?"She
asks.Shesighssi
tt
ingdownonthechairt
hatwas
besidethebed.
"
Ijumpedoutofthemovi
ngcar
."Onyi
yer
esponds
i
nahoaskyvoice.
"
Ini?
"She'
sbackonherf
eetnotbel
ievi
ng."
Uthi
ni
Kimiwenangane!
"
"They…"Sbahl
eint
erupt
sbef
oreOnyi
yecoul
deven
beginnarr
ati
ngherstor
y.
"
Mah,
babai
swai
ti
ngf
oryouout
side.
"
"Tel
lthatonetocomein,
i'
m st
il
lbusywi
tht
hischi
ld.
Youkidswantt ogi
vemeheadacheinmyear
lyage.
I
'mtoool dfort
hismaan!
"
SbahleandOnyi
yel
ookateachot
herandt
hei
reyes
drop.
Thedooropensandt hefinestt
all
,chocol
ateman
stepsin.Hi
safromakeshi m st
andsout.Hesmil
es
reveal
inghisdi
mplesmaki ngSbahletoswall
ow.
Nowt hatshe’
sseemsthem i noneroom,Goddamn
she’sl
ookingatoneperson!
"Mywif
e,"her
ubshishandsagai
nsteachot
her.He
nor
mall
ydoesthatwhenheisnervous.Hel
ooksat
Onyi
yewithhi
seyebrows.
"Thi
sisOnyiye,
thegirlIwast el
li
ngyouabout ,t
hat
l
ookssomuchl ikemypr i
ncessAdeze.Onyi yethi
s
i
smyhusbandObi nnaOkoj i
e."Shesmilesbuther
smil
equickl
ydissolves.Onyiyeontheot herhand
hasgonenumbcompl etel
y.Isthiswhatshet hi
nkit
i
s?Peoplealwayslookal i
ke.Buthelooksexactly
l
ikethatmanshesawi nthatphoto.Thename, Is
thesamethatshesaw-wr it
tenbehindthephoto.
"NtombiMazibukoismymot her.
"Sheblur
tsout
withtear
sthr
eateningtocomeout.Themant ake
stepsbackshakinghisheadno.Hetur
nsbackand
r
unsoutoft
hewar
d.
"
Baba,
wai
t!
"Sbahl
erunsaf
terhi
m.
"Nt
ombiisyourmother
?"Mam Phil
isiweisshocked.
Thatwomanmadehermar r
iagesorrowfulandvery
muchunbearabl
e.
"
Youknowher
?"
"Thatwomanmademyl i
fel
ivinghell
."She's
defeated.Shethrowsherselfbackont hechairand
l
et '
soutaheavysi gh."I
'
m sorrytosayt hi
s,butyou
mot herwasat horninmymar ri
age.Shemadesur e
tobr eakeveryt
hingI'
vebuil
tandwor kedhar dforat
allcost."Sheshakesherheadnotbel i
eving.
"I
'
m sorr
y,"notknowi
ngwhatt
ofur
thersayOnyiye
deci
destokeepquiteanwi
pethet
earsoffherf
ace.
"It
'snotyoufaultmychi
ld,i
t'
syourmot
her'
sheart
.
Shet oldmyhusbandthatsheabort
edandwe
believedherbecauseweneverhear
dfr
om hersi
nce
then."
"
Shesai
dthat
?"Onyiyeaski
nshock.Nowonder
t
hatwomanhatedher."
OwmyGod, "shecover
sher
facewithherhandsandbursti
ntotears.Herli
fei
s
l
ikeadi ce-beingt
ossedar
oundlikesomething
uselesswaiti
ngtobeabet.
"Donoteveri nyourwil
destdream putyourselfin
thatpositi
on!Youaresti
llmydaught erOnyiye.
Despitethetraumayourmot herputmet hrough,I
shouldbehat ingonyourightnowbutIl oveyoul i
ke
myown. "Shestandsupandsi t
sont hebed
consolingher.Shecri
esevenhar dernotbelievi
ng.
Thef
actthatthi
swomanwi
llr
esenthersomeday
i
sgett
ingint
oher.
"Youarestillwel
comei nmyhome.Ist il
lneedmy
grandchil
dreninthatyard.Myhusbandi ssti
lli
n
hockhewi llcomearound."Onyiyenodsherhead
wipingthetearsofherface.ByGod'sgraceno
damageswer edoneonherf ace,she'
sstil
l
Sthembiso'sdarkNdoni.
Sbahlecomesbackpanti
ngandt hrowshersel
fon
thechair
."Damnyourhusbandcanr un.Canyou
beli
eve…"Shedeci
destokeepquite-thatawkward
moment .
"
Whereishe?"Mam Phi
li
siweasksshi
ft
ingher
f
ocustoSbahle.
"Par
kingl
otcr
yinghi
sbal
lsout
."Sher
esponds
dri
nki
ngwater
.
_
___
___
__
Sil
encefi
llt
heroom astheyallpat
ientl
ywaitf
or
Obinnatofi
nall
ysayhispiece.Heclearshi
sthroat
andsighssit
ti
ngupstrai
ght.
"Ntombi ,thatwomanwasadevi li
nasheep' s
clothing.Ir egr etthedayIper suadedher ,
lai
dmy
eyesonher .Thehat eIhavef orhercannotbe
obst ructedwi thanyot herthing.Iappr oachedyour
mot herf ullyknowi ngthatIwasl egal
lymar r
iedto
mybeaut ifulwi fehere.I'
m notgoi ngtol ieto
everyoneandsayIdi dn'tl
oveNt ombi.Iwaseven
planni ngonmaki nghermysecondwi fe.Everyt
hing
wasf ine,allal ongunt i
lshedi scoveredt hatIam a
foreigner .Thi ngschangedf ort hewor st.She
startedget ti
ngvi olentwithme.Lockmei ntheroom
fordayswi thoutf oodorwat er .Thedayshet oldme
thatshewaspr egnantIwasonl yexi
tedont he
i
nsidebutont heoutsideIwasbur ning.Ir
egretted
everything.Thatwomanwasani ghtmareIwi l
l
neverwi shuponanyone.Mont hswentby, Iasked
aboutt hepr egnancy,shet ol
dmeshehadan
abortion.Iwashur t,noliesandt hat'swhenIt ooka
decisiont oretur
ntomyf ami l
yandmakeamends.
Sheki ckedmeoutofmyownhouse.Ievenwentt o
apoi ntofchangi ngthenameundermyhouset o
Onyinyechi ,meaningGi ft
.Iwant edmychi ldtohave
ahome, al ovi
ngonef ort hatmat t
er,li
tt
ledidIknow
thatI'm kil
li
ngmysel fslowly.Iwaschasedout ,just
l
ikethat .Andeversi ncethen, Ineversetfootint hat
house.Il efteveryt
hingasi twas, thehousei sti
ll
undert henameOnyi nyechi .
"Wow, I
…Idon'tevenknowwhattosay."Onyi
yeis
toungeti
ed.Whoonear thdoest
hattoanother
humanbei ng?Sheshakesherheadrunningoutof
words.
Theyallfal
linanawkwardsi
lence."Somynameis
notOnyiye?"Sheasksl
ooki
ngatt hemansi
tti
ng
nextt
oher .
"
Forshor
tit
'sOnyi
yebutInamedyouOnyi
nyechi
whenyouwer
est
il
linyourmot
her
'swomb.
"
"
Wow, sowhatam I?
"Sheaskswonder
ing."
Youare
f
rom Niger
iar
ight
?Sowhatam I
?Sheasksagain.
"
Igbu.Thati
swhatwear
e,t
hati
sourcul
tur
e."
"
Wow,
soI
'
m Onyi
nyechiOkoj
ie?
"Shehal
fsmi
les.
"Yesyouar e.I'
m happyt hatyouar eher eandal i
ve
aftersuchtreatment .Mywi f
etoldmeal laboutit.
Youknowatf ir
stwhenshet oldmet hatyoul ookso
muchl ikeAdeze, It
houghtt hatmaybeshe' slooking
forsomeonet or eplaceher.Ididn'
tknowt hatshe
wast hisseri
ous.Youknowt hemi nuteIwal kedin,I
thoughtthatmaybemydaught erwakeupf rom the
dead.Butlaterregisterst
hatwebur i
edher.I
rememberput t
ingheri nhergrave, Il
aidher
peacefull
ypayingmyl astrespect.Seeingyou
broughtallofthosememor iesback. "
Het akesadeepbr
eathandsighs."Imournedyou
foralmostayeart
hinki
ngthatyourmother…"He
chokesonhistear
s."Idon'
tknowhowt othank
God. "
"
I'
mjustgr
atef
ult
hatf
inal
lyIf
indt
hemant
hatI
havebeensuf f
eri
ngfor.Idon'twanttoseemyself
i
nt hathouseanylonger.Idon'tknowwhatwi
lleven
takemet her
e."
"
SoIhaveanotheryoungersist
er?Thi
sseemstobe
i
nter
est
ingbythesecond."Sbahlet
easesOnyi
ye
whocli
ckshertoungei
nmuchannoyance.
"Eventhewayyoucl
ickyourtoungescaresme.I
'
m
sureyouareshor
tasatoddler.
"Obinnasays
l
ookingOnyiyewi
thhereyespoppedout.
"I
'
m notthatshort!
"Shesaysfoldi
ngherar ms
agai
nstherchest.Hesmi l
esreveal
inghisdimpl
es.
WhosaidNi ger
ianslooktheopposi
te.Thisman
l
ooksli
keabl ackAmer i
can!Withhi
saf r
oneatl
y
combed.
"Iwil
lhavetoi
nfor
mtheelderssowecandothe
tradi
ti
onalwel
comeceremony.Thatmeanswewil
l
havetoflydowntoNi
geri
a."
"Ni
…Niger
ia?Ican'
tleavemyki
dsbehi
nd.
"Indeed
shecannot.
"Yes,andi
tisamust
.InI
gbocul
ture,
thenami
ng
ceremonyofachi
ldi
soft
enref
erredtoas
“i
kuput anwaori gunwa’ aha”andthismar ksthe
formalpr esentat
ionofthechildt
ot heirpeopl e,
whi chcompr i
sesofherkinsmen,fami l
y,friends,
wel l
-wishersandt heenti
recommuni t
yatl arge.It
willbeaver yl
argeceremony.Ican'twai tto
showcasemywhol efamil
y.Yourkids,my
grandki dsneedtobei ntr
oducedtot heancest ors
forprotection.Alotneedstobedone.Idi dn't
ment ionallofitbutyouwi l
lseeoncei thappens. "
Headds.Onyi yenodsherheadandsmi lesabi t
.
"Nowondert
hoseauntswerelookingatmel
ike,
I
don'
tknow.
"Sheshrughershoulders.
"TheysawAdezei nyouandi treall
yt r
iggeredalot
ofmemor i
es."Hesmi lesreachingoutf orherhand.
"I
'm sorr
ythatIwasn' tthereforyouwhenyou
neededmet hemost .I'
m sorrythatIwasn' ta
presentfat
herwhenyoul i
fewasavi ciouscycle.
Butonet hi
ngIcanpr omiseyoui sthatI'
m here.It
canneverbet oolat
et ohavear el
ationshipwit
hmy
kidsandgr andkids,
that'sifyoual l
owmet o."
Hel
ookssi
ncer
emaki
nghert
osmi
leherl
ungsout
.
"
I'
dlovet
oo.
"Shebl
ushesl
ikeahi
ghschoolki
d.
"Speakingofthekids,whenaretheycomi ngback?
Iftheywantthekidstobet herefullt
imethey
shoulddot henecessaryprocedures."Mam
Phili
siwechir
psinf i
xingherscarf."Whatdidthe
doctorsayaboutNdi mu'seyes?Wheni shisnext
appointment?Aretheglasseshegotgoodf orhis
sight?"Sheasksreadytomur derOnyi ye.
Onyiyekeepsqui tenotknowi nghowt orespond.
"Uthathaikhandaul i
fakaenhlokoOnyiye.Iwantmy
grandkids.Ndimuneedsspeci alcarebecauseof
histreatment.Theirskindoesn'tneedalotof
sunlight
.He…"
"Mah, wegetyou.Thekidswi l
lbef et
ched.I'mjust
gladthatNdimui snothertowakemeupwi t
hhis
earpiecinghorr
iblescr
eam.Yer rthatskhothenican
scream, notonl
ythat.Hewakesmeupwi thaf ul
l
blownsmackonmycheek.Nxat hattokol
oshe."Her
nosef l
aremakinghermot hertolaugh.
"Nowonderyouguysar
ealwaysfi
ght
ing.
"She
cont
inuest
olaughherl
ungsout."
Ndi
muf or
pr
esi
dent
."
_
___
___
___
___
She'
sleftal
lalonet
ryi
ngtocatchuponherschool
workonli
nebutshe'sfai
li
ngdi
smal l
y.Shehasn'
t
heardf
rom Sthembisothewholedayandhenever
evenbother
edcheckinguponher.
Muchbeingafakeboyf
ri
end!Shesi
ghscl
osi
ngher
eyest
ryi
ngtocat
chsomesleep.
"Nyi,
"scr
eamsLi
ndi
wewi
thSi
zweandSt
hembi
so
along.
"
Hei
,
"she'
scol
dandupset
!
"
Hau,whyareyousour?
"Li
ndi
weaskssi
tt
ingnext
t
oherontopofthebed.
"
Not
hing.Whatdi
dyoubr
ingf
orme?
"
"Nothi
ng.Yourmanheretol
dmethatyoudonoteat
hardrocksyouonl
yeatli
qui
d.Hi
swor dsnotmi
ne."
Onyiyel
ooksatSt
hembi
sowhowasl
ooki
ngbackat
hersmil
ing.
"
Yoursmi
ledoesn'
tmoveme,
youi
diot
.Si
zwe,
you
ar
etheman-t
hankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngmet
hose.
"
Sizwesmil
eshandingherabunchoff
lowersanda
boxofchocol
ates."
Myfavouri
te,
howdidyou
know?"
"
Let'sjustsay,Idi
dmyresear
chpr
ett
ygood.
"He
wiggleshiseyebrowsmaki
ngOnyi
yetosmil
eeven
wider.
"Youcr
azy.
"Sheopenst
heboxofchocol
atesand
begint
odigi
n.
"
Whenaretheydi
schar
gingyou?"Li
ndi
weget
sof
f
t
hebedandgostandbesideSi
zwe.
"Maybetomorr
ow.Theysai dnodamageswher e
doneandIhavenointernalbl
eedi
ng.So,
…"She
tur
nstolookatSt
hembisowhohasbeenal lsmil
es
eversi
ncehegothere.Hehasn'tsai
danythingbut
hehasbeenlooki
ngatherwi t
hadmi r
ati
on.
"
What'
swrongwit
hthi
sone?
"OnyiyeasksLi
ndi
we
whowasalsosmi
li
ngl
ikear
etr
ached.
"
Idon'
tknow,
hehasbeenl
iket
hisal
lday.
"
"
Allday,
whatdoyoumeanal
lday?
"She'
sconf
used.
"
ImeantIbel
ievehewasthist
hewhol
eday.We
f
oundhim al
ongthepassagesmi
li
ngl
ikeani
diot
."
Shedoesn'
trespondbutl
ooksatt
hest
atement
Li
ndi
wegaveherandt hewaySthembi
sohasbeen
l
ooki
ngather .
"
Myf
atherwasher
e."
Sthembisost
opssmil
ingandthatsmi
lei
sbei
ng
repl
acedbyafrownonherface.
"
What
!"
"
Yes,
itt
urnsoutSbahl
eismyel
dersi
ster
."
"Isai
dit
!It
oldyouguysandyousai
dIwascr
azy!
"
Lindi
wesaysinexci
tement
.
"Yea,it
'sstil
lfeelsunreal.Ican'tbelieveIfi
nall
y
foundmyownf at
hert hatIhavebeenl ooki
ngforall
theseyear s.Thej oyI'
mf eeli
ngi nsideissomet hi
ng
Icannotexpl ain.It'
sli
kesomet hinghugehasbeen
l
iftedoffmyshoul ders.Ifeelaliveandwel l
.He
want stointroducemet other estoft hefamil
y."
"Owmygoodness!Whereishefrom?"Sthembi
so
askshol
dingherhandshaki
ng.Shenoti
cesbut
paysnomindt
oit
.Maybei
t'
sthenews–i
thad
gott
eni
ntohi
m.
"Ni
geri
a.Inmonthsti
mewewi l
lfl
ytoNi
ger
ia."She
smil
esbutnotenti
rel
y.Maybei
t'
sherwi
thalotof
l
ookingfort
hingst
hatarenott
here.
Li
ndiweishappyforherbutit
'snotcompl etel
y.The
Li
ndiwesheknowswi llnor
mallyjump, scr
eam,
dance.Butthi
soneisjustabitoff.St
hembi soon
anotherhandisashakingl
eaf.Theonlysaneone
hereisSizwe.
"I
'
mt ired,
canIhavesomer est"shesayswit
ha
l
umponhert hr
oat
.Whyi sshesuddenlyfeel
ing
emotional.Theyal
llookateachotheranddecidet
o
giveherspace.

Shejustfoundherdadbutshecannoteven
cel
ebrate.Werethenewstoobigforhert
ohandle?
Yes,ofcoursetheyweret
rue.Herphonehasbeen
ri
ngi
ngnonst op.
Shelooksatthenumbershecannotr
ecogni
se.She
deci
destofinal
lyanswer
.
"
Hal
o,"
"Theprodigaldaughter
,thepr oductofrapedecides
toanswer.Mymot herwantt otalktoyou."The
emphasisof' mymot her
' coul
dn'tbemi ssed.She
sighspreparedforthedrama.
"
O…Onyi
yemychi
ld.
"
Thatvoi
cebel
ongstohermother.Sheremovesthe
phonefr
om hereart
olookatt
hescr eenagai
n.
Maybesheisdreami
ng.Yeaallofthi
sfeel
sli
kea
dream.
"Yes,
"shedoesn'tknowhowtorespond.Whenever
shecalledhermothershewoul
df l
ipandsaysheis
nothermot her
.SoYESwi l
lbeherbestresponsei
n
thi
ssituati
on.
"I
t'
sme,yourmother.
"She'
sshocked.Whati
sthi
s
womanplayingat
."Iam si
ckandIneedyoutobeat
home.I
…"
"
Youneedmebecauseyouar
esi
ck?
"
"
Yes,
no.
"
Ther
e'ssi
lence.
"HereIam thi
nkingthatmaybeyouwanta
rel
ati
onshipwithme.JustsoyouknowIfoundmy
fat
herObinnaOkoj i
e.Themanyouclai
mrapedyou.
Sti
llr
ememberhi m? "
Shekeepsqui t
e.Onlyt hebr eathi
ngs.Onyi
ye
deci dest odropthephonebecauset hi
s
conver sat
ionwillnotgoanywher e.Sheisdefi
nit
ely
stupi dt othi
nkthatthiswomanwi l
leverbui
lda
relationshipwithher.Sheshakesherheadwi t
h
tear sreadyt ocomeout .I
fonl yshedidn'
tpi
ckthat
callup.So, sheonlythoughtofherwhenshei ssick.
Soshecanbecomet heirslave?No!Thatwast he
stupi dOnyi ye,
notthisonewhohasj ustdi
scovered
her selfandhert ruei
dent i
ty.

Shet urnstol
ayonhersi deandf i
ndsSthembiso
standingbesidethedoorwit
hhi sarmsfolded
againsthischestandlegscrossed.Hi
sf avour
it
e
positi
onofallkind.
"Ndoni
,
"hesmi
lesandt
akef
urt
herst
epst
owar
ds
her.
"
Sthembi
so.
"She'
sdown.
"
Areyouokay?
"Heasks.Hei
swor
ri
ed.
"Justgotacal
lfr
om home.Appar
ent
ly,
mamai s
sickandshewantsmetogobackhome. "Shet
ell
s
him.
"
Doyouwantt
ogohome?
"
"Howcanyouaskmesuchaquestion?Youknow
verywel
lthatIhat
ethatwomanwi
thpassi
on.
"She
yel
ls.
"
Iknowbaby,
shei
sst
il
lyourmot
hert
hought
.Hat
e
i
saverybi
gwordmyl
ove."
Thedooropensandt
hedoct
orwal
ksi
n.
"Myfavouri
tepat
ient
,howar
eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
"He
asksfi
xinghisgl
asses.
"
I'
m bet
tert
hanyest
erday,
thankyou.
"
Thedoctornodshisheadandsmi
les."
I'
m heret
o
l
ookatthestit
ches-justt
obesur
ethatther
eisno
i
nfect
ion.I
fal
lisgoodt
omor
rowyouwi
llgohome.
"
Hebegi nst olooksatt heeightst i
tchesonherbody
andr i
ghtdownonhermedi calcar d."Youareall
goodMi ssMazi buko.Tomorrowyouar egoi
ng
home.Letmel eaveyoutorest."Het urnstoleave
butstopsbef orehecoul devenr eacht hedoor."Ow
andsir,visit
inghour sareover.Iknowyouhave
beenpayi ngt henur sestosneakyoui n."Hewalks
outleavingSt hembi sotoscratcht hebackofhi s
head.Onyi yel ooksathimi ndef eat.
"
Sthembi
soJi
yane,
car
etoexpl
ain.
"
"Hisl
yingbabe.Don'
tlethi
m causedr
amai
nour
dramaticl
if
e."
"Dramati
cli
fe?Howi
sourli
fedramat
icwhenyou
aretheonecausi
ngcor
rupt
ion.
"She'
sdef
eated!
"
Ijustwantedtoseemywoman, isthatacri
me?"
Hesmi l
esnaughtil
yandstri
dest
owar dst
hebed."
I
missedyou."Helaysbesi
deherandbegins
massagingherbreast
s.
"
Stop.
"
"Imissedyou.
"Hishandsl owlytr
avel
sdowntoher
nuna.Heputshiskneein-betweenherthi
ghsand
begi
nst omassagehertinyclit
.
"Sth…"Shemakeshermout hint
oat hi
nli
ne.Having
apr i
vat
eroom isawesome!Sot hi
siswhatgoes
downi notherr
ooms.Sheput sherhandonhisface
andpullsi
ttowardshers.Shesmashesherli
psto
his.
"
Babe,
"hei
shar
dreadyt
omeethi
smat
e.
"
Wecan'
tdoi
ther
e."Shewhi
sper
spant
ing.
"Iwi
llbequick."Hesaysal
readyunzi
ppinghis
pants.Hel
et shismemberspringf
ree.Heis
dri
ppingpre-cum.
Her oll
soffthebedandst ands.Hemakeshersi tt
o
facehim withherlegsopen.Heshi ft
shert hong
asideandsmi les."
Babygi rlhasupgr
aded.Nomor e
mum mhl ongo. "Hesaysmaki ngtogigglemaking
him evenmor ehard.Hel owershimselfaimingfor
theJerusalem.Heposi t
ionshi msel
fandpushes
through.
"
Nyi
yashababe.
"Hemovessl
owl
yinandoutofher
.
Onyiyeti
lt
sherheadbackwardshol
dingontohis
arms.Helift
sbothlegsupandmakeherlayful
lyon
herback.Hestandsstrai
ght
…
"Jesuscomeback.
"Hecl
oseshiseyesreaching
cloud9.She'
sver
ymuchwetforhim.Theslippery
sound…
"Sthe,
"shesoft
lymoansandbitesherfi
nger
suppressi
ngherscreams.Foot
stepsapproachi
ng
alongthehal
lway.
"Someoneiscoming.
"Shetriespushi
nghi m of
fbut
hegoesinfast
er.Thebedmovesabi tandhe
fol
lowsst
il
ldri
bbli
nginsi
deofher .Hegivesheron
l
astpumpmaki nghertoscream.Hepullsoutafter
rel
easi
ngandsighspackinghispackage.
Hehel psheront hebedandi nnocentlystands
besidet hebedlooki
ngather .Shesmi lesand
blushesl ooki
ngatthedoctorwal ki
ngi n.Hepauses
andl ooksatthem suspi
ciously.Hegr absthefi
leon
topoft hetableandwalksoutwi thoutsayingany
wor d.
St
hembi
soandOnyi
yel
ookateachot
herandbur
st
ont
olaught
er.Thatwast
heemomentf
ort
hem.

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

Sisipho-af t
erwhatconspi r
edinthatoffice.She
wasdi sgustedbyher self.Shedecidedgocome
straightbackhomeanddi dnotevenbuyt he
grocer iessheneeded.Fi r
stshedidwast oscrab
hersel fti
llshewassat isfiedtoruboffthatoldsman
scent .Ithurtst
hatherl ifehascomet othisstage.
Seeinghermot herhol dingaconver sati
onmakes
herhaveposi ti
veatti
tude.Thatmeansshewi l
lnot
havet osl eepwiththatol dfullt
osecur eherjob.
"Whatdi
dshesay?
"Sheaskshermotherwhowas
onaphonewit
hOnyiyeminut
esago.
"
Shedr
oppedt
hephoneonme.
"
"WhatdidItellyou?Thatthi
ngwasnevergr ateful
andwillneverbe."Sisi
phocli
ckshertonguein
muchannoyanceandl ooksatherphoner eport
ing
R3500,
00.Hesal ar
ypay.Sher ol
lshereyes,t
his
fooldidn'
tevenmakeamist
akeofaddingmorefor
grati
tude.Heputheri
nthemostpossi
blepai
nshe
cannotexplain!
"
Don'
tsayt
hat
.Shei
syouryoungersi
ster
."
Si
siphol
ooksathermot
hernotbel
ievi
ng.
"Sincewhen?Youalwaystol
dmet
hatshei
snotmy
sister
.Sowhatchanged?"
"
Nothi
ng,Ijustwanttosleep.
"Shecover
sher
sel
f
wit
htheblanketandsighs.
Alltheangert hatNtombihasi stheangerofhow
sheconcei vedSi si
pho.Sher emember st hatday.
Shewasonherwaybackf rom chur ch.Itwas
extremel ydarkwhenshewaswal ki
ngal lalonein
thebushes.Amanf rom nowher elif
tedherupand
threwherdownont hegr ound.Shehat edhowher
bodyl oosenedt othatman' stouch.Hef orced
himsel fbuteventuallysheenjoyedever ybitofit
.
Shehat estoadmi tthatsheenj oyedthedr unkards
dick.Thatmanknewhi swayar oundt hebed.He
knewhowt ousehi sgiftdownt here.Shewoul duse
thesamer outeeverySundayj usttohavehi m
i
nsideofher.Shegotaddi ct
edtoadrunkardsdick
unti
lshegotpr egnantwi t
hSisi
pho.Shewas
ashamedt oment iont hef
ather
'sname.Sipho
Mzobet hedrunkar d.That
'showhewasknown
aroundthevil
lage.Shest oppedgoingtochurch
whenhedi scoveredt henews.Shehatedhersel
f
thenaft
er.Howcanawomanl i
kehersleepa
drunkar
dlikeSipho.Shehat eshersel
ftothecore.
Shethenliedthatt
hemanpregnantedherdenied
thepregnancyandranawayfr
om thevil
lage.
Shespentt imehat i
ngt hebabyi nherwomb.The
minutegavebi rt
ht ohershel ovedherandnamed
herSisipho.YearslatershemetObi nna, t
hatman
l
ovedhermor ethanhel ovedhi swifeandshewas
stupi
dt ofallf
oraf oreigner.Allthehateandanger
camebackr esult
ingheri ntohatingOnyiyef or
absolutel
ynot hi
ng.Shehat edherowndaught erfor
Sipho'sdoing.Forhim bei ngadr unkard.Hehat ed
thatherfatherwasaf orei
gner.Shehat edt hatshe
wasgi venahousewhi l
ststil
li
nherwombwhi le
Sisi
phohadnot hi
ng!
Maybei
fonl
yshehadanabor
ti
ont
oavoi
dhavi
ng
fat
herlesskids.ShehatedOnyiyeevenmor ewhen
shehadherf i
rstchi
ld.Shehat
edhersonaswel l.
Shedoesn'tknowhowshegotpr egnantthesecond
ti
me.Shehasasecondsonwhi chisverymuch
confusingforher.
Shesi
ghsheavil
ywi
thaheavyhear
tandt
ri
es
cl
osi
nghereyes.
Nowt hatshethi
nksofthepast-everyangert
hat
shechannell
edagainstOnyiyewasneverherfaul
t!
Butshethoughtitwasherfaultanyway!
[
08/
18,
03:
38] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER27

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

She'scl
eaninghermother'
sroom.She'sinhi
gh
spir
it
stodaybettert
hantheotherdays.What
’sthe
useofmoppi ngaroundyoursorr
owsofyouf ail
ed
l
ife?Notthatsheisafai
lur
e–buti ti
swhatitis.
Shewokef eeli
nggood,l
ikeshegotallt
hismorning.
She'sdoingspri
ngcleani
ng,somet
hingshenever
does.Shecomesacr ossanalbum t
hatshehas
neverseenbefore.Shesi
tsonhermother'
sbedand
dustsitoff
.
She'sl
ookingatherpicturesandOnyiye'
s.Ther
e'sa
tal
ldarkmanwhol ookjustOnyi
ye.Couldthi
sbe?
Butnoitcan'tbe.Hermot herwasraped-what
couldshepossiblydoingwitharapistpi
ctur
e?I
t
doesn'
tmakesenseatal l
.
Sheconti
nuestoscrollthr
oughthealbum and
shakesherhead.Mostpeoplearepeopleshe
doesn'
tknowinthisalbum.Butonepicturehad
herewanttoaskhermot hersomequestions.She
cl
osesthealbum andcontinuest
ocleanunt i
lher
mother'
sroom wascleaned.
Shestepsoutwi
tht
healbum t
uckedunder
neat
h
herar
m andsit
snextt
ohermot her
.
"LookwhatIf
oundwhi
lecl
eani
ng.
"Shesays
openingt
healbum.
"
Wher
edoyougett
hat
?"
Hermot
heraskst
ryi
ngt
osnat
cht
heal
bum outof
herhands.She'
sweak,
herhandf
ellbef
orei
tcoul
d
evenbelif
ted.
"
Inyourr
oom.Who'
sthi
sman?
"
Si
siphoasks.Hermot
hercl
oseshereyesexhal
ing
l
oudly.
"
Noonei
mpor
tant
."Sher
esponds.
"Itcan'tbesomeonenoti mport
antwhenyouhave
thispictureinhere.I
shemyf at
herorOnyiye's
father?Comet othinkofi
tIdon'thaveanypictur
es
ofmyf atheroranyfamil
ymember ."
"
Isai
dgi
vemet
hatal
bum.
"Shehi
ssesi
nanger
.
"
Why?
"
Hermot hersighsagaintr
yingtocatchherbreath.
"Yourfatherpassedawaywhenyouwer esti
llyoung.
Idon'tknowwher ehisfamilymembersare.Hehas
neverintroducedme."Sheliest
hroughherteeth.
"
Canyout ellmehowyoutwomet.Howwashe
l
ike?"She'
sexit
ed.Whowoul
dn'
tbeexi
tedt
ohear
t
heirparent
slovest
ory.
"
I…I
'
mti
redcanIsl
eep?
"
Shelet
'sherbe.Shestandsupandwalkstoher
mother
'sroom topacktherestoft
hest
ufft
hatwas
i
nthatbox.
Shecomesacr ossabr ownenvelope.Shewantst
o
penitsobadlybutshest opsher
selfbefor
eshecan
evenopen.It
’srudetoopenpeopl e’
sthi
ngswit
hout
thei
rconsent
.Theydidi ttoOnyi
yebecauseshe
wasanobodyandst illi
s.
Shecannotopensomethingthatdoesn'
tbel
ongto
her
.Shepackstheenvelopebackinitsboxand
cl
oseshereyesresi
sti
ngtemptati
on.
She'scooki
ngchickencurr
y.Shehatesthesmellof
i
tandsher egret
sevenbuyingitf
rom t
heshops.
Sheclosesthepotandrunsoutsi
detoclearher
thr
oat.
"OwGod."Shefeelsdi zzy.Sheri
nseshermouth
andgoesbacki nt
othehouse, t
hesmellofchi
cken
i
severywhere.She'l
ljustmakeher sel
fasandwich.
Shecan'
teatthis.

Shedeci
dest
owat
chofherf
avour
it
etal
kshow.Her
phonebeeps.Shereadst
hrought
hetextand
cri
ngestohersel
f.Thi
smancannotdoherli
ket
hat
.
Shewear
shershoesandstepsoutoft
hehouse
wit
hhermot
herpeacef
ull
ysleepi
ng.
"Shane,whatbri
ngsyouher e?
"She'sleani
ng
againstt
hecarwithherhandscr ossedagai
nsther
chest.I
rri
tat
ioni
swrit
tenalloverherface.
"
Isthatthewayt
ogreetyourdaddy?"Heasks
r
evealinghi
syel
lowt
eeth."
GetinthecarIhavea
j
obf oryou.
"
"
Ican'
tleavemysi
ckmot
her
."
"
Howi sthatanyofmybusiness?Iwantyou
wheneverIfeell
ikehavi
ngyou.Nowgetint
he
f
uckencarbef or
eIgetyouinbyfor
ce.
"
"ShaneI
'
m pr
egnant.Idon'
tneedst
ressi
nmylif
e.
Youarewaytoroughwithmeandithurt
sput
ti
ng
mybabyindanger.
"
She'
snotgoi
ngt
olett
hisol
dfooldoashepl
eases
wit
hher.
Shanel
ooksatherf
orabi
tandsmi
les."
Okay,
I
havesomethinggoodforyou.
"Hehandsheragif
t
bag.Shegladlyt
akesi
twithnosmil
eonherface.
"What'
sthi
s?"
Shepeepsthroughandseesaphone.Really?Just
amer ephone?Justamerefuckenphone!Shecan't
bel
ievethi
s.
"AphoneShane,l
ikereal
ly?Whenyouseemeyou
seeathi
ngthatwillbuyaphonefor
?I'
m It
hat
wort
h?"
"Trustmeyouar
e.Nowgeti
nthecar
.Idon'
thave
allday.
"
Shehasnotchoi cesheneedst hemoneyf orherto
survi
ve.Shewillbar
et hatpai
nuntilhermotheris
ful
lyheal
ed.Thepainofbei ngtol
dyouar enot
worthitr
ighti
nyourf ace!

Shehopsi
nthecarandl
eansbackt
hinki
ngf
ort
he
worst
.
Heparksthecarintheparki
nglotout
sideaBnB.
Theybothstepoutofthecarandshefoll
owshim
behi
nd.
Theypastbyt
her
ecept
ioni
star
ea…
"Takeoffyourcl ot
hes.
"Hei
salreadynakedi nbed
waiti
ngf orher.Herski
nmakesherbodyt ohave
someant icr
awlsonherski
n.Sheshiver
sl ooki
ngat
hiswrinkledskin.
Shesaysali
tt
leprayerwit
hinher
sel
fandget
son
topoft
hebedbeingont op.
_
___
___
___
___
___

Hei sdrivi
ngherbackhomesat i
sfi
ed,butwi
thher
she'sfeeli
ngalotofdiscomfort.Shefelti
twhenhe
wasdr ibbli
ngherwithoutcare.Shebeggedhimt o
stopcount l
essti
mes.Di dhest op?No!Hekeepon
goingonandonunt ilsheal
mostpassedout .She
feel
scheap, shehatesherselfthatshehastosell
herbodyt ohavewhatshewant s.Shehatsi
tthat
sheisint hi
spositi
onbecauseofhermot her
.
Shelooksoutoft
hewindowandsi ghspai
nful
ly.
Ever
ythingi
nherhur
ts,shef
eltherabdomenbeing
r
eapedapar
t.Sheswear
sshef
eltt
ear
ingup.
"Wipethoset
ear
sandgi
vemeaki ss."Hermind
comesback.Shedi
dn'
tevennot
icethatshehas
arr
ived.
"I
'
mt i
red,
Ijustwantt ogor est
."Shetell
shim.He
l
ockst hecarandt urnstolookather.Whathasshe
gottenherselfi
nto.Whydi dsheallowher sel
ftobe
i
nt hisposit
ion!Beinginthi
sposi t
ionfora
pensioner!
"
Iwon'
tbegyou.
"
"Idi
dn'taskyout
o."Att
hispoi
nt,
shedoesn'
tcar
e
anylonger.
"
Okay,
"Shaneunl
ockst
hedoor
s."
Getout
."
Shegladl
ystepsoutofthecar.Shanegr absthe
phonethatasinagif
tbagatthebackseatand
thr
owsitoutsi
dethewindow.Hedr ivesoffleavi
ng
herst
andingther
estunned.Shepi cksthegi f
tbag
upandwal kstot
hehouseclosingthegat ebehind.

Shef
indshermot
hersi
tt
ing.Wasshegonef
ort
oo
l
ong?Shel
efthersl
eepi
ng.
"Wher
ehaveyoubeen?"Hermotherasksl
ooki
ngat
heri
ntensel
yfr
om headt
otoes.
"
Out
,"shesl
owl
ysi
tsdownf
li
nchi
ng.
Hemot
herlooksatherwi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d."
Hel
p
metot
hetoil
et.
"
Notwhenshewasjustr
est
ingherusedsor
ebody!
Shest
andsuptofet
cha5litr
ebucket.
"
Uset
his,
I'
mtoot
ir
edt
ohel
pyout
othet
oil
et.
"
Shehel
pshermot
herkneel
,pl
aci
ngthebucketi
n-
bet
weenherl
egsanddoesherbusi
ness.
Sheneverimaginedthatonedayshewi l
lseeher
mother
'spopinabucket .Wipehermot her'
sarse,
seewhereshepul l
edoutof.Allofthi
sisjusttoo
weir
dandembar r
assingforher.Tokeephermi nd
busyshewillj
ustgomakepor r
idgeforher.That
chi
ckenstewcangot owasteforallshecares.
"Youneedtodr i
nkthatpor
ri
dgesoyoucouldgai
n
yourst
rength.Youheardwhatthedoct
orsai
d.Eat
heal
thythendrinkyourmedicat
ion.
"
"
Okay,
"shedoesn'
tdi
sput
eanyt
hing.
Atleastshe'sabletodot hosel i
tt
lethi
ngsl i
ke
feedingher self
.Eventhoughi talmosttakesupt o2
hour st of
inishwhatshest art
ed.Sheisl ookingat
herdr inki
ngt heporr
idgewi t
hsomuchdi sguston
herf ace.
"I
tdoesn'
thavesugar.
"Shespi
tsi
tout
."I
'
mfai
li
ng
todri
nkit
.Itwoul
dhavebeenbett
eri
f
kungamahewutotal
ly.
"
"I
'
llgof
etcht
hosei nt
hefri
dge."Shesaysstanding
up.Nowtheporri
dgewil
lgotowast e!"Her
e,"she
handshermotherwhatsheprefer
red."

Sisi
phodecidedt
otakeaqui cknaponthecouch.
Herbodyisexhausted.She'
sdeepinsl
eepwhen
shesuddenlysmell
saf unkyburni
ngsmell
.She
fl
unghereyesopenandsmokedhasf i
ll
edthe
wholehouse.
"Shit
!"Shewakesupandmi stakenl
yt r
ipslandi
ng
onthef l
oorpainf
ull
y."
Ouch!"Shestandsupgoi ng
tothekitchenandthewhol
epoti sblack.She
disconnect st
hest ove,
looksforanewspaperint
he
drawer s.Noneshecanf i
nd-sheusesthe
dishwashi ngclottoremovethepotonthestove
throwingitoutside.
"I
shu."Sheburntherf
inger
.Sheopensthewi ndows
widel
yandt hedoorsandsighsput
tingherhands
onherwaist.Notnoti
cingt
hatsheinhal
esalotof
smokeshebegi nstocoughuncont
roll
ablyholdi
ng
herchest.
Hereyesburnwit
htear
sasshelooksathermother
l
ayingonhermattr
esswit
hhermouthhalfopen
andhereyessl
ight
lycl
osed.
"Mah,
"sheshakesherabi
tandput
shert
wof
inger
s
onherneck.Thepul
seist
here.
Shedragsherbyherupperbodytowar
dst
hedoor
.
Herbackisalr
eadyki
ll
ingher-t
hiswomanis
ext
remelyheavy!
Final
ly,
shemanagestobeout si
dewit
hher.Some
sunli
ghtwi
lldo.Thesunshinesbri
ght
lyonherf
ace
makinghertogaspsforai
r.
"
Mah,
"hermot
hercoughsst
il
lgaspi
ngf
orai
r.She
runst
ot hehouseandt
hesmokehasdieddown.
Shegrabsaglassandfi
ll
sitwi
thwat
er.Shehel
ps
hermotherdri
nk.
"
Whathappened?
"Sheasks.
"
Idon'
tknow.Iwascookingandsomethi
ngpulled
metoasleep.Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowwhathappened."
She'salsoconfused.Howdoesonewat
chTVand
thensleepcloudsover.
"Yo…youneedtobecareful
."She'
srunni
ngoutof
breat
h.Shelooksathermotherasshesighed.
Theysi
tout
sidet
hehousewai
ti
ngf
ort
hesmoket
o
di
edown.

ATTHESTATI
ON

"Zul
u,unfortunat
elythecasehasbeencl osed.
Thereisnothingtangiblethatcanhel
pusar r
est
them.Wor stpastyoul osttheevi
dencet
hatyou
wereprovi
ded.Wearet
iredofusi
ngthe
gover
nmentresour
cesfordeadends.Youneedt
o
l
etthi
sgo."
SargentPortsayscl
osingt
hef i
le.Hestandsup
grabbi
ngthef i
leontopoft
het ableandwal ksout
l
eavingZulufuminginanger.Sbahlesmilesshyly
withherheartdanci
ngontheinside.Zuluturnsto
faceSbahlewhowasbusyonacaseshe' swor ki
ng
on.
"
Thi
sisnotover
."Hehi
ssessi
tt
ingdown.
"YesGod,"shelaughsclappi ngherhands."it
's
funnyhowyouar esoobsessedwi thpeoplewho
aremakingt hei
rli
vesbetter.Itoldyouthisonce
ConstableZuluthat,
leavethiscaseal onebecause
youwi l
lalwaysreachadeadend. "Shecont i
nuest
o
l
augh.Zul uwalksoutoftheof ficetomakeaphone
call
.
"
Doyoust
il
lhavecopi
esoft
hehar
ddr
iveyougave
me?
"Heasks.
"
Idi
dn'
tmakeanycopi
es.
"
"
Dammi
t!Youar
eusel
essmaan.
!"Hedr
opst
hel
i
ne
andsi ghsinf r
ustrati
on.Hewasthi
scloseint
o
naili
ngt hem.Butever yti
mewhenhei saheadof
them wi ththeevidencesomethi
ngalwayscomeup.
It'
seithertheevidenceisstol
enor…
"Dammi t
!"Hekickstheti
resandcl
ickshist ounge.
Nowt hathehasr eachedadeadendhedoesn' t
knowwher etoevenbegi nt
olookfor'
that'evidence
thatt
heSar gentwants.Hecal
mshi mselfdown
befor
ewal ki
ngback.
Sbahleisnotherworkst
ati
on.Hesearchesthrough
thepoli
cewoment ryi
ngtol
ocateherbutshe'snot
aroundthem.Maybeshewentoutorsomet hing.
Hel
ooksatherdeskwi
tht
hef
il
esscat
ter
edonher
t
abl
eandsmiles.
Hewilldef
ini
tel
yjeopar
diseher
.Hepul
lsoneoft
he
casessheisworkingon.
Her eadsthr
ough,rapeishi
ghandi t
'ssomething
thattheydealwi
thonadai l
ybasis.Anoldman
rapinga9yearold.Hesmi l
esashewal ksoutwi t
h
someoft hepapersinhishands.Withthemissing
i
nf ormati
onheknowst hatt
hecasewon' tcont
inue
andshewi
llbesuspendedunti
lfur
thernot
ice.That
ti
me,hewi
llhaveallt
hetimet
owor kandgather
i
nfor
mati
onoft hatKhozaman.
Hebumpsi ntoherandhesmi l
esdevil
ishlyand
walkspasther .Sheshakesherheadandgoest o
herstati
onfindingthepapersscat
teredont het
abl
e.
Shepicksupapar ti
cul
arfi
leandnoticesthat
somet hi
ngismi ssi
ng.Herheartpoundsandshe
l
ooked-t heimpor t
anti
nformati
onmi ssing.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hesmi
lesl
ooki
ngatt
hepl
oti
nsat
isf
act
ion.
"
Fenci
ngt
hispi
ecewi
lldo.
"Hepr
oudl
ysays.
"Iwasabouttosayt
hat.ThenIwil
lgetmyboysto
dothat.I
nthemeantti
meyour eadthr
oughthe
contr
actandtel
lmewhatyout hi
nkabouti
t.
"
TheownerhandsSt
hembi
sot
hedocument
s.
Him andKhozareadt
hroughunder
standi
ngeach
andeveryword.
"Theonl
ythingt
hati
slefti
sforyoutosign.Wil
lit
beunderyournameorhers?"Khozaaskslooki
ngat
Sthembi
soandawaitsforaresponse.
"Wil
litbeagoodi
deai
fIputmyki
dsnames?
"He
asks.
"Yesyoucan.Youj
ustprovidemewi t
ht hei
r
certi
fi
edcopi
esoft
heirbi
rthcert
if
icat
e."Theman
responds.
Theplaceisbeautif
ulandadmi r
able.SureNdoni
wil
lloveitmorethanhim,thatheissureabout.He
smil
esf eel
ingsati
sfi
ed.Thisi
showheenvi si
oned
hi
slifewiththewomant hatoweshi sheart
.
_
___
___
___
_
"
Howf arinregi
ster
ingyoursecuri
tycompany?
"
Khozal eansbackcrossi
nghislegsandsipsonhi
s
whiskey.
"Longdonewitht
hat
,Ir
egi
ster
edi
tbef
oreIeven
peachedfori
t.
"
"I
'
m proudofyou.Thewayyouaresotalkat
iveI
didn'
tthi
nkt
hatyouwouldpul
lthatt
hrough.
"Khoza
admi
ts.
"Ihaveki
dstothi
nkof
.Myfamil
yismymain
prior
it
yri
ghtnow,soI
'
m doi
ngallt
hisf
ort
hem.
"
Indeedheis.
Whatevercri
mehecommitt
ed,i
twascommi tt
edfor
hi
sfamily.Hewoul
dn'
twanttodependonhis
motherbuthehadt
omanupandt aker
esponsi
bil
it
y.
"
AboutLi
ndi
we…"
"Don'tevengothere,pl
ease.
"Helooksathi
m bef
ore
standingup.I
'm goingtomakefooddoyouwant
some? "
"Owhellno!Lastt
imeyoumademeeatchar
coal
."
Tazz.
Theyl
augh."
Rat
heror
deri
nndoda.
"Tazzsuggest
s.
"Okay,I
'
llorderi
nbutjustsoyouknowI'
m not
paying.
"Sthembisobeingcockyl
ooki
ngattheguys.
"Ican'
tusemymoneyei
ther
."Khozawon'
tback
downf r
om t
his.
"Yout
wol ookli
kehi
ghschoolki
ds.Nxl
a.I
'
llor
der
."
Tazzsavestheday.
_
___
___
___
__
Heisl ookingathi slaptopnottoosureift
he
quotationi scorr
ect.Hedoesn'twantt ospend
moneyr ecklessl
y.Hel ooksathisaccountand
smiles.900Kl ef
tinpersonalhi
saccount ,neverhas
heevert houghtt hatinhiswil
destdream hewi l
lbe,
nohewi llhavethishugeamountofmoneyi nhis
account .Looksl i
kethebusinesswillbebringi
ngin
moremoney.
Hecl
oseshi
slapt
opandi
mmedi
atel
yhi
seyesget
t
ear
y.
Hehasthewomanhel
ovesbesi
deshi
m.Hi
sfami
ly
i
sperf
ectforhi
m.
Hedeci
dest
ocal
lhi
smot
herandcheckupt
heki
ds.
"Theki
dsaredoi
ngverywell.I
t'
sjustNdimugivi
ng
meahar dt
ime.Thatchi
ldIswearI'
lldi
ebecauseof
BP."
Shewant
edt
heki
dsandnowshe'
scompl
aini
ng.
"
Haima,di
dn'
tyousayyouwant
edt
heki
ds?
"Hi
s
l
aughi
ng.
"AndI'
m happywit
hthem makingmeangr y,di
rt
ying
myhouse.Hekill
edmykitchenlastweek."She
sighsmakingSt
hembisotolaughoutloud.
"
Ayma,that
'si
mpossibl
e.Haucanmybabyboyki
ll
awhi
lechi
cken.Chi
ckencanfl
ymoss.
"
"
Haveyoueverseenaf
lyi
ngchi
cken?
"
"Wel
l,
notf
lyi
ngint
erl
ayma,butt
heyf
lyabi
t"he
addsmaki
nghismothert
ochuck.
"Hesatontopofitandjustli
kethatmychicken
died.Andwhatupsetsmei sthatyourf
atheri
s
cheeri
ngforhi
m."
Theyspeaksomemoreli
steni
ngt
ohi
smot
her
complai
ningnonst
op.
Heknowshowhi ssonis,Ndimui stheedevi
lone
cannotst
and.Theyconcl
udet hecallbyassur
ing
himthathewil
lbeseei
ngt hem soon.
Intwoweekt i
mei t
'sOnyi
ye'
sbirt
hdayandhei ssti
ll
verymuchcluelessonhowtogoaboutmaki ngit
speci
al.Butwhatheknowsis,shewil
lbejoyfulf
or
whatevershegets.
[
08/
18,
03:
39] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER28

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

It’
sver ydi f
ficult.Thewar d-room i sverynoisyand
shehasa“ mai nline”withadr i
pi nonear m, st i
cker
s
andwi r
esal loverherchestl eadingtoahear t
moni tor,shehasapul sethingonherf ingerofher
freehandandshei snakedunderaski mpygown
that’swayt ooshor t
.Also,thenur sesandt echsar e
const antl
ywaki ngherf orthings.Get t
ingoutofbed
andwal kingt othebat hroom atni ght,wit
hal lthat
gearonheranddr aggi
ngt hatdr ipstand, i
si rksome.
Shecannotwai ttobeoutofher e.It'
smi dnightand
alreadyshe' sr unningoutofsl eep.
Notsost eri
learetheotherpatient
sont hebusl i
ke
her.Nurse,nurseIneedt hisandthat.Thatconstant
moani ng,dayandnoct urne.Creat
esstress,so
possiblyi
mpedi ngaper sonalfeel
ingofwellness.
It
'sir
rit
ati
nghert hatshehasn'tful
lyhealed,the
const
antachi
ngpai
ns…
She'
sbeentossi
ngandt urni
ngallni
ght
.Thi
sis
whatshehatesabouthospit
als!
Sheglancesattheatthewat
chandsi
ghscounti
ng
thehours.Justhour
sawayshewil
lbeoutofher
e.
Lookatthedoct
orbeingdramat
icinshovi
ngher
wit
hdripsandunnecessar
yheartbeat
s.
Maybewat
chi
ngherki
dsvi
deoswi
lldo.
Thedoorswi
ft
lyopens,
Shecannothavepeacei
nthi
swar
d.
Thenur
sestandsbesi
dest
hebedl
ookingatt
he
hear
tmoni
toranddocument
ssomethi
ngdown.
"
Ineedt
otaket
heseof
f,yourhear
trat
eisf
ine.
"
"
Okay,
"
Shel
ooksatt
hem bei
ngr
emoved.
"
Am Ist
il
lbei
ngdi
schar
gedt
omor
row?
"
Thenur
sesmil
es,"ofcour
seyouar
eNana.Youar
e
goodasahor
se."
Shesmilesandcont
inuest
owat
chvi
deosi
nher
phone.
_
___
___
__
She'
sreadywai ti
ngforSt
hembisotocomepickher
upashepr omised.Shehasbatheandreadyfor
hi
m.It'
sbarely7:00am andal
readyshewishesto
beoutofthisplace.
She'
simpat
ient
!
Fi
nall
y!Sheseeshi
m appr
oachi
ng.Thedoori
swi
de
open.Shest
andsupreadytol
eave.
"
Babe,
"hef
rownsl
ooki
ngather
.
"Asambeni,
"shesl
owl
ywal
ksupt
ohi
m andpul
ls
him byhand.
"
Shedoesn'
twanttobeher eanyl
onger
."Thedoct
or
l
aughsandfi
xhisglasses.
"Icanseethat.Di
dtheydoanyt
hingtoyou?
Becauseiftheydi
dIswearIwil
lchokeslam…"
"
Ijustwantt
obehomeandsl
eeponmybed.
"
Shesays.Het
akesherbagandf
oll
owsherout
.
"Li
ndaindodaphel
a."Hehur
ri
esbehi
ndandhol
ds
herhand.
_
___
___
___
"
Welcomehomesthandwasamingedwa."Heopens
t
hedoorf
orherl
ett
ingheri
nthehouse.
Homei safeelingofbelonging,wheret
hehear t
feel
scomfortablewithalli
tssurroundi
ngs.Toherit
doesnotnecessar i
l
yhavet obebi r
thpl
ace.Iti
s
whereshefeelssecureandapl aceshealways
wanttogobackt oorst
ayf orlongperi
odswi t
hout
everbei
ngbor ed.
Thephr
ase"f
eelathome"i
sani
diom,
somet
hing
shei
snotusedto.
"Thankyou,"shesmilessteppingin.Thesmellshe
missedandt hewarmt hofit."
Didyoucook? "She
askssitt
ingdown.SheknowsCl earythathermanis
amur deressintheki
tchen.What everhetouches
getsdestroyed,
burnttoashesanddustt odust .
"Er
m,"helooksaroundthehouseandfiddl
ewi
tht
he
carkeys."
Yourfr
iendcookedforyou.
"
Heisnotl
ooki
ngdir
ectl
yatherandthatalonehas
hermindr
oamingwit
halotofquest
ions.
"
Ow,
so…wher
eisshe?
"
"I
'
llgodishupforyoumylove.
"Hethrowsherbag
i
nt hecouchandrushest
othekit
chen.Onyiye
stoodthereandl
ookedathi
m ashedisappeared
outofsight.
Shesi
ghssi
tt
ingdownandaskshersel
fquesti
ons.
WhatwasLi
ndiwedoi
ngher
ewi t
houtherbeing
her
e?
Hercookingforherdoesn'taddup.Maybesheis
j
ustbeingparanoid.Thi
sisherbestfri
end,
afri
end
t
hatwouldn'tstabherintheback,r
ight
?
Apl at
efi
ledwithatoweroffood."
Ireall
yneedto
teachyouhowt omakef oodSthembiso.Whatwil
lI
dowi t
hintabayaseDubai?
"
"
Ithoughtt
hat
,maybeyoumustbehungr
y."
"Wouldyoumakebreakfastf
ormeatl
east
.It
's
morningdude.
"Shepushesthepl
ateasi
de
suddenl
ylossofappet
it
e.Henoti
ces…
"
Areyouokay?
"
"
I'
mjustt
ir
ed.CanIgot
akeashowerandsl
eep?
"
"
It
'syourhousemadam.
"Hekisseshercheekand
t
akestheplat
ebacktot
heki
tchen.

Stri
ppingnakedinherinsui
tbat
hroom.Shelooksat
thebandagesonherbody.Sheal mostl
ostherli
fe
thatday.Ifshedi
dn'
tjumpoutthatmovingcatshe
doesn'tknowwhatcouldhavegonedown.
Thebat
hroom doorhar
shl
yshut
s.Shej
umpsi
nfear
andscr
eamsabi t.
"I
'
m sor
rytoscar
eyou.I
t'
sonl
yme.
"Het
akesst
eps
cl
osetoher.
"
Ithought
…"Shel
ooksar
ound.
"Nothi
ngisevergoi
ngtohappent oyou.Yousee
thi
shouse,Ihavesecureditenough.Sonoonewil
l
eventryanddaretodoublecrossme."Shenodsher
headthoughtf
ull
y.
"
HowdidyouknowIwaski
dnapped?
"Shenever
r
eal
lyhadt
heti
metoaskshi
m.Andbesides,
forher
tohealshehast
otal
kabouttheevent
ssoshecan
moveon.That'
showshedealtwit
hthepai
nint
he
pastandguess,
whati
tworkedforher
.
"Thespeedt hattheyweredr i
vinginhadus
wonderingwher etheyareofftot hatl
ate.Gett
ingt
o
thehousewef oundglassesallovertheplace.
Khozalookedatt hemar ktyresont hegroundand
memor izeditwiththatcaryouwer einand
everyt
hingclickedtohim.That '
showhi ssixt
h
sensewor ked."
"Idon'
tknowwhatmyki
dswouldhavebeenwi
thout
me.Idon'twantt
odi
eandl
eaveyoukidsso
young."
"AslongasIam al i
vethatwil
lneverhappent
oyou.
Stopstressi
ngyourself
,I'
m neverl
etti
ngyououtof
mysi ghteveragai
n.”Apromisethathasher
smil
ing.Sheput shersuspici
onsaside.

Aft
ershoweri
ngshedecidedtot
akeali
tt
lenap.
Howshemi ssedt
his.Herki
ngsi
zebed.
She'
swar
m andver
ymuchcomf
ort
abl
ebutunabl
e
t
ofal
lasl
eep.Maybebr
owsi
ngt
hroughsoci
al
medi
awil
ldo.
Shelogi
nsinonherFacebook,nothi
ngint
erest
ing,
asusualj
ustpeopl
eandtheirexpensi
veli
fest
yle.
Shechecksheremai l
sandnot i
cesshehadan
emailfr
om theschool
.Sher eadst hr
oughand
smil
esabit.Atl
eastit
'ssomet hingposi
ti
veandshe
i
swilli
ngtomakeherl if
eforthebet t
er.
St
hembi
sowal
ksi
nwi
thhi
shandsf
ull
.
"Ibroughtyouyoghur
t.Iknowhowmuchyoul
ove
strawberr
ies.
"
Agirl
canneversaynotosweet
ness.Shel
ocksher
phoneandsmil
essit
ti
ngup.
"
Thanks,
"
"Iwantustotal
kaboutsomethi
ng.
"Soundserious.
Hesitsnextt
oherandholdsherhand.Herheart
poundsandsheawaitsforwhat
evershewil
lbe
tol
d…

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE
She'
sallbored,Sizwei snotaroundcampust oday.
Noonet otalkto.It
'sjustherandherbooks.She
spotsMpil
of rom afarashemadehi sdirect
ion
towardsher.Shecal mlytakesoutherphonefrom
herbagandputherheadset son.
Hesitsnexttoher,toocloset
oherthatthei
rar
ms
wererubbi
ngagai nsteachother
.Shesighsand
conti
nuestolist
entomusi c.Mpil
otakesthe
headset
sof fherears…
"I
'
vebeental
kingtoyou.
"Heseet
hshi
steet
hand
suckshi
slowerli
p.
"
Idi
dn'
thearyou.
"
"
Ushar
p?"Heasksshi
ft
inghi
sgazeawayf
rom her
.
"I
'
m good.
"Shej
ustwant
sthi
sconver
sat
iont
obe
over
.Wherei
sSi
zwewhensheneedshimthemost
.
"Ai
n'tyougoi
ngt
oaskmehowam Idoi
ng?
"He
smil
es.
"Howar
eyouMpi
lo?
"Sheasksst
il
lnotl
ooki
ngat
him.
"Nowt hatmyeyesar eseeingwhatIl ove,
I'
m good."
Hest andsup,"
tellt
hatmanofyour syouar emine."
Hewi nksatherandwal ksawayl eavinghermout h
halfopen.Shetakestimelookingathi swellbui
lt
body.Amanwhoi sgif
teddownt here.Thenshe
remember swhyitdidn'tworkout.It
'snotthefir
st
ti
mepeopl ecomei nandoutofherl ifeasthey
please.
She'ssti
llsur
pri
sethatSi
zweisst
il
lst
uckwithher
forthi
slong.Shemaybethoughtt
hatherbei
nga
plussizewasapr obl
em.
Haveyoueverwonder edwhyi t
'ssomuchhar derto
starttalki
ngtoanexaf t
erabr eakupt hananyot her
relat
ionshipthatyou'
vedeci dedt oend?I st alking
evenpossi bl
e?Shekeptt ell
ingherselfthere'sa
reasoni ti
soverandt hatshe' shappywi t
ht he
decision.Yet,emoti
onsf loodhermi ndatt hever y
thoughtofcont act
ingherex.Thet ruthis,the
relat
ionshipchangedt hemi nutethati tended.Yesi t
ended, atsomedaysshef i
ndsher selfwant ingt o
givehi m acallsobadjustt ohearhi svoice.
Shest
andsupandheadst
owar
dst
hebusst
op.
Looksli
keSizwewon'
tbecomingal
ongtoday,
atl
eastheshoul
dhavesentat
extorsomethi
ng.
Whyisshesuddenl
yfeel
ingemotional
?Shegoing
hometocryhersor
rowsandt hef
lashbacksofan
exshet
houghtshehasburied!

She'shomewi t
hhermi ndwander ing, andthena
certai
nt houghtcomesi ntoherhead, shefinds
herselfgrabbingt hephonet ot ellherexabouti t
beforesher ealizethattheyar enol ongertogether.
Thinkingofherexandgr abbingt hephonei s
nothingmor ethanahabi t.Ithappenedacoupl eof
ti
mesandf ort hatcoupleoft imesshedoesn' tknow
howmanyt imeshehasst oppedher selffr
om doing
i
t.However , sheisnowatacr ossroadsofher
thi
nking.Doessher eal
lyneedt otalkt oherex?Or
woul dmaki ngt hecallorsendi ngt het extj
ustbean
excuset ore-establi
shcont act?
No,
she'
snotdoi
ngt
hatt
oher
sel
f.
"OwGod!"Shet
hrowsher
sel
fonherbed.She'
sti
red
ofpaci
ngupanddownwithhermi
ndfloodi
ngwith
unseent
houghts.ThedoorcracksopenandSi
zwe
comesinhol
dingaboxofpi zza.
"
Hai
,I'
mreall
ysorr
y."Hepl
acet
heboxont
opoft
he
t
abl
e.Shegetsof
fthebedandr
ushest
owar
dshi
m
f
orati
ghthug.
"
Areyouokay?
"Hei
sconcer
ned.
"No,justhol
dmepleaseanddon'
tletgo.
"Hershaky
voicehashim smi
li
ng.
"
SoifI'
m notaroundt
hisi
showI'
m bei
ngmissed?
"
Hebrushesherbackmaki
nghert
osmile.
"Ij
ustmi
ssedyou.Mydaywasmi
ser
abl
ewi
thout
you."
I
ndeedshedi
dmisshim butshemissedhim even
moreaf
terMpi
lohasbeecrowdinghermind.
"
IshouldbeAWOLfrequent
lysothatIwil
lbe
missedthi
smuch.
"Hepullsbackfr
om theembr
ace.
"Don'tbesil
ly,
thatmeansIwouldn'
tsur
vive.
"She
sighs."Wherehaveyoubeenallday?
"
"Youknowyourmot her.Onceshehasmei
nher
cornershedoesn'
tletmego."
"Thi
swomanwillbet
hedeat
hofmest ruenasi
bheka.Mymot
herin-
law,
Iwi
lldealwi
thher.
”
Theybot
hlaughbuthi
sfacegoest
enses.
"
Weneedt
otal
k."
Hepul
lshert
owar
dst
hebed.
"
Soundser
ious.
"Herhear
tpounds.
"What'
shappeni
ngbetweenyouandSt hembi so,
Gif
t'
sboyfr
iend?
"Hepreferscall
ingherbyher
Engli
shver
sionname.Hetriedwi t
hherori
ginal
namebutdamnhi shar
d-coretoungedidn'
tslipat
all
.
Shel
aughsshaki
ngherheadsti
lll
aughi
ng."
Itt
ook
youl
ongtoaskme."Shesayspull
inghi
schi
n.
"Whatdoest hatsupposetomean?Thewayyou
havebeencl ose,meeti
nginhot
elroomsdoesn'
t
sti
llwellwi
thme.It r
ustyoubutIdon'
ttr
ustany
man. "
"Sthembisoi
splanningasurpri
sebi
rt
hdaypar
tyf
or
herwhichishappeningint
woweekt i
me.He
recentl
yboughtalandforherandnowhewantst
o
takehertoCapeTownf oraweekendaway.Iwoul d
neverdothattomysister.I
'm soexi
tedIf
eell
ikeit
's
megoi ngonvacati
on.Afterthetr
aumashehad
growingupthisi
sexactlywhatsheneedsfrom her
man."Shepokeshischestmaki nghimtosmil
eand
sighi
nr el
ief
.
"Iwouldneverdothatt
othepeopleIloveli
kethat.I
wouldneverinmywi l
destdr
eam thinkofhurti
ng
you.I'
m mayf l
opyesbutIwillneveri
ntent
ionall
y
hurtyou.
"
"I
'
mr el
ieved.Nott
hatIdidn'
ttr
ustyoubutyou
spendi
ngt i
mewi t
hanothermangivesmecr eeps.
Angif
uniukungasho.
"
"Sure,
unedramababe!Ay,
let
'seatpi
zzabef
orei
t
getscold.
"
_
___
___
___
___
___
She'
slayi
ngfl
atonherbackt
alki
ngt
ohermot
her
overt
hephone.
"Si
zwedidn'tt
ellmeanyt
hing.Isawhi
mtodaybut
hedidn'
tbreat
hawor d!
"
ShesideeyeSizwewhowassnoringfort
hewhole
neighbour
hoodtohear
.Shecan’
ttel
lhermother
thathermanisspendi
ngtheni
ghtatherpl
ace!
"
Youneedt ocomehomet hi
sweekend.Hesenta
l
ett
erandhesayshei sreadytomarryyou.
"Her
mothersoundsexci
ted.
"
I'
llt
alkt
oyout
omor
row,
"
Theyconcl
udethephonecal
landshel
ooksat
Si
zwepeaceful
lysl
eepi
ng.
"
Sizwe!"Sher
oughl
ywakeshim.Hegetsupr
eady
t
or unoutoft
hedoorandhi
ssensescomeback.
"Yi
nbabe?"Hissl
eepyvoi
cemakeshermelt
.Why
wil
lshebeangryathi
m whenheismelt
ingher
heartt
hisway.
"Di
dyousendal et
terathomeyouaski
ngf
ormy
handi
nmar r
iage?"
"Yes,
Idid.Canwesl eepwewi l
ltalki
nthemorni
ng.
Comesl eepnexttoyourman."Hepat sont
he
spacenexttohim.Shel aysnexttohi
m and
snuggleshersel
fnexttohim wit
hherbackfaci
ng
hi
m.Hepl aceshi
shandar
oundherwai
stand
ki
ssesherback.
"Goodnightsweethear
t.
"Witht
hatsai
dhesnores
again.Shesmilessqueezi
nghishandsl
ight
ly…

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

Whent
hatshi
tt
yal
arm goesof
f,
Shecursesthewhol
euniversewhi
lesnoozi
ngi
tof
f,
forj
ustthose5moreminutes.
..
Shegotacal lfrom Shanethatsheisurgent
ly
neededatwor k.Shet r
iedputt
ingupexcusesand
nonwer eheard.Shehadt orunaroundl i
kea
headlesschickent ol
ookforsomeonewhowi l
l
caterforhermot herwhil
eshe'satwork.
Inordertoprepar
eher sel
fforthedayshehast o
fl
ippinwakeupandshe' snothavi nganyofit
,"o
l
or dthisagai
nthi
ng”inherlife,shegroanscover
ing
herselfwit
htheblanketinmuchannoyance.The
alarm buzzagai
nandshei gnor esit
.
Exceptf
ort
hist
ime,I
tslongert
hanf
ivemi
nut
es.I
t
becomesfi
ft
eenminut
es.
Yeah, t
hr eesnoozessof arandshedoesn' tfucken
care!Sher emember shermot herbei ngheralarm-
whocomesandcheckuponher ,t
oask, "
Whatar e
yourpl ansf ortoday?”Ful lyknowingshe'sgoi ngto
wor k.Andt henshewi llscream.Shewoul d
nor mallycoverher selfinsidethatblanket
,and
tryi
ngt opr otectherselffrom allt
het hi
ngsthatar e
attacki
ngheroutt here, hermot herofcourse.“ Why
thehellar en’tyougettingoutoft hatdamnbed? ”
Al
lofcour
sei
nsar
cast
ict
ones,
Causenobodyi
ssaneat5am inthemor
ning.Not
evenadul
ts,
whohavebeendoingthi
ssi
nceages
now.NowwonderShanelooksli
keanol
dsack.
Shejustwishesshecouldspendherdayi
nbedand
for
getaboutherli
feabit.Sheenj
oysbei
nginbed
especi
all
ywhenshear en’tsi
ckandj
ustfi
ne.
Wel
lthat
’sacompl
etedi
ff
erentexper
ience.
St
art
ingf
rom wor
ldhat
etosel
f-
loathi
ngi
ntheend.
I
sshehati
ngontheworl
d?Ofcourseshei
s!No
womangoest
hroughwhatshegoest
hrough!
Shej
ustt
hrowst
hatst
upi
dal
arm away,
Andnolongercar
eforthatdamnj obort
hatdamn
l
ectur
ethatshewil
lbegetting.Shej
ustwant
sto
st
ayinherbedandjustsleep.
Shetri
estosleepagainbutfai
li
ng.Sheheart he
bir
dschir
pingbutshedoesn'tgetup.Shehear sthe
ti
nkli
ngfr
om t hebel
lofthemil
kmanout side,
st i
ll
,
shedoesn'
tgetup.Theher dboysarealreadyout
andaboutpushi ngDur
banandVi mbenitoonl ygod
knowswher e.Thesoci
etypeoplel
ivein,naming
cows!
_
___
___
___
__
Shehadnochoi cebutt
owakeupanddr aghert
ir
ed
bodytothisusel
esswork.Sheexhaust
edandevery
partofherbodyhurt
stothecore.
Shestepsinsideherworki
ngplaceandsi
ghsgoi
ng
toherlocker
.Owgr eat
!It
'soccupi
ed.
"
Whoi
susi
ngmyl
ocker
?"
Nogr
eet
ings,
shehasnot
imef
ort
hat
.Shej
ust
want
sthi
sdayt
obeoveral
ready.
Nooneanswer sandnowshef eel
sstupidtalki
ng
alone.Shelooksatherwristwat
chandshei sl
ate
by30mi nut
es.Sheplacesherhandbagont opof
thetableandgoestowher eherworkstat
ionwas.
_
___
___
___
__
Herdaywasn' tthatbad.I n-f
actitwasbetterthan
thepreviousday's.NoShanegoi ngdownhert hroat.
Noser vici
nganyoneandt hefactthathewon' tbe
avail
ableforthenextt woweeksmakesherl oveher
j
obevenmor e.Ther e'snothi
ngexci t
ingaboutit
honestly.Whoenj oysbeingacashi erwhost ands
forhoursandcount i
ngmoney.Smi letheysay, you
att
racti
ngcust omer s.Thatisalotofbull
shitforher!
She'
sstandingatt
herankwait
ingf
ort
hetaxibut
nonareavail
abl
e.I
t'
salmost7:
00pm -howshe
hat
eswalkingatni
ght.
Ar edTazzparksacr
osstheroad.Afi
necaramel
manst epsout
.Hehasabi ggi
estomachbutnot
thatbi
g,somethingt
hatsui
tshim.Sheadmits-she
hasat hi
ngformenwi t
humkhaba.Shefinds
her
sel
fwei
rd.
Helookssodamngood.Shesi
ghsrememberi
ng
t
hatnoonecouldeveraskapr
egnantwomanout
.
Heiswalki
ngt
owar
dsherdi
rect
ionandshekeeps
hercool
.
Hewal kspastherwi t
houtsayingawor doreven
acknowledgingherpresence,i
nfactt hismandi dn’
t
seeheratal l
.Shesighsdisappointedly.Whatwas
shet hi
nking?Nomanwi l
leverfallforasecond
hand.That '
showshe'sbeenhavi ngal owself-
esteem, j
ustbecauseofthepregnancy.
"
Sisicanyoumove!
"Saysanot
heri
nthel
ine.
"Mxm,"t
her
egoeshermoodbei
ngspoi
ledi
none
day!
[
08/
18,
03:
39] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER29

Themostmi
ser
abl
etwoweeksofherl
if
e!
Thehur
tfr
om yourl
ovedonenotevenhavi
ngt
he
t
imet
ospendwi
thyou.
Thesedayshehasbeengi vingheracoldshoulder
thatshecannotpresumetoevenbeginexplai
ningit
.
Fort woweeks,f
ortwobloodyweekshehasbeen
distantandcol
d.Shesighswipi
ngthetearsfr
om
fall
ing.
"I
'
m goingt
obuyaf
ewt
hingsi
ntown.
"Justl
iket
hat
heisgone.
Latel
yshe'sbeenhavi
nganurgetoleavehissorr
y
arsebutshewantstoknowonwhatgr oundsshe
l
eaveson.Shehast ohaveabackuppl anandknow
whenandhowt ol
eavehim.Shest
epsoutoft he
room t
omakeher sel
fsomecereal
.
Shecan'teatobviously!Shet ossesthebowlasi de.
Maybepacki ngherbel ongingsandl eavi
ngt hi
s
housewillbethebestopt ion.Shecannol ongerli
ve
l
ikethi
s.Thisisdef i
nit
elyemot i
onalabusefrom
whereshei sstanding.Shest ri
desbackt otheroom
andbeginst opackherst uff.Sthembisocomesi n
andstopsonhi strackslooki ngather.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Heaskst
aki
ngbabyst
eps
t
owar
dsher
.
"
I'mleaving,Ican'
tli
velikethisanylonger.Looks
l
ikeyouandLi ndi
weseem t obehavi ngitti
ght
t
hesedays.Shedoesn' tret
urnmycal l
s,youignor
e
melikeIdon' tmatt
er.Andit'sfineIhaveaccepted
t
hatyouwantt obewi t
hher .Idon'twanttobei nt
he
wayofyourhappi ness."Shel oadsthelastclot
hes
i
nherl uggage.
"Babe,don'tberidi
culous.
"Hebr
ief
lysmi
lesbuthi
s
smilesquicklyvanishes.
"Whati
sri
dicul
ousSthembiso?Mepacki
ngoryou
shaggi
ngt
heper sonIt
houghtwhowasmyf r
iend!
"
Shehalfscreamsandcalmsher
selfdown."
Thisis
j
ustpointl
ess.I
t'
smybirt
hdayandnotforonceyou
evenbotheredtowi
shmeone.Inst
eadyou…"She
si
tsonthebedandcr yherl
ungsout.
"
Ndoni
,
"
"
NoStheI'm donewit
hyourli
esandI'
m donewit
h
t
hisr
elat
ionship!
"Shecl
ickshert
ongueasanger
t
akesover.
"Youl eavemei nthemi ddl
eoft henight!Whenever
shecal lsyoujump!Ican'ttakethepai nanyl onger
.
Ther eissomeone, someoneoutt her
ef ormewho
willappreciat
eandl ovemewi thmyki ds."Shezi ps
herbagspl acingitonthefloorandr ol
lsittowards
thedoor .Shewal ksri
ghtpasthim buthegr absher
arm, shetri
esyanki ngi
toffbuthegr absherand
pullshertowar dsthebed.Het hrowsheront opof
thebedandget sont opofher.
"Whereareyougoing?"Heasks.Ati
nyslapl
ands
onhischeek,hesmileshol
dingherbot
hhands
placi
ngthem aboveherhead.
"
Sthembi
sogetof
fme!
"
Hekissesherbutsheholdsherl
ipsback.He
for
cefull
ysucksherupperl
ipandpantsmelt
ing
beneathhim.
Theykisseswit
hpassi
onbutSt
hembi
sopul
lsback
l
eavingherdryandhi
gh.
"Il
oveyouandI '
m sor
ryforbei
ngaj erk.Ipr
omise
nothingisgoingonbetweenSisterLindiweandme.
Iwillneverbetr
ayyouinthatmanner.Imaymake
mistakesinothert
hingsbutcheati
ngisnotoneof
them.Cheatingisnotmystylebabymama, I'
ve
waitedforyoufortoolongtorui
nwhatwehave.
TrustmewhenIsayIonl ygoteyesforyou.
"
"Thenwhyar eyoumeeti
ngherinsecr
et?
"Sheasks
sti
llbeneat
hhim.Hesighsl
ett
inggoofherhands.
"
Doyour
eal
lywantt
oknow?
"Heasks.
"
Iwoul
dn'
thaveaskedyoui
fIdi
dn'
twantt
oknow.
"
"Okay,there'
sadressI'm goi
ngt ogi
veyout hatI
wantyout owear.Iwillt
hent akeyouto,inf
actIwil
l
showyou.Nowgetr eadymunt uwami."Hekisses
heronel astti
meandget soffher.Heopenst he
wardrobeandcomesoutcar ryingapeachone
shoulderpeachbodycondr ess…
"Wheredidyoubuyt hi
sdress?"Sheremember s
whentheywer eatthemallwit
hLi ndi
we-sheonce
stat
edthatthi
sisthedressshewi shestowearon
herbir
thdaythengooutforbowlinglateron.
"
Atthemall
.Il
ookedatitandIj
ustoneknewi
twi
ll
f
ityou.
"Hesayssmil
ing.
Sher
eluct
ant
lyt
akest
hedr
ess.
Heiswatchi
ngherassheisgett
ingdr
essed.He
l
oveshoweveryt
hingi
sjustt
inyaboutt
hiswoman
butl
atel
yshehasbeengaini
ngsomewei ght
.
Shelooksst
unning,breat
htakingl
yhot!He
swall
owsadmi r
ingher–seemsl i
kebabymamais
becominghott
erbyt heday.Thedramahewent
thr
oughtofi
ndher .Andhedi dfi
nall
yfi
ndher
.
"Youl
ook…woah."heswear
srunni
ngoutofwords.
Hecan'tevendescr
ibet
hewaysshe'
slooki
ng.She
damnlookslikeabl
ackAmeri
can.
"
Likewhat
?"Sheasks.
"Ihavenowor
ds."Hest
ri
destowar
dsher.Hepul
ls
herint
oati
ghthugnotwant
ingtol
etgo.
"
Ican'
tbr
eat
he.
"Hervoi
cebar
elycomesout
.
"I
'm sor
ry.Nowshallwe? "Hehookshisarm ar
ound
hersandsmi l
es.Sheforgetsthatshewas
extr
emelymadear li
eron.Sheshyl ysmi
lesasshe
l
ookedather sel
finthemi r
ror
.
Hei
swear
ingbl
ackj
eanswi
thawhi
tet
-shi
rtanda
peachblazer
.Sthembisoandbl
azer
sar el
ikeZul
u
burger
s.Herblockhealsar
estr
apblack.
Theywalktowardst
hedinningroom area,heopens
thedoorf
orherandmakessur ethatherlocks
befor
esett
ingtheal
arm andthecamerason.
Hehelpsheri
nthecar
,cl
osesthedoor.Heput
shis
shadesonandwalkst
othedri
ver’
ssideandhops
i
n.Hisfadei
sneatl
ycombedandtrimmed.
"WhenwecomebackIwantyout
ounpackyourbag
sisi
."
"Mxm,"shel
ooksoutsi
dethewi ndowwonder i
ng
whereisshebei
ngtakento.Shesighsholdi
ngonto
herphoneanddeci
destostareatherscreensaver
.
Looki
ngatwekidsalwayslefthersmil
ing.

*
**

Heparksi
nfrontoft
hehotelwherehemetwith
Li
ndiwecoupleofti
mes.ShelooksataEver
est
For
d-darkblueincolour
.It
'swrappedwi
thared
ri
bbon.Shesmi l
esadmi
ri
ngherfavour
it
ecarofal
l
ti
mes.Oneday-oneabsolutel
ybl
esseddayshewil
l
buyhersel
fthatcar
.AwholeEver
estFord!
"Whyareyoulooki
ngatt
hatcarl
iket
hat
?"Heasks
par
kingnextt
oit.
"Thi
si smyf avourit
ecar.AcarIpromisedmysel fto
buyonceIgetoutofpover t
y."Sheemotionall
y
smiles.Shest epsoutofthecarandtakest i
met o
admi r
ethecari nfr
ontofhereyes.Looki
ngati tfr
om
acloser angemadeherhear tpumpwi thsadness.
"Whyar eweher eagai
n?"Sheasksandt urnsto
faceSthembi sowhohadhi shandsbur i
edi nhis
pocket.
"Come, I'
l
lshowyou. "Hereachesoutf
orherhand
andhel eadsherin.Shenot i
cesamanf r
om a
distancetaki
ngpicturesofthem.Shepausesf
ora
mi nuteandpull
sSthembi so'
shand.
"Someonei
staki
ngpict
uresofus.
"Sheaf
rai
dly
saysandhi
desbehi
ndhim.
Hedoesn'
trespondbuttakesouthi
sphoneand
sendsaqui
ckt ext
.Tazzcomesfrom behi
ndt
he
hot
el…
"
Wher
e,"
"
Ther
e."Sthembisopoi
ntsoutandTazzhur
ri
es
t
owardsthatdi
recti
on.
"
Who'
sthat
?"Hervoi
cei
ssof
tandyetscar
ed.
"
Wewi
llf
indoutbabe.Let
'sgoi
n."
Sheholdsont
ohim ver
ytight
ly."
I'
m her
eNdoni
,I
'm
notgoi
nganywher
e."Helaughs.
"
Whyi
sitsodar
k?"
"Babeyouhavetomanyquest i
ons.YouaskedwhyI
alwaysmeetupwithyourfr
iendLindi
weandthisis
thereasonwhy.
"Heletsgoofherhandbutshe's
holdi
ngnotwanti
ngtoletgo.
Het
urnsont
hel
ight
s…

"
SURPRI
SE!
!!
"

Shest
andst
her
efr
ozen.St
hembi
sol
et'
sgoofher
handandstepsasi
del
ooki
ngatt
heemot
ions
pl
ayingwi
thher.
"
Happybi
rt
hdayt
oyou
Happybi
rt
hdayt
oyou,
Happybi
rt
hdayt
oNdoni
,happybi
rt
hdayt
oyou!
!"
"Woahh,"t
heyclaphandsandcheerupf orthestil
l
fr
ozenOnyiye.Sheturnst olookatSt hembi sowho
washoldinghisphonedoi ngal i
vevideoon
Facebook.Ndimuphiwescr eamswi gglinghi mself
fr
om hisgrandpaandr unstowar dshismot her.
Ngimuphiwecrawlscryingseeinghi smot her
'sface.
Shepicksherbabiesupl ookingallemot ionalnot
knowinghowt orespond.
Li
ndiwei
sher
eal
lsmi
les,
exceptf
ort
hissmi
le-i
t'
s
genui
ne.
"NdoniyakaJi
yane.
"Shet akesNgimuandpl
aceher
onherhip."Happybi
rthday."Shehugst
hest
il
l
confusedandlostOnyiye.
"
Makotibaki
thi
."St
hembiso'smotherl
ovesOnyiye
l
ikeherown.Shehugsher.."shei
ssti
lli
nshock."
Ever
yonel
aughs.
"Mydaught er
,"can'
tthi
sgetevenbetter!Looksl
ike
everyoneknewexceptf orher.Shesmi l
es
emot i
onall
yandbur sti
ntotears.Maj
iyanetakes
Ndimuof fherhands.Sthembisostopsthe
recordi
ngandl aughsabit.
"Thisisthereasonwhywehavebeenhavi ngmeet
upswi thLindiwe.Thi sisther easonwhyI '
vebeen
havingsleeplessni ghts.IknowIwasaj erkandI'
m
sorryforthat.Knowonet hi
ng, Iwillnevercheaton
youi nmywi ldestdr eams.Imaydomi stakesyes,
butcheat i
ngi sonoft hosemi stakes.IloveNdoni
andImeani t.Youl ovemychi ldrenwi t
hal lyou
havei nyou.Youl ovelovedast r
angerhopi ngIwil
l
comebackoneday.AndIdi dwi t
ht hehel pof
Khoza.Iwon' tshar ehowwemetbutt hatistheday
IwillgetIshar eonmyweddi ngday.Happybi r
thday
sthandwaSami .Ipromisenott omakesl eepl
ess
nightsforyoueveragai n."
Theyhugtr
yingtocal
m herdown.Heki
ssesher
headandsmiles.
"
Iknowthatmydaught
erwi
ll
bet
akencar
eof
."
Obi
nna.
Mam Phi l
isi
westandi
nginacornerwithtear
sall
overherface.Themoreshespendstimewi t
h
Onyiyethemor eshel
ookssomuchl i
keherlate
daughter.Shedoesn'
twantt
ospoilanotherchi
ld'
s
bi
rthday.Thisi
shermomentandt i
met oshine.
"Mntanami ,
"sheopensherar mswi del
yf orOnyiye
whohasn' tstoppedcrying-t
heOkoj i
efami l
yishere
aswell.Theaunt sandcousins.Herfather,si
ster
stepmot herandherfriend.I
ncl
udingSt hembiso's
fr
iends.
Shelooksaroundandshef eelsappr eci
ativeand
happybutsomewhatgui lt
y.Shefeel sbadt hather
ownmot hergoesoutf orSisipho'
swayt ospend
moneyonherbecauseshet heonlydaught erfor
herandshewasanenemy.Herhear tbreaks
knowingthatherownmot herdidn'tacknowl edge
herownbi r
thday,
nott hatsheeverhas!Shel ooks
atherphonehopingt ofindsomet hingbutnone!
Shehast oacceptthatthiswomanwi l
lneverl ove
noracceptherasherowndaught er .
Shehasn'
tmovedfr
om wher
eshehasbeen
st
andi
ngallal
ong.
"Babe,comehaveasi
t."St
hembi
sopull
sherby
handandhelpshersi
tonaqueenschai
rtoface
everyone.
Embelli
shthebir
thdaybuf
fet-barwithasimpl
e
garl
and.Dressupstandar
dballoonsbyfil
li
ngt
hem
wit
hconf et
tif
orapopofcolourfulbi
rt
hdaypar
ty
décor.
Thosepast
elsarelovel
yver
ysoftpi
nk…Shecan'
t
nameital
lbuttheydidwental
loutandabout
.
Ever
yonei
senjoyi
nghavi
ngt
hei
rti
meoft
hei
rli
ves.
Fi
rstt
imebei
nginahotel
.
"So,youcanactuall
ybookahot
eltohave
bir
thday'
s?"She'scl
uel
essandthati
swhat
Sthembisolovesabouther
.Hechuckssqueezi
ng
herhandsof t
ly.
"
Nodummy,Ireser
vedthisf
oryou.Iwantedt
o
makesomet
hingspeci
al.
"Hesmiles.She'
sbl
ushi
ng
wi
thhercheekbonesachi
ng.
"
Ifeelst
upi
d."
"
Noyouarenotmylove.Youwil
llear
nalongthe
way.
"Het
akesherhandkissi
nghersoftknuckl
es.
"
DidIevert
ellyouhowmuchIl
oveyou?
"

"Al
ways,
"shesmilesbackathim.Everyoneis
havi
ngafeastandshe'sl
ookingatthem wit
hso
muchadmirat
ion.
"
Andal
ways.
"
"
For
ever
,"
"AndeverNdoniyami."Hestandupandpul lsher
hand.Whi l
eshe’
ssti
llseat
ed.Asongpl ays,asong
thatherequest
edtobeont heplayl
ist
."Thissong
remindsmeofyouwhenwef i
rstmetundertheload
shedding.MayIhavethisdancehermaj est
y?"
Shel
aughsasever
yoneawai
tsf
orhert
osayyes.
"
Yesmyki
ng.
"Shest
andsupandhol
dshi
shand.
"
WhenIf
ir
stsawyou
Ial
readyknew
Ther
ewassomet
hingi
nsi
deofyou
Somet
hingIt
houghtt
hatIwi
llneverf
ind
Angelofmi
ne
Il
ookatyou,
looki
ngatme
NowIknowwhyt
heysayt
hebeatt
hingsar
efr
ee
Gonnal
oveboy,
youar
esof
ine
Angelofmi
ne.
..
"

"Don’
tli
stent
obrandyorTamia,heywhat'
sthis
gir
lsname?Don'tli
stenwhenshesaysboy,she
meanttosaygir
l."
"Wr
ongchoiceofsong.
"Shel
aughshi
dingherf
ace
onhischest
.
"
Ihavepr
esent
sforyou.
"Hewhi
sper
stoherear
wit
hthemusi
csti
llpl
ayi
ng.
"
Present
s?Kant
ihowmany?
"She'
ssmi
li
ng.She
hasneverr
ecei
vedagi
ftbef
oreot
hert
hanf
rom
Li
ndiwe.
"
Let
'swai
tandf
indout
."
"
Ist
hisoneoft
hegif
ts?
"Shesecretl
ygrabshi
sdick.
Hei
sdumbfoundedbyheract
ion.TheshyOnyi
ye!
"Babe,
peopl
earewatchi
ng.
"Hegrabsbot
hofher
handsandplacet
hem onhi
schest.
"No,t
heyarenot
.Lookatever
yonedanci
ng.
"She
seduct
ivel
ysmil
es.
"Don'
tdothi
s..
"thatcameoutasawhi
sper
.Hei
s
alr
eadytur
nedon.
"I
'
mr eadyformynextpr
esent
."Helookssohigh
fr
om drugsmaki
ngOnyiyetofi
twit
hlaughter
.He
cl
ickshist
oungeandtur
nstolookatever
yone.
"
Caneveryonepl
easefol
lowmeout
side.
"Heshout
s
f
orever
yonetohear.

Whisper
sandgaspsofshocks.Noonei
sbel
ievi
ng.
Soshewasadmiri
ngherowncar !
"OwmyGod! "Shejumpsi
ntohi
sar
msunabl
eto
cont
ainherexci
tement
.
"
Howdi
dyouknow?
"
"
Lindi
wet
oldme.
"
"Youslaybustar
d!"She'
shappy.Whowoul
dn'
tbe
happywhoj ustr
eceivedagi
ftasacar
!Awhole
freakencar
!
I
t'
sapit
yshecannotdri
ve,
causeGodknowsshe
wasgoi
ngtor
unthistownevennow!

Theyarenowdrivi
ngtowardsBall
it
o.She'
snever
beenthi
ssideofDurban-wellt
hat'
sifi
t'
ssti
ll
Durban.
"Wow,t
hisi
sbreat
ht aki
ng.
"Indeedi
tis.Seei
ngher
smil
emadehisheartpumpinjoy.
"
Weshoul
dcomet
hissi
demor
eof
ten.
"
Hesobadl ywantstosqueezeherthi
ghsbutstops
himsel
fandfiddleswit
hthegear.Therent
sareat
theback.Heclearshi
sthroatandsit
supstrai
ght
makinghimselfcomfort
able.
"Andwearehere?"Heparksoutsi
dei
nthepar
king
l
ot.Theyal
lst
epoutoft hecar
.Hismother
dramati
cal
lyf
ixesherhat.
"Youmayneedtowearyoursl
ipper
s,t
her
e’sal
otof
grass.
"Hesuggest
s.
"
I'
llbegood.Igott
his.
"
"Thiswaybazal
i.
"Hisparent
sf ol
lowbehi
nd.The
restoft
hefamil
ywasl ef
tbehind.Theycoul
dn'
tbe
accommodatedalloft
hem -transpor
twise.
Mam Phili
siwewit
hherhusbandObi
nnaandSbahle
f
oll
owshor tl
y.Theki
dsaresl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
yin
t
heircarseats.
Onyiyeli
ft
sherheadandl ooksatt
heBi l
lboar
d.
"OnyiyeAndSon's.
"Shereadsoutloudinconfusi
on.
ShelooksatSthembisowhoi ssmil
ingnervousl
y
l
ookingather.Thesweatonhi sf
orehead!
"Ibroughtever
yoneheart
ol etyouknowthatI
boughtmybabymamaapl otsothatshecanbe
abletodowhatshedoesbest ,ukut
shala.
"
"
Uthi
niki
thiwenamf
ana!
"Mam Phi
li
siwei
sin
shock,
soi
sever
yone.
"Iboughtt hislandforOnyi yeAndSon' sspeci f
icall
y
forher.Thi sisanappr eciati
onofmyl ovetoher .I
wanthert oenj oyl
ifetothef ull
est
.Iwanthert o
ravi
sht hi
spl aceant urnintogreenpastures.Iwant
thi
spl acet of l
ouri
shwi thvariet
iesofvegetables.
Myl ove,thisi smyt okent oyouandmyki ds."He
handshert hecont r
act.Shet akesitwithhershaky
handsandr eadsthrough.Shedoesn' twantt ocr y
butthesebl oodygoddamnt earsarebetrayi
ngher .
"Idon'
tknowwhattosay.
"Herlipsquiver-shebi
tes
herlowerl
ippr
event
inghersel
ffrom cryi
ng.
"I
..
We…"She'
sst
ruggli
ngt
obreat
he.Lindi
wehands
herabot
tl
eofwaterandr
ubsherback.
"
Don'
thol
dyourcr
yin,
myf
ri
end.
"
Li
ndiwesidehugsherandplacesherheadonher
shoul
der.Onyi
ye'shandshake…shecl
oseshereyes
andbursti
ntotears.
"
Makoti
."I
t'
spai
ningt
oseeherdaught
eri
n-l
awcr
y
i
nthi
smanner.
"Shhh,
don'
tcr
ythismuchumumbi-uvel
e
ubemnyamakakhulu.So,
don'
tcr
y."
Onyiyestopscryingandherfaceisbei
ngrepl
aced
wit
haf r
own,theyalll
augh.Shesnort
shernose
andwi pesthetearsof
fherface.
"
Am It
hatugl
ywhenIcr
y?"
"
No, youar
emoreprett
ier
."Herf
atherObi
nnasays
wit
hasmi l
esonhi
sf ace.
"Alit
tl
ebirdietol
dmet hatyouloveCapeTown.The
planeisleavingt
hi sevening.
"Hehandshertwo
ti
ckets.Herfacelightsupasshebegi nsscr
eaming
andjumpi ngupanddowni njoy.
"I
t'
snotfai
rthatyouonlygett
ocryonwhatIgive
youbutyoudonotcr yonwhatyourfat
hergi
ves
you.Mxm tr
ait
or!"Dr
amaticSt
hembisoasmuch.
_
___
___
___
_
Theyar
enowbackathomepacki ngthei
rweekend
awayst
uff
s.Herheartisr
eapingapar
tinpieces
wit
hsomuchjoy.She'ssmil
ingli
kearetar
ched.
"
Ican'
tbel
ieveIt
houghtt
hatyouandLi
ndi
wewer
e
shaggi
ngbehi
ndmyback.
"Sheshakesherhead.
"
Iwassweating,
runningupanddownt ryi
ngto
i
mpressyoursmallhead."Hepushesherhead
maki
nghertostagger.Shegaspsopeningher
moutht
otalk.St
hembi solaughs.
"
Sthembi
so,
didyouj
ustpushme?
"
Shehasatowelwrappedar
oundherbodywi
th
not
hingunder
neat
h.
"I
'm sor
rymamaki."Hehugsherfr
om behind.They
bothjusthadashowerandprepar
ingthemselves
fort
het r
ip.
Hespinsherar
oundmaki
nghert
ofacehi
m.She'
s
angr
y.
"I
'
m sorr
yShorty,
"hepull
sherchinandkissesher .
Hishandtr
ail
saroundherbutsqueezingi
tgently.
Heunwrapsthetowelandthr
owsi tonthefl
oor.He
pusheshert
olayontopofthebedwi thhim get
ting
ontopofher.
"
Wewi
llbel
ate.
"She'
spant
ing.
"
Wehavet
hreehour
stopr
epar
e."Heki
ssesher
again.Hepull
sthetoweloffhim pl
aci
ngitaside.
Getti
ngin-
betweenherlegsleaveshim gr
oaning
beforehecouldevenenteri
ndongazeJerico.
Hest
rokeshi
msel
fandr
unshi
msel
fagai
nsthercl
it
.
"Hmm, "heisgetti
ngweakerbythesecond
str
ugglingt
obr eathe.Onyi
yehol
dshiswaistwi
th
herlegswideopen.
Hepositi
onshi
msel
fandpl
acest
het
ipont
he
ent
rance.
"Shi
t!
"He'sbreat
hingheavi
ly.Hepushesthrough
herti
ghtself
.Shefli
nchesclosi
nghereyes.He
pushesthroughstr
etchi
ngherwall
s.
"Khonanil
a?"Hei
sbi
ti
ngherneckmuf
fl
inghi
s
screams.
"Ei
sh,"movinginandoutofherismaki nghi
ml oose
hissenses.Sheknowshim whenhei saboutto
cum, thefi
rstr
oundneverl
asts,notevenami nute
andshe' sokaywit
hit
.Theystil
lhaveal i
fet
imeto
dealwi t
hthisi
nti
macysessi
on.
"
Hawemah,
"hel
ower
shi
swhol
ewei
ghtont
opof
her.Heismovingfast
erenj
oyi
ngherwarmth.One
hardfulpush-hei
sout.Hepul
lsoutandl
aysonhis
backpant i
ng.
"
Iswearyouar
emaki
ngmet
womi
nut
es!
"
Shegi
ggl
escoveri
ngherface.Shemovescl
oset
o
hi
m wi
thherheadonhischest.
"
Weshoul
dgetr
eady.
"Shet
ell
shi
m.
"
Canwest
ayl
iket
hisal
if
eti
me?
"
"
No,
Iwantt
ogot
oCapeTown.
"
"Spoi
lmooder."Hespanksherbutmaki ngherto
j
umpof fthebed.Thismanwillnevergetenoughof
her.I
fshelet
shimf orr
oundtwo, i
tcouldevenlast
anhour.
_
___
___
___
_
She'
sholdi
ngsoti
ghtontohi
sar
m.Afr
aidof
hei
ghtsbutshewant
edtobei
nCapeTown.
"
Babel
ook.
"Thepl
anei
sfi
nal
lyt
akesof
f.
Everyt
hingi
sshri
nkingbyt hesecond.Herhear
tis
drummi ngr
api
dlyagainstherchestmakingherto
haveashor
tnessofbr
eat
h.
"It
hinkI'
m goingtodi
e."Shewantstothrowup.She
coughstryi
ngt ohol
ditdown.Sthembisosecr
etl
y
makesavi deoofherprayi
ng.Thisi
samustf ort
he
worldtosee.Posti
ngitonhisFacebookaccount
…
"Babymamai safrai
dofheights."Thecapti
onhad
peoplel
aughing.Whowouldn'tlaughwhena
womani sprayi
ngherlungsoutwhenapl anei
s
taki
ngoff.
Havi
nghereyesclosedunt
ilsher
eachest
hei
r
dest
inat
ionwi
lldofornow!
[
08/
18,
03:
39] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER30

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Yester
daywasherf r
iendsbirt
hdayandindeedthey
hadtheirt
imeofthei
rlives.Af
tert
hecelebr
ati
on
Sizwedroveherdownher esothatshecouldget
r
eadyf
ort
heprepar
ati
onst
hatwi
llbehappeni
ng
t
omorr
owmorning.
Maybetheyar
egoingt
ofastbuthey,
wher
ever
t
herei
shappinesst
her
eislove.
"
Mnt anami,ar
eyousurethi
siswhatyouwant?"Her
motherisconcer
ned,whowouldn'
tbeconcer
ned
whent hei
ronl
ydaughteri
saboutt
obemar ri
ed
Shesmi
lesbl
ushi
ngl
ooki
ngdown.
"
Yesmah,
I'
m sur
e."
"I
fyouar
esuretheandhappy,t
henI '
m happytoo.
"
Theybot
hfal
lint
ocomfort
ablesil
ence."Doeshe
knowaboutt
he…"shecl
earsherthroat.
Li
ndi
wesi
ghs,
"heknows,
Itol
dhi
m."
"
Andhewasokaywi
tht
hat
?"Sheasks.
"Yes,wetal
kedabouti
tandhetol
dmet odo
cleansi
ngbefor
ewestarthavi
ngourownfami
ly.
"
Hermot
hernodsunder
standi
ng.
"
Hei
sagoodman.
"
Shesmi
lesr
eachi
ngoutf
orheronl
ydaught
ers
hand.
"
Tel
lmeaboutGi
ft
'sbi
rt
hday.
"
Herf
acel
ight
supi
nexci
tement
.
Telli
nghermot herhowshemetupwi t
hSt hembiso
planningallofthat.Thehardwor kthattheyput
through,him beingdiff
icul
tineveryt
hing.Him
disputingallt
hei deasthatshecameupwi thbutall
i
nt heendi twast hebest.
"Shewaswayt ooemoti
onaltoenjoy.Butthen,i
tis
understandable.Sheneverr
eallyhadasur pri
se
bir
thdaypar t
yletaloneagif
tfrom peoplecloseto
herotherthanme. "
"
I'
m happyf
orher
.Uvukewazi
that
haunt
ombo.
"
"
Andshedi
d.Ever
ythi
ngwasbeaut
if
ul.I
'
m happy
f
orher
."
"
Yourf
ri
endshi
pisst
il
lti
ght
?"
"Mor
ethananyt
hingevenaf
tersheaccusedmef
or
snat
chi
ngherman."Theyl
augh.
"
Iwouldhavedoneworset
rustme.Butthemer
e
f
acti
sthatsheishappywi
ththepeopl
ewholove
heranditisablessi
ng.Toevent hinkthatNt
ombi
l
iedtoeveryonethatshewasr aped.Kantial
lal
ong
shewasf eedi
nguspoi son.I
magi nefeeli
ngsor
ry
forheral
lthoseyears.
"Sheclapherhandsonce
andshakesherheadi ndisbel
ief
.
"
Youshoul
dseeherf
ather
.It
'sl
ikeyoul
ooki
ngat
t
hesameperson.
"
"
Ithi
nkyouar
eexagger
ati
ng.
"Shel
aughs.
Shetakesoutherphoneandscrol
lsthr
oughher
gal
ler
yandshowshermot herthepict
uresofher
bi
rt
hday.
"
Wow,
whatasmal
lwor
ld.
"Indeedi
s.

Lateron,
theywerepeal
ingof fveget abl
espr
epari
ng
fortomorr
ow.She'sl
aughingenj oyingthest
oresof
therunwaybri
des.Shewilldefi
nitelyneverl
eave
Sizweattheal
ter
.Shewi l
lneverst oopthatl
ow.
"Iwi
llneverl
eavemyhusbandhangi
ngwi
thoutany
expl
anation.
"Shel
aughs.
"
Thegi
rlIknowr
unway-herhusbandwasabusi
ve
andshecouldn'
ttaket
heabuseanyl
onger
."Her
auntsays.
"Nowthat'
swhatIwi llr
unawayf or.Nowomancan
standabuse."Sherepli
es.Theyconti
nueargui
ng
aboutthetopicunt
ilherphonerang.Sheexcused
hersel
f…
"
Babe,
"she'
sinherr
oom l
ayi
ngi
nherbackwi
thher
l
egscr
ossed.
"
I'
m si
ck.
"
"What'
swrong?
"Shesitsupstr
aightwi
thherhear
t
poundi
ng.Yest
erdayt
hisgi
rlwasgoodandnow…
"
Ihavej
etneg.
"Shesays.
"
Awhat
?"She'
sconf
used!
"Si
cknessf
rom j
etneg.
"Shef
rownsandsuddenl
y
hermindcl
icks.
"
Gir
l!
"Shel
aughsoutl
oudal
mostpeei
ngonher
sel
f.
"
OnyiIswearyouar
egoi
ngt
obethedeat
hofme.
I
sn'
titcal
ledj
etl
ag?Asi
nL-
A-G.
"
"
Konal
okoke.If
eel
li
kevomi
ti
ng.Myst
omachhas
bubbl
es.
"
"
Fri
endpleasest
op.St
ops-youdef
ini
tel
yki
ll
ing
me.
"Lindi
wecannotst
oplaughi
ng.
"Whatever
.Howar
ethepr
epar
ati
onsgoi
ng?
"She
asks.
"Fornowallisgood.Ipraythatnot
hingsini
ster
happenstomor row.Ij
usthavethatoddfeel
ingthat
somethi
ngt err
iblei
sabouttohappenorisgoi ngto
happen.
"
"Thatisbecauseyouar
et el
li
ngyour
sel
fthat.Let
thedaygosmoot hlywi
thoutyouandyournegati
ve
sil
lythought
s."
"
Maybeyouareri
ght.Maybei
t'
smewhoi
sjustway
t
ooanxi
ousaboutthewholet
hing.
"
"
Areyour
eadyf
ormar
ri
aget
hough?
"
"It
hinkIam.Il
oveSizweandhemakesmehappy.
Beingwit
hhim wi
lldomehappy.
"Shesays.
"Iwi
shIwast her
e."She'
ssul
kingovert
hephone
anditdoesn'
tsui
ther.
"
Youwi
llbemymat
ronofhonouronmyweddi
ng
day.
"
"Nowyoiutal
king!Look,
Ihavet
ogoSt
hembi
soi
s
compl
aining.
"
"
Phakai
khekhewena.
"
"Youcr
azy!
"Shedisconnect
sthelineandsmil
es
thi
nki
ngaboutherj
etlagfri
end.Assil
lyasshecan
besometi
mes,butsheloveshertobit
.
Herhear
tbeatsabnor
mal
lymaki
ngherhandt
otr
ail
ontoherchest
.
Thatfeelofyourheartstr
oki
ngoncemakingi
thar
d
foronetobreathe.Shesighstaki
ngadeepbr
eat
h
asherheartcontinuestobeathardl
y.
Maybeshei
shavi
ngahear
tbur
n.
_
___
___
___
__
It
'smorni
ngandeveryt
hinghasbeenpr
epar
ed.She
coul
dn'
tsl
eepwit
hallthethought
scl
oudi
ngher
mind.
"Vukantombi.
"Thatisherauntyanki
ngthe
blanket
soffherbody.She'
sawakealreadyandshe
hasbeenawaket hroughouttheni
ght.
"Aunti
e,
"shepul
lst
hebl
anket
sup.I
t'
snowt
hat
sleepi
staki
ngover
.
"
Ifyousleepnowyouwil
lforeverbeasl
eep.They
wil
lsnat
chyourman.Youdon’ tsl
eepwhenyouget
marri
ed.Mendonotli
kelazywomen.Wakeup. "
Shewakesupj
umpi
ngof
fthebedt
ost
andup.
"
Okay,
I'
m up.
"
"
Got
akeabat
handcomehel
pusi
ntheki
tchen.
"….
_
___
___
___
___
"Theyar eher
e."Hermothersaysi nexcit
ement .
Lindi
wedr opseveryt
hingandr unstoherr oom to
l
ookather selfi
nthemi r
ror.Shelooksperfectfor
thisdayandshewonder showwi lli
tgo.Shesmi l
es
brief
lytaki
ngadeepbr eath.Shecannotwai ttosee
herbelovedmanorshal lshesayhusbandt obe.
Shel aughstothesoundofi t
.Imagineherbeing
Mr sSizweDazela!Shefixesherscarfandpul l
sher
sishwehwedr essdownal itt
leandsmilestoher self
.
"Icandothi
s."Thati
stheenthusi
asm i
nhervoi
ce.
Thespir
iti
sthereandhigh!
_
___
___
___
Everyt
hingwentsmoot hl
yandever yonewasand
sti
lli
sexcit
ed.Si mple,
shor tandnodr amat i
c.She'
s
beensmi l
eslike.
..,
notbelievingthatthedayis
fi
nall
yhere.Isshehappy-def i
nit
elysheis.Who
wouldn'
tbehappywhent hereisamanoutt here
whoseesawor t
hinawomanl ikeher?

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

Noti
fi
cati
onsbuzzi
ngi
nherphonemaki
ngher
annoyed.
It
smorni
nganditi
sherf
uckenr
estday!Shecl
icks
hert
onguet
urni
ngtol
ayonherl
eftsi
de.
Herphoneispingi
ngnonstopannoyinghertot he
core.WhyisGodpunishi
ngherinthismanner.She
pul
lsherphoneunderneat
hthepil
lowanddeci des
toswitchi
tof
f.Atl
eastshe'
snotgoingtowork.She
sighsrunni
ngoutofsleep.Shecaressesonherflat
tummyandsmi lesabit.Atl
eastsheisworki
ngand
shewillbeabl
etotakecareofherchild.I
t'
sjust
onlygoingt
obeherandherl it
tl
eone.She'sprayi
ng
forababyboy.
Shecanhearhermot hercal
li
ngforherf
rom a
di
stance.Thatshal
l
owvoi cecal
li
ng…
"Ey,ey!Sheki
ckstheblanket
soffherasshegr unt
s
i
nsomuchannoyance.Shehashereyesst ill
closed.Shewalkstohermother
'sbedroom and
fi
ndsherwi deawake.
"
Mah!
"shel
azi
lyopenshereyes.
"Hel
pmepee, "shegoesouttocoll
ectthebucket
andhelpherpee.Sheneedssomeonewhocan
assi
stherint
his.It
'sgett
ingt
ir
ingbythesecond.
It
'sl
ikeal
lofhermot her
'sbur
denisonher!
"MustIpouryouwatert
obathyouaswel
l?"She
asksnotreadytonur
seawomanwhoi snoteven
bother
edtotrydoi
ngthi
ngsonherown.
"
Yes,
pleasemnt
anami
."
Theangerinhervani
shimmedi
atel
y.Shenodsher
headregr
etti
ngheracti
ons.
"Si
sipho,
"shesoft
lycal
lsforhername.Shest
ops
beforeshecoul
devenexittheroom.
"Mah,"theresponsei
smuchmor
eli
ght
ert
hent
he
aggressiveone.
"Thankyou.IknowIwasn'tthebestmot her
…
Onyiye…"Shetakesadeepbr eat
h.Sisi
phosecret
ly
rol
eshereyesget t
ingannoyed.Lookli
ketheywil
l
behavingbreakfastwit
hthenamedi shedouton
theplat
esthismor ni
ng!
"WhatdidOnyi
yedo?
"Shepl
aceherhandsonher
non-
exist
inghi
ps.
"
Ineedt
oseeher
.It
'si
mpor
tant
."
"
Shedoesn'
trespondt
oourcal
ls.
"
Hermothernodsherhead."Idon'tblameher.I
bl
amemysel f
."Shehasneverseenhermot her
emoti
onal.Cl
earlyOnyi
e'
spr esentnotbei
ngar ound
i
saff
ectingher.Andforthat
, i
sleavi
ngherwi t
hso
manyunanswer edquest
ions.
"Letmegoprepareyouforbat
h."Shewal ksnot
wantingtor
espondtotheconf
usingstatement.
Whatdidshemeanwhenshesai d'Idon'
tblame
her.Ibl
amemyself.
'

Sheneedstostar
tantenatalcl
inic.Shedoesn'
t
wanttohaveababyli
keNdi mu.Thatbabywas
somethi
ngelseandverymuchscar y.Remindsher
oft
heguysheoncesawi nchur ch.Ifsher
ecal
ls
cor
rectl
yit
'st
hesameguyt hatonceambushedher
atwork.
Somepeopl
ear
emadhonest
ly.
Shewal ksout si
dethehouseheadi ngtot he
rondovel.I
t'
sbeenl ongsinceitwaslastopened.
Sheopenst hepadlockandenters.It
'sclean,at
least
.
Wi t
hallofherr agstackedneatl
y.Shecr i
nges
l
ooki ngatthesponget hatwasont hefloor.Who
sleepsonsomet hi
ngl i
kethi
s?
"Ewu,
"shecloseshernoseandopensthewindow
forf
reshai
r.There’
snosmell,
justherbei
ng
dramati
c.
She'
ssnoopingar
oundt hr
oughherthi
ngs.She
doesn'
tknowwhatsheislooki
ngforbutsheis
l
ookingforsomet
hing.
Nothi
ngimport
ant,shenoti
cessomethi
ngbehinda
bucket
.Shepul
lsthepaperbehindandreads
thr
oughwit
hasl i
ghtfrownonherface.
"Owshame,herandschool
.Mxm. "Shetar
esthe
paper
sint
opiecesthr
owingthem onthefl
oor
.
Shedeci
dest
oleavet
hedooropen.Maybei fonl
y
shecanmakegooduseofthi
srondovelpl
usitis
ver
ymuchingoodshape.

Sitt
ingathomeal ldayr unni
ngoutofplansofl i
fe.
Wakeup, eatandsleep.Thatisherrout
ineforher
dayof f
.Insteadofdoingherwashi ngsheislazi
ng
aroundst uff
ingher
selfwi t
hfood.
She'
swatchi
ngnewsbutnot
hingi
nter
est
ingabout
i
t.Just
…
Aknockonthedoorhashergrunt
ingindi
spleasur
e.
Shej
ustwantedt
obei ndoor
s,shedoesn'
teven
wanttoseethesun.Sheplacesabowlofpopcorn
onthetabl
eandgoest owardsthedoor
.It
'sCl
ive
Onyiye'
sfr
iend.
“Onyi
yeisnothere.
"Shetel
lshim bef
orehecoul
d
evenaskanythi
ng.Maybehim knowingear
lywil
l
takehi
sflatar
seoutofthi
scompound.
"Iknow,Ij
ustwantedtoaski
fdidyoufinal
lyget
holdofOnyinye?
"Stupi
dhim -hecan'
teven
pronouncehername.
"
Wehavehernumber
."
"Oh,okay.I'
l
ltakemyleavethen."Shecl
osest
he
dooronhi sface.Foot
stepsf
ading…
Shepeepsthrought
hewindowandwat
cheshi
m as
hedi
sappearedoutofsi
ght.
Shethr
owsherselfbackont hecouch-swi tches
thr
oughthosechannels.I
t'
spointl
esswat ching
SABCchannelsmidday.Nothingisint
eresti
ng.
I
fonlyshepai
dfort
heDSTVshewouldn'
tbeher
e.
Fort
hreemonthswi
thoutpayment
…
She'scooking.
..I
t'
ssounl i
kehernott obr owse
throughhersocialmedia.Andanot herreasont o
keepherphoneof f,sheseri
ouslydoesn’tknow
whatshewant s.Shei sdefi
nit
elyrunningaway
from Shane.Heisbackf r
om wher everhei s.Surel
y
hei sgoi
ngt omakeherl i
fealivi
nghell.
"Shecl
osest
hepotaft
ersteer
ingthepot
atocurr
y.
Shehassuddenl
ydevel
opedtheloveofpot
ato
curr
y.
She'
sdonecooki
ng.Sheswi
tchest
hest
oveof
fand
deci
dest
odrinkwater
.
I
t'
sst
il
lmor
ning,
justasl
eepwi
lldof
ornow.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

She'sintheshowersingi
ngherlungsout .
Sthembisoisstandi
nglooki
ngathimsel fint
he
mirror
.Het ur
nstofaceherwithaconf usedlookan
hi
sf ace.Shehashereyesclosedwi t
hwar m water
dri
ppingdownonher .Hesmi l
esfoldi
nghi sarms.
Hisbabymamai ssomet hingelse.Heshakeshi s
headsmi ling.Surel
y…helistenstohereveryday
songtryingt othesensethemeani ngorshallhe
saythemessageofi t.Sheal wayshasthissongon
repeatti
llheget sannoyedatt i
mes.Heshoul dhave
awor dwi thRudeboyandaskhi m whydidhehave
tonamet hissongChizobaThi swomansur elyl
ove
thi
ssong…

"
Somet
hingi
ski
ll
ingmesl
owl
y
AndI
'
mfeel
ingsol
onel
y
NowI
'
mlooki
ngupt
oGodo
Eyehyeh
Pai
dmyt
it
he,
Ipai
dmydues
Seedi
str
act
ionsever
ywher
e
Nowmef
eel
ingemot
ions
Ehh
Igetpl
enty,somanyt
hingst
hatIr
eal
lywan
complai
nt oyou
Seet
hosepeopl
eweyt
heyt
ryt
o
Br
ingconf
usi
oni
nourbr
other
hood,
eh
Bababl
essmyf
ami
ly,
blessmyenemi
es
Bl
essever
ybody
Toget
herwebesmi
li
ng
That
'swhymet
ellt
hem say…"

Hi
sphoner
ings.Hef
orgott
oswitchi
toff
!Onyi
ye
st
opssi
ngi
ngandopenshereyesundert
hewater
.
"It
houghtyousai
dyouhaveyourphoneswi
tched
off
!"She'
smad.
"
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
oranupdat
efr
om Tazz,
aboutt
hat
man.
"
Hetr
iestobehonestandl
ookl
ikei
tiswor
kingon
hi
sfavour.
"
And?
"
"Haubabe,Idon'
tknow.I'
m her
ewit
hyouangi
thi
.I
haven’
tevenansweredthephonewoman.
"He
l
aughsbri
efl
y."
Letmet
akei
t,t
henIwi
llswi
tchmy
phoneof
f.
"Halo…"Hei
sli
steni
ngattent
ivel
y.Het
akesadeep
breathcl
osi
nghiseyes.
"
Shar
p."Heswit
cheshisphoneof
fandpl
acei
ton
t
opofthebat
hroom count
er.
"
So…"sheanxi
ousl
yawai
tsf
orar
esponse.
"I
t'
snothingyouhavetoworryabout.
"Healsost
eps
i
nt heshowerandkisseshershoul
der.Het
akesthe
showergelandbeginstosmearitonherbody
again…
Thei
rki
ssisget
ti
ngdeeperanddeepermaki
ng
Onyi
yetobewetdoubl
e.
Hepushesheragai
nstt
hewal
lwi
tht
hewat
erst
il
l
r
unni
ng…
"I
t'
ssli
pper
y."Shepantst
ryingt
ohol
dhi
m buther
handskeeponsli
ppingoffhim.
"
Let'
swasht
hesoapof
f,t
hendowhatwel
ovet
he
most.
"
Hehel
psherwashest
hesoapof
fherbody.She
gr
absthetoweltowi
peher
sel
fbutSt
hembi
sopul
ls
i
toffherhand.
"Iwantustogowi ldtoday.
"Hewhi
spers.Hecl
oses
theshowertapandhel psherst
epout
.Heholdsher
from behi
nd,t
il
tshernecktothesi
deandbeginto
giveherneckkisses.
"St.
..
"Shemakeshermouthint
oathinl
ine.She
closeshereyesanr
eachesf
orhiswetr
edhai r
.
Hehol
dsherwai
standbendsherover
.
Onef ootont opoftheclosedt oi
letseatl
id,withher
handsagai nstthewallforbalance.Sthembi sothen
holdsherwai st,hi
shandt rai
lsdownal lthewayt o
herbut tcheeks.Hespreadst hem apartenjoying
theview.Hel ovedhowt hatpinkmeatshowed
underherver ydarkskin.Heposi ti
onshimsel fand
enterherf r
om behind.Plus,t
hispositi
onf orheris
perfectforatightspace!
Helet
sgoofherbuttandholdsherwai
stagai
n.
Penet
rat
ingherhasal
wayslefthi
m..
.unexpl
ainabl
e.
Shei
sfeel
ingheri
nter
naler
ogenouszonesbett
er
andmoref
orceful
lyt
hananyotherposi
ti
on.I
talso
f
eel
sani
mal
ist
icandki
nki
ert
hanal
otofot
her
.
Sheusedt ofi
nditsomewhat,dehumanizi
ngwhen
shef i
rstst
art
eddoingt
hisposit
ion,butt
hen
real
izedshewaskinkyandsheact ual
lyki
ndofl
iked
thatdehumanizi
ngaspect!
"OwGod, "Shecanl i
teral
lyf
eellikehersoulisbeing
bangedar ound.It
'salsoaturn-onhowaest heti
call
y
pleasingi
tisforhim.Hi sgr
oansf eel
ingupt he
bathroom, t
hepleasurefrom behindistoomuch.
Hebendsherevenl owerexposi ngherever
yt hi
ng.
"Fuckmamazi!"Thesoundsoft
hei
rwetbodi
es
bangingagai
nsteachother
.
Shetil
tsherheadt
olookathimfr
om themir
ror-
thei
reyesmeetthr
oughthatst
eam.Thatst
eam..
.
It
'sli
keawhol eotherpar tofherbrai
ntakesover.
Shedoesn'thavethewor dstoexplai
nthebodily
sensati
on,butthefeelingofget t
ingwett
erand
wetter
,thenfi
nall
yf eeli
nghi m sl
owlyenterher
favouri
temomentofi tal
l.
It
’sal
lver
ywetandver
ywarm.Thest
eadypleasur
e
sheisget
ti
ngbei
ngpenet
rat
edandhercl
iti
s
getti
ngt heattenti
on, i
tneedsi sat i
nglywar mththat
spreadst hroughoutherpussy.She' scl osetothe
core,she'sdef i
nit
elycomi ng,thesensat i
onoft hat
orgasm bui l
dinginsideofheri sl i
kear ubberband
that‘
sget t
ingst r
etchedt oit
slimi t—andt henit
suddenlysnaps.Massi veexpl osionsofheatand
pleasure.Herbodyi sst eadil
yr eleasingacockt ailof
hormones.Shecombi net hesur geofhor mones
withhappi nessmaki nghert ocr y.Att eardrop
escapeshereye.Shedr opsherheadbi ti
ngher
i
nnercheek.
Heisnowmovi nginaf ast
erpacecursi
ng.She
knowsitwhenhei sabouttocome.Herlegsar
e
gett
ingnumbbyt hesecond,hevibr
atesfr
om
behindandl
et'
soutal oudgroan.
"Owf uck!
"Heletsgoot
herwai standst
andsther
e
forasecondtr
yingtogethisbr eat
hundert
hat
dizzymoment.Hef i
nal
lypull
soutandchucks
l
ookingathisdicksmearedwithherjui
ces.
Hepickst
het
owelupandwi
peshi
msel
fthenwi
pe
Onyi
ye.
"
Let
'sgot
obed.
..
"
Layi
ngont
hebedbut
tnakedundert
hebl
anket
s…
"Sotel
lmesomet hi
ng,whydoyoucr ywheneverwe
geti
ntimate?Doesithurt?
"Heplayswit
hherafro.
Helovesitwhenshepl ayswi
thhischestal
so.
Drawingcircl
est
urnshim on.
"Idon'
treall
ycry-i
t'
slikewhenyouhitmer eal
ly
goodspot swhenwe’regoingati
t.ThebestwayI
coulddescribei
t.I
t'
sli
keyou'r
emakingmypussy
seestars.
"
"
Whatthefuck!
"Hebur
sti
ntol
aught
erwi
thher
j
oini
ngin.
Theyjustwantt
ospendthei
rti
mei ndoor
stoday.
Gett
ingtoknoweachothermore.
..
[
08/
18,
03:
40] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER31

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE
Hezoomst hepi
ctur
ehewassentbyTazzand
shakeshi
shead.
Hedoesn'
tknowt hemanandhedoesn'
trecal
l
seei
nghim anywhere.
"Sowhatdoeshewant ?"Heasks.Het houghtthat
Dumi sanii
stheonebehi ndallthi
sbuthei swit
h
MaZetwher everheis.Surel
yt heyareplanni
ng
somet hi
ngagainsthim,buthehear dthatMaZetis
pregnantwithDumisani'
schild.Andhef indsi
t
funny.
"
ThatIdon'
tknow,
butIwi
lldi
ginf
urt
her
."
"
Letmei
fit
'ssomet
hingt
hatneedsme.
"
Tazzchucksovert
hephone."
Unl
essifyouwant
hert
okillyou.Wegott
his,
enj
oyyourst
ayinCape
Town."
Theyconcl
udet hephonecal
lwi
thSt
hembi
so
putt
inghi
strustonthe.
Her emovest hephoneonhisearandlooksaround
tr
yingt ospother.Heli
edandsaidheforgot
somet hingi
nt hecar-hewant
edt osneakoutto
makeaphonecal l.Heswi t
cheshi sphoneandst eps
outofthehiredcarl ockingi t.Helooksar oundand
takesadeepbr eathbef oregoi ngint hei rhotelroom.
It'
scoldandhewant edt odosomet hingspeci al
today.Butt
heweat herisdi sappointinghi m.Mi ss
Ndoni-herandchi llyweat her sarelikeoi landwat er.
She'swaytoosensi tive.Sur elyhernosei sbl ocked
andsneezingnon- stop.Heent ersther oom locking
i
t.Shef i
ndsherindeedsneezi ng,she' sblowingher
noseindiff
erentdirections.Pl ansrui ned-t heyar e
notgoinganywher e.
Shegr absherhandbagandpull
soutforsome
tabl
ets.Shelooksatthet
imeandgulpsoneand
repl
acet hem backi
nherbag.
"Whatar et
hosepil
lsfor
?"Hedoesn'
tknowany
sicknessshemighthave.Thosear
enotevenf
lu
tables.
"
I'
m pr
event
ing.
"Hervoi
cei
shoasky.
"Idi
dn'tknowt
hatyouwer
eonpr
event
ion.
"Hesi
ts
nexttoher.
"
Iwassacr
edt
otel
lyou.
"Shesi
ghs.
"Areyouki ddi
ngme.I '
m act
uall
ygladt hatyou
thinkingaboutyoursel
f.I
'
m notselfi
shbabe.I'm
gladyoudeci dedtotakethi
sroute.Hopei twon'
t
preventingyoufrom havi
ngmor ebabiesinthe
future."
"No,andyouarest
il
lthi
nki
ngofhavi
ngmor
ebabi
es
aft
erwhatNdimuhasputisthr
ough?"
Hel
aughsoutl
oudget
ti
ngont
opoft
hebed.
"Myvi
sionandwishi
stohave7babi
es.Si
ncewe
havet
wo, wear
eshortoff
ive.
"
"Never
!Labourpai
nsarenotsomepai
nst
hatyou
canhandle.I
'
m donebabe.
"
"Notunt
ilIsayso.I
'
mjustwait
ingforeveryt
hing,
i
ncludi
ngyourlif
etobeontherightpat
handIwi l
l
dothefuckingai
mingf
ormyeggst ogi
tthatclosed
wall
."
Shelooksathi
m notbeli
evi
ng."Yourcrazy,
"he
smil
eslooki
ngatherinnocentt
inyface.Howdidhe
scor
ehimselfsuchawoman?
"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
?St
hembi
so
whatdi
dyoudo?
"Shesneezesandbl
owshernose
agai
n.
Het
akesadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghs.
"RememberwhenIsai
dIhadt
hatmoneyi
nmy
account
."
"Yes,
whatabouti
t?"Sheasksmaki
nghi
shear
t
poundabit
.
"
It
'si
nthehouse.
"Sher
emovesherhandf
rom hi
s.
"What,
whatdoyoumeant
hemoneyi
sint
hehouse
Sthembiso!
"
"Thepoli
cewheregoingtotr
ackitandIhadt ocl
ear
myaccountmaki ngmyaccountclean.Iwi
thdrew
everycentandremovedever
ytransacti
onsthat
l
inksmet othatmoney.
"
"
Youhaven'
tanswer
edmyquest
ion.
"
"
Ihidthemoneyinthehouse.Thepol
iceareonour
t
ail
s…"helooksshameful
lydownrunningoutof
words.
"
Wher
eisthemoneyinthathouse?Idon't
r
ememberseei
nganysafe.
"Shewant stobemad
butshecan'
t.
"
It
'snoti
nthesaf
e."
"
Thenwher eisit!
"Hehasneverseenherthismad.
"
IpraytoGodt hatthosemenwher enotthere
l
ookingformoney-becauseifthat
'sthecase.Tr
ust
meIwi l
lneverforgi
veyou!
".
"No,no,
no, babe.Themoneywasst
ashedi
nthe
houseaftertheinci
dent
."
"
Okay,
nowbackt
omyquest
ion.Wher
edi
dyouhi
de
t
hatmoney?
"
She'
smor
ecal
mernow.Maybehecannowanswer
her
.
"
Undert
het
il
es…ofourbedr
oom.
"
Shesighslookingathim notbel
ievi
ng.Thi
sman
wil
lsurel
ybet hedeathofhim.
"
Haveyoureal
isedthatyouhavejustputourl
ives
i
ndanger
?Doyouknowt heoutcomeofwhatyou
j
ustdi
d?Whendi dyouhavealltheti
met odothis?
"
"
Theti
meyouwher ei
nhospit
al.
"Shenodsherhead.
Hehasn'
tli
ft
edhi
sheadtofaceher.
"
And,whathappensi
fthepol
ice…"Shedoesn'
twant
t
ofi
nishthesent
ence.
"
Icoul
dgetar
rest
ed.
"
"Jehovah."Shedoesn'tknowwhatt osayorhowt o
evenrespond.Allofthisist
oomuchf orher."I
seri
ouslydon'tknowSt hembiso.Idon'tknowhow
toreactorevenrespond.Thef actthatyoumade
thi
sdeci si
onwithoutmyconsent …"Shet akesa
deepbr eath.
"I
'
m sor
ry.
"Her egr
etsit
.Nowheseeshow
communicat
ionisverymuchi
mportant
.
"It
'sokay.Wewi llseewhereli
fetakesus.I'
m her
e
foryou."Thatallheneedsfrom her.Nowthatthi
s
thingthathasbeenbuggi nghimisoutofhischest
hef eel
sreleasedandaheavywei ghthasbeen
l
iftedoffhisshoulder
Hesnuggl eshi
mselfnextt
oherandlayshishead
onherthighs.She'
ssit
ti
ngstr
aightupleani
ng
agai
nsttheheadboard.
"Canyoupl
aywit
hmycheek."Hemisseshersof
t
handscar
essi
ngonhi
sface.Shesmil
esshaking
herhead.
"Iser
iouslydon'
tknowwhatIwi
lldot
oyout
oyou.
ButIstil
ll
oveyou."
"
Iloveyout
oo,
"hecl
oseshi
seyesenj
oyi
nghersof
t
t
ouch.
Themoreshecar
essesonhi
scheekt
hemor
ehe
get
stur
nedon.
"
Nomor
esecr
ets.
"
"
Ipr
omi
sebaby.
"
"
Am Ist
il
lgoi
ntt
ogetmy10Kal
lowance?
"Sheasks.
"Thatisal
lwhatyouthi
nkabout?Amer e10K,t
he
moneyt hatyoudonotevenuse.It
hinkIshoul
d
decreaseit
."
"What ?Hellno!Thatmoney,Ipaymyschoolfees,
tutorformyonl i
nesessi
onsandf ort
hekids
products.Thosemont hl
yvisi
ts-makingsur
et hat
theirski
nsar ewellt
akencareof.
"
"
That
'
sal
ot,
doesi
tcoverever
ythi
ng?
"
"
Yeai
tdoes.
"Sheshr
ughershoul
der
s.
"Yourparent
sshoul
dgi
veyouamont
hlyal
lowance
aswell.
"
"
Hewi
ll
,
"theybot
hlaugh.
"
Hasyourmot
hert
ri
edcont
act
ingyoul
atel
y?"
"
Idon'
tpi
ckup.
"
"
Youshoul
dcal
lherandhearwhatshehast
osay.I
wantt
opaydamagesforNdi
mu."
"
WhataboutNgi
mu?
"She'
sconf
used.
"
I'
mthinki
ngofdoingever
ythi
ngwi
thyou.
"He
r
espondsmakingherconf
used.
"
How?
"
"Technicall
yheisyourson.AndIbel i
eveyour
ancestorsknowhi m asyourson.ButIwil
lconsul
t
withmypar ent
sfir
standseewhatt heyhaveto
say."Het el
lsher.
"
Weshal
lhavet
owai
tandsee.
"

Ther
e'snot
hingmuchtodobutjutbei
ngi
ndoors
andwatchi
ngmoviesal
lday.Themorehetal
ksto
hert
hemor ehegetst
oknowhowmat ur
edshei s.
Theconver
sati
oniseasyandver
ymuchf lowing.
Thei
rchemist
ryist
hereandever
ythi
ngisjustcute.
"
Weshoul
dgetsomef
ood,
I'
m hungr
y."
"
Whatdoyouf
eell
ikehavi
ng?
"Hei
sreadyt
oor
der
.
"
Shushi
,
"
"
What
'st
hatbabe?
"
"
Chi
nesef
ood,
hau.
"Het
ri
est
othi
nkdeep.
"
Youmeansushi
?"
"
Yes,
that
.Iwantt
otast
eit
."She'
ssmi
li
ng.
Sthembi
socannotcontainhislaughter.Hepushes
hi
sheadbackandf i
tswithlaughter.Thiswomani s
goingt
okil
lhim wi
thlaughter
.Firstitwasthejet
negnowthis,
shushi!

LI
NDI
WEMAZI
BUKO

Notherwor
ldandhappi
nesscr
umbl
ingdown.
So,t
hisiswhyherhearthasbeenragi
ng
unst
oppablymakingithardf
orhertoevenbreat
h.
Aft
erheari
ngtheheartbr
eaki
ngnewst heyas
qui
cklyaspossi
ble.
Enteri
ngtheward,shefi
ndst
hdoctorbusywi
thhi
m.
Herheartdropst
ot hest
omachseei
nghermanin
thatstat
e.
Anur
sef
oll
owi
ngherbehi
nd…
"
Doct
or,
Itr
iedt
ost
opherbut
…"
"It
'sokay.Iwillhandlei
t."Thedoctorr
esponds
takingtheglovesof f
.Sher ushest
owar dshim and
standsbesidehi sbed.Allthosemachines,heis
peacefull
ysleepingwi t
habandagewr appedaround
hishead.Hisswol lenfaceandabr okenleg.
“I'
m sogladyou'reokay!Notentirel
yokaybutthe
factthatyouareali
ve.Wecameassoonaswe
heardwhathappened? "Sheaskshi m hopi
ngthat
hewi llwakeupandr espond.Shedi vert
shereyes
tothedoct or
.Thedoctorsighslookingather
i
nnocentf ace,i
t'
sprobablyhissister-.
"
Wher
ear
ethepar
ent
s?"
"Theyar
ehere.Doyouwantmet
ogocal
lthem?
"
Sheasksreadytor
un.
"
No,
pleasef
oll
owmet
otheof
fi
ce.
"
Thedoctorleadsthewaywithherf
oll
owingbehind
wit
hherst i
llwear
ingthesi
shwehwedressthather
i
n-l
awsbr oughther.Shei
nfor
msSizwe'sparent
s
andtheyallfol
lowthedoct
or.

Theyareallsi
tt
ingpat
ientl
ywait
ingfort
hedoctort
o
speak.Heissti
llbr
owsingthr
oughthefi
le.He
cl
osesitandsighsputt
inghisel
bowsont het
able
andlocki
nghishands…
"
Idon'
tknowhowt
oevenbegi
nexpl
aini
ng.
"
"
Star
ti
ngfrom t
hebegi
nni
ngwi
lldo.
"Li
ndi
wet
ell
s
t
hedoctor
.Theparent
sar
equi
te…
"Hehasbeendecl aredassomeonewhoi sina
coma, unconsciousandhasmi ni
malbrai
nactivi
ty.
Hei sali
vebutcan' tbewokenupandshownosi gns
ofawar eness.Theper son'
seyeswil
lbeclosedand
they'
llappeartobeunr esponsi
vetothei
r
envi
ronment
."
"
Howcanhebeacommabutst
il
lal
ive?
"
Li
ndi
weisconf
used.Shesawhim andhewas
br
eat
hingj
ustf
inethr
oughthosemachi
nes.
"Brai
ndeathi
snott hesameascoma, because
someoneinacomai sunconsciousbutsti
llal
ive.
Braindeat
hoccurswhenacr it
icall
yil
lpati
entdies
sometimeaft
erbeingplacedonl i
fesupport.
"
"Canhehearus?
"Li
ndi
wecont
inuest
oaskt
he
doctor
.
"Hecanheart hesoundsi ntheenvir
onment ,
liket
he
footstepsofsomeoneappr oachingorthevoiceofa
personwhohel ovesdeeply.Pl
easebareinmi nd
thattheyf eelt
heycanr emembereventst hat
happenedar oundthem whi l
etheywereinacoma,
whileot hersdon't
."
"
Doct
or,
whatdoyoumean?
"
"WhatI'
mtryingtot
ellyoui
sthathemightcome
backadiff
erentper
son.Hemightloosehi
smemory
andli
vesonhi sownatmosphere.Hemightl
ose
touchwit
htheworl
d.Hemi ghtevenf
orgethi
s
nameandwher eheisf
rom.Theynormallyli
vel
ike
peoplewhohavedi
mentia.
"
Ther
oom becomessi
lent
.
Shei shavi
ngdif
ficul
tydealingwit
hstr
ess.Sheis
feel
inghelpl
essandst uckincert
ainsi
tuat
ionsnot
knowi nghowtoreactorrespondtothesit
uati
on.

Shefeel
sbr okeninsideout
,shei
sfeel
ing
emoti
onall
yover whelmedli
kesheisoutofgast
o
keepmovingf orward.Howdidshegether
e?She
wassoexitedt oseehermanbutnow…
She'
stoedofcrying.Shecoul
dn'
tbar
etoseehi
m
i
nthatst
ate,soshewentstrai
ghtt
oher1bedr
oom
shei
srenti
ng.
She'sherphonecl
osetoherchestcr
yingherlungs
out.I
thurt
ssoverybad.Shecannotevenenjoyher
fi
stnighti
nasteppi
ngladderofbei
ngMr sDazela.
She'
slooki
ngatthei
rrecentconver
sat
ion,
thisf
eels
sounreal
.Atf
ir
stshethoughtthatmaybeit
'snot
hi
ml ayi
ngont
hathospi
talbed.Tr
yingt
oconvi
nce
her
self…
Herphoneringsandi
tishermot
her.Shedoesn't
wanttotal
ktoanyone!Whycan'
ttheyunder
stand
andgivherspace!
Hermanwasinvol
vedi
nacaracci
dentandhe
l
ookspr
ett
ybad.
Ifonl
yshest
oppedhimfrom comingt
oEshowe,
theywoul
dn'
tbei
ngthismessage.Nowheis
admitt
edi
nKingGeorgeHospital
.
Thosemachi nes…Shecl oseshereyesl ett
ingthe
tear
sflow.Herheadachei spoundi ngf r
om allthe
cryi
ng.Shecannotevenbegi nt oshar ehowshe
feel
s.Shecannoti magineherselfloosingwhat
l
ovedhert hemost-whatshel ovest hemost .Why
doesGodhavet otakeherhappinessbef oreitcoul
d
evenbegin.Shei sstar
ingtobelievethatshei snot
cutforhappiness,she…
Herphoner
ingsagainandthi
stimearounditi
shis
mother
.Shesighswipi
ngthetearsandfi
ndsthe
cour
agetopickup.
"Mah,"herl
ipsquiver,shebi
tesherl
owerl
ip
preventi
ngthem quiveri
ngevenmore.
"
Howareyouhol
dingup?Youmot
herhasbeen
t
ryi
ngt
ogethol
dofyou."
Hermothercanwai
t,shei
swi
thherhusband.She
i
sherecryi
ngherpai
n.
"I
'mjustmah, Idon'tknowhowtof eelaboutthi
s.It
hurt
s-Ifeelthisdullachi
ng,pi
erci
ngpai ninmy
heart
.It
'sl
ikeI'm havingt
hiscr
ushingsensat i
on.
Thechroni
c,hangi ngovermeandi m depleti
ngjust
l
ikethepain.
"
"
I'
llt
ellMel
usitocel
ebrat
epi
ckyouup."Si
zwe'
s
mothersayheartbr
okenl
yovert
hephone.
"Okay,Iwi
llpackup."Sheisalreadyonherfeet
.
Maybebei nginhishome, sl
eepinginhi
sroom wil
l
maket hi
ngsbet t
erandeasier.Shepacksher
overni
ghtbag.Shehashercl othesinhi
shouseno
needtopackal otofcl
othes.

I
ndeedMel
usicamet
ofet
chher
.Thecarhashi
s
smel l
,sur
elyhewasusingiti
noneoft hedays.She
smilestear
ful
lyandsighsl
ookingoutsi
dethe
window.Thebuyst r
eetsofDurban.Peopl
edon't
sl
eep..
"
Areyouokay?
"
Melusiasksl
ooki
ngather
.Shesmi
lessni
ff
sand
shakesherhead.
"
Idon'
tknow.
"Sheshr
ughershoul
der
sandt ur
n
t
urnst
olookathi
m.Heisdr
ivi
ngsofocusedonthe
r
oad.
"
Hewi
llbeokay.Youshoul
dbeposi
ti
ve.
"
"Af
terwhatt
hedoctort
oldme?Idon' tt
hinki
tis.
"
Sheadds.Sheadj
uststhechai
rleaningback
comfort
abl
ywithherhandonherf or
ehead.
"Ifyouar
eemot i
onall
ynegati
veyouar
esetti
nghim
backwards.Ifyouarestrongenought
ohelphim
fi
ghthewi l
lpullthr
ough.Don'tl
etmybrot
herdown,
thatmanlovesyout obit
s."
Shesmil
es,whowoul
dn'
tsmileaf
terbei
ngtol
dthat
youar
elovedbyt
heonethatownsyourheart
.
"Youseethatsmile,Iwanti
ttobeasmilethatshal
l
everremain.Asmi l
ethatwi
llt
akemybrotheroff
thehospi
talbed.Letusfocusontheposit
ivethi
ngs
fornow."
Shenodsherheadl
i
steni
ngt
othewor
dsf
il
ledwi
th
encour
agement.
ThepassbyNando'
s,herf
avour
it
echi
ckenofal
l
ti
mes.

Sit
ti
ngwi thhisparentsmadet hingsmoreawkward.
Thefactthatshekeepsonl ooki
ngathisbedr
oom
doorinthemi ndsetofseeinghim.Hereyesdrop
andshel ooksdownwi thaachinghear
t.Howdoes
shedealwi t
hahear tbreak?
"Kuzol
ungaSisi
.Weshal
lkeephi
minourpr
ayer
s
andGodwi l
ldother
est
."
Sheheavi
lysi
ghsl
if
ti
ngherhangi
nghead.
“IwantyoutoknowI’
minthiswit
hyou.We’ r
egoing
tofi
ghtthi
stoget
her
.You’r
eawonder f
ulpersonand
IwishIcouldt
akeawaythi
spainfrom yourhear
t.I
knowyouar ebl
eedi
ngfrom thei
nsidebutIbel
ieve
i
nt heGodthatwesurvethatnot
hingwil
lhappento
myson.Allwil
lbewelli
fyouhavef ai
thi
nit.
"
"
Thankyou, IguessIneededt hosewordsofmaking
mest r
onger.If
eel l
ikeI'
m dreaming-l
ikesomeone
wil
lwakemeupandt ellme.
thatthi
sisalladr
eam.
I
tjustfeel
ssounr ealthati
thurts.
"
"Wejustneedtobestr
ongforhi
m andyoursel
f.
"
Shelooksatherwit
hthatsympat
heti
clook.She
nodsherhead.
"CanIgosleep?"I
t'
slatealready.Thereisnothi
ng
forhertodoanyways.Tomor r
owshehascl asses
andshecannotevenbegi nt othi
nkaboutattendi
ng.
Shejustwantstospendherdaywi thhermani n
hospit
al.I
fonlyl
ytheywer eallowedtospendas
mucht i
meast heylovewithoutlimi
tati
ons.

Shet hrowsher
selfonhi
sbedwit
hapainf
ul
bangingheadache.Shel
ist
enst
oherheadst
ri
cki
ng
non-stop.
Shesi
tsupst
rai
ghtandpul
lsoutf
orsomet
abl
ets
f
rom hert
oll
etr
ybag.
Maybeaft
erdowningthesepainblocksthepai
nwi l
l
goaway.Herhear
twillbehealed.Shelaysdownon
thebedcl
osi
nghereyest r
yingtocatchsomesl eep
butthi
swhol
eroom isbeingintoxi
catedbyhis
smell.
Sheenj oyshissmell,shecloseshereyesandhol d
thepil
lowcl osetoherchest.Thememor i
es
come.backf loodi
ng.Sheremember swhent hey
fi
rstmadel ove.Howt heywer enocarefulnotto
makenoi se.Shesmi lesabitblushi
ng.Suddenly
sadnesst akesoverleavi
ngherwi thal
otof
questi
ons.Shesi ghsholdingont i
ghttothepill
ow.
Asthesayi
nggoes,
Ifyoul
ovesomethi
ngseti
tfr
ee.
I
fitcomesbacki
twasmeanttobe!
Shewil
lwaitf
orhim aslongasGoddeci
dest
otext
thewat
ersbetweenthem.
[
08/
18,
03:
40] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER32
LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Sheisataphaseinherli
feri
ghtnowwher eshe'
s
str
uggl
ingwit
hlonel
iness.Thosehoursofhernot
seei
nghimisputt
ingahuget ollonher
.
Mostoftheti
me,shewouldfeeladeepsenseof
di
sconnect
ionfr
om theworl
dar oundherandt
he
peopl
eshesharesitwi
th.
Themer efactt
hatsheisthinki
ngt
hisinthesmal l
hoursofthemorning,deaf
enedbytheear-spli
tt
ing
si
lenceofanempt yroom,unablet
osleep,simply
emphasizesthi
spointtoherevenharder
.
Ever
ythi
ngt
hatwasoncef
ami
li
arhasnowchanged.
Nomorewakingupwi t
hherheadonhi
schest,
bei
ngsquashedbyhisbigst
rongar
ms.Hi
mt al
king
i
nhissl
eepandgrindi
nghisteet
h.
Shesighsgetti
ngoffthebedwithal
otofemoti
ons
taki
ngplace.Shesl
eptbutyetonanemptybed.
Sleepcamehar daf
terastruggl
eandwokeupway
tooearl
y.
Shemusthavepassedoutaf
terdr
inki
ngt
hose
pai
nki
ll
ers.
Thi
sisnotheronebedroom housewhereshe
wakesupinwhatevert
imeshewant ed.
Shetakesof
fherni
ghtgownandputonherl
ong
dresswit
hadoekonherhead.
Shewillbr
usheshert
eet
hfir
stthencl
eansar
ound
thehouseandmakebreakf
ast.
Herplansfort
heday?Shewilldefi
nit
elyl
iketo
spenditwit
hhimifpossi
bleanddoable.Shewi l
l
takeabathlat
eroneonceeveryonehasgonet o
work.Int
hatwayshewi l
lbemor ecomfortabl
e
movingaround.
Melusicomesdownt hestai
rswearingasuit.His
babymamai sfoll
owinghim behi
nd.Whendi dshe
gethere?Nott hatshehasapr obl
em butthi
sgi r
l
hasapr obl
em wi t
hherandshedoesn’ tknowwhat
sheeverdidtoof f
endher.Whenevershei saround
shemakessur enott ost
eponhert oes.Shemakes
surethatsheignoreswhatevercomment spasses
by.
"Si
si,
"that
'sMelusi
.Heisol
dert
hanherbutpref
ers
cal
li
ngherSisi-avoidi
ngt
heawkwardness.
"But
i,
"shesighs.“I
’
m donemaki ngbreakf
ast.
"She
doesn'
tacknowledgethebabymama.Lastt imeshe
washeresheaccusedherofsl eepi
ngwi t
hherbaby
daddy.Sheturnstoherpot
s.Busiclearsherthr
oat
,
Melusinot
icestheawkwardness…
"
Lindi
we,
"
"
Busi
,
"shest
il
lhasherbackf
aci
ngt
hem.
Shelovesgr
avyandeggsi
nthemor
ning.An
unpl
easantbreakf
ast
.
"Am Imi
ssi
ngsomet
hing?
"Heasksl
ooki
ngathi
s
babamamaBusi.
"
Chababe,
"
Thatchababewastoofastonherl
ips.Mel
usit
urns
tofaceLi
ndi
we–“ wil
lyoubefi
ndbyyoursel
f?”
"
Iwil
lbefi
neBut
i.I
'm goi
ngt
ocheckonmyman,
maybehehaswokenup."
Busilooksatherwi
thhereyebr
owsached.She
chucks…
"Busi,i
fyouhavesomet hi
ngtosaypl
easesayi tt
o
myf ace.I'
mtiredofyouaccusi
ngmeofsl eepwith
ButiMelusiwhohappenst obemybrotherin-l
aw.I
don'tunderst
andwhyyouhavesuchasi cki deai
n
yourhead."
"
What!
"Theshockexpr
essi
ononMel usi
'
sface.He
l
ooksatBusiwi
thdi
sappoi
ntedeyes.
"
Isthatwhatyouthi
nkofme?Isthi
showl
owyou
l
abelme?I'm sodi
sappoi
ntedi
nyou."
Li
ndi
wenownot
icest
hedamageshehascaused.
"
It
'snotl
iket
hat
."Busiwi
thcr
ocodi
let
ear
s.
"I
'
m offt
owor k,"hegr
abshisl
unchboxthatwas
madebyLi ndi
we.Busitur
nstofaceherandthe
angeri
svisibl
eonherface.
"
Doyouseewhatyouhavedone!
"Shehi
sses.
"Ididn'
tdoanythi
ng.Youar etheonewhokeepson
rubbingiti
nmyf acethatI'
m sleepingwithButi
Mel usi
.Idon'
tknowwhet heryouenj oyyourman
beingunderanotherwoman' sskirtorwhat.
"She
shrughershouldersandcovert heplateswit
hanet
.
"
It
'snotl
iket
hat
."
"I
t'
slikewhatthen?Idon' tevenseeMel usiasa
manIcancheatwi th.Hei snotmyt ype, sor
ryifI
comeoutasr ude,butyeah.Hei ssomeoneIl ookat
asabi gbrot
her.Youpl antingideasinaman' shead
ofcheati
ng-youar ebasi call
ygivingthem an
al
tit
udetocheat.I'
m needt oclean.Thedayhe
decidestocheat-youshoul dl
earnat hingort wo
fr
om him.”Shewal kspasther .
"Melusioncecheatedonemewi t
hSizwe'sex.
"Her
eyesdroptot hegr
ound.Li
ndiwestopsandturnst
o
faceher.Sizwenevert
oldheraboutthi
s.
"
Excuseme?
"She'
slost
.
"Ani
tawasSizwe'sgir
lf
riend.Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedbutIfoundthem bothinbedanthey
admitt
edonhitt
ingitf
orawhi le.
"Shesnif
fs.
"Idon'
tknowwhattosay,"she'
sdumbfounded,
maybeSi zwehadareasonfornotshar
ingsuch
newswi t
hher.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
"Busisi
ghsl
ooki
ngdowni
nshame.
"Noneedt oapologize,butknowthatallwomanwil
l
sleepwithyourman.I 'm happywhereIam.That
mangi vesmer ealgoodandIdon' tseemyself
cheati
ngont hatsoul."Li
ndiweblusheslooki
ng
down.Shef orget
sthatshewasmadear li
eron.
Busil
aughsabit
,"I
'
m sor
ryf
orbegi
napai
n."Her
apol
ogyissi
ncer
e.
"
It
'sokay,
pleasehel
pmear
ound.
"Li
ndi
we.

Cleaningthehousewasn' tmuchofahust le.Busi

wast hereassi st
ingindoi nglaundryand
surpri
singlyshei snotasbadasshet hought.But
shedoesn’ tcomecl osetomi ssjetneg.Sheison
herwayt ot hehospi talhopingtoheargreatnews.
Shesmi lescr ossingt heroadthi
nkingpositi
vel
y.
Shebumpsi ntoMpi lo,t
heireyesmeet.
"
CanIpass?
"
Mpilomovesasideanlooksatherunt
ilsheenter
ed
thehospi
tal
.Sheheardhim cl
ickhi
stongue,she
doesn'
tneeddrama,hermanneedsherat t
enti
on
morethananythi
ng.
Shef i
ndsthedoct or
sbusywi
thhim.She'sstandi
ng
outthedoorlookingthr
ought
heglass.Tears
blur
redhervision.Noti
nherwil
destdream hasshe
everthoughtthathermanwil
lbeturnaroundinbed
l
ikeacor pse.
Thet wonurseswalkout,theyaredonewithhi
m.
Sheent er
swi t
hherwobblyl egsandaheavyheart
.
Theyt ol
dhertobest r
ongf orhim -t
ohavea
positi
veenergy.Theytol
dhert oholdonandGod
shallanswersherpayer'
s.Isitevenpossi
blei
nthi
s
stat
e?
Shesitsdownandt akeshiscoldhand.Sheki sses
thebackofithopingt hathewillsqueezeherhand
assuri
ngherthathei sf i
neandwi llbe.Shesi
lentl
y
cri
esandturnstol ookont heside,atthebackof
herheadshet hi
nkshei sawareofherbei ngheart
broken.
Shet
akesadeepbr
eat
htr
yingnott
obr
eakdown…

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE
Todayisasunnyday,
abeaut
if
uldayf
ort
hem t
o
expl
oreCapeTown.
Hef ini
shedbathi
ngjustwai
ti
ngformissytofini
sh.
Atleasthersi
nustoneddownatnightshehadall
t
het imetosleepandprepar
eherbodyf oract
ivi
ti
es
fortheday.
Hecannotwai
tfort
heday.
"
Whydowomant aket
ime? "Hei
sver ymuch
i
mpatient.Hehashishandsinhisblackandwhi t
e
Adi
dast r
ackpantspocket.Weari
ngallsportyt
oday.
Onyi
yeiswear i
ngherhighwasteblackjeanswitha
whit
ecrop-topaccompaniedwit
habl ackbiker
j
acket.
"I
'
m done, wecango. "Shet ell
shim.Shepr esses
herli
pst ogethermaki ngsur ethathernudelipsti
ck
i
si nt
act."Iwantapict ure.
"Shehandshi m her
phonebutr emember s." Yourphonehasper f
ect
quali
ty.Giveme. "Hel ooksatherst unned.Sheis
notevenaski nghim butdemandi ng.Hecompl etely
zonesoutl ookingather .Shef i
shesforhisphonei n
hispocket,unlocksitwi t
hapasswor dandbegi ns
t
aki
ngsel
fi
es.
"Iwantaf ullpict
ure.
"She'sbubbl
yandhappytoday.
Isitbecauset heyaregoingout?Shei
ssurel
y
behavinglikea20yearol dtodayandhel
ovesit!
Heist
iredoftaki
ngever
ypicturei
never
yangl
e.
Tur
nthecamer athi
sway,you'r
etoocl
ose,
hol
dit
up,
holditdown…
"Ar
eyoudone?"Heasksl
ocki
nghi
sphoneand
put
tingi
tbacki
ntohi
spocket
.
"Fornow,yes."Andj
ustli
kethathei
sl oosi
nghis
spaceonhi sphonei
ncludi
nghisdata.Hebetter
removethisiPhonei
nfr
ontofhereyes.Samsung
gir
lispi
ll
inguponhisphonedaybyday, nott
hathe
i
scompl aini
ng.
"Iwantt
ori
deacablecar
."She'
sbeamingi
n
exci
tement
.Thi
sisnotwhathesignedf
ort
heday.
"Babe,areyouokay?"Hehasneverseenherthi
s
happyandi tscar
eshi m.Hepyit
shishandonher
foreheadfeel
inghertemperat
ure.
"
Yes,
why?
"She'
sconf
used.
"
Ithoughtyouwer
eaf
rai
dofhei
ght
s."
Shewi
lldefi
nit
elydieyoung.Whoof
fer
sthei
rdeat
h
onasi
lverplat
ter?
"Thi
soneIcanmanage.
"Shepr
oudl
ysayscl
appi
ng
herhands.
"Haveyouseent
hehei
ghtoft
hatt
hingyouwantt
o
bein?"
"
Igoogl
edi
tandIt
hinkIcanmanage.
"
Hewonder
showwil
lshemanage-awomanwho
wasaf
rai
dofapl
anetaki
ngof
f!

Theydri
veoutofthehot
elwit
hherdoingvi
deo'
s
andcaptur
ingever
ybuil
dingt
heypass.
"
IloveCapeTown.Mydream cametrue.
"He
r
eachesforhert
highandsqueezesi
tabit.
"
Youar
eyett
oseet
hewor
ldbabe.
"
Andt
hati
saf
acthei
swi
ll
ingt
oful
fi
l.
Therobottur
nsred-hedr
ivesslowl
yappr
oaching
ther
obots.Onyi
yeopenst
hewi ndowandputher
shadeson.AnSUVpar ksnexttothei
rhir
edcarwi
th
twomeninside.Sheputshershadesaboveher
headandsmi l
espull
ingSthembisoforaqui
ckki
ss.
Sthembisosmil
esl eani
ngoverki
ssinghermore.
Shegigglesandpusheshim off
.Shelooksout
side
thewindowsmi l
ing.Themensmi l
edandwavedat
her.Shewavedbacksmi li
ng.
"CanIhaveyournumber
?"Onewhi
sper
senoughf
or
Sthembisot
ohear.
Sthembi
sof
rownsl
ooki
ngatOnyi
ye.Hi
shear
t
poundsabi
t.
"
Nah,
I'
mtakenandI
'
m happy.
"Sheshout
s.
"What
everl
oveport
ionyougaveher,
Ialsowantit
."
Themansaysinthatbl
ackSUVtell
sSthembiso.
St
hembi
sol
aughsabi
t.
"
Ihavemyown,
Ishal
lgi
veyou.
"Heshout
sback.
"Bytheway,shelookslovel
y."Themanwinks-the
robott
urnsgreen.TheSUVdr ivesal
ongi
nfull
speedleavi
ngthem behind.
"
Idon'
tli
kehowt
heywer
elooki
ngatyou.
"He
conf
essesanddr
ivesof
ffol
lowi
ngt
hecar
.
"Nomat t
erhowmucht heylookatme,t
heywil
l
neverhaveme."Thatassur
anceinhervoi
cemade
hisbl
oodf l
owabitinhappi
ness.
"
Ncr
rchi
ld.
"Hesmi
leshol
dingherhand.
Seei
nghert hi
shappymadehimr ememberthe
ni
ghtshegavehim herpr
ide.Shewasallovert
he
pl
acehavingtimeofherl
if
e.Singi
ngwit
ht hat
horr
ibl
evoice.
"Onlywi thyou,Ilearnedtobr eathe."Outofthebl ue
hesays.Shepauseseat i
ngheri ce-cr
eam andbur st
wi t
hl aughter
.Theyar echi
llingi ntheparklookingat
theki dsplayi
ngar ound.Justseei ngt hesmileon
herf aceisenought okeephi m satisf
iedfortherest
ofhisl if
e.Seeingherhappyagai naf t
eragr owup
struggleisbetterthananyf eelinginthewor ld.He
neverwantt oseehersadagai n."Thiswi l
lbewor th
i
t, Ndoni.Everythi
ngyouhadt ogot hroughgr owing
up.Ipr omise.Eveni fyouhavet owaitformeaf t
er
fuckingup, I'
l
lmakei tworthi t.
"Thesmi l
efades
from hereyesandshecl utchesherhandt oher
hear
t.
"Youal r
eadyhave, Sthembiso."That.Rightt
here.
Hedon' tdeserveher.Hewal ksswiftlybackto
wher eshe'sstandingandt akeherfacei nhi
shands.
"Imeani t,
"hesays." Il
oveyousodamnmuch, it
hurts."Heforceshisl i
psagainsthers,t
henpull
awayj ustasf ast
."Butithurtsinareall
ygoodway. "
Hesmi l
esmaki nghert oblush.Thi
si swhathe
signedupf or.Hedoesn' tseehimselfwithanyother
womanbesi desher .

Af
tereat
ingicecr
eam hedeci
dedt
odowhatt
he
mi
sswant s.
Onemi nuteit’
saperfectlynormalri
deont hecable
carridethatsher equested.Befor
eshecoul denter
hersizef ourshestartedshakinginfear.Shewas
exit
edmi nutesago,al
lhappyandal lsmi l
esthenext
minut e,i
tfeelsli
keshe'sonaboatonr oughsea,
feel
ingal lgi
ddyandnauseat ed.
"It
oldyounott
oeatice-
cream.
"Hel
ooksather
gaggingwi
thhereyescl
osed.Amoment
,hetakes
outhi
sphoneandbegi
nsr
ecor
dingher
."Babe,
you
areembar
rassi
ngme."
"Canwejumpoff?
"Cameoutasawhisper
.He
l
aughsoutloudmaki
nghert
earsf
lowdownher
cheeks.
"
Haibabe,weahalfwaythrough.Justhol
don."He
t
akesherhandandholdsitfi
rmly.Sheisashaki
ng
l
eaf.
Hestopsrecor
dingherandpostt
hevi
deoon
Facebook.
"Shewantedtori
dethecabl
ecarri
de,nowsheis
embarrassi
ngme!"Helogsoutandputshi
sphone
backtohispocket
.Hewrapshisarmsaroundher
neckandwi pet
hefal
li
ngtear
s.
Thi
swomanisat
otalembar
rassment
.Hel
aughs
onthei
nsi
de.
"Arewet her
eyet
?"Sheasks-shest
il
lhashereyes
closed.
"Openyoureyes,t
heri
dehasstopped.
"Hetel
lsher
.
Sheslowlyopenshereyesandl
ooksdown.She
scr
eamsandcl
imbsonhi
m.
"
Sthembi
so!
"Nowal
leyesar
eonhi
m!
Hel
aughshol
dinghert
ight
.
Shel
ookscut
ewhenshe'
saf
rai
dandhel
ovesi
t.

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Thef actthatSi
siphohateswakingupi
nt he
mor ning.Shewantedthejobandnowt hatshehas
foundi tsheisbecominglazydaybyday.
Shehasn'
topenedherphone,
thethoughtoft
urni
ng
i
tonjustmakesherwanttopuke.
"I
sn'tt
hisnotyoursi
ster?
"Oneofhercoll
eagues
asks.Sisi
phofrownstaki
ngherphone.
"Iwonderwhatthatuselesschi
ldhasdonenow.I
swearthisstupi
dgirll
ikesembarr
assingus."She
cli
ckshertongue.Sheseethesherteethandlookat
thepict
uresandvideospostedonFacebookbya
parti
cul
arman!
"Cl
earl
y,youhaven'
tseent
hel
atestupdat
es.Thi
s
gir
lisr
olli
ngi
nmoney. "
Sisi
phodecidestokeepqui
teanddonotcomment
toherst
atement.Sheconti
nuest
owatchwithher
mouthparti
all
yopened.
"
Whenwast
his?
"
"
Checkt
hedat
es.ButIt
hinki
t'
srecent
."Sheadds.
"
Noi
tcan'
tbe.
"Hevoi
cei
sbar
elyout
.
"Yesdear.WhenJesussayyes,nobodycansay
no."Thegir
lsnat
chesherphoneoutofherhands
andwalksawayleavingSi
sipholostandconf
used.
Shehassuddenlyl
ostappet
it
e.Maybeit
'snother.
Peoplel
ookthesamealldayanddamntime.There
i
snowayt hat-t
hatgir
lisOnyi
ye.Sher
efusesto
bel
ievet
hat.
Sheclosesherf
oodandpushesitasi
de.Shetakes
herphoneoutofherbr
eastandswit
chesiton.
Sheneverl
ogsoutonherFacebookandi
thasbeen
ahabi
t.
Lastt
imeOnyi
yesentheraf
ri
endr
equestandshe
neverbother
edacceptingit
.Seemslikeshedelet
ed
thefri
endrequestbecausesheisnotontherequest
l
ist.
Shesear
chesheronFacebook,
unabl
etospother
..
.
Theannoyingnotif
icat
ionskeeponfl
oodingmaki
ng
herevenannoyed.Shegoesonhernot i
fi
cati
on
sect
ionandnoticesthatshehasbeentagged
multi
plet
imes.
"Shanerequestsforyoupr
esencenow!"She
cri
ngeshear i
ngthenameShane.Shesighsinf
ear
andlocksit.Shestandsupandfol
lowsher
supervi
sorshortl
y.
Shefi
ndsever
yoneinShane' soff
ice.Shewonders
whostol
ewhat.Whenevertheyar ecall
edal
lat
oncei
nthisof
fi
ceit
’sdefi
nitelybecauseofst
eali
ng.
Shest
andsnextt
ohercol
league'
sandl
oudl
ysi
ghs.
"Idon'
thaveallday,soI'
m goingaskyouthi
sone
questi
on.Whoamongstyour lst
olemymoney?"
Shane'sasksandt heroomsbecomessilent
.
"
Idi
dn'
t.
"Si
siphor
epl
iesi
nconf
idence.Shewoul
dn'
t
darestealf
rom t
hiswhit
eoldman.Sheknowst
he
consequencesoftheoutcome.
"
Soal
lofyoudonotknow?
"Heasksl
eani
ngback.
Ther
oom i
ssi
lent
,br
eat
hsbei
nghel
dwi
thi
n.
Shanepi
cksupapur
plebagandt
hrowsi
tont
he
fl
oor.
"
Who'
sbagi
sthi
s?"Heaskspl
ayi
ngwi
thapen.
"Mine's.Whatareyoudoi
ngwithmybag.
"Sisipho
hissesandpicksherbagup.Shegaspsl
ookingat
theamountofmoneyi nherbag."
Whoputmoneyi n
here!"Shehalfscr
eams.
"
Ever
yonei
sexcused.
"Shanedi
smi
ssesever
yone.
"IswearIdi
dn'
tst
ealyourmoney.
"Shei
nthever
ge
ofcryi
ng.
"
You'
ref
ir
ed.
"
Justl
iket
hatshehasl
ostherj
ob.Shecannotbe
fi
redwhensheneedst
hejobthemost.
"
Shane,
please.Idi
dnotst
eal
your
,moneyIswear
."
"
Getoutbef
oreIcal
lsecur
it
yonyou.
"Hest
andsup
andst
ri
dest
owar
dsher
.
"Iswear
,Idi
dn'tst
eal.I'
llbei
nyourbedt oni
ght
.
Pleasej
ustdon'tf
ir
eme.Mymot herneedst
he
moneymor ethanme. "Tearsrol
ldownhercheeks.
"Yourawast esweetheart.Youdon' ttur
nmeonany
l
onger.Nowl eavemypr emisesbef oreIcal
lthe
copsfortrespassingandst eal
ing.Povertymakes
youdot heunthinkabl
e."Hesmi l
esandwal ksoutof
hisoff
iceleavi
nghert oburstint ears.
Angerandpain,
fol
lowedbyf
eel
ingsofconf
usi
on
anddisi
ll
usi
onment
Thesuddenoftheoverwhel
medcri
ppl
ingsensat
ion
ofpowerl
essness,
depressi
onandf
ear
.Howwi ll
shetakecar
eofhersickmother
?
Howwi
llshet
akecar
eoft
hechi
ldshei
scar
ing.
Thereisaknotinthepitofherst
omach.Youknow
thatdi
ssoci
ati
vefeeli
ngwher eyoucanseeyourself
almostfr
om above?Thatishowshedef i
nit
elyf
eels.
Shefeelsmuddledandbl
endedi
ntoonenegat
ive,
twi
sty,di
smalfeel
ing.
[
08/
18,
03:
40] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER33

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Arri
vingathome, shet
hrowsher
selfonthecouch,
ki
cksof fhersweatypumpsansighsclosi
ngher
eyes.It
'snotevenmonthendandalreadyshe'
s
brokeandj obl
ess.
"
Mnt anami,ar
eyouokay? "That
’shermother
's
worri
edvoice.Tear
sr ol
ldownhercheeks-she
wipesthem andbeginstochock.
"
Sisi
pho,
youar
escar
ingme.
"
Hermot
hersays.
"
Igotf
ir
edatwor
k."Shesays.
"
Hau,
why?
"
"TheysaidIst
olemoney.Someonefr
amedmeand
thebossfeelf
orit
.Howar ewegoi
ngtol
iveof
f
aftert
his?
”
She'sstressed.Shecan'
tevenbegi
ntotel
lhowshe
wil
levenbegi nli
vingasanunemployment
i
ndividual.
"Godwillmakeapl
an.
"Thatishermot
hertr
yingto
assureher,
butl
ooksl
ikei
t'
snotworki
ng.Herphone
beeps…
She'
sfrowninglooki
ngattheamountof
noti
fi
cati
ons.Shesighsandbrowset
hrought
hem.
Onyiyet
his,Onyi
yethat!Whoknowsmaybeshe
wasspottedpregnantsomewherewi
thafat
her
less
chi
ld.
Herheartrai
seslookingatherrecentpict
ures.
Final
ly,
shemanagest olocat
eherFacebook
account.Shecannotbelieveher
.Anobodycannot
turni
ntoasomet hi
ngoverni ght
.Shepauses
l
ookingatthehealthykidswiththei
rblondhair
.
Sherecogni
sesther
edman.Hermout
hpar
ti
all
y
opensbuthervoi
cei
sfai
li
ngher
.
Sheconti
nuest
oscrol
lthr
ough-herabdomeni
s
suddenl
yfi
ll
edwit
hasli
ghtpai
n.
"
Wow,
"thati
sal
lshecansay.
Sheshowshermot
herpi
ctur
es.
"Sot
hisgir
ldecidedt
osellherbodyembar
rassi
ng
usmore?"Sisi
phochucksbitt
erl
y.
"Onyiyehasdi gnity.Shecar
rieshersel
fasawoman.
Shewoul dn’
tuset empleasasi n.Yesshemadea
mistakebutwoul dneverbetrayherbodyinthat
manner .”Hereyespopouti nshock.Di dhermother
j
ustdef endagi rlshehatesthemost ?
"
Wear et
alki
ngaboutOnyi
yeher
e."Shesnapsher
f
inger
sonhermother'
sface.
"
Iknowmydaught
er.
..
"Shesi
ghs.
"Ma,i
sther
esomet
hingyouar
enottel
li
ngme? "
Thi
swomanusedtohateOnyi
yewit
hallthati
sin
her
.
"No,Iwantt
osleep."Justli
kethatshethrowsher
headonthepil
lowcl osi
nghereyes.Hermot her
wasorhasnever-nevert ookOnyiye'
sside.She
cont
inuestoscrol
lonherphoneandl etherbe.
Adar
ktal
lman…Shezoomst
hepi
ctur
enot
bel
ievi
ng.Thisi
sthever
ysamemanonher
mother’
salbum.She'
snotst
upi
d!

Shewantstoconf
ir
m,pl
ayi
ngdetect
iveonherown.
Looksl
ikehermot
heri
ssecr
eti
ve.
She'
spagingever
ythi
ngdocumentsweati
ng.Her
handsshakefi
ndi
ngithar
dforherbr
eath.Noit
can'
tbe!
"But
,howcome? "Sheasksher sel
fscrat
chingher
head.Shehashadi tf
iguredal
lout.Sheadmither
motherissomethi
ngel se.Howcanshehi desuch
sensi
ti
veinfor
mation!
Shepicksthewholealbum incl
udingtheenvelope
andmar chestowherehermot heris.Sohermot her
hasbeenhi di
ngsuchinformati
oni nherroom.She
hasmadeherr oom upsidedownl ookingforwhat
shewant s.
"
Ma,mavuka."Shevigor
ousl
yshakesher
.He
mot
hersqui
ntshereyesopeni
ngthem.
"
Yini
?"Sheaskswi
thhert
ir
edvoi
ce.
Shehel
pshersi
tonhermat
tr
essandsi
tsnextt
o
her
.
"Iwantyouexplai
nsomething."Shehandshert
he
brownenvelopeaswellasthealbum."Whatist
his?
Andwhydoesi tsaythatOnyiyeisthehouse
owner?"Sheasks.
Hermothercloseshereyest
aki
ngadeepbr
eat
h.
Shedi
dn'texpectthi
s…
"
Canyouputt
hatback?
"Shepl
eads.
"Lastti
meIaskedyouaboutthepicturebutyou
i
gnor edme.Iwantt
oknowwhoi sthisman? "She
showsherthephotothatwasinthealbum, she
scrol
lsontoherphoneandsearchesf orapictur
e
ofOnyiye.
"
Youseet hi
sman, t
hisisthever
ysamemant hati
s
wit
hOnyiye.Whatisgoingon?Didn'tyousayyou
werer
aped?I'mjustconfusedandlost.
"
Shesi
ghsl
eani
ngback.
"
Canwenott
alkaboutt
his.
"
"
Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
otal
kabouti
t!Yout
oldme
thatmyf at
herdi
edandleftt
hishouseformeonly
tofindoutthet
hishouseissomeoneelse'
sname
whohappenst otherapi
stsdaught
er!
"Shehalf
screams.
"
Onyi
yei
snot
…"
"
Car
ryi
n,Onyi
yei
snotwhatmah!
"Iwasneverr apedbyOnyi ye'sfat
her .Il
efthim
becausehewasaf oreigner.Hewasnotenoughf or
me!Iwasr apedwhenIhadyou! "Sheshout sback
andbegi ntohavesei zures.Hermot herslowlyfal
ls
onhersi dewhilesitti
ng.Salivacomi ngoutofher
mout h,eyesroll
ingback, herhandsdef orminginan
unrecogniti
on.Sisiphozonesoutl ookingather
mot hershakingvigorouslyont hemat t
ress.
Thedooropensandthei
rnei
ghbourwalksi
n
car
ryi
ngabowlfil
ledwit
hsweatpotat
oes.
"Jesus!
"thewomanexcl
aimsputt
ingt
hebowlon
topofthetabl
e.Sher
ushest
owardsNontombi
putti
ngaclothi
nhermouthbef
oreshecoul
deven
bithert
ounge.
"
Sisi
pho!
"Shet
apsonhershoul
der
.
Sisi
phoget
sst
art
ledt
henhermi
ndi
nst
ant
lycomes
back.
"Mah,"shestandsupandr
unst
otheki
tchenf
ora
glassofwater.
"
Whathappened?
"Thel
adyasks.
Nont
ombihasst
oppedshaki
ng.
"Idon'twhathappened,weweretalki
ngandIzoned
out."Sheisjustr
umblingnotmakinganysense.
Thewomanl ooksathersuspi
ciouslybutdeci
dest
o
keepherpeace.
"
Howof
tendoest
hishappen?
"
"
Notqui
teof
ten.I
tlasthappenedt
wodaysago.
"
"Youshouldconsi
derseei
ngMahlasebecausehe
oncehelpedwithyourmother
'ssi
tuat
ion.
"
Shenodsherheadbuthermi ndtr
ail
sbackt
owhat
hermothersai
d.Didshereal
lymeanwhatshesaid?
Thenei
ghbouristal
kingt
oherbutshecannoteven
hearawordofwhatsheissaying.
"
Sisi
pho!
"Sheshakesherr
oughl
yonhershoul
der
.
"
Yes,what?No."Shecloseshereyes."I
'
m sorr
yI
j
usthavealotonmymi nd"indeedshedoes.Her
mothercannotdoherli
kethat,notwhenshehas
j
ustbeenfir
edfrom work!
_
___
___
___
___

She'stossingandturni
ngf
ail
ingtosl
eep.Wi
thal
l
thepictures,
videosmadeherhavehear
t
palpi
tations.
Shesawpict
uresofheri
napl
ane,
acar
,at
ri
pto
CapeTown!
Shei
snotcutf
oragoodl
if
e!Onl
yshei
s.
Shesniffsfeeli
nglikeshecoul djustdeact
ivateher
Facebookaccountonceandf orall
.Howcana
personrisefrom zerotohero.Ther ei
sdefini
tely
somethingbehi ndherovernightsuccess.
Shecannotbr
ingher
sel
ftobeli
evet
hatagir
lli
ke
Onyiye,
whoisver
ymuchyoungerthanheri
sout
ther
ehavingt
heti
meofherli
fe!
Shewoul
dbever
ymuchhappyi
f-i
fshewas
mi
ser
abl
eandl
onel
y.
Shesi ghsl
ayingonherback.Shegrabsthebrown
envelope,r
oughlyopeningi
tandreadsthroughf
or
the10t ht
ime.Alloft
hiscannotbetr
uewhenshei s
tryi
ngsohar dnottobeli
eveanyofit
.
Hermother
…shedoesn'
tevenwanttothi
nkabout
t
hatwoman.Shenowr emembersthewordsof
Aunt
ieBusi
we.
Shedialshernumberandt her
eisnopickup.
Maybeshei ssti
llangr
yathoweverythi
ngunfol
ded
thel
asttimeshewasher e.Shetr
iesagai
nlucki
l
y
shepicksup.
"
Hell
o,"hersweetvoi
cemakeheremoti
onal.The
f
actthatshechasedheroutl
ikeapi
eceofnothi
ng
i
snowhi tt
ingherhar
d.
"
Ma,
ist
rue?
"
Forawholeminut
eofsi
lencewi
thnor
esponse."
Is
tr
ue?"Shesni
ff
s.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Thati
snott
heanswershewant
ed.
"
Yourmotherpl
antedi
deasinyourheadofl
ies.She
wasneverr
apedbyOnyiye'
sfat
herbutshewas
r
apedbyyourfat
herwhoisawellknowndrankard.
"
Herl
ipsqui
verasshebur
sti
ntot
ear
s.
"So,I
'
m aproductofr
ape?"Shecl
utchesont
oher
chestbr
eat
hingheavi
ly.
"Nowthatyouknow,I'
m sureyouknowhalfoft
he
tr
uth.Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit
?Aboutyour
sist
erbecauseshehadnotfaulti
nthi
s?"
She'sbeenaskedaquest
ionshedoesn'
thavea
responseto.Onyi
yewasborn!So,
yessheispar
tof
thi
s!
"Hati
ngsomeonewhowasneveraskedt obeborn
i
nt hefir
stpl
ace,Icansayit
'sst
upi
d.Doyouwant
yourkidstogrowunderthathat
e?"
"
No,
"of
cour
senot
!
"
Cleanseyourhear
tbef
orei
t'
stool
ate.
"
"
Ih…"
Thel
inegoesdead.She'
stheonewhocall
edbut
womanistheonewhoi sdi
sconnect
ingt
hecal
l.
Shedidn’thavethetimeandspaceduri
ngtheday
toprocesswhat '
shappenedandtoevaluat
eand
makesenseofi t.Someti
mest heonl
yti
mesheget s
todot hati
swhenshei sinbed.She'
sthattypet
hat
processeseverythi
ngatnight
.
Shebegi nstothi
nkaboutherto-doli
st,andthe
endl
esswor r
iesshehasaboutthedayandweeks
ahead,whatwi l
lherl
if
ebenowt hatsheisjobl
ess?
Nowt hatsheknowsshei sapr oductofrape?She
begi
nst hinki
ngaboutiti
nanembar r
assingway.
It'
sscaryhoweverythinghasunf ol
dedandsheis
thepartofthehur
tfulcycle.Herl
ipsqui
ver.Shei
s
ruminati
ngonawor stcasescenari
o,i
mage
happeningsometi
mei nthefutur
e.
What everherthought sare,shecan’tstopthem
from coming.Ast hethoughtsrace,herheart
poundst oo,andi tfeel
sast houghshewi l
lneverget
tosleep.Thisal lfeel
sterr
iblyunfai
r!Nightis
supposedt obet heti
mewhenyouf i
nallygetto
unwindandr elax.Herracingthoughtsmaket hat
feeli
mpossi ble!
ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Shei slookingout sidet hewi ndow,l

ookingatt he
cit
yofCapeTown.I sshef i
nallybl
essedorwhat ?
Lookingatherbei ngi naf oreigntoiconicmount ai
n
ranges, st
unni ngnat uralwonder s,t
hril
li
ng
l
andscapesandoceanvi stas.Herheartfeelsjoyed
andf ulf
ill
ed, evenifshedi esnow, shedi dgetto
experiencet hatpartofl if
et hatshealwaysdr eamed
off.Shesmi lesemot ionall
yandwi pest hetearsthat
areaboutt oescapehereyes.
"Babe,ar
eyouokay? "Sthembi soasksashest eps
outoftheshowe.Forami nuteshepausedand
l
ookedathi m.Aspinkishwhi te,or
angeashei s-he
i
st hebestbabydaddy, boyfr
iend,manshehasever
comeacr oss.Hersoulsfeelsatpiece.Asstupi
das
hecanbeatt imes,shedoesn' tseehersel
fbuil
dher
homewi thanotherdi
ck.Hereyest r
aildowntothe
dickhangingin-
betweenhi slegs.Shesmi l
es
admiri
ngt hemachinethatalwaysmakehersweat .
Themachi
net
hatal
waysget
sherpussyt
osee
st
ars.
Sthembiso'
sfr
ownsbringsherbackt
oeart
h.She
waswayi ntoodeep-foramomentshefel
thi
m
beingburi
eddeepinsi
deofher.
"Areyousureyougood? "Hewi peshishairwi
tha
bigtowel,dr
ipsofwatersplashi
ngallovermaking
hertoclosehereyesinhal
inghissmel l
.Damn
niggerknewhowt otakecareofhimself.She
quickl
yflunghereyesopenandsi ghsin
embar r
assment.
"Areyougoingcrazyorwhat ?"Hechucks.St il
l
standi
ngbesidethewi ndowunabl etobreatheshe
openshermout htorespondbutcl osesit.Her
voicei
sdefiantl
yfail
ingher.Sthembisot hr
owst he
towelonthefloorandtakestepstowar dsher.He
standsri
ghtInfr
ontofherandhol dsherwai st.She
wantstoscream athim sobadf orthrowingthe
towelonthefloorbutshecan't,l
ooksl i
kethisman
hasbyhertiti
's.
"
Ijustl
ovehowyoul
ookatmewoman.
"Heki
sses
thet
ipofhernose.Thebl
ushonherfacecoul
dn't
bemissed!Hepokesherf
oreheadmakinghert
o
l
augh.
"
That
'
snotcut
e,"
"
Youundr
essi
ngmeundr
essed,
youf
indi
tcut
e?'
"Yousaidityour
sel
f-youarealr
eadyundressed
moss."Theybothlaugh.Shewrapsherar
ms
aroundhisneckandsmi l
esshyl
ygivi
nghim ahug.
"Iwishwecouldstayl
iket
hisal
lday,ever
yday."
Alreadyhei
swhining,
thathasbeenthebestthathe
getstodothesedaysandshefindsi
tveryfunny.
Shewasoncet ol
dt hatshemustnotputherl ifeon
holdfornobodyi snonst andar d.Shenowknows
fi
rst-
handt hatnot hingelsemat tersifsheisn't
fol
lowinghersoul 'spurpose.Shehasf oundit;she
canal i
gnal lareasofherl i
fetopoi ntinthat
dir
ection.Itispossi bletodowhatshel ovesandl ive
i
nf l
ow—shej ustneededt herightmot i
vationmi nd-
set,andtot aket her i
ghtact i
on.Andt hi
srighthere,
i
sherr ightdirectioninlife.Shesqueezeshi m
aroundhi sneckmaki nghimt opi ck,withher
wr
appi
ngherl
egsar
oundhi
swai
st.

Heplacesheront
opoft
hebedgi
vingherneck
ki
sses.
Wi t
hherlegsstil
lwrappedaroundhiswaistwith
herhandst r
ail
ingonhismessywethai r.Hestops
kissi
ngherandl ooksdeepintohereyes,moreli
ke
readinghersoul.
"Il
oveyou."Hesays-wi thoutwaiti
ngf orherto
respondhesmasheshi sl i
psagainstherwar ml y.
Heunwr apsthegownOnyi yeiswearingt aki
ngi t
full
yoff
.Hegr oansbeingwel comedbyt hesteam
ofherhotstove.Hishardcocki salr
eadyhar d
pokingherstomachwi thexcitementdrippingout.
Helower
shisbodyontopofher.Hepl
acestheti
p
ofhi
scockdir
ect
lyonheral
readywetent
rance.
Sal
viaf
il
lshi
smout
hduet
ohunger
.
"
Hawe,
"hehisseswit
hhiseyesclosed.Hepushes
i
n-shegaspsgrabbi
nghi
shair.
Wheneverheent
ersher
,iti
sthemostawesome
feel
ing.Thesensationsar emindbl owing.Ashe
penetratessl
owly,herlegsopeni nsti
nctively,
i
nviti
nghi mtothrustdeepandhar d.Thepl easureis
unbeli
evable.Herhear ti
spoundingashet hrusts
harderandherskint akesont hi
swar mt handr ubor.
Shear chesherbacki nresponsetot heexqui sit
e
sensationsandherhi psthrustbackandf orthin
rhyt
hm wi thhi
sthrusts.
Hervaginacontract
senjoyablyasthesensat
ions
getmoreintenseandspewsoutt hosejui
cesto
faci
li
tat
etherapidandforcefult
hrust
sofhispenis.
"St
…St hembi
so.
"Shebi
teshi
sshoul
derscr
eami
ng
herlungsout
.
"Yesmami,"heisgroaningfai
li
ngt
ocont
aint
he
exci
tementhisbloodfeels.
Thedesi reformore,incr
eases,andhegetstothe
pointofnor etur
nwher ehewi sheshecoul
dstay
forever
, enj
oyingthosewonder f
ulorgasmsandthe
pleasuresofsexualpenetrat
ion.
"
Ngi
yasha,
ba…babeee.
"
Shecanf
eeli
t,hei
scl
ose.Hegr
indshereven
fast
ershaki
ngont opofher
.Hehasmasteredhis
cumin-hequickl
ypull
soutandtakesadeepbreath
rel
axinghi
sbody.Helaysheronthesi
de…
Heal
solaysonhi
ssidebehindherandi nt
ert
wine
t
hei
rlegsl
iket
wopairsofopenedscissorscoming
t
oget
herandmeeti
nginthemi ddl
e.
Hepl ayswithherwetnunar ubbingherswol l
ent i
ny
cli
t.Shesqui r
mst hrowingherheadbackwar ds
maki ngitl
eanagai nsthischest.Heki ssesherback,
positionshimselfandent er
sherheaven.Hehol ds
herlegeverhi gherwi thhistoescur l
edi nt
oaf ist.
Hei ssearchingf orleverage,heisfindingit,
and
beginmovi ngt heirbodiesunt i
ltheyhavef ounda
fantasticr
hythm.
Theloudcl
apsofthei
rbodi
esf
il
li
ngt
her
oom…The
hi
ssesandscreams…
"
Fu…fuckkkkk!
!"Shescreamsrel
easingt
hepee
maki
ngitsplashalloverthewhi
tesheet
s.
"Babe,st
op…Iwantt
hebathr
oom."She'sbreathi
ng
heavil
ytryi
ngt
oholdthel
astbi
tin.Shewant stocr
y
sobadbuthepleasur
eismakingherscream her
l
ungsout
.Hereyesbecomewat
eryandt
ear
sdr
ip
f
rom t
hecor
nerofhereyes.
"Khipha,
"hegroansbehindherbiti
ngherearl
obe.
Shet r
iespushinghim of
fbutheholdsherti
ghter
pushingallofhimin.Herlegsshakenumbly.Her
bladderisful
l…
Shecan' thol
donanyl onger.Asembar rassi
ngasit
i
sshegushesoutt hel astpeeremaining.Herbody
rel
axesabi tandwelcomest hepleasureseven
mor e.Theyarewetandst i
ckybuthekeepson
going.
"Shembenyanga,"hescr
eamsletti
nggoofherl
eg.
Hef l
ipsherovermaki
nghertolayfl
atonher
stomach,ontopofherpeebutpull
sherar
seup.
Wit
houtwastehestrokeshi
mselfandshoves
hi
mselfinmakingherbodytosti
ffen.Slowly
movinginandoutofherpussystarshei sgri
nding
hi
steethwit
hsweatdr i
ppi
ngonhi sforehead.She
i
sabletoreachthemaximum penetrati
onand
st
imulat
e,awholehostofdif
fer
entpleasurecent r
es.
Hespanksherbutt,
sheshakesitabi tandhe
smil
esstil
lwit
hhisyescl osed.Hef acelooksupthe
cei
li
ngandhej ustknowsi tt
hathei sclose.He
hol
dsherhipsevent i
ghterdri
bblingherf ast
er.He
i
sfail
ingtokeepiti
n-hel etsitgo,andt herel
ease
i
sfeltal
lthewayfrom somewher edeepi nsi
de,he
canfeelt
hepulseandt hesurgesasi thappens.
"
Shembeisthewaybabe.
"Hescr
eamslikeahyena
f
ail
ingt
ocontai
nhi
sorgani
cchemist
ry.
It
’sdef
ini
tel
yat ingli
ng-shi
ver
ingsensat
ionand
whenit’
sagr eatorgasm hi
sarmsandlegsgo
numbandf eelslight
headedaf
ter
wards.
Heempt i
eshisf
ullpackseedinsi
deofherandfeel
s
abitdizzy.Hesl
owl ypul
lsoutandlaysonhisback
panti
ng.Shegetsof ft
hebedembar rassedandhe
noti
ces.
"Comehere,
"hesmilesr
eachi
nghi
shandout.Wit
h
herwobblyl
egsshegetsbackont
opofthebed
l
ayingherheadontopofhim.
"
That
'
swasf
un.
"Hesmi
lesbr
ushi
ngherar
m.
"Youst
ink.
"That
'swhathermout
hut
ter
smaki
ng
himtol
augh.
"
Ngat
hiuyayakhohl
wawhomademest
ink.
"
"At
leastshembeistheway.
"Sheteaseshim
makingthem t
olaughthei
rlungsoutf
orthewhol
e
CapeTown.
Thisi
sthelifeshesignedupf orwhengrowingup.
Andshebel ievessheissti
llyett
oli
venomat t
er
whatmil
est onetheyreach.Thisri
ghther
eisher
happyplace.
"Let
'sgot
akeashowerandchangethesesheet
s."
Theycont
inuet
olaughfol
lowi
ngeachotherbut
t
nakedtot
heshower.
[
08/
18,
03:
40] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER34

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Sheisli
vingi
nconst
antfeart
hatherboyf
riendi
s
goi
ngt ol
eaveher
.Shealwaysaskhersel
f
quest
ionsoutoff
ear
."DoIlovehi
m somucht hatI
cannotenvi
sionli
fewithouthim?Am Iprepar edto
doanythi
ngtomakehi m st ayali
ve?Whatifhe
comesoutoft hehospitalanddecidest
oleaveme?
Whatifhefi
ndssomeonebet t
erinthef
uture?"The
painofhavi
ngquestionst othepersonwhoi shalf
deadinhospital
.
Sheknowst hat
,him beingadmi t
tedtohospitalcan
beawor r
yingti
mef orallthoseinvol
ved.Thishas
mademor ediff
icul
tbynotbei ngabletovisi
thi m
whenevertheyfeell
ike.Theyhaveaschedul elike
somebloodyhighschoolki ds!Shesighslookingat
herr
ingi
ngphonenonst op.
Ifit
'snotMpi l
obl
owingoutherphonei t'
sdefini
tel
y
unsavednumber s.Sheendedupbl ocki
nghi m
becauset hatmanhasnotiming.Herphoner ings
againandshenot i
cesit
'sthehospital
.Shesighs
pickingupandcloseshereyesclosedwai t
ingfor
what evernews.
_
___
___
__
Aft
erthatphonecal
lbei
ngsummonedi nthe
hospi
talmadethem al
ertandanxi
ous.Looki
ngat
t
hisdoctori
nfr
ontoft
hei
reyesmakesherhear
t
r
aceinfear.
Thedoctorsi
ghsclosi
ngthef
il
eandl
eansback
pul
li
ngthechairf
orward.
"I
smysonokay?
"Hismotheraskswi
tht
ear
s
str
eami
ngdownherface.
"
Ifhei
sdead,pleasejustl
etusknow.
"Hervoi
cei
s
i
naudi
bleduetostress.
"Heisnotdeadbutcomplet
elyunresponsive.He
doesnotmove, donotr
eactt
olightorsoundand
cannotfeelpai
n..
"Li
ndi
wecutsthedoct orinthe
midsentence.
"Buthiseyeswereopenedyest
erdaywhi
chmeans
heisr espondi
ngri
ght
?Hewi l
lbeokaybecausehe
i
sr espondingtot
hemedicat
ionyouaregi
vinghi
m."
"Yes,t
herewere.I
fthepat ient
sopent heireyes,t
hey
aresaidtoawakenfrom t hecoma.Thisdoesnot ,
however,meanthataper soni sconscious.Most
pati
entswhoawakenf r om acomasoonr ecuperate.
Butami nor
it
ywi l
lsuccumbt obraindeath;abrain
thati
sdeadiscompl etelydestroyedandcannot
recover
.Atthi
spoi
ntwehavenoot heropt
ionbutto
switchofft
hemachines.I
'm sor
rybutheisalready
dead,it
'sonl
ythemachinesthatkeepi
nghim ali
ve.
"
Theroom becomessi
lent
.Lindi
wetri
esstandi
ngup
notbel
ievi
ngthenewsbutlosesunconsci
ousness.
_
___
___
___
Sheopenshereyesandscanshersur
roundi
ngs.
Aft
erasyncopalepi
sode,
sheret
urnstohernor
mal
mentalf
unct
ionself
.
Shenot icest
hatsheissti
lli
nhospital
.Fearcreeps
i
n, shecannotloosethemanshej ustfound.No,not
l
iket hi
s.Herli
pstremble,
shebitesherlowerli
ps
preventi
ngherselffr
om cryi
ng.
Eventual
ly,
shesobsoutl
oudfai
li
ngtoholdher
cri
es.Shewashappydaysago,whathappened.
Melusiwalksincarryi
ngflower
s.Herushes
towardsherplacingthefl
owersontopofthe
hospi
talcabinetandsitsnextt
oher
.
"
Shhh,it
'sokay.Hewil
lbef
ine.
"Hesqueezesher
t
hicksel
fagainsthi
sbody.
"How?Thedoct orsaidheispractical
lydead!Di
dn'
t
youhearwhathesai d?Whatwillbecomeofme?I
can'
tloset heonethatmakesmehappy!Ican' t
Melusi.Everythi
ngj usthur
tsinme. "Shesobs
l
oudlyclutchingont ohischest.Thedoctorwalksi
n
andsmi lessympat heti
call
y.
"Apregnantwomandoesnothavet
ocr
yso
pai
nfull
y."
Shestopscryi
ngandt
urnst
ofacet
hedoct
orwi
th
swol
leneyes.
"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"Sheasksi
nashakyvoi
ce.
"
Youar
e3weekspr
egnant
.Congr
atul
ati
ons.
"
Hewal
ksoutl
eavi
ngherst
unned.
Pregnancyisoft
enconsider
edajoyousand
excit
ingti
me.Butsometimesli
fehasotherpl
ans.
Sheleansbackandfixesthepi
ll
owswiththought
s
fl
oodingover.
"
Howwi
llIt
akecar
eoft
hisbaby?
"
ShelooksatMelusi
whowasl ooki
ngatherbl
ankl
y
notknowinghowtorespond.
Sizwe'
smot
herwal
ksincar
ryi
ngabot
tl
eofwat
er
andabagonthesi
de.
"Makot
i,
"thi
swoman'
sheal
thi
sal
soatst
akeher
e!
Can’
tshegohomeandrest
?
"
Mah,hashewokenup?
"At
inysmi
lecr
eepsonher
f
ace.
Thewomanl
ooksathert
ounget
ied.
"Iboughtyouclot
hestochange.
"Shepl
acest
he
bagont opofthebed.
"
Wher
e'sSi
zwe?Hesai
dhewoul
dbeher
e."
Theyl
ookateachot
herconf
used.
"
Nana,
areyouokay?
"Themot
heri
sconcer
nedher
e!
"Si
zweneedsme,
"shet
ri
espul
li
ngt
hedr
ipof
fher
arm.
"
Hai
bo!Hol
dherMel
usishe'
sgoi
ngt
ohur
ther
sel
f.
"
Melusitr
iesholdi
ngherdownbutshe'
stoost
rong.
Thedripbreaksoffwi
ththeneedl
esti
cki
ngoutof
herarm.
"
Aibo,
iphuki
lei
nal
it
i!
"Si
zwe'
smot
herhasherhands
onherheadi
nshock.Mel
usirunsoutt
oseekf
or
hel
pandcomesbackwiththedoct
or.
Heinjectssomet hinginherar
m makingher
i
mmedi atelydizzy.Hehelpsheronthebedmaki ng
hertolayonhersi de.Hecareful
lypul
lstheneedle
outandput sapl asterar
oundthatsmallbr
uise.He
si
ghsst eppingback.
"
She'
sgoi
ngint
oshock.Shedoesn'
twanttoaccept
t
henewsandit
'sgoi
ngtohur
therdeepl
y."
"
Ow,
Nkosiyami
."
"Wewillhavetokeepherforobser
vati
ons,she'
s
dangertohersel
f.Shemightharm her
sel
foreven
ki
llher
self.
"
"
Thi
sisnotgood."Melusihashi
shandsonhi
s
wai
standshakeshishead.
"
Ever
ythi
ngi
sjustspi
nni
ngoutofcont
rol
."
"
I'
m sor
ry,
"thedoct
orwal
ksout
.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Thef unlif
eisover–shei snowbackt or eal
it
y,
backt oearthwhereshewishesshewasnotback
on.Shei sunpacki
ngsmi li
nglikealostpuppy
forgett
inghertr
oublesforamoment .Sthembiso
holdsherf r
om behindandkissesherneck.Hei s
shakingandshedoesnotknowwhy.Shet ur
ns
aroundt ofacehi
m wi t
hawor riedl
ookonherf ace.
'
'Outwit
hit,
"'
sheknowshi
m mor
ethananyone.He
sighsl
ett
inggoofherwai
st.
"
Iam j
ustsadthatwearebackher
e.Ihadsomuch
f
uninCapeTown.Canwegoback? '"Ther
eismor
e
i
ntot
hisandshecanfeeli
t.
“Wecannotjustpackupandl eaveSthembiso.We
havekidswehavet othinkabout.Nowtel
lme, what
i
sthecase?Whyar eyoushaki ng?”Sheaskswi t
h
herhandsonherwai st.Helooksdownswal l
owing
hardandsighs.
“
Let
'sgetmar
ri
ed.
”
NowSthembisoi
slosi
ngitandshebel
ievesit
.
Runni
ngoutofwordsnotknowi
nghowt orespond
tothesuddencrazySthembisoshesighsand
conti
nuestounpackherclothi
ng.Hereceivesacall
andwalksouttalki
ngtoTazz.Onewoul dswearthat
Tazzandhim aredati
ng,thewaythesedudescall
eachother.

_
___
___
___

Shei sdoneunpackingandshejustwantsherbody
torestandwaitforherkidstobebackhome.Ow,
howshehasmi ssedthosetwobeauti
fulsoul
s.She
smileslooki
ngthroughhergall
ery,
shetil
tsher
headandl ooksatthepictur
esonthewall.
“
Wewi l
lhavetodr
ivedowntoday;mymotheri
snot
f
eel
ingwell
.”St
hembisothr
owshimsel
fnexttoher
.
“Whatiswrongwit
hher?
”Shei
sworri
edthat
womanwel comedherwit
hwar
m openar
ms.Shei
s
hersecondmother
.
“HerBPisinamarathon.I
'm sur
eNdi
mui
sthe
causeofthi
s.”Heshakeshi
shead–Onyi
yelooks
athimindisbeli
ef.Thismanisnotser
ious,f
ora
second,shewonder edwhatki
ndofacr azyf
ather
hewillbeinthefuture.
“Okay,
nowIwil
lhavet
ogor
epackagai
n.”Shesays
alr
eadyst
andi
ngup.
“Noneed,wehaveourclothesathome.Justt
hose
accessor
iesandwearegoodt ogo."Hel
ooksather
foraminuteandsmi
les.“HowistheJetNegmi ss?
”
Shethrowst
hecushi
onathi
m andshebur
sti
nto
l
aughter.
“
Mxm,
”shewal
ksof
fleavi
nghi
minst
it
ches.

ONTHEROAD

Theyar eonther oadgoinghomet oEshowe.For

quitesometime, ablackSUVhasbeenf ol
lowing
them foral
mostanhour .Hishear
tpoundsi nfear
l
ooki ngatt
her earmirrorasthecarget
scloserand
closer.Hegl
ancesatOnyi yeandthegoodt hi
ngis
Onyiyeisasleep.
Hetri
esfi
shingforhi
sphonebutl
osesabi
tof
cont
rolontheroad.
“Shit
!”Hecur sesasheputst
hecarbackinlaneand
sighsinreli
ef.Onyi
yeopenshereyes.Shest
ret
ches
herselfandsmi l
es.
“Arewet hereyet?”sheasksscanninghereyes
around.Sheadj ustsherchairsi
tt
ingstr
aightupand
noti
cesSt hembisof ocusedontheroad.Shefrowns
l
ookingathi m andwonder edwhyhei sallt
ense.
“Babe, ”shesof tlycallsoutt ohim buthiseyesar e
sof ixedont her oadnotst ari
ngatanygl i
mpseof
her .Shenot iceshi squi ckeyesscanni ngaround
andconst antlychecki ngt herearmirror.Shet urns
aroundandnot icesacarf oll
owingr i
ghtaftert hem.
Shel ooksathi m sweat ing–sur elyhishear ti
s
poundi nguncont roll
ably.Shet akesadeepbr eat h
calmi ngher selfdown, notwant i
ngtoovert hinkt he
situat i
on.Hermi ndt r
ailsbackt owhenshewas
kidnapped, herhear tevenbegi nstobeatevenmor e.
Sheunlockstheseatbel
tandreachesforherbag
thatwasatthebackseat.Thedri
ver'
ssideofthe
windowbr
eaks,
maki
ngherscr
eam cover
ingher
ears.
“What'sgoi ngon?”shenot i
cesthatiti
spoi ntl
essto
askSt hembi sowhoi sbloodyfi
xedont her oad.
Thisisal lonher–shehast owomanupanddo
somet hing!Sthembisochangesl anestaki
ng
anotherr outenotknowingwher eiti
stakinghi m.
Eshowei sjustar
oundt hecorner.Theyhavej ust
passedeGi ngi
ndlovuPlaza.Theydrivethroughthe
gravelroadi nful
lspeed…
Shel
aysdownandunl ocksherphonewi t
hher
tr
embli
nghands.Sheimmediatelyspot
sKhoza’
s
numberanddi
alsthr
ough.Hepi cksupwithi
nafi
rst
ri
ng.
“Gif
t,
”Looksli
kethenameGif
tisbei
nglovedmor
e.
Rightnow,shehasnoener
gytosmile.
“Wearebei
ngfoll
owed,”hershakyvoi
cehast
he
phoneshuf
fl
inghurt
ingherear.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”Heasksovert
hel
ine.
“Idon’tknow,hejustoffr
ampedbyeGi
ngindl
ovu
Plaza.Het ookanotherway–wewereareonour
waytoEshowet
henextt
hingourcari
sbei
nghi
tby
ast
oneand…”
“Canyoulookatt
henumberpl
atesoft
hecar
.Tr
y
nottobeseen.
”
Wit
hherheartpoundi
ngshetil
tsherheadandt r
ies
t
ospotthenumberplatebutt
hecarisrightbehi
nd
t
hem wi
thbri
ghtlight
son.
“
Ican'
tsee,
”
“Tryadif
ferentangel
.”Het ellsher
.Shet akesa
deepbreathtell
ingherselfthatshecandot hisno
mat t
erhowbadl ysheisscar ed.Shej umpst othe
backseatandkneelsont hecarseattryi
ngt olocat
e
thenumberpl at
eswitht hephonepr essedagai nst
herear.
Shefi
nall
ygetsagl
impseoft
henumberpl
ateand
shar
esitwit
hKhoza.
“Donotdr
opthel
ineunti
lIsayso.”Hesaysmaki
ng
Onyi
nyenodherheadinagreement.“
Doyouhear
me?”
“
Yes,
yes,
Ihearyou.
”Shesl
idesdownont
heback
l
ayi
ngonhersi
deandsaysshor
tpr
ayer
.
Af i
ggerfrom outofnowhere,awomanwear i
nga
whitedresspassesbyt hegravelroadtryi
ngto
crosstotheotherside.Notnoti
cing,Sthembi
so
gl
ancesatt hebackandnot i
cest hatt
hecarisnow
outofsight.Hehi t
sonsomet hingharshly–he
i
mmedi atelypressesharshl
yonhi sbrakesandhis
heartl
eapsoutal mostjumpingoutofhi smouth.
“Whatwast hat?”Onyinyeaskssitt
ingstr
aightup.
Sthembisoreservesabi tandnoti
cethathestepped
onsomet hi
ng,causingt hecarkeptonbeingbumpy.
WithKhozast i
llonthelineheaskswhati sgoingon,
Onyiyehandstheshaki ngSthembisothephone.He
tal
ksbrief
lyanddr opsthephoneput t
ingherphone
i
nhi spocket.
“Stayput,
donotmove,”hesaysjumpingoutofthe
car.Heswallowshisdr
ysali
vaandholdshisbreat
h
prayingi
tisananimalt
hathesteppedon.The
engineissti
llr
unni
ng,t
heli
ghtsareshini
ngbri
ghtl
y.
Helooksatt
hewomanlayi
nghel
plessl
yonthe
gr
ound.Heswal
lowshardt
aki
ngstepstowar
dsher
.
Hesquat sInfr
ontofhercheckingherpul se,
but
none.Hel ooksatherfaceandnot icesthewoman's
headissnappedt otheside;heknowst hatt
hisi
s
notgoodbecauset hiscausest hebraintohi
tthe
si
deoft heskull,
tri
ggeri
ngabl ackout.Hestandsup
andchocksbyhi sownbreath.Thedooropensand
Onyiyestepsout.
Shepausesl
ooki
ngatt
hewomanl
ayi
ngont
he
ground.
"I
ssheokay?
"Hesof
tvoi
cemakesSt
hembi
so
emoti
onal
.
"
Iki
ll
edher
,"hesi
nksdownont
othesand.
Sir
enswhali
ngf
rom af
ar,
rightt
henheknowsshi
tis
aboutt
ohitt
hefan.
Hethi
nks,feel
s,andexpr
essesdi
ff
erent
lyi
nthi
s
si
tuat
ion.
shecrossedthestr
eetir
responsi
bly…andshedi
d,
eventhoughhedoesn’tremember.Asift
hatwoul
d
changeanythi
ngforher.Amot her
?asister
?a
fr
iend?Alif
etaken!
Thi
sfeel
sli
kearandom eventnotr
elat
edt
owhohe
i
s…buthedon’
tknoweither!

_
___
___
_

Lookingatthecopsi nspect
ingthedeadbody, the
sil
verfoi
lcoveringover,hi
m bei
ngcuf fedand
thrownintoavan.Bei ngthr
owni ntheinter
rogati
on
room.LookingatOnyi yenotsheddinganyt ear
madehi m evenmor eemot i
onal
.Hepr aysTazz
keephersaf e.Hesit
sandwonder swhatwent
wrong?Howdi dthecopsf i
ndout?Byt helookof
thi
ngs,theyalreadyknew.Hesighsl et
tingthetear
s
fl
ow.Thet alkati
veSthembisohasbeendeadand
buriedri
ghtthisminute.
"Gohomeandt ellhisfamil
ytocomeseehi mi nthe
mor ning.
"Onyiyel ooksatthecopcareful
ly.Thi
sis
thesamecopt hatshesawi nCapeTown.Thesame
copt hataskedf orhernumber s.Thesamecope
thathasbeenf loodi ngheri
nboxonFacebook.She
chucksi ndisbeliefandwalksoutofthestati
on.She
get
sinther
edTazzandsighscr
yingsil
entl
y.Tazz
get
sinshor
tl
yandrever
sesoutofthestat
ion.
"
Doyouknowhi
m?"Tazzasks.
"Ioncesawhi
minCapeTownandheaskedf
ormy
number."
"
Didyougi
vehi
m?"Heasks.
"
Ofcoursenot!
"Shesnapslooki
ngoutsidethe
window."
I'
m sor
ry,
it'
sjust
…I'
m st
ressed."
"
It
'sokay,
canyoudomeaf
avour
?"
"
Sur
e."
"Iwantyoutobestr
ongforhi
m.Fightforhi
m and
bebyhisside.I
fyoupul
lbackhei
sgoi ngtogiveup.
Wewi l
lfi
ndthebestl
awyerandhewillbeout.
"
"I
'
m strongTazz.Don'
tworryaboutme,Igott
his.
"
Shelooksoutsi
dethewindow.Sheisnoteven
cryi
ngbutonlyhurt
.
AuntieSandiisdeadj
ustl
iket
hatandSt
hembi
soi
s
responsi
blefori
t.
Sheswal
lowshar
dandt
akesadeepbr
eat
h.
"
Ifyougott
his,
Itr
ustyou.
"
Heparksout
sideSt
hembiso'
shomest eadandhel
ps
heri
n.Theyf
indMaJiyaneout
sidealr
eadywait
ing
fort
hem…Thiswomanwasdecl aredsick!

BACKATTHESTATI
ON

Theof
fi
cerl
eansbackandsmi
les.
"
I'
vebeengunningforyouf
oraveryl
ongt ime.You
t
hinkksteal
inggover
nmentmoneywillsaveyou
f
rom anythi
ng?I
'l
lmakesureyousuf
fertil
lyoudie
i
nhere."
Sthembisoconti
nuestokeepquite.Heknowst hat
heisnotsupposetosayanythingunti
lthelawyer
getstohim.Khoza'
sorders.Hetakesadeepbr eat
h
thi
nkingofOnyi
yeifshe'
sokaywher eversheis.But
hetrust
sTazz.
"Iseeyouarepl
ayi
ngthemutegame.Youkill
ed
thati
nnocentwoman.Youdi
dnotonlyki
llherbut
yourail
edonherbodycount
lesst
imesbreaki
ngher
skul
landmaki
ngsur
ethatyousuckedal
lherl
if
ein
her.
"
St
hembi
sol
eansbackal
sowi
thhi
smout
hshut
.
"CanImakeaphonecal
l?
"Hejustwantt
ohearhi
s
babymama'svoi
ceandever
ythi
ngwil
lbeal
ri
ght.
"
No,
"
"
Ihavemyr
ight
s.Youcan'
tdenymeaphonecal
l.
"
Thepoli
ceof
fi
cerchuckst
aki
ngouthi
sphoneand
gi
vesitt
ohim.
"Iwantt
ouset helandli
ne."Hecan'
tcal
lhi
sbaby
mamaonhi sphone.Ont hever
ysamemanwho
hasbeefloodi
ngheri nbox.
"Fi
ne,"hehel
pshim standbutSt
hembisoyankshis
arm offhi
m.Stil
lhandcuff
edhefol
lowshi
m behind
tomakesaqui ckphonecall.
"
Hal
o,"sheanswer
swi
thasl
eepyvoi
ce.
"
Babe,
"
"Ar
eyouokay?"Thepani
cinhervoi
cemakeshi
m
haveabr
iefsmil
eonhisface.
"
I'
m okay.Ij
ustwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatIl
oveyou.
"
Hesays.
"
Iloveyoutoo.
"That
’sal
lheneeded.Hedr
opst
he
l
ineanddial
sKhoza.
"
Wheni
sthel
awyercomi
ng?
"
"
Inanhour
.Donotsayanyt
hingunt
ilt
hel
awyeri
s
t
here.
"
"Ti
mesup!"Thephonebei
nggrabbedoutofhi
s
hand.Hesighsst
eppi
ngbackdroppi
nghishands.
"Aziyesi
boshwa."Heisbei
ngpushedtoonl
yGod
knowswher e.Hereachesacel
lweret
womenare
beingheld.
Heispushedinsidewithhi
shandssti
llcuf
fedin
fr
ont.Theoff
icertaket
hekeysoutofhispocket
andunlockst
hecuf ffr
eei
nghishands.
Thisisadefinatl
yaf r
ighteningexperi
ence.The
mixtureofadrenali
ne,fear,anxi
ety,
andconf usi
on
i
sdeaf eni
ng.Afterthecel l
doorsareslammedshut
behindhimitistimetodealwi t
hthesit
uati
onand
beginplanni
nghi ssurvival.
[
08/
18,
03:
41] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER35

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Shecan' treal
lyt
ellhowshesl ept.Ever yt
hingwas
j
ustbl urtoapointthatshest olewhi skey-that
belongst oSthembiso'
sf atherandgul peditdownt o
easet hepainsheisfeeling.Shesl eptwithaheavy
hurtthinki
ngofwhatl i
esahead.Whati sexpected
ofher?Howt oreacttothissituation?Whatmust
shedoandhowmustshedoi t?
Shei shavi ngtroubl estayingi nthemoment ,she
tri
esami ndfulnesst echni que.Whi l
eshei sinthe
shower ,shet r
iespayi ngat tenti
ontowhatshe' s
doing.Shedoesn' twantt ol ethermindwandert o
what '
sgoi ngonl ateri
nt heday;i nstead, pay
attenti
ont ohowt hesoapf eelsonherski n,theway
thehotwat errelaxeshermuscl es,andt hescentof
soapi ntheai r
.Focusi ngherat t
enti
onont he
sensationsshe' sf eeli
ng, notwhat '
sgoi ngt hrough
herhead.
Shestepsoutoftheshowerandwrapsher
selfwit
h
atowel.Afai
ntknockonthedoorandsheknows
i
t'
shersonNdi mu.Sheputsonasmi l
eonherface
welcomingherki
ds.
"Mybabies.
"Shepicksbot hofthem upin
exci
tement.Yest
erday,theywereallovertheplace
i
nexcitementseei
ngt heirmother
.Andt odaythey
coul
dn'twaitt
obei nherarms.
Ndimuwiggl
eshi
mselfof
fherar
ms,sheput
shi
m
downandherunstowheret
hebedr
oom i
s.
Hecomesbackcr
ying…
"
Daddyi
snother
e."
Shetri
espi
cki
nghi
m upbuthecr
ieshar
der.She
si
ghsplaci
ngNgi
muonthebedandholdshisti
ny
hands.
Shetr
iespicki
nghim upagai
nbuther
efuses.The
doori
ssti
llopen.
St
hembisohashisoutsideroom,
theydowhatt
hey
wantwi
thoutanydi
sturbance.
"Knock, knock,
"amalevoi
ceknocksont hedoor.
Shecl earsherthr
oatandstandsupfixi
nghertowel
.
Dumi sanilooksatherf
rom headtotoe,cl
ear
lyheis
undressi ngher
.ShegrabsSthembiso'
sgownand
wearsi t
.
"CanIhel
pyou?"Hei
sst
il
llooki
ngatherwi
thout
sayi
nganyword.
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatandner
vousl
ysmi
les.
"
Mum askedwhyi
sthebabycr
ying?
"
"
Hemi
sseshi
sfat
her
."
"
Ow,
"hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatagai
n.
"
Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
se?
"Hesheasks.
"Er
m, no.Youl
ookbeauti
fulbytheway."Hewalks
outleavi
ngherst
andingwithhermouthpart
ial
ly
open.Sheshakesherheadandclosesthedoor.
Shelot
ionsherbodyandwearsacomfor
tabl
edr
ess
wit
hfli
pflopsl
ett
ingherbr
aidsl
oose.
Ther
eisnofoodinthi
shouseandsheneedstogo
dosomegrocer
ies.Keepi
nghersel
fbusywi
lldo.
_
___
___
___
__
She'si
ntown-shef
eelsl
ikeeveryoneislooki
ngat
her
.Butwhenshescanshereyesar oundshesees
noone.She’
spushi
ngthetrol
leyfi
ll
edwithvari
eti
es
offood.
Shewondershowthi
swomansur
vivedsi
nceshe
doesn'
tbuyanygr
oceri
es.
Tazzcamewit
htohel
p."
Isthatal
l?
"Heasks
putt
ingt
hegr
ocer
iesi
nthecar.
"
Yes,
Ithi
nkt
hat
'senough.
"
Shetakest
hetrol
leybackandcatchesagl
impseof
Si
siphowalki
ngtowardsthei
rdi
recti
on.
Shelooksatherclosel
yandi ndeedit'
sher.She
l
eavesthetrol
leybythesecurit
yandwal ksout
sippi
ngherwat eri
nthebott
le.Shest andsbesides
thecarandwat chesTazzl
oadi ngeveryplast
icin
theboot.
"
I'
m done,
wecango.
"

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO
Sheswal
lowslookingathersi
sterget
ti
ngi
nar
ed
Tazzwi
thhercrush.
Thiscannotbehappeni
ng!Shehur
ri
esherl
egs
towardsthecar
.Shestandsi
nfr
ontofi
tnot
knowingwhattosay.
"Ony…"Shet akesadeepbreath.Nowthatshe
knowswhathappened, everyt
hingcomesback
withinabli
nkofaneye.Shecl oseshereyesf
eel
ing
abi tdi
zzy.
Onyi
yejustl
ooksathert
hroughthewindowscr
een
andconti
nuestodr
inkwhatevershe'
sdri
nki
ng.
"Onyi
ye,canItalktoyou."Sheputst hebr
avemode
on.Herheartisbanging,Onyiyestepsoutoft
hecar
l
ookingnothingli
keOnyi yesheknows.TheOnyiye
whohadbr eastmilkalloverhert-
shirt
.
TheOnyiyewhohadacr
ackedf
ace,
blackf
eetand
thi
nlegs.
She'
sstandi
ngri
ghti
nfr
ontofherr
unni
ngoutof
wordst
ot al
k.
"
Yes,
"
"Iknowthi
sisnott
her
ightt
imeoragoodplacet
o
saythi
s,butmum i
ssi
ckandsheneedsyou."
"So,
yourmotherwant
smetotakecar
eofher
?"She
askswit
hhereyebr
owsached.
"No,
shewantstoseeyou.It
hinkshewant
stot
ell
yousomet
hing.
"
"
Ow,
"
Momentofsil
ence.Sheneverhadaconversat
ion
wit
hhersi
ster
.Andnowt hatsheist
alkingt
oher,
shefi
ndsi
tveryawkwardandinti
midatedbyher.
"Pl
ease,
youar eal
lthatshetal
ksabout
."Hereyes
becomeglossy.Onyiyesi
ghs.
"
Fine,
Icanspar
eami
nut
e."
"
Thankyou,
"shest
opsher
sel
ffr
om huggi
ngher
.
"Geti
nthecar.
"Onyiyel
eavesherstandi
ngand
hopsinthecarf
asteni
ngtheseatbelt
.
"
Tazz,canyoupleaset
akeust
oherhome.Her
motherwantst
oseeme. "
Si
siphoget
sint
hebackseatandsmi
lesl
ooki
ngat
Tazz.
"
Sawubona,
"
"Ntokazi
,
"hedoesn'ttur
ntofaceher
.Hest art
sthe
caranddr i
vesoff
.Onyiye'
sphoneri
ngs-Si si
pho
glancesatitandnoti
cesSbahlewi
thloveemoj i
’
s
aroundthename.
"
Mnt
ase,
"
"
Wherear
emyki
ds?
"Sbahl
easksmaki
ngOnyi
yet
o
l
aughabi
t.
"
Kidsar
eathomewi
tht
hei
rgr
anny.
"
"Cal
lmewhenyougethome.Wewi
llbecomi
ng
downwit
hKhozalat
eron.
"
"
Ireal
l
yappr
eci
atet
hesuppor
tyouguysshowme.
"
"
Lat
ermt
akababa.
"Sbahl
e.
"Latersisiwami.
"Theyblowkissesandshe
disconnectsthecal
l.Shelooksoutsi
det
hewindow
andsi ghs.
Si
siphoi
slooki
ngatherwonder
ingwhowascal
l
ing
her
.

Theybothgetoutoft
hecarl
eavi
ngKhozaseat
ed
i
nside.
"
Isn'
thecomi
ng?
"Si
siphoasks.
"
No,
"Onyi
yeput
sast
rai
ghtf
aceon.
"
Okay,
"
Sisiphol
eadstheway-sheopenst
hedoorand
theresheis.Thei
rmot
herhavi
ngyetanot
her
episode.
Si
siphodropsherbagandr
ushest
owar
dsher
mother.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Notknowingwhattodoandhowt or
espondtothe
si
tuati
on.Shest
andsther
elooki
ngatthem.Bei
ng
herebri
ngsoutalotofmemori
es.
Shedecidestost
epoutsi
dethehousef
orfreshai
r.
Shewalksaroundtheyar
d,shest
opsandlooksat
ther
ondovelsheonceli
vedinwit
hhersons.
It
snotl ocked-shelet'
shersel fi
nsideandscans
hereyesar oundbeforeburst i
ngintotear
s.Her
heartbreaks-it'
sbreaki
ngt hatshewasmi streat
ed
i
nherownhome.Shewi pest hetearsfal
li
ngof fher
faceandsi ghsagain.Shest epsoutandcl osesthe
doorbehi nd.Shefi
ndsSisiphoout sidepl
ayingwi t
h
herfingers.
"
Whatwashappeni
ngt
oher
?"
"Shehassei
zures.I
thappensfr
equent
lyl
atel
y.She
alsohasst
roke.Let
'
sgoi nsi
de,
shewantstosee
you."
Onyi
yef
oll
owsherbehi
nd…

She'
slooki
ngatt
hewomanwhohat edherwi
thher
al
l.Herf
aceissl
ight
lyshi
ft
edt
othesi
deaswellas
hermouth.
"
Mnt
anami
,
"heshakyvoi
ce.Shehasneverbeen
call
edmntanamibefor
e.I
twasal
laboutSi
siphoher
preci
ousdaught
er!
Shewant stoletherknowhowherwords,acti
ons,
andexpectati
onsaf f
ectedher
.Shehadalowself-
esteem gr
owingup.Shewashat edbyallf
orno
reason.Sheknowshowi tf
eel
sli
ketobeoutcast
ed
i
nyourownhome.
Shewast hatcousi
n,si
stert
hatdi
dallt
hechores
wheneverthereisacer
emonygoingon.Hereyes
becomegl ossyandshesnif
fsl
ooki
ngontheside.
"Ihavebeenlooki
ngf
oryoual
lthi
swhi
le.
"Onyi
ye
chuckstothesoundofbei
ngl
ookedf
or.
"
Why?
"Sheasks.
"
Iwant
edmydaught
erhome.
"Sher
esponds.
"Youwantedthisdoghome?Youhaveyour
daughterwit
hyouNontombi.I
'
m notyourdaught
er
remember."Herhear
tboi
lsi
nangerasshelooked
ather.
“
Youmadeeverywordwithhar
shcrit
ici
sm t
hat
mademefeelgener
all
yunwort
hy.Youtookoutal
l
ofyourangerandf rustrat
ionsf r
om ot herareasof
yourlif
e,withoutconsi der
ingorcar ingifyouhur t
meornot .Thiscr uelt
ymani festonaphysi caland
emotionallevelyoumademef eel.Ial
wayshada
posit
ivethi
ngt osay, andyouf eelt hatyouroptions
arefi
ghtfli
ghtorf reeze.Thatis, mostofyour
conversati
onsendwi theitheranexpl osive
argument,thesilenttreatment,thatleftmef eel
ing
stuckandunsur e.
Thatusedt obeyourf avour i
tepunishmentf orme—
topretendthatIdon’ texist.Noplateformeat
dinner,l
eavingmebehi ndwhenyout ookyour
daughteroutt ovisitfr
iends, nogreeti
ngorsnack
forme.Whenyourdaught erandIcamehomef rom
school.Your efusedtot alkorevenl ookatme, .This
wouldgoonf ordays, dayst urnedintomont hsand
mont hsturnedi nt
oyear s.It’
sextremel ypainfuland
scarytobet reatedthiswaybyone’ smot her-who
happenst obenotmymot herandmymot heratt he
samet ime.Ihaveendur edenoughunderyourcar e
andIdonotseemysel fsufferi
ngagai n."
Shet
akesadeepbr
eat
h.
"
Onyi
ye…"
"
I'
m notdone,
"shel
ooksatSi
sipho.
"Yourmot herli
edt omeaboutmypat erni tybecause
shei saselfi
shhumanbei ng.Yourmot heri s
ashamedofheract i
onsandwoul dratherl etme
sufferthanplacebl ameonher self.Shel iedabout
howIwasconcei ved.Shel i
edonhowIwasnever
want edbymyownf at
her,myf atherlovedmewhen
Iwasst il
linherwomb.Youknowwhat '
swor se…the
dayyouguysf orcedmet obei nyourf riendshouse
tobeasl ave.Youknowwhathappened?Thatman
uset ogrindmel ikeausel essprost i
tutebecausehe
knewIhadnomot her,nofami l
y!Itwasj ustonlyme
andmyki ds!Thatmanwoul dtossandt ur nme
aroundl i
keapi eceofgar bageandf eastonme
eveni fi
t'
sforthewhol enight!Goodt hingyour
fri
endi sdeadandIf eelnoremor se."
Hermotherl
ooksathershocked.Shewant
stosay
somet
hingbuthervoi
ceisfai
li
ngher.
"IknowI
'
vehur
tyoubecauseofmymotheract
ions.
Youknowwhat
'sfunny.I
'
mtheonewhoisthe
productofrapeherenotyou.Andl
etmet
ellyou
howi tf
eelsli
ke.If
eel…"
"Si
sipho,
thi
sisnotaboutyou.I
'
mtr
yingt
obr
ingmy
chi
ldbackhome.”
Sisi
phochucksbit
terl
yandroughl
ystandsup
pushingt
hechairbackwar
ds.Itsl
amsont he
ground-shewalksoutandbangsthedoor.
"Idon'tt
hinkcomingbackherwil
leverdomegood.
Idonothavegoodmemor i
esofthishouse.Ilove
myownhouset hatIl
ivei
nandI '
m happywithmy
father'
sfamil
y.If
oundamot heri
nmyf ather'
s
wife."
"
Youmether
?"
"Yes,shei
sthesweetest
.Shefoundmeaf
terI
escapedauntSandy'
shouse.
"
Theybot
heredkeepqui
te.Si
siphocomesbacki
n
andsi
tsdownonachairandkeepsquitef
ora
moment.
"Iwanttoknowmyf at
her
.Eveni
fhei
sorwasa
drunkar
dIdon'tcar
e."
Hereyesar
eswol
lenf
rom al
lthecr
ying.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hati
sagoodi
dea.
"Hermot
her
r
esponds.
"
Why?
"
"
Hei
snotgoodenough.
"
"
Andyouar
egoodenough?
"
Hermotherkeepsqui
te.Onyi
yelooksatthem goi
ng
backandfort
h.Sheneverknewthatonedayshe
wil
lwatchmotheranddaughterf
ight
ingeachother.
"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.Il
eftmyki
dswi
thsomeone.
"
Hermot
her
'sf
acebr
ight
enupabi
t.
"
Whenam Iseei
ngmygr
andki
ds?
"
Onyi
yepausesbreat
hingandlooksatthewoman
i
nfr
ontofhereyes.I
sitheroverseei
ngthi
ngsori
s
t
hiswomanloosingit
?
"
Idon'
tknow.
"Nevert
rustasnake.

ATTHESTATI
ON
Anunpl easantni ghtunderasmel ly,crowded,no
pri
vacywhat soever ,bori
ng,tense.Beingl i
kel
ythat
someonewi llknowmor eaboutyourbusi nessthan
youwant ,andl ikelythat,evenwithoutt r
ying,
you
willknowmor eaboutot her’
sbusinesst hanyou
want ,t
oo.I tisadanger ousandt errif
yingunder
someci rcumst ances, andf i
ll
edwi t
hgr eat
uncertainty.Itisal soextremelydepr essingand
mind-numbi ng.I ti
sal so,aboveall,uncomf or
tabl
e!
Thewhol eni ghtwi thoutthewomanhel ovesbeside
him.Wi thouthi sf ami l
y.
St
hembisosi
tt
ingqui
etl
yint
hei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom
wi
thhi
sheadlooki
ngdown.
"
Iwantyout ostartf
rom t
hebeginni
ngandt
ellme
whathappened."Thelawyersayspr
essi
ngona
t
aperecorder.I
t'
sonlytwoofthem.
"IusetoworkforKhozaasasecur i
tyguardi
n
Durban.Iam anITguru.Thati
swhatt heywoul
d
normallycal
lme.Ididn'
tknowthatKhozawas
mar ki
ngmyst epsandcalcul
ati
ngme.
Onedayheappr oachedmebyki dnappingmeand
madeadealwi thme.AtfirstIref
usedandl ater
agreedint
oi t
.West art
edbywi thdrawingmoment
from mi
nisters,andboardmember softhe
government.West opped,andIdeci dedtoalso
openasecur i
t ycompanycal l
edMl ungwana.I
regi
ster
editandnowhaveanof f
iceinDurban."He
saysandcloseshi seyes.
"
Andt
hel
adyyouknockeddown?
"Heasks.
"Idi
dn'tseeher,Iswear
.Shej
ustcameoutof
nowher eandthatiswhenIhi
thernotevenknowi
ng
Iknockedawoman. "
"
Andt
hepeopl
eyouki
ll
ed?
"Heexhal
esl
oudl
y.
"Weburntt
hecar
,butnoonenot
iced.Ther
oadwas
qui
te.
"
"Thecamerasdid.Thatwast hemi st
akeyouguys
didn'
tcl
earout.Idon'tknowhowbecauseKhozai s
alwaysaheadbutthis...
Idon'
tknowhowi twil
llook
onyourcase.Everyt
hi ngisvi
sibl
eont hattape.
"
"
So,
thatmeansIwi
l
lbear
rest
ed?
"
"Thecasei sst
rong.Butwillseewher eitl
eadsus.
Youj ustneedtopleadthenotgui l
tycard.Thisi
sal
l
fornow, remember..
.i
ftheybringyouf or
questioni
ng.Donotanswerwi thoutmebei ng
present."

Aft
erthequest
ioni
nghewassentbackt
ohi scel
l.
Thegatesarel
ockedandhesi
tsdownfeel
ing
empty.
Hewant
stoseehi
sbabemamasobad.
"Tah,movemyplace.
"Oneofthemensaymovi ng
Sthembiso.Hequi
ckl
ystandsupwi
thoutsayi
ng
anyword.
Hesit
sonanot
herspotbuthewasr
oughl
ypushes
agai
nstt
hewal
l.
St
il
lhedoesn'
tactnorr
espondt
oanyt
hing.
Het
ri
esstandi
ngbutt
het
hreemenmaket
hei
rway
t
owardshi
m.
Heknowst
roubl
eisl
urki
ng.
Oneoft
hem t
akeoutanokapif
rom hi
spocketand
sl
idesi
tonhi
sface.
"Biggie,
wasmyl i
ttl
ebrot her
."Hesays.St hembi
so'
s
throatdri
esupi nfear.Hewi llnotfightt
hem nor
respond.Wi t
houtwar ningheshovest heknif
etwi
ce
withinablinkofaneyei nSthembi so'st
hroat
.He
gagsf ai
li
ngt obreath.Hef al
lsont heground
holdinghisstabbedneckwi t
hbl oodgushingout.
"Theplanwasnottoki
llhi
m."Thelastwordshe
hearsbefor
ecl
osinghi
seyesslippi
ngintodarkness.
[
08/
18,
03:
41] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER36

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Shesl i
desdownont hefl
oor.Shepul lshert
-shi
rt
fail
ingtobr
eath.I
fshedidn'tgotot hatwoman's
placehermanwoul dn'
tbest abbed.Seemslikethat
womanonl ycontai
nsbadl uck.
"
Breat
hSi
si,
"that
'sSbahl
ehuggi
nghert
ight
ly.
"Whathappened?"Shepull
soutfrom t
heembr
ace
andturnsherheadtolookatKhozawhowas
l
ookingdownather .
"Idon'
tknow.Al
loft
hislooksli
keaset
upandI
beli
eveZuluandDumisaniar
ebehindi
t.
"
"Whywoul
dDumi
saniwanthi
sbr
otherdead?
"She
ask.
"
Becausehewant
syou.
"Khoza.
Shekeepsqui
teforawhi
leandr
emember
show
Sthembi
sopul
ledherbyt
heear.
"What
'snext
?"Sheasksstandi
ngup.Khozaand
Sbahl
earri
vedlat
eintheeveni
ng.
Thepar entsbookedthemselvesi
ntoahot elwith
theki
dscr owdingthem.Mam Phi li
siwecouldn't
takeanotherdaywithoutseeinghergrandkids.She
gotwayt ooemot i
onaloverthem -onewouldswear
that
,thattheyweregonef ortool
ong.
"Wil
lpaysomeonefrom t
hei
nsi
det
ost
ealt
he
docketandcasecl
osed."
"
Tazz,
thatwi
llmakei
tobvi
ous-don'
tyout
hink?
"
"
Thenfakehi
sdeat
h,si
mpl
e."Tazzaddsmaki
ng
Khozat
ochuck.
"Relax,Iknowjusttherightpl
an.St
hembiso,wil
l
havet oforgi
vemef orthis.
"Theyal
llookateach
otherandwonderwhatKhozai supto.Noonei s
daretoasks-i sn'
tthatanswerobvi
ous.
"
Iwanttogoseehi
m."Shesaywear
ingherf
li
ps
f
lops.
Sthembiso'st
wobedroom houseiscrowdedbythe
guysandshedoesn'tminditatal
l.Theyarethe
onlyfamil
ysheknows.Atleast
,Sbahlewi
llbelef
t
behind,t
hingswon'
tbethatawkwardnowt hatshe
thi
nksthatDumisanii
sbehindthestabbi
ngofher
l
ove.
_
___
___
___
___
_
She'sl
ookingathi
m sl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
yunder
thosebeepingmachi
nes.
Shecar
essesonhi
sfaceandsmi
lesemot
ional
ly.
"Getbett
ersoon.I
'
mlonelywi
thoutyou.
"Hersoft
voice-hebli
nksmult
ipl
eti
mesbeforeful
lyopeni
ng
hi
seyes.Helooksatherandasmal
lpai
nfulsmi
l
e
cr
eepsonhisface.
"Ndoni
,"hetr
iessit
ti
ngupbutthepainpull
shi
m
backdown.Hegr oanstr
yingt
oholdhisneckbut
hishandisbeingti
edtothebedwit
hcuffs.He
sighsi
ndisappoint
ment.
"Howareyou.
"Shehol
dshi
shandt
hrought
hose
cuff
sandsmil
es.
"
NowthatI
'
veseenyourf
ace,
I'
m good.
"Hewant
s
t
oki
sshersobad.
"Not
ouching,
"oneoft
heof
fi
cer
ssayl
ooki
ngaf
ter
himi
nstr
uct.
Onyi
yesl
owlyl
etgoofhi
shandandst
epsback.
Shel
ooksathi
m wi
thsomuchadmir
ati
on.
Hesmi
lesbl
ushi
ng."
Imi
ssyou.
"
"Wemissyoutoo.Khozasai
dhewi
llf
ixi
t.
"She
saysassur
inghi
m.
"
Iknowbabe.
"Theybot
hsmi
le.
_
___
___
She'spassesbyt hechemistforski
ncareproducts
forthekids.It
'st
hatti
meoft hemonth,shecanfeel
hergirl
ygirlwetandri
ghtsheknowsherper iods
havestarted.Gir
lhasupgr
aded-nomor epadsfor
her.Tamponsar ethebest
.
Shewal
ksoutofthechemistandgetsinthecar
wit
hTazzbeingherChauff
eur."
Youshouldlear
n
howtodri
ve.I'
mtir
edbeingyourdr
iver
."Hechucks.
"Youaret
ir
edbeinguMal
ume?Youwi llt
aket
he
kidst
oschooloncet
heyst
artschool
ing.
"
"
Wee,khohl
wa!Andlett
hatki
ll
eri
nmycar ?Isi
ttr
ue
t
hatNdimukil
ledal
lMaJi
yane'
schickens?
"
Onyiyebursti
nlaught
er."
Ndimuisexact
lyl
ikehis
fat
her.Heisindeedhi
sfather'
sson,
son'
sfather
.
Aysuka,Konalokho!
"Theylaugh.
Shearriveshomeandt akesaquickshower
.She
feel
sfreshandnowshehast ogocookforthe
famil
y.At l
eastSbahl
eisaround.

Lazi
ngar
oundt
heki
tchenwi
thSt
hembi
so'
smot
her
wat
chi
ngt
hem cook.
"I
t'
snicet
ohavepeopl
einyourki
tchenandcookf
or
you.
"
"
Sthembi
soshoul
dhi
reahel
perf
oryou.
"
Sbahl
esuggest
s.
"
Idon'
twantanyt
iki
li
nenearmyhusband.
"They
l
augh.
"HowisSthembi
sodoing."Onyi
yecl
ear
shert
hroat
.
Thefactt
hatshedoesn'
tknowthathewasst
abbed
makesherstomachknots.
"Hei
sfinemah.Thatwomanwasdr unkcr
ossi
ng
ther
oad.At
leastshei
snotdead.Ri
ghtGif
t.
"Sbahl
e
smil
esandpokeher.
"
Erm,
yes.
"
"Theyshoul
dreleasemyson."Theybot
hkeepqui
te
andtheyconti
nuedtocook.
.
Latert
hateveni
ngtheywerebothsleepi
ngin
Sthembiso'
sroom.Thedoormakesasqueaky
sound-Sbahlefl
unghereyesopenandl i
ft
sher
headunderthedark.Sheseesashadowacr osst
he
r
oom.
"
Gif
t,
"shewhi
sper
sshaki
ngher
.
"
Mhmm,
"shet
urnst
ofaceher
.
"
Someonei
sinhere.
"Shewhi
sper
smaki
ngOnyi
ye
t
osi
tupstr
aight
.
Theybot hholdeachot hernotknowi ngwhatt odo
next.Thebeddips, ahandt r
ail
sonOnyi ye'
slegs
maki nghertoscream.Ahugebodyj umpsonher
ti
nybodycl osi
nghermout hspr eadi
ngherl egs
apart.Shebit
eshi shandandt hemangr oans
l
etti
nggoofherf ace.Het ri
est akingthepyjama
pantsoffbutshemanagest oknockhi sball
s
maki nghimtorollover.Sbahlejumpsof fthebed
andpul l
sOnyiyeof ft
hebed.
Onyiyegrabsanobj
ectshedoesn' tevenknowwhat
i
tis.Shebeginshi
tt
ingthemani nt hedark
wherevershecanmulti
pletime.Sbahlefi
ddleswi t
h
theli
ghtunti
lshemanagest ofi
ndt heswitch.She
tur
nsitonandOnyiyefreezeslookingatthefigger
onthebed.
"
No,
no,
no.
"Shedr
opst
hesj
ambokont
hef
loorand
kneel
sdownl
ooki
ngatabl
oodymanont
hebed.
Sbahl
esearchesforhi
spulse,
"hei
sdead.
"They
l
ookateachothershocked!

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Everyt
hingi nherseemst obef adingawayslowly
butsurely,t
hecur rentt
rendsthatleadtotheri
skof
l
osingthet acti
leconnectionwithother
saswel las
wit
hnat ure.Sheliesawakeont hehospi
talbedbut
defi
nit
elydeadont heinsi
de.
Shesighssadl
y,t
urni
ngt
othesi
det
olookatt
he
window.
"Ti
mef oryourmedicati
onSi si
."Themost
welcomingnurseever.Shesmi lessi
tt
ingst
rai
ght
upwi t
hblackri
ngsunder neathhereyes.
"Heisawake?Hewasherewit
hmeyest er
day.You
knowwhathesaid?Hesaidhelovesmeandwi l
l
for
everbeinhi
sheart
.”
"
Isi
t?"Thenur
sel
ooksathersympat
het
ical
ly.
Li
ndiwenodsherhead,shesmil
esandbl
ushes
cover
ingherf
acewithherhands.
"
Buthel
eftandsai
dImustcomewi
thhi
m.Yoh!He
wassohandsome.
”
"Thenwhydidyounotgowi
thhi
m?"Thenur
seasks
sit
ti
ngnextt
oher.
"Well
,hesaidIshoul
dtakecareofthe-ourbaby
andhewi l
lfor
everbewatchingoverus.
”She
swingsherhandstothesideinexci
tement
.
"
Whatel
sedi
dhesay?
”Thenur
seasks.
Shekeepsquietforabitandt hinks,
"hetol
dmet o
l
etMpiloi
nandweshal lraisethebabytogether
.I
hat
eMpi l
o,”shesulkspulli
ngt hehospi
talgown.
"
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dlist
ent
ohim anddowhati
sbest
f
orthebabyandyou.WhoisMpil
obytheway?"
"
Myex.CanIgoseeSi zwe,Iknowheiswaiti
ngf
or
mewhereverheis?
”Shesmi l
eswithhereyes
t
winkl
ingi
nstarsmaki
ngt henursetosmil
e.
"
Dri
nkyourmedi
cat
ionf
ir
standIshal
ltakeyout
o
hi
m,”
Shegul psdownt hetabl etswi t
houtwast ingany
ti
me.Shebur psandshowsadi sgustedface.The
smel l ofi tisjustanothert aste,i
magi ngthet ast
eof
abi ttert aste.Sheimmedi atelyget sdrowsy.Once
thef ami l
yget shere,shewi l
lbebacki nhersenses
–f oral ittl
ewhi l
euntilther estoft hefami l
ygets
her e.Shewi l
lneedallt hest r
engt h.Thenur se
thinkst oher self
.Sheshakesherheadandsadl y
sighsf eelingsomeki ndofwayf orher.Shei sway
tooyoungt obeexper iencingsuchi nli
fe.The
doct orcomesi nandsmi l
esadmi ri
ngher.
“Howisshe?”Heaskshowshei sf eeli
ng?Hef eel
s
hertemper
atureandthi
nksbri
efly.Ifshedoesnot
pickupaft
erthi
sthenIam afr
aidshewi l
lneedto
beadmitt
edtothepsychiat
ri
chospi tal
.”
“Iam sureshewil
lhealDoc.”Thenur
setriesto
assurethedoct
orbutthedoctorhasevaluatedher
enoughandheknowst hedamagethatisaboutto
becausedt oLi
ndiwe’
sbr ai
n.
“
Ther
eisnocomebackaf
tert
hist
rustme.Once
shewakesupandhear sthatheisnolongerwi
thus,
thatwil
ltakeherstr
aighti
ntothathel
lhol
ethatIam
afrai
ditwillt
aketi
mef orhert
obeout .
”
“
Shesai
dshewaswi
thhi
m yest
erday.
”
“
SeewhatImean.West i
llhavealongj
our neywith
t
hisyoungladyandIam af r
aidt
hatshemi ghteven
l
osethebabyintheprocess.Themedicati
onwi l
lbe
t
oostrongandsheisstil
lintheearl
ystages.”
_
___
___
___
_

Li
ndiwewasgi ventimealonetobidherfarewel
l.
Thedoctoragreedforhertospendmor eti
mewi th
hi
m beforethemachi nesgettobeswit
chedof f
.
Sheisstandingther
enott oosurewher
et oeven
begi
ntalki
ngt ohim norwhattosay.
Shesitsonthechai rwithaheavyhear t,
t hisman
l
ovedherwhenshet houghtlovehasf ai
ledher .
TherewasLungi saniwhot oreheartapart ,
thattor
n
heartwasmendedbyapsychoMpi lo.Mpi lo
gri
ndedherhear tagainandi twasmendedbyt his
beauti
fulsoulsheisaboutt olose.Shecar esses
herf
latst
omachwi
tht
ear
sescapi
nghereyes.
Shesmi l
esthinki
ngofthetimestheyshar
ed,t
he
l
ovethattheymade, thespeci
almomentthatt
hey
havetogether
.Maybeshewasnotcutoutf orthi
s
depar
tmentcal l
edlove.
“
Thankyoufort
heloveyoushowedme.Isti
ll
r
ememberthedaywemet .
”Shethenbegi
nstosi
ng
f
orhi
m Evenindeat
hbyEvanescence…
“Gi
vemear easont
obeli
evet hatyou'
regoneIsee
yourshadowsoIknowt hey'r
eallwrongMoonlight
onthesoftbrowneart
hItleadsmet owhereyoul ay
Theytookyouawayf r
om mebutnowI 'mtaki
ngyou
home
Iwil
lstayf
oreverher
ewi
thyouMyloveThesoft
ly
spokenwordsyougavemeEveni
ndeathourlove
goeson…”
Shebursti
ntot
ear
shol
dingonti
ghtont
ohishand.
Sheconti
nuest
osingt
hrought
hepainf
ulsobs.
“SomesayI'
m cr
azyformylove,ohmyloveButno
bondscanholdmefr
om yourside,ohmyloveThey
don'
tknowyoucan'
tleavemeTheydon'thearyou
si
ngi
ngt
ome
Iwil
lstayf
oreverher
ewi
thyouMyloveThesoft
ly
spokenwordsyougavemeEveni
ndeathourlove
goeson
AndIcan'
tloveyouanymor
ethanIdo…”
Shecriesevenlouderwit
hhervoiceechoi
ngalong
thepassage.Thenursestandsbythewindow
watchi
ngt hewholeordeal
,shefr
ownswi t
htears
thr
eati
ngtocomeout .
Shedecidedtolayont hebedbesidehi
m, she
placesherheadont opofhischestandsnuggles
hersel
fnexttohim soclosethatshej
ustfeelhi
s
touchonelastt
ime.
“YouknowIwasoncet oldthatwhensomeoneyou
l
ovebecomesamemor y, t
hememor ybecomesa
treasure.Wemustembr acepainandbur nitasfuel
forourj ourney.I
fthepeopl ewel ovearestol
en
from us, thewaytohavet hem l
iveonistonever
stoplovi ngthem.Ipromi setoneverstoplovingyou
eveni nyournextl i
fe.Il
oveyouSi zweandIwi l
l
forevercher i
shthemoment swehad.Thel oveyou
showedmewasbeyondmagni f
icent
.Youpicked
meupwhenIwasdown.Youmademesmi l
ewhen
thewholewor l
dt ur
nedagai
nstme.Ifgi
vena
chancetoloveyouagain-Iwouldloveyouagain
from t
hebeginning.
_
___
___
___
___
___

Sizwe'smot herisst andingbesideherson' sbed

stari
ngathisl i
felessbody.Asont hatsheloved
withherall
.Asont hatneverdisappoi nt
edthe
family.Asont hatwasal waysther eforeachand
everyfamilymember .Sheisnotr eadytoburyher
ownson–l etaloneki l
li
ngherownson!Tear sbli
nd
hervisionasshet akesadeepbr eath.
“Canwepray,
”Thepast
orsayshol
dingthebi
ble.
Theyal
lbowthei
rheaddowninrespect
….
“Giverofpeace,Iint
ercedef ort
hisdearone, aski
ng
thatYouwoul dgranthim apeacef uldeath.Give
him comfortinhissoult hatyouwillrai
sehim upin
thelastdays.Easehisf earsofdeathandeaseany
painhemi ghthave.Easehi sconcer nsforthosehe
i
sleavingbehi
nd.BlessedLor d,giveourdearone
peaceashet r
ansit
ionsfrom thelandoft hedying
tothel
andoft hel
iving.Givehim hopeofseei ngthe
goodnessofGodi nthatland.Mayhedr awst r
ength
andpeaceintheselastfewdaysoft hisli
feby
walki
ngbyf ai
thandnotbysi ght.Blessthisfamil
y
owLordi nt
henameofJesusChr ist,
Amen. ”
Theroom becomessi
lent–hismotherclosesher
eyesshar
plysayi
nganotherpr
ayerwit
hin.
“
It
'st
ime.
"
Theroom becomesevenmor esi
lentandtheyal
l
l
ookateachot her
.Sizwe'
smotherstandsbehi
nd
herhusbandshakingherheadNOvigorousl
y.
Melusil
ooksatLi ndiwewhowasst i
llhol
dingon
ti
ghttoSizwenotwant ingtoletgo.Heknewt hathe
coul
dn’taskhert otakesuchahuger i
skandshe
l
ookedment al
lynotfittodothis.Howdoeshet el
l
hertomove, it
’sti
met oki l
lhi
sbr ot
herwhohappens
tobetheloveofherl ife.Hetakesadevast at
ing
sharpbreathandf ol
dshi sshirtt
ryi
ngt opasst i
me
hopingthatmaybe–j ustmaybeami r
acl
ewi ll
happentohisbabybrot
her.Hisbabymama
brusheshi
sbackforsupportandlooksatLi
ndi
we
nottoosur
ehowt oconsoleher.
“Li
ndiwe,
wozaSisi.
”Si zwesfathertr
iest
ogether
offt
hebedbutsher efuses.Hertear
shavedriedout
.
Herpaini
sunbearable,makinghernumbf rom i
t.
“Heneedsmebaba, ”Hetir
edvoiceresponds.“
He
promisedtot akecar eofme, ri
ghtnowIwantt o
takecareofhi m.”Sheshyl ysmilesli
ft
ingherhead
from hi
schest .Threehour sofsleepi
ngonhi schest
i
sj ustnotenoughf orher.Shewishesthatthi
s
couldjustlastforever–butunf ort
unatel
yGodhas
otherplansfortheirl ovest
ory.
Thedoct orsaskthef ami l
yt oleavet her oom br i
efly,
whiletheyturnofftheal armsont hemachi nesand
removet hebreathi
ngt ube.Removi ngthet ube
causesagar gli
ngsoundandt ri
ggersomer ef
lexes.
Hisbr eat
hingalt
ernatesbet weenl oudr aspi ng
breathsandquietbr eathing.Hi sfacialmuscl es
rel
axesandt hejawdr ops.Abr i
efsmi lecr eepson
hisfacebutquicklydi ssolvesmaki nghiswhol e
bodyt orel
ax.
Oncetheli
fesuppor
thasbeent
urnedof
fandt ubes
removed,
thedoctor
sleavet
her
oom andinvi
tethe
fami
lybackin.
Noonei ssayi
nganythi
ng,hismotherf ail
sto
cont
ainherself
.Shewail
sout-l
oudwi thapai nf
ul
sobescapinghermouth.Shecan'tbreathe,
ever
ythi
ngi st
oomuch.Asonshecar riedinher
wombf orninemonthsisgonejustli
ket hat.
Li
ndi
wel
ooksatt
hem conf
used.
Herl
egscarr
yhert
owardsthebed,
shel
ooksathi
m
andcar
essesonhi
sface.
"Babe,wakeup.I
'm pr
egnant
."Shepokeshi
snose
andlaughsabit.
"
Sizwebabe,
"sheshakeshi
mli
ght
lybutst
il
lno
movement.
"Ar
eyoust i
llsl
eeping?
"Shewhisper
swithher
pai
nedvoice.Alumpst uckuponherthr
oatmaki
ng
hertocoughabi t
.
"
Ithi
nkheitthi
rst
y."Sherunsoutoft
heroom t
o
l
ookforaglassofwater.Shef
indsabot
tleofwat
er
i
nthebin.Sherunstot
hetoi
letanddi
gsinsi
dethe
t
oil
etgett
ingwater
.Sherunsbacktotheward.
Shetr
iesl
if
ti
nghisheadbutMel
usist
opsher
bef
oreshecoul
devenhelphi
m dri
nk.
"Li
ndi
we!"Hepull
sherbyhergown.Mistakenl
y,i
t
unwrapsandherwhol
ebehindisshowing.
"
Heisthir
sty.
"Shesayst
ryi
ngtowiggl
ehersel
foff
f
rom hi
sarms.Buthehasheldherwaytooti
ght.
"Si
zwei sgone!Heisdeadandnevercomi ngback!
"
Hehal fshoutsinf
rustr
ation.Tear
srol
ldownhi
s
cheeks.Hel et
sgoofLindi weputshi
shandacross
hisfaceandwi peshisface.
Li
ndi
wet
urnst
ofacehi
m wi
thaf
rownonherf
ace.
"Youar elyi
ng."Shesays.Shel i
ftst
hebot t
leupand
showshi mfi
ll
edwi thbrownwat eri
nside."
Hewants
water.Whycan' tyouseet hat
?"Sheaskst aki
ng
stepsback.Mel usisighsnoti
cingthatther
eisno
pointtalki
ngtoher.Het urnsheraroundandt i
es
herhospi t
algown.
Hi
spar
ent
sar
est
il
lst
andi
ngont
hesamespot
f
rozen.Hi
sfatherhasn'
tsai
danywor
dseversi
nce
t
heygothere.
Hi
smot her-t
hatwomanhasbeencryi
ngand
f
ail
ingt
ocontainher
sel
f.Onanot
herhandLi
ndi
we
i
sloosi
ngitbi
tbybit
.
Melusi'sbabymamacoul dn'tt
akeallthepain.She
excusedher selfandsaidshewi l
lwaitforthem
outside.Theonl ysaneoneher eisMel usiandhei s
slowlysinkingin.Thedoct orcomesi ntoconfirm
thatthereisnohear tbeat
.Thent hefami l
yistoldto
takeallofthetimet heyneedt osaygoodbye.I tthe
stri
keonLi ndiwe.Sizweisgoneandnevercomi ng
back.
Thebackofherheadstri
kespai
nful
lymaki
nghert
o
groan.Shef
eel
sdizzy.
..
Shecloseshereyessti
llst
andi
ng.Mel
usit
ri
es
hel
pinghersitbutshenothavi
nganyofi
t.
Shegathersherst
rengt
hf or
cef
ull
youtofnowhere
andrunstowardsthewindowfrom t
hehi
ghfloor
.
"
Lindi
we!
!!
"Theyal
llookatheri
nshockassher
uns
t
owardst
hewindowr eadyt
ojump!
[
08/
18,
03:
42] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER37

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"
Iki
ll
edhim, Iki
ll
edhi
m."Shewhispersbit
ti
ngher
i
nnercheek.Thi
scannotbehappening!Shecan'
tgo
t
ojai
l.
Sbahl
epull
sherupandmakesherst
andonherf
eet
.
Shecupshert
inyr
oundface.
..
"Lookatme, wewi l
lpullthrough.Wewi l
lbe
together
.Nomat terwhathappensneveradmi tof
kil
li
nghim."Shenodsherhead.Shef eel
sscared
andst r
essedout ,she'
st ryi
ngt ofi
ndreasonsasto
whyshedi dit.Immedi atelyshebecomesnumb,
andshebegi nst ofeel
...wellshecannotexpl
ainthe
feel
ingsheisf eeli
ng.

Sbahl
eispaci
ngupanddownwi
thherphone
pressedagainstherear
.Shedropstheli
neand
bl
inksmul t
iplet
imesrunningoutofwords.She
l
ooksatOnyi yesit
ti
nginacornerwithherhead
buriedi
n-betweenherknees.
"Iam goi
ngtojai
l.
”Sherockshersel
fbackandf
ort
h.
Thisi
snotwhatsheexpected.Thisi
snothowshe
i
magi nedherl
if
etotur
nout .
Sbahlepicksherupandgivesherahug."Iam her
e
withyou.Wewi l
lpul
lthr
ough.Wewilldi
einthis
toget
her.
”
Onyinyebur sti
ntotearsoutoff ear.Sheshi versas
warml iquidgushesdownherl egs.Herbr ainis
codedf orcompassi on,f
orgui l
t,f
oraki ndof
empat hicpainthatcausesheri nfl
ictinghar mt ofeel
adegr eeofshame.Di dshejustmur dersomeone?
Asl i
ghtknockont hewi ndowmaki ngOnyi yejumpa
bitholdingontighttohersister.Sbahl esighsl et
ti
ng
goofherbutshel ooksatherwi t
ht hoselost ,hope
eyes..
.
"I
t'
sTazzandKhoza.”Shet
ri
esassur
ingherbutshe
doesnothaveanyofit
.
"Don’
tleavemealone,wi
t hhi
m.”Shepl
eads.
Sbahleholdsherhandandgoestoopenthe
windowl et
ti
ngtheguysin.
Theydonotbotheraski
ngast
otheydoknowwhat
hashappened.
"
Wherei
stheweapon? ”Khozaaskstoletgoof
Dumi
sani
'shand.Sbahlepoint
sitout
.Iti
sther
eon
t
hefl
oorandthebloodisalmostdryi
ngout.
"Iwil
ltakeOnyiyet othebathr
oom.”Sbahlepul
lsher
byhandandt akeshertothebathroom f
orherto
takeawar m bat h.Maybeitwi
llf
lushawaythe
pict
ureofDumi sani'
sopenskull
.

Shehel
pstheguyscleanar
oundt
hehousewi
ping
ever
ytr
aceofblood.
"Theblanket
swillneedt
obebur ntandt
his
sjambokburied.
”Tazzsuggest
ion.
“
Whataboutt
hebody?
”
“Wewil
ldr
opthatoneout
sidethegateandbehave
asnor
malli
kenothi
nghappened.Idon’
tknowhow
wi
llOnyi
yecope.
”
“Iwillt
akecar eofOnyi ye,youguystakecar eofthis
whol ething.”Sbahleleavestheguysbusy.She
doesn’tevenwantt oseehowandwher et heywi l
l
dumpt hebody.Shehasseent oomany
document ari
esandt hecasesshehasdeal twith
previouslyandt hisi
snott heonetowat ch.Shei s
donewi t
ht hatl
ifeandbei ngacopwasaser ious
drain.
Shewaitsf
orhertofi
nishbathi
ngandhelpsherto
wearwarm pyj
amas.Shetucksherininbedassti
ff
assheisandbrushesherbackwait
ingforhert
o
fal
lasl
eepwhichshedidaft
eraverylongti
me.
_
___
___
___
_
It
smor ningandalreadyhismot herisrunni
ng
aroundcalli
ngeveryneighbourtoseewhathas
beendumpedi nf
rontofhergate.Sbahlewakesup
andlooksatt hesl
eepingOnyiyeandi mmedi at
ely
herheartbreaksforherli
tt
lesi
st er
.Sheputsher
fl
ipsfl
opsandwear shergownandst epsoutof
Sthembiso’shouse.
Shespotsthreewomenout sidet
hegatewiththei
r
handsontheirwai
st.Sthembiso’
smotherisnot
amongstthem.Thepol i
cehavecrowdedtheplace
taki
ngpict
uresandalreadythehousei
sacr ime
scene.
Shesl
owlytur
nst
owal
kawaybutoneoft
hepol
ice
menstopher.
“Excusememiss.
”Herheartski
psabeat
.Shet
urns
aroundandput
sabravefaceon.
“
Doyouhaveanyideawhathappenedtothatyoung
man?
”Sheswall
owshardbutrelaxeshermuscles.
“
Idon’
tknow–I
'
vej
ustwokenupbyt
henoi
se.
”
“
Andi
tdi
dnotoccurt
oyout
ocomehaveal
ook?
”
“Idon’
tli
vehere.Idonotevenknowt hepeopl
e
l
ivingi
nthiscompoundphoyi sa.Iam j
ustavi
sit
or.
Ifyouhaveanyquesti
ons,kindlydoaskthemother
ofthehouse.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?Themot
heroft
hehouse?
”
“Thi
sway,hopeshedoesn’
tki
llmeforl
ett
inga
str
angeri
n.”Shewal
ksInfr
ontoft
hecopwi t
hhim
scanni
nghi
saroundshar
ply.Henoti
cesabl
ood
stai
nonShahl
e’
sgownandf rowns,
looki
ngcl
osel
y.
Thebloodi
sst
il
lfr
esh.
“Ar
eyouhur tmiss?”Heasksmaki ngSbahl
etotur
n.
Dumisani
’smot hercomesoutwi t
habiblei
nher
handandawhi ponanot herhand.Sbahl
epauses
answeri
ngthecopandl ooksatthewomanwal ki
ng
pastt
hem withoutsayi
ngawor d.
“Thati
st hemotheroft
hehouse.
”Herhear
tis
almostreadyt
oj umpoutofhermout
h.Shepushes
downheranxiousness.
..
“Pl
easewaithere,donotmove.
”Her unsaft
erthe
mother.Shewaitsfort
hecoptorunoutofsight.
Shetakeshergownof fandi
ndeeditisbl
ood.
“Shi
t!
”Shecur sesandrushest ot
heki t
chen.She
needstothinkofaplanfast.Sheopenst hefri
dge
andcomesouthol di
ngabot t
leofbeetroot.
“Per
fect
!”Sheopenst hebottl
eanddi psinher
fi
ngerandrubsi tonthesmallspot–ont opof
Dumisanisbloods.Shesealsthebottl
eand
repl
acesitbackintotheFr
idge.Shewal ksoutof
thehousetogostandinthesamespotl
ikeshehas
beenallal
ong.Thenoti
cesthecopcomi
ngback,
shepullsher
sel
ftoget
her.
“Turnaround.
”Heinst
ructs.Shear
oundandlethi
m
caressesonthewetstai
nonherback.Herubsthe
ti
pofhi sfi
nger
stoget
herandsmells.
“
Whatwereyoudoi
ngsoear
lywi
thbeet
rooti
nthe
mor
ningmiss.
”
“Il
ovebeetrootjui
ce.Maybeitspi
ll
edandIdi
dnot
noti
ce.Shepr ayst
hatOnyinyedoesnotwal
koutof
thatdoorbecausealloft
hiswil
lbea–
Thedoorcracksopen,
Sbhaleexhalesoutl
oud.
Basi
cal
ly,
shehasshor ther
sel
finthefoot!

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Befor
eshecouldevenreacht
hewindow, shefell
downandcoll
apsedont hegr
ound.Melusirushes
towar
dshertopickherupbutst
ruggl
esatf i
rst–
event
ual
lymanagestopickherup.
Shei sf acingext
remeconf usi
on, di
stressand
dissociationfrom onesel
f.Iti
ssoover whel
ming
thatitleadst oanxiet
yandpani cattacks.Herchest
i
sdul lycl osi
ngtoapoi ntwhereshecannoti nhal
e
anyai rf r
om herlungs.Melusiplacesheront hebed
andr ushesoutt ogol ookforthedoct ortohel
p.
"Doctor
,pleasehelpher
!”Hepant
spull
ingt
he
doctorbyhiscoat."Whati
sthematt
er?
”Heasks
wondering.
"Li
ndiwe,shecan'
tbreat
he!”Andt henitdawnst o
thedoctor.Theyr
ushedtowher eMel usidumped
her.Wit
houtwastethedoctortakesani nject
ionand
i
njectsherarm."Whatareyouinjecti
ngherwi th?
”
"Brexanolone,i
sadrugi ndicat
edf orthet reatment
ofpostpar t
um depr
ession.Iam j usttryingtokeep
herdownbef or
eshehar msher sel f
.Iknowyou
haveal otonyourplateatt hemoment .Losingyour
brotherandyoursister
-i
n-lawf allingint o
depressionalli
nonedayi salot .Butwehavet o
considerthesoulsheiscar ryi
ng.
"
Wil
lshesur
vive?Ar
eweal
lowedt
ovi
sither
?
"I
twil
ldependont hesit
uati
onsheisi
n.Ifseei
ng
youwillsetherheal
ing,
thenunf
ort
unatel
yyouwill
notgettoseeher.”
"Ihopeal
loft
hiswi
llgoaway.
”Heisstr
essedtothe
pointt
hathei
slosi
nghimsel
falsoi
ntheprocess.
"I
twi l
lbutkeepitinmi ndthatanxietycausesal ot
ofdiffer
entemotions,andt hefeeli
ngofgoi ngcrazy
i
soneoft hem.Manyoft hosesufferi
ngf r
om
i
ntenseanxi et
yhavet hisfeeli
ngofgoi ngcrazythat
comesf rom theextremelyhighemot ions,arushof
adrenali
neandst ress,andtheover whelmingfeeli
ng
oflosingcontrol
.Youwi llhavetobookheri ntothi
s
faci
lit
ybeforeshehar msher self
.Thisiswher e
everythi
ngisleadingto.”
Mel
usisi
ghsr
unni
ngoutofwor
ds.
"
Iwi l
lassessandexamineherandgiveyoua
r
eferrall
ett
er.Appl
yforadmissi
onandwewi l
ltake
i
tfrom ther
e.Iwil
lcheckuponherfr
om timeto
t
ime.”
Melusinodshishead.Hewalksoutoft
hehospital
f
indinghisbabymamast i
llseat
edonthebenches.
Shest
andsupwithherpuf
fyeyesandwel
comes
hi
m wi
thawarm hug.
"
Howissheholdi
ngup?
”sheaskspul
li
ngof
ffr
om
t
heembrace.
"I
t'
shardbei ngthefi
rstbornofthefamil
y.Sheis
notdoinggoodatal l
.Thedoctorsaidsheneedst o
beadmi tt
edt othementalheal
thinsti
tut
ionfor
eval
uationbef or
eshekill
sherself
.Sheissuici
dal.
Sheli
terall
ywant edt
oj umpoutoft hewindow."
"
OwmyGod!
"Sheexcl
aimsi
nshock.
"
Yea,l
et'
sgo.”Heentwi
neshi shandwi
thher
sand
wal
ksoutforthehospi
talexi
tleadi
ngt
othepar
king
l
ot.
"Iwil
ldrive,youarenotfi
ttodri
ve.
"Hedoesnot
dispute.Heagr eestoi
t.Hehopsinthefr
ontseat
andadj uststheseatmakingitl
eanbackwar
dsand
exhalesoutl oudinstr
ess.
Shereversesoutoft
heparki
nglotanddr
ivest
othe
dest
inati
onshe'sbei
ngdi
rectedto.
MYEZAHEALTHI
NSTI
TUTI
ON

Theyarr
ive–t heybot
hst
epoutoft
hecarandwal
k
towar
dst heentr
ance.
Theyst
andbesidet
herecepti
oni
stareaandwai
tto
beassi
sted.For
msbei
ngf i
ll
edout…
"Li
ndiweNgobese.”Blessingreadsont hecar dand
smiles."
Shewi l
lbeadmi tt
edtomorrowandt he
doctorstr
ict
lystat
edthatsheisnotf i
ttoattendthe
funeral
.Oncesheheals, shewil
lthenbet akento
hisgraveandpayherr espect
.”
"
Thankyou”Hesmi
les
Theybot
hwalkoutwi
thpamphlet
sint
hei
rhands
andbumpint
oamansi ngi
ng.
"Ei
sh,sorr
y."Hewal
ksi
nbei
ngf
oll
owedbyagr
oup
ofgir
ls.
“
If,
thosear
ehi
ski
ds–damnhesur
edoeshavea
l
otofthem.
”
Thefamil
ywalksi
nsidewi
tht
hegir
lsfol
lowingt
hei
r
fat
her.Bl
essi
ngfr
eezesl
ooki
ngatherhusband
walkingpastherwi t
houtevenacknowl
edgingher
sight.Sheshakesherheadsmi l
ingandcontinues
towor k.Shewondershowdidshemarri
edt oaman
l
ikehi m.Havingeightgi
rl
sandoneboyi salotof
wor k.Wor sl
eyi
ftheyareinhi
ghschoolandsomei n
varsity.
Spi
kesst
ophal
fwayr
emember
ingsomet
hing.
“Yoursondr
oppedoutofvar
sity.
”Hesaysput
ting
hishandsi
nhispocket
.Bl
essingfrownsl
ooki
ngat
him.
“
Whi
chson?
”
“Mpil
o,”Heconti
nueswithhisjour
neyli
kehedid
notsayanythi
ng.Blessi
ngtakesoutherphoneand
makesaquickphonecal l
.
“
Ist
ruet
hatMpi
lodr
oppedout
?”
Themot
heront
heot
hersi
deexhal
esoutl
oud.
“Itr
iedeveryt
hingIcouldbutt hi
schi l
dkeepson
givi
ngmehear tatt
acks.I
fit'
snothi sfat
herwit
hhis
doggywaysanddoggi ngbul l
etsit
'shissonandhis
atti
tude.Atfi
rst,
Ithoughtthatmaybei twasacurse
butIwaswr ong.Iti
ssomethi
ngthatisjustinthese
men.Ifyouhaveasont hathasthebloodofMyeza,
j
ustknowt hat,
thatsonofyour
swi l
lrunafter
money.”
“
Whati
sthepl
anf
orhi
mthen?
”
“
Himr
unni
nghi
sfat
her
'sbusi
ness.
”
“So,hewantstobeinthet axibusi
ness?”Blessing
askswi t
hherheartpounding.Shehasnoticedthat
hersonisneverconcentrati
nginschoolandshe
hasbeencalledmulti
pletimesandadvisedt hathe
doesnotconcentr
ate.Hei singrade12butt heboy
i
sj ustonhi
sownwor l
d.
“
Looksl
ikeever
ymal
eisf
oll
owi
ngt
hatpat
h.”
Theyconcludethecallbypromisingeachot herto
beoutonavacat i
onwi thever
yone, somethingthat
theygettodoonceever yyear
.Shecont inues
regi
steri
nghercli
entnotwantingtot hi
nkmuchof
whatliesaheadwitht
hesechildren.Talkaboutmen
thathavenofurt
her!
MPI
LOMYEZA

Hepar kshisf ather’

squant um int hehospi t
al
parki
ngl otandst epsout .Hiscolognef i
ll
supt heai
r,
heclosest hedoormaki ngsur etol ockit.Helooks
athisTimber landboot s,upt ohisdeni mr eaped
j
eans,hiswhi tedeni mt -
shirtandabl ackhooddie.
Heput sont hehatandwal ksi nsidethehospi tal
.He
passesbyt her ecept i
oni
stwi thhisheadbowed
downandheadsst rai
ghttoLi ndi
we' sroom.He
enter
sandcl osest hedoorbehi nd.Hef i
ndsher
peacefull
ysleepi ng.
“IwishIcoul dgobackandf i
xever ymistakeImade.
Ihadnoi ntentionofhur ti
ngyou.Ishoul dn'thave
kil
ledhim buthi sstubbornnessl eadmei ntodoi ng
i
t.Ihatedhowhemadeyoul ookatonl yhim
forget
ti
ngaboutmei ntheprocess.AfterIhear d
aboutthenewsofyouki l
li
ngmychi l
d,Il
osti tandI
l
ostyoui nthepr ocess.Inowr eali
zethatyouar e
minealone, notour s.So,Iwillel
iminateever yone
whoi sstandingi nmyway.Youwi l
lbeseeingt his
uglyfacemor eoften.”Hebendsoverandki sses
hercrackedpaleli
ps.Het akesouthi sLabelloand
poli
shesherlips.”
Youl ookbet ternow. ”Hesucks
herlowerli
pandsmi l
essteppi ngback.Hewal ks
outofherwar dbumpi ngintoMel usi.Helooks
downandcont i
nueswi t
hhi sjour ney.Hewal ksout
ofthehospit
alheadingt othepar ki
ngl ot
.Unlocks
thequantum andhopsi n.Acal lcomest hroughand
hesighslooki
ngatt hecaller.
“Zandi
le,
”Heanswerspul
li
nghi
scigar
ett
esf r
om
thedashboard,
Heli
ghtsi
tupwit
hhisli
ghterand
puffst
hrough.
“
I'
m done.Youcancomepi
ckmeup.
”
“Okay,I
'm coming.”Hedisconnect
sthecal
land
puff
shisSt uyvesantci
garett
e.Hesmokesunti
l
sati
sfi
edandt hrowsthesponge.Hepull
soutfor
hismintyTicTack.
Hebringstheenginet
olif
eanddr i
vesoffatfull
speed.HespotsZandil
efrom af
arandsighs
sl
owingdown.Hepar ksnexttoherandwat ches
herasshehopst oset
tl
ein.Sheclosesthedoor
andleansoverforaki
ss.Hekisseshercheek
maki
ngherbl
ush.
“
Howi
smybabydoi
ng?
”Heasks.
“
Iam doi
ngj
ustf
ineandyou?
”
“Notyou,
Imeantmybaby–daughter
.”Hebr
ief
ly
smil
esbutthesmi
lequi
ckl
yvani
shes.
“Iam noteven4weekspregnantandalr
eadyyou
clai
mi ti
sagirl
.”Shechucksshaki
ngherhead
taki
ngoutapacketofnicknaksinherbag.
“Iknow,t
rustaf
ather
'si
nsti
nct
s.”Heshr
ugshi
s
shoulder
sandconti
nuestodri
ve.
“
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
”
“
Yourhome.
”Hef
ocusesont
her
oad.
“
Ithoughtt
hatmaybewear
egoi
ngt
oyourf
lat
.”
“
Why?Ij
ustneedt
obeal
one.
”
“Whyaresocold?”Sheasks,l
ookingathim.He
choosesnott
or espondbutdr
ivesdir
ectl
ytoher
house.
“Don'
tcal
lme-Iwi l
lcal
lyou.
”hesays,maki
ngher
gaspinshock.Shel
ooksathim br
ief
lyandnods
herhead,shestepsoutoft
hecarandcl
osesthe
doorbangingi
t.Hecli
ckshist
ongueanddri
vesoff
atful
lspeed.

Acal
lcomesthroughhisphone,heconnect
sitt
o
Bl
uet
oothspeakersandret
ri
evestoanswer.
“Comehomer i
ghtthisminut
e!”Thati
shi
sfather
.
Hishear
tbeatsabit.Hewonderwhendidhegot
here?HemakesaU- tur
nanddr i
vestowher
ethey
usedtoli
vebefor
ethefamilymoveddownto
Eshowe.
Hetakesadeepbr eathbef
oredri
vingthroughthe
dri
veway.Hepar ksthecarandstepsout.He
knocksbeforel
etti
nghimselfi
n.Ameanpunch
l
andsonhi sfaceunexpect
edlymakinghi m st
umbl e
backwards.Hetri
est or
egi
sterastowhati sgoing
on,anot
herpunchl andsonhisothercheek.Her uns
togostandbehindhi smot
her…
“Isthi
showItaughtyout
otreatwoman?Isthi
s
howIr ai
sedyoutotoywi
thwoman'sfeel
ings?
”Hi
s
fatherAnat
hii
smadashell.Hepusheshi
s
dr
eadl
ockbackwar
dsandt
akesadeepbr
eat
h.
“Let
'sgohaveamant omant alk.Inmyof fi
cenow!”
Mpoilolooksathismotherforsuppor tbut
Zamadal wajustl
ooksathim blankly.Hebli
nks
multi
pletimesbutwomanchoosest owalkaway.
Meaning, hei
sonhisown!
Hesitsdownacrosshisfat
herandent
wineshi
s
f
ingertoget
herl
ookingdown.
“Ij
ustwanttoknowwhy?
”hisf
atherasks.Mpi
lo
swall
owslooki
ngshamef
ull
ydown.
“
Iloveherbaba.
”
Anat
hichucksandl
ooksathim notbeli
evi
ng.
Cl
earl
yhissondoesnotknowwhatt hewordl
ove
means.
“Letmet el
lyousomet hi
ngson,whenyou'rei
nlove,
youtendt obeonyourbestbehaviourandexpect
yourlovedonet odothesame.Lovingsomeone
cansur vi
velif
e'supsanddowns.Whenyoul ove
someone, yourrel
ati
onshipi
sstrongenoughto
overcomel i
fe'
schall
enges.Bei
nginlovewith
someonemeansyouwantt ospendasmucht ime
withthem aspossi bl
e.Evenifyou'r
ebusy, you
probablyfindyourselfar
rangingyourschedul et
o
seeyourpar tner
.Thismi ghtalsoi
nvolveadesi r
eto
gettoknowmor eaboutt hem byexplori
ngt hei
r
i
nterests.Youseet hatwomanImar ri
ed.”
“
Yes,
”
“Il
ovedhert
hemi nuteIlai
dmyeyesonher .We
havebeenmarri
edf oraslongasIcanremember.
Wewer emarr
iedwhenyouwer ej
ustfi
veyearsol
d.
Howoldareyounow? ”
Hekeepsqui
etandcount
sfr
om t
hei
nsi
de.
“I
nallt
hoseyearsneverhaveIevert
oyedwithyour
mother
sfeel
ingsorevenmakehercr youtofmy
sel
fi
shness?
"
"
No,
"Mpi
lor
espondsst
il
llooki
ngdown.
"Whydi
dyoudowhatyoudi d?Youcan'
tleave
someoneandlaterdeci
detotaket
heonlythingthat
makesherhappy.Whatareyourplanswi
tht hat
youngl
ady?"
Hekeepsqui
tef
orasecond.
"
Putyourl
if
etoget
herbef
oreIputi
tinl
inef
oryou.
"
Hest
andsupandleaveshimthi
nki
nghard.
[
08/
18,
03:
42] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER39

MYEZAHEALTHI
NSTI
TUTI
ON

Sheiscoldandshivering.Teethclashingagainst
eachother.Theseblanketsarenotmaki ngitany
easi
erforher.Sheislockedupi nar oom withwhit
e
wall
ssurroundingher.Justatelevisi
ontopass
ti
me.Nophone…
Shehearswhi spersoutsidethedoor.Shepauses
herbreat
hingandl i
stensat t
enti
vel
y.Sheget soff
thesingl
ebedandt i
pstoest othedoor.She
pressesherearagainstt hedoorbutallshecan
hearisechoingvoices.Abr i
efsmilecracksonher
facewhent hedoorisslightl
yopens.At allwell-
buil
t
manwal ksinwi t
hhisdr eadlocksneatlytwisted.
Lindi
wegaspsi nshockwhensheseesaf ace
mist
aki
ngitforanother
.Shej
umpsont otheman
ki
ssi
nghisfaceallover
.Shewrapsherlegsar
ound
hi
swaist
…
Thedoori sbei
ngshutclosedandlockedbehind.
I
t '
sjustaf
ter23:
14pm.Themansmi l
espushingher
towardsthebed.Hecareful
lypl
acesheront hebed
–hesquat sInfr
ontofherandsmiles.
“
Youcame!”shedefi
ant
lywant
stoscr
eam f
ort
he
whol
eworl
dt ohear
.
“Babe,don’
tmakenoi
se.
”Hecloseshermout
hwith
hisfi
nger.“
Doyouwantthem t
ochasemeout?”
Sheshakesherheadnoandsmi
les.
“Good.Youaresocoldwoman.”Hehi
sses,t
aking
offhi
sjacketandhel
psherputi
ton.“
Getinbed.”
Shesti
llhasthatgoof
ysmil
eonherface.Hereyes
haven’
tlef
ttheyoungman.Sheget
sinbedand
sl
eepsfacingthewall
.
“
Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.”Shewhisper
sand
t
urnst
ofacehi
m.Healsogetsinbedandli
esnext
t
oheronthesi
ngl
ebed.
“
Real
ly?
”
“
Yes,
youar
elat
esi
r.
”
Shewhinesmaki
nghim chuck.Shecover
sface
wit
hherhandsandshyl
ysmi l
e.
“
Ihavesomet
hingt
oshowyou.
”
“
Whatisit
?”Themanasksoutofcur
iosi
ty.He
r
aiseshi
seyebr
owsandawait
s…
Shetakeshi
shandandcaressi
tonherst
omach.
Helooksatherconf
used.
“
Lit
tl
eSi
zwei
sinher
e.”
“Y…you'repregnant?”Theshockonhisf acehas
herbiti
nghernails.Hesighs,
calminghi msel
fdown,
noti
cingthatheisscaringher.“
Wow,”heswal lows
hard.Heslidesdownont hebedmaki nghi mself
comf or
tabl
e.Hel aysonhisbackmaki nghersleep
ontopofhi schest.Asmuchashenot icedhow
muchhehashur therhecannotevenbegi ntothink
ofthedamagehehascausedher .
“Yousmel
ldif
fer
ent.Di
dyouchangeyour
perf
ume?”Shesnif
fshi
mlikeapuppy.
“Yousmelldif
fer
enttoo.
”Indeed,
shedoes.She
stol
eSizwe’
sper f
umesomet i
meago.Theyalways
hadafightoverhiscol
ogne.Shepref
ershi
ssmel l
thanherown.
Theyoungmandoesnotrespondbutr
atherhol
d
hert
ight
.Hef
li
psherovermakinghersl
eepontop
ofhi
m.
“
Howf
arar
eyouwi
tht
hepr
egnancy?
”
“
Thr
eeweeks,
”
Henodshi sheadandl ooksinherempt yeyes.The
i
ntenseeyecont act-ver
ymeani ngf
ul,heisholdi
ng
thegazeforlongerthanusual.Theenergy
connecti
onwi t
ht hei
reyes.Hi
sbr ai
ngetsaboostof
thesechemicals-heissexuallyandromantical
ly
attr
act
edtoher .
“
Youbeaut
if
ul.
”Hepul
lst
hebackofherhead
t
owar
dshim.

Hi
sbreat
hpicksupf
ail
ingt
ocont
ainhimsel
f.His
memberseemstobegrowi
ngbythesecondfi
ll
ing
hi
sjeans.Thebutt
onjeanspopoutfal
li
ngont
he
bed.Hefl
ipsherandgetsontopofher.
“
Iwantyou.
”Hereyesbecomet
ear
y.“
Pleaset
ake
t
hepai
naway.”
“Wecan'tdothi
s.Icannottakeadvantageofyou
whenyouar eatyourl
owest .
”Hewhi spersthr
ough
hist
hrobbingdi
ck.Histhr
oatdriesupt r
yingto
cont
ainhimself
.
“
ButIwantyou.
”Hert
ear
s…
“
But
…”
Shepul l
shim byhisfacesmashi
ngherli
psagainst
his.Hemel t
sont opofherwit
hhisbodyreact
ingto
thekiss.Hercrackedli
psar
esoft
…
Shelet
sgoofhisf
ace,herhandst
raildowntohis
pant
s.Sheunzi
pshisj
eansandpullsthem bel
ow
hi
sbutt.
“Li
n…”Heshiversontopofher.Shetakeshi
s
pumpingdickoutanbeginsmassagingit
.He
movesupanddownr hymingwitht
hemassaget
hat
i
smaki nghiminsanel
yinsane.
“
Letmet
akeof
fmypant
s…”

Heislooki
ngathernakedbody.Shehasl ostal
ot
ofweightbutherbodysti
lll
ookedgood.This–her
l
osingsomuchwei ght,i
t'
sallhi
sfault
.Hemadeher
l
ikethi
sbecauseofhisselfi
shreasons.He
swall
owshar d…
Hegetsont opofherandspr eadsherlegsapart
andaimsf orherbushyentrance.Hepauses,
pl
acinghistipintheentr
ance.Shecloseshereyes
andpressesherlipsint
oat hi
nline.Hepushesin
makinghergaspshol di
ngont ohiswaist.Hepul
ls
outbefor
ehecanevenf urt
herenterandlooksat
her…
"
MustIst
op?
"Heasks.
"No.Please,
Iwantthi
s."Shesaysmovi
ngherwai
st
upanddownr ubbi
nghersel
fagai
nsthi
m.He
groanslooki
ngather.
"Li
ndi
we."Hetakesadeepbr
eat
hlooki
ngather
emptyeyes.
Hepositi
onshimsel
f,l
owershisbodyand
conti
nuestoki
ssher.Hesli
desitinasshegasps
openi
ngherlegsevenwider
.Itfeel
sli
kesomethi
ng
sl
idi
nginthatwasalwaysmeantt obether
e.
I
tfeel
slikear
eall
ygoodstretch.Likewhenher
musclesaret
enseandshejustr eachesoutandf
eel
t
hingsopenupandreleasetension.
Thenf ul
lness.It’
swei rdtodescribe,because
wit
houtsexhervagi nadef i
nit
elydoef eelempty,but
duri
ngsexf ullnessist hemainsensat iontoher,
especial
lywitht hi
sman.I tjustfeelsli
keawar m
str
etch,l
ikebei ngfullaft
eranicemealandf eel
ing
yourtummyexpand…buti nasexyway.
Ont heot herhandthemani sf
eelingsnug, perhaps
evenabi tofasqueezet opushhi sboundar i
esasit
wer e,j
ustt heri
ghtamountofwet nesswi thout
beingsl oppy,anditfeel
ssodamnr i
ght.Madet obe.
Tinglyinagoodway.She' saper fectfit
,li
keagl ove
ast hat’sthemostcomf ort
ableandf ul
fil
li
ng, l
it
eral
ly
andi nt ermsofpleasure.Movingi nandoutofher-
It
'slikeget t
ingmassagedi naskin- t
ighthottub.It
varyal ot.Thestr
ongestsensations, wetnessand
thetext
ureofherwalls.Somewomenar eridgi
er
thanothers.Whenit'
sfinal
lyallthewayinfuturein,
heletshiswholebodygol impandj uststayinthere.
Hisfavourit
efeel
ingisbeingclampeddownonas
she'
scomi ng.Shesmi l
esin-betweenthekisses.
Shebegi nstomoveherpel visi
naci r
cularmot i
on.
She'splayingwit
hgoi ngsl ow,f
eeli
ngeachpar tof
thecir
cle.Hefail
stocont ainhi
mselfduet otheheat
thenhegoesf aster
,reallyshakingitup!Withthe
bedmovi ngbackandf orth.Hepull
soutr el
axing
himselfthenpushesthr oughherslipperywetfolds.
"Don'
tst
op,eveni
fIbegyouto.
"Shesayshol
ding
himti
ghterwit
hherhandsar
oundhiswai
st.
Deeperpenetr
ati
onprovidesmul t
i-
sensory
st
imulati
ontodif
fer
enter ogenouszonesonher
body,i
ncludi
ngmorefricti
onont hecli
tor
is.
"
OwGod.
"Shewhi
mper
smovi
ngunder
neat
hhi
m.
"Babe,"hist
hrust
sgodeepermakinghertogasps
rol
linghereyesback.Hefiddl
eswi
thherbreast
s
sti
llgivi
ngherhardstr
okes.
"
Fuck,
"hel
if
tsonel
egupspr
eadi
ngherl
egsapar
t.
Hel ooksint
ohereyesandthosetears,
tearsof
pleasure.Hesuckshertoeandplayswit
hherclit
.
Hest rokesherwit
hvaryi
ngdegreesofpressur
e,
shebecomessexual lyar
ousedwhichulti
matel
y
l
eadi nghertoorgasm.
"
Sizweee!
"Shewhimper
s.Hecl
encheshi
sjawsand
l
et'
sgoofhercl
it
.
Hefor
cef
ull
ypushesi
ndeepermaki
nghert
o
scr
eam.
"Shi
t.
"Hegoesevendeepermaki
nghert
opullt
he
sheet
sandscreami
ngherlungsout
.Thi
siswhat
shewanted!

Hei swatchinghersleepandwonder sastowhyt he

hellwi
llheputsuchabeaut if
ulyoungladyinto
suchdepr essi
ons.Shei snowpr egnantandsheis
nowcar ryi
ngthechildofthemant hatwasat hor
n
i
nhi shappiness.WhataboutZandi le?Heisjust
withherbecauseshei scar r
yinghisseed,onceshe
givesbir
th,hewillhavefullcust
odyofhischildand
focusont hewomant hatownshi sheart
.Hewasno
i
nar elationshi
pwi t
hZandi l
ebecausewant edt
o
seeLi ndiwedepr essedbutmot herfuckerhadto
ruinal lofhisplansjustl i
kethat.Hel ovedherwhen
hedi smal lyfai
led.Helovedherwhenshewasat
herl owest .Hestayedwhent hewor l
dwas
crumbl i
ngdown–hehel dherhandandmadeher
believei nloveagain.Buther ehei sdest royi
ngthe
womanhecl ai
mst olove.Doesi thurtthatshe
moanedSi zwe’snamedur ingtheirinti
macy?Hel l
yes!I tdefini
tel
yhur t
slikehel landhecannot
compar et hehurtheisf eeli
ngt oanyot her.
“Ist
il
lloveyou.”Hepecksonherli
ps.Hi shearti
s
heavy,tearsbl
indhisvi
sionashesteppedof ft
he
bedtowearhi sclot
hes.Hesendsaqui cktextand
wait
sf orthedoortobeopened.
“
Nduna,
”Thesecur
it
yguardsgr
eet
sashel
ocked
t
hedoorf
rom t
heoutsi
de.
“Sure,wil
lbebackl at
eron.”Heputshi shatonand
walksoutofthef acil
it
y.Hest epsi
nhi squant
um
andr ever
sesdrivi
ngout .Hisphoneringsandhe
l
ooksatt hescreen.Zandile'
snamepopsup.He
sighsinannoyanceashepi cksup.Ifheknewshe
wasgoingt
ot hi
scli
ngy,
hewoul
dhaveneverdat
ed
heri
nthefi
rstpl
ace.
"
Zandi
le,
”
"Mpi
lo,Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ogethol
dofyou.Iam
out
sideyourfl
at!
"Whatar
eyoudoingt
here?DidInottel
lyout
onot
cal
lmeIwil
lbetheonecall
ingyou?”
"
Youdid.Imissedyou.
”Hesi
ghs,
notknowi
nghow
t
orespond.
“Ïwil
lseeyoui
naf ew.”Hedr
opst
hel
ineshaki
ng
hisheadanddri
vesalong

MPI
LO'
SFLAT

Hepar
ksthequantum -gr
absapacketthatwason
t
hedri
ver
'sandstepsoutbef
orel
ockingit.
Hehopesi nthelif
tandpressesonhisfl
oorbutton.
Theliftpi
ngsopenlyandhest epsout
.Hereshei s,
Inf
rontofthedoorsleepi
ngont opofherover
night
baglikeastreetki
d.Hecli
ckshi st
onguewaking
herupr oughl
y.
"Whyareyout hi
sst upi
d?DidInottel
lyoutocome
unlessyouarebeingsummonedt o?Whyareyoual
l
cli
ngy?Don’tdothis,Ihat
eit
.Pickyourbagup.”
Heunlocksthedoorandwal ksjustri
ghtpasther
.
Shelooksathim wit
hglossyeyeswhi l
eshepicks
upherbag.Shewi pest
het earsoffherf
aceand
ent
ersclosi
ngthedoorbehi ndher.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eZandi
le?
”
"
Myf ami
lychasedmeout
.Mymot
herf
oundout
t
hatIam pr
egnant.
”
Heturnst
olookatherangri
ly,
“andyout
hought
comingher
ewillsol
veallpr
oblems?”
“Ïwasst
ressedokay!Idi
dn’
tknowwhattodoand
youwerenotpicki
ngup!WhatwasIsupposedt
odo,
huh?"
"Don’
tyoudar efuckenshoutatme!Iam notyour
husband.Youcar r
yingmychilddoesnotmeanwe
oweeachot heranythi
ng!”Heshoutsbackmaking
herstar
tl
edwi thhisout
burst.
“Ïneedtosl
eep.Iam ti
red.”Hetakesoffhiscl
othes
andgetsint
obedf aci
ngt heotherway.Hehears
hersnif
fandeventual
lybur st
sint
otears.Heis
beyondannoyedbutcalmshi mselfdown.
"Zandi
le,
Iam veryt
ired.Ihavebeenontheroadal
l
day.Canyoucomei ntobedandsl eepbef
oremy
babycatchespneumoni a…”
Shegetsi
ntobedandsnuggl eshersel
fnextt
ohi
m.
Hesighs,
tur
ningaroundandwr apshishands
ar
oundherwaist.Hekissesherback…
"
Goodni
ght
.”
"Goodnight,
Iloveyou.
”Hei gnor
esthepartand
pretendstobesleepi
ngthinki
ngofthespl
endid
nighthehad.Howshebeggedf orhi
mt of
uckher
harder.Howshecr i
edthosetearspl
easur
e.Her
biti
nghim andscreamingoutloudhashim bei
ng
turnedonagain.Zandi
lemovesherbuttcloseto
hi
m, shetr
iesgrabbi
nghisdickbuthehol
dsher
handbeforeherhandcouldevenreachhi
sdi
ck.
“
I'
mt i
red,
sleep.
”Heinstr
ucts.Heconti
nuessmili
ng
whi
lehavingfl
ashbacksofhersweetbushycooki
e.

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Sisi
phoholdingherphonewant i
ngtomaket hat
phonecallsobad.Af t
erhavingaoneononewi t
h
hermother,shereali
zedthathersist
erhadnot hing
todowiththis,
in-f
actsheist heonethatshouldbe
hatedon.
Hereyesf i
llupwithtearsl
ookingatherprofil
e
pict
ure.Everyt
hingaboutherisjustperf
ect,perfect
toapointthatshewant edtoknowhowshedoesi t
.
Shewant stotalktoherwithoutanyonebeing
around.Withoutanyoneknowi ngwhattheyar e
goingthrough.
Shefi
nal
lyhasthecouragetogi
veheracall
.She
pi
cksupinhersleepyvoi
ce.Herhear
tpoundsi
n
f
earr
eal
izi
nghowl
atei
tis.
“
Onyi
ye,
itsme.
”
"
Hai
,
”
Sisi
phoswal
lowshar
dnotknowi
ngwhatt
osayany
furt
her
.
“
Isyourmot
her
,okay?
”Sheasks.
"Yes,
mot heri
sfi
ne.Look,
Iknowit'
slat
ebutIneed
toseeyou."Shesl
apsherli
pstoget
herandholds
herbreat
h.
Si
lence!
Shehasj ustmadeaf ooloutofhersel
ffor
contacti
ngsomeoneshewasneversi ster
stobegin
wit
h.Whatawast eofsist
erhoodshehaddonet o
hersel
f.Tearsr
olldownhercheeksunexpectedly,
shesniffsandtakesadeepbr eat
h.
"
When?
”Fi
nal
ly!Sheaskssomet
hing.
“
Tomorrowifpossi
ble.Ir
eal
lyneedt
otakesome
t
hingsoffmychest
.”
Thephonecal
lhasbeenconcl
udedbyt
hei
rmeet
ing
tomorrowintown.Atleast
,todayshewil
lsl
eepwi
th
arelaxedheart
.Nowshewi llhavet
oprepar
e
herselff
orthenextday.
_
___
___
___
Thenextdaycameandshe' smorethandeli
ght
ed
toseehersist
er.Sheislooki
ngatherselfi
nthe
mirr
ornottoosureifshe'spret
tyenough.
Shehast akenoutofherf avori
tedresst hatshe
normall
ywear sinchurch, f
itandfaremaxi dress
whichisblackincolour,accompaniedbysandal s-
andforachangeshef eelsali
veagai nandl ivel
y.
Herhairissomethingelse,amessf orthatmat ter
buthey,nopennyunderhername.
“HowdoIl
ook?
”sheasksdoi
ngaspi
nar
oundf
or
hermot
her
.
“Youlookbeautif
ul.Gr
eetOnyi
yef
orme.Tellhert
o
visi
tmeatt i
mes.”Nowt hi
swomanwantstocry
andspoileveryt
hing!
“Mum,letherheal
.Onceshei
ssuret
hatherhear
t
hasfor
givenusthenshewil
lcomear
ound.Letus
notbeapaininthebutt
.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
,butdosendmygr
eet
ingschi
ld,
”
Hermot herpl
eads.Shehaseaten,bat
hedand
takenhertabl
ets.Sheknowsthatshewil
llastf
or
aboutthreehoursbythensur
ely,shewil
lhavebeen
back.
Shest epsoutofthehouseandsmil
es,put
ti
ngher
shadeson.Shadest hatwer
eboughtbyherex
Lungisani.Doesshemisshim?Notanymore.
Sheisstandi
ngatthesi
deoftheroadpati
entl
y
waiti
ngforataxi
.Acarpar
ksnexttoheralmost
knockingher
.Sherunstot
hegrassholdi
ngher
dressmakingsurenott
otr
iponit.Nowshehas
dustyfeet
!
“
Bloodyhel
l!
”Shehal
fscr
eamsst
ompi
ngherf
eet
.
“Iwast
oldt
ofet
chyou.
”Themansaysi
nthebl
ack
BMW.
“Byw…”Shel ooksathim cl
oselyandherheart
ski
psabi tl
ookingathercrush.Hert
hroatdri
esup,
speechl
essshei s.
“
Howwi
llIknowyouwi
llnotki
dnapmeandmake
meapr
ost
it
utei
n…
“
It
'sei
theryougeti
norIl
eaveyoubehi
nd.
”
Shelooksar ound–nosi gnoft axis.Plus,shewil
l
besavingthatR11, 00fortomatoesl at
eron.Sheis
hesi
tant,shetakesadeepbr eat
handopenst he
backseat.Shedust sherfeetoffbeforegetti
ngin.
Tazzlooksatherf eetandlooksathi scleanblack
car.
“Wait
,”hesaysbefor
eshecoul
devenstepherfoot
i
nside.Hetakessomewipesonthedashboar
dand
handittoher.
“
Wipeyourf
eetwi
tht
hese.
”
Asmuchasi thurtst
hinki
ngthatsheisdi
rtyand
notwantedinthecardoesnotsitwel
lwit
hher.She
gl
adlytakesthem –shewipesherfeetwi
ththem
andherfeetarespar
kli
ngnew.Sheevenwi pedher
sl
ipper
s.

Thiscarisnotgoi
ngt
otownasshethought.Her
heartpoundasthemandri
vest
hroughthebushes.
“
Whereareyout
aki
ngme?
”Thepani
cinhervoi
ce
madethemansmil
e.
“
Somewhere.”Thesoundoft
hedoor
slocki
ng
makeshershiver
.
“Buti
,pleasetel
lOnyiyethatIam sor ry.Iwillnever
everbeanui sanceinherl i
fe.Please, don’tkil
lmeI
am pregnantandt hefatherdeniedt hepr egnancy.
Mymot heri
ssuf f
eri
ngf rom ast r
okeandshe
dependsonme.Iam notwor ki
ngIam ver ypoor .
Look,youcant akethelastR24, 00Ihave.Iwi llno
l
ongerbebuyi ngtomat oesf ordinnert oday.
Please…”shepleadswi thhereyescl osed.
Ahoot erhonkingmakesherscr
eam wit
hhereyes
sti
llcl
osed.Tearsdri
pdownherface…voices
approaching.Sheshoot
shereyesopenandnotice
thr
eewomenappr oachi
ng.
Shetri
esunlockingthedoorbutthedoori
slocked.
Tazzunlocksitforher–withoutwast
esherunsout
ofthecarrunningtowardst
het hr
eewomen.
“
Sani
bona.I
…”
“
Wuyeumakot
ilona?Awubaki
thiakasemuhl
e.”
“
Youcannevert
ellwi
thSbani
swezwe.Thatoneis
f
rust
rat
ingme.Whyareyoucryi
ngyounglady?
”
“
Thatmankidnappedme.Pleasehelpme.”The
l
adi
eslookateachotherandbur
stintol
aughter
.
“Youmeanmysonki dnappedyou?Don’tbesill
y.
Gof i
xyouri
ssueswithyourmanandstopr unni
ng
aroundli
eateenager
.”Theycont
inuedt
ol augh.
Shelooksatt
hem confused.
“
But
…”
“TellSbanitot
akethesewomentochur
chIwil
l
comel ateron.
”Shet ur
nstol
eavet
hem andSi
sipho
standstheresti
llf
rozen.
“
Makot
i,t
akeust
oyourhusband.
”
Shefl
inchespinchingherselfj
ustr
eal
izi
ngshehas
j
ustmadeaf ooloutofherself
!Shesl
owlyturnst
o
walkt
owar dsthecarwiththewomanf ol
lowing
behi
nd.
Shewantedt
ogeti
nthebackseatbutTazz
i
nstr
uct
edhertot
akethef
rontseat.
“
Areyoudonebei
ngdr
amat
ic?
”Hesi
deseyesher
anddi
vesoffwithherlooki
ngoutsidet
hewindow.
Themostawkwar dri
deeverofbeingcompliment
ed
byst
ranger
s.Ifonlyt
hesewomenknewt hatshe
hasaveryhugecrushonhi m!
Shehopsoutoft hecarandOnyi ye’
scarparksr i
ght
i
nofhereyes.Herhear tevenbeatsabnormal l
y
fastert
hanpreviously.Shestepsoutofthecar
carryi
ngherlastborn–sheassumes.Ther ed
ri
dinghoodalsost epsoutwithabandagear ound
hisneck.Theykissbr i
efl
ybeforebeinggivenacar d.
“Wow,
”gi
rli
sli
vingasof
tli
fe.Heri
nnersel
f
scr
eams.
Shelooksather
sel
fandshelooksatthedressshe
i
swear i
ng.Nowthatshei
sstandingunderthe
sunl
ight–thecol
ourisst
art
ingtowearoff.Herhai
r
i
sacompl etemesscomparedtoOnyiye’
s.
“Pl
easebuysomethi
ngt
ocookfordi
nnertoday.
”
Tazzhandshermoneyr
oll
edi
ntoaball
.Shelooks
athi
mi nshock.
“
Youar
ejoki
ngr
ight
?”Shewant
stocr
ytosobad.
“
Imayj
okeaboutot
hert
hingsbutnotwheni
t
comest
omoney.
”
Shethrowsherselfint
ohisarmsandsniff
s,
i
maginingthefoodshewi llbebr
ingi
nghomelat
er
on.Sheshamef ull
ystepsbackandlooksdown.
Tazzlaughsabi tunder
standi
ng.Hegetsi
ntohi
s
caranddrivesoff.
Theyarebothst
ari
ngateachot
herf
ail
ingt
ost
arta
conver
sati
on.
Si
siphoclear
shert
hroatandsi
ghsner
vousl
y
l
eaningback.
“I
'm sor
ry.Ibel
ieveIam havi
ngasl
owdown.
”She
speaks.
“
It
'sokay,
”
“WheredoIevenbegi n.Onyi
nyi,Iam ani mperfect
being,
butthisdoesnotjusti
fythemi st
akesthatI
havemadet oyou.Iam sosor r
y.Iknowt hatwhatI
didwaswr ongandIknowt hatithurtyoudeepl y.
I'
m notsurewhatIwast hi
nking,butIdoknowt hatI
neverwantedtohurtyou.IwishIcoul dtakeitback,
butIcan'
t.Youaresuchani ncredibl
esisterandI
j
ustkeptonpushi ngyouawayandagai nIwi l
lnot
hi
defrom mymother
'ssi
ns.I'
m admitt
ingmyf
aul
ts
andIam wil
li
ngt
owor konthem.Please.
”
Onyiyelooksatherwi t
houtsayingawor
d.Herheart
doesn’tholdgrudges.Anapologywasal
lthatshe
neededf r
om thesepeople.
“Si
nceIknowwhatr eall
yhappenedandwhatwas
thecauseofi
t.If
orgiveyou.
”Sisi
phopushest
he
chai
rbackandkneelsdownbowi ngtoki
ssherfeet
.
“Don'
tyoudar
eembar
rassmel
iket
hat
!Pl
ease,
standup.
”
Shestandsupandburstintotear
s.Onyi
nyestands
upwithhergl
ossyeyes.Forthefir
stt
imeinher20
year
sofexist
ence–thef i
rstt
imeanddayt obe
fi
nal
lybehuggedbyaper sonshecall
shersister
!
[
08/
18,
03:
42] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER40

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Lookingathersist ergoingallcrazyinst orelooki
ng
foroutfi
tstowear .Onewoul dsweart hattheyhave
beenbestbuddi esf orquitesomet i
meandi tisa
crazyfeeli
ng.Sheagr eedandsuggest edtheygo
shoppingandgetsomet hingtoeat …Shehasbeen
hugginghernon- stopagai nandf orthefirstti
mei n
alongt i
mei tf
eltgenui ne.Sisi
phoi ssomeoneyou
can'tgetri
dof.Asmuchasshet houghtshehat ed
her,deepdownshel ongedforthiskindof
fri
endship.
“Howaboutt hi
sone? ”Sheaskslooki
ngatavery
shortfl
oraldr
ess.Pi
nkdr esswit
hpinkfl
owers?Li
ke,
real
ly?Isthi
sgir
ltr
yingtoembarrassherorwhat!
“Takenude,i
tgoesbett
erwi
tht
hecompl
exi
onof
yourski
n.”Shesays.
“
Areyousur
e?”Shef
rownsl
ooki
ngatt
hedr
ess.
“Yes,dummy,Iam sur
e.Gof ititon.”Shesqueal
sin
excit
ementandrunstothef i
tti
ngr oom t
ofitt
he
dress.Shecomesoutand, Yeapasshehas
anti
cipat
editf
it
sherperfectl
yf i
ne.
Theycont
inueshoppi
ngr
unni
ngar
oundt
he
Eshowemal l.Sheisdef
ini
tel
ytir
ed;sheneverknew
thatSisiphocouldrunaroundtownthismuch.Let
alonegocr azyovershopping.Theyfi
rsthadtobuy
groceriesforthei
rhomeandt henshoppingfor
clothes.
Theypasst
imebyhavi
ngi
ce-
cream.
"Idon'tevenknowwhat…"Si
siphoeyesarebeing
fixedonsomet hi
ng.Onyi
yet
ur nsar
oundtolookbut
she'sjustseei
ngpeoplewal
kinginandout.
Si
siphot
akeadeepbr
eat
hcl
osi
ngher
.
"
Areyouokay?
"Sheasks.
"Yes,
"thecoupl
ewal
kri
ghtpastt
hem hol
ding
hands.
"Okay…"Shelooksatherwi
thhereyebr
owsr
aised.
"Iknowwear enotcl
osebutyoutel
lmewhat
's
eati
ngyou."
"That'
sLungisanimyex.Wedat edforfouryears,he
recentl
ygotmar r
iedwhilehewasstillwithmeand
heleftmewi t
hachi l
d."Shechuckslett
inghertears
fl
ow." Heevengavememoneyf orabor t
ion.
"She
l
eansbackwi
tht
ear
srol
li
ngdownamar
athonr
ace.
"Heisnotwor t
hyourtears.Nowthatyouknow,
moveonwi thyourlif
eandf or
getabouthi
m.Find
yoursel
fanothermanandt akecareofyourchi
ld
simple.
"She’
spr egnantandagai
nanothershocker
.
Shewi l
lnotj
udge.
"
It
'snotassi
mpl
easyousay.
"
"Areyoutryingtotellmethatyouareholdi
ngback
ontohim prayingthathecomest ohissenses?Girl
,
dustyourselfandmoveon.Don' tbl
ockhappi ness
foramanwhoi snotwort
hi t
."
Sisi
phokeepsquiteforasecondthought
ful
ly.She
needstoletherhear
theal.Minut
eslat
erTazzand
Sthembisowalkinandspotthem chi
ll
edbyt hesi
de
eati
ngice-
cream.
Sthembi sosi
tsbesi
desOnyi
yeandkissesher
forehead.Tazzsi
tsnextt
oSisi
pho.
"
Inowbel
ieveyoui
nlovewi
thcr
ying.
"Tazz.
"
That'snottrue.
"Sisi
phosighsl
ooki
ngdown.She
wipesthetearssti
lll
ooki
ngdown.
"
Weshouldgetgoing.I
'
m sur
emymot
herneedsme
f
orherper
sonalneeds.
"
"
Iunder
stand.Maybesomeot
hert
ime.
"Onyi
ye.
"Thanksyouonceagai
n.Inowf
eell
ight
erget
ti
ng
somet hi
ngsoffmychest
."
Onyi
yenodsherheadandsmi
les.
Si
siphost
andsup,
shesl
ipsandsi
tsont
opofTazz.
"
Ouch!
"Shehi
ssesl
ooki
ngatherankl
e.
"
Areyouokay?
"
"
Ihur
tmyankl
e."
"Letmetakeyouhome.
"Tazzsayshel
pingher
stand.Shel
impsunabl
etoputherf
ootdown.
"
Ithur
ts.
"
"Pi
ckherupTazz. "Sthembisoinstr
ucts.Tazzpicks
herupinbridalstyl
eandwal ksoutcarryi
ngher.
Onyiyespotsthesocol dexstari
ngtheirdi
recti
on.
Shepickstheirshoppingbagsupwi ththehelpof
Sthembiso.
Theyhel
pTazzl
oadi
ngt
hepl
ast
icsi
nthecarwi
th
Si
siphostil
lmassagi
ngherf
oot
."Wi
llyoubeokay?
"
Onyiyeasksworri
edl
y.
"
Ibel
ieveso.Idon'
tknowhowIsl
ipped.
"
"Aski
es.Tazzwil
lleaveyouathomeandal
sohel
ps
youwiththepl
asti
cs."
"Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.Youhavenoideahow
mucht hi
smeanstome."Onyi
yenodsherhead
smili
ng.
"Ihadfunt
oo.Iwoul
dli
keyout
omeetmyot
her
sist
er.
"
Sisi
pho'
sfacel
ight
enwi
thabr
ightsmi
leonher
face.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes,
wil
ltal
kthough.Buti
twi
llhappenbef
oreIgo
t
obackDurban.
"

She'
slooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
est
heyt
ook.
Thefi
rstt
imeshegetstohavequal
it
ytimewi
thher
si
ster
!Isseemssoseri
alanddif
fer
ent.
"
"I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngforthi
sfor20year
s.Soyouhave
noideahowi
tfeel
sli
ke.
"
Shesi
ghs.
"I
t'
sli
keahugebur
denhasbeenr
emovedof
fme.I
don'
tknowbutmyhear
tseemshappy.
"
Henodshishead.“I'
m happythatyouarehappy
munkuwami .Ij
usthopeshehasnoagendahi dden
behi
ndher.Phel
ababe, asnakeneverchangesits
col
our.Youshouldalwayskeepthati
nmi nd.
"
Thatsheknowsandshe'ssomethi
ngshe'saware
about.Shesmi
lesandconti
nuestoscr
ollt
hrough
herphone.
Theyar
ri
vehomeandt
heyf
indt
heyar
dbuzzi
ng
wit
hpeopl
e.
Herhear
tski
psabi
tinf
ear
.
"Beyour
selfbabe.Don'
tletDumi
sanigett
oyou
evenindeath.
"
"
Ijustkeepseei
nghi
sopenskul
l.
"
"Event
ual
ly,
alloft
hiswil
lgoawaybabe.Justbe
youandactnormal l
iket
hemotherofmykids.
"
"Okaybabe."Shenervouslysmi les.Theybot
hstep
outofthecar.Thyewal ktowardst hehousehol
ding
hands.Sthembisofr
eezesl ookingatMaZetsitt
ing
onthemat tr
ess.Onyiyelookscloselyandshe
knowst hi
swoman!
ShelooksatSt
hembi
sowi
thhermout
hpar
ti
all
y
open.
"I
sither
?"Heasks.Onyi
yenodsherheadwi
thher
eyesgli
steni
ngwi
thtear
s.
"
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?"Shewhi
sper
s.
"Sheispregnantwit
hmybr ot
her'
sbaby."Hechucks
shaki
nghi shead.MaZett
il
tsherheadbutquickl
y
l
ooksdownwhenhereyesmeetOnyi ye'
s.
Sthembisolet'
sgoofherhandandkissesher
cheeks.
"I
'l
lgocheckonthebabies.
"Hesqueezesherbutta
bitmaki
nghertoshylysmil
e.Shecarr
iesherlegs
totheki
tchent
oassistandmindsherbusiness.

I
t'
sfunnyhowDumi
sani
isnotevenmi
ssed,
even
hisparent
sdonotwanttomournhim.Hediedjust
coupleofdaysagoandal
readyt
heyarereadyto
buryhim.It
’sl
iket
heyar
etryi
ngtogetr
idofthem.
Thef unerali
stodayandthatisver
ymuch
surprisi
ng.Hismotheri
sactingnormalandthere'
s
hisfatherwhoi sal
sobusywi t
hhiskett
les-wit
hhis
grandkidsfoll
owinghi
m behindeverywherehegoes.
Sbahl
eont heot
herhand-shei
sjustasshockedas
towhytheyaredoi
ngthi
ngsthi
sway.
Apparentl
yDumi saniismar ri
edandhet ol
dnoone.
It'
sfunnyifyoutel
ltheirpat heti
cstor
y.Comet o
thinkofi
t.Shedoesn'tcar e!Whatwoul dhave
happenedi fshedi
dn'tfightf orher
sel
f?
"Sti
llgood?Don'
toverwor kyourself
."St
hembi so
thecarryi
ngboyfri
end."Don'tl
etthesewomenover
wor kyou."Hesi
deseyehi saunt.Theynevergot
along.TheyalwaysfavouredDumi sanibecausehe
wasal waysthequietestandhim,alwaysthe
l
oudestanddoesn’ tsugarcoatorli
cksanybodi es
arse.
"
Ist
hatt
hewayt
otal
ktoanel
derSt
hembi
so?
"She
asksr
eadyt
omur
derhi
m.
"
Sthembi
so,
canyoupl
easef
eedt
heki
ds.
"
Onyiyecanseewherethi
sisgoi
ng.Shepi
cksthe
bowlsupandl eadst
hewaytothesi
tt
ingr
oom.
Ngimubeingthemanofthehouse-heisdef
ini
tel
y
behavingl
ikeone.
Onyi
yesmi
lesl
ooki
ngathermuddyson.
"Iswearthischildwantstoki
llmebefor
emytime.
"
Sthembiso'smot hersayspi
ckingNgi
mut ogi
vehi
m
aquickbat h.Sthembisosi
tsopposi
teMaZet
unbotheredlyfeedi
nghisson.
"
Makot
ibaki
thi
."
Hejustwi
shest
hatt
heseaunt
scoul
dleaver
ight
t
hisminut
e.
"I
twi
l
lbefinemychi
ld.Weshoul
dhaveameet
ing
asafami
ly."
"Aboutwhat
?"Hi
smot
herasksgi
vingOnyi
yeher
nowcleanson.
"
AboutMakot
iher
e."Oneoft
heaunt
sspeak.
"
Whatabouther?"Shesi
tsdownandexhal
esout
l
oudannoyed.Sheisal
soboredbyt
his.
"Si
nceDumi sanihasalreadypaidforherbri
depr i
ce.
Wet hinkasafamilyitwil
lbever ymuchconvenient
forSthembisotofi
llhisbrother
sshoesandt akeher
ashiswi f
e,si
nceshei salreadyourwif
e."Thisaunt
surel
yknowshowt ospitnonsense.
"
Whopai
dforherbr
idepr
ice?
"MaJi
yaneasks.
"
Dumi
saniSi
si.
"
"Well
,ashismot her.Iwasneveri nformed.Seems
l
ikeshe'syourwi f
enotmi nes.Ifyouwantf orhert
o
conti
nuebeingawi f
e,youcanpasshert oyourson.
Sthembisoher ehashisownf amil
yt otakecareof.
Youseet hatwomansi ttingovert here…"Shepoi nt
s
outatOnyiye."Thatishiswi fe.Thewi fethatwe
knowasaJi yanefamily.Shewasn' tmadei n
China.
"
"
Butsi
si…"
"ChaMabusinobuts.I'
m si
ckandt
iredofeachand
ever
yoneofyoutryingtodi
ctat
emyhousehold.I
runmyhousehol
dt hewayIseeitf
it
.Thenonsense
youarespewi
ngwillneverhappen.St
hembisowi
ll
nevert
akeasecondwi f
easl ongasIl
ive!
"
"
Buti
,youcan'
tletyouwif
etal
ktousl
iket
hat
."Thi
s
womanisnotbackingdown.
"Mabusi,si
nceyouwantt hisyounggi r
ltocont
inue
beingintheJi
yanefamily,youcant akeherandshe
canbeyourowndaught er-in-l
aw.Shecanf ul
fi
lthe
dutiesi
nyourhouseholdnoti nmyhouse.Wedon' t
evenknowwhowast herefort hatbr
idepri
ceand
howi twasdone.Don'
tinvol veusinyourmess."
Ther
oom becomessi
lence.
"Myparentshavespoken.Ifyouever,Imeanever
thi
nkofforci
ngthatthingdownmyt hroat,t
rustmeI
wil
lburneachandever yoneofyou.Ilovemy
womanal onewithoutanymixit
.MaZetl eftmef or
mybr ot
herandtrustmeIam notbi tt
eratall.I
'm
veryhappythatIdodgedabul l
et.I
'
m ver ymuch
happywithmyNdonit rustme."
"
Sthembi
so,I'
m sor
ry.Inowreali
semymistake.
"
MaZett
il
tsherheadandlooksatSthembi
so."Iam
r
eadytorect
if
ymymi stakesand…"
"Woah, si
si.Ibelongtosomeone.Myhear ti
sfull
y
occupiedandt r
ustmeIdonotneedat hir
dwheel ."
Heclickshi stoungestandingup.HepullsOnyiye
byhandandl eavestheroom headingtohisoutside
bedroom.Sbahl ef ol
lowsthem short
ly.
"
Don'tworryhewi l
lcomearound.Oncethef
uner
al
i
soveryouwi llsl
eepinhi
sbedroom l
ikeatr
ue
makotiyouare."Shenodsherheadsnif
fi
ng.

Afterthebur
ialmostfamil
ymember swentt ot
heir
respecti
vehomes.Thedevilwasstil
laroundcal
li
ng
t
heshot s.Onyiyei
sinthekit
chencleaningupwit
h
t
hehel pofSbahleandtheJiyanecousins.
"Don'
tletmymothergett
oyou.Iam herdaught
er
andtrustmewedonotgetalongbecauseofher
contr
olli
ngways.
"
"Iwil
ltr
y."Shesmi
lesandcont
inuest
owi
pet
he
dishes.
Sthembisol
eftwit
hKhoza-hedidn'
tevenbothert
o
seewhathappensnextaftert
heburi
al.She'
sti
red
andallshewantsist
osleep.
"
I'
m of
ftosl
eep.
"
"
Iwil
lcomewithyou.I
'
ml eavi
ngwithmyman
t
oday.
"Sbahl
esaysfoll
owingherbehi
nd.

STHEMBI
SO'
SOUTSI
DEBEDROOM

Theygototheoutsidebedr
oom, sheopensthedoor
.
Thedoorwasn'tf
ull
yclosed.Theyfi
ndMaZetsitt
ed
onthebedhalfnaked.Onyi
yefrownslooki
ngather
hugest
omach.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmybedr
oom?
"Sheasks.
"
Bef
orei
twasyours,
itwasminesfi
rst
.I'
mjust
t
aki
ngwhat
'sminenow."Shesmir
ks.
"Okay.Youcantaket hebedsi si
.Wewi llbooki
nthe
hotel
."Shetakeshersuitcase,Sthembi so'saswel
l
asthekids.Theyloadthel uggage’sinthecarand
theydri
veoffwithoutevenbi ddi
ngf arewell.
Sthembi
soarri
vesshor
tl
yandpauseslooki
ngatthe
fi
ggersl
eepi
ngonhisbed.Thi
sisnothisOnyi
ye.
Heyankst
hebl
anket
sof
fandf
indsMaZetnaked
onhi
sbed.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
"
Yourpar
ent
ssai
dweshouldshar
ear
oom si
nce
I
'
m nowbecomi
ngyourwi
fe.
"
"Myparent
soraunt
?"Heaskswi
thhi
seyebr
ows
ached.
"
Youraunt
."
Henodshisheadandlooksatherwit
houtbli
nki
ng.
Shesmil
esshylyandpatsonthespacenexttoher
.
"
Youhavebeenupanddownal
lday.Youneedt
o
r
est
."Shesays.
"No,thatkyouMaZet.Theonl
ythi
ngIwantismy
womanandki ds."Hetur
nstol
eavebutshe
screamsherlungsout.
"
Ithi
nkt
hebabyi
scomi
ng!
"
"Okay,l
etitcome.It
'snotminesanyway."Heshr
ug
hisshouldersandturnst
oleaveannoyed.Hegoes
tohismot her'
shouseandfi
ndshisaunteati
ng
sconesandt ea.
"
Wher
eisNdoni
?"Heaskscal
mly.
"Idon'
tknow.Yourwi
fei
sinyourr
oom.Di
dyousee
her?"
"YaziIdon'
tknowwhatkindofahumanbei ngyou
are.Areyousureyouar
eokayupst ai
rs?Whyar e
youmaki ngmylif
eacir
cuses?Mabusi ,Ihavebeen
patientwi
thyouforf
art
ool ongandyouar estar
ti
ng
toannoyme.Iwantmyf ami l
y.Themotherofmy
kids."
"TheyleftButiwiththeirbags.It
hinkMaZetchased
them out."St
hembi so'sfaceimmediat el
ytur
nsred.
Hemar chestowardshi sauntandst r
anglesher
.
Shel et
sgooft hetea-itburnsherthighandshe
screamsl oudly.Thepar ent
scomer unningandthey
fi
ndSt hembisoont opofhisaunt.
"Sthembi
so!"That
'sMaJiyane.MaZetcomesin
runningwit
hherhugestomachandpausesl ooki
ng
atthescene.
Hest
opsandst
epsback.
"
Ifanyt
hinghappenstomyf ami
ly,
trustme-ow
Godhelpmeyouwi l
lneverseedawn."Hewalksout
andpushesMaZetasi de.Shesli
pshitt
ingher
stomachatt hecornerofthetabl
e.Shescreams
holdingherstomachanddr opsdownt oherknees
feel
ingthepain.Bl
oodbegi ntofl
owdownherl egs.
"Takehertothehospit
al!
"Theauntisonherfeet
withhershockedface.She'
srubbi
ngherthr
obbing
neck.
Theyalll
ookatherwit
houtcar
e-ever
yonewentt
o
thei
rbedroom l
eavi
ngjustt
hebot
hofthem.

ATTHEHOTEL

She'
slooki
ngatt
heki
dssl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
y.
"
Maybei fIdi
dn'
tki
llhim wewouldn'tbehere.They
wouldhavenotbeforci
ngMaZetdownSt hembiso
t
hroat.
"Shesnif
fst
hr owingher
selfonthecouch.
Herphonechi
mesagai
nandshecont
inuest
o
i
gnoreit
.
"
Hismot
heri
scal
li
ngyou.
"Sbahl
etel
lsher
.
"Atthi
smomentIdon' tcareaboutanyt hi
ngor
anyone.I'
m sureSthembisoisdivi
ngi nherpussy
aswespeak. "Shetakesadeepbr eathclosi
ngher
eyes.Hehasn'tevenbotheredcontacti
ngherandit
hurt
s.Maybehei sagreeingtoallofthisandhewas
j
ustactingoutinf
rontofhereyes.
Thedayst
art
edof
ffi
neandt
urnedoutt
obea
hor
rormovi
e.
Aloudbangonthedoor…Hewal
ksi
nwi
tha
f
rustr
atedl
ooki
nhisface.
"
Howdi
dyouf
indme?
"Sheasksst
andi
ngup.
"That'
snott
hecase.Ar
eyouguysokay.
"Hepul
l
s
herint
oahug.
"
Wegoodj
ustnotemot
ional
lyokay.
"
"
I'
m sor
rybabe.
"
Khozacomesi
ntogetwhat
'shi
s.
Theyleavet
hehot
ell
eavi
ngSt
hembi
soandOnyi
ye
behi
nd.
"
Soyoureal
lyt
houghtt
hatIwoul
dlookatanot
her
woman?
"
"I
t'
snotaboutyoulooki
ngatanotherwoman.I t'
s
aboutmenothavingtheenergytodealwit
hdr ama.
Idon'
thavetheti
met odealwit
hbitt
erex.Iknow
mywor t
h."
"AndIloveyouf
ort
hat
."Hepausesl
ooki
ngi
nher
eyes.
"Whatdi
dyoudo?
"Sheknowshi
m bet
tert
hat
anyone.
"Nothi
ng,
"hetakesof
fhiscl
othi
ngget
ti
ngi
nbed.
Shesighsandjumpsinbedalsowi
tht
heki
dsin-
between.

ONYI
YE'
SHOME

She'
sf i
tt
ingeachandever ycl
othing.She'sbeyond
happyandshecannotexpr esshowshef eel
s.The
amountoff oodthattheyhaveissomet hi
ngshehas
al
waysl ongedfor.Lookathermot hereat
ing
sausageroll
,somet hi
ngshelasteatmont hsago.
"
I'
m happyt
hatyouandOnyi
year
ewor
kingonyour
l
if
e."Hermot
hersayswi
thamout
hful
.
"I
'
m happyt oo.Ineverthoughtthatonedaywewil
l
bethi
sclose.Iknowi t'
sstil
learl
ytosaybutIhave
aposi
tivefeeli
ngaboutever yt
hing."
"I
'
m sor
ryf
ortur
ningyourl
ivesupsi
dedown.
"She
sadl
ysi
ghs.
"Shewil
lfor
giveyou.Justgivehertime.Youshoul
d
seetheki
ds!Theyar esoador abl
e.Youknow…"Her
phoneri
ngs.Shefrownsl ookingatunsaved
number.Shedoesn'trecogniseit
.
"
Hal
lo,
"
"
I'
m out
side,
"
Sherecognisest
hevoice.Herhear
tskipsabit
.
Whatdoeshewant ?Ishegoingtobeanother
Shane?Whatwasshet hinki
ng!Nothi
ngcomes
cheapinthesest
reet
s.Shewear sherfl
ipf
lopsand
stepoutsi
dethedoor
.
Shet akesadeepbreat
h.Therei
stheredTazz
parkedr i
ghti
nfr
ontofthegat
e.Shest
epsoutsi
de
thegat eandcl
osesit
.
Tazzst
epsoutoft
hecarandl
eansagai
nsti
t.
Sheli
mpsstandi
nginf
rontofhim,
"Buti
,Idon'
thave
themoneyt
opayyou.Iwillf
indajobandpayeach
andever
ycentIoweyou."
Hechucks."HeiSi
sipho.Iwasjustinthe
nei
ghbourhoodandIt houghtIshoul
dpassbyand
sayhei
."
"
Ow,
notbecauseyouwantmet
opayyou?
"
She'
sconfused.I
famandoessomethingf
oryou.
Theydef
ini
telywantsomet
imesr
etur
n.
"
No.CanIt
akeyououtt
omor
row?
"
Sheshoothereyesopen.Shef
eel
sherbodyget
ti
ng
goosebumps.
"
Asi
n,outonadat
e?"Sheasks.
"
Yes,
outonadat
e."Hesmi
les.
"
I'
m pr
egnant
."
"So?Wil
lyourpr
egnancypr
eventyouf
rom goi
ng
out?"
Herkneesi
mmedi
atel
ygetweak.Herst
omach
gr
umbl
es.
"
Okay,
"shewoul
dn'
tmi
sst
hisoppor
tuni
tyf
ort
he
wor
ld!
"
Howi
syourankl
e?"Heasks.
"Theoi
ntmentyougavemedi dmagi
c.Thatyou.
"
Shesmiles.Thepai
nist
il
lther
ebutbet
ter
.
Hest epscl
oserandgivesherahug.She' shesi
tant
,
butfoll
owshislead.Shehugshi m backti
ghter
cl
osinghereyes.Theypulloutofthehug-t hei
r
cheeksrubagainsteachother.Hi
sbear drubbi
ng
hercheekmakingherclitdanceSar af
ina.
Hisli
psr ubbingagainsthers.Mukhul
uuJehova!
Shewr apsherar msar oundhisneckwit
hhim
holdi
ngherwai st.Shepant sinhi
smouth.That
weedsmel li
nhismout hmi xedwit
hguava.Sur
ely
hewasdr i
nkingguavaj ui
ce.
She'ssleepi
ngonthebedt hinki
ngoftheevents
repl
yinginherhead.She'
shol di
ngherchest,
touchingherli
psnotbel
ieving.
Shesendsaqui
ckt
extt
oOnyi
yepr
ayi
ngt
hatshe
responds.Shewai tanxi
ousl ybutnor eply.Maybe
sheisbei ngforwar dwit
ht hissist
errelationship.
Shef eelsdiscouraged,herinputwouldhavemadea
diff
erence.Shet ri
esclosinghereyesbutsl eep
feel
si nvaded.Herphonevi brat
es.Shej umpssi t
ti
ng
upst rai
ghtandr eadsthrought hetext.
"
Hei
sagoodman.I
fyouf
eelhi
m gi
vei
tashot
."
Shesmil
eswi
del
yandbegi
nst
oscr
eam j
umpi
ngup
anddown.
[
08/
18,
03:
43] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER41
SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO
Sheturnstolookather sel
finthemi r r
oronel ast
ti
meandsmi lesf
eelingsati
sfied.Aj umpsui t,
off
shoulderbodyconmar oonincol our.Herwhi t
eNike
sneakersalongwithherblackpur se.Heranda
curl
yweave, sheneverimaginedher selfwithsuch
onherhead.Al lt
hankst oOnyiye.Shepr acti
call
y
gaveheraweavet hatwasbr andnew–wi t
hout
evenhavingdoubt s.Shetakesaf ewpi cturesand
sendsthem toher.
“Il
ooksosexybecauseofyou. ”shecli
ckssend.
Onetick.I
t'
ssounl i
kehert oswit
chherdataoff.
Shesadlysighsloggi ngoff.Sheputshermaroon
l
ipsandsmi lesemot ional
ly.Shetakesadeep
breat
handwai t
sf orhisphonecall.Herphoneri
ngs
anditisanunknownnumber .Shef r
ownslooki
ngat
thescreendebatingwhet hertoanswerornot.
“
Hal
o,”
“I
t’
sOnyinye.Howi syourankl
e?”Shewantsto
scream f
orthewhol enei
ghbour
hoodtohearthat
hersist
erjustcal
ledaski
ngheraboutherankl
e!
“I
'
m sti
lll
impi
ngbuti
tisbet
tert
hanyester
day.But
i
Tazzboughtmesomeointment
.”Thatsmil
e…
“
But
i Tazz,
”shelaughsabit.Shehasn’
tnot
iced,
she
r
eal
lyhasthatcuteti
nylaugh.
“
Yes,
”
“
ThesameBut
ithati
staki
ngyououtonadat
e?”
“
Donotmakemymi
nddi
rt
ypl
ease.
”
Theybot
hlaugh.
“
Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.Idi
dthi
nkaboutwhat
youtoldmeyest
erdayandIt
hinki
tisaboutt
ime
thatImovedon.
”
“Yes,t
hatist
hespi
ri
tgir
ly.Ihavet
ogobeforet
he
kidswakeupandharassme.Enjoyyourdat
ewith
ButiTazz.
”
“Babe,Ineedadickmassage!”Amanshout sinthe
background.Theli
negoesdeadbef oreshecan
evenrespond.Thismanhasnof i
lt
erandt hatshe
hasnoticed.Hemadeheralaughingst ockwhen
shewasst il
lacashi
eratt
heCambr idgest ore.She
chucksthinki
ngofhowmuchofat otaldisasterthat
manwas.Agai n,hehumil
iat
edherinchur ch!
Shepostsafewpictur
eswithnocapt
ion.Shecl
icks
onexi
stasusual.Sheisnotafanofl
oggingout
,
sheneverhasbeen.
Shesinksdownonherbedandwai t
sfort
hecal
l
butnothi
ngcomest hr
ough.Shei schecki
ngher
phoneconstantl
yever ymi nut
e.Andwhenevery
minutepasses,i
tfeelslikeanhour.Shesi
ghsin
di
scouragement.Shel i
esont hebedonherside
wit
htearsthreat
eningt ocomeout .Whatt
hehell
wasshethi
nking?Amanl i
keTazzfal
li
ngforagi
rl
l
ikeher
.Herhearti
sheavyandshehasnowor dsat
themoment.Hereyesi
mmediatel
ybecomeheavy
andsheagr
eest osl
eepi
nesstaki
ngover.
Herphonewakesherupfrom herheartheavy
sl
umber.Shesqui
ntshereyesandr ubsthem gentl
y.
Sheyawns–takesherti
met opickbuteventuall
y
does.
“
Hal
o,”
“
Iam sosor
ryt
okeepyouwai
ti
ng.Iam out
side.
”
Shej umpsof fthebedandl ooksathersel
fint
he
mirror.Themake- upisal
lovertheface,shesl
ept
cryi
ng, hereyesar eswol
len.Sheli
mpst othe
bathroom towasherherf aceandapplyponds.No
make- upnow, sighs!
Shegr absherpursef r
om t
hebedandl i
mps
towardst hedoor
.Hermot herisst
il
lasl
eep.
Medication.Shekisseshercheekandwalksout
.
Tazzstepsoutofhi
sBMW andsmi
lesappr
oachi
ng
her.Heopenshisar
ms–hewelcomesherwit
ha
ver
ywar m hug.
“Sor
ryI
'mlate.Ipr
omiset
omakei
tupt
oyou.
”He
saysst
eppingback.“
Shal
lwe?
”
Shenodsherheadandl
ooksdown.
“
Wher
eyoucr
ying?
”Heasksscanni
ngherf
ace.
“
No,
”
Helooksatherforasecond.“
Let'
sgo.
”Hehol
ds
herbackandleadshertothecar
,maki
ngher
comfort
abl
e.
“Youlookbeaut i
fulbytheway.”Hestart
st hecar
anddr i
vesoff.Sheknowst hi
sr out
ebecause
Lungisanial
waysf etchedherwheneverhewas
aroundjustt
ospendt imewit
hher .Andindeed,t
hey
areintheneighbourhood.
“Andwearehere,
”heparkshi
scaronabi
ghouse.
Shealwayswonderedwholi
vedher
eandt
odayshe
wil
lask.
“
Whol
ivesher
e?”sheasksl
ooki
ngal
lamazed.
“
Ido.Comel
et'
sgoi
nbef
oret
hef
oodget
scol
d.”
Hestepsoutoft
hecarandopensthedoorf
orher
.
Shestepsoutwi
thhermout
hhalfopen.
“
Wow,”hepul
lsherbyhandandt
henwal
ksi
nsi
de
t
hehouse.
Theyar eint hebackyar dshari
ngwhatt heyhave
beent hroughandwhatshehasdone–whi chshe
i
ssur elynotpr oudof .Therewasapoi nti
nl i
fe
whenassur edher selft
hatOnyiyewi l
lalwaysbe
thatgoodf ornot hinginthefut
ur e.Li
tt
ledidshe
knowt hatGodhasot herpl
ansf orher.
“
Ial
readyknow.
”:Hesaysandsi
psonhi
sbeer
.
“How?”Herheartbeat
srapi
dly.I
maginebei
ng
askedoutonadate-andyourdatef
indsouthow
evi
lyouare.Shameful
!
“It
hinkitwil
lbebet
teri
fwedropt
his.Idon’twant
youbeingallemoti
onalonmenow.”Heflashesa
bigsmile.
“Iunderst
and.”Shesni
ff
sbloodyt
ear
s!Hel
ooksat
herwithafrownonherface.
“
Whoi
sthef
atheroft
hebabyyouar
ecar
ryi
ng?
”
“
Anot
herbi
mbocal
l
edLungi
sani
.”
“
Whi
chLungi
sani
”Heasks.
“
Hel
ivesdownt
hest
reet
.”Shesi
ghssadl
y.
“
Andhedeni
edt
hepr
egnancy?Justl
iket
hat
?"
“Yes,
Ithi
nkhejudgedmebasedont hepastli
feI
usedtoli
ve.Theli
feofhat
ethatwasinme,that
madehimt akeadvant
ageofme.Hegaveme
moneytoabort.
”
“
Andyoudi
dn’
t?”
“No.Imayhaveadarkpastbutki
ll
ingwasnever
oneofmydarksides.
”
Henodshi
sheadandsmi
les.“
Iam sopr
oudof
you.
”
“It
'sgoi
ngtobehar
dthough.Iwi
llhavet
olookfora
jobsothatmybabycanhaveanormalli
fel
ikeother
kids.
”
“Hewil
lhaveanormalli
fe.I
sheaboyoragi
rl
”He
asksoutofcur
iosi
ty.
“
What !I
'
m noteventwomonthsyet
!”Shelaughs
l
oudlyandhejustl
ooksatherwi
ththoseeyesthat
makesher-…
“
Doyouhaveanyki
dsofyourown?
”Sheasks.
“Ican'
thaveki
ds.Ihavever
ylowsper
m,some
havingki
dsonmyowni s…”
“I
’m sosor
ry.
”Shekeepsqui
teabi
t.“
So,
whatwi
ll
happenwhenyougetmarri
ed?”
“
Ihaveonet
hati
sont
heway.
”
“Butyousaidyoucan'
thaveki
ds.
”Shei
sdef
iant
ly
confused.
“
Hei
sinyourt
ummy.
”
Sheopenshermouthpart
iall
ytosaysomethingbut
nowordscomeout.Hervoiceisbl
ocked.Shelooks
athi
m ashesmil
es.
“Miss,Iam notgoingtobi
taroundt hebush.Iwil
l
notli
eandsayIdon’ tli
keyou.Ilikedyout hefi
rst
dayyouwer estandingatt
her ankl ooki
ngatmel ike
I'
m somekindofmeat .Iwalkedr i
ghtpastyouon
purposeandyoureyeswer ebor i
ngmyback.You
werelit
eral
lyundressi
ngmei nfrontofpeople!Such
adisgrace.
"
Shegaspshol
dingherchest
.
“
Itwasnott
hatbad!Idi
dn’
tevent
hinkyou'
dnot
ice
becauseyoudi
dn’
tevenl
ookmydi
rect
ion.
”
“Wit
hal lt
hecommoti
onthatwerehappeni
ngi
n
yourface–t r
ustmeInot
icedyou.
”Sheis
embar r
assed.
“Ismymakeupthatbad?”Heisnott
hefi
rstmalet
o
saysomet
hingcr
uelabouthermakeup.Fir
sti
twas
thatr
edmannowhi m!
“
Wrongt
urn.
”
Shetakesapacketofchipsandt
hrowsi
thi
s
di
rect
ion.Heduckslaughing.
“
Trustme–youl ookedl
ikeyouhavewokenup
f
rom thedead.
”Heconti
nuestolaughhar
d.
Shelooksathim embarr
assed.Nowt hatshethinks
ofhereyebrows…sheshakesherheadnotbel i
eving
hersel
f.Laught
ermixedwithcryi
ng.Eventual
lyshe
cri
esoutloud.Hestopslaughi
ngandl ooksather.
“I
'
m sorr
yIwillneverlaughatyoureyebrowsagain.
Butnawebabe, don’
teverdothattoyourface.You
aret
oocutetodest r
oyyourselfli
ket
hat…”He
st
andsupandgoest ositnexttoher
.Thepicnicset
upissobeautif
ulandrefr
eshi
ng.Fi
rstti
mebeing
tr
eatedl
iket
his,awholeQueen.Thelanguageshe
knowsissex,sex,sexandmoresex.
“
Let
'smakeadeal
.”
“
Ifi
tinvol
vesmoneyt
hanyes.
”
“Oho,okay.Trynottodothatmake-
upshitand
l
eaveitforthepros.I
fyoucangoamont hwi t
hout
doingthatthenIwil
lappl
audyouandrewardyou
wit
hahugesum ofmoney. ”Hesayscar
essingon
herwetcheeks.
“Iacceptt
hechal
lenge.
”Herday,
spentina
splendi
dmomentway.Sheneverknewt her
eare
menoutt her
ewhodon'tlur
eyoutothei
rbed.
"
Yesmam…"Hel
aughsandpi
ncheshercheek.
"Youar
ehere.Ihavebeenknocki
ngbutnoonewas
openi
ng.Isawyourcarparkedout
sideand
assumedthatyouarehome."
Agirlsays.Tazzl
ooksatherwit
houtaresponse.
Si
siphoclearshert
hroatdi
sappoi
ntedl
y.
"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"Shesaysal
ready
st
andi
ngup.
"Thandeka.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Heasks
calmly.
"Isawyoucarpar
kedout
sideandIt
houghtIshoul
d
comeandsayhei."
Hereyel
ashesf
lapbackandf
ort
h.
"Thanks.Nextti
metrynott
oinvi
teyour
sel
fin
people'
shouses.AsyoucanseeIhaveaguest.So,
i
fyoudon' tmind…"
Si
siphogr
absherf
li
pfl
ops.
"
Iwi
llt
akeat
axihome.
"
"
Nochil
dofmi
newi
llr
idet
axi
s.Si
tyourassdown
woman.
"
"
But
…"
"Si
sipho!
"That
'smor
eli
kecommandi
ng.Shesighs
sit
ti
ngbackdownwithLungi
sani
'
ssi
sterl
ooki
ngat
her.
"AwuSisi
pho.So,
your eall
ydidkil
lmybrother
's
chi
ldoryouhavejustpickedupthechi
ldisnot
hi
s?"
Si
siphoj
ustl
ooksatherbl
ankl
ywi
thoutsayi
nga
word.
"Iwil
lnotletyouharassmyguestinherhouse.
Thandeka, youcannowl eave.
"Hestandsupand
walkshert othedoor.Shewalksoutandclosest
he
doorbehindher .
"
Ithi
nkmymotherneedsmenow.I
'
vebeenher
efor
f
artool
ong.
"
"
Youar
enotgoi
ngbecauseofThandeka?
"Heasks.
Shesmil
es."No,t
rustme.IwishIcanstayal
it
tl
e
l
ongerbutI'
m sur
emot herneedsmeforher
per
sonalneeds.
"
Sher
esponds.
"
Fai
renough,
Iwi
lll
etyougot
hist
imear
ound.
"
She'
sbackathomeallsmil
eshummi
ng.Al
lthe
posi
ti
veener
gyisonher…
"
Iwi
sht
oseet
hemant
hati
smaki
ngyouhappy.
"
"
Mah!Can'
tIbehappywi
thoutyoument
ioni
ngany
man?
"Shesmi
lesr
ear
rangi
ngt
hecouches.
"Thi
smanmustbespeci
al.Amanthatmakesyou
dospri
ngcl
eani
ng.
"Shetr
iesl
aughi
ngbutcoughs.
"
I'
mjusthappy.
"
Theyf
alli
ntoawkwar
dsi
lence.
"
Wheni
sOnyi
yecomi
ngt
oseeme?
"
"Idon'
tknow.Iwil
laskher.I
'
mt r
yingt
ofi
ndaway
toaskhernotseemingli
keI'
m bei
ngpushyor
something.
"
"Isee."Shecont
inuest
ocl
eanwi
thherf
aceal
l
smi l
es.

MYEZAHEALTHI
NSTI
TUTI
ON
"
Hel
oveme,
hel
ovesmenot
."
She'
sdr
awi
ngci
rcl
esont
hewal
labsentmi
nded.
Thedoorcr
acksopenandBl
essi
ngwal
ksi
n
car
ryi
ngatray.
"
Timef
oryourmedi
cat
ionSi
si.
"Shesays.
"
Sleep,
eat
,sl
eep,
eat
.I'
mti
red!Shehal
fshout
s.
"
Iknow.I
twi
llbeal
loversoonNana.
"
"
Wher
eishe?
"Herf
aci
alexpr
essi
onchanges.
"
Who?
"
"Si
zwe?
"Shesmil
esgetti
ngof
fthebed."
Hewas
herewi
thmeyest
erday.
"
"Youhavetoacceptt
hatSi
zwei
sgoneandnever
comingback.
"
"No,hewasher
e.Weevenmadel ove.Hetol
dme
helovesmeand,andIshoul
dtakecareofmysel
f.
"
Blessi
ngsadl
ylooksatherandsi
ghst
aki
ngher
hand.
"Look,Iknowt hatyouar ehavingahar dti
me
acceptingthatheisgoneandnevercomi ngback.
Acceptt hatt
heLor dhadot herplansf orhim.Be
strongforthechildthatyouarecar ryi
ng.Iknowi t
hur t
sbutifyoudon'twantt otellyourmi ndthatyou
aremovi ngonandset t
inghimf ree,youwi l
lnever
heal."
"
But
…"
"
Hewasn'
ther
e."
Lindi
wekeepsqui
te.Cl
ear
lythiswomandoesn't
knowwhatshe'st
alki
ngabout.Shesawwhatshe
sawandhepr omi
sedherthathewil
lbebackfor
her.
"
Dri
nkyourmeds.
"
Shehel
psherdr
ink.Nowwhatisl
efti
sforhert
osi
t
andwai
tfort
hemanofherdreams.
It
'sgett
ingdarkandthemandi dn'
tevenbother
comingt oseeher.Butyethepromi
sedtobeback!
Shetakesthetel
evisionandsmashesitagainstt
he
wallandscreamsoutl oud.
Bl
essi
ngcomesinr
unni
ngandstopsonhert
racks
whensheseest
hemessonthef
loor
.
"
Lindi
we!
"
"
Hepromi
sedtocomebackandhel
ied.Ever
ythi
ng
t
ohi
mi sal
ie!Hel
ied!
"
Shel
eansagai
nstt
hewal
landsl
idesdownbur
sti
ng
i
ntot
ears.
"
Iam hur
tthathel
ied.Hewaswi
thmeal
lni
ghtand
helef
tsayi
nghewi l
lbebackbecausehelovesme.
Hehuggedandkissedme.Wemadel ove,
onthi
s
bedri
ghthere!
"
"
Lindi
we…"
"Canwecallhi
m?Iwanttoknowi fheisokay.I
wanttotel
lhimthatt
hebabyiski
cking.
"Shestops
cryi
ngandcaressesonherf
latt
ummy.
"Standup."Bl
essinghel
psherst and."Let
'sgoout
forawalk."Sheholdsheroutandpul lshertowar
ds
thebackyardfi
ll
edwithflowers.Shemakeshersi t
ont hebeachandsighssitt
ingnexttoher .Howcan
ababyki ckwhenshe’sjustweekspr egnant.
"
Lindi
we,
whati
shappeni
ngwi
thyou?
"
"Idon'
tknow.Mymindjustt
ri
ggersandever
ythi
ng
shutsdown.Imisshi
m muchthatithur
tsme.If
eel
soempt ywit
houthi
m."
"I
twilltaket i
mef oryout ohealbutyouhavet oal
so
helpyour selfheal.I
'm notsayi
ngforgetabouthim
but,t
ryt hinkingofthesoulyouar ecarr
ying.Doyou
wantt oloset hispregnancy?"Sheasks.
"
No,i
t'
stheonl
yhappi
nesst
hatwi
llal
waysr
emi
nd
meofhim.
"
"
Good,
nowt ryl
eavingthepastbehindandmoveon
f
ort
heinnocentsoulyouarecarr
ying."
"
CanIcal
lMpi
lo?
"
"
Why?
"
"Ineedhi
m.Youwoul
dn'tunder
stand.
"Sher
ubsher
sweatypal
msagai
nsteachother.
"
Washet
heoneyouwer
ewi
thal
lni
ght
?"
"
Yes,
"
"Mpi
loi
ssomet
hingel
se.Thatchi
ld!
"Shet
akesa
deepbr
eat
h.
"Fi
neIwil
lcal
lhi
m.JustbecauseIwantt
oseet
hat
happysmil
eonyourf
ace.”
I
ndeedshekeptherwordMpi
locameint
heeveni
ng.
Shehasherar
mswr appedar
oundhi
swaist
.
"
Imi
ssedyou.
"Shepul
lsbackf
rom t
hehug.
Hener
vousl
ysmi
les.
"
Imissedyoutoobabe.Howareyou?
"Theysi
tion
t
hebedwiththei
rhandsent
wined.
"Idon'tknow.Ihonestlydon' tknow.Onemi nuteI '
m
fineandt henextI
'm shut t
ingdownl i
keI'
mf all
ing
i
nt oadeepdar khole."Shesni ffs."Ithurt
sthatno
oneget stounderst
andt hepai nIam f eeli
ng.They
don'tunderstandwhatI 'm goingt hrough.Havi ngto
wakeupever ymorningandr emi ndyour sel
ft hat
yourpar t
nerisnomor e.It
'sjust…"Shecover sher
facewi t
hherhandsandcr i
esoutl oud.Heswal lows
hardandpul lsheri
nf orahug.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
"I
t'
snotyourfaul
t.Justknowt hatwhenyouneed
meIwi l
lal
waysbet hereforyou."Theassurancei
n
hiseyesmakeshersmi l
es.Shel eansoverand
ki
sseshim…
Shedoesn'
twantt
oletgo.Herbei
ngi
nhi
sar
m
feel
ssaf
er,
prot
ect
ed.
"
So,youareleavi
ngme? "She'
sreadyt oki
ll
.He
l
ooksathernotknowinghowt orespond.Hewant
s
t
orespondbutgirli
sreadytomur derhim.
"
Chababe.Ij
ustneedt
ouset
hebat
hroom.
"
Shel
ooksar
oundt
hisonehel
loner
oom.
"
Her
e'st
het
oil
etovert
her
e."
Nowhedoesn'
thaveanyi
deahowt
ododget
he
bul
let
.
Hi
sphoneri
ngsagai
n.Hesi
ghsi
nannoyanceand
l
ooksatt
hescr
een.
"
Whocal
li
ngyou?
"Sheasks.
"
Huh?Noone.
"
"Okay,
comesl
eepthen."Shesays.Shei
sst
il
l
nakedwai
ti
ngforhi
mt owarm herbody.
Hel ooksatherandhi shear tsi
nks.Asmuchasi t
hurtsthattheonl ypersont hatmadeherhappyi s
nolongeravai lablehauntshi m.Asmucht hisman
ri
ghtinfrontofhereyescr ushedherheart-that
stupidbleedinghear tsti
llwantshim.Isshewr ong
fall
inginlovewhi lestil
lmour ni
ng?Howwi llthey
l
abelherf ormovi ngonwi thanothermanwhi leher
s
i
sbei nglaidtor esttomor r
ow?Ever yt
hingj
ust
soundser ialtoher .Howdoessheaccepti t?What
wi
llshet
ellherbabywhenheorshegr
owsup?
Tear
sar
eal
wayshi
sweakness.
"Okay,okay,I
'
llsl
eepover.
"Hetakesoffhisjacket
andshoes.Heget sinbedandholdsherfrom
behind.Hisphoneringsagai
n-hecli
ckshi stounge
andswi t
chesitoff
.Zandil
ecanbeanui sanceat
ti
mes.
"
Mpi
lo.
..
"
Heshort
lyholdshisbreathwi
thhishear
tbeat
ing
r
api
dly.Didshejustcallhi
m Mpi
lo!
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
,"yahbabe.
"
"
Pleasedon'
thur
tme.
"
Hekeepsqui
teabi
tnotknowi
nghowt
orespond.
"Pl
easehandlemyhear twit
hcare.Ican'
taff
ord
anotherhear
tachebecauseoflove.
"Shesaysand
sni
ffs.Hepull
sherclosetohim hol
dingherti
ght
ly.
"Pr
omisemethatyouwi
llbet
her
eformewhenever
Ineedyou.
"
"
Bef
oreImakeanypr
omi
ses-Ineedt
otel
lyou
something.
..
"Shetur
nsaroundt
olookathi
m
str
aightint
heeyes.Het
akesadeepbreat
hlooki
ng
backather.
..
[
08/
18,
03:
43] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL

CHAPTER42

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Waki ngupt othesoundofamor ni

ngt ext–
“wishingyouagooddayahead” .Shehasnever
exper i
encedthisbuthereshei sreadingthrougha
textfil
ledwithsomanyemoj i
sandl ovewarmi ng.
Shemi sseshishandsomef acealr
eady.Isn'tshe
feeli
ngl i
kethelucki
estgirlever?Doessher eply?
Shei snotsosur eaboutitbutshedoesnotwantt o
soundupt i
ght.

Shest
opsr
unni
ngar
oundherr
oom andcol
lect
s
hersel
f.“
Enj
oyyourdayt oo.
”Shecl i
cksonsends
andsmi l
est
hrowingherphoneasi de.Sheneedsto
cooksomethi
ngmeat yforhersel
f.Somethingthat
wil
lmakehercli
tdance.

Aknockont hedoor–whatabore.Whoeveritis
real
lydoesknowhowt orui
none'
shappiness.She
grabsherphonefrom t
hebedandpushesherlegs
towardsthedoor
.

“Thandeka,
”Shei ssurpri
sedseei ngherhere.Now
thatthei
rpathcrossedyesterdayeverythi
ngis
goingtobeawkwar dforher
.Shest epsoutand
closesthedoor.Sheopenst hedoorandf inds
Thandekaalldoll
edup.Wonderwhatshei sdoing
here.Maybeshehadar unnymout htoherbrother
nowt heywanttor ui
nherhappi ness.

“
WeSisi
pho.Thi
sisnotasoci
alvi
sit
.Howar
eyou
r
elat
edt
oTazz?”
Owsheshoul dhaveknownt hatthi
siswhereitis
headingat.Shesighsi
nthatboredexpressi
on.She
stepsoutandclosesthedoorbehindher.Shefol
ds
herarmsandl eansagai
nstthedoor.

“
WhatcanIdof
oryouThandeka?
”

“Iaskedyouaquest
ion.Whati
sgoi
ngonbet
ween
youandTazz?”

“MaybeifIcal
lhim,hewillansweronmybehalf
.”
Shewastesnot imeanddialshisnumber
.Wit
hina
fewri
ngshepi cksup.Thandekaisri
ghti
nfr
ontof
hergawkingather.

“
Donott
ellmeyouar
edoi
ngyoureyebr
owsagai
n.”

Shehashi
m onl
oudspeaker
.Shef
it
swi
thl
aught
er
andshakesherhead.I
ssheembarrassed?No!I
tis
def
iant
lysomethi
ngtolaughabout
.

“
Trustme,Inowknowbet
ter
.Idon'twanttol
ose
t
hebet.Themoneycomesfi
rst
.”Sheresponds.

Hechucks,
“It
hinkthatbabyi
smaki
ngyoui
nlove
wi
thmoneymor e.
”

Shel
aughsabi
t.

“
Speaki
ngaboutl
ove.CanIask?Whatam It
oyou?
”

“
Mygi
rl
fr
iend,
babymama–soont
obewi
fe.
”

“
Bye.
”

“
Cooksomet
hingni
cef
orme,
Iwi
llcomedur
ing
l
uncht
imeandmaybest
eal
aqui
cki
e.”

“Si
esmaan! ”Shedisconnectsthecal
landlooksat
Thandekawhowasl ooki
ngbackatherwi t
han
unexpl
ainablel
ookonherf ace.“Well
,youheardt
he
answersyoursel
f.Nowi fyoudonotmi nd,
Ihaveto
gocookf ormyman. ”

“
Mxm,
youar
enotevenpr
ett
y.”

“Sayssomeonewhoisrunni
ngafteramant
hat
doesn’
tevenl
ookthei
rdir
ect
ion.
”

“
Nowondermybr
otherl
eftyou.
”Shesmi
rks.

“Andhedidmeahugef
avor
,honest
ly.Ihavenever
beenhappi
er.
”
“Waituntilyouseewhatiscomi ngyourway.”She
cl
ickshert ongueandwal ksawayleavi
ngher
stunned.Shesendsaqui cktextandsighs,
steppi
ng
backinsidet hehouse.Nowhermoodhasdi ed.

Shecookedandshepat ient
lyi
swai ti
ngf orhim.
Timeisrunningbyandshehasl osthope.Maybehe
i
sbusyandshedoesn’ twanttosoundl ikea
nagginggi
rlf
riend,
wel
lifsheissti
llone.Shel ogsi
n
onherWhat sApp–hei sonli
nebutnotbot her
ingt
o
texther
.

Shetypesanddeletes.Whatistheuse?Hedi t
ched
herandsheshouldownupt oit
.Pictur
esfl
ooding
onherWhat sApp.Unablet
oviewpr ofi
lepi
ctur
eshe
noti
cesthatshehasbeenblocked.

Herhandst
rembl
edwi
thhear
tache.
“
Wow!
”

Shelooksatthepictur
esbri
eflybef
oredelet
ing
them.Shesighsthinki
ngoutloudwithhermind.

Shei snotgoingt obebi tt

erabouti t
.Shedi dthat
withLungi sanishei snotgoi ngt orunafteragrown
assman.Atl eastshegott oexper i
encet wo
mi nutesofhappi ness.Shenowceasesdoi ng
thingsherwayandl ear nt
odot hem inGod'sway
i
nst ead.suchacondi t
ionofsubmi ssiveness,
maybeherl ifewillchangef orthebetter.The
pleasur eoflovelast sbutamoment ,
thatmomenti s
themomentshewi llneverforget.Atleastshegot
toliveasof tlif
efort womi nutes.Thatisna
achi evementf orher.
Shedishesupforherandhermot her.I
magineal
l
theti
meshepr epar
ed,t
heenergysheputi nandthe
heartshepour
edoutwhencooki ng.Menwi l
l
defi
nitel
yamazeyou.Suchdisappointment
!

It
'shighti
meshel ookedforajob.Atleastshehasa
matriccert
if
icat
e,ormaybeshecoul daskOnyiyeto
helpherout.Shedoesn’twanttosoundl i
kea
burden,ri
ght?Sheneedstodot hi
sonherown.
Provepeoplewrongthatshecanachi eve
somet hi
ngoutofheruselessself
.

Theyeati
ncomf ortabl
esil
ence.Herphonehadstil
l
notr
ungandshewasexpect ingconf
ir
mat i
onor
somesortofexplanati
on–butnone.Shesi ghs
agai
n!Maybeshei sinthatphaseofdoingalotof
si
ghswithnowayf or
ward.
Theyaredoneeat ing–shei sdoingthedishes.
Funnyenough, herheartisnotthatbroken.Shewas
goinginwitht helengthofthear mint hi
s
rel
ati
onship.Shei snotr eadytoloveaman
wholeheartedly,notwhatLungi saniputherthrough.
Maybej ustcleaningtheki t
chenwi l
ldoandt he
remaini
ngf oodwi llbestoredincontainers.

Sheislayi
ngonherbackr eadingthrought he
newsfeed.Shecontinuestoscrol
lthroughunt i
lshe
spot
tedapi ct
ureofOnyiyeandherbabi eswiththe
redmanbehi ndher.Thesetwowilldefiantlymake
youdownloadadat ingappandgeti ntot hedati
ng
gamer i
ghtthisminute.

“
Thi
sist
heguyt
hathumi
li
atedmyeyebr
ows.Iwi
ll
neverhealshame!
”

Onyi
yereplieswithalaughi
ngemoj i
.Herresponse
matt
ers.Somet hi
ngt osmil
eabout–atleasther
ni
ghtwillnotbesourasshet hought
.Tomor rowis
anot
herday.Shewi llhavet
odosomet hi
ngabout
herl
if
ebef oreherbabycomesi nt
othisworld.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Shei sonthephonewithherfr
iend.Shedoesn'
tli
ke
howherf ri
endis.Honest
ly,
shehasbeenabad
fri
endlatel
y.Shewascaughtupi nherownworld
forgett
ingt
hattherei
sasoul t
hatneedsher.
“Iwil
lseeyouthi
sweekend.Iam comi ngback.
”Her
beingbackwit
hMpilo,
shewi l
lnotjudge.Maybe
thi
siswhereherhappi
nessis.Wher eherhappi
ness
l
ies.

“
Youarenotj
oki
ngwithme,
right
?”Thehappi
ness
i
nhervoi
ceimmedi
atel
ymakesheremoti
onal.

“
Ipromisemyl ove.Iam sorr
yfornotseeingyou
t
hesedays,Ihavebeengoi ngthr
oughal otal
so.
Wil
ltel
lyouallaboutitwhenIseeyou,”

“
Iwi
llwai
tforyou.
”

“
Tel
lMpi
loIsai
dthankyou.
”

Nowt hatshehasallt
hetimetothi
nkabouther
dist
ancetowardsherfri
end,
itbr
eaksherheartt
hat
shewasnott her
eforherwhensheneededherthe
most
.Sheshoul
dreal
lyseehert
hisweekend.

“
Howi
sshe?
”asksSt
hembi
sosi
tt
ingnextt
oher
.

“Shei
shanginginther
e.It
hinksheissuff
eri
ngbut
doesnotwanttotel
lmewhatt hei
ssueis.
”

“Haubabe,youdoknowmosst hatherbabydaddy
passedon.Thepoorgir
lisgri
evingandshe
defi
antl
yhasafakefri
end.”

“Mxm, sayssomeonewho. .
.”Shedoesnotgetto
fi
nishthesentencehegri
ndsherwi t
hakissmaki ng
herbreathl
ess.Hepull
sback,leavi
ngherwanting
formore.Hewal ksoutl
eavi
nghermel t
ingforhim.

ShehasNdi
mui
n-bet
weenhert
highs.
“
Ndimumaan!”Shetr
iesopeni
nghismout
hwit
h
t
hespoonbuthetur
nshisfacetot
hesi
deand
l
aughs.

“Iwi
llhi
tyou.
”Hegr i
nslooki
ngathi sangrymot her
.
Shelooksatherson'
sinnocentface.Shemel ts
l
etti
nggoofhim.Thischil
dissomet hingelse.How
doesonehavesuchahypechi ldashim?

Herunsaroundt
hehousedr
oppingwhat
everi
sin
f
rontofhi
seyes.“
HowdidMaJiyanemanagewit
h
t
hischi
ld!
”

St
hembi
socomesi
nlaughi
ng.

“Iswearthi
schi
ldi
sturni
ngyoui
ntoawarzone
babe.Letmefeedt
hischampher
e.Gorestmy
l
ove.”
Hetakest
hedi
shf
rom herhandsandr
unsaf
terhi
s
son.

Shetriescatchi
nguponherschoolwor kbutthe
eventsofDumi sani’
sskullcomebackf l
ushingri
ght
beforehereyes.Shebegi nsshaking–l i
ket he
eventsarehappeningt oday.Tryi
ngt obr eathe
seemst obeanaut of ai
l.Sheletsgooft hepenand
takesadeepbr eathtryi
ngt ocalm herself.She
bli
nksmul t
ipleti
mes.Pi ct
uresofhi ml yi
ngont he
bedwi thanopenskul lhashersweat ing.Herhead
becomesheavy, spinsandi mmedi atelydarkness
takesover.

Shewakesupt othedi
scomfortoft
hesur
roundi
ngs
thatshei
sin.Hermindregi
ster
sandshenoti
ce
thatshei
sinhospi
tal
.Theworri
edfacesl
ooki
ngat
hermadeherevenmor econf
used.

“HowdidIge..
.”sher
ecal
lscol
lapsi
ngandbl
acki
ng
out.Shebegi
nspancaki
ng..
.

“Babe,
”St hembi
sohurri
est
owardsher.Shel
ooksat
herfatherandwandershowhewil
lfeeli
fhegetst
o
hearthathisdaught
erisamur
derer
.Tearsbl
indher
visi
on.

“Idi
dn’tmeantoki
llhim.”Shesobspai
nfull
y.
Sthembisopul
lsherintoati
ghthugandletsher
sobsintohi
schest.Asmuchasi thur
ts,heknows
thati
tisaff
ect
ingher.

“Whatdoesshemean?”MamPhi
li
siweaskswi
tha
hugefr
ownonherface.
Sthembi
soletsgoofherandnowt
hei
ssueneeds
tobeexpl
ained.

Onyi
nyel
ooksatherf
atherwhowasl
ooki
ngat
t
hem wai
ti
ngforanexpl
anati
on.

“Dumisani wasaf t
erNdoni–hewasobsessedwi t
h
herupunt i
lhet r
iedkidnappi
ngherf orhi
sown
self
ishreasons.Theydayhesneakedi nt
omyr oom.
ThedaySbahl ewasar ound–hesneakedi nand
tri
edtakingadvantageofher .I
nt hedar
kNdoni
foughtforherselfbutunfor
tunatelyt
heworst
happened.”

“
What
?”

MamPhi l
isi
wehasherhandsonherheadnot
bel
ievi
ng.
"No,Ir
efusetobeli
evet
hatmyGift.
..
”Shetakesa
deepbreathcal
minghersel
fdown."Doyourparent
s
know?”Shedivert
sthequesti
ont
oSt hembi
so.

"
No, andwewanttokeepitt
hatway.I
twil
lbebet
ter
i
ftheydonotgettoknowanythi
ngatthemoment–
wellIam hopi
ngf
orenti
rel
y.”

"Buti
fitwasself
-defensetheniti
sunder st
andable.
Imaginemydaught erbei
ngavi ct
im of.
..noman
thi
sdoesn’tsi
twellwithmeatal l
.Onyinyechukwu.”
Hiswifesi
deseyeherandhei mmedi at
elykeeps
quiet
.

“
Wewi llneedt
odosomecl eansi
ngforyou,
before
t
hisgetsoutofhand.Idonotwantanybadluck
f
oll
owingyouround.”Hefurt
heradds.

“
Iwi
ll
.”
Thedoct or
sj ustconfir
medt hatshei sjuststressed
andshej ustneedst otonei tdown.What everis
str
essingher–sheshoul dj usttakeiteasy.The
dri
vebackhomewassi lent.Shej ustwishesthat
shecoul dj
ustvani shfrom t hi
spl aceandbebackt o
Durbanasi nr i
ghtthismi nute.Shedi dsayt hat
Eshowebr ingsheral otofmemor i
es,dar
k
memor iesforthatmat ter.Andt hatshecannot
contr
olandr ightnowDumi saniisoneofher
memor iesshewi shesnevert odr eam of.

Arri
vingatDumi sani
shomeshecr ingesatthe
thoughtofher..
.shedoesn’
twantt othi
nkaboutit
.
Shesi ghs,st
eppingi
nsi
deoft hehouse,thebackof
herhai rst
andsandimmediatelysherunsout.She
cannotbebackher e!

“Iwil
lgobooki
nahot
el.
”Shesayscl
ingi
ngont
o
Sthembiso.

“
Areyouokay?
”Hei
swor
ri
ed.Whowoul
dn’
tbe
worr
iedi
ftheyf
eel
thi
ngst
heycannotseeorl
et
al
onetouch?

“
No,
Ithi
nkhei
sint
her
e.”

“Okay-youcangost aywit
hyourparentsatthe
hotel
.”Shedoesnotdi sput
e.Shehurri
esherlegs
towardst hecarandtakesadeepbreathlooki
ng
outsi
det hewindow.Sthembisost
aysbehi ndtosor
t
outaf ewt hi
ngs,hewil
lbefoll
owi
nghershor t
ly.

LI
NDI
WEMAZI
BUKO

"Wri
tehim anotherl
etter
.Al
ett
erlett
inghi
m know
howyouf eel.Takeoutsomet
hingthatcomesfrom
theheart
,theheartthati
sbl
eeding.Shar
eyour
emotionswithhim.Remember,hecanseebeyond
andhecanf eelbeyond.Oh, bytheway-youar e
verymuchi n- denialthatthemant hatlovedyoui s
nomor e.Youdonotwantt oacceptt hatlif
etook
anothert ur
n.Youcan' timagi neyourl if
ewithout
him.Youwi llneverheali fyouar est i
llhol
dingont o
him.Letmel eaveyout oi t
.Iwillcomebackl ater
on."Blessingst epsoutl eavingherwi thherdiary.
Shet akesadeepbr eathandbegi nstopourher
heartout .

"Thefi
rstdaywemeti nt
hatlibr
ary,
Ishookyour
hand.Yes,Iwasthatner
vous.Icouldn’
tgetpast
thosedeepeyesofyoursthatdrewmei nevery
secondIlooked.Iwasahotmess.Iwashur ti
ng
anddefiant
lyinabadspace.

Yousmiledatmeanywayandsai dI’m Si
zwe,nice
tomeetyou.Thatsmil
eonyourf acedrewmeeven
moretowardsyourdi
rect
ion.Idonotknowhowyou
managedtomakemesmi leaft
erthathear
tfel
t
momentIwasi n.Youweremybestf ri
endand
taughtmesomuch.Iwasdamaged.Ihadver ylow
self
-esteem, Iquestionedmysel fasawoman.You
taughtmet olovemysel finthoseshor tspacesof
ti
me, thatseemedl ikeal i
feti
met ome.Iwasper f
ect
thewayIwasbecauseofyou.Yout aughtmet hatI
couldbemysel fandt hatnomat terwhat ,
youhad
myback.Youwoul dt el
lmewhenIwasbei ngan
i
diotormoody.Yout aughtmet oscrewwhatot her
peoplet hought.Ifwewer ehappy, thatisallt
hat
mat t
ered.Youwer emybestf r
iend.Wewoul dtake
walksar oundt heneighbor hoodandl ookathouses
andt alkaboutusandourf ut
ure-event houghwe
hadnomoney.I tsoundedcr azythatIknow. "

Suchconfusi
onsari
seinherli
fe.Shedoesn'tget
boggeddownorfeelgui
lt
ywhenpeopl etellherhow
shecancomparebothanddecide-inthefuture.
Howcanshet hi
nkabouthim whenshei swith
someone.Tochooseapartnerisnoteasy-she
needst oconsiderherfamily,soci
etyandher
feel
ingstoo.Somet imesthesi t
uati
onsbecomeso
compl exthatshedon'tknowwhatt obel i
evein-
whatshehasi nhandorwhatshewi shest ohave.I
s
shemaki ngther i
ghtchoice?Shehear damout hful
yesterdayandshei sdefi
ant l
ynotsur ewhi chsteps
totake.Tearsblindedhervisionasshecont i
nuedto
pourherhear tout.Themostpai nfulthingistohear
that.
..

“No,”shedoesn’ twanttothi
nkaboutit.Doesshe
chooset ost
ay?Yes, shedoes!Youknowwhatf uc
thi
sshi t!Fucpeoplewhoar ealwaysonpeopl e'
s
businesses.Shei sdoingthi
sforherandherchi ld!
Shecl osesherdi ar
yandpushesi tunderneathher
pil
low.Shel i
esonherbackandsmi l
eslookingat
thewhi t
ecei l
ing.

Latei
ntheeveni
ngMpilowasstandi
ngri
ghtbesi
de
thesi
ngl
ebedsheissleepi
ngon.Sheopensher
eyesandfr
ownslooki
ngathim.Sheyar
nsandsits
upst
rai
ghtst
ret
chi
ngherar
ms.

“
Heibeaut
if
ul.
”Hesmi
lesner
vousl
yandsi
tsdown.

“Hei.Whendi
dyougether
e?”sheaskswi
thher
sleepyvoi
ce.

Hehandsherthefl
ower
sandturnstof
acetheother
si
de.Nottoosur
ewhattosayorevenr
eacttot
he
si
tuat
ion.

“
Wheretof
rom here?
”Heaskswi
thhi
sfacest
il
l
f
aci
ngtheotherway.

“Forward,unl
essyouarest
il
lhol
dingback.
”He
turnstofaceherandshecanseehischestr
isi
ng
upanddown.
“Thankyou.
”Hethr
owshishugear
msaroundher
neck.Lor
dknowsift
hispat
hwil
lbewor
thit
..
.
[
08/
18,
03:
43] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER43

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

She'
sreadi
ngthr
oughanart
icl
e.She'snotaperson
whobuysnewspaper
sbutsomethinginherpushed
heri
ntobuyi
ngit
.
"
LucasHol
dings.
"
It
'sanewcompanydealingwit
hconstr
ucti
on.They
areindeedofst
uff
.Shebrowsethr
oughthe
vacancies…
Maybeshecanappl yt
obeacl eaner.Welli
t'
sa
star
t.Twothreeofhopingandpr ayi
ngthatTazz
passesby.Lookslikeheissti
llwi t
htheloveofhis
l
ife,
Thandeka.Theaudacityoft hatgir
lsendingher
pi
cturesofthem nakedinbed.
Shehast odosomet hingwithherlif
e.Foodi s
al
mostr unni ngoutandshedoesn' thaveacenton
her.It
'sbeenl ongsinceshewasevenonl ineonany
socialmedia.St or
yofherl i
febeingbroke.Howwi l
l
sheevenl ookf orajob?Sincetheopeningi stoday,
shewi l
lwal ktotown.Herst omach,issti
llnotthat
bad-peopl ecannotnot i
cethatsheispregnant .But
downt helineshewi llshow–soonerorl at er
.
She'sr
eadyanddone.Nowshewi l
lwalkal
ltheway
totown.She'
safrai
dtoasksOnyiyeformoney.She
doesn'
twanttotakeherki
ndnessforgrant
ed.She
hasbeennothingbutgoodtoher
.

Shestepsoutofthehouseaf t
ersayi
ngapr ayer
withhermother
.She'scar r
yingherbott
leofwat er
,
towelandanumbr el
la.Shet ucksherhandbag
underneat
hherarm andt akesadeepbr eat
ht aki
ng
theway.
Thesunisblazi
nghot-at
leastshehasanumbr
ell
a
prot
ect
ingher.
Maybehi
kingwi
lldo.Shei
sti
redofwal
kingand
shef
eel
sabi
tofpr
essur
edownt
her
e.
Herphoner
ings,
sheplacest
heumbr
ell
ain-
bet
weenhershoulder
.Shedi
gsi
nherbag…
"Halo,
"sheanswer
swi t
houtchecki
ngt
hecall
er.
Withthesunshi
neblazi
ng,she’
sunabl
etoseethe
screen.
"Whereareyou?Ican'
thearyouther
e'snoi
seint
he
background.
"Whyisscreamingbecauseshecan
hearherperf
ect
lyfi
ne.
"
I'
m wal
kingt
otown.
"
"
Wal
king?Why?
"
"Idon'
tmoneyfort
ranspor
t.Lookwewi l
ltal
klater
."
Shedropsthel
ineandconti
nuestohike.Onyiye
canshoutsomeotherti
me.Rightnowsheneeds
thi
sjob.
AToyotaVanpar ksmetresawayandr ever
ses
t
owardsherdi r
ecti
on.Sheclosesherumbrell
aand
widel
ysmiles.Atl
eastshewillbeget
ti
ngal i
ft
.Now,
t
heproblem wil
lbewhenshegoesbackhome.
"
Miss,
whyar
eyouhi
kingi
nsuchadanger
ous
pl
ace?
"Asksacol
our
edman.
"
Whenyou'
redesper
ate,
youdon'
tseedanger
."
"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
"
Town,
ther
e'sanewbusi
nessi
ntown…"
"
Letmeguess,
youar
elooki
ngf
oraj
ob?
"
"Yes.
"Shelaughsabi t
."Ti
mesaretoughButi
.I
needajob,I'
m pregnantand…Sor
ryIdidn'
tmeant
o
bragaboutmyt r
oubledlif
e."
"
It
'sokay,
geti
n.It
hinkIknowwher
eyouar
egoi
ng.
"
Withoutwasti
nganymor eti
me,shehopsinthe
fr
ontseat.Shewipesherfeetwi
ththetowelshe
hadandl eansbackt
akingadeepbr eat
h.
"Thankyou.
"Themandoesn'
trespond.Rat
herhe
smilesandnodshi
shead.

Hedr
ivest
hrought
hebuil
dingsandpar
ksi
nfr
ontof
t
hehugeconstr
uct
ioncompany.
"Wow,"sheexcl
aimsst
eppi
ngout
.Shestands
besi
dethecarwitht
hedoorwi
deopen."
Ihopethey
t
akeme.
"Sheadds.
"
Whatqual
if
icat
ionsdoyouhave?
"Heasks.
"
Matri
c.IfIhadthepowerIwoul
dhavest
udi
ed
f
urt
her.Thankyouforthel
if
tsi
r.
"
"
Siri
sabi
text
remedon'
tyout
hink.
"
Theybot
hlaugh.
"
Idon'
tknowyourname.
"
"Woman, youshouldhaveaskedmet heti
meyou
enteredmycar !
."Hesaysst
eppingoutofthecar
also.Sheclosesthedoorl
aughi
ng.
"
Okaysi
r,whati
syourname?
"
"Toolatewoman.Goodl uckonyourjobhunti
ng."
Hewi nksatherandwalkstowardstheentr
ance
l
eavingherbehind.Wi
thherachingfeetshefol
lows
short
ly.
Sheenter
sandf
indot
hercandi
dat
esst
andi
ngIa
queue.
"
Hal
o,ar
eyoul
asti
nli
ne?
"
"
Yes,
"
Si
siphonodsherheadandst
andsbehi
ndt
hegi
rl
.
Herst
omachisgr
umbl
ing-i
t'
sli
ket
her
eisahol
ein
herst
omach.
Shet
akesoutherl
unchbox-whit
ebr
eadwi
th
Ramaspreadonit
.It
'sj
ustonl
ycr
ust
s..
.
Shechewsoneaf t
eranothert
ryi
ngtohi
deher
shame.Shetakesoutthebott
leofwat
erandgul
ps
i
tdownwi t
houtstoppi
ng.
Atl
eastther
ei ssomethi
ngi nherstomach.She
tur
nst ol
ookt othel
eftandfindsthemanl ooki
ngat
her.Shesmilesembarrassed..
.Obviousl
yhesaw!

Youknowthehappi nessofbeingtoldthatyougot
thej
obnointer
viewr equi
red.Maybet heownersaw
hert
hatdesper
ateandsheser iouslyneededthi
s
j
ob.Herphonerings..
.
"
Mnt
ase,
"
"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"
"
Iwentt
olookf
orajobi
ntown.If
oundsomet
hing.
I
t'
snotmuchbuti
t'
sast
art
."
"
I'
m happyf
oryou.Yousaidsomethi
ngabout
wal
kingtot
own.Didyoureal
ly.
..
"
"Owthat
,noIdidn'
t.Igotal
if
t."Sheli
es.She'
stoo
ashamedtoshareherexper
iencefortoday.
"
Okay,Iwillsendyousomet
hing.Iknowyoupr
ide
wil
lnotal
lowyout otel
lme.
"
Theli
negoesdead.Shesi
ghs-hunger
,ti
rednessi
s
al
linher
.
Herphonepings-anotif
icat
ion.R1,
700.Shewant
s
toscr
eam sodamnl oud.Shehurri
esherlegs
towar
dsthegate.Sheisgoingtowithdr
awandbuy
somefood!
Acarf
rom behi
nd-i
t'
sthatver
ysamevan.
..
"
Don'
ttellmeyouar eaboutt
ogohi
keagai
n?"I
s
t
hatahistor
icalquest
ion.
Shel
ightl
ylaughs."
No,mysi
sterj
ustsentme
money,soI'
m goingtot
ownt
owi t
hdraw."
"Okay,hopinI'
lll
aveyoui
ntown."Shehopsinand
smilesinrel
ief
.Shewasn'
tabouttowalkbackto
town,again!
"
So,si
rwhereareyouf
rom?
"Sheaskst
ryi
ngt
o
makeaconver
sati
on.
"Fr
om Durban.Myfat
herdeci
dedt
ogr
owt
he
businesst
hissi
de.
"
"
Wow,
I'
mluckyt
obepar
toft
hebusi
nesssi
r.
"
"
Thi
ssi
rismaki
ngmel
ookol
d.Cal
lmeGer
ald.
"
"
Weeee,
yournamei scompl
icat
ed.
"Shel
aughs
maki
nghimtolaugh.
"
Youcancal
lmeGorevenbet
terLucas-t
hat
'smy
l
astnamebytheway.
"
"
I'
m Si
sipho.
"Shesmi
les.
"
Nicetomeetyoumisshi
ker
."Shehi
tshi
sshoul
der
l
ight
lyandsmil
es.

She'
sti
redandcannothi
dei
t.
Shehaswithdrawnt
hemoneyandboughtabucket
ofKFC.Sheneedstotr
eatherself
.Whi
tebreadand
a2lit
reCoke.Themanhereinsist
edontaki
ngher
home.
"
Thankyousi
r.
..
ImeanG.
"
"
Sur
ethi
ng.
"
"Soundssowei
rdtocal
lmybossbyhi
sname.
"
She'spoppi
ngf
ri
edchipsi
nhermout
h.
"Youwil
lgetusedtoit
.Butatworkweare
prof
essi
onal.Out
sidework,youcancal
lmeG.
"
"
Iagr
eewi
thyou.
"
Shekeptondir
ect
inghi
m unt
ilt
heyr
eacht
hei
r
dest
inat
ion.
"
Thankyouagai
n."
"Tomorr
owby5:
00ber
eady.Iwi
llpi
ckyouup.Il
ive
nearby.
"
"Yessir.
"Shestepsoutcar
eful
lyholdi
nghebucket
ofKFC.Shet r
iesgrabbi
ngtheplast
icbutherhands
arejusttoot
ir
ed.
"Letmehelpyouwi t
hthose.
"Hestepsoutandjogs
towardsthepassenger
sside.Hegrabst
heplasti
cs
andfoll
owherbehind.
"
Youl
iveal
one?
"
"
No,
wit
hmysi
ckmot
her
.Mysi
steri
sinDur
ban.
"
Henodshi
shead.
"
Soi
fyouar
enotar
ound,
whot
akesar
eofher
?"
"
Iaskmyneighbourt
ocheckuponherf
rom t
imet
o
t
ime.Ipayher
."
"Isee.
"Sheopensthedoorandi
ndeedshef
indst
he
neighbouri
nsi
de.
"
Ma,
"Si
siphogr
eet
s.
"
Youar
eback?
"
Hermot
her
’sf
acei
stwi
stedont
hesi
de.
"
Aunt
,di
dmamahaveanot
herepi
sode?
"
"Yes.TodaywasbadandI
'
mjustgl
adyouwer
enot
heretowitnessi
t.
"
"Howbadwasit
?"Shesinksdownonthecouch.
Justwhenshet
houghthermotherwasr
ecoveri
ng.
"Shewillbefi
ne.Justkeepaneyeonher.Isuggest
youcallyourauntforhel
p.Iwi
llnotbearound
alwaystohelpyou.NextweekI'm goi
nghomef ora
fewthings.
"
"
Thankyouf
oryourki
ndhear
t.
"
"
Letmegetgoi
ng.
"Thenei
ghbourwalkspast
Ger
aldwhowasscanni
nghi
seyesaround.
"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"
"
Thankyousomuch.Youreal
lysavedmeat
ri
p
t
here.
"Shewi
pest
hetears.
"I
'
m gladIwasthere.Cal
lmeifyouneedme.
"He
givesherhi
scardandwalksout.

Maybesheneedsaf r
iendrightnow,someoneshe
cantal
kto.Shecan'talwayscallOnyiyewhenshe
i
sindeed.Butt
hef actthatsheisalwaysther
ewhen
sheneedsher-thatisenoughf orher
.

Shetakesherphoneoutandscrol
lst
hroughher
WhatsAppli
st.Sheboughtdat
aandthankstoher
si
ster
.
"
Thankyoumnt
akamah.Your
eal
lyhel
pedme.
"
"
Don'
teverdowhatyoudi
d.Your
iskedal
ot!
"
Okayshe'
smad.She'sst
il
lati
t.Shesmi
les
emoti
onal
ly-shecar
es.
"
Ipr
omi
senott
odoi
teveragai
n."
"Good.
"Shelogsoff.Sheconti
nuest oscroll
thr
ough,shecomesacr ossTazz'snumber sand
shenoti
cesthatshehasbeenbl ocked.Shesmiles
shaki
ngherhead.
"Onceuponatime."Shehastot
all
yforgot
tenabout
him.Shedel
eteshisnumbersandtext
s.She
remembersi
nviti
nghim onFacebook.
Sheunfri
endshim,looksli
kehim andThandekaar e
onitandtheylookhappy.Sheishappyf ort
hem but
shewonders..
.shedoesn'
twanttosoundasabi tter
per
son.Herlif
eisabouttotakeadr ast
ictur
nri
ght
now.

From herbedr
oom shehearshermot herchokes.
Maybeshewast ryingtodr
inkwater.Sheget sof
f
thebedandpushesherbodyt ohermot her'
s
bedroom.Midday,shepref
erstobelefti
nt he
dinni
ngroom sothatshecouldwatchtelevisi
on
andatni
ghtshepr
efer
sherbedr
oom.
She'slooki
ngathermot herwithal
lofhereyes
poppedout .She'swayt oocoldandshef indsi
t
scary.She'
spaci ngupanddownr unningoutof
opti
ons.Tazz, yes.Sheshouldcallhim andaskfor
helpbuthermi ndst opsher.Shedelet
edhi s
number sanyways.
Shescr at
chesherheadr unningoutofopti
ons.A
knockont hedoorhashergr oani
ng.Hertearsare
runningnon-stop.Sherunstothedoor,maybethi
s
personmi ghtbeofgreathelp.Sheopensthedoor
andf rownslookingatt
heman’ sface.
"
Areyouokay?
"
"
No,mymot her.
..
"Shecan'
tholdi
tin.Shesobs
l
oudly.Hepul
lshert
owardshischestandhugsher
t
ight
ly.
"
Whati
sit
?"
"Ithi
nk..
.shecan'
tdi
eandleavemebehind.She
cannotdot hi
stome."Shesaysi
n-bet
weenthe
hiccups.
"Wher
eisyourmot
her
.Youknowwhat
,takemet
o
her
."

Heisdr
ivi
ngli
keamaniactothehospi
tal
.Shecan'
t
af
fordt
heseexpensi
vedoct
ors.
"
Ican'
ttakeherher
e.I
t'
stooexpensi
ve.
"
Pr
ivat
ehospi
tal
!
"
It
'sonme.Don'
twor
ry.
"
"
But
..
."
"Nobuts.Hel
pme. "Hehurri
esoutofthecarwit
h
Sisi
phojumpingout.Fr
om theparki
nglothespots
awheelchai
r.Herunsthatdir
ect
ionandcomeswi th.
"Hel
phersit.
"Asheavyasshei
stheymanagedt
o
dragheroutoft
hecar.
Hewheel
sherinsidethehospi
tal
.Thenur
sesr
ush
t
owardst
heirdi
recti
onandattendedt
oher
i
mmediat
ely.
"She'
sstablef
ornow.Wewil
lkeepherfor
observat
ionsandonceshei
sful
lyheal
edsheshal
l
bedischar
ged.Fornow,
yourmot
heri
singood
hands.
"
Whathappenedt
oher
?"
"Hersystem wasshut
ti
ngdownbutluckil
yyou
broughtherri
ghti
ntime.Sheneedsacloseeye.
"

Drivi
ngoutoft hehospital
,leavi
nghermot her
behindhasherhear tachinginpain.Yes,shewasn't
thebestmot herinthewor l
dbutshewasal ways
theref orher.Sheinfor
medOnyi yeandshe
promi sedt ocomebysomet i
mear oundthisweek
andf ort hat-sheisverymuchappr eciat
ive.
Hepar
kst
hecarout
side.
..
"
Ifor
gotmyhousekeys.Idon'
tknowhowIdropped
t
hem butImanagedt
ospotthem ontopoft
hetabl
e.
I
ncaseyouwerewonderi
ngwhyI ’
m her
e.
"
Mymi ndi
sjustdeepi
nthi
nki
ng.Thatwast
hel
ast
t
hingonmymi nd.
"
"
Didyoul
eavet
hedooropen?
"
"
No,
why?
"
Shelookscl
oselyandnot
icesashadowst
andi
ng
bythekit
chen.
"There'ssomeonei nhere.St
aybehind."Hesteps
outandt iptoestowar dsthehouse.Hesneaksi n
andf indsahugemanst andi
ngintheki t
chen
digginginthepot s.Themanget sstart
ledand
j
umpsoutoft hebr okenwindow.Hetriesgoi
ng
afterhim butthegi antwastenti
mesf astert
han
him.Hepant stakinghislegstowar
dst hecar.
"Hebrokeinthrought
hewindow.I
t'
snotsaf
ehere.
Gatheryourstuff
syouwi
lll
ivei
nmyhouseunti
lit'
s
safer
."
"ButIcan'tl
eavemymot her
'shousejustl
iket
hat
.I
don'tknowyou.Whatifyouwantmybodypar ts?
"
Herhear ti
sdrummingagainstherchest
.
"Andyoupref
ertobeunsafe?Whatifthatman
comesback?Whatifther
earetoomanyoft hem
andtheyarehi
dingsomewhere?Gatheryourst
uff
.
Youwillcomecl
eantomorrowaft
ernoon."

Goi
ngt
oanunf
ami
l
iarpl
ace,
housemakesherbody
cr
inge.Shef
eel
s..
.somewhatcheap.
"Yourhouseisbeaut
if
ul.
"Shehasherbagpr
essed
againstherchest
.
"
Thanks.Let
sgoi
nsi
de.I
t'
scol
d."
Heopensthehousedoorforherandt
heyheart
he
soundofbreaki
ngt
hings.
"Someonei
sher
e."Shewhi
sper
sst
andi
ngbehi
nd
him.
"
That
'
smymot
her
,Pr
eci
ous.
"
Gr
eatj
ustgr
eat
.Nowshe'
sabouttomeetamad
womanwhoisaboutt
obr
eakher.
Theybot
herwal
kinandt
heyf
indherl
eani
ng
agai
nstt
hecount
er.
"
Mah,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
"Icametoseemyson.Isthatacr
ime?It
ri
ed
cookingf
oryou.GuessI
’mtir
ed.
”
Shest
andsupst
rai
ghtandl
ooksup.
"
Who'
sthi
s?"
"
Sisi
pho.She.
..
"
"
Yourgi
rl
fri
end.Okayboyf
ri
endandgi
rl
fr
iendI
'
m of
f
t
obed.G..
."
"
Mah,
"
"Useprotecti
on!"Shescreamsgoingupthesteps.
Hesighspl aci
nghishandsonhi swaist
.Something
fal
li
ngfrom thewoodenst eps.Hecl
oseshiseyes
andgroansbi t
inghisli
p.
“Letmehelpmymother
,I’
m sureshefel
l.Pl
ease,
canyoucleanthi
smessup."Helooksatherwit
h
beggingeyes.
"Okay,
"sheput
sherbagdown-shebendsover
picki
ngupthepiecesofpl
ates.
..

LI
NDI
WEMAZI
BUKO

Steppi
ngoutoftheoftheMyezainsti
tut
ion
feel
s..
.shecan'
texpl
aint
hefeel
ing.
Shesmi
lesl
ooki
ngar
ound.Thr
eemont
hsagowas
thet
oughestf
orherbutshemanagedtooverpower
whatshehasbeenthrough.Wit
hthehel
pofMpi l
o,
shemanagedtohealandf i
nal
lyl
etgoofthepast
,
l
etgoofwhatwasandf ocusonwhatwillbe.
Herbodystil
lhasn'tr
ecover
edf rom t
hetrauma.Her
weightisst
il
lanissueandshej usthopeandprays
thatshewil
lgainbackheweight .At
leastshehas
money, Mpi
logavehermor ethanenough.The
gatesopens.
..
Scr
eami
ng.
..
"
Sthuphet
hu!
"
"Whatareyoudoi
nghere?"She'
ssurpr
ised.She
doesn'
tremembertel
li
ngherthatshewil
lbeout
today.
"
ABi
rdyt
oldmet
hatyouwi
llbeoutt
oday.
"
"
Mpil
oandhisbigmouth.Wait,
don'
ttel
lmeyouar
e
t
heonedr
ivi
ng."She'
sshocked.
"
Yeap.Madam i
snowadr
iver
."
"
Seemsl
ikeImi
ssedoutonal
ot.
"Shehopsi
n.
Shedeci
dedt
otakeheroutf
orl
unchanddosome
cat
chi
ngup.
"
So,
youandMpi
lohadmadei
tof
fi
cial
?"
"
AsmuchasImaysoundbad.Yes,
wear
eback
t
oget
heragai
n."
"Doeshemakeyouhappy?Wena,emot
ional
lyar
e
youokay?"She'
sisaconcer
nedf
ri
endt
hat,she
underst
ands.
"YeaIam.Justthatthepastsmonthshavebeen
roughforme.Idon'tknowifI'
mreadytoseehis
grave.
"
"Takeallt
hetimeyouwantandneed.What
everyou
decideIam heref
oryou.
"
"
Iknow,
sthuphet
huSami
."Theyl
augh.
"
So,
anygossi
p?"
"Anot
herthanmeandSi si
phor eki
ndl
ingthesist
er
rel
ati
onshi
p.ThereisnonthatInowof .
"Lindi
we
shoothereyesopen.
"
Youl
ie!
"
Onyiyeexplai
nshowandwhathappened.Looki ng
atherfri
endseyes-shecantellt
hatsheis
defi
nit
elyhappy.Shelongedwantedtohavea
rel
ati
onshipwithSisi
phoandthankful
lyherpr
ayers
havebeenanswer ed.
"
I'
m happyf
oryou.
"

Latershedroppedherof fatMpi l
o'splace.She
doesn'twanttogot oherplace.Tomanymemor ies
thatshewantt obury.Sheknocksont hedoor
mul t
ipl
eti
mes.Seemsl i
kehei snotathome.She
hasnoot heropti
onbutt ogobackt othatone
bedroom thatshewasavoi ding.Asshet urnsto
l
eavet hedooropens.Shef rownsl ookingatagirl
wearinghist-shi
rt
.Herheartsinksbutshewant sto
tel
lhersel
fthatshewi l
lnotcryforaman.
"Hei
,i
sMpi l
o'si
n?"Sheaskstr
yingtohi
dethehur
t
onherface.Thegi
rll
ooksatherfr
om headtot
oes.
"Whatdoyouwantf
rom myman?
"Shef
oldsher
arms.
"
Poi
ntofcor
rect
ionourman.Tel
lhi
m Iwasher
e,I
wantust opickupwher eweleftoffyester
daynight
.
In-
fact,
everynight
."Shetur
nstol eave-leavi
ngher
fuminginanger.Shehearsthedoorbei ngharshl
y
shut.GuessMpi l
ohasn'tgr
ownsomebal l
s.He
can'tt
akeherhappinessandlaterdot hi
stoher.
Shewi l
lhithi
m whereithur
tsthemost .
[
08/
18,
03:
44] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER44

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

She'spackingal lofhi
sbel ongingswi t
haheavy
heart.Shefeelscheatedon.Si zwewast akentoo
soon.Lifecheat edandshehasnocomebackaf ter
thi
s.Hedi dn'tgettomeethi schild!Seehowl if
eis
unfair?Seethemant hattheygett opraise
everyday…hei sdefini
telyself
ishandsel fcentr
ed!
Onlycar esforhimself.Shetakeshi st-
shirt-hol
dsi t
sotightl
yagai nstherchest.Shef eelshispresence,
heisher e.I
t'sverywar m.Shecl oseshereyes
preventi
ngthet earsfrom fall
i
ng.I fonlyshedied
alongwi t
hhi m.Ifonlyshewasal so…shet akesa
deepbr eathandcont i
nuest opackhisclothes.The
pictur
es?Shei swi ll
ingtokeept hem f
ort hesakeof
herchild.Heorshewi l
lgrowupsomedayandasks
abouttheirfather.Destroyinghismemor ywi llnot
healherbr okenhear t.I
twi l
lnoteasethepai nsheis
feeli
ng.Shehasheal edyesbutnotent ir
ely.

It
'sbeenl
ongsinceshelastl
ivedheresomespr
ing
cl
eaningwil
ldo.At
leastshesti
llhavet
hecl
eani
ng
deter
gent
s.
Thefr
eshairi
nthi
shouse,
sheneededi
t.Sheslept
l
ikeababyaft
ermont
hsofstr
uggli
ngwi
thsleep.
Theairchanges-hiscolognef i
ll
ingupherr oom.
Shesighsstir
ri
ngherbeefst ew.Sheclosest hepot
andswitchesthestoveoff.She'sdamnhungr y.I
s
shemadathi m?No.Shehasmanagedt ocreate
thewall
saroundherhear t
.Shepul lsoutfortwo
plat
esfrom hercar
dboard.Sher insesthem fi
rst
andwipesthem.Shedi shesf orthebothofthem.
Herf
oodi
sexpr
essi
onalgoodl
ooki
ng.Wi
thal
lthe
di
ff
erentcol
our
sont
hewhi
tepl
ate.
"Here,
"shehandshi
mthepl
ate.Hel
ooksatherwi
th
hiseyeswideopen.
"Eatupbeforeitgetscold.
"Hewasprobablywait
ing
heroutburst
,butshehasgr own.Shewil
lchannelal
l
herenergywher eit
’sneeded.
Yesterdayshewant edtodorevenge-shenot i
ced
thatitwil
lbedefini
tel
ynotworthit.Mpil
oisnot
worthherenergy.Themostsweet estrevengeist
o
pretendtobeaf oolthathei
stakingherfor.
"Howwasyourday?"Sheasksst
il
lnotl
ooki
ngat
him.Hecl
ear
shisthroat
.
"
Myday?
"
"Yes,yourday?
"Sheshi
ftshereyest
ohi
m.Hei
s
sit
ti
ngsouncomf or
tabl
yonthebed.
"
Yest
erday…"
"I
sthesaltenough?"Sheknowswherehei
s
headingatandhonestl
yshedoesn'
thavet
he
energytodealwit
hit.
"
Li…"Hi
sphoner
ings.Hepul
lsi
toutofhi
spocket
andgl
ancesatt
hescr
een.
Heput
sonsi
lence,
aft
ermi
nut
esi
tri
ngsagai
n.
"Iwil
lgiveyoupri
vacyforyout
oansweryourphone
call
."Shegrabsherphoneandwal
ksout.She
want st
ocheckont heDazelaf
ami
ly…
"
But
iMel
usi
,
"
"
Lindi
we!
"Heseemst
obeexi
ted."
When?How?
"
"Iwasdi
schar
gedyester
day.Tellmum Iwillsee
herewhenmyhearthashealed.I'
m st
il
ltr
yingto
l
ivewit
houthi
m buti
t'
shard."
"
Takeyourt
imeNana."Tal
kingtothem madeher
f
acesmil
e.Atl
eastt
hesepeoplehaveherbackno
matt
erwhat
.
Shetur
nst
ogobackt oherr
oom shebumpsi
nto
Mpil
o.Hel
ooksathercl
enchi
nghisjaws.
"
Didyoureal
lyhavet
ogot
her
e?Asi
ncal
lthem?
"
Heasks.
"Yes,
I'
m carr
yingthei
rgrandchi
ld.
"Shewalkspast
him.Shetakesherfoodandcont i
nuest
oeat.
"
Idon'
tunder
stand.
"
"What
’st
hatyoudonotunderstandMpi l
o?"Shei
s
get
ti
ngannoyedwi
thallt
heinterrogat
ion.
"
Yougoi
ngbackt
her
e.Imean…"
"
Don'
tgetmest
art
ed.Justdon'
t!
"
"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
"It
hinki
t'
sbetterthatyoul eave.Yourbabymamai s
waiti
ngforyou."Heswal lowshar d.Hestandsup
andstor
msout .Shesi ghsandcont i
nueseati
ng.
Sheputsherselffi
rstbeforeeverythi
ng.

She'
scatchinguponherschoolwork.Sheisfar
behi
ndwi t
hassessment
sandshewant stocatch
up.At
leasthermindi
snotthatst
if
f.Shestil
l
remembersmostofthestuf
fs.
Nextweek-herexamswi l
lbest
arti
ngshehast
o
makesurethatshecat
chesup.Cryi
ngoverMpi
lo
wil
lnotmakehersucceed.
At
leastshedi
dmanagetodosomecatchi
ngup
wi
thherschoolwor
k.Shej
ustwant
stakeanap,
al
readyi
t'
sint
heaf
ter
noon.

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Fir
stti
meatwor kandsheadmi t
s, she'
sinl
ovewi t
h
hernewjobratherthant
hepreviousone.Atleast
thepayisbet
terthanherpr
eviousj ob.
"Themanagerisrequesti
ngforyouinhisoff
ice.
"
Oneofthecleanerssay.Shesmilesback.I
t’
s
almostknockofft
ime.
"Okay,I
'm comi
ng."Shest andsup.Justwhenshe
wasaboutt oenjoyherlunchsheisbeing
summoned.Shedi dn’
tgettoeatmidday–wor k
overl
oad.Nowt hatsheisbeingsummonedbyt he
boss.Maybeshedi dnotdustasmuchasshewas
requi
red.
"
Knock,
knock…"
Avoicesummoni
nghert
ocomei
n.Owgr
eat
!Hi
s
motheri
shear
!
"
Sani
bona.
"Shener
vousl
ysi
tsdown.
"I
'
llgetst
rai
ghttot
hepoint
.Il
ikedyouformyson,
soIwast hi
nki
ngthati
twil
lbebett
eri
fyoubecome
hisPA."
"Excuseme? "Sheisshocked.Shewasj
usthi
redt
o
beacl eanerandnotaPA!
"Youareexcused.Youwi llst
arttr
aini
ngtomorr
ow.
Youcangohomeandr est.Prepareyourbodyf
or
tomorr
ow."Hismot herstandsupbutf al
lsback
downtothecouch.
"ThemoreIgetold-themoretheclumsi
nesstake
over.
"Shehissesfor
cingher
selft
ostandup.
Eventual
ly,
shedoes.Shewalksoutalmost
tri
ppi
ng…
"That
'smymotherf
oryouandherwor
disf
inal
.I
cannotdi
sput
eanyt
hing.
"
"Wow,Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.
"Shewant
sto
cry.
She'
sisindeedshocked.Noact
ual
lyshei
sbeyond
shocked!
"
Wel
comet
omywor
ld.
"Ger
aldl
aughsandpacks
hisbag."
Youshoul
dgochangesot
hatIcant
ake
youhome."

She'
slookingatthecl
othessheoncebought.They
arenotappropr
iatef
orherfir
stdayforaPA
posi
ti
on.Shebiteshernail
stryi
ngtofigur
eout
whatshewi l
lwear.
"
Alloft
hesecl
othesar
ejustt
oor
eveal
ing.
"
Shethrowshersel
finthebedandtakesadeep
breat
h.Maybesheshoul dgoshoppi
ngfor
appropri
atecl
othi
ng.
Shechangeshercl
othesandwal
ksoutoft
her
oom
headi
ngdownstai
rs…
"Goi
ngsomewher
e?"Ger
ald'
svoicestar
tl
esher.She
smil
esfor
get
ti
ngwheresheis.Thi
sisnotherhome!
"YesI'
m goingtotown.Ineedanewwar dr
obe.The
setofclot
hesIhavear et
oor eveal
ing.
"Shelooksat
him si
tt
inginthekit
chenstool.
"
Okay,
letmechange.
"
"
No!i
t'
sokay.I
'
mjustgoi
ngt
ogot
otheChi
nese
shops.Thei
rcl
othesar
eaf
for
dabl
e."
"MyPA?Shoppi
ngwher
e?Pl
ease,
don'
tinsul
tyour
boss.
"

Heleavesherst
andinginthemi ddl
eofthekitchen
wit
hhermout hpart
ial
lyopen.Shedoesn’tmuch
f
rom whathersist
ersenther.Nowshewi llbe
f
orcedtoshopinthoseexpensiveshopswi l
lher
l
astcent.
Shedidn'
tsignupf orspendinghismoneyt hi
sway.
Sheneversawher selfasaWool wort
hs,Truwort
hs
ki
ndofgirl.Whateverischeapforherwil
ldo.But
witht
hismanr ightherenexttoher,
shecannot
evenbegintocounthowmuchmoneyt heyhave
spent-onjustclot
hes!
"
R2200.
"Thecashiersays.Shepackst
hecl
othi
ng
i
nthepl
ast
icsaft
erscanningthem.
"
I'
llpayhal
f,t
hisi
stoomuch.
"
"
Rel
ax,
Igotthi
s,st
opembar
rassi
ngmewoman."
Hewhi
sper
s.Hepayswit
hhiscar
dwit
houtcar
e.
Herhear
tisal
mostont
hever
geofcomi
ngout
.
Shefol
lowshim behindastheywal
koutoft
he
shopswithhi
m carryingt
heshoppi
ngbags.
"CanIgobuysomeice-
cream?
"Shei
sreal
ly
cravi
ngfori
tsobad.
"Yeasure.I
'l
lbei
nthecar
.Ineedt
omakea
businesscal
l.
"
Shesquealsinexci
tementl
ooki
ngtotheIce-
cream
Cafe.Thelastt
imewhenshewasherewaswi thher
si
ster.Shesnapsafewpict
uresandsendthem to
her
.
Thejoyofeat
ingvani
ll
aice-
cream di
ppedi
n
chocol
ate…
"Excuseme. "Shedi dn'
tevennoticethatsheis
standingintheway.Shemovesasi de-shemoves
hereyestot heleftandhereyesspotahuman-
beingthatoncemadehert astethel i
feoft
wo
mi nut
esofhappi ness.Theireyeslockforasecond.
Hequi ckl
ylooksont hesi
de.Theyl ooki
ngalll
ovey
dovelywithThandeka.
"Mxm,"shehuff
sandcont
inuest
oeatheri
ce-
cream i
npeace.
Shedeci
destoordertwoice-
creams.Shewal
ksout
theCaf
eheadingstr
aightt
othecar
Herhandsar
eful
l.Sheneedshel
pinopeni
ngt
he
car
.
"
Canyouhel
p!"Hei
sjustl
ooki
ngather
…
"Ow,yeasorr
y."Hestepsoutandopenst hedoorf
or
her.Shehandshim oneice-
cream bef
orehoppi
ng
i
nsidethecar.
"
I'
m notaf
anofi
ce-
cream.
"Hepol
it
elydecl
ines.
"
Butyoumademebuyclothesinexpensi
veshops
wit
hyourmoney.
"Shecl
osesthedoor.Hesmil
es…
"Iseewherethi
sisgoi
ng.
"Heal
sohopsi
nthe
driver
'ssi
de.
"
Trustme,
I'
m ver
ygoodi
ntaki
ngr
evengesi
r.
"
Theyeatt
hei
rice-
cream i
nli
ghtconver
sat
ions.
"
It
'sni
ce.Thanks.
"
Her
oar
stheengi
neanddr
ivesof
f.
Arr
ivi
ngathomesheunpacksherclothespl
aci
ng
t
hem neat
lyinherwar
drobe.At
leastshehasacur
ly
weave…
"
Canyouhel
pmecook?
"
Whendidhi
smot hergether
e?At
leastshei
s
wear
ingadecentdress.
Shewal
ksoutt
heguestr
oom andf
oll
owsher
.
She'
snott
hatgoodi
ntheki
tchenandsheknows
her
self
.
Thatawkwar dnessforherinthekit
chenwi t
ha
womanshedoesn' tevenknow!Sher eal
lyknows
herwayar oundthekitchen.Sheknowshergame
anddamnShe’ sagoodcook.She'sdef i
nit
ely
l
earningoneort wothingshere.Herandcooking
arel
ikeoilandwater.Atleast
,shetr
ies.
"Sot
ellme.Howdidyoumeetmyson?Iwantt
o
knowaboutyourl
ovest
ory.
"
"
Lovest
ory?
"She'
scl
ear
lyconf
used.
"
Yes,
"sheopent
heovenandt
akesoutmeat
.Ful
ly
r
oastedandi
tlookshel
ladel
i
cious.Shecl
ear
sher
t
hroat.
"MeandSirarenotdati
ng.Hehelpedmeoutwhen
hefoundmeatt hesi
deoftheroadhiki
ng.He
off
eredtogi
vemeal if
t,andi
thappensthatour
dir
ecti
onsar
et hesame."
"
So,
howdi
dyouendupher
e?"
"Hetookmehomeaf terthehospit
alincident.When
wegothomet her
ewasamani nthekitchen.He
brokein.Soheassumedt hati
tisnotsaf e.Iwil
lgo
homeoncemymot herisbackhome.ButIwi llgo
cleanfrom t
imetotime."
Shenodsherheadwipi
ngherhands.Nowshei
s
j
ustst
andi
ngtherel
ikealotpuppy.
"ButIknowwheret
hisisheadingbutIwon'tsay
anythi
ng.Hel
pmesor toutthetabl
e."Shef
oll
ows
herbehindwi
thbowlofsalads.

Theeveningwasgreat
.Awesomef
oodand
ever
ythi
ngwasjustGoddamndeli
cious.Tel
li
ngher
si
sterhowtheeveningwent.I
texcit
esherhowshe
cannotwai
ttogossipwithhersi
steronhowherday
hasbeen.Wit
houtjudgement-theywil
llaughabout
i
tandmakeherf eelbet
ter.
"I
'
m happyt
hatyouarenotpai
nedthatButiTazz
deci
dedtol
eavi
ngyouhanging.
"Theirphonecall
haveal
waysbeenthebest
.
"I
'
m gladt
oo.MaybeifIwast
heoldSisipho,
trust
meIwouldhavecausedascene.ButnowInow
bett
er.
"
"I
'
m gl
ad.Sinceyou'
resi
ngle,
ift
hemanwant st
o
smashlethi
m smashwhileyouwai
tforyourman.
"
Theyl
augh.
"
Youar
esuchbadi
nadvi
ces.
"
"I
'
m ser i
ous.You'
repr
egnant,
soyouwi l
lcr
avesex.
Sinceyouar el
ivi
ngunderoneroof
.Seduce
mnt ase.
"
"
You'
recr
azy!Zi
njanii
zit
shal
o?"
"I
'
m havi
ngorder
salr
eadyfr
om bi
gcompanies.I
'
m
surebyt
heendofthi
syearmybusinesswoul
d
havebl
oomed.Youshoul
dconsi
dergoi
ngbackt
o
school
."
"I
'vebeenthinkingaboutit.
"Aknockont hedoor.
"Someonei satt hedoorwillcal
lyouback."She
smilesshakingherhead.I sshejealousthather
sist
erismaki nghi st
oryi
nlife?No,sheisverymuch
braggingabouti t.
Thei
rphonecal
lhaveal
waysbeent
hebestpast
coupl
eofmonths.
Shegetsofft
hebedandf astenshergown,she
openthedoorandfindsGeraldhal
fnaked.Hereyes
l
andonhiswel lbui
ltsi
xpack.
"
Justchecki
nguponyou.
"Hesays.
Theybothst
areateachotherwit
houtsayi
ngawor
d.
Shetakesst
epstowardshim sohedoes.
Hisbreathsmell
ssomagnificent
.Hestepsinher
guestroom pushi
ngherbackwards.Heclosest
he
doorandl ocksi
t.
..

I
t'
smor
ningandherbodyi
sonf
ir
e.Sheneverknew
t
hatamancoul
dfucyout
hisbad.Herswol
lenKuku
maki
ngi
thar
dforhert
opee.
"Ouch,
"shehol
dsitin.ShegrabsVasel
inef
rom t
he
bathr
oom cabi
netandappli
esit.
That'
sbett
er.Shepeesandsighsthinkinghowshe
wil
lfacehim.It
'sal
lOnyi
ye'
sfaultt
hatshef ound
hersel
fki
ssinghim.Themoreshet hinksaboutt
he
ni
ghtthemor eherbodyget
sshivers.Hercli
t
dancesli
kethere'
snotomorr
ow.
"
Areyouokayi
nther
e?"Heknocksst
art
li
ngher
.
"Y.
..
yes,
yes,I
'mfine.
"Foot
stepsleavi
ng.She
exhal
esoutl
oud.Shegentl
ywi peshersel
fand
fl
ushesthet
oil
et.
Sheopenswar
m wat
eranddeci
dest
otakea
shower
.
Washi nghisscentoffherbodyhashersmi l
ingnon
stop.Shecl osesthetapandwrapshersel
fwi t
ha
towel.Shel ooksatherst
omachandi ndeedit'
s
start
ingt ogrow.Shecannotwaitwhenshest art
s
showi ng.Shestepsoutandcleanstheshower s
wipingt hetil
es.
Shest
epsoutandfi
ndshim seat
edonthebed
goi
ngthr
oughhisl
aptop.Heti
lt
shisheadt
olookat
her
.
"Ial
mostsentasear
chpar
tyt
her
e."Hesayscl
osi
ng
hisl
apt
op.
"
Idi
dn'
ttakel
ong.
"
Shefiddl
eswi
tht
het
owelt
hati
swr
appedar
ound
herbody.
"
Aboutyest
erday.
..
"
"Idon'
tregr
etit.I
t'
sbeenl ongsinceIf
eltl
ikeaman
i
nsideawoman.Imustsayyouwer eonfi
reandI
l
ikedeverybitofit
."Thecompl i
mentshaveher
blushi
ng.Hercheekscr ackred.
..
"Si
ncewedi dn'
tuseprot
ect
ion,weshoul
dgosee
thedoctorf
irst
.Haveyoust
artedseei
ngonesi
nce
youpregnant?"
"No,Iwasgoi
ngt
ogotot
hecl
ini
csomet
ime
aroundthi
smont
h."
"
Okay,
getdressedsowecanprepar
efort
heday.
Andpl
easedoactnormalar
oundme.Idon'
tbi
te.
"
Heget
sofft
hebedwal
kspastherandspanksher
but
tmaki
nghert
ogasps.
Shesmil
eswidel
ymakingherbed.Shegrabsher
phoneandsendshersi
steraqui
cktext
.
"I
'
vebeendickmi
sedal
lni
ght!
"Shethr
owsher
phoneasi
deandbegi
nlot
ioni
ngherbody.

Arri
vingatwor khadherhear tdrummi nginf ear
.
Thetraini
ngt hatshewi llunder gobyherown
managerhi msel f
.Itwasn' tasbadasshet hought.
Justthebasicst hatshecanhandl e.It
'sherlunch
ti
me.Shedeci dedtouset helaptop-t heyhavean
i
nternetcafe.She'sbr owsi ngthroughschool s.
Maybeat t
endi ngonlineclasseswi lldosincesheis
workingnow.
Howdoesoner
egi
ster
?Sheal
soconf
used.
Shesi
ghsi
ndi
sappoi
ntment
..
.
"Whatar eyoudoingther
e?"Shegetsst
art
led.
"Sorr
y, Idi
dn'
tmeant oscar
eyou."Hesays
grabbingachairsit
ti
ngnexttoher.
"
Iwastr
yingt
oappl
yonl
inebutI
'
m cl
uel
ess.I
nfact
I
'
m dumb."
"
Youar
enotdumb.Wel
ear
nal
ongt
heway.Come,
l
etmehel
pyou.
"
Ever
ythi
ngwasdonewithi
nabl
inkofaneye.She
nowhasastudentnumber
!
"Thankyou.
"Shewant
stoj
umpi
ntohi
sar
msso
bad.
"Youwel
come.Yourlunchi sover.Backt owor k
miss.
"Hestandsupandl eavesherst i
llseated.
Stupi
dher-shedi
dn'thaveandemai laddressand
nowsheownsone!".Thisdefini
telyf
eel sli
keshe
candoavictor
ydance.
[
08/
18,
03:
44] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER45

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Yest
urdayshedi
dn'
tgett
imet
ogot
othedoct
ors
forherappointment
.Busyday.Todayshedecided
topassby, wit
hthefor
cementfrom Ger
ald.Looki
ng
attheult
rasoundandheari
ngthatti
nyheartbeat.
"Yourchil
disgoodasahor se.
"Thedoctorsays
wipingthegeloffherst
omach.Shepullshert
-shi
rt
downandsmi l
es.Shedidn’
tunder
standwhatshe
sawont hatscreen–butsknewt hatherbabyis
growing.
"What
'st
hegender?"Ger
aldasks.Onewoul
dswear
heist
hefat
her.Thedoctorsmil
es…
"Wecannottel
latt
hemoment.Let
'swaitforherto
befiveorsi
xmonths.
"Thedoct
orrepl
ies.Geral
d
groans…
"Washopingyoucouldtel
l.I
sn'
tther
eanother
machine,maybe?AnX-RAYperhaps?Iknowit
reveal
sever
yi nchoft
heinsi
de.
"Sisi
pholooksat
him.Hecan'tbeseri
ous!
"Areyout
hatkeent
oknowt hegenderofyourbaby?
X-RAYist
oodangerous.Shemightevenl
oosethe
baby."
"
Ahhman!
"Hewhi
nes.
"Yourchil
disgrowingpr et
tywel
l.Iwi
llpr
escribe
somevi t
ami nsforyou."Hewrit
esonapi eceof
paperthenhandst hepapertoGeral
d.Hegr absthe
fi
leandwal ks.
"
Iwantt
oknowthegender
."Hei
ssti
llati
t.Si
sipho
l
aughsf
oldi
ngherar
mslooki
ngathi
m.
"Whyareyousokeeni
nknowi
ngt
hegender
?"She,
alsowi
lll
iket
oknow.
"
Idon'
tknow.GuessIl
ovebabi
es.
"
"Youl
ovebabi
es?"Sheissurpr
ised.Hedoesn'tl
ook
l
ikeaguywholovesbabies.Heisallaboutwork
andmoney.
"YesIdo.YouknowwhengrowingupIt
oldmysel
f
thatIwantt
ohaveabigfamil
y.Att
hebackofmy
headIevenprol
ongedmysel
finpol
ygamy."
"
Areyoust
il
lthi
nki
ngofone?
"
"
What
!Hel
lno.Let
'sgo.
"Hehel
psherof
fthebed.
Hehol
dsherhandastheywalkout
.Theypassby
t
hehospi
talphar
macyformeds…
St
il
lint
hehospi
talshedeci
dedt
ocheckuponher
mother
.St
il
lasshewasyester
day.Nochange.Just
herl
ayi
ngther
ehelpl
essl
y.
"Pleasegetwel lsoon.Istil
lneedyou.Your
grandchildrenneedyou. "Shekisseshermother'
s
foreheadwi thaheavyhear t
.Shetakesadeep
breathwi thtear
st hr
eateningtocomeout .I
fshe
tel
lshert hatsheispregnantmaybei twil
lsetback
herhealing.Asmi sleadingasshewast oher,atthe
endoft hedayshei ssti
llhermother.
Shewalksout…tr
yingsohardtoholdi
tin.Shei
s
pai
ned.Shesobswi t
hherhandsonherface.Ger
ald
spot
sherfrom adi
stance.Herushest
owardsher…
"
Hai
,what
'swr
ong?
"
"
She'
snotget
ti
nganybet
ter
."
Hepul
lshert
ohischestgi
vingherat
ighthug.She
l
etshi
m sobonhi
schest.
"I
t'
sokay.She'
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.Doyouwantt
ogo
home?"Heasks.
"Wehavet
ogotowork.Youl
iedandsaidweare
goi
ngtoameet
ingr
emember."Shesnif
fscal
ming
down.
"
Owt hat
,yes.Eish.I
fyougoodthanwecangoto
wor
k."Hewr apshisarm ar
oundherneckandt
he
wal
kedoutoft hehospi
tal.
Meanwhileoutsi
detheparkinglot
.Amanr unsi
n
carr
yingagirli
nhisarms.Bloodalloverthem.
Sisi
pholi
ftsherheadlooki
ngthedirecti
onwhere
thecommot i
onis.Sheknowst heman, Tazz
carr
yingThandeka!
Shepauseslooki
ngatthem.Her
ushespassby
wit
houtevennoti
cingt
hem.
"
Wonderwhathappened?
"Herinnersel
fasks.
Ger
aldki
ssest
hetopofherheadandsmi l
es
l
ooki
ngdownather.Shesmil
esback…
"Maybeknowi
ngthegenderoft
hebabywil
lmake
yousmil
eabitmore.
"Hesaysmakinghert
olaugh
outl
oud.
"Whatthehel
liswrongwit
hyouandgenders?"She
shakesherhead.Heopensthedoorf
orherand
hel
pshersit.
Arri
vingatwor k-ever yoneisbusyr unningaround
sonoonepai dmi ndt othem beingoutoft heoff
ice.
BeingaPAi squi tefunf orher.Workingwithher
newcr ush.Yes,thecr ushshehadf orTazz
vanishedwithinabl i
nkofaneye.Shet ast
edanew
dickanddamnt hisniggerknowshi sgame.She
cl
ickshertonguet hinkingofLungi sani.Howhe
didn'
tgiveheror ganisms.Wow!Whatawast eof
sperm?Sher ollshereyesnotbel i
eving.Howdi d
sheevengetpr egnantf orsuchal oser ?Nowshei s
stuckwiththeremi ndert hatshewilllovewit
hher
all
.
Sheconti
nuest oreadthr
oughtheemail
s.Not
hing
muchandnot hingimport
ant.Maybegoi
ngtolunch
wil
ldo.Shestandsupandgr absherl
unchbag.
She'
ssitt
ingaloneinthecaf
eter
iamindi
ngher
busi
ness…
"Al
ovel
ywomanhavi
ngl
unchal
one.
"Amansi
ts
downacrossher
.
"
Erm…"
"
I'
m Sbusi
sobutyoucancal
lmeSbuda.
"Hesmi
rks
l
ooki
ngather
.Shener
vousl
ysmi
les.
"
Hai
."
"CanIt
akeyououtonlunch?
"Hehasthisscar
y
auraar
oundhim.Somethi
ngshecannotpi
npoint
on.
"
Myboyfr
iendwil
lkil
lme."Shechucksnervousl
y.
Whi
chboyfri
endcauseshedoesn’thaveone!
"Hewoul
dn'
tknownow,
woul
dhe?
"Hewi
ggl
eshi
s
eyebr
ows.
"It
hinkIshouldgetgoi
ng."Shest
andsandhurr
ies
toherspace.Shepantssit
ti
ngdownwi t
hherhead
onthetable.Herhear
tisbeati
ngabnor
mall
yinfear
.
"Areyouokay?Isawyour unningacr oss."Shegets
start
ledreadyt
orun.She’sajumpyper sonby
natureandsometi
mesi tannoysher .Shehol dsher
chesttal
kingadeepbreathreali
singit’
sGer ald.
“
Sor
ry,
Idi
dn’
tmeant
oscar
eyou.
”Hesmi
les.
"
Somedudej
ustscar
edme.
"
"
Letmeguess.Sbusi
so?
"
Shenodsherheadmaki
nghi
mtol
augh.
"
Don'
tlaugh.Ial
mostpeedonmysel
f!
"
"That
'swhoheis.Neverl
ethi
m getunderyourski
n.
So,youhaveaboyfr
iend–huh?"Heasksr ubbi
ng
herback.
“
Iwantedtogethim of
fmyback.
”Shesays.He
l
ooksatherbr
iefl
y…
"
Wear
edonef
ort
heday.Wecangohome.
"
Withoutaski
nganyquestions.Shepacksher
belongi
ngsandf ol
lowshimtohisof f
ice.I
t'
sli
ke
sheenjoysbeingthebossesPAi nst
eadofa
cl
eaner.Andindeedsheenjoysit.Shebeli
evesthey
arefri
endswithbenefi
ts.
Beforegoi
nghim hedroppedheroffatherhome.
Herhousereall
yneededsomecl eani
ng.Thenew
windowwasi nst
all
ed,al
lthankstohandyman
Geral
d.Thehouseisingoodshapecl eanandthe
managedtochanget helocker
saswel l
.
"
Ithinktheywi
llnotcomeback.
"Shesayst
urni
ng
t
of acehim.
"
Idon'
ttr
ustanyt
hing.Takewhat
everyouneedand
l
et'
sgo.
"
Shesighstakinghersetofnewpantiesandbras.
Shelocksthehouseandgi veitonel
astdoubl
e
checkgoingar oundi
t.Al
lisgood.Hopethose
thugswon'tcomeback.Sheget sint
hecar…
"
Ineedi
ce-
cream.
"
"Thedoct
orsai
dyoushoul
dn'
teatal
otofcol
d
stuf
f.
"
"
But
…"
"
Nobutswoman."Hedr i
vesalongtheroad.Off
r
ampstaki
ngtheroadtohishouse.Shesniff
s
l
ooki
ngout
sidethewindow.
"Babe,
"hetr
iesgett
inghol
dofhert
highbutshe
harshl
ypusheshishandoff.
"
Mxm"shet ur
nsherwhol
ebodyl
ooki
ngout
sidet
he
windowcount
ingt
hetr
ees.

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
"
Miss,
wehaveor
der
sfrom t
wofranchi
se.
"She
j
umpsupmedowninexci
tement
.
"
Areyouki
ddi
ngmeKwenzo!
"
"
Notatal
l.
"Theyoungmanl
aughs.
"Let
'sgetworking.Wemaki ngmoney!
"She
punchesintheai ri
nexcit
ement.Mam Phi
li
siwe
walksincar
ryingacr eat
efil
ledwi
thspi
nach.The
youngmanexcuseshi mself.
"Thisorderbel
ongstot
het uck-
shopdownthe
street
.Thiswomanhasbeenbeggi ngmeforweeks.
Iregretthedayshesawmyspi nachi
nthe
backyard."Shepl
acesthecreat
edownandsighin
exhaustion.
"
Wedon'
tcomecheap.
"
Onyi
yegi
ggl
es.
"Owtrustme, wecostanarm andl
eg.Yourfat
heris
barki
ngoutside.Heisgivi
ngmeaserious
headache.Canyout el
lhimtogohomeandr est
."
Shethrowsher sel
fonacouch.Onyi
ye'sof
fi
ceis
ful
lyf i
tt
ed.Otherareasarestil
lbeingr enovated.
Shedeci dedtobuil
dcot t
agesf orwor kerswhol i
ve
farfrom home.Travell
ingisreallyexpensive.
Atleast,f
orhershei sabl
etodr ivefrom timetotime
andherpar entsarealwaystheret ostepi nandby
thelookoft hi
ngstheyenjoybei ngher einthi
swor l
d
andr unningthi
ngswhi l
eshei sbusywi thschool
wor k.
Shedecidedt ogetfundingandbyGod'sgr ace-
wit
ht hemanshei swith,hemanagedtopul l
connecti
onsf orherandshewasappr ovedf orone
hel
lofat enderwor thami l
li
on.I
t’
sastart
er–i fshe
conti
nuespr ovi
ngt hem wrongthemightj
ustt op
herupwi thanothertender.Andosof
ar,shei s
doinggreat.
Twoofherworker
scomei
ncar
ryi
ngpaper
sthat
needhersi
gnat
ure.
Hermotheri
swatchi
ngherclosel
yassheasksher
worker
ssomequesti
ons.She'
sinter
act
ivewi
th
t
hem, whi
chisver
ygoodbutnotgoodaswell.
"
Letmeknowi
fsomet
hingi
smi
ssi
ngsot
hatwe
canaceupt hegame.Andplease,letmeknowwho
needsaplacetostay.
"Thewor ker
swalkoutaf
ter
provi
dingherwit
hal i
stoft
hingsneeded.
"Becar efulwhoyoubr i
ngclose.Letmetellyou
somet hing…tobeasuccessf ulbusi
nesswomanyou
havetobeasser t
ive,
otherwisepeoplewil
lnot
respectyou.Conveyasser ti
venessbybeing
fearl
ess, speakingwithauthorit
yandpurpose.
Adoptaconf identmanner,dealwithanycrit
ici
sm
rati
onallyandbecal m,coolandconsider
ed."
"
Okay,wher
eisalloft
hiscoming?"She'
sconfused.
Whyishermotherasuddenspeechtherapi
st?
"I'
mj ustlookingatyouinteracti
ngwi thyour
wor kersandImustsayyouar eagoodboss.Butat
thesamet imeyoushoul dbef earedinagoodway.
Amor econf i
dentwoman, feelsandl ooksmore
positive,
mot ivat
ed,andisrespect ed.Shebecomes
af orcetopay.Let '
sdropthewor ktopi
c.Wetalk
aboutt hatalltheti
me.Whenwi llyougoseeyour
mot her?"
"
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
"Shel
ooksathermot
her
br
ief
ly.
"Youhavekidsnow.Yourhear tneedstobeopen
andwhi t
e.Createaposi t
ivecycl
ebyl ayi
ngt he
foundati
onfrom earl
yon, notonlyforyourselfbut
foryourchi
ldren.
”"Ma, Idon'
tgetyouwher eallof
thi
sisgoing.Everyt
hingyouar esayingdoesn' t
makesense.I t
'snotallinonesentence.”
"Whenwil
lyouf
orgi
veyourmother?Maybei
fIask
youint
hatmanneryouwil
lunder
standmy
l
anguage.
”
"HowdoIforgi
vemymot herf
orhur
ti
ngme
repeat
edl
y,whenshedoesn'
tthi
nki
twaswr
ong?
"
Sheasks.
"Ihaveaver ytoxicandnegat ivemot herbutshe
j
ustdoesn’ tknowort hi
nkshei sthatbad.She’s
donecount lesshurtfulthi
ngst ome.Mymot heris
compl icated.Tobef ai r
,sheiskindhearted,
which
soundsabi tcontr
adictory,
howevert hereisa
disruptivesidet oher.Livi
ngwi thherwasdi f
fi
cult,
ti
ringandsuf focati
ngt osaythel east…shewasver y
negativeandver ycondescendi ngIbel i
veshesti
lli
s.
Thi
ngscomingoutofhermout
hwer
ejusthur
tful
andver
ydiscour
agi
ng.
Iam notexaggerat
ing.Mymot heristhoughtl
ess
andtactl
ess.Yourclotheslooksbadonyou, you
havenosenseofst yle;whatawf ulhair
cutyougot;
soandso’sdaughteri smaking100Kayear ,why
can’
tIhaveadaught erthatsmar t….al
lthese
negati
vecomment sconst antl
ycomesoutofher
mouth."
"Iknowbaby,
butshei
ssi
ckr
ightnowandI
'
m sur
e
sheneedsyounowmoret
hatanyt
hing.
"
"Idon'
tknow.Iwantt
ogoseeher
ebutI'
m scared.
Sacredofhowshewillwel
comeme.Ist
il
lhave
fear.
"
"
Dothi
sforyourkids.Nextmonthwearegoingt
o
Ni
ger
iaforyouri
ntroduct
ion.Ar
eyouready?
"
"I
'
m sacred.Idon'
tknowi ft
heywi
llwel
comeme.I
don'
tevenknowt helanguage.
"
"
Youwi l
llear
nbabe.I
'mt hewi
fe,Idon'
tevenknow
t
helanguagetheyspeak.Butt
rustme-theOkojie
f
amilyi
st hebest
."
Doingherfi
nalt
ouchup's-j
ustmakingsurethat
everyt
hingi
sgoodonherside.Shetakesher
handbagandwalksout.Shecl
osesheroffi
ceand–
l
ocksitandwalksout
.Shebumpsi ntotwomen.
"
Miss,
wear
elooki
ngf
ort
heowneroft
hispl
ace.
"
"Yes,
it'
sme."Hehear
tski
psabeatbutshekeeps
onthebravesmil
e.
"
AreyouOnyi
yeMazi
buko?
"Oneasks.
"
YesIam.
"
"
Howar
eyour
elat
edt
oSt
hembi
soJi
yane?
"
"
Hei
sthef
atherofmyki
ds.Why?
"
"
Ow,
sohehaski
ds?Howmany?
"
Shel ooksatt hem cl oselyandnot i
cest hattheyare
notwear i
nganyuni form.St hembi sotrainedher
well.Shewi l
lonlyansweraper sont hatwassent
hi
m, only!Nowt hatthesemenar ehereaski ng
quest i
ons, Sthembi sodidn’talertheronanyt hi
ng,
whichonl ymeansonet hing.Shescanshereyes
aroundandever yonei sintheirfarcottage.Her
parentsar eal r
eadygone.Somet hinginhert el
lsher
t
orunf
orherl
if
e.
Withoutwast esherunsbacktotheoff
icer
swi t
h
twomenr unningbehi
ndher.Shetakesanother
route-behindheroffi
cebumpingherkneeona
bri
ckstickingoutthewall
.
"OwGod! "Sheentersthestoreroom andclosesthe
doorshutandl ocksitf
rom theinsi
de.Shedr ops
everyt
hingthatwasoccupyi ngherhands.Fishes
forherphoneinherhandbag.Shel ooksatthe
screenandnot i
cesthatthereisnotnetwor
k.
"No,no,
no."Sheshakesinf
ear."
Thi
scannotbe
happeni
ng."Shewhisper
sclosi
nghermout
hwith
herhand.
Thedoorhandlebei ngroughlypulledbutthedoori
s
l
ocked.Shelooksf oraplacet ohide.Nothi
ng,no
pl
ace.Everyt
hingisi ntheopen!Theonl ythi
ngthat
i
sher ei
sthewor kingmat eri
als.Shelooksatthe
window.It
'st
oohi ghf orhertoreach.
Shelooksatthewheelbarrow.Aplancomesto
mind.Sheturnsitupsi
de-down.Shegrabsher
bel
ongings,sneaksunderitandcurl
shersel
fint
oa
bal
l.Shehopesandprayst
hatnot
hinghappenst
o
her
.Allshecoul
dthi
nkofisherki
ds!

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

"So,Zului
ssti
llaf
terus?
"Hechucksbangi
ngt
he
star
ringwheel
.
"Idecl
inedt
hepr
oposalf
rom t
woguysthismorni
ng.
Therewassomethi
ngoff
ishaboutt
hem."Headds.
"
Ibeli
evehesentt
hem t
okeepaneyeonyou.
"
Khoza.
"Thequesti
onsthattheywereaski ng.I
t'
sli
ket
hey
knewaboutmeandmybusi ness."Sthembi
sois
furi
ous."
Can'twejusttakehim out?"
"Withhim sti
llonourt
oeswecan't.I
'
m sureheis
sti
llt
ryingtogatheral
ltheevi
dencewedestroyed.
AndIam sur ehedoessuspectsomet hi
ngabout
Dumi sani.
"
Sthembisot
akesadeepbr
eat
htr
yingt
oadj
ustwhat
Khozaistel
li
nghi
m.
"
Whatnow?
"
"
Secur
eourf
ami
li
es,
not
hingel
se.
"
"
Shit!
"Shegrabshisphoneoutofhispocket
.One
missedcallf
rom Ndoni.Hefeel
shi
sheartal
most
j
umpi ngr
ightoutofhisthr
oat.
Hetri
escal
li
ngherbuti
t'
staki
nghi
m st
rai
ghtt
o
voi
cemail
.
"
Goddammi
t!Somet
hingi
snotr
ight
."
"
Thenet
wor
kther
eisbad.I
'
m sur
e…"
"Khoza!Iknowmywoman.Onyi ye-thatgi
rlmf
ethu.
Iknowhermor ethansheknowsherself
.Somethi
ng
i
snotr i
ght."Hest
art
sthecarbutitj
ams.Hestart
s
againbutthecarwon'
tstar
t.
“Let
’susemycar .
"Khozaoff
ers.Theybothstepout
ofthecar.Khozagaspsl
ooki
ngathi sl
eakingcar.
"
Fuc!NowIbel
ievet
heyhadt
hisal
lfi
gur
edout
."
"
Cal
lyourwoman,
Sbahl
e."
Khozawast
esnoti
me.Het r
ieshernumber
sbutit
keepsonmaki
ngdi
sconnectedbeepi
ngsounds.
"I
'
mi nrealshit.
"Shesquat
scoveringhi
sfacewith
hishands.Theysaymendon' tcr
y.Buthecannot,
hecanf eeli
tthathi
sNdoniisinfearwher
evershe
i
s.
Theyhaver
unoutofopt
ions.
"Thevan!"Hesaysst andingup.Aft
ert
hefundi
ng
beingrel
eased, Onyi
yeboughtasecondhand
vehicl
eforwor kpurposes.Avansheusesfor
deli
very-buttodayshedeci dedt
otakeherowncar
.
Heisonther oadfl
yinghopi
ngandpr ayi
ngthathe
fi
ndsherali
ve.Hisstomachisknots,
hei spressed
andwantstor el
ease.Fr
om t
ownt oBalli
toseems
l
ikei
t'
sjusttoofarandhecannotwaitanylonger .
Withhi
m notcari
ngaboutt hemudattheentrance,
hedri
vesri
ghtthroughitandthevangetsstuck.
Themorehetriesmovingthecarforwar
dthemor e
thewheel
sgodeeper ."
Shit!
"Hejumpsoffthecar.
"Thi
sisbad."Theywer
ejust15minut
esawayfr
om
thefar
m.Theyhavenootheropt
ionbutt
orun
dir
ectl
yther
e.
Hei
spant
ing,
sweat
ingandr
unni
ngoutofbr
eat
h.
From adist
ancehehear sagunshot.Hest ops
runni
ngandstopshi sbreat
hingtr
yingtoli
sten
caref
ull
y.Anothergunshoti
sbeingf i
red.
Scr
eams…
Scr
eams…
Scr
eams…
"
No, no,no.Khoza!"Herunsasf
astashecoul
d
wit
hhi sthi
nlegsleavi
ngKhozabehi
nd.
[
08/
18,
03:
44] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER46

ATTHEFARM

Meanwhi
leshei
sgr
oani
ngi
npai
n.
Youknowl eadst obodil
ychangest hatprepareus
tobemor eeffi
ci enti
ndanger :Thebrainbecomes
hyperaler
t,pupi l
sdil
ate,thebronchidil
ateand
breathi
ngaccel erat
es.Herhear tr
ateandbl ood
pressurei
sr i
sing.Bloodf l
owandst ream ofglucose
totheskelet
almuscl
esi
ncrease.Herearsare
blocked.Shecanseemovementsbutit
'sli
keshei
s
i
nherownwor ld.
Fi
rstasimpl ei
mpact,t
henawar ni
ngsti
ng,thenthe
growingacheasshebegi nlosi
ngblood.Thatis
howshef el
twhenthegunshotlandedonhert hi
gh.
Howt heymanagedt ospotherunderthat
wheelbarrow?Shealsodoesn'thaveanswersforit
.
Everythi
ngisbecomingfuzzy…
Theimmedi atefeeli
ngisnothing.Thener vesare
shutt
ingdowni nstantl
y.Eventhoughherhear ti
s
shatt
ered,ther
ewasnopai n.Slowlyherner ves
star
tedtowor kagain,andthent herewaspai n.She
groansholdingherachingthigh.Itlookedli
ke
hambur germeatori ssheexagger ati
ng?
Abri
ghtfi
gurei
nfr
ontofherbl
urr
yvi
sion.She
br
ief
lysmil
es.
"Babe,
"hervoi cei
sshall
ow.Shefeel
sbei
ngpi
cked
upandf l
oating.Hereyesbecomi
ngheavy,
darknesstakingover
.
ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Whenshewokeupaf t
ert
hesurger
y,t
her
ewasan
i
ntensepai
n.Thedoct
orasked…
"
Woul
dyoul
ikesomeDemer
ol?
"
"Yes, please."Hervoiceishusky.Shedoesn' teven
knowt hewhati saDemer ol.Howdoesi tf
eelto
sur viveit?Prettydamngood, consideri
ngthe
alternative.Sthembisoisher ebesideheral l
bloodi ed.Shel ooksathim andbr iefl
ysmiles.He
smi lesback…
"Youwer eluckythatthebulletwentstr
aight
throughthemeat ,sparingveinsandbonesand
everythi
ngelse.Yourwoundi scleanandtherei
sno
maj ordamaget hatwasdone.Thepai nwi l
leasei
n
fewdays. "Hesaysl ookingatthegunshotwound
onhei nnerthigh.
"
Whencanyoudi
schar
geher
?"St
hembi
soasks.
"
Tomor
row.
"
"
Can'
titbenow?
"
Thedoct
orl
ooksathi
m wi
thoutr
espondi
ng.
"
Please…"
"Thepoli
cewhereher
etot
akest
atement
."The
doctorr
epli
es.
"Tr
ustme.Thecopswi
llnothel
pusont
his.Al
lwe
needisourf
amil
y."
"
I'
m af
rai
dI…"
"Docpl
ease.Consi
derherasyouchi
ld.Sher
eal
l
y
needst
obei nthesaf
eplace.
"Headds.
Thedoct
orsi
ghsr
unni
ngoutofopt
ions.
"Youareputti
ngmeinareal
lyawkwardposi
tion
here.Icoul
devenl
oosemylicence.Whatwi
llIt
ell
thecops?"
"
Figuresomethi
ngoutman.Givemeyournumber
,
j
ustincaset
hewounddoesn'theal
."
Themaledoct
orpuncheshisnumberon
Sthembi
so'
sphone.SavedasDoct
orNxumal
o.
Sthembi
sohelpsOnyiyechangei
ntosomethi
ng
comfort
abl
e.Hehelpsheronawheelchai
rthen
wheel
sheroutoft
hehospi
tal
.
Hescoopsherupi nabr i
dalst
yleandhelpshert o
si
tcomf or
tablyinthebackseat.Khozaisalready
wait
ingforthem intheVan.Hehopsi nt
he
backseataswell si
tt
ingnexttoher.Shetakesa
deepbreathlookingoutsi
dethewi ndow.
“Wher
earethekids?”sheasks,st
illl
ookingoutside
thewi
ndow.Shecanhearhi mt hr
oughswal lowinga
hugechunkofsalvi
a.Heclearshisthroatandtakes
adeepbreat
h.
“Wit
hthenanny.
”Sheturnst
olookathi
m wi
tha
sl
ightf
rownonherface.
“
Ananny?
”
Shedoesnotr
ecal
lhi
ri
ngoneasf
arasshecan
remember
.
“
Yesl
ove,
ananny.Ihi
redhert
oday.
”
“Wi
thoutmyconsentSthembi
so!”Shehal
fscr
eams.
Helooksatherwi
thhiseyespoppedout.
“Nomatterhowangryyouar
ewithme,neverr
aise
yourt
inyvoiceatme.
”Hegrabsherbyneckand
forcef
ull
ykissesher.Hepullsbackandlooks
direct
lyi
ntohereyes.“I'
m sorr
yfornottell
ingyou.I
knowIsoundl ikeajerkri
ghtnow-butIdi dthi
sfor
you.Ihavenoticedhowyouusual l
ycomeback
ti
redfrom work.Youstil
lhavetocook,cleanand
takecareofthekidsandont opofthatcatchupon
schoolwork.”
Shelooksathi
m andsmi
les.Hesmi
lesbacki
n
rel
ief
.
“
Thankyou.Rightnow,Ij
ustneedt
osl
eepand
f
orgetaboutever
ythi
ng.
”
“Andyouwillmylove.Hegrabsherhandand
kissest
hebackofit.Theypassbytheshopsand
theybumpintoTazzlooki
nglikeamess.
“Tazz,whydoIhaveafeel
ingthatyouareignor
ing
us?”Tazzti
lt
shisheadandlooksattheguys.
Onyioyewasinthecarf
astasleep.Tazzl
ooks
around.
“
SomeoneshotThandeka.
”Hewhi
sper
s.
“
Huh?Yourboot
ycall
?”Theygetconfused.Last
t
imet
heycheckedTazzwasdeterminedtodate
Si
siphoOnyi
nye'
ssi
ster
.Whatchanged?
Tazzpul
lshi
m byhi
shandt
othevan.Theyal
lhop
i
n..
.
“WhatdoyoumeanThandekawasshot ?Ai
n’tyou
weredatingSi
sipho?
”Tazzasksl
ooki
ngathisface.
Tazzztakesadeepbreat
he.
“
Icutt
ieswi
thSi
siphobecausesomeguysar
eaf
ter
me.
”
“
What
?’
“
Whydi
dyounotcomet
ous?
”St
hembi
so.
“
BecauseIdi
dnotwantt
oputyourl
ivesi
ndanger
.”
“Tazz,
youdounder standthatwewer eallinthi
s.
Youdounder st
andthatwewer eal
ltogetherdoing
thi
sshit.Allofasuddenyoufacediffi
cult
iesand
youturnyourbackonus.Wear eal
sof acingshit
brabutwehaveeachot her
'sbackthrought hi
ck
andthin.”
“Iunderst
andthatSthembiso.Theyhavebeen
sendingmethreateni
ngmessages.Ihavetocut
communi cat
ionwithSisi
phobecauseIknewthat
sheisnotsafeandherl
ifei
sindanger.”Hetakesa
deepbreat
h.“Idi
dnotbreakupwithSisipho
becauseIwantedto,
Ihadnochoice.Ihadtosave
herli
fe.
"Helooksdowninshame.
“
Thi
sisonef
ckedupshi
t!
”
“Ibeli
evethatt
heyarealsofol
lowi
ngmewher everI
go,thatiswhytheyshotThandekathi
nkingi
twas
Sisipho.NowI'
m boundtostaywithThandekafor
l
ifesinceshetookabull
etthatwasnotmeantf or
her.Thedoctorsai
dshecannol ongerhavebabies.
Herwombwasdamaged.Idonotevenl ovethat
chick.”
Theatmospher
eisthi
ck.Theylookateachot
her
notknowi
ngwhattosayfurther
.
“It
hinksi
ncethecaseisli
kethis,
weshould
conti
nueli
ket
his.Letthem t
hinkthatwehavegone
oursepar
ateways.”Khozasuggest.
“
Ithi
nkthatwi
llbeagoodopt
ionunt
ilGodknows
when.
”
Theypr
omiseeachot
hert
obeintouchwit
hone
anot
her
.Tazzapol
ogi
zest
otheguysforgi
ving
t
hem acol
dshoul
der
.

Theyarri
veathome–Onyi yefindsthehelperin
bum short
s.Shecl ear
shert hroat;t
hehelperjumps
i
nfearandt urnstofacethem.Thei rmake-upison
poi
ntandhercl eavageisallout.Sthembisolooks
downembar rassedbutOnyi yekeepshersmi leon.
“I
sthisyourl
it
tl
esist
er?”sheasks.Hereyel
ashes
aref
lappingbackandfort
h.
“
No,
theowneroft
hehouse.
”St
hembi
sor
epl
ies.
“
Ow,
Hai
.”Shesoundsdi
sappoi
nted.
“Hai.Iwi
llbeinmyroom.”Sheleansagainst
Sthembisoforsuppor
t.Heheldherwaist
supporti
ngherastheytookbabystepstothe
bedroom.Hehelpshersitonthebedbutshe
noti
cesthatthebedcovershavebeenchanged.
“
Didyouchanget
hecover
s?”
“
Nobabe,
why?
”Het
akeshi
sbl
oodi
edT-
shi
rt
.
“I
twasnotli
kethistheti
mewelefti
nthemorni
ng.
Didyounott
ellyourgir
lf
ri
endt
hatmyroom i
soff
l
imi
ts?
”
“Yazbabe,Idi
dnotgett i
metot al
ktoher.ButIwi l
l
tel
lhernow.”Hechangeshist-shi
rts,ki
ssesher
cheekandmakesherl ieonthebed.Coversherwi th
ablanketandwalksouttofi
ndt hehelperonthe
couchwithherlegswideopen.Hecl ear
shisthroat
andlooksather.Shestandsupandsmi l
eswidely.
“
CanIgodi
shupf
oryou?
”
“
Ist
hishowyounor
mal
lywear
?”
Shel
ooksather
sel
f.“
Yes,
ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
”
“Yes,ther
eisapr oblem.Iam amanandmenget
seducedeasil
y.So, Iwouldr eall
ypreferyouto
dressinsomethingappr opriat
e.Itsonlymywoman
whoi sall
owedwi ththiskindofcl ot
hinginthi
s
house.Ifyouareunabl etoabi debyther ul
es–
unfort
unatel
yIwi llhavetoletyougo. ”
“
But
..
.”
“Nobut
s.I
t'
sei
therwer
especteachot
herorIl
et
yougo.
”
Shel
ooksathi
m wi
thal
ongf
ace.
“Ipr
eferi
fyouletmegosi
r.Icannotchangemy
senseofclot
hing.
”
“
Ver
ywel
lthen,
youmayl
eavemyhouse.
”

Hedroppedherof fatt
her ank,nowt hathethinks
aboutit–itwasver ywr ongofhimt otakesucha
hugestepwi t
houtconsul ti
ngOnyi nye.From now
onwardshewi llmakesur ethatheconsul tsherfi
rst
befor
emaki nganydeci sions.Thisthingalmost
backf
iredonhisf ace!
Ar
ri
vinghome,
hef
indshi
steam wi
deawake.
“
Baf
anabami
.”
Whent heireyesaregl
uedtopepperpig–you
cannotdisturbthem.Acal
lcomest hr
oughonhis
phonewi t
hanumberhedoesnotr ecogni
ze.He
swipestoanswer ..
.
“
Sthembi
so!
”Thati
shi
s,ot
herhur
ti
nghi
sear
drum.
“
Mah,
”
“
Zanel
egavebir
thandshepassedawaythi
s
morni
ng.Hermotherdoesnotwantt
odoanyt
hing
wi
tht
hebaby.Idon’
tknowwhatt
odoSt
hembi
so.
”
Whyi
sthi
swomanpancaki
ng.
“Ow,okay.Thei
tsf
inewewi
llt
akecar
eoft
he
babe.
”
“
Youdonotunderst
and.Ihat
eever
ythi
ngt
hathas
t
odowit
hDumi sani
!”
“Mah,whatdoyouwantmet odowi t
hanotherbabe
whenIhaveafullhouse.MaZet
’sbabecanli
vewith
youfort
hetimebeing.”
“Youwi l
lfindhiminthebi n!
”shedisconnectsthe
call
.Hesi ghs,putt
inghisphoneasi de.Hi
smot her
i
sr eal
lysomet hingelse.I
t'
sjusttheangerthatwas
i
nhert alki
ng.Shecannotdot hattohergrandchi
ld.
Hegl ancesatthewat chandnot i
cesthati tislate.
Heneedst obat hehiskidsandfeedt hem.Feedi ng
Ndimuhasal waysbeenast ruggle.Hecannotsi tt
il
l
l
ikeNgi muphiwe.Lookingathiski dsgiveshi m so
muchj oy.Hest i
llwantedtoaskMazetaboutt he
babyshegaveupandnevercar edt olookback.He
sti
llhasquesti
onsf orhereveninherdeat h.Hest i
ll
want stoknowwhyshegaveuphi sson, j
ustlike
thatwithoutcar e.Whydi dsheneverl ookf orhim
evenaf tereverythi
ng?Howwasshegoi ngt olove
thi
sonewhenhedi dn’tknowwher ehisfi
rstson
was?ShesawNgi muphi webutshepai dno
attenti
ont ohim andshedi dnotevencar e.Itwas
j
ustapi tythatshej ustdied.Goodr i
ddancet obad
rubbish.Hecl i
ckshi stonguer eal
izingthathehas
j
ustwast edhist i
mei nthinki
ngoverusel esst hi
ngs.
Hetakesthebabi
esoutoft
hebat ht
ub.I
fNdoniwas
towit
nessthi
sshewouldhavegivenherthe
scol
dingofhi
slif
ewhichhelovesverymuch.
Heleavest
hem ontopofthebedandheadst
othe
ki
tchentomakethem pur
it
yjui
ces.
Hescr ollsaroundt hehousejusttobesur et hat
everythingisonset .Thecamer asar ewor kingand
thealarm hasbeent urnedon.Hel ocksal ldoors
andt urnsof ft
helights.Hewhi st
lesgoi ngtot he
kid'
sbedr oom.Theyshar eonebedr oom for
securityreasons.Hef indsthem alreadywi ththei
r
eyeshal fopen.Ndi muphiwet hedevi lson,thedevil
advocat essonandt herei
sanangelsonwhi chis
Ngimuphi we.Thatlit
tl
echampnevercr iesunless
hehasar easonf orhisout
burst.Hiseyesbecome
tear
ynotbel i
evingthathei
saf ather.Hekisses
them andleavesthem tosl
eep.Rat herl
eavethe
l
ightonwitht hedooropen.
Hef
indsOnyi
yeawaket
ryi
ngt
ogetof
fthebed.
“
Whatdoyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ngMi
ssBl
acki
e.”
“Iwanttousethebathr
oom.”Hervoiceseemsti
red
andpained.Helooksatherf
ace,l
ist
eningtoher
groani
ng.
“Don'twor
ryIgotyou.
”Hescoopsherupli
kea
pieceofpapersendshert
othet
oil
et.Shepul
lsher
underweardoneandpees..
.
“
Canyougi
vemepr
ivacy?
”
“Whateveryouwanttodo.DoitInfr
ontofme.”He
l
eansagai nstt
hebathr
oom counter
,takesouthi
s
phoneandsecr et
lyt
akesavideoofherpooping.
Hesmi l
eslookingatherembar r
assed.Shewi pes
herbehi
nd,standsupandf l
ushesthetoi
letand
spri
nkl
esther efr
esheri
nt heair
.Shestri
psnaked
andli
mpst otheshower .Shetakesaquickshower .
Theyar
enowi
nbed.
..
“
Mum cal
led.
”
“
Issheokay?
”
“Apparent
lyMaZetgavebi
rt
handmymot herdoes
notwantanythi
ngtodowithDumisani’
schil
d.I
don’tknowwhattodo.Youshoul
dhavehear dhow
shewascussingandscreaminghurt
ingmy
eardrum.”
Shechucks.
“I
'
m suresheisst
il
lhur
tshewillcomearound.Let
herbondwit
hhim and.
..
”St
hembi so’
sphonerings.
Hepullsf
oritont
opofthedressingt
abl
e.
“
It
'smyf
ather
.”Heexhal
esl
oudl
yandanswer
s.
“
Baba,
”
“Yourmot heri
snotfeedi
ngt
hisbaby.Ithasbeen
cryingnon-st
op.Heisnowburning.Heevenhas
hiccups.Thisbabyi
sgoingt
odi e.
”Thepanicinhi
s
father'
svoicehascausedaminiheartat
tack.
“
CanIt
alkt
oher
.”
Shuf
fl
ing.
“
Yah,
”Okayt
hiswomani
snoti
nthesocol
dgood
mood.
“Mah,Iwillf
etchthechi
ldt
omorr
owmor ning.Can
youpleasejusttakecar
eofhimj
ustfort
hisnight?I
begyoui nthenameofJesusChri
st.Iwi
llevenbuy
youthoseGomaGomacouchesyouwer ecr yi
ng
about.Bytomorrowtheywil
lbei
nyourhouse.”
“Okay!Br
ingmygr andkids.Imi
ssthem.”Justl
ike
thatt
hephoneisbeingt ossedasi
de.Heshakeshis
headanddisconnectsthephoneandsighs..
.
“
WhathaveIdone?
”
“Youhadnochoice.Iwoul
dhavepr
obabl
ysonet
he
same.”Sheassur
eshim.
“Looksl
ikewecannotgetri
dofDumisaninomatt
er
howhardwet r
y.Looksli
kehewil
lkeephaunt
ingus
eveninuseveninhisdeat
h.”
“
Doi
tforyourni
ece.Thebabyi
snotatf
aul
ther
e.”
“
ButIf
eell
iket
hebur
deni
spi
li
nguponyouever
y
day.Wehavemorethanenoughki
dsandIdonot
wanttoaddanymor
et r
oubl
e.

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Shewascleari
nghi sdrawer
s.Sett
inguppapers
accordi
ngl
y.Nowt hatshestumbl
eduponan
i
ntervi
ewpaperforaPA.Sher eadthroughand
underst
oodeveryconceptofit
.
"APer sonalAssist
ant,orPersonalExecutive
Assistant,complet
esclericalt
asksf orsenior-
level
staf
fmember s.Theirmaindutiesinclude
answer i
ngemai l
sandphonecal ls,scheduli
ng
meet i
ngsandbooki ngt r
avelarrangement s."
Shewant st odoallofthiswit
houtbeingt old.
Atleastshenowhasacl earunderst
andi ngwi t
hher
j
obdescr ipti
on.Shefeelssati
sfi
ed,beingt rai
nedby
himi sadr ai
nhonestlybutshecannott ellhimthat
.
Insteadofherlearni
ngt heareal
waysouti nthe
officeonl
yGodknowsdoi ngwhat.
Hewal
ksi
nandl
ooksatt
hepaper
sont
oofhi
s
t
abl
e.
"
Wher
ear
emydocument
s?"Heasks.
"
Int
hef
ir
stdr
awersi
r.
"
Hef
orcespushesheragai
nstt
hewal
l.
Shegasps…
Hepr
esseshi
sli
psagai
nsther
smaki
nghert
omel
t.
Theirbodiespressedt ogetherheatedlyagai
nstthe
wall,br
eathingheavil
yast hei
rli
pspr essedtoget
her.
Shecoul dtastethei
rshar edbreath,feelt
hethudof
thei
rcombi nedhear t
beatast heyfumbl edtotake
offoneanot her'
sclothes.
"Whereelsedoyouwantt okissmelater
?"Heasks
i
nbetweent hekisses.She'spanti
ngunabl
eto
respond.Herhandsar ealloverhi
m.Sheunbuckles
hisbeltandzipshispantsdown.
It
'sl
ikeanyint
enseromanti
cmovi ewherethe
camerafocusesonacouplewhilestari
ngdeepint
o
eachother
'seyes,r
eal
izi
ngthatthey'
reinl
ove.A
dari
nggazepairedwit
hal i
nger
ingsmi l
e-doesthi
s
meanhe'
sreall
yint
oher
?Shepusheshi
m of
fher
andmakeshim si
tonhi
sof
fi
cechair
.
Whi l
esi t
tinginachai
r,t
heyarestr
addledfaceto
face.Shesi tsonhim wi
thherl
egsapar tt
oall
ow
penetrati
on.Hei sful
lyf
it
tedi
nsideofhermaking
hertot hrowherheadbackwards.
Heholdsherbackforsuppor
t.Hest
artbykissi
ng
heronthenapeandthenswaybackandf or
thto
i
ncreasethet
hrust
.
I
t’
sli
kedrivi
ngwit
hthewindowsdownandseat
warmerson.Buti
naverysexualway.Anda
t
housandt i
mesmorei
ntense.
Now,wi t
hor gasm bui
ldi
ngupwit
hever
ythr
ust,her
shakylegs,erectni
ppl
es,ati
ght
nessi
nandaround
yourvagina,
Euphor ia.Compl et
ejoyandpl easurebuildi
ngup
untilyour eachthemi nd-bl
owingreleaseof
endor phins.Clenchi
ngt oholdontothefeelingunti
l
shef inall
ygiveinandt henthebestf eel
inghits.He
holdsherwai tandpoundsherf asterandhar der
fr
om under neath.
"
Ow,
God!
"
Heisdri
ppingsweatcursi
ngandgri
ndinghisteet
h.
Hegivesherthel
asthardf
ult
hrustmakingherto
squeali
nhershakyvoice.
Hispeni
sbeginstoloseitserecti
on.Abouthalfof
theer
ecti
onislostimmediately,
andther estf
ades
soonaft
er.Muscletensi
onfades, andthenman
Geral
dfeelsr
elaxedordrowsy.
Theyl
ookateachot
herandl
et'
soutaenor
mous
l
augh.
[
08/
18,
03:
45] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER47

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Fi
veam ont
hedothewasalreadyont
her
oad.He
madei
tathomearoundsi
xthirt
yam.
Looki
ngathisbrot
her
'snewbornbabyhadhi
m
haveallsor
tsofemot
ions.Hel
ookssoti
nyand
f
ragi
le.Tear
sfi
llhi
seyes.
Yesheputhi mthr
oughhellgrowingup.Headmi t
s
thatDumisaniwasaself
ish,selfcentredbast
ed
whoonlythoughtabouthimself.Hewast ooself
ish
toevenseethewrongshepr olongedi nhi
slif
e.He
sighspi
ckingthei
nnocentbabyup.Hel ooksso
muchl i
kehisownespecial
lythelitt
leone.Orisi
t
becausetheysharet
hesamemot her.Si
ghs!
"Ithi
nkt hatbabehassomesor tofdemoni
c.Ididn'
t
sleepallnight!
"Hi
smot herhi
sseswithhereyes
halfclosed.
"
Wewilltakehim.Idon'
tknowhowwewi l
lcope
wit
hal
lthetroubl
esomewehaveinthathouse.
"
"
Ukupi
ti
leSt
hembi
soJi
yane?
"
"Ispendmostoftheonewi t
hthem t
ohel p.More
l
ikeI'm wi
ththem dur
ingt
hedayandl eaveatnight
whent heki
dsareasleep.
"Halft
rut
h,hisheart
screams.
"
DonotdosomethingIdi
dnott
eachyou.I
fyou
wantt
oleavei
nthesamehouseasherdori
ghtby
t
hefamil
y."
"Iknowmah.Wewi llbetr
avel
ingtoNigeri
amont
h
endf orNdoniandt
hekidsint
roduct
ion.
"
"
When?
"
"
Thi
smont
hend.
"
"Ineedtobuynewcl othes.Ican'tgol ooki
ngli
kea
GranbythatI'
m bei
ngsubj ectedto."Shesays.
Sthembisolooksathismot her.Hedi dn'tmenti
on
thatshewil
lbenotgoing.Doest hi
swomaneven
howhowexpensi veaf li
ghtis?HeIl ookingather
goingonandonandon, onhowshehast opresent
hersel
ftoherin-
laws.
Onyiye'
scal
lcomest hr
ough,
it'
ssavesthedayand
l
ist
eningtohi
smot her'
sendl
essli
st.She'
sver
y
anxi
ous-hethought…
"
Ndoni
."
"Isheokay?"Heshut shiseyesclosedandletthe
tearsfal
l.Af
tereveryt
hingshehasbeent hrough-
throughDumi sani
.Shestil
lhasthehearttoaskof
hisbabieswell-
being.
"
Hei
ssot
iny.
"Her
esponds.
"
Takeapi
ctur
e.Iwantt
oshowyoucr
azyson.
"
"
Haibabe,
Iwi
llbecomi
ngwi
tht
hebabynj
e."
"
Iknow.ButI
'
mjustexci
ted.Sendt
hepi
ctur
es.
"
Indeedhedidsendherthepi
ctur
es.Sothiswoman
didnotsl
eepatallaf
terhel
eft
.Shestayedawake,
waiti
ngforpi
ctur
es.Women!Weirdcreatur
es.
Thebabyhasnothingmuchbutj
ustclot
hingf
rom
thehospi
tal
.Tworompersbabybl
anketanda
for
mula.Howwillhedr
ivewit
hanewbor nbaby?
Healsodoesnotknow.
"
Youshoul
daskGezephit
ohel
pyouwi
tht
heki
ds.
"
"Who?Hel
lno!Hermotherisdefi
nitel
yawi t
ch.That
womanforcedZanel
edownmyt hroat.
"Hestil
l
hat
esherandhedoesn'tseehimselffor
givi
ngher.
Hi
smot
hercl
ear
shert
hroat
.
"Di
dshenoti
cetheyoungone?
"Sheasks.He
knowsexact
lywhathi
smothermeans.
"
No,
Idon'
tthi
nksheevenr
ecogni
sedhi
m."
Hi
smot
hernodsherhead.She'
slooki
ngathi
m
moreli
keshewant
stocoughsomet
hingoutofher
chest
.
"
What
?"
"
Iknowwhathappenedt
hatni
ght
."
Sthembisocoughsuncont rol
lably.Heputsthebaby
backont hecouchandr unstot hekit
chent odri
nk
water.Almostpeei
ngonhi msel f,hedoesn'
tknow
howt ofacehismother.Maybe, justmaybehei s
j
umpi ngint
oconclusi
ons.Heput sonast raight
face.Hewilldenyati
tsstrongestpeak.
Hef
indsherst
il
lseat
edi
nthesameposi
ti
on.
"Iwon'
ttal
kaboutitbutIj
ustwantedtoletyou
knowthatIknowson.Andt r
ustme, Ihol
dno
grudgeagai
nstthatyounggi
rl.Shedidaprett
y
goodjob.Dumisanihasputmet hr
oughhelland…"
"
Canwenottal
kabouthi
m.Cl
earl
yther
eisnot
hing
t
otal
kabout
.Doeshehaveabi
rt
hcerti
fi
cat
e?"
"
Not
hing.Notevenaname.
"
"Ndoniwil
ldothenaming.Wewi
llseewhatwecan
aboutthebir
thcer
ti
fi
cate.
"
Drivingbackhomewi thasleepingchil
dinthef r
ont
seat.Hehadt ocoverthewindowwi thhisblanket
preventingthesunf r
om burninghisskin.Helooks
superwei rd.Whydidhehavet olookli
kehisseed!
MaZeti sdef i
nit
elyworki
ngovert imeinhell
.She
willalwaysbeat horninhisli
fe.
"
Bloodyst
upi
ddeadmeat
!"Hecl
ickshi
stounge.
Arr
ivi
nghomehisf
indSbahl
e'
sAvanzapar
kedi
n
t
hedriveway.
"Khozaissti
ngyman."Hecl i
ckshistoungeagai n
andstepsoutofthecar.Hewal ksaroundittotake
babyout.Hegentlycar
rieshimt owardsthedoor.
Sbahleopensthedoorforhim andhel psi
n.
Onyi
yesmi
leswi
del
y.
"What
'shi
sname?
"That
'sal
lthi
swomancar
es
about
?
"
Hedoesn'
thaveone.
"
"Ow.
"Shespr
eadsherhandsandacceptt
hebaby.
Shel
ooksathi
sfaceandfrowns.
"
Whydoeshel
ooksl
ikeNgi
musomuch?
"
"
Thatwasmyf
ir
str
eact
ional
so.
"Hesi
tsnextt
oher
.
Shecont
inuesscanni
ngt
hebaby…
"
Sibaphi
we.
"
"
Whatthehel
list
hemeaningfori
t?"Sur
elyt
his
womanhasthemeanestnames.
"GodgavemeNdi muphiwe.Iwasal
lal
onewit
hhim.
ThenIwasgiftedwithNgi
muphiweandagai
n,Iwas
allal
oneunt
ilImetyou.Nowthatwearet
ogether
,
Sibaphi
we.Sibaphi
weuJehova."
"
Ow,
wow.
"Hei
sspeechl
ess.
"
Ilovei
t.
"

Hel ef
ttheladi
est otakecareofthehouse.Wi th
Sbahlearoundhet rustsherwaymor ebet tert
han
anyoneelse.Whatt hehellwashet hinkingbri
ngi
ng
someonef rom theoutside.Heshakeshi shead
grabbinghi
sf i
leandr eadsthrough.Hel ooks
aroundhisoffi
ceandsmi lesnotbeli
evingthatheis
here.Hemadei t.Khozat hough.Lookathi m
bl
ushi
ngoveranot
herman!
"
Whyt
hehel
l.
"
Hei
sdef
ini
tel
yst
rai
ght
!
Theal
arm beeps.Hel
ooksatt
hel
apt
opCCTV
scr
eencl
osely.
"Comei n.
"Whateveri
sknocki
ngi
sdi
stur
binghi
s
detect
ivemode.
"
Wehaveabr
eaki
nNduna.
"Oneoft
hesecur
it
ysay.
"Gat
herthet
eam andlet
'sgo.
"Hesaysstandingup.
Helooksathi
sloadedgun,put
shisbull
etproofon
andtuckshi
sgunbehind.Hestepsoutoftheoffi
ce
togojoi
nhishi
m.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

“Ar
eyougood?”TazzasksThandekawhol
ooks
pai
ned.Shesni
ff
sandburstsint
otear
s.
“
Tal
ktoment
okazi
.”Heswal
lowshar
d.
“Iwon'
tbeabletohavekidsinthefut
ure.Iam just
asgoodasuseless.Imaginehavi
ngever yt
hingin
l
ifebutf
ail
ingtohaveachi l
d.Myli
fewillneverbe
thesameagain.”Shesobsevenharder.
Hest andst herelooki
ngather .Hesighsin
annoyance.Asmuchasi thur
t,shehadt opush
herselfri
ghtdownhi sthr
ough–butont heot her
handi tworkedi nhisfavor.I
magineifSisiphowas
shotalongwi t
hthebaby.Nowt hat
,hewoul dhave
neverf or
givenhimsel f
.
“
Tazz!I
'
mtal
kingt
oyou.
”
“Huh,sorr
yyouweresaying?”Hecompl et
elyzoned
outwhileshewastal
king.Thathappensal otwhen
hismindandheartshutdown.Hej ustrandomly
thi
nksabouther,
hersmi l
e,l
aughandt hewayshe
tal
ked.Shehadadarkpastyes, butal
linallshe
wasagr eatwomantobear oundwi t
h.Easyt olove
andveryannoyi
nginsomeways.
“Ihavebeent
alki
ngal
lthi
swhi
leyouwer
ethi
nki
ng
onlyGodknowswhat!
”
“
Ijusthaveal
otonmymi
nd.
”Hel
ies.Yes,
hedoes
havesomei
ssuesathandbuti
tdoesnotaf
fecthi
m
i
nanyway.BecauseSisi
phoi
snotint
hepict
ure
wit
honeofhi
stroubl
es.
“Idonotunderst
andwhyyouarebei
ngsocold
towardsme,yetyouweret
heonewhoagreedtomy
proposalf
orustryi
ngt
hisdat
inggameagai
n.But
…”
“Canyouj ustshutupf orami nute!Yes, youpushed
yourselfdownmyt hroatandIdonotknowf orwhat
reason.Wasi ttospikeSisipho? ”Hehal fshout s
attr
act i
ngeyes.“ Yes,shei spregnantwi thyour
brother'schild,sowhat ?Ilovedt hatwoman
becauseshewasanat uralcrazy, funt obear ound
withanddef iantlynotanaggi ngt ype.Haveyou
everwonder edwhyshehasnotcont actedmeaf ter
thest untofyousendi ngherpi cturesofussl eeping
naked?Becausesheawomanwhochoosesher
fi
ghtwi sely.Shef i
ghtsherbat tl
ewi t
hdi gnity.
Unlikeyouwhoi sver ymuchdesper ate…youknow
what .I'
mt ir
ed. ”Hewal ksoutl eavi ngherl eavingher
astonished.Hehopsi nhi sTazzandr oughlycl oses
thedoor .
Meanwhi l
einsidethehospi
talThandekawas
star
ingintothi
nspace.Tazzandherneverhadt hat
real
lyromanticrel
ati
onshi
p.Itwasallaboutsexand
mor esex.Atthebackofherhead,shethoughtthat
theyweredef i
antl
ydati
ng.Looksli
keshehadher
hopeswr ong.
Tear
sbl i
ndhervi
sionasshesighsi
naheavyhear
t.
Shetakesadeepbr eat
hwit
hthepai
nsshoot
ing
pai
nsonherlowerabdomen.
Sheseesherbrot
herLungi
saniwit
hhi swife.The
smil
eonhisfacemadehersmi l
eforgett
ingthepain
shewasin.
“
Buti
.”Shet
riessi
tt
ingupst
rai
ghtbutf
li
nchesdue
t
othemassivepai
n.
“Sisi
,
”hesideshugher.Hetakesadeepbreat
hand
stepsbackshovi
nghishandsinhispocket
s.
“
So,
howar
eyou?
”heasks.
“
Idon’
tknow.Hur
t.
”Sheshr
ugshershoul
der
s.
“
Wast
hatTazzt
hatwaspassi
ngby?
”
“
Yes,
”
“Ithoughtyouguysbr
okeup.Wai
t,i
shenotdat
ing
Sisipho?”
“
Theybr
okeup.
”
Shedoesn’
tknowwher
ethisconver
sat
ioni
sgoi
ng
becausei
tisver
ymuchannoyi
ngher.
“Isee.
”Heclear
shisthroat
.Shelooksathersist
er-
i
n-lawwhoverymuchunbot heredtobehere.To
eventhinkt
hatsheusedtofightfort
hisgi
rland
todayshehassuddenlybecomeanenemy.
“Buti
,youcanl
eave.Yourwi
fedoesnotwantt
obe
here.
”
Lungisanit
urnst
olookathiswif
ewhohadan
att
it
udeeyebrowached.Shehuffsandtur
nst
o
l
eavebutLungisanipul
lsherbyhert-
shi
rt
.
“Iwil
lnottol
erat
eyourat t
it
udet owardsmysist
er.I
f
youhaveapr oblem wit
hitspiti
toutoryoucan
gladl
yleave,j
ustsoyouknow–onceyoul eave
neversetfootonmyf ather
'spremises.”
“
What
!”
“
YesLondeka.Iam def
ini
tel
ysi
ckandt
ir
edofyou!
”
Hehi
ssescl
icki
nghi
stongue.
“
Lungisani
.”Shecl
utchesontoherchest.Sheturns
t
olookatThandekawhowasl ooki
ngatthem.“ See
whatyouhavedone?Congrat
ulat
ionsforfinal
ly
makingmyhusbandt ur
nhisbackonme. ”
“Myauntdidsayt
hatyouarealunat
icbutIdi
dnot
bel
ieveher
.GuessIwasbli
ndedbybeautytoo
much.”
“Ow,
thi
sishowlowyouthi
nkofmer
ightbef
ore
youl
owclasssi
bli
ngs?
”
“
Londeka!
”Her
oar
s,maki
ngherst
art
led.
"I
t'
spoint
lessar
gui
ngwithyou.Idon'
tknowwhatt
o
dootheryouanymore.
"

MeanwhileTazzwasst i
llseatedinthepar ki
nglot
goingthr
oughhisgaller
y.Withaheavyhear t,he
l
ooksatSi si
pho'
spictur
esmi li
ng-hebacksl ap
makeup.Youknowwhent heysayper fect
moment sarethebestcaptured.Thatiswhathe
exactl
ydid.Hesmilesemot i
onall
yandst art
sthe
cardr
ivi
ngout.Inli
fe,
youlear
nt omakecompr
ises,
eveni
fit
'sthethought
estdeci
sionst
omakeforthe
oneyoulovetobesafe.
Neveri
nhiswil
destdreamshasheevert
hought
t
hathewouldletgoofsomeonehehasfeelf
ori
n
t
heshortper
iodspaceofti
me.
Heparksatt
hesideoftheroadwi
thhisheart
drummingwit
hnocomeback.Hegr absthebott
le
ofwat
erandstepsoutofthecarf
orsomef r
eshair
.

Hisbreathingacceler
at i
ngonanot herlevel.He
openst hecapandgul psdownt hespr ingwat erand
burpscal minghi
msel fdown.Forami nuteheasks
hi
msel fifwasallofthiswor t
hi t
?Hi mr unningaway
ontheunknown.Het akesadeepbr eathashe
l
eanedagai nsthiscar.I si
stool atetoturnback
andfightforwhatshis?Whati fshehasal r
eady
movedon?Hedoesn' twanttot hinkthewor st
.He
doesn'timaginehimsel fandThandekal eavingthei
t
l
ife!
SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Youknowt hepainofactingnor malaf

terbeing
bangedf r
om yourbossesof f
ice.I
twast hebit
ter
sweetmomentt hatl
astedf oracoupleofmi nutes.
Shelaterhadtoputast raightfaceonandcont inue
withherwor kl
iketheydidn'tdoanythingyesterday.
Sighs!
Againtodayshehadtopr
etendli
kenothing
happenedbutdeepdownshe'shurt
.Isshecatchi
ng
feel
ingssoearl
yint
hesexualmoment s.Cl
ear
lythi
s
manknowshi sAgame.
"Seemsl i
keyouhavealotonyourmind."Hel
eans
againsthercubi
cle.Shebur
iedherheadevendeep
i
nwor k.
"
I'
mjustbusy.
"
"I
fIknewbetterIwoul
dsayyouareavoidi
ngme."
Hewalksaroundthetabl
eandsi
tsonit.Hepul
ls
herchi
nupf orhert
oseehim.
"
Wear
eatwor
k."Sheshyl
ysays.
"
Iknow.
"
"Weren'
tyoutheonewhorequest
edforustobe
prof
essional
?Idon'
twantanytr
oubl
esGerald.
"
"Myfatherwi
llbecomingl
ateron.Justwantedto
giveyouheadsup."Heget
sof ft
hetableandkisses
hercheek.
Shelooksathi
m asshedisappearedoutofsi
ght.
Herfaceimmediat
elyf
lusheslooki
ngathiswell
bui
ltbody.Onedoesonemai nt
ainthei
rbodyi
nthis
manner?
Agai
n…wai
t…di
dhej
ustsay?Owhel
lno!
Shedr
opsherheadont
het
abl
eandscr
eamswi
thi
n
her
.
[
08/
18,
03:
45] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER48

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Si
sisphol
ooki
ngatGer
aldsmot
herast
oni
shi
ngl
y.
Thiswomandr opseverythi
nglikei
tisnobodies
business.Shehadtobefullhandson–j ustt
o
preventmorebreakage.
“Themeati sfi
nenow.Youcant akeitout.
”She
speaks.WithoutwasteSisiphotakesoutthemeat
from t
heovenandpl acest hetr
ayont hesink.She
l
ooksatt hewell-
madet endermeat .Herheart
pumpsi njoylooki
ngatt hejui
cesont heside.
“
Wow,
Iact
ual
lymadei
t!
”
Preci
ousstandsupfrom t
hechai
randcomesstand
nextt
oher.Shelooksatthemeatandsmi
les.
“Youdidagr eatj
ob.Ididn’tt
rustyou.”She
confesses.Sheisnotoffendedatall.Shedoes
knowt hatsheisnevergoodi nthedepartmentof
cooking.
“Al
lthankst
oyouf
ort
ell
ingmewhatt
odo.
”She
speaks.
Sheisnor
mal l
yusedtosi
mpl
edishesandri
ght
nowsheislookingatt
hef
oodshehasnevereat
en
bef
ore.
Thiscl
assi
clasagnaismadewi t
haneasymeat
sauceasthebase–t hatshepai
dalotatt
enti
onto.
Layert
hesaucewi t
hnoodlesandcheese,
thenbake
unti
lbubbl
y!
“Thisisgreatforfeedi
ngabi gfamil
y,andf
reezes
well,t
oo.It'
sagr eatwaytof eedt
hecrowdanda
perfectdi
sht obringtoapotluck.
”Thewomansays
sli
cingitperf
ectlyinsli
ces.Theartofmodi
fyi
ng.
"Thefoodlooksscrumptious."Shewantstocryso
bad.Neverinherwildestdreamshadsheever
thoughtthatshewouldeverseet hi
skindoffood
withhertwonakedeyes.Thewomanj ustsimples
asshecont i
nuestosetthet abl
ewithherhel
p–
OfCourse.
“Canyoubri
ngt hewineglassesaswellasthered
wine.
”Shetri
esgr abbi
ngthet r
aywhichalmost
sli
psoutofherhandsbutl ucki
ly,
sheisther
e.
Imagi
neallofthismeatgoingtowaste!
“Youcantakeaseat;Iwilldoeveryt
hing.Youneed
torest.
”Sheli
ghtl
ygrabsherhandandmakesher
sitdown.Sheisafr
aidthatalloft
hisfoodwillgot
o
wast
e.
Shetri
esput t
ingeveryt
hingaccor
dingl
y–atleast
herset
tinglooksable.Akissonherneckst
artl
es
her,
maki ngherjump.
“
Ger
ld,
youscar
edme.
”
“Youarealwaysjumpy.”Hesmi lesrubbinghis
boneronherbut t
.Hebreathesdownherneckf rom
behind.Shecurvesherneckclosinghereyes.Her
heartdrumsrapidl
yinexcit
ement .Thi
smanr i
ght
herereall
yknowshowt omakeherhear tpumpi n
j
oy.Heal waysknowswhi chbuttonstopr esst
o
makemycl i
tvi
brateati
tslowest.
Hespanksherbut
tandgr
abshercookerj
ar
seduct
ivel
y.
“
G…”
“Hmmm, ”hishandst rai
lstoherfi
rmtenderbreasts.
“Wewi l
lbooklateron.Idon’twantyouscreaming
mynameal lni
ght.”Heletsgoofherandinnocent l
y
standsbackwi t
hhi shandsinhispocket
.Shet akes
adeepbr eathandcalmsher sel
fdown.
Shewalkspasthim wi
thoutt
akingaglar
eathim.
Herhearti
sheavy,cat
chingf
eelingswasnotoneof
thet
hingsshedidn'
twanttolookforwar
dtoit
.

Thisf
ami l
yisl
ovi
ngandver
yrespect
fult
owar
ds
eachother.
Theirloveisaki ndofphi li
aper t
ainingt othel ove
betweenpar entsandt hei
rchi l
dr en.Shehear dt hat
therearet winsaswel lthatcomer i
ghtaf terGear ld.
Thiswomanl ovesherhusbandandhersonl i
ke
thereisnot omor r
ow.Thehusbandi svery
i
nt i
midatingandhar dl
ysmi les–butwheni tcomes
tohiswi f
e, hesmi lesagenui nesmi leli
ket herei s
not omorrow.Thewar mt hint hisfami lyhasher
headf i
ll
edwi thl oveandhappi nesswi t
hherunbor n
baby.Shecar essesherst omachwi thoutt hem
notici
ng.Ger ladt i
lt
shi sheadandt urnst ol ookat
her.Hesneakshi shandunder neatht hetabl eand
alsocaressesi t.Shesmi lesshyl yandf ocuseson
herplate.Hi shanddr opsont ohert highsbutshe
pressesthem t oget herbecausesheknowswhathe
i
saboutt odonext .
“
So,
wheni
syourbabydue?
”
Pr
eci
ousasks.
“I
nmont hs'time.Thestupi
ddoctorcouldn’
ttel
lthe
gender
.”Ger aldanswer
sf i
rst
.Hi
smot herlooksat
hi
m withhiseyebr owsached.Si
siphojustsi
tsther
e
uncomfortably…
“Wherear
eyouf
rom?”Hi
sfatherasks,
looki
ngat
Sisi
phowhowasfi
xedonherplat
e.Sheswallows
al
mostchoki
ng.
“
Aroundsir
,justout
sidet
owni
napl
acecal
led
Mlal
azi
.”
Henodshi
shead.
“Whatist
hedril
lbetweenyouandmyson?Last
ti
mehewasi nar el
ati
onshi
phisheartgotcr
ushed.
So,asaconcernedparent–whatareyour
i
ntent
ionswit
hmyson? ”
“
Myintensi
ons?”Sheisconfused.Sheisjusther
e
f
orsafet
yreasons,wellt
hatiswhatshethought
whenshewasbr oughthere.
“
Dad…”
“
I'
m aski
ng.I
sthebabyevenyour
s?”Thi
smeans
t
rul
ywassentheretogr
il
lher
.
“Si
r,j
ustt
hehonestt
rut
h…”Ger
aldcutshershor
t
bef
oreshecoul
devensayanyt
hing.
“Dad, Siphoi smyguestandyouar emaki ngher
uncomf ortabl
e, t
oansweryourquest i
on.Meand
Siphoar et ogetherandi tj
uststarted.Wear egetting
toknoweachot herbet t
erbeforewemaket hi
ngs
officials.Yes, t
hebabyi sminebi ologi
callyandt he
fatheri sgoodasdeadbecausehei smar ri
ed.She
gavehermoneyt oabor tbutshedi dnotbecause
shei snotanani mal .Herlivi
ngher ewasmyi dea
becauset herewasabr eak-i
n,inherhome.Her
mot heri ssi ckinhospi tal,
shehashadast rokeand
atthemomenti t'sjustuspr ayingthatshecomes
outal ivef rom thehospi tal
.So, forhersaf etyand
thehumanbei ngshei scarryi
ngIdeci dedforhert o
beundermysuper visionunt i
lhermot hercomes
backhome.Butshewi llgohomef rom timet ot i
me
tocl ean. ”
Het
akesadeepbr
eat
hleavi
ngSi
siphoast
oni
shed.
Sisi
phoclear
shert
hroatnotknowi
nghowt
o
respond.
“MaHerryHer
ry,t
hatismyson!Everhadofaproud
mother
.EveGhostcanvouchf orme.”Shepi
nches
Lucas’
scheeks,makinghi
m smile.Hesl
apsher
handandsmileslooki
ngattheother.
“
Awumadoda,
ngaqomami
nal
ana.
”
Si
sipho,
cannotcont
ainherl
augh.Shel
aughsout
l
oudandGerldjoi
nsin.
“
Yourf
ami
lyi
ssomet
hingel
se.
”
Shesaysadmi t
ti
ngtothecrazi
ness.Shezonesout
forasecondandthinksaboutwhatGeral
dsaidto
hisfat
her.Maybethi
sisoneofthestuntsforhi
mto
getint
oherpants.

Shereall
yhadagreatdinnerwithhisfamil
y.The
motherissomet
hingelse.Alloverthepl
aceand
def
iantl
ynothar
dt olove.Thatiswhyherhusband
j
ustmeltsimmediatel
ywhenevershet easeshim.
Thi
sisthetypeofhappinessandl oveshewishes
tohaveforherchil
d.ShestepsoutofGeral
d
showerandwr apshersel
fwithatowel
.Imagine
bei
ngsocl osewit
hyourfuckbuddy.
“
Areyouokay?
”Heasks,
sit
edont
hebedwi
tht
he
l
apt
oponhim.
“Yeah,
I'
mfine.Justt
ir
ed.
”Shedr i
esherbody.She
pull
sherni
ghtgownfrom herbag.
Shegetsont
opofthebedandf acest
heotherway.
Whyisshesuddenl
yemotional
?Geral
dplaceshis
l
aptopasi
deandsli
desbesideherhol
dingherwai
st
fr
om behi
nd.
“
What
'swr
ong?
”Heasks.
“
Dower
eal
lyhavet
opr
etendt
obeacoupl
e?”
Het
urnsherar
oundandmakesherf
acehi
m.
“Usleavinginoneroom indef
ini
tel
yapret
enseand
I'
m sorryforputt
ingi
tinameanway.Butf orus
beinginar el
ati
onshi
p,yes,weareinonebutst
il
l
getti
ngtoknoweachot her.”
“
But
…”
“
IknowIdi
dnotsayanyt
hingt
oyouandyou
thoughtt
hatIam l
eadi
ngyouonbutyeah,
wewi
l
l
seewherethi
sshitl
eavesus.
”
“Shi
t,yousay?
”shechucksl
ooki
ngdi
rect
lyi
nhi
s
eyes.
Hel
aughsandper
ksonherl
i
ps.
“Onlytimewill
;tel
lifwearecompati
blewit
heach
other.Butsofar,I
'm enj
oyi
nghavi
ngyouar ound
andhavi ngyouinmyar ms.Idon’
twanttolieand
sayI'mi nl
ovewi t
hyoubutIcandefiant
lysayIli
ke
you.”
“
Youar
ebr
utalwi
thhonest
y.”
Helaughsatherst
atement
.Hef
li
pshi
msel
fover
get
ti
ngont opofher
.
“Honest
yismebabygi
rl
.Iam t
ranspar
entasanew
born.
”
Wellt
hatshehasnot i
ced.Thi
smanisbrut
alwhen
i
tcomest ohonest
y.Het el
lst
het
rut
hthatwayiti
s
nomatterhowpainfuli
tis.
“
Now,st
opt
hinki
ngdeeplyaboutt
hisandall
owus
t
oenj
oywhatwehavestart
ed.AndIdotmindyou
showcasingmeasthemaninyourl
if
e.”Hewi
ggl
es
hiseyebr
owssti
llont
opofher
.
“
Evenatwor
k?”
“
Hel
lyes!
”
That’
sitshehasconcl
udedt
hatt
hismani
s
defi
antl
yanutcase.

ATTHERANK

Ayoungmanget sof ft
het axi.Hest r
etcheshi mself
andtakesadeepbr eat
hinhalinghi sbirt
hsoi l.I
thas
al
sobeenar ef
reshingandcal mingstatetobeback
home.Swazi l
andisf ar
,andt hehour sofbei ng
squashedinbetweenpeopl eint hetaxifor5hr11
minutes!Yeshecount edbecausehecoul dn'tspend
anotherminuteinthatcar!Hesmi l
eslooki ngathis
ti
nyhomet own.
It'
sanawesomefeel
ing.Itst
ri
kestheexcitement
chordsinbr
ain-i
tmaybet heheart,
heisnotsure.
Ittr
igger
sacount
downi nbiol
ogi
calclocks.
Thisiswher ehisbl oodbelongs.Hetakeshi sphone
outandl ooksatt hetime.Hei ssotemper edt ocall
hisbelovedmot herbuthedoesn' twantt orunt he
suprise.Joi
nsal ongt heroadheadingstraightt oa
Van-Shi nashi
na.Thesecar saresomet hingel se.
Can'thishomet ownupgr adef oronce.Nott hathe
hasshamewi thhi srural
,loxt
ionhometown, but
somechangewi l
ldo.
Allpassenger
sareatt
hebackoft
heShi
nashi
na,
faci
ngeachot her
.
"
Enomaqoni
."
Hetell
sthedooroper
ator
.That
'swhatt
heyar
e
cal
led,r
ight
?
Thevanst
ops,hehastosqueezehisfeeti
n-
bet
weeninor
derforhi
mt ohimfinal
lyjumpout
.
Hetakesadeepbreat
h,hangshi
sbadoverhi
s
shoul
derandtakest
hewayhome.

Looki
ngaroundtheyard-sti
llcl
eanasthewayhi
s
motherl
ovesit
.Shinywindows,redst
oopandwhit
e
cur
tai
ns.
Hel oveshishome, aft
erallwhodon't
?Homei sthe
knownheavenofhappi nessdownher eoneart
h.He
cangoal i
tt
lefut
thertoaddabol dsci
enti
fict
heory
ont hi
s,'
homeal onecanof feraper
sonhighest
stabil
it
yinlif
e,asithasleastfr
eeenergythanother
places.'
Wierdlyscient
if
ic…hechucksthi
nkingto
himself.
Heknocksatthedoor-hi
smot heropens.She
gaspsdroppi
ngtheremoteasitdropsi
ntopieces.
Shecovershermouthinshockandpullsherson
i
ntoatighthug.
"
Smanga!
"
Hismotheri
snotbeli
evi
ng.Her
etur
nst
hehug.The
smell
ofhismother
'sper
fume;
Theysay,f
lowersint
hefi
eldbowthei
rbloomswi t
h
aweinthepresenceofamother
.Sheisnatur
e's
bl
essi
ngtoall.
Shepul
lsbackandsmi
lesl
ooki
ngathi
mfr
om head
tot
oes.
"Youlookski
nny.Cl
ear
lyt
hisgi
rlwasn'
tcooki
ngf
or
you.Lindi
we…"
I
fhedoesn'
tst
ophi
smot
hernow,
hewi
llneverher
e
t
heendofthi
s.
"
I'
m st
art
ing,
whatdi
dyoucook?
"
Hechangest
hesubj
ect
…
"Amatabungawithroastedchicken.
"Sheresponds
pull
ingthebagoffhisshoulders.Hecookedhis
favouri
temealofal
l t
imes!
"
Wow,
myf
avour
it
e."Hesi
tsdown.
"Imissedyou,soIdeci dedt ospoilmyselfwithmy
son'sdish.Theprodicalsonwhodi dn'
ttellmethat
heiscomi ngover.Howpat heti
cofyou. "Helaughs.
Hewat cheshismot herasshedi sappearedoutof
sightwithhisbag.Hei sreall
yexhaust ed…Hisbutt
i
snumb.
Minutesl
aterhismothercomesbackwit
hatray
f
il
ledwithhisfavour
it
earomingdi
sh.Exi
tment
wri
ttenal
lover.
Wi
thoutevenwashi
nghi
shands.Hedi
gsi
nand
wi
thinminuteshei
sdone.Hehasn'
teatenhi
s
mother
'sfoodinal
mostayear
.Don'
tblamehim.
"
CanIgolaydownabit
.Iam notf
eel
ingwel
l
.In-
f
actI
'
mt i
red,
Swazi
landisf
ar.
"
"
Youcant
akeabat
handsl
eep.I
'
llcl
eanupher
e."
Whatwi
llherdowi
thouthi
smot
her
?
Hetakeshisskinnyassont heoutsidebedroom.It
's
notl
ocked,whichmeanshi smot herwasher e.He
smil
eslookingattheneatl
ymadebed.I fheneeds
bet
terhewoul dhavesaidsheknewhewascomi ng
home,sinceheisonamont sleave.
Hel ooksont hedressingtabl
eandhi ssmile
dissolveslooki
ngathi sfr
amedpi ct
urewithLindiwe
wear i
ngschooluni f
orms.Theirlovewasf i
reuntil
herdeci dedtobeaar seandbr eakherheartforhi
s
selfi
shr easonsi
nsteadofbeinanopenbookwi t
h
her.
Anoteont
hetable,
thi
snot
ehewr
otebef
ore
l
eavi
ngtoSwazi
land.
'
I
'm sor
ryIcoul
dn'
tbeasi
nspi
ri
ngf
oryou.It
ri
edt
o
keepyougoi ngwhenyouwer edownandconf used
i
nl i
fe,andI'
m sorr
yIcouldn'
t.ButIpromi
seto
alwaysbet her
eforyou.Thatsucksforme,butI
'l
l
takeitanyway.'
Whyisthi
snot
est
il
lher
e.Hi
m al
so,
hedoesn'
t
know.
Maybetaki
ngabat
hlat
eronwil
ldo.Hethr
owshis
heavi
ngboyonhi
sbed,cl
oseshi
sheavyeyes…

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

AftermonthsofSizweDazel
a'
sburi
al.I
tistoday
thatshegetstoseewherehewaslai
dtor est
.
Lookingathistombst
onefeel
sli
keadream.
Shehasar
edr
osei
nherhand…
"Iwil
lgi
veyouspace."Thati
sMelusit
urningt
o
l
eavegivingherspacetotal
kthemanheonce
dated.Amant hatshel
ovedandsti
lll
oves.
"Tr
adit
ional
ly,
youknowthatI
'
m yourwif
e,ri
ght
?"
Shetakesdeepbreat
htr
yingt
obestrong.
"Thedayst hatfollowed, yourdeat hwasbot hutter
ly
fullandcompl etelyempt y…f ullofact i
vityyetempt y
ofl i
fe.Muchoft het imeIsleepwal kedt hrought he
thingsIhadt odo, sonumbt hatIwasof t
en
compl et
el yunawar eofwhatwasgoi ngonar ound
me.If el
tl i
kePi nocchi omusthavef eltinsideofthe
whal e…cutof ffrom everythingt hatIt houghtwas
myl i
fe.Thenaneventoraf ewspokenwor dswoul d
bringmeoutofmydar kness, onlytof indmysel f
standi ngal oneandconf usedonsomest rangeand
unf ami l
iarshor e,fulloffeel
ingsandmemor i
es,but
alsof eelingut t
er l
ylost."
Af
ewyear
sdr
opf
rom oneaf
teranot
her
.
"Youmademef allinl
ovewi t
hyou,onlyforyout o
l
eavemei nthisvein.Yout ookapieceoutofmy
heartthatnevercanbeputback.Tomakemat t
ers
worse-youar eshovi ngmebackt otheper sonwho
tookyourl i
fewithinspli
tsseconds.Thesame
personthatmademesi nkintoawhol e.Sizwe,do
youhaveanyi deahowmuchyout ookf r
om me?I
don'tevenknowwhatt osay.ButIjustwantt olet
younowt hatourchi l
dwillknowaboutyou.Hewi ll
nowwher eweburi
edyouandhowmuchyouwer e
l
ookingforwar
dtoholdhim orheri
nyourarms.You
aregonefrom mysi
ght,
butneverfrom myheart
.
ButIguessyouknowwhat '
sbestforme.Iwil
l
al
waysloveyou."
Shedropstheroseshehadi nherhands,t
akesa
deepbreat
handl ooksathisgr
avewithoutsayi
nga
word.Sheall
owst hetear
stofal
l.Shesmiles
l
ookingup…
"Ti
llwemeetagai n.I
'm goi
nghomef orsomef resh
air
.Iwillvi
sityouwhenIcomeback. "Sheturnsto
l
eave.It'
sli
keshei sleavi
nganotherpar
tofher
behind.She'snoteventwentyoneandalreadyher
l
ifehasbeendr amaoneaftert
heother.
Shehopsi
nthecar
…fr
ontseatandbuckl
esup.
"
Yougood?Mel
usiasks.
"
Yea,
"shesmil
esbr
ief
lyandt
urnst
olookout
side
t
hewindow…
Hewassomeonewhor
eal
lyl
ovedl
if
e.
Hewassomeonewhowassoj
usti
nthemoment
.If
hehear
dagoodsong,
nomatt
erwher
ehewas,
he
wasgoi
ngt
ojumpupanddance…
"
Doyouneedanythingt
oeat?"Heaskscut
ti
ngher
t
hinki
ngsessi
on.Suchacar
ingbrot
her!
"MacDonal
d's.
"Ithasbeenherf
avour
it
elat
ely.That
doubl
echeeselargerbur
ger.

Melusii
sdri
vingherdown-t
oherhometown.She
j
ustwantedtobeawayf r
om Mpi
loandt
hebusy
st
reetsofDur
ban.
"
Cal
lmei
fyouneedanyt
hing.
"
Hegi
veshert
hatsympat
het
icl
ook.
"Iwi
ll
,Ipr
omise.
"Shesmi l
estr
yingt
ohideher
emoti
ons.Shewil
lneverbethesameagain.
Absol
utel
ynothi
ngwillmakeherhealandfor
get
.
Avoi
dwhi
chcan'
tbef
il
led,
nomat
terhowhar
dshe
t
ri
es.
[
08/
18,
03:
45] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER49
ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Havi nganewbor nbabyi nthehousei s

over whel
mi ngandexhaust ing.Toadj ustt
oanew
l
ife.Sheist ryi
ngt oaccommodat ehim and
somehow, shebel ievesthatitisjusttoomuchf or
her .Shei
sl ookingathi m sleepingpeacefull
yinhi
s
arms.Hel ookssomuchNgi muwhenhi smother
l
ef thiminherar msandneverl ookedback.That
womani ssomet hingelse.Shesmi les…
“
Isheasl
eep?
”
Sthembisohasbeenofgr eathelpfort
hepast
coupleofdays.Heleaveslat
ef orworkandcomes
backhomeear ly.
“
Yeah,
heeat
sal
ot.
”
“
Likewho?
”Sheasks.
“
Likesomebl
ackbi
mboIknow.
”
Shelooksathim and–shehasnocomebackf or
thi
s.Shelooksathim andsmi
les.Shewi
lldef
inabl
y
gethi
mfort
his.
“
OkaySt
hembisoJiyane.”Shepl
acesthebabyon
t
hebedandcover
shi m wit
hhisbl
anket.
Shesl owlyst ands, thepainsar esti
llt
herebutthe
woundi sslowl yclosingup.Sbahl ecomesf rom
ti
met otimet oassi standshemustsay-hehas
beenofgr eathelpt hroughout .Herparentsheari
ng
thatshewasshot ,itwashel lofadi st
ract
ion.Her
fatherwant edt oturnt hewhol eofDur banupside
downbutSt hembisoassur edhi mthathehad
ever yt
hingel seundercont rol .Thehousei sclean
whi chmeansSbahl ehasl ef t.Shewant stomake
breakfastandsur prisi
nglyt hisstupidmani sinthe
kit
chen…
“
Whatar
eyoumaki
ng?
”
“
Eggswi
tht
oast
edbr
ead.
”
Whoeat
sthatki
ndofbr
eakf
ast
?Shesi
ghsl
ooki
ng
athi
m…
“
Youcangosi
t.I
'
llcomedi
shf
oryou.
”
Shet
urnst
oleavehi
mtocont
inuebur
ningt
he
ki
tchen.Shel
impst
owar
dst
hedi
nni
ng.
..

Breakf
astisnotasbadasshet hought.I
tisvery
eatabl
e.Shelooksatherhappykidssmearingthei
r
faceswit
heggs.Howdoesshemanaget oholdup
abighouseholdlikethi
satherage?Apartofher
hasalotofquestions.Howandwhendi dshe
becomet hi
smat ureatthi
sage?Heragemat esare
outandabouthavi ngti
meoftheirl
iveswhil
esheis
here.
Spendingti
metogetherasaf amil
ycreat
esasense
ofbelongi
ng.Chi
ldr
enar elessl
ikel
ytogolookf
or
thatf
eeli
ngsomewher eelseift
heycanfindi
tat
home.
Youneverknowwhenafami
lymembercoul
dbe
takenawayfr
om you.
Shebelievesthatnobodyisperf
ect.Everybodyhas
fl
owninchar acter
.Hermot hermademany
questi
onablechoicesasshewasgr owingup,some
ofwhichputheri ndanger.Shehadahar dtime
for
givi
ngt hat
,andsomet i
messt i
llf
eelsreall
yupset
whenevershethi
nksaboutit
.Butshegotthr
oughit
andgotoverit
.Maybeit'
sti
meshef i
nall
ymovedon
andburywhateverhat
chetshehadwithhermother
.
“Ithinki
t'
sti
meIforgi
vethatwomanforhur
ti
ngme.
IthinkIam r
eadytowalkpastt
hatst
ageandbe
free.”
St
hembisost
opschewi
ng,
hewi peshi
smout
hwi
th
anapki
nandgul
psdownhisbeer.
“
Asi
nfor
giveher
?”
“Yes,Imeant
hepastcannotbechangedbutcan
defi
antl
ymakethemostofthefut
ure.
”
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngdown?
”
“
Thi
sweekend.
”
“Iam pr
oudofyoumnyamana. ”Theycont
inue
eati
ngoverl
ightconver
sat
ions.

Sheiswrit
ingherassessmentsonl
ineanddamn
ever
ythi
ngisjustahardrock.
Agr
icul
tur
eisver
ysci
ent
if
icandwel
l
,di
ff
icul
t.
Enter
ingt hi
sphaseshethoughtthatmaybe–j ust
maybeshewi l
lbeai
mingitli
keshedi dinhigh
school.Butguesswhat?Babygirlwaswr ong.She
thi
nksitisnowt i
mesheat t
endclasses.Hermi nd
wil
lexplode.Shewil
lhavetotal
kt oSthembiso
aboutthis.Noway,t
hatshecouldhaveamoni ed
babydaddyandshehast osuff
erinthismanner .
Herphonebeeps.Maybet
hiswi
llexi
therbecause
damn!
“
Ithi
nkI
'
mfal
li
ngf
orhi
m.”
ThatisSisi
pho.Shelaughsabi tshaki
ngherhead.
Shetoldhernottocatchfeel
ingsbutthegi
rldoes
notl
isten.Shedi
alshernumber sandshepicksup
i
nthef ir
stri
ng…
“
Pleasedon’
tjudgeme.
”
“Ay,Iam j
udgi
ngyou.Onet
askItel
lyout
odoand
alr
eadyyouhavefal
lenf
orhi
m.”Shesayslaughi
ng.
“
Youdonotunder
stand.
”
“
Thenmakemeunder
stand.Whyar
eyoucat
chi
ng
f
eel
ings?
”
“
Hegivesmefood,
clot
hesandwhat
everIneed.I
s
t
hatnormal
?”
“Youarenottell
ingmethewhol
estory.
”Sheis
beginni
ngtobei mpat
ient
.Whyi
sthisgirlgoi
ng
aroundinci
rcles?
“Heiskind,amiable,andspeakswi thoutr udeness.
Helist
enst omyr antingandi nsecurit
iest henl ater
makesf unofthem.Heneverj udgedmeonmypast .
Amanwhoi sal
wayst heretof i
xmycr avingf ora
chil
dthatisnotevenhi s.Thebedsessi onsar e
alwaysthebest.Thisguyi sgoodandt hati swhyI
keepfall
ingdeeperf orhim.Hei scompar at
ively
gentl
ewi thme.Yest erdayhet oldhisfat herthatwe
areanitem –atfirst,Ididnotbel i
evehi m butwhen
Iaskedhimt oconf i
rm heassur edmet hatyes,
i
ndeedwear eacoupl e.Hedoesnotwantt ol i
eand
sayhelovesmebuthei sint
omebecausehel ikes
me.”
“Itsur
esoundsalotlikel
ovetome.Topr ovi
defor
theneedsofthebelovedisacent
ralconcerntothe
onedoingthelovi
ng.Hopeful
lyatwo-waystreet
.”
“Idon’
tevenknowwhatt
hehel
lyouj
ustsai
d.”She
giggl
es.
“
Doyoul
ovehi
m?’
“
Iam f
all
ingf
orhi
m deepl
yandi
tscar
esme.
”
“Thengoaheadandt el
lhim howyouf
eel.Tal
kto
him andmakehim underst
andwhatyourhear
t
desires.
”Onyi
ye.
“I
maginemeaskingagrownassmanout
,Yoh!
”
Sisi
phoexhal
esoutl
oud.
“
Iti
sworthat ry.Wenatellt
hatmanyouar einlove
wit
hhi
m.Wi llseeyouthisweekend.”Hereardrum
i
sdefi
nit
elydamagedaf terthathar
mfulscream.

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Shedr opst
helineandhol dsherphoneont oher
chest.Shefeel
sli
ghteraftert
alki
ngt ohersist
er.
Imaginesuchagr at
efulbondthatsheal most
destroyedj
ustbecauseofherselfishness.That
remindsher–shewi llhavetogohomet hisweekto
preparefort
hear
ri
valofhersi
ster
.Shecannotwai
t
forhertobeher
e.
“Idi
dnotknowt hatyougossi paboutmet his
much. ”Shehalfscreamsandt urnstof acehim.She
shamef ull
ylooksdownwi t
hherhear tdrummi ng
againstherchest.Thisiswhatshewasnot
preparedf or
.Howwi llshefacehi m aftert
his?She
cannotr eadhisfaci
alexpression.
“Ger
ald…i
t'
snotl
iket
hat
.”Shet
il
tsherheadt
oface
him.
“
So,
howi
t'
sli
ke?
”Heasksf
oldi
nghi
sshi
rt
.
“
Ger
ld…”
Hegrabsherneckandsmasheshi
sli
psagai
nsther
t
rembli
ngsoftl
ips.
“Lookmei ntheeyesandt
ellmewhatyouj
ustsai
d
overthatphonecall
.”
“Mysi st
eriscomingthi
sweekendandIneedt ogo
cleanthehouse.I'
m sureshewillbecomi ngwith
thekids.”Sheisshy.Nohellwaywillshebe
declari
ngherlovetothi
smanr ightinfrontofher.
Aknockont
hedoordi
stur
bst
hei
rmoment
.
“Comein.
”heshouts.Theyarest
illst
andi
ngint
he
samepositi
onfaci
ngoneanother.Hesmirks
l
ookingatherl
ooki
ngalluncomfortabl
e.
“Hei,Ger
ald.
”Thesmirkonhi
sfacedissol
ves.He
sli
ghtlyt
urnshi
sheadt ot
heri
ght.Hi
sbody
hardensasheclenchedhi
sjawstaki
ngadeep
breath.
“Cici
,whatar
eyoudoi
nghere?
”Hecal
mlyasks,
sti
ll
standingi
nthesameposi
ti
on.
“Igotapr omotionandwasof feredajobonthis
side.Isawt hatitwasyourcompanyandIt houghtI
shouldaccept .
”Thewomanr esponds.Shei
sso
prett
y.Wayoutoft hel
eague.Sheclearsherthr
oat
andst epsback.
“
Iwi
llgobackt
owor
k.”Si
sipho.
“Weweresti
llt
alki
ng.Wheni
sthedoct
or'
s
appoi
ntment
? ”
Heasks.Sisi
phofr
ownslooki
ngathi
m.Whyi
she
bl
unt
lyignori
ngthepoorgi
rl
?
“
G,youhaveaguest
.”Shewhi
sper
s.
“
So?Myf
ami
lycomesf
ir
st-ever
yot
hert
hingcan
wai
t.
”
“
It
'sokay,
Iwi
llcomebackl
ateron.
”
Thegir
lsays.ShelooksatGeral
dwhohashiseyes
fi
xedonSisipho.Shewalksoutofhi
sof
fi
ce
shut
ti
ngthedoorbehindher.
“Sipho,
”hesmil
esreveal
inghisdevi
li
shsmile.“
Wil
l
seeyouathome.”Hewi nksatherandwalkspast
hersmili
ng.Hesit
sonhi sdeskandsmil
esopening
hislapt
op.
Shegat
her
sher
sel
fandst
epsoutofhi
sof
fi
ce…

Daywentprett
yf astandbeforesheknewi t–itwas
knockofft
ime.Alldayshet r
iedbyherallmeanst o
avoi
damancal ledGer l
d.Shechangedherr outi
ne
ti
me.Talkaboutdeeperinsecuri
ti
es.Sheisso
i
nsecureandfeelslikeshei
sn'tenoughforhim at
thest
atusheisin.
Andt
oherf
avoravoi
dinghi
m,i
twor
ked.She
gat
hersherthi
ngsandwal
ksoutbumpi
ngi
ntoher
col
league.
“
Awumagel
iza,
”
“
Nandi
,
”shesmi
lesgr
eet
ingherback.
“Lookatyouglowing.Youareevenstarti
ngtoshow
andyouar eevengaini
ngwei ght
.Lookatyourski
n.
Ourhardlaborwasnotr eal
lyheal
thyforyou.
”
Shewouldreal
lyl
ovetostandandhaveachi
tchat
butherbediscal
li
ngher
.
“Al
readymybacki
sgivi
ngmepains.Thedoct
or
sai
dIshoul
dtakei
teasy.
”Shel
ies.
“
Awubant
u.Letmel
eaveyou.Takecar
e.”
Jeez!Nowthatshei
sshowi
ngpeopl
ear
egoi
ngt
o
beonhercase!
Shewal ksoutandheadst othepar ki
nglot
.Today
sheiswear inganOakr i
dgematernityl
ongsleeve
dress.Crewal loverf
lor
alpri
ntwiththesandles.
Hercurlyweavebounci ngtothelengthofher
shoulders.Geraldisi
nthecaralr
eadywai t
ingf or
her.Thegi r
lcomesoutr unni
ngtoGer al
dscarand
takesthef rontseat .Shecanseet hrought he
windowt hatt heyar ear
guing.Sheopenst he
backseatandt hrowsherselfinsi de.Therei s
nothingthatsheneedsot herthanhavi ngawar m
bathandsl eepi ng.Hopef ul
lyther ear estil
lsomel ef
t
oversoflasagnaf r
om lastnight .Wi t
houtsayi ng
anythingGer alddrivesoutwitht hegi rlt
alkingnon-
stopandcompl i
ment i
ngeveryt hing.Sisipho
secreti
velyr ollshereyes.Theypassbyi ntersect
ion
andshenot icesawomansel lingchi ckenf eet.Her
mout hsalivat es…
“G,
stopthecar!
”Wit
houtaskinghest
opst
hecar
andparksatt
hesideoft
her oad.
Shejumpsoutoft hecarandhurr
iestowar
dst
he
l
ady'stabl
e.Galsojumpsoutofthecarwit
hahuge
fr
ownonhi sface.Herushesbehi
ndherandnoti
ces
herstandi
nginfrontofabist
rot
able.
“
Hei
,canIhave10.
”
Thewomanst andsup, wearsaplasti
cinherhand
andtakeout10chickenfeetfrom hercont
ainerand
puti
nat r
ansparentpacket.ShetakesoutR50f r
om
herbr
east
sandhandsi
ttoawoman.
“
Idon’
thavechange;canyouwai
twhi
leIgol
ook
f
orchange?
”
“
Howmuch?
”Sheasks.
“
R2each.
”
“
Noneed.Youcankeept
hechange.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Theylooksour
ceyandthesmellisdivineeven
thoughtheyar
ecol
d.Shetakesabi teandGod
damni ti
swaswhatshehasanticipated.

Arr
ivi
ngathi shousehermouthwasf ul
loccupying
al
lthechickenfeetbones…thegi
rlwasdr oppedof
f
attherankeventhoughshewasnothavi nganyofit
butGeraldputhisfootdown.
“Whowast hatgi
rl?”shef
inall
yasks.Nott
hatshe
cares,
shej ustnoti
cedhowt hegir
lwastowards
him.Whoi sshef ooli
ng!Maybetheyoncefucked
andgirlcaughtfeeli
ngsalongtheli
neli
keher.
“
Ithoughtyouwoul
dneverask.“Heasks.
Hesighsandleansbackagainstt
heheadboard.
Theparentsarenotaround,
socuddl
ingfi
rstbef
ore
theyarr
ivewil
ldoatthemomentsincetheycannot
beinti
mate.
“Iam goi ngt obehonestwi thyou.Ciciismyex
from hel l
.Shewasapat hologicall
iarandIcoul dn’
t
keepupwi t
hherenergy.Ilovedheryes, butshe
wasj usttoomuchf orme.Sheevenl i
edabout
unnecessar yt hi
ngs.Shewoul dli
eandmakeup
storiesthatf al
lsomewher ebet weenconsci ous
l
yi nganddel usi
on.Atfi
rst,Ithoughtthatmaybe
shewasi nt hatphaseofbei ngafraidoflosingme
butIwasl ying.Shemadeupst or
iesthatsounded
sodamnr ealenoughthatot herpeoplebelieve
them…”
“So,
youbrokeupwithherbecausesheisal
iar
?”
shedoesn’
tunder
stand.Maybesheistoosl
ow.
“Yesbabe.IleftherbecauseIwasemoti
onall
ytir
ed
ofherconstantlying.Shewentt
oapointwhereshe
framedherpr egnancyandstupi
dmebelievedher.
Yes,shewaspr egnantbutthebabywasnotmi ne.
Anythingthatcomesoutofhermout hisalwayst he
tot
alopposite.Isti
llneedtodoaf ol
lowupont he
postthatsheist al
kingabout.Idonotwantt hat
womannextt ome.Ihat eherewithever
ythingin
me.”
“Shesprett
y.”Shecompl
iments.Yes,
sheis
beauti
fulandnowherconfi
dencejustwentf
rom
thi
rt
yanddr oppeddowntozero.
“
Wit
houtnobr
ains–andt
rustmeont
hatone.
”

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Shehasjustwokenupf
rom hersleep.Shel
ooksat
hersurr
oundi
ngsandnot
icesthatsheishome.
Howdi dshef
orget
?Asmallsmilecreepsonher
face.
Sherememberstal
kingt
oherfr
iendont
hephone
anddozedof
f.Shegetsofft
hebed…
Hermot
heri
snoti
n,st
il
lpr
obabl
yatwor
k.Shei
sal
l
aloneandbor
ed.Maybecookingwi l
ldo.Shetakes
themeatoutoft
hefreezerandplacesitont
hesi nk,
openswarm wat
erdefrost
ingit
.
Herphoneri
ngsfrom herbedr
oom, maybeit
's
Onyi
yewantingtogiveheranearf
ul.Shepushes
herf
eettowardsherbedroom.
..

Shepicksherphoneupf
rom t
hebedandsi
ghs
l
ookingatMpilo’
snamefl
ashi
ngontopoft
he
scr
een.
“
Hel
lo,
”shei
snoti
nthatmoodt
oar
guewi
thhi
m.
“
Mnono,
canIseeyou.
”
“
I’
m noti
nDurban.
”Sher
esponds.Shei
snoti
nthe
moodtofi
ght
.
“
Iknow.I
’
m out
side.
”
Sheknowsexact l
ywhathemeans.Shet akesa
deepbreathandstepsoutofthehouse,
closingthe
doorbehind.Ther
eheisparkedti
ghtInf
rontofher
fat
her'
shouse.Shehopsi nt
hecarandr ecl
ineson
theseatmakinghersel
fcomfort
able.
“
Babe,
”hei
sner
voussher
elaxes…
“Hei
,”shet
urnsherf
ocusonhi
m.“
Iwasaboutt
o
cook.”
“Whydidn’
tyoutel
lmet
hatyouwant
edt
obehome?
Didyouusetaxi
s?”
“
No,
Mel
usidr
oppedmeof
f.
”
“Wow,somet ogetholdofyouIhavetotr
ackyour
phoneal
ltheti
mej ustt
oknowwher eyouare.
Li
ndiwe,
can’tyouseeI’
mt r
ying!Myli
fei
samess
andIhat
emysel ff
orwhatIdid.Canyouatleast
meetmehalfway.”
“Meetyouhal
fwaywhi
leyouar
est
il
lli
vingwi
th
yourbabymama?”
“Shewaschasedoutofthehousebyherpar
ent
s.
Shehasnowheretogo.”Heresponds.
“Can'tyourentherafl
atsomewher
eandmakei
t
cleartoherthatyouar
einlovewi
thmeandnot
her?”
“
It
'snott
hateasy.
”
“
Wel
lthenconsi
dermeandyounoti
nar
elat
ionshi
p.
Rememberonet hing,I'
mt hislonel
ybecauseofyou.
Yout ooktheonl
ythingthatmakesmehappyand
thatmakessenset ome.Yout ooksomethingt
hat
l
ovedmeandonl ymeal one.Doyouwantt oknow
whyIl ovedhi
m mor e?Hemademef eelmoreofa
womanandheval uedmever ymuch.Inevershared
him andIwascertainl
ysur ethatIam theonefor
him."
"
Lindi
we…"
"I
t'
sokayMpil
o.Dowhatyoudobest.Andthati
s
crushingt
hel
it
tl
eheartt
hat
'sl
eft
.Ineedt
ogoback
beforemymotherf
indsmehere.
"
Shest
epsoutoft
hecar
…
Mpi
loi
scert
ainl
yistheleastofherworr
ies,she'
s
wor
ri
edbecauseshedistanci
nghersel
ffrom peopl
e.

Whenshef eel
sdeadont hei
nside…shedoesn'tcar
e
i
fsheeat stoolit
tl
eort oomuch.Shedoesn' tcar
eif
shesatathomeal lday.Shedoesn'tcaret
hatsheis
l
osingfriends.Notthatshedoesn'tcarebut
everyt
hingisjustgoingSouthforher.Shejusthas
nocar eforherbodyanyl onger.Exceptf ormaybe
oneper son.Whoi saroundher , shefeelsar ushof
emot ions.Butthefeel
ingi sdeadont heinside.She
didn'tknewt hati
twasgoi ngt oend, especial l
yli
ke
thisandt hi
ssoon.Feel ingdeadont heinsidehas
beenherdayj obandadai l
yone.Shei sint hatstate,
wher eshel ooksatpeopl eandwonderwhyt heyar e
happy.Shenot i
cedthat, whenshest ar
tedf eeli
ng
dead-becausenotevenherf avor it
eshoworseei ng
herbestf ri
endmakesherhappy.Feel i
ngdeadon
theinsidemakesherbl ameGodf oreverything.She
endsupaski ngGodt ojustendi tallsomewayso
herfami lydoesnotdwel lonthef actsheendedher
l
ife.Shef eelsdeadasifshedon’ thaveasoulor
thatshedon’ tevenhaveahear t.Shef eelsahol ein
herchest .Anditsucks.I tfuckingsuckscauseshe
can’tfeelemot i
ons!
[
08/
18,
03:
45] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER50

ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO
Lookingatthewomanwhogavebi rt
htoherlooki
ng
allhel
plessonthishospit
albedbreaksherheart
i
nt oami l
li
onpieces.Yes,shewishedkarmacould
vi
sitherattimesbutnowseei ngherbreaksher
evenmor e.
Whatdoesshesay?Wher edoessheevenbegin?
Thi
sf eel
ssounreal
.Thiswomanwasneversick.
ShelooksatSi
siphotonguet
ied.
“
Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay.
”
Shemut
ter
ssof
tl
y.
“
Iwil
lst
epout.Justsaywhati
sinyourhear
t.
”She
t
apsonhershoulderandwal
ksout.
Shetakesadeepbr eathandpreparest hespeech
wit
hinher.Shedidnotrehearseanythingforthi
s
moment .Whatdoesshesay?Shewi llseewhere
hertonguetakesher.Butwhatsheknowsi s
for
givenessandangerdon'tcombineni cel
y.
“Iam choosi
ngtofor
giveyou.Iacceptwhat
happened,andIam r
eadytoletgoofmy
resent
ment.Idon'twantt
obeangr yanymore.I
rel
easethepastanditspoweroverme.Imaynot
knowhowyet ,butIam wil
li
ngtolett
hispai
ngo.I
am wil
li
ngtoreleaseyoufrom myownhur t
.’
‘
Forgivenesscanevenl eadtofeel
ingsof
understandi
ng,empathyandcompassi onfort
he
onewhohur tyou.Forgivenessdoesn'tmean
for
getti
ngorexcusingthehar m donetoyouor
makingupwi ththepersonwhocausedt heharm.
Forgi
venessbringsakindofpeacet hathelpsyou
goonwi t
hli
fe.
’Babydaddy’ swisewordsof
encouragement.
Ntombi’seyesslowl yopen,t
hroughherachi ng,
bl
urryvisionshemanagest ospotadar kfi
gurein
fr
ontofhereyes.Themachi nesi nhermouthmake
i
thardf orhertoutteranythi
ng.Herhandi sheaving
makingi thar
dforhert oevenli
f therf
inger
.Tears
whaleoutoneaf tertheanother.Isthi
strul
yher
daughter?Didsher eall
ysayshewasf orgi
vingher?
Onyiyer
unsouttogocallf
orSisi
phowhowas
seat
edonthebencheseati
ngherchickenfeet
.
Looksli
keshehasfoundhernewobsession.
Shel ookspuzzled,l
ookingathermot
her'
seyes
wideopen.“ Thelastti
meIsawherwi t
hhereyes
openedwast hr
eemont hsago.”Hermout
hfulwi
th
chickenfeetbones.
Andnowi
tregi
ster
s,t
heyneedt
ocal
lfort
hedoct
or!
Sisi
phorunsoutt
ogolookf
oronebutl
ucki
ly,
she
bumpsintohi
mr i
ghtatt
hecor
ri
dor
s.
“
Mymot
heri
sawake…”
Shef
eel
srel
ievedt
hatshef
inal
lycoughedoutwhat
i
sonchest
.
‘
Forgivenessdoesn'
tmeanf orget
tingorexcusing
theharm donetoherormaki ngupwi t
ht heperson
whocausedt heharm.Forgi
venessbr ingsakindof
peacethathelpsyougoonwi t
hli
fe’.Shecan’tlet
ofSthembiso’
swor dsoutofhertinyhead.

“Howdoyoufeel
?”St
hembi
soasks,
whi
ledr
ivi
ng
outoft
hehospi
tal
.
“Idon’tknow.I
tmakesmef eelst
rongerandhavea
posit
iveoutcome.Iam j
usthappythatIwasablet
o
havethi
smomentandf i
nall
yletoutwhatwasin
me.”Honestl
yitisr
efr
eshingforher.Youknow
whenahugemi l
est
onehasbeenl if
tedoffyour
shoul
ders.Thati
showsheexact lyfeel
s
“I
tisnotaboutfor
gett
ing,ast
headagewoul dhave
usbelieve,
butaboutl
etti
nggo,aboutchoosi
ng
posit
iveemoti
onsovernegati
veones.”
Shenodsherheadsmi
li
ng.Si
siphoissit
ti
nginthe
backseatwhil
eNdi
muisoccupyingthefr
ontseat
wit
hhistant
rums.
“Whendidyougetpregnant
?”Shehasbeenl
ooki
ng
atheri
nshockallday.
“Li
kethelastt
imeIhadt
hisf
ell
aher
.”Shebr
ushes
herson'
shair.
ShelooksatSisi
phowhohadhereyesal lout
.She
l
aughsabi t.Nowayi nhellwil
lsheeversharehow
herbabiescameintot hi
swor l
d.Thiswil
lbeher
secr
etandshei sreadyt otakei
ttothegravewit
h
herunlesstheancestorssayotherwise.
“
Wow,
”sheseemsshocked.
“
Iwantt
hebi
ggestf
ami
lyonecoul
deverf
ind.
”
“
Howmanybabi
es?
”
“
Seven,
iswhatIwant
.”
Sheal
wayswant
edt
ohaveal
otki
dswhengr
owi
ng
up.
Shedoesn’ tcareaboutt hebighousesandt he
fancyl i
festyle.Whatwoul dmatteristhatthereis
l
ovei nit.Nooneunder standstheloveofherhavi ng
abigf ami l
y.Evenherf ri
endLindiwedoesnot
under st
andherchoi cesatti
mes.Speaki ngabout
herfriendLi ndiwe.Thatonehasbeengi vi
nghert he
coldshoul der .Avoidingheratallcost.Shedoesn’ t
pickuphercal l
sanyl onger,i
t'
slikesheisshut ting
everyonecl oset oherout .Sheavoi dsouti
ngsand
seeingher .Shei shurtandshedoesn’ twantt olie.
Lindiweknewal lofherstruggl
esandshewast here
forhert hrought hickant hi
n.Nowt hatshei sthe
onef acingchal lenges,shehast hesewal l
sar ound
her.Wal lsthatwi llt
aketheentireli
fetoobr eak
down.Shewi llhavet opassbyherhouseandt al k
tohermot heraboutt hi
s.Shecannotl oseherf ri
end
andsi
ster
.
“
Onyi
ye!I
'
vebeencal
li
ng.
”
“
Ow,
sor
ry.Youwer
esayi
ng.
”
“Iwassayi
ngt
her
eisnofoodint
hehouse.We
shoul
dbuysomet
hingt
oeatfort
heti
mebeing.
"
Sheagr
ees-sotheypassbyt
heshopst
obyaf
ew
i
temsanddrovebackhome.

Arr
ivi
ngathomeitf
eelssost
rangeforher
.Last
t
imeshewashereitwasworl
dwarzone.she
l
ashedoutonhermotheri
nanot-so-
goodway.
Shegainedt
hecouraget
oleavehome-wast he
seedshehadpl
antedinhersmal
lhead…eventual
ly
shedid.
Shegaveher
sel
fenought
imet
hinki
ngt
hingsover
.
Sheisdefi
nit
elycreat
ingaposi
ti
vemant
rat
o
count
erthepainfult
hought
s.
Acknowl
edgeherpastt
oest
abl
ishast
art
ingpoi
nt.
'
Weal
ldi
einaf
ewt
omor
rows.
'thati
swhather
hear
tutt
eredwheni
ttol
dhert
ofi
nal
lyf
orgi
veher
mother
.
"St
il
llooksthesame."Shescanshereyesaround.
Shepausesherbreathingwhenhereyeslandedon
herhighschoolpi
cture.
"
Mum sai
dImustputt
hatup.
"
Si
siphosayssi
tt
ingdownont
hecouch.
"
Wow,"she'
semot
ional
.Happy?Yel
l,
yesherhear
t
i
sgr
atif
ied.
Fort
hefi
rstt
imei
nal ongestti
meshegetst
osee
herf
aceonthewal
l.Shelongedwi
shedfort
hisever
si
nceshewasinhi
ghschool !
Havinghernightwit
houtSthembi sobesideher
feelsso,somewhatver
ywei rd.Shesmi l
eslayi
ngon
thebedl ooki
ngatt
hesleepingSimu.Doessheget
toexplai
nhowsher obbedhi m achancet ohavea
father
?Theysaywhenyout alktobabieswhile
asleepthyhearandunderstand.
"
I’
m anacci
dent
alki
ll
er.Ther
e’sneverat
ime,even
whenI’
mlaughi
ng,I
'
m alwaysthinki
ngabouti
t.
”
Shesiandt
hinks…
'
Godmadepr ovisi
onf orwhathappenedt oyou. '
Mam Phi lisi
wet ol
dher .Shedoesn' tr ememberher
response.Sheonl yr emember sbeingconf usedwhy
didit.Shedi dn’tgot oanycounsel l
ingandnone
wasof f ered–wel lt heydi dandsher ej
ected.She
didn’ttalkaboutwhathadhappenedwi t
hanyone
otherthanSt hembi so.Shef eelsgui l
tyeverydayfor
survivi
ngwhenamanhadbeenki lledbyher ,and
sheknewshewoul dcar rythatwei ghtwi t
hher
forever.Sher emember sstar i
ngatt hewhi tewall
andf eelingl i
keshewasr ushingt owar dsit.I
fshe
tookanap, shewoul djerkawakef rom the
sensationofhur tl
inguncont roll
ably.Thati sher
dailypai n.
Leavi
ngthr
oughthepai
nofknowi
ngt
hatshet
ook
someone'
sli
fe!
"I
'
m comingback!"That'
sSisi
phoshouti
ngf
rom t
he
outsi
debedroom.It
'sfunnyhowshenowhasa
bedroom i
nsi
deherownbl oodyhouse!
Shehear
stheki
tchendoorbei
ngshut
.Sheget
sof
f
t
hebedt
ogol
ockt
hedoor
…
Shedecidestowat
chtel
evisi
on,shei
sbor
ed.No
tal
kat
iveSthembi
so,noannoyi
ngNdimu.
TVisalsoboringonit
'sown.Maybebr owsi
ng
thr
oughherschoolbookswi l
ldo.Normall
yifshei
s
thi
sboredshewoul dt
alktoherfri
endovertheand
gossi
pnonst op.Shemissesherandshecannot
evenhideit
.Itpai
nsherthatsheisbei
ngshutout
completel
y.
Shetakesherphonehopi
ngt
hist
imear
oundshe
pi
cksup.
It'
sjusttaki
ngherstrai
ghttovoi cemail
.Okay,that
hurts.Shedoesn'twanttotr
yhermot her'
snumber .
Maybeshei sasl
eep.Shewi llpassbythemor ning
tocheckuponher .Hopeful
ly,shewillnothaveher
thrownoutoft hehouse.
Whati
fshehasf
oundcomf
orti
ndr
ugs?
Sheshakesherheadno,shedoesn'
twantt
othi
nk
theworstofherf
ri
end.Shest
il
lhasfai
thi
nher.
Shesi
ghsr
eadi
ngt
heupsi
dedownnot
es.
Studyi
ngal
soseemst
obever
ymuchusel
essf
or
her.
Howwi l
lshecopewithallt
hestressweighingher.
Shesmilesandbli
ndseveryonethatsheisf i
nebut
i
nanact ualf
actsheisnotdoingokayatall.She
needssl
edsupervisi
on,i
nspecti
ngherselforeven
admit
ti
ngt oher
selfi
nsomewomanempower ment
shi
t.

Thesmal lcr
iesbri
ngsherbackt
oearth.Shet
akes
thebott
leandr unst
othekit
chentogowar mi
tin
themicrowave.
Thewayt hischi
ldl
ooksli
keNdimuscaresheralot
.
Chil
lsrundownherspinethi
nki
ngofthe
possibi
li
ti
esinthenearf
utur
e.Butt
henagainitwas
sel
fdefence.

ATTHEGARAGE

She'
scr
avi
ngf
orst
akeandki
dneypi
e.Sheonce
hatedpi
ewit
hherallandnow,
ithadsuddenl
y
becameherbestf
ri
end.
"Ar
eyousurethatwil
lbeall
?"Ger
aldasksl
ooking
atherst
uff
inghersel
f.Cr
umbsdroppi
ngallover
wheresheisseat
ed.
"
Weboughtf
our
,sot
wof
ormeandt
womysi
ster
."
Heshakeshi
sheadandl
eansbackl
ooki
ngather
.
Hethoughtthatmaybethi
swasgoingtoasmash
andpass.Buthei sbei
ngdrawnt
owardsherever
y
secondthatpasses.
"
Youneedt
ochangeyourhai
r.
"
"
Why?I
sitt
hatbad?
"
"No,Ij
ustwantyoutolookpret
ty.
"Hecar
esseson
herarm.Hebrushesherhead…
"
Imi
ssedyout
oday.
"
"
Butyouwer
ewi
thmeatwor
k."Sher
esponds.
"
Iknow,
youar
ejustwayt
ooser
iousatwor
k."
"Hai
bo!Wasn'
tyout
heonewhotol
dmet obe
prof
essi
onal
?You…"Hi
sphoner
ings.Hepul
lsi
tout
ofhi
spocketandl
ooksatt
heunsavednumber
.
"
God.
"Hehi
sses.
Heswi
pest
oanswer
.
"
CiCi
,howcanIhel
pyou?
"Het
akesadeepbr
eat
h.
Si
siphotur
nstol ookathim.Shecantel
lthat
whatevert
hisstupidgir
lissayi
ngi
sreal
lyupset
ti
ng
hi
m.Hei sseethinghisteet
hinsomuchannoyance.
"Whatmakesyouthi
nkI'
m st
il
linl
ovewithyou?
"He
asks.Shet
urnst
olookathiminshock.
"Li
stenher
eCi
ci…"Shegr
abshi
sphonef
rom hi
s
hand.
"Yewenasat arawu.Stophar assingmyman.
Respectpeopl e'
srel
ationship.Therearesomany
otherfi
shesi nthesee.So, whymesswi t
ht heone
thathasal r
eadybeencaught .Thisi
smyf ish!Don't
textnorcallmyman.Don' twor r
yabouthim.Tr ust
me, I
'm crazyenought okil
landIal waysgetaway
withmur der.Now,stayinyourl anewoman! "She
cli
ckshert ongueandt osseshi sphoneont ohislap.
"
Blockherbef
oreIsmasht
hatusel
essphoneof
your
s."
"
Didyouj
ust
…?"
"YesIdi d.Andt rustmeIwoul ddoi tagaingivena
chance.I '
m sickandt i
redbeinglefthanging.Firsti
t
wast hatst upi
dbabydaddywhot oldmet oabor t.
Theni twasTazz, whomovedonwi thi
nmi nutesof
ourrelationship.Hemovedonl i
kenot hing
happened.ThenImetyou.I fyouthinkyouar e
goingt oleavemehangi ngagain,owt r
ustme.Your
famil
ywi llbesingingamagugu."
Hel
ooksatherast
oni
shed.
"Wow,"heissti
lll
ooki
ngather .“Youlookcute
whenyouar etr
yingtolookangry.”hesaystryi
ngto
breakheratt
empttocont i
nue…nowhenot icesthat
smileonherface!Heiswinning.Hetakesherhand
andholdsit
.
"I'
m hereSipho.Oneoft hebestfeeli
ngsinthe
wor l
disknowingt hatt
hereissomeoneoutt her
e
whoi swill
ingtostickwit
hyounomat terwhatt
he
circumstancesare.Youknowt hatiti
snotaboutthe
thingsyoucangiveorpr ovi
de.It
’saboutyour
warmthandpresence—thecompanionshi
p.Thatis
whyIgivemyhearttoyoubecauseIknowthatyou
wil
ltakecar
eofitthewayi
tissupposedtobetaken
car
eof .
"
"I
sthi
sanotherwayoft
ell
ingmet
hatyoul
oveme?
"
Shegiggl
es.
"
Andsher
uinst
hemoment
."
Shel
aughs."
I'
m sor
ryG.
"
"
Washmycart
omor
row.
"
"
Mxm,"hebri
ngstheengi
net
oli
feanddr
ivesal
ong
t
aki
ngherbackhome.

SOMEWHEREI
NTHEBUSHES

Thepoli
cear
erai
dingt
hebushesl
ooki
ngf
ora
suspect
.
"Thesearet
hefootpri
nts.Butt
heyseem dr
y."One
ofthecopssaytouchingthedryf
ootpr
intmud.
"
Alr
ightever
yone.Wewi
llneedt
ogoi
nsepar
ate
waystofindthesepeopl
e.Wedon'
tknowwhet her
wearedealingwithaheavi
lyar
medorjustwantto
becrooks."
Theal
lagr
ee.
Thesear chdogbegi nstosni
ffaroundthesoil
pull
ingtheirhandlerinal
ldi
recti
ons.Itbarks
att
racti
ngat t
enti
on.Theylookcloselyatitasit
beginstowal karoundincir
clespanti
ng.Thedog
di
gsandpawatt hespotwher et
heysmel lthedry
bl
oodsmel l
.
"
Wear
erunni
ngoutoft
ime.
"Oneoft
hem yel
l
.
"Youguyscango.Iwil
lstaybehind.Maybether
e
wasabodybur i
edinhere."Hesays.Thecopsgoin
dif
fer
entdi
rect
ions.
Thedogcont
inuest
odi
g…
"
Comeonbuddy,
youcandot
his.
Itseemsthi
sgraveisgoi
ngoni ntoodeep.The
handlerr
unstothevanandlucki
lythei
risaPickat
thebackofthevan.Hepull
sforitandrunsbackto
thespotandfi
ndsthedogstil
ldiggi
ng.Thi
scould
beinter
est
ing.Hemovest
hedogasi
deandbegi
ns
todig.
Hest opshal
fwaywhent hePi ckhitssomet hing,
wooden.Hedr opsitdown-t akesof ftwogloves
behindhispocketandbegi nt odig.Hepul lsoutfor
ahugesj ambok.Hel ooksati tclosely,buti
t'sabit
dark.Hepull
soutf orhistorch…
"
Blood.
"Heut
ter
s.
Hescof
fsl
ooki
ngatthebloodstai
ns.Anot
hercase
t
odigupon.Hepul
lsthedogleadi
ngittot
hevan.

Arr
ivi
ngatt
hest
ati
onhestepsoutofthecarwith
t
heweapononhishands,
sti
llwear
inggloves.
"
Whati
sthi
s?"Oneoft
hecopsasks.
"
Howdi
dthesear
chgo?
"Anot
herasks.
"
WellIf
oundt
hisandIj
ustneedt
otakei
ttot
hel
ab
f
or.
..
"
"Youdonotevenneedt
oexpl
ainanyfurt
her
.You
cango."Thest
ati
oncommandersays.
Wi t
houtwastehedrivesst r
aighttothelab
techni
cian.Hehasalreadybr ief
edheroft hei
ssue
andshei saware.Hewai tspat i
ent
lyforthenext
stepwellprobabl
yther esul
ts.Heisl ooki
ngather
closel
ydoinghermagi c.
Atthelab,t
heyusever yfi
nepowdert hatcanst i
ck
totheoilonthefingerpri
nt.Oncethef ingerpr
int
becomesvi si
ble,t
hewomant hanli
ftsitfrom the
surfacewit
hcleartapeandt r
ansferittoanother
surfacetothentakeintothelaboratorytoanal yse
fur
ther.
"Ther
esult
swil
lbebacktomor
rowmor
ning.
"She
sayst
akingof
fhergl
oves.
"
Justemai
lthem di
rectl
ytomeorgivemeacal
l.I
'
m
t
heonewhoi shandli
ngthi
scase.
"
Hewalksoutandwondersifi
sthathumansblood
oranani
mal's.Buthehopest
hatiti
snotwhathe
thi
nksi
tis.
[
08/
18,
03:
46] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER51

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Shethoughtthatbei
nghomewoul dprobablymake
herf
orgetthi
ngs.Howcanshef orgetabout
anyt
hingwhenMpi loisj
ustri
ghtaroundthecorner,
l
ikeapest?Howcanshemoveonwhent hi
sstupid
manisshovinghimselfr
ightdownherthroat?
Shehascookedandcl
eaned.Herparentswerever
y
happyt
oseeher.Thewomanstartedcryingt
earsof
j
oy.
Leani
ntot
heemot
ion-t
heywoul
dsay.
Sheadmi
ts,
sher
eal
lymi
ssedher
.
Thiswomanhast
aughthersomuchi
nli
feandshe
endedupbei
ngsi
gni
fi
cant.
“Youhavetaughtmeever
ythi
ngIknowandst and
forandhaveraisedmet
obestrongand
i
ndependent.Butnomatt
erwhat,Iwil
lal
waysbe
yourli
tt
legi
rl.
”Thati
swhatshetoldhermother
whent heyshar
edallt
hepainshehadbeenthrough.
Itdi
dnotsitwellwi
thhermotherbuthey–Iti
spar t
ofli
fe.Shehadtogothroughahardshipi
norderfor
hertoknowhowt odealwitht
hepain.

Sheiswal kingar
oundthearealooki
ngatallthe
houseswi thgoodandnotsogoodr oofs.I
t'
sinthe
eveningandshej ustwant
edt ohavethatf
resh
breezeandl ookatherhometown.It
'sbeenlong.
Shewi shesSizwewasher ewithher
-herhandswr appedaroundherarms.Iti
sabi t
chil
lyandpossiblyaboutt
orainsoon.Theclouds
sayitall
.Maybesheshoul dgobackhome, she
evenforgotherphone.
“
Lindi
we!
”Sheget
sst
art
ledandhol
dsherchest
.
Shesl owlyturnsaroundandgaspsl ookingather
good-lookinglong-
timeex.Forsomewei rdr
eason
shef i
ndsher sel
frushingherlegstowardshim.She
throwsher selfi
nhisarmsandi nhaleshiscologne.
Hest i
llsmel l
sthesame, goodtobepr eci
se.She
breaksof fthehugandhel ooksathershocked.
“
Smanga!I
sthi
sreal
lyyou?
”
“
Yes,
whathappenedt
oyou?
”
“It
’sal ongst oryandt rustmeyoudonotwantt o
hearabouti t.Youlookhandsome. ”Shecaresses
hischeek.Forami nuteshef orgetsaboutthedeep
darkhol eshei si
n.Hesmi l
esandgent lyholdsher
hand.Heki ssesthebackofi tandpul l
sheragain
i
ntoat ighthug.Al lofasudden, thewinds,
temper at ur
eandpr essure,therainpouresheavil
y
maki nghergaspi nshock.Shepl acesherhandson
herheadpr eventingt herainfrom destroyi
ngher
braids.Smanagat akesof fhisleatherj
acketand
cover sherheadwi thit
.
“
Doyouwantt
orun?
”heaskssmi
li
ng.
“Li
ketheol
ddays?
”shechucksshiver
ing.Hehol
ds
herhandandt
heybegi
ntorunintherun.
Runningisawayf orhersaket otakehermindoff
ofherproblemsandr el
axandki ndoftakehersel
f
outofherli
feforabit.Theytakeshort,
quickstri
des.
Theyaresomehowr unningwiththerai
n,ataspeed
equaltoit
shorizont
alveloci
ty.Theybothstopand
l
augh.Sheiswhereshet
oldhersel
fthatshewoul
d
neverbebackat
.Sheisf
arfrom homeandi ti
s
rai
ningcat
sanddogsoutsi
de.
“Come,let'
sgoinbef or
eyoucatchacold.
”hesays,
l
eadinghert ohi
sout si
debedr
oom.Shest ands
besidethedoorshiveri
ng.Heaskshert
ot akeoff
herclot
hesandhi seyesdroptoherbl
oated
stomach.
“
Youpr
egnant
?”
“
Yea…”agai
nit'
ssomet
hingthatshedoesnotwant
t
otal
kabout.Shewi
peshersel
fwithhi
stowel…
“
I'
m col
d.”
“Owshit
!Yea,getinbed.
”Sheissti
llnakedwit
hher
handshuggingherbody.Shegetsontopofthebed
andcovershersel
fwit
habi gbl
anket.
“
Canyoumakemet
ea?
”
Smangaf
rownsl
ooki
ngather
.
“Youandtea?
”Heisshocked.Lindi
weneverstri
ked
asagirlwhol
oveshotst
uff.She’sal
laboutsweet
stuf
f.
“
I'
mjustcol
d.”i
ndeedshei
s.
Hewal ksoutwi thoutsayinganyt hingatall
.Sheis
l
ef tal
oneinhi sroom.Thepi ct
ur esont hetabl
e
makeherst upefi
ed.Thati sherpi ctureofherand
Smangawhent heywer esti
llt
hei tcoupleinhigh
school.Thisguyoncebashedheraboutherwei ght
.
Hereyesmoveal ongt oanotherpi ctur
eandi t
’sa
pictur
eofababygi r
l.Thiscouldbehi sdaughter
.
Shecar essesherbel lyandsmi les.Shecannotwai t
toholdherbabywi thinthenextf ewmont hs.
Minut
esl
aterSmangawal
ksi
ncar
ryi
ngat
raywi
th
t
eaandsomescones.
“
Thesconesar
ewet
!”shel
aughs.
“Theonlythingthatmatt
erstoyouar ethescones?
”
Sheget soutofbedandwr apsherselfwit
ha
blanket
.Thet easmell
shorri
bleforsomewei rd
reasons.Beggerscan'
tbechoosersshei scoldas
hell
.
Shetakesafewsipsanditi
sjustnotdoingany
j
usti
ceforher.Shepl
acesthecupont opofthe
tabl
eandtakesascone.Sweet,
herfavorit
eofall
t
ime.Nowondershehast
oot
haches.

Sheisfal
li
ngsli
ghtl
yint
odeepsl eep.Ther
ainhas
nojust
iceandsheissti
llsupercoldwit
hherbody
shi
veri
ng.Smangashift
shi mselfnextt
oherand
hol
dsherfrom behi
nd.
"
It
'sbeenl
ongsi
nceIl
asthel
dyoul
iket
his.
”
"Whydi dyouleaveme?Wasitt
ruewhenyoutol
d
met hatIam notyourt
ypeandmyweightwasyour
problem.”
Het enseshi
sbodyi nshame.Thatwassomethi
ng
henevermeantt ospitoutofhi
srot
tenmout
h.It
wasj ustasl
ipoftongue.Ormaybeitwasj
eal
ousy
thatgotoverhi
m?
“Ïwasj ustangrythatyouwentt oDur banandyou
compl etel
ychanget obeaper sonIdonot
recognize.Iwasangr yatmysel falsot hatIwas
keepingsecretsthatst i
llhauntmet il
ltoday.Maybe
i
fIhadadi ff
erentappr oachaboutt hemat ter
,I
wouldhavenotbeenf eeli
ngthisway.Maybewe
wouldhavest il
lbet ogether.Whoknows. "
“So,yout
houghtbri
ningmedownwillki
llmy
spir
it?
”Sheasksandt ur
nst
ofacehi
m.
“
Iknowitwassel
fi
shofmeandf
ort
hatIapol
ogi
ze
f
rom t
hedeptofmyhear
t.
”
“
It
'sokay,
Ihavef
orgi
venyou.Howi
syourf
ami
ly?
”
“Mydaughteri
sfine.Shewil
lvi
sitmesometime
aroundnextweek.”Shenodsherheadsmi
li
ng.
“
Icannotwaitt
ohol
dmybabyaswel
l.I
t’
sapi
ty
t
hatthefat
heri
snother
e.”
“
Hedi
dahi
tandr
un?
”Hesoundsshocked.
“
No,
hepassedaway.Hewasi
nacaracci
dent
.”
Het akesadeepbreat
h.Aloudpeal.Aloud
reverber
ati
ngsoundofthunder.Shescr
eamsand
j
umpsont opofSmangawhowasonl yweari
nghi
s
brief
s.Sheholdsonti
ghttohim.
“
I'
m scar
ed.
”
Heavyrai
nisfi
ne–butthunderi
ssomet hi
ngelse
shecannotst
and.Wor
sley,
sheforgotherphoneat
home!
Hehugsherwhi l
eshe' ssti
llontopofhim.He
brushesherback, themorehebr ushesherback
andtheirskinrubbingagainsteachothert
hemor e
hi
sbl oodflows.Hecl ear
shi sthr
oatandholdshi
s
breath.Theli
ghtninghasdi eddown…
Shet i
lt
sherheadtol
ookathim.Thei
reyesmeet
andf orasecond,
shewonder
showhi sl
ipstast
e
l
ike,now.Shemovesherheaddown–wi thout
warningshesmashesherl
ipsontohisli
ps.
"Youstil
llookbeaut
if
ul.
"Hesaysi
nbet
weent
he
kisses.
Thether
mographiccameracapt
uredanincr
easeof
0.
8degreesCelsi
usonaverageontherecei
ving
par
tyofthosecheri
shedwords.
Shecanf eeltheheatr adi
ati
ngof fofhi
m.Thetiny
hai
rsonherbodybr ushagainsthismakingher
bodyf eelther ushforthedesiretobetouchedeven
more.Shesl i
ght l
ymoansi nhismout h.Sheputs
herlegsont ot hesideofhiswai standbegi
nsto
gri
ndhi m.
"
Lindi
we,
”hebr
eat
heshel
plessl
y.Shei
smovi
ngher
waistbackandfor
throcki
ngonhishardrock.Her
handstrai
ldownontohistor
sobutheholdsher
handbeforeshecoul
devengr abt
hejoysti
ck.
“Thi
swasnotmeantt
ohappen.
”Hesayswi
thhi
s
eyescl
osed.
“Iknow, butIwanti ttohappen. ”Shecontinues
goingar oundi ncir
clesont opofhi m.Hegr oans
l
et t
ingoutasof tmoan.Heavybr eathi
ng,whichis
ani ndicat
ionofexci tementinhisbody.Shest il
l
knowshi mt oowell.Sheunt anglesherhandsof f
hist i
ghtgrip…hehol dsherwai standfli
psherover .
Het akesof fhisbri
ef sandletshismemberspr i
ngs
free.
Heknowshowsheli
kesi
t,i
fshei
sunder
neat
hwi
th
herl
egswi
deopen.
“Ar
eyousur eaboutt
his?
”heaskswi
thhi
s
squashedvoice.
“Yes,Iwantthis.Maybeitwi
llhealt
hepai
nIam
feel
ing.
”sher esponds.Henodshishead
understandi
ng.
“
Let
'susepr
otect
ion.
”
“
No,
Iwantt
ohol
dfeelyoul
ikeIusedt
o.”
Helooksather,
nottoosur
ehowt orespondbuthe
t
rustsher
.Hestrokeshi
mselfandposit
ionshi
mself
t
henaimsf ort
heway…

Thesessionwassteaminghot.Adr
enal
inewas
unl
eashed,deepstr
okesmakinghertof
orgetabout
al
lthetr
oublessheisgoingt
hrough.
Forthef
ir
stti
meinages,sheget
stot
ellherst
ory
wit
houtsheddi
ngatear
.
“Lett
hehurtmovet hroughyou.Thenyoucanmove
on.Thebestwayt omakepr ogresswhent hegoing
getstoughisbyrelyingonot hers.Donotshutyour
fri
endout.I
’m suresheneedsyouandyoual so
needhermor ethananyt hi
ng.Don’ tl
etthi
smake
youthepersonyouar enot.Iam surethatshe
missesyoumor ethananyt hing.”
“IknowandIf eelbadal
ready.Iwasshutting
everyoneoutforget
ti
nghowIhavepeopl ear ound
mewhol oveme.Iwashur tt
ot hepointt
hatI
want edt
ot akemyownlife.Butthankyouf or
openi
ngmyeyes.Iwil
lreachoutt
oherandt
alkt
o
herasmysi
sterbutnotafri
end.
”
“Pl
easedoandst oppi
typart
yingyour
self
.Being
sexeddoesn’thealyoubuti
tmakesyouf orgetyour
tr
oubleforawhi l
eyouenjoytheint
imacy.Same
goesforalcohol
…”
“Igetyoumadam speaker
.”Shel
aughsandguil
t
stri
kesthi
nki
ngofhowshewasshut t
ingever
yone
out.
“
CanImakear
equest
?”
“
Ifi
tdoesnoti
nvol
vemoney,
thenyes.
”
Hehashisarm wr
appedar
oundhershoul
der
swi
th
herheadonhi
schest.
“
CanIjustbewit
hyouforthewholeni
ght.Ij
ust
wantyoutomakemeforgetandtomorr
owIwi l
lbe
f
acingmydemons.”
“Li
ndiwe,Idonotwanttobeintr
ouble.Just
becauseyoucanbeablet omanipul
atemeandmy
body.Itdoesnotmeanthatyougettousemefor
thewholemi ght
.”Hewhines.
“Justf
ort
hisnightandaf
tert
hatIpr
omi
senott
o
useyouagain.
”
Theycontinuetotal
kandshar ethei
rconver
sati
ons
aboutthei
rpastli
fe,howtheywer everymuchin
l
oveandhowhemanagedt obreakherhear
t
uni
ntenti
onall
y.Howt heyarejustnotcompati
ble
wit
heachot herbutyetsti
lli
nlovewit
honeanother.
“
So,t
hecurr
entgi
rl
fr
iendorbabymama.Doyou
l
oveher
?”
“
Idon’
thavet
oanswert
hat
.”
“ButIansweredever
ythi
ngandi
tisonl
yfai
rthat
youdot hesame.Whoknows–maybeImi ght
help.
”
“SheisfinebutnotsomeoneIwanttospendt
he
restofmyl i
fewit
h.Ilovedheratf
ir
st,
shewasjust
notforme.IguessIwasl ookingf
oryoui
nher.
”He
responds.
“It
hinkyouarenotreadytolove.Ifyoust
il
l
comparetwodiffer
entpeoplethatmeansyouhave
notmovedonf r
om thepast.Forgetaboutwhatwe
hadandt r
yfi
ndinghappinesswithoutaddi
ngme
ontot
heequation.Idi
dthesameandImanagedt
o
fi
ndhappinesseventhoughi
twasshor
tli
ved.
”He
nodshishead.
“Iwi
llj
usttr
ythat
.Nowt hatwearebiddi
ngf
arewell
toeachother,
canIhavethelastr
oundofmelett
ing
yougo?”
“
I’
m al
lopen.TakemeI'
m your
sfort
heni
ght
.”Wi
th
t
hatsai
dheget sont
opofher…
Shewil
ldef
iantl
yspendtheni
ghthere.Shejust
want
stoforgetaboutMpil
oandhiscrazyassofhi
s.

STHEMBI
SO*
***
JIYANE

“Wherei
sthatot
herone?
”Hi
smot
herasks,
looki
ng
behi
ndhim.
“
Hei
swi
thhi
smot
her
.”her
esponds.
“Mother?Didn’
tthatfamil
ysaythatt
hemot herwas
dead?”thiswomanknowshowt opresshisbuttons
soearlyinthemor ni
ng.Thecameherelastnight
buttheywer enothome.Theseoldi
essleepempt i
es.
“
Notthatwomanmah, I
'
mtal
kingaboutNdoni
.”He
r
esponds,t
ryi
ngnott
osoundannoyed.
Hewal ksr i
ghtpasther ewi
t hthekidsbagt ot
he
diningroom ar ea.Abagfullofdiapersandtheir
food.Hef indshi sf
athersi
tti
ngwat chingsoccer.
Whowat chessoccersoear lyint hemor ni
ng?His
father'
sfacel i
ghtsupwhenheseeshi s
grandchildren.Heopenshisar msandwel comes
him.
“Ji
yanegrandki
ds.
”Hesmilesf
ail
ingt
ocontai
nhi
s
exci
tement.Hepull
sthem t
osi
tonhislap…
Theyoungestonegoesf orhisbear
dasalways.He
l
aughs,t
hisiswhattheymi ssedthemostbei
ng
pul
ledbyalldi
rect
ions.
“Openpigsformygr andchi
ldren.
”Hesayslooki
ng
atSthembiso.Hegrabsther emoteandopensthe
cart
oonschannel.
“I
t'
sPeppapi
gbytheway,
sir
.”Hespeaksmaki
ng
hi
sfat
hertol
aughabi
t.
Hel eftt
hekidswithhisparents.Heknowst hethey
arebondi ngandhavingtheirgoodti
meoft heirl
ive.
Hej ustwanttosleepabit.NgimuisaSpringbokat
night.Hehadt owakeupever yhourtodoubl e
checkonhi spositi
on.Howhi swomanmanagesat
herage-heal sowoul dl
iketoknow.
Bei
nghomei salwaysr ef
reshi
ngyes,butbei
ng
awayf
rom herisatotalmessf orhi
m.It'
sli
kehi
s
l
if
edoesnotfuncti
ont hatwell
.
Lookathi
m whi
ningovert
hephone.
“
Ican'
tdealwi
thanoldmanri
ghtnow.
”shesays
wit
hhervoi
cefol
lowedbyt
hosefewgi
ggles.
“ButIneedyou.Whatdoyouexpectmetodo
woman?Idon' tknowhowtofi
ndyoueventhough
you'
rerightbehi
ndthecor
ner
.”
Hemakesherl aughevenhar der
.Hesmil
es…how
willhi
sli
febewithoutt
hiswomani nhi
sli
fe?Allof
thosemonthslookingforherandshewasjust
belowhisnose.Stupi
dhim!
“
Andshei
slaughi
ng.
”
"
Ijustl
ovei
twhenyoucr
yforme.If
indi
tcut
e."
"
Imissyou,
whatmustIdo?
"Hehasherski
rtonhi
s
f
ace.
"
Thencomeseeme.
"
Hesi
tsupst
rai
ght
.
“Ther
eisnodi stancethatstopsmet omeetyou
becauseyoust ayinmyhear t.Thesweetmemor ies
wehavespentt oget
hermakemyt odaybeauti
ful
.I
am coming!"Hej umpsof ft
hebedt owearhis
shoes.Seeingherdar kbeautyfacewil
lleavehi
s
facewit
ht hatrectusl
ookoni t.
Khozacal
lcomest
hrough.
“
LookIwil
lhavet
ocal
lyouback,
Khozai
scal
li
ng
me.Seeyouinabi
tIl
oveyou.
"
“
Loveyout
oo.
”Sher
espondsbydr
oppi
ngt
hel
ine.
“
Mfanaki
thi
.”
“
Wehavet
roubl
e.”
Hestandst
rai
ghttol
ist
en.Tr
oubl
ehadbeen
f
oll
owingal
lover
.
“Sbahl
ejustt
oldmet
hat
…”Ahar
shknockont
he
door.
“
Wai
tletmecal
lyouback.
”
“
DONOTOPENT…”
Sthembisodropstheli
neandswif
tshi
sthinlegsto
thedoor.Heopensandf i
ndstwopoli
ceoffi
cers
standi
ngoutsidethedoor
.Thesearet
hetwo
offi
cer
swhower eatt
endi
ngDumisani
’scase.
“Yes,
”hishear
tisdr
ummi
ngr
api
dlybutput
sthe
bravefaceon.
“SthembisoJi yane, youar eunderar restforthe
mur derofDumi saniJi yane.Youhavet heri
ghtt o
remainsilent.Anyt hingyousaycanbeused
againstyoui ncour t.Youhavet herighttotalktoa
l
awyerf oradvi cebef or eweaskyouanyquest ions.
Youhavet herightt ohaveal awyerwi t
hyoudur i
ng
questioni
ng.”Theycuf fhim.Het akesadeepbr eath
andhei mmedi atel
yknowst hatshitisaboutt ohit
thefanbuthecoul dn' tall
owal lofthistofallonthe
l
oveofhi sl i
fe.
ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

"
I'
m sur
ehei
scomi
ng.
"Si
siphosays.
"
When?It'
sbeenfourhour
s.Hi
sphonei
snotgoi
ng
t
hroughandKhozaisnotpi
cki
ngup!
"
Sthembisodoesn'
tjustvanishint
othinwithtell
ing.
Evenhim goi
ngtothet oi
lettogoshit
,hereports!
She'spaci
ngupanddownwi thherheartt
ellher
thatsomethi
ngisnotgoodatal landtheyareall
avoidi
ngher.
Atextcomest
hroughfr
om Khoza.Sheret
ri
evesto
r
ead.Herhandtr
emble,hereyespopouti
nshock.
"No,no,no.
"Thiscan'
tbetr
ue.Shedoesn'
twantt
o
beli
eve.NotherSthembi
so.
Si
siphot
akest
hephoneandr
eadt
hrough…
"
When,
how?
"Sheasks.
Onyiyebur
stsint
otear
sfail
ingtobr
eat
h.Ther
oom
begi
nsspinni
ngandshef al
lsint
o
unconsci
ousness…
Shewakesupint
hehospitalal
lconf
used.Sisi
pho,
wit
hherredswol
leneyesnextt
oherandt hebaby
onherhands.
"
Mnt
ase,
"Si
siphosaysst
andi
ngup.
"
Wher
eisSt
hembi
so?
"Sheasks.
Thedoct
orcomesi
n…
"
Youar
eawake.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Howi
sshef
eel
ing?Notsogood.
"
Ineedt
ogohome.
"Shesni
ff
s.
Thedoct
orsmi
les.
"
Thehor
monesar
eget
ti
ngi
ntoher
."
"
Whathor
mones?
"Sheasks.
"
Youar
ethr
eeweekspr
egnantmi
ss.
"
"WHAT!"Shefeel
sherworldcr
umbl i
ngdown.Notin
amessl i
kethi
s.Shecannotbepregnantandl
ose
Sthembi
soinoneday.Shecoversherfacewit
hher
handsandburtsint
otear
s.Howdi dsheget
pregnantwhenshemadesur
eshedr
inkst
hepi
ll
everymorni
ng.
"
She'
sfi
newewi
lldi
schar
geher
."
Shedoesn'
tcar
eanyl
onger
.Al
lshewant
sisher
Sthembi
so!

I
NTERROGATI
ONROOM

"Wehavehaveal lthetimeintheworld.Al
lthe
evi
dencei sthei
rinthatpacket
.Justconfessand
youwillgetalenientsent
ence."St
hembiso
cont
inuest okeepquite.
"Si
ncehedoesn'
twantt
otal
k.Puthi
m backt
ohi
s
cel
l.
"
Thepul lhim upbyhiscollarmaki
nghi m st
and.He
can'tfi
ghtbecauset heyshackl
edhi m,bothhands
andf eet.Hedoesn'tcareaboutanythi
ngatthe
moment .Theonlythinghecouldthinkofishi
s
family.Hemakeshi swayt ohi
scellwit
hacop
fol
lowinghi m behi
nd.Theypushhi minsideand
unhookt
heshackl
es.Theycl
osethegat
eandhe
si
ghssit
ti
ngonasinglewoodenbed.

Thi
sisithecannotescapet
his.Heshuthiseyes
cl
osedpained,
hopeNdoniwillfor
givehi
mf orwhat
hedid.
[
08/
18,
03:
46] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER52

SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO

Shedoesn’ tknowwhatt hehelli

sgoi ngon–but
what everitisshehopest hathersisterwi
llpul
l
throughlikeshedi dyearsbackwhent heywere
mi st
reati
ngher .Thr oughoutthepastsevenmont hs
shehasbeenawf ull
yquietandstressed.Shetri
ed
reachingoutmul ti
pletimesbutnoaavai l
able
response.Shet ookituponher sel
ft ogodownt oa
forei
gnci tytolookaf terher.Shejustcameback
from mat ernit
yleavebutmot her
hoodhasnotbeen
t
hatbecausebecauseofherbr
eaki
ngsi
ster
.
“Idonotevenknowwhattodo.Iam cer
tai
nthat
sheisdyingi
nsideandIseem l
ikeaf
ail
uret
hat
oncefai
ledherbefor
e.”
Sheisint
heoffi
ceunabl
etowor
k.Hermi
ndi
s
shi
ft
ingal
loverconf
used…
“Loveandsupportaret
hebestthi
ngsyoucangi ve
toyoursist
er.Makesur
ethatsheknowst hatsheis
notaloneandthatyouwil
lberi
ghtbyherside
helpi
ngheralongtheway.Thati
sallIcanadvise
youfornowatt hemoment.”
Shenodsherheadandsi ghs.Herst omach
grumblespainful
lyandthenitstr
ikes,shehadn’t
hadbreakfastanditsnowmi dday!Howcar elessof
her.Sheneedst ogainsomef ewkilosback.That
babycansuckherni ppleforhourswi t
houtstop.
“I
'
m goi ngouttobuyl unch.”Shelooksather
wristwatchandindeedi ti
sherlunchbreak.She
pullsoutherpurseinsideherbagandwal ksout.
Ger
aldf
oll
owsherbehi
nd…
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Shestopsonhertr
acks,
“wher
eareyougoing?
”she
asksagai
n.Sur
elyheisi
gnori
ngherheri
npurpose.
“
Iam comi
ngwi
thyou.
”her
esponds.
“Ger
ald,youhaveameetingi
nanhour.Ar
en'
tyou
supposedtobeprepar
ingyour
sel
f?”
“I
fonl
yyoucoul
dst
optalki
ngandlet
's,
go,wewi
ll
bebackbef
oret
hemeet
ingcanevenstart
.”
Shet
ri
ed.Seemsli
keheenj
oysfol
lowi
ngher
ar
ound.Shehopsi
ntot
hefr
ontseatandbuckl
esup.
“Noway!
”Shesaysi
nahal
fscr
eam.Ger
aldal
so
hopsi
n.
“
What'
switht
hatsmil
eonyourf
ace?”Hesmi
les
whi
ledr
ivi
ngoutoft
hepar
kingl
ot.
“Whendi
dyoubuyt hi
scar
?”Shesasks,
touchi
ng
ever
yseat
.Yest
erdayhert
inybut
twasnotinthi
s
car!
“
Ifet
chedt
hismor ni
ngaft
erdr
oppi
ngyouatwor
k.I
want
edtosurpr
iseyou.
"
Todayhei
sdr
ivi
ngaMercedes-
BensA-
ClassA200
AMGLINEDSL7G-DCT
“Ifeell
ikeacel
ebri
tyatt
hemoment.”Shespeaks.
Hepar ksthecari
ntheparki
ngl
otandtheyboth
stepup.
Sheiscravingdoughnutsandthati
sexact l
ywhat
hermout hwil
lravi
sh.Shehastoadmi tcravi
ngsfor
hard.Sheisstandi
ngbyt hebaker
ylookingatallt
he
goodiesdispl
ayed.Geral
dholdsherfr
om behind
andkissesherneck.
“Wehaveameet i
ngtogettowoman.Makei t
snappy.
”Hewhi spersmakinghergiggl
e.Asifshe
askedhimtobeher e.Nowshedoesn' thavethe
ti
meadmi rethesesweetdoughnuts.Shebuysthe
doughnutsthatshelovesandtheywalkouthandin
hand.
Shebumpsi ntoLungisaniandThandekapassing
bythebakery.Lungi
saninoticesherandhekeeps
hi
seyesonher .Geral
dsneakshi shandbehindher
buttandsqueezesitmakinghert opushhi
shand
offher.Ger
aldopensthedoorf orSisi
phoandhelps
heri
n…

Thedaywentonpr ett
yfastandshedi dwantitto
endandsur pri
singlythatCicigirlhasbeenavoi ding
heratal lcostandshepr ayst hati tstaysli
kethat
forever.Shej ustcannotwai ttohol dherbabygi r
lin
herar ms.Shel ooksatherphoneandshenot i
cesa
missedcal lfr
om anunsavednumbersheknows.
Shesi ghspaci ngherphoneasi de, sheisnotinthe
moodt odealamoodyLungi sani.Whatcoul dhe
possiblywantf rom her?Justbecausehesawher
thi
smor ningnow, hehast oruinherhappi ness.
Wasi tnotenoughwhenhi ssistert ooktheonly
happinesst hathadeverhappenedt oher?Or
maybe, het hi
nkst hatshereallydi danabor ti
on?If
thatisthecaset henheshoul dki ckhi msel
fwhere
thesundoesn' tshi ne.Nodaught erofherswi l
lbe
seenbyt hatman.
Shewalksoutoftheoff
iceandshenot
icesapost
onthefrontdooroft
heentr
ance.Fr
onkdesk
assi
stancerequi
red…
Shewalkspastandgr
eetstherestoft
heguys
bef
orewalki
ngoutofthebuil
ding.
Shefi
ndsGer
aldal
readywai
ti
ngf
orher-hi
sface
l
ookssour
.
“
What '
swrong?”sheasksstandi
ngbesidehim.She
wil
lnevergetusedtothi
sbeauti
fulcar
.She
i
maginesherselfseat
edinsi
dewithherbaby…
“Mymotheri
sinhospi
tal
.”Hespeaks.Shet
akesa
deepbr
eathandgi
veshim asi
dehug.
“
Wecanpassbyt
hehospi
tal
.”
Henodshi
sheadi
nexhaust
ionandsi
ghs.
Shemovesexact l
yhowhef eels.Havi
nga
hospitali
zedmotherisnojoke.She' sbeenthereand
i
twasadi ff
icul
texperi
ence.Wi thhernofamilyever
camebyt ocheckupont hem besi demamncane
event houghtheyhadat er
ribleencounterandshe
sti
llneedstoapologizetothatwoman.
Shel
ooksathi
m asheisdri
vingcl
enchi
nghi
sjaws.
Sheknowsbet
ternott
osayanythi
ng.
ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

“
Dad,
whathappened?
”Ger
aldaskshi
sdad.
“Shetrippedandfellatwor
kst
rai
ningherknee.
”He
smiles.Howcant hismanbesochill
edwhenhis
wifehasst r
ainedherknee.
“
Shecal
ledmeandsai
d…”
“Youknowyourmot herwi
llal
waysemot i
onall
y
blackmail
syoubecauseyoual waysjumpwhenshe
want syouto.Thatwomani sf
ine,t
rustme.It
'sjust
herkneebutt hedoctor
ssenthertox-r
ayjusttobe
surethatnodamagewasdone. ”
Hesighsinr
eli
ef.Hecannoti
magi
nehi
sli
fewi
thout
t
hisclumsywoman.
Whatwi
llhi
sli
febe?Hecannoti
magi
nehi
sli
fe
bei
ngempty.
Thedoct
ordi
dconfi
rmt
hati
tisnot
hingser
ious,
j
ustaminori
nci
dent
.
Helookscl
osel
yathisf
atherwheeli
nghismother
out
.Hewantsnothi
ngthatwil
ltouchorhur
ther.
“
Wil
lyoubeokaywi
thdad?
”Heasks.
Pr
eci
oussmi
lesandl
ooksatherson.
“
Youseem tof
orgett
hatt
hisi
stheverysame
womanthatmi
stakenadi
shwasherforawashi
ng
machi
ne.
”
Hehasal wayshadaboutt hesecrazylamest ori
es.
Ascl umsyashi smotheris–hei sfi
ndingithardto
beli
eve.Hebur sti
ntolaughandlookedathis
mot herwhowasl ooki
ngatherhusbandr eadyt o
mur der.Theset wohasalwaysbeenl i
keTomyand
Jerry.Hei sjusthappythathegrewupundert he
roofthati sfi
ll
edwithloveandhappiness.Nothing
thatmat ters,r
ight
?
Heshakeshi
sheadandclosesthedooraf
terhi
s
motheri
sseat
edcomfor
tably.

"
Bri
ngSi
phoset
hu,
Imi
ssher
!"

"
Fir
stt
hingt
omor
rowmor
ning.
"
"
Good.
"Thewat
cht
hecarcarasi
tdr
ivesout
.

“
Yourmot
heri
ssodr
amat
ic.
”Si
sispho.
“Tal
kabouttheemostdramaticwomanever!The
wayshecriedovert
hephonesayingthatsheishurt
andshecannotwalk,maybesheisnowcr i
ppled.I
wassoshockedandcoul dn’
thol
dmyemot ionsin.
”
“
Iknowhey,
butIl
oveher
.Shei
sawhol
emood.
”
“
Andthati
swhysheisver
yfondofyou.That
womanismani
pul
ati
ve.
”
“St
opbeingjeal
ous.
”Theybot
hlaugh.Hel
ooksat
herrunni
ngoutforwor
ds.
“
What
?”
“
Ijustadmi
reyoual
ot.Youmakemehappy.
”He
r
esponds.
Geral
ddrivesoutofthehospit
alt
aki
ngSisipho
home.Hewi llpassbythebank–heneedst omake
someseriouschangesinhisli
feandSi
siphoisini
t
forabigsurpri
sefori
t.
ONYI
YE’
SHOUSE

Shel ooksatherhugest omachandsi ghssadl y,not

knowi ngwhatt odowi thherlife.Itwoul dhavebeen
betterthatmanal lowedf orhert oatl eastseehi m,
holdhi m.Shemi sseshi m sobadt hati thur t
s.She
hasl ostalotofwei ghtandwant st obeal oneallthe
ti
me.Theki ds?Shehasnot imef orthem andshe
hasabandonedt hem wi t
houtcar e.St ressi sreall
y
taki
ngat ollonher .Imaginebei ngsevenmont hs
pregnantandhavi ngnosuppor tfrom t hatbaby
daddy.Shei shavingyetanotherboychi ld.Isshe
happyt hatshewi llbehavinganot herl i
tt
leone?No!
Shesomet imesf eelslikeshecoul djustt akea
sharpkni feandshovei tdownherst omachand
comeoutwi ththehead.Thesoundoft henoi sejust
makesherwantt obreakever ything,event heirt
iny
redhai r
.
“Youshoul
deatsomethi
ngGif
t.Thatbabywi l
ldi
eif
youstar
veyour
self
!”Mam Phi
li
siwebarks.She
tur
nsherheadlikear obotandlooksatherwi t
hout
sayi
ngawor d.Shetur nsherheadbacktost ar
eat
thepeachwall
.Shepl acesthebowlbesidethebed
andstepsoutbangingt hedoorbehindher.Shecan
hearnoisef
rom thediningroom areabutshe
doesn’
tdaremovef rom herbed.

*
**

“Baba,Iam sickandtir
edofGi f
twhoj ustsit
sinher
bedroom andonlystressesatthewallwithout
bli
nkingoreventalki
ng.DShei slosi
ngwei ght
drasti
cal
lybutshedoesn' tseem t
ocare!Shei s
pregnantforcryi
ngoutloud!”
“Iknowmywi f
e.MyObi m -Iwilltr
yandt al
kt oher.I
am alsohur t
ingthatmychi l
disi nthisstat
e.Ifonly
Iwast hereforherwhenshewasgr owingupmaybe
wewoul dn’tbehere.Maybeourl i
veswoul dhave
beenbet t
er.”Obinaresponds.“Myf athersaidallof
thi
shappeni ngisbecauseoft hecer emonyt hat
waspost poned.AndIt hinkthatshei sri
ght.
”
“It
hinkweshoul
ddot hi
sassoonaspossibl
e
beforewel
osethatchi
ldthatshei
scar
ryi
ng.
”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
omyuncl est
osor
toutever
ythi
ngand
t
hedat
ewillbeset
.”
TheJohnsonf ami l
ydecidedt omoveherf ort
he
ti
mebei ngsi nceOnyiyecannotdoanyt hingfor
hersel
f.Theki dswer etakentoSt hembiso’smot her
forsecurityreasons.Mont hsago, shelashedoutat
Ndimual mostswal l
owinghi m becausehespi l
led
wateront hef l
oor.Thischildlovesherkidsmor e
thananyt hingbuttodayshehat esthem tothecore.
Shehassuddenl ydevelopedt hatdefeati
statti
tude
andself-deprecati
ng.

Shei stryingtogiveher sel

fsomealoneti
me.
Distancingher selffrom therestofwor
ldunti
lshe
feelsrefreshedandst rongenought of
acethewor l
d.
Afterallwear ehumansandwehavet oli
veinthis
physicalwor ldtol earntoadjustwit
hpeoplearound
us.Buti tisdefiantlyhar df
orher.
Abnormalpai nsstri
keonherl owerabdomen.She
groansholdingherhugest omachandf rowns
l
ookingatthel i
quidflowingonthebed.Shepeed
onherselfyetagain.Thisisexact
lywhathappened
yester
day.Shecont inuestositontopofthepoolof
thewetbedwi t
houtcare.
Therei
st hi
ssharpcrampononesi deofherl
ower
tummy.Shegr oansandbit
esherlowerli
pinpai
n.
Shefeelsheruter
usexpandi
nginavery
excr
uciati
ngway…shesleepsonhersideontopof
thewaterthathasspl
ashedonthebed.
Tearswai loutoneaf tert
heot her
.Sthembi so
cannotof ferhert hewor l
dandl aterhedecidest o
spendf ivefullyearsinprison.Didher eall
yt hi
nk
aboutherorwashej usttooselfi
shandonl y
thoughtabouthi mselfonly.Itpai
nshert hatshe
doesn’tgett owakeupnextt ohimt opokehi snose,
pullhishair,makehi m smellherfart
.Thisisal l
surreal.Whywoul dhedeci det ot
aket hefallforher
whenshei stheonewhoi samur dererandnothi m!
Shewi pest het earsoffherface.Sevenmont hs
withouthim andi t'
sbeent heworstexper i
enceever.
Shet i
l
tsherheadalookatthewhit
ebowlInfr
ont
her.Shegroansst
ret
chingherhandandpurposel
y
dropsthebowlonthefl
oormakingitbr
eak.
“Ahh!”sheholdsontothewetsheet sandgroans
withi
n.Sheishavingabl ur
red-
visi
on,andbecoming
confused.Thedarknessistaki
ngoverandshe
takesadeepbr eat
hfail
ingtobreath.
Herhanddropsandshet
akesaver
ylongbr
eat
h
l
ett
ingitout
…

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Obinnapacingupanddowninf
earofnotknowing
whatt odo.Hehashi
shandsonhiswai
stin
fr
ustrati
on.Hetur
nshi
sheel
stofacehi
swife.
“Whatwouldhavehappenedifyoudidn’
tcheckup
onher?”Hesit
sdownandt hetearsbli
ndhisvi
sion.
Hetakesadeepbreathandwaitsforthenews.
Meanwhi
lei
nsi
det
hedel
iver
yroom…
Thedoctorisusingat ransverseinci
sion.I
tisa
hori
zontali
ncisi
onwhi chi salsocall
edabikini
i
ncisi
onbecausei tisplacedbeneat hthebell
y
butt
on.Next,a3-to4- i
nchi ncisi
onisthenmadein
thewallofheruterus,andt hedoctorremovesthe
babythroughtheincisions.
Thehealthcar
eprovidercleansthewombwhi
lethe
doct
orstakethebaby-t henstit
chesupt
heut
erus
andclosestheinci
sioninherabdomen.
Thedoctor
slookateachother
,thebabyisnot
cr
yingandheiswayt oowhit
ebutpale,t
ootiny…
“Thebabemightdevelopadangerouslung
condit
ioncal
ledmeconium aspi
rat
ion,
ifwedonot
cleanhisl
ungs.”Thedoct
orsays.
Wi t
houtwast etheypl acethebabyont hetableand
theystartbysuct i
oningt hebaby'supperai r
ways,
i
ncludingt henose,mout handt hroat.Theytry
givi
ngt hebabysuppl ement aloxygenby
mechani calventi
lat
or .Theythentapont hebaby's
ti
nychestt oloosensecr eti
ons,at echniqueknown
aschestphysi otherapy.
“
Nor
esponse.
”Theysayi
ndef
eat
.
Momentofsil
encewhi
lethedoct
orswil
lhavet
ogo
havet
obreakthenewstothepar
ents…

OUTSI
DETHEWARD

“
So,whatdoesthi
smean?”Mum Phi
li
siweasks
wit
hherhandsonherchest
.
“I
fawomanent er
spr ematurel
abor,themedical
prof
essionwi l
ldoever ythi
ngtotryandstopthe
motherdeliver
ingthebaby.Ther earevar
iousdrugs,
compl et
ebedr est,
theydoever yt
hingint
heirpower
todelaythebirt
hasl ongaspossi bl
e.Butinthi
s
case,wet r
iedeverythingwecouldbutwecoul dn’
t
savethebaby.”
“Whatdoyoumeanwhenyousayyoucoul dn’
tsave
thebaby?”Herheartdrumsrapi
dlyagai
nsther
chest
.Sheiswor r
iedthatsomethi
ngundesir
ablei
s
abouttobeunleashed.Shefeel
sherheartj
umping
toherthr
oat.
“Babieswhoar ebor nearl
yhaveanincr easedri
sk
ofbleedingi nthebrainbecauseimmat ureblood
vesselsmaynott olerat
echangesinbl ood
cir
culationthatoccurdur i
nglabor
.Itcancause
futurecompl icat
ionssuchasment alretardat
ion
cerebralpalsy,andlastl
ythebabyact uall
ypooped
whi l
estilli
nsidehermot her'
swombmaki ngithard
forust o…”
“
Todowhatexact
ly?
!
Shehalfshoutsandbeginst ojumpupanddown
becauseoffear.“Youcannotjuststandthereand
goaroundincirclesnott
ell
inguswhatyouar eon
about.Yougoar oundinci
rcleswillnotchangethe
factt
hatyouwi l
lhavetotel
lusatt heendoft he
day!”
“It
hinkitwil
lbebet
teri
fyousi
tdownf
ort
his.
”The
doctorsays.
Sheimmedi at
elyfeel
sti
ngli
ngandnumbnessinher
handsandf i
ngers.Shedoesn’
twanttohearwhat
sheisabouttobet ol
d.Notherdaught
erandher
grandchi
ld.
“
Aret
heydead?
”
Shej
umpst
othequest
ion.
"
No,
no.I
'
m af
rai
d…"
"Doctor
!Weneedyou."Oneofthenursessay
peepingthr
oughthedoor
.Withoutquest
ionsasks
herrushedofftother
oom l
eavi
ngtheparents
behindinconfusi
on…
[
08/
18,
03:
46] :ONYI
YE THATGI
RL
CHAPTER 53

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Thedoctorrushesinandstopsonhistr
acks
l
ookingatthebluebabyont opoft
hetable.
Somethi
ngi swronghereandi mmedi
atel
yhe
knowswhati sgoingon.
"Thepar
toft
hel ar
ynxabovethevocalcordsf
all
sin
andtempor
aril
yblocksthebaby'
sair
way."He
hurr
iest
owardswher et
hebabyis.
Helaysthebabyonthesideandbegi
nstosubhi
s
back.Asti
nyasheis,hi
slungsbegi
ntoslowl
y
open.
Atinycr
ymakest
hestaf
fsi
ghi
nrel
ief
.Hepickst
he
babyupandi
mmediat
elywr
apshi
m wit
hthesheet
.
"Heneedst
obecl
eanedupandputi
nthei
ncubat
or,
qui
ck”
Amachi net
hatsendsairandoxygentohisbaby's
l
ungst hr
oughsmallt
ubesinhisnose.Acooling
bl
anket—Abl ankett
hatisusedtolowerhisbaby'
s
bodytemperat
ure.
Heisnowstablebr
eathingjustf
ine,
andt hemot
her
i
salsookaydoingwellbutonecantellt
hatshei
s
notemoti
onal
lywell
.
Thedoctorsharedthenewswi t
ht hepar
entsand
assuredthem t
hatthebabyandt hemotherwould
beokay.Theyarebothfineeventhoughthey
thoughtt
hattheyhadlosttheli
tt
lewarri
or,
butthe
babyprovedthem wrong.
"Howisshedoi
ng?”Thedoct
oraskst
henur
se
all
ocat
edtoOnyi
yewhohasnevershedasmil
e
eversinceshehasbeenadmi t
ted.I
t'
sbeenhours
sinceshegavebirt
hbutnotevenoncehas, she
evenbot her
edaskinghowherbabyisdoing.The
babyist ooti
nyconfi
rmingt
hatthemotherdidnot
takecareofhersel
f.
“St
il
lthesame,shedoesn’tevenwantt
oseeher
chi
ld.
”Thenurseresponds.
Thedoct
ornodshisheadandsighs–l ookslikethi
s
wil
lbeanot
herphaseofpostpar
tum depression,i
fit
i
sormaybet her
eissomethi
ngdeeperthant his?
Hewi
llpr
obabl
yhavet
odi
gmor
eint
othi
s.

Onyiyehashereyeshalfclosedjustli
steni
ngtot he
soundsofthebusycar sandfootsteps.Thatalone
annoysher,shejustwantsaquietplacewher eshe
canjustthi
nkthingsthr
ough.DidSt hembisotake
thefal
lforher?Shereal
lyneedstocal lt
hepolice
fort
his.
Shelastsawherphoneinherbag.Shegroans
hol
dingherstomachandthensheremember s–
shehasjustgivenbi
rt
handsheisinhospit
al.Her
eyeswanderar ound.Panicr
ushovermakinghert
o
breathheavi
ly.Whereisthebaby?Thenursecomes
throughandsmi l
eslooki
ngattheOnyiyewhois
wideawake.
“
Wher
eist
hebaby?
”sheasks.
“
Int
henewbor
nint
ensi
vecar
euni
t.
”
“
Iwantmybaby!
”shehal
fshout
sat
tr
act
ingeyes.
“Okay, Iwil
lgogr abthewheel chair.Pleasewait.”
Thenur serushesoutt ogetholdoft hewheel chair
.
Ont hebedOnyi yetri
esr emovingher selff
rom the
bed.Shet r
iesplacingherfeetont hegr oundbut
shet ri
psandf alls.Excessivepressurecausest he
suturet obreakandcutt issueleadingt othewound
opening.Shecl oseshereyesandgr oanswhi l
e
holdingherabdomen.
“Oww,”shecri
esout.Sheremovesherhandsand
noti
cesbloodonherhand.Shelooksf
orclot
hes
whil
estil
lonthef
loor…
“Owmygoodness! ”cri
est
henurseandhel psherto
standbutshelet
soutthel
oudexcr uci
ati
ngpain.
Shefoldsherhandsint
oafisthi
dingherbloody
hand.Shefi
nal
lymanagestost
andupwithher
backbentduetot
heamountofpai
nstr
iking.
She
groansl
ouderwhenshesit
sint
hewheelchai
r…
“Yougood?
”thenurseasksthesweati
ngOnyi ye.
Shedoesnotrespondbutrat
hernodsherheadand
makeshermout hi
ntoathi
nline.Shewheelsher
outwit
hasmilebeinghappythatshei
sfinall
y
openi
ngup…
Theyar r
ivei
nthei
ncenti
vecarunitandhereheis–
theli
ttl
eSthembi
so.Thebaby'sskinl
ookswrinkl
y
andloose.Shegaspsinshock.Hiseyesar
eclosed
withthi
s…
“Whyarehi
seyescl
osed?
”sheasksdi
rect
ingt
he
quest
iont
othenur
se.
Shel
aughsl
ight
lyandr
esponds,
“Forbabiesbor ntoosoon,thebloodvesselshave
notfini
shedgr owing,soclosemoni t
ori
ngis
necessaryt oensurepropergrowth.Yourbabywil
l
l
ikel
yr eceivethei
rfi
rstvi
sitfr
om theeyedoctor
whilestil
lintheNICU.”
“
Ishebl
ind?
”
“Fornow,al
lisgoodwi
thhi
m.Justt
hatheneeds
extr
acare.
”
Shenodsherheadandsi ghs.Shepul lsouther
handbutqui ckl
yretr
ievesitremember i
ngthatshe
hasbloodonherhand.So, allofthesebabi
eshave
thi
stypeofshecannotevendescr i
be.Thefat
heris
l
ikethi
sandt hebabi
esar eli
ket hi
s…nochildl
ooks
ather,notevenherhair.Angerbr ewedinsi
deofher
–thethoughtofi tal
onemakesherupset .She
cli
ckshertongueandasksf orthenursetotakeher
back.

Anunpleasant,
painf
ul,andupset
ti
ngthatshef
eel
s
unabl
etoacceptitanddealwithi
t.Shecl
osesher
eyesandseethesherteeth.
Shegr oanswi t
hinhernotwant i
ngtoscream out
l
oud.Shel i
ft
sherhospi t
algownupandl ift
sthe
bandageup.Thest i
tchesont hesi
dearecutopen.
Redst reaksaroundthear ea,
veryt
enderand
swollenlymphnodescl osesttothelocat
ionofthe
sti
tches.
“Whathappened?”t
hedoct orasks,st
artl
ingher
.
Shelooksatthedoctorandcriesoutloud.Thepai
n
i
stoomuch, andshecannott akeit
.Hemakesher
l
ieonherbackshei sunableto.
“Wewi l
lhavetodebridethewoundbyremovi
ng
deadorinfect
edtissueinthewound.
”Thedoctor
s
say.Sheisbleedi
ngheavi l
y…

Aft
erthewoundwascl eanedthedoctoropti
onf
or
hertoundergot
herapybut,shedecl
inedandsai
d
shewasf i
ne.Al
lshewant sisSt
hembi so.
Spendingthewhol eni
ghtinhospi
tal–shei s
feel
inglonel
yandi sol
atedi
nhospitalset
ti
ngs.It
's
mor ni
ngandal lshewantstodoistobewi th
Sthembiso.Bloemfontei
nisver
yfarbutshecan
alwaysplan,r
ight?Shegroansgett
ingoffthebed…
Shewor eherjacket
;shedi
dn’tevenbot
hertobathe.
Hermainpr i
orit
yistogotothepoli
cestat
ionto
repor
tthecri
me, thecri
meshecommi tt
edherself
.
Shestr
idestowardsthedoorwit
hherupperbody
hal
fbent.Sheisholdi
ngherstomachandgroans
suckingal lthepai nin.Sheslowlywal ksoutoft he
hospitalinherbaggyj acket.Thedr essisloose
enought of reeherl egs.Sheseest hepol i
cestation
acrossar oundandshesmi leswi dely–par tofher
i
sj ustexcitedt hatshei sf
inallydoingther i
ghtthing.
Shewi llbear restedwi t
hhim, andtheywi l
lbei none
cellandmaybegett ospendt herestoftheirli
ves
togetherther e.
Sheslowlycrossestheroadwithasmileplast
ered
onherface.Shef i
nall
yreachesthepol
icestat
ion
af
terawal koftort
oise.
Shestandsinthequeue,andi
tseemstobet aki
ng
theworstofi
tsti
me.Talkaboutsnai
lassi
stance!
“
Next
!”
Oneofthecopssai d.Shelookedbehindherasi f
herbodyshivered,notbecauseoff earbutbecause
ofhernothavinganyt hi
nginherst omach.She
feel
sherbodygi vingin.Vi
sionbecomesbl urr
yand
herwholebodyt rembleasever yt
hingri
ghtinfr
ont
ofhereyesturnsupsi dedown.
Shewakesupt othesoundofthebeepingmachi
ne.
Sthi
llconf
used,
shefindsherpar
entslooki
ngath
her.
Shetakesthemobili
zerof fherf
aceandtri
essit
ti
ng
upandnot i
cesthatshehasbeent ieduponthebed
wit
htheflexicuf
fsattachedaroundherwri
starea
aswellasthebed.Shet ri
espull
ingthr
oughbutit
's
har
d.
“
Mah,
”
“Gi
ft
,whyar
eyoudoi
ngthi
s?Whydoyoul i
ke
seei
ngmeinpai
n?Whatwrongdi
dIevercommi
tto
you?”
“
It
'sSt
hembi
so-Ij
ustneed…”
“
DoyouseeSt
hembisohere?”Mum Phi
li
siweasks
i
ndef
eat
.Sheshakesherheadno
"
Iwantedtohandmysel
fin.Iwant
edt
obewi
thhi
m
i
nthatpr
ison.
"
"So,bei
ngwi t
hhimi npri
sonwil
lmakeyousane?I
thi
nkyouar estart
ingt
olosei
t.Whyareyouhurt
ing
yoursel
fli
kethis?Youknowwhat,donotbot
herto
answer.I'
vehadenoughofyou!Goki l
lyour
selfi
f
youwant .Idon'
tcareanylonger
.Aboundyourki
ds
andforgetaboutthem becauseyouar
ejust
usel
ess!"
Mam Phil
isi
wecli
ckshert
ongueandgr
absherbag
wal
kingoutoft
heward.
Onyi
yesi
ghsandt
urnst
olookatherf
atherwho
l
ooksver
ymuchdi
sappoi
nted.
"Onyi
ye,t
hisist heli
feyouwantt oli
ve?Chasi ng
aft
eramanwhosavedyourl i
fe?Youshoul dbe
helpi
nghimleadi ngthebusinessratherthanyou
doingthi
ngst hatwil
lmakehi m st
resswher everhe
i
s.Doyout hinkordidNont ombitransferher
thi
nkingtoyou?I '
m verydisappoi
ntedinyou."He
shakeshisheadandf ol
lowshiswifeshor t
ly.
Shesighsagai
nthought
full
y.Thesepeopl
edono
under
stand.St
hembisopromisedheral
otandshe
i
sstil
lhol
dingontoit
.
Shewi
gglesherhandt r
yingt
osli
pitoffbutthe
movesheaggressi
velymovesitt
hemor eshehurts
her
sel
f.Thef
lexcuffcutsherwri
stbutnottodeep.
Shel
aysonherbackwi
tht
ear
sbl
indi
nghervi
sion.
Sheneedst
omakeanot
herpl
an…

Shecan'teat
,shecannotst
omachanythingandshe
doesn'
twanttobeseen.SheheardthatLindi
we
camebybutshebl unt
lyref
usedtobeseenbyher.
Nooneunder st
andsthephaseshe'
son.
She'
sangr
yout
bur
sts,
irr
it
abi
li
ty…
Sheisexperi
enci
ngsomebrai
nfogand
for
getf
ulness,
for
get
ti
ngherchi
ldr
enint
hepr
ocess.
Shelooksatthewatchonthewallandtakesadeep
breat
hcounti
ngtheseconds.Tazzwalksinright
thatmoment.Herl
ipsstr
etchedi
ntoasmi leand
l
ookbehindhim,heisnotwithhi
m.Thenwhati she
doingher
e?
"
Wher
eisSt
hembi
so?
"Sheasks.
"Whati
swrongityou?Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ohave
your
sel
fki
ll
ed?"
"No,IthoughtIwil
lbedoi
ngt
her
ightt
hing.
"She
sayslookingstr
aighti
nhi
sar
ms.
Heshakeshi
sheadl
ooki
ngatthel
ostOnyi
ye.He
pul
lsf
ormschai
randsi
tsnextt
oher.
"Doyoulovehim?"Heasks.Sheknowsexact
lywho
heistal
kingabout
.
"
Mor
ethanl
if
eit
sel
f.
"
"Thenwhywouldyoudosomethingt
hatwillt
emp
withhi
simpr
isonment?Doyouwanthimtost ay
l
ongerandneverseeyouagai
n?"Sheshakesher
headno.
"Hedidt hisforyou,sothatyouwi l
lbetheref orhi
s
kids,
hi sbusinessandf amil
y.Hedi dthi
st ohimself
becausehecoul dn'
tbareseeingyoubehi ndbar s.
Myf r
iendt hisallt
hatforyouandal lyouthinkabout
i
sbei ngsel f
ish!Youarechil
dishmaangr owup!
Younol ongercareforyourkidsbecauseal lyou
wanti stobewi thhiminthatprison!"
"
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tthatway.
"Shedi
dn'
t,
honest
ly.
"
Thati
sbecauseyoudonott
hink!
"
Hehal
fshout
s.
"
Whatyoudi
dshoul
dbet
hef
ir
standt
hel
astt
ime.I
wil
lnotgoaroundcl
eani
ngupyourmess.
"He
cl
ickshi
stoungeandroughl
ypushest
heandwal
ks
out.
Themor eshet hi
nksaboutitthemoreherheart
shatt
ersint
oami l
li
onpieces.Shebit
esherlowerl
ip
andletthetearsfal
l.Shegaspsforai
rtr
yingnotto
crybutever
yt hi
nginherhearts.
Shelet
sital
lout
.Ever
ythi
ngnowispl
ayi
ngl
ikea
fast
for
wardedmoviei
nherti
nyhead.
Al
lthet
hingsshedi
dandnegl
ect
edthatneededher
t
hemost.School
,ki
ds,
fami
ly,
busi
ness…
"
OwGod,"i
t'
sonl
ynowt hatsheisr
eal
isi
ngthat-
t
hatwhol
eshehasbeenthroughhascostheral
ot.
Shesear
chesf
orherphonebuti
tisnoti
nsi
te.
Thenur
sef
inal
lywal
ksi
nwi
that
ray.
"
Timef
oryouvi
tami
ns.
"
"
Okay.
"
Sheremembersthatshewouldnormal
lyt
ossthem
asi
deandlashoneveryone.Butt
odayshewil
l
abi
debytherul
es.
Shegul
pst
hem t
hem wi
thoutaski
nganyquest
ions.
"CanIseehim?"Thatshamefull
y'hi
m'ofnot
knowingherson'
sname.Sthembi sowoul
dreal
lybe
disappoi
ntedi
nher.Howcarelessofher
.
"
Youmeanyourson?
"Thesonasksconf
used.
"Yes,
myson."Feel
swei
rdafterever
ythi
ngshehad
done.Negl
ect
inghi
m wi
thoutcare.
"Iwil
ltel
lthedoct
or.
"Shetakesthet
rayandwal
ks
out.ShethanksTazzforopeni
nghereyes.

She'
slooki
ngathert
inywri
nkledsoni
nsomuch
fear
.Herhear
tdrumsrapi
dly…
"I
shegoingt
obeokay?
"Sheaskswi
thahugel
ump
onhert
hroat
.
"Hewil
lbefi
ne.Prematurebabi
esarealways
knownassurvivor
s.Weallhaveafight
eri
nus.
Preemi
esjusthaveali
ttl
ebitmore.
"
Somet
hingposi
ti
vet
osmi
leabout
.
Shel
ooksar
oundandseeot
hermot
her
sbondi
ng
wi
tht
hei
rli
tt
leone.Herhear
tbr
eaks…
Spendingti
mei ntheNICUcanbeoneoft he
scari
estexper
iencesthatanyparentwil
levergo
thr
ough.Nowt hatshe'shereget
tingt
ospendt i
me
wit
hhersonf eelsli
keahorrormovie.
Everyt
hingi
nhi
misjustt
iny,
hist
inybodybei
ng
surr
oundedbyal
loft
hosemachines.
'
Hewi llbefi
ne'
.Thatli
tt
levoi
ceinhersays.She
str
etchesoutforherhandcaressesonhisso
caref
ullyl
ikeafragi
legl
assthatheis…

I
NPRI
SON

Sthembisoisl
eaningagainstt
hewallwit
hhi
seyes
cl
osed.Hehadnochoi cebuthecouldn'
tbar
ethe
painofhisNdonibei
nginpr i
son.Heknewshe
wouldn'
tstandi
tandpr i
sonisnojoke.
"
Someonei
sher
etoseeyou.
"
Oneofthewar
denssay.Heshoothi
seyesopen
andsi
ghs.Hemadeitcl
eart
hathedoesn'
twantto
seeanyone,
unt
ilhei
sfi
ttoseet
hem.
Hest
andsupandf
oll
owst
hewar
denbehi
ndhi
m.
Khoza…
Hefr
ownsl
ooki
ngathi
m.Hesi
tsdownopposi
te
hi
m.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Heasks.
"I
sthi
showyouar egoi
ngtogreatmeaftert
heshi
t
yourbabymamaputust hr
ough.
"Heleansback
andfoldshi
sski
nnyarms.
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
"Thatgi
rlisloosi
ngitbitbybi
t.Sheisbreaki
ngand
i
t'shurt
ingthekidsintheprocess.Shegavebirt
hto
apremat urebabythatshedoesn'tevenwanttosee.
NdimuandNgi muhavebeenl eavingwit
hyour
parent
sandt heyoungoneiswithherparents.
Everyt
hingisgoingSout hi
nyourhouse.Ididn'
t
wanttobr eakthenewsbutIcouldn'tbar
ethestar
sheisin."
Het
akesouthi
sphoneandshowshi
mthepi
ctur
es.
"
Nophones!
"Thewar
denshout
s.Hel
ockshi
s
phoneandshovesi
tbackt
ohi
spocket
.
"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
"
I
thur
tst
hathei
sthecauseofal
lthi
s.
"Reachouttoherandtal
ktoher
.That'
sal lthatshe
needs."Khozast
andsupgivi
nghim alastgl ar
e
beforewalki
ngout.Hi
seyesbur
nwi t
ht ears.
Heal
sost
andsupandgoesst
rai
ghtt
othewar
den.
"
CanImakeaphonecal
l?
"
"Gofol
lowthequeuel
ikeever
yoneel
sehesays.
"He
l
ooksatthequeueacr
ossandGoddamnJesus!He
can'
twaitf
orlong.
Het
urnst
ofacehi
m.
"Mybabymamaj ustgavebi
rt
htoapr ematurebaby.
Ijustwanttoknowi fmykidsareokay.That'
sallI
'm
askingfor
,please."
Hei
snotabeggarbuthehadt
ohehasnochoi
ce.
Thewardenlooksathim andl
ooksaroundbefor
e
pul
li
nghimtot hepri
songrounds.Hetakesoutf
or
hi
sphonefrom hispocketandhandsittohi
m.
"Bequi
ck.
"Hesays.Hest
andsf
urt
herawayf
rom
him.
Herphonei
sri
ngi
ngandt
her
eisnohopeofher
pi
cki
ngup.
Bef
orehecoul
ddr
opshef
inal
lypi
cksupandkeeps
qui
te.
"
Ndoni
…"
"
St…"
"Yesbabe,i
t'
sme."Hehasn'
thear
dhervoicein
months.Heari
nghervoi
cenowisli
ter
all
ybreaki
ng
hisheart
.Hetakesadeepbr
eathandtri
esholdi
ng
himselfi
n.
"
Sthembi
so.
"
Hersobsar ehi
sweakness.Hearinghercrylikethat
makinghim wanttoescape,j
usttogoholdheri n
hi
sar ms.Hecannotbareheari
nghervoicet eari
ng
upli
kethis.Hedropstheli
neandsiisintothe
benchthatwasbesidehim.Hisjoint
sareweak.
"Fuck'
!
"Headmit
s.Onyi
yet
hatgi
rlhassomet
hing
holdoverhi
m!
[
08/
18,
03:
47] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER54

I
NHOSPI
TAL

MaybeSt hembi soneededt oputsomesensei nto

her.Allthiswhileshehasbeennegl ect i
ngherkids
oversomet hi
ngshecannothol dover .Shelooksat
Samuphi wakickingwithhisti
nyf eet.Yes,shehas
fi
nall
ymanagedt onameherbi r
thcont rolchi
ld.A
namet hathisfatherhasgivenhim.Fort hefi
rst
ti
mei nagesSt hembisoget st
onameoneoft heir
chil
dren.Sheemot ionall
ysmilesandf orasecond,
shethinksofhowmuchofabadmot hershehas
beenf orthepastmont hs.Herwoundhasheal ed,
andshesur elooksbet t
erthanthelastt ime.
Forthepastthreeweekswer ethehardestofherli
fe.
Shecriedenoughandf ellapar
t,al
mostlosing
hersel
fintheprocess.Thisisnothowshei magined
herli
fetoturnout…
“
Doyouwantt
ohol
dhi
m?”
Shechucks…
“Iam scar
ed.Heist
ooti
ny;If
eell
ikeIwi
llbe
breaki
nghim –somehow.”
“Iwil
lhelpyou,
plushei sawake.
”Thedoct orsays.
Shewant edtodecli
nebutshethoughtof
Sthembiso’
swor ds.Shecannotgoagainsthiswish.
Shesmi l
es,makinghermouthintoathi
nl i
ne.
“
Okay.
”Thi
sisj
ustwei
rd.
Thenur seholdsthebabyinanupr i
ghtposit
ion,
skintoski n,onherchest-betweenherbr eastsin
anupr ightpositi
on.Theheadt urnedtoonesi de
andinasl ight
lyupturnedposi
tion.Thenurset hen
covershi m withawar m bl
anket.Shewasi nstruct
ed
tositback, rel
ax,l
istentoherbaby’sbreat
hingand
feelthem relaxinher .
“I
sherespondi
ng?’Shei
sshocked.Suchat
iny
babyget
storespond…
“I
fhehasmeltedthenyes,heisresponding.Thi
s
posi
ti
onyourbaby'shear
trate.I
mpr ovi
ngyour
baby'
sbreathi
ngpatternandmaki
ngthebreathi
ng
moreregul
ar.Improvi
ngoxygensat
urat
ionlevel
s.”
Thenursefurt
herexplai
ns.
Immediatel
yhereyesbecamet
eary–suchagr
eat
exper
ienceshewasabouttomiss.
Holdi
ngherbabycl
oset
oherchesti
saspeci
al
exper
ience.
Shehasj ustpi
ckedup-bondingi sthever yint
ense
feel
ingofloveshehasjustdevelopedf orherbaby,
j
ustbyhol di
nghim onherchest.Shef eelsan
almostoverwhelmingsenseofloveandaf fect
ion,
andast r
ongdesiretocareforandpr otecthim.
Parentingguiltisreal
,i
tissomethingthatshei
s
nowexper iencing.Feeli
ngjudgedandbl amedby
othersisuncomf ort
abl
eandupset ti
ngandimpacts
herpar ent
ing.Indeed,sheagrees-hasbeenabad
mot herlat
ely.
Shewant stosqueezehistightl
ieshewi
llnormal
ly
doont heotherboys,butshecannot–thenigger
wil
ljustbreaki
n-betweenherbreast.
Qual
it
yti
mei
sti
mewi
thyourchi
ldr
enandgi
ving
them yourundi
videdatt
entiondoi
ngtasksthatthey
l
iketodo–evenwat chi
ngPeppaPi g.Hesnorts
thi
nki
ngabouthersi nf
uli
stchil
d.Spendingqual
ity
ti
mewi t
hthem doesnothavetobeahuge
undertaki
ng.Shehaslearntfr
om thebest.

Midday-shedecidedtocheckuponheronl i
ne
cl
asses.Shemissedoutonal otbutbouncedback
af
terstuf
fi
nghermi ndthr
oughitall
.
She'
sbiti
ngherpeni nf
rustr
ati
on.Shereal
lyneeds
toputi
nar equestofat
tendi
ngfullt
ime.Shecan't
besuff
eri
ngl i
kethi
s.
Sheclosesherl
aptopfai
li
ngtoconcentr
ate.She
l
astspoketoSthembisothedaybefor
eandshe
misseshimtotheoutmostbest
.
Justwhenshewasthinki
ngaboutt
hedevil
.The
pri
sonnumberf
lashedacrosst
hescreen.
"
Babe,
"
Shei
smor
ethanest
ati
ctohearhi
svoi
ce.
"
Mnyamana.
"
"Thi
siswhatyoucal
ledf
or?
"Sheaskspul
li
ngher
hospit
algownwit
hherfl
ust
eredf
ace.
"
Howar
etheki
dshol
dingup?
"
Shesi
ghs.
"Ihaven'tseent
hem.ThewardsI
'
minbabiesare
notallowed.ButIdovi
deocal
lMaJi
yanef
rom now
andagai njustt
oseethem.
"
"
Andt
hepr
event
ionson?
"
Howdarehecal
lsherson'
thepr
event
iondon'
t.She
l
aughs…
"Hei
sgrowing.Ij
usthavetrai
torki
dswhol
ook
somuchli
keyouandnot hi
nglikeme."
"
Wehaveaf ewmoretohaveinthef
utur
e.
Hopef
ull
y,onewi
llt
akeaf
teryou.
"
Shesmi
lesbl
ushi
ng.

Heari
nghisvoicehasal
waysbeenthebest.The
bestt
hatpicksuphermoodandhappiness.
Wheneverhetalkst
oher.
..Shej
ustl
ovesit.She
coul
dlist
ent
ohimt alkforhoursonend.Hi
svoice
i
sjustsocomfort
ing,i
tli
teral
lysoot
hesanyounce
ofanxi
etywi
thi
nher .

Whensheget sdischarged-whi chwil

lbei
nafew
weeks.ShewillgoforseethingsinSthembi
so'
s
workplace.Hehast hathugetrusti
nherandshe
cannotbri
nghim down.
Shel
aysonherbackandsmi
les…
"
Mnt
ase!
"
Shet
il
tsherf
indandf
indsSi
siphol
ooki
ngl
ikea…
"Wow,whathappenedtoyoureyebr
ows?"Thati
s
thef
ir
stthi
ngshenotices.Shel
ookswaytoogood
andsmellgoodtoo.
"Andthi
sist
hewaytogr
eetme?
"Shesmi
les.Her
neatl
ymadenai
ls…
"
Ibr
oughtsomeone.
"
Onyiye'
seyesfur
rowedinconf
usion.Whomi ght
thatbebecauseal
lofhercl
osefamilyseesher
everyday.
"
Who?
"
"Iwi
llbeback."Sheplacesherbagontopoft
hebed
andwal ksout.Shecomesbackpushinga
wheelchairandshefeelsherst
omachinknot
s.
"
Onyi
ye.
"
Thatishermother
.Shel ookswayt oooldf
or
someonewhousedt olovehersel
f,ormaybei
sit
becauseshehasstroke?She'sconfused.
"
Hel
lo!
"
Sisi
phobri
ngsherbackt
oear
th.Shecompl
etel
y
zonesoutl
ooki
ngatheri
nshock.
"Er
m,MakaSisipho."Shest
il
ldoesn'
tknowwhatt
o
doorsayanyfurther.

Shelastsawt
hiswomanwhenshewasatt
he
hospi
tal.

"
Youcancal
lmemah.
”
Shechucklesnervousl
y–shet ri
esstandingupbut
shefal
lsbackdownont hewheelchai
r."
SeemslikeI
am bei
ngagr annyforreal
."

Thest atement–whatdoesshedo?Doesshel augh

i
tof f?Shesmi l
esdr yl
ynotknowi ngwhattodoor
saynext .ShelooksatSi si
phoforint
ervent
ionbut
girlhashereyesgl uedonherphone.Shewi l
l
def i
nit
elygetherforthis.Shedidn’
tevenwarnher
thattheywer ecomi ng!Shetakesadeepbreath..
.

“Iknowt hatIwasneverthegr eatestmum i

nthe
world.ButIam wi l
li
ngtolearnfrom youguys.Iam
will
ingforyout wotoholdmyhandandshowme
therightpath.Iwantyoutwot oshowmehowt o
behaveasagr andmother.Isurehavealotof
grandkids.”

“Everyt
hingcomesnaturall
ymah.Youwi
llnai
lthe
grandmot herposi
ti
on.
”Sisi
pho.
Hermother
'sf
acestr
etchesabit
.Isthatasmile?
Thatwomanhardl
ysmi l
edorhavethingschanged.

"
CanIseehi
m?”

Onyi
yel
ooksatherconf
used.

"
Shesmeanbirthcontr
ol.
”Si
siphochi
rpsi
nand
l
aughs.Sheal
sojoinsi
nandlaughs.

"
Shewasonbi
rt
hcont
rolbutst
il
lgotpr
egnant
.”

“
Iwi
llaskt
henur
set
otakeust
her
e.”
Looki
ngatherf
ussi
ngoverSamu.
..

Howdoesshef eel
?Lostandconfused.Itisvery
weirdlooki
ngathermot herpl
ayi
ngwi t
hherchi l
d
wit
ht hisbabytal
kinhermouth.Sheisfeeling
herselfemoti
onall
y.Shehasalwayswant edthis
andGodhasf i
nall
yansweredherprayers,t
othe
best.

"Heissoti
ny.Heremindsmeofyou–t hewayyou
weresoti
nyyouweighed2kg.Itf
eltl
ikeyouwould
sli
poutofthebl
anketever
yti
meIcarriedyou.
”

Anothert hi
ngt hatfeelsweirdi
shermot herwho
keepsonment i
oninghowshewaswhengr owing
upwher eassheneverhadasof tl
if
egrowi ngup.
Shel earnthowt ocookpor ri
dgeattheageofni ne
years.Shest i
llhast hatscaroft
heporri
dge
jumpi ngontoherhandandshegotawhi ppingof
herli
f e.Shelooksatherhandandt hescarhas
fadedbutt hereisthatsomet hi
ngonherhand.
“Idi
dnotdomybesttoyoubutIwil
lmakesur
ethat
Imakethemostofi
tformygrandki
ds.
”

Nowshedoesn’
twanttol
etgoofherson.Itwas
muchofahustl
etel
li
ngherthatshevi
sit
shim
agai
ntomor
row.Thatwastheonlywaytotel
lhert
o
getof
f–butinagoodway.

Goingbackt oherr
oom shefindsherparent
s
seatedonthechaircomfor
tablyhol
dinghandsl
ike
l
ovesi ckpuppi
es.Sbahl
esmi leswi
delyseei
ngher
.
Onyinyegaspslooki
ngattheyouSimui nher
mother '
sarms.

"
Myson.
”

Shecannotcont
aintheexci
tementinher
."Howdi
d
yousmuggleget
tinghimin?
” Sheasksl
ooki
ngal
l
emoti
onal.
"Chil
drenwerenotallowedatt hatti
me–t herewas
somechemi calthatwasbei ngsplashedaroundthe
parki
ngzonear ea,buteverythi
nghasclearedout–
meani ngt
hoset wootherrascalsyouwi l
lbeseei
ng
l
ateron.Tazzwi l
lbebringi
ngt hem.”

“
Iam goi
ngt
oseemyki
ds?
”

Thatisoneofthehappinessthatwil
lkil
lherone
day.Shehasal otoft
hem, butl
ovesallofthem
equall
y.Sheisfai
li
ngtoholdthehappinessi n.She
l
etsitallout
.Whenwast helastti
meshecr iedtears
ofjoy.I
thasbeenpainafterpai
n.

Fi
nal
ly,
shegather
sher
sel
fandtakesadeepbreath.
Shehol
dshersonsoti
ght
lyi
ntoherar
msf or
getti
ng
howsmallhei
s.

“
Youar
esur
eki
ll
inghi
m.”
Mam Phi
li
siwesayssmil
ing.Shedeci
destotake
t
hebabyoutofherhands.Nontombii
ssti
llhere
wit
hSisi
phoandtheatmosphereisawkwardas
much.

“Wewil
ltakeourl
eave.
”Shesaysr
eadyt
owheel
her
sel
fout.

“
Owno,pleasest
ay.Donotl
eaveonouraccount
.
Wej
u..
.”

Noisef rom theoutside.ThedooropensandNdi mu

walksi nscanninghi seyesaroundfamili
arfaces.
Hishai risneatl
ytrimmed.Shel oveditwhenitwas
sti
llmessyandabi tcur l
y.Surel
yTazzisbehindt he
haircut.Hiseyeslandsonapar t
icul
arface.Heis
conf usedandyetagai nhistinyfacecannotcontain
hissmi le.Hethrowst hepacketofchipsonthef l
oor
andr unst owardshismot her.
“Ni
ni.
”Hi
stonguesli
ps.Onyi
yelaughsshaki
ng
huggi
ngherson.Ngi
mui speacef
ull
ysleepi
ngon
Tazz’
sar
ms.

“
Saymama.
”

“
Nini
.”

Shegivesupont hi
schil
d.Hewillneverr
especther
.
Thefactthathecal
lsherbynamesaysi tal
l–but
sheblamesSt hembi
sofori
t.Thewhol er
oom isful
l.

ShetakesNgimuoffTazz’
shandsandki sseshis
chubbycheeks.Hei
sstil
lapacifi
erchi
ld.Helooks
sogrownandshehatesitthatshewasnotpr esent
towit
nessital
l.

“
OwmyGod.
”
Sheonceheardt
hat‘
Oppor
tuni
ti
esdon'
thappen,
youcr
eatethem’
.

Shemi ssedherr
ascalssomuchandshedi dn’
t
evennoticehowdeepitwas.Fi
vechil
drenfor
someonewhoi snoteventwent
y-f
iveyet.God
blessedherandbeyond.

“Aretheyal lyours?”Nontombiaskswit
ha
confusedl ookonherf ace.Al
loftheseki
ndsare
practical
lythesameage.Ther eisnohellwayshe
willevershar eherstor
yofhowshegotherki dsi
n
thefirstplace.Thisisbet
weenherandherGod.

“
Yes,
”

“
Whysomany?
”
“I'
drat
herregr
ettherisksthatdidn'
twor
koutthan
thechancesIdidn'
ttakeatall.
”Shesmil
es.Shehas
alwaysdreamedofher sel
fhavingabigfami
ly.

“
Wow,
andyoumanage?
”

I
sshej
udgingherr
ightnow?Hereyebr
ows
f
urr
owedandangerstar
tedt
obrewont hei
nsi
de.

“Igi
veyoucr edi
t.Neveri
nmywil
destdreamshaveI
everthoughtyouwouldhaveabi
gheat.Igi
veitt
o
you.”

Herhearti
mmediatel
ymel
ts,shewasaboutt
ogive
thi
swomanherpieceofmind.Thesear
ehercubs–
cubsthatar
enottobemessedwith.

“
Thakyou.
”
Sisi
sphoclearsherthroatandtheattentionison
her.Tazzhasbeenst eali
ngglancesatherever
si
ncehegother .Hehaslostabitofwei ghtbutst
il
l
l
ooksgood.Shechuckst hinki
ngtoher selfandt
hen
hermout hdecidedtodot heworst.
..

“
Wher
eist
hecol
oredsbar
i?”

Onyi
yebit
eshertongueandsideeyesTazzwho
l
ooksst
iff
.TheblushonSisi
phos’
sf acei
smaki
ng
hi
m boi
linanger
.

“Outsi
de.Ishouldgetgoing.”Shet urnsher
mother'swheelchai
rafterbiddingf ar
ewellandt
hey
bothsteppedout.Thespacesuddenl yfeel
ssmall
foreveryonebutsheisgratefulthatshegotto
spendtimewi t
hherfami l
y.

OUTSI
DETHEWARD
Sisi
phoiswheel i
nghermother–shespots
Lungisaniandhiswif
ealongwit
hThandekaont
he
si
de.Doesshehat ethem?Notatall
.Shei
s
defi
nitel
yhappywher eshei
s.Shel
ockseyeswi
th
Lungisanibutshefl
ashesasweetsmil
eandwal
ks
pastthem.

“
Babe1”thati
ssurelyGer
ld'
svoice.Wheret hehel
l
i
shecomi ngfr
om?Shest opsandt ur
ns–i ndeedit
i
shim.Shecannotstoptothi
nkhowgr at
efulsheis
f
orhavi
ngsuchamanl i
kehim.Tallcolor
edman
whoisfai
rincolor
.Hasthatsweetvoicethatjust
makesherbeansjumptotheutmost .

“St
opundr essi
ngme! ”Onet hingabouthimi sthat
hedoesn’thaveal owvoice.Whenhewhi spers,he
shoutsandwhenheshout s,hewhi spers.She
wouldn’
tbesur pr
isedifhethoughthewas
whisper
ing.Shelaughsshaki ngherhead.Woul dn’t
heleavethebabywi t
hhi smot heri
nt hecar ?Yes,
Madam Pr eci
ousdecidedtocomeal ong.That
womani
stot
all
yfunt
obear
oundwi
th.

Hi
scol
ognei
smaki
nghergoi
nsanel
ymad.
..

“
Didyounot
icet
hatyoushoutj
ustshout
?”

Shel et
sgooft hewheelchai
randt
akesthesleeping
babyof fhi
shands.Thewayhei ssoaddict
edt o
Sipho–i tscaresheratti
mewonderi
ngwhati fhe
decidestoleaveherforanot
herwomanwhoi s
muchmor esuperiort
hanher?

Hesecreti
vel
ysneakshi shandbehindherbut
t
squeezi
ngitf
irmlymaki ngherjumpabit
.Thatis
oneofhisdai
lyhabits.Sheshouldhavebeenused
toitbynowbutitjustnotgett
ingint
ohersyst
em.

“
Behave.
”Shemut
ter
s.
Thewayhelovesshowingaffect
ioni
npubli
cjust
makesheraspeci
alcase.Sheplacesher
daught
er'
sheadonhershoulder.

“
Wher
eist
hebl
anket
?”sheasks.

“
Inthecar.
”Het akesovert
hewheelchai
rand
wheelsi
tout.Shehadtotal
lyf
orgot
tenthather
motherwaspresent.

“
Youseethatmanovert
her
e?”Shewhi
sper
sas
t
heywal
kout .

“
Yes,
whatabouthi
m?”

“
Iti
stheabor
ti
onguy.
”

Het
urnsf
ull
ycat
chi
ngagl
impseofhi
m andboy
waslooki
ngri
ghtbackatthem.Hesmi
rksand
cont
inueswi
ththei
rjour
ney.

ONYI
YE’
SHOUSE

Sisi
phoistr
yingtocookatherutmostbest
.
Preci
oushasbeent hebestgui
dethr
oughoutand
sheadmitshercookingski
ll
shavepoli
shed.

“Whatar
eyoucooki
ng?”Preci
ousasksli
mping
towar
dsher.Shemi
ghtjustt
ri
pandstrai
nhersel
f
agai
n.Thi
swomandoesnotl i
sten.

“
Beefst
ewandphut
hu.
”

“
Aha,
youar
ecooki
ngyourman'
sfavor
it
e–Isee.
”
Shelaughs.Shegrabstwobottl
esofwaterand
walksoutoftheki
tchen.Guesstheot
herbottl
eis
forhermother.

Hersister'
shouseisthebest.Spacious,simpleand
beautif
ul.Shewascutoutforani celi
fe.Itisher
fi
rstti
mebei ngher
e.Infact
,fi
rstt
imeset ti
ngher
footinDurbanandshemustsayi t'
ssuchabr eeze
thatshecannotexplai
n.

Shewishesof
fthest
ove–sheisdone.Sheneeds
tobat
heSiphoandgetr
eadyf
orhernightr
out
ine.

Geraldholdsherfrom behi
ndandkissesherneck.
Again,anotherhabitofhi
s.Her
estshisheadonher
shoulder.

“
Whati
sit
?”
Sheaskswi
pingt
hecount
ert
abl
e.

“
Isi
tacr
imet
omi
ssmywoman?
”

Heasksandf orceful
lyt
urnstofaceher.Thisdude
hasbeent her
esincedayone.Thedel i
verydays
werethebest–hi sfaci
alexpr
essionwast hebest
whenhegott oseewher ebabiescomef r
om.He
di
dn’ttouchherforalmostamont h!

“Imissyout oo.Youknowt heset woar eout

side
youmi ghtseet hem wheelingeachot herand
anotherfall
ingont opofoneanot herl ikethelast
ti
me.”Theyl ookateachot herandl augh.Thatday
wasadayt heywi l
lneverfor get.Precioust r
ied
wheelingher ,
mot herbacki nside–shedoeswhat
shedoesbest .Shefli
ppedherwheel chairoverand
madeSi sipho’smot herf
allandPr eciousf al
lontop
ofher.
“
Please,
donotr
emi
..
.”

Theyar edist
urbedbythescreamingofachil
d
outside.Theybothrunoutf
indingTazzwit
hthe
kidsandsomeadul theadsinthecar.Shesi
ghsin
reli
ef.

“
Hei
,
”

Theyhaven'
tspokenafteraver
ylongt
imeandshe
hasnogrudgeagainsthim.

“
Hei
,
”shesmi
lesl
ooki
ngathi
spal
eface.

“Yourmotherrequestedfortheki
dstospendthe
nighther
ebeforeItakethem backtomorr
ow.”He
sayslooki
ngstrai
ghti nhereyes.
“
Ow, okay.
”Guesshermothercont
actedOnyiyeat
t
heend.Youcanl ett
hem i
n.”Shemovesaside
l
ett
inghimin.TazzandGerl
dlookateachotherfor
asecond.Gerl
dconti
nuestowatchsoccer
..
.

TazzhandsSisi
phothebagsbutt
heirhandstouch.
Shelooksathi
m andshefi
ndshimlookingbackat
her.

“
Iwi
llt
aket
heset
othebedr
oom.
”

Shehur r
iesherlegstothebedroom andclosest
he
doorshut,takingadeepbreat
h.Sheneedst o
col
lectherselfandbeaonewomanwhoi svery
muchi nlovewi t
hG.

DamnyouTazzput
ti
ngherint
hatstupi
dawkward
posi
ti
onnowshewil
lhavet
oexpl
ainhersel
fto
Gerl
d.
Shewal
ksoutoftheroom andfindsTazzst
il
l
st
andi
ngli
keastatue.Shesighscalmi
nghersel
f.

“It
houghtyouwer
elonggone.
”Shesaysst
andi
ng
nextt
oGerld.

“
Thi
sist
hel
istOnyi
yesai
dImustgi
veyou.
”

Shest
ret
chesherhandandr
eadst
hrough.
..

“
Suchal
ongl
ist
!”

Shei
sshocked.Whatar
etheseki
ds?

“Theyhavesensit
iveski
nandthati
sthei
rrout
ine
onadailybasi
s.”Heresponds.
“I
'm doomed.
”Shecr
iest
hrowi
ngher
sel
font
he
couch.

“
It
'sokay,
I'
m her
etohel
p.”

Whatwoul
dshebewi
thoutt
ismant
hough.
..

“Ishouldtakemyl eave.
"hewal
ksoutwi
thhi
s
shouldersalldown.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

“Babe,comeon.I '
ml at
e!”Thi
smansur el
yknows
howt otestherpati
ence.Sheiswai t
ingimpati
ent
ly
forhi
m andt i
mei srunningout.Sheneedsto
submitthesedocument sbefor
et hedeadli
ne.She
cannotmi
ssthisoppor
tuni
tyf
orali
feti
me.She
l
ooksatherbabygir
lsl
eepi
ngpeaceful
lyi
nher
arms.

“HowdoIlook?
”Heaskst uckinghi
sshir
tin.She
l
ooksathi
m withoutsayi
nganywor dandwalksout
.
Hefol
lowsherbehindandlocksthedoor
..
.

“Idonotunder
standwhyyouhavet otakel onger
thanme.”I
tissomethingthatshewillnever
underst
andandgetusedt o.Theysatwomant ake
l
ongerbuthersit
uati
onist het
otalopposite.This
mantakesmuchl ongerthananyotherwomanon
thi
splanet
.

“Iwantedtol
ookgoodhau.”Hefl
ashesacutesmi l
e
andwinksather.Shel
aughsli
ght
lylooki
ngathim
andsighs.Wher
ecansheevenbeginexplai
ningthe
i
ssue?
Shehealed–yes,shedidaf tertossi
ngherself
aroundinnodir
ect
ion.Shei ntroducedherselft
o
alcohol
,maki
nghertroublesnumb.I tdi
dnotstop
there–shewasaboutt oshipher selfst
rai
ghttothe
drugsdepar
tmentbutthismanhel dherthroughout
.

"
Yougood?
"Heasks.

"
Yes,
I'
m good.
"Her
eser
vest
hecar
eanddr
iveout
.

Shet
extOnyiyeofherdest
inat
ion.Therefr
iendshi
p
i
ssti
llti
ghtasever
.Onewouldsweart heywerecut
fr
om thesameclot
h.

Sherespondsmaki
nghertol
aughandsendsher
mult
ipl
epictur
esofherf
amil
y.

"
Gif
tsayshei
."
"
Sendmygr
eet
ingst
oo.
"

Hehasbeensmil
ingalotl
atel
y.Let
'sj
ustsay.He
hascompl
etel
ychanged.

Sheputsherphoneinherbagandl ooksat
Nomaswaziwhowaspeacef ull
ysleeping.Shest
il
l
missesSizweandthatwi
llal
waysbeensomet hi
ng
shecannotgetover
.Shenamedhi m afterhi
s
motherandhewassodel i
ghted.

Melusibr
ingsheroverfr
om ti
metoti
me.School
hasbeenkeepingherbusy.What
everdaysheget
s
shegetstospenditwit
hherdaught
er.

"
I'
m sur
ehei
shappywher
everhei
s."Hesays.

Gui
lt
.
Sheknowshei shappybuti shef ullyhappy
knowingt hathewasr obbedtobeaf ather
.Willhe
behappyknowi ngt
hathisdaught eriscall
ing
anothermanf ather
?Hewasr obbedt oholdhis
chi
ldandbet heret
hroughfirsteveryt hi
ng.Li
feis
notfairatti
mes.Butitiswhati tis.
[
08/
18,
03:
47] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER55

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Sheislookingathisgravewit
hasmi l
eonherface.
Todayshedeci dedtogodownt owher ehewas
buri
ed.Somet imes,i
t’
sbenefi
cialt
ositinaquiet
andtaketimet othi
nkortopray.It
’ssomethi
ngthat
shedoeslat el
y.Anditsoot
heshersoul.
"Heibabe."Shekneel
sdownandbegi nscl
eaning
hisgrave.Shenolongercr
iesbutal
wayssmile's.
Thatiswhathewoul dhavewanted.
"
LookwhoIbought
.Nomaswazi
."
Shesitsdownandtakesadeepbreat
h.Mpil
o
handsherthebabyandstepsbackgi
vingt
hem
pri
vacy.
"Iwroteyoualett
eragai
n."Shechucks,shealways
righthim al
ett
erwhenevershepassesby.It
somet hingt
hatshedeci
dedt odo,
withherheartout
.
"Iknowyoumi ght'vebeent ir
edofhear i
ngmyvoi ce
tell
ingyouhowmuchImi ssyou.I '
lltrynott osayI
mi ssyou.Iam gr appl i
ngwi ththisnewr out i
ne,new
hour s, newsl eeppat tern.Ihavel ear nedthatwe
cannotgoar oundt hepai nofourgr ief.I
nst ead,we
mustl earnt oembr aceandexpr essi t.Thisi shard
butabsol utelynecessar ywor kformeandmy
heal th.Itcomesi nr andom f l
ashbackst hat ,onany
otherday, woul dmakemegi ggle,smi l
e,oreven
blush.I t'
sanonsl aughtofemot ionsoutoft heblue,
i
nt hemostpoor l
yt imedmoment ,li
keasI '
mj ust
j
oi ningavi deomeet ingatmyst ill
-newj ob.I t'
s
scr eami ngmyl ungsoutorpunchi ngmyst eeri
ng
wheelonmycommut ehome.I t
'slyingacr osst he
freshl ydugdi rtatt hecemet ery,sobbi ngHowdi d
thisevenhappen?Whyyou?Somedays, Iwantt o
eatalloft
hethi
ngs, andot
hers,justt
het houghtof
foodmakesmesi ck.Mygri
efalsohast hese
moment sofcalmnessandf ocus,fol
lowedup
almostimmediatelywit
hguilt
.I'
m sti
llgri
evingand
heali
ngbutit
'snotaneasyr oad.ButI'm doi
ngthis
forus."
Shesnif
fsandtur
nstolookatMpil
owhowasnow
squat
tedbehi
ndher.Hehashisheadbentdowni
n
shame.
"Yourmemor ywil
lneverbewi
pedinmyhear
t.You
willbealwaysl
oved.
"Shesaysst
andi
ngup.Mpilo
alsostandsuptohelpher.
"Iwil
lfi
ndyouint
hecar.
"Het el
lsher.Shenodsher
headandmoveherlegstothecarwher eitwas
parked-out
sidet
hecemeterywiththebabyonher
chest.
Hetakesadeepbr
eat
hput
ti
nghi
shandsi
nhi
s
pocket
.
"
Theyaret
hemostspecialpeopl
einmyli
feandI
wantyout
oalwaysknowthatIwil
ldoanyt
hingf
or
t
hem.Becauset
heirhappi
nessismyhappi
ness,I
willmakesur et okeepthingsli
ghtforthem.Ifit
getstoot ough, Iwi
llst
opmysel ffr
om goi ngdown
thewr ongr oad.Nomat terwhat,Il
ovet hem andI
can’tbepr oudertohavesomeonel i
kethem inmy
l
ife!Youcant akemywor dfori
t.Sorr
yf orwhatIdi
d,
hadebaf o."
Hest
andsther
eforaboutagoodmi
nut
ebef
ore
t
aki
nghisl
eave.

*
**

"Zandi
lewillbebr
ingingQopheloover.It
'st
imeIset
boundari
es."Hesaysl ayi
ngont hecouch.Hest i
ll
l
eavesinflatbuthasbeenconsi der
ingbuyinga
house.Heisaman, hecan'tr
aiseki
dsinaf lat
.
"
Hmmm,
"shedeepi
ntoherbooksnotmi
ndi
nghi
m.
"
Mnono!
"Hepul
lshert
oes.
"
Can'
tyouseeI'
mignori
ngyou?Somet
imesIfor
get
t
hatyouhaveahear
ingprobl
em.
"Shesays.
Hesi
tsupst
rai
ghtandl
ooksatherst
il
lbur
iedi
nher
books.
Hesnatchest
hebookof
fherhandsandt
hrowsi
t
asi
de.
"
Mpi
lo!
"
She'
sfur
ious,
whyonear
thwoul
dhedosuch.
"
Iwantmyat
tent
ion.
"Hewhi
nes.
"Wouldn'
tyouhaveaskedi
nst
eadofsnat
chi
ngmy
books?"
Hejustst
aresatherwithoutsayi
nganythi
ng.She
f
ail
stocontainher
selfandburstint
olaught
er.
"I
'
veneverbeenwi t
hamanannoyi ngasyou.
"She
cl
ickshertoungegett
ingofft
hecouch.Hepul
lsher
byhandmaki nghertolayontoofhi
m.Shehas
gainedafewkilosi
nthepastmonths.
"Andyousti
llhaveyourent
ir
eli
fet
imet
oseethi
s
annoyi
ngface."Hesmirksmaki
nghert
obl
ush.
Ther
ewasthi
st i
mewhenthei
rrel
ati
onshipf
aceda
degr
eeofdi
ff
icul
tybutt
heyst
oodagainstal
lodds.
Fal
li
ngi
nlovewast
heeasypar
t.Thechal
lengef
or
them washowtorekindlethefi
resofr omanceand
cult
ivat
ethemature,
trusti
nglovet hatist
he
hall
markofalast
ingrelati
onshi
p.Communi cat
ion
hasbeenthebestbuttheyarest i
llwarmingupto
eachother.
"It
hinkI'
m goi
ngtoregr
eteverf
all
ingi
nlovewi
th
you."Shechucks.
Hesmil
eswidelyandsuckshisl
owerli
p.Hepl
aces
hi
shandbehindhisheadforbal
anceandanot
her
handonherback.
"
Ithi
nkI
'
mregr
ett
ingi
ttoo.
"
Theybot
hst
areateachot
her
…
Thedooropensandt heybothl ookt
owardsthe
di
recti
on.Li
ndiwesecret
ivelyroll
shereyesmoving
offhi
m.Hest andsupandl ooksatZandil
ewhohas
herbabyboyinherarms.
"Ithoughtyouwer
eal
one.
"Shesaysl
ooki
ngat
Lindiweupanddown.
"
No,I'
m wi
ththewomanofthehouse.Weneedto
t
alk.
"Hesaystaki
ngt
hebabyoffherhands.He
goestot
hebedr
oom wit
hthebabyandcomesback
fi
ndi
ngbothoft
hem st
il
lst
andi
ng.
"Si
tdown.
"Heinstr
uct
s.Zandi
lehuf
fsasshesi
ts
downfol
dingherar
msdramati
call
y.
"I
'
llbeinthebedr
oom."Lindi
wet
ri
est
ount
angl
e
hersel
ffr
om thesi
tuat
ion.
"Si
tyourassdownwoman.
"Hei
nst
ruct
s.Zandi
le
smirksl
ooki
ngatLi
ndi
wewhodi
dn'
tseem bot
hered
atal
l.
"Ther easonwhyIcal l
edyouherei sbecauseIwant
ust osetboundar i
es.Youseethiswoman, t
his
womani sheret
ostayandIseeaf ut
urewi t
hher.
Mehavi ngachildwithyoudoesn'tmeant hatwe
willgetmar ri
edorhaveahappilyeverafter.Iwant
yout orespectthewomanwhoi sinmyl if
eand
knowyourpl aceasababymama. "
"So,
whataboutt
hewor
ldyoupr
omi
sedme?
"
Zandil
easks.
"Idi
dn'tpromiseyout heworl
d.Yes,wewereina
rel
ationshi
pbutnotf oroncehaveIeversai
d
anythingaboutthefutureorevent
alkabout
mar
ri
age.
"
"
Wow!
"
"Thethi
ngofyouwalki
nginandoutoft
hishouse
needstost
op.Thesparekeyst
hatyouhavewil
lbe
l
eftbehi
nd…"
"Whatifmybabymi
ssesyouandwant
stobewi
th
hisf
ather?
"
"I
'
m surehedoesn'
tknowanyt
hingaboutkeysand
l
ockers.I
fhewantsmeasyouclaim,gi
vemeacal l
Iwil
lcomepickmysonup.IfI
'
m busymywoman
wil
lcomeby."
Zandi
l
egaspsl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Shefi
shesinherbagandtakesoutasetofkeys
andt
hrowsthem int
ohisdi
recti
on.Shestandsup
andwalksoutbandi
ngthedoorbehindher.
"
Shewi
llheal
.Don'
tmi
ndher
."
That
'sal
lshedoest
hesedays.Mi
ndi
ng
herbusi
nesst
oit
sbest
!
Thebabymamai
ssuehasbeensetandl
aidout
.
Nowthatt
heyhavethatoutoft
hewaytheywi
ll
needt
ofocusonthefutur
eandtheut
most.
"Thankyouforgivi
ngmeanot herchancebutI
haven'
thealedthatyougavemycaket othatso
call
edex!”hehuffssideeyei
ngher.
Oneoft her easonswhyshewasr ebell
iousandout
ofcontrolwasbecauseofhi m.Sher oll
shereyes
andcont i
nuest owat chTV.Thisi
ssomet hi
nghe
getstosingever ydaywi t
houtfai
l.Howhef ound
out–t il
ltodayshedoesnotknow.Neveri nher
wildestdreamswi l
lsheeveraskhi m because
clearl
yhismi ndwor ksoverti
me.Ormaybehewas
foll
owinghert hatday.
“Howdoyouknow? ”sheasks.Atthi
spointshe
wouldsimplyli
ketoknowhowdoesheknowabout
alloft
his.Shepromisedher
selfnevert
oasksbut
herstupidmouthgoestodot heopposi
te.
“
Iam somet
hingel
se,
don’
tunder
est
imat
eme.How
wasi
t?”
Howcansomeoneknowt
hismuchwhent
heywer
e
nevert
old?
Hechucksl
ooki
ngather
.
“Howwaswhat ?”heasksagain.Sheputsont he
bravemodeon.Shewi llneveradmitthatsheslept
withhim.Smanga’ssexgamehasal waysbeent he
best.Thatmancandohi sjobleft
,ri
ghtandcent re
withoutfai
l.Shefi
ndshersel
fwantingtosmi l
e.
“Thesex.Wasi tt
hatgoodforyoutoscream your
l
ungsoutforthewhol enei
ghbourhoodtohear?”
guesshewillneverl
etthi
ssli
de.Rathergivehi
m
wantshewant s…
“
Itwasokay.Iwasj
ustinpai
nwantingsomet
hing
t
oreleaseandhewasthebestobj
ect.
”
“
So,
youusedhi
m?”
“
No,
weusedeachot
her
.”
Hechucks.“Isee.”Het ur
nshiswholebodyto
focusonthetelevi
sion.Heaskedfortheanswer
s
sohehast hem.
SI
SIPHOMAZI
BUKO
Atfi
rsthermindprobabl
ythoughtthatt
hiswas
Tazzcall
ingherbutherspecul
ati
onswerewrong.
Tazzwil
lnevercal
lher
,heiswi
thThandeka.How
st
upidofhertothi
nksuch!
Herphoner
ingsagai
n…
"
Ain'
tyougoi
ngt
opi
ckt
hatup?
"
Ger
aldasks.Forsomer
easonhei
sannoyed.
"
Idon'
tknowt
hisnumber
."
Sheshr
ughershoul
der
sget
ti
ngi
nbed.
"
Thenpi
ckitup.Whati
fit
'ssomet
hingi
mpor
tant
?"
Hei
sgett
ingmoremad.
Shesi
ghsannoyedandpi
ckst
hephoneup.
"
Hal
o,"sheanswer
swi
thherphoneonl
oudspeaker
.
"
Sisi
pho,
it'
sme.Pl
easedon'
tdr
op.
"
"Lungisani
.Whatdoyouwant?"Sheisshocked.
Sheneverexpectedt
hist
his,hi
scallt
obepr eci
se.
Geraldisnowearsonatt
enti
vely.
"
Canwet
alk?
"
Shewantstoscream andsaynobutthemanr
ight
i
nfr
ontofherfacewil
lsayother
wise.
"
About
?"
She'
str
yingsohar
dtobecal
mtoherout
most
.
"I
t'
ssomethi
ngthatwecannott
alkovert
hephone.I
needtoseeyou.
"
Shel
ooksatGer
ald.Henodshi
sheadi
nagr
eement
maki
ngherast
onished.
"
Ow,
okay.
"
"
Iwi
llbr
ingmywi
feal
ong.Ihopeyoudonotmi
nd.
"
Somet hi
ngsneverchange.Hei
sst
il
lthesameol
d
bast
ard.
"
It
'sokay.I
'
llbri
ngmyhusbandal
ongt
oo.Justt
ext
methedetail
s."
Shedr
opsthel
ineandcl
ickshert
ongue.Cl
ear
ly
thi
smanhasanagendabehindhi
smeetup.
"
So,
I'
m yourhusband?
"
"No!
"Shetri
esgetti
ngoffthebedbuthepull
sherby
hergown.Shegiggl
esfall
ingbackonthebed.
"Idon'
tremembermar
ryi
ngyou.
"Hel
aughs.She'
s
embarrassed!
*
**

Morni
ngcame-br
eakf
astpr
epar
ed,
kidsbat
heand
f
eed.
She'
slooki
ngather
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or…
"
Arewehavi
ngadoubl
edat
e?"
Geraldi
sweari
ngawhit
ePolot-
shi
rt
,bl
ackNi
ke
shortwi
thhi
sNikef
li
pfl
ops.Showi
nghiswel
lbui
lt
body.
Shepausesl
ooki
ngathim wi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d.
Themanhasagreatbody…
"Wow, "sheisevenfai
li
ngtocompl i
ment.Heron
anotherhand-she'swearingablackandyell
ow
shortcircl
edresswithherAirFor
ce.Si
mpl el
ookyet
elegant.
"Weshouldgetgoi
ng.Idon'
twantt
odr
iveatni
ght
.
Youlookhotbytheway.”
*
**

Ar
rivi
ngatthelocat
edrest
aurantshef
indsthem
al
readysi
ted.Geral
dhasSiphoonhishands.
Shegreet
sbefor
esit
ti
ngdown.Lungisanigrabsa
bot
tl
eofwaterandgulpsi
tdownwithoutstopping.
Ger
aldpul
lsf
orachai
randset
tl
esdownal
so.
"
Iwi
llj
ustgetst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt.
"
"
Okay.
"
"Ij
ustwantt
oknow.I
sthebabymi
ne?
"The
audaci
tyoft
hisman.
"
Ihadanabor
ti
on,
li
keyourt
oldmet
o."
Thandekacr
ingestothesoundoft
hatandl
ooksat
hi
sbrotheri
ndisbel
ief
.
"
Sot
hebabyyouar
eseei
ngi
snotyour
sbuthi
s."
"
But
…"
"
Nobut
'sLungi
sani
.Idi
ddoanabor
ti
on.
"
"
Isee.So,
your
eal
lydi
danabor
ti
on?
"
"
Yes!
"
"Babe…"Ger
aldi
nt er
venes.Shetakesadeepbr
eat
h
andhereyesgli
sterwit
ht ear
s.
"
Shei
syourdaught
er.
"
Ger
aldbr
ushesherar
m.
"
I'
m sorrySisi
pho.Ishouldn'
thavedonewhatIdi
d.I
wasafraidofwhatwillpeopl
esaysinceIwas
marr
ied."
"Youmar
riedherwhi
lest
il
linarel
ati
onshi
pwi
thme.
SoIdon'
tunderst
andwhatyourpoi
ntis.
"
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatl
ooki
nguncomf
ort
abl
e.
"Yousai
dyoubrokewaybefor
eyouevenmetme.
"
Thewifesaysi
ndisbel
ief
.
"
It
'sal
ongst
ory.
"
"
Wow,
"Si
sipho.
Hemadei tclearthathedi
dn’
twanttohaveababy
withherandforcedhertohaveanabort
ion.She
decidedtokeepthebabyandfoundherselfont
he
receivi
ngendofhi si
nsul
tsandaccusat
ions.St
il
l,
shehel
donandt
oldher
sel
fshewi
llneverhavean
abor
ti
on.
Shegavebir
thtoherbeaut
if
uldaught
erandf
elli
n
l
ovewithherinst
ant
ly.
Insteadofbei
ngangryorhatinghim, sheaskedGod
togiveherthest
rengthtoforgi
ve.Shef or
gavehim
forherownsanit
y.Shenowhasaj obandcanl ook
afterherowndaughter.She’
sthebestt hi
ngthat
everhappenedtoherandshe’ ssogladshedi dn’
t
abor ther
.

*
**

Heissofocusedont
heroad.Theconver
sat
ion
ear
li
erbr
oughtbackal
otofemoti
onsforGer
ald.
Shedidn'
tevennot
icethatt
heyhavearri
ved.The
carhasbeensosil
ent,
justt
houghtsf
looding
thr
oughthei
rminds.
Theybot
hstepoutwi
ththebabi
esatthebackseat
.
Shewil
ldropt
hem of
finthemor
ningatthei
r
fat
herspl
ace.Hermot heri
swi thGeral
d'spar
ents.
Durbanwasf ununti
lLungisanicamealong.What
washedoingt her
einthefirstpl
ace?NowGer al
d's
moodhasdr oppedfrom hundredtozero.
Hewentst
rai
ghtt
obedwi
thoutbat
hing.
Shesit
sbesideshi
m notknowi
ngwhatt
osaybut
sheknowsthatshedef
ini
tel
yhast
osaysomethi
ng.
"Youmaynothavegi venherl
if
ebutyousur emade
andst i
llgoingtomakeherl i
febett
er.Anyonecan
beaf ather,buti
ttakessomeonespeci al
tobeadad,
andthat ’swhyIcallyouherdad,becauseyouare
sospeci altomeandt oher
.Youknowyouwi l
l
teachhert hegameandyouwi l
lteachherhowt o
playitright
."
"
Yout
hinkso.
"That
'st
hebl
ushi
ngt
hatshemi
ssed.
"Idon'tt
hinkso,Iknowso.Fat her
hoodr equi
reslove,
notDNA.YouknowIoncer eadsomewher ethata
mancanhel pmakeachi ld,buti
ttakesaspeci al
mant ohel
pr ai
seachild.Neverdoubtyour
fatheri
ngskil
lstothatchil
dofyour s.Lungisani
comi ngbackt ocl
aim what’
shisdoesn' tchanget he
factt
hatyouaresti
llt
hedadinthisandyourword
i
sf i
nal.Hewi
llnothavetogothroughmewhenhe
wantsSipho,
hewi l
lhavetogothroughyou.Thati
s
howmuchIval ueyou."
"
Thankyou.IguessIneededt
hat
."
So,
dudehasbeensul
king!
"
Youalwaystol
dmet
hatcommuni
cat
ioni
sthebest
.
Whatchanged?
"
"Nothi
ng.Andpl ease,sendthesekidstothei
r
fat
hershouseear lyi
nt hemorning.Myear dr
ums
haveinfect
ion.Jesus!Thatyoungf el
lacan
scream."Shelaughsget t
inginbed.Thespecial
momental mostbecamesour .
Shedi
dhavefunwit
hhersi
ster
schi
ldr
enandshe
promi
sesher
sel
ftohaveal
if
etimeoft
hose
moments.
[
08/
18,
03:
47] :ONYI
YETHATGI
RL
CHAPTER56
ONYI
YEMAZI
BUKO

Fi
veyear
slat
erandst
il
lgoi
ngst
rong.
Li
fetestsusallateverypoi
ntofourli
ves.Sobei
ng
braveandstr
ongwhi lefaci
ngthechall
engesi
sthe
bestyoucando.Real i
zingyoursel
fworthand
pushingyour
selftoreachyourdreamsiswhat
makesyoupr oudandbesuccessf ul
.
Shehascomet
oof
ar…
"Areyour eadyfort hebigday? "Mam Phi li
siweasks
fasteningherdress.Todaymar ksexactlyfiveyears
withoutSthembi soi nherlif
e.Shehasneverl ooked
atanyot herman–wel lexceptf orthatoneman
thatshet ri
edwithbutdi dnotl astevenasecond.
Herki dshavegr ownandi tsaddenshert hathei s
nother etowitnesst hi
s.Shel ongaccept edt hathe
doesn' twantt
obeseenbyherbutat l
easthewas
manenought ocal lhernowandagai n.Hewoul d
gossipabouthi sinmat es,tel
lheraboutpr ison
dramas, whichshef i
ndsfascinat i
ng…
"
Yesmah,
I'
mready.
"
Shelooksather
sel
fonel
astt
imeandt
akesadeep
breat
h.
'
Beasunf l
ower..Standt allandfindthelight'
.
Sthembi sotol
dherwhensheoncer eachedt hat
breaki
ngpoi nt
.Shewi lldefi
nitel
ynotenjoyt hisday
withhermanpr esent.Theannoyi ngmanoft hem al
l.
Hewasnott hereatherwel comingcer emony.How
shepar adedinhervillagegr eeti
ngherbr othersand
si
sters.Thatishowpeopl efrom Abujarefertoone
another.Shevisit
sNi ger i
afrom timetotime…
Herwhol
efamil
yishere,
incl
udinghermot
herand
St
hembiso'
spar
ents-butnotherheart
.

Nontombiissti
llinawheel chai
randwasdecl ared
muscleness.Herlowerbodyi snotfunctioningand
shehasacceptedi teventhoughitbreaksher .Thei
r
rel
ati
onship-sti
llnotthatti
ghtbutbetterthanthe
otheryear
s.Thef i
rstnotewast oacceptt hatnotal
l
rel
ati
onshipscanber epair
ed.
Shebel
ievesthatsomedayt
hei
rrel
ati
onshi
pwi
llbe
mendedtoitsbest.
"
Youl
ookgood.
"
Sisiphocompl i
ment sOnyiyewhoi swear ingabei ge
Asymmet ricHem OneShoul derDr ess.Girlgot
mar riedsomeyear sagoandshe' spregnantwi th
hersecondchi ld.Tazzcoul dn'tbareseei ngt he
womanhecl aimedherl ovedbei ngtreatedbya
queenr ightbef orehisnakedeyes.I t'
sapi tyt hathi
s
rel
at ionshipwi thThandekadi dn'tevenlastayear .
Thei rfoundat i
onwasbasedonl ies.Tazzt r
ied
reachi ngoutt oSi siphobutshehadf all
endeepl y
withherboyf r
iendwhi chi snowherhusband.That
i
swhyhemovedt oJobur gtostarthislifeaf resh
withouthavi ngt hatconstantremi nderoft hehappy
Sisipho.Thebabydaddyi ssti
llverymuchusel ess.
Allhedoesi sfightGer al
dandcl ai
mi nghi s
daught erwhom hedoesn' tevenbot hertodo
anyt hingf orherorevengett ocal landcheckupon
her.Typi calofhi m!
Shesaysshedoesn'
tseeher
sel
fget
ti
ngpr
egnant
anyt
imesoon.
"
Thankyou.I
'
mjustscar
ed.
"Indeedshei
s.
Afterfai
li
ngcoupleofassessment
sshedecidedto
attendfullt
imecl
asses.Learni
ngonl
inewi
thkids
ont hesidewashardforher.Fami
lyi
sther
eyesbut
theywer enotal
waysthere.
Thenannyi
sthebestbutst
il
lshehadsomet
hing
missi
ng.
"
Youwi
llbef
ine.
"
Theybot
hfal
lii
tocomf
ort
abl
esi
lence.
"Doyoumisshi
m? "Shewi
shesSisi
phodidn'
ttouch
baseont
hattopi
c.Shemisseshi
m ever
ydayandi t
hurt
s.
"
Ever
ysecond.
"
"Whynotmoveon?
"Sheasksl
ooki
ngoutf
orher
babysi
ster
.
"
Itri
edbutSt
hembi soi
st heoneIwantandneed.I
wil
lwai
tevenifi
ttakestenyears.
"
"Igetyou.Dowhatyourhear
tdesi
resanIwi
ll
supportyou.
"Theyhug.
Nont
ombilet
'sher
sel
fandsmi
lesemot
ional
ly
l
ooki
ngatherdaught
er.
"I
fsomeonetol
dmeyouwoul dmakemethispr
oud
onedayIwouldhavebeenabet
terpar
ent
."
"
Don'
tst
artmah.
"
Thename-cal
li
nghasupgr
aded.Fr
om Maka
Si
siphot
omah!
Shet
akesadeepbr
eat
h…
"Bot
hofyouhavemademepr oudindiffer
entways.
Iam thet
alkoftownandtheneighboursenvyme.I
maybecr i
ppledbutmyhandswor kli
kemagic.Can
wepray?"
Theal
lcl
oset
hei
reyes…
"
TheLor
dbl
essyouandkeepyou;
theLordmakehisfaceshi
neonyouandbe
graci
oustoyou;t
heLordturnhi
sfacet
owar
dyou
andgiveyoupeace.Amen."
"
Amen.
"
"Idon'
tbel
ievet
hiswoman.Shej
ustpr
ayedwi
tha
scri
ptfr
om theBibl
e."
Onyi
yemakesaj
okeoutofher
.Theyal
llaugh.
"I
'
m sureMaMdlulit
ookallofmypr
ayersbeforeI
couldevenpr
ay.Phelat
hatwomanlikesever
ythi
ng
Ihave.
"
"I
fwedon'tgonow-wewillneverheart
heendi
ng
ofthesenei
ghbour
sofher
."Sisi
phosayswheel
ing
hermotherout
.
"
Iwi
llf
oll
owyoushor
tl
y."
Shet akesherclut
chbagont opoft
hebed, l
ooksat
herselfinthemirr
orandfol
lowthem shor
tl
y.Thei
r
graduat i
onceremonyisbei
ngheldinthei
rschool
premi ses.Thehal
lisbi
genoughtoaccommodat e
everyone.

LI
NDI
WENGOBESE

Mpi
lor
eal
lyknowshowt
otestherpat
ience.
"
Mpil
o!"Scr
eami
ngherlungsoutwi
llnotchangethe
f
actt
hatheisst
il
lst
ari
ngathimsel
finthemirror
.
Qophel
ocomesoutfi
rstwi
thNomaswazibehind
hi
m.Herdaught
erhasreal
lygr
own.Shesti
llgoes
toSizwe'sgravet
ovisi
thi
m somet i
me.Spendti
me
withhim andthei
rdaught
er.Tel
lhi
m al
lthosecr
azy
stori
es,andhowmuchofahect icdayshehad.
Sheisindeedherfat
her'scopy.Sheknowshowt o
opentheoldwoundst hatshethoughtshebur
ied,
buti
nanact ualf
act-thesoreissti
llt
here.
"Mama, "Nomaswazi walksri
ghtpastherwithher
dollcapturedri
ghtunderneat
hherarmpits.She
visi
tsherf at
her'
ssideofthefamil
ynowandagai n.
Theyj ustcan'
tgetenoughofher.
Ever
yonei
sready,besi
deMpi
lo.Shecannotmi
ss
herowngr
aduati
onday!
Final
ly,
themanoft hehouri
shere.Thi
scol
ogneof
thiswil
lsur
elysuf
focat
eeveryoneoneday.
"
Yousur
etaket
imel
ikeawoman.
"
Anathit
ell
shim.Whoevergavebi
rt
htoMpilo
shouldconsi
dersendi
nghim al
unat
ic'
shospi
tal
.
Shecannotstandthi
s!
"I
'
m her
enow.Wecanalsogo.
"Hepicksbot
h
babi
esupandst
epsoutoft
hehouse.
Hepr omi sedhert hatahousei swhathewi l
lbuy
andi ndeedhedi d.Lockingherhousefeelsl
ikea
dream.Hermot herisveryproudofher.Shegot
mar r
iedtr adi
tionall
ytwoyear sagoandOnyiyewas
therethroughout .Herbabyki ckhar
shly.She
fl
incheshol dingherst omach.She'sdueanytime
from anyhourormi nutes.Sheswearsnevertof
all
pregnantagai n!
"
Areyouokay?
"Mpi
loasksl
ooki
ngathersourf
ace.
"
Yea,
ingood.Sheki
ckedt
oohar
d."
She'shavinganot herbabygirli
nthehouse.She
reall
yenjoyedt hi
spr egnancybutshesworethati
t
willbeherlast.Aftergivi
ngbirt
hsheisdefi
nit
ely
tyi
nghert ubes.
Shebeli
evesthisdaywil
lnotpasswithouther
gi
vingbi
rth.Shefeel
sit
.Shepraysthatthi
sbaby
hol
dsonunt i
lthedayisover
.

Shet
akesherphoneandt
ext
sOnyi
yeadvi
singher
t
hatt
heyar
eont
her
eway.

STHEMBI
SOJI
YANE

Hehasspentcount l
essnightsl
iket hi
s,lyi
ngawake,
anti
cipati
nglife,tr
yingtoescapei mprisonment
thr
oughhi smi nd’seye.Hei maginedt hethingshe
wil
ldooncehi sfree.Flashesofhiml aughingwi t
h
famil
yandf r
iendsatacookoutorenj oyingt he
companyofabeaut if
ulwomanpl ayoutinhi smind
l
ikeasi l
entmovi e.Her emember sthei mages, so
dif
fer
entf rom these,thatswam throughhi smi nd
onhisf i
rstnightinprison.
Herscentstilloccupi
eshisnostr i
ls.Herpictur
ehas
alwaysbeent herewiththatecstaticsmile.Justa
coupleofhour sawayandhewi llbeoutofher e.
Sleepi
ngseemst obet aki
ngforever .Helooksatthe
watchandi tseemsl i
kesecondsar etaki
ngmor e
thanitshould.Timeisnotmovi ngatal l!
*
**

Hewokeupthi
smor ningandhisstomachwasi n
knot
s-hewassoner vous.Not
hingfel
treal
.Itwas
l
ike'
ist
hisr
eal
lyal
lendingtoday?'
Hewasafrai
dandalsosadtoleavehisf
riends
t
herebehi
nd,butt
herewassomer el
ieft
oo.He
misseshi
sNdonimorethananythi
ng.
Suddenly,
thedoorofhi scellopens,
andanof fi
cer
says,"
Mhlophe, areyouready?"Asher i
sefrom hi
s
bunk.Heisthinking,Ishefucki
ngserious?Hehas
beenreadysincet hedaythejuryfor
emanr ead
“gui
lt
y”offali
ttl
ei ndexcardatmyt r
ial.
Hegrabshisl
etter
sandthef
ami
lyphot
oal
bum.
TheMhlophenickname!

Afterthefor
maliti
esoftell
ingtheprocessi
ngof fi
cer
hi
sbi rthdat
e,andotherinfor
mat i
onthatverif
ieshis
i
dent i
ty,hei
sallowedtoputont heclothesthathis
fr
iendsentaweekear li
er.Thisisthefi
rstti
mehe
haswornstr
eetclot
hesinfi
veyears.I
tfeel
swei
rd.
Thisj
eansfi
tsveryt
ight
.Thiscoul
dmeanone
thi
ng…hehasgainedabit
!
Hei
sbei
ngusher
edout
side…

Thegatesopenmakinghimtotakeadeepbreath.
Thatf
reshairoff
reedom.Heturnstol
ookbackat
thebr
ownbr i
cksandshakeshisheadsmil
ing.
Howdoesi
tfeelt
obeoutofpr
ison?
Thef
eel
ingi
sunexpl
ainabl
e.
Khozapar
kedhi
scarout
sidet
hegate.Sti
lll
ooks
thesameandhewonder
showt hi
ngsareback
home.
"
Themanoft
hehour
."
Theyshoul
derbumpembr
aci
ngeachot
her
.
"Fi
nal
ly.
"Hesays.Theonl
ythi
ngheneedsnowi
s
bewit
ht hewomanwhoownshi shear
t.
"
Ready?
"
"
Mor
ethanIcaneverbe.
"
"It
'shergraduati
ondayt oday.AndIjusthopewe
arrivei
nt i
me.ThatmeansIwi llbef
lyi
ng. "Ayear
agohewast ransfer
redbacktoWestvil
leprison
becauseofhi sgoodbehaviour.Nowthathet ook
thef al
lfort
hedilemma, hehopesandpr aysthati
t
doesn'tbeapr oblem i
nthenearfut
ure.
"
AslongasIdon'
tgetki
ll
ed.
"Hesayshoppi
ng
i
nsi
dethecar
.
Heneedsawar
msshower
.
"
Howi
smybusi
nessgoi
ng?
"
"Sofarsogood.Yourwomanhasbr
ainsf
oraFi
ft
y
yearold.Thatgi
rl
,wel
lshe'
sawomannow.I
applaudher,shecant
hink.
"
Henodshisheadpr
oudly.Seemslikehedidagood
j
obinchoosi
ngherunderloadshedding.
"Thatgir
lismyoneandonl
ygi
rl
."Thepr
idei
nhi
s
voice.
"Iknow.Yourwhol
efacesaysi
tal
l.Whatwoul
dyou
doifshemovedon? "
"
Kil
lhi
m."
Defini
tel
yhewoul d.Buthishearti
sateaseknowing
thatshewouldn'tdareandifshedidtheywoul
d
havespill
edthebeansl i
kethelastt
imeshetri
ed
dati
ngbutf ai
leddismall
y.Thatrel
ati
onshi
pdidnot
evenlastandhour .
Hechuckssmi l
inglookingoutt
hewindow.
Ever
ythi
ngsti
lll
ookst hatsametohiseyes.Justt
he
l
ongtreest
hatar eallovert
heplace.

Hi
shouse-i
tnowhasaveget
abl
egar
den.Thi
s
woman!
Whyoneart
hwillshehaveagar
denatthei
rhome
whenshehasahugelandwhereshegetst
oplant
whatshewant
s?
Womanandt
hei
rover
thi
nki
ngwi
llsur
elyki
llt
hem
oneday.
Hesear
chesfort
hesparekeywheret
heynor
mal
ly
hi
dit
.Helaughsoutl
oudfi
ndingi
t.
"
Somet
hing'
sdon'
tchangehey.
"
Heopenst
hedoorandhersweetper
fume…
Hef indshi sphonei sont opoft het able.Thescr een
hasf ingerpr i
ntsallover.So, Missyhasbeenusi ng
hisphoneal lt
hiswhi l
e.Evenhi ssi m cardi
sst i
ll
there,whi chonl ymeansonet hing–PeppaPi g.The
descr i
ptionoft hescr eenal onesayssomuch.The
picturespl asteredaroundt hewal larestil
linone
placeandnotevenonehasbeenr emoved.Het akes
hisski nnyl egstot hekitchen–t hemessi nhere.
Thedi shesar eallover,thef l
oori sabi tmessy.He
under stands, maybeshel eftinahur ryandshewas
notabl et ot i
dyup.Thi siswhathappenswhenshe
i
sal lovert hepl aceandver yanxi ous.Shecannot
keepher selftogether,everythi
ngj ustrunsallover
i
namess.
Khozawal
ksi
n…
"Wow,wast
hereatsunamiinher
e?”Heasks
scanni
nghi
seyesaround.
“Ïwishtoknow.”Heletsoutalowlaugh.“You
shouldcallt
hatcl
eaningservi
ceofyours.I'
m sur
e
theylefti
nahurryandtheydidnothavetimetoset
everythi
ng.”
“
I’
m sur
eit
’st
hatbi
gheadedsonofyour
s.”
Sthembisol aughsoutl oud.Khozast
epsoutto
contactthecleani ngservi
cescompany.Hetakes
ti
mesear chingfr om room t
oroom anddamn
everyt
hingi supsidedown.Heal sonoti
cest
hatthe
ki
d'sbedr oom hasbeenoccupi edbysomeone…he
wonderswhoi tis.
Final
ly,hi
sbedr oom.Everyt hi
ngisjusther .Her
smell,t
hebeddi ng.Hesmi lesshakinghi shead
l
ookingatt hepicturepai
ntingont hewal l.Heiswas
i
ncluded;thiscanonl ymeanonet hing.Hewasi n
herheartforalltheseyears.Hedef i
ant l
yf eel
s
appreci
ated.Mor ereasonsf orhimtodor ightbyher
.
Shehadbeenwai t
ingforhimf orsol ong.
Hestripshisclothesof fhisbody, dr
oppingthem on
thefl
oorandst epsintotheshowert akingavery
l
ongwar m bath.Whenwast helastti
mehehada
baththiswarm andr ej
uvenat i
ng?Hecl oseshis
eyesconfirmingt hesmel lofhisshampoo.Hei s
i
ndeedhome…
Thef l
ashbacksofhi m beingbeat entoapul p,being
placedi nanisolat edroom.Thest abhehadonhi s
backal mostcr i
ppl edhim becauseheuseda
wheel chairf
orayear .Seewhyher efusedOnyi yeto
eversetf ootthere.Shegr ewuphavi ngahar dtime
nowhavi nghert oseehi m withal lt
hosebr uises
woul dhavecer tainlypulledherbacki nt
o
depr essi
onandt hatwoul dhavewor senedt he
si
t uati
onhewasi n.Hehadt ostayst rongforthem
sot hathewoul dcomeoutabet t erfatheranda
bet t
ermanWhi chhei snow.

Hebr owsesthr oughthewardrobelooki

ngfor
somet hingpresentabl
etowear .Hewassosur eto
fi
ndhi sclot
hingi nthet
rashbinbutwomanst i
llhas
hisclothesneat l
ypacked.Hethendecidestoapply
l
otiononhi sbodyt henlookforsomethi
ngtowear
after
.
Shefi
nishedhi
scologne.Hechuckst hinki
ngthe
amountshenormall
yputs.Butt hatwasyearsback.
Hehasnoopt i
onbuttospr ayherperf
ume.Hewi l
l
besmelli
ngsweet
nessal lday.
Atleasthisjeansstil
lfi
thi
m perfectl
y.Heis
wearingMi dWashbl ackskinnyjeanswit
hhiswhite
T-shi
rtandhi sAddidasAdirol
aBl ueandWhite
Sneakers.Whenwast helastti
meheeverf el
tli
ke
thi
s?Amazi ngi sn'
t?
Hestepsoutofhi
sroom andf
indsKhozaf
li
ppi
ng
t
hroughthechannel
s.
"
Final
ly,
themanoft
hehouri
sdone.Sbahl
esays
weshouldhur
ry.
"
"Ineedtopassbyt
hej
ewel
ler
yst
oreandaf
lower
shop."
Suddenlyhefeel
sanxi
ousandverymuchaf
rai
d.He
i
stakingdeepbreat
hsoneaft
eranot
her.
"I
sitwhatI
'
mt hinki
ng?
"Khozaaskswi
thawi
de
smil
eonhisface.
"
Yes,
it'
sti
me.
"
"Wel
cometoourworl
d."Her
ecentl
ypaiddowr
y
Sbahl
eandthatwasj
ustweeksback.
"
Let
'sgo.
"
ATTHEGRADUATI
ON

Abunchofredrosesandar ing-pr
obablyshehas
beenwait
ingal
lherli
fefori
t.Todayheisdoing
ri
ghtbyherbydoingtheri
ghtthi
ng.
"
Looksl
iket
heyar
edone.
"
Khozapar
kshi
scarandtheybot
hstepout.He
t
akesanot
herdeepbr
eat
hcalminghimsel
fdown.
Hecandot
his.
"
Fuc.
"
Heneverknewt
hatawomancoul
dmakeyouf
eel
t
hisway.
Thenervesareget
ti
ngi nt
heway.Perspir
ationand
sweat
ypal ms.Hi
ml aughi
ngateverywording
Khozautter
s.Heisfi
dgeti
ngwit
ht heredroseswit
h
hi
sheartbeati
ngrapidl
y.
"Comeonman.Don'
ttel
lmet
hisgi
rli
smaki
ngyou
sweat
."
Khozal
aughsoutl
oud.Hel
aughsagai
nawkwar
dly.
Hernamei sbei
ngcall
edout
.Ther
eshei
slooki
ng
al
lpret
ty.Shehasgrown!
Hefeelshimselfget
tingemot ional
.Heusest he
backwaybehi ndthecurtainssneakinguponher .
Khozamakeshi swayt otheDJandwhi sper
s
somethingtohisear.Themusi cstops,
shefrowns
l
ookingateveryoneclapping.Shechokesonher
ownbreat handcoll
ectsher sel
f.Shecannotbeli
eve
she'
sher e.TheMCsmi lesandst epsback.
Sheacceptsherdegr eewit
hhappinessfi
ll
edi
nside
ofher.Shelooksatherfamilyandthesmil
eontheir
facesarethebestresult
sshecouldeveri
magine.
Assheisaboutt
ost
epof
fthest
ageherf
avour
it
e
songpl
ays.
..

"
Somet
hingi
ski
ll
ingmesl
owl
y
AndI
'
mfeel
ingsol
onel
y
NowI
'
mlooki
ngupt
oGodo
Eyehyeh.
..
"
Shesmi l
esemot i
onal
lyandtakesadeepbreath
rai
singherhandsintheairwit
htheblackgown
sui
tingherperf
ectl
y.Theclapsandthewhist
les.
..
Ablondmanwi thbushyredafroapproachi
ng
behi
ndherwi t
habunchofr edroses.Mam
Phil
isi
westandsupandhol dsherchestinshock.
Shelooksatherhusbandwhol ooksverymuch
chi
ll
ed.Smili
ngfrom eart
oear.Shesitsdown...
"What'
sgoingon? "Shewhi spersaski ngher
husband.Obinnasmi lesandl ooksathi scl ueless
wife'
sface.Thesongcont i
nuest oplay.Shel ooks
atthecrowdi nconfusion.Shet akesthef i
r ststep
downbutt henoisewentevenhi ghermaki ngher
evenmor econfused.Maybet hereissomet hing
goingonbehi ndherandshei sj ustcluelesswhati s
i
t.Shedeci destolookback. .
.

"
Pai
dmyt
it
he,
Ipai
dmydues
Seedi
str
act
ionsever
ywher
e
Nowmef
eel
ingemot
ions
Ehh
Igetpl
enty,somanyt
hingst
hatIr
eal
lywan
complai
nt oyou
Seet
hosepeopl
eweyt
heyt
ryt
o
Br
ingconf
usi
oni
nourbr
other
hood,
eh
Bababl
essmyf
ami
ly,
blessmyenemi
es
Bl
essever
ybody
Toget
herwebesmi
li
ng
That
'swhymet
ellt
hem say"
..
.

Thereheiskneel
ingdownwithhisshakyself
.She
gaspsholdi
ngherchest.I
tachessomucht hatshe
doesn'
tbeli
evewhat'si
nfr
ontofhereyes.Maybe
sheisdreaming,
alloft
hisi
sjustahall
ucinat
ion!
Shebl
inksmul
ti
plet
imescl
eari
nghervi
sion.The
morei
tbecomesbri
ght
ermoresheseeshim cl
ear.
Sheshakesherhead‘
no'withtear
salready
st
reamingdownherface.Herchestr
iseupand
down..
.
Shefailst
oholditi
nandbur
sti
ntot
ear
s.Al
loft
his
feell
ikeadream t
oher
.
"
Sthembi
so.
"Shei
sfai
li
ngt
ohol
dheremot
ions.

"Onyi
yeMnyamanaMazi
buko,
wil
lyoumakemet he
happi
estmanonear
thandbemyforeveraf
ter
?"
Shetakestepstowardshi
m, wi
thoutresponseshe
passesherti
nyhandacrosshisface.Helookson
thesideandclencheshi
sjaws.
"I
t'
sreall
yyou!
"Shescr
eams.Hel
ooksather
confused."
OhmyGod!"
Sti
lll
ookingatherconfused.Shenodsherhead
mul t
iplet
imesandhesi ghsinrel
ief
.Hest andsup
andembr acesherwithaverywar m hug.Thesong
continuestopl
aywiththem int
actineachot her
's
arms. .
.
"
Chi
zoba,
Chi
zoba,
Chi
zoba
Youpr
omi
seI
'
llneverbel
onel
y
Yougodeyt
her
ebesi
deme
Met
ellt
hem say
Chi
zoba,
Chi
zoba,
Chi
zoba
Youpr
omi
seI
'
llneverbel
onel
y
Sayyougodeyt
her
ebesi
deme
Ehai
h..
."

Shestaysinhisarmsfindi
ngcomfort.Ithasbeen
conf
irmed,OnyiyeThatGir
lwasagirlthathewas
dest
inedfor.Nowayinhellwi
llheeverl etgo.
Thisist
hebeginni
ngstotheirl
if
eandthest
artof
thei
rhappi
ness.Happi
nessisachoiceandthi
s
womanr i
ghtherei
shischoice.

THEEND!
!!