Abr

okengl
ass-mi
net
ofi
x.
ByLer
atoMal
inga

PROLOGUE.

Ital
lst
artedwhenIwas16andi ngrade10.Onehot
sunnyafter
noonIwaswal ki
ngfr
om schoolgoi
ng
home,uponar r
ivalIf
oundmystep-
dadreadinga
newspaper.Thatwasoddbecauseusuall
yatthat
ti
mehei snotbackf r
om wor
k.

Igreet
edhi
m,hekeptqui
etsoIIwentt
omyr
oom
tochanget
heschooluni
for
m.
AsIwasnowt aki
ngof
ftheski
rt
,Iheardthedoor
open,i
twashim.Hest
oodther
e,lustwri
tt
enall
overhi
sface.

"DadI'
m st
il
lchangi
ng"thatwasme,Iwasscar
ed
becausehehasneverenteredmyr
oom wit
hout
knocki
ngbefore.Hecamecl oser
,Imovedback,
he
camecloserIcontinuedmovingbackwar
dsunti
lI
gotatowelandwr appedmyself.

"
Babayouar
escari
ngme"Nowt
ear
swer
e
t
hreat
eni
ngmyeyes.

"
IownyouNdal
o,I
'
vedoneever
ythi
ngf
oryounow
i
t'
sti
meyoudosomet
hingf
orme"

Ididn'
tunder
stand,whoi sthi
sman?Whyi she
doingthi
s?Hewal kedcloserandcl
oserandcloser,
Ialsomovedbackunt i
lmybackwasst uckagainst
thewall.

Het
ookt hetowelf
rom meandthrewitont
hef
loor
,
mybreastswerenowpoint
ingathim.

"
Baba"i
tcameoutasawhi
sper
,tear
sfel
lfr
eel
y
becauseIknewwhatwasaboutt
ohappent
ome.

Wi
thoutanywasteoft
imeheri
ppedmypant
iesof
f,
myheartwasbeati
ngoutofmychest
.

Iwant edtoscream butmyvoicecoul

dn'tcomeout,
therewasj ustalumpstuckonmyt hroat
.Hekissed
me, Iclosedmyeyes.Hepulledmet othebedand
kissedmemor e.
Iwassuddenlyafrozenchi
cken,notmovi
ng,
not
sayi
ngathing.IknewthenthatIwasgoi
ngtoadd
thenumberofrapevict
ims.

"STOP! !
!STOP!!!youar
ehur t
ingme,Ba..
..
baba
please!!
!"Hedidn'tst
op,hekeptonpumpi ngand
pumpi ng,Ibeggedhimtil
lIcouldn'
tanymore.His
sweatwasdr i
ppingonme, hewasbr eat
hingheavi
ly,
groaninglikeananimal.

Af
terawhi
leofendur
ingt
hepai
n,hegotupwor
e
hiscl
othesandleftt
her
oom.Icur
ledupont
hebed,
Icri
edandcried.
Ifi
nall
ydecidedtogotakeabath,
Iscr
ubbedmysel
f,
hopingthatal
lthedi
rtwil
lgoaway.

Het
ookmyi
nnocence,
myvi
rgi
nit
y,mypr
ide.

Mynamei sNdaloyenkosiMkhize,25year sol

d.I
neverknewmydad, Iwasraisedbymymom and
step-dad.ImustsayIwasver ypri
vilegedtohave
gotteneverythi
ngIneeded, Iwasnotyourgeni usat
schoolbutIwasahar dwor kerandmypar ent
s
woul dbepr oudbecauseIgotsat i
sfyingresul
ts.I
was/ am theonlychil
dathome.

Thi
sismyst
oryandhowIendedupi
nthest
reet
s.

Fi
rstinser
twi
llcomet
hroughaf
tert
heendoft
he
i
nside-out
.
 shar
e,shar
e,shar
e!!
!!
!
Abr
okengl
ass.
Chapt
er1

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Ihavebecomeast reetki d,al

lbecauseIcoul dn'
tbe
comf ortableinmyownhome, Ihadbecomeasex
sl
ave.I thasnowbeen7year ssi nceIlefthome, I
l
ef trightaf termat r
ic.Ipassedmymat ri
cwi t
hf l
ying
colour sbutbecauseoft heheavyl oadonmy
shoul der s,applyi
ngf oruniversitywast helastthi
ng
onmymi nd, fool
ishIknowbuti tiswhati ti
s.Iknow
al
lt hecor nersofJobur gCBDl iket hebackofmy
hand, Iknowwhati tmeantbyhust l
ing.That
statement" Sur vi
val ofthefitt
est "Iknowi t
,of
cour seI '
vedonet hatf orthepast7year s.

Ir
ememberthefi
rstdayhedi
dit
,whenhetookmy
vi
rgi
nit
y.Hewhi
speredinmyear"
It
'sourl
it
tl
e
secret"andheal sosai d"Beagoodgi rlandgot o
yourmom, sheisbackf rom work.Rememberi fyou
tel
lherI'l
lki
llyou".Iwasj ust16,
nottell
ingmymom
wast hehardestt hingt odobuthowcoul dshenot
real
isethatsomet hingi swr ongwit
hme?That '
sthe
questionIkeptonaski ngmysel f
.JustwhenI
thoughtitwast hef irstandl astt
ime,i
tbecamean
everydaything,hewasal wayshome.Hehadl ost
hisjob,soIbecamehi s" Job".

Istartedisolati
ngmysel f
,from thel i
tt
legr oupof
fri
endsIhad.Isuddenl ygrewint erestofbei ng
alone.Andever ydayIwasr emindedt hat"It
'sour
l
ittl
esecr et
"and" I
fyoutel
lyourmom, I
'l
lkil
lyou".I
startedresent i
ngmymom, howcoul dshenot
notice?Isn'titthatamothercant el
landf eelwhen
theirchil
disnotokay?Whywasmymom di ff
erent
?
Ithappenedf
oryears,
til
lIwasinmat ri
c,Iwas18
andIhadgottenusedtoit,
Ihadr esor
tedtocomi
ng
backhomef r
om andheadst r
aighttohisroom
naked.
"
DadI'm back,
youcanpleaseyour
selfwit
hme"
t
hat'
swhatIwoul dsayandhewouldsay"Goodgi
rl
,
t
odayIwoul dl
iketohavei
tint
hekitchen"
.

Ri
ghtaf
termymat
ri
cexams,
Ideci
dedt
otel
lmy
mom.

"
Mom weneedt ot
alk"Iremembermysel fsaying.
"
Okay,youlooksad.What '
swrong?",wasn'ti
ttoo
l
ateforhertoaski
fI'm okay?Ihaven'
tbeenokay
f
orthepast3yearsandsheasksmenow?That 's
whatIthoughtt
omysel f.
"Mom dadisr
apingme, hasbeendoingitsi
nceI
was16".Ir
ememberherst andi
ngupf r
om thechai
r,
shehadoneofthe"Disgustedl
ooks"Idi
dn't
underst
andwhethershewasdisgustedbyher
husbandorwhatI'
m sayingtoher
.
"Ndaloareyoucrazy?Howcoul dyousayt hatabout
yourfather
?Aftereveryt
hinghe'sdoneforyou?You
wil
ljustaccusehim ofrape?"Iwasinawe,mymom
knewhowmuchIl ovedt hatman,sheshouldhave
seenthatIwasn' tlyi
ng."Mom I'
m notlyi
ng, hehas
beendoingi tandIcoul dn'tt
ellyoubecausehesai d
hewouldki l
lme" ."Iwantyoutogetridofthat
nonsenseinyourheadNdal oyezwa?Ican' thave
youaccusingmyhusbandofsuchahuget hing,
you
aresoungr ateful,youarejustli
keyourdad"She
thenlef
t,Iwasbr oken,whatmyst ep-
dadwasdoi ng
tomewasnot hingcompar edtowhatmymom sai d,
shechoseamanoverme, herdaughter,
shedi dn'
t
beli
eveme.

Iperseveredforamont hthatwasr emainingtothe

yearandJanuar ycame, Igotmyr esul
ts,Ihad
passedwi th5distinctions.Iwentbackhomeand
tol
dmymom t hatImadei t,shesaid"Goodf oryou"
.
Everydayshewasbr eakingme, shegrewt ohate
me,myownmot her,shecoul dn'
tevenacknowl edge
mypr esence.

CameSaturdaywhensheleftt
osomeTeaPar
ty
wit
hfr
iendsandher"Husband"wentt
owat
ch
soccer,Ipackedasmal lsport
sbag,noteveryt
hing
thatwasi nmywar dr
obe, j
ustafewclothes.Lucky
enoughIhadmoneyf ortranspor
ttoJohannesburg,
Ididn'
tevent hinkofwhatI '
m goi
ngtoeatorwher e
I'
m goingt osleep,al
lthatwasinmymi ndwas
l
eavingt hatplace.It
hent ookapenandpaperand
wroteal ett
er.

Tomom.
"It
ookt hedecisiontoleavebecauseIwasno
l
ongerneeded, Idi
dn'tcareaboutanyone' slovebut
yoursandwhenyoushowedmeyoudon' tcare,
that
brokeme.Il oveyoust il
lmom andpl easedon'tl
ook
forme, that
'
si fyou'
lleventry.TellyourhusbandI
forgavehim, t
ellhi
mi t'
snotmyj obtoj udgeand
punish,Godwi lldothatforme.Ihopehet r
eatsyou
wellandmakesyouhappy.Keepwel lMa"
LoveNdal
oyenkosi
.

ThenIleft
,tookataxi
,ngashonakhona
egol
i(headedtothecit
yofgold)wit
hthehopesof
get
ti
ngaj
ob.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
"SisNdalo, you'vebeenstar i
ngatnothingforso
l
ong, comeonl et'
sgo.Youknowt hepolicecan't
fi
ndusher e".ThatwasPhuml a,
oneoft hegirl
sI
meti nthest reets.Shebroughtmebackt omy
sensesandIst oodupqui ckl
yandcar ri
edmyboxes,
theonesIsl eepwi t
handwentt oputthem ina
hidingplace.
"Phumla,I
'm sor
ryIdidn'thearyoucall
ingmyname,
Iwaslostinmyt houghts".Isai
dwhilebusyhidi
ng
whatbelongstome." Cl
ear l
y,whatar
eyout hi
nki
ng
about?
".
"Nothingseri
ous,j
ustli
feandwher eIam now".She
sighedandnodded, t
il
lthisdayIdon'tknowhow
sheendedupi nt
hestreets,sheisst
il
lyoungand
beaut i
ful
,nottof
orgetsmar t
.Sheisonly15but
mat uredli
kea25yearol d.Iguessli
fewil
lfor
ceyou
togr owright
?
Shelef
tandIalsol
eft
,thehustl
ingoftheday
begi
ns.Iusual
lywashcarsforpeopl
eatthepet
rol
stati
on,t
hengetmoney.I
t'
snotmuchbuti
tget
sme
throughfort
heday.
Arr
ivi
ngatt
hepetrolstat
ion,ther
e'sonlyf ewcars
andsomelookverycleansoIwoul dn'tjustaskto
washthem.Butt
henwi thluck,ablackMer cedes
Benzc63comesinandi tlooksalldusty,assoonas
i
tstop,I
'
mthere.
"Excusemesi r
,I...CanIwashyourcar ?Idon'tneed
much, evenR10i sf i
ne" .Helookedatme, mor elike
analyzingme." Bropl easemakef ulltank"hewas
nowt alkingtot hepet rolatt
endant ."Lookl ady,I'
m
l
at eforameet i
ngsoyoucan' twashmycar ,but
here.You' l
lgetyour selfsomet hing"Hegaveme
R200andt hewayhel ookedatme, gotmef eeli
ng
verysmal l
,wellI'm notugl y,I'
mj ustadar k
chocolateski nnedbr okegi r
lwi t
haver ybigAfro,it
hasn'tgot t
enat tentioni nawhi le.Idot rytotake
careofmysel f,whenI '
vehustledenoughIgot othe
salontogetmyhai rwashedt henPhuml aplaitsit,
justsimpl ecornr ows.Theonl yt hi
ngi st hatmy
clothesar ewor nout ."Thankyousi r,thankyouso
much" .Henoddedanddr oveout .
Iconti
nuedwit
hmyhust l
eandf orthi
sday,Ihave
madeR450, i
twasnowdar k,Iwenttothenear
est
fastf
ood,gotmysel
fpap,gravyandwor st
henI
boughtcool
dri
nkandlef
t.

IfoundPhuml
aal
readyf
ixi
ngherspace,
Iputt
he
fooddownandwenttot
akemyboxes,al
sofi
xed
myspace.
"Sohowwasyourday?Di dyouhust lewell
?"I
askedherbutsheshruggedandl ookedt
heot her
way."Phumlalet
'seat
, I
'm hereforyou.I
fyouhave
nothi
ngandIhavesomet hing,i
tmeanswebot h
havesomething".Shelookedatmeandsi ghed
"ThankyouSisNdalo".Inoddedandwest ar
ted
eati
ng.
Tomorr
owi syetanot
herday,wethenslept.One
thi
ngaboutbeingastr
eetki
disthatyousleepwith
oneeyeopen.
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er2.

[
Phuml
a]

Iguessyou'vealr
eadyhear daboutme, Iam ver
y
cl
osewithSi sNdaloyetshedoesn'tknowhowI
endedupint hestr
eets,t
hat'sbecauseIdon't
wannatalkaboutit.I
tbreaksmyhear teveryt
imeI
dobutI'
llt
ellyouanyway.
Iam PhumlaMi ya,
only15yearsol d.Ishoul
dbei n
schoolli
keotherki
dsbutmychi l
dhoodwasnever
normalli
kethatofotherki
ds.Ijoinedthestr
eetkids
whenIwas12, t
hatwas3year sago.What
happenedwasmydadusedt oabusemymom so
much,bothemot i
onall
yandphysi call
y,hewoul d
getpaidmonthendbutneverbuygr oceri
es,he
wouldjustgoeathismoneyonal coholwit
hf r
iends.
Whenmymom boughtf ood,hewouldaccuseherof
cheati
ng,hewouldbeatherupandaskwher eshe
gotmoneyf rom,wel
lthi
ngismymom wasnever
all
owedt oworksoshesecretl
ydidpi
ecejobs
whichincludedcl
eani
ngpeople'
shousesanddoing
thei
rlaundry.
Thathasal waysbeenourl ife,mehear i
ngmymom
scream becauseshe' sbeingbeat en, whenshe
reportstotheel derstheywoul dcal lhernamesand
sayuhl ulwawumendo(She' sf ai
lingt ohandl eher
mar r
iage)andhersi deoft hef ami l
yt heywoul dsay
emshadwenikuyabekezel wa(I nmar riageyou
persevere).Thatwasunt i
loneSat urdayaf ter
noon
whenmydadcamehomedr unk, mymom hadnot
cookedbecauset herewasnot hingt ocook.He
start
edshout ingandki cki
ngever ythingcloset o
him,Iwassoscar ed,rememberIwasonl y12year s
old.I'veneverseenhi m soangr y, hepushedmet o
myr oom andcl osedt hedoor .Ihear dhi m shouti
ng
"Youar eausel esswoman, Iregrett hedayIever
mar r
iedyou.Youcan' tevenbearmeason, Whatdo
yout hinkI'
m gonnadowi thawhor eforachi ld?You
areusel esst omeNt ombiandt odayI'm kill
ingyou,
bothyouandIwi lldi
eandl eavet hatnonsenseofa
chil
d, she'l
lseehowshet akescar eofher self
.She
hasavagi na".Iwassohur t,allhiswordspi erced
ri
ghtt hroughmyhear tbutatt hatmomentIwas
prayi
ngt hathedoesn' tki
llmymom but ..Butmy
prayerswer ei nveinIhear d2shot sofagungoi ng
offandmymom scr eaming, Ir anoutoft her oom
andf oundherl yi
nginapoolofbl ood,Il
ookedat
mydad, sheki l
ledher."Babaumbul el
e!!
!!ubulele
uMababa! !!
"Icr i
edsomuchbutIwasbr oughtback
tomysenseswhenIhear danot hershotandhef el
l
down, t
hepl acewasf ullofbl oodandmywor ldhad
comet oanend.
Rightaf t
erthefuneral,Ileft.Icouldn'
tstaywi thany
ofthef amilymember s, Ihat edthem, Ist
il
ldo
becausehadt heytolistenedt omymom anddi d
nott el
lherabouttheper severancenonsenseshe' d
sti
llbealive,soquietfranklyt heyalsokill
edher .
Wel lyoumi ghtaskwhyI 'm notstayingatmy
parentshouse, Icouldn't,Ican'tbecauset hatplace
holdsar eall
ybadmemor y,oneI '
dratherforget.
.
..
..
..
..
Anywaybackt othecur r
entsi t
uation,Iam watching
SisNdalosleeping, i
t'smor ningal r
eadyandshe
knowspolicedon' twantusher e,soever ymorning
at7h00wehavet ovacat ethepl ace.Ialwayswake
herupbutt odayIwon' t,
Iam l eavingandf orgood.I
gotajobasapr ost i
tuteandIdon' twantt otel
lher,
I
knowshe'l
lst opme.Judgemeal lyoulikebutI
needmoneyt osur vi
veandt histhingofcol l
ecti
ng
cooldri
nkcansandol dscr api snotmaki ngmeany
money,somet imesIdon' tevengetacent .
It
ookthesmallestt
hingsthatbel
ongt
omeand
ki
ssedhercheekandl ef
t.
Ihopeshe'
l
lwakeupqui
ckl
y,bef
oret
hepol
icef
ind
her.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Damn!
!!
!!Ihat
ethist
hingofbei
ngadeepsleeper.I
meanwhodoest hat
?Inthestr
eet
sfort
hatmat t
er.
Onewoul dswearI'mli
vingacomf ort
ableli
fe.I
turnedtolookatPhuml a'ssideandshe' salr
eady
gone.Whydi dn'tshewakemeup?Sheal waysdoes.
AnywayIunder stand,herwayofhust l
ingiskindof
diff
icult
,somaybeshewant edtostartear
ly.I
quicklygotup,didtheeverydayr out
ineofhidingmy
stuffbutIalwaysmakesur eItakemydocument s
withme, Ican'
triskwit
ht hose.
Ithenwentt
othepubl
ictoi
lets,
cleanedmysel
fup
andoffIwentt
othepetr
olstati
on.
ThedayproceededandIwashedabout5cars,
each
ofthedri
versgi
vingmedif
fer
entamountsofmoney,
butit
'sbet
tert
hannothi
ng.
"Howoldareyou?"al
adyoft
hecarI
'
m washing
now.Whywoul dsheaskmemyage?Ihopeshe'
s
notaboutt
ojudgeme.
"I
'm 25, why?",Iaskedl ookingathertoseewhat
exactlyshe'sthinking."Woul dyouhaveapr obl
em
workingatar etailst
ore?".Sheaskedme, wi tha
veryst r
aightfaceon." Iwoul ddoanythingfor
survival,evenifitmeanscl eaningthetoil
ets".
"Doyouhavemat ri
c?"Ialmostsai ditspr obabl y
betterthanyour sbutIcan'tber uder ight?Shel ooks
l
ikeani ceper son.Thi ngiswe' vehadal otofpeopl e
j
udgi nguswi thoutevenknowi ngwhywegother e.
"YesIdo, Iactuall
yhavemycer ti
ficat ewi t
hme" .
Shenoddedandgavemet hat" CanIseei t
"kindof
l
ook,soIt ookitoutandgaveher ."Gi rl
!!
!!5
disti
nctions? ?
?Whywoul dyoudot hist oyour self?
Youcoul dhavegonet ovarsity.Imeanwi t
ht hese
beaut i
fulresults.Whydi dntyougost udy? "."Wel l
i
t'sal ongst oryandI '
dbehappyi fwedon' ttalk
abouti t
",Isaidt hathopingthatshedoesn' taskany
furt
herquest i
ons." Well
Ihaveaf riendwhogota
greateroppor tunityandshewaswor kingat
Checker s,woul dyoul i
ketof i
llinherspacebecause
theyar elookingf orsomeone? "
.Ofcour se,I
woul dn'tsaynot oajobdude." Really?YesI '
dl ove
to,Ireallywoul dloveto".
"
Great,
let
'sgotothati
nternetCaf eandcreateaCV
f
oryou,it
'sj
ustastandardpr ocedurebutI'
m sur
e
t
hey'
llt
akeyou".OkayIdon' tknowt hi
slady,she
l
ooksmyage, Whyisshebei ngni cetome?
"
Okaynopr
obl
em,
wecango"
.
"Ohwher earemymanner s,
mynamei sThando
Mdl uli
.Iam also25l i
keyou,Iam physi
otherapist
,
I'
m sur eyouar ewonderingwhyIchoset ohelpyou,
wellyoul ookspecialandmypar entshavealways
toldust ohelpthoseinneedandneverl ookdown
onpeopl e".Shelookedverygenuinewhensayi ng
allthat."
Wel lt
hankyouThando, youlookreall
y
beaut i
ful
.Mynamei s..
..
."
Shesmi led,showingherperf
ectdimples.
"Ndaloyenkosi,I
'
vealreadyseenyournameonyour
cert
if
icate.Nicenameyouhaveandi fyouaskme,
youar ealsoverymuchbeaut i
ful"
.

Wear ri
vedattheinternetcaf e,di dtheCVandl ef
t.
Sheaskedwher eI'm sleeping, Ididn'ttellherbut
shecouldn'tt
akethat,shef or cedt heansweroutof
me.Iendedupt ell
ingher ."Won' tyoucomesl eepat
mypl acetoni
ght?"
.Nowshe' st akingittoof ar.I
havenot r
ustforanyone." NoI '
m sor ry,Ihaveal i
ttl
e
si
sterthatIneedtotakecar eof ,she'sgonet omake
moneyaswel l
,sosheneedst ofindmewhenshe
arri
ves"
.Shenodded,
shel ookedsad,Iguessatthe
thoughtofmyli
tt
lesi
stersuffer
ingint
hestreet
st oo.
"OkayNdalo,l
ookI'
l
lcomepi ckyouuptomorr
owfor
yourfi
rstdayatwork.Her
egetyoursel
fandyour
sist
ersomethi
ngtoeat".ItooktheR200shegave
me, t
henshedroveoff.
Iconti
nuedwithmyhustl
ingandwenttobuytwo
smallboxesofpi
zzaandtwoTropi
cajuice.
AssoonasIar ri
veatoursleepi
ngpl ace,Ididnot
fi
ndPhuml a.Ifi
xedmythings,startedeat i
ngbut
sti
llPhumlawasnotyetback,Itriedsl eepi
ng
hopingshe'l
lcomebackbutnot hing, maybeshe's
sti
llhust
li
ng.Idozedof
f.

[
Andi
le]

Ikeepont ossi
ngandtur
ning,Ican'
tsleep.AllIsee
i
sherandIcanhearhervoi ce,sweetvoice.My
heartacheswhenIthi
nkofwhatshedoesf ora
l
iving,shelookedpal
eandhadwor
noutcl
othes,
Sigh.Sheissobeauti
ful
.

"Andi
le!
!!
!Hai
iI'
mt r
yingtosl
eephere!You'
vebeen
tossi
ngandturningandyouaredistur
bingme".
That'
smywi fe,
Anelisa.

WellI'm AndileKhoza,I'
m 35andmar ri
edtoAnel i
sa
Mlotshwa.We' vebeenmar r
iedf orthepast6year s
andwehavea5yearol dsonSabel otoget
her.I'
ma
l
awyer ,Ihaveal awf i
rm andcomef rom awel l
off
family.Bothmypar ent
sarest i
llali
veandver y
muchi nlove.Ihave3sibli
ngs, beingmyol dersister
Nonjabulo46, myyoungerbr ot
herSi zwe24t hen
thelastbor nmyyoungersi steromuhl e14.I'
mt he
secondbor n.

"
Sircan..
.CanIwashyourcar
?".Icanst
il
lhearher
wordsreplayi
ngi
nmyhead.
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er3.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

It
'syetanot
herday, t
imet owakeupandmyhear ti
s
soheavy,Icouldn'
tsleepnotknowi ngwher
e
Phuml ai
s,Ihavegottenusedt obeingar
oundher
andbeingherbigsister.Ican'
tst
opwondering
whethershe'
ssaf eorhassheeat en?Wheredi
dshe
sl
eep?Sigh.

"
Goodmor
ning"
.
Igotst
art
ledandwhenIl
ookedatt
heper
son,
It'
s
Thando.

Me:"
Mor
ning"
.
Thando:"
It
'sei
theryounotamorni
ngper
sonoryou
arej
ustnotokaytoday,
what'
sup?"
.

Iguessi
t'
sver
ymuchcl
earhowwor
ri
edIam.

Me:"
It
'snot
hingser
iousr
eal
ly,
I'
m okay"
.

Shenoddedclear
lynotconvi
ncedbutIguessshe
deci
dedtoleti
tsl
ide.

Thando:"Iwashopi ngtomeetyourl
it
tl
esister
,we
obvi
ouslyhavet otakeherwi
thusnowt hatyou
won'tbestayinghereanymore,wher
edidshegoto
soearlyi
nt hemorni ng"
.

Thel
ump!
!!
!Thel
umponmyt
hroat
,Iwantt
ocr
y.
Me:"I
..
.Idon'
tknowwheresheis,
shedi
dn'
tcome
backyest
erdayandt
hat
'sunli
keher"
.

Thando:"
OhmyGod, Ndal
oI'
m sor
ry.NowIsee
whyyoulookspooked,
maybeweshouldgolookf
or
heryouknow"
.

Me:"
Andwhataboutt
hej
obyougotme?
"

Thando:"
Don'twor
ryyour
sel
faboutt
hat
,thej
obi
s
yoursandyoucanstar
tassoonaswefi
ndyour
si
ster"
.

Ifr
owned,
whyisshesosurethatIgott
hejob?Is
sheper
hapst
heownerofcheckersandshe'snot
tel
li
ngme?

Thando:"
Gir
lIknowpeopl
ewhoknowpeopl
eandI
secur
edyouthatjob"
.
Okaysher
eadmymi
nd.

Me:"You'
vealr
eadydonemuchforme,lookwecan
j
ustgotomywor kpl
aceandI'
l
lst
artt
oday.I'
m sur
e
Phumlawil
lcomeback,maybewhenIcomeback
I
'l
lfi
ndher
".

Thando:"That
'sthething,younotcomi
ngbackher
e
Ndalo,younot.Ican'
tallowyoutocont
inue
sl
eepinginthestreet
s".

Saywhat?
Doesthi
sgi
rlt
hinkI
'm gonnabeableto
getapl
acetost
aywhenI'
m gonnabestart
ingtoday?

Me:"
Idon'
t.
..
.."

Thando:Iwi
llpayforyourapar
tmentunt
ilyouget
backonyourfeet"
.
Me:"Whyareyoubei
ngsoext r
anicetome?Don't
getmewrongI'
m notcomplai
ning,I
'mjust
..
.You
know?Imeanyoudon'tevenknowmewel l
".

Shesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.

Thando:" Ndal
oImysel fdon'tknowwhyI '
m helpi
ng
you,Icomeacr ossalotofstreetkidsal most
everydayandIdon' tdoforthem whatI '
m doingfor
you.Wel lyesIwast aughtt
ohel pandgi vetothose
i
nneedbutwi thyoui t
'smoret hant hat,Ij
ustfeel
l
ikeI'm obli
gatedtohelpyou, Ifeelalotof
connectionwithyou.It'
sli
keyouar et hatf
riendI
needinmyl i
fe".

Okaythat'
sdeep!!Inoddedandkeptquiet,
wegotto
EastRandmal landshef or
cedmei ntobuying
cl
othes,Ipi
ckedaf ewcheaperones,shepaidand
weleftt
ogr abbreakf
astatWimpy.Ican't
rememberthel
astti
meIhadsuch.Af
terour
breakf
ast
,wedrovetoSandhur
stwegottooneof
themostbeaut
if
ulApart
ments.

Thando:"
Thi
siswhereyou'
llbest
ayi
ng,
it'
snot
hing
bi
gbutit'
sbet
tert
hannothi
ng".

Me:"I
ts.
..
.ohmyGod,
youdon'
thavet
o,r
eal
lyyou
don'
thaveto"

Thando:"Pl
easegot
akeashowersot hatIcandrop
youoffatworkandmakesureyouar esettl
ingin
well
,Ihaveameeti
ngwithmydad' scli
entin2
hoursti
me.Heaskedmet oat
tendi tf
orhim since
he'
soutofthecount
ryandhe'l
lki
llmei fImessi t
up"

Inoddedandshedi
rect
edmetowher
ethe
bathr
oom i
s,It
ookashower
,wor
eablackdr
ess
andsandal
s,shemademewearawigaswell
,soI
di
d.

Me:
"I'
m done"

Thando:"Ohper
fect,youl
ookabsol
utel
yst
unni
ng,
a
l
itt
lemakeupwoul ddobutfornowwecango,I
can'taf
for
dtobelate".

Wel ef
tandar
ri
vedatSandt
onci
tyandgott
o
checkers.

Shegreet
edalmostever
yone,
theyseem t
obeli
king
her
.Thenanotherl
adywholooksli
keaboss,
call
ed
ustoheroff
ice.
Thandoi nt
roducedusandt ol
dherI '
mt hegirlshe
wastalkingabout.Shedoesn'tseem fr
iendlybut
shewelcomedmeandt ol
dmeSl i
ndi
lewi l
lshowme
howthingswor kandwhatIshoul dandshoul dn'tdo.
Minuteslatert
heSl i
ndi
lel
adycame, toldme
ever
ythingIneedt oknow,theDo'sandt heDon'ts.
LateronThandocameandgavemeR300, honest
ly
Ifeell
ikesheshoul
dstopshoweri
ngmewith
money, t
here'
salotshe'
sal
readydonef
orme,butI
tookitanyway.

Thando:"Igott
agetgoing,Sandhurstisnotfarfrom
here,j
ustgetacabandt el
lthem youar egoi
ngt o
Sandhursteastapart
mentsandi t
'l
ldropyouof f
there,
thenhere'
stheaccesscardt othegate.Sigh,
Suchcompl i
catedli
fe.It
ookthecar dandshel eft.

Idi
dwhatIwast r
ainedtodo,
itwasr
eall
ynotbad.
Ormaybeit
'sbecauseI'
vewanti
ngajob?But
worki
ngf
eltgood.

Lat
eri
nthedayIknockedof
fandl
eft
.

I'
m st
il
lworr
iedaboutPhuml
a.Forwhati
t'
swor
th,
I
hopeshe'
salive.
[
Andi
le]

"
Sir
"
Me:"JeezPr
iskaI
'
mri
ghther
e,whyar
eyou
shouti
ng?"

Pr
iskai
smyPA.

Pri
ska:"MrKhozasir
,I'
vebeenstandi
ngher
e
cal
li
ngyouforthepast5minutesandyouwere
zonedout"

Me:"
WhatdoyouwantPr
iska?
"

Pr
iska:"
Sirt
here'
sacli
entthatdoesn'
twantany
l
awyers,hewantstoberepresent
edbyyou".
What ?Idon'
tgetwhypeoplet
hinkI'
mtheonly
personwhocanwi ncasesincourt
,Imeanmyl aw
fi
rmi sful
lofShar
ks,wehardl
ylosecases,
regardl
essofwho'sr
epresent
ing.

Me:"
Pr i
skat
ellt
hatcl
ientI
'
m busy,tel
lhi
mt ogo
somewhereel
seifhedoesn'twantanyofour
l
awyers".

Pr
iska:"
But
..
."

Me:"PriskadoasI'
m sayi
ngpleaseandwhil
eyouat
i
t,cancelallmymeeti
ngsfort
odayifIhaveany.I
needtogosomewher e"

Isai
dthatstandi
ngup,
shel
ookedatme
quest
ionabl
y.

Me:"
Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
se?"
Pr
iska:"
Umm.
..
.of
..
.ofcour
senotsi
r"
.

Shethenwalkedoutqui
ckl
y,It
ookmyphoneand
carkeys,
I'
m goi
ngtolookf
orher.
I'
vebeenthi
nki
ngabouthersincethatdayshe
askedtowashmycar.Ican'tseem t
ogetheroutof
myhead,herbeaut
yisallIseewhenIclosemy
eyes.

Avoi
cei nmyheadkeepsonsayi
ng"Andi
leyouare
marr
ied"butt
hevoi
ceinmyheartsays"
Gofindher,
marr
iageornot"
.

Trustmet
hevoi
cei
nmyhear
tisst
rongert
hant
he
oneinmyhead.

Idrovestr
aightt
ot hatPet
rolst
ationandl
ucky
enough,Ifoundthatguywhohel pedme.
Me:"Shomf
ethu,
canwet
alkf
orami
nut
e?"
.

Hecametome,helookedki
ndofscar
ed,ei
shIhat
e
t
hissi
deofme.PeoplesayIl
ookscar
y.

Hi
m:"
Shobhoza"

Me:"
Ther
e'sagi
rlwhousual
lywashescarsher
e,
di
dshecometoday?WherecanIf
indher?"

Him:"Eishbhozayam, t
hatgi
rlNdal
o,Yesterday
sheleftwit
hsomel adyandtodayshedidn'tcome"
.

No.Ther
emustbesomewher
e,wher
eIcanf
indher
.

Me:"
Doyouknowwher
eshest
ays?
"
Him:"Idon'
tknow,seewiththesepeoplewholive
i
nt hest
reet
s,you'
dneverknowwher etheystay
becauseeachdaytheychangetheirpl
aces"
.

Isigheddeepl
yandthankedhim,Istar
teddrivi
ng
aroundhopingtoseeherbutnot
hing,Ithendecided
togohome.

AssoonasIgoti
nAneli
sawasjustsit
ti
ngont
he
couchsi
ppi
ngonwineandeat
ingpizza.

Me:"
Hey,wher
e'smysonwhenyouar
eenj
oyi
ng
pi
zzaal
one?"

Shegavemeal
ookbutIi
gnor
edi
t.

Nel
i:"
Hei
satBr
ian'
shouse"
Me:"
Okay"

Il
eftandbef
oreIcoul
dcl
imbt
hest
air
s..
..

Nel
i:"
Areyoucheat
ingonme?
"

Me:"
What
?"

Nel
i:"Iaskedyouifyouarecheati
ngonme
Andil
e!!
!!
youheardmepl easetel
lme"
.

Iwasslowl
yget
ti
ngpi
ssed,
mydayhasbeenbad
enough.

Me:"Noteveryoneisli
keyouAneli
sa!
!!
!Because
youcheateddoesn'tmeanI'
mli
keyouokay?So
pleasedon'
tfuckenir
ri
tat
eme!!
!"
Shepoppedhereyesout
.

Me:"YesIknowAneli
sa!!
!Iknowyoucheat edandif
youaretryi
ngtomakeyoursel
ffeell
essguilt
yby
accusingmeofdoi
ngwhatyoudogood, thenyou
aretr
yingitwi
thawrongperson,nowifyou'l
l
excuse".

Ipushedherandwentt
otakeashower
.

Shet
hinksIdon'
tknowaboutherdi
rt
yways?

WellIst
ayedbecauseIloveher
,Isti
lldobutIdon'
t
thi
nkthatwil
lbeforl
ongbecauseI'
m prepar
edto
getasearchpart
ytolookfort
hatgi
rl
.

Ndal
o!!
!Yest
hat
'swhatt
hatguysai
dhernamei
s.
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er4.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

It
'sbeenagreatweek,Thandohasbeencomi ngto
checkuponmeever ynowandagai nt
oseeifI'
m
okay.Shei
strulyheavensent,Imeanit
'sver
yrare
tofi
ndsomeonewhowi l
lhelpyouthewayshedid
tomeandneverexpectanythinginret
urn.
It'
sSatur
dayandIwaswor ki
nghalfday,soI
'm now
headingstr
aightt
oJoburgCBD,atour"Spot
"tosee
i
fPhuml aisnotaround,
Imightal
soaskaroundif
theyhaven'
tseenher.
.
..
..
..
..

Aft
erawhil
eIar
ri
vedandwentst
rai
ghtt
oaplaceI
usedt
ohidemyheadatandt
herewasnosi
gnof
Phumla.Ar
ghwhatam It
hinking?Ofcour
seshe'
s
notar
ound,i
t'
smiddayal
ready.

"
Ehhhmysi
ster
!!
!wuwel
o?"
(i
sthatyou)

Itur
nedtol
ookandIsawSanza,
heusedt
opr
otect
us,hewasl
ikeabr
other
.

Me:"Sandi
lehey"

Sanza:"
Zkhi
phan"

Me:"Alotyouknow,Igotajobatcheckersaf
ew
daysago,it
'snot
hingbigbuti
t'
sbett
erthannot
hing.
Howhaveyoubeen? "

Sanza:"AhyouknowmeSi swam,I'
m al
wayst
op
thokozi
le.Soyoul
eftwi
thdaiCher
ryphuml
a?"
Okay!
!I
'
m guessi
nghehasn'
tseenheri
nawhi
le.

Me:"No,act
ual
lyt
hat'
sthereasonwhyI
'
m her
e,
whenIl
eftshewasnothere"
.

Hel
ookedatmeconf
used.

Sanza:"
Hai
iIthoughtyouar
etoget
herwhereyou
are,
shehasn'
tbeenherethi
swholeweek"
.

Myhear tached,
wher ecoul
dshebe?Whatifshe
gotkil
led?Whatif.
..
.NononoNdalo,nonegati
ve
thoughts.

Me:"Yoohokay,
I'
mj ustsost
ressedandwor
ri
ed
abouther
,whenIlef
thershewasnotaround".
Sanza:"
BonaSiswam, don'
tworry.I
'l
lkeepaneye
foryouandwhenIseeherI'
llt
ellhernottol
eave.
Givemeyournumbers."

Igavehim mynumber sandwet

alkedsomemor
e
aboutgeneralt
hings.

Me:"Here,you'l
lbuyyoursel
fsomet hi
ng.Idon'
t
havemuchandIpr omi
sewhenIgetpai dI'
l
lcome
seeyou.You'vebeenveryprotect
iveofusandone
daywhenIhaveenoughmoneyI '
l
lalsotakeyouout
ofthest
reets".

Ihandedhim aR200note,i
t'
smoneyIgotf
rom
ThandosinceIhaven'
tgotpai
dyet
.

Sanza:"DankieSisWam,I'
m happyt hatyouareof
f
thestr
eets.Iusedtoworr
yaboutyouandPhuml aa
l
otbutnowIcansaf el
ysayI'
m gladyougotasaf e
placet
ost ay,I
'l
lonl
yworryaboutlookingfor
Phuml
a".

WehuggedandIleft
,onmywayt othetaxir
ank.A
bl
ackRangeRoverstoppedr
ighti
nfrontofme,I
swearI
'
veneverbeensoscared.

Theguyr
oll
edt
hewi
ndowdown.

Me:"
Ihavenot
hing,
pleasedon'
t.
..Don'
thur
tme"
.

Hi
m:"
Iwon'
thur
tyou,
pleasecal
m down"
.

Me:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"

Hi
m:"Howaboutyoucl
imbi
nandI
'
llt
ellyou?"

Hemustbehi
ghontobacco,whatmakeshi
mthi
nk
Icanj
ustj
umpint
ohiscar?
Me:"Wel
lno!
!!Pl
easeleavemealone,youmaykeep
whatyouwanttotel
lmet oyour
sel
f"
.

Iwalkedawaybutwhoam Itowal
kawayfr
om a
dri
vingper
son?Hedroveri
ghti
nfr
ontofmeagai
n.I
wasslowlyget
ti
ngpissed.

Hi
m:"Don'
tyour
ememberme?"

Ir
oll
edmyeyes,
whyi
sthi
smanchoosi
ngt
obor
e
me?

Him:"
OkayIguessyoudon't
,bythewaymyname
i
sAndile,
Andi
leKhoza.Il
ovedyoufr
om thef
ir
st
dayIsawyouatthepetr
olst
ati
on,whenIcameto
l
ookforyouIdi
dn'tf
indyoubut
..
."

Me:"
Savei
t!
!!Youmayhaveseenandl
ovedmeat
thepetrolstati
onbutwhatmakesyout hi
nkIcar
e?I
don'tcarewhoyouar e,pl
easeleavemet hefuck
alone,I
'm sureyourwif
eiswaitingforyouathome,
thatdoesn'tlookl
ikeadecorat
ionri
ng"

Helookedathi
sri
ngt
henbackatme,
hehadasad
f
ace.

Her e'sthethingIhatemen, Ihatemensomuch.I

l
ostmyvi r
ginit
ythroughrapebecauseofaman, a
manwhoi ssupposedt obemyf ather,whowas
supposedt oprotectme,heleftmet ober aisedby
anot hermanandIcanpr ettymuchsayI '
m wher eI
am becausehef ai
ledasaman, asaf ather .Now
thisst r
angerofamani sparkingrightinf rontofme,
hopi ngthatIwi l
ltr
usthim whenIwasbr okenby
menIwassupposedt o"Trust"
.Thinkingofat hose
thingsIsuddenl ygotemot i
onal,Ican'tallowmysel f
tocr yinf r
ontofast r
anger.ButIwasl at
ebecause
tearsr oll
eddownmyf ace,Iquickl
ywi pedt hem.
Me:"
Ple.
..
please,
leavemeal
one.
"

Ir
anaway.

Hi
m:"
Ndal
o!!
!!Ndal
oI'
m..
.."

Heknowsmyname, heknowsmyname, Ist

opped
butthenIdeci
dedt
ost ar
trunni
ngagai
n,who
knowshecouldbeast al
ker.Whati
fhewassentby
myst epf
ather
?

LuckyenoughwhenIgottothet
axi
stherewer
etwo
peopleshotsoIhoppedi
nandafewmi nut
esl
ater
anotherper
songotin.

Offthetaxil
eft
.Allt
hewayIwast hinki
ngofthat
Andileguy,howsadhelooked.There'
smoretohim
than..
.Okaybuthowdoesheknowmyname?I
don'tremembertell
i
ngpeopleatthepetr
olst
ation
whomynamei
s.

[
Anel
i
sa]

Wel lyoual readyknowwhoIam, Iam wi

fetoAndi l
e
Khozaandamot hertoaf i
veyearoldboySabel o.
Ther e'sreallynotmucht oknowaboutmeexcept
thatI'm mar riedtoamanInol ongerl
ove,Irunmy
father '
scompanyandI 'm dati
ngamanIl oveal ot,
yesI '
vecheat edonAndileeversincewegot
mar riedbutIst oppedseeingMenzi ayearafterour
weddi ng.IlovedAndil
e,hei saveryni
ceper son,he
i
shumbl eandver yrespectful
.Butunfor
tunatel
yI
fel
loutofl ovebecauseMenziandImetagai n.
Truthi
swhenMenziandIst oppedseeingeach
thoseyear
sago, Iwasal
readypregnantwi
thSabelo,
heisn'
tAndil
e'ssonandI'
m afr
aidthisi
sgoingto
breakAndi
le,heloveshi
m somuch.
Iam nowwi
thMenzi
.
Menzi:"HeismysonNel iandifyoucan'
ttel
l
Andi
lenow, I
'l
ltel
lhi
m.You'vekepthi
m awayforf
ar
t
oolong,itenough."

Me:
"ButMenzi
..
."

Menzi
:"Nobaby,
no.I
'
m amanandIneedt
orai
se
myson."

Isi
ghed,
Idon'
tknowhowam Igoi
ngt
ofi
xthi
s.

Me:"OkayI
'
llseehowIt
ellhi
m"

Menzi:
."
Greatnowst
opsul
kingandcomeki
ss
daddy"

Ismiledandki
ssedhi
m.Il
ovehi
m,i
t'
swr
ongbuti
t
feel
sr i
ght
.
Ihatemyselffordoingt
hist
oAndi
let
hough,
he
doesn'
tdeservethis.

[
Andi
le]

Seeinghertearsbrokemyheart,
it'
snowconcl
uded
thatIloveher
.Ijustneedtofi
ndawayt omakeher
trustmeandbel i
evethatIwon'
thurther
.

Iam nowatmyhouse,wai
ti
ngf orMt
ho,heisaPII
hir
edt of
oll
owmywife,
apparentl
yhei
sthebesti
n
thegame.Hewasrecommendedbymyf ri
end
Thabiso.

Aft
erawhil
eaknockcamet hr
ough,Iwentt
oopen
andyest
heper
sonI'vebeenwait
ingfor
.

Mt
ho:"
Andi
le,
sho"
Me:"
Shobr
o,comei
n".

Hewal
kedi
n,Iof
fer
edhi
m adr
inkandwesatdown.

Me:"
Sowhathaveyougotf
orme?"

Mt ho:"
Ihavequi t
eal otofi
nformati
onndoda, your
wifeisseeingsomeoneandwhenIl ookedint
oit,
She'sbeenwi ththi
sguyf oryearsnow.Iwon'tsay
muchher earet hepictur
es.Theyspeakf or
themselves."

It
ookt
hebr
ownenvel
opehehandedt
ome.
WhenIopeneditIwasmetbymywi fekissi
nga
man,amanwhol ooksf
amil
iar
.It
's.
..Nononoit
can'
tbe,
Menzi?
? ?Howcoul
dshedot histome?
Il
ookeddownt henbackatt hepictures,
theother
onetheyareholdinghandsandwal ki
nginsidethe
house.Menziistheguyshewentt oVar sit
ywi t
h,I
al
wayst houghttheywerefr
iends,Iguesst hejoke
i
sonme.

Me:Thanksman, I
'
llhaveyourmoneyt
ransf
err
ed
i
ntoyouraccountASAP".

Mt
ho:"
Areyouokay?
"

Me:"
I'
llbef
ine,
I..
.Ij
ustneedsomespace"
.

Henoddedandl
eft
.

Iwai
tedandwait
edforAnel
isat
ogetback,
Sabel
o
i
satmyparent
'shouse.
At21h00shewal
kedin,
mor el
ikesneaki
ngi
n.,
as
soonassheswi
tchedontheli
ghtsshefr
ozewhen
shesawme.

Nel
i:"
B..Babe"
.

Me:"
It
's9pm"
.

Shekeptqui
et.

Me:"
Ubuyaphi
?"

Nel
i:"
BabyI
..
.I'
m sor
ryIl
ostt
rackoft
ime,
Iwas
wit
hthegi
rl
s".

Okaysoshe'
sgonnali
etome?Whyam Isur
pri
sed?
She'
sbeendoingt
hatf
oryear
s.
Me:"
Don'
tli
etomeAnel
isa,
justdon'
tokay?
"

Shekeptqui
etagai
n,It
hrewt
heenvel
opet
oher
.

Me:"
Openi
t"

Shepickeditupandslowlyopenedi
t,assoonas
hereyeslandedonthepictur
esshest
artedshaki
ng.

Me:"
Menzi?Aneli
sa,howcouldyoudothi
stome?
Whati
sitt
hatIlack?Whathaven'
tIdonef
oryou?"

Tear
srol
leddownherf
ace.

Nel
i:"Andil
eI'
m sor
ry,I
'm..
.I'
m sor
ry.Youl
ack
not
hingtrustme.It
..
.I.
..
."

Me:"
Savei
t!
!!
!Tomor
rowIwantyououtofmy
house.Ifoundoutatf i
rstt
hatyouwer echeati
ng
butIfor
gaveyouwi t houtevenr eceivi
nganapol ogy,
youknowwhy?BecauseIcoul dn'tl
eta2mi nute
thi
ngbreakusupbutIwaswr ongi twasnota2
minutething,Il
ovedyouNel i
,yout ooktheloveI
hadforyouf orfool
ishnessbuti t'
sokay.TodayI 'm
gonnaallowyout osl eepherebutt omorrowIwant
youtoleave".

Nel
i:"
Andi
leI
..
.."

Me:"
Idon'
twannaheari
tNel
i,
I'
llst
artdr
aft
ing
di
vor
cepaper
s"

Neli
:"Nopl
ease,I
'
m sor
ry.I
'
ll
..
.Andi
leIneedt
otel
l
yousomethi
ng".

Ist
oodupandl
eftbutbef
oreIcoul
ddi
sappear
..
..
.
Nel
i:"
Hei
snotyour
sAndi
le,
Sabel
oisnotyour
s".

Myheartal
moststopped,howcrazyist
hiswoman?
Mykneesgotweak,veryweak.Ifel
lont
hefloorand
cr
iedsi
lent
ly.

Sher
ushedt
omebutIsi
gnal
ledf
orhernott
otouch
me.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er5
[
Andi
le]

Ihaveneverthoughtmyli
fewoul
dtakeaturnl
ike
this,
AfterwhatAneli
sat
oldmeyest
erday,
Icouldn'
t
sleep.Myheartachedsomuch,i
tst
il
ldoesbutI'
m
notawoman, Ican'
tbesl
eepi
ngal
ldayandnur
se
thepai
n.Ihavetowakeupandgetbusy.

Iwokeupandheadeddownst
air
sonl
ytobemetby
asmellofcof
fee.

Me:"
Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?"

Neli
:"Andil
eI'
m sorr
y,I
'm notsayi
ngf or
givemebut
j
ustknowt hatI'
mreall
ysorry.Il
ovedyouandI
coul
dn'tbri
ngmyselftotell
ingyouthatSabel
ois
Menzi'sson.Iknowhowmuchyoul ovehim.I.
..
"

Me:"ListenhereAneli
saI'
vemadepeacewi t
hthe
si
tuati
on, assourasiti
s,I'
vemadepeace.Youdo
knowIl oveSabeloandallI'
m askingisthati
fyou
deci
det oleavewithhim,l
etmeseehi m on
weekends, duri
ngschoolholi
daysandsomet i
mesI
canpickhi m upfr
om school.Idon'twanttofi
ght
hencewhyI '
m makingthi
seasybuti fyouwantme
tofi
ght
,youknowI'
m alawyerandIcanensur
ethat
younevergett
oseehi
m again"

Neli:"I
'
ll.
..YouknowIwoul dn'
tfi
ghtyouAndil
e,you
canst i
llseeSabel oanyti
meyouwantt o,Iwon'
t
stopyouf r
om seeinghim.Heknowsyouashi s
fatherandi t
'sst
illgoingt
obehar dformetotell
himt hatwear eleaving"

Me:"Idon'
tcareaboutallthatyousaid,
justpack
yourbagsandleave,Ist
illwanttospendtimewith
Sabelo,
you'l
lsendmeyouraddr essandI'
llbr
ing
himtomorrow".

Shekeptqui
etandhandedmethecof
feebut
i
nsteadIwentt
ogetwaterf
rom t
hefr
idgeandl
eft
herther
ewit
hhercoff
ee.

AssoonasIar
ri
vedi
nmybedr
oom,
Ical
ledmydad.
Dad:"
Bhovungane"

Me:"
Hlase"

Dad:"
Ukahl
endodana"

Me:"Notreal
lydad,
aloti
shappeni
ngandI'
dreal
ly
l
ikeyoutocallameeti
ngwit
hAneli
sa'
sfami
ly.I
t'
s
i
mpor t
antbaba"

Dad:"
Ist
her
eanyt
hingwr
ong?
"

Me:"BabaallIcant
ellyouf
ornowist
hat
everyt
hingi
samessandIdon'twantt
ospenda
secondinthi
smarri
age"

Hekeptqui
etf
orsomet
imet
henhesi
ghed.
Dad:
"OkayndodanaI
'
lll
etNel
i'
sfat
herknow"

Me:"NgyabongaHl
ase,
pleasemakeithappen
ur
gentl
y,assoonast
omorrowifpossi
ble"
.

Dad:"
Wewi
llal
ldr
ivet
oyourhouset
omor
row"
.

Me:"
Thankyoubaba,
sendmyl
ovet
oever
yone"

Dad:"Keepwel
lson,don'tstresstoomuch, Ican
sensepainf
rom yourvoice.Listentome,i
fMakot i
i
st heonewhodidwr ongthensonyouwi l
lmeet
someonewhoi sgoodf oryou, youareagreat
personandyoudeservebetter"

Isi
ghedbutIdoagree,I'
l
lfi
ndsomeoneandt
hat
per
sonisNdalo.Thethoughtofi
tmademechuckl
e.
Me:"
Thanksdad,
Ineedt
ogo,
I'
llseeyout
omor
row
"

Wet
henendedt
hecal
l.

Iwentdownstai
rsandf
oundAnel
isahol
dingher
bags,
readytogo.

Neli
:"I'
m sor
ryonceagainAndil
e,t
hankyoufor
ever
ythi
ngyou'vedoneforme,thel
oveyoushowed
meandf orbei
ngwhoyouar e.Youdeservebet
ter
andthewomanyougonnameetnextwi l
lbealucky
l
ady".

Me:"
Go!Tomorr
owt here'
sameet
ingwi
tht
he
el
der
shere,
avai
lyourself
".

Shesi
ghedandnodded,
thenshel
eft
.
I
'
m notabi
tt
erper
son,
Ibel
ievei
ntaki
ngcar
eofa
womanandl ovi
ngthem uncondi
ti
onall
y.HadIbeen
abadpersonIcoul
dhavet akenal
lthecarsI
boughtf
orherbutno,t
hat'
snotme.

Me:"
Anel
isagetadr
ivert
ocomet
akeyourcar
s"

Nel
i:"Andi
let
hey.
.."

Me:"
That
'sal
lIwant
edt
osay,
youmaygo"

SheleftandImadebr eakfast,aft
ert
hatIwentto
shower,Ineedt ogotobuyaf ewt hi
ngssincemy
boyiscomi ngwi t
hmypar entstomorrow,helef
ton
Fri
daynowi t
'sSunday.Hewon' tbegoingtoschool
soI'
llneedallthesweetst
uf f
.

Idr
oveof
ftosandt
onci
ty.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

It
'saSunday, I'
m atworkbutluckyenoughI '
llbe
workinghal fdayagain,workingataretai
lstoreis
nochi l
d'splay.Idojustabouteveryt
hing.
Customer sr ear
rangethestock,It
akeitbackt othe
shel
ves, wher etheybelong.Iworkattheti
llandso
on.Butt odayI '
m att
het i
ll
.

Me:"
Nextcust
omerpl
ease"
.

Al
adycamei
nat
rol
leyf
ullofgr
ocer
ies.

Istart
eddoingwhatI'
m pai
df or
,scanni
ngher
groceri
es,Ist
oppedatthepackofSimbaChips,
theydidn'
twanttoscan.

Me:"Ma'
am canyoupl
easegotakeanot
herpai
r,
t
hisonei
srefusi
ngtoscan,
somethi
ngmustbe
wr
ongwi
tht
hebarcode.
"

Lady:"
What?Yougotakethem,Ican'
tbegoingup
anddowndoingyourj
ob.It
'snotmyfaul
tthatthe
barcodei
snotscanni
ng".

Me:"Igett
hatma'
am andI
'
m sorrybutyouneedto
gogetthem,t
her
e'sawhol
elotofpeopleonthe
queue"

Lady:"
What?Ar
eyousayi
ngI'
m del
ayi
ngt
hequeue?
Iam acust
omerandacust
omer.
..
."

Me:"Isal
waysri
ght!
!YeahIknowbutthatdoesn't
meanyoushouldberude.Youarenotonl
ywasting
yourt
imebutyouarewasti
ngotherpeopl
e'
stime"

Real
ly?Thiswoman.I
'
mreal
lyr
eachi
ngmyl
ast
l
evelofanger
.
Lady:"
Whohir
edt
hisr
ubbi
sh?
?Ineedyour
manager!
!"

Shewasscr
eami
ng,
enoughf
ort
hemanagert
o
come.

Mana:"
What
'shappeni
ngher
e?"

Lady:"Youneedtohi
repr ofessi
onalpeopl
e,t
his
excuseofapersonisrude!!!
shecan'taddr
ess
customersandshejusttoldmehowr udeIam"

What
?

Mana:"Ndal
o??youf
orgett
hatwedidyouaf avour
bygivi
ngthi
sjobandyoubringyourst
reet
nonsensei
nthestor
e??"
"That'
si t!
!!
!!She'sleavingthisj ob.Everyonehear d
howr udet hi sslayqueenwasandyouwon' teven
askwhathappened?Haven' tyouhear dabout
problem sol ving?Isthishowyoudealwi t
h
compl aintsint hisplace?Youdon' tfi
ndoutwhat
thecompl ainantiscompl ainingaboutandwhatt he
persont hecompl aintisdir
ect edtodid? ?Ifanyone
i
sunpr ofessionalisyou! !
!Youar everystupidfor
manager ,l
ooksl ikethefavouryoudi dforheri sthe
favourt heydi dforyou" .

Everyonewasquit
e,i
ncludi
ngtheemanager.Wai
t
waitwait
!!
!It
'st
hatRangeRoverguy.Whatdoeshe
wanthere.

Hi
m:"
Got
akeyourbags,
youar
eleavi
ngt
hisj
ob!
!"

Hel
ookedver
yser
iousandscar
y.
Me:"
NoI
'
m notl
eavi
ng,
ma'
am I
'
m sor
ry,
I..
..
."

Him:"Shedoesn'tmeanit
,she'
snotsorr
y.NdaloI
won'tberepeat
ingmyself
,Gotakeyourbelongi
ngs.
Wear eleavi
ng!
!!Oryouwantmetodragyououtof
herewit
houtyourbag?TrustmeIcandot hat?"

Hewasser
ious,
sososer
ious.

Ir
ant ot
hel
ocker
sandtookmybagandfoundhi
m
wait
ingf
orme.What
'swrongwi
tht
hisguy?

Il
ookedatmymanager
,shel
ookedspooked.

Him:"AskaroundaboutAndileKhoza,t
hey'l
ltel
lyou
whoIam andwhatIdot opeoplel
ikeyou,don't
for
getthecustomeri
salwaysr i
ghtbutthe
employeeshaveri
ghtstoo.Icansuethestorefor
whatyoujustdid"
Shewasshaking, whoisAndil
eKhoza?Whatdoes
hedot opeopl
elikeher?Whatisheknownfor?He
tol
dmet owaitforhim,thenhewenttopayfort
he
l
itt
lethi
ngshewasbuyi ngthenwelef
t,Iwas
hesit
antbuthepulledmebyhand.

Wegottothecarandheputtheplasti
csintheboot
,
t
henopenedthedoorforme.It
'ssti
llt
hatRange
Rover
.

Ikeptqui
etandlookedout
sideashewasexi
ti
ng
theparki
ngarea.

Me:"
Pleaset
akemet
oSandhur
steastapar
tment
s"

Hekeptqui
et,
ist
hisguycr
azyorsomet
hing?

Me:"
DidyouhearwhatIsai
d?Isai
dtakemet
omy
pl
ace!
!!
"

Him:"
Ifi
nal
lygettobewi
thyoui
nthesamecar
.
Yousobeauti
ful
"

OkayI
'
m maki
ngaconcl
usi
on.Thi
sguyi
scr
azy.

Myphoner
ang,
it'
sThando.

Me:"
HeyThando,
ifyoucal
li
ngmeabout
..
.."

Thando:" Heybabe, I
'
m sorryt
ocutyouof f.I'
mi na
hurry,l
ookIam r ushingt
otheairpor
tri
ghtnow, i
t'
s
somet hingthathappenedonaver yshortnotice.I'
ll
begonef orthenext3-4months,somypoi ntisI
can'tbeabl etohelpyoupayfortheapartment .SoI
gotyouasmal lyetdecentandaffor
dableflat
, I
've
paidit,soyoucanmovei nbutfr
om endoft he
mont hyougonnahavet oconti
nuepaying"
Iguessshehasn'
thear
d.

Me:"ThandoI.
..
.t
he..
..
wel
lsomethi
nghappenedat
workandIdon'tknowifI
'
m gonnabeabletopayf
or
t
heflatanymore"

Shesoundedl
ikeshewasr
unni
ng.

Thando:"Lookbabeswewi l
ltal
konSkype,I
'
m
running.Myf l
i
ghtisleavi
nginnoti
me,takecareof
yourself
,I'
l
lseeyouwhenIgetbackbutwewi l
l
keepingont al
king"

Justl
iket
hatshehungup.

Il
ookedatt
hishandsomeyetscar
ystranger
.Does
heknowthemesshecr eat
edi
nmyl i
fe?
Me:"
Takemet
omypl
acepl
ease"

Hi
m:"
Wear
egoi
ngt
omypl
ace"

Hedrovet
oapl aceIknownothi
ngoffbutaft
er
someti
mehest oppedatSandt
onestat
es,hedrove
i
nandwest oppedataveryhugehouse.
Hecametoopenmydoorandl eadt
heway.Okay
t
hisi
swei
rd,
whyam Inotscar
ed?

Hi
m:"
Wel
comet
omyhome"

Me:"
Whyam Iher
e?"

Hi
m:"Woul
dyoul
ikeanyt
hingt
odr
ink?Wat
er,
Jui
ce,
al
cohol
?"
Igaveaver
y"I
rr
it
ated"l
ook.

Heshruggedandlef
t,het
hencamebackwi
th2
gl
assesofjui
ce,
hethensatdown.

Him:"I
'm AndileKhozaandI '
mt heguyt hatwould
l
iketoknowyoubet t
er.I'
m sorr
yaboutwhat
happenedatt hestor
e,Ijustcouldstandandl i
sten
tothem tal
kingtoyoulikethat,
trut
hi sIfeel
somethingverydeepf oryou"

Il
ookedathimt
henhi
sri
ngf
ingerbuti
twasno
l
ongerther
e.

Me:"
Youhaveawi
fe"

Hi
m:"Ohsoyoufeelt
hesameaboutme,
thei
ssue
i
swit
hmywi f
e"
Il
ookeddownandt
henupathi
m.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Unedi
ted.

GuysIpr
omisetopostaconti
nuati
ont
omor
row
morni
ng,I
'm sot
ir
edandsleepy.
Chapt
er5
Cont
inuat
ion.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Iam si
tt
ingher
e,l
ookingatthi
sguy.Hekeepson
sayi
ngthingst
hatI
'm noti
nter
est
edinandIjust
wanttogo.

Me:"
Andi
lel
ist
en,
thanksf
orsavi
ngmef
rom t
hat
si
tuat
ionatworkbutnotonlydidyouhel pme, you
havemademel osethelastsourceofincomeIhad.
Idon'
tknowhowI '
m goi
ngt osurvive,I
'm gonna
havetogobacktothestreet
s.Sopl easefortheday
you'
vedoneenough,Ineedtogo"

Iwasnowcr
ying,
canIr
eal
lygobackt
othest
reet
s?

Andile:"
Youar enotgoingbackt othestreetsmami
, I
'm sor
ryforthewayIr eactedbutifanything
NdaloIdon'tregreti
t.Whyshoul dyoubet reated
thewayt heydid?Becauset heydidyouaf avour?
Pleasedon'tcrymami please.Iwon'tal
lowyout o
gobackt othestreet
s"

Me:"
Thelastt
imeamandi
dmeaf
avour
,he
want
ed.
..
..Pl
easet
akemet
omypl
aceAndi
le"

Andi
le:"
Hedi
dwhat
?Tal
kNdal
ohedi
dwhat
?"
Me:"Myprobl
emsar
enotyour
s!!
!Leavemealone
okay?Takemetomypl
aceAndil
e.Idon'
tneedyour
hel
p"

Hest
oodup,
tookhi
scarkeys.

Andi
le:"
Let
'sgo"

It
ookmybagandl
eft
.
Hedr
ovesi
lent
lyti
llwegott
omyapar
tment
,how
di
dheknowIstayhere?

Andil
e:"ComeonNdaloI'
m notst
alki
ngyou,
rememberyout ol
dmetobri
ngyouatSandhurst
eastapart
ments?"

Ohf
li
p!!
!yesIdi
d.Butdi
dher
eadmymi
nd?
It
ri
edtoopent
hedoor
,hel
ockedi
t.Isi
ghedand
l
ookedathi
m.

Andil
e:"Mywi feORshoul dIsayusedt obewife?
Wear egoi ngthroughadi vorce.Shecheatedonme
fort
hel ongesttimeandIf oundout,shedidalotof
damaget ome,Ir aisedanot herman'schil
d
thi
nkinghei smyson, Ilovethatchil
dNdalo.Soyou
canimagi nethekindofpai nI '
m goi
ngt hr
oughbut
I'
m goingt obeokay, I'
m goingt of
ixitandyouandI
canbehappyt ogether"

Me:"
I'
m sor
ryf
orwhatyourwi
fedi
dAndi
leI
..
..
."

Andil
e:"Don'tbesorry,
I'
m goingt obehappy.I
knowI'm goingtobehappywi t
hyou.I 'm goi
ngto
makeyouMr sKhozaandyouwi l
lhavemy30ki ds,
wearegoi ngt ogr
owgr eyhairtogether.Iknowyou
thi
nkI'
m cr azybecauseI'
vejustsepar atedwit
hmy
wif
e,butI'm amanNdal o.Itdoesn'ttakeme3
monthst oknowIl oveapersonandyoumamihave
st
olent
hishear
tofmi
ne"

Het
ouchhi
slef
tsi
deoft
hechest
.Ikeptqui
et.

Andil
e:"Iwouldn'
thavebroughtyouback,
thi
ngisI
haveafamilymeetingheldatmyhousetomorrow
andIdon'twantthem t
hinki
ngIalsohaveahandin
theendofmymar ri
age"

Ireal
lywant
edtorol
lmyeyes,whatmakeshi
m
thi
nkIcarekant
ivel
e?Idon'
tcar
e.

Andil
e:"Rollthoseeyesit'
sfi
nebutyou'l
lbemine
MamiandIhear deverythi
ngwhenyouwer eonthe
phonewi t
hyourf ri
endorwhoeverthatpersonwas,
youcan'taffordtostay,
Iwon'tpayforyounobut
packyourbagsbecausel at
ertomor
rowI '
m comi
ng
togetyou"
Il
aughed,f
ort
hef
ir
stt
imeIl
aughed.I
sheoutof
hi
smind?

Andi
le:"
Yousobeaut
if
ulwhenyoulaugh,l
ook
Mamiletmegetgoi
ng,I
'l
lseeyout
omor r
owokay?
"

Ishookmyheadandsi
ghed,
hepul
ledmei
ntoa
for
cedhug.

Hethenwentoutt
oopent
hedoorf
orme,
Igotout
andlef
t.

Me:"
Bye"

Andi
le:"
Ngyakut
handaMami
"

Ij
usti
gnor
edhi
m andl
eft
.
[
Thando]

Mydadi sr eallyfr
ustrat
ingme, Iam notcopi ngwit
h
allhi
sbackt obackmeet ingsandmi ngli
ngwi t
hhis
stupidfr
iends.Af t
erthecallIreceived,I'
mr eal
ly
wor r
iedaboutNdal o,Iknowshewoul dn'
thavebeen
rude,somet hinghappenedandt heyar enottel
li
ng
met hetruth,Iam justwor ri
edaboutNdal o,whois
theguythatt ookher ?Iam gonnacal lherlater
becausenowI '
m offtot
hemeet i
ng.

Ohbyt hewaymynamei sThandoMdl ul

i,
Istay
withbot hmypar entsand2sibli
ngs.Mydadi sa
verysuccessf ulbusi
nessman, heisnowgr ooming
me, Ir
eal l
ylovethecorporat
ewor l
dbutIdon'tli
ke
thefactthathei smakingmegoupanddown, lat
ely
i
t'sli
kehei slazyandhei smakingmedoal lt
he
workf orhim.

Iknowmaybeyouthi
nkI'
ml ooki
ngtogain
somethi
ngf
rom hel
pingNdalobutno,
Ijustl
oved
her,
Ifel
tconnectedtoherandconsi
deri
ngthefactI
havenoclosefr
iends,It
hinkshewouldbeperf
ect
asmyf r
iend.

#Goodmor
ning
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er6
[
Phuml
a]

Me:"MaDee,Ineedtogobuymyselfafewt
hings,
doIhaveanycli
ent
sinthenext2hours?

MaDee:"
Nobabyyoumaygobutmakesur eyou
don'
tgof
orever
,anyt
hingmi ghtcomeupin
bet
weenthetwohoursthatyou'l
lbegone"
.

Me:"
Okaymami
zat
hanks,
I'
llbequi
ck"
MaDee:" Good,youknowI '
dneversaynowhenyou
wanttogoshoppi ngbecauselooki
nggoodi
sthe
f
ir
stthinginthi
swor l
dofour s"

Ismil
edandt ookmybag, MaDeeistheownerof
thebr
othelIwor kat
.Bei
ngasexwor kerisnota
walki
nthepar kbecauseyouhavetopleasethe
cli
ent
.It
'smarriedmen,Richmen,si
ngleandbored
men.Prett
ymuchever ykindsofmenthereis.
Sotobr i
efyouonhowt hi
ngswor kthere,whent he
cli
entwantst obetakencareofbyme, hehast ogo
l
etthebossl adyknowandt here'
saspeci fi
cprice
hehast opayt obewi t
hme, eachandever ygirlhas
aprice.FormebecauseI 'm st
il
lyoungand" Fresh"
astheyputit,Icomeatahi ghpricethenafterthe
j
obi sdonethebosspaysme.Thecl ienthasar i
ght
togivemeat i
pifheishappyandt hetipdoesnot
gotoMaDee, iti
smi ne.
Weal
lhaver
oomshere,
ther
e'sacheft
hatcooks
f
orusandwegetf
aci
alandbodymassagesfrom
prof
essi onalseverynowandt hent
okeepus
l
ooki nggoodandal waysr ejuvenat
ed.Sori
ghtnow
I'
m of ftogetmyselfadr essIsawatsomebout i
que,
maybeIcanal sogetmysel fsomespurribs,I
haven' thadthatinawhi l
ebecausewear eal
ways
advisedt oeathealthyinor dertost
ayinshape.But
I'
m sur esteali
ngwon' thurtwr i
te?*
Wink*

SisNdalo!
!!Imisshereverydaybutthi
sismyl if
e
nowandIcantaf f
ordtogobackt her
e,notevento
seeherbecauseIknowshe' llbeconvi
ncingmet o
stayandIcan'tforrealandI
'm goodli
kethis.

SoonasIgotoutt
heuber,
Iworesungl
asses,
Idon'
t
wannabespott
edbyanybody.

[
Andi
le]

Ij
ustgotbackfr
om t
heof
fice,Ir
eall
yneedt
o
unwi
ndandf ormeworki
st heperf
ectwayt
odoso.
SoonasIarr
ived,
Iwenttotakeashowerandcame
back,
Ican'
tcooksoI'
llj
ustorderfoodt
hatfi
tsas
homecookedmeal,enoughforthefami
ly.
Lateri
ntheday,
Ihear
dadoorbel
landmydad,
mom, uncl
eandmyboywalkedi
nandtheywer
e
fol
lowedbyNeli
'
smom anddad.

Me:"
Bant
uabadal
a"

Igreet
edeachandever
yoneoft
hem anddi
rect
ed
them t
othelounge.

Sabel
o:"
Daddy!
!"

Hej
umpedupatmeandIspunhi
m ar
ound.

Me:"Heybi
gboy,daddymi
ssedyou.Di
dyoumi
ss
daddy?"
Sabel
o:"Imisseddaddy!
!!AndmommytoobutI
l
oveditatgogoandMkhul u'
shouse"

Me:"Ohyeah?Whatdi
dyoudo?Wer
eyounot
gi
vingt
hem ahar
dtime?"

Sabel
o:"
Ahcomeondaddy!
!!Havef
ait
hinyourson,
youknowhei
sn'
ttr
oubl
esome"

Hesaidt
hati
naverydramat
ict
oneandweal
l
l
aughed,
hehidhi
sfaceonmyshoul
der.
Myheartachedal
ot,
couldn'
thej
ustbemine?I
l
ovethi
sboyandwecl i
ckver
ywell
.Heismylit
tl
e
buddy.

AsmysonandIwer ecat chingupNeliwal

kedi
n.
Shei
sbeauti
fulbutallt
het hingsshedi
dmademe
seel
essofherbeauty.
Nel
i:"
Greet
ingsever
yone"

Weallgr
eeted,
Shehuggedwi
thSabel
oandt
hey
hadaminiconver
sat
ion.

Me:"Bi
gboy,gotoyourroom andwatchcar
toons.
Weneedtotalkaboutadul
tst
uff,passbyt
hefri
dge
andgeti
cecream okay?"

Sabel
o:"That'
swhyI'm crowningyoubestdaddyin
theworl
d,youthebest!!
!!
!Iwouldneveragr
eeto
haveanotherdaddyotherthanMrlawyerhi
mself"

Weal ll
aughedbutNelit
ensedup,
Sabelorant
othe
ki
tchenandweal lgat
heredint
helounge.

Dad:"
Thankyoual
lforcomi
ng,sonyouaskedme
t
ocallanur
gentmeeti
ngsoI'
m sureyouwil
ltel
lus
whati
tisal
labout
"

Me:"
NgyabongaHlase,thankyouagai
nformaki
ng
i
tonsuchshortnot
ice,
thiscoul
dn'
twai
t"

IsighedandlookedatNeli
,shewasl
ooki
ngdown,
playi
ngwithherfinger
s.

Me:"Anel
isaandIar
eseparati
ng,
wearedi
vor
cing
andIwouldli
keAnel
isat
ellyouwhy?"

Mom:"
Hai
boAndi
le!
!!
!Adi
vor
ce?"

Mymom t
hough!
!!

Dad:"
SthandwaSam,
lett
hem t
alk.Wewi
llt
alk
whenwehaveto"
Dad:"
Makot
i"

Shekeptqui
et.

Neli
'sDad:"
Anel
isaawushophel
a,adi
vor
ce
because?"

Nel
i:"
I.
..
.We,
pleasedon'
tjudgeme"

Nel
i'
sDad:"
Pleaset
alkchi
ld"

I
t'
sli
kehecoul
dal
readyseet
hathi
sdaught
eri
son
t
hewrong.

Neli
:"I
..
.Iwasnotfai
thf
uli
nmymar
ri
age,
Ibr
okemy
vows..
.I..
.Icheat
edonAndil
e"

Nel
i'
smom:"
Anel
isayoudi
dwhat
?!!
!"
Neli
'sDad:"Sothemarr
iageisendi
ngbecauseyou
couldn'
tkeepyourl
egsclosed?Wher
edi dyoulear
n
al
lthatfr
om?Whendi dyouevenstartdoingt
hat
Rubbish?"

Helookedver
ydisgust
ed,
mymom wasjust
shockedbutmydadwasjustqui
et,
wai
ti
ngt
ohear
more.

Neli
:"It
's.
..I
t'
sbeenhappeni
ngevenbefor
ewegot
marri
edbut ..
.Il
eftt
heguyayearwegotmarr
ied
and.
..."

I
ssher
eal
lygoi
ngt
owast
eti
me?

Me:"That
'snotal
l,whenshel
eftt
hatguyshewas
al
readypregnant
"
Neli
'
smom:" Anel
isa!
!!
!!
!Whoareyou?Whor
aised
you?Whathappenedtothatbaby?
"

Shewasnowi nt
ear
s,soIf
igur
edIshoul
djustt
ell
them ever
ythi
ng.

Me:"ThatbabyisSabelo,It
houghthewasmi neal
l
al
ongbutno, Iwastakenforaride.Andthat'
snot
al
l,
themanwear etal
kingaboutisMenzi,thesame
Menziyouallknewashervar si
tyfri
end"

Hermom gasped,shewantedtosaysomethi
ngbut
wordsf
ail
edher,Nelij
ustcr
iedandcri
ed.

Mom:"
No!!
!Nonono!
!!
!Sabel
oismygr
andsonand
t
hat
'st
hat
!!
!!Hei
smygrandson!
"

Shest
oodupandleft
,mydadt
ri
edst
oppi
ngherbut
sher
ushedupst
air
s.
Nel
i'
sDad:"
Anel
isa"

Nel
i:"
Ba.
..
.baba"

Shesni
ff
ed.

Neli
'
sDad:"Howcoul
dyoudot hist
oAndil
e?Wer e
younothappyi
nyourmarri
age?Didheevercheat
onyouorgaveyouareasontotowhatyoudid?"

Nel
i:"
No.
..Nobabahehasnevercheat
edor
..
."

Nel
i'
sDad:"
Sowhy?WhyNel
i?"

Shesnif
fedandlookeddown,
thedi
sappoi
ntmenti
n
herf
ather'
seyes.
Me:" Babai t'
sokay, allIcal
ledyouher eforwasf or
yout oknowt hatwear eseparat
ingandasel der sI
want edyout oknowwhy, sothattomor rowIdon' t
getbl amedf oranything.Ilovedyourdaught erbaba
butitallendsher e,noonei st oblamef orthi
s,we
can'tblameherf orfalli
ngoutoflovewi thmeand
l
ovinganot herman, Imysel fshouldhavenot i
ced
thatIwasnol ongerl ovedbutIguessIwast obl ind
tosee.Al lIwishf oristhatsheshouldhaveatl east
tol
dmet hatshenol ongerlovesme, itwasgoi ngt o
belesspai nfulbecausenowevent hechi l
disinto
thi
s"

Dad:"HaiiIhonestl
ydon'tknowwhatt osay,itis
notmyj obtojudgeyoumakot iandndodanaIwi ll
supportyouineverydecisi
onyoumake.Soi n
ter
msofSabel o,whenareyoupl anni
ngont el
ling
himthatheisn'tbi
ologi
call
yyourson?"

Me:"
ThatIwi
lll
eavei
ntoNel
i'
shands,Idon'
twant
t
obetheonehurti
ngmysonbyexplai
ning
somet
hingIam nott
hecauseof
"

Anel
isastoodupcryi
ng,shejustr
anout
.Wetal
ked
somemor ethenIcal
ledever
yonetocomeeat
.We
al
lat
et henever
yoneleft
.

Missionaccompli
shed,
nowI'm wi
thmyfor
ever
tal
kingson,hekeepsonaski
ngmewheremom is
andIhavet ol
ieandsayshewenttowor
k.
IhadtogopickNdal
oupbutIcan'tbecauseSabel
o
i
shereandIdon'twantanyt
hingawkwardto
happen,
notnow.

[
Ndal
oyenkoso]

Ihadat er
ribl
edr eam whenIwassleepi
ngduring
theday,it
'sli
kesomeonewasdr aggi
ngbackhome
andmyst epfatherwasstari
ngatmewi thlust
,I
screamedandbeggedt hepersontonotdragmein,
Itoldhi
m Idon'twantt or
eli
vethepastbuthekept
onbeggingmet odoi t
,doitf
orhim andformyself
andmor eimportant
lyourunbornbaby,onthe
dream Ihadahuget ummy.Ithensawmyst epdad
comingcloser
,that'
swhenIwokeupbecauset hat
wasthemostandscar yandpainf
ulpart.

AsIwast hi
nki
ngofthatdream,Iwasdist
urbedby
myringi
ngphone,Icheckedthecal
lerI
Dandi twas
Thando.

Me:"
Hey"

Thando:"
Heygir
l,Ihear
daboutwhathappenedat
Checker
sandIgetthefeel
ingt
hatt
heyarelyingt
o
me.Whathappenedexactl
y?"

Isi
ghedandtol
dherever
ythi
ngt
hathappened,
i
ncludeAndi
ler
escui
ngme.
Shelaughed,
okaywhat
'sf
unnywi
thl
osi
ngt
hej
ob
i
njustafewdays.

Me:"Don'tl
augh,howwil
lItakecar
eofmysel
fand
payrentatthefl
at?I
'
m gonnagobacktot
he
str
eets"

Thando:"
ComeonNdalo!!Doyouthi
nkIwould
al
lowyoutogobackt
ot hestr
eet
s?Iwon't
.Just
beli
evemelove"

Me:"
Okayt
henIhearyou"

Shegi
ggl
ed.

Thando:"
Tel
lmeaboutt
heAndi
leguy!I
shea
sol
dier
?"
Il
aughed,
real
ly?

Me:"No!
!Let
'snott
alkabouthi
m pl
ease"

Thando:"
Babeyouneedamani
nyourl
if
e,whati
f
he'
stheri
ghtone?"

Me:"Idon'
tneedanyman,Ihavealotofpr
oblems
andIcantbeaddinganot
herpr
obl
em whichisa
mani nt
otheequati
on"

Shel
aughed.

Thando:"
It
'scl
eart
hatyouneedtheThandotouch
andgoodnews,Iwon'
tbestayi
nghereforl
onger,
I'
l
lbebackmonthend"

Me:"Nowt
hat
'smusi
ctomyear
s,Ican'
twai
tto
seeyou"

Wetal
kedsomemor e,
shet
hensai
dshei
sgoi
ngt
o
ameeti
nginahoursowehungup.
Il
overher
,shebr
ingsoutt
hebesti
nme.
Abanknotif
icati
oncamet hroughfrom Thando,
R500andamessagef ol
lowed" Buyyoursel
fsome
food,
I'
m sur
ei twil
llastt
illIgetback"

Isi
ghed,
Ifeelbadt
hatshehast
otakecar
eofme
somuch.

WhydoImissAndi
lethough?Ifeeldi
ssapoint
ed
t
hathedi
dn'
tcome.
..no!
!!I
'm not
,I'
mjust.
..He..
.I.
.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
[
Minimakeupi
nser
t]
Chapt
er7.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Ijustarr
ivedattheflatThandowast el
li
ngmeabout ,
Imovedoutoft heApartmentandit'
sstil
lgoodwell
ofcoursenotl i
ketheapartmentbutit'
sreal
ly
beautif
ul.NowI '
m goingtobuyaf ewgroceri
es
enoughf orme, Ist
il
lhadR400f r
om themoney
Thandol eftf
ormepl ustheR500shegave, itadds
upt oR900soi t'
senough, maybeIcanalsogot o
thesalonforbraids.
Aft
ertaki
ngashower
,It
ookacabt
othenear
est
ShoppingCent
re.

Ist
art
edatt
hesalon,
didt
hethi
ckbrai
ds,
whenI
wasdoneIwentt
opicknpaytobuyafewthi
ngs.

"
Iseem t
obebumpi
ngi
ntoyoual
lthet
ime"
Thatvoi
ce!
!If
rozebutIdi
dn'
ttur
ntol
ookathi
m.

Andi
le:"
Hey"

Me:"
Hy"
.

Andi
le:"
Nicehai
rst
yle,
youl
ookr
eal
lygood"

Di
dIbl
ush?OhmyGod.

Me:"
Thankyou"

Istart
edwalki
ngawaybuthehel
dmyhand,
stoppingmefrom movi
ng.

Il
ookedathi
m,hekepthi
seyesf
ixedonmeandI
coul
dn'
tkeepmi
net
ohi
m soIl
ookeddown.

Andi
le:"
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
opr
unni
ngaway
fr
om me?"

Me:"
I.
..
."

Andil
e:"Havel
unchwi
thme,
whenyoudone
shopping"

Me:"Idi
dn'tcomeherewit
hthepl
anofeati
ng,my
budgetdoesn'tal
lowme,
I'
m goi
ngtoeatatt
hefl
at"

Andi
le:"ButNdaloIdidn'
tsaybuymel
unchorbuy
your
selflunch.Isai
dhavelunchwi
thme"

Thi
sguy!
!!
!!
Me:"I
..
.Wel
l.
..You,ar
en'
tyousupposedt
obeat
work?"

Hechuckl
ed,
hei
stoohandsome.

Andil
e:"Iseeyoutryi
ngbyallmeanst
ogetr
idof
mebutl uckil
yI'
m unempl
oyedsonoam not
supposedt obeatwork"

Il
ookeddown,cl
ear
lyt
her
e'snor
unni
ngawayf
rom
hi
m soImightaswel
l.

Me:"
FineAndi
l
e,youwon'
tlett
hisgowi
llyou?"

Helaughedandtookmytrol
ley,
itwasn'
tevenf
ull
andIwasn'tgoi
ngtof
il
lit
.

Andi
le:"
Am gl
adyouknowIwon'
tleti
tgo,
let
'sf
il
l
yourt
rol
leyqui
ckl
ythen,
I'
m st
arvi
ng"

Me:"I
'm notpl
anni
ngonfi
ll
ingit
,Ihavepret
tymuch
ever
ythi
ngIneed.Sol
et'
sgot ot
het i
llt
opay"

Helookedatmeandwentt owher etherearecakes,

hetookachocolatecakeputi
nsidet hetrol
ley,
he
wenttotakesli
cesofcheese,polony,Russi
ansand
Vi
ennas.Ilethi
m bebecauseIf i
guredhei s
pr
obablyshoppingforhi
mselfaswel l
.

Het
ookal
ltheunnecessar
ythi
ngs,
snacksandal
l.

Hi
m :"
Okaynowt
het
rol
leyi
soverf
lowi
ng,
wecan
got
opay"

Me:"
Wowsomanyt
hings,
wil
lyouf
ini
shal
lof
t
hem?"
Imean!
!!Whobuyssomanyt
hingswhi
lest
ayi
ng
al
one?

Hesmil
edandt
ookoutacar
d,Ial
sot
ookoutt
he
money.

Andil
e:"WellIhaveawomantofeed,
sheneedsto
maintai
nallhercurvessoI
'
m af
raidi
fIdon'
tfeed
hershemightl oset
hem"

Okaywhyam jeal
ous?Angi
shongi
mchomel
e?So
heisboundt
omoveon.

Inodded.

Heof
fl
oadedever
ythi
ngf
rom t
het
rol
leyandout
t
henonthet
il
l.
Me:"Andi
lel
eavemyt
hingsont
het
rol
leyandpay
your
sfir
st"

Heignoredmeandpai dforeveryt
hing,
guysthi
s
guywasonl yheretobuybil
tongandpeanuts,t
alk
aboutbeingbored.

Hecarr
iedt
hreepl
asti
cs,
Itookt
hetwot
hatwas
r
emaini
ng,It
henfol
lowedhimtohi
scar
.

Hetookeveryt
hingt
othecarthenhet
ookmyhand,
butIf
eltver
yuncomfort
abl
e,Iwasevensweat
ing,
henoti
cedandletmyhandgo.

Andi
le:"
Wher
ewoul
dyoul
iket
oeat
?"

Me:"
Anywher
e"
Heledthewayt
ost
eer
s,weor
der
edf
oodand
dr
inks.

Andi
le:"Yousti
llhaven'
tpr
operl
yintroduced
your
selftomeNdal o,Ionl
yknowt hatyouare
Ndal
o, Idon'
tknowyoursurnameorwher eyouar
e
fr
om"

Hel
ookedser
iousal
lofasudden,
hei
sabi
tscar
y.

Me:"
NdaloyenkosiMkhi
ze,
from KwaMashuKZN
t
hat'
sal
l"

Hefrowned,
Ihopehewon'
tkeepaski
ngmet
hingsI
don'
twannatal
kabout
.

Ourf
oodcameandIj ustf
ocusedonthefood,
pr
ayi
ngthathedoesn'
taskanymorequesti
ons.
Andil
e:"Iwon'taskyouwhatyoudon'
twanttot
alk
about,
you'l
ltellmewhatyouarecomfor
tabl
etotal
k
about"

Whatar
epeopl
ewhor eadmindscall
ed?Causet
his
guyi
sverymuchcapableofdoi
ngthat.

Me:"
Wellt
here'
snot
hingmoret
hanwhatIsai
d,I
'
m
j
ustagi
rlf
rom KwaMashu"

Ishruggedandplayedwithmyfood,everyt
imeI
thi
nkofhomeIgetemot i
onal
,i
t'
saver ysensiti
ve
i
ssue, al
lthegoodmemor i
eswereerasedbyt he
badthingsthathappenedtome,i
t'
slikeIneverhad
apieceofahappychi l
dhood.

Andi
le:"
Ndal
oyouarecr
ying.Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
Di
dIsayanythi
ngi
nappr
opriat
e?"
Iquicklywipedmyt earsandlookeddown,Izoned
out.Icouldseehimt ouchingandkissi
ngme,I
couldhearhisvoicewhi sper
ing"Youaresoti
ght!
!
Yout asteandfeelsogood"

Hi
stouchbr
oughtmebackt
omysensesbutI
j
umped.

Me:"
No!
!!Don'
ttouch.
..
sor
rypl
easet
akemehome"

Andi
le:"
Mamital
ktome.Pl
easet
alkt
ome
MaKhabazel
a"

Ishookmyheadwhi
let
ear
swer
efal
li
ng.

Me:"I
..
.Pl
easegi
vememyt
hings,
Iwantt
ogo"

Het
ookhi
scarkeys,
pai
dfort
hef
oodandaskedf
or
doggybag,
het
ookt
hef
ood.

Andi
le:"
Let
'sgo,
I'
ll
takeyouhome"

Iledtheway, hefoll
owedbehi nd,
myhear ti
sheavy.
Whycan' tIforget
?Whycan' tImoveon?I tf
eelsl
ike
yesterday,hi
smoansandgr oansarer i
nginginmy
head,mymom' swordsareverymuchcl earinmy
ears"af t
ereveryt
hinghehasdonef oryou?You
justgonnaaccusehi m ofrape?Youar eso
ungrateful
,youarejustli
keyourfather".
Wher
eismyf at
her?Whoishe?Whydi
dhel
eave
me?Didhenotloveme?

Asobescapedmymout h,IguessAndi
leheardt
hat
,
heputt
hefooddownandcamet ohugme, i
twasa
ver
yti
ghthug.Isobbedl
oudly.
Myhear
tissoheavy,
it'
ssor
e.
Andi
le:"
Hey...ShhhhMami,don'
tcr
y.Pl
easedon'
t
cr
yNana, yourtear
sarebr
eakingmyheart"

Ipul
ledmysel
ftoget
her,I
'
m soembar
rassed.How
canIcryl
iket
hisinf
rontofhi
m?
Hewant edtotakemyhandagai
nbuthehesit
ated,
hepickedthedoggybagupandledthewaytohis
car,
luckyenoughnoonesawmecr y,wewere
al
readyattheparki
ngareaandnoonewasthere.
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orme,
Igoti
n,heal
sogoti
n
anddr
oveout.
Igavehimt headdresst
omyflatandi
tbecame
si
lent
,whenIl ookedathi
m,hehadvei
nspoppi
ng
andclenchedhisjaws.
Il
ookedout
sidef
ort
hewhol
edr
ive.

Whenwear r
ived,heopenedmydoort
henhewent
tooffl
oadthegr oceri
es,
butt
omysurpr
isehe
off
loadedeverything.
Me:"
Youshoul
dhavej
ustpackedmineinthei
rown
pl
ast
ics,
nowyouhavetopackyour
salloveragai
n"

Hesti
lll
ooked,Idon'
tknowwhethertosayangr
yor
whatbuthewasn'tsmil
ingnort
alki
ngli
kehe
usual
lydoes.

Andi
le:"
Iboughtal
ltheset
hingsforyouNdal
o,
pl
easeopenyourdoorsothatIcanputthem i
nsi
de"

Thewayhesaidit,
mademenotwanttoask
anyt
hing,
Iopenedthedoor
,het
ookt
hem i
nside.

Andil
e:"LookIhavetogo,Iwasgonnahel
pyou
packthem butIreal
lyneedt
ogo"

Me:"
Thegr
ocer
ies,
yousai
d..
.."
Andil
e:"
Maintai
nyourcurveswi
thallt
hatjunk,
rememberIloveyouNdal
oandI'm notgonnarush
youint
odoinganythi
ng"

Il
ookeddown,
heki
ssedmyf
oreheadandl
eft
.

Assoonashecl
osedthedoor,Isatdownont
he
fl
oorandhadal
otofquest
ions.

Washer
efer
ri
ngtomewhenhesaidhehast
ofeed
hi
swoman?Ibl
ushedt
othatt
hought
.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er8.

[
Andi
le]
WhenIlef
tNdal
o'sf
lat
,Idr
ovestrai
ghtt
oThabi
so'
s
of
fi
ce.Thabi
soi
smybestf r
iend,
remembert
heone
whorecommendedaPI?Yesthatone.
Iam sowor
ri
edaboutNdalo,somet
hingi
ssowr
ong
andIneedt
ofindoutwhatiti
s.

AssoonasIar
ri
ved,
Igott
ohi
sPA'
sdesk.

Me:"
GooddayZandi
,i
sThabi
soi
n?

Shegavemeherf
oreverbeaut
if
ulsmi
le.

Zandi
:"HeyMrK,yeshei
sin.Youar
ever
yluckyhe
j
ustgotoutofameeti
ng"

Me:"
okayt
hankZandi
"

Iwentt
oThabi
so'
sof
fi
ceandhewasf
ixedona
l
apt
op.

Me:"
Exebr
o"

Hest
oodup,
wef
istbumped.

Thabs:"
Awhol elawyernoscrat
chthat
,awhol
e
ownerofKhozaat t
orneysisl
oit
eri
ngar
ound
i
nsteadofworking,what'
sup?

Iwentt
opourmysel
fwhi
skey,
wesatdown.

Me:"Aloti
supdude,
remembert
hegi
rlIwast
ell
ing
youabout?
"

Thabs:"
Ndal
o?"

Me:"
Yeah"
Thabs:"
Yeahsur
e,whatabouther
?"

Me:"
BroIt
hinkshewaswasabused.
..
.sexual
ly"

Thabs:"What
?Howdoyouknow?Whywoul
dyou
thi
nkthat?
"

It
oldhim ever
ythi
ngt hathappenedandhowshe
cr
iedsomuch, thethoughtofitmakesmyski
n
cr
inge.

Thabs:"
Yeahsoundslikei
t,buthowwillyoufind
outwhathappenedwhenshehasn'tgivenyoual l
thei
nfor
mat i
onofwher ei
nKwaMashui sshe
comingfrom,thenameofherhighschool.That
coul
dactuall
yhelpyouwithcoll
ect
ingallthe
i
nformati
onyouneedabouther "
Me:"SoIneedt
ofindthehighschoolshewentt
o?
Thatcoul
dbeeasy,Icantr
yfindi
ngherdocuments,
maybeoneofthem canhavethehighschool
name."

Thabs:"
Yeahdot hat
,ther
estourPIguywil
ltake
car
eofit,buttel
lme..
.Whatar eyoupl
anni
ngtodo
wit
htheinfor
mationyouwillf
ind?"

Me:"I'
l
ljustmakesurethati
fsher
eall
ywas
sexual
lyviol
ated,
thatper
sonpayhandsomel
y"

Hechuckl
ed.

Thabs:"
Youaresofuckeni
nlovendoda,l
ookat
howangryyoulookwhenyouthi
nkofit"

Il
aughed,
Ireal
lydoloveher.I
'm pl
anni
ngon
wi
nningherheart
,Iwanthertoknowthedi
ff
erent
si
deofamanot herthantheonet hatsheknows
al
ready,Iwanthertosmilefornor eason,Iwantt
o
bethereasonwhyshecr iestearsofjoy.Iwantto
l
ovehert i
llshef
orgetsaboutallthatbrokeher
.

Thabi
so'
sphoner
ang.

Thabs:"
Beaut
if
ulMr
sThabi
so"

.
..
..
..

Thabs:"
YouknowI
'
dneversaynot
otheof
fi
cet
reat
bymywi fe"

Hel aughed,SeeThabi
soismarriedt
oNonhl e,
they
arehighschoolsweethear
ts,
beenmar ri
edfor7
years,havea4yearolddaughterandtheyaresti
ll
goingstrong.Theyl
oveeachothersomuch.
Thabs:"Ican'
twai
ttoseeyoumyl
ove,
putont
hat
sexyli
tt
lenumber"

What
??Thabi
sot
hough!
!!I
nfrontofme?Eww,
t
hey'
l
lbehavi
ngof
fi
cesex!!

Me:"
Damnman!
!!"

Thabs:"
Eydudel
eave!
!!Mywif
eisont
heway,
she
wantstogi
vemesomeof f
icet
reat
"

Il
aughedandwal
kedt
othedoor
.

Me:"Shomfet
hu,I
'
llcal
lyou.Ibet
tergetgoi
ng
bef
oreIfi
ndmysel
fwatchingli
vesex"

Helaughedandwebi
deachothergoodbye,
Iwent
st
rai
ghttomyoffi
cet
ocheckhowt hi
ngsaregoi
ng,
I
'
vebeenver
yoccupi
edl
atel
y.

[
Ndal
o]

Istoodupf r
om thefl
oorandwentt
ounpackthe
grocer
ies.Ifi
ll
edthecupboar
dsandthef
ri
dge.
Wowt hisguy,somuchf ood!
!!
!

AsIwasunpackingi
ntheki
tchen,
Ihear
dthedoor
openi
ngl
oudly,
Igotsoscar
ed.

"
Hel
ll
ll
o!!
!!
!Anybodyhome?
"

Thando!
!!
!It
houghtshe'
scomi
ngbackmont
hend.

Me:"
Int
heki
tchen!
!!"

Shecamei
nlooki
ngal
lsor
tsofyummy.
Wehuggedandshel ookedattheplast
icsont
he
counterthenhereyesshift
edtotheopen
cupboards,thenshelookedatme.

Thando:"
Bit
tchhh!!
!That'
salotofgr
ocer
iesandthe
moneyIsentyouwoul dn'
tevenbuyhal
fofthese.
Outwithi
t,i
sittheeAndileguy?"

Di
dthisgi
rlj
ustcal
lmebi t
ch?OkaybutI '
m not
of
fended,
I'
veheardalotoffri
endscallingeach
ot
herthat
.Alt
houghIdon'tunderstandwhy, Thando
i
ssohyper,shehasalovelypersonali
ty.

Me:"
Well
..
..
he,ar
ghman,aren'
tyousupposedt
obe
i
ntheUS?Yousaidyouwi
llbebackmonthend"

Shel
aughedandt
ookoutabottl
eofwi
nei
nherbag,
shewentt
otaket
woglassest
henpour
edi
t.
Me:"
Idon'
tdr
inkal
cohol
"

Shecoughed,
mor
eli
kechoki
ngont
hewi
ne.

Thando:"Saywhat
?Gi
rldon'
tki
llmyvi
be,I
'mina
celebr
ator
ymoodandyouknowIcan'tcel
ebr
ate
alone"

Isi
ghedandt
ooki
t,shewon'
tleti
tgo.

Thando:"It
oldmydadt hatmyf l
ightisdel
ayed,
I
tol
dhim Iwon'tar
ri
veathomeear l
y,sobabelet
's
gositdownont hecar
petandyouf i
llmeinonwhat
hasbeenhappeningsinceIlef
t,ImeanIgof or2
secondsthenAboAndi l
ebayavela"

Wel
aughedandsatdownont
hecar
pet
.
Me:"Okay,
real
lyt
here'
snot
hingseri
oushappening,
butImetAndil
eaboutaweekago,he'
sjustaguy
whoforcef
ull
ymademequitmyj obandthreat
ened
themanager"

Shelaughed,
ohmyGod.Doessheevert
aket
hings
ser
iousl
y?

Thando:"
Soundsl
ikeSpi
derManoutt
orescue
MaryJane"

Ilaughed,shesi
ppedonherwi
newhi
lesi
gnal
li
ng
formet oconti
nue.

Me:"Ibumpedintohi
m agai
ntodayandhesawmy
hal
ftrol
leyanddeci
dedtofi
lli
t,appar
ent
lyhewants
tof
eedhi swomaninordert
omai ntai
nhercur
ves
andIam thatwoman"
Thando:"Ohhhhbabe,t
hat
'ssosweet
,sowhydoes
i
tlookli
keyounotinter
est
ed?"

Isi
ghedandl
ookeddown.

Thando:"
IneedyoutoknowthatI
'm her
eforyou,
youcantrustmewit
hanythi
ng,I
'm agoodli
stener
andyoucanalsotel
lmeanythi
ng"

Shelookedser
iousnow,
Iguessshecanseet
he
pai
ninme.

Me:"I.
..
"si
gh"
Idon'tknowifI'
lleverbei
na
rel
ati
onshi
pThando,I'
m..
.Iresentmen,I'
m
damaged"

Shecamecloserandhel
dmyhands,
Ifel
tsaf
e,If
elt
theneedt
otalk.
Me:" I
..
.Iwasr
aped,notonceonenottwi
cebut
everydayfort
hreeyear
s,Iwasrobbedofmy
chil
dhoodandmy. .
.Mymom chosehi m overme"

Shewascryi
ngandt
hatmademytear
sgusheven
more,
hergri
ponmyhandsbecamemoret
ight
er.

Thando:"
Nda.
..
Ndal
o"

I
tcameasawhi
sper
.

Me:"
Hebr okemeThando,mystepdadbrokeme, I
l
ovedhim andt
ookhim asmybiol
ogicalf
atherbut
hebrokemyvir
gini
tyandwhenIthoughti
twould
st
op,hemadeitanorm"

Thando:"
I'
m...I
'
m sosor r
y,I'
m sorr
yyouhadtogo
thr
oughallt
hat,I
'm sor
ryforeveryt
hingyouwent
through.Leti
tnotdefi
neyouNdal o,youare
gorgeous,youarewayt obeauti
fulandIwantyou
toknowt hatyourl
ifei
sgoingtochangef orthe
better,
I'
m herewil
li
ngtobeyoursi st
ermoret hana
fri
end.Iwantyoutoopenupyourhear tandlet
peoplewhocar eaboutyouin,youneedt ogetridof
allthepainyou'
vebott
ledinsi
de"

Me:"
How?I
t'
snott
hatsi
mpl
eThando"

Thando:"Idon'thavemuchmoneybutIcant al
kt o
mydad, hecanhel puswi
thmoneyt opayf ora
ther
apistandyougonnabreakthatwallyou'vebuil
t
i
nyourhear t,
tel
lmeaboutAndil
e.Howdoyouf eel
abouthim,tel
lmeyourgenuinefeel
ings"

Me:"Thandono,youcan'
taskformoneyf
rom your
dad,
you'veal
readydoneenoughforme"

Thando:"
Isai
dtel
lmeaboutAndi
le"
Isi
ghedandsmi l
ed,
thisgi
rlr
ighthere,
Iloveher
.
Shetakesoutsomet
hinginIneverknewIhad.

Me:"I
..
.Idon'
tknowbutIdofeelsomet
hingf orhim,
i
tfeel
sgoodt of
eelthatwayf
orhim.It
hinkIlike
hi
m butI'
m scar
ed,Idon'
twantt
obehur tand..."

Thando:" Isaygi vehi

m achance, I
'm notsaying
l
ovehi mf ullyoranythi
ngbutI'm sayi
ngopenyour
heart,gi
veyour selfachancetoexploreyourt rue
feel
ingswi thoutbeingscared,
blockthef earand
expl
or ethef eel
ingsyouhaveforhi m"

Ikeptqui
et.

Thando:"Wuuugi
rll
,toomucht ears,It
hinkweneed
arefi
llt
henI'
mleavi
ng, I
'
llbebackl at
er,
itnot
sl
eepingathometonight,I
'm sl
eepingherewit
hmy
bi
tch"
West oodup,
sherefi
ll
edt
hewi
neandt
henwe
packedthegr
ocer
ies.

Lateronshel
eftandIal
sowentt
oshower
,
preparedt
ocooksupper
.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er9.
[
Thando]

Itol
dmypar entsaboutNdal
oandt heywer er eal
ly
touched,mymom evenshedaf ewt ears.Mydad
askedmet oinvi
teheroverf
ordinnertonight.He
obviousl
ywantstomeetherbeforepayi ngforher
therapy.
Sori
ghtnowI
'
m shoppi
ngwi t
hmymom,
thi
s
womancangoal
loutIt
ellyou.

Me:"
Mom!
!!Comeon,
we'
veboughthal
ftheshop"

Mom:"ThandoIwantyourf
ri
endt
ofeelspeci
aland
wel
comed"

Me:"Yahmom Igeti
tandIappr
eci
atet
hatbut
pl
easepromi
semesomet hi
ng?"

Mom:"
I'
mli
steni
ng"

Me:"Tryandnotshowthatyoufeelsorr
yforher,
nobodylikesi
twhentheyarefel
tsorryfor
,itmakes
them uncomfort
abl
e"
Mom:"
Notevenalit
tl
ehug?BabyIwanthert
o
knowt
hatI
'
llbel
ikeamothert
oherandshecan
comet
omeanytimeoftheday"

Whatwi l
lIdowiththiswoman?Iknowthere'
sno
stoppi
ngher,she'
lldefi
nit
elywantt
obetheref
or
her.

Weshoppedt
il
lIcoul
dn'
tanymore,
Idon'
tknow
whatt
heseot
herthi
ngsar
eforreal
ly.

Assoonaswear
ri
vedathome,
Ideci
dedt
ocal
l
Ndal
o.

Ndal
o:"
Heybabe"

Me:"
Heysweet
y,Ij
ustar
ri
vedathomenow,
I'
m so
t
ir
ed.Howar
eyoudoing?"
Ndal
o:"
I'
m okayl
ove"

Me:"
Good,
sor
emi
nder
..
.di
nnert
oni
ght
"

Ndal
o:"
Ihaven'
tfor
got
tenbutI
'
m ki
ndaner
vous,
whatmustIwear
"

Me:"Younotgoi
ngt
oadateorabal
lgownbi
tch,
wearanyt
hingcomf
ort
abl
e"

Shel
aughed,
Ilovehear
ingherl
augh.

Mom:"Thandouset
hatBi
tchwordonemoret
ime,
usei
tonemor et
imemydear,
you'
llknowme!
!!
!"

Heeebat
hong!
!!
!She'
sshout
ingfr
om t
heot
her
r
oom,howthehelldi
dshehearmeagai
n?
Me:"
Sor
rymom!
!!
"

Mom:"
Fut
sek"

Ij
ustl
aughed.

Me:"BabeI
'
llseeyoul
ater
,I'
m pi
cki
ngyouupat
18h30sobereadyby18h00"

Ndal
o:"
Seeyout
hen,
bye"

WehungupandIwentt ocheckmycr azymomma,

guysi fyoumustknow, myfamil
yisver yloud,
talkat
ive,weswearalotandlaughalotbutwear e
alsover ysuppor
ti
veofeachother,
caringand
there'
sawhol elotofl
ove.Myparentsar emy
fri
ends.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

NeverhaveIevert houghtI'dmeetsomeoneand
trustthem somuch.Ishar edeverythingthathas
everhappenedt ome, that
'ssomet hingI'
venever
donebef ore.Shereal
lyhasbecomeasi st
ermore
thanaf riend.But..
.ButIstil
lfeell
ikeIneedt odo
somet hingf ormyselftoearnal i
vingbecauseI
can'tbeexpect inghertofeedme, cl
othemeand
payf ormyf l
at.That'
sjusttakingi
ttoof ar
.
Iam nowsit
tingherenotknowi ngwhattodo,
as
muchasI'm happyI'
m outoft hestr
eet
sbutback
ther
eIusedtohavesomet hingt odoandnowI'm
j
ustacouchpot at
oandi t
'sf
r ustr
ati
ng.

'
KNOCK'
!
!!
!!

Whocoulditbe?LastIcheckedThandosai
dshe'
d
behereby18h30andnowi t
'sonl
y13h00andI
don'
tknowanyonearoundher e.
Ist
oodupandwentt
oopent
hedoorand.
..
..
.

"
Hey"

Me:"
Umm hey"

Iwassti
llst
andi
ngbythedoor,thi
sguyis
handsomepeopl
e,I'
veneverbeenatt
ractedtoa
manbeforebutt
hisguyri
ghthereisatt
racti
ve.

Andil
e:"Thankyou,youar
egorgeousandver
y
at
tract
ivetoobutcanIcomein?"

OhLor
dt akemenow, I
'
mr eadyt
odi
e.Di
dIsayhe'
s
at
tr
act
ive?Isai
ditoutl
oud?

Iwasnowsoembar
rassed,Imovedandsignal
led
forhi
mtocomei
n,t
henIclosedthedoor
.
Me:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Andil
e:"
Andil
ecanIgetyouanyt
hingt
odr
inkwoul
d
soundbett
er"

Thenhest
art
swi
thbei
ngcocky.

Me:"
CanIgetyouanyt
hingt
odr
ink?"

Hechuckledandsatdownont
hecouch,
hei
stoo
comfor
tablef
ormyl i
king.

Andi
le:"
I'
dsaywhiskeybutIdoubtyouhavei
tsoI
'
ll
optf
oranythi
ngyouofferme"

Imental
lyr
oll
edmyeyesthenwentt
opourhi
ma
j
uice,
camebackandgaveitt
ohim,hewasal
ready
changi
ngchannel
s.

Me:"Sonowthatyougotyourdr
ink,
wil
lyout
ellme
whatbri
ngsyouhere?"

Hel
ookedatmeandr
aisedhi
seyebr
owwhi
lehal
f
smi
li
ng,SEXY!
!!
!!

Andi
le:"
Mustbeni
cesi
tt
ingt
hewhol
eday,
eat
ing
andwatchi
ngTVhuh"

OkayIdon'
tknowwhathei
simpl
yingbuthemust
notdar
eme.

Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?"

Andil
e:"
Not
hing,
I'
mjustsayi
ngIwoul
dli
ket
obe
l
ikeyou"
Ikeptquietandl
ookedathim,Isensesome
sarcasm inwhathei
ssayingandI'm get
ti
ngpi
ssed
off
.

Andil
e:"Thel
asttimeIsawyou,youwerenotokay
andthatreal
lygottomeNdalo.ImeantwhatIsai
d
aboutlovi
ngyouandseeingyouhurtki
ll
sme"

WhatdoIsayt
othat
?

Me:"
I'
mfinenow,t
hanksforbeingconcer
nedandI
woul
dappreci
atei
tifwedon'
ttalkabouti
t"

Henoddedandlookedatme,t
her
e'ssomet
hing
i
nti
midat
ingaboutthi
sguy.

Andi
le:"
Don'
tyouwishyoucoul
dgotovar
sit
y,
per
suadeyourdr
eams.I'
m sur
eyouhadorst
il
l
havedr
eams"

Me:"Idohavedr
eams,butsomet
imesli
fei
snotas
easyasyoumakeitl
ookli
ke.Someofusare
deal
ingwit
hthi
ngs"

Andil
e:"
Morereasonf
ormakingyourdreamscome
tr
ue,Ndalot
omewhatyousayingsoundslikean
excuse,
didyoucompl
eteyourmatr
ic?"

Me:"
IfImayask,di
dyoucomeal lthewayfrom
wher
everyoucomefrom t
ointerr
ogateandjudge
me?Becausei
fthat
'sthecasethenpleasel
eave"

Andi
le:"
I'
m sorr
yyouf
eel
judged,
canIseeyour
matr
iccert
if
icat
e?"

Ikeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime,
whyi
shei
nter
est
edi
n
myacademicli
fe?
Ithenst
oodup,
wentt
ogetmymatr
iccer
ti
fi
cat
e
andgaveitt
ohi
m,It
henfol
dedmyarms.

Hewentthr
oughit
,hewasscanni
ngi
twi
thhi
seyes,
t
henhelookedupatme.

Andil
e:"Youar
esosmar
tmami,suchbeauti
ful
resul
ts.Wehavet
odosomet
hingaboutt
his"

Ijustsmiled,wet al
kedabouttheshowthatwas
playingonTV, Iwasgetti
ngcomfort
ablebutnot
enought ohavehi mt ouchi
ngme.Buthekepton
zoningout .LateronheleftandIwentt
obat h,got
dressedinj ustasimpledressandsandals,
letmy
braidsloseandwai tedforthenoi
syThando.

"HoneyI
'
m home"

Il
aughed,
shecamei
nandwehuggedbr
ief
ly.
Thando:"
Youl
ookbeauti
fulmyl
ove,
readyt
ogo
andmeettheMdl
uli
s?"

Me:"
Yep"

Wegotal lt
henecessar
ythingsandhi
tther
oad,
shestoppedatthi
sbeauti
fulmansi
on.Iwasreal
ly
stunned.

Thando:"
Thi
siswher
eIst
ay"

Me:"
WowThandoi
t'
s.
..OhmyGodi
tssobeaut
if
ul"

Thando:"
Iwoul
dsayt
hanksi
fitwasmyhousebut
ke"

Sheshr
uggedandl
aughed,
shet
ookmyhandand
wewal kedin.Iwasreall
ynervous,thesepeople
seem ri
ch,veryri
ch.Whatift
heyj udgemeort hey
treatmebadbecauseI '
m poor?Butt henI
remember edthatThandotol
dmet hatherfat
her
taughtthem humanit
y.

Thando:"
I'
m back"

Theywer
eal
lgat
her
edar
oundt
hedi
ningt
abl
e.

Thando:"Sof am thi
sismyf r
iendNdaloyenkosi
Mkhize,theoneI '
vebeent ell
ingyouabout,Ndalo
thi
sismyf amily,
RightthereisMrandMr sMdlul
i,
mypar entsandr i
ghtthereismyl i
tt
lesist
erSanele
andmybr otherNkosi,
shor tf
orNkosikhona"

Me:"
I.
..Umm I
'
m happyt
ofi
nal
lymeetyou"

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Wel
comebaby,
wear
ehappyt
omeet
yout
oo"

Theyallwel
comedme, theyr eal
lyar
eniceand
humblepeople.MrMdlulikeptonsteal
inggl
ances
atme,Ifel
tveryuncomfortable.

MrMdlul
i:"
Soyousayi
ngyouar
efr
om
KwaMashu?"

Me:
"Yebobaba"

MrMdl ul
i:"IworkedKwaMashubeforeandIwas
veryf
amous, maybeIknowyourparent
sorthey
knowme, whoar et
hey"

Me:"Mymom isZandiMkhi
ze,wel
lIneverknewmy
dad.Iwasr
aisedbymystepfat
her
"
Hecoughed,hecoul
dn'
tst
opandIwassuddenl
y
scar
ed,t
hinki
ngIsai
dsomethi
ngwrong.

Thando:"
Hai
bokhehl
alam,
usuyaf
ayi
ni?
"

Ever
yonelaughedexceptf
orMrMdl
uli
,hel
ookedat
mecaref
ully.

MrMdl
uli
:"No!
!Nonono!
!!
"

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Hawubaba,
what
'swr
ong?
"

MrMdl
uli
:"Howol
dar
eyou?
"

Me:"I
..
.I'
m 25baba"

Heisnowscar i
ngme,
hehasvi
sibl
etear
s,t
heyj
ust
haven'
tfal
lenyet
.
Nkosi
:"Dadwhat
swr
ong?
"

Heputhi
shandsonhi
sfaceandsi
ghedver
yloud.

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Mdl
uliwhat
'swr
ong?"

Thando:"
DadIhaveaguestandyouarescar
ingher
.
Notnowplease,canweeati
npeace?"

MrMdlul
i:"
Sthandwasam doyourememberthe
Zandi
l
eMkhi zefr
om KwaMashu?TheoneI.
..
."

MrsMdluli
:"Cheat
edonmewi t
h?Youcant
alk,
I'
m
overt
hatsi
tuati
on,whatabouther
"?

MrMdluli
:"Pl
ease.
..
pleasel
ookatNdal
o,l
ookather
car
eful
ly"
MrsMdlul
ilookedatme,shethenqui
ckl
yputher
handsonhermouth.Everyonewasnowlooki
ngat
me.

MrsMdl
uli
:"What
???
?no!NoThabani
,she.
..
.Ohmy
God"

Thando:"
What
'
shappeni
ngher
e?"

MrMdl
uli
'
stear
sjustcameout
.

MrMdlul
i:"
I.
..I
'
m yourfat
her,howcoul
dZandido
t
hist
ome?Howcoul dshe?Myda...
.mydaught
er
wassuff
eri
ngwhil
eIam stil
lali
ve"

Nkosi
:"What
??Dad!
!"
Iwasshaki
ng,tear
swer
efl
owi
ngandever
yone
l
ookedshocked.

Thando:"
Dadyoumeanl
ike.
..
."

MrsMdlul
ist
oodupandr
ant
owher
eIsupposei
sa
bedr
oom.

Me:"
Thandopl
ease.
..Take.
..Takemehome"

Ist
oodupandThandowasal
soi
ntear
s.

MrMdlul
i:"
Please.
..
.Pleasedon'
tleave,
I..
..
IknowI
haveal
otofexplai
ningtodo"

Ij
ustrant
othecarandThandoranbehindme, thi
s
can'
tbehappeni
ng,i
t'
snothappeni
ng!!
!!Thandois
myfri
end,wi
llwesurvi
vet
hissit
uat
ion?
Thedr
ivewasqui
et,
fil
ledwi
thsni
ff
s.

Il
ookedatThandoandshewasl
ooki
ngf
orwar
d.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er10
[
Thando]

Rightaft
erdroppingNdalooff,Idr
ovebackhome
l
ikeIwasbei ngchased.Ndalowasacr yingmess
butmor ethananyt hi
ngIthi
nkshewasver y
confusedandhur t.Asforme,IneedanswersandI
needthem now, Ican'tbr
ingaguestoveronl
yfor
hertoendupcr ying.
Afteradr
ivet
hatseemedl ongerthanusual
,I
arri
vedandparkedmycaront hedr i
veway,
Igot
i
nsideandpeopleweresti
llseatedthewayIlef
t
them,mymom wasst i
llnothere.

Me:"
Dadwhatwast
hat
?"

Hesighedandbrushedhi
shead,comeondude
youcandobett
erthanthat
.

Me:"
Dad?
"

Dad:"
Wher
eisshe?
"

Me:"
Ilef
theratthefl
atMdlulinowt
ellme,
whatdi
d
youmeanshe'syourdaughter?"

Thel
ookonhi
sface,
Ithi
nkmyquest
ionsar
e
i
rr
it
ati
nghi
m.

Dad:"ThandoImeantj
ustt
hat!
!!
!WhenIsay
ThandoismydaughterwhatdoImean?"

Wow,justwow.Isatdownbutqui
ckl
yst
oodupand
wentt
ocheckonmymom.

Mom:"
Howi
sshe?"

That'
sthefi
rstt
hingsheaskedmewhenIopened
thedoor.

Me:"
Howar
eyoumom?"

Mom:" ThandoI'
m ol
d,yourfat
herandIhavebeen
marri
edf oryear
sandofcourseourmarri
agewasn't
al
lrosy,hecheatedamulti
plet
imesbutIstayed
becauseevenso, Iknowhel ovedme, Iwon't
expl
ainitt
oyouanyf ur
therbecauseyouwon' t
underst
andbutthatmani sthel oveofmyl if
e.Soto
answeryourquest i
onabouthowam I ?Tr ustme
babyI'mfine,
I'
mj ustshockedthatyourf at
herhas
a25yearol ddaughter.I'
m deeplyhurtthatshehad
togothroughwhatshewentt hrough"

That
'smymom, veryselfl
ess.Shehasagoodheart
andalwayshasotherpeople'
sbesti
nter
estathear
t.
Sheisaveryst
rongwoman.

Me:"
She.
..It
hinkshei
sstil
ltr
yingtodi
gestt
his
whol
ethi
ng,shehasalotofquesti
onsgoi
ngonand
shei
sver
yhur t
"

Shestoodup,
tookmyhandandwewentbackt
o
thel
ounge.

Mom:"
Mdl
uli
"
Mydadst
oodup,
hel
ookedscar
edandwor
ri
ed.

Dad:"Mama, st
handwaSam,pleaseforgi
veme.I
di
dn'tknow, IswearIdi
dn'
tknow.Pleasedon'
tleave
menkosi kaziwam"

Hewasl i
ter
all
ybeggingandheseemedgenuine,
seemydadmaybeacheat erandal
lthatbutIhave
zerodoubtt
hathelovesmymom, Iseethat
everyt
imehetalkst
oher.

Mom:" Iknow,Iknowt hatyoudi dn'tknowabouther

,
otherwiseshewoul dn'thavesuff ered.Buther
e's
thething,shedoesn'tknowt hat.Thandogowi t
h
yourdadt oNdalo'
sflat,Babaexpl aintoherwhat
happened, makesur esheknowsyoudi dn'
t
abandonher "

Dad:"
I.
..Let
'sgoThando"
Mom:"Taketheal
bum wit
hyou,showheral
lthe
pi
ctur
essothatshecanunder
stand"

Idon'
tthi
nkIcaneverbel
ikemymom.

AnywayIwentt
ogett
heal
bum andof
fwel
eft
.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

WhatwasIt hinki
ngtrusti
ngher?Sheknewal lal
ong.
Isthatthereasonwhyshewant edtohelpmeso
much?Hersayi ng"mydadwant stomeetyouashe
willbehelpi
ngyouwi t
hmoneyf orther
apy"
.Itwas
alltoogoodt obetrue,sheknew!!
!!
sheknewand
didn'tt
ellme.

'
KNOCK!
!!"
Iam i
nnomoodf
oranyone,
allIneedi
stodr
owni
n
mysorrows.

Ri
ghtnowI
'
m cur
ledupont
hecouch,
I'
vebeen
cr
ying.

"
Ndal
obabepl
easeopent
hedoor
,pl
ease.Weneed
t
otal
k"

Ist
oodupandwentt
oopenandIwasmetbyMr
Mdlul
i.

Il
edthewaytotheli
vingroom andwesatdown,
he
washoldi
nganalbum, aphot
oalbum.

Me:"
SoThandoyouknew?I
sthatwhywer
ehel
ping
mesomuch?"
Thando:"NdaloIswearIdi
dn'
tknow,
I'
mjustas
surpr
isedandshockedasyouarebutmydadis
heretoexpl
ain"

Ikeptqui
et,
givi
nghi
m achancet
oexpl
ain.

MrMdl uli:"Ndalo,nganeyami .I'

df i
rstli
ke
apologi
zef orever ythi
ngyouwentt hrough,Iknowi t
won'tchangeanyt hingbutIr eallyam sorry.Letme
explai
nt oyouwhathappened.Iusedt owor k
KwaMashu, Iwasmar r
iedandIwoul dseemywi f
e
5timesamont h,somet imes2t i
mesaweek, so
temptati
onsbegan, Imett hi
sbeaut ifulwomanat
theshoppi ngmal landIi nstantlylovedher.That's
howmyr elat i
onshipwi t
hZandist art
ed.Timewent
onandwewer estil
ltogetherbutonedaymywi f
e
cameal lthewayf rom Jobur g,shecamet ovisi
tbut
assoonasshear rived,shecamet omyr oom and
foundZandiandIi nbed, shewant edt osurpri
se
me.Thatdaybecameadi sasterbecausemywi f
e
whoputonef for tt
oseemecameacr ossaver ybad
sit
uation.Shel eftandIwassobr oken,Il
ovemy
wifeandever ythinginme, soItookadeci siont o
offi
ciall
yendt hingswithZandi,shehadcaught
feel
ings.Butei therwaythatwast helasttimeIhad
seenher .About3or4mont hafterIendedt hi
ngs, I
sawheragai n, shewaspr egnant.Iaskedheri fI'm
thefatherbutshesai dI '
m nottheonl ymani nher
l
ife,shesaidshehasast ablerelati
onship,Iwas
j
ustasi deguy.Ideci dedtoletherbe.Idi dn't
abandonyou, whenyousai dZandii syourmot her.I
i
nstant l
ythoughtoft hatti
meshewaspr egnantbut
whatsur pri
sedmei sthatyoulookver ymuchl i
ke
mymom, i
t'
slikeyouar eherwhenshewasyoung."

BothThandoandIwer ei
ntear
s.Hehandedmet he
photoal
bum, Iwentt
hroughi
tandindeedIlooked
verymuchlikethewomanonthepicture,
Ilookedat
Thandoandsheal sohadafewfeaturesofthe
grandmother.
MrMdlul
i:"
I'
m sor
rymntanam,Idi
dn'
tleaveyou.
Yourmom l
iedtome,sheli
edandIbel
ievedher."

Hel
ookedgenui
neyetsad.

Tobecont
inued.
..
.
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

Thankst
oSl
indi
leLondi
weNt
ombel
afort
het
opup.

I'
l
lpostt
hecont
inuat
iont
omor
rowmor
ning,
Iam
sl
eepyguys.
Chapt
er10
Cont
inuat
ion
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]
Aft
ert
hewholeexpl
aini
ngMrMdl ulidi
d,weal
lsat
t
herequi
etl
y.Theywerebot
hlookingatme,Iguess
t
heywantedmetosaysomething.
Ican'thatehi
m, canI?Imeanhesayshedi dn't
know.ButhowdoIknowhei snotlying?Doest he
truthevenmatternow?IshouldbehappyIf ound
mydadr i
ght?ButI'
veli
vedmywhol eli
fewithout
thismanandcomi ngtoter
mswi t
ht hefactthathe
i
sher enowi snoteasy.

Thando:"
I.
..
Ihopethisdoesn'
tchangethi
ngs
bet
weenusNdal o.TrustmeIdidn'
tknow,Ij
ust
l
ovedyouandf el
ttheneedtohelpyou"

Shehadt
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngt
ocomeout
.

Me:"I
tdoesn'tchangeanything,
I'
m notungrateful
Thando,I'
m heretodaybecauseofyouandIt hank
you.I
'm sorr
yIsaidyouknew, Iwasjustconfused
andwonder i
nghowdi dithappenthatyouhel ped
meandoutoft
hebl
uewear
esi
ster
s"

Thando:"Iunder
stand,buti
nallhonest
yI'
m happy
thatyouaremysisterbyblood"

Shesmi
ledt
hrought
ear
s,webot
hhugged.

Me:"Howisyourmom?Howi sshet
aki
ngalloft
his?
ImeanI'
m surei
tcan'tbeeasycomi
ngtoter
ms
wit
hthefactt
hatyourhusbandhasachi
ldofan
af
fair
"

Thando:" Ispoketoherandshewasj ustshocked

mor ethananyt hi
ngbutshei snotangryoranythi
ng,
shei stheonewhoadvi sedmydad. ..
.noImeanour
dadt ocomeexpl aineveryt
hingtoyou.Mom i sa
verygoodper sonNdal oandshewon' tpunishyou
forthingsyouknownot hi
ngabout"
Wowsot
her
ereal
lyar
egoodwomenoutt
her
e?

Me:"
Okay"

Wehadaconver
sati
on,compl
etel
yfor
get
ti
ngabout
t
hemaninfr
ontofus.

Me:"MrMdl ul
i,Igeteverythi
ngyousai dandas
muchasgr owingupwi thoutaf ather,
wellatl
east
mybiologi
calfatherhurt
, Iwon'thateyoubecause
youdidn'
tknow.Ther e'
sal waystwosi destoastor
y
butf
orpeacesakeI 'l
lbelieveyou"

Hesi
ghed,helookedver
yhurt
,whichki
ndamade
mebel
ievethathewasbeinghonest
.

MrMdl ul
i:"
I'
m sobrokenNdal
othatyouhadto
suff
ersomuchandIcoul dn'
tdoanythi
ngaboutit,
I
shouldhaveinsi
stedonget
ti
ngDNAaf tershegave
bi
rt
hbutIchoset
ost
ayawayf
rom her
"

Hei
sbl
ami
nghi
msel
f,hecan'
tdot
hat
.

Me:"Donotbl
ameyour
sel
fSi
r,noneoft
hisi
syour
f
ault
"

MrMdl uli
:"Thankyouf orbelievingmeandgi vi
ng
meachancet oexplai
n.Youar e25year soldand
thethingsIusedt odof ormyki dswhent heywere
youngIcan' tdoforyoubecauseyouar enowabi g
gir
lbutIhopef r
om nowonI '
llbeabletodoallof
thoseyouneednowasabi ggi rl
.Ial
sohopeyou
canlear ntocal lmedad, becauseIdon'tevenneed
todopat ernitytesttoconfir
mt hatyouaremine,i
t
i
sver ycleart hatI'
m yourfather"

Ikeptqui
ett
hist
ime.
MrMdl uli
:"Wi
llyoulear
nt ocal
lmedad,pops,
father
,tai
ma,Mdl ul
iorevenKhehl
alam l
ikeal
lmy
kidsdo?

BothThandoandIl
aughed,
sot
heycal
lhi
m al
l
thosenames?

Me:"
Wit
hti
meI
'
lll
ear
n,Ist
il
lneedt
ogetusedt
othe
i
dea"

Henoddedandopenedhi sarmsf ormetocome.I

st
oodupandwentt ohim,het appedhi
sthi
ghfor
metositbutIcoul
dn'
t,It
houghtabouthim,he
woul
ddot hatsometi
mest henhewouldbegin
ki
ssi
ngandt ouchi
ngmewhi l
eI'
m seat
edonhislap.

MrMdlulisawt
hefeari
nmyeyes,heclosedhi
s
eyest
ightl
yandThandoj
ustcr
iedsi
lent
ly.
Me:"
I.
.."

MrMdl ul
i:"
Comesitbaby,
I'
m yourdadandIwoul
d
neverhur
tyou,comesitonyourfat
her
'sl
ap"

Islowlywentt ohim,Isatdownandhehuggedme
ti
ghtly.Itfel
tli
kehome,li
keitst
heplaceIshoul
d
havebeenatmywhol eli
fe,f
ort
hefir
stti
mesince
theyar r
ivedIletoutasob,Ij
ustcr
iedwit
hnocar e
i
nt hewor ld.

Hebr
ushedmyback,
shushi
ngmei
nthepr
ocess.

MrMdluli
:"Shhh,
don'
tcr
ymychi
ld.I
'
m her
enow,
I
'l
lpr
otect
"

Aft
ersomet
imeIst oppedhewi
pedmyt
ear
sand
ki
ssedmyforehead.
Thando:"
Wuuuudad!
!!That
'smyt
winsopl
ease
st
opbeingcl
ingy,
Ial
soneedahug"

Wel
aughed,
shecanneverst
opbei
ngcr
azy.

Iwentt
ogi
veherahugaswel
l.

Thando:"
Att
ent
ionever
yone!
!!
!Att
enti
on!
!!
!Ihavea
si
ster
,noImeanIhaveatwinsist
er"

Wel aughed.Aftersometi
meMrMdl ul
iorisitt
oo
earl
yt osaymydad?Hest oodupandwentt ocheck
uponhi swife.ThandoandIremai nedbehind,
she
wast ell
ingmeaboutt hei
rchi
ldhoodandImustsay
theyhadapr ett
ygoodone.

[
Asanel
e]
Mynamei sAsaneleMchunu,
I'
m 25andamot
her
of1.Iam anHRmanager.Iam engagedt
o
ThembaNdl ovu.
Todayisnodif
fer
entfrom ot
herdays,I
'm att
he
off
icedoi
ngwhatI'm get
ti
ngpaidfor,
aknock
comesthroughonmyof fi
cedoor.

Me:"
It
'sopen"

I
topenedandthi
stwof i
negentl
emanwal kedin,
t
heylookedatbi
tser
iouswhichkindofscaredme.

Me:"
Gent
lemengoodday"

Man1:Goodday,
I'
m Andi
le,
Andi
leKhozaandt
his
i
smyfri
endThabi
so"

Me:"
Okayni
cet
omeet
,youmayt
akeasi
t"
Honestl
yI'
m confused,Idon'
tevenknowwhi chare
thecorr
ectwordstouse.Thesecan'tbecl
ients,
I'
m
notinchar
geofmeet ingswit
hclient
s.

Me:"Seei
ngthatyouar
eher
einmyof
fi
ce,
Itakei
t
youalr
eadyknowwhoIam"

Andil
e:"Yeswedobutj
ustf
orconf
ir
mat
ion,
youar
e
AsaneleMchunuri
ght
?"

Me:"
Yougoti
tri
ght
,towhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e?"

Thapel
o:"
Weweredoingabackgr
oundcheckon
someone,
wecoul
dn'tfi
ndmuchbutwefoundthat
youwerei
nherl
if
e"

Wil
lhesaywhot
hat"
Someone"i
sorhewant
sme
t
oask?
Me:"
Ummm.
..
okay"

Andi
le:"
Ndal
oyenkosiMkhi
ze"

Myhear talmoststopped,
Ihaven'
tseenorhear
d
fr
om heri n7years,t
earsfor
medinmyeyesbutI
coul
dn'tletthem dr
op.

Me:"
Wha.
..
.whatabouther
?"

Thel
umponmyt
hroat
.

Andil
e:"
Youwer eherbestf
ri
end,I
'
m sur
eyoucan
t
ellusalotabouther
,whereshecomesfr
om and
whereherhomei s?"

Comet
othi
nkofi
t,t
heyl
ookver
yser
ious.I
t'
sli
ke
theyar
et r
yingtoscar
emewi t
hthei
rser
iousness.
Howdar etheycomehereandtakemebacktoa
placeI
'
dr atherst
ayawayfr
om?

Me:"Gentl
emenwi t
hallduerespect,youcan'tcome
tomywor kpl
aceandaskmeper sonalthingsfor
yourownbenefi
t.Idon'
tknowwher eNdal oi
sandI
haven'
tseenherinyears.Soifyou'
llexcuseme, I
havealotofworktodo."

Iwasser
ious,
Istoodupandwentt
oopent
hedoor
,
showi
ngthem howseri
ousIam.

Theyst
oodupandwal
kedout
.

Andi
le:"
Wear enotdoneher
e,here'
smynumber .
Pl
easecallmewhenyouchangeyourmi nd,
we
won'
tharm you.Thi
sisamatterofl
ifeanddeat
h"
Itookitandclosedthedoor,
Isli
ddowntothefl
oor
againstthedoor,Il
ett
hetearsIwashol
dingf
low.

Irememberverywel
l,i
twas2012,7yearsagowhen
Ilastsawher
.Aft
erwegotourmatri
cr esul
tsIwent
tocheckonheratherpl
acebutIdi
dn'tfi
ndher.I
foundherdad.

Me:"
Sawubonababa,
ukhonauNdal
o"

Heopenedt
hedoorf
ormet
ocomei
n,soIdi
d.
Heclosedthedoorandt
oldmetosi
tdown,byt
he
l
ooksofthi
ngstherewasnooneint
hehouse
exceptf
orhim.

Him:"Ndal
oisnotaround,whenIgotbackfr
om
watchi
ngsoccerIf
oundherwar dr
obehalfempt
y,
shetooksomeofherclothesandlef
tsome"
Iwasconf
used,
Idi
dn'
tunder
stand.

Me:"
You.
..Youmeanshel
eft
?"

Hest oodupandwentt olockthedoor

,Igotver
y
scaredbutheismyf r
iend'sfat
her,
whatcanhe
possiblydo?That
'swhatIthought.

Him:"
Youknowwhereshei
sdon'tyou?Youare
onl
yheret
ochecki
fwearealr
eadylooki
ngforher
"

Me:"
No...NoIdon'
tknow,Iwant
edt
ocheckhow
shewentwit
hherresul
ts"

Hecamecl
oserandpul
ledmet
ohi
m,hewhi
sper
ed.

"Ndal
owasmysexslave,
Ilovedherl
itt
leti
ght
cooki
eandshehadt
oleave!!
!!Unf
ort
unatel
yyou
cameatt
hewr
ongt
imebecauseyouwi
llgi
veme
your
s"

BeforeIcouldtal
k,heputaclot
hinmymout hso
thatIcoul
dn'tscr
eam,hethenstar
teddoi
ngthings
tome, hetouchedmeinappropr
iat
ely,
Icr
iedbut
therewasnotmuchIcando.

Het
henst
art
edmovi
ngont
opofme,
her
apedme.

Whenhewasdone,
mybodywassor
e,Icoul
d
har
dlymyl
egs.

Hi
m:"
Goandnever
,evercomebackher
e"

Hedi dn'
tknowthatlett
ingmegowast hebiggest
mistakehemade, Iwentstrai
ghttothepol
ice
st
ation,Icoul
dn'
twal kproper
lybutImanagedt o
ar
rive,Iopenedacase, t
heyaskedmequest ions
andt
hentookmetothecl
ini
c.Ar
apetestwasdone
andweheadedbackt
oNdalo'
spl
ace.

Wefoundhim watchi
ngTV,li
kehedidn'tdot
he
mostter
ri
blethi
ng.Hegotarr
estedandeventoday
hei
sinprisonbecauseIt
oldthem heusedtorape
myfri
endaswel l
.

"
MissMchunu!
!!
"

Itwasahar
dknockonthedoorthatbroughtme
backtomysenses,
Ihadzonedout.Iwaseven
cryi
ng.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er11.
[
Asanel
e]
Eversi nceIgotavisi
tf r
om thosetwoguys, Ican'
t
focus, bot
hatwor kandathome.Thembai seven
reali
singthatsomethingi swrongbutIdon'twantto
tel
lhim becauseIknowi fIdo,hewillnotal
lowme
tomeetupwi tht
hoseguys, wellt
hat'
sifIdecidet
o.
It'
sbeen2daysandal lthat'sbeengoingoni nmy
headi s"WhereisNdal o?""Dotheyperhapsknow
wher esheis?""I
ssheal ive?""
Wher ehasshebeen
forthepast7year s".

Isi
ghedanddeci dedtocallt
hem,Iam cur
iousbuta
partofmeisafraidofheari
ngwhattheywantfr
om
heroraboutherinfor
mation.

"
Hel
lo"
Whew!
!!Heanswer
ed,
Iwashopi
nghewoul
dn'
t,
cr
azyr
ight
?

Me:"
Uhm.
..
H..Hey,
i
ts.
..
Asanel
e"
Hi
m:"
Final
ly!It
houghtyou'
dnevercal
l,
Iwai
tedf
or
t
wodays"

WhatdoIsay?

Me:"
Let'
smeetMuggnBean,justacrossmywork
pl
acein30minut
est
ime.That
'smyl unchbr
eak"

Hi
m:"
Okayt
hankyouf
orcal
l
ing,
seeyout
hen"

Ihungupandt ookadeepbr
eath,
am Imaki
nga
ri
ghtdeci
sion?Idon'
tknowt
hesepeopl
e.

AnywayIcont
inuedwi
thmywor
kand30minut
es
l
aterIwal
kedoutandwentt
oMuggnBean.
AssoonasIgoti
n,Isawhimrai
singhi
shandf
or
metoseehi
m.Iwentt ot
hetabl
eandgreet
edt
hen
t
ookasi
t.

Andi
le:"
Thankyousomuchf
oragr
eei
ngt
oseeme"

Me:"
Okay,
pleasel
et'
sgett
oit
,Idon'
thavemuch
t
ime"

Thabiso:"Wehavebeent r
yingtofi
ndi
nformati
on
aboutNdal o'
sbackgr
oundandsomebi t
sand
piecesoftheinfor
mati
onwegotl edustoyou,do
youmi ndtell
ingusaboutwhereshecomesfrom?
Wher eisherhomeandwhatki ndofapersonwas
shegr owi
ngup?

Thi
sguy!
!

Me:"Dependsonwhyyouwantt
oknowal
lthose
t
hings,Ican'
ttr
ustyou"
Andi
le:"
Okayl
et'
sjustsaywear epeoplewhocan
makeyouseeyourfri
endagai ni
fyouwantto,we
knowwheresheis,
justthatsheisver
ytroubl
edso
wewouldli
ketofi
ndther ootoft
heproblem"

Il
ookedatt
hem both,t
ryi
ngtofi
ndsomet hi
ng
of
fi
shaboutthem butt
heylooknot
hingl
ike"Dodgy"
.

Me:"I'
m gonnat akeal
eapoffai
thandt
rustyou,
that
'sallbecauseIdowantt
oseemyf r
iend
agai
nst"

Justsayi
ngt
hatbr
oughtt
ear
stomyeyes.

Me:"NdaloandIhavebeenf riendsf oraslongasI

canremember ,
pr e-
school,pri
mar yandhi ghschool.
We'vebeentogethert hr
oughoutt hoseyear s.She
hadagoodupbr ingingorsoIt hought,shelooked
happyandlovedunt ilwewer ei ngrade10.She
star
tedchangi
ng, shedi st
ancedher selffr
om
almostever yonei ncl
udingmebutIdi dn'tlook
muchi ntoi t
,IlovedherandIt r
iedr eachingoutbut
shewast hiscoldper sonI'veneverseen, Icould
seepr etencei nhereyeswhenshewaswi thme,
shedidn' twantmet oaskal otofquest i
ons.That
wentont illwewer ei
nmat ric,wegotr esultsand
whenIwentt ocheckuponher ,Ifoundt hatshe
wasgone, shepackedhert hingsandl eft
.If ound
herstepdad, he..
..hesaidsomehor r
iblethings,he
said.
..
.Hesai dNdal oleftwi th.
..
..sheleftwi t
hher
ti
ghtcooki e,thenher apedme, hesai dthingsl i
ke
hewon' tbeabl etodowhatheusedt odot oher ,
that'
swhenIr eali
sedt hatmyf riendwasdyi ng
i
nsidebecauset hatmonst erwas. .
..
hewasr api
ng
her"

BynowIwasacr
yingmess,
Icoul
dn'
tkeepi
tin.

Thabi
so:"
I'
m sosor
ryyouhadt ogothrought
hat,
I
'mreal
lysor
ry.Sowhathappenedtothatman?"
WhenIlookedatAndi
le,
hiseyeswherebl
oodyred,
hewasclenchi
nghisj
awsandhi shandswere
shaki
ng.
What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?

Me:"Whenhewasdonepl easinghimsel
fwithme,
heletmegosoIr antot
hepol i
cestat
iontogethi
m
ar
rested,
til
lthi
sday,
heissti
llinj
ail
"

Andi
le:"
Her
..
.Hermot
her
"

YohwhenIt hinkofthatone!Shehat esmygut s,

sheaccusedmeofsl eepingwi t
hherhusband
will
ingl
ythenjustli
kemyf ri
endIaccusedhim of
rape,herwordsnotmi ne.Sheneverevencaredto
askwher eheronlydaught er,
onlychi
ldis.

Me:"Shehasbecomeadr
unkar
d,shedr
inksf
rom
morningt
oevening"
Andi
le:"
Doyoumi
ndgi
vingusheraddr
ess?"

Me:"
Wai
t.
..
wai
t!Wher
eisNdal
o?"

Andi
le:"
She'
sinJobur
g"

Me:"
What
?Howdi
d..
.i
sshewor
kingt
her
e?"

Andi
lesi
ghedandl
ookeddown.

Thabiso:"She'
snotworki
ng,whenAndil
efirstsaw
her,
shewasast r
eetki
d,shewast hent
akenoutof
thestreet
sbysomegi r
lwhof oundhert
here,now
sheissafe"

Streetki
d????Ifel
tmyselfgetti
ngdizzyatt
he
thought.St
reetkidforal
ltheseyear
s?
Me:"Sowhatar
eyoupl
anni
ngondoi
ngwi t
hallthat
It
oldyou?Imeanwhyar
eyoueveni
nter
ested?"

Andil
e:"Il
oveher!!
!Ilovesomuchokay?Whenshe
brokedown, t
hathitmehardandIknewIhavet
odo
something.Nowpleasegiveusheraddr
ess"

Hi
seyeswhenhesai d"
Iloveher"t
heycar
ri
eda
whol
elotofhonest
yandpurelove.

Igavet
hem t
headdr
ess.

Andi
le:"
Thankyou,
I'
llcal
ltol
etyouknowt
hatyou
cancomeseeher"

Theypai
dformyfoodandtheirdr
inks.Theylef
t,I
al
sowentbackt
owor k.Thisi
salottot akei
n,how
di
dsheendupinthestr
eets?
Iguesst
hatI
'
llf
indoutwhenIseeher
.

[
Andi
le]

Aft
erthetal
kwehadwi thAsanel
e,Idon'
tknowhow
If
eel,
allIknowi sthatI
'
m notgood,atal
l.What
ki
ndofamot herdoesandsayallt
hat?

Wewer
enowdri
vingtotheaddr
esswegot
,ar
ri
ving
wef
oundt
hegat
ewi deopensowedrovei
n.
It
'sabeaut
if
ulhouse,
bigbutnott
oobi
g.Ther
e'sno
pover
tyshowninanywayhere.
Igotof
fthecarandwentt
oknockbutt
her
ewasno
answer
.

Iwentbackt
othecar
.

Me:"
Looksl
iket
her
e'snooneher
e"
Thabi
so:"
Letmecal
lthatboyovert
her
e"

Hegotoffandwentt
ostandbythegate,Isawthe
boyrunni
ngtoonl
yhim knowwhere.Thabisocame
back.

Me:"
And?
"

Thabi
so:"Hesayshewi
llgocal
lherf
orus,
shei
sat
sometavern"

Wesatinsi
det
hecarandlat
eronawomanwal
ked
i
n,hol
dingabr
ownbottl
eofHansa.
Youcanseeshewasbeauti
ful
,sheisthat"
Inmy
ti
me"ki
ndofwoman.Iguessalcoholr
eall
ymessed
herup.
Her
:"Fancycar
sinmyhouse?
!!!
"

Okayi
tsnotcar
s,i
t'
scar
.

Me:"
SawubonaMa,
I..
.."

Sheraisedherhandtowar
dsmyf
ace,
mor
eli
ke
st
oppingmef rom t
alki
ng.

Her:"
Yey..
..
yeyyeyYey!!
!!I'
m notyourmot
her
,I'
m
notanyone'
smot her
,don'tsayMat ome"

Me:"
Canwet
alki
nsi
de?
"

Shecoul
dhar
dlyst
and.

Her
:"No!
!!
!Tal
korleave!
!Idi
dn'
tcomehert
obet
old
whatt
odoi nmyhouse"
Thabi
so:"
Wear
eher
eregar
dingNdal
o"

Thabi
sowasget
ti
ngpi
ssedof
fbyt
hesecond.

Her:"
Who'sthatagain?Ohhhhit'
st hathoet hatthat
sl
eptwithmyhusbandt henaccusedhi m ofrape?
HerandthatFri
endofhers,theyframedmy
husbandandtheyfinal
lysucceeded, heisinjail
becauseoftwoli
ttl
ehoeswhocoul dn'tkeeptheir
l
egsclosed"

What??
?I'l
ljustbel
ievesheissayi
ngallt
hose
t
hingsbecauseshei sdrunk.Shebur
ped,eww.

Me:"
MaI
..
.."

Her
:"CallmeMaagai
nandyou'
l
lwi
shyourmot
her
washere"
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry,
Ndal
o..
..
"

Her:"Whoar eyouhandsomeboysanyway?AhhhI
betthatNdalobitchal socausedyoutr
ouble.Did
shetri
ckyoui ntosleepingwithher?WellIdon'
t
carebecauseIhaven' tseenherin7goodyear s,
wuuuut hatchil
d,Ifailtobeli
eveshecameoutof
myvagi na,speakingofvaginamaybeher sisnow
tor
napar t"

Shelaughed,
whilecl
appi
ngherhands.Whatis
happeni
ngwiththiswoman?If
ailt
obeli
evethat
shecouldbehat
ingherdaught
erli
kethi
s,
somethingi
swrong.

Thabi
so:"
Eythi
sisawasteofti
meAndil
e,wewil
l
comebacktomorr
ow,hopef
ull
yshe'
l
lbesober
"

Hewal
kedt
othecar
,Isi
ghedandal
sol
efthert
her
e.
Sheburpedagai
n,inst
eadofgoinginsi
dethehouse,
shewaitedf
orustoexitt
hegate,thenshealsolef
t
agai
n.Imean,It
hinkshe'
shadenoughf ortheday.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er12.
[
Zandi
le]

It
'sveryearl
yinthemor ni
ngandIam f orcedto
wakebecauseIhaveat err
ibl
eheadache.Lastnight
Ihadal otofal
cohol.Haveyoueverheardabouta
personwhousesal coholtoescape
real
it
y?Someonewhoi sindenialofwhattheirl
if
e
l
ooksl i
ke?That'
sme, Alcoholhasbecomemybest
fri
end,i
tcanneverbetrayme, i
tcanneverl i
etome
l
ikethatmanIcal l
edahusband.
'
KNOCK'
Hai
bo!
!!I
tsj
ust7h00i
nthemor
ning.

Me:"
Angi
kho!
!"
Isai
dthatwhil
eheadingtothedoor
,AssoonasI
openedthedoor,
itst
hosetwoboysfrom yest
erday.
YesIwasdrunkbutIsti
llr
ememberthem.

Me:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"

Guy1:"
Wej
ustwantt
otal
k"

Me:"
Tal
kaboutwhat
?"

Guy2:"
Mapl
easel
etusi
n"

Imovedawayfrom thedoorandtheygoti
n.The
l
ivi
ngroom i
sfullofal
coholbot
tl
esbutIdon'
tcar
e.
Me:"BoysIhavealott
odo,don'
texpectmet
oget
youdri
nks.Gettot
hepoint
"

Guy1:"I
'
m Andi
leKhozaMaandt
hisi
smyf
ri
end
Thabi
so"

Isatdown.

Me:"OkayAndi
leandThabi
so,pl
easer
efr
ainf
rom
cal
li
ngmeMa, I
'm notamother
"

Hesi
ghed.

Andil
e:"Haveyounoi
nter
esti
nfi
ndi
ngwher
eyour
daughteri
s?"

Me:"
Boywhyar
eyouher
e?"
Iam nowget
ti
ngver
yemot
ionalandver
yangr
y.

Andil
e:"Sheneedsyou,she'
sbeenl i
vinginthe
str
eetsandshe'saverybrokengir
l.Sheneedsyou
ashermot her
,sheneedstoknowyoul oveher
,she
needstoknowyoumadeami st
ake"

Tear
swer
enowf
all
i
ng,
Ineedagl
assofbr
andy.

Me:"Ifai
ledher,I'm sayingI'm notamot her
becausenomot herwoul ddowhatIdi dtomy
daughter.Ideservetodi ealone, Ididn'
ttrusther
whenshecr i
edtome.I ..
..
Iwasscar edofbei ng
di
sappointedbyamanyetagai n,Ichosel oveover
mychi l
d,Iwasi ndeni albutdeepwi thi
n...
..deep
withi
nIknewshewoul dn'tl
ie.Her..
.herfather
di
sappointedmewhenIl ovedhi m,hedi dn'ttel
lme
hewasmar ri
ed,het oyedwi thmyf eeli
ngsand
droppedmel ikeahotpot ato.ThenImethi m, t
hat
rapist..
..
that..
.t
hatbloodyr api
st.Ifellinlove,i
twas
abonust hathelovedmychi l
dlikehi sown,
l
ittl
e...
li
ttl
edi dIknowt hathewasl ustingoverher,
whenshet oldme. .
.I
..
.Igotveryscared, Ifoundit
har dtoacceptt hatyetagai nI
'm goingt obe
disappoi ntedbyaman, amanIl ove.I .
..
.Imadea
mi stake,Ichosel oveovermydaught er.
...
I.
..
."

Iwasnowacr
yingmess.

Andi
le:"
MaI
..
..
."

Me:"Shutup! !
!ShutupI '
mt alki
ng,youcameher e
becauseyouwant edtofindoutwhat everi
tist hat
youwant edtof i
nd,butI'
mt ir
ed..
..
I'
m sickand
ti
red..
..
I'
mt i
redofpeopl eal
waysj udgingme, YesI
waswr ongf ornotseeingmydaught ersuff
er,Iwas
wrongf orchoosingamanoverher ,Iwaswr ongf or
halfofthethingsIdidinmyl ifeandIgetjudgedf or
i
teverysecondoft heday.Theysayawomani sa
rock,wellI
'm not.Noonehasevercar edforme, no
onewant stoknowhowIf eel,notevenmypar ents
cared, t
heyl ovedmysi blingsmor e.If oundlovei n
wrongpeopl eandbecausel ovei swhatIwas
l
acki ngandi twaswhatIyear nedf or, Iall
owedi tto
makemedot erri
blethings.Il ovedmydaught er,I
sti
llloveherbutIst r
ongl ybel i
eveshei sgood
wher evershei s,shedoesn' tneedme.Iwon' tbe
ablet ol ovehert hecor rectway, Idon' tknowhowt o
l
ove, Iwasneverl oved.Sopl e...
.please, i
fyouar e
heret ojudgeme, tr
ustmeIgetenoughj udgement
tolastmeal i
feti
me.Iwantt ot ellyouwhyIf elt
mysel fhatingmydaught er ,
becauset ot hemanI
l
oved, Iwasnotgoodenough, Heal wayscompar ed
met oherwhenshel eft,hewoul dbeatmeupf or
notbei ngher ,hewoul dst rangl emef ornotopeni ng
myl egsl i
keherandf ornotbei ngt ightlikeher,
That swhyIneverbot heredl ooki ngf orherbutdeep
i
nsi deme, Ilovedherandatsomepoi ntIbel
ieved
shei sbet terof fwit
houtme. "

It
henstoodupandwenttothebat
hroom,
Ifeell
ike
alotofwei
ghthasbeenl
if
tedof
fmyshoulder
.
Nothingwil
leverbejusti
fi
cat
ionenoughforwhatI
didtomydaught erbutcanInotbejudged
constant
ly?
WhenIgotbackt ot
heliving,Ifoundthem si
tti
ngi
n
thesameposit
ions,
lookingr at
herdrainedand
spookedandIsawal i
tt
lebi tofsadnessthere.

Thabiso:"Mawear esosorr
yforwhatyougo
thr
ough, wit
hl uckwecantryandconnectyouwi
th
yourdaughter, sheneedsamotherandyouneed
her,sheisallyouhave"

Me:"
Is.
..
.I
sshesaf
e?"

Andi
le:"
Shei
s"

Thi
sonel
ookedmor
ehur
tthant
heot
herone.

Af
tersomet
ime,
theyl
eft
.Iwentt
othechestof
drawers,
tookoutt hephotoalbum.Il
ookedatthe
pi
cturesofmydaught erwhenshewasababy, then
ateenager.Lit
tl
edidIknowt hathert
eenageyears
weregoingt obreakher,
theyweregoingtodri
ve
herawayf rom me.
Ij
ustsatt
her
e,smi
l
ing,
cryi
ngandzoni
ngout
.

[
Phuml
a]

Ihaveacl i
entandIneedtolookmybestbecause
bossl adymenti
onedhowimpor t
antheis.Af
ter
fi
xingmyselfanddoingsomef afafat
omysel fwit
h
aCar oli
naHerer
aperfume,Iwenttomydesignated
room.

Hi
m:"
Thesmel
ltel
lsmet
heexpensi
vegem i
sher
e"

Hei
slooki
ngout
sidet
hewi
ndow,
Ismi
le.
Me:"Yesandsheaboutt
ogiveyouan
unf
orget
tabl
emomentofyourli
fe"

Heturnedaround,
carr
yingaglassofwhiskey,wi
th
acigaronhismouth.Hedoesn'tlookol
d,hecould
beinhislat
e20s,Say26, 27,
veryhandsomeandhe
l
ooksf i
lt
hyri
ch.NowIseewhyhei sconsider
edthe
"I
mportantcl
ient
"

Me:"
Hey.
..
areyour
eadyt
obebl
ownaway?
"

Soonashi
sfacel
andedonme, hef
rownedbuthe
qui
ckl
yfi
xedhisf
aceandfakedasmil
e.

Hi
m:"
Pleasesi
tbef
oreyougi
vemeagoodt
ime"

Isatdownandseduct
ivel
ycr
ossedmyl
egs.
Hi
m:"
Howol
dar
eyou?
"

MyGod!
!Thi
sguy.

Me:"
Howl
onghaveyoubeencomi
ngher
e?"

Him:"Longenought
oknowt hatyouar
enewand
youlookver
yyoung,ofwhichIfi
ndver
ywrongf
or
youtobehere.Youarewhat,15?
"

Wowsohehadt
oguesst
her
ightage,
I'
m sopi
ssed
of
f.

Me:"
AsyoungasIam Icanmakeyoucr
yforyour
momma,Areyouheret
ojudgemeoryouarehere
t
orel
easet
hattensi
onyouhave?
"

Hesi
ppedonhi
swhi
skeyandputi
tdown.
Him:"Listenher
e,I'm notgoi
ngtodoanyt hi
ngto
youorwi thyou.Youshoul dmei nschool,li
keother
chi
ldrenyourage.Iam goi ngtospeakt oyourboss
l
adyandyouwi lll
eavet hi
splaceandgot oget
educati
on, i
fshehasapr obl
em,I'
llmakehercl ose
downt hisdamnpl ace,whendidshest arthir
ing
younggi r
lsli
keyou? "

Okaynowhewasget
ti
ngpi
ssedof
f,Idont
under
stand.

Hi
m:"
Godr
essup"

Mxm heisdrunkIsee,Ist
oodupandwenttot
he
change.I
'
m heret
omakemoney, Idon'
thavet
ime
forr
ichguyswhothinkmoneywil
lgett
hem
ever
ythi
ng.

Tobecont
inued
#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er13Teaser

*Andil
eandThabi
sogobackt
oGPandAndi
lef
inds
Ndalogonef
rom t
hefl
at.

*Myst
erymant hr
eat
ensbossl
adyatt
hebr
othelbut
Phumlaishavi
ngnoneofi
t.

*Ther
e'sanewmani
ntownandThandoi
sbl
own
away.

*
Nonhl
e'
shear
tget
sbr
oken.

*MrMdl
uliment
ionscul
tur
etoNdal
oandi
tfor
ces
hert
ogobackhome.
*
Andi
lei
shel
lbentonf
indi
ngwher
eNdal
ois.

#Goodni
ght
Teaserf
oral
ongassi
nser
ttomor
row.

I'
m sorr
yIl
iedaboutpost
ingt
oni
ght
..
..
Schedul
e
yiSchedul
ebafet
huanditsays:
Monday
Wednesday
Fr
iday

Il
oveyoual
l
Chapt
er13
Cont
inuedf
rom 12.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]
Ihavej ustfini
shedpackingallmyst uff,MrsMdl ul
i
i
nsistedt hatIcomest aywiththem sinceIam now
partoft hefamily,SonowmydadandIar edri
ving
fr
om t hef l
atgoinghome( TheMdl ulihousehold).I
am tryingtoadjusttotheideaofst ayingwith
people, Iam honestl
ynotusedt oitbuttheloveIam
gett
ingmakest hingseasier
.

Dad:"
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
?"

Me:"
Not
hingser
ious"

OnlyifThandowashere,
sometimesIfi
nditvery
weirdtobeinthesamespaceashim al
one,Iam
sti
llki
ndofscaredofmen,Al
thoughI
'mlearni
ngto
tr
usthim.

Dad:"
Lol
o"
That'
swhathecal
lsme"
Lol
o"t
henThandoi
s
"Ndondo"

Me:"
Baba"

Dad:"
Iwantt
oint
roduceyout
omyancest
ors"

Ikeptquit
e,wai
ti
ngf
orhimtocont
inue,
because
thatpausesayst
her
e'smor
e.

Dad:"
AndthatmeansIhavet
opayf
ort
hedamages
t
henngikul
obol
e"

Me:"Doest
hat
..
..
Nobabat
hatwon'tbenecessary,
I
am her
ewit
hyou.Whymustyoupaylobol
af or
me?"
Dad:"LoloIknowyouar escar edbuttherewon'tbe
aneed, IwillbebyyoursidebothThandoandIand
therestofthef ami
ly.Wegoi ngtosupportyou.It
's
i
mpor tantthatwedot hi
smychi ld,Myancestors
havetoknowyou, sothattheycanprotectyouall
thet
ime. "

Me:"
I.
..
.No,
Idon'
t.
..
.Ican'
tgobackt
her
e"

Dad:"Thefi
rststepofheal
ingi
sfaci
ngthepr
obl
em
headon,Wewi llbether
etosuppor
tyouandLol
oI
wil
ltakeyoutot her
apy.
"

Iwasnowbr eathi
ngheavybutIkeptonnoddi ng
quickly,Ipushedallt
het earsbackandregainedmy
breathingpat t
ernashehel dmyhandt i
ght,asto
assuremet hatallwi
llbewel l
.

Maybe,
JustmaybeIshoul
dgoandf acet
her eal
pr
oblem.Maybethati
sthefi
rstst
epofheal
ing.I
can'
tbel
ievethet
urnmyl
if
etooki
njustashor
t
peri
odoftime.

[
Andi
le]

Wehavedecidedtogobackt oJoburg,Ihavefound
whatIwaslooki
ngforandhonestlyIdon'tknow
whatIwanttodoaboutitbutal
lIknowi sthatI
'm
goingtomakesuret
hatbustarddoesn'
tleavejail
anyti
mesoon.

Il
ookedatThabiso,
heiszonedoutorsomet
hing.
Hehasn'tbeensayi
nganythi
ngothert
han
answeri
ngmyquest i
onsandfaki
ngalaughhere
andther
e.

Me:"
Broyou'
vebeenqui
te,
what
'sup?
"

Thabi
so:"
Huh?
...
it
's.
..
.um.
..
it
'snot
hing"
Me:"
Thabi
so"

Hesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.

Thabi
so:"
CanyousendmeAsanel
e'
snumber
s?"

Il
ookedathi
m,Ohhel
lno,
nonono,
Hecan'
t.

Me:"
Dude!
!!
!!
Youl
oveher
"

Thabi
so:"
What
?No!!
!Nobr
o,youknowI
'
m mar
ri
ed
andIl
ovemywife"

Fuck!!
!!
Thabi
socan'tdothattoNonhl
e,Iknowhei
s
l
ying.We'vebeenfr
iendslongenoughformeto
knowwhenhei si
nlove.
Me:"Bropl
ease,
pul
lyour
sel
ftoget
her
,she'
s
engaged"

Thabi
so:"Ipr
omiseyoudude, Ij
ustf
eell
ikeshe
al
soneedshelp.She'
salsobet hr
oughalotbutshe
hasnevergott
enprof
essionalhel
p"

Isideeyedhimthensentthenumber s,
Ihatet
he
factthathecoul
dbef al
li
ngforherbutIknowit
's
truesheneedshelp.Moreespeci
all
ynowbecause
wemadeheropenupol dwounds.

Anywayourfl
ightar
ri
ved,Thabi
soheadedt
ohi
s
of
ficeandIwenttoNdalo'
sfl
at.

AssoonasIar
ri
ved,
Asecur
it
yguyoft
hatbl
ock
cametome.

Hi
m:"
Gooddaysi
r,canIhel
pyou?
"
Me:"I
'ml
ooki
ngfort
heladywhostaysher
e,doyou
haveani
deaofwhet
hershe'
sinornot"

Him:"Si
rNdal
opackedther
estofherst
uffabout2
hoursago,
Shelef
twit
hamanwhoIbel ievei
sher
fat
her"

Myar mpitsstartediching,doyouknowt hat

momentofbei ngscar edandmadatt hesameti
me?
That'showIfel t
.Aman?Shel eftwi
thamanwho
couldbeherf ather?Thel astt
imeIcheckedtheonl
y
fathersheknewwast hatrapi
st.Socouldthi
smean
i
t'sablesser?

Mystomachtur
nsatt
hatt
hought,
Ithankthe
secur
it
yguyandsl
owl
ywalktothecarIcamewi
th.
Wher
ewi
llIbegi
ntol
ookf
orher
?
[
Thabi
so]

I'
m attheof
fi
ce,
finishingsomepaperworksbef
ore
Igohome.Iam thinkingofcal
li
ngAsanel
ebutI'
m
scared.

AnywayIr
ingher
,herphonei
sri
ng.

"
Asanel
ehel
lo"

Hervoi
cedoest
hingst
ome,
Ikeepqui
et.

"
Hel
lo!
!!
"

Me:"
He.
..
heyAsanel
e,i
t'
sThabi
so,
We.
..
..
"

Asa:"Thabi
so,
theguywhocamewi
thAndi
let
omy
of
fice?
"
Me:"
Yeah"

Asa:
"OkayhowcanIhel
pyou?
"

Wow!!
!Shei
ssostrai
ghtf
orwar
d,maki
ngi
thar
dfor
metosayanyt
hing.

Me:"
I.
..
.wel
l,
Iwoul
dli
ket
ohel
pyou"

Asa:"
Hel
pmewi
th?
"

Me:"Ther
apy,af
tert
hetr
aumayou'vebeent
hrough,
It
hinkyouneedprof
essi
onalhel
p"

Shechuckled,
seet
hat"
Ican'
tbel
ieveyou"chuckl
e?
Yesthatone.
Asa:"
WhosaidIneedhelp?AndevenIdi
dwhat
makesyouthi
nkI'
dwantt obehel
pedbyyou?
Pl
easedon'
twastemytimewi t
hnonsense"

Shehungup,Ihuf
fedand.
..
..
Yes!
!!
Iam goi
ngt
otext
heronWhatsapp.

Me:"
Yousobeaut
if
ulNel
e"

2mi
nut
esl
ater
,Bl
uet
ick.

Me:"
Ireal
lyl
ikeyoureyes,
theyar
eat
ruer
efl
ect
ion
t
oyoursoul"

Bl
uet
ick.

Me:"
Your
eal
lymovedsomet
hingi
nmyhear
t"
Typi
ng.
..
..
..
.2minut
esl
aternomessaget
henshe
wasnolongeronWhat
sapp.

Me:"Didyourf
ianceevert
ellyouaboutyourcheek
bones?Howcut etheymakeyou?"

Typi
ng.
..
..

Asa:"
Youar
eanasshol
e"

Ismi
ledt
hent
yped.

Me:"I
ftell
ingyouhowmuchofagoddessyouare
makesmeanasshol etheyIdon'
tmi
ndbeing20
assholes"

Shesentsmi
leyf
aces.Yes!
!!
Me:"Letal
onethoselongears,damnwoman,You
aresuchabeauty,Godreal
lytookhi
sti
mecreati
ng
you"

Asa:"
Ihaveaf
iancei
ncaseyoumi
ssedt
hatpar
t"

Me:"AndIam al
somar
ri
edbutt
hatdoesn'
tmake
mebli
nd"

Shesentt
hose"
Eyeshi
dingmonkeys"

Asa:"
Leavemeal
one,
Ineedt
owor
k"

Me:"IpromiseIwil
lleaveyoual
oneifyoual
lowme
t
oflydownt oDurbant omorr
owjustsowecanhave
l
uncht oget
her"

Asa:"
Youcr
azy,
Youcanj
ustf
lyt
oDur
banf
orl
unch?
yourwi
fewi
llki
llyou"

Me:"
Trustmeforyoumybeaut
if
ulqueenIcanfl
y
t
ospainnaked,
Wellwhatmywif
edoesn'tknow,
won'
tki
llher
"

Shesentl
aughi
ngemoj
is.

Me:"I
sthatayest
oluncht
omor
row?Gr
eat
!!
!!
Thank
you,
seeyoutomorr
ow"

Shel
aughedagain.Icl
osedmyWhatsappand
st
art
edwor ki
ng,
Justbefor
eIknowi
t,i
twas8h00
pm.Shi
t,Ipromi
sedwifeyt
obebackbefor
e6h00.

Ipackedmyst
uffandl
eft
.

[
Nar
rat
ed]
Thabi
soarri
vedathomeandf
oundNonhl
esi
tt
ing
onthecouchwatchi
ngTV.

Hi
m:"
Heywi
fey,
I'
m sor
ryI
'
mlat
e."

Shest
oodupandwentt ohughim,hegavehera
ver
ycoldhugt
hatl
efthershocked.

Hi
m:"
Letmequi
ckl
ygot
akeashower
"

Nonhl
e:"
Okay,
I'
ll
..
..
"

Befor
eshecouldfi
nishhersent
ence,
hewas
al
readyoutofsi
ght
.

Shef
rowned.
Nonhl
e:"
I'
lldi
shupf
oryou"

Shewasnowspeaki ngalone,complet
ingher
sentence,shewentt
othekitchenanddishedupf or
him.Hecamebackandat e,
theyweretalki
nghere
andt her
ebutitwasnott
heirusualexci
ti
ngandf un
conversati
ons,hewasmostlyaski
ngaboutt hei
r
chil
d.

Anhourlat
ert
heywenttobed.Sti
llt
heunusual
happened,
Hedidn'
tcuddl
eherinbed.

WhenThabi sowasfastasleepNonhletookhis
phoneandwentst r
aighttoWhatsapp,Shecame
theconversat
ionThabisohadwithAsanele,
tears
droppedasshewasr eadingthr
ough.Shegotup
from t
hebedandwentt osl
eepattheguest
bedroom asshecouldn'tst
andsleepi
ngnexttohim,
shetookthephonewi t
hher .
Int
heguestbedr
oom,
shecr
iedt
il
lhereyeswer
e
swoll
en.

[
Phuml
a]

Thisguysi
sreal
lycr
azy,
hedoesn'
tknowme,why
doeshethi
nkhecancomehereanddict
ateme?

AsIwasbusychangi
ng,
thedoorr
oughl
yopened.

Bossl
ady:"
Leaveever
ythi
ngyouar
edoi
ngand
comehere"

Shel
ookedveryangr
y.Ohhel
lno!
!!
Ihopet
hatguy
di
dn'
thappen.

Iworemyshoesandfol
lowedherandjustasI
thoughtt
heLi
oni
sstandingher
eli
keitownsthe
wor
ld.

Bossl
ady:"
Phuml
adi
dIf
orceyout
obeher
e?"

Me:"
Noyoudi
dn'
t"

Her
:"Di
dIcal
lyout
ocomeher
e?"

Me:"
Noyou.
..
..
"

Guy:"Don'
tmakemegocr azypl
ease!!
!Youare
askingwrongquest
ions!
!!
!Hadi
tbeenyour
daughterchoosi
ngtheli
feofpr
ost
itut
ionatthe
tenderageof15wouldyouhavesupportedher?"

Shekeptqui
te.

Guy:"
Thoughtasmuch!
!!youofal
lpeopl
eknownot
tomesswit
hme,
Fir
eherorI
'
llhavet
hispl
ace
closed.

Me:"
What
?No!
!!Pl
easedon'
tfi
reme,
I..
..
."

Her:"
I'
m sorr
ybut..
..
ButIhavet
ofi
reyouPhuml
a
cl
ient
sreall
ylovedyouandsodidIbut
..
..
"

Guy:"
Let
'sgo"

Ist
oodst
il
l.

Guy:"
Let
'sgoman!
!!
"

It
ri
edgoi
ngt
other
oom buthepul
ledmeback.

Me:"Leavemealoneokay?
??l
eavemet
hehel
l
al
one,Iam notgoi
nganywher
e"
Hepickedmeup,
Icr
iedashet
ookmeoutoft
he
br
othel.

Me:"
Putmedown! !
!!
Iam notyourchi
ld,
You.
..
..
put
..
.me.
..
.down!
!!
!"

Ihi
thim buthedidn'
tfeel
at hi
ng,heputmei nthe
carandlockedit
.Hewentbacki nsideandcame
backfewmi nut
eslat
er,It
riedscreamingbuthewas
havi
ngnoneofi t
.

Hedroveoffi
ntotalspeed,whati
fhei sgoi
ngt
okil
l
me?Imeanhei sat ot
alstr
anger,Ibangedt
heback
wi
ndscreenofthecartil
lIgott
ir
ed.

Me:"
What
..
..
whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"

Hi
m:"
Iwantyout
ogot
oschoolandst
opwi
thyour
nonsense"

Me:"
Whoar
eyout
otel
lmewhatt
odo?
"

Hi
m:"
I'
m Sanel
e,Sanel
eNhl
aphot
hat
'swhoIam"

Si
gh!
!!
Hei
saj
erk.

[
Thando]

TwinnyandIareatt her
est
aurant,ohbyt heNdal o
i
stwinny.Honestl
yIam happywear esist
ers,as
muchasi tcameasashockbutI 'm glad.Mymom
wastheonlygir
lf
riendIhadsi
ncebot hmysi bl
ings
ar
eboysbutnow! !
!!ButnowbitchesIgotasi ster.

Ndalo:"
DadwantsmetogobackhomeinKZN,
ThandoI'
m notr
eadyt
ofacet
hosepeopl
e"
Me:"
Whenl
astdi
dyouseeyourAndi
le"

Ndal
o:"
Hai
boThando!
!Di
dyouhearwhatIsai
d?"

Me:"
Yeahyeah. .
..
whini
ng,whi
ningandwhi ni
ng.
Ndal
othat'
snotwhyIt ookyouout.Dadtoldme
andwereal
lyaregoingtosupportyou,
letyour
bl
oodfl
owpl ease"

Ndalo:"
Okaykeh,
wel
lIhaven'
tseenAndi
lesi
nce
..
..
it
sbeen2or3days."

Damn!
!!
!Whoonear
thi
sthat
???
?

Twohandsomebrother
s,Idon'
tevenhavet
oask
thoset
woarebr
others.
Me:"OhmyGod!
!!
Theyar
ecomi
ngt
oourt
abl
e
Ndalo"

Ndal
o:"
Who?
"

Me:"
Them!
!"

Icoul
dn'
tpoi
ntt
hem becauset
heywer
ecl
oser
.

Guy1:"
Ladi
escanwej
oinyou?Al
lthet
abl
esar
e
ful
l"

Me:"
Ummm.
..
."

Ndal
o:"Yeahsur
eyoucansi
t"

Theybot
hsatdown.
Me:"
Ofcour
se,
whynot
"

Hai
bo!
!!
!Thandowhat
'swr
ongnow?

Guy1:"
AreyouokayNt
okazi
?"

Me:"
Me?Uhm.
..
yeah,
I..
.I
'm good"

Guy2:"
I'
m Sanel
eandmybrot
herher
eisSi
yanda
wearet
heNhlaphobrot
her
s"

Wai
twai
twai
t!
!!
TheeNhl
aphobr
other
s??
?

Ndal
o:"
Nicetomeetyou,Iam Ndal
oyenkosiand
shei
sThando,wearesist
ers"
Siyanda:"
Nicemeet
ingyout
oo,
yoursi
steri
s
gorgeous"

Di
dIbl
ush?OhyessssIdi
d.

Me:"
Thankyou,
Younotshabbyyour
sel
f"

Thei
rfoodcame,Thi
sSiyandaguyblewmeaway, I
can'
trememberthel
astti
meIwasi narel
ati
onshi
p
butt
hisoneri
ghther
ehast obemine.

Wehadfun,conver
sat
ionfl
owingandbhut
iomdal
a
(
Olderbr
other
)andIexchangednumber
s.

#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Unedi
ted
Chapt
er14.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

"Haveyoueverlovedsomebodysomuchi tmakes
youcry?Haveyoueverneededsomethi
ngsobad
youcan'tsl
eepatnight
?Haveyouevertri
edtofi
nd
thewordsbuttheydon'tcomeoutr
ight
?Haveyou
ever?Haveyouever?"

That '
sthesongI '
mlisteni
ngto.Tr
uthIhaven' tbeen
abletogetAndi l
eoutofmyhead, Iwi shIcouldjust
bewi thhim,all
owhimt ol
ovemebecauseIt hinkI
feelthesamewayabouthi m.Iam justscared,My
ownmot hercouldn'
tloveme,Howcoul dat otal
strangerloveme?

OkaynoI
'
m cr
azy,
Astrangercanloveyou.Thando
l
ovedmewhenshedi
dn'tevenknowme.

"
Wakeywakey!
!!
!"
Okayt
henoi
sebegi
nsr
ightnow.

Thando:"
Andt
henwhat
'swi
tht
hesai
dsongs?Who
di
ed?"

Me:"
Comeonweallli
steni
ngt
otheseki
ndofsongs
fr
om t
imetoti
mebuti
tdoesn'
tmeanwearesador
someonedi
ed"

Thando:"
Hahaha, ver
yfunnyt
winny.Tr
ythatwit
h
someonewho' sneverbeeninl
ovebefor
e,sur
ely
theycanbel
ieveyou."

Isi
ghed,
whydoesshehavet
obesosmar
tcr
azy?

Me:"Apartof
,ahugeofmemi
sseshi
mtwi
nny.I
t
hinkI
..
.wel
lyouknow"
Shel aughedoutl oud,guysThando'senergyisoneI
don'tunderstand.It'
s07h30i nthemor ni
ngand
she'salreadyscreami ng.Wakingupandcomi ngto
myr oom isherdai l
yr outi
ne.Someti
messhesl eeps
i
nher eandf i
rstthi
ngshedoesi stell
ingmeabout
Siyanda.It'
sbeenaweeksi ncewemett hoseguys
andsi ncefrom thenit'
sei t
heronthephonecallor
texti
ngandsmi li
ngthr oughout
.

Thando:"Youcansayi tbabes,Youthinkyoul
ove.
TrustmeIcanseei tinyoureyes.Tellyouwhat
???
Gonear ethosewherewegi r
lswaitforaguyto
expresstheirf
eel
ingstous,wenowdoi taswel
l"

Iopenedmyeyeswi
de,
thi
sgi
rl
.

Me:"Whatdoyoumean?
Youdon'
tmeanI
..
..
.nono
noThando"
Thando:"Youar esmar taf
teral
l,Imeanexactlyt
hat
twinny,Wegonnabat handgot ohishouse,Youmy
dearwi l
ltel
ltheniggayou'vemissedhim andhe
willtakei
tfrom t
here.Youcan'twaitfort
oolong,
there'sawholelotofwomenouther eandI'
m sure
theywon' tmindhavinghim"

Thatt
houghtonl
yst
ings.

Me:"
Hel
lnoThandoI
..
..
."

Thando:"Hel
lyeahl
olo,
Nowlet'
sgoprepar
e
breakf
astsothatwecangoseeourl
ovedone"

Shewal kedout,
Igotupf rom thebedandwentt o
fr
eshenupt henchangedi ntodecentcl
osed.I'
m
sti
llnotusedtotheideaofhavi ngsomeone
cl
eaningmyr oom, l
etalonef i
xmybed.Tomet hat'
s
j
ustpur eabusetohelpers.Ifi
xmybedandj ustas
I'
m doneMam Mar r
ywal ksin,sheist
hehelper.
MaMar
ry:"
Sawubonasi
si,
sleptwel
l?
"

Me:"
YeboMa,
Isl
eptwel
l"

MaMarry:"
Am glad,
Youshoul
dn'
thavef
ixedt
he
bed,
Iwouldhavedonei
t"

Me:"NoMa, Iwon'
tal
lowyoutof
ixmybed,al
lyou
candoisjustcl
eanuphereandt
her
ebutthat
'sal
so
becausewehavesomewheretogo"

That"
somewher
etogo"makesmyhear
tbeatf
ast
er.
Anywaymyroom isr
eall
ynotdi
rt
y,It
ryt
oput
ever
ythi
ngi
nplaceal
ltheti
me.

Shenodsandst
artsdoi
ngherjob,Iwent
downst
air
sandfoundthem al
readyseat
edar
ound
t
het
abl
e.

Me:"GoodMor
ning"

Nkosi
:"Mor
ningsi
sOmncane"

Hecallsmethat
,Iam 25andheis28nohugegap
ther
ebutjeaddr
essesmeassi sOmncane,Imean
evenThandois25justl
ikemebuthesaysshetal
ks
alotandshe'
sverynaughty.

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Ul
elekahl
elol
o"

Me:"
YeboMr
s..
.ImeanMa,
howaboutyou?
"

MrsMdlul
i:"
Chil
dcal
lmeMr sMdlul
ionemoretime
andseewhatIwil
ldotoyou.Askt
histwi
nofyours,
Iwhi
pass.Idon'
tcar
ehowol dyouthi
nkyouare.I
am yourmom Ndalo,
achil
dofmyhusbandi
smy
chi
ldtoo.Il
oveyoubabyandyouneedt
ocal
lme
Mamzookay? "

Inodded, Ilookedatmydadandhewassmi l
ing.He
i
shappyt ohaveal lofusinoneroof,howeverwe
sti
llhaven'tdiscussedtheissueofi
nhlawuloand
megoi ngbackt oKwaMashu.

Themorningwentbytooquickl
y,ThandoandIhad
donebathi
ngandwel ookgoodinourfloraldr
esses
andsandals,
It'
sahotyetchi
ll
edSaturday.

Thando:"
Youst
il
lrememberwher
ehest
aysr
ight
?"

Me:"
YeahIdo"

Thando:"
Greatt
henl
et'
sgetgoi
ng"
Me:"
Butwhati
fwedon'
tfi
ndhi
m?"

Thando:"Hai
boweNdalo!
!!Yourexcuses,
Let
'sgo
pl
ease.Ifwedon'
tfi
ndhim wewillgopast
newscafe"

Il
aughed,
Mxm crazyass.Anywaywel
eftandon
ourwayoutMdl
uliwalkedi
n.

Dad:"
Okayf
lowergi
rl
swher
eto?
"

Thando:"Ngisayofuni
salenganiyakhoi
ndodakehla
l
am, I
shimil
ephel a"(I
'
m goingtohelpyourchi
ldf
ind
aman, sheissingle"

Hayi
niguys,
thi
schi
ldi
scr
azy.

Dad:"
Ungenayongokwakhoi
ndoda"(
Youdon'
t
haveamanyour
sel
f)

Wel
aughed.

Thando:"
PopscanIpl
easehaveR400f
orpet
rol
"

Dad:"
Unyi
lemnt
anam"
.

Justl
iket
hathewal
kedaway,
leavi
ngusl
aughi
ng.
Wedr oveoffandinnotimewewer eatAndil
e's
gate.Myheartbeat,but
ter
fl
iesinmystomach,do
youknowt hatfeel
ingofbei
ngnervoussomuch
thatyouli
keyouwannagot othet
oil
et?That
'sme
ri
ghtnow.

[
Andi
le]

I
'
m aboutt
ogooutt
oseeThabi
so,
hemessedup
andnowIhavet ogoandl ieforhimtoNonhle.I
warnedhim aboutAsanel e.Thi ngisNonhlefound
out,Apparent
lyshet ookt hephonewi t
hhertothe
sparebedroom andint hemor ningwhenhewoke
upthefir
stthi
nghewasl ookingf ori
shisphone,
that
'swhenher eal
isedt hatNonhl eisnotnextto
him.Helookedforherandf oundhercr yi
nginthe
sparebedroom wit
ht hephonenextt oher.

AsIwasaboutt
owalkout,Ireal
isedther
ear
e
peopl
eatt
hegate,
Ibuzzedthem in.

Theyknockedonthedoorandmyeyesf
ir
stl
anded
onNdalo,shel
ookednervous.

Me:"
Nda.
..
Ndal
o,Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"

Theladyshewaswi
thspoke,
theyl
ookver
ymuch
al
ike.
Her:"
Hel
lotoyoutooAndil
e,i
sthathowyougr
eet
someoneyouloveandyoursi
steri
nlaw?"

Si
steri
nlaw?
IthoughtNdal
owast
heonl
ychi
ld.

Me:"Pl
easecomei
n,canIgetyouanyt
hingt
o
dr
ink?"

Her:"
Somethingst
rongf
orme,
Iwi
llneedi
tsi
nce
I
'm aboutt
o..
..
."

Ndal
o:"
Um.
..
wat
erf
ormepl
ease"

Iwentt ogetthei
rdri
nk,damnshe'ssobeautiful
.My
heartisbeati
ngatar at
eIdon'tunder
stand.No
womanhasevermademef eelsoweak,Iam so
nervous.Ireal
lymissedherandIwasn'texpecti
ng
heratall.
It
ookt
hedr
inksandwentt
ojoi
nthem.

Thisot
herl
adyi
sbusyl
ooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
eson
thewal
l.

Her
:"Ni
cehouseyou'
vegot
"

Me:"
Thanks"

Sheisblabbi
ngawaybutshest
il
lhasn'
tint
roduced
her
self
.

Ndal
o:"
Thanks,
that
'smysi
sterThando"

Me:"
Idi
dn'
tknowyouhadasi
ster
"

Ndal
o:"Ial
sodidn'
tknowbutt
hat
'sast
oryf
or
anot
herday,Howhaveyoubeen?
"
Me:"
I'vebeengoi
ngcr
azy.Icamet
oyourfl
atandI
wastoldyoumovedoutwit
hacert
ainman"

Ndal
o:"
Thatwasmydad"

Iam r
eal
lyl
ostbutIwon'
taskf
ornow.Iam happy
shei
shere.

Thando:"
Ijustgavemysel fatouri
nyourhouse,
it'
s
pret
tygoodheybuti thasat ast
eofanot
herwoman
andmysi st
ercan'tstayhere"

OkaynoIam concl
udi
ngshehasnof
il
ter
.

Ndal
o:"
Hai
boThando"

Thando:"
What
?"
Shesatdownandl
ookedatusshesmi
led.

Thando:"
Mysi
sterwasmi
ser
abl
ewi
thoutseei
ng
you"

Me:"
Isi
t"

Thando:"
Hai
boLol
oyouhaven'
ttol
dhi
m?Whyar
e
wehereagai
n?"

Me:"
Tel
lmewhat
?"

Ndal
o:"
Ndondopl
ease"

Thando:"
Notwi
nny,LookAndil
eshereal
lyli
kesyou
andshecoul
dn'
tspendanotherdaywi
thoutseei
ng
you"
Myhearddidsomethi
ng,Judgi
ngfr
om Ndal
o'sl
ook
onhereyesIcant
ellthati
t'
str
ue.

Me:"Doyoumi
ndl
eavi
ngmewi
thher
?I'
l
lbr
ingher
back"

Thando:"Okay,pl
easebr
ingherback,
Idon'
twanna
bedeali
ngwi t
hmymom andherhusband"

Ichuckl
ed,
shet
ookhercarkeysandl
eft
.

It
ookmyphoneandt
ext
edThabi
so.

"Dudemywomani
sher
e,Ican'
tcomet
hrough.I
'
ll
seeyoul
ater
"

Her
epl
ied
"
FuckyouNdodamywi
fei
ssoangr
y"

Ser
veshi
mri
ght
.

Iwenttositnextt
oher,
Ihel
dherhandsand
real
isedsheisshaki
ng.

Me:"
Iloveyoumami
"

Ndal
o:"Pl
easedon'
thur
tme"

Me:"
Doyoul
oveme?
"

Shenodded.

Me:"Useyourwor
dsSt
handwasam,
Ineedt
ohear
yousayit
"
Ndal
o:"
I.
..
yesAndi
le,
Iloveyou"

Icl
osedmyeyes,l
ett
ingi
tsinki
n.Shei
smi
neandI
wil
lmendherbr
okenheart
.

Me:" Iwon'thurtyoumami,Il
oveyoutoomuchand
Iwillloveyoutil
ltheendofti
me,I
'
llf
ixal
lthe
brokenpi eces"

Tobeconti
nuedl
ater
,Ican'
thel
pitbaf
ethu.
..
..
..
I'
m
cel
ebr
ati
ng

I
Khosi
ii
ii
ii
ili
yenzaniebant
wini
Chapt
er14
Cont
inuat
ion

[
Thabi
so]
Imessedup, Imessedupbi gtime.SeeIcanlose
everyt
hinginmyl i
feIwouldn'
tcarebutnotmywi fe.
IloveNonhlewitheveryfi
breinme.Shei smyhigh
schoolsweetheart
,she'
sbeent her
ewhenIl ostmy
parent
sandl ostever
ythi
ngaswel l.Shewasthere
tohelpmepi ckupthepiecesandshegavemea
beauti
fulbabybutthat'
snotall
,Ijustloveher
,
l
ovingheriswhatGodcr eatedmef or
.
Thent here'
sAsanele,It
houghtitwasinf
actuati
on
orlustbutthroughmyf i
ghtwithNonhle,Ist
il
lcan'
t
getheroutofmyhead.It hi
nkIloveheraswell.But
howdoest hi
sevenwor k?ImeanIl ovemywi f
e,I
wouldki l
landdieforherbutIalsol
oveAsaneleand
Iwoulddi etobewithher.

AsIwasdeepi nthoughts,Ihear
dsomet hi
ngbeing
dragged,whenIl
ookedi twasNonhledragginga
l
uggage.Myhear trat
ewentuphi gh,
Ifeltdi
zzy
i
nstantl
y,Shecan'tbeleavi
ngmecanshe?Iwon' t
survi
ve.Iwil
ldi
e.
Me:"
Baby,
uyaphi
?"

Shekeptqui
et,
Irushedt
owar
dsherandhel
dher
hand.
Shel
ookedatmyhandwi
thsomuchdi
sgust
.

Nonhl
e:"
LeavemyhandThabi
so"

Ishookmyheadamul
ti
plet
imes.

Me:"Iam sorr
ybaby,Iam sorry.Pleasedon'
tleave
meNonhle,youaretheairthatIbreath,Howam I
supposet
oleavewithoutyou?"

Shehadt
ear
sbl
indi
nghereyes.

Nonhl
e:"
Youknowwhathur
tst
hemost
?Whathur
ts
themostThabi soisthatyouwer egivi
ngmeacol d
shoulderbecauseofanot herwoman, hadInot
foundoutIwoul dhavesuf feredacoldshoulderfor
days? ?Youwer eevenpr epar edtof
lytodurbanjust
tohavel unchwi t
hher ,shemustbever yspecial,
andohyouwer eevenpl anningonfooli
ngthe
STUPI Dloyalwi f
e,"Whatmywi fedoesn'
tknow,
won'tkil
lher".That'
swhatyousai d.
"

Iwentdownonmyknees,cal
lmesissybutIl
ove
hersomuchandi
fitmeanskneel
ingthensobei
t.

Me:"Bambol wam, pl
easemylovefor
giveme.Okay
don'
ttalktomef orhoweverl
ongyouwant,j
ust
don'
tleave,pl
easemama"

Nonhle:"
Youknowher e'
sthethi
ngThabiso,
incase
youhaven'tnoti
ced,Il
oveyousomuchandl eavi
ng
youissomet hi
ngI'dneverevenconsi
derbutri
ght
nowIneedspace, Ineedtobealone"
Me:"Soyounotl
eavingmemyl ove,
okayhow
aboutwegotobealonetoget
her"

Shehel
dinlaught
erbutshequi
ckl
ywentbackt
o
bei
ngseri
ous.

Nonhl
e:"Ni
cetry,Iaskedmymom t
ostaywitht
he
chi
ldt
il
lIam back,I'
l
lbegonef
oraweekifnott
wo"

Me:"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"

Nonhl
e:"
That '
snotf
oryout
oknowThabi
so,
byemy
f
li
ghtwil
lleaveme"

Me:"
Whowi l
lcookf
ormewhenyouar egone
mama,youknowIam badatcooki
ngandIhate
t
akeouts"
Nonhle:"Icookedforyouf oodt hatwilllastforthis
weekandputi ti
ncont ai
ners,allyouhavet odoi s
warmi tup,forthefol
lowingweekIcal ledt hechef
andtoldhimt ocome, ohhIf orgotyoust i
llhavean
opti
onofcal li
ngyourgi r
lf
ri
endAsanel eamdt ellher
thefoolisgoneshecancomet hroughandcookf or
you"

Me:"
Baby.
..
"

Nonhl
e:"
Bye"

Justl
iket
hatshel
eft.HowcanItaketheloveshe
hasformeforgr
anted?Imeansheismadatme
butshest
il
lmanagedtoslavear
oundt hekit
chen
forme?ImessedupandIneedtof i
xthis.

[
Andi
le]
It'
s8h00i ntheeveni ngandI '
m onl ydr ivingNdalo
homenow, wespokeaboutal otoft hings, notthatI
hadmucht otellbutheront heot herhand, shehad
al ottotellme, mostofwhi chIal readyknowbut
hear i
ngt hem from hermeantal otbecausei t
meansshei slear ni
ngtotrustme.Iwi shIhadmet
herear li
erandsaveherf rom thet hingsshewent
throughbutast hesayinggoest her e'snouse
cryingoverspi ltmi l
k,what'
sdonei sdone.Iam j ust
promi singmysel ftobethebestIcanbe, Iloveher
andseei nghercr ywhenshewast alkingt ome
aboutherpastbr okemyhear t
.Icoul dn' teventel
l
heraboutherf riendandmot her.HowdoIeven
breaki tdownt oher ?Iwi
llj
ustwai tandwi thti
me,
I'
lltel
lher .

Ndal
o:"
Yougood,
you'
vebeenawf
ull
yqui
et"

Me:"
I'
m goodmami
,Iam j
ustt
hinki
ng"
Shenoddedandherphoner
ang.

Ndal
o:"
Khehl
alam"
.
..
..
..
..
..
.

Ndal
o:"
I'
m act
ual
lyout
sidebaba"
.
..
..
..
..
..
..

Shel
aughedandhungup.

Ndal
o:"
Thatwasmydadaski
ngwher
eam I
?"

Luckyenough,j
ustthatmomentwewereatt he
gate,
Itookherhandandlookedi
ntohereyes,she
l
ookedaway.

Me:"
Lookatmebaby"
Shesl
owl
ydi
d.

Me:"
ThankyouNdal
o"

Ndal
o:"
Forwhat
?"

Me:"Fortr
ustingme, foropeningupyourhear tf
or
me, f
oral
lowingmet oloveyouandf orl
ovingme
back.Ipr
omisemami ,Ipromisenothur tyouat
l
eastnotint
ent i
onall
y,Iam notper f
ectbutI'l
lmake
suremyimper fect
ionsneverhur tyou"

Shenodded.

Me:"
Iloveyouokay?
"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"
Me:"
CanIgetagoodni
ghtki
ss?
"

Shel
ookedaway.

Me:"Iwon'thur
tyoubuti
fyounotr
eadyI
underst
and".

Ndal
o:"I'
veneverki
ssedaguybef
ore,
exceptf
or
my..
.youknow"

Isi
gheddeepl
y,t
hatmanbr
okeher
.

Me:"
Areyour
eadyt
oki
ssme?
"

Shesmi
ledandnodded.
Ndal
o:"
But
..
.I
..
.Idon'
tknowhowt
oki
ss"

Shewasshywhenshesai
d,whi
chmadehereven
morecut
er.

Me:"
All
owyourmant
oshowyou,
justgowi
tht
he
f
low"

Shesi
ghedandnodded,
shedoest
hatal
ot.
Iwentclosertoher,broughtherfaceclosertomine,
shewasi nhali
ngmybr eatheasIwasdoi ngthe
samet ohers,sheclosedhereyesandIsl owly
workedmagi conherl i
ps.Theyar esoft
,abitsmall
andjuicy,Mkhathi
nidownt her
estart
edtwitchi
ng,I
guessshewasenj oyingt hekissbecauseshe
star
tedholdingmyf ace.

Aft
ersometi
me,wepull
edout
.Myeyeswer
eno
l
ongerseei
ngcl
ear
ly.
Shel
ookeddown.

Me:"Thatwasmagi
calbabe,
yourl
ipsar
esosweet
andsoft"

Shebl
ushed,
Iki
ssedherhandt
henherf
orehead.

Me:"Letmenotkeepyou,
dadwi
llcomeher
eand
ki
llme"

Shel
aughed,
shedoesn'
ttal
kmuch.

Me:"
Luncht
omor
row?
"

Ndal
o:"
Yeahl
unchi
tis"

Igotoutandwentt
oopent
hedoorbyhersi
de,
she
gotoff
.
Ihuggedhert
ight
lyandbabyki
ssedher
.

Me:"
Okaybyet
hen,
Iloveyou"

Ndal
o:"
Bye"

Shewal kedof
f,Ij
uststoodt
her
ewatchi
ngher
disappear,
Whenshewasnol ongeri
nsi
ght
,Igoti
n
thecaranddroveoff.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
Ndal
o]

Welcomeyetagai ntomystor
y,myjour
neyto
heali
ng,beinghappy,f
indi
ngmysel
fand
experi
encingupsanddownsbeginshere.

#GoodMor
ning
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er15
Thebegi
nni
ngoft
heendofmypai
n.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

DrA:"
Wel
comeNdal
o,howar
eyout
oday?
"

Me:"
I'
m doi
nggoodDoc,
howar
eyou?
"

DrA:"I
'
m goodandhappytohearthatyouar
egood.
Sohowareyoufeel
i
ngaft
erourlastsessi
on?
"

Me:"
Ifeelali
ttl
ebitl
ight
erbutIsti
llt
hinkt
her
e'sa
whol
elotthatneedstobeoffloaded"

DrA:"Onestepatt
het i
meNdalo,
Forthepast
monthIhavebeenprepari
ngyouf
orthereal
pr
obl
em,
areyour
eady?
"

Inodded.

DrA:"
Youneedtouseyourownwor
ds,
youar
e
doi
ngthi
sforyour
sel
f"

Me:"
I'
mready"

Dr
:"Gr
eat
,let
sgetdownt
ooursessi
onf
ort
oday"

Okayl etmet akeyouthroughwhathappened

dur i
ngthepastmont h.Yesi t
'sbeenamonthsi
nceI
startedtherapy,Amont hsinceI'
vebeenina
relati
onshipwi t
hAndileandhei saperf
ect
gent l
emanandamont hsincemydadgotThando
andIapl acetostay.
MydadandIspokeabouti
nhl
awul
oandItol
dhimI
wasn'
treadyt
ogobackKwaMashu,I
'
m st
il
lnot
r
eady.
Hethensuggest edthatIgetint
ot herapybecauseI
havelotthatneedstobedeal twit
h, Atfi
rstIwas
hesit
antbutThandoal somademer eali
sethatifI
wanttomakemyr el
ati
onshipwithAndi lework,I
mustattendi t
.That'
swhenIdeci dedt ogof ori
t,Dr
Abrahamscomeshi ghlyrecommendedsoIhave
beenattendingmysessi onswithherf orthepast
month.

DrA:"SoNdal
owhatwereyouhopi
ngf
orwhenyou
t
oldyourmom aboutt
herape?
"

Iwashopingthatshewoul
ddowhatmot
her
sdo
obvi
ousl
y!!
!Pr
otectme.

Me:"Iwant
edhert
opr
otectme,
Tobel
ievebutshe
chosehi
m"

DrA:"
Didt
hatbr
eakyouaswel
l?
"
Me:"
Ifanyt
hing,
herr
eact
ioni
swhatbr
okememor
e
t
hantherape"

Shekeptonwri
ti
ngdownandasf
orme,
Iwasi
n
tear
sasusual
.

DrA:"
Woul
dyousayyouhat
eyourmom?
"

DoI
?

Me:"
Idon'
tknow"

DrA:"Okaythatwil
lbeallfortoday,Iwantyoutogo
homeandwr i
teali
stofwhatwer eyour
expectat
ionsfr
om yourmom andont heotherli
st
writ
edownal lt
hatyouaref eel
ing,wewillt
alkabout
theli
stsonournextsession"
Me:"
Okayt
hankyou"

Shehandedmeat
issue,
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
sanddr
ank
water
.

WehuggedandIl
eft
.

Ideci
dedtogot
othemal
ltogetaf
ewgr
ocer
ies,
thenr
equest
eduber
.
Myphoner
ang.

Me:"
Hey"

Andi
le:"
Baby,
howar
eyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m okay,
howar
eyou?
"
Andil
e:"
I'
m goodexceptt
hefactthatIhavet
onsof
worktodo,howwasyoursession?"

Me:"
Itwasf
ine"

Andi
le:"
Justf
ine?
"

Me:"
Yeahj ustf
inebabe,
myuberj
ustar
ri
ved.Let
mecallyouwhenIgethome"

Andil
e:"
Okaybabylook,
canIpickyouuptoni
ghtso
youcansleepover
?Ther
e'ssomethi
ngimport
antI
needtotel
lyou"

Whatcoul
ditbe?
Iam scar
ed.

Me:"
Ummhokayt
hen"
Andi
le:"
Iloveyoubaby"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Wehungandyheuberl
eft
,Hesoundedser
iousand
nowI
'm socur
ious.

Arri
vingathome, i
tsquite.MissPhysiot
herapi
st
wentt owork.Iam al
laloneandi t
'sreal
ly
fr
ustrati
ng,Ideci
dedI'
llregist
eratcoll
egesoonas
I'
vehealedproperl
ybecauseIcan' tcarr
yemotional
andacademi call
oadatt hesamet ime.

[
Thabi
so]

MywifeandIar
enotinagoodposit
ion,Ihave
f
ail
edherasahusband.AsmuchasI '
veapologi
sed
f
ortal
kingt
oAsanel
e,Ihaven'
tst
oppedtalki
ngto
her.Tr
uthi
sshereall
ystol
emyheartandIdon'
t
knowhowt ogetovert
hiswhol
ethi
ng.
Ithi
nkshef eel
sthesamewayaboutmebecause
forthepastmonth, wehavegott
encloser,Iwentto
seehert hi
sonetimeandIhaveneverf eltt
hatway
before.Don'
tgetmewr ong,Il
oveNonhl ebutthey
arediffer
entandIloveeachoneofthem diff
erent
ly.
TodayIam wor
kingf
rom home,
soIdeci
det
otake
abreakandcal
lAsa.

Lucki
lysheanswer
sont
hesecondr
ing.

Asa:"
Youl
ikedi
str
act
ingmedon'
tyou?
"

Me:"
Tel
lmeyoudon'
tli
ket
heat
tent
ion"

Shegi
ggl
ed.
Asa:"
Wel
l.
..
.whatcanIdof
oryouMr
?"

Me:"
Ijustmi
ssyourvoi
ceMa'
am "
Shel aughed,j
ustasIwasaboutt ot
alk,
Nonhle
clearedherthroat
,Iquickl
yhungupandsl owly
turnedtolookather,Icouldn'
treadherexpr
essi
on
properlybutIcouldseepain.

Nonhl
e:"
Youl
oveherdon'
tyou?
"

Ikeptqui
te,
Ican'
tli
eandsayno.

Me:"
BabyI
..
..
."

Nonhl
e:"
Doyouordoyounotloveher
Thabi
so?
??Sur
elyi
tcan'
tbehardsayi
ngYesIdoor
noIdon'
t"
Il
ookeddown.

Nonhl
e:"
Thesi
lencei
sloud,
Thabi
sol
etmego"

Istoodupandwentt
oherbutshequi
ckl
ymoved
backwards.

Me:"
Iloveyoubaby,
Ican'
tletyougo"

Nonhl
e:"
Butyoual
sol
oveher
"

Me:"
Iloveyoubot
h"

Sheletoutasobandrantoourr
oom,
Ifol
lowedher
butshehadalreadyl
ocked.
Isi
ghedandbeggedhertoopenbutshedidn't
,she
keptqui
etbutIcoul
dhearhersni
ff
s.Iam hurt
ing
herandIvowednotto.Whatki
ndofamonst eram I
?
Ihavet
ot r
yandf or
getaboutt
hiscr
ushIhaveon
Asanel
e,Ican'
tlosemywife.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

AtNdal
oandThando'
spl
ace.

Thandogotbackfr
om workanhouragoandis
prepar
ingher
sel
fforadi
nnerdat
ewithSiyanda.

Thando:"
Sot
winnyhowdi
dtoday'
ssessi
ongo?
"

Ndalo:"Iwoul
dn'tsaythere'
sanychangebecause
weonl yst
art
edtalkingaboutther
ealissuetoday
andwehaven'tevendwel l
edmuchi ntoitbuti
twas
okaybecauseItalkedaboutsomet hi
ngs"

Thando:"
Okayl
ove.You'
l
lheal
,i
twi
llt
aket
imebut
i
twi
llhappenevent
ual
ly.Tel
lmewhenyouneedme
t
oat
t endwit
hyouokay?"

Ndal
o:"
Thankstwinny,f
oreveryt
hing.Iwoul
dn'
tbe
her
ehaditnotbeenforyourki
ndness"

Thando:"Don'tmenti
onit,howeverI'
vebeen
meaningt oaskyou.Rememberwhenwef i
rstmet
youtoldmeaboutyoursi sterandyouhaven'theard
orseenhereversincethattime,Don'tyout
hinkwe
shouldlookforher?Anywayhowi ssheyoursi st
er
becauseyousai dyoutheonl ychi
ld?
"

Ndal
oneverstoppedthi
nkingaboutPhuml
a,
wheneversheprayssheasksGodtokeephersaf
e.

Ndal
o:"Idon'tknowwher eshewentreall
y,andI
worr
yal otabouther.Sheisonly15Thando, What
coul
dshepossi blybedoingwhereversheis?
Anywayshei snotmyl i
tt
lesist
erbybloodor
anyt
hingcloset
othat,
wemeti
nthest
reet
s,she
camewhenshewas12andwebecamecl ose,If
elt
theneedtoprot
ecther
"

Thando:"Wewil
ltr
yandl
ookforhertwi
nnydon'
t
worry.Howar
ethingswi
thAndi
le?"

Ndal
o:"OhIwasabouttotellyou,heiscomingto
pi
ckmeupi nanhour.Iam sleepingoverathi
s
pl
ace,appar
ent
lyhehassomet hi
ngheneedstotell
me."

Thando:"
Oh,Iwonderwhati ti
s.Buttwi
nnyyou've
madequietaprogressyouknow, atf
ir
styoudidn'
t
wanttosl
eepoveratAndi l
e'
sbutnowi t'
sget
ti
ng
bet
terandeasi
er.Iam proudofyou."

Ndalosmil
ed,anhourl
aterAndi
lecame,Ndal
olef
t
wit
hhim andThandofol
lowedaftert
hem.
AtAndi
le'
shouse.
Andil
ehador
der
edf
oodforthem,
theywer
enow
watchi
ngamovi
ewhi
leeat
ing.
Itwasquiet
,onl
ythesoundofchewi
ngandTVwas
audibl
e.
Andi
lebr
oket
hesi
lence.

Andi
le:"
Baby"

Ndal
o:"
Babe"

Andi
le:"Ineedt
otellyousomet
hing,
please
pr
omi seyouwon'tbemad"

Ndal
ofr
owned,
herhear
tbeat
ingf
ast
er.

Andi
le:"
Promi
semeMami
"
Ndal
o:"
Ican'
tpr
omi
seyouAndi
lepl
easet
alk"

Andi
le:"
YouknowIl
oveyour
ight
?"

Hewasnervous,moreespeci
all
ybecausehedi
dn'
t
knowwhatherreact
ionwouldbe.

Ndal
o:"
YeahIknow"

Andil
e:"Andyouknowt hateveryt
hingIdot
hat
i
nvolvesyou,IdoitbecauseIl oveyouandIhave
yourbestint
erestatheart"

Ndal
o:"
Andi
let
alkpl
ease"

Andi
le:"
Okay,
remembert
hatt
imeyoubr
okedown
att
heparki
nglot
?"
Ndal
o:"
Uhm yeah"

Andil
e:"ThatdayIdeci
detofi
ndapr i
vate
i
nvesti
gatortodoabackgroundcheckonyou, Iwas
curi
ousast owhyyouwer ebreakingdown,Icould
seethattherewasalotofemotionshiddeninyou
andIwant edtofi
ndoutwhatitis,sothePIfound
your.
..
..
"

Ndal
o:"Youdi
dwhat?Whothehellgaveyouthe
aut
hori
tytodoabackgr
oundcheckonme? "

Andi
le:"
Babypl
easel
ist
en"

Ndal
o:" Donot!
!!
!Donott el
lmetol i
stenAndile!
!!I
don'
tcar ewhatyouf ound,youhadnor ightt
ogo
anddigmypastyouhearme, norightatall
.Yougo
andinvademypr ivacy,mypastandyoucomeher e
andtellmeyouloveme?Okayf ine!!
!!
FineAndil
e,
Youwentanddugmypast
thenwhat???
whatareyouplanni
ngt
odo?Ifyou
weresohellbentonknowi
ngwhyIbrokedown,
couldn'
tyouaskme?"

Shewasf
umi
ng,
andcr
ying.

Andi
let
ri
edt
ouchi
ngherbutshest
oodup.

Ndal
o:"
Don'
t!
!!
Don'
ttouchme,
Iam l
eavi
ng"

Shet
ookherbagandphone,
request
eduber
.

Andil
e:"Sthandwasam I'
m sorry,
IagreeIwent
aboutitthewrongway,Ishouldn'
thavemamiandI
apol
ogise.Iwasjustworri
edaboutyouandI
wantedtomakesur ethatwhom everbrokeyou
paysbutt ur
nsout,
heisalreadypaying"
Ndalo:"Idon'tneedaheroAndi l
e,Ineedamanwho
wil
llovemeasIam andwal kwithmeasIhealnot
amanwhowi l
lwanttobespidermanofmyl i
fe,I
am sickandt ir
edofmenwhot hinktheycanjustdo
astheypl easeinmylife,
itsei
theryoulovemeasI
am andhol dmyhandi nmyheal i
ngjourneyorleave
met hehel lal
one,Youdon'tgoaroundinvest
igati
ng
mypast ."

Justt
hent
heuberar
ri
ved.

Andi
le:"
BabyI
'
m sor
ry,
pleasedon'
tleave"

Ndal
o:"
ByeAndi
le,
soonasyoustopt r
yingt
obe
spi
dermani
nmyl i
fewewil
ltal
k,Ineedamannota
her
o"

Justli
ket hatshelef
t,Andi
lestoodther
edefeated
butrel
ievedt hathet
oldherthetrut
h,Hetold
hi
msel fthatonewayort heotherhewillf
ixt
hings
wi
thher
.

I
ntheuber
.
Ndal
owasaski nghersel
fwhatAndil
efound,
she
di
dn'twanttohearhi
m sayitt
houghbecauseshe
wasn'tr
eadytoheari
t,butmostofal
lshewas
wonderi
ngwhathemeantwhenhesai d"Hei
s
payi
ngalready"
.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er16.

[
Thando]

Iam i
mpat
ient
lywai
ti
ngfort
hisguyatSanDeck,
Whodoeswhatheisdoi
ngri
ghtnowanyway?
Keepi
ngaper sonwait
ingonyourfi
rstof
fi
cialdat
e?
Wellt
hat'
swhathesai d"Let
'sconsi
derthi
sourf i
rst
off
ici
aldate"hiswordsnotminebutnowhei s
nowhereinsight,
Mxm.
Ijustrai
semyhandf orthewaitersothatIcan
settl
emybi l
l.Iam l
eaving,t
here'snowayIcanwai t
anylongerthanIhave.I '
vebeensitt
inghereli
kea
foolforanhour,watchingcouplesgetti
ngalll
ovey
dovey.

Wai
ter
:"CanIr
efi
llyourdr
inkmaam?

Me:"Not
hanks,
Iwon'
tbest
ayi
nganymor
e.CanI
gett
hebi
ll
?"

Wai
ter
:"Sur
e,comi
ngr
ightup"

Hecamebackwi
thmybi
ll
,Ipai
dandst
oodup.
"
Thando!Pl
easedon'
tleaveI
'
m sor
ryIcamel
ate"

Iment
all
yrol
ledmyeyes.

Me:"
Okaynopr
obl
em,
bye"

Il
ef thi
m st
andingthere,doesheser i
ouslythi
nkI'
m
sti
llint
hemoodt osi ther
eanyl ongerthanIhave?I
walkedout,Icoul
df eelhi
mf oll
owingmebutdi d
youeverseeanangr ygir
lwalki
ngi nheels?Iwas
onsomel eft
,ri
ght,June,jul
ymovi ngmyhi ps.

Yanda:"
Babywai
t,l
i
stent
ome.CanIj
ustexpl
ain?
"

Baby?Argghwhatever.Iknowyouar ejudgi
ngme
fornotgivi
nghim achancet oexpl
ainbutIthi
nkhe
hadapl atf
ormtoexplai
nr i
ghtinhi
spocketbuthe
chosenott o,
yeshehadhi scell
phone,whynotcal
l?
Iturnedslowly,
whi
lebreat
hingi
nandoutjustt
o
calm myselfdownbecauseIknowmylevelof
crazinesscanbeonsteroi
ds.

Yanda:"
I'
m sor
ryThando"

Ohbyt heway,
Ical
lhim Yanda,shortf
orSiyanda.I
meancomeonguys, Si
yaisover r
ated,okaymaybe
notbutyahi
t'
stoocommonf ormyliki
ng.

Me:"Wellyouaresor
ryasyoushoul
dbe,youkept
mewai ti
ngforanhouranacoupl
eofminutesso
yesSiyandayoureal
lyshoul
dbesor
ry"

Yanda:"Canwegot alki
nmycaratleast
?Lookwe
aredrawingunnecessar
yat
tent
ion"

Me:"Fi
ne"
Wewal
kedsi
lent
lyt
othepar
kingandgoti
ntohi
s
car
.

Het r
iedhol
dingmyhandbutIgavehimthefamous
bit
chyThandolook,theonet
hat
'ssayi
ng"Keep
yourhandstoyourself
"
Andboydi
dheobey.

Yanda:"
I'
m sor
ryhoney"

Me:"Isweari
fIhearyoursor
ri
esonemor
eti
me,
I'
m
goi
ngt ogocr
azy"

Siyanda:"Okaysoher e'
sthet hi
ng,myyoung
brotherSanel e,
youmethim.Heoncer escuedagirl
atsomebr otheli
nJoziCBD, hetookheri nandtold
hershehast ogobackt oschoolnextyear ,soasI
wasdr ivi
ngcomi ngt
oyou,hecal l
edmeandt ol
d
mehe' satt hehospit
al,
thegirlcol
lapsedandhad
foam comi ngoutofhermout h,Ihadt oturnback
andgot ot hehospitalbecauseIknowSanele
doesn'tfuncti
onwel linsuchmoment s,
Ihadtobe
thebrainsbecauseIknewhewoul dbepani
cking,
andjustasIhadt hought,hewasinpanicmode.
Whent heyr anthetests,theyf
ounddrugsinher
syst
em"

AndIreall
yfeelsor
ryf
ort
hatgi
rl
,honestl
yIdobut
hest
il
lisn'
ttel
li
ngmewhyhedidn'tcal
lme?

Me:"
Andyoudi
dn'
tcal
lmebecause?
"

Yanda:"
Iwassof ocusedonthesituat
ion,Idi
dn't
thi
nkIwoul
drunoutoft imebutwhenIr eali
sed,I
gotsoscar
edofcal l
ingyousoIjustdecidedto
comeherestr
aightfrom t
hehospit
al"

Me:"
OkayYanda,
sohow'
sthegi
rl
?"
Yanda:"
I'
m notsurebecauseIl
eftbef
oretheycoul
d
updat
eusmor e,butI
'l
lgocheckthem l
ater"

Later
?Thisguymara,
whatcoul
dbemor
elat
ert
han
thi
s?It'
s8h30pm andhesaysl
ater
.

Me:"
There'
snolaterthant
hisl
aterYanda,what
wasyourbr
otherdoingatt
hebrothelanyway?"

Hel aughed,okaystupi
dquest
ionbutseri
ousl
y
though,Saneleisthatki
ndofguywhocangetany
kindofgirlhewants,whygofuckatthebrot
hel
?

Yanda:"
Iwon'
tanswert
hat
,soam If
orgi
ven?
"

Hegavemepuppyeyes, andboyohboyi
sheso
cute.Someparent
sdoknowhowt omakekidst
rust
me.I ndodaempi
shol
oyomzulu(Abl
ackZul
uman)
Lolthewor dMpi
shol
oremindsmeofmyhigh
schoolf
ri
ends,
weusedtohat
eusi
ngtheword
Mnyamawhendescri
bingabl
ackman,Mpi
sholo
wasourword.

Yanda:"
Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?"

Gosh,Ihadzonedout
.Mymi
ndhadgonebackt
o
myhighschooldays.

Me:"
Me?l
aughi
ng?
"

Hel
aughedagai
n,showi
nghi
sper
fectwhi
tet
eet
h.

Yanda:"
Soam If
orgi
ven?
"

Me:"
Maybe,maybenot
.Didn'
ttheyt
eachyout
hat
whenyouapol
ogi
setoalady,
youofferher
somet
hing?
"
Hahaha, that'
sthegol ddiggerinmespeaki ng.
TrustmeIhaveal mostever ythi
ngifnotent i
rel
y,I
am aphysiotherapi
st,Igetmoneyf rom mydad
fr
om timetot i
mef orsomewor kIdoathi s
companyandheal sogi vesmemont hlyal
lowance
butthatdoesnotst opmef r
om enj
oyi ngfr
eegifts
fr
om aman.

Yanda:"Thenconsi
dert
hatsor
ted,
youbeaut
if
ul
youknow?"

Me:"
YeahIknow"

Yanda:"
Youshoul
djustsayt
hanks"

Me:"
Youaskedmei
fIknowandwel
lIknowso.
..
."

Hesmi
rkedandshookhi
shead.
Yanda:"
It
'sl
ate,
letmedr
iveyouhome"

Me:"Incaseyoudidn'
treal
isemycarisaBMW i
8,
thatcarcost
salotsoI
'm notreadyt
ohavei
t
stol
en"

Hel
aughed,
Iguesshedoest
hatal
ot.

Yanda:"
AndsoI '
venot
iced,t
hat'
swhyIpl
anon
havi
ngitdel
iver
edtoyoujustassoonaswear
ri
ve"

Igavethat"
Getitst
olenandyou'
l
lknowwho
ThandoMdlulii
s"ki
ndalook.

Me:"
Okayt
henl
et'
sgo"

Hedr
oveof
f,wehadj
ustt
alkedandhet
oldmehe'
l
l
maket
hisdat
eupt
ome.

Wear
ri
vedandIheadedst
rai
ghtt
othehouse.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Iam sit
ti
ngal onei nthedar k,honestl
yaf t
erlashing
outonAndile, Ifeelterr
ibl
eyetI '
ml ef
twi t
ha
thousandquest ionsandonl yhim cananswer ,but
themainquest i
oni sam Ireadyt ohearwhathehas
tosay?Iti
swi t hnodoubtt hathelovesme, I'
vesee
nthatacoupl eoft imes, t
hewayhet alkstome, the
wayheact sar oundme,t hewayhet ouchesme, it
's
l
ikeIam agl asst ohi m.Buti nal
lhonesty,nomat t
er
howmuchyoul oveaper son, doyour eall
yhavet o
doabackgr oundcheckont hem?

OkayI'
veneverdonet
hisr
elat
ionshi
p/l
ovet
hingbut
i
fthi
sishowyoudot hi
ngsthenAndizi
.
Iam snif
fing,yesI'
m cryingbecausenomat t
er
whatIdot hepastt hatI'
mt ryi
ngt orunawayf rom,
i
nor dertohealcompl etel
yIhavet ofaceit
,butI'm
notready.I'
m notreadyt oseemymom orhear
whatshehast osay,I'
m notr eadytoseet hatrapist
ofher,I
'mj ustnotreadytogot her
eandr eli
vethe
pastbutDrAi nsi
ststhatit
'salsoast eptohealing.

"
HawuNdal
odidn'tyousa.
..
..
wait
,ar
eyi
ucr
ying?
Whyar
eyousi
tti
ngi nt
hedark?"

That'
sThando,
Ididn'
thearhercomi
ng,
my
thought
shaveconsumedme.

Me:"
I.
..
.wel
lI'
m notcr
ying,
Ijust
..
."

Thando:"
Twinny,
whatswrong?Wer
en'
tyou
supposetobeatAndi
le'
splace?
"
Me:"Weki
ndofhadaf
ight
"si
gh"
NoIki
ndof
l
ashedoutonhi
m"

Thando:"
Lashedoutonhi
m because?
"

Tr
ustThandot
oaskyouquest
ionaf
terquest
ion.

Me:"Hedi dsomethi
ngwit
houtmypermi
ssi
on,okay
notthatyouwouldneedpermi
ssi
ontodoa
backgroundcheckonsomeonebutwhywouldhe
dothat?"

Shef
rowned.

Thando:"
Sohedi
dabackgr
oundcheckonyou?
"

Me:"
Yeah"
Thando:"
Didhet
ellyouwhy?
"

Itol
dhert
hest
oryaboutmybr
eakdownatt
he
parki
ngl
ot.

Me:"
Andsohesayst
hat
'shi
sreason"

Thando:"Asyouaresit
ti
nghereinthedar
k,didyou
evert
hinkthatmaybejustmaybeitwascoming
fr
om agoodheartLolo?ThatmaybeandI'm sayi
ng
maybelikeanyotherguyinl
ovehewasconcer ned
aboutyouandseeingcryhurthi
m? "

Me:"
Yahevensohe.
..
."

Thando:"
Notwi
nny,I'
m notsayi
ngIunder stand
yourpai
nandI'
m notsayi
ngbest r
ongbutt akea
momentandthi
nkhowmanymenar eyougoi ngto
punishf
oroneman'sevi
lness?Andil
elovesyou
andifyouwanttohealproperl
yal
lowpeopl
etofeel
thepai
nwithyou.I
'm notDrAbrahamsbutdoyou
knowwhatIthi
nkrightnow? "

Tearswer
enowcomingoutuncontr
oll
abl
y,Shei
s
ri
ghtandt
hetr
uthi
salwayshardtoadmit
.

Me:"
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
"

Thando:" Youar
enotreal
lymadatAndile,
youwer e
justscaredofwhathemightsayhefound,angisho
youar escaredoff
acingr
eali
tyanddealwithit
,so
youwer escaredbutyouwentabouti
tthewr ong
way"

Spoton,Ireal
lywasaf
rai
dofheari
ngwhathef
ound,
that'
swhyIstoppedhi
mf r
om t
alki
ngwhenhesai
d
"Ifound.
..
."
Me:"
YeahI'
m scar
edNdondoandIf
eelbadf
or
l
ashi
ngoutonAndil
e"

Shel
aughed.

Thando:"
Youareatr
ueMdlul
ist
ru,
WeMdl
uligi
rl
s
arecr
azybabesandwecanmakeamancr
awl"

Il
aughed,
sheal
wayshasawayofmaki
ngme
l
augh.

Thando:"Yey!!!
!She'
slaughing.Butseri
ouslythough
twinny,poormanmustbef i
ndingi
thardtosleep.
It
'senoughf orhim worryi
ngaboutyoubutnow
havingtowor ryabouttheangrygirl
fr
iend,youneed
tocallhim andapologise,
justtoputhim atease"

Wuuu,Ihavepri
deshamebutI'
llj
ustcal
lhi
m ke,
whatshal
lIsaycausevel
eI'
m onthewrong.
Me:"
Okay,
I'
llcal
lhi
m"

Thando:"
Good,
I'
m hungr
y"

Me:"
Hawudi
dn'
tyoueatatyourdat
e?"

Sher
oll
edhereyes.

Thando:"
Thatasshol
ekeptmewai t
ing,Iwai
tedf
or
anhourimagine,
soIdi
dn'
torderanyfood.Ij
ust
order
edadrink"

Weheadedt otheki
tchen,
warmeduppiesandtook
outjuice.Wewentt
oeatinthel
ounge,
Ihadn'
t
real
isedhowhungryam I.

It
hendeci
dedt
ocal
lAndi
le,
hepi
ckedupont
he
f
ir
str
ing,
li
kehehasbeenwai
ti
ng.

[
Andi
le]

CallmecrazybutIcouldn'
tsl
eepsoIdr ovestr
aight
toNdalo'
splace.Ar
rivi
ngatthegate,
Ijustpacked
mycarandt ookoutmyphone, Ihadabat t
leon
whetherIshoul
dcallherornot.I
'
vebeenher efor
about30mi nut
esorso.
Seei
nghercal
lIj
ustj
umped.

Me:"
Mami
"

Ndalo:"
Hey,sor
ryifIwokeyouup.I
..
.j
ustwantto
apol
ogiseforwhattr
anspi
redear
li
er,
Ishoul
dn't
havegoneMadeaonyou"

Il
aughedbuthonest
ly,
I'
m sor
eli
eved.
Me:"
I'
m out
side,
pleasecome"

Ndal
o:"
Youar
eout
side?Whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?
"

Me:"
About45mi
nut
esago"

Shel
aughed,Lor
dwhatcanIdotoalwaysmakeher
l
augh?Thesoundofherl
aught
ersoothesmyhear
t.

Ndal
o:"
I'
m comi
ng"

Shehungup.
Il
ovet
hiswoman.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er17.

AtTheHospi
tal
.

It
sbeenaweeksincePhumlawasadmi tted,they
managedtodrai
nthedrugsoutofhersystem
howevert
heysuggest
edthatshegoestor ehab.

Sanel
e:"
Sonotonl
ywereyoulet
ti
ngallki
ndsof
menhavethei
rwaywit
hyourbodybutyouwere
al
soondrugsPhumla?
"

Phumla:"Sanel
eyoudon'tknowmyst ruggl
esokay?
Youcomef r
om ari
chfamily,
theygaveyouthebest
i
neverythingwhil
esomeofushadt ogr owup"

Sanel
e:"
Doyoucal
lwhatyoudi
dgr
owi
ngup?
"
Phuml
a:"
That
'snott
hepoi
ntSanel
eandyouknow
i
t!
!"

Sanele:"
Thenwhat'
sthepointPhumla!
!!
What'sthe
poi
nt?Becausefr
om whereI'm st
andi
ngyouj ust
makinglameexcusesfort
hestupiddeci
sionsyou
made.

Theywentonandonar
gui
ngunt
ilSi
yandagoti
n.

Yanda:"
Okay!
!!
Don'
tki
lleachot
her
"

Theybot
hkeptqui
teandl
ookedathi
m.

Yanda:"
What
'sal
lthenoi
seabout
?"

Phuml
a:"
Iser
iousl
ydon'
tgetwhyhei
shel
pingme
i
fhe'
sgonnaj
udgemesomuch"

Yanda:"
Sanel
ewhat
'sup?
"

Hecl
enchedhisjawswhil
ehi
seyesbecamered,
he
wasnearcr
yingsohestor
medoutofthewar
d.

Phumla:"
Whyi
sheevenget
ti
ngal
lmadabout
thi
s?"

Yandasi
ghedthentookasi
tnextt
othebed,she
gavePhumlaasteer
spaperbagandajui
ce.

Phumla:"
Thankyou,t
hisi
sapr
ivat
ehospi
talIknow
butt
heirf
ood..
.ewwww"

ShemadeafunnyfaceandthatgotYandal
aughi
ng
andat
earescapedhiseye,
thatsor
tofgotPhuml
a
concer
ned.

Yanda:"Youknowwehadal it
tl
esist
er,shewasso
beauti
fulf
ullofl
if
eandshewasadr eamer ,
I
rememberhowherandSanel eusedtofight
,even
forsmallt
hings.Wel
ovedhersomuch, shewast he
onlygi
rlandthatmadeherourli
tt
lepr
incess"

Yanda'stearsweref
all
ingashewast
hinki
ngof
thei
rli
tt
lesister
.

Phuml
a:"
Whathappenedt
oher
?"

Yanda:"She.
..
shegothitbyacaronherwayf r
om
herfri
end'
splace,i
thitherandranof
f.It
'sbeen2
yearsnowsinceshepassedonandeversi nceshe
diedthi
ngshaveneverbeent hesame,shelef
ta
hugegap...
Okuhle,
thatwashername"
Phuml
a:"
Ist
hatwhySanel
eisact
ingt
hisway?
"

Yanda:"Most
lyyesbutotherthanthat,
hejustcar
es
foryou,
Idotoo.Seeingyouguysar guemakesme
wannalaugh,Ir
ecall
allt
heirarguments"

Phuml
a:"
Wassheyoung?
"

Yanda:"
Shecoul
dhavebeen15t
hisyearaswel
l
"

Phuml
a:"
I'
m sosor
ryt
oheart
hatSi
yanda"

Yanda:"
Ispoket
omyparent
s,t
oldt
hem aboutyou,
sotheyarel
ooki
ngf
orwar
dtomeeti
ngyou"

Phuml
anodded.

Si
yanda:"
From nowonwegonnat
reatyoul
ikeour
l
itt
lesist
er,
yourpresencewil
lbr
ingsomesortof
peaceandjoyinourhearts,
Youhavethesame
energyasKuhle"

Phumlasmi l
ed,theyspoketi
llvi
sit
inghoursare
over
,thedoctortoldt
hem shewi l
lbedischar
ged
tomorrow,
soSi yandalef
t.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Anger
!
Hat
e!
Resent
ment
!
Thel i
stgoesonandon, i
tisanewweek, andi t
s
Monday.Thedayf ormysessi onwithDrA i stoday,
Iattendmysessionsonceaweek.Wel lsinceyou
guysar enosyandIknowyouar ecuriousast o
whathappenedt heotherdaywhenAndi lesaidhe's
outside,t
hatdayIwasmadathi m.Wel lwef ixed
thi
ngs, heal
soapologisedbutIavoidedt hetopicat
al
lcost
s.

DrA:"Somebody'
smindisroami
ngar
ound,
car
eto
shar
ewhat'sonyourmind?
"

Whendi
dshegether
e?

Me:"
DrA,
hey"

DrA:"
Howar
eyouNdal
o?"

Me:"
I'
m goodt
hankyou"

DrA:"
Youseem r
eal
lydi
stur
bed,
what
'swr
ong?
"

Isi
ghedandlaiddownt
hest
oryofmysneaky
boyfr
iendandhowhehadmeinvest
igat
ed,
Itol
d
herhowIfeel
.
Dr:"
Sowhatisitt
hatyouar
escar
edof?Thet
rut
h
t
hathemighttel
lyouwhathef
ound?
"

Me:"
Wel
lyeah,
I..
..
Idon'
tknowi
fI'
mreadyt
oknow"

DrA:" Todayoursessi onwi l

lbebasedont hehome
tasksIgaveyoubutj ustanadvi ceonyoursi tuation,
seewhenyouat tendtherapyyoumakesur ether e's
nosecr et
sort hingsthatarelef tunsaid,youneedt o
faceeverythingsot hatyoucanst artoverona
cleanslate,onethingyouneedt oknowabout
therapyisthatitcanhel pyouhealcompl et
elybuti f
youhi desomet hingorrunawayf rom i
tthenknow
thatit
'snotwor thitbecausei twi l
lbelikeyout ook
therubberander asedeverythingandyou' l
lstart
overagain"

Inodded.
DrA:"SoIhopeyouwil
lbetal
kingtoyourboyf
ri
end
andaskwhathefound,ar
ewecl ear
?"

Me:"
Yeah,
Iwi
ll
"

DrA:"Nowl
et'
sgett
ooursessi
onf
ort
heday"

Shetookt
hebookf rom meandr eadal lthatI've
wri
tt
en,wediscussedeveryt
hingandIwasacr yi
ng
messbuttheheavyloadonmyshoul der sissl owly
bei
ngremoved,Iguesstal
kingandwr itingal so
hel
pedmeal ot,al
thought
hisi sajourney, Iam
wil
li
ngtot
akeitbecauseitwillhel
pme.

Aft
erthesessi
on,If
eell
ikeIcanf
ear
lessl
yask
Andil
eaboutwhathefound.

Oursessi
oncamet
oanend,
Ilef
t.
I
nDur
ban.

Asanelei
scur ledupont hefl
oor,
shedidn'tgoto
work.Herfiancefoundoutaboutherlunchwith
Thabisoandsawt hei
rtext
s.Hebeatherupandl ef
t
herlyi
nginapoolofbl ood.Hejustt
ookt hei
rchi
ld
toschoolthenwentt owork.

Shefoundithardt
ost andup,shecrawl
edwithher
st
omacht oreachforherphone.Shecal
ledan
ambulanceandwaitedwhilewinci
nginpain.

Tobecont
inuedt
ommor
owmor
ning.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Sor
ryf
ort
hel
atepost
,Iwassosobusy.
Chapt
er17.
Cont
inuat
ion

[
Nonhl
e]

IthinkIhavemadepeacewi t
hhowt hingsar
e,
Thabisoisinlovewit
hthatAsanelewoman.Iwas
hopingandpr ayi
ngthatwewouldbehappy
togetherf
orever,
Mbalenhl
eisjust4yearsol
d,she
sti
llneedsusbothinoneroofbutwithhowthings
are,Idon'
tthi
nkthatwil
lhappen.

Ialwaysf i
ndhi mlaughi
ngandbl ushi
ngwithhis
phone, hekeepsonapol ogisi
ngbuthonestl
yitgets
ti
ri
ng.SeeI 'm notonepersonwhot al
ksandfightsa
l
ot,Ijustletapersonbef ormyownsani t
y.

Mbal
i:"
Mommy"
Me:"
Yesbaby"

Mbal
i:"
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"

Damn! !
!!
ThelastthingIwanti
sf ormydaught ert
o
sensethetensioninthehouse,Ididn'
tevenreali
seI
am cryi
ng.Iquicklywipedt
hetearsandt houghtof
ali
e.

Me:"Mommyhasat
err
ibl
eheadachebabybuti
t
wi
llhealokay?
"

Shenoddedandwi
pedof
fmyt
ear
s.

Mbali
:"Whyi
sdaddynott
aki
ngustothepark
anymore?
Hedoesn'
tbuymeIcecr
eam anymore"
Mydaughteri
ssensi
ngal
lthi
stensi
onandt
hat
hur
tsalot
.

Me:"
Daddyisalwaysatworklove,
comel
et'
sgo
buyI
cecream andgotothepark"

JustthenThabisowalkedin,helookeddist
urbed.
Hegreeted,
kissedMbal iandtossedhisphoneand
carkeysonthet abl
e.

Mbali
:"Daddypleasejoi
nmommyandI,wear
e
goi
ngtobuyI cecream t
hengot
othepar
k"

Thabi
so:"Daddycan'
tmyangel,Iam r
ushi
ng
somewherebutIwil
lbr
ingyousomethingni
ce
okay?
"

Hedidn'
tevenwai
tforananswer
,hej
ustr
an
upst
air
s.
Iwentt ohisphoneandwowhehasapasswor d,
we'veneverhadpasswor dsonourphones.Itr
ied
Mbal enhle,i
tref
used,
Itr
iedherdateofbi
rt
hitsti
ll
refused,Itri
edallt
hepossi
bleopt
ionsbutnoneof
them wor ked.
"
Asanel
e"
Ithoughtt
omyself,cr
azyIknowbutsoonasI
presseddone,
itopened.Thathur
tal
ot,even
passwords?

Iwentt
ohisSMSsandgr
eat
!!
!!
Amessagef
rom
Asanel
e.
"HeyThabiso,I
'
m sor
rythi
sfri
endshi
porwhat ever
i
tishastoend.Myf i
ancefoundoutandbeatmet o
apulp,AsIam sendi
ngthi
smessageI '
ml yi
ngin
hospit
albed,pl
easedon'
tcontactmeeveragain"

Soshehasaf
iancebutdoeswhatshedoes?
Mydearhusbandr
epl
ied.
"
Tellmewhichhospit
alyouar
eat,
I'
llbethereina
f
ewhour s.Whet
heryoutel
lmeornot,I
'
llsti
llknow
whereyouare"

Sher
epl
iedwi
tht
hehospi
talname.

Iputhi
sphoneback,
tookmybagandkeys,
wel
eft
wit
hmybaby.
Thi
sisi
t,I
'
m done.Iam l
eavi
ng.

What'
sthepointoff
ight
ingt
his?Hel
ovesherand
t
here'
snothi
ngIcando.

Wewenttot hepar
kandIjustwat
chedmybabygir
l
pl
ayi
ng,shemeanst heworl
dtome.Lat
eronwelef
t
andIst
artedpacki
ng.
Mbal
i:"
Mommywher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"

Me:"
Todaywear
egoinguncl
eAndilebuttomor
row
mommyisgoi
ngtof
indabeauti
fulplacef
orus"

Mbali
:"Ar
ewegoi ngt
ost
aywi
thdaddyatour
beaut
if
ulhouse?
"

Me:"Nodaddyneedsspace,
hehasal
otofwor
k
buthewil
lcomevisi
tyouokay?
"

ShenoddedbutIcoul
dshewasnotconvi
nced.
Aft
erempt
yingbothourcl
oset
sIt
hrewt
hebagsi
n
t
hecaranddroveoff
.

[
Andi
le]

TosayI
'
m happywoul
dbeanunder
stat
ement
.I'
m
i
nloveandIl ovetheprogr
essI'm seei
ngwit
hNdal o.
Sheisnowl aughi
ngof t
en,shetal
ksanddoesn't
mindtal
kingaboutbitsandpiecesofherchi
ldhood.
Weareheadi ngsomewherer i
ght?
Nowsheislyi
ngonmychestaswearewat chi
nga
movieorl
et'
sjustsayt
hemoviei
swatchi
ngus
becauseweareinourownbubbl
eofl
ove.

Ndal
o:"
Sobabe"

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.

Me:"
Mami
"

Ndalo:"
Ithi
nkI
'
mr eadyt
ohearwhatyouf
ound
backinKwaMashu"

Iwashonestl
yshockedbecauseafewdaysago,
shedi
smissedmeandt ol
dmet oneverevert
alk
aboutt
his.

Me:"
Babe?
"

Ndalo:"
IknowwhatyouthinkingbutDrAadviced
met onotrunawayfr
om thetruth,i
nordert
ohealI
needtofaceever
ythi
ngthatincludesmypastand
wellI
'dal
soliket
ofacemyf ears"

Ihel
dheral
readyshaki
nghand.

Me:"If
oundyourbestf ri
endAsanele,apparent
ly
sheisal
soavict i
m ofrape,shewasrapedbyyour
fat
herwhenshewentt ol ookforyouandfoundt hat
youwerenotthere.ButAsanelegothim arr
estedso
he'
sbeeninjailsi
ncethen"

Shewassni
ff
ing,Icoul
dn'
tseeherf
acebecauseof
howshewaslyi
ngbutIcouldheart
hatshewas
cr
ying,Iwon'
tst
opherf
rom cr
ying,
Iwanthert
olet
i
tallout.

Me:" Sheledust oyourmom,shehasbecomea

drunkard.Ithi
nkshenowbel i
evesthatyourstep
fatherrapedyou,shealwaysbel
ievedactual
ly.She
wasj ustindenial
"

Ndal
o:"
Soi
fshebel
ieved,
shechosehi
m overme?
"

Me:"Doyouthi
nkyouar
ereadyt
ofaceher
?Togo
backtoKwaMashu?"

Ndal
o:"
Not
..
.notyet
"

Imadeherl
ookatme,
wipedof
fhert
ear
s.

Me:"
IloveyoubabyandI
'
llal
waysbeher
eforyou,
I
'
llhol
dyourhandt
il
lyouar
ecompl
etel
yfi
ne.
"

Ndal
o:"
Thankyou,
DoyouhaveAsanel
e'
s
cont
act
s?"

Me:"
YeahIdo,
doyouwantt
hem?
"

Shenodded.

Me:"Okay,
I'
llgi
vet
hem toyouf
ornowl
etsf
ocuson
ourmovie,
Kissmefir
st"

Shegi
ggl
edandki
ssedme,
Iloveher
.

Justaswewerefocusedonthemovi
e,theinter
com
atthegat
ewentoffanditwasNonhl
e,Ibuzzedher
i
n.
Shegotincar
ryi
ngasl
eepi
ngMbal
iandshewas
cr
ying.

Ndal
olookedatme,Icoul
dseeshet
houghti
t'
smy
exwi
feorgirl
fr
iend.

Me:"
Nonhl
e,what
sup?
"

Shel
ookedatNdal
o.

Nonhl
e:"I
'm sor
ryforcr
owdingyourspaceAndi
le,
I
j
ustdi
dn'tknowwher et
ogobecauseit'
slat
eanda
hot
elwit
ht hechi
ldisnoti
deal
."

Me:"
It
'sokay,
youareal
wayswel
comedher
e,
wher
eisThabiso?
"

Shecl
osedhereyesandsi
ghed.
Ndalo:"
CanIhel
pyouwi
tht
hebaby?
Icangoput
herdown?"

Me:" Ohyeahsor r
yforbombar
dingyouwit
h
questions,ohbythewayNonhlethi
sisNdalomy
girl
fr
iend,babythi
sisNonhlemyfri
end'
swifeand
thatisMbal it
hei
rdaughter
"

Ndal
o:"
Nicet
omeetyouNonhl
eandt
hesl
eepi
ng
Mbal
i"

Nonhl
e:"
Likewi
seNdal
o,Ihopehet
reat
syouwel
l
"

Theyl
aughedandNdal
otookMbal
itobed.

Me:"
So?
What
'sup?
"
Shetol
dmeeveryt
hingaboutThabi
soandAsanele,
It
houghtThabi
sosaidhewasgonnaletAsanel
ego.

Nonhle:"
Iam sodonefi
ghti
ngalosi
ngbatt
leAndil
e,
i
fit
'sherthatshewant
sthenI'
m gonnal
ethim be"

Ihonest
lydidntknowwhatt
osay, Ndal
ocame
hol
dingatrayofffoodandj
uice.

Ndal
o:"
Icookedear
li
eron,
sot
her
ewasf
ood
r
emaini
ng"

Nonhl
e:"
Thankyousomuch,
itsmel
lsgood"

Ndal
o:"Ihopeyouwi
llenj
oyi
tthen,
letmef
ixyoua
r
oom tosleepi
n"

Nonhl
e:"
Nodon'
twor
ry,
I'
llsl
eepwi
thMbal
i.Just
si
tdown,
Ineedt
oknowwhot hi
sbeauti
full
adyi
s
andhowcomeyoust
oleAndi
le'
shear
tsomuch."

Theylaughedandt
alkedasifI
'm notar
ound,
soI
l
eftt
hem togoandcallthatmor
on.

#Goodmor
ning
#Unedi
ted

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er18
[
Thabi
so]

Ijustarr
ivedatLenmedPr
ivat
eHospit
alandIki
nda
forgotAsanele'
ssur
namesoit'
sgonnabehard
fi
ndingher .

Igott
other
ecei
pti
oni
st.
Me:"Goodday,Iam l
ookingf
orapat
ientnamed
Asanel
e,shegotadmitt
edthi
smorni
ng"

Her
:"Si
rwhat
'sherSur
name?
"

Me:"If
orgotwhathersur
namei
sbutIr
eal
lyhavet
o
seeher"

Her:"
Unfort
unatelyIcan'
thelpyouSi r
,unti
lyoutel
l
mewhatherSur namei sandbyt hewayi t
'sway
pastvi
sit
inghours.Isuggestyoucomebackl at
er
andyoushouldbeknowi ngherSur nameis"

Shethenf
ocusedont hepapers,
okayIdon'
twant
todogocrazybutshe'spushi
ngme.

Me:"
Younglady!
!!
!Youdon'
twantmet ogocrazy,I
canmakeyoulosethi
sjobri
ghtaboutnow.SoI'm
gonnarepeatjustthi
sonce,Ineed..
..
noIdemandto
seeAsanele,nowyoudoyourj obandtel
lmewhere
herwardis,I
'
m sur etheAsanelesyouhaveonthat
bookwerenotal ladmit
tedatthesamet i
me"

Shequi
ckl
ypagedt
hrought
hebook.

Her
:"I
s..
..
isi
tAsanel
eMchunu?
"

Me:"
Yest
hat
'
sher
"

Shegavemeherwar
dnumber
,Il
eftherst
andi
ng
ther
e.

WhenIgott
othewar
dshewaspeacef
ull
ysl
eepi
ng.

Ij
ustsatdownandadmiredherbeauty.Howdi
dI
gether
e?Whyam Ifal
li
ngdeeperinlovewit
hthi
s
str
anger?Eachandever
ydayI'
mfall
ingdeeperand
deeper
.Funnythi
ngisIdon'
tseeherallt
heti
me.

Isi
ghed,
shegotst
art
led.IguessIscar
edher
.

Shet
ri
edsi
tt
ingupbutf
li
nched.

Me:"
Don'
thur
tyour
sel
f"

Iputapil
lowonherbackandlooki
ngproper
lyat
hermyangerroseup.Herfaceandhandsar
e
brui
sed.Shecl
earedhert
hroat.

Nel
e:"
Wha.
..
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Me:"
Toseeyouobvi
ousl
y"

Nel
e:"Thabi
soyoushoul
dn'
tbeher
e"
Me:"
Iwantt
obeher
eAsanel
e,soyourf
iancedi
d
t
hist
oyou?"

Nel
e:"
Leti
tgoThabi
so"

Justt
henamanwhom Ithi
nkisherfi
ancewalked
i
nbutassoonashiseyesl
andedonmyhandt hat
wasonAsanel
e'
shand,hestoppedonhi
stracks.
Asanel
equi
ckl
yremovedmyhandsf r
om hers.

Him:"
SoIgett
omeett
hebust
ardt
hat
'sbusy
chowi
ngmywife"

Me:"
Inf
lesh,
Ial
sogett
omeett
heabusi
vemor
on"

HecamecloserandIpushedhi
m,nextthingIknow
i
ttwopuncheswerethr
ownt ome,
Ireturnedthem,
whenIt
hrewthethir
dpunchhefel
l.
Nele:"
Stop.
..
.Stop.
..
stop!
!!
!!
Justst
opt
hebot
hof
youplease!
!!
!"

Icouldhearf
rom hervoi
cethatshewascrying,
I
stoppedandwenttoher,Iat
temptedt
ouchingher,
shepushedme.

Nele:" Thembayouhi tme,youalmostkil

ledmeand
tomakemat tersworseyouleftmeont hefloort
o
die,Thembamychi ldsawmel yi
ngont hef l
oor,
helpless...
Irefuse,
Irefusetogetmarri
edt oa
viol
entper son.IagreeImadeami st
akebutt hatdi
d
notgi veanyr ightt
olayyourhandsonme"

Themba:"
BabyI
..
..
"

Nele:"
No..
.noThemba,
Idon'
tneednoexcusesf
or
yourabusi
veways,t
heweddi
ngisoff
"
Themba:"
Babyno,
I'
m sor
rypl
easedon'
t.
..
..
"

Me:"
Dudepl
easel
eave,
youhear
dher
"

Nele:"
Thabisoyoushouldalsoleave,Iloveyouyes
butI'
m notabouttobear easonforanot her
woman'st ear
s,youaremar r
iedandI '
m nota
homewr ecker
,justl
ikehi
m pleaseleave"

Me:"
You.
..
youl
ovemet
oo?
"

Nel
e:"
LeaveThabi
so"

Themba:"
It
'snotoverAsanel
e,I
'
llbeback"

Shecl
osedhereyeswhi
lethefi
ancewal
kedout
,I
tr
iedt
ouchi
ngherhandbutsheyankedi
t.
Me:"Il
oveyouAsanel e,
Ireall
ydo.Idi dnotplan
fal
li
nginl
ovewi thyou,i
tjusthappened.I'm sor
ry
forwhatt
hatfooldidtoyou,Unf or
tunatel
yIhaveto
fl
ybacktoJobur g,
Ihaveanear lymeet i
ng
tomorr
owmor ningbutIpromi seI'
llcomeback
somewhereduringtheweek, keepyourphoneon"

Iki
ssedherf
oreheadandl
eft
.
Iam soinlovewiththi
swomanandIhat et
hatin
theprocessoflovi
ngherIkeeponhurti
ngNonhl
e.
Myphonehasbeenof f,
mybatterydi
edonmyway
herebutI'
llchar
geitwhenIarr
ive.

[
Thando]

TodayIam atdad'
scompany,Idi
dn'thaveany
pat
ient
ssoIam doingsomewor kforhim butr
ight
nowI'm meet
ingupwithNdal
oforlunchandsome
l
adyshewant stoi
ntr
oducetome.
JustasIwaspackingonthedeskmydad'
sPA
peepedthr
oughthedoor.

Lungi
:"Tee,
ther
e'sadel
iver
yforyou,
Isi
gnedi
t"

Me:"
Thanks,
bri
ngi
t"

Shewalkedincar
ryi
ngaver yhugebunchof
fl
ower
s, aboxofchocol
atesandasmal lr
edbox.

Lungi
:"Ther
e'sacar
dont
hef
lower
s"

Thi
sonei
ssonosy.

Me:"IsawitLungi
leandIwon'
treadi
twhi
leyouar
e
her
e,thankyouforbri
ngi
ngit
"

Lungi
:"Hai
boTee,
who'
sthesecr
etadmi
rer
?"
Me:"
Hei
snosecr
etadmi
rerandt
hat
'snotf
oryou
t
oknow"

Shelaughedandlef
tbutwhenshereachedt
hedoor
shel
ookedatmeanddi dthat"
I'
m watchi
ngyou"
si
gn.Ilaughed,
shewalkedout
.

Isatdownandopenedt
hecar
d.

"Thi
sismeapol ogisi
ngf orkeepingyouwait
ing,
I
hopeyouloveyourgi f
ts.Iheardladiesl
ove
somethi
ngblingyasasi gnofapol ogy.SoMiss
ThandocanIt akeyououtt onight?
"
LoveYanda.

OhmyGod,Iblushedandopenedtheredbox.
Di
amondearr
ings,theyar
esosobeautiful
.Iopened
t
heboxofchocolat
esanddevoured,
closedmy
eyesandmour
nedi
nthepr
ocess.

Justt
henmyphoner
ang.

Me:"
Hey"

Yanda:"
Hybeaut
if
ul,
didyour
ecei
veyourgi
ft
s?"

Me:"
Gif
ts?
Whatgi
ft
s?"

Yanda:"
OhIguessyouhaven'
t,
maybet
hedel
iver
y
guyisst
il
lont
heway"

Hesoundedabi
tdi
sappoi
nted.
Il
aughed.

Me:"
I'
mjoki
ng,
Igott
hem andIl
ovel
ovel
ovet
hem,
t
hankyousomuch,
theear
ri
ngsar
etodi
efor
"

Hesi
ghed.

Yanda:"Icannevergetusedtoyourcr
aziness,butI
l
ikeit
.I'
m gladyoulovedthem.Soam Iforgi
ven?"

Me:"
Wel
ljustal
it
tl
e"

Yanda:"
Hai
bo!
!!
Whatnow?
"

Igi
ggled,haveyoueverhear
dhowsexyiti
swhena
Zulumansays" Hai
bo"orisi
tmaybeI
'm cr
azy
aboutthi
sparti
cul
arZuluman?

Me:"Onthecar
dyouaskedifyoucantakemeout?
AndtheanswerisyesyoucantakemeoutbutI
'
ll
ful
lyf
orgi
veyouifyoudon'
tkeepmewaiti
ng"
Hel
aughed.

Yanda:"
Wellt
hat
'seasybecauseIam pi
cki
ngyou
upthi
stimeandI
'llar
ri
veasquickl
yaspossi
ble"

Me:"
Okayt
henyou'
l
lSMSmet
het
ime"

Yanda:"Okaybyemyl
ove,
seeyoutonightandtr
y
nottothi
nkaboutmewhenyoueatthatchocol
ate"

Me:"
Get
ti
ngcockyar
en'
twe?
"

Hel
aughed,
wesai
dourgoodbyesandhungup.

Thi
sguydr
ivesmei
nsane,
IswearI
'
minl
ovewi
th
hi
m.
Damn!!
!!I'
m 10minutesl
atefort
hel
unchwith
Ndal
o,lookingatmyphone,IsawaWhatsapp
messagefrom her.
"
Wear
ewai
ti
ngf
oryou"

Iquickl
ytookmybagandrushedout
,atl
eastt
he
rest
auranti
sjustdownt
heroad.

Doyout hi
nkeveryonecanseehowhappyIam?
ThatIam blushi
ng?BecauseIam smil
ingal
oneas
I
'm walki
ngandpeoplearejustst
ari
ng.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

We'vebeensi
tti
ngher
ewait
ingforThando,
shei
s
notonetobelat
esoI'
m sur
pri
sed.

JustasIam t
hinki
ngabouther,shewalkedi
nand
wellshei
sbeauti
fulnat
ural
lybutIthi
nkIam
seei
ngasmi
lepl
ast
eredonherf
ace.

Shegott
oourt
abl
e.

Thando:"
Ladi
esl
adi
esl
adi
es"

Me:"
Someone'
sinagoodmood"

Thando:"Gui
lt
yaschargedtwinny,
wuuuIam
famished.Who'
sthebeauti
full
adyrighther
e"

Thandot
alksguys.

Me:"
ThisisNonhle,herhusbandi
sfr
iendswit
h
Andi
leandNonhlethisisThandomysister
"

Nonhl
e:"
Nicemeet
ingyouThando"
Thando:"
Likewi
sehoney,
mmmhbeaut
if
ull
ikeyour
name"

Nonhl
e:"
Thankyou,yourbeautycan'
tbemi
ssed
t
oo,youguyshavearesemblance"

Thando:"
Thankyou,
wuuucanweor
der
"

Weorder
ed,ourf
oodcameandIcoul
dseeNonhl
e
zoni
ngoutf
rom t
imetot
ime.

Me:"
Areyouokaybabe?
"

Shenodded,Icaughtherl
ooki
ngatt hi
scouple
si
tt
ingnextt
ous, t
heylookedal
lloveydovey.

SoThandot
oldmeaboutThabi
so'
swaysandI
thi
nkit
'sdi
sgust
ing.It
hinkshedi
dgr
eatbyl
eavi
ng
him.

Thando:"
What
'
supbabe?
,youdon'
tlookokay?
"

Sheshedtear
s,Ican'tsayIknowwhatshe'
sgoing
thr
oughbutIknowthef eeli
ngofbei
ngbetr
ayedby
someoneyouloveandt rust
.SoIhel
dherhandand
l
aiddownthestorytoThando.

Thando:" OhI
'm sosorrymylove.Guesswhat,i
t'
s
hislossnotyours.Youdidgr
eatbyl eavi
nghis
cheatingassandIt hi
nkyouarenotinar i
ghtst
ate
tostayalone,
guesswhat ?Wewoul dbehappyt o
staywi t
hyouinourhouse,ri
ghttwinny?"

Me:"
Yeahmostdef
,youneedpeopl
eatt
his
moment"
Nonhle:"
Thankyousomuchguys, Ispoketomy
mom andshet oldmet obringthebaby,because
whil
elookingforaproperplaceIwasgonnast ayin
afl
atandf ormyf ouryearoldi
twasnotgonnabe
i
deal"

Thando:"Good,soyouwil
ltakethebabyt omommy
thencomest aywithuswhil
elooki
ngf oryourplace,
don'twasteyourtear
sonajerk.Soonerorlaterhe
willr
egreti
t.Kar
mai sabi
tchmyl ove"

Thandohasabi
ghear
t,shel
ovesandcar
esf
or
peopl
e.

Weenj oyedourlunchoveragreatconver
sationand
Thandot oldusaboutSi
yanda.Imustsayshel ooks
happy,theonlythi
nglef
tisforthem t
ooffi
ciali
ze
thei
rrelat
ionshi
p.IwasalsohappytoseeNonhl e
l
aughing.
[
Nar
rat
ed]
Thabisolandedandgotintohiscart
hathehadl ef
t
attheair
port.Heheadedhome, Uponarr
ivalhewas
surpr
isedtofindthewholehousedarkbuthejust
tol
dhimselfthatNonhleandthebabyareasleep.

Heheadedupst ai
rsandopenedhisdaught
ersroom
butshewasnott her
esohet houghtmaybesheis
sleepi
ngwithhermotherbutwhenhegottotheir
room,itwasalsoempty.

Hestartedpanicki
ngandt hensomethingcaught
hiseye,thedoorofthecloset
,itwasopenand
Nonhleneverleavesitopen.Sohewenti nand
foundthatthewholeclosetwasempt y.

Hisheartwasnowbeat i
ngfaster
,hequickl
ywentto
puthi
sphoneont hechargerandpacedupand
down,whenitwasabi tcharged,
heswitchedon
andfound5mi ssedcall
sfrom Andi
lebutnonefr
om
Nonhl
e,hecall
edherbutreal
isedthathi
scal
lsar
e
bl
ocked,hecal
ledAndi
le,
hepi cked.

Thabi
so:"
Dude..
.I
..
.Ij
ustgothomeandmywi
feand
ki
darenother
e,aretheyatyourpl
ace"

Andi l
e:"
Hell
ot oyouandyouar edi sturbi
ngme
from mysleep.IcalledyouThabiso,Icalledyou5
timesbutbecauseyouwer ethi
nkingofanot her
womanyouhadyourphoneof f
,wel lgoodnews
yourwi f
eleftyou,shepackedallherbagsandl ef
t.
Givingyouspacef oryournewgi r
lf
r i
end.Ihope, I
justhopeNdal o'
sfri
endiswor t
hyoul osi
ngyour
wi f
eanddaught erThabisobecauseNonhl easked
met odraftdivor
cepaper sf
orher"

Thabi
so:"
Andyouwon'
tdr
aftt
hem r
ight
?"

Me:"Iwi
llgl
adlydraf
tthem,
youaremybestf
ri
end
yesbutIcan'
twatchyouandcheerupf
oryouwhi
le
youaresl
owlybreaki
ngher,shedi
dnot
hingbut
l
oveyouandnowbecauset here'
sanewpantyyou
negl
ectherandyourchi
ld"

Thabi
so:"
Wher
ear
ethey?
"

Andile:"Idon'tknowandeveni fIdidIwasnot
gonnat ellyoubecauseyou'veliedtoherenough,
justl
etherbe, ohandjustaheadsup.Shewant s
met or epresentherasshewi l
lbefighti
ngyoufor
custodyandyouknowI '
mt hebestinthegame,so
youbet terstartl
ooki
ngagoodl awyer"

Thabi
so:"
Dudewhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
"

Andil
e:"
Thatsamequest i
onyouareaskingmeis
thesamequesti
onyoushoul dbeaski
ngyoursel
f,
whyareyoudoingt hi
stoNonhleThabi
so?While
youthi
nkaboutit
,letmesleep"
Justl
iket
hathehungandThabi
sosmashedhi
s
phoneonthewall
.

Thabi
so:"
Fuuuuckkkkkk"

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er19.
AtRaddi
sonbl
uehot
el.

Awomanwear ingashorttightr
eddressandblack
blazorwithblackredbottomspointyheel
swalksin.
Shei scarr
yingar edguccibagandhasweaveon.
Everyoneislookingatherasshemakesherwayt o
thehelpdesk, shelooksclassyandexpensi
ve,
everythi
ngabouthershout s"MONEY,POWERAND
RESPECT" .
Her
:"HeyIam Pal
esa,I
'ml
ooki
ngf
orr
oom 128,
I'
m
meeti
ngsomeonether
e"

Wit
hnohesi
tat
ionshegott
heaccesscar
dtot
he
r
oom,t
henshewentuptoroom 128.

Sheusedt
heaccesscar
dandf
oundhi
m wai
ti
ng.

Hi
m:"Heybabe,
youl
ookamazi
ngt
oday"

Shetossedherbagont
hecouchandtookoffher
heel
s.Shethenpour
edwhi
skeyandsatdown.

Her
:"Ar
en'
tyouget
ti
ngt
ir
edoft
his?
"

Hi
m:"
Whatbabe?
"

Her
:"Donotactdump!
!!
!Youknowexact
lywhatI
'
m
t
alki
ngabout
"

Hi
m:"OkaybabyyouknowI
'
llsor
titout
,Ij
ustneed
t
ime"

Her:"Time??Wel lt
imeiswhatIdon' thave!!
!!
Ihave
businessestorun,Ican'
tkeeponcomi ngtohotels
l
ikeal ovesi
ckpuppy.Iam 31! !
!!
!Di
dyiuheart hat
?
31andj ustsoyouknowt her
e'sawhol elotofmen
whowantme, soyouei t
herleaveherorleaveme,
yourchoice"

Hestoodupandwenttositnexttoherandheldher
sof
thandthatar
edecor
atedwi t
hnudel ongnai
ls.

Hi
m:"St
handwaIloveyouandyouknowt
hat
,don'
t
l
eaveme.I'
l
lleavehert
oni
ght
"

Her
:"Doyouevenl
ovemeoryoul
ovet
hei
deaof
bei
ngi
nar el
ationshi
pwithamini
ster
'sdaught
er
whodoeseverythi
ngforyou?
"

Him:"
ComeonPal
esa,
Iloveyoubaby.Yourst
atus
hasnothi
ngt
odowi
thhowIfeelaboutyou"

Shest
oodup,
wor
ehershoesandt
ookherbag.

Her:"Okaythenbye,
you'
llcal
lmewheni t'
sdone.I
wantyoutomeetmypar entsbutnotunt
ilyout
ell
meyoul ef
ther"

Shewal
kedoutl
eavehermanst
andi
ngt
her
e.
Hemumbl
edt
ohi
msel
f
"
Notevenaki
ss"

[
Phuml
a]
TodayIam meeti
ngSanel
e'
spar ent
s,Iam so
ner
vous.Whatift
heyj
udgemef ort
hedecisi
onsI
made?ImeanevenSanelejudgedme.

Sanel
e:"
Rel
axwi
llyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m scar
edSanel
e,I
'
m noti
fIwannadot
his"
.

Si
yandahel
dmyhandandsqueezed.

Si
yanda:"
Relaxnana,t
heywon'
tbi
tet
rust
.Justl
ike
ustheywi
lll
ikeyou"

Me:"
Doyouguysr
eal
lyl
ikeme?
".

Sanel
e:"
Wel
oveyoul
ala"
.

Me:"
Lal
a?Real
ly?
"
Wel
aughed.

Sanele:"
Okaywe'vear
ri
ved,
Ineedyout
obr
eat
he
okay?Theywil
lli
keyou"

Hegotoutandopenedmydoor ,Ialsogotout.
Siyandat ookmyhandi nt
ohis,t
henSanel ealso
tookmyot herhand,Ireal
lyf
eltsafe,l
ikeIbelonged.
Howcomeast rangercareaboutyouwhenyour
ownf amil
ycouldn't
?Ibettheyneverevenbot hered
l
ooki ngforme.Somet imesIfeelli
ket hi
s"Bloodis
thickerthanwater"thi
ngdoesn'tapplytoeveryone.

Wegott ot hedoorandtheirmotheropenedthe
door,
it'
slikeshe'sbeenwai t
ingt
here,sheisso
beaut
iful
.Shehasherdr eadlocksti
edi nt
oabun,no
makeup.Shei sbrownskinnedandlooksl i
keher
boysal i
tt
le.
Sanel
e:"
Ma"

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
Hel
loboys,
heyyoumustbePhuml
a"

Me:"
YesMa'
am Iam"
.

MrsNhl
apho:"Ni
cetomeetmychi l
d,comel
etsgo
t
otheli
vingr
oom tomeetyourf
ather"

Okay.
..
.myf
ather
?ori
sshet
alki
ngt
oherki
ds?

Theyhaveabeauti
fulhouse,i
t'
snotthosetop
bi
ll
inghousebuti
t'
sext r
aordi
nary.Anyway,we
wenttothel
ivi
ngroom andmy" Father
"lol
,hewas
si
tt
ingonaonesittercouchwatchingsoccer
.

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
Love"
Wow!!Love?Thesepeoplelookl
iketheyar
einthe
l
ate50s,wellIguessforpeopl
ewhoar einlove
cal
li
ngeachot herwit
hpetnamesnevergets
out
dated,Iwouldn'
tknow,mypar ent
s,nomydad
wasal i
on.

MrNhl
apho:"
Mama"

Thi
sguyisfi
xedonthescr
een,
hedoesn'
tevensee
usstandi
ngr
ighther
e.

MrsNhlapho:"
Theboyshavear
ri
vedwi
thour
guest
"

Hequi
ckl
yst
oodupandl
ookedatus.

MrNhlapho:"
HeemadodatheNhl
aphoboys,
you'
ve
ar
ri
ved,Idi
dn'
thearyoucomei
n"
Sanel
e:"
Clear
lydad"

Si
yanda:"OkaynoIneedt
oaskt
his,
whenwi
llguys
st
opcall
ingusboys?"

MrNhl
apho:"
Thedayyoust
opcal
li
ngus'
Guys'
"

Theyalllaughed,t
here'
ssomuchl ovei
nhere,Ican
feeli
tradiat
ingthr
ought hehouse.Theyloveeach
other
,theirhomeisfullofl
ove.

MrNhl
apho:"
Munt
uza,
sawubona"

Me:"
Sawubonasi
r"

Hef
rowned.

MrNhl
apho:"
Babanotsi
r,okayl
et'
sdot
hisagai
n"
Everyonewaslooki
ngatus,
holdingi
nalaught
er,
honestl
yatthi
spointIal
sowantedtol
augh.

MrNhl
apho:"
Munt
uzasawubona"

Me:"
Sawubonababa"

Theyal
lbur
stedouti
nlaught
er.

Sanel
e:"
Dad!
!!
!Hai
iiIt
hinkol
dagei
scat
chi
ngup
wit
hyou"

MrNhlapho:"
Youcr
azyboy,
sowhat
'syourname
Sunshi
ne?"

Si
yanda:"
Butdadweal
readyt
oldyouguyst
hatshe
i
s..
."
MrNhlapho:"St
handwasam,taketheseboysof
your
sandgosett hetabl
epl
ease,andleaveme
wit
hMunt uza"

Theyal
llef
tandIwaslef
twi
ththi
sman,hepoint
ed
acouchthatwascl
osetohi
sandIsatdown.

MrNhl
apho:"
Sowhat
'syourname?
"

Me:"
Phuml
aMi
ya"

MrNhl
apho:"
Howol
dar
eyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m 15"

Henoddedthenl
ookeddown,It
hinkIhear
dhi
m
chuckl
edt
henhelookedatme.
MrNhlapho:"Ourdaught
erwoul
dal
sobe15l
ike
youbel
ieveinGod?"

DoIbel i
evei
nGod?Idon' tknow, infactIdon'tthi
nk
Ido.Godwat chedmymom suf fereveryday,she
prayedaboutitbutGoddidnot hing,Godwat ched
mydadbeat i
ngheranddi dnot hing,Hewat chedmy
dadkillmymom buthest il
ldidnot hi
ng.Ialso
prayedalotbutheardnoneofmypr ayer
s.Sot ell
mewhyshoul dIbel
ievei
nhi m?

Iwasnowcryi
ngasf
lashbacksofmysorrowf
ull
if
e
camefl
oodi
nginmyhead,Ilookedupandhewas
nowsit
ti
ngnextt
ome,heheldmyhand.

MrNhl apho:"Shhh,Iknowyouf eell

ikeGod
forsakedyou,letmequot eforyouf r
om Matthew
6:34itsays"Theref
oreIt el
lyou,donotworryabout
yourlif
e,whatyouwi lleatordri
nk,oraboutyour
body, whatyouwi l
lwear .Isnotl i
femor eimpor t
ant
thatfoodort hebodymor ei
mpor t
antthancl othes?"
andagai nGodsai d"Iwi l
lsendmymessenger
aheadofyou, whowi l
lpr epar
eyourwaybef or
eyou" ,
thatonemychi ldisf r
om Mat t
hews11: 10.Mypoi nt
i
st hr
oughal lt
hatyou' vebeent hrough,you
managedt oseeeachandever ydayasi tcame, you
sawt hesunsetandsunr ise,whodoyout hinkgave
youlife?Doyout hinkyou' dsti
llbei nonepeace?
Godhasal otpreparedf oryou, it
snotar acei t
sa
pace.Wher ethereislifethereishopeandmychi l
d
bepat ientwhenhepr epar esyourf rui
ts,keepon
prayi
ng, nevergett i
redandheshal lrewardyou"

Shuuuut
hatwasint
ense,
butIfeelt
ouchedi
naway.
Il
ookedathi
m,hewipedoffmytears.

MrNhlapho:"
Ibel
ievei
nGod,
doyouwantt
oknow
why?
"

Me:"Yes"
MrNhl apho:"Becausewhenwel ostourdaughter
thingsdidn'
tmakesense, mywi fewasf al
li
ngapart,
myhousewasnol ongerahome, i
twascoldand
dar kbutGodgavemest r
ength,asmuchasIwas
alsobrokenthest r
engthhegavewasenoughf or
met obether
ef oreveryone,andguesswhat ?Just
whenwehadaccept edthatwewi l
lnolongerhavea
girlchi
ldhesentSanel etoabr othel"

Hechuckl
edwhil
eshaki
nghi
shead,Iguessatt
he
t
houghtofSanel
ebei
ngatt
hebrot
hel.

MrNhl apho:"
Hesenthi mt ogosaveourbabygirl
,
asmuchasI '
m sti
llgonnaquesti
onhim abouthi
s
br
othelstory,
Ialsowantt othankhi
m becauseyou
wouldn'tbehere"

Sodoest
hismeanheconsi
der
smehi
sdaught
er?
Justaswer
etal
king,
MrsNhl
aphocame.

MrsNhl
apho:"
HoneyIknowyoucanpreachforthe
ent
ir
edayandnightbutt
hechi
ldmustbehungry"

MrNhlapholaughedandsqueezedmyhand, we
wenttothedini
ngroom andsatdown,
thef oodon
thet
ablelookedappet
izi
ng,t
herewasallsort
sof
yummyst uff
.
Iwassitt
inginbetweenMrandMr sNhl
aphowhile
Sanel
eandSi yandaweresi
tt
ingopposi
teus,
nextt
o
eachother.

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
Sanel
esayt
hegr
ace"

Weal
lcl
osedoureyes.

Sanele:"
Heavenlyf
atherwethankyouforyet
anotherbeaut
if
ulday,mayyoupleaseblesst
he
f
oodonthet
abl
eandthehandsthatpr
epar
edt
hem
i
nthenameofj
esuschr
istwet
hankyouamen"

Us:"
Amen"

Idi
dn'tt
hinkofSanel
eassomeonewhoknowshow
topraybutjudgi
ngfr
om t
hetalkIhadwithMr
NhlaphoIcanseetheyar
est
r ongbel
ievers.

Weat
esi
lent
lyunt
ilMrNhl
aphobr
oket
hesi
lence.

MrNhl
apho:"
It
'sgoodt
oknowt
hatyoucanst
il
l
pr
ayMrbrot
hel"

Wel
aughed,
hei
saf
unnyman,
yetr
espect
abl
e.

MrsNhlapho:"WeheardyourstoryPhumla,I
'
m
r
eall
ysorryforwhatyouwentthroughatsucha
youngage.I
'
m uBabaspoket
oyou"

Inoddedwhi
lel
ooki
ngdown.

MrsNhlapho:"
Wewouldli
ket
olegal
lyadoptyou,
so
youcanbeourdaught
er,
whatdoyouthink?
"

Saywhatnow?IlookedatSanelethenatSiyanda.
Theyweresmil
ing,l
ooki
ngatme.Iguesswai ti
ng
forananswer
,Sanelenodded.Idon'tr
eal
ly?

Me:"
I.
.canIt
hinkabouti
t?"

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
Takeal
lyourt
imebabygi
rl
"

Wehadadesser
t,t
hiswomanknowsherway
ar
oundt
hekit
chenforr
eal
.
Whatshoul
dIdo?Shoul dIagr
ee?Shoul
dInot
?I
meanIdon'tknowthesepeopl
ewell
,maybeI
shoul
dtakealit
tl
eti
met oknowthem.
AnywayIhadagr
eatt
ime,
goodf
oodandl
aught
er.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

I'
vejusthadameet ingwi t
hmydad, apparentl
yhe
spoket ot heeldersandt heyinsistthatinhlawulo
andwel comi ngceremonyshoul dhappensooner ,
I
don'thowIf eelaboutthatbutIdeci dedt ofacemy
fears,it
'sbeenl ong.Ican'tdelaymypr ocessof
healing.Iagr eedandwesett hedat efornextweek
saturday.I t
'ssoonr i
ght?Butt hesoonert hebetter.
RightnowI '
m backi nourhouseandi ti
ssoqui te,
Nonhl et ookMbal it
oherGogo( Nonhl e'
smom)she
i
ssol uckyt ohavesuchasuppor t
ivemot her,
alt
houghshest i
llhasn'
ttoldherpar entsthet r
uth,
Thenmyt winnywentt owor k.
SoI'
vedeci
dedtodowhatIlove,desi
gni
ngclot
hes,
Iboughtaf
ewfabri
cs.Atl
easttheywil
lkeepme
occupied,
Ihaven'
tspokentomyman.Onl
y
recei
vedagoodmor ningtext
.

JustasIwaslostonmyf abr
ics,
thedooropened
andinwalkedbothNonhl
eandThando.Theyhad
al
coholandallt
hejunkyoucanthinkof
.

Me:"Andthen?Ar
en'
tyousupposet
obeatwor
k
twi
nny?AndNonzareyousupposedtobei
n
Sunninghi
ll
?"

Thando:"
IfIdi
dn'
tknowbett
erI'
dsayyouar
e
hidi
ngamani nhere,
yousupposedt
obehappy
thatweareback"

Il
aughed.

Me:"
Wel
lI'
m gl
adyouknowbet
ter
"
Nonhle:"
Mymom wasr ushi
ngsomewheresoI
couldn'
tst
ay,
Ijustdr
oppedMbaliof
fandcame
back".

Thando:"AndIhadmylastpati
entanhouragosoI
thoughtsi
nceIhavenowork,whynotcomehome
andgetdrunkwithmygir
ls"

Weheadedtothekitchen,gotgl
assesandwentto
si
tdownont hecarpet.Me!!
!Awholeme, meis
dr
inki
ngwine!Thankst oThandoforcor
rupt
ingme.

Thando:"
Sohowwasyourmeet
ingwi
thdad?
"

Me:"I
twasokay,hetol
dmehisreasonsandwe
fi
nal
lyreachedanagr
eement
,wewi l
lbedoi
ng
ever
ythi
ngnextweekend"

Thando:"
Great
,If
eel
li
ket
hisi
shol
dingyouback,
thesooneryougeti
toutoft
hewayt
hebet
tercause
IknowMdl ul
iwon'
tleti
tgo"

Webothlookedatthequi
teNonhl
e,shezonedout
.
Shedoesthatalot
.

Me:"
Babeyougood?
"

Shesi
gheddeepl
y.

Nonhle:"
WheredidIgowrongthough?Idi
dnot hi
ng
butl
ovehim andri
ghtnowIwanttohatehim butI
can'
t,
throughever
ythi
nghedid,Il
ovehim st
il
l.How
coul
dhehur tmethisway?
"

Thando:"MyloveI'
m sureyoudidnothi
ngwr ong,
heistheonewhodi dyou.Lovi
nghim won'tstop
over
nightbutevent
uall
yitwil
lhappen,gi
veyourself
ti
me,timeheals.Wearehereforyou,i
fyouneedt o
cry,
talkorscr
eam,wear
ehere.Youcannotaf
for
d
tobreakdown.RememberyouhaveMbalit
oli
vefor
,
sheneedsyou".

Nonhle:"
Thankyouguys,
thankyouforopeni
ng
yourheart
sandyourhomeforme,Idon'twhatwas
Igonnadoalone"

Me:"Weallneedpeoplebabe,Ial
sohadmy
demonsbutnow, Iam heal
ingnotonl
ybecauseof
ther
apybutbecauseofpeopleI'
m sur
roundedby.
"

Weshar edagr ouphugandstarteddri

nking,we
fi
nishedt hefi
rstbott
leandwentt ot
hesecondone,
Idon'tknowi fwewer eti
psyorsloshedforrealbut
weswi tchedont hemusi c,
dancedandlaughedf or
nor eason,halfwaythroughoursecondbot t
leour
doorf l
iedopen.

"
Nonhl
e!!
!!
"
Nonhl
e:"
Thabi
sowhatdoyouwant
"

Iswi
tchedof
fthemusi
c.

Thando:"
Ohhhsot hisi
stheefamousThabi
so!
!
Whatmakesyout hinkyoucancomehereandopen
ourdoorl
ikeyouareopeningthet
highsoft
hebi
tch
youarecheat
ingwith?"

HegaveThandoascar
ylookbutshewasnot
shaken.

Thabi
so:"
Nonhl
ewhileyouar
egett
ingdrunkher
e
anddanci
ngwit
hthesehoeswher
et hehel
lismy
daught
er?
"

Okaydi
dhej
ustcal
lushoes?
Me:"
Didyoucal
lushoes?
"

Thabiso:"EyI
'm nottal
kingtoyouman!
!!Justshut
thehellup,NonhleI'
mt alki
ngt
oyou"

Nonhl
echuckl
ed,
puthergl
assdownandwentt
o
st
andnearhi
m.

Nonhle:"
Pussymustbegoodhuh! !
!!Youhavenow
growntheballst ocallmeahoe!Unl i
keyouThabiso
Icannevernegl ectmydaught erforamanor
alcohol
,Herhappi nesscomesf ir
sttome.Shei s
safeandhappywher esheis.Wel ll
etmemakeyou
happy,Iam hur t
,IloveyouandasmuchasIwant
tohateyou,Ican'tbutgr eatnewsi sIdon'twant
youanymor e!
!!!Thatbitchyouar efuckingindurban
canopenherl egswi dernow, sheshoul dn'
tbe
scaredbecauseyouar enol ongerahusbandt o
somebody.Iam donewi t
hyouohandi fyouthi
nkI
needanyt
hingf
rom thedi
vor
cedon'tworr
yIwant
nothi
ngofyour
s,notevenat
easpoon.Nowleave
mealoneThabi
so,leavemet
hefuckalone"

Thabi
so:"
Youcan'
tjustl
..
..
"

Thando:" Letmef i
nishthatsentenceforyou,She
can'tl
eaveyou?That '
swhatyouwant edtosayright
?
Whor aisedyoumar awena?Whodoyout hinkyou
are?Wel lshecanandshewi lll
eaveyou.Nowget
thefuckoutofher e,I'
m surethatbit
chisinpainat
thehospi t
al,sheprobablyneedsyou"

Thabi
so:"
Ndal
oNdal oNdal
o!!
!!Doesmyf
ri
end
knowyouarel
iket
his?"

Thando:"She'
sli
kewhat?Don'
tyoudaregotothat
di
rect
ion,Icanmakeyourli
feali
vinghel
l,
never
underest
imateme,nowgetthehel
lout"
Hewal
kedt
othedoorandst
opped.

Thabi
so:"
I'
m sor
ryNonhl
e"

Thando:"
Awuhambewenj
a"(
Leaveyoudog)

Hesl
ammedthedoorandwest
oppedf
oramoment
t
henl
aughedoutl
oud.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er20

[
Ndal
o]

Nowt
hatyou'
vemetever
yonei
nmyci
rcl
e.Why
don'
tItakeyouthroughthi
sjourneyofmine?Fi
rst
questi
onthoughis,doIt
rusteveryonei
nthisci
rcl
e?
Aretheygenui
newhent heysayt heyl
oveme?
Andile,wellhei
smyboyf r
iend.Ilovehi
m andI
appreciat
et hesuppor
the'sshownme, duri
ngmy
l
astappoi ntmentwit
hDrAhewentwi thmeand
madeacommi tmentthathewi l
lhelpmewithot
her
act
iviti
es.

Mydad, HuuuwhatcanIsayaboutt hisman.I

thankGodever ydayt hatImethi m.Het akescar eof
me, makessur eIam happyandwel lIcansaf ely
sayhei sslowl ybutsur elymaki ngupf orl osttime.
But..
.yesbut ,hekindoff oundoutt hatI'm seeing
someoneandhei snothappy.Hesai dandIquot e
"Whywoul dyoubei nar elationshipwhi l
eyouar e
sti
llatt
endingt herapy?Rel ationshipsar enotawal k
i
napar kNdal oandIwoul dn'twantyout ostress
becauseyouhadaf i
ghtwi tht hatboy,trustitwill
comet ot hatpoint,apoi ntwher eyouf ight,
exchangehar shwor dsandr eachahuge
misunder standinganddi sagr eementanddoyou
knowwhatwi l
lhappen?Youwi llbeblami ng
yourself,youwi l
lbet hinkingt hatbecauseyou
comef r
om t hestreetsorbecauseyou' vebeen
rapedorbecauseofever ythingt hatyou'vebeen
throught hat'
swhypeopl etreatyout hewayt hey
treatyou, youwillblamei tallonyoursi t
uation.My
childI'
m notsayi ngIdon' twantyout obei na
relat
ionshi pbutIwantyout oheal ,makepeacewi t
h
yoursituat i
onandmoveon, thenandj ustthenwill
youdeci det obei nar elati
onshi p".

Yep!!
!Hesai damouthfulandIgett
hathecar es,I
am actuall
yhappythathecaresbutguysI '
mi nt o
deep,IloveAndil
e.Howandwher ewillIevenst art
tel
li
nghi mthatIdon'
twanttobeinthi
sr elat
ionship?
Okaynol etmenotevent hi
nkaboutbecauset hat
wil
lneverhappen,Ichoosetodefymyol dman.

Thent her
e'sThandoandNonhle,
Thandoi smy
si
sterandIwoul dn'
ttr
adeherf
oranythi
ngi nthe
world.I'
vealwaysbeentheonl
ychil
d,Ineverknew
howgr eati
tistohavesi bl
ingsandnowt hatIdo
havet hem, Idon'twannaletgooft hem,Ilovethem
alot.ButThandoi smorethanj ustasibl
ing,sheis
mybestf ri
end,myconf i
dantandj ustabr eathof
fr
eshai r
.ThenNonhl eisthatfri
endIlookat
dif
ferentlyfrom Thando,sheis..
.sheisamazi ng,
hasagoodhear tandforgi
veseasi l
ybutmostofal l
sheisagoodl istener
,shelist
enst ounderstand
whileThandol istenstoanswer .

WellIcantakethewhol edayifIhadt oexplai

n
aboutmypeopl e,butwait
,ther
e'smyst epmom,
thatwomani sallsort
sofamazi ng,Idon'
teven
knowwhymydadcheat edonher ..
..
butwait,hadhe
notcheatedIwoul dn'
tbeali
ve,LolIknowi tsound
crazyandI'
m notpr omoti
ngcheat i
ng.Don't.
..
.Do
notdoit!
!!
!!

"
Someoneseemsdeepi
nthought
s,car
etoshar
e?"

Igotst
art
led,
Igotupf
rom t
hecar
petandr
eal
ised
I'
vebeensit
ti
ngher eforclosetoanhour ,
thinking
aboutmycurrentli
fe,Iam happy,I
'm contentbut
somethi
ngismi ssing,Idon'
tknowwhati tisbut
haveyoueverfeltl
ikeyouhaven'tdonesomet hing
andyoureall
yhavet ogetitdone,youjustforgot
whatiti
sbutitkeepsonbuggi ngandbuggi ngyou?
Yesthat
'showIf eel.

Andi
le:"
Ear
tht
oNdal
o"

Hefli
ckedhisfi
nger
sinf
rontofmyeyes,
Ihad
zonedoutyetagai
n.

Me:"
Heybabe"

Andi
le:"
Yougood?
"

Hekissedmeont hef
orehead,
Iam sl
owl
yget
ti
ng
usedtohiski
sses.
Me:"
Iam good,
your
sel
f?"

Andil
e:"
I'
m goodmyl
ove,
whathaveyoubeen
t
hinki
ngabout?"

Me:"Not
hingmuchhey,
justappr
eci
ati
ngmy
cur
rentl
if
e"

Andi
le:"
Oh,
areyouhappymami
?"

Me:"
Ver
yhappybabe"

Andi
le:"
I'
m happywhenyouar
e,howwasyour
day?
"

Wellyest
erdayIslepther
eathishouse,soIdi
dn'
t
l
eavesince.Iam planni
ngonleavi
ngtodaylat
e.I
'
ve
beenal
onei
nhi
shousewhi
lehewasatwor
k.

Me:"
Itwasgr
eat
,your
s?"

Andi
le:"
Iseeyouevenwentshoopi
ng,
that
'sgood"

Me:"
Iwentshoppi
ng?
Idi
dn'
t"

Ineverwentshoppi
ng,
whati
shet
alki
ngabout
?

Andi
le:"
Youdi
dn'
t?Sodr
essyouar
ewear
ing?
"

Oh!
!!
!Il
aughed,
Iam wear
ingabl
ueandwhi
teshi
rt
dr
ess.

Me:"
Ohhhbabe,
thi
s..
.pl
easedon'
tbemad"
Andi
le:"
Madaboutwhat
?It
'sbeaut
if
ulandi
tlooks
goodonyou"

Me:"
YahIknowit'
sbeauti
fulandal
lthatbut
pr
omiseyou'
l
lnevergetmad"

Andi
le:"
Okay,
Ipr
omi
se"

Me:"I.
...
wel
lIwasboredduri
ngthedaysoIwentt
o
yourcloset
,Iki
ndofsawyourblueandwhi
teshi
rt
andIloveditsoIdeci
dedtotakei
tandmakea
dressoutofit
"

Hef
rownedandsmi
ledatt
hesamet
ime.

Andil
e:"
Babe!
!youmeanyoumadeityour
sel
f?
WowmamiI 'mimpr
essed.Soyoul
ovedesi
gni
ng
cl
othes?
"
Whew!
!!Nott
her
eact
ionIexpect
edbutI
'
mrel
ieved.

Me:"Yeah,Iact
uall
ywantt
ostar
tabusinessin
fashi
ondesigni
ngthenmaybegrowint
oteachi
ng
younggir
lshowt osewanddesi
gn"

Andil
e:"Ambiti
onlookssexyonyoumyl ove,I
'
llhel
p
youmakeyourdr eamscomet rue.Anywaycomesit
nexttome, weneedtotal
k.Butbeforewedo,letme
orderfood"

Me:"
Don'
twor
ryI
'
llcookf
oryoubef
oreIl
eave"

Andil
e:"
Nomyl ove,youneedtorest
.Imeanyou
cl
eanedthewholehouse,Icanseehowspotlessit
l
ooksandyesterdayyoucookedsonowewi llor
der
i
nandnoyouar enotleavi
ngtoday,Ist
il
lwanna
spendti
mewithyou"
Wel lAndi
lehadahel per
,ayoungbeaut i
fulhel
per
andIsawhowshel ooksatAndilesoItoldhimto
getr i
dofher ,het
oldmeshei sthesole
breadwinnerathomesoIt oldhimt ofi
ndaj obfor
hersohepl acedherint
hehotelthathehasshar es
i
n, soImadeavowt omysel
fthatI'l
lcomeclean
onceort wiceaweek.

Me:"Okaythenyoucanor
deri
n,r
ibsmustbepar
t
ofyouror
der"

Hechuckl
edandor
der
edt
hroughhi
sphone.

Me:"
Yousai
dweneedt
otal
k"

Andi
le:"
Yesbaby,soIwaswi
thThabi
sot
oday,
NonhleandIwenttoser
vehi
m wi
thdi
vor
cepaper
s"

Okay,
Idon'
tgetwher
ethi
sisgoi
ng,
allI
'
mthi
nki
ng
abouti
sNonhl
eri
ghtnow.Shemustbedevast
ated.

Me:"
Didhesi
gn?
"

Andi
le:"
Yeahhedid,
theyareoff
ici
all
ysepar
ated
butt
hat'
snotwhatIwanttotal
ktoyouabout"

Me:"
Okay,
I'
mli
steni
ng"

Thel
ookonhi
sfacet
ell
smei
t'
ssomet
hingbad.

Andil
e:"Istayedbehindwit
hhim whenNonhl
elef
t,
hetol
dmet hatlastweekyouandThando
di
srespectedhim, hetol
dmeeverythi
ngt
hat
happened"

Wow!!!Ihadevenf
orgot
tenandgot
tenovert
hat
,it
happenedaweekagoandhonestl
yheistheone
t
hewr
ong.

Me:"
Whatexact
lydi
dhesay?
"

Andile:"I
tdoesn'tmatterbabebutThabisoismy
fr
iendj ustasmuchasyouar emygirl
fri
end.Iwant
yout orespecthim andIwanthimtorespectyou.I
knowhewaswr ongbyhur ti
ngNonhleandIt ol
d
him earfulbutIwantyouandThandot ostayaway
fr
om t heirbusi
ness,don'ti
nvol
veyoursel
ves"

Okayi
shehear
inghi
msel
fri
ghtnow?

Me:" Andil
ejudgingbyyourreacti
on, Iguesshet ol
d
youal lt
hebadt hingsaboutusbuthenevert ol
d
youwhatHEdi d,didhe?Didhetellyouhowhej ust
bargedinourhouse?Howhecal leduswhor es?
Mindyouwehadn' tdoneorsai
danyt hing,he
i
nvitedhimselfintoourhouseandi nsultedus,and
AndileNonhleisourf ri
endwehadt ost andupf or
her
"

Andile:"Igetallt
hatandI'm sorr
yheinsul
tedyou,
I'
llt
alktohim aboutthat,
buthowl onghaveyou
knowNonhl e?2mi nut
es?Andal lofasuddenyou
feeltheneedt ofi
ghtherbattl
es?Nobabypl ease,I
don'twantyouhat ingmyf r
iendandIdon'twant
youhat i
nghi m sostayawayf r
om hisandNonhl e'
s
business"

Isi
ghed,IknowwhatheissayingmakessensesoI
havenocomebackf ort
hisonereal
ly.Ij
ustnodded
andkeptquit
e,t
ooktheremoteandscrol
led
thr
oughthechannel
s.

Andi
le:"
Youangr
ynow?
"

Ishookmyhead,sayi
ngNo.Justt
henthedoorbel
l
rang,
hewenttoopenanditwasadel
iveryguy,
our
foodhadar
ri
ved.Hepaidandcametositnextt
o
me.

Andi
le:"
Baby"

Iam sulki
ng,
notthatI
'
m angrybutt
hatf
eel
ingof
bei
ngr epr
imandedbyyourboyf
ri
endsti
ngsabit
.

Me:"
Mmmh"

Andi
le:"
LookatmeSt
handwasam"

Itur
nedtolookathi
m,hej
ustsmashedhisl
ipson
mine,heki
ssedmewi t
hsomuchpassionand
hunger,
Imoanedthenhel
etgo.

Andi
le:"
Iloveyou"

I
tcameoutasawhi
sper
,hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.I
sawabulgefr
om hi
spants,hesawthatIsawi
tso
hequi
ckl
ywalkedtothekit
chenandcameback
wit
htwoplat
esoffood,Ij
ustl
aughed.

Andi
le:"
Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?"

Me:"
Not
hing,
comel
et'
seat
"

Ipat
tedt
hecouch.

Andil
e:"
Disht
hef
ood,I
'
llqui
ckl
ygoupst
air
sto
changei
ntocomf
ort
abl
eclot
hes"

Hedi
dn'
tevenwai
tformet
oanswer
,hej
ustr
anup
t
hest
air
s.
Idi
shedupandwai
tedf
orhi
m.

15mi
nut
esl
aterhewasst
il
lnotdonechangi
ng,
haibot hi
sguy.Ist oodupandwentupst ai
rstoour
room, justwhenIgott ot hedoor ,Iheardgroans
comi ngoutf r
om theshower ,Istoppedonmy
tracks.Coudi tbet hathei smast urbati
ng?Anot her
groanf il
ledtheent i
rer oom, i
twasscar yandfunny
enough, Iwasnotevenscar ed, notevenmyst ep
dadcr ossedmymi nd.Myhear tsank, Hereall
yis
mast urbat i
ng.Am Ist arvinghi m?I t'
sbeenclose
twomont hssincewe'vebeent ogetherandwe' ve
never..
.youknow?Hehasnevercompl ainedabout
i
t.Ihear dwat errunningi nt heshower ,
Iwentt osit
ont hebedandwai tedf orhim.
Minut
eslat
erhecameoutandlookedatmebut
act
edli
kenothi
nghappened,
hesmi l
ed,
hisor
igi
nal
smil
e.

Andil
e:"I
'
m sor
ryforkeepi
ngyouwait
ingmylove,
I
fel
tst
ickysodeci
dedtoshowerbef
orechangi
ng"

Hewalkedt
ohiscl
oset,hehadatowelwrapped
ar
oundhisl
owerpartandImustsayhisupperpar
t
i
ssof
ineee!
!!

Me:"
Andi
le?
"

Andi
le:"
Mami
"

Me:"Doyouwantsex?Doyouf
eell
ikeI
'
m depr
ivi
ng
you?
"

Hecoughedt
hensl
owl
ytur
nedt
olookatme.

Andi
le:"Wha.
..
what
?Nobabyno,
whywoul
dyou
t
hinkthat?
"

Me:"
Ihear
dyoupl
easur
ingyour
sel
fint
heshower
"

Helookeddown,hewasashamedorsomet
hingbut
t
rustmeIfeelbad.
Andil
e:"I
..
..
it
's.
..
.wel
lbabyIam wi
ll
ingt
owai tf
or
youtoheal,Iknowyoucan'tnowandIloveso
mucht hatI
'm gonnawaitf
oryouandIwon'tcheat
sothebestwayi stodoahandjob"

Thenhewor
ehi
svestandshor
ts.

Andi
le:"
Comel
et'
sgoeatbaby,
ourf
oodmustbe
col
dbynow"

Hetookmyhand,
Isl
owl
ystoodup.Icanseehei
s
avoi
dingme,
wewarmedourfoodandate.

Me:"
I'
mready"

Hecoughedyetagai
n.
Andi
le:"
What
?Readyf
orwhat
?"

Me:"
Iwantyout
omakel
ovet
omeAndi
le"

Andil
e:"
Nobabynodon'
tdot
hat
,Tr
ustmeIcan
wait
,Iwantyout
oheal
"

Me:" Youdon'twanttobeintimatewit
hme?Whati f
Itellyouthatmakinglovewithyoucouldhelpme
eraset hebadthoughtsIhaveaboutsex?Whatifi
t
willhelpmef or
getaboutthe"Then"andfocuson
the" Now"?I'
mr eadyAndil
e,pleasemakelovet
o
me"

Helookedatme,morel
iker
eadi
ngmebutIwas
ser
ious,If
eelr
eady.
Heputhi
splat
eonthet
ableandcamecl
osert
ome,
her
anhisfi
ngeronmyl
ips.
Andi
le:"
Areyousur
emami
?"

Iclosedmyeyesandnodded,
I'
mtr
yingt
obl
ockt
he
thoughtsofmyst
epdad.

If
elthi
m br
eat
hingver
ycl
oset
omymout
h.

Andi
le:"
Openyoureyes"

Iopenedthem,hewasclose,
wayt
ocl
ose.Wewer
e
breat
hingthesameai
r.

Andil
e:"
Ineedyoutouseyourwor
ds,
don'
tnod
baby.Sotel
lme,ar
eyousure?"

Iswal
lowedhar
d,t
hewayhi
svoi
cehasbecome.

Me:"
Ye.
..
yes"
Andi
le:"
Yeswhat
?"

Me:"
I'
mready"

Andi
le:"
Youar
ereadyf
orwhat
?"

Me:"
Hai
boAndi
le"

Hebr
ushedmyl
ipswi
thhi
sbutdi
dn'
tki
ssme.

Andi
le:"
Tel
lmeyouar
ereadyf
orwhat
?"

Me:"
I'
mreadyt
omakel
ovewi
thyou"

Justl
iket
heki
ssedme,hunger
,passi
on,passi
on,
morepassi
onandhunger
,Imoaned,hegroaned.
Hethenli
ft
edmeup,If
eltsaf
einhi
shands,
we
wentupst
air
sandi
nourroom.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.AndAndAnd.
..
..
..
..
..
.

[
Anel
i
sa]

"Idon'
tli
kei
ther
e,Idon'
tevenli
kethatdaddyMenzi
ofyoursmommy!!!
!!
Iwantdaddy"

Sabelohasbeenati tforthewholeday, hewants

Andileandourarrangementwast hatIbri
ngfrom
fr
idaytil
lSundayandt odayit
'sTuesday.Andi l
e
madei tcl
earthatIshouldn'
tcallhim,hewillcal
lme
sorightnowI'm pi
ssedandst ressed.

Me:"SabeloMenzii
syourdadokay?Stopi
twi
th
yourtant
rumsbefor
eIwhipyourass"
Sabelo:"No!!!MydadisdaddyAndi
leandnot
Menzi,Idon'tli
kehi
m andIdon'
tknowwhydidn'
t
youjustleavemewi t
hmydaddy"

Isighedt
ookmyphone,
dial
ledAndi
lebuthewasn'
t
picki
ngup.

Iam j
ustsost
ressed,
Menzi
hasbeenact
ingup
l
atel
y.

Thi
nkofthedevi
l,
hej
ustwal
kedi
n.Il
ookedathi
m,
hel
ookeddrunk.

Menzi
:"Hey"

Me:"
Hy"

Hewal
kedt
ome.
Menzi
:"Whyi
smysoncr
ying?
"

Me:"
Hewant
sAndi
le"

Hekeptqui
te,
li
kehei
sthi
nki
ng.

Menzi
:"Weneedt
otal
k"

Me:"
Wear
etal
kingar
en'
twe?
"

Menzi:"Iwantoutoft
hisrel
ati
onshi
pAnel
isa,
I
stoppedlovi
ngyouawhi l
eago,Iam wi
thsomeone
nowandIl oveher.Al
lIneededwastobeinmy
son'sli
fe"

Ist
opped,ever
ythi
ngseemedt
obespi
nni
ngandi
t
wasli
ghtsout.
Tobecont
inuedl
ater
.
#Unedi
ted

Thanksfort
heloveguys,
I'
m sti
llsi
ckbutIfeel
bet
ter,
hopeful
lyt
omorrowI'
llbestr
onger.

Ohandt hatpi
cshowst
hatwe'
vebeengai
ningal
ot
ofl
ikes,
thankyousomuch.
Chapt
er20
Cont
inuat
ion

[
Menzi
]

Iam pani
cki
ng,howcoul
dshef
aintj
ustr
ighti
n
fr
ontofachil
d?

Sabel
o:"
Whatdi
dyoudot
omommy?
"
Sabel
odoesn'
tli
keme,Ihavetri
edever
ythi
ngt
obe
cl
oserwi
thhim buthei
shavingnoneofit
.

Me:"
Idi
dnothi
ngboy,
gogetsomewat
ersot
hat
wecanwakemommyup"

Herantothekit
chenandcamebackwi t
htheglass
ofwater
,Ispr
inkl
editonherface.Once,t
wice,t
hree
ti
messhegaspedf orai
r.Shewokeup, l
ooki
ngall
conf
used,sheheldherhead,Iguessi
t'
spainful
.

Me:"
Youscar
edusAnel
isa"
.

Shestart
edcr
ying,
Iguesssher
emember
sour
conver
sati
on.

Me:"
Sonlook,whydon'
tyougowatchyour
f
avour
it
ecartoons?Whatar
etheycal
ledagai
n?The
t
eent
it
ans"

Sabel
o:"
Iam notgoi
nganywher
e,mommyi
scr
ying
andit
'
syourfaul
t"

Anel
isa:"
Goboy, mommyhasaheadachebutI
'
ll
dr
inkmypi l
lthenI'
l
lbef
ine"
.

Sabel
o:"
Areyousur
e?"

Anel
isa:"
I'
m sur
emyboy"

Hel
ookedatmet
henl
efthesi
tant
ly.

Aneli
sa:"DoyouhaveanyideaofhowmuchIhur t
Andil
e?Ichoseyou,Iwast
edyear sofmymar r
iage,
Il
eftthemanwhol ovedmef oryoubecauseIl
oved
youmor ethanhi
m andyoutellmeyouwantoutof
thisrel
ati
onshi
p?Tellmewher
edi
dIgowr
ongbaby,
pleasetel
lmeI'l
lfi
xit"

Me:"Il
ovedyoubutt hatwast hen,Iknowi twas
wrongofmet omakeyoul eaveAndile,Iwaswrong
forgi
vingyouf al
sehopeaboutus.Ihadt obecause
Iknewi fnotyouwouldn'
thaveal l
owedmet osee
myson, I
'
m amanandIcan' twatchanotherman
rai
semysont henrel
axandkeepqui t
eaboutit"

Anel
isa:"
Whoi
sshe?
"

Ismiled,Il
ovePal
esasomuchandf ort
hef actshe
supportedmewhenItol
dherthatIneedmyson.
Herstatushasnot
hingt
odowi t
hhowIf eelabout
her.

Anel
isa:"
Sheevenmakesyousmi
le"
Me:"I
'm sorr
yNel i
,butyoudon'
thavet
oleavet
his
house,I
'lll
eave.Thisismyson'
shome"

Anel
isa:"
Menziplease,pl
easedon'
tdot
his,
Ilove
youMenzi,don'
tdothistome"

Sheknelti
nfrontofme, beggi
ngandcryi
ngbutI
havenochoice,Ican'
tlosePalesaf
orsomeoneIno
l
ongerlove.

Me:"I
'm sor
ryAnel
isa,Ir
eall
ydi
dloveyoubutyou
chosetomarryAndil
emyl ovef
oryouendedthen,
I
madepeacewi t
hthat"

Shest
oodup,
andl
ookedatme.

Anel
isa:"
Sot
hisi
sar
evenge?
"
Me:"
No,Ididn'
tchoosetol
ovePal
esa,
Imether
andf
elli
nlovewithher
"

Shesi
ghedandsatdownagai
n.

Me:"I
'l
lkeeponcomingtocheckuponyouand
spendti
mewi t
hSabelo"
.

Justli
kethatIlef
t,shewascryi
ngandt hathurtme,
mor eespeci
all
ybecauseI'mthecause.I'
llt
akecare
ofthem fi
nanci
all
yandI '
l
lcomespendt imewithmy
son.
NowIhavet
ocal
lPal
esaandt
ellheri
t'
sdone.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Iam soscared,
myhear ti
sbeati
ngsohard,Ican
evenheartheGu...
gu.
..
gusounds,I
t'
sli
keithabeen
placedr
ightout
sidemychest.
Hewaskissi
ngmeal
lover.Sucki
ngandbi
ti
ngmy
br
east
s.Iwasbr
eat
hingheavil
y.

Wearebot
hnaked,heisdoi
ngmelikeheownsmy
body,
Iam evenget
ti
nggoosebumps.

Hewentdownf r
om myneckt omybr easts,fr
om
mybr eastst
omypotbel l
y.Thefor
eignf eel
ingst
hat
I
'm havingareoutoft
hisworld.

JustbeforeIknowi thewasli
cki
ngmyNunu, Ihel
d
thesheetsandt r
iedmovingupbuthepressedme,
hesuckedmet i
llIexpl
odedi
nhismouthbuthe
didn'
tst
opcl eaningmeoutwithhi
stongue.

Me:"
A..
..
Andi
le,
OhI
..
..
OhGod"

Hecamebackupandki
ssedme,
Icoul
dfeelt
he
t
ast
eofmycake.
Hethenst
artedmovi
nghi
sshaf
tonmycake,
itwas
al
lwetandready.

Het
ri
edpushi
ngi
tinbuti
twassohar
d.

Andi
le:"
You.
..
.youar
esot
ightbaby,
andsowetf
or
me"

Hepushedhar
der
,Iscr
eamedandheldhi
mti
ght
er,
Idi
dn'
twanthi
mtomove,thepai
n!!
!!

Hest art
edmovi ngsl
owly,groani
ngwit
hme
moani ng,Icl
osedmyeyes.Isawhi m,hewas
groaningandsweat i
ngont opofme,Hispi
ctur
e
camecl earl
yandeverythi
nghedi dt
omecame
crawlinginmymi nd.Icl
osedmyeyesashewas
pumpi ng.
Tear
sj ustcameoutbutIhadstil
lcl
osedmyeyes,
hestoppedmovi ng,
Idi
dn'topenmyeyes,I
cont
inuedcr yi
ng.

Andi
le:"
Babyopenyoureyes"

Ishookmyhead.

Andi
le:"
Lookatmemami
,pl
easel
ookatmemy
l
ove"

Isl
owl
yopenedmyeyes,hiseyeswereful
lofl
ove,
pai
nandsadnessbutmostofalll
ove.

Andi
le:"
It
'sme,
it'
smemyl
ove,
canyouseeme?
"

Me:"
I.
..
seeyou"
Andi
le:"
Iloveyoubaby,
Iwon'
thur
tyou,
it'
smemy
l
ove"

Inodded,hewi
pedof fmytearsandstar
tedmovi
ng
sl
owly,Iwasbr
eathingheavi
lybecausethe
pl
easureIwasfeel
ing.

Andil
e:"Don't
..
..
ahhhh,Don'
tcl
oseyoureyes,Iwant
youtolookatmeandseet hatI
'm nothi
m.Iwant
youtoseet hatIam t
heoneinlovewithyou,
Iwon't
hurtyou.
"

Hi
spacechangedhemovedf ast
er,
groansand
moansf
il
ledther
oom, hemovedveryfast
,Iwas
l
ooki
ngathimintheeyesashedancedont opof
me.

Andi
le:"
Ahhhf
uck.
..
shi
tbabywai
tforme"
Hemovedf
ast
erandf
ast
erandwebot
hexpl
oded.

Hesl
owl
ytookhi
spi
peoutofme.

Andi
le:
"Il
oveyouMaMkhize,Il
oveyousomuch
andt
hankyouforshar
ingyourspeci
alpl
acewi
th
me,f
oropeni
ngupt ome"

Wesl
eptl
iket
hat
,meonhi
schest
.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Goodni
ght
.
Chapt
er21.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]
'
CANISTAYWI THYOU' ByKarynWhiteisonloud
speakerasI '
m packingmyst uff,I
'
m goingbackto
ourhouse.Isweart hingsAndiledidtome
yesterdaygotmehavi ngadiff
erentvi
ewaboutsex,
Ijustfeelgood,If
eel goodaboutmyself,mybody
andI '
mj usti
nagoodmood, hesealedthedeal,
I
l
ovehi m somuchandIdon' teverwannabewi thout
him.

Neverf
eltsogoodbef
ore.
..
Neverdr
eamedIwoul
dexpl
ore.
..
Maki
ngl
ovei
ntheposi
ti
onst
hatyougotdoi
ng.
..
.
Inevert
houghtI
'
dbegf
ormor
e..
..
.
Nevert
houghtI
'
dfi
ndaman.
..
Whocandoi
tagai
nandagai
n..
..
Andt
henevendoi
tli
keonceagai
n..
..
I
'
venevert
rembl
edi
nmyl
if
e..
.
Hear
dabouti
tonceort
wice.
..
.
ButnowI
'
m shaki
ng.
..
AndIsweart
heshaki
ngf
eelsoni
ce.
..
.
Wel
lIdon'
tknowwhatI
'
m gonnado.
..
.
CauseIdon'
twannabeawayf
rom you.
..
.
Youshoul
dn'
thavef
eltsogood.
..
Lor
dknowsI
'
veneverf
eltsogood.
..
I
t'
swonder
ful
..
..
..
.
Wel
lther
e'sonl
yonet
hingIneedt
oknow.
..
.
CanIst
aywi
thyoubabe?
??

Iam singi
ngmyl ungsoutloudandbefor
eIknowit
Iwasdone, wel
lIt'
snotalotoft
hingsbutIwasal
so
cl
eaninghereandt her
e.
Wheneveryt
hingwasper
fectIr
equest
eduber
,
whi
lewait
ingfori
tIwr
oteanoteformyman.

"Thankyousomuchf orl
astnightbaby,
Iloved
everymomentofitandwellIwon'tsaymuchabout
themorninggl
ory,
itwasoutofthisworl
d.Ilove
you"Iki
ssedt
henot
e,l
eavi
ngt
het
raceofl
ipst
ick.

Myuberar
ri
vedandIl
eft
.

Lor
d!!
!!
!If
orgottoswi
tchof
fthemusi
candt
hesong
i
sonrepeat,Arggggwhat
ever.

AssoonasIarr
ivedIsawNonhl
e'scarout
side,
she'
snotatwor
k?AnywayIpaidandgotoff.

Me:"
Hel
loanybodyhome?
"

Iwasmetbyaboxoft issues,i
twashalfempt yand
thet i
ssueswerealloverthecouch,Iknewr i
ght
thent hatNonhlewascr yi
ng,myheartsinked.What
kindofaf ri
endam I?Ishouldhavebeenher ethe
mi nuteIfoundoutaboutthedivor
ce.Isighedand
wal kedtoherroom andshewasl yi
ngi nbedwi t
ha
halfempt ybott
leofwhiskeyandagl ass.Didshe
dr
inkt
hisal
one?Wi
thoutevenmi
xingi
t?
Ishookher,shewasn'
twakingup, Iconti
nued
shaki
ngherbutshewasst i
llnotwakingup, Itur
ned
hertolookup,shewasnotmovi ng,herheartbeat
wasf ai
nt.

Hel
lno!
!!
!Nonhl
e!

Me:"
Nonhl
e!!
!!
Wakeup.
"

Iwasshaki
ng,scared,
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo,
I
can'
tevendr
ive,Letmecal
lThando.

Herphonetookmet ovoi cemai

l,
Itr
iedaseveral
ti
metonoavail.Ipanicked,ComeonNonhle,come
on.Andi
le!
!YesAndile!

Wi
thl
uckheanswer
edont
hef
ir
str
ing.
Andi
le:"
Missmeal
ready?
"

Me:"
Nonhl
e!!
!Andi
le.
..
she.
..
.she'
snotwaki
ngup"

Andil
e:"Hey.
..
.heycal
m down,
breat
het
henst
artal
l
overagain"

Wow!
!!

Me:"Ther
e'snot i
meforebreathi
ngAndi
le,
shewi
ll
di
e,herheartbeatisf
aint
,pleasecomet
oourpl
ace
now!!
!!
"

Andi
le:"
Whathappened?
"

Me:"Foralawyeryouar
esost
upi
d,Andi
let
hisi
s
notcourt
!Wil
lyoucomeornot
?"
Ihungup,
pacedupanddown.Anambulance,
wow
I'
m al
sost
upi
dlikeAndi
le,
howcanInott
hinkabout
i
t?

AsItookmyphonetocal
ltheAmbulancesome
dar
kguyrushedi
n,whoishe?Whyishere?Howdi
d
hegether
e?

Him:"I
'l
lanswerall
yourquest
ionsl
aternowl
et'
s
gethertothehospi
tal
"

Me:"
Okaybuthow.
..
."

Hi
m:"Andi
lecal
ledme,
Idon'
twor
kfarf
rom her
eso
i
twastheeasyway"

Inodded,hepickedherupandrushedoutwi
thher
,I
tookhersli
ppersandfol
lowedbehind.
Wegottothecarandhedroveoutl
ikesomemad
manbutI'
m notcompl
aini
ng.

Arri
vingatthehospit
al,
wewer eluckytohave
gott
enhelpquickly,
theywheeledherinona
str
etcherandlat
eronAndi l
eraninwith.
..
.*
Roll
ing
eyes*hecamewi thThabiso.

Theycametomeandunknownguy, Thabisol
ooked
worri
ed,hewantedt
otal
ktomebutIcouldseehe
wasscaredandIwasnotaboutt
oentert
ainhi
sass,
notaft
erhecal
ledmeawhore,Ideser
veanapology.

Andi
lehuggedmeandki
ssedmyf
orehead.

Me:"
Thankyouf
orseeki
nghel
pbaby"

Hewhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.
"Youcall
edmest
upi
dandf
ort
hatIam goi
ngt
o
punishyou"
.
Igi
ggl
ed.

Andil
e:"
Nowdoyoumi
ndt
ell
ingmewhathappened
baby?"

Me:"
Ihadjustarr
ivedandIfoundaboxoft issue,
it
wasemptywithti
ssuesallovert
hecouch,Iknewi t
washerbecausehercarwasoutside,Iwenttoher
r
oom tofi
ndanalmostempt ybott
leofwhiskey,I
t
ri
edwakingherupbutshewas. .
..shewasnot
movi
ng"

Thabisoputhi
shandsonhisfacehewentt
osi ton
thebench,Iwasnowtear
y,shecoul
dhavedied.

Thedoct
orcameandt hrf
ir
stper
sont
ost
andup
wasThabiso.Wef
oll
owedhim.
Thabi
so:"
Howi
ssheDoc?
"

Doc:"
Youar
eher
eforNonhl
eri
ght
?"

Me:"
Yesi
ssheokay?
"

Doc:"Lucki
lyyesshe'
sf i
ne,
itwasalcohol
poisoni
ng,wehadt odrai
nitoutofhersyst
em, she
seemst obedehydrat
edaswel landthat
'snotgood
forthebaby"

Thewhat
??OhmyGod!
!!

Thabi
so:"
Theb.
..
thebaby?
"

Doc:"
Yessheis3mont hspr
egnant
,Idon'
thowi
sit
t
hatshedi
dn'tnot
icebutwewil
lmakesuremommy
andbabyar
eokay,
fornowshei
sst
il
lout
"

Thabi
so:"
Fuck!
!!
!WhathaveIdone?
??"

Thabi
so:"
CanIseeher
?"

Doc:"
Unfortunatelyyoucan'tshehast orest,
she
can'
taff
ordtost resssir
,herbloodpressurewas
waytoohighandt hatputst
hebaby'slifeindanger
,
wearestil
lmoni t
or i
ngherandwhi l
edoi ngthatwe
don'
twantanyt hi
ngoranyonet ost
ressher "
.

Shethenthankedusandleft
,Whenitr
aini
tpours,
howwi l
lshetaket
hepregnancyi
ssuewhil
egoing
thr
oughsomuch?

[
Thando]
.
Iam havi
nglunchwithYandai
nmyof fi
ce,l
ucky
l
adyIam, fl
owers,
lunchandchocol
atesatt
he
sametime.

Yanda:"
Thando"

Hel
ooksser
ious,
hei
shar
dlyser
ious.

Me:"
Mmm"

Mymout
hisf
ulloff
ood,
Ilovef
oodsomuch.

Yanda:"
Iloveyou,Ijustwantt
obewi thyou,
Iwant
tobeabletocal
lyoumywoman, kissyou
goodni
ghtandtellyouIloveyoueverymorni
ng.
Canyougivemet hatchance?"

Tookyoul
ongenough!
!!
!I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngt
ohear
him sayt
hat.FunnyhowIalwaysgi r
lstonotwai
t
foraguytomaket hefi
rstmove,theyshouldmake
i
tthemselvesbuthereIam notabletodothat
.

Me:"Well
..
.I
..
..
Ifeel
thesameaboutyou,I'
vewait
ed
tohearyousaythatandyesIam gi
vingyouthat
chance"

Hesmiled,I
'veseenhim smi
lebefor
ebutt
hisonei
s
di
ff
erent,I
t'
sbig,bol
dandperfect
.

Yanda:"Forr
eal?Thankyou,t
hankyousomuch
baby,youwon'tregr
eti
t.Comehere"

Istoodup,hepull
edmet ositonhislap,t
henhe
ki
ssedhi m.HEAVEN!
!!
!!!Ihaven'
tki
ssedaguyi n
ages,letal
onesucht
hicklips,i
t'
soff
ici
alhisl
ipsar
e
myf avouri
te.
Myl
unchti
mecametoanendandIhadmypatient
i
nafewminut
escomi
ngin,
somyMANl ef
t,yesmy
MAN!!
!!

Ngi
yaj
olabaf
ethu!
!!
!!
Hahaha.

AsIwasabouttogetbusy,Ir
eal
iseIhaven'
t
t
ouchedmyphone, Ihadabusyday.SoItookand
foundmi
ssedcall
sf r
om Ndal
oandamessage:
"Twi
nnycal
lmewhenyougett
his,
Nonhl
eisi
n
hospi
tal
"

Whatt
he?
???
?

Tobecont
inuedl
ater
,I'
m qui
tebusy.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er21
Cont
inuat
ion.

[
Nonhl
e]

Ifeelsomuchdi scomf ort,

It r
ymovi ngbutit'sl
ikeI
am tiedupsomewher e,IopenmyeyesandIam
metbyawhi teceili
ngandaver yeyet ort
uri
nglight
,
Iquicklyclosemyeyes, IalreadyknowI '
min
hospitalbecauser ightnexttomeIcanheart he
beepbeepbeepsound, Ineedwat er.Ifeell
ikeI
've
beenhi tbyat ruck.Iopenmyeyesagai nandseea
dripconnect edtomyar m,justasIwasaboutt o
pressthebuzzert hedoctorwal ksinandshegi ves
meaver ywar m smi l
e.

Doc:"
Andmypat
ienti
sfi
nal
l
yawake"
.

Igi
veheraweaksmil
e,atleasti
fIknewhowIgot
her
e,whyam Iher
ebecausethelastt
imeIchecked
Iwasnotsi
ck.

Me:"
Can.
..
.canIhavewat
er?
"

Myt
hroati
ssodry,
evenmyvoicei
sgruf
f.Icl
ear
myt
hroatandt
hedoctorhel
psmedri
nkup.

Me:"
Thankyou,
whyam Iher
e?"

Doc:"
Youover
dozedonalcohol,i
tal
mostkil
ledyou.
Youshoul
dbethankf
ulyourfr
iendfoundyouin
ti
me".

Thenitcl
icks,Ialmostempt
iedthebot
tl
eof
whiskey,
howcanIbesocar el
ess?HadIdi
edwasI
real
lygoi
ngt oleavemydaughter?

Doc:"
Ihavegoodnews,
youar
e3mont
hspr
egnant
anddon'tworrybabyissafeanddoingokaybutI
wil
lsuggestthatyoukeepawayfrom str
ess,
eat
heal
thyanddr inkalotofwat
erbecauseyouwere
evendehydrated".

Ofal
lthethi
ngsshesaidIonlyheardthatIam 3
monthspregnant
,No!
!!
!Nonono! !
!HowcomeI
di
dn'
tknow?SoIwasdr inki
ngalcoholli
keafish
andalmostharmedmybaby.

Me:"
Ismybabyokay?I
shenoti
ndanger
?"

Shesmi
ledagai
n,shehasawel
comi
ngper
sonal
it
y.

Doc:"
Areyouhopi
ngf
oraboy?
"

Ismiled,
fort
hefi
rstt
imesi
ncewef
inal
isedt
he
divor
ceIfoundmysel
fsmil
ing.
Me:"Ihaveadaught
eral
readysoIam hopi
ngf
ora
boy"
.

Doc:"Mayyourwi shcomet rue,anywaywecoul d

bedischar
gingyoul at
ertoday,Isti
llwantt
oruna
fewtestst
henmakesur eeverythi
ngisokay,for
nowletmel eaveyou,yourfri
endsar ecomingin"

Inodded,shewalkedout
.Aminut
eslaterNdal
o,
Thando,Andil
eandExhusbandwalkedin.

Ndal
o:"
Babe,
youar
eawake!
!Youscar
edme"

Shecamef orahug,Thandoal
sohuggedme, t
hey
hadtear
s.Thabi
sojuststoodt
her
e,l
ookingatme.

Andi
le:"
Doyouwantt
oki
llyour
sel
f?"
Me:"
Ihaveki
dst
oli
vef
orsonope"

Andi
le:"
Thenwhydr
inksomuchal
cohol
?"

Me:"Alcoholwasmeantt
ogetmedrunknotki
llme,
Ineededittonumbthepai
nIwasf
eeli
nginmy
heart
"

Ndalosqueezedmyhand,herandThandohave
beenagreatsuppor
tsyst
em.

Thabi
so:"
CanIt
alkt
oheral
onepl
ease"
.

Thandor
oll
edhereyesandat
tempt
edl
eavi
ng.

Me:"No,nopleasedon'
tgo.Thabisoeveryt
hingyou
wanttosay,
youcansayi nfrontofthem orf
orever
hol
dyourpeace"
Hesi
ghed.

Thabiso:"
Iam sorr
yforeveryt
hing,
Youareher
e
becauseofme, i
t'
smyf aul
t.Youhavebeenan
amazingwifeand..
..
."
.

Me:" I
t '
sal lgoodThabi so,donotapol ogi se.Iam
donecr yingf oryou, Iam donenur singt hepai nyou
haveputmet hrough, Iam set t
ingyouf ree, don'
t
feelsor ryf orme.Li feisat eacherandunf ortunately
thisismypar tofthel essoni nlif
e,ithur tsbutI '
m
l
ettinggo.IhaveMbal itolivefor,notonl yherbut
myot herbabywhoi sont heway, Idi dn'tloseitall.I
l
oveyou, itwilltaket imef ormet ocompl etelyget
overyoubutIal sol ovemysel fmor eandIneedt o
startlivi
ngmyl ifeformeandmyki ds.Iam sor ry
fornotbei ngagoodenoughwi fetoyouandIhave
onet hingIneedt oaskf rom you, Don' tbea
strangeri nMbal i
'
sl if
e,shel oves.Iwantyout o
remai nal ovingf athertoherandourupcomi ng
baby,
that
'sal
lI'
m aski
ngf
or"
.

Myfri
endswer ecr
ying,Iwascryi
ngt
oo,Iwipedoff
t
hetears,
Ifeelbet
ter,
it'
sli
keIsai
dal
lthatIneeded
t
osay.

Me:"Pleaseleave,nothi
ngconnectsusanymor e
exceptfort
heki ds,sounlessi
t'
saboutthem don'
t
contactmeorcomeatmydoorst ep,Iwi
shyou
well
".

Hesi
ghedagai
nandsl
owl
ywal
kedoutt
hedoor
.

I
t'
sdone,heisgone.TheAsanel
egi
rlhaswonbutI
wonthebiggerpr
ize,
mykids!

Westayedther
ewithmyvisi
tor
sunti
lAndil
elef
t,
wi
thluckthedoct
orsai
dI'
m goodtogo,she
di
schargedmeandgavemeapr escr
ipt
ionofal
lthe
suppl
ementsI'
m gonnaneed,t
henbookedmemy
checkupappoi
ntment,wethenlef
t.

[
Anel
i
sa]
.

Heisgone,heleftme.Iam si tt
inghereallalone,
Sabel
owentt oschool .Iam wonderinghowdi dI
notnot
icethatIwasbei ngused?Aspai nfulasthis
i
s,Iwentupstair
st opackmycl ot
hest ogetherwit
h
Sabel
o's,
Icameacr ossouroldpicture.Ijustcri
ed,
Howcouldhedot histome?Hesai dhel ovesme,
Hepromisedtoneverl eavemeandheevenmade
meleaveAndile.Howcoul dhebesohear tl
ess?

Ifi
nishedpackingwi thmyheavyhear t,Ican'tstay
i
nhi shouse,IwillgetmysonandIahouse.St ayi
ng
i
nt hi
sonewi llbelikeputti
ngperiper
iont hewound.
Truewhattheysay, Kar
mai sabi t
ch,i
tvisitswhen
youleastexpectit,IhurtAndi
le,nowit'
smyt urnto
feelthi
sway.Af t
erpacki ngIputthebagsi nthecar
bootandjustdr i
veof f
.Iam goingtolookf ora
decentapar
tmentf
ormysonandI
.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Asanel
eisatwor
kwhensher
ecei
vesamessage
fr
om Thabi
so.

"
Iloveyou,
Ineedt
oseeyousot
hatwecant
alk,
I
wil
lfl
ydowntomor
row"

Shewassurpr
isedbecauseshehasneverrecei
ved
aser
iousmessagefrom Thabi
so,sheknewthat
what
everi
tishastobereall
yseri
ous.

Shedidn'
trespond,shej
ustmadeamentalnot
eto
repl
ylat
er,
shet hengotbusywi
thherwor
k.

Ohbyt
hewayshehadgot
tendi
schar
ged,
he
woundsar
eheal
ingper
fect
lyf
ine.

Sher
eal
lybr
oket
hingsof
fwi
thThemba.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er22.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

It
'saThur sday,adayaf terNonhle'shospital
episodeandadaybef oreIgobackt oKwaMashu.
Yest omorrowIam goi ngt here,
andIwon' tli
eand
sayI '
m notscared,Iam ver ymuchscar ed.Whatif
i
ttakesmebackt oapl aceI 'veworkedsohar dto
forgetabout?Iam notr eadybuti nDrA' swords
"Ndalothefirstst
epofheal i
ngisfacingyourfears"
.
Iam goingt odojustthat,Iam goingf acethi
shead
on.Ihavecomet oofartogiveupnow.AnywayI '
ve
j
ustgot t
enbackfrom DrA,Ireal
lyneededt ot
alkto
herbeforeIgotoKwaMashu.Thegi rlsandIare
chil
li
ng,watchi
ngamovi eormaybeamovi eis
watchingusbecauseThandoi syappingaway,
tel
li
ngusaboutherrelati
onshipwit
hSi yanda.

Thando:"Anywayenoughaboutmeguys,you
sneakyli
ttl
ebit
chdidn'
ttel
lust
hewholestor
y
aboutyouandAndile".

WelaughedandIf
oundmyselfbl
ushi
ngatt
he
t
houghtofwhatwentdown.

Me:"Wellwedidthedeed,al
lIcansayi
sI'
m happy.
IcansafelysayIdon'
tseesexthewayIusedtosee
i
tbefor
e, Icanseethebeaut
yofit
".

Thando:"
Iam gl
adyoufeelthatwayt
winny,
you
knowayearagoIneverthoughtmyli
fewouldbe
thisway,
mehavi
ngf
ri
ends,
oneoft
hem bei
ngmy
sister
"

Nonhl e:"
God'stimingi salwaystheper f
ectone
babe, ourpl
ansar en'talwaysGod'splans.Imeana
yearagoIalsodi dn'tthinkI'
dbesepar atedwit
hmy
highschoolsweet hear t
,theloveofmyl ifeand
fatherofmyki ds".

Theatmospher
echangedi
mmediat
ely,Nonhlei
s
real
lyt
ryi
ngtobest
rongbuti
t'
shar
df orher
.

Me:"
Honest
lyt
houghNonzhowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"

Nonhl e:"I
'
m hurtfr i
end,Ireall
yam hurt
.Isti
lll
ove
him, asmuchasI 'vemadepeacewi thour
separ at
ionit
'ssti
llhard.Butl ooki
ngont hebri
ghter
side,IhaveMbal iandanot herbabyontheway, I
f
there'sonethingI'dhateisseei ngmykidssuffer
becauseofourdi vorce,atleastonepersonhasto
betherefullti
meandf ul
lyt
hereandIchoosetobe
thatperson,youknowwhattheysay.
..
lovefr
om
yourparentsisthebestbutt
here'
snoloveli
kea
mot her
'slove"
.

Thando:" Mmmm pr eachsi ster,Preach!!

!Honest l
y
thoughIr eallyadmireyourspi rit
,youar esomat ur e
andsost rongandIbel i
evewecanl earnat hi
ngor
twof rom you.Tobehonestwi thyou, Iam alate
bloomer ,
Ist art
eddatinginvar sityandevent hose
relationshi pswer ejustmeani ngless, Ibr
okemy
virginitywhenIwas21, beli
evei tornotpeopl ethink
I'
m exper iencedmost l
ybecauseofmyper sonali
ty,I
talkal ot,IlovepeopleandIhat eseei ngothershur t
.
I'
m al sot hatper sonwhowi llgiveyouadvi ceon
bot hloveandl if
eingener albutIf ai
ltoapplyit
whent hesi tuati
onisdirectedatmebutnowt hatI
havepeopl el i
keyouIam yett olearnonhowt o
handl esi tuat i
ons,youguysar ereallystr
ong
honest lyandI '
m happytohaveyouasf r
iends."
Me:"
Ohsosomeonecanact
ual
lybeser
ious?
"

Wel aughed,I
'
m bl
essedf
orreal
,Ial
sonever
thoughtaft
ersomuchsuff
eri
ngI'dbet
hishappy,
alt
houghsomepar t
sofmylif
earenotyetfi
xedbut
I'
m happy.

Thando:"Soaboutt
omor
rowt
winnyhowar
eyou
feel
ing?
"

Me:"
Nervous,scared,
let
'sj
ustsayI
'm notl
ooki
ng
f
orwardt
ot omorrowbutIhavetogeti
tdone"

Nonhle:"
Wewi l
lbether
ewi t
hyoumyl ove,Iknow
youhavet odoital
onebutwewi l
lgowit
hyouj ust
tosupportyouandremindyouthatyouarenot
alone"
.

Me:"
Thankyousomuch,
thatwi
llmeanal
ott
ome"
.
Thando:"
Butt
ellmeher
e,aret
herehotguysi
n
KwaMashu?Phelakmel
esidobhadobhe"

Tr
ustThandot
osaysuch.

Me:"
Tel
lmeher
e,haveyouf
orgot
tent
hatSi
yanda
i
syourman?
"

Nonhl
e:"
LeaveKwaMashumenf
oruspl
ease"

Wel aughed,ourdaywasj ustamazi

ng,fi
ll
edwith
tear
s,laught
er,glassesofwinebutofcoursenotf
or
thepregnantlady.Lateronweorderedpi
zzaand
ate.

Me:"
Soguystoni
ghtwear
egoinghome,r
emember
mom anddadsai
dweshouldcomesl
eepover
?"
Nonhl
e:"
Ican'
tbel
ieveI
'l
lbesleepi
ngal
one,
I'
m
usedt
ohavingyouguysaround".

Thando:"Saywhat
?Wear enotl
eavingyoubehi nd,
wecan'thaveyourepeat
ingyouralcoholepisode
andbesidesmom askedust obr
ingyoual ong".

Nonhl
elaughed,
wepackedourbagssincewewon'
t
becomingbackher
e,wearel
eavi
ngfrom ther
e.

[
Athome]

Wearri
vedandt
heparentswerewatchi
ngtv,
cuddl
i
ngonthecouch,t
heyloveeachotherl
iket
hat
.

Thando:"
Knockknock!
!!
!Lovebi
rds,
theki
dsar
e
here.
"
Mom:"
Hel
loki
ddi
es!
!!
"

Me:"
Dadwear
eher
e,doyouseeus?
"

Hel
ookedatusandsmi
ledt
henhel
ookedbackat
t
heTV.

Dad:"
Iseeyougirl
syoumaynowproceedt
oyour
roomsandleaveyourf
ri
endbehi
nd.
"

Us:"
Hai
bo!
!!
"

Theylaughed.Wel
eftNonhlet
hereandwenttoour
rooms.Nkosicametomyr oom andsatdownon
mybed.

Nkosi
:"Li
tt
lesi
s"
Me:"
Lit
tl
esi
sisSanel
eNkosinotme"
.

Ohyesguysourl
it
tl
esisteri
sSaneleandSi
yanda'
s
br
otheri
sSanel
edon'tbeconfused.

Nkosi
:"YouandThandoalongwi
thSanelear
emy
l
it
tl
esister
s,I
'
m ol
derthanyouar
en'
tI?"

Ir
oll
edmyeyesandl
aughed.

Me:"
Okaybi
gbr
o,you'
vemadeyourpoi
nt"

Hel aughedaswel lt
henbecameser i
ousagain,he
i
st hatguy, har
dlylaughsandal wayshasast rai
ght
facebutt hecrazinessandsar casm i
nhim!!
!!Way
toomuch, heisthefunniesti
nt hehousebutalso
theseriousone, Idon'tevenknowi ft
hatmakes
sense.
Nkosi :"
Ijustwantt
ot el
lyouthatweareallherefor
you,wel oveyousomuchandwi t
hthestr
engthyou
haveIknowyouwi llgother
eandf acet
hesi t
uati
on
headon, youmanagedtostayi nt
hestr
eetsfor
years, f
acingyourf
earsforjustadayshouldn'
tbea
problem"

Ishedat ear,
it'
sreal
lyamazingtohavesomuch
supportandnowmor ethaneverI'
mreadyt
oface
thesi
tuation.

Wehugged.

Nkosi
:"SoIneedaf
avour
"

Me:"
I'
mli
steni
ng"

Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"IknowIcan'
ttr
ustThando,
quest
ioni
scanI
t
rustyou?"

Me:"
Youcant
rustmewi
thyourl
if
eBi
gbr
o"

Nkosi:
"OkaysoIcamewi thmygirl
fr
iend,
she'
sin
myr oom andIdon'
twantyourpar
entstoknow
becauseyouknowt hem,soIwantyoutobri
ngfood
forher"

Il
aughed,
ohMyGod!
!!
!Nkosit
hough!

Thando:"
Ial
sowannal
augh"

Nkosi
:"Thankssi
s,I
'
llwai
tforyou"
.

Hest
oodupandl
eftqui
ckl
y,Thandogavemea
veryquest
ionabl
elookandIr
eal
lywastempt
edt
o
tel
lherbutwuuuuuThando!
!!
!Ij
ustcan'
t.

Me:"Iai
n'tsayi
ngat
hingt
winny,
let
'sgoNonhl
e
needsus"

Ihel
dherhandandwewentdownst
air
s,Iknowshe
won'
tleti
tgo.

Assoonaswegotdownst
air
swefoundNonhl
e
cryi
ng,
weepingonmom'
sshoul
derandmom was
comfor
tingher
.

Mom:" I
t'
sokaymybaby,crynowbutmakesur e
thatwhenyoudoneyouneverevercryfort
hesame
reason,
youhaveki
dsandyoudon' twanttodwell
onwhatisnotgoi
ngwell
,focusont hebri
ghtersi
de
okay?"
Shenoddedandwewer
esoemot
ionalatt
hat
moment.

Mom:"Doyoupr
omi
semet
hatyouwon'
tcr
y
anymor
e?"

Nonhl
e:"
Ipr
omi
se"

Mom:"
Good"

Shecalmeddown, thenwest ar
tedeating,
Iwentto
theki
tchenanddishedupt henIsneakedt oNkosi
'
s
room knockedandassoonasNkosiopened,
Thandot hr
ewherselfi
nthenshel aughed.

Thando:"Hawuuuubrot
hervanek!
!!
!!Al
lal
ongI
thoughtyouweregay"
Icoul
dn'tcontai
nt helaught
erin,
Ijustl
aughed,
the
poorgi
rlturnedpinkinstant
lywit
hembar r
assment
.

Nkosi
:"Ndal
oIt
houghtwespokeaboutt
his"
.

Me:"
Idi
dn'
ttel
lher
,forr
ealIswear
".

Thando:"
Ohnothissneakyl
it
tl
ebi
tchrefusedt
otel
l
mesoassoonasshewentt otheki
tchenIwatched
hermovesthenIf
oll
owedheruphereand
booooom!!
!!
"

Thenshel
aughedagai
n.

Me:"
Thandoyouar
escar
ingt
hepoorgi
rl
".

Thando:"
Ohnohoneydon'
tbescared,
you'l
lget
usedtome.I
'
mtheloudesti
nthefamil
y,anyway
si
nceyourboyfr
iendwil
ljustst
andthereandnot
i
ntr
oduceus,I'
m Thandohisbigsi
sterandyou
ar
e?"

Thandomar
a!

Gi
rl
:"I
'
m Mpumi
,ni
cemeet
ingyouThando"

Nkosi
:"Babeshei
smyyoungsi
ster
,theybot
har
e.
Thi
sisNdalo"

Iputherf
oodnextt
oher
.

Me:"
Nicemeet
ingyouMpumi
".

Shei
ssobeaut
if
ulandyel
low.

Mpumi
:"Li
kewi
seNdal
o"
Nkosi
:"ThanksLolofort
hef
ort
hef
ood,
pleaset
ake
yourt
winandl eave"

Thando:"Notsofastchi
na!!!
Doesyourpar
ent
s
knowaboutthebeauti
fulladyher
e?I'
m sur
edad
wouldbehappytoseehi sdaught
erinlaw"

Nkosi
:"Thando!
!!
!"

Thando:"
Okay!
!!
!okayI
'
llkeepmymout
hshutbut
youoweme"

Thenwel eft
,atleastt histi
meNonhl ewasokay,
shewasevenl aughi ng.Wewashedt hedishesthen
reti
redtobed, Icouldn' tevensleep,Nkosiandhis
girl
fri
endwer emoani ngandgr oaningthewhol e
night,Iendedupr unningaway, Iwenttosleepwith
Nonhl e,shedidn'tevenhearmecomei n,shewas
fastasleepthenevent uall
yIslept.
[
Asanel
e]

Iam prepar ingtol eavet heoffice,Thabisocall

ed
andtoldmehej ustt ookanuberf r
om theairport
comingher e,sowear emeet i
ngatourf avouri
te
spotdownt her oad.Af tergettingready,Itookmy
bagandj ustwal ked,noneedt odr iveasitisa
walkabledi stance.Iar r
ivedandor dereda
str
awber rysl ush,Ilovei talot.Afterafewmi nutes
hewal kedi n,somuchsexi ness.Isawsomegi r
l
drooloverhi m, thatgotmer eal l
yboredandki nda
j
ealous, hecamet ome, wehuggedt hensatdown,
heorder edcast lelit
e.

Thabi
so:"
Howar
eyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m okay,
howar
eyou?
"

Thabi
so:"
Let
sjustsayI
'
veseenbet
terdays"
Me:"
Thatbad?
"

Thabi
so:"
Let
'sr
athert
alkaboutus.
..
youandI
".

OnthingI'
venoti
cedi
sthathedoesn'
tli
kebeat
ing
aboutthebush,
healwaysget
sstrai
ghttot
hepoint.

Me:"
Okay,
I'
mli
steni
ng"
.

Thabiso:"Canwemakeourrel
ati
onshi
poff
ici
al?I
l
oveyouAsanel e,
Icanseeyoulovemetooandwe
arenotkidssowecan'tpl
ayar
ound"

Isi
ghed,
Idolovehim.TrustmeIdon'
tknowhowI
gotf
rom l
iket
olovebutheream I
.

Me:"
Iloveyout
ooandyeswecanmakei
tof
fi
cial
butcanwet
aket
hingssl
ow?
"

Thabi
so:"Nopressur e,
alsomywi f
e..
..Imeanex
wifei
sthreemont hspregnant
,shedi dn'tknowand
sodidIandIwillbepar tofmykids'l
if
e,I'mtel
li
ng
youbecauseIdon' twanttost
artonabadnot eand
l
ies"

Iwon'tli
eandsayI '
m notscared,whatiftheyfi
x
thi
ngs?Att heendoft hedayI '
mj ustawoman
behindtheirseparat
ionandseei ngthatsheis
pregnant,anythi
ngispossiblebutIadmi r
ehi s
honestyanyway.

Me:"
Okayt
hen"

Thabi
so:"
Youokaywi
tht
hat
?"

Me:"
YeahImeanIcan'
tst
opyouf
rom bei
ngi
nyour
chi
ldr
en'
sli
ves"

Thabi
so:"
Thankyou"

Hestoodupandcamet omysi de,hekissedmeso

deeplyandpassi
onat
elyIswearpeoplewere
l
ooking.

Thabi
so:"
Iloveyouokay?
"

Me:"
Iloveyou"

Weorderedfoodandatewhil
et al
kingandgett
ingto
knoweachothermoreandbetter,mylunchti
me
wasthenoverbuthetol
dmehewi lll
eavetomorr
ow
sohebookedintoahotel.

[
Nar
rat
ed]
Itwasf r
idayaft
ernoon,Ndal
o,ThandoandNonhl
e
wer edri
vingi
nt hesamecarwhileMrandMr s
Mdl ul
iwasdr i
vingi
ntheirowncar.Ndal
owasona
videocallwit
hAndile,shewassonervoussoAndi
le
wascal mingherdown.
Andi
le:"
Babyyou'
veconquer
edt
healotoft
hings,
I
knowyoucandothis.Youar
est
rongmami"

Ndal
o:"
Yes.
..
.yesI
'
lldoi
t"

Andi
le:"
That
'smygi
rl
,smi
lef
ormet
hen"

Shebl
ushedwhi
lesmi
li
ngatt
hesamet
ime.

Andi
le:"
That
'smygi
rl
,Il
oveyouokay?
"

Ndal
o:"
Iloveyoumor
e"
Andi
le:"Okaymylove,
letmefi
nishupwit
hmywor
k
her
e,todayisf
ri
dayIhavetogogetSabel
o".

Ndal
o:"
Okaybabe,
bye"

Andi
le:"
I'
llcal
lyouagai
nlat
er"

Ndal
o:"
Okaybaby"

Theyhungup.Af terhoursofdrivi
ngtoKZNaboar d
SaidWELCOMEKwaMashu, shestar
tedsweating.
Butt hegir
lskeptonr emindingherwhyshe'sdoing
thi
s, theyremindedherofhowf arshe'scomeand
thattheyar ehereforher.Shekeptonnoddingbut
herhear twasbeat i
ngfast,shewassweat i
ng.She
wassuddenl ynotsureifshereall
ywantstogo
there.
Theyfi
nall
yarr
ived,sevenyear
slaterthehousesti
ll
l
ookedthesame, shethoughtt
oher sel
f.Shegot
fl
ashbacksofwhathappened...
..
..
..
...
..
.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er23.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Asbothcarspar kedatt
hegat e,Ndaloclosedher
eyesti
ghtl
y,tearsweref
alli
ngf reel
y,herheart
beati
ngfasterandherbreathingpatter
nhad
changed,i
t'
slikeshewasbei ngchased.

Thando:"Lol
o!!
!Lookatmet
winny,
lookatme
pl
ease."
It
'sl
ikeshewasnothearingathi
ng,al
lshehear
d
wasgr oansofherst
epfather
,al
lshecoul
dseewas
him movingontopofher.

Ndal
o:"
Let
..
.l
etmego!
!!
No!
!!No!
!!You.
..
.youar
e
hur
ti
ngme."

Shescr
eamedwhil
ehuggingher
sel
fthenshe
st
art
edrocki
ngher
sel
fbackandfor
th.

Nonhl
egotof
fthecarandrant
owher
eMrMdl
uli
andhi
sMrswereparkedat
.

Nonhle:"I
ts.
..
.Ndal
o,she.
..
.wedon'
tknowwhat's
happeningbutsheiscryi
ng,scr
eamingand.
..
."

Mr
:"Okay.
..
let
'sgo"
MrandMr sMdlul
ifol
lowedeachotherr
unni
ng,
theygott
oThando'
scarandf oundNdal
oinabad
stat
e.

MrsMdlulit
ookabott
leofwaterandpour
editon
topofherhead,
shegaspedandrightt
her
eshewas
back.

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Her
e..
.dr
inkwat
ermybaby"

Shedr
ankup,
shewasshaki
ng.

MrMdlul
i:"
It
'sokaymybaby,it
'sokay.Pl
ease
br
eat
he..
.br
eatheinandoutokay?Youwillbef
ine"

Shenodded,breat
hedinandout,tr
iedcalming
hersel
fdown,Thandowaswor r
iedsick,
shehad
tearsf
all
ingwhil
elooki
ngathertwinnyfal
li
ngapar
t.
Nonhl
ekeptonbr
ushi
ngNdal
o,hel
pinghert
ocal
m
down.

MrMdluliwasbeyondangry,
thethoughtofher
daught
ersuffer
ingki
ll
edhim,hewant edt
olayhi
s
handsonthisman.SeeingNdal
obr eakdownmade
thi
ngsworse.

MrMdlul
i:"I
fyoudon'
twantt
ogoinnow,wecango
t
othehotelmychil
d,wecancomebackt
omorrow"

Ndalo:"No..
.nobabaI
'mf
ine,Iwant.
..
Ineedt
odo
t
his.Wear eherenow,
sol
et"sdoit"

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Ar
eyousur
emybaby?
"

Ndal
o:"
Yesmama,
I'
m sur
e.Thesoonert
hebet
ter
"
Shewipedherf aceof ft
hengotoffthecar,theyal
l
di
d.Thisplacestil
llooksthesame,shet houghtto
hersel
f.Shesmi l
edt hi
nki
ngofherchildhood,the
daysshesharedwi thheroldfri
ends,t
hegood
memor iesbef
orethebadoneswer eplantedinher
head.
MrMdl ul
iopenedt
hegat
e,andassoonasit
openeditmadeasoundandjustl
iket
hatt
hedoor
opened..
..
.

[
Zandi
le]

Iwasjustwashingt hedisheswhenIheardmygat e
open,Iknowit'
snotThobekabecauseshej ustlef
t
now,couldi
tbet hatshel ef
tsomethi
ng?Mxm what
canshepossiblyforget
?Unl essshefor
gotto
gossi
paboutsomeone, ofwhichIdoubtbecause
wegossipaboutt hewhol estr
eetandneverleave
outanyone,overourbottleofhansaofcourse.
Iwentt
oopent hedoortocheckwhocoul
ditbe,
I
har
dlyeverhavevi
sit
ors.

Isawtwobeautif
ulcarsandpeopleappr
oaching,
theyl
ookexpensiveandri
ch.YooohIdon'towe
anyone.

Assoonast heygotcloserIalmostf
ainted,Thee
oneandonl yThabaniMdluli
??Withhiswife
*Rol
li
ngeyes*t heyarecominginwiththree
beaut
if
ulgirls.Howcantheycomeher ewhenIhad
afewdrinks?Theyshouldhavealert
edmesot hatI
coul
dprepar e.

Thabani
:"Zandi
le"

I
shegr
eet
ingme?

Me:"
Thabani
"
Idi
dn'
tevencar
etopayat
tent
iont
oever
yoneel
se
buthi
m.

Thabani
:"Canwecomei
n?"

Me:"
Whyareyouhere?Di
dyoul
eavesomet
hing
wi
thmethoseyear
sago?"

Thabani
:"Canwecomei
nZandi
le?
"

Irol
ledmyeyesandmovedf
rom t
hedooral
lowi
ng
them t
owalkin.

Idir
ectedthem t
otheli
vingr
oom, theymustnot
expectmet ooff
erthem adr
ink,Ihavenoneexpect
forwaterandhansainthefr
idge.
Ial
sosatdown.

Me:"
TowhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e?"

Imustsayhi
ski
dsar
ebeaut
if
ul,
theot
hert
woki
nd
ofl
ookli
kemyNdal
o.

Thabani
:"WhathappenedtoyouZandi
le?You
housesmell
slikeabrewer
y,youdon'
tlookanyt
hing
l
iketheZandi
leIknow"

Me:"Whydoyoucare?Iam happywit
hhowIlook
andbesi
desyouhaveawifetoworryabout
"

Thabani
:"Wel
lIknowyouhidmydaught
erf
or25
year
s,25year
sZandil
e!!
!!
Wher
eismydaughter
?"

Zandi
l
e:"
Ihavenodaught
erwi
thyouThabani
"
Thabani:"
Idon'
thavet
imef
orsi
ckgames,
wher
eis
Ndalo?"

Il
aughed,
heevenknowshername.Wel
ljustt
o
spi
tehi
m,Iwi
lll
ie.

Me:"Wellthatdaught
eryouareonlyconcer
ned
aboutafter25yearsi
satwork,sheisadoctorand
wellIcouldn'
tmoreprouder
"

Hesighedandclosedhi
seyes.Yess!
!!Igott
ohi
m!!
!
Il
iedtohi
m!!!
!Bustar
d.

Thegir
lwhowaswear
ingabluedr
essstar
ted
cr
ying,
notal
oudcr
ybuttear
swerejustf
all
ing.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]
Shecan'tseeme, wear esit
ti
ngher el
isteni
ngt omy
veryownmom l i
e.Shecan'tnoti
ceme, I
'
mr eall
y
hurt.Howcanshedot his?Irememberhowshe
usedt obemyper sonalhero,myconf i
dant.She
meantever ythi
ngtome.Whathasbecomeofher ?
Thishousei snolongerhomel y,
it'
scold,l
onelyand
justempty.Itsmell
sofabr eweryforreal.

Me:"Soyou...
youdon'
tevenr
ememberme?Younot
recognisi
ngme?Me?Yourchil
d?Doyouknowhow
painfuli
thasbeenf
ormeoutther
e?"

Shel ookedatmeshocked,
Ithi
nkshecoul
dnow
real
iseit'
sme.

Her
:"N.
..
Ndal
o!!
!"

Ikeptqui
teandl
ookedather
.
Her:"Butwai
t!
!!Don'
tcr
yabouthowyousuf
fer
ed,
youleftonyourown,noonesai
dyoumustl
eave,
youchosetor unoff
"

Me:"WhatelsewasIsupposet odo?Yoursocal l
ed
husbandusedtor apeme,Ihadbecomehi swife
andwhatdidyousayanddowhenIt oldyou?You
tol
dhowungr atef
ulIam,howIshouldn'taccuse
yourhusbandofsuch,Iwasnothappy!!!
!WasI
supposedtostayhereandendurethepain?"

Iwasnowshouti
ngandcr
ying,
looki
ngather
st
rai
ghti
ntheeyes.

Her
:"I
..
..
wel
lhe.
..
Ndal
o"

Catgothert
ongueIsee.
Me:"
Whydidn'
tyoubel
ieveme?Whydi
dyouhur
t
methatmuch?
"

Her
:"Ndal
oyouwoul
dn'
tunder
stand!

Me:"Thenmakemeunder
stand!
!!
!!
makeme
underst
and!
!"

Her:"
Ilovedhim okaybutIl
ovedyourfat
her
Thabani.HeplayedmeandIpr omi
sedmyselft
o
neverl
etanythinggetbet
weenmeandmynewman,
whenyout ol
dmeher apedyouIfel
tli
keyou
wantedtorui
nmymar ri
age"

Me:"Soyouhatedmethatmuch?Whydi
dn'tyou
tel
lmemybiologi
calwassomewher
eoutther
esti
ll
ali
ve?"

Her
:"I
'
m sor
ryokay,
IlovedyoubabybutIwas
scar
edofl
osi
nganot
herman"

Isi
ghedandstoppedt
alki
ng,
Iletherbebecause
honest
lyshei
sgoingnowher
ewi t
hthis.

Mr sMkhi ze:"
Your eall
yareadisgracetowomenat
l
ar ge,fir
stl
yyoucoul dn'
tseeyourdaughter
suf f
eringever
ydaybecauset hemanyou" Loved"
i
sedt orapeher,secondlyshetoldyoubutyou
refusedt obel
ieveherbutyoust il
lchoset
heman
you" Love"andnow! !!Nowshei ssit
ti
ngri
ghtin
frontofyoubutyoucoul dn'
tevenseeher,how
messedupar eyou? "

ShegaveMr
sMdl
uliadeadl
ook.

Her
:"Youdon'
tcomei
ntomyhouseandt
ellme
whatyouar
etel
li
ngme"
Me:"That
'si
tdad,I
'
vehadenoughfortheday,
I
t
hinkweneedtogo.Wewil
lseetherestt
omorrow"

Dad:"ListenhereZandil
e,cal
ltheel
der
sandl et
them knowIneedameet ing,
Iwanttopay
i
nhlawul oforher,
int
roducehertomyancestors
andpayl obolaforhersothatshecanusethe
Mdlulisurname"

Her
:"Ndal
opl
easesl
eephersowecant
alk,
please
mychil
d"

Me:"
Wewi l
ltal
ktomorr
owwhenyouhave
somet
hingsensef
ult
osayt
ome, f
ornowbye!
!"
.

Ist
oodupandl
eft
,thi
shousei
ssuf
focat
ingme,
it
hol
dsbadmemori
es.

WhenIgotout
sideIdeci
dedt
ocal
lAsanel
e,
rememberAndil
egavemehernumber
sbutI
'
ve
nevercal
led.
I
trangand.
..
..
.

[
Asanel
e]

Ij
ustfi
nishedmovingoutofThemba'
shouse,
Iam
packi
ngmyst uf
finthenewhouse.Myphonerang
di
stur
bingme.

Me:"
Hel
lo"

Sil
ence,
Icheckedi
fthecal
leri
sst
il
lther
e,Idon'
t
knowthesenumbers.

Me:"
Ihavealotofi
mportantthi
ngst
odo,
eit
her
yout
alkorst
opwastingmyt i
me."
Ihear
dagi
ggl
e,mxm.

Cal
ler
:"
Sti
llsar
cast
icIsee"
.

Thatvoi
ce,
Iknowt
hatvoi
ce.

Me:"
Ndal
o?"

Cal
ler
:"Heyboonga"

Tear
srol
leddowni
mmedi
atel
y.

Me:"
Boongal
ami
!!
!!Wheret
hehel
lar
eyou?How
ar
eyou?Ndal
omyGod!!!
"

Icouldn'
tbel
ievei
t,myboonga!
!!IhopeI
'
m not
dreaming.
Ndal
o:"Whydon'tyoumeetmef
ordi
nnert
oni
ght
andI
'l
ltel
lyoueveryt
hing"

Me:"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"

Ndalo:"
I'
minKwaMashaf ri
end,Wewi
llt
alkabout
ever
ythi
ng,I
'l
lsmsyouthetimeandpl
aceifyou
conf
irmthatyoucandodinner"

OhmyGod!
!!I
t'
sreal
lyher
,Af
ter7year
s?Ican'
t
wai
t.

Me:"Hel
lyeahI
'
llbet
her
e,j
ustt
ellmet
het
imeand
pl
ace"

Ndalo:"
Greatboonga,
lookIhavet
ogof
ornow,
I'
ll
cal
lyou".
Wesaidourgoodbyesandhungup, Isatont
he
f
loorandleti
tsinkin,
Idi
dn'tt
hinkI'dseeheragai
n.
Mychildhoodfr
iend,myboongali
cious,ohhowI
missedher.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er24.

[
Nonhl
e]

Youknowwhenyoudon' tknowt hatyouar e

pregnant,
youwon'tf
eelanyt hingbutassoonas
youfindout,
Hormones,mor ni
ngSi cknesses,
cravi
ngsandallt
hatshitstartshappeni ng.Right
nowI '
m sohungr
yasar esul tIam thefirstoneto
fi
nishprepar
ingmyselff
ort hedinnerwi th"Asanele"
,
thatnamer eall
ymakesmewannapukebutt hen
againIcan'thateonanotherwomanf orwhatshe
knowsnot hingabout.SoIjustsatonthebedand
waitedforthesegir
lstofi
nishup.

Itooktimet olookatt hem, IthankGodandt he

Godsf ormaki ngmemeett hesel adies,Ican'teven
begintoi magi nehowt hingswoul dhavebeenhadI
notmett hem.Wel lIknowmymom woul dhave
beensuppor t
ivebuthersuppor twoul dbet hat" Let'
s
prayabouti tmybaby, Godwi llhealyou" ,YesIgr ew
i
naver yChr istianf amily,Ialsof i
r mlybel i
eveinGod
butIalsobel i
evet hatPrayergoeshandi nhand
withaction, Ican' tprayandsi thopi ngt hatIwill
healevent ually,Ihavet oPr ayandwor konmovi ng
on, movingf or war dandheal ing,andt hesegi rl
s
ri
ghther ehavebeent hat,theyhavebeenagr eat
supportst ructur e.Speaki ngofmymom, Nowt hat
i
t'sthefest i
veseasonIhavet ogohomeandbe
withmyf ami l
y, mydaught er.Eachandever y
DecemberThabi soandIusedt otakeMbal ioutbut
thisyearwi llbedi fferentandasamot herIhavet o
makeitwort
hherwhil
e.Ashardast
hisi
st ome,I
knowit'
sgoi
ngtobeharderf
ormydaughter,
shei
s
real
lyf
ondofherdad.

Ndal
o:"
Someonei
sdeepi
nthought
s".

Me:"
Guysyouar
etoosl
owandI
'
m hungr
y".

Thando:"
Okay.
..
okaymommyl
et'
sgo"

OhyeahtoThandonowr
efer
stomeasmommy,
I
'm nol
ongerNonz.
Weal
ltookourbagsandl
eft
.

Assoonaswegottoroccomamast
hesmel
lof
fr
ieshi
tmynost
ri
ls.

Me:"
It
'saboutdamnt
ime"
.
ThandoandNdal
olaughed,
wewentt
osi
tona
tabl
eforf
our
.

Me:"I
'
m sor
ryIcan'
twaitanyl
ongerf
oryourf
ri
end
babe,
I'
mreall
yhungry"

Ididn'tevenwai
tfort
hem t
oanswerme,
Iwentand
ordered.

Me:"CanIhaveamushr oom swizzbur

gerwit
hfri
ed
chi
ckenandfri
esont hesidethenadri
nkcanIgeta
gour
metmi l
kshake"
.

Wai
tr
ess:"
Not
ed,
comi
ngr
ightup"
.

Thando:"
Yetyouar
estil
l3monthspregnant
,what
wil
lbehappeni
ngduri
ngthenextcomingmonths?
"
Theyl
aughed,
mxm.

MyfoodcameandIdevoured,mourningher
eand
t
her
e.TruewhatrocoMamassays"Wenotnor mal
"
t
heyreal
lyar
en'
t,
theirf
oodisoutofthiswor
ld.

AsIwaseati
ngaladywit
hafami
li
arf
acecameand
t
hatgotNdal
otostandup.

Ndal
o:"
Boonga!
!!
"

OkayI
'm guessi
ngthi
sisthef
ri
endwear
emeet
ing.
If
eell
ikeI'
veseenhersomewhere.

Ndalo:"Soladi
esthisi
sAsanele,mychil
dhood
fr
iend,Boongathesearemyfriends,
Nonhleher
e
andThandoher e,notonl
yisshemyf ri
endbutwe
aresist
ers"
Asanele:"Si
ster
s??Wuuuwehaveal
ott
otal
kabout
,
heyladiesnicetomeetyou"
.

Westoodupandhugged,
Idon'
tli
keher
,herf
acei
s
r
eal
lyir
ri
tat
ingme.

Me:"
Likewi
seAsanel
e"

ThenIsatdownandcont inuedeat
ing,theywere
tal
kingbutIwasn'theari
nganyoft hethingsthey
weresaying.If
inishedeatingwhentheyor der
ed
food,Ial
soorderedchickenwings.

Asanel
e:"
Mmmhgi
rlyour
eal
lyeathuh"

Igavehert
hel
ookandkeptqui
te.
Thando:"
Areyouokaybabe?
"

Me:"
YeahIj
ustf
eel
hott
hat
'sal
lbutI
'
llbef
ine"
.

Thefoodcameandweal lat
e,Ikeptonsteali
ng
gl
ancesatthisAsanel
ewoman, I
'mtryi
ngt ofi
gur
e
outwhereIknow herfr
om andt hen.
..
..
..
Ilookedat
heragai
n.

Me:"
No!
!!
!Hel
lno!
!!Nonono!
!!
!"

Ist
oodupandbangedthetabl
e,peopl
ewer
e
l
ookingatmebutIcoul
dn'
tcar
elessormor
e.

Ndal
o:"
Whati
sitnow?
"

Ij
ustremember
edwhereIsawher,Isawherpr
ofi
le
pi
ctur
eonThabiso'
swhat
sapp.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Wear eeat i
ngandcat chi
ngupwi thAsanele, the
conversati
oni samazingandI '
mr eal
isingjusthow
muchImi ssedher,sheevent ell
smehowt hatman
Icall
edaf atherrapedherandshegothi m arrest
ed,
Goodr i
ddancet obadr ubbish,Ihopet heygivehim
thetasteofhisownmedi cine,ThandoandAsanel e
arevibi
ngbutNonhl eisjustfocusedonherf ood,
notengagi ngintheconversation,Iunderstand
though,itmustbet hepregnancy, hormonesor
whateverthatis.

Nonhl
e:"
No!
!!
!!
Hel
lno!
!!
!Nonono!
!!
!"

Sheisshouti
ngwhi l
ebangi
ngthet
abl
e,dr
awi
ngal
l
theat
tent
ionfrom peopl
etous.

Me:"
Whati
sitnow?
"
Thando:"
Isever
ythi
ngokaymyl
ove,
ist
hebaby
fi
ne?"

Asanel
e:"
Ohshe'
spr
egnant
?"

Nonhl e:"Yes!!
!!Yesbit
chI'm pregnantandthe
fatherofmybabyi sthemanyouar eshaggi
ng,my
mar ri
ageendedf oralowlif
ebit chli
keyou!!
!Oh
howdi sr
espect f
ulThabisocanbe?It houghthewas
busywi t
habet t
erbi
tch!!
!Butthis!!
!Thi
sispure
disrespect!!
!"

Shewasf
umi
ngt
osayt
hel
east
.

Thando:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutNonz?
"

Nonhle:"
Comeontellt
hem!!
!Ortel
lmeifI
'
m wr
ong,
ar
en'tyouthee"
Asanel
e"t
hatwreckedmy
mar
ri
age?
"

Il
ookedatAsanel
eandshedi
dn'
tlooksur
pri
sed,
shej
ustl
ookedembarr
assedandshocked.

Me:"
Asanel
e?She'
snotr
ighti
sshe?
"

Shekeptqui
teandl
ookeddown.

Thando:"
OhmyGod!
!!
Ohwow"
.

Il
ookedatNonhl
eshewasevencr
ying.

Nonhle:" YouknowIwasnevergonnabesomadi f
youdi dn'tknowhewasmar ri
edbutyouknewand
decidedIam goi ngbr
eakthatmarr
iage,yeshe
brokehi svowsbutasawomanhowcoul dyoulet
him?Andt hemostdisgust
ingpar
tisthatyouwere
orar
eengagedbutthewhoreinyoudi
dn'
tcar
e!!
!
Youjustwantedt
opleaseyour
sel
fwit
hamarri
ed
man'
sdi ck"

Asanel
e:"
I.
..
.Nonhl
eI'
m..
..
"

Nonhl e:"
Donot !
!!Donotutt
ermynamewi t
hyour
mout h,youknowwhat ???I
'
m pr egnantwit
hhischild
andwehaveababygi rl
,al
lIneedyout oknowi s
thatyouwi l
lnevergettohavehi mfull
y,heissti
ll
gonnabeapar tofhiski
ds,thataloneshouldscare
you.But .
..
butyoucanhavehi m, Ihopehedoesn't
dotoyouwhathedi dtomebecauseyouknow
whatt heysay,Onceacheateral wayacheater!
!"

Thenshet
ookherbag.

Nonhl
e:"
Whenyouar
edonewi
tht
hisr
euni
onyou'
l
l
f
indmeinthecar
"
Justl
iket
hatshelef
t,Iwaslostforwords.Iknow
Nonhl
edoesn'tt
alkmuchbutt onightshesurpri
sed
me,hereyescar
ri
edal otofpainasshewast al
king.

Me:"
Asanel
e?"

Asanel
e:"
Itwasami stakeokay?I
twasn'
tsuppose
t
ohappen,Ijustf
elli
nlovewithhi
m".

Thando:"LoveIwon' tjudgeyoubutt ellyouwhatit

wasnotami stake,youknewexact l
ywhatyouwer e
doing,youknewhewasmar r
iedandyouhada
choicetoeit
heri gnorehim orent
ert
ai nhim butyou
choset oenter
tainhim andasar esultyouf el
lin
l
ovewi thhim.Di dyout aketi
metothi nkofhiswife?
Yourfiance?Asmuchast hemani stobl ameyou
arealsotoblamebecauseyouhadt hepowert o
stopthisbutyoudi dn't
."

Asanel
ewasnowi
ntear
s,Thandol
ookedatme.
Thando:"Twi
nnyIcan'tsi
therewhil
eourfri
endis
outsi
dehurti
ng,Ihavetogotoher,
pleasecatcht
he
ubertothehotelwhencomingback,wegonnago"

Iam caughtupi
narockandahar
dpl
ace,
Idon'
t
evenknowwhattosay.

Me:"NoNdondodon' tl
eaveme,Asanel
elookwe
wil
ltal
kboonger,IneedtogoandbewithNonhl
e,
sheneedsusrightnowsheishurt
ing"
.

Shenodded,Ihuggedhert
henweleft
.Wow!!!I
nevert
houghtseeingmyfr
iendaf
teralongt
ime
wouldbeli
kethis.

Anywaywegott othecarandNonhl ewasweepi ng,

i
twasaver ypai
nfulsightt
owat ch.Icanonly
i
maginehowshef eels,t
ryi
ngt ohealfr
om your
di
vorceandthenyoucomef acetofacewiththe
maincourseoft
hatdivorce.Ibr
ushedherback
whil
eThandowasdr i
ving.Thedrivewassi
lentonl
y
f
il
ledwit
hNonhle'
scries.

Nonhl
e:"
Ouch.
..
..
Ahhhhhh"

Shescr
eamedwhi
lehol
dingherst
omach.

Me:"
What
'swr
ong?"

Iwasnowpani
cki
ng,
Thandost
oppedt
hecar
.

Nonhl
e:"
My..
..ahhh.
..
.no!
!!
please.
..
ta.
..
takemet
o
t
hehospi
tal
!!
!Ouch!!
"

Thandostar
tedthecarandl
uckyforuswewer e
onl
yfewmi nut
esawayf r
om t
hehospit
al,
wear ri
ved
andaskedforhelp,
shewasrushedinandtakento
t
hewar
d,Isi
gnedt
headmi
ssi
onf
orms.

Thando:"
Thi
sisr
ealbadluck,get
ti
ngadmi
tt
edi
n
hospi
talt
woti
mesinlessthanaweek"

Me:"Ij
usthopeandpr
ayherandt
hebabywi
llbe
f
ine"

Wesatatt
hebencheswai
ti
ngf
oranupdat
e.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lAndi
le,
heanswer
ed.

Andi
le:"
Myl
ove"

Me:"
Heybaby"
.

Andil
e:"
Yousounddown,
tal
ktome?How'
sitgoi
ng
t
here?"
Me:"Thingsar
eamessbabe, mymom didn't
recogni
semewhenwear ri
ved,sheevenl
iedtomy
dadaboutmebeingadoctor,
andwhenIt hought
thatwasenoughfort
hedayNonhlegetsadmitt
ed
i
nhospital"

Andil
e:"I
'
m sosor rymyl ove,
youknowI'mther
efor
youinspiri
tandI'
m pr oudofyoufordoi
ng
thi
s..
..
waitwaitwait.
..
.di
dyousayNonhlegot
admitt
edinhospital?"

Isi
ghed.

Me:"
Yeah,westi
lldon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ong,
wear
e
wai
ti
ngforanupdate"

Andi
le:"
Whathappened?
"
Inarr
atet
hewholestor
yaboutAsanel
eandhe
doesn'
tsoundsur
pri
sed.

Me:"
Andil
edi
dyouknowt
hathewaspur
sui
ngmy
f
ri
end?"

Andi
le:"
Wel
lI.
..
.babyI
"

Me:"
Wow!!
!Andi
leandyoudi
dn'
ttel
lme?Ifyouhad
t
oldmeIwasn'
tevengonnamakethem meet"

Andi
le:"
I'
m sor
rybaby,
Ijustdi
dn'
tseet
heneedat
t
hattime"

Hesi
ghed.

Andi
le:"
Letmecal
lThabi
soandl
ethi
m know"
Me:"Tellhi
m sohecancomeandst resshermore?
Andil
ethebabymightbeatrisksoplease,
your
fr
iendisnotgoodforNonhl
e'
shealthatthe
moment ".

Il
ookedatt
hephoneandhehadhunguponme,
mxm.

[
Zandi
le]

Ican'tbel
ievehowgrownNdalois,sheisso
beautif
ulandIam soembarrassedthatIdidn'
t
recogniseher,
Ievenli
edaboutherworking.

Ir
eall
ywanttoapologi
seforthebadI'
vedonebut
mypridefear
srej
ecti
on,whatifshedoesn'
tfor
give
me?Isighedandtookmyphoneanddi all
edBhekif
a,
heismybr ot
her
.
IhavedoneNdal
owr ongsothel
eastIcandomake
thi
slobol
aandorinhl
awulogowell
,Iowehert
hat
much.

Bheki
fa:"
Usangi
khumbul
akant
i?"(
Youst
il
l
rememberme?)

Irol
ledmyeyes, alwayswhenIcallhecomplai
ns
aboutmenotcomi nghomet ovi
sitorf
orget
ti
ng
aboutthatbutunfort
unatel
yIwon'twastemy
ai
rti
mel i
steni
ngt ohim whi
ning.

Me:"
BhekiNdal
oisback"

Bheki
fa:"
What
?Whendi
dshecomeback?Wher
e
wasshe?"

Me:" Pleasecomet omyhousetomorrow,Come

alongwi thMncedisiandMal
um Mzwakhe, wewi
ll
behavi ngameeting,it
'si
mport
ant.I
'
lltel
lyou
everythingtomor
row. "
Bheki
fa:"
Okaykedade,
wewi
llbet
her
e".

Me:"Beearl
y,atl
eastatr
ound10h00i
nthe
morning"

Bheki
fa:"
Okaybye"

Isai
dgoodbyeandhung, Ican'tsleep,everydayI
'm
hauntedbythesadnessofherf acewhenshet ol
d
meaboutt herape,
ithasbeenhaunt ingmesi nce
sheleft,
til
lthi
sday,Ij
ustonthebed, t
hinki
nguntil
sl
eepconsumedme.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er25.
[
Asanel
e]

It'
ssaturday, adayaf t
erbei nginsult
edandcal l
ed
names.It ookt imet ol ookatthatNonhl ewoman,
sheissobeaut if
ul,wellIam alsobeaut i
fulbuther
beautyisonet hatcan' tbemi ssed,shehasaski n
tonetodi efor, herbody!Butal lthatiscl
oudedby
pain,sher eall
yl ookedl i
keagoodper sonbutwhen
sheinsultedmeal lIsawwaspai n,awhol elotof
painandt ot hinkI '
mt hereasonhur tsme.NowI 'm
i
nneedofmymot her'
swi sdom, Iknowshewi llsay
somet hi
ngsensi bleandmaybeIcanmakea
consciousdeci sion.

ArghhIst
il
lhavetotel
lthem Ibr
okeupwi
th
Themba,okwam okwezandla!
!!

Af
teranhourofdri
vingIfi
nal
lygothome,I
of
fl
oadedthegrocer
iesandwentinsi
de.
Mom:"Ohmybabyi
sher
e,Idi
dn'
tknowyouwer
e
comi
ng"

Me:"
It
'sadeci
sionImadet
hismor
ning,
howar
e
youMa?"

Wehuggedt
henshekissedmycheek,
shedoes
t
hatal
wayswhenIcomehome.

Mom:"I'
m okaymybaby,comeletmeusmaketea
sowecansitdownandtalk,
youhavetot
ellme
aboutwhat
'sbot
her
ingyou".

Shepull
edmetothekit
chen,Isatdownwhi l
e
watchi
nghermaketea,
shethenf i
nishedupandsat
down.

Mom:"
Wher
eismygr
andchi
ld?
"
Me:"
Wit
hhi
sdad"
.

Mom:"Okay,whydi
dn'
tyoucomewi
th
Mkhwenyanali
keal
ways?"

Me:"
Webr
okeup,
theweddi
ngi
sof
f"

Ther
e!!
!It
oldherbutnowt
hel
ookonherf
ace.

Mom:"
What
?WhathappenedAsanel
e?"

Me:"Thingsjustdidn'
tworkoutmom, pleasetel
l
dadsohecanl etThemba'sf
amilyknowbutr i
ght
nowlet'
snott al
kaboutit,
I'
m nothereforthat
,I'
m
her
et ovisi
tmybeaut i
fulmom."

Shef
rownedbutnoddedwhi
lesi
ppi
ngonhert
ea,
I
knowt
hatmeansshewant
stoknowmor
e.

Me:"
Sowher
eisdadandhi
sson?
"

Mom:"
Theywentt
otown,
appar
ent
lyboysdayout
".

Il
aughed,
sot
heyl
eftmom al
one?
.
Isi
ghedwhi
let
hinki
ngaboutNonhl
e.

Me:"Somom atwor kIhavet hisf riendwhoi s

dati
ngamar ri
edman, wellhewasmar r
iedbuthi s
wif
ef oundoutaboutherhusbandandmyf ri
endso
shedi vorcedhim, sonowmyf riendandt hisguy
off
iciatedthings.Yesterdaywewentoutand
bumpedi ntotheexwi fe,mom shewasbeyond
angry, sheinsult
edmyf ri
end, calledheral lsort
sof
namesandsher eall
yl ookedhur t
, sowhatadvi ce
wouldyougi vehermom?Whati syourt akeont hi
s?
Andt heexwi f
eispr egnantwi ththehusband' s
baby"
Shechuckl
edanddr ankhert
eatheputt
hecup
backonthetabl
e,Iknowsheisaboutt
odel
ivera
speech.

Mom:"Fir
stofal
lIam ol
dnotst
upi
dmychi
ld,
Iwas
notbor
nyester
day"

Okaywhati
ssheonabout
?Ij
ustkeptqui
te.

Mom:"
Fir
stofallyour"Fri
end"wasengagedtoa
manwholovedher,thefat
herofherbaby,aman
whodi
deveryt
hingforher"

Me:"
Mom she.
..
."

Mom:"Ahh..
.ahah.
..
letmetalk,
soyourfri
endthen
metanewmananddeci dedherfi
ancewasno
l
ongergoodenough,questi
onisdidyourf
riendt
ake
ti
met oknowt hismar riedmanbef oredeci dingt o
offi
ciatet hingswi thhi m?Thi nkaboutt hat,whi l
e
yout hinkabouti tI'l
lmovet ot henextquest ion, had
thetabl esbeent urnedwer eyougoi ngt olaugh
abouti t?Wasi tgoi ngt ohur tless?Wer eyougoi ng
tosayi tiswhati tis?Andmoveonj ustlikethat?
Thinkaboutt hataswel l,somybabyi tonlytakesa
personwi thnomor alst ojustjumpi ntoamar r
ied
manwi thoutevenget tingtoknowt hem andt hen
decidet heyl ovet hem.I t
'ssof unnyhowweal ways
preachaboutl ovi ngeachot heraswomen,
empower ingeachot herandf ighti
ngment oget her
yetwear et heonesbr eaki ngeachot her.Asmuch
asthemani stheonewhoappr oachedyourf ri
end,
yourf r
iendhadt heupperhandi nthis, i
twasher
YesorherNot hatdet er minedwhet hert heywer e
gonnabet oget herornotandshechoset osayyes.
Iknowyouwi llaskmewhyi st hatwomenget
blamedf ort hismor et hanmen, well becausemen
cheatal lthet imeandweaswomenal lowi t
, whydo
weagr eewhenamar ri
edpur sueus?Youcan' ttell
meyoubecauseyoul ovet hem, befor eyoul ovea
personyoul ear nt hem andf oramar ri
edmanyou
shouldalreadyknowt heki ndofper sont heyar e,he
cheatedonhi swi f
e,hecaneasi lydoi ttoyouandt o
thenextper sonorbet teryet ,whathef eelswhenhe
approachesyoucoul dbei nfatuati
onandt henwhen
heseest hatyouhavenot hinghi swi f
ehad, hegoes
backandf i
xhisbrokenmar riage,mybaby
mar r
iagesendbutyoudon' twantt obet her eason
foranotherwoman' st ears, asyouar esayi ngthat
womani spregnant,sheneedssuppor tfrom her
husbandbutshemi ghtnotgeti tbecauseyour
fri
endsaidYESt other elationship,shewi llbea
singl
epar entbecauseoft hatYES!Shecoul dhave
easil
ysaidno! !Shewasn' tgonnadi e,tellmeher e
Asanele,howwoul dyouf eel i
fyourdadl eavesme
foranotherwoman?Howwoul dyouf eeli faman
youreferredtoasahusbandcheat s?Wer eyou
goingtolovehi sotherwoman? "

Tr
ustmymom t
omakeyouf
eelgui
lt
y,It
ookadeep
br
eat
h.
Me:"
Iwasn'
tgonnabehappy?
"

Mom:"Sowhatar
eyouexpect
ingf
rom t
hepoor
woman?"

Ikeptqui
et.

Mom:" Iknowf r
iendisyouandImustsayI'm
disappoi
ntedinyoumychi l
d,j
ustknowifhedi di
t
tohiswife,t
hemot herofhi
schil
dorchi
ldren,he
caneasilydoityou"

Iam frozen,shelooksdisappoi
nted,
Iunderstand
herpoints,i
ttookmyYest oendthei
rmar r
iage,I
enter
tainedhim knowingfull
yheismarried.Mom is
ri
ghtIdidn'tevengettoknowhi m,DoIlovehim orI
fi
ndhim attracti
ve?

Ther
estoft
hedaywentokay,
alt
houghi
twas
awkward,
Iwasgl
admydaddidn'tcomebackunt
ilI
l
eft
,Iwasgoi
ngtogetl
ect
ureaf
terlect
ure.

Iki
ssedmymom andleft
,mymi ndwaswor
king,
I
fel
tli
ket
hedrivewast
oolongandmymom'swor ds
keptonr
ingi
nginmyears.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Iam sot i
r ed,bothphysi callyandemot ionally,
thingsar enotget tingbet ter,whent hisget sf i
xed
anot hingbecomesamess, t
odayi t
'saSat urday,a
meet i
ngwi t
ht heeldersathomeandNonhl eisalso
att hehospi tal.Goodt hingi sherbabyi sokay, the
probl em iswi thherbloodpr essure,itwaswayt oo
highsot heyhadt oadmi therandmoni torit,t
hey
hadal sosedat edhersoshewassl eepi ng, we
coul dn'tt
al ktoher, sonowbef orewegohomet o
themeet ingwear egoi ngt oseeherf i
rst.
Ri
ghtnowI
'
mint
heshowerandThandoi
sdone,
sheisj
ustfi
xingher
self,
wellyeswebookedone
room,weenjoysl
eepingtoget
her.

Thando:"
Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng"

Sheyelledf
rom t
heotherroom,It
ookat oweland
wrappedmyselfthenwenttoanswer
,itwas
Asanelecal
li
ng.

Me:"
Heyboonga"

Asanel
e:"
Howar
eyouf
ri
end?
"

Me:"
I'
m okay,
can'
tcompl
ainhowar
eyou?
"

Asanel
e:"
Idon'tknowhowIam babe,
allIknowi
s
t
hatI'
m notatmyhappiestmode,
howisNonhle?
"
Isi
ghed.

Me:"Shegotadmit
tedinhospi
talyest
erdayr
ight
af
terwelef
tyou,wedidn'
tgett
ot hehotel
,wejust
dr
ovetothehospit
al"

Asanel
e:"
What
?Why?I
sthebabyokay?I
sshe
okay?"

Me:"Yeaht hebabyi
sokay,t
hedoct
orjustsaidher
bloodpressurewastoohi
ghandsheisstressi
ng
thebabyoutwhenshest r
esses"
.

Ihear
dhert
akeadeepbr
eak.

Asanel
e:"
Umm..
.I
..
.Ihopeshe'
l
lbef
ine,
boongado
youhat
eme?"
Me:" What ?NoIdon' thateyou,Iunder standthat
hadyouknownNonhl eyoucoul dhavedonet hings
diff
erently,wellofcoursethatdoesn'tchanget he
factthatyouknewt hemanwasmar r
iedbutIwon' t
j
udgenorhat eyou,Idon'tknowyourr easons, i
t's
notmypl acet ohateyou,I'
mj ustcaughtupi nthe
middleoft hisbecauseNonhl eismyf ri
endj ustas
muchasyouar emyf ri
endbutt hatdoesn'thavet o
changeanyt hing,
I'
llkeepyouawayf r
om eachot her
andI '
llaccommodat eyoubot hinmyl ife".

Asanel
e:"
Okayboongat
hankyou,
lookI
'
llcal
lyou
l
ateronokay?
"

Me:"
Coolt
hen,
letmeal
sof
ini
shupher
eandbegi
n
wi
thmyday"

Wesai dourgoodbyesandhungup, Idri

edmyself
uppr oper
lyanddidallthatIneededtodothen
dressedup,I'
m notevenupf orThando'
slit
tl
etouch
ofmakeupasshecal lsit.
Thando:"
Let'
sgot
hent
winny,
visi
ti
nghour
sar
eina
fewminutes"

Wet ookourbagsandlef
t.Ar
ri
vingatt
hehospi
tali
t
wasal r
eadyvi
sit
inghour
s,wesignedi
nandwentto
herwardandThabisowasseatedonthechai
rnext
tothebedandhishandonNonhl e'
sst
omach.

IlookedatThandot henweshr
uggedanddeci
ded
togivehim space.

[
Insi
deNonhl
e'
swar
d]

Thabi
sowassit
tingi
nNonhl
e'sward,
tears
st
reamingdownhisf
ace,
hetookthefi
rstf
li
ght
whenAndil
ecal
ledhi
m.

Nonhl
eont
heot
herhandi
spr
etendi
ngt
obe
sl
eepi
ng,
shedoesn'
twantt
otal
ktohi
m.

Thabiso:"
Mama, pl
easewakeupandtellmeyou
feelokay,
thatyouhavenophysi
cal
pain"

Si
lence.

Thabi
so:"YouknowIcanneverbeabletoforgi
ve
mysel
fifanythi
nghappenstoyouorourbaby,it
's
myfault
.Iam sosorr
ybabyandIknowmysor ri
es
meannothingtoyouri
ghtnowbutIam real
lysorry"

Het
henbr
ushedNonhl
e'
sst
omach.

Thabiso:"Heyli
tt
leboy,daddyhurtmommyso
muchbutIwantyout otellmommyt hatdaddy
neverstoppedlovi
ngherokay?Tel lmommyt hat
daddylovesbothyouandmommyandyourbi g
si
sterMbal i
,youaredaddy'sfi
rstpri
ori
tyanddaddy
mightdost
upi
dthi
ngsbuthewi
llcr
ossmount
ains
f
oryou,mommyandMbal i
"

JustthenNonhl e'
stearsr
oll
eddown,shecouldn't
holdthem in.Thabi
sosawt hatandhi
sheartached
alot,hereali
sedjusthowmuchhebr oket
hel oveof
hi
sl i
fe.

Thabi
so:"
I'
m sor
rybaby,
I'
m sosor
rybambol
wam"

Hewi
pedhert
ear
s.

Nonhl
e:"
Whydi
dyouhur
tmesomuchThabi
so?
"

Thabi
so:"
Itwasamomentofweakness,
Idi
dn'
t
knowwhatIwasdoi
ng"

Nonhl
enoddedandl
ookedt
heot
herway,
she
coul
dn'
tbel
ievej
usthowmuchshest
il
llovedhi
m.

Thabiso:"Pl
easeneverdoubtmylovef
oryou,I
neverstoppedlovingyou,
Idon'
tthi
nkI
'l
leverst
op,
myhear tbeatsforyouandourki
dsandI'
llf
ix
myselfIpromiseyou"

Thel
ovei
nhi
seyeswascl
ear
lyvi
sibl
e.

Nonhl
e:"
Soyoumeant
osayyoul
oveusbot
h?"

Hekeptqui
teandjustthenThandoandNdalocame
i
n,t
heycouldn'
twaitanyl ongerf
orThabi
soto
f
ini
shupbecausetheyal sohadtogot ot
he
meeti
ng.

Nonhl
ewashappyt oseethem,thet
alkedwhile
Thabi
sowasbusybr ushi
ngNonhle'
sstomach,they
wereal
lshockedbuttheykepti
ttot
hemselves.
Aft
ervisi
ti
nghoursNdal
oandThandoleftand
Thabisoaskedf
orapri
vateward,
theymovedtothe
pri
vatewardandThabi
sosatther
eforhoursand
hours.

[
AtNdal
o'shome]

Theuncleshadarri
ved,MrandMr sMdlulihadalso
arri
ved.Bhekif
aandMncedisiareZandi
le'
sbrother
s
thenMzwakhei sheruncl
e,hetookoverwhentheir
parentspassedaway.

Justt henNdaloandThandoar rived,

theyparked
thecarandwal kedin,
fort
hef i
rstNdalofel
t
fearless,Thandoheldherhandast heywalked
i
nsi deandheruncl eMncedisisawheramd
attackedherwi thahug.

Thando:"
Sani
bona"
Theygreetedback,
shesatnextt
ohermom and
Ndaloalsogreet
edandsatnextt
oherdad.

Zandil
e:"
ThankyourboBhut
inawemal
umef
or
coming"

Shei
ntr
oducedever
yone.

Zandil
e:"Asyouknowt hatmychildwentmissing7
yearsago,Iam happysheisbackhome, Iwasso
str
essedoutaboutherandt hatl
edmet obeinga
drunkar
d"

Ndal
o:"
Didyout
ell
them whyIl
eft
?"

Zandi
l
ekeptqui
te.

Ndal
o:"
Okayf
ineI
'
llt
ellt
hem,
soboMal
umenawe
Mkhul ut hereasonIleftisbecauseherhusband,
yourbr otherinlawwasr api
ngme, hestar t
edwhen
Iwas16andwhenIwas18, Idecidedt otellmom
butshedi smissedme, toldmehowungr atefulIwas
andt hatIshoul dneveraccuseherhusbandofsuch,
Iwasbr okenbutthatwasnotal l
,shest arted
neglectingme, rej
ecti
ngmeasherchi ldsoIr eal
ly
askedmysel fwhyshoul dIcontinuest ayingher e
whenmymom hat esme?Il efthome, Istayedi nthe
str
eet sfor7year sunti
lImetmysi st
erwhol edto
myf ather "

Ndal
owasi
ntear
sbutZandi
lewasacr
yingmess.

Ndalo:"
Isuf
fer
edinthestr
eets,someti
mesnot
havingf
oodtoeat
,havingtoprotectmysel
f,i
twas
hard"

Bheki
fa:"
Ohmychi
l
d,whydi
dn'
tyout
ellus?
"
Me:"You'
venevershownanyi nter
esti
nmeMal ume,
younevercaredwhetherIcomeorgo,allyoucared
aboutwasyourfamil
iessot el
lmehowwasI
supposetocomeandconf i
deinyou?Andhowwas
Isupposetoknowthattell
ingmymom woul dbreak
meevenmor ethanIalreadywas?"

Mom:" I'
m...
I'
m sosor r
ymybaby, Iknowyoucan' t
j
ustf orgivemeandIunder stand, I
'mr eal
lysorry
andIhopeonedayyouwi l
lforgiveme.Tr uthisI
beli
evedyou, Ij
ustdidn'
twantt obelievethatthe
manIl ovedsomuchdi dwhathedi d, Idi
dn'twant
tobelieveitsoIchoset osayit'
sal ie,Itmademe
feelbet t
erbutIbrokeyouandI 'l
lnevereverbeabl e
toforgivemysel f
,thepaini
nyourvoi cewhenyou
tol
dmeandt helookonyourf acehauntme
everyday"

Mzwakhe:"Iam sodisappoint
edinyouZandi
le,
I
can'
tbeli
evethechi
ldsufferedsomuchonyour
watch,
howdi dyounotnot i
cethechangei
nher?
Herpai
n?"

Zandi
l
ekeptqui
tebutwi
tht
ear
sfal
li
ng.

MrMdlul
i:"
Myelders,Ineedt
opayt
hedamages,
l
obol
aforherandintr
oducehert
omyancest
ors,
so
canwemakeaday? "

Mzwakhe:"
Justcomeupwiththedat
eandwewi
ll
makesurewedoallt
hatneedstobedone"

Theyspokeforlongandlateroneveryonel
eft
,yet
againZandi
lestayedbehindalone,
withher
thought
seatingherup,guil
tandpainandNdalo'
s
painedvoi
cehautingher.

Forthefi
rstt
imeinyearsshewentdownonher
kneesandprayed,sheaskedGodforfor
giveness,
sheaskedforstr
engthandwisdom t
henshe
cl
eanedupandwentt
oli
eonacouch.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
GuysNet
work Thi
sloadsheddingtakes
net
workwit
hit
,hencewhyIcoul
dn'tpostyest
erday.

Chapt
er26.

2weeksl
ater
.
[
Nar
rat
ed]

TwoweekshaspassedandMrMdl ul
ihaspai dthe
damagesandi
ntr
oducedNdalotohisancestors,
Sheisnowusi
ngtheMdlul
isurnameandt heyall
wentbackt
oGauteng.

Ont
heot
hersi
deNonhl
ewenthomet
oherpar
ent
s
andherdaught er.Af
terbeingreleasedi
nhospital
shemadei tcleartoThabisothatshewoul dl
iketo
enjoyherpregnancywi t
hnost ressunti
lshegives
bir
th.Thabi
sol etherbe.

[
Thando]

Iam her etryi

ngtof indsomet hi
ngper fecttowear,
I'
verearrangedmywar drobeandIst i
llcan'tf
ind
anythingappr opr
iatetowear .Thingist odayIam
meet i
ngSi yanda'
sf ami l
yandt osayI'm nervous
wouldbeanunder statement,Iam beyondt hat.I
honest l
ydon'tunder standwhyYandawoul dwant
met omeethi sparentswhenwehaven' tevenbeen
togetherfor6mont hsatleast!!

Ndal
o:"
Siyandai
swai
ti
ngf
oryoudownst
air
s"

Idi
dn'
thearcomei
n,Ij
ustsatont
hebedand
si
ghed.
Me:"
I'
m scar
ed"

Ndal
o:"
Scar
edofwhatexact
lyt
winny?
"

Me:"
Hispar
ent
sofcour
se"

Duhdummy!
!!
!

Ndalo:"
Scaredofthem because?Doyouknow
them?Dot heyknowyou?No!Soj ustgetupand
dressupthengomeett hem,Iwouldunderst
andtge
wordnervousbutscared?"

Me:"Okaywhatshoul
dIweart
hen?Maybet
heyar
e
st
ri
ctpeopl
e"

Ndal
opul
ledmyr
edl
ongdr
essf
rom t
hecl
othes
t
hatwer
eont
opoft
hebed,
shet
hrewi
ttome.

Ndal
o:"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul,
classyandshowsr
espectas
wel
l"

Idi
dn'
twantt oar guenorkeepYandawaiti
ngfor
l
ongerthanheal readyhassoItookitandputiton.
Ismil
edabi t
,itreall
ylooksgoodonme, i
t
complementsmyski ntonever
ywellandhugsme
i
nallt
her i
ghtplaces.Iputonmybl ackheel
s,did
makeupandbr ushedmyweaveandIwasgoodt o
go.

Ndalo:"Justbeyoursel
f,don'
ttr
ytoi
mpressthem
wit
hl i
esokay,showt hem whoyousothati
fthey
l
oveyout heyl
ovetherealyou"

Thi
sgi
rl
!!
!!Whendi
dshebecomesuchanadvi
sor
?
Inoddedandbr
eat
hedi
nandoutt
henwewent
downstai
rs.
AssoonasIgott hereIfoundSiyandawatchi
ng
soccer,
wearingjustsweatpantsandvest.If
elt
overdr
essedbutthenIremember edwenotgoi ng
onadat e,wearegoingtohisparent
'shousesoI
shouldlookgoodnothim.

Me:"
Heybabe,
I'
m sor
ryIt
ookl
ong"
.

Yanda:"I
'
m gl
adyout
ookl
ong,
youl
ookabsol
utel
y
amazing".

Iblushed, youknowit'
sf unnyhowI '
m always
tal
kativeandcr azybutwhenSi yandaisaroundI
becomet hisshy,r
eservedgirlandt hatmakes
Ndalol augh,I'
veneverlovedaper sonthewayIl
ove
him andnoguyhasevermademet hisweak.

Me:"
Thankyoubabe,
wecango"
.
Hestoodupandcamet
ome,
tookmybagand
ki
ssedmycheek.

Yanda:"
Keepwel
lNdal
o,I
'
llbr
ingherl
ateroreven
tomorr
owokay"
.

Ndal
o:"
Evenifyoubri
nghert
omor
rowt
hatwoul
d
befi
ne,
Iam alsol
eavi
ng"

Ihuggedhert
henwel
eft
.

Thedr i
vet otheNhl
aphohousehol
dwaswayt o
quick,Si
yandakeptkissi
ngandtouchingmewhi l
e
dri
ving,Ithinkhewasgivi
ngmeassur ancethatI
havenot hingtowor
ryabout.Heparkedoutsidethe
garageandopenedmydoor .

Me:"
I'
m scar
ed"
Onceuponat i
meIwascrazyaroundthi
sguybut
assoonasmyl ovef
orhi
m grewdeeperand
st
rongerIst
art
edbei
ngthecalm andcol
lect
ed.

Yanda:"
Don'
tbebaby,
mypar
ent
sar
ecoolandt
hey
wil
lli
keyou"
.

Inodded,
heheldmyhandaswewenti
nsi
de,
they
haveagorgeoushouse.

Wegotinsi
deandever
yonewasal
readysi
tt
ingat
t
hedi
ningtabl
e.

Sanel
e:"
It
'saboutdamnt
ime"
.

Sanel
eist
heonl
yoneIknowandhei
stoof
orwar
d,
Il
ikehi
m.
Ismi
ledandl
ookeddown.

Yanda:"Fam!
!Thi
sri
ghther
eismylady,
Thando
Mdlul
i.Babyt
hisi
smyf ami
ly,
theNhl
aphosquad"

Squad?
?Heeeay.

Me:"Ni
cet
omeetyoual
l"

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
Nicemeet
ingyout
oobaby,
sitdown"
.

Isatdown,Yandasatt
ome.Likeanyotherf
amil
y,
theybombardedmewithquest
ionsbutImustt
hey
real
lyar
egoodpeople.

Theyounggi
rlwhom Yandai
ntr
oducedasPhumla
keptonl
ooki
ngatmeandwhenIl ookatshewoul
d
l
ookdown.
Sanel
e:"
Lal
ayouokay?
"

Shenoddedandcont i
nuedeati
ngsilent
ly,
Inot
iced
thatshewasn'tevent
alki
ng,
allshedidwassmile
andeat,Notevenagenuinesmile.

Phuml
a:"
Excusemepl
ease"

Shestoodupandranupstai
rs,
Iki
ndaf
eltbad
becausei
tseemedasthoughitwasmemakingher
uncomfort
abl
e.

Me:"
DidIper
hapssayanyt
hingt
ohur
ther
?"

Mr
sNhl
apho:"
NobabyI
'
llt
alkt
oher
"

Shest
oodupandwentupst
air
sandweal
lsat
si
lentl
y,wai
ti
ngtohearwhatMrsNhlaphohasto
say.Afewmi nut
esl
atershecameback,l
ooki
ng
defeat
ed.

Yanda:"
Issheokay?
"

Mr sNhlapho:"Noshe'snot,
shekeepsonsaying
"Shelookslikeher
",Idon'
tknowwhatshe'st
alki
ng
about.She'sevencrying,
Sanel
emaybeyoushoul d
tal
ktoher ,
youknowsheunder standsyoumore".

Me:"Ummmm. .
.I
..
..
canI
..
.canIgot
alkt
oher
,ifi
t'
s
okaywit
hyou?
"

MrNhl
apho:"
Areyousur
emychi
ld?
"

Me:"
Yebobaba"
MrsNhl
apho:"
Okaythenmybabyyoucan,
Siyanda
t
akehert
oPhumla'
sr oom"
.

Westoodupandwenttot
hedesi
gnatedroom and
f
oundherseat
edonthebed,
star
ingatnothi
ng.

Me:"
Babeyoucanl
eave,
I'
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e"

Henoddedandl
eft
,Icl
osedt
hedoorandj
oinedher
ont
hebed.

Me:"
DidIsayanyt
hingt
ohur
tyouPhuml
a?"

Sheshookherheadandl
ookedatme.

Me:"
Youcant al
ktomeyouknow, IpromiseIwon't
j
udgeandtrustmeI'
m nother
etost ealyourbrot
her
awayfr
om you,wecansharehim equall
y"
Shegi
ggl
ed,
that
'smor
eli
kei
t.

Phuml
a:"
It
's.
..
it
'snott
hatsi
sThando"

Me:"
OhIt
houghtf
oramomentyoudon'
tli
keme"
.

Sheshookherheadwhi
lewi
pinghert
ear
s.

Me:"
Iam agoodli
stener
,Icanbeyourbi
gsi
ster
andl
ist
entowhati
st r
oubli
ngyou"
.

Phuml a:"You..
..
youki ndoflookli
kesomeoneI
know, weusedt ostaytoget
herint hestreet
s,Il
eft
herthereandwentt o..
..
ummh. ..
yeah,sowhenIsaw
youIki ndofmi ssedher ,
wellnotkindof...
Ireal
ly
missherandIal wayshopet hatoneI '
m gonnameet
upwi t
hher ,shewasl ikeasistertome, shetook
careofmeandIr eall
ylovedher"
Fr
esht
ear
scameout
,Ial
soshedat
ear
.

Me:"I
'
m sosorr
ymylove,
onedayyouguyswill
meetagai
n,I
'
m sur
eshestil
ll
ovesyouwher
ever
shei
s"

Ihel
dherhands.

Phumla:"Iregr
eteverleavingher,shewasthe
cl
osestthingIhadtofami l
y.Don'tgetmewr ong,I
l
ovetheNhl aphos,t
heyar emyf ami l
yandtheytake
car
eofmever ywellbutyouknowwi thSi
sNdaloi t
wasdiff
erent,sheunderstoodmebecausewewer e
i
nthesamesi t
uati
on".

Ichokedonsal
iva,
didshejust
..
..
waitl
etmeaskher
agai
nandmakesur eIhear
dherr i
ght.
Me:"
What
'shernameagai
n?"

Phuml
a:"
Ndal
oyenkosi
,your
eal
lyl
ookl
ikeher
"

Soshecoul dbet
hemi
ssingl
it
tl
esist
erwastal
king
about?It
ookoutmyphoneandbrowsedt
hrough
Ndalo'
spics.

Me:"
Is.
..
ist
hisher
?"

Sheclosedhermout
hwi
thherhandandnodded
thousandti
mes.

Iam shook!Smal
lwor
ldf
orr
eal
.

Phuml
a:"
Howdoyouknowher
?"

Me:"
She'
smysi
ster
,it
'sl
ongst
orybutI
'
llt
ellher
aboutyousoyoucanmeet
".

Mr
s:"
Areyougi
rl
sokay?
"

Wehear
dcomi
ngf
rom af
ar.
..
..
..

[
Andi
le]

Lif
eisreall
ygoodwhenyouhavebot hyourwoman
andsoni noneroof.Icoul
dn' tbemor ehappier
.
RightnowNdaloandIar el ookingatSabeloplayi
ng,
hewi l
lbespendi
nghal fofthehol i
dayswithmeand
theotherhal
fwithhismot her.Iint
roducedthem t
o
eachotherandIwasgl adSabel owarmedupt o
Ndalo.

Ndal
o:"
Hei
ssuchahappyki
d".
Me:"
Hei
s..
.Il
ovehowyouandhi
m getal
ong"

Shesmi
led,
Iki
ssedherandmyphonedi
stur
bedus.

Me:"
CanIt
aket
hisbaby?
"

Ndal
o:"
Yeahsur
e,I
'
llgogeti
cecr
eam sol
ong"

Shewentt
otheki
tchenandIanswer
ed.

Me:"
Sho"

"Si
rther
e'sacli
entattheoff
icewhowouldli
keto
tal
ktoyoudirect
ly,appar
ent
lyhi
scaseistoohard
andcan'tbehandledbyanyonebutyou"

Thati
smyPA.
Me:"OkayI'
m onmyway,
pleasel
ett
hecl
ientknow
I
'l
lbether
e".

It
'sDecemberandwear eclosi
ngatthefir
m,even
courtwillbecl
osedther
efor
ethiswil
lbemyl ast
cl
ient.Ihungupandwentt ochangeint
oformal
cl
othesandr anbackdownstai
rs.

Me:"BabyIj ustgotacal
lfr
om t
heof
fice,
ther
e'sa
cl
ientthatneedsme.Doyoumi ndst
ayingwit
h
Sabelotil
lIcomeback? "

Ndal
o:"
OhnobabyIdon'
tmi
nd,
youmaygo"

Me:"
Thankyoumami
,Iwon'
tbel
ong"
.

Iki
ssedherandwentt
oSabel
o.
Me:"
Boyboy"

Sabel
o:"
Yesdaddy"

Me:"Daddyi
sgoingtoworkbutI
'
llbebacksoon
okay?Youwil
lst
aywithAunti
eNdaloandyou
shoul
dbehaveokay?
"

Sabel
o:"
Iwi
llbehavedaddy,
Ili
keAunt
ieNdal
oand
Iwon'
tgi
veherprobl
ems".

Me:"
Goodboy,
babyI
'
m gone"

Ndal
o:"
Okay"

Ir
ant
othecaranddr
oveof
f.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Whent heysayt hel ovef orkidscomenat uralin

women, t
heyar er ight.Wear ever ymuchcapabl eof
l
ovi ng,wedon' tneedanymot i
vati
ont olove,wej ust
doi teffort
lessly.WhenIseeot herwomenl oving
theirkids,Ican' thelpbutwonderhowi sitthatmy
ownmot hercoul dn'tlovemeenought oprotectme.
Imeanher eIam si t
ti
ngwi t
hanot herwoman' schil
d,
Ilovehi m andseei nghi m happysoot hesmyhear t
.
Speaki ngofmymom, wehaven' tspokensi ncethe
l
obol a/nhlawul ot hingy.Iam sl owlylearni
ngt o
forgiveher ,yesIwon' tforgetbutf ormyownsani t
y
Ineedt of orgiveher .

Sabel
o:"
Aunt
ieNdal
oI'
m hungr
y"

Me:"
Comeher
eandt
ellmewhatyouwantt
oeat
myboy"
Hecamer
unni
ngandsatonmyl
ap.

Me:"
Tel
lmewhatyouwantt
oeat
"

Sabel
o:"
Bur
gerandchi
psandt
omat
osauce"

Il
aughedandwentt othekit
chentofrybeefpat
ty
andallt
hatisneededtomakeabur gerandmade
fr
ozenchipsaswellthenpouredhi
mj ui
ce.

Me:"
Her
eyoucaneatmyboy"

Hedevour
ed.

Sabel
o:"
Ili
keyouAunt
ieNdal
o,mommydoesn'
t
wantmetoeatbur
gersometi
mes"

Me:"
Ili
keyout
oonana"
Ashewaseat i
ngani ntercom r
ang, Ibuzzedthe
personinandthenaknockf oll
owed.Ist oodupand
wenttoopen.TherestoodAndi l
e'sexwi fe,
Iknow
herbecauseIsawapi ctureoftheirwedding.

Me:"
Hy"

Shel
ookedatmeandf
rowned.

Her:"
Hey..
..
you.
..
youmustbeAndi
le'
shouse
hel
per".

Wow!
!!
Ahel
per
?
Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
YeahIam,
youar
e?"
Her
:"Iam Anel
isa,
Andi
le'
swi
fe"
.

Iwassl
owl
yget
ti
ngi
rr
it
ated.

Me:"
Youmean"
Exwi
fe"
..
.howcanIhel
pyou?
"

Anel
isa:"
I'
m her
etoseemychi
ldandhi
sdad,
canI
comein?"

Shewasgivi
ngmeat
ti
tut
e,Imovedf
rom t
hedoor
,
shegoti
n.

Iwentt
osi
tdownandcont
inuedwat
chi
ngt
v.

Sabel
o:"
Mommy"

Anel
isa:"
Andwhyar
eyoueat
ingabur
ger
?"
Hel
ookedatme,
notknowi
ngwhatt
osay.

Me:"Hei
sakidandsomet
imesheneedst
oeat
whathewant
s"

Sabel
onoddedandconti
nuedeat
ing,
thatmademe
l
aughbecausehi
sreact
ionwasasifheissayi
ng
"Goodanswer
"

Aneli
sa:"
Asahousehelperyoushoul
dknowyour
l
aneandst i
cktoi
t,mychil
deatswhatIwanthi
mto
eatandagainwhyareyourel
axi
ngonthecouch
andnotcleani
ng?
"

Ichuckledandchangedthechannelj
ustt
oir
rit
ate
her,shegavemet hemostevi
leyeandbestbel
ieve
i
t,Ididn'
tcare.
Sabel
o:"MommyAunt i
eNdal
oi sagoodperson,
sheplayspuzzleswithmeandmakesmedel i
cious
food,
sheevenr eadmeast ory.Daddysayshe
l
ovesherandIl ovehertoobecausesheisdaddy's
beaut
ifulgi
rl
fr
iend".

Shechockedonsal
ivaandl
ookedatme,
Ilookedat
heraswellandsmi
led.

Anel
isa:"
Wher
edi
dAndi
lego?
"

Me:"Hewentt
otheof
fi
ce"

Anel
isa:"Andhedecidedt
oleavemychi
ldwi
tha
maidlookingl
ikeper
son"

Me:" Yeah.
..
.het
rust
smeenoughtodosoand
funnyenoughevenyourchi
ldi
shappyt
obelooked
afterbyme"
Anel
isa:"
Isuggestyoumakeyourownbaby!
!!St
op
pl
ayi
ngmommyt omychi
ld!
!"

Shewasnowl
oud.

Me:"Whyi si
ttr
oubli
ngyouhuh?Whatexact l
yis
tr
oubli
ngyou?Thef actthatbot
hyourexhubbyand
ki
dlovemeort hefactthatyouthoughtAndi
le
wouldsti
llbewait
ingforyoubuthei sn'
t?Which
oneisit
?"

Aneli
sa:"
Ohpl ease!!
!Don'
tfl
att
eryoursel
fbi
tch!!
!
Heisprobablyenjoyi
ngyourpussy!!
!Youarejust
hissper
m dish.ThereisnowayAndi l
ewouldsettl
e
forahoodratlikeyou"

Me:"Ohthebiggestbi
tchint
hecit
ydecidestogi
ve
meherposit
ion!!
!Honeyownyourbitchposi
ti
on
andstopgi
vingittome,theonl
ybit
chhereisyou!
!!
!
Youcheat edonyourhusbandandbabest hati
s
bit
chy!!
!!Youaresonast y.Andohjustsoyouknow,
Imightbeahoodr atbutthi
shoodratrighther
e!!
!It
makesAndi lehappy,somethingyoucheesegirl
couldn'
tdo"

Anel
isa:"
Keeponf
ool
ingyour
sel
fAndi
lewi
ll
..
..
..
"

"Hey!
!!What'
sgoi
ngonhere?Aneli
sa?Whatdoyou
wanthere?Icoul
dhearyouguysfr
om adist
ance.
Exchangi
ngswearwordsinf
rontachi
ld!
!!
"

Webot
hlookedathi
m andkeptqui
et.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er27.

[
Nonhl
e]

It'
sChr istmas,thever yfi
rstChri
stmaswi thout
Thabi so.Ithurt
s, ithurt
ssobadmor eespeci all
y
becausemydaught eriscaughtupint hemi ddle,
shei susedt obei ngwi t
hherdadonChr istmas, she
i
susedt obeingt akentodiff
erentplacesforf un
activi
tiesandasmuchasIt rytomakei tupt oher
shewon' thavef unbecauseshewant sdaddyand
nowIhavet oexpl ai
nwher eherdadi s,whyhei s
notwi thusandasamot herthat'
sjustthehar dest
thingt odo.
AnywayrightnowI '
m bathi
ngher,wear egoingt
o
emperor
spal ace,i
t'
sherfavouri
teplace,t
hat'
s
wheredaddypr omisedtotakeherthisChri
stmas.

Mbal
i:"
Mommy"
Me:"
Yesbaby"

Mbal
i:"
Sodaddydoesn'
tloveusanymor
e?"

Thatkindofhurtme,i
fther e'
sonethi
ngIknowis
thatThabi
solovesMbal idearl
ybutIwishhewas
heretotel
lherallt
hat
,tellherhel
ovesher.

Me:"Nobaby,
don'
tevent
hinkl
iket
hat
.Daddyl
oves
yousomuch"

Mbal
i:"
Thenwhyi
shenother
ewi
thus?
"

Me:"
Hehasal
otof
..
..
..
"

Mbal
i:"
Wor
k?Okayt
hen"

Shei
syoungbutver
ytal
kat
ive,
aft
erbat
hingher
,I
dressedherupi nabluejeanandwhi t
eT-shi
rt
,I
wasal sodressedthesameher ,
wewor eourfil
a
sneakers,aft
ereveryt
hingweleft
,thehousewas
empt y.Mymom wentt ochurch,sheloves
Churchthatmuchanddadwentt
omeetupwi
thhi
s
fr
iends.

MbaliandIlef
t.Uponarri
valatEmperorspal
ace,we
star
tedoffbyeati
ngbecauseIwasdamnhungr y
thenwewentt oplayal
lMbali'
sfavour
it
egames.

"
Likef
atherl
ikedaught
er"

It
'shim, Islowlyt
urnedandtherehewaswear i
nga
bluejean, whit
egolfT-
shir
tandsneaker
s, wher
edid
hegett hememooft hedresscode?Mbaliwasbusy
playi
ngandwi nni
ng,shewasnotseeingherfather
.

Me:"
Hey"
Thabi
so:"
Mer
ryChr
ist
masmot
herofmyki
ds"

Me:"
Thankyou,
Mer
ryChr
ist
mast
oyout
oo"

Hegavemeabunchofredandwhi
ter
oses
accompani
edbyacar
d.

Me:"
Thankyou,
theyar
elovel
y"

Thabi
so:"
Ial
sogotourupcomi
ngbabyagi
ft
"

Me:"
Oh?
"

Hesmi
led,
hewi
llf
oreverbehandsome.

Mbal
i:"
MommyI
...
.daddy!
!!
!!
!"
Sher antoherdadassoonasshenot icedhei s
here.Thabi
soputthegi
ftsdownandpi ckedherup,
spunheraroundwhilet
ickl
ingher.Ishedat ear,
whydi dthi
ngshavetobethisway?

Mbal
i:"
Youcame,
youar
ewear
ingt
hesamecl
othes
asmommyandI".

Thabi
soki
ssedheral
lovert
hef
ace,
shegi
ggl
ed.

Thabi
so:"
Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ssspendi
ngChr
ist
maswi
th
myangelandmommy"

Mbali
:"Idi
dn'
tbuyyouaChri
stmasgif
tthi
syear
,I
t
houghtyouwouldnotcome,Imeanyoulef
tusas
i
tis"

Thabi
sol
ookeddown,
embar
rassedandhur
t.
Thabi
so:"
Don'
twor
ry,
daddyboughtyouagi
ft
"

Hegaveher
,itwasabi
gboxwr
apped.

Me:"
GuysI
'
m hungr
y,l
et'
sgoeat
"

Mbal
i:"
Butmom weat
eaf
ewmi
nut
esago"

Thabi
sochuckl
edandt
ookmyhand.

Thabi
so:"
Let
'sgogetyouguysf
ed"

Hecarr
iedt
heonel
astgi
fthehadandwewentt
o
spur
.

Weor
der
ed,
ourf
oodcameandwedevour
ed.
Thabi
so:"
Ial
soboughtyouagi
ft
"

Me:"
OhcanIsee?
"

Hegavemet
hef
ir
stonet
hatwasi
nsi
det
hepaper
bag.

Thabi
so:"
Thi
sonei
sforourboy"

Iopeneditanditwasdesi
gnerclot
hesPr
int
edT.J
andatthebackwr i
tt
enmom anddad'sni
gga.I
l
aughed,theylookcut
eandtiny.

Me:"
T.J?
"

Thabi
so:"
Thabi
soJuni
or"
Me:"
Iwant
edhi
mtobeLwandl
ethough?
"

Hesmi
led.

Thabi
so:"
T.JLwandl
e,per
fect
"

Ishookmyhead,
hei
sser
ious.

Thenhegavememygi
ft
,asmal
lbox,
ver
ysmal
l.

Me:"
What
'si
nher
enow?
"

Thabi
so:"
Openi
t"

IopeneditandIwasmetbyt hecarkeysofmy
dream car
,Ilookedathi
m.Iwasteary.
Mbal
i:"
Mommyyouar
ecr
ying"

Ismil
edwhiletear
swerealsof
all
ing.Wefi
nished
eat
ingandThabisotookustot
hepar ki
ngl
ot,ther
e
i
twasmyMer cedesBenzG63,ayell
owone,ti
edin
abigredr
ibbon.

Irant
owardsi
tandthebackitwaspr
int
edMbali
andT.J'
sMama,theonthenumberpl
ateitwas
Nonhl
e.

Heopenedt
hedoors,i
thadgol
dcarseat
sal
l
pr
int
edinacapi
tall
ett
erNinbl
ack.

Thabi
so:"Madeitspeci
all
yforyou,
MerryChr
ist
mas
motherofmykids.Thankyouforever
ythi
ng"

Ihuggedhimti
ght
ly,
Ilovei
t.Hehadi
tcust
om
madef orme.
I
t'
sspeci
al.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Thismar kst he7t hChr i

st masawayf rom homei n
KwaMashu, fi
rstChristmasawayf rom t hest r
eets.
Sot odayIam meet i
ngAndi l
e'sfami ly, theyinvited
meoverf orChr i
stmasl unch.Iam sur eyouar e
curiousast owhathappenedt heot herdayt heex
wife,Anelisa.Wel lshekeptont ell
ingAndi lelies,
sayingshef oundmeshout i
ngatSabel ot hat'
swhy
shewasangr y,shesai dIt ol
dherIwon' tleave
Andi l
ebecausehei smymeal ti
cket .Icoul dn't
beli
eveit,Iwasj ustsof labbergasted.Iwonder ed
howdoesoneper sonl i
esomuch?Butt henAndi l
e
askedSabel oifIshout edathi m andhesai dno, he
addedandsai dIam t hebestcompar edt ohi smom
that'
swhyhewi shest ost aywi t
hAndi le.Thatr eal
ly
madeherangr ybutt herewasnot hingshecoul ddo,
Andi l
ekickedheroutandt oldhertonevereverset
footi
nhi
shouse, t
heywil
lonlyseeeachotherwhen
Sabel
oisi
nvolved,t
hatr
eall
ygotAndileandIto
l
oveeachotherevenmore.

Anywaybackt othepresentmoment ,
it'
sChr i
stmas
daysoIdon' twannabespendi ngmyt imethinking
aboutt hatmadwoman.Iam hel pingmom( Mr s
Mdl ul
i)withcooking,
Thandoi snotaround, herand
Siyandawentt oDubaif orChr
istmas.Speaki ngof
Thando, whenshecamebackf r
om meet ingheri n
l
awsshet oldshewant smet omeetsomeone, but
wewi llmeetwhenshecomesbacksi nceshedi dn'
t
havetimet hen,Iam j
ustwonder ingwhot hat
personi sandwhyam Isupposet omeether .

Anywaywecooked,whenwewer
edoneIwentt
o
takeashower
,woremyshor
tbl
uedr
essand
sandal
s.

WhenIwasdoneIwascert
aint
hatIl
ookgood,
Ibid
t
hefami
lygoodbyeandr
equest
edUbertoAndi
le'
s
pl
ace.Onmywayt
her
e,amessagecamet
hrough

"Merr
yChristmasbaby, Iwi
ll
livemyl i
feapol
ogisi
ng
toyouforeverhurt
ingandbr eaki
ngyou.Iwishyou
werehere,Iam al
lalonepayi
ngf ormysinsof
pushi
ngyouaway.Haveabeaut i
fuldaymntanam"

Igotsoemotional
,it
'smymom.Sheisgoi
ngt
o
spendChri
stmasaloneandasmuchasshe
wrongedme,Ifeelverysor
ryf
orher
.

Tobecont
inuedi
nthemor
ning.

#Unedi
ted
Mer
ryXmasyouguys;
.
Chapt
er27
Cont
inuat
ion.
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Ther estofthedrivetoAndil
e'
shousebecamea
sadonef orme,apartofmehasf orgivenherand
wishest ospendsomet imewi t
hher .Sheonce
l
ovedmeyouknow?Shewasonceaf r
iendofmi ne,
weoncehadt hebestmoment sandnowt hatIhave
healed,Idor ememberthosemoment s.ShouldI
real
lyletthesadmoment scl
oudt hebestmoment s?

"
Ma'
am wehaver
eachedyourdest
inat
ion"

OhhhIhadzonedout
,Idi
dn'
tevenr
eal
isewehave
ar
ri
ved.

Me:"
Ohum.
..
sor
ry"

It
ookoutt
hemoneyandpai
d.
"
Areyouokayma'
am?
"

Hawut
hisguy.

Me:"
Y..
yesIam t
hanks"

"
Thenwhyar
eyoucr
ying?
"

Ir
eal
lyam cr
ying,
whyam Icr
ying?

Me:"
Thankyouf
ort
her
ide"

Iopenedthedoorandgotoff
.Iwenti
nsi
deand
foundAndil
ealr
eadywait
ingforme.

Andi
le:"
Heybaby,
youl
ookamazi
ng"
Ismi
led,
weshar
edahug.

Andi
le:"
Mer
ryChr
ist
masmami
"

If
eelsaf
e,secur
eandmuchmuchbet
teri
nhi
s
ar
ms.

Me:"
Mer
ryChr
ist
masbaby"

Andil
e:"Yourhear
tisbeat
ingf
astbabyar
eyou
okay?"

Heletgoofme,
Inoddedbutt
ear
smadet
hei
rway
down.

Andil
e:"
ComeonSthandwasam,youknowyoucan
tal
ktomeaboutanyt
hing,
youcan'
tbeokaywhen
youarecryi
ng"
Me:"It
's.
..
.mymom sentmeamessagewishi
ngme
aMer r
yChr i
stmasandshesai
dshewi
llbe
spendinghersal
one"

Hesighedandpul
ledmei
nforaver
yti
ghthug
agai
n.

Andi
le:"
Doyouwantust
ogoandspendi
twi
th
her
?"

Imovedf
rom hi
sar
ms.

Me:"No.
..
nobabyyoupromi
sedyourpar ent
sthat
you'
dcomewithme,wecan'
tjustcancel
"

Hesmi
ledandper
kedmyl
ips.
Andi
le:"
Simpl
emylove,
wewillgotomyparent
s,
st
ayforanhourort
wothengosurpri
seyourmom"

Hei
sagoodman,
aver
ysel
fl
essman.

Me:"Doyouthi
nkI'
m af
oolf
orf
eel
ingt
hewayI
'
m
f
eeli
ngabouther?
"

Andile:"
Nomylove,It
hinkyouareadaught
erwho
wishestohavearel
ati
onshipwit
hhermother,
a
goodwoman.Iloveyouevenmor efort
hewoman
thatyouare"

Ismi
ledandnodded.

Me:"Okayt
henlet'
sgo,
wedon'
twantt
okeepyour
par
entswai
ting"
Andil
e:"Pl
us..
..
westi
llhaveal
ongwayt
ogo,
KZNi
s
notaroundthecor
ner"

Hetookal
lthegi
ft
s,Ihel
pedhi
m car
ryt
hem t
othe
car
.

Thenwef
inal
lydr
oveof
f.

Andil
e:"
IwishSabel
owasheretocelebr
ate
Chri
stmaswithusyouknow?Iam notusedtonot
havi
nghim ar
oundduri
ngthi
sday"

Me:"
Ohhhbaby,
youcanalwaysarr
angewit
h
Anel
isat
obr
ingheroverf
ornewyear'
sday"

Het
ookmyhandandki
ssedi
t.

Andi
le:"
Iknowhei
snotmi
nebi
ologi
cal
lybutIl
ove
him asmyownandseei ngthatyoualsol
ovehi
m
soothesmyhear
t,Ihonestl
ydon'tknowwhatIdi
d
tohaveyoui
nmyl if
e"

Me:"
Youl
ovedme,
that
'swhatyoudi
d"

Wef i
nall
yarri
vedandwowwowwow, thei
rhouse
shoutsri
ches.FunnypartisIwasnotevenscared
ofgoingin,
Iwasj ustner
vous.Wetookoutthegif
ts
andabeaut i
fult
eenagegirlcamer
unning.

Her
:"Bhut
i!
!!
"

Theyhugged,wowhelooksl
i
keAndi
le,
butshei
sa
feemalver
sionofhi
m.

Andi
le:"
Mumu,
howar
eyoumyangel
?"
Her
:"I
'
m goodwow,
wazewanyamal
ala"

Andi
le:"
Hai
boIwasher
e2mont
hsago"

Shel
aughedandcl
appedherhands.

Her:"I
magine2mont hago!
!Youusedt
ocome
everyweek,l
ongestbei
ng2weeks"

Thenshecamet
ome,
smi
ledwi
del
y.

Her
:"HyI
'
m Omuhl
e,t
heyoungesti
nthehouse"
.

Me:"
Nicet
omeetyouOmuhl
e,I
'
m Ndal
oyenkosi
"

Omuhl
e:"
We'
vehadal
otaboutyou"
Me:"
Nicet
hingsIhope"

Omuhle:"
Verygoodt
hings,Sometimeswethi
nkhe
wasexagger
ati
ngwhent al
kingaboutyou"

Il
aughed,
sheseemsl
ikeaver
yni
ceandbubbl
y
younggi
rl
.

Shehel
peduscar
ryt
hegi
ft
sinsi
de.

Abeaut
if
uldar
klady,
whoseemst
obei
nhermi
d
40swal
kedtous.

Her:"Heyyou,
unqabi
let
hesedays"(
Youar
e
scarce)
.

Andi
le:"
SisOmdal
a,notevenahel
lo"
Theyhugged, Iguessshei stheoldersister
.
Everyonecamet ot helounge,wherewewer e
standing,
myGod! !
!Theyal ll
ookali
ke,theyare
dupli
catesoftheirfatherandatouch,justapinch
oftheirmotheristhereandboyar etheygood
l
ooking.

Theygr
eet
ed,
wegr
eet
edback.

Andi
le:"Mom anddadthi
sismygi
rl
fr
iendNdal
o,
babythesear
emypar ent
s"

Ismil
edwhil
elooki
ngdown,
theyar
ever
y
i
nti
midat
ing.

MrsKhoza:"
Hel
lobaby,
we'
vehear
dal
otaboutyou.
Ni
cetofi
nall
ymeetyou"

Me:"
Likewi
seMa"
MrKhoza:"
Nicet
omeetyoundodakazi
,weocome
t
oourhome"

Me:"
Thankyoubaba,
nicet
omeetyout
oo.
"

Andi
le:"Andthenyou'vemetOmuhle,
thi
sri
ghther
e
i
sNonj abul
omyol dersist
erandSi
zwemyyoung
br
other"

Me:"
Nicet
omeetyou"

Sizwe:"
Likewi
sekot
iza,
baf
oyouhaveagr
eatt
ast
e
Isee"

Theyl
aughed,butwhatbeat
smei st
hatever
yone
seemswelcomingexceptNonj
abul
o.
Wewenttogatheraroundt
het abl
e,MrsKhozaand
Nonj
abul
obroughtthefoodthenjoinedus.

Theyaskedallsor
tsofquesti
ons,Andil
ewas
answeri
ngsomeoft hem,conversat
ionwasflowing,
wewerelaughingbutNonjabul
owasst il
lqui
etand
gi
vingmelooks.

Nonj
abul
o:"
So.
..
Ndal
owhatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thyour
l
if
e?"

Ohwow!
!

Me:"I
..
.wel
lnot
hingf
ornowbutI
'
llbest
udyi
ngnext
year
"

Shef
rowned.
Nonjabul
o:"St
udyi
ng?Hai
bokant
ihowoldareyou?
Shouldn'
tyoubesayi
ngyou'
l
lbeworki
ng?"

Andi
le:"
Youseenow?Nonjabul
oIwon'
ttol
erat
e
t
hat,
Mom. .
.dadpl
easet
alktoher"

Nonjabul
o:"ButAndil
ethelastti
meyoumar r
ied
someoneshehur tyou,shewasacheatandal i
er,
soIwannamakesur eshe'
snoneofthoseoragold
diggersi
nceshe'
sdoi ngnothi
ngwit
hherli
fe"

Ouch!
!!Thathur
t,what
'swr
ongwi
thher
.Ij
ust
l
ookeddown.

Andil
e:"
Evenifshewasagolddigger
,who'
smine
wil
lshebediggi
ngthatgol
dfrom?Mineoryour
s?
Pl
easestayoutofmybusiness"

MrKhoza:"
Nonj
abul
opl
easedon'
tmakememad
okay?It
'sChri
stmasday,
wear
enother
etol
ist
enat
yournonsense"

MrsKhoza:"
I'
m sosor
rymybaby,
don'
tmindher
,
shehasfi
vekids,
maybet
hreeoft
hefi
vei
s
str
essi
ngher"

Theyl
aughed,
Nonj
abul
ost
oodupandt
ookherbag.

Nonjabulo:"
I'
m goi
nghometomyhusband,
clear
ly
I
'm notreall
yneededher
e"

MrsKhoza:"
Okaymybaby, ki
ssmygr andki
dsfor
me,t
ellt
hem gogowi
llbr
ingthem gi
ft
st omorr
ow"

Wowt heynotevenstoppi
ngher,If
eelbad.Mr
s
Khozaisveryshadyandfunny.
Si
zwe:"
Final
lyourbeloveddramaqueeni
sgone,
wecanenjoyourfoodinpiece.
"

Weat e,
laught
erhereandther
e.Andi
lewasbusy
squeezi
ngmyt hi
gh,Iguesstr
yingt
omakesureI'
m
okayaftert
heNonjabul
osaga.

Andi
le:"
Fami
ly,
I'
m af
rai
dwehavet
oloveandl
eave
you,
wehavetogotoKZN"

Omuhl
e:"
CanIt
agal
ong?
"

Andi
le:"
Nott
odayMumubutIpr omisewhenwe
comebackwewilldr
ivepasther
eandgetyou"

MrKhoza:"Okayson,
Ndal
oIhopewest
il
lgonna
seeyouagainmychil
d"
MrsKhoza:"Youmustcomeback,sowecando
shoppi
ngtogetherandgett
oknoweachot
her
"

Me:"
Iwi
llcomeMa"

Andi
legavet
hem t
hei
rgi
ft
sthenwel
eft
.

Theroadwastool
ong,westoppedhereandther
e
andkeptongoi
ng.Andi
lest
oppedinthemiddleof
nowhere.
..
.

Me:"
Andnow?
babywest
oppedaf
ewmi
nut
esago"

Andi
le:"
Ial
sogotyouagi
ft
"

Igi
ggl
ed.

Me:"
Soyoust
oppedj
ustt
otel
lmet
hat
?"
Andil
e:"
No,IstoppedbecauseIwannagi vei
tyou
butIal
sostoppedbecauseIwanttotellyouhow
muchIloveyou,Iloveyousomuchst handwasam.
Iwanttomarryyou,Iwanttohavealotofbabies
wit
hyouandgr owol dwit
hyou"

Me:"Ooht hankyoubabyfort
hel
ove,Iknowyou
meani tbecauseyoushowmeeverydayandbest
bel
ieveitIloveyoumore"

Het ookoutaboxandgaveittome,Iopeneditand
burstedoutinl
augher
.It
'saphotoofmesleeping,
myver yfi
rstni
ghti
nhishouse.Idi
dn'
tknowabout
thi
sphoto.

Me:"
Babywherewereyouhi
dingi
t,ohmy
God.
..
.i
t'
s.
..
it
'sf
unny"

Andi
le:"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul,
youar
ebeaut
if
ul"
Me:"
Youar
esocr
eepy"

Wel
aughedandki
ssed.

Andi
le:"
That
'snotal
l"

Hegaveanot
herbox,i
twasawatch.
..
ithadhi
sface
i
nsi
deandengravedAKforAndi
leKhoza.

Me:"Ohbabythisi
ssobeauti
ful
,thankyou.If
eel
bad,
Ididn'
tgetyouanyt
hing"

Honestl
yIdidn'
tknowwhatt obuyforhi
m,hehas
pr
ett
ymuchever ythi
ng.From wat
ches,cuf
fl
inkst
o
di
ff
erentki
ndsofties.Nowtellmewhatdoyoubuy
amanwhohasever ythi
ng?
Andi
le:"Don'
twor
rymyl
ove,
youst
il
lgonnagi
veme
50babies"

Ilaughed,heshowedmehi swrist
,healsohada
almostsimi l
arwatchasmine.Ithadmyf ace,
Iam
talki
ngont hephoto,Hai
boAndi l
elovestaking
photosofmewhenIam notl ooking,i
t'
sbeaut i
ful
though.Strangethingi
sthathi
si sengravedN.K.

Me:"
N.K?
"

Andi
le:"
Ndal
oyenkosiKhoza"

Iblushed,
wekissed.Ourwat
chesahi
sandher
s,
theyarebeaut
if
ulandbrownincol
our
.

Andi
le:"
Iloveyou"
Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Andil
e:"
OkayMr sme,
let'
sgo.Wewil
lst
opatt he
mallandbuyyourmom somegif
tsandgrocer
ies"
.

OnethingIknowi st
hatwhenIlefthomewewer e
notpoor,butwhatIdon'
tknowisthatnowthatmy
mom i sallal
one,
doesshesti
llbuyfood?SoAndil
e
i
nsistedthatwebuygrocer
iesincasewef i
ndthat
ther
e'snone.

Wefinal
lydr
oveof
f,l
ist
eni
ngt
omusi
candsi
ngi
ng
al
ong.

[
Thabi
so]

Theyal
wayssayi tt
akesthel
ossforyoutor
eal
ise
thei
mportanceofwhatyouhad.I
'vebeenwi
th
Asanel
eforalmosttwomonthsnowbutsheisnot
Nonhle,sheisnotstrong,sheisnott hekindof
womanNonhl eisandbesides,ittookhert ol
eave
met oreali
sehowmuchIl oveher.She' stheonly
womanwhocanevermakemehappy, shegavea
beautif
uldaughterandnowshei scar ryi
ngmyson.
Mebuyi ngherthecarwasn' tanyform ofabr i
beor
anythi
ngitwasat okenofappr eciati
onf oral
lthe
l
ovesheshowedme, supportandgi vingme
chi
ldrenbuttrut
hi sIcoul
ddoanyt hingtohaveher
backinmyl if
e.

Rightnowwear edr i
vinghomei nhernewcar,she
i
ssohappy, it
'svisi
bleinhereyes.Iam att
heback
seatwithmypr i
ncess, sheisyappi
ngaway.Asking
meal lsor
tsofquestionsandt hi
shurt
smebecause
Ireal
isehowmychi ldmi ssedme.

Wefi
nal
lyarr
ivedathome,i
nmyhouseasIwant
ed
t
ospendti
mewi ththem.

Weof
fl
oadedt
hegi
ft
sandt
hef
oodweboughtand
goi
nsi
de.

Nonhl
e:"
HuuuuI
'
m sot
ir
ed"

Shesatdown.

Mbal
i:"
Iam goingt
oopenmygi f
tsandpl
aywi
th
mynewt oyst
hatdaddyboughtf
orme"

Eversincet heyleft
,Ineverchangedanyt hi
ng.All
thepicturesont hewallaresti
llther
e,themain
bedroom i ssti
llt
hewayi twas, Mbali
'sbedroom
andherpl ayroom arestil
lthesame.Ther ewasa
ti
mewhenAsanel evisi
tedandaskedmet ochange
andIr efused,shewant stocontrolmeandt hatal
so
sucksabouther .

Nonhl
e:"
Thabi
sowhy?
"
Me:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"

Nonhl
e:"Whyar
eyouher
ewi
thus,
notwi
thher
?
Thegi
fts?
"

Me:" I
t'
sat radi
ti
on,
Iwon'tspendanyhol iday
withoutyouandmyki dsNonhl e,wemi ghthave
separatedbutyouguysar emyl i
fe,youmeanal ot
tome, andwel lt
hegif
ts,
Ijustwant edtothankyou
formaki ngmeaf at
herandf orbeingthewoman
thatyouar e"

Shenodded.

Nonhl
e:"
I'
m hungr
y"

Il
aughed,sheeat
severynowandagai
n,Iwentt
o
warm herpi
esandgotherajui
ceaswel
l.
Me:"
Her
e"

Shet
ookt
hef
ood.

Nonhl
e:"
Beagentl
emanandsi
tonanot
hercouch,
I
wantt
orelaxmyf
eet"

Ipul
ledherfeetandputt
hem onmyl
ap,
I
massagedthem.

Me:"
Theot
hercouchesar
eit
chy,
Ilovet
hisone"

Shel
aughedandmoanedwhenIkepton
massagi
ngher,
mymandownt her
ewokeup.

Me:"
Nonhl
est
opt
hat
"

Shegi
ggl
ed.
Nonhl
e:"
Stopwhat
?"

Me:"
Moani
ng,
youar
ehur
ti
ngme"

Nonhl
e:"Sor
rybutI
'
m enj
oyi
ngt
hef
oodandt
he
massage"

Me:"
Ineedyoubacki
nmyl
if
e"

Shest
oppedeat
ingandl
ookedatme.

Nonhl
e:"
Becauseyouar
ehor
ny?
"

Thenshel
aughed,Godwhydi
dIal
lowt
empt
ati
ons
tobr
eakourmarri
age.
Me:"No.
..notbecauseofthat,
IloveyouNonhle.I
madeami st
ake,amistakeI'
l
lnevereverf
orgi
ve
myselff
or.Ineedmyf amilyback,backi
noner oof
andmywomanbacki nmyar ms"

Nonhl
e:"
Thabi
soI
..
.we.
..
"

Iti
ckl
edher
,shel
aughedthenIst
art
edki
ssi
ngher
tummymakingherl
augh.

Ihear
dthedooropeni
ngandIst
oppedonl
ytobe
metmyAsanele'
ssadface.

Asanele:"
HereIwasthi
nkingwewillbespendi
ng
ourfi
rstChri
stmast
ogetherbut
..
..
."

Nonhle:"Butwhat ?HoneyItol
dyout onotget
comfortabl
ebecauseyouwon' tgett
ohavehim
ful
ly,
youwi llneverevergett
ospendChr i
stmas
wi
thhi
m,i
t'
sourt
ime,
gohome"

Me:"Asanel
elook,
bookint
oahotel
,I
'l
lseeyou
l
ater
..
..
weneedt otal
kanyway"

Asanel
e:"
Thabi
soI
..
..
"

Nonhl
e:"
Leavepl
ease"

Sheranoutandl
eft
,Ir
eal
lyf
eltbadbutIcoul
ddo
anyt
hingt
obewithNonhl
eandMbal i
.

Nonhle:"
Ifyoureall
yneedmebackgetyourshi
t
t
ogetherwithher,Idon'
tneednodr
ama".

Me:"
Ipr
omi
semyl
ove,
I'
llf
ixt
his"

Nonhl
e:"
Good"
Sheconti
nuedeat
ingwhi
leIcont
inuedmassagi
ng
herf
eet.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Andil
eandNdaloar
rivedatNdal
o'shomeand
foundNdal
o'smom drunk,
theyfoundhercr
ying
andli
keAndil
ehadthought,t
her
ewasnof ood.

WhenshesawNdaloshewashappy,shehugged
herf
ordearl
if
eandfi
nal
lyshenot
icedAndi
le.

Zandi
l
e:"Ar
en'
tyoutheonewhocamehere
someti
meagoaskingaboutmydaught
er?
"

Andi
le:"
It
'smeMa"
Zandi
le:"
So.
..
soyouboyar
emydaught
er'
s
boyf
ri
end?"

Andi
lechuckl
ed.

Andi
le:"
YeboMaIam"

Zandi
l
e:"
Goodchoi
cemybaby,
hei
shandsome"

Ndal
osmil
edbutdeepinsi
deshewashurtbyhow
muchofadrunkar
dhermom hadbecome.

Ndalo:"Mom whydon'tyougot
akeanap,whenyou
wakeupyouwi llbat
handwecantal
kproperl
y.I
wil
lcleanthencook"

Zandil
e:"No!!
!Noyouwil
lleavemelikeyoudidback
then,
thisti
meIwon'tsurviveNdal
oyenkosi
.Itbr
oke
mebackt
hen,
itwi
llki
llmet
hist
ime"

Ndal
o:"Ipr
omiseIwon'
tli
ve,
I'
m her
etospendt
his
daywit
hyou,Iwon'
tgo"

Shelookedatherforsolongandgotup, Ndal
o
hel
pedherupt oherroom, shedozedoff
i
mmedi atel
ywhenshegotont opofthebed.

Ndal
oandAndi
lest
art
edcl
eani
ngandcooki
ng.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

GuyspleasenoteIchangedt henamesofAndi
le'
s
youngbrotherandyoungersister
,theywer
eSfi
so
andOluhleanduponr eal
isi
ngthatthechar
act
ers
ontheotherst
oryhavethesamenamesIchanged
them t
oOmuhleandSi zwe.
Chapt
er28.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

It'
stheverylastdayoftheyear ,
Ireal
lywishIcould
spenditwi t
hmymanbutNo! !
!Mydadhadt o
happen,heaskedus. .
.noscratchthat
,het ol
dus
thatwewi l
lbespendingnewyear '
sevetogetheras
af ami
ly,everyonei
shereandt hehousei ssobusy.

Anywayletmetakeyoubackt
owhathappenedon
Chri
stmasdaywithmymom.

[
Backi
nKwaMashu]

Mymom wasverydrunksoaft
erIsuggest
edthat
shegoest
osl
eep,Andil
ehel
pedmecl eanthe
house.WhenIwassat
isfi
edt
hatt
hehousei
scl
ean,
Ist
artedcooki
ngupastor
m.

Andi
le:"
Baby"

Me:"
Yes?
"

Andi l
e:"I
'
m proudofyoufordoingthi
s,i
ttakesa
verystrongandcourageouspersontofacethei
r
fears,andyoumyl ovearever
ystrong"

Ismil
ed.Att
hatver
ymomentIalsof
elteasy,Ifel
t
l
ikesomethi
nghasbeenl
if
tedof
fmyshoul ders.

"Youar
ereal
lyher
e,f
oramomentIt
houghtIwas
dreami
ng"

Shecamedownl
ooki
ngal
lfr
esh,
allbeaut
if
uland
l
ooki
ngl
ikeshehasneverbeendr
unk.

Me:"
Youar
eawake"

Mom:"Yesbaby,
Itookabat
hli
keyouhadsai
d
bef
oreIwentt
osleep"

Me:"
Okay.
..
youl
ookf
resh,
Icooked"

Mom:"Iwi
shIf
eltasf
reshasIl
ook,
thef
oodsmel
ls
ni
ce"
.

Me:"
Umm Ma.
..
thi
sisAndi
le,
myboyf
ri
end"

Mom:"We'
vemetbefor
e,her
eal
lycaresaboutyou.
Whenhecamehereheseemedconcernedabout
you,
Idi
dn'
tknowhewasmysoni nlaw"
Ismil
ed,f
orsomer
easont
heat
mospher
eitwas
ver
ytense.

Mom:"
Nicet
omeetyouonceagai
nAndi
le"

Andi
le:"
Nicet
omeetyout
ooMa"

Me:"
Let
'ssi
tdown,
I'
lldi
shup"

Mom:"
I'
llgohel
pyou,
Mkhwenyanayoucanr
elax"

Me:"
NoMaI
..
."

Andi
le:"
Babyl
etherhel
pyou"

Thet
houghtofbeingal
oneinthekit
chenwithher
,I
di
dn'
tknowwhatIwouldhavet osaytoher
.Anyway
wewenttotheki
tchen,
Igotbusysil
entl
y,t
ryi
ngto
avoi
dher
.

Mom:"
Mumu"

Iclosedmyeyes,
sheusedtocal
lmet
hat
.Back
whenweusedt ogetal
ong,
whenwewerebest
fr
iends.

Mom:" I'
m sorr
ymychi l
d,Iknowitwon'tbeeasyto
fi
nall
yforgivemebutIwantyout oknowt hatIwi
ll
l
ivemyl i
femaki ngupformypastmistakeandIwill
neverforgi
vemyselfforhurt
ingyou"

Me:"
It
'sf
inemama"

Mom:"Iam gr
atef
ult
hatyourar
eher
ewi
thyou,
you
di
dn'
thavetobutyouchose"
Ikeptquiet
,notbecauseIdi
dn'
twanttotal
kbutI
honestl
ydidn'
tknowwhatt osaysoIconti
nued
dishi
ngthefoodintobowls.

Wefi
nishedt
henwentt
ojoi
nAndi
lei
nthedi
ning
r
oom,wesatdown.

Mom:"
Let
'sbl
esst
hef
ood"

Weclosedoureyes,
shepr
ayedthenwedi
shedup
andate,
aft
ereati
ngwehaddessert
.

Andi
le:"
Thef
oodwasni
cest
handwasam"

Ismi
led,
hebr
ingsoutt
hebesti
nme.

Mom:"Itr
eal
lywasnice,
Ineverevengottoteach
youcooki
ngbutyoucookverywell
,Iguessyou
wer
edoi
ngf
inewi
thoutme.If
ail
edasamot
her
"

Me:"Mom canwenotdwel
ltoomuchinthepast
?I
am real
lyt
ryi
ngt
omoveonandI'mlear
ningto
for
giveyou"

Mom:"
AndI
'
m gr
atef
ul"

Andi
le:"
Mawegotyouagi
ft
"

Het
ookoutt
hegi
ftandhandedi
ttoher
.

Sheopeneditandsmil
edwide.Wegotheradinner
setandgl
asses.Idi
dn'
tknowwhatelsetobuyher,
I
hardl
yknowwhatshelikesanddi
sli
kes.

Mom:"Thankyousomuch,t
heyar
ebeauti
ful
.HadI
knownyouwerecomi
ng,Iwoul
dhaveal
sogotten
yousomet
hing"

Me:"
It
'sokayMa"

Andi
le:"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ovet
hegi
ft
"

Shest
oodupandwentupst
air
s,shcamebackwith
aver
ybigphot
oal
bum.It
'st
heoneweusedi nser
t
myphotosi
n.

Mom:"
Remembert
his"

It
ookandwatchedthepi
ctur
eswi
thAndil
e,f
rom
whenIwasyoungtowhenIwasprobabl
y15or16.
Andil
ekeptonl
aughi
ngatsomeoft
hewei
rd
pi
ctures.

Andi
le:"
Youwer
esobeaut
if
ul"
Me:"
OhnowI
'
m ugl
y"

Mymom l
aughed.

Mom:"
Sti
llcheeckyandf
unny"

Ismi
led.

Andi
le:"
NoMaminowyouar
emor
ebeaut
if
ul"

Ibl
ushed, t
hedaywentonandon.Mymom t ell
ing
Andi
lestoriesaboutwhenIwasyoungandal lt
hat.
Imustsayspendi ngthedaywi t
hherwasthebest,
I
ki
ndoff oundpeace, moreespeci
all
ywhenshetol
d
meshel ovesme.It ookhernumbersthenwefi
nall
y
hadtoleave.
Shewaskindofhurtbyseei
ngusleave,Imadeher
promi
setonotdri
nkanymorealcoholandshedi
d
promi
se.

Andil
e:"
BabyIreal
lyam pr
oudofyouandhowyou
handl
edyoursel
f"

Me:"
I'
m pr
oudofmysel
ftoo"

Hekissedmyhandaswedr
oveof
f,Ihadagood
day.

[
Backt
opr
esentmoment
]

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Lol
ozana"

Isnappedoutofi
t,I
'
vebusyint
hekit
chen
marinat
ingt
hemeatbutalsol
osti
nmyt hought
s.
Me:"
Ma"

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"uRi
ghtsi
si?I
'
vebeencal
li
ngyou"

Me:"
I'
mfi
neMa,
Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngaboutl
if
enj
e"

MrsMdlul
i:"
Okayst
handwasam,let
'st
aket
hemeat
t
otheguysoutsi
de,
areyoudone?
"

Me:"
YesI
'
m done,
wher
eisThando?
"

MrsMdluli
:"Isenthertogogetdri
nks,Nkosi
changedhismindaboutgoinggobuydr i
nks,he
sai
dhei sgoingtofet
chhisgir
lf
ri
end.Ididn'
teven
knowhehadone"

Il
aughed,
Ijustt
houghtoft
hatot
herdayhewant
ed
t
osneakf
oodi
nforhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Youknewt
hathehasagi
rl
fr
iend?
"

Me:" What
?Me?NoMaIdi dn'
t.
.It
hinkweshoul
d
takethemeatout
sidesot
hatwecanst ar
twi
ththe
salads"

Shegavemethe"
Idon'
tbeli
eveyou"l
ook,
Igi
ggl
ed
andtookt
hemeatout
side,
shefol
lowedme.

[
Thando]

Ourparentsaret hewor
stshame,whoi nthi
sday
andagedoesn' tspendti
mewithhisorherpartner
?
IhadplanswithYanda, wewantedtocrossoverto
2020togetherbutno!!
!Khehl
alakwaMdl uli
happenedandwhenmydadhappenst here'
s
absol
utelynothingyoucandoaboutit.Ei
therway
f
ami l
yisver
yimpor
tantt
omesoIdon'
tmi
ndbei
ng
wit
hthem.

RightnowI'
m atcheckers,Ij
ustboughtdri
nks.Iam
headingtopicknpayliquort
ogetsomet hi
ng
somet hi
ngforusdrunkards.

Iboughttheal
cohol,l
oadedintothecart
hendrove
toYanda'spl
ace.Iam goingtogetPhumla,
Iwant
tosurpr
iseNdalo.Iam suret
hiswil
lbethebest
surpr
iseever
.

Myphoner
ang,
itwasYanda.

Me:"
Cupcake"

Hechuckled,
hehat
esitwhenIcal
lhi
mthat
,butI
l
oveit
..
.heismycupcake.
Yanda:"
Sugar
"

See?I'
mt heonewhoshoul
dhat
ewhenhecall
sme
that
..
.Sugar
?Whatki
ndofapetnamei
sthat
?

Me:"
What'
sup?Iwasaboutt
ocomet
oyourpl
ace
t
ogetPhumla"
.

Yanda:"
Aboutt
hat
,don'
tbotheryour
sel
f.Iam on
mywayt ot
hemallaswell
,Iwanttobuymore
meat"

Me:"Okay,howfarar
eyou,
mymom wi
llgocr
azyi
f
Idon'
tarri
vesoon"

Yanda:"
I'
mri
ghtbehi
ndyou"

If
elthi
shandonmywai
st,
Iknewi
twashi
m
becauseofhi
sscent
.Isl
owl
ytur
nedandweki
ssed.

Yanda:"
Sthandwasam"

Me:"
Baby"

Ti
llt
hisdayhest
il
lmakesmebl
ush.

Heki
ssedmyl
ips.

Me:"
HeyPhuml
a"

Phuml
a:"
Heysi
sThando"

Me:"
Howar
eyoubaby?
"

Phuml
a:"
I'
m goodt
hanks,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"I
'
m good,
areyour
eadyt
ogowi
thmeand
meetNdal
o?"

Phuml
a:"
YesbutI
'
m al
soner
vous"

Si
yandatol
dmeherstor
yandhowSanel
efound
hi
m,itr
eall
yisat
ouchi
ngst
ory.

Me:"
Don'
twor
ry,
shewi
llbesoexci
tedandhappy
t
oseeyou"

Ispoket
omymanal
it
tl
ethenwel
eft
.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

AttheMdl
ulir
esidence,
MrMdl
uliwal
kedi
nthe
housewi
thNdalo'smom.Ndal
ostoodupandwent
tohugher,shewasreall
yhappytoseeher.Mrs
Mdlulismi
ledtoher
selfasshesawhowt he
surpr
isedworkedoutperf
ectl
y.I
twasthei
rplanto
haveZandilecomeandcrossovert
o2020wi th
Ndalo.

Ndal
o:"
Mom"

Zandi
l
e:"
Mybaby"

Ndalo:"
I'
m sohappyt
oseeyou,
dadwhydi
dn'
tyou
t
ellme?"

Dad:"
Andr
uint
hesur
pri
se?
"

Theyl
aughed,Thandowal
kedi
ncar
ryi
ngt
heheavy
pl
asti
csofdri
nks.
Thando:"
Nkosipl
easehel
pmewi
tht
her
emai
ning
pl
asti
csinmycar"

Ndalo'
seyeswer
efi
xedonPhuml
a,shecoul
dn'
t
bel
ieveit
.

Ndal
o:"
You.
..
Thandohow.
..
wher
edi
dyouf
indher
?"

Thandoexplai
nedeveryt
hingandNdalowentt
o
squeezePhumla,t
heybothcriedbutt
heywere
happytoseeeachother.

Ndal
o:"
Phumla.
..
.Gosh!
!!Wewillt
alksomemore,
f
ornowIhavealottodo,Iwanttoknowever
ythi
ng"

Phumlawasveryhappyt
oseehersi
sterf
rom
anot
hermother
.
Ti
mef l
ewfast
er,t
heyateandst
art
eddr
inki
ngt
hei
r
al
coholwhi
ledanci
ng.

Thando:"
It
's23:55ever
yone"

Ever
yonewentt
othegar
den,
car
ryi
ngf
ir
ecr
acker
s.

Thent
hecountdownbegan

Ever
yone:"
5..
.4.
..
3..
.2.
..
1,Happynewyear
!!
!!
"

Thefi
reworksbegan,Ndaloandhermom hugged
ti
ght
lywhi
lesheddingtear
s.

Ndalo:"Here'stonewbeginni
ngsmom, If
ull
y
for
giveyouandIwantust ohaveamother-
daughterrelati
onshi
p.Iknowitwon'
tbeawalki
n
theparkbuti t
'sdoabl
e"
Zandi
le:"
Thankyou,
Iloveyoubaby.Happynew
year
"

Ndal
o'sphoner
ang,
itwasAndi
le.

Ndal
o:"
Munt
uwam"

Andi
le:"
BabyI
'
m out
side"

Ndal
olaughedandhungup,
hewentout
sideand
i
ndeedhewasoutsi
de.

AssoonasNdalogottot
hecarandcl
osedthedoor
Andi
lepul
ledheri
nforaki
ss,
averypassi
onat
e
ki
ss.

Andi
le:"
Happynewyearmyl
ove,
it'
sgoi
ngt
obea
goodyear,
onef
il
ledwi
thl
otsofl
oveand
happi
ness"

Ndal
o:"
HappynewyearBhovungane"

Andi
lechuckl
ed.

Andi
le:"
Ihavet
omar
ryyousot
hatIcanhearyou
cal
li
ngmebymyclannamemoreoft
en"

Ndal
osmi
ledwi
del
y.

Andi
le:"
Iloveyou"

Ndal
o:"
Iloveyou"

"
Happppppppy"
NdaloandAndi
lel
aughedast
heysawadrunklady
passi
ngbyandscreami
nghappywhi
lecar
ryi
nga
fi
recracker
.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er29.

[
Nonhl
e]

Spendingtheholidayswi t
hThabi sowast hebest
thing,mostlyf
orMbal i.Asforme, IknowIhadt ol
d
himt hatIwouldconsiderforgivinghi m buthonest l
y
i
t'snoteasy.Youknowi t'
sonet hingf oraper sonto
cheatonyoubuti t'
sanot herthingi fhewi llcheat
andal l
owt hei
rmarriagetoendwi t
houtaf ight .
RightnowI'
m atmyapar tment,yesIgotan
apart
mentsuitableformeandmychi ldbutshei
sat
hergogostil
lenjoyi
ngthelastr
emainingdays
beforegoi
ngbackt oschool.

Iboughtamamasandpapasmagazine,
Iam
readi
ngthr
oughj
ustf
ori
nter
estsake.

"
MakaBoy"

Gosh!
!!Can'
tagir
lenj
oysomet
imeal
one?Whydo
t
heyalwayslethi
min?

Ilookedathi
m, hehadf
lower
sandaboxofmy
favouri
temuff
ins.

Thabi
so:"
Howar
eyou,
?"
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne,
your
sel
f?"
.

Hewal
kedcloserandputt
hef
lower
sandmuf
fi
ns
ont
hetabl
ethensatnextt
ome.

Thabi
so:"
I'
m okay,
iphii
nganeyam?
"

Me:"
Youknowshe'
swi
thmymom mos"

Hef
rowned.

Thabi
so:"
Hawuwhyar eyousnappi
ng?Boyboy
tr
oubl
ingyoual
ready?
"

Il
ookedathim andl
ookedbackatmybook,butmy
mindranbacktothebr
anmuf f
insont
hetable.I
qui
ckl
yputthemagazineawayandtookt
hebox.
Thabi
so:"
Hey!
!Thosear
enotf
oryou"

Ial
readyhadamout
hful
.

Me:"
Whosear
etheyf
or?
"

Thabi
so:"
For
..
.t
heyar
e..
..
"

Mxm heissocrazy,
Idevour
edandcl
osedmyeyes.
Theyar
esof r
esh.
Hechuckl
edt
henIfel
thi
m br
ushi
ngmyt
ummy,
I
moaned.Hel
aughed.

Thabi
so:"
Don'
tdot
hat
"

Me:"
Don'
tdot
hatnawe"
.
Bytheti
meIhadthet
hir
dmuf
fi
nIwassof
ull
,al
lI
neededwaswat
er.

Me:"
Pleasegogetmeagl
assofwat
er"

Hest
oodupwi
thoutaf
ight
,WOW!
!!

Itookt
heglassofwat
eranddr
anki
tli
keIhaven'
t
hadwateri
nages.

Thabi
so:"
Imi
ssyoubaby"

Il
ookedaway,hehasthi
sthi
ngoft
urni
ngmeon
wheneverheget
sseri
ous.

Thabi
so:"
Nonhl
e?"
Me:"
Mmm"

Thabi
so:"
Ngyak'
khumbul
ast
handwasam"

Ishr
ugged.

Me:"Youhur
tmeThabiso,youcheatedonmebut
notonl
ydidyoudothat
,whenIbroughtupthe
di
vorceyoudi
dn'
tfi
ghtforourmarri
age,t
hat
'show
muchyoudidn'
tval
ueit
,didn'
tval
ueme" .

Iwasatthevergeoftear
s,Ican'
thelpitbecauseI
l
ovehim.Hetookmyhandandmademel ookat
hi
m,tear
swer ecomingoutuncontrol
lablyalr
eady.

Thabiso:"
I'
m sosorr
ybaby,I'
mreall
ysorry.Iwasa
foolandIknowit'
sself
ishofmetojustwantto
comebackbutImi ssyouNonhle,youandour
daughter,
ahouseisnotahomewi thoutyou"
Me:"
Whataboutyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"

Thabiso:"
I.
.Il
efther,
whatIhadforherIr
eali
sed
l
aterthati
twasj ustl
ust,i
twasnotwort
hlosi
ngmy
famil
yandI '
mr eal
lyreal
lysor
ry"

Me:"Doyoureal
iset
hatnotonl
ydi
dyouhur
tme
butyouhavehur
tyetanot
herwoman?"

Thabi
so:"
Iknow, IknowandIf
eelt
err
ibl
ebabybut
i
fhurt
inganotherwomanjustt
obewithyouagai
n
thenI
'
ddoi tagai
n"

Hai
bo!
!!Thi
sguy,
ishecr
azy?

Me:"YoudoknowKarmaisabi
tchr
ight
?Andi
t
neverf
orget
stheaddr
ess"
Hebur
stouti
nlaught
er,
guysI
'
m ser
ious.

Thabiso:"
Ifi
tneverforget
stheaddr
esstheni
twi
ll
fi
ndmeandmywi f
et oget
heri
nthatver
ysame
address"

Me:"
Youcr
azyyouknowt
hatr
ight
?"

Me:"
Aboutyou?OhyesIknow"

Hepul
ledmecl
oserandourf
oreheadst
ouched.

Thabi
so:"Il
oveyou,IloveyousomuchbabyandI
wil
lneverevermakethestupi
dmist
akeoflet
ti
ng
yougo".

Hei
stheguyImetyear
sago,
hel
ooksgenui
neand
l
oveisvi
sibl
einhi
seyesl
iket
hever
yfi
rstdayhe
appr
oachedme.

AsIwasanal
ysi
nghi
m,hepul
ledmyl
owerl
ipwi
th
hi
s.

Thabi
so:"
I.
.Il
oveyoubaby"

Hewhisperedwit
hhisli
psonmi ne,thenheki
ssed
mehungr y,
heisthebestki
sser
,Ifoundmyself
r
espondingtot
hekiss.

Wekissed,hestar
tedtouching,
brushi
ngand
squeezi
ngmeever ywhere.Iwasmoaningin
betweentheki
sses.

Hel i
ft
edmeup,tookmetothebedroom he
undressedt
hencametome, hef
ir
sttookoffmy
dress,hi
seyeswerer
edandsmall.Thenhecame
andsuckedmyneck, wenttomyboobandt ookof
f
thebra.wel
lbecauseIwasnotweari
ngapant y
whichmadehi sj
obquieteasy.Hewentdownand
suckedthel
ifeoutofmycookie.

Me:"
Tha.
..
.ahhh"

Heconti
nuedli
cki
ng,sucki
ngandinser
ti
nghi
s
f
inger
.Ifi
nal
lyrel
easedthej
uices.

Me:"
Oww.
..
yeah,
yesssss"

Hecleanedmeupwithhi
stonguet
henhecameup,
backtomyli
ps,heki
ssedmeIcoul
dtast
emysel
f.

Innoti
meIfel
thi
mt r
yingtoi
nser
ti
nghisbi
gguy
buti
twassohardandthatwaspai
nful
,Iwi
nced.
Thabi
so:"
Aski
es"

Hekissedmeandpushedali
ttl
ebi
thar
der
,itf
inal
ly
wentin.Hest
art
edt
hrust
ing.

Me:"
Ahhhbaby,
yes.
..
yes"

Thabi
so:"I
'm sor
ry.
..
I.
..
ohhhhf
uckbaby.
..
Iloveyou
andshitImissyou.
..
somuch"

Me:"
Ohhhyessssbabyri
ghtt
her
e,j
ustl
ike
t
hat.
..
.i
ncr
easet
hespeed"

Thabi
so:"
Doyouf
orgi
veme?
"

Ikeptqui
etandenj
oyedt
hemoment
,hewent
sl
ower.
Me:"
Thabi
so"

Thabi
so:"
Yesl
ove?
"

Me:"
Pleasegof
ast
er"

Hei
ncr
easedthepace,hewentinfasterbutwhen
her
eal
isedIwasabouttocum hestopped.

Me:"No!
!!Thabi
soIwasaboutt
oreachmyhappy
endi
ng"

Hepumpedi
nsl
owl
y.

Thabi
so:"
Doyouf
orgi
veme"
.

Me:"
Ahhy.
..
yes,
Ifor
giveyou.
..
yes"
Thabi
so:"
Doyoul
oveandmi
ssme?
".

Hest
art
edi
ncr
easi
ngt
hepaceal
it
tl
e.

Thabi
so:"
Doyou?
"

Me:"Yes!
!!Il
oveyousomuch,Il
oveyousomuchi
t
hur
ts,I
..
..
ahhhhyesbabyIl
oveyou"

Iguessthosewordsdrovehim cr
azybecausehe
thr
ustedindeeperandfast
er.

Me:"
I'
m..
..
ohhhyesbaby,
I'
m cumi
ng"

Ithenr
eachedmyhappyendi
ng,
heki
ssedmeand
pumpedin.
Thabi
so:"
Ahhhh.
..
.f
uckbaby,
yessss!
!!
!"

Heal
sor
eachedandcol
lapsedont
opofme.

Thabi
so:"
Thankyou,
thatwasamazi
ng"

Ismil
ed,
itr
eal
lywasamazi
ng.Hegotupand
ki
ssedme.

Thabiso:"
Thankyouf
orgi
vingmeanot
herchance,
forf
orgivi
ngme"

Me:"WellIhaven'
tfor
givenyounorgaveyoua
secondchance"

Thabi
so:"
Youcr
azy,
youagr
eed"

Hewentt
othebat
hroom andcamebackwi
tha
t
owel
.

Hecl eanedmeupthecl
eanedhi
msel
fup,t
henhe
j
oinedmeont hebedandmademelieonhischest
,
i
tfeltli
kehome.

Wehadal
ovel
yconver
sat
ion,
kissi
ngher
eand
t
her
eandl
ovemaking.

Thabi
so:"
Iloveyou"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

#Goodmor
ning
Thi
sisj
usta#TeaserbutwhenIpostaf ul
linser
tI'
l
l
becont
inui
ng..
.IknowIsaidI
'l
lpostt
wodaysago
butl
oadshedding thenet
workgoesalongwith
i
t.
I
'
m havi
ngabusymor
ningbutI
'
llcont
inuedur
ing
t
hecour
seoft
heday.
Chapt
er29.
Cont
inuat
ion.

[
Phuml
a]

CanIj ustsay2020st art

edonaver ygoodnot e?I
am set t
ledwi t
hpeopl eIrefert
oasaf amilynow,I
gott ofi
nallyseeSisNdal oagainandI '
m going
backt oschool .Speakingofgoingbackto
school .
..
sigh,theyregist
eredmei noneoft hose
privateandf ancyschoolsandt obehonestI '
m
reall
yner vous.

MrsNhl aphoandIhavejustdoneshoppingformy
schoolunifor
m andstat
ionaryandIam dogtir
edto
saytheleast.Sheboughteveryt
hingyoucanthink
ofthatsaysschool.
MrsN:"Iam hungr
ynow,
let
'sgogr
absomet
hingt
o
eatatHardRock"

Huh? ?Hardwhat?Seeonet hi
ngIdon'tl
ikeabout
thisfancyli
fei
shavingtoadjustt
oeat i
ngatfancy
placesthatIdon'
tevenknow.Imeanl ookingatthi
s
place,Idon'
tknowhalfoftherest
aurants.

Me:"
Okay"

It
hinkshesawt
hatIwasj
ustgoi
ngbecauseshei
s.

Mr
sN:"
Don'
twor
ry,
theyhavegoodf
ood"

Wewentt
oherRockHar
dorHar
dRockand
or
der
ed.
Mr sN:"
Sobabytel
lme,howareyouf
eel
ingabout
goingbackt
oschoolandgoi
ngtoanewschoolat
that?
"

Me:"Wellaboutgoi
ngbackt oschoolI'
mr eal
ly
excit
edbutatthesamet i
meI '
m nervousabout
goingtoamodel cschool,
Ineverthoughtoneday
I'
dhavetogot othesameschoolaswhi tes"

Shesmil
ed,ourf
oodcame.Theyreal
lydohave
goodf
ood,weatewhil
etal
king.

Mr sN:"Youhaveabsol
utelynot
hingtowor r
yabout,
Crawfordisaverygoodschoolandtheyinsti
ll
disci
pli
netothelear
nerssotheywon'tbull
yyouif
that'
swhatmakesyouner vous"

Me:"ThankyousomuchMr s.
..
Imeanmom,f
or
ever
ythi
ngyou'vedoneandar
edoi
ngforme"
Shet
ookmyhandi
ntoher
s.

MrsN:"Youaremostwel
comemybaby,Il
ove
doingwhatI
'
m doi
ng.Ourfami
lyasawhol
eador
e
you"

Ismiled,
Iam t
rulybl
essed.Noteveryonehasthe
pri
vil
egeoff
indingalovi
ngfamilyli
kethisone.

MrsN:"SowhenisNdal
ojoi
ningusf
orl
unchor
di
nner?I
'dl
iket
omeetthi
sgir
lwhomakesmy
baby'
shear
tmelt"

Me:"Idon'
tknowbutI'l
laskbhutiSi
yatotel
lSis
Thandotobri
ngheroverwhenshevi si
ts,
she'sa
ver
ygoodper son.Youwil
lloveher"

Mr
sN:"
Icant
ell
,your
eal
lydol
oveher
"
Me:"We'vebeent
hroughalottoget
herand
someti
mesIdon'tthi
nkIwouldhavesurvi
vedthe
hungeri
fitwasn'
tforher
.Sheplayedabigsi
ster
rol
etomeeversinceIgottothestr
eet
s"

Wefi
nishedupeat
ingt
henl
eft
,itr
eal
lywasagood
l
adi
es'dayout
.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

MydadandIar eattheairpot
,wehave
accompaniedmymom.Shei sgoingbacktoKZN, I
mustsaybeingwithherwasagoodt hing.Igott
o
bondwithher,
alt
houghthingsaresti
llnott
hesame
butIbel
ievewewillgett
here.

Mom:" Thankyousomuchmybabyf orgi

vingmea
chance,Ireal
lyappr
eci
atei
tandIhadagr
eatti
me
wit
hyou" .
Me:"Sodi
dIMa,
pleasewor
konyoural
cohol
habi
ts"

Mom:"
Iwi
llmychi
ld,
Ipromi
seyou.Whenam I
goi
ngt
oseeyouagai
n?"

Me:"Idon'
tknowbecauseI'
vejustr
egi
ster
edatt
he
coll
egemeaningI
'
llbespendingmostofmyti
meat
schoolbutIpr
omi
seI'l
lmaket i
me"

Wehuggedf
ordearl
if
e.

Mom:"
Okayl
etmegobef
oremyf
li
ghtl
eavesme"

Shel
ookedatdad.

Mom:"Thankyoufort
aki
ngcar
eofher
,Icansee
t
hroughhert
hatyouaredoi
ngagr
eatj
ob."
Dad:"
Itdoesn'
tevenfeell
ikeaj
ob,
shemakesi
t
easyf
ormet otakecareofher"

Ismil
ed,asmuchast heyaret
alki
ngaboutmeli
ke
I'
m nother
e,Il
ovehearingt
hem sayt
hethingst
hey
say.

Wehuggedfort
helastt
ime,
shel
eftt
hendadandI
wentbackt
othecar.

Butwai tguys!!
!Ijustwanttogiveittomyst ep
mom. ..thatwomanhasabi gheart,shei sso
generous.Imeanwhocanal lowtheirstepdaughter
tostayinherhousef ul
lti
meandt henl aterall
ow
themot herofthest epdaughterwhohappenst obe
thei
rhusband' sthensidechicktostayi ntheir
house?Wel lmystepmommydi d.

"
Iwantt
omeethi
m"
Hebr
oughtmebackt
othepr
esentmoment
.

Me:"
Whati
sdadt
alki
ngabout
?"

Dad:"Yourboyfri
end.
..
tel
lhi
m Iwantt
omeethi
m
t
onight,oversupper
"

What
???

Me:"
My.
..
.dadwhat
..
..
"

Dad:"
I'
m notchil
dntombiyam,Iknowyouhavea
boyf
ri
endandt oni
ghtIwantt
omeethim"

GuysIwasshocked,
lostf
orwor
dsandt
onguet
ied.
Me:"
He.
..
.babahewi
llbewor
king"

Dad:"I
fhedoesn'
tcometonightt
henhemustf
orget
abouthavi
ngmydaughter"

Inodded,
Iwassoshocked.

Thedri
vebackhomewasl ongandtrustmydadt
o
saysometi
mesthatwil
lputyouinanAwkward
posi
ti
onthenactl
ikenot
hinghappened.

Howwi
llIevent
ellAndi
let
hatmydadwant
stosee
hi
m?Whatishegoingtosaytomyman?

Me:"
DadevenThandohasaboyf
ri
endyouknow?
"

Hel
aughedoutl
oud,
what
'sf
unny?
Dad:"
Youaresuchasni t
ch,wel
lIknowbutt
odayI
wanttomeetyoursthenI'
l
ldeci
dewhenI'
m
meeti
ngThando's"

Isi
ghedandaf
tersomet
imewegothome.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er30.

[
Andi
le]

Wellwellwell
..
.TonightI
'm havi
ngdinneratNdalo'
s
pl
acewi thherfamil
y.IshouldbenervousbutI'
m
not,
insteadNdaloistheonewho' snervousonmy
behalf
.
AnywayI
'
m doneprepari
ngmyself
,Ioptedf
ora
j
eanandgol
fT-shi
rtwit
hsneaker
s,nothi
ngfancy.

Abot
tl
eofwhi
skey,
Check!
Fl
ower
s,Check!
AboxofChocol
ates,
Check!

Gr
eat
,nowI
'
m goodt
ogo.
.
..
..
..
..
.

Thedri
veseemedt
ooshor
tbecausebef
oreIknewI
wasther
e.
Igotoutofthecar,
tookever
ythi
ngIhadoutt
hen
buzzedinatthegate.

"
Isi
tyoumkhwe!
!!
!"

Thati
snoneot
hert
hanThando.
Me:"
Yesi
t'
sme"

Thando:"
Sicel
aimvul
aml
omo"

What
?Ij
ustl
aughed.

"
Hai
iimanThandobuzzhi
min"

Thando:"
Didyoubri
ngabakhongiover
?Mydadisa
veryt
radi
ti
onalman,youhavet
ocomeal ongwi
th
youruncl
es"

Thisgir
lisnut
s,Ithi
nkshewasevenstandi
ngclose
tothebuzzerbecauseNdal
ost
artedcomplai
ning
askinghertomove.

Ndal
o:"
Thando!
!Iwi
llt
elldadt
hatyoual
sohavea
boyf
ri
end"

Thando:"Ohsnitch!
!!Youthi
nkIdon'tknowthatyou
alr
eadytoldhim?Het oldme..
..
onethingyoushould
knowaboutt hatMadalaofyoursi
sthathehasno
secret
"

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
augh.

Ndal
o:"
Mama!
!!
"

"
Hai
boyi
niumsi
ndomanj
e?"

Ndal
o:"
Thandodoesn'
twantt
obuzzAndi
lei
n"

"
YewenaThando"

Thando:"
Ahhhmama.
..
.okayokaykehngyavul
a"
Thenshelaughedandbuzzedmein.Iwal
kedand
whenIreachedthedoormybeaut
if
ulwoman
opened,
shesmi l
ed.

Ndal
o:"
Heybabe"

Iki
ssedhercheek.

"
Noti
nmyhouseki
ds"

Ndal
o:"
Dad!
!"

Theyl
aughed.

MrMdl
uli
:"Sawubona"
Me:"
Yebobaba"

Ndal
o:"
Okaybabethi
sismydadandt hi
sismy
mom,myothermom thenthi
sismybrot
herNkosi
andt
henthi
sisSanel
e,youknowThando"

Me:"
Nicet
omeetyoual
l"

Ndal
o:"
Fami
lyt
hisAndi
le,
myboyf
ri
end"

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"Ni
cemeet
ingyouson,
comet
hrough"

Ndal
o:"
Thankyouf
ort
hef
lower
sbaby,
bri
ngt
hem"

Me:"
Umm babyt
hey.
..
.t
heyar
enotyour
s"

Thando:"
Hai
bo!
!Ar
etheymi
ne?
"
Me:"
MrsMdl
ulit
hesear
eforyou"

Shet
urnedqui
ckl
y.

MrsMdluli
:"OhmyGod,
theyar
esobeaut
if
ul.
Thankyou"

Shedr
amat
ical
lysmi
ledt
henwi
nkedatNdal
o.

MrMdlul
i:"
Whenyoubuymywifef
lower
sthenyou
havet
obuymesomethingt
oo"

Il
aughedandgavehi
mthewhi
skeyandt
hel
it
tl
e
gi
rlchocol
ates.

Nkosi
:"Hawusbal
e,whataboutme?
"
Me:"
Thewhi
skeyi
sforyouandyourol
dman"

Thando:"
Andme?
"

Ndal
o:"
Andyouwhat
?Not
hingf
oryou"

Welaughedandwentt
odine.Wedi
shedupf
or
our
selvesandst
art
edeat
ing.

Thando:"
Sooooo.
..
.Andi
le.
."

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"ShutupThando"

Wowevenherf
ami
lyknowst
hatshe'
scr
azy.

Mr
sMdl
uli
:"SoAndi
lewhatdoyoudof
oral
ivi
ng?
"
Me:"
I'
m al
awyerMaandIhaveal
awf
ir
m"

Nkosi
:"That
'sagr
eatstar
tandwhatar
eyou
i
ntent
ionswithmysi
ster"

MrMdl
uli
:"Iam t
heonewhoi nvi
tedAndi
le,
why
ni
mhl
ohl
angemi buzoasadl
a?"

Theykeptqui
etandcont
inuedeat
ing,
wheni
twas
ti
mefordessert
..
..

MrMdlul
i:"
Andilej
oinmeatt
hebal
conyf
oragl
ass
ofwhi
skey.Desser
tisf
orwomen"

Nkosi:"
IguessI
'mjoini
ngyouf
oragl
assof
whiskeysi
nceI'
m notawoman"

MrMdl
uli
:"Onsecondt
hought
s,i
t'
snotf
orwomen
onl
ybutal
sopeopl
ewhodon'
thavegi
rl
fr
iends"

Everyonelaughed,Iwasj
ustsur
pri
sedbyhow
crazythi
sf amil
yis.

Thando:"
UShi
mil
e"

Wel
aughed.

Nkosi
:"DadIdohaveagi
rl
fr
iend"

MrMdl
uli
:"Iwantt
omeethert
omor
row"

Thando:"
Haaaat
hat
hakhehl
alam,
ayuyabanyi
sa"

Nkosi
:"DadbutI
..
..
."
MrMdluli
:"Tomor
rowf
ordi
nnermf
anam,
let
'sgo
Andi
le"

Hepour
edtwoglassesofwhi
skeythenwewal
ked
t
othepati
o,t
heyhaveabeaut
ifulhouse.

MrMdluli
:"SoAndi
le.
..
youdoknowIj
ustf
oundmy
daught
erri
ght?
"

Me:"
Y..
yebobaba,
Iknow"

MrMdl ul
i:"
Iwantyout oknowthatIam aver yover
prot
ecti
vefather,ifitmeansIshouldkillformykids
thenIwon'thesitate,hur
tmydaught erinanyway
thenI'
l
lwipeoffyourent ir
efamily,
dogsandcat s
andnobodywi llknowt hatyoueverexisted"

Damn!
!!!Thewayhesai
ditsentshi
ver
sdownmy
spi
ne,
hemeansbusiness.
Me:"
I.
..
Iloveherbaba,
Iwouldneverhur
ther
..
.I
woul
dneverevendream ofi
t"

MrMdluli
:"Good..
.She'
sbeenthroughalot,
I'
m sure
youknowthat,soasaf at
herIonlywanttoseeher
happy,
Ionlywantt oseetear
sofjoyinhereyes"

Me:"AndIgiveyoumywor
dbaba,
I'
lll
ivet
omake
herhappy"

MrMdl uli
:"Sotel
lme, whatareyourintenti
onswi t
h
mydaught er?Idon'twanthertofal
lpregnantoutof
wedlock,Iwon'ttol
eratecohabi
ti
ngbutI '
m not
sayingmar r
yherormar r
yhernow, Iunderstand
thatyouguysar estil
lenj
oyingyourrelat
ionship,
getti
ngtoknoweachot herandallt
hatbutwhatar e
youf ut
ureplanswithher?"

Me:Iwoul
ddef
ini
tel
yli
ket
omar
ryhersoonerbaba,
wi
thyourbl
essi
ngsofcour
se"

MrMdl uli
:"Il
ikeyouandonl ybecausel olol
oves
you,I'
veseenhowhappyshei s.That'
soneoft he
reasonswhyIt oldhertoinvi
teyou...
Iwi l
lgi
veyou
mybl essi
ngswhent het
imecomesbutIwantt o
askyout otakethingssl
ow, atleastgi
vehert i
meto
got oschoolbeforemarryi
ngher "

Wi
llIbeabl
etowai
tfort
hatl
ong?

Me:"Idon'
tknowi
fI'
l
lbeabl
etowai tt
hatlongf
or
hertobeMrsKhozabutI
'
llt
ry,
Iloveherthatmuch
baba"

MrMdl
uli
:"Hai
iit
rustmeIunder
standhowi
tist
o
l
oveaper
son"

Hest
art
ednar
rat
inghi
sst
oryofhowhemethi
s
wife,howshegavehi m ahardti
meandal lt
hat,we
wer elaughi
ngandIwassuddenl yr
elaxed.Heisa
goodmant hatIcantel
lyou,
theyhaveabeaut i
ful
fami l
yandtheloveforhiswi
feandkidsisevident
i
nhi seyes.

Aft
erourl
ongtal
kwewal
kedbackinsi
de,
Isatf
ora
fewminut
esthensai
dmygoodbyes.

MrMdl
uli
:"Sondon'
tfor
getwhatwespokeabout
"

Me:"
Iwon'
tbaba"

Thando:"Ohot
hissonofyour
shasnosecr
etj
ust
l
ikeyou,hewil
ltel
lNdal
oandNdal
owil
ltel
lme"

Me:"Ohpl
easeThando,
I'
dneverbr
eakt
hebr
o
code"
Wel
aughedt
henNdal
owal
kedmeoutt
othecar
.

Ndal
o:"
Sooo.
..
babet
ellme,
howdi
dyouf
indmy
f
amil
y?"

Me:"
Theyarer
eal
lyamazi
ngsthandwasam andoh
mamithef
oodwasamazing"

Ndal
o:"
Icooked"

Me:"
Mor
ereasonwhyIshoul
dwi
feyou"

Shesmil
edwidely,Il
ovehersomuch,It
hankGod
andthegr
eatgreatKhozaancest
orsf
orbri
ngi
ng
hert
ome.

Me:"
CanIgetaki
ssbef
oreIgo?
"
Ndal
o:"
Wel
l.
..
"

Ipul
ledherinforaki
ss,Iki
ssedherpassi
onat
ely,
squeezedherboobsandshemoanedi nsi
demy
mouth.

Me:"Gobefor
ewemakeababyinsi
det
hecar
,I
don'
twantyourdadt
oki
llme"

Ndal
o:"
Whatwer
eyouguyst
alki
ngaboutnj
evel
e?"

Me:"
Iwon'
ttel
lyoubaby,
it'
smenst
uff
"

Shesulkedandthatmadeherl ookcutebutam sti

ll
nottel
li
ngher.Wesatforfewmi nutes,
kissedagai
n
theshelef
t,Ial
sodroveoff.SometimesIwonder
whyIdidn'tmeetherbef
oreAnel i
sa.
Ipl
ayedBr
ianMcKni
ght
-backat1.

[
Nonhl
e]

Ican'tbel
ievei
t'
smor ni
ngalr
eady.Ihardl
yslept
,
Thabisokeptmeawaket hewholenightbutnowhe
i
ssl eepi
ngpeaceful
lywhil
eIhavetowakeupand
preparemyselff
orthebreakf
astdatewithThando
andNdal o.Wedidn'
tseeeachotherthi
syear.

AsIwasaboutt
ogetoutofbed,
hepul
ledmeback.

Me:"Thabi
so!
!!I
'
llbel
atef
orbr
eakf
astwi
tht
he
gi
rl
s"

Thabi
so:"
Mmm don'
tgo"

Me:"
Nono!
!Babyno"
Thabi
so:"
I'
m gonnami
ssyou"

Me:"
Youcanmi
ssme,
got
akeMbal
ifr
om my
mom's"

Thabi
so:"
Okayf
ine!
!Sowhenar
eyoumovi
ngback
i
nwi t
hme?"

Me:"Weshoul
dtaket
hingssl
owThabi
so,
Wej
ust
gotbackt
oget
her"

Thabi
so:"
Okayandwhenwi
l
lwegetmar
ri
ed
agai
n?"

Me:"Wear eneverget
tingmarri
edagain,siRi
ght
l
ikethis,
wegotmar ri
edbefore,
ourhear t
sknow
thatandGodknowst hattoo,wedon'tneedapiece
ofpapertotel
lusthatwear emarr
ied"
Heclosedhi
msel
fwi
tht
heduvet
,It
ri
edpul
li
ngi
t
butf
ail
ed.

Me:"
Thabi
so"
.

Thabi
so:"
Baby?
"

Me:"
Wear
est
il
ltal
kingnj
e"

Thabiso:"Hai
iigost
handwasam,
you'
l
lbel
atef
or
breakfastwit
hthegir
ls"

Me:"
But
..
."

Thabi
so:"
Nomomono!
!Idon'
twannaar
gue"
Ist
oodupsul
kingandheadedt
othebat
hroom.

Thabi
so:"
Iloveyoupumpki
n"

Me:"
What
ever
!!
!"

Wewerebothshout
ingbecausehewasi
nthe
bedr
oom whi
leIwasinthebathr
oom.

Rightaft
erbat
hing,
Iworeasimpledr
essand
sandalsthent
ookthecarkeys.

Thabi
so:"
Wil
lIgetaki
ss?
"

Me:"
Wil
lyoueverwakeup?
"

Thabiso:"
Iwi
llbaby,
comegi
vemesomesugar
befor
eyougo"
Iwentt
ohi
m,weki
ssed.

Thabi
so:"
Idon'
twantyout
ogo"

Ipul
ledawayf
rom hi
shandandr
anout
.

Me:"
Bye!
!!
"

Idr
ovet
oParrotsr
est
aurantdownt
ownandt
he
gi
rl
swereal
readyt
here.

Me:"
Ladi
es!
!"

Them:"
Hey"

It
ookasi
t.GoshIwassohungr
y,Icoul
dn'
teven
wai
tanylonger.Ical
ledawait
erandor
der
ed,
they
l
aughedbutorderedtooanyway.

Thando:"I
fyouwer
enotpregnantIwoul
ddefi
nit
ely
thi
nkthatglowi
sfr
om goodsexandgoodlovi
ng"

Il
ookeddown.

Ndal
o:"
Heehwena!!
!Whyar eyoushyl
ylooki
ng
down?Ther
e'samanisn'
tit
?"

Me:"HowabouthappynewyearNonhl
e,howi
sthe
baby?Howareyouholdi
ngup?"

Thando:"
Happynewlover
,judgi
ngfr
om howyou
l
ookIcantel
lthebabyi
sfineandyouar
esodamn
good"
Me:"
Wel
l.
..
."

Ishr
ugged.

Ndal
o:"
Who'
sthel
uckyguy?
"

Me:"
It
's.
..
.wel
lguyspr
omi
seyouwon'
tjudgef
ir
st"

Thando:"
Ujol
anomyfr
iend?Awhol
esomal
ian?Ay
chababeI'
llj
udge"

Wel
aughed,ar
gghIf
orgothowcrazyshei
s.I
r
eal
isenowhowmuchImi ssedt
hem.

Me:"
No!
!!Wel
l.
..
I.
..
kindgotbackwi
thThabi
so"

Bot
hthei
reyespopped,
ourfoodcame.Imadesure
tof
ocusonmyf oodastheywer
edigest
ingwhatI
t
oldt
hem.

Ndal
o:"
You.
..
wow!
!Whendi
dal
lthi
shappen?
"

Thando:"
Hai
bowenj
a!!Tel
lusever
ythi
ng"

It
oldt
hem ever
ythi
ng,
theywer
elostf
orwor
ds.

Thando:"
Iam happywhenyouar
ebutwhat
happenswhenhedoesthesamethi
ngagai
n?"

Me:"Idon'tknowIguessI'
l
lcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhen
Igettoi
t,Ilovehi
m guys"

Ndalo:"
Clear
ly!Butnonet
hel
esswear
ehappy
becauseyouar ehappy"

Wehadourbr
eakf
astoveragoodconver
sat
ion,
Ndal
otel
li
ngmehowherdadaskedt
oseeAndi
l
e.

Al
linal
lwehadagoodti
mebuti
thadt
ocomet
o
anendsowepar
tedways.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
Commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er31.

[
Asanel
e]

Iam broken,Iam beyondhur tandthefactthatIsti

ll
l
oveThabi soisnothelping.Iam wait
ingforhim at
therest
aurant,hecall
edandsai dhewoul dliketo
tal
ktome, anywayIal sohavesomet hingtotellhi
m.

"
Hey"
Il
ookedup,
hel
ooksgood.Ihaven'
tseenhi
min
weeksnow.

Me:"
Hy"

Hepul
ledachairandsatdown,
Iswearmypal
ms
wer
eallsweat
y.

Thabi
so:"
Yougood?
"
Li
kehel
lIam,
howcanheaski
fI'
m goodaf
terwhat
hedi
d?

Me:"
Yeah.
..
Iguess"

Hecal
ledawai
terandor
der
edabeer
,Iopt
edf
ora
gl
assofwat
er.
Thabi
so:"
WellIcal
ledyouher
ebecauseIbelieve
wehavetotal
kandyouhaveal otofquest
ions"

Ishr
ugged.

Thabi
so:"
LookAsanele,Ican'
tdot hi
s, usanymor e.
IhadagoodtimewithyouandIl ostmyf amil
yin
thepr
ocess,
Ijustf
igurednowt hatIlovemywi fe
andwhatIhadforyouwasj ustlustandI '
m sorr
y"

Tearswereal
readycomingout,I'
veneverbeenso
brokeninmywholeenti
reli
fe.Ishouldhave
l
istenedtomymom.WhatwasIt hinki
ng?

Me:"
You...
youl
edmeonThabiso,
Ibel
ievedi
nthe
l
ovethatyoucl
aimedt
ohavef
orme"

Thabiso:"
Iknow..
.IknowokayandI '
m sor
ry,
You
arebeauti
fulandsmar tAsanel
e.Anymanwould
l
ovet
obewi
thyou"

Me:"
Sor
ryj
ustwon'
tcuti
tThabi
so"

Ihonest
lyhavenowordsforhi
m, it
'scl
earthathe
hasmadeuphi smindandther
e'schanginghowhe
feel
sri
ghtnow,Arr
gghmanar etrash.He'
stell
ing
meaboutanymanbutIwanthi m, Il
ovehim not
anyman.

Itookasi
pofmywaterandi
ttast
edr
eal
lyawf
ul,
howcanwatert
ast
esobad!!
Iquicklystoodupandr antothebat hr
oom and
vomi t
edever yt
hingIhadeat ensincemor ning.I
thenwashedmymout hedandl ookedatmysel fin
themi r
ror.Wher edidIgowr ong?Imeanmyl if
e
wasper fectbeforetheycamel ookingfor
i
nf or
mat i
onaboutNdal o,It
urnedagainsttheone
personwhogenui nelylovedme.Ihat eThabiso,I
hatehim! !Iwasnowont hefloorsobbing,Istood
upwipedthetear
sandwalkedout.What
'sdonei
s
done,t
her
e'snogoingbacksoIshoul
djustgwt
overi
tandmoveonwi thmyli
fe.

Thabi
so:"
Areyouokay?
"

Me:"
I'
llbef
ine"

It
ookthepregnancyt
estandt
ossedi
tacr
osshi
m
onthetabl
e.

Me:"
I'
m pr
egnant
"

Evensayi
ngiti
shard,
Iwishwehadused
prot
ect
ionorIhadt
ookcontr
acept
ives.

Ilookedathim andit
'sl
ikehi
seyebal
lswer
eabout
tocomeout .Helookedatme.
Thabi
so:"
How?Wha.
..
"

Me:"WhatdoyoumeanhowThabi
so?Wehad
unpr
otect
edsex,t
hat
'show!
!!
"

Heswall
owedsal
ivaanddr
ankwhatwasl
eftofhi
s
dr
ink.

Thabi
so:"
Howf
aral
ong?
"

Me:"
8weeks"
.

Hebr
eat
hedout
,whatdoest
hatevenmean?

Thabi
so:"
It'
sstil
lsafet
oterminat
e,pl
easeabort
Asanel
e,I
'
lltakecareofal
lthemedicalbi
ll
sneeded"
What?Di
dhe..
.di
dhejustsayIshouldt
erminate?I
st
oodupandslappedhim sohardandtookthe
gl
assofwat
er,spl
ashedital
loverhi
sfacethenI
l
eft
.Howcouldhe?

Thedri
vetomyhotelbecamel
ong,
Iwascr
yingal
l
thewayandtear
sbli
ndingmyvi
ew.

*
Hoot
ers**
Hoot
ers**
Hoot
ers*

Hoot
ersar
eal
lIhear
d,everyt
hingbecamebl
urr
y
t
henIhear
dver
yloudCrasssshhhhh!!
!!
!

I
twasl
ight
soutf
orme.

[
Pal
esa]

TodayMenzii
smeet
ingmydad,
tobehonestIam
nervousbecausemydadi satoughnutt ocrack.I
don'tknowhowhei sgoi
ngtor eactorwhathis
expectati
onsare.Bei
ngaminister'
sdaughterisnot
allr
osy,infactbei
ngbor
nbyr i
chpar ent
sisnotas
easyandni ceassomepeoplemakei tseem tobe.

Wellmynamei sPal esaMokoena, daughterof

ministeroff inanceLucasMokoena, mydadi snot
onlymi nisterbuthei sabusi nessmanknown
l
ocallyandi nternationally.Mymom anddadhave
beenmar ri
edf oral ongt imeandwel lmom ismor e
l
ikemyf ather '
sdaught ermor ethanhi swife
becausehespoi l
sherr ot t
en,asar esulthedoesn't
wanthert owor k,heboughthershar esinfew
hotelsjustf orcont rol.Iam theonl ykidathomeso
youcani magi neal lthepr essure,expectat
ions,l
ove
andmoneyt hati sthr ownatme.
Anywayenoughaboutme, dadandIhavear r
ivedat
therestaur
antandmydadbei nghimsel fhebooked
thewhol epl
acebecausehewant st
oavoi d
camer asandallt
hat
.Ijustdon'
tunderstandwhy
todaybecauseweusual l
ycomet orestaurantsand
hedoesn'
tbookt
hewhol
erest
aur
ant
s.

Me:"
Dadwhybookt
hewhol
erest
aur
ant
?"

Dad:"
Idon'
twantt
obeonpaper
sunnecessar
y
Pal
esa"

Iknowwhatt
hatmeanssoI
'
lll
eti
tsl
ide.

Dad:"
Pal
esaIhavealotoft
hingst
odo,
wher
eis
t
hisboyf
ri
endofyour
s?"

Me:"
Dadwehaven'
tbeenher
efor5mi
nut
es"

*
Rol
li
ngeyes*Dr
amamuch.

Fi
nal
ly!
!!
!!
!Hear
ri
ves.
Menzi
:"Sani
bona"

Me:"
Heybabe"

Dad:"
Dumel
a"

Hesatdown,
thewai
tercameandt
ookouror
der
s.

Me:"
Sobabythisi
smydad,nt
ateMokoenaand
dadt
hisMenziBut
hel
ezi
,myboyfr
iend"

Mydadandhi
sint
imi
dat
ingl
ook*
Sigh*

Menzi
:"Ni
cet
ofi
nal
lymeetyouSi
r,I
'
vehear
dal
ot
about
"
Dadnodded,
O..
kay.

Dad:"
SoMenzi
,wher
ear
eyouor
igi
nal
lyf
rom?
"

Menzi
:"I
'
mfr
om Dur
banbaba,
inKZN"

Dad:"Iknowaf ewBut
hel
ezi
sandtheyarevery
t
r adi
ti
onal,
areyoual
socomingf
rom atr
adit
ional
famil
y?"

Menzi
:"Umm ye.
.yebobaba"

Dad:"
GoodbecauseIwouldhat
et oseeyoutaking
mydaughterforar
ide,
inZul
ucultur
eIknowt hat
t
here'
slobol
ainvol
vedsowhatareyourpl
ans? "

Menzi:"
I.
..
Iwanttomarr
yherNt
ateMokoena,
Ilove
herandIam st
il
lsavi
ngupsomemoney"
Dad:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngf
oral
ivi
ng?
"

Menzi
:"Iam ar
ecept
ioni
statMedi
cli
nic"

Dadf
rowned.

Dad:"
Sotel
lmehere,
howmanyyear
sofsavi
ng
moneyar
ewetalki
ngabout
?"

Me:"
Dad!
!!Don'
tyout
hinkyou'
rebei
ngt
oohar
sh?
"

Dad:"Pal
esaaker
eI'
mtalki
ngtoyourboyfr
iendnot
you?Whydidyouasktobeherethen?Justtokeep
quit
eandwatchhimintheeyes?
"

Isi
ghedandf
ocusedonmyf
ood.
Dad:"Yoursi l
encet el
lsmeyouwon' tbemar ryi
ng
mydaught eranytimesoonMoshi maneandPal esa
i
s31t urning32t hisyear,shei snotgetti
ngany
younger,youbet tergetyourpr ior
iti
esstr
aight,
whereIcomef r
om amant akescar eofawoman
nottheotherwayar ound,Pal esahasbusi nesses,
shewentt ogoodschool sandshemakesal otof
money.Tel lmebybei ngar eceptioni
sthowar eyou
planni
ngt opr ovi
def orherandki dsinfuture?
Unlessyouhavenof utur
epl ans"

Butmydadi
snotokay,
Ihavet
ost
opt
his.

Me:"
Doesanyonewantdesser
t?"

Dad:"
Sonwi
llyout
alkt
ome?
"

Okay,
I'
m out
!!
!It
ookmybagandst
oodup.
Dad:"
Dul
afaf
atse,
oyakae?
"

Me:"
Tot
hebat
hroom papa"

Il
eft
,Ican'
ttakeanymor
e.

Tobeconti
nuedlat
er,Ineedt
ochargemyphoneso
i
tcanbeful
l.Loadsheddingi
ssuesguys.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er31
Cont
inued.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

*
Newsr
epor
t*
"Therehasbeenat r
agicaccidenta9t hRi voniaroad
i
nSandt on,atleastthreepeoplewer er epor t
eddead
andtwower erushedt omedicl i
nic,theyar esaidto
bebadlyinjured.Thepol i
ceareaski ngf ami l
iesof
thedeceasedt ogot ogermistongover ment
mor t
uarytoidentif
ythebodi es.Thecar st hatwer e
i
nt heaccidenthavet hefoll
owingr egistrati
on
number s.
..
Abl ackKiaRi owithar egistr
at i
on
numberZH256NDandawhi teVW Gol f5r eg
numberMN688GP, withthenewsat13h00Iam
AkhonaMzi leni"

Asa'smom:"Hawuuuui nganeyam!
!!Yahamba
yayofel
aegol
i!
!!Baba!
!!
"

Asanel
e'smom startedcryi
nguponr eal
isingt
hat
thebl
ackKiaRiobelongst oherdaughterbecause
sheknowstheregistrat
ionnumber,whenshesaw
thest
atethecarwasi nwhilewatchi
ngt henews
shealmostfai
nted.Asa'sdadcamer ushinginaft
er
hear
ingt
henoi
sef
rom herwi
fe.

Asa'
sdad:"
Hai
bonkosi
kazi
..
.yi
nndaba?
"

Asa'
smom:"We...
.i
t'
sAsanel
ebaba,shelef
tfor
Gaut
engwhenItoldhernott
o,It
oldherkodwa
wahambangenkani
!Ohmayengenganiyami "

Asa:"
Khulumakucacephel
aMkami
,ut
hi
kwenzenj
ani
?"

Asa'smom:" Wehavet orush.

..
kumel esiphut
hume
siyeGolibaba,t
herewasanacci dentandAsanele'
s
carwaspar tofi
t.Threepeopl
edi edandt wowere
rushedtothehospital
,wedon'tknowi fmy
daughterisdeadornot"

Asa'
sdad:"
Whydi
dshegot
oGaut
eng?
"
Shelefthi
mt her
eandwenttochangei nt
odecent
cl
othes,shewasevenst
ressedbecauseshecan't
af
fordaf l
ightmeani
ngt
heyhavetodrive.

Afterchangi
ngshewentbackt othesit
ti
ngroom
andf oundAsa'
sdadchangi ngnewschannels
tr
yingtoseeiftheywon'ttal
kaboutt
heaccident
againbutther
ewasnot hing.

Asa'
smom:" I
fIcoulddri
veIwoulddri
vemyself
baba,ourdaughteri
sprobablydeadoutther
eor
l
yinginahospitalbedandallyoudoischange
channels?
?"

Asa'
sdadtookt
hecarkeyandtheyl
eftjustli
kethat
.
OnthewayAsa'
smom waspr ayi
ngthatatleast
shebei
nhospit
ali
nst
eadofbeingdead.

[
Nonhl
e]
Breakfastwi t
hthegi
rlswasamazi ng,Ilovethefact
thattheyar enotj
udgemental
.SoThabi sodidgoto
fetchMbal iandmychi l
dandIarewat chingher
favouri
tecar t
oonwhil
edaddyi ssomewher eint
he
housedoi ngGodknowswhat .
Eversincehegott o
thehousehe' sbeenactingr
atherstrange.

AsIwassi
tt
inghi
sphoner
ang,
itwasr
ightont
he
couch.

Me:"
Thabi
so'
sphonehel
lo?
"

Call
er:"
Goodaf t
ernoonma' am youarespeakingto
Tebogofrom Mediclini
c,Iam calli
ngregardi
ngthe
caracci
dentthathappenedear li
eron,
t her
eislady
namedAsanel ebasedont heinformat
ionwegot
fr
om herIDbook, sheisbadlyinjur
edandt he
emergencywegoti sthisone"

Notheragai
n!!
!Ihungupandchar
gedupst
air
s.
Hewaslyi
ngonbedfaci
ngup,
wor
rywasver
y
muchvi
sibl
einhi
seyes.

Me:"
Areyoust
il
lseei
ngher
?"

Hej
umpedqui
ckl
y.

Thabi
so:"
What
?NobabyI
'
m not
,I'
m wi
thyouandI
l
oveyou"

Me:"Donot!
!!Donott
akemeforafool
,Areyoust
il
l
seei
ngher?Okaywhat'
seat
ingyouup?"

Hekeptqui
te.

Me:"Ther
ewasacallonyourphone,t
heywant
edt
o
l
etyouknowMr"Nextofkin"orshoul
dIsayMr
"
Incaseofemergency"yourgi
rl
fr
iendwasinvol
ved
i
nanaccident
,apparentl
ysheisbadlyi
njur
ed"

Thabi
so:"
What
?"

Me:"
Nywat
?Wel
lyeaht
hat
'swhat
"

It
hrewthephoneathi
m andl
eft
,thi
sgi
rli
sat
hor
n
i
nmyl i
fe.

Iwenttogetagl
assofsugarwat
erj
ustt
ocal
m
myselfdown.

Af
tersomet
imehecamei
ntheki
tchen.

Thabi
so:"
BabycanI
..
..
"

Me:"
Canyougoseeher
?Ohyesyoucanandnever
comebackher
"

Thabi
so:"
BabyI
..
..
but
..
.l
ookMomoIl
oveyouand
onl
yyou"

It
ookandappl
eandl
efthi
mther
e.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted.

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er32.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Ij
ustfi
nishedmaki
ngbreakf
astf
ormeandAndi
le.I
sl
epthereandal
lIcansayhekeptmeupal
lni
ght
*Wink*
Sothi
smor ni
nghewokemeupandsaidheis
hungr
y,hencewhyIam maki
ngal
lthegr
easyf
ood,
weneedit.

AsIwasabouttogoupstair
swi t
hourbr
eakfasthe
camerunni
ngdownt hestai
rs,
withhi
ssuiton,
l
aptopbagandcarkeys.Ist
oppedwitht
het r
ayin
myhands.

Me:"
Andnow?
"

Andil
e:"Ei
shbabyIknowIhadsai dI'
m notgoi
ngto
workbutanimport
antcl
ientcal
led,hereal
lyneeds
meur gent
ly"

IswearIf
eltangerconsumi
ngme.

Me:"
Youar
eki
ddi
ngmer
ight
?"
Hef
rowned.

Me:"Nor eall
yAndile!
!Youwokemeupi nthewee
hoursoft hemorningsayi
ngyouarehungry,l
ikethe
goodper sonthatIam Iwokeupandslavedaround
thekit
chenf oryouandwenayoutellmethatan
"Import
antclient
"needsyou".

Andi
le:"
Babyyounotbei
ngser
iousr
ightnowar
e
you?
"

Itookadeepbreat
heandkeptmyeyesathi
m,hei
s
seri
ousl
yirr
it
ati
ngme.

Andil
e:"
NdaloIdidn'tcallt
hecli
ent!
!Thecl
ient
cal
ledme!Ididn'
tplanf oranyofthi
stohappen,
comeon"

Hecal
ledmeNdal
o?Hecal
ledmebymyname.
It
urnedaround,putthet
rayi
ntheki
tchen,
whenI
l
ookatthefood,tear
sstr
eameddown.Allmyhar
d
workforwhat?

Andi
le:"
Baby"

Hecamebehi
ndme,
Iwasnotf
aci
nghi
m.

Andil
e:"Iknowyouwor kedhardinmakingthisfood
anditlooksnicebutbabyIreal
lyneedt
ogo, Ican't
evenhavef ewbit
es,evenst
andinghereexplaini
ng
myselfismakingmeevenmor elat
e"

Ohhhh.
..
.Nowhe.
..
.wowyouknowj
u..
.mmmhh

Me:"
GoAndi
le"
Andi
le:"I
'l
lfi
ndyouherer
ight?I
'm sur
eitwon'
ttake
l
ong,maybeanhourorsot henI'
llbebackt
oyou
andI
'llspoi
lyoujustt
oapologi
se"

Me:"
Don'
tevenbot
hercomi
ngbackear
lybecauseI
won'
tbeher
e"

Hesighedandkissedmycheek,Iqui
ckl
ypushed
hi
m hechuckledmxm.Thenher anofft
ohiscar,
I
hear
dt hecardr
iveoffandIknewhelef
t,I
'
m so
madathi m.
Arggghi t
'sevenhothereyeses.AsIwastakingf
ew
steps,Ibecamedizzyandstoppedwalki
ngandhel d
myhead, i
t'
sli
keeveryt
hingwasdoubledi
nt he
room, Icl
osedmyeyesandwhenIopenedt hem I
feltokay.

HowcanInotbedizzywhent
hatAndi
lenyana
wakhonachoosest
owalkawayfr
om mybreakfast
?
Nxn
Iwentupst
air
stookmybagandphone,
Ical
leda
cabandwalkedout
.

AsIwaswai
ti
ngforacab,t
hedevi
l.
..
okaynohei
s
mymanandIlovehi
m shame.
..
hecall
ed.

Me:"
Ufunani
?"

Hesi
ghed.

Andil
e:"
I'
m onmywaybackbaby,
Ionl
yhadtosi
gn
somedocuments,
theywer
eimport
ant
.What
shoul
dIbuyyou?"

Ismi
ledt
omysel
f.

Me:"
Anyt
hingf
rom r
occomamas,
andhotwi
ngs,
f
ishandchi
ps"

Hewentsi
lentf
oramomentt
henagr
eed.

Me:"
Don'
tfor
gett
obuysomesnacks"

Andi
le:"
OkayIwon'
t,
Iloveyou"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo,
bye"

Ihungupandgiggled.Mycabar ri
vedIlef
t.No!!
!
Don'tl
ookatmelikethat
,Iwanthimt ogettofeel
whatIfel
twhenImadebr eakfastfr
om scrat
chand
heupandl ef
twi
thouteati
ng,hewi l
leatal
lthefood
al
one.

Import
antt
hingt
oremember
,Swi
tchi
ngof
fmy
phone.
Thecabf i
nal
lyar
rivedatourapart
ment,Ipai
dand
wentinsi
de.I
t'
slonelyhere,
ThandoisatworksoI
wenttotakeashowerthent ookmybooksand
st
udied.

[
Themba]

Thenewsr eportreallygotmyhear tbeat i

ng,tr
uthis
Ineverst
oppedl ovingAsanel e.Wel lwhenshel ef
t
meIdecidedt oleaveDur banandcomel ookfora
j
obi nJohannesburg, thi
ngisever ythingabout
Durbanremindedmeofher ,wehadal otof
memor i
escr eat
edt here,eachandever ycornerofi t
hadmet hinkingofhersoIcoul dn'ttakeitanymor e,
Iaskedmymom t ot akecareofoursonf oraslong
asIwasl ookingforaj obsolucki l
yIgotaver y
goodjobandwhenIwentt ofetchmyboymom
ref
used,shehadal readybondedwi t
hhi m andeven
heli
kedmom al otsoIgoseehi m everychanceI
getandImakesur eIbuyhi m allhisf avouri
tes.
Asaneleneglectedoursonal lbecauseofanother
manandt hatreallygotmet obemor eangr
ierbuta
hear
tisaver ystubbornorganbecauseevenaf t
er
ever
ythingIstil
lyearnforher.

YesIbeatherandt obehonestIam nott hatguy,I

am notabusive,it
'sjustnoti
nmynat ure.Iallowed
angertocontrolmeandIwi l
lnevereverforgive
myselfforeverlayingmyhandsonher ,Asangr y
andhurtasIwasmyact ionswerenotjusti
fied.

RightnowIam dr ivingtomedicli
nic,
that'
swhereI
am hopingshei sandnoti nsomegover nment
mor t
uary,allI'
mt hinkingabouti
sifshe'
sokay,Iam
prayi
ngt hatshei snotamongstt hedeadpeople
becauseIt hinkI'
lljustdie.
.
..
..
..
.
Aft
ersomet imeIarr
ived,Iparkedthecarandsat
t
hereforsomet i
mesayi ngalitt
leprayerthenwhenI
fel
tI'
vegatheredenoughst r
engthIwal kedin.
Arr
ivi
ngatt hehelpdesk.
Me:"HeyI'
mlookingsomeonenamedAsanele,she
wasbroughther
eaf t
eranacci
dentt
hathappened
at
..
..
."

Iwasshaki
ngbecauseIdon'
tknowifshe'
l
lsay
she'
snother
eorwhat.ShestoppedmeasIthi
nk
shesawhownervousIwas.

Her:"Rel
axsi
rwedohaveherher
e,howar
eyou
r
elatedtoher
?"

Me:"
I'
m her
efi
anceandf
atherofherchi
ld"

Okaywast
hel
astpar
tnecessar
y?

Shenoddedandgavemeabookt
osi
gni
nthen
gavemethewardnumber
.
Islowlywal kedthere,openedthedoorandt he
amountofpi pes,machi nesandbandagesonher
bodygotmesheddi ngt ear
s,Doesherpar entsknow?
Iwalkedi nandhel dherhand, sheisbadlyinjur
ed,I
can'tevenseeherf acebecausei t
'scoveredby
bandages.Ionl yrealisedit
'sherbecauseIknowher
hands, Iknowj ustaboutmostt hingsthatshowed
i
t'
sher .Asbadasshel ooked,IthankedGodshe' s
al
iveandnotamongstt hedeadpeople.

Me:"WhathappenedSthandwasam?What
happened?Lookatyou,I
..
.Iam sosor
ry,
please
comebackt ous,
weneedyouandwel oveyou.
Bothmeandourson"

Iwi
pedoffmytear
sasthedooropened,
Iclenched
myjawsashewalkedi
n.Whatdoeshewanther e?I
am sur
eAsanel
ewasherei
nJoburgforhim.
Hi
m:"
Sho"

Me:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"

Hi
m:"
I'
m her
etoseeherdude"

Me:"Canwepleaser
espectoneanother,i
fyou
st
ronglywantt
oseeherthengo,you'
llseeher
whenIgo"

Hesighedandwentout.Iwentbacktosi
tonthe
chai
randlookedherwhil
eli
steni
ngtothebeep
beepsounds.

[
Thabi
so]

Iam r
eal
lyi
nhotmessri
ghtnow,tobehonestI
don'
twantt
oloseNonhl
e,Il
oveherthati
swit
houta
doubt.Andthent here'
sAsanele,Ididn'tmeant o
saywhatIsai d,itcameoutwr ongly,yesIwi shshe
wasnotpr egnantbecausei twouldruinNonhl eand
IbutIreal
lydidn'tmeant osaysheshoul dabor t.I
can'
thelpbutf eel l
ikeIam thecauseoft hat
acci
dent,Iam responsi bl
ef orthepainshei sgoing
thr
oughr i
ghtnow, that
'sifshecanevenf eelit
.
Seeingherlyingt herehel
plesslywithallthose
machinesat t
achedt oherreall
ybrokemyhear t
.She
hadagoodl ifebef oreIcameandr uinedi t
.

AsIwast hi
nki
ngadoctorwalkedpassedme, goi
ng
tothedir
ect
ionofAsa'
sward.Irantohim andhe
stopped.

Me:"DocI'
m sor
rybutI
'
dli
ket
oknowi
fAsanel
eis
yourpat
ient
?"

Hef
rowned.
Doc:"
Dependsonwho'
saski
ng?
"

Isi
ghed,Iknowhei saboutt
opul
lthat"
Doct
or-
pat
ient
"confident
ial
it
y.

Me:"Shewaspregnantbef
oretheacci
dent,
Iam t
he
fat
heroft
hebaby,I'
dli
ketoknowifthebabyis
okay"

Doc:"OhIam sosor ry,

Ithoughtyouwer eoneof
thosechancer s,anywayyesshewaspr egnantbut
unfortunatel
yshemi scarri
ed.Theaccidentwasbad,
shewasbadl yinjuredasar esultshewon' tbe
dischargedanyt i
mesoon, shehasbr okenr i
bs,
brokeherl egsandshewon' tbeabl etowal kbut
l
uckilyit'
snotper manentsowhensheget sbett
er
shewi llhavetoat t
entphysiotherapyforherlegs,
shealsohadswel l
ingont heheadbuti twentdown,
herfacei sveryinjuredhenceal lt
hebandages"
Ifel
tli
kewall
swer ecl
osinginonme, howcanone
personsuf
feral
lthosethings?If
eltdi
zzyand.
..
..

"
Sir
..
.si
r"

That
'sal
lIhear
dbef
orei
tbecamel
ight
sof
f.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

WhenAndi l
ear
ri
vedi
nhishousehefoundthat
Ndalowasgoneandhehadboughtever
ythi
ngshe
askedfor
.

Hetri
edcall
ingherbutherphonet
ookhi
mto
voi
cemail
.

Hel
eftamessage.
"MamiIam backandyouar enother
e,pl
easet
ell
mewhereyouar eandcomebackbecauseIbought
youal
lyourfavouri
tes.Cal
lmeassoonasyouget
thi
smessage,Iloveyou"

Hel ookedatthefoodandsi ghed.Anhourpassed

withoutanysignofNdal o,thent wohoursthen
three.That'
swhenher ealisedt hatshemighthave
gonebackt otheirapar t
ment .Hecouldn'
tsit
anymor e,hekeptont ryi
ngherphonewi t
hnol uck
sohedr ovetotheirapar tment ,l
uckil
yhehad
accesswhenhear rivedhef oundhersl eepi
ngon
thecarpetwithtextbooksal loverandabowlt hat
showsshewaseat ing, Acupandt hr
eepapersof
pie.

Heshookhisheadandsatdownonthecouchand
watchedhi
slovesl
eepi
ngthenhechuckl
edand
pi
ckedherupandtookhertobed.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er33.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Idon'
tknowhowl onghaveIbeensleepi
ngforbut
i
mmedi at
elywhenIwokeIfeltsohungryandso
ti
red.
Igotupfrom t
he.
..
wai
t!
!!Thelastt
imeIcheckedI
wassleepingont
hecarpetwhil
estudyi
ngsohow
di
dIendupher e?

"
Ibr
oughtyouher
e"

Il
ookedatt
hedoorandther
est
oodmyman,
l
ooki
ngsosexy.Ibl
ushed.
Hecametomeandpl
antedaki
ssonmyf
orehead
andmademesi
tdown.

Andi
le:"
Areyouokaybaby?
"

Me:"
YeahIam,
I'
mjustt
ir
edandhungr
ythat
'sal
l"

Andi
le:"You'
vebeensleepi
ngforhour
sher
e,Iwas
worr
ied.Ithoughtyouaresi
ck"

Ishookmyhead,
hesmi
ckedandshookhi
shead.

Andi
le:"
Sot
ellmeher
e,whatgamear
eyoupl
ayi
ng
mami?"

Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?
".
Andi
le:"
Youmademebuyal otoff
ood,kant
iyou
l
eft
.Sowast hatapuni
shmentf
orwhathappened
i
nthemor ni
ng?".

Igi
ggled,
hepull
edmei nforaki
ss,
avery
passi
onateki
ss.Af
terl
ett
inggohechuckl
ed.

Andile:"
Iam sogoingtopuni
shyousthandwasam,
anywayThandocamebackf r
om workandleft
again.Shesaidsheisgoi
ngtoseeherboyfri
end
thenwhensheget sbackyouhavetobeready,your
mom askedt hatyoucomehomef ordi
nner"

Lord!
!!Iwashopi
ngIwoul
dgetsomer
est
,I'
mreal
ly
ti
red.

Me:"
Okay,
I'
m hungr
y"

Andi
le:"
Iwenthomet
ogetal
lthef
oodyoumade
mebuy,
let
'sgodownst
air
s".

Heheldmyhandandlookedintomyeyesthen
shookhi
sheadagai
n,yi
ningalendodavel
e?

Me:"
Whati
sit
?".

Andil
e:"
Iloveyousomuch, somet
imeswhenIl
ook
atyouIcan'tbel
ieveyouar
emine"

Ii
nst
ant
lyt
urnedpi
nkf
rom bl
ushi
ng.
Wegott othekitchen,
Ohhhal lthegoodfoodwas
ther
e,It
ookt heroccomamasbur gerandateitf
ir
st
thenfol
lowedbyt hechips.
..
IfrownedwhileIhad
oneinmymout h.

Me:"
Andi
leIsai
dfr
om f
ishandchi
ps"
Andi
le:"
Andt
hat
'swher
eIboughtt
hem nj
ebaby?
".

Ishookmyheadacoupl eoft
imeandgottheurge
tovomit
,thebat
hroom i
stoofarsoIr
antothesink
ri
ghther
ei nt
hekit
chenandtookever
ythi
ngIat
e
out.
Hewasnownextt
ome,
brushi
ngmyback.

WhenIwasdone,
Idr
ankwat
erandl
ookedathi
m.

Me:"Angazinomet hesechi
psarerot
tenort
hey
j
usthaveasmel lofSunli
ghtl
iqui
dbutewwww!!
!".

Heputonei
ntohi
smout
handf
rowned.

Andi
le:"
Butbabyt
..
..
."

Me:"
AhhhIdon'
twantt
hem anymor
e".
Iwenttomakebreakandj
am t
hent
ookoutj
uice
fr
om thef
ri
dge.

Me:"
Pleasebr
ingt
hebi
scui
tst
othel
oungebaby"
.

Hetookthem andcamef oll

owingme, Iat
eand
real
lyenj
oyedmybr ead.Icoul
df eelhi
seyes
gawkingatmebutIact edli
keIam notfeel
ing
anythi
ng,Ij
ustwat
chedt heboringshowplayingon
TV.

Lat
eronAndileleft
,Iwascravi
nghim sowehad
tworoundsbeforehelef
tandtrustmeIam ahappy
woman.
IwenttobathandI mmediat
elywhenIfini
shed
Thandowalkedintomyr oom car
ryi
ngthatboxof
fi
shandchips,probabl
ytookitfr
om theki
tchen.
Thando:"Heyt
winny,Mmm thesechi
psarenice,
whydi dyoul
eavethem ont
hecounterandnotput
them onthemicr
owave?"

Il
ookedather
,shewasenj
oyi
ngt
hem.

Me:"Theyhaveasmel lofsunl
ightl
iqui
d,soIl
eft
them t
herebecauseIhadplansofthrowingt
hem
out"

Thando:"Yoooohhai
iil
etmequi ckl
ygochangeso
wecanl eave,
mom wi l
lki
llusi
fwear r
ivel
ate"

Sher anout
,Idressedup.I'
mr eal
lyl
azy,
Iwore
sandalsandbrushedmyhai r,
nomakeupj ustl
ip
glossandalit
tl
ebi tofper
fume.

Thando:"
Lol
olet
'sgo!
"
It
ookmyphoneandwal
kedout
.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Anhourl at
erduetotraf
fi
cwewer ef
inal
lyhome,
thefi
rstthi
ngIsmeltwascur r
y,mystomachdidthe
grumblingsound.Thandolaughed.

Thando:"Mom istheboss,shecooksgoodfoodso
mucht hatyougethungrybefor
eevengett
inginsi
de
thehouse?"

Webot
hlaughedandgoti
nsi
de.
Wegreet
edandlucki
lytheladyoft
hehousewas
set
ti
ngupthedi
ningtable.

Mom:"
Ever
yone,
come.I
'
m done"

Weal
lwentt
ogat
herar
oundt
het
abl
eand
t
hen..
..
.ThandoandIl
aughedwhil
elooki
ngatdad,
Nkosiwalkedi
nwithhi
sgir
lf
ri
end.

Thando:"
Owwkodwakhehl
alam!
!!Your
eal
lymade
hi
m bri
ngher
?"

Shewaswhi
sper
ingsot
hatt
heydon'
thearher
.

Nkosi
:"Sani
bonaever
yone"

Wegr
eetedback,
heopenedthechairforher
.She
wasl
ookingdownal
lal
ong,shegreeted.

Me:"
Mom I
'
m hungr
y"

Shel
ookedatmeasi
ftost
udymet
hen.
..

Mom:"
Let
'ssayt
hegr
ace"
Wecl
osedoureyes,
shepr
ayed.

Us:"
Amen"

Westar
teddishi
ngup, t
heydidwhattheydobest
.
Aski
ngthepoorgir
lthousandsofquesti
ons.

Mom:"
Ndal
ocanIhaveawor
dwi
thyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m st
il
leat
ingmom"

Shel
aughed.

Mom:"Thef
oodwi
llbeher
ewhenwecomeback
man"
Itookt
hemanwi
thme,
wegotupandwentt
othe
l
ivingr
oom.

Mom:"
Areyouokay?
"

Ifr
ownedwhi
leeat
ingt
hemeat
,thi
swomancan
cook.

Me:"
YesIam okaymom,
why?
"

Shel
ookedatmef
orawhi
le.

Mom:"
Doyouuseacondom wi
thAndi
le?
"

Icoughed,
what
???
??

Me:"
Mama!
"
Mom:"
Areyoupr
egnant
?"

Me:"Mom no!NoI'
m notpr
egnant
,whyar
eyou
aski
ngal
lthosequest
ions?
"

Iwon'tl
ieandsayIwasnotshocked,
Ireal
lywas.
I'
m notpregnant
.

Mom:"Okaynopr
obl
em,Iwasjustasking.I
'
llwai
t
f
oryoutotel
lmewhenandi
fyouar e"

Inoddedbutshocki
swhatIwasexperi
encingr
ight
now,shestoodupbuti
t'
sli
keIwasgluedtothe
couch.

Mom:"
Come,
let
'sgogetyouf
ed"
Isl
owlyst
oodup,
wesatdownandcont
inued
eat
ing.

Thando:"
Areyouokayt
winny?
"

Me:"
Mmmm?Me?
"

Thando:"
Hai
bo,
yesyou?
"

Mom:"
Ohyesshe'
sokay"

Iwassodeepinthoughts,If
ini
shedf
oodwhil
e
ever
yonewassti
lleati
ng,mom tookmypl
ateand
addedsomemore, Iwantedt
osaynobutIcoul
dn'
t
doItookt
hefoodanddevour ed.

Mom:"
Dri
nksomewat
erNdal
o"
Thando:"
Haaaamama,Sheisnotababyhl
e.She
wil
lknowwhenshei
sthir
sty"

Mom:"Thul
awena,
nextwewantt
oseeyour
boyf
ri
end"

Wel aughed,bynowIhadlongt akenwhatmom

saidoutofmyheadbutt hingsshewasdoi ngand
sayingkeptontakingmeback, shepouredwater
formei naglassandgaveme.Idr ankupbuti t
tast
edlikether
e'sEnoinsi
de,Icouldn'
tfi
nish.

Shel
aughedandst
oodup,af
tersometi
meshe
camebackwit
haglassofOr
os,itwasmor
ewater
andali
tt
lebi
tofOr
os.

Shet
henwhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.

Mom:"
Ifyoucan'
tst
omachwat
er,
dri
nkOr
osbut
makesur
eit
'snotsweet
"

Inodded,ast
owhyIdon'
tknow.Idrankupandt
o
mysur pr
isei
twasni
ceandbett
erthanwater
.

Everyonear
oundt
hetablewaslooki
ngatusl
ikewe
arecrazysomom st
art
edtal
king.

[
Andi
le]

Ndaloi
sacti
ngverywei rd,
thelastt
imesomeacted
thewayshedoes,i
twasbecauseshewaspr egnant
.
Coul
ditbethatIi
mpr egnatedher?OhLordherdad
i
ssogonnaki l
lme,sot hebestthi
ngIcandois
makesureIdotherightthi
ng.

AsIwast
hinki
ng,
myphoner
ang.I
twasNonhl
e.
Me:"
AhhhNonhl
e,t
owhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e?"

Nonhl
e:"
Hey.
..
pleasecomeatMedicl
ini
c,Thabi
so
f
aint
edorsomethi
ng,SoI'
m al
sodr
ivi
ngthere"

Me:"
Whathappened?
"

Nonhle:"I
'
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ngwhenyouar
ri
ve,
I
can'
ttalkri
ghtnowbye"

Shehungup, It
ookmycarkeysanddr oveoffto
Medicli
nic,
whatcouldpossiblybetheprobl
em
now?NonhleandIaretheonl yfamil
yhehas, Iam
evenhappytheygotbacktogether.

WhenIar
rivedNonhl
est
oodupf
rom t
hebench,
she
waspani
cking.
Me:"
Hey.
..
.cal
m down"

Nonhle:"
Hef
aint
edbecausehi
sgi
rl
fr
iendhadan
acci
dent"

Shewasnowangry,whatdoesshemeanhi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendwasi
nvolvedi
nanaccident
?

Me:"
Gir
lf
ri
endwho?Whatacci
dent
?"

Shenar
rat
edt
omeever
ythi
ng,
Iwasl
eftshocked.

Thedoct
orcamet
ous.

Nonhl
e:"
Dochowi
she?I
sheokay?
"

Doc:"
Yesma'am heisverymuchf
ine,
hejusthada
pani
catt
ack,
nothingseri
ous.Wewon'
tbekeeping
him,f
ornowwejustwanthi
sbl
oodpr
essur
etogo
backtonor
mal
.Fornowhesaidhewoul
dli
keto
seeyou"

Nonhl
enodded,
theDoct
ort
ookhert
oThabi
so'
s
ward.

Isatt
hereconfused,Thabi
sohasalotofexplai
ning
todo.Wehaven'tseeneachotherl
atel
y,workkeeps
usverybusy.

Andther
e'sNdal
o,Coul
dshebepr
egnant
?I'
dbet
he
happi
estmanali
ve.Il
ovet
hatwoman.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

Tobecont
inued.
GuysIdon'thavedat
asomyf r
eemodedata
depl
etedyester
dayhencewhyIdi
dn'
tpost
.
Chapt
er34.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Thando:"Ar
eyouokaynow?
"

Inooded,If
elttheurgetovomitonceagai
n,Ir
an
backtothebathroom andtookital
loutt
henIsat
downont hefloorandcri
ed.

Thando:"Ndal
olet
'sj
ustgotothedoct
or,
you've
sickfort
hewholeweekendorshoul
dIcalldadand
tellhi
m?Maybeuzomuzwakeyena"

Me:"
I'
llbef
ineThandopl
ease!!
!Don'
tyouhave
somet
hingtodoorgoseeSiyanda?"
Isnappedandr
egret
tedi
timmedi
atel
y.Il
ookedat
her,
shewasshocked.

Me:"
I'
m sor
ry"

Shenoddedandwal
kedout
.

Me:"
Thando.
..
twi
nnyI
'
m sor
ry"

Thando:"
It
'sokayNdal
o,I
'
llf
indsomet
hingt
odo"

Wow.
Ist
oodupandri
nsedmymout
h.AssoonasIgott
o
myroom,myphonerang.

Me:"
Hel
lo"
Cal
ler
:"HeyNdal
o,i
t'
smeNonhl
e"

Shesoundl
ikeshe'
scr
ying.

Me:"
Heybabe,
areyouokay?
"

Nonhl
e:"
Hei
mpr
egnat
edherNdal
o,shewas
pr
egnant
"

Whati
ssheonabout
?

Me:"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"

Nonhl
e:"
Atmypl
ace"

Me:"
Okayst
opcr
ying,
I'
llbet
her
einaf
ew"
Nonhl
e:"
Okay"

Shehungup.Idraggedmyl azyandsicksel
ftot
he
cl
osetandf
oundsomet hingcomf or
tabl
etowear
,
ar
gghmybr east
sar esopainful
.
Iopt
edf
oramaxidr
ess.

WhenIgotdownstai
rs,
Thandowaswatchi
ng
regul
arshow,
laughi
ngherl
ungsoutandeat
ingi
ce
cream.

Me:"
Mnt
ase"

Shel
ookedatme.

Me:"
I'
m sorr
yforsnappi
ngatyou,
Idon'
tknow
what
'sgot
tentome"
Thando:"Youarepregnantt
hat
'swhatandIdon'
t
appreci
ateyoushoutingatmeNdal
o,Iwasonly
tr
yingtohelp"

What
?

Me:"Geez!
!!I
'
m notpr
egnantThando,
kant
iyi
ni
ngempela?
"

Thando:"Thenl
eavemealoneNdal
o,l
eaveme
al
onewi t
hmywi thmysomethi
ngtodo"

Mxm,
Itookmybagandl
efthert
her
e.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
WhenIarri
vedatNonhle'
spl
aceshewassi
tt
ing
out
side,
bythegarden.
Me:"
Heybabe"

Wehuggedt
henIt
ookasi
t,sheof
fer
edmeaj
uice,
I
r
efused.

Nonhl
e:"
Heehwenasowhatwi
llyoudr
ink?
"

Me:"Iwoul
dsayaglassofwi
nebutIcan'
tst
omach
anyt
hingri
ghtnow"

Shef
rownedandnoddedatt
hesamet
ime.

Nonhl
e:"
Wher
eisThando?
"

Me:"
Ilef
ther
"

Nonhl
e:"
Didyouguyshaveaf
ight
?"
Me:"Sortof,she'
sbusysayingIshouldgotothe
doctorbecauseIcouldbepregnant
, l
astweekit
wasmom sayi ngthatthenAndil
ealsosuggested
thatIgoseeadoct or
,Imean..
.whatthehell
?"

Nonhl
e:"
Fri
end"

Me:"
Mmmm"

Nonhle:"
Ial
sot
hinkyoushouldgotothedoct
or
j
usttoconfi
rmthesuspi
cions,
Imeanthesudden
changeofmoods,t
heweightgain.
..
Ndal
oallt
hisi
s
notyou,t
heNdaloIknowwouldneverfi
ghtwi
thher
twi
nny"

Isi
ghed,
allt
hisi
stoomuchhonest
ly.

Me:"
Youwer
ecr
yingwhenyoucal
ledme,
what
wasup?
"

Shel
ookedatmeandsi
ghed.

Nonhl
e:"Idon'tknowwhatt odoanymor e,Thabiso
wasatthehospi t
al.Hisgi
rlf
riendwasi nvol
vedina
ver
ybadaccidentandappar entl
yshewaspr egnant
soshehadami scarri
age,SoThabi socoll
apsed
whenher eal
isedthegirlmiscarr
ied."

Me:"ByThabi
so'
sgi
rl
fr
iendyoumeanmyf
ri
end
Asanel
e?"

Shenodded.

Me:"OhmyGod!
!I'
vebeenaver
ybadf
ri
end,
howi
s
she?
"
Shel
ookedatmel
ikeIwascr
azyorsomet
hing.

Nonhl
e:"
DidyouhearwhatIsai
dNdal
o?"

Me:"YesandIdon'tknowwhatt osay, atl

eastyou
knowhedidn'tcheatagain,i
t'
ssomethingthat
happenedthenandI'm sureyourel
ievedthebaby
didn'
tmakeit"

Nonhle:"What?Ndal
oIdi
dn'
tsayt
hatandIwoul
d
neverwishthatuponmywor
stenemy"

Me:"IknowandI
'
m sor
ry,
Ithi
nkIgott
ogoandsee
her
"

Nonhl
e:"
CanIcomewi
thyou?
"

Il
ookedatherandnodded.
Me:"
Let
'sgo"

West
oodup,
shet
ookhercar
sthenwel
eft
.

Nonhl
e:"
Let'
sgoseemyDoctorf
ir
st,
Iki
ndofhave
st
omachcrampsandtheyar
estr
essi
ngmeout"

Me:"
Okay"

Wedr ovet
otheDoctorandgotofft
oget
her
,lucky
enoughitwasnotf
ullatal
lsoaft
eroneper
sonwe
gotin.

Doc:"
OhhNonhl
e,howar
eyou?
"

Nonhle:"
I'
mfi
neDoc,
myf
ri
endi
stheonewhoi
s
notf
ine"
Il
ookedatherl
ike"
Hai
bowenj
a"

Shei
ntr
oducedus,
Ihadt
ofakeasmi
le.

Doc:"
OhNdal
osowhat
'st
hepr
obl
em?
"

Me:"Welltheykeeponsayi
ngI'
m pr
egnantandI'
m
notsotheywantt of
orcemeint
oconfi
rmingthei
r
suspi
cions"

Doc:"
Whenl
astwer
eyouonyourper
iods?
"

I
'
m goi
ngt
oKi
llNonhl
efort
his.
Ithoughtaboutt
hel
astt
imeIwasonmyper
iods
and..
..
.ohmyGod!

Me:"
Lastmont
handt
heywer
enotevennor
maland
t
hismont
hIdi
dn'
tseet
hem atal
l"
.

Iwassuddenl
ybecomingver
yemotional
..
.l
ikewhat
thehell
?Howthehel
landwhythehellwoul
dAndile
i
mpr egnat
eme?OhnoIdoubt.

Doc:"
Pleaset
aket
hiscupandgopeei
nit
"

Isl
owlyandstressf
ull
ywalkedout,
gottothetoi
let
andpeedonthecup, t
henIwalkedbacktothat
Doctorandbl
oodyNonhle.

Me:"
I'
m done"

Shet
ookast
ickanddi
ppedi
tinsi
de.

Doc:"Haveyouexper
iencedanykindofchangeson
yourbodyorist
heresomethingyouarenotused
t
o?"

Me:"
Mybreastar
esensi
ti
ve,ver
ypainfulandI
al
waysvomitmor
eespeci
all
yifther
e'sabadsmel
l"

Doc:"
Anymoodchanges?

Me:"
No"

Nonhl
e:"
Yes"

Weanswer
edatt
hesamet
ime.

Doc:"
Whi
chi
swhi
ch?
"

Ikeptqui
te,
all
owi
ngmyspokesper
sont
otal
k.
Nonhle:"
Yes,
natur
all
ysheisagoodpersonandnot
moodybutnowshesnapsevenatli
tt
lethings,
as
wespeaksheisnotingoodter
mswithhersist
er
becauseshel
ashedoutonher".

Ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Thedoct
ortookmythesti
ckfr
om mypeeand
l
ookedatitt
henshesmil
ed.

Doc:"
Youarei
ndeedpregnant,canwedoanul
tr
a
soundandf
indouthowfaralong?"

Me:"
Not
hanksDoc"

Il
ookedatNonhl
e.

Me:"Iam nol
ongergoi
ngtothehospi
talpl
ease
dr
ivemet oAndi
le'
sworkpl
ace"
Nonhl
e:"Ndal
owehave.
..
..
."

Me:"
Fine!
!!St
ay,
I'
llr
equestanuber
"

Iwal
kedoutandrequestedanuber ,wi
thlucki
twas
aminut
eawaysowhenIgotout side,i
twasalr
eady
wai
ti
ngforme.Igotinthenitl
eft,
Ireall
yneedacar.

Ifi
nal
lyarr
ivedatAndil
e'
soff
icetheyal
readyknow
I'
m hi
sgir
lso. t
heydon'
taskt
omanyquest ions,
theyj
ustdirectmetohi
soffi
ce.

Iopenedthedoorandhewassleepi
ngonthecouch,
notjustl
yingdownbutsl
eepi
ng.Hedoest
hisalot
l
atel
y.

Ishookhi
m,hej
umpedup.
Andi
le:"
Ohhhbabei
t'
syou"

Hest
ret
chedt
henyawned.

Me:"
Don'
tohhbabemeAndi
le,
youknewdi
dn'
tyou?
Youwant
edtodothi
s?"

Hewasconf
usedbuthemustnotdar
eactdumb.

Andi
le:"
WhathaveIdonemami
?"

Hepull
edmetosi
tonhi
slapandki
ssedmy
f
orehead,
Iwi
pedi
t.

Hel
aughed.
Andi
le:"
Iki
ssyouuyasul
a?Yi
nibaby?Tel
lmewhat
Idi
d"

Me:"
Youi
mpregnat
edmeAndi
le,
howcoul
dyoudo
t
hatt
ome?"

Hesmi
led,
Ipi
nchedhi
m.

Andi
le:"
Ouchh!
!Baby,
soyour
eal
lyar
epr
egnant
?"

Me:"What'
switht
hesil
lysmil
eAndi
le,I
'
m somad
atyou.YouknowIam busywit
hcol
legewenayou
knockmeup"

Am Ireal
lymadathi
m?Hi
ssmi
lej
ustsoot
hedmy
hear
t.

Andi
le:"
BabyIknowyouar
eangr
ybutI
'
m happy
andI'm sorr
ybutifther
e'sonet
hingIwon'tdoisact
l
ikeIregretthi
s,IwantababyandIwantababy
withyou,asmuchwedi dn'
tpl
antofal
lpregnantbut
I'
m happywear e"

Ihadnocomeback,
Ijustcr
ied.Hehel
dmet
ight
.

Me:"I
'm scar
edAndil
e,whati
f.
..
whatifIwon'
tbea
goodmot her
?ImeanImyselfneverhadagood
mothersowhatifI
'
llbeamonstertowardsmy
chi
ld?"

Andil
e:"Babydon' tl
etthepastdefi
neyou, youare
notwhathappenedt oyou,youarenotlikethe
peopl
et hathurtyou,sthandwasam somewher e
deepinsideyout her
e'sagoodper sonjustclouded
bypainbutbabyIwantyout ol
etgooft hepain,l
et
goofitmyl ove.Wear egoi ngt
obepar entsandI
knowyouar egoi ngtobet hebestmotherokay? "
Inodded.

Andi
le:"
Comeongi
veyourbabydaddyaki
ss"

Il
aughedandhithi
m pl
ayf
ull
y,heki
ssedme
passi
onat
ely.

Andi
le:"Weint
hist
oget
hermunt
uwam,
wai
twhen
di
dyouf i
ndout
?"

Me:"Nonhletookmet oadoct
orwit
houtmy
knowledge,shel
iedandsai
dsheisgoingf
or
hersel
f"

Hel
aughed.

Andi
le:"
Shet
ri
ckedyou,
sohowf
aral
ongar
ewe?
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow"

Andi
le:"
Howcome,
didn'
tyoudoascan?
"

Me:"Ir
efusedbecauseIwant
edt
ocomeher
eand
hi
tyou"

Hel
aughedandki
ssedme.

Andil
e:"
Let
'sgobackt
othedoct
oranddot
heul
tr
a
sound"

Hetookt
hecarkeysthenwelef
t,Iwascal
m,t
oo
cal
m.Iwasonl
ythinki
ngofhowI '
m goi
ngtot
ell
my
dad.

Andi
le:"
Youknowbabyasexci
tedasIam,
I'
m
scar
edIwon'tl
ivet
oseemybaby"
What
??Whatdoeshemean?

Me:"
Areyoudyi
ng?
"

Iwassuddenl
yemot
ional
.

Andil
e:"
No.
.nonobaby,
relaxI
'
m notdyi
ng.I
'
mj ust
t
hinki
ngofhowyourdadisgoi
ngtoskinmeali
ve"

Il
aughedwit
htear
sinmyeyes,
OhhGoshI
'
m
al
wayscryi
ng.

Me:"
Uzozi
khul
umel
a"

Heki
ssedmyhandwhi
ledr
ivi
ng.
[
Asanel
e]

"
Babypl
easewake,
it'
sbeenl
ongal
ready"

Itr
iedopeningmyeyes,t
hevoiceIheardsounds
famil
iarandit
'sl
iket
hevoicewasbreaki
ng.

Me:"
T..
Themba"

"
Baby.
..
yesbabyI
'
m her
e..
.Doct
or!
!!
"

Iopenedmyeyesbutmyvi
sionwasbl
urr
y.

"
Ma'
am.
..
canyouhearme?
"

Me:"
My.
..
mychi
ld"
"
Canyouseenme?Cl
oseyoureyesandopent
hem"

Idi
dandmyvi
sionbecamecl
ear
.

"
Iam t
heDoct
orandIwantyout
olookatmeand
f
ocus"

Inodded.

Doc:"
Doyouknowwher
eyouar
e?"

Me:"
Ho.
..
.hospi
tal
"

Doc:"
Good,doyourememberwhathappened
bef
oreyougother
e?"

Me:"
No"
Doc:"
Youwer
einvol
vedi
nacaracci
dent
?"

Inodded,
Iwashonest
lyconf
used,
myheadwas
waspainf
ul.

Doc:"
Doyouknowyourname?
"

Me:"
Asanel
e"

Doc:"
Good,
youwer
epr
egnantdoyouknowt
hat
?"

Real
lynow?

Me:"Ofcour
sebutIgavebir
thal ongt
imeago,
my
f
ianceandIhaveabigbeauti
fulboy"
Doc:"
Shedoesn'
tseem t
oremembert
hepr
esent
moment"

Whatpr
esentmoment
?

Themba:"
DoyouknowThabi
so?
"

If
rowned.

Me:"
No.
..
mustIknowhi
m?Whoi
she?
"

Hesi
gheddef
eat
ed.

Themba:"
Doyoust
il
lrememberyourf
ri
endNdal
o?"

Me:"Di
dyoufi
ndher
?She'
sbeengonef
oryear
s,I
r
eall
ymissher
"
Thedoct
orwrotesomethingdownandcamewi
tha
st
ick,
shepokedmyf eet
.

Doc:"
Canyouf
eel
whatI
'
m doi
ngt
oyou?
"

Me:"
No"

Shewr
otei
tdown,
thenaskedi
fI'
mfeel
inganypai
n.

Me:"
Ont
heheadandmyr
ibcage"

Shenodded.

Doc:"Okaythatwi
llbeal
lpl
easesirdon'
tlongi
n
here,Ihavet
ogiveherpai
nblocks,sheneedst
o
rest"
Henoddedt
hent
heDoct
orl
eft
.
Thembal
ookedver
ywor
ri
ed.

Themba:"
You'
l
lbef
ineokay?
"

Inodded.

Me:"
Wher
eismyson?
"

Themba:"
Backathomewi t
hmymom, yourpar
ent
s
areal
sohere,Ibookedt
hem i
ntoahot
el.Yourmom
i
sveryworri
edaboutyou"

Me:"
Whybookthem i
ntoahot
el?Coul
dn'tt
heyj
ust
sl
eepathomeandcomehereever
yday?"

Themba:"
WeareinGauteng,sotheycoul
dn'
ttr
avel
ever
yday,
youhadanaccidentherei
nSandton"
Me:"
WhatwasIdoi
ngher
e?"

Thi
swassofrustr
ating,
Ican'
tseem t
oremember
whatt
heyar
et al
kingabout
,theacci
dent
?Sandt
on?

Hesi
gheddeepl
yagai
n.

Themba:"
It
'sokay,don'
tpr
essur
eyour
sel
fint
o
remember
inganything"

Isi
ghedandcl
osedmyeyes.

Aft
ersometi
met hedoct
orcameback,gavemethe
pi
ll
sthenaskedThembat ol
eave.Assoonashelef
t
Idr
ift
edofft
osleep.

#Unedi
ted
Secondi
nser
twi
llcomel
ater
.

PleaseNotef r
om nowI'l
lbeposti
ngNdalo'sPOV
onlyunlesstherearei
mportantpar
tsfrom ot
her
charact
ers,you'vemetever
yonesurroudi
ngher
storysonowwef ocusonher.

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er35.

[
Ndal
o]

Iam justamont hpr egnant ,

ImustsayIhavenever
seenAndi lesohappy, Hi shappinessisonethatno
onecanmi ss.Wellont heot herhandThandoi ssti
ll
abitcoldt owar
dsme.IknowIwaswr ongby
l
ashingoutonherbuthonest lyitwasnotmy
i
ntentionandIapol ogised.Al lsheeverdoessince
wehadt hatsmallfi
ght, shegoesouti nthemor ni
ng
andcomebackl ate,somet imesshedoesn' tcome
backandthatcanonl
ymeanonet
hing.
..
shei
s
avoi
dingme.

Anywayri
ghtnowI'
m goi
ngtothehospit
alt
osee
Asanel
e,t
hatdaywhenweplannedtogoseeher,
weendedupnotgoingal
lbecauseNonhlet
ookme
t
otheDoctorandIf
oundoutthatIam pr
egnant
.
AsIwasenter
ingt
heki
tchent
ogetwat
er,
Thando
qui
ckl
ytr
iedtowal
kout
.

Me:"MntaseI
'm sorr
y,IknowIhur
tyou.Itwasnot
myintensi
on,
Imi ssyouandIneedyou,Ineedto
shar
et hi
smomentofmyl i
fewi
thyou"

Shel
ookedatme,wi
thoutevennot
ici
ngmyt
ear
s
madethei
rwaydown.

Thandobur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Thando:"Lal
elagirlhor monesar
edoi ngthedamn
thi
ngslakuwe, anywayIj ustwantedtomakeyou
seethatyoucan'tlivewi t
houtmyattenti
on,Iwas
wait
ingforyout oapol ogi
seyetagain.St
opcrying
andcomehugaunt ieThando"

Ismi
ledt
hrought
het
ear
sandhuggedher
.

Me:"
Imi
ssedyou,youar
esoevi
l
"

Thando:"Ohhtr
ustmestayi
ngawayf
rom youwas
theworstthi
ngIeverhadt
odo"

Il
aughed.

Me:"
Ser
vesyour
ight
"

Thando:"
Sot
winnyyour
eal
lyar
epr
egnant
?"
Isl
owl
ynodded,
shecl
appedherhands.

Thando:"
NgizobawuAunti
ewodumo,
Ihavet
o
st
artpl
anningababyshower"

Me:"
Awukahl
eThando,
I'
m onl
yamont
hpr
egnant
"

Thando:"So?Vel
eIneedmonthstoplant
hebaby
showerforourbaby,
anywayuyaphiumubikanj
e?"

Il
ookedatherandf
rownedt
henl
ookedatmysel
f,I
am ugl
y?
Shel
aughed.

Thando:"I
'
mj oking,
Ihear
dthatpr
egnantpeoplecr
y
evenifyoutel
lthem i
t'
scol
doutsi
desoIwant edto
seeyoucry"
Isi
ghed,t
hisisgoi
ngt
obeal
ongpr
egnancywi
th
Thandoaround.

Me:"
AnywayNonhl
eandIar
egoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
t
oseeAsanel
e"

Thando:"OhhhIwoul
dhavelovedtocomewi t
hyou
butunfor
tunat
elyI
'
m goingt
ogetsomel ovi
ngfrom
myman, anywayuBabakhosaysyouareignor
ing
hi
scalls,
areyouavoi
dinghi
m? "

Isi
ghed.

Me:"I'
m scar
edoft
alki
ngtohim,whati
fmama
al
readytoldhi
mI'
m pregnant
?"

Thando:"
Mamaknows?
"
Me:"
Idi
dn'
ttel
lher
,shej
ustf
igur
edi
tout
"

Thandolaughedandt
ookherbag,
Ialsotookt
he
bott
leofwaterandwewal
kedouttoget
her.

Thando:"
Haikegi
rlgi
rl
,thatmanisyourf
ather
.Talk
tohi
m, j
ustsaydadtheresul
tofhavi
ngunprot
ected
sexhappened"

Me:"
Thando!
!!
!!
"

Sher
ant
ohercar
.

Thando:"
Byel
it
tl
educk!
!!Gr
eett
hebi
gduck!
!!
"

Shedroveout
,onqueuebigduck/Nonhl
ear
ri
ved.I
l
ockedthedoorsandwenttot
hecar.
Me:"
Heybabe"

Nonhl
e:"
Heyl
ala"

Shedroveof
f,shecoul
dn'
tst
opcompl
aini
ngabout
Thabi
so.

Nonhl
e:"
Thabisoi
sful
lofnonsense,hegoesand
f
aint
sforanot
herwomanandt hencomebackt o
myhouseli
kenothi
nghappened".

Me:"
Gir
ldoyoul
oveThabi
so?
"

Nonhl
e:"
Nowt
hatquest
ioni
sver
yrhet
ori
candyou
knowi
t"

Me:"
ThenNonhl
eal
lowt
hemant
ocomeback,
I'
d
r
atheryoupuni
shhim whi
leyouar
etoget
her
i
nsteadofpuni
shi
nghimthewayyoudo"

Nonhl
e:"
Iguess"
.
..
..
..
..
..
Wef i
nal
lyarr
ivedatthehosoi
talandwi
thno
hassl
estheyallowedusinatAsa'swar
d.

Wegotinshewasr
eadi
ngamagazi
ne,
shei
sbadl
y
i
njur
ed,
myheartbr
okeatt
hesi
ght
.

Shel
ookedupandhereyesopenedupwi
del
y.

Asanel
e:"
Ndalo!
!!
!Isthisyou?OhmyGodwher
e
haveyoubeenforallt
heseyears?
"

What
?Don'
ttel
lmeshe.
..
.ohno.
Me:"
Heyf
ri
end,
ohmyGodhowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"

Shewasi
ntear
s,t
heDoct
orcamei
n.

Doc:"Heyladi
es,I
'm her
etoletyouknowthatmy
pati
entdoesn'
tremembermuchaboutwhat
happenedinthepastmonths,sopleaset
ryandnot
for
ceeverythi
ngtoher"

If
rownedandnodded,
Nonhl
ehasbeenqui
etsi
nce
wegother
e.

Doc:"
Areyoust
il
lokay?
"

Shewasaski
ngAsanel
e,shenodded.

Asanel
e:"
Whycan'
trememberanyt
hing?
"
Doc:"
Don'
tbehardonyour
sel
f,ever
ythi
ngwi
ll
comebacki
nit'
sowntime.
"

Thenshel
eftus.

Me:"
Ummm boongert
hisi
smyf
ri
endNonhl
e,Nonz
t
hisi
sAsanel
e"

Okaynot
hisf
eltver
yawkwar
d.

Asanel
e:"
Nicet
omeetyouNonhl
e"

Nonhl
e:"
Likewi
se,
I'
m sor
ryaboutwhathappened
t
oyou"

Shefakedasmile,
thi
smustbehardforher.Havi
ng
topr
etendl
ikeyouaremeet
ingapersonwhoi s
behi
ndtheendofyourmarr
iagef
orthefir
sttime,
that
'st
hehar destthi
ngaboutbeingagoodperson.
Justbecauseyoual wayswanttomakeothers
happy,youhavet oactli
keal
liswell
whenit'
snot,
butinthi
scasewehavenochoi cebutt
oactalong,
Imeanshel osthermemor y.

Asanel
e:"ThankyouNonhle,
soNdaloyenkosi
wherehaveyoubeenfortheyear
sthatyoulef
t
home?Imi ssedyousomuch"

Inarrat
edsomepar t
sofwher
eI'vebeen,
shewasi
n
tearsandthenonceagai
nshetoldmemystepdad
alsorapedher.

Me:"
You'
l
lbef
inef
ri
end,
Ipr
omi
seyou"

Nonhl
e:"
Don'
tyour
ememberThabi
so?
"

Nonhl
e:"
Kant
iwhoi
sthi
sThabi
so?EvenThemba
ment
ionedhi
mthi
sot
herday"

Me:"
Wel
lyou.
..
it
's.
..
"

Nonhle:"Hewasmyhusband, wedivorcedbecause
hewant edtobewit
hyou, youleftyoufianceforhi
m.
Whenyouhadt heaccident,youhadjustl ef
tfr
om
tel
li
nghim youar
epr egnantwithhischild"

Me:"
Nonhl
e!"

Shefr
owned,
moreli
ket
hinki
ng.Icouldseet
hat
thi
smemoryl
ossthi
ngwasfrust
rati
ngher.

Asanel
e:"
Thankyouguysf
orcomi
ng,
Ineedt
orest
"

Me:"
But
..
..
"
Asanel
e:"
PleaseNdalo,
Iappreci
ateyourl
ove.We
wil
lcat
chupwhenIf eelbet
ter
"

Inoddedandsl
owl
ygotupf
rom t
hechai
r,t
henwe
walkedout
.

[
Menzi
]

It
'sbeenmont hsofpretendi
ng,Ihadtoactli
keI
l
ovePal esabecauseIneededmoneymoneyand
nowt hatIhaveitIhavetogobacktomymi ni
famil
y.Istol
eR125mi l
li
onanditwil
lbeenoughfor
ustogetoutoft hecountryandstar
tover.
IknowAnel i
saprobabl
yhat esmebutIhadt oli
e
andsayInol ongerl
oveherbecauseIdi dn'twant
hert oruinmyplans.It
'sbeentor
ture,stayi
ngaway
from them.AsIwaspacki ngmybagIhear d
footstepscomingtowar dsther
oom, Iquickly
tossedt hebagintheclosetandpretendedt obe
sitt
ingont hebed.
Pal
esa:"
Baby!
"

Me:"
I'
m her
e"

Shegotinandcametokissme,
shet
ookofher
shoesandlai
donherback.

Pal
esa:"
I'
m sot
ir
edbabeyooh"

Me:
"Icanseet
hat
"

Shesatupqndl
ookedatme.

Pal
esa:"
Babyyoul
ookj
umpy,
areyouokay?
"

Me:"
Jumpy?OhnobabyI
'
mfi
ne"
ShenoddedbutIcoul
dshedi
dn'
tbel
ieveme.
Herphoner
ang.

Pal
esa:"
Yes?
"
.
..
..
.

Pal
esa:"
What?OhnonoI '
m onmyway,
please
makesurehedoesn'
tleave"

Shehungupandgotupqui
ckl
y,wor
ehershoes.

Palesa:"
BabyIhavetorun,
myver ybigcl
ienti
s
thr
eateni
ngtotakeherbusi
nesselsewher
esoI
havetogetther
ebeforeheleaves"

Me:"
Okaybabyr
un"
Shetookthecarkeysandbagt
henr
anof
f.It
ext
ed
Anel
isa.

"Packbothyourbags,
I'l
lbether
ei n30minut
es.I
don'thavet
imetoexplai
n,I'
l
lexplainl
ater
.Pl
ease
Anelisa"

Iqui
ckl
yPacked,t
ookt
hebagt
hathadal
lthe
moneythenl
eft
.

WhenIarri
vedIf
oundthatbyGod'
sgr
aceAnel
isa
packed,
shewaspaci
ngupanddown.

Anel
isa:"
What
'sgoi
ngonMenzi
?"

Me:"Li
stenwearegoingt
oTur
key,
I'
llexpl
ain
ever
ythi
nglat
erAnel
isa"
Shef
rownedandf
oldedherar
ms.

Aneli
sa:"
I'
m notgoi
ngMenzi
,youwantt
osacr
if
ice
wit
hus?Iknowyouhavear i
ch..
..
"

Me:"Geezwoman!!
!Geti
nthecar
,I'
dnevermake
sacr
if
iceswi
thyou"

Shesighedandgotinthecar,
Idroveof
f.Ipl
anned
everyt
hing,3ti
cket
stoTurkeybookedandthe
fl
ighti
sleavi
nginanhour.

Fi
nall
ywear r
ivedatt
heai
rpor
t,Iof
fl
oadedour
bags.
.Ihat
ethatwehavet
owaitbefor
eboardi
ng.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Pal
esaf
orgothert
hedocument
sathomesoshe
hadtodri
veback,
whenshear
ri
vedshewent
upst
air
s.

Pal
esa:"
Babydi
dn'
tyou.
..
."

Shestoppedimmedi atel
yafterbeingwel comedby
anopendoorofanempt ycloset.Shesl owlywalked
toi
tandf oundabsolutel
ynot hi
ngt hatbelongedto
Menzi.Herheartstar
tedbeatingfaster,shetri
ed
cal
li
nghim butitsaidthenumberdoesnotexi st
.

Somet
hingt
oldhert
oruntohersafe,
shepunched
i
nthepi
nandfoundherR125mill
iongone.

Pal
esa:"
Ohhel
lno!
!!
!Thatbust
ardst
olemymoney"

Sheimmediat
elycal
ledherdadandtol
dher
ever
ythi
ng,
heassuredherhewillmakeapl
an.
Meanwhi
lePal
esa'
sdad.

Him:"Iknewt hatboywasupt
onogood,
that
'swhy
Iputatrackerinhiscar
"

Musa:"
Sobosswhatshoul
dIdo?
"

Pal
e'
sDad:"Nobodymesseswithmychi
ldandget
s
awaywi
thit
,checkhi
slocat
ion"

Thecheckedhisl
ocat
ionandf
oundt
hatt
hecari
s
att
heairpor
t.

Pal
e'
sdad:"
Dri
vet
her
eandbr
inghi
m her
e"

Musa:"
Shoboss"

Hel
eft
,whenhear
ri
vedhef
oundt
hem goi
ngt
o
boar
d.

Musa:"
Bosshei
swi
thawomanandki
d"

Pal
e'sdad:"
Makesur eyoustopthem f
rom l
eavi
ng,
Iwantthem al
ldead,
justbr
ingthemoney"

Musa:"
Sal
ute"

Hefoll
owedthem andjustbef
oret
heycoul
dfi
nall
y
passthecustoms,Musaandpoint
edthegunon
thei
rson'
sstomach.

Musa:"
Tur
nback,
don'
tcauseasceneorIshoot
hi
m"

Theyslowlytur
nedback,
thechi
ldwast
err
if
ied,
he
wascrying.
Whent
heygotout
sidr
,Musaor
der
edt
hem t
oget
i
nsi
det
heircar
.

TheydidAnel
isawassoscar
edshet
houghtt
he
sacr
if
icewasr
eal.

Musadr
ovet
hem someFor
estnearai
rpor
t.
Whent
heyar
ri
ved,
het
oldt
hem t
ogetoutoft
hecar
.

Musa:"
Yout
houghtyou'
dgetaway"

Menzikeptqui
te.

Musa:"
Fine,
wher
eist
hemoney?
"

Menzi
:"Whatmoney?
"
Musa:"Ihat
ebeingtakenforaf
oolandf
ort
hatyou
wi
llpaywithyourson'
slif
e"

Befor
et heyknewitt
hegunwentoff,
heshotthei
r
sonthreetimes,
hefelldownandt
hatgotAnel
isa
scr
eami ng.

Aneli
sa:"No!
!!
!Youki
ll
edhi
m,youkil
ledmychi
ld,
Sabelo!
!!NonoMenziIhat
eyou,
it'
syourf
aul
t"

Menzi
:"Themoneyi
sint
hatbag,
it'
sthatbag"

Musawentt
ogetthemoneyandshotAnel
isat
hree
t
imest
henfol
lowedbyMenzif
ivet
imes.

Hetookt
hemoneyandl ef
t.Justl
ikethatt
hree
soul
sweregoneal
lbecauseoftheloveofmoney.
#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
•
•••
•••
•••
•••
•••
•••
•••
•
Thegi
rli
sbusywithschoolt
hingsbutsoonasI
'
m
doneI
'
llavai
lmysel
fregul
arl
y.
•
•••
•••
•••
•••
••
Chapt
er36.

Adayl
ater
.
[
Nar
rat
ed]

*
Newsr
epor
t*
"Threepeoplewer ef
ounddeadbyamanwhodoes
recycl
ingnearO. RTamboi nt
ernat
ionalai
rpor
t,
poli
cer eport
edthatthedeceasedwereshot,we
haveConst ableRadebewhoi satt
hescene.
ConRadebe:"Itl
ooksli
kethethreedeceasedwer e
ontheirwaytocatchafli
ghtattheair
portbecause
wefoundpassportsinthei
rbags,thei
rnamesar e
Aneli
saMl ot
shwa,SabeloMlotshwaandMenzi
Mtshali
"

"Thepoli
cearet
heref
oreaski
ngt hefamili
esoft
he
deceasedtocomeforwar
dandIdentifythebodi
es,
withthenewsat10h00Iam Jul
ietJoseph"

Thabi
sost
oodup,hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievewhathejust
hear
dsohetookhi
sphoneandcalledAndi
le.

Andi
le:"
Yesbr
o"

Thabi
so:"
Didyoul
ist
ent
othe10am news?
"

Andi
le:"
NoImi
ssedt
hem,
Iam ki
ndofbusy"
Thabiso:"
Youmightwanttodropwhateveri
tisyou
aredoingandgoonli
ne,checktheNews"

Andi
lehangup,hewassuddenl
yner
vousbecause
oft
hetoneThabisowasusi
ng.

HecheckedtheEnewsonl
ineandgott
heshockof
hisl
ife,
hegotupfr
om hi
sdeskandranoutt
ohis
car,
assoonashegotinhedrovel
ikeamaniac.

*
Att
hescene*

Andi
lear
ri
vedandt
hepl
acewaspackedwi
thpol
ice.

Hewentpastt
het
apet
heyputont
hescene.

Pol
icemen:"
Sirpl
easemovef
rom t
her
ewe.
..
..
".
Andi
le:"
I'
mthef
atheroft
heboy"

Theyall
owedhimt ogothr
oughandassoonas
theyopenedthebodybagforhi
mtosee,
itwas
i
ndeedSabelo.
Hewentdownonhiskneesandcr
iedsomuch, he
event
riedwaki
nghi
m upwithnol
uck,heopened
theot
herbodybagandt
herewasAneli
sainit
.
Hewasshat
ter
ed,hiswor l
dcamecr umblingdown.
Ashewaskneel
ingthereandcryi
ng, aski
ngGodt o
br
inghi
sboyback,hefeltahandtouchinghim and
i
twasThabi
so.

Thabi
so:"
I'
m sorr
ybro,
Iknowhowyoul oved
hi
m...
.weneedtocal
lAnel
isa'
sfami
ly"
.

Andi
lenodded,hetookouthi
sphoneanddi
all
ed
Anel
isa'sdadandassoonasheansweredAndi
le
coul
dn'tholdi
tin.
..
Andil
e:"They..
..
theyar
edead,
myboyi
sgone
baba.
..
.him and..
..
"

Li
sa'
sdad:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,pl
easecal
m
down"

Thabisotookt
hephonef rom Andil
eandspoketo
Aneli
sa'sdad,
tell
inghi
m everyt
hingandjustaf
ter
hewasdonet ell
inghimtheli
newentdead.

Andi
le:"
Boyno!
!!Youcan'
tleavedaddyl
iket
his,
wakeupchamp!!!
"

Hebr
okedownandr
ubbedhi
sface.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]
I'
vebeentryi
ngt ocallAndi l
eforquit
esomet i
me
nowandhi sphoner ingsbuthedoesn' tpickup.I
am somadathi m, heneveri gnoresmycal l
s...
why
today?AnywayIj ustar ri
vedathome, Iam goingto
tel
lmydadaboutmypr egnancyandtobehonestI
am sonervous.Seemydadi snotabadper sonor
someoneyoucanj ustf earbuthehashi sti
me
whereyouwi l
lreall
yf earhim andformet hisisit
,
mainlybecauseIdon' tevenhave2year sst
aying
herebutI'
m alr
eadypr egnant.
Igotinandfoundhim busyonhi slapt
op, Ilooked
atmom whowasbusychangi ngchannel s.Ialready
tol
dherthatIreal
lyam pregnantandshesai d"Itol
d
you"andshewashappy, Iaskedhert otelldadf or
me, sher
efusedandsaidIhavet odoitmysel f
,so
hereIam.

Me:"
Goodaf
ter
noonf
am"

Dad:"
Lol
ozana"
Hesmi
ledandputhi
slapt
opasi
de.

Mom:"
Hel
lobaby"

Isatdown.

Mom:"
Howar
eyouLol
o?"

Me:"
I'
m goodmom,
howar
eyouguys?
"

Dad:"
WellI
'
m goodandanxi
ousl
ywai
ti
ngt
ohear
whatyouwantt
otal
ktomeabout"

Doyouknowt hatGi
ii
isoundyourheartdoeswhen
youarener
vousorscared?Iswearithi
thardwhen
dadsaidt
hat.

Mom:"
Letmepr
epar
eyousomet
hingt
oeatbaby,
I
bakedyourf
avour
it
egar
li
cbr
ead"

Ismil
edandnoddedbutwhywoul
dshel
eaveme?
I'
m hungr
ybutI
'm nothungr
y.

Dad:"
Asi
zwekemnt
anam"

Gigigi
!!
!!Ist
art
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
inger
swhi
le
l
ookingdown.

Dad:"Ndal
oyenkosidonott
ellmet
hatboy
i
mpr egnat
edyou!!
"

Ishotmyheaduphi
ghandshooki
t.
.

Me:"What
?Nodadno,
I'
m notpr
egnant
..
.i
t'
s.
..
.wel
l
I
..
."
Mom:" Act
uall
ybabayes,shei
spregnantandwhat
happenedhappened,t
heyarenott
eenagerssoi
t
wasboundt ohappen"

Mydadl ookedatme, Idon'tknowwhathei s

thinking,thef earinmest artedmaki ngmef eel
dizzy, Igottheur getovomi tsoIst oodupandr an
tot hebat hroom andtooki tallout.Ithensatonthe
toil
etseat ,howdoIgobackt her
e?
AsIwassi
tt
ingandcr
ying,
Mom came.

Mom:"Nononoyoucan'tbecryi
ngandst
ressi
ng
t
hebaby,yourf
atheri
scal
li
ngyou"

Me:"
Mom hei
sangr
y,I
'
m scar
ed.Idi
sappoi
nted
hi
m".

Shecamet
omeandhel
dmehand,
Ist
oodup.She
gavemeahug.
Mom:" Shhhh,
hei
snotdisappoi
nted,
hei
sjust
shockedbuthewi
llcomearound"

Inodded,shewipedoffmyt ear
sandthenwewent
backtothelounge.Isatdownandavoidedeye
contactwit
hhim.

Dad:"
Ndal
o?"

Me:"
Baba"

Dad:"
Howf
aral
ongar
eyou?
"

Me:"
Amont
handacoupl
eofdays"

Dad:"Youdoknowt hatIwon'
thi
reanannyforyou
ri
ght?Nograndchi
ldofmi nei
sgoi
ngtoberaised
byastr
angerwhi
leyougotoschool
,sothatmeans
yougoi
ngtobeafullt
imemom andastudentatthe
sameti
me".

Inodded.

Dad:"
Doesyourboyf
ri
endknow?
"

Me:"
Yeshedoes"

Dad:"
OkayweI
'
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e"

Me:"
DadI
'
m sor
ry"

Dad:"
It
'sokayLol
ozana,
what
'sdonei
sdone"

Mom gavemefood,Iat
eandIcoul
dn'tevenl
ookat
mydad.Aft
eranhourIdeci
dedtol
eave.
.
..
..
..
..

Itr
iedAndi
le'
sphoneagai
nbuthewasnot
answeri
ngsoIdecidedt
ogotohisplace,
it'
s
al
ready17h00meaningheknockedoff
.

Arri
vingathi
splace,hi
scarwasther
epacked
outsi
de,Igotinandhewaslyingont
hecouch
faci
ngup, hi
sphoneont het
able.

Me:"Wowsoyouar ehere,notevensl
eepi
ngand
yourphonei
sr i
ghtnextt
oyoubutyouchoseto
i
gnoremycalls?"

Hekeptquiet
,Iwal
kedtohi
m.Hi
seyeswer
epuf
fy,
i
t'
sli
kehe'sbeencr
ying.

Isatnextt
ohi
m.
Me:"
Babywhat
'swr
ong?
"

Iwasnowor
ri
ed,
hel
ooksbr
oken.

Andi
le:"Ineedt
obealoneNdalo,that
'swhyIwas
nott
akingyourcal
ls,
Ithoughtyou'dgett
he
message"

Thecoldnessi
nhisvoi
ce,Il
ookedathi
m not
bel
ievi
ngthathej
ustsai
dthattome.

Me:"
Andi
le"

Andi
le:"
Pleasel
eave"

If
rowned,
didIdosomet
hingwr
ong?

Me:"
Pleaset
alkt
ome,
didIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
What
'sbot
her
ingyou?
"

Andi
le:"
Isai
dleaveNdalo,Idon'
twannat
alkokay?I
j
ustwanttobeleftal
one,go!
!!
"

Thego!!
!Itcameoutveryl
oudl
y,Ij
umpedand
closedmyeyesastearsmadethei
rwaydown.I
tookmybagandslowlywalkedout
.

WhenIgottoourapartmentIcur
leduponthe
couchandcri
edsomuch, Icri
edmyselft
osleep.
HowcanAndilebesocoldtowardsme?Howcoul d
hetal
ktomelikethat
?WhathaveIdone?Coul dn'
t
hetal
ktomepr oper
lyi
fIdidsomethi
ngsowe
coul
dresol
veitasadult
s?

Thosearethequest
ionsIhadwhenIwokeup.Ihad
aterr
ibl
eheadache,
Thandoisnotcomi
ngbacksoI
am defi
net
elygoi
ngtodrowninmysorrowsal
one.
Idi
dn'
tevenbotherswitchi
ngont
heli
ght
s,Ijust
wentt
othekit
chen,tookoutabot
tl
eofwaterand
anappl
ethenheadedt obed.

Iam sohur
t.

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er37.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

AweekhaspassedandIhaven' theardf r
om Andil
e,
Ican'
tevenbr i
ngmyselftocall
inghim mor e
especi
allyaf
terhowhet r
eatedme.Ihear dabout
thepassingofhisexwifeandsonandIdof eelfor
him,IwishIcouldbethereforhim butforhi
mt o
notevenmakeanef fortt
ocallmeaf terhespoketo
met hatwaymeanshedoesn' tneedme.Todayt hey
arebur yi
ngthem andasmuchThandowant edus
togot othefuneral
,mom saidIcan'tgotothe
funeralwhil
epregnant
,don'taskmewhybecauseI
alsohavenoi deabutIwon'tdoanythingto
endangermychi ldsoIchoset oandThandowent
onmybehal f
.

I
'vebeenl
earni
nghowtodri
vet or
ightnowI '
m wi
th
Nkosiwearegoi
ngtothemallandI'
m dri
vingbut
I
'm st
il
labi
tscared.

Nkosi
:"MaybeIshoul
ddri
ve,
youar
eher
ebutyour
mindi
ssomewher eel
se"

Me:"
Mmm.
..
I"

Isi
ghed,
Ihaveal
otonmymi
ndr
eal
ly.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"

Inodded, buthonest lyI

'm notokay.I '
m starti
ngt o
questi
onAndi le'
sloveforme.Don' tgetmewr ong,I
knowhel ovesmebuti shislovef ormeenought o
standther ain?Canhechoosemewhenneedsbe?I
real
lydon'tmeant oseem sel f
ishbutt heper sonhe
wassul ki
ngf ori
shi sexwife,couldi tbethathe
wasnotoverher ?Okayandl et'
ssayi t
'stheexwi fe
hewassul kingforbutSabel o,hewasnothi s
biol
ogicalandIf ullyunderstandandr espectthathe
l
ovedhi ml ikehisownbutquest ionishel ovedso
mucht hathewoul dn'tmindlosingt hechi l
dI'm
carryi
ng,thechi l
dt hathappenst obehi sbi ol
ogical
chil
d?
Iswearal
lthi
sismakingmef
eelsoscar
ed,Ifeel
l
ikeIwil
lbealonewi
thmychi
ldsomewhereinthe
fut
ure.

Nkosi
:"Tal
ktomel
it
tl
esi
s,what
'swr
ong?
"
Idi
dn'tevenreal
isethatIwascryi
ng,Ist
oppedthe
carandparkedont hesideofther
oad,Il
etital
lout
.
Nkosiheldmet i
ghtasIcried.
.
..
..
..
..

Af
termylongsessionofcr
ying,Nkosit
ookover
wi
thdri
ving,wegottothemallandboughtal
lthat
mom needed,Ial
soboughtallmycravi
ngs.
Thenwel
eftt
hemal
landwentbackhome.

[
Andi
le]

Funer al
s!Onecannevergetusedt oaf uneral
.They
alwaysl eaveusfeeli
ngahugegap, l
osingal oved
onei sthemostpai nf
ulthi
ngonecanevergo
throughandatt hi
spoi nti
nti
me,Ifeelsol ost
,li
ke
I'
ml osingmymi nd.Ishouldhaveprotectedthem
butIf ai
led.
Theservicewast oolong,Icoul
dn'
tstandsi tt
ingi
n
thetentandlist
eni ngtopeopletal
kingaboutSabelo
andAnel i
saasi ftheyknewt hem.Iwal kedtomy
carandsatt here.Iclosedmyeyesandal lthe
memor iesIcreatedwi tht
hem camef looding.

"
Nooobabyokayokay.
..
.I
'm sor
ry"

Shel
aughedasIt
ickl
edher
.

ThenIr
emember
edt
hef
ir
stt
imeIsawheratt
he
mall
.

Me:"Excuseme,
canyoupleasehelpmehere,
my
mom askedmetobuyhermor ni
ngsli
pper
s,which
onesdoyouthi
nkisni
ceandst r
ong"

Shegiggl
edasshemadeherwayt ome,
she
ef
for
lessl
ypickedt
hem upandgaveme.
Me:"
Mynamei
sAndi
le,
andyoubeaut
if
ull
ady?
"

"
Anel
i
sa"

Ihadneverseenabeaut
if
ulwomanlikeher
,Iasked
forhernumbersandj
ustl
iket
hatshegaveme.

It
houghtofourweddi
ngday,
shewasaGoddess.
.
..
..
..
..

"
Dadl
et'
sgopl
aysoccer
"

Hewoul
dpul
lmef
rom t
hecouchunt
ilIgavei
n.

Asmilefor
medonmyf acewhenIthoughtofmy
champ,asmil
eaccompaniedbyt
ears.Howcanli
fe
besocruel
?
Hewassti
llyoung,
hehadal
otofdr
eamsandhe
st
il
lhadt
odoal otinl
if
e.

AsIwasdrowni
ngi
nmyt
hought
,Ihear
daknock
onmywindow.

Iopenedmyeyesandi
twasThabi
so.

Thabi
so:"
It
'st
imet
ogot
othecemet
ery"

Inoddedandwipedmytears,
Hehoppedinsi
demy
car,
Idroveof
ffol
lowi
ngtheothercar
s.

Whenwegotther
e,r
eal
it
yreal
lyki
ckedi
n,Iam
r
eal
lybur
yingt
hem.
Peopl
esang,
thepast
ordi
dwhathedoesbest
.

Hesai
dthosedustt
odustandashest
oashes
words,t
hement her
ethr
ewi
nthesandandjustl
ike
thatt
heyaregoneandwewi
llneverseet
hem
anymore.

Wedrovebackt otheMt shal

i
s,peopl
ewer
equeuing
f
orfood.Isthi
showl if
eis?Buri
ednowand
f
orgotteni
mmedi atel
y.Evenfamil
ymembersar
e
l
aughingandchat t
ingaway.

Iwenti
nsi
deandbi
dever
yonef
arewel
l
.
OnmywayoutIbumpedi nt
oThando,Ndalo'
s
si
ster
..
..
.Ndal
o!!OhmyGodIhaven'
tcheckedupon
herandthebaby.

Thando:"
Andi
l
e"

Me:"
Hey"

Thando:"
Icameonbehal
fofNdal
o,shesai
dI
shouldpasshercondol
ensces,
youknowshei
s
pregnantsomom saidshecan'
tcome"

Me:"
Thankyouf
orcomi
ng"

Shenodded.

Thando:"
I'
m sosor
ryf
oryourl
oss,
Ihavet
oget
goi
ng".

Me:"
Howi
sshedoi
ng?ImeanNdal
o?"

Shesi
ghedandl
ookedatme,
IthenknewI
'
min
tr
oubl
e.

Thando:"
AllI
'l
lsayisyouhurtherAndil
e,j
ust
prepar
eyoursel
fforyetanot
herlossbecausewhat
youdidwasnoton...
..
bye"
Shewalkedoff
,Isighedandf ol
lowedbehind,
I
foundThabi
soalreadywaiti
ngformei nthecar.We
l
eftassoonasIgott othecar.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

"
DadIneversaidki
llhi
m!!
!Looknowyouki
ll
ed
i
nnocentpeopl
e"

Pal
esawaspacingupanddown,shecoul
dn'
t
bel
ievet
hatherdadr
eal
lyki
ll
edMenzi.

Palesa'sdad:"Palesatheyhadtodie,Iseeat hr
eat,
Igetridofit.Whatwer eyouexpect
ingmet odo?
Causei fIhadlethim gohewasst i
llgonnatryto
comef orus?I fIkil
ledhi
m onlyt
hewomanwoul d
takethemat tertothepoli
ceandwel lt
hechild,
Unfortunatel
yever ychi
lddieswher
et heparents
die"
.
Palesa:"
Areyouevenl
ist
eni
ngtoyour
sel
fpapa?So
whensomeonecomest okil
lmom t
heyshoul
dalso
ki
llme? "

Pal
esa'
sdad:"
Thatwi
llneverhappensodon'
teven
menti
onit
"

Palesa:"
Ican'
tbel
ievepapa!Real
lyIcan'
tbel
ieve
you"

Shet
ookherbagandl
eft
.

"
Bossshej
ustl
eftherf
ather
'shouse,
whatshoul
d
wedo?"

Boss:"
Takehertoyourwar
ehouse,Ist
il
lsome
thi
ngstofi
x,I
'
llcomewhenI'
m done"
"
Shoboss"

Boss:"
Donott
ouchher
,Iwi
l
ldealwi
thherwhenI
gett
here"

"
Sal
utebozza"

Theyhungupandf ol
lowedPal
esa,somewhereat
thefreewaytheydr
ovefast
erandstoppedatt
he
frontofhercar
.

Theytol
dhertogetoutofthecar,shebeggedbut
theydi
dn'
thearanyofit
,hertear
sf el
ltodeafear
s.

Theypushedhert
othei
rcarandl
efthercart
her
e.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

HappyVal
ival
ibant
ubam

Loadsheddi
ngi
sphet
he
Chapt
er38.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Todayi t
'smyDoct or'
sappoint
mentthenI'm
headingtoclass.It
'samondayandjustlikemost
peopleifnoteveryone,Ihat
emondays.Ifanythi
ng
thi
spr egnancyhast ur
nedmei nt
osomel azy
person.
Afterprepar
ingmysel
fIdeci
detomakebreakfast
forbothThandoandIsinceshei
sst
il
lprepari
ng
herself
.
WhenI
'
m doneIj
ustsi
tandeat
.

Thando:"
Goodmor
ningt
winny"

Wowshel
ooksamazi
ngt
oday.

Me:"Youl
ookr
avi
shi
ng,
what
'shappeni
ngt
odayat
work?"

Thando:"Wellt
hanksfort
hecompli
ment,
but.
..
.not
hingishappeni
ngatwork,
Indodayam
i
yangikhi
phaaf t
erworksoIwon'
tbecomingback
toni
ght"

Shedoest hatal
otl
atel
y,t
hisapar
tmenti
s
pract
ical
lymineal
one.
Me:"
Okay"

Thando:"
Speakingofi
ndoda,di
dAndi
lecal
lyou?
Didyousortoutyouri
ssues?
"

Isi
ghed,shetol
dmet hatonSaturdayshebumped
i
ntoAndil
eatthefuneralheaskedhowIam andI
mustsayforsomeonewhoaskedhowIam asi fhe
car
es,hedidn'
tevenbothert
ocallme.

Me:"
Andi
le?Ubakonj
elowo?
"(Who'
sthatagai
n?)

Shesi
ghed.

Thando:"
Mnt
ase"

Me:"Nopemnt
asewam,Idon'
twannatal
kabouti
t,
uAndil
engi
mkhi
phi
lekul
eeyam i
nhl
izi
yo"(
I'
vet
aken
Andi
leoutofmyhear
t)

Shewi
denedhereyes.

Thando:"
Youdon'
tmeanr
ight
?"

It
ookmybagandphone,
request
eduber
.

Me:"Tr
ustmeImeaneachandever ywordofthat
sent
ence,Ioncedi
ditwit
hthewomanwhobi rt
hed
mesof or
getti
ngaboutAndi
lewon'
tbehard"

Sheut
ter
edal
ow"
Yooh"
Thenshetookherbagandcarkeys,
wewal
kedout
toget
her
.

Thando:"
Bewellmytwi
n,I
'
llseeyouandmyni
ece
tomorr
ow,Il
oveyoubot
h"
Me:"
Wel
oveyout
oo"

Shegoti
ntohercaranddroveof
fandjustli
kethat
myuberarr
ived,
Igotinandoffi
twenttothedoctor
.
.
..
..
..
.
Iarr
ivedandluckyfortherewereonl
ytwopeopl
e
onthequeue,Igreetedandsatdown.Ihavean
appoint
mentsoIdon' treal
lyneedt
osither
efor
ever
,
theywil
lcal
lme.

AsIwassi t
tingplayi
ngagame, someonecleared
thei
rthr
oat.Ilookeduponlytofi
ndAndilestandi
ng
ther
ewithasmi l
eonhisfaceandabunchof
fl
owers,Ij
ustlookedathi
m andl ookedbackatmy
phone.

Andi
le:"
Baby"
Hewasnowsi
tt
ingnextt
ome.Ikeptqui
et.

Andi
le:"MamiIknowIhaveal
otofexpl
aini
ngand
apol
ogisingt
odo"

Isti
llkeptqui
et,
heheldmyhand,
Ilethi
m bej
ustt
o
avoi
dunnecessar yat
tent
ion.

"
Ndal
oyenkosiMdl
uli
"

Ist
oodup,
heal
sost
oodup.Wher
ethehel
lishe
goi
ng?

Iwal
kedtot
heDoct
or'
sof
fi
ce,
Itookasi
t.
..
Andi
l
e
di
dtoo.

Doc:"
Hel
lomommy,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
m goodDoc,
justl
ookingfor
war
dtoseei
ng
howmybabyisandifsheisgrowi
ngwel
l"

Shesmi
ledandtoldmet ogetontopoft
hebed,
I
di
d.Wedidever
ythingnecessar
y.

Doc:"
Wuuuthebabyi
sgr
owi
ngver
ywel
l
,thatt
he
hear
tbeat
"

Ihear
dtheli
ttl
edoofdoofsoundsandIj
ustfel
lin
l
ove,i
tsunkin.I'
m car
ryi
ngahumanbeing.

Doc:"Thatwil
lbeallfort
oday,Iwi
llseeyouonour
nextappoint
ment,pleasedon'
tfor
getallt
he
supplementsIpr
escr i
bedforyou"

Me:"
Iwon'
tfor
getDoc,
thanks"
.
Iwal
kedout
,Andil
efol
lowedme.Iwi
shheknew
howmuchheirr
it
atesme.
Whenwegotout
side,
Ical
ledacabsoi
tcant
ake
metoschool
.

Andi
le:"
BabycanIdr
iveyou?
"

Me:"
No"

Andil
e:"Imessedup,
IknowbabyandI
'
m sor
ry
okay?"

Isuddenl
ybecameemot i
onal
,howdoyouhur
t
someoneyouclai
mt ol
ovealotandt
hencome
backtosayyouaresor
ry?

Me:"Andi
leyouhurtme,youcl
aimtolovemeyet
youchosetohurtmebecauseofyourexwif
e's
deat
h!Iam notsayi
ngyouwerenotsupposeto
grieveforherandfeelt
hepai
nbutyoudi dn'
thave
tobecol dtowardsme,whathappenedtobeing
thereforeachotherint
imesofneed?"

Hehuggedme,
Icr
iedaf
tersomet
imeIpushedhi
m.

Me:"
I'
m sor
rybutIcan'
tdot
hisanymor
e"

Mycabar
ri
ved,
hehel
dmesot
hatIcoul
dn'
tleave.

Me:"
Andi
lel
etgoofme,
I'
llbel
atef
orcl
ass"

Andi
le:"Youcan'tl
eavemebaby,
Iloveyou,
you
can'
tjustleaveme"

Me:"Ij
ustdidAndi
leandImeanit,you'veshown
measi deofyouInevert
houghtexist
ed,what
happenswhenanotheroneofyourlovedones
passesaway?Shoul dIgetusedt obei ngtreated
thatway?Shoul dIunder st
andthatweal lgri
eve
differ
ent l
ywhi l
eyourwayofgr i
evinghur tsmei n
thepr ocess?Iam car r
yingyourchi l
dandyoudi dn't
evenbot hertocallmeforthewhol eent i
reweek
afteryouhadspokent omet hatway, youpr obably
thoughtar ggNdal oisnotapr obl
em, I'l
ldealwi t
h
herwhenI 'm donecryi
ngf ormyexwi feandchi ld.
I'
m sor ryAndilebutIcan'tdothisanymor e,I
endur edhur tandpainal otinmylifeandI 'm not
doingi tagain,notevenifit'
sli
tt
lepain"

Ipul
ledawayf
rom hi
sgr
ipandr
ant
othecab.

Iwasacryingmess,Ipul
ledmyselft
ogetherand
apol
ogi
sedt othecabdri
verf
ortaki
ngmyt imethen
Ipai
dhim extr
amoney.Howwi l
lIevenfocusin
cl
ass?

[
Andi
le]
Ican'
tbel
ieveNdal oleftmejustl
ikethat,
Il oveher
andIgetthatIhurtherbutshecan'tjustleaveme.
Whenshel eftIal
sodr ovetothewarehouse, I
'
m not
usedtodoingsucht hingsbutIam goingt oAvenge
Aneli
saandSabel o'
sdeat h,
Ican'
tletthemi ni
ster
getawaywi t
hmur der.

WhenIarr
ivedIfoundthedaughtersoaki
ngwet
wit
hwater
, Iwon'
tlethergount
ilherfat
hercomes
f
orher
,Iwantt odealwit
hhim.

Ipouredanot
herbucketofwat
eronherf
ace,
she
gaspedforai
r.

Me:"Yourfat
herki
ll
edmysonandhi
smot
her
,why
shoul
dIletyougo?"

Her
:"I
..
..
Id.
..
Idi
dn'
tknowhe.
..
hewoul
dthem"
Me:"Wellhedidki
llt
hem,andIthi
nkaneyef oran
eye.Hekil
ledmysonandhi smother
,Iki
llyouand
yourmotherthenweareeven"

Sheshookherheadmanyt i
me, shewascrying.I
fel
tforher,
Iam nott
hetypetohurtwoman.I
stoppedtal
kedandsatonthechairopposi
teher.

Me:"
OkayIwon'
tki
llyou,
ononecondi
ti
on"

Shecoughedandnoddedamul
ti
plet
imes.

Her
:"A.
..
anyt
hing"

Me:"Cal
lyourdad,t
ellhi
m ever
ythingthati
s
happeni
nghere,t
ell
himt ocomegetyouandi fhe
wantsyouali
vehemustcomeal one"
Shet
ookt
hephoneanddi
all
edherf
ather
'snumber
.

Itwasonloudspeaker,shet
oldexactl
ywhatIsaid,
Itookthephoneandhungupt henIsenthi
mt he
addressandlocat
ionofwherewear e.
.
..
..
..
..
..
.

Twohourslater
,someoneknockedatthedoor
.I
openedanditwasthemini
sterhimsel
f.

Me:"
ThemanI
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
or"

Hi
m:" Unt
iemydaught
erandr
eleaseherbef
orewe
t
alk"

Ismi
rked,
Iwenttounti
ehi
sdaught
er.Shecr
ied
andwenttohugdaddy.
Hi
m:"
Got
omycarout
side"

Shenoddedandr
anout
.

Noteven2mi
nut
espassedgunshot
sfi
red.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Pal
esarantohi
sfat
her
'scarandf
oundthedr
iver
i
nsi
de,assoonasshegoti
nthedri
vert
ookof
f.

Pal
esa:"
Butwhataboutdad?
"

Dr
iver
:"Hewi
llcomewi
tht
heot
herguys"

Meanwhi
leatt
hewar
ehouse,
Andi
leandhi
sguys
wereoutnumber
ed,i
twasjustt
het
hreeoft
hem t
he
mini
sterandhi
sguysweremany.

Minist
er:"
Nobodymesseswi t
hmydaught
erand
getstothetel
lthet
ailmyboy!
!"

Hewassoangr
y,t
hegunshot
sbeganal
loveragai
n.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er39.

[
Andi
le]

Thegunshotswentonforawhil
e,oneofmyguys
gotshotandfi
veofthemini
ster
'sguywereshotso
onmysi dei
twasjustthet
woofusandt heywere4
i
ncl
udi
ngt
hemi
nist
er.

Me:"
Whydi
dyouki
llmyson?
!!!
!"

Mini
ster:"
Idon'tanswert oyouboy!Thatboywas
notyours,t
heyar eahappyf amil
ywheretheyare
ri
ghtnow,Iknowever yt
hingaboutyouandyour
famil
yincl
udi ngyourpregnantgi
rlf
ri
end.Keepon
pushi
ngme, youwillgettoknowme"

Me:"
Leavemyf
ami
lyoutoft
his"

Minist
er:"
Leavemydaughteral
onethenIwon'
t
touchyourfamil
y,youdon'
twannamakeanenemy
outofme"

Ismi
led,Ial
readyr
ecor
dedhim admit
ti
ngt
oki
ll
ing
andt
hreatni
ngme, Iwi
llmakehi
m pay.
Mini
ster
:"Iwoul
dhateki
ll
ingyou,
youarean
amateuri
nthisson,
Ihavebett
ert
hingst
odo"

Hethentol
dhisguystofol
lowhim,
theydi
dandmy
guyandIstoodther
enotknowi
ngwhattodowit
h
thedeadbodyofmyotherguy.

Wedeci dedtobur
yhimt henwel ef
t.Iwentt omy
off
iceandsenthim anemailoftherecor di
ngIdi d
ofhim sayi
ngallt
hethingshesaidandIwr oteDO
YOUTHI NKITWOULDBEPERFECTTI TLED
"Mini
sterofHomeAf f
airsadmit
st okil
lingmot her,
chi
ldandf at
herontheirwaytotheairpotand
thr
eatenstokil
lalawyer"

Isenti
tthendi
dal
it
tl
ebi
tofmywor
k.

If
inal
lyknockedoffanddeci
dedtogoseemy
woman, Ist
il
lhavealongwaytogoti
llshef
orgi
ves
me.Iwenttothecarparki
ngandassoonasIwas
aboutt
oopent hedoor,If
eltsomethi
ngstingi
ngon
myneck,Itr
iedfight
ingbutslowl
ylostst
rength,
I
fel
landever
ythingwentblack.

[
Ndal
o]

It
's6pm andwel lsi
nceThandoisnotcomingback,
Idecidedtotakeawal k,
Igooutofourcomplexand
walkupt heroad.Thispl
aceisPret
tychi
ll
ed,i
t'
s
quietandgivesyouthepieceofmindyouneed.

Idon'tthinkAndi l
ewant sthi
srel
ati
onshipanymore,
Idon'tthinkIwanti tanymore.Forsomeonewho
saysissor ry,hesur ehasafunnywayofshowi ngit
.
Ilovehi m,thatIcan'tdenybutaft
ereveryt
hingI'
ve
beent hroughIdon' tthi
nkIcansettl
eforanythi
ng
thatbringst ear
stomyeyes.
I'
mlit
eral
lygoi
ngthroughthepregnancyal
one,he
doesn'
tknowmycr avings,
hehasneverevenonce
askedmehowt hechildisdoi
ng,moreespeci
all
y
af
tert
hedeat
hofhi
sexwi
feandchi
ld.

Thi
smor ninghewasapol
ogi
singbutnowhei
s
nowher
ei nsi
ghtt
oprovehowsorr
yheis.

*
Hoot
er*

Iwassodeepinmyt houghtssomucht hatIhear

d
tear
sinmyeyes.Ididn'
thearthecarcoming,I
t'
s
thehoot
ert
hatbroughtbacktotheworld.
Ifel
lbecauseofbei
ngscared,
Ididn'tknowwher
e
torunto,hencewhyIendedupfall
ing.

"Areyouokay?I
'
m sosor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tm.
..
.wai
t,you
arebleedi
ng"

Iwasal
it
tl
econf
used,
am Igoi
ngcr
azy?
Me:"
What
?"

"
Youar
ebl
eedi
ng,
Ihavet
orushyout
othehospi
tal
"

Befor
eIcoul
drespond,
hepi
ckedmeupandr
an
wit
hmet ohi
scar.
That'
swhenever
ythi
ngr
egi
ster
ed,
Ifel
tpai
nonmy
abdomen.

Ij
ustcr
ied,
Icoul
dn'
ttal
knoraskanyquest
ions.

Wegottothehospi
tal
,hest
il
lpi
ckedmeupbr
idal
st
yleandr
ushedmei nsi
de.

"
Hel
ll
p,shei
slosi
ngal
otofbl
ood"

Ifel
tweak,
ver
yweak.It'
slikel
if
ewasbei
ngdr
ained
outofme.What'
shappeningtome?
Fi
nall
yIwasl
aidonast
ret
cherandr
ushedt
oa
ward.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Iwokeuptoabeepingsound,
Ilookedar
oundand
foundaguypaci
ngupanddown, hiswhit
eshir
t
coveredwi
thbl
oodandIknewimmedi at
elyt
hathe
i
st hesameguythathel
pedme.
Yest
erdayIcoul
dn'
tseehi
m proper
lybecauseit
wasdarkandIwasgoingt
hroughmyt hings.
Heistal
l,dar
kandhasaperfecthaircutanda
per
fectl
yshavedbear
d.Heishandsomei fImight
sosaysomyselfbutwai
t.
..
.didhe..
.didhesleep
her
e?

Hesawmeandsmi
ledner
vousl
y.

Hi
m:"
Hey,
final
lyyouar
eawake"
Me:"
Hey"

Hecamecl
oser
.

Me:" Thankyouforsavingmeandmychi ld,

I'
m
sorryyouhadt odropyourthi
ngsbroughtmehere,
your eal
lyshoul
dn'thavest
ayedthr
oughoutthe
night"

Hi
m:"
About
..
.um.
..
."

Heswal
lowedf
ir
standt
henl
ookedaway.

Me:"
Ist
her
esomet
hingImustknow?
"

Hi
m:" Ineedt
ogohomeandbat h,
changeintocl
ean
cl
othes.Socanweatl
eastcal
loneofyourfamil
y
memberssotheycancomeandbewi
thyou,
don'
t
wor
ryIset
tl
edthehospit
albi
ll
"

Me:"
O..
.okayt
hanks,pl
easebefor
eyouleave.Gi
ve
meyourbanki
ngdetail
s,I
'
llhavemydadpayyou"

Hi
m:"Nodon'twor
ry,
Ididi
toutoft
hegoodnessof
myhear
t,noneedtopayme"

Inodded,
ther
eissomet
hinghei
snott
ell
ingme.

Him:"Ihavet
ogetgoi
ng,
I'
llcomebackl
atert
osee
you"

Inodded,hewalkedout.It
extedThando,t
ell
ingher
I'
minhospital
.Ithentri
edcall
ingAndi
lebuthis
phonetookmet ovoicemail
.
Isi
ghed.
Thedoct
orwal
kedi
nandsmi
led.

Doc:"
Mor
ning"

Me:"
Goodmor
ningDoc"

Doc:"Yester
dayweadmi t
tedyoubutwedi dn'
tfi
llin
yourpersonaldetai
lsbecauseyouwereoutofit,the
guythatbroughtyouinsai dhedoesn'
tknowyou,
soIam havingyouradmi ssionfor
m her
e,canyou
givemeyourper sonaldetail
s?"

Itol
dhermynameandsur name,
gavehermy
numbersandnextofki
ninf
ormat
ion.

Me:"
Dochowi
smybaby?
"

Herf
acechanged,
shesi
ghed.
Doc:"NowthisisthepartIr
eall
yhateaboutmyjob
butIhavenoot herchoi
cebuttodoit,
unfor
tunatel
y
whenyouar r
ivedhereitwastoolat
e,youhadlost
thebaby.Youlosta..
..
."

Everyt
hingshesai
daft
erthatwasn'taudibl
e.If
elt
l
iketheplacewasspi
nning,
Icouldn'tbr
eathe
proper
ly.

Me:"
No!
!NoNo!
!!
!"

Icr
iedoutl
oud.

Doc:"
I'
m sosor
ry,
pleasecal
m down"

Justt
henmom,
dad,
ThandoandNkosiwal
kedi
n.
Thando:"
Doct
orwhati
sgoi
ngon?Whyi
sshe
cr
yingsomuch?"

If
elti
nhervoi
cet
hatshewasaboutt
ocr
yaswel
l
.

Doc:"Shewasbroughti
nyest
erdayandwhenshe
gothere,
shehadlostal
otofbl
ood.Shemiscar
ri
ed"

Thando:"
Ohno!
!!OhnoNdal
o!Twi
nnyI
'
m sosor
ry"

Shecr
iedaswel
l
.

Mom cametomeandheldmet i
ght
,Ibr
okedown.
Howcanthi
shappentome?Waseverythi
ngIwent
t
hroughmywholel
if
enotenough?

Thedoct
orf
inal
lydeci
dedtosedat
emebecause
mybloodpr
essurewasri
singandIwascr
yingso
bad.

[
Nar
rat
ed]

Andi
lewast
iedbyar
ope,
hangi
ngf
rom t
her
oof
.

Mi ni
ster:"
Youdon'tl
ist
endoyou?I'
m gonnamake
yourlifeeasy,
I'
m gonnaki
llyousot
hatyoucan
stayawayf rom you.
"

Andi
le:"
P..
.pl
ease.
..
don'tki
llme,
I..
.I
'm sor
ry,
Ihave
achi
ldontheway...
.I
..
..
"

Minister
:"Thepoorgir
lwhoiscarryi
ngyourchi
ldi
s
betterof
fwi t
houtyou,nochi
lddeservest
ohavea
foolforafather
"

Andi
lecoughed,
theyhadr
oughedhi
m upbef
ore
hangi
nghi
m up.

Mi
nist
er:"
Pul
lther
ope"

Theypulledit,hest
art
edscreami
ng,theypull
edit
ti
lli
tgottightonhisneck.Hewasrunningoutof
breath.

Mini
ster
:"Nobodymesseswi
thmeAndi
leKhoza!
!
Noonethreatensme"

Theypul
ledi
tmore.Hetri
edholdi
ngit
,themi ni
ster
pul
ledt
hetri
ggerandshothi
m ontheforehead.

Thatwast
heendofAndi
leKhoza.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er40.

[
Thembeka]

"
Mom!
!!H.
..
hel
pme,
hel
pmepl
easeMa!
!!
"

Me:"
Andi
le,
wher
ear
eyou?Ican'
tseeyou?
"

"
I'
m her
emom hel
pme"

Me:"
Andil
ewhyareyoui
nthedark?Comeouther
e,
howwil
lIhel
pyouwhenIcan'
tseeyou?"

Iwentclosertowher
ethevoicewascomingfr
om
butIsti
llcoul
dn'
tseehi
m.InsteadIcameacr
oss
myf at
herinlawandmotherinlaw.

Me:"
Ma.
..
baba,
pleasehel
pme,
weneedt
oget
Andil
eoutofthedar
kthathei
sin,
Icanhi
svoi
ce
butIcan'
tseehim"

FIL:"Makot i
, uAndilenoAnel i
sabandawonye
manj e,lokhuabakwenzi lekubeyi phuthael i
khulu
futhikubabi zeleamabhadiwodwa, umzukul uyena
sizomt hat hakulobumnyamaabakubosi hambe
nayengobaakanacal akodwauAndi l
enoAsanel e
kuzomel eni bakhulul
eni nangokwenu"( Andileand
Anelisamadeabi gmi st
akeandi tcr eatedbadl uck
forthem.Wewi l
ltakeourgr andchildandgowi t
h
him sincehehasnof aulti
nanyt hing,asf orAndile
andAnel isa, t
heywi l
lremaininthedar kness,iti
s
yout hatwi l
lhavet ofreethem)

Me:"Babaukhulumangani?Bayenzani
ebumnyameni?Sizobakhul
ulakanj
ani?
"(Whatar
e
youtal
kingabout?Whataretheydoi
nginthedar
k?
Howwi l
lwefreethem?)

MI
L:"
Makot
ithoseki
dsgotmar
ri
edt
radi
ti
onal
ly,
bayenzel onkei sikofuthibafakanamadl ozi
phakat hi,besemasebahl ukanaazangebahl abe,
babikeleabaphansingokuhl ukanakwabo, bavele
bahlukananj eyaphel elalaphoyi ngakhobadl ulil
e
emhl abeni ,abaphansibesebacasukekakhul u.u
Andileuhambi l
ewayomi thisaenyei ntombazana
angayenzii sihl
ukanisosakhekahl ebenoAnel isa
yingakhonal enganeyakhesi yithathil
e.Thina
oBhovunganesi ngabantubamasi kofuthi
kusiphat hakabiumal i
ngal andel wa"( Theydi d
everythingt hatwasr equiredcul t
urall
ybutwhen
theysepar atedt heydidn'tbot hert oslaughtera
goatandl ett heancest orsknowt hattheyare
separ ati
ng, that'
swhyt heyar edead.Andi lewent
andi mpr egnat edanot hergi r
l knowi ngverywel lthat
hedi dn'tdowhathehadt odoi nt ermsofhi s
separ ati
onwi thAnelisa,that'swhywet ookt hechild.
Theancest or sfeltdi
srespect edandyouwear ever y
tradi
tionalpeopl eandi tdoesn' tsitwel lwi
thus
whent hecul tureisnotf oll
owed)

Ij
umpedup,
pant
ingandbr
eat
hingver
yheavi
ly.
Ishookmyhusband.

Me:"
Baba!
!!Vuka,
wakeup!
"

Hesl
owl
yopenedhi
seyes.

Khoza:"
Sthandwasam,
what
'swr
ong?
"

Me:"
Andi
le.
..
he.
..
we,
thedr
eam,
wehavet
ocal
l
hi
m"

Khoza:"
Heyhey..
.cal
m down,what
'shappeni
ng?
Whatdidyoudream about
?"

Ijustt
ookmyphoneanddiall
edAndil
e'
snumbers,
it
tookmetovoi
cemail
.Ist
artedpani
cki
ng.Thi
scan'
t
behappeni
ng.
Idon'
thaveNdal
o'snumber
s..
.Thabi
soyesThabi
so.
Khoza:"
Mkamiwhat
'shappeni
ng?
"

Ii
gnoredhi
m anddial
ledThabi
so'
snumber
s,my
handswereshaki
ng.

Thabi
so:"
Hel
loMa"

Hesoundedli
kesomeonewhowasver ydeepi
n
sl
eep,
it'
saft
ermidni
ghtsoIunder
stand.

Me:"Son,
I'
m sor
ryf
orwaki
ngyouup,
whenl
astdi
d
youseeAndil
e?"

Thabi
so:"
TwodaysagoMa,
isever
ythi
ngokay?
"

Me:"Idon'
tknow,Iknowi
t'
stoomuchtoaskbut
canyoupleasegocheckhi
m athi
shouse?
"
Thabi
so:"
Ummm okayMa,
I'
m oni
t"

Ihungupandst
art
edpaci
ngupanddown.

Me:"
Theyki
ll
edmyson,
theyki
ll
edhi
m"

Tear
smadet
heirwaydown.Myhusbandgotup
andhel
dmeti
ght.

Khoza:"
Tal
ktome,
whatwast
hedr
eam about
?"

Me:"
Yourpar
ent
s!!Yourpar
ent
ski
ll
edmyson"

Hel
ookedatme,
shockwr
it
tenal
loverhi
sface.

Me:"
Nomaket
hatal
lyourancest
ors,
theyki
ll
edmy
son!
!!
"

Iwasnowcr
yingt
err
ibl
y,Igavebir
thtohim.Iknow
whensomet
hingi
snotri
ght,Icanfeeli
t.

Khoza:"Thembekawhosai
dAndi
lei
sdead?You
werejustdreami
ng!
"

Ipushedhi
m awayf
rom me,
hei
smaki
ngmeangr
y.

Me:"Ibi
rt
hedt
hatchi
ldMandl
a,Igavehi
ml i
feyou
hearme,THATWASNOTJUSTADREAM! !
!Myson
i
sdead"

Iworemyshoesandgown, t
ookthecarkeysand
ranout,Icouldhearhimrunni
ngaftermebutIgot
tothecarfir
st.Isl
idthedooroft
hegarageandt he
gateatthesamet ime,It
hendroveoffasfastas
supersonic.Ican'
tlosemysonoverstupid
ancest
ralpuni
shment
.

[
Ndal
o]

Thesedati
vesreal
lyworked,Iwasoutforhours,
I
onl
ywokeuponl ytofi
ndt hati
t'
sjust6am inthe
morni
ng.Ilookedonthesideandmymot herwas
si
tt
ingther
e,mymom mom notst epmom.
Shesawt
hatIwasawakeandsmi
led.

Mom:"
Hel
lobaby"

Me:"
Ma"

Sheheldmyhand, Igotemot i
onalalloveragain.
WhyisAndilenothere?Iwasexpect ingtoseehim,
washislovenotstr
ongenoughf orme?Il ovedhim,
noscrewthatIl
ovehi m buthekeepsonhur ti
ngme
al
lbecauseofhisexwi f
e,can'thecomeandbe
wit
hmesowecanmour
nthel
ossofourchi
ld
t
ogether
?

Mymom wi
pedof
fthet
ear
sIhad.

Mom:"I
'm sosor
rysthandwasam,
I'
mr eal
lysor
ry
mybaby.Godwillbl
essyouwit
hanot
herchil
d"

Me:" Iwantedt hi
schil
dmama, whyist hi
s
happeningt ome?HaveInotbeent hroughenough
tolastmeal i
feti
me?Whydi dGodmakemef al
l
pregnantifheknewHewasgonnat akemychil
d
beforeIevenhel dhim orher?Ifel
linlovewi
tha
chil
dIneverevengott oholdma"

ShecameandhuggedmeasIcr i
edoutl
oudonher
shoul
der
.Itcutdeep,
thepai
nwastoomuch.

Wesatt
her
eforawhi
le,
Ihadcal
meddown.She
f
orcedmet
oeatt
houghIhadnoappet
it
e.

Mom:"I'
m gonnagonowbutI'l
lseeyoulat
er,
the
doct
orsaidshemightdi
schar
geyout omor
row"

Inodded.Sheki
ssedmyf
orehead.

Mom:"
Iloveyoubaby"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Shet
henwal
kedout
.Justt
henmyphoner
ang.

Me:"
Twi
nny"

Thando:"
Heyt
winny,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Isi
ghed.

Me:"
Ifeelempt
y"

Sheal
sosoundeddown.

Thando:"
I'
llknockof
fear
lyt
odayandt
henI
'
llcome
overt
obewi thyouokay?
"

Me:"
Okay"

Thando:"
Mom anddadar eprepari
ngacleansi
ng
cer
emonyf oryousi
nceyoulostthebabybutthey
wil
lcomelateraswel
l"

Me:"
Okay"

Thando:"
Iloveyoumnt
ase,
pleasedon'
tevenbe
har
donyoursel
foreventr
ytoactst
rong,
I'
m her
e
andI'
l
lbest
rongforyou"

Me:"
Thankyou"

Thando:"
Okaybyef
ornow"

Ihungupandwi
pedof
fmyt
ear
s.

It
ookthemagazineandpagedt
hroughbutmy
mindwasfaraway,wher
eisAndi
le?

Someoneclear
edhi
st hroatIl
ookedatt
hedoorand
i
twasthatguy,mysaviour.

Hi
m:"
Hey"

Hehadasmi
ledonhi
sface,
abunchoff
lower
sand
agetwel
lsoonbal
loon.

Me:"
Hy"

Hecamecl
oserandputt
hef
lower
sandal
lthathe
hadont
hesidet
able.

Hi
m:"
Unj
ani
?"(
Howar
eyou?
)

Ishr
ugged.

Het
ookachai
randsatnextt
ome.

Him:"I
'
m sosor
ryforwhathappened,apar
tofme
feel
sli
kei
twasmyf aul
t,Ishoul
dn'
thavescar
ed
youwitht
hehooter
"

Me:"
Noi
t'
snotyourf
aul
t,Iwasnotwel
lawar
eof
whatwashappeni
nginthestreet
,Iwasstr
essi
ng
anddeepi
nthoughtssoifanythi
ngthi
sismyfaul
t"

Hesi
ghedandbr
ushedhi
sface.

Hi
m:"
Mynamei
sShaka,
ShakaBut
hel
ezi
"

Me:"
Ndal
oyenkosiMdl
uli
"

Hesmi
led.

Shaka:"Youarereal
lyar
eGod'
scr
eat
ion,
abeaut
if
ul
cr
eatureatthat
"

Ismi
ledandt
hankedhi
m.

Shaka:"
Icamebackyest
erdayandf
oundyou
sl
eepingsoIl
eft
"
Me:"
Yeaht
heysedat
edme"

Henoddedandl
ookedatmef
orawhi
le.

Shaka:"
What
'st
roubl
ingyou?
"

Me:"
AlotbutI
'
llbef
ine"

Hehel
dmyhandandt
her
oom becamesi
lent
.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er41.

*
2weeksl
ater
*
[
Thembeka]
Whowoul dhavet hought?Whowoul dhavet hought
thatonedayI '
dbesi tt
ingont hi
smat tress
mour ningthedeat hofmyson?I ti
sever yparent'
s
dream t oseetheirkidsgrowol derandhave
famil
iesoft heirown, everyparentpraysf orthe
thei
rownki ds'safetyandi thur
tssobadknowi ng
yourpr ayerswer einvain.Isn'
tthatourchi l
dren
havet oburyusnott heotherwayar ound?
Ittookusaweekandf ewdaystofi
ndAndi l
e'
sbody
andi tr
eal
lybrokemei nt
omi l
li
onpi
ecesfindinghim
l
yingonadi t
chlikeananimal,hewasthrownnear
thetrai
nrail
wayandt hepersonwhokil
ledhim even
tookhim offhisclot
hes,hewasnaked.
Whenwef oundhi
m hewasrott
en,t
hankstoDNA
t
esti
ngotherwi
seitwoul
dhavebeenhard
r
ecogni
singhim.

"
Sbal
eit
'st
ime"
Iwipedof
fthetearsfr
om myal
readyswoll
eneyes.
Il
ookedathim andthenIsl
owl
ylookeddown.

Me:"
Timef
orwhat
?"

Sonke:"
YouknowwhatI
'
mtal
kingabout
"

Thei
rdamnancest
orshadmysonki
ll
edandnowI
havetogoandpl
eadwit
hthem?BULL!
!!

Me:"
Goanddoi
tandl
eavemeal
one"

Hesighedandl eft
,minutesl atermyhusband
walkedin.Helookeddr ai
ned, likehehadnol i
fei
n
him.Hel ookedl
ikeawal kingcor pse.Hehasn't
rest
edinal ongtime,everythingr egar
dingthe
prepar
ationsofthefuneralisl ookingathim.
Hesatdownont
hechai
rnextt
othemat
tr
ess.
Khoza:"
Sthandwasam"

Me:"
Mmm"

Hesi
ghedf
ir
st,
hei
semot
ional
lyt
ir
ed.

Khoza:"
Pleasemamakhe,l
et'
sgoanddoit,
let
'sget
i
toveranddonewit
h.Ifnotf
orusthenl
et'
sdoitfor
ourson"

Iwi
pedthet
ear
sandnodded.Hehel
dmyhandand
hel
pedmeup.
Wegott
othedesi
gnat
edroom andf
oundt
heel
der
s
t
her
e.Wekneel
eddown.

Sonkeburnti
mphepho(
Incense)andspr
inkl
edt
he
snuffont
hefloor
.
Sonke:"
Sibi
zaninaboBhovunganeabakhul
u,bo
Hlasengi
shoninaboMkhathini
"

Hepleadedwit
hthem t
ofor
giveAndi
leandAnelisa,
heaskedthem t
ofreet
hem f
rom t
hedarkness.

Sonke:" Si
cel
aniyamukelenenganekaAndile
ebeyingakazal
waniphindenisi
vumelesi
yigeze
i
ntombazanayakwaMdl uli
"(Pl
easeacceptand
welcomeAndi le'
schi
ldwhowasnotbor nandal l
ow
ustocl eansetheMdl
ulidaughter
)

Hethenpassedumqombothi(
Tradi
ti
onalbeer
)we
dr
ankandspitonthef
loor
,wealldi
dthat.

Mysoni sgone,it
'shardtobelieveit.Ican'
tseem t
o
digestit.Moreespeci
allysincetodayi t
'sfr
iday,
I
can'tcomet otermswi ththefactthattomor r
owwe
arelayingmyboyt orest.
Af
terever
ythi
ngIwentbackt
othemat
tr
ess.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Thando:"Ndal
oopent
hedoor
,youcan'
tlock
your
selfupfor
ever
"

Shebangedt
hedoor
,Icl
osedmyeyesandf
li
nched.

"
Andi
lewasf
ounddead"

"
Andi
lewasf
ounddead"

"
Andi
lewasf
ounddead"

Thewor
dskeptr
ingi
ngi
nmyear
s.
Iputbot
hmyhandsonear
s.

"Andi
lewasf
ounddead!
!!
!!Founddead!
!!Found
dead!
!!
"

Me:"Noooooono!!
!Andi
lewi
llneverdi
e,hewi
ll
neverdi
e!!
!No!
!!
!"

Justbef
oreIknewitthedoorf
lewopen.Thando,
bothmymot her
sanddadcamei n.Thandohugged
met i
ght
,Icr
iedoutloud.

Me:"
Thandohewi
llneverdi
e,hecanneverdi
e"

Sheshushedme.

Me:"Whycan'
ttheyl
etmeseehim?Buryhi
m?I
needcl
osur
e,Ineedtobel
ievet
hathei
sgone"
Dadcameandsatnextt
ome.

Dad:"Loloi
t'
scust
om,youcan'
tbur
yyourboyfr
iend,
i
twillcauseyoupr
obl
ems.Youcangovisi
thim at
hi
sgr ave"

Me:"Dadathi
sgraveIwon'
tseehisf
ace,f
ineal
low
metoseehimthen.Iwon'
tburyhi
m Ij
ustwantt
o
seehim"

Dad:"
Ngi
cel
ani
khul
umenenganeyenupl
ease"

Het
henwal
kedout
.

Mymot
her
slookedatme.

St
epmom:"
Babyyouar
est
il
lyoung,
youcan'
tbur
y
norseeyourboyf
ri
end.Youguyswer
enotmar
ri
ed,
i
twillbr
ingyoubadluck"

Me:"
ButMawhatdidIeverdoi
nthi
sworl
d?Why
ar
eallt
hebadt
hinghappeni
ngtome?"

Mom:" BabyonlyGodknowsbutt rustmeyouwi ll

fi
nall
yseelight
,thepainyouarefeeli
ngrightnowis
nothi
ngcompar edtothekindofhappinesscoming
yourway"

Thandowasj
ustsi
lent
,it
'sl
ikeshewasl
ostf
or
words.

Me:"
Twi
nnydoyout
hinkhei
sreal
lydead?
"

Sheshr
uggedf
ir
st.
Thando:"
Unf
ort
unat
elyhei
stwi
nny"

Ikeptqui
et.

Lat
eronNonhl
ecame,
shei
ssobi
g.Readyt
opop.

Nonhl
e:"
OhmyGodNdal
o,I
'
m sosor
rybabe"

Wehuggedandcr
iedi
neachot
her
'sar
ms.

Andi
leisgone,myAndil
e.No!Ican'
tbel
ievet
his.I
wanttoseehim,Andi
lewil
lneverdi
e.Nohewon' t
.
Doesheevenknowwel ostourchil
d?Di
dheknow?
Di
dheknowIl
ovehi
m?

Idon'
twannal
iveanymor
e,myl
if
eiscur
sed.
[
Shaka]

"
SirMr
sBut
hel
ezi
isher
etoseeyou"

Me:"
Letheri
n"

Shewal
kedi
nwithabasketf
ulloff
ood,
trustmy
mom t
odothat
.

Me:"
Ma"

Shesatdownandpl
acedt
hef
oodont
het
abl
e.

Mom:"
Shaka"

Iknowt
hatl
ookshei
sgi
vingme.
Me:"
Ma"

Mom:"Thandit
ell
smeyouhaven'tbeeneati
ngyour
f
oodandyouar ealwaysbusyi
nyourstudy,
what'
s
wrong?
"

Thandii
smyhelperandmymother'
sfri
end.Shei
s
for
everonmycase,i
t'
sli
kemom senthertomy
housetospyonme.

Me:"Shei
sreadingt
oomuchi ntothismylove,
I
j
usthavealotofwork.ButIdogettakeaways"

Mom:"ShakayouknowI'
m yourmom andIknow
whenyouarelyi
ngtome"

Isi
ghed.
Me:"
Okayfinemom,
Ithi
nkIf
oundt
hemi
ssi
ngpar
t
ofmyli
fe"

Sheopenedhereyesandt
heasmi
lef
oll
owed.

Mom:"
What?What '
shername?Whenam Imeet
ing
her
?OhShaka,
final
ly"

Me:"Mom! !Rel
ax.Ihaven'ttol
dherhowIf eel
.She'
s
j
ustgoingthroughalotri
ghtnow.Shehada
miscar
riageandlostthefatherofherbaby"

Mom:"HaiboShaka!
!Soyouaretel
li
ngmeshehad
aboyfr
iendandwasevenpregnant
?Youcando
bet
tert
hanthat"

Me:"Youwon'tunder
standMa,Il
oveherandI'
ll
waitf
orhertomournthedeathofherchi
ldand
boyfr
iend.Shei
sthecarri
erofmyri
bmom, Sheis
sobeaut
if
ul"

Shecl
appedherhandsandsi
ghed.

Mom:"
Okay.
..
eatt
hen"

Itookthebasketandunpackedt
hef
ood.Al
lmy
favour
iteswerether
e,Iat
e.

IloveNdal
oandi
thur
tsmesobadt
hatIcan'
tbe
theref
orher.

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
#Unedi
ted
Tobecont
inued
Chapt
er42.
[
Thando]

Funer al
sarepai nful
,whet herornotyouknowt he
deceased.Iam si tti
ngatt hebackoft het ent,Iam
veryemot i
onalasI '
ml i
steningt odif
f erentspeakers
sayingtheirfi
nalgoobyest oAndi l
e, ast heysay
howt heyknowhi m andwhatki ndofaper sonhe
was.Mostoft hem ar esayinggoodt hingsabout
him andImustt heyar eright,t
heAndi l
eImet
thr
oughmysi sterandgott oknowal it
tleaboutwas
aver ygenerousman, hehadahear tandwi thouta
doubthel ovedNdal o.Whatt heywer egoi ng
thr
oughdur i
ngthepastdayswasj ustaphasei n
whichIbel i
evetheywer epassi ngandwer egonna
comeoutst r
onger .
Iam sit
ti
ngherethi
nki
ngofhowbr
okenNdalois,
fr
om losingherchi
ldt
olosi
ngt
hel
oveofherli
fe.
Andi
le'
smom i
salsoshatt
eredt
othecor
e.She
coul
dn'
tevent
alkpr
operl
y.

Peopl
ewentonandonwi
tht
hei
rspeechesunt
ili
t
wast
imet
oreadt
heobi
tuar
y.
Aladywhom Iassumeishersist
erwentt
othef
ront
,
shehadtheobi
tuaryonherhand.

"
Theobutuaryoft
helat
eAndil
eKhoza..
.IAndi
le
KhozabornbyThembekaandNdodayesizwe
Khoza.
..
..
..
..
"

Shereadonandon, i
twassoemot i
onal
,everyone
wasintears,
thiswhol
ethi
ngwasoneoft hose
thi
ngsthatarever
yhardtobel
ieve.

"
Mayyoursoulr estineter
nalpeace
Mkhathi
ni.
..
bhovunga...
Hlaseomuhle,
wewi
ll
f
oreverl
oveandm. .
.miss.
..
missyou"

Shebr
okedownandcr
ied.

Al
adynextt
omesangasong,
thepast
ori
ndi
cat
ed
thati
t'
sti
met ogot
othecemeter
y.Itookalookat
hispi
ctur
ethatwaspl
acedontopofhiscasket.
Whatagentlemanhewas,ahandsomeman.
Iwipedof fmytearsandmademywayt othecaras
everyoneelsewenttot hei
rdi
fferentmodesof
tr
anspor t
.Iwatchedast hehearsedroveof
f.How
doeslifeendsoquickly.

AsIwai
ti
ngforot
hercar
stomovemyphoner
ang,
i
twasNdalo.

Me:"
Twi
nny"

Ndal
o:"
Heyhowi
sitgoi
ng?I
sher
eal
lygone?
"

Ikeptqui
etandexhal
edabi
tbef
oreanswer
ingher
.

Me:"
Yeah.
..
her
eal
lyi
sgone"
Shewassi l
entf
oramomentbutIcoul
dhearher
breat
hing.

Me:"
I'
m sor
rymnt
ase"

Shehungup,
Isi
ghedandf
oll
owedt
hecar
sthat
werel
eavi
ng.

[
NARRATED]

Atthecemeterythepast
orwentonwit
htheservi
ce.
Theyloweredthecasket
,thef
amil
ythr
ewinrose
pet
alsinsi
dethehole.
UncleSonket
henjumpedi
nsi
de,
peopl
ewer e
shockedbywhathewasdoi
ngbuthecoul
dn't
carel
ess.
Sonke:"Mfanayiminaumal um Sonke,ngizothel
a
nawuumut hi,ungal
aliMkhathini
.Lomunt u
okwenzwekanj ekumeleabhadale,fut
hi
abhadali
sweuwena, ngizothat
hanalenhlabathi
ngiyoyi
sebenza,uzobhadalamshanal omunt u"(
Boy
i
t'
smeyouruncl esonke.Iwil
lpourthi
smut ii
nhere,
don'tsl
eepMkhat hi
ni.Thepersonwhodi dt hist
o
youhast opayandyout heonewhowi llmakehi m
pay.)

Het hengotoutoft
hehole,t
heservi
ceconti
nued.
Everyonewaswonder i
ngwhyhewentinsidethe
holesincet
heycouldn'
thearwhathewassaying.

Theythencl
osedthehol
eandheadedbackt
othe
Khozahousehol
d.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

I
fPhuml
aandNonhl
ewer
enother
eI'
dbel
ong
dead.Theyarekeepi
ngmecompanybutIcan't
evenfocusontheconversat
iont
heyar
ehol
ding.Al
l
I'
mt hi
nki
ngoffisAndil
eandmybaby.Howfastcan
l
ifechange.

Phuml
a:"
SisNdal
oal
lwi
llbewel
l
"

Inodded.Myphoner
angi
t'
sShaka.

Me:"
Hy"

Shaka:"
I'
m sosor r
ynana,I
'm sorr
yforeveryt
hing
youaregoingthrough,
I'
m sorryIcan'
tbetherefor
youandI'm sor
r.
...
."

Thewayhewassayi nghi ssor

ri
es,itsounded
genuineandful
lofemot ions.I
ttr
iggeredmyown
feel
ingsomucht hatIdidn'twai
tforhimt ofi
nish
tal
king.Ij
ustl
eti
tout ,
Icr i
edbutIcouldn'
tremove
t
hephonemyear
.

Phuml
a:"
SisNdal
o"

Igotupandrant
omyroom andl
ocked,
wit
hthe
phonest
il
lonmyear
.

Me:"
Ithur
tsShaka,
Ithur
tssobad"

Shaka:"Ican'
tsayIknowbutIwantyoutoknow
thatevenifi
t'
snotphysi
cal
lybutI
'
m hereforyou.
"

Icr
ied.

Shaka:"
Shoul
dIcomeseeyou?
"

Inodded.
Shaka:"
Nana"

Me:"
Y..
..
yes"

I
tcameoutasawhi
sper
.

Shaka:"
Okaycal
m downformethen,I
'
llbet
her
ein
afew.Areyouhomeoryourapar
tment?"

Me:"
I'
m home"

Shaka:"
Sendmet
headdr
ess"

Me:"
Okay"

Ihungupandsenthi
mtheaddr
ess.
[
Shaka]

Hearinghercrybrokemyhear t.Lovehasawayof
makingusdot hecraziestt
hings.Iwasbusywi t
ha
proj
ectbutassoonasshesentt headdr essI
droppedeverythi
ngandr antomycar .Idr
oveof
f
andinamat terofminutesIwast here.

Theyhaveabeaut
if
ulhouse.Ical
ledher
.

Ndal
o:"
Hel
lo"

Hervoi
cesoundedhoar
se.

Me:"
I'
m par
kedout
side"

Ndal
o:"
OkayI
'
m comi
ng"
Me:"
Alr
ight
"

Ihungupandwai ted.It
hensawhercoming.I
openedt
hedoorf orherfrom t
hei
nsi
de.Shegoti
n
andthef
irstt
hingIsawwasherpuf f
y,r
edand
swoll
eneyes.

Ndal
o:"
Hey"

Ihel
dherhandandki
ssedi
t.

Me:"
Sawubona"(
Hel
lo)

Shet
henl
ookeddown,
Iwasst
il
lhol
dingherhand.

Me:"Youreyesar
eswol
len,
youspentt
hewhol
e
daycryi
ng"
Ndal
o:"
Ithur
tsShaka"

Shewasaboutt
ocr
yagai
n,t
hisi
sreal
lyasensi
ti
ve
matt
ert
oher.

Me:"Hey.
..
.heydon'
tcr
ynana.Iunder
standandI
'm
sor
ry.Butpleasest
opcryi
ng,
it'
sbr
eakingmyhear
t"

Imadeherlookatme,
Iwipedof
fhertear
s.It
hen
pul
ledhert
omychest,wesati
nsil
ence,
comfor
tabl
e.

Tobecont
inued,
possi
blyl
ater
.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er43.
•
••2Mont
hsl
ater
•••

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

2mont hshaspassedsinceAndil
epassedaway,hi
s
famil
ycameandapol ogisedt
omi neandaskedt
o
perf
orm acleansi
ngceremonyforme.
ItwasdoneandIf eltl
ikeIwaslett
inggoof
everyt
hingIsharedwi thAndil
e,theloveweshar ed
andever ythi
ngthatconnectedmet ohi m.Idon't
knowi fI'
llbeabl
et omoveoncompl etel
ybutI'm
tryi
ngtomakepeacewi t
hthefactthatheisgone.
TodayIam goi ngtovisithi
sgrave,Ihaven'tbeen
theresincetheyburiedhim,Iwasn'treadybutnowI
am.
WellI
'
m nowdrivi
ngmycari
ndependent
lywhi
ch
makesiteasyf
ormetogoanywherewit
hout
company.
Igoti
nsi
deaf
lor
alshopandgotf
lower
sthendr
ove
st
rai
ghtt
othecemet
ery.

Arri
vingthereIstartedbycleani
ngof ft
hedustfrom
histombstone, It
hensatdownandputt hefl
ower s
ontopofi t
.At earinvol
untaryescapedmyeye.The
thoughtofsitt
ingher e,
tal
kingtothemanIloveso
muchandgetnor esponsehurtsmet othecore.

Me:"
Baby"

Iwi
pedoffmynowf
all
ingt
ears,
Imi
sshi
m.Does
heknowhowmuchImisshi
m?

Me:" Youleftme,whatam Isupposetodowi thall

theloveIhaveforyou?Whatam Isupposet odo
withmysel f
?YouknowIdi dn'twanttobeli
evethat
youar egonebuttwomont hshasgonebyandt he
hopesofyoucomi ngbackdiedandatt hi
smoment ,
seeingthistombstoneengravedwithyourname
andsur name,it
'sthel
astresort
,Ihavetobeli
eve
t
hatyouar
enol ongercomi
ngback.Imi
ssyou
Andi
le,
Imissyousomuch."

Ihadj
ustlett
hetear
sfallf
reel
ybecauset
her
ewas
nopoi
ntinwipingt
hem off
.

Me:"
Wel
ostourbaby"

Iwashopi
ngf
orananswert
othatbutIgotnone.

Me:"Ourbabyal sopassedaway...
.pl
easeyouand
him orher,begoodangelstome, l
ookdownonme
andAndi l
enomat terwhathappens,nomat t
erwhat
Idecidetodofrom nowgoingf or
wardIwantyout o
knowt hatbabyyouaremyf ir
stlove,youwerethe
manwhoshowedmewhatl oveisandf ort
hatIwil
l
for
everloveyou. .
Resti
npeaceHl asewam"

Isatt
her
eforsomet
imeandf
inal
lydeci
dedt
o
l
eave.

Me:"
Iam l
eavi
ngnow,Iwon'
tfor
getyou.I
'
llvi
sit
youf
rom t
imetot
ime.Il
oveyou"

Istoodupandwentbackt omycar,Ifel
tatease.I
fel
tlikeheknowsIsti
lll
ovehi
m andthatIhaven'
t
neglectedhi
m.ThatIhaven'
tfor
got
tenabouthim,I
feell
ikeheknowsital
l.
Isati
nther
ecarf
orabout5mi
nsbef
oredr
ivi
ngof
f.
AsIwasdri
vingmyphoner
ang,
itwasconnect
edt
o
bl
uet
oothsoIanswer
ed.

Shaka:"
Sawubona"(
Hel
lo)

Shakahasbeenagreatsupportfort
hepasttwo
months,hi
m andmygirl
s.Ireal
lycouldn'
thave
doneitwit
houtt
hem.
Me:"
Heyyou"

Shaka:"
Howar
eyou?
"

Me:"
I'
m good,
howar
eyou?
"

Shaka:"
I'
m goodbutbei
nggoodisnotgoodenough,
Iwanttobegreatandi
norderf
ormetobegr eatI
havetoseeyou"

Ibl
ushedal
one.

Me:"
Ohhi
sitnowMrBut
hel
ezi
"

Forthef
ir
stt
imeI'
m havi
ngaconversat
ionwit
h
Shakawit
houtf
eel
ingli
keI'
m bet
rayi
ngAndil
e.

Shaka:"
Real
lyMaMdl
uli
"
Me:"
OkayIhearyou"

Shaka:"
Sowhatar
eyouupt
o?"

Me:"Wellnot
hing,
Iam dr
ivi
nghomef
rom t
he
cemeter
y"

Shaka:"
Ohhsoyouf
inal
lywent
?".

Me:"
Yeah"

Shaka:"
That
'sgood,
SanDeckf
orl
unch?
"

Icoul
ddowi
thl
unch,
I'
mreal
lyhungr
y.

Me:"
Ummm okayl
unchi
tis"
Shaka:"
Okayseeyoui
nanhourbeaut
if
ul"

Me:"
Bye"

Ihungupanddr ovehomet
oshowerandchange
i
ntodecentcl
othes.

AssoonasIgoti
nIbumpedi
ntoThando.

Thando:"TwinnyIj
ustgotaphonecallf
rom
Nywabiso..
..
hesaysNonhlei
sinlabour"

Iopenedmyeyeswide.
..
well
NywabisoisThabi
so.
Thandost
il
lhat
eshisgutsaf
terwhathedi
dand
sai
dtoussometimeago.

Me:"
OhhhmyGod!
!!Soshoul
dwegoseeher
?".
Sher
oll
edhereyes.

Thando:"Iwishwewere,mom saidweshoul
dgive
herfamilysomespaceandbesidesthatt
hechi
ldi
s
sti
llyoung,wecan'
tseeher
"

Me:"
Ift
heni
t'
showr
especti
sshownt
henIsuggest
wedoastol
d"

Shenodded,
tookanappl
eandwal
ked.

Thando:"
I'
m goi
ngt
oseemyman,
toodl
es"

Justl
ikethatsheleft
.Imadenoddl esandheaded
witht
hem upstai
rs,IateasIlookedforsomethi
ng
towear,whenIwassat isf
iedwithwhatIfound,
I
tookashowerandl eft
.
[
Shaka]

Iwassi
tt
ingandwaiti
ngf
orNdal osi
nceweagr eed
onmeeti
ngatSanDeck.AsIwaswai ti
ngshe
wal
kedinweari
ngJeansthatr
aisedeveryt
hingin
metoanotherl
evel
.
Shegott
ome,Ist
oodupandopenedmyar
msf
or
ahugassheal
sosmil
edatme.

Me:"
Youl
ookst
unni
ngi
nthosej
eans"
.

Ndal
o:"
Thankyou"

Wesatdown,or
der
edandst
art
edt
alki
ngabout
"
Justt
hings"
.

Soonasouror
derar
ri
vedIdugi
n,Iwasr
eal
ly
hungr
y.

Me:"Sohowar
eyouf
eel
ingnowt
hatyouwentt
o
vi
sithi
m"

Ndal
o:"If
eelgood,
ver
ygood.I
t'
sli
kesomewei
ght
hasbeenli
ft
edoffmyshoul
der
s"

Ismi
led,
it'
sgoodt
oseeherl
iket
his.

Me:"That
'sgood,maybeyoushoul
dvisi
thi
m of
ten
unt
ilyoufeelyouar
ecomplet
elygood"

Shenodded.Ihel
dherhand,
Lookedather
.

Me:"
Ndal
o"

Ndal
o:"
Mmm"
Me:"
Iknowyouarestil
lhurt
,st
il
ltr
yinghealfr
om al
l
t
hepainyou'
veencounter
edbut.
..
..
butI.
..
.?"

Ndal
o:"
Butwhat
?"

Me:"
Iloveyou,GodknowsIdoandI
'
m wi
ll
ingt
o
wai
tforyoutoheal
"

Shel
ookedr
athershockedbymyr
evel
ati
on.

Ndal
o:"
I.
..
.you.
..
.Shaka!
"

Me:"
IloveyouNdal
o"

Ndal
o:"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay"
Me:"Don'tsayanythi
ng,l
et'
senjoyourl
unchbut
keepiti
nmi ndthatIreal
lyl
oveyouandI'
llbet
her
e
eachandever yst
epofyourhealingj
our
ney"

Shebr
eat
hedi
nandout
.

Il
oveherandwait
inghertohealbefor
eIcouldtel
l
herseemedli
keamissionimpossi
ble,If
eelbet
ter
nowthatIt
oldher
,Idon'tmindwait
ingforhert
oget
overwhol
esit
uati
on.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

Tobeconti
nuedtomor
rowguys,
I'
m sot
ir
ed,
came
backf
rom chur
chandhadt
ogetbusy.
Thi
sisasmal
lernyanasomet
hingf
orsl
eepi
ng
Chapt
er44.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

I'
vebeenhavingnightmaresaboutmybaby.Ikeep
onheari
ngababycr y,
Ikeeponseeinganoldman
andwomansnat chi
ngmybabyawayf r
om me,it
's
beenhardreall
y.Iseem t
ohavemadepeacewi th
l
osingAndi
le,butwithmychi l
dit
'sr
eall
yhard.

I'
vejustf
ini
shedwit
hmyl astexam paperandt
obe
honestal
lIneedri
ghtnowisadr i
nkortwo.
Adatebymysel f, formysel f
,wit
hmysel fwoulddo
megoodr ightnow.SoassoonasIgott omycar ,I
drovetoMandel a'ssquar e.Iset
tl
edf orCilant
ros,
i
t'
sveryniceandCosy, notthatIhavesomeonet o
getcosywithbutIcoul ddowi ththiskindofplace.
It
'sal
sonothelpi ngt hattheyhavever ygoodf ood
andgoodcockt ails.Shakaoncebr oughtmeher e
andi
tnowf
all
sundermyf
avour
it
espot
s.
AssoonasIgoti
nthewait
ercamet omeandgave
meamenu,Ifoundaper
fectspotandset
tl
eddown.

Me:"
CanIhavebl
oodymar
yfornow"

Henoddedwi
thasmi
leandl
eft
.
Wel
lbloodyismyf avouri
tecockt
ail
.Iscannedthe
menuanddecidedt otr
youtsomet hi
ngdiff
erent.
Mycocktai
larr
ivedsoIor der
edLemonandHer b
Chi
ckenKebab.

AsIwassi
ppi
ngonmycockt ai
landthi
nki
ngabout
mymessedupyetf
ullofsor
rowli
fe.
..
.

"Whatcoul
dpossi
blymakeabeaut
if
ull
adyl
ikeyou
siti
nthi
sbeaut
if
ulplaceal
one?
"
IlookedupandIwasmetbyat al
l,
verytal
landdark
guy.Hehadsomebushybr owsandthickl
ipsnotto
forgethi
smarbleeyes.Hewasi
nagreysui twhi
ch
fi
thim perf
ect
ly.

Ismil
edali
tt
leandl
ookedbackatmycockt
ail
and
shr
ugged.

Hi
m:"
I'
m Nkosana,
car
eifIj
oinyou?
"

Ishowedhi
mthechai
r,hesatdown.

Nkosana:"
Sowhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eal
one?
"

Me:"
Doi
ngwhatever
ybodyel
sei
sdoi
ng.
..
eat
ing"

Nkosana:"
Yahbutever
ybodyel
sei
swi
th
somebodyandyou'
realone"
Me:"
Neededsomemet
ime"

Nkosana:"
AndI'
m guessi
ngt
hatr
ightnowI
'
m
cr
owdingyou?"

Ishrugged,
Ican'
texact
lysayhel
lyesyouar
e
crowdingme,nowcanI?

MyfoodcameandohhhGodi tl
ookedappeti
sing.I
t
hankedthewai
terandst
art
edeati
ng.Brot
herman
wasjustwat
chi
ngmeandsmi li
ng.

Me:"
Won'
tyouor
dersomet
hing?
"

Nkosana:"
I'
veal
readyeat
ensomethi
ng,Idon'
tmind
si
tt
inghereandwatchyoueat
,it
'sabeaut
if
ulsi
te"
Wow.Inoddedandfocusedonmyfood,i
twas
r
eal
lyuncomfor
tabl
ebutIwashungrysoIjusthad
t
oeat.

Nkosana:"
SocanIgetyournamei
fyoudon'
t
mind?"

Me:"
Ndal
o"

Nkosana:"
Ndal
oyet
hu,
Ndal
wenhl
e..
..
Nda.
..
."

Me:"
Ndal
oyenkosi
"

Hesmi
ledandnodded.

Nkosana:"
Beauti
fulnamef
orabeaut
if
ull
ady.
..
so
Ndalowhere.
..
."
"
Ohmyl
oveyouher
e"

Il
ookedupandt herestoodShakaandhi s
hunknessandhandsomeness.Hedi dn'tl
ook
pl
easedwi t
hthissighthewasseeing,somucht
hat
hewasn'tsmil
ing,hekeptastr
aightface.
Ismi
led.

Me:"
Hey,yahaf
terwr
it
inganexam Ideci
dedt
o
comeher
e"

Henoddedandl
ookedatNkosana.

Shaka:"
Brothankyouforkeepi
ngmywoman
company,I
'l
ltakei
tfr
om here"

Theyt
henhadast
ari
ngcont
est
.O.
..
.kay.
Nkosanastoodup,helookedr
atherpi
ssed,
everyt
hingabouthi
m becamedarkandscary,
ver
y
veryscaryi
fyouaskme.

Nkosana:"
Munt
uza..
.i
twasni
cemeet
ingyou,I
'
ll
seeyousomeothert
ime"

Shaka:"
Ther
ewon'
tbesomeot
hert
ime"

Whatisthisal
labout?Whyar etheyact
ingl
ikehi
gh
schoolboys?TfortenseIt
ellyou.

Nkosanashookhi
sheadandl
eft
.Shakat
ookasi
t.

Me:"
Whatwast
hatabout
?"

Heexhal
ed,
it'
sli
kehe'
sbeenhol
dinghi
sbr
eat
hfor
awhil
e.
Shaka:"
Howar
eyou?
"

Okay,
Iguesshewon'
tanswerme.

Me:"
I'
m okayIguess"

Shaka:"
Idon'twantyoutoguessnordoIwantyou
tobeokay,Ineedyoutobegreat,
whatcanaman
dotomakeyouf eelgood?"

Ismiled,
Shakai
sachar
meryouguys.Heal
ways
thr
ivestomakemesmil
e.

Shaka:"Okaymysisteroncesai
dtome,inordert
o
l
iftalady'
sspi
ri
tgivehergoodsexorsugarystuf
f,
sosinceIcan'
tgiveyousomegoodsex,Ican
defi
nitel
ybuyyoulotsandlot
sofsugar
"
Bef
oreIcoul
dprot
est,
hecall
eduponthewai
tr
ess
andwit
hinabli
nkofaneyeshewashere.

Shaka:"
Babycheckt
hedesser
tmenuandsaywhat
youwant"

Iwantnodesser
t.Il
ookedathi
m.

Shaka:"
Pleasegi
veheraCi
lant
ro'
swaf
fl
e"

Shenoddedandl
eft
.
Shakaheldmyhands, helikesdoi
ngthatand
wheneverhedoes,Igetgoosebumps.Hehasan
ef
fectonme,thatIcan'tevenexpl
ain.

Shaka:"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul"
Me:"
Thankyou"

Shaka:"
Iwasmeetingupacl i
entatHardrock,
so
aft
erourmeeti
ngIthoughtIcoul
dcomeget
somethi
nginhere,l
it
tl
edidIknowthatIwouldfind
you.Don'
tyouthi
nkmyancest or
saretell
ingme
somethi
ng?"

Igi
ggl
ed,
hei
scr
azy.

Me:"
Itwasj
ustacoi
nci
dent
"

Heshr
uggedandsai
d..
..

Shaka:"
Haaaiasazi
"(Wedon'
tknow)

Thewaf
fl
ethi
ngyar
ri
vedandboydi
ditl
ookgood.
Itookitandt
ast
ed,j
ustl
ikethat
,Ihadachangeof
heart
.Iwantedi
tandIwanteditbyfi
rebyf
orce.

Istar
teddiggi
ngi
tin,
Icl
osedmyeyesandhe
chuckled.

Shaka:"Forsomeonewhodi
dn'
twanti
t,youar
e
real
lyenjoyi
ngit
"

Me:"
It
'sni
ce"

Wesatther
e,t
alki
ngandlaughi
ng,
Ievenf
orgott
hat
Iwant
edsomemet i
me.
Wegotuptoleave,
Itookoutmypursetopaybut
Shakat
ookouthiscardfi
rstandpai
dforever
ythi
ng.

Me:"
ShakaI
..
..
"
Shaka:"
Pleasel
etmepaybaby"

Isi
ghedandlethi
m be.Hetookmybag, hi
slapt
op
bagandhel
dt hem ononehandandtheotherhand
hehel
dmyhandaswel eftt
herest
aurant.

Shaka:"
Canyoucomewi
thmet
omyhouse?
"

Me:"
Andmycar
?"

Shaka:"
I'
llsendsomeonet
ocomeandgeti
t"

Inodded,honest
lyIcanneversaynotospending
ti
mewi thhim.Thi
sguyisheavensent,hemakes
mel augh,
hemakesmesmi le,hehasanabi
li
tyto
calm medownwhenI 'm hur
tingandstr
essi
ng.

Wewentt
ohi
scarandhedr
oveof
f.Hecal
led
someonetocomegetmycar
.Ialsocal
ledThando
tol
etherknowImi
ghtbehomelate.
Asperusualshegril
ledmewit
hquesti
onsbutmore
thananyt
hingsheishappyt
hatI'
m notj
ustsi
tt
ing
athome,stressi
ng.

[
Shaka]

Ifl
ovingaper sonf eel
ssogoodt henIdon'
tever
wannast oplovingNdal o.Godsheissobeauti
ful,
everyt
hingabouthermakesmel ovehermore.
Seeingherwi t
ht hatmanki ndofmadememad, not
atherbutatthatmanf orbeingascavenger
.The
wayhel ookedathermademever yuncomfort
able.
Anywayr i
ghtnowwear edr
ivi
ngtomypl
aceand
I
'm happy,al
lIwannadoisspendti
mewi
thher,
get
t
oseeherbeaut i
fulf
aceandsmile.

Me:"
Wear
eher
e"
Iopenedthegateanddr
ovei
n,shel
ookedst
unned
tosaytheleast
.

Iopenedt
hedoorf
orher
,wet
henwal
kedi
nsi
de.

Ndal
o:"
Wowyouhaveabeaut
if
ulhouse"

Me:"
Isenseabut
"

Shegi
ggl
ed.

Ndal
o:"
Buti
t'
sdul
linsi
de.
..
itl
ackst
hathomel
yfeel
t
oit"

Ismi
led,
thenshewi
llgi
vet
hehomel
yfeel
.

Me:"Whenyoufi
nall
yagreet
obemine,youwil
lgi
ve
i
tthehomel
yfeel
,itr
eal
lycoul
ddowit
hat ouchofa
woman"

Shesi
deeyedmeandsmi
led.

It
ookof
fmybl
azer
,wewentt
osi
tont
hecouch.

Me:"
OuchI
'
m sot
ir
ed"

Ndal
o:"
Aski
es"

Me:"
Howwast
hel
astpaper
?"

Ndal
o:"
Itwasr
eal
lyni
cehey"

Inoddedandki
ssedherhand.

Me:"
Doyouneedsomet
hingt
odr
inkoreat
?"
Me:"
OhnoI
'
mful
l"

Il
ookedather
,It
rul
ylove.Oureyesl
ockedbutshe
shi
ft
edaft
ersometi
me.

Me:"
Ndal
o"

Ndal
o:"
Mmm"

Me:"
Ngi
kut
handangempel
a"(
Iloveyouf
orr
eal
)

Shebl
ushed.
Iwentclosert
oherandlockedmyl i
pswit
hhers.I
di
dn'tmove,Iwantedtoseeifshewasgonna
prot
estbutshedidn'
t,
wewer ebreat
hingt
hesame
ai
r.
If
inal
lymoved,
weki
ssedsomucht
hatshe
moaned
•
••REMOVED•
••

#Goodni
ght
#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

TheREMOVEDwi
llbepost
edt
omor
rowmor
ningon
thegr
oup
Chapt
er44.
•
••REMOVED•
••
[
Shaka]

Istoppedkissi
ngherandl
ookedather
.Shehadher
eyesclosedandshewasbreathi
ngheavi
ly.

Ndal
o:"
Whydi
dyoust
op?
"
Isi
ghed.

Me:"
Wecan'
t,
weshoul
dn'
tbedoi
ngt
his"

Ndal
o:"
Why?
"

Hervoi
cewasj
ustl
owandhoar
se.

Me:"BecauseIl
oveyouandlovi
ngyoumeansI
shoul
drespectyouenought
owait"

Sheopenedhereyes,
thewholesi
ghtofhereyes
tur
nedmeonbutIhadt oignor
ethefeel
ing.Idon'
t
wannarushheri
ntoanythi
ng.

Ndal
o:"
Whati
fIwantt
his?
"
Me:"
BabyI
..
..
"

Shestoppedmewi t
hakiss,Iwashesitantbutin
j
ustamat terofsecondsi
tgotheated.Imadeherl i
e
onherbackont opoft
hecouch.Istart
edbyl eavi
ng
wetkissesonherneck,Iwenttoherearand
ni
bbledoni tafewtimes,
Itheninsert
edmyt ongue
i
nside.

Ndal
o:"
Ahhh"

Me:"
Areyousur
eaboutt
his?
"

Shenoddedamulti
pleti
meswit
hhereyescl
osed.
Herhandsti
ght
lyhol
dingmyneck.

Me:"BabyIdon'
twantyour
egret
ti
ngt
his,
openyour
eyesandtel
lmeyouwantthi
sandyouaresur
e"
Ndal
o:"GoshhhShaka!
!YesI
'
m sur
e,Iwant
t
his.
..
.pl
easeI'
m sur
e"

Iwenttoherl i
psandgentl
ykissedher,myother
handwentt oherboob.Ipl
ayedwi thherni
pple
whilekissingher,shemoanedinsidemymout h,
thatsl
ightvi br
ati
onofhermoangavemegoose
bumps.Imovedf r
om hermouthandwentbackt o
herneck, Ithenmadehersit.Tookofherdress,
foll
owedbyherbr a.

Shewasl
eftwi
thherunder
wear
.Ist
oppedt
olook
ather
.

Shebl
ushedandl
ookedaway.

Me:"
Wow"

Ndal
o:"
Whati
sit
?"
Me:"
Umuhle..
.whent
heysaybl
ackgi
rlmagi
cthey
meanal
lthi
s"

Shegi
ggl
ed.Ibecameser
ious.

Me:"
Love"

Ndal
o:"
Mmm"

Me:"Ngyakuthandaf uthingyakuhloni
phaandwhat
I'
m abouttodo, whatwear eaboutt odowi llmeana
l
ottome, i
twi l
lmeanourspi r
itsareconnect i
ng,I
won'tbehavingsexwi thyou, wewi l
lbemaki ng
l
ove.ThereforeIneedyout obesur ethatyouar e
readytobeemot i
onall
yconnect edwithme"( Ilove
youandIr espectyou)

Shesmi
ledandnodded.
Iwentbackt oherandsuckedhert it
ti
es,shewas
moaningsosexy.It r
ail
edkisseddownf r
om hertit
s
toherbell
yanddownt ohercookie.Islowlytookof
herpanti
esandaneat lyshavedcooki ecameout .I
wentin,bl
ewai randdamnwasshemoani ngand
hol
dingmyheadt i
ghtl
y.Iinsert
edmyf i
ngerand
moveditinandoutf orawhi l
ethenImuf fedthelif
e
outofher,makingsuretotonguef uckherinthe
middleofital
l.

Ndal
o:"
Ohhh.
..
.Sha.
..
yeesssyesss.
..
ahhh"
Chapt
er44.
•
••REMOVEDPART2•
••

[
Ndal
o]

Hekeptonbl owingairi
ntomyvagi na,itt
ickledbut
alsobroughtsomuchpl easure.Heinsertedhis
tongueinsi
deandt hatdrovemecr azy.Iheldhis
headtightsothathedoesn'tstop.
Me:"AhhhhShaka.
..
stopohhhpl
..
.ohyesr
ight
t
here"

Hetr
iedmovi
ngbutIheldhi
mt i
ght
.Iwanthi
mto
st
opbutheshoul
dn'
tstop,t
hisi
ssogood.

Me:"
ShakaIwillcum.
..
I'
m aboutt
ocum.Pl
ease
st
ooooopahhhhhahyes"

Hetonguefuckedmesonice,If
eltaveryhugeurge
tocum andbefor
eIknewitIcameandal lmyjui
ces
cameincontactwit
hhisf
acebutthatdidn'
tst
op
himfr
om cleani
ngmeupwi thhi
smout h.

Shaka:"Mmmm babyyoutastesogood,Icoul
deat
youalldayever
ydayandnevergett
ir
ed"

Damnmyl
egswer
etr
embl
ing.Heki
ssedmyt
highs
andt
ookoffhi
sownclot
hes.Icl
osedmyeyesnot
want
ingt
oseehisdi
ck.

Helaidontopofmeandkissedme,makingme
tast
emycum.It henfel
thi
sdickbr
ushingmywet
pussy,hewasjustt
easi
ngbutIwantedhimi
nsi
de.

Me:"
Shaka"

Shaka:"
Mmmm"

Me:"
Ineedyoui
nsi
de"

Hechuckl
edandcont
inuedt
easi
ngme.
..
argggt
his
guyt
hough.

Shaka:"
Iloveyou"
Itcameoutasawhi
sper
,thi
sti
mehi
seyeswer
e
closed.
Wi
thoutwar
ninghewental
lin,
Icoul
dfeelhi
m on
mywomb.

Me:"
Ahhh.
..
.ohnoShakast
op"

Hest
oppedandl
ookedatme.
Whyi
shest
oppi
ng?

Me:"
Whyar
eyoust
oppi
ng?
"

Hel
aughedal
it
tl
e.

Shaka:"
Yousai
dIshoul
dst
op"

Me:"
Youar
etoobi
g,begent
le"
Henoddedandki ssedmepassionatelythenhe
startedmoving,atfi
rstsl
owlyandthenfaster,ver
y
fast.Myscreams, moansandhi sgroansfil
ledthe
whol ehouse.Damnt hisguycanmove.Hewas
goingi nandout,upanddownandr oundandr ound.

Me:"Ohhhyes.
..
yesI
..
..
ohyesj
ustl
iket
hat
,ri
ght
t
here.
..
ahh"

Shaka:"
Ahhhhhh.
..
.you.
.ar
e..
..
Ohhhhf
uckyouso
good"

Withthatbei
ngsai
dhemovedf ast
ert
hanbef
ore
andthosethwaaaathwaaaat
hwaaasound
happened.

Me:"
I.
..
.ohhhbabyIl
oveyou,
yesyessshaka"
Hest
oppedmovingandl
ookedatmewithasmil
e,
wewerebot
hbreat
hingl
ikepeopl
efr
om amar
athon.

Shaka:"Di
dyousayyoul
ovemeori
t'
sgoodsex
tal
king?
"

Icl
osedmyeyeswit
hmyhands,
shi
thehear
dthat
.
Iwaslegi
tbl
ushi
ng.

Hemovedsl
owl
y,ver
ysl
owl
y.
Mi
ndyouwewer
enowont
hecar
pet
.

Shaka:"
Iloveyou"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Myhandswer
est
il
lonmyeyes.
Thatdr
ovehi
m cr
azy,
hepumpedhar
derandf
ast
er.
Me:"
I'
m cummi
ng.
..
.ohhhhpl
easef
ast
er"

Wecamet
oget
herandki
ssed
Chapt
er45.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Afterthet hi
rdroundwebothlookedup,catching
ourbr eaths.Wewer enow i
nhisbedroom.It ooka
l
ookar ound,thi
sguyisaneatfreak,
everythi
ngisin
order.Iwi l
lnotevenbegi
nwithhisbed,hisbed
covers.
Hestoodupandwentt owhatIassumeisa
bat
hroom, hecamebackwit
hat owelandknel
t
bef
oreme.Hegent l
ypart
edmyl egs,
withasmirk
onhisface.

Shaka:"
Thi
sbabyi
nfr
ontofmel
ooksandt
ast
esso
good"

Iquickl
yclosedmyl egs,hel
aughedandopened
them agai
n.Hecl eanedmeupt hencl
eanedhi
msel
f
too.Aft
erretur
ningthetowelhelai
dnexttome.

Shaka:"
What
'sonyourmi
nd?
"

Me:"
Not
hing"

Shaka:"
Okay.
..
so,
yousaidyoul
ovemet
oo.Di
dyou
meanitoryouwerej
..
..
"

Me:"
Imeanti
t.Idol
oveyout
oo"

Hesmi
ledl
ikeaf
ool
.

Shaka:"
Soi
t'
ssaf
etocal
lyoumywoman?
"
Me:"
YeeeesbutIwantust
otaket
hingssl
ow"

Shaka:"
Anyt
hingf
oryou"

Heki
ssedmyforeheadandt
henmyl
ips.Het
hen
whi
sper
ed"Il
oveyou"inmyear
.

Wesatliket
hatforsometi
me,t
alki
ngaboutrandom
thi
ngs,
ourpastalt
houghIwasn'
treal
lyopeningup
aboutminebutIsharedafewt
hingswit
hhim.
Heorder
edfood,
weat
e.If
inal
lydeci
dedt
hatI
wannago.

Shaka:"
Letmeweart
racksui
tst
henI
'
lldr
iveyou"

Me:"
Okay"
Hewentt
ochangeandcameback.

Shaka:"
Let
'sgo"

Itookmybel ongings,welef
t.I
nthecarShakakept
st
ealingglancesatme, Iwouldcat
chhim smil
ing.
Hewasn' tevenlett
inggoofmyhand, wewerequiet
onlythesoundofTHEI SLEYBROTHERSFT
RONALDTakeARi de.

Youneeddi
rect
ion.
..
.
Loveandaf
fect
ion
Someonet
obet
her
e..
..
Amant
hatt
rul
ycar
es
Putyourt
rusti
nme
AndIwi
llsetyouf
ree.
..
Iknowofabet
terpl
ace
AndIhappent
obegoi
ngt
hatway.
..
.
Takear
idewi
thmebabyonahi
ghway.
..
..
Thatl
eadst
olove.
..
..
.

Befor
eIknewitwehadar
ri
vedandhewaspar
ked
neart
hegate.
Nowt hesongt
hatwaspl
ayi
ngwasJOELove
Scene.

Hel
ower
edt
hevol
ume.

Shaka:"
Yougood?
"

Me:"
YeahIam"

Shaka:"
Itwasl
ovel
ybei
ngwi
thyou"
Me:"
Itwasal
soni
cebei
ngwi
thyou"

Hesqueezedmyhandandexhal
ed.

Shaka:" Iloveyousomuch, Ipromi seI 'l

ltakecare
ofyourhear t,I'l
ltakecar eofyou.Ican' tpromise
youthatourr elat
ionshi pwi l
lbeal lsweet sand
roses, l
ikeanyot herr elati
onshipwewi l
lhaveour
problems, wewi l
lfight,wewi llhatel ovingeach
othersomet imesbutt hroughal lt
hatIwi llal
ways
makesur et hatyougot obedknowi ngt hatShaka
l
ovesyou.Li keyouhadasked, thatweshoul dnot
rusht hi
ngs, Iwon' trushyoui ntoanyt hingbutI
mustsay, thankyouf orgivingmeapi eceofyou,
thatlovemaki ngsessi onwehadmademef all
deeperi nlovewi thyouandIl ovel ovingyout his
much"

Iwasallsmi
lesal
lal
ong,
hei
ssuchachar
mer
,a
gent
leman.
Me:"
Thankyou,f
orl
ovi
ngmewi t
hallmyf
lawsand
t
heburdenIcomewi
th.Il
oveyoutoo"

Shaka:"
Ng'
cabuzeke"(
Kissmet
hen)

Hepull
edmecloser,
weslowl
yki
ssed.Theki
ssgot
heat
ed,hewassqueezi
ngmeever
ywhere.

Shaka:"
Mmm t
heef
fectyouhaveonmet
hough"

Ibl
ushed.

Shaka:"
Sowhenam Iseeyouagai
n?"

Me:"
Let
'sdol
uncht
omor
row"
Shaka:"
Ithoughtyou'
dsaybreakf
ast
,Idon'
tthi
nk
I'
l
lsurvi
veti
lll
unchtimebef
oreIseeyoubut
pati
enceisvir
tueri
ght?
"

Me:"
Right
"

Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.

Me:"
Letmegot
hen"
.

Shaka:"
Okaymyl
ove,
I'
llcal
lyou"

Inodded.

Shaka:"
Comeher
e"

Hepul
ledmei
nforanot
herki
ss.
Me:"
Bye"

Shaka:"
Iloveyou"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Iopenedthedoor
,heleanedhi
sheadagai
nstt
he
headrestandcl
osedhiseyesasIcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Iwal
kedt ot
hegate,punchedi
nthepi
nandboy
wassti
llpar
kedt
here.Igotinandast
hegat
e
cl
osedhealsodroveoff.

Iwentt
ot hehouseandThandowast her
ewith
Asanel
e..
..
ohmyGod! !
!Ihaven'
tseenherinal
ong
ti
menow.Thel astt
imeIsawhershehadamnesia.
Me:"
OhmyGod!
!!Boonger
!"

Shegotupt
ohugme,
weshar
edal
onghug.

Me:"
Howareyou?Whendidyouar
ri
ve?Hel
lwhy
di
dn'
tyout
ellmeyouwer
ecoming?"

Thando:"
Whooooaat
iger
!!Onequest
ionatat
ime"

Wel
aughed.

Asanele:"
HadIt
oldIwoul
dhaver
uinedt
he
sur
prise"

Thando:"
Ladi
eswhatar
eweeat
ingt
oni
ght
?Pi
zza?
"

Me:"
Yeahl
et'
sgetPi
zza"
Shet ookherphoneandor
deredwhil
eAsaneleandI
fussedovereachother
.If
eelli
keabadfri
end,I
meanIonl ycheckeduponhertwi
cesincethe
accident.

Me:"
Soyoumeant
otel
lmeyougai
nedyour
memoryback?
"

Asanele:"
YeahandIwouldreall
yli
ketoapol
ogi
se
toNonhle,she'
syourf
ri
endandI '
dhatet
obe
enemieswi t
hsomeoneclosetoyou"

Thando:"Yeahthat
'sgoodhoney,shewi l
lfor
give
you.She'sagoodpersonandatthatt i
meshewas
pregnantandheremotionswereallovertheplace"

Asanel
e:"
Shehasachil
dalready?MaybeIcanbuy
babyagif
tasapeaceoff
eri
ngwhenIgot o
apol
ogi
se,whati
sthebaby'
sgender"
Me:"
It
'saboy"

Thando:"
Wewi
llgot
oget
her
"

Asanel
e:"
Thankyou.
..
.i
not
hernews.I
..
..
.Iam
get
ti
ngmar r
ied"

Thando/
me:"
What
?Wow!
!!
"

Wel
ookedateachot
herandl
aughed.

Shenar r
atedtousonhowThembaf orgaveherand
proposed.Apparentl
yAsanel
ebeinginhospi t
al
fi
ghti
ngf orherli
fewasenoughforhimt oreal
ise
howhel ovesherandcan'taf
fordtoloseher.
Asanelegaininghermemorybackandr ecovering
wast hei
rsecondchanceatloveandonlywhenshe
wast el
li
ngust hestor
ydidwenoticetherockon
herf
inger
.

Thando:"Ohwowt hat
'samazi
nghey,
congrat
ulat
ionsbabe"

Asanel
e:"
Thankyoul
adi
es"
.

Me:"
I'
m sor
ryIwasn'
tful
lyt
her
eforyouf
ri
end"

Asanele:"I
t'
sokayfri
end,t
rustmeIwasn'
tgood
companyanyway.Thandoal sotol
dmeyou'vehad
alottodealwiththepastmonths,
I'
mreal
lysor
ry
foryourlossboonger"

ShehuggedmeandIbecameemot
ionalbutI
foughtt
heur
get
ocry.

Thando:"
Andt
hennnnn.
..
.si
sit
ellusaboutShaka
Zul
u".

Welaughed.It
oldthem t
hatwear
einar
elat
ionshi
p
anddeci
dedont aki
ngthi
ngssl
ow.
Theyscr
eamed,Ial
mostf
orgott
hatAsanel
ecanbe
j
ustascrazy.

Thando:"
Am gl
adyouar
egi
vingl
oveanot
her
chance"

Inodded.

Me:"
And.
..
.we,
wel
lwedi
dthedeed"

Asa/
Thando:"
What
?"

Me:"
Yep"
Thando:"
Wow!
!!Di
dyouuseacondom?
"

SI
LENCESI
LENCESI
LENCE

Acondom!
!!Wedi
dn'
tuseacondom.

Thando:"
Youdi
dn'
t
!!!OhmyGod"

Asanel
e:"
Youcangetanaf
terpi
llyouknow"

It
ookmycarkeys.

Me:"
I'
m goingtogetthem now,
thephar
macydown
t
hestr
eetissti
llopen.
"

Thando:"
Okay,
bri
nghotwi
ngs"
Inoddedandranout ,whencomingIdi
dn'tnot
ice
mycarwasst i
llparkedoutsi
de,
meaningShaka's
personl
efti
there.Igotinanddroveof
f.
.
..
..
..
..

Thedr i
vewasabout15minutes,asIwasaboutto
turndri
vetothephar
macyabl ackcarpar
kedin
frontofmineandIwenti
ntopanicmode
i
mmedi at
ely.

Thetwoguysapproached.Il
ockedt
hewi
ndows
anddial
ledmydad'snumbers.

Dad:"
Lol
o"

Me:"DadI..
.ther
eareguysappr
oachi
ngmycarand
It
hinktheywanttohij
ackme"

Dad:"
Wher
ear
eyou?I
'
llsendNkosit
her
e"
Me:"
I.
..
..
..
"

"
Getout
"

Myphonefel
l,
heputacl ot
hthathadaveryst
rong
subst
ancet
oit,ever
ythi
ngbecameblur
ry.

[
MrMdl
uli
]

Iam paci
ngupanddown, t
ryi
ngtocal
lNdal
o's
phoneagainbuti
tri
ngsunanswer
ed.

Wi
fey:"
Babayouar
emaki
ngmedi
zzy,
cal
lThando"

Iqui
ckl
ydi
all
edThando'
snumber
s,i
ttookl
ongf
or
hert
oanswer.
Thando:"
Daddy"

Me:"Thando!
!!Eyanil
eyophonemangabengeke
i
banjwemangi f
ona?"(What
'syourphonef
ori
fyou
answerwhenIcal l
?)

Shewentqui
te.

Me:"
Wher
edi
dNdal
ogo?
"

Thando:"
Tot
hephar
macy"

Me:"Shecalledmeandsai
dshethinkst
heyar
e
tr
yingtohij
ackherandnowherphoneri
ngs
unanswered"

Shehungup.
Nkosi
:"Dadcal
lthet
racki
ngcompany,
thatcarhas
atr
acker"

Whydidn'
tthi
nkofthat
?Ical
ledthetracki
ng
companyandtheysentmethelocat
ion.

Me:"
Nkosilet
'sdri
vet
her
e,i
t'
sjust10mi
nut
es
awayfr
om here"

Wedr oveoffandsoonaswegotther
e,t
hecarwas
ther
e,Irantowardsandopenedt
hedoor
,shewas
notthere.
Ical
ledherphoneagai
nbuti
trangsomewher
e
ther
e.

Nkosi:"
Hereisherphone,
thi
smeanst
heywant
ed
hernotthecar"

Hegott
hephonef
rom under
neat
hthecar
.Iwant
ed
todi
e,whowouldki
dnapmydaught
er?Why?If
ell
ver
ydefeat
ed.

Nkosi
:"Wewi
llf
indher
,I'
l
lst
artcal
li
ngmepeopl
e"

Hedr
oveNdal
o'scarwhi
leIwentt
omi
ne.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
Chapt
er46.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Myhead...
.i
t'
ssoheavy.Ican'
tseem t
oli
fti
tup.It
's
l
ike80kgofmai zemealwasputonmyheadwhi l
eI
wassleepi
ng.Islowl
yopenedmyeyes, i
twas
dark.
..
ver
yverydark.HowlonghaveIbeensleepi
ng
for
?
No!!
!!Iqui
ckl
ysatup.Ij
ustr
emember
edt
hatI
'
ve
beenabducted.

Myheartstar
tedr
aci
ng.Whocoul
dtheguyst
hat
tookmebe?Whatdotheywant
?Ihavenoenemi
es
asfarasIknow.

Tear
sstar
tedmakingtheirwaydown.Whyi smy
l
if
esuchamess?Whyi sitthatwhenevert
her
e's
l
it
tl
ehopeofhappinessthensomet hi
nghappens?
Whatdi
dIdowr onginthiswor l
d?

Igotupandwentt othedoor ,
Ibangedoni t
,
screami
ngf orhel
pbutnoonecame.Iwal kedback
tothemattr
essIwassl eepingon.Ijustcri
edmy
eyesout,
it'
snothelpi
ngt hatI'
m nothavingmy
phone.

AsIwascrying,
thedooropened.IgotupandI
coul
dn'
tbel
ievewhatmyeyeswer eseeing.
Me:"
Wha.
..
you!
!!
!!
!??
?Whyam Iher
e?"

Hesmi
led,
hemot
herf
ucki
ngsmi
led.

Nkosana:"
Wemeetagai
nbeaut
if
ul"

Me:"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"

Nkosana:"
Iwantal otoft
hingsfr
om you.Fi
rstofal
l
Iwantyou,secondl
ywhenIl ai
dmyeyesonyouI
sawmoney, alotofmoney"

Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"

Nkosana:"Don'
tworr
y,you'l
lfi
ndoutsoon.AllIcan
sayisgetyouractt
ogetherbecauseweareleaving
toni
ght,
wear eheadi
ngtoBr azi
l"
Ishookmyhead, Iwastrembl
ing.Iwascr
ying
uncont
rol
labl
y.Thiscan'
tbewhatIthinki
tisnow
canit
?Hewant stosellme?

Me:"
No!
!!Nopl
easeno.
..
you.
..
.noyoucan'
tdot
hat
t
ome"

Hesmiledandl
itt
heci
gart
hathehadi
nhi
shand.
Hetookafewpuff
sandsatdown.

Hechuckl
edandshookhi
shead.

Nkosana:"YouknowI '
m agoodper son..
.I'
m agood
personbutpeoplealwayspushmei ntodoing
thi
ngsIhatedoing.NkosiMdluli
,yourbr ot
her.
..
.he
owesmeandIdi dtel
lhim somedayt hatI'
l
lpay
myselfbutIdi
dn'tt
hinkitwouldbesuchabeaut if
ul
payment"
Hepuf
fedt
heci
garsomemor
e.

Me:"Pl
ease..
.pl
easel
etmego,I
'm beggi
ngyou,
if
i
t'
smoneyt hatyouwantt
henIcanhavemydad
payyou"

Iwasacr
ying,
beggi
ngmess.

Nkosana:"Ncooot hatissweet,
Iwouldhavel
oved
t
akingthatoff
er,yesIwantmoneybutIwant
r
evengemor ethanmoneyandt r
ustmewhenIsay
whenwegett oBr azilyouwil
lbemakingmea
wholelotofmoney"

Hewalkedtowar
dst
hedoor
,bef
orehecoul
dwal
k
outhestoodbyt
hedoor
.

Nkosana:"
I'
llhavesomeonebr
ingf
oodf
oryou"
Ij
ustwai
led,
howcant
hishappent
ome?
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Aft
ersometi
met
hedooropened,
atal
lguywal
ked
i
nwi t
hfood,
wat
erandj
uice.

Iwassohungry,soIt
ookt
hefood.I
twaschi
cken,
ri
ceandcabbage.Someor
angejui
ce.

Me:"
Thankyou"

Henodded,
Iat
ewi
tht
ear
scomi
ngout
.

Me:"
Pleasehel
pme"

Hi
m:"
Excuseme?
"
Me:"I
'm beggi
ngyoupl
ease,
Ineedt
ogetoutof
hear
"

Heshookhisheadandheadedthedoor
.Irant
o
hi
m andhithi
m wit
hthevasethatwasl
yingar
ound.
Hegroanedandfel
l.

Hi
m:"
Ahhhhyoul
it
tl
ebi
tch.
..
.ahhhshi
t!
!!
!"

Ihi
thim agai
n,hepassedout
.Isearchedhi
s
pocket
sandf oundhi
sphone,Idi
all
edmyThando'
s
numbers.

I
ttookl
ongf
orhert
oanswerbutsheevent
ual
lydi
d.

Thando:"
Hel
lo"
Shesoundsver
ydown.

Me:"
Twi
nny"

Shegasped.

Thando:"Ndal
o!!Wher
ear
eyou?Whyar
eyou
whisper
ing?"

Me:"Theykidnappedme,twi
nnypleaset
elldadand
Nkositofi
ndme. .
.Ial
sodon'
tknowwhereIam and
t
here'
spossibil
it
ytheymightt
akemet oBrazil
"

Thando:"
Dad!
!!
!Babait
'sl
oloonthephone.
..
.she
saysshe'
sbeenki
dnappedand..
..
."

ThedooropenedandNkosanagoti
n,Ir
emovedt
he
phonefr
om myear.
Hecur
sedandwal kedt
owar
dsme.Hesl
appedme
sohar
dthatIf
ell
.

Nkosana:"
Youwhor
e!!
!Yout
hinkyouar
esmar
t
huh!
!!
"

Ij
ustcr
ied.

Hemadeaphonecal
l.

Nkosana:"
List
enman,makeapl
an,Ican'
twaitt
il
l
t
onight.Wehavet
ofl
youtatl
easti
nahour "

No!No.

[
Thando]
I'
m athome.Yesterdayaftermydadcal l
edtotel
l
meNdal ocouldbehijacked,Icouldn'
tjustst
ayat
theapart
mentsoAsanel eandIhadt ocomehome.
Wedi dn'
tsleep,
mydadhasbeenpaci ngupand
down, Mom, AsaandIbusycr ying,pr
ayingand
cryi
ngsomemor ewhileNkosiwasbusymaki ng
phonecalls.

Me:"Theli
negotcut
..
..
it
'sl
ikesomeonewal
kedi
n
onher".

Iwasi
ntear
s,Ndal
oneverbot
her
sanyone.Who
woul
ddothi
stoher?

Nkosi:"
Givemeyourphone,
I'
llhavemyf
ri
end
checkwherethecal
lwasmadef rom"

Het
ooki
t,t
ookhi
scarkeyandwal
lett
henhel
eft
.
Nkosial
lofasuddenbehavesl
ikeat
hug.
Wewer
elef
tsi
tt
ingt
her
e,i
t'
sli
kesomeonehaddi
ed.

[
Shaka]

I
'vebeencal
li
ngNdalotonoavai
l,I
'
m now
wonderi
ngifshe'
sget
ti
ngcoldfi
taboutus.
Trut
hisIloveherandIwoul
dbehur
tifshewer
eto
saysheisnolongeri
nter
est
ed.

Isentheramessage.

"
Heybaby, r
ememberwear esupposedt
odol
unch
t
oday?Iloveyou,pl
easecal
lmewhenyougett
his
message"sent.

Itr
iedget
ti
ngworkdonebutIcoul
dn'
t,
allIwas
thi
nkingwasNdal
o.Whywouldsheswitchoffher
phonef
orl
ong?
.
Ican'
tshakeof
fthefeel
ingt
hatsomet
hingcoul
dbe
wrong.MaybeIshoul
dgocheckher.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodni
ght

HappyEast
erl
over
s
Chapt
er47.
•
••Twoweeksl
ater
•••
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Twoweekshaspassed,noonehasfoundme.I
don'
thaveanymor
etear
sleftt
ocry,Iam numb,
I'
ve
madepeacewitht
hesit
uati
onI'
mi n.

Nkosanamovedmetoanotherpl
ace,appar
ent
lywe
coul
dn'tl
eavet
oBr
azi
lbecausehisbosswasnotin
Brazi
l,
hehadgoneforbusi
nesstoanot
hercount
ry
soheinst
ruct
edNkosanatokeepmehereti
llhe
tel
lshi
mtocome.

Ican'
tst
omachanythi
ng,wheneverIeat
,Ijust
vomital
lthef
ood.I
'
vebeenfeeli
ngverysick.

AsIwasdeepinthoughtshewalkedin,weari
nga
sui
t,l
ooki
ngli
kealawabi di
ngci
ti
zen,looki
ng
handsomeli
kehehasn'tdonesomethingsocruel
.I
l
ookedawayashewal kedtome.

Nkosana:"
Sunshi
ne"

Hecall
smet hatandIhatei
t.Ihat
ehim,thewayhe
smel
ls,hi
slaughter
,Ihat
eeveryt
hingabouthi
m.

Ii
gnor
edhi
m andcont
inuedst
ari
ngatt
hewal
l.
Hekneel
edi
nfrontofmeandheldmycheeks,
maki
ngmelookathim byf
orce.

Nkosana:"
Guesswhat
?"

Ikeptqui
et.

Nkosana:" Okay..
.i
t'
sfi
nei gnoremebutI'
m her
et o
sharethegoodnewswi t hyou.Wearefi
nall
yfl
ying
outtoBr azili
ntwohour s.SoIneedyoutoco
operate,hereistheoutf
ityouwi l
lbeweari
ngand
thenbr eakfastwil
lbeservedbutrememberweonl y
havetwohour stogeteverythi
ngdoneandleaveso
don'twast etime"

Heputt
hedr
essont
hebedandl
eft
.

Ijustsobbed,wher
eisGodwhenIneedhi
m most?
Isreall
ygoingtoal
lowthi
smantosel
lmetothe
hi
ghestbi
dder
?

Islowlywal kedtothebat hr
oom, t
ookashowerand
putont hisdresshegaveme.I twassor eveal
ing,
thethi
ghsar eout,butthuggedti
ghtandboobsout
i
nt heopen.Howam Isupposet oar oundwear ing
thi
s?Butwedon' twannapi ssNkosanaof fsowedo
ashesays.Iwor et heshoes,di
dmymakeupand
brushedmyweave.Iwentbackt ot hebedr oom and
foundbr eakfastont hebedandanot e"Weonlyan
hourleft,eatfast
"

Isatdownandt ookt het ray,thesmel lofthe

omelet t
ehitmehar d, Icoul dn'tevengett ot he
bathroom, Ivomitedal lovert hepl ace.Isatont he
fl
oor,crying.Cr
yingf orbei ngsi ck,cryingforthe
pastpai nI'
veencount ered, cryingf orAndileandmy
baby, cr
yingforbeingher eandnoonei seven
fi
ndingme.Ij ustcriedsohar d,Icoul dfeelmyself
getti
ngaheadachebutIst i
llcried.
Nkosanagotinaf
oundmeont
hef
loor
,wi
thvomi
t
ever
ywhere.

Nkosana:"Whatthef
uck?
??You.
..
.getupSunshi
ne,
weareleaving.
Il
ookedathi
m.Whobir
thedhi
m?Doeshismot
her
knowtheki
ndofmonst
erhecarr
iedf
or9mont
hs?

Me:"
I'
m hungr
y"

Nkosana:"Andi sthatsupposet obemyprobl

em?I
hadfoodpr eparedanddeliveredtoyouandyou
pukedallovertheplacesot rustmeIdon'
tcare
ri
ghtnow, wehavet ogo"

Me:"
NkosanaIneedadoct
or,
I'
m notokay"

Hechuckl
ed,
thebi
tt
erandevi
lchuckl
e.
Nkosana:"Getup!
!!
Idon'
thaveti
meforthi
s,t
he
doctorisl
eavi
ngwithus,you'
l
ltel
lhi
m whatyour
problem i
sinthej
et"

Ist
oodup,
not
hiscan'
tbehappeni
ng.

Il
ookedathi
m ast
ear
sst
reameddownmyeyes.

Me:"Pl
ease.
..
pleaseNkosana,
I'
m beggi
ngyou,
don'
tdothi
s..
.I
...
.don'
t.
..
"

Ij
ustbrokedown,mybeggingf
elli
ntodeafear
s
j
udgingbythelookhegaveme.

Hetookmyhandandpul ledmeoutoftheroom, I
wasnowscreaming,cryingandaskingforhelpand
assoonaswegotout side,If
inal
lygott
oseet hi
s
pl
ace.I
t'
sthose"
Inthemi ddl
eofnowhere"kindof
places,t
her
ear
enohousesar
ound,
it'
sahuge
forest
.

Hepushedmet
othecarandal
sogoti
n.
Thedr
ivert
ookof
f.Thi
sisi
t,t
heendofme.

[
Nkosi
]

Ihaveneverfeltsofrustr
ated,t
herearenoleads,
theotherdaywhenwet racedthecall
,wefoundt he
l
ocationbutwhenwegott here,t
heyhadalready
moved.Theonl ythingthatshowedthatwasi ndeed
ther
ewashershoe, ther
ewasonl yoneshoel eft
whichmeantt hekidnappersknewwewer ecomi ng
sotheyleftf
aster.

Myf amil
y,theylookl
ikezombies,hopehaslef
tthei
r
eyes.Al
ltheydoi scr
ypray,cryandpray.Dadis
tr
yingtoactstrongbutheisfail
ing.
AsIwassitt
ing,t
ryi
ngtofigur
eanot herwayt
ofi
nd
her,whi
chIhighl
ydoubtthatitexi
stedmyphone
rang*Si
gh*it
'sNdalo'
sboyfri
end.

Alothashappenedi nthepastt
woweeks, weeven
hadtof i
ndoutthatshehasaboyf r
iend.Theguy
i
ntroducedhi
msel fandtoldushowwor ri
edhei sof
Ndaloandsincefrom thenhe'
salsobeenpl ayi
ng
hi
spar ti
nfi
ndingher .

Me:"
Sho"

Shaka:"
Imi
ghtknowwhot
ookher
"

Me:"
Yes?
"

Shaka:"There'
sthi
sguyIoncef
oundherwit
hatthe
rest
aurant,hel
ookedver
ydodgy.Ear
li
ert
odayI
sawhim atthemal
l,hewasbuywomencl othes,he
alsosawmeandgavemeanevi llook,
somet hi
ngis
notri
ghtaboutt
hatguypl
usNdalogotkidnapped
theverysamedayoftherest
aur
antencounter"

Okayhemightbeont
osomethi
ngbutwhowould
t
hisguybeandwhatdoeshewantf
rom Ndal
o?

Me:"
Anygl
impseoft
her
egnumberofhi
scar
?"

Shaka:"
NobecauseItr
iedfol
lowinghi
m buti
t'
sli
ke
heisaghost,
hejustdi
sappearedbutImanagedt
o
takeapi
ctur
eofhim"

Me:"
Pleasesendt
hepi
ctur
e"

Shaka:"
Sho"
Hehungupandsecondslat
ermyphonebeeped,I
openedt
hephot
oand..
..
whatthehel
l?
???Nkosana?

It
ext
edShakaback.

"Fuck!!Iknowhi
m,l
etmemakeaf
ewcal
lst
henI
'
ll
callyou"

Iknowhim andhiswayandr ightnowIknowifhe

wenttobuywomencl othesitcanonlymeanone
thi
ng,hei
st aki
ngNdalotoBr azi
landshecoul
dsti
ll
beinthecountrysoIhavetoactfast.

Idi
all
edPedro'
snumber
s.Heowesmeso
somethi
ngisgott
agi
ve.

Pedr
o:"
Ahhmyman,
towhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e"
Me:"
Pedrothi
sisnotasoci
alcal
l,
Ibel
ieveyouare
wai
ti
ngforagir
lwhoissupposedtobebroughtby
Nkay"

Pedr
o:"
Yeahyeahmyman,
sohowcanIhel
pyou?
"

Me:"Thewomanyouar ewaiti
ngforismysist
er
andyouknowwedon' tbet
rayeachotherl
iket
hat
,N
kaykidnappedherandIwantherback"

Hewentqui
etf
orsomet
ime.

Pedr o:"Stupi
dboy!!
!!
Howcanheki dnapyoursi ster
?
LookI 'm sorr
ymyman, Ididn'
tknow.Iwillcallt
he
pilotandt el
lhimtonotfl
ythejet
,Iwon'tnotifythat
fucker,justgototheair
portandgetyoursisterbut
alsodomeaf avour
"

Me:"
Whatf
avour
?"
Pedr
o:"
Donotleavet
hatmotherfuckerbr
eat
hing,
l
andabull
etwholei
nhisf
orehead"

Il
aughed.

Me:"
Ohhbel
ievemeIwi
ll
,thanksman"

Ihungupandcal
ledShaka.

Shaka:"
Foundanyt
hing?
"

Me:"
Dri
vet
otheai
rpor
tnow,
wewi
llmeett
her
e"

Shaka:"
Okay"

Ihungupandwentt
otel
ldad.
Me:"
DadImi
ghthavej
ustf
oundher
,let
'sgo"

Mom:"
Wher
e..
.i
ssheokay?
"

Shewascr
yingal
ready.

Me:"Mom wehavet
orush,
we'
l
ltal
kwhenweget
back"

ThandoandNdal
o'smom wer
ecr
yingnonst
op,
it
real
lybr
okemyheart
.

DadandIl
eft
,Iwasdr
ivi
ngl
ikeacr
azyper
son,
even
passi
ngr
edrobot
s.

[
Shaka]
TosayI'
vebeengoingcrazyt
hepastt
woweeks
woul
dbeanunder st
atement,
Icoul
dn'
tfocus,
Iwas
l
egi
tlosi
ngmymi nd.

Ifi
nall
yarri
vedattheai
rport
,Iwasprayi
ngthatwe
fi
ndher ,
Iwanttoholdher,
kissher
,tel
lherIl
ove
her,Ij
ustwantt
obenextt oher.

Iwai
tedforNkosiandminut
esl
aterIsawhi
m and
hi
sfatherr
unningt
owardsme.

MrMdl
uli
:"Son,
howar
eyou?
"

Isighedandshr
ugged,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
reall
y.

Me:"
I'
m br
eat
hingbaba,
howar
eyou?
"
MrMdl
uli
:"Si
yancenga"(
Wear
etr
ying)

Nkosimadeashor
tphonecal
landt
henhungup.

Nkosi
:"Let
'sgo"

Hel
edt
heway,
wef
oll
owedbehi
nd.
Wegot oacert
ainpr
ivat
ejetandout
sidewer
etwo
peopl
eargui
ng.
I
twast
hepi
lotand.
..
.hi
m!!
!It
'shi
m.

Hesawusandwentqui
et,
hel
ookedshi
tscar
ed.

Nkosit ookoutagunandshothi mri

ghtont he
for
ehead, Iwaster
ri
fied.Hethenwentonandbor e
holeswi thbull
etsonhi sbody,Ir
ani
nsidethejet
andt herewasshe, curleduponseat
.Shelooked
scared, shewascryingandhereyeswer eswollen.
Shesawmeandr ant owar
dsme,Icouldn'thol
d
backmyownt ear
s.Iall
owedthem t
orolldownmy
eyesandshegotint
omyar ms.

Shel
etoutahear
tshat
ter
ingsob.

Me:"
I'
m sorry.
..
I'
m sor
rybaby,
wear
eher
e
now.
..
.shhhh"

Sheconti
nuedcr yi
nginmyarms,NkosiandMr
Mdlul
icamei n.Ndalosawherdadandwenttohi
m,
shecoul
dn'tstopcryi
ng.

Everfel
tthepai
nofseei
ngyourwomancryso
much, i
t'
sunbear
abl
e.Youj
ustwannadi
eatthat
i
nstant.

Wewentbackt
othecaraswehear
dpol
icesound
approaching,
Nkosi
droveof
f.Hel
ookedscar
yand
ver
yangr y.

Isatatt
hebackwit
hmywoman, shesl
eptonmy
l
apwhi l
eIpl
ayedwit
hherhai
r.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er48.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Assoonaswear r
ivedathomeever yonebecame
allmushymushyonme.I twastighthugs,
tearsand
mor etears.Theycouldn'tbel
ieveIwasbackand
hellIalsocouldn'
tbel
ieveIwasbackhome, saf
e
andsound.Ial mostwat chedmyl i
fesl
ippi
ng
throughmyhands.
Bothmymot her
skeptonaski
ngmewhatIwant
andthenThandowasjustsi
tt
ingnextt
ome,
cryi
ng.

Mom:"Letmegor
unyouandhotandr
elaxi
ngbat
h
baby"

Mom Mdlul
i:"
Letmemakeyouchamomi
let
ea,
I
al
sobakedyourfavour
it
ebi
scui
ts"

Mom:"
Andt
henI
'
llf
ixyourbedsoyoucanr
est
"

Mom M:"Ordoyouper
hapswantbeefst
ew?Ican
cooki
tupforyoumychil
d,j
ustt
hewayyouwant"

Okaynot
hisi
scr
azy.

Me:"
Whooooacalm downever
yone,
Mom It
hinkI
woul
dlovet
hatchamomilet
eabutnobi
scui
ts,I
'
ll
eatl
ater,I
'
m nothungryandMaIwoul
dal
sol
ovea
hot,
relaxi
ngbathbutaft
ermytea"

Theybot
hnoddedandj
ustl
ikethatmyot
hermom
wenttomakemechamomil
etea.

Itbecamesilent
,it
'sli
kepeopl
ehadquesti
onsbut
didn'
tknowhowt oaskthem,wher
etostar
tbut
Thandoisani cebreaker
,shecameandwhisper
ed
i
nmyear .
..

Thando:"
Ncooohl
ookathowShakai
slooki
ngat
you"

Ohhmypoorbaby,Imissedhim somuch.Ilooked
athi
m.Hewasbor i
ngholesint
omyskin,Ismi l
ed,
hesmil
edbutatearescapedhi
seye,helooked
downquickl
y.
Iwantedtogohol dandkisshi
m butcanIreall
ydo
thati
nfrontofeveryone?No.I
'
m sti
llwonderi
ng
howmydadal
lowedhi
minandwhodi
dhesayhe
was?

Dad:"
Ndal
oit
'sal
lthankst
oyourboyf
ri
endwe
managedt
ofi
ndyou"

Nkosi:"
Yahhey,Idon'
tknowwhatwouldhave
happenedi
fitwasn'tf
orhim.
..
Thanksman"

Shaka:"
It
'sal
lgood,
Iwoul
d'vedoneanyt
hingt
o
haveherback,
evenifi
tmeantsel
li
ngmysoulto
thedevi
l"

Mom camebackt
het
ea,
DoIr
eal
lywanti
t?It
ooka
si
p,notbad.

Me:"Thankyousomuchba..
ImeanShaka,
Ireal
ly
appr
eciat
e.Idon'
tknowwhatyoudi
dorhowyou
di
ditbutthankyousomuch"
Shaka:"
Ther
e'snot
hingIwoul
dn'
tdof
oryou"

Ismi
led.Il
ovehi
m somuch.

Nkosi
:"Di
dhehur
tyouort
ouchi
nanyway?
"

Me:" Nohedi dn'

ttouchevenasi
nglest
randofmy
hai
r,Ithinkthat'
sthereasonwhyI
'm abi
tcalm,I
wasj ustscaredandIhonestl
ydon'
tthi
nkI'
llbe
dri
vinganytimesoon"

Me:"
Ohhhandmeandyouneedt
ohaveaser
ious
t
alkNkosi
"

Henoddedandl
ookeddown,
Iguessheknows
whatabout
.
Thando:"
YooohtwinnyIwassoscaredIwouldl
ose
you,It
hought
..
..
Ithoughtyou.
..
you'
dnevercome
back"

Shest
art
edal
loveragai
nwi
thcr
ying.

Ihuggedher
,wecr
iedi
neachot
her
'sar
ms.

Whenwewer ebot
hcal
m,Ifi
nishedt
heal
readycol
d
teaandaskedf
orabat
h,mymom wentand
prepar
edit
.

[
Shaka]

Ist
oodupandsai
dmygoodbyest
oever
yone.

Me:"
Baby,
I'
llcal
lyouokay?
"
Ndal
o:"
Letmewal
kyouout
"

Shegotup,
Ihel
dherhandaswegoi
ngout
.

Wegott
omycar
,shegoti
naswel
l
.

Me:"
I'
m sohappyt
oseeyou"

Shesmi
led,
hermostgenui
neandbeaut
if
ulsmi
le.

Ndal
o:"
Thankyouf
orhel
pingi
nfi
ndi
ngme,
Ilove
you"

Me:"
CanIgetaki
ss?
"

Shecamecloser
,Ibabykissedherf
ir
st,
taki
ngital
l
i
nthatshei
shere,sheissafe.It
henwentand
ki
ssedherf
orreal
,sheheldmyhead, maki
ngsureI
don'
tst
op.

Wet henhuggedeachother
,Icoul
dheadherhear
t
beatandshecouldhearmine.

Me:"
IloveyousomuchSt
handwasam"(
Myl
ove)

Ndal
o:"
Iloveyouevenmor
e,l
et'
sgo"

Me:"
Huh?
"

Ndal
o:"Nowbaby,
let
'sgot oyourpl
ace.I
'
m
sl
eepi
ngatyourpl
ace,nexttoyou"

Me:"
Okayl
et'
sgoi
nfor
mthef
am"

Ndal
o:"No,
I'
llcal
lthem whenwear
ri
ve,
ifwet
ell
t
hem nowtheywillstopme"
Il
aughedandshookmyhead.

Me:"
I'
m cur
rent
lyi
ngoodbookswit
hyourdad,
baby
i
fhehatesmeIwil
lwhi
pyourass"

Shel
aughedandf
orcedmet
odr
iveof
fandsoIdi
d.

Arri
vingatmyplace,
Iranusahotbat handadded
bathsalt
sthenwebot hgoinandrelaxed.Iwashed
herbackasshewasl yingonmychest .I
treal
lywas
aninnocentbat
h.Whenwewer edone,Iorder
ed
food.

ShetookmyphoneandcalledThando,
shewas
l
aughingandapol
ogi
sing.

Me:"
Whatdi
dshesay?
"
Ndalo:"
ShesaysI
'
m drunki
nlove,
fir
stdayofbei
ng
backhomeandIgosleepatmyman'splace"

Il
aughed,
onl
ywomancandot
hatandIl
oveher
.

Ourf
oodcame.
Wet ookt
oourbedr
oom,wewouldjusteati
nbed
andcuddleandmaybehaveoneort
wor ounds
*Wink*

Shet
ookabi
teofhermeat
.

Ndal
o:"
I'
mful
l"

Me:"
Nobaby,
youhaven'
teat
enany.
..
."

Idi
dn'
tevenf
ini
shmyst
atement
.Sher
ant
othe
bat
hroom,
Ifol
lowedherandshewasvomi
ti
ng.

Me:"
Babyar
eyouokay?
"

Sheshookherhead.

Iwentt
heki
tchenandcamebackwi
thwat
er.

Shedr
ankup.

Ndal
o:"
I'
vebeenvomit
ingli
ket
hisf
ort
woweeks
nowandIknowthi
sfeeli
ng"

Shest
art
edt
ear
ingup.

Me:"
Whati
sitbaby,
tal
ktome"
Ndalo:"I
..
.Icouldbepregnant.Rememberwhenwe
hadsex?Wedi dn'
tuseprotecti
onandt hatt
imeI
gotkidnappedIwasonmywayt ogetanaft
erpi
llat
thechemist"

Ibecamesil
entandsuddenl
yasmil
ef or
medonmy
face.SoI
'
m goingtobeafat
her
?Ipickedherup
andspunheraround.

Me:"
Iloveyou,
Iloveyoubot
h"

Shesmi
ledl
azi
ly.

Ndal
o:"
Babywear
enotyetsur
e"

Me:"
Don'
tbur
stmybubbl
ebaby"

It
ookherhand,
wewal
kedt
othebed.
Ist
art
edpl
ayi
ngandt
alki
ngt
ohert
ummy.

Me:"
Let
'sgof
indsomethi
ngt
oeati
ntheki
tchen.
Mybabymustbehungr
y"

Shel
aughed.

Ndal
o:"
Hai
iiShaka!
!!
"

Ipi
ckedherandwentt
otheki
tchenwi
thher
.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Havingmymanwr appinghi
sarmsaroundmef el
t
sogood,It
houghtI
'dhavebaddreamsbutnone.
Shakamadesuretofeedme,atl
eastIdi
dn'
tvomit.
It
urned,
itwasmorni
ngal
readyandhewasn'
tther
e.
Onhispi
llowt
her
ewasanot eandarose.

"Goodmor ningmotherofmydaughter
,Iwentoutt
o
theshops.Iloveyouandyoulooksobeauti
ful
,
pleaseeatthefoodinthemi
crowave"

Ismiledandwentt obr
ushmyt eet
hthenIwent
downstair
st oseewhatthefoodwas, itwastoast
ed
cheesebread, Iwar
meditupsot hatthecheese
couldmelt,Ithenmadetea.Luckyformei tdi
dn't
comeback.

AsIwaswashingthedishes,
onlywear
inghisT-
shi
rt
,If
eltsomeonepokemef rom t
heback,
I
j
umpedandbr oket
heglass.
I
twashi
m,Shaka.

Me:"
DamnShaka!
!!
!Don'
tdot
hatt
omeagai
n"
Shaka:"
I'
m sor
rybaby,
I'
m sosor
ry"

Isi
ghedandwentdownt
opi
ckupt
hegl
assesbut
hestoppedme.

Hepi
ckedt
hem up.

Icont
inuedwi
tht
hedi
shes.

Shaka:"
Makagi
rl
"

Ismil
edtomysel
fbef
orel
ooki
ngathi
m,asI
tur
ned.
..
hewasdownononeknee,wi
thar
ing.

Shaka:"
Mylove,
wil
lyoupl
easemakemet
he
happi
estmanoneart
h?Wil
lyoumarr
yme?"
Ist
oodt
her
e,f
rozen.
..
..
..

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er48.
Cont
inued.
..

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Ij
uststoodt
her
e,f
rozen,
Ionl
ycamebackt
oreal
it
y
af
tersometi
me.

Me:"
Shaka?
"

I
tcameasawhi
sper
.

Shaka:"
Baby"
Me:"
I.
..
don'
tyou.
..
.wow!
!Ummm don'
tyout
hinki
t'
s
t
oosoon?"

Hegotclearl
yhur
tbuthet
ri
edcover
ingt
hepai
non
hi
sfacewithasmil
e.
Hewal
kedtome,
putt
her
ingont
hecount
erand
hel
dmyhand.

Shaka:"
I.
..
.I
'm sorr
ybaby.Idi
dn'
tmeant oscar
e
youoranythi
ngl i
kethat
,Ij
ustgotcar
ri
edawayand
and.
..
I'
m sorr
y"

Iwasst
il
llostf
orwor
ds,
itwasabeaut
if
ulr
ing.

Shaka:"
Baby"

Me:"
Mmm"
Hebabyki
ssedme,
bri
ngi
ngmyf
ocust
ohi
m.

Shaka:"I'
m sorr
y...
it'
sj ustthatI
'vealwaystold
myselfthatIdon'twantmychi l
dtobor noutof
wedlockandt hefactt hatIloveyoudi dn'tmake
thi
ngsanyeasi er,l
osi ngyouf orthe2weekst hat
yougotkidnappedr eallyscaredme, i
tmademe
thi
nkI'
dneverseeyoueveragai n,andnowt hatyou
areherewi t
hmeIt houghtwhynot ?I'm sorr
ymy
l
ove"

Wow..
.whatdoIsayaf
tert
hemout
hfulhesai
d?I
si
ghedandnodded.

Me:"
Wenotsur
ethatI
'
m pr
egnantt
hough"

Shaka:"Iknowthat
'swhyIboughttwohome
pregnancytest
sbutIcanfeeli
t,wear
ecarr
yinga
pri
ncess"
Myhear
tmel
tedatt
hement
ionof"
We"

Me:"
Okayt
hel
et'
staket
het
est
sandsee"

Hetookt
hem outf
rom t
heshoppi
ngbaghecame
wi
th.

Shaka:"
Her
e"

Itookt
hem andwentt
ot hebat
hroom,IdidwhatI
hadtodoandretur
nedthem i
nsi
detheirboxes.I
wassonervous.

Shaka:"
Comelet
'ssiti
ntheloungeandhavesome
I
cecream t
ocalm yourner
ves"

Het
ookt
heboxes,
Ifol
lowedhi
m.Hepl
acedt
hem
ont
het abl
eandgavemetheIcecr
eam,
hepul
led
meclosert
ohim aswewait
ed.

Minuteslat
erheopenedthem bot
handlooked
them,Icouldn'
tevenl
ook.Hestoodupandclosed
hisfacewit
hbot hhi
shands.

Me:"
Whatar
etheysayi
ng?
"

Hewentqui
et.

Me:"
Shaka"

Heremovedhishandsf
rom hi
sface,
hehadtear
s.
Hesmiledandcametome,hewentdownonhis
kneesandhel
dmyhands,hekissedt
hem amult
ipl
e
ti
mes.
Shaka:"Thankyoumylove,t
hankyousomuch.I 'm
goi
ngt oexperi
encef
ather
hoodandit
'sallbecause
ofyou,Iloveyousomuch,youanddaddy'sli
tt
le
gi
rl
"

Hebr
ushedmyt ummyandIgotgoosebumps,
Igot
emot
ionalandt
earsst
reameddown.

Hewi
pedmyt
ear
s.

Shaka:"
Areyouhappy?
"

Me:"Yes.
..
..
yesIam,
I'
mjust.
..
I'
m scar
edShaka,
I
don'
twannalosemybaby"

Shaka:"Youwon'
tbaby.
..
youwon'
tloseher
, wear
e
goi
ngt oseehergr
ow,wearegoi
ngt obegreat
parent
s"
Inodded,
maybet
hismychance,Maybegotl
oved
meenoughtogi
vemeanotherbaby.

Shaka:"
Let
'sgot
akeashowerandgoseeadoct
or"

Me:"
Okay"

Igotup,
heki
ssedme.

Shaka:"
Iloveyou"

Me:"
Iloveyout
oo"

Wewentandt
ookashowerandagreedtogr
ab
br
eakf
astont
heway,
Iwasstil
lhungry.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
Wehadourbr
eakf
astanddr
ovet
othedoct
or.

Doct
orMur
ray:"
Shakha.
..
goodt
oseeyouman"

Okaytheyknoweachot
her
,bei
ngwhi
tet
hought
!He
cal
lshim Shakha.

Shaka:"
Likewi
seman,
howar
eyou?
"

DrMurr
ay:"
I'
m good,
sowho'st
hebeaut
if
ull
ady
her
eandhowdoIhelpyou?
"

Shaka:"SeeDrM thisi
smywoman, hernameis
Ndaloyenkosibutcal
lherNdal o.Wet hi
nkweare
pregnantsowear ehereforallthenecessaryt
ests,
babythisDrMur r
ayourfami l
yDoct orandfri
end"

Inodded,
alt
houghIhadal
readyr
eadhi
snameon
t
het
ag.

DrMur
ray:"
Nicet
omeyouNdal
oyenkhosi
"

Me:"
Nicet
omeetyout
oo"

Hewr ot
esomet
hingsonhisnotepadandt
hen
askedmetocl
imbont hebed,
Idid.

Hepour
edthegelonmyt
ummyanddi
dever
ythi
ng
t
hati
sneeded.

Hesmi
ledl
ooki
ngatShaka.

DrMurr
ay:"
Allal
ongIthoughtyoushootbl
anksbut
youpr
ovedmewr ongShakha,congr
atul
ati
ons
man"
HeaskedShakat
ocomecl
oser
.
Hest
art
edpoi
nti
ngoutont
hescr
een.

DrMur ray:"Andthatisyourli
tt
leonr
ightt
her
e,st
il
l
verysmal landnotcleartoseebutasti
megoeson
you'l
lgettoseecl ear
lyasitwil
lbegrowi
ng"

Shakawasl ost
,hecr
iesal ott
hisguy.Hehadhi
s
eyesfocusedonthescreen.

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutcr
ytoo.

Shaka:"
Thi
sismagi
cman,
it'
sbeaut
if
ul.Babyt
hat
's
ourdaught
er"

DrMur
ray:"
Soyouwantagi
rl
"

Shaka:"
YeahIal
sowantt
ogoshoppi
ngf
orpi
nk
dressesanddoll
swhenIdon' tevenwantt
o,Iwant
todr i
vemygir
ltosalonstogetherhai
rdoneandI
wantt oknowhowitfeel
sshoot i
ngsomebody'
sass
forlooki
ngatmyprincess"

Wel
aughed,
mxm hei
scr
azy.

Shakawipedt hegelonmytummyandhelpedme
si
tup,Idon'tevenknowwhat'
sthef
ussbecause
I'
m notheavil
ypregnant
.

DrMur
ray:"
Congr
atul
ati
onsNdal
o"

Me:"
ThankyouDoc"

DrMur
ray:"
Sowhatgenderar
eyouhopi
ngf
or?
"

Me:"
Aboy"
TobehonestIdidn'
tmi
ndwhet
heritwasaboyor
gi
rlbutf
orthesakeofmaki
ngabetwit
hShakaI
hadtosayboy.

Shakal
aughed.

Shaka:"
Okaybabyifi
tbecomesaboyI'
llbuyt
hat
caryousai
dyouloveandifi
t'
sagi
rlyouagreeto
marryme"

Il
aughedandagr
eed.

Thedoct
oraskedmetogetsuppl
ement
satt
he
phar
macyandt henwel
eft
.

Wewentbackt
ohispl
aceandsatt
her
e,t
alki
ngand
havi
nganamazi
ngti
me.
Iwenttokit
chentogetaglassofwater,Isawthat
ri
ngont hecount
er,
Itookit
.andshoveditinsi
dethe
pocket
.Iwasnowwear inghistr
acksui
ts.

Me:"
Babydr
ivemehome"

Heki
ssedmeandgotup.Wel
eft
.

[
Thando]

Si
yandaandIareatt
her
est
aur
antandhei
sbusy
smil
ingt
ohisphone.

It
hrewaf
orkathi
m,i
thi
shi
m ont
hef
ace.

Si
yanda:"
Damnbabywhat
'st
hef
uck?
"
Me:" What'
sthef uck?Thefucki
swhatyouar e
doingrightnowSi yanda,
we'vebeenhereforan
hourandyou' vebeenonyourphoneeversi nce
then..
..
whatar eyoudoingwithmehereifyouwoul
d
rathersmilet
owhomeveryouar esmil
ingto?"

Iwasverycl
osetot
ears,
Icoul
dangerr
isi
ngf
rom
thepi
tofmystomach.

Siyanda:"Babyj
eal
ousdoesn'
tsui
tyou,
I'
mtal
king
toaf r
iend"

Thet
ear
sI'
vehol
dingst
reameddown.
Igotup,thi
sisnotme.Idon'
tcrybecauseofaman
andI'
m notabouttohavehim seemytearsbecause
ofhim no!!
!

Me:"
FuckyouSi
yandaokay?Got
ohel
l!
!!
"
Iwal
kedout
,hef
oll
owedme.
Ir
ant
owar
dsmycar
,her
anbehi
ndme.

Si
yanda:"
Baby"

Ii
gnoredhim andgotinsi
dethecar
,Il
ockedand
pull
edmyselftogether
,wi
pedoffmytear
s,he
knockedonthewi ndow.
Ir
ever
sedanddr
oveof
f.

Hehasthi
sholdovermeandheknowsitt
oobutif
hethi
nkshewil
lcheatonmeandgetawaywi
thit
thenhecl
ear
lydoesn'
tknowwhoThandoMdl
ulii
s.
Isawnudesonhi sphoneandtextmessages,
they
weretell
ingeachhowtheyl
oveeachotherandnow
hesmi l
estohisphonewhil
ear
oundme?The
disr
espect.

Idr
ovehomeandf
oundNdal
oandShakapar
ked
out
side.

Igreet
edthem andwenti
nsi
de.Ij
ustwenttomy
room andcri
edsohard.WhydoIl
ovehim somuch?
Whyi shedoingthi
stome?

Lat
eronNdal
oknocked,
Iopened.

Ndal
o:"
Twi
nnywhat
'swr
ong?
"

Itol
dherever
ythi
ng,
Ineededtoventtosomeone
causenowmychestisnolongerheavi
er,i
t'
sjust
heavy.

Shehuggedme.
Weswitchedt
otal
kingaboutherandherandwhat
shedi
dyester
day,
leavi
ngjustl
ikethat
.
Ndal
o:"
Whatdi
dthepar
ent
ssay?
"

Me:"Wel
lbecauset
heydidn'
twanttoseeyouupset
af
terwhatyouwentt
hroughtheyunder
stood"

Shenodded,
Icoul
dseefrom hereyes.Shehad
somethi
ngshewantedt
ot el
lme.

Me:"
Outwi
thi
t"

Shet
ookoutaboxf
rom herpocket
.
I
twasar
ing,
adi
amondr
ing.Aver
ybeaut
if
ulone.

Igasped.

Me:"
What
??He.
..
ohGod!
!!Hepr
oposed?
"
Shenodded.

Me:"
Wow!
!!
!Andwhyi
snotonyourf
inger
?"

Ndalo:"Atfi
rstIthoughtwearerushi
ngt hingsbut
nowI '
m seeingdiffer
entl
y,Il
ovehim andI
understoodhisreasonsast owhyhej ustproposed
now"

Me:"
So?
???Putt
hedamnr
ingon"

Shel
aughed,
andputi
ton.

Me:"Ohhhhhanditl
ooksperf
ectonyou,wegonna
makeavideoofyousayingyestot
heproposaland
t
ellhi
m howyoulovehim"

Shel
aughedandnodded.
Soint
hehousei
twasonl
yus.Wewentt
othe
l
oungeandmadeavi
deo.

Ndalo:"BabyIl oveyousomuchandIthankyouf or
l
ovingmet oo.Ihonestl
ydon'
twhatt
osaybutal lI
knowi sthatIwannamar r
yyou,
Iwil
lmarry.
..
.so
YesssssIwi llmarryyou"

Sheshowedherr
ingt
othecamer
a.
Thenshesenti
t,welaughed.I
'
m happyf
orher
,she
deser
vesabreakreal
ly.

#Unedi
ted
#Goodmor
ning
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er49.
•
••7mont
hsl
ater
•••

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Thelobolanegoti
onst ookplacet hreemont hsago,
i
twassuccessf ulandmydadcoul dn'tbehappier.
Hel i
kesShakaagr eatdeal.Al othashappened,
Asanelefi
nall
ygotmar r
iedandt odaywear ehere
prepari
ngmyownweddi ng.It
'smysel f,Thando,
AsaneleandNonhl e.Phuml aleftwithmymom t o
buyaf ewgroceri
es.Theweddi ngisint woweeks
ti
mesoever yt
hingneedst ogowel l.
Bei
ng7monthspregnantisnothelpingatal
l,
I'
ve
hadtof
itmyweddinggown5t i
mesandeacht imeI
di
ditwoul
dneedextraal
terat
ions.
..t
hat'
showbi gI
am.

Wehadj
ustdoneeat
ing,
myphoner
ang.

Me:"
Hubby"
Shaka:"
MrsBut
hel
ezi
"

Eachti
meshecall
smet hatIfal
ldeeperanddeeper
i
nlovewit
hhi
m, Ibecomeal ovesi
ckpuppy,Imelt
andbl
ush.

Shaka:"
Youar
ebl
ushi
ngmf
azwam"

Me:"
Howar
eyoubaby?
"

Shaka:"I
'm goodandwai
ti
ngf
oryouout
sidet
he
rest
aurantyouarein"

Huh?
?

Me:"
O..
kay,
butI
'
m wi
tht
hegi
rl
sbaby"
Shaka:"
Tel
lthem I
'm her
etot
akeyou,
Iwantt
o
showyousomething"

Me:"
Okayt
henI
'
m comi
ng"

Ihungupandf
oundt
hegi
rl
slooki
ngatme.

Me:"
What
?"

Thando:"
Whatdi
dyourhusbandwant
?"

Me:"
Heisheretogetmeguys,
I'
m sor
rybutIhave
t
ogo.Thanksfort
heamazi
ngtime"

Idi
dn'tevenwai
tforanyr
esponse,
Itookmybag
andleft
,asIwaswalki
ngouttheyl
aughed,
Mxm.

Igotout
sideandmymanwaswai
ti
ngt
her
eforme,
l
ooki
ngal
lsor
tsofyummy.

Me:"
Daddy"

Shaka:"
Heymamakagi
rl
"

OhhhyesssguysIf orgottotel
lyou,ourbabyisa
gi
rl.Whenwef oundShakaoutwasovert hemoon,
somucht hatheforgotthathesaidhewoul donl
y
buymeacari fit
'saboy.Hewentaheadand
boughtmet hecarj
ustbecauseI '
m carryi
nghis
pri
ncess.

Heopenedthedoorformetogeti
n,t
henwentt
o
hi
sside.Helookedatmeandsmil
ed,het
henwent
ontokissmybigbabybump.

Shaka:"
Hel
lont
ombikadaddy,
hel
lo"(
Daddy'
sgi
rl
)
Me:"
She'
ssl
eepi
ng"

Shaka:"
She'
slazyt
hisone"

Heki
ssedmeanddr
oveof
f.

Me:"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"

Shaka:"
Mom askedust
ocomet
hrough,
shewant
s
toshowyousomethi
ng"

MrsButhel
eziIl
ovethatwoman.HerandIget
al
ongli
ketoothandnail
.Igetal
ongwit
hallmyin
l
awsbutMot heri
nlaw,weareti
ght.

Ashewasdr i
vinghet
ookat
urnt
oapl
aceIknow
not
hingabout
.
Me:"
Wher
eisyourmom kant
i?"

Shaka:"
Ili
ed,
wear
egoi
ngt
omyf
ri
ends'
place"

Hepar
kedout
sideaver
yhugehousewi
thabi
gass
yar
d.

Hepunchedi
ntheaccesscode,
wewal
kedi
n.

Me:"Wowbabyyourfri
endhasabeaut
if
ul
house.
..
it
's.
..
.ohmyGod"

Hemustbehavi ngki
ds,ther
e'saj
unglegym
outsi
de,api
nkplayhouseandalotofplayar
eas.
It
'sli
keheboughttwoyardsandmadet hem one.
Heopenedt
hedoor
.

Me:"
Don'
tyouknockf
ir
stbaby?
"
Hehel
dmyhandandpul
ledmei
n.
Ever
ythi
nginher
ei sdecor
atedi
nwhi
teandbr
own
andatouchofsi
lver.
Ilookedattheport
rai
thangi
ngonthewal
lint
he
dini
ngr oom.Itwasapict
ureofmesl
eepi
ng,
exposingmyhugebump.

Me:"
Shaka"

Itcameoutasawhi
sper
,It
urnedt
olookathi
m.He
hadhishandsi
nhi
spocket
sandasmi l
eonhis
face.

Me:" ShakaBut
helezi
,what'shappeni
ng?Whyismy
picturei
nyourfr
iends'house?Whendidyoutake
thispict
ure?Whydon'tIknowaboutit?"

Hecamecl
oserandki
ssedmyf
orehead,
het
hen
pul
ledmef
urt
heri
nsi
de,
wewentupst
air
s.
Wet hengottoonoft herooms. .
.i
twasanurser
y,
doneinpink,purpl
eandwhi te.Ont hewal
lwasa
pict
ureofhim kneel
ingdownandki ssi
ngmy
tummy, anot
heronehi m sl
eepingonmybumpand
anotheroneofmel ookingatbabycl ot
hesat
woolworths.

Tear
sst
reameddownmyf
ace.

Shaka:"
It
'sourhousebaby,
yourhouseandt
hisi
s
ourbabygir
l'
sroom..
.doyouli
kei
t"

Me:"
I.
..
.OhmyGodbabyit
's.
..
.Il
ovei
t,Il
ovei
tso
much.Whendi
dyoudothi
s?"

Hecamecl
oserandwi
pedof
fmyt
ear
s.

Shaka:"
Itdoesn'
tmat
teranymor
emyl
ove,
Idi
dit
andIdidforyouandmybaby.Iwantyoutobe
happy,Iwantyoutobecomf
ortabl
eandthi
shouse
i
schildfri
endl
yaswell
"

Iki
ssedhim, wet
ookat ourofthewholehouse.I
couldn'
tbel
ievei
t,Shakaspoi
lsmeal otbutt
his!
!!
Thistopsal
lthethi
ngshe'severdoneforme.

[
Thando]

Rightaft
erNdalolef
t,weal
sowentbackhomet
o
checkifever
ythi
ngwasgoingwell
.
Wear et
hrowi
ngherababyandbr i
dalshower.We
askedShakatodi
str
actherandapparent
lyhehada
perf
ectwaytodothat
.

Mom:"Everyt
hingi
sper
fectThandocal
lShakat
o
br
ingherback"
Iwenttodoubl echeckthedecor,t
hecakesandt
he
food.Everyt
hingwasper f
ectsoItookmyphone
andbef or
eIcouldcallShakaIreadamessagefr
om
Siyanda.

"St
handwasam, Imissyou.I
'mreal
lysorryf
or
bei
nganasshol ebutGodknowsIcan'tl
ivewit
hout
you.Pleasef
orgivememylove,
I'm af
oolbutI'
m
yourfool"

Soasyouknowt hatt hesel fpr

oclaimedasshol e
thatisSiyandacheat edonme, i
twentonf orthree
mont hs.Idumpedhi m andst arteddoingmyown
thingswi thmyownpeopl e.Iwentoutwi t
hf ew
guys, nothingser iousr eallybecauseIstil
llove
SiyandabutIwant edt omakehi sseethatIcanl i
ve
withouthi m andIcanbewi t
hwhomeverIwant ,
so
he'sbeenbeggi ng, call
ingandt exti
ngeveryday,
sayinghegott hemessageandnowIt hi
nki t'
s
enough.I '
llforgivehi m buti fhedar esmesswi th
meagai nI'l
lleavehi mf orgoodt histi
me.AnywayI
i
gnor
edhi
stextandcal
ledShaka.

"
Baby"
What?OhGodIcall
edt
hatasshol
e,Ihungupand
sear
chedf
orShaka'
snumbers.

Shaka:"
Hel
lo"

Me:"
It
'sal
ldone,
youcanbr
ingherback"

Shaka:"
Okaygi
veme30mi
nut
es"

Me:"
Okaybye"

Wewer ealldr
essedinblackandpinkli
ngeri
es,i
t'
s
astr
ict
lynomanal lowed,mom andNdalo'smom
areweari
ngsilkygownsthough,nothi
nghecti
cli
ke
us.
About25mi
nut
esl
aterPhuml
atol
dmet
heyar
e
her
e.

Me:"
Ever
ybodyqui
et,
theyar
eher
e"

I
twentsi
lent
.

Shewal
kedi
nand.
..
..
.

"
Sur
pri
se!
!!
!!
!"

Shescr
eamed,
weal
llaughed.

Ndal
o:"
Youguys!
!!
"

Shewasal
readyi
ntear
s.
Me:"
Comel
et'
sgetyoudr
essed"

Ipull
edhertotheroom.Shedressedupi
napink
si
lkynightj
usttoaccomodateherbi
gbump,
Imade
herwearababyhataswel l
.

Wewentbacktot
hel
oungeandmadehersi
tdown
onherchai
r.

Me:"
Lett
hepar
tybegi
n!!
!!
!"

Westart
edplayi
ngbabyshowergamesandbr
idal
showergamescombined.

Ndalowassohappy,shekeptonsheddi
ngt
ears
hereandther
e.Weopenedthegif
tsandwowthe
gi
rlisgoi
ngtobeaslayqueen.
Thedaywenton,wenttochangeandworewarm
cl
othesandcamebacktochillhavi
ngal
oudand
heatedconver
sat
ion.

"
BabyI
'
m out
side"

Amessagef
rom Asshol
e.Iwentoutandf
oundhi
m
f
aci
ngdownonthesteeri
ng.

Iknockedont
hewi
ndow,
heopenedt
hedoor
.
AssoonasIgoti
n,heat
tackedmewi
thaki
ss.

#Unedi
ted
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Chapt
er50

•
••Weddi
ngday•
••
[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Tel
lmewhatwoul
dyoudo?
Tel
lmewhatyou'
dfori
t?
I
fyousawabur
ningf
lame.
..
.
Woul
dyouwal
kri
ghtt
hroughf
ori
t?
Woul
dyoudi
efori
t?
Woul
dthatbet
oomuch?
Tel
lmenow.
..
.
Woul
dyoubl
eedf
orl
ove?
Woul
dyoubl
eedf
orl
ove?
Woul
dyoul
aydownyourl
if
e?
Woul
dyougi
vei
tal
l
?
Woul
dyoubegandcr
awl
?
Woul
dyouf
allupont
hekni
fe?
Woul
dyoubl
eedf
orl
ove.
..
..
forl
ove?
Woul
dyoudoanyt
hing?
Ihear
dthesongbyJennif
erHudsonallt
heway
fr
om theweddi
ngvenue.Whywouldtheypl
ayt
his
songanyway?
Ismi
ledasItookalookatmysel
font
hemi
rr
or,
I
l
ookl
ikearealgoddess.
Woul
dIbl
eedf
orl
ove?Woul
dIdoanyt
hing?
Ohhyes!!ForthekindofloveShakaandIhave,I
woulddefi
nit
elybleedforlove.Iwoul
ddoanythi
ng,
Iwouldwalkri
ghtt hr
oughabur ningf
lame,
Iwould
fal
lupontheknife.
Ift
here'
sonethingI'
velearntisthatyoucanbewi th
apersonfor5yearsandnotknowwhathappi ness
i
sandyoucanbewi thaper sonf oronly2months
andknowwhatl ove,happiness,contentmenti
sat
thesametime.That'
showIf eelrightnow,If
eel
content
,If
eelhappyandl oved.
Iaskedtobealone,Ineededt
oleti
tsi
nkinwit
hout
anydist
urbance,I
'
m nervous,
emoti
onalbutmostof
al
lexcit
ed.
Igotupfr
om thechai
r,br
ushedmybabybumpand
pri
ncessmoved.

Me:"Heyyou,
mommyanddaddyar egett
ing
marri
edmyangel.Mommyissonervous,
areyou
happyformom anddadmybaby?
"

Sheki
ckedamul
ti
plet
imes,
Ilaughed.

Me:"
Ooohyesyouar
ehappymybaby"

ThedooropenedasIwashavi ngaconver
sat
ion
wit
hmydaught er.Itur
nedt
olookanditwasmy
mom,thendadf oll
owedinaf
ter.Mymom mom, not
mom Mdlul
i.

Shesmi l
edasshebl
inkedawaythetear
sonher
eyes.She'
sseei
ngmef ort
hefi
rstt
imeinmy
weddi
nggown.

Mom:"
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ulmybaby"

Me:"
Idomom,
Ido"

Mom:"Iloveyoumychil
d,Il
oveyousomuchand
babyIwantyoutoknowthatI
'm sor
ryf
orwhatIdi
d
toyou"

Me:"Mom Il
ongforgaveyou,
let
'snotdot
hatt
oday,
i
t'
smyweddi ngday.Wesupposetobehappyand
youknowIloveyoutoo"

Shecamecl
oser
,wehuggedt
hensheki
ssedmy
cheek.

Mom:"
Don'
ttakel
ongi
nher
e,t
imei
srunni
ngout
"
Igi
ggl
edandnoddedandshel
eft
.

Dad:"
Awuwazewangi khumbuzauMa,
youreal
ly
l
ookli
keher.I
'
llshowyouherweddi
ngphot
osone
day"(
Youremindmeofmymom)

Me:"
I'
dli
ket
oseet
hem"

Dad:"
Youlooksobeaut
if
ulmntanam,I
'
m sohappy
tobewal
kingyoudowntheai
sleandgi
vingyou
awaytot
hatman"

Me:"I
'
m happyyou'
l
lbewal
kingmedownt
heai
sle
baba"

Dad:"
I'
m sopr
oudofyou.
..
.ar
eyour
eady?
"
It
ookaver
ydeepbr
eat
h,ver
ydeepbr
eat
h.

Me:"
Ner
vousbutr
eady"

Hegavemeat
ighthug,
car
efulnott
osqueezemy
bump.

Dad:"
Lol
ores.
..
..
"

Me:"YeahdaddyIknow,everyelderinthefamily
tol
dme, t
hatIshouldr
especthim, besubmi ssi
ve
andandand...
.Ipr
omiseIwon'tdisappointyou"

Hesmi
ledandnodded.
Wet
hem l
ockedar
msandwal
kedout

AsongbyZandieKhumal
oandLi ndanipl
ayed,
it'
s
whatHubbyandIaskedf
or.I
'
llbewalkingdownthe
ai
slewi
thi
t.

Mangi
bhekal
apho.
..
..
.
Ungi
that
hekhona
Ngi
yawabona.
..
.
Amandl
aakho.
..
Zi
ncanei
zibongozami
Kunal
okokuhl
e..
..
Ongenel
ekona

Akwanel
e..
..
..
Akwanel
e..
..
Akwanel
eukubongakwam.
..
.

I
t'
shappening,I
'
m getti
ngmarri
ed.AsdadandI
werewal
kingin,oureyesl
ocked,wesmil
edandhe
l
ookeddown.
Mypar
toft
hesongcame,
Zandi
e'
spar
tthati
s.

Besengi
thisekuval
iwe.
..
..
Besengi
thisekuphel
il
e..
..
Waf
ika.
..
Empi
l
weniyam.
Besengi
thingekekusal
unga.
..
.
Besengi
thingekekusenzeka.
..
.
Waf
ika.
..
.
Wenz'
umehl
uko.
..

Ngyabonga.
..
Ngi
yabonga.
..
Yamkel
a..
..
Ukubongakwam.
..
.
Akwanel
e..
..
Akwanel
e..
..
.
Akwanel
e..
..
Ukubongakwam.

Icouldn'thol
dt hem in,Isett hem f
ree.Iall
owed
eachandever yemot iontot akeover,Thandoatthe
frontwhisperedthatI '
mr uiningthemakeupwi t
h
myt earsbutIcoul dn'tcareless.Thesong
explai
nedexact lyhowgr at
ef ulIam,Iwasi nt
he
dark,It
houghtnot hingwoul dcomeal ri
ght,I
thoughtIwasdonef orbuthecamei ntomyl i
feand
madeadi ff
erence.

Wefinal
lyreachedhi
m,myf
atherhi
shandand
wenttohisseat.

Pastor:"Bel
oved,wearegat her
inghereinhol
y
matrimonyt owit
nessther euni
onofShaka
ButheleziandNdaloyenkosiMdluli
,bef
oreIproceed
Iwoul
dliket
oknowwhogi
vest
hisyoungl
adyt
o
thi
syoungman?"

Mydadst
oodup.

Dad:"
Ido"

Pastor
:"I
nthatcasewecangetyoutwomarri
ed,i
n
fr
ontofGodandeveryonewhoisher
ebutfi
rstI
wouldli
keeveryonet
ostandupsoIcani
nvi
teGod
sothathecanleadus"

Ever
yonestoodup,hepr
ayedandwhenhewas
doneever
yonesatdown.

Past
or:"
Anyonewhosaystheset
wocannotget
marr
ied,
speaknoworfor
everhol
dyourpeace"
Noonecamef
ort
h,whew!
!!

Shakaheldmyhands,
hekeptonki
ssi
ngt
hem and
whisper
ingt
hatI
'
m beaut
if
ul.

Pastor
:"Iwil
lblesst heri
ngsthenall
owyoutosay
yourownvows, Idon'twantyousayi
ngIfor
cedyou
tosaythingsyoudi dn'twantt
osay"

Ever
yonel
aughed.Hebl
essedther
ingswhenhe
wasdonehegaveminetoShakaandvicever
sa.

Past
or:"
Shakat
ellherhowyouf
eelndoda"

Hesmiledandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h,heki
ssedmy
handsagai
n.

Shaka:"
Wow!
!!Myl
oveyoul
ooksobr
eat
htaki
ng,
I
couldgetusedt owakingtoyoulookinglikethat
everyday.Wher edoIevenbegin?Sthandwasam, I
don'
tknowi fi
twasGodorwhatwhomadeusmeet
ei
therwayI '
m sohappyt hatImetyou,I'
m mor e
happierthattodayIgettomakeyoumywi f
e.Ilove
yousomuch, I'
m notamanofmanywor dsbutI
wantyout oknowt hatIwil
lloveyoutil
lItakemy
l
astbr eat
h,Igiveyouthi
sr i
ngasasi gnofmynever
endingloveandIvowt oalwaysmakeyoumyf i
rst
pri
orit
y,youandmypr i
ncess.Therearenoper fect
wordsIcanuset odescri
bemyl oveforyoubutI
l
oveyou"

Peopl
edidt hencoohs,hereal
lyi
snotamanof
manywor ds.Hesli
dt heri
ngonmyf i
ngerandt
he
ul
ulat
ionsbegan.

Past
or:"
NowNdal
oyenkosi
,yourt
urn"

Me:"
Baby.
..
bambolwam,shenge.Bef
oreImetyou,
Iwasamess,Idi
dn'
tknowwhetherIwascomingor
going,insi mplewor dsmyl i
fehadnomeani ng,no
directi
on....
Andt henImetyou, youchangedmyl ife
Shaka, yougavemyl if
eameani ng,yougavemea
reasont ohol don.Youf i
xedthebr okengl asst hatI
was, Inowknowwhathappi nessl ookslike, Iknow
whatpeacef eelsl i
ke,Iknowwhatt ruelovei s.Il ove
youSokwal isa, Ilovebabakagi r
l,withthisr ingI
vowt ol oveandcher i
shyou, Ivowt oalwaysnag
youandIvowt oal waysr espectyou, besubmi ssive,
bar eyoul otsandl otsofchil
dren,beyourbi ggest
cheer l
eader .Ivowt opushyouwhenyouf eellike
givingupandIvowt oalwaysbesuppor tivebut
mosti mpor tant l
yIvowt oloveyouevenwheni t'
s
har dli
kingyou, Ivowt onevergot obedangr yat
you.Thankyoust handwasam, t
hankyouf or
choosi ngme, thankyouf ormakingmeamom and
thankyouf orlovi ngme"

Hewasi
ntear
s,Ij
oinedhi
m asIi
nser
tedt
her
ing.
..

Past
or:"
Oooohyouhear
dthem,
theyl
oveeach
other
.InowpronounceyouMrandMr
sBut
hel
ezi
,
youmaykissyourbri
de"

Hewi pedof
fmytear
s,Iwipedoffhi
st oo.Hethe
openedmyveil
,wesharedourfi
rsteverkissas
husbandandwif
e.

Aswetur
ned.
..
.Isawhi
m,hewal
kedi
nandsatat
t
heback.

I
tcan'
tbe.
..
.no!
!!
!!
!
If
eltsweat
yandohnoi
tcan'
tbe.

#ToBeCont
inued
#Goodni
ght

Phonei
sact
ingupguys.
Chapt
er51.
Fi
nalchapt
er.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Iswal
lowed.
..
ital
lcameback!
!!Whenhet
ouched
me,hi
sbreat
h.
"
Comecl
oser
..
.opent
hel
egsNdal
o,open!
!!
"
Hi
ski
ss.
..
hewenti
n..
.deeperi
n.
I
n..
.out
..
.i
n..
.out
..
.i
nand.
..
..

Icoul
dn'tbr
eat
he,Iwasnowsuf
focat
ing,
Ihel
dmy
chest
,itwassopainf
ul.

"
Baby!
!!
"
Ihear
dhimf r
om afar
.Heshookme,
Icame
back.
..
.t
ear
sfloodi
ng.

Shaka:"
Baby.
..
what
'swr
ong?I
'
vebeencal
li
ngyou
f
ort
hepast2mi
nut
es"

Me:"
I.
..
.he.
..
Shaka.
..
.What
..
.whatdoeshewant
?"

Bot
hmymoms, dadandThandor
ant
ous,
ever
yone
wasnowl
ooki
ng.

Dad:"
What
'shappeni
ng?
"

Me:"
He'
sher
e..
.he'
sher
edad,
whatdoeshewant
?"

Isobbed,af
tereveryt
hinghedi
dtomehowcanhe
comet omyweddi ng?Whydidheevencomeoutof
pri
son?Whot oldhimI'dbeget
ti
ngmarri
ed?And
thevenue?Howdi dheknow?Ihatehi
m!!!Ihat
e
him whol
eheartedl
y.

Shaka:"
Myl
ovel
et'
sgot
alkpr
ivat
ely"
Hetookmyhand,
Thandoli
ft
edmydr essatthe
back.Wewal
kedi
nsi
detherecept
ionvenue.

Me:"
Mom whyi
syourhusbandher
e?"

Shefroze,shelookedshockedaswel
l
.AsIwas
abouttotalk,
hewal kedi
n.

Ever
yonet
urnedt
olookathi
m.

Me:"Youhaveaner
ve!!
!!Averyhugenerve!
!What
thehel
ldoyouwanthere?Aft
erever
ythi
ngyou've
donetome?Youdeservetoroti
nhell
!!
!"

Iwascr
yingsobad,whycan'
tIj
ustf
orgetand
moveonwithmylif
e?
Shaka:"Makagirl
,st
handwasam,Pl easelookat
me,heisnotwor thi
t.Youcan'tlethim breakyou
mylove,you'vecometoof arbaby,you'vecomet o
far
.Thinkforthebaby,youcan'taffordtostress"

Hehel
dmyhandandbeggedmetobreat
he.Mom
wascr
ying,
shewentt
ohi
m andsl
appedhim.

Mom:"Ihat
eyou!
!!Youhavenor
ightt
obeher
e,
l
eave!
!!
"

Shewascr
ying,
howcanabeaut
if
uldayt
urnt
obe
sosour
.

Hi
m:"Yenkosi
..
..
I'
m sor
ry,
I'
m sosorry.I
'
m anew
mannow,I'
vechanged.Pl
easefor
giveme"

Dadpunchedhi
m,hest
umbledbackbutt
hatdidn'
t
st
opdad,hewentf
orhi
m andhi
thim wi
thpunches.
Peopl
ewer
enowher
e,screami
ngandmom(
Step
mom)aski
nghi
mtostop.

Itr
iedsi
tt
ingdownbutfel
tsomet
hingsl
imygoi
ng
downmyl egs,
li
keIpeed.

Il
ookeddown,
shocked.I
tcan'
tbewhatIt
hinki
tis
ri
ght
?

Ihel
dShakaasIfel
taver
yexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
nonmy
l
owerback,
itr
oundedtomytummy.

Me:"
Shaka!
!!
"

Shaka:"
Baby"

Me:"
I.
..
OhmyGodno!!!It
'st
ooearl
yShaka,
it'
sst
il
l
7months,
Ican'
tbegi
vingbi
rth"
Itwasj
ustthet
woofus,
ever
yonewast
ryi
ngt
oget
dadtocal
m down.

Shaka:"
Whatdoyoumeanbaby?
"

Hel
ookedscar
ed.

Me:"Pai
n!!Mywaterbrokebabyno!!Ican'
tlosemy
babyShaka,Ican'
tlosemydaughter,t
akemet othe
hospi
tal
"

I
nst
ead,hel
if
tedt
hedressuptoseethewat
erand
t
henhebecameveryscar
ed,hel
if
tedmeupand
r
anoutwit
hme.

Ihear
dThandor
unni
ngbehi
ndus,
shout
ing.
Thando:"
Whoooa!
!Shakawhat
'shappeni
ng?
"

Hedi dn'
tanswer,heopenedthecarandpl acedme
i
n, Thandoalsocaughtupwi t
husandgoti n.Shaka
droveoff,i
twashi sf
ather'
scar.Idon'
tevenknow
howhegott hekeys,
Iwasi nsomuchpai nandvery
scaredoflosingmychild.Godcan'tdothattome.

Thedriveseemedlongbutwef i
nal
lygottothe
hospi
tal,Shakar
aninsi
detolookforhel
p,thepai
n
wastoomuchbutnotf orhi
mt opanicthatmuch.

Minut
eslat
ert
heytookmeawaywi
thast
ret
cher
andpushedmeinsi
de.

Theytookmetothel
abourwar
dandassoonas
Shakatoldt
hem I
'
m 7monthspregnantt
heDoct
or
rushedtome.
Doc:"
Pleasebr
eat
heandt
ellmewher
eexact
lyi
s
t
hepainandhowextr
emeisit
"

Me:"
It
'sextr
eme,ver
yext
remeDoc,
mywat
erbr
oke
andI
'm scar
ed"

Hemademesitonsomemachi
nei
twasso
uncomf
ort
abl
e.

Doc:"Youaredef
ini
tel
ygi
vingbir
th,
it'
sapr
emat
ure
bi
rth.Breat
heandstopwor
rying,
youarei
ngood
hands"

Inoddedamul ti
pleti
mesandbr eathed.Shakawas
busybossi
ngt hedoctorsaround,demandingthat
theygi
vemeat tenti
on,alsohewasn'tlet
ti
nggoof
myhand.Thandol eftassoonast hedoctor
confi
rmedthatI'
mi nlabourtogetmybag.
[
Shaka]

I'
veneverbeensoner
vousi
nmywhol eent
irel
if
e.
Howcanshegi vebi
rt
hsoearl
y?Wi
llourbaby
survi
ve?

Ihel
dhert
ightandIgotscar
edwi
thever
yfl
inch
shemade.

Me:"
Baby,
areyouokay?
"

Shegavemeadeat
hst
are.

Ndal
o:"
OhhhyesI
'
m goodShaka,
I'
m sosogr
eat
"

Sar
casm.

Me:"
Okay,
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Iloveyouokay?
"
Shest
art
edt
ear
ingup.

Me:"
Hey.
..
.myl
ove,
don'
tcr
y"

Sheshookherhead.

Ndalo:"
BabyIdon'
twannal
osemybaby,Ican'
t
l
oseherShaka,Godcan'
tdothatt
ome.
..
it
'stoo
ear
ly"

Thedoctorcameback, Iwashonest
lyver
yscar
ed,
I
couldn'
treal
lyt
ellherthatwewon'tl
oseher
becausethatwasal somyf ear
.

Doc:"
Ithi
nkyouar
ereadyt
opushmydear
".

Shenodded.
Ndal
o:"
Yes.
..
Icanf
eel
theur
get
opush"

Doc:"Okay..
.okaysoi
nacountof .
..
.wai
tasecond,
I'
m goingtoneedyout orel
axokay?Don'tst
ress,
let
goofthener vesandfocusonpushing.
..
.soina
countof3..
2..1push"

Iheldherhand,
shepushed!
!!Br
eat
hed,
pushed,
breathed.

Thedoct
orkeptonencour
agi
ngher,
Iwasalso
doi
ngmypar t
.Alt
houghshewashurt
ingmyhand
butmyfocuswasonherandmybaby.

Shekeptonpushi
ngandont
hel
astpush.
..
.

Doc:"
Good!
!!
"
Shehel
dourbaby,myheartstoppedf
oramoment
,
whyisshenotcr
ying?I
sn'
tthatshehast
ocry?

TheDoct
ort
appedherl
it
tl
ebut
t,shecr
ied.
..
whew!
!!

Me:"
Baby.
..
.ourl
it
tl
epr
incessi
sher
e,she'
sher
e"

Doc:"Congrat
ulati
ons,yougavebi r
thtoavery
healt
hyandbeaut i
fulbabygirl
,yessheissti
llt
iny
becauseitwasn'tyet9mont hstheref
orewewillbe
keepi
ngmommyandbabycl osetomoni t
ort
hem
buteveryt
hingseemsf ine"

Inodded,
thedoct
orhandedthebabytoNdalo,she
seemedti
red,
veryti
red.Shecoul
dn'
tkeephereyes
open.

Me:"
It
'sourdaught
erbaby,
shei
ssobeaut
if
ul"
Shesmi
ledather
,al
azyyethappysmi
le.

Ndal
o:"
Hell
opri
ncess.
..
hey,doyouseemommy?
Ohyouaresopr
ett
y,youlookli
kedaddyt
hough,
howcanyoubet
raymommyl i
kethi
s?"

Ilaughed,
Ihaveneverbeensofulf
il
led,
looki
ngat
them myheartmelt
s,I'
m compl
ete.
Thedoctoraskedt
otaket
hebabyf
orawash,
anotherdoct
orcametost
it
chNdal
othenshewent
forabath.
Assoonasshegott
obed,
shesl
ept
.

I
'
m af
ather
,ahusband.
..
I'
m af
ami
lyman.

[
Thando]
AssoonasIgothomet ogetNdalo'
sbagIfound
everyonehere,Iwonderwhat'shappeni
ngatthe
weddingvenuewhenal lmember softhefamil
yare
here.Theylookedspooked,l
ikesomeonedied.
Howdi
dabeaut
if
uldayt
urnt
obesosour
?

Me:"Whyareyouguysher
e?Who'
satt
he
r
ecepti
on?
"

Mom:"Weexpl ai
nedeveryt
hingtotheguestsand
askedNonhleandAsaneletoenter
tainthem,we
werealsowait
ingforyouguystocallandtel
lus
what'
shappeningbecauseyoujustranout"

Me:"Ndal
oisinlabour,pr
obabl
ygavebi
rt
hbynow,
I
'm her
etogetherthings"

Theyal
lpoppedt
hei
reyes.
Mom:She'
sonl
y7mont
hspr
egnant
"

Me:"
Yeahthedoct
orsai
dit
'spr
ematuresomet
hing
somet
hing,
Ihavet
ogoback,wher
e'sdad?"

Theyal
llookedaway,
Okaywhat
'shappeni
ng?

Me:"
Mom?
"

Nkosi
:"Dadkill
edthatmanThando,
hegotarr
est
ed
butI
'm wait
ingforafri
endofmi
ne,I
'm goi
ngt
oget
hi
m outtonight
"

If
eltl
i
ket
hewholehousewasspi
nni
ng,
dadki
ll
eda
man?Hegotar
rest
ed?

Me:"What?Dadki
ll
edaman?Ohno!
!!
!Nkosihewi
ll
r
otinjai
l"
Ican'
tli
vewi
thoutmydad,
weal
lcan'
t.

Mom:"Let
'sgotothehospi
tal
,Ir
eal
lyneedt
ofor
get
al
it
tl
eaboutthi
s,plusNdal
oneedsus"

Inodded,
Iwasst
il
lshocked.

Wedrovetothehospi
tal,Ndal
o'smom wasver y
qui
et,
shelookeddi
sturbed.WeleftNkosit
odeal
wit
hbringi
ngdadback,hehast omakeapl an.

Whenwear r
ivedwefoundthatNdal
owasasleep
andi
nt hewardwasShaka,hewasseat
ednextto
Ndal
o'sbedandnexttohi
m wasaglassbabycotor
what
everthi
sis.
Iwentther
eandt
hereshewas,mylit
tl
eniece,
aunt
ie'
spunki
ebear
,damnshelookedli
keShaka,
sheissodamnpret
tywit
halotofhai
randveryti
ny.
Ndalo'
smom wentt
ositnexttoherandhel dher
hand,whi
lemymom wenttotalktoShaka.Iwas
j
ustsoobsessedwi
tht
hisli
ttl
eprincess.
..
.Ohmy
God.

[
Ndal
oyenkosi
]

Idon'
tknowhowl ongI'
vebeensleepi
ngforbutI
foundShakasi
tti
ngnexttoourbaby,atl
easthe
changedhiscl
othesi
ntotracksui
ts.

Me:"
Baby"

Helookedatmeandsmi
ledandt
henl
ookedback
t
othebaby.

Me:"
Ohhhhsoj
ustl
iket
hat
,I'
vebeenr
epl
aced"
Ismi
led,
thi
swasaver
ybeaut
if
ulsi
te.

Shaka:"
She'ssobeauti
fulmylove,
Ican'
tbel
ieve
sheisourveryownproduct"

Me:"Unbel
ievabl
eri
ght
?Pl
easecomecl
oserwi
th
her
"

Theygotcloser,
Itookalookatmybaby,Idon't
knowhowbutIf eelli
kethisi
sanewchapterforme,
anewstartandanoppor tuni
tyt
hatGodgavemet o
havesomet hi
ngtoli
vefor.

Shakahel
dmyhandandl
ookedi
ntomyeyes.

Shaka:"
Youar
esost r
ongst
handwasam,Iloveyou
somuchandI'
m happytobedoi
ngthi
sli
fething
wit
hyou,webroughtl
if
eint
heworl
dtoget
her"
Hewassohappy,
Icoul
dtel
lbyt
hel
ookonhi
seyes.

Me:"
Iloveyou"

Shaka:"
Baby"

Me:"
Mmm"

Shaka:"
Ther
e'snoperfectwayt
osayt
hisbutyour
mom askedmet ot
ellyou"

Me:"
O..
.kay"

Shaka:"
Yourf
atherki
ll
edhi
m"

Iknewwhohemeantby"
Him"
,Iwentqui
etf
or
sometime.Whatshoul
dIsay?Am Iabadper
son
fornotcar
ryi
ng?
Wellafteragr
eeingt omar r
yShaka,Idecidedtolet
himinonmypastandhewasver ysupporti
ve.He
real
lyhelpedthroughsomet hingofthethingsI
foundhar dgetti
ngoverplusAndi l
e'
sdeat handmy
baby.Ilovehim somuchbecauseheal waysmade
sureIopenedupi nsteadofbott
li
ngthingsupand
thatreall
yhelpedal ot.

Me:"
Okay"

Hef
rownedandnoddedsl
owl
y.

Me:"Whatshoul
dwenameourbaby?Whydon'
twe
sayKhanyi
sil
e?"

Hesmi
ledandki
ssedme.
Shaka:"
Khanyi
sil
eNt
ombi
kayi
seBut
hel
ezi
"

Me:"
Ilovei
t.
..
soyouar
emyhusbandf
orr
eal
"

Hechuckl
edandki
ssedmeagai
n.

Shaka:"
Yeahandi
tfeel
sdogoodcal
li
ngyoumy
wif
e"

Me:"
Iloveyoubabakagi
rl
"

Shaka:"
Iloveyout
ooMaBut
hel
ezi
"

Wesharedakiss,
aver
ypassi
onat
eki
ss.
..
thebaby
di
dthebabysound.
Wel
aughed.
THEEND.
#Unedi
ted