[

10/
31,
05:32] :THANDI
WE:SAVEDBYMR
WRONG-Fort
une.B.
Mankge

Pr
ologue.

Passwi t
habachel or, GettoVarsity, Getajob,Fi
nd
aman, Getmar r
ied,Have500Ki ds, Ret i
reand
Event
ual l
yDieToget her.Hahaha, Noti nblack
soci
eti
es.Passwi thabachel or,t
ellyourneighbor
andallyourdreamsshut t
erRightInf rontofyour
s
eyes,Whobel ievesint hat
?,Me.Ot handiwe
NtombikababaKhanyi le.

Imagi
neatt heageof25,Youli
vewi
thyourPar
ent
s
andli
tt
lesibli
ngs.Youworkasahai
rdr
esseri
n
yourFri
end'smini
-Sal
on,andyouar
ealways
BROKE!

Whichr
emi ndsme, Ineedtoaskdadf
orMoneyfor
amagwinyaRighti
nBr aTucks'
sshop,
Isweart
o
GodthatmanPut sloveport
ionineachandEvery
mealhemakes, WheneverIaskwhatheact ual
l
y
Putsinhi
sfoodhegi vesmet he"Theywheremade
wit
hLove" ,
NowWhatdi dIt
ellyouabouttheLove
Port
ion?,
Definet
elyLovePorti
on.

"
Othandi
we!
!!
"Mymot
hershout
s,l
ikeal
ways.
"I
'm up,I
'
m up"Isay,I
ts7am andI
'm Done
dressi
ngup,It
smyFi r
stti
meanyway, IDer
sevea
roundofappl
ause.Don'
tyouthi
nk?

"YoushouldnottakeadvantagethatZandil
ei syour
Friendyouknow, Unl
ikeyoushehasaf amilyto
feed,Wenayougett okeepyourpayt oyour sel
f
andyoust i
llaskf
orimaliyamagwinyaaiisuka"she
compl ai
ns,Iwonderwhyshedi dn'ti
nvolveGod
thi
st i
me.

well,
Nonkulul
eko,Mydeardearmot
her,
Youare
abouttobeprovenWr
ong.I'
m upandshi
ning
t
oday.
I'
m donemaki ngmyBed, andIleavetheroom .I
walkint heki t
chenandIf indmymom maki ng
breakfast,Whatachange! ,I
nthishouse:'Uyavuka
uyazenzela' oryougot owor khungry.Imagi neyou
onlygetser veddi nnertime, i
t'
snoteventhose
properservingki ndof fthingswegetinmovi es.My
mom wi llshout'Thef oodi sready'andtheonewho
getstherefirstgett heplatewi t
hthebiggestpiece
ofmeat, sooneadvi ceal waysstayinthekitchen5
minutesbef oreshedi shesup, WorksEverytime,
AndWor kslikeapr o.!

"Wow, LookWho'supearly"myDadsays, Mr
Newspaper! ,
Imakethosedramat
icbowsandGive
myselfar oundofappl
ause.Idi
dsayIDersevei
t
didn'
tI?

"Peopl
er eal
lydochange"Myli
ttl
ebr
othersays,
He
alwayshassomet hi
ngtosay.Healsosees
everyt
hing,Didimenti
ont hat
?,Wel
lIwasout
t
ryi
ngtovi
sitmySphol
aonenightandhewasr
ight
t
here,
Star
ri
ngatme!.Ilostaf
ewbucks.

OhAndYeahyourgi
rlhasaman,AndIsuspecthe
al
sousedLovePor
ti
ononme.Don'taskwhatisit
wit
hmeandLoveporti
ons.Ij
ustl
ovethatword
.'
Lovepor
ti
on'.

Shehandsusplat
es,Umdoko,Sof
tpor
ri
dge.I
shoul
dhaveknown.IgetupQui
ckl
y.
"
Ibet
tergetgoi
ng"Isay.
"Yeahmetoo"Thebrother,
Mf ananoyi
sesays
l
ookingatmyDad, LunchboxmoneyIguess.He
handshim 10Randsandheleaves,Runni
nglike
always.Kuyajol
aloku.Iswear!

"
Didn'
tyousayyouar
eleavi
ng?
"Mymom asks.
"
Idi
d,butI
'
m wai
ti
ngf
orMoney"Isay
Mymom cl
apsherhandonce
"
Yougotpai
dlastweekSi
si!
"

"
YesIdid,butI
tsal
lgone,Imeanyouknowwhen
meandthegirl
sgoout.
.andst
artspendi
ngsome
money"Isay.
MyFat
herhandsmeR50andIgi
vehi
m aki
ss,
Wel
l
andmom t
oo.bef
orel
eavi
ng.

×××

"Guesswhat?
,No!Guesswho'
sear
lyf
ora
change?"
Ir
ollmyeyes.

"NoFreaki
ngWay! "Zandi
lesays, gi
vingchantel
herchange.Iknowyoudidn'taskbutt hingswoul
d
bealoteasieri
fcustomer
sgoti nhereandask
Whatlooksgoodont hem?,Surethehai r
styl
eis
good.It'
sjustnotf
orher.
"
UyaphaphaXol
i"Isay.
"
Whathappenedvel
e?"Sheasks.

"Iwentt
opl
ayl
ott
o,ImeanIhadext
rabuckssooo"
Isay

"Lot
to?Yougotupear l
yjustt
ogoplayl
ott
o?,
You
alwayst
ellmethisl
ottothi
ngisj
ustawast
eof
money"-Xol
i,MissBigmouthsays.

"
Getmarr
iedandl
eavemeal
onepl
ease"Isay
Rol
li
ngmyEyes.

"
Fine,thatmeansyoudon'twantt
oheraboutt
he
l
atestgossi
p!"Shesays.
No,
whowoul
dwannami
sst
hat.
"
OkayDon' tgetmarri
ed"Isay,
Tel
lus!
,Tel
lust
he
l
atestgossipAlr
eady!

"Youdon'
twantmetogetmar
ri
ed?
"Sheasks,
I
hatei
twhenshedoesthi
s.

"Okay,Okaygetmar
ri
edj
ustdon'
tleavemeal
one,
I
needyou"
Sherewardsher
sel
fWit
habi
gWi
desmi
leand
thoseDr
amaticbows.

"Si
phoandt
hatsl
ayQueenar
eget
ti
ngMar
ri
ed!
"
Shesays
"
Youl
ie!
"Isay

"I
'
mt ell
ingyou,Iwaseveninvi
tedmugi
rl
!,
Thati
diot
actual
lyputari
ngonherfakebutt"
Shuu,
Ican'
tevencant
o.Si
phoi
s..
.orAt
leastwas
mycrush.
Myhear
tisbr
oken

"At
leastyougotSphola,ThatSi
phohasabighead
anyway.Imaginehavi
ngtopushouthisBaby.THe
head!,Hesavedyou,Andyoushouldcel
ebr
ate!"
Iact
ual
lysmil
eatthi
s,Sphol
aSami.Sweetlami
l
omkhuhlwane.So1999ri
ght?,
Ijustl
ovehi
m!
Whi
chremi
ndsme, Ihavet
ovi
sithi
m .I
'
m sur
ehe
mi
ssesmeli
kehel
l!

"I
'
m soHungr
y!,
Icoul
deatyouguysRi
ghtnow"
-
Zandi
l
esays
"
Whydon'
tyouguysgetFat
cakes?
"Sheasks.

"
Thi
sisnotJozi
,
ItsamaGwi
nya"
"Oramafeti
"Xol
icorr
ects"
Speciall
ymadebyour
l
awf ul
lyweddedChef,MrBraTucksSi
r"Sheadds,
alr
eadysearchi
ngforcoi
nsinherhandbag
"
UhhhIcan'
twai
t!
"
DoIhavetoremi
ndyouaboutt
heLovePor
ti
onand
Br
a'Tucks?
.

"MeNeit
her"Ismi
le.Atl
eastIcanbuyamagwinya
thewhol
eweek!,IlovemyDad, Real
ly.
Ilovethat
oldmadal
a.

×××

"
Ican'
tbel
ieveI
'
m doi
ngt
his"Mf
ananoyi
sesays

Wearewatchi
ngthosel
ott
erynumber
s, I
'
m
wat
chinganot
herR20downtheDrai
njustli
ket
hat.
"Ij
ustneedacuddl
ebuddyaft
erthi
s,okay?
,
besidesyouowemeafavour"Isayandherol
lshi
s
eyes
"
Wher
eismakhosonkeanyways?
"Iask.
"Out
,wit
hFriendsli
keal
ways"hesays,Bor
ed
.Theyhavealwaysbeenclose,
butwhen
makhosonketurned16yearsol
d,Hesawhimsel
f
asTheeman.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
I'
llbuyyouapuppyi
fIwi
n"Isay
"Yousaythatal
lthet
ime,
andyouneverwi
n"he
says,
Clever.

"Ther
efi
nal
ly,
Thel
ott
onumber
s"Isayhol
dinga
penandabook.

"
1"
Icheck,
okay,
Ihaveone.
"
16"
Yeah,
Ihavet
hatt
oo,
Itspr
obabl
yjustl
uck.
"
22"
Yeah,
Igot22.

"
18"
Wai
t?,
What?

"
38,
andt
hePower
bal
lisnumber5"

Ij
ump.
"
Noway!
,NoFr
eaki
ngWay!
"

"
What
?"
Myparent
scomeoutofthei
rroom i
ngowns,
My
Dadi
sholdingast
ick,
Thedrama!
"
What
?What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Theyask.

"
Iwon!
,ngi
winei
-l
ott
o"IsayandTheyl
augh
"
WhatdidIsayaboutsl
eepi
ngont
hecoach?
"my
mom asks.

"
Iwasn'
tsl
eepi
ngmama,
Iwon!
"
Mf
ananoyi
sechecksthepaperandt
henumber
son
myti
ckett
oabetterl
if
e.

"Youwon!
,I'
m get
ti
ngadog"hesayshandingt
hem
toDad,whoputsonhi
sglassesandst
aresatt
he
paper
.

"
Shewon!
"
Theyhanditt
omom ,
andShedoest hesamet
hing,
Thenitsi
nksi
n!,
Iwonthel
ott
ery!
!!
!

React
,Comment,
Andshar
e!
-
Love
Admi
n
[
10/
31,
05:
32] :Chapt
erOne.

"
No,
Iwantt
odot
his,
PleaseJustl
etme"Isay

I
'm si
tt
ingonhislap,
aiiSphol
aneedst
oeat,
Sphol
ai sski
nny.
"buyi
ngmeTaxi
'
s?,
That
'sgoi
ngwayoverboar
d
"hesays.

"Forsomeonewi thasmal l
head, Youarest ubborn,
Sweet l
am'lomkhuhl wane.Thi sismet r
yingt ogr ow
.Webuyaf ewt axisfrom t
hatdesperatetaxiowner
whoj ustwant stoleaveuml aziandstayaway
forever,Hi
spr iceisreasonable.Ispoket ohi ma
fewdaysback. Hewant s500thousands, Just500
thousandforal lthetaxis.Hehast onsoft axi.we
get50/ 50outoft hisSphola.Meandyou.Thi si
s
business.stri
ctlyprofessi
onal"Isaygettingof fhis
l
ap, Hechor t
les.
"
SoIhandlethet
axi
sandtaxidr
iver
s.I'
mlikethe
manager.Ipayt
hem andwesharethepr
ofit?
"He
Asks.
"
Wel
l.
..
.Yes"Isayshr
uggi
ngmyshoul
der
s
Hesmi
rks.
"Iguesst
hatcoul
dwor
k"
Ij
umpupanddown,
andhughi
mti
ght
"
Ahhbabyt
hankyou,
Thankyou!
"

"Thi
sispr
ofessi
onal
,Getof
fme"hesaysandI
smil
e.
"OfCour
se,l
etmegetbackt
ohi
m "IsayandHe
pull
smecloserf
orahug

"Iheardyoui
nvest
edi nBraTUcksandZandil
e's
shop"hesays"I'm soProudoffyoumubi"-He
kissesmyCheeckandIsmi le
"Yourgi
rlevenhel
pedhermot
herr
e-openherTuck
shop"Isayproudl
y.

"
Mygir
liscl
ever,
Ilovemygi
rl"hesaysandIbl
ush
,Ki
ssi
nghim.

×××

Imagineevenaf terwi nningenoughmoneyt obuy

allKwaZulunat al,I'
m st il
lhere.AtBraTucks'
sshop
forAmagwi nya,I'
m st andinginaQue.Wai ti
ngfor
Amagwi nya. No, Thismanshoul dreall
ytel
lme
whereheget shislovepor t
ion,NevermindwhoI '
l
l
feedfir
st,orhowmuchi tis.AheaheaheMoneyi s
notapr oblem .

GuessWhat'st
hefi
rstt
hingIdi
d? ,
Bought
Mfananoyi
seapuppy,Ihatepuppi
es!
"
Her
ent
ombi
"hesayshandi
ngmemyFood.
"ThanksBraTucks,
Tel
lme.How' st
henew
equipmenttr
eati
ngyou?"IaskandHechort
les.

"
Makesl
if
eeasi
erpar
tner"Ismi
le.
"
That
'
sthepl
anbaba,
That
'st
hepl
an".

"OhAndThatli
tt
lebr
otherofyourswashere,
Makhosonke.Hewaslookingforyou"hesaysand
Ipayt
hankinghi
m.

"
I'
m goi
nghomeanyway,
soI
'
llseehi
m"
Awhi t
eCarStopsr ightneart
hegat e,HolyMot her
ofMaria!
,Idon'tknowcar sbutIbetyout hi
sone
wasmadei nheavenbyGod.Andt heyumi ness
get
tingoutofthecarwasmadebyhi m, Forme.
OhLor d!
,DoIhavet omeethim yet?,DoIhavet o
meetmyFut urehusbandyet ?,I
'
m notr eady!Ineed
togetmyhairdoneandmaybeputont hosefake
nai
lsandall.
"
Hel
lo"hegr
eet
s.

Il
ovehowt
hewor
dhel
lor
oll
sinyourt
ongue,
Lover
boy.

"
Yebo"Br
aTucksgr
eet
sbackbef
orest
arr
ingatme.
"
Hi.
..
hey.
..
hit
her
e"IsayandHeChuckl
es

OhYell
owmel
low,
Mysugarandspi
ceMageza
ngobi
si.
"I
'
m sor r
ytodisturbyou,butI
'
m Tumel o.I'
m kind
offlost,Iwasonmywayt oameet i
ngandIguessI
don'tknowwher etoturnfr
om her
e, andMyGPSi s
acti
ngupandal l"hesays,Di
dhejustsayGPS?,
Here, KomlaziapersonwhoownsaGPSi sHel lof
f
Rich,BathsInmoney, Looksl
ikemoney, Eats
moneyandDr inksmoney.

Justl
ikeI
'
llbedoi
ngi
fIuset
hel
ott
erymoneyj
ust
Ri
ght.
"Icantakeyouthere,Iknowt hepl ace"Isaytryi
ng
tostandli
keinthemovi es,Youknowt hat
seducti
velookwhenyouar el
eani ngonadoor
frameTryingt
ol ooksexy,onl
yt heyar edressedup
InThose'Seethrough',Shortthings.AndI 'm
Wear i
nganewj eanandsomeBoot s.

"Youdon'
tevenknowwherehei
sgoi
ng"
-Br
aTucks
Icoul
dkil
lyouRightnow.

"
Whoknowsml
azil
i
ket
hebackofherhand?
"Iask
"makhosonke"

Mar
rymakhosonkeBr
a,Mar
ryMakhosonke.
"Nome!
"Icorr
ecthi
m,Tumelol
ici
ousi
sst
arr
ingat
usSmil
ing,
IsheInl
oveyet
?

"
Youdon'
teven.
..
"Icuthi
m of
f,Thi
sOl
dman.
"I
'
llbeback,
TellMakhosonkeI
'
llseehi
minaf
ew"I
sayandlookatTumelo.
"So,Shallwe? "Hesmi l
esandNodsBef orestar
ring
athissi
lverWat ch,Matchesthesuitperf
ectly.
He's
gotstyl
e, butevenifhewaswear ingjustjeansI'
m
surehewoul dlooklikemyFut ur
ehusband, Yell
ow,
Withabeadandabodyt okil
lfor,IknowI'dkil
lfor
thosesexymuscl es.

Turnsouthei
salsoagentleman,Heopenst
he
doorformeandclosesi
tleavi
ngmetodothenay
nayDance.
Hegetsi
ntheCaral
soandst
aresatmebef
ore
smi
li
ng
"
SoHowar
eyou?
"HeAsks.

I
'
m hotThankst
oyou.
"OhI'
mjustgood,andyousi
r?"Ican'
tbeli
eveIj
ust
sai
dsir,
itwassupposedtobehoney,I'
m good
honey.Weneedt
ogetusedt
othatf
ori
nfut
ure.

"Ohpl
ease!,
I'
m 26.Don'
t,
Don'tcal
lmesi
rjust
Tumel
opleasemylady"HesaysSmili
ng.
I
'
m bl
ushi
ng.
Myl
ady?
,HiI
'
m myl
ady?
,I'
m hi
sLady.

Il
aughl
oudert
hanIi
ntended
"
Youseem l
oudandbubbl
y"Hesays
"EveryoneisLoudandbubblyher
e, Everyonebei
ng
myFami l
y.Doyoumi ndgett
ingmehomeby7pm
please,That'
swhenmymom usual lydishesupand
Ialwayswantt hepl
atewitht
hebiggestpieceof
meat"IsayandHechor t
les.

"
What
'st
hel
ady'
snameanyway?
"

"
I'
m Ot
handi
we,
buthal
fofuMl
azical
lsme
Thandi
we.WellIwaslovedandI
'
mloveabl
e"Isay
andhechor
tl
esagain.

HisphoneRings, Youknowt hoseexpensi

ve
phones,Wit
ht hoseapples?.Ioncesawoneon
somepaper!Soexpensi ve!!!
,Nowimaginethe
Applewasactuall
yf ul
l.I
'm unabl
etocan.Ineed
tost
icktoSamsung.

"
Hell
o"heanswers,
DidIment
iont
hatIl
ovehow
Hel
lorol
lsonhi
stongue?
"Yes,
No. ..
..
yes.
..
.no.
..
.i
tsnotaproblem si
r...
.Yes
sure..
.I
'l
ldothat,
ThanksGoodbye"Het hr
owst he
phoneont hebackseatbeforesi
ghingloudly.
"
Themeet
ingwascancel
led"hesays
"Letmegetyouhome"hesaysagai
nbef
oret
aki
ng
aU- t
urn,
Ididn'
tevenknowwher
eweweregoi
ng
anyway.

Hest
opst
hecarf
ewhousesawayf
rom homeand
t
akesoutmoneyt
opayme.
"
Thanksf
oryourhel
p"
IshakemyHead,Youshoul
dhaveoff
eredi
t
monthsback,
bef
oreIwonthel
ott
ery.

"Noit
'
sallgood,ineededthedri
veanyway"He
nodsandIgetoffthecar,beforeWatchi
nghi
m
dri
veoff,
hedidn'tevenaskformyPhonenumber
s!

"
Fami
ly!
"Ishout,
li
keal
ways.

Peopleal
wayssaidim alit
tletohappyforaNormal
per
son,andhonestl
yI'
m st art
ingtobel
ievet
hem,I
canfakebei
nghappyt hateveryonewouldsayI
'm
waytohappyforthei
rliki
ng, mona!
Butwhattheydon'
tknowisthefactthatIhatet
he
gi
rlIseei
nt hemir
ror
,Ihat
ehowshel ooks,orhow
Chubbyshei s,
Notchubby.Fat.Ihateher!
"Loudy"makhosonkesays"I'
vebeenlooki
ngfor
youallover!
"Headds, bef
oreget
tingupfrom hi
s
chair.

"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"HeAsks.
"I
'
m 25, Youar
e16.Idon'
tanswert
oyousonke"I
saygivi
ngmyDad,Who'slaughi
ngaki
ssonthe
Cheeck.

"
Whydi dhegetapuppyandIgetnot
hing?
"He
Asks,
Irol
lmyeyes.
"Becausehisnameisweirdandyour
sisWei
rder
!"I
saywalkingtotheki
tchenbuthef
oll
owsme.

"
That
'
snotevenar
eason"hesays.
"
Itdoesn'
thavet
obeone,
Youl
ookedf
ormeal
l
overjustt
otel
lmethat
?"IaskSett
li
ngdown
watchingmom who'
sabouttodi
shup,Perf
ect
ti
ming.

"Notexact
ly.
..
Canwet
alki
npr
ivat
e?"Il
ookathi
m
Shocked.
Whatdoesheknowaboutpr
ivacy?

"
Canwet
alkaboutt
hisaf
terIpi
ckedapl
ate?
"Iask.

"No,Weneedt
otal
kaboutt
hisNow,
ngi
yakcel
a"I
sigh.
"Theplat
ewiththebi
ggestpi
eceofmeati
smine
please"Isayt
omymom bef orel
eavi
ngwit
h
makhosonketomyRoom .

Iset
tl
eonmybed, andhej
oinsmemi
nut
esl
ater.
Helooksner
vous.
"
I..
.Doyout
hinkI
'
m ol
denough?
"HeAsks,
Ilookat
hi
m conf
used.

"Ol
denoughtodowhat?,makebabi
es?"Iask,I'
m
hungrymakho,
Icoul
deatyouandyourpr
ivacy
ri
ghtnow.

"
To.
..
you.
.know"
Il
ookathi
m conf
used.
"
ToIknow?
"Iask,
hesi
ghs.

"Mom andDadar enotopenAbouttheset

hings,
Theysti
llbelieveyouneedtogetmarr
iedf
ir
st"He
says,wellki
llmebutmom andDadi sme.At25I
beli
evesexbef oremarri
ageisasi
n.

"Youwantt
ohaveSex?,andyouar
easki
ngi
fyou
areol
denough?"IaskandHenods.
"
Let
'swaitforbhut
itocomevisitt
henyouwil
ltal
k
t
ohim "Isayhonestl
y,Idon'
tknowanythi
ngabout
t
heset
hings

"
IfIwantedt
otellBhut
iIwoul
dhavecal
ledhi
m,I
wantyoutotel
lme"hesays.
"Honestly,i
t'
sal lamat terofyoubei ngReady
emot i
onall
yandal l.Tr ustmesexi snotal laboutah
ahahEver ytimeahahah, it
'samat terofyoubei ng
Readyandknowi ngt hattherear econsequences.
Likebeingapar entatanear l
yageorget ti
ng
unwant eddieses. it
'syourchoi cer eall
y.Condoms
aren'
t100%saf e, Youar eyoungSonke, Youcan
Relaxfocusonschoolordat etheki ssykissyway
whilewaiti
ngf ort herighttime. DidIansweryou? "
Hesmi
lesnoddi
ng.

"
CanIgoeatnow?
"IaskandHel
aughshuggi
ngme
"Youar et
hebestsis,Ngiyabonga"-Iki
sshis
foreheadbef
oreleavi
ng,Sextalksargh.Ineedt
o
ahahaht oo,Ineedtoahahahsobad.
.

.
ExcuseanyEr
ror
s,I
'
lledi
ttomor
row.I
'
m exhaust
ed!
[
10/
31,
05:
32] :Chapt
ert
wo

"I
'
veneverbeeni nthi
ssideofTown"Xolisays
l
ooki
ngar ound,I'
veneverbeenheretoo,Wewere
al
waysint hoseshopri
tesides,
butthatwasal
lwe
coul
daffordright
?,buther
ewear e.

"Menei t
her"Isaylooki
ngar ound"andIdon'tthinkI
wantt obehereanymor e,Thesethingsaretoo
expensive,
Imeanwhybuya500dr esswhenyou
buyfiveofthem withthe500atFashi onworld,Call
mecr azybutIwillnevereverbuythese"Isay
thr
owi ngmyhandsont heair,Xol
iandZandi l
e
l
aughatt hi
s.
NotthatI
'm shocked,
Theylaughateveryt
hingI
say.I'
m notevensmil
ing,
Thedr essesareugly
even.

"I
t'
scl
asssis,
class"Zandi
lesaysact
ingupt
owhat
shesays.
"Classi
satSchool,That'
stheclassIpr
efernow
andf or
ever,
I'
llst
icktoMrPrice"Isayl
eavi
ngand
theyfol
lowme, sti
lll
aughing.

"
Loosenup,
Let
sgot
ost
eer
s"Xol
isays.
"Wewil
lal
lpaythough,Wewantyoutouseyour
moneywisel
yandTaxisgi
rl
?i
sthatagoodidea?
"
Zandi
l
easks.

"
Sphol
aputyouupt
othi
sdi
dn'
the?
"IaskandShe
Nods.
"He'
sworri
edyou'
l
lmakewr
ongdeci
sions"she
says,Isi
gh.
"It
rusthi
m, besi
dest
here'
sacontracti
nvol
vedt
he
mybr ot
hersayshewil
lsendi
t,j
ustli
kehedidwi
th
youguys.I'
m saf
e"IsayandTheyNod.

"
Wher
eisheanyway?Yourbr
other?
"Xol
iasks.
"He'sathishousewithhi
spregnantwi
fe,
probabl
y
kissing.Getoverhi
m"IsayandShethr
owsi nthe
pretendinglaught
er.

"
I'
m overhi
m "shesays.
"ThenWhyar en'tyouwithsomeoneel se?,IknowI
j
okear oundal otbutyouhavetoletgoofmy
brother,Iknowyout wohadpl annedyourf utur
e
togetherbuthest il
lchosesomeoneel seoveryou.
Thesooneryouacceptt hat,Thebetter.Mybr other
i
sanAsshol eandal lbuthe'
shappyr ightnow.Wi t
h
someoneel se. heputar i
ngonit.He'snever
comi ngback. hehasbeenf edstrongvoodoo"Isay
andSheswal lowshar d.
"
Okay?
"Shel
ooksatmeandNods.

"
YesIguessyouareright,
Kantunderthosest
upid
t
hingsyoual
wayssayt here'
sawiselady,hai
suka
madoda"Xol
isays,Therewegoagain.Ismi l
e.

"SoWhatareweeati
ng?"Iaskset
tl
ingdownr
ight
nearXol
i,Zandi
lei
sbusyTypi
ngsomeoneonher
phone.

"
So,Whenarewemakingananni
ver
sar
yforyou
t
wo?
"Iasklooki
ngatZandi
le.
"
Huh?
"

"Youandyourphone, Whenisyouranni
versar
y?"
Shedoesn'trespond,
shejustl
aughs,Shakesher
head.Getsthemassageandshovesthephonein
herhandbag.
Fi
nal
ly,
Wegetourf
ri
endt
oour
sel
ves.
"
How'
sthesal
oonanyway?
"
Met
ryi
ngt
ost
artaser
ioust
opi
c.

"
Great
,Real
lyGr
eat"Shesays.
"Nevermi
ndthesalon,st
il
lonthemoveonpage
checkoutt
hathunkoverther
e"Xol
isayspoi
nti
ngat
agroupofguys.

Iwantt orol
lmyeyes,TrustmeIdobutIcan't.
He'slookingatme!Tumelo!
,he'
sactual
lyher
e.He
hasst oppedeat
ingandhe'sj
usttaki
ngthi
sti
met o
star
eatme, Iwantt
owavemyhandbutIcan' t.He
i
ssoooooHandsome! ,heisper
fect!

"
Ear
tht
oThandi
we"
Whoeversai dt
hatborestheShitoutofme,Idon'
t
evenmi ndthem .
Idon'tneedt
heear t
htome.Ineed
to..
.ineedhimtojusthugme.Ibetyouhesmel ls
asexpensi
veashel
ooks.
He'
swear
ingabl
ueT-
Shi
rtI
'
mfi
gur
ingwi
thj
eans.

"
Thandi
we"Xol
isnaps.
"PhumakimiXol
i"Isaysti
llstar
ri
ngathim,He's
Smill
ingt
hist
ime.Hispinkl i
ps,His.
..
.ohLord!

Hefinall
ysayssomet hi
ngtohi
sfri
endsandthey
Nodbef orehegetsupandWalkstowardsme, Yes
he'
sinbl ackt
ightJeansandhecoul
dn'
tlookany
yummi er

"
Ladies"hesays"Thandiwe"asanaf
tert
hought
,I'
m
t
ryi
ngsohar dnottoblush.

"
Tumel
o"Isaysmi
li
ng.
"Meandthegentswoul
dliketojoi
nyouguys,hope
youdon'
tmind"hesayspoint
ingathi
sgents.
"
Ohno!
,ofcour
seWedon'
t"Xol
isaysoutLoud.
"Ahem!,
Ithi
nkhewastalki
ngtoThandi
we"-Zandi
le
saysinalmosthal
fWhi
sper.

"Iwasact
ual
lyt
alki
ngt
oal
lofyou"Tumel
o
corr
ect
s
"
LikeIsai
dwedon'
tmi
nd"Xol
inevershut
sup.

Hesmi
lesandsi
gnal
sforhi
sfr
iendst
oComet
ous.

×××
"Thatwasagr
eatDay"Hesaysbi
ti
nghi
slowerl
ip,
I
smile.

"Yes,
Thankyou.Andf
ort
her
idet
oo"IsayandHe
nods.
"
Pleasur
e"
West
areateachot
her
.
WhatdoIdonext
?

"IguessIshoul
d...
.um.
..
go"Hebri
ngshisf
ace
closert
omi neandCont
inoesst
arr
ingatme.

"
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul"hesays"
SoFuckenbeaut
if
ul"

Ismi
le.
"
Yourboyf
ri
endi
ssol
ucky,
Youhaveoner
ight?
"
Inod.

"We'
vebeendat
ingsi
ncehighschool"Isayand
rememberHowIcan'
tdothis,
What evert
hisi
s.To
Sphol
a.

"
Ihopehewon'
tmi
ndmeki
ssi
ngyouont
heCheeck
,
TonewFr
iendshi
p"hesaysandIsmi
lenoddi
ng
Hepl
aceshiswetli
psonmyCheeckandst
aysli
ke
t
hatf
orwhatfeel
slike5mi
nut
esbef
oreheki
sses
t
hem andst
opsagai n
"
Goodbye"hesays.
"I
'l
lbeleavi
ngf
orJoburgtomorr
owandIdon'tthi
nk
I'
l
levercomebackIjustseal
edabusi
nessdeal
heresoyeah"hesaysgetti
ngbackt
ohiscarseat.

"
LikeEverever?
"Iask,
Supr
ici
ngl
yhur
t
"
Itravelal
otsoIdon'
tevergetachancebuti
fIdo
I
'
llvisi
tyou"

Thatsomehowmakesmef eelbet
ter,soInod,
Perki
nghisl
ipsbef
orest
ormingoutthecarli
ke
ThandiweWeneedtotal
k!
"
Whatthehelldidyoudothatf
or?Uhuhnowyou
l
ikehi
m ?SuchaWhor e!Apol
ogiestoSphol
anow!
I
'
m sorrySphola,i
t'
sokaymubi,ngyakt
handa"I
l
aughatmyself,befor
emurmuring"nam
ngyakt
handaSphol
a"t
omysel
fagai
n.

IgetinthehouseandJesusChri
st!Pl
easeIwashed
myear sPROPERLYthismorning,Thi
scan'
tbehim
I'
m heari
ng,Whatishedoinghere?

"
Fami
ly"Isayandgi
vehi
m adeadst
are
"
Nana,
it'
sexact
ly9atni
ght"myDad.

Yes,andHeshoul
dbei
nbed,
Someoneathi
s
House!
"
It
'sWhat?
"Isayact
ingshocked.

"Wu9EbsukuThandiwe"Sphol
asays,Cl
ear
ly
annoyedandi
nPjs.Wait
..
.Hessl
eepi
ngOver?

"Wehadtogowakeupthepoorboyathi
shouse
becauseWet
houghtheknewwhereyouwere!
"-My
mom shout
s

Ir
ollmyeyes
"
I'
m sorr
ymama, Baba.IwasatXoli
'
shouse,She
j
ustgotajobsowewerecelebr
ati
ngandwelost
t
rackofti
me"Ili
e.

"AndI'
mleavi
ng,
nisal
enikahl
e"Mypar
ent
sNod
smil
ing.
"Si
yabonga,andWearesorr
yforwakingyouupso
l
ateatnightj
ustt
olookf
orthi
soneIpr omi
seyou
she'
llgett
hepuni
shmentsheDerseves"myDad
says.

"
Sweet
la.
..
Sphol
a..
.I
m sosor
ry"Isay"
Itr
ulyam"

Henodsl
eavi
ngbutIf
oll
owhi
m
"
Sphol
a"
Hest
opsatt
hegat
e,Suchdr
ama.

"Sweetl
amiI
'mt
rul
ysorr
y,WhatcanIdotomakei
t
uptoyou?"Hel
ooksatmeandshakeshi
shead

"I
sthetaxithi
ngdone?,sowecanmakean
announcement?"Hesaystot
all
yignor
ingmy
Questi
on, Inod.
"Mybrot
hersaidIshoul
dber
ecei
vingt
hepaper
s
ear
lyTomorrow"Isay

"
Paper
s?"
"YesSphol
a!,heismyl
awyer"IsayandHe
Chuckl
esbi
tterl
y.

"
Soyoudon'
ttr
ustme?
"HeAsks.
"
IdoSphol
a,It
rustyou"
Heshakeshi
shead
"I
fyoutrustmewhy?Whydowehavet ohave
stupi
dcontract
s?"HesaysLeavi
ng,
Thi
stimeIlet
himleaveandSighwal
kingbacktot
hehouse.

"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"Mymom asksmaki
ngTea
"
OutWi
thaf
ri
end"
Isi
gh.

"HethinksIdon'tt
rusthim, It
houghtthi
swas
str
ict
lybusinessnof eel
ingsorWhateverinvol
ved"I
say

"
Maybehei
sjustmad,
Tea?
"
Inod
"Please.IknowSpholaithasnot
hingt
odowit
hme
arrivingl
ate"IsayandgrabmyPhonecal
li
ngmy
brot her
"
Nunu"heanswer
s.
"
Bhut
i"
"HowcanIhelpyou?"Hegoesst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt
Ididn'
tevenaskhowhei
s.
"Thecont
ract
,Idon'
tthi
nkIwantt
ousei
tanymor
e"
Isay

"
Because?
"
Ikeepqui
te.

"Sweetheartifyouaresti
llgoi
ngaheadwiththe
patnershipyouneedt hecontr
act,Maketheperson
sign,it
'si
mpor tantAskanybusinessper
sonand
they'
lltel
lyou.Byebye"hehangsup.

"Bhut
isayshi
"Isay,
soshecannotaskaboutt
he
contr
act.
Shegr
eet
sbacksmi
li
ng.

"
Sot
hef
ri
endi
t'
saheorashe?
"Sheasks.
"
It
'sashemama,
Iwoul
dneverCheatonSphol
a"

"Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingaboutcheat
ing"
Ir
ollmyeyesandShel
aughs.

MyphoneRi
ngs,
Isi
ghbef
oreanswer
ing.
"
Yes?
"

"I
sthi
sMi ssThandi
weSoont
obeMr
sRanal
a?"He
says,
Ilaughatthi
s.
"
Yesthi
sisher,HowmayIbeofyourassi
stance
t
odayMrRanala?"Hechor
tl
es

"Bymeeti
ngmeout
sidef
oraQui
ckki
ss"hesays
andILaugh
"
Uyahl
anya,i
t'
slat
e"Isayi
nhal
fWhi
sperhopi
ng
mymom doesn'
thearme

"AndI'
mfr
eezingbr
ingaj
ersey"hesayst
hen
hangsup,Isi
gh.

"Ineedt
ogiveSpholahisj
acket
,It
hinkhe. .
.he.
..
i
meanIgrabbeditandhewasmadsoher anaway
andIranbackinthehousesohewant sitback"I
l
ie, mymom catchesupcauseshelaughs.

"GotoyourFr
iendThandiwe,I
'm gi
vingyou
5minut
esthough"Ismilebef
oregrabbingajacket
i
nmyRoom andwal kingout.

"MyDadwil
lki
llyouwena!
"Isayaf
tersof
tl
y
pushi
nghi
m.
"
Please,Lethi
m ki
llmeaftert
his"hesayspull
ing
myclosertohim,beforesmashinghiscol
dli
pson
mine,Kissi
ngmesof tl
yandslowly,Ipul
lout.
"
NowHecanki
llme!
"HesaysandILaugh.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iask.
"
Givi
ngyouapr
opergoodbye"Ismi
leshyl
y.
"So,Byethen.Seemsli
kethemeeti
ngisat8am so
youwon'tseethi
shandsomenessanyt
imesoon"
hesays.

Ir
espondbyr
oll
ingmyeyes
"Youdon'
tlookorsoundokayt
hough?
"HeAsks
andIsigh.

"Someandmyboyf r
iendar
egett
inginsome
part
nershi
pandhedoesn'
twantanycontr
act
i
nvolved"Isay
"That'
scrazy!
,heiscrazy!,I
'
llgetyoualawyerhe'
l
l
draftt
hatcontr
actjustsendtheinf
ormat
ionandWe
aregoodt ogo.he'
scrazy"hesays, madithi
nk.
"Mybr
otheri
sal
awyer,
andt
hecont
racti
sdone"I
say
"Mylawyerdeal
sspeci
fi
call
ywit
hthesethi
ngs,
He'
llsor
tyououtdon'
tstr
essyourbr
other,andI
'
ll
paydon'
targue"hesaysandILaugh.

"
Lawyer
sar
eexpensi
ve"Isay.
"
Moneyisnothi
ngtomereal
ly"hesays"
Inever
t
houghtofyouasabuSi
nesswomen"

Befor
eIcanevenanswersomeonei
sgr
abbi
ngmy
hand.
"Babaisdonebat
hing!
,Shesha!"Theyareboth
pull
ingmetothehouse,Idon'tevenprot
est,
my
DadcanbeattheShitoutofmeanyt i
mehewant s.
Theypul
lmet
omyr
oom andcl
oset
hedoor
"
That
'
shi
m?"Mf
ananoyi
seasks
"Hi
m who?,I
'm dat
ingSphol
a"Isay,
TheyknowI
'
m
dat
ingSphol
a.
"
Arealmani sdar
kski
nnedSi
si,Arealmani
sme"
MakhosonkesaysHol
dingHi
sinvi
sibl
eBear
d.

"
Phumani
"Isay,
TheKi
ssar
gh!
.

.
HaveAgr
eatdayf
am!
!
[
10/
31,
05:
33] :Chapt
er3(
unedi
ted)

Today,IWokeupont heWr ongsideofthebedyou

cansay.Notonlyam Iext
remelyexhausted!
,I'
m
Sadfornoreasonatal
l,ormaybebecauseTumel o
haslef
ttownbynow.Ithrowt heblanket
sonthe
Floorandgetupgr
umpy,
Imustnotbet
est
ed
todaynje.

Idon' tevenbat h,IwearmygownandRusht othe

kitchen. Ineedtoeat! ,Supri
cinglythere'
snoone
her e.Mymom i sprobablyInherTuckshop, My
DadatWor k,Andt hoselit
tl
eDemonsatschool, I
don' tmindt hough. Icoul
duseabr eatherespeci
all
y
from t hethingstheysay.i maginea16yearol d
telli
ngyouhowr eal manare,I'm beyondannoyed,
I'
llshowhi mf l
amesonceheget sback

Ifi
ndlastni
ght'splat
eintheoven,where'smy
meat?,ISi
ghandRusht othepottogetsomemeat
anddishupbef or
ewar mingthefoodup. Mymom
bett
ernotfi
ndmei nhere,Dressedl
ikethis.
No
nothi
nginappropri
atejustGownandsomeoft hose
catshoes-Fli
pf l
ops!

Ifi
ndt
hebrownenvelopwr
it
tenMissO.
NKhanyi
le
andOpeni
t,Greatt
hecont
racti
shere.
nowaf
ter
Tumel ohasst r
onglyadvicedthatthecontracti
s
Definet
elynecessaryIwillmakesur eSphol asi
gns
i
t,Iputi tawayandst ar
teatingmysoulandhear t
out, WhenI '
m doneIwashmypl at
eandt hefew
remainingdishesthatwer ei
nt here,Istar
tmoping
theFloorandmakesur eeverythingisinorder
beforetakingalong,Refreshingbath.

MyphoneRings,HeissavedasMrRanal
aafter
t
hefi
rstt
imehecall
edme, Ibl
ushatt
hethoughtof
i
tbef
oreansweri
ng.
"
MrRanal
a"Isay.

"MissKhanyil
e,Cal
lmecrazybutIcouldn'
teven
getupafterIst
ayedupl
astnightt
hinki
ngaboutthe
kiss"hesaysandIli
ckmylipsatthethoughtofi
t.

"ImissedmyFli
ght"hesaysandIscr
eam i
n
happiness,
JumpingupandDown.
"ExcusethatbutIneededtodothosehappydances
ofmi ne"IsayandHel aughs.

"Ohnoit'
sfi
ne,
Whatdi
dyourFat
hersayl
ast
night
?"Isi
gh

"Iwasdr aggedtomyr oom andforcedtosleepso

hecoul dn'
treal
lyt
alktome, butIcouldn'
tstop
thi
nkingaboutthekisseit
her"Ican'tbeli
eveI'
m
actuall
ybeinghonestRightnow.

"Thenextmeeti
ngi
sDueSar
tuday,Ihopewe'
llbe
abletospendsometi
met
ogether"
hesaysandI
smile.

"
That
'
sni
ce"
Hechor
tl
es.

"
CanIf
etchyounow?
,Formovi
esi
nmyr
oom?
"He
AsksandIbl
ush.
"
OfCour
se!
,Yes!Pl
ease"

Hel
aughs.
"
I'
llbet
her
eInaFew"hesays
"Ist
il
lneedt
odel
ivert
hecont
ractt
omy.
..
toSphol
a
"Isay.
"Wewillbot
hdeli
veri
t"hesayswit
hnocareinthi
s
worl
d, Doesheevert
hinkbef
oredoi
ngorsayi
ng
something?

"Youwanttot akemetomyownboyf r
iendwi
tha
cartodel
iveracontr
acthedoesn'
tevenwant?"I
ask,Chortl
ing.

"Ormaybenot
,I'
l
ldr
opyouof
faf
ewhousesaway"
hesays.
"
Okay,
Bye"hehangsupandI
'
mlef
tsmi
li
ngal
one.
IThrowclothesal
lar
oundmyroom lookingfort
he
bestoutf
it
,IpickmyPhoneupandcallXoli,The
bestWhenI tcomest
osuchthi
ngs,italsohelps
thatsheknowsallmycl
othes,
Likebasicall
yALL
OFTHEM!

"i
t'
s10am i
nthemor
ning"sheut
ter
s,Bef
ore
si
ghing.
"
Andyouhaveaj
obt
ogett
o"Ir
emi
ndher

"
Dayof
fsis,
Whatdoyouwant?Ijustwanttosl
eep
t
hewhol
edayof
f?"Il
augh,
Xoliwoulddothat.

"
I'
m goingtoTumelo'
sandIdon'tknowwhatt o
wear
,Pleasehel
p,Pret
tyPlease"Ibeg,Looki
ngat
myselfinthemi
rror.Beggingdoesn'
tlookgoodon
me.
SheSi
ghs,
andIknowI
'
m aboutt
ogetal
ect
ure.
"
AndSphol
a?"Sheasks,
Irol
lmyeyes.

"Whatabouthi
m? ,MeandTumeloarejustfr
iends
andhewillbeher
einafewpleasehel
pasi sout"I
say.
Sheactuall
yhelpwit
ht heoutfi
tpicki
ng,Andalso
expl
ainswhythisoutf
itofalloutf
its,Appar
entl
yI
havetolookli
kesomeone'sgi r
lf
ri
endwhoi sn'
t
l
ookingforanyrel
ati
onshipwi t
hTumel o,because
bothmyFr i
endsDonotl i
kehim.

ButIlovet
heoutfi
t,Iti
ssocomf ort
ableand
toppi
ngitoffwi
thsneakerswasabr il
li
anti
dea,To
showTumel oI'
m onlyl
ookingfor"
Fri
endshi
pwi t
h
him",Hetextsme'I'
m her
e' andIsmil
ewalkingout.
Irushtomymom' sminiTuckshop,
Welli
thasbeen
extendednowsoo.IgetI
nandputthekeysonthe
table.
"Uyaphi
?"Sheasks,
Ievenhaveli
pst
ickon,The
oneusedtocommunicatebet
terwi
thSatan,t
hat
's
whatmymom saysanyway.

"
Deli
ver
ingcont
ractt
oSphol
a,ThenTownwit
ha
f
ri
end"IsayandSheConti
noessel
li
ngtoSomeone

"Nana, BeCarefuldon'
tusethatmoneyreckl
essl
y,
Openori nvesti
nt opbusi
nesses.BeA
businesswomenl ikeyoual
wayswant ed,Thi
s
moneywi llopendoorsforyouSweethear
t"she
says

"Yesmom, Didyouthi
nkaboutt
heof f
erof
renovat
ingthehouse,i
twasactual
lynotanofferI
j
ustneedyout otel
lmewhenIshouldDoi t"Isay,
Shedoesn'tevensmil
e.

"I
'm dyi
nghere"aTextcomesthroughf
rom
Tumelo,Ist
opmysel
ffrom gi
ggl
ingandlookback
atmymom .
"
Ist
hatsphol
a?"sheasks,
Iset
tl
eforaNod.

"I
'm gl
adyouguysfi
xedyourissues,
Hei
sagr eat
guy.Losi
nghim wouldbei
dioti
cofyou"-Isett
le
foraNodagain.

"
Soma?Ther
enovat
ion?
"
"
I'
llt
alkt
oyourdad,
andbye"shesaysandpushes
meoutthedoor
"Gr
eetSphol
aandyourFriend"InodWalki
ng,
She
get
sbackintheshoponlythi
sti
meshelockst
he
doorsoIdon'
tevendi
sturbher,Il
augh.

×××.

"
Youreal
lycankeepaguyWait
ing"hecompl
ains,
Aft
erpl
aci
ngakissonmyCheeck.
Heopenst
hedoorformeandIgeti
nbeforehe
cl
osesi
tandWalkstohi
ssi
deofthedoorandalso
get
sin.

"
Howar
eyouMi
ssKhanyi
le?
"HeAsksandIsmi
le.
"
I'
m gr
eatt
hanksandyour
sel
f?"Hesmi
les.

"
I'
m gr
eat"

Igivehim di
rect
ionstoWhereSpholamightbe,I
tel
lhimtoStopanddr opmeof fAtl
east5houses
away, Hedoesn'tli
ketheidea,butl
et'
sitsl
ide.
ThankHeavens!Idon'tneeddrama.

If
indSphol
aout
sidehi
sshackwashi
ngcl
othes.
"
Sphol
a"Isayi
nhal
fWhi
sper.
Hetur
nstolookatmeandwi
peshi
shandsonone
oft
heclot
hes.
"
Hey"hegr
eet
s
"I
sthatt
hecontr
act?
"HeAskslooki
ngatt
he
envel
op,Inodandhenodsal
so.

"
Doyouhaveapen?
"
Inod,andgivei
ttohi
m,Heishummi ngand
Signi
ngthepaper
sli
kehedoesn'
tcar
e.

"Looki
m sorr
yaboutl
astni
ght,Idi
dn'
tmeanal
l
thoset
hingsIsai
d,Youhadmewor ri
edf
ora
secondther
e"hesaysandILaugh.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyouwenthomewi
thpjs"Isayandhe
holdsmyWai standbr
ingsmecl
osertohim.

"Amangetswor
ri
edandJeal
ousyouknow"he
sayspecki
ngmyli
ps.
"Il
ikei
twhenyouarej
ealous"Isayli
cki
ngmyli
ps,
andkissi
nghi
m bef
orerememberingTumel
ois
wai
ti
ngf
orme.

"
Thanksf
orsi
gni
ngt
hecont
ract"Isay,
Hel
aughs
"Wel
comet
othet
axibusi
nesspat
ner"hesays
ki
ssi
ngmemore.

"Wear
esupposedt
obeshaki
nghands
Sweet
lam'
l
omkhuhl
wane"Isayi
nbetweent
heki
ss

"
Butwewon'
t"hesaysandCont
inoest
oki
ssme.
"
Imi
ssedt
his,
Imi
ssus"

"Imissyout
ooSphol
a"Isaypul
li
nghi
m cl
oserf
ora
kiss.

Aft
erwhatf
eel
slike5minut
es,
Heactual
lyl
et'
sme
gonowI'
mjoggingtoTumelohopi
nghe'
ssti
llt
her
e.
He'
sleani
ngonhi
scarbusywi
thhi
sphone.
"
Hey"Isay,
Hel
ooksatmeandsmi
les.
"Let
'sgetgoi
ng"hesaysandget
sin,
Idot
hesame
andhedr i
vesaway.

"
Alli
swel
l?"HeAsks.
Inod

"
Alli
sGr
eat!
"Isay,
henodsandIsmi
le.

×××
HeThr
owsapi
ll
owatme
"
Looser!
"Ishoutwi
thmyt
ongueout,
His'
Team'
l
ost,andhe'
smad.

"Bri
ngbackmyFood"hesayst
aki
ngasl
iceof
pizzaf
rom mypl
ateandeat
s.
"
Thi
shasmeat"Isay,
Hecont
inueseat
ing.
"
I'
m ki
ll
ingmysel
f"
Ah,
Veget
ari
ans.Meatdoesn'
tki
ll.

Il
ookatmywat
chandi
t'
shal
fpastf
ive.
"
I'
m cooki
ngt
oday"Isayt
ohi
m.
"
Goonandcook"hesays

"Athomedummy"IsayRol
li
ngmyEyes,
Tumel
o
canbeannoyi
ng.

"CanIj
oin?
,IwanttomeetmyFut ur
einlaws? "I
l
augh,evenSphola,TheyguyI'
vebeendati
ngsince
Iwas16nevergottohavedinnerwi
thmycr azy
Famil
y.

"Nothappeni
ng"Isay,Thi
sishonestl
ymet r
yingto
prot
ecthimfrom myl
it
tl
ebrot
hers,Theyar
ejusttoo
much.They'l
lgoontel
li
nghimtodothis,Wear
that,
buythem t
his,
Givethem t
hat.Those
demandi
ngDemons. !

"Okay,Bef
oreweleave.Let
'sdot
his"hesays
peckingmylips.
"We'
vebeendoi
ngt
hissi
nceFor
ever"Isayhe
chuckl
es

"
Notr
eal
ly"hesaysCarr
yingmetohi
sbed,
places
meonhi
sbedandget sontopofme.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iask,
andhechor
tl
es.
"
Thi
s?"Hekissesmeslowl
y,Passi
onat
elyasi
f
t
her
e'sasongleadi
ngus.
Hetakesof
fmyT-shi
rtwhil
eatit
.Hegoesdownt o
ki
ssi
ngmyboobsbeforesqueezi
ngt
hem toget
her,
Heli
cksandpl
aceswetkissesonmyneck.
"
T...
tumel
o..
."-Suddent
lyIcan'
tbreath.Iwanthi
m
t
odot hi
ngstomeandl uckil
yheis..
.andIdon'
t
t
hinkIwantthismomenttocomet oanend.

×××
I'
m homebef
ore7p.m,I
'm donebat hi
ngandIhave
alr
eadyor
der
edpizza,
Idon'tfeell
ikecooki
ng.

MyDadi
sher
e,soi
sther
estoft
heFami
ly.
"
Aren'
tyoucooki
ng?
"Mymom asks.
"No.Ior
der
edPi
zza"IsayandMybr
other
sJump
upandDown.

"
ThanksGod!
"Mf
ananoyi
sesays.
"Nooffencebutpi
zzai
swaybet
tert
hanyour
cooki
ng"makhosonkesays,
mom andDadare
l
aughing.
Mxm,
Thi
sisn'
tevenf
unny.

"Takeawaysoveryourcooki
nganydaysi
s"
Mf ananoyi
sesaysandIcli
ckmyTonguewal
king
away.
[
10/
31,
05:
33] :Chapt
erFour

"
Please.
..
s..
.st
op"Isaypushi
nghi
m gent
lyof
fme,
Heholdsont ometight
erki
ssi
ngme

"Tu..
.Tumel
o..
stop"Isayl
ouderandt
hist
imehe
stops.

"OhmyGod!,I
'
m sosorr
yThandi
we..
.i.
..
ishouldn'
t
havedonet
hat"Hesaysput
ti
ngonhisshir
t.and
handsmemine.

"
C..
.canI..
useyourbathr
oom pl
ease?
"Iaskand
Henods,showi
ngmet hedoor.It
aketheT-
Shir
t,
covermyboobsandrusht
othetoil
et,Il
ockthe
dooronceIgeti
nther
eandrushtothemirr
or

I
'
m dr
ained!
I
'
m notokay!

Ist
areatt
hemi
rr
or,
AndFakeasmi
le.
"
Youar
ebeaut
if
ulThandi
we"
"
Str
etchmar
ksar
enot
hing"
"
Blacki
nnerThi
ght
sar
enot
hing!
"
"
Yourf
atbel
lydoesn'
tmat
teral
so,
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul
"
"
Saggybooksar
enot
hing"

"
Thandi
we!
"Tumel
oshout
s.
"I
'
m coming"IsayandputonmyT-Shi
rtbef
ore
pour
ingmyfacewithwater,
Ineedt
ogohome.
"
Please,Takemehome"Isayst
il
lint
hebat
hroom
"
Iwanttogohome"asanaftert
hought
.

"
I'
llt
akeyouhome,
justgetoutoft
her
esowecan
t
alk,Pl
ease"
Isi
gh,If
ixmybr ai
dsandgobacktohi
sroom ,
He
hugsmetightt
hemi nut
eIst
epoutoft
heBathr
oom
"I
'
m sosor
ry,
Ipr
omi
sei
twi
l
lneverhappenAgai
n"
hebegs.

"Please,
Takemehome.Iwantmymom "Isay,He
sighsdeafet
edandgrabshi
scarkeys,
Hetr
ies
holdingmyhandbutImoveit,
Andcovermyears.

Helookshur t,butIdon'
tthi
nkIcare,Notnowof
course,Idon'teverwanttotal
ktohim eventhought
Iknowi t
'snothisfaul
tthatI
'minsecureaboutmy
ownbody, Allheeverdidwastokissme, butIdon't
thi
nkI'l
levergivemyselftoaman, notaf
terwhat
myuncl edidtome! ,oral
mostdid.Iknowmy
brot
hercamet
omyr escuebuti
tst
il
lhaunt
sme
down.Whatwasheevergoi
ngtodoifhenever
showedup?

Hest
il
lopensthedoorf
orme,andstandsout
side
f
oracoupleofminut
esbef
oremovi
ngt ohi
sside.
"Ar
ewestil
lFr
iends?"Heasks,
Ishrugmy
Shoul
der
sandl ookout
sidet
hewindow.

"
Thul
a!"
"
Thul
amamaungakhal
i"
"
Sul
amamaI
nyembezizakho"
"
Umdal
iuzosiboni
sai
ndl
ela"

Thanksheavenssomeonedeci dedt
ocallme,
Iwas
goi
ngcr azywi
thal
l t
hethinki
ng,Imakeamental
notetoaskForForgi
veness
"
Bhut
i"Ianswer
,Heneverj
ustcal
lsme.
"
Nana"heanswer
s
"
Uphi
l
ile?
"HeAsks.

"
Yebo,
wena?
"
"
I'
m okay,
Didyougot
hrought
hecont
ractandsend
i
t?"Heasks.

"
Yes,
it'
ssi
gned"Isay.
"Yesbutdidyoureadit?
,Don'
ttel
lmeaboutTr ust
Thandiwe.Youjustdon'
ttr
ustpeopleli
kethat,You
mustreadandmakesur eever
ythi
ngi sthewayyou
wantittobeFir
st"hesays,Calmly.

"Bhut
ithecont
ractwasmadebyyou,Youar
emy
brot
her.Youwouldneverdoanyt
hingt
ohur
tme"I
say,Iknowhewoul dn'
t.
"That
'syourpr oblem Thandiwe,Yout r
ustt
oomuch,
Youtrustedmal umeaf terItol
dyout oneveropen
yourdoorforanyonebutmeormom youst i
ll
openedforhi m, nowyouar eyou,Youhave
changedsi ncethatday. Eventhoughhedidn'treal
ly
domucht oyou.Youwer estil
lscaredbuthowdo
youmanage?, HowdoyouCont i
noetrust
ing
peopl
el i
ket hatevenaftermalumehur tyou?"He
says.

"I
t'sme,Itr
usteasi
ly,
Ifor
giveeasil
y.It'
sinmy
blood,Ican'
tandIwon'tchangeit"Isay.

"Hewant
stoseeyou"hesays,Ikeepquit
e,Idon'
t
knowwhoheistal
kingaboutsoIkeepqui
te.

"
Mal
ume"hesaysasanAf
tert
hought.
"
Hewant
stoseeyou".
.

Il
augh
"
Tof i
nishwhathest
art
ed,Orcal
lmeaFatcowI
n
f
rontofever
yone?,No!
"Ishoutl
oudert
han
i
ntended.

"HeissickThandi
we, HeisoutofPrisonandin
hospit
al.Hehaspoli
ceoffi
cersguardinghi
m 24
hours,Hewon'thurtyouandbesidesI '
l
lbet
here
too"Hesays,Irol
lmyeyes.

"
Ithoughtyouhat
edhi
m"
"Idotr
ustme,buthei
sdying.Andhejustwantt
o
tal
kifyouar
ereadyj
ustcal
lmeokay?"Hesaysand
Ihangup.Seehi
m!

Ther
e'sasof
tknockontheDoor,It
ellt
heper
sont
o
goawaybuttheyCont
inoeknocki
ng.
"
Ngl
ele!
"Ishout
s.

Whoeveri
tisCont
inoest
oknock,
Igetupandopen
t
hedoorr
oughl
y.
"
Icecream date?,j
ustmeandyou"hesaysHoldi
ng
t
hebigt uboficecr
eam andt
wospoons,anda
l
aptop.Ismile.

"
IwouldneversaynotoIcecream si
r"isayt
aki
ng
t
helapt
opfrom hi
m, andlet
ti
nghimi n

HeThr
owshi
msel
fonmybed
"Idon'
tevenrememberthelastt
imeIwasinher
e,
butIknowi twassodi
rt
yt hatwehadtocl
ean
beforedaddydaught
erIcecream dat
e"

Il
augh,
Iwasl
ivi
ngapi
ggyl
if
est
ylet
hen.

"IchangedIguess"Isayandwebot
hgetinbed,I
l
ookf orourfavor
it
emovieandwewatchi
t,Eat
ing
ouricecream.
"YouknowIcoul dtel
lyouarenotokay"hesays
andl i
ckshisspoon,ifItwassomeoneelseI'
dbe
disgustedbutI'
m not,
im act
uall
ydoingthesame
thingandwebot hdon'
tseem tomind.

"
I'
mfi
nebaba"Isay,
sti
llf
ocusedont
hemovi
e.
"
Youar
enotThandi
we.Whati
swr
ong?
"HeAsks.

"Imetsomeone"Isay,Hedoesn'
trespond.He
knowsheshouldn'
t.Hej
ustst
aresatme.

"
Heisdi
ffer
entbaba,Het akesmeoutondates,
Ki
ssesmewhenIl eastexpecti
the'
sagreatguy.
Wearej
ustFri
endsbuthe' smore"ISi
gh.
"Todaywewer ehavi ngsomemovi edate, Iwas
okaywi t
hhim kissingme, him carr
yingMet ohis
bedbutwhenhet riedtounbot t
unmyt rouserIl
ost
i
t!,Itr
iedconvincingmysel fthathe'
snotmal ume.
HeisTumel o.butIcouldn'tsoIbeggedhi mt oget
offme, andhedi dandapol ogised.Hedi dn'
tdo
anyt
hingWrongbababutnowhe'st
ryi
ngt
ocal
lme
andhe'sapol
ogi
zingbutIcan'
t"
Isay,
MyDadst
il
ldoesn'
tsayanythi
ng,
Hefeeds
measpoonofi
cecream andhugsmeti
ght.

"Youruncl
eisinprison,hewon'
tbotheryou.
and
youshouldapologizetoyourFr
iendtoo"Hesays
andkissesmyFor ehead.

"Mal
umewantst
oseeme"Isay,
Thi
sti
mehi
seyes
popout
,Hechor
tl
es.

"
Uyabhemal
oyo"hesays,
andf
ocusesont
he
movi
e.

"
I'm act
ual
lyt
hinki
ngofgoi
ng"Isay,
Hel
ooksatme
l
ikeIneedhel
p.

"
Ini
?"HeAsks
"
I'
mthi
nki
ngofgoi
ngwi
thakni
fet
ost
abhi
slegs"
Hel
aughs,Put
stheempt
yicecr
eam t
ubawayand
t
hel
aptop.

"
Let
'ssl
eepNt ombi
,I
'm goi
ngt
owor
ktomor
row"
Hesayscuddl
ingme.

×××

AftermyDadt ol
dmet hati
twasonlyfai
rI
apologizedtoTumelo,Ideci
dedhewasRi ghtand
decidedt ogocheckonhim,Ibor
rowedmyDad' s
carsincehewentt oworkwit
hTaxis.

Thesamel
adywhowasher
eYer
stedayi
sst
il
lher
e.
"Morni
ng"Igr
eed,
Shef
lashesasmi
leandgr
eet
s
back.
"I
'
ml ooki
ngforMrRanala,TumeloRanal
a.I
she
sti
llhere?"IaskChecki
ngoutthehot
el.

"Unfort
unatel
yMrTumel
ocheckedoutYer
steday
night.Hehadsomeonefet
chhiscl
othesf
orhim
j
ustaf t
eryoulef
t"
Isi
gh.

"Doyoumaybeknowwhy?
"IaskandSheshr
ugs
hershoul
der
"
Notatal
lma'
am"

Isi
gh,
andThankherbef
orel
eavi
ng.

××

"
Fancyseei
ngyouher
e"Xol
i,Mi
ssDr
amasays,
I
r
ollmyeyes.
"IboughtAmagwinyaf
rom ourl
awful
lywedded
ChefbraTuckssi
r"
Isaypl
acingthepl
ast
iconthe
tabl
e

"Wait,I
sthatRussi
anIsmel
lther
e? "Xol
isays
rushi
ngtocheckoutwhat
'sI
ntheplasti
c

"Amagwinyapl
usAtchaarfr
om maRoseand
Russi
ans"IsayandZandil
ealsor
ushest
ogett
he
pl
asti
c

"
ThebestCombo"shesays,
Alr
eadyt
aki
ngabi
te.

"
Mynextcl
ientwi
llbeherei
n30minutesl
et'
seat
l
adi
es,pl
uswehavecol ddr
inki
ntheFri
dge"

Ist
opwor ki
ngherf
orafewmonthsandthey
al
readyhaveaFri
dge,Notj
ustanyFr
idge.Afr
idge
wi
thCol
dDr
ink.Pr
obabl
yor
igi
nal.

"
Weboughti
tsi
ncet
hesal
oni
sdoi
ngwel
l"
Ismi
le

"NnaIjustwanttoeatmyheartout"Xol
isays
gett
ingglassesandwestar
teati
ng.

"Remembert heSlayQueen'
sweddi ng?"Xoliasks,
andIknowI'm abouttoheupdatedonever ythi
ng, I
tur
nalongwithmychai rt
olookintohereyeswhen
shespeaks,I
talwaysmakesmef eell
ikeIwas
actual
lyt
herewhent hewholet
hingwashappeni ng.
Xolii
sthebestGossipQueenever!

"I
twasbori
ng! ,
Hercakewassonoton"shesays
andZandi
lelaughs.
"
Itwasblue,Pi
nk,Yel
low,r
edandgr
een,Whoin
t
heirr
ightst
ateofmindcoul
dmixbl
ueandgr
een
andal
ltheot
hercol
our
s?"-Zandi
lesays.

"Onawhol ecake,Basicall
ythethemewasBl ue,
Green,Pi
nk,Yellowitwascol our
blocki
ngmugi r
l!,
I
couldn'
tsoIjuststoodtherenje.Rightneart
he
kit
chenandkeptaski ngwhenwast hefoodgett
ing
readysoIcaneatandl eave"Xol i
'shonesty!
,We
burstouti
nlaughter

"
Ukudl
abokumnandishame"
-Zandi
lesays.

"t
joh!
,IevenwentasFarasf
il
li
ngal
lmypl
ast
ics,
al
l6ofthem "Il
augh.

"KodwaXoli
"shedoesn'
tevenseem tocare,She
Conti
noeseati
nganddri
nkingli
keshedidn'tj
ustt
ell
mesheat e,
andtook6pl
asticsf
ulloff
oodata
wedding.
"ThewomanasksUf unayiphiInyama, Iwas
beyondannoyed!Iwantt
hewhol emeat!Shedi dn'
t
buythefoodItol
dherFakaSi si
,Fakakonke!,
I'
m
notall
ergi
ctoanythi
ng"
Welaughagai
n,Ineedt
oleavet
hispl
acebef
oreI
di
e.

myPhonebeeps.
'
Let
sgot
oJozi
'i
treads,
From Tumel
o.

Ichockont helastgwi
nyaandtheyhandmea
glassofcokeinsteadofWat
er.Mxm .Idr
inkup
anywayandr e-readt
hemassage.
Hecal
lsme.
"
Tumel
o"Ianswer
.

"Let
smovetoJozi
,j
ustyouandIThandiwe.Sowe
cangett
oknoweachothermore"hesays.
"
Tumel
o"Isay
"
Please,Il
oveyouThandi
we.I'
m notaboutt
ohi
de
i
t,Il
oveyou"hesaysandIsi
gh.

"I
'
llgetbackt
oyou,bye"IsayandHangupbef
ore
hesaysanythi
ngel
se.

"
And?
"Xol
iasks.
.

"
Tumel
owant
smet
omovewi
thhi
mtoJozi
"
Theybothchokeonwhateverandgetuptoget
water,Theydr
inkupandZandil
estaresatme
i
ntensely.

"Youdon'
tknowt
heguywel
lenough,
soi
t'
sanono
"shesays
"
Besi
deshowwi
llt
hismakeSphol
afeel
?"Xol
iasks.
"I
'
m oldenoughtomakemyowndecisi
onsbesi
des
Ineversai
dI'
m goi
ngwit
hhi
m "Isay.
Theybot
hlookatmeli
keI'm cr
azyandst
artgoi
ng
backt
ocleani
ng,orpr
etendi
ngt o.

"
ByeOt
handi
we"Xol
isaysandIsi
ghl
eavi
ng.Jozi
!

Goodni
ghtFam!
[
10/
31,
05:
33] :Chapt
erf
ive.

ITakeadeepbr
eat
hbef
oresi
tt
ingdownl
ooki
ngat
them

"
Ufunani
?"MyDadasks.

Iknowtheyar
ethi
nki
ngI'
m her
efortheusual-
ei
thermoneyoranewpai
rofsneakersIsaw.They
neverl
etmeusemymoneyunlessit'
stoinvesti
n
somet
hingandI
'
m gr
atef
ul,
I'
dbecr
azynott
obe.

"
Lutho"Isayandst
artdi
shi
ngup,
Icookedf
ort
he
wholeSouthAf
ri
ca.
Mymom andDadtakegl
ancesateachot
herbef
ore
t
aki
ngt
heirpl
atesanddi
shuptoo.

"
What
'supFam?
"
Noneofusevenbotherwhat
'sappi
nghim, Dadhas
t
oldhi
m countl
essti
mesnevertousethatkindof
l
anguageanywherenearus,
butheythisis
Makhosonke.

"Sanibonani
"Mfananoyi
segreets,Tal
kaboutwell
-
manner edpeopl
e,WeallgreetbackandItel
lhi
mt o
sitdownandeat.

"
Isi
tChr
ist
masyet
?"-Sonkeasks,
Irol
lmyeyes.
"
Stopbei
ngstupi
dforadayplease"IsayandHe
l
aughsli
keIdi
dn'
tjustcal
lhi
m anidi
ot,Whichhei
s
r
eall
y.

"soBaba,canIgooutt oni
ght?"HeAsksagai n,my
Dadstopseati
ngandl ooksathim, Iknowhe'
sKaak
scar
ed.ItakeaglanceatMf ananoyisewho'
stryi
ng
sohardnottocrackoutinlaughter.

"Gooutwher e?
"MyDadasks, MyDadmi ghtbeal
l
Sweet,buthescar
esmesomet imesespecial
ly
whenhest opseat
ingandlooksatyoust
raighti
n
theeyesoyoucant el
lhi
m exactl
ywhatyour
probl
em is.

"I
'
m goi
ngoutwi
thFr
iends"hesays

"
Ididn'
tsayWhoareyougoi
ngoutwit
h,Isai
d
whereareyougoi
ngmakhosonke?
"MyDadasks
"Apensdownpart
y" hesaysandmyDadshakes
hisheadandCont
inoueseati
ng.

That
'sano.

"Babangiyakcel
a"makhosonkebegsandmyDad
sti
llshakeshisheadandsaysnothi
ng.

"Thi
sisreal
lygoodmt
wanami"mymom
compli
mentsmyFood! ,
it'
saf
ir
stsheal
wayshas
somethi
ngtocomplai
nabout
'
Thandi
weYourFoodt
akesl
ikeyoudi
dn'
twantt
o
cook'
'
Thandi
weIshoul
dreal
lyst
opl
ett
ingyoucook'
'
Utswayiongaka,
Areyout
ryi
ngt
ogetuski
ll
ed?
'

That'
sthecomplimentsyou'
dexpectfr
om mymom
.anyway,Ifocusontheposit
ivesandThankher.
Makhosonkeissti
llbegginghimtolethi
m go,I
wantt
ohel phi
m butI'm suret
hatwon'tworksi
nce
whatI
'm aboutt
otellthem mightbeworse.

Unfort
unatel
ywedon' tgett
oeati
npeace,
makhosonkeiskaakmadandhe' snoteventryi
ng
tohideit
,he'
sbusysaying"sonotdopepops"whil
e
eat
ing.Wef i
nal
lyfi
nisheati
ngandHegetsupf i
rst,
Fol
lowedbyMf ananoyise.

Ineededt
hespacewi
tht
hepar
ent
sanyway.
"Mami"Isayandshel
ooksatme,
wel
lbot
hherand
ubaba.
"
Baba"

"
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing"Isay.
"
Clear
ly"umamasayssar
cast
ical
ly.
"I
'
ml eaving"Isay,
theybot
hlookatmelikeI
'
m
crazy,befor
eubababurstouti
nlaught
er.

"Andwhatt
imeareyoucomingback?9p.
m?sowe
cannotbot
hercal
li
ngthatBoy"
Mymom doesn'
tevent
ryt
olaughathi
sjoke,
wel
l
met
oo.

"
Wai
t,Am Imi
ssi
ngsomet
hingher
e?"MyDadAsks.

"Thi
sexactl
yhowsiyabongal
ookedwhenhetoldus
heismovingoutf
orgood"mymom Says, ubaba
l
aughsagain.

"
Siyabongai
saman, Thi
sismyl i
tt
legi
rl.
shecan'
t
j
ustleavenj
e,wel
lat
leastnotnow"Hesays,He
l
ookssadsoInod.

"
Yespapi
,I
'l
ljustgol
iedown"Isayandgetup
car
ryi
ngt
hepl
ate.

"Didn'tyousayYouhavesomewheretobe?"He
asks, Ifakealaught
erandCont
inuepacki
ngupthe
plates.

"Never
mind,I
'm sur
eaboXolial
readyl
eftme"Isay
andtheybot
hnodbef or
eIl
eavetothekit
chen.

Ipackupthedishes,Thankheavensit
's
Makhosonke'sturntowashthedishes,Iwoul
d
havedi
edrightthereonthespot.

Idon'
tevenbat
h,Itakeoffmycl
othesandgeti
n
bedwithmyPanti
esonly.Nodaddydaught
er
unexpect
eddat
es,Ihope.

Someoneknocksonthedoor,byknocksImean
Knocksr
eal
lyhard,
thosebam bam l
oudsounds,I
si
ghbef
oreCover
ingmyheadwi
thmybl
anket
s.

Iwanttoshout'
GotheFuckaway'
butIdecide
agai
nstit.Theper
songi
vesupandleaves.
Thank
Goodness!

Myphoner
ings,
Isi
gh.
MrRanal
a.Tumel
oRanal
a.

"Hi
"Isay,HekeepsQui
te.Foragood1mi
nut
es
bef
oreIhearhi
m si
gh

"
Isi
ttoosoon?
"Heasks,
Itsmyt
urnt
okeepqui
te.
"I
sittoosoont oaskyout ocomet ojoziwithme?,I
knowt hi
ssoundsSt upidbutIwillnevergettosee
you,Imeannever .IwastoldIhavet oworkstri
ctl
y
atJozifrom t
odayonwar ds,andI'l
ltr
avelarounda
l
otsigningnewdeal s,Iwil
lnevergett hechanceto
seeyouagai nIdon'twantthat.Imeani fyouthi
nk
I
'
m astr
angerIcangetyouyourownapar
tmentnot
f
arawayfr
om mine"
hesays.

Ithi
nkaboutit,
Thati
sasgoodasl
ivi
ngwi
thhi
m
butIdon'
tevendarement
ioni
t.
"
CanIt
rustyou?
"Iask.

"Ofcourseyoucan, buti
fyoucan' tl
et'
shaveyou
giveyourfr
iendsmynumberpl at
e, MyPhone
number, Myaddress, MyWor kpl
aceaddress,
Socialmediaaccountsanyt
hing!"Hesays.

"Andwhenar
ewel
eavi
ng?
"Iask,
het
akesi
ndeep
breat
hs.

"
Wait.
..
.DoesThi
smean.
..
?,youact
uall
ywant
me?
...
youwanttomovei
nwi t
hme?"heasks.

"
YesTumel
o,I
'
m movi
ngi
nwi
thyou"Isaysof
tl
y,
Heact
ual
lyscr
eams.
"OhmyGod!!!
,I'
m sohappyIcoul
deatyouri
ght
now...
okayokaybadthi
ngtosaybutyouknow
whatImean.
..
Didyoutel
lyourpar
ent
s?"

Istopther
eforaminut
e,Istopt
alki
ng.Ist
op
breat
hingandIst
opThinki
ng.
"
Thandi
we?
"

"
Byebye"Isayandhangup,
Ireal
lyneedt
otal
kto
myparent
saboutal
lthi
s.

Icovermyselfwi
thbl
anket
sagain,i
tst
hatt
imef
or
thoseli
tt
leDemons,Mosquit
oes!

.
.
.
"Thandi
we..
.sesi
..
.nana.
..
"Iopenmyeyes,bef
ore
yawning.Di
dIjustturni
nt oamil
kshake?

"Ma,
Youdon'
thavet
oshakemeupl
iket
hat"Isay
andshegi
ggl
es.

"I'
m sorr
y,CanWet alkaboutwhathappened
tonight?"Shesays,Isitupst
rai
ght,r
ubbingmy
eyeswi t
ht hebackofmyhand.

"
Toni
ght?
"Iaskl
ooki
ngsearchi
ngforphoneunder
mypi
ll
ow,DamnWomani t
's3am i
nthemor ni
ng.

"Wel
lyest
erday"shecorr
ect
sher
sel
f,Sheget
sin
bedwit
hmeandSi ghs.

"Thet
hingwit
hXoli?"Iask,Shel
ooksatmeasif
sheknowsimlying,Wehaveapr ophether
eat
home?,Idon'
tsaythatoutl
oudofcourse.
"I
sitaboutyourfr
iend?,Thenewonethatyouhave
beengoingoutwith?"shegoesst
rai
ghttothepoint
j
ustli
keSiya,l
ikemotherli
keson.

Iactshocked.
"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Iask.
"Ican'
tsl
eepAngel, Ikeephear i
ngyousayI'
m
l
eaving,andIcan'thavethat.Youar e25youar
e
myl i
tt
legi
rl.
Ican'
tjustletyougoormoveouteven
i
fit'
sgoingnextdoor, yousti
llneedmom anddad
okay?"Shesays.

"Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingaboutmovi
ngoutmama"I
say,Ir
eal
lyr
eall
yneedtosleep.

"Iki
ndofmaybe,probablybymi stakeli
stenedt o
yourconver
sat
ion, Idi
dn'tgettohearwhatt he
otherper
sonwassayi ngallIknowi syouagr eedto
movei nwit
hher"shesays
"
Him"Icor
recther.

"
Excuseme?
"
"I
t'
sahim mama, Theper
sonI'
m movinginwi t
h,
TheFri
endit
'sahe"ShekeepsQui
te,
Asi ftr
yingto
l
etever
ythi
ngijustsai
dsi
nkin.

"
Uyagul
a"shesays"
aiusangenengempel
a"-
Asan
Aft
ert
hought.

"
Isi
tSphol
a?"SheasksandIshakemyhead.

"Waitti
llyouhavetotellubabaaboutthi
s, I
'
d
Ratherhaveyouleavingt ogoliveal
onethanwi t
h
someboywedon' tevenknow, Awucabangi
Thandiwe"shesaysandget supt ol
eave,ISigh
anddeci detousethattimetopackup, Icouldn'
t
sleepafterWhatmymot herhasjustt
oldme.Ij ust
couldn'
t.
.
.
.
"Morni
ng"Isaysett
li
ngdownont
hetabl
eri
ght
opposi
teubaba,Hesmil
esatmemeani
ngumama
hasn'
ttol
dhim yet.

"Ndi
we,Whyar eyousodressedup,Youare
unempl
oyedremember? "Makhosonkecr
acksupa
j
oke,andtheyalll
augh.Exceptmeandmama.

"I
'
m goingtoopentheshopearlyt
oday"umama
saysgett
ingup,Shedoesn'
tlookf
uri
ous,Shel
ooks
waymor ethant
hat.

"
It
'stooEarl
ySthandwaSami
"myDadsaysbef
ore
t
akingaglanceatbot
hofus
"Ij
ustdon'twantt
oseesomeoner
ightnow,
ngi
vel
e
nginyanyenje"

"Mama, Pl
easesi
tdown.Weneedtotal
kaboutt
his
"Isay,
Shesighsandsi
tsdownwi
thoutafi
ght
,
ThanksGod!

"I
'
ml eavi
ngi
nanhour, I'
m goingt oJozi.I
'
m only
catchingari
debutI'l
lbeli
vingalone, atmy
apartment.I
'l
lvisi
tasoft
enasIcan"Isay, Theyal
l
stareatmewi t
houtsayi
nganyt hing.

"Ineedthi
stogrow,Ican'
tbel
ivi
ngwithyouguys
atmyage.Myagemat esaremarr
iedwit
h500kids
, Theyhavest
ablej
obs"Isay

"Thi
naaslongasweal l
owedt ovi
sityou,
Weare
happyf
oryoumt ase"Makhosonkesaysandget
s
uptohugme, SodoesMf ananoyi
se.
"Uhambekahl
esi
si"Hesaysandt
heygr
abt
hebal
l
onthefl
oor.

"Ther
eisasoccerthi
ngsomewherearound,
See
youguyslat
er"theyrushout
,Kanj
alonj
e.

"
Pleasesaysomet
hing"Isay.

"
Areyousur
eaboutt
his?
"UbabaasksandInod.

"
Isitsomethi
ngyoureal
lywantt
odo?Nopr
essur
e
whatsoever
?"Inod.

"Areyousur
eyouwi
llbel
ivi
ngal
one?
"Mom asks,
I
giggl
e.
"
Ithoughtaboutwhatyousaidi
nthemorni
ngyou
wereri
ghtsoyes,I'
llbel
ivi
ngal
one"Il
ie.
Theybot
hgetupt
ohugme.
"WeloveyouNtombi
,andt
akecar
eofyour
sel
f"
ubabasaysandIsmil
e.

"
Iloveyoumor
e"Isay.

'
I
m out
side'Tumel
o'st
extr
eads.

"
Seemsl i
kemyRi deishere"Isay,
Imagineaft
erI
t
oldmyf at
herthatt
hepersonwho'llbeoff
eri
ngme
ali
fti
samal e,
Hewentoutonasear chfor
MakhosonkeandMf ananoyi
se.

"
Tel
lhimtogethi
syell
owar seher
e,it
'st
hatyel
low
manisn'
tit?
"Makhosonkeaskswit
haseriousf
ace.

"
Uyaphapha"Isay.
"
Justt
ellt
hemant
ocomei
nal
ready,
Wear
e
missi
ngonamat chwort
hR20here"Mfananoyise
sayscl
ear
lyannoyed,
Itextt
umel
ot el
li
nghim To
comein.

Mymom anddadareal
sohere,Want
ingt
omeet
my'
Ride'."
Forsaf
ety"kgaaaa.
"

Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
esHeknocksont
hedoor.Igetup
.
"
Hlal
aphansi
,l
ethi
m knock"myDadsays.
"
Pati
ence"

Heknockssof
tl
yagai
n,andagai
n.Unt
ilhef
inal
ly
t
ext
sme.
'
Tfi
sgoi
ngonher
e?'

"
Ignor
ehi
m"Mfananoyi
sesays,
Hekeepsknocki
ng
f
oragood5mi
nutes.
"
Comei
n"myDadshout
s,KodwaNkosi
.

Heget
sinandIst
andupt
omeethi
m hal
fway,
I
showhi
m wher
etosi
t.
"
Goodmor
ning"hesayssi
tt
ingdown.

"
Ubaniot
hehl
ala?
"Makhosonkeasks.

"Yi
mi "IsayandTumel olooksatmewit
han
expressionIcan'
tread,Angrymaybe.

"
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngmyDaught
er"ubabaasks.
"
Jozi"heanswer
s

"
Joziwho?
"MyDadAsks.

"
Jozibab'
khanyi
le"Tumel
osays,
I'
mtr
yingmybest
t
olaugh.
"Wouldyouli
kesometeaTumelo?
"Mymom asks,
atl
eastt
here'
ssomeoneFri
endl
ytohi
mint
his
house

"
Yespl
easema"Tumel
osays.

"Youknowwewer eabouttoScor eareal

lygood
mat ch,getafew100bucksbutwear ehereasbig
...
imeanl it
tl
ebrother
stoseet oitt
hatyouarenota
crook"Mf ananoyi
sesays, Idontknowhowt hati
s
Tumel o'
sbusinessbutIkeepQui t
e.

"
Weneedt
hemoneymyman, R200f
orhi
m.R200
f
orme"Makhosonkesays.
Tumel
ochor
tl
esandhandst
hem t
hemoney.

"Gi
veusthatR50too,Wesawi t"Mf
ananoyi
se
saysandhegivesthem t
heR50.Hehasnoidea
whatheputhimsel
fthrough.
"Comehelpmemaket
eat
uu"mymom shout
s,Iget
upleavi
ng.

"
Theyar
eget
ti
nghi
m br
oke"Isayt
omymom who
l
aughs.
"Real
ly?Iwasst
il
laboutt
oaskformoneyformy
nail
s"shesays,
Ilookatherandshel
aughshar
der
.

"I
t'
sajoke,youknowIdon'
tdonail
s,Taketheteato
him"mymom SaysandIcar ryt
heteatotheki
tchen
,Tumeloissti
llbei
ngi
nter
rogat
ed.I'
m sohappyI'
m
nothi
mr i
ghtnow.

"
Thanks"hesays
"
PleasefeelFree,butwest
il
ldon'
ttr
ustyou"
Mfananoyisesays.
Ican'
tbel
ievedadBoughtt
hem t
odohi
sdi
rt
yjob.
Tumel
onodsandst
art
seat
ing.

"Thatwasthel
ongest30minut
esofmyl
if
e"
Tumelosaysgett
ingi
nthecar.
Il
augh.

"
Icanonl
yimagi
ne"Isay

"
Canwepasssomewher
e?"Iask.

"Unfor
tunatel
yno,Wewi l
lmissourfl
ightwear
e
alr
eadylateyou'
l
lvi
sitdur
ingtheweekend"hesays
andInod.
Jozi
,Her
eICome!
!!
!!
!!
[
10/
31,
05:
33] :Chapt
erSi
x
"
Thandi
we!
"Tumel
osaysshaki
ngme"
vuka"

IopenmyeyesandYawn.
"Heyyou"Isay,
Hechor
tl
esandpl
ant
saki
ssonmy
cheeck.

"
Howar
eyoubeaut
if
ul?
"Heasks.
"Youar
eherewit
hme, justt
hetwoofussoI
'
m
goodIdon'
tknowaboutyou"Isay

Helookssur
pri
sedtohearmesaythis,Themeand
you.Iknow wehaveonlybeenl
ivi
ngtoget
herf
or
3monthsbutIl
ovehim.

"What?
"

Hechuckl
esandshakeshi
shead"
Foramoment
ther
eIfor
goty0uareoff
ici
all
ymygirl"hesays,
Leavi
ngmeagi ggl
ingmess, andablushi
ngone
too.

Thismani sRomantic!,Event
sofwhathappened
l
astnightstar
trepl
ayinginmyhead.HehadaRi ng!
,ofcourseIsaidnotot hemarri
age.Westil
lhave
toknoweachot herbett
er,Inarel
ati
onshi
p.Not
marri
age.

ThenIhadtogoonandexplainhowmarri
ageisa
bi
gcommi tmentt
hatIdon'
tthi
nknotonl
yme, but
bothhi
m andiarenotr
eadytotake,
asofYet
.

Hewasdi sappoint
ed, Het henpointedouthowhe
googled,andr eadonl i
nehowZul upeopleval
ue
Weddi ngs,andagi rl'
svirgini
tyandhewant edtobe
al
lthat,Cuteright?,Ithoughtsot oo.

Hei
ntr
oducedmet
ohi
ssi
ster,
beaut
yJustaf
ew
weeksback.Sheismorethanniceandbeautif
ul.
Shehasthoseski
nny,Fi
tbodiesyou'
dWi shtohave
oryou'
ddiefor,
ThebodythatIhavebeencravi
ng
si
nceItur
ned13andwasof fi
cial
lyaTeenager.

"Stopnow"Isayandhechor t
lesandstopski
ssi
ng
meal lovermyFace,didImenti
onthathecan
actuall
ycarr
yme?,notfort
oolongofcoursebuthe
can.I t
'sact
ual
lyr
are.Heisa28whocancar rya
size36.

IfIdi
dn't
,Here.Hesof tl
yandgentlycar
ri
esme. To
thebathr
oom .Hehasnevereverseenmenaked.I
madesur eofit,Theonl yfarhehasseenismy
saggyboobs, AndI '
m surehewasn'timpressed
youcouldseei ti
nhi seyes,Hewasdisgustedbut
hecoveredituppr ett
ywel lt
hatIal
mostbelieved
whenhesai dhel ovedthem, MyBoobs.

"I
'
ml eavi
ng,Takeabat
h"hesayspl
aci
ngmeont
he
coldfl
oor..
"
YoumeanIst
ink?
"Iask,
Hechor
tl
es.

ThatmeansIst
inkdoesn'
tit?

"
Nobaby,yousmel
lli
kevani
ll
aandt
hosecut
eli
tt
le
f
lower
sonyourl
oti
on"hesays

"
AndHowdot
hosef
lower
ssmel
lli
ke?
"

"Theysmel
lli
keyouofcour
se"hesays,
Ishoul
d
haveknown.
MyphoneRi ngs,
Her ushestogeti
tandhandsitt
o
mewithoutanswering.Iknowther
eandthenthat
i
t'
sei
thertheBrother'
sorDad.

AndYes,
ItsDad.
"
Babawam"Ianswer
.
"
Ntombi
!"Hei
sshout
ing "
hel
lo?
Ntombi
"

"
Baba?
"
"
Haibobabathat
'snoti
t,l
etmet
eachyouonel
ast
t
ime"-Makhosonke
"
Songi
zombonangempel
a?"-Ubabaaskshi
m
"Yeahit'
scal
ledvi
deocal
li
ngpops"
-Hesays,Thi
s
actual
lyremi
ndsmeofhowmuchImi ssthem.
"
Soit'
sliketaki
ngavi
deo?
,butcal
li
ngt
heper
son?
"-
Mfananoyise.
"Yeahmyman, Youdig?"-Makhosonkesays
befor
etheyhangup,Leavi
ngmel aughi
ngmyarse
out,Makhosonkeissomethi
ngelse.

"Babe,
I'
m of
ftoworkI'
l
lbebackl
atesodon'
twait
up"Tumel
osayski
ssingmycheeckandWalki
ng
out.

Mypar
ent
sst
il
ldon'
tknowwel
ivet
oget
her,
ort
hat
wear eani tem .Ihaven'theardf r
om Spholaina
l
ongTi me,Wellitfeelslikeforeverbutit
'sfort
he
best,Hesendsmypar entsthemoneywemake
from thetaxieverymont halongwi t
htheupdat eon
what '
shappeni ngwi t
ht hetaxis, Hetri
edcalli
ngme
forthef i
rstfewweeks, Leavingcount l
ess
massagesunt ilheevent ual
lygaveup, ThanksGod.

Iwearsomet
hingappr
opr
iat
eandl
ayont
hebed.
Fi
nal
ly,
myphoner
ings.Thevi
deocal
l.

"
Fami
ly"Isayandt
heyal
lsmi
le.
"Ot
handi
we"mymom Says"ohmybaby"shesays
get
ti
ngclosert
othescr
een.

"
Cansheseeme?
"Sheasks
"OfcourseIcanseeyoumom "Ir
epl
yandshe
smileswider.
"
OhIwanttotouchyouri
ghtnow, i
thasbeen
mont
hs"shesaysandtherestoft
heFamilynods.

"
Udl
il
ekodwa?
"SheasksandIchuckl
e.
"
Yesmamangi
dli
le"

Shenods,
Sti
llsmi
l
ing.
"
Tlai
willvi
sityouever
yweekend"Makhosonkesays
i
mitat
ingmyvoi ce.

"
Tlai
iPr
omi
sebaba"Mf
ananoyi
sej
oinsI
n.

"
Niyadel
ela"Isayandt
heybot
hrol
lthei
reyes
"
Ntli
yadel
ela"t
heysayandmovet
oGodknows
where.

"
HaveyouFoundaJobyet?
"MyDadAsks,
Ishake
myHead.
Ican'tt
ellt
hem Tumel odoesn'twantmet ohavea
Jobbecause" hecansuppor thiswoman", Surewe
onlymadeusof fi
cial
lyl
astnight,buti
twas
obvious.Wel ivedtoget
her,Icookedforhim,We
ki
ssed, Ipreparedahotshowerf orhim,Madehim
Tea-2teaspoonsofsugar, Strongwit
hnomi l
kfor
aroughday, AndnotStrong,Wi t
halotofmil
kfor
normaldays.

Inonlyaf ewmont hsIcoul

dtellifhewasmad, Sad
, Ti
red.Hewaspr et
tymuchReadabl e.Ihavenever
beentohi sWor kplaceandIdon'tintendtoo. nordo
Iint
endonmaki ngFr i
ends,OkaymaybemaybeI
didmakeaf r
iendorTwo, AmandaandLi yana.The
l
oudestpeopl eonear th,Idon'tknowhowandwhy
I'
m Friendswi t
ht hem Iguessit'justhappened' ,
Webumpedi ntoeachot her,Talkedandvol aa!
,A
fri
endship.

"
WhynotThandi
we?
"MyDadAsks.
"
I'
m st
il
llooki
ngbaba,
IguessIdon'
thavemuch
l
uck"
-Ili
e.

I'
m notTryi
ngt olookforthejob,I'
m basical
lya
housegi
rlfr
iend,I
'm evengainingweightand
Tumelolovesi tj
ustthatway.

"
I'
llt
ryt
ell
ingyourbr
othert
ohel
poutwher
ehecan"
myDadsays.

"
No!
"Ishout.
"
No?
"
"
Yes!
"Ishoutagai
n.
"
Yes?
"
"LookDadthi
sissomethi
ngIwanttodoonmyown,
Ibother
edubhutil
ongenough"IsayandHenods
withaProudsmile.
"I
'
m proudofyouNtombi
,haveIt
oldyou?
"Hesays
andIFakeasmile.

"YesDad, iwon'tdisappointyou"Isay,
I'
m not
planningt
oDi ssapointhim anyways,Al
lIhaveto
doisConvinceTumel othatIreall
ydoneedtogeta
Job, AndthatI'
m okaywi thwor ki
ng.

"There'sanincomi
ngcal
l,I
'
m havi
ngl
unchwi
th
bhutilater
"Isayandt
heysmil
e
"
To?
"

"
Eatmama,
I'
m goi
ngt
oeat"Isayandt
heyl
augh
"Byebye"Isayandhangupbef
oret
heystar
tthei
r
stori
esonhowtheshopisdoi
ng,orhow
renovat
ingt
hehouseisgoi
ng.

OrhowmyDad'
snewchickensaredoi
ngandbei
ng
const
ant
lyr
emi
ndedwhi
chchickeniswupi
eand
whi
chi
sWhi
ch.

Isighandl aughal
ittl
eshaki
ngMyhead, MyDadis
RightIreall
ydoneedt ogetaJob,
notthati
t'
seasy
gettingoneespeci
all
ywithonematri
ccerti
fi
cat
e,
Whi chlooksgoodifyouaskme.Ican'tr
elyon
Tumel omyent i
rel
ife.

Itakealong,Refr
eshingShower
,I'
m notreall
yint
o
dresses,orski
rt
ssoIsettl
eformyusual, Some
Jeans,Apairofsneaker
sandaSimpleT-shirt,
ThenI '
mfeeli
nggood.

Irequestforacab,
AndWithi
nafewminut
esit
's
here,Kisswhoeversai
dli
fei
nJoziI
sFast
,Il
oveit
here.

Il
ookaroundandspothim si
ttedonthef
arcor
ner,
Heisalsoinhi
susual,Asuit.HehasLoadsof
paperworkonthet
ableandhislaptop
Rol
lsEyes.

"
Wor
kaho.
..
"
Hecut
smeof
f.

"Pl
easedon'
tevenment i
onit,I
'm her
ewai ti
ngf or
mysis,boom I
'm cal
ledtoLookforfi
les,Senditvi
a
EmailandArgh!,Idon'
tthi
nkIli
kemyj obanymore"
hesays,IShakemyheadLaughi ngandki sshis
cheeck.

"Atl
eastWor kcl
ean,Thi
sisn'
tyouunti
dyoff
ice
pleasecleanup"Isayandheroll
shiseyes,
Pickinguphispaper
s.

"Packthatshi
tupandputi
tint
hebag,Whereit
belongs.Thisi
sasisbr
omomentandWedon' t
wantdistr
acti
onssowearebot
hswitchi
ngoffour
phones"IsayandHedoesn'
tevenargue,
Iguess
heisdoneanyway.Henevergivesi
neasi
ly

"Knowwhat?YouareRight.Thi
sismyl unchbreak
Ineedt
herest"hesays,Ismil
enodding,Whathe
needsi
saYearholi
dayatnoWor kal
lowedCount r
y.

"
Soo?Whatar
eyouhavi
ng?
"Heasks.

"Chocol
atecakeandcof
fee,
andyouarehavi
ng
cheesecakewithacupofStr
ongcof
fee"
Isayand
hechort
les.

"Youknowmet oowell,Andyouar econtr

olli
ngtoo
.isther
eanycareerwhereyoucont r
oleveryoneli
ke
ye-yedothi
s,ye-yedothat
,ye-yeDon'tdothat"He
saysandIlookathim bef
oreroll
ingmyeyes.

"
Hi,
WhatcanIgetyou?
"TheWai
tr
essasksandI
t
ellher,
Shewr
it
esi
tdownandl
eaves.

"
Smoki
nghotr
ight
?"Si
yasays.
"
Youar
emar
ri
edf
orGoodnesssake!
"

Hel
aughs
"Iknow, ButIsti
llhaveeyesyouknow? ,li
keIcan
seeabi gar se,andnol i
eIlovemyWi fe,Icoulddo
anythingforthatwoman.Shei st hebestthi
ngt hat
everhappenedt omebutt hatwaitressissmoking
hot.Itwasacompl i
mentI'm notgoingtocarryher
tothekitchenFuckherandl eaveheralonetodr ess
up.Ican' t
!,I'
m whipped.Ican'tevenkissawoman
ont hecheeckcauseIal waysf eelli
keshe'salso
therelookingatmewi t
htearsinhereyes" hesays
andIsmi l
e.

Thei
rlovei
ssomethi
ngelse,Di
dIeventellyoushe
gavebir
tht
ohealt
hybabyboy,Kyl
e.Obviouslyshe
cameupwiththenameaftermybr
othersuggested
'
madluphuthu',
So1900.Iwasther
ethewhol
eti
me,
Andobviousl
ymybr ot
herhasf
oundthel
oveofhi
s
l
if
eandI '
m happyf
orhim.

"
And?
,Di
dyouapol
ogi
est
oXol
i?
"-Iaskhi
m.

"
For?
".

"Xoli.
..XolilovesyouSi yabonga.Shet r
iest
ohi de
i
tbutshel ovesyouIcanseei t,shereal
lydoes.
Butyouchosesomeoneel seoverherandyoudi dn'
t
evenapol ogise,Ithinki
t'sonl
yFairyouapologiseto
her,Youwer eherf i
rsti
neverythi
ng.shedeservesit
, Shedeser vest heapology.Soshecanmoveon"I
sayandhesmi les.

"Yeah,Shest
il
lst
alksmeonFacebook,butIdi
dn'
t
thi
nkshewas...
notovermeyet.I
'
llapol
ogi
se"he
saysandInod.
"
Givemehernumber."
"
Uyajabul
a,you'
llcal
lherusi
ngmyphoneIdon't
wantyoufi
ghti
ngwi t
hLiyana"Isayandhenods

Yesyes,
TheotherFriendi
smybr
other
'sWi
fe,
and
she'
ssofunt
obear ound.

"Speaki
ngofLi
yana,
Shewant
syout
ovi
sither"he
says
"
Shemi
ssedyou"hesaysagai
n.

"
Iwi
ll,
Probabl
yTomor
row"Isayandhenods.

"AnywaysDadcall
edme"Hesaysandwatchesas
thewaitr
esspl
acesthepl
atesonourt
abl
ewitha
smilebefor
ewalki
ngaway.

It
akeabi
teonmycakeandl
ookathi
m,SoHecan
t
ellmemor
e.
"
Hei
swor
ri
edaboutyou"hesays.

"Hewantsmetohel
pyoul
ookf
oraJob"hesays,
andIst
areathi
m wi
thmyMout
hopen.

"Di
s-.
..
arghj
ustcl
oseyourmout
h."Hesaysagai
n
andIdobeforeswal
lowi
ng.

"It
oldhim Idon'
tneedhelp!
,especial
lyf
rom you.
Don'tgetmewr ongbutYouhavedoneal otof
thi
ngsf ormeIdon'twanttobotheryouanyf ur
ther"
Isayandhej ustst
aresatme

"Knowwhat?
,Ithi
nkIshoul
dheadbackt
otheof
fi
ce
"hesaysGett
ingup.

"
SitdownSi
ya"
Hedoesj
ustt
hatbef
oresi
ghi
ng

"Youarenotaburdentome, Youaremyl
itt
lesi
ster
Iam supposedtolookoutf
oryou,nomat
terhow
manyt i
mes,That'
swhatbigbrother
sdo"hesays
andIsmi l
e.
"Il
oveyouThandiwe,Youaremysisteri
fyouneed
hel
p,anykindofhel
pI'm her
eokay?"Inod,st
andi
ng
uptogivehim ahug

.
.
"
Baby!
"Ishoutcl
osi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndme.
"
Tumel
o!"

Hest
il
ldoesn'
trespond.
"
Tumel
o!"
"
Int
hebedroom"hefinal
lysays,
andIr
ollmyeyes
wal
kingt
otheroom .
Iopent
hedoorandcl
osei
tagai
nQui
ckl
y.

"
Thandi
we?
,Thandi
we"
IkeepQui
te,
OhLor
d.Pl
easemakemeunseei
t.
Makemeunseei
t.
I
'
llgot
ochur
chever
ysunday,
I
'l
lwatchThenewsfrom t
hebegi
nni
ngt
il
ltheend
wit
houtyawni
ng,notevenonce.
I
'
ll
..
.I'
l
l.
.
Justmakemeunseei
t.

"
RatoLaka"hesaysopeni
ngt
hedoor,
ThanksGod
t
hist
imehehasaTowelon.

"
It
'sapeni
s,Pen-
is.It
'sallyour
s,Youareal
lowed
t
oseeitandt
ouchit.I
t'syours"hesaysandIstar
e
athi
m ashet
akesof
fthet
owel.

"
See?I
tdoesn'
tbit
e,it
'sni
ce.Youareall
owedto
t
ouchi
t,Ki
ssit,Suckit
,Ri
deiti
t'
syours"hesays.
.

Thi
sissoWei
rd.
"
CanIgovomi
tpl
ease?
"
Henodsl
aughi
ngandIr
unt
othebat
hroom .

Thatski
nnythi
ngisact
uall
yapenis,
it'
sbarel
yeven
asizeofacandl
e,nooff
encebabybutI'
veseen
muchWor se,onapornthi
ngi
eofcourse.

.
Goodni
ghtFam
[
10/
31,
05:
33] :Chapt
er7.

"Ithoughtyousai
dyouareonl
ycominginlat
er
today"IsaySettl
ingdownont
hethechairopposi
te
his.

"JAt
hatexpl
ainst
heBaby!Tumelo!
Tumelo!When
yougother
e"hetri
esbei
ngsarcast
ic,
Argha
Shame.

"Yeah,i
tdoes..imeanThedoorj
ustunlockedi
tsel
f
soIhadt ojustwal
kinwit
houtchecki
ngifyouare
i
nher e"Isayandhechuckl
es.

"Themeeti
ngwascancel
led"hesaysbef
ore
Sighi
ngLoudl
y.

"
LongDay?
"IaskandheNodsi
nresponse,
Igetup
anddowhatIknowrelaxeshi
m,Acupofcof
fee,
Str
ongwi
thtwoteaspoonsofsugar.

"Thanksmyl
ove"hesaysandInod,
Kissi
nghi
s
cheeck.
"AnywayBeautyi
scomi
ngovert
omor
rowNi
ght"he
saysandISigh.

"ForDi
nner
?"IaskandheNodsi
ndi
cat
ingahel
l
Yes.

SureIli
keBeaut
y,Sheisni
ceandsweetandallbut
sheisn'
tmytypeofcof
fee.Shei
stooFri
endl
y, Too
happy.Okay.Sheannoysme.

"Ican'
twai
t"isayf
aki
ngagi
ggl
eandahappy
dance.

"
SobabeI
'
vebeent
hinki
ng"Isay,
Ishoul
dsayi
t
nowcauseDearDearhappybeautyisactual
lyint
o
i
ndependentwomanandIknowf orafactthatshe
wil
ltal
kabouttheimport
anceofi
ndependenceas
soonassheget sher
e,oneofthemostannoying
thi
ngsabouther,She'
sami ssGoodytwo-Shoes.
ButIli
keher.Ili
keBeauty.

"
WhatRat
oLaka?
"He'
sbei
ngsweetagai
n.

"IneedtogetaJob"Isay,
Hel
ooksatmeonce,
Chucklesandget
sup.
"So?
,Youaskforper
missi
onbef
oredoi
ngt
hings
now?"HeasksandISigh.

"I
'
llt
akethatasayes,
sur
ebaby"Isayandal
soget
upleavi
ng..

.
.
.
IwakeuponaFai renoughnote,Iti
sraini
ng
outsi
de,Butli
kethegoodSamar it
anIam ,Ikeep
mypr omises.LI
KEt hefir
stoneofvisi
ti
ngmyDear
Li
yana.Whom Ihaven' tseenindays.Godknows I
missher.!

Andobvi
ouslycan'
twaittotel
lheraboutbeaut
y,
Who'
scomingoverfordinner,
Shehat esbeaut
y.
No.Shehatesever
yone.

Wi t
hinaFewmi nut
esI'
minmyusual,Apairof
blackjeans,AHoodeyandsomeplast
icboot
s.I
topitoffwithaDoek,Wel
lbecausemyhairi
sA
mess, Iorderacabwhi
leati
t.

InaFewthecabishere,DoIsti
llhavet
oremind
youhowIlovetheFastl
if
eofJohannesbur
g?, and
agai
ninminutesI'
m onherdoor
stepwit
hchocolat
e
cake,HerFavor
it
e.
Iknockacoupleoftimesbeforesheopensthedoor
carr
yingli
ttl
eKylewho'scryi
nghiseyebal
lsout.I
wasn'tReadyforthi
s,Shefakesasmileandhands
meKyl etaki
ngthecakefrom me.

TheLor
dknowsiHat
ecr
yingbabi
es.
!

"
ThanksGoodnessyouar
eher
e,Ican'
t"shesays
wal
kingt
othekit
chenwit
hmefol
lowi
ngher,and
t
ryi
ngtocal
m downKyle.

SheisaMess, Herhai
rlooksli
keshe'
sahobo,She
i
sdressedinGodknowswhatandi swalki
ng
ar
oundbar ef
oot
,NottoForgetKyl
ewhodoesn'
t
smel
l sogood.

"
Hejustwakesup.Cries,cr
iesanddoawholelot
moreofcr
ying.Idon'
tthi
nkIcandothisanymore.
Ndi
weIcan'tdealwi
thacryi
ngbabyallbymyself"
Shesayssett
li
ngdownonsomeChai
r,andcut
sa
sl
iceofcake.

KyleisasQui t
easamut e,Icontinuetr
yingtoget
himtosl eepwhil
enursi
ngt hemot her
'sbroken
heart.Idon'tr
espondtoher, Ij
uststareatherin
confusionwaiti
ngforhert
oexpl ainwhatshe
meansbyshe' sraisi
ngKyl
eal one.

Shesighsloudl
y,asShewipeshert
earswhil
e
swal
lowingthebigpi
eceofcakeshejustat
e.

"Heishardl
yathomeNdiwe,allhecar
esaboutis
Work, Work,Wor
k."Shesaysconti
nueseat
ing
whilewipi
nghert
ear
s.MyFr iendi
saMessandI
hateit.

"Ifeell
ikeI
'mtheonlyparenther
e,Wel
lbasi
cal
lyI
am theonlyparent.Al
lhedoesisgi
vememoney
l
ikehewasn'ttheonewhowasbusysayingbabyah
ahahgi
vemesomemor
e,Fuck"shesaysi
mit
ati
ng
Si
ya'
sVoice.

Itr
ytocont
aint
helaught
erbutIcan'
t,
Ilaught
il
lI
can'
tnomoreandsheendsupjoini
ngIn.

"Ngikhathel
eNdiwe"shesaysIl
ookdownonthe
sleepingKyleandcaref
ull
ypl
acehim ont
het
he
coachwhi lecover
inghi
m wit
hablanket.

"2minut
esandhe'supyouwi
llsee"shesays,
Igi
ve
herawarm hugasshecri
es.

"Ireallydon'tthi
nkIcandothisanymore,
Iwas
conf usedIwasi nlovewit
hthecockmorethanwi
th
theper son.thatIwantedhiminsi
demeevery
fuckenday! ,Iwenttohi
soffi
ceonluncht
imefor
thedi ck"ShesaysandIlaugh.
"I
'
llt
alkt
oSi
yabongaokay?
,andmaybeIcancal
l
mymom soshecancomeandassi
st"Isayand
shenodsgi
vingmeahug.

"Oneadvi
ceDon'tgetpr
egnant.I
t'
satrap"she
saysandOhLord, Kyl
eiscryi
ngagai
n.Itakedeep
breat
hsandrushtohim.

"Pl
easepreparewat
ersoIcanbathhim "Isay,
She
doesn'
tar
gue.Sherushesupstai
rsandcallsmeto
comeFewmi nut
esl
ater,
I'
m busyki
ssingKyle
who'sgi
ggli
ngasIwalkupthestai
rs.

Itakeoffhiscl
othesandgivemybabyboyt hebat
h
hedeserves.Itakeoutwarm cl
othesforhi
m and
dresshim up.WhenI '
m doneheisfastasl
eep
again.

"Thepoorbabyj
ustneededabath,Youreal
lydo
needhelp.Don'
tyou?"Iaskandshenodssever
al
t
imes.

"If
eell
ikewemadeababytooEarl
y,andnowIfeel
l
ikeI'
mf ai
li
ngmybaby"shesaysandIhugher
again.

"Let
sgodownst air
s,Makemeacupoft
eaandgi
ve
measl iceofcakewhi
leIcal
lmymom ,
Ist
hat
okay?"IaskandsheNodssmi l
ing

.
"Thandiwe"mymom answers,Ismil
ebecauseI
real
lydomissher.Event
houghtheycal
ledme
yester
dayIsti
lldomi
ssher.

"
Mama,
Uphi
li
le?
"Iask.

"Yebowena?"SheasksandIt
ellherI
'
m wellandat
Siyabonga'
spl
acem sheonl
ytell
smet oki
ssKyle
andgr
eethi
smot
her.Whi
chIdo.

"Whereisthatli
ft
?"Sheasks,Theli
ftbei
ngTumelo.
Mymom l i
keshim.,it
hinkandshe'
stheonlyone
whowoul dapproveofmyr el
ati
onshi
pwi t
hhim
shoul
dIt el
lthem ,whi
chIwon't.MaybeImightt
ell
theonlypersonwhodoesn'tbul
lyTumelo,myMom .

"
AtWor
k,Il
astsawhi
mthi
smor
ning"Isay.

"Where?Youdon'
tli
vefarf
rom eachot
her?
"She
asksandIcl
earmyt hr
oat.

"Mom actuall
ymeandHi m ar
einarel
ati
onship"I
sayandevenLi yanaChokesonsomet
hing,and
staresatmelikeI'
m cr
azy.Iwasgoi
ngtotellher
beforeIfoundheraMess.

"
Youandwho?
"Mymom asks.
"Tumel
o,Thel
if
t"IsayandshekeepsQuit
easif
shewantsmet
osaysomet hi
ngel
seorexpl
ain
furt
her
.

"
Ma?
"
Shecl
ear
shert
hroat.

"Don'
tgetmewr ongnana, Idon'thaveissueswi t
h
him, Idon'tdisl
ikehim andidon'tthi
nkIl i
kehim
eit
her.Heseemsl i
keagr eatguyyes.Butyoul eft
Spholahangi ngl a.Hedoesn'tevenknowwhati s
goingonbet weenyout wo.Hekeepsaski ngwher e
youar eandwhati sgoi
ngonbutIkeept elli
nghim
Tocal lyou.I fyouwantast ressfreerel
ationship
withli
f t,
CallSpholaandt el
lhim yourrelat
ionship
i
sover"shesaysandIr ol
lmyeyes.

"Idi
dn'
tanswerhisphonecall
s,Ibl
ockedhim onal
l
soci
almediaaccounts.Doesn'
thegetthemassage
?
"

Mymom changest het

opictoDad'schi ckensand
tel
lmeumakhist ol
eoneoft hechickensandhow
theboyssavedt hedayandt oldherwher etogetoff
.I'
ml aughi
ngt hroughouttheconversationbutI
can'
tseem toignorewhatshesai daboutSphol a
andhowshe' sright.Ishouldreal
lycallSphola.

"Anywaymama,
letmet
ellyout
her
easonwhyI
call
ed"

Shedoesthose"
mmh"sounds,
whi
cht
ell
smet
o
cont
inue.
Iexplai
nt hewhol eSiyabongaissueandhowt hat
makesLi yanaf eelandalsoaskifshecanhelp.
LIKEthegoodmot her,Motheri
nlawand
grandmot hersheis, Sheagreesandtell
susshe'l
l
betherefirstthi
ngt omorrowandt hatshe'
l
lhi
re
nomsat ot akecareofhershop.
.
.
.
Evenaf
terIwait
edforli
keeverSi
yabongaseemed
l
ikehewasn'tpl
anni
ngoncomi ngbackhomesoI
l
eftt
opreparedi
nnerforBeauty.

Whilecooki
ng,Theconversat
ionwi
thmymom
repl
aysinmyhead, andideci
detocal
lSphol
a
beforeTumeloget
shome.

"Sweet
laml
omkhuhl
wane"heanswer
sInhi
ssl
eepy
voice.

"
Sphol
a"Isay.

"
Uvaarkant
?"Heasksandidon'
trespond
"
Sweet
lami
?"

"Sphol
a,St
opcal
li
ngmet
hat
,andst
opcal
li
ngme"
Isay.

"
Ngoba?
"Heasks,
clear
lydi
sappoi
nted.

"BecausewearedoneSphol
a,Idon'
twantyou
anymor e.If
oundsomeoneel
seandIsuggestyou
dothesame"Isayandhechor t
les.

"Youarejoki
ngright
?"Hesoundsl
ikeher
eal
lycan'
t
beli
eveI'
m doingthi
s.

"I
t'
sbeenmorethan7year
ssweeet
lam ,andyou
wanttol
eavepapif
orsomeguyyoujustmet?"He
asksandISi
gh.
"Don'
tmaket hi
shar
derthani
tal
readyisSphola,
Relat
ionshi
pend.Iwishyoual
lthebesti
nlif
e"I
sayandhangupnotwant i
ngtohearanymoreofhis
excuses.

Isi
ghandfeelabi
tr eal
ivedaft
erthecall,Ir
eal
l
y
dowishSpholaal
lthebesti nl
ifeandIhopehe
get
ssomeonewhodeser veshi
m, becausecl
ear
lyi
t
i
sn'
tme.
[
10/
31,
05:
34] :Chapt
erEi
ght.

Itakeanotherbathjustt
ofreshenup,
Iknowmy
mom wi l
lobviousl
ywantt ocomeseewhereIlive
themomentsheget shereTomor r
ow,Andthatwill
probabl
yGi vemeSl eepl
essnight.

SureIt
oldherI'm dati
ngTumelo,andIdidbreakup
wit
hSphola.Itdoesn'tmeanshewi llhugmeand
ki
ssmeal loverthefacewhenItellherIl
ivewit
ha
man.
Thisti
meIwearabodyhuggingdr
essthatTumelo
broughtf
orme,Idon'
tli
ket
hedress,Idon'
tli
ke
dresses.

Iwalktothekit
chenwithFl
ipfl
opsonandSt art
thi
nkingofhowI '
m goi
ngtoexpl
ainmylivi
ng
arr
angementswi t
hTumelotomymom , Idon'tthi
nk
I'
m upforthi
sdinneranymorebuti
t'
stoolat
et o
cancelnow.

I'
m di
sturbedfr
om myt hought
sbyhandshugging
mef r
om behind,Ifakeasmileandturnonl
ytoget
ki
ssed, Hesmilesandhugsmet ight
er.

"
Someoneisi
nagoodmood"Isayt
ryingtomove
f
rom hi
shol
d.buthehol
dsont
ometighter.

"Youhavenoideababy,Youhavenoi
dea"Hesays
kissi
ngmeallovert
heface.
"
Youcanl
etmegonow"Isaybuthest
il
ldoesn'
t
move.
"
All
owmetomakel
ovet
oyou"hesaysandICl
ear
mythr
oat.

"
I'
m notr
eady"Isay,st
arr
ingathim sohecanl et
mego.Andhedoesthisti
me, Thi
sisoffi
cial
lynot
myDay.Beaut
ycomingherejustmakesitwor se.

Ist
artdi
shi
ngupwi
thmyhandsonmyhead.
"Baby?,
Ar eyouokay?
"HeasksandIshakemy
headinresponse.

"
What'
swr ong?
"Heasksconcer
ned,andpul
lsout
achai
rformetosi
t,Hehel
psmesitdown.

"Headache"Isayandhet el
lsmehowhehasthe
bestremedyforheadachebefor
egoi
ngt
ofet
chit,
Hehelpsmedrinkwhat evert
hisisandtell
smeI '
l
l
beasgoodasnewwi t
hin5mi nut
esandt hatI
shoul
dstopovert
hinki
ng.Heal soapologi
sesfor
aski
ngforsexandthatheknowsI '
m notready.

Ifonl
yheknew, Thatisthel eastofmywor ries
becausehewon'tforcehimsel fonmewher easmy
mom canForcecomi ngher e, AsmuchasImi ss
her,It
hinki
t'
sbetterifI'
mt heonet hatvi
sitsher
andnottheotherwayr oundespeci al
lybecauseshe
doesn'
tevenknowt hatIli
vewi thamanshedoesn' t
l
ikeanddoesn'tdi
sli
keeither.What everthat
meant!

"Mymom iscomingtoJohannesbur
gtomor
row"I
sayandhelooksatmesmili
ng.

"Great,Youshouldpreparet
heSparer
oom ,I
actuall
yli
keyourmom .NoImeannoof f
enceIli
ke
yourwhol ef
amilybutIli
keyoumom evenmor e"he
saysandIst ar
eathiml i
keheiscr
azy,whichheis.
"Shedoesn'tknowthatweli
vetogetherremember?
,
allsheknowsi st
hatweareinarelati
onshipand
from howshesaidwhatshesaidear l
ieronthe
phoneshedoesn'tseem t
oappr oveofour
relat
ionshi
p"IsaySighi
ng,andhej oi
nsintoo.

"
Ithoughtshel
ikedme"Tumel
osaysandISi
gh.

"
Ohshedoes,
trustmeshel
ikesyou"Il
ie
"
Shej ustdoesn'
tli
kethefactt
hatyouareina
r
elat
ionshipwithherdaughter
"Isayandhesi
ghs.

"IguessIst
il
lhaveal
otofpr
ovingt
hatIl
oveyout
o
do"hesaysandIgiggl
enodding.

.
Theknockonthedoordist
urbsusf
rom t
hebest
ki
ssIhaveeverr
eceivedfr
om Tumel
o,Heisst
il
l
squeezi
ngmybut
tandki
ssi
ngme.

Thepersoncont
inuest
oknock,
har
derbutTumel
o
keepskissi
ngme.
"
Tumel
o"Isaypul
li
ngout

"Let
sswit
chof
fthel
ightsandtellt
hem wearenot
home"hesaysandIlaugh.Iwishbutit
'st
oolate
fort
hat
.

Ishakemyheadindi
cati
ngano,
andhest
il
l
conti
nuesst
eal
ingki
sses.
"
Lett
hem knockt
il
ltheyl
eave"hesaysagai
n,andI
l
augh.

"Let
sdothat"Isayandhechortl
es,
goi
ngbackt
o
squeezi
ngmybut twhi
lesucki
ngmyneck.
"Euuww"SomebodysaysandIj
umpi
nshockwhi
le
Tumelolaughs.

"Sesi"hesaysrushi
ngtohel
pbeaut
ywithafew
plasti
cs.Shetel
lshi
m shecanmanagebuthei
sn'
t
havinganyofit.

Shegi
vesup,
andr
ushest
ohugme.
"
Sist
eri
nlawwwww! "Shesayssmil
ing,
andIr
etur
n
t
hesmil
ewithoutsayi
ngawor d.

Sher ushestohugTumelo,onl
ythi
stimeit
'sl
onger
thatIhadt ocl
earmythr
oatbef
oretheypul
loutand
l
aughi toff.

"IguessImi
ssedhim mor
ethanIthought"beaut
y
explai
nsandISt
il
lfakeasmil
enodding.

"
Wehavesomebusi
nesst
odi
scuss"Tumel
osays
andbeautysmi
les,
Iguesssher
eal
lyi
sa
workahol
ic.

"
Doyouevenhaveast
udy?
"SheasksandTumel
o
l
aughs.
"Wit
hwhatmoney? ,l
et'
sgot
othespar
eroom,The
papersyouneedt
osignaret
her
etoo"hesaysand
beautyi
ssti
llsmi
li
ng.

"Sur
e, l
et'
sgo.Excusemesisforget
ti
ngyourman
backtowor k"shesaysgi
ggl
ingandIsmi
le
nodding.

Inwhatfeel
slikehourstheyaredoneanddecideto
comeback, nnaI '
m evendoneeati
ngandI'm
snacki
ngwhi l
ewat chi
ngmynewl yfoundfavor
it
e
movie.Twoweeksnot i
ce.I
'mlaughingt
hroughout
thewholemovi e,
andhopingbymi r
aclemeand
Tumeloturnthatway.
Theybasical
lyknoweverysi
nglethi
ngabouteach
other
,whil
eont heot
herhandIknowal otoft hi
ngs
aboutTumeloandhedoesn'tknowanyt hi
ngabout
me, Heisalwaysbusywithworkthatsomet i
mesit
al
mostfeelsli
keIli
vealone,That
'showl onelyi
t
getsher
e.

"Youalr
eadyat
e?"BeautyAsksandInod,
I'
m noti
n
themoodtoholdanyconver
sati
onwit
hhertoday,
orever.

ButbecauseTodayisn'
tmyDay, Shegetsherfood
andcomesnugglewi t
hmeont hecoach.ISigh
annoyedandconti
nuewatchi
ngmymovi e.

"Whatar
eyouWat
chi
ng?
"SheasksandIr
ollmy
eyes.
"
Amovi
e"Isayandshel
aughs.

HowIhat
epeopl
ewhol
aughatever
ythi
ng.
"Iknowsi
ll
y,Imeanthenameoft
hemovie"she
saysandItel
lhert
henameofthemovi
e.

"
Twoweeksnot
ice"Isayandcont
inuewat
chi
ng.

"Youaresoluckybaboi stheoneworki
ngand
Wwnaal lyoudoiswat chmoviesal
ldaylong,i
fI
wereyouIwoul dknowal lmovi
esandI'
m pret
ty
sureyouknowt hem "shesays.

"Andyouar
enotme,Areyou?"Iaskst
il
lfocused
onthemovi
eandthesnacks.

Sheholdsherhor
ses,ThanktheGoodLord!
,I
wasn'
tReadyforwhat
everrespondshehasbeen
cooki
ngup.
"
Thi
sisgood.Thi
sisr
eal
lygood"shesayseat
ing
f
ast
er.
Iwantt
osayIknowhoney.IknowbutIkeepQui
te
too.

"Youmustbealsowat
chi
ngt
hosecookingshows
whil
eyouareathomedoi
ngnot
hing"shesaysand
Inod.

"
YeahIdoact
ual
ly"Isayandshesmi
les.

Someonebangsthedoor.Ist
andupt ogoopenthe
doorbutTumel
obeatsmet oi
t,Heispushedtothe
sideandIl
ookattheangr
ySiyanotknowingwhat
tosay.

"
Andt
hen?
"Iaskandhepul
lsmer
oughl
y.

"
Andyouhadt
ocal
lmom !
!!REALLY?
"Heasks.
"WhatwasIsupposedt odo?Beyournanny?I t'
s
quit
eobviousyourworkismor eimport
antthan
YourwifeandkidSiya!
,yourWifethi
nksyoudon' t
careaboutheranymore.Shei saMess.She
needshelp.SoIsuggestedmom andsheagr eed.
OrwasIsupposedt ocallherAunthuh?"Iaskand
hekeepsQuite.

"
Wher
edi
dyougett
hatnonsense?
"Heasks.

"
Yourwi
fe!
shewascr
yingicoul
dn'
t!
"Isay.

"
I'
llt
alkt
oher,andthen?Whoi
st hi
s?"Heasks
l
ookingatTumel
o,Hescanshi
mf r
om headt
otoes,
t
henbackt ot
heheadthent
hetoes.

"
I'
veseenyousomewher
e"hesays.
"
Me?Idon'
tthi
nkso"Tumel
osays.
Si
yabongacont
inuesst
arr
ingathi
m.
"Bhut
ipl
easeyouaremakinghim uncomf
ort
abl
e"I
sayandhedoesn'
tsayanythi
ng.Hewal kst
othe
kit
chenandstar
tsDishi
ngup.

Il
ookatTumel
oandwebot
hshr
ugourshoul
der
s,
Fol
lowi
nghim.

"
Whosaidyoucandi
shup?
"Iaskandheeat
s
wit
houtmi
ndi
ngme.

"Mom willbeheref
ir
stt
hingi
nthemorning,She
call
edandsaidshewantstoseewhereherAngel
l
ivesbeforegoingt
oKyle"hesaysandISigh.

"Andshebett
ernotfi
ndthi
syel
lowboneofyour
s
here"Si
yabonga,canberudewhenhe'
smad.
Onlywhenhe'smad.
"That
'
smybr otheryoujustcal
ledayell
owboneyou
know?"Beaut
ysaysst andi
ngatt hedoor.

"Idon'
tthi
nkanybodyaskedifhe'
syourbr
otheror
not"hesaysthenlooksatbeauty.

"Haiman!,
IswearIhaveseenyoutwosomewher
e"
Hesaysandt r
iesthi
nki
ngofwherehecoul
dhave
possi
blyseenthem.

"Iwasonceamodel,I'
m sur
eyousawmeont hose
magazinecover
s"beautytr
iesenl
ight
eni
nghi
m but
heshakeshishead.

"Idontdomagazi
nes"hesaysandcont
inues
eati
ng.

"I
'
m sur
eyousawt
hem ar
oundher
esomewher
e"I
say.
"
Mmh"hesays
"
Soyoul
ivewi
tht
hem?
"Heasks.

"
No.Il
ivewi
thTumel
oonl
y"Isayandhechor
tl
es.

"
It
hiuyadl
ala"hesaysandISi
gh.

"
I'
m not"

"byTomor r
owmor ni
ngwhenIcomeher ewith
mama, Idon'twantt ofindTumel oorthemodel
here.Idon'
tcar ewho'shousei tis,andIdon'teven
wanttoknow.Ij ustdon'twantt ostressmom so
theymustbegone"hesaysgr abshi scarkeyson
thetabl
eandl eavesbangi ngthedoor.

"
Yourbr
otheri
ssoScar
y"beaut
ysaysandIr
ollmy
eyes.

"
I'
llgopackmybags"Tumel
osaysget
ti
ngup.
"
I'
llsl
eepatbeauty'
sunt
ilIl
eavef
orGhananext
weekend"Tumelosaysr
ushingupst
air
s.

Hej ustlet'
sallt
hepeopleinmyf ami l
ytellhi
m what
toandnott odo.Fir
stitwasMakhosonkeand
Mf ananoyisenowitsSiyabonga.Whycan' thejust
standupf r
om himsel
f?, sur
emybr otherscares
theshi toutofmesomet i
mes, butIstandupf or
mysel fandhecan't.

ObviouslyGodsawt hecandleFitforhim,He
doesn'tdeserveanyt hingbiggert
hant hat.I
fhedid
thenhewoul dhavest oodupt oSiyabonga.Butno.
Hedeci destoputhi scandl einhi
sar seandleave
becausemybr othersaysso.Hi m andIreal
lyneed
tohaveat al
k.Heneedst ogr owupmaybehi s
candlemi ghtgrowt hickerandlongerthen.mxm.
"Ni
ght"Isaytobeaut
yandrushtomyr oom ,bef
ore
sheevensaysanythi
ng.I
t'
soff
ici
alIhateher!
[
10/
31,
05:
34] :Chapt
erni
ne.
(Unedi
ted)

Isti
llcan'
tbelievehej
ustupandl eftbecausehe
wast oldto,Itri
edcal
li
nghi m andhewasn' t
answer i
ngmyphonecal ls,andIthi
nkI '
m gladhe
didn'
t.Iwoul dhavesai
dt hi
ngsIwasn' tsupposed
to,Icouldfeelit.

Iwasmad, Isti
lldon'tknowifi
t'
satSi
yabongaf or
comingtomyhouseandor deri
ngpeopl
ear oundor
atTumelowhocan' tstandupforhi
mself.Orat
myselff
ornotstandingupf ormyman, oratthat
Beautyf
orbeingher sel
f.

Igotuplat
eatnightonl
ytocleanupbecauseI
coul
dn'tsl
eepawink,andbecauseIwasplanni
ng
tospendthewholedayinmyr oom,I
nmyni ght
dr
ess,Ifmymom real
lyiscomi
ngshe'
l
lshoutat
meallshewant
sIdon'tcar
e.I'
mtomadtocare.

Ipullt
heblanketsroughl
yfrom theFl
oorandtr
y
gett
ingsomesl eepagain,butIfai
ldi
small
y.Ican'
t
bel
ieveSiyabongaactuall
ydidthat.

MyphoneRings,AsmuchasIwascalli
ngTumel
o
t
hewholeni
ght,I
'
m hopi
ngit
'snothi
m .I'
m no
l
ongeri
nthemoodforhi
m.

ThankThekhanyi
leancestor
s,i
t'
sLiyana.It
hink
I
'm madathertoobutIansweranyway.

"
Sur
e"Isayandshel
aughs.

"That
'snothowal adyanswerherphoneatexact
ly
10am ,Peopl
ear ealr
eadyeat
inglunchandyoumy
fri
endaresti
lli
nbed"shesaysandIdon' tsay
anyt
hing.

"
Ndi
we?
"

"
Mmm"Isay,
bef
oreyawni
ng.

"
DidyouhearwhatIj
ustsai
d?"SheasksandIr
oll
myeyes.
"
Sur
eIdi
d"Isayandshesi
ghs.

"WhatdidIj
ustsay?"Sheasks, I
'
mr eall
yget
ting
annoyedbuttr
yingt
oplayitcool,Imissamafetika
BraTucksandIcan'
tevenhideanymor e.

"
It
's10am"Isay

"Andther
e'snot
hingwrongwit
hthat
?"Sheasksand
Ishakemyheadasi fshecanseeme.
"
THANDI
WE!
"Sheshout
s.

"
What
?"

"Yourmom i sonherwayt her

e,Shewant edto
comeear li
erbutyourbrot
hertol
dherhe'llfet
chher
aft
erhismeet i
ng"Ist i
lldon'
tgetwhyshe'stell
ing
meal lthi
scauseIreal
lycouldn'
tcarel
ess.AndI
don'tevenwanttoseethatSiyabongahere.

"
Hebetterdr
opof
fmymom andleavecauseIdon't
wantt
oseehimri
ghtnow"Isaysi
tt
ingupstr
aight.

Thi
smakesmemissBreakf
astinbed,
broughtby
mymansssal
mostever
ymor ni
ng.

"Youknowwhathediddon'
tyou?,Youevenwent
asfarasgi
vinghi
m myaddressaf
terIt
oldyouI
don'
twanthim knowi
ngwhereIli
ve!
"Ishoutather,
Shedidn'
thaveanyri
ghttot
ellSi
yamyAddr ess
aft
erIspeci
fi
call
ytol
dhernotto.

"I
'
m sorr
yokay?,
Hewassupermad!
,Hescar
edme
"shesaysandISighdef
eat
ed.

"
Wher
eisAmanda?
"Iask

"Shewasdancingli
kenobody'
sbusinessatsome
clubl
astnightI
'
m sureshe'
snursi
ngherhangover
whereeversheis"shesaysandIlaugh.

Amandaisoneheavydrink,
ifshediesitwi
llbe
becauseofal
coholandsupr
ici
nglyshehopesshe
di
esattheage95becauseofdrinki
ngtoomuch
al
cohol.HerWordsnotmine.

Iguessshehast
hisal
lfi
gur
edout
,Sheevenknows
howherfutur
ehusbandl
ooksl
ike,
andi
t'
snotDave,
hercur
rentboyf
ri
end.

"ThankKyl
e,Youcan'
tdothatanymor
e"Isay,
And
Iknowshe'
smadWher eversheis.

"HahahaVeryFunny"shesaysandsomeone
knocksatt
hedoor,Igetofft
hebedandstr
etch
myself.

"
Someonei
satt
hedoor"Isay.

"SoTumeloJustupandl eftbecauseyourbrot
her
tol
dhimto"sheignoreswhatIj ustsai
d,AndIknow
shemissedme, orshe'sjustbored.

"Yeah"Isayandshemakest
hose'
Mm.
.hmm'
sounds.
"
Youcansayi
t"IsayRol
li
ngmyeyes.

ThePer
sonknocksagai
n.
"
Ngyezabo"Ishoutput
ti
ngonmyFl
ipFl
ops.

"Saywhat?
"Sheasks,
AndIl
it
eral
lyr
ollmyeyes
again.

"Heisn'
tmanEnough"Isayandopent
hedoor,
Umamascansmef r
om Headtot
oesbef
orei
nvi
ti
ng
hersel
fin.

"Don'
tbeRidi
cul
ous,
he'
sjustpai
nti
ngagood
pict
ureofhi
msel
fonhisi
n-l
aws"Liyanasays,
I
l
augh.

"YeahRi
ght,umamaisher
e,Wewi l
ltal
klat
er"I
sayandhangupbef
oreshecanevensaybyebye,I
hateGoodbyes.
"Mama"Isayandshescansmef
rom Headt
otoes
agai
n.

"I
t'
s10"shesays,
She'
scarr
yingaplast
icandI
sweart
oGodIcansmel l
Amaf et
i.

"
What
'si
nthepl
ast
ic?
"Iaskexci
ted.

"Somet
hingyoudon'
teati
nthat,HamboGeza"she
sayssi
tt
ingdown,Wel
lshe'
swelcome.

ISi
ghandrushtothebat
hroom,j
ustf
orashort
bat
h.She'
slaughi
ng,SheknowsI'
ddoanyt
hingfor
Food,
Thi
sWoman.

Itakealongerbaththanint
ended, nowIfeelbrand
new.Iwear" decent"cl
othes,
Andr ushtoseewhat
mymot herbroughtforme,secret
lyhopi
ngi t
's
Amaf
etikaBr
aTucks.

Ihearherl
aughi
ng,
Hai
bo.

She'
salr
eadyhavingachatwit
ht heghostf
rom
ar
ound,apol
ogiestoAmanda'sbr ot
herinl
aw,
who'owns't
hisapartment
.ButaRumouri s
RumourandWher eIcomefrom Rumoursabout
Ghostar
eneverjustRumours.

If
indhersi
tt
edwi
thCar
ol,
Themanager.
"
HeyYou"Isaypat
ti
nghershoul
der.

"Iseeyoualr
eadymetmymot
her"IsayandShe
smi l
esnoddi
ng.

"AndshemademeaCupofTeawi t
hAmagwinya"
shesaysandIlookathershocked,Howdoesa
Colour
edGir
lknowaboutAmagwi nya?
"Mymom soldAmagwi
nyaf
oral
ivi
ng"She
expl
ains.Inod

"Andwhyam Ibeingvisit
edbyyou?"Iaskandshe
stopsbei
ngfr
iendly.Thesmileonherfacei
s
repl
acedbyafrownr ealqui
ck.

"
Weneedt
oTal
k"shesays.
"
Inpr
ivat
e"asanAf
tert
hought.

Iret
urnthefr
ownandl eadhertothedini
ngarea,
She'
swear i
ngthoset
ightblacksuit
s,andheelsyou
cantel
lshemeansbusi ness.

Whereverl
ifet
akesme,Idon'twantt
oseemysel
f
i
nthat,al
lthat
,wal
kingl
iket
hat.
"
What'
sgoi
ngon?
"Sheasks,
I'
m supposedt
oask
t
hat.

"
Err
..
not
hing"Isayandshecl
ear
shert
hroat

"
Thandi
we"shesaysandSi
ghs.
"Ispoket oTheguyyoul i
vewithandhesai dhe' l
l
sortitoutitl
aterbuti
t'
sbeent hreemonthsandwe
areappr oachi
ngt hefor
thmont hsandIstillhaven'
t
receivedrent.See?Idon'townthispl
ace.Andt he
mant hatownsthispl
acedoesn'ttol
erat
et his,and
trustmeNdi weyoudon'twantt obeonhi sbadsi de
"shesaysandFi xeshersuit.

"Whatdoyoumeant herenthasn'
tbeenpai
d?"I
askandshelooksdeaf
eted.

"
That
'
swhatIj
ustsai
d,Fi
xthi
s"-Shesays
"
Okay,
I'
llt
alkt
ohi
m "Isayandshenodsl
eavi
ng.
.
"
Baby,
Hi"hef
inal
lyanswer
s

"Ihavebeencal
li
ngyousi
ncei
ntheMor
ning
Tumelo"Isay.

"Oh,Iwasinameet i
ngappar ent
lytheyneed
someonewhowillinvestat
least5mill
ioni
nt hei
r
busi
ness,t
hepersonbecomesashar ehol
der.It
's
l
ikebuyi
ngapartofthebusiness" Heexplai
ns.

"Idon'
tcareTumelo,
How'st
hatanyofmy
busi
ness?"Iask,
annoyed.

"I
twil
lbeagoodi
nvest
ment
,don'
tyout
hink?
"He
asks.
"
Tumel
o,Whyhaven'
tyoupai
drent?
"

Hel
aughs.

"
Idi
d"hesays.

"When?
, wher
e?AtBeaut
y'shouse?BecauseCar
ol
washere,andyouonl
ypaidrentonessi
ncewegot
her
e"IsayandheSi ghs

"Babydoyoumi ndsendingmemoneysoIcan
transf
eri
ttoher?,IguessI'
vebeenbusyandmy
cardisgi
vingmepr obl
ems"hesaysandIsigh

"
Youshoul
dhavesai
dso"Isay.
"
Weareinarelat
ionshi
p,i
fyouhaveproblemswi
th
moneyyout
ellmeokay? "Iaskandhesighs.
"
Thatmakesmel
essofaman"hesays.

"
Don'
tber
idi
cul
ous!
"Isay.

"
Stil
lonthatmoneyt
hing,Rememberwhatwe
t
alkedaboutfi
ndi
ngyoutheperf
ectpl
aceto
i
nvest?"Heasks.

"
Yes"

"
Imi
ghthavef
oundt
heper
fectcompany"Hesays.

"
Tel
lmemor
e"Isayset
tl
ingdownont
hecoach.

.
[
10/
31,
05:
34] :Chapt
er10

Tumel
o'sPOV.

Thebestf eeli
ngeveri
swatchinghersignthe
contract,
Wi t
hasmi l
eonherpr ett
yFace.Shei s
proudofher self,
andsheshouldbe.It'
snoteasy
givi
ngupal lyourmoneytoani nvest
ment, Imean
Whati fsomethinggoeswrong?

"
Her
e"shesaysSmi
li
ng,
andIr
etur
nthesmi
le.
..

"Congratulat
ionsbaby,Youjustmadethebest
decisi
onofyourl i
fe"Isaykissi
nghercheeckand
shesmi lesagain,Hersmil
eisPerf
ect.Youcould
fal
lforitri
ghtthereandthen.

Cometothi
nkofitshe'
dmakeacuteModel,
Never
mindthebody,i
t'
sreal
l
ynotmytype,
orthe
typeofbodyIusuall
ygof or,
buthereIam hit
ti
ng
thegym soIcancarryhertothebat
htub, onl
yshe
neverall
owsmet oseehernaked,notthatIwantto
butIjustwantto.
thatdoesn'
tmakesensedoesi t?,
sodoesl i
fe.I
tnevermakessense.

I
tmadesensewhenIwasl
ikeher,
Thandi
we.

CareFr
ee,Happyandjustbei
ngme.thenIgot
mixedupwit
hthewrongguysandhadt odowhatI
hadtodotosur
vive,
evenifmeanski
ll
ing.

Andthatdidn'tr
eallygoquit
ewel l
,ispendyear
sin
j
ailf
ortr
yingt osurviveandallI
'
m doingist
ryi
ngto
putmylif
et ogether.

"
Hey,what
'sonyourmi
nd?
"SheasksandIshake
myhead.
"
Not
hingbaby,
Youar
ebeaut
if
ulyouknowt
hat?
"
Shebl
ushes,
andst
aresatt
heFl
oor.

Sher
eal
lyi
sbeaut
if
ul.

"Hey?,al
it
tl
ethankswouldn'
thurt"Isayandshe
pushesme,andIputonthose"hurt
"dramati
c
shows

"Ouch,Ihavet
oletMakhosonkeknowI
'
m bei
ng
abused"
Shelaughsagai
n,Shehasahor
ri
blel
aught
er,
it'
s
l
ikeshe'
sdying.

"Ireal
l
yneedtotal
ktot
hatone"shesaysand
grabsherphone.

"
Howaboutaki
ssbef
oret
hat
?"Isaycomi
ngcl
oser
t
oher,
Shesmi
les.

"
Aki
ss?
"Sher
epeat
s,IChor
tl
ehol
dingherwai
st.
Il
ovehowshelovesme,
wholehear
tedl
y,Icansee
i
t,Icanseei
tfr
om howshel
ooksatme.

Howshecloseshereyes,andtouchherl
ipsaf
tera
breatht
aki
ngki
ss,breat
htakingonhersi
deof
course.
Howshest
il
lli
cksherl
ipswhenIt
urnmybackon
her.
Howshehol
dsont
omeatni
ght.

She'
sinlove,She'
ssoi nl
oveandshe'stryi
ngto
hi
deit,
asmuchasshet hi
nksIdon'tknowit,Isee
i
t.Iseehowshel ovesmer egar
dlessofhowIlet
herbr
other'
sdoast heypl
easewithme.

Or
der
ingmear
ound,
Dothat,Dothis.Shewant
smet
ost
andupf
or
myselfbutIwon't
.

Ourl
ipsmeet,Weexchangesal
iva,Hertongueisin
myMouth,andI'
m doi
ngwhatevert
oit,I
'
m Enjoying
t
his.

Shebreakst
hekissandcl
oseshereyesl
icki
ngher
l
ipsagainl
eavi
ngmechuckli
ng.
"
Iloveitwhenyoudot hat"Isayhonest
ly,
Itmakes
mef eell
ikeIhaveaholdonher.

"
What?
"Sheasksl
icki
ngherl
ipsagai
n.

"
That"Isaypl
aci
ngaki
ssonhercheeck.

"
Licki
ngmyl
ips?
"
Inodsever
alt
imes,
Doi
ngt
hesamet
hing.
"I
'
llgodel
ivert
hecont
ract,
andpayr
entwhi
leati
t"I
sayandshenodssmili
ng.

"Ofcourse,
I'
llsendt
hemoneystr
aighttothei
r
account"shesaysandInod,t
urningtoleave.

Nar
rat
ed.
"Myusual"Hesayssit
ti
ngont
hechai
r,Hedoesn'
t
smil
e,Heneversmi
les.

"
Roughday?
"Sheasks
"Notreal
ly,Ij
ustneedadr
ink"heexpl
ains,
He
hatesexplai
ninghi
msel
f.

"
Look,
AboutwhatHappenedl
astni
ght.
..
..
"
Hecut
sherof
f.

"I
'
m mar ri
ed,Wef ucked.Sowhat?,i
t'
snotabig
deal"hesaysgul pinghisdri
nkinonego, Hei
s
al
readyimpat i
ent, Hejustwant
stoleaveandgoto
hisWife,Helovesherandhest i
lldoesn'
tknowwhy
heisstil
lcheati
ng.

'
I
tsamist
ake',Het
riestoconvi
ncehimsel
f,Buthe
i
sscar
ed.Scar
edforhisWife,
Theloveofhi
sli
fe.

Shealreadyf
eel
sdi
rt
y, never
mindused, She
shoul
dhaveknownbeforeall
owingsuchacol d
heart
edmangetinherpants,Ri
ghtinthetoi
letat
t
hebar.

Tumelofi
nal
lyarr
ives,
Heneverl
ikedTumel
obut
busi
nessisbusi
ness.
"
Sur
ebozza"Tumel
ogr
eet
s,hecanonl
ynod.

Hehat
eschi
tchat
s,Evenhi
sWi
feknows.
"
Goon"hesays.

"Igott
hemoney"Tumel
osaysandhenods,
Standi
ngup.

"Great,
GettheFuckoutoft
hecount
ry.I
'l
lsendthe
nexttar
get"hesayspayi
ngforhi
sdri
nkandwalks
out.

Zul
umenaresoDamnRude.Tumelothi
nksto
hi
msel
f.Heneedsast
ressr
eli
ver
,Sexobvi
ousl
y.
Hetakesthe100noteont
het able,Heissobr
oke
hecan'tevenaf
fordmi
lk,
butt hat
'saboutt
o
change.Hesmi l
esatt
hethoughtofit.

Money.
Money.
Money.

WhenTumel
oget
shome,
Hef
indsThandi
wel
ayi
ng
ont
hecoach.

HerWhi
tet
hight
sexposed,
Shei
spout
ing.

Hewatchesherandshakeshi
sheadcal
li
nghi
s
si
ster,
Beaut
y.

"
Bro"sheanswer
s,i
nherusualhappyvoi
ce.
"Howar eyou?
"Sheasksandhesmi
les,
Hear
ing
hissi
stersvoi
cemakeshi
sday.

"
I'
m good,
Howar
eyou?
"Heasksandshesi
ghs
l
oudly.

"
It
'sr
eal
lyhar
douther
e"sheexpl
ains.

Tumeloalr
eadyhat
eshi
mselffordragginghisl
it
tl
e
si
steri
ntothi
sli
fe,
buti
t'
salitt
letoolat
eforthat
now.Theymakemoneyt hat
'sallt
hatmat t
ersnow,
Money.

"Damn!,Itol
dbossaboutt
hatguy,
I'
m sor
ryI
draggedyouint
othisl
if
e"Hesaysandshesighs.

"WeareaFamilyThabo,
Wedothi
ngstoget
her
besi
desi
t'
sjustyouandmenow"shesaysandhe
sti
lldoesn'
tfeelanybett
erevenaf
terhersi
ster
assuredhisit'
sactual
lyokay.

Thisisonet
hingt
hathur
tshi
m,Hi
ssi
steri
s
draggedinal
loft
his.

"Af
terthi
sitwi
llbeamil
li
onl
eftt
henwear
edone
okay?"Hesaysandbeaut
ysi
ghs.

"Thi
sisourl
if
e,Wehavebeendoingthi
sforyear
s
now.Wecan'tj
ustqui
tnow"shesays.

Hehat
estoadmi
tit,
butt
heyr
eal
lyar
egoodat
whatt
heydo.
"Yeah"hesaysandHangsupwhenhesees
Thandiwestar
ri
ngathi
m.

'
Thi
scan'
thehardTumeloorJabuorThaboor
What
ever
.'hesayst
arr
ingbackather
.
"HeyYou"hesayswal
kingtoherandshenods,
He
knowsshe'
smad, Hedoesn'
tcareei
ther.

"
I'
m sor
ryIcamehomel
ate"heexpl
ainshol
dingher
wai
st
"I
'
vebeent
hinki
ng"hesayspul
li
nghercl
osert
o
him.

"
Yes?
"Shesays,
Herhear
tski
psabeat.

"Let
'spl
ayagame"hesays,
buter
asest
hati
dea,
All
hewantstodoi
sFuck.

"
Whenwi
llyouber
eady?
"Heasks.

Shel
ooksathi
m conf
used.
"
To.
..
youknow"heexpl
ains,
Shef
akesal
aught
er.
"Idon'
tknow"shesays"
justnotanyt
imesoon"she
says.

Hedoesn'
tcar
eei
ther
,Hej
ustwantt
oFuck.

"
Wel
lIwantyout
ober
eadynow"
hecommands.

Thandi
wel aughs,
Shet
hinkshe'
sjoki
ng.Untilshe
seeshi
ml ockingt
hedoorandpushingherr
oughly
onthecoach.

"Tumel
o!,
Areyoudr
unk?
"Sheaskst
ryi
ngt
opush
him.

Foraskinnyguyheisst
rong.st
rongenought
ohol
d
heronthecoachwhil
eteari
ngoffherdr
essand
unbot
ti
nghi sTr
ouser.
'
Damn'
hesayst
ohi
msel
f.Hi
sdi
cki
sal
readyhar
d.

Hedoesn'twast
et i
me, Hetearsof
fthel
acepant
ies
andspreadsherfatthi
ghtsroughl
y,I
tshi
stur
nto
l
ickhi
slips.

Hei
senj
oyi
ngt
his,
Ther
eisnodoubthei
s.

Hepusheshi
mselfi
n,notthati
t'
sast
ruggl
e.Even
af
terhebr
eaksyourvi
rgi
nit
yyouwoul
dstil
lbea
vi
rgi
n.

Yeah,That
'showiti
s,butithurts.Thandi
weissti
ll
tr
yingtopushhi
m offherbutit
'sli
kesheisn'
tdoi
ng
anythi
ng.

Fi
nal
ly,
HesucceedsandThandi
wecr
iesoutl
oud.
Het
hrust
sinheri
nandout
.

'
Damnt
hisf
eel
sgood'
hesaysl
icki
nghi
sli
ps.

"
Baby?"Li
yanasayst
oSi
yawhol
ooksl
ikehehasa
l
otonhi
smi nd.

"
Iknewi
t!Iknowt
hatdi
ck!
"Hescr
eams.

"Let
sgettoThandiwe'shouse, Now!
"Hesays
rushi
ngtohiscarwithLiyanafoll
owi
nghi
m with
Kyleinherhands.Theydidn'tevenl
ockt
hedoor
butnobodycares!
.
[
10/
31,
05:
34] :Chapt
erEl
even(
superShor
t).
Nar
rat
ed.

Shedragshersel
ftot
heBathr
oom, Shewantsto
cal
lthepol
icesobadbutshefeel
slikeshedeser
ve
i
t.

"
T..
.Tumel
o"shesays.

Unfort
unatel
yhei
sr unni
ngaway,
li
keal
ways.He,
alongwit
hhissi
sterbeaut
yarepr
obabl
yal
readyat
theair
port.

Theplanwassupposedt oDrag, Theyhadtowait

unti
latl
east9mont hsbef
oretakingacti
on,butThey
gotworriedassoonasSiyament ionedhemight
haveseent hem somewher
e,Theyknowhei sa
l
awyer, andtheyhavebeenarrestedacoupleof
ti
mes.
Thandiwenotonlyfeel
susedandvi
olat
ed,She
feel
slikesheisReadytogi
veuponli
fe,ThisTi
me
herbrothercoul
dn'
tsaveher,
Hewasn'tther
e.

Someonebangsthedoorloudly,
Sheissi
tt
edr i
ght
nextt
ot heDoort
hatl
eadstoherbat
hroom .Her
thi
ght
sar ebl
oodyandsheonlyhaswhat'
sleftof
herDresson.

ShehugsherLegst
ight
erandCr
ies,
Shecan'
ttake
i
tanymore.

Thecoachisbloodytoo, Thewallshehasbeen
cl
ingi
ngonwhenwal ki
ngt othebathroom,
Well
Bathr
oom doorsinceit
'stheonlyplaceshe
managedtogettohasbl oodystains.

Shecan'tbel
ievei
t,Shedoesn'
twantt
obel
ievei
t
ei
ther.
"
Thandiwe!
!"Shehear
sHerbr
othershout,
She
t
hinksshe'
smadathim,Fornotsavi
ngherli
ket
he
f
ir
sttime.

"
I'
m br
eaki
ngt
hisst
upi
ddoor
!"Heshout
sagai
n.

Shesighsl
oudly,
andst ar
tscryi
ngagain.She
doesn'
tcar
eaboutthedoorei t
herorherbr
other
seei
ngherli
kethat,
Shepl acedherheadonthe
fl
oorandCloseshereyes.

Shewant
stosl
eepForever,
Shehadtr
ansfer
red
mostoft
hemoneytoacompanyandthati
sthe
onl
yposi
ti
vet
hingTumelocont
ri
but
edinherli
fe.

Si
yafi
nall
ysucceedi
nbreaki
ngthedoor
,andl
ooks
ar
oundforThandi
wealongwit
hLiyana.
Hisheartbreakint
oami l
li
onpiecesatwhathe
sees,Hedoesn'tknowifheshouldscream,
Hold
herti
ghtorBlamehimself.
Hesett
lesf
orholdi
ngherti
ght,Hedoesn'thavet
o
askwhathappened,Heknowseveryt
hingabout
TumeloorThaboorRoywhateverhi
snamei s.
Uncat
chable,
Heneverst
aysinJail.

Liyanaalsosli
desdownont hefloor,
Aswhatshe
seesalsobreaksherheart,Thandiwe'smotherl
eft
theverysamedayandpr omisedtocomeback
duringtheweekend, Wit
hherclothesthi
stime.
Theyaregladshei sn'
theretoseethis,Shewould
haveahear tat
tack.

"
Ndi
we"Si
yaut
ter
s.

Shedoesn'
trespond.

"
Nana"
Shecan'
tevenst
andup,Shewant
stobealone.
Shetr
iesget
ti
ngupbutSi
yahel
psherbef
oreshe
evenf
all
s.

"
Phumani
"shesaysl
oudenoughf
ort
hem t
ohear.

"I
ni?
"Li
yanaasks,
She'
sacr
yingmessal
ongwi
th
Li
ttl
eKyl
e.

"Gett
heFuckout!
,GetOut!"Thi
stime,I
ttakesal
l
theener
gyinhert
oscream andsheactuall
ydoes
befor
epushingSi
yasoft
lyandholdingontothe
wall.

Sheholdsontothewall
stil
lshereachesthetoil
et
andsit
stheref
il
li
ngthebathtubwit
hwat erbefor
e
taki
ngoffwhat
'slef
tofherbloodydress.

Secr
etl
yhopi
ngt
hatSi
yaandLi
yanahaveal
ready
l
eft

Shewant
stobeal
one.
Shegetsi
nthebat
htubandi
tfi
nal
lysi
nksi
n,she
wasrapedbysomeoneshel
ovedwhol
ehear
tedl
y.

Thandi
we'
sPov.

Ist
ayther
eforwhatf
eel
sli
keanhour,I
'mtempt
ed
tot
akesomethi
ngandcutbutIdon'
twantt
o.

Iregretkickingtheonlypeopl
ethatwerether
ef or
meout, butIneededspaceandI 'm goi
ngtoneedi t
forlonger, Igetoutofthebat
htubfeeli
ngbetter

WhenIdogetgetoutoft hebathr
oom withmy
Towelon, If
indthem gone.ISighinrel
ief.Iputon
sometracksuit
sandsl eepontheFloor.
.

Loadsheddi
ngPr
obl
ems..
..
[
10/
31,
05:
35] :Chapt
erTwel
ve.

Iwakeupwit
hsomeonehuggi ngmeFr
om behi
nd,I
tr
yreachi
ngoutf
orthepepperspr
aymybr
othergot
meaFewdaysaf t
erthei
ncident.

HedroppedmeoffaFewmi nut
esagoaft
erWe
wenttochecki
fther
e'sanyi
mprovementi
nThe
caseIopened,
ofRape.

Andevent
houghIopenedt
hecaseAweekago,
Theydi
dn'
tevenseem t
obewor
kingoni
t.They
askedi fIhaveacquireanydiseasesfrom theRape,
andIt oldthem Iwenttothecli
nicandt hatI'
m
cl
ean, TheothermanevenwentasFarassayi ng
Theywoul dwor kharderonthecasei fIhad
diseasesbutnowt hatI'
m cl
eanIshoul dn'
tcare
abouthi m, Heprobablysavedmef rom drought.

ThankTheGoodLordSiyawasn'
tther
ewhenhe
saidt
hat,IWasmad.IwasbeyondmadbutIhad
tocoveri
tupreal
good,andbesi
desmyBrother
hasbeenworri
edali
tt
lebitt
oomuchaboutme,He
spendsmorehourswi
thme, Atmyhousethanat
hisownhouse,Somethi
ngIdon'
twant.

Andt odayIdeci dedheshouldtakemet oseeMy

uncle, Heisget t
ingworserbymi nut
e,i
t'
s
unfortunatethatKar mahaseveryone'
saddress,
anditj ustgothim .Apparent
lyhegotHIVf r
om one
ofhisvi ct
ims, sincehedidn'
tknowhelivedwayto
l
ongwi ththevirusuntr
eated,Henevertookany
meds.
"Foraminutet
her
eIthoughtyouwer
edead"t
he
voiceIr
ecogni
sefr
om behi
ndsays,Ismi
le.

"
Iwasaboutt
oki
llyou"Isayandshechuckl
es.

"
Yeahyouwereaboutt
oki
llme"shesays,
andI
t
urnt
olookather.

Iscanherfr
om Headtotoes,Shei
sinherusual
,
Bum shot
s, cr
optopsandheels
"
Isn'
titt
oocol
dforbum shor
ts?
"Iask

"I
t'
shotoutthere,Youontheot
herhandmyF,are
wearingwint
erclot
hesinsummer"shesaysandI
Clearmythroat
.

"
I'
m..
.iguess.
..
I'
m col
d"Iexpl
ain,
Shenodssmi
li
ng.
"YouKnowyoucantellmeanyt
hingri
ght?
"She
saysandIst
areatherbef
oresi
tt
ingupstr
aight
.

"
Iwasr
aped"Iut
ter.
"Icanst
il
l..
..ican..
.i"Isaybefor
etear
sWel lupi
n
myeyes, Itakeindeepbr eat
hstryi
ngtopushthem
backbutIfaildismall
y.

Sheal
soget
supqui
ckl
y,andhugsmet
ight.

"Iknow,I
'
m sosor
ry"shesayshuggi
ngme,
Ipush
herback.

"Pl
ease,Don'
t.Idon'
tneedhugs,
Idon'
twantt
o
cry"Isayandgetupquickl
y.

"
Closet
hedooronyourwayoutpl
ease"Isay
get
ti
ngint
hebat
hroom maki
ngsur
etol
ockt
he
door.

Istar
eatt
hemirr
orandseeawholedif
fer
entme, I
knowIhadlowsel
fest
eem butt
hisi
smuchWor se.

Ispl
ashwat
eronmyf
ace,
sighi
ng
"
Don'
tyouf
uckencr
y"Isayt
omyr
efl
ect
ion.

"
Don'
t"Isayagai
n,bef
oret
akingoffmycl
othesf
or
aQui
ckshower,It
akeabout6ofthoseaday,
i
ncl
udi
ngbaths.

Aft
erar
efr
eshi
ngbat
h,Iwearmywool
lenpant
ies,
andgot
omybedroom .

"
Fr.
..
"
Ij
umpof
fpul
li
ngt
hebl
anketont
heBedcover
ing
mysel
f.

"
Whatt
hehel
l?
!"Ishoutandshewal
kscl
osert
ome.

"Mnganil
ookI'm sorr
yabout.
..
Youknow. .
.i.
..
i
didn'
tmeanttoencourageyoutocry"shesays,
andIcouldn'
tcarelessaboutt
hat
,matteroffactI
wasplanningtoapologi
se.

"I
t'
sokay,
I'
m sor
ryf
orsnappi
ngatyou"Isayand
shenods.

Shenods.
"
Iunder
stand"shesaysandInodi
nresponse.

Shesi
tsdownonthebed,andhol
dsonthepi
ll
ow,
I
st
areatherst
il
loncl
ingi
ngonmyblanket
.
"Iwantt
odressup"Isayandshet
akesoutabot
tl
e
ofwine,
bef
oreopeni
ngit.

"Ij
ustwantt
ogetdr
unkman"shesaysandsi
pson
herwine.
"
It
'snotl
ikeIhaveneverseenyounaked"sheadds.

"
Pleasej
ustgopoursomewi
ne"
Isay
"Iwantt
odr
essupi
npeace"Isayandsher
oll
sher
eyes.

That
'swhatIl
oveaboutAmanda,
Shedoesn'
tcl
ing
onstuf
f,whenIsaynosheknowsImeanno.

"I
'
llseeyouintheki
tchen"shesayshol
dingont
he
doorwhil
eleaving,
She'sdrunki
sn'
tshe?.

Iwearmor
ecl
othest
hannecessar
yjustt
ofeel
comf
ort
able,Ist
areatmyringi
ngphonebef
ore
si
ghi
ng,Igrabitandanswer.

"
Baba"Isaybef
oreset
tl
ingdownont
hebed.

"
Ndodakazi
"hesays,Ihat
eHi svoi
ce,Nothi
svoi
ce,
Voi
ce.ButhisVoi
ce.It
'sf
ullofsympat
hy.

"Unj
ani
?"Iask.

"
Ngi
Rightwena?
"Heasks,
andIt
akedeepbr
eat
hs.

"
Ngi
Right"If
akeasmi
le,
asi
fhecanseeme.

"OkaySweet
hear
t,nowt
ellmehowar
eyou?
"He
askssi
ghi
ng.
"I
'
m good"Isay"
li
ker
eal
lyr
eal
lygood"Ir
eassur
e
him.
"Youdon'
thavet
oli
e,ordoal
lthatwi
thme"he
saysandIrol
lmyeyes.

"
Fort
heLoveofGodI'
m goodokay?,st
opthr
owi
ng
mepi
typar
ti
es"IshoutandIhearhi
m si
gh.
"
Ngi
yaXol
isa"Iut
ter.

"I
t'
sokay,
Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou"hesays

Thisisanakwar
dconversati
onwi
thmyDad,He
nevercal
lsandnevermenti
onhi
schi
ckens.

Hehangsupminut
eslat
er,
afterIwentmuteon
him,It
akedeepbr
eat
hsbefor
el ooki
ngatmysel
fin
themir
ror
.

"
Nowdon'
tyouf
uckencr
y"Isayandwal
kout,
I
f
indAmandadr
inki
ng,
li
keal
ways.

"
Sdakwa"
Sheroll
shereyes,
Sher
eal
lydoesn'
tcar
eifwecal
l
hersdakwaorWhat.

She'
srealwi
thherselfanddoesn'tcar
eabout
anyt
hingel
sethatincludesanyone'
sopini
on.

It
akethegl
assandpourmyselfagl
assofj
uice.
Bef
oreset
tl
ingdownnearher
.
"
Konj
eMamf
undi
si"shesaysdr
inki
ng.

"Ibr
oughtalotofalcohol,I
'
m keepi
ngiti
nyour
house.Mybr ot
heri
scomi ngoverAndidon'
twant
todieyet"shesaysgetti
ngupafterr
eadi
nga
massageonherphone.
"Daveisher
e"shesaysget
ti
ngupandki
ssesmy
cheeck.
"Loveyougirl
fr
iend,LoveyoumorethanIlove
Dave.Butthatsonofabitchdi
cksmeupgoodsoI
don'tl
oveyoulikeIl
ovehisthi
ng"shesayswalki
ng
outTipsy.

Iknowshewastr
yingt
ocheermeup,
andi
ttot
all
y
worked,
soI'
mleftsmi
li
ng.

Ihearhershouti
ng.'Yeahyeahshe'
sher
e',
What
now?,Ican'
tfakeitanymore.
Ther
eisaknockont
hedoor.
"
Yes"Ishout.

Whoeveri
tislet
'sherselfi
n,Great!Her.Shel
ooks
ar
ound,i
t'
samess.Idi dn'
tcl
eanandsi t
sdown.I'
m
si
ppi
ngonj ui
celikealways.
"Ihear
dwhathappened,
I'
m sor
ry"shesaysandI
nod.

"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Iaskandshecl
ear
shert
hroat.

"Rentmoney"shesays,
andIl
augh.Maybe
becauset
hemoneywaspaidupdaysago.

"I
'
m ser
iousher
e"shesaysandIst
opl
aughi
ngand
star
eather.
"
Nobodysentt
hemoney?
"Iaskandsheget
sup.

"I
fsomeonesentt
hemoneyIwoul dn'
tbehere,
underst
andi
ngwhatyouarecurrentl
ygoingt
hrough
I'
l
lgiveyouaweektopayuporyouhavet ol
eave"
shesaysbefor
esmil
ingandleaving.

Ilookatt
hebot
tleofwineonthetablebef
ore
throwi
ngthegl
assofjuiceonthefl
ooranddri
nki
ng
t
heal
cohol,
thi
sbet
terwor
k.

Itextmybr ot
herIdon'twantt
oseemyuncle
anymore,IGooglet hecompanyandcan'
tfi
nd
anythi
ngoni tot
hert hani
twassomerest
aurant
thatcol
lapsedyearsago..

Igul
pdownt hewholebott
leof
fwineandrushto
getmorebeeri
nthekit
chen.Imakesuretolock
thedoorandpushanythi
ngIcanf
indsonobody
canopen,Iswi
tchoffmyphoneandstar
tdrinki
ng
myheartandsoulout.
[
10/
31,
05:
35] :Chapt
erThi
rt
een.

5daysstrai
ghtIhavebeenl
ist
eni
ngtothem knock,
andprobabl
ycallbutIwoul
dn'
tknowbecausemy
phonewasof f
.

Idon'
tevenr
emembert
hel
astt
imeIwokeupona
Fairnote, Nobhabhal aza.ISi gh, Swit
chingonmy
phonef orthefir
sttimei nwhatf eelsli
keyears.
Mill
ionsofmi ssedcallsandmassagesf l
oatin
.Mill
ionsfrom everyoneSi ya, Liyana,Amanda, My
l
itt
lebrothersandt hepar entstoo.Ideci deto
i
gnor eallofthem beforechar gingmyphone, The
headachei skil
li
ngme, apparent lyIhaveaboutone
thousandi nmybankaccount ,Thankt heGoodLor d
thatscam Didn'tl
eavemewi thnotevenacentt o
myname.

Igetupandt akeal ongbath,IhaveseenAmanda

maker emediesf orherHangoverandt odayIthinkI
mightneedit.Ihaveal ltheingredi
ent
s,incl
uding
theeggs.Imixt hem allt
ogetherandtakeadr i
nk.

"
Argh"Isaybefor
er unni
ngtovomi
t,Thatt
hing,
Whateveri
tis,
isdisgusti
ng.
If
eell
ight
eraf
tert
hat,
soIdri
nkwater.REAL
WATER.NOTALCOHOLwat erforachange.
Cl
apshands.

Iwearaboutamill
ionofcl
othesaday, soIdon't
evendarethi
nkaboutthedi
rtycl
othesIsti
llhaveto
wash.

Igetdr
essedi
ntwothi
ght
s,andaj
eanontopwhi
ch
Istr
uggl
etoputon,
Gaini
ngmoreWeight
!

Isighandpullhar
der,
lyi
ngonmybackandpull
ing
them,Jumpingupanddown.Allt
hoset
ri
cks.

"Mxm "Isayaft
erallmyhardworkactuall
ypaysoff
,Iwearalongsleeveshi
rt
,andIShortsleevet
-shi
rt
ontop.NottoForgetaHoodey.

Mindyouit'
ssummer, it
'snotj
usthot,i
t'
sext r
ahot
.Ievenhadtoswitchont heFan,Wit
haj acketon
i
teventhoughitf
eltl
ikeIwasplayi
ng,Ididn'tcar
e,
Ijustwasn'
tReadyfortheworl
dtoseet
hescars,
Tumel o'
sHandsashewaspul l
ingme,pull
ingmy
hairanddoingashepleaseswit
hme.Idon'
twant
them toseethat.

Igrabapenonthedr
awerandAnot
ebook.And
startwr
it
ing.

Amanda.

SorryIdrankallyoural cohol,IguessI '

m notl onger
mamf undisi,
AsmuchasIcan' twaittoheart he
newni cknameyouar egoingt ogiveme, Ican'tsay
thesameaboutbr eathing,Mybody, Myhear tand
everyt
hinginmei sTi red,IwasRapedandi t
'snot
hurti
ngme.I t
'ski
lli
ngme.I 'm sorr
y.For giveme
forbeingselfl
ess, butIdon'thaveanyot heropt i
on.
Don'tlookformyBody.Don' tthi
nkaboutme.
ForgetIexist
ed.Il oveyou, somuch.KeepDave,
Heisagr eatguy, Lol.
Isi
ghandtakeasi
pont
hel
astr
emai
ningbot
tl
eof
al
cohol.

Si
yaandLi
yana.

Iwouldhavewr it
tenyoubot hdifferentletter
s, but
I'
mt i
red.Kwaaaks.Li yanaIhaveknowsyouf or
what?, months.I'mt alki
ngasoneofmyBest
Fri
endsnotasmyBr other'swif
e.Andi thasbeen
thebestmont hsofmyl if
e.Ihaveseenyoui nyou
bestandwor stdaysandIhaveal soseent hatyou
areanAmazi ngWi f
et oMybi gbrot her, cometo
thi
nkofi thehasagr eatt ast
ewheni tcomest o
woman, INallthosebeaut ywit
hevi lhearted
woman, Hechoseyou.Beaut i
fulinandout, Smar t,
l
ovingandagr eatFriend.Takecar eofbabyKyl e
formeI Qhawel ami .Bl owing100' sofki sses.

Mybr
odoooo,
Asoverpr
otect
iveasyouar
e,Il
ove
you.AndI'
m gl
adyoudi dn'tcomethatni
ght ,
itwas
meanttohappen.It
'snotyourfault
.Youtried
savi
ngmef orthesamet ime,andyoucouldn'tt
he
second,i
t'
sokay.I'mf i
nall
ygoingtoseeMal ume
l
ikeyousuggestedIshould.Nottostabhim, Lol.
Buttotel
lhi
m IForgivehim andI'
m hopi
nghe
for
givesmetooNdyouf orgi
vemet oo.Idon'twant
tobeFound.RespectmyWi shes.
Il
oveyou.

Isighandclosebothl
etter
sbeforeinsert
ingthem i
n
envelops,t
akesafewweeksbef oreactuall
ygetti
ng
totheRightpl
acesoitbuysmet ime.Itakeanother
siponmynewl yfoundfavori
tebott
leofbeer,
Heineken.

Ical
lmymom ,voicecal
l.I
t'
sSar
tudayandIknow
sheiswi
thever
yone.

"
Munt
u,Wewer
ewor
ri
edsi
ck"sheanswer
s.
Ichuckl
e.
"
Iknow,
I'
m sor
ry"Isayandcl
earmyt
hroat.

"
Alli
swell
?"SheasksandIFakeasmi
le,
nott
hati
t
matt
ersbecauseshecan'
tseeme.

"
Alli
swell"Isay"Pl
easeputt
hephoneon
l
oudspeaker"Isayandshedoessowit
hout
Quest
ionsasked.

"
Hel
loEver
yone"Isay

Andt
heyal
lgr
eetback.

"
Ihopeyouar
eal
lgood"Isay

"
AllGoodkanj
anisi
khat
hezeki
lengawe?
"MyDad
AsksandIchor
tl
e.

"
NgiRightbaba"Isay"I
'm sor
ryf
orget
ti
ngyoual
l
wor
ried"asanAf t
erthought.

"
Mfananoyi
seandMakhosonke"Isayandsi
gh
l
oudl
y.

"Kodwaniyaziukut
hingi
nit
handakanjani
"Isayand
chort
le,
becauseidon'tt
hinktheyknow.

"
YEBO"
Theybot
hsay,
att
hesamet
ime.

"AndIwantwhat'sbestf
oryou,
andonlywhat'
s
bestforyou.Iwantyoutot
akegoodcareof
yoursel
f,si
yezwana?"

"
Yebosi
si"Mf
ananoyi
seSays.
"Youdyingorsomet
hingyow?
"Makhosonkeasks
andIlaugh.

"Notr
eall
y,Pleasehandthephoneovert
omama
andbaba, andleavesoIcantal
ktothem "Isay
andIhearmovi ngsoundsandMakhosonket el
li
ng
mom thatheneedsf r
eshair.

"
What
'sgoi
ngonKababa?
"MyDadAsksandISi
gh.

"Ohbaba, Thelateni ghtdaddydaught ericecream

movieswhenIwasdown, Sleepinginyourwar m
handswi thyout elli
ngmei t'
sokay, There'snoone
whowi lleverevert aket hatplace.Your
complicatedadvi cest hatInevergotunt ilthose
thi
ngshappened, Ther i
dest oschool,withyou
holdi
ngmeandever ything,Iloveyousomuchbaba
.AndIhavemor et hanj ustal otofmemor iesofus
toget
hert hatIwon' tevenf orgetandf orthat,
Ngiyabongabab' Khanyi le"Isay.
"
KonkekuRi
ght
?"MyDadAsks.

"Yebo,Ij
ustfeelli
keexpressi
ngmyFeelingswhich
i
snothar d,forthefi
rstt
imeLol"Isay,andlaugh
becausethealcoholisactual
lyhel
pingmesay
almosteveryt
hingIwantt osay.

"Mami, mami st
o,SthandwaSent l
izi
yoYami ,Yazi
yout aughtmeeverythi
ngIknowsof ar,Howt o
cook, Howt obeawoman, youevenwar nedme
aboutsomepeopl ebutIturnedintoabl i
ndeyeand
l
istenedtomyHear t.MySt upidheart.Ishould
haveknownyouknowbet t
er ,
Bett
erthaneveryone.
Andf orthatIl
oveyou, Il
oveyousoDamnmuch"I
say.

"
Iloveyout
oobaby,
KonkekuRi
ght
?"sheal
soasks.

Kanti
sn'
tthephoneonl
oudspeaker
?
"Yebo,Icouldn'
tbeenbet
ter"Isayandhangup
beforesheasksmor eQuesti
ons,Iregr
etcal
li
ng
them ,ishouldhavest
ucktolett
ers.

Itakeanot herlongbath,SolongIendedupf all

ing
asleepint hebathtub.WhenIwakeupIdr ai
nthe
coldwat erandputonmor ehotwaterbeforegetti
ng
i
nt hebat hagain,andt hi
stimeIfai
ltofallasl
eep,
soIl i
stent osomemusi c,forci
ngmysel fnottocry
becauseoft hedeci
sionIhavejustmade.

Deat
h.

Si
ghs.

Ipullt
hetowelandwr apitar
oundmyBody, Stayi
ng
i
nwat erforwaytoolongdrainedmesoIdeci deon
anap, Il
oti
on,putonsomecl othesbef
orer
esting
onthecouch, I
'm outofbeer, I
'
m Fuckenoutof
beer!
Irestforanhourbef orewaki ngupexact l
yat5pm ,
Themai lclosesat5:30,Thanksheavensi t
'snot
thatFar, Iputonmysneaker s,Grabmybagpack
fullofnothi ngbutblackclothesbeforeirushoutof
ther oom,lockt hedoor.leavingthekeysundert he
matwi t
hal et
terformyl andLord.'Sellt
hef ur
nitur
e
andKeept hemoney' ,
it'
stheleastIcoulddo. Iowe
her.Event hought heonlyfurnit
ureIhave, Or
Tumel ohadwast henewcoach, TheT. v,t
heT. V
Stand, andonebed.Ther estwasal r
eadyher e.

Iputonahat,j
ustsoIdon'
tmeetanyonewho
recogni
sesmebefor
erushi
ngout.

Idel
iverthemailandGot
othenearesthospi
tal
,i
t'
s
apublichospi
talandt
hat
'st
heonlythingmalume
canaffor
d, Fr
ee.

Iaskf
ordi
rect
iont
ohi
sroom andt
heydon'
teven
aski
fI'mr el
atedt
ohim whatsoever,
Peopl
ecould
easi
lyki
llyouherebecauseoftheignor
antnur
ses.

Ital
ktothepoli
ceoff
icersandexpl ai
nthatheismy
uncleandthati
t'
sonlyforami nute,Theyfeelsor
ry
forpoorl
it
tl
eMshanabef orelett
ingmei nand
Constant
lyremi
ndingmet hatit'
sonlyforami nut
e.

"
Mal
ume"Iut
ter,
Hei
sasl
eep.

"Weonlyhaveami nut
e,andI
'
m aboutt
omi
ssmy
Fli
ghtsoyeah"Isay
"
IForgi
veyou,that
'sal
l.IFor
giveyou"Isayand
t
rygett
ingupbutheholdsmyhand.

"I
'
m sosor
rymshana"
hesayssheddi
ngaTear
,I
hughi
mt i
ght

"
I'
m sor
ryt
oo"
"
Onemi
nut
eisover"Theguar
dsays
"Iwantyout
ogetbet
ter,
uphol
e"Isayandhenods
kissi
ngmyhand
AndIwal
koutoft
her
efeel
ingbet
ter
.

.
There'
ssomethi
ngdif
ferentaboutt
hisplace,ei
ther
thecoldbr
eezeorThefactthati
t'
sful
l,nottoofull
though.

Isi
ghcount
ingt
hel
astcent
s
"
Beer"Isayspott
ingsomebar,Iwal
kinandsi
ton
t
hetablewait
ingtobeser
viced.
"
Hel
lo"t
hegi
rlgr
eet
s.

"Sur
e,Beerpl
ease"Isay,
handi
nghert
hemoney
andshecountsthemoney

"Whatki
ndofbeer?
"Sheasks,
Annoyi
ngmet
othe
cor
e.

"
Thecheapest,
wit
hal
lthemoney"Isay.

"6blackl
abel
scomi
ngup"shesaysleavi
ng,
Idon'
t
careaboutt
henameoft
hebeer,Ij
ustwantt
oget
drunk.

"
Heyt
her
e"aguysayssi
tt
ingdown.
"
Mmh"Isayandt
hewai
tr
essbr
ingsmybeer.
Iopenoneandst
artdr
inki
ng.
"
Str
ess?
"HeasksandIlookathi
m.Bhut
iwhenl
ast
Di
dyoubat
h?,kgaaa.

"I'
l
ltakethatasayes"hesays,Idon'
tcar
ewhathe
takesthatas,Ij
ustwanthi
mtoleavetheDamn
tablebefor
eIknockhim upwi
thabottl
eofbeer,
Empt ybottl
eofbeer.

Aft
eral
l5ofthebott
lesofbeer,heisst
il
lseat
ed
nearme,Iwon'
tevenoff
erhim beer.

"
Icantakecar
eofyou"hesayscomi
ngcl
osert
o
me,andplaci
nghi
shandsonme.

"
YeyFut
sekl
a"Ishouthopi
nghebacksof
fbutno.
Igr
abt
hecl
osedbot
tl
eofbeerandt
hrowi
tathi
m.
Beerwasted,somehugeguysst artpul
li
ngmeout
ofthebarbecauseI'minsult
ingt
heshitoutoft
hat
Dir
tyThingwhoislayingflatont
heground.And
thr
owingmor ebott
lesofbeerathim.

Si
es,
Thener
ve.

Istar
twal
kingal
oneatni
ght.MindyouIdrankal
l
themoneyIhadsoI'
m asgoodashomeless.

It
rycrossi
ngtheRoadandSeel
ight
sflashi
ngat
me,BeforeIj
umpquickl
y,it
'st
oolat
e.Ican'tsee
athi
ng..

.
.

I
'
m sosor
ryguys.
[
10/
31,
05:
35] :Chapt
er14

Nar
rat
ed.

Beep
Beep
Beep

That'
sthesoundThandiweWakesupt o,She
assumesit'
sheral
arm si
nceshechangesital
lthe
ti
me,Wakingheruptogograbanotherbott
leof
beer.

Unt
ilshef
inal
lyopenshereyes,Rememberi
ng
whathadhappenedlastni
ght,Fr
om Hermovingt
o
CapeTown, Togoi
ngtothebar.That'
sallshe
remembers,
Beingki
ckedoutofthatSt
upidbar.She
saidi
t.Thebarwasstupi
dandshewoul dnever
consi
dergoi
ngbackthereeveni
fitwasthelast
thi
ngshehadtodo.

Shereal
izesshe'
sathospi
tal
,Shefeel
sti
redfor
someonewhohasbeenasl eep,Forwhat?The
whol
enight.

Thewhit
edoct
orwalksi
n,Wi t
haphonei nherhand
andacoupl
eofbooks,Shesmilesthemomenther
eyesl
andonThandiwewhoisstil
ltr
yingt
ofi
gure
outwher
esheis,yes.Hospit
alsheknows.But
how?Who?Why?Whatact ual
lyhappened?.

"OhmyGodyouarefinal
lyup"theDoct
orsays,
smil
ingandal
mosthuggingThandi
we.

Shewasexci
tednodoubt
.
"
Whoar
eyou?
"Sheasks.

"DoctorSmi
th,
youcancal
lmekyr
a"sher
esponds
smili
ng.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Sheasks.

Thandi
westar
esatherbef
oreshr
uggi
ngher
shoul
ders.
"Comeonyoucandobet t
erthant
hat
,especial
ly
aft
eryouspentthewholeweekinhospi
talbed"the
Doctorsays,
leavi
ngThandiweinAwe.Aweek
withoutabot
tleofbeer?Aweekinbed?

"Uyadl
ala"shesaysandt
heDoct
orshakesherhead
smili
ng.
"
What
'syourname?
"Sheasks.

"
Thandi
we"
"OkayThandi
we,LetmemakeaQui ckphonecall
"
shesaysandleavesThandi
weal onewithher
thought
s.Maybet hi
swasthewakeupcal lshe
needed,Shehadbeenrapedandr obbedandther
e's
nothi
ngshecoulddoaboutit,Shejusthadto
accepti
tandmoveon.

Shestart
sthi
nki
ngifsheshoul
dgobackt
o
Johannesbur
gornot.
"
Mi sszul
uwi
llbeher
einaf
ew"Thedoct
orsayst
o
Othandi
we,Whonods.

Butwai
t.
"
Whoi
sMi
ssZul
u?"Sheasks.

"The.
..Shei
sri
ghtnextdoorI
'
m sur
eshewi
llt
ell
you"shesays
"
Butt
ellmehowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Thedoct
orasks.
"Li
keIwashitbyahuget
ruckonmyhead"she
sayshonest
ly.

Thedoct
orwr
it
esi
tal
ldown.
"Woahyouactual
lywri
tingt
hatIf
eell
ikeIwashi
t
byatruck?"sheasks.

Shet
hinksi
t'
sst
upi
d.
"
Notli
ter
all
ythat,Imeanyeahbutnotexact
lyl
ike
t
hat"Thedoctorexpl
ains.

"
Whathappenedt
ome?
"Thandi
weasks.

"You.
..
MissZul
umi
stakenl
yhi
tyouwi
thhercar"
shesays

"
Likehel
litwas"Thandi
wesays.
"
Itact
ual
lywas?
"Thevoi
cef
rom behi
ndsays.

"MissZulu,
I'
llleaveyoutot
alkt
oher"shesaysand
theydothoseont heai
rwhi
teki
ssyt
hingyl
eavi
ng
Thandiweroll
inghereyes.

"
I'
m assumi
ngyouar
eThandi
we"shesays.

"AndI'm assumingyouaretheki
ndmi sst
hat
mistakenlyhitmyblackar
sewithhercar"
Thandiwesays.

Mr
sZul
ulaughs.
"
I'
mtr
ulysor
ry"shesays.
"MeandHoneypiewereargui
ngandIcoul
dn'
tsee
you.I'
m sor
ry"
-sheexpl
ainsl
eavi
ngThandi
we
rol
li
nghereyes.
"Iunder
stand,
Iwantedtodieanywayyoushould
havelef
tmeont hestr
eets"shesays,honest
ly.

"
What?Nohoney!,yousmel
ledl
iket
hewhol
e
l
iquorst
ore"Mr
sZulusays.

"Whyar
eyouaWhitemi
ssZul
u?"Shef
inal
lyasks,
Shewasconf
used.

"
It
'sMr
sZul
u"shecor
rect
sher.

"Youmar r
iedablackPapi
"shesaysandnods"
nice"asanAftert
hought.

"
Ipai
dyourbi
ll
s"Mr
sZul
usays

"
Whatbi
ll
s?"Thandi
weasks.
"Hospit
albill
s,youknowThandi weIhavea
Fri
end,buhlebendal oAlawyer.She'
seasytotal
kto
.AndTheot herFriendntombi.Oryoucant
alkto
me. I
'
m at herapist"shesaysandThandiwelaughs.

"
Whatthehel
lmakesyouthi
nkIneedsomeonet
o
t
alkt
o?"Sheasks,
annoyed.

"Youlookl
ikeyouar
ecar r
yingt
hewholewor
ldon
yourshoul
dersorwai
t,youcantal
ktokyr
a"She
suggests,
Thandiwelaughs.

"Thatf
oreversmi
li
ngDoctor?,
noThankyou"she
saysandMr sZul
ulaughstoo.

"Soyoubei
ngdischargedtomorr
ow.I'l
lfet
chyou
anddropyouoffatyourhouse"Shesaysand
Thandi
westar
tsthinki
ng,whichhouse?
"
Thandi
we!
"

"
Yessure,I
'
m sor
rybutIdon'
treal
lyl
ikef
ormal
it
ies.
What
'syourname?"Sheasks.

"
Layl
a,andIbr
oughtyouf
ood"

"Thanks"Thandiwesaysandcloseshereyes.Si
ghs
outloudandopenst hem onl
ytostareatt
heceil
ing
she'snotlooki
ngfor
wardt ot
omor r
ow.

.
Thandi
we'
sPov
Wasi
ttheRi
ghtchoi
ceImade?
Thisti
meIt
hink,
wit
houtal
coholi
nmysyst
em f
ora
change.

Di
dIhavet
oleaveeveryonewhoclear
lycar
edfor
metodi
eherealone?,
ort odeal
witht
hisal
one?

TheanswerIgeti
sno,Andanot
hernobecauseI
'
m
notgoi
ngbackther
e,Yet.

"
Hi,
isever
ythi
ngokay?
"Thedocasks.

"
Ofcourse,
coul
dIbor
rowyourphonef
orami
nut
e
?"Iask.

Shelooksli
keshe'
sthi
nki
ngabouti
tunt
ilshe
handsitt
ome.
"I
'
llgi
vei
tbacktoyouwhenyoucomeback"Isay
andshenodsleavi
ng.

Iswal
lowthehugel
amponmyt
hroatandst
art
googl
ing.
"
Howt
ogetoverbei
ngr
aped"
"
Howt
osmi
leaf
terbei
ngr
aped"

Andnotevenoneoft
her
esponsesIgetsat
isf
yme.
"
It'
sal
lonme"isay"
allt
hisshi
tisonme"Isay
t
ryi
ngnott
ocry.

It
'snotbeingrobbedoffmymoneythatstabsme
more, i
t'
sbeenr apedbymyboyf
ri
endt hat
everyonewarnedmeabout,andIdidn'
tlist
en.

.
Thenextdaywasherewi
thi
nminutes,andIstil
l
hadnoideawhereIwasgoi
ngaft
erthi
s, al
lIknew
wasIwasn'tgoi
ngbackt
oJohannesburg,myjob
ther
ewasdone

"Heylove,IbroughtyouFood, Toil
etri
esand
clot
hessincenobodycamet ocheckuponyouyet,
didyoutellyourfamilyaboutt
heacci dent?Ohthey
mustbewor r
iedsick."shesays,Ifakeasmileand
gettheplasti
cshesai dhadclothestotakea
shower.

"OhhhFuck!,soFuckenTi
ght"hesayspul
li
ngmy
hairr
oughlyanddoingwhateveronmyback,
whateverhur
t.

"
Stoppl
ease"Ibeg
"Kubhl
ungu,Pl
easeI'
m sor
ry,
PleaseTumel
oI'
m
sorr
y.Stoppl
ease"Ibeg.
If
all
onmybut
tocksandsi
gh.
"
Biggi
rl
sdon'
tcr
y"Isay,
andWi
pet
hewat
erof
fmy
f
ace.

"
Sowher
edoIdr
opyouof
f?"Sheasks.
"
Thebar
"Isay.

"
Youar
egoi
ngoutf
orbeeragai
n?"Sheasks.

"Ki
llmewhenyouseemeevent
hinki
ngofbeer"I
sayandshelaughs.

"Ij
ustwanttodropyouof
fatyourhousej
ustt
obe
safe"shesays.
"
Thi
sismyhome, Thest
reetunt
ilIcanst
andupon
myownfeetsoI
'
m coolri
ghthere"

"
Youarecrazy!
,Ther
e'snowayI'mleavi
ngyouon
t
hest
reet"shesaysdrivi
ngof
f,Idon'
trespond.

"Doct
orSmit
ht ol
dmeaboutwhatyouGoogl
ed"she
says,
Idon'
trespond.

"I
'
m get
ti
ngyouaTher
api
st"shesaysandIl
ookat
her.

"
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
"If
inal
lyask.

"
Ubunt
hu"shesaysandIl
augh.

"
It
'subunt
u"Icor
recther
"
Yesthat,
whatmatt
ersisthatiknowwhati
t
means.AndIcar
eforever
yonet hat
'swhy"

Inod,
smi
li
ng.

.
[
10/
31,
05:
35] :Chapt
er15

Whit
esheet
s,Whi
tecur
tai
ns,
Whi
teTi
lesandWhi
te
newFri
end.

Idonotli
kethecolourwhi t
e, i
t'
sNoteasytowash,
IwantsomethingIcanj ustputinwat
erforafew
secondsandit'
sclean,Ithinkthat
'st
hewhol e
reasonbehi
ndmeOwni ngmor eblackstuf
fthan
anyothercol
our,Laziness.
Ididn'tknowIwast ir
edunt ilir
estedmyheadon
thissoft,Whitepi
ll
ow, unfortunatel
yIcouldn'treal
ly
sayIsl eptl
ikeababy,Ineededal coholandl ayla
didn'
tseem t oownevenonebot t
leofbeer,
Never mindherbutwhatki ndofamani sher
husband? ,Notevenonebeeri nhisFri
dge?, and
whendoesheevengethome?HeHasn' tbeenher e
andwecameyest er
day.Pr obablycamei nlate,but
That'snoneofmybusi ness.

Iputont heSl
eepersshegavemel astnight,She
mentionedtheyarethemostcomfortablepai
rof
shoeseverandibelieveherwi
thoutadoubt ,
She
packedupsomecl othesidon'
tthi
nkIlikeont he
Bed, andsneaker
s.Ismi le.

Draggi
ngmyHeavyf eettotheshower,forashort
onesinceIdon'
tevenfeell
ikebat
hingt
oday,Ifeel
fr
eshaftert
hatandputontheclothes.

Il
ookar
oundt
hebi
ghouseandst
artwonder
ing
whichdoordoItaket othekitchen,fi
nall
yIfi
gureit
outandspotaf i
gureinthekitchen,seeingit
's
defi
nit
elynotl
aylairushbackt omyr oom beforehe
evenspotsme, That'
spr obablyherhusbandwho
wassupposedt obeatwor k,Wellat
leastt
hat'
s
whatIwast ol
d.I'
m sureit'
swaypast6am.

Iwai
tforwhatfeel
sli
keanhourbef
oregoi
ngback
tot
hekitchen

"
Dar
li
ng"layl
ashout
s,smi
li
ngl
ikeal
ways,
Iret
urn
t
hesmil
e.

"
Mor
ning"

"Youar
eupearl
y,pl
easefeelfreetomakeyoursel
f
Food,Igotmesomebreakfastinbed"shesays
andwinks,asi
faki
dget t
ingsweet s.
"Wow,Musthavebeennice"Isaytr
yingtosound
aspol
it
easpossibl
e,Ihat
edTr yi
ng.Idon'tknow
fr
om whenbutIhat
eit.

"There'
scheese,bacon,pol
onyintheFri
dge,
some
ceralandal
lther
e, FeelFr
ee"shesaysandInod.

"Thankyou"Isay,Imeani
t.NotonlydoImean
thankyouforthef
oodbutf
orever
ythingshehas
doneforme.

Shesmi
lesi
nresponse.
"AndIspoket
obuhl
ebendal
oMthethwa, andshe
agreedt
oputyoui
nherther
api
calClassesstar
ti
ng
today"

Ihat
eTher
api
sts.
Ihat
etal
kingorhavi
ngt
osayt
hingst
hatIknow
makemesad.
"SheisthebestinTown,Icanbooksomepr
ivat
e
classes"shesAysandIshakemyhead.

"I
'
m donebat
hing,
sowecandr i
vet
her
enow"she
says,
andIdon'
tsayanyt
hing.

"Aft
eryouaredoneeati
ngofcourse"shesays
sett
li
ngdownbesidesme, Imakesomecer eal
,and
star
teati
ng,t
hinki
ngofwhatIshouldandshould
notsaytotheTherapi
st,
buhl
ebendal
oMt hethwa.I
Sigh.

"BabywhichTi
edoyout hi
nki
sper
fect?
"Adeep
voicesaysf
rom upst
air
s.

Heisi
nskinnyjeansandashi
rt,
whi
lehol
dinga
bl
ackJacket.
"
Theoneonyourr
ighthandsi
deNqabha"
Ihol
dmyl
aught
er,
Thewayshesai
dhi
sname
r
eal
lyt
ickl
edme.

"
Andwho'st
his?
,anot
herchar
it
ycase?
"Heasks
l
ooki
ngatme
Layl
alaughsitof
fbutIdon'
tfi
ndanythi
ngfunnyso
Idon'
tlaugh,
nordoIsmile.Hejustcal
ledmea
chari
tycase.

"She'
sthegi
rlwehi
twit
hacar"sheexpl
ains,
standi
nguptoki
ssherRudehusband.

"Wepaidherhospi
talbi
ll
s,i
sn'
tshesupposedt
obe
atherhouse?"Heasks

"
Sheis,buttheDoct
orsaidsheneedssomeoneto
l
ookaft
erherforawhil
e, si
ncesheli
vesal
one"
l
ayl
ali
es,Fixi
ngherhusbandsti
e.

Shechooset
hegr
eyandbl
ackone,
real
lymakes
t
heout
fi
tamess,
notr
eal
lyt
hatbadt
hough.

"Okay,
I'm of
ftowor
k"hesayski
ssi
nghercheeck,
andwalkingout.

Layl
asi
ghsdeepl
y
"Thatwasclose"-shesaysandgi
ggl
esi
tout
,whi
le
ijustst
areather.

Layl
amadesomeexcuseaboutgoi ngshoppi
ngfor
awhile,Weareinsomewaiti
ngroom andever
yone
i
ssitt
edingroups,Ever
yoneexceptf
orme.Idon't
evenwishf
orthatgroup.
Nobodyi
spayingattenti
ontomeandI '
m gr
atef
ul,
somepeopleactl
iketheydon'
treal
lyneedt
obe
her
ebutarehereanyway.
Somelookli
ketheyar
egoingt
hroughal
ot,IWant
toputonheadset
sandli
stent
omusicbutIdon'
t
evenownaphone.

"Hey"someonegreets, Shei
sbeaut
if
ul,Brown
Skiinedwi
thl
ongBraids.Sheisst
andingri
ghtI
frontofmeandI
'mf orcedtosmil
e.

"
Hi"Igreetback,
Ever
yonei
sstar
ri
ngatherasi
f
want
ingapieceofher
.Someareevencal
li
ngout
f
orherbutshedoesn'
tpaymuchatt
ent
iontot
hem .

"MayI?
"Sheaskspoi
nti
ngatt
hechai
rbesi
desme,
soInod.

"
I'
m Ri
nae"shesaysandInod
"
Thandi
we"-me.

West
ayi
nakwar
dsi
lence,
Whi
leshei
sbusywi
th
herphone.
"
Whyar
eyouher
e?"
-shef
inal
lyasks.

"
IneedTherapy,Apparentl
y"-IsayRol
li
ngmyeyes
,becauseit
hinkIwoul dhavedeal
tper
fect
lywi
th
t
his,what
everiti
salone.

"You?"-
Iask,Real
lyi
nter
est
edi
nwhatabeaut
if
ul
gir
lli
keheri
sdoinghere.

"Ohno!,insurpr
isi
ngmymom wi thdoughnuts,but
sheseemst obelatetoday"
-shesays,Taking
awayallchancesoffusbeingFri
ends,Il
ikeher
Real
ly,Ido.

"
Yourmom? "
-Iask,unint
erest
ed,
Iknowshe
meanshermotherworkshere.

"
YesBuhl
ebendal
o,Yourt
her
api
st"
-shesaysand
openst
hecont
ainerwi
thdoughnut
s

"Pi
ckone"-Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
osayyes,butt
heyl
ook
del
icious,
soIt
aket
heonewit
hchocol
ate,
She
smiles.

"
Greatchoi
ce"-Shesaysandpi
cksonet
oo.

"
Aren'
ttheyf
oryourmom?
"IaskEat
ing
"Let
'sgobuymor
e,i
t'
sjustar
oundt
hecor
ner"she
says.

"
Everyone"Awomansays, ShereAll
ydoesl ook
l
ikeRinae, onl
yshehasaweaveone,youcan't
r
eall
yt el
lit
'sRinae'
smot
her,i
tcoul
dbehersi st
er.

"Ohohtool
ate"Rinaesaysandhi
desbehi
ndme,
I
guesst
hat'
spartofhersur
pri
ce.
Thewoman, MrsMthethwaIassume, unl
ocksher
off
iceandever
yonegrabsachairfol
lowi
ngher,I
dothesamesodoesRi nae,
sti
llbehi
ndme.

Thewomannot i
cesRinaeassoonasWegeti nt
he
off
ice,
andsmil
eswalkingtous,Shegi
vesherbi
g
hugasofshehasn'
tseenherinyear
s.

"
Mybaby"Shesayski
ssi
nghercheecks.
"Wher
eisDakalo?Yout
woar
efor
evert
oget
her?
"
Themotherasks.

"Shehadanear
lymeet
ingbutwearehavi
ngl
unch,
Thandi
weyouarei
nvit
ed"Shesays.

"
No,
Rat
hernot.Idon'
twantt
odi
stur
b"-me.
"
Ohnonsense!
,Youshoul
dcome"-Ri
nae.

"Youshouldgo,Shewon'tgi
veup,youmustbe
Layl
a'skid"Shesays,Iwanttol
aughbecause
l
aylaandIareal
mostthesameageIt hi
nk,butInod
.

"Okay,
I'
llgowi
thyout
hen"Isayandshej
umpsup
anddownhuggingme.
"Gr
eat!,
I'
llwai
tforyour
ighther
e"shesays
set
tl
ingdownbesidesme

"
Mom ,Remi
ndDaddyaboutthePart
ythi
ng.Please
.Hemustmustnotsayat
hingtoDad"shesays,
l
eavi
ngmeconfused.

"
Ithi
nki
t'
sbestifhefor
gets,Let'
snott
ellbot
hyour
Dad'
sokay?
,hlelocan'
tkeephismouthshut"
Ri
naenods,
laughi
ng.
.

"Hi ,
I'
m Samant ha.Myuncl eusedt ocomet omy
room whennoonewasathomeandaskt opl ay
wi t
hme, Itrustedhi m, Ever yoneI nt heFami lydid.
Hesai dhef oundani nterestinggamet hathewas
taughtmyaFr iend, andthatt hef r
iendpl ayswi t
h
hisniecet oo.Iwasadvent urous, Iloved
discoveringnewt hi
ngs, andIwas6.Idi dn' treall
y
knowat hing. Het ookof fhispant sandIl aughedat
hishugesnake.Het ookof fmypant i
esandt oldme
toliedownont hebed.Ir ef used.Iwast aught
nevert oallowanyonet oseemenakedexceptmy
mom anddad, Hepushedmeont hebedr oughl y
andt oldmehe' llkil
lmei fIdar eshout.I thur t,His
thinginsidemehur t.Het oldmei thur tsatf i
rstbut
I'
llgetusedt oitsincewear egoi ngt oplayt he
gameever yt i
mehevi si
ts, andwedi d.WhenIt old
mybr ot
herIwas14, Hehadawaywi thmet oo.
Everynight.He' dsneakt omyr oom .NowIhadt o
putupwi th3cocksatonce, attheageof14.
Incl
udingtheonef rom theot
heruncle,i
tonly
stoppedladyyearwhenIhadt ocomet ovarsi
tyand
Iranformyl i
fe.Inevereverwentbackthere.ButI
foundaFr i
endinalcoholsoIdr ankever
yt i
me"she
saysandsi t
sdownl eavi
ngeveryoneintear
s.

Thegi
rlnextt
oherst
andsupnext.
"I'
m Sonke, Istartedvar sit
y7yearsbackIwant edto
beadoct or, wellIam adoct ornow.Ihadt his
l
ect urewhowoul djustst areatmef ornoreasonat
all, hewasn' tthatol d .Iwasi gnorantsoIdi dn't
reallycareifhest aresatmeornot.Hewasn' tfr
om
thecount r
y.Ineverhadaboyf ri
endmyent i
rel i
fe
thensoI ,Iwasavi rgi
nMar y.Ithi
nkit'
sbecauseI
wast oofocusedonmybooks. Butonedayhecal ls
met ohisof f
icet ell
i
ngmehewant stodiscussmy
mar kswi thhim andseei fhecanof f
erhelp.I
accept edhel panywher ethen, Iwasnai veand
stupid.Hedi dn'treall
yshowmeort alkaboutt he
Mar ks. .
.he...
.Hepushedmypant i
est ot
hesi de,
easilybecauseIwaswear i
ngaski rt
,hehad
cover edmymout hwithsomecl ot
hsoIdon' tdare
trytoscream andhehadawaywi t
hme, Hedid
thatthr
oughtthewholevarsi
tyyearsunti
lnow,
sinceheownst hehospi
talIworkin,andIcan'
t
reall
yquitIhavetot
akecareoffmyFami ly"she
says.

"Pl
easecometomeaf
tert
his"Mr
sMt
het
hwasays,
andthegir
lnods.

"I'
m Sbusi so, andI 'm gay.Idi dn'treal
lychooset o
begay, I'm notr eallygaybecauseof fmaybef eeli
ng
forguysbutbecauseIf eell
ikeI '
m notstrong
enought obeaman, Iwast heyoungesti nthe
house, Emzi niWezi ntsizwa, mymot herwast he
onl yfemal eandshepassedawaywhenIwas7,
that'swheni tallstarted.Myar sehadt oputup
withmyFat her'
sdi ckandal l4ofmybr other'
s.I
wasmol estatedbyt heonl ypeopl eIcoul dcall
fami l
y, allofthem .Ichosebei nggaysoIcan
atleastenj oyit,buti tdoesn'tchangeanyt hi
ngt hey
brokeme.Emot i
onal l
y, andphysi call
yleadi
ngme
t
ocutandsmoke"hesays.

If
eelRinae'
shandsqueezi
ngmi
ne,
andshe
whisper
ed
"
It
'sgoi
ngtobeokay?
"Asi
fsheseesIr
eal
lywant
t
ohearthosewor
ds.

"Ali
cia,andapr oudpr osti
tut
e.Ibel ieveIhavef ail
ed
mypussywhenIal lowedt heNigerianguynext
doorand6ofhi sfriendstoRapeme! ,Hewasmy
fri
endr eall
y.Icoul dtalktohim buther apedme
andbl amedi tont heal cohol,He...He. .
..hekill
ed
Ali
cia, hekill
edmewhenhecont i
enoedwi th
severalmor edifferentFr i
ends,Icoul dn'
t!,
Iwant ed
todie!Thenhesol dme.Iwasn' tscar ed.Iwant ed
i
t.Iwant edtobef uckedbyever yone.I tdidn't
mat t
eranymor eatleastthisti
meI 'm doingi tfor
money"shesaysandsi tsdownasi fshej ustdidn'
t
sayshewant stobef uckedbyever yone.
"
Thandi
we?
"Mr
sMt
het
hwasays.
"Doyouhaveanyt
hingt
osay?
"SheasksandI
standup.

"I
..
.t
u..
.he.
..
i..
.No"Isayandsi
tdown.
"
Iwantt
ogohome"Isayandt
urnt
oleave.

"
I'
llt
akeyou,Layl
aismyFriendsmom ,
Iknow
wheresheli
ves"Rinaesaysandwegetup.

"
That
'
sal
lfort
oday"-Mr
sMt
het
hwasays.

Thedri
veissil
ent,Idon'tsayathing.Sheplays
somemusi candI'
mt r
yingsohar dnottobreak
downofhersheleavesmebyt hegateandasksi f
I'
m goi
ngtobeokay.It ellherI
'
mf ineandshe
l
eaves,IhaveasparekeysoIt r
yunlocki
ngt he
dooronl
ytofindi
tunlocked.
Ifi
ndMrZul usit
tedbythecount
erwit
honeoft he
maids,chatt
ing.Isitbyt
hecoachandtr
ylett
ing
everyt
hingIheardsi
nkin,peopl
ehavebeen
thr
ought heworst.

"Hey, Areyouokay? "Heaskssettl

ingdown
besidesme, Ishakemyheadnoandhegi vesmea
hugt r
yingtocomf or tmebutIdon'tcry,Iconti
nue
shakingmyheadnount ilthedooropensandl ayla
getsinandt hrowst heplasti
conthefloorbefore
openingherar msf orahug.

Il
etgoofMrZul
u,andgi
veherat
ighthug.
"
Ican'
t"Isaycr
ying.

"
Ineedyou"Icr
youtl
oud,
huggi
ngher.

"
Shhh,
it'
sokay"
[
10/
31,
05:
36] :Chapt
erSi
xteen.
Ithasbeenani ncr eadabl
eandl i
fechangingFour
months, NotonlydoIf eelbet
terbutIfeell
ighter
andfresherthant hedayIwasr eadytoDi eorthe
dayIdecidedtot ur ntoal
coholforcomfort.

ItextRinaeandDakaloconf i
rmi
ngthatI'
l
lbethere
exact l
yat2o'clockf
orourlunchdate,It
hinki
t'
s
safet osaytheyaremyFr i
endsandI '
mthankfulf
or
thesuppor tt
heyhavegivenme, Ihaven'
treal
ly
shar edwhathappenedtomebutt heyhavebeen
patientandtoldmetheywillbeherewhenI'mready
totalk.

AndToday, Wehaveanot
heroneoft
het
hose
Classeswit
hMrsXulu,
SureIsai
daFewwordsbut
notanythi
ngdeep.

Isi
tatt
heback,MyFavori
tespotandl
ookatBuhl
e,
Thi
sWomani saninspi
rat
ion.
"Morni
ng"shegr eetsandsitsdownint
hemiddl
e,
SheisdressedinaRedBodyhuggi ngdress,
Her
Favori
tecolourIfi
guredsinceShewear
sthecol
our
morethananyot hercolour.

"
Thi
sisourwhat
?100t
hcl
ass?
"
Weal
llaugh,
Freel
yforachange.
Iguessmostofusf eelwaybett
eraft
ert
heclasses
.Heari
ngotherpeople'
sstor
iesmadeusreali
sethat
Therearepeopl
ewhohavebeent hr
oughtheworst.

TakeMzamof orinst
ead, Rapedbywhat?Halfof
herFami l
yandcloseFriends?,Ri
ghtaft
erher
mot her
'sdeath,t
urnsouthermot herwasalso
rapedbyal lt
hesemanandnowt hatshe'
sdead
she'sobviousl
ythenextVicti
m.

Shefoundasoulmate,AndThemani sdescr
ibed
tobethemostsupport
iveper
sonever,Heholds
herdownwhensheneedssomeoneandt hat
'ssti
ll
notenough, Nowthatsheis6monthspregnant.
Sheisscaredthesamet hi
ngisgoingtohappento
herbabies,DAMN. womanr eal
lyaregoi
ngthrough
theworst.

AndtheWor stparti
showhermot herdi
ed,Gang
rapedtodeath.whathasthisworl
dcomet o?,The
verysamepeoplewhoar esupposedtoprot
ectus,
Hurtus,Rapeus, Useus, Kil
lus.

"Iwantyou, allofyoutogetupandt el
lmeWhat
youwantt obeandwhatyoul earnedfr
om t
his
cl
ass, andnot hisi
snott heendofit,Westi
llhave
mont hst ogobef or
et henextgr
oupcomesandI '
m
hopingbyt henever yonewouldhavesaid
everythingtheywant edtosaybecausethi
siswhy
wear eher e,Tosuppor teachother"shesaysand
putsonhergl asses.

"
Iwantt
obeadoct
or,
Wel
lIwant
edt
obeonebut
i
t'
st ool ate.IlearnedthatIhaveFami lynow, That
Fami lyisn'tthesamebl ood, si
stersandbrother
aren'talwaysf rom thesameWombandThatI '
m
strong, Str
ongenought ohavecomeher e,Stoodup
hereandt ellyouguysever ythi
ngthatifai
ledto
shar ewi t
hever yone"shesaysandWeshar ea
grouphug, ThanktheGoodLor dBuhledecidedto
splitthegr oupintothree,Forabr eat
herandt o
makei tmor ecomf ort
able.AndI '
m gladI'
mi nthi
s
groupbecauset hi
sisFami ly.

"
Girl
ll
ll
l!Ar
eyououtofyourmind?Toowhat?Too
l
ate?Don'tshi
tonus"trustNeot
osaythat
,Weall
l
augh.
Iguesst
her
eisnoni
cerwayt
osayi
twi
thhi
m.

"
Yes,Neoisri
ght.Don'
tshi
tonus"Buhl
esaysand
welaughal
loveragai
n.

"
Iwantt
obeal
awyer,
Fightf
orourwomanagai
nst
t
hesepredat
ors,Ilearnedt
hatther
earepeopl
ewho
wentt
hroughworset hanwewentthroughandthat
weshouldgetsupport,Weder
seveit"
Weal
lnodourheads

Theyallgoonandont el
li
nguswhattheywantto
beandwhatt heyl
ear
ned, Neot
hrowsinjokesand
i
nsult
st her
eandther
e. maki
ngt
heclassbetter.

Hewasn'traped,Hewaski
ll
edemot i
onall
ybutyou
won'
ttel
lbecauseofhi
sbubblyper
sonal
ity,Hecan
easi
lyBr
ightenupadaywit
honestupidjoke.

Igetup.
"Iwanttobeapol i
ceoffi
cer, Iwil
lbeapolice
offi
certoputastoptothegr owingcri
mer ateand
kil
li
ngofinnocentwomanandKi dst oprotectal
l
woman, Toturnoursocietyintoabetterpl
ace,We
deservethat
,Weear nedit"-me.
Theycl
aphandswi
thmesmi
li
ng.
"Il
earnedthetr
uemeani ngofsupportandFami l
y,
Familyisn'
tbl
oodIjustmetmysecondf amily,
I
l
ovehowwel oveandsupportoneanot her,Howwe
areFreearoundeachother.Ilear
nedt hatl
if
e
for
cesust obestrong,TogetupDustupandDo
bett
er,ThatbeingRaped, Ki
ll
edspir
ituall
y,Bul
li
ed
i
sn'ttheendoftheworld"-Me.

Theycl
aphandsagai
n.

"Ihaveanotherannouncement,I
'm gi
vingyouone
ful
lyeartobeherorhim, Thelawyer,Doctor,
Denti
stevenofitsbecauseyouwantal lman
toot
hless"-Buhlesaysandweal ll
aughinglooki
ng
atNeo, whoisgivi
nghimselfaproudbow.

"Youneedsponsor
s?,Iwantyout ocometomef or
help.Andallt
hosewhocouldn'tsayanyt
hingI
wantyoutocomebackandt el
lusyourstori
es.I
wantyout
obeabet t
erWoman.Comebackas
bett
erWomanorI
'
llpushyout
obeoneforcef
ull
yso
"-Buhl
e.

Weal
lnod,
smi
li
ngandi
nspi
red.
"
Oneyear"sher
epeat
sandIsmi
le.

"Youarelat
e"Dakal
o,Mi
sspunct
ual
it
ysays.Iki
ss
hercheeckandsi
tdown.

"
WowandIdon'
tdeser
veakiss"Rinaesaysand
f
rowns,
Ist
andupandpeckherl
ips.

"I
'
m amarr
iedwoman"shesays,
Ismi
leandsi
t
downagai
n.
"
Ladi
es"Isay.

"
Someonei si
nagoodmood,WewereRi
naeand
Dakal
olastweekandnowwear
eLadi
es"-Dakal
o.

Igi
ggl
e.

"Whatareweeat i
ngladies?"
-Iasklooki
ngatthe
menu.Obvi ousl
yIonlyeatonethinghere,
it'
sthe
onl
ythingthattheyactual
lycook,SomeFriedfi
sh
andveggies.

It
'swr
it
tenTent
asomethi
ngonthemenu,
Coul
d
havej
ustsai
dFishandveggi
es.

Theyl
ookatmewi t
ht he'
obviousl
yDuh'
lookandI
rol
lmyeyes,eventhewait
ressbri
ngsmyUsual,
andIguesst
hegirl
salsoordered.
"
Whathappened?
"-Ri
naeasks.

"Nothi
ngreal
ly,
Arewestil
lonforchur
cht
oni
ght?
"
-IaskandtheyNod,shocked.

"
Youandchur
ch?
"-t
heybot
hask.

"Yes, meandchur ch.Ijustwanttoshout

hall
elujah,youknowyourmot herjustdel
iver
edthe
mostshor tandinspir
ingspeechever,IguessI'
m
goingtoschool"-Isayandt heyjumpupanddown.

Af
teraf
ewwei
rdst
ares,
Wesi
tdown.

"
Iwantt
obeapol
iceof
fi
cer
"-Me.

Theyl
ookhappyf
ormeandThatmakesmehappy.
.

"Hell
oandGoodbye"-Isaygr
abbi
ngoneappl
eand
giveLayl
aaki
ss.

"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"-Sheasks.

"
Uuuuuhhhadat
e!"AsanAf
tert
hought.

"
Babyst
opt
hat"
-Nqabasaysl
aughi
ng.

"
Notadat esi
ster,chur
ch,
Imi
ghtsl
eepoverat
Dakal
o's"
-Isayleavi
ng.

"Canever
ybodyshouthal
lel
ujah?
"-Thepast
or
shout
s.
"
Hal
lel
ujah"
-us.

"
Hal
lel
ujah"
-Past
or.

"
Amen"
-us.

"TodayWear et alki
ngaboutt heLoveofGod,
Hall
elujah?,Thel oveofGod.I saiah35verse5and
6reads' yourlovecreatesmi r
acles, t
helameshall
walk,thebl i
ndshal lsee,Icannotspeakonbehalf
ofeveryone, butIwi l
ltel
lthewor ldaboutyourl
ove
"-Pastor .

"Doyoubel ievehel ovesyou?,l

ovesyouenought o
comet hroughf oryou?Loveyouenought oForgi
ve
youforyourwr ongs? ,l
oveyouenought ohel
pyou
growoutoft heSadl i
fe,Tohel
pfightyourdemons?,
Doyoubel ievehedi edforoursi
ns? "-Hesaysand
dri
nksagl assofwat er.
"Bazal wane, alukhouThandool unj engolwakhe, He
forgives, Hesuppor t
s! ,Hei sher esi tti
ngright
besidesyounowi fyoul isten,ifyouopenyourear s
andl istenhewi lltellyou, Ever ythi ngisokay, Hei s
thesameGodt hatwi llstopyouf rom avenging
your selfandt ellyouhegott hi
s, thesameGodt hat
willmakewhatwasmeantt obr eakyoumakeyou
str
onger ,Thever ysameGodt hatmakest hebl i
nd
tosee, becauset heybel ieve!,ThesameGodt hatis
yourbestFr iend, TheGodt hatgi veshomest othe
homel esshal l
eluj ah,andI 'mt ellingyoumyDear
Brother ,MyDearsi ster,Hei sal ive, Hei shere, I
'm
tel
lingyout oopenyourhear toutandbel i
eve.Now
Iwantyouwher everyouar e, l
ist ent ohim, l
istento
himt el
lyout oaccepthi m, Iwantyout ogetup,
comet othef r
ontandt ellhim youaccepthi m, you
accepthi slove!, Iwantyout onotonl ysayi t
hallelujah,Iwantyout omeani t, Iwantyout o
accepthi slove, Sukuma! ,Emel el a, Iknowyoucan
hearhi m,Listent oyourGodandl ethisloveshow
youmi racles"
Ifeelanel
ectr
onicfeel
ingonmybackandIj
umpa
l
it
tle.IswearIhearhimtel
li
ngmetoopenmyHear
t
outtohim.

DakaloandRinaeareI
ntear
st oevennot
ice,
Iget
upalongwit
ht hewomanbesidesme.
Iaccepthi
m,
Iaccepthi
slove.
[
10/
31,
05:
36] :Chapt
er17.

"
Ifoundt
hisPol
icethi
ngofyour
s,appar
ent
lyi
t
t
akesabout6months"-Layl
a.

Istar
eatSi yabonga'
srecentprofi
lepictur
e,Cl ear
ly
he'sbeenar oundhomef orthesepastFewweeks,
Hehast akenaf amil
ypicture.Mymom i sholding
mypi ct
ure, Andtherestofthefamil
yi ssmili
ng
towardsthecamer aincl
udingLiyanaandl i
tt
leKyle.
Hehasgainedwei
ght,Hi
sCheecksar
eBi
g.WHAT
i
sLiyanaf
eedingt
hisKi
d?
"
Thandi
we"

Itur
ntolookather,Ismi
lejustt
oconfirmthatI
'
m
okayeventhoughI'
m not
,Myhear ti
sbleedi
ng.I
wanttodri
vehome, hugthem andtel
lthem
ever
ythi
ngisgoingtobeokay.

"I
severyt
hingokay?"Sheasks,
Ilookatt
hepict
ure
onceagainbefor
eturni
ngthephonetoher.

"
Seethatwomancar
ryi
ngmypi
ctur
e?"-Shenods.
"
That
'
smymom"

"
Wow, She'
sbeaut
if
ul"Shesaysl
ooki
ngcl
osel
yat
t
hepi
cture
"Sheis, i
sn'tshe?"Isaysmi l
ing,Mymom r eal
lyi
s
beauti
fulandBr ownski nnedj ustl
ikeme.Shehas
smalleyesandt hinlips, Shenevershowsherhai r
sheisal wayswr appedi nDoeksandMan, Does
sheknowhowt omakei tlookgorgeousonher.
Sheist hickandshel ovesi t,Sheembr acesit.You
cantell,Whenshest aresatt hemirror
,Hereyes
glow,Hereyesscr eam love, Sel
flove.

"Andthatmanoverther
e,t
heoneinablackl
eat
her
j
acket,That'
sthel
oveofmyli
fe,
MyFirstman.My
Father.
"Isayandshesmil
es.

"
Hel
ooksyoungandHandsome"
-Layl
a.

Ilaugh, MyDadl ooksanythingbutYoung,Youcan

tellevenfrom t
hepi ct
urethatheisagi
ng, Hi
s
Roundbi geyesaresurroundedbyWr i
nkles,Hi
s
mast achisal i
tt
lewhiterandhedoesn'thavehair
onhi shead, Hegetsahai rcutever
yweekendbut
failedtogettheboyst odot hesame,especi
all
y
Makhosonke.

"Thei
diothol
dingt
hecamer
aismyBr
other-"She
cutsmeof f.

"SiyabongaKhanyi
le,
oneoft
hebestl
awyer
s
around"Shesays.
"If
oll
owhim onInst
agram ,Facebook,Twit
terand
EverySoci
almediaaccounthehas. "Sheadds.

Il
augh.

"
Idi
dn'
tknowhehasf
ans"Isay,
Honest
ly.

"Ohhedoes,Fol
lowhi m onInst
agram you'
ll
see.
..
ohandhisWifeFlippi
nggorgeous!Hewas
mycrush.Igotj
ealouswhenhepoppedt he
Questi
on.
itwasalloverInst
agram "-Layla.
"Herecent
lypostedavideoofhi
m ar
guingwi
th
somegirl,
iican'
thearhervoi
cecl
ear
lybutIl
ovedi
t
,Ievensavedit,Herel
etmeshowyou"

Shetakesherphonesmi
li
ngfr
om cheeckt
o
cheeck,Sheplayst
hevi
deoandhandsmethe
phone.

'
SiyabongaIcan'
tswi
m!'
Ismi
le.

'
Idon'
tcar
e,Jumpi
n'Heshout
s.

'Siyabongapl
ease,Li
yanahel
p.Whydi
dyouget
pregnant?Heisabusi
ngme! '
Li
yanal
aughs.
'
Sizanibo!
'
Iwi
pet
het
eart
hat
'sonmyl
eftcheeck.
"Hewasteachi
ngmehowt oswim"Isay"Iwas
shouti
ngbutIwasenj
oyi
ngit,
Heisagoodt eacher,
He...
Hetaughtmehowtoswimthatday"Isayand
l
augh.

"
Hemi
ssesyou,
alloft
hem do"Shesays.

"MetooLayla, Iwanttogobackt othem sobad,but

iwanttomakemeabet terpersonfir
st,
notonlyfor
myselfbutfort hem t
oo.Iwantt ogobacktherenot
astheheartbrokendaughterbutassomet hi
ngthan
heart
broken,Iwantt ogotherehealedandready
foranyt
hing"-me.

"
I'
m proudofyouSweet
ie"-Layl
asaysgi
vingmea
warm hug.
"
I'
m sopr
oudofyou".
"
Enoughhugs,
Whatdi
dyousay?
"Iask.

"youst
il
lwantt
obeacop?
"-Sheasks.

"
What?
,Ofcour
se"-Me.

"Good,BecauseyoumyDear,
Havebeenaccept
ed
asa-"
Iscr
eam

"
WhendoIl
eave?
,WhendoesmyTr
aini
ngst
art?
"-
Me.

"NextWeek,Mondayyouhavetobethere.
Jumpingfences,
Carryi
ngtyr
es,Rol
li
ngunder
ThoseFencesandjumpingoncar
s"-Laylasays,
I
l
augh.
"
Ithi
nkyouar
eexagger
ati
ng"
Shesmi
les.

"Idon'
tknowwhyyouwanttobeacop,butI
'
m
proudofyouandwhenyoucomeback,Youhavet
o
carryonseei
ngBuhl
e"Inodhuggi
ngher.

"
What
'sf
ordi
nneranyway?
"Iask.
"
Let
'sor
derpi
zza,
Idon'
tfeell
ikecooki
ng"

"
Youcan'
tcook"Ir
emi
ndher
.

"
Yeah"Shel
aughs.
"Ican'
tevenboi
leggst
hanksf
orr
emi
ndi
ngme"-
Layla.

"
Anyt
ime"
-Ibl
owheraki
ss.
Nqabagetsinaswear ewatchi
ngamovie,Hehas
t
woofhi sfr
iendswit
hhim.itsaRomcom,j
ustl
ikeI
.Layl
aIsasuckerforromance.

"
Layl
a"Thef
ri
endsgr
eet
,Asi
fbor
ed.

"Ni
ckandSbu,hi"shegr
eet
sback,
Theydon'
t
seem t
oli
keeachother.

"
DidMar
iacook?
"Nqabaasksf
rom t
heki
tchen.
"
No,
Shehadanur
gentf
ami
lyt
hing"
-Layl
asays.

"Manj
engi
dleniMi
na?
"-Her
oar
s,SomeoneI
sina
badmood.

"
Weor
der
edpi
zza"
-Layl
a.
"
I'
m amanl
ayl
a,Iwantpap"-Nqaba.

"I
'
llgocooksomet
hingQui
ckly"Isayget
ti
ng
up. l
ayl
athr
owsinagreat
fulsmileandIsmi
leback
ather.

Igettot
hekitchenandlookf
orsomethi
nginthe
Fri
dge,someonecl ear
sthei
rthr
oatf
rom behi
nd
me, Ist
utt
er.

"
Shitsor
ry!Idi
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyou"i
tsoneof
Nqaba'
sFri
ends.

"
It
sal
ri
ght
"Isay,
Hei
swhi
te.

Hehasbl
ueoceaneyes,
Andt
hinpi
nkl
ips,
He
r
eal
lyi
sHandsome.
Hesmi
les,
Iret
urnt
hesmi
le.
"
I'
m ni
ckbyt heway"-hesaysof
feri
nghi
shandf
or
ahandshake,WhichIgl
adl
yaccept.

"i
tsni
cet
omeetyouni
ck"
-Isay.

"
Youseri
ousl
yar
en'
tgoi
ngt
otel
lmeyourname?
"
Heasks.

"
No"Isayswi
tchi
ngont
hest
ove.

"
CanIhel
p?"Heasks,
Ismi
le.

"
Please,
Chopt
heoni
ons"

Hef
rowns.
"Can'
tIsi
tdownandWat
ch?
"Heasksgr
abbi
nga
chair

"
That
'
sNothel
ping"-me.

"
FineI
'
llchopanyt
hingbutt
heoni
ons"Ismi
le.

"
Fine"

Within2hour
sI '
m donecooki
ng, Icookedpapand
somebeefSt ew, Somet
hingrealFast.well,We
fi
nishedcookingImean, Wearedonedi shi
ngup
.andwear eallsi
tti
ngonthetable.

"Mmmmh-Thi
sisdel
ici
ous"-Theot
herFr
iend,
SBUSays.

"
Thanks"
-Ni
ck.
"Hai
bowenj
a,ThankyouMi
ssThandi
we"Sbu,
I
smil
enoddi
ng.

"
Sot
hat
'st
hebeaut
if
ull
ady'
sname"ni
cksays.

"Youwerewithherinther
eforwhat?,
centur
iesand
yousti
lldon'
tknowhername? "-Sbusayscausi
ng
Nickt
ocl i
ckhistongue.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
obed"
-Nqaba.

"
Ithoughtyousai
dyouwer
ehungr
y"-Layl
a.

"
AndIt
houghtyouweredoi
ngper
fect
lyf
ine!
"He
r
oar
s,si
ghsandwalksupst
air
s.

"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"Iaskl
ayl
a.
"
Perfect,Iwantyoutopackupbef
oreyousl
eep,
Okay? "Shesaysget
ti
nguptoki
ssmycheeck.

"
Ofcour
se"Isay ,
Shesi
ghsdeepl
ybef
ore
f
oll
owi
ngNqaba.

"
Whati
sshe?
,Yourmom?
"Sbuasks..

"
Mor
eli
kemybi
gsi
ster"Isay.

Henods.

"
Nice"

Wechatabi
glonger.
.
'
Breakf
ast'
Atextf
rom Ni
ckReads.

YeahWespokeforl
ikeal
mostthewhol
eni
ghtt
hat
Igavebot
hhi
m andsbumyt ens.

'
Breakf
ast
?'It
extback.

'
Yeahbef
oreyoul
eave.'
-Ni
ck.

'
Thanksbutnot
hanksf ort
hebreakfastdate'
Itext
backbef
oreswi
tchingmyphoneof f,Ialr
eady
menti
onedtohi
mt hatIdon'
tdodinnerdates.

Myphonebeeps,
butIi
gnor
eitknowi
ngi
tsni
ck.

"
Mor
ning"l
ayl
agr
eet
s.
"Hi
"Isaychecki
ngmyt i
melineonmyFake
account,AphotoofXoligr
absmyatt
enti
on,
its
herswingi
ngaringontheair.

'
Hefinal
lydeci
dedt
oputar
ingoni
t'andSphol
ais
t
agged.

Li
ket
hecopwannabeIam ,
Igot hr
ought
he
comment
sandseenonef
rom Zandil
e.

'
For
everandalwaysst
handwasami
'acomment
f
rom sphol
a,Igul
pinshock.

"
Thef
uck?
"Isayoutl
oud.

"
What?
"Layl
asayscomi
ngcl
osert
ome.

"
MybestFr
iendi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed!
"-Me
"
So? i
sn'tshet
hemar
ri
aget
ype?
"Sheasks
l
aughing.

"
No,
Shei
smar
ryi
ngmyboyf
ri
end!
"Ishout.

Howdar
eshe?
.

"It
houghtyoudon'
thaveone"shesays.

"Ido.
.Idon't..
.ButsheStil
lwasn'
tsupposedto
mar r
yhim, Theguyistheloveofmyli
feImeanshe
knowst hattoo,everybodyknows,Thenerve!
"

Sheshakesherhead.

Myphoner
ings.
"That
'sRinaeandDakal
o"Isayanswer
ing.Wetalk
abouthowt heyar
ehappyformeandhowt heyar
e
l
ookingtowardtoseei
ngMeagain.
Bef
orewesayourgoodbyes.

"
Let
'sgo"l
ayl
asaysandInod.

AYearLat
er.
..
..
[
10/
31,
05:
36] :Chapt
er18

AYearLat
er.
..

"HowisthecaseaboutThatgir
l,Jabuli
legoi
ng?
"
Thecaptai
nasksstar
ringatmel i
kealways,i
mt he
onlyFemalei
nthi
sstation,Si
gh.

"Pr
ett
ygood,Wef oundaneckl
acemat
chi
ngt
he
oneonHersi
ster
'scase"isay.
"
Thef
inger
pri
ntsar
esi
mil
ar"-Iadd.

"Thatcoul
dmeantheywererapedbythesame
person,onl
ythesi
sterwaskil
led"-Thecapt
ain.

Igi
vehi
m aNodandhesmi
les.

"That
sagreatst
art,nowwhat ?
"Heasks,igi
vehim
aWeaksmi l
ebeforeshruggi
ngmyshoulder
siwish
hecouldl
etmedomyj obinpeace.

"
Howaboutl
unch?
"Heasks.

"
Lunch?
"-me.

"Yes,meandyoul
uncht
oget
herasFr
iends"he
asks
"
I'
dlovet
o"

"
But
?"Hedi
stur
bsme.

"Butican'
t,ihavel
unchwi t
hFriendsandihaven'
t
seenthem i
nawhi l
e, Nextt
ime?"Ili
e,Ther
esno
nextti
me.t hecapt
ainiswayytoooldforme.

"
Comeon,it
sjustl
unch"hesays,
Arghi
tsnever
j
ustl
unch.

igi
vehi
m aweaksmi
le.
"
Willt
hatbeallcapt
ain?
"Iaskandhenods,ican
f
eelhisgazeonmeasiwal kawayfr
om hi
m.

Myphonebeepsindi
cati
ngamassage,it
sfrom an
unknownnumbersoijustst
areatt
hewall
paper,i
haven'
tseenherinweeks, Layl
a.t heonlyt i
mei
haveistomakeashor tphonecalljusttocheckup
onher,andshedidn'tsoundgoodatal lt
helast
ti
meicheckedonher, It
ri
edhardt oignor ethe
worrygr
owinginsidemebutican' t.ifeell
ike
ther
essomethingbotheri
ngher.

'
Wher et
heFuckar
eyou? '-AtextFr
om Dakal
o
Reads,Yes.wedohavet helunchthi
ngi
eandim
l
ookingfowar
dtoi
t.ihaventseenthem i
nalong
t
ime.

'
Chi
ll,
Someofusst
il
lusecabs'
itextback.
'
Acabf orwhat
?,Ther
est
aur
anti
s2mi
nut
esaway'
Dakal
o

Therestaurantreall
yisn'tt
hatFarbutit
smost
defi
netel
ynot2mi nutesaway,i
tsa5. unfort
unatel
y
MissFami lyti
mewon' tbeabl
etojoinus, Herbaby
i
ssick.Ri nae!
Iwalkfaster,Ihaveto.imeani m get
tingthefood
forFreeit
'stheleasticoulddo, ij
ogeverymorning
soimi ngreatshape, it
ri
edasmanysi l
verstri
ps
removersaspossi bl
eunt i
lifoundmyper fectmatch
, i
tsonlyR20atPepbuti tworkswonders!

Ist
il
ldontweardr
esses,
ili
ter
all
ydon'
tevenhave
onedress.
InaFewim Ther
e, Il
ookforheratourf
avori
tespot,
Thecor
neroftherest
urantandshe'sal
ready
enj
oyi
ngasliceofCheesecake.

"Coul
dn'
tyouwai
tlonger
?"Iaskandshest
andsup
huggi
ngme

"gi
rl
ll
lli
tsbeenmonths!
"Sheshouts.ihugherback
,ir
eallymissedhermor
ethanithought.
"IknowRi
ght"isayandsett
leonthechai
rbesi
des
her,Ipul
lherplat
ebefor
eindul
gingonhercake.

"Ordersomet
hingpl
ease,i
m enj
oyi
ngthi
s..Orwe
are"shesays,ist
opeati
ngtogi
veherdeadl
ystar
e
.

"
We?
"Ir
epeat
.
"
Well
..
.Wearenotsur
e,yet
"shesays,
ichokeon
myownsal
iva.

"
Youandwho?Ar
enotsur
eaboutwhat
?"Iask

"
MeandmyFi ance"sheswi
ngsherr
ingaround.I
m
l
efti
nAwe.shesFuckengett
ingMar
ried?

"Wai
t,Youarefuckenget
ti
ngmar r
ied?,andWe
don'
tknowyourboyfri
end?"Iask,Di
sappoint
ed.
"Wel
l,Si
s.Fixyourbestout
fi
t.youar
emeet
ing
himtoni
ghtatourpl
ace"shesays.

"
OurPl
ace?
,youguysf
uckenl
ivet
oget
her
?"-Me.

"
Stopswear
ing"shewar
ns.

"sor
ry,
youl
ivewi
thhi
m?"
Shenodsi
nresponse,
icl
apmyhands.

"
Wow"isay
"
Hima'am ,
Wouldyoul
iket
oor
dersomet
hing?
"The
wai
tr
essasks.

"Asli
ceofyourvel
vetcakepl
ease,andacupof
Tea"isay,Shewri
tesitdownnoddi
ngbef
ore
l
eaving.
"
So,
Anyl
uckyguyonyoursi
de?
"Sheasks.

Il
augh,Ast
het
houghtoft
hecapt
ainoccupi
esmy
mind.

"
Ourwi
thi
t"shesayst
aki
ngasi
ponherTea.

"Thecapt
ainaskedmeoutonal
unchdat
eas
Fri
ends"-me.

Shel
aughs,
Sheknowst
hecapt
ainqui
tewel
l.

"
OhLor
d!,
looksli
keyouFoundtheone"shemocks
me,
Thewai
tressbri
ngsmycakeandTea.

'
Heybeaut
if
ul'
-At
extFr
om ni
ckr
eads.
'
Heyugl
y'ir
espond,
Smi
li
ng.

'
BemyDat
efordi
nnerwi
thFr
iends?
-Ni
ck'

'
unf
ort
unat
elyigotpl
ans'
irespond,
Honest
ly.
'
Oh, Coolanot
hert
imeiguess'
ireadt
het
extbef
ore
put
ti
ngmyphonebacki nmypockets.

"Whowast
hat
?"Dakal
oasks.

"Nobodyimportant
,justaFr
iend"isaysmi
li
ng.She
givesmeal ookbutdoesn'
tdwellmuchonthei
ssue
, ThankGod!

Isett
leforbl
ackjeans,Ablousethatshowsal i
tt
le
bitofboobs,Dakaloknowsthat
st hebesticoul
d
do,iputonsneaker
sandali
pst
ickipi
ckedup
dur
ingmyshopping.it
smar
oon.andimr eadyt
o
go.

ThanksGodi
m notdoi
ngni
ght
shi
ft.

Theuberir
equest
edisher
eal
ready,
imakesur
eto
l
ockmydoorbeforel
eavi
ng.

Ihaven'
tbeenhereinawhil
e,iknockonthedoor
andthedoorisopenedal
mostemmi di
atel
y.

"
Hi"t
heper
sonst
aresatme.
"
Thandi
we,
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Heasks.

"
Invi
tedt
odi
nner
"hest
aresatmeconf
used.
"FRI
END"Dakal
osavesme,
Shegi
vesmeoneof
herwar
m hugs.

"
Babet
hisi
sThandi
we,
Thandi
weSbu"inod.

"
Weal
readymet
"sbusays.
inodi
nagr
eement.

"
Soyouar
ethef
iancé?
"-me.

Hel
aughs
"
Int
hef
lesh"

"
Wherei
sthebl
ackl
a-"hest
opswhenhi
sgaze
meet
smine.

"
Thandi
we,
Hi"hegr
eet
s.
"Nick,
hey"igr
eetbackandhenodsst
arr
ingatt
he
Floorshyl
y,Greathesshy.

"
Coul
dyougobuyt
hem f
orme?
"SbuasksNi
ck.

"
Sur
e"-ni
ck
"TakeThandi
wewi
thyou"-Dakal
osays,
iwantt
o
sl
apherri
ghtnow.

"I
'
dlovet
o,Thandi
we?
"-Ni
ck,
Ifakeasmi
le
noddi
ng.

"Idon'
tseewhynot"isayst
il
lgi
vingDakal
otheevi
l
eye.

.
Heopenst
hedoorf
orme ,
Gent
leman.
"
Thanks"isay,hegi
vesmeasmi
lebef
orewal
king
t
ohissideofthecar

Hegetsinandshutsthedoor,Heplayshouse,i
hat
ethatmusicgenrebutikeepmypeace, Thecar
i
sn'
tmineanyway, idon'
tevenhaveone.

"
Sowewer
eact
ual
lygoi
ngt
othesamepl
ace"
-Ni
ck.

I
tonlyt
akesmeAf ewsecondst
oreal
izewhathe
meanssoilaugh.

"
Yeah"isay.

"
Doyoudr
inkbeer
?"Heasks,
ishakemyhead.

"
Chur
chgi
rl
?"Heasks,
igi
vehi
m aweaksmi
lei
n
r
esponse.

"
Youcoul
dsayt
hat
"
Henods.

"
Ilovechur
chgi
rl
s"
Thi
sisgonnabeal
ongTr
ip.

.
Nickdoesn'
tall
owmet ocar
ryanyt
hing,
Hehadt
o
carr
yeveryt
hinghi
m sel
f.
Iset
tl
eont
hecouch,
Dakal
oisdonecooki
ngsoi
m
Fr
ee.

IspotNqaba,Hisheadisboweddownandhel ooks
l
ikeheisatpart
yhedoesn'twantt
obeat, Ther
e
aretwoothergi
rl
stouchi
nghim al
lover,igetMad.
Howcouldhedot hi
stoLayla?
Igetupandwal
ktohi
m.
"
Nqabayomuzi
"isay,Herai
seshi
sheadt
olooksat
me,Helooksl
ikehehasbeencr
ying.

"Ar
eyouokay?"Iask,Hegi
vest
hegir
lsdi
rt
ystar
es
unt
ilt
heygetthemassageandmovet
oNick,Who
i
salsostar
ri
ngatmeandNqaba.

"no,
Pleaset
akemehome"hesays,
Isi
gh.
"
Please,
TakemyCar"

Isi
ghloudernoddi
ng,
Hehandsmehi
scarkeys
andihel
phim up.
Ibi
dmygoodbyes,
andihavet
ohel
phi
mti
llweget
tohi
scar.

.
"
Im sl
eepi
ngont
hecouch"hesays.
Iguesst
heyhavepr
obl
emswi
thLayl
a.

"
Wher
eisLayl
a?"Iask.

"
Spendi
ngherl
astdayswi
thFami
ly"-Hesays.

"
Whatdoyoumeanl
astdays?
"-ishout.

"Exactl
ythat,I
m wai
ti
ngforaphonecal
ltel
li
ngme
she'sdead,that
sall
"hesaysandsoonihearhi
m
snoring.

It
rycall
ingl
ayl
abutsomeonet el
lsmesheisasl
eep
,IcoverNqabawi
thablanketbefor
eleavi
ng.
..
[
10/
31,
05:
36] :Chapt
er19
Istar
eatmyrefl
ecti
ononthemi rr
or,Im sti
llt
hick
butili
kehowil
ook, Ismi
leiminmyundi es,i
ts
waypastmybedt i
me.isl eepexact
lyat7p. mi
needmybeautysleep.

Theresaknockont hedoor,
Iwrapmyselfupwi
th
mygownbef or
ewalkingt
ogetthedoor,My
apartmenthasonlyoneRoom ,
Bathroom ,
a
Kit
chenandsi t
ti
ngRoom .
Inevergetvi
sit
orssoiaskwhot
heper
soni
s.

"
Nick"hesays,
Isi
ghl
oudl
y.
Whatnow?

Iopent
hedoorandhesmi
les.
"Youdi
dn'
teatatt
hepartysoit
houghtishoul
d
bri
ngtheFoodtoyou"Hesays.

Ismi
le,
Iopenawayf
orhi
mtocomei
nandhe
does.
"Youar
eaNeatFr
eak"hesaysaf
terl
ooki
ngar
ound
andichor
tl
e.

"No,
ijustl
ikemyspacecl
ean,
andt
idyt
hat
'sal
l"i
say.

"
NeatFr
eakssayt
hat"-Ni
ck.

Igi
veupandof
ferhi
m aseat.
"
Anyt
hingt
odr
ink?
"Iask

"Water
"hesays,
Igi
vehi
m abor
edl
ookbef
ore
givi
nghimjui
ce.

"
Wow,
Thanks"hesayst
aki
ngasi
p.
MyphoneRi
ngs.
"
Hel
lo"ianswer,
itsapr
ivat
enumber.

"Mi
ssKhanyi
le"
-Theper
songr
eet
s,i
tsaFemal
e
voi
ce.

"
Yes,
Who'
sthi
s?"Iask.

"Jabu.
..
.j
abulil
e"shesays "please,
pleasehel
p
me, Fi
ndt hatman"shesays,irelat
esoherwords
cutdeeperthantheyshould.

"
Iwi
ll,
ist
hatal
l?
"Iask,
Shesobsl
oudl
y.

"No,MyDaughter..
.Hekil
ledmyDaught
er,bur
ned
heral
ivei
nhiscar"shesays,Thi
sismycaseandi
onl
yfindoutaboutthi
snow.

Icl
osemyeyes,
andsi
ghl
oudl
y.it
ryf
indi
ng
somethi
ngtoholdontosinceim al
it
tl
edi
zzy,
I
set
tl
eont henear
estchai
rigetahol
dof.
"Ut
hini
?"Iaskagai
n,Sheonl
ysobsl
ouderand
hangsup.

Gr
eat!.

"
Areyouokay?
"Heasksget
ti
ngcl
osert
ome.

"Yeah, iguess"-isay,Hei
scl
osetome, Wayt
o
closeformyl iki
ng,Hesmel
l
sli
keboozeyoucan
tellhehasbeendr i
nki
ng.

"
Canihugyou?
"Heasks.

"
Im af
rai
dI'
llhavet
owalkyououtnow,i
tswaypast
mybedtime"isaywalki
ngtoopent
hedoorf
orhi
m,
Heshakeshisheadandfol
lowsmetot
hedoor.
"AndThankyousomuchf ortheFood"isay,He
smil
esnoddingbef
orebri
ngingmecloserfora
Weirdhug,uncomf
ortabl
yWei r
d.

Webot
hcl
earourt
hroat
saf
ter
war
ds.
"Soyeah,Bye"hesays, inodandshutthedoor
close.inolongerfeel
inghungryaf
terthat,
Iput
thefoodint
heFr i
dgeandgot olal
aland.

Fi
rstt
hingidowheniwakeupi
scal
lLayl
a,I
ts
10am soim pr
ett
ysur
eshe'
sup.
"
Thandi
we,
Hi"sheanswer
s

"
Layl
a,Hi
"isay "
Howar
eyou?
"Asanaf
ter
t
hought.
"
Im pr
ett
ygood..
.IguessandyoumyDear
?"-Layl
a
.she'
snotgoodicantel
lbyhervoi
ce.

"
Itdoesn'
tmatt
er, I
thasalwaysbeenaboutmelet
mebet her
eforyouthist
ime,Please"-ibeg.
she
r
eali
sesaLoudSi gh.

"Ther
e'snothi
ngyoucandoanymoreThandiwe,I
t'
s
done"-shesays "I'
m dyi
ng,
Im dyi
ng"sher
eapet
s
cryi
ng, Isi
ghloudl
y.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Iask.

"
I'
llsendtheaddr
ess"shesaysbef
orehangi
ngup,
t
ocr yiguess.

.
ThankGodi t'
snotreall
yFarfrom t
ownandI
managedt oexchangeshift
swi t
hsomeoneelse,
I
'm doingnightandithi
nkim goingtoneedmore
thanjustoneoftheenergyboostersDri
nks.

Ieatt
heFoodNi ckbroughtl
astnightbefor
emaking
mywayt otheRank, Ubersarewayt ooexpensi
ve
comparedtojustanynormaltaxi
s, andbesi
desit
s
ri
ghti
ntheMi ddl
eofamont h,Wher ewouldiget
moneyforubers?

Igett
herewit
haFewguysaski ngmeoutl i
ke
al
ways,Idon'tdar
egiveoutmynumber ssi
ncei
don'
tseemyselfpartofr
omanticRel
ati
onship
anyway,
Somear eevenoffer
ingmeli
fts,Ir
eally
needtoworkhardsoicanbuyacar.Ngingafa.

Igettothegivenaddress,AndLord!Thehousei
s
bi
g, Reall
ybigjustnotmyst yl
e,i
thasgol
dbell
s
andEverythi
ng.tooClassy.Tooni
ce.
Ir
ingt
hebel
l
Someoneanswersandit el
lthem im her
eforLayl
a,
Shegi vesmeahardtimeatFirstunt
ilshedeci
des
toletmei n.
10minuteswastedatthegate,I
deserveThewhol
ej ugofJui
cekgaaa.

"
Mor
ning"-i
ts11am so,
Yes.
"Hey,Letmeshowyout ol
ayl
a'
sRoom"shesays
andinod.NoJuiceNyana?.

Idon'
twanttoseem hungr
ywhi
chiam ,
andRude
soinodfol
lowi
ng.

TheRoom screamsLayl
a, soI
'm def
ini
tel
ysureit
s
herswhenigetther
e,I
mt oldt
heyarestil
lbat
hing
hersoisi
tonherbedwaiti
ngforher

"
So,
Shoul
dibr
ingyouanyt
hingt
o-"
Icutherof
f.

"Yes,Yespl ease"isay,
Shelooksatmeshakesher
andleaves, HowRude!Iwashungr ymuc,What
wasi supposedt odo?Waitf
orhertosayal
lthose
wordssosl ow.

Minuteslatershebr
ingssomecookiesandaglass
ofjui
ce.justwhenim eati
ngLayl
aisbeingcar
ri
ed
toherroom byt woolderwoman.

Shel
ooksshocked,
yetexci
tedt
oseeme
"Thandi
we"shesays,Theypl
aceheronherbed
andcoverherwi
thblanket
s.

Shel ookspal
e,andiswearhereyesarealmost
closedwitheyebags,Thi
sisnottheLaylaiknow.
Herhai ri
sneatl
yshavedandshelooksreadyto
takeherlastbr
eath.
"Layl
a"isayaft
ergreet
ingt
hetwowomenwhothen
l
eave, I
m notevenhungryanymor
e,Myhear
tis
Torntopieces.

"Layl
aisthatyou?"Iask,Shetri
essi
tti
ngupunt
il
shesucceeds, I
'
m stil
ltooshockedt
oevenhel
p.

"I..
.I..
..
thi
s..
.t
hisi
swhyidi dn'twantyounorNqaba
tocomeher e"shesays,openingherdrawerand
takingoutabluedoek,Shet i
esi tuponherhead
andsmi les.

"Thedoct
orsaysi
twoul dbeamiracl
eifimakei
tto
seemymom' sbir
thday"shesays.

"Wheni
syourmot
her
'sbi
rt
hday?
"Iask,
Shel
ooks
atmebefor
esi
ghi
ng
"Doyoust i
llseeBuhl
el i
keit
oldyouto?"Sheasks,
Eveninherbed, Dyi
ngshestil
lcaresmoreabout
otherpeoplethanhersel
f.

"
No,
butI
'
m st
art
ingnextmont
h"-Me.
Herdr
yli
pscurli
ntoaProudsmil
e,Sheget
sahol
d
ofmyhandsbefor
eki
ssi
ngthem .

"Whenidi e,Whi
chisreal
lyr
eal
lysoon"shesays
thenlaughsWeakly"Don'
taskhowiknowcausei
alsodon'tknow"

Igi
ggl
eal
it
tl
ewi
tht
ear
sinmyeyes.

"Iwantyoutotakecar eofYourselfandNqaba,
okay?"Shesays, ishakemyheadnotwant i
ngto
beli
evetheobvious, Shereal
lylooksli
keshecoul
d
dieanyti
mesoon, She'sthinandpale.
"Whendi
dyousaywasyourmot
her
'sbi
rt
hday?
"I
ask.

"NextMont
hbutCanceri
sabitch"
shesays,
itake
offmyshoesbef
oregett
ingi
nbedwit
hher,She
smiles.

"It
ri
edallthebesttreat
ments,Nqabatri
edthebest
Doctorseventhoughitoldhimitwasawasteof
money, Whenif oundoutitwasalr
eadyonthelast
andmostdanger ousstage,theuncur
rabl
estage,
Howi sheanyway, Nqaba?"Sheasks.

"
Hei
snotcopi
ng,
Hei
samess"isay,
Honest
ly.

"Iwouldbetoo,buthe'l
lbefine.youknowil oved
Nqaba, Justnotmorethanil ovedChri
s.Ifihaven'
t
datedchri
siwouldn'tknowhowt hepersonwho
trul
ylovesyouholdsyou, AndNqabadi dn't,He
heldmel i
keheonlycaredf orme, Sur
ehel ovedme
,andhest
il
ldoesbuti
tsnott
hatdeep,
Itnever
was"shesays.

"
Chrishel
dmel ikehedidn'twantanyoneel sebut
me, Whenilayedonhischesthi sheartbeat
matchedmine, Hemadel ovet ome, AndNqaba
f
uckedme, Het ri
edmakingl ovetomebuthedi dn'
t
,i
twasn'tl
oveenough, itwasal waysjustfucki
ng
mywi f
etohim"shesays, iml eftconf
used.

"
Thenwhydi
dyoumar
ryhi
m?"Iask.

"Iwasalone, ineededsomeoneaf terChri

s'
sdeath
andhecamet ome, AndWebot hwant edtoget
mar r
iedwellhim, itwastogethispar ent
soffhis
backandi twasQui t
eThesamewi thme, ineeded
toconvincethem ir eal
lywasoverChr is,whi
chi
wasn't.youknowsomet i
meshe'dcomet omeand
makel ovetome, icouldfeel
ithi
sbodyonme, Me
cli
ngingtohisbackwi thmymani curednail
s.andit
fel
tgood"shesays.
"Nqabadidn'
tknowhowt oact,Hewasneverina
seri
ousrelat
ionshi
p,Hecheated,
Hestil
ldoes.
Especi
all
yafterhehashear
dmemoanoutchr i
s'
s
namedur i
ngoursocall
edlovemakingsessi
on,He
hatedi
t"-Layla.

"
Whyar
eyout
ell
ingmeal
lthi
s?"If
inal
lyask.

Shegi
ggl
es.
"BecauseyouaremyFr i
end,andiwanttoteach
youthatnotever
ythi
ngisasitseems,isawhow
youlookedatus,Youenviedsucharel
ationshi
p
becauseyouthoughtitwasperf
ect,
butreall
yit
wasn't"shesays,idon'
tknowwhybutinod.

"andmymom usedt otel

lmeloseabat t
letowin
theWar,idi
dn'tknowwhatitmeantuntilacert
ain
dayandihopet hatwhenyoufi
gureitouttoo,you
visi
tmeevenifI'mlyi
nginagraveandtellme"she
says,
Ican'
thol
dbackmyt
ear
sanymor
e,Icr
y.

"Nothingyouweari smor ebeaut

if
ulthanyoursmile
, Smil
ef ormepl ease"shesaysif
orceoutasmi l
e
wi t
htearsallovermycheeksandal l.idon'
twantto
seemysel frightnow.

"
Holdmethi
ght"Shesaysandinod,
huggi
ngher
t
hight.

"Let
'ssl
eep"shesaysandinod.cl
osingmyeyes,
Shebrushesmyhai raswebot
hdriftof
ftol
alal
and.

Myphoner
ings.l
oud.damn.
"
Hi"isay.
"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"
Icheckthenumberonthescr
eenandi
t'
soneoft
he
guysI'
m closewi
thatWork.

"
Uhm?
,am il
ate?
"Iask,
icheckt
het
ime.
Damn.

"Youshoul
dbeonyourwayhere,andJabul
il
eis
herei
nsist
ingt
otal
ktoyou"hesays

"I
'
llbether
ein..
.idon'tknow"isay,Hechuckl
es
befor
ehangingup.heknowsi m asl
eepandhasto
makeupanexcusef ormet othecapt
ain.

Oneoft
hewomanwhowasbat
hingLayl
aisher
e.
"
Im MrsKate, Layl
a'
smom it
sti
mef orher
medicat
ion"shesayspul
li
ngthebl
anketsfr
om l
ayl
a
.
"Andihavet
ogettowork"isay,putt
ingonmy
shoes,Shesmi
lesbef
oreshakinglaylasof
tl
y.

"Caniuseyourbathroom?"Iaskandshenods
showingmet hedoor, Whenisett
leontheseati
hearaloudsob,iputonmypant i
esandtrouser
s
befor
er ushi
ngtolayla'
sroom ,Ever
yoneishere

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Iask.

"
She'
snotwaki
ngup"Layl
a'
smom shout
ssobbi
ng.

"
Layl
aisnotwaki
ngup"
.
[
10/
31,
05:
37] :Chapt
er20

Yes, Evenaft
erthesaddayij usthadihadtomake
i
tt owor k,
Unfortunatel
yitwasonlymyTi r
edbody
thatwasatWor k,Mymi ndwasoccupiedbyLayla'
s
l
ifelessbodylayinginfr
ontofme, Herholdonme
changi
ngonlyafterafewmi nut
esofoursl eep,She
heldontometighter,thenletgo, it
houghtitwas
j
ustherbei
ngher, butthethoughtoft hatbeingher
taki
ngherl
astbreathhaunt smedown.maybei fi
shookheri
twouldhavest opped. Shewoul dbe
ali
veeveni
fitwasf oranotherday.

Thecapt ai
nsawhowdi stractediwasandor dered
met ogohomewher eidrownedmypi l
low, The
pil
lowiwasgi venbyl aylawi thTear s.ididn'tsleep
thatnight,istil
lcouldn'tbelieveit,andiwonder ed
howNqabamusthavef eltwhenher eceivedt he
news, ForgetwhatLayl asai d, HemustbeTor ni n
topieces,Layl awashi sWi feanywayandt hewas
nodoubthel ovedher, maybenott hewayshe
wantedbuthest il
llovedher, that
'sreasonenough.

Thenlayl
a'
smother,oneofthest r
ongestwomani
haveevermet,Shehasbeent r
yinghardtotr
yto
makesureever
yoneisokay,Therewasnodoubt
l
aylahadhermother
'shear
t.itwasi nhert
oput
otherpeopl
e'sfeeli
ngsandneedsbefor ehers,The
onlytimeisawhercr ywaswhensher eali
sedLayl
a
wasgone, Thenshedeci dedt
obeamot hert
o
everyone,I
ncludingme.sheforgotallinallt
hatit
s
herdaughterthatisdyi
ngandallt
hespeci al
tr
eatmentissupposedt obeonher.

"ThandiweDear, Haveyoueat en?"Sheasks,She'

s
standingonthedoor stepofmyr oom ,
Theroom
nexttoLayla'
s.surprisingl
yital
readyhadpict
ures
ofmeandherandsomeofmeal oneandsome
drawingssheboughtf ormebutneverwantedme
tohave, I
fyougoti nher eyouwouldknowthatt
he
room wasmi neatfirstsight.

Ishakemyheadno, She'scarr
yingabowlofsoft
porri
dgeinherhand, Shesighsbef or
elet
ting
hersel
fin.shelooksaroundther oom before
smili
ng.

"
Thi
sroom wasr
enovat
edaf
ewmont
hsago,
Layl
adidthepai
nti
ngandal
l"shesays,
APr
oud
mothershemustbe.

"Shesaiditwasforherl
it
tlesist
er,iwasshocked,i
don'trememberhavinganotherdaught
er,She
showedmeaf ewvideosofyouandher, andisaw
theloveinhereyes,Shelovedyou"shesaysand
sett
lesdownont hebedbesidesme.

"
AndSheshowedi
t,Shecar
edf
oryousomuch
Ndi
we"
Ismi
le.

"Shesaidshewasl i
keyou, Herhair,Hereyesand
Everythi
ngandiknowshewasr ight,Justl
ikeher
youputot herpeople'
sneedsbefor eyoursand
that'
ssomet hi
ngt obeproudabout, youhadan
i
ncredibl
edaught er"isay,Shebr ushesmyhai r
beforebri
ngingmecl oserforahug.
"Now,Eat
"shesays,
ilookatt
hef
oodshaki
ngmy
head.

"Idon'
tthi
nkicanst
omachanythi
ngr
ightnow"i
say " wel
lnotunl
essyoueatwit
hme"

Shel
ooksatmel
aughi
ng,
Asadl
aught
er.
"Shedidsayyouaregoodatthat,
ineverat
ethi
s
softporr
idge,
idi
dn'
tevenknowhowt ocookit,
untill
ayl
acamealongandtol
dmei twasyour
favori
teandiwoul
dhavetocookitforyouoneday"
shesays.

"Pl
ease"ionlymanaget osay, Theplanistogether
toeatandr estupjustbeforelayla'
sfuner
alwhichis
tomorrowmor ning,ihaven'tseenNqababuti
heardhisvoiceonceort wiceandi twouldbe
approachi
ngmyr oom mostoft heti
meuntil
someonet ell
shimI '
m asleepandineedt orestup.
Shel
ooksatmeandnods,
shet
akest
hespoonand
st
art
seat
ing.

"Youaremydaughteralr
ight
?"shesaysaf
tershe
hascleaneduphersecondplate,
SoShewas
hungryafteral
l.
Inod.

"Andyouhaven'tmetyourdaddy, butt
hats
becauseyouwer elockedupinthi
sRoom t heday
Wef etchedyouatyourhouse,butyouwillmeet
him, hewassocloset oLayl
ahe'sreal
lyt
akingthi
s
hard"shesays.

"Ican'
twait
"isay,Shesmil
esbeforesur
pri
singl
y
bringi
ngmecloserforawarm hug,Weendup
sleepi
ngineachother'
sembrace.

.
Thedayhasar ri
ved, anditsonlynowt hatithink
aboutt hisclearl
y, Layl
aisgone.iputonal ong
blackdr ess,'i
m doi ngthi
sf orLayl
a' isayto
mysel f,Inspit
eofmyi nsecurit
iesLayladeserves
fullr
espectt hatincludesmewear i
ngadr esstoher
funeral

It'
sast ruggleput ti
ngont hisdr essasthethought
ofTumel or i
ppingt helastdr essieverwor e
occupi esmymi nd.howhet orei ti
ntopieces,
Pul l
ingmypant ieswi thhisteet h.hewaspat i
ent
forar apistjustnotgent l
ehef uckedexactl
yhowi
hear drapistsfuck, Hardandsor e.hewasn' tmy
tumel o.itrypushi ngal lthoset houghtsoffmy
mi ndunt i
lifinallydo.iweart hedr essandlookat
Mynewl yf oundmot her, ThegoodLor djustkeeps
blessingmewi t
hwhatineed.Car i
ngpeople

Kate.
..
.wellmom isst
il
lasl
eep,
Shewasalsot
ir
edi
guess.it
'ssti
llt
ooearl
yanyway,it
aket
his
opport
unit
ytogotoLayl
a'
sroom ,
Thati
swer
ei
hearhercoff
ini
s.

Iopenthedoorsof l
ynotwant i
ngtowakeKat e...
Wellmom up, Iwalksoftlytotheroom thatsr i
ght
nexttominebef or
eopeni ngit.Theenergyi s
di
ffer
entyoucanf eelshei ssti
lli
nhere, ispota
pi
ctureonthebed.iwat chclosel
yatthepi ctureof
meandher, I
twast heFirstweevertook, andi
di
dn'twanttotakethepict ur
e.itoldherthatdayi
wasn'ti
ntotakingpict
ures.

It
urnt
hepi
ctur
ear
ound.
'
Soont heywillf
orgetaboutme, Whatil
oved, Howi
l
ovedmyeggsscr ambl edandwhatmyFavor ite
colourwas, Orevenwhatmyvoi cesoundslike,
Theywi l
lal
sol i
keirenovatedmybrot
her'
sr oom
renovatemine,MyWor stFear,
TobeFor gotten,
butithastobedone'
Aft
erreadi
ngthi
swarmtear
srunt
hroughmy
cheeck,Myhandsar
eshaki
ngandlett
hepi
ctur
e
f
allontheground,iholdmyst omachandmy
Mouthtocoverthesobt hati
sabouttoescapemy
l
ips.butitst
oolateevenwheni m si
tt
ingmyknees
f
ailme, iFal
lonthefl
oorandcr ymyeyesout.

Thedooropensbuticoul dn'tcareless, Whoeverit

ismustj ustleave,Theper sonj oi
nsmeont hefl
oor
andgi vesmeawar m hug, idon'tknowwhatbut
myhear t
beatchangest hemomentir eali
sewhoi t
is,Myhandsf eelthistoo, Theelectronicfeeli
ng,
Hequi cklymoveshi shandsf rom minewhenhe
feelsthistoo,iguess.hel ooksatmei nshock
beforeturningtoleave, imt ooweakt ocareabout
whatt hatfeeli
ngwasbuti m pr et
tysureitwi l
lpass,
ididn'
tlikeit,Atall.

Af
terheshut
sthedoorit
akeanaphuggi
ngt
he
pi
ctur
eofmeandLayla.

I
m wokenupbyt
hedooropeni
ngagai
n.
"Thandi
we? "aStrongbol
dvoicesays,Thet
all
fi
gurestandingbesidesmeoffer
smehand, idon'
t
acceptitbefor
eitryi
ngtofi
gureoutwhereexactl
yi
sawhi m, Thenithi
tsmeLayla'
sphone.

"
Im Layl
a'sDad"Hesaysassoonasher
eal
isesmy
i
nsecuri
ti
es.

Inod,hol
dinghi
m asheget
sup,Hehugsmet he
momentim abl
etogetonmyFeetandisoaki
nhis
embrace.

"Ar
gghmyl i
efi
e"-hesaysashebr
ushesmyback
count
lesst
imes.

Iri
dewithmynewlyfoundfamil
ytowher
ewear
e
goingt
olayLayl
aforthel
astti
me
Themomentwegett hereI
'm metbyDakal
o,Sbu,
RinaeandNi ck.whogi vemewhatineed, War
m
hugsbef oreiwalktositwi
ththem att
heback,Dad
pull
smet ositwit
hhim, NqabaandMom .het ell
s
mei m partofthefamil
ynow.

Aft
ertheemot i
onallydr aini
ngmor ni
ng,Weare
backhome.i ml ookingatNqabawhoseemsl ost,
Heisstarr
ingatwhat everandhasn'tsai
dawor dto
anyone.If
eelsor r
yforhi m, itmustbemorethan
hardonhim. imeanhel ivedwithherandshared
al
mostever ything, Mom i sasleepandDadis
makingteaf orthebot hofus.

"
Isj
yok?"Heaskspl
aci
ngt
wocupsoft
eaont
he
t
abl
e,inod
"
Why?
"Idon'
tknowwhyiaskedt
hat.
"j
ylykasofj
ougedi
gti
sisni
eherni
e"

"
Im Fi
ne,
Ipr
omi
se"Henods
"
Isitt
hatboywhowashuggi
ngyout
oot
hight
?"-
Dad.
"
Nick"isayl
aughi
ng

"
No".
asanaft
erthough,
Hewaski
ndof
fhuggi
ng
mewayt
oothight
"Ekhouni
evandi
èseuni
e"Hesays,
Ilaughal
it
tl
e
Shaki
ngmyhead.
[
10/
31,
05:
37] :Chapt
er21.

"
Congr
atul
ati
onsDet
ect
ive"ISmi
le

Youpeopledon'
treal
lygethowexcit
ediam tohave
fi
nall
yRecei
vedthisposi
tion,
Im notj
ustanyPoli
ce
off
icernow,I
'm aDetect
ive.

"So,
Whereareyoucel
ebrati
ng?"Thecapt
ainasks,
Ismi
leshr
uggingmyshoulders.
"
Imjustgoingtodr
opof
fabouquetoff
lower
sfor
mySist
er"isay.

"Yoursist
er?
,Im sur
eyoucanhavethem del
iver
ed,
sowecangof ort
hatcupofcof
feet
hatyoukeep
delayi
ngforMonthsnow"
Iwi
shi
twast
hateasy.

"Act
ual
ly,ican'
t,ihavetotakethem t
her
emysel
f"i
say,Helooksdisappoi
nted,buthe'
l
lbeFine.

"Mysist
erisi
nagrave"isay,Het
hinksf
ora
secondthenmout
hsan" oh"

"
Wow, I'
m sosorr
y,mysi ncereapol
ogies,ihadno
i
dea"hesays,AsIfeverregr
etti
ngthi
nkingthatt
his
i
soneofmypl anstobrushhim off.
Ofcour
seyouhadnoi
dea.
"
It
sokay, Real
ly.Thankyou"isaymovingtot
he
r
estofthePart
y, Myphonebei ngt
hereason,
Whoeveriscal
li
ngjustwon'tgi
veup.

"
Hel
lo"-Igr
eet.

Theper
soncl
ear
sthei
rthr
oat
"
Hey"ir
ecogni
set
hevoi
ceal
mostemmi
diat
ely.

"Uhm ,I
ts..
ah.
..
Nick"hesays,iwantt
osayiknow
sil
lybutit
akeaseatonwhatever.

"
Oh.
.HiNi
ck,
Howcanihel
pyou?
"Iask.

"Uhm ,Iwasjustchecki
nguponyou"Hesays
befor
eQuicklyhangingup,I
mlef
tconf
used,What
wasthatallabout?
Icl
earmythroat,St
andupandstartwal
kingt
o
Dadscar,HehatedtheFactt
hatiwasusi
ngat axi
soheborr
owedmehi s.

Wheni m donet
ell
ingLayl
aaboutmynewPosition,
ilayonhertombstoneandhugit.someonecl
ears
thei
rthr
oatbehi
ndme.
It
urnsl
owl
y
"
Hi"isay.

Surpr
isi
ngl
yheiscar
ryi
ngt
hesamebunchof
fl
owersasmine.
Hest
aresatmyf
lower
sbef
oresmi
li
ng

"
Iguesswebot
hknowhert
ast
e"hesays,
li
cki
ng
hi
slowerli
p,I
'm watchi
ngeachandever
ymove
at
tent
ivel
y,Hereal
lyisgor
geous.

"
Ye-
ah"imur
murner
vousl
y,Whyam iner
vousagai
n
?

Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
"
Areyouokay? "Heasks,
Suddenl
yI'
m waytoocol
d
,
Im Freezi
ngiknowitwascoldwhenigother
ebut
I
'
ml i
teral
lyshaki
ng.

"
Shit,
Here"hehandsmehi sjacket,
Itakethi
s
momentt opul
lthejackett
omynoi st
ril,
Itsmel
ls
l
ikeExpensi
veperfume.iSmi l
e

"Thankyou"iwhi
sper,
Heonlysmil
esbef
ore
placi
ngthefl
owersonthet
ombstone.

"
Imi
ssyou,
imi
ssyousomuch"hesayst
othe
gr
ave,Runni
nghisfi
ngersonit.FortheFi
rstt
imei
i
maginehimrunni
ngthosefi
ngersfrom mylower
st
omachdownt omy. .
.my..
.Whatthehell
?
Itakeof
fthej
acketal
mostemmi
diat
elyandhandi
t
tohim.

"Here,
Thanksagai
n"isay,
Bef
orewal
kingaway
withhi
m cal
li
ngmyname.iigonor
ehi
m, Ineedt
o
getmyshitt
oget
her.

Whenigettothecar,Ihitmyheadsever
alt
imes,
I
mustnotbetest
edli
ket his!.iHat
eman.
Iwagglemyheadanddri
veof
f,t
hinki
ngofNi
ck,
maybeimusthangoutwit
hhi
m moreoft
entoget
usedtohi
m
'
Youmeanusehim,Youl
itt
lepi
eceofevi
lshi
t'my
i
nnerVoi
ceshout
s.ishakemyhead, Maybenot.

.
Minuteslat
erif
indmysel
fonMom'
sdoorst
ep
,knocki
ng.
"
I'
m comi
ng"sheshout
s.

Ist
and,
Whatt
hehel
lam idoi
ngher
e?
"Heypr
incess"shewel
comesmewi t
hawar
m hug,
Ihugherti
ghtbefor
ecl
osingmyeyes.

"I
sjyok?"Sheasksl
ett
inggoofme,
Kissi
ngmy
cheeck.

"Mom ,
I..
.I.
..
Yes"isayFaki
ngasmi
let
oassur
e
her

"
Unf
ort
unat
ely,youjustmissedyourdad,buthey
,
Youcanvi
sithim hemissesyou"shesays,Inod.
"Youmustbest
arvi
ng!
,kom"shepul
lsmypoor
hand,
Shesitsmeonthecoachandswit
cheson
theT.
V.

"WhichChannelwoul
dyoul
iket
owat
chwhi
lei
prepar
efood?"Sheasks
"
I'
dli
ket
otakeanap,
Inl
ayl
a'
sroom"isay.

"Ohbaby,
Youmi
ssherdon'
tyou?
"Shesayssi
tt
ing
besi
desme.

"Ever
ydaymom ,
Ever
yday"isay,
Shel
ooksatme
andpull
smecloserf
orahug

"
Ineededt
hat,
Thankyou"isay,
Shenods.

"Iknowsweet
y,Nowt
ellme,
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"She
asks.
'
Tellher!,Tel
lhernot
hingbutt
hetruthyou
ungratef
ulli
tt
lepi
eceofshi
t'myinnerVoiceshout
s
,Iwagglemyhead.

"
Thenewcaseij
ustgoti
sreal
lydr
aini
ng"Ther
ei
l
ie.
Myi
nnervoicedoest
hose'
mmm'
sounds.ihavea
f
eel
ingshaki
ngherhead.

"Ohmyl i
efi
e!,I
'
llt
alktoyourpa,sohecant
alkt
o
yourboss,Arghmeiskat"shesays.
Ishakemyheadl
aughi
ng.

"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
deamom"isay
"
Argh,Letmemakeyouacupofhotchocol
ate
i
nstead"shesays,
Inod.
Ist
andandrushtoLayl
a'
sroom .
ilayont
hebed
wi
thmyeyesshutcl
osed.
"Whatthehelli
sgoi
ngonwi thme?"Iaskmyself,
Wheniopenmyeyesisweariseehersmi l
ingatme
,inexactl
ythesameclothesshewaswearingon
herdayofdeath,iShakemyheadagai n,l
ikethi
s
daycouldn'
tgetanyworsenowiseethings.

Isearcht hroughhercl osetandf i

ndapictureofher
andNqaba, Nqabai sdr essedinallbl
ackandshe
l
ooksl i
keamess, '
Hero' i
swr it
tenonthebackof
thepicture, thenanotheroneofherandanot her
whi t
eguy, Iturnthepicture' Theloveofmy
Life,
Chr i
s'-Ismi l
e.Thisi stheChr is,
Ther estar
e
picturesofherandChr is? ,Didshehaveanot her
placewher esheplacedherAndNqaba' spictur
es?
whatwasr eall
yhappeni ngbet weenthetwo?

Icl
oset
heCl
osetandLayagai
nont
heBed.
"
Yourhotchocol
ate"mom says,
ismi
le.
"
Howar
eyoumom?
"Iask

"Youknow, icl
eanhereever
ysi ngl
eday,Theni
thi
nkofthatnightshemetNqhaba, She.
..Fr
om
thatdayonwardsireal
lybel
ievedGodexi
sted"she
says.

"
Nqaba?,
WhatdidNqabado?
"Iask,
seei
ngt
hat
t
her
e'smoret
othis.

"
Hesavedher
"
Real
ly?
,Andt
hat
'sal
lshegi
vesme?

"
SavedherFr
om what?"Iask,
Nqabadoesn'
tlook
l
iket
hetypet
hatsaves.

"Honey,
Yourhotchocol
ateisget
ti
ngcol
d,dr
inkup
andgetsomerest"shesays,Ismil
easshewalks
out.
Whoi sNqaba? ,Whatdi
dhedof orLayla?,Didthey
reall
yloveeachother?Wheretheyact
ing?Whati n
thewor l
disgoingon?Chri
s,
Whathappenedt oChris?
DidNqabaki l
lhim ?No,IsNqabaamur derer
?Why
didn'
thisfamil
ycomet oLayla'
sfuner
al?

Itakemyphoneandsear chhi
m onfacebook,And
l
ikeithoughtther
e'snoaccounthere.Hemust
reall
ybeprivat
e.isearchongoogle,Li
keI'
dfi
nd
anythingt
here.

"
NqabayomuziKhat
hazaZul
u"
"
Pri
nceNqabayomuziZul
u"
"
NqabayomuziZi
mel
eZul
u"
Thel
istgoeson.

'
Whatisitt
hatyouwantexact
ly,
Doyout hi
nki
t'
s
somet
hingyoucanhandle,Bi
ggirl
?'Ishakemy
head.

Igothr
oughLayl
a'scl
osetagai
nandf
inda
not
ebook,morel
ikeadiary.
'
01/02/Chr i
s,Het oldmesomet hi
ngi..Ir
eall
y
can'
tbeli
eveit,
Hel ovesme!, ofcoursehedoes!,
Chri
silovechri
s'ther estishert
ell
ingthedi
aryhow
muchshel oveschris, Ipagethr
oughandf i
nd
someoft hepagesRi pped.

Myphoner
ings.

"
Hi"isaywi
thoutchecki
ngt
hecal
ler.

"Det
ecti
veKhanyil
e,Wehavedecidedtodropal
l
yoursmallcasest
oonebigcase, Arapi
stand
Cri
minalisonthel
oose"t
hecaptainsays.

"
Hei
scur
renti
nCapeTown,
isentAl
lthe
i
nfor
mati
onyouneedonemail,
Goodl
uck,
youneed
i
t"hehangsup,
ismil
echecki
ngmyphonefor
emai
ls.

Tumel
o,Ahhha.Wemeetagai
n.
[
10/
31,
05:
37] :Chapt
er22

"
OhGod,
Fuck"sheshout
s,Moani
ngouti
npl
easur
e
.

Ihat
emorni
ngsexbytheway,TheMor ni
ngbr
eat
h.
nott
hatweki
ssbuti
tsal
lcl
ear
lysti
llt
here.

Final
ly,
icoll
apseontopofherf
oraf
ewseconds
befor
eroll
ingovert
omyside.
Wear
ebot
htr
yingt
ocat
chourbr
eat
hs.

"
DamnThatwas,
Mindbl
owi
ng"shesays,
Inod.
"Butcoul
dyout
akeof
fthesehandcuf
fs?
"Sheasks,
Idothat.

"
Thanks"
INod

"
Soooo?
,Whatar
eWedoi
ngt
oday?
"Sheasks.

"I
m goingtoworkandyouleaveorst
ayitspr
ett
y
muchyourchoice.ipai
dforthewholedayanyway"
isay,befor
estar
ri
ngatthewatch.

"
Shi
t"isayget
ti
ngupQui
ckl
y.

"
What
?"

"
I'
mlat
e"isay,
Iputonmyt
rouserandmyT-
shi
rt
Qui
ckl
y.

"
Soyouar
eleavi
ngmeher
e?"Sheasks

"LookLerato...
or...
Let
habo. ..
orwhat everyour
namei s,Lastnightwasgr eat.ienj
oyedi tThanks,
butthat'
salliti
s, onenightofFucking"isay,
Grabbingmycarkeysbef oresearchingmycarkeys
formoney.

"
Getyourbeauti
fulselfmassaged,
Getmanicured
,Doyourhai
r,Enjoythemoneynje"isaypl
acingthe
moneyonthebedbef or
erushi
ngout.

"
Yeah,
Cancelallmyappoi
ntment
s,I
m notcomi
ng
t
oworktoday"isay,
Perksofbei
ngtheboss
"Yessi
r"shesays,Iknowherhearti
sbeati
ngoutof
herchest,
Ihavethatef
fectonpeopl
e,Andili
kei
t.

"Good"isayandhangup, BeforeTakingahot
Shower, Mywholebodyrelaxes,Iwearsimpl
e
j
eansandaT- shi
rt.
lastni
ghtr eal
lyhel
pedgetmy
mindoffthi
ngs,oroffsomeone.

She'
swayt ooinnocentforme, itr
yconvinci
ng
myselfbut,Herbeauti
fulroundeyeshauntmeall
thet
ime, HerbrownSkin.Her .
..Voiceeven.

Myphoner
ingsdi
stur
bingmef
rom myt
hought
s.
NaZul
u,MyQueen.

"
Gogo"ianswer.

"
Mfana"shesays.
"
Sengi
mdal
agogo"isay,
Laughi
ng.

"
Andyoudon'
tcal
lanymor
e,uyaj
ola?
"Sheasks,
I
l
augh.

"Chabo,
Kahlegogo,Wheni dogetumakot
iyou'
l
l
beTheFi
rstonetoknow"isay

"
Youar
e32Nqabayomuzi"sher
emi
ndsme.

"
32year
sol
d,Uyi
ndoda,
umdal
a,ugugi
le"shesays
.

"
Wow,
ievenf
orgot.
..
butLayl
ajustdi
edgogo"-
Me
.

"
ThatWhi
teFriendofyours?
,Shame.Mayhersoul
r
esti
npeace"shesays,Sheneverl
ikedLayl
a
anyway.

"Ha,Yourmom i
shere,ngi
mnike?"Gr
eat!
,Beforei
evenanswer,
She'
salr
eadygreeti
ng,Whatever
happenedtochoi
ces.

"Nqabayomuzi
"shesays,
Ismi
le.Hear
ingherand
gogo'svoi
ceal
waysmakesmyDay.

"
Ma"

"Di
dyoueatbreakfast?
,Thelastti
meyouwerehere
youdi
dn'
tlookgoodatal l,
Youshouldcomeback
homesoumamacanmakesur eyouar
ewellFed,
Youneedtogetthatbell
yback.haveyouseenyour
Dad?,
He'saTrueZul uman.iFeedhim"
Mydadisyourt
ypicalZulumancarryi
ngafullj
ojo
t
ank,Hestil
lst
ri
ctlyfoll
owscul
tureanddoesn'
t
r
eal
lyl
ist
entoanyonet hanhi
mself.
"
I'
llcome"il
ie,
I'
llneversetFoott
her
eagai
n.

"Youalwayssayt hat,i
tsbeenyear snowNqaba,
Youar enotjustanynormalper son, Youneedto
seealltherecordsoft
heVi l
lage, Learnhowthe
peopl
el ivemtwanami,MaybeFi ndumakoti"She
says,
Tr ustmymot hertosayt hat.

"
I'
veli
vedt
her
emywhol
eli
femama,
Iknowhow
t
hingswor
k"isay.

"
Umakot
iyena?
,usumt
hol
il
e?"Sheasks.

"Mama, There'
sanincomingcallandi
t'
sfr
om wor
k,
bye,ungikhonzel
ekubaba"isaybefor
ehangi
ngup,
Ibr
eathfinall
y

Asmuchasil
ovemymom andgr
andma,
Theyar
e
r
eal
lypushy.
.

'
TheReadi
ngofthewilli
stoday'-Amassagef
rom
Si
hle,
Layl
a'
slawyercomesthrough.

Idon'tr
eal
lycareaboutt
hewi
llbutihavetobe
ther
eanyway, Layl
awasmyWi fe.accordi
ngt
olaw
andI'
m onherwi l
l.

'
Sur
e'ir
epl
y

'
In5mi nutesNqaba' sherepli
es,Mybigsi
stercan
beannoying,Idon'tevenknowwhyl ayl
achoseher
asherLawyer .ButIlovehermorethananyt
hing.
Sheisnotbiological
lymysi st
er.She'
saFri
endt hat
grewtobef amilyalongtheway.

'
Wher
e?'
Iint
ent
ional
lyask,
Justt
oannoyher
.
'
Athel
l,
Rightwher
eyouareheaded'
sher
epl
ies,I
m
Deadi
nlaught
erasipi
ckupmykeysonceagain,
AndDri
vetoLayl
a'
shouse.

Whenigett
hereever
yoneisther
e.Me,Si
hleand
Damn,Her.inPol
iceof
ficer
sunif
orm,
IShakemy
headal
it
tl
e,Shesbeaut
if
ul.

"
Hel
lows"igr
eetsi
tt
ingatt
heendoft
hishuget
abl
e.

"Hi,Coul
dyousi
tali
tt
lecl
osersowecanbeabl
eto
heareachot
herwel
l
"sihl
easks.

Ali
tt
lecloserWher
e?,
Rightbesi
desher
?,
Pl
easeeee.

ImovetoFaceLayl
a'
sPar
ent
s.si
hlei
sint
he
middl
e.
"
Wouldyoul
ikesomet
hingt
odr
ink?
"SheAsks,
Arr
ghThi
sThandiwe.

"
Um?Iki ndoffhaveaMeet ingtogettoi
naf ew,So
I
'
lljustshowyout hecli
pthatLayl
atook"shesays
f
iddli
ngwi t
hherlaptop,Shethenturnst
hescreen
t
of aceus.

"
Hel
lo,
Isi
ton?
"That
'sl
ayl
a.
"
Yea"Theper
sonbehi
ndt
hecamer
asays.

"Good, Higuys.I '

mr eallynoti nt
opaper worksoi
decidedtot akeavi deoinstead.Fi r
stoffalliwant
totellyouiloveyour eall
ymuchandyou' vet he
mostsuppor t
ivepeopl eihaveevermet, Ma, Pa.I
knowyouguysal wayswant edabi ghouse. soI '
m
l
eavingyoumyhouseevent houghi t
snotr eallyli
ke
homebutiknowyou' llmakei thomel y,Thati smy
gif
ttoyou.wel landanAmazi ngDaught eranda
Si
stert
ome,
Othandi
weKhanyi
le"shesmi
les.

"SincemyMom andDadar en'treall

yinto
busi nesses, I
'dliket
oleaveal lmybusi nessest o
MyhusbandNqabayomuziZul uandmySi ster,
And
BestFr iendOt handiweNt ombi kababaKhanyi l
e,
Theygett oshar ebothcompani es,imt al
kinga
50/ 50Shar e,Thecont r
actshaveal r
eadybeen
madeandar er eadyforyout oSi gn.butbef or
eyou
dot hatiwantyouguyst oknowt hatireall
ywor ked
hardt ogett heset wobusinesseswher etheyare
today, anditwoul dkil
lmeagai n, t
oseet hem fail
ing
afteritriedsohar dt
okeept hem upandSt anding"
shesays

"But,Thi
sisonlyifyouguysgetmar ri
ed,Iknowim
askingalotoutofyoubuti tsforyourbenefi
t
.Nqabai sanAmazi ngguyandi sThandi weisan
AngelonEar t
h,thisismyl astWish,Iloveyouguys
,Il
oveyousomuchbyeeeeeee"shef l
ashesyet
anothersmil
easi fshedidn'tj
ustaskmeand
Thandi
wet
ogetmar
ri
ed.

Shei
sshocked,wel
lsoiam .shet
urnst
olookat
mewithherbi
groundeyes.
"
Wai
t?,
What
?"Sheasks.

"
Thi
sisnonsense!
"Layl
a'
sFat
herShout
s.

HermotherisAl
soi
nAwe.
She'
sst
il
lst
arr
ingatt
he
bl
ackscreen.

"Wel
l,youguyshaveaWeekt othi
nkthi
sthr
ough
.Thebusi
nessesareal
readyfal
li
ngso,wedon'
t
havemuchtime"si
hlesayspacki
ngupherbags.

"Layl
ahasalr
eadysignedfort
hehousetobe
handedovertoherparent
s,I'
l
lbr
ingthedocument
s
toyoufi
rstt
hingtomorrow"shesaysStandi
ngup,
i
st hi
sEvenLegal?
"
Wow!
"thandi
wesaysget
ti
ngup,
andr
ushi
ngout.

"I
'
ll..
.wal
kyou.
..
out.
.I.
."Isayst
andi
ngupand
helpi
ngsihl
ewi
thherbag.
Shesmi
les.

.
"
Ist
hisevenl
egal
?"Iaskt
hebar
man.

"
Yesboss,
iguessi
tis"Hesays.
Ieyehimforawhil
ebefor
egul
pingdownyet
anothergl
assofVodka.

"
Thi
sis.
..
Shocki
ng"isay.
"Ineedt
ogetl
aid,
Ser
iousl
y.Ineedt
ogetl
aid"isay
getti
ngup.
[
10/
31,
05:
37] :Chapt
er23
Isitgoingtobelongnightsofnosl eep? ,Waiti
ng
forhimt oret
urnhome?Ori shegoi ngt obet hebest
Thingieverhad? ,shakemyhead-idoubt.not
whenohadseenhi m huggingmysi ster, t
hatst he
onlythingihaveseenthem do, apar tfrom the
weirdkissesonthecheeck, notthatiwashopi ngto
catchthem makingoutinthekitchen, Orheart hem
moani ngwhilei
nmyr oom .wher etheyr especting
mypr esence?,Whywoul dtheyrespectme?

'
Heneverheldmel i
keChrisdid,Hecar edforme
yes,buti
twasneverlove'Layla'
swordsstingfr
om
thebackofmyhead, Wasi ttr
ue?Wasi tneverl
ove?
Wasshet r
yingt
osof t
enmeupt otheideaof
marryi
ngherhusband?,Wellitwasnotwor ki
ng.i
wasnotgoingtolethergettome.

"
MissKhanyi
le"Thevoi
cesnapsmeoutofmy
t
hought
s.
"
Yes?
"Ir
epl
y,Bef
orechecki
ngmysur
roundi
ngs.
"
OhGod,Pl
easeExcuseme"t
heybot
hnodbef
orei
r
usht
othet
oil
et.

'
Areyouserousl
yconsider
ingi
t,ican'
tbel
ievei
t'
myinnergoddesssays.
"
Shutup"isayloudert
hanint
ended.ipourthecol
d
wateronmyfacebefor
elooki
ngatmyselfi
nt he
mirr
or,MyphoneRings,It
sanunsavednumber.I
wipemyhands.

"
Othandi
we,
hel
lo"ianswer
.
"
MissKhanyi
le"Hi
sdeepvoi
cesendsshi
ver
sdown
myspi
ne.
Getyour
sel
ftogetherThandi
we,
itsj
ustaphone
cal
l,
Hecan'tevenseeyou.

"
N..
.Nqaba,
He.
.hel
lo"iut
ter
.
"
Youut
ter
?"Heasksi
namocki
ngt
one.
Icouldn'tbeli
evemyownear s,I
shemocki ngme?
Mrfor everseri
ous?,
Nooffencebutiwouldlovet
o
hearhi slaught
er,Doeshehavedimples?
,Arehis
teet
hwhi teand..
.

"
NotReall
y, iguessI
'm Ner
vous"isay,Even
t
houghthelastpartwasunnecessary.

"
Met
oo"hesays
What
?

"i
m paci
ngupanddown,andil
it
eral
lypeedon
mysel
fwhenyousai
dyourname"
Il
augh.

"Good,Nowthatwearecomfor
table,weneedto
tal
kaboutt
he..Uhm? .
.mar
ri
ageissue"hesays,
onceagai
nI'
m nervous
"
Uhm no!
"
"
No?
"Reapet
s

"Ther
e'snot
hingt
odi
scuss,
Wear
enotdoi
ngi
t"i
snap
'
Easytiger
'myinnergoddesssaysl
aughingher
arseout,j
ustl
ikemeshedoesn'tunder
standwhy
I'
m snappi
ngathim.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Heasks.
"
Wor
k"ir
epl
y,dr
yly.bef
orehehangsup,
Okay?

If
ixmyuni
rf
om andSi
ghbef
orewal
kingbackt
omy
of
fice.

"Hi,
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
"isay,
sit
ti
ngdown,
They
nod.
"So,
Mi ssJabul
il
ehowlonghaveyouknownMr
TumeloRanala?
"Iask,
pushinghi
spict
uret
oher

"
Thabo"shecor
rect
sme.
"
ThaboRanal
a"
Thebast
ardhasanot
hername.

"
PleaseDet
ect
ive,
Hel
pmefindhi
m.Ij
usthi
mtobe
t
herewhenourbabyi
sbor
n"
Event
hemanbesi
desherl
ooksatheri
nAwe.

'
Igwebegewbebegwe'myinnergoddesssays,
i
don'
tknowwhatt hati
s!

"
Sisi
?,Whyexactl
yareyouher
e?,Youwanttoopen
amissi
ngcasef oryour
api
stbabydaddy?
,imean
t
hereareser
veralwomanwhowantthisman
behi
ndbar
s"Iask,
alr
eadyannoyed.

"
Thabo?
,Rape?
"Sheact
sshocked.
Yes,
ThaboRapewi
tht
hatsmal
lpi
nyana.

"That
swhatij
ustsai
d"irepl
y,col
dly.She'
s
honestl
ywast
ingmytime.

"
I'
llt
hinkabouti
t"shesays.

I
m conf
used.
"
Thi
nkaboutwhatexact
ly?
"Iask

"Ifiwantmybabydaddyt ogotojailornot
"ifight
theurgetolaughrightt
here,Sis,Yourmani s
headedstrai
ghtthere.that'
sifidontkil
lhi
mf i
rst.

"oh.
..
kay"iut
ter
"butwebothknowt
her
e'snot
hingt
othi
nkabout"i
saypacki
ngupmystuf
f

"
Canikeept
hepi
ctur
e?,
Justt
orememberhi
m?"
Ifi
ghttheurget
orol
lmyeyes,
LovePor
ti
oni
n
capit
allet
ter
s.

Inodget
ti
ngup
"
I'
m sur
eyouknowyourwayout
"
Themanwi thhernodsandhelpsherup,
Woman
l
ikeherannoytheshitoutofme!

Adi
fferentr
est
aur
ant
?,Il
aughal
it
tl
ebef
ore
wal
kingin.
Dakalowavesherhand,Sheisglowing.Sbumust
begivi
ngittoherr
ealgood,Rinaeissmil
ing.
"
gir
lf
ri
ends"isayset
tl
ingdownont
hef
reechai
r.

"
Hey,
Areyouokay?
"Ri
naeasks.

"Yesiam okay"ir
eply,Taki
ngalookatthemenu. I
don'tf
eell
ikemyf avor
itechocol
atecake,orcheese
cake.Notevenwithani cecupoftea.

"
Sowhatar
eyouhavi
ng?
"Dakal
oasks.
"
GuavaJui
ce"ir
epl
y

"
And?
"-Ri
nae
"
Not
hing"
"
Whoar eyouandwhatdidyoudot
omy
Othandi
we?"-Ri
nae,
Igiggl
e.

"
I'
mjustf
ull"isay,
Theybot
hlookatmei
nAwe
"
Wow, Dakaloi
sgoingt
opopababysoont hen
t
her
e'syoutheful
lone,
Angsazi
"shesays
"youhaven'
thear
danyt
hingyet
"imur
murl
oud
enoughfort
hem t
ohear.

"
Excuseme?
"sheasks.

"It
hinkI'm goingtogetmarr
ied,Wel
lnot..I.
..
don't
know. .
.butithinki
m consi
deri
ngit,
Forlayla,
obviouslyherbusinessmeantsomucht oher"isay

"
What
?"Theybot
hsayt
wice,
BoNdabeni
!

"
Layl
ahasl
eftawi
ll"
Thewai
tr
essComest
otakeouror
der.

"
Jui
cepl
ease,
Guavaj
uice"t
hewai
tr
esswr
it
esi
t
down
"Ar
eyouordering?"Iaskt
hem ,
Theyshaket
hei
r
headsst
il
llookingatme.

Thewai
tr
essl
eaves
"
ThanksGod,
Youwer
esayi
ng?
"-Dakal
o.

"
Whatwasit
alki
ngaboutkambe?
"Iask.

"
Thewi
llsl
ima!
"Ri
naeshout
s,Igi
ggl
e
"SoHerwi l
lsaid,notthati
tcantalk.imean..
.
LaylawantsmeandNqabat ot
akeoverher
businesses..
..Onl
yifwegetmar r
ied"isayt
helast
partslowly

"
What
?"Theybot
hsayTwi
ce.
"
Youhear
dri
ght,
Onl
yifwegetmar
ri
ed"
"Wow,Thi
sdayshouldbeapubli
chol
iday.ifiwas
athomewithmyf amil
yipr
obabl
ywasn'tgoi
ngto
hearanyoft
his"-
Rinae.

Wel
augh
"
Where'
sthatwaitr
essanyway,Wewantt
oor
der
?,
Weneedtodiscussthi
s"-Dakal
o.
"
Shewasher
e,butyousai
dyouar
efi
ne"

"
What
?when?
"
Il
augh.

Ithrowmybagpackont hecouchbefor
ethrowi
ng
myselft
here,Ican'
tbel
ieveihadtochasesome
thugsal
lover,Arghmyf eetar
ekil
li
ng,Itakeof
f
myshoes
Someonebangst
hedoor
.Gr
eat
!,Whatnow?
"
Angi
kho!
"Ishout.

Thepersonkeepsknocki
ngt
il
ligetup,
draggi
ng
myfeetther
e.
Iopenthedoorannoyed,
onl
ytobemetbyNqaba
hol
dingplast
ics

Heinvi
teshimsel
fin,
anddissaper
sintheki
tchen.
whichi
seasytospotbecauseitsl
ikei
tsi
nthe
di
ningarea.

"Yaziiwant
edtobri
nggrocer
ies,
butit
hought
pizzawasperf
ect,
youmustbeexhaust
edchasing
abunchofgangster
smusthavebeenhard"hesays
,Irol
lmyeyesbefor
eclosi
ngthedoor.

"
Whot
oldyouiwaschasi
nggangst
ers?
"Iask
set
tl
ingont
hecoachagai
n..

"
That'
swhatcopsdo"hesays,
asi
fit
'sanobvi
ous
t
hing.

"
Right
"isayr
oll
ingmyeyes.
"
Wher
ear
eyourpl
ates?
"Heasks.

"Thet
opDr awer
"isay,
minutesl
aterhecomesto
thedi
ningareawit
htwoplat
esinhishands,He
handsmeone.

"
Uphi
ubeerwakho?
"
Lord!
,Hiszul
uscentis.
.Sexy?,
Ithi
nkthat'
san
under
stat
ement.Fuckmei nZul
uplease!

Igi
vehi
m abor
edl
ook
"
Right"hesays "
youdon'
tdr
ink,
butI
'
llbr
ingmy
beerher
e"hesays
What
?

"Sooooo,Si
hlewant
sheranswerAssoonas
possibl
e"Hesays

"
ASAP"isay
"
Huh?
"

"
Youcoul
dhavej
ustsai
dASAP"isay.

"Butidi
dn't,Idon'
tli
keshor
tcut
s,ial
sodon'tseea
probl
em inthetwoofusgetti
ngmarri
ed"hesays.

"
Youwer
emar
ri
edt
omysi
ster
!"Isay
"
Comeon,
Youcandobet
tert
hant
hat
"hesays.

"Fi
ne, I
fwedogetmarr
ied.welivei
nsepar
ate
housesandwedon'
thavesex"isay

"
Separat
ehouses?
,Wi
llpeopl
eeverbel
ievewear
e
marr
ied?
"Heasks.

"
Isi
taboutpeopl
e?"Iask,
Hegi
vesmeabor
ed
l
ook.

"
Finebutnosex"isay.

"
Sex?
,no.wear
egoi
ngt
obemaki
ngl
ove"hesays

"
Nosex,
NoLovemaki
ng,
nof
ucki
ng"isay
Hemovesf
rom hi
scoucht
omi
ne.
"
Noki
ssi
ngei
ther
"isay

Hechort
les,
Movingwayt
ocloseformyl
iki
ng,He
t
ouchesmycheeckandbr
ingshi
sfacecl
osert
o
mine.
Icl
osemyeyes,
Heki
ssesmycheeck.

"
Yousai
dnoki
ssi
ng"
Mxm.

Heget
sup
"
Wher
edoisl
eep?
"Heasks
"
Atyourhouse!
"Ishout
.

"Madbecauseididn'
tgi
veyouaki
ssbaby?
"He
asks,
icli
ckmyt ongue.
"
Comeon,
yousai
dnoki
ssi
ng"
Ist
andupt
oopent
hedoor
.
"
Getout
"isay.

"Al
lbecauseidi
dn'
twanttoki
ssyou?"Heasks
walki
ngtowardsme,Ipushhi
m befor
elocki
ngthe
door,
Mxm.

"
West
il
lget
ti
ngmar
ri
edbaby?
"Heshout
s,Ismi
le.
Yeah.

Thet
argeti
s800React
ions,
60comment
s.
[
10/
31,
05:
38] :Chapt
er24

Iwri
nchinpai
nasmyf ootmist
akenl
yhi
tst
he
cor
nerofthewoodencar
dboard.
Iexpectedsomesortofat extf
rom hi
m, j
ustsohe
cant el
lmehowheatl eastgothome, ImeanNick
didit,Hesavedmethewor r
yofthi
nkingsomethi
ng
couldhavepossi
blyhappened, Acaracci
dentora
robbery.

Nick,Surpri
singlydur i
ngourconver sati
onshe
wouldfindhimsel ftel
lingmeaboutNqaba, Hesai d
alt
houghhewasal mostt ooseri
ousandsel f
center
edhehadal ovingheart,
yetagai ni
tdoesn't
surpri
ceme, iguesswewer etalki
ngaboutt heir
fri
endship,Hedescr i
bedSbuast heFemaleMal eof
theFami l
y,
Yest heywer eafamil
yandsbuwast he
reasonbehindthatf ami l
y,Hewasal sover
yl ovi
ng
buttri
edtohidei t

Hethendescribedhimselfasthebrai
ns,They
cometohimf oradvices.betweenyouandi,ithi
nk
i
t'
salie.
itwoul dbetruei
fitwascomi ngf
rom Sbu
.Ni
ckwast hel adi
es'
sman, Hehadgot t
en
numer ouscallsfr
om gir
ls,Hal
foft hem wouldsnap
athimf ornotremember i
ngtheirnames.Hesai d
i
t'snothim alone,becauseNqabaal sogetsitbutis
rudesot heydon'tbot
herhim again.Thent hereis
Lanithewhi ppedandmar ri
edone, yesthat'
swhat
hesaid.

MyphoneRi
ngs,
Speakoft
hedevi
l
"
Nick"ianswer
,smi
li
ng

"
Shoebox"
Ilaughatt heni
cknamehehasgivenme,There'
s
nothingwr ongwit
hkeepi
ngal
lyoursneaker
sin
theirboxes.

"hey,
Howar
eyou?
"Iask.
"
I'
m goodt
hanks,
andyour
sel
f?"-Ni
ck
"
I'
m okay"isay.
"
Sohowdi
dyousl
eep?
"Heasks

"l
ikeababy,
howdi
dyousl
eep?
"-Me.

"meandtheboyswer eoutonadrinki
ngspreel
ast
ni
ght,soiwouldn'
tsayisl
eptcauseri
ghtnowim
deal
ingwi
ththeconsequences"Hesays

Thati
swher
eNqabahasbeen,
Thatbast
ard.

"
Boys?
"Iask.
"
Yes,
SbuandNqhabha"-Ni
ck

Il
augh,ican'
tgetoverhowhepr
onouncest
hei
r
names.
"
What
?"Heasks,
Whenhef
eel
sim donel
aughi
ng.

See,
Nicki
sal
mostl
ikeanopenbook,
Wri
tt
eni
n
Engli
shandt r
anslatedinal
llanguages.Hei
seasy
toread.youcantellevenfr
om amer ephonecal
lif
heislyi
ngornot.

"
Ijustcan'
tgetoverhowyousayt
hei
rnames".
Hel
aughs

"
Anyway,
Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou"Hesays.

"
That'
ssosweetofyouconsi
deri
ngyouar edeal
ing
wit
honebangi
nghangover,icanfeeli
tbangi
ng
f
rom her
e"
Hel
aughs.

"AnyHomeRemedi
es?
"Heasks,
Iknewhewant
s
somethi
ng.

"uhm ,
no.butdr
inkanot
heroneoft
hosebot
tl
es
youwon'
tfeelt
hehangover
"isaymocki
nghi
m,He
l
aughs

"andtothinkit
houghtyoucar
edaboutme
shoebox"hesays,il
augh

"
ByeHangover
"isay,
Hechor
tl
es.
"WowandigotanewNi
ckname"hesays,
ihangup
deadi
nlaught
er.

Itakeashortshower, bei
ngapoliceoff
iceri
s
hardert
hanit hought,
Therearenoholi
days, or
atl
eastineverhadahol i
day.makesmet hinki
shouldhavebeenat eacher,buti
tstoolatefort
hat
now.

Il
oti
onandWearmyUni for
m andmumbl eabout
howim nevervol
unt
eeringtorunaf
tert
heseStreet
gangst
ers,MyFeetsti
llhurt.
Andnowt hatiheardNqabawasoutdr inki
ngandi
s
okay,i
m Sli
ghtlyrel
ived,
Withthecr
imeRat ei
n
SouthAfr
icaiam all
owedt ogetworr
ied.
MyphoneRingsfrom somewherei
nthekit
chen
maybe,iRushthereandanswerwi
thoutchecki
ng
t
hecall
er

"
Thandi
we,
Hel
lo"ianswer

"AhMissKhanyil
e,If
inal
lyReachyou.i
'
vebeen
tryi
ngtocal
lyouforQuit
esomet i
menow"-The
personsays.

Ir
emovethephonef r
om myeartocheckthecal
l
er
si
nceican'
trecogni
sethevoi
ce-Si
hle,
Layla'
s
l
awyer

"oh,
Iwasi
ntheshower,
I
m sosor
ry"isay.
"
ohDon' twor
ryabouti
t,I
t'
smyJobanywayMi
ss
Khanyi
le"Shesays.

"Pl
ease,
Cal
lmeOt handi
we"Isayl
aughi
ng,She
makesmeFeell
ikeanoldladywi
thonebl
ackcat,
Shame.

"MissKhanyi
le,
IhopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bingyou"she
says

"
Thandi
wepl
ease,
Andno"-Me

Shegi
ggl
esSof
tl
y
"
Thandiwe,Ofcour
se.Iwascall
ingtocomf
ir
m our
meeti
ngtoday,Wherewil
litbeheld,
Yourhouseor
Nqaba'
s?"Sheasks.
Il
ookaround,
She'
spr
obabl
ywayt
oocl
assyt
ovi
sit
suchahouse.
"Nqaba'
sisFi
ne,
I'
lldr
ivet
herest
rai
ghtaf
terWork"i
say,Andbesi
desiwantedtoseeWhereNqaba
l
ives

"
AndWhatt
imewoul
dthatbe?
"Sheasks.

"
About7p.
m,i
fthat
'snott
ool
atef
oryou"isay.

"LetmeaskMyhusbandifshecant
akecar
eofmy
pumpkins"shesays,
Pumki
ns?

"
Babakhe!Nkanyezi
!"shecal
lsoutf
orhi
m.
"
I'
llbeat
tendi
ngal
atemeet
ing,
Wil
lyout
akecar
eof
t
hebabies?"
Themanmur
mur
ssomet
hingsidon'
tknow.
"
NyamboseOmuhl
e"-It
hinkshe'
sbeggi
ng,
bef
orei
hearki
ssi
ngsounds,
EuuwHel
lo.

"
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
"shesays.
"
Nopr
obl
em,
Soi
sthatayesij
usthear
dther
e?"
Shel
aughs

"Abi
gone,
Youknowwher
ehel
ivesr
ight
?"She
asks
"
No,
notr
eal
ly"

"I
'
llhavehi
m sendyout
headdr
ess,
Haveagr
eat
day"shesays

"
Thankyou,
Bye"
Shehangsup.

.
Whenigettotheoffi
ceifindJabulil
eandherman
onthebenchesbymyt able,SfisoandKamvat he
guysishareanof
ficewitharen'ther
e,soit
's
probabl
ythecapt
ainthatledthem inher
e,Isecret
ly
rol
lmyeyes.

"
GoodMor
ning"igr
eet,
Andt
heybot
hgr
eetback.

"
Pleaset
akeaseatr
ighther
e"isaypoi
nti
ngatt
he
t
wochairsf
aci
ngmine.

Theynod,
si
tt
ingdown.

"Whyar
eyouher
e?"Iaskaspol
it
easpossi
ble.

"
We. .
.WellI,
Wantt
ochecki
fthere'
sprogr
essin
f
indi
ngMybabydaddy"sheasksRubbingher
t
ummy, Eventhemanwi
thhereyesher.igi
veup.
"ican'tr
eal
lydi
scussthatwithyou"isay "but
morewomanar ecomingforwardandtheyallwant
him behi
ndbars,yourbabydaddyi sawantedman
MissJabuli
le,
He'snotgoingtofathert
hatchil
dli
ke
heneverfat
hered9otherkidsofhis,nowifyou'l
l
excuseme"isaycleari
ngmyt able

Shel
ooksembarr
assed,
butidon'
tcar
e.ican'
thi
de
howsheannoysmeanymore.

"
Pleaseof
fi
cer,
Excusemysi
ster
,Asambewena"t
he
mansayshelpi
ngherup.

"
Inki
ngaayi
kho"isaysmi
li
ng,
out
war
dly.

Themomentiknockof
fidr
ivemyBl
ackGol
fcart
o
theaddr
essgi
ven,Whenigetther
e,ical
lhim and
hetel
lsmehe'
llhavesecur
it
yopenthegate

Secondslat
erthegateisopenedandidrivein.I
parkmycaront hespacegivenbysomeguybef or
e
rewardi
nghim wit
hR10, Hesmi l
esthankful
ly.

WhenI
'
m aboutt
oknock,
Nqabaopens.
"
Hi"igr
eetandhenodsopeni
ngthedoorwi
derf
or
me,Iwalki
nandheclosest
hedoor.

Ifi
ndcushionsalloverthef l
oorandafewbroken
gl
asses,Whil
eSihleishelpingcleanuporcl
eaning
upalone,
Iguesstheyr eal
lyareclose.

"
Eveni
ng"igr
eetsi
hle.

"Mi
ss.
..
.Thandi
we,
Hi.Youar
efinal
lyhere"shesays
asi
fshewasexpect
ingmeearl
ier
,Welliam ki
nd
of
flat
e.

"Ihopeyoudon'tmi
ndmecl eani
ngt hesegl
asses
,Someonedecidedtomakeanepi sode"shesays
eyingNqaba,Whojustst
aresbackatherangryly
,What'sgoi
ngonhere?.

"Ofcourseidon'
tmind,
doyouneedahelpi
ng
hand?"Iaskseeingt
herear
emoregl
assesonthe
fl
oorthanithought

"Pl
ease,
Thebroom i
sri
ghtt
her
e"shesayspoi
nti
ng
att
hebroom .
Nqabajustsi
tst
her
edr
inki
nghi
sbeer,
noteven
mindi
ngus.

Whenwear
edone,
webot
htakeasi
t.
"Pl
easehel
pyoursel
fwi
thJuice,Hul
kwon'
teven
off
eryouaglassofwat
er"shesayseyi
ngNqaba
whor
oll
shi
seyest
hist
ime.
Hej
ustr
oll
edhi
seyes.
ilaugh.

Theybot
hlookatme.
"
Sorr
y,Thehul
knamej
ustbr
ingsoutmemor
ies"i
l
ie

"Andno,I'
mfineihadagl
assofwat
erbef
oreigot
here"il
ieagain,
I'
mthi
rst
y!

"Iguesswecangobacktobusinessnow"Sihl
e
says,Nqabaisenj
oyi
nghissecondbott
leofbeer
,What'swrongwit
hhim.
?

"Ihavet hecontracts,
butiheardt
heyrequir
eyour
mar r
iagecert
if
icatesoifyouguysdodecideyou
wantt ogetmarriedyouhavetosignbefor
etheend
oft heweek"shesays, showingusthecontr
acts,
it'
s
Fridaybyt heway.
"
Iwanttodothingsther
ightway"Nqabasays
,
That'
sthefi
rstthi
nghesaidsinceigother
e.

"Hecanactual
lytalk"imurmurloudenoughfor
them t
ohear,
Nqabal ooksatmebef or
elooki
ng
backatThelaughingsihl
equickly.
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Si
hleasks

"Iwanttopayl
obol
a,andal
l"hesays,
Myhear t
beatsfast
er.
..
OhGod.ishouldhavethoughtabout
that.

"Youcandothataf
terwar
dsnqaba,
Thi
siski
ndof
f
urgent
"Si
hleexpl
ains.
"Andsi
ncewhenareyouaFanofpayingl
obol
a"
shemurmurs,
Nqabacli
ckshi
stongue.

"
Fine"
ThanksGod.

"Iguessyouguysdecidedyouar
egett
ingmarr
ied"
-Shesays,Nqabalooksatmeforananswer
.

"
Uhm?
..I
fNqabai
sokaywi
thi
t"isay

'
Ofcourseheisokaywi
thi
tyoui
diot
!'Myi
nner
goddesssays,
Right
.

Nqabal
ooksatmewi
tht
he'
Real
ly'
Look.

"
I'
llt
aket
hatasaYes"Si
hlesaysbef
oreherphone
r
ings
"
Excuseme"shesays,
answer
ing

"SthandwaSami
...
.Yes.
..
.Okay.
..
Yes.
..Ut
handwa
yimiNyambose.
.Givemeasecond. .
.Yes..
."She
gi
ggl
esbef
orehangi
ngup.

"
ThatwouldbemyHubby, I
'l
lseeyouguysSunday
Morni
ng.Hul
ki'
l
lcal
lyou"shesays.

"
Don'
t"Nqabasays.
"
Iwi
ll,
Bye"shepl
acesaki
ssonNqaba'
scheck.
"
Remember
."
"Al
coholdoesn'
tsol
veanypr
obl
ems"Theybot
hsay
Twice

"
Iknownow,
Getout
"Het
urnst
oleave.

Il
ookather
"What'
swr ongwithhim?
"Iask.
Shesi
ghs,
Packi
ng
herbags.Ihelpher..

.
Thet
argeti
sst
il
lthesame
[
10/
31,
05:
38] :Chapt
er25

Andsuddent
lyhehast
urnedi
ntoanasshol
e,What
i
sWrongwi t
hthi
sguy?
"
Ishealwaysli
ket
his?
"IaskSi
hle,
Seei
ngt
heyget
wel
ltoget
her.

"He.
..Heisdi
ff
erent
"shesays,Shruggi
ngher
shoulder
sastoshowshecan'treall
yexpl
ainhow.

"
How?
"Iaskanyway

"He...Is.
..
whatcanisay?,
Okay.whenif i
rstmethi
m
ithoughthehadmul t
ipl
epersonali
tydisorder,
He
couldbet heNqabaweallknownowandsuddenl y
turnsintoamonster,HejustneedsloveandLayla
wasnotgi vinghi
mthat"shesays,Leavingme
cur
ious.

"Heneverr
eal
lyshar
edstuff,soget
ti
nghimtotal
k
i
salmostmissi
onimpossibl
e"shesays,bef
ore
checki
ngtheWindowfort
hecarhooting.

"Nyambosewi
llKi
llmekemanj e,Itwasniceseei
ng
youThandi
we"shesays,Embracingmef orashor
t
hug,Shesmel
lsli
kethosecoconutcreams,She
smell
sgood.

Shegr
absherbags
"
Nqaba,
I
'm gone"sheshout
sandl
eaves.
NowI'
m alonewit
htheasshol
e,
Ishouldprobabl
y
l
eavebutican'
t,notwhenhehaslockedhimsel
fin
hi
sroom .

Iknockonhi
sdooracoupl
eoft
imesbef
orehe
opens.
"
Hi"hegr
eet
sawkwar
dly.

"
Hey"igr
eetback
"Ar
eyouokay?"Iaskseei
nghewon'
tbesayi
ng
anyt
hinganyt
imesoon

"Yes,
JustWorkst
ress"Heexpl
ains,It
akeapeak
onthedoorandseehislapt
oponthebed,Iguessi
t
wasWor k.

"Canimakeyousomet
hingt
odr
ink?,
Tea?,
Coff
ee?"
Iwanttosayyessobad,Justtogett
oknowhi m
bett
erandmaybeevenfi
ndt hetr
uthabouthi
s
rel
ati
onshi
pwithLayl
a.

"Rat
hernot,I
'm deal
ingwit
hanimpor
tantcase"i
say,Helooksatmeasi fhecanseet
hroughmy
soul
,orhecanseei wanttost
ay.
"Oh?"Hesoundsdi
sappoi
nted,
butidon'
tseem t
o
care,IWantTumel
obehindbar
s.

"
Yessoibet
tergetgoi
ng"isay.

"
Comeon,
it'
slat
e.Sl
eepover"Hesays.

"Ishouldn'
t"isay,
Mindyouwear estil
lbyhi
s
doorstep,i
tseemsl i
keishouldf
orgetbei
nginvi
ted
i
nnott hatiwantedtobeinvi
tedi
n

"Soyoucoul
dbutyoushoul
dn'
t,Whynot?Why
shoul
dn'
tyou?"Heasks.
Iwi
llneverunder
standhi
schoi
ceofwor
ds.

"IneedtogetsomeWorkdone"il
ie,
I
'm goi
ngto
sleep,
Ijustdon'
twantt
obetr
appedinthehouse
al
onewi
thhi
mforalongti
me,andt
rustme.
The
whol
eni
ghti
saver
yl ongt
ime.

"
Mm, I'
l
ldri
veyou"hesays,
seei
nghei
sfi
ght
inga
l
ostbatt
le.

"Iact
ual
lyboughtmycar
"isay,
swi
ngi
ngt
hecar
keys.
"
Theoldgol
f,It
houghi
tcoul
donl
yreacht
heshop"
Hesays

Doesheevercarei fwor
dsstabdeepi
nsomeone's
heart
?,Justbecausehecanaffor
dluxur
iouscar
s
doesn'
tmeanever yoneel
secan.

"I
t'sacarNqaba, Withwheel
sandanengi ne,just
becauseyoucanaf fordt
odriveanyexpensivecar
doesn'tmeaneveryoneelsecan"
-isay,noteven
hidingtheannoyanceinmyvoice
"I
ftheywant
edt
otheywoul
dbeabl
etoaf
for
dit
"he
says
Wow.

"
You.
..
Peopl
ear
en'
tthesameNqaba"ihi
ss.

"nobodycares,oridon'tcaretobespecif
ic,You
arewhatyouwantt obei nli
fe,Ifyouwanttodri
ve
carsofmysortyouwor kyourbuttoff,
be
somethi
ngmor eseriousotherthanbeingacopor
somestupidassSoci alworker
"Hesays

Mymout
hhangsi
nshock,
Nohedi
dn'
t!
"
Knowwhat
?,ibet
terl
eave"isay.

"
Don'
tbel
atet
omor
row"Hesays.
"
Fort
hatsham ofourweddi
ng?
,Idon'
tthi
nki
'
llever
evenshowupaf
teryoushowedmet
her
ealyou"i
say.

"youarejustmadbecauseidon'
tcareabout
anyt
hinginthi
sworl
dotherthanspendi
ngmy
money,Theoneiworkedhardfor
"Hesays.

"
I'
m madbecauseyouar
ebel
it
tl
ingot
herpeopl
e"

"
Iftheywor
kedashalfasididt
ogetwhereiam
,t
heywouldbeinexpensi
vesui
tsdi
ningwithme,
i
t'
snotmyf aul
tsomepeoplear
ebornidi
ots"
-
Nqaba

That
'si
t!
Ir
ushout
.

No,
Hedoesn'
tfol
lowme,
nordoeshecal
loutf
or
me,
Wow.
Whenigettomycar,
ist
artt
heEngi
ne,
anddr
ivet
o
myhouse.Somepeopl
eareSel
fi
sh!

"
Hel
lo"hegr
eet
s.

"
Hi"

"So,YouandNqabaaregett
ingmarr
iedhuh?"He
asks.Ican'
thel
pbutf
eelt
hehurti
nhisvoice.

"Y.
.yes"ianswerhesi
stat
ly,
Idon'tknowwhy,
Therehasneverbeenanythi
ngromant i
cbetween
usnorhasheaskedmeoutunl essitwasforacup
pfcoffee.

"knowwhat
?,I
m happyf
oryou"hesays,
Tryi
ngt
o
soundhappy,
Tryi
ng.

"
Thanks"

"
Yeah ,
Wheni
stheweddi
ng?
"Heasks

"
Tomor
row"
HekeepsQuite,Ishoul
dprobabl
yexplai
nther
eal
r
easonbehindmymar i
agewithNqababutmy
t
onguedoesn'tall
owme, IalsokeepQuit
ewai
ting
f
orhisresponse.

"TomorrowShoebox"heasks,
ibi
temyl
owerl
ip
nervousl
y

"
Yeah"
"
Whendi
dyoupl
ant
hiswhol
ethi
ng?
"Heasks.
"Toni
ght
,imean.
.ThemarriageisNotReal
..I
ts.
..
"I
sigh,
Ther
e'snouseexpl
aining.

'
Babygetbackt
obed'
Afemal
evoi
ceshout
s.

"
Guesswhot
hati
sbudd?
"Ni
ckasks.
"
Noway!
"Ishout,
Ihavenoi
deawhot
hati
s

"
Yesway,ThatShybi
tchi
nmybed,
lookwewi
llt
alk
l
ater
"hesaysandhangsup.

Whenidocal lthecaptainhetell
smeihad
explai
nedmysi tuati
onlastWeek, Afami
ly
gathering.Yesthat'swhatisaid.soheis
compl etel
yfinewi t
hit,andheisstil
lwai
ti
ngt
ohear
myr esponseont hecoffeedat
e,Thisol
dman.

Thenextper
soniwoul
dcal
lwouldbeubab'
khanyi
le
,MyDad.ido.idi
alhi
snumbersl
owlyunt
ilipr
ess
t
hecal
lbut
tonandl
i
stent
oitr
ing

"
Yebo"heanswersaf
terafewmi
nut
es,
Myvoi
ce
f
ail
sme.asmi l
ecurvesonmyli
ps.
"
Yebo"her
epeat
s,onl
yloudert
hist
ime.
'
Baba,
buyaphel
a'mymom shout
s

"
Baba"imur
mur
"Hel
lo?"Hesaysbefor
eclickinghist
ongueand
hangingup.Iguesshedidn'thearme,butihear
d
himthat'
sallt
hatmatter
s.

"DoyouNqabayomuziZulut
akeOthandiwe
NtombikababaKhanyi
let
obeyourlawful
lywedded
wife,
insicknessandI
nheal
tht
il
ldeathdoyou
apart
?"
Heact
ual
lysmi
lesorsmi
rks,
Asshol
e
"
Ido"hesays.

"DoyouOthandi
weNt ombikababaKhanyilet
ake
NqabayomuziZulut
obeyourl awful
lyWedded
husbandi
nsicknessandinhealthti
lldeat
hdoyou
apart
?"

Il
ookathi
m
Youar
edoi
ngi
tforLayl
a.Layl
a.
"
Ido"

"Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwi
feYoumay
kissyourbr
ide"

Hehol
dsmyhand,Theel
ect
ri
calfeel
ingagai
n,He
l
et'
smegoqui
ckl
y.igueshefel
titt
oo.
"
Youmaykissyourbr
ide"t
hepast
orr
epeat
s,
l
aughi
ng.
Nqabaclearshi
sthr
oatbef
oreHol
dingmyhand
again,
Thist
imewedon'tmi
ndit,
Theelect
roni
c
feel
ing.

Whenourl
ipsdomeet,
Icl
osemyeyes.
Whatt
hehel
l?
,Whyam if
eel
ingt
hisway?
Heonl
ykissesmeforaminut
ebef
orel
ett
inggo
andsmi
lesatthewit
nesseswi
thmyhandlockedi
n
hi
s.

"
Arghhmeiskat.i
sjyok?
"Sheasks,
Nqaba'
sbody
i
ssti
ff.Hedoesn'
twanttobeher
e.
"
Yes"ionl
ymanaget
osay.

Dadwal
ksi
nmi
nut
esl
ater
.
"
Hel
lo"hegr
eet
sset
tl
ingdown.

"
Pa"igr
eetback,
Nqabakeepsqui
tel
ikeal
ways.

"
Whyar
eyouher
e?"HeasksNqaba.

"Totel
lyousomet
hingi
mpor
tant
"hesaysi
na
boredtone

"
Andwhatmi
ghtt
hatbe?
"Dadasks.

"
Wear
emar
ri
ed"Nqabasays.

"
What
?"Dadshout
sget
ti
ngup
"Youwantt
orui
nherl
ikeyoudi
dtol
ayl
ayoupi
ece
ofjack?
"

"
No,
andidi
dn'
trui
nLayl
a,Youdi
d"Heget
sup

"
Let
sgoNdi
we"
Igetup
"I
'
llcal
lyou"ishoutbef
orebei
ngdr
aggedoutoft
he
door,WellThatwentwel
l.
[
10/
31,
05:
38] :Chapt
er26

Whenigett
othedoor,Iopeni
tForherandshe
l
ookssur
pri
sed,
Butidon'tr
eal
lyCar
e.
"Whoareyou?"Shemurmur sl
oudenoughf
ormet
o
hear,
Ichort
leatthequest
ion.Ri
ght
.

"
NqabayomuziZul
u,Yourhusband"ir
espond,Thi
s
i
sprobabl
yoneofthemoststupidAnswersihad
evergi
ven.
SheSi ghs,Shehasal otofQuestionsbutdeci dest o
keepi tt
oher self,
Im Sl i
ghltyRelieved,idon'treal
ly
l
ikeQuest ions, wellnotunl esstheyhavet odowi th
,'
AhhDoyoul i
keitliket hatbaby? ,
OhYes' ,Damn.
Woman' sMoansar ejustsomet hingel se.They
somehowputmyhear tatease.hear inghersay
'
Har der,
Har der,Harder ',
MakesmeFeelpower f
ulyet
obidentbecausemybal lsstartcl
appinghar d
aroundheryel lowthighs, Yes.ilikemygi rl
'sYel l
ow
andWi l
li
ngt odoanyt hingisayt heymustdo.iLi ke
Cont r
ol,
Ili
kecont r
ollingpeopleandidon' ttakewel l
todisobedi entpeopl e.

"Ri
ght "Shesaysaft
err ol
li
nghereyes,Shestart
s
thi
nkingofmor eQuestionstoask,Probabl
yabout
Whathappenedbackt hen,Shesighsloudl
y.Not
Braveenought oask,Notthati'
dgiveheranythi
ng
portable.

"
Ask"isay,
Swi
tchi
ngont
heRadi
o,Anddecr
easi
ng
t
hevol
ume.

"What
?"Sheasks,Shelooksatmeforasecondand
tur
nstolookoutofthewindow,Ii
nti
midat
eherand
ili
kei
t,Ichuckl
e

"
TheQuest
ionyouwantt
oAsk,
Aski
t"isay.

"Wh.
..
how..
.What
's.
..Whathappenedbet
weenyou
andLayl
a?"Shef
inall
yasks,Andsighsr
eli
ved.I
wonderwhy.

"Wegotmar r
ied,
Andshedi
ed"isay,
Changi
ng
dir
ect
ions.
Shenot
icesbutkeepshermout
hshut,
Good.

"
Oh"sher
espondsdr
yly,
Icanl
ivewi
tht
hat.
"
AndyouandDad?
"Sheasks.
"YourDad?,Honeythat'
sLayla'sFat
her .Don'
tcal
l
thatugl
yFatLitt
lepieceofdyingshitDad"i
respond,I
tfel
tgoodsayingthat,Consideri
ngthe
FactthatI
'l
lsl
aughterhisthr
oatifhedar etr
ies
anythi
ngfunny,Whichhewi l
l.It
'swhathedoesbest
anyway.

"
Oh"sheresponsedr
yly,
idi
dn'tanswerher
Quest
ionandshedeci
destoletmebe, GoodGi
rl

"
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
"Sheasks.
ichor
tl
e.

"I
'
llanswerhonestl
y,i
fyouwil
lanswermy
Questi
on"isay,Shepret
endstobethi
nki
ngabouti
t
befor
enodding,
Woman.

"
Idi
dn'
tcat
cht
hat
"isay
"
Idi
dn'
tthr
owt
hat
"shemur
mur
s.
"
Whatwast
hat
?"Isaypr
etendi
ngidi
dn'
thearher
.
"Nothi
ng,ImeantYes.Youcanask"Shesays,I
Smile.Manisshelucky.inevershowmytoothto
j
ustanybodyandim notplanningtodot
hatunless
i
t'swit
hher.

Idon'
tknowi
fishoul
drespondt
oherQuest
ionor
AskmyQuesti
on.
"
Soooo"webot
hsayt
wice,
Shel
aughs.
God,I
fthi
s,Whateveri
tisisasi
n,I
'
dlovetogot
o
hel
l,
ILookatherforami nut
eandican'
thel
pbut
smil
ebeforest
arri
ngbackattheRoad.

"
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
"Sheasks
"Whenarewemovi ngi
ntoget
her
? "Ial
soask,
She
suddent
lychokesonherownsal
iva.

Igr
abt
hewat
erbot
tl
est
il
lfocusi
ngont
heRoad
bef
orehandi
ngi
ttoher
"Thanks"
shesaysdowningt
hewhol
ebot
tl
einone
go,Thismustbetough.

"
AndWear egoi
ngt
oourhouse"ir
espondt
oher
Quest
ion.
ShechockesonherSalivaagainandthi
sti
me
unfortunat
ely,
Ifi
ndt
hattheotherwat
erbott
lei
sas
empt yaswhatusedtobemyP. A'
shead.Butman
,Hermoans, HerWomanontopgamewason
anotherlevel
.
Ipatherbackwit
hmyhand,
Whi
let
heot
heronei
s
onthestarr
ingwheel.

"I
severyt
hingokay?"Iask,
Shel
ooksatmeli
keI
'
m
crazybef
orelooki
ngoutoft
hewindowagai
n

"Usual
ly,Imeannormall
ywhensomeoneasksyou
aQuestions,Theywantanswers"
isay,
Turni
ngt
he
cartot
hel ef
t,Thel
astcourner
,imtempt
edtodr
ive
sl
owl
ytokeept
heconver
sat
iongoi
ng.

"evenmyLi
tt
lebr
otherknowst
hat
"shesays

"Andusual
ly,Youhavetolookatthepersonyouare
tal
kingt
ostraighti
ntheeyes,Orareyoutal
kingt
o
someoneoutoft hewindow?"

Shel
ooksatme,
Annoyed.
"
Goodgi
rl,
Youhaveabr
other
?"Shesmi
les.

"Br
other
s"shecor
rect
sme, iwishshesmil
es
exact
lyl
iket
hatwhensomeonement i
onsmyname,
someDayofcourse.I
tsbeaut
if
ultosee.

"
Howmany?
"Iask

"
Thr
ee"
"
And?,
Sist
er'
s,imightgetawi
fet
her
e"isay,
Much
t
oherannoyance.

Shegi
vesmeal
ook,
Ican'
tqui
tegetmyf
ingeron.
"For
tunatel
y,I
'
mtheonl
ygir
l"shesays,
Shecan'
t
evenlookatmeint
heeye.

"
For
tunat
ely?
,Doyouwantmet
omar
ryyou?
"Iask.

"That'saRhetori
calquest
ionconsideri
ngthef
act
thatwear eunfor
tunat
elyalreadymarri
ed"
shesays
,Ichortl
e.Thi
sgirli
ssomet hingel
se,butI
'
m no
mat chforher
.

"
Soifweweren'
tforcedt
ogetmar r
ied,
You'
dst
il
l
mar
ryme?"Iask,Sherol
lsherbi
geyes.
"
Not
etheUnf
ort
unat
ely"
"Idon'
treal
lytakethosekindofwor
dsser
iousl
y
,Andicertai
nlydonottolerat
esomeoner
oll
ingthei
r
eyesonmeMr sZul
u"
Iswearshebl
ushed,
butt
ri
est
ohi
dei
t.SawThat
.

"
Im sor
ry"shesays.
"
Ther
e'snoneed"isay.

Ist
opatthehouseandFi
ndt
hebui
lder
sDoi
ngt
hei
r
magic.
"Thi
s,Thi
sisyourhouse.Whenyouar
ereadyof
course"isay,
Shesmilesnoddi
ng.

"
Theyaresti
llbui
ldi
ngi
t"shesoundssl
ight
ly
r
eli
eved.inod.
"
Wow"shest
epsoutoft
hecar
.
.

Il
ookatThedur
ati
onoft
hecal
l
1hour,
OneFuckenHour.

"
Ihaveaj
obyouknow"imur
mur.

"I
tst
hatJob, I
tmakesyout
hinkyoudon'
tneed
Famil
y,Allyouneedi
smoney"ugogosays,My
hear
tBreaks.

"
That
snotTr
ue"isay,
Itr
eal
lyi
snotTr
ue.
"
I'vejustbeenbusy"-
HalfTr
uthandHal fLi
eifi
r
eallywant edtogohomeiwoul dhave,Butmaybe
l
ikeot her
sCapeTown, Thestreetl
ight
sandbusy
l
ifehasi t
'sclawsl
nmyback, orthat'
satl
eastwhat
everyoneel
sebel
ieves,
ThattheFastli
fei
sther
eal
reasonbehi
ndmenothol di
ngint
eresti
ntheFamil
y
affai
rs.

Ideci
det
ogetcomf
ort
abl
eonmychai
randl
ist
ent
o
her.
"
Sor
rygogo,
Cont
inuepl
ease"

"Yaa,
SoJohnt
heonethatwasdati
ngJul
iayour
aunti
snowdat
ingThul
iherdaughter
"
Iexhal
eloudl
y

"
Tjo"ir
espond,
tryi
ngtosoundi
nter
est
edwhenI'
m
r
eall
ynot.Whatdoihavetodot
ogetoutoft
his?

"TheyareEvenmar ri
ed,Umawakheudliwele,naye
uyalandel
a.tell
ingyourdaughterngeTotol
oziye
ndodayakhoi srisky"shesays,
Ilaugh.
"Ma"isay,Ihaven'tseenAunt
yJuli
ainyear
sandi
haveneverseent hatThul
iofher
s.

"
Thul
iwoul
dbesoi
nter
est
edi
nyou"shesays
"Thankt
hegoodLor
dyoucan'
tdat
eher,
Lesf
ebe"
shesays

"Butu. ..
Monali
saisback.Shei
ssinglet
oo"my
mot hershoutsfr
om thebackgr
ound,Theyareso
close,exactl
yhowi'dlovemymom tobewi t
hher
daught erinl
aw.

"Shame,She'
stoolatesomeofar
epr
epar
ingf
or
amalobol
o"isaybeforecl
osi
ngmyLoudmout
h
,Damn.

"
Angzwanga?
"Mymom shout
sandgogoal
ulat
es.

"
Sendherpi
ctur
ephel
a"mymom says
Speakingabouther,imi.
..
.no, it
snotmi ssingher.i
justwanttobewi t
hher,notint hatwayimean
spendt i
mewithher,List
ent ohert al
k,lookather
beauti
fulcl
earbrownskin, stareatherlips,gi
ve
umamaandgogosomet hingt otalkabout,
Her.I
knowt hey'
l
lbl
owupherphonewi t
hcallsandshe'll
getannoyedeventuall
y.

"I
'l
lgotoherhouseaf t
erWor kandwewi l
lvi
deo
call
"isay, Besi
desihaveameet ingineedt
ogett o
in5minutes,t
henafterthati
t'
sstr
aightt
oher
apartment,it
ssmallyethomely,
andcosy
nevermindNeat!,butsheisn'
taneatFreak,notl
ike
iam.

"
Kuhl
eloko,
Wheni
saf
terWor
k?"Umamaasks.

"
Aftermyl astcl
ientisher
e,I
'
m seei
ngheri
naf
ew
minutes"isaystarr
ingatmyRol
exWatch.
"
Let
'snotdi
stur
byouke"-
ugogo.
"You'
vebeendist
urbi
ngmesi nceyoucal
ledanhour
and30mi nut
esago."Isayshaki
ngmyhead.

"Seeyouin.
..
.Af
teryourlastmeet
ing"t
heysay
hangingup,
PhewFi nal
ly.

Thedooropens.
"
MrZul
u,Mi
ssEmi
lyi
sher
e"myP.
Anat
ashasays.

"
Didisayyoumustcomei
n?"Iask,
annoyed.
Sheshakesherheadandl
eavesmyof
fi
ce,
She
knockssecondsl
ater
.

"
Youmayent
er"isayf
ixi
ngmysui
t.
"MrZul
u,I
'
m soso-
"

"
Tel
lhert
ocomei
ntasha,
Don'
tbesl
ow"
isay,
She
knowsherapol
ogyisaccept
edandshesmi
les
grat
eful
ly,
nott
hati
'
dsmi l
ebackather
.

"
Youdoknowwhyshe'
sher
eri
ght
?"Sheasks.

"
Shei
sacl
ient
"isay,
Sheshakesherhead.

"
Don'
tshakeyourheadonme"isay.

"
I'
m So-
"

"
Wedon'
thavet
imef
ort
hat
,Whyi
ssheher
e?"Iask.

"
Youar eherRolemodel,
She'sf
rom al
ltheway
f
rom univer
sit
yofJohannesbur
gjustf
orthi
s
i
nter
view"Tashaexplai
ns.
Gr
eat
.
"
Tel
lhert
ocomei
n,She'
sgot5.ihavesomewher
e
t
obe"
Tashar
ushesoutandcomesbackwi
thwhoi
m
assumi
ngisEmil
y.

Sheof
fer
sherhandf
orahandshakewhi
chiaccept
.

"Emil
yDupreez,
Right
?"Iask,
She'skaakscar
ed.
I'
m
pret
tysur
eshepeedonhersel f
.

Shenods
"
Weusewor
dsher
eMi
ssDupr
eez"isay.
"
I'
m so-
"

"Noneed,
Pleasedogetcomfor
tabl
e,I'
m sureMiss
Tashahasalr
eadyof
feredyousomethingtodr
ink"
-
isay
Shenodsbef
orer
emember
ingwhatihadj
ustsai
d.
"
Yessi
r"
-shesays.

Tashabri
ngsheraglassofwat
er,
Shet
hanksher
andtakesasi
p,Good.

"
Maywebegi
n?"Iask.

"Yessi
r"shesaysandlooksforsomethi
nginher
bagpack.Shetakesoutabigfi
lebef
orehandi
ngit
tome.

"AsyoucanseeMrZul u, Youtr
ulyi
nspir
eme.i
haveeachaneverynewspaperormagazi neart
icl
e
theyhaveeverwri
ttenaboutyou,Awholealbum of
youonmycel lphoneandEverythi
ng"shesays.

Il
ookatt hef
il
echor
tl
ingt
omysel
f,
Thi
ski
dis
obsessed.
"
Nice,
idi
dn'
tknowii
nspi
repeopl
e"isay

Shesit
scomf
ort
abl
ybef
oret
aki
nganot
hersi
pon
herwater
.
"Ohyoudo"shesayshandi ngmeherphonefort
he
album, ichor
tlet
hist
ime.Thi
s..
.Thi
sissome
seriousstuff
.

Good, nowshehasgivenmeenoughtonotreveal
anythingper
sonalt
oher,Mytr
ustissuesar
eon
thatlevel
.

"
MrZulu,Howmanybusi
nessesdoyouowni
n
t
otal
?"Sheasks.

"
Two"
"
Don'tyouwisht
ogetmar
ri
edsomeday?
"sheasks
,
Ilookather.

"Get
ti
ngmarri
edonedayiseveryone'
swi
shMiss
Emil
y,Shoul
digetTashat
obringyouanot
hergl
ass
ofwater
?"

"
Yes,
Yespl
easesi
r"
Icallt
hefrontdesktel
li
ngTashatobri
ngherthe
glassofwaterandaskhert ot
ellmewhensbugets
here,Soonihope.thisconver
sati
onhasbeen
goingonwayt oolong.

"Wheredoyouseeyour
sel
fint
henext5year
s?"She
asks.

WithThandiwe,Ihope.Mycockburr
iedi
nsideher
,Jesuschri
stweareinamiddleofanint
ervi
ewyou
hereMageba.
"
WhereverGodputsmeMi ssEmil
y, ibel
ieve
maki
ngplansisusel
essbecauseit
'sonlythepl
ans
Godgotforyout
hatsucceed.
"Yeah,Thatshoul
ddo
i
t.

"
AreyougayMrZul
u?"Sheasks.
ichor
tl
e.

"
Notatal l,
I'
m ver
ymuchStrai
ght,
Str
aightli
kea
Ruler,YourQuest
ioni
soutofl
inebuti
'l
lleti
tsl
i
de
,Fornow"isay.
Someonest
epsonmeunderthetabl
e,Her
obvi
ousl
ybecausei
t'
sonl
ythet
woofusinher
e.

Igiveheralook,Whil
eherhandsdisappearunder
thetabl
e.shemouthsan'I
'm sor
ry'
before
i
ntenti
onall
ysteppi
ngonmeagai n.

Thi
sti
meil
ookundert
het
abl
e,Herhandsar
e
slowl
ymovingi
ncircl
esar
oundherTwat.Thi
sis
toomuchforMageba.

Igetuphidingthevisi
bleboner,iwal
ktoherchai
r
andtur
ni taroundtofaceme, Herl
egsarealr
eady
Widespreadandman, I
tstaki
ngallst
rengt
hinme
notto.
..
to...t
odothingstoher,NoFunt hi
ngs.How
ol
disshe?18?Pl ease.

Thi
nki
ngabouti
tisat
otalt
urnof
f.
"MissEmil
y,Didimentionyoumustneverstar
t
thi
ngsyouwillneverf
inishoryouWon'
tstand"isay
keepingmyhandsonbot hsi
desoft
hechair.

"
Please"shebegs.
"
Pleasewhat
?"Iask.

"Pl
easeFuckme,Pl
easeFuckmeHar
d"shesays,
I
chort
leshaki
ngmyhead.
Herhandsr
unbackt
oheri
nnert
highs.OhLor
d.

Iopent
hedoor
.
"
Ithi
nkt
hatwoul
dbet
heendoft
his,
Int
ervi
ew"isay

"
PleaseMrZul
u,Ineedyou,
ineedyout
ofuckme"

"OhEmily,
Thegirliwantt
ofuckdoesn'twantmet
o
fuckherei
ther,
That'
showunf ai
rli
feis"isay
befor
eorderi
ngsecuri
tytoescorther,
Sies.

'checkoutEmil
yDupreeziwantt
oknowherst
ory
andI'vebeenwai
ti
ng'
itextsbu
'
I
'm get
ti
ngsome'sbu'
sTextReads.
'
Ialmostgotsomet oobutidon'twantt
hatsome,
t
hesomet hatiwantpr obablywon'
twantsome
f
rom me'itextback,Thinki
ngaboutwhathappened
wit
htheEmi l
ygirl
.Teens.
'
Thesomet hatyouwantthati
sgoi
ngoutonadat
e
wit
hthecaptai
n?'Hetext
sback.

'
Excuseme?
'

'
Yessidomu, Othandi
wei
sgoi
ngonadat
ewi
thher
capt
ain'het
extsback.

'
Yoursour
ce?'
Iaskalr
eadyrushi
ngtomycar ,
Di
nnerwit
hthecapt
ainmyleftpar
alyzedFoot
.

'
Dakal
o,mywoman,
Theonei
m aboutt
oahahr
ight
now'
Icl
ickmyt
onguei
gnor
inghi
stext
.
[
10/
31,
05:
38] :Chapt
er27

Ot
handi
we:
Thealarm goesof
fagain,
Againandagai
nannoying
me.Whatdoesagi r
lhavetodotosl
eepinpeace?,
Ij
ustslept2minut
esago?,Ij
ustsl
eptt
womi nutes
ago!

Ipresssnoozebeforedr
ift
ingtolal
alandagain
,Withoutevenchecki
ngthetime,Theal ar
misan
hourearlyanywayandbesidesifidon'tsl
eepnow
I'
l
lsleepatwork.

5minuteslat
ermyphoneRings,
Iwantt
otakei
tand
thr
owi tontheWal
l,butwhencoul
diaf
for
dtobuy
anotherone?
"
Mmh"ianswer
,Annoyedt
othecor
e.

"
PleaseTel
lmeyouar
eatt
hegat
e,Pl
ease"
Icheckt
hecal
ler,
Sfi
so.

"
Mmm,
no"isay.

"Damn,Youareinsomeseri
ousShit,
Thecapt ai
nis
herei
nouroffi
ce,Onyourchai
r.wetriedmaki
ngup
anexcuse2hoursagobutyouaresti
llnother
e"-
Sfi
so

"
Whatt
imeisit?
"Iask,
Hei
spr
obabl
ypr
anki
ngme
,
li
keal
ways.

"I
t'
sexact
ly9p.
m, Youwer
esupposedtobeher
e
ngo7"hesays,Icheckmyphoneandhe'
sri
ght.

OhmyGod.
OhmyGod.
AndOhmyGod.
Ithr
owtheblanket
sonthef
looral
ongwi t
hmy
phone,
ItakeoffmyPj
sandRusht otakeashower
,Ashor
tone.Theshort
estshowerEver.

WhenI '
m done,
ILot
ionmybodyQui
ckl
yandWear
myalreadyir
onedunif
orm.
ThankGodiwast
aught
t
oironatnight.

Iputonmybootsthatial
sopol
ishedatni
ghtbef
ore
grabbi
ngmycarkeys.

Myhai
r!
Ineedtogetbr
aided,
Iputonadoekbef
orer
ushi
ng
tothecar.
Lett
her
ebenot
raf
fi
ccopsont
hest
reet.

.
"Ndi
we,Hi"someonegr
eet
s,I
m soi
nar
usht
oeven
seewhoitis.
"
Hel
lo,
AndBye"

Whenigett
othebenchesnearmyof
fi
ce,
itr
y
cat
chi
ngmybreath.

"Damnguys, Icoul
dn'
tfindthoseMuffi
ns!
"Isay
whenigetin,Kamvai sholdingi
nalaught
er,I
m
nevercover
ingforhim again.

"It
houghtyousai
dshewasgoingtobuycol
d-
dri
nks"Thecapt
ainsaysl
ooki
ngatSfi
so.
.

"
OhCapt
ain,
Idi
dn'
tseeyout
her
e"isay

"
Im sur
eyoudi
dn'
t,
Thecol
ddr
inks,
ithoughtyou
wer
egoi
ngt
obuycol
ddr
inksnotmuf
fi
ns"
"Andmuf
fi
ns, Muf
fi
nsneedcol
ddr
inks,
Col
ddr
inks
needmuf
fins"Hesays.

"
What'
saCol
d,Col
ddrinkwi
thnoSizzl
inghot
muf
fi
nsmaracapt
ain?
"Kamvabacksusup.

"
Muf
fi
nsar
en'
tsi
zzl
ing"t
hecapt
ainsays.

"
Tel
lmesomet
hingidon'
tknowcapt
ain"-Kamva.

"
Ijusttol
dyou,OhandMi
ssThandi
weMeetmei
n
myof f
ice.NOW"

"
Uhhh,
nowthat
'sSi
zzl
ing"-Kamva,
IRol
lmyeyes
Hei
sannoyi
ngsometi
mes.

Thecapt
ainLeavesandSf
isohandsmeagl
assof
Wat
er.
"
Youokay"Heasks.

"Iwasrunni
ng,
I'
m Ti
red"IsayPul
li
ngmysel
fa
chairt
osit.

"
Doyout
hinkhe'
l
lgetmeFi
red?
"Iask.

"Hel
ikesyou"Kamvasays,
Webot
htur
ntol
ookat
him,
Heshr ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

"
Uset
hatt
oyourAdvant
age"-Kamva.
Il
augh,
AndSf
isoj
oinsi
n.

"
Woul
dyouusei
tifyouwer
eher
?"Sf
isoasks.

"Pl
easeDokeepi
nmindthatt
hecaptai
nhasa
daught
ert
hesameageasher"
-Sf
iso
"
I'
m nothermuc,butyesi
fitmeansnotget
ti
nga
wri
tt
enwarningyes"
IRol
lmyeyesl
eavi
ng,
I'
m sur
eitwon'
tgett
hatFar
.

WhenIgettohi
sof
fi
ce,
Ifi
ndhi
m si
tt
edwi
thaman
Idon'
tKnow.
"
GoodMor
ning"Igr
eet.

"
Mor
ning"
ThemanRespondsget
ti
ngup.
"
ThanksForagr
eei
ngt
omeet
ingme"Hesays.

"I
t'
salwaysapl
easur
e"-t
hecapt
ainsaysshaki
ng
hishand.

"
Now, I
fyou'
l
lexcuseme"Themansayst
urni
ngt
o
l
eave
"
Mylady"Hesayswi
nki
ng, Ikeepast
rai
ghtFace.
I
sheuglyori
sheUgl
y?,Lor
d.

Hef
inal
lyl
eaves,Wekeepqui
teunt
ilwehearhi
s
f
oot
stepswalki
ngaway.
"
MissKhanyi
le,
PleaseTakeasi
t"t
hecapt
ainsays.

Eh,
Hewasbr
eat
hingFi
reMi
nut
esago.
Inodanddoashesays.

"
Capt
ain,
I'
m sosor
ryf
or-
"
Hecut
smeof
f.

"
Buyi
ngmuf
fi
ns?
"Hesays.
"Orl
yingaboutbuyi
ngmuf
fi
ns,2hours,
35mi
nut
es
and15secondslateMi
ssKhanyi
le"

Iswal
lowHar
d.
"
ThenLyi
ng,
Lyi
ngt
ome.
Amanoft
heLaw"
I
'
m aWomanoft
hel
awmysel
fcapt
ain.

"
I'
mtr
ulysor
ry"Isay.

"
I'
m af
rai
dI'
l
lhavet
ogiveyouawr
it
tenWar
ning"
Hesays,
Copsgett
hatt
oo?

"
I'
m sor
ry"i
stheonl
ythi
ngIcansay.

"But
,itdoesn'
thavetobeli
kethatMi
ssKhanyil
e"
Hesays, Il
ookathim ashepul
lshi
sjackett
ohis
bigJoJoTank.
"
Itdoesn'
t?
"Iask.

"
Ofcourse,Gooutonadat ewit
hmeandl et
's
f
orgett
hiswhol
ethingeverhappened"Hesays.
IchokeonmyownSal
iva.
"
Wel
l.
..
I.
..
"
'
Thi
sisyouronl
yticketoutoft
hisandyouknowi
t
t
oo'myinnergoddesssays.

"
Dinneri
s..
i..
.when?
"Imur
mur
.

"
Don'
tbeshy,
Dinneri
snot
hing"
Hesays

Yes,
Dinneri
snot
hing.
Not
hingatal
l.
"
Okay,When?"Iask,
I'
m gi
vingKamvaahugaf ter
t
hisandIdon'
tknowWhy, maybei
t'
sbecausehe
mademeseewhatIshouldhaveexpect
ed.

"
Toni
ght"Hesays.
"
Rightaf
terWor
k"
"
InWor
kuni
for
m?"Iask

"Yescal
laFriendt
ofetchyourcar
,I'
l
ldr
opyouof
f
atyourhouse"Hesays.
AtMyHouse?

"
O..
.okay"

"
Good,
Thatwi
llbeal
l"Hesays,
Inodget
ti
ngup.

"
Andyouwon'
tregr
eti
t"Hesays.
Ihopeso,
Ijustnodathi
m bef
orel
eavi
ng.

"
Sooooo?
utheni
?"Kamvaasks,
Igi
vehi
m ahug.
"
AndThen?
"Heasksaf
terpul
li
ngout.

"
Likeyousai
d,Hehasaskedmeoutonadat
e"I
say.
Theybot
hbur
stouti
nlaught
er

"
Andyousai
dNor
ight
?"Kamvaasks.
Eh.

"
Yousai
dyouwoul
d"Isay,
Sfi
sol
aughs
"
Hewasj oki
ngNdi
we"-Sf
isosaysbef
oret
hey
l
aughagain
"Bl
esserBae"Kamvasays,Icl
ickmytongue
bef
oresitt
ingonmyDesk.I
'
llneverbel
ateagai
n!

"
ByeNunu"Sf
isosays,
Ilookathi
m wi
thoutsayi
ng
awor
d.

"
Comeonyouar
est
il
lmad?
"-Kamva.
Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.I
'
m Fur
iuos.
"Guesswhatwear
ebri
ngyoutomor
rowmor
ning?
"
-Sfi
so,Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
Muf
fi
nsandAcupofhotcof
fee"-Kamva.
Ismi
le

"
Ist
hataIFor
giveyouguysIseet
her
e?"-Kamva.I
Rol
lmyeyesbefor
enoddi
ng.

"
Goodbecauset
hesilentt
reat
mentiski
ll
ingme,
Andsor
rywecouldn'
ttakeyourcar
."Sf
isosays

"
It
sokay,
Ican'
twai
tformychocol
atemuf
fi
ns"
Theybot
hki
ssmycheecksbef
orel
eavi
ng.

Isi
ghandgrabmyphonet ocal
lDakalo,
itr
ingsa
coupl
eofsecondsbef
oreshequickl
yanswers.
"
HeySt
ranger
"Sheanswer
s.
"
Iwaswit
hyouandRi
naet
hedaybef
oreyest
erday
"ir
emindher

"
Feel
sli
kef
orever"
Igi
ggl
e,I
treal
lydoesf
eel
li
keFor
ever
.

"HowisyourFi
rstweekasamar
ri
edwoman?
"She
asks.

"
Itf
eel
ssi
ngl
e,Whi
chIam .
Singl
e"
Shel
aughs.

"Si
nglebutMarri
ed,
Inevert
houghtt
heset
hings
happeninreall
if
eyouknow"
Il
aughather.
"
Ihaven'
tseenNqabasi
ncewegotmar
ri
ed"Isay.

"
Youmi
ssme?
"Sheasks.
"Youhavenoi
dea,
Weshoul
dsol
uncht
omor
row"I
suggest
.

"
Ordi
nner,
Me,
You,
NqabaandSbu"shesays.

"I
'
llsee,Tal
kingaboutDi
nner.Ther
easonwhyI
'
m
call
ingyou"Isay.

"
Yesyes,
outwi
thi
t?"
-Dakal
o.
Il
augh.

"coul
dyoufetchmycar,
Thekeyswil
lbewith
Musa"Isay,Musai
soneoftheni
ghtshi
ftcops.

"
Nqabai
staki
ngyououtf
ordi
nner
?"Sheasks.
"Iwish,
Heisbett
erthanthepersonI'm act
ual
ly
goingoutwi
th.Arghtheyareactual
lythesame"I
say.

"
Who?,
Youar
eamar
ri
edwomanThandi
we"she
r
emi
ndsme.

"AndI'm si
ngletoo,andbesi
desi
t'
sjusthar
mless
dinnerwiththecapt
ain"Isay.

"
Areyoui
nsane!
"shehi
sses.
YesI
'
mInsane,
Idon'
tevenwantt
ogot
othi
sdi
nner
.

"Ar
eyoufet
chingt
hecarorShoul
dIcal
lRi
nae?
"I
ask,Shesi
ghs.
"
Fine,
Letmedr
essupandf
etchi
t"
"Dr
essup?Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngnakedanyway?
"I
ask,Shel
aughs.

"Someofusar
en'
tsi
ngl
e"shesaysbef
orehangi
ng
up.Ri
ght.

"
MissKhanyi
le,
Areyour
eadyt
ogo?
"
"
Sur
e"Igetup.

"
So,
Howol
dar
eyou?
"Thecapt
ainasks

"
I'
m 26.
..
tur
ning27"Isay,
Thi
siswei
rd.

"
I'
m 57"hesays
Damn.
"
Aren'
tyoumar
ri
ed?
"Iask,
Hechuckl
es.
"Iwas...butmywi f
eDied"hesayst
akingabit
eon
hissteakli
keitdoesn'
tbotherhi
m,butofcour
seit
does.Hi seyesareSadatt hement
ionofthewor
d
wife

"I
'
m sorr
y"Isay,hest
opseat
ingt
olookatme
befor
eeati
ngagai
n.

"
It
'sokay,
It'
sbeen7year
sanyway"hesays.

"Noreall
y, I
'
m sorry"Ir
espond,Imeanit.I
genuinel
ymeani t.Nomandeser vest
olosehi
s
wif
eandt heotherwayround.

"
It
'sokay,
I'
m aman"
"No, I
thasnothingt
odowi thgender,i
t'
sokayto
feelSad,ortomoant hedeathofalovedoneand
i
t'sokaytothi
nkabouther"Isay,Helooksatme
beforechuckl
ing.

"
Howol
ddi
dyousayyouar
e?"Heasks.
"
26"Isay.

"Well
26youshoul
dhavebeenat
her
api
st"He
says,Il
augh.

"Youarenott
heonl
yonewhot
hinksso"Isay
shruggi
ngmyshoul
der
s.

"
SocanIask,
ngi
mubi
?"
Iwantt
olaughbutIcan'
t,
Ishoul
dn'
tbel
aughi
ng.

"
No,
notr
eal
ly"
Hesmi
les.
Thi
sisn'
tsobad.

"Ar
eyoulonel
y?"Iask,Helooksatmebef
ore
eat
ingagai
n.OkayI'
l
ltaket
hatasaYes.

Ifi
ndmycarpar kedandanot
hercarbesidesit,I
ts
probablyanei
ghbour'
scari
nmyper sonalspace,I
remindmyselft
oplaceacomplai
ntfir
stthing
tomorrow.

WhenIgett
omyhouse,
Iopeni
t.i
t'
sunl
ocked
.WHATTHEHELL?

Theli
ght
sar
eont
oo,
Andi
t'
sasi
fsomeonei
s
cooki
ng.
Igr
abmyphoneandputRi
nae'
sphoneondi
al,
Sheanswer
saf
teraf
ew.

"
Mhhhh"
Sheanswer
s.

"
Rinae"Iwhi
sper

"
Whyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing?
"Sheasks.
"
Ther
e'ssomeoneatmyhouse,
I'
m aboutt
ogeti
n"

"
WHAT?
,Shoul
dIcal
lthecops?
"

Idon'
tanswerher
,Ikeepmyphoneont
heearanda
guninmyotherhand.

"Ar
eyougoingt
oshootmehoney?
"Thevoi
cef
rom
behi
ndsays.
Ij
ump
"
Nqaba!
"
Hesmi
rksgoi
ngbackt
ohi
spot
s.

"Icooked,
Ihopeyouarehungr
y.Wher
ehaveyou
been?Wor k?"Heasks.

"
Howt
hehel
ldi
dyougeti
nher
e?"Ihi
ss

"
Iopenedt
hedoor"
Hesays.

"
Itwasn'
tlocked"asanaf
tert
hought.

"Rinaeit
'sthehusband"Isay.
shelaughsbef
ore
hangingup, I
'm gl
adshefi
ndsthi
sfuncauseI
tot
all
ymi ssedtheJoke.

"
Thehusband?MhhhIl
iket
hat
"hesays.
"
I'
m pret
tysur
eyourshi
fthasbeenoverf
oryear
s,
Wherewereyou?
"Heasks.

"Nott
hati
t'
syourbusi
nessbutIwasonadat
e"I
say.

"Onadatewiththecapt
ain?,
I'
llbeatyourpol
ice
stat
ionFi
rstt
hingtomorr
ow"Hesays.

IRol
lmyeyes.
"
Asi
f"Isay.

"
Awungaziwena"hesaysl
eavi
ngmei
nAWE.He
woul
dn'
t?
[
10/
31,
05:
39] :Chapt
er28.

Nqaba:
Lol
,But
ter
fl
ies.

Mindyou,Thi
sismeWear etal
kingabout.
NqabayomuziZul
u.Inevergetanyoft hese
butt
erf
li
esorwhateverSbucall
st hem.

"
But
ter
Fli
es?
"Iask,
Hehasgott
obeki
ddi
ngme.

"Yes,Thoseweirdfeeli
ngsyougetwhenyousee
herorwhenyouwi t
hher, ThatMmmmhFeel i
ng
thatyoujustwantt
ot ouchher,
Kissher,
Fuckher"
-
Sbu.

Ichor
tl
e
"
Seuyanya,
Whati
sDakal
oFeedi
ngYou?
"Iask.

"Pussy,
Pussyunderthetabl
e,Pussyonthebed,
Pussyonthestove,Pussyever
ywhere"-Sbu,
Ifi
x
mygazeonhi m.
"Don'
tlookatmeli
ket
hat,
It'
snotmyFaul
tyou
haven'
tbeenget
ti
ngsome"
Thi
sti
meIchor
tl
e.

Trut
hHurts,I
thasbeenamonthandI'
vebeen
basi
cal
lyl
ivi
ngwit
hThandiwe?nott
hatImindand
Idon'
tcar
eifshemindsornot.

"
Wel
l,Iam get
ti
ngsomet
oni
ght"Isay.
Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogot
heBar,
Soon.

"That
'
sact
ual
lyt
her
easonIcal
ledyouher
e"he
says.

"Meget
tingLaid?Yourpr
egnantfi
ancewantsmi
ne
now?I'
m partoft
hecravi
ngs?"Iask,Joki
ngl
y.
"Hahaha,VeryFunny youshoul
dbeacomedi
an"
hesaysSarcast
ical
ly.
IRol
lmyeyes.

"What?Whatthehel
ljusthappened?You..
.t
he
almi
ghtyPr
inceZul
urolledyoursexyeyesonme?"

"GodDamn,I
t'
s.
..
.i.
..
mxm .I
t'
snoneofyour
busi
ness"
Thandi
we!

Hel
aughs,
ThenFr
owns.
"Never
mindyou,myBestmanbei ngwhi
pped.
..
we
havesomeseri
ousissues"hesays.

"Wait.
..
Bestman?SonotRomanti
cyouwere
supposedtopr
eparedi
nner
,andaskmenicel
y"I
say.
"Whatdoyouknowaboutbei
ngRomant
icMzi
?"-
Sbu.

Igasp.
"
I'
m hur
t"

"
IfyouareRomanti
c,makeyourwi
fe,
yourwi
fei
na
week"hesays,
Ilaugh.

"
I'
m notpl
aci
ngabetonmywi
fe"Isay.
"sai
dpr
oudl
y,howcut
e"hesays.

"WhendoesDakal
ocomebackhomeanyway?
"I
ask.

"
Thatpr
egnantnympho,
LethercomebackTir
ed
t
oday,Sheusesmeallt
heti
me.IfeelRapedal
lthe
ti
me.Oneadvi
ceDon'tgetawomanpr egnant
brot
her.
"-hesays,
Lol.Idon'
tli
keki
dsanyway.

"Not
ed,Whatdi
dyouwantt otal
kabout?"Iask,
Thandi
wesaidshe'
sfeel
ingli
kepizzaso,I'
m ki
nd
offi
narushbefor
eshecomesbackf r
om work.

Hesi
ghs.
"Well,
Unfortunat
ely.We'
vegott
roubl
e"hesays,
I
situpstr
aight.

"
Yes?
"-me.

"
The...
"Het akesashortbr
eath. "
Idon'
tknowwho
t
hehellli
nkedthisi
nfor
mationtoSbonga,but
whoeveriti
sdid"-Hesays.

"
Andhedidpret
tygoodj
ob,
ift
heywant
edust
o
l
ivei
nfear
"hesays
"Damn.Whatnow?
,wedon'
twantt
ofi
ght"Isay,
Sighi
ng.
.

"
Hedoesn'
tcar
e,hewant
sWar
"hesays.

"
Whatdi
dtheyt
ellhi
m?"
-me.

"T.
..
that.
..
we.
..
you.
..
we.
..
.Thatwear
emar
ri
ed"-
Sbu.

"
Shi
t!Shi
t!Shi
t!
"Isayal
mostf
lyi
ngf
rom t
hecouch.

"
Itol
dyouweshoul
djustback-
"-Sbu,
Icuthi
m of
f.

"Shutupwi
llyou?
,Damn"Isayr
unni
ngmyhands
onmyhead
"
I.
..
i'
l
ltr
yfi
ndi
ngoutwhodi
dit"Hesays.

"
How?
"-Me.

"
Tryi
ngtogetrecor
dsofever
yonethatknows's
r
ecentphonel
ogs,Thenseei
fIcouldpossi
blyfi
nd
amatch"-Hesays.

"
Star
twi
thNi
ck"IsayQui
ckl
y.
Inevert
rust
edt
hatWhi
teyanyway.

"Mzi,
comeon, NickLov.
..
li
kesThandi
weand
Dakalo.Hewouldneverdoanythi
ngtohur
tthem
both"hesays.

IReapet
.INEVERTRUSTEDTHATWHI
TEY.

"
Doyouknowsomet
hingIdon'
tmpi
nch?
"Iask.
"Yes,
IknowthatNickhasbeent
ryi
ngt
opr
ovet
o
youthathei
sloyal"Hesays.

"
Ifi
t'
snothi
m,Thenwhot
hehel
ldi
dit
?"Iask.
Coul
ditbe.
..
.
Webot
hgosi
lent.

"
No.
..
no.
..
"webot
hsayt
wice.

"
Coul
ditbehi
m..
.?"
Ichor
tl
e.

"I
'
m goingtokil
lthatsonofabi
tch,
I'
m goingt
ofr
y
hissmallpeni
sandf eedi
ttomydogs"Ir
oar.

"
Comeon,
wear
enotsur
eyet"-
Sbu
"StopbeingababySbu,Youaresoft
eni
ngupand
i
t'sstar
ti
ngtoannoytheFuckandshitoutofme!
Webot hknowheistheonlypersonwhocoulddoit,
afterni
ck"

"Letmegetonitthen,butbefor
eIdoyoushoul
d
alsoknowthatourdearfr
iendiswant
ed"hesays.

Idon'
tneedt
hisr
ightnow

"
Who?
"Ihi
ss.

"
Tumi
shoRanal
a"hesays
Igul
pdownt
hegl
assofwhat
'sl
eftogt
heskyy
Vodka.

"
I'
llgetoni
t"Isaygr
abbi
ngmyphone
"Ihavetotellyouthough,hei
sluckyyouguysgot
hisback,somecr azycopalmostgothi
mtoday.He
won'tgetluckynexttime"hesays.
Isi
gh.

"Ineedt
ogetThandi
weSomethi
ngtoeat,
She'
l
l
probabl
ybeTi
redaft
erwor
k"Isay.

"
Whi
ppedAr
se"
Ichor
tl
eleavi
ng.

Thandi
we:

"
DONOTMAKEMESHOOTYOU!
"Ishout.

Het
urns.
"
Tha.
..
."Heut
ter
s.
"Yes!.I
t'
sme.Thegir
lyourapedandlef
tlyingon
thefl
oorful
lofbl
ood!notonl
ydidyoustealfr
om
mebutyoust ol
emefrom me!"Ishout.

"
Thandi
wePl
easet
ryt
ocomedown"Sf
isosays.

"
NoHeRapedme!HEFUCKENRAPEDME!HE
KI
LLEDME!
"Ishout

GunShot.
GunShot
.
GunShot
.

"
Thandi
we!Thandi
weGetoverher
e".

"
No!
"

.
I'
m wokenbysomeonepl
aci
ngsomet
hingcol
don
myFor ehead.Ij
umpr
ememberi
ngwhathad
happenedtoday.

"
Thandi
we?Hey,
Rel
axi
t'
sme"Hesays.

Ir
emovehi
shandfrom mi
neandsi
tuncomf
ort
abl
y
onmyowncouch.

"Ar
eyouokay?Areyoucomfortable?Youwere
screami
ngsoIt
houghtyou..
.ididn'tmeant
owake
you.Youneedmorepil
lows?"heasks.

"
NoI'
m Fi
neThanks,Whobroughtmeher
e?"Iask,
l
ooki
ngar
ound,changed.i
ntopj
s.

"
Twopol
iceguys,
Youf
aint
ed"
Inod.

"
Whochangedme?
"Iask.

"
Me"-Hesays.

"
Yousawmenaked?
"Iask

"
Doesn'
tmat
ter,
areyouokay?
"Heasks

Ri
ght,
itdoesn'
tmat
ter
.

"
Youdon'
tlookokay?Shoul
dImakeyousoup?
"
Heask

"HOW CANIEVERBEOKAY?.Imeanyou
basi
call
yhavebeenli
vinghereforafullmonthnow,
andI'
m Tir
ed.Ineedspace,From you.From us,
Fr
om Ever
ythi
ngIneedspace"IsayShar
ply.
Het
urnst
olookatme,
Dissapoi
ntedorSad.

"
Ist
hathowyouf
eel
?"Heasks,
Icl
earmyt
hroat.
"Yes,
Go"Isaygett
ingupwal
kingt
othedoorand
openi
ngi
tquickl
y.

Heput sdowntheboxofPizzaonthetabl
eanda
Plast
ic,Thenthemovi
es.Hewalkstothedoor
befor
eLookingandmet henLeaves.

Isi
gh.
Il
osthi
m!
No,NotNqabaThatbast
ardTumeloorThabo.I
hadl
osthi
m. Il
ethi
m sl
ipRightt
hroughmyArms.I
..

Icl
oset
hedoor,
Thenmyeyes.
IwalktotheboxofPi
zzaont
het
abl
eandputi
ton
thi
ghtseati
ngi
t.
WhenI'
m doneigett
obed,
butkeepseei
ngThat
Rapi
st.Igr
abmyphoneanqui
cklycal
lNqaba

"
Yes?
"Hesoundsdr
unk.
"
Nqaba.
..
"Imur
mur

"
Ndi
webaby?Ar
eyouokay?
"Heasks.

"
No.
..
"
"
I'
m comi
ngbaby,
I'
m comi
ng"

Inodhangi
ngupbef
oresi
tt
ingont
hef
loorhuggi
ng
mylegs.

Mi
nut
eslat
erheisher
e,Hewal
kst
omeandj
oins
meonthef
loor.
"
Areyouokay?
"Heasks.

"
Hol
dme"Isay,
Hel
ooksshocked.
"
Nqabahol
dme,
please"

Henodswrapshi
sar
msar
oundmeandIl
ieonhi
s
shoul
der
s.
"
It
'sokay"Hesays.
"
Let
'sgot
obed"-Nqaba.

Inod,
ashecar
eful
lycar
ri
esmet
obed.

Unedi
ted.I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
hedel
ay.
ThankYouso
muchtopeoplet
hathel
pedwi
tht
heAi
rt
ime,
Much
appr
eci
ated!
.
[
10/
31,
05:
39] :Chapt
er29

Thandi
we:

WhenIdowakeupIfindmysel
flayingonhi
shard
chest,
Myhandswrappedcar
elesslyar
oundhi
s
l
owerbodyandhi
m holdi
ngontighttome.

Heisst
il
lInhisJeans,anddoesn'
tlookcomfor
table
.Iwoul
dn'tbeeit
her,especi
all
ywhensomeone' s
l
egisputcarel
essl
yalloveryou,butasforI
.Iam
ver
ymuchcomf ortabl
eandbetter
.

Itaket
hischancetostareathim,
isn'
theper
fect
?
Hisbeardi
sneatlyshavedli
kemostofthet
imeI
hadseenhim, Moreli
keallti
meIhadseenhim.
Hi
sli
psar
eal
mostt
ooi
rr
esi
sti
ble.
"
Mor
ning"hesays,
wit
hhi
seyesst
il
lcl
osed.
"
Yousl
eptwel
l?
"Asanaf
tert
hought.

Inod,hol
dinghi
mt i
ght
erbecauseoft
hesudden
knockonthedoor,
Heopenshiseyes.
"Hey,Relax.I
'l
lgetit"hesays,
let
tingmego,I'
ma
bithesi
tantatfir
stbutIrel
ax,IknowTumelo
wouldn'tcomeher eevenifhewant edt
o,hei
s
probablyinthenextplanetoanotherpl
acet
ofi
nd
mor evict
ims, Anotherpl
acetofi
ndmor ewomant
o
stealfr
om ,r
apeandl eave.

Thet houghtofi tmakesmej umpof ft hebedand

startsearchingf ormyphone, Iwon'tlethim .I
twas
reportedthatnof l
ightswer eal l
owedi noroutof
capeTownbecauseofl astnight '
sweat her
conditions,soi fhewaspl anni ngtoleavet henhis
fl
ightwaspr obablydel ayed,per hapsIcouldst i
ll
fi
ndhi m, shoothi m andnotal lowmor ewomant o
got
hroughwhatIwentt
hrough.

WhenIst ar
tsearchi
ngunderthebed,Nqabawal ks
Inandl ooksatmewi thalookIcan'
treall
yputmy
fi
ngeron, Ican'
tputmyf i
ngeronanyofhi sfaci
al
expressions.Theyareal
lalmosttooblank,They
don'
tseem l i
keexpressi
ons.Theyareallpl
ain.

"
What'sgoi
ngon?"Heasks,
Likehi
sface,
Hist
one
i
sjustasbl
ank.
"Phone"Isay,
thenr
ememberhowhedoesn'
tli
ke
shortcut
s.

"
I'
mlooki
ngf
ormyphone"
-Asanaf
tert
hought.
Hel
ooksar
oundbef
oresi
tt
ingont
hebed.

"Thabetheishere"hesaysbeforesi
ghing,
He
obviouslydoesn'
tli
keThabethe.That
'ssomethi
ng
hecan'thide.i
fhedoesn'tl
ikesomethingheput
sit
r
ightt
hereforyoutosee,
notnecessar
il
ybyusi
ng
wordsbutyou'
llseei
t.

"
Thecapt
ain?
"Iask.

"
Yeah,I
fyoudowantt ot
alkt
ohim youcoul
dopen
t
hedoorforhi
m "hesays,Igusp.

"
Youhaven'
tlethi
min?
"Iask.
"Why?How?Whywoul dyoudothat
?I t
'sFr
eezi
ng
outsi
de!
"Ir
aisemyvoiceali
tt
le,
Heraiseshi
s
eyebr
owsandIgetthemassage.

"
I'
m sor
-"hecut
smeof
f.
"Justgo,pl
ease"hetr
iessoundi
ngasni
ceas
possibl
ebutfai
lsdi
smally.

ISi
ghl
oudl
ybef
orewal
kingoutt
otheki
tchen,
I
opent
hedoorf
ort
hecapt
ain.
"
Captai
n, I'
m sosorr
ytokeepyouwait
ing"Isay,
Hetoogivesmea' I
'
mf eel
ingsor
ryf
oryoulook'

"
It
snotaprobl
em, Youbr
otherhadal
ready
ment
ionedyouneedtobealone"
IwonderwhatmakeshimthinkaboutNqabai
smy
Brot
her,Thef
actt
hatInevermenti
onedmebeingi
n
aRelat
ionshi
pormeBeingmar r
ied.
"pl
easedot
akeaseat
"henods,
sit
ti
ngdown.

Anyway,nowisprobabl
ynott
her
ightt
imet
o
cor
recthi
m soInod.
"
Whatbr
ingyouher
e?"Iask

Hehandsmeanenvel
op.
"Thi
s,It
hinkyouneedtorestup,
I'
m gi
vingyou2
weeksoff,Ihear
daboutWhathappenedlastni
ght"
hesays.
"
Tea"
Pl
easesayno.

"NoThankyouf ortheoff
er,I'
m notafanofTea.
Butyoushouldaccepttheofferyoureal
lyneedto
getyoursel
ftoget
herbeforeIputyouont henext
case"hesays.

"Whatdoyoumeanputmeonthenextcase?The
caseisst
il
lonr
ight
?Youcan'
tFai
lthewomennow
"Ishout.

"No,Wewon'
t"hesaysget
ti
ngup"
someoneel
sei
s
handli
ngt
hecase"
Igasp.

"
What?,
Thi
sismycase!
"
"WasMissKhanyil
e,Thi
swasyourcase.Youar e
toocl
ose,
Imeant hi
sisobvi
ouslyper
sonalf oryou
andwedon'tneedsomeonewhowi l
linvolve
emoti
onsinthecase"Hesays,ISi
ghsi t
ti
ngdown.

"I..
.iguessIunder
stand,butCaptai
nweshoul
d
probablygocheckattheairport
,Whati
fhe'
s
planningonleavi
ng?"Iask
"
Thenhewoul
dhavel
eftbyl
astni
ght"
-Capt
ain.

"Notwhentheplaneswhereal
ldel
ayeddueto
weathercondi
ti
ons"-Isayandheraiseshi
s
eyebrows.

"
I'
m pr
ett
ysur
ehewoul
dhaveusedacar"-Capt
ain.

"
Hewon'tt
aket
hatr
isk,capt
ain.Youknowit.
He'
ll
wantt
ogofar,
Andtheonlywayoutisaplane"I
say.

"
I'
lll
etMal
ingaknow"Heut
ter
sbef
orel
eavi
ng.

"MAwhat?MALI NGA?Outofallt
hepeopleyou
pickMali
nga?Whatcasedi
dheeversol
ve?
Malingai
soneofthemostusel
esscopsiknow"I
say.

"
Mali
nganeveri
nvol
vesEmot
ionsMi
ssKhanyi
le"
Hesays

"AndI '
m goingtoneedast atementfrom a
Therapist,
thatyouar eemot ional
lyallr
eadytobe
puti
nanot hercase, otherwiseyou'l
ldothechasi
ng
"hesaysbef oretur
ningt oleave."PleasePassmy
goodbyestoyourbr other"hesaysandInod.

.
Again,Foranotherdayhedoesn' tgotowor kand
doesn'
tacallfr
om wor k, i
thasbeenaf ulltwo
weeksandwehavebeenl ayingonthisveryBed,
Wakinguptoeat, watchamovi eandhaveacr ying
sessi
ononlyhenevercr ied, Heonlycomf ort
edme
andneverbotheredtoaskwhatmademecr y, not
evenonce,andI '
mt hankfulbecauseapar tofme
tel
lsmehedoesn' twantt olookpushy,butagai n
Sad,becauseitmakesmef eel
..
..
Alone,li
kehe
doesn'
tcare.

Icl
osemyeyessighing,Tomor r
owbythi
stimeI
wouldmaybebefree,Iwouldprobabl
yhavetol
d
buhl
eandthegroupmypr oblems,mypast.

"
What
'sup?
"Heasks.
"Ineedtoaskyousomet
hing"Isaymovi
ngf
rom
hisgri
p.
Het
urnssl
owl
ytol
ookatme.
"
Goahead"hesays.

"
IfI..
..
ifIaskedyoutocomewithmetomor
row,
wouldyou? "Imurmurl
oudenoughf
orhimtohear
.

"ToThether
apist?
"Heasksshocked,pr
obabl
yas
shockedasItohaveaskedt
hatQuest
ion.

"Yes,ofcour
seIwoul
d,anyt
hingt
ohel
pyou"he
says
Onlytohel
pme, AwaveofDi
ssapointmentpassed
ri
ghtonmyeyes,IwasHopi
ngforsomet hi
ngelseI
guess,Somet
hingmoret
hanjusthelpi
ng.
Car
e,maybe.Hi
m car
ingf
orme.

Butofcour
sehedoes,
other
wisehewoul
dnothe
her
e.
"
Youokay?
"Heasks.

Inod,holdi
ngontohimtight,Tightert
hanIshoul
d,
butIfeelsaf
e.MaybesaferthanIshould.how
wouldLaylafeel
ifshef
oundout ?,Layl
aisDead,
ri
ght.

"
Comewit
hmet omor
row,
please"i
tcomesout
mor
eofastat
ementt
hanarequest.

Heholdsmeti
ghtbef
oreki
ssi
ngmyFor
ehead,
That
'saYes.

"Ist
il
lhearhisbreathinmyear sever
ynightbeforeI
gotobed, ever
ytimeIl ayontheSofaal
one, Isti
ll
Smellandseet hebloodallovert
hedressIhad
wornthatnight
, i
tturnedRed.Hewasn'twhatIhad
picturedt obemyf irstti
me, Hewasnotdoi ngi tli
ke
howIwi shedmyf i
rsttimewoul ddoi t,Slowand
gent l
e.Hewasf ast, wayt ofast.Ihadal ready
givenupsohi shol donmyhandswher eusel ess,
Het ur nedmear oundt hreet i
mes, landedabi gl oud
sl
aponmyal readyhur ti
ngbut t,Iwi ncedi npai n,
buti twasusel ess. Hewasn' ttheguyImetaf ew
mont hsback, SweetandLovi ng.Hewasadevi l.I
hopedIwokeupt henextdayandr ealisedt hati tdid
nothappen, thathewasst il
lmygent leman, The
fi
rstmanihadf all
eni naper i
odofmont hs, but
whenmybr otherf oundme, unli
ket hef ir
st
ti
me, Raped.I tallbecamear eal
it
y, Iwasr aped,
RapedbyamanIhadst upidlygivenmyhear tto. "I
say, Buhlehandsmeat issueandIwi pemyt ear s.

"Iwasshuttered,andevenafterallt
hesupportI
wasget t
ingfrom myfamil
y, Iwasst i
llTi
redof
l
iving.TumeloRanalahaddest royedmyl if
ethat
night,
AndIhadt omakesur ehedoesn' tdothe
samet omor ewomen. "
Isay
Nqaba'
sholdonmyhandt
ight
enstot
hementi
on
ofTumelo'
sname,
maybeIshoul
dnthave.
"Thankyoufort
rust
ingtoshar
ethatwit
hus
Thandiwe"Buhl
ebendal
osayshuggingme,t
hen
therestoft
hegroup.

"Itol
dyout hatyougott
his"Ismi
lewar
mlyathi
m.
Ifeelbet
ter.

"
Ist
histheTumel
o?"Heaskspushi
nghi
spi
ctur
e
t
owardsme.

"
Yes"Ir
epl
ydr
yly
"
AndIdon'
teverwantt
oseehi
m agai
n!"Isay.

"
Soi
fsomeonemethi
m somewher
esomehow,
Whatyouwantt
heper
sont
odot
ohi
m?"Heasks.

"
Kil
lhi
m, andThrowhi
mint
hebushes"Isay,
Hear
tl
ess?,Iknow.

Henods.
"
Let
'sgetyout
obed,
Spr
inkl
es"hesayscar
ryi
ng
me.

"
Youar
enotst
ayi
ng?
"Iask.
"Ineedt
ogetsomewor
kdonef
ir
stt
henI
'
llcome
backOkay?
"

Inodasheputsmetobedandcoversmewitha
bl
anket,
Iunderst
and,
Hehasbeenneglect
inghi
s
j
obforme,Andheneedstogetbacktoi
t.

"
I'
llbebackbef
oreyouknowi
t"Hesays,
AndI
smi
le.

Unedi
ted!
[
10/
31,
05:
39] :Chapt
er30.

Si
yabongaKhanyi
le:

"MrKhanyi
le,
Doyout
hinkyoucanhandl
ethe
case?
"Heasks.

"
Whatcase?
"

"
Ohl
ord"hesaysunderhi
sbr
eat
hbef
oret
urni
ng.

"
Youmayl
eavesi
r,I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
m abouti
t,Thank
yousomuchf
orchoosi
ngust
orepr
esentyou"-He
says.
Themani nafancySui
tnods,withnosmi
lebef
ore
theyshakehandsandheleaves.

ThanksGod,
Hispr
esencesuf
focat
esmeanyway.

"
MrKhanyi
le,
Wecan'
tgoonl
iket
his"hesays.
"
Areyouf
ir
ingme?
"Iask.

"Youzoom outI
nimport
antmeet i
ngs,
Youlose
casesandyouarenotasfocusedasyouusedto
be"Hesaysignori
ngmyQuest i
on.

"Wel
l,Il
ostmygoddamnsi ster,
Sheisnowhereto
beseen,
Iam supposedtozoom outInmeet
ings,
Cryi
nmeetingsevenifIhaveto!"Ihi
ss.
"Howaboutyouagiveyouacoupleofmont
hsof f?,
I'
dstr
ongl
ysuggestyougofor.
..
somecancell
ing."
hesays.

Isi
gh

"
I'
m sor
ry"Isay.

"I
tsnotaprobl
em,WeareFri
endsSiya,
andIknow
howyouloveThandiwebuti
thasbeenmorethana
Yearnow"hesays.

"
I'
m out
"
Igetupqui
ckl
yandr
usht
omycar.

Wherecouldshepossi
blybe?
, Icheckedal
most
ever
ywhereshewouldgo,Icl
ickmyt ongueasa
massagebeepsonmyphone
*Well,Hell
o.Youaresupposedtotakemetothe
ai
rport*,Amanda.Igiggl
eshakingmyhead.Ithi
nk
i
t'
sagoodt hingthatshe'
svi
sit
ingherbr
otherf
ora
whil
e, She'
sexhausti
ng.

"
Youarenotdr
unkf
orachange"Isayandshe
l
aughs.
"
Mybr
otherwoul
dki
llme"
Il
augh,
Sher
eal
lyi
sscar
edofherbr
other
.

"ButImi ssedhim, andI'

m gladI'
mf inal
lygetti
ngto
seehim, Playhideandseek.I '
mj oki
nghenever
everplayedhideandseeksi ncehewas6, He
tur
nedi ntoa6yearol d28year soldman.Hebat h
himself,Dideveryt
hingalone.butI'
m happyt hatI
'm
fi
nall
ygoi ngtobewi thhi
m, Getoneofhi st i
ght
hugsandWei rdUnexpectedkissesont heforehead
andcheeckwhenheishappy,
Whi
ch99,
9%oft
he
ti
meheneveris"Shesays.
Isi
gh.

"I
'
m sorr
y,I'
m sosor
ry.Ishoul
dn'
thave.
..sai
dthat
.
"shesays

"I
'mlosinghope,Mymom issickinbed. myDad
...
.myDadi samess, Hewast heoneclosestt
oher,
Theyhaddaddydaught eri
cecream dates,
They..
..
MaraHowcoul dThandiwedot his?Whati
f
she'ssomewher ebur
iedbysomeonewhodoesn' t
evenknowher! "-Me.

"
Please,
Let
'sst
ayposi
ti
ve"shesays.

"
Okayokay,
GetoutofmyCar"Isay.
"HA,Youar
enothel
pingmewi
tht
hel
aguage!
"She
says.
Thel
aguagei
sonl
yahandbagandaschool
bag.
"Hahahaveryver
yfunny"isayasshef
inal
lyget
s
outofthecar

"
RememberSar
tuday,
9am .
okay?
"
Inod.

"Andcal
lmeassoonasyougett
oLayl
a"shesays,
Inod

"
Ofcour
se.
"

.
NqabayomuziZul
u:

"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Iask.

"
I'
m al
ri
ghtNqaba,
andHowar
eyou?
"Sheasks.

"I
'
m sor
ryIcoul
dn'
tcomebackear
li
erAsIpr
omi
sed
"Isay.

"
It
'sokay,
Howwaswor
k?"
Wor
k?

"Nice"i
sthef
ir
stWordIthinkof
f,Shet
akesa
glanceatmebefor
egiggl
ing.

"
Nicehuh?
"Shesays,
Inodwal
kingt
owar
dsher.
"Howwouldyoufeeli
fIt
ookyououtf
orLunch?
"I
askasshesmil
es.

"I
'
vegotl
unchwi
thRi
nae,
Nextt
ime?
"-Thandi
we.

"Okayat
leastDi
nneratmyhouse,
TONI
GHT.
Cookedbyme"IsayWi nki
ng.

MindyouI
'
veneverbeggedli
kethi
s,Iknowno
meansnoandIbackoffbutnott
hist
ime,notwi
th
her.

She'
l
levent
ual
lyagr
ee.
"Wel
l..
..
,Okay.Dinneratyourhousetoni
ght7p.
m"
Shesays,Leavingmesmi li
nglikeI
'm cr
azy.

Andsuddenl
yI'
minagoodmood,
myphonebeeps.
*Hai
boWenj
a*.ThemassageReads.
*Ai
iAwumewenaman*Irepl
y,Swi
tchi
ngmy
phoneof
fandput
ti
ngi
tbacki
nmypockets.

"
CanIaskyousomet
hing?
"Shesays.

"
Sur
e"
Ihat
ethatQuest
ion,orst
atementorWhat
everi
tis,
i
talwaysl
eadstofi
ghts.

"
Whatar
eyouscar
edof?
"Sheasks,Iopenmy
mout
hwide,
befor
ecl
osingi
tagai
n.

"
Not
hing"Ir
epl
ycol
dly.

"
That
'
snotpossi
b-"

Icutherof
f.
"Ibet
tergetgoing,
I'l
lar
rangef
orsomeonetoget
youtonight"Isay,ki
ssi
nghercheeckandr
ushing
out.

Thandi
we:

Im Happyfornoreasonatal
l,Myhearti
sli
ter
all
y
beati
ngoutofmychestandIdon'tt
hinkIcanhold
theexci
tementanylonger.

I'
mi nJeans,l
ikealways.AndIkeepst arri
ngatthe
ti
meever y1Second.Hesai d7p.m andit'
salr
eady
halfpast.
I'
m surpri
cingl
yimpatient,idon't
remembert helastti
meIwast hisexcitedover
DinnerortheifIevergotthi
sexcited.

Fi
nal
ly,
ACarbeepsandIr
usht
ocheckt
he
Window.FI
NALLYinCapit
alLet
ter
s.maybeit
's
becausehei
stheonecooking,
orbecause..
.no
..
.I
tsnotaDate.
it
'sj
ustdi
nner.

Isi
gh.

Igr
abmybagandr
ushout.
"
Hel
lo"Igr
eett
hemani
nthecar.

"
Sur
e"her
epl
iescol
dlybef
oreopeni
ngt
hedoor.
"I
'
m sorr
yI'
mlat
e"hesays,
Inodandwedr
ivei
n
Sil
ence.

.
I'
m neverdoi
ngthatagai
n, Dr
ivi
ngwi thhim again.
Hewasmut e.Icoul
devenHearmysel fBr eathi
ng,I
evenaskedhisnameandheSai d" Buhle"without
Lookingatme.Ubuhlebukuphikhonala? .
"
Thanks"Isaywhenheopenst
hedoorf
orme,
At
leasthi
saGentl
eman.

"
Don'
tThankme,
it'
smyJob"-
Buhl
e.

"
Incl
udi
ngopeni
ngdoor
s?"Iask.
"
Youasktomuch"hesayswal
kingt
otheDoor
.Okay.I
'
m Qui
te.

Hedoesn'
tevenRi
ngt
hedoorbel
lorknockat
least
.
Mustbeni
ce.
Iwast
oldt
ogobackandKnocki
fIdi
dn'
tknock.

"BABY!"Heshout
swhenheget
sIn.Hi
sgi
rl
fr
iendi
s
here?

"
I'
mint
heKi
tchenHoney"
-NqabaResponds,
I
al
mostbustouti
nlaugher
,Sogayandsounl
ikeMr
St
rongNqaba,OrBuhle.

Buhl
elaughs,Doihavetoment
iont
hati
t'
smyFi
rst
ti
meHearinghi
m Laugh?

WhenIgeti
ntheKi
tcheni
t'
samess.
"Hi
"IgreetNqaba,
Whot
urnswi
thFl
oural
loverhi
s
Face.

"
Uhm .
..iwast
ryi
ngt
omake.
..
Food"hesays,
andI
l
augh.
SomuchForDi
nner.

"
Wewi
llor
derI
n"hesays.
"
I'
llcook"Isaynott
hatIhavemuchofachoi
ce.

"Youdon'
thavet
o"-
Nqaba
Ohbuthewant
smet
o.

"i
t'
sokay,
Real
ly"-
ireassur
ehi
m.
Hesmi
les

"Okayt
hen,ifyoui
nsist
.MeandBabyher
ehave
someBusinesstodi
scusst
henI'
l
latt
endt
oyou"
Inod.

.
Knock
Knock
Knock

"
Aimar
nNqaba"Theper
soncont
inuesKnocki
ng.
Ican'
thelpbutwonderwher
eihavehear
dthe
famil
iarVoi
ce.
NqabaLaughsandget
supt
oopent
hedoor.
Thegir
lstar
tsTal
king,
andshout
ingIcanheari
t
fr
om here.

"
Sowher
eisshe?
"Sheshout
s.
Nqabat
ell
shersomet
hingandsheapol
ogi
ses
"
Uyaphapha"hesaysi
naWar
ningTone.

Theywalkint
heKit
chenandmyHeartstar
ts
beat
ingFast.
coul
ditbeNqaba'
sgi
rl
Fri
end?

"Here,MeetMyWifeThandi
we"NqabaSays
holdi
ngmywaistandturnsmetofaceher
.

Iwasn'
tReady.AHar
dsl
aponmyFace.
Ideser
vet
hat
.
"
Thandi
we"shesaysbef
oresobbi
ng.
Shor
t,Unedit
ed.I'
lledi
twhenIgettime.Sorryfor
di
sappeari
ngonyouguys.Im CaughtupRightnow.
Il
oveeeeeyouuuu
[
10/
31,
05:
39] :Chapt
er31.

Ihatemysel
fRi
ghtnow,
Yesido,
andi
tisWor
se
thanIt
hought.
"
I'
m sor
ry"Iut
ter.

Nqabai
sconf
used,
I'
dbeconf
usedt
oo.
"I.
..
i..
Reall
yam sor
ry"Isayagai
ni ncaseshedi
dn'
t
hearmet heFi
rstt
ime.Notthati
twoul dfi
x
anythi
ng,ormakemef eel
bett
er.It..
.
SheSi
ghs.

"Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
lleverbeabl
etof
orgi
veyou"she
says.
Thatst
absr
ighti
nmyhear
t.

"
I..
."Wor
dsFai
lme.

"
I..
.i.
.iwant
edt
o..
.i.
..
"

"I
tdoesn'
tmatterwhatyouwant edtodo,Howyou
wantedtodoitandwhy.Youl ef
tagoddamnlett
er,
i
twasconf usi
ngtoo.Ididn'
tknowifyouaredeador
not.Ever
yoneissti
llstr
essed."Shesays,
andIrun
myf i
nger
sonmyFr eshelykummedAf r
osomuch
fordi
nner

"i
m sor
ry"isayagai
n.

"Yoursor
ryhel
psThandi
we, Yoursorr
ybr ought
backli
yana'
sdeadunbornbaby,ohandi tgotme
myJobback.Yourdad'shealt
hisgreat,Thank
thankyousomuchforyourI'
m sor
ry,itchanges
everythi
ng.Lookyourbrother
'sr
esult
shave
changedbacktoprogressed.Halal
aThandi
we.
Halala"shesayspull
ingherbagsandpushi
ngme
offtheway.

Isi
tont
hecol
dFl
oor,
andSi
gh.
"
Hey,hey.
It
scol
ddownt
her
e"NqabaSayst
ryi
ng
t
ohel
pmeup.

"Notcol
dert
hanherWords,somyDadissi
ckand
mybr ot
herl
ostababy,mydemonsarer
eapi
ti
nga
grade,andi
t'
smyFault"IsayandSi
gh.

"Letmenotmenti
onmybeauti
fulQueen,shemust
belosi
nghermind!WhatwasIthi
nking?
"-me.

NqabaSi
ghsandj
oinsmeont
hef
loor
"Youweret
hinki
ngAboutyoursel
f,youneededtobe
alone,
Theyhavetoacceptt
hat"HesaysPul l
ing
mef
orawar
m hug

"
Thenyoumetme"hesaysagai
n,pul
li
ngmecl
oser
,AsIt
urnt
ofacehi
m

"
ImetLayl
aFi
rst"Icor
recthi
m andhechuckl
es

"Butyoumetme,YourKni
ghti
nshi
ningar
mor"he
saysstar
ri
ngatme

"ThankyouNqaba,
Thankyouf
oryoursuppor
t"I
say

"
It
snotabigdeal,mat
teroff
acti
t'
snotevena
Deal
..
.what
evert
hatmeans"-Nqaba

"
Let'
sgotobed"hesayswhenheseesmesl
owl
y
Dri
ft
ingof
ftoLal
aland
"
Wit
hyou?
"Iask,
yawni
ng

"
Yes,
wit
hme"-Nqaba

"
Okay,
butI
'
m sl
eepi
ngont
heFl
oor"Isay

"
I'
mtheonet
hat
'ssl
eepi
ngont
heFl
oor"hesays.

Ichuckl
eashecar
ri
esmet
ohi
sRoom .

Ist
ruggl
edtobreat
hasItryhol
dingont
othecoach,
Nonono. Thi
scannotbehappeni
ng.

"
No"Iwhi
spersl
owl
y.
"
Notsi
yabongaNo"-Iwhi
sperAgai
n

"Weneedt ogett
heFir
stpl
anebackto
Johannesburg"-Amandasaysaf
terWipi
ngher
tear
s.

"
Whatt
imei
stheFi
rstpl
ane?
"Iask

"7am"sherespondsdr
yly,
Hervoi
cemakingit
obvioust
hatSheblamesmeforSi
yabonga'
s
acci
dent.

"Andyoubet
terpr
ayt
hathemakesi
t,orel
se.
..
"She
says.

Igetup.
"
Seuyangphaphel
awena"Isay,
Wipi
ngmyt
ear
s.

"I
t'
snotmyFaul tthatyourpresencewasnot
enoughandt hatIneededtogoAway, ormaybeit
wastooenought hatIneededt obealone.You
werebreathi
ngonmyneck, Soi fmybrotherdoesn'
t
makeitit
'snotmyFaul t,i
t'
syourFault!"Ishout

"LET' SGO"Nqabasaysgr abbinghiscarkeysand

openi ngthedoorf orus, Hei sannoyedandi t'
shard
nott osee, mi ndyouwewer ewokenupbyt he
scr eami ngAmanda, apparentl
yshewai t
edand
wai tedf orSiya'scallandgotnone, Andwhenshe
triedcal li
nghi m hi
sphonewasof f,Shetriedcall
ing
Liyanat oo, butitr
angunanswer eduntilshedr i
ft
ed
tosl eep, onlyt obewokenupatexact lyhal fpast
fiveandt oldthatSiyabongawasunf ort
unat ely
i
nvol vedinacaracci dent

And,Whenshehadtosaythosewor
ds,
itwas
Thi
rt
ySi
xminutespastFi
ve,
Ifel
tmyWor
ldcrushi
ng
andaskedhert
oReapetwhatshehadSai
d,Sl
owl
y
thi
sti
me.

Shedid,notfastbutnotslowlyei
ther
,I tst
il
l
coul
dn'tdigestit
self
,Si
yabongawasi nacar
acci
dent,Andsomehow, alt
houghItr
iedconvinci
ng
myselft
hatit'
snotmyf aultapartofmeknowsi t
was.

Therewear e,Foll
owingNqaba.I
'minhisT-shi
rt
andsomeWhi tegownIfoundinhi
scloset.I
tsmell
s
l
ikehimt hatIkeepholdi
ngi
tti
ghtandbringi
ngit
closert
omynost r
il
.Mhhhhhhhhh,Smell
sl i
ke
Heaven.

Amandai sinsomepinkNightDressandMorning
shoes,Nqabaopensthedoorformeandi nst
ruct
s
met ocli
mbi n,Fr
ontSi
targh.thenforAmandaat
thebackbef or
ehedri
vesoff.
HekeepsSt
eal
inggl
ancesatme.
"
Areyouokay?
"HeasksandInod.

"Ar
eyou?"Iaskandhel
ooksatmef
orawhi
le
bef
orenoddi
ng

Hi
sphoneri
ngsandheanswersRightonthe
st
eer
ingWheel
,Hasn'
ttechnol
ogyimproved?

"
Baf
o"-Theper
soncal
li
ngsays.

"
Baf
o,I
'
m wi
thTheWi
feandt
hesi
ster"Nqabasays

"Ungakhat
hazekiBaf
o,Konkekut
heShel
ele"t
he
othermansays

"Ut
hingi
kuthandel
aninegamalaBafazi
"-Nqaba
saysbef
oretheyshareashor
tlaught
er.
"
Uyaphapha"Themansays.

"
Youar
ethemanBuhl
e!"Nqabasays.

"
Uyazi
"hesayst
henhangsup.

Buhl
e?DidIevenseehimleavi
nglastni
ght
?No.I
di
dn't
.Hepr
obablyl
eftwi
thoutsayi
ngGoodbye
whil
eIwascooki
ngorusedanotherwayout.

"Nqabawhati
sthi
s?"AmandaAsksl
ooki
ngatt
he
obvious.

"Apri
vat
ejet"Nqabasaysbeforewal
kingtot
he
pil
ot,
Andtheytal
kforawhile,meanwhil
emeand
DearDearMadAmandaar est
andi
ngsil
ent
lynext
toeachother,
Andstar
ri
ngatourTr
anspor
t.
Pri
vateJet?ISigh.

I
t'
smyFI
RSTTI
ME!

"
Ndi
we?
"Amandasays

"Manda"Ir
espond,nowst
arr
ingatNqabawho'
s
Faci
ngtheotherway.

"
I'
m sor
ry"sheSi
ghs

"I
'
m sorr
ythatwemadeyouf
eelt
heneedtoleave,
al
lweeverwantedt
odowasbether
eforyou"She
says.

"
I'
m sor
ryIl
eft,
Iwassel
f-cent
ered"Isay,
Andshe
wal
kst
omeandpul
lsmef
orashor
thug.

"SiyabongawillbeFine,Ipr
omiseyou.Liyanamade
sur eheishandledbyt hebestDoct
orandaDoctor
shet rust
s"shesays, AndInodbeli
evingher,
Siyabongawi l
lbeFine

Ismi
leWar
mlyather
"
ThankyouForbei
ngt
her
eformyFami
ly"

"
Thankyouf
orbei
ngt
her
eformybr
other
"

Inod.
"
It
'sact
uall
yThankyourbrot
herforbei
ngt
heref
or
me,butIcoulddowit
hthat"IsayandNqaba
l
aughsfrom behi
ndme.

"
It
'smypl
easur
e"hesaysKi
ssi
ngmycheeck
unexpect
edl
y

"
Youl
ookCut
etoget
her
!"

AMANDA!
Ismi
leshyl
y.

"
Wewi l
lbet
her
einnot
ime,
Whi
chhospi
tal?
"-
Nqaba

"
I'
llaskLi
yana"Amandasayst
aki
ngoutherphone.
.

Thewal
ls,
allt
heWal
lsst
artcl
osi
ngupal
it
tl
e.
Mybodyi sstucki
noneplaceandBecausei
twas
enoughthatIwasseei
ngmyf amil
yforthef
ir
stti
me
aft
eralongtimeNqabadecidedt
ostayawayfora
whi
le,Howwoul
dtheyfeel
ift
heyfoundoutIwas
mar
r i
edandt
hemarri
ageisnotevenreal?

"
OThandi
we?"Mymom saysrubbi
nghereyes,She
wast
hefi
rstonet
oseeme, AndmyDadt urns

"Ndi
we? "MyDadasks,
onhi
swheel
chai
r?What
happenedtomyDad.

"
Ndiwe?
"Her eapet
sal sor
ubbinghi
seyesandI
r
ushtohim andkneelnearhi
swheelchai
rwhil
e
r
est
ingmyheadonhi shandsthatI
'
m hol
dingont
o.

"
OhNkosiYami
!"Mymom Shout
s.

"
Ohngyabongababa"shesaysal
sokneel
ingdown.

"
Ohhhbaba,
inganeyami
!"Shecr
iesouthol
dingon
t
omeont
heFl
oor.

.
Aft
erthecryi
ngsessi
onweal
ltr
ytopul
lour
sel
ves
t
ogether.
"Iwasworr
iedsi
ck!,
YourDadevengotast
roke"
shesaysandIwipemytear
s.

"
I'
m sosorrymama,
I'
m sor
ry"IsayAndshehugs
metightbr
ushi
ngmyback.

"I
t'
sokaybaby,
it'
sokay,
shhhhhhh"shesays
huggi
ngme.

"
Wher
eisever
yone?
"Iask.

"Theywentt
ochangei
ntocomfort
abl
ecl
othes,
We
havebeenheret
hewhol
enight"mymom says.
"
Bazoj
abul
amabakubona!
"MyDadsayssmi
ll
ing

"I
'
mr el
ivednow,
Iwi
lldi
einpeace"myDadsays
agai
n.

"
HaiBaba,
usuXal
il
e"mymom says
"
Nobodyi
sdyi
ngl
a"

"
Whodi
dyoucomewi
th?
"Mymom asks.

"Amanda,
Shewentt
ogetcl
othesf
orbot
hofus"i
say.

"
Wher
eyoueat
ing?Lookathowski
nnyyouar
e!"-
Mymom

Bef
oreIanswer
,wehearl
oudvoi
cesappr
oachi
ng
us.

"
NaboBaf
iki
le"mymom saysget
ti
ngup.

Whentheygeti
ntot
her
oom ever
yonekeepsQui
te
andst
aresatme.

"
Ubanil
o?"Mf
ananoyi
seasksr
ubbi
nghi
seyes.

"
Thandi
we?
"Li
yanaasksi
nshock.
"
Thandi
wei
sthatyou?
"

Inodbeforesherunsandpul
lsmef
orahugal
ong
wit
hMf ananoyi
se.

"AnychangesngoBhut
i?"Makhosonkeasksaf
ter
star
ri
ngatme.
"
None"mymom says.

Hesit
sonabenchf
arf
rom mi
neandt
akesouthi
s
phone.

"
Hei
sjustMad"Li
yanasaysandInod
"
Hewasver
ywor
ri
ed"Mf
ananoyi
secomment
s

Inodhuggi
ngt
hem t
ight
.

.
"
Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng"someonesaysshaki
ngme
r
oughl
y.

Isl
eptont
hehospi
talbench?

"
Mmh"IsayPull
ingoutt
hephonef
rom myj
acket
t
hatAmandabought
.
"
Hel
lo"Isay,
Thi
sisnotmyphonemuc.
It
urnthephonearoundandSt
areatAmandaWho
mout
hs"Nqaba".

Thenputi
tbackonmyear.

"
Wozal
a"NqabaSays.

"
Kuphi
?"Iask

"
Out
side"hesayst
henhangsup.

Igetupandputonmyshoes.

"
Uyaphi
?"Mymom asks
"
Toi
let"Isay

"
Thet
oil
eti
sthatsi
de"shesays.

"
Ineedf
reshai
rfi
rst,
I'
llbeback,
Ipr
omi
se"
Shenods,
andgoesbackt
olayi
ngont
hebench.

WhenIseehi
m Ir
usht
ohi
m andhepul
lsmef
ora
hug.

"
Munt
u,Ar
eyouokay?
"HeasksandInod.

"I
t'
sfr
eezi
ngouther
e,Geti
nthecar
"hesaysandI
dowit
houtfi
ght
ingi
t.
"
Howdi
dyourf
ami
lyr
eact
?"Heasks.

"Theywer ehappyexceptf
orMakhosonke,
Myl
it
tl
e
brother"-Me

"
Hewi
llcomear
ound,
Areyouhungr
y?"Heasks.

"
No"

"Ofcourseyouare,Her
eIboughtyouandyour
famil
ysomet hi
ngtoeat"hesayshandi
ngmea
plast
icandIsmile

"
Thankyou"

"OhandIam l
eavi
ngf
irstt
hingt
omor
row,
Ineedt
o
getbackt
owork"hesays
Leavi
ng?

"Okay,CanIleavenow?"Iaskal
readyopeni
ngt
he
doorandsteppingoutoft
hecar.

"
Wear
est
il
ltal
king"Hesaysf
oll
owi
ngme.
"
Ineedt
ogetbackt
owor
kThandi
we"hesays.

"Iunder
stand,
Thanksf
orcomi
ngwi
thme"Isay
andhesighs.

"
Comeon"hesays.

"
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
"Iask

"
I'
m not,
Andyouar
enotei
ther"Isay
"
What
?"

"I
'm notcomingbackjustli
keyouarenotcoming
backher eagai
n,Iwanttobewi t
hmyf amil
yandmy
familyal
one...
ThanksforthefoodbutIdon'
tthi
nkI
wantt oseeyouagain"Isay

"
Whynot
?"Heaskscal
mly

"Becauseal
loft
hisi
shappeni
ngbecauseofaman
"Isay

"
Soyoudon'
teverwantt
oseemeagai
n?"Heasks.

"
Yes"
Isayt
urni
ngt
oleave.

"
Wel
lFi
ne,
Causeidon'
tthi
nkIeverwantt
osee
youagai
ntoo"heshout
s

"
Fine!
"Iwal
kfast
er
"Thandiwe"hecal
lsoutf
ormebefor
eopeni
nghi
s
armsf orahug,Ir
unbacktohi
m andgi
vehi
ma
hug.

"
It
'sokay"Hesayshuggi
ngmet
ight
"
Ever
ythi
ngi
sokay"

Hesayspl
aci
nghi
swetl
ipsonmi
ne.
..
..
[
10/
31,
05:
39] :Chapt
er32
Iopenmyeyesnot
ici
ngsomeoneisstar
ingatme,
Iqui
ckl
yopenmyeyeshopi
ngI'm notmi
staken.

"Goodmorning."Mymothersays.Isi
tup,t
he
conti
nent
alpil
lowbal
ancingmyback.
"
Mom,whyar
eyouwat
chi
ngmesl
eep?
"Iask.

"
Iwasindeni
althatyouar
eback,Ineededt
osee
f
ormysel
f.Imissedyou,weal
lmissedyou.
"
Ibl
inkmyt ear
sback,Imi ssedthem too.
Somet imeswedon'treali
zethemi st
akeswemake,
i
twaswr ongofmel eavi
ngbutIwassomehow
angry.IknowIshouldn'thavecohabitedwit
h
Tumel o,itwasn'
tmypar ent'
sfault
.

"
I'
m sor
ry.Ipr
omi
se,I
'
m backf
orgoodnow.
"
Shest
aresatmesmi
li
ng,Ir
etur
nhersmi
le.

"
Come,br
eakf
asti
sready.
"
Iroseupfrom mybedsmi
li
ng,I'
m st
arvi
ng
anyways.Itakeabat
hbef
orej
oini
ngthem f
or
breakf
ast.

"
Goodmor
ning.
"If
indever
yonei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
Theygr eetmebackbut,Makhosonkedidn'
t.Hewas
sti
llmadt hatIhadl
eft
,vanishedi
nthinairandI
wor r
iedthem.IwishIcoul
dt ur
nbackthetimesor
apologiseinawaythathewoul df
orgi
vemebut ,I
can't
.
Weallset
tl
edownforbreakfastandst
artoneati
ng,
Imi
ssedmymot her
'scooking.Ithasr
eall
ybeena
whi
le.

"
Hm!Imi
ssedt
his.
"Isay.

"
Ifyouhadn'
tdi
sappeared,youwoul
dn'
tbemi
ssi
ng
i
t.
"Makhosonkesays.

"
Sonke,st
opi
t!
"Mymot
hersayswar
ninghi
m.

"I
t'
strue!Othandi
wei ssel
fi
sh,sheonl ythi
nks
aboutherself
.Hadshenotdi sappearmom wouldn'
t
besick,dadget t
ingstr
okeandnowi t
'sworkSi
yais
l
yinginthehospitalal
lbecauseofOthandiwe!
"
Heliter
all
ythr
owshi sspoonsont hepl
ateandgets
up.Hebangst hedooronhiswayout ,tear
sfil
lmy
eyes.It
'str
ue,ever
ythi
nghesaid.Iranawayfrom
homeduet omyownsel f
ishreasons,didIt
hinkof
everyone?noIdidn'
t.

"I
gnorehim.Hei
shappyyouarehome."Mymother
brushesmyhand,Isnat
chitawayandmakemy
waybackt omyroom.It
akemyphoneanddial
Nqaba'snumber
.

"
Thandi
we.
"Hesays.

"Hi
,areyoukeenonhavinglunchbef
oreyoul
eave?
Ineedtogetoutoft
hishouse.
"

"
Sur
e,l
etmeknowwhenyouar
eready.
"
Iendthecallandst
artgett
ingready,I'
m notready
toopenupaboutTumel oandever yt
hingthathas
happened.IknowIeventuall
yhavetostarttal
king
but
,I'
m notr
eadyasyetbesi
desmyl
it
tl
ebr
otheri
s
st
il
lmadatme.
Once,I
'
mreadyIgr
abmypur
seandheadout
.

"
Wher eareyougoi ng?
"It
urnaroundtofindmy
motherstari
ngatme,shei spr
obablyfeari
ngt
hatI
mightleavethem agai
n.

"
I'
m offt
otown.Ineedaf
ewt hi
ngsatt
hemal
l,I
wil
lbebacki
nacoupleofhours.
"

"
Okay,besaf
e."
Ismil
ebeforeheadi
ngoutofthedoor.Ifi
nd
Nqaba'scarpar
kedwai
ti
ngf orme,hel ooksso
good.Nqabafeel
sli
keabreathoffr
eshai r-my
husband.

"Stopdr
ool
ing."Hesaystr
yingt
ocheermeup.I
giggl
e,hebreaksint
oalaugh.
"
Hi.
"Heopenst
hedoorforme,Igeti
nandhedoes
t
hesame.Hest
art
stheengineanddr
ivesof
f.

"
Howareyoudoi
ng?"It
urnar
oundt
olookathi
m,
myl
ipsf
orm af
akesmil
e.

"I
'
m good.Everyt
hingist
ensei
nthathouse,I
couldn'
twai
ttoleave.
"Il
ookoutoft
hewindow
breathi
ngout
.

"
TheycaredaboutyouThandi
we,theyareyour
f
amil
y."Iheaveasigh,hei
sstat
ingtheobvi
ous.

"
Iknowbut
,whataboutme?HowIf
eltatt
het
ime?
"

"Theydon'
tknowhowyouf eltatt
hatti
me,you
needtotel
lthem andevent
uall
y,theyhavet
oknow
thatyouar
emar ri
edtome."
"
That'
sthel
astthi
ngonmymi nd,besi
dest
his
marr
iagei
sfake.Asham f
oral
lweknow."

"I
tismeanttobearealone,sooni
twi
llbeandIwi
ll
dorightbyyourf
amil
y."
Iheaveasi ghbeforel
ookingoutoft hewindow.
HowdoIevenbegi ntotellthem t
hiswasal lLayla'
s
i
dea,Ionl ydidthi
sbecausei twasaskedofmeand
IalsodidthisforNqabatoo.Idon'tknowi fitwas
partofLayla'
sideatohavemef all
ingforNqaba,i t
fel
twr ongatfi
rstbutnowi tfeel
sright
.Ihavef al
len
forhim hard,apartofmei sscaredandanot her
parttell
smei t
'sokaytobescar ed.

Hekil
lst
heengineandheact
slikeagent
leman,we
bot
hheadstrai
ghttot
heentr
anceofther
estaur
ant
.
Wesettl
einatabl
e.

"
Youshoul
dn'
tthi
nkt
oomuchi
ntoever
ythi
ng,your
l
it
tl
ebr
otherwi
llcomear
ound.
"Hesays.

"Iknowandyouar
eri
ght
."Ismi
lecheer
ingmysel
f
up.

"I
'm alwaysr
ight.
"Henarr
owshi seyebrowssmil
ing,
Irol
lmyeyesandt hewai
terbr
ingsourmenus."So,
whendoyout hi
nkIshoul
dwr i
tealett
ertoyour
family?"

"
Mybr
otheri
sst
il
linhospi
talNqabayomzi
."
Isayquitepi
ssedof fact
ual
ly.Ourmarri
ageisthe
l
astthingonmymi nd,Imar
riedhim sohecould
haveLayla'
sbusinesseshandedovertohim notout
oflove!

"Iknowbut
,thi
sisanotherel
ephantinther
oom.
Youneedtoaddressi
ttoyourfamil
y!"Hesays.
"
LikeIsai
d,t
hati
sthel
astt
hingonmymi
nd.
"

"
I'
m goi
ngt ol
eavet
omor
rowbut
,Iexpectyout
o
t
ellt
hem soon.
"

"Sure.
"Webothor
dersomethi
ngtoeat
.Itseems
l
ikeNqabaisn'
tgi
vingmuchofachoi
cehere,heis
beingsel
fi
sh!
Heplacesasmallboxont
het
abl
e,Ist
areati
t
unbother
ed.
"Andthis?
"
Heopensi
t,i
tisadi
amondr
ing.

"Wewillcal
lityourengagementr
ingf
ornow,i
t'
sa
star
tri
ght?"
Ir
ollmyeyesandnod.

"
Yes,i
t'
sastart
."Hesmil
esandsl
idest
her
ingon
myfi
nger
."I
t'
sbeauti
ful
."
"Iknow.Amandahelpedmeout."Ismil
eathim.I
knowt hi
sishi
swayofmar ki
nghisownt er
ri
tor
y
andawayofspeedi ngt
hisup,IguessIhaveno
sayorwhatsoever
!
Webothfi
nishupwi t
hourf ood,hesuggestthatwe
spendmoreti
met ogetherbutIdecl
inehi
srequest.
Mymotherisprobablyworri
edthatIhadlef
tagain.
HedropsmeoffathomeandIwalki
nsi
de,If
ind
Fanaint
hel
ivi
ngroom busyonhi
sphone.

"
Hey.
"Igreetpl
aci
ngt
het
hingsIhaveboughton
t
opofthetabl
e.

"Hi.
"Hetucksinhi
sphoneonhi
spocket
."Haveyou
visi
tedSi
ya?"Heasks.

"
NotyetbutIwi
ll
."
"Ihavemi
ssediNtombikababa,weal
lmi
ssedour
sist
er.
"Hesays.

"
Imi
ssedyout
oo.I
'
m sor
ryaboutever
ythi
ng.
"
Heengul
fsmei
nahug.

"
It
'sokay.Youar
ebacknow,t
hat
'sal
lthatmat
ter
s."
Heki
ssesmyf
oreheadandwi
pesmyt
ear
s.
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Pleasedonotpunishme,I '
m st
il
lget
ti
ngtoknow
everyt
hingaboutt
hestory.I
fIhavemessedup
somewher e,
tel
lmeplease.
[
10/
31,
05:
40] :Chapt
er33
Ihavespentaweekt r
yingtobreakthesemar r
iage
news,honestl
ytheywer equi
teheavyf ormeto
breakouttomyfami l
y.IknewifItellthem,Iwould
probabl
yli
vetherestofmyl i
fewit
hNqaba.They
wouldprobabl
ythinkIwasinlove,wear ebot
hin
l
ove.PerhapsIwas,butIhadhopedi fIwereto
real
lyfalli
nlovewewoul dhavetost arta
rel
ati
onshipf i
rstnotmarr
iage.Marr
iageissucha
hugest epforme,Iwouldl i
ketoconsidermysel
f
tooyoungf ormar r
iagei
fthat'
sokaywi t
hyou.
Anyway,Siyabongahasbeendoi ngwel l
.Hewas
quit
ehappytoseeme,het houghtmybodywas
dumpedinadi t
chsomewher e.HeknowsIhave
beenali
vebut,hechoset omakemeseer eal
it
yand
IgotwhereMakhosonkewascomi ngfrom.Hewas
scaredt
hatpoli
cewoul dcomeintomyhomet o
decl
aremydeat hsincethati
scurrent
lyhappeni ng
i
nourcountry.Icouldseemydadwai tingt ohear
newsaboutiNtombikababafoundsomewher edead,
i
tbrokemesomuch.
Mybrotherhasbeenwantingtohearaboutwhatl
ed
metodisappear
ing,Itol
dhim aboutTumelo.I
knewIhadtotellsomeoneeventual
ly.

Myphoneri
ngswhi
leI
'
m sit
ti
nginfr
ontoft
het
v,I
st
areati
tandi
t'
smydearhusband.
"
Hi.
"
Isayaf
terexcusi
ngmysel
ffr
om mypar
ent
s.

"
Hi,howar
eyou?
"Heasks.

"
I'
mfi
ne,
howar
eyou?
"

"
I'
m notf
ine,Imi
ssyou.
"
Icoul
dtel
lfr
om hi
svoi
cehehasapuppyf
ace
for
med,heissuchababy.

"Youmi ssme?
"Igigglesoft
ly,apar
tofmef oundi
t
forei
gnandanotherpartofcour
sefoundi
tfunny,
cutetoo.

"
Gosh!Yousoundl
i
kei
t'
scr
imet
omi
ssMYWI
FE!
"
Hesoundssodr
amat
icasheemphasi
semywi
fe.
"
No,i
t'
snotcr
ime.Iact
ual
lymi
ssyout
oo.
"
Icouldseemyselfwi t
hNqaba,Icoul dseemyself
wakingupnexttohimf ortherestofmyl i
fe.Where
hewouldshowermewi thnothingbutsomuchl ove
andwear i
nghismet al
li
cl ust
reweddi ngbandonmy
fi
nger,Iwouldbelongt ohimf oreverandIwould
havehislongbuthairyf i
ngersrunningonmymy
stomachmakingsweetl ovetomeever yf
ucking
day!

"
Didyouhearme?Ot
handi
we?
"
Hesaysbr
eaki
ngthepl
agueoft
hought
s,i
nfactI
wasdaydr
eaming.

Icl
earmyt
hroat
,Idi
dn'
thearat
hing.
"
Sor
ry,whatwer
eyouonabout
?"

"
Whatwer
eyout
hinki
ngabout
?"Heasks.
"
Iwasnott
hinki
ng.
"Iqui
ckl
yar
gue.
Hechuckles,I
'm gui
lt
ybutIcan'
thavehi
mfi
gur
ing
meoutallthedamnt i
me!

"
Iwi
lll
eti
tgof
ornowbecauseI
'
m of
ftoameet
ing.
"

"
Okay,bye.
"
Webothendthecall
,mylipscurlupasmi l
e.If
elt
l
ikeIwasbet
rayi
ngLaylaforf
all
ingforhermanbut,
i
twasthewholepoint
.Sheknewwhenshewr ote
t
hatwil
lNqabayomuziwastheri
ghtmanf orme,
whyshoul
dIchickenout
.
Iwalkbackinthehouse,Ibr
eatheoutl
oudl
y.Iwal
k
backtothecouchandsit,If
akeasmi l
e.

"
Mom,dadcanIt
ellyousomet
hing?
"
Theybotht
urntolookatme,Iheaveasi
gh.My
motherswi
tchesofft
hetv."
Uh..Fewmonthsago,I
metthi
smanandwef el
linl
ove.Aweekagohe
askedmetomar r
yhim."Ohwell
,myscenar
ioof
thewholet
hingsoundedbet
tert
hanbei
ngmarri
ed
alr
eady.

"What?Ithoughtyouweregoingt
otel
lusyouar
e
pregnant
."Mymot hersays.

"Awma!Mar
ri
agef
ir
stt
henki
ds.
"

"
Weshoul dexpectal
ett
erf
rom hi
sfami
lysoon.
"My
f
athersays.
Ismi
le.Wel
l,i
t'
snotwhatIexpect
edbutIjustcame
homesoIunderst
oodwhytheycouldn'
tsaymuch.
.
..
..
.
NQABAYOMUZI
Mymeet i
ngwasbr iefl
yaboutf
eedbacknothi
ng
much,meetingsareconductedever
yfir
stweekon
f
eedbacksandI'm gladtosayt
hebusinessisdoi
ng
wel
l.
Whi
leI
'
mi nmyoff
ice,myphonevi
brat
es.Ist
areat
t
hemessagef
rom Thandi
we.
'
Wear
eexpect
ingal
ett
erf
rom myi
n-l
aws.
'

Asmilecr
eepsuponmyf ace,Iknowwhatthe
messagemeans.Ihonest
lyt
houghtIwoul
dwaitfor
monthsbutshepr
ovedmewr ong,cl
earl
yshealso
want
edthis.
Il
eanonmychai
randdi
alhernumber
.

"
Husband.
"Iswear
,thatdoessomet
hingt
ome.

"Wast
hatApr
ilf
ool
stext
?It
'sf
arf
rom Apr
il,
you
know.
"

Hergi
ggl
esechoei
nmyear
s,beaut
if
ull
y.

"
I'
mtoool
dtopl
aypr
anksNqaba,youshoul
dknow
mebynow.
"

"
Icoul
dneverknowwi
thyou.
"Ismi
le.
IknowI'
mr eadyf orher
,itf
eel
sl i
keIhavebeen
wait
ingforl
if
ef oramomentl ikethi
s.Ican'
twai
tto
beburi
edinsideherandsmel lhercunt.
.
..
..
..
..
THANDI
WE
Ever
ythi
ngisworkingoutwel
l.I'
mtoohappyt
hatit
scar
esme,Ican'thelpbutf
eelli
kewhenyouare
toohappy,somethingbadmighthappen.
Ihavet
ri
edtoshaket
hef
eel
ingof
fbut
,Ican'
thel
p
butwonder
.
Iwatchmymot hercookupast orm,weare
cel
ebrat
ingaccor di
ngtoher.Celebr
ati
ngmy
engagement,l
ikeanyparentshei shappyt
hatI
'
m
gett
ingmarr
ied.
Af
teranhourorso,weal
lset
tl
edownf
orsupper
.
"
Yoursi
steri
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
"Mymot
herbr
eaks
t
henews.

"
Ishouldhaveknownthereissomethi
ngbehind
t
hiscooki
ng,congrat
ulat
ionssis.
"Fanasays.

"
Thankyou.
"

"Congrat
ulat
ions,Iknowyouaregoi
ngt
omakea
greatwif
e."Makhosonkesays.
Itmeansal otcomingfr
om him,Ihaveexpect
edit
from Fananothi m.Igetupfrom mychai
randhug
himf rom behind.
"Stopitnow,Iwasaconcerned
brotherokay? "

"
Iknewi
tcamef
rom her
e."
Ipoi
ntedhi
shear
tandsmi
le.
.
..
..
..
Idi
dn'
tpr
omi
sel
ongchapt
ers,sor
ry!
[
10/
31,
05:
40] :Chapt
er34

SinceI
'
m Freetoday,it
houghtishouldtypeyou
guysachapter
,andThankyouf orbei
ngwi t
hme
si
nceThestorybegan,Somef r
om Nomthandazo,
ThenBuhl
ebendaloupuntilnow,Thankyouso
much,Youareappreci
atedandsorryfor
di
sappear
ingonyou!.
-
For
tune.
M.

Event
hepal
m ofmyhandsar
esweat
ing-Thi
sis
notgener
ati
onst
helegacyorUzal o.Thisisreall
ife
andHisGrownarsei
smostdef ini
tel
yget t
inga
whippi
ngtoni
ght
,matterofFactfewmi nutesfrom
here.

"Sisi
"heSays,Shame, Youcantel
lfrom hi
svoice
thatheiskaakscared, SomebodypleaseHold
bab'khanyi
lewhoisnowbackt ohisol dsel
f.I'
m
happyandPr oud-ihavetosay,butholdhim.hewil
l
bewhi ppi
ngarsetonight!

Igivehi
m asmile-TheonethatsaysYouar
egoing
togetbeatennoli
es,butSmil
eit
'sokayt
ogetyour
arsewhippedonceinawhilei
tshealt
hy.

"
Saysomet
hing"heut
ter
s.

"
HowFari
sshe?
"Iask.
"
3mont
hs"heut
ter
s.

Bant
ubenkosi,Eventhesmalltot
olozi
sdot
hej
ob,
nott
hatihaveseenit
-Thelastti
meisawitwas
wheniusedtobathhim neart
hestove.

Isi
gh.
"
Uyot
raj
wa"isay.
"Uyomoor
wa"

HeSi
ghs"Tel
lmesomet
hingidon'
tknow"hesays.

"YouareyoungMakhosonke, Youarenotevendone
withschool,
Nowyouar eabouttoj
umpt otherol
e
ofbei
ngaFat her,I
'
m disappoi
ntedihavetosay,
Verydi
sappointed"isay.

"
NgyaXol
isasi
si"
Isi
gh.
"
Areyougoi
ngt
otel
lMom andDad?
"Heasks

"
No, I
t'
snotmypl
acenormybusi
nesset
otel
l"i
Respondget
ti
ngup.

"Buti
'l
lbeheretotr
yandpr ot
ectyouwhenubaba
beatsyouuptothecore,
Itstheleasticoulddo
becauseuzokuphul
a"isayandhechor tl
es.

"Imi
ssedthis,Havi
ngsomeonet otal
kto,Isweari
f
youweren'
thereiwouldhavealsor
unawaywi th
Nandiandwewoul dhavefi
guredsomethi
ngout
egol
i"hesays.

"Runningawayisn'tansolut
ion,ij
ustgotl
uckyto
havemetLayl a"isay"buti'
l
ltel
lyouaboutthat
someot herti
menowihavet ogohelpmom cook,
Angishoindodayam iyeza"isayandhelaughs.
"Bytomorrowmor ningI
'l
lbecount i
ngmoney"he
says,i
ttakesmesecondst ogetwhathemeansbut
whenif i
nall
ydo,Igivehimthat'Zamanetwena'
LookbeforewalkingmyBut tout,Pleasenott
hati
am aloverofatt
entionbutnshapelengmatsogo,My
arseisgrowing!
.

IFi
ndmom paci
ngupandDowni
ntheki
tchenl
ikei
hadlef
ther
.
"Loveofmyl
if
e"isaygi
vingheraki
ssont
he
cheeck.

"
Ngbusymuntutuu"shesaysl
eavi
ngmet
her
eand
wal
kingt
othefr
idge.
"
Whati
sheal
ler
gict
o?"Sheasks.

"Mama, Relax.It
'sjustNqaba,
Heistheonewho
shouldbescar ednotyou"isayandshecl
icksher
tongue."Perf
ection"-That'
swhatshewants
Per
fect
ion.

"Manjeuzohlalaungkhami sele(SoAr
eyougoi ngt
o
standthereandst ar
eatme) ,Dosomethi
ng!Chop
theveggies.It
'salmost7pm"Shesayshandi ngme
aknifeandoni ons,GreatOnions,Whydidn'
tshego
forBoTomat o?

Anywaymi nut
esl
aterif
indmysel
fal
sopani
cki
ng.
Ofcourseihavet
o!Nqabaisfi
nal
lymeet
ingmy
Famil
y!

"Si
yarasaleskor
okor
osakho"Mfananoyi
sesays
handingmemyPhone, ThisFamil
yandbeingRude
unnecessari
ly.

'
Lwami'ismi
leasit
akeagl
anceatthecall
erI
D,
bef
oreansweri
ngwhil
ewal
kingout
side.
"
Tookyourt
imebambo"hesaysl
eavi
ngme
l
aughi
ng.
"
Ihadt
ododgemymom al
it
tl
e"isay.
"
Why?
isshet
urni
ngmywi
fei
ntoasl
ave?
"Heasks.
"
Kahl
eLwami
,Kahl
engohaba"isaysmi
li
ng.

"Ar
en'
tyouidon'
tknow,
Scar
ed?
"Iaskhesi
tant
ly
"
Iam,
butnot
hingaf
ewbeer
scan'
tfi
x"hesays.

I
ni?
"
Youaregoi
ngtodr
inkboozewhi
lemeet
ingyouri
n
l
aws?
"Igasp.

"Awwwkahl
engohabanawebambo,
It'
sjusttwo
beer
s,AndWow.Ili
ket
hesoundoft
hat-Inl
aws,
Meeti
ngmyinl
aws"Hesays.
Thi
sFool
.
"
Anyway,Iwasthi
nki
ngishoul
dinvi
temaandPat
o
t
hetr
adit
ional
andWhiteWeddi
ng"isays.
Hest
aysQui
tef
oraFewmi
nut
es.

"
Lwami
?".

"
Angi
baf
uniEmshadweniwam"Hesi
mpl
ysays.
"
Ngoba?
"Iask.

"Doyoust
il
lwannatal
korshoul
dihangup?
"He
askscl
ear
lyannoyed.

"iWanttotal
k,andI
'
minvi
ti
ngthem unt
ilyougi
ve
meagoodReasonwhyishouldn'
t"Isayandhe
staysQui
te.

"Oho"het
hensaysbef
orehangi
ngup,
Hehungup
onMe!
Icallhi
m anywayandi
tsendsmeSt
rai
ghtt
o
VoiceMail
.
Gr
eat
,JustGr
eat.

AnywayAf t
erthesocall
edbeepil
eaveamassage
tel
li
nghim TohaveasafeTri
pandthaticar
e.He
doesn'
trespondtothat
,soil
ethi
m beandgoback
i
nside.

"
Yaziuyashodaut
amat
i"mymom says.
"Si
nceMakhosonkei
sn'
tfeel
i
ngwelland
Mfananoyi
sei
soutyouhavetogo"shesays
handi
ngmemoney

"No,I'
l
lusemymoneyandI'm dr
ivi
ngt
here"isay
grabbingmycarkeys,
OrNqaba'
sCarkeysRather.
"
Whatareyou?Awhit
ewoman?Kahlebowena,
WearshoesandWal
kther
e,BeQui
ck"shesays
andi
putt
hekeysont
het
abl
eandt
aket
hemoney.

"
Ithoughtyouwer
eusi
ngyourmoney"shesays.
"
Angnamal
i"isayandsheshakesherhead.

"Mama,Whydon'
tyougett
omat
oesf
rom your
shop?
"Iask.

"TheyRanout
,they'
l
lbedel
iver
edt
omor
row"She
says.
"Soihavet
onotonlyWal
k,butwal
ktotheshop
thati
snearSphol
aandTheothergi
rl
'shouse?
"I
ask.

"
Theot
hergi
rlI
syourf
ri
end"shesays.
"
Was"icor
recther
"
Ini
?"
"
WassmyFr
iend"
Shemustaksssssss!
.

Shegi
vesmeal ookbeforemaki
ngthose
"hmmmm"soundsf ol
lowedbyan"Asazi
"mxm ,
I
walkt
otheshopanyway.

"
10t
omat
oespl
ease"isayhandi
nghert
heR20.

"
Thandi
we!Hawwwukhul
il
enganeyami
"shesays
Idon'
tevenr
ememberher,butigowit
hthefl
ow,
Thisi
showlif
eishere,AssoonasyoudressIn
l
abelsyouar
e"nganeyami"iknow.

"
Haungyabongama"iRespond
"
Youevenlostt
hatFat
!,Younowl
ookal
mostl
ike
mydaught
erZandil
e"
Oh,Thedrunkar
dZandile'
sAunt
,She'
ssober.
i
wonderwhatchanged.

"Oh.YouownaSpazanow?
"Iaskandshesmi
les
proudl
y.
"Youknowthebusi
nesst
hingr unsinthef
ami
ly"
shesaysandigi
veherafaintsmile.

"Mydaughterevenhaski
ds,Doyouhavekids?"
Sheasks.Zandil
ewasorisst
il
lmyBestFri
end,And
thi
swomannevershowedi nt
eresti
nherorherl
if
e.

"
No,
Notyet
"iRespond.
"
Hau, Umdalakangaka,
andiheardyouwonthe
l
ott
eryanddatedathug,Youshoul
dhavest
ayed
wit
hSphola"
Okayt
hat
'senoughf
ort
heday.

Ihavet
opayZandi
leavi
sitathersal
onbef
orei
l
eave.
"
Ngcelaotamati
?"Isayandshef
inal
lyhandsme
t
heplast
ic,andhesi
tat
esgivi
ngmethechange.

"Don'
tyouhaveaj ob?BuyyourAuntonebot
tl
eof
beerhau"shesays,Iknewit
,igi
veherbackt
he
changeandtheR50not einmypockets.

"
Okay,That
'sal
lihavefornow,Byebye"isay
wal
kingawaywithherprai
singme.Ah.

.
NQABAYOMUZI
.

AssoonasiFi
nal
lyt
hehot
elMyphoneRi
ngs.
"
Sur
e?"Ianswer
.

I
'
m annoyed,
Thef
actt
hatBamboWant
sthoseol
d
f
ool
sther
eannoysme.

"
Thepoli
cehavefoundhi
scor
pse"Iknowwhoi
s
t
alki
ngaboutsoinod.

"
Good,NowmyWi f
ecansl
eeppeacef
ull
y,Andi
s
t
hatal
l?"Iask.

"Ihavedel
iver
edt
hosethi
ngsyouRequest
ed"he
saysandinodagain.
"
Sur
e"ihangupandl
ayont
hebed.

Il
ooksbesi
desmeandsmi l
e,MyPAi
sami
racl
e
Worker
,Shedeser
vesabonus.
Fl
ower
s,Check.
Abot
tl
eofWhi
skey,
Check.
AndSomet
hingmywi
feal
wayswant
ed,
Check.
It
exthert
ell
inghershedi
dagoodj
ob,
bef
ore
cal
li
ngmymom.Shehadbeencalli
ngmeandi
coul
dn'
tanswercausewel
l,
Iwasdr
ivi
ng.

Andithoughti'
dgetheresoonersoicoul
dsee
Bambo, Shecameher eYest
erdayandial
ready
missherlikecrazy.LOVEPORTION?most
defi
nit
elyloveporti
on.

"
Magogo"isay
"Sdomu,I
'
vebeencalli
ngyousi
nceGodknows
When!Whatisitwit
hyouandnotanswer
ingyou
phone!
"Sheshouts.

"
EasyEasy,
Iwasdr
ivi
ng"isay.

"
Whenar
eyoubr
ingi
ngumakot
i?"Sheasks.

"
You'l
lseeherwhenyoupayLobol
anextofnext
Week"isay.
"AndbesidesMama,If
eell
ikeyoul
ove
hermor
ethanyoul
ovemenowadays"isaysul
king.

"Uyatef
a,andmaybeido,
Youhaven'
tbeenhomei
n
years"shesays.
Thathouse!

"
I'
llcomemama,
iPr
omi
se."il
ie.
"Canibat
hsoicangomeetmyi
nlawsmel
li
ng
good?"
Shesi
ghs.

"
Flower
s?Di
dyoubuyherf
lower
s?"
Ismi
le.

"
Neverdi
ssapoi
nt,
Ngi
yakt
handaSal
okazi
"isay.
Shecli
ckshert
ongueatt
heSal
okaziWor
dbef
ore
tel
li
ngmeshelovesmetoo.
.

Li
kei sai
d,I
t'
snot
hingafewbeerscan'
tFi
xsoI'
m
notasNervousasI'
m supposedt
obe-Youcoul
d
say.

IknockandTheyletmeknockforafewmore
minutest
hannecessar
yeventhoughit
'scl
eart
hey
canhearme.

Wow, Dramat
icbutidon'
tmind.IhearBambo
pr
otesti
ngandsheopenst hedoor
-Shesmil
esandi
l
ookatherplai
nly.I
'm st
il
lmadather.

Sheseemsdi
ssapoi
nted,
butidon'
tthi
nkicar
e.
Shestaresatt
heflower
sandichort
le,
indi
cati
ng
thatshemustleadthewayandshedoes,They
haveabeautif
ulhouseihavet
osay,Bambo's
pi
ctur
esareont
hewal
l-ismi
le.Shewasandst
il
lis
beaut
if
ul.

"
SANI
BONANI
"igr
eetandTheygr
eetback.
"Beaut
if
ulFl
ower
syouhavet
her
e"Bambo'
smot
her
saysandihandt
hem t
oher

"
EzakhoMa"
Shesmi
les,
Nowiseewher
eBambogott
hel
ooks
fr
om.

"Ngyabonga,
TakeTipsboys-Siyabonga,
Khanyi
le,
TakeTips"shesayswalkingawayandTheone
whom I'
m guessi
ngisSiyabongatel
lsmetot
akea
sit.

"Si
yabongataket
ips"Thel
adybesi
deshersaysand
helaughs.
"
I'
m hur
t,myRomancei
sncaaaa"hesaysandt
hey
l
aughbef
oreki
ssi
ng.

"
Euwww"Aboysays.
"Si
yabonga,Liyana.Ther
ear
eki
dsher
e"Bambo'
s
Fathersays.

"
TellmeWhatar eyouri
ntent
ionswi
thmysist
er?
"
AnotherTeenageboyasksandBamboshootshi
m
a'val
auml omo'l
ook.

"YeyWenaNtombi,
aWoman'spl
acei
sint
he
kit
chen-Hambanoli
yana"
TheygetupbeforeBambogivesmeal ookismil
e
i
ndicat
ingigott
hisandshesmilesbackwalki
ng
away.

"SoAreyouplanni
ngondr i
nki
ngt
hewhol
ebot
tl
e
alone?
"Theteenagerasks.
"
Ngi
sat
hingi
yobuza"t
heot
herboyal
soasks.
"Makhosonke,Mf ananoyi
se,Wewi l
lcallyouwhen
wearedonegopl aywithtoysorsomething"
Bambo'sfathersaysandt heytryar
guingt el
li
nghi
m
thatt
heyaregr ownupsbuthe' snothavinganyofit
.

Aft
erihadt
oexplainmyi
ntent
ionsA100t i
mesand
ihadthemostdel
ici
ousf
oodwear ef
inal
lydone.

"
Babaihavesomet
hingt
osay"Makhosonkesays.

"
Makhosonke,
nowi
snotagoodt
ime"Bambosays.

"No,Lett
hekidtalkNtombi
"sheshut
supf i
ddli
ng
withherf
ingers,
She'sner
vousonhisbehal
fiwould
havecomf or
tedherbutiwastol
dtosi
tfarfr
om her
.

"
I-I
'
m..
.ngi.
..
iI'
m goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
"Hesays.
Essshe.

Thewhol
etablei
sQuit
eunt
ilt
heybur
stouti
n
l
aught
er,
exceptf
orBamboandhim.

"Uyadl
ala"Bambo'
smot
hersaysandheshakeshi
s
head.

Bambo'
sfat
herget
supQui
ckl
yandBambof
oll
ows.
"
It
'sMyFaul
t!
"Shesays.

"Unepi
piwena?Hl
alaphant
si"HerFat
herWar
ns
butshei
snothavi
nganyofit.

TheSiyabongabr
othertakesofhi
sbel
tandBambo
grabsthebagonthetable.
"
Thisi
snottheti
mebaba,
Let
'sgoSonke,
Getup"
Makhosonkeget
sup.
"
Niyaphi
?"Hermot
herasks.
"Lwa..
Nqabahasbookedi nahotelsowewillsl
eep
thereandcomebackt omorrow,Let
'sgoLwami"
shewal ksoutibi
deveryoneGoodbyebefor
e
foll
owingher.

Shecl
osest
hedoorandt
akesof
fhershoes.
"
I'
m Exhaust
ed"shesaysandigetup.

"
Areyoumad?
"Sheasks.
"No,
Notanymor
e.Butwewi
llt
alkabouti
tmonday"
shenods.

Iplacemyhandsonhershoulders,Sheseems
tensebutl
aterr
elaxesasimassageherand
pl
ant
ingki
ssi
ngonherneckwhi
leati
t.

"Nqaba?
"Iswearshemoanedoutmyname,
Damn
she'
swakingupThebigguy.

Hergazef
oll
owsmyeyesandsheseesi
t.
"
I.
..
im.
..
im notr
eady"
shesays.

Ismi
le.
"
Iwon'
trushyoui
ntoanyt
hingBambo,
justr
elax"

Itakeoutt
hegi
ftigotherandcar
eful
lyputi
tonher
neck.

"
It
's.
..
it
sbeaut
if
ul"shesaysaf
terr
ushi
ngt
ocheck
i
toutonthemirr
or

"
Ayi
bambil
akuwe"isayandshehugsme.
"
Thankyou".
shesays

"
Ngi
yakt
handauyezwa?
"Isayandshesmi
les

"
Namingi
yakut
handa"
I
'
m ahappyman.
[
10/
31,
05:
40] :Chapt
er35

"Hlalaniphansi"ipl
eadbutno,Thisi
st heKhanyi
le
househol d,Theywouldneverl
ist
entome, ubaba
pullsacanef rom thechai
rhewassit
tingon,They
sitoncane'snow?

"Babangyaxela"isay,
Hegivesmeadeadstareand
imove, st
il
lwithMakhosonkebehi
ndmeholdingon
tomyHand, AsifHisl
if
edependsoni
t,Buti
naway
it
'sTrue-Hisli
fedoesdependonme.
Umamatell
sust ogivehi
m andbabasomespace,
andwi
thoutt
hinkingtwi
cewedo.

"
Uzongbulal
asi
si(Heisgoi
ngtoki
llme)
"
Makhosonkeut
ter
s,andigi
vehi
m ahug.
"Hewon'
t,Rel
axhopefull
ymom wil
ltal
ksome
sensei
ntohim"isayandhenods.

Afewmi nutesaft
erit
rycomingMakhosonkedown,
umamacal l
susandwewal kt her
est
il
lcl
ingi
ngon
toeachother,I
'
m Scar
edforhim.

"Si
t"ubabasaysandwedoasheasksorrat
her
says,SiyabongaandMf
ananoyi
sewer
etoldtogo
toTown.

"Makhosonke,
I'
m verydi
ssapoint
edi nyou.Don'
t
youwanttobelikeyourbr
otherSiyabonga?He
fi
nishedschool,st
udiedfur
ther,gotmarr
iedand
fi
nall
ydecidedhewasol denought omakeababy,
Doyouknowhowmuchbabypr oduct
scost?,Lama
pl
asticwenuaref r
eeforChri
stsake!Whydidn'tyou
usethatifyoufel
tyouareoldenoughtogetont op
ofgirl
s?"Hesayscalmly.

"WenaThandi we,Youar esupposedt oadviceyour

brotheri
ntonotdoingsuchst uffbutal
lyouknow
howt odoisrunawaywhenl i
f egetstocomplicated
foryou,Run!Run!, It
'sal
lyourf aul
tthi
swholet hing,
Wecoul dhavef i
xedt hi
sasaf amil
ybutyour un,
Youar eadissapointmentnotonl ytomebutt he
whol eKhanyi
lefami l
y,i
nt hi
sf amil
ysiyayi
melai nto
yethubutyour unlikeastupidcowar d,Suka
ebuswenibami "heshout s.

Wit
hmyf acebowediwatchast
het
ear
smaket hei
r
waytot
hef l
oor,andSt
andupsl
owl
y,Makhosonke
f
oll
ows.
"
Wena,Si
t"hei
nst
ruct
sMakhosonkewhot
urnst
o
l
ookatme.

Ii
gnorehi
spleadi
ngeyesandrushtomyroom,
Thi
siswhathehasbeenstruggl
ingt
otel
lme-I
'mA
cowar
d,Astupidcowar
d
Ifi
ndmysel
fdi
ali
ngDakal
o'sNumberandshe
answer
sshout
ly.

"
HeyToddl
es"Shegr
eet
sandismi
le.
"
H..
ey"isay,
myvoi
cef
ail
sme,
iCr
y

"HeyheyToddl eswhat'
sWrong?Isi
tNqaba?I'
m
goingtokillt
hatsonofab.
..l
ovel
ywoman,Tal
kto
mepl ease"shesays.

"
Ubaba"isay,
Tryi
ngsohar
dnott
ocr
yevenl
ouder
t
haniam.
"
Whatdi
dhedo?
"Sheasks.
"Hecalledmeast upi
dcowar d,Alt
houghI'
m gladhe
fi
nallysai
dwhatheal wayswant edtosay,idi
dn'
t
wanthi mtoshout,WasiWr ongDakal
o?Wasi
suppocedt ost
ayevent houghifel
tiwasal r
eady
mor ethanaburden?Wasisuppocedt ostayeven
thoughiKnowi fil
ist
enedt omyDadt el
li
ngmehe
doesn'ttr
ustTumelo?"Isay.

"St
handwa,Youdi
dt heRightt
hing,
Ipr
omiseyou.
Youdidwhatyouhadt odo,AndWhatsbestf
or
you-YoudadisprobablyMadatsomethi
ngokay"
Inodasi
fshecanseeme.

"AnywayUmfundi
sihasbeenaski
ngt oseeyou"
Shesaysaf
terafewminutesofsi
lence.

"
Whywoul
dbab'
mfundi
siwantt
oseeme?
"Iask.
"
Idon'tknow,buti
tsoundedser
iousheevenasked
f
oryournumber, andisai
di'
daskforpermi
ssion
f
rom you"-Shesays.

"Pl
easesendmehi snumbersoicancal lhi
m aft
er
thi
sphonecall"isayandSheagr ees,Shetell
sme
abouthowshet r
iedcookingthi
snewr eceiptand
howitwasat ot
aldisast
er!,I
'mlaughing
thr
oughtoutt
hephonecal l,i
evenforgotwhatihad
beencryi
ngabout .

Exact
lyaf
terwehangupshesendsme
bab'
mfundisi
'
snumberandical
limmedi
atel
y.

"Sani
bonani
"Hi
svoi
cesoundi
ngli
ket
hoseTypi
cal
Pastor
swithbi
gbel
l
y's.
Heanswer
s.

"Baba,ThisisThandi
we,
Youhadcal
ledDakal
o
Requesti
ngmynumber"isayandhestayssil
ent
forafewmi nut
es.
"Ohhhhhh,Nganeyami .Howar eyou?
"Heasks,
Polit
ely,
Withhispoli
tevoiceyouwouldventt
ohi
m
withoutevenreal
isi
ngit.

"
I'
m Okaybaba,
Howar
eyou?
"Iask.
"
Youdon'
tsoundokay"hesays.

"I
t'
snot
hingbaba"iRespond,idon'
twanthi
m
aski
ngmoreQuestionsthannecessar
y.

"
Sithembenj
alo,Ihavebeengetti
ngReal
lyBad
Dreamsanditconcernsyou,Wouldyouspar
eyou
t
imeandcomet ochur chtoday?
"Heasks.

"Chababa,I
'
m outofTownRightnow, butiwi
ll
comether
eassoonasigetthere"iExplai
n.
"Nono, Letmetel
lyouthedream ,
besesivul
aivesi
andpraynganeyami,I'
m Reall
yworri
ed"he
expl
ainsfurt
her
.

"butFir
stAsi
vul
e,Ishh,YouknowihaveEye
probl
ems,CanPalesareadyoutheScri
ptur
e?,
Just
soyouknowGodi sWi t
hyou-Palesa!
"Heshouts
andiLookFormyBi bl
einmyunpackedbagunt i
li
fi
ndit.

"Hel
losi
s'
Thandi
we"shegr
eet
s.

"Hipal
esa,Ihopeyouar
egood"isayt
oavoi
dthe
howareyous.

"Yes,
I'
llbeReadi
nginSepedi
,Doyouknow
Sepedi?"
sheasks.

"
Ali
tt
le,
ButyesRead"-Isay.
ShesaysSomet
hingt
oBabMf
undi
sibef
ore
proccedi
ng.
"LengwalolaMorut
ikeYesaya43ver
se2"
sheSays
butmf undi
sidi
stur
bsher
.

"Ohohyes,IfoundtheEngl
ishbibl
e,Pleasehol
d"
shesays,Idon'
tmind-mat
terofFactI'
m happy
becauseassoonasshesai dYesayaiknewiwas
l
ost.Yesaya?Yesaya?.

"Here,IFoundi t,Isaiah43Ver se2untilver se5

reads, Whenyoupasst hroughdeepwat ersiwillbe
withyou, yourtroubleswi llnotoverwhel m you,
Whenyoupasst hroughf i
re, youwi l
lnotbebur nt
thehardtrialswillnothurtyou.Foriam t heLord
yourGod, theholyGodofi srael, whosavesyou. i
willgi
veuponegyptt osetyouf reeiwillgiveup
Ethiopi
aandseba. iwil
lgiveupwhol enat i
onsto
saveyourl if
e,becauseyouar epreci
oust omeand
becauseil oveyouandgi veyouhonour .Donotbe
afr
aid-iam wi
thyou"shetel
lsmeshe'
sdone
beforehandi
ngmf undi
sit
hephone.

"Whatdoyout
hinkoft
hisscr
ipt
ureThandi
we?"he
asks.

"ithinki nthi
sScriptureGodwaspr omi si
ngHis
peoplet hatHewi l
lpr ot
ectthem againstEver
ythi
ng,
Healt hem Shouldt heyFindthemsel ves
Hear t
br oken,AndShowt hem thewayshoul dthey
Findt hemselvesLost ,It
hinkinthi
sl ett
erGodwas
expressi nghowhe' sPeoplemeant ohi m and
Assur ingthem toNeverbeAf r
aidbutt oputt
heir
fait
hi nhi m"isay.

"
Wow, Youhavebeenreadi
ngyourbi
bleYoung
l
ady"hesaysandichuckl
e.

"
Yes,
ionceReadt
hisscr
ipt
ure"iexpl
ain
"ver
ywellthen,Iwouldli
keyoutokeepreadi
ngt
his
scri
ptur
eThandi we,Causeidonotli
kethedr
eamsi
havebeenhavingaboutyou, butit
hinkt
hey
concernpeoplearoundyou"hesays.

"
Wil
lBab'
mfundi
sipl
easet
ellmet
hedr
eam?
"Iask

"whyofcour
se"hesaysbef
oreihearshi
ft
ing
sounds.
"Idr
eam ofyoucryi
ngwear i
ngblackcl
otheswit
h
aboutt
hreecoffi
nsaroundyou-Henceisaidyou
needtoprayforpeopleyouarecl
osert
obecause
thi
scouldmeandeat h"Heexplai
ns.

"
Please,
Bab'
mfundi
siexpl
ainwhathappens"isay
"IhaveForgottenwhathappensnext
,unf
ort
unat
ely
butpleaseletusprayandyoucangot ot
henear
est
church"isay.
Isi
gh
"
Ngi
kut
handazi
se?
"Heasksandagai
nican'
thol
d
t
heSi
ghcomingoutofmymouth.

"
Please"isaycl
osi
ngmyeyes.
"
Closeyoureyespl
ease"

"OurFatherWhoAr tinheaven,
Mdal iwozulu
nomhl aba,Wecomebef oreyoubaba, kneeli
ng
beforeyou, Agai
n-Heretoaskf orprotect
ion
Nkulunkuluonothando-"

Someonebangsmydoor
"
Thandi
we!Thandi
we!
"

"
That
'
smymom "iexpl
aint
obab'
mfundi
si.

"
Pleasedopr
ayal
onenganeyami
,Byebye"heSays
andi
hangupaf
tert
hanki
nghi
m andt
heScr
ipt
ure.

"
Ma?
"Isayopeni
ngt
hedoor.
"
Ubabawakhoi
sRequest
ingf
oryou"shesays.

AhRi
ght
,Ki
ngKhanyi
le!
.
InodandFol
lowher
,Myfat
her'
scl
othesl
ooksa
l
it
tl
ebitr
oughedupandhel
ooksTi
red-ohHedi
d
not!

"Baba"isay,
Bor
ed.Hepr
omi
sedbuthebr
okehi
s
promise

"WhereisMakhosonkebaba?
"Iaskandheshr
ugs
hisshoulder
swit
hnocareintheWorl
d

"
Hlal
aphant
si"hesaysandisi
tont
heFl
oor
"Si
ncewhendoyousitonthefl
oor
?"Heasksasi
f
hedidnotnot
icemesit
ti
ngonthefl
oorwhenhe
tol
dmehowmuchofast upi
dcowardiam.

Li
kehedi
d,ial
soshr
ugmyshoul
der
s.
"Thandi
we,
Iam Sor
ryaboutwhatisai
dtoyou"he
says

"
Itdoesn'tmat
terbaba,I
tisTrue"iSay,
event
he
wordsSourinmyownmout h.Thandiwe
NtombikababaKhanyil
e-ACowar d.

"Pl
ease,
Mayigopackmybag?Nqabai
sfet
chi
ng
meinanhour
"isay.

Henods,andif
eel
myownFaceexci
tedt
oget
awayfr
om myownFat
her
,Baba.Hewasneverl
ike
thi
s.
.

"I
'
m Her e"t
hetextReads,Ismil
eatthethoughtof
seeinghim andtouchi
nghisbear
dagain!Awwww
bathong,IhavebeenFedwiththewholebucket!

'
Comi
ng'
irepl
y,gr
abbi
ngmybagswhi
leati
t.

Oneminut
eHewasjustTheRudeNqabaThenext
,
Hehadtur
nedi
ntot
heloveofmyli
fe.Ler
atol
apel
o
l
emoya.

Il
eavet
heroom andl
ocki
t,Idon'
twantanybody
her
ewhil
eIam away,Andbesi
des,myRoom is
cl
ean.
Ibi
dever yonegoodbye,incl
udingSiyabonga-
apparentlyhehasaclientnotf
arfrom here,andwi
ll
bestayinghereforaweek.I'm st
il
lfai
li
ngt o
understandhowl i
yanadoesit,Powertothat
Woman! .
"I'
l
lcomeoverEksen,
bef
orel
eavi
ng"isayt
omy
sul
kingmot
her

"
Promi
se?
"
"
Promise!
"Isayki
ssi
ngbot
hhercheeckst
henher
f
orehead.

Heisdressedinsimplej
eansandAt -
shi
rt
,leani
ng
overhi
ssecondbaby, Lami.Thebl
ackAMGC63.
Wellt
hefirstbabyi
sI.Hahaha.
"
Heyyou"igr
eetandhel
ooksatmesmi
li
ng,
put
ti
ng
hi
sphonei
nhi
spocket
s

"
Yourmaj
est
y"Hesaysdoi
ngt
hosedr
amat
icbows.
Igi
ggl
eear
ningaki
ssonbot
hcheecks.

"
Kissme"hesaysandil
ookar
ound
"
Myhouseisthr
eehousesaway,
Let
'sf
ini
sht
hisi
n
t
hehot
el"isay.
Hel
ickshi
sli
psseduct
ivel
y.

"
Ili
ket
hesoundoft
hat"hesayshi
shandsar
ound
mywaist
.
"
Thenei
ghbor
sar
ewat
chi
ngLwami
"isay

Hesi
ghsl
ett
inggoi
ngofme.
"Ningakhat
hazekibant
uabadal
a,ngiyokhokha
ulobolamaduzane"heshout
sopeningt hedoorf
or
mewhi l
eil
augh.
Aft
ercomplaini
nghef
inal
lyst
opsatZandi
le'
s
sal
on.shuu.

Igeti
nleavi
nghi
minhiscart
alki
ngont
hephone
wit
hTebogo,Hi
sFri
end.
"Am ii
ntheRightSaaaal
ll
on?
"Iscr
eam andshe
tur
ns,Cover
shermout h,
JumpsupandDownand
hugsme

"
Thandi
weeeee,
Ist
hisyou?OhmyGod!Oh
my.
..
.Wazewamuhl
entombi"shesaysandibl
ush.

"I
t'
smealri
ght"isayt
urni
ng,
andt
ouchi
ngMy
Brazi
li
anWeave

"
Wow,
Sitpl
ease"shesayshandi
ngmeachai
r
"
Thehusbandi
sout
side,
Hei
snotr
eal
lyt
hepat
ient
t
ime"isay.

"
Husbandhuh?
"

"Wow,Il
ovehowyouchangedthispl
ace,
itl
ooks
sodif
fer
entandBeaut
if
ul!
"Isay

"Wel
l,
Thankstoyouri
nvest
ment
s,Pr
act
ical
lyyou
ownhalfoft
his"
Inodi
nagr
eementandWet
alksomemor
e.

"
Kissme"hesaysandigiggl
esi
tt
ingont
opofhi
s
l
apwhil
epecki
nghisl
ips

"
Nono"hesaysshaki
nghi
shead
"
What
?"

"
Thatwasnotaki
sscomeon"
Igi
ggleandhi
sphoneRi
ngs,
Hel
ooksati
tandt
ell
s
meit'
smybrother
.
"
Yebo"
Idi
dn'
tevenknowt
heyexchangednumber
s.

"Sur
e..
..
Lost
?..
.YesYesofcour
se.
..
.YesI
'
lll
eaveher
behi
nd..
.sur
e"Hesaysandlooksatme.

"
Yourbr
otheri
smi
ssi
ng"hesays

"
Brot
her
?"iask.

"
Yes,
Hest
il
lisn'
thomeandi
t'
sal
mostt
woam"
Igl
anceatt
hewat
ch.
West
ayedupt
hatl
ong!
.
"Makho?Wherewouldhego?Let
'sgol
ookf
orhi
m"i
sayalr
eadyputt
ingonmyshoes.

"No, Rest.Wewi
lll
ookf
oryourbrot
her
,Okay?"He
kissesmycheeckandWalksoutQui
ckl
y.Moreli
ke
runsout.
.

It
's8am andNqabast i
lli
sn'
tback,ididn'
teven
sl
eep, ihavebeencall
inghisphonecountl
esst i
mes.
NonotNqaba, Makhosonkeandeacht imeitsends
meSt raightt
oVoiceMail,
Icouldn'
tsl
eepespeciall
y
aftert
hephonecallwit
hBab' mfundi
si.

Igetacabtogetmehome,WhenNqababrings
Makhosonke,
WeWi l
ldr
ivebackher
etoget
her,
and
besi
deswehaveaf
li
ghtt
ocat
ch.

Whenigethomeifindmymom looki
ngli
kea
Walki
ngZombie,MyDadalsonowher
einsi
ght
al
ongwit
hMf ananoyi
se.

"
Mama,
Tea?
"

Sheshakesherhead.
"Di
dheeat?Whatdi
dheeat
?Wher edi
dhesleep?"
shesayssi
tt
ingont
hechai
rlooki
ngatGodknows
where.

"
Hei
s18,
Wher
ewoul
dhego?
"SHeasks.

"I
'
m sur
ehei sfi
nemama,
Letmegi
veyoupi
ll
sso
youcanrest
"isay.
"
No,
I'
llr
estonmyown"shesaysandWal
kst
oher
r
oom.

Icl
eaninthemeant
imeandtr
ycall
ingMakhosonke
agai
n,andagai
n,i
tsendsmetovoi
cemai
l.
..
.

"
Bambo"hewhisper
sinmyeyesandial
mostj
ump
f
rom t
hetabl
e.

"Nimthol
il
e?"Iask,l
ooki
ngathi
stir
edeyes,
Siyabongaistr
yingtobest
rongbuttearkeeps
roll
ingonhischeecks.

"
Siyabonga,ungakhal
i,youwil
lfi
ndhim,iknowyou
wil
l"isayrushi
ngt ogi
vehim ahug,myDadi sal
so
i
ntearsandiswearicanhearMf ananoyi
secryi
ng
f
rom outsi
de.
"
Ningakhal
i,
Wewi
llf
indsonke"isay
Mydadgi
vesNqabaal
ookandhepul
lsmet
ohi
m

"
Bambo,
Wefoundyourbr
other
"hesaysandismi
le
r
ushi
ngt
ocheckt
hedoor

"
Phoukuphi
?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"Iask.
"
He.
..
He.
..
He...
Wef
oundhi
sbodyont
hesi
deoft
he
r
oad"Hesays.

"
Whatbody?
"Iask.

"
Thandi
we,
Hei
sgone"heut
ter
s.

"Noo!No!No,HeisnotgoneNo!Sonke!Sonke!
"I
rushoutsi
deandhefol
lowsmepulli
ngmecl osert
o
hischest
"
Hei
sgoneBambo"
Iscr
eam att
hetopofmyvoice,andaf
tersome
ti
me,ihearmymothershout
ing
"
Ngi
funai
nganeyami
"fr
om t
hehouse.

Unedi
ted.
[
10/
31,
05:
41] :Chapt
er36

Ihatedeath,
Ittakesawaypeoplewhenyouleast
expectit,
Itmakesyouwi shyoudidorsai
d
everyt
hingdi
fferent
ly,
Pleaseal
lowmet oonce
againsay-ihatedeath.
Itbreaksfamili
es,i
ttur
nsfami
li
esagainsteach
otherandi t-Takesawaypeopl
ewelovewhom
l
eavewi thapieceofusi nt
hem.Ihat
edeat h.

Il
ookatt heBeaut
if
ulNaledi
,Sit
ti
ngonthebedthat
belongedtoMakhosonke,Sobbi
ngandconstant
ly
askingWhyMakhosonkel ef
thertor
aiset
hebaby
al
one-Whyhedi dnotfi
ght?.
"
Naledi
,Food?
"Isaywal
kingi
nwithabowlofoat
s
whi
chhermothersai
dsheli
ked.

Shewi peshert
earsandsays"
thankyou"t
aki
ngthe
food.Shedoesnotdeser
vethi
s.Makhosonkedoes
notdeservethi
s.

"Whyar en'
tyoucr yi
ngaboutitsi
s'
Thandiwe?Even
atthefuneralikeptsteal
inggl
ancesatyouandyou
didnotcry"sheasks.

"
MyTearswil
lnotbri
ngbackMakhosonkeNal
edi
,
MyTearswon'
tmakemewakeupandt hi
swhol
e
t
hingt
obeahorri
blenight
mar
e"isay

"Idon'
tknowhowmanyt i
mesislappedmyselfsoi
canwakeupi ft
hisisadr
eam,butno-ifel
tthepai
n.
Ididnotwakeup, I
'
m her
e,i
t'
shappening
.Makhosonkehasbeengoneforaweeknow,
There'
snousecr yi
ngabout-i
twillnotmakehi
m
appearonthatdoor"ipoi
ntatthedoor"scr
eaming
Wassupsis?,soPleaseEat"isayandturntol
eave.

"
Sis'
Thandi
we?
"
It
urn.

"Cryingabouti
tmakesi
tfeelbet
ter
"shesays,
i
st
areatherandpushthestupidt
earsaway,Thisi
s
nottheti
met obeaweakl
ing.

"No,Cr
yingisawast eoftime,Makhosonkengeke
abuye,
Thisisreali
ty"isayandtakesometimefor
thewordstoactuall
ysinkin,Makhosonkengeke
Abuye.Beforewalkingoutleavi
nghersobbi
ng
agai
n.

I'
m metbyubabaatthedoor,Hegi
vesmeasmile
andiclearmyt
hroatwalki
ngpasthi
m,ihave
nothi
ngtosaytohi
m, Nothi
ngnordoihavet
he
energytoevenfakeasmileforhi
m, idon'
twantt
o,
evenhispresencesuf
focatesme,itmakesme
wanttopuke.

Ihearhi
m Si ghbutidonotcar
e,Heist
hereason
mybr ot
herisnomor e.Andidonotwantt
ofake
everForgi
vinghim-it
'shi
sfaul
tandhehastoknow
i
t!

Sur
pri
singl
y,Everyonewaspresentdur
ing
Makhosonke'
sfuneralincl
udi
ngMr sBuhl
ebendal
o,
Si
hleandEveryoneelse.
MyphoneRingsexact
lywhenI
'
m aboutt
otakei
t
f
rom t
hecharger
"
Hi"ianswer

"
HeyToddl
es"Ri
naeResponds,
Shesi
ghsandi
f
oll
ow.
"Howareyou?"Sheasks,
Aft
ert
hesi
lenceget
sto
heavyf
orbothofus.

"
I'
m goodt
hanks,
andhowar
eyou?
"Ir
espond.

"
I'
m Okay,
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
"Sheasks.

"
Tomorr
oworlaterTodaydependingonWhen
Nqabaf
ini
sheshismeeti
ngs"isay.

"Okay,Iwasj ustchecki
nguponyou"shesays,
Thisiswayt ooawkwar dforbothmeandher ,soi
thankherandHangup, Idon'
tli
keitwhenpeople
givemet hat'iwi
shiwast hereforyou'
voice.I
t'
s
annoying.
.

.
.

WhenI '
m DoneCooki ngandbat hing,igrabt he
bagsthatihadpackedt hemi nutehetoldmehe
wasdoneandWecoul dleaveifiwantedt o,of
courseiwantedt o,iwantedtobegonef rom thi
s
place,
thelastpl
aceieversawmybr otheriwant ed
togoawayandcomebackonl ywhenihavet o, We
wouldcommuni cateonvi deocall
sandt extsf r
om
todayonwards, ihadmademymi ndup-Vi deo
call
s,Voi
cecallsandText sthat'
sit.

Mf ananoyi
sewalksinlooki
nglikeaZombi eli
ke
always,Heisstil
ldr
essedinhisPj '
sandHiseyes
arebloodshotRedf r
om thecrying-idonotbl
ame
him, Makhosonkewasclosetoal mostever
yone
exceptSiyaandubaba.
Hewoul drefertothem as'
upti
ghtandnotdopeor
coolenough' yeah.Igi
ggleatthethoughtofi
t,At
thethoughtofusnotgr eet
inghim backwhenhe
shouted'eyyFam Wassup? '
,andhowhegota
beati
ngever yt
hingheplacedhi
strouser
sri
ght
underneathhisbutt
ocks.

"Wahl
ekawedwa?"Mfananoyi
seasks,
pull
ingt
he
Fri
dgeDoor
,igi
vehi
m aweaksmi l
ebefor
esett
li
ng
downaft
erpl
aci
ngmybagsont hedoor.

"
Makhosonke"isayandgiggl
eshaki
ngmyhead,
Hej
oinsi
nsecondslaterandset
tl
esnearme.

"Hewoul dtel
lmeHowmuchofagr eatsi st
eryou
are,ahhhofcourseidi
dn'tbel
ievehim, inevergot
toseet hatsi
deofyour
s,nomat terhowmuchit ried
youneveral l
owedmetogetaccesst ot hatamazing
sisterMakhosonkewastalki
ngabout "hesayst hen
drinkswater.

Il
ookathi
m, wanti
nghimtotel
lmemore,buthe
doesnot.
inst
eadheaskswheniwi
llcomebackfor
avi
sit,
ofcour
seil
ieandt
ellhi
m mont
hendwhi
ch
i
sintwoweeks.

"Ican'
tsayiwillmissyou, butiwil
lsureashell
mi ssyourf
ood"hesays, TheFirstpartsti
ngs,
but
hei sri
ght.
ineverspentenought i
mewi t
hhim.

"
Izi
kol
ozi
yovul
wani
ni?
"Iask.

"
Twoweeksf
rom her
e,Sup?
"Thatl
anguageagai
n.

"Don'
tyouwanttocomet oCapeTownwithme?"I
ask,Hechokesonwat erandst
aresatmewit
hthat
'
youaresti
llaski
ng'l
ook.

"Ofcour
se,
I'
dlovet
o!Pl
ease!
"Hesaysj
umpi
ngup
andDown.
"
Slowdown,
West
il
lhavet
otal
ktomom"isay

"
Tal
ktomeaboutwhat?
"Sheasks,
Wal
kingi
n.
"YiseGopacki
nthemeant
ime"isayandhenods
rushi
ngtohi
sroom.

"Pack?Wherei
sYi
segoi
ng?
"Mymom asksset
tl
ing
downbesidesme.

"Ngenzel
eiTeye(makemeacupoft
ea)"theWord
pleaseseemsfor
eignt
omymom t
hatidon'
teven
askherabouti
tanymore.

Igetupandputont
heket
tl
e.
"
Iwoul
dli
ketogotoCapeTownwi thMfananoyi
se
f
ort
herestoft
heschoolhol
idays"isay

"
Ngoba?
"Sheasks.
Ipl
aceherFavor
it
ecupont
het
abl
e.
"Heneedst
ogoawaymama, Hecan' tsi
there
thi
nki
ngaboutMakhosonkealldaylong,Can'
tyou
seehowhisdeat
hisaffect
inghim?"Isay.
ShekeepsQuit
eunti
liaski
fshewouldlikeTeaor
cof
fee,ofcour
seshegoesforcof
fee-becausewel
l,
sheneedsit
.

"
Hecango"shesaysget
ti
ngup
"
Bri
ngt
heTeai
nMakho'
sroom,
I'
llbet
her
e"
Inod.

"Sur
pri
se!
"Theyshoutassoonasweopent
hedoor
Nqabasmil
esandistandt
herei
nAwe.
Theyareal lhereAmanda,Dakalo,Rinae,Sbu,Nick
ohmyTwobr other
sKamvaandSf i
so, f
rom the
poli
cestationbothwit
hthei
rgirl
fri
ends, ofwhich
aredif
ferentfrom t
heonesiwasi nt
roducedt o
Weeksback, Si
ghs.

Mf
ananoyi
sej
ustst
andst
her
e,behi
ndme.

"Wowguys"isay"Thankyousomuch"ismil
e,
Thi
siswhyThatsneakybit
chRinaewasaski
ng
whenI'
m comingback!
.

"Whoisthi
scutey?"Kamva'
sgi
rlf
ri
endsAsks,
ref
erri
ngtoMfananoyisewhoj
ustgi
vesherawar
m
smile

"Handsof
fkyle,That
'smyhusband"Amandasays
givi
ngMfananoyiseahug.
Ni
ckseemsannoyedbyt
hisbutact
sli
kei
t'
scool
,
Am imi
ssi
ngsomethi
ng?
?
"
Sisi
,ngf
unaukuyol
ala"Mf
ananoyi
sewhi
sper
sas
wewalkin.
"
Food?
"

Heshakeshi
sheadno.
"Okay,Letmeshowyouyourr
oom"isayandhe
carr
ieshisbag.

"
I'
llbebackguys"isay,I'
m Ti
redtoo-apartofme
wishestheycouldjustl
eavebutiknowtheymean
welliguessijustneedsomet i
mealone.

"I
t'
sbeauti
ful"hesaysadmi
ri
ngt
her
oom,
looki
ng
aroundandsmi l
ing.
"It
'syours,i
fyouneedpaintI
'
llgetyoupai
ntsoyou
canchangei tintowhat
evercolouryouwantso
thatcanf eelathomewheneveryouarehere"isay,
smi l
ing.

"Ij
ustwishMakhosonkewashere"hesaysandi
sett
ledownbesi
deshim gi
vinghi
m ahug
"Metoobaby,metoo,
buti
t'
syouandinow,
me
andyou-igotyou"

Hesmi
leshuggi
ngmebackt
ight
er.

"Fi
nal
ly"Nqabasaysaft
ercl
osi
ngt
hedoor
,It
's
11'
ocl
ockandt heyj
ustl
eft
.
"
Tel
lmeabouti
t!
"Isaypicki
nguptheglasseson
t
hetabl
es,
andputt
ingt
hem neat
lyonthesink.

"Don'tt
ellmeyouarewashingthedi
shes"Nqaba
sayswal ki
ngbehindmeandgivingmeahugf rom
behind.Iholdontothesi
nkasanuncomf or
table
feel
ingwavedt hr
oughme.

"
N.o.
"ir
espondhesi
tant
ly.

"Areyouokay?
"Heaskshishandsl
owlymovingall
aroundmybody,i
tdoesn'
thel
pthatI
'm wear
inga
dress.

'
Tumel
o!'
'
Tumel
opl
ease.
..
pleaseibegyou.
..
stopPl
ease'
It
urnqui
ckl
y.
"Hey,baby.Ar
eyouokay?
"Heaskswi
thconcer
nin
hisvoice.

"Yes"ir
espondandpl acemyl i
psonhis,onlyi
fol
lowhislead,hishandtr
avelstomyarsegr abbi
ng
i
t.Idonotknowwhybutif indmysel
fholdingonto
him andhecarriesmewi t
hnost r
uggl
e-Hehas
beenhitt
ingthegym isee,butidonotmind.

Hewal kswithmet othest

air
swi t
hmedoi ngweird
thingstohi
m, Thi
ngsineverthoughti'
ddotojust
aboutanybody,li
ckinghi
sears,andwhisperi
ng
stuffidonotknowwhi l
ehechucklesinbetween
thenDoest hesamet omeandigi ggl
e

"Shhh,Yisei
ssleeping"hewhi
sperst
henlicksmy
ears.Hepushesthedoort ohi
sroom andkicksi
t
careful
lyaft
erwards.
"Please,Makemeahhhhahhh"t hatcomesout
unexpectedl
yfrom mymout h,Thisbet
rayingar
se
bitch!Hechort
lesandplacesmesl owlyonthebed,
proceedingwit
hthekiss-i
fwant i
ngtoripoffhi
s
clothesanddostufft
ohi miscloud9orWhat ever
cloudtheysaytheyareon-theniam thereandi
l
ovei t.

Hehel
psmeoffmydr essandidothesamewi t
h
hi
sUzziT-
shi
rt
,shor
tl
yaf t
erthatmyhandst
ravelt
o
hi
str
ouser
sunbutt
oningthem.

Histonguetr
avel
sfrom mynecktomybi gboobs,
Licki
ngandhishandscaressi
ngwhat everpartof
mybodyi tf
indsi
tsel
fon.Yes,iam onthatcloud
too.

"
Iloveyoubaby,
iloveyou"hesaysi
nbet
weent
he
l
icksandhi
shandsslowlymovetomybaby.
'
Tumel
o..
.ah.
..
please,
Tumel
oyouar
ehur
ti
ngme!
'
'
Tumel
opl
easest
op!
'
'
Il
oveyouahah,
yesyes'
hissweat,
his.
..
.
'
Tumelopl
ease,
Pleaseibeg.
..
.ibegyoupl
ease
st
op'
.

"Baby!Hey!Baby!Lookatme!Ndi
we!Baby"hecal
ls
outforme.

'
Tumel
opl
ease,
Please,
pleasest
op!
'

"
Ndi
we,Pl
ease-bambo.Lookatmepl ease,
iam not
t
umel
o,youhavetof
ightt
his"hesays.

Ibr
eat
hfast
ert
hanishoul
d
"
Ican't
,Water?Wat erplease"isayandhenods
r
ushingtothekitchen,andcomesbackhandingme
t
hewat er
,ithankhim andgulpitdowninonego.
Iputonmydr essquickl
yandpullmypant
ies
befor
eset
tl
ingont hecoldfl
oor
,Heputsonhis
j
eansandjoinsme.

"Ij
ustkeepdi
ssapoi
nti
ngpeopl
e"imur
murl
oud
enoughforhi
mt ohear

"Fi
r stial
lowaboyijustmetmakemef al
linlove
withhi m onl
ytor
apemeandst ealal
lmymoney
afterwards,Howcouldidi
ssapoi
ntmysel
flike
that?"
"ThenLayl
a,Shet
rust
edmewit
hyounowican'
t
evenmakeyouhappy"isay

"What?ComeonBamboyouknowyoumakeme
happy"hesaysandisi
gh.

"
Thenmybr
other
,If
ail
edMakhosonke!Ishoul
dn'
t
havelef
thim al
onewi
thDad,
itsmyf
aul
thei
s
gone"icry

"Don'
tcr
yBambo,idon'tli
keseei
ngyoucry"he
sayshol
dingmecloserforhug"Whatcanidoto
makeitf
eelbet
ter
?"Heasks

"Findthem al
l,
Tumel o,Thepeopl
ewhoranmy
brotheroverwithacarandl ef
thi
mtodi
e,Fi
nd
them allandki
llthem "isay

Hehugsmet
ight
erandwhi
sper
"
Ngzobathola,
Theywillbedeadbefor
etheendof
t
hisweek"then,ki
ssesmyf or
ehead.
[
10/
31,
05:
41] :Chapt
er37

Aft
ert
hatnight,ihadfear
edl ooki
ngintohiseyes,
Howcouldi?,Howcoul di..awholepoliceoff
icer
askamantoki l
lbecauseifeelsad?,Iam
di
ssapoi
ntedi
nmyselfihavet
osay,AndNqaba
madesureigobacktoseei
ngbuhlebecause
cl
earl
yiwasn'
toverwhathadhappenedtome.

Andwhenbuhl esaid"sometimesweneedpeopl e
toputsal
tonanol dwoundwet houghthadheal
ed
tomakesureithadcompl et
elyhealed"andinmy
case,i
thasn'
t.So,I
'm backt
ot al
kingtoheragai
n.

EvenMf ananoyisecoul
dsensetheakwardness
betweenmeandNqaba, Evenaft
erhelef
theasked
meabouti tandibrusheditof
fbylaughi
ngathim
l
ikeaFoolhopi nghe'dbuyit.

Oh!Andiwentbackt oworkaf t
erMf ananoyi
sehad
l
eft,itwasbusyli
kenobody'sbusi ness-i
tseemed
l
iket herewassomeoneoutf orblood,andthey
neededext r
ahands,sofarWehad5casesof
mur derinaweekandTumel owast he6thone.I
washappynol i
eandscaredt ooweeksaf t
eri
stupidlyaskNqabat
okillpeopleithappensbut
Nqabai swoul
dn'
tdot hatorcouldhe?,
butmy
stupi
ddoubtscouldn'
tstopmyl obol
anegoti
ati
ons,
henceiam her
e, athomewi t
hmycousi ns,
some
annoyingandsomeofwhi chili
ke.

Mymom wal kedi

nr efr
eshedl
ikeshesaidshe
wouldbe,Shei sdressedinherSi
mplelongdress,
andsomescandal s,Herlonghai
riskoomed
backwards,itakethisti
metoadmirethewoman
Godhadbl essedmewi t
h,MyQueen.MyFat heris
oneluckyoldmanandhet oohadment i
onedi
t
sever
alti
mes.

"
Duuuudeee!
"Mycousi
n,nt
hat
isisayspushi
ngme.

"
What
?"Iask,
mygazest
il
lfi
xedonmymom.

"Youar est
arri
ng"mymom sayssi tt
ingont
hechai
r
andl ooksatusslavi
ngintheki
tchen,idonotmi
nd
, shedeservesthebreak.
"
Umuhle"isayandshesmi
les,
ihadal
most
f
orgot
tenherbeaut
if
ulsmi
le.

"Umuhlenawe,
nowcookli
keatr
uemakot
itobe"
mycousin,ont
hat
il
esaysmuchtomymom's
annoyance.

"Shhwena,
I'
m havi
ngaconvowi
thmydaught
er
here"
Il
augh.

"
Uni
niumshado?
"Ir
ollmyeyes.
"
Angazi"
Mydadsavesmef r
om al
ltheot
herQuest
ionsiwas
abouttobepamper
edwit
hbypulli
ngmetomy
bedroom.
Hesi
tsont hebedandt el
lsmetosi
tonhisl
ap,
i
l
aughbecauseI '
m waytoooldt
obesit
ti
ngonmy
Dad'
slap,isti
lldoanyway.

"Itol
dhi mt hatevent houghyouact edlikeaf ool
andmadeababyatayoungageyouar est i
llmy
son, andist i
lll
oveyoubutiwaswor ri
ed, You
ruini
ngyourf utureli
ket hatwor r
iedmebutWeal l
makemi stakes, soifor giveyou-butpl easef orgive
yourselftooandl ovet hatbabyandt hemot herwi t
h
allyougot" hechuckl eswi t
htearsonhi seyes, i
don'tremembert helastt imeisawmydadcr y, or
didieveneversawhi m cr y"i.
..
i..
.Youshouldhave
seenhi m, Smi l
ingandswor et oalwaysbet heref or
them thenr anof ftel
lingmeshei sgoingt oNal edi,I
jokedandt ol
dhi mt onotmakebabynumbert wo
andhesai dhei sn'tpr omi si
singanythi
ng"

I
'mint
ears,Ican'
tbel
ieveihavebeenbl
ami
ngmy
Dadal
lthesemonths!
"
I'
m sor
rybabal
ami
"isay,
Huggi
nghi
mti
ght,
and
hehugsmebackki
ssi
ngmyFor
ehead.

Oh!,andihadMetNqaba' sparents,
hismotherand
gradmaar egreatpeople!
Hi sf
atherisachiefandhe
wantsNqabat ot akeoverfrom hi
m, Heaskedmet o
convincehim andiwon' t
,IfNqabawantstot ake
overfrom hi
sf at
herhewi l
ldoitoutofhisownf ree
will
.

"
Doyoul
ovehi
m?"Mydadasks.

"Somet
imesithinkwaymor ethanishoul
dlove
someonebabalami,idon'
tdeservehi
m"isay.

"
Uyabhemakanti,
Ifyoudidn'
tdeser
vehi
m you
woul
dn'tbeher
erightnow.Andhewouldn'
twantt
o
marr
yyou"hesays.

Inod
"
Ngiyakt
handaNt
ombi
kababa"hesays,
imi
ssed
t
his.

"
Ngi
yakt
handaBabal
ami
"hesmi
lesandst
andsup.

"
Ibet
tergetgoi
ng,i
havepeopl
etomi
lkof
fthei
r
money"hesaysandil
augh!

"
Aiibaba"

"Andyouhaveveget
abl
est
ochop,
Asambe"il
augh
standi
ngup,andhehol
dsmyhandwhi
lewewalk
out.

Hepul
lsmeandputsmei
ntheexactsamespothe
f
oundmebefor
egivi
ngmemyknifeback,
aibo
l
omkhulu!
.
Hethenwalkst
omymom andgivesheraPeckon
t
helips,
Thefor
eheadt
hent
hecheecks,ahhhimi
ss
Nqaba!

"Euuuwwbant uabadal
a,Thereareroomsinthis
house"nthat
isihasnofil
terwai
tsi.Act
uall
ythe
wholesideofmymom' sfamil
ywhi l
eI'
m notr
eall
y
closewit
hmyDad' sSide.

"
Thi
sismyhouse!Awungmamazefuthibaba"my
mom saysandmyDaddoesast
old,Wow!

"
Ineedt
ouset
hebat
hroom"isaywi
pingmyhands.
"
Leaveyourphonebehi
nd"Li
yanasays.

"
Why?
"Iask.

"Whatdi
ditel
lyou?"Sheasks,iSi
gh.imi
ghtaswel
l
notgotothebat
hroom ke,soigobacktomy
choppi
ng.

"
Maybei
twashi
ssi
ster
"isay

"
Didhecal
ltoexpl
ain?
"Mycousi
nasks.

"
Onl
yaZi
ll
iont
imes"il
ie.
Whenwecal ledhimlastni
ghtafemaleanswered
thephone,itr
ustNqabatoknowt hathewoul
dn't
cheatonme, eveni
fhedidiwouldmakesurehe
neverdoesitagain.

"
Good"iyawn.
"
Wher
ear
etheot
her
svel
e?"Mymom asks

"
Asl
eep,
it'
sal
ready4am"isay.

"
4?Awanakor
obal
a"nt
hat
isisayswi
pingherhands,
TheyWokeusupsowecancook,
IMAJEANI
I!
.
"
Met
oo,
I'
m Exhaust
ed!
"Li
yanasays
"
YeahgonaweThandi we, Waketheot
hersup
t
hey'
l
lfi
nishoff"mymom says, ican'
tbel
ieveihad
t
ocookevendur i
ngmyl obol
anegoti
ati
ons.Ah.
I
mpil
oyiPlast
icitel
lyou.

.
Ist
areatt
hephoneasi
tRi
ngsf
ort
heThi
rdt
ime.
.
'
Answert
hef uckenphoneThandiwe'heis
i
mpati
entiknow, butt
hist
imeiswit
chitoff
.

Thepr
egnantZandi
leWal
ksi
n.
"
I'
m sooooohungr
yyyyyy!
"Shesaysandsi
ts
besi
desme,ikeepQui
te.Ther
e'spl
ent
yoff
oodi
n
thef
ri
dge.

"
URi
ght
?"Sheasks.

"Idon'
tknow,
imeanWhatifNthati
siisr
ight?What
i
fhewascheat i
ngonmelastni
ght?,imeanthegi
rl
evensaidhewasint
heshower"isay.

"Howwi
llyouknowi
fyoudon'
taskhi
m?"Zandi
le
asks

"
How?
"

Shegivesmet
hat'
uyi
syoyoyo'
lookbef
ore
handi
ngmemyphone.

"
No,
Rat
hernot
"isayt
hrowi
ngi
tbackont
hebed
"andbesidesnt
hat
isisai
ditwasbetterof
fthi
sway,
I'
llcal
lhi
m whenI'
m emotional
lyandallr
eadyto
hearwhathehastosay"isay

"
WaziniuNt
hat
isi
ngamadoda?
"Sheasksandi
l
augh.

"I
'
m her
eyouknow,Maybesl
eepi
ngbuticansur
e
ashel
lhearyou"
Wel
augh.

"Andbesidesitisnevergoofi
deatoconfront
someonewhi leyouaremad, Tr
ustme, iknow"
Liyanasays,inod

Someonebangst
hedoorandmymom wal
ksi
n.

"Wearenaked,
andwedi
dn'
tsaycomei
n"nt
hat
isi
says.
"Luckyf
ormethi
sismyhouse,andidon'
tcar
e
aboutyoubei
ngnakedofwhi
chyouarenot."my
mom says.

"Whati
fwewer enakedge?"Nt
hati
siasks,
Yoh!The
dramathatcomeswitht
hisoneist
oomuchi i
.

"Kukueleengnt
hat
isi
?"Mymom asks,
okayt
hat
shutsherup.

"Anyway,yourguestsarehere"mymom says,she
movesal i
ttl
ebeforeI'
m abouttoaskherwhat
guestsandRinae,AmandaandDakal oWalkin.

Ipusht
hebl
anket
sof
fmeandr
unt
ohugt
hem.

"
Zikuphii
zingane?
"Iask
"Makeyourownbabiest
uu,
andt
heyar
ewi
thMr
andMrsXulu"il
augh.

"
Whyar
eyouguysher
e?"Iask.

"Toholdyourhandwhenyougetner vousaboutt
he
negoti
ati
onsandt el
lyou,Theyaremi l
kingt
hem
drybutNqabadoesnotmi nd"Amandasaysand
greet
sZandil
e,LiyanaandNthat
isi
.

WhileRi
naei
sthemostr
eser
vedoneher
e,Theyal
l
cl
icked.

Weal
lkneeldowni
nfr
ontoft
hem.
"
Yil
o"iheart
hechi
efsayi
ng.

Ihearal
lul
ati
onsandI
'
m askedt
ost
andup.

Pheuw,
That
'saRel
ief
!

.
Ilookatt hephonethat'
sri
ngingbesi
desmeand
thecallerisNalediwi
thheart
s.Mfananoyi
segr
abs
i
tQui cklyandigivehim aQuesti
oni
nglook.
"Goodnight"Hegetsupandl eavesheeeeeee,My
othercousinsalongwithLi
yanaandsi yaleftt
oday
andnthatisesaidshehadunf i
nishedbusiness,
henceshe' sst
il
lhere.

"
Metoo,
AsambeMkami
"myDadsaysandhel
ps
mymom getup.
"I
t'
ssti
llear
lymuci"Zandi
lesays.
shehasbeen
eati
ngsinceForever!

"
Siyobabusy"myDadsaysandwel
augh.

"
I'
vebeenmeani
ngtotel
lyou"Zandi
lesaysandall
t
hegir
lsst
opwatchi
ngthemovieandstareather
.

"
UXol
iwant
stomeetyou"shesays.
Eh.

"Whatbusinessdoesshehavewit
hme?It'
sSphol
a
whoissuppocedt oasksmeforameetupiown
hal
fofhistaxis,
andI'
m backandIwantwhat
's
mine"isay.

"
Hai
boThandi
we,
She'
syourf
ri
end"Zandi
lesays.
"
Was,
ihavenobusi
nesswi
thher"isay

"
IthoughtXol
iwasyourBest
Fri
end?
"Amandaasks.

Istar
tnar
rat
ingt
hestorytothem andbyt
het
ime
I'
m donet
heyareal
linsul
ti
ngXoli.

"
Wewantameetup, ksasa,tel
lher,
typet
ype!
"
Dakal
osaysandZandi
letypesamassagetoXol
i.

"Shesaysshewi
llseeyout
omor
rowatMcDonal
d's
"shesays.

"
Great!She'
sbuyi
ngal
lofusl
unch"Ri
naesaysand
Welaugh.

Dakal
o'sphoneRi
ngs,
andsheanswer
s.
"
Mom pl
ease,
I'
m asl
eep"sheyawns.
"Ri
naet oo.
..
.your ai
sed5kidscomeon..
.nt
sika?No
way!.
..
ehh...
ican'twaittohearmoreoft
hat
mgosi.
..
YesFr iday,.
..
.bye.
..i
loveyoumore,I'
llt
ell
her
"shehangsup.

"Mom saysyout
woshouldswitchonyourphone
bef
oreshegetsannoyed"shesays.

Mr
sXul
uhasbecomel
ikeamot
hert
ome.

Wenodandpr
omi
set
ocal
lhert
omor
row.

"
Icannotbel
ieveyouputusupt
othi
s"Isay.

Wear
eWat
chi
ngPor
nvi
deosonNt
hat
isi
'
sphone.
"OhhhhLord,ican'
t,
icannotst
andt
his!
"Dakal
o
saysgrabbi
ngherphone.
"
Hel
lo?Baby?Howlongdoyout
hinki
twi
llt
akeyou
t
ogether
e?"Sheasks.

"
Ican't
,Pleasedriveher
e,Thehot
elisn'
teventhat
f
ar,okay,bye"shesaysandthesuddenlyever
yone
i
sgrabbingtheirphonesmakingphonecalls
i
ncl
udingNt hati
si.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Iask.

"
Ther
e'sadil
doi
nmyhandbagincaseyouneedi
t,
Weofft
ori
dingr
eal
ones"Nt
hat
isisays.

"
Hai
bo?"

"
Ther
esnoneed,Sbusayswemustbr
ingher
"
Amandasays.
"
Woah,
Who'
sdi
ckar
eyougoi
ngt
ori
de?
"Iask.

"
Promi
senott
otel
lthebr
other
"shesays.

"
Outwi
thi
t,Wear
ehor
nyl
aphel
a"Nt
hat
isisays.

"i
t'
s.
..
Nick"shesays.

"Ri
dingapinkdick?,I
'
m outwewi l
ldi
scussthis
overfr
eelunchtomorrow"Rinaesaysgrabbingher
bag,sheclosesthedoorandtur
nsbacktolookat
usasifdissapoi
nted

"
What
?"Weaskher
,nowI
'
m exci
tedt
oseeNqaba.

"
Yourdadi
swat
chi
ngT.
Vint
heLounge"shesays.
Weal
lsi
tdownont
hebedandSi
gh.
"
Windows?
"Amandaasks.

"
But
tl
erpr
oof
"isay.

"
Someonepl
easedr
ugthatmansohecansl
eep
t
henwegoout,Ri
dedi
cksandcomeback"-
Nthat
isi
.

"Usual
lywhenhewakesupt
hist
ime,
hesl
eepst
he
nextday"isay.

"WOW"theyal
lthr
owt hei
rbagsont
hef
loorand
Takeof
fthei
rshoes.

Ri
nae'
sphonebeeps.
"
AndBaf
iki
le"shesays.
"
Tel
lthem t
oleave"Dakal
osaysdeaf
eted.

"
Whichoneofyouof
fer
edThandi
weadi
ldo?
"
Amandaasks.

Welookateachotherbef
oreever
yoner
ushest
o
Nt
hati
si'
shandbag.

Unedi
ted.
[
10/
31,
05:
41] :Chapt
er38

Final
ly,Wear edonebat hingandWear er eadyto
meetXol iForlunch, SheaskedZandi l
etogi veher
myphonenumber ssinceshet hi
nksIt
'sameand
herlunch,Itri
edt alki
ngt hegir
lsoutofallofthi
sbut
noneoft hem arehavi nganyofi t
.Itf
eltbetter
knowingt hatitr
ied.

"
Guys,
Arewet
aki
ngat
axi
?"Zandi
leasksandweal
l
l
ookateachot
her
.

"
Dowehaveachoi
ce?
"Nt
hat
isiasks.

"
Act
uallyWedo"isayandt
heyal
ltur
ntol
ookat
me,
allofushavemakeupon.

"Mydadi
sgoingtopassmyt
hemal
landwecan
cat
chari
de"isay.

"Youwantust
ogoonthebackofaVan?I
magi
ne
allt
heMakeupmel
ti
ngaway"-Nt
hat
isi

"Ataxii
tis"-AmandasaysandWenodgr
abbi
ng
ourhandbags,Walki
ngout.

Whenwegett
otheki
tchenmymom i
spr
epar
ing
somef
ood.
"
Youdi
dn'
teatbr
eakf
astni
yaphi
?"Sheasks.

"
Wewer einvi
tedf
orfreel
unchsowehavetoget
t
herewit
hempt yst
omach"Dakalosaysandmy
mom nodsinunderst
andi
ng,That
'snew.Br
eakf
ast
meansalottomyQueen..

"At
leastt
aket
wosli
cesofbr
ead"shesaysshowi
ng
usthesandwi
chesshemade,Iknewi
t!
Wetrypr
otest
ingbutshe'
snothavi
nganyofi
t,So
Her
ewear e,Eat
ing.

It
extaski
ngherifshe'
sstil
lcomingandsheasks
metocomet osomer est
aurantican'
teven
pr
onounce.

"
Shewant
sust
ogot
her
e"isay,
aft
erl
ooki
ng
ar
oundandmyeyesl
andont herest
aurant
,It
snot
al
lpeopl
ewhowal
kinther
e,Onlyheel
sandshoes
wort
hR10000walki
nther
e.
"Rich?"Ri
naeasksZandilewhosaysshe'
sdone
prettywel
lforhersel
f,I
'
mi mpr
essedihavet
osay.

ILookar
oundandif
inal
lyspother,
Shei
ssi
tt
ed
wit
hSphola,
AndSheispregnant
.
Il
ookatt
hegi
rl
s,andt
heysmi
le.

Wewal kt
oher,andTheshockonherfacewhen
sheseesmewit
ht hegi
rl
s.Il
aughtomyselfbef
ore
wegrabsit
sandmakeourselvesathome

"Sani
bonani
"igreetandKeeponsmi l
ingatthem ,
Spholast
aresatmewi thoutgr
eet
ingback.Ohwell.

"
Hi"xol
igr
eet
sbr
ushi
ngherbel
ly.
"
SoooThi
sisXol
i?
"Dakal
oasks
"
Mmm,
Iguess.She'
spr
egnantt
oo"
-Ri
nae
"andal
mostpr
ett
y"-
Amanda.
"
Andshecanhearyou"Zandi
lesays

"
AndWedon' tcare,Let
sor dershal
lwe?I
'm hungr
y"
Nthat
isisays,al
readycall
ingf ort
heWait
ress

"Heypret
tyface,
Canwehavet
hemenu?
"Amanda
saysandtheyhandust
hemenus.

Aft
erafewmi nut
esWehaveorder
edandWear e
j
ustst
aringateachot
her,
notsayi
nganyt
hing.

"
AaaaggghFood,Wher
ei stheFood?"Nt
hat
isisays
l
osi
ngherpati
ence,
Wel aughather.

"Thandi
we?
,I.
..
I'
mreal
lySor
ryf
ormar
ryi
ngSphol
a
"Xol
isays.

"Ifel
linlove,Wehaveal waysbeeninloveand
Whenyoul eftyouonl ypushedusi neachother
's
arms, I
'
mr eall
ySor rybutiLoveSphola-ilovehim
withever yfi
bberinme, Hei sfarbythebestthi
ng
thathappenedt ome, youknowihavebeenmadea
fooloutof ,
beenpl ayed, hur
tbutSpholamademe
feell
ikeTher earebet t
ermanandHei sthebett
er
man, andifiwoulddot hatagai
ntobewi t
hSphola
i
'ddoi t,Ngiyaythandal endoda"Xol
isays.

"Wai
ter!Addwinetoouror
derpl
ease!Wegoi
ngt
o
needit
!"Dakal
oshout
s.

Ishakemyhead,
laughi
ngt
omysel
f.
"Iappr
eci
ateyourhonest
y"it
ell
Xol
iandshenods
holdi
ngontoSphola.

"
AndYes,
Ihavel
ongf
orgi
venyou,
buti
fyouar
e
aski
ngtobemybestfr
iendagain,t
henI'
m sorr
y.I
can'
tdothatagai
nwecanjustbeFri
ends"itel
lher
.

Shesmilesandgetsupopeni
ngherar
msoutf
ora
hug,igetupandhugher.Shecri
esi
nmyembrace,
andtel
lsmeit'
sthehormones.
"Ngi
yabonga"shesays,inodandwebothset
tl
e
down,Thewaitressf
inal
lydeci
dest
obr
ingourfood
andwet hankher.

"
Ihavet
osayXol
i,
Youar
eabi
tch"nt
hat
isisays

"Abadbadbadbit
ch,butt
rustusyouwon'
tdoi
t
agai
n"Ri
naebacksherup

"Westart
edattendi
ngKarat
eclassesfr
om theage
of5,andBab'Xuluhasagun,andThandiweisher
pri
ncess"-Dakalo.
"Heshoots,Especi
all
ywhenitcomest
oher
pri
ncesses,
hurtheragai
nke"-Ri
nae.

Sphol
aisst
il
ljustl
ooki
ngatmeQui
te.
Nthat
isist
aresatherFoodandchuckl
es,
Wit
htear
s
i
nhereyes.

"
Nthababy,
Areyouokay?
"Zandi
leasks

"
Yes,ofcour
seI'
m okay"shesaysandwi
pesher
t
ear
swiththebackofherhand.

"Pl
easeExcuseme,ineedt
heladiesRoom"she
saysandleaves,
Weexcuseourselvesandf
oll
ow
her.

Wefindhersi
tt
edont
hef
loor
,Huggi
ngherl
egs,
We
j
oinher.
"Roast
edchicken,Somepast
a,andagl
assofWi
ne
"shesaysandl aughs.

"Thent
hesof
tkissesont
hecheeck,Theforehead,
Theneckunt
ilf
inal
lyt
hel
ips"shegi
ggles.

"Iwascrazyi
nlove,
Hemademef eell
ikehewas
perf
ect,hemademef eel
likehewastheoneforme
andhemademebel ievethatiwasr
eadytospend
therestofmyli
fewit
hhim"Shesays.

"
BeseWavel
awangshaya"shel
aughs
"Hegothomeandbeatt hefuckandshitoutofme,
iLeftbutilovehim,iLovehim soomuchandist il
l
wantt obewi thhim,ist
il
lthi
nkheistheonef orme,
andI '
m sti
llsureiwanttospendtherestofmyl i
fe
withhim"Shesays, Wel ookatherbeforeweall
comecl oserforagrouphug.
.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
I'
llcat
chacab"isayandt
hegi
rl
snod.
Leavi
ngmewi
thSphol
aandXol
i.

"
ThanksFort
heFoodXol
i"Zandi
lesaysandi
wat
chastheywal
koutoft
hedoor.

'
Textuswhenyouar
edonet
alki
ng'
atextf
rom
Ri
nae.

'
Okay'
itextback.

"
Sooooo,
Howhasl
if
ebeen?
"Sphol
afi
nal
lyasks.
"Okay,howhasl
if
ebeenyoursi
de?
"Iask,
tot
all
y
unint
erest
edint
hissmal
ltal
k.

"Excuseme,ineedtogettot
hel
adiesr
oom"Xol
i
saysgett
ingup,Gr
eatJustGr
eat
!.
"Li
fei
sdif
ferentt
owhatitwaswhenihadmy
sweet
lam l
omkhuhlwane"hef
inal
lyanswer
sthe
Quest
ion,Il
augh.

"
OhandI
'
m sor
ryihur
tyouSphol
a"isay

"
Longforgiven,
Ifyoudidn'
tleaveipr
obabl
y
woul
dn'thaveknownt hatXolii
stheLoveofmyl
if
e"
Hesays,andismi le

"
AndI
'
m happyf
oryouguys"-
me.

Hesmi
les,
thanki
ngmet
heni
tgoessi
lent
"
Sooo, Youar
emar r
ied"-Sphol
aasks,
ismi
le
t
hinki
ngaboutNqaba.

"
YesSheismarr
iedandver
yhappy"Someonesays
f
rom behi
ndme.

It
urn,
HeDoesn'
tlookpl
eased.
"
Hey"igr
eethi
m.
Heisi
nJeansandasimpl
eT- shi
rtbuthest
il
llooks
l
iket
hesexi
estmanihadeverlai
dmyeyeson.

"
Sukuma"
heSaysandidoast
old.
"Tel
lXoliiLef
t"isaytosphol
a,Whonodsst
il
l
confused.Nqabaisrude!

"
Uthandol
wamidal
i
,
Lubanzil
ujul
il
e,
Ngi
fi
saukci
tai
ntsukuzamizokphel
anawe,
I
thembal
amidal
i,
I
iyophel
akuwe,
I
njabul
oyent
sukuzonkemyl
ovi
e,
St
handwasami
,
Wozamyl
ove,
Wozamyl
ove,
Bambol
wami
,
Wozamyl
ove,
Wozamyl
ove,
SenghambeamaKi
lomet
remi
na,
SenghambeamaKi
lomet
remi
na.
..
..
"

Iwat
chashesi
ngsal
ongwhi
leDr
ivi
ng.Il
ovet
his
man!
.

Final
lywegettohi
shot
elRoom,
Hestil
llooksmad
andhasn'
tsaidathi
ngsi
ncewel
eftt
hemal l.

Hel
ooksatme,
thenSi
ghs.
"
Sit
"heInst
ructs,I
'
mt ooscar
edtoprotestsol
ike
t
hegoodgirliam ,isett
leonbedcoveredwith
whi
tesheet
s, Who'
sgoi ngtowashthese?.

"
I'
vebeencall
ingyoubambo,whydidn'
tyouanswer
myphonecall
s?"hesays-Hesti
ll
scall
smebambo
At
leastt
her
e'ssti
llhopeRi
ght
?
Ist
areathi
sper f
ectpi
nkLipsashet al
ks,
Heis
per
fect
,Fl
awless.Iwonderifheeverpani
cksor
makesmistakes.

Hebendsdownandhi
skneeshi
tthef
loor-He
doesn'
tseem t
omi
nd.
ifeelhiscol
d,Softli
psonmi ne,Hesucksonmy
l
owerl i
ps,andi,onhi supperli
ps.Ist
il
lcannotget
usedtohowsof thisli
psare.
Andslowlywi
thhiskneesst i
llonthef
loor,andhis
l
ipsonmine-Hehel psmeof fmyJacket ,it
ryhelp
him of
fhi
sT-shir
tandhest ops,andstaresstr
aight
i
ntomyeyes,noexpr essi
ononhi sper
fectDark
face-Thi
smani sbeautif
ul.Donotcorrectme.he
real
lyi
sbeauti
ful
.

Thebravegoddessi
nmet el
lsmet oconti
nue
taki
ngoffhi
sT-shi
rt
.Hedoesn'tf
ighti
t,Hel et
'sme
.heevenrai
seshishandssoicantakeitoffeasi
ly.

Wheniam done,
Hegivesmesmi
lebef
ore
pr
oceedi
ngwiththeki
ss.
Il
ethi
mt aket
hel
eadli
kealways,
Heist
akingi
t
sl
ow-Butienj
oyi
t,Hi
stongueinmymouthand.
..
Hestopski
ssi
ngme,
butdoesnotr
emovehi
sli
ps
f
rom mine.
"
IaskedyouaQuest
ion"Hesays.
NqabayomuziZul
uisgoi
ngt
obet
hedeat
hofme,
I
swear.

Hebi
tesmyl
owerl
ips,
har
dthatial
mostj
ump
"Phendul
aumbuzoThandiwe"hesaysandt
hen
sucksonmylowerli
psagain.Howdoianswert
he
Questi
onwhenheis.
..
thi
sclosetome.

"I
'
m so-"hecutsmeof fbyki
ssi
ngme,Seconds
l
aterhestopsthekissandmovedhi
sfacefr
om
mine.I'
m st
il
lsit
tedontopofhi
sbedandheissti
ll
kneel
ingBesidesme.

"
Phendulakahle"hesayschucki
ng,
Thi
s..
.Ar
gh!He
i
sclear
lyenjoyi
ngthi
s.
"
I'
m sor
r-
"
"Mmmmmm"hesaysandt hi
stimeheki ssesmeA
l
itt
lebi
tRough, Notsl
ow,
Notgentl
ebutFast er.I
swearI'
m goingtohaveswoll
enlipsafterthis.
WhatwillisaytoBabawhothi
nksI'm atthemal l
withXol
i?.

Surpri
singl
y,iEnj
oyt
hekiss.Iam notsupposedto,
butiam.Andicannotseem tohol
dt hemoant hat
escapesmyl i
ps.

Thisti
mehedoesnotpulloutt
oaskQuesti
ons,
He
standswhil
ebendi
ngwithmestil
lmoani
ngin
betweentheki
ss,Whati
sthismandoi
ngtome? .
Helaysmeonthebedandihel
phi
mtakeof
fmy
Shi
rt,mor
eli
kehel
phimtearof
fmyShi
rt
!

Hishandsmovet omybackanduncuf f
stheBra
thatihadon,Hesmilesatmewhenmybabi esare
outandst ar
ri
ngathim,hethenki
ssesbothmy
babies,Thenli
cksci
rcl
esaroundt
hem,whilehi
s
handsar
eGent
lySqueezi
ngt
hem t
oget
her
.

Hei swor shipi

ngmywhol ebodywi thhistongue
andi l
ikei t
,Hishandsneverleavemybabi es,He
brushest hem, Squeezesthem t
ogetheranddoes
everythingthatcomesi nt
oyourmi nd,Ist
il
llove,
i
sti
llEnjoyitandSur eashellwanthimt ogiveme
mor e.

Withinaf ewmi nut

es,Al
lmycl ot
hesar e
somewher eintheroom,iam compl et
elynakedand
idonotf eelli
kehedoesn'tli
kewhathesees, Heis
sti
llusi
nghi stongueonever ypar tofmybodyand
myhoneypot, Iswearifthisroom isn'tsoundproof
themanagershoul dconsiderthem, Ohand
Earphonesf oreveryr
oom inthehot el,Iam a
screamingmess.Andyet ,Hest i
llhashi st
rousers
on.

Hi
sfi
ngersmovear
oundmyHoneypot
,Hehasgot
t
obekiddi
ngme?Finger
s?
"Youarewet"hesays,
underhi sbreath"wetfor
daddy"Hesaysandpusheshi sfingersinmy
honeypot
,imoanashisf i
ngersmovesl owl
yinside
me.Isweariwantmor e!Iwantt herealthi
ngand
i
nsteadhemoveshi sf
ingerfaster,Fast
erandilose
mysense,Sanit
yandeverythingelsepeoplelostin
thi
sfeell
ose.

"
Ohhh.
..
..
OhhhhLor
d..
.N.
.Nqaba.
..
Fuck.
..
"

"
Youliket
hat
..
.huh?
"Heasksi
nar ust
yvoice,his
f
inger
smovinginandoutf
ast
er,
Fasterunti
lif
eel
t
heurgetopee.

"N.
..
qa.
.nqa.
.bastop..
ahh"hedoesn'
t,
hecont
inues
Fast
er,
FasterFasterandFast
er
Untilif
inal
lyletgo,
andifeelSomet
hinhwetonmy
i
nnert i
ghs, Hesmilesasmywholebodystar
ts
shaking,Hi
sFi nger
sarejustasmagi
calashi
s
tongue.
Hel
icksmyi
nnert
highsagai
n,t
henmyl
ips.
"
Iloveyou"hesaysandget
sup.

"
Ineedacol dAr
seshower
"hesaysbefor
efet
ching
t
het owelandwi
pingmycl
ean,
Myl egsar
esti
ll
wideopen.

"Hai
boSeuf
unainimanj
e?"Heasks,
Idon'
tanswer
him,Sohel
aughs.

Isi
tupstr
aightaf
terf
inal
lycat
chi
ngmybr
eat
hand
hefol
lowsmygaze.

"
Alli
nduet i
mebaby, al
linduet
ime"hesays
l
aughingandleavesmeSpeechless.Ir
epeatThi
s
manisgoingtobet hedeat
hofme.
[
10/
31,
05:
42] :Chapt
er39
NQABAYOMUZIZULU:

Ist
andbyThandiwe'
sfat
herAkwar dlyandWat ch
asThandi
webidshermothergoodbyef orthe
hundr
edthti
me,-Si
zokesi
hambel a?ir el
easea
l
oudsighbefor
esett
li
ngonthechai ronceagain.
"
Ngekenihambeni
na"hesayschuckl
ing,
sti
ll
f
ocusedonthenewspaperi
nhi
shands.
Heseemst obeenjoyingwhateverhe'sreading
becausehekeepschuckli
ngandshaki nghi shead.I
star
ebackatmywi feandhermot her.Khanyi l
e
Womanar eBeauti
fulihadconcluded, Thandiwe
l
ooksliket
heyoungerversi
onofhermot her.

"ohhandpleaserememberthatiaskedtospend
theweekwithmydaughtersobytomor rownight
youhavetobeattheZul
uhousehol d,understood"
Hesaysplacinghi
snewspaperbackont hefl
oor,
thet
houghtofitmakesmesick,ifeell
ikedropping
herofft
her
eandjustgett
hef
uckoutoft
her
eQui
ck,
butthi
sismyWif
eandihadtogobackoneday.

"
Yebobab'
Khanyi
le"isay.

"Hai
bo,Callmebaba,
I'
m yourdadnow.
"Hesays
andismileatt
hat.

"Baba"isayandhenods.Thatfeltgoodcall
ing
someonebaba, Someonewhoi sn't"
toobusy",
someonewhowon' tcomplai
naboutt he
responsi
bil
it
yofthevi
ll
ageifyoudar easkhimtodo
somethingforyou.

"Letusgot
othekraal"hesaysandget
sup,ifol
low
seeingt
hel
adiesaren'
tplanni
ngonmovinganyti
me
soon.

Hepoi
ntsatt
hebl
ackandwhi
tecow.
"
ThatisBuki
,Hel
osthi
smot
herr
ightaf
terbi
rt
h"-
Hesays.

"Themothergotsi
ckimmediat
elyaf
tergivi
ngbirt
h,
andthatbr
owncowmaj aliRai
sedBuki,ingane
ayisi
yomzaliwayo,i
nganeyomphakathiwonke"he
saysandsmi l
es.

"Pleasefakainumberyakhol
a"hesaysanduses
hisonehandt osear
chforhi
sphoneinhispocket
s
andt heotheroneremainsonthest
icki
nhishand.
Bab'
Khanyi
lereall
ylooksli
keastrongRespect
ed
man,wholovesjustaboutever
yone,idonot
i
maginehim hati
ngorbeinghatedbyanyone.

"
Ikuphil
ephone"hesayschuckl
ingashest
ruggl
es
t
of i
ndthephoneunt
ilhef
inal
lydoes.
Itakethephonef r
om hi
m andpunchmynumberin
thentellhi
m isavedt
hem as'
Nqabayomuzi
',He
nodsandgi vesmehisnumber.
"Thi
sismel et
ti
ngyouknowt hatyouarealsopart
oftheKhanyil
eFamil
ynow, ifyouneedanything
youcallmeandihelp,iknowThandi weyihl
anya
l
amilelayouaredef
ini
telygoingtoneedthisphone
number"hesaysandil aughevenharder.

"Ishouldgiveyouheraunt'
snumber ,Sandi
siwe,
Sheknowshowt osolveher,butyouneedtobuy
herthewhol ecaseofbl
acklabel"il
aughatthat
whileshakingmyhead, iam notpl
anningon
i
nvolvingfamilyi
nmymar r
iagewithThandiwe.

"
Uyahl
ekaoho"hesaysandj
oinsme.

"Asiwastel
li
ngyou"hei
sbackt
obei
ngt
he
seri
ousBab'
Khanyi
le
"
Dansi
le"hepoi
ntsatabl
ackcow.
"Dansi
leisThandi
we.Fei
sty,
Strongandvery
Stubbornbutwit
halovi
ngheart.Itt
akesyear
sfor
Dansi l
etoforgivebutwheni tdoesit'
sgenui ne,
Dansi l
eisthatonecowt hatwouldlazil
yf ol
low
behindslowl ywhi leot hercowsar einthef r
ont,
That '
showchi l
ledshei s.Sheneverget sintothose
stupidcowf ightsbutwhenshedoesshemakes
suret owinandl eaveamar k, Don'
tcallmeabad
fatherbutiloveDansi l
emor e.Shebringsunknown
peacenotonl ytoal lthecowsi ntherebutt ome
also, t
hatiswhyisai ditisli
keThandi we.Ifyou
treatherRightshet reatsyouwayyybet ter,Youare
rudet ohersheget sI cecoldonyou"hechuckl es
shakinghisheadwi thasmi l
eonhi sface.

"
Asiwassayi
ng"hecont
inues.
"Dansil
eispeace.Yes, Sheisal
onemostoft he
ti
mebutshei squicktohelpacowi nneed, uyazazi
i
zinjazihl
uphakanj ani,WhenDansilepasses
ayikhoinj
aekhonkhot hayo-That
'sj
ustabouthow
peacefulshei s,
Zul upl
easetakecareofmy
daughter,nevermakehercr yorgotobedangr yi
hadmadei tmyjobt oseetothosethingsandnowi
giveyoumyj ob.Youmi ghtwanttobuyi ce-
cream
mor
eoftennow.Whenshe'ssadorangrysheeats
mor
eicecream t
hansheshould"hesays.Inot
iced
t
hat
.

"
AndWhenshe'
sfrust
rat
edshehi
tsherheadt
wice
t
henr
ubsherneck"isay.

"
Impr
essi
veZul
u,I
mpr
essi
ve"hesays

"WhenyoucomebackI'
llt
eachaboutanot
hercow,
Fel
ani-t
hatone"hepoi
ntsatt
hecowandinod.

"
Yebobaba"
Hegi
vesmeawarm smi
lesbef
orehepul
lsmei
n
f
orafat
her
lyHug.
.

"
Canwepassbyt
hechur
ch?
"Sheasksandit
akea
gl
anceathert
henbackatt
her
oad.

"Sure"irepl
y,Il
aughtomyselfasiseet heQuite
Road, i
fyouwer et
odumpadeadper son'sbody
heretheywouldonlyfi
ndthepersonafteraf ew
weeks,that'
showQui t
eandpeacefult
hisr oadis,
notmanypeopl epref
erit
.

Istealanot
herglanceandlaughyetagaintomyself
thi
nkingaboutthethingsI
'
m abouttodot oher,
ThandiweZulu-thi
siswhereyourinnocentsand
Stupidmemor i
eswi t
hTumelowillbeburi
ed, ona
Quiteroad.

"Haveyoueverhadsexinacar ?"Iaskandshe
chockesonherownSaliva,ofcourseiknowt he
answerisno!Shewasrobbedof fhervi
rgini
tyand
waslefti
napoolofblood,butitbri
ngsmepeace
knowingHowTumel osuffer
edhi swayytoGod
Knowswher e.
Umoyawakheawzankeuf
ikenakaSat
an,
imade
sur
eofi
t!
"
Huh?"Shesaysandt
helookonherf
acei
sli
fe,
i
l
aughshaki
ngmyhead.

"
Yekel
a"isayandst
opbyt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.

"
Whyar
ewest
oppi
ngher
e?"Sheasks.

"Ineedtotakeapees"irepl
ygett
ingoutoft hecar
andclosingthedoor
,Thankmysel f,itookThi
scar,
youbasicall
ycannotseeanythi
ngi nthecarwhen
youareoutside.

Iopenhersi
deoft
hecarandshel
ooksatme
shocked.
"Idon'twantt
opee"shesaysandichuckl
e.Li
ke
hellyoudon't
,it
ellhert
otr
ustmeandhesit
antl
y
shedoes,
Wrongmovemama.

Iopenthebackseatandtel
lhert
olayonthesit
s,
thi
swillbeherfavour
it
ecar
,iwil
lmakesureofi
t
.seei
ngi twi
llmakehermel
t.
Shedoes.

"Thisi
soneoft hemostquiet
estroadher e,sowe
won'tbeseeinganycarunti
lyoureleaseforthe
tentht
ime"isayandsheopenshereyeswi dei n
shock,Shelooksatmeasi flooki
ngf orassurance
thatiwasjoking-iwasnot
.

Shelaysonherbackandigetont
opofher,As
soonasmylipsandhersmeet,Magebaappr
oves!

Ismileattheeff
ectshehasonme, Iknowshecan
feeli
tpockingonherbel
lybecauseshestopst
o
l
ookati t
.
"Touchi
t"isayandcont i
nuekissingher,
Shedoes
astold,
herhandsr ushtomyt rousersandshe
gentl
ygivesitasqueeze.Igr
oan.

Herri
ghtfootfi
ndsi t
swaytomybackandherl
eft
handsti
llsqueezesMagebasl
owl
y,God!Thi
s
womanisdoi ngthingst
ome..

Ihel
pherof
fherdr
essandl i
ckherhardnippl
es,
shei
shornyandil
ikei
t.il
iketheef
fectihaveon
her.
Imakesuret
oleavemarksonherneck,
herboobs
andever
ywhereicoul
d.

Myhandsl owl
ymovestoher,
well
mynow, t
omy
sweetsugaril
aughathowinameditr
ightnow,
i
hadnotime.

If
indi
twet
,li
keexpect
ed.
Isl
ipinmyfi
ngersandshemoans, Ir
emembert
hat
wehavetogethomeQui ckt
ogetsomerest
becausewewil
lbedri
vingyetagai
ntomor
row.

"Bambo, iwantyout ol
ookatme, iwantyoutotake
outal lyourfrustr
ati
onsoutonme,I '
m her
e, i
fyou
feelli
kepuni shingsomeone, Tumelotobespecifi
c
doi there,withme, i
nthi
scaronthisroad,because
afterthisyouar enotall
owedtothinkaboutTumelo,
YourMrWr ong.Nowyout hi
nkaboutme.I '
m Nqaba
yourMrRi ght."
Shenods.

"Thandiwe,Letmeinplease,
andiwantyoutolet
mei nbecauseyouwantt o"isay,event
hough
magebai sreadytogetdownt ol
ovemaking
business,iknowifshesaysnoI'
llhavet
osuckitup
andunder stand.

Il
ooki
ntohereyesf
oranswer
s,andshesmi
lesand
nods.
Ismil
eandiswearmyheartdi
dtheVosho,
ihave
beenwai
ti
ngpati
ent
lyf
orthismoment.

Iloweredmybody,
Slowl
yasmagebat
ri
es
enter
ingher
"
Ouch.
"Shesays

"Di
dihurtyou?Icanstop"isay,ofcourseiwant
hertosayno,butherpermissi
onmat t
ersmore
ri
ghtnow

"
Nopl
ease,
I'
llbef
ine"shesays.
ThanksGod!

Ibr
ushmagebasl
owlyonherent
ranceandshe
moans,
openi
ngherl
egswider
.
"
N.q.
a.b.
a..
.n.
q.a.
b.apl
ease"shebegs.
"Pl
easewhatbambo?Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
"
Iaskasigobackt
olicki
ngherbody.

"Ngi
yenze"shesays,
ial
mostst
opt
olaughbuti
don'
t.
Ient
erhersl
owly,l
ookingstr
aighti
ntohereyesas
shestr
uggl
estokeepthem open

"
NgibhekeMazulu"icommand,
asif
eell
ikel
osi
ng
mysel
finher
,Slowly.

Shebitesonherl
owerl
ips,
sti
llst
ruggl
ingt
okeep
hereyesopen.
Shekeepsupminutesl
ater
,Herhandsscrat
chon
mybackandherlegshugmyl owerbodyasimove
i
nslowlyi
nher
.

"
Ohbaby.
..
ah"shemoans,
Thati
smot
ivat
ion
enoughf ormet ogoi ndeeper, Fast
er.Themor e
hermoansr eachmyear sigoi nharder, Fasterand
ilethershuthereyescl osedwhi l
eiwat chherst i
ll,
Somehowi tfeel
slikemor ethanjustsex, i
tf eel
s
new. .
.i
tfeel
slikewear emaki ngloveinacar.Our
soulsareconnect i
ngandwel etthem ,Blaq
diamondi sstil
lpl
ayi ngint hebackground, iknow
wecoul ddowi thsomeDvsnr i
ghtnowbutBl aq
diamondst il
ldoesit.Iwat chasshecal lsoutmy
nameandwebot hr elease.Ikisshersweat y
forehead
"
Ngi
yabongaMazul
u,Il
oveyou"

Shegi
vesmeat
ir
edsmi
le.

.
.

Ist
areatherbeaut
if
ulface,Herhai
risamessbut
shelookstwi
ceasbeautif
ulasshelooked,
She
smil
esf r
om t
imetoti
meandiwonderwhatshei s
dr
eami
ngabout
.Memaybe?Meihope!
.
Ilookatherchurchonthefarcornerandigi
vehera
Peckont heli
ps,Sheisst
il
lasleep.Ibit
eherl
ower
l
ip,thensuckit.Thi
stimeshesmi l
eswi t
hhereyes
stil
lcl
osed.

"
Mmmh"shesaysandichuckl
e,sucki
ngonher
l
owerl
ipagai
n
"
Nqaba"shesaysandsl
owl
yopenshereyes.

"
Hi"isay,
pecki
ngherl
ips.
"
Hey"
Igi
veherasmi
le,
andshesmi
lesback.

"wherear
ewe? "Sheasks,
rubbi
nghereyesand
si
tt
ingupstr
aight.

"
TheQuest
ionyoushoul
dbeaski
ngi
sBengkgona
na?CauseDamngi r
l"Isayandshel
aughsand
star
esatherhandsshyl
y.

"Baby...
hey?Iwantyout obeabletosayanythi
ng
youwantar oundme, becomfort
able,idon'
tbi
te
unlessyouwantmet o"isayl
icki
ngmyl ipsandshe
gigglesnodding.

"Tomor r
owwewi llbebackont
heroadagain,
soWe
shouldprobablygohomeandrest"isayki
ssi
ng
herforehead.

"
CanwegoshowerthenGot ot
hepast
or'
shouse
Qui
ckl
y?"Sheasksandinod.

"
Showertoget
her?YouwantMagebahuh?Youli
ke
Mageba?
"Shegiggl
esnoddi
ng.Al
mostaddi
cted.

.
I'
m shockedshe'snotti
redaft
erthel onglove
maki ngsessi
onintheshower,Shekeptaski ngfor
mor eandI'mti
red,honestl
y.Iregreteversteppi
ng
i
nt hatshowerwithher,Shedressesinal ongskir
t
andaduek.

"
Let
'sgo"shesays,
Andigr
abt
hecarkeys.

"
Areyouokay?
"Sheasks.

"I
'
m nevershoweringwit
hyoueveragai
n"ili
e,i
knowifshewouldgetnakednowi'dgocrazyand
ener
geti
calloveragai
n.

"Saubonababa"sheextendsherhandf
orahand
shakeandUmf undi
siacceptsi
t.
"Howar eyou?Ihear daboutyourbrother"the
pastorsays,istar
est r
aightathi
m, I
'm probablythe
ri
ghtpersont oseethroughadodgychar acterand
sofarThepast orisjustaplain,
oldboringmanwho
readsthebibleeverychanceheget s.

"Oh,It
'sOkay.I'
m sor
ryicouldn'
tcomesoonerbut
i
thasbeenhar d,ihadtopreparefort
hefuner
al
thenmyLobol anegot
iat
ions,ohandthisi
smy
husbandNqaba"f i
nal
ly.

Thepast
orext
endshi
shandf
orahandshakewhi
ch
igl
adl
yaccept
.
Isti
lldon'
tgetwhysbusai
dhedoesn'
ttr
ustt
he
pastor,heseemsgenui
netome.

"Ohandist eppeddownamont hagondodakazi,so

i
'llcal
lthenewpastor,ial
readyexplainedyour
casetohi m "Umfundi
sisays,Thandiwenods
di
ssapoi
nted.

"Butpleasebeher
ewhenwet al
k"shesayst
he
pastornodsandwalksaway.
.

"
Hei
sni
cer
ight
?"Thandi
wesaysl
ooki
ngatme.

"
Mor
ethanMageba?
"
Thel
ookshegaveme,
pri
cel
ess.

"Hai
boNqaba,Wear
eint
hehouseofGod"she
saysgi
ggl
ing.

"Godcr eat
edMagebaforyou"isayandbef
oreshe
couldrespondt
hepast
orwalksinwithayounger
versi
onsofhim.

"
Thandi
we,
Thi
sisSphel
ele,
mysont
henewpast
or
-sphel
elethi
sisThandiwet heoneit
oldyouabout
thi
smorning"themfundisisays.

"Yebo"Thandi
wesaysandshakeshi
shand,ihat
e
howhel ooksatmywif
e,act
uall
yihatehi
m.

"
Thisi
sZulu,
myhusband"shei
ntr
oducesme,
i
l
iket
hat.
Weshakehands, andigi vehi
shandalit
tl
e
squeeze,
healmostjumpsbutst opstosmil
ewhen
sheseesThandi
wel ookingathim,t
henatme
befor
eshooti
ngmeal ook.

Theyoungpast
orget
supandhandsusbot
hbi
bles.
"Pl
ease,l
et'
sopenJohnchapt
er11ver
se21-27"
hesays

Thandi
wepagest hr
oughherbi
bleandij
ustst
areat
Sphel
elesakhona.
"Baby?Ar
en'tyougoi
ngt
ousei
t"shesayspoi
nti
ng
atthebi
ble.

"
Usei
t?"Iask.

"Yes,
Thebi
ble,
Thepastorsaidweshoul
dopen
Johnchapt
er11"sheexpl
ains.

"SoJohnisnol
ongeraper
sonnow?Johni
sa
book"isay.

"
Ahol
yscr
ipt
ure"t
heyoungerpast
orsays.

"ThulawenaNgobaangkhul uminawe,And
Thandiweyou'l
lfi
ndmei nt hecar,ican'
tbepagi
ng
throughboJohnint hebi
ble,whil
eiknowihaveto
buyuncleJohnal coholt
omor row,ican'
tbet
raymy
uncleli
kethat"igetup.
"
Nisal
enikahl
ebab'mf
undi
si"isayt
othepast
or
whonods,smil
ing.
[
10/
31,
05:
42] :Chapt
er40.

Iwatchashewalksoutbef
orel
ooki
ngbackatt
he
past
orembarr
assed,HowCouldNqababesorude.

"Ngi
yaXol
isabab'mfundi
si"i
sayandt
heybot
hnod,
andmfundisiaskst
obeexcused.

"Nopr oblem,Itotal
lyunderstand,iwil
lnever
under standmanl i
kethathonestly,howcouldhe
disrespectGodl ikethat?,I'
m sur ehedoesnot
respecthi sparents"Sphelelesays.

"Heismyhusband, Respectthat.Ifidar
etel
lhi
m
whatyoujustsaidhewon'tli
keit,andyouwon'tl
ike
him evenmore"isay,
Hebor esme.
"I
'
m sorr
y,ididn'
tmeanitli
kethat
"hesaysandI
'
m
al
readyup,l
ikehellhedi
dn't
.Thepastorwal
ksi
n.

"Baba,ihavetogo,butI
'
llcal
lyou"isayfi
xingmy
dressandgr abbi
ngmyphoneont hetabl
e.

"
Uyaphi
?"Theol
derpast
orasks.

"Tomyhusband"isayandwal
koutwi
thoutl
ooki
ng
back.

.
If
indhi
mrest
inghi
sheadont
hest
arr
ingwheel
.

"
Heyyou"isayandheyawns.

"
ThatwasQui
ck"hesaysandigeti
nthecar
.
"
Whatdoyout
hinkaboutSphel
ele?
"Iask.

"
Whoi
sthat
?"

"Thepast
or'
sson"isay,
Hecl
ickshi
stongue,
okay
hedoesnotli
kehi
m

"Idon'
tli
kehim,buthe'
syournewpast
orsoah"he
explai
nsclear
lybored.

"notanymor
e"
Hegi
vesmeapuzzl
edl
ook.

"Youdon'
tli
kehim,thenidon'
tli
kehi
m,l
et'
sgo"i
sayandhesmilesyawning.

"
Youl
ookexhaust
ed"isayandhegi
vesmeat
ir
ed
smi
le.

"
Ifeell
ikeshi
t"hesaysandigetof
fthecarand
movetohisside.

"
Letmedr
ive"
Hedoesn'tpr
otest
,Hej
umpstothepassengerseat
andsleepsassoonasherel
axes.

Istil
lcannotbel i
evewear eflyi
ngonaprivat
ejet
!,
I'
m Smi li
ngl i
keaFatKi dafterbei
nghandeda
plasti
cf ullofcandy,Nqabaont hehandisner
vous,
Hehasn' tsaidanythi
ngsinceMor ni
ngandhehas
beenr estlessthewholenight.
"
Baby"
Hel
ooksatme.
"Comehere"isayopeni
ngmyar
msoutforahug,
Heseemsshockedbuthugsmeli
kehi
sli
fe
dependsonit.

"Ar
eyouokay"iask,Heshoot
smeaf akesmi
le
bef
orenoddi
ng.Ipeckhi
sli
psnoddi
ng.

"
Whateveri
tisThat'
str
oubli
ngyouWewi l
lget
t
hroughitt
oget
her.Youhavemenow"isay, He
l
ooksatmenods, andki
ssesmycheecks.

Hishandfi
ndit
'swaytomi neandWewal kl
iket
hat
,
AndILoveit.
ilovet
ell
inghim igothi
m,and
showingt
hatigothi
mf orreal
.

Whenwegeti nt
hejet,iScr
eam andhughimti
ght,
Hechort
lesandspi
nsmear ound.Wearethent
old
t
ositandenjoyt
hefli
ght!
Isi
tont
hecouchfort
wopeopl
eandNqabamoves
tot
hebackseat
.
Thatst
ings.

"Baby,
Ineedspace, pl
ease"hesaysandinod,
suddenlyidon'
tfeel
excit
edanymore.

.
Thehousei sbeautif
ul, Paint
edindiff
erentcolour
s,
ilovethat-il
ovethef actthatal
lthesecoloursare
brightcol
ours,i
trepresentsli
fe,
Loveandmost
Impor t
antl
yhappiness.

"
Let
'sj
ustt
urnandgosl
eepi
nahot
el"Nqabasays.
"
Hai
bongoba?
,Ar
eyouhi
dingsomet
hingf
rom me?
"
Hisbehavi
ori
sgett
ingt
ir
ing,Heshouldbehappy
he'
sseeinghi
sfamil
y,Theycar
eabouthim
obvi
ously-ot
her
wisewhywouldtheyhavevi
sit
ed
hi
mi nCapeTownmonthsback?

Hesi
ghsandt
ell
smet
osi
tdown.
"I
nt hi
shouseyouneedtobest r
ong,thereareli
es
secret
sandmemor iesiwouldli
ketoforgetall
about,butl
et'
sgo-I'
m doi
ngt hi
sforyou,forus"he
holdsmyhandwi t
hhisLefthandandt hebagwi t
h
hisRighthand.

Hedragshisfeet,sl
owlyandslowlyunti
lwer each
thedoorandhisbeauti
fulmotheropens,ican'
tget
overhowbeautif
ulsheis.Shelooksyoung.

"
AwwwawwwwawwwMakot i"shesaysandhugs
me,
thenNqaba,
whohol
dsontomyhandagain.
"Pl
ease.don'
tletmego"hewhisper
sinmyearandi
nodkissinghi
scheekwhi l
ewefoll
owhi
smot her
whoistelli
nghim abouthowmuchshemissedhim.

"Bengizi
tsel
elinj
eukut
hieyamiingane
ayisangi
thandi"hi
smothersays.

"
Ical
lyouever
ydaymama"Nqabasays.

"EvenSiyamthandasaysthat,
AndRoywhat
happenedtoRoy? ,
Yaziyouguyswillbethedeat
h
ofme"shesaysbef oret
ell
ingustosit.
Nqaba
ti
ghtenshisgri
ponmyhandatt hementionofRoy.

"
Gogoi
staki
nganapandever
yoneel
semoved"
Nqabasi
ghsi
nrel
ief
.

"
ButyourFatherwentt
oRoy'
smother,appar
entl
y
Royhasn'
tbeenagoodboyYaziiknewthatt
his
wasgoi
ngt
ohappenhermothershoul
dhave
agr
eedt
ochangi
nghi
ssurnamet oZul
u"Shesays.

"
Mamal
et'
snott
alkaboutRoypl
ease"Nqabasays.

"Canyoushowustoourr
oomsandt el
lsl
itomake
ussomethi
ngtoeat,
Wear est
arvi
ng"

Aswegatherar
oundt
hebi
gtable,
ihavebeen
wel
comedandNqabahaschangedfr
om bei
ngSad
t
obeinghappy.

"
Makot
i"t
hegr
andmasays.

"
Yeboma"
"
Doyoumakemysonhappy?
"Sheasks.
Il
ookatNqabawhosmilesnoddi
ng,
Thi
sQuest
ion
shoul
dhavebeendi
rect
edtoNqaba.

"
Yebo"ir
espondanyway,
notsur
eifi
t'
str
ueoriam
l
yingt
omyself.

"Aiimarn,
Uyazikuthingi
khul
umangani
?"Sheasks,
ilookathershaki
ngmyhead

"IusedtorunawayhometoNqaba'sgrandfather
forit,
Evensometi
mesiwouldmeethi m ehl
athini
anddoi t,
Whenwegotmar r
iedt
hei tgotstr
onger"
shesays,mymouthhangsinshock.

"
AiboMa!
"Nqaba'
sFat
herwar
ns.

"
What?Youdoitangi
sho?"SheasksandNqabai
s
i
nst
it
ches.Mxm, I
'
m gladhefi
ndsthi
sfunny.
"Don'
tbeafrai
d,Angi
yidl
inj
einyamayomuntu
mina"shesaysandilookatNqabaforsavi
ngbut
no,helaughs.

"Mama,Yousureknowhowtomakesomeone
uncomfort
abl
e"Nqaba'smot
herrescuesme,
As
forNqabaheisnotget
ti
ngi
ttoni
ght!

"Hai
bowhenhaveievermadeyouuncomf
ort
abl
e?"
ThegrandmaasksNqaba'
smother
.

"
Whenyouaskedi fI
'm get
ti
ngi tcausemyhusband
i
sal
waysbusy, youevensuggest edmeandRoy's
mot
hershouldcreat
eat i
metableandWeshoul d
i
ncl
udeVil
lageintheti
metable"Shesays.

Gogol
aughs.
"
Wher
eyounotget
ti
ngi
tvel
e?"Sheasks.
"
Excuseme,ihavepaperwor
kineedtosortout"
Nqaba'
sfat
hersaysgett
ingupandleaves

"
Paper
wor
k,youar
edef
ini
tel
ynotget
ti
ngi
ttoni
ght
"
Welaugh,It
hinkI'
mfall
ingi
nlovewi
thNqaba'
s
gr
andmothereachpassi
ngsecond

"
Let
'sgosl
eepbaby"Nqabasays.

"Nqabayouknowyourr oom,makotiI'
llshowyou
yourroom,itisnotri
ghtthatyousl
eept oget
her
befor
et her
itual"inodandNqabasi ghs

"
Can'
tigetanot
herr
oom?
"Nqabaasks.
"Don'twor
ryman, Makoti'
sroom i
srightnextt
o
yours.Onl
ymi neisi
nbetweenyourrooms, no
funnybusinesske"Gogosaysandwel augh.
.

"
Kahl
eboMkhabel
a,ungabangi
umsi
mdo"
Gi
ggl
es.

"Mkhabi.
..
"moregiggl
es.Icannotbel
ievet
his,and
ther
eiwast hi
nki
ngsleepi
ngnexttogogo'sroom
meantpeaceandQui t
enes,Thesoundofthepoor
bedisloud,Wow.

Icovermyear
s.
"
Ahh.
..
mkhab.
..
mkhabzen.
..
"

MydooropensandNqabawal
ksi
n,ismi
le,
He
Doesn'
t.
Ohkay.
"
Let
'sgot
omyr
oom"hesays.
"
Yourr
oom,
why"
Hechuckl
es,
andcar
ri
esmet
ohi
sroom.

"
Khumul
a"hesaysassoonashecl
osest
hedoor
"
Why?"Iask.Whyi
sher
ude?
,igot
ohi
sbedandl
ay
t
her
e.

Hecl i
ckshi
stongueandwalkstowardsthebed,
He
scaresme,idon'
tknowthisNqaba.Heripsof
fmy
dressandgrabsmypantiesroughl
ybefore
throwingt
hem onthefl
oor.
"
Nqa.
.nqabayouar
escar
ingme,
please"

Hecli
ckshi
stongueagai
nandTakesof
fhi
s
t
rouser
s
"
Wenawal al
elamakat
hiyouarehurt
inghim ?Huh?
Walal
ela?
"Heasks,I
'mtemptedtoshoutbutwhat
wouldpeopl
ethi
nkoffNqaba.
"
Nqabapl
ease.
..
"

"I
'
m notNqaba,I
'm notNqaba,
I'm Si
busi
so.Youwil
l
neverhur
tusagainuyezwa"hesaysandthrowsme
onthebedbefor
epushinghim sel
finmer oughl
y

"
Ahhhhpl
ease.
..
.hel
p!"Ishout
.
Hel
aughs
"
Soundpr
oof
.Youar
ewast
ingyourt
ime"

Icryashemovesi nfast
erandfast
ergr
oani
ngand
tel
li
ngmeI'
llneverhurthi
m agai
n.
[
10/
31,
05:
42] :Chapt
er41.

Hestopsandst
aresatmeWhenheisdone,My
hear
tbeat
sFaster
,Ithadt
ohappenagai
n.
Iwantt
ocal
lhi
sname,
butI
'
mtoodi
sgust
edt
osay
i
t.
Heshakeshishead,Tearsst
reami
ngdownhisface
andhewalksout,Leavi
ngmel i
ket
hat
.Raped.
Agai
n.

Idragmyf eettomyr oom again,

andnowl i
kehe
hadment i
onedear l
iert
hehouseihadswor ewas
ful
lofhappi nessgavebi r
thtoanothermemoryyet
again,i
ttookawayNqabaal linaspaceofhours.I
hatedithere.ihatedthefactthatihadtost
ayaf ew
mor edaysher e,butididnothaveto,icoul
dpack
upandl eave.Icouldpackmybagagai nandgo
backtot hewar mthofmypar entsembrace.

Assoonasmyst i
llshaki
nghandsl
andedonthe
bed,ikneel
eddown,Tearsr
oll
edmycheeckandi
l
etthem.

"Babawethuosezul
wini
?"Ichor
tl
ed,Thet
ears
gett
ingworseandthepai
nnotgetti
nganybet
ter
.
"Kahlekahlewhatkindof fafatherare
you?uyakhethulal
a,andinsteadofshower ingyour
chil
drenwithhappinessyoushowert hem withpain,
Babawet huwasezul wini
?Babawakabani?Mydad
wasRi ghtaboutyou. HewasRi ghtal
lalong.The
whiteGodonl ycaresabouthi speople,Wear enot
yoursno, no, Theyareyour s.I
'm not.Am icursed?
Whoi snext?Mybr other?Myownf at
her?Uthulil
e?
"
Isi
tupst
rai
ght
,Hol
dmymout
handcr
y.

"Ilovehim Ke,Takeitaway,TakeawaymyLovefor
him, Pl
ease,idon'twanthi
m, idon'
twantt
olove,
please"

.
I'
m wokenupbyaknockont hedoor ,igetupfr
om
thefl
oori
gnoretheknockandst artpackingthe
clot
hesihadunpackedlastnight.
Theper
sonopenst
hedooranyway.

"Wuuu, SizeSadlanokudl
akwaseminisol
oko
anibonakalinobabawakakho"Nqaba'
smot her
says, Shesitsonthebedandlooksasipackmy
clothes.

"Whyareyouput t
ingyourclot
hesbackinyourbag?,
youdon'tl
ikethewardrobe?Icoul
darr
angeforitt
o
getchanged"shesays,ishakemyhead.

Alt
houghthisi
sconsi
der
eddisr
espect
ful
,idonot
haveanyt
hingtosayt
oher.
"
Kot
i?"Shecal
lsoutf
orme.

"
Ma?Thewar
dropei
sfi
net
hankyou,
ijustneed
somespace"isayandsmi leoutwardlyather, She
l
ooksconfusedbynodsget ti
ngupf rom thebed,
Sheholdsmyshoul derandiwincedinpai n,That'
s
thepartwhereNqabahadbeat enmeupwi t
hhis
belt,
Hewascar ef
ulnottohitmeont heface.I '
ma
cop,ishouldreporthim.i
tstheri
ghtt hi
ngt odo.

"
I'
m sor
ry,Kwenzakaleni
?"Sheasks,
Concer
ned
Wri
tt
enalloverherf
ace.

"If
ell
,I'
mjustusedtosl
eepingwit
hsomeone"isay
andTrythehardestt
oat
leastl
augh,Butif
ail
.

Shegi
ggl
es.
"
I'
m sorr
yyouhadt
osl
eepal
one"shesays,
Ifakea
l
aughter
.

"I
t'
snotapr
obl
em,
Ma?Coul
dyoubor
rowmeyour
car?
"
"Ofcour
sebaby,Bathandcomegett
hecarkeys,
I'
ll
gowakeyourhusbandup"
Onceagai
nismil
e,andputonmybedt
hel
ong
dr
ess,pol
oneckshi
rtandmydoek.

Ilookatmymi r
rorandwi pethevi
sibl
etear
,at
least
theshir
thel
pedwi thhi
dingthescarsfr
om l
astni
ght,
butmyheart.st
il
lthesame, samepainofbetr
ayal
.Andhisvoi
cest i
lli
nmymemor y
'
Didyoust
opwhenhesai
dyouarehur
ti
nghi
m?huh?
I
'
m herenow,
youwon'
thurthi
m'

Whatdidhemean? ,Doeshehavementalproblems?
Thatst
il
ldoesn'
tmakewhathedi dtomeright,He
shoul
dn'
thaveforcedmet ohavesexwit
hhi m or
beatmetoobedience.HehadnoRight.
NoRi ghtat
al
l.
Thatiswhyiwi
llnotal
lowitt
ohappenagain, Hel
l!I
cal
ledhimtoat
tendtherapywit
hme. heknows
whatTumelodi
dt omeandhowi tmademef eel,
Andhegoesonanddoeswor se.
Il
ovehi
m al
mostwi
thal
lmyhear
tandi
thur
ts.

.
"Maybehewentt
oTowntobuysomethingbecause
thecart
heycamewi
thi
snothere"-Nqaba'
sfather
says.

Iwi
shhedr
ovest
rai
ghtt
ohel
l.
"Maybe,butwhywouldhel eavehi
swi
febehi
nd
bahl
ezibabonke"Gogosays.

Let
'susepastt
ense,
please.
"Makoti
?Di
dhet
ell
youwher
ehewent
?"Hi
smot
her
asks.
Hel
l,
Ihope.
Ishakemyheadbef
orepul
li
ngmyhandbag.

"
Ma?Ithoughtiwascomi ngback,butI'
m notsoi
won'
tbeneedingyourcarkeys,
iwillubermyway
t
othenearesthot
el"isay,Theylookatmeasi fi
j
ustf
edthem Rott
enmeat .

"Why?Don'twet
reatyour
ight?I
sitthef
ood?Di
d
someonesaysomethi
ngoffensi
ve?
"Nqaba'
sDad
asks.

"
Chababa, Ij
ustneedspacetothi
nk,li
keisai
dto
mamaear l
ier"isay.I
'
m notthi
nki
ngaboutanyt
hing.
I
'm headi
ngstrai
ghttothepoli
cest
ati
on.

.
Thetaxistopsr
ightatthestat
ion,Isighpul
li
ngmy
bag.Myhear tbleedsonceagainatt het
houghtof
report
ingNqaba,Themaniwast oldwouldbet he
l
oveofmyl i
fe,Whoam ikidding?,iam t
heonewho
hadtit
ledhiminmyl if
e.Il
ethimint omyhear t,
beli
evedinhisStupidLoveforme.

Idragmyboot si
nthepol
icest
ati
onwit
hhi
swords
sti
llhaunt
ingme'Wenadidyouli
stent
ohi
m when
hesaidno? '
.

"
Heysi
sterhowcanihel
pyou?
"Thegi
rlgr
eet
s.

"
Hi.
..
.I
..
.I
'm her
eto.
..
"

"
THANDI
WE!
"Thef
ami
li
avoi
cesaysbehi
ndme.

"
OHMYGOD!,
Omphi
le"isayandt
urnt
ogi
vehera
hug,
Shehugsmet
ightasi
fsheseesineedi
t.

"
Wow,
ihaven'
tseenyoui
nwhat
?2year
s?"
Inod,
Eventhoughiam notsur
e,Weusedtobe
goodfr
iendsonourj
ourneytobei
ngcops.

"
Whatbr
ingsyouher
e?"Sheasks.

"act
ual
lyiwaschecki
nguponyou"il
ie.

"Ofcour
seyouwer e,imeaninevertoldyouwer ei
worked,andyouseem justasshockedt oseeme"
shesays,ihat
ethefactthatsheiscleverri
ghtnow.

"If
oll
owyouonFacebook"shel
ooksatmet
hen
nods.

"
Thebags?
"Sheasks.
"Ohh,Ineededti
meof ft
heinlawssoiwasonmy
waytonearesthotel
,bef
oreideci
dedt
opopbyher
e
andcheckonyou."isay.

"
Yougotmar
ri
ed?
"
Inod,
smi
li
ng.Shei
sgor
geous.

"iwasonmywayt omyhouse,andWehaveext ra
rooms, youdon'
thavet
olookforhotel
swhileiam
here."shesays,it
rypr
otest
ingbutsheisn'
thavi
ng
anyofit.

"
Thandi
we!
"
Ishakemyheadl
ooki
ngather
.
"I
'
vebeencall
ingyoufor
ever
!Howmanyt
easpoons
ofsugar
?"Sheasks.

"
Thr
ee"ir
epl
y.

"Youknow, WeasPol iceof f

icersnotonlyhaveto
savepeopl e'sl
ivesbutt oleadasexampl es,Weare
notsupposedt oadvicewomant odothisandthat
whilewef aildoingso.Justl iketraf
fi
ccontrol
offi
cers, Theycan' tdrinkanddr i
veandexpect
peopletol istentothem t al
kingnonest opabout
howdr inkinganddr i
vingi swr ong"
Inodi
nagr
eement
.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
ochur
chl
ater,
Woul
dyoul
iket
ojoi
n
me?"
Ishakemyhead.

"
Idon'
tthi
nkiwantt
osee,
tal
knorhearaboutt
he
wor
dGodandchur
chr
ightnow"isay.

"Thandi
we, Wecan'
tblameGodf oreveryt
hingthat
happensinourli
ves.Wemustlethimt akethelead,
Heknowswhathei sdoing,Hewoul dnevergive
youabur denheknowsyoucan'tcarry,WhenGod
givesyouachall
engetheni
tmeansyoucanhandl e
i
t"shesays.

"
Rightnow,
itdoesnotf
eel
li
ket
hat
"isayhonest
ly.
.

"Itisn'tsuppocedt o,buttrustme.Iknowwhatiam
talkingabout ,WhenGodgi vesyoubi gchal l
engers
youmustr ejoiceinst
eadofcr yi
ngbecausei t
meansi ntheeyesofGodyouar eStrong,What ever
bat tl
eyouar ef i
ghti
ng, Youar egoingt owinitonly
i
fyoucont inuekeepinghi m byyoursi de,beli
eving
i
nhi m, praisingandpr aying.Manypeopl ear ein
hospi tals,
somear edeadandi t
'sbythegr aceof
Godt hatyouar ehere.Behappy, Thankhi m"
Inod.

"
Sochur
ch?
"
Ishakemyheadno,
nochur
chf
ormenotnow
atl
east
.

"
Thandi
we?
"Il
ookather
.

"
Areyoui
nanabusi
vemar
ri
age?
".
[
10/
31,
05:
42] :Chapt
er42.

Nar
rat
ed.

Hest opsandstaresather,
Sheshouldhave
l
ist
ened, Theyshouldhavebookedi
nahot el,
He
shedsaf ewtearsandstopshimsel
ffrom
apologizi
ngandaskingifshe'
sokay,Ofcourseshe
i
snotokay!Hehadputhert hought
hatallover
agai
n.

Hewant ssomeonet oblameandt histi

mehe
blamesSi busiso,Howt heymeti sast or
yf or
anot herdaybuthewasabr other,
Hehear dher
releaseal oudsobbef orerushingout,Hewasmad,
Athi mself,HisWi feandAllhisfamilymember s,
butmostI mportantl
yathisuncl e,Mbuyiseni.He
hat edhim, Hehat edhim withever
yf i
bberinhis
being.

Hetookhi scarkeysfrom t
hetabl
e,andDr oveof
f.
Ofcoursehewonder edwhatshewasgoi ngtodo
next.Cal
lthecops?Killher
sel
f?,t
het houghtofi
t
sentchil
lsalloverhi
sbody
"Damnyousbusi
so"hesaysassoonashedr
ives
off.

'
Myj obist
oprotectyou't
hevoi
cesays,
He
chuckl
esshaki
nghi shead,Hecoul
dnotbel
ievei
t.
"Youhur
therdamni
t!Youf
uckenhurther
"He
shout
s,Alt
houghheknewdeepinsi
dehewasthe
onewhohurther
.

Hehopedshet
akeshi
mtopr
ison,
asl
ongasshe
f
orgi
veshi
m.
"Iwantyoutoleavemet hefuckal one!Okay?I
'm
oldnowI'm nolongerf
ucken7, icanfightmyown
fuckenbat
tl
es!"Heshout satthetopofhi svoi
ce.

Hewasl yi
ngtohimsel
f,Heknewit.
HeWasaRude,
ar
rogantweakl
ing,HeneededSbusi
so.
'
No, youar
eweak!YouareweakNqabayomuzi'
the
voi
cesays,Hest
aresathi
mfrom t
hewindowand
deci
desheisdonefor.

"Wearedone"Nqabayomuzisayscal
mlyashe
dri
vestoaplacehenevert
houghthewouldeverget
toagai
n.
HeneededSi
yamt
handa,
andSi yamt
handaneeded
himt
ooheknewit
,Hefel
tit.
theywentt
hroughthe
samethi
ng.

Hedr ivesinassoonasAl i
ciasaysshehasopened
thegat e,
it'
searlyhour
sofyetanot herday,
Andhe
hasbeendr i
vingthewhol
eni ght,andnowhewas
here,Johannesbur g.
tobewithSomeonewi tht
he
samedemons, Thesamepain, andthesame
hatred.

Hepar
ksnearSi
yamt
handa'
sMansi
on,
bef
ore
Si
ghi
ng.
'youdon'
tneedhim Nqaba,
youneedme' t
hevoi
ce
says,
Heclickshi
stonguebefor
eleavi
ngt
hecar.

Heknocksacoupl
eoft
imesandt
hebeaut
if
ulal
ici
a
openst
hedoor
"Nqaba,Hi."Shehugshim andtel
lshi
m
Siyamthandaisinhi
sstudy, Henodsthanksher
andtr
iesremember
ingwher
ethest
udyi
s,He
hasn'
tbeenher
einyear
s.

"Melooo,Si
tyourar
sedown"Al
ici
ashout
satt
he
beauti
fulMelo,Lor
dshehasgr
ownNqabathi
nkst
o
himself
.

"
Letmeshowyouthest
udyNqaba"Al
ici
asays,
Nqabanodsandf
oll
owsher

"
Ther
e,Youwantanyt
hingt
odr
ink?Eat
?"

"NoThankyou,
I'
llbel
eavi
ngsoonanyway"Nqaba
says.

"Don'tbesi
ll
yMuzi ,
Youneedfoodandsomer est,
Hellyouaresti
lli
nyourSl
eepi
ngclothes"shesays
andNqabachor tl
es.
"
Okayt
hen,
ThanksAl
ici
a"
Shenodsandwal
ksaway.

Nqabat
akesi
nadeepbr
eat
handknocks
"Ngena"Siyamthanda'svoiceshouts,Nqabawalks
i
nandf indshim sit
tingwit
ht wootherman, Damn
whydidn'tali
ciament i
onhewasi nameet ing,
He
couldhavewai ted.

Si
yamthanda'seyesl
andonhi
syoungerbr
other
,
Hi
sheartbreaks.

"
Gentl
eman,Pl
easedocomet
ochur
chSat
urday,
Hal
lel
ujah"
"
Amen"t
hemansayget
ti
ngup.

"Ngiyawathat
hal amakuke"t
hef atmansaysand
Siyamthandanods, HeDoesn'tcare,
Heknowst hey
onlyvisi
thim becauseofAli
cia'
scookies.Whathe
car
esabouti
shi
sbr
otherwhol
ooksl
ikeazombi
e.

ThemanlookatNqabaasi
fhei
scr
azybef
ore
l
eavi
ng.

"Yomuzi,
Sit"Si
yamthandasaysandNqabadoesas
tol
dbeforehishandsroughlybrushhishead,
He
onlydoesthiswhenheisfrustr
ated.
Yes,Si
yamthandaknowshi
mt oowel
l,maybemor
e
thanheknowshimself,
andsodoesNqabawit
h
him.

"
Youwentbackhome"Siyamthandasaysbef
ore
t
here'
saknockonthedoor,
Alici
awalksi
nwitha
t
rayful
lof
ffood.

"
Ukudl
aokungaka"Si
yamt
handasays.
Al
ici
alaughs.
"Makesureheeatsal lthefood, Thenhemust
showerandrestbefor etell
ingyouallaboutit
"Al
ici
a
says,She'
stheonlyonewhoknowst hewholest
ory
becauseshe,l
ikeThandi wehasbeenbeat enupand
rapedbutherl
ovef orSi yaforcedhertostayand
helphermandeal withhi sdemons.

"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Si
yaasks.
"
Meandt
heki
dsar
evi
sit
ingmymom"

Si
yanodsandt
heykissonel
astt
imebef
oreshe
l
eavessmi
li
ngatNqaba.

"Eatbafo,Wedon'twantt
ogetmadam angr
y"Siya
says,Nqabalaughseat
ingandhi
sbrot
herwatches
himintensel
y.

"
Wher
eisRoy?
"Heasks.
"
Iki
ll
edhi
m"Nqabar
esponds,
sti
lleat
ing.

"Why?"Hedoesn'
tjudgehim,Heknowshemust
havehadagoodr easonfordoi
ngso.

"
Her
apedsomeonever
yspeci
alt
ome"
Si
yanods,
andcont
inueswat
chi
nghi
sbr
other
.
"Andafterthi
sI'
m get
ti
ngri
dofsbusi
so,andiwant
youtocomewi thme"NqabasaysandSi
yaclear
s
hist
hroat.

"
Youf
oundsomeone,
didn'
tyou?
"
Nqabanods.

"andihur
ther"Nqabasaysandnot
iceshehad
cl
eanedofft
hewhol
eplat
e.

"
Ifshe'
stheone,
shewi
llst
ay"Si
yasaysand
Nqabanods.
"
Mor
efood?
"-Si
ya.
Nqabashakeshi
sheadandget
sup.

"iWantust
oki
llmbuyi
seni
"Nqabasays.

"IhavechangedNqaba,
ihavegivenmyli
fetoGod
,I
'm evenapast
ornow"Siyasays, Hewant
stodo
i
ttoo.

"
Okay,
I'
lldoi
tmysel
f"Nqabasays.
"Iwantt
ogotoMkhombi
seni
"Nqabasays"
now,
andiwantyout
ocomewithme".

Si
yacl
ear
shi
sthr
oatonceagai
n.
"I
'
m sorry,butI'm God'
ssonnow,
ican'
tbeseeni
n
placesl
ikethat"heexpl
ains.
"YourGoddoesn' tall
owyout ohelpabr other?
,Who
wast hereforyouwhenyouwer egoingcr azyand
almostkill
edalici
a?Me!Iwast here,icarriedyouto
mycardr oveyout hereandcarri
edyoual ltheway
tothemount ain,butyoudon'thavetocar ryme, i
j
ustwantyout oholdmyhandl ikeiheldyour s
Siyamthanda,butifyourGoddisapprovest heni
understand,andI'
llbeout"hesaysbefor egrabbi
ng
hiscarkeys.

"WhenMal umeandhi sfri

endst r
iedtakingturns
withyourbutt
hole,istoodupf oryouSi ya,il
et
them dowhattheywant edtodot oyout ome
becausethestupidboyinmet houghtyouWoul d
havedonet hesamef orme, Whenl if
eknockedt he
fuckandshitoutofyouiwast here,WhenThey
tri
edtokil
lyouikill
edthem foryou!Ngi njenje
ngencayakhoSi yamthanda,I'
m acol dheartedkill
er
becauseofyou!Ihel dyourhandwhenyouwer e
deali
ngwithsotsha, Andnowiwantyout ohol d
myhandwhenidealwi t
hSbusi so,Butsure, Goand
praysiya,
AndI '
l
lbedr i
vingtomkhombi senialone"-
Nqaba.

"Bafo.
..
atl
eastbathandgetsomerestwhi
leit
hink
aboutit
"SiyamthandasaysandNqabacli
ckshis
tongue,grabshiscarkeysandl
eaves.

"
Nqabamandon'
tdot
his,
it'
sneveragoodt
hingt
o-"
NqabaGrabshi
sgunandfir
esshot
s, car
eful
enoughnott
oharm hi
sbr
other,
buttoshuthim up.
.

Hedoesn'thavetimeforthestupidRobot
,Hej
ust
passesanddr i
vesoffagainQuickl
y,Hewant
sto
getther
easf astashecan.
'
Itol
dyouhewi
llneverhel
pyou,
didn'
ti?
'

"
Justshutt
he-"Atr
uckhoot s,bef
orehecanturn,
i
t'
salr
eadylat
e..
.Hi
scarisroll
ingandrol
li
ng,Then
i
t'
sli
ghtsoutandprobabl
ytheendofthegreat
Nqabayomuzizul
u.

Thandi
we.

"Thandi
w-ohyoulookl
ikeshi
t!
"Shesaysasshe
enter
smyr oom.

"
ThanksOmphi
le,
Whatt
imei
sitanyway?
"iask,
She
l
aughs.

"I
t'
s10am "omphi
lesaysopeni
ngt
hewi
ndowsand
icl
osemyeyes
"
Areyout
ryi
ngt
ogetmebl
indwoman?
"
Shel
aughs.
"
Ihavet
ogett owork,
Yourbr
eakf
asti
sint
he
micr
owave"shesaysandinod.

"Myfl
ightt
akesof
flat
e,Whatt
imedoyouknock
off
?"Iask.

"
About5p.
m,I
'
llbeabl
etoseeyouof
fri
ght
?"
"
Myf
li
ghtdepar
tsat5p.
m"isay.

Shesi
ghs.
"
I'
llseewhaticando"
Inodandwehug.

"Youcall
ed"omphi
lesays,
Runni
ngi
nal
ongwi
th
herhusband.
"Ic-can'
tb.
.i"isay,I
tstar
tedoffasli
ghtheadache
andnowi m havingdif
fi
cult
iesbreat
hing.

Nar
rat
ed.

Si
yamt
handacal
lsSi
busi
so.
"
Hel
lo?Si
ya?Thi
sisani
cesur
pri
se"-Sbuanswer
s.

"Yeaman,iwanttocal
lNqaba'
swi
fe,
Doyouhave
hernumber?"Si
yaasks

"I
'
m goodt
hanksandhowar
eyoumf
undi
si?
"Sbu
saysandl
aughs.

"
Sbusi
so!
"
"Ai
bondoda,
Kwenzakal
ani
?"Sbuasks,
suddenl
y
pani
cki
ng.

"
Justsendt
henumber
,I'
l
lexpl
ainl
ater
"Hesays.

"I
'
llsenditassoonasyouhangup,
andcal
lme
okay?"-Sbu

"
Sur
e"hehangsupandhi
sphonebeepsi
ndi
cat
ing
amassage.

Al
ici
abr
usheshi
sback.
"
Cal
m downst
handwaSami
,thencal
lher
"
Si
yat
akesi
nadeepbr
eat
handdi
alst
henumber
.

"
H..
e..
ll
o"Thandi
we'
svoi
cesaysatt
heot
herendof
t
heli
ne.
"
Hi,
I'
m Si
yamt
handa.
..
Nqaba'
sBr
other"

Thandi
wekeepsQui
te.
"
Nqabawasi
nvol
vedi
nacaracci
dent"
[
10/
31,
05:
43] :Chapt
er44

NARRATED.

Wor k,comebackhomeandcr y,Wor kcomeback

homeandcr ythatwasThandi we'sever yday
schedul eforthepastt hreemont hs, I
tnevergot
better
,TheLoveofherl if
ewasst i
lli
nI CU, Funny
shest i
llcall
shi mthataf tereverythinghehasdone
toher.Sheget supannoyed, ItisaFr idaymor ni
ng,
SiyaandAl i
ciawillbefetchingherl atertodaytobe
withNqabal i
keever yweekend, Shesl eepsway
mor ethansheshoul d, andbl amest hest r
essshe
hasbeenunder .
TheZul u'
sToldhersheshouldnevergotowor k,
but
sheinsist
edandsai dsheneededthedist
ract
ion.
Shehadf inal
lymettheFamous, Roy'
smotherand
sheswor eshelookedalmostli
kesomeoneshe
knewbutshewasbusycar i
ngaboutNqabat olook
i
nt oitandbesidessheli
kedher.

See?Nqaba' sfathermarri
edtwowoman, Nqaba
andSiya'
smot herandRoy'smother,
Shehast wo
kids,Royandbet t
yandshehasn'theardfrom any
ofthem f
ormont hsnow,Iwouldneverdothatto
mymom , Everagain-That'
swhatThandiweswor e
tohersel
fwhenshesawhowt hei
rmot heralways
worri
edaboutt hem .

"Geeez,I'
m coming"sheshout
satwhoeveri
s
knocking,She'
snotinthemood-Li
keAl
ways.

Sheopenst
hedoorandal
lfourofherf
ri
endsCome
i
n.
"Nottodaypl
ease"shesaysunderherbr
eat
hbef
ore
closi
ngthedoor.

"
Hiyou"Dakal
ogr
eet
sthent
her
estoft
hecr
ew
Shenodsandsi
tsbesi
dest
hem ont
hecouch.

"
Youl
ook.
..
..
Dif
fer
ent"
"
Almost
..
..
"
"
TooooooDi
ff
erent"
Shewatchesasherf
ri
endst
alkaboutherl
ooki
ngat
eachot
her.

"Whatever
,Whyar eyouguysher
eanyway?'She
asks,
andnt hat
isigoesst
rai
ghtt
otheFr
idge.

"
Totr
yandcheeryouuplikewehavebeendoi
ng
t
hepastt
hreemonths"Zandi
lesays,
Shegavebi
rt
h
t
oaHeal
thyBabyBoyyonl
yamont
hago.

"
Right
,Wher
eisNj
abul
oyet
hu?
"Sheasks.

"
Asleepwit
hhi
sDad,Hehasfeverbutr
ightnowyou
mattermor
emngani
,Iam wor
ri
edaboutyou, Weal
l
Are"

Thandiwel
ooksatal
l8pai
rofeyesst
arr
ingather
andSighs.
"I'
m scared,iam sofuckenscared.This,al
lofthi
s
mademer eali
sehowmuchir eal
lylovethi
sman,
mor ethanit hought,
mor ethaniLoveanyonef or
thatmat t
er, Ipraymoreforhim morethanmyself.I
prayforhimt owakeupandl etmebewi t
hhimt o
tel
lhim iforgivehim,Ngiyayt
handal endoda"She
saysandr eal i
sesshemeansever yWor dshesaid,
Nqababei ngi nICUmadeherr eali
sesher eal
lydoes
l
ovehi m.
"Look,
Youworryust
oo...
Zandi
lealmostl
osther
baby,andNqabamightbeali
tt
le.
..
"
Zandi
l
ecut
sherof
fknowi
ngwhatshewasaboutt
o
say.

"
Ali
tt
le?
"
"Fi
ne,Nqabami
ghtbescaryandRudebuthei
skind
offourf
ri
endsowearejustaswor
ri
ed"Shenods.

"Ohandmymani snotRudenori
shescary,Hei
s
theki
ndestunder
standi
ngmanever
"shesaysand
smil
es.

"Onlyi
nyourpresence,
Hemustr eal
lyl
oveyouto
tryandchangewhoher eal
lyisf
oryou"Dakal
o
saysleavi
ngThandiweThinki
ng.

.
Thandi
we:
Weal lshareagrouphugfort
hehundredt
imeandi
Knowif eelwayybett
er,
KnowingihavemyFri
ends
andcousi nbymysideiknowicanbeatwhat
ever
thi
sis.
"Nthatisiyouwantedtosaysomething"Zandi
le
saysl ookingatnthat
isi,Shel
ooksbackatZandi
le,
Lord!I flookscouldki
llwewouldbeattheMnisi
residentsindulgi
ngonsomecabbage.

"Wena,Thisi
snott heri
ghtti
me"Nt hat
isisaysand
sipsonherWine,Theysaidtheyareonl
yher efora
fewminutesbuti
tfeelsl
iketheyhavebeenher efor
hours,
Notthatimindbutijustwantedtosleep
somemor e.

"HaiboTalk"Ri
naesays,Andplaceshercardonthe
tabl
ebeforetaki
nganotherone,Whatthe?Ideser
ve
thatOne,butnextontheQueisDakaloandshe
neverthr
owsanycar dthatiwant,Shei
suseless
l
ikethati
nt hi
scardgame.
"
Dakal
olet
'sswi
tchpl
aces"
Shechor
tl
es.

"Nobabes,I
tdoesn'tworkli
kethat"shesays
playi
ngagai
n, ShePull
soutacar d,Smil
esto
hersel
fandthenthrowstheQueencar d,Il
ookatmy
cardsandalsosmilebefor
etakingtheQueenand
throwi
ngthe5.

Nextont
heli
nei
sNt
hat
isi
,Whoi
ssmi
li
ngatGod
knowsWhat.
"Nt
hatil
e,Pl
ay.Youarewast
ingt
ime"isayandshe
does,Hercardsar
eusel
esst
ome, Soidon'
teven
watch.

"
Sooooooo,
imetaguy"shesaysandweal
ltur
nto
l
ookather.
"
Anotherone?
"Rinaeasks,Idonotl
ikeher
j
udgementalt
onerightnowbutil
eti
tsli
de.

"YesAnotherone, Butthi
sone, ohhhthisoneisthe
one"shesaysandZandi lecounti
noespl ayi
ng,i
t'
s
annoyinghowt heythrowcar dsthatineedandi
cannotjustpi
ckt hem up,I'
m onecardshor t,
ihave
twoQueen'scar dsandt woone'sthenfinall
ythe
uselessone,ASi x.

"
What
'ssodi
ff
erentabouthi
m?"Weal
lask.

"
Hei
smar
ri
ed"
Eh!
Weallkeepquiteandkeeppl
ayi
ngourcar
ds,
what
's
sospecialaboutamarri
edman?

Dakal
othr
owsaoneandalmostj
umpof
fthecouch
t
ogiveherahug,
Iwon,agai
n!
"Aiai
Thandiweuyarobha"Zandi
lecomplai
nsand
sooneveryonej
oinsin,
Ahwhatever,iwonthe
gamef ai
randSquareanyway.

"
Uyar
obha"
"
Ent
lekmi
naangsadl
ali
"
"Thandi
wewesaidwear
epl
ayi
ngf
airandwena
youdousli
ket
his"
Ibl
inkawayt
het
ear
s,Am icr
ying?Whyam i.
..
?

"Thandi
we,
Baby?Heywhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"Zandi
le
asks.

"
Nit
hengiyarobha"isay,
Wipi
ngmytear
s,Theyal
l
l
aughl
ikeijustthr
ewaJoke, Mxm.

"Soyouarecryi
ngbecauseWej
okedaboutyounot
playi
ngf
air?
"Rinaeasks.
"I
tdi
dn'tsoundl
ikeaJoketome,Youlaughedatme
andpleasego,Yourper
fumessmelll
ikeshi
t"isay
andwalktothedoor.

"
What
?Youl
ovemyper
fume!
"Dakal
osays.

"
That'
sbeforeyouchangeditandwentforthi
sone
t
hatsmellsl
ikebur
nt..
..
arse"isayandt
heyall
l
augh,Cansomeoneclaphandsf ormeifeell
ike
t
revornoah.

"Letmeseeyourboobs"Zandi
lesaysandir
ollmy
eyes.

"
Why?Youwanta5some?
"Nt
hat
isisays.

"
Firstofal
liwast
alki
ngtoThandi
weNtombikababa
Khanyil
eZulu,
Andsecondl
yyouaregoi
ngtoregret
goingaf
terot
herpeopl
e'
sman,
causeiknowi
'
dki
ll
formyman"
Weal lsayuuuuuuuuuu,
Andnthat
isii
slef
tin
st
iches,Whydoesshenevercare?

"Heaskedmetomar
ryhi
m"Shesays,
West
opand
star
eather,
HeWhatnow?

"
Ithoughtyouguysonl
ymetaweekago"

"Yes,
Wedidbuthesayshedoesn'
twanttof
eel
like
heischeat
ingonhi
sotherwi
ves"Shesays.

"Wives?Thisisol
derthanme, Oldddddddd,ican'
t
handlethi
s,it
'sbi
g!Ayisingangamile"Dakal
osays
andweal ll
augh.

"
Shouldisayyes?
,Heisnotol
d,hemar
ri
edhi
stwo
wivesatt
hesamet i
me"
"
Fol
lowyourhear
t"Zandi
lesays.

"Anddonott hi
nkheisgoi
ngtoleavehi
sother
wivesforyou,Andyouguysmightli
vet
ogetherand
shareatimetabl
etowhenhewillsl
eepwit
hwho"-
Rinae.

"Ilovehim,buti
t'
stoomuchi
"Nt
hat
isisaysandWe
alllaugh.
"
Butiguessihavet
othi
nkal
loft
hist
hrough"
Weal
lnodi
nagr
eement
.

"
Wena,
Takeof
fthatshi
rt"
Idoastol
d,andshel
ooksatmyswol
lenboobs
bef
oresmil
ingatme.

"
Gir
l,Youar
epr
egnant
"shesaysandil
augh.
"
Me?Pr
egnant
?Ohhhhhpl
ease!
"Il
augh.

"Lookatyourbel
ly,i
t'
sswoll
enbabyyoupregnant!
Touchit,
Feelit
,OMGit hi
nkicanfeelt
hebaby"
Zandil
esaysallthegir
lsr
ushtotouchmybell
y

"
OMGhei
ski
cki
ng!
"Nt
hat
isisays.

"
Kicki
ng?Wanyel
a,Hei
snotevenababyyet
"-
Dakal
o.

"Buticanfeelt
heheadForming,
MyGodheis
goingtohaveabighead!Pr
obablyasbi
gas
Nqaba'shead"-Ri
nae
Ist
areather
,nononotNqaba'
shead.

"I
'
m notpr
egnant"isayandmyPhoner
ingssavi
ng
mef
rom al
lthet
alk.

Ianswer
"
Hel
lo"igr
eet.

"Hey,
Areyouokay"Si
yaasks.

"
Yes,
Areyou?
"

"
YesBaby,Wearealmostt
here,Areyour
eady?
"
Al
ici
aasksandiguessI
'm onspeaker
.

"i
..
.um.
.Y.
..
n..
.al
most
,Yes"isay,
AndTheyl
augh

"BeQui
ck,Nqabai
supandoutofICU,Butwest
il
l
eTown,Shoul
dibri
ngyouyourFavour
it
emuffi
ns?"
Isqueali
nexci
tement
!
"
Yesyesplease,
AndSimbasnacks,
AndWi
ngsat
KFC-"shecutsmeof
f

"
Andabur
ger
,Weknowbaby"-Shesays,
ili
keher
.
"That
'sl
iket
hewhol
egrocer
y,Nqabai
sgoi
ngtopay
assoonashegetsup"Si
yasaysandt
heyl
augh,I
'
m
fai
li
ngtocat
chthej
oke

"I
'
llpayyouassoonasyougether
e"isayandhang
up.

"ihavet
ogetr
eadyAl
ici
aandSi
yaar
eal
mosther
e"
isay

"
Sur
e,l
et'
shel
pyou"
Inod.
.

"
HeyThandi
we"Si
yagr
eet
sandiFakeasmi
le.
"
HeySi
ya,
HeyAl
ici
a"

"Here;igotyouyourf
ood"isquealonceagai
nin
exci
tementbef or
eigr
abtheplasti
c.Andstar
t
eati
ng.
"I
m.I'm sor
ry.I
'mjust.Soo"imoan,
Thi
sisdel
ici
ous
"I'
m so.
Damn. huuuunngrryyy"

"
Don'
twor
ry"Si
yaanddr
ivesof
f.

"Howmuchwillalloft
hisbe?"Iask,Sear
chingmy
handbag,
Theylookatmel i
keI'm cr
azybeforeSi
ya
shakeshi
shead
"LookThandi
we,Whatisai
d.i
twasmeantt
obea
Joke"Hesays.

"
Cool
,Howmuchi
sit
?"Iask,
Siyachuckl
esand
t
heyf
ocusont
her
oadahead.

"Hey"isaybrushi
nghi
shead,
Andpl
ant
ingaki
ss
onhisforehead.
"
GuessWhat
?"Ibr
ushhi
shand.
"Imight,
WellWe..
Wemi ghtbepregnant,Youare
goingtobeDadandI,Amot her
.Yayy!,I'
m happy,
Youar egoi
ngtobeagreatdadicanf eeli
t"ibrush
hishandonmybellyandhelphim brushit
"pleaseWakeupNqaba, If
orgi
veyouf
or
everythi
ng,I
'
m sur
ethatwasn'
tyou,
imeanyou
wouldn'thur
tmeli
kethat
"
Isi
gh
"ILoveyou,We.Loveyou"isayandki
sshischeeck
beforel
ayingmyheadonhishandthensoondrif
t
topeacefulSl
eep.

.
I'
m wokenupbysomeonesqueezi
ngmyhand,
That
hurt
s
"
W..
w.aat
er"
Ismi
le

"
Nqaba?"igetupasf astasli
ghtni
ngandgethi
m
waterbefor
ehelpi
nghi m dr
ink,Hegul
psdownthe
wholeglassofwaterandstaresatme.

"whoar
eyou?Wher
eisNondumi
so?
"Heasks.

"
Who?
"
"
Nondumi
so,
Myf
ianćee"
[
10/
31,
05:
43] :Chapt
er44.

Assoonasmyheadhi t
sthepill
ow,Ican'tsuppress
theloudCrythatescapesmyl i
ps,Icryuntilij
ust
can'
t,icr
yunt i
lican'tevenbreathsoibalancemy
handont hesidedr awertr
yingtocatchmybr eath,
Myl owerli
psshakeandiswearicoul dn'
tfeelmy
eyesanymor e,Idon'tevenremembert helasttimei
cri
ed,Nevermindlikethis.
Thedoorbangsandiignorei
tknowi
ngwhoi
tmi
ght
be,
Ineedfood,ineedfood.
'
Youshouldhavefi
nishedhi
m of
f,howdarehe
for
getyououtof
fallpeopl
e't
hei
nnerThandi
we
sayscausi
ngmet orememberwhathadhappened
soicry,
agai
n.
.
Theloudbangwakesmef r
om mypeacef ulsleep,
Whyam il ying?Ther ewasnothi
ngpeacef ulabout
i
t,itwasal lwakingupatnightcr yoverhowt he
manit houghtwasf ormeissufferi
ngfrom some
sever
ebr aindamagebutst il
lremember shi sex,i
pushthebl anketroughlyonthefloorbeforeget t
ing
up.
"
Shi
t"isayandt
ouchmyhead.
Bhabhal
azai
sn'
tevencl
oset
othi
s.

Iwal
ktothefl
oorbar ef
ootandrememberhow
Nqabawouldli
ter
aryscowlatmef orwal
king
bar
efoot
,igi
ggleatthethoughtofi
t.
Ipullt
hedoorandstandt
herelookingatthem ,
i
hatethel
ookstheyaregi
vingmeliketheygivea
fl
yingFuck.
"
Hell
o"Nqaba'sfathergr
eet
s,Inodbef
orewant
ing
t
oChaset hei
rArsesoutbef
oreremember
ingt
his
i
sn'
tthei
rfaul
t.
Imovef
rom t
hedoorandr
ollmyeyesr
ightaf
ter
t
heygeti
n.

"
Ashl
aleniphansi
"isayandSet
tl
eont
hecouch.
"
Howar
eyou?
"Roy'
smot
herasks.

"I
'
m good,ihaveneverf
eltt
hisgoodi
nal
ongt
ime!
"
Isayandshesighs.

"
I'
m sor
ry"
"Metoo"imut
ter"Woul
dyoul
ikeanyt
hingt
o
dri
nk?"
Theyal
lshaket
hei
rheadsnoandinod.
"I
'
m notgoi
ngt
ohospi
talt
oday"isay
"Nqabaisbeingdischar
gedtoday,wel
lheor
der
ed
theDoctortodischar
gehim andsohehadno
choice"igi
ggle,Nowthat'
ssomethi
ngmyNqaba
woulddo.
"
AndSi
yamanagedt
otr
ackdownNondumi
so,
not
f
arf
rom her
e"
Ishi
ftuncomf
ort
abl
y.
"Soni vel
anadecidaukuthini
yomf unawithoutmy
appr oval
,Hemighthaveforgot
tenmebuthei sstil
l
myhusbandsono, I
'm notagreeingtoanyoft hi
s,
futhiineedspaceandI'
m sayingal loft
hisoutof
respect"Isaystandi
ngupandt heyareleftsi
tt
ed
ont hemycouches.

"Thandi
weLove, Wedonotagr
eetoanyofthi
sbut
wehavet odothisi
fwewantNqabahelped,
andthe
Doctorsuggest
editmi
ghtbeagoodideatohave
heraround"gogoExplai
ns.
"Wel
lGobackt
othatst
upi
d..
."ist
opmysel
fand
Takei
nadeepbreat
h.
"Gobackt
othesocall
eddoctorandtel
lhi
mt o
comeandtel
lmethatshi
t,Here.Facet
oface"
Iopenthedoorandmyfacei
smetbyawoman
car
ryi
ngbags,Whatnow?
"
Hi"igr
eetandshesmi
lesshyl
yatme.
"
Hey"shegr
eet
sbackandican'
thel
pbutsmi
le.

"Howcanihel
pyou?"Iask,
Scanningherf
rom
headt
oToesti
llsmi
li
ng,Sheisbeaut
if
ulnoli
es.

"I
'
m Nondumiso"shesays,ist
opandst
arest
rai
ght
atherf
ace,
unti
lshelooksdown.
"
Yes?
"Isay

"
Iwast
oldt
ocomeher
eforNqaba"
Ishutthedoorcl
osedonherf
aceandst
areatThe
Zulu'
s.

"I
'
m beingt
est
edher
e,ngi
yal
ingwa"isayundermy
breat
h.
"t
heDoct
orsuggest
edWebr
inghercl
oset
o
Nqababecausehemightl
ear
ntor
ememberst
uff
t
henfinal
lyyouaf
terher
emember
shi
sbreakup
wit
hNondumi so"

"Whydidn'
tyoutakehert
oNqaba'
soldhouse?
"I
askthi
sisstar
ti
ngtoannoyme,Honest
ly.

"
It
'sr
ent
ed"iSi
gh

"
Howi
sthi
sgoi
ngt
owor
k"iaskdeaf
eted.

.
SiyahelpsNqabatoWalki
n,Helooksar
ound
obviouslyunf
armi
li
awit
hthepl
ace.
Hiseyeslandonmeandhest aresbl
anklyatme,
Myhear tnotonlyjustbreaksbutifeelitshut
terand
tur
ni nt
omi xmeat ,Hereall
ydoesn'trememberme
doeshe?Thesmi leihadondi sappears,Il
ookathis
everymoveat t
ent i
vely,
Hel ooksatNondumi so
beforesmil
ingwi delyather.
"
Baby"hesays.
Al
leyesturntolookatmeandiswall
owt helamp
onthroat
,ican'
tbeli
eveiact
ual
lywantt
ocr y,Li
kei
di
dn'tdoenoughofit.

Siyast
il
lhelpshi mlimptoNondumi soandiwatch
ashepullsheri nforaborncrushi
nghug, Henever
evenmentionedhavi nganExbyt hename
Nondumiso, iguessthathurt
sevenmor e,Maybei
didnotknowhi m asWel lasit
houghtidid.

Af
tert
hehughetur
nstol
ookatmeandsmi
les,
I
cl
earmyt
hroatt
ryi
ngt
oforceasmi
le
"
Smi
lebaby"al
ici
awhi
sper
sandinod,
smi
li
ngback
athi
m.

"
Iwi
llbei
nmyr
oom "isay.
"
Youliveher
e?"Heasks,Hi
svoi
ceisoft
heol
d
Nqaba,TheNqabat
hatwaswithLayl
anotmy
Nqaba,Thej
udgmental
,RudeNqaba.

IkeepQui
tewai
tingf
ort
heZul
u'st
orespond,
Idon'
t
haveti
mefort
his.
"
Yes"t
hegogor
esponds.

"
She'
sthemai
d"Nondumi
sosays,
Wel
lExcuseme.
"Mai
d?NonoHoney, I
'
m niceverynice,butiwil
lnot
begiventhatmaidtit
lenotinmy-"istopmysel f
bef
oretakingadeepbr eat
h" I'
m notamai d"isay
andwalkaway, Iguesstheydidn'
tthinkaboutthat
par
t,Iwil
lnotall
owbei ngcall
edaMai dinmyhouse!
MayGodFor gi
vemeshame! .
.
"Wear el
eaving,
Yourphonehasbeenri
ngingnone
stopandwewer etol
dnottodist
urbyou,
Hest i
ll
cares"Al
ici
asaysandsitsnextt
omeonmybed.
Whengogosai dishouldmovetothesmal lerr
oom ,
iref
usedplai
nly,Imightbealotofthingsbutafool
isnotoneofthem ,Nqabaandthepr eci
ous
Nondumisowi l
lsl
eepintheguestroom.
Theniwasaskedt oatl
easttomovehi sclothesto
hisroom .Ical
ledmymom andshesai dShe's
coming, it
rustherbutitoldherI'
l
lbeokay, iam my
mother'sdaughterandmymot her
'sdaughterisnot
acigarett
e.Angbhenywa, SoagainisaidHELLTO
THENO!Nqabamustcomeher etofetchhis
cl
othes.

"Thanks"isaytaki
ngthephonef r
om herandstar
e
atthemissedcall
s,Ihave5from Mymom, 5fr
om
mydad, thenrestf
rom allmyfr
iendsi
ncluding
Xoli
e,andnoihaven'ttol
dthem,yet.
"
Iwonderwhodi
ed"isayandshechuckl
es.
"
Youareastr
ongWomanThandi
we,
That
'swhyhe
l
ovesyou,
Youarest
rong"
IkeepQui
teandl
ookather
.

"Itst
art
edwhenhewas9, Si
ya,
Hewasmolestedby
hisuncle,
thenl
aterNqabawasal
somol
estedby
thesameuncle"
Iopenmymout
hinshock.

"
Nqaba?
"
Shenods.
"
Nqaba.
"

"Buthowandwhatr eall
yhappenedi snotmypl ace
totellbutiwil
ltel
lyout his,attheageof13they
decidedongoi ngtoawel lknownWi tchdoct
orfor
them tobest r
ong, ithink.Hegavet hem umuthi
andt oldthem t
heywi llbepr ot
ected,
Bysbusisoand
sot
sha."shesaysandir
ememberNqabat
ell
ingme
heissbusi
so.

"Andtheycouldbewiththepeopleonlywher et hei
r
unclehurtt
hem,Theyhadt otoughenup, al
lthreeof
them,Tumelowast heweakest,Hef oundan
escapeingoingaroundhurti
ngotherwoman, and
whenimetSi yait
riedal
lsortsoftherapistsforall
ofthem butnoneofthem hel
ped"shesi ghs.

"
Tumel
o?"Iask.
"
YesRoy,Theyoungest
.Him andhissist
er,May
t
hei
rsoul
srestinpeace.Di
dal otofbadstuff
"

"
Wai
t,Royi
sdead?
"
Shel
ooksatmeandnods.

"Yes,Buthi
smotherdoesn'
tknow,onl
yi,
SiyabongaandNqabaknow,wellyout
oonow"
Athoughtf
lashesonmymi
ndbuti
gnor
eit
,itcan'
t
be.

"
AndDoyouknowLayl
a?"Iask.
"OhYesLayla,Theonewhowasr apedbyherfather
, whil
ethemot herort
heaunthel
dherdown, She
wasr eal
lyaverygoodperson,Nqabathought
mar r
yingherwassavingherbuthimselft
ooafter
hekill
edtheloveofherLi
fe"mymout hhangsin
shock,Padidthat?ThenwhywasLayl asocool and
nicearoundthem.

AndNqabaki
ll
ed.
..
thi
sist
oomuch.
"I
'
m sor ryishouldn'thavetoldyout hat,nami
l
ezimfihloziyangisindel
a"shesays, idon'tbl
ame
her.NowiknowwhyNqabadi dn'
twantt hem atour
wedding, Iwil
lmakesur et
ocutt hem outofmyl i
fe
i
mmedi atel
y,ifLaylawantedt hem j
ailedshewoul d
havebutshedi dn'tsoiam forcedtor especther
deci
sion.
"Nomat t
erhowmuchNqabat r
iedtotellherhow
herparent
sknewwhattheyweredoing, shetol
d
himtheyarest
il
lherbl
oodfamily"-ArgghLayla.

"Butwhat'
sdoneisdone"inod,
she'
sri
ght.
ther
e's
nothi
ngthatcanbedone.

"
Andnondumi
so?
"
Shel
aughs.

"Ihat
ethatoneyazi
,ShehurtNqaba,
I'
m pr
ett
ysur
e
sheabort
ed5ofNqaba'skids"
Agai
n,Mymouthhangsi
nshock,
iguesst
her
e'sa
l
otidi
dn'
tknow.

"Al
ici
a!,
Haiboweneedt
ogetgoi
ng"Si
yashout
s
andWel augh.
"I
'
llseeyoutomorrow"shesaysbef
oreki
ssi
ngmy
cheeck,inodandsherunsout.

.
"Iknow,Idon'
tli
kethenameeitherkodwaul
iSot
sha
l
amiwena, SoifyouareaboyI'l
lnameyou
SotshaLami,Becauseyoumakemommyst r
ong,
Eventhoughdadf or
gotusiknowihaveyou"
Ispr
eadthevasel
ineonmybel
lysmi
li
ng,
and
humming.
Ther
e'ssomet
hingr
efr
eshi
ngaboutdoi
ngt
his.

"
Kodwaungadel
eli
"isayandlaugh,i
fsomeone
woul
dst
andatthedoorthey'
dthinkI
'
m cr
azy.

"Sot
shalami ,
sotshal
ami
,ifeelst
rongwhenihol
d
youli
ket hi
s,youmakemamist r
ong,andpl
ease
don'
tlooklikeyourdadaveanekhandalomunt
u!"I
l
aughandsomeonecl
earst
hei
rthr
oat
,it
urn
Qui
ckl
ypul
li
ngmyshirt.

"
H..
hi"hesays
"
Yes?
"
"
Iwast
oldmycl
othesar
einher
e"hesays

"
Yesthere"ipointandhenodswalki
ngthere,
He
t
akesoffhis..
.HaiboSot
shabehave,
Don'tget
mommyhor ny!
"Thanks"hesaysandwalksout,
ipushthedoor
slowlyl
ooki
ngashewalksdownstair
s,Nondumiso
hugshimf r
om behi
ndandhesmilestur
ningtof
ace
herthen,Theyki
ss.
[
10/
31,
05:
44] :Chapt
er45

Whatisawl astni
ghtli
teral
lytor
emyheartint
oa
mil
li
onpieces,Icri
edtil
lisl
ept,idonoteven
r
emembermovi ngfrom t
hef l
oortomybed.
Ipushof ftheblanket
sandsi gh,
iturnt ohi
ssideof
thebedandhol dont ohispil
low,itsti
llsmel
lofhi
s
favori
teshampoo, ihadpleadedwi t
hhi mtostop
usingitacoupleoft i
mes,buthewasnothavi ng
anyofi t,youknowhi mri
ght?.

Isearchf ormyphoneunder neathmypi l

low, butdo
notfindi t,ineversl eepwi thoutmyphoneundermy
pil
low, please!Ihavehear denoughoft he'itsnot
goodf oryourwhatwhat' 'itdamagesyoursgj fjj
td',
That'sdoct orlanguage, icannotevenspel lthething
i
tdamages, so, t
hati sther easonwhyist i
lldoit.I
getof fthebedandmovet ot hemi rrort ogr eet
sotshaf irst,Mybabyhasgr own, mybabybumpi s
showi ng, al i
ttl
e.Soi fyou, li
kemyAuntJul i
alove
people'sbusi nessthenyouar emostl ikelyt oseei t,
seewi thJul i
a, Shecoul dfeelyourpr egnancy
beforeyouevendeci det ohavesex, ithasgot
nothingt odowi t
hpr ophecyorbei ngi sangoma,
Shej usthasadegr eei nmi ndi ngotherpeopl e'
s
businessesi nsteadofherown.Tr usthert oknow
thi
ngsaboutpeopl e'shusbands. umal ume, her
husbandt ri
edunt ilheevent uall
ythrewi nthetowel!
, Hehadmor ethan5compl ainsaweekf r
om angry
neighbor sabouthowaunt yspreadr umorsabout
them, ishoul dcallher , j
usttogetanupdat eonthe
girlacrosst hestr
eet, herstorysti
llmanagest oget
mei nst i
chesevent oday! .Butwhat evershetell
s
meibel i
evei t
,shemi ghtbeamamgobozi ,butshe
doesherr esearchf i
r st,ididsayshewentt oschool
foritri
ght ?

Myst omachgr oansremindi

ngmet ogofeedme
andBabySot sha,
I'
m goingtogetoutofthi
s
pregnancyawhal e!,ishoul
dbookgym classes,
i
can'taf
fordtolookli
keawhal e,
I'
llpuni
shyou
Sotshaitellyou.
IwearNqaba'sgown-t hatiforcedhimtobuyi fi
mustadd, Hewentonl i
ke"ngiyindodayomzulu,
angiwucokil
oRubbi shi
",buthe'snomat chf orme
whatiwantimakesur eiget,ileavetheroom and
walkstr
aighttothekitchen,ihearloudvoicesandi
standasidetoli
sten.
"
Ithoughtyouhadchangedyazi
!,
kantiyouar
est
il
l
t
hesameol drudear
rogantpi
eceofshit"-
Nondumiso.

"Oho"Nqabar esponds,andtherearesoundsof
glassesbreaki
ng,heeee!Notmygl asses!Theywi
ll
payf ormyglasses!Butist
il
lstandstil
lli
steni
ngt
o
theirargument
.

"
Doyouevenloveme?"-nondumisoasksandiwai
t
t
ohearNqaba'
srespondsbuti
tdoesn'
tcome.

"
NQABA!
"-nondumi
soshout
s.

"Doyouf
uckenloveme?"Sheasksagai
n,butt
he
Bae,myhusbandhasgonemute.

Ther
ear
emor
esoundsofgl
assesbr
eaki
ng,
thi
s
gi
rli
spsycho,ishoul
dpr obabl
ycallt
hecopsbutI
'l
l
l
etthebaedealwithi
t,she'l
lpr
obablythr
owaplat
e
onhisheadandhismemor yWil
lfl
yback,iwi
shshe
does.

"
Ngathiuyangi
khohl
wawena"ihearhi
m say,
real
ly
r
eal
lyCalm.

"Funnyyoushoul dment i
ont hekhohlwawor d,i
wishyougetyourst upi
dmemor ysoyoucan
rememberwhatyoudi dtome, you.
..
youkil
ledmy
babies..
Fuckenkilledmybabi es!
"Nondumi so
shouts,ithoughtshehasbeenabor t
ing.'
You've
beenliedtomugi rl'myinnervoiceshouts,Mxm.

"
Ukhul
umangani
?"Nqabaasks.

"Youhi
tmeNqaba, youhi
tmeallt
heDamnt
ime"-
shecont
inuesshouti
ngal
one.
"
Phousaf
unanil
a?"Heasks.

"
Revenge!
"Sheshout
s.
"Seethatgi
rli
ntheroom?She'
syourwi
feandI
'
m
goingtokil
lher
!"Sheshout
s.

Nowishouldprobabl
ycallt
hecops,butWherethe
hel
list
hatphonewhenyouneedi t?It
akeapeek
andspoti
tonthetabl
e,howt hehel
ldi
ditgett
here?

"Whatthehelldi
dyoujust.
.ahh..
ahh.
.whatt
hehel
l
didyoujustsay?"Hesoundslikehei
sinpain,
i
shouldgocheckonhim, butidonot.

"
IsaidineedFreshAir!
"-sheshootsback,Then
t
here'
sthatPhasound,whosl appedwho?Nowi
r
eall
yhavetointer
vene,ithr
owmysel fI
njustas
Nqabaisabouttoslaptheli
ghtsoutofher.
"
Nqaba?
"
Oh,hedoesn'
tli
sten,
hepusheshert
ot hewalland
sl
apsheragai
n,thisti
meshefal
lsonthegr
ound.

"t
hat..
.t
hat s.
..
the...
nqaba...
iknow"shesaysand
Nqabaki cksher ,ishouldpr obabl
ygothereandpul
l
himf r
om her ,butwhati fhepushesmeandhur t
s
Sotsha?Mybabyi smyf i
rstprior
it
yandiam not
abouttor iskhislife,
argh!Whatam isayingNqaba
i
ski l
li
ngt hisgir
l, soirushoverandt r
ytal
kingto
him.

"Nqaba.
..
Nqabastop"isayandhelookspossessed,
sohedoesn'
tstophecontinueski
cki
ngher.

"
He. .
.wont.
.hear
..
..
you.
..
.not.
.when.
.he.
..
is
..
.l
ike..
..
thi
s"nondumisosays,Ahshutupwena!
Imovetohisbackandmyhandsmovetohiswai
st
andihughimtight,
hedoesn'
tfi
ghtme,
Thank
Goodness.
"Mtungwa.
.."iwhisperandhetri
escontrol
li
nghi
s
breat
hbutcan't
,I'
m gladist
il
lhavethateff
ecton
him

"Don'
tlethi
m cont
rolyoust
handwasami
,come
backtous"
Hemovesback,
andimovebackwi
thhi
m.

Iholdont ohimt i
ghter
,heholdstheki
tchencounter
andstaresatnot hi
ng,ishoul
dcheckonNondumi so,
butidon'twanttolethim go,notwhenihavebeen
yearni
ngt oholdhiml i
kethi
sf ormont
hs.irel
axmy
headonhi sbackandmyhandsmovet oallpart
sof
hisbody,Sti
llsexyisee.

.
Igetupfrom t
hecouch, whenthehel
ldidisleep?
Nowishouldr eal
lyr
eall
ycheckuponNondumi so,
themomentigetupmyphoner i
ngssti
llonthe
tabl
e,ir
ushovertoitthatial
mosttri
pandf alland
answerit,i
t'
smymom.

"
Ndl
ovukaziyami
"ianswer
.

"
Sthandwa,Ar
eyouokay? "Sheasks,
No!Ij
ust
watchedsomet
hingrealr
ealscar
y,makesme
wonderwhothehelldi
digetmarri
edto?

"
Yeboma,
Areyouokay?I
sdadokay?
"Iask.

"Yourdadi st
alki
ngtohiscowsoutsi
de,Wehave
beent r
yingtocal
lyouandhegaveup, asforyour
brother
,hewentt oseenal
edi"shesays.
"Heseemstobedoi
ngal
otoft
hatt
hesedays"my
mom says.

"
HaiboNdl
uvukazi
!,
Hei
sbei
ngsuppor
ti
ve"isay,
l
aughi
ng.

"
Suppor
ti
veyamasi
mba,
Heshoul
dst
udy"
Il
augh.

"Kahlebomama,
lett
heki
dsuppor
thisbrot
her
's
babymamaandbaby"isayandshecli
cksher
tongue.

"Phowhydi difindt hem ki

ssing?Idon'twant
Mf ananoyi
setobeherr eboundguysoshecan
forgetaboutMakhosonke, andidon'
twantyiseto
feelli
keiti
shisr esponsibi
lit
ytotakecareofhis
brother'
sbaby,Thebabyi saKhanyile,Wetakecar
e
andl oveourownyouknowt hattooright
?"
"
Yesma,
butl
ett
hem beokay?
"
Shesi
ghs.

"Ngi
zozama,onl
ybecauseyourfat
hersuggest
ed
thesamethi
ng"shesays,andinodasifshecan
seeme.

"
Uphi
umkhwenyana?I
shi
smemor
yback"
Isi
gh

"
Cha,idon'
tevenwantt
otal
kaboutNqabamama, i
f
eell
ikeishoul
dthrowi
nthetowel
,andj
ustr
aise
mybabyalone"isay.

"AiaiThandi
we,Don'
tbeacowar
d,whatar
eyou
doingtohelphi
m wit
hregar
dst
ogett
inghi
s
memor yback?"
IkeepQui
te.

"Exactl
y,nothi
ng!..
.Dosomethi
ngBaby,Thecrazy
uncontrol
lablet
rashspeaki
ngThandiwewouldhave
slepthi
mt il
lhegothismemor ybacknow,imi
ss
hershame"mymom says

Honest
ly,
imi
sshert
oo.

"
Nami
,butI
'
llt
rysl
appi
nghi
m"

Shel
aughs.
"Ngi
yadl
ala,
ihavetogontombi,butiwascal
li
ngto
l
etyouknowSphola,andBra'
Tucksdeli
ver
edthose
paper
s"
Ismi
le.
"
I'
lll
etSi
yaknow,
sohecangot
hrought
hem "
Myst
omachgr
oans.

"OkaybyebyeSt
handwaSami
,I
'l
lcal
lyoubef
ore
yousleep"mymom says

"
ByebyeMama,
iloveyou"
Shehangsup,
wu,
whyt
her
ush?

Rightaf
terihangupNqabawalksin,i
fidi
dn'
tknow
bett
eri'
dsayhewasearsdropping.
"
Udl
il
e?"Heasksandishakemyhead.
Ilogi
ntomyWhat'sApp,andcheckonmygi
rl
s,
theyar
ealldoi
nggreat.

Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
"
Whatdoyouwantt
oeat
?"Heasks.
"
Pizza,iputi
tint
hemi
crowavel
ast
night
,wi
thmy
meat"isay.

"
Youwanti
thot
?"Heasks.

"
Yes,
ver
yveryhot
"isayl
icki
ngmyl
ips,
hel
ooksat
meandchor
tl
es.

"There'
snopizzalamuc"hesays, igetupQuickl
y,
Whatdoeshemeant her
e'snopi
zza?Icheckthe
mi cr
owaveandt hefri
dgeandisti
llcan'tf
indmy
pizza,myheartbreaks.Whoatemypi zza?

"
Whyar
eyoucr
yingmanj
e?"Heasks.

"
Someoneat
eSot
sha'
spi
zza"isay

"
Wewi
llor
deri
n,Don'
tcr
y"heembr
acesme.
Ki
ssme!
Ki
ssme!
Ki
ssme!

Hedoesnot,
helet
'sgoof
fmeandt
ell
smeheis
or
deri
ngfi
veboxesofpi
zzaf
ormeandsot
sha.
Whatdoieati
nthemeant
ime?

"
Wher
eisNondumi
so?
"Iask.

"
Who?
"

"
Nondumi
so"heshr
ugshi
sshoul
derwi
thnocar
e
i
nthewor
ld.

"Letmemakeyouasandwichint
hemeanti
me"he
saysandinod,
HeDoesn'twantt
otal
kabout
Nondumisoso,il
ethi
m be.
.

Ifi
ndherpacki
ngt
helastbagintears,
whi
le
hummingoutasongidon'tevenknow.
"Hi"shegr
eet
swhenshetur
nst
olookatme,
inod,
sit
tingont
opofherbed.

Igi
veherat
issueandshewi
peshert
ear
.
"Ever
ythi
ngNqabadi
dtomehewi
lldot
oyou"she
says.

IkeepQui
te.
"Hewil
lki
ckyou,unti
lal
lyourbabiesdi
e,Chase
aft
eryouwit
hagun, Doeveryt
hingStupi
dandscar
y
youcoul
dthinkoff
"

"
Hedi
dthatt
oyou?
"Iaskandshenods,
andwi
pes
hert
ear
sagai
n.
"
Whyar
eyouher
eke?
"iask.

"Becauseiwantedcl
osure,
YaziifoundLoveand
i
t'shardformebecauseialwaysseem t
othi
nkmy
husbandwi l
ldomelikeNqabadid"

"
I'
m sor
ry"
Sheshakesherhead.

"
It
'snouse,
Iwasj
ustwar
ningyou"shesays.

"
Whydoyoucar
eanyway?
"Iask
"Youareri
ght
,idon'
t"shesayscl
osi
ngherbag,
and
pull
ingi
t.

"Nqabaisadoochbag,
hewi
llhur
tyou"shesaysas
shestandsbythedoor
.
"
I'
dli
ket
oseet
hatf
ormysel
f,Thankyou"isay.
"Youmightbedeadbef
oreyouevengett
oseei
tfor
yoursel
f"shesays.

"
AmanActsri
ghtfort
hewomanheloves,t
urnsout
I
'
mthatwoman"isay,
myconfi
dentonlevel10.

Shel
aughs.
"Ohnonohoney,youar
esi
mpl
ybei
ngf
ool
edand
youdon'
tseeshi
t!"

"Youar ereal
lybl
indifyoucan'
tseeNqabaact s
dif
ferentwithyouthanwhenhei swithme, ButI
'll
tel
lyouwhyanyway, BecauseIam t
heOne!Iam hi s
peaceandhei smine,Slapmeandseei fyou'
lll
ive
toseet henextday"ibragandshestaresblankl
yat
me.
"
Yeshei snotperf ectbutheismine,Haveyouever
wonder
edwhyhei snott hemanyouwer ewith?,
He
wasn'
tarrogant,Hewashungr yallal
ong,Hungr
y
f
ormyl ove,Hungr yformymoansandhungr yfor
me,Hei sminenow, Hehasal waysbeenmi ne,my
moansgethi m crazynotyours,hefucksyouand
makeslovetome, there'
sadiff
erence"
Shel
ooksatmedeaf
etedbef
orewal
kingaway.

Nqabaisst
il
lnotbackf
rom hi
sWalk,WellHemi ght
shoutatmewhenhegetshomeandf indshis
gir
lf
ri
endnowhereatsi
ght,
butit
'snotmyf aul
t.
"Let
'ssleepSotshaLami,mommyhast ogotowork
tomorrow, myleaveendstodayandihaven'
treal
ly
beenpr esentatwork"isi
ghandgetinbed.

Iswit
chof
ftheli
ghtsandjustasmyiclosemy
eyes,
Ther
e'sasoundfrom t
hedoorhandle.Idon'
t
t
urn,I
'm 100%sur
eil
ockedthedoorsoi
thast
obe
Nqaba,butwhati
shedoinginmyroom?

"Uvuki
le?
"HeasksandikeepQui
tepr
etendi
ngt
o
sleep,HesoundsDr
unk.
Hepul
lst
hebl
anket
sandhol
dsmecl
oser.

"Bambo"hewhi
sper
sinmyearandki
ssesmy
cheeck.

Unedi
ted.
[
10/
31,
05:
44] :Chapt
er46
Fi
nal
echapt
er.

"
Bambo"herepeat
sagain,sl
owerthist
imemaki
ng
mereal
isei
twasn'
tadream,Iwasn'tdr
eami
nghe
r
eal
lydi
dsayit.
Isi
tupst
rai
ght.
"
What
?"IQuest
ion.
"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?
"

Helookst
akenbackforami
nut
e,l
ikehedi
dnot
expectmetohearhi
m.
"Bambo"hesays,
thi
sti
mel
eavi
ngbut
ter
fl
iesal
l
aroundmytummy.

"
I.
..
you-we-
"
Hesi
ghs.

"Ihadaroughnight,
please.
..
Iwil
lexpl
aint
omor r
ow
"hesays,taki
ngoffhistr
ouser
sandsli
dingint
o
bed.

"
Youar
ecold"Isay,
sti
lll
ooki
ngathi
mli
keheowes
meanexpl
anati
on,hel
l!Heowesmemoret
hanan
expl
anat
ion.

"
CanIhol
dyou?
"Heasks.
"Noyoucan' t,butyoucanexpl
ainbecausether
e's
nowayi nheavenori nhellI
'
m goi
ngtosleep
withoutgett
inganexplanati
on,Aproperoneat
that!
"Ihalfshout.

"
Ungar
asi
"hesayscal
mly.

"
Doyouwantt
oseealoudper
son?
"Ishoutpul
li
ng
t
hebl
anket
soffhi
m.

"Thandiwemanplease,l
etmereststopacti
ngli
kea
crazywomanangishongshizoukuthiIwil
lexpl
ain
tomorrow"hesaysalsosit
ti
ngupst r
aight,
atemptingt
opul
ltheblanket
s.

"Cr
azy?
"Ishout,
chuckl
ing.Youknowt
hatevi
l
l
aughterthatWi tcheshavetopracti
cef orcl
oseto
ayear,wellIwasdoi ngitl
ikei
tdidntneedpracti
ce
.TotopitoffIfel
tlikeawit
ch,ifIhadthosest i
cks
I'
dprobabl
yt ur
nhi mi nt
oamouse.Thesi ghtofhi
s
uglysel
fwasmaki ngmewantt opuket hewhole
year'
sfood.

"
Cal
m down"hesays.

Cal
m down?Thatal
oneseemst
omakemef
uelup.

"I
'
llshowyoucrazy,Ihavebeenhumbl
e, ni
ce
.Awungaziwena...
"Ithrowthest
upi
dblanket
sat
him andwal
ktothekitchen.

Hedoesn'
tfol
lowandLordWarnhim against
f
ollowi
ngmeherebecauseIf
eell
ikeI'
ml osingmy
mind.
Ihavebeenwatchinghi
m kissanotherwomanand
i
twasalljustanact?Astupidact?
It
hrowt
hepl
atesont
hewal
l.

"
Allal
ongIhavebeencryi
ng,
prayi
ng,beggi
ngGod
t
obr i
nghi
sstupi
d-"It
hrowmor epl
atesonthe
wall.
"
Memor
yback"It
hrowanot
herpl
ate.
"Andi twasallanact?Wheredoeshethinkt
hisi
s?
Hollywood? stupi
d!"Ishout,
nowIt hi
nkthe
neighborhoorshearmebutIcouldn'
tgi
venoteven
onef uck.

"Iwil
lbri
ngHoll
ywoodt
ohi m"Iputonthekett
leand
waitfort
hewatert
oboi
l"Iwillshowhim,bri
nghim
allt
hosestupi
dassmoviesstr
aightt
ohim!"I
chuckle.

Whent
hewaterboil
s,Iunpl
ugtheket
tl
eandwal
k
t
other
oom hol
dingitst
eady.
WhenIwal
kinhei
sput
ti
ngonhi
str
ouser
s.
"Thandi
we.
..
."heut
ter
slooki
ngatt
heket
tl
einmy
hands.
Ist
andst
il
l.

"Youmakemef eell
ikeI
'm doi
ngever
ythi
ngwrong,
l
ikeIholdyouwrong,ki
ssyouwrong.
..
Loveyou
wrong"hesayssit
ti
ngontopofthebed."Wozala"
hecall
soutforme.

"Andushiyel
elogedl
elal
apho"hesaysandIchor
tl
e
placi
ngtheket
tleonthef
loorandj
oini
nghim ont
he
bed.

"Atf
ir
stitwasj
ustassumpti
ons,butnowI'm
convi
ncedImarri
edapyschoandIdon'tthi
nkIever
wanttomesswithyou"HejokesandIchortl
e.

"
Didyoueverl
oseyourmemor
y?"Iask.
"
No, butIthoughtIl
ostyou.Forgood.Seei
ngyou
l
ikethat,
crying,
scar
ed..
.ithur
tme"heconfesses
f
acingthefloor.

"
Thenwhydi
dyoul
eaveme?
"Iask.

"Ihadt
o,Icoul
dn'tst
andseei
ngyouli
ket
hat.I
t
hurtmeandbroughtbackmemori
es"hesays.

"
Whatmemor
ies?
"Iask.

"Memori
es,myowndeamonst hatIt
houghtIwould
escapef
rom.Ithoughtitwasn'
tme...
Iwantedto
beli
evei
twasn'
tme. ..
ImeanIknoworIt houghtI
knewmyselfbettert
hanthat"hesays.

"don'
tyouknowyour
sel
f?"Heheavi
esoutal
oud
sigh.
"Thebrainisaver ypowerfultoolThandiwe, when
youwantt obelieveinsomet hingithel
psyou.I t
helpsyougr owt hethoughtinyourmi nd...
whydo
youthinkwear eal waystol
dt othi
nkposi ti
ve?,see
posit
ivi
tythroughever ysi
tuati
on?"Ishr ugmy
shoulder
s.

"Becausethebrai
nispowerfulli
kethat.Whenyou
keeponf eedi
ngyourbrai
nthought ssuchasIcan'
t,
Iwon't,
I'
mt ooweak,whatifIfail.I
tgivesyoua
hundredreasonwhyitstr
uet henyoubecome
dumber ,
dumberanddumber ."

"whathasthatgott
odowi t
hever
ythi
ng?
"Ifi
nall
y
ask,t
hisi
sn'tDRPhil
'sshowandbesi
desheisn'
ta
doct
or

Hesi
ghs.
"Pl
easepromisemeyouwon'tlookatmediff
erent
ly
aft
erItel
lyouthi
s,"hesays,
turni
nghisgazeon
me.Ihol
doutmyhandsandhehol
dst
hem l
ooki
ng
atmestr
aighti
nmyeyes.

"I
fIcouldleaveyou,Iwoul
dhavelef
talongt ime
agobutI'm her
e.Uyangbonamusi?Iwon'tleave
you,
"Ireassurehim.Hetakesadeepbreath.

"Iwas6wheni tallst
arted, Hest
artedcomi ngin
myr oom .
..
askforust oplayagame. .t
henhe
wouldtel
lmet otouchhi smember, then...
Yeah,I'
m
sureyouknowwhat '
snext,"hesayslikehejustsai
d
theystol
esweetsf r
om him.
Iwoul
dbecr
ying,
henar
rat
edl
ikei
t'
sjust.
..
not
hing
.

"What
?Youdon'tseem saddenedbyallt
his,
"Isay,
unabl
etohi
detheshockonmyf ace.

Heshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
sandget
sup.
"t
here'
snousecryingoverspi
ltmi
lk,what
happenedhappenedandIcannotchangei
t.Di
d
youeat?"
Inod,
get
ti
ngupal
so.

"
Whydi
dyoupr
etendl
ike-
"
Hecut
smeof
f.

"Somet hi
ngsar ebetteroffnotsai
dThandiwe.don' t
alwaysgoi ngar oundseekingthi
ngs,wantingto
knowt hings...
.youarealwayscur i
ousthatwi l
lbe
yourdownf all"hesayst henchortl
es."Ohwai t,
whatam It alki
ngabout?Youar enaïve,andyou
thinkwithyourhear tneverwithyourbrai
nt hati
s
whyi twaseasyf orTumelotopullyouinhi sscam
,thatitwhyLayl acouldplayyou,"hesays.

"
What
?"
"What?,youthinkast r
angercoul dcomef r
om
heaven,hityouwithacarf eelsosor r
yt hatshe
offer
syouapl acet ocrash, Therapy, Education
,clot
hes"heasks." Yazithef ir
sttimeIsawyouI
wasl i
keyouwoul dseer ightthroughLayl a..
.Doyou
thi
nkI'dbringdif
ferentgirlsinmyhouse. ..i
nmy
Wife'
shouseandWhot hehel lwoul dmar rythe
husbandshel ovessomucht oagi rlshebar ely
evenknows?Layl aisaf raudThandi we! "He
shouts"andshepl ayedyoul i
keshesai dshewoul d
thensoldyout ome. ..
basi cal
lyIownyouThandi we
"

Iwalkt
ohim andpushhi
m buthedoesn'
tmovenot
evenaninch.
"YouareLyi
ng!
..
..youar
eal
i
ar!Li
ar!
"Ishouthi
tt
ing
hischest.

"Thi
sisnotAmeri
ca,Iwil
lslapyousohardyouwil
l
regr
etbri
ngi
ngyourstupi
dasst oCapeTown!,
"he
shoutsandhemeansit..
.Icanseeiti
nhi
seyes.
Godhowcoul
dIbesost
upi
d?

"
Layl
alovedme,
"Isayandhechor
tl
es.
"Ohhoneyt
rustme,Layl
adidnotevengi
veafuck
aboutyou,
"hesaysmovingf
rom meandwalki
ng
tothesi
detabl
e.

"
Butme,
ILoveyouThandi
we"
Ilaughwit
htear
sstreamingdownmyf
ace,
He
expectsmetobeli
evehim.

"Thi
sistherealLayl
a,andthi
swasyer st
eday,
"he
sayshandingmehi sphone.I
tsavideoofLayl
a
andawhi t
emandanci ngandlaughi
ng.

"
thi
sisanol
dvi
deo"Isay.
"
Okay,wait.
..
Iwi
llvi
deocal
lher
"hesaysandI
moveali
tt
le.
"don'
tshowface,
notunl
essyouwantt
odie"he
saysandthephoneri
ngsacoupl
eofti
mes.

"
Nnqhaba,
hi"Isi
tont
hebed,
thati
sLayl
a'
svoi
ce.

"
Kar
een.
..
orshoul
dIsayLayl
a."
Shechor
tl
es.

"TowhatdoIowet
hepl
easure?I
sthegi
rlgi
ving
youprobl
ems?Ort
hePar
ents?"sheasks.

"Thegir
lisf
inethankyou,ohandt heothergi
rloh
shewasperfect..
.Thandi
wetotal
lybel
ievedthat
stupi
dshow" ,
Nqabasayst henturnst
ol ookatme.

"Iknewshewoul
d,She'
saver
ygul
li
blegi
rl
,Whatdo
youwant?"
Asharppainhit
smypaunch,andIhol
dmyt
ummy
t
earssti
llst
reamingdownmyface.

"
OhI
-"het
urnst
olookatme.
"
Ahhhh"Iscr
eam "
Ahhh"

"Ihavet
ogo"hesaysandt
hrowst
hephoneont
he
bedandkneel
sinfr
ontofme.

"
MybabyNqaba,
mybaby!
"Iscr
eam .
"GodpleaseDonttakemybaby,youpuni
shedme
enough...
pleasedon'
ttakeMybaby.
..
Godplease
DonttakeMybaby"Ishout.

"Thandi
we?Baby?
pleasecal
m down.
..
breat
h
Thandiwe.
..
."

"
Pleasedon'
ttakemybaby.
..
.don'
ttakemybaby.
..
."
Imur
murbef
oreshut
ti
ngmyeyescl
osed.

Iopenmyeyes,l
ooki
ngaroundandheisthefi
rst
personIsee,
heseemstobeasleepbutawakes
whenIcough.
"
Thandi
we"hesayswal
kingt
ome.

"
Wat
er,
please"
Henods.Pourswaterf
rom t
hesidetabl
eandhelps
medri
nk, WhenI'
m doneheputstheglassback
andki
ssesmyf or
ehead.

"Iwasworr
iedsick,
IthoughtIl
ostyou.
..
"hesays
andIqui
cklygetuprunningmyhandsonmy
t
ummy.

"
Thebabyisfi
ne,
"hetel
lsme,
andbr
ushesmybel
ly
.Ipushhi
shandaway.

"Iam Sorr
yThandi
we, I
twasal
lsowecanst
art
afresh,
noli
es,
"hesays.

"Youli
edtomeal lthi
sti
me,playedmeli
keaf
ool
..whydidyoudoi t
?whydidyoubuythat
nondumisogir
l?"Iask.

"Please,
thedoct
orsaidnott
ostressyou,
"he
pleadsandItakedeepbreat
hs.

"
Tal
k"

"
Aft
erwhathappenedbackt
her
e,It
houghtIl
ost
you.
...
forgood.SowhenIgoti nacaracci dent. .
.I
madegoodoutofi t.
..
Ijustdi
dnotwantyout o
l
eaveme, pleasedon'
tleave.
..
IknowIam f arfrom
perf
ect...
butIcantry,Icanbeper fectforyou,"he
saysandIl ookbackathim withtearsinmyeyes.

"Pl
easetel
lmydaddytofetchme,IwantMymom,
"
Iknowthissoundschi
ldi
shbutIr
eall
ydowantmy
mom.

"
Idi
dcal
landt
heysai
dtheyar
ecomi
ng.
..
"
Inod.

"ILoveyouThandiwe,Idi
dalloft
hatjustsoyou
don'tl
eaveme, pl
easebeli
eveme. .
.ILoveyou"

"
Wakemeupwhenmypar entsgether
e,"Isay
f
aci
ngtheot
herwaywhi
lecryi
ng.God,whydoIst
il
l
l
ovehi
m?.
.
"Thandi
we,
Areyouokay?
,"mymot
herasksandI
nod.

"Iwil
lbe,
whenIgethome,"Isayt
rut
hful
ly,
andshe
brushesherhandont
omine.

"Ar
eyoureadyt
oleave?"SheasksandInod
put
tingonmyshoes,andshehel
psmeup.

"Yougotever
ythi
ng?
,"myf at
herasksandInodmy
headsmili
ng.Thi
sisit.Iam goi
ngbackhome.
Nqabawalksin,
hel ooksexhaustedasifthewhol
e
worl
dhasbeenputonhi sshouldersandhecould
complai
nbuthejustlet
sitbecausehethinkshe
der
seveitofwhi
chher eal
lydoes.

"
Sani
bonani
,
"hegr
eet
s,mymot
herhugshi
m and
gr
eetsback.Thisisni
ceonl
yifheknewhi mfort
he
l
yingpieceofshithei
s.Shewouldprobabl
yhate
hi
m,too.

"
Areyouokay?,
"sheaskshi
m andhel
ooksather
,
thenbackatme.

"Iwil
lbe,
"ofcour
sehewi
llopt
ionf
oract
ingl
ikea
vict
im.

"l
et'
sgi
vetheki
dsspacebaba,
"mymom suggests
andandmydadnods, pat
ti
ngNqaba'sshoul
der
andwalksawaywi
thmymot herbehi
ndhim.

Westandthere,
wai
ti
ngfort
hem t
odisappearand
whentheyfi
nall
ydohet
urnstol
ookatmewi thhi
s
handsinhi
spocket
s.

"
Yousai
dyouwoul
dn'
tleaveme,
"hesays.Movi
ng
cl
osert
omebutIst
ophi
m usi
ngmyhand.

"
Pleasedon'
tcomeanycl osert
hesightofyou
makesmewantt opuke,"Iconfessandheobeys
movingbackevenf
urther.

"
Yousai
dyouwoul
dn'
tleaveme,
"her
epeat
s.

"Thatwasbef
oreIknewwhatki
ndofasi
ckshithol
e
youareNqaba,"Isay,
tur
ningt
opackmylastbag.

"
Sot
hisi
sit
?,"heasks.

"Sotshaisalsoyours,wecantal
kandeveryt
hing
butonl yaboutst
uffconcer
ningt
hebaby.Soyou
areallowedinhisli
fe,
"Isayandhemovescloser
,kneelingonthefl
oor.
"ILoveyouBambo, Pl
ease"Istareathim, Ican
seehemeansi tandeventhoughIam t r
yingto
i
gnor ei
tthefeeli
ngisther
etoo, Ilovehi
mt oo.I
i
gnor ehi
m andcl osemybag.

"
Thi
sist
hel
astone,
"Isayandcar
ryi
t.

"Pl
easedontl
eaveme, whenIwasdoi
ngi
tIdi
dnt
knowIwouldfal
lforyou,
"hebegs.

"
NoNqaba,
Wearedone,
"Isaypassi
nghi
m wi
th
t
hebagi
nmyhand.

"
ILoveyouThandiwe,andIseenoreasont
oli
ve
wit
houtyou,"hesaysandIhearasoundIam ver
y
f
armil
iawit
h.

It
urnqui
ckl
y.
"
Nqabapl
easedon'
tdot
his,
ILoveyout
oo.Iwon'
t
l
eaveyou.
..
pleasel
ook,
I'
mtur
ning.
..
"Isay.

"
Youal
sowantt
oleaveme,
us?
"Heasks

"
No,
I'
m st
ayi
ng.
..
justpl
ease,
"Ibeg.

"
IloveyouBambo"

Bam!Bam!Bam!
[
Gunshot
s].

Theend!
Thankyouforthesupportandf
orbei
ngpat
ient,
youarewelcometojoinournewhome"Apromise
toBaba".
X0X0.
For
tuneMankge.