01

Ic hec kmywr istwat chi t s14: 30,Ig etupandwas hmyfac e.Befo reIs leptIpr o mised
mys elft og ot ot hepav ill
ionmal ls oImi ghtaswel lgetg o i
ng .Ib rushmyt eet h,weara
jeanandfl ipfl opswi thmyo ffs ho uldert op,t iemyb rai dsi nab unny,l ookatt he
mirr or. Go odher ei smymar o onl i
ps tick,Iputi to n,Takemyhandb agandl eav e.I
reallydo n'tl i
ket hispl aceand r eal lydo n' tg eti twhys ho uld Il i
veher eb ecause
boar dings c ho olal onei seno ught ot eac h mel ifeand b esidest herear es omany
resident ialpl aceso utt her e.I' vet o ldmymo m ev eryt hingt hathappensher efr om
disloyalt yt oc r
imeandev enr apeb uts hei ns i
stsIl i
veher e.Il oc kthedo or. ..to dayit
wasmuc hmo r eeas iert ol o c
ki tunlikeal lt heo therdays .Ithaso nlyb eent womo nths
andi tsmyfi rstyearb utI' v
eal readyhadeno ugho fthispl ac e.Jus taft erc rossingt he
roadat ax iappear s,yheaw!I' mg l
adI' ms afeandt heit'sal mo stful l
,I' veal waysb een
afr aido fpeo plefr o m uml az iyou'ds weart heyhav edeg reesanddi plomasfo rmaki ng
otherpeo pleunc o
mfo rtab l
e,Fi nal l
yt het ax iisful landwe' reo no urwayt ot owni fit
waswi nt eri two uldb eal mo stdar kno w.Whenweg ett ot o wnIt akeat ax it ot he
pav il
lion.We' r eher eIt akemyhandb agandj umpo ffands il
ent lyt hankt heLo r dfor
as afet rip.Is tartatc hec ker sandb uyev er ythingIneeds oIc aneatc o okedfo o dfor
thewho lemo nt h,it heng ot oMrpr ice,leg it,Wo olwo rt
hsj ustt os eewhat 'snew.Ther e'
s
nothi ngIr eal l
ywantev ent ho ughi tsmo nt hend,s ot hatmeansihav es omemo neyt o
spoilmy selfo nfo o d,I' m anaddi ct.Ihav et ol eav eno w.peo plear eal lo vert hepl ace
soImi g
htaswel ll
eav et histro ll
eyher eandc arryt heset hr eepl as ti
cb ag st ot her ank.
Eish!It s16: 00al ready ?,i t
'sno tthatb adt houg h.It akeat axit ot ownag ain. ..ho wI
wisht her ewaso net hatg oesst raightt ouml az i,isho uldb uymyo wnc arass oonasic an.
"Ml az ikwav?"Ias kt hepeo pl eint het ax ij ustt ob esure. ..
"Yes "-t heyr espond
Iho pi nandt akeas i
to nt hes eatb ehi ndt hedr ivers.in10mi nut estimet het axii sfull.
thedr iverho psi naft erfi nishinghi ss mo keandwedr i
veo ff.Wet hens tar tpayi ngwhen
we'r eo nt hefr eeway. .

"Themo neyi sR1s hort"-t hedr i

ver
Ij ustl ookathi mo nthev i
ewr earmi rrorandc ont inuec hat tingo nmycell
phonehes ays
itag ain, loudert hist
ime.I' mb ei
nganno yedIqui c klysho ut
"So ?"
"I'llst opthet axiify'alldo n'tpaymyR1"-her espo nds
Ij ustl aug hbecaus eI'mwo nder i
ngwhathe' sgoingt odowi thao neRand,reall
y?
"Tot heper sonwhopai dR15IwantmyR1"-hes hout sag ain
Ikeepqui etthist i
me.Thet axis t
ops,t hepas s
eng er sstartc omplaining.
"I'mdr i
v i
ngb ackt otown"-t hedr i
verag ain
I'mj ustwo nder ingwhathe' swai tingfo rb ecaus eo urt i
mei sreal
lybeingwas ted
her e.Tax idriversandt heirdr ama. ..No !
.
"Ist her eev ens omethingwo r
thR1?"Imo nlyas kingt hisb ecauseIwantt obes urethat
I'ms it t
ingher einamo t
ionlesst axibecauseo faR1,i t
'sno tbecauseIoweaR1.
"ex cusemewo uldyo upleas ej ustst opthisnons ens eanddr iv
eus,o urtimei sreall
y
beingwas t ed"-Is ho ut
Heg i
vesmeal ongs tar e,hi seyesar er ed.I' m nev o ursno wt ho ughIwo n'ts howi t,b ut
guysI' mb eingho nes t .Hel ight st hec igar ette.Thepas seng ersar es t
illc ompl ai
ni ngand
tel
lingwho ev erwhodi dn' tpayt heR1t opays owec anl eav e.Ther e'stoomuc hno ise.
"Cal mdo wn, "-t heg uys i
ttingnex tt omes ays.
"No ..
."Whoi shet ot ellmet oc al mdo wnno w?.
I'mb eings tub b or nfo rab solut elynor eas o nher ebec aus et hisdr i
verher ec anb eatme
upandiwo n' tb eab let oev enpi ntc hhi m,t heo nl
yt hingic andoi ss peak, speakand
speak.Do n'tb lameme.I' mag i
r l
.
Myhandsar es haki ng.s omeb o dys ittingb ehindmepo kesmys houlder,It urnar ound
heg i
v esmeaR1It heng ivei ttot hepas seng ers i
t t
ingo nt hefr onts eat.Hes ays
somet hi ngt ot hedr iv erandt hedr i
v erc omesb ack.
"Ig etwhatIwant "-t hedr iver
Iclickmyt ong ue
Thisg uys i
t ti
ngnex tt omel oo ksatmeands mi le.
Jesus !,whyi shes mi ling ?. ..Mayb ehe' sps yc ho.
I'mang ry,Ido n' tev enhav et imefo rhi mandb esi
deshe' sas tranger.he' ss i
ttingv ery
closet ome,Idi ds ayt hes epeo plecanmakeyo ufeelr eal lyunc omfo rtab l
e
"Wo uldyo upl eas emo v eaway ?"
"I'ms or r
yfo rt hat "-t heg uy
Andwi tht hats ai dhemo v esaway ,hi sper fumes mel lsr eal lyg oodandhel oo ksfi ne
thoug hi tsal mo s tdar kIc an' ts eec lear l
y.Hei sdar kinc o mpl exion..
.WhyamIs tarring
athi mt ho ug h?.
"I'lltakeyo urnumb er sj us tt omakes ur et hatyo u'res afe"-t heg uyag ain
Ido n'tfeell iket al ki nganymo res oIj us tno d.Heg ivesmehi scellpho neIt ypemy
numb er sands av et hem
"No nz wakaz iMakhanya, "
"Luphi ndoNg co bo "-her es po nds
Ithi nkIc ant rus thi m!
""S hotl eft "-l uphi ndos ays
Thet ax is tops
"I'llcal lyo u"hes aysag ainmaki ngs ur et hedr i
verhear st hat.Ifeelr eli
ef! .
"Sho tr ight "Is ayandt het ax istops
Itakemyb ag sandl eav e
"I'ms or r
yfo rev er yt hing ,Ij us toverr eac ted"-t hedr i
vers ayshe' shumb let hist i
me.
Somys peaki ngdi dhel p?,I' mg l
ad! .
Ino dandc loset hedo o r,c ro sst her oadando pent heg at e,wal kpas ttheb igho useand
tel
lt hem I' mb ac kt heng ot omyr o om .Ineedt oc ooks uperIwants av or yrice,fr ied
chickenandg reens al adt o days o"Ig etwhatIwant "It henl augh,l ivi
ngal onec an
makey o ug oc raz y.Whent her icei sr eadyIr emo v
et hepo tfr omt heo nepl ates t
ov e,
I'm deepfr yingt hi sc hi cken .Ev er yt hingi sr eadyno w.Idi shup,t hefo odl ooks
delicious.I 'ms at i
s fiedwi t hmy selfands trong l
yb elievet hato nedays omeo newi l
lb e
proudt omakemehi swi fe.
Ilo gi nt oFac eb ookandc hec kev eryt hing ,t her ear e4fr iendr equestsIac ceptallo f
themandl o okatt heno t ificat i
ons ,no thi ngi nt erest i
ng.Ii nb oxmo m"t hanksmo mfo r
themo ney,I' llc omeho menex tweek"
She'sac tiveIg ob ac kt ot henews feeds.Ino ticeanewi nb oxitsno tmo m. .
.It sLuphindo
Ngco bo"t hankyo ufo rac c ept i
ngmyfr i
endr eques tandI' l
lc allyo ulater "
Imi g hts ayIfo rgotab outt heg uyal ready.
Mayb eis ho uldr es pond b utt henIdo n't.Mo mi snol ong erac ti
veand s hehas n't
respo ndedt omyi nb ox,Il ogo utands wi tcho ffmymo b il
edat a.It heng etupt owas h
thedi shes .Ial soneedt oc leant hisho useb efo reIs leepi tmakest hi ngseas yi nt he
mo rni ng .Is weepandmypho ner ing s
"hel lo?"
"I'mg l
adyo u' resafe"-amal ev oices ays
Ic onc ludei tsLuphi ndo
"Thankyo us omuc h,fo rc hec ki
ngupo nmeIr eal l
yappr eciatet hat"
"Thatt ax idr iveral mo stki l
ledy ou,b utI' mg ladhedi dn' tb ecaus ethatwo uldmeanI
won' ts eet hatb eaut ifulfac eag ain"-Luphi ndo
"Haha,hewo uldn' tdar e,heev enapo l
og isedaft eryo uleft ,"
Nonz wakaz i,wher edi dt hatc omefr om?. ..
"Real ly?,yo us urec ans peakImeanyo u' rec onfi dent ,"-Luphi ndo
I'ml aug hingno w.Buthe' sas t
rang er ...
"No ,ineedt og ob y e,"
and wi tht hats aid Ihangup.I' m no ti nter est ed inhi m,r eal l
y.Ij ustc onti
nue
mo ppi ngt hefl oorandt henI' m do nes oIs witc ho fft hel ightandg otob ed.Il ogint o
faceb o okag ain.andt hefi rstthingIs eeo nNews feedsi s"No nz wakaz isthandwas ami
that ha nal 'olwakhol onk' uthandol wami- The S o i
l" po sted b yLuphi ndoNg cob
o3
minut esag owi th94l ikes.Ikno wt hats ong .Okeyt hi sguyi safel eb,Imeanwhopo s
tsa
songandg et90+l i
kesi nj us t3mi nut es?.Ormayb eheus esaut ol iker,looser !.
Ther ear e33c o mment sandIdono thav et imet or eadt hem I 'mt o t
allyno tinterest
ed
inhi m.No tt hathe' sinter estedi nmeb ut .
.. Mayb eherg i
r l
fr i
endi sNo nz wakaz i.
..
Ohh
waitIg av ehi m mynumb er s,o hc rapIfo rg otab o utt hatal so.No wI'ms tuc kwithhim.
Ther e'sanewwhat s appmes s agei t
sNj ab ulo.
"Who 'sLuphi ndo ?Andwhydi dhet agyo uo nt hats ongwi thyo urname?Yo uhav eanew
boyfr iendNo nz wakaz i?I' m yo urb estfr iendandy o ucan' tj us tb eho nestwi thme?"i t
reads .
Jeezs ot hat 'swhathet hinks ?I' veb eens i
ng lefo rt hreeyear sno wandhet hinksI'm
notg o ingt ot ellhimwhenIfi ndanewb oyfr iend?.
"Sot hat 'sho wlittlet rusty ouhav efo rme?"Ir es po nd
Her eIamt hinki ngI' ms pec ialb utno ,myb estfr ienddo esn'tev ent rustme.
 02
Mypho nei sringing,yes terdayIdo zedo ffwi t hmymo b i
ledat aon,nowt hat'ssad.It'
s
Njabulo ,Iigno reit,henc eI'ms til
lups etbec auseo fwhathedi dyes t
erday.
"Nonzwakaz i"-av oic
efr o
mo uts
ides houts.
ItsMam Ng ubanet heo wnero ft heho use.S heb angst hedo or,whatdo esshewant
becauseIdi dpayt her ent?.Ig etupando pen
"Mo r
ni ngMah"
"Goodmo rni
ngmyl ove,Nj abuloishere,j ustc overyoursel
fwi ththatfleeceandr ushto
him,hewant st ot alktoyo u"-mamNg ubane
Idoass hesaysandr usht oNj abulohe' sdr i
vinghi sol
db rot
her scarit
saGo l
fGTI ,red
incolour .
"Whatdoyo uwantfr o mme?"Ist hefi r
stt hingIs aywhenIr eachhim.
"Arey o ug ettingmar riedag ain?"he' ssmi ling,thisidiotthough.Willheev erfo r
get
thi
s?..
.

Whenwewer eyo ungweus edt opl ayho usest ogetherev er ydayandt heno nedaywehad
aweddi ngandIwast heb ri
deIc an' ttheg r oom' sname,b utitwas n'tNjab ul
oeven
thoughhewast her e.
Iwaswear ingab ub b lewrapasav eilandaweddi ngg ownb ecausemo m wouldn'tall
ow
met owearawhi tedr essbec aus eI'dc o meb ackho medi rt yasapi gandb esi
desmymo m
knewno thingab outt heweddi ng.
Actuall
yno b odyknewb esidest heki dsi nt henei ghbour hood.Wepl annedev er
ythi
ng
andev er yonehadt ob ri
ngs omet hingt oeati no rdert oent ertheb ackyardwher ethe
weddingt o
o kplac e.
Theg ro
o mwaswear i
ngab lues hortandawhi teg olfT-s hir t.
WeWer en' tdo ingt hisb ecaus ewewer ei nl oveo rsomet hingl ikethat.t hewho l
eai mwas
toenter tainandwec an'tb es uret hatt heel der sdi dn'tkno wbecausewewer emaking
somuc hno iseandb eingc hao ticsingingal ltheweddi ngs o ngsweknew.
Whent hepr ogram wasab o utt os tartt heb ac kdo oro pened,Ic an'tev enr emember
whoseho us eitwasb utwehadt or un,It hinki tsbec auseweknewex ac t
lythatwhatwe
weredo ingwaswr o ng .Sower anawayando urpl answer er ui
ned.Thel adys houted
"I'l
ltellallyo urpar entswhatyo u'redo ing"
Everybodyr anfo rt heirlivesmaki ngs uret hatt hel adydi dn'trecognisewhowear e.
Wet henl aug hedato urselvest hepl answer eab solutelyr uinedandwedi dn'tgot opl
ay
forthewho leweekb ec ausewewer estillafraidt hatt heladymi ghtseeus .

I'ms miling
"s peakingo fwhichIwo n'tinv i
teyo uonmyweddi ngprobabl
ybecauseyo uwil
lbebus
y
laughingt hinki
ngo fthatweddi ng,andyo udono ttrustmeasyo urfriendwhatsup
withyo u?Whydo n'tyoub el
ievemewhenIt el
lyouyo u'
rethefirs
tpersont oknowmy
mo ves?"
"Whydi dn'tyoutel
lmeanyt hi ngab outt
hisguyNo
nz ?"-Njabul
o.
Ir ol
lmyeyes .
"OkeyNj ab'
sno wIhavet oev ent el
lyouwhenI'mg oi
ngtotheloo?Something'
sarejust
notimpo rtantb es ti
e"
"Ikno wbutt hi
so nei sdifferent "-Nj abul
o
"Justb ecausehepo stedas o ngandt aggedmeandg o t90+likes?Tellmewhat'st he
differenc e?".-Ias k
"Nob estiejustt ellmeev eryt
hi ngpl ease"-Nj ab
ulo
"Okey.Yes terdaywewer einat axifro mtownandt hedr iv
ersaidt he"themoneyiso ne
rands hort"andwear guedo nt hatandt hi
sg uywassitti
ngnex ttome,Iwasafr aid
andb esi
desi twasl ateanddar k.S otheg uytookmynumb erstomakes ureI'ms afe.
Andt henex tt hinghei nb ox
edmeo nFac ebookIignoredhi m andt henhepost
edt he
song,t here'sreal lyno t
hingg o i
ngo nb et
weent hebotho fusb utev enifsomet
hingi s
comingI' ms i
ng lesoImi ghtaswel lfinds omebodyto.
..Yo uknow,"Is ayandweb oth
l
aug h.

"Yougottob ekiddi
ngme,after3y ear
sofb ei
ngsing
let hen b
oom yo
u'r
edat
ing
someo
nenamedLuphindowhomyoumetinatax
i?!"-Nj
abulo
.
"Ohhthenwhati
fIdo ?"Ias
ksmil
ing

"Anypl ansfo rtheday?"-Nj ab ulo

"I'mg oingt ocampusIhav eac l
as sat9: 00"
"Tr ans po r t?"-Nj ab ulo
"HahaI' lltakeac ab "Is ayg ivinghi madumpl o o
k.Hekno wsex ac tl
yI'l
lt akeat axi
"Yo u'r elyi ngyo u' lltakeat axib ec aus eyo uwantt os eeLuphindoag ain,thistimey' allbe
si
ttingo nt hefr onts eatc ount ingt hemo ney"-hes ayssmili
ng .
"Sono wwhatam Is uppo set odo?S houldIt akeahel i
coptert oc ampus ?"Ias kt rying
toho ldal aug h
"Yo ukno wwhat ?,j ustqui cklyg oandg etr eadys oIwi l
ldr iveyo utoc ampus "hes ays
tryingt ol o okser ious .
"No wt hat 'st heNj ab uloIkno w,I ' l
lb equi ckipr omi se,"-Isho utr unningt otheho use.
Ib oilt hewat erint heket tleandputt heb as i
no nt hefl oor
.
Whataqui ckb at h.
It akeev er ythingwhenI' m do nei nc ludingmyl unc h.Inev erknewic anb ethisfas tin
mywho lel ife.S hit !Ifo rgott oloc kt hedo or.
"Mam' Ng ub anepl eas elockt hedo orfo rmeI 'mo ut! !"
Is ho utasir unt ot her o ad.No !,Ic heckt heo t
hers i
deo ft her oadands t
ar tlaug hing
unc otr ollab ly.Whyc an' theb eno rmal ,j us to ncei nhi sl
ife?!,t hec razys i
deo fhi mi s
homo zyg o usdo minant !.
I'm no tg o i
ngb ac kt otheho use,I '
llj ustwai tfo rat axiher e.Itappear si nab out3
minut es.I' ms til
ll aug hi
ngatwhatNj abuloj ustdi d.Ikno wno thingwentwr ong,hej ust
want st odepr i
vemyj oy.Whatwi llib ewi t
ho uthimt hough?..
Mypho ner i
ng s.i tsS welihle
"Hel lob ab y?"
"Heyl o veho war eyo u?"-s welihles hes oundshappy
"I'mg oodb ab e,j us tmi ssingyo u,ho w'ss cho ol?"
"Scho o lismanag ab le..yo ukno w,yo urs ide?"-s welihle
"Itsfi neb ab ePl eas es wehj ustdoo net hingfo rme,wo rkhar dandg etmo r ethanyo u
deser ve"
"I'llsi
st hankyo uIl oveyo us omuc handappr eciatet hat "-s welihl
e
"Whydoyo us ounds ohappy?"
"Ipas sedmyphys i
c spapert hatwewr otelas tweekwi th90%, "-s welihl
e.
Whaaat ?!
"Wo w!Bab ykeepi tupandmakememo repr oud, "I'mal sohappy
"SisI'll.
...
"S hec ut s,s hemus thav er ano uto fai rtime.
I'l
lb uyherR30o nmywayb ack.It '
s9i nt hemo rni ngands he'ssuppo set ob eats choo l
,
it
'sMo nday.Yo uc an' tt ellmet hatsheb unkeds cho olagai n.TheMat r
onwi llwho o
pher
asss ohar d! !,shenev erl ear nt hato ne.
She'smypets i
s ter.S he' ss mar t,She'syellow,t hick,shedanc es
,s hec ans ingandmyg o d
she'sv eryv eryb eaut iful.S wel i
hl ei
so neo ft ho sepeo plewhos to odb ymewhenev eryone
turnedt heirb ac ksatme,s hewasmys houldert oc ryonands hewasmywal kingdi ary,
oneo ft ho s
epo pl eIwo ul dn' tt radefo ranyt hing.S heo penedmyeyesb yt elli
ngmet he
peoplewhowher et ryingt os tabmeo nt heb ac k.Thepr o blem Ihadwast hatpeo pl
es aw
measas aintandt heys tartedhat ingme,t het ruthi sI' m no tas ainti t'sj ustthati
don' tsinfo rnor eas onr eal ly,Imeanwhywo uldIg ossi
pab outs omeo neb ecauses he's
toodar ko rt oofat ?,t her e'snopo into fc our seb ecaus eaft ert alkingab o utt hatwi th
who everIt al kt oshewi lls til
lb efatr ight?...
"Mang osuthu"Is ho ut,t het axis t
opsandIj umpo ff.I 'llstayatt hel ibrar yuntilits
9:00.Il ogint oFac eb ook,t here' sanewi nb oxi t
smo ms ayi ng
"Takec areb ab eandpl eas emakemepr o
ud"
Ial wayswo nderho wpar ent sdoi treally.Itt oo kherag est or espond.t hat 'swhyIj ust
callherwhenev erIneeds o met hing.
 07

"No nz wakaz iwakeupweneedt odos omefewt hi ng sb efo rewel eav e"

Eish!Ifo rg otI' m ho met oday.Mo mt ho ug h.IfIdo n' tgetupno ws he' l
lkeepnag ging
me,s heal waysdo es,s o met imesIt hinks heDo esi twi tho utar eas o n.
I'vec onc ludeds heal wayswantt os eemewo r kingo rs houl dis ays hehat ess eeingme
rest i
ng ?.Letmej ustg etupfo rmyo wng o od.
Ig etupanddomyb ed.Thams anqaent ersmyr oo m.
"Whydoyo uwakeupt hisl at e?, and yo uc al ly our s elfag irl?,b utanywayi tsfi ne
becaus eThandowo ul ds tillb es l
eepi ngatt hi st ime, "-hi m.
OhhGo dt hisc hildt ho ug h.He' so nly5year so ldb uto nc ehes tar t sspeaki ngyo u'ds wear
he'st wot i
meshi sag e.Thandoi shi smo ther ,hec al lsherb yname,heo nlys ays' Mo m'i f
he'sdes per at e.He' st al kat ive,naug ht y,c raz yands t ub born.ButIenj o yhisc o mpany.I
got ot heb at hr oomt owas hmyfac eandb r us hmyt eet h.Thams anqaappear sag ain,he
looksatmeands tar ts ing i
ng .
"Iwakeupi nt hemo rni ngIwas hmyfac e,Ib rus hmyt eeth,Iwas hmyb ody,Iwearmy
clo
t hes ,Ieatmyfo o d,Ic ombmyhai r,It akemyb ag ,Iwal k,Iwal k,Iwal kt os chool"
Ic lapmyhandsfo rhi m .he' sg rownandhemakess enses omet i
mes .I'ms opr oudo f
him.He' llg ro wups mar t.
Iwal kt ot heki tchen,mmhmyb reakfas tiswai tingfo rmei nt hemi cr owave. ..Theper ks
ofhav ingas isterwho seho bbiei st oco o k.Ieatandwas ht hedi sheswhi l
eNo mv eloc l
eans
ther es to ft heho us e.S he' st woyear so l
dert hanme,we' r
eb loo ds i
sters.Buts omet i
mes
she' smo o dyandr ude,andt her ear et hos et hing sIdo n'tlikeab outherb utIl oveher
who lehear tedl yandI' v eac cept edherass hei s...Imeani two ul dn'tb enic ei fweb oth
li
kedt hes amet hi ng sands to ppedfi g htingo vers mal lthi ng s,no !.S oyesIhav et o
acc eptwhatIc an' tc hang e.Ont heo thers ideIhav eS i
mt handi l
es he' s10year so lder
thanme.Wehav edi ffer entfat her sb uts amemo ther ,S i
mt handi lei sno ther et oday
thoug h,s heo nlyc o mesho meo nc eamo nt h,s hedi dc hemi stryatMang osut huandno w
she' swo rkingateMpang eni ,Ido n'tev enkno wwher eex ac t l
ys he' swo rkingandwhat
she' sdo ing ,whatmat ter sar et ho set r ipswemakewhenweg oo utt ofi nishhermo ney.
She' sani ceper sont ho ug hs omet imess hefeel sl ikes he' sno tt r eat edequal ly .ButLo rd
kno wsho wmuc hwel ov eher ,she' sno i
s yandpeo pl et akeadv ant ageo fherki ndnes s.I
hat et hatb uts hedo es n' ts eemt ono tic e.S ot heymi ghtaswel lpl ayherr i
ght ?...
"Go o dmo rni ngdad"
IsaywhenIs eehi mdo ingt heg ar deno ut side
"Mo rni ngNt o mb i,"hes ayswi thas mile.He' st heo nlyo newhoc al lsmet hatandIdo n't
evenkno wwhy .He' si nag o odmo odt odayIc anj usts ee.Yo u' ds wearhe' smyb i
o l
og i
cal
fat her ,he' st o ofi neandweg etal ongv erywel l.I' mj ustt heo nec losestt ohi mi nt he
who lefami ly.Il ov ehi m,Go dg avemehi m andIdo n'tunder s tandwhys o mepeo ple
don' tb elievemewhenIt ellt hemab o uto urr el atio ns hip.Theyj us tdo n'tthi nks omeo ne
canl ovet hei rs tepfat herl ikeIdo ,whi chi sno tg oo d.Ifmymo mi shappyt henwhyno t?,
thatwo mandes ervesal lt hehappi nes si nt hewo rld.
Ig ot ot heb at hro omt ot akeab aths inc ewe' reg o i
ngo ut.Mmhwhenl as tdidIt akea
war mb at hr elax ingi nt het ubwi t
hfo am?,t hisist heb estfeel ingev er.
"Makei tqui cko rwewi l
ll eav ey ou!"-mo ms hout sfr omo uts i
det hedo or.
Iqui cklyc o meo uto ft het ubei s
h!Ido n' tevenkno wwhatt owear .Iloo katNo mvelo,
I'mt ryi ngt or eadhermo od.S hes mi leswhi l
el oo kingatherpho ne.
"Wo ul dyo upl eas ehel pmefi nds omet hingt owear ?"
"No "-No mv elo
..
.It ho ug htasmuc h.Iwearab lac kwr ipped j ean,awhi tev estand al ongb lac k
cardi ganwi thanwhi teal ls tarChuc kt ai lor.OhhandIputo nmyb l
ackl i
psti
ck,It ake
myhandb agand wel eav e.Wes tar tatTheGat eway,I' veal readyhad eno ugho f
Thams anqa,he' sj us tt o oc hao ti
c .Hekeepss ing ingt hes ong st heys ingatdayc ar e
ever yday.I' ms oanno yedt her e'st hiso net hats ays
"Mynamei sThams anqa,I ' m 4y ear so ld,whenIg lowupiwantt ob eaS ojaand
Plotec to urc o unt ly"
Yes,hec anno tpr ono unc e"R"c o r
r ec tlyandIal way st ellhim he' s5b uthej us tsho ut
"I'm4! !".s ono wIj usts hutmymo ut h.
Ilikec hildr ent heyc anmakeyo ufeelo ffendedb uty ouj us tr ememb ert heyar es til
l
tooy o ungt ounder stand.
"Mo mI 'mhung ry,"Is aywhenwewal kpas tDeb o nai rs.
I'ml yi ng .Ij us twantpi z za.
"I'llb uyyo us o mefi sh,Iwanty o utot as tei t"-mo m
"Real lyg o gowher e'st hefi sh?"-Thami
"Wewi llg oandb uyfi shmyb oy"-mo m
"Mo mIdo n' teatfi sh"Is ayi nal owv o i
c e.
"OhhIfo rg ot ,yo uwi llb uywhat everyo uwantyo ueat ,her ei sthemo ney"-mo m
"Thanks"-Is ayt aki ngt hemo ney.
"You' llfi ndusato ceanb as ket "-mo m.
Ig ot odeb o nai rs,or derands ito no neo ft het ab leswhi l
eIt exto nmypho ne.
Ther e'sno ise.Ther e'sag roupo fpeo plewhi chj us twal ksi n.Ther e'snoise.Oneo fthem
walkst ot hec ount ert oo rderwhi l
et her es to ft hem g ot os ito nt heb iggertab leov er
ther e.
Whyi st hi spi zz at akings ol ongt ho ug h?Theys ai dImus twai tfo r10mi nut es.
"Numb er110"-t hel adyfi nal lys aysaft eral o ngwhi l
e.
ThankGo dfo rt hat ,wheaw! .Is t
andup,wal kt ot hec ount erandg i
vehert hesl
ip.
"Thankyo u"-t hel adys aysg ivingmet hes mal lb o xwi t
ht hepi zza,t hes mel lmhh. .
.
Doub lec hees e,t ri
ppl edec ker ,s omet hi ngmeat y...
"Wo w!No nz wakaz i"-amal ev oices ays
Itur nar o undi t'sLuphi ndo
"Itsni cet os eeyo uag ai n"hes ayss mi lingandmo vingt owar dsme.
"Hey"Is aypul limgo utav er yweaks mi l
e.
Hel o oksg o o d,b ettert hant hatday.He' swear ingg reyt rac kpant swithawhi teg olf
T-Shi rtandab lac kandwhi teNi keRo sh.
"Pleas eal lo wmet oi nt roduc eyo ut omys i
b ling s"-hes ayspul li
ngmyar m,Iwo n't
dissapo int ,t her ear efo urfemal esandt womal est heal llo o
kv eryc hill
ed.
"Guyst hisi sNo nz wakaz i
"-Luphi ndos aysl ooki ngatmeands mi l
ing.
"Hel lo"-t heyal ls ayato nce
"Hel loev er yo ne"Is ays miling
"Luphi ndos he' sg or geo us"-o neo ft heg i
rlss ays
Luphi ndohast hiss mi l
es t
uc ko nhi sfac e
"I'llb eb ac k"l uphi ndos ayst ot hem
Weg oo ut s ide.
"Imi ssedy o u"-i st hefi rstt hinghes ays
"Ar eyo ug o od?"Ias k
"Ido n' tkno w,mayb eI' mno t"-Luphi ndo
Is eehi m hewant smet oas k"why?"S ohec ant ellmes hi
t.Iwo n't.Ikno wthatt ype.
Someg uyo nc et oldmet hathe' sg o thear tpr ob l
emsb ecauset helovehehasfo rmei sall
overhi shear tandi thur ts...
"Whyar eyo uher e?"
"Mys ist er sar eg o ingt oJo hannes b
urgfo r5daysnex tweeki tsas choolcamps owe' re
her et ob uys omefewt hings"-Luphi ndo .
He' sex pl aini ngt oomuc hIt hink.
"Ohht el lt hemt oenj o y"
"Okey,l o ok. ..canwehav edi nnero nMo nday?"-Luphi ndo
Whywo ul dIag reet ot hat?He' sb eingar ando ms trang ernow! .
"No ,I' l
lb eb us y"
"Wi th?"-Luphi ndo
"Anas sig nmentt hatIhav etos ub mitonTues day "
"Whatab outTues day?"-Luphi ndo
"I'llb es t udyi ngfo rat estt hatI' mwr i
tingo nWednes day"
"Pr obab lyo nWednes dayyo uwi l
lb etiredaft ert het est,whatab usywo manyo uar e!,
Thur sday?"-L uphi ndo
"Ihav epl answi thNj ab ulob uti tsno tconfi rmedyet "
"Nj ab ulo ?! "-Luphi ndo .Hel ookss hoked.
"Ihav et og o,b ye"-Is aymaki ngmywayt oo ceanb asket.
He' sloo ki ngatmewal kingaway ,hel ooksv eryc onfus ed.
"Ex cus ememi sswedo n'tal lowfo odfr om di ffer entr est
aur antsher e"-awhi telady
say swhenIt r yt oent er
"My. ."
"She' smydaug ht erands hewo n' teatither e"-Mo m
Yheaw!S heal wayskno wwhent or escueme.
"No "-t hel adys ays
"Ohhs owhydi dn' tyo ut ellmet ol eavethet rolleyo utsidetoo?Bec aus eyoukno wthere's
foo dins ide! "-mo m
"No ,Mami tsdi ff. ...
."-t hel ady
"Buti t 'sfo odr ight ?"-Mo m.
Wewal kt ot het ablewher eNo mv eloandThams anqaar es ett
led.
Ilo okatmo ms hec lickshert ong ue,okeys he' sreal l
ypi ss
ed.Theyar es ti
llwait
ingfo r
theirfo o ds ol etmej us tdigi nt omi ne.Byt het i
met heirfoodar r
iveI 'm doneeating.I
takemyc ell
pho neandg ot
owhat s
app
There'sames sagefro mLuphindo
"Soyouhav eab oyfriend?,I'mr eallysor
ryforeveryt
hing
,whydidn'
tyo
ut ellme?"
"Apologyac cepted"Ir espond
"Whydi dn' tyout el
lmeNo nz wakazi?"-Luphi
ndo
"BecauseIdi dn'tkno wIhadab oyfr i
enduntily
o uto
ldmethatIdo"-Sent.
He'styping,I' m wai
t i
ngfo rthet extbutitdoesn'tc
ome.itsbeen5minutesandhe'
s
offl
ineno w.

++++++++++++
Its22: 05Go dwhyi shec all
ingmet hisl ate?.We' reno tev enfriends.
"Hello"-Is ayi nas leepyv oic
e
"Heydi dIwakeyo u?"-Luphi ndo
Stupidi diot,No !,I' ms urfingint heo cean,t hewav esar emo reniceratni ght
....
"No,yo udi dn' t"-Is ayi nalmo stawhi sper
"Butyo urv oicet el lsmet heo ppo site"-Luphi ndo
I'mpi ssedi ts10atni ght,whatdo eshet hinkI '
mdo i
ngex actl
y?.
"Luphi ndoi t's22: 05atni ghtandyo u'rec alli
ngmeandmyv oiceclearl
yas suresthat
youwo keme,b uts t i
llyou'reas king !"I' mfr ustrated.
"OhhI' ms orryag ainIt houg htyo uwer en'tas l
eep,s orryyo ucans leepno w"-hes ays
andhangup.
Argh!,t hisg uyi sb ored.
Nowt hatI' m awakehewant smet os leep.I' m nol ongerfeel ingsleepy.Ohhnohe' s
call
ingag ain.
Whato near thdi dIdot ob eanno yedt othi spo i
nt ?,Ihav es omuc hs i
nsco mparedt o
otherpeo plehuh?.
Ipicki tup,s il
enc e! .
"Nonz wakaz iar eyo ut here?"-Luphi ndo
"YesI 'ml isteni ng "
"I co uldn' ts l
eep s o I dec ided t o ..
...Okey No nzwakaz iwhy ar e yo u acting l
ike
this
?"-Luphi ndos aysinac almb utwo rriedv oice.
Ikno wex ac tlywhathe' sasking ,b utIdo n'
thav eanans wert othisquesti
on.
"Whatar eyo ut al kingab out?"Ias k.
"Areyo uas kingt hatb ecausey o uwantt hisc onversat i
ont ogoo n,or?"-Luphi ndo
"No,Ir eallywantyo ut otellmewhatyo u'reab out,whatdi dIdo ?"
"You'reg ivingmea har dt i
meNo nz wakaz i,no tb ecauseIex pec tyout ob eeas y
but..
."-hes o undswo rried.
"Whatdoyo uwantmet odo ?"Ias kI' mal sowo rriedno wb utwhy?.
"Justl oosenupt hes crewsal ittle,Ib egyo u"-Luphi ndo
I'ms mi l
ing
"Sothes crewsar et oot i
ght?"-Ias k
"I'venev erfac eds uchac halleng eev er!"-Luphi ndo
"Soar eyo ug oingt og i
veup?"Ias ks mi l
ing
"Hellno !,Nev er,"-Luphi ndo
"Why?"
"Bec aus eyo u'r ewo rthi t,yo u'real lthatIneed.Inev err eallyg iveupi nwhatIr eall
y
want "-hi m.
"Oh atl eas tno w Ikno w whyyo uc alled met hisl ateas kingmet ol oosen upt he
screws ...
yo uwantmet ob eeas yfo ryo uhuh?"he' sl aug hing .
"No ,No nz wakaz iI 'llbeev er ythingt hatyo uneedMyl ove"-Luphi ndo
"Yo uhav et okno wt hats omet i
mesyo udo n' tgetev er ythingt hatyo uwant ,
"
"That '
swhyyo uhav et ofi g hts oyo uc anenduphav i
ngev eryt hingyo uwantb ec ause
chang i
ngyo urmi ndmeansyo u'reg iv
ingup"-hi m.
Damnhi sv o i
cei tt ooc har mi ng,Mrpo s i
tives pirit.
I'ml yingo nmyb ac ks mi l
ingandb itingmyl owerl ip.I' mi nl ovewi thhi sv o
ice,Idi dn't
realise,b lo odyhear t!,yo u' reb etr ayingme.
"OkayNo nz wakaz ilo ok,Do n' tyo ul oveme?"-Luphi ndo
DamnI' mo uto fwo rds ,theans weri sjus to bviousandhekno wst hat .It sjus tt hati t'
s
sti
llto oear lyfo rmet og ivehi mt hat .
Ihangup.Letmes witc ho fft hispho ne.
Ineedanex cus efo rt omo r row. ..Iwi llsaymyb at t
er ydi edwhi lewewer estillspeaki ng,
AndIl eftmyc har g eri nt hes tudyr oo ms oIdec i
dedt os leepb ecaus eIwast ired.Go od
butno tper fec t.Mx mIdo n' tev enkno whi mt hatmuc hs ohec an' tex pec tmet og iv ehim
exellentex cus esfo rno w,He' sas t rang er.
++++++++++
"No nz wakaz i,I'llwho o pyo uras si fyo uc los ethoseey esag ain, "-Mo m.
Eish!mo mt ho ug hwhyme?
"Getupi t's10: 00andweneedt og ot oc hur ch!"-mo m
Ohi t'sS undayt oday.Weneedt ob eatc hur chb efo re12: 00andI' veb eeno peni ngmy
eyesev eryt i
memo mwakesmeandt henc lo s
et hemag ainass oo nass hec losest hedo or
.
Butt hi stimes he' ss eriousands hewo n'tl eaveunt ilI'm upc o mpl etelyIc anj us ts eeit
onherfac e.Ig etupanddomyb ed.S hel eav es.
Theho us ei ss ount idy ,t hing sar er eal l
yhar dwhenThams anqai sar ound,he' sc hao ti
c
andnaug ht y.
Iwas hmyfac eandb rus hmyt eet handt hens tar tt i
dyi ngupt heho us e.I'mr emi nded
thatmyc ellpho nei so ff.Is wit chi to n,thet imei s08: 35.Okeyt hat 'smymo mev er yone.
Ifo rg otho ws hec anb es omet i
mes .
Ther e'sames sagefr omLuphi ndoi tsani nb ox.
"No nz wakaz imyl ov e.Hav i
ngyo ui nmyl ifeiso net hi ngt hatIdes irewi thal lo fmy
hear t.Yo u' ret heo nlyper so nwhoc anb ringhappi nes sint omyl ife"i treads .
Sweet ,Ino whav eadeg reei nb ri
ng inghappi nessi no therpeo plesl i
v es,isn'tthats weet ?.
Ig ot oWhat sapp.Ther e'sames sagefr om Nj ab ulo ,sayi ngImi ssedhi m who uldb ean
under stat ement ,it'swaymo ret hant hat .
"Il oveyo us till
"i tr eads .
Ihav en'tfo rgo ttenwhathedi db utimi sshi m.
"Bes tieI' vemi ssedyo us omuc h".
"Wo w! ,soyo u'r eal i
v eNo nz "-hi m.Aft er6dayshe' ss t
illstupi d.
"Ohs orryIfo rgott ot el lyo ut hatI' mdead"
"Ij ustknewi t,b ec aus emyb estfr i
endwo uld'vec alledt ocheckupo nme! "-hi
m.
"OhIg etitno w,do n'ty ourememb ert hatyo urb est friendhadt ot akeat axitocampus
lastweekMo nday ?"
"Wher ear eyou?"Hes endsav oiceno tel aughing ,hehast hener v et olaughatthis
really.
"I'mho me,why?Yo uwantt oc omeo vers owec andomyl aundr ytoget her?"
"Hel lno"her espo nds ,Ilaugh.
"Al othashappenedwhi leyouwer en'tar oundb estie"-me.
"What ?Hass omeo net riedtomur deryo u?Co meo nt ellme"-Nj abulo
"Ifyes ,what '
syo urpl an?"
"Erh. .
.Didyo ukno wt hatmyfat herhadag unher e?, "-hi m
I'ml aughing,c owar d! .
"Wej ustneedt oc atchup"
"No nzwakaz i
!"-mo m
"Mah?"
"Comeher eQui ckly! "-mo m
Shes oundshappy .Ig etupandr usht oher .
"I'vefo undy ouafl ati nSummers andsYo u'remo vingi nnex tmo nth"-mo m
Ij umpandhugher .S oIwo n'tb eus ingao nepl at es tov
eandb athingi nthatsmall
basinanymo re.L ev els!!.
"Thankyo usomuc hmah"Ihudhert i
g hter .
"Do n'thugmet odeat hpleasej ustgog etr eadyfo rChur ch,I'llgot ellyourfatherthe
goodnews "-mo m.
Thisi sfr eedo m r eally.Livi
ngatuMl az imay b ec heaperb utt her e ares omany
disadv antageso ft hatpl ace,youdo n'tkno wwhet heryo umightb es ho tonyourwayt o
thes hopso rwhat ,t her earemo ret haneno ughc rimi nal sthere.It'stoor is
ky.
 08

Ass eas onschang ei nayear ,sodot heweeksi nmo ths,daysi nweeksandal sopeo plein
thedays .Ithasb een2weekss inceI'vemo vedi nthefl at,it
'sac omplexb utI'mr enting
i
t..
.Ipr efercal l
ingi taflatIt hink.Ifeelfr eeandt heflatisg r
eatev entho ughImi ss
theNg ubanefami ly,t heywer emo r
el i
kemys econdfami ly.Butno thi
ngfeel sasper fect
aslivinganadul tl ifemaki ngyo uro wndecisionso nyo urownt ime.Kno wi
ngt hatyo u're
respons ibl
eforev er ythi
ngt hatyo udoandyo ushallreepwhatyo usow.
Sor i
g htno wI'mc hi ll
ingouts i
deo nt hebalc
o nys it
tingo nthec ampc hair,sippingo nmy
redwi ne,feeli
ngs uperfr esh.Ir eallyli
ket hisplace,Ic anal mo s
tseet heo ceanfr om
hereandfo rt hefac tthatIc anwal kt oSunc oastfr om here,I'mr eall
yhappy.Iwi l
l
chi
llher eeveryweekend.I 'llevenc allmyfr iendss owewi llhaveg oodt i
mest o
gether.
Njab uloespeciall
y ,hel i
kespar ties.

I'vebeentaki
ngselfi
esandI'l
lpo
stoneo fthemonFaceboo
klater.Butthes
truggl
eis
alwaysther
eeverytimeIhavetomakeac hoi
ceonwhic
ho netopo
s t
.Ilookgor
geousbut
Ipaynomi ndo nthat,i
tdoes
n'tmatt
erthatmuc h.

Yes.Ithinkt hisoneisper fect.Iupl oadi tasmypr ofil

epict
ure.
Thefirstcommentpo psi naft er20s econds .
"Looki
ngg o
rgeo usasal ways,whoy ou'rewi th?"-LuphindoNgcobo
Letmer eplyt ohimo ni nbox
"I'malone,t hanks "-s ent
"OhIs ee,youar eenj oyingyours elfo nyo urnewplace"-Luphindo
"Ofcourse"Ir espondandl ogo utimmedi atel
yAndc onti
nues i
ppi
ngonmywine.
I'v
eb eens i
ttingher efo rab out30mi nut esnowb utitfeelsli
keithasonlybeen2
minutesb ecaus eI'mr eal
lyenj oyingmys elfwhil
ewat chi
ngt hekidss
wimmingonthe
swi
mmi ngpo oldo wnstairs.

Mypho ner ing sitsL uphindo ,Ir ol

lmyeyesandpi c
ki t
.
"Hi"
"I'mher epl eas eo pentheg ateforme"-Luphi ndo
Hehang sup.Wai t...
.
Whatg ateishet alkingab out?
Ithinkhec al l
edawr ongnumb er.Whats houl
dIdo ?openthegate?Butnowhywo uld
hecomeher ewi tho utlettingmekno w?
I'mho l
dingt heg at eremo tewi thmyhand,Ir undo wnthestai
rstothepar
king.out
side
thegatet her e'samar oonMaz daC X-3.
Ipressther emo t e,theg ateo pens,t hecardri
vesin.It'
shimThewindowsareopenhe's
wearingsung lassesandhe' splayi
ngt hi
ssongNonzwakazi-Theso
il.
I'mjusts tandi ngher eslightl
ys mili
ng ,Ididn'
tkno whehasac ar
,Imean...wemetina
taxi
.
 I'mg ladt os eehi m.Hepar kst hec ar ,o penst hedo or.Thewi ndo wsar es ti
lldo wnand
thes ongi sl ouderno w.hec omest omeandhugme,I' ms ti
llstandi ngher emo ti
onless
"Bab y "-Luphi ndoher emo vest heg las sesandki ssmyfo rehead.
Theb utter fl i
esi nmys t omac h! .Impr es sivei sn'tit?
I'ms t i
llqui etandfr eez ingt ho ug h.
"Hey"Ifi nal lys aywhenI' mdo neb eings ur pr i
sedands ho cked.
"Imi ssedy ou"-hes aysl oo kingatmefr omheadt ot oe.
Ifeelb adno wb ecaus emyb odyi sex po sed,I' mwear ingab ums hortandandav est
,b ut
hemi g htaswel lfeedhi sey eswi thmyt hi ckb oo ty,flats t omac handc hocolatedar k
freshl eg s.Her us hesb ac kt ot hec arandt akehi spho ne.
Ido n'tkno wwhathe' sdo ingb uthe' ss milingwhi lelookingati t.
Hec lo sest hedo orandl o ckst hec art henc o mest owardsme.I' ms mi li
ngIj ustno ti
ced
thathe' sg otr ac ket s.
"Eish!Ands omeb o dyj us tlac ksv itami nD, "Is ayl aug hing.
Hel o oksatmeandfr own,hemus tl etmemakej okesab outhi m,i st her eanyo t
her
reaso nwhyhe' sher eb esidest hato ne?,Ihar dlyev enkno whi m.Heg i
v esmeab oxo f
choco latewi thar ed r ibbo nt ied ar ound i t,a b o t
tleo fwi neand a CD i t
sLut her
Vandr oss e'sal b um,t hat 'smyj am! .
"Thankyo u"Is ays mi ling .Idi dn' tex pec tthat .
"Let'sg ot ot heho us e"Is ayhefo llowsme.
Icanfeelhi seyeso nme,I' memb arr as sed
Ican' to pent hedo o rb ec aus eI' mho ldi ngt hes et hings.Hedo esi tforme.
"Thanksandwel c
o me"
Hewal ksi npas tt heki tc hent ot hel oung e.Hes it
so nt hec ouc h,ands witchest heTVo n.
Okeys oIneedt omakes o met hingt oeatfo rtheb otho fus .
"So..Whatwo uldyo ul iket oeat ?"Ias kl ookingathi m.
"Anyt hingwi thVi tami nD"hes ayss mi l
ing
Ismi leb ac k.
Iwi l
lCo okpas t aandc hees e.
I'ms t i
llwo nder ingwhydi dhej ustc o meher et houg h,AndI' l
las khim.
Istar tc ho ppingandwhenI 'mab o utt ofi nish,It ur nar oundhe' sstandi ngb ehindme.
God!Myhear ti sb eat i
ngv er yfas t.
"Yo ug av emeafr i
g ht "Is ay.myv o i
c eiss haki ng .
"Ineedt og ot ot hel oo"-Luphi ndo
"Thes eco nddo o ro nt her ighthands ide"
Hedi sappear s.Ineedt oc hang et hes ec lothesic an' tdealwi tht hisanymo re.
Ig ot ot heb edr o omandwearab lac kmax idr es s
.
Onmywayb ac kt ot heki tc henIg ot ot hel oung efi rst
.Iwantt os eewhathe' sbeen
wat ching .
Hispho nei sv i
b rat ing .I 'mt empt edt ot ouc hi tb utnoij us two n't.Il ookati tunt ilit
stops.
Iloo katt hes c reen,WHAT?!, HOW?!
it
'sapi ct ur eo fmes tandi ngi nt hepar kingl o twear ingab ums hortandav est.Thisguy!
He'st o ofas t.
 Letmeputhi spho nedo wnb efo reher et urns .Letmel eavet hel oungeal so.
Iwal kb ac kt ot heki tchenandc ont i
nuec ooking .
"Il i
keyo urdr es s"-Luphi ndo
I'mang ryb utIwo n'ts ho witb ec auset heo thers ideo fmei shappyb ecauseIc anseehe
cares .
"Thanks "Is aywi tho utl ookingathi m.
"Whydo n'tyo uc o met ot hel oung eandwat chamo viewithme?"-Luphi ndo
"Bec aus eI' mc oo king,s oyo uc ang etv itami nD"
He'sl aug hi ng
"ButI' mher e,ImeanIc ameb ec aus eyo uwer eal one,Iwant edt okeepyo urc o
mpany.
Soyo uwo n'tb eher ewhi leI '
mt hats ide"-he' ss ayingallthi slookingatmeb utallI'
m
do i
ngi sl isteni ngt ohi mwhi l
eIc o ntinuec oo ki
ng .
"Whatdoyo us ug gestIdo ?"Ias kt ur ningar oundt ofac ehim.
"Jus tc omeandwat chamo viewi thmeo rI' llsither eandwat chyo uc ookingunt i
lyou
finish"-Luphi ndo
Doesher eal lyt hinkI' llleavet hes epo tsher et owat chamo viewi t
hhi m?
Ij usts mi le
"We' lldot hemo v iewhenI' mdo ne"
"Butb ab yI. .."-Luphi ndo
"No !"Is ay.
I'l
lj us tig no ret hathec alledmeb aby.
Hewal kst o war dsme,he' sto oc loset omei t'sal mostahugfr omb ehindb uthe'snot
touc hingme,he' sj usto nei nc haway .Ifeelmykneesg ettingweak,myhandsar e
shaki ng .Ic an' tfi ghti t.No !
Heput shi shando nmywai s
t,Ir emo v eit,t aket hestirri
ngr odands tirthemi ncecurr
y.
Hewal ksb ac kt ot hel oung e.
Sigh!.
I'mdo nec ooking .
Idi shupandt aket het wopl at est ot hel oung e.
"Pleas epr ayfo rt hefo od"
"Clos eyo ureyes .DearLo rdpl eas eb les so urfo od,andpl eas eg i
vemes tr
eng thtoshow
herho wmuc hs hemeanst ome.Amen! ."
"Amen, "I' ms mi ling,hej us ttoldGo dab outme. ..
"Sowhat 'st hemai nr eas onfo ryo ut oc omeher e?"Ias kafterawhi l
e.
"Iwant edt os pends omet imewi thyo u"-Luphi ndo
"Oho kay ,andwhatdoyo udofo ral iving ?"
Badques ti
o nNo nz wakaz i!!.
"No thingmuc h,I' mapar amedi ci nthemeant ime"-Luphi ndo
"Whatdoyo umeani nt hemeant ime?"
"I want ed t o s tart my o wn b us ines sb ut my Mo m i nsisted I b ecome a
par amedi c"-Luphi ndo
I'mno tg ettingt hisatal l.
"Sowhatar eyo ug oingt odot oenduphav ingyo urownb usines s?"
"Wo r khar dt og ivet hemwhatt heywant ,soIc ang etwhatIal sowant "-Luphindo
"Go od,s owhatisyo urho bbie,addi ct,andyo urweakness?"
"It'syo u,Nonzwakaz iMakhanya, "-him.
Iloo kathi mandweb othsmi le.Ilovehimb utIs ti
llneedtoknowhi
mbett
erandthi
nk
abouti t.
"Ho wo l
dar eyou?"
He'sc hewing
"24andyo u?"hes aysfi nally
"19"
Notb ad
"Whatar eyo ulookingfo rinaMan?"-Luphi ndo
"Ho nestyandL oveev erythingel s
efo ll
ows"
"Chec k"-Luphindo
Istandupandt aket hepl atest othekitchenthenc omeb ac
kwit
habott
leofwi
ne.
"Wec anwat chthemo vieno w"
It'
ss omet hingpas tt hree
"Fiftys hadeso fg rey "-Luphi ndo
"Hellno,c anwepl eas ewat chs omethingfunny ?"
"Willyouev erag reewi t
hmei nyo urentir
elife?"-Luphindo
Thats ho ot
st hr
oug hmyhear t
.Whydi dheputi tlikethat?.

Weev ent uallyag reeo nwat c hingfi ftys hadeso fg reyt houg hIdo n'tkno wwhyhe
want st owat chi tb ecaus eI'ms urehehaswat chedi tb efo re.Andt hismo vi
ei sbor
ingme,
mayb ehet houghti twi llturnmeo no rsomet hi ngbutno .
He'ss i
ttingt ooc loset ome,Ifeelhi m.I'mno twatc hingt hemo vie.Ifeels leepyno wi
ts
earlyt ho ugh,itswaypas tsi
x.
Ilayo nt hec ouc handputmyheado nt hear mr estandmyl eg sonhi slap.Ido n't
wannas l
eept ho ug h,AndIho pehe' sno ther et osleepo ver.Hes t
andsups l
owly.
Het hinksI' mfas tas l
eep.
"Ineedt og ono w"-Luphi ndo
"Okey "Is ayandc losemyey es .
Hes tandst her eandj ustl o
o ksatme,It urnt olookathi mandweb othlaug h.
Igetupt oac companyhi m.Heho ldsmyhandandpul lmet owar dshi m.Oht hatwas
unex pec tedandt oofas t.
"Ilov eyo uNo nz wakaz i"-hes ay sinal mo stawhi sper .Hemo vesclosert ome.Hewant s
tokissme.Ikeepfac ingadi ffer entdi rec ti
on.
Hefo l
lowsme,b efo reikno wit .I '
mag ains tthewal l.
Mhht hepo werhehas ...
Iwo n'tl ethimb ec auseIt hinki tswayt ooear lyformet os howhi mt jatIl ovehim.
"Whatdoyo uwantmet odomyl o ve?"-hes aysho ldingmywai sttight er.
"Whatex actlydoyo uwantmet odoNo nzwakaz i
?!"He' ss hout i
ngb utwhy?.
I'ms car ed.Ido n' tkno wwhatt os ay.
Hehug smefo rawhi le.
Thats mel lagain.
Ihughi mb ack.
"Ilov
eyo uNo nzwakazi,Ireal
lydo.Iloveyoubaby,Il
oveyou."-hewhi
spersi
nmyear .
Ilo
vehi mt o
o.Aft erawhilehelet
'sgo,wewalktotheparki
ng.Hetheki
ssesmycheek
andthenr unt othecar .
"Goodb ye"web othsayato nc
eandl augh.
He'
sg one.
Imisshimal ready.

09

Mypho nei sring ing .It shi m.

"Luphi ndo ?"
"Go oddaymam,wec al ledt oi nfo rm yo ut hatt heus eri sinHo spitalandi fyouwantt o
showupt hev isitingho ur sar e15: 00t o16: 00and19: 00t o20; 00t hisisc i
tyHo s
pital
,
thankyo u"-afemal ev oic esaysandhangup.What ?! ,Ifr eezefo rawhi l
e..
.No!
Ijumpt og etmyhandb agandr us ht ot hes treett og etat axi.
Ilookwei rdmymi ndi ss cat t
er ed.
++++++++++
"Luphi ndo ! "
Thenur seb l
oc kmywayj us twhenI' mab outt oruni ns idet hewar d.
"Itsno tt imeyet ,yo us tillhav et owai t30mi nutesmo re"-Nur se
Damn!S hedo es n' tunder stand,do esshe?.
"No,!Whathappenedt ohi m?! "
May bet hatwi llmakemefeelb et ter .
"Hewasi nv ol
v edi nac arac cidento nS atur dayaft erno on"
Jesus!Thatwast hedayhec amet omyfl at !.
May beI' mt her eas onb ehi ndt his,ho wwi llIl iv
ekno wi ngt hathe' sinac ommab ecause
ofme?,andwhati fhedo esn' tmakei t?. .
.Mayb eIs ho uldt ellmo m ab outthi
s.Justto
beo nt hes afes i
de.
Ican' thel pi tI' mc rying .Hec an' tleav eme,no tno w.
Whydob adt hi ng shappent og o odpeo plet ho ugh?.
That30mi nut esfeel slike3ho ur stome.Go dwhyar ey oul eavingmeno w?,why?!.
"Miss. .
.30mi nut esi so v erno w,yo uc ang ot hroug h"-t heNur s
es ay sfinall
y
It'
s15: 00ev er yo nei sg oingt ot hewar dsno w,I' m almo s
tr unni ng.Thenur s
eisleading
theway.
"Hec anhearwhat everyo u'res ayi ng,s opl eas ebepo s i
t i
ve"-t heNur se
Witht hats aids hedi sappear s.
Ilookathi m,he' squi et.Ther ear epi pesandc ordsat tachedt ohi sbody.Hisheadi s
coveredi nb andag es .
Nonzwakaz iwhatdi dy o udo ?
Thet ear sar er ollingdo wnmyey es ,Ic an' thel pit.
Ilovehi mandr eal lyc an' tloos ehi m.
Hemus tb er eal lyi npai n,he' sv er yqui et.
Ifeels ohel ples s.Butt henag ainIr ememb erIneedt ost ays t
ro ngfo rhi m.
Iputmyhando nhi sches tfi nal ly.
"L uphi ndo "-Is ayi nas oftv o i
c e
"Pleas e....Pl eas eb aby,do n'tl eav eme"
I'ms t illcryi ng .
Ithens oftlyt ouc hhi sfac e.
I'mho ldingb ac kt het ear s.
Igent lyho ldhi shandt oo.
"Luphi ndo ,i t'smeNo nz wakaz i"
Iclos emyeyesfo ras eco nd.Okeyl etmeb ehones t...
"Allt hatI' mab outt osayc omesfr omt heb ottomo fmyhear t.
Luphi ndoNg cob o,myl ove.Il oveyo u.Ikno wyo uhav eb eenwai tingfo rt hisforawhi le
nowb uther ewear et oday.Il oveyo uandI' ml oo kingfo rwardt oli
vingal ong,better
li
fewi thyo u,dono tt aket hatawayfr om mepl eas e.Ikno wIhav en'tb eengo odtoyo u
fort hepas tfewdaysb utno wt hatwear eatt hispo i
ntI' dliket oapo logiseforallthat.
I'mv er yv er ys o rry.Il o veyo us omuc h"
Ifeelmys el fg et ti
ngweak,Ij us tc onfes sed,ifhedi eshewi lldiekno wing .
Myhear tiss ore.
++++++++++
Ther e'sno is e.
Shit!Ido z edo ff.
"She' sawake"-afemal ev oi
c e
Eis
h!I' mi nho spi t
al ,real itysuc ks .Luphi ndoi sst i
llqui et,Ir aisemyeyes .
Damn!It 'shi sfami l
y.I' memb ar ras s
ed.
I'ms it tingo nt hec hairnex ttohi sb ed.
Istandupandt akemyb agi mmedi ately.
"Go odaft er no on,I' mv er ys orr y.Ac tual lyIwasl eav ing "Is ay ,I'm emb arassedfo r
real.
"Noyo uc ans taydar li
ng "-ag ro wnfemal esays.
Theo thert hr eemal esar ej us tlo okingatme.
"I'mL uphi ndo 'smo ther ,t hisi shi sfat her.And t hes ear ehi sBr othersS fi
soand
Bandi le"-t hefemal es aysag ains mili
ng .
"Nonz wakaz iMakhany a,andi tsadel ight fulpleas ur etomeetyo u"-Is ays hakingtheir
handsands milingb ack.
Ireal lywantt ol eav eno w.
I'mj us tno tc omfo r t
ab lewi thal lthis,andI' m wear ingas leevel essdr ess.TousZul u's
thatr eal lyc o unt s,i tmeansnor espec t.
"Letuspr ay"-Luphi ndo 'smo ther .
Sfis
oho ldsmyhandIho ldt heMo thershandandwepr ay.
Ithens aymyg oo db yesandl eav e.

Iloo
ks owei
rd.
It
'sli
keI'mlos
ingmymi
nd.
Whathav eIdo ne?MyGo d.Ihadt og otoc ampust odayt os ub
mi tanassig
nmentb utit
seemsl ikeIwo n' tev enat tendmyc l
as sesfo rt hewho l
eweek.
Myhear ti sbr okeni ntov erys mal lpiec es.
Isho uldhav ekno wn.
Sho uldIt ellNj ab uloab o utt hi
s?
May be....Okeyi t sr i
ng ing .
"No nj ab uloNg emai smyg irlfriendhel lo?"-Nj ab ulo
Mx ms tupidi di o t.
"Bes tieI' mi ndeept r oub l
e"
"Whatno w?Di dyo umur dero neo fL uphi ndo 'sBitches?"-Nj abulo
"Wo ul dyo upl eas elistent ome?"
"Ohwai twhyar eyo uc rying ?-Nj ab ulo
"Luphi ndoi si nho spital "
"Buthewo rksi nt heho spitalwhatdoyo umean?"-Nj abul o
"He' sadmi ttedNj ab ulo "
"Ohwhati sitc anc er ?,HIV?,. .."-hi m
"Nj ab ulo!"
"Yo us tab bedhi m?"-hi m.
Ineedafr iendwhol iveso near thandno tMar sreall
y ,someonewhoc anc omfortme
whenIneedt ob ec o mfo rted,s o meo newhoc an. .
.
"Idi dn' tstabhi mNj ab ulob utI'mt her easo nwhyhe' st here"I'
mc r
yingagain.
"Whatdi dyo udo ?"-Nj abul o
"...
. .
..."
Ic an' ts peakI' mc rying .
"Myfr iendr elax ,hej ustwant edt okno who wi tfeelst ob eatho spi
talno tforwor
k
pupo ses,hewi llb efi neb estiej ust .
..."-hi m
Ihangupb efo r ehec anev enfi ni s
h.
Hec allsmeb ac k.Ii gno r eit .Its topsr i
ng ing.
Isendames s ag e
"Can' tspeakno w,wewi l
lt al klater "
I'mv eryemo tio nalno wandIwantt ot ellLuphi ndoho wmuc hIlovehimatl east
.
++++++++++
"Myl o v
e"-Luphi ndo
"Luphi ndob ab y"
He'sawake.Ij umpandki sshi mo nt helips.
"Ho war eyo ufeel ing ?"Ias k
"I'mhappyt os eeyo uher e"-L uphi ndo
Noi tsno tab outmeher e.Ist hatwhathe' sb eendr eamingab out?,me?.
"Bab yamIt her eas o nb ehindt his?"
Hekno wsI' mt al kingab outt heac cident .
"Nomyl ove.Theo therdr i
v erwasdr unk"-L uphindo
Wheaw! ,relief.
Butt henag ai n.
"Imi ssedy ou"Is ay,Imeani t.
He'stryi
ngt os mile,it
sst i
llhard.
Iputmyhando nhi scheek.
"Pleasestays trongfo rme,il oveyou"
"Beingstrongi sno thi
ngwhenihav eyo urlove"-Luphi
ndo
.
Myhear tisj ustfill
edwi thl o
veandj oy.
Ihav eabo yfr i
end! .
I'
mg oi
ngt oc ampust omo rrow,I'ms ohappy.
"Imetyo urpar entsyester day"
"Whatdi dt heys ay?"-Luphi ndo,he'ssmil
ingagain.
"Theyintroduc edt hems elvesandIdi dt hesame"
"Areyo uhappy?"-Luphi ndo
"Yes."

"He'sawakemo m"-afemal esay s.

It'
shisfami l
yag ain.
NowI'mt hatki ndo fg i
rltot hem. .
..
"Hell
oev eryone"t heyallsayl o
okingatt heb ot
ho fus.
Iwantt oleav ebutiwo nt,no tag ain.
"Goodaft erno on"Is ay.
There'
shi sfat her,thewayhel o oksatmei sno tveryki
ndhe' sscaryandquiet.Ther
e
arehissi
s terstodayno ttheb rothers.
Theylookfami l
iar.Ohno wIr ememb er,Isawt hematt hegatewayt hatday.
"Nonzwakaz i,thisisEli
hleandEs i
hlet heyar etwins
."-themo ther.
"Heyyou"is ays mili
ngbac katt hem.
Theyaret o t
allyunidentical.
"Howar eyo udo ingmyb oy?"-hi smo t
hers aystoLuphindo.Okeyitsfamil
ytime.
Itrytomo veaway.Heho ldsmyhandt ight
er .
"I'mfeelingb ettermo m,al lbecaus eo fher"-Luphi ndosayslooki
ngatme.
He'sputtingmeo nt hespotlightno w.I'mb lushing.
10

"Bab y?"
"Hellomyl ov eho war eyo u?"-hi m.
"I'mo key"
"I'mal sofi net hanksfo ras ki ng "-hes aysandl aug h.
"Comeo nt hisi sliket het ent ht imeyo u'rec al
lingmet oday"
"Tomei tfeel sl ikei t '
st hefi rstt imet ho ugh,Imi ssyou"-him.
"Imi ssyo ut oo"I' ms er i
o us ,hec amet os eemeear l
ier.
..Befo reIwentt ocampus .
"Sowhenar eweg o ingt ot hedi nner ?"-Luphi ndo
Her eal lywant st hedi nner ,andhe' sdemandi ng .
"Whenyo u'rer eady "
"Tomo rr owats ixo 'cloc kI' llb et her etofet chyo u,Il oveyou"-Luphi ndo .
Hehang sup.Hedi dn' tg i
v emeac hoice,didhe?.
Hehasr ec overedno w.I' mr eal lyt hankfulfo rt hat .
It'
sb eenamo nt handhe' sb eens ho wingupher eev erychanc eheg ets.
Somet imesheus est hoset wos eco ndswhenhe' satwo rk,dr iv
inganamb ulance,hej ust
comesandki ssmehel loandg oo dbyeatt hes amet ime.Itst helittl
et hingsthatr eal
ly
matt er .I' ms oi nl ov ewi thhi m.
Peopleher ear es tar tingt ot hinkt hatI' m ac raz yyo ungladywho 'sjustal wayssickit'
s
theamb ulanc eI' ms ur et heyt hinkIhav eas er iousi l
lnessandt hat 'swhyIhav en'tgot
fri
endsmayb e...
Somet imeshec omest woo rt hr eet imesaday .
Heus eshi sfat her sc ari fhe' sno to ndut yb ecaus ehisissti
llundermai nt enance.
Mypho ne. .
.
"Privat enumb erhel lo?"
"Helloc anIs peakt oMi ssNo nz wakaz iMakhanya?"-amal ev oi
ces aysont hepho ne.
"Speaki ng "
"We' vec alled t oi nfo rm yo ut hatMrNj abuloNg wenya hasb een invo l
ved inac ar
acci
dent "-t hev o iceag ai n.
What ?! !,i tslat eIdo n' tkno wwher et ofindTr ans po r
t.
"Wher e?,ho w?,andwher ei sheappar ent l
y?"
"Heyc oo ldo wni tsme,o pent heg atefo rme"-Nj abulosvoice.
He'ss uc hafo ol.I' mr eallyang ry.
Itaket her emo t eandj us twhenI' m ab outtol eavet heho use,theDev i
linmet el
lsme
nott oo pent heg ate.Iputt her emo teo nt heki tchenc o
unt erandg obac ktothel ounge
towat c ht heTV.
Someo nei skno cki ngo nmydo or.
Iho pei t '
sno tanei ghb ouras kingmefo rc urrypo wdero rsomet hingliket hat.
Igetupando pen,i tshi mhei ssmi li
ng .
"Hel lot oyo ut oo "-Nj ab ulo
I'mang ryandi tst oos er ious.
"Ido n' tdoac cident s"-hi m.
"Ij ustt ho ug htIs ho uldpas sb y,I'mwai tingfo rNo njabuloEng i
mt handayoNg emasowe
cang ot ot heb eac h"-Nj ab ulo.
Thiss t upi dMo ns ter,whoi shet alkingto?!
Ido n'tc ar eandIwo n'ts ayawo r
dunt ilhel eav es.
"..
. Wher ei sLuphi ndo ?"-Nj ab ul o
"..
. Tellhi mt hati fheb reaksyo urheartI' mg onnac omefo rhim"-Nj abulo
"Whyi st his...."-Nj ab ul o
"SHUTUP! !"Is ho utaft erg ivinghi mav eryhar ds lap.
He'sl aug hing .Fuc k!
"Co mefet c hyo urpi zzai nt hec arb ecaus eIwo n'tc omeb ack"-Nj abulo
Itaket heg at er emo teandfo llowhimdo wnt hes t
ai r
st othepar ki
ng.
"Int heb o ot"-Nj ab ulo
Heo penst hedr iversdo o r.
Io pent heb o ot.It sempt y.
He'sl aug hi ng .Ic loset hec arb o ot
,putt her emo teb ackt omypo c
ketAndmakemyway
bac kt ot hefl at .Hekno wsIc an' tsaynot ofo od.
Hemus tleav et hi spl ac et hes amewayheent ered.
"Theg at e!!"-Nj ab ulo
Iig no rehi m.
Whoev ert hato penedfo rhi ms ho ulddoi tag ain.
WhenIg ett ot heho us eI' mr emi ndedt hatI' mg oingo nadi nnert omorrow.
Isho uldl ookg o odfo rhi m.
+++++++++
"Sot odayI' llc omeo verandt henmo veint omo rrow"-S nakho .
"Al rightnopr ob l
emb ab es"
Shewi llb emyr o ommat e.Ikno wherfr omhi ghs c
ho ol.She'sanho nestperson,Shel
ikes
par tyingandIl ikeher ,ev ent houghIdo n'tunder standhert hatmuc h.ButthenI'm
surewewi llg etal ongv er ywel l.
...Iho pe.
++++++++++
Itsex ac tly18: 00.I' ml at eb utIs til
lneedt ot akeab athfi r
st.
Icameb ac kfr omc ampusandwents traightt ob ed.S nakhohasc l
eaned.
Mx mi tsherfi rstday,b ynex tweekt hisspir i
twi l
lbel ongg one.
Ig etupandt akeab at h.
"Snakhopl eas ei ro nt hedr essfo rme"
"Okay "-S nakho
Shekno wsihav et og o, andI 'mi nar ush.
"Yo urpho nei sr i
ng ing "-S nakho
"Pic ki tup,t ellhi mI' mg et ti
ngr eady,itmus tb eLuphi ndo "
ShedoasIs ay.
I'mdo ne.Ig eto utandmypho ner i
ngs,itshi m.
"Bab y?"
"I'mher emyl o ve"-L uphi ndo
Snakhoo penst heg at ewhi leIg etr eady.
"Hes aidhewo n' tc omei n"-S nakho
Good.Iputo ns o memakeup,s t raig htenmyweav e,I'mdo ne.
Snakhot henhel psmewi tht hedr es s.It sanav yofft hes ho ulder,mermaiddr es
s.I'm
wear ingi twi thNudeb lo ckheel s .Thedr essi ss
oper fectitex po sesmycurves.
I'mfeel ingfab ul ous .S nakhomakess ur eev er
ythingiso npo int.
Idi ds aywewi llg etal o ngv er ywel l
.
Sheg ivesmeag oldc ho ker ,Iputi to n.Go od!.
Imakemywayo ut,s heac c ompani esme.
Whenweg ett ot heb o tto m.
Ican' ts eeLuphi ndo 'sfat her 'sc arher e.TheBMWdr iversdo o ropen.
Ifeelv er yweakwhenIs eehi m.He' swear i
ngas uit.Hei ssoc har mi
ng.
Ican' ts eet hec o louro ft hist ex udopr o per lybutitlooksb l
ac k.
Befo reIkno wi tI '
mb lus hingands mi l
ing .
"Myl ov e"-hes aysappr oac hingme.
"Hav eag oodt ime"-S nakho
"Don' tl o ckmeo ut "
Shel eav es.
Heg ivesmeo neb ighug ,hes mel lsdi ffer entb utit'snicet oo.
Weki s s."Yo ul oo kg o rgeo usb ab y"-Luphi ndo
Her unst oo pent hedo o rfo rme.Ient ert hec ar.
Okeyhi ss ui tisnav yi t'sac o inc idenc e.
Thisc ar ,Jes us!
Ilovei t ,i t
sb i
g.It sanBMWX6.It 'sev enmar ooninc ol
o ur,that 'smycarc o
lour.
Mar oo ni sreal l
yt heb es tc olourfo rc ar sl ikethisone,that 'swhatImean. ..
Sohe' sb oug htanewc ar ?,Iwo nderwhat 'snex t
.
Ichec kmypho ne,t her e'sanewmes sag e.
It'
smo m,"Iwo nderwhatar ey oug ettingr eadyfo ratt histimeo ftheday"itr eads.
Ohs hit! ,Ic heckt hec al lhis tory. ..
Sowhens nakhos ai dmypho newasr ing ingitwasmo m ands hedi dn'
tno ti
ceands he
saidI' mg et ti
ngr eady .
"SHIT! "
Het akesmypho neandputi ts o mewher eo nthedo or.
"Givememyt i
me,pl eas eb ab y"-Luphi ndo
Eishhewo n' tev enunder stand.
Imakemys elfc o mfo rtab leo nt hes el eat hers eat s
.
Wear eher e.
Itsendl essho r
iz onsb out iqueho tel.
Ohs owear eo nt heno r ther ns ideo fDur ban.
Icans eet heo ceanfo rmher e,t hev iewi sv erynice.
Thispl ac ei sper fec t .Heo penst hedo orfo rme,t akemyhandandIwal ko ut.Hefi x
es
mydr es satt heb ottom.
Luphi ndot ho ugh.He' sper fec t,hei sal lt hatIneed.
Wemakeo urwayt ot heent ranc e.Wewal kpas tapo o l
,t hispl acei ssorefreshing,the
seab reez e.Ther ear et ab lesandc hairsnexttot hepo ol.
Theyl o oks og reat ,b yt hewayi tsmyfi rs
ttimeher e.
"At ab lefo rtwopl eas e"-Luphi ndo
Hes ayst ot heb oywhos eemst ob eawai t
er.Ther ei smo vement .
Heho ldsmyhandt ight er .
"Theywo n'tt akeme"Is ays mi li
ng .
"Youwi llnev erkno wwi tht hatpr ettyfac eofyo urs ."-L uphi ndo .
I'ml aug hunt i
lIs tar tc o ug hing ....
"Ar eyo uo key?"-hi m.
"YesI 'mfi ne, "
"Let '
sr emo vet his"-hi m.Het akest hec hokero ff.
"I'mo key,b uti ft hat 'swhatyo uwant .
..
"
"Ido n'tt rus tt heset hing sb ab y,Ic an'tlooseyo u"-hes aysl aug hing.
Sowhathemeansi st hatt hi sc ho keral mostkill
edme?Luphi ndo !!.
Hewass uppo set olo okati tasanec klace,seri
o usl
y.
"Itsr eady,yo uc anc o me"-al adys ays
Shei sleadi ngt heway.
Thispl ac elo oksv er yni ce,t hec hai rsandt ab l
esher ear et ooc lassy.
Hepul lso utac hai rfo rme.
"MaMng uni "-Luphi ndo
Itakeas eat.Wear eg i
v enamenu.
Thefo odi sdi ffer ent ,t her e'sno t
hingi '
v eat eher e.Butmayb ewheni tarrivesI'll
recogni sei t.Fing er sc ro ssed.
In DEVELOPING THE APPETI TE whi ch ihav ec o ncluded i t sa s tarterIo rdert he
Brus chet tafeg at i
ni .
Itreal lyi sas tarteri t ss mal ltwoNug getswiths omet hingo nthet op.Ittastesgood.
TOS AVOUR,whi c hist hemai nc our seIo rdert hes ear edkar o olambl i
onmedal li
o ns.It
s
meatandi tdo esn' tt as teb ad.
Andt hent heS WEETENDINGwhi c histhedes er tIt akec hoco l
at ec r
èmeb ruie.Il i
kedit
alsot astesg oodands weet .
"I'llbeb ack"Is ayandg ot ot hel oo.
Ifixmyfac eandwhenI' mdo neImakemywayb ackt ot het ableI'mappr oachinghi m
fromb ehi ndhec an' ts eeme.
Ileano nhi mfr omt heb ac k,po kehi sshoulderhet ri
est ot urnar ound,Iki s
shimo nthe
li
ps.
"Go tyo u! "Is ays mi ling
"I'lldoi tbet terIpr omi se"-L uphi ndo
Web othl aug h.
"Sot ellmewhydoyo uwantt ob eaneng ineer?"-Luphi ndoas kaft erI'vesettl
ed.
"Bec aus eb einganeng i
neeri swhatIwantt obe"
Hel aug hs .
"I'm ki ddi ng ,It hinki t sb ec aus epeo pleadv i
sedmet odoeng ineeringandIal soliked
it"
"That 'sg reatmaki ngus eo fo therpeo pleso pinions "-Luphi ndo
"andyo ut ellmeWhydi dyo ub uyanewc ar ?"
"Bec aus eIl i
keddi tandt heMaz dai sdamag ed"-L uphi ndo
"OhandI' dl iket os ayt hankst ot heac ci
dentb ec aus eifi twas n'tfo ritwewo ul
dn'tb e
here"-hes ayss mi li
ng .
"Ar eyo us ur e?"
"Mayb e"-hes ays
"Ifyo us ays o "Is ays mi li
ng .
Wear edo ne,hehaspai d.
"Do n'tyo uwantust oc hec ki nher e?"-Luphi ndo
"No !"Iqui ckl ys ho ut.
Hel ooksatmeands mi lewhenheS ee' sthes er i
ous nes so nmyfac e.
"Ilo veyo ut houg h"-hes aysl o okingatme
"Ilo veyo umo re"
Wemakeo urwayt ot heex itandt ot hec ar .
OhIdi dn' tno ti
c et hi s.
Thenumb erpl at ei s"FUZE-ZN"i t'st heNg coboclan.Il i
kei t.
Sothi sdi nnerwasmo reab o utmeg ett i
ngfr eefo odt hanust alkingab outo urselves.
I'mno to penandasmuc hasIt alkb utIdo n'tst ar tco nversat io
ns .
Weg eti nt hec arandhej us tsitsandl ookatmewi tho utsayi ngawo rd.
He'sl oo kingatmes tr aighti nt heeye.Ial solookathi mandg iv
eupv eryear lyitmakes
meweak.
Ohwai tmayb et her e' ss omet hingwr ongwi thmyfac e.Il ookatt hemi rro r
,hes mileshe' s
sti
llloo kingatmet ho ug h.Myfac ei sfi ne.
"Stopi tpl eas e!"Ifi nal lys ay
"Il o veyo u,Il o veyo u,Il ov eyo uandag ainIl ov ey o uNo nz wakaz iBab y,Myo therhal f.
Mywat eri nt hedes er t,Ic an' tseemyl i
fewi thoutyo uno w.Iwantt ob ewit hyo ufort he
resto fmyl ifeandIpr omi set ob ewhatyo uneedb ab y.I'llstaywi thyo ut hro ughthick
andt hinI' llg iv
eyo ual lthatyo uneed.Iwanto url ovet og rowo ld.I'llforev ers t
ayt rue
toyo u.I' l
lg iveyo ual lt het imeyo uneed,I 'llwaitfo ryo ub ec ausewhatIhav efo ryoui s
thet rut h,i tc omesfr omdeepwi thinmyhear t
.Ir eal l
yc areab outyo u.I'llgiveyo uwhat
youdes er v eandI' mv er ys er i
ousab outus ."-Luphi ndo
Hel ooksv er ys er ious .
I'mo uto fwo rdsb utI' ml o okingathi m.
"Ilo veyo ut oo"t hat 'sal lImanag et os ay.
Hes tar tst hec ar ,t akesmyhandandki ssesit.
"OhandIhav et oputs omes hinyt hingo nt hatfi ng er,sot hatev eryonec ans eet hat
I'mt her e,andal sowr ite"L uphi ndowami "o nit"-Luphi ndo
"Go odt hingyo ukno w"Is ays mi li
ng .
"Yesandg etev er yr ig htt omur dert ho selittl
eb oyst hatkeepo nl i
kingyo urpi ct
ureso n
Faceb o ok"-Luphi ndo
Web othl aug h.
"I'ms er iousBab y"-Luphi ndo
"Youneedt ot rus tme"
Hes miles.
Wear eher e.Heac compani esmet otheflat.
Wer eac ht hedo o r.
Iturnar oundt ofac ehim,ho ldbo t
hhishands ,mov
etowardsandhol
dhi
mver
yver
y
ti
ghtt ome,t henki sshim.
He'smi ne,s oyes .
Heki s
sesmeb ackandputhi sarmsar oundmywai st
.
Weki s
sfo rawhi le.
I'mho ldinghi mmo r
etighterno w.
Okey,I' ms atisfi
ed.
Istop,hehug sme,t henl etg oaft erawhile.
Hiseyesar esmal ler
"Herei syo urpho ne,goodby e,"-Luphindo .
Heleav es.Hel o okedang ry,b utwhy?.
I'l
lrespo ndt omo mt omo rr
o w.S nakhoisalreadysl
eepi
ng.Itsl
ate.
Igos traightt ob ed.
 11

"Thec ari sher e,l et '

sg o"-S nakho
"Okeyl et'sg o"
I'mhel pinghermo vein.
Wer undo wnt hes tair
s,Itso neo ft ho sesmalltrucks.
Therear et womal es .
"Malum' s"-S nakho
"HelloMs hana"t heyb oths ayatt hes amet i
me.
Okeyt hisisawkwar dfo rme.Ido n' tev enkno wwhot heyar ebutthey'
reherunc l
es.
"Goodmo r ning "-me
Oneo ft het wor espo ndsb utt heot hero nedo esn't,hejustl ooksatme,that'ssomean.
Itakeab ox,t het rucki sno tfull,t here'sjustafewt hing sherebutthenyo uknowhow
dramat icwec anb es ometimes .
Itaket heb oxt ot heBedr oomwhenIr eacht heflat.I'mr emindedthatIneedt osend
ames s aget omo m.
"Iwasg o i
ngt ot heb eachwi thmyfr iends"sent .
It'
sab o utt ob et heendo fthes eco nds emesters oI'mg oingho meinnot i
me.
Ilogint ofac eb oo k,"Luphi ndoNg cobosaidhewaswi t
hyo u.'
Ano tificat ionr eads .
Icli
cko ni t.
"Ihadag reatt imeyes terday,t hankyo usomuc hmyb aby"-t hecapti
onr eads
It'
sapi ctur eo fus ,wet ookityes terday.
Ireac twi thl ov eandc omment"Thanky ouFuz eWami "
Therear e500+l i
kest histimet her ear emanyc omment sals o
.
Iwantt opo sto nhi stimeline.
ButIdo n' tkno wwhatt owr ite.

Theunc l
esent ert hehous e,theypas sthr
oughthepassage.
"Yesitwil
lfit"o nes aysaft erlookingatthebedro
om.
Snakhofo l
lowst hemwi thab ox.Okeyletmetrytoopenups omespac
eher
e.
"CanIhav eyo urnumb ers?"-t heunc lewhichdidn'trespo
ndt omygreet
ing
ssays
.
Snakhoissmi l
ing .
"Goodmo rning "Is aytohi mag ain.
Hetriestotouc hme,Imanag etomo veaway.

Mypho ner
ings.
"Fuzewami"
"Hell
oMaMng uni
,ho
war
eyo
uto
day?"-Luphi
ndo
"I'mfi neb ab y"
"Go od! "
"Imi ssyo u"-Is ayt ohi mi nal o wt one.
"Imi ssyo ut o omyl ov e,Ic alledt ot ellyout hatIwo n'tb eab let oseeyo ufo rthenex t
fivedays ,b utI' llkeepi nt o uchIpr omise"-Luphi ndo
"Why?"
"Ther e'sac er emo nyt hatIhav et odo ,i
t sfo rtheanc est o
r ssoIhav et ogot oUml azi
wher e ev ert hing wi llt ake pl ac et he t hing i s. .
.I hav et os tay ho me fo r fiv
e
days ."-Luphi ndo
"Oh.... .Okey "
"Il oveyo u"-Luphi ndo
Ihangup.Fi vedays ?! .That '
sav er ylongt ime.
Andwhatki ndo fac er emo nyi st hat ?
"Nev ermi ndhi m"-S nakho
Ohs he' st alkingab outherunc le.
Ido n' tg eti tt ho ug h,t hisg uyc o uldb emyfat herb ut.
...It 'sdi sgusti
ng.
Ig ot ot heb edr oo m ands tar tunpac kings nakho 'sc l
othes .Fo l
di ngandput tingt hem i
n
thec lo set .Theunc lesent erag ainwi thab edt histime.It sb i
gandi t'snewIc ant ell.
She'shappyI' mg lad.
Weg o nnaj umpo nherb edno w.
++++++++++
It'
st het hi rddayo ft hefi v eday st o
dayandIr eall
ymi s shim ev ent houghhec al l
sme
everyc hanc eheg et s
.
Ig etupandt akeab at h.
Letmeweart hisj umps uit .
..Noi t'st ig
htandt odayi sho t.
Ipul lab lac kdr es sfr omt hec lo set ,oneo fmyfav ourites.
It'
sb eaut ifulandi ts uit sme.Y' al lkno wI'v eg otab eaut ifulb odyr ight?.
..
Nomakeup.
Iwo ntev eneat .
Ig ot ot her ank.Uml az iVs ectio n.
Ther e' sno thingIc anr eal lydo .Iwantt os eehi m.Imi sshi ms omuc h.
Ist opt het ax iex ac tlywher ehewasdr oppedt hatday.Thi spl acehasmemo ri
es.
I'mher e.
Ther ear epeo pleal lo v ert hepl ac eb utt henIr ememb ert hatuMl aziisat owns hi
pso
that'swhy.
Ias kag roupo fg irlss tandi ngs o mewher ewhet hert heykno wL uphindo .
"Ng cob o ?"-o neo ft hemas k.
"Yes"Is ay
Shes mi les"l etmeac co mpanyyo u"-t hegir l
Itwo ul d' v eb eenmuc hb et terifs hedi rect
edme.
"Soi sheyo urc olleag ue?"-t heg i
r l
"No "I' manno yed
I'mno tl i
ki ngt hisg irl.S he' swear i
ngav er
ys hortlimes kir tandab lackcroppedt op.
"Her e"s hes ayspo int ingo neb igho use.
"Thankyo u"Is ayg i
vinghert he,'yo uc anl eav eno w'look.
Shedo es .Go o d!
Ther ear eki dsher e,t heyar eplayi ng.Ic alltheel dero neandt ellhi
mt oc al lLuphindo .
Heg oesi nsidet heho us e.Itt akesal ittlel ongerandfi nallyher ehec omes .
He'swal kingb ar efo ot.
Ther ear er edandwhi teb ang lesmadeo fb eadsar oundhi sankl esandwr i
s t
s .
He'swear ingab lac kj eansandg oats kinac rosshi sches t
.
"Sthandwas ami ,I' mno tal lowedt og oo utj us tthinko fi t
."-Luphi ndo
Hes aysass o onashes eesme.
Hellot oyo ut o oLuphi ndo !.
"Lwaz i!,g otandg etmyc arkeys "-Luphi ndohe' sspeaki ngt otheb o
y.
"YesDad"-Lwaz i.
"Myl o ve"Is ayt o uc hinghi sar ms .
Ic an' thughi m,ev ent houg hIwanthi ms ob adl y .
Oht hat 'sag oat sb ileat t
ac hedt oit'ss ki
no nt hec hes t.
Hedo es n'ts mel ls og oo dal so,it'sno tb adi t
'sj ustdi fferentfr omtheo thero nes.
"Imi ss edy o u"Is ayi nal o wt one,Ij ustfeelt heneedt oex plainwhyI'mher e.
"Imi ss edy o ut oob ab y"hes ayst akingt hekeysfr omLwaz i
.
Wewal kt ohi sc arwhi chi spar kedac r osst her oad.
"Ido n' twantGr annyt os eeusb ecaus es hewi l
lb urrymeal iv
e,I'm no ts uppo setob e
her e."-hi m.
"I'ms og ladyo uc ame"-hi m.Hes aysass oonaswe' resettled.
"...
Yo u'r epr etty"-hi mag ain.
He'sl o oki ngatme.I' mb l
us hing.
"So ,what 'sg oingo n?"
"Wi th?"-Luphi ndo
"Thec er emo ny,whati sit?"
"Amag o b ong o,Iac t ual l
yhadt os tayher efo rnear ly3mo nthsb utIc an' tb ecauseI'm
wor kingandIneedt ot akec areo ft heb us i
nes sal sosoI' l
lc omeher eev er yaft ernoon,
it
'ss ob or i
ng "-Luphi ndo
"Ig eti t"
Amag ob ong oi sac er emo nyt hatdeal swi thi zang oma,wear ingwhatLuphi ndoi swear i
ng,
stayi ngi ndo orsandNo nz wakaz ihasab so l
ut elynoi deawhyi t'
sdo ne, do n'tg etme
wro ngt ho ug h. ..Luphi ndoi sn'taS ang omahe' sj ustg etti
nghel pfroms ang oma' sand
I'ms ur ehedanc est ot heZul udr umsatni ght,Ic an'timag inehi mdo i
ngt hatr eally
.
Hel o oksv er ydi r ty
"So ...
.?"Is ayl o oki ngathi swho l
eb odyi nal mo stafr ownb utwi ththes mileal so.
"Yes ,Iwo n' tb at hfo rfi vedays "-Luphi ndo
"JES US !"Is ho ut .
Web o thl aug h.Het akesmyhandandki ssit,Ifeeldi rtyt oob utIdo n'
ts ho wi t
.
Is mi lei ns tead.He' slo okingatme.
Ic anr eadhi sfac e.
"Il ov eyo ut o o"Is ay.Hes mi l
es.
"Soyo u' res l
eepi ngwi thmet oday ?"-Luphi ndo
Ipopmyeyesandg i
v ehimt he' arey oucrazy?'Look.
Helaug hs.I'mt ryingt ob es eri
ousb utIc an't.I'
ms mili
nguni ntenti
onall
y.
"I'l
lfinds omeb odyt odr ivey o
ut oyo urplace"-Luphindo
"No,Iwantyo u"Is ayl ookingo utthewi ndo wwithmyar msfo ldedac r
ossmychest
.
"Butb aby..
."-Luphi ndo
He'swo rri
ed.
"I'mki ddingI'mg oingt oc ampusfr omher e."
"That'smuc hb etterI' l
ldr iveyo u"-Luphi ndo
He'sab outtob r
eakt her ules .
Itakemypho neands tartt akingpic t
ureso fhim.Hepo ses.Itakemo re.
"I'l
lpo styouo nFac eb ookmys ang oma"Is aylaughing.
"Theanc est
orshav et oldmet hato urr elati
onshi
pi sgoingfo wardandImus tLob
ola
you."-Luphindo
Helaug hsands t
ar tthec ar .
Iplayt hesong"Thamb oLami "b ythes oi
l.
Hes i
ng s,
okeyHec ans ing.Hi svoi
ce...There'sjusts
o methingabo uti
tthatIlo
ve.
 12

"NewGer many?"
"Yes "t hepeo pleint het axisayr espo nd.
Iho pi nandg r eet.
Iamt hel asto net or i
deandWel eave.
"Numb er39"
IS houtwhent het ax iisonNewb urydr ive.
Its topsr ightatt heg ateat39.Idi dn' ttellanyonet hatI'mc omingtoday.It '
sa
surprise.
Theydokno wt hatI 'llbebac kb uttheydo n'tknowwhen.
"No mv elo!!"
Is houtanumb ero ft imes,nor espo nse.
Ic allt hel andl i
ne.Theho useisv eryfarfr omt heg atesoi tmig
hthappent hatthey
canno thearme.
It'sring i
ngb utno bodypi cksi t
.
Damn!Theyar eno ther e.
Letmec al lmo m.Itr ingso nceand. .."yo uhavei nsuffi
cientair
timet omakeac all
,
pleasel oadai rt i
me. "
It'scold.Ifi twasfo rmeI' dj umpt hisfenceifo nl
yi twasn'tel
ect
ric.I'
mindeeps hit.
Is endc al lbac kst ob othmo m andNo mvelo.I'dsendi ttodadt oob utthatwo ul
db e
uselessb ec ausehe' satwo rk.
Thes ho psar ev eryfarfr omher esoIc an'tgoandb uyairtime.Iputmyb agdo wnand
si
to ni t.
It'sreal l
yc ol
dt odayandIhav eno body .
Ido n' tev enkno wwhatt henei ghbour sl
o okli
ke.Thisplaceistooquietandev er
yoneis
mindi ngt hei ro wnb usiness.
Letmepl ayag ameo nmypho ne."Bat terylow".Theb adluc kIhaveispuri
fied.WhenI
gother ei twas14: 11andno wits15:47.

..
.finall
ymo mi sher e.She'sdr i
vingherc ar.Pro
b abl
yt heheaterinthecarisonand
everythingiss mo othbutl ookatme. ..
Sher ol
lsdownt hewindowthere'
sNomvelot
ooon
thepas sengerseat .
"Myb ab
y,whydi dn'tyo ucallme?"-mo m
"It ri
edb utrano utofai rt
ime"
It aket heb agand wal k,thes l
o peissteepI'mt ired alr
eady.Thec arpas
ses
.I'm
walkingo nthes ideo fthedr iv
eway.
Thes mellofb eingho mei srefres
hing.
WhenI '
matt het op,mo mr unstome,hugme,andt aket hebag
s.
"Bo ng ekamakehers omet ea,s he'sc o ld"-mo m
I'ms hiver ing
Go odt hingBo ng ekai sher e.S hei smyc ous i
n,s he' sfiv
eyear syoungert hanme,s oi t
s
li
kes he' st hel as tb o rnher e.S hel ov esmes omuc handIl o
vehert oot houghs ometimes
wefi ghtl ikes ibling s .Shel ivesatNt uz uma.Is o
met i
mesg ot oseehero nmys paret i
me,
that' somet i
mes 'i sab out3t i
mesi nayearb uti tisn'tbadb ecauseshev isitsusal mo s
t
ever yweekend.
"Got ob ed,No mv el ob ringt wob l
anket s "-Mo m
Innot imet het eai sher eandI' mc o ver edi nb l
anket s.
Iputmypho neo nt hec har ger.It 'so ff.Ido n'ts witchi
to n.Mo mb ri
ng smeag own.I'm
war mno w.
"Thankyo umo mIfeelb ett erno w."
"Wear ev er ys or ry,b ab y"-Mo m
Shehug sandki s sme.
Ic anb eo ldb yag eb utI' ms t i
llayo ungb ab yher e.
Shes witc hest heTVandaheat ero n.
"Wewi llt al kt o mo r row,Go odni ght"-Mo m
Shec losest hedo or.
++++++++++
"No nz wakaz iwakeupandg ivemeyo urdi rtyl aundr y"-Mo m
"No ,I' lldoi tmys el f"Is ayj ustb ec aus eI' mt oolaz ytog etupandt akei to ut.Buts ti
ll
I'mev enmo rel az yt odoi tmys elf.
"Ifyo us ays o"-Mo m
Shel eav es .Ic ont inues leepi ng ...
Unt ilBo ng ekaent er smyr o om.
"CanIpl eas epl ayag ameo ny ourpho ne"s hewhi spersinmyear ,Ino d.
Ic an' ts leepanymo re,s hehass witchedt hepho neo n.
"I'mv er ys orryt owakeyo umymo stb eaut ifuls isterint hewho leworld,b utwo ul
dyo u
pleas edr awanunl oc kpat ter nfo rme?"-Bo ng eka.
Herv oicei slo w.S he' sdes per ate.Il aug hatherfo rawhi l
e.
"Tr yL"-Ifi nal lys ay.
Sheunl ocksi t .
"Wo w! ,yo ul oo kpr et tyher e,wher ewer eyo ug oing ?Andwhoi st
hisguy?"-Bo ng eka
"Ex cus eme,i st hatyo uc allag ame?"
Shel aug hsandl o adt heg ame.
"Ar epeo pl es til
ls leepi ngher e?"-S imt handi le'sloudv oicesays.
Bo ng ekaandIj umpt ot hedo or,wemeetheratt hepas sage.Web othhugherato nce.
"Bi gs i
s ter "
"Hel lo"s hes ayski ss i
ngt heb otho fuso nt hel ips.
"Wemi ss edyo u" -Bo ng ekaandIs ay.Yo u'ds wearwe' reac hoir
.
We' res mi lingandS he' smaki ngunnec es sar yno ise.
"Cl eant heho us eandg etr eady"-S imt handi l
e
Wej ump.We' reg oingo uty eepy! .
"I'llb et heo net ob at hfi r st"-Bo ngeka
"Butyo us ho uldwas ht hedi s
hesfi rst"
Shefr o wns .
"Yes"
Imakemywayt ot heb edr o
omt odot heb ed.
Idoi tandt i
dyupt hefl oor.
Ohwai tther e'smypho nei t'
sl ayingo nt hefl oor
.
Itmus thav efel lt hemo mentwej umped.
Ipicki tup.
"Shit!"Thes creenhasc racked.
"BONGEKA! !"Is ho ut .
"What 'supwi tht heno ise?"-Bo ngeka
She'sc alm.Is ho whert hes creen.
Myeyesar efi lledwi tht ears,t heyr ol
ldo wnmyc heeks.Iqui c
klywipethem.
Shec an' ts eemec r ying .
"I'ms orry"-Bo ng eka
Herv o i
c eisl owno w.
Iclickmyt ong ueandl eav et her oom.
ThisisaS ams ungg alax yS 7edg emo mb oughti ffo rmeo nJanuar yt hisyearafter
receivingmyg o odmat ricresul ts
.
Mydayhasb eenr uined
++++++++++
"Soyo ug uyst ellme,wher ear eweg o
ing ?"-S i
mt handi l
e.
I'mno tt alkingb utIs hr ug .
"Mv elo,Bo ng eka?"-S imt handi le
"Ar eyo ufi ne?"-S imt handi l
e
She'slo okingatme.
IlookatBo ngeka
"No,s hei sno t,Idr o ppedherpho net hismo rning ,thescreenc r
ackedandt heinkgot
spi
lled."-Bo ng eka
She'slo okingdo wn.
"Letmes eei t"-S imt handi l
e.
Ihandt hepho net oher .
"Yho !I t'st oob ad,s o rryhey"-S imthandi le
Okey.Wear eg oingt ouS hakaMar i
neWo rldandwehav et ofetchThams anqafi rs
t.
That '
st wot imest het roub l
eandc hao s.Si
mt handi leisplayingechoesofko fifi
.
Imi ssL uphi ndo .
++++++++++
Mypho nei sr i
ng ingfo rt hefi ftht i
meno w,t hes ensorisno tworki
ng.I'veb eentryi
ngto
pic
ki tb utnol uc k.It 'sLuphi ndo .I'ms urehe' swo rri
eds ic
kwher everhei s,heprobab
ly
thi
nksIc ommi teds uicideo rs omet hingl i
ket hat.
"Simt handi lewo ul dyo upl easeb o
rrowmeyo urpho neIwantt omakeac all"
"It'so nc har ger ,pl eas edo n' ttellS bari
( brot
heri nlaw)whatBo ngekadi d,hewi l
lkil
l
her"-S i
mt handi le
Ifakeas mi l
eandg ot ot heb edr oomwher ethepho neischarged.
Iputmys imc ar do ni t,logintoFac ebookands endLuphindoames s
ag e.
"Youc anc allno w"
He'scallingIdo n' tev enwai tfo rittoring.Ijustpicki
t.
"Baby ?"
"Nonz wakaz i"-Luphi ndo
Iwasr i
ght ,Hei swo rried.
"YesIkno w,mypho nefel landt hescreencrackedandno wthesensorisno
two
rki
ng"
"Whendi dt hathappen?"-Luphi ndo
"Yesterdaymo rni ng"
"Butb ab y....
"-Luphi ndo
"YesIkno w,I' mr eallys orr
y"
"Itsokey,s oar eyo ug ood?"-Luphi ndo
"No,Imi ssyo us omuc h"
"Imi ssyo ut o omyl ov e"-Luphi ndo
"ShouldIc ome?"-Luphi ndo
"No!,wewi llmeetups o mewher e"
He'smadhec anr eallyc omeher et olookforme.
"Ifyo us ays o.I' mg ladt ohearyo urv oi
ce"-Luphindo
"Cani tb et omo r row?"
"Itsfine,wher e?"-Luphi ndo
"Thepav ill
ioni sfi ne"
"Anyt hingfo ryo uMaMng uni"-Luphi ndo
"Iloveyo u"Is ay
"Ididn' theart hat ?"-Luphi ndo
"Iloveyo u"
"Hell
o ,bab yc anyo uhearme?"-L uphindo
"Iloveyo u!!"
"Pardo n?"-Luphi ndo
"Iloveyo u!"
Ishout ,web o thl augh.
"Iloveyo uev enmo re"-Luphi ndo
"Bye"
"Okeyb ye"-Luphi ndo
Web othj us tho ldo n.Ic anhearhi mb r
eathing,
"Iloveyo uNo nz wakaz imyl ove"hes aysafterawhi l
einav er
ylo
wv oi
c e.
Ihangup.Ifeelo keyno wt hatI 'v
espo kentohim.
 14

I'mr eady.Wear i
ngawhi tej ean,nav yt o pandab lac kc o
atwithmyb l
ac kb l
ockheel.
Simt handi lehasputs o memakeupo nmyfac eb ecaus es hesawt hi
so nepi mpleo nmy
cheek.Dr ama! !.
"Flawl es s
"-S imt handi le.
"It hinkwec ang onow"-S imthandi le
Mo mi ssleepi ng ,wewo n'tt ellher .Wewi llj ustsneako ut.
"No nz wakaz i!"-Mo m
OhGo d! .
"Mah?"
"Co meher e"-Mo m
Iqui c klyg ot omyb edr o om.Takeo fft hec oatandwearar ob
e,I'mt ryi
ngt oburrythe
clothes .Takeo fft heheel sandwears leeper s,thenc o vermyheadwi thado ekinhiding
theweav eo nmyhead.
"I'mc oming "
It henr unt oher .
"Pleas e,makemeac upo ft ea"-Mo m
Go d!,Idoass hes ays.
Simt handi lehel psmewi tht heweav eag ain.
I'mg ladmo mdi dn'tno ticet hemakeupo nmyfac e.
Wet henl eav e.We' reus ingS i
mt handi le'sc arit '
saMaz da2s kyacti
v,lightpur plein
colour .Itr emi ndsmeo fLuphi ndo 'sMaz daIl i
kedi tb utIl i
ketheBMWev enmo re.
Todays he'spl ayi ngJo yo usc elebrat ion.
"No mt hanz wakaz i"-Simt handi l
e
Ilo okatherandweb o ths mi l
e.
Nomt hanz wakaz iisthec omb inat i
ono fb otho urnamesNo nzwakaziandS imthandile.
Weus edt henamet oc allt het hing sweb ot hloveaswehappent oli
kethes amet hings,we
hav es omuc hinc ommo n.
"Bab y?"
"I'mher ewai tingfo ryo uo nt hes eat so ppo sit
eLeg it.
"-Luphi ndo
"OkeyI' mal mo stther e"
Is ayandhangup.It akeo utmys i
mc ar dandputi tb ac konmypho ne.
"Yo udo n'tneedt ofet chme,he' sg otac ar "
"Ikno w"-S imt handi le
Iwo nderho wdo esshekno w.
Wer eher e."Enj oybab y! "-S imthandi le
Ius eent ranc eo ne.It 'st heo nlyent ranc eI' mus edt o .
It henmakemywayt ol eg it.Befo reIev enr eachLeg it,Is eehim.He'swit
haki d.
Aki d?.No ! .Mayb eitsno twhatI' mt hinki ng .
Theyar epl ayi ngandl aug hing.Her aiseshi seyesands eemec oming.Hes tandsupand
says o met hi ngt ot heki d,t hekidl aug hs.Het hens t
andst hereandj ustlookatmewi th
hishandso nhi spo c
ket s.Hav eyo us eenc elebri
tieswal kingo ntheredc arpet?,hav eyou
seenho wt hei rfansl o okatt hem?,t hat 'shi mrightnow!.
Hes mi les.Is mi leb ac k,I' mt ryi ngt oac tno rmal.
"Myc ellpho neles sBae"-Luphi ndo
Het hens tar tslaug hing .
"Hel l
ot oyo ut oo "
Hehug sme.Then keep hi shand ar ound mywai staswes t
artwal ki
ng.I'm no t
comfo rtablewi t ht hat .
"Imi ssedy ou"-Luphi ndo
"Imi ssedy out oo"
"Sowher edowes t ar t?"-Luphi ndo .
Whyi sheas kingmet ho ugh.
"Ido n'tkno w,yo udec ide"
Iloo kathi m.
"Ther e'ss omet hingIneedt oc hec katMar kham"-Luphi ndo
Weg ot oMar kham.
"CanIs eet hemanag er?"-Luphi ndo
Hes ayst oo neo ft heempl oyees .
"Sir,isev er ythingo key?"-t heempl oyee.
Ilo okatt hec lothest okeepmys elfb usy.Themanag erco mes .Theytalk,andwel eave.
Theys eemt okno weac ho t
hermuc hb et ter.
"Amer icans wiss"-Luphi ndo
Okeys oI' mj us ther et oac companyhi m,i t
sfineI' menj oyi
ngt his
.
"Cho osear i
ng "-Luphi ndo
Hes ayswhenwer eac hAmer i
c ans wiss.he' slaughing
Ishec raz y?! .
"I'mki ddi ng ,I'mb uyi ngyo uawat ch"-Luphi ndo
ButIdohav eawat c h. ..
.
"Ohb ab ythankyo us omuc h"
Isays mi li
ngb ac kathi m.Iwanthi mt oc hooseitforme.
"Cho oset heo neyo ul ike"-Luphi ndo
OhGo dwher edoIs t ar t?
Iwal kt ot hel eft ,t her ear eRi ng so nly.
Iwal kt ot her ightt her ear ewat ches ,manys omanyo ft hem.Ic an'
tmakeac ho i
ce.
Ther ear et heg oldo nesandal sot hes ilvero nes.
"Thato ne"
Isaypo i
nt ingo neb eaut i
fulRo seGo ldwat ch.
Thel adyo pensandr emo v
et heg l
as s.Shet akesthewat c
handhandi ttome.
"Doyo ur eal l
yl ikei t?"-Luphi ndo
"Yesb aby"
Ido n' twantt okno wt hepr ice,s oIj usts tandatadi st
anc efr o
mt hec o
unter.Hepay s
fori t,Cas h! .
Het henhandsi tt ome.Inev erex pec tedt hisandI' mno tab o
uthi smoney.
"Do n'tb el ateo nt hedi nnerag ai n"-Luphi ndo
Ib ursto utl aug hing ,s ot hat'st her eas onheb oughtthiswatc hfo rme?.
"Iwo n' tpr o mi se"
Hel aug hsatme.
"Ev ent odayyo uwer elat ehaha,Gl o balcellular"-Luphi ndo
Myhear tj umps ,Ikno whe' sb uyingmeapho ne.I' ms mili
ng .
Wewal kt og lo balc ellular.
"No nz wakaz i!,yo uhav eno tb eenans wer i
ngmyc allsfo rthel astt wodays ,what '
sup
withyo u?"-av o icefr omb ehi nd.
It ur nar o und.
"BES TIE"Ir unt ohi mandg i
v ehi mo neb ighug .
"Bab eho war eyo u?"
Is ayhug g ingNo njab ulo.
"I'mg oo d"-No nj ab ulos ayss mi li
ng .
Shel o oksfab ulo usasal ways,s he'sg ots t
yl et hiso ne.s he'sc l
assyand al loft hat
compl iment sheral mo stwhi tec o mpl exionands li
mb ody.
Ig rabLuphi ndo '
sar m.
"Nj ab ul o,No nj ab ulo.Thi si sL uphi ndoNg cobomyl o ver."
Njab ulomo v est owar dshi mands hakehi shand.
"Fuz e"-Nj ab ulo
Luphi ndoi ss miling .
"Luphi ndob abet hisi sNj ab uloNg wenya myb es tfr i
end and No njab uloNg ema his
Girlfr iend"
"Nos he' sal somyl over "-Nj ab ulo
Weal ll aug h.
"Myc ellpho nec ras hedb estie"Is ayt oNj ab ul
o .
"Eis h!Is eet hatt ypeo fs ituat i
on,l o si
ngt hei nk.. .That '
sb ad,I'llsee.Whi c
hi Phonedo
youwant ?"-Nj ab ulo
He' sb eings i
llywel aug h.
"Enj oyyo ur selves "
Njab ulowhi sper ss omet hingt oLuphi ndoandt heyb ot
hl augh.
"Do n' two rr yI' veg o tital lunderc ont rol
"-Luphi ndo .
Wai t...t hey' vekno weac ho therfo rami nuteandt heyar eal readydo i
ngt hisNjabulo
tho ug h.
Inudg eNo nj ab ulo.S hel o oksatmeands hrug .Wel aug haswes ayo urg oodbyesand
leav e.
We' reher eatGl obalc ell
ul arno w.Heg o
ess traightt othepays ecti
on.I'mfo l
lowing.
"CanIhav emi nt "-Luphi ndo
He' st alkingt ot hec ashier .
Ishec raz y?.Thi sisac ellulars ho pandhewant smi nt.Ilo o
kathi m.He' sseri
o us
.
Hehast ot allyl o stit.
Thec as hierdi ssapear sandc omeb ackwi thas mal lb o
xando peni t.Luphi ndolooks
inside.
"Yes "-Luphi ndo
Hepaysandhandt heb oxt ome.
"It 'sIt syo ur s"-Luphi ndo
What ?,Io pen. ..
It 'sapho ne,It 'sto osmal l.Ido n' tevent hinki tdo eshav eac amer a.
Iloo kathi m.
"Yes ,b ec aus eIdo n' twantyo ut alkingt ot heb o yso nFac eb ook,what sapp,Ins tag ram
andTwi tter ."-Luphi ndo
Iloo kathi m ag ain,he' ss erious .It'so keyi ft hat 'swhathewant sandb esidesIdo n'
t
haveac el l
pho nes oIr eallydo n'thav eac ho ice.
"Let'sg oo ut sideIneeds o mefr eshai r"
I'ml ying ,Iwantt ot al kt ohi m.
"Luphi ndoar eyo uj eal ous ?"
"NoI' mno tIj ustc ar et o
omuc h"-Luphi ndo
"Doyo ut r us tme?"
"YesIdo ,b utIdo n'tt r ustpeo pl ear oundyo u"-Luphi ndo
"Whoar et ho sepeo pl e?"
"Ever yo neev ent hes trang ers"-Luphi ndo
Ishes er ious ?
"Ist hatwhyyo ual wayswantt oc hec kupo nme?"
"Yes ,Idot hatb ec aus eIwantt omakes ureyo u'real wayss afe"-L uphindo
"Butb ab yyo uhav et ot rus tmeo key ?,Inev erl i
et oyo u!"
Hel ooksaway.
Istandupandg ot os ito nhi slap.
"Luphi ndo ! ,whenIs ai dIl o v
eyo uIwasb eingho nest,Ir eal l
ydoandal s owhenIt el
l
youyo u' ret heo nl yo nei nmyl ifeIr eal l
ymeani t.AlsowhenIs ayI '
m fi neands afe
I'mt ellingt het ruth,Ihav enor eas o
nt ol ietoyo u.Yo uneedt otrustmeLuphi ndo
becaus ei t'sno tl ikes omedayy ouwi llsho wupatmypl aceandfi ndmewi thamani n
bed.I' mno thi ngb utho nes tt oyo uandIl oveyo u."Is ayloo kingathi mandho l
di nghi s
hand.
Oureyesl oc kfo ral i
t tlel ong ,hedr opst hemfi rst.Heho l
dsmev eryt i
ghtandki ssme.
It'
spai nfulb utIdo n'tl etg o .
Afterawhi leIr ememb ert her ear epeo pl eandki dsher eandt henIs top.Hel et'sg o.
Is t
andupandfi xmys elf.Heal sostandupandhugmefr o mb ehind,Ihughi mb ack
withas mi le.
Buthedo es n'ts top.Okeyt hisisawkwar d.
"Getyo urc o atqui ckl y"-Luphi ndo
He'spani cki ng .
"What ?"
Heg et st hec o ato nt opo ft hec hai r,he' sstillholdingme.
"What 'swr ong ?"Ias k
Hehang st hec oato nmys houlder sIt urnar oundt ofac ehim.
"OhFuc k!! "
I'memb ar r as sed.
He'sc ov er edi nb loo d.Ifeelr eal lybad.Iwas n'to nper i
o dswhenIc ameher eand
besidesIo nl yg oo nper iodsatt heendo fthemo nt handt odayi sno tevenc lose.Ic an't
evenl oo kathi mi nt heeye.Heg ivesmet hec arkey sanddi rec tmet othec ar .
Het akesmyhandb agwi thhi m,heus esitt oc overhi mselfsot hatpeo plewo n'tno ti
c e.He
goesb acki nsidet hemal l.
Ireac ht hec ar ,foldmyc oatands itontopo fit.
Goo dt hingt hesear eleathers eats.
Ifeell i
kec ry i
ngb utnoIwo n't.It'
sami stake,whatr eall
yhappenedtoday?I'mjust
lo
st .
Hec omesb ac kwi thapl asticbag.Heg iv
esitt ome.Ther earefourpacksofpads,apie
andac ocaco l
a500ml .
Okeyhe' stryingt ohelp.
Wai thewaswear ingakhakhis ho r
tno whe'swear i
ngblackjeans.
Hes tar t
sdr iving.Het heno penal lthewindo wsandthes unroo
falso.
He'sno ttalking .I'venev erseenhi ml i
ket hisbefor
e.I'm alsoqui
etIcan'tspeakl
ike
himwhenhe' sli
ket hi
s.
"Wher eab outinNewGer many?"-L uphindo
"Newb ur ydr ivenumb er40"
Heus est henav igator.
Okeys owewo n'ttalknow?.
Hepar ksthec arr i
ghtatt heg ateandkeepqui et.
Iloo kathi m,hel ooksaway .
Io pent hedo orandl eav e.That '
sit.
He'sg one! .

15

It'
sbeenaweeks incethatcri
sis
.
Wehav en'tspoke.
HethinksI'llgoafterhim,justbec
aus
ehe'sgo
tmoneyandhe'
sbet
tert
hanme.
UnfortunatelyIwo nt,mayb
ehehasmo vedon.
Buttob ehones tIsti
lllo
vehimb utIwon'
tmaket
hefirstmov
e.I'
m notdes
per
atefo
r
hi
slove.

I'
mwat c hi
ngamo vieitsl i
ttl
erascal
s,I'menj oyingi
t.
Isho uldb eco o
king,iIt'smyt urnbutI'ml az yandt hemo vi
eissoi
nt er
est
ing.
"Nonz wakaz iopent heg ate,theremoteist hereo nthecoffeetabl
e"-dad
He'ss houting.
Idr agmys elfandg oo utsidetomakes uret heg atei
sopen.
Thec arho o t
s,"bepat ientmo therfucker
"
Ipres sther emo t
e,t heg ateopens.Iwantt os eewhoisthatimpatientmotherfuc
ker
.

Wait
!,Isthat
?..
..
Real
lynow?!Wow!!
.
No!,No !Her eal lyc an' tdot hatt ome.
Hedr i
v espas tme.
"Luphi ndo "Is ayi nav eryl owv oice,I'mal mostcr yingno w.Whatismomg oi
ngtosay?.
Okeyi t'stimet oac tno w.
Hepar kst hec ari nt hec ar po rt.
WhatdoIdo ?
Irunt oS imt handi le,s he' satt heki tchens tarti
ngt oc o
o k.
I'mpani c
ki ngandb reat hi ngv er yfas t.
"Simt handi leit '
shi m"
I'ms ho utingb utt ryi ngt ol o wermyv o
ice.
"What ?"-S imt handi le
Shewal kso utt hedo orandpr et endt ol ookfo rsomet hi
ng .
Dadwal kstohi mandt heyhands hakeast heyb oths mile.
What 'sg oingo n?I' mr eallyl os t.
"What 'sup?"
Ias kS imt handi leass oonass hec omesb ack.
"It'ss omet hi ngab outb usines sdo n'tbo ther"-Simt hamdi l
e
Bus i
nes s?!!
"ButS i
mt handi l
eI' m. ...
"
"Yo uneedt oac tno r mal "-S imt handi le
Okey,Idot heb reat hingex er ciseafewt imest ocalmdo wn.
"No nzwakaz i!!"-dads ho ut s
Jesus!Iwantt ohi deo rki llmys elf.
"No nzwakaz i!!"-dadag ai n
"Bab a?"
Ifinal lyans wer .Onedr o po ft earr ol
lsdo wnmyc heek.
"Callyo urmo m,Iwantt oi nt ro duc ehert oMrNg cobo "-dad
"Mo mdadi sc allingyo uo ut s i
de"
Isho utfr omt heki t chen, mo mi satt hepr iv
at el oung ereadi
ngab ook.Shecomesto
theki tchenv eryc luel ess.
"Whati sit?"-mo m
Is hrugIr eal lyc an' ts peakr ightno w,I' m event remb li
ng.Ilookthr
oug hthewindo
w
bli
nderag ai n,t hear eal llaug hi ng .
"Luphi ndoyo u' reamo ther fuc kerandIhat eyou! !"
Momi sc ompl iment inghi sc ar ,he' ssmi l
ingl i
kehedi dn'tj ustgi
vemeahear tatt
ack.
"No nzwakaz i,S i
mt handi le,No mv eloco meher eallo fyou"-Mo m
HellNo !!,I' mno tg o inganywher e.
Didt heypl ant his?
Nomv eloandS imt handi lel eav et heho us e.
I'mdeads er ious,Iwo n'tg ot ohi m.
Theyar eb ei ngi ntro duc edt o'MrNg cobo'.
"Let '
sg oi ns i
de"-mo m
Theyappr o ac ht heho use,I 'm no tg oinganywher eI' l
lj ustst
andhereIwantt oface
thi
s .
"So..Ist hi sNo nz wakaz i?"-Luphi ndo
"Yes"-mo manddads ayatt hes amet ime.
Itur nar oundt ofac ehi m,he' ss milingb utit 'salmo s tal augh.
"MrNg cob o?,i t'sni cet omeety ou"Is ayfaki ngas mi lebac k.
"It'
sni c et omeetyo ut ooMi ssNo nzwakaz i"-hi m.
Wehands hake,S imt handi leisl aug hingatt heb ot
ho fus .
Helo okss oc har mi nghe' swear ingmar oonc hi notro us ersandawhi t
elongs l
eevedfi t
ted
shi
rtWi t ho utat i
e.
Theydi ss apear .Is eehi mt hr o ug has quar eho lethati slikeawi ndowitallowsonet osee
thedi ningr o omfr omt heki tchen.
"Nonz wakaz imakeMrNg cob os o met hingt odr ink"-mo m
God! !Whyno tNo mv eloatl eas t.
Itakeac upandt hro wat eab agi ns i
dei t'sv er yhoto utside,Ij ustwanthi mtos uffer.
He'sl o
oki ngatmeands mi l
ing .
"Nonz wakaz iit'sto oho tfo rt ea"-Mo m.
"NoMa' amt eai sfi ne,Il i
ket ea"-Luphi ndo .
Ipourt hewat er ,Nos ugar,noMi lk.
Itaket het eat ohi m.
"MmhS imphi weyo uwi llgets omanyc o wswhenyo urdaug htersfindr ealman,Thank
youNo nz wakaz i"-L uphindo
"Nev er!!,Iwo n'tal lowi t"-Dad
Ohdi dhej us ts ayS imphi we?, He' sc alli
ngmyfat herb ynameIwo nderwhat'snex t.
"Nonz wakaz iwher eist het rayandb i
scuits?"-Dad.
"Not hanksIdo n'tl ikeb is
cuit s"-L uphi ndo .
Iigno ret hat ,l eav et her oomandg ob ac ktot hekitc hent oloo
kathi mdr i
nkinghisTEA.
Het akest hefi rsts i
pandfr o wn.
"Yesandyo uhav et ofini s
hi t!"
Isho utpr etendi ngt ot alkt oS imt handi l
ewhoi sjustl aug hingatt heb ot
ho fus.

Mo ms howsupag ainandt ellSimthandi lethats hewant stoinviteLuphindotoNo mvel

o's
uMemul o.Butwhyex actly?.
"I'ms orrysisb utIhav et o"-S i
mthandi le.Shet akesoni nvi
tationandg i
veitto
Luphindo ,her eadsi t.
"Iwi l
lmakes ur e"hes ayashes miles.
Ig uessihavet oj ustcalmdo wn,wat chev erythinghappeni ngandpr et
endt obefine
withit,buthemus tkno wt hati '
mno tenj oyi
ngwhathe' sdo i
ngfo rreal.
Hefi ni
sheshi sc upo ft ea.
"No nzwakazi!,c omeandc l
eant het able"-Dad.
Thiswaspl annedic anas s
ur eyouwhyi sdadc all
ingme?.
He'sac t
ingv erys t r
ang eandhumb lerightno wandIdo n'tgetitwhyIs ho ul
dcleanup
justafterhe' sfi nishedhi st ea.Notev enac hanc etosuckthet eabagorlickthe
teaspoon?.Mx mIdr agmys elftothedi ningr oomandt aket hecupaway .
"Thet eawasv er ysweetandc reamyThankyo u"-Luphindo.
"PleasureMrNg co b
o"
Ileav e,Theys tartwo rkingwi thdad.
I'mi nt hec arpo rtlookingathi scarandt ryingt ot hi
nko fwhats houldIdonex t
.
May beIs ho uldj usts topal lt hisandl eavehimal one.Ig otot hebedroomandj oi
n
Bong eka,s he' ss l
eeping ,Ido n' tkno wwhat'stakinghi ms olong .
++++++++++
"ButLuphi ndowhydi dyo udot histome?"
"whatdi dIdomyl ove?"-L uphi ndo
He'ss or elax edab outallt his.
"Luphi ndo ! !Comi ngher et opl ayni cewithmyfami lywhat '
sup??"
"Comeo nb ab yyo ual s
oc amet omyho usewithoutt elli
ngmeandb esi
desitwasabout
busi
nes s
"-Luphi ndo .
"Ohhs ot hat 'sho witis?"
"Nob abyI' ms orry,Ipr omi sei two n'thappenag ainIt houg htyouwil
lhappytoseeme.
I'mv er ys orrymyl o v
e"-Luphi ndo
"y ouwi l
lpayfo rthisIpr omi se"
"I'llmakei tupt oyo us thandwas ami"Ihangupb uthec al
l sagai
n
"what ?"
"Il ov eyo u"-hi m.
"Okeyno wb ye"Ihangupag ai nb eforehec anev ens aysomet hi
ng.
Ilov ehi ms omuc handIc ans eet hroughactiont hathel ovesmet oo,butthenhe'sso
crazyandful lo fshit.He' sj us ts o
met hingI'venev erex pectedandI' mno tsur
eifI'm
readyfo rwhat ev erelset hati sc omi ng.
16
I'mi nt hewai ti
ngr oom,hes aidhewi llb eher ei nab out15minut esandt her eforeI
dec i
dedt owai t.
I'mi nho spitalwher ehewo rksIj ustdec idedIs houldpas sbybec auseI' mi nt own
anyway.I' mj us ts it
tingher eal one.Ev eryo newhowasher ewhenIar rivedhasg onet o
seet hepat ient sb ecaus e14: 30haspas sedno wwhi chisthebeginingo ft hev i
s it
ingho urs.
Ohher ec omesanAmb ulanc e,Ij umpandr unt ohi mt hedooro pensandhec omeso ut
andhug smes ot ig htfo rawhi l
e
"Imi ssedyo uKaMakhany a"-Luphi ndo .
Het henqui cklyl etg oo fmeando penst hedo o r.
"I'mv er ys orry "hes ayst ot hel adywhos eemst ob eanur s
eo rs omet hingl iket hat.He
forg ott oo penado orfo rt hemt heyc omeo utandho l
das tr
etchert henex chang eitwith
ab ed.
"Goho meNg co bo"-Thenur s
e,s hel ooksdi sappo i
nted.
"ButI 'ms orr ys ister"-Luphi ndo
"It '
so kayb utj us tg oho mewewi llseeyo ut omo rrow"-Thenur s
eag ain.
"ThankYo u"-Luphi ndo .
Hel oo ksc har mi ngi nt hatnav yuni formi tturnsmeo n,heturnst ofac eme.
"Bab el et '
sg oho me"-Luphi ndo
"NoIwasj us ther et oc hec kupo nyo u.Iwi lltaket axis"
"Noyo uar ec omi ngwi thmeno w"hei ns i
sts.Its eemsl ikeIdon'thav eac ho i
c e.Heo pens
thedo orfo rme.Ig eti nhec los es,c omest othedr iverssi
deandal s
oj umpi nt hen
startst hec ar.
"Wher ear eweg o ingLuh?"Hel o oksatmeands mile.
"yo uar eg o ingt os eeyo urho us emyl ove"-Luphi ndo .Itakemypho net oc allmo mand
tellhert hatI' l
lc o mel at et odayb ecaus eImetano l
dfr i
end.She' sfinewi thi t.
"Go odl i
ar "-Luphi ndo
"No ,I'mj us tmyo wnl i
fes aver "hes miles.
"S omet imesIt hi nkmymani sg ay"
"Ar eyo uc r az y?Whywo uldt hehel lwo ul dyo ut hinkI' mgay?"-Luphi ndo
"Whos ai dI' mt al kingab outyo u?"
Hej us tb ur stso utl aug hing .
"I'mki ddi ngi t'sb ecaus eyo u'r eal wayss mi li
ng,yo us mil
emilli
ont imesi no nemi nute"
hec rac ksal aug h
"...sewhatI' mt alkingab out ?"
"atl eas tI 'mt heo ppo siteo fy o u"-Luphi ndo
"okaythenifyo usays oits
implymeansifI'mtir
edyo u'react
iveandno wyouare
driv
ingIams leeping"Is ayadjusti
ngtheseat,l
ayi
ngo nmyb ackandc l
osi
ngmyeyes
"andi fyouneedawar mplacetosl
eepIneedac oolplacetodrive"-Luphi
ndo,he
saysthatswi
tchingtheairc ondi
ti
oneron.Ichangei
tt oaheat er
.
"BecauseIamt heQueenher e!"
"Yesyourhig
hnes s"-Luphindo
Helaughs.I'
ms miling,Ifeelreal
lyti
redsoIjustcl
osemyeyes .

++++++++++
"Bab yher ei sso mefo od,wakeup"-Luphi ndo .
What 'sg o i
ngo nher e?Ido n' tev enr ecogniz et hi
spl ace.I' ms leepi ngo ntheb ed.Ikeep
quietfo rawhi leI' mt ryingt or ememb erwhathappened.
OhIs lepti nt hec ar ,hemus thav ecar ri
edmet ot hisr oom.Ihav ec oncludedt hisishis
hous eb utwai t.
...Di dhec ook?
"Bab ey o ur eallyneedt owakeup,MamThandii sab outt oleav e"-Luphi ndo
Whot hehel listhat ?Is til
lwantt os leepb utt henIg etupands tarteat i
ng .
"Byt hewaywel comeho me"-L uphi ndo .
Ij ustl ookathi mandc ont inuec hewi ng.
Iwasr eal l
yhung r yandhe' sl oo kingatmel i
keI' mho mel essandi t sbeenag essinceI
ate.
"I'ml eav i
ngno w"-afemal ev o icesho utsfr omo utsidet heb edr o om.
"No ,she' sawakeno wc ome"-Luphi ndo
Thedo oro pensag r ownfemal ewal ksi n.
"No nzwakaz ithisi sMamThandi ,s he'smyhel per.MamThandit hisisNonz wakaz i
MakhanyaandIt hinks hei st heo ne"-Luphi ndo .
She'sl i
g htinc ompl exion,s ho rtandno tver yb ad
"it
'sni c
et omeetyo ukaMakhanya"-MamThandis hefl ashesas mileaft erwar ds.
Ifakeas mi l
eb ac k.
"Likewi s e"
"Iho peyo uwi l
lb efi ne,t her e'smo refo o dint hepo t,Go odb ye"-MamThandi .
Mx masi fs heb o ug htt hefo o d!I' mj ustno tliki
ngher .
"Ineedt ot akeab at h"Is ayg et ti
ngupandundr essing.Luphi ndor ushest otheens ui
t
bathr oomandc omesb ackwi t hab i
gt owelt henwr apsi tar o
undme,he' sno tbelievi
ng
whatI' vej us tdi d.
"Wo w! ,Yo ual mo stki l
ledmeNo nz wakaz i"-Luphi ndo
"whatar eyo uex pec tingt ho ug h?. "
"Do n'tdot hat "hes ay sandki ssmyc heek.
"CanIpl eas ehav es omet hingt owear ?"Is aymaki ngmywayt ot heb athr oom.It 'svery
nicet her e'sas ho werandab at ht ub ,Ig ofo raqui cks hower .
It'
sni ceandwar mandal sor efr eshing .
Ius ehi ss ho werg elits mel l
sg oo d.
"Bab edoyo uhav eas par et oo thb r
us h?"
"No "-Luphi ndo .
Sorryt ohi mb ec aus eI' mno wus i
nghi stoothb rushwi tho utdo ub t.It henc o meo utand
findhi ml ayi ngo nhi sb ac ko nt heb ed.Ifhekno wswhat 'sg oodfo rhi mhewi lll
eav et he
room,Hes tandsupandl eav ey ou'ds wearhec anr eadmymi nd.He' smadet hebed.I
takemypho neandmakeac allt omo m.
"It 'sl at eNo nz wakaz i"-mo m
"yesIkno wandI' l
lc omeb ac kho mel atert omo r rowI' matt hefl atno w"
"alo ne?! "-mo m
"no ....S nakhoi sher e"
"okeyt akec aremo mmyl ov esyo u"-mo m.
Ihangupands tar tappl yi ngb odyl otion,Is mel llikeaman.Thedo oro pens, hejus t
standst her eandl o okatmei nawe.
Itsl ikehedo esn' tb eliev ehi seyes .It akeo nel egandputi tont heb edandc ontinue.
He' sno tt alki nghej us tc o ver shi smo ut hwi t
hhi shand.
"Er hh. ..Pl ea. .se. ..Co met ot hedi ningr oom"-heut t er s.He' sstil
ls t
andi ng.Hes t
ar ts
wal kingt owar dsme.It aket het owelandwr apmys elf.Heho ldmefr o mb ehind.He' ss o
war m.Thehugkeepsg ett ingt ig
ht er ,he' squietb utIc anhearhi mb reathingheav ily.
It ur nar oundt ofac ehi mandputmyhandso nhi sc hes t,heki ssesme.
I'ms oner v ous .he' sv er ypo wer fulandev ent hehugi spai nfulb utI' mqui etandki ssing
himb ac k.Heunwr apst het o welands tartt ouchingme.Ifeels oex posedandIc an' t
fightt hefeel ing.Ho wdoIt el lhimt his?.
Heunb ut tonshi ss hi rt.MyGo dhi smas culineb odyi ss oyummyandt empt ing.
I'mv er yv er yweakt ho ug hI' mno ts ur eifI' mdo ingt her ightt hing.
Befo reIkno wi the' sal sonaked.
Myhear ts ki psab eat .
He' sev enmo repo wer fulands trong .Is topkissinghi mandt rytol etg o.
Hedo es n' ts top.Hes tar t ski ssingmynec k.Iwantt os tophi mb uthewo n'tleav eme.
"unl es syo uwantt or apeme. "
"I'dnev erdot hat "-hewhi sper si nav er ylowv o ice.
"I'mav irgin. "
Iex pec thi mt ofeelb adab o utt hiso ratl easts ays omet hi ngb uthedo esn't.
Hel et 'sg oo fMeandl eav et her oom.Ihearat apo peni ng .Ido n'tkno wwhathei s
do i
ng .I' ms owo rriedno w,mayb eIs hould' v
eno tt o l
dhi m. ..
Hec omesb ac kwi thag las so fwat eranddr i
nki tal lupi no neg o.
Het henpus hesmet ot heb edands tartki ss
ingmeal lo v er .No wt hathekno ws,I' m
comfo r tab l
e.Hej us tdr ankwat ert odi gestwhatI' vej us ts aid.
Is mi let omys elf.Is c ream. ..
+++++++++
Inev ert ho ug hti twi llb et hi seas y.Ial wayst ho ug htt hatIwi l
lkeepmys el
ffo rmar riage.
I'memb ar ras sedt hatIo penedmyl egsfo rhi m.
Ic an' tev enl ookathi mi nt heeye.OhGo dwhati fIfal lpr egnant ?...Andi fhel eav es
meaft ert hishe' llb et ot allyi ns ane.
Ifi nal lyg at hers tr eng tht og etup,t heb edi sc over edi nb loo dIs tripitandg os tr
ai ght
tot heb at hr oo mt ol ockmys elfandt akeav er yho tb at h.I 'mwas hingt hedi r
t y
Nonz wakaz iaway .
Thet ear sj us tr olldo wnmyc heeks .I'ms odump! ..
 17
"Ineedt og ot oho memyl o ve..."-Luphi ndo
"Nopr ob l
emI' l
lal sog oho me"
"No ,pl eas ec o mewi thme"-Luphi ndo
"No ,Ic an' t"
"Pleas eb ab e"-Luphi ndo
"ButIdo n'thav ec lothes "
"We' llbuyt hemb ab e"-Luphi ndo
"O...kay"
Ig etup,Ino ticet hatIhav en' ts eent hewho leho use.It'sb eaut i
fulandc las sy.It '
s
makesmes eet hataho us edo esn' tneedt ob eado ub l
es tor eytob eb eaut i
fuland
class y.Thi si sas impl es ing l
es toreyb uti t'
sv eryb ig.Ic ans eet hec olo ur sar e
per fec tlymat chedt her e'sg rey,b l
ac kandwhi te.Iwal kt ot hel ounge.Ic ans eet he
kitchenfr om her eev eryr oomi sj ustex posed,per fect l
yex po s
ed,t hent her e'sa
dini ngr oo mo vert heend,whati st hat?Is lowlyappr oacht hedi ningr oom,t here
ar er oseso nt hefl oorands o meo nt het able.Ther e'sab o ttl
eo fwi nei nt hei ce
buc ket ,al lt hei cehasmel ted,t her ear et wowi neg lassesandt wopl ates.Imo ve
towar dst het ab le,ther e'sapi eceo fpaperIt akei tandr ead
'Tomyl o ve...
whenIc ountmyb less i
ng sIc ountyo utwi ce.
Iwasnev erg i
v enano ppo rtuni tyt oc hooseal ifeIwantt ol i
v e.
ButIc ho seyo u.That '
sb ec aus eIhadt ofi ghtfo rwhatIwant .
Il ovey oub ab y.
I'm no tt ryi ngt or us ht hing sb utwo ul
dyo upl eas eb ewi thmefo rt her esto fmy
li
fe?' -i tr eads .
Ther e' sas i
lv err i
ngwi thadi amo nds tonenex tt ot hel etter .Iputt hepaperb ack
andl eav e.S oyes t
er dayhewant edt ohav edi nner ?.
Hec omesfr omt heb edr oomr unni ng .
Heg o est ot hedi nni ngr oomandc omest ot heki tchenwi thr el iefwri
tteno nhi sfac e.
He'sho l
di ngafo l
dedpapero nhi sr ighthand.
"Whati st hat ?"
"It' s...No thi ngb ab e"-Luphi ndo
Het hr owst hepaperi nt hedus t bi
n
"Er h,t her e' s fo o di nt he fr idg e,pl eas e di sh up and c ome t ot he di ning
room"-Luphi ndo .
Idoashes ayst heng ot ot hedi ning .
"OhmyGo d,myl ove"Is ayt ryingt oac ts ur prised.Hes miles.
"Ipl annedi tyes terdayb abe"-hi m.
"Thankyo us omuc hyo u'res os weet "Is ayg iv
inghi mahug .
Ther ingandpaperar eno ther eanymo r e,g oodb ecauseIt hi nkhe'sr ushingt hings
andi t swayt o oear l
yfo rthat .
++++++++
Heb oug htmec l
o thesev ent ho ug hI' ml eav ingt odayheal sos aidImus tweart his
si
mpl eg reydr esst oday,i tl ooksg oodo nme.
Heo pensfo rmeweent ert heg ateandwal kt ot heho use.
"Hiaunt y"-ayo ungb oys ays
"hel l
omyb oy,ho war eyo u?"Ir espo nds mi li
ng .
"Bab 'Luphi ndoc anIhav eao neRand,pl eas e?"-t heb oyag ai
n
"okeymyb o yyo uwi l
lg eti taft erfi nis hingyo urfo od, okey?"-Luphi ndo .
Theb oyfr o wns .Weg oins idet heho us e.
Itlo oksni cet oo .Is i
to nt hec ouc h.
"It hinkIwi llneedado ek"Is ay.Hes miles
"I'llg etyo uo ne"-Luphi ndo .
"..
.When I' ve pai d fo rt he damag es and t he Lo bol
a,ac tually when we' re
mar ried"-Luphi ndo .
Ido n' tkno wwhathe' st alkingab o
utb utIkeepqui et.
Heg o esi nsidet heho use.I' mal o neher e.
"Wher ei sshe?"-afemal ev oic
e.o neo fthet winsappear .
"Bab eho war eyo u"Is ays tandi ngupt ohugher .
"I' mfi nei t'sni cet os eeyo uag ain."-s hes ays .
"It'sni cet os eeyo uto o,wher e'syo urt win?"
"She' ss l
eepi ng ,I' llgog etyo us omet hi ngt odr i
nk"-s hes ays.
Ther e'sno is ec o mi ngfr omt heo t herr o oms .
"Whatdoyo uwantmet odo ,y out hinkev er ythingi sab outyo u,youwantt oco ntr o
l
me.I' mo l
dno wIc anmakemyo wndec isi
o ns ,youc ang otohel l
!"-Luphi ndos ho uts
"Whathappenedt oal lther espec tIt aug htyo u?"-afemal ev oi
ces houtsfr omv ery
faraway.
"No wyo ut aug htmer es pec t,didyo u?"-Luphi ndo
"Go db l
es syo uLuphi ndo ,Ias s
umet hi sist het hankyo uIg etforr aisi
ngyo u"-t he
femal eag ai n.
"Go dwi llsur elyb lessmeandyo uwillg ot ohel l,MaNdl ovuyo uar es oev i
lho wc o uld
youdot hatt oyo uro wnb lood?"-Luphi ndo .
OkeyIt hinkt hat 'shi smo ther,Ido n' tunder standwhat '
sg oi
ngo nt houg h.Ido n't
wantt ol is
t ent ot hisco nv ersatio nanymo re,Is tandupandg ot otheki tchent ot he
twin.
"Nev ermi ndt hat ,i tal wayshappenswi tht hem"s hes aystome.Ifl ashas mileand
takeas ipo nt hej uice.
"Soho wi ss cho o l
?"
"It'sfi neb utI' mwo rriedab outmys ist er,she. .."-s hes ays.
Luphi ndowal ksi n, He' ss oang ry.Het akesag l
as sanddr inkwat er.
"wear eal lt i
r ed"-t het win.
"Es i
hl ewhyi ss hes ohear tless?-Luphi ndo .
Shes hrug .
"Andwher ei sEl i
hl e?"-Luphi ndo
"Inherb edr o o m,s he'sb eenc r yingEv ers inc es hec amefr omt heDo ct
o r"-Es ihle.
I'mt o tallyl ost .Theb o thl ookwo rried.
"I'llfindyo ui nt hec arNo nz wakaz i
"-Luphi ndos ayshandi ngt hekeyst ome.
Idoashes aysandEs ihleac compani esme.
"Byt hewayNo nz wakaz iIho pehei str yingb yal lmeanst ob etheg uyyo u'v
eal ways
want ed"-Es ihle
"Yes ,he' sab solutel yper fec t"Is ayt hats miling.
"Il oveyo uandt rus tyo us omuc h"-Es ihl esayshug gingme
"andIho peyo uwi l
lal sofi ghtt heseb at t
leswi thhi m.Thankyo uNo nzwakaz ifor
beingt her efo rhi m"-Es ihle
"sur elyIwi ll"Ic anj usts eet hats he'sno tfine.
Shefl as hesas lig hts mileandwal kb ac kt otheho use.Ig etint hec ar.Somerhingis
notr ighther e.
"I' ms orr yyo uhear dt hat "-Luphi ndos aysass o onashe' sS ettl
ed.
"It'sfi neb ab e,b utihav es omanyques tionsi nsideme"
"ikno wmyl o veb utwhatic ant ellyo ui st hatmymo t
heri ssoev ilandj ealous,she
does n'twantt os eemes uc ceed"-Luphi ndo
"oh"
"..
.and do n' tb efo oled.S hedo esn'tl ikeyo u,s he'spr et
endi ng"-Luphindoo hI
didn' ts eet hato nec o mingandb es i
desIt ho ughthi smo t
heri sj ustfinewithme.
"I'ms ur eI' veputyo uthr oug hal ot,andI' dl iket oapolo...
"-Luphi ndo
"No !Do n' tapo logis eunt ilit'so ver"
Hec al msdo wnb efo rehes t
ar tst hec ar.
"Thankyo ufo rb eingher ewi t
hme,Ir eal l
yneededt hat"-Luphi ndo
"Yes ,Mypar tneri nev er ything "hefakesas mi le,hei shur t.Ihat ehismo ther.I
kno wi t'sfami l
yt hing sb utLuphi ndoi smyl ov eandIwi llsuppo rthimi neverything
hedo esb ec aus eIl ovehi ms omuc h.S oi fhehat esyo u,its i
mpl ymeanswehat eyou.
Hepl ayst hes ongLawul aNko sibyt hes oil.It'st o
uc hi
ng .
"Ar eyo us ur eyo uwantt og oho me?"-Luphi ndo
"Yesb ab e,Ic anev ent aket ax i
s"hel ookss tressedandwo rri
ed
"No ,I'l
ldr iv e"-Luphi ndo .Ihav et oleav ehi m,Imi ssmyfami ly.

"Youc ans t
il
lchang eyo urmind"-Luphi ndos aysashedr i
vespas tPi
netown.Heis
makingmefeelb adfo rleavi
nghim.Hepar ksthec arinfronto fthegate
"callmei fyouc hangeyo urmi ndandher ei
ss omec ashinc aseyouwantt otake
taxi
s"-Luphindo,heg ivesmeR500.Hel lno!
"Fromher etoWes tv
ill
eIwi l
lonlyneedab outR15"
"YesIkno wb utpleaset akeallofthis"-Luphi ndoIt akeitandputi tontheseat
whil
ehe' snotlo
okingandki sshimg oo
db yeandl eavethecar.Heleaves.
5mi nuteslatermypho nev i
brates
.It '
sames s
ag esayi
ngt hatR1000.00hasb een
senttomyac count.OkeyI' l
lgoshoppingt o
mo rrow.
 18
"Siyakhul eka ekhaya kwaMakhanya ni na b o Gumede,Mng uni ,Yeyeye As izi
le
ngokub ilaphaekhaya.It hinao Ng co bo,Mapho loba, Mas hiyamahl e
ngat h'az o shumayel a,Fuz e"-Twomal ev oicess ho utfr omt heg ate.
Badi deasLuphi ndoandi ft hat 'sLo b
o l
ahemus tfo rgeti tb ecaus eIwo n'tt akei t.
Iwo n' tev enwo rryab outt ho sepeo pleatt heg at e.It akemypho neandc al lhim
"Soo nt ob eMr sNg co bo ?"-Luphi ndo
"Whati st hi sLuphi ndo ?"
"Myl ove,I' mdo ingt her i
g htt hing "-Luphi ndohe' ss atisfiedwi thhi mselfIc anj ust
heari ti nhi sv o i
ceandhedo esn' ts eeanyt hingwr ongwi thal loft hi s.
"Whydi dn' tyo ut ellmeatl eas t?"
"It'sas ur pr ise,I' ms o rr yIhadt okeepi tas ec retb aby."-Luphi ndo
"Youkno wwhat ?Ihat eyo u."Is ayang ril
y.
Hec rac ksal aug h
"I l o ve yo u mo r e. My ev er ythi ng... and I' m s or ry fo rl ovi
ng yo u t his
muc h."-Luphi ndo .
Idr o pt hec allandpr et endt ob es leeping .Ther ei smo vementi nt heho use.
"Shei ss leepi ng "-No mv elo .Theyar es t
illsho utingatt heg ate.
Int woweekst imei twi l
lb eNo mv el o'sMemul os hewant sitt ob enex tyeart hat 'swhy
we'rewai t i
ngb uts omer elat iv esar eal readyher e.
"Lindi wec al m do wn,l ett hem i nandt r ytol istent owhatt heywantmayb ei t '
sno t
whatwe' ret hinki ng ,S i
mphi wes ho uldb er espo ns ibl
efo ral lthisb ecaus eyo u' reno t
all
o wedt ot al kt othem"-Myg randmo t
hers ayst omo m.
"OkeyNo mv elo,S imt handi le,doyo ukno ws omeo newho 'saNg cobo ?"-mo m
"No"-t heyb o ths ayato nc e.
"It'so bv ioust hen"-Mo m,o uc h!. ..theyar et alkingfr omo utsidemyb edroom.
Thedo o ro pensmyhear ts ki psab eat .
"Hey,yo uar ei ndeeps hitNo nz wakaz i
,t hisNg cobog uyi sc raz y"-S imt handi le
whisper si nmyear .
Ipr etendt oyawn
"whaaat ?"Is ayi nas leepyv oice
"Dro pt heac tNo nz wakaz i"-S imt handi l
e.s het akesmypho neandc heckt hec alllog.
"Okey,o key,Whatdi dLi ndi wes ay?"
"Not hing ,s he' st ryingt os endc ar stofet chmo repeo pleher e"-S i
mt handi l
e
"Ar eyo uc raz y?! !Thi si sno tapar tys hec an' tinv itepeo pl eher e!"
"Oh I c an s ee he di dn' tt el lyo u he b o ught a c owb ec aus ehe s lept wi t
h
you"-S imt handi leIb ur s to utl aug hi ng.
"Shh,do n'ts ayt hat. ..Yo u' reki ddi ngr ight?"
"Youo fal lpeo pl es ho uldb el i
ev emeb ecaus eyo ukno wwhatLuphi ndoi sc apab le
of"-S imt handi le.
She'ss er i
o usb utwhydi d heb uya c o wi ns tead o fj us tpayi ngfo rev er ythi
ng
Luphi ndot ho ug h.Il eav et heb edr o om.
"Wher ear eyo ug oi
ng ?,yo uwannag etyo uras swho oped?"-S imt handi l
e.
"I'ms orr yMahIal sodi dn' tkno wanyt hingab outt his."
"He' spayi ngfo rt hedamag esandwant st oLo b olaatt hes amet i
me"-mo m
"look. ..
Idol o vehi mb uthei sr us hingt hing sno w"
"TrueandIs tillwantt ol i
v ewi thyo uher e"-mo m
"ofc our s eandI' mno tr eadyyet ,Is ti
llwantt ofi nishmys tudi es"
"Yesb ab y,b utyo urfat her ..
...Yo uneedt ot el lhi mt or ej ectt heLo b ol
a"-mo m
"buti t'shi sb o ss"
"b uti fyo ut al kt ohi m hewi lllisten,Tr ustmehel ovesyo umo ret hanhi swo rk"-
mo ms ayss mi l i
ng
"Thankyo umo m"
"I'mang ryt ho ug h"-mo m
"I'l
lb uyyo uac arwhenIs tar two rking "s hel aug hs
"Pr omi se?"-mo m
"Suremyni g ga"wefi stb umpandl aug h.Dadent erst her oom.
"UMkho ng ii sat axio wner ,sohehass entt ax i
st ofet chpeo ple"-dad.
Irunt ohi mandg ivehi mat i
ghthug
"I'ms orr yt oputyo ut hr oug hal lt his"hehug smeb ackandb rushmyb ack.
"What sdo nei sdo ne"-dad
"Pleas er ej ec tt hel ob ola,Is tillneedt imet ot hi nkab outi t"
"It'sfi ne,I' lltel lthemyo u'reno tr eady"-Dad
Iloo katmo m,s he'ss mi li
ng .Ig ob ac kt omyb edr oom andc hang et oadr essthen
wrapmyhai ri nwi thado ek,putas carfo vermys houlder s.I'mr eady.
++++++++++
Fivet ax iswer es entandt her ear epeo pleal lo v ert heyar dno w.S o meo ft hem ar e
sl
aug ht er ingt hec ow,s o memaki ngdumpl ing s,s o mec o okinguphut hu,s omeo ft hem
areal readyb rai ingt hemeatands omeo ft hemc ooki
ngi tthet raditionalway.They
saidt hisc ows ho uldb efi nishedt o dayIdo n' tkno wi ft hat '
spo ssi
blet hough.
Dadi sab o utt ofi nisht al kingt oab akho ng iandhemades ur et hatt heypayfo ro nly
thedamag es .Theys aidImus tno tg otoLuphi ndo .
Iwantt os eehi mt ho ug handHe' sj usto ut sidet heg ate.
He'spayi ngfo rt akingmyv irginity...Imeanwhodo est hat ?,mx m Luphi ndoi sj i
st
weird,di ffer entandI' llnev erunder s
t andhi m.
Thenei ghb o rsar eals oher eandImi ghts ayt hatt heyar eno tb adatal l.Nomv elo
comest ot heb edr oom wi that rayful lo fc ho ppedmeat .Il ovemeats omuc h..
.I
takeo nepi eandt ossi ti nmymo ut hands tar tc hewi ng ,ittas tesni ce.
"Nonz wakaz i!"-auntHl eng iwes ho ut s.
Shet henr us hest ome.Is wal l
ow.
"What ?"
"Spitito ut "-Hl eng i
we
Ido n'tkno wwhats he' st alkingab outb utIs pitt hes alivaanyway.
"No,yo u'r eno ts uppo set oeati t!"-Hl eng iweag ain.
Ilookatherandfr o wn.
"Thec ow,yo u' reno ts uppo set oeati t"-Hl eng i
we.Ij us tlookatherands hrug.
"Don' tt el lanyo net hatyo uat ei t,o key?! "-Hl eng i
we.Ino d,t her ulesarej ustt oo
muc handc ompl i
cat ed,whatj us thappenedher e?.
Istandupt ol ooko utt hewi ndo w.
"Whatt hehel l?!!"
Hepul l
soutac i
garet teands tar tsmo king.Het hent akeshisphoneo i
tofthepocket
tomakeac all
.Ic an' tb el
iev emyeyes .
"Ngcobo,we' redo ne"-hes ays
I'ms ur
et hat '
sLuphi ndohe' st alkingt o.Hemus tb etheMkho ngiwho '
sataxiowner,
it
'sthetax idr i
verfr omt hatday, ..
.thedayIfi rstmetLuphi ndo.
Sot hey kno w eac ho ther ?.My g r andmo ther s aid I mus tno ttalktot hem
(abakhong i
) .Ifi twasfo rmeI 'db reakal lther uleshereb ecauseIwantt os ee
Luphindo.Theo nlyt hingIc ans eeishi scar.Hec o
mest otheho usetoeat,Ican
hearhims peaki ngatt hel oung e.Aft ert hatt
heyl eave,jus
tliket hat.

19
Wear eal lreadyno w.
Nomv eloi swear i
ngi sidwab a,whi chi st heb lackskirtmadeupo ft hec owsskin.Wi t
h
ac owsfat( umhl wehl we)o nt opo fhers ho ulder s
.Itg oesallt hewaydo wnt hec hest
butt heb oobiesar eex po sed.Ther esto fusar ewearingo urt raditio
nalat tires.We
wokeups oear l
yi nt hemo r
ningt oac companyhert ot heriverwher eweal lhadt o
bath,t hewat erwass oc ol
db utitallhadt ob edo ne.
Ther ear emo rethant wohundr edpeo pleher ewhichisac tuallymo ret hanwhatI
expec tedandwe' real ls i
ng i
ngt het radi tionals ongsasweheadt oi si
gcwawuwhi chis
thes po twher et heyo ungg irl
shav et oZul udanc e.Wer eacht hespotandt heys tart
doingt heirt hing,I' m no to neo ft hem.I' mj ustwat chingev erythingfr oma
distanc e.
"Youl o okg ood"-amal ev oicewhisper snex tt ome.
"Thankyo u"Ir espo ndwi thoutlo oking.
"Imi s sedyo u"-t hev o i
c eag ain.It urnar o und.
"Luphi ndo !"
"Myl o ve?"-Luphi ndo
"Imi s sedyo ut oo"
Iho ldhi shandandwewal ko uto fthec rowd.Heg i
vesmeav erytighthug .
"Nonz wakaz i,I' m g oing t ot ellGo go"-Thams anqa s ayswi t
h hi seyesal lo ut.
Luphi ndol aug hs .
"Nodo n'tt ellherIwi llg i
v eyous weet s
"-Luphi ndo
"NoIdo n'twants weet s ,Iwantpeanutb utt er"-Thams anqa.
"It'so keyI' llgiveitt oyo uwhenwe' reho me"
Hel ooksatmeands mi le.I' mb eingb lackmai ledb yafi veyearo l
d.Luphi ndoi ssti
ll
laughing .
"Youmus tc omewi thhi mt omyho use,I' dl iket hat"-Luphindo
"Nev er ! "Is ho ut .
wet henb othl aug h.
Heho ldsmywai st.Myb loo dg et swar mi nas ec ond. ...t hi
sfeel ingal waysv i
si
t sme.
Hemo v eshi sheadc lo serandc loser ,o urfo reheadst ouc h.
"No nz wakaz i
! !,yo u' reno ts uppo set ob edo ingt hather e"-auntHl eng i
wes ho uts.
Wequi ckl yl etg oo feac ho ther .
"I'mv er ys o rr yMah, it'sal lmyfaul t"-Luphi ndos ayst hatwi t
hr eg retwr itteno nhi s
fac e.Iwal kb ac kt ot hec r owd.Mypho nev ibr ates ,it'sanewmes s ag e.
'Seeyo ul at er,Il ov eyo u'-i tr eads .
I'ms mi ling .Ic an' twai t,Ial sofeelt iredt hedayi ss ohec t i
c.Il eav et hec rowdand
gob ac kho me.Ic hec ki ns i
dehi sc ar ,itsempt y.
"Go o dt hingyo uc ho semydaug ht ers he'swel ls kill
edt rus tme"-Dad.
"That 'st r ueI. ..
."-Luphi ndohec utso fft hemo menthes eesmewal ki
ngi n.
Ther ear emanyo t hermant hatI' venev ers eenb efo rei nt her o om.Ig reett hem
withr espec t .
"Yo ub et rayedme. ..Bo ss! !"-Dads aysj o king ly.
"NoIdi dn' t"-Luphi ndos ayss t andi ngup.
Weg ot ohi sc ar .
"Bab e,I' mt aki ngyo uho met o day"-Luphi ndo .Il aug h.
"No ,t heyneedmeher e"
"Pleas e"-Luphi ndos ayski ssi
ngmyfo rehead.
"Pleas eb ab e"heki ssesmyno s e.
"Pl eas emyl o ve"heki ssesmyl ips .
"Il o veyo u"hewhi sper si nmyear .Go ingdo wnmynec k.Iho l
dhi sheadandweki ss
pas sionat el y.It hens to pwhenIhears o meno ise,Io penmyeyest os eeac rowdo f
peo pleappr o ac hing .They' reb ac k.
"I'llb eb ac k"Is ay
Heho ldsmyar mandpul lsmet o war dshi m,t henki ssmeag ain.Iqui cklyl etg oand
rusht ot heho use.Iwantt ohel pwi t hev eryt hingt hat 'sb eingdo neno tfo rgetti
ng
Thams anqaandhi speanutb ut t er.
"No nz wakaz idi shupfo ryo urhus b and"-Go g o.Myhus band?,Is milet omys elf,
Go got ho ug h.It akeapl at eanddi shupfo rhi mt heng ot othec art og ivehi mt he
foo d.He' ss ono ts o ciab le.Heeat s
.
"Soyo u' rec omi ngr ight ?"-Luphi ndo
Ii gno r et hat ,hedo esn' tunder s
t andt hatIneedt ob eher efo rmys isterb utits
fineI' llg owi thhi m.
It aket hepl at eb ac kt ot heho us e,t hens neako utwhennoo nes tar tsbeingt oob usy.
+++++++++++
We' reher eno w,hepr ess est her emo teandt heg at es l
ideso pen,wedr iv einpas tthe
po olt ot hec ar po rt .Ij umpo fft hec arandwal kupt hes tair
st ot heb alconyand
justb efo r eIev ent o uc ht hedo o rito pens .Damn!Whati ss hedo ingher e?
"No nz wakaz i
! "S hes ayswi tho neb igs mi leo nherfac e.
"HeyThandi "Ir espo ndfaki ngas mi leb ac k.S hehug sme,Ir et urni tandr ollmy
eyes .
"Yo uhav et og ono w"Imeant hat .
Ido n'twantherher eandIwi l
lc onvinc eLuphi ndot ofi r eherandg etanewmai d.
Whendi dIb ec omet hishear tles st houg h?.
"She' sr ightMahyo uc ang o"-Luphi ndo .
It akeo ffmys ho esandputt hem i nLuphi ndo 'sb edr o omt henwal kb arefooto n
thiswo o denfl o or.
Ifeels ot ired,MamThandihasl eft .Go od! .
Luphi ndoc omesfr o m o ne o ft he s par eb edr o omsunb ut toninghi sshirtwhi c h
remi ndsme. ...
"Ohyes ,thatt at tooo nyo urc hes t,whati s...."Heki ssesmeb efo reIc anev enfini sh.
He'sc lo singt hiss ub j ectb utIwantt okno wwhati tmeansandt hes t
o rybehindi t.
"No nz wakaz iwhydi dyo ur ej ectt hel obola?,yo udo n'tl ov eme?-Luphi ndo
"Ineedt imet ot hinkab outi t ,it'sav er yhug edec i
siont ot ake"
"Isi tt hatyo us tilldo n'tt rus tme?"-Luphi ndo
"Nob ab yIdot rus tyo u,i t'sj ustt hatIt hinkyo u'
r er us hingt hi
ng sno w"
"Ifyo udo n'twantmet omar ryyo ut henwhoi she?"-Luphi ndo
"Haha! ,Real lyno w?.Ar eyo uc r az yLuphi ndo ?"Is ayandc huckle.
"..
.Ori t 'sj us tt hatyo us til
lwantt ofi ndmo r emenandenj oyyo urlife?"-Luphi ndo
"Hel lno ,yo u' ret heo nlyo nei nmyl ife"
"Ifs ot henwhydo n' tyo u. .
.?"-L uphi ndo
"LUPHINDOS TOPDRIVINGMECRAZY! !"Is ho utathi m.
"Do n'ts ho utatme! !"-hes ho ut sb ack,het r iest ot ho ug hme,Imo v
eaway.
"Do n'tev ent r yt ot o uchmeNg cob o!!"
He'sang r y,I' venev ers eenhi ml i
ket hisb efo re.Theang eri nhi mi ss odang erous
rig
htno wandI' ms c ared.
"I'mat eenag erLuphi ndo ,yo u'r es ounfai r "
"No ,l as tyearyo uwer ea t eenag ert hisyearyo u' ret ur ningt went y"-Luphindo
respo ndswi thav er yhug eat titude.He' sr ightb utIc an' tg etmar ri
edatt heag eo f
twent y hemus twai tfo rme.It 'ss til
lJanuar yandmyb ir thdayi sinJul yhemus t
under standt hatI' mno t20yet .
"Doyo ul ovemeNo nz wakaz i?"-Luphi ndo
"Yo u'redr unkNg c ob og ot os leep"
Heg rab smyar mhar shly.He' sfumi ngno w.
"No nz wakaz ilo okatme! "-hes ho ut s
"Letg oo fmyar m,Iwantt og oho me"
"Is aidl oo katme! "-hewhi sper s .
Het ight enshi sg rip,Is c
r eammyar mi ss or e.
"Letg oo fmyar mNg cobo!"Thepai ni sreal l
yunb ear ab le.Hel et'sgoo fme,Idi dn' t
expec thi mt ol istent ome.
Heg oest ot heb at hr o om.
I'ms oang ryathi m and Iwantt og oho met oNo mv el o'st wentyfi r
stb i
rthday
celeb rat ion.
Sheac t ual lyt ur nedt went yo nel astyearb uti tisb eliev edt hatumemul oshouldb e
donewhent heg irli st went yo net hat 'swhys he' sdo ingi tno wb efores heturns22o n
Mar c ht hi syear .It akemyc ellpho neandc al lS i
mt handi l e,iwantt ot el
lhert oco me
fetchme,s hedo esn'tpicki t.Il eav et heho use.
Leav i
ngt hispl acewo n'tb eab adi deaev ent ho ughi t'
sal mo s
tdar kandt oowi ndy.
Mypho ner ingsit'sS i
mt handi le.
"Heys i
s"
"Wher ethehel lar eyou?"-S imt handi le
"Wes tvil
le"
"Ohal ri
ghtIwi l
lco v
erupfo ryo u,enj oy"-S i
mt handi lesaysandhangup.
Fuck! ,Is itbyt hes ideo ft her oads hi vering.I' m wai ti
ngfo rat axiwhi chmayno t
come.Ir eg r
etc omi ngher eb ec aus ei t sl i
keI' mt hes ourceo fthefiret hat'sb urning
meno w.
Luphi ndopl annedt hisIc anj usts ee.I' ms tart i
ngt ohav edo ubtsnow.It hinkhe' s
givi
ngupo nme.
Tear sj ustr ol
ldo wnmyeyes ,Ido n' twantt ol osehi m andIj ustc an' ti mag ine
seeinghi mwi ths omeo neel se.Imi ghtaswel lj usts i
ther eunt i
ltomorrow.
"Nonz wakaz i!!"-hes ho utsfr omadi st ance.
Iqui cklywipet het earso ffmyfac e.
Her eac hesmeandj usts tandb ehi ndmewi tho uts ayingawo r
d.Ic anfeelhi seyes
heav yo nme.
"Bab y?,"-Hi svoiceiss olo w.Ic anheart heeg oi nit,hec ameher eb ec aus ehehas
noc ho i
ce.Ikno w.
"Pleas estandupb abyweneedt os o l
v et his"-Luphi ndo.
I'mno tg o
inganywher eunt i
lIheart hewo rds' I'ms orry',Iwo n'
tevenmo v eb efore
hes ayst hem.
"I'ms orryfo rev erythingmyl ov e,pl eas efo rgivemeIkno wIo verr eac ted.Il ove
youpl eas ec omeb ackt ot heho us es owec ant al k"-Luphi ndo.That'si tIs tandup
andputmyheado nhi swar mc hes tandmyar msar o
undhi swai s
tandc o ntinue
cryi
ngs il
ently.
"I'mr eallys orryb aby"-Luphi ndos aysr ubbingmyb ack.Thepr idei nhi sv oiceis
gone.Ifeels oc o mfo r
tab leinhi sar ms ,he'sal sov erywar m.I' l
lneverl ethi mg ono
mat terwhatIwantt ob ewi thhi mfo rev er.

Chapt er20
Ifeelnaus eous.Luphi ndoisnotinbed.Iqui c
klygetupandr unt othebathr
oomto
vomit.
He'sinas hower ,hequi c
klycomesoutwithsoapo nhisb
ody.Hewal kstome.
"What 'swr ongb ab y?,"-Luphindo
"Ineedwat er"
Her ushest ot heb asinandc omesbackwit
hag lassofwater
.Iv o
mi tagai
n.
Heg iv
esmet heg lass,It akeonegulpandg i
vet hegl
assbackt
ohi m.
Het akesitandl eavemej ustli
kethat,mhhIt houghtIwasdatingapar amedic
.
Ifeels ot i
r ed.Ifi nallyg etupfr omt hefl oo randwal kb ackt otheb edroom.
He'sg ettingr eady,Iwo nderwher ehei sg o
ing .It hro wmys elfont heb ed.
"I'mt aki ngyo ut ot heho spi tal ,no w! "-hi m.
"No,Iwi llb efi ne"
"Ikno wb utyo uhav et oseet heDo cto r ,
"-Luphi ndo .
"No!"
"Whet heryo uag reeo rno t,I' mt aki ngyo ut oho spitalr ightno w,"-Luphi ndo .
Ido n'tev enhav es t r
eng tht oar guewi thhim.
Hec ar ri
esmet ot hec ar,dat ingapar amedi cwasno tag oodi deaaft erall.I'mj ust
si
lentt hr o ug houtt het rip.Thefeel ingi ss tillther e,Is ti
llwantt opuke.Hel eaves
thec arandr unt omys i
det oo pent hedo or ,het riest oc arrymeag ain.
"No,s topi tI' mno tdi sabled. "
Hehel psmeo ut .We' reateNt ab eniho spital,whyt houg h?.
Iexpec tedhi mt ot akemet oc ityho spi talpr o bab lyb ecaus eitmo r elikehisho meno w.
Heev enb o okedanappo int ment ,luc ki l
yi t'
sempt ys ot hedo ctorc allsme.
Web o ths tandup.
"Sorrys ir,wewi llc allyouwhenweneedyo u"-Do c tor.
"But....I' mt hefat her"-Luphi ndo
Ishec raz y?,who sefat her ?.TheDo ct orisc o nfus edasIam.
"Okey,i tsfi neyo uc ang o ,"-Luphi ndos ayswhenheno t
icesthatwe' reconfused.We
goins ide,s heas ksmeanumb ero fques tio nsab outmys elfandafewab outthe
si
cknes sIdo n' tlikeDo ctor sb utt hi
so nei sdi ffer ent ...she'snice.
"Shamepo orman,het hinksyo u' repr eg nant ,
"-Do cto r.
What ?,t hatmus tb ewhyhes ai dhe' st hefat her .
Ohital laddsupno w.Web o thl aug ht hato ut .
"SoIho peyo uar e"-Do ctor
Thes mi l
eo nmyfac edi ssapear s .Sher unsafewt ests.
"Shame,Ifeels orr yforhi m"-Do cto r
Thats impl ymeanst het es tsc ameb ac kneg at ive.I' m happyb ecaus eIt hinki tstoo
earlyfo rt hatt o oI' m ac t ual l
yno tr eadyfo ranyt hingt hats er i
o usfo rnow.S he's
done.
"Byt hewayI' mDrKhumal o"-s hes ays
Ifo rg ott oas khers urname,s he' sno tev enwear ingt henamet ag.She'sani ce
personandIl ikeher .Sheg iv esmemymedi c ationandIo pent hedo or,Luphindoi s
si
tti
ngt her ewi thab abyg ir lo nhi sl ap.It sc ute,hel o okshappy.
"Myl ov elo o kather "-Luphi ndos ayss t i
llsmi ling.
Iplaywi thherc heeksands hes mi lesatme.
"OhIl oveyo ut o ol itt
lepr inc ess "
Hermo thers miles .Ifeelmuc hb etter .Wes ayo urg oo db yesandl eav e.
"Youl oo kb et ter"-Luphi ndo
"Iamb et ter,t hankyo upar tner "
"Whatdi ds hes ay?"-Luphi ndo
"I'mfi nei twasj us tnaus ea,t hi smedi cat i
o nwi l
lno whel pme"
"Isthatal l?"-Luphi ndo
"Yesb abeno thingmaj o r"
Hes mi lesands hrug.Her eallyex pecteds o
met hingb i
gIc anj usttel
lb ylookingat
him.
+++++++++++
It'st he27t ho fJul y,myb irt
hdayandIj ustwantt ohav eani ceands tressfr ee
day .
Luphi ndohav en' tc alled.I' m al readyatc ampusandIs l
eptatt heflat.S nakho
keepsenc our ag i
ngt hatweg ot ot hec lubt o
nig ht.She'
sab solutelycrazy,Ido n't
par ty,Ipr eferg oingt oar est
aur antt oeato rmayb egoshopping.
Ikeepc hec kingmypho nefac ebo okandmyi nb ox.Thereareanumb erofmes sages
butno nefr om Luphi ndo .Ifeels ob ad,hefo rgo
tmyb ir
thday.Ifi nall
yg at her
streng tht oc allhi m.Ig oess tr
ai ghttov oi
cemail.Whyt hough?.
Thes et hing ssho uldno tb ehappeni ngtoday.
"Happyb irthdayt oyou. ..
"-ag roupo fg i
rl
sc omet omes i
ng i
ngl eadb ySnakho .
Her eweg oag ainIhat eat t
ent i
o nandIdo ntkno whowt oreac twhenpeo ples ing
forme.Ifakeav eryb igsmileandhugal lo ft hem whent hey'redo ne.Theyt hen
leave.Thes mileo nmyfac edi sappearswhenIt hinkofLuphindoag ai
n.
Mypho ner ing sit'sSwel ihle.
"Myl ove?"
Shes tar tss i
ng ingt heb irthdays ong.
"Thankyo us omuc hb ab es,"Is aywhens he'sdo ne.
Wet hent al kab o utal oto ft hings,shej ustmademefo rgetaboutLuphi ndo.
Iheadt omys eco ndc las s.
'Pleas eco meher eatt heg ateb abe,'-ames sag efr omLuphindor eads.
'No,I' mi nc las s'
-Ir es pond
Iputmypho neo ns i
lentaft erwar ds.

Thec las sisoverno w.He' spar kedr ig

htatt hegat e.
"Oht hankGo d, "-ist hefi rs
tt hinghes ays .
"Hi"
"Howar eyo umyl ove?, "-L uphi ndo
Ido n'tans wer .Her eal lydi dfo rg etit'
smyb ir
thday.I' msohear t
broken.
Tearsj ustflowdo wnmyc heeks .Iwi pet hemqui ckl y.
"What ' swr ongb aby?,"-Luphi ndo .Hel o okswo r
r ied,Ic an'tbeli
eveallo fthi
s.He
parkst hec ars omewher eIdo n'tkno wt hisplace.
Heo penst hedo orfo rmet oc omeo ut,Ido .
Itsag ar agewher etheys ellcar s,het akesmyhandwi thas mil
eo nhisface.
"MrNg c oboyo us aid16: 00"-awhi temans ays
.
Itlooksl i
kewewer eex pec tedher e.
"I'mv er ysorryg uys,s he' salreadyc rying,Ic ouldn' twaitanylonger
,"-Luphindo
"Ncooo o h,"-t hes taffmemb ers
"Okeyt henc o
met hisway"-t hemanag ain.
Wefo llo whi m,Luphi ndokeepss mi li
ng .
"Okeywai t,bab yI'mv er ys orryfo reverything.Thi si
syourbirt
hdaypr esent,Ilo
ve
yous omuc hand Ipr o miseno tt odot hi
sag ai n,"-Luphi ndos aysand ki ssmy
foreheadt heng ivemeat i
g hthug .
Wec o nt inuewal kingpas tt hec ar sunt ilwer eac hamar o o
nMaz dac x
-3.Theys tart
si
ng ingt heb ir thdays ong .Ifeels oemo t i
onal ,heg i
vesmet hekeys .Ij umpand
scream.He' ss os at isfiedwi thhi ms elf.
Thisc ari sex ac tlyt hes ameashi soldo neb utthiso nelo oksnew.
"But ...Luphi ndo !"Im s os peec hless.He' sj usts tandi ngt herewi thhiss mil
e.I'm
sooohappy.
Ijumpi ns ide,t hel eat hers eat so hGo d.Il oveit.Ithasas unro ofandi t
saut omatic
.
Goo dt hi ngb ec aus ei 'v efo rg otho wt oc hang eag ear .Ic omeo uto fthec arandg ive
himat i
g hthug ,t het ear so fj o yar efl owingdo wnmyc heeks,Ifeelemo ti
onal.
"I' mr eal l
ys o rryNo nz wakaz i,"-Luphi ndokeepss ayingandr ub bi
ngmyb ack.He
does n' tunder standt hati t'st hej oyt hat 'smaki ngmec ry.
"Il ov eyo umo reLuphi ndo "
"Soyo u'reno tmadatmeanymo re?, "-Luphi ndo
Ofc o ur se.
"Io v err eac ted,It ho ughtyo ufo rgot"
"Iwi llnev er..,"-Luphi ndo
Ir us hb ac kt o' my'c arands t ar tdr iv i
ngho me.It '
sb eenawhi les i
nceIdr o
veb ut
I'mg ladb ec aus ei fi twasmanual .Wewo ul
d'v el efti ther eandfi nds omebodyt o
drivei tho me.Ig otmyl icens el as tyear ,itwas n'teas yt rustme.
Ir eac hhi sho us eb utt heg at ei sc los ed.Whyt ho ugh?,b ecaus ehekno wsv erywell
thatI' mr ig htb ehi ndhi m.Ic allhi m.
"Opent heg atefo ruspl eas e"
"Us ?, "-Luphi ndo
"Yesmeandmynewb ab y".Hel aug hs .
Theg at eo pensandhewal kso utfr omt heho us e.
Ipar kmynewb ab yandj us ts itins i
del isteningt omus ic.
"Ar en' tyo ug oingt oc omeo ut ?,"-Luphi ndos ayswi ththiss milestucko nhisface.
"No ,Il ov eher "
"I'mg et ti
ngj eal ousb ab e,pl eas ec o meandg ivemeahug ,
"-Luphi ndo
Icr ac kal aug handj umpt ohi m.
Hedo es n'tunder standt hatIl ov et hec armo ret hanhi mr ightno w.Wehug .
"Thankyo us omuc hfo rev er ythi ngb ab e,Il oveyo u"
"Il ov eyo umo re, "-Luphi ndo
"So.. .CanIki s syo u"
"Why?, "-Luphi ndo
"Er hh. ..Bec aus e...Er h..Bec au. ."
Ipul lhi mandweki sspas sionat elyfo rawhi l
e.We' redisturbedb ymypho ner i
nging.
It'
smo m.
"Mo mmy"
"Wher ear eyo u?, "-Mo m
"Hel lot oyo ut ooLi ndi weandt hanksfo rt heb i
r thdaywi shes,I' minwes t
v i
ll
e"
"Dir ec tme, "-Mo m
"Janho fmey erDr ivemo m"
"Alr i
g htI' llb et her ein30mi nut es ,
"-Mo ms aysandhangup.
"Let 'sg oi ns ideb ab y,"-Luphi ndo
"Hlel oluhl e,I' llb er ightb ac ko key?"
"Wo w,yo urc arhasanameno w,Wo w! ,"-Luphi ndo
Ilaug h.Wewal kupt hes tairsho ldingeac ho t
her shand.Heo penst hedoor.
"Sur pr ise! !"Whatt hefuc k?! !
Iloo kar o und.
"Fuc kal lo fyo u! !"Theyl aug h.
Ther e'sj us tev er yoneher e.
"Nj ab ulo ,ho wc omeyo udi dn'tt ellmeab outt his?"
Itur nt ol oo katLuphi ndoag ai n.
"Happyb irt hdayt oyo u,happyb i
rthdayt oyo u. .."-Luphi ndo
Ever yo nes ingal ongwi thhi m.Ifeelemo tionalag ai n.
"Thankyo us omuc hg uys "Is ayt ear y.
Theys tar tpl ayi ngas ongandev eryo nes tar tt omi ndt heiro wnb usi
ness
.Thehouse
isful lo fpeo plewe' rehav ingapar ty.
"Happyb irt hdayl ittles i
s,Il ov eyo u"-No mv elo
Wo w,Idi dn' tex pec tt hatfr omher .
"Lo okheb oug htmeac ar"Is ays ho winghert hekeys .
"Sono wyo uhav et wo?,yo u'res oluc ky"-No mv elos aysandc ontinuewalki
ngpastme.
Iex pec tedhert ob ehappyfo rmeandIdo n'tkno wwhats hemeans .
I'ms til
lho ldi ngt hekeysup.Ev eryo nei shav i
ngfunher e.
Mo mc alls,It aket her emo teando pent heg at e.S hec o
mesi nt hehouseaft
era
while,s hedi st ur bsmyc onv ersat i
o nwi thNj ab ulo .
"Ohg o odyo ub l
ewherapar tyNg co bo,"-Mo ms ayst oLuphi ndoandhugmewi tha
smileo nherfac e.
"My20year so ldb ab y!,Il ovey o uhappyb irthday ,"-Moms aysg iv
ingmeherc ar
keys .Il o okatt hemi tsRenaul t.Shedo esn'to wno ne.
"Fo l
lo wme, "-Mo mag ain.
Weg ot ot hepar king .
"Her emyl ov e,s urpr ise,"-Mo m
Wai t...DoIhav et woc arsno w?,Ic an' tb eli
ev ei t.It saRenaul tCli
o,Whitei
ncolo
ur.
Ial mo stfal lwhenIj umpt ohugmo m.
"Sto pc ryi ngno wyo u'remaki ngmeemo tional,"-Mo m
Ikno wweal lg etc ar sfr ommo mb utIdi dn' tex pec tit.
"It'sac oinc idenc e"-Luphi ndo .
Ever yo nei sno wher elo okingatb otht hec ar s.
Thenumb erpl at ei s'MAGCINO-ZN'i tmeansl astb orn.Ir eall
ydo n'tknowwhatto
sayo rdot ot hes epeo plefo rmaki ngmydays os pec ial.
 Chapt er21
"Pleas eg ivemet hepeanutb utterag ain,"-Thami .
"Youwi lldieo fpeanutb ut terb oyt rustme, "-Luphindo.
"..
.Andyo uwi lldi eo fg i
r l
sLuphi ndo ,"-Thami .
"No,I' mno taddi c t
edt og i
rls ,
"-Luphi ndo .
"Butyo ukeept al kingab o utNo nzwakaz i
..
..That 'sanaddi ct!,
"-Thami.
"She' smyo nlyaddi ct
,"-L uphi ndo .
"Mhh,g oodfo ryo u,Ido n' tt rustg i
rls,"-Thami .
Wait ..
.ho wo ldi st hiskidag ai n?.
IcanhearLuphi ndol aug hing .
"WhyThami ?,"-Luphi ndo .
"Amahl ewasmyo nlyg i
rlfriendands hec heat ed,"-Thami .
Inter esting ..
..
.
"Mmhh. .
..Dids heg etyourhear tb roken?, "-Luphi ndo.
"Yes ,pr obab l
yb ec auses hec heat edwi thmyb est
friend","-Thami.
"Sorr yb o
y ,o nc e yo u'reg rown yo u'll find yo urselfs o
mebo dy l
ike yo
ur
Aunt ,"-Luphi ndo .
"Aunt ?...Ohyo umeanNo nzwakaz i?,"-Thami .
I'myo urAuntThams anqa.Hefo rgott hatal ready.
"..
..Yo u'rer ight .S he'sno tab adper sonatal lcompar edtoThando .Nonz
wakaziis
mo re....Pr ettyandl oyal...,
"-Thami .
I'ms mi ling.S oI' mb ettert hanhi smo m?,wo w!.
I'mno wt iredo fl i
steni ngt oa25yearo l
dmananda6yearo ldtalkingaboutgi
rl
s.
Thams anqat alksno n-s t op.
Hec ameher eyes ter dayaft ers choolthat '
swhenal lthet r
oubl
es t
arted.
"Bab ywo uldwepl eas eg oo ut ?, "-Luphi ndo .
He'sleani ngo nt hedo orfr ame.
"Why?"
"..
.Bec aus e. .
..We' dl iket hat ,"-hi m.
"Nob abeIt hinkwes ho uldj us ts tayho met o day...Justtoday!,pl
eas e.
"
"Comeo nmyl ov e,wes ho uldent er t
ainThams anqa,"-Luphindo.
Entertain?,t hat 'seas y.Wehav eapo olandaj ac uzzihere,t
hat'seno ughtomake
himg ocr az y.
"Justfet chL waz iandt heywi llb efinet ogether,"
"Go odideab utIwantust og oo ut,"-him.
I'mno tg oingt owi nt hiso ne.That 'sfors ure.
"Itsokeyt heny' allc ang o "
"Thanksmyl ov eandyo u'rec omi ngwithus ,"-him
Thiswasn' tpar to fmypl ansfo rt odayt houg h.
"Thams anqab ab yt akeyo urj ac ketwithyo u,"
"Don'tc allmet hat ,ev erag ain, "-Thami .
"Why?"
"Becaus eI' mab oy,"-Thami .
"..
..ButIl o veyo u,"
"Iloveyo ut oob utNo !,"hes aysandfr owns .
Thiskidi sayo ungadul t...
We'real lready.
"IwantHl el ot oday, "-Thams anqa.
He'sbeenc ho os i
ngwhi chc arwes houldus es incehec ameher eyesterday.
Luphindoi sdr iving .It sno tqui ett o
day.Imean. .
.weal lknowwhoisher e.

WefindLwaz ialreadywai t
ingfo rusatt heg ate.Luphindoc al
ledEs ihl
eear l
ierto
gethi
mr eady.Hedo esn'tevenwantt os ethisfooti
nt hisyard.Lwaz iri
desin.
"Hell
odad,hel l
oev er yone,"-Lwaz i
.
Somethingr unsdo wnmys pine.
"Heyb oy,"Ir espo nd.
"Heywhat 'syo urname?, "-Thamit oLwaz i.
Ohher eweg oag ain.Lwaz ihast oans werab out10ques tionsi
no nemi nute.Po or
chi
ld.
"Howab outs unc oastmyl ove?,"-Luphi ndo .
"Thami?"Ias klookingb ackatt hemb o th.
Theylookateac ho therands mile,thenno d.
They'
real readyfr iends .That 'sniceb ecaus ewedo n'thav etoans weranymo r
e
quest
ions.
Luphi
ndoi sdr iv
ingv eryfas t,thisthingo fb ei
ngapar amedi cl
ivesinhim.Theway
hedrives..
...Doyo ukno wTrans port
er ?OrFas t&Fur io
us ?.Yes,i
tsli
keo neo fthose..
.
"Ino wunder st andc l
ear lywhyyo uwereinvolvedi nthatc arac cident,"
Hes mi lesb utdo esn'ts l
o wdo wn.
"OhmyGo d,di dyo udi e?, "-Thams anqa.
Meand Luphi ndoar el aug hingv eryhar d al ready.Idi dn'tex pectthisfr om
Thams anqar eal ly.
Lwaz iisqui ett hr oug ho ut .
"YesIdi ddi eThami ,"-Luphi ndo .
"Iwasal sos ho tb yoneo fmyfr iends,"-Thami .
"Met oo ,
"-Lwaz i.
Ican' thel pl aug hingatt hes et hreeidiots
.
We'reher e.
Luphi ndoi supfo ramo v i
e.ThamiandLwaz iwantg amesandIj ustwantfoo
d.
"Luphi ndomyl ov eyo uc an' tb ethet hir
dki dher eo key?,"
"Wec anwat chi twhi let heypl ayt heg ames,"-Luphi ndo .
Goodi deab uti tsal s ob ad.Wehav et olookaft ert hem b ecaus ewithThams anqa
anythi ngi spo ssib l
e.
"Nonz wakaz iIwantt ho sec ars,"-Thami .
Ibuyt hemc ar dsandt heyl eav e.
Imi ssLuphi ndob uthe' sr ighther enex ttome.
I'mt iredal readyo fj us ts tandi ngher ewatchingt hem.
They' reb ac kfi nal l
y.
"Wher edoyo uwantt oeatb oys?,"-Luphindo .
"McDo nal d' s,"-Thami .
Het akesal lt hedec isions .
"Imi s syo umyl o ve,"Iwhi speri nLuphindo '
sear .
"Imi s syo ut o o,"hewhi sper sb ack.
Theseki dsar ec reat ingb ar rier'sforus .Iwo nderwhatwi llhappenwhenweg etour
own.
Wefi ni sho urmeal sanddr iveb ac khome.
It'
squi eto no urwayb ac k.
They' res l
eepi ng .Wer eac hho meandwehav etoc arryb ot
ho ft hemt othei
rroo m.
Wes ho uldg etpai dfo rt hisr eally.
Luphi ndopar kst hec arnex tt otheb ackdo or,thismakesi teas ier.ItakeLwaz iand
hetakesThami .
Wet aket hemt ot heirb eds ,maki ngsurewedo n'twaket hem.
Wheaw!
"You' res og o odwi thki ds ,
"
"That 'swhyyo us ho uldg ivemet en,"-him
Ilaug h.He' st o tallyi ns ane.
"Asfo rme,o nei seno ug h, "
"Whi chmeanswewi llhav eel evenki ds,that'snice,"-hi m.
He'sb eings i
lly.

It
'sal
readydar
kout
sideandIkno
wThamiwi
llwakeupanymi
nut
efr
omno
w.
Ihav et ofi nds o met hingt odr ughi mandLwaz itoo ,justincase.
It aket heb enyl i
nfo rfl ues yr upandmaket hems wallowitinbet
weentheirsleep.
Thamig etst wot eas poo nsandLwaz ig etso ne.
Iho pet hiswi llhel pmeg ets omet imet or est.
Rightno wIneedt os oakmys elfi nwat er,jus tt oc l
earmymi nd.I'm no tsure
whet hert og ot ot hepo o lo rt hej ac uz zi
.
Iwal kt ot heb edr oomt oundr esst henwr apmys elfwi that o
wel.
Luphi ndoent er est her oo m.
"Wher ear eyo ug oi
ngb ab y?, "-Luphi ndo .
"Tot hej ac uz zi,Ineedt or el ax ,"
"I'dal soliket hat ,
"-hi m
Iwal kt ot her o om wi tht hej ac uz ziands tar
twhatIc ameher efor.
...Thinking
abo utmyl ifepr oblems .
Hec omeswi tht wowi neg las sesandab ottleofwine.
"Go o di deab ab e,"
Hepo ur sthewi neo nb othg las sesandj oinme.
"..Bab y,I' veputyo ut hr oug hal otIkno w...
,"-him
Si
lenc e.
"...I' mv erys orr yfo ral lt hat . "-t hat '
shi mag ain.
Ido n'tkno wwher ehe' sg oingwi tht his.
..
Hemo v esc loserands tar tki ssingme.Iki sshimb ac k.
"Inol o ngerwantt ob et her eas o nb ehindyo urt ear s
...SoIpromisenottomakeyo u
cryag ai n,"-L uphi ndo .
"Pr omi se?,"
Heno ds .
Ifl as has mi le.Hepul lsmyheadt ohi sc hest.Ial sowrapmyar msaroundhiswai st.
Thisi swar m.
"...S oyo ukno wIl o veyo uandyo ul o v
emet oobut...WhatIwantt oknowis..Arewe
everg o i
ngt og etmar r
iedo neday ?, "-Luphi ndo .
"Yeswewi llb ut.."
Hec ut tsmeo ff.
"Il ov eyo umo r eNo nz wakaz ib ab y,"-hi m
Hel o okss oex cited.
"..Andg iveyo uki dsal so "
"Hahat hankyo u!, "hes hout s .
We' reb oths mi l
ingateac ho ther .
OkeyI' mr eady.
"Luh. . .Is. ..Er hh. .IsLwaz iyo urc hild??, "
"No !,"-Luphi ndo .
Relief!
"He' sBandi le'ss on,s oI' m hi so ldfat herift hat '
swhatIam. .
.Ido n'thav ea
child, "-hi m.
"Go o db ecaus ei fyo udi d. .
.Yo udo n' tev enwantt okno wNg cob
o,"
Hes mi les.Iac tuallymeant hat .
"I'llnev erhur tyo ul iket hatmys weet hear t,"-hi m
"I'mv er yj eal ous ,Ido n' twantanyo neel set oputas mileo nthathands omefac e
ofyo ur sex ceptmeando urdaug hter ,
"Is ays mi l
ing.
"Nob ab yo urs on, "-hi m.
"Orb oth, "
"Oh no ,t hatwo uldb ea s inb efo ret he Lo r
d.Car rying twinsi nt hats mal l
tummy ,"-hi m.
"Ort riplet smayb eandt hatwo uldmaket hing seas ysinceyo uwantt enki ds,"
Hel aug hs .
"Yo ukno wt hatIwaski ddi ngmyl ove,Il oveyo uo key?,"-hi m.
The' okey?'Par ti sv er yt o uchi ngands oundsv erys eri
o us.
"Yo u'r emaki ngmec r yag ai nLuh, "
Hes mi les .
"Thewayyo uc al lme. ..,"hi m
"Whatab outi t ?, "
"Il ikei t.Yo uc al lmeLuh,Ng co bo,Fuz ewami. ..Ther e'sjus tsomet hingab outthat ,
"
hes aysal lt hatwi tho utl oo kingatme.
"Whatdoyo ul ikeab o utmeLuphi ndo ?,"
"Ev er yt hingb ab y,"hi m.
"Det ai lspl eas e,"
"Yo uri nt elligenc e,yo u'repr et ty,yo u'veg o tav eryg orgeousandfr eshb ody,yo u'r
e
truthful ,yo ul ov emeex ac tlyho wIwantt ob el oved,yo uc oo
k,yo uc anwas hus i
ng
yourhands ...,"-hi m.
Ic anthel pl aug hing .
"....Andyo u'reno tj us tag irlb utyo u'reawo mant hatIneedi nmyl ifetob ea
man, "-hi m
"Whatab outt hepr ev iousg irls?,"
"Sheus edmeandl eft. ..Jus tliket hat ,
"-hi m.
Arewet al kingab o uthi sex ,real ly?
"Oh. .."
"Yes ,yo ukno wt hat 'swhathappenswhenyo u'rei nar elations
hipwi t ho
utl ove,...
Butt hankyo us omuc hfo rmaki ngmeb elievei nl oveag ain,Il oveyo ub aby,"-him.
"Il ov eyo umo r eandIwi llnev erl eav eyo uNg cob o,"
"Iwantt oputas hi nnyt hi ngo nt hatfi ng er,"-hi m
"Mr sNo nz wakaz iNg c obo ,
"Is ays mi li
ng .
"Whatt ypeo fweddi ngwo uldyo ul i
ket ohav e?,"-hi m.
"Bo thwhi teandt r adi tional ,"
"Iwantab l
ac ko ne, "-hi m.
Web ot hl aug hatt hatandt akes ipso no urwi ne.
"Whydoyo uhat eyo urmo thers omuc h?, "
Hismo odc hang ess uddenl y.AmIwr ong ?.
Hewr apshi sar mar o undmys ho ulder sands igh.
"Whi leIwasyo ungs heus edt oab us eme, "-hi m.
Ab use?!
Ipo pmyeyeso ut.
"What ?,ho w?, "
"She' db eatmeupfo rab s olut elyno thing,ac t uallyal lo fuswentt hr o ught hat,s he's
sel
fi s
h,ev i
lmo nster. .
.Ihat eherwi thpas si
o n.S hewant st oc ontro lmeal lthet ime,
weal waysfi g ht.Andt ot el lthet ruthIdo n'tkno who wi tfeel sli
ket ob el ovedb ya
mo ther .Il ear ntt hehar derway ..
"-hi m
Tear sfi l
lupi nmyeyes .I' mhur tb yal lthat .Ic an' tbeliev ehewentt hrought hat .
"..
..Myfat hert riedt aki ngmet olivewi thhi mb utt hatev i
lwo mandi dn'tal lowt hat.
Theywer eo nc emar riedb utt hennomanc ans tands uc hahear tlesswo mans omy
fatherdi vor cedher ,"-hi m.
Sil
enc e.
I'ms os peec hl ess.
"..
.Iev ent ual lydec i
dedt ob uildaho usefo rmyGr andmo therb ec aus emo mdi dn't
wantt ol eav eho meatuMl az is inces hec ameb ackaft ert hedi vorc e.Ther easonfo r
thati sIc o uldn' tb uildmymo t heraho use,Nev er !!.It hi nkno wist her ightt imefo r
yout omeetGr anny. ....S he' sani ceandc aringwo man. "-hi m.
Icans tillheart hepai ni nhi sv o ic
e.
"Ilo veyo uandI' mv er ypr oudo ft hatyo us ur vi
v edal lt his,"
"..
.Yo uc amei ntomyl ifewhenIwasab o utt ol oo s
eho pe,yo urb eaut i
fulfac eand
bri
g hts mi leg avemel ightand ho peal lo v erag ain.Iwi l
lnev erg iv
eupo nyo u
Nonz wakaz i.Go dg avemeyo u, "-hi m.
I'm feel ings oemo tionalab o utwhathe' sj us tt old me.Hedo esn' tseem t ob e
bother edatal l.
"Elihlehasj ustg ivenb ir tht oab ab yg irl
."-hi m
What ??
"..
.They '
v eb een c al l
ingmeev eryno w and t hen t ellingmeho w muc ht hey' re
suffer ing ,MaNdl o vuisal waysyel lingatt hem.S ayingt hatEl ihles ho uld'vedo nean
abor ti
o nandho ws hewant st heb ab yo uto fherho us e,t hatho usewhi c hdo esn't
belongt oher .S omet imesIdo n' tpic kthei rcal ls,
"-L uphi ndo .
"Butb ab ywhy?, "
"Iwantt hem t ofeelwhatIfel tandt hats hal lenc o ur aget hem t odob et t
erand
li
veab et terl ifet hatt heywo r kedfo ro nt hei ro wn. ..Jus tlikeIdi dwit hmi ne.I
justfai lt ounder standwhyt heymakei tapr i
or i
tyt ohav eki ds.Theyhav et ol ive
witht hei rdec isionsno w.El ihl e'sb ab ydaddydumpedher .Theyb othdo n'thav e
mo neyt or ai set hec hi ldanyway .Bandi l
ei sno wwo rki ngfo rLwaz i.I'm wi ll
ingt o
helpb utIal sowantt hemt olear n."-Luphi ndo .
Howc anheb es or elaxedab o utal lthi s
?.
Ido n' tc ar eab outev er yo neel se.
AllI'mwo rr iedab outi st heb ab y.I' llfetc hhers os hec anl i
vewi thus .
She'sno thingb utani nno c ents o ul.
Chapter22
I'v
emadeful lEng l
is
hb reakfas tfo rev eryo ne.Lwaz iandLuphi ndoar eseatedo n
thedinningt ab lealreadyeat i
ng .Thamii ss tillsl
eeping,itmustb ethebenyli
nt hat
hedr ankyes terday.I' mg ettingwo rr
ied no w,Ido n'twannawakehi mt ho
ug h
becausether ewi l
lbes omuc hc hao sal loverag ainbutIal sodon'thaveac hoic
e.
Iwalkt otheirb edr o
omando pent hec urtai ns.
"Thami !,
"
"Mhh.."-him.
"Wakeupb o yIneedt otakeyo ub ac kho me, "
"NoI'mno tg oingb ackho me, "-Thami .
"Okey,butyo uhav etowakeupno w, "
I'mno tupfo ranar g
ument .Heg et supandwal ktot hei
rb at
hroom.
Ifixtheirb edandj oinLuphi ndoandLwaz io nthet ablewhenI'mdo ne.
"Babyt here'sab us s
inesmeet ingt hatIneedt oattendl at
ertoday,"-Luphindo.
"Okey"
"Youc ang os ho ppingaft erdr oppingt hem, "-L uphindo .
He'sreferingt ot heki ds.
"I'dli
ket hat ,"Is aysmi l
ing.
"Thamib reakfas tis..."
"I'mher e!,"-Thami .
Hej oi
nsus .
"Aren' tweg oingt oc hur ch?, "-Thami .
"Nott o dayb oy, "-Luphi ndo .
Asifweev erg ot oc hur ch,Luphi ndo !.
"That 'sg o odnews ,"-Thamis ayss mi li
ng .
Okeyhe' s6andal readyhehat esc hur c h.
Wefi ni sheat ingandweg ob ackt oo urb edr oo
mst og etr eady.
"TellS imphi wet hatIl ovehi m,"Is ayt oLuphi ndo.
Hes mi lesandhandhi sc ardt ome.
"Pinc o de?"
"Fourz er o's,"-Luphi ndo .
Ilaug h.
"You' reKi ddi ngr ig ht?"
MyGo d,he' ss er ious ,what ev er!.
OhIal mo stfo rg ot.
"Pleas eg i
v emeEl ihle'sc ellpho nenumb er "
Hedo es .
Iwantt ot al kt oherab outt heb ab yt hi
ng.I' mt ryingt ohel pand Iwi llmake
Luphi ndoc hang ehi smi ndab outal lt his.Heki ss
esmeg o odb yeandl eave.
I'v
eal readyc alledMam' Thandit oc o meo v
er.
Asmuc hasIdo n' tlikeheri sasmuc hasIneedherhel pr ightnow.
Ihav enoc ho icer eal l
y.
"We' rer eady, "-Lwaz iandThamis ho utatt hesamet i
me.
Igot ot heirb edr oomt opac kfo rt hem.Mam' Thandii sher e.
Wel eav e.S t ar tingatNt uz umaFs ec tio nt odr opThams anqa.
Iwo n' tev eng oi nsidet og reet .
"Ilo veyo u"
"Ilo veyo umo r eandyo uc anki ssmyc heekno w,"-Thami .
He'sc hub byandI' veb eenc r avingfo rt hisb uthekeptr efus ing.
Ikisshi mandhel eav es.Thandoi swai tingfo rhimatt heg ate.Shetriestohughim
buthej ustwal kpas ther .Thi ski d!! .
Iblowaho o teratherands hewav esatme.
I'v
et oldMam' Thandimypl an. ..Ourpl anands het hinksi t '
sag ood,badidea.
Wer eac huMl az iear li
ert hanIt ho ug ht.
"Ilo veyo uLwaz i"
Hes mi lesv er ywi de.It 'slikehedo es n'tb eli
evewhatI' vej ustsaid.
"Ilo veyo ut o omo m, "-hi m.
Tear sfi llupi nmyeyes .Hehasnev erg otanymo therl
yl o veandhe' swayt ooyoung.
I'mfi newi thhi mc al l
ingmemo m.
Eli
hlei sappr o ac hingt hec ars he' sc ar r yi
ngab abywr appedi nab lanketanda
baby'sb ag .I 'm no ts urei fI' m do ingt her i
ghtt hingno w,myhear tisbeati
ngv er
y
fast.Idot heb r eat hingex er ci
seando pent hedo or.
Wehug"Twi nny"
"Ido n'tkno who wt ot hankyo ufo ral lthi ssis
'Nonz wakaz i,"-Eli
hle.
"I'mg ladt ohel pb utIhav en' ts po ket oLuphi ndoandt hi smi g
htno tendwell"
Thes mileo nherfac edi s
appear s.
"..
.Butyo u'ret ryingThanksfo rt hat , "-El ihle.
It aket heb ab y.Wo w!S he' ss oc ut eand i nno cent .Sheki ssesi tgoodb ye.Thi sis
maki ngmeemo tional ,g oi
ngt ho ug hts omuc hatt heag eo f17.MaNdl ovuiss oevil.I
feelfo rt hem.
Igiv et heb ab yt oThandi .Ic anj us ts ees he' sgoo dwi thb ab i
es.S he'
sal sono tab ad
pers onaft eral l.
Eli
hl ehasl eftno wandMam' Thandii st ryingt ofeedt heb ab y,she'schec kingt he
temper at ureandal l.Iwasr ight.
MaNdl ov uwal kso uto ft heg ates mi li
ngandappr oac hingmyc ar .
She'sc o mi ngnear er,c l
o s
erandc lo ser.Ir o l
lupt hewi ndo wanddr i
veo ff.
Mam' Thandil aug hss ohar d."Yo udo n' tr eal l
yhav et ob emean, "-Her.
"Ihat eherMah"
Iho pes hewo n' tst ar twi th't heBi b les ays ....'
"Idounder standaft eral l,doyo ul ikeki ds ?,"-her .
"Yes ,Ido "
"That 'ss weetb utt hisi sg oi
ngt obehar dfo ral lofus ,"-Thandi
"Ikno wMahandLuphi ndowo n'tl ikei t"
"Ex act l
y,g oodt hi ngyo ukno w,"-Thandi .
"I'mj us tt rying ,whokno wsimayb el uc ky"
I'mfeel ingb adab outal lthisno w. ..Iac tual lyr egr eti talready.
Ipar kt hec arandwewal ki n,s tar t i
ngatc l
ic k's
.
We'r eatt hePav il
io nt ob uyev eryt hingfo rt heb ab y.
Milk,Nappi es,b ab yo i
l...
"Do n'tfo rgett hewi pes,"Is ayt oMam' Thandi .S he'st heo newho '
sdo i
ngt he
shoppi ngandI' mho ldi ngt heb ab y.
"No ,itc an' tb e"
"Butt hat 'sherr i
ght ?"
WhyamIl isteni ngt ot hes trang er' sco nv er sat i
on?.
"Themi lkb ottlest o o,qual i
typl eas e! "
Mam' Thandis mi les .
"No nz wakaz i!"
Itur nar oundAnds mi l
ewhenIs eet hem.It '
sNt andoandBuhl emyhi ghs cho o
l
fri
ends .
Wehugandt heyt aket heb ab y,t heyt hi nki t'smi neo fc ourse.
"Hit her epr inces s,yo ul ookl i
kemo mmyhey, "-Buhl e.
Iro llmyeyes .Peo plec anl ies o met imes .
"What 'shername?, "-Nt ando .
"Enhl e,"Iqui ckl yl i
e.
"Beaut ifulname man,fr iend t hisi ss weet .
...We s houl d meet and c at ch
up,"-Nt ando .
"She' sr ight,"-Buhl e.
"I'dl o vet hatb utIneedt ot akec ar eo ft heb aby.. .I' mb reas tfeeding"
"Who 'sthefat her ?,"-Nt ando .
Mmhhwhyt hi sques ti
o nt ho ug h?
WhatdoIdono w?
It akemyc el l
pho neand pr etend t opi ckit.Theyl aughati tli
terall
y.OK I'm
offended.
"Yes..
.We' refi ne. ..Al ri
g ht. ..Il oveyo utoo..
..Okeyb ye"Is ayandslidethephone
backt othepo c ket .
"Hes houldb uyyo uapho ne, "-Nt ando .Buhl elaughs
.
"Her eallycar e,"-Buhl e.
Ismi l
eandt aket heirnumb ers.
"I'mt heGo dmo therfr i
end, "-Buhl e.
They'res ti
llt hem t hes eones .Nt andoi sstil
lclass
yands l
enderandBuhl eisst
il
las
humb leass hewas ,s hehasag oodhear tthisone,afo rgivi
ngone,she'
sl o
stsome
weightsheus edt ob et oofatno wshe'sj ustfat..
.
"Ho waret hes titc hes ?,"-Buhl e.
Sti
tches?
"Ohh...Erh. .I' mg et tingb et terhunny "
"You'res ti
lls hy, "-Nt ando .
Ismi l
e
"I'ms ti
llNo nz wakaz iandIwo n'tchang e"
"Sti
llthes tro ngNo nz wakaz iuh?"-Buhl e.Ino d.
Mam' Thandic omest ouspus hingt het roll
ey,okeyit'
st imet ogo.
"I'mdo nekaMakhanya, "-Thandi .
"Iho pet oseeyo ug uysag ains oon,"isayt akingtheb ab yfromNtando.
"Wel oveyo ufr iend, "-Buhl e.
"Iloveyo ug uysmo re"
Ipayus ingLuphi ndo 'sc ar d.
Thefo urz ero 'sc ar d.
Wet heng ot oAc ker manst ob uyc l
othes.
I'mho pingfo rt heb es taswedr ivehome.
Chapter23
"Bab yI' mho me,"-Luphi ndos hout sfr omt hedo or.
Imc oo ki
ngher ei ntheki tchen.Iwal kt ohi m,g ivehi mab ighugandweki ss.
"Imi ssedyo u,"-Luphi ndo .
Thatj ustmeansI' mg et t
ingl aidt o nig ht .
Ismi l
eandweki ssag ai nb efo rewal kingpas tmet oo urb edr oom.
"Luphi ndoweneedt ot alk, 'Is ho ut .
"Alrightb ab yass oonasI' mdo net aki ngas ho wer,"-hes houtsback.
Iwo nderwhathe' sg oingt os ayab o utal lthis.
Istandatt hec ornert hinki ngo ft her ightwayt ot ellhimt his..
.
May beis houl dj oi
nhi matt hes ho wer ,thatwo ulds o meho wwo rk.
There'ss omuc hno ise,it'st heb ab yc r yingfr omt hes pareb edr oom.
Okey,it '
sab o uttog odo wn! .
"Nonz wakaz ipleasewar muphermi lkfo rme, "-Mam' Thandis houts.
"Excus emedi dImi sss omet hing ?, "-Luphi ndos ho utsb eforec omingtot
hekitchen
wit
hat owelwr appedar oundhi slo werb o dy.
"Icanex pl
ai n"
"Luphi ndoho war eyo u, "-Mam' Thandi .
"Mam' Thandiwhatt hehel li sg oingo nher e?,"-Luphi ndo .
Shepas s
est ot heket tlet ob o i
lwat erandwar mupt hemi lklikeit'
snobody
'sbus
sines.
Sheleav est heki tchenwhens he' sdo ne,t heb ab yiso nherhands .
Luphi ndol aug hsi ndi sb il
ief.
"Ist hisEl i
hl e'sb ab y?,"-Luphi ndo .
He' sang ry.
Ino dandl o okaway.
"Wo w,whydi dn' tyo ut alkt omeNo nz wakaz i
?. "-Luphi ndo .
"Bec aus eiknewyo u' ddowhatyo u' r
edo i
ngr ig htno wandit hinki t
'smuc hbetterto
actt hatt ot al k"
"Thenyo udec idedt odoi twi t houtt ellingme?, "-Luphi ndo .
He' syel lingatme.
"Cal mdo wnb ab ypl eas e,I' ms o r
r yo key?, "
"What 'so key?,yo u'reg ettingt oofarNo nz wakaz i
, "-Luphi ndo .
"She c an s ens et hats omet hing i sno tr ig ht ,we wi llg og ets ome fresh air
outs ide, "-Mam' Thandi .
"Whatt hehel ldoyo ukno wab outb ab iesNo nz wakaz i?,"-Luphi ndo .
Sil
enc e.
"Doyo uev enkno wwhoEl i
hl eis ?,"-Luphi ndo .
Ij us tapo l
o gised,ido n' tkno wwhathewant sno w.
"....Doyo ukno wmyr eas o nsfo rno tt akingt hisc hildt ol ivewi t
hme, "-Luphindo .
Ofc o ur seido n' t...
"I'ms orr y,"Is ayi nal owt one.
"Yo u' res tudyi ng ,I' m wo rking ,Mam' Thandihasg otafami lyt otakec areo f,what
exac t l
yi syo urpl an?, "-Luphi ndo .
He' sr ight ...Iwaswr ong .
"Tal kt omeNo nz wakaz i,"-Luphi ndo .
Is tar tt or eal i
s et hatIs ho uld' ves po ket ohi mfi rs t.
"Bab yIfel tfo rt heb ab y,s he' sy o ungandi nno c ents oit ho ughtIs houldfet chher
andt ryt oc onv i
nc eyo ut oac ceptherher eunt ils he' sg rowneno ugh"
"ButIt oldyo ut hatIhat et hat ,Is po ket oyo ub ec aus eIt rustyo uno wyou'redo i
ng
thing sb ehi ndmyb ack.Ial sofeelfo rt heb ab y,s he' smyni eceb utiwantEl i
hleto
lear nNo nz wakaz i,
"-Luphi ndo .
He' sl ooki ngatmes traig hti nt heeye,Idr o pt hem.
Hel eav emes tills tandi ngatt heki t c
hen.
Okey,iho pehei sthi nkingab outt his. ..Hewi llag reeikno w.
Wo ah!Hec omesfr omo urb edr o omwi t hhi sclo theso n,hi scarkeyso nhi shand.
"Pac kal lherc lothesno w!,"-hi m.
Ij us ts tandt her eandl ookathi m,ihat et hiss ideo fhi mr eally.
"...Is aid. .,"-hi m
Ileav et heki tchenandg ot ot hes par eb edr o omt os tar tpac king .
Ido n' twannaar gue.It aket heb ag swheni 'mdo neandwal ko ut .
"Mayb es he' sr i
g htNg co bo,ic ans t ickar ound, "-Mam' Thandi .
Mypar t neri nki ll
ingmyMan' shappi nesandg ett inghi mang ry.
Het akesal lt heb ag st ohi sc arb oo tb efo rer di ngi n.
Mam' Thandir idesi nt oo ,s he'sg o tnoc hoice.Theyl eav e.
Iwal kb ac kt ot heho us eands witcho fft hes tov e.Ic allElihle.
"Si
sNo nz wakaz i
?,"-her
"I'ms orryEl ihlebutIt ri
edr ight?"
Shelet'so utahug es i
gh.
"Wher eisLuphi ndo ,
"-her .
"Onhi sway,hewi l
ldr opt heb abyther ei
nafewmi nutes"
"Thankyo ufo rtrying,"-her
Idr opthec allands t
ar tcryingmyl ung sout.
WhyamIfai linghimt ho ugh?,mayb ehewas n'tmeantfo rme..
.
I'mno twi ll
ingt og i
veupo nhi maft erall.I'
llkeeptryi
ngunt i
lIc o
nquer.
IthinkIs ho uldg i
v ehims o
mes pace.Ig etupfr o
mt hefl o
or,takeapieceo
fpaper
andapent hens tartwr iti
ng.
'To:myl ov e
I'ms orryfo rev erything
I'l
lb eatS ummers ands ,callmei fyo ugetac hanceIthinkwes houldt
alkaboutt
his
.
There'sfo odo nthes tove.
Iho peyo ufo r gi
veme. ...

Lo
veNo
nzwakaz
i'

Ileav
eitonthefr
idg
edo or
.
TaketheMaz
daandl eav
e..
.

------------
Ipar kthec arands t artwi pingthet ear so ffmyfac e.Mypho ner i
ngsit
'sEli
hle.
"Eli
hle?"
"Theyar eno ther eyetandi 'mwo rriedno w,"-her
"Butit'sb eent woho ursEl ihl
e,"
"OhGo d,Iwo nderwhat 'sg oingon, "-El i
hle.
"Letmec allMam' Thandi ,"Is ayandhangup.
Idialt oThandii mmedi at elysheans wer sint hefi rstr i
ng.
"Nonzwakaz i
?,"-Thandi .
"Wher eyo uat?"
"I'mho me,wher eisLuphi ndo ?,
"-Thandi .
"Whatdoyo umean?"
"Hedr o ppedmeatmyho us eandl eftwi tht heb aby, "-Thandi .
Isigh.
"Howi st hatev enpo s si
ble,wedo n'thav eab ab ycars eaterappar entl
y"
"Youkno wt hathemakesanyt hingpo ssi
bler ight?,"-Thandi .
Idro pthec all.Its uddenl yc ros
sesmymi ndt hattheymi ghtbeindang er.
Idialt ohi mandg oess traighttov o i
c email.Hemus tno tdot histome.
Istartc ryingal loverag ain.Ihat ethi s.
..
Ileavet hec arandwal kt ot hefl ato nlyt ofi ndpeo plepar t
ying.
Whatt hehel liswr ongwi t hS nakho ?.They' r edr inking ,smokinganddanc ingallover
,
theno i
se. ..Jesus !.It'sther adio.
Igos t
raig httomyb edr oom.
"Shit
!!!"
Peoplear ehav ingsexo nmyb ed,ij us
tstandt herei
nawe,thi
smus tbeajoke.The
gi
rlismo ani ng,I'mpi ssed.
"Snakho !
, Whatt heHel listhis
??! !"
"Comeo ni t'sapar t
y,"-s hes ayshandingmeal i
tcigar
ett
e.Ipul lito
nce,it'
s
weed...
.v eryni ce..
.It 'snotmyfi rstti
mes mokingbytheway.
s hehandsmeag l
ass
wit
hwi ne,t hisisfunb uti'ms ti
llthinki
ngab outLuphi
ndoandt hebaby.

Chapt
er24

Iopenmyeyess l
owl
y.Idozedoff.
Everyo
neissl
eepi
ngallov
ertheho use.Ipulloutmyphonefr omthepocket.
Thereare20miss
edcall
sfromElihlebutno nefromLuphindo.Si
gh.
Igetupandr untomycar.No!
,Ifo r g
o tthekeysi
ntheflat.Irunupag ai
n.
Ic an'
tfindthem,forsureImi sspl acedthem.Thec arwon'tstar
twi t
houtt
hat
sens or.
Wher edoIs tar tlo o
ki ngfo rthem?.
IshakeS nakhot owakeup.
"Mmhh"-her .
"I'ml ooki ngfo rmyc arkeys "
"Ont opo ft hefr idg e"-her .
Ifi ndt hemandr uno utag ain.
It'
ss til
ldar k,Ic hec kmywat chit
's03: 00am.
Ireac ht hec arandc al lElihl
ei mmedi ately,itdoes
n'tevenr i
ng .
"Sis'No nz wakaz ijustt el lmet hetruth,i sSwaphiwestil
lali
ve"-her .
"Who 'sS waphi we?"I' mr eall
ypuzzled.
"Mydaug ht erandwher eisLuphindo ?"-her .
"I'ms tilllookingfo rhi m,Idi dn'tsleepi nhishouse"
"Yo us lept ?!!"-her .
Ofc o urse! !.Sil
enc e.
"Okeyno wpl eas et r
yt og etho l
do fhi m,I' vebeent r
yingtoCal lhi
mb uti
tjus
tgo
es
straig htt ov oicemai l."-her .
Ihangupands tar tt hec ar.Im dr i
vingt oWes tv
ill
eno w.Ij usthopetofi
ndhim
ther e.

Ipus ht hedo oro penandwal ki n...Theno teissti

llher e.
Thatmeanshedi dn' tco meb ac k.Wo w!,hes leepso utno w.Wo w!.
Itr yc all
inghi mus i
ngt hel andl ineb uts ti
ll
.Whatdoidono w?.
Inol ongerkno wwher et og or eally.Iwantt oatl eastt aketheb abyt oEli
hle.
Shit!,Ihav et woc l
ass estoat t endt oday,I' ms ogonnafai l
.
Ical lElihle.
"Yo ufo undt hem?"-her .S he' ss owo r riedandi t
'smyfaul t.
"I'mi nWes t vill
eno w,he' sno ther e"
"Ikno whewo n'thar m hi sni ec eb utI' m notc omfo rtablewithallthis.
"-El i
hleshe's
teary.
"OkeyEl i
hl edoyo uhav eac los er elativemayb e?"
"Yesi t'sGr anny,s hel ivesatKwa-dab eka"-her .
"Sendmet heful ldet ailsno w"
"Okey"-her
"No wc almdo wn,g etr eadyfo rs cho ol,Iwi l
lfindLuphi ndoo key?"
"It'sno teas y "-her.
Ihangup,t hat swhatpho nec allsar efo r.Ifyo udo ntknowwhatt os ayanymo re,
dropt hec all,eas yr i
g ht?.
Ikno wKwa-dab eka,i tswher eIwasb or nandb r
ed.
Thes uni sr isingno w.Ther e'smo vemento nt hes treets,somuc hlearnersint heir
unifo rm.Idr ivepas tKK.Teenag er sar et akingkidst odaycareands omet os c
ho o
l.
Thememo rieso ft hispl ac e.Im emo t i
onal .Thosewo menwhos ellfruit
sb ythec l
inic
ares t i
llther e,Ius edt oc ryfo rt hosefr uitswheniwast ooyo ungandt heywo ul
d
givet hemt omefo rfr ee,I '
db es ohappyaft erwar ds....
Her eisZi b amb elenio ldag eho me.Ithas n' tc hang edab i
t.
Phephi lei ss hi ni ng ,ver yb eaut ifult hanMc ophel el
i.Theyar epr imar ys chools.
Ius edt og ot oMc ophel el i,ev enno wIdo ntunder standwhyt hes etwos choolsar e
builtnex ttoeac ho ther ,t heys ho uld' veb uilto neo ft hemi nS ub5mayb esot hatt he
kidswo n' thav et owal kl ongdi stanc es.Ir ememb erho wweus edt oc ompet ewi th
Phephi lel ear ner s,wet ho ug hto urs cho o lwasb et t
erandt heyhadt hes amet ho ug ht
abo utt heirs cho olt oo.Bei ngaki dt ho ug h! .
Ifi ndmys elfdr ivingt ot heho us ewher eweus edt ol i
v e.
Ipar kt hec arr ightatt heg at e.I ti sasg oodasag ho stt ownno w.
Iwal ko uto ft hec ar .Thepai nto nt hewal li sfadi ng ,thewi ndo wsar ebr oken,at
leas tthedo ori ss t il
lt her e.
Ic an' ts eec lear y,t het reeshav eg ro wnal lar oundt heho use.Iwal kar oundi t,
memo riesj us tfl as hb efo r emyfac e.Ihadar eal lyg r eatc hildho o dher e.
Mo mmades ur eo ft hat .Myhear ti sb roken,t ear swel lupi nmyeyes .Thi shous es til
l
belo ngst omyMo m,wedi dn' ts el li twhen wel eftt hispl ac e.It 'sac tuallymy
biologicalFat her 'sho us e,Ineedt ot alkt oMo mab outt his.
It'sb eeno nl y6year ss inc ewemo vedo utb utt hewayi tis....Yo u'ds weari t'sb een
mo r ethan20year s.Mypho nev ibrat es .It 'sEl ihle.
"I'mo nmyway"
"Okey"-her .Ihangupandr unb ac kt ot hec ar .Gr annydo es n'tl i
vev eryfarfr om
myho me,yes' myho me'i tdo esn' tmat terho wi tloo ksb utit'ss ti
llho me.
Ib lowaho o tero nt heg at eandt hi so ldl adywal kso uto ftheho us ewithherg o
wno n
too penfo rme.It hinki t'sher ,yesGr anny .
Luphi ndo 'sc ari spar kedi nt heyar d. ..I' mab outt odi efo rmys ins .
"HiGr anny"Is ayaft ert yingado eko nmyhead.Res pec t!!.
"Yo umus tb eNo nz wakaz i"-her .Shess mi l
ing .Is mi l
eb ac kb riefly.
Ipar kmyc arnex tt oLuphi ndo 's
.Is hakeherhandands hehug sme.
Wo wt hehugwaswar mandwel comi ng .S he' sr eal lyni c e.
"It 'snicet omeetyo uGr anny "
"Yo uc anc o mei ns i
det ohav es omet eaasyo urmang et sreadyfo rwo rk"-Gr anny.
Ifo l
lowhert ot heho us e.It 'sb eaut i
ful .
"Gr annyhav eyo us eenmyt i
e?"
Myl ove,i m happyt ohearhi sv oiceb utIdo n' tkno who whe' sg onnar eactwhenhe
seesme.
Hec omest ot hel oung eandj us tstandnex tt ot heent ranc es hoc ked.WhydoIwant
tob reak?,he' st heo newhol eftme.
"Whydi dyo ul eav emeS t handwas ami ?. .."
"Andyo urpho nes endsmes trai ghtt ov o ic
emai lLuh"
Gr annyi sint heki tchen.
He' sstillmo t ionl es s
,c an' thes eet hatIneedahugo randhi sfac et osho ws o me
emo ti
onatl eas t!.
"Di dn'tIapo log iset oyo uNg co bo?,o rmayb eyo udo n'twantt ob ewi thmeanymo re?,
jus ttellt het r ut hs ot hatikno wwher eis tand"whyar emyeyesr eleasings al ty
wat er?.
Hiseyesar eno wr edandi ml ookingathi ms t
r aighti nt heeyes ,hedr opst
hem
finally.S hi t!
,he' sg ivi
ngupo nme. .
.Ij ustkno wit .
Hewal kst omeandhugme.Imus tadmi tthatImi ssedt hi
s ,wayt oomuch.
It'sco mfo rtab le.
"I'ms orr yb ab y,Ir eal l
yam. "-hi m.
"Wher eist heb aby?"
"Sleepi ng ,Gr annywi l
ltakec ar eo fherdo n' two r
r y"-hi m.
"Po rridg ei sready"-Gr annys hout sfromt heki tchen.
"CanIki ssyo u?"-hi m.
"No !"
"Pleas e...Imi ssedyo u"-hi m.
"Butyo u' ret heo newhol eft "
"Ims or ry,no wc anIki s
syo u?"-hi m.
Her ais esmyfac et ohi m.
"No ,po rridg ei sr eadyg oandeat "
"Canyo uj us timag ineyo urLuphi ndoeat ingpo rr
idg e?,hel lno !!
"-him.
Hepl ant sawetki sso nmyfo rehead.
"Yo uwer es mo kingb ecauseo fme?,Ic ans mel lnicotineandweed, "-him.
"That 'sho wmuc hyo ub rokeme"
"I'ms o...."-hi m
"Getr eadyfo rwo rk,S imphiwei swai ti
ngfo ryo uI' ms ure"
He'sg o i
ngt ot hec ompanyt odayb ecause..
.He' swear ingas uit.
"Il oveyo u"-hi m.
"Il oveyo ut oo ,c omeb ackho met oday.Iwantyo u! "
"Haha,ar eyo us ureyo uwantyo urs exymannex tt oyo ut o
ni ght?"-him.
Ib i
temyl o werl i
pt os topt hes mile.
Ipul lhi st ietot henec kandfi xhi sshirtbutl etgoo fhi mwhenIs eeGrannywal
king
in.
"Ido n'twantt os eet hatunt i
lyo u'remar ried"-s hes ayswal kingpastus.
Luphi ndor ol
lshi seyes .Guyshe' sgay!!.

Chapter25
I'v
ec ookedforhi
m,thehouseisspo
t l
ess.
Icheckt hebeefs
tewonemo r
et i
me.It'sready.
Iturno ffthest
ove.Thetableisready,we'rehav
ingadi
nnert
oni
ghtb
uti
t'
sa
surpr
ise.
Ic hec kmywat c hi t's17:50,he' l
lb eher eanymi nut efr o
m no w.Ir emovet heapr on
andg ot ot heb at hr o omfo raqui cks ho wer ,It henwearmyb lac klinger
iewi thar ed
si
lkg o wn.WhenIc omeo uthe' ss til
lno ther e.Is ito nt het ab l
eandwai t
...Jus tfi
ve
mo remi nut es .It hi nkt hisi st heb es twayt oapo l
ogiset ohi mfo rev eryt
hing .Theice
i
smel t ingi nt heb uc ket.No rmal lyhewo uldb eb ackatt hist imeb uttodaywhat
happened?.
May b ei t'
sac arac c ident ,Imean. ..Iwo ul dn' tb es urpr is
ed.
Ic heckmywat chag ai nit's19: 45.It akemypho neandc al lhim.
"I'mher e"-hi m.
Ihangup.
Hewal ksi n.It akeo ffhi sc oatandputi to nahang er.Het riest oki s
smeb utImo ve
away,Ic an' tki sshi m aft erheki ssedhi sb i
t ches.Wher ei shec o
mi ngfro m att his
ti
meo ft heday?.
"Wo wmyLo v e,o hh! "-hi m.
Iwal kb ac kt ot heki tchent odi shupfo rhi m,It henpus ht hepl at
es uchthati tro
lls
allthewayt ohi m.
"Thankyo us omuc hb abyfo rt his...Andwhyar en' tyo ueat ing?,o rthere'ss ome
lo
v epo rti
o nher e?"-hes ayss mi li
ngandpo intingt hefo od.
Ic huc kleandl oo kaway.I' mpi ssed.
"Luphi ndowher e. .
.."-me.
"I'ms or ryIwaswo rkingno n-s to pt o day,i t'st oob usyi nt hec ompanyandS imphiwe
i
sr eal l
yag oo dwo rkerwi tho uthi m. ..Iwo ul dn' tb eher eno w..
."-hi m.
He'seat ingandhes eemst ob er eal lyenj o yingt hisfo od.
"I'm r esig ningfr om b einga par amedi cno w,I wantt ob e handso ni nt he
company"-hi m.
"Wheaw! ,atl eas tyo uwo n' tb edr ivingl ikePaulWal kerno w"
Hec huc kles.
"Wi ne?"
"Yes "-hi m.
Io pent heb ot tleandpo uri nhi sg lass.Andi ntomi ne...
"No ,"hes ayspul l
ingt heg lassanddr inki ngt heal readypo uredwi ne.
"That 'smyg las sLuh, "
"Gets omej uice,yo u' reno tdr inki ngt hiswi ne"-hi m.
Si
lenc e.
Web urs to utl aug hingaft er war ds .
Hepul lso utas er i
o usfac ewhi leI' ms til
llaug hing .
"I'ms os er i
o usmyl ove"-hi m.
"Noi t'sfi ne, "
He'sc o ntr oll
ingmei s n'the?.
"Go od,"hes ayspo ur inghi ms elfas eco ndg las so f'my'wi ne!.
"Sob ab yI' dl iket oapo logi
s efo rev er ything ,I'mr eallys orryfo rwhatIdi d"
"It'so keyI' mt heo newho 'ss orr y,Il eftyo u....Whati fpeo pleb r o
keinher eand
tookyo u?,Imadeahug emi stakeb utNo nz wakaz ipleas eletmekno wifev eryou
wantt odos omet hi ng ,espec iallyi fi tinv olv esmyfami lyo key?. "-hi m.
"Ipr o miseandIho peyo ulearntthatast heheado fthisho useyo udo n'tj ustleave,
eveni nt hefut ureyo us houldnotleav eme. "
"ThanksIl oveyo u"-hi m.
"Il oveyo ut oo"
"Yo us aidyo uwant edme,I' mher eno w"-hi m.
Ismi le.
Hes tandsupandwal kt omys ide.Weki ss,he' sstanding ,I'ms i
tti
ng .
"I'mher e"-hi m.Hes mel lsl
ikewineandhi m.
Ig etb utter fl
iesinmys tomach.Heki ssesmeal lthewaydo wnmynec k.Ipus ht he
chairasIs tando nmyfeetwi t
hmykneess hakingal ready.Hel iftsmet os itont he
tablewi thmyl egso pent ohim.Theg owni so nt hefl oorno w.
Hepul l
sac hairands it,myl egonhi ssho ulder ."Mmh! "
Thepl eas ure.
Het hens tando nhi sfeetag ainwithhi sb eltAndz ipundo nehe'sno teveng i
vingme
ac hanc et o..
..Ourfo r
eheadst ouchHe' sg roaning.I' mg rabbi
nghi ss hirtfo rdear
li
fe."Luphi ndo !
"Is ho utwithoutev en t hinkingab outi t.
..
..Wheaw! .Thes weet
endi ngi so nt hesofai nt heprivateloung e,we'rec uddl ingandt alkingal lkindso f
shit.To daywasawes ome! .

Chapt
er26

Ikno wit'
sb eenawhiles i
ncewespokeasfri
endsandIr eal
lydon'tknowwhat
causesthedistanc
ebetweenus.S
oI'm meet
ingNjabulotodayjusttomakeupand
fixwhatevertheprob
lemi s
.Adresswoul
dbenic
eb ecaus
et odayisal
laboutc
hil
li
ng
andhav i
ngfunwi thmyb es tfr iend.Iwo nderi fhe' llstil
lb ehims elfthoug h.I'm
sureDur bani sal readyb usys inc ei t '
sal readyt hefes ti
v eseas onandt hes chools
havec losed.Ido n'tl ikeDec emb erb ecauset hat 'swher eeveryo nestartstofeelt he
needt og oo utands ot hepl ac esar eo vercrowded.
"SoNo nz wakaz it hi si swhati sg o ingt ohappen. .."-Luphi ndo .
"Anyt hi ngfo ryo umyl ov e"Is ays mi li
ngathi m.
"Youwo n'tdr inko rs mo ke"-hi m.
Ichuc kle,funnyi sn' ti t?.
"KeDec emb ermyl o veI' ms or ryt hatIhav et o"
"Pleas ej us tlistent ome"-hi m.
"Ar eyo uc ontr ollingme?"
"NoI' mno t"-hi m.
"Atl eas tg ivemear eas onfo ryo urr eques t"
"It'sb ec aus e...
. .Il o v eyo u"-hi m.
"That 'swhyI' llj us thav eafewg las sesofwi ne"
Hepul lso utas er iousfac e.
"Nonz wakaz iMakhanya-Ng co bol isten t omec ar efully,yo u'reno tt ouchingany
alc
o ho licdr inkandIwi l
lmakes ur e"-hi m.
Icrac kas ar c
as ticl aug handc ho oset oigno ret heNg c obopar t.
"Whati fIdo ?"
"Youwo n'tdar e,t rus tme"-hi m.
I'ms opuz zled.Hes ho uldatl eas tg i
v emeac luet hatmayb eNj abulocanpo i
sonthe
drinkso rs omet hi ng ...I'mdat ingaLunat i
c.
"..
.AndI' mdr iv ingyo ut owher every ou'reg oi
ng "-hi m.
Ilaug h,t hisiss er ious .
"Butwhy?"
"Bec aus eIl oveyo u"-hi m.
ShouldIb ewo rr ied?
"I'mal lr eadymydr i
v er"
Hes mi lesb riefl y.Wel eav eb utr eac hS unc oasts o onert hanIex pected.Wej ustsi
tin
thec arwai t
ingfo rNj ab ul o.It 'so verc rowdedfo rr ealher e.
"Myl o vel ookatal lt hes epeo ple,t heywi llstealyo u"-Luphi ndo .
"Don' two rryI' llhav eyo urnumb ero nmywr ist.. .Inc aseIg etlo s
t"
"Go odi dea"-hi m.Wel aug h.
"Ilo veyo u"Is ayki ss inghi sc heek. ..Ab lackc itiGo lfpar ksnex ttous .SoMuc hno is
e
thi
sc ari smaki ng ,Iputmyhando nmyfo reheadt oeas et heheadac he.Nj abul
o
walkso uto ft hec ar ...Wai tac itig o l
f?.
Hel ooksc oolasev er .
"Luphi ndos ono fab it chNg co bo !"-Nj abulo.
"Njab ul oMo therfuc kerNg wenya! "-Luphi ndo .
Whatt hehel l??! ! .Thefi stb umpt hekas iway .
"I'mher et ob or ro wyo urg i
rlfr iendman"-Nj ab ul o.
Luphi ndol eav est hec arandt heyhav eas mal lt alko utsi
de.
"Bab eyo uc anc omeo utno w"-Luphi ndo .
WhyamIs ti
llint hec ar ?,Ifeels tupi dandt hes eatb eltwaso nt oo .
IhugNj ab uloex citedl y,ho nes tlyI' mhappyt os eehi m.
"Yo ul ookfat "-Nj ab ulo .
"Fuc kyo uNg wenyas he' sthi ck"-Luphi ndo .
Weal llaug hatt hat .
"Hav eag oodt ime,Ng wenyamakes ure...And b ab yc allmewhen yo u'redo ne
was tingyo urt imewi tht hatfo olIc an' tletyo ur ideac i
tig ol
f"-Luphi ndo .
"Yo u'rej eal ousNg co bomyc ari scoo lert hanyo urs "-Nj ab ulo
.
Ic an' thel pl aug hi ngatb otht hes efo ols.
"Il oveyo u"-Luphi ndo .
"I...."
Njab ul opl aceshi shando nmymo ut ht ob lockmywo rds.He' sst i
lldump,I' mg lad.
Luphi ndor aiseso neeyeb r
o w.Ic an' ts peaks oIwi nkathi mhel aug hsanddr i
veo ff.
Beingl ovedb ymo ret hano neg uyi nyo url ifei sab lessing.Il ov eb otho fthem.
Weho ldeac ho ther shandswi thNj ab uloands tar twal ki ng.We' r
eg oi
ngt oc asi
no .
"Whathappenedt ot heGTI?"
"It'si nt heg ar ag eatho me,t heyg av emet hec itig ol
fasapuni shment ...
.Iwas
caug htwi t hNo nj ab uloi nmyb edr oom"-Nj ab ulo.
Ilaug h,ser ious ly?!
"Nj ab ulo!!"
"Ihadt o,Whathappenedi s.
.."-Nj ab ulo.
Itr ipo verandal mo stfal lb utheho ldsmeb efo reig ett ot hefl oo r
.
"Ar eyo uo key?"-hi m.
"Y..yes "Il ie.Ifeeldi z zy.
"Ar eyo udi zz yo rs o met hing ?"-hi m
No,s o met hingi swr ongher e.Whydi dn' thel aug hatt hat?,weus edt olaug hateac h
otherwhenev ert hishappened.
"I'mo keyNj ab uloIj us tneedag las so fwi ne"
Hec huc kles.
"Let 'sg os i
tdo wnatl eas t"-hi m.
Wewal ktoar est aur antands it.I'mhung r yt o o.
I'l
lj us thav ewi newi tho utLuphi ndokno wing .
"Go o d day,mynamei sMz uz uand I' l
lb eyo urwai terfo rt oday"-a t allli
g ht
skinnedg uyss ays .Hi sZul ui ssofl uenti t'sj us tthel i
g htco mpl exion.
"HiMz uzuI' dl i
ket os tar twi thag las so fwi ne"
"NoMz uzus hec an' thav ewi neb ecaus eherb o yfriendt hinkst hats he'spregnant ,we
sti
llneedt oc onfi r mb efo res hec o nt i
nuesdr i
nki ngj ustg ivehers omej uic
eyo u
under stand?,yo ut oos houldkeept hi sas ec r et,do n' ttellyo urfr iendsb ecaus es he
does n' tkno wyet ."-Nj ab ulo .
"Nic eandc lears ir"-Mz uz us aysl aug hing.
Ifr eez efo ramo ment .Didhej usts ayt hatt oas trang er?,No .
Luphi ndoi sas o no fab itc
h! ,amo therfuc ker ..
.Ic an' tco ntrolmyb reathing .
"Co kewo ul db eni c eandi two uldb emuc hb etteri fyo ug otherwat er...Ver yfas t
becaus e..
."-Nj ab ul o
Mzuz uisal r eadyg one.Iwo n' tt ellmo m ab o utt hi
s.Buti t'
sv erys trang e,howam I
goi
ngt ohi deab ab y?.NoI' m no tpr egnantLuphi ndoi sjus tc razyhepr o b
abl
y
doesn'tev enkno who wpr eg nantwo menac t.Hekno wsno t
hi ngab outpr eg
nancy
exceptfo rthes wo l
lenb ell
yandl ab ouro fco ur se.
"Nonz !!"-Nj abulo.
Isnapo uto fmyt houg htsanddr i
nkt hewat er ,i
two rksb ecaus eI' mc almno w.
"Sowhat 'supwi ththedi stanc eb et weenus ?"-Nj abulo.
I'vebeenav oidingt hisques tio nfo rawhi l
eno w.
"Ido n'tkno w"
"Itsho ulds t op,Imi ssus"-hi m.
"You'rer ight "
Si
lence.
"Whydi dyo udenyt hel o
b ola?"-Nj ab uloas kandc huckle.
"Iwas n' tready"
"You'rer eadyno w?"-hi m.
"Notr eally"
"Buthec ares ,don'tl ookanyfur t heryo urfut ur ehusbandi sLuphi ndo "-Nj abul
o.
Ismi l
e,b utI' mang ryatmyfut ur ehus b andandwo n'tt alktohi mt oday.
"What 'sg oingo nb et weenyo uandNo nj abulo ?"
"Ourr elat i
ons hipiswo rki
ng ,s he' spr eg nant "-Nj ab ulo.
"Really?, wow!That 'sg reatNj ab 'syo u'r eg oingt obeas tupidfat her"
"Ofc ours eb eingafat herwi llc hang emeNo nz "-hi m.
He'slying ,hewo n'tc hang e.Ikno w.
He'ssmi lingandeat ing ,thefo o di sawes omeandI' meat i
nglikeas treetkid.
I'ms omadatmys weetc ho co lateNg co bofo rt ell
ingNj ab ulothisandno tme.
AmIt oofat ?,o rIeatt oomuc hno w?.Iwo n' tev enas kb ecaus eI'mmad.

Chapter27
Chri
stmasev e!
.I'msotired,there'
straffi
ceverywhereandIj ustdo n'tknowwhyI
wents hoppingt o
dayo falldays.Luphindodidn'tev enhelpmewi tht heshopping
canyo ui mag i
ne?.It'
st oohothere.Mayb edri
v i
ngho mewillcoolmedo wn.We're
hosti
ngaChr is
tmaspartyher etomorrowsomomwi llbehereearl
ys oshec ancook.I
hir
ed S omeo net odecoratet hepo l
emar queewhi ch wi
llbedel i
vered tomorrow
morning.
"Luh,ifyo uneedmeI' llbehome"
"Nob abyyo ujustcameb ackyouneedt orel
axplease"-him.
"NoIdo n' twanttorel
ax "
"Ho war eyo ufeel i
ng ?"-hi m.
"Ifeelpr eg nant "
"What ??! !"-hi m
"Dro pt heac t"
"Okey"-hi m
"Sur eb yeb ye"
"I'l
ldr iveyo u"-hi m
"NoI' l
ldr i
v emys elf"
"Ilo veyo u! "-hi m.
I'mi nt hec aral readydr i
vingo ff.Imi ssNo mvel
os omuc handal lo
ft hem.
Ikno wwear en'tt hatc loseb uts he' smys is
ter.I'm dr i
vingtheX6s inc
eIg o ta
promo tion.Fr o mb eingag irl
friend t ob ei
ngab ab ymama! ,that'sifI'mr eall
y
pregnant .Ic an' tlieands ayI' ms ur et hatI'm pregnant,I' m notandIc an'tsee
anyc hang eso nmyb ody,I '
mno tr eallyg oodatthat .
Letmepl ays omemus i
cher e!.Deepho usewi l
lbefinet okeepmec ool
.
OhyesPr inc ekayb e,per fec t!.
I'mher e.Ib l
o waho oteratt heg at eandwai t.
Theyal way stakec ent ur iestoo pent hisg ateandNo nzwakaz idoesn'tknowwhy.
Theg at es lideso penfi nal l
y.Idr iveinandpar kundert hec arport.
"Nonz wakaz ib ab y!"-S imt handi lesaysr unningtome.
"Sim,Imi ss edyo u"
Wehug .
"Wo w! ,l etmet estdr ivet hisb abyher eplusIl ovet hiss o
ng"-shes aysal r
eady
rever sing .
"Bec ar eful "
Sher o l
lshereyes .
"I'mho mewheaw! ,"Is ho utfr omt hedo or.
Nomv el oappear sandwehug .
"Ig otyo us o met hingfo rChr i
stmas "
"Whati sit?"-No mv el o.
"Youwi llseei ttomo rrowo fc ourseNo mvel o"
"Ic an' twai t"-No mv elo.
Shes cr eams .
"Wher ei sLuphi ndo ?"-Mo m.
"Hellot oyo ut ooMr sMahl ab a,"
"It ho ug hti twashi m"-s hes aysr emo vingt hedoeko nherheadandas carfaro und
hers ho ulder s.Dr amaQueen! .
Isito nt hes i
ng leso fa.
"Wel lhe' sher e,o uts i
de"
Sheputt hedo ekands car fb ack.Lo rdhel pme,Ir ollmyeyes .
"I'mki ddi ngMah"
Sheg ivesmeal ook,Il aug h.
"Nonz wakaz ihi "-Dad.
"Hidad"
"Areyo uo key?"-hi m.
"YesI' mfi neandIho pet omo rrowyo u'rec oming "
"I'l
lb et her e"-hi m.
"Yeapi i!,Il ov eyo u"
Hel aug hsanddi ssapear .
"I'l
lg odi shupfo ryo u"-No mv elo.
"Somo mt omo rr owyo uwi l
lb ec ookingust hel unc h"
"Ho wmanypeo plear eyo uex pec ting ?"-Mo m.
"Yourfr i
ends ,S imthandi le'sfr iends ,No mv el
o '
s,t heNg cobofami lyand many
mo re"
"That 'sal o t,itr eallyisapar tyhey"-her .
"Wewi llb epo ppi ngc hampai gnsfo rt hewho leday"
"Notinyo urc o ndi tion"-Mo m.
"Whatc ondi tion?"
"Ishehappy?,Ial waysknewt hatt hisi swhathewant s
,t hatNg cob
oman o f
yours"-Mo m.
"Whatar eyo ut al kingab outMo m?"Ir eal lyneedt oac ther e.
Si
lenc e.
"Mo m! "
"You'r epr eg nant "-her .
Jesus!,Ipo po utmyeyes .
"Ahh. ...What ??! "
Shes mi les .Ig etupandg os traightt otheb at hroomandl ookatt hemi rror.
Howdopr egnantpeo plel oo k?,Ikno wab o utmo rningsicknes sesb utI'veneverhad
one.Ther e'snopr oo fthatI' mpr egnantb utt henIhav et oac tpr egnantright
?.
Ileav et heb at hr oom.
"Wo oh!S ist hatwasawes o me,t hat 'sno tac ari t'
saJetand. .."-Simt handil
e.
Igrabt hekeysandl eav e.
I'ms oner vous ,whati fIfai ltob eag oodmo thert othischild?.
Andt hatI' mas t udentandpr egnantatt hes amet ime.Go dmyl ifeissuc
hames s.
Iplac emyhando nmyt ummyasIdr iv
et oWes t
v i
ll
e.Ab ab y?.
"Mo mmyl ovesyo unomat terwhat "
I'mc ryi ng ,Go d.Whenl as tdi dIpr ay?,It hi nkIhav etodoi tno w.
I'mher e.Ipar kt hec arandwal ki nt ot heho use.
"You'r eb ack"-Luphi ndo .
Iundr es sandl oo katmyb o dyo nt heful lmi rrorino urbedr oo m.
Itur nar o undandl o okc ar eful ly,I' mfatt heymi ghtb eright.
"Luphi ndoamIfat ?"
"What ?,no. ..Yo u'reno tfatmyl ov e,you' reno t
"-hi m
"Mo ms awi tt o o"
"Really ?,b utho w?"-hi m.
"Thes amefuc kin'wayy oudi dNg co bo!!"
Hec omesfr omb ehi ndmeandg i
vemeahug .
"Everyt hi ngi sg o i
ngt obefi ne"-hi m.
I'mcrying.Thi scryi
ngs ho ulds t
opt o
o,I'mamo t
herno w.
"I'mtooyo ungLuh"
"Ikno wandI' mv erysorr yab outthat,i
t'sallmyfaul t
"-him.
"Meb eingamo ther?,ho wi sitdone?,I'ms oner vous"
"We'r
et o
g etherint hi
sNo nz wakazistopwo r
rying,we' rehav ingthisbabyandwhat
youhav etodono wi stost arteat i
ngt hi
s"-het akesapi ec
eo fc arrotfr
omhi splat
e
andg iveto ssi
tinmymo uth.He' ssmili
ngIs mi l
et ooandwi pet hetears,hehands
meag lasso fwat er.Ever ythingwillbeo keyo rmanag eablemayb e.Heb rushesmy
bel
lyandki ssmyfo rehead.
"Ilov
eyo ub abyandt hankyo uforthisbeautifulgift,I'mg reatful"-hi
m.
Ismil
e.

Chapter28
"Youlookb ettert hanwhatIex pected,
"
"Ohmydi d yo uj ustsayb etter?,Ifeels ofool
is
hc arr
yingano
therfo
oli
nmy
sto
mac h"-No nj abulo.
Welaug h.
"Yousho ul
dpr ays othatthefo ol
ishnessdoes
n'ts
pread"
"Ihav eto!,Nj abuloisvery.
.."-No njab
ulo.
"Whatc anIg etfo ryouladies?"-Luphindo.
"Wine!"-No njab ulo.webothlaug h.
"Yo uj ustg av emymanahear tat t ac kNo nj ab 's"
"Theb ab ydr i
nksmi lkr i
ght ?"-Nj ab ul o
.
"Yo u'r er ightt heyhav et odr i
nkmi lk"-Luphi ndo .
"Not hankyo u,j uic ewi llbefi ne"-No njab ul o.
Luphi ndos ear c hesi nt hec oo l
erb oxfo rt hej uice.
"Imi ss edyo u"-Nj ab ul o.
"Imi ss edyo ut oo"-me.
Theyal llaug hatme.Why?
Oh!,no wIg eti tNj ab ul owast al kingt oNo nj ab uloandno tme.Il aug ht oo .
"Do n' two r ryb ab eI' mher eAndIl ov eyo u"-Luphi ndo .
Peo plear eal readyl eav ing .Itwasfun,Idi dn' tkno wmo sto fthePeo plet hatwer e
hereb utweal lhads omuc hfun.
Snakho 'sfr iendsar epar t
yani mal sfo rr eal .Theyl eftv er year l
yb ecaus et heyhav e
tog ot oapar tys omewher eel seandt heyt oo ktheal coho lher e.andt heywer e
alreadydr unk.do n' tt heyunder standt hati t
' sJesus'sb ir
thday?.
Mo mi so nat ab l
ewi thherfr iends ,s hec o okedandt hefo o dwaso uto ft hisworld.
Luphi ndopl ac eshi sheado nmi neandhi sar mi sar oundmys ho ulder .Ver ywar m
butIneedt og ot ot heho uset og ets o mes nac ksfo rmeandNo nj ab ul
o.They' re
cuddl i
ngwi thNj ab ulo.
"No nz wakaz ic omeher e"-Go g
o ,that 'smyMo mmy' sMo m.
Iwal kt ot hel oung eands itwher es hes aysImus tsi
t.
"Hi"-Is ayi ni siZul uasIg ets eat ed.Ther ear eelder lywo menher e,j ustthem.
MamThandii sher et ooandg rannyandt her es toft hewo menIdo n' tkno w.
"Ihear dt hatyo u'repr egnant "-Go g o
"Yes "
"Cal lL uphi ndo "-Gr anny.
Iwo nderwhatdot heywant .Iwal ko utandfi ndhi mneart hepo o l
,ex ac tl
ywher eI
lefthi m.
"Bab y,Gr annywant st ohav eawo rdwi thus "
"Pleas eex cusemeg uys "-hes ayst oNj ab ul oandNo nj abulo.Hedr inksb eerno w?.
"Whatdot heywant ?"-hi m
Iho ldhi shandandwewal ko n.
"I'mj ustc luel essasyo uar e"
Whenwer eac ht hel o ung eIs itnex tt og ogoandhes it snex ttoGr anny.Noi twasn't
planned.
"Do yo ug uysunder stand t hatt her e'sa s oulyo u'reb ringing t o ear thver y
soon?"-Gr anny .
Ino d.
"Yes "-Luphi ndo .
"Asfr o mno wt hefi ght ss ho ul
ds to p,yo u' reab o uttor aiseab abyt og ether,yo uhav e
tost andb yeac ho therno wt hatyo u' reatt hispo i
ntofyo url i
ves."Go g o.
Thisi ss erio us.
"No nz wakaz iIr aisedyo uv erywel lMnt anamiyo ukno wb etter"-Go goag ain.
Luphi ndoi slo okingdo wnathi shands .
"I'ms or ry"-hi m.
"Nos o nwhat 'sdo nei sdo ne,yo uneedt omakes ureyo udo n' tdot hes amemi stake
agai n"-Go go.
"Luphi ndo ,taker espo ns ibilit
y.Do n'tl eav eherl i
keyo udi d"-Gr anny.
"Luphi ndol i
sten t oNo nz wakaz i,No nz wakaz il ist
en t oLuphi ndo .Takedes cisi
ons
toget her ,t alkab outt hing s,doev eryt hingt ogether,Doyo uguyskno who wb eauti
ful
youl o okt o gether ?,wel lt heb eaut ys ho uldn'tb eoutsideb uti ts houldb ei nsidet oo
,
loveeac ho t
herl ikenev erb efo re,s tand b yeac ho t
her ,b eho nes tt hat '
so ne
impo r tantt hingo ft her el at i
ons hipho nes ty"-Mam' Thandi .
Ir aisemyeyest ol ookatL uphi ndohe' ss tar i
ngatme.
"Lear nt ohumb leyo urselfi fyo u'r ewr o ngapo logi
se"-Mam' Thandic ontinues .
"Ifo nl yi twast hateas y"-me.
"Yesweal lkno wi t'sno teas yand i twi llnev erb e,t het hingi sLo v ec onquers
all
"-Gr anny.
"Luphi ndoNo nz wakaz ii saper fec two manfo ryo u,s helovesyo uwho lehear t
edly
and yo ut o oNo nz wakaz iLuphi ndol ovesyo u and yo u'veac cept ed eac ho t
hers
differ enc es"-Go go.
Howdo ess hekno wt hat ?.
"Yo u'r er ig htg og o,i nfac tyo u' real lr i
g ht,no bodyi sper fec tand weal lmake
mist akesats omepo intsi no url i
v es"-Luphi ndo .
"Butt henwes houl dl ear nfr omt ho semi stakesr i
ght?"-me.
"The t hingi ss omet imesIt hink I 'm do i
ngt he rightt hingb utyo us ee itas
wro ng "-Luphi ndo
"Sitdo wnandt alkt oher "-t heukno wnwo mans ays.
"Thatmi g htb reakherhear t"-Luphi ndo .
Hedo es n'twantt os eemes ad,do eshe?
"Ikno wyo ulov eeac ho thers omuc h..."-Go go.
She' sr ight ,i fitwas n'tfo rl ovewewo ul d'veb ro keupag esag o
.
"Ikno wt hi schildhasal readyg o tthemo stimpo rtantt hingwhi chisl oveb utitalso
hast og et ..."
"Il ov et hemwi thal lthatIhav eb utIhav eapr obl
em"-Luphi ndo .
Ir aisemyeyest ol ookathi m.
"Whati si t?"-me.
Sil
enc e.Al leyesar eo nhi m.
"Luphi ndo !"-thisunkno wnwo mans ho uts.
"Shedo esn' twantmet odot her ig htt hing "-Luphi ndo .
Sil
enc e.
"No nz wakaz i
...
"-Mam' Thandi .
"Luphi ndowhat 'st hat ?"-me.
"Iwantt opayLo b ola,doUmemb eso,Umb ondoandmar ryyo ut raditio
nal ly,Iwant
ourc hildt ob eb or ni ntomar ri
ag e"-Luphi ndo .
"YesLuphi ndoyo u'rer ig ht "-Go g o.
"I'mno tr eadyandIdo n' tmi ndt heb ab yc anus eyo urs urname"-me.
"We' r eal lZul uher e,web eli
evei nanc estorst oo.Andweal lkno wt hatt heb aby
shoul
db eb ornint omar r
iag ethatiswhato urc ult
ures ays"-Granny.
Theunkno wnwo menno dato nce.
"That'st r
ue"-Mam' Thandi .
"She'sno tr eadyi tcanwai tpregnancymeansno thi
ng "-Go go.
"Ido esn'tmat terwhethers he'sreadyorno t"-Gr anny.
Sil
ence
"Okeys ot hisisho wi tis?,yo uc al
led meher esoyo uc oul
ds ho wmeyo u'reon
Luphindo 'ss i
dehuh?.l is
tenher eIloveLuphi ndowi t
hal lmyfuc keduppi eceofshit
heartandi fhel ovesmeeno ughhewi l
lwai tfo rme!"Ij ustcan'thelpit.Thes
eo l
d
woment hinkt heyc antellmewhatt odo.Bl oodyho rmo nes.Hellno!.AndLuphindo..
.
Mypho nev ibrates.It'
sanS MSfr omNonjab ulo.
'Wedi dn'twantt odi s
turbyo ulovesowej us tleft,weho pet oseeyo uso
on'itreads.
Ifo r
g otab o utthem alreadyandI' mt i
red.I' lljustg oho met o
day,Ineeds ome
ti
meawayfr omLuphi ndo.

Chapt er29
I'ms ot ir
edno wMo ms ho ulds tops endingmet odot hes hoppingherb ecauseI'm
reall
yno tafan.Ir i
dei nt hec araft erunpac kingt het rol
ley.No ,Ifo r
g otthe
pregnanc yt est.Ir unb ac kt oc licksandg rabo ne.Iho peI'llbehappyaft erdo ing
thet est.Ido n' tkno wwhatIr eallywant .Tob epr egnanto rno t
.Idr iveho me.
Pinetowni sn'tmyt ypeo fpl ac e,Ido n'tkno wwhy .
"Wher ehav eyo ub een?"-No mv elo.
"Pinec rests hoppi ngc ent erwhy ?"
Shesmi les.
"CanIb orrowyo urc ar ?,mi nei so uto ffuel "-Her .
No,mymanb o
ug htmet hisc ar .Itwo uldb eb etterifitwasMag ci
no .
Nomv eloismys isterr ight?,Ihandt hekeyst oher .
"Thankyo us is,you' ret heb est !"-s hej umpski ssingmyc heek.
Inafewmi nut esI' llbeal onei nt hisho use.Mo m andDadwentt oJo '
burgfo rLord
knowswhatb uti thass omet hingt odowi t hLuphi ndot akingsomeo fhisemployeesto
havefunandt heyhav et oc ho oseo neper so
nt oac companyt hem.I' msurehe' l
l
takemewheni t'shi stur nb ecaus ei fhedo esn'tI '
llmur derhim.

Nomvelohasleft.S
igh.Itakethetes
tandg otothebat
hro
om.Ipr
ayb
efo
redo
ingi
t.
I'mwaitingnow.Mypho nevi
bratesi
t'sLuphindo.
"Babe?"
"I'monmywayt ofetchyourightnow"-Luphindo.
"I'mno thome"
"Areyo us ure?"-hi m.
"Yep"
Hehangup.
Hemus ts topwhathe' sdo i
ng ,Ineeds omes paceawayfr omhi m.
"..
.ButImi ssyo u"-ames sag er eadsfr o mhim.
Ichec kt her es ul ts,it'sneg at i
ve.
Reli
ef.Ineedt oc onfi r
mb yg oingt oaDo ct
orno w.
Ical lLuphi ndo .
"Bab y?"
"Comefet chmeI' mho me"
"Butyo us aid... "-Luphi ndo .
"Ij us tar rived,i t '
sur gentj ustc omeweneedt og ot othehospi
tal"
"What 'swr ongb ab y?"-Luphi ndo .
"Justc ome"Is ayandhangup.
Whydi dIs oundl ikeI' mi nahur ry?,it'shappeningfo rrealnow.
Heho ots,Ig rabmyhandb agandl eav e.
"Drivet oeNt ab eniho spital"
"What 'sg oingo n?,i sther eb lo
o do rpai n"-him.
Ifo rg otheus edt ob eapar amedi c.
"Andwhathappenedt oyo urhai rbab e?"-himag ai n.
It'
smes syandCanhes topt alkingno w?.
"Bab yar eyo umadatme?"-hi m.
Ofc our se.Ino d.
"Why?,whatdi dido ?"-hi m.
Ig i
vehi mas tupi dl ook.
"OkeyI' ms orr yt hen"-hi m.
"Arg h! ,Luphi ndoj ustdr ive."
Sil
enc e.
"Whyar eweg o ingt ot heho s pit
alag ain?"-him.
What 'swr ongwi t ht hisman?,I' mi nnomo odtotal k.
"I'mg ivingb ir th. "
Sil
enc e.Hel o okswo rried.
We'reher e.Ther e'squeuet o dayandIdi dn'tbookanappo i
ntment.Butnopro
blem,
there' sj us tt hr eewo menb efo remes oIc anwai t.Luphindoi ss
tandingver
yfar
fromme.Imi sshi mno w.
Wheaw.Is ighasmynamei sc alled.
Luphi ndofo l
lo wsme.It ellDrKhumal owhat 'shappenedands hetest'
sme.
"Minei spo s
itiv e,t ho seonesar eno treli
ab l
eMissMakhanya"
Theb ab yiss tillv er ysmal lfo rsur e.I'mhappyno w,I' v
eal r
eadyac c
eptedmygift.
I'm8weeksfars oi twi l
lsho wv er ysoon.
"What 'swr ongwi thyo u?"-Luphi ndo .
"Nothi ng "
"Yourho rmo nesar e....
"-hi m.
Ig l
anc eathi m.Wel aug h.
"Whatwer eyo ug oingt os ay ?"
"Isther eanyt hingyo uneedatt hemal l?"-hi m.
"No"
"Okeyb utl et'sg o."-hi m.
Heg rab smyar mandwewal kinside.
Checker s ?.Ij us tknewhe' sher efo rhiswhi s
key .
He'sho ldi ngmywai s
taswewal k.
"Imi ssedyo us omuc h,b utLuv uyodo esn' twantmeher eIsee"-him.
"Luvuyo ?"I' ml o st.
"Yes,hi snamewi llbeLuv uyo "-Luphi ndo .
He'sb rus hingmyt ummy.
"Daddyl o vesyo us omuc hb ab yev ent ho ug hyo uhat eme"-Luphi ndo.
Ismi leando ureyesl ock.
"It'
sag irlNg c obo "
"Mo mmyi sj eal ouss o nb utdo n'two rryab outhers hewi l
lbefi neokey ?"
Hepul lso uts omec hoco lat efr omt hepl as ti
cb agandhandi tt ome.
"..
.Her e'syo urc ho colat es o n,s ee?Il o veyo ufo rr eal"-Luphi ndo.
Cant hes o nr eal lyhearhi sfat her?,Ido ub t
.
"Thankyo uDaddy"Is aypeel i
ngt hec ho c ol
ate.It 'snice.
He'sdr iv ingt ohi sho useno w.
"Bab y?"
"Mhh?"-hi m.
"Doyo uwantc ho colate?"
"No,why?"-hi m
Iscream.I' mhav ingt hisc ho c
o l
ateal one.
Heloo ksatme.
"Whydi dyo uas kmei fyo us ti
llwantt hec hocolate?"-Luphi ndo .
"Becaus eIs tilllov eyo umo r ethant hischo colateher eandyo ucomefi rs
t"
Hes mi l
es .
Wereho me.Io pent hedo orandLea. ..
Heg rab smyar mandweki s spas si
o natelly.Hi slipss endmet oheaven.
He'sho ldi ngmev eryc ar efully.It akehi shand and pl ac eito n myb el
ly.We
conti
nueki ssing .Hewant st os ays omet hi ngb utIpul lhimt omyl ipsandkisshim
again.
HeS l
ideshi shandundermydr ess..
..
Befor eIkno wi tI' mo nt o po fhi mo nthedr i
verss eatmur mur inghisname.
We'redo neandIc an' tb el ievewhatwej ustdi dher einthec ar.
"Iwasl yi nghedo esn'that eme"-Luphi ndo .
Ilaug h.
Hepl ant sawetki ssonmyfo rehead.
"Thankyo u,yo u' reg ood"-Luphi ndo .
Ohyes !,I' mg o od.
"Wes tillneedt og oins idet heho useyo ukno wright ?"-me.
"Nolet 'ss tayher e"-hi m.
"Iwantpi zz a"-me.
"Butyo usaidyo udo ntneedanyt hingatt hemal l
"-Luphi
ndo.
"Ikno w,amIg o i
ngt og ett hepi zzaorno t ?"
"I'ddoanyt hingfo rmyb abymama"-Luphi ndo.
Ipunc hhi sar m.
"Ouc h!,pleas ec allmeanamb ulance"-him.
Ilaug handl eav ethec ar .Hedr iv
eso ut.
Iwal kins i
det heho use,it'sspo tl
essclean.
hisshirtsar ei ronedandt here'scookedfo odint hefri
dge.I'
msopr
oudo
fhi
m.
Letmes tartc ookings upper .
Hewal ksi n.Ther e'sab oxo fpizzao nhi shandandapl asti
cbag.
"You' r
eb ac k"
"Yesher eisyo urpi z z
a,ib oughts omec hickent oo
"-him.
"Nob ab ysupperi sal mo str eady"
"Wo w!And. .."-hi m
"Thedo ctors aidyo u're8weeksfarr ight?"-hi m.
Ino d.
"1,2,3,4,5,6,7...Itwo n'tb eeas y"-him.
Ir ol
lmyeyes .

Chapter30
Somel unc hwi thb aeandNj ab uloto daywo uldb enic e.
Ijustc ameb ac kfr omc ampusear lyandI' mdr i
vingho meno w.
Itakemypho neandc al lhim.Itr ing sher eint hec arnex ttot hegear.Heforgo
tit.
Itmus tb eb ecaus ehedec idedi nthemo rningt hatIs houl
dus et heBMW.Ic hec
khis
phoneandt her ear e5mi ssedc al l
sfr omLi ndi.Whot hehellisthat?.
I'mab outt ofi ndo utandI' ms ureheneedshi spho ne.
Ipar kt hec ari nt hestaff' spar kingandwal kin.I t'swritt
en' Fuzeco-operat
ions'
ingrey.
"HiMa' amho wc anIhel pyo u?"-t her ecept io
nist.
"Whot hehel lar eyout oas kmet hat ?"Is aypr ess
ingt hel
iftb utto
n.
I'ms opr egnantandi t'
sho ther e,
Hes houldi ns tallsomeai r-c ondi t
io ninersi nt helift s.
Isther eevens o
methingli
ke
that?.
I'mher et her e'sjusttooMuc hmo vement .
"Nonz wakaz iyo u'reher e"-Dad.
Ismile
"YesI' ml ookingfo rLuphi ndo "
"Ohandmyg rands oniss og rown"-Dad.
"Wheaw! ,andheav ytoo .Wher eishi soffic e?"
"Thatdo or"-hes ayspo intingawo odendo ubl
edo oratt heendo fthepass
age.
"Thankyo u"Is aywal kingt othedo o r.
Ipus hitandt heai rcondi tioner ,jus twhatIneeded.
"Luphi ndowhoi sLi ndi ?"
No !!,myeyesar el ying !.
Hepus hesherawayb uts hepul l
shi mc lo s
erandki sshim.
Ic huc kle.That 'st hefat hero fmyb ab y,myo neando nlyman.ThemanI' v
ebeen
loyalt os i
nc edayo ne,t hemanIt rus tedwi thallt hatIhav e,themanwhopr omis
ed
no tt ohur tme.
"Li ndi wes t
o pi t!"-Luphi ndo .
"...Bab yIc anex pl aint hi s...
"-Luphi ndo .
Br eat heNo nz wakaz i
!...
"Himynamei sLindi weMab as o"-s heg ivesmeherhandfo rahands hake.
Iwo n'ts haket hishand.Ic ans mel lhers tinkingat ti
tudefr omher e.
She' st hickandyel lowi nc ompl ex i
o n,s ho rtert hanLuv uyo'sfat her .
"No nz wakaz iit '
sno twhatyo ut hink"-Luphi ndo .
Canyo ui mag inet hepai nI' mg oingt hr oug hr i
ghtno w?,t het r
aumaIhav eafter
findi ngo utt hatt hefat hero fmyb ab yi sc heat i
ngo nme.
Andwhyi shel yingt ome?,t her ear el ips tickstainso nhi snec kandl ips .Ineedair.
Hist iei so nt het ab le,t hes hirti sunb ut t oned.Theb eltiso nt hefl oo r
.
Whyt hehel ldi dIt rustt hi sman?.
"Letmeno tdi stur byo uj ustg ivememyc arkeys "
"I' ms orryb ab e"-hes ayshandi ngmet hekeys .
Iwal ko ut ,I' mv er ydi sappo int edi nhi m.
I'm5mo nt hspr eg nantwi thhi sc hildb utt hisiswhatIg et ?,nog uys...Imean,what
didIdot odes er vet his ?Hav en' tIb eenl o yaltot hismanfo rthewho leyear ?.
I'mang r yatmys el fb ec aus eI' mc r yingr i
g htno w.Ihar shlywi pet het earsandpul l
myhai r.I' mmadandIwantt omur dert hatb it
c h.
"No nz wakaz i!!"-Luphi ndos ho ut sr unni ngt ot he c arhe b etterno tcome her e
bec aus eIs wearI' llmur derhi m.Ir ev er seanddr iveo ff.
Whyi shec heat i
ng ?,c an' thes peakt ome?.
Ifi ndmys elfdr ivingt oKwa-dab eka.
Gr annyo penst heg at efo rmeandIdr ivei n.I'mc ryingv er yhar dno w.
"No nz wakaz iwhat 'swr ong ?"-her .
"...Thi si sno tg oo di nyo urc ondi tion"-her .
Ic an' tev ens peak.
Wewal kt ot hel oung eandfi ndS waphi wes it
tingt herepl ayi ngwi thherdo l
l.
Sheb ring smeag las sofwat er.
Idr i
nki t.Myeyesar es or e.I' mc al mno w.
"Hei sc heat ingg ranny. .."
"What ?!,Luphi ndo ..
.I' ms orr yab o utt hatmyl ove.I' mv erys orry"-Gr anny.
Soi st hatal ls he' sg oingt os ay?,s het hinksIc ameher et opl ayg ames .
"Thanksb utIhav et og ono w"is ayar eadys tandi ngup.
Comi ngher ewas n'tag oodi deaaft eral l
.
"Yo uc an' tl eav ewhenyo u' rel i
ket hatNo nz ..
"-her .
"NoGr annyI' l
lb efi ne"
Ir ev er s
eanddr iveo ff.Letmeg ot ot hepet r ols tation,iwi llneedpet r
o ltob urn
thi
sb itch.Wo uldt hes et ear ss to patl eas t?.
I'l
lmur derLuphi ndowi thb otht hes ehandso fmi ne.Andb ur nhi mt oo .
"CanIhav e10l itreso fpet r olinac o nt ainer ?"
Thisg uyt el lsmes omet hingab outt hec o nt ainerb utt henhefi ndsi tev ent uallyand
putpet roli ns i
de.Ipayandg ivehi mhi st ip.
I'lldowhat everi tt akest oki llLuphi ndor ig
htno w,ic an' tb epl ayedl iket hat .
He'ss i
t t
ingo nt hedr i
v ewaywhenidr ivei nhes tandsup.
Ipr es st heac celerat o rev enhar der .Hemanag est or unear l
y.
Ipar khi sfuc kin'c arandwal kt ohi sfuc kin'ho us eandg os traightt ot henur sery.I
pac kmyb ab y'sc lotheso nt heb ag ."No nz wakaz ii'mv erys or
r y,Il oveyo u.Ido n't
wantt olo seyo u"-hi m.
"Okeyno wg eto uto fmyway"
"Bab y,Il ov eyo u,pl eas eMamakhe"-Luphi ndo .
He'ss tar tingi tr ight ?.
"Bab y..."-hi m.
"Do n' tyo udar et o uc hmeNg cob o,yo ub lo odyc heat er !!,bus tard. "
"ButNo nz wa. ..
"-hi m.
"Fuc ko ff,i t'so ver! !"
Hel o okss ho ckedb ywhatI 'vej usts ai d.Imeani t.
Iwal kawayhepul lsmyar m.Is laphi ms ohar d.
"Is ai dl eav emeal o ne,do n' tyo udar et ouc hmeag ain,mnx !Bl oodys hit "
"I'ms orry,pl eas edo n' tleav eme"
Iwal ko utandt hro wt hec lothesi nt heb oot .
Whyi shefo l
lowingme?,hemus tfo llowLi ndiweMab as ono tNo nzwakaz iMakhanya
thefatpr eg nantc hickwhi c hi sno tsex yandyel low.
Irev er set hec arandwheni t '
sfareno ug hIwal ko utandt akemypet ro l.
"Mamakhepl eas edo n'thur to urb ab y"-Luphi ndo .
"Her eweneedt og ett hisdo ne,t aket hi spet rolandpl acei tt her enex ttot he
hous e"
Hedo es.S tupi d,i sn' the?.
"Okeys oyo ur eg onnas tandt her eandb es ti
ll,do n' tloo katme"
Het ur nsar o undwi thhi shandsi nhi spo cket s.Het hi nksi 'm her et oj o ke?,wel li'm
notj okingandt hi sisni ceb ec aus ehe' spar ti
c i
pat i
ng .Ipo urt hepet rolo nt hesmal l
bucketandpo uri tt ohi m,he' swetno w.It hi nkIhav eeno ug hpet rolt ob urnt his
hous et o o.Ipo uri tar oundt heho us et oo.
"No nz wakaz ipl eas edo n'tdot his ,pl eas emyl ov e"-hi m.
Wowhe' ss tillt alkingt ome.Iwal kawayands tandasfarasIc an.It hrowt he
li
ght erwheni 'm fareno ug h.Ir ushb ac kt ot hec arandc loset heg atewhenidr iv
e
out.
"Bab y,wedo n' tneedhi mo key?,ev er ythi ngi sg onnab efi nemyl ov
e"is ayb r
ushing
myb el l
y.
Bei ngas i
ng l
eMo therwo n'tb eab adt hing .No !
,ido n' twanthi mt odi e...Ir eall
y
don' t.Ij us twanthi mt os uffer .I' m amur der erno w?,i '
ms ur ehe' sal readyas hes
wherev
erheis
.MyLuphindo,Godwhatdi
dIdo?.Iki
ll
edhim,idid.
He'samant houg
hhe'lljustmakeaplanandunderst
andt hatIwasang
ry,we
needhim.MeandLuvuyo.

Chapter31
Beingmet hesedaysi sn'
tawal kint hepar k.Myb abydaddyi sdead,I'mj us
t
waiti
ngforthepo l
iceknockhereanyti
me.I'm5, monthspreg
nantandhav emyo wn
needsasapr egnantwo man.Theweatherissuperhotthes
edays .PlusI'
ms t
udying
Ihav epeoplej udgingmet hewho l
ec ampusand c al
li
ngmymanaBl ess
er .My
parentsdon'
tev enknowwhatIdi d.Mylifei
sac omplet
emes s,i
tssoupsi
dedo wn.
I'l
lj ustlets hithappen,iwass t
upideno ug htoc hooseLuphindoo fallmeni nthe
world...
Mypho ne..
"Bigs i
ster?"
"Hi,pleas ec o meho mei t'sur gent"-her .
"No"
"Si
s'i t
'sv eryi mpo rtantyo uhav et obeher e"-her.
"I'mr eal l
yno tc omingt hereunt i
lyout el
lmewhat 'sgoingon"isayandhangup.
Ido n'twannag etmyhear tb r
o kenanymo re.Iwo n'tdriv
eanywher e,I'mwai t
ingto
bear restedanyt imes oi tsho uldno tlooklikeI'mr unningaway.
I'mc rav i
ngfo rpeanut swi thr aisi
ns.Iwantt ogiveb i
rthtothisbabyno w.Iwantt o
holdhi m,Ands eehimg r owningup.i 'ms owo rr
iedt hathemi ghtbeanal bi
noandal l
theo therdi s ordersl il
edo wns yndr omeo rsi
cklec el
lanemi a.Youwi l
lj ustnever
know.Buti 'lllovehi mev ens o.Yes ,it
'sab oy.
Mypho neag ain.
"What ?"
"Nonz wakaz i,co meho meno w"-Mo m.
"ButMo m,hes tartedi t"
"Whos t
ar tedwhat ?"-Mo m.
"OkeyI' llcome"
SoMo mkno wsab outt hisal r
eady?.
Itaket hekeysandl eav e.Thec arsares afe.TheMaz dai shereandt her enaul
tis
atho me.I' m us ingt heX6.Theo nlythingt hatisn'tsafeisLuphindoandhi shouse
ofco urse.

Hereweg oag ai nihav etowai tt woho ursforthegatetoopen,asiftheydon'tknow

i
'llbeher e.I' llwait ,I'ml osi
ngmyt emperb i
tbybit
.
Idr i
v einwhent heg ateo pens .
"Herec omesmypr eg nantb aby,yo u'resobig.
"-Mom.
Really?,ImeanI' mpr egnants hec an'texpectmetobesli
m.
"Mo m"
"Youai n' tsmi li
ngt o day"-Mo m.
"Yesi '
mno t,Whydo n'tyo uwantmet oparkmyc arinthecarportto
day?"
"Comet hiswayweneedt ot alk"-her .
She'ssounfai r,ther ear etwome' sandt hes l
opei
ssteep.
"Wher ei sNg cob o?"-Mo m.
"He's...Hei s.
.."
"Surpr i
se! !"-t heys hout.
Somuc hno ise,t heyj ustsavedmyl ife.
Ilaug hs ohar dwi tht earsdr opping .
"See,It o ldy oui twasab adidea"-S i
mt handil
e.
Noitwasno t,it'sac tuallyg r
eatt okno wthattherearepeoplewhos t
il
lcareabout
me.
"Howdi dyo umanag et odoal lthis?"
"Wo ul dyo upl eases to pt hats hitands ito nt heb igc hairal ready"-No nj ab ulo.
Ther e'sl aug hter.S he' sdo i
ngherj ob ,s he'ss opas sionat eab outt hist hing.It '
s
pho to g raphy.S heev ens tudi edt hec our seinDur banUni ver s
ityo fTec hno l
o gysoyo u
cani mag ine.Thi swo mani ss trongac tual l
yb ec auses he's6Mo nthspr eg nantb utstill
manag et okneeldo wnt ot akeapi ctur e.Ido n'tdomuc ho ft hatl at ely.
"S nakho !"
"Heypr eg gy"-her .
She' swi thherfr iendsfr omc ampus .Fo rfr eefo o
do fc our se,they' real lab outt he
hus tle.
Thet ab l
esar edec or ated.Ther e' sac ake,i t '
sb lueandwr it
ten'b abyS qal o'ont he
top,whati si t?,Il o okc ar efully.No wt hisiss weeti t'sas t omac hwi thafo oto nt he
sides ho wingaki ck.Pl usIdo n'ts leepatni ghtwhenheki cksme,hepl ayskar ate.
Theymakemes i
to nt heb i
gc hai ri nt hemi ddl e.Andt heymanag edt og etBuhl e
andNt andot oothey' rewi thZamas he' salsoo urhi ghs cho olfr i
end.Imi ssusal ot
.
No mv eloi stheMCandmo mi sg oneno w.Butwhy ?.
Thewho lec ar porti sful lo fpeo ples omeIkno w,mo stoft hem ac t uallyands omeI
do n' t.Gues swhat ?,t hey' redr inki ngwi newhi leI' m pr eg nant .I' ms og onnaki ll
them.
"Okeys owewi llpl ays o mefewg ames ,s omewi llmakeyo ual i
ttleb itunc omfo r
tab l
e
butwedo n'tr eallyc ar e"-No mv el o.
Theyl aug h.
Thi sisfun.
"Weg o nnas tar twi thag amec alledt aki ngc areo fS qalo"-No mv elo.
Sqal ob yt hewayi st henameg ivent ot heb ab yb ymyMo m.Is ti
llneedt odec ideo n
whi chnameswi llb ei nt hec ert ificatet houg h.Ther easo nwhys hec ho s
eS qalois
bec aus ei t'st hefi rstt imewe' r ehav i
nga b oyi no urfami l
yand i t'sherfi rst
grandc hild.
"Yo uhav et odot hisNo nz wakaz i"-No mv elo
.Wher edi ds heg etar ealb ab y?.Thes e
ladi esher e! .It'sev enc rying .
"We' reo nl yg i
ving yo u 3 mi nut es t oc alm t he b ab y do wn and make her
sleep"-S nakho .
It aket heb aby.Hus h,hus h.Imakehers uckhermi lk.It'swo rking .
"Butg uyswher edi dyo ug ett hisb ab y?"
"Wes to l
ei t"-Buhl e.
"What ?"
"S he' ski ddi ngi t'
smi ne"-Nt ando .
"It 'sc ut e"
Ho wam ig onnac hang et henappywhent heb ab yi salr eadys leepi ng ?.S hej ust
po oped.
"Noi t'sfi newewi llfo rgiveyo u"-No mv elo.
"Okeys oyo uwo nt woc hal leng esandl o sto ne"-S imt handi le.
"Whatdi dil oose?"
"Yo udi dn' twar mt hemi lkfi rst"-her .
Ohyes ,pr ob ablyb ec aus et heys ho uld'vewar medi tt hems elves .
Theg amesar en' tsto pingno w.Theykeepc omi ngandI' mhung rynow.
Final lyher ec o mesMo mfr omt heho usewi thpl atesful lo ffood.Myhear tj umps .
Nonj ab ul o!,shameifeelfo rher .Thefo olisag i
rlb yt hewayandi t'
sb i
g gerthati t
sho uldb e.Herfeet sar es wollenands he' sver yfat .Imno tgonnament io
nt hewei r
d
foo ds heeat s.
"Thefo o disni c ebuti two ul
d' veb eenmuc hb etterifi twass omepolo
nyandj am"-
Nonj ab ul o.
Ino d.
"Yo u'r er ig
ht "
Whats ho ul
dIs ay?.
------------
It aket heg i
ftb agsandr unt ot heho use.S igh.
Ifl usht het oilet.Pr eg nanc ys ucksyo uc anfi ndyo ur selfpeei ngonyourself.
Ther e'sakno cko nt hedo or.S hit
! .Iwal kslowlyt othedo or,I'
ms urei
t'sthepo l
ice.
Iunl ocki tando pen.
Wai t...he' sal i
v e!.
Iputmyhando nmyc hest,I' ms os hocked.
He' sshi rtisno tironed,not ie,hi seyesar er ed.He' sho ldingab unchofr edr oseson
hishandandag i
ftb ag .
"Lu. ..
phi .
.ndo ,Imeans trang er"
"No nz wakaz iImanag edt oesc apet hefi r
e"-hi m.
"Ikno w,"
"Ar eyo ufi ne?"-Hi m.
"No "
He' slo stwei ght ,I'mhear tbro kenandmi sshi ms omuc h.
"Ikno w,I' ms o rry"-hi m.
"Ido n' twantt oheari tNg co bo,anywayt omo rrowI' mg oi
ngt othedoctoryo uc an
comei fyo ulike"
"I'lldefi nitelyb et her e"-hi m.
"Okeyb yeb ye"
"Thes efl ower sar eyo urs,ther e'ss omefo odt o ohere"-hi m.
"Not hankyo uI' mfi ne"Is ayc l
os ingthedo or .
Is li
deal lthewaydo wnt illimo nmyb utt.Ic anhearhi mb reatheontheo t hersi
de.
Imi sshi ms omuc h,andIwantt hatfo o db utnoIc an't.
Chapt er32
Thes uni so uts oI'lljustweart hi
smar o
o ndress
.Myb abyisgr
ownandI' m happy
buttheki ckshur ts ometi
mes .Ido n'thav eappeti
tesoIj us
twon'teat.Ig r
abthe
keysandl eav e.Myappo i
ntmentwi thmyg yneisat11:00.
"Hi,yo ulookb eaut i
ful"-Luphindo
"Itho ughtwe' llmeetatc i
ty"
"No,I' l
ldr ive"-hi m.
Ichuc kle.
"NoI' mfi neI' lldrivemyself."
"Okeyt henI' l
lus et heMaz da"-Luphi ndo.
"Noyo u'llusepub l
ictransport"
Isaywal kingpas thimt ot hecarands tarti
t.Hej usts
tandstherelo
o ki
ngatme
drivi
ngo ut.

Ipar kandl eav ethec ar.Cityho s

pitalag ai
n,Iwai tontheseat
s.
"MissNonz wa-"-TheGyne.
I'mal r
eadyup.Luphi ndoent erther oomjustafterme.
Ididn'tex pecthi matt histimet houg h.Hesit
so nthechair
.
Helookss odr ained.Il i
eo nmyb ack.
"Ngcobo,Ihav en'tseenyo ui nawhi le"-MrMl ambo.
"Yes,I'mno tdo i
ngwel lthesedays "-Luphindo .
"Unfo r
tunat elyI'm ag yne,b utifi t'
sab o
utwo menwec anfixithey"-MrMl
amb
o
sayslaughing.
Luphindodo es n'tlaughhej uststaresatmei nstead.
"Hell
ob igboy,daddyi sher e"-Luphi ndo.
Ilookatt hes creent oo,I'ms mili
ng.
"Ishefi ne?"
"Yeshe'so key"-Do ctor.
Ir ai s
emyeyest ol o okatLuphi ndo .He' sc ryi ng .Il ookawayqui ckly.Ihat es eeing
himl i
ket hat .
"What 'supwi thb igheadst hes edays ?,i sthatanewt rend?"
MrMl amb olaug hs .
"It hinks o"-hi m.
I'ms ti
llsmi li
ng .Andwhyi sthi smanc ryi ng ?.
"Pleas epr i
ntt ho s epi ctur esfo rme.I' llloo kathi mev erydayands ho wthemt ohi m
whenhe' so l
d"
"Nopr ob l
em"-MrMl amb o
"It'sfi neyo uc ans witc hi to ffno w"
Hedo esandpr intt hepi ct ures .
"That '
sj us tal lt heb ab yi sheal thy ,yo uhav et os tops tressingandmai ntai nyo ur
diet,Ng c obomakes ur es hedo es n'tg ets tres sedo key ?"-MrMl ambo.
Heno ds .
"I'ms orryfo rc r yingIc oul dn' thel pt hinki ngo ffal lthepai nyo ujus twentt hrough,
I'ms orryNo nz wakaz iandI' mr eallywi ll
ingt omaket hi
ng sr ig
htb et weenus ,Il ove
youandVuyo .Pl eas et hinkab outt his,Il ov eyo u"-Luphi ndo .
Hefo ll
o wsmeal lt hewayt ot hec ar.Idowantt ofo rgivehimb utIj ustcan' t. I' m
scar edo fwhathemi ghtdo .Ir eal l
ydo n'twantt og etmyhear tb ro kenanymo re,
notunt ilmyb ab yi sb orn.
Idr iveawayl eav inghi ml ooki ngatme.Ikno wi thur ts,it'
sno teas yfo rmeei ther
butIdo n'tt hinkIhav eac hoic e.
Somemus icwi lldo .I' l
lj us tg os traightt ot hefl atanddomyas signment s.I'llsee
whatIeatt her e.
Ther obott ur nsr edj us tasIappr oachi t.I' ms car edo ft his,I'veal waysb een.What
ifso meo nehi jac ksme.It ' sjus tmeher e.I' llb reakt her ulesIs wear .
Ohhyes ,yes ! .It 'samat teb l
ac kMer cedes ,b igands c ary.I' dnev erdr i
vet hatc ar
besidesb einghug e,it'sex pens ivet o o.Ther obo tt urnsg r
eenandwes tartdr ivi
ng .I
can' tev ens eewho 'sins idet hatc ar .Thewi ndo wsar et oodar k.
Ist hisc arfo llowi ngmeo rI' mj us tc raz y?.
Idr ivei nt ot heg ateandmakes ur eit'sc l
o sed.
Sigh.I' veb ecamepar ano id.
Ileav et hec arando pent heb o ott ot akemyl apt o p.
Thismer cedesi spar kedb ehindme.Butho wb ec aus eImades uretheg atei sc l
osed?.
Idot heb reat hingex er cise.Yo uc andot hi sNo nz wakaz i
!.
Iwal kst r
ai ghtt ot hemer cI' ms ob r aver ightno w.
Youc oulds eemyhear tt ho ug h,I' ms car ed.
Ikno cko nt hedr iverswi ndo wandwai t.Itr ollsdo wnIs ayas ho rtpr ay erIj ust
hopeIdo n'tdi eno w.
"Luphi ndo !!"
"Myl ove?"-hi m.
"What ?,ho w?"
"YesIb oughti tyes terday ,Iho peyo ulikei t"-hi m.
It'saAMGG63.Ver yni ceand. ..no !.
"Wel lIdo n' t,tryLi ndi weMab aso .I'ms ures hewilll
ov eitasmuc hasshelo
v esyou
andev eryt hingt hat 'syo urs"
"No nz wakaz i
!"-hi m.
"Stopc allingmyname"
"Canwepl eas et alkab outt his?"-Luphi ndo .
"Tal kab outwhat ?,thatyo uc heat edo rab outthatyo ub oughtanewc artoimpr es
s
yourb i
t ches ?,whatar eyo uev endo ingher e?"
"Nob ab yt hati sno tho wi tis"-Luphi ndo .
"Wel lit'swhati tloo ksl i
ke,andt hatg oesfo rmeo key?"
Heho ldsmyar mandIfr eez e.Imi sshishug ssomuc h.
"Pleas el etg oo fme"
"Pleas eb ab y...
"-hi m.
"Letg oo fmyar mLuphi ndoNg cob o!!"Is houtandhel et'
sg oofme.
Shout ingal wayshel ps .I'ms t artingt othinkhe' sdeaf.
"Whatar eyo udo ingher e?"
"Youb ur nto urho us es oIl iveher e"-him.
I'ms oang r y.Andhe' ssor elax ed.Iwal kt otheflatandb angthedoorbehindme.
Thes tai rsiski l
li
ngmet oo.
Ihat eLuphi ndo ,ho wc anheb uyanewc ar .ImeanI' mt ryi
ngtopunishhi
mb uthe
justc an' tc o -oper at e.
Whydi dheb uyt hatc arb ecaus eIwant edhi mt owal kt oworkforat hi
swho l
e
mo nth?.
..
.may beI' mc raz y.IfIhadmo neyandnoc ar,I'db uyt hecartoo. He'sj us
t
doingwhathehast odo .Ido n'tkno w..
.Ineeds omer est.

Chapt er33
Theal ar mi sri
ng i
ng .Igetup.Is etitjustfo rpr ac
tis
es othatwhent heb ab yar r
ives
thing sb eco meeas yfo rtheb ot
ho fus .It'st o
oheav yno w.Int womo nthst i
meI' l
l
del i
v ers ot hat'smuc hbet
ter.
It akeas howerfirstandt hens t
ar tcl
eaning .I'mhung ry.
Someb o dyi skno ckingo nthedo or.I'ms urei t'sLuphindoandi t'sab etteri deat o
igno rehi m.Whydo es n'
theg iv
eup?,i t'sbeen2mo nthsnowb uthej us
tdo esn'tgive
up.Whyex act
ly?.Hedo esn'
ts topkno cki
ngs oIhav etoo penno wb efo repeo ple
star tt hinki ngI'veg otmoreproblemsthant heo nesIhav e.
It urnt hekeyando pen.
"Lu. .."
"Iwasab outt ocallyou,what '
swr ongwi t
hyo u?.I'vebeenkno ckingfort woho urs
her e"-S nakho .
"Yo u' rel yingSnakho "Isayroll
ingmyeyes .
"Yo urb ab yi sg
o i
ngt obesob i
ghey.Mb alibab ec omein"-Snakho .
She'swi ths omeo ne?.
"Hi"-t hes oc alledMb ali.
"Hi"
"OhMb al it hi si sNo nz wakaz imyr oom mat e.No nzwakaz ithi
sisMb alimygir
lfri
end
"-Snakho .
"It'snic et omeetyo uGi rlfr iend"
"Nicet omeetyo ut oor oomi e"-Mb ali.
"Sowhenyo us ayg i
r l
fr i
endyo umean. .."
"Yes"-S nakho .
WhyamIs ur pr i
s ed?.
"You' r
eno tj oki ngS nakho ?,yo u'rel esbian?"
"Yest her e' sno t hingwr ongwi t
ht hat .Ther ear eev enadv antages
"-S nakho
"Adv ant ag es ?,"
"YesIwo n' tfal lpr egnant "-S nakho .
Si
gh.
"You' r
er ight "
Mbal ii
ss oc ut eands he'slig hti ncompl ex ion.Buts he'sac l
osedbook.
"Bab yt hisi st hel oung e,t hat 'smyb edr oom.Jus tfeelfreet odowhat everyou
li
ke"-S nakho .
"Andb uyfo odt o o"Imumb le.
Theyc omeb ac kt ot heki tchenwhent hey' redone.
"SoNo nz wakaz iho wfarar eyo u?"-Mb ali.
"7mo nt hs "Ir es ponds mi ling .
"CanIt ouc hi t"-Mb ali.
Shelo oksc ur ious .
"Nopr o blem"
Shet ouc hesi t.
"OhGo di t 'shar d"-s hes aysl aug hing .
"Hisfat herus edt ot o uchmel iket hat "Is aysmi l
ingag ai
n.
"Speaki ngo f. ..wher et hehel lisLuphi ndo ?,andwhathappenedt oyoulivi
ngin
Westv i
lle?"-S nakho .
"Ohyo uhav eanewweav e?"
Sher oll
shereyes .
"Didyo ub reakup?, "-S nakho .S i
gh.
Shewo n' tl eti tfl ow.No tS nakho .SoIno d.
"Men! !,s owhenar eyo upl anni ngt omur derhi m"-S nakho.
"Whywo uldIdot hatS nakho ?.Imeanev eryoneb reakup"
"You' r
eev ilNo nz wakaz iandyo ukno wt hat "-S nakho .
"ButIdo n' tt hinks he' sthatb ad"-Mb ali.
"Wells hei s"-S nakho .
Shekno wsmer ight ?.
Mypho nes tar tsr i
ng ingfr omt heb edr oom.
"Noi t'
sfi neI 'l
lg og eti tfo ryo u"-Mb ali.
"AhNo nz wakaz iyo u' rego ingt opayherfo rthat"-S nakho.
Sheco mesb ac kwi tht hepho ne.It 'sDad.
Si
gh.
"HiDad"
Ihav en' tb eenho mei nawhi l
eno w.
"Nonz wakaz iho war eyo u?"-Dad.
Ismile.
"We'refi ne"
"CanIs peakt oMrNg cob o?"-Dad.
Hes t
illc al lshi mt hat ?.
"Urhwedo n' tl i
vei nt hes ..
."
"Ikno wj us tg ot ohi mandg ivehi myo urpho ne"-Dad.
"OkeyI' lldot hatj ustc al lmeb acki nafewmi nutes"
"Thankyo u"-Dad.
Doesn' tNg co bohashi so wnpho ne?.Dadt ho ugh!!.
Istandupandwal kt oLuphi ndo '
sfl at.Ihearv o
ices
c o
mingfr o
mi nsideb efor
eI
canev enkno ck.Thedo ori ss l
ightlyo pen.
"Geto utpl eas e,andnev erc omeb ack"-hes houts.
"Youc an' tdot hatyo ukno w"
Shit
!Theb itc hi sher e.Ic anr ec ogniseherv oic
e.
"WellI' mdo ingi t.Geto uto fher eIdo n'
twantt oruinmyl i
feanymo re"-Luphindo.
"Youwantyo urev ilNo nz wakaz ibac k?"-Li ndy.
"Don'tc allhert hats he' smywi fe"-Luphi ndo .
"Noyo urg i
r lfr iend"-Li ndy.
"What everno wg eto uto fmyho use"-Luphi ndo.
"Youmeanyo urfl at"-Li ndy.
"Bitch! ,yo u' r es oanno ying .Yo u'real sofired"-Luphi ndo.
"What ??! "-Li ndy.
"Yesandj us tc loset hedo orb ehindyo u"-Luphi ndo.
"I'm no tl eav ing yo u Luphi ndo yo u kno w Il ove you and youl o
ve me t oo
ri
ght?"-Li ndy.
"NoIac tual lynev erl o vedyo uIj ustus edyo u"-Luphindo .
Shechuc kl es .
"WowIc an' tb elievet hatyo upl ayedme"-Li ndy.
"Welly o us ho uldb ec aus e Idi d Li ndy,I' m tell
ingyo ut hi
sfo rt he verylast
ti
me. .."-Luphi ndo .
"OkeyI' llleav e"-Li ndy.
"Thepr ob lemi st hatyo u' res t
illher e"-Luphi ndo .
"Ido n' thav emo neyfo rt het ax i
"-Li ndy.
"Thenwhydi dyo uc omeher e?"-Luphi ndo .
Si
lenc e.
"Iloveyo u"-Li ndy.
"Okeyno wg eto uti nt hec ounto ft hree"-Luphi ndo .
Si
lenc e.
"1..
...,2. .....yo u'r est i
llher e"-Luphi ndo .
"Yo u'res oev il"-Li ndy.
Shes ay sb efo reIhearherfo otstepsappr o achingt hedo or.
Imo veaway.
"Bab yj us tmakes ur eyo ul ookatt ho seweddi ngg ownso key?"- shes hout
sto
Luphi ndo .
Is mile.
"Lindyhi "
"Hil oveho war eyo u?"S hes ayss milingb ac k.
"I'mal lg oo dt hankyo u"
"Myl o ve. ..i st hatyo u?"-Luphi ndo .
Lindyl o o ksatmefr omheadt ot oe.Ifl ooksc ouldkill
...
"HiLuphi ndo"
"Isev er yt hi ngo key?,whyar eyo uher e?"-hi m.
"Dadwant st ot alkt oyo u"
"Whydi dn' thec allmet hen?"-hi m.
"Er h....Ido n' tkno w"Is oundc raz y.
Lindyl eav es .Whywass hes tillstandi ngt ho ugh?.
"Ohb ab yi t '
sno twhati tl ooksl ike"-hi m.
"Okeyt henj us tc allmyfat hert hat '
sal lb ye"Is aywal ki
ngaway.
"Ihav eDo rit osc hipsher e,s weetc hilliflav o ur"-him.
"Okey"Ic ont inuewal king .
"Yo uc anhav et hemj ustwai tfo rmet ofet cht hem"-hi m.
Is t
o pwal king .Yo uc oulds eemyhear tr i
g htno w.It'sjumpi ng .
"Her e,Il o v eyo uo key"-hi m.
"Thankyo u"It aket hem.
Hepul l
smyar mwhenIt ryt owal kaway .
Iloo kinhi seyes .
"Imi s syo u"-hes ays .
Imi sshi mt o o.
Hepul l
smet ohi sches t.Thes tomac hs topsmefr omr eachinghi ml i
keIus edto.
"Canwej us tpl eas eg etb ackt ogether ?"-hi m.
"Ouc hhe' ski cki ng "
"Ic anfeelhi m, "hes aysb rus hingt hes tomac h.
"Hib ab y,daddymi ssedyo us omuc hs on. Ipr omiseI' v
ec hanged.Ic an'twaitt
o
seeyo umyl ov e.Il ov eyo uo key"-Luphi ndo .
Heki cksag ain.
"I'ms ur et hatmeanso -k"hes aysandwel aug h.
Mypho ner ing s.Yesi t '
sdad.
"Her e"Ihandt hepho net ohi m.
"Simphi we?. ...Yes .
...hahao keynopr o blem. Thankyo us omuc hforthat..
.yesIdo
loveher ,Ipr omi set odos o....it'
sunderc o nstruction..
.yest hanksb ye"-hesaysand
hangup.
I'ms oc ur io us.
"Whatwashes aying ?"
"Imus ttakeg oodc areo fhisMag c i
noandfi ndac omfort
ablehomefo rusno wt
hat
we'reb ackto g
ether "-Luphi ndo
"Youmeanheknewab outt his
?,yo ut o
ldhi m?"
"Yesheg avemenoc ho i
c e"-hi m.
Idi dn'twantDadt okno wb ecausehewi l
lt ellmomandt hey'
llneverforgi
vehimfo r
that.Fami l
ydo est hat ,theynev erfo r
g etandt hereforetheydo n'tforgi
veno r
trustag ain.
Il o
v eLuphindoev ent houghhe' st rashandahear t
breaki
ngs onofab itch.Ilo
ve
himfo rr eal,Ican' tr eallyhelpit,Imi ssedt hehugsandki s
ses.I'msuretodayI'm
gettings omemas sag efo rmys wo
llefeet.I' ms ohappytobeb ackwithhim andI'm
sureher eal
lychang ed!.S oletmeo penthi snewchapterofourlove.

Chapt er34
TheDo o rb ellr i
ng s .Yesfo odi sher e.I'ms t
ar tingt ot hinkI' ms i
nningb efor ethe
lor
d.ImeanIhav en' tc oo
kedfo rthismanfo rthewho leweek.Pl usI' menj oyingit.
Iopen,payandg os itdo wnandeat .
I'mj us ts ot i
r edo fl i
v i
ngi nt hefl atno wIc an' twai tfo rthes et woweekst oends o
wec anmo vei ntot henewho us e.I nMhl ang a,t hel evelso fthisman! !.
Icanj ustimag ineme,hi mandLuv uyol ivi
ngahappyl ife.I'mal soworkings ohar d
tomakes ur et hatnex tyearIg raduat eb ec auseIr eallywantt o,Ihav eto.
Thel andl inei sr ing ing.Go dIs wearIdo n'twantt ostandup.Myfeetar eswo l
len.
Luphi ndoi satwo rk.Iho pei t
'sno tas tupidc al l
.
"Hello ?"
"Bab yar eyo uo key?,s houldIs endyo umo refo od?"-Luphi ndo .
"I'mo key,j ustanno yed whyyo uc alled t hel andlinei nstead o fmyc ellphone
becaus eno wIhadt owal kal lt hewayfr omt heki tc
hent ot het elephone,yo u'reso
anno yi ngso met imesLuphi ndo "
"Hahab abyIl oveyo umo reandIpr omi set og iveyo uamas sagewhenIc omeb ac
k.
Imi sst heb o tho fyo u.Di dheki c ktoday?"-Luphi ndo .
"Hedi d,yo urc hildwi llb esov iolentt owar dso therki dsats choolIs wear"
"He'saNg cob ot hat 'swhy"-Luphi ndo .
"Whatt i
mear eyo uc omi ngb ac k,it'sweekendr ememb er"
"Bab yi t'sstill11: 00"-Luphi ndo .
"Ij ustc an' twai tfo rt hemas sag e.Thefeetar eswo l
len"
"I'ms orryb ab y,c anyo ujus tg ivebirthal ready?"-Luphi ndo .
I'ms mi li
ng .
"Sayt hatag ain.Myfo odi sget tingc o
ldwewi l
lt alklater "
"Youl o vefo odmo r ethanme?"-Luphi ndo .
"Don' tputi tliket hatLuh! "
"Buti t'st rue"-hi m.
"Ofc o ursei tis"
Helaug hs.
"You' reb eingt ooho nes trightno w"-him.
"Yous ho uldkno wmeb yno w,t hat 'sj ustwhoIam. "
"You' rer i
g ht .Yo u' v
enev erl iedt omeandIr eallyappr ec i
atethat "-hi
m.
"Mhh"
"Ikno wIhav en'tb eenwhatyo ur eal lywanti namanb utILo veyouNo nzwakazi
withal lo fmyhear tandIj us twi shI' dfi ndab et terwayt oshowyo uthat.I'm not
perfec tIkno wandyo udes er veb et tert rustme.ButIl oveyouandIwi llneverlet
youg ount ilI' mab l
et ob ewhatyo uwantandb ewi thyo ufo rever.Iwannas howyo u
thatIl oveyo umo r
et hant hewo r l
di tself.Ihav es omanymi stakesbutthatnev er
chang esandi twi llnev erc hang ewhatIfeelfo ryo u"-hi m.
"areyo ual o net here?"
"Yes ,I 'mal o ne"-hi m.
"I'mc o mi ng "
"Noyo uc an' tdr iveyo ukno wt hat "-hi m.
"Comeo n,Ic an"
"No,I' llsends omeo net ofet chyo u"-hi m.
"Okeyl etmeg etr eadyt hen"
"Noyo u' rer eadyIkno w.They' l
lc omet her ewhilewe' rest i
llonthepho ne"-him.
"Myfo o dLuphi ndo "
"Ohyest hes oni shung ry. ..j us tputt het el
epho neo ns peakerIwannahearyo u
mo vingar o und. "-Luphi ndo .
Howc anheb es oo bses sedwi thmel iket hat ?.
He'sac hang edmanandIt hinkIl ovet henewhi m.
"Ido n' tev enkno wwhatt owear "
"Jus twearanyt hing"-hi m
"Yours ui t?"
Hel aug hs.
"Ifmys uitsar eanyt hingt henl eti tb e"-hi m.
"Hav eyo us eenho wug lymyfac ei sl atel y?"
"Erhmyo u'r eno tug lyi t'sj us tthatyo u'r eal it
tleb itdar ker"-him.
"Wo w! ,It ho ug htyo uwo uldl iej us tt omakemefeelb etterb utnoyo udidn't"
"I'ms o rry"hes aysl aug hi ng .
"Imi ssyo urs mi l
eno w"
"Yeswhatdoyo uwant ?....I' llspeakt oS imphi we...o key.S orrymyl ove"
"Ij us tfo r gott hatyo u'r ewo rkingt her e"
"Thiswo rkt hi ngi sn'tawal ko nt hepar k"-hi m.
"Ial sowantt os tartmyo wnc o mpanywhenIg r
aduat e"
"Isit ?"-hi m.
"Yes "
Sil
enc e.Ihearmo vi
ngpaper s.
"Ido n' tthi nkt hat 'sag o odi dea"-hi m.
"Why?"
"You' rewo man,t hey' reg o nnat akeadv ant ag eofyo u"-hi m.
"NotwhenIhav eyo ur ightnex tt ome"
"Mhh,t hatwi llb eac o ns truc tionc o mpanyr i
ght?"-hi m.
Duh
"Ofco ur s
el o
ve"
"Wewi llseewhenyo ugraduat e"-him.
That'sayesIkno w.
"Thedr iverisher e"
"Okey"-hi m.
"Letmec hang et hedressatleas t
.
Iwalkt ot heb edr o
omandwearab l
acko ne.
"..
.butb ab ythemar o
ono nelo okedpr et
tytoo"-him.
"NoIl iket hi
so ne"
Isaywal ki ngt othedoor.Wai t.
..howdi dhes eethatI'
m wear
ingamaroo
ndr es
s?.
No!.
I'l
ljus ts itatt hebackseat.S i
nc eIhav eadr iv
er.Ijusthav
ethebab
y'sbagwith
meno t hingel se.
There'st raffi c.I'msureit'
scaus edb yanac ci
dent.

Finall
ywe' reher eatTheNg c
oboc o
-o per ati
o ns.
Iwal kouto ft hec ars traightt othedo o r.
"Mr sNgco bog oo daft erno on"-Ther ecept i
o nis
t.
"Hiho war eyo u?"
"I'm finet hankyo u.MrNg coboisinhi soffice"-herag ain.Whyisshes
mili
ngto
o
muc h?,it'ss uspicious .
"Okeyt hanksI' llj ust..."
"Bab yhey"-Luphi ndo .
"Hilove"
"Howar eyo ufeel i
ngno w?,whatt ookyo us ol o
ng ?"-Luphindo.
"I'mOkey,i twast r afficyo oh!.Ineedwat er"
Hepr essest hel iftandi to pens.Wer idei n.He' sho l
dingmywai st
.
Thel i
fto pensatfi fthfl oorandal ightfl asheswhenwel eavetheli
ft.
"Whatwast hat ?"
"Ac amer a"-hi m.
"Whyt ho ugh?"
"Foro urpag ewehav eapho togr
apher ."-hi m.
Heo penst hedo o rt ohi so fficeandpul lsac hairfo rmet osi
t.
Theai rc ondi tionineri so n.Thi sofficel o
o kswaymo reb et
terthanthel
astti
meI
sawi t
.
Hehandsmeag las so fwat er.
"Thankyo u"
"Youdo n' thav et o"-hi m.
"Soho w'swo r k?"
"Wo rkisj ustwo r k"-hi m.
Hes i
tso nt het ab lefac i
ngme.
Oureyesl o c
k.Hes mi les,Ido n't.
"Youc anfeelfr eet otal k"-hi m.
Ho wdi dhes eet hatIwannat alk?.
"Whydi dyo uc heat ?"
"Iwant eds ex "-hi m.
"But ..."
"Yesyo ug av emes exal mo s tev er ydayIkno wb utIj ustwi shedfo rmo reandIfel t
li
keI' mus ingyo ufo ri tsoIdec i
dedt ofinds o meo net ous eno tyo u"-hi m.
"ButLuphi ndoI. .."
"Il ov et ooandI' dal sodoany thingfo ryo ut oo.Thet hingi s
...Ifeelg uil
tyfo rno t
showi ngt hatIl oveyo ueno ug h,I 'mfai l
ingyo us ot oreleas et hats tressIdi dwhatI
did"-L uphi ndo .
"...b utI' ms orryfo ral lt hat ,itwi l
lnev erhappenag ai nb ecauseIal mo stl os
t
ever ythi ngj ustb ec aus eo fi t"-hi m.
TheDo oro pens .
"Ho wmanyt imess ho uldIt el lyo ut okno ckMus a?"-Luphi ndo .
"Ex cus eme.Her ear et hepaper syo uas kedfo r "hes ayswal ki
ngt ot het ab l
et o
plac et hem.Hel eav esaft ert hat .
"Thankyo ufo rc omi ng "-Luphi ndo .
"Whatdoyo udoher efo rt hewho leday?"
"Iwo rk"-hi m
"OhGo d"
"What ?"-hi m.
"Yo urb ab yi skicki ngme"
"So rry"-hi m.
What 'supwi thhi m no w?.Onemi nutehel ovesmet hent heo therhel o o
ksl ikehe
want smeo uto fhi sdamno ffi ce.
"What 'swr ongwi thyo u?"
"No thi ng "-hi m.
"Ic anl eavei fyo u'reno tc omfo rt ab l
ewi thmeb eingher e"
Sil
enc e.
"I'ms uc haj erkyo ukno w....I' ms ur eyo uwi llnev ert rus tmeag ain.Ij ustdo n'
t
kno wwhatIr eal l
ywant ,I' mno tfo cus edinl i
fe. "-him.
"Ifyo ug ivemer eas onst ot rus ty out henIwi ll"
"...
fr o mt o dayo nwar dsILuphi ndoNg cobowi llb et heb estmani nt hewo rldt o
Nonz wakaz iMakhanya.I' lll ove her l i
ke nev er b efor e,b e with her t hr ough
ever ythi ng .S topb eingal o ser .Co mfo rtheri nev erypo ssibleway.Gi v eherasmuc h
foo dass hewant s.Mas sag eherfeet ..
."-hi m
Ic an' thel pl aug hingatal lthi s.He' ss tupid.
"...andi fmyb ab yl oo ksno thingl ikemeI' l
lc ryint heho spit
alwi tho uthers eeing
me.ButI' llb et heb estfat heri nt hewho lewo rld.I' l
lalsomur derwho ev erhur tsmy
fami l
y. "-hec ontinues .
I'ms mi linghe' spl ayigwi thmyfi ng erswhi lehe'ss mi l
ingandl ookingdo wnatt hem.
"...b ec aus eIwi lll oveyo ufo rev erNo nzwakaz iand I' llal ways ,al ways ,al ways
do."-hi m.
"Yo u'r efunnyb ab akhe"
He'sl oo kingatmes traighti nt heeyehe' ssti
llholdi
ngmyfi ngersandhe'sdo i
ng
somet hingwi t ht hemb utIdo n'tkno wwhat .
"..
.myfi anc e"-hec ont i
nuesag ain.
I'ms tills mi l
ingathi m.Hel etsg oo fmyhand.Go d!!!.
Thisisj us tno tme,t hi sisno tNo nzwakaz i!.
It'
ss ilverwi thadi amo nds to ne.Ver ys hinnyanddi fferentfr o
mt heoldone.
"Luphi ndo !,no "
"Yesb ab y,"-hi m.
"Itcan' tb e"
"Welli ti s"-hi m.
Istandupandg ivehi m av eryt ighthug .Idon'twannaMar ryhim.Ijustcan'tdo
itnow.YesIl ov ehi mb utnot hisist o
omuc hforme.
"Luphi ndoyo uc an' tdot hat ....
"Iwhi speri nhisear.
Thedo o rs wing so pen.
"Ngco boIt hinkt hisisi t"-Dad.
"Simphi we,t hankyo u"-Luphi ndos ayst akingthepaper sfromDad.
"Nonz wakaz i"-Dad.
"HiDad"
"Letmes eet hat ,"hepul lsmyhandt os eethering.
"Notunt ilmyc owsar epai dup"-Dad.
Luphi ndos milesathi m.
"I'l
lpayt hemass o onaspo ssible"-Luphi ndo.
"Andwhendi dt hi shappen?"-Dad.
WaitIwass tillgo i
ngt ot ellLuphi ndot hatIc an'tletthishappenno wbecaus
eI' m
notr eady.Butl o okwhat '
sg o i
ngo nno w.They' r
es t
il
ltalking.
Theset woc anneg otiatet hel obolaher er i
ghtnow.
Ido n' tkno wwhet herIs ho uldb ehappyo rsad.Ijustdo n'tknow.
Chapt er35
Letmej us tleav efo rt hes akeo fpeac e.
Nonj ab ulokeepsc alli
ngmeandI' m anno yedno w.Do esn'tsheunder standthatI
hav et ob el ate?.
Ont heo thers ideIhav eLuphi ndot ell
ingmes tupidt hingsab outho wIs houl
dnot
drivemys el f.IfIdi ei ts i
mpl ymeansmyt imehasc ome.Ver ys i
mpl e.
Ican' tev endr iv et hisc arpr oper ly.It '
sthenewo ne.
Itfl as hesar edl ightj ustaft erIt ur nt other oad.
"Pleas eb uc kleup"-i ts ayso nt hes peaker .
Ithi nkImus tlis tenj usto nce.
Mypho ner ing s.
"Fianc ee?"
"Bab yyo uc anno tdr i
v et hatc ari t
'smanual"-Luphi ndo .
"Yo udo n'twantmet ous eyo urc ar?"
"Ido. ..nev ermi nd j us tb es afe.Iwantyo ual ivet onig
htnex ttomeo nthe
bed"-Luphi ndo .
"Ar ghc o meo n,i fyo uwantmet ob es afej ustdr opt hi
sc al
lb ecaus eI'lldi
efrom
beingo v erpr otec ted. "
"Il oveyo ufi anc ee"-Luphi ndo .
"I'llno wdi efr o mb eingl oved"
"Letmehangupt hen"hes aysl aug hi ng.Her eallydohangup.
Howdo est heBl uet o otht hingwo rk?,Iwantt ot alkt ohi m.Imi sshimal r
eady.
Mypho nec anb es mal lb uti tdo eshav ebluetooth,c amer aandi nter net.
Hepi ckso nt hefi r string .
"Isev er ythi ngo key?"-Luphi ndo .
"NoI' mdyi ng ,Imi ssyo us omuc h"
"Imi ssyo ut oo .Wher ear ey' allg oinganyway ?"-Luphi ndo .
"Bal li
t oj unc ti
o nfo rb ab ys hoppi ngandwhat everpr egnantwo mendo "
"Yo umeaneat ingb ananaandb aco n?"-Luphi ndo .
"Ex ac tly"
He'sl aug hing .
"Didyo ufi ni s
hyo uras signment ?"-hi m.
"Ofc our se,ho wwo uldIg os hoppi ngwhenIhav es uchwo rk"
"Ido n' tlikeyo us tayi ngupt illthatl ateag ain"-hi m.
"Ifai lt odomywo rkdur ingt heday"
"Iwasj ustt ryingt ohel pmyfi anc ee"-hi m.
"Doyo ukno who wni cei tso undswhenyo uc allmet hat?"
"YesIdo ,s amet hi nghappenswhenyo udoi t"-hi m.
I'mal mo stt her e.
"Whatwo ul dIdoi nt hewo rldwi tho utt hisnav i
g ato rinyo urMer c?"
"Ev enno wyo u'r eno tus edt oBal li
to ?"-hi m.
Si
lenc e.
Web othb ur sto utl aug hing .I' mj ustho rri
bleIkno w.
"Ho w' syo urb ab y?"-hi m.
"Noi t'syo ur s"
"Hel lno !,amIpr eg nant ?"-hi m
Ic an' thel pi tI' ml aug hi ngt oohar d.
"Ouc h! ,t hathur tsb ab e"
"Yo url aug hi sfunni ert hant hej oke"-hi m
"Andyo u'ret elli
ngmet hist oday?,I' veb eenlaug hingi npub l
icplaces"
"Atl eas tyo ukno wno w.I' m anho nes tfi anc ee,it'ss oni cehav i
ngmeasyo ur
fianc ees ee?"-hi m.
"Yo u'rer ightb utIt hi nkIs tillneedt ob uyafat herfo rmyb abybecaus eIj ust
can' tdealwi thyo u"
"Ir ec ommendS hopr ite"-hi m.
Ilaug h.
"NoI' llg ofo rWo ol
wo rt hsatl eas t
"
"Ohyesyo u' rer ight,t heys ellqual ityt her e"-him.
"CanIhangupno w?"
"No "-hi m.
"Ohwo w,myai rtime"
Hel aug hs.
"Ij us tknewi t"-hi m.
"Hahab yeIl o veyo u"
"Il oveyo uev enmo refi anc ee"-hi m.
Ihangupandl eav et hec ar.I' ms oo bsessedwi tht hismanno w.
For getwhathedi d,Ifo rgav ehi mav eryl ongt i
meag o .
Nonj ab ul oiss itti
ngo nt ho seb enc hes .
"No nj ab 'sI' ms os orrymyl ov e"Is ayhel pingherup.
"Ir eal lydowantt ohugyo ur ightno w.Thet hingi sIc an't"-her .
Wel aug hatt hat .
"I' mal readyhung ry"-herag ain.
"Let 'ss tar twi theat ingt hen"
"Nol et 'ss ho pfi rst"-her .
"Yo u'res ol uc kyfo rt hatnex tmo nthyo u'r edeliveringt hefo ol
"
Shes mi l
es .
"Yo uhav enoi deaho wex citedIam"-her .
"Ho w' sNj ab ulo?"
"He' sj us tb ei ngafo olandl ov i
nghi sdamnunb o rnchildmo r
et hananyt hingint he
wor l
d"-her .
Whyar et heb ab yc lot hest hisex pens iv
e?,Imeant hisisj usthalft hec lothing,
they' ret o os mal l
.
Nonj ab ul oc ameher et or eal l
ys hop.S he'sev enb uyi ngthemi l
k.She'sverypr epar ed.
I'llbuyt ho set hingswhent heb abyi sher eandb esides,Iwantt ob r
eastfeed.
"Wai t...ho wc o meIdi dn' ts eet his?.Wo oow!!,i t
'sb eautifulbab ygir
l.I'ml oo king
fowar dt ot heweddi ngday "-No njab ulo .
Pul l
ingas mi lei stheb es tIc ando .
"Ngco boi ss uc hani c eman.I' ms ohappyfo ryo ug uys
"-No njab ulo
.
"Thanksl ov e"
"Y'allc ano ver co meanyt hi ng ,thel oveyo uhav efo reacho therman. .
.Ijustdon't
know"-No nj abul o.
"Ifi twas n' tfo rthi slovewewo uldn' tb eher e"
"Andt hatb ab yyo u'rec ar ryingt herei sS inqo bang o
thando ,b ecauseyouj
us tnever
giv
eup"-her .
"That 'sav er yni cename.It 'st ool ongt houg h,j ustimag i
newhenhehast ostart
writti
nghi snameats choo l!"
"I'mno tc hang ingmymi ndaft erwhatyo u'ves aid"-her.
Wel aug hatt hat .
"Let'ss eewhatt heyhav eher eatnar tjiee"
"Wo wmypr inc es swi lllookc uteo nthatdr es s"-No njabulo
.
"You' rer ightl etmeb uyitfo rher "
Itakei tandg ot ot het i
llt opay .
"Thankyo ub ab y.Bo y'sclot hesar eno tt hatc ut e,whyisthat ?"-her .
"That 'swhyt heyendupb eingg ay"
Wel aug h.I' llj ustdoapr o pers hoppingwhent heb abyisborn.
Weg ot oar es taur antt os itdo wnandeat .Fo odmakesmes ohappy.
"CallL uphi ndot oc omeher eno w"-No nj ab's
"He'swo r king "
"Ikno w"-her .
"Why?"
"Givemeyo urpho neI' l
ldoi tmys elf"-No njab 's
Whatt hehel liswr ongwi t
ht hiswo man.
Igivehermypho ne.
"Not her ealo nepl eas e."-her .
"Thisi st heo nlypho neIhav e"
Shelaug hs .
"No,no !.Co mel et'sg ono w.Ic an' tdealwi tht his"-her.
Ifo l
lo whert oEdg ar s.Shemakesmec ho oseapho ne.
Iwasnev erpr epar edfo rt his .SoIj us tc ho o
se.Wepayaft erthatandt heystart
witht heRi cat hing .Thi swi llj ustt akefo rever .

"Ohyesno wyo uhav eapho ne.Givemet heo ldonesoIc ancallNgc

o b
o"-her .
Ihandi ttoher .
"Noit'snotthefi anceei t'
sNo njab's.Congratul
ati
ons..
..butpleas
ec omeher eri
ght
nowit'sveryurg ent.
"-No njab's.
Wowit'surgent.Iwo nderwhat 'sthat.
"HiguyswhyamIher e?"
Ihughi mt i
ghtly.Ijus thopeNo njab ul
ostil
lunderst
andst hatwe'rebestfri
ends.
"Bec arefullno ttohur tt hepr eciousNgcobochil
dt here,howar eyo u?"-Njab
ulo
"we'r
eo keyb es
t fri
end. "
"Luphindot ol
dmeab o utit
,c ongratulat
ionsmyfr i
end."-hesayssmi l
ing.
"Thankyo u"
"WhyamIher eag ain?"-hi m.
"We' reg o i
ngt ot heyo ga"-No njab ulo.
"Mhh. ..ar eyo us er io
us ?"-Nj abulo .
"Yes "
Herec o mesmymanr unni ng .Whyt ho ugh?.
"What 'sg oingo nher e?! !"-hi m.
"Whyar eyo ur unni ng ?"
"Bec aus es hes aidi t'
sur gent"-hi m.
"Bec aus ei tis,we' reg oi
ngt oyo ga"-No njab ulo.
What 'swr ongwi tht hiswo manher e?,whos aidwewantyo ga?.
"Yog a?"-Luphi ndo .
"YesNg co bo"-No nj abulo .
"Nonz wakaz iher e,weart heset hing s"-herag ain.It '
sal eggingandav est.
"HahaNog uys .Inmyhumb leopini onwi tho utt hedes i
ret ooffendt hosewhot hink
differ entfr o m mypo into fv i
ewb utl ookingati ti ndept h,takingintoac c
ountt he
char acter isticso feac hper so nher eIho nes tlyt hink..
.eishIfo rgo
twhatIwasg oing
tosay. ."-Nj ab ulo .
I'ml aug hingatt hat .
"Let'sg ot hedi rec tio
nsar et hereo nt henav igato r"-Nonjab ulo.
Wewal kt ot hec ar.
"What 'swr ongwi tht hatwo man?"-Luphi ndo .
Ishr ug .
"It houg htyo u' reg i
vingb i
rthIev enus edpub lict r
ans port"-him.
"Twomo nt hst og ofi anc ee"
"Premat ur ely"-hi m.
"Thatwo n'thappen"
"Who s
epho nei st hat ?"-hi m.
"It'smynewpho ne"
"It'sb eaut iful"-hi m.
"Ikno w"
Hel aug hs .
"Andwher ei smi ne?"-hi m.
"It hrewi tint hes wimmi ngpo o
latyo uro l
dho use"
"I'l
lg ol ookfo ri t"
Ilaug h.
"Youhav eanewo neal readyt her e'snoneed! "
"NoIj ustwannaas kwhyt heyl iedwhent heys aidithaswat erproo
f.I'llcomplain
ti
lltheyg ivemeanewo ne"-hi m.
"Stopdr eami ng "
"You' l
ls eet hen"-hi m.
"Nex tweekS undayI' mg oingt ouMl azi"
"Campus ?"-hi m
"No,El ihleneedsust odi scusss omet hingur gent ly"
"You'renotgo
inganywher
e"-him.
"But..
."
"No!"-him.
Whyi shebei
ngb os
synow?.I'
llgo
,I'
llj
ustg
o.I'
mst
il
lNo
nzwakaz
iMakhanyawho
can'tbecont
roll
edinanyway!.

Chapter36.
"Let'
smeetat13: 00,atho me"-ames sagefr omElihl
er eads.
It'
s12:30alr eady.Ho wc anIs l
eept i
llthislatethough?.
Igot othes howerfirst.Theb oxesher ear ej us
tmaki ngmemo r
eti
red.Thismov
ing
inthi
ngi sj
us tnotfo rme.Whyi sthefi anceeno there?.
I'malreadyl atesother e'snoneedt ohur ry.
Ohandb ytheway.Theho useisjustwo nder ful
.UMhl angaisver
ypeacefuli
t'
swhat
Ireall
ywant .

Wedo n' thav efur nitur eher eyet .It'sj ustt hoses mallthing
sfr omtheflat.The
housei sv eryv eryb i
g. ..soweneedt imet os earchfo rho wwewantt ofurni
turei
t.
I'mdo neeat ings oIt aket hekey sandl eav e.Ij ustwo nderwhereheis.
Wemeetatt heg arden.
"Myfi anc ee?"
"Wher ear eyo ug oing ?"-hi m.
"Wher ehav eyo ub een?"
"Iwento utt ob uymi l
k"-hi m.
"Oho keyI' llseeyo ul at er,Il oveyo u"
"Wher ear eyo ug oing ?"-hi m.
I'mal readyr eversingIj ustdo n' twannaar gue.
Iwo nderwhati sthi smeet ingt hatI' mhav ingwit hElihleabout
.Whatdo esshewant
tosay?.
Letmepl aymus icher e.Let 'ss eewhatdowehav e...
.
Thedi sct r
ayi sempt y.Ouc h! .Ihav etoli
stent other adio.
ButI' mher es othat 'smuc hb etter .
Esi
hleo pens theg at efo rme.
"Hisis"-her .
"Hellob ab yho war eyo u?, "
"I'mg o o d"hers mi l
er emi ndsmeo fLuphi ndo .
"Isev er ythingo key?,whyamIher e?"
"No,wer eal l
yneedt ot alkab outwhatyo udi d.We' rev er
ydisappoi
ntedinyous i
s
Nonzwakaz i.Ho wc anyo udos omet hingli
ket hat.
.."-her .
Ifoldmyar msac ro ssmyc hes t.Andpul lthe' look'.
"Youc al ledmeher es oyo uc anj udg eme?, "
"Let'sg os itdo wni ns i
des oyo uwo n'tfainther ewitht hatbump"-her.
I'ms oang r
y.Luphi ndowasr i
g htIs ho uld'v ej us ts tayedho me.
"Whot hehel ldoyo ut hinkyo uar e?,y o u'res ticki ngy ourno seinmy. .."
"Surpr ise!!"
Irai s
emyeyes .Not hisc an' tb ehappeni ng .
Whoar eal lt hes epeo pleher e?.Thes mi l
est heyhav er ightno wo nt heirfac es
expect i
ngmet os ays omet hing .
"Youc anhav eas i
t"-El ihle.
I'ms oc o nfus ed.
"Thankyo u"
Isthisab abys ho wer ?,o rab irt hday?,o rj usts o met hingIdo n'tkno w.
Oht herear eb ab yv es t
so nt het ab le.It 'sab ab ys ho wer.
"I'm No siphoNg c oboand I' mg lad t omeetyo ut o
dayMako ti.That '
sLung iand
Asiphile.We' rej ustfami ly,ex tendedfami ly."-o neb eaut i
full adys ays.
"It'sapl eas ur et omeetyo ug uysandt hankyo ual lfort his.I'ms os peechless"
They'rer eallyni cepeo ple,t hey' reki ndandv er yb eaut i
ful.
"OkeyI' mt heMCandl ett hepar tys tar t"-No sipho .
Theyal lc heer .I' ms ur et her esto ft hepeo pleher ear et heirfr i
ends .
Thisisac tual l
yv eryni ce.Wehav eav er ys ho rtpr og r
am.Wej ustus et her estoft he
ti
met ot alkab o utuni mpo rtantt hing s.
"Mako tiho war eyo u?"
She'ss mi li
ng .S oIs mi l
eb ac k.
"Hi,I'mg ood"
Everyo ner ol
lt hei reyes .Ohyeswe' reo nt hes amet eam.Weal lhat eMaNdl ovu.
I'mhappy.
"Wher ehav eyo uBeenal lal ong ?"
"Wemeetupdur ingo ccas ions ,Ihav eaho us eatChes tervi
lle."-No sipho.
"Wo wt hat 'sni ce"
"Thankyo u,we' r ej ustfo rcedt ol eav eho meo nc ewe' re22"-herag ain.
"I'ms ohur tb yt hat "-Lung i.
That '
sb ec aus es he' st urni ng22nex tyear .
MaNdl o vuent er st her oo mwi thfo odt hist ime.
Shes tar tswit hme.What 'supwi t ht hes mi l
e?.
Isnat cht hepl at eands tar teat ing .
YesIhat eherb utIhav et oadmi tt hats hec anc ook.Thefo odi so uto ft hisworld.
"Is ti
llneedt og ob ac kho met oyo urb ro ther ..
."
"Not hankyo us omuc hfo rc o mi ngwehads omuc hfunwi thyo ut oday. "-As iphile
sayshug gingme.Andal lo ft hemfo llow.
Ilo vet hes epeo pleher et hey' refunandI' mc omfo rtab l
ear oundt hem.Ido n't
kno wwhy.
TheNg cob o'
sr o ck! !.Theb ab ypr esent sar eal r eadyi nt heb o o
ts oIdr i
veo ff.
Somuc hfuni no neday.I' ms ohappy .No siphoev enb o
ug htapr am fo rmyLuv uyo.
Lung ib oug htt hec ars eat er .As iphi leb oug hta mo nitorand mi lkb ot t
les.Thei r
fri
endsal sob o ug htpr es ent s.Whatawar mwel comet ot hefami ly.
Myheadi sal ittleb itheav y.Itkeepsg ettingwo rseb utIho peI' llb efinej ustno w
andc ont
inuedriv
ing.Suddenl
yit'
sho t.Iswit
chtheaircondi
tio
neron.It'
snot
worki
ng.Ic an'tbreat
he.Io pen allthewindowsand t
hes unroo
f,ever
ythi
ng
bec
o mesbl
urry
.Ican'tseether
oad...what
'sgoi
ngon?

-------
Ifeelv er yheav y.Ic anhar dlyo penmyeyes .Ican'tmo ve.What '
sg o
ingon.
Ihearpeo plet alki ngb utIc an'ts eet hemo rhearwhatt hey'resaying.
I'm mo v i
ngs lowlyt ryingv eryhar dt oo penmyeyes .Itt akesawhi lebeforeIc an
real
lyo pent hemands ees omeo nenex ttome.
"Nonzwakaz i...
"
Iraisemyfi ng er.Ther e'sadr i
po nmyhand.I' minho spi
tal?.
"Lu..
"
"Yesb ab yI' mher e"-hi m.
"mmhh"
Heplant saki sso nmyfo rehead.
"MissMakhanya.Yo u'redo i
ngpr ettywel l
"-thenur se.
"What 'sg oingo nher e?"
"You...yo uc ameher e2daysag o.So meonefo undyo uins i
det hec arunconsci
ous
"-Mo m.
She'
s her e?, t her e's al so No mv elo,S imthandile, Snakho , El
ihle,
Esi
hle, Dad,
Luphindo '
sfat her ...
"Whathappened?"
"Itwasaft ert heb ab ys hower "-Es i
hle.
"Wher e'smyb ab y?"
"He's...
.int heat r e.The Do cto
rsar et ryingt osav e hi
m.Yo u had tog ot oc -
sect
ion. "-S imt handi le.
"Isheg oingt obeo key?"
"Weho pes o "-Dad.
God!,myo neando nlyc hild.
"CanIhav eawo rdwi thLuphi ndo ?"
Theyal lleav et hewar d.It '
sas inglewar d.
"Myc hild?"
"Hewi llmakei t"-Luphi ndo .
"Ido n'tkno wwhathappenedev erythingwasj usttoofast"
Hetakesmyhand.
"It'
sal lmyfaul t"-hi m.
"NoIs ho ul d'vel i
s tened"
"Youc an' tr ememb eranyt hing?"-him.
"It'
s MaNdl ovu.S heg av emefo od"
"Damni t!! "-Luphi ndo .
"Ikno wyo ut old met os tayawayfr o
m herb utIj ustdi dn'tkno wshec ando
somethi ngl iket his"
"Nxx,that ...
"
Thedo o rswi ng sopen.
"Doctorwhat '
sg oi
ngo n?"-Luphi ndo .
"Ihav eb adnewsandg oodnewsfo ryo u"-Doct
or.
"Startwitht heg ood"
"I'mdi schar gi
ngyo ut omo rro
w"-Do ctor .
"Ohyes ,thankyo uLo rd.Luphi ndob ri
ngt hebabysclo
thest oni
ght"
"What '
st heb adnews ?"-L uphindo .
Si
lence.
"I'ms orry...
."
"No,No !!
! ."hepunc hest hewal lands tartscr
eamingandc ryi
ng.
Thedo oro pens .Andt heyal lco mei n.
"Theb abyc o
uldn'tmakei t,wedi dev erythi
ngwec ouldpo ss
ibl
ydo .
"-Doc
tor
.
Esi
hleg oest oLuphi ndoandhughi m.
Momandmys ist
ersar ec ryi
ng .Luphi ndo '
sfatheri
st ryingtoli
fthimup.Whenhe'
s
fi
nallyuphes tartspat t
inghi ssho ulder .
There'sjus tamo ment .Dadi shug g i
ngmo m.
I'mj ustsilent.Ihav enowo rdso rs trengthtosaysomet hingorevencry.

Chapt er37
Canyo ui mag i
neho ws mal lt hec offini s
?.Canyo uimag inet hepai nI' mg oing
thro ug hrightno w?.They' res ing ingag ospels ongb utIdo n'tev enc are.Itstil
lwo n't
bringb ackmyc hi l
d.Luphi ndohel psmeup.Theyr emo vet hemat tressand t he
candl e.He' swear ingal lb lackands oamI.Whyc an' twej ustb ehappy?,j ustonc e?.
Mo m hug smeandb rus hmyb ac k.Ther e'sj ustfami lyher eandS nakho ,Njab ulois
her et oo.
Ass o onasMo ml et '
sg oo fmeLuphi ndot akeso ver.
Wehugaswec ryo neac ho ther ss houl dernex tt ot hec offin.I' m holdingo ntohi m
veryt ight.Il o vehi ms omuc hb utIdo ughtt hato urt hing wi lleverwo rk.
Ifeels oweakr ightno w,myl ifei sames s.Wefi nallyletg oo feac ho t
her .Hisshirtis
wetb ecauseo fmyt ear s.It 'st hatmo mentno w.Ev eryonei sc rying.Ex cer
ptfo rhis
fat heramdmyfat her.They' r es tr
o ngo ri sitbecaus et heydi dn' tkno wtheb ab y?.
Butaft eral lit'st heirg randc hi ld.
Ir aisemyeyest ol ookatLuphi ndo' sfat her.Hec o mest ousandwhi spers omet hing
toLuphi ndob efo reo peni ngt hec offin.Weal lhav et olookins i
de. ..
"No !!."Is cream.
Luphi ndoho ldsmeb ac k.Hi seyesar eb loodr ed.
"No !,Ic an' tj ustl etg o.Luphi ndodos omet hing"I' mt ryingt os houtbutt here'sno
streng th.Hepus hesmeag ains tthewal l.
"Wec andot his"-Luphi ndo .
"No !,I' mno tg ivingup! "
"We wi llst i
llhav e kidsNo nz wakaz i.Jus tl etg os o he c an r esti n peace.. .
.
pleas e"-him.
Ther e'ss t
il
lfut ure?.Ido n'tt hinks o .
"Pleasemyl o ve"-hi mag ain.
Ittakesawhi l
eb efo reIc anfi nal l
yc almdo wnandt rytowalkt ot
hehear se.
Luphindowi llusehi scar.
Ididn' twantt hec hur chser vi
ceb utLuphi ndoi ns i
stedthatwedot her ightt hing
.
I'mt oohur tb yal lthis.Howc anl ifeb es ounfai r ?.HowamIg o
ingtomo veo n?.
Whydi di thav et ob emyfi rstchildandno tmeo rhisfather?Why?.
Whydo esMaNdl ovuhav etob et hishear tless?.
Thes ervicei sv erys hort.Pr obablyb ecaus et her e'snoo bi
tuaryandt here'sno body
whowi l
lb eb usys peaki ngli
esl i
ke...
"..
.hewasag oo dchi l
do fGo d,v eryr espec t
ful .
.."
Wej usthadl i
stent owhatt hewo r do fGo ds ay sands i
ngg oodbyesongsev ent hough
wenev erg ott hec hanc etos ayhel lo.
Inev ergo tac hanc etoho ldmyb ab yt omyc hes tandc omfo rthim.
Luphindos aidhej ustheldhi m fo r2s econdsb ecausehehadt obes avedv eryfast
butI'mg l
adhedi d.Atl eas thes awhi mb reat hingandc r
ying.
It'
st imet og ot ot hec ement ry.Weag r
eedo nb urryi
nghi mi nRedhi l
lnex ttomy
bi
ologicalfat her .

Theg rav e...Ido n'twannat alkab outit .Iwi s

hIwast heo newhodi edinstead.
"Youhav et oletg ob ab y.Bec aus eyo ul ovehi ms omuc hyo uhav eto"-Luphindois
whisper ingi nmyear .
Hewi pesmyt ear so ff.
"Iwi ll"
"NoIwantt ohearyo us ayingIam"-hi m.
"Notno w!"
Heleav esmet og os ho velthes oilintot heg rave.Njab uloisdo i
ngi ttoo.
"No!!,Luphi ndodos omet hing ,Dad! !"Is ho utrunni ngtot heg rave.
-----
Everyo newentb ac kt ot heyl ivefr omt hec ement r
y.S ono wi t'
sj ustmeand
Luphindoi nt his hug eho use.It akeo ffmys hoesandg otot henur s
eryups t
air
s.
I'mt ryingt oohar dno tt ocr yb utIj ustc an'tdealwi tht hepai n,Iwantt ocryital
l
out.Thedo oro pensandhewal ksin.
"I'l
lr emo veallt hisass oo
naspo ssi
ble.
"-hi m.
"No...Il ov eitliket his"
"I'mv erys orry..."-hi m.
"I'l
lpac kt omo rro wandl eav e"
"Noyo u' reno tg oinganywher e"-hi m.
"Thing swi llneverwo rkb etweenus ,we'reno tmeantt obet ogetherLuphindo "
"Wewi llfi g
htt og etherNo nz wakazi.Thi ngsar eg oi
ngt ob eo keyi tjusttakes
ti
me"-hes ayss li
dingb ackt her ingonmyfi nger.Iwast akingito ut
.
There'ss i
lencefo rab out30mi nutes.
He'shug gingmefr omb ehindandwel ookingatt hec ot,toysandc lot
hes.Theb i
g
framedpi cturefr omt hes canal so.
Iwo nderi fwewi lleverfi ndhappi nes s
...
"Wo uldyo udoanyt hingformeL uphindo?"
"Yes ,ofc our
se"-him.
"Areyo usure?"
"YesI' ms ure"-him.
Si
lenc e.It urntoloo
kathi mintheeyes trai
ght.
Helo okss i
ncere.
"Killyo urMother"
Hepul l
smet ohisches tandholdmev eryti
ght.Hi
sheartb
eati
sto
ofas
tandt
he
breat hingrateisnotno rmal
.
He'sho ldingmet ootightandithurtsbutIjustremai
nsil
ent.
"Iwi ll.
"-hefi nal
lyresponds
.

Chapter38
Ithasb eenav er ylongnig htfo rus.Wehar dlys
leptyest
erday.Hewasdoinghi
s
workintheo fficeandIwasal sodo i
ngmyas si
gnment.
Imakehi ms andwi chesforLunc handpac kthemintheTupperware.
Hec o
mesr unningfr omups tai
rs.
"Don'tdot hat"
"BecauseI'llfall?"-Luphindo .
"AndI' l
llaughatyo u"
"Itwouldb ereallynic et
os eeyo ulaughi
ng"-him.
"Leaveyou'relat ealready"
"Iloveyou"-hi m.
Hesay st
hatmo reo ftensucht hatI' mstar
tingtot
hinkit
'smysecondname.
"Iloveyout oo.
"
"NextweekI' ms endingab akho ngi"-hi
m.
"No,I' llt ellyo uwhenI' mr eady"
"Willyo uev erb eready?"-hi m.
"YesIneedt ime"
"Got akeyo urb ag,I' lldr i
v eyo ut oc ampus "-him.
"Noyo u'r el at eI' l
ldr ivemys el f"
"AndI' mmyb oss"-hi m.
"Yous ho uldb eanex ampl et ot ho sepeo ple"
Isays mi lingandpac kingev er ythingI' l
lneedi nmyb ag .
Wet henl eav e.
-------
He'llfet c hmes oI' l
lj ustwai tatt hel ibrar yasIt ypemywo r
ko nmyMacb o
ok.
"Is eeyo u' vedel iveredyo urc hil
d.Isi tag i
rl?"
Irai semyeyeswhoi st his?Ir eallydo n'tkno wher .
"Ohs oyo uwo n' tans wermeb ec aus eyo ut hinkyo u' reb ett
erhuh?,Iho peyoulearnt
ales son.Yo uno whav eac hi ldwi tht hatb lessero fyo ur shewilll
eaveyouandmo ve
ont ousb eaut ifulg i
rlswi tho utki ds .
.."-s hes aysandl eave.
Godwher ear eyo u?.Thi sisb eyo ndmyc o ntro l
.
"Don' tmi ndher .S orr yo key?"-ano therg irlsays ,It hinkthisisSnakho'
sfriend.
I'mno tt o os ur e.
"Youc anr el axno w"-her .
Shes mi les .
"Ho wi syo urb ab ydo i
ng ?,I' ms ur ehe/s hei sdamnc ut e!
.Yourbless
erishot.
"-s he
continues .
Mypho ner ing s.Ipac kawayal lmys tuffandl eav e.
Ihearl aug hsasIwal kt ot hec ar .
Thisist o ohar dfo rme.
Iridei nandl o oko utt hewi ndo w.Thet ear swellupi nmyeyes .
"Bab yi sev er ythingo key?"-Luphi ndo .
Ino dy es .
Hes tar tst hec ar.
"Nonz wakaz i
?"-hi m.
"Mhh?"
"Loo katme"-hi m.
Ido n't ...
Ic an' t.
Het urnsmyheadwi thhi shands oIc anl o okathi m.Idr opmyeyes.
"What 'swr ongno w?"-heas ks .
Ishakemyheadmeani ngno thingi swr ong .
Hefo l
lowsmyeyesunt i
lIl o okathi m.
"Bab yt al kt ome"-hi m.
Ibur sti nt ot ear s
.Ihat et his ,Ipr omi s
edIwo n'tc ryanymo rebutnowlookatme.
Het riest ohugmeb utIpus hhi m away .Het ri
esag ain,Ig i
vehim av er
yhards lap
ands trang lehi m.I' mfi ght ingt hi sloveIhav eforhi m.Iwanti ttoend.
Iwr inklehi ss hirtandt het earo ffal ltheb uttons.Theyfal l
.
Hej us tlo oksatmedo ingal lt heset hing s.
"WHYTHEHELLDOILOVEYOUS OMUCH?!!!"Ishoutandpunchhimstr
aig
hto
nhi
s
fac
e.
Heuseshi
sshir
tsowipetheb
loo
dcomingfromhisnose.
Hethenst
artsdri
ving.I'
msoangr
yri
g htnow.
Hedoesn'
tevenloo
katmewhenhedr ives
.I'mcryi
ngandscr
eaming.

Wereachthehous
eandIj us
twalkinandgost
raighttot
hes par
ebedr
oom.
Heg
o estohi
soffi
ce.It
'ss
oquieti
nthi
shous
erightnow.Itakeanap.

Iwakeupandl ookatt her i

ngo nmyfi nger.Ic an'treall
yg iveupo nhim.We' v
e
wor kedhar dt ob ewher ewear et oday.WhyamIb einglikethis?.Ikno whel ov
esme.
Theymi ghtc allhim ab lesserb utweb othkno wt hat'sno ttrue.Thet r uthishe'smy
hus bandt ob e.
Ig etupandg ot ohiso fficet hewho leho useisdar k.
Ifi ndhi mt ypingo nhi smacb ook.
"Ar eyo ur eadyt otalkno w?"-heas ksstillfocusingo nwhathe' sdo i
ng.
"Yes ...Iam"
Hepul lsac hai rformet ositnex ttohi m.
Hel o oksatmei ntheeye.
"Iwannaheari t"-hi m.
"I'ms or ryt ohur tyo u,Ij us tco ul
dn' tco ntrolmyang er"
Hej ustl ooksatme.Hewant sanex planat ion.
"Theys ai dyo u'remyb lesser"
"And. .?"-hi m.
"Theyl aug hedatmeandal sos aidyo uwi llno wmo v
eo ntoo t
herg i
rlswhodo n't
hav eki ds "
"Mmhh, "-hi m.
"I'ms or ryLuphi ndo,Ipr omi seitwo n'thappenag ain"
"Whydo n'tyo ug iveupo nmet hen?,whydo n'ty oupac kupal lyourt hingsand
leav eme?,whydo n'tyo ut akeo ffthatr i
ngandj ust..
."he'syel l
ing.
"Bec aus eIl ov eyou"Is hout .
Her aisehi seyest olookatmehel ooksstunned.
"Real ly ?"-hi m.
"Yes ,Il ov
eyo us omuc hLuphi ndo "
"Why?"-hi m.
"Yo u'real lt hatIneedandyo ul ovemet o o"
"Butyo us aidt hingswi llnev erwo rkb etweenus "-him.
"Iwaswr ong ,web othdo n'tkno wwhatt hefut ureho ldsfo rus.Ther e'shope...
"
"Ido n' twannal oseyo uNo nzwakaz i.I'llnev erletyo ugomyl ove."-him.
"Met o o,Iwannab ewi thy o ufort her esto fmyl i
fe"
Hes miles .
"Pinkypr omi se?"-hi m.
"Yes ...pinkypr omisefi anc ee"
"Let 'sg otob edi t'
slat e"-hi m.
Hepul l
smeb yhandaswewal kupt hes t
air
s.
"ShouldIt urnoffthebathr
o o
ml i
ghts?"-him.
"No"
Hej oi
nsmei nb ed.
"Everythingwil
lbeokeyNonzwakazi"-hewhisper
shug
gingmefr
omb
ehi
nd.
Iholdhi shand.Wewillb
efineIkno w.

Chapt er39
Irunupt hes tair sass oonasIhearmyb ab ycrying.
Iwal ki nt ot henur seryandt akehi mfr o mt hec ot.
"Hus hhus hmyl ittleNg cobo"Is ayt ringt oc almhi mdo wn.
Hedo es n'ts t opc r yingt ho ug h.
"Co meo nb ab y,what '
swr ong ?.Tal kt omo mmyo ryo uwantdaddy ?"
Hec riesev enl ouder .
"Luphi ndo !."Is ho ut.
Hedo esn' tc o me.
Iputt heb ab ydo wn.Ther e'sb loodal lovermyhandsandt heb abyt oo
.
"Luphi ndo !"Is ho utag ain.
Wher ei sheIr unt ot hepas s ag e.
"Luphi ndo !"
Allt hel ig htsar eno wo ff.Is cream.
"No nz wakaz i!"-he' ssho utingands haki ngme.
Ig etupands ito nmyb utt.Whatt hehel lwast hat ?
"Her e"-hi m.
Itaket hewat ero nhi shandands t
ar tdr inking.
"What 'swr o ng ?"-hi m.
Itt akesawhi leb efo reIc anc almdo wnands tartex plainingt ohim.
"I'ms orr y"-hes aysb rushingmyb ack.
I'ms weat i
ng .Ig etupandg ot ot heb at hroomt owi pet hes weatandwearc lean
nightdr es s.
WhenIwal kb ac kt ot heb edr oom Ifi ndhi ms l
eepi ngb yt hec ornero ftheb
ed.I
pullt hec o vert ohi mandt akemypho ne.It 's1:58.Ic allmo m.
"No nz wakaz i?"-her .
"I'ms orr yt odi st ur byo u"
"Whatdoyo uwant ?"-her .
Wo w! !.
"Iwast elli
ngyo ut hatIhadani ghtmar eab outtheb aby "
"So rry"-her .
"O...key"
"Yo uj us thav et odoac leans i
ngc er emo nyandev eryt hingwillbes mooth"-mom.
"Whati sneeded?"
"Star tmaki ngt radi tionalb eerwewi lltalkt omo rrow,Iwannas l
eep"-mo m.
Shej us thungup.Ifeels olefto ut.Whyi ss hedo ingt histome?.
"Luh"Is ays haki nghi m.
"Mmhh?"-hi m.
"Mo mmys ai dwes ho ulddoac leans ingc er emo ny"
"Okeywewi lldoi t"-hes ayspul l
ingt hec o ver.
"Co meo nb ab edo n' tdot hat "
"I'mt ired"-hi m.
"Whatmadeyo ut ired?"
"Wo r kandt hepunc hesyo ug avemeyes t er day"-hes ayslaughing.
Thatmakesmefeels ob ad.Is wearIdi dn' tmeani t.
"...fo ramo mentIt houg htI' m mar ryi ngVandamme. "-hes aysandc ont
inue
laug hing .
"Bab yI' ms orr yIr eallydi dn' tmeani t"
"Whenmyno s es tar tedb leedingIj us tknewImi ghtdieanyt i
me,Il o
v eyoumy
Queen.Myb oxer."-hec ont i
nues .
Web othl aug hatt hat .He' ssounfai r.
Letmeg eto uto ft hisb edb eforeIpunc hhi mag ain.
"Wher ear eyo ug oing ?"-hi m.
"Tot heki tchen.I' mhung ryandI' llstar tmaki ngt radit
ionalbeer."
"Nodo n'tg ot her e.Thel iz ardsar eg onnaeatyo u"-hes ayspull
ingmeb acktothe
bed.
"Yo u'reac tuallyr ighti fI. ...
"
Hepul lsmeandki s smepas si
onat ely.
Ifeelhi shando nmyb o obs.Isn'ti tt o
oear lytho ugh?.
Imeanwe' v ej ustlo stac hild.No !,thisi sno tgoodatal l.
"Luphi ndo !"Imumb l
e.
"Shh,Il ov eyo u"-hes ayski ssi
ngmeal lt hewaydo wnmynec k.
"Il ov eyo ut oofi anc ee. "Iwhi sper .
------

Itieupmyhai rinapo nytail

.Ineedt odos omeb raidsatl easti t'
sb eenawhi le
wit
ho utdo ingmyhai r.
WhenI' mdo ne,Ir undo wnt hestairst ocheckift heki dsares til
lswimmi ngorwhat .
"Notev enas carftoc ov
eryo ursho ulder s
,orado eko nyo urhead.No nz wakazist
o p
dis
res pecti
ngus .I'ms ureLuphi ndowi llchangehi smi ndaft erseeingyo uwear i
ng
suchas ho rtdress"-auntHl engiwe.
"Butaunt ythec er
emo nywasyes terdays oit'
sov erIc anwearwhat everIl i
ke"
Mydr essisno tevent hats hort
.It 'sj ustabovemykneesb utauntHl engi
web ei
ng
herself..
.
Luphindoi sno wlaughingatme.Hekno wsI'mi r
r i
tatedb yal
lt his.
"Dowhat everyoulike.It'
syo urho useaft erall
."-Hl eng i
we.
Ilaug hatt hat.
"Wher edoyo ukeept hepeanutb utterint hi
sho use?"-Thams anqa.
He'swet .Ihav etokeepc leaningt hisho usenow.
"Nobo dyeat speanutb utterint hisho use.Thatmeanswedo n' thav epeanutb utter
inthisho us e. "
Het urnst ol ookatLuphi ndo .
"Areyo us er ious ?"-Thami .
Web othno d.
Hewal kst ohi sb edr o om.Ipi ckb abyS waphiwefr omt hefl oor.
It'
sni cehav ingpeo plear o undt hisho usesinceit'st oobigbutal s
oi t'
sal otofwo rk
wit
hal lt hes eki dsher e.
Yesterdaywaswo r se.Es pec iallywhenwehadt oeatt heg oatmeatt herewass omuc h
nois
eandques tionso nwhywes houldeati tandt hati tdoesn'ttastenice...
si
gh.
"Nonz wakaz i
,j us tt akemeho me"-Thami .
Hehasal lhi sb ag swi thhim.Weal llaugh.
Wes houldb uypeanutb utterIg ues s.
"Mymo s
tb eaut ifuls ist
er /c ous i
n/Queen/pr inces s
....
"-Bo ngeka.
"No!!"
Ijus tkno ws hewant smypho ne.
"Aunt yt oldmet hatyo uwi llleav eusasyo u'reg ett
ingmar r
iedt oLuphi ndo."-her
again.
"She'sr i
g htb utI' llc omeandv isityouatNt uz
umadur ingtheweekendso key?"
"Luphi ndol ov esyo u. ..andt hats i
mpl ymeansIl ov ehim"-Bo ngeka.
"Doyo ur eal l
ymeant hat?"
"Yeshe' lltakeg o o dc areo fyo uIkno w"-Bo ngeka.
"Bab yg og ett hatpeanutb ut ter"-Luphi ndos ayst ome.
"NoI' m..."
"I'l
lg ob uyi t"-S imt handi les ayst akingt hekeysfr om Luphindo .Finall
ys heg et
sa
chanc et odr ivet heG63.
Thehappi nes so nherfac e.Bo ng ekar unso uttothes wimmingpo ol.

Chapt er40
LastweekIr eceiv
esmyr esults
.Imadei tandI'mtoohappys oI'mgraduati
nginafew
mont hs.Mosto ft hetradit
ionalthi
ngswehadt odob efo
ret heweddingar
edo ne.It
's
justthatIdo n'treall
ykno wwhatshouldbedonebutLuphindoisworki
ngonit.Iheard
we'reg oi
ngt ohisho meforuMb ondobackinMaphumul oIdon'tevenknowwhatisthat
orwher eisthatplac ebutI'l
ldoanythingtobewi
thhim.
Whats ho uldIc o okt o day?.Mayb esteam br eadandb eanswillnotbeb adthat'
sa
decentt radi tionalmeal .
Mypho nei sring i
ng .
"Who '
st his?"
"Theladywhob o ughtyo ut hatpho ne"
Ilaugh.
"Nonjab uloho war eyo u?"
"Opent heg atepl eas e"-s hes aysandhangup.
Icheckt hec amer asfi rst.Ther e'saLex usparked.
Iopenupandg ot ot hepar king .
Areyout ryingt ot ellmet hatNj abuloboughtanewc ar?.It'sreal
lythem.
Wow!!.
"Thisbab yi ssol ovelyg uys "
Theyjus tg ivemes miles.
It'
saLC500nav yinc o lour.Il ikei t,i
t'
sb eaut
iful.Lexusisunique.
"Wait..
."Is ayo peni ngt heb ackdo ortotakemypr inces
s.
She'
ss oc ute.Whi tec ompl ex ion,b lackhair,bi
geyes ,chubbyandal lthecut
enessyo
uc an
thi
nko f.S he' ssofatt houg h.
"Wo wNo zwakaz ithi shouseisv eryb eautiful"-No njabulo
.
"Thankyo u"
"Its eemsl i
keIal sohav etob ur nso meone'sho usedo wn"-s hecontinues.
IsideeyeNj ab uloandwel aug h.
Unfo rtunat elyLuphi ndoisno ther eandt hats implymeansNj abulowillg
etbored.
"Thatg l
as swal l,theg ardeno hGo d.Iwannal i
v ehere"-No njabul
o.
Wel aug h.
"Thisi sho meb ab esyo ucanc o meanyt i
me"
"It hinkt hiss ho uldb eyourweddi ngvenue.Yo uhav eeno ughspac eplusthepool
andt hefo unt ain.Go dthepict uresI'dt akeher earetodi efor"-No njabul
o.
"You' rer i
g htb ab y"-Nj abulo.
"Comeo ng uysdo n' tbethisexc it
ed,weal readyhav eav enue"
Isaydi rect i
ngt hemt othedo o r.
"Hellomywo rldsmo stcuttestpr incess"
Njab uloj ustdi sappear ed.
"I'mab outwhathappenedt oyo urb aby"-No nj abulo.
Ipul las mi le.
"I'l
lb efi neb ab esthankyo u"
Shec ouldn' tmakei ttothefuner al.
"CanIg i
v eyo uahug ?"-her.
Iwal kt oherands heg i
vesmeat ightcomfo rtab l
ehug .
"Letmeo rderuss o
met hingtoEat "Is aywal kingt othelandl i
ne.

"That'sjus
tthatandI'llmakesureIpromis
e"-Luphindo
.
He'sbackthat'
swonderful.S
nenjabul
oisfastas
leepo
nmyarms
.
Guesswhonamedher ?,you'r
erig
htit'
sme.
"Bab yl ookatho wc ut es hei s"
"Wo w! ,Nj ab uloar eyo us ur et hatt hisb abyi syo urs?"-Luphi ndo .
"You' llnev erkno wman! "-Nj ab ulos aysandweal llaug h.
"I'llgoputherdo wnups tai rs"
Iwal kupt hes tairsandputhero nt hec o tatt henur s
er ythent urno ntheb ab
y
mo nito r.
"Sowheni st heb igday?"-No nj ab ul o
.
"She' llletmekno wwhens hedec ides "-Luphi ndo .
"Iho nes t l
yc an'twai t "-No nj ab ulo .
Itakeas itnex tt oNj ab ul o .
"Bab yNj ab ulowi llb emyb estman"-Luphi ndo .
Ismi leandr aisemyeyest oNo nj ab ul o.
"NoI' llbedo ingmyj ob "-No nj ab ul o.
"Butyo uc anc allyo urt eamt odot hewo rk"
"NoIwantt ohandl et hi so nemys elfi t'
sg onnab esol ittrustme"-No nj abul
o.
"Whowi llb eNj abul o'spar t ner "
"Themai do fho no ur"-No nj ab ul o .
She'ss er iouso nt hi so ne.
Ino dasweal ldigi nt oo urfo od.
"Pleas et hinkab outt hev enue,t hisg ar deni sr eallyb eautifulb abe"-Nonjabulo.
Irai semyeyest olo okatL uphi ndo .Hes hr ug .
"Dowhat everyo ul ike"hes ays .
Yes,I' lldowhatIl ike.Nj ab ulo 'spar t nerwi llb eS i
mt handi le.
Bandi lewi llg owi thNo mv elo .Ido n' tkno wi fS fisowillbet her etoo.
Rememb erhi m?,t heyo ung erb rot her ?YesIhav etofi ndhi maj ustincasepar t
ner.
Thepr o blemi she' si nb o ar di ngs cho o
lb utwewi llsee.
"Wel o o kupt oyo ug uys ,we' real s og oingtodot her i
ghtt hing "-Njabulo
.
"That ' swhatwewant "-Luphi ndo .
"Is til
lwantt ot es tdr ivet henewb ab yit'sv er yv eryb eaut i
ful"
Theys mi le.
Themo to rmakest heno is eandIr unupt hes t airs.
Shec o ug hsandg oesb ac kt ohers leep.
Iwal kb ac kdo wns t airs .Theyl aug hatme.
"We need s omeo ne l ike yo ui nt hatho us e yo uc an r un unl i
ke s o
meb o
dy I
kno w"-Nj ab ulo .
"Nor el axl o vet hatb ab ys l
eepst hewho l
edayj ustsitdo wnandeat "-Nonjabulo.
Ilov eb ab i
ess omuc handIc an' thel pi t.
Chapt er41
"Ther eas onwhyIc alledt hismeet ingi sb ecauseo ft heho useatKwa-Dab eka"
"Whatab outi t ?"-No mv elo .
"Whenl as tdi dyo ug ot her etos eei t?"Ir ai s
emyeyest olookatmo m.
"MhhIt hi nki t's7year sag oI' mno tsure"-mo m.
"Yesmet o o"-No mv elo.
"Ohs oyo udo n' tseeanyt hingwr ongwi tht hat?"
"Nah,whatdoyo uwantust odowi tht hatho useb ecaus eit'
sj ustt
here?"-No mvel
o.
"Comeo ng uyst hinko fs onet hingwec oulddoab outt hatho useitcannotb eli
kethat
wheni t'
swr i
t tenunderyo urnamemo m"
"You' rer ightb utwhatc anwedo ?"-Mo m.
"Let'sal lt hink"
Si
lenc e.Ij ugdo wnmyc o cktailint hemeant ime.
Icallt hewai tert oo rder .
"Anyi deas ?"
"No,I' mj us tb lank"-No mv elo.
"OkeyIt hinkwes ho uldmakes omet hingt hat'sg oingt ob ringmo neyl i
keaday
care"
Si
lenc e.Ouc h!,t heydo n'tl i
kemyi dea.
"Ido n'tkno wi ft hat 'so keywi thyo u.."
"MhhIt hi nkIl iket hati dea"-No mv el
o.
"Whyadayc ar eo fal lthi ngs?"-mo m
"Firstlyi t'sb ec aus eo ft heg ro wt ho ft hepo pulat i
on,s econdlyit'sbecauseo fthe
unempl oymentr ate,t hirdl yitwi llmakemo neyt histhingismo rel
ikeani nves
tment,
andIwantyo ut og ot ot hatho useands eei t
!"
"Ifyo us ays o ...it'
syo urfat her sho useaft eralldowhat everyo uli
ke"-Mo m.
"Whyar eyo uac ti
ngl iket hi s
?"
"Bec aus eyo u' reg rownandyo uc anmakedec is
ionso nyo uro wn"-Mo m.
"Wo w! "-No mv elo.
I'ms oc onfus edb utI' mg ladmypl anwi llwo rk.

------
Heenter
sthedo
orr
ightaft
erIfi
nis
hco
oki
ng.
"Bab y?"
Het akeso ffhi sc oatr ightatt hedo o randt hr owito nt hefl oorangril
y.
"Luh?"
Hewal kst omeandho l
dmev eryt i
g ht .Noi t'
sno tahug ,he'sho l
dingme.
Hes tar tscrying .What 'swr ongwhatdi dIdo ?.
Iwo n'ts ayanyt hi ng .I' mno tev enmo vingb utI' ms cared.
Hepus hesmet ot hewal lIj ustl etitb e.
Het henpul l
smet ot hefl oor,het ear smys hirto ff.Hel ooksatmes traig
htint
he
eye,hi seyesar er ed.
I'mt remb l
ingwi thmyhandso nmyc hes t.
Hepul lsmys kir to ffex po s
ingmyb o dyt ohi ms elf.
Heunz iphi spant sandundohi sb elt.Het henl oo
ksatmes t
rai
ghti ntheeyeashe
forceshi ms elfi nsideme.
Istar tc ryingins i
lenc e.I' ms ohur tb ywhathe' sdo ing.
Whyi shedo i
ngal lt his?.
Idoashes ays .Il ayo nmyb ac kag ains tt hec o l
dfl oorunt ilhefinishes.
Whenhe' sfinal lydo neheg etsupandfi xhims elf.
Hepul lsmeup.
"Getdr essed"-hes aysc alml yt hist ime.Whatj usthappened?.
Itakemys kirtfr omt hefl oorandweari tal lthewayt ot hec hest
.
I'ms til
lc rying.Hewal ksups tairs.Is tayo nt heki t
c henfl oo randc r
yi tallout
.
Whatdi dIdot othi smant odes erv et his ?
Theremus tb es omet hi ngwr ong .Luphi ndoi sno tab us i
ve.
Itho ug htIknewhi mno wb utc lear lyIdo n't.
I'l
lus et heg ues tb edr o om.Idr agmys elfal lt hewayupt hes t
air
s.
I'dpr ayb utIdo n' twantt oc allGo d' snameo nlywhenIhav eprobl
ems .
"I'ms o rry"hes ays .
Iwal kt ot hec losetandpul lmyni ghtdr essandl eav eo urb edroom.
Hepul lsmet ohi sc hestwhenher eac hesmeatt hepas sage.
Heg ivesmet hewo rldsmo stco mfo rt ab lehug .
"She'sdead"-hes ays .
Iletg oandl ookathi mi nt heeye.
"Areyo us ure?"
"YesIdi di tmys elf"-hes ays .
"Okey"Is ayandc ont inuewal king.
Icanno tev enwal kpr o perlyi t'
ss ore.
"I'mr eal lyso rryIl oveyo u,pl easefo rgiveme"-hes ayst ryingtoholdme.
Ino dandwal kt ot heg ues tb edr oom.
Chapter42
"Guysc anIans wert hiscal lplease?"
"Noyo u'llrui nyo urmake-up"-S imt handile.
"There'ss tilltimet or edoi t"Is ayans weri
ngt hec all
.
"MrsNg c
o bo?"-Luphi ndo .
"MrNg c obo "Ir es po nds mi ling.
"Ican' twai tt os eeyo u,Iknewy o uwillbelate"hes aysandlaugh.
"I'ms oner vous "
"Areyo us ur eab o utt his?"-hi m.
"It'
swayb eyo ndb eings ur e,let'sdot his"
"Iloveyo u"-hi m.
"Iloveyo ut oohub by"
"I'mher et ofet chyo u"-hi m.
"Letmefi ni shdr es singup"
"Iloveyo uNo nz wakaz iNg co bo"-hi m.
"Iloveyo umo reb ab y"Is ayandhangup.
Si
gh.I' mdo ingt hi s,I'mb ec ominghi swifet oday.
Wedes er vei t,wedes erveal lthehappi nessint hewo rl
dwe'vebeenthr
oug
hthewor
st
andfi nal l
yt odayi t '
shappeni ng.
"Done"-No kwaz imymakeupar tist.
Is t
ando nmyfeett ol ookatmys el
fi nt hemi rror.Yesexact
lywhatIwant
eda
naturall ookwhi chi sal soc lassy.
Si
mt handi let akest hedr essandhel psmewi t
hi t.
Nomv elofi xesmyhai r.
"Ican' tb elievet hisi shappeni ng "-mo ms ayst eary.
Sheg i
vesmeav er yt ighthug .
"Ifs o
met hingb other syo umyc hild,comeb ac kho me."-mom.
"Okey"
"Wewi llalway sloveyo u"-Mo mag ain.
"Iloveyo ut oomo mmy "
Ihugherag ain.
"It'
st i
me. "-her .
Iletgoo fhert os eeNo mv eloandS i
mt handi l
ec ryi
ng .
"Nog uysdo n' tmakemer uinmymakeuppl ease"
"I'mno tc rying ,yo uloo ks oc utes i
s"-S imt handi le.
"I'llmi ssyo us omuc h,Ikno wIwas n' tt heb estsistert oyo ub ut..
."sheb reaks.
That '
sNo mv elo .Ipul lthemandwedoag ro uphug .
"I'llc omeb ac kIpr o
mi se"
"Pi nkypr omi se?"-No mv elo .
Wedoi t .
"Mag c i
nol et 'sg owe' relat e"-Dad.
"Let 'spr ayb efo rewel eav e"-Go go.
Wedot hat .Andt heys tar ts ing ingaweddi ngs ong .
Dadi sho ldingmyhandt ights i
nc et hes lopei tsteepweneedt ob eextracareful.
"Ar eyo us ur eab outhi m?"-Dad.
"YesDad"
Wedi dn' thi r eanyc ar .We' llus et heav ai l
ab leones .
Is eeLuphi ndo 'sc ardr i
v ingo ffass oonasIappr oac ht hedr iveway.
"Yo uandt hefl owerg i
r lwi llus et hatMer cedes"-S i
mt handi le.
It'sherfr iendsMer cedesGLE63AMGMyfl owerg i
r lisSwaphi we(Elihlesdaughter)
they' res ti
llul ul atingwhenI' mi nsidet hec ar.
'Ic an' twai tt os eeyo u't hemes sag er eadsfr omhi m.
Theyb l
o wt heho oterswhenwedr iveo ff.
Wes trug g l
et ofi ndapar kingb utt henwefi nall
ydofi ndi t.
Theyal lleav et hec arsandl eav e.S oi t'sj us tmeher eandDad.
Wewai tt il
lS imt handi l
es ignsfo rust oc o me.Ev eryo nes tando ntheirfeet.
"Ar eyo us ur e?"Dadag ai n.
"Yesb ab aI' ms ure,Il o vehi ms omuc h.He' stheo ne"
Simt handi let akesmyheel so ffIal wayspr eferwal kingb arefo otonthes and.
Dads ayshe' sfi nehec andoi t.
Thes ongb y' danS iegel-yo ul etmei n's tar tsplayi ng .
Theb eac hs andi swar m.Thes eab reez ei sr efreshi ng ,thisisho wIimag inedit.
Wewal kdo wnt heai sl
eandIr aisemyeyest ol ookatLuphi ndo .
Hefac est heo therdi rec tio n.Nj ab ul ohandshi mt hehandker chi
ef.
Hes tepsfo war dab i
tandwai tst il
lwe' rei nfr onto fhi m.Hi seyesarer ed.
"Bo s s
,nev ert akeadv ant ag eo ft hatYo u'remyb o ss.Thisi smydaug htertakec are
ofher ,i fyo uc an' tb ri
ngherb ac kho me"-Dads ayst ohi m.
"YesI' lldoex ac tl
yt hatIpr o mis e"-Luphi ndo .
Theyhands hakeandhet akesmeawayfr o mDad.
Wewal kt ot heal ter .
"St opc r yingyo u' l
lmakemec r yt oo"Iwhi sper .
"Ic an' thel pi tyo u' reb eaut iful"-hewhi spersb ac k.
"Ihav en' ts ai d anyt hi ngyetb utt hey' real readyt alking "-MrNx ele.That'so ur
pries t.
Ther e' slaug ht er .
"Whatar eyo us ayi ng?"-MrNx eleag ain.
He' st alkingt ome.
"I'mpr ac t i
singmyv o ws"Il ie.
There' slaug ht erag ain.
Wher edi dal lt hes epeo plec o me?.
Thisismo ret hanIex pec ted.Mayb ei t'sbec aus ewe' reb yt hes ea,t hey'rej usther e
toseewhat '
sg oingo n.Yo ukno wt hosepeo ple.
Luphi ndol ookss oc har mi ngi nhi stex udob yt heway.Di dIt ellyo ut hatwedo n't
havet hec olo uro ft heday?,wel lwedo n'tt heb ri
des mai dandt hemai do fho no ur
arewear i
ngs t uits .Nav yi nc o l
our.It 'swhatIwant ed.
OhandNj ab ul ot o ohewi nksatmeandIwi nkb ac k.Ther e'sBandi ler i
ghtnex tt o
him.
"Ifanyo newant st os t opt hi sweddi ngdoi tno wo rfo reverho l
dyo urpeac e"-Mr
Nxele.
Si
lenc e.
Irais emyeyest ol oo kar ound.
Njab ulos tandupandwal ks traighttot heal tart her e' sno i
se.I' mab outtodi e.
Het akest hemi cro pho nefr o mt heMrNx el
e.
"Noo newant st os topt hi sweddi ngandnoo newi ll,t hisweddi ngishappeni ngr ight
herer i
ghtno w! "Hes aysanddr opst hemi c.Ther e' sl aug ht
erag ain.Nohes houldb e
gay...
I'ml aug hi ngs ohar d.Nj ab ulol ovesdr amas omuc h.
"Ifyo us ayss ot henl et 'sc o ntinue"-MrNx ele.
Hes tar tswi tht hewo rdo fGo d.
It'
sho ther eb utI' mg ladwehav eumb rell
asfo rev er yo ne.
"CanIpl eas ehav et her ing s ?"-MrNx ele.
Swaphi wes t
ar tsc r yingwhent heyt ellhert ohando v ert her ings.Lwaz itakest hem
andg ivet hemt ot hepr iest .
Minei sr o sego ld.Hi si sS ilver .
"Ib eliev et hatt hev owss ho ul dc omefr omani ndiv i
dual '
shear t"-pr iest.
"CanIs tar t?"
"NoI' ms t art ing "-Luphi ndo .
Ismi le,hes mi lesb ac k.
"Ladi esfi r st"-Nj ab ulo.
Nonj ab ulos to pst aki ngpi c tur esandg i
v eNj ab uloa' lo ok'
Hes itsdo wnandkeepqui et .He' sac ti
ngl i
keac hi
ldr eal l
yb utIl ikei t.
WhenMrNx el ei sdo nepr ayi ngIt akeLuphi ndo 'sringandc learmyt hroat.
Heho ldst hemi cfo rme.
"MyNg cob o!"Is ayandg i
v eev er yoneac hanc etol aug hev ent ho ug hIdo n' tkno w
why.It hi nki ts oundsni cet ot hemt o o.
"Thel oveo fmyl ife. .."hepo pso uthi seyesands mi le.Ifal linlov ewitht hats mile
eachandev er yday.
"INo nz wakaz iMakhanyadopl edg eyo uLuphi ndomyl ovefo rasl o ngasIl ivewhat
Ipo sses sint hiswo rldIwi llg ivetoyo u.
Iwillkeepyo uandho ldyo u, .
Iwi l
lc o mfo r tyo uandt endyo u,
Iwi llpr otec tyo uands helteryo ufo ral lthedayso fmyl ife.
Ilo veyo uwayt oomuc hho ney,Ij ustl oveyo u,Il oveyo uLuh"Is ays li
di ngt her i
ng
do wnhi sfi ng er .Theyul ulatet ot hat .Yes s!
,I' mt akinghi m.
He' st aken! !.
I'mno tg oo dwi thwo rdspl usI' mner vousb utImeantev erywo rdhekno wst hat .
Het akest her ing ,myhear tj umps .Her emo v est heo ldo nefr om myfi ng erand
thro wi tinhi spo cket .
"To dayi smo s tlyano r
di nar yday.Yo ukno wi t'
sno tmyfi rstt imemaki ngapr o mise
tob ewi thyo ufo rev err ight .
..?"
Ino d.
"To dayi so r di nar y,Ido n'tl ov eyo uanyl ess.Thi sisno tyo urfi rstt i
meb eingmy
wife,yo u'v eal waysb eens incedayo ne. "-hec o ntinues.
Whyi shes or elax edab outal lt his?.He' smaki ngmec r
y.
"Do n' tc ryb ab y. .
.Ihav en' tev ens tar ted"-hi m.
Simt handi lewi pest het ear so nmyfac e.
Ihear"nc oo o h"fr o mt heg ues ts.
"Il oveyo uNo nzwakaz iyo ukno wt hat ,I' m no tper fec tand Iwas n' twhatyo u
want ed t hefi rstt imewemetb utno w I'm wi ll
ingt ob eco met heman o fyo ur
dreams "-hec ont inues .
Nonz wakaz is t opc rying! !.
"Whenev erIas kmys elfi fyo u'rer eallyt heo net heans weri sal waysYES .The
pro blems tar tswhenIas kmys elfi fIr eallydes erveyo u..."hec ut s.
"I'mwi ll
ingt hat 'sal waysmyans wer .I' mwi l
lingt odoanyt hingt ob ewi thyo uIl o
v e
yous omuc h.Ipr omi s
et oal waysl eav et heb at hrooml ight so n..."t her e'slaug hter
agai n.
"Ipr o miset oki l
lal lthel iz
ar dsi nt heho use,Ipr omiset omys teriouslyt aket hree
hour st omakeas i
mpl eo mel et ,Ipr omi set oc reat eal ifefo ruso funex pect edand
strang eadv ent ur es .Ipr omi set hatIwi lll oveyo u."- hes aysal lt hatl ooki
ng
straig hti nt omyeye.
That 'sLuphi ndo ,hewi llt ake3ho ur sj ustt os ayhel ovesmeb lahb l
ahb lah.Thi s
sho uldn' tb ehar d.
"...Ipl eadg et onev ert akes coreev eni fI'mt o tallywinni ng "
Is mi let ot hat .
"Ipl edg et oal waysadmi reyo urhug e,s tronganddet ermi nedhear t,
Ipl edg et hatIwi lllo veyo u.
Iv owt olist enfo rasl ongasi tt akest omakeyo ufeelhear d.
Iv owt ob eyo urunr elent ingc heers quado nt hedaysi tfeel st oomuc h,
Iv owt hatIwi lllov eyo u.
Ic ho oseyo u,t os tandb yyo urs i
deands leepi nyo urar ms .Tob ej oyt oyo urhear t
andfo odt oyo urs oul,t ol ear nwi thyo uandg rowwi thyo uev enast imeandl i
fe
chang esusb o th.
I'ms ur eyo u' reas kingyo ur selfwhenI' mg onnafi nis
h"-hi m.
Thel aug ht erag ain,no ...whyar epeo pl elaughi ngo nmyweddi ng?.
"Il ov eyo u"hes ayss li
di ngt her i
ngupmyfi ng er .
Theyul ul ateag ain.Thehappi nes so nev er yonesfac er i
ghtno w,I' mg ladMaNdl ovu
isnomo re.S hewo uldn' tb ehappyt os eet his.
"Ino wpr ono unc eyo uhus bandandwi fe,MrandMr sNg c obo..
.yo umayki ssthe
bride"-pr ies t.
Her emo vest heVai landweki ss.Theyc heerandt ellust odoi tag ain.Is i
mply
igno ret hat .
Wai t....whatwast hat ?.Theki sswass oawkwar dwi thev eryo nel ookingatusand
cheer ingl iket hat .
"Il o veyo uMr sNg c obo"-hewhi sper sinmyear .
"No tyetwes tillhav et os ign"
"Real ly?,whenar eyo ub eco mingaNg co bo?"
We' reg ivenc hai rst os itdo wnands ign,t akefi ng erpr intst hat 'sthei mpo rt
antpart
oft heweddi ngwher eIhav et oc hang eas urnameands ignfo rthat .
Wher edi dal lt hes epeo pl ec omefr om?.Iho pehal fo ft hem wi lldi s
appearwhenwe
got ot her ecept i
onc aus ewer eallyc an' t.
Wedanc eo no urwayo ut .
"Whydi dyo uc hoo set heb eac ht ho ugh?"-Luphi ndo .
"Isi tt hatb ad?"
"Nob utt hes un. ..
"-hi mag ain.
"Ic ho sei tb ec aus eIhadt os ho wyo ut hatmyl o vefo ryo ui sendl essli
ket hisoc
ean,
it'
sv eryb igandi twi llnev erend"
"Wo wt hat 'sdeep, "-hi m.
"Andt ho sewav esr epr es ent sthatt heupsanddo wnswi l
lal waysb ether enomat t
er
whatt heynev erendb utt heydo n' tmeant heo c eani sb eingfi nished"
"Yo u' res mar tandIl ikei t"-hi m.
Is mi le.
"Wher ei st her ecept ion?"-hi m.
"It 'sas ur pr ise"
Wes tillhav et og ot ob ot ani queg ardensfo rt hepi ctures.Ic hoseas impleandeas il
y
acc es siblepl ac eandg ues swhat .
..ev ery onewhoi sinvitedi sneededatt heshoottoo.
Yesweg otNo nj ab ulo'sc r ewher es oyes .
------
Thes ho o twentwel lI'mhappy.
"Bab yho wdoyo ut hinko fs ucht hingst ho ugh?,yo ukno wwhatIwantt omar ryyou
ag ain"-Luphi ndo .
"Al ready?"Ias kl aug hi ng .
He' so ver whel medb yt her ecept ion.We' r eatt hephant oms hipatuS hakaMar i
ne
Wo rld.
We' reex pec ting150peo pl etheo ther swewi l
ls eewhatt odowi tht hem,S imthandil
e
willkno w.
Lwaz iandS waphi wear et hefi rstt og o.They' r es oc ute.
"Iho peyo upr ac tisedb ec aus ei t
'sab outt og odo wn"-Luphi ndo .
Ir ollmyeyes .
"Ido n'tneedt opr ac ti
s eweal lkno wt hatI' mb et t
ert hanyo uMrNg cob o"
Hec huc kles .
Okeyi t'so urt urnwe' rer ightb ehindNj abuloandS imt handi le.
There' snos tepher eyo uj us thav et odowhatyo uc andot hat'swhyI' m kil
li
ngmy
gwarag war arightno w.
Whendi dLuphi ndol ear nho wt odanc e?.Manar et ras hIt ellyou.
I'ms odefeat ed.Ig o tmar riedt oadanc erno w?,yo ul ear nt i
llyoudi e.
We'refi nal l
ys eat ed.Il i
ket hev i
ewher e,we' res eeingt hes har ksher eandt hat'
s
whyIwentfo rthispl ac e,thes oundo fthes eai sal sofas cinat i
ng.
Luphindo 's fat her whi sper ss omet hi
ng t o Luphi ndo . I wo nder . They laugh
afterwar ds .
"Who 'st heMC?I' llas khi mmys el
f"-hi sfat her .
"Somi ziMhl ongoo v ert here"-Luphi ndo .
Excusemewhatdi dhej usts ay?.I'mab outt olosemymi nd.
"Cong rat ulationsg uyso nyo urweddi ng"-hes peaksi nt hemi c.
Doeshehav eanyi deaho wmuc hIl o vehim,Luphi ndokno ws .Somi z
iis. .
.God!Ij us
t
lov
ehi m.' Wo oohs hem'
Hes tar tswi ththes tupidj okeso neo ft her eas onswhyIl ovehi m.
I'mj us tg ladt hatwehav eeno ughs pacefo rev eryo ne.
Butwai t...di dIt ellyo ut hatLuphi ndohasfr iendsandt hey'real lmar r
ied?,well
hedo esandi t'smyfi rsttimemeet ingt hem t oday.They' r ether i
cht ypeandt hei
r
wivesar es layqueens .Hes aidheb ro keupwi tht hemb ecaus ehefel tleftoutandal l
theo thert hingshement ioned.
ButIdo n'tt hinkIl iket hemt hat '
smypr oblem,t hei rwi vest oo.

Chapter43
Theweat heri so no ursideag aintoday,i s
idwabai sveryheavy.Inev erexpectedthis
atall.
Wec hoset hes et woc onsecuti
vedayss owec anfinishthisandb efree.
They'real readys ingingt hetraditi
onalZul usongs.
It'
sb eenawhi les i
nc ewec ameher ewe' vebeeno utsi
dei nthes unwai ti
ng.It '
sa
ruralar eab utno tthatb ad.It '
swher ehisfat herwasb ornandb reds othat '
swhy
we'reher e,KwaMaphumul o.
BongekaasmyMag otshanai ssit
tingont hekist.
Iseemo vementi nthet entint heyard.It hinkwe' reabouttostart.
Abakho ng icomet oBo ng ekaands ays omething.
"R250"-Bo ng eka.
Whatt hehel l
?Fo rj ustmo vi
ngheras so ffthatki s
t?.
Theyg ob ac kt ot heho useandc omeb ackwi t
ht hemo neyshet akesitands li
dei tin
herpo cket ,thiski d.!.
Finallyt heyt el lust oc omei n.No mv elos tartsas ong.Ther ear eeno ug hpeo pl
eher e
tosing ,wes tillhav et oc ompet e.
I'ms ot iredandIwantal lo ft hi st oendno w.
Theymakemes ito nt heg r as smat .What ev ermanI' l
ldoi t
.WhenIr aisemyeyesI
seemyhus band.
Helo okss oc har mi ngi nhi st radi tionalZul uat tire.Is mi l
ehewi nksatmehi sfat her
pitc
heshi sar m.
Ouch!hes topss tar ringatme.
"Youc ang ono w"auntHl eng iwes ayspo intingmet othemi ddlewher eev eryo nec an
seeme.
Is t
ar tt hes ong"ng yafi s'ukuy b onai nt omb 'ethandai s
o kal am kho nai z ong i
t s
hel a
kahle"ands tar tdanc ingt het r adi tio nalway ,I' mno tg oodatt hisbutIpr acticed.
Luphi ndoi slo okingv er ysex yo nt hatc hai ryo u'ds wearhe' saKi ng .
Ifinal lywal kt ohi mandi ns er tt hekni fei nt heg r oundr ightb efo rehi m.
Oldwo menfr omhi ss ideul ulat e.
Hes tandsupandt akemyhand.Ther e'ss omuc hno i
sefr ompeo plec heer ing .
Hes tar tsas ongt o oanddanc eashehi tshi sihawuwi thakno bker rie.
"Fuz e, Ng co bo, mas hiyamahl e ng at h az o shumayel a, mapho lo ba, nyus wa,
mafuz 'aful ele ng efu l emv ula,mab hal a ng ozipho ab anye b eb hala ng epens ela,
malal 'efake umunwe endunu, av uke ekus eni awunc inde akho mb e i lang a,
mav ulankung u kuv elei l
ang a,s isidane,ng ong oma,maqadiamakhul u,mb ili
..
.
Ezenko siaz iqedwa"-hi sfat hers hout sashedanc esal ongwi thhi m.
Arepeo pl er eal l
yt hishappyab o utt hisweddi ngo rt hey'repr etendi ng?.
Whati sBab 'Ng co bodo ing?,he' st ryingt ohi tmewi tht hekno bker rieb utLuphi ndoi s
protec ti
ngmewi thi hawuandhe' sfi ght ingb ac k.
"Youmadei ts on,yo umadei t!! "-hefi nal l
ys ho ut swhenhe' sdo ne.
"Thankyo uJo ng ikhaya,Fuz 'elihl e.Thankyo uBab a"-Luphi ndo .
Jongikhayai shi sfat her '
sname.Ir ememb erho wIal mo stlaug hedt hefi rsttimeI
heardi t.
We'redo neno w.
"Howar eyo ufeel ingMr sNg cobo ?"-hewhi sper sinmyear .
"Ilov eyo uhub b y,t hat 'sho wIfeel "
Youc anj ustt ellt hatfo rhi mt hi swashi sdefi nit i
o no faweddi ng .
I'ms og ladi t'sdo ne.
-------
"Whatev erhappenss i
sj ustr ememb ert hatwe' res ti
llyo urfami lyand yo u're
alwayswel c
o me"-S imt handi le.
They' reg oingb ac kho meno w,l eav ingmeb ehi nd.Is ho uld wai tab out3mo nt hs
befor eIc ang oho meag aint ov isitt hem.
That 'sb ecaus eI' mnol ong erpar to ft hem.Ib elo ngtot heNg cob ofami lyno w.
Ihugt hemal landt heydr iveo ff.Thedus tint hi splace,Iwo nderho wt heymanag e
toli
v eher eal lt hedayso ft hei rl ives .
"Mako tit her ear et ho usand di shesi nt heki t chenwai t i
ngfo ryo u"-Luphi ndo '
s
aunt .
Ig iveheral oo k.
"Yo u'reno wmar rieds oj ustdoyo urjobasawi fe. "-herag ain.
Myj obist ot akec ar eo fmyhus bandno thisfami ly!.
Iwal kt ot heki tchenanyway.
Thi sho us ei sno tano rmalho use.Int heyar dt her ear emanydi fferentho uses
.
Oneo ft hem i saki tc
hen,t heo thero nei ss omeb ody' sbedro om.There'sal s
oab i
g
hous ewher et her ear et wob edr ooms ,a l oung eand a s mallkitchen.Yest he
bathr oomi so ut si
de.
"Leav et ho sedi shesandc omeher e"-Luphi ndo .
"Letmefi ni sht hemandt henI' l
lc ome"
Hepul l
smeandwewal ko utside.
"It'sno tyo urj obt owas ht hedi shesher e"-Hes aysl ooki
ngfr ustrat
ed.
"Ohwi si t?"
"Yes "-hi m.
"So n"-hi sdad
"YesDad"-hi m.
"Jo ngikhayaIwhi sper"
"HahaIhear dt hat "-Luphi ndo.
"Whyt hisname?"
"IsiXho sa...myg reatg rannywasXho saands hes aids hewant sthefi rstsono f
ever yg ener ation t o hav e a Xho sa name, s he s aid t hat justb efore he
died"-Luphi ndo .
"Er hhdo est hatmean. .
?"
"NoLwaz iisal readyt her e.He' sS onwab o"-Luphi ndo .
Muc hb et ter.
"Ifi tper fec t l
yi nt hisfami lys i
ncemynamei sal s oXho s
a"
"See?,manyr eas onswhyIc hoseyo u.Wec anb ewei rdt ogethernowb yhav i
nga
Xho sanameandaZul us ur namewhi chi sNg c
o bo"-hi m.
Ij usts mi l
et ot hatNo nz wakaz iMakhanyawasal sono tbetter.
ButNg cob os oundsl ovelyIt ellyou.
Hepus hesmet ot heb edi no neo ft hero undav els.
"MyNg cob oQueen,yo ul ookedho tini si
dwab a.Ial mo stlostmyb r
eathwhenIs aw
you"-hi m
"Yo uwer eal soho tmyZul uki ng.Yo u'res ochar mi ng"
"Mhh,s oho wmanyki dsar eyo upl anni ngtog iveme?"-Luphi ndo.
"10"
Hel aug hs .
"I'dr eal lylo vet hat ,I'llbui l
dafi ves t
o reyho use"-hes aysundr ess
ingme.
"Mhh"
"I'mnev erl eav ingyo u"-hewhi sper s
.
I'mac tual l
yt heo newhowo n'tleav ehim.
Ig eto fft heb edandpul lac hairs ohec ans it.Hes mil
es .
Hedo ess it.Ir i
de' Myman' .
Hekeepsc al li
ngmyname,he' ssos urprisedIkno w.
Itheng odownonmyknees.
..
.
Hestartsgr
oaning.
Thedoorswingsopen.
"Daddidn'tyouseeTham.
..
?"-Lwaz
ias
kasher
unsi
n.
Argh!!
,shit
!.

Chapt er44
AllIneedno wi sag oo dpayi ngj obt henIc ans tartmyc ompany.
Gettingt hisdeg reewas n' teas yandIdo ub tt hatI 'l
lco nti
nuewi thho nours.Ij us
t
can'to rat leastno tno w.
"Wemadei tRo o mie"-S nakhos aysb efo r ewepo s
efo rapi c
ture.
Wer eal l
ymadei tandi twas n'teas yt rus tme.
Itakeano therpi ctur ewi tht hefami ly .Luphi ndoi sno theret odayhec o ul
dn'tmake
itbutb ylunc ht imehewi llb eho me.
"Okeyg i
rlslet'sg oho meandpr epar es o met hingt oeatfo rlunch"
"Youmeano rders o met hing ?"-No mv elo .
"Nowehav et oc oo kt hisi sto ospec i
al "-S imt handi le.
"Snakhol et'sg o"
"HellNo ,Ihav eo therpl anss o
r ry"-S nakho .
Itho ughtasmuc h.
Ipul lherandg iveherat ig
hthug ,I' llmi ssheri nev eryway.
"I'l
lal waysl ov eyo uo key?"-her .
"Sameher eb ab esb ye"
Shewal kst ot hisl i
g hts kinnedg uyandt heyho ldeac ho thershands .
I'm no ts urpr ised,s he wasa l it
t leb itl o sto rmayb e having fun t hat'sthe
Snakho ko nkeMal i
ng aIkno w.
"Weneedt og os omewher efi rstsowewi llfi ndyo ug uyst here"-Dads ayspulli
ng
mo m' shand.
Iwo nder ...
"Let'sg etg oi
ng ,her ei sthekeyS imt handi le"
"HellnoI' mno tdr iving"-S i
mt handi le.
"NeitheramI"Is ayl aug hing.
Web o thlookatNo mv elos mi li
ng .
"Arg hh,it'sfi neI' lldr i
ve."-No mvel o.
"Yess ,that'smys ister.Al waysmyl ifes aviour ,Ido n'tkno wab outtheothero ne"
"Being yo ur b igs ister and handi ng o v er my t ightfi tti
ng c l
othest o youis
enoug h"-S imt handi le.
Wel aug h.
-------
"Doyo ukno wt hatyo umi ghtb epr eg nantag ain?"-Mo m
"Iho peyo u' reno tfo o li
ngmeag ain"
"Thi st i
meI' mno t"-Mo m
Ismi l
e.
Lastmo nt hs het oldmet hes amet hi ngandi twasafal seal arm.
"I'lltel lLuphi ndot onig ht ,he' llb es oex c i
ted"
"Wel lt henIho peyo ur eal lyar e"-Mo m
Thankyo uLo rdfo rt hisb ab y.I' v eb eenpr ayingfo rt hepas t4mo nt hsandfi nally
it
'shappeni ng .
Thiswi llc hang eo url i
v es.
Itaket hel as ts al addi shandfo llowmo mt othet able.
"No nz wakaz iyo u'vemadeuspr oud Mag ci
no .We' veb een wai ti
ngfo rt hisand
hones t l
ywenev ert houg htwewi lls eet hisdayo ryo u'llgraduat es inceyoustarted
wit
hmar riag e.S ot hankyo ufo rdo ingwhatyo u'
v edo ne.Wec learl
ydi dn'twasteo ur
mo ney"-Dad.
"Thankyo u"
Njab ul os tandsup.
"Thankyo uDad,I' dl iket omakeat o ast
...
.t oMR&MRSNg c
obot oag o
odl ife,
fil
ledwi t hj oyandmuc hl o vewi th20ki ds"-Nj abulo
"Cheer s"weal ls ho ut.
I'ml aug hingatt he20ki dspar t.
"Juic eb ab ej uice"-Mo mwhi sper sinmyear .
Ouch!Thatag ai n.
Wes ayg rac eands tarteat ing .
"It hinkwes ho uldl ookatt hepi ct ur esaft erthis"-No njab ulo.
"Whatpi ct uresNo njab '
s ?"-S imt handi l
e
"Theweddi ngpi c tures"-No mv elo.
"Oh yes g o odi dea,I want t os ee me and my par tner looking hott her e
"-S i
mt handi le
Nonj ab ul og ivesheral oo k.
Shemus tt ryt or elaxc aus eNj ab ul owo uld nev erc heatIkno w,es peci
allywi th
Si
mt handi le.S he' so ldandi two uldn' two rk,they'reb othment all
ydi st
urbed.
"Sowhatar eyo upl anni ngt odomyb abyno wt hatyo ug otyo urdeg ree?"-Mom
"I'mt hi nki ngo fac ons tr uc ti
o nc o mpanymah"
"Mng unic ons truc t i
ons"-No mv elo.
"Nob ab ei t'sMapho l
o bac o nstruc tio ns "
"Yesb ab es he' so ur sno w"-Es i
hl e
Sher oll
shereyes .
Someo nei satt hedo or.
"Isn' tt heg at ec losed?"
"No "-Luphi ndo
"I'llg eti t"-El ihle.
"OhwHi ,yo uc anc omet hiss ide"-El ihle.
Idr o pt hefo rkwhenIs eeher ,whati sshedo inghere?.
"Go odaft er no onev er yo ne"-s hes ayswi thas mile.
Sil
enc e.
"HiLi ndyho war eyo u?"-Dad
"I'mo keyt hankyo uS i
mphi we"-Lindy
"..
.Luphi ndoc anwes peakpr i
vately?"-Lindy
"No !"Is hout.
Luphi ndoho l
dsmyhandv er yti
ght.
Theb abys he'sho l
dings tartscryi
ng .
"Wel lIwant edt ot alktoy ouinpr ivatebutcl
earlyitwon'thappen.Iac
tual
lyc
ame
her et ointroduc eyo utoyo urson"-Li ndy.
Ihearg ulps.Bitch...she'sl yi
ng .Myb odyisb o
ili
ngr i
ghtno wand myhearti
s
exper ienc i
ngt hewo rstpains.
Sil
enc e.
Nxxs hedo esn'tkno wme!
Ig etupandwal kstraightt oher..
"No nz wakaz i
,No nzwakaz ical mdo wn!!..
.Nonzwakazino
! !St
opit"
Ican' thelpits he'sgonet oofar .
"ShitNo nzwakaz i!
!!!"S omeo nesho uts
Theb abyi scrying
ther e'sbloodal lover...