SI

BALETHU

PROLOGUE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"
Mama,
mamawakeup!
"
Il
ookedather,
shel
ookedsodrai
ned.Ev
ery
br
eathshetookwasamissi
on.

Shef
inal
l
yopenedherey
es.

Shewasfight
ingaloosi
ngbatt
le,
Icoul
dseei
t
i
nhereyes.Iwasloosi
ngher.
"
Mama,
shoul
dIcal
luDl
omo?
"

Dl
omoi
sherhusband.Myst
epf
ather
,hei
s
probabl
ydrunkwher
everheis.Allt
hatmanev
er
doesisindul
geonal
coholi
cbev er
ages.

Idon'
tknowwhatmymot hersawinhi
m,wellI
knowforafactt
hatt
heyarebusi
nesspar
tner
s

"
Siba"
Herhoar
sev
oicebr
ingsmebackt
oEar
th
"Mama, don'
tst r
ainy
our sel
fplease"Il
ookat
herdeepintheey es,hereyesseem tobe
pleadi
ngwi t
hme.Ormay betheyarepleadi
ng
withtheHeav en'
stospar eherli
fe.

I
fso,thenIdowisht
heygr
anthert
hatwi
sh.I
needherdear
ly.
"Si
ba, t
akecar
eofyoursist
er.Sheisal
lyou
havenow.MakesurethatyouusethemoneyI
l
eftforyouwel
l,wor
konourempi r
eandnever
f
orgetwhatIt
aughty
ou"
"
Mama, don'tspeakasthoughyouar
eleav
ing
me,
fightforus.Westil
lneedyou"
"
Myt
imehascomebaby
,Il
ovey
ou"

Witht
hatsai dshetakesherfi
nalbr
eath.Mom
haddiabetes,shedi
dn'tdri
nkherpi
ll
sandit
escal
ated.Shewasr ight
,hert
imehadcome
anddeathwon.

Ihavej
ustl
ostt
heonepar
entIhad,
myf
ather
diedl
ongago.
SoIam of
fi
cial
l
yanor
phan.

Ilookatheragai
n,Icheckherpul
se.Shei
s
reall
ygone,howcouldGoddot hi
stome?
Mymot
herwasev
ery
thi
ngt
ome,
Ist
il
lneeded
her
.
"
Howi
sMom?
"
Mylit
tl
esist
erwal
ksin,
Lisakhany
aissucha
sweetchi
l
d.Idon'
tev
enknowhowt obr
eakt
his
toher
"
Mahaspassedonbaby,shei
satpeace.She
i
snol
ongeri
npainandtor
ment."

Shewailshyster
ical
lyandIholdher
.Icomf or
t
herforwhatfeelsli
keages,Dlomowalksin.
Foronceheisn'tint
oxicat
ed,
hecheckshiswife
andhecallsthemor gue.

Inanhourtheyar
ri
veandtakemymot her
's
body,Iam sti
l
lhol
dingLi
sa.Iam t
ryi
ngtostay
str
ong.
Dl
omocall
sthef
amilyandinf
ormsthem.At
l
easthei
sbei
ngconsider
atef
oronce.

Bytheway, Iam Sibal

ethuCele.Thedaught
er
ofSibongi
leDlomo, ohhwaitIguessIshoul
d
say"thelateSibongi
leDlomo".

Iam 20yearsol
d,Iwor
kinthef amil
ybusi
ness.
Imatri
cul
atedwit
hexcel
lentresul
tsbutIwas
for
cedtowor kwi
thmyfami l
y.

Il
ovedmymom yes,
butshei
sresponsi
blef
or
manywrongsi
nmyli
fe.

NowIhavet
otoughenup,
bur
ymymot
herand
t
akeover
.
NotthatIr
eal
l
ywantt
hatbuthey
,Ihav
eno
choi
ce.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

SI
BALETHU

Thefol
lowingdayfamil
ymember scamein
numbers,ever
y onewant
edtosupportus.They
keptgi
vinguslooksofpi
ty.Theykept
comfor
tingus, say
ingev
eryt
hingwil
lbeokay.
Ifoundthatveryhardtobel
i
ev e,
inst
eadof
thi
ngsgettingbett
ertheywi
llgetworse.Iknow
thatforafact.

MyauntLizal
isewaltzin,
ordersourhel
pert
o
movethefurnit
ureinthel
ounge.Sheis
car
ryi
ngthemat tr
essandshewi l
lbesit
ti
ngon
i
t.

Iam inmyownworldtryingt
ounder st
andhow
thingswi
l
lbe,Iam t
ryingtofi
gur
eouti fli
fewil
l
beasmymom expect ed.Shewant edsomuch
from me,shewant
edmet orunherbusiness.

Butsheisnolongeri
nthepict
ure,maybeIcan
runawayandstartaf
reshawayfrom t
hisl
if
eI
hate.MaybeIshoul
dtakeLi
sawi t
hme, butI
cannot.
Icannotl
eavemymot her'
sempi r
eint
hehands
ofuDlomo.Thatmanwi l
lprobabl
ygambl
eour
assetsawayanddr
inkhimselftodeat
h.

Ormay
bedeat
hisgoodf
orhi
m,goodr
iddance!
Actuall
ynoSi
ba,
yourmom j
ustpassedaway
takethi
ngssl
owl
y.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LEMHLONGO

"
Thatol
dhagi
sdead,
letusdr
inkt
othat"

MybrotherMenzi andIareenjoyingwhiskyin
myoffi
ce.Si bongil
eDlomoisdeadf inal
ly,
we
cannowt akeov erhert
axibusiness.
Shehasover10taxi
'
s,t
heyrul
ethetaxi
rank.
Hertaxi
'
sall
havetheDi
nangwelogowri
ttenon
them.
Thatwomanwasagangster
,iti
ssur
pri
sing
howshecoul
dn'
tmanagediabet
eswhenshe
wasablet
omanagehardcor
ecrimi
nal
sdaily.

Menzi
:
whataboutSi
bal
ethu?
Me:
whatabouther?
Menzi
:Hermotherwasgui
dingher,
may
beshe
wi
llt
akeover
Me:don'ttel
lmey ouar
escaredofthatspoi
l
t
bratbro,thatki
dknowsnothingabout
business.Sheistooweak,
wecaneasi l
ydefeat
her.

Menzi
:anduDl
omoy
ena?Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
o
doabouthi
m?
Me:Dl
omohasnoballs.Hehi
dbehi
ndhi
swif
e's
ski
rt
s,l
etusat
tackandseewhathewi
ll
do.
Menzi
:
Iam unsur
ebr
o
Me:wel
lIam sur
eMenzi
,Ihopey
ouar
enot
get
ti
ngcoldfeet
Menzi:
Nobro,
youknowt
hatIwi
l
lal
way
s
suppor
tyou
Me:Goodthen,
letusgoandpayt
hem av
isi
t,
j
usttoseehowthingsar
e
Menzi
:
Okay

IhopeMenzi wi
llr
emainloyal
tome, Idon'
t
haveti
mef orgames.Thisismytime,ifIt
ake
overIwil
lrul
ethetaxi
rank.Si
bal
ethucangoto
hell
!Shehadbetternotmessmypl ansup.

Shecanfocusonthet
arvensorshi
sanyama'
s
thatt
heyown.Orsheshouldf
ocusonthedamn
CarDeal
ershi
poft
hei
rs.

Thatfami
lymightbefi
l
thyr
ichbutt
heyar
e
nothi
ngbutcr
iminal
sinsui
ts.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Busi
nesscoll
eagues,
chur chmember sandour
nei
ghborscametooff
ert hei
rcondolences.I
coul
dn'
tsitdownandli
stentotheirwordsof
comfor
t.

Theywereal
lsayi
ngpret
tymuchthesame
thi
ngandIwastir
edofit
.Honest
lyIam ti
redof
peopl
esayi
ngtimewil
lheal
meandal lshall
be
well.
Idon'
tneedthei
rlooksofpit
y,Idon'
tneedthei
r
faket
ears.Mostofthem hat
eus, y
esIsaidit
.

Theyhatemyfamil
y ,
Iknowt heyar
er ej
oici
ng
now.Theyseeourtearsassomesor tofv i
ctor
y.
Yettheyst
andher
eandut tercompleteli
es,
sayi
ngtheyar
ewithusandt heywil
l supportus.

Scr
ewt
hem !
Iwoul
drat
herl
ockmy sel
finmyr
oom andl
i
sten
tomusi
cthant
hisnonsense.

Luckil
ymyf ami
lyisor gani
singthefuneral
,i
t
willbeonSatur
day .Dearestst
epfatheri
stoo
drunktodoso, nothingnew.Al lIhavetodois
prepareasomethingIwi l
lsayont hatday.

Nowt
ell
mewhati
sitt
hatIcoul
dsayabouther?
Shoul
dIl
ieandsayall
wasr osyandsweeti
n
ourhome,orshoul
dItel
lthetr
uth?

Theyexpectsuchalotf
rom me, t
heywoul
d
neveral
l
owmet osaywhatisexactl
yonmy
mind.

Ishoul
dacceptr
eal
i
ty,
thi
ngsar
en'
taboutt
o
change.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Thatweekwentbyr eal
lyf
ast,i
twasmostl
ysad
anddrainingonmyside,accept
ingt
hatMom i
s
goneisn'tsoeasyf
orme.

Iam mor
ecl
osertoAuntLi
zal
i
se,shewasthe
onewhocomfor
tedmemostofthetime.

Thememor ial
servi
cewasheld,anditwentwel
l
.
Sat
urdaycame, Iworemyblackdressslowl
y
asIprepar
edfortheday.

Thereisnogoi
ngback,iti
swhatiti
s.Ihav
e
beenweepingf
ortoolong,fr
om nowonIwi l
l
bestrong.

Iwi
llbet
hewomanSibongi
l
er ai
sed.Iappl
ied
mymakeup,Il
ookedgood.May beifshewas
her
eshewasgoi
ngtocomplimentme, li
ke
al
way
s.

Thefami
l
ycall
edmeov er,Iaskedmyuncl
eto
al
lowmetoseeheronelastti
me.

Heagr eedandopenedthecasketforme, she

sti
llhadherbeaut
y.Hermesmer i
singbeaut
y
thathadsuchaneffectonpeople,t
hiswoman
alwaysleftamarkwherevershewent .

ThisisSibongil
e,aheroine,sheseemstobeat
peace.Herf acelookssor adiant
,youwould
swearshei sglowi
ng.Notev endeathmessed
herup, can'
tsheatleastopenherey esonce
mor e?

Iknowhereyeswi
llgi
vemehope,theywi
l
lgi
ve
met hest
rengt
hIl
ack.Can'
tshegi
vemeone
l
asthug?Foroldtimessake,
Imi
ghtbeabi
g
gi
rlbutIam st
il
lhergi
rl
.

Iam herchil
d, andtodaywearebei
ng
separat
ed.From todayonwardsIwi
llnev
ersee
heragain,comet othinkofi
twewil
lneverhav
e
thoseconversati
onsofoursagai
n.

Ourrelati
onshi
pwasr ockyatti
mesbutIknow
thatshelovedme,shemadeanef for
tforme.
Shetriedtobethebestmot her
.

IwishItol
dherhowmuchIl ovedhermore
oft
en,IwishIdi
dn'tf
ightwi
thhersomuch.We
couldhaveusedthetimetobond,Iwi
shI
tal
kedmor eandl
aughedmor ewit
hher.

Butal
lthosewi
shesmeannot
hingont
hisday,
i
tist
ool
atef
orr
egr
ets.
"
Uncl
e,y
oucancl
osei
t.Iam done"

Henodsanddoesexact
lyt
hat
.Someonest
art
s
asong

"Nkul
unkul
uuthandolakho,ngi
thi
nabantu
l
ukhulu.Wani
kelangendodanahall
eluj
ah
siy
abonga."
Hercasketisbei
ngtakentothechur
chnow.
Thesingi
ngconti
nues,Ihol
dLisa'
shandand
wefoll
owt hem.

"NamhlaNkosisi
yamangal
aumasibheka
emuva, kubewenawawungenat
hingabe
safel
aendlel
eni
"
Thechur
chis15mi nut
esaway,
thedr
iver
tr
anspor
tsusther
e.

Theprogrammest art
s, manypeoplet
alkabout
mymot her.Someshar egoodandsomeshar e
badmemor ieswithher,wecelebr
atethe
j
ourneyofherli
fe.Alif
ewelll
ived.

Thef
uneral
isdi
gni
fi
ed,Iam gr
atef
ul.Peopl
e
cameinnumber
stosaysaythei
rgoodbyes.

Thetimecomesf ormet ospeakonbehal

fof
herchil
dren.Ihol
dmyheaduphi ghasIwalkto
thepodium.Godknowswher eIgotal
lthi
s
str
engthandconfidencefr
om.

"
Amazul
uat
hembelonakanyenat
hi si
thembe
l
ona,
gamel
ihl
egameli
hlenat
hisi
thembel ona.
Amazuluathembel
onakanyenat
hisi
thembe
l
ona,amazuluat
hembelonakany
enathi
si
thembelona"

Iam nosingernoram Iabeli

everbutIjustf
elt
l
ikesingi
ngthissong.Si
ngingitf
eelsri
ghtand
somehowi tgi
vesmehope.Ihav etoputmy
tr
ustintheLord,especi
all
yatatimelikethi
s.

WhenIf ini
shsinging,Istar
tgreeti
ngand
addressingevery
onepr esent.Ever
yseatisf
ull
,
ther
ear eevenpeopl estandi
ngup, butIhav
e
nofear.

"Iam heretospeakaboutmymother,
l
omkhumbi olel
elaokaMawami (
thi
scasketi
s
noneot hert
hanmymot her'
s).Mymotherwas
averyst
rongwoman, sheknewwhatshe
wantedandshewentst r
aightfori
t.Shenev er
al
lowedanythi
ngt oderailher.Thi
swoman
ownsacardealership,shewentagai nstall
odds.Imeansoci et
ylabelswomani gnorant
whenitcomest ocars.Yetsheexcelledina
maledominatedindustry.

Ihavelearntal
otfr
om mymother
,shedi
dn'
t
tol
erat
enonsense.Aspadewasaspadeandif
youhadanypr obl
emswit
hthati
twasyourown
cupoft ea.

Icoul
dgoonanontalki
ngabouther, pr
obabl
y
evenendupcr
yingr
iver
softears.Letmekeep
i
tshort
,Mamawhereveryouare.

Sibongi
lewami,Il
oveyouandIdon'
tcarehow
societ
ylabel
syouas.Idon'
tcar
ewhattheysay
becauseatt
heendoft
hedayy
ouwer
emy
mother.

Youri
mperf
ect
ionscr
aftedyouint
otheper
son
youwere,
li
kenoneother.Aqueenwit
hnofear
.

Resteasymyl
ove,
til
lwemeetagai
n"

Thechoi
rstar
tssingingandImakemyway
backtomyseat.Almostevery
oneiscr
yingnow
,evenLi
saandmyf amil
ybutIhav
enot ear
s
l
efttocr
y.

Beli
eveitornotallthosewordswer efr
om my
heart.Idi
dn'tsaythem becausemyf amil
y
expecteditbutIsaidthem becauseImeanti
t.
SometimesIfeelthi
shatetowardsmymot her
becauseoftheli
fesheledandf orcedmeinto
butIsti
l
llov
edher, t
hatdidn'
ttaintthel
oveI
hadforher.

Aftert
heprogrammei sfi
nished,
weheadt othe
gravey
ard.Thepastorcar
rieson,Inolonger
hearawor dthatheissay
ing.Iam l
ookingat
mymot her'
scasketasifurgingi
ttobr
eakopen.

UrgingSibongi l
etogetupandl aughatusf or
thi
nkingt hatshei sdead.Icanimagineher
saying"thinaasidalelwangukuf
a,
ngiwuSibongi l
ephel amina.(
Wewer en't
destinedf ordeath,Iam Si
bongi
leafteral
l).

Ismi
leatt
hatthought
,ev
ersobr
aveandbol
d.
Deat
hisn'
tforher
.
Iam sti
llurgi
ngherinmymi ndasthepast or
fi
nishesupandt hecasketgoesdown, Iam st
il
l
urgingasIwat chi
tdisappear.Iam sti
l
l ur
ging
asmyf ami l
yandImakeourwayt ot hegraveto
throwsoilonit.

Iam sti
l
lurgi
ngasIwat
chpeopl
erusht
ogo
andgetref
reshment
swhil
ethemenpoursoi
l
overhergr
ave.

Iwatchthem t
il
ltheyar
edone,t
il
li
tis
completel
ycl
osedup.Istopur
gingandscr
eam
i
nfrustr
ati
on.

Peoplel
ookatmeasthoughIam mad, Iaskt
o
betakenhome.Andt
hetearsst
artf
all
i
ng
i
nvolunt
ari
l
y.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MondaymorningIam upattheearl
yhours
checki
ngt
hebooksoft hebusi
ness.Youdo
knowwhattheysay,
theearl
ybirdgetst
he
worm!

IhavetodosomethingorIwil
lgoinsane.
Yester
daywasasdepr essi
ngasSaturday
,andI
cannotal
lowmyselftodrowndeeperinmiser
y.
Wor
kwi
l
lkeepmebusyandIwi
l
lheal
over
ti
me.

Seemyf ami
lyowns2t ar
vens,16t axi
'
s, acar
dealer
shi
pcompanyand2shi sanyama' s.
Dlomoandmom combi nedtheirassetswhen
theygotmar
ried,t
heywantedtobecomet he
mostpowerf
ul coupl
einDurban.

Inwhichtheydid,t
heyruledthestreet
s.As
muchasDl omoisadrunkardheisgoodat
business,alongwi
thmymot hert
heymadean
excell
entteam.

I
ntermsofbusi
nessasIsai
d,athomeit
wasn'
tsogoodbutIt
hinkt
heyl
ovedeachot
her
.

Iam pl
easedwithwhatIsee,
Irunt
he
shi
sanyama'sandIt
houghtmyteam woul
d
sl
ackinmyabsence.Theyhavepr
ovenme
ot
herwisebecauseal
li
swell
.

At6am sharp,
Iam outi
nthestreetsofDur
ban.
Il
ikejoggi
nginthemorni
ng,itgivesmethe
adrenal
iner
ushIneedtostar
ttheday .

"
Biggi
rl
sdon'
tcr
y"
Iam li
steni
ngtomyplay
li
stconsi
sti
ngofSi
a's
music.Iam ahugef
anandhermusicisver
y
ther
apeutic.
Ij
ustl
oveherener
gyandheruni
quest
yle.

Aft
erdoingaf
ewki
l
omet
resIheadhome
beaming.

Ashowerandaqui
ckbr
eakf
astwi
l
ldo.The
f
ami l
yseemshappytoseemeatabett
erst
ate,
yett
heyarer
eluct
anttot
heideaofmegoi
ngto
work.

Wedidt
heirtr
adi
ti
onal
rit
ual
syest
erday,
what
mor
edot heywantf
rom me?

Ii
gnor
ethem andpreparefortheday,Li
saisn'
t
goi
ngtoschool.El
dersinst
ructi
ons!Canthey
l
eaveal
ready,
wewi l
lfi
gurethingsoutonour
own.

Iki
sshergoodby eanddrivetot het
avernf
ir
st.
Thestaf
fiscleani
ngupf rom lastni
ght'
s
act
ivi
ti
es,hecti
cright
?Imeani twasaSunday
butheypeoplelovethei
ralcohol.

Themoodi
squi
tegl
oomybutIam assumi
ngi
t
i
sbecauseofmymother
'sdeat
h,t
heymust
hav
ereall
ylov
edher
.

Themanagerishandl
ingthi
ngswel
l,heiseven
order
ingmorebever
ages.Iaskhi
mt ofetcht
he
bookssoIcanhavealook,andhedisappear
s
i
ntotheoff
ice.

AsIam waiti
ngpati
ent
lyl
owv oicesgr
aspmy
att
enti
on.Theyar
equit
efeintbutaudi
ble
enough.

Ili
stenatt
entiv
elyandheadt
otheVIPsecti
on,
that
'swher et
heycomef r
om.Iam most
fl
abbergastedtoseeDlomoandamy st
eri
ous
mansi gningdocuments.

"Li
stent
het
aver
nisdoi
ngv
erywel
l,act
ual
l
y
bothoft
hem ar
e.Youwil
lmakel
ot'
sofpr
ofi
ts"
Dlomosoundsver
yconv
inci
ng
"InthatcaseIdonotregrett
hisonebit,Iwi
l
l
changethenameofbot hestabli
shmentsand
transf
ormitabit.Iwi
l
l addafewdelicat
e
touchesofmine"
"Youdothatsi
r,doi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ouwasa
pl
easur
e"
"l
i
kewi
se"

TheyshakehandsandIwal
kinf
umi
ngwi
th
anger
.Howdar ehe?
WheredoesDl
omogettheaudaci
tyt
osel
lbot
h
t
hetarv
enswit
houti
nfor
mingus?

Me:
Dlomoy
ouhav
enor
ightt
odot
hat
Hel
ookssur
pri
sedt
oseeme
Hi
m:Si
bal
ethuwhatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:Iwasher
etocheckonMYmot
her
'st
arv
en
onl
ytofi
ndouty
ou'r
esell
i
ngi
t
Hi
m:y
esIj
ustsol
dit

Hegi
vesmeaslyl
ookandf
acest
he
myst
eri
ousman
Him:I
m sorr
yaboutthatsir,
myteam wi
ll
cont
actyouaboutwheny oucant
akeover

Henodshisheadandexit
s.Dl
omoseemsver
y
happywit
hthi
s,hecall
sawait
erov
erand
order
ssomewhisky.

Me:soy
ouarereal
lygoingt
ocar
ryonact
ingas
i
fwhatyoudi
disn'
twrong?
Hi
m:wr
ong?You'
ret
hewr
ongonemydear,
I
candowhateverIl
ikewit
hmyasset
s.Idon'
t
havetoexpl
ainany
t hi
ngt
oany
onefort
hat
matter
.
Me:Mom justgotbur
iedandy
ou'
real
ready
sel
l
ingherestabl
i
shments
Him:Mayherbeautif
ulsoulrestinpeace.Li
fe
goesonSiba,cheerup.ListenIam goingto
gett
hatwhisky,t
hiswait
eristakingtoolong.
Feelf
reetojoi
nmeorbet teryet,cl
eany our
mother'
soff
ice.Getaboxandt akeherstuff
home, t
henewownerwi lluseitsoon.

Hehur
ri
esout,
Iam def
eat
ed!
Ithr
owmy sel
fonthecouchatthef
arendoft he
room .Ineedtocont
actmymot her
'sl
awy er
aboutherwi l
lort
heownershi
pofherassets.

Ihav
etodosof
ast,
ifnotImi
ghtwakeupone
dayt
ofi
ndoutt
hatDl
omohassol
dev
ery
thi
ng
weown.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LEMHLONGO

Ihav etotr
yandconv i
nceDlomot osel
l al
lthe
taxi'
sSibongil
eowned.InthatwayIwill r
ulet
he
streets,
myt axi
'swil
lbeal
loverDurbanandI
willbethemostf ear
edandrespectedtaxi
owner .

IsentMenzitobuybotht hetarvensSibongi
le
owned,herfoolofhusbanddi dn'
thesit
atebut
j
umpatt heofferwegav ehim.Fort he
supposedbusinessmogul hei s,heshould
havelookedthoroughl
yintothedeal.

Atf
ir
stIwasn'
ti
nter
est
edi
nthet
arv
ens
obviousl
y,butIthoughtwhynot?Itwi
llbri
ngi
n
greatmoneyandIcanaf f
ordit,
Iam worki
ng
mywayup.Cr eati
nghist
ory!

Dlomopassedt hi
stest,heeasi
lysoldtous.
Thenextmi ssionIwil
lhandlemy sel
f.Iwil
l
personall
ytryandgethimt osel
l.Iwon'tbuy
them ,hel
lnot hatdr
unkardalr
eadyhasal otof
mymoney.

Idon'twanttogetbankrupt
,Iwil
ltr
ickhi
m.
Probablygethi
mt osignthetaxi
'
sov ert
ome
anddr ughi
m. .
.

Bytheti
mehewakesupIwi
l
lbegoneandhe
wil
lhav
enothi
ng.

Iwi
l
lgett
hoset
axi
'
sfr
eeofchar
ge.
Not
hingwi
l
lst
opme,
Iam ev
enpr
epar
edt
oki
l
l.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Thelawyergotbacktomefast,andthe
fol
l
owingdayt hewil
lwasr
ead.Apparentl
y
mom wantedDl omotohav
etheshisanyama'
s,
andshewantedmet ohav ethetaxi'
sandthe
cardeal
ershi
p.Shelef
tallhersavingstoLisa,
shewill
haveaccesstothem attheageof18.
Thehouseisal soinmynameandhercartoo.
Itr
ustMama' sjudgement
.Wewi l
lbewell
off,
eventhoughIthinkDlomoshoul
dn'
thav
e
gott
enany t
hing.

Wellheal
socont
ri
butedtothi
sweal
th,
no
wonderhesol
dthetarv
ens.Ohhandnewsf
lash
!
Heissel
li
ngt
heshi
sany
ama'
stoo,
justasIhad
assumed.

Thisguyisonami ssi
on,heprobably
negoti
atedthedealbef
orethewill
wasread.I
hatehi
m.

Thef
ami l
yhasl
eft,
onl
yAuntLi
zalisei
shere.
Shewil
lbemovi
nginwit
hhergrandchi
ld.Aunt
Li
zal
isehasaki
ndhear
t,shei
st heonewho
of
fer
edt
ocomeandt
akeofus.

Ineedsomesor tofgui
danceinmylif
eandshe
i
sper fectforthat.Li
saneedsamotherfigure
too,Iwon'talway sbehere.Ihavet
obeout
hustli
ng,keepingmymot her'
snameali
ve, and
workinghar dfortheempi r
e.

WelltodayIam atthetaxir
ank, Ij
usthada
meetingwi thourt
axidri
ver
sandIi nf
ormed
them thatIwill
betaki
ngov er
.Theydon'tlook
toocomf ortabl
ewithme, t
heythinkIam akid
andIdon' tknowwhatIam doing.

Iwil
lpr
ovethem wr
ongandt
heywi
l
lgett
he
shockoft
heirl
i
ves.

Iam nowl
ooki
ngar
ound,
try
ingt
ofami
l
iar
ise
mysel
fwit
hthesurr
oundi
ngs.Ihav
et ogetused
t
othispl
ace,Iwi
ll
beheremor eof
ten.

MaybeIshouldchangethelogoofthet
axi'
s,
Dlomowil
lprobabl
yditchuspret
tysoon,why
shoul
dweclingontohisclanname?
Ithi
nkIshouldchangeittoNdosi ,
theCel
eclan
nameort osomet hi
ngthatinv
olvesme.Like
BossBabesorSi baTrans.Somethingt
hat
standsout,r
epresenti
ngfeminineinamale
domi nat
edi
ndustry.
Ist
il
lhav
elot
stoponderabout
.

"
Sibal
ethu?"
Me:
yes
Hi
m:Iam Vuki
l
eMhlongo,
Iownal
lthet
axi
'
s
wi
ththe"
Bhebhe"l
ogo.
Me:
Oh,
Iam pl
easedt
omeety
ou.Wemi
ghtbe
wor
kingt
oget
hersi
nceweownmostoft
he
t
axi
'
shere

Him:
yes,y
esweyoushoul
dstickbyme.Iwi
l
l
hel
pyougett
hehangoft
hings
Me:Mymothert
aughtmeal
ot,
IknowwhatI
am doi
ng
Him:Iknow,Si
bongil
etol
dme.Shewasv ery
fondofyou,sheknewthatthi
sdaywould
comeandsheaskedmet otakecar
eofyou.I
am hereonbehal
fofher,Iam her
ehonouri
nga
promiseImadetoanoldfri
end

Me:Ididn'
tknowmymotherhadfri
ends,she
nevermentionedy
ou.Al
lIknowisthatshe
di
dn'tgetalongwi
thmosttaxi
ownershere
Him:Iam heronl
yfr
iend,
ther
esthat
edher.
Thatiswhysheaskedmet ol
ookoutfory
ou,
sheknewthatt
hesef
il
thymenwoul
ddo
anyt
hingt
ogetyououtoft
heway

Me:Si
bongi
ler
aisednocoward,Iam her
eto
st
ayandtheyshouldgetusedt
ome
Hi
m: Youareindeedyourmother
sdaughter
,
ev
ersobr ave!Come,letusgoandgrabsome
dr
inks.Justtogettoknowoneanother.

Me:
sur
e,af
teral
lwear
eont
hesamet
eam !

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDADLOMO

Me:GrannyIdon'
tunder
standwhywehav et o
move,iti
snotli
keyourbrotherev
ercared
aboutyou.Whyshouldwel eaveourev
erythi
ng
andgot
othem?
Her
:Si
balet
hui
sagoodchil
d,sheneedsmy
gui
danceandshehasnooneel
se
Me:Sibal
ethui
snotour
s,sheisnotUncle's
daughter
.Sheshouldj
ustl
eavethathouse, we
wil
ltakecareofLi
sasi
ncesheismyuncl e'
s
daughter
Her:Zi
yandayoudon'
tevenknowSibalethuyet
yousaysuch,shemightnotbeofourbloodbut
Itakeherasmyoneofmyown.Herf atherdi
ed
l
ongago, wheredoyouexpecthert
ogo?
Me:
i
sn'
tthatmyuncl
e'
shouse?Sheshoul
dgo
t
ohermother
'sf
amil
y
Her:
Ziy
andastopt
alki
ngnonsenseandpack
yourcl
othes.Wear
eleavi
ngtomorrow

Me:Tomor
row?Gr
annyyoujustdr
oppedt
his
bombonmeandy ouexpectmetoupandleav
e
soqui
ckl
y.Whataboutmyf
ri
end'
s?
Her:youaren'
tgoi
ngover
seas,you'
l
lseeyour
fr
iendsandy ouwon'
tbechangi
ngschool
s
anyway s

Me:Thi
sisn'
tfai
r,Iam happyhere.Theysound
l
ikeabunchofsnobs,andtheirmothernev
er
l
ovedme
Her:
Ziy
andagoandpack,Iam notchangi
ngmy
mind.Iwi
llsel
lthi
shouse
Me:
andwhati
ftheyki
cky
ououtoneday?
Her:
Iwi
llsavethemoneyanyways,soIwi
l
ltake
i
tanduseit.AndIdoubtt
hat,Si
balet
huwas
r
aisedwell,shewoul
dneverdothat

Me:Sibal
ethuagain?Exact
lyhowmanypr ai
ses
wi
llyougiveherinoneday?Si bal
ethut
his,
Si
balethuthat!Sazesasha.
Iheadtomyroom cry
ing,mygrannylov
esthat
famil
ymorethanme.Shei swil
li
ngtoabandon
ourwayofl
if
ef ort
hem ,shedoesn'
tcar
eabout
me.

Iam happyhereandIdon'
twantt omove,
we
mightnothavemuchorliv
einl uxur
yli
ket
he
mightySi
balet
hubutwear ehappy.

Iwi
l
lalway
scomel
astt
omygr
anny.Shet
reat
s
meli
keakid.

Iam 14yearsofage,t
hedaughterofheronl
y
son.Myf at
herfor
gotaboutmethemi nut
ehe
gotmarri
ed,hesendsusmoneybutitisnot
enough.Moneycannev erbuyl
ove.
Grannyrai
sedme,
shewor
ksi
ntownasa
l
ibrar
ian.

Ihav
enochoi
cebutt
oobeyher
.Iguesst
hisi
s
i
t.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
VE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Ij
ustwel comedAuntLi zal
ise,theyarr
ivedj
ust
beforedinner.Lucki
l
ytheirroomshav ebeen
preparedalreadyandtheywi l
lbeabletoset
tl
e
i
nf ast.
Ziyandadoesn'
tl
ooktoohappytobehere,I
j
usthopeshedoesn'tgi
vemeat t
it
ude.Ihav
e
suchal otonmyplat
eanddeali
ngwith
teenagersai
n'
tpar
tofit
.

Unfor
tunatel
yIcannotst
ayanylonger,Ihav
ea
meeti
ngt oatt
end.Vuki
leandtheotherowners
ar
emeet ingatoneofthetar
vensweowned.

Iarr
ivet
her
etof
indt
hepl
aceempt
y.Wi
erd
ri
ght?
Iam pret
tysurehesai
dwewi ll
bemeeti
ngat
8pm yetnoonehasarri
ved.Damntheybet
ter
notbewastingmytime,Ilef
tmyfamil
ytobe
here.

JustwhenIdeci
det
oleav
eVuki
l
ear
ri
ves,
he
hasthissmugsmileonhisf
aceandIam
annoyedaf.Idon'
thavepat
ienceandIhat
eit
whenpeoplewastemyt i
me.

Me:
Wher
ear
etheot
her
sVuki
l
e?
Him:
Pret
tyl
ady,
Iam sureyourmothert
aught
youmanner
s.GoodeveningSi
bal
ethu
Me:Li
stenIdon'
thaveti
mef orpet
tygreet
ings,
I
havebeenwaiti
nghereformorethan15
minut
es
Him:Iwant
edtoseeify
ouareastoughasy
ou
say,
ifyouwil
lreal
l
ysur
viv
ehere

Me:
Bymakingmewaitatanemptytar
ven?
Howthehel
lwi
ll
thatpr
oveanyt
hing?
Hi
m:Youwi
l
lsee,
fol
l
owme
Wit
houtthi
nki
ngIf ol
lowhi
m,heopensupand
l
eadsmet owhatwasmymot her
'soffi
ce.It
l
ooksli
kerenovat
ionsaret
aki
ngplace.Thati
s
whythetar
venisclosed

Me:
soy
ou'
ret
hemy
ster
ybuy
er?
Hi
m:yesmydarl
ing,
Idecidedtobuyanold
f
ri
end'
sest
abl
ishmentjusttohonorher
Me:You'
repr
obabl
ydoi
ngt
hisf
ory
ourown
benef
it
Him:WeallknowthatDlomowouldhavedriven
thi
splacetobankruptcym,byt
akingoverIam
helpi
ngkeepthisplaceal
i
ve.Si
bongil
ewould
bemor ehappiert
oseesuchrat
herthanhaving
theplacecl
osed

Me:i
fyoucar
esomuchabouther,sel
lthi
s
pl
acetomethen.Iam t
her
ight
ful
owner
Him:Nodear,youhavealott
odealwith.Al
l
ow
met ohandlethi
s.Okayt
hereasonIcall
edyou
hereisbecauseIhaveanoff
erfory
ou

Me:
youtoldmethatt
her
ewasameet
ingwi
th
t
heotherowner
snje
Him:Iusedthatt
ogetyouher
e.SeeSibal
ethuI
wil
lnotwastemor eofy
ourti
me,Iwanttobuy
yourtaxi
's

Me:
Iam notsel
l
ingt
hem
Him:Li
stenIhav
ethepapersher
e,checkthem
outandsignt
hetax
i'
sov ert
ome.Iti
saf ai
r
deal

ItakethepapersandIjustl
aughathi
m.He
seri
ouslythoughtIwoul
dsellal
lmymother
's
taxi
'satsuchal owpri
ce.Thi
sisonet
hir
dof
t
hei
rwor
th

Me:
tel
lmey
ou'
rej
oki
ng
Hi
m:doIl
ookl
i
keIam l
aughi
ng?
Me:wellVukile,
letmetel
lyousomet hi
ngy ou
don'tknow.Ihav ebeenwat chi
ngy ouandI
expectedthis.Youthoughty oucouldfoolme?
Youappear edoutofnowher eclaimingtobemy
mot her
'sfr
iend.Iknowallaboutmymot her
s
businessandshehadnof r
iends.Youmi ght
thi
nkIam not hingbutaspoiltr
ichgirl
,youthi
nk
youcanf oolmebuty ouarei nforahuge
surpise

Hi
m:haha,Iguessy
ouaren'
taspat
het
icasI
t
hought.Imusthaveunder
est
imat
edyou
Me:hel
lyeahy
oudid,pl
easest
ayawayf
rom me
.Idon'
twantany
thingtodowit
hyou
Him: si
gnt hepapersandwewi llgoour
separateway s.You'reluckythatIam wi
ll
ingto
giveyout hi
smoney .Youshoul dbegrat
eful
thatIam aconsi deratemanorIwoul dhave
tri
ckedy ouintosigningthem overtomefor
free

Me:Thanky
ou, t
hankyoumynobl
esi
rbutI
don'
twantyourki
ndness

Iat
temptt
oleav
eandher
oughl
yhol
dsmyar
m

Me:
Vuki
l
engi
dedel
e(l
etmego)
Him:Thiswasn'
tsupposedtogetmessy.I
tis
verysi
mpl e,
giv
emet het
axi
'
sandIwill
never
botheryou.Youjusthadt
obestubbor
n
Sibal
ethu
Me:
Vuki
l
engi
dedel
e,ngobauzozi
sol
angempel
a

Hi
m:You'
redon'
tscaremel i
tt
legir
l,don'
tmake
meshowy ouwhatIam capableof

That
'swhenhemadeamist
ake,
Idon'
ttake
ki
ndl
ytopeopl
ewhobel
i
ttl
eme.

Atthespeedofli
ght
,Iturnaroundandy ankfr
ee
ofhishol
d.Igi
vehim adeadst arebefor
e
punchi
nghim,heistakenbysur pri
seIcansee
andhetri
estostopmewhi lstIcarryon
punchi
ngtheli
feoutt
ahim.

Idon'tknowwhyIam doi ngthi

sbutt
hisman
shouldn'
thavestartedme,hehadnori
ghtt
odo
whathedi djustbecausehei
saman.Idon't
fearhim atal
l.
Her et
urnsthepunches,mymot her'
soffi
cehas
beenoffici
all
ytur
nedintoawr estl
ingarena.Our
fi
stsaremov ingatafastpace...blood,sweet
andangerconsumi ngusboth.

Hestartsover
power i
ngme,hei
samanaf t
er
al
l.Myst r
engt
hi sdepl
eti
ng,
maybeIshoul
dn'
t
havetakenhim on.

Hegivesmeaslylookbefor
ethrowinghisfi
nal
punch,mybodyi
sachi ngal
lover.Icl
osemy
eyesandpret
endt
hatIam unconscious,he
l
aughsatmeandspi t
satme.

IswearIwi
llmakehimregretthat.Hebends
downtocheckmeandIi nstantl
ypullhi
m down.
Igetont
opofhim andpunchhiml ikemyli
fe
dependsoni
t.Ihi
thi
m di
rect
lyonhi
sface.

Asift
hat
'snotenough,Igetupandhithi
m on
thest
omach.Itookhim bysurpr
ise,
that
'swhy
hehadnoti
met ofi
ghtback.

Irusht
omymot her'
ssafe,
Ipuncht
hecodeand
i
topens.Thi
sfoolhasn'
tchangedi
t.It
akeher
gunandpoi
ntitatVuki
le

Me:Youthinkyou'
reamanhuh?Justbecause
oft
hestrengthyouhav
e?Youthi
nkyou'r
e
unt
ouchablebecausey
ouownapairofball
s?
Him:Sibal
ethucalm downnow,whydidyou
takethatout?Thiswasjustapeacef
ulmeeti
ng
betweencolleagues

Me:
Peacef
ul?Ungangi
hlany
isi
wena.
Thi
s
wasn'
tpeacef
ul,y
ouunderminedmebecauseI
am awoman.Youwant edmet osel
lmytaxi
'
s
toyouf
oralmostnothi
ng.Youwouldn'
tdothat
toaman, awungi
bonineh?

Iconfi
dent
lypointthegunathi
m,t
hel
ookon
myf acei
smur derous.
Iseef
eari
nhi
sey
es
Sweet
!

Him:
IknowIwentaboutitthewrongway ,butI
hadnochoi
ce.Al l
mysavingswillbeusedfor
ther
enovat
ions.
..t
hat
'sal
lIhavelefthonest
ly
Me:Idon'
tgi
veadamnaboutthat
.Themat
ter
athandi
sthaty
oudi
srespect
edmeandIhate
that

Hi
m:Putt
hegunaway
,wewi
l
ltal
kpr
oper
ly
"IDON'
TWANTTOTALKDAMMI
T"
Iscream asItakethewhi
skybott
leont
hetabl
e
andt hr
owi tonthewal
l.I
tcr
acksopenand
spil
l
sal lov
er

Iam act
ingl
ikeamani
ac,myhai
risr
uff
ledup.
..
DamnI mlov
ingal
loft
his.

Vukilest
artsapologi
zi
ng,heisr
eall
yscar
edand
Ikeepatit.Ithr
eatentoki
ll
him,Ismashall
the
glassesnearby.

Sickbastardevenwethimsel
f,Vuki
lei
sa
cowar d.Iam disgust
edbyhi
m. .
.It
oospi
ton
hi
sf aceandleav e.
IswearMamai sr
ooti
ngformewher eversheis.
Iam gr
atefulshemademeat tendt
raini
ng,ifI
coul
dn'tdefendmysel
fVukil
ewasgoi ngtobully
me.

OnceIam out
sideIl
i
mptomycar,t
hepai
nis
st
il
lther
enouseacti
ngl
i
kesuper
woman.

Al
ongbat
hwi
l
ldo,
andsomepai
nki
l
ler
s.

Whendealingwiththel
ikesofVuki
l
ey oumay
neverbesure,
Ihavetogetupagaintomorr
ow
tocheckonalltheoper
ations.

Ichor
tl
easIt
hinkofhowIj
ustmadeagr
own
manwethimsel
f.
Suchembar
rassment
!

Si
bongi
l
etaughtmewel
l,wayt
ogoSi
ba!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERSI
X
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Thefol
l
owingmor
ningIam i
nmyr
oom
att
endi
ngtomybr
uises,
damnmybodyi
sin
pai
nallov
er.
NowIr
egr
etf
ight
ingwi
thVuki
l
e,Iwi
l
ldr
ag
my
sel
fthewhol
eday
.

Lucki
l
ythemakeuphi
dthebr
uisesonmyf
ace.

Damnsomuchf
oract
ingl
i
keI
minv
inci
blehuh.

Igettot heki
tchenandAuntLi zal
i
seismaking
breakfast.Il
ovehav i
ngheraround,sheputsin
suchal otofeffor
tforus.Shewakesupear l
y
everymor ni
ngtomakebr eakf
astandlunchfor
al
l ofus.

Imi
ghtj
ustgai
nsomewei
ghther
e.

Me:
Goodmor
ningMa
Her
:Goodmor
ningbaby
,yousl
eptwel
l?
Me:
yesMama,
whatabouty
ou?
Her
:Isl
eptwel
ltoomychi
l
d

Ziy
andawal
ksi
n,shel
ooksatusandsher
oll
s
herey
es.

Zi
yanda:
Goodby
egr
anny
AuntLi
zal
i
se:
whataboutbr
eakf
ast
?
Zi
yanda:
I'
l
lbuysomet
hingatschool
AuntLi
zal
i
se:
takey
ourl
uncht
hen
Zi
yanda:
thanks

Wit
hthatshel
eav
es,t
hischi
l
dlooks
t
roubl
esomehhayi
.

Me:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokaywi
thZi
yanda?
AuntLi
zal
i
se:
Youknowhowt
eenager
sar
e,she
wi
l
lgetusedt
ost
ayi
ngher
e.Don'
twor
rySi
ba

Me:okayMa,hav
eanamazi
ngday
,Ihav
etoget
goi
ng.KissLi
saforme.

Ihugherandheadtomycar.Iam play
ing
amapianoallt
hewaytowork.Tryi
ngtogeti
n
hi
ghspiri
ts.
.si
nceIam notf
eeli
ngwell.

Seemsl i
keeverythi
ngi sgoi
ngwellatt
hecar
deal
ership,
Ijusthiredanewmanagert orunt
he
pl
acesinceIam al waysbusy.Heknows
ever
ythi
ngaboutcar sandIam i
mpressed.

AtaroundmiddayIheadtot
hetaxi
rank.The
dri
versseem t
ohaveaccept
edme,theyhaveno
choi
cebecauseIam notgoi
nganywhere.
Af
terabriefmeeti
ngwiththem ,Igetsome
dr
inksatanearbyshop.Operati
onsaregoi
ng
well
,seemsli
keeveryt
hingisinorder.

Imanagedtogetthenewlogo'
sfort
hetaxi
's,
theyar
eall
writ
ten"BossBabes"now.Al
lis
well
.

"
Ifi
tisn'
ttheBossBabesher
sel
f"
Itur
nar oundandfaceafi
negent
leman,hi
s
facelooksabitfamil
i
arevent
houghIdon'
t
knowhi m atal
l
.

Me:wel
lwel
l,
y oulookabi
tfami
l
iar
.Dowe
knoweachother?
Him:weoncemetaty
ourmother
'st
arv
en,
Iwas
negoti
ati
ngadeal
wit
hyourst
epfat
her
Me:
themy
ster
ybuy
er?Doy
ouwor
kforVuki
l
e
Mhl
ongo?

Him:
Notatal
l,thedealdidn'
tsucceed.Iwas
hopi
ngt
obuyt hebusinessmy sel
f
Me:That'
sgreatthen,
Idon'twantt
oassoci
ate
myselfwit
hany t
hingthathastodowi
thVukil
e

Hi
m:wor
rynott
hen,
mynamei
sMenzi
Me:
Iam Si
bal
ethu,
asy
ouknow
Him:Nicemeet
ingyou,Imustadmi t
.Youseem
tobedoingver
ywell,
Ithoughtyouwouldn'
t
surv
iveadayinthi
sbrutal
industr
y
Me:
Iam ofSi
bongi
l
e'sbl
oodandbones

Hi
m:shet
aughtyouwel
lindeed.Wit
hthi
s
ambi
ti
onanddri
veyou'
regoingfar
Me:
thanky
ouMenz
i
Wespendtherestoft
hatdaytal
ki
ngand
get
ti
ngtoknowoneanother,
heissuchagood
guy
.

If
indmy
sel
flet
ti
nggoandl
aughi
ngaf
ewt
imes.

MenziKhowa,heisi
npartner
shi
pwit
honeof
t
hetaxiowner
s.That
'swhatIgat
her
edfr
om
whathetol
dme.

Hourslat
erIam athomesmi l
ingeartoear,he
hasbeensendingmesweett ext
sallaft
ernoon.
AsmuchasIam t ryi
ngtopushthefeeli
ngst hat
hegi
v esme, Iam f
ail
ingdi
smally
.

Wejustmet
,afewhoursagoy eti
ffeel
sli
kewe
hav
eknowneachotherforages.
"
Siba,
supperi
sreadybaby
"
That
'sAuntLi
zal
i
se.

Iminispri
ntdownstai
rsandfi
ndev er
y oneatt
he
di
nnertable.Zi
yandalooksabitbett
ernow,
AuntLizal
isepr
aysandwest ar
tdiggingin.
Herf
oodi
samazi
ngasal
way
s

Me:
Mahav
eyouseenDl
omo?
Her
:Nope,
hehasn'
tbeenhomei
nday
s
Me:
Iwonderwhathei
supt
o
Ziy
anda:
hei
sinhi
sroom packi
ng,
hear
ri
veda
fewhour
sago
Me:
real
l
y?Wher
eishegoi
ng?
Zi
yanda:
hhay
ike,
howt
hehel
lwoul
dIknow?
Askhimyour
sel
f
AuntLi
zal
i
seisabouttorepri
mandherwhen
Dl
omowal ksi
ncarr
yingsuit
cases.Wtf!

Li
sa:
daddy
?
Dl
omo:
Comeher
eLi
sa

Li
sagoest
ohi
m andhekneel
sbef
oreher
.
Dlomo: Listenmybaby ,Daddyhast oleav
et hi
s
placeneh.Ther eisnothingleftformehere.I
l
ov eyoumychi ldbutIcannott akeyouwithme,
IknowSi baandLizali
sewi l
ltakegoodcareof
you.Uzi phathekahl
eandmakemeandy our
mot herpr oud

Li
sa:
Doy
oupr
omi
set
ovi
sitmeDad?
Dl
omo:
Idon'
tknowbaby
,Iam abusymanbutI
wi
l
lcal
lyouf
rom t
imet
oti
me

Hehugsherandshest artscry
ing,Dlomois
suchadisgr
acetofatherhood.Lisajustl
ost
Mom andnowhei sleavi
ngt oo.AuntLizal
ise
takesLi
saandshestartscomf orti
ngher

Me:
Justl
i
ket
hatDl
omo?
Hi
m: Thereisnothi
nglef
tformeher
e,Iwantt
o
st
artafreshfaraway
Me:
that'
swhyyousol
dmymot
her
'st
arv
ensand
t
heshisany
ama's?
Him:
Ineededt
hemoney
,formynewl
i
fe
obvi
ousl
y
Me:
andwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Hi
m:ToJohannesbur
g,l
i
stenmyfli
ghtisleav
ing
i
nanhour.Ineedtol
eav
e,someonewi l
lbehere
t
otakemycari nt
hemorni
ng.Iwi
llsendyoua
pi
ctureoft
heper
sonwhoboughti
t.Takecar
e
ofLisa.
Li
zali
sengi
thembewenamnt
akababa(
Lizal
i
se
It
rustyoumysist
er)

AuntLi
zal
i
se:
Keepsaf
eDlomo, ungal
if
ulat
hel
i
i
khaya(
Don'
ttur
nyoubackagai
nstourhome)
Dl
omo:
ngi
yezwadadewet
hu(
Iheary
ousi
ster
)

Het
henhugsherandLi
sa,
say
sgoodby
eonce
mor
eandheleaves.

Dlomohasal waysbeenacowar d,hecoul

dn't
manupf oronceandt akecareofthefamil
y.For
hissakeIhopeheget soverhisal
cohol
addict
ion,ifhedoesn'thewil
lspendallt
he
moneyhehasonal cohol
.Andbecomeagood
fornothi
ngl owli
fe.
Themoodisruinedcompl
etel
y,It
akeLi
sat
o
herr
oom andtuckheri
nbed.

Sheissti
llcr
ying,Ir
eadherabedt i
mestor
yand
comfortherti
llshefal
l
sasleep.Ihopeshe
heal
s,may bet hi
sisbett
erforher.

May beitisbett
erthanDl
omobei ngherey
et
fail
ingtoplayhisrol
easafathertoher
.My
babywasgoi ngt ohaveal
if
ef i
ll
edwith
disappointment
s.

Aft
eralongbathIwearmypj '
sandgotobed.
Letmedrinksomepainki
l
ler
s.May beby
tomor
rowIwi l
lwakeupfeel
ingbett
er.

At
extdi
stur
bsmej
ustasIam aboutt
osl
eep.
"Maybey ou'r
esl eepingal
readySibabutIneed
totel
l yout his.Ihaveknowny ouforal ongti
me
now, sincey ourmot her'
spassing.Ifelli
nlove
withy oubackt hen,butIwantedyout oheal
fi
rst.

Iknowiti
sstil
labitearl
yandmay beyou
haven'
theal
edbutIcannotkeepawaynow.I
wanttobewithyou.IloveyousomuchSi ba
andIknowIam nott hemostperf
ectmanf or
youbutIwil
ltr
y.Justall
owme, please.

MydearestBossBabes,damnyour
i
ndependenceandthepoweryouhavemakes
meweak.Yourpresencemakesgrownmen
cr
inge!
Damn!

Sendi
ngy
oumyl
ove
Menzi
."

Myl
i
pscur
vei
nvol
unt
ari
l
y.
Iwil
lrespondint
hemor
ning,
thej
oyIam
feel
i
ngr i
ghtnow.

Sweetdr
eamsl
over
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDADLOMO

Si
bal
ethuleftwit
hLisaandIam st
il
lwi
thmy
gr
annyfi
nishingsupper
Her:
Ziy
andaIdidn'
tl
ikehowyouanswer
edSi
ba,
sheisoldert
hanyouandyoushoul
dshow
somerespect
Me:
sur
e
Her:
Ziy
andaIam tal
ki
ngtoyoui
nasensi
ble
manner,apol
ogi
setoherwheny
ougeta
chance
Me:
ohh
Her
:Ar
eyouev
enl
i
steni
ngt
ome?
Me:GrannyIheardyouokay
.Iwi
l
lapol
ogi
set
o
yourpreci
ousSiba

Igetupandheadt omyroom.Asi fIdon'

thav
e
enoughproblemsalr
eady
.Gr annyisalway
son
mycase, pester
ingmeaboutSiba.

Myl
ifeisamessandIdon'
tev
enknowhowt
o
f
ixi
t.Ineedanescape.
Ineedaf
ix,
Itakei
toutanddoaf
ewl
i
nes.

Damnt
hef
eel
i
ngi
sni
ceev
eryt
ime.
..

Weallneedanescapefr
om t
imetoti
me,
somethi
ngthatwi
llmakeusfor
getour
probl
ems.

Af
ant
asyf
rom t
hehar
shr
eal
i
tywef
ace.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e◇
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERSEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
TwoweekslaterIam al
lsmil
esinmyoffi
ce,I
j
usthadanamazi ngl
unchdatewithMenzi
.I
swearhest
il
lgivesmebutter
fl
ieseacht
imeI
seehi
m.

Ineverpl
annedtof
all
inl
ovewit
hhim,itj
ust
happenedheyandIwon'
tl
ieandsayIam sur
e
ofit
.
TobehonestIam v
eryscar
ed,Iam scar
edof
get
ti
nghurtaf
tergi
vi
nghim accesstomyhear
t.

Ihaveli
ter
all
yinv
estedmyal
lint
his
rel
ati
onshi
p.Don'tgiv
emethatl
ook,l
ovei
s
verybeaut
if
ul.

AndIf
oronebel
i
evei
npur
e,genui
nel
ove.I
sti
l
lbeli
eveIwi
llf
indmysoulmate,andi
fIhav
e
tokissafewfr
ogsbefor
ethat.Thensobeit!

Soyes,MenziandIar
edati
ng.I
thasbeen
not
hingbutbl
i
ss,butt
hat
sexpectedr
ight
?
Honey
moonphase!

"
Sur
pise,
sur
pise!
!"
Iknowthatvoi
ceverywell
.Isnapoutofi
tand
facemyveryabsentyetl
ovedbest
ie,Nompi
lo.

Me:
Mpi
l
oyou'
rebackf
inal
l
y!
Igetupi
mmedi atel
yandhugt hel
if
eoutofher
.
Myloudfr
iendstart
sscreamingli
kecr
azy!
Goshsomepeopl edon'
tchange!

Ichor
tl
eandembr
aceherf
ull
y.
Her
:Myl
oveawusemhl
e!(
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul)
Ibl
ush,Mpi
l
o'scompli
ment
sal
way
shav
eme
smil
ingl
i
kearet
ard.

Me:
Thankyousomuchbaby
,thi
siswhatI
mi
ssedaboutyou
Her:
bef
orewegettothat,howhaveyoubeen
t
hough?Wi t
hyourMom' sdeat
handdeal
ing
wit
hevery
thi
ngalone?If
eelsobadri
ghtnow
Me:No,nodon'tworr
yaboutmeIam abiggir
l.
Icompletel
yunder
standwhyyouhadtoleav
e,
whatisimport
antisthaty
ou'
rebacknow

Mpi l
owasofferedaprest
igi
ousinter
nshipi
n
CapeTown.Shei sanaspiri
ngarti
standbeing
takenundert
hewi ngbyherrolemodelwasa
dream cometrue.Iwasveryhappyforher
obvi
ousl
y,andshel
eftbef
orethi
ngstookaturn
fort
heunexpect
edi
nmyl if
e.Unfor
tunat
elyt
hey
werever
ybusyandshecouldn'
tcomeback.

Her:
Iam backindeedhoneyandIwil
lnev
er
l
eaveyouliket
hat,especi
all
yint
imesofneed.
Areyousureyou'r
eokaythough?
Me:Welli
twasn'teasyadj
usti
ngtot
hisli
febut
hey..
tel
lmeallabouttheCape,Iwi
llbor
eyou
l
ateronwithmyst ori
es
Her:WellCapeTowni sav erybeautif
ulplace,
weshoul dgoonav acati
onthere.Iti
samazi ng
andIhadl ot
soffun,i
tsapityIhadnot i
mef or
sightseeing.ButImanagedt odoaf ew
painti
ngs,whichIsoldandIsket chedal otof
portr
aits.Themoneyf rom t
hepai nti
ngswi l
l
comei nhandyandIam sl owlymaki nganame
formy self
Me:wow, that
'samazingfri
end.Youhav elong
awaitedthisdayandIhopey oucarryon
producingexcel
lentwork.Iwil
lcomeov erl
ater
andbuysomepai nti
ngsforthedealer
ship.
May bemycl i
entsmightspotthem andfalli
n
l
ov ewiththem
Her
:You'r
esothought
fult
hough,Ineedal
lthe
moneyIcanget.Iam t
ryi
ngtorai
sefundsfor
anartgal
ler
y
Me:Iwil
lhelpyour
aiset
hem babe,
thi
syeari
s
def
ini
tel
yy our
s
Her:
Iowemyl
atemot
hert
hat
,not
hingbut
success
Me:
Wel
lwebot
hdo!

Nompil
o'
smot herdiedwhenwewer edoing
matr
ic.Myfr
iendhadi thardi
nli
fe,sheputon
al
ldr
eamsonhol dtor ai
sehersi
bli
ngs.They
ar
en'
tarichf
ami l
y,actual
lywecomef r
om
di
ff
erentbackgr
oundsy
etwehav
ebeenf
ri
ends
si
ncegrade8.

Her:butenoughaboutme.
.youst
il
loweme
j
uicygossip.Ther
eissomet
hingy
ou'r
ehi
ding
Me:
not
her
eisn'
t
Her:
youhav
ebeensmi l
ingsinceIgothere,
you
ar
ealwayspost
ingaboutlovelat
ely
.Uy aj
ola
si
si?
(ar
eyouinarel
ati
onship?)
Me:
Mpil
oyouj
ustgother
eandy
ou'
real
ready
onmycase

Iey
eherandl
aughather
.
Idi
dn'
treal
i
sethatImissedhersomuch,
I
wonderhowIsurv
ivedthi
slong.

Her
:OkayIam t
aki
ngy
ouout
.Weneedt
ohav
e
"
thet
alk"
Me:
ohhy
eah?Andwhatar
eyouagai
n?
Shechor
tl
es
Her
:aconcer
nedf
ri
end
Me:
wel
lIj
usthadl
unch
Her
:bet
tery
et,
you'
l
lwat
chmeeatandf
il
lmei
n

Me:
Mpi
l
oyou'
resowr
ong
Her
:Il
ovey
out
oof
ri
end

Shet
akesmybagandwal
kst
othedoor
Her
:Si
bal
ethuar
eyoucomi
ng?
Me:
doIhav
eachoi
ce?
Her
:no
Me:Whydi
dItoler
atey
oual
lthesey
ear
s?
You'
resobossy
Her
:what
ever

Il
aughandjoi
nher.Lucki
l
yIdon'
thav
eany
meeti
ngsorimpor
tantworkt
odo.
Per
ksofbei
ngt
heboss.
Iam sohappyt
hatMpi
loi
sback,
noteven
Menzihasmademelaughthi
smuch.

Ij
ustf
eelful
lofli
fe.Aft
eral
l,j
ustl
i
kehername
Nompil
orepresentsl
i
fe.

Shei
sthel
i
feoft
hepar
ty,
squad,
thespoty
ou
nameit
!
Wher
evershegoes,
shef
il
lst
hatpl
acewi
thl
i
fe.

Myli
fe,
Nompi
l
oismor
ethanaf
ri
endshei
sa
par
tofme.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDADLOMO

Iam pract
ical
lyr
unningtomyboyf
ri
end'splace.
Ineedaf i
xurgentl
yandhehasbeenignor
ing
mef ordays.Iwonderwhati
shi
sproblem.
Mybir
thdayi
snextweekyethei
signor
ingme,
somekindofl
ovethati
s.

Regar
dlessIdon'
tcar
e,Ij
ustneedsomesnow.
Ineedital
otnowadays,myli
fei
scompli
cat
ed
andall
Iwantistoescapef
rom i
tandl
i
veina
fant
asy.

Royis24year
sold,heistheonewho
i
ntr
oducedmet ococai
ne.Heisadrugdeal
er.
Andbef oreyoujudgekeepi nmindthatIam a
younggi r
lwithmanybattles.AllIneededwas
l
ov e,myfatherdeser
tedmeandt hehur tI
experi
encedpushedmei ntothearmsofan
olderguy.

Roydoesn'
tlookl
ikeadrugdeal
er,hei
s
actual
l
yacleanguy.Ver
ycharmingand
handsometoo.
Thati
swhyIf
ell
inl
ovewi
thhi
m.
Ionlyr
eali
sedl
atet
hathei
sadr
ugdeal
er,
by
thenIcoul
dn'
tl
eavehi
m.

Ilovehi
m andhefil
l
sthevoi
dinmyheart
.He
takesgoodcareofme,heistheonl
ymanwho
hasneverfai
l
edme.

Iar
ri
veathi
spl
aceandf
indhi
m smoki
ngweed
wit
hhisfr
iends.Assoonashenot
icesmehe
comestome

Hi
m:Howi
smybabydoi
ng?
Hest
art
ski
ssi
ngme,
butIst
ophi
m
Hi
m:andnow?
Me:
Ineedaf
ixRoy
Him:t
hat'
swhatyouhav
ebecomeZee?You
cannotevengr
eetmeproper
lybecauseofsnow
Me:Ihav
en'
thadsomei
nday
s,babeI
m not
copi
ngcomeon

Him:Snowisexpensi
veZee,Icannotbe
handingoutf
reebi
es.Imrunningabusiness
here
Me:Iknowmylove,may
beIcanshowy
ouhowI
appreci
atey
oulat
eron
Hel
ooksatmeseduct
ivel
y
Hi
m:showmenowbabe
Me:
whatabouty
ourf
ri
ends?
Hi
m:Iwi
l
ltel
lthem t
oleav
e
Me:
wil
lIgetmyf
ixaf
ter
war
ds?
Hi
m:l
ot'
sandl
otsofi
tbabe
Me:
greatt
hen

Acal l
from mygrannydi
stur
bsme, butIdeci
de
toignoreit
.RoyandIaresexual
lyacti
ve.He
toldmet hati
fIf
ailt
osati
sfyhim,hewi ll
go
elsewhere.

AndIcannothav ethat
,Ican'
tl
oosehim.I
al
lowedhimt otakemypur i
tyi
nordertosav
e
myrelat
ionshi
p.
Af
tertel
l
inghisfr
iendst
oleavehetakesmet o
hi
sbedroom.Her oughl
ytakesmyclothesof
f,
pl
anti
ngkissesal
l ov
erme.

Thi
sfeel
sri
ght
,bei
ngwi
thmyl
over
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e◇
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTEREI
GHT
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
TodayIam atMenzi
'splace.Wehav ebeen
cuddl
ingsi
nceIarr
ived,
itisarel
axedSatur
day
andspendi
ngiti
ndoorswi t
hhim hasbeen
not
hingbutbl
i
ss.

Hi
m:babeletmegetupandmakesomel
unch
f
orus,Im sur
eyou'
rehungr
y
Me:
soy
oucancook?
Him:well
,wel
l,Iki
ndadi
dacul
i
nar
ycour
se
backthen
Me:
Youl
i
e!HowcomeIdon'
tknowt
hat
?
Him:wellonl
yafewpeopl
eknowaboutthat
,
mostlymyf ami
l
yandclosef
ri
ends.Iguessi
tis
r
ightthatyoual
soknow.
Me:Butthat
'samazi
ngnewsbabe,
whydoy
ou
hi
deit?
Him:
Wel ly
ouknowhowpeopl ear
eSi ba,they
don'
ttakeamanwi thadegr
eeinCulinaryArts
andHospital
i
tyser
iousl
y.That
'swhyIendedup
i
nbusinessandowningtaxi
'
sobviously
Me:Iunderst
andmylove,
butify
oureal
lylove
cul
inar
yy oushoul
dgoforit
.Noonehasany
ri
ghttostopyou.Andsowhataboutwhatthey
say?
You'
llbedoi
ngsomethi
ngyoul
ove,y
ourfri
ends
andyourfamil
ywi
ll
suppor
tyou.Iwi
llal
so
supporty
oubabe
Him:Youwon'
tbeli
tt
lemeorfeelashamedof
havi
ngaboyfr
iendwho'sachef?
Me:hel
lnobabe,I
'l
lbeproudofyouforput
ting
yourdr
eamsfir
st.Noonewi l
lbeli
tt
leyou,
you
havemoneybabe.Youcanopeny ourown
rest
aur
antandstartear
ningr
ealmoney

Him:Ineverlookedatiti
nt hatperspecti
veyou
know.Backt hentheonlyjobImanagedt oget
wasabei ngachefi nhotel
sandr estaurant
s.
Whenev erImetsomeonewhowasi nmyclass
i
nmat ri
ct heywouldtell
met hey'
redoing
engineeri
ng,avi
ati
on,medici
neorl aw.They
wouldt el
lmethatthosearetheindustr
y'
s
designedformen, cooki
nginthekitchenwasa
woman' sjob.Myegowasbr uisedbabesoI
stoppedanddi dsomethi
ngelse

Me: Peopl
ewillal
wayst
alkmylove,t
hereisno
sucht hi
ngaswor ki
ngi
nagenderspecif
ied
place.Iforoneworkwit
hmen, Iam t
heonly
femi ni
netaxi
owneratt
herankbuthasthat
pushedmeaway?
Evenmyf or
merclassmatestal
kaboutthef
act
thatIdidn'
tgotovarsi
ty,
theysaycruel
stuf
f
l
ike"she'snothi
ngbutaspoil
tbratwasti
ngher
parentsmoney "
Li
tt
ledot
heyknowt
hatIdi
dnotchooset
hisl
i
fe

Him:
You'r
eyoungSi
bay etyou'r
everywise,
I
don'
tknowhowtothanky ouforbr
ingi
ngsuch
posi
ti
vi
tyt
omyl
i
fe
Me:Iwanttobewit
hahappieryou,andt
hatwi
l
l
bewheny ou'
redoi
ngwhatyoulove.Not
confor
mingtowhatsoci
etywants,f*
*kt
hem
babe.Doy ou
Him:
Myfatheroncesai
dagir
lwhoshowsyou
howtomakemor emoneyi
sawi f
e,agi
rl
fr
iend
i
sthegi
rlwhoalwayswant
stospendyour
money
Me:
Hesai
dver
ywi
sewor
dsi
ndeed
Him:I
thasbeenonlyashor
tti
mesinceIhave
knownyou,yetyoukeepmaki
ngmeabet ter
man.Ihopewegr owandcont
inueworki
ngon
ourl
ovestor
y .
BabeIreal
lylovetheideaofopeni
ngmyown
rest
aur
ant, Icanevenaddaf ewofmyown
mealst
ot hemenu
Me:Exactl
ybabe,you'
l
lli
vi
ngy ourdream and
youhav et
hemoneyt odoi t
.Youcanev en
purchaseahotelmylove,addothermealst oit.
Youhav eawholedegreeinthi
sindustr
yt here
i
sal otyoucando
Him:Il
ovey
ourenergybaby
,it
'sal
lIneedt
o
pursuemydream.

Hehol
dsmecl
oseandheki
ssesme.

Hi
m:butfornowl
etmemakesomel
unch,
Iwi
l
l
beback
Me:
Nobaby
,Il
lhel
pyou
Him:You'
l
lsi
tandwat
chmebabe,
Letmespoi
l
you

Ismil
eashetakesmyhandintohi
sandwe
walkt
otheki
tchen.Sohetel
lsmethathewi
l
l
makeapr
ett
ysi
mpl
emeal
.

Hemakesthesedel
i
ciousspicyguacamole
chi
ckenwr
aps,andastrawberr
ysmoothie.

Totopitof
fhemakessomeflapj
ackswi
th
mapplefav
our
edsyrupandcr
eam.

Thefoodi
eIam munchesawayhappi
l
yand
whenwe'r
edonewewasht hedi
shestoget
her
.

Me:babyIt
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
omakea
si
mplemeal
Hi
m:Haha,Igotcar
ri
edawayIguess.The
whol
etal
kaboutculi
nar
yhypedmeup
Me:Thankyoubaby
,Ienj
oyedi
t.Youmake
del
i
ciousfood
Hi
m:waitt
il
lIcookapropermealfory
ou,oneof
t
heseday'
sIwilli
nvi
teyouoverf
orsupper
Me:pl
easedo, I
llpr
obabl
ybr
ingal
unchboxt
o
car
rythenextday

Hechor
tl
es
Hi
m:Idon'
tmi
nd,
Iwoul
dcookf
ory
oual
lthe
t
imebabe
Me:
Thenev
ery
onewi
l
lsayIf
edy
ouapot
ion
Him:
Ifi
tmakesmef
eel
li
ket
his,
feedme
anot
herone
Me:
stopbei
ngsi
l
lyMenzi

Him:
buthonest
lybaby
,yousai
dIshoul
dn'
t
mindwhatpeopl
esay.It
'st
imetopr
act
icewhat
youpr
each
Ichuckl
e
Me: Yeahri
ghtIwil
l.Butbabemycousi n
Ziyandaisturni
ng15nextweek.Iwast hinking
ofthrowingasurpisepartyforher.Wedon' tget
al
ongatal landIm nottry
ingtobuyherl ove.
Honest l
yIdidn'
tcareonebitabouthert i
llAunt
Li
zt oldmeabouthowZi yandaandherdad
wer esoclose.Hewasherher ot i
l
l he
abandonedherandt hatpainchangedher .Her
l
ifeisamessandIf eelsobad, Iwanttor each
outandhel pher

Him:You'
rekindmyl ov e,andIlov
ethatabout
you.Teenagersar
et roublesomebutbyhelpi
ng
heryou'
realsohel
pingAuntLi zandyouoweher
thatmuchaf t
erever
y thingshehasdoneforyou.
May beZiy
andawillopenupwi thti
me
Me:
Ihopesobabe,i
twon'
tbeabigt
hingi
e.I
wi
ll
inv
itehercl
osef
ri
endsandsomefamil
y
member
s.Somay beyoucoul
dcaterf
orus
baby
?Nott
hatIam t
akingadv
ant
agethough

Hi
m:nosi
ll
y,Iwoul
dlov
ethatact
ual
l
y.Iwi
l
ldo
i
tfr
eeofchar
gemylove
Me:
Thanksbaby

Iat
tackhi
m wi
thahugandheki
ssesmy
for
ehead.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZIKHOWA

Si
baandIhadanamazi ngdayandIloveher
ambi
ti
on.Sheisalwayslooki
ngforwaysto
i
mproveonesel
fandIam lear
ningalotofst
uff
.
Sheisi
ndeedabossbabe,l
ookatmel
ooki
ngat
rest
aur
antsupf
orsalealr
eady.
See?
Shehasbr oughtnothi
ngbutposit
ivi
tytothi
s
rel
ati
onship.Iam growingint
oabetterman
dai
ly,Iseemy sel
fdoingthi
ngsIneverthoughtI
woulddoal li
nthenameofl ove.

Butl
ovealonei
sbeauti
ful
,youj
usthav
etof
ind
ther
ightper
sontoexpl
oreitwi
th.

Ihav
efoundheral
ready
,uSi
bawami
(mySi
ba)
.

I
tsscar
yhowIhav
efal
lenforthi
sgir
lina
matt
eroft
woweeksonlybutwhatcanIsay.

"
Thi
siswhaty
ou'
redoi
nghuh?
"
If
aceVuki
le.Hepr
obabl
ylethi
msel
finl
i
kehe
al
waysdoes
Me:Oneoft
heseday
syou'
ll
wal
kinher
eand
f
indmebusywithmygi
rl
Hi
m:Youst
il
lwon'
ttel
lmewhoshei
s?
Me:
You'
l
lknowVuki
l
e,i
nduet
ime
Him:Iwil
ll
etyoubeMenzi
,bythi
sti
menext
weeky ou'
l
lbetel
li
ngmeyoufoundanot
herone.
Justli
kealways
Me:t
histi
mei t
'sdi
ff
erent
.Thi
sonei
sher
eto
st
ay,Iloveher

Hi
m:Lov
emakesy
ouweakbr
o,wewi
l
lsee.
Whatnonsensei
sthi
s?
Don'
ttel
lmey
ouwantt
odocul
i
nar
yagai
n
Me:
whynot
?
Hi
m:Don'
ttel
lmet
hisgi
rli
sther
easonwhyy
ou
wantt
odot
hisnonsense?
Me:
Wel
lmay
be

Him:Sonowyouli
stent
owomenMenzi
?What
haveyoubecomehuh?
Ir
aisedy
oubet
tert
hant
hat
.
St
opthi
sshitatonce,youhavehardl
ybeento
worksi
nceyoustart
edseeingthi
sgir
l.Fora
momentIthoughtyou'
reavoi
dingme
Me:
Vuki
leIhav
eal i
fet
oliv
eman,Icannotbe
f
oll
owi
ngyouaroundal
ltheti
me
Hi
m:Idon'
tl
ikey
ourt
oneMenzi

Mymot herabandoneduslongagoandmy
fatherwasalway sbusywit
hwork.Vuki
leandI
grewupt ogether,heist
heonewhopr act
ical
l
y
rai
sedme.
Iam afewyearsyoungert
hanhi
m, weonly
shareamotherhencewehavedi
fferent
surnames.

Myf atherr
emar r
iedrecent
lyandwevisi
tthem
f
rom t i
met oti
me, Vuki
ledoesn'
twantmet o
vi
sitthem oft
enbecausehebl amesDadfor
Mom' sdepartur
e.

Iwast ooyoungt
ounder st
and.SeeVukile
thinksheownsme, hehasbeencont r
oll
ingme
sinceIbecameateen,Ithoughti
twasright
sinceheismybrotherandhewant swhat's
goodf ormebutnowIknowi t'
swrong.

YetIdon'
twanttogoagai
nsthi
m,Imaybea
grownmanbutIv al
uemyfamil
yandIdon'
t
wanttocausechaos.
Hi
m:Ihopey
ouwil
lgetbackt
oyoursensesand
r
etur
ntoworkt
omorrow
Me:
Tomor
rowi
sSunday
Him:so?Iwantust odi
scussbusi
ness,Imade
youMenzi andIholdt
hepowertobreakyouso
pleasedon'
tgetall
cockywit
hme

Hegi
vesmeal
ookandt
henhel
eav
es.
All
hell
wouldbr
eakl
ooseifheknewthatIam
dati
ngSiba,
hehat
esherwithpassi
on.

IknowthatIshoul
dn'
thav
efal
lenfort
hisgi
rl
butthehear
twantswhati
twants.

IknowthatSibawil
lpr
obabl
yfreaki
fsheknew
thatIam r
elat
edtohernumber1enemywhi ch
i
swhyIcannott
ell
herf
ornow.

Igenui
nel
ylov
eherandIdon'
twantt
olooseher
.

Isi
gh,
asf
orVuki
l
e.
Heisbecomingsomet
hingthatIf
ail
to
under
standbyday,
orhaveIbeendumbal
lthi
s
ti
me?
Washeal
way
ssocr
uel
?

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e◇
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERNI
NE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

Mybir
thdayiscomingupandIam evenmore
moody.Idon'
tli
kecel
ebrat
ingmybir
thday
,well
t
herei
snot hi
ngtocel
ebrat
eanyways.

Backt henwhenmyl i
fewasst i
l
lgoingwel
lmy
fatherusedtomakemybi rt
hdaysepic.He
woul dtakemeoutorbuystuffforme.Hegot
mef ancygif
tsandinvi
tedallmyfri
endsover
forgoodiesorasmallinti
mateparty.

Iwon'tl
i
eImi ssthat,
li
fehaschangedsomuch.
Grannytri
esbyallmeanstomakemeenj oymy
daybutitain'
tthesame.
Thi
syearIdon'
tevenknowwhattoexpect
si
nceshehardl
yhastimeforme.
Shei
sal
way
sfocusedonherpr
incessSi
ba.

Isi
gh.
TodayIam bunki
ngschool
,Ineedt
ogoand
seeRoy.Ineedtopl
ansomet hi
ngwit
hhi
mfor
mybirt
hday.

I'
drathergetdrunkwit
hhi
m andhi
smat
est
han
staydepressedhere.

Imakemywaytothekit
chenandthef
amil
yis
hav
ingbr
eakf
ast
.Igreetandsi
tdowntoeat.

Si
ba:
Ziy
andawhat
'sy
ourf
avour
it
ecol
or?
Wtf!Whyi
sshei
nter
est
ed,
Irol
lmyey
esbef
ore
answer
ing
Me:
Roy
alBl
ue
Si
ba:Okayt
hanks,
Arey
ouexci
tedabouty
our
bi
rt
hday?
Me:
nah

Granny:
ComeonZiyanda,can'
tyouseethat
Sibaist
ryi
ngher
e?Can'ty
ouatleastmeether
half
way?
Me:GrannyInev
eraskedhertotr
y.Iam t
ryi
ng
byall
meanst ostayoutofherway,sheshoul
d
dothesame

Igetupandt
akemyl
unch.
Me:Thankst
oher,
Ijustl
ostmyappet
it
e.See
y'
al
l

Wit
hthatsai
dIleave,mygrannywant
edt
osay
somet
hingbutIstoppedher
.
It
akeat axi
toRoy
'spl
aceandsur
pri
singl
yiti
s
l
ocked.Nowwhyisthat
?
Heopensear
ly,
peopl
ecomeatt
heear
lyhour
s
t
ogetsomedrugs.

Ist
andbyt
hedoort
ryi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m.
Loudmusi
cisplay
ing,
Iwonderwher
ehewent.
Maybehewil
lbebacksoon,hencet
hemusi
cis
on.

Hi
sphonetakesmest
rai
ghtt
ovoi
cemai
landI
si
ghi
nfrust
rati
on.

AsIam aboutt
oleav
eIhearagi
rl
slaught
er.

No,
not
ell
memyear
sar
edecei
vi
ngme.Roy
woul
dnev
erdot
hatt
ome.

Ibangont
hedoorl
i
keamadman.
Af
terabout10mi
nut
es'
she'
opensup.

Nowor
dsspokenIsl
apher.
Her
:Zeecal
m down

Herwor
dsmot
ivat
ememor
e,It
hrowi
nanot
her
sl
ap.

Me:
Getoutofmywayy
ouhar
lot

Iruntohi
sroom andhei
scr
ushi
ngweedasi
f
nothi
ngiswrong.
Me:
Howcoul
dyouRoy
?
Hi
m:OhhheyZee,
camet
ojoi
nus?
Me:t
hat
'ssickening.
..whyareyoucheat
ingon
me?Anddidn'tyousaythatgir
lisy
ourfr
iend?
Hi
m:eyyshutupZi
yandaman,Ihaveal
oton
myplat
eandIdon'
tneedanagginggi
rlt
oadd
ont
hat
Me:butbabe,
whyar
eyouact
ingl
i
ket
hisRoy?
It
houghtyoulov
edme

Helooksatmel
i
keIhav
esuddenl
ygr
owna
pai
rofhorns
Him:Zi
yandast
opbei
ngnai
veman,
Imt
oo
youngtofal
li
nlov
e

Thetear
sstar
tfal
l
inguncont
rol
l
abl
y,Idon'
t
evenhavewordst
odescri
behowhurtIam .
Him:You'
reyoungt
hat
'swhyZee, you'
reaki
d
man.Andy ouseet
hatladyy
ouat t
acked?Damn
nowt hat
'sawoman,sheshouldteachyoua
thi
ngortwo.Shegotem mov esbaby

Me:Igav
eyoumypur
it
yRoy,
Ithoughty
ou
l
ovedme.Howcoul
dyou?

Mytear
shav
enoef
fectonhi
m.Hel
ooksatme
wi
thpit
y

Him:ComeonZeedontbeli
kethat,
youknowI
l
ikeyoubabe.You'
remysweetl
it
tl
ebaby.Come
here

Il
ookathi
m,t
ear
sstil
lfal
l
ing.Heget
supand
of
fer
smeapacketofcoke
Hi
m:Comet
omebabe,
let
shav
esomeandbe
merr
y

Igot
ohi
m,andIt
aket
hecokeandl
eav
e.

Iam notgoi
ngt
ost
ayandt
oler
atet
his
nonsense.

I
t'
sst
il
l9am ,
whatam Igoi
ngt
odoal
lday
?

Idecidet
ov i
sitanot
herf
ri
endofminewho
droppedoutlongago.IhavecokesoIknow
she'l
lbewelcoming.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI
Ihav
ebeenbusywit
hpaperworkall
daylong
andIam pi
ssedt
othecor
e.Vukilehasadamn
PAbutheismaki
ngmedoal lt
his.

Ishouldjustresignandst opwor kingforhi

m.
Im supposedt obehi s"partner
"y ethetr
eats
mel i
kehisski v
vy .Idon'
tknowwhyhel i
kes
control
li
ngme, heshoul djustacceptthefact
thatIm notthaty oungboyher aised.

NowIhavemyownl i
fetol
iv
e,andi
tdoesn'
t
i
ncl
uderunni
ngaf
terhim.

At3pm Ideci
det
ocal
li
taday
.Sibai
scomi ng
overandIneedt
ogohomeandcooksupper.

Idi
dpr
omi
sehert
hatany
way
s.
JustasIam aboutt
ost
artt
hecarVuki
l
e
appear
s.

Hi
m:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:Ineedt
ogethome,Im pl
anni
ngar
omant
ic
di
nnerformygi
rl
fr
iend
Him:
Ithoughtwetal
kedaboutthi
sMenzi
,you'
re
nowditchi
ngworkfort
hisgi
rl
?
Me:Ihavebeenworki
ngallday
,andIdi
dn'
teven
havelunch.Whatexact
lydoyouwantf
rom me
Vukil
e?

Him:Stopt
hisnonsenseatonce.Youneedt
o
fi
nishupsothatwecangot othetar
venand
havesomedr i
nks
Me:
Ican'
tVuki
l
e
Him:Whatt
hef*
*ckMenzi
?Youdon'teven
haveti
meformenow?Thisgi
rlmustbedoi
ng
y
ougood

Me:
Ithasnot
hingt
odowitht
hat,i
t'
sjustt
hatI
r
eal
l
yl ov
eherandIwon'
tdi
sappoi
nther
Him:soyou'
rechoosi
ngherov
eryourbr
other
?
Thatiswhathasbecomeofourbr
other
hood?
Me:Stopbeingpathet
icVuki
le,
youknowt
hat
's
notthecase.Li
stenIwil
lseeyouneh

Him:
You'
rebecomingweakbr oandIdon'tl
i
ke
t
hisonebi
t.Thi
sgirli
sbecominganissueand
youknowIdon'
ttakekindl
ytoanyt
hinginmy
way.

Idr
iveof
fandl
eav
ehi
m.
Ihavenoti
metoent
ert
ainhi
m,Ihav
etogoand
cookformygi
rl
.
Asmi l
eformsonmyfaceasIt
hinkabouther.
Vukil
ewill
havet
ochangehi
sway sbecause
thi
sgirl
isher
etost
ay.

Iwil
lnotl
ethi
m st
andi
nthewayofmy
happi
ness.

Ihav
ealreadypi
cked5r est
aur
ant
sthatIl
i
ke,
andtheyareupforsal
e.

Iwil
lbeablet
oaff
ordbuy
ingone.Imi
ghtev
en
rev
ampt hepl
ace.

Sibahassomanyidea's,
Iwanthert
ohel
pme
chooseaplaceandthenmaybewecanworkon
i
tt oget
her
.
Nodoubtshewi
l
lagr
ee.
_
___

Hour
sl at
erwearecuddl
ingont
hecouch
t
ogether.Di
nnerwasahugesuccess,
shel
oved
myfoodandthesetup.

Romant i
cmusi c,r
osepetal
sandcandl
es.My
gir
lcouldn'
tstopsmi l
i
ng.Iam bey
ondhappy
,
seeingherli
ket hi
sisall
Ineed.

Her
:Menzi
thanky
ousomuchf
oral
lthi
sbaby
Me:t
herei
snoneedtothankmeSi
ba,
keepi
ng
youhappyi
smypri
ori
ty
Her
:Il
ovey
oubabe
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oost
handwasam.
Ibringhercl
oseandki
ssherf
oreheadandshe
blushesonceagai
n.

Ihopeourl
ovewi
l
lbeabl
etoconqueral
lthat
maycomeourway.

Itwon'
tbeeasybutIam wi
l
li
ngtogot
hroughi
t
all,
aslongassheisbymyside.

Herl
oveandherhappi
nessf
ir
st.

Ther
estIwi
l
ldeal
wit
hast
imegoesby
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e◇
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"
Tel
lmewhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hisagai
n?"

MpiloandIareinmyof fi
ceaddingthefi
nal
touchestoZiy
anda'sbir
thdaypart
y.Iam just
call
ingthet
eam andconf i
rmingevery
thi
ng.I
wantittobeperfectsotheycannotmessup.

Isi
gh.
Mpilocameov ery
ester
day,
andli
keal
ldays
Ziy
andawasr udetous.Mpil
oget
sannoyed
easi
ly,shewasfumingandnowshedoesn'
t
wanttobeinv
olv
edinZi
yanda'
spar
ty.Ihav
e
beenbeggi
nghersi
nce.

Me:Mpil
oshe'
sateen,
sheisgoi
ngthrough
stuf
fandmaybeaft
erthi
sshewi
llbeablet
o
openuptome
Her:
Sibaweareall
goingthr
oughstuf
f,buty
ou
don'
tseeustaki
ngitoutonever
yonenowdo
you?
Me:Ifoundhercryi
nginherr
oom lastnight,and
Iheardhertoothedaybefor
e.Herbirt
hdayi s
tomorrowyetsheisn'
thappy,somethi
ngi s
seri
ouslywrongwithher

Her
:Whatifshewon'
tevenbet
herefort
he
par
ty?Thatki
dcapabl
eofanyt
hing
Me:
AuntLi
zwi
l
lmakesur
eshei
sther
e
Her
:okay
,Iwi
l
lbet
her
ejustt
omakesur
eshei
s
i
nline.Onemist
akeandIwillt
ellherof
f,Idon'
t
gi
veadamnwhet heri
tisherbi
rthdayornot.I
m
si
ckofthatki
d'
snonsense

Ichor
tl
eandheadt
oher
.Igi
veheragr
eathug
andsmil
e.

Me:
Thankyousomuchfr
iend,
youknowhow
muchIneededy
out
here
Her:
Sibay oubett
ernotmakemecookor
something,Iai
n'
tdoingt
hat.Especi
all
yfort
hat
brat

Ichor
tl
eagai
n
Me:Wor
rynot,Menziwil
ltakecareofthat
.You
won'
tbedoi
ngany t
hing,
Ihiredpeopl
et ot
ake
car
eofever
ythi
ng.Ij
ustneedy ourpr
esence
Her
:I
nthatcase,
awesome.AndSi
baar
eyou
t
ryi
ngt
obuyZi
yanda'
slov
e?

If
rownbef
oreIanswer
Me: NotatallMpil
o,Iam tr
yingtoshowherthat
Icare.Iwanthertohav eanamazingdayand
forgetaboutherproblems.Maybeshewill
see
thatIdon'thateherandshewi l
lopenup
Her
:okaygood.Butwhati
fshedoesn'
t?
Me:
Ireal
l
ydon'
tknowt
hen,
butshehast
o
Her
:I
llf
orcei
toutofhermi
na.
..j
ustsayt
he
wor
d

Ilaugh,
thi
nki
ngaboutMpi
l
obei
nghar
dcor
eon
thekid.
Me:
Not
hanksMpi
l
oIwi
l
lfi
gur
eitout

Shenodsi
nagr
eementandwecont
inuewi
th
f
inal
i
singst
ufff
ort
omor
row.

WellIdoal
ltheworkwhi
l
eMpi
l
odoeswhatshe
doesbest,
talki
ng!

Nott
hatImi
ndt
hough,
herst
ori
esar
eepi
c.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Ij
ustfi
nishedbaki
ngZiyanda'
sbir
thdaycake
anditl
ooksamazing.Iprayitt
astesbett
er,
Sibatr
ustsmewi t
hthi
sandshei sgoingoutof
herwaytomaket hi
smemor ablefort
hekid.

Ihavetopl
aymypartandensur
ethat
ever
ythi
ngissort
edi
nmydepartment
.Iam so
exci
tedIdon'
tknowhowIwil
lsl
eep,Ij
ustwant
t
ogett
her
eandst
artdoi
ngmagi
c.

Nothi
ngmakesmef eelal
i
vemorethanthi
s,I
l
ovebeingachefandIwasmadeforit
.Im
gr
atef
ul t
hatIhav
esuchanamazi
nggirl
fri
end
whoencouragedmetofoll
owmydreams.

Oncethisi
sov
er,
Im def
ini
tel
ybuy
ingt
hat
r
estaurant
.

Thedooropensandi tcouldonlybeoneper son.

Vukil
esti
lldoesn'
tunderstandtheconceptof
knocki
ng.If r
ownwhenIseeangerwr it
tenall
overhim.Iwonderwhati stheprobl
em now.

Hi
m:Youl
eftwor
kear
lyf
ort
hisnonsenseMenzi
?
Ihadtoleaveworkear
ly,
tobuyal
lthe
i
ngredi
entsIneedfort
omorrowandbake
obvi
ousl
y .IneedtobeatSi
ba'
shouseby9am.

Me:Ihadthi
ngst
odoVukil
e.Andhowmany
ti
mesdoIhav et
otel
lyout
oknockbef
orey
ou
comei nher
e?
Hi
m:thi
splaceispai
dusi
ngmymoney
.Ican
doasIpleaseher
e
Me:I
tisnoty
ourmoneybecauseIwor
kfori
t,I
ear
nmymoneyVukile
Hi
m:Samediff
erence,Ipayy
ou.That
'st
heonl
y
wayyougetmoney,Iam payi
ngfory
our
l
if
est
yle

Me:Vuki
l
ethat'
smadandyouknowi
t.Whatdo
youwanther
e?Im busy
Hi
m:busywear
ingapr
onsanddoi
ngwomen'
s
stuft
?You'
reaweakl
ingMenzi ,
lookaty
ou.
You'r
ecoveredi
nfl
our,thatwomanmustbe
feedi
ngyouagoodpotion

Idon'tknowwhatcameov ermebutIwasjust
ti
redofgetti
ngbull
iedbyVuki
le.Igr
abbedhim
roughlyandstar
tedpushi
nghim out

Me:IknowwhatIam doi
ngandithasnothi
ngto
dowi t
hmygir
l.Ti
ll
youknowwhaty ouwant
from meandyouhavebett
ert
hingstosay,
stay
farawayfr
om me
Him:Im goi
ngtopunchyouhardMenzi
,I
my our
olderbr
otherandthi
sisabsur
d.Can'
tyousee
thatsheistur
ningyouagai
nstme?

Icar
ryonpushi
nghi
m out
.
Hi
m:Doy
ouknowhowmucht
hissui
tcost
s?
You'
ret
ouchi
ngi
twi
thdi
rt
yhandsman
Me:I
fyouknowwhat'
sgoodforyou, st
aythe
f
uckawayfrom meVuki
le.Iam notscaredof
you,
don'
tcomeherethi
nki
ngyouownme

Hef
akesal
aughandcl
apshi
shands
Him:
youf i
nall
ygr ewapair?Congrat
slit
tl
ebro.
Youbetternotregretwhatyousai
d,becauseI
don'
ttakekindl
yt odisr
espect

Me:
AndIam t
ir
edofyourpathet
ictheat
sVuki
l
e,
dowhaty
oumustandIwilldothesame

Ishutthedoorjustashewasaboutt osay
somethingandlockit.Ishoul
dtellt
hesecuri
ty
guardstoneverlethi
mi nagain.Iam done
beinghisski
vvy.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
Shar
eshar
eshar
e◇
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERELEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
VUKI
LE

Iam sopissedri
ghtnow.Menzi i
sseri
ousl
y
messingaroundandIam runni
ngoutof
pati
ence.Ican'
tevenorderhi
m aroundnow
becauseofthatgi
rl
.

Shemayhavethoughtshehaswonor
somethi
ngbutsheiswrong,comehell
orhigh
water
s.Shewil
lnotmakemybr ot
herasissy
.
Mybr ot
heri
samanandIwi
llnotal
l
owthatgi
rl
tochangehi
m,shewant
shi
mt obecomeher
slav
e.

Shewantst ocont
rol
him, andleadhim bythe
nose.Iwouldbeafooltoallowthat
,mybr other
i
sn'ti
nlove.Heisbewit
ched, Menziwouldnever
tur
nhisbackonmel ikethat.

Iknowhim andwehavecometoofart
oallow
somegirlhemetafewsecondstomessitup.I
havetotr
ybyallmeanst
ofindoutwhothehell
sheisandtal
ktoher.

I
fshei snotwil
li
ngt obackdown,Iwil
lkindly
removeherfrom hisli
fe.Menzii
sloosing
focusandIneedhi m,Ineedtoputtogethera
plantobri
ngSibalethudown.
Sheisal
way satthetaxirank,
shemustt hi
nk
shei
sbetterthanus.Thatconfidentsmug
smil
eonherf aceissickeni
ng.

ThesoonerIgetri
dofherandtakeherweal
th
thebet
ter.I
fshethi
nksshehassucceeded,
she
hasanotherthi
ngcoming.

Il
ightupacigarandi
nhal
eabit,
ifmybrother
wasn'tbewi
tchedwewouldbeheret
ogether
,t
acklingmyprobl
ems.

Icur
seundermybr
eat
h.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA
I'
vebeenhavi
ngar oughday .Well
eversi
nce
RoyandIbrokeupIhav en'
tbeenokay,al
lIdoi
s
cryanddrownmy selfi
nmi sery
.

Andyesyoureadthatr
ight,
RoyandIbr
okeup.
Hecall
edsayi
ngthatheisinlov
ewitht
hatgi
rl
,
I
m chi
ldi
shandIshouldfixmyli
feandl
eave
hi
m al
one.

I
thurtssomuch, Igenui
nelylovedhim andhe
wentoutofhi swayt ohurtme.Hecheat edon
meanddi dn'tevenbotherapologisi
ngorfixi
ng
t
hings,hejustbrokeupwi thme.Iguesshe
wastir
edofme, j
ustli
keev er
yoneelseinmy
l
if
e.

Evenmygr annyi
spr
obablyt
iredofme.Theone
personIl
ovedthemosthasturnedonme.
Isi
ghandl
ookatt
hel
astpacketofcokeIhav
e.

Iwanttostopdoi
ngdrugs,i
tremindsmeofRoy
andIdon'twantt
hat
.Itwassupposedtobe
somethi
ngIdidforf
un,Ineverhadint
ent
ionsof
doi
ngitforgood.

Imi ghtbemessedupbutIst
il
lcar
eaboutmy
future.MaybeIst
il
lhav
eashotatmakingmy
grannyproud.

Igot othebathroom andfl

ushi
tdown.Wit
h
tearsinmyey es.Idon'
tknowhowIwil
lsurv
ive
withoutitbutIwil
ltr
y.

I
t'
sSatur
daytomor
rowandIhav
enopl
ans.And
mybir
thdayt
oo.
_
___
__

I
m wokenbyGranny ,Li
saandSi basi
ngingat
thet
opofthei
rvoices.Icannothelpbutsmil
e,I
don'
tdeser
veall
theirkindness.

Granny:
Comeheremybaby,you'
re15year
s
beauti
fulandwear
egoi
ngtohaveanamazing
daytogether
Si
ba:t
her
eisnoti
metosleepZi
yanda,
a
bi
rt
hdaycomesonceayear

Ilaughabitandhugthem al
l
.Say
ingthanks.
LisagivesmeacardandsomechocolateandI
hugheragain.Si
baandGrannywil
lgi
veme
theirpr
esent
slat
er.Theytel
lmetobathand
hurryoutofmyroom.
Ichecktheti
meandit
s7am ,Iwonderwher
e
theyar
et aki
ngmesoear
ly.

By8am gr annyispracti
cal
l
ydraggi
ngmet othe
car.Cansomeonet ellmewhywear erushi
ng?
IfIdidn'
tknowbet ter,
Iwouldt
hinktheyare
tryi
ngt ogetridofme.

Grannyt akesmet othemall,weheadtomy

favouri
ter est
aurantandwehavebreakfast
together.Shet el
lsmehowmuchshel ovesme
andhowsheappr eci
atesme.Sheremindsme
ofmyv alueandIcannothel
pbutshedaf ew
tears.

Thiswomanwouldgototheendsoftheear
th
forme,shewoul
dli
ter
all
ydoanyt
hingtomake
mehappy.Shei
sallIhav
e, andIknowthatI
messedupalot.ButIam 15nowandIwantt o
makesureIdogood.Iowehert hatmuch.

Aft
ert
hatshegi
vesmeadv i
ceandwehav
ean
i
nti
matehear
ttohear
tsessi
on.

By10am Iam al lsmil

esandwear eshopping
toget
her.GrannysaidIcantakewhateverIwant
today
,andIwantt omakesur eIdoso.Bynoon
Iam doneandgr annyiscomplai
ningabit,I
wentabi tover
boardandwewentt ol
otsof
dif
fer
entshops.

Wegethomeandi ti
sdeadquiet.Si
ba
welcomesusi nandshetakesmet omyr oom.
Ont hebedIfi
ndabeauti
fulroy
al bl
uedress,i
t'
s
amer maiddresswit
hsequins.Itmusthave
costanarm andaleg,i
tismadewi thfabri
c
t
hat
'spr
act
ical
l
yscr
eamsexpensi
ve.

Ihav
enowor ds,itisbreat
htaki
ng.Ihugher
andthankher
.Sibai stooki
nd,andIhavebeen
tr
eat
ingherli
kecr ap.

Shekissesmyfor
eheadbeforeleavi
ngand
AuntLizhel
psmeweart hedress,al
ongwi
th
someshoesIboughttoday.

Ilookatthemir
rorandthegir
lwhosmi l
esback
tomel ookssogood.IhopeIstar
tthi
snew
chapterofmyli
fewellandthegir
ldoesn'
tl
eave
me.

Shei
ssohappy,
andi
tlooksgoodonher
.
Iwanthert
ost
ay.
Thegi
rli
nthemi
rr
or.

Grannyt akesmet otheloungeandassoonasI

wal ki
n.Ev ery
onescreamssur pi
se,t
ears
stream downmyf aceli
ketherainaf
teralong
drought.Theykeepf all
ingasIlookaroundand
spotmyf ri
endsandmyf ami
ly
.Whendi dthey
organisethis?

I
tisamazingandIdon'tknowwhatt osay .Thi
s
i
snotlikethepart
iesgrannyusedtothrowback
t
hen,thisi
stherealdeal.Ther
e'sadjpresent,
wait
erswithchampagneandst art
ers.

Andmyf atheri
sn'
ther
e.Iexpect
edt
hat
,heno
l
ongercaresanyways.

ButIwon'
tdwel
lont
hat
,Ihav
emor
etobe
t
hankf
ulf
or.

Iswearitl
ooksli
kesomethi
ngfrom TV.Iam
takentomyseatandIam sti
ll
inawe, Ipi
nch
my sel
ftoseeift
hisi
shappeni
ngforrealorI
am dreaming.

Ifi
ndasmall
let
teront
het
abl
ewr
it
ten
"Zi
yanda"

Iopeni
tupandr
eadwhati
tsay
s.

"Happybirt
hdaymyl ov
e.Ihopeyoulovethe
set-
up,Itri
edbyallmeanstomakeitl
ooklikea
fai
ryt
ale.Foryou'
reourpri
ncessandyou
deservethebest
.
Eatandbemerry
,it
'syourdaytodayandwear
e
al
lherecel
ebr
ati
ngitwithyou.

Yourpr
essi
eisst
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou,
Ihopey
ou
l
ikei
t.

Lov
eandl
i
ght
.
Si
ba"

Ir
eaditoverandoveragai
n.TheMci
sst
il
l
gr
eet
ingtheaudience.

Il
ookatSi
baandsmi
le.Soshei
stheonewho
di
dthi
sforme?Butwhy?

Whywoul dshespendsuchal
otonmewhenI
t
reathersobad?
I
m shocked,happyandIwanttocr
ysomuch.
Alloft
heseemot i
onsar
eoverwhel
mingmeat
once.

TosayI
m grat
eful
wouldbeput
ti
ngi
tli
ghtl
y,
Si
baisaqueenandIaspi
ret
obehal
fthe
womansheis.

ShehasapureheartandandIwil
lworksohar
d
atshowi
ngherthatIappr
eci
atewhatshedi
d
forme.

Happybi
rt
hdayt
ome.
IhopeIbecomethewomanIwantt
obe,
a
womanmyf ami
l
ywouldbepr
oudof.
ThewomanIsawi
nthemi
rr
orear
li
eron.
Theroadtoredempt
ioni
sn'
taneasyone,
butI
am wil
li
ngtoendur
eital
l
.

Formyf
ami
l
y.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Thefoll
owingdayIfi
ndZiyandai
nthekit
chen
makingbreakf
ast.ShelookssohappyandI
cannothel
pbutsmile.

Me:
Goodmor
ningZi
yanda
Her
:Mor
ningIdi
dn'
tseey
oust
andi
ngt
her
eSi
ba
Me:Inot
iced,
you'
remaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
?That
'sa
f
ir
st
Shechor
tl
es
Her:
Welll
etsjustsaymybirthdaycamewi t
h
l
otsofchange.Iwant eddosomet hi
ngnicefor
youandGranny.I m sogr
atefulf
orever
ythi
ng
youhavedonef orme
Me:
Iam gl
adZeeandyoucanthankusby
maki
ngusproud.Iwanty
outodowellhoney
Her
:Iwi
l
l,Ipr
omi
sey
ousi
s

Shehugsmeandf oronceIfeelherl
etgo.She
i
scheeryandIj
usthopei tst
aysli
kethat
.She
l
ooksupatmewi t
hgl assesinherey
es
Her
:Butwhy
?Whydidyoudosomethi
ngsoni
ce
f
ormewhenIhavealway
sbeenrudetoy
ou?
Me:Becausey ou'
remyli
tt
lecousinZee,Ij
ust
knewthaty ouareagoodperson.Ijust
assumedt hatyouweregoingthr
oughstuff
Her:
Thankyouf
ornotgiv
inguponme.I
fyou
di
d,Iwouldbedepr
essedandalone
Me:Don'
tev
erf
eelal
onewithushere.Wel ove
youandwewantt
osupportyou.Forgetabout
t
hepast,wear
eallst
art
ingover
Her
:You'
reagoodwomanSi
ba,
I'
m gr
atef
ult
o
hav
ey oui
nmyl i
fe

"Seeingmygi
rl
ssohappyt
oget
hersoot
hesmy
heart"
Wearefacedwi
thAuntLizandLisa.Theyj
oin
i
nthehugandweallsqueezeeachother.

Oncewel etgowesitdownandZiyandaser
ves
usbreakf
ast.Wearecracki
ngjokesand
l
aughingl
ikether
eisnotomorr
ow.

Ther
eisnoj
oygr
eat
ert
hant
hatofahappy
f
ami
l
y.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
VUKI
LE

Ihadt oaskaroundinordertof
indoutwho
Menzi isdati
ng.Iam fumingwit
hanger,t
hegir
l
Ihatethemosthaswor medherwayint
omy
brother'
slif
e.If
oundoutthatMenzii
sdating
Sibongil
e'sdaught
er.

HereIam wor kingmyassf orourbusi

ness,and
try
ingtofindway stobri
ngthatwitchdowny et
heissleepingwi t
htheenemy .Thi
sistheworst
form ofbetray
al,andal
lhel
l wil
lbr
eakloose.I
am notaboutt oacceptt
hisnonsense.Never!

Igett
oMenzi
'
spl
aceandst
artbangi
ngont
he
door.Hetakeshisti
meopeningup,makingme
punchthewallnexttothedoor
.Iam l
i
vid,Menzi
i
sfuckingwithmer n.

Heopenst
hedoorandhesi
ghs
Hi
m: Sowheny oudeci
detoknock,youbangon
mydoor .Ser
iousl
yVuki
le?It
'saSunday
morningandIwakeupt othi
s

Ipushhim asi
deandwal
kin.Hef
oll
owsme
andclosesthedoor
.Asqui
ckasl
ightIpunch
hi
m.

Hi
m:Whatt
hehel
lVuki
l
e?
Me:
That'
sforsl
eepi
ngwi
tht
heenemyMenzi
.
Howcouldyou?
Hi
sey
espopopen
Hi
m:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Il
i
ter
all
yscr
eam athi
m
Me:
IKNOW YOU'
REDATI
NGSI
BALETHU
DAMMIT

Hi
m:ohht
hat
Me:
That
'sal
lyouhav
etosay
?

Ipunchhim again,andIpushhimtowardsthe
wall
.Str
angli
nghi m.Het r
iesf
ight
ingmebut
thi
sangerhasr esult
edinundyi
ngstrengt
h.I
am li
vi
d,Ikeepst r
angli
nghim.

Me:YOU'
REAFOOLMENZI.YOUBETRAYEDME
FORTHATGIRL.YOUTURNEDONOUR
BROTHERHOODBECAUSEYOUCOULDN'T
KEEPITI
NYOURPANTS
Heisr unningoutofbreat
hsoIlethi
m go.Ihad
nointenti
onofkill
inghim.Hecoughsfora
whil
et ryi
ngtocatchhisbreat
h.Ithr
owin
anotherpunch

Him:Vuki
le.
.can'
tyoul
eav
emeal one.
.y ou
near
lykil
l
edme.Nowy ou.
..wanttofi
nishme
off.
.

Heiscoughi
nginbet
ween,
findi
ngdi
ff
icul
tyi
n
speaki
ngit
sel
f.
Me:Icandowhat
everIwantt
oyou,
you
bet
rayedme

Icar
ryonshouti
ngathi
m, tel
li
nghim of
fand
sweari
ngathi
mf oragoodcoupleofminut
es.
Whenhefinal
l
ygainsstr
engthhegetsupand
dr
inksagl
assofwat
erbef
oreaddr
essi
ngme.

Him:VukileIam donewithyou.Youaren'tmy
brot
hery ou'
reananimal.Youshouldhav e
tal
kedtomel i
keanadultyetyoucameher e
andnearlystrangl
edmet odeath.Youhav e
beenthrowingpunchesandcur si
ngatmel i
ke
I'
m arabiddog.Thatisnowayt otreatyouronly
brot
her,Ihavealwaystoler
atedyouandal l
owed
youtobul l
ymebuti tendsnow.Im donewi th
youVukile,getoutofhereandneverret
ur n

Me:Whatareyousayi
ngMenzi?Ar
eyou
choosi
ngthatbi
tchoverme?
Hi
m:Ohhy
ouwantmet
ochooseVuki
l
e?
Me:
Yes.I
t'
sei
thermeorher
Him:
IchooseSi
bal
ethu,
wit
hnodoubt
.Il
oveher
andshelov
esme
Me:
Ihopey
oudon'
tregr
ety
ourdeci
sionMenzi

Him:Iwon'
t.Asofthi
sdayy ouar edeadtome,
Iwil
lcomeandgetmyst uf
ftomor r
owandwe
wil
lgoourseparat
eway s.Myt axi'
swill
stop
usi
ngt heBhebhel
ogo,Iwill
takeov er

Inodmyheadandgi
vehi
m al
ookcol
denough
tofr
eezewat
er.

Me:I
m ashamedtocal
lyoumybr
other
,you'
rea
weakandrevol
ti
ng.

Wi
tht
hatIl
eav
e.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment.
Shar
eshar
eshar
e◇
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWELVE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Ihaven'theardfrom Menzii
nweeks.Hemust
beser i
ousaboutt hi
sgir
lbecausehecutallt
ies
withme.Hehi r
edsomeonet ooperat
ehistaxi'
s
soIhar dlyseehim ar
ound,hetookall
his
belongingsfrom mybusinessesandhewentas
farasmov i
ngintotown.Farawayfrom me.

Idon'tknowifIam mostl
yhur torangryathi
m
fordoingso,heismybr other
.Wehav enoone
elsebuteachotheryethedecidedtobetrayme
l
ikethis.Iwi
shIdidn'
tgivehim anult
imatum
t
hatday
,may
bet
hingswoul
dn'
thav
eescal
ated
t
othi
s.

Iam stil
lper
plexedast ohowt hi
scameinto
place.Thatgi
rlisfeedi
nghim astrongpoti
on,
butIshouldhav eexpectedsuch.Imeanthati
s
Sibongil
e'
sdaught eraf
teral
l.

Ihavebeenquietfortool
ongnow,Ial
lowedher
torui
nmybr other'
sli
feanditi
sti
meItake
contr
ol.Iam Vuki
leMhlongoandyoudon'
tjust
messwi thmelikethat!

Thereisapr
iceshewil
lpaycomehellorhigh
waters.Iwi
l
l bedamnedifIl
ethergothi
stime.

Aft
eral
lwedohav
eunf
ini
shedbusi
nesswi
th
her
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

MenziandIhav ebeendat i
ngfortwomonths
now.Hej ustsentmeagoodmor ningt
extandI
am smil
ingf r
om eartoear.TosayIam happy
wouldbeanunder st
atement,
somuchhas
happenediny etsuchashortperi
odofti
me.

Youwoul dswearwehav ebeentogetherfor

years,i
tfeel
slikethat
.Hehasbroughtli
ghtand
l
ov einmyl i
fe,
Igenuinel
yappr
eciat
et he
chanceIwasgr ant
edwit
hhim.

Li
sasl eptwit
hmey esterday,shewasabitsad.
Ithi
nkshemi ssesMom anduDl omo.I
comf ort
edherandsleptwi t
hherjustt
omake
herfeellov
edandsaf e.Mysi st
erl
ostbot
hher
par
entsnearl
yatt hesamet ime,shei sfi
ndi
ng
i
thardtoadjustevent houghsheistryi
ng.If
eel
sobad,l
ikeIneglectedher.Sheisjustakidand
sheneedsmemor et hanevernow.

Iwakeherupandr unabathforher,thi
s
morningsheseemsbetterandIwil
ltakehert
o
school.Al
ongwithZiy
anda.

Speakingofher, shehasbeennothingbuta
darl
i
ngr ecentl
y.Shedoesherschool wor
kand
sheisfocused,sheisrespect
fulandwespend
ti
met ogetherwhenIam around.Shehaskept
herpromiseandshei sanewper son.

Iam proudofherandIjusthopeshewi
l
lkeep
ati
t.Ifnotf
orme, forAuntLiz.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Ihavebeendel ayi
ngthingsforfartoolongnow,
i
fIconti
nuedoi ngsoVuki lewil
lbeatmet oit
andtel
lSiba.Hecouldr uinmyr el
ationshi
pwith
herandIdon' twantthat.IknowVuki l
every
well
,hewon' tstopbotheringmeany t
imesoon.

Iwonderwhyhei staki
ngsolong,Ifearwhathe
maybepl anningbecauseIam prett
ysur ei
tis
somethinghectic.TodayIwi
l
l t
ellSi
bat het
ruth.
Ihaveto,Ijusthopeshewon' tdumpme
becauseofit.

Anywaysmyl if
ewi t
houtVuki l
ehasbeen
bli
ssf
ul.Iam quit
ehappy ,Idon'
thav
ehim on
mycasewi thhisannoyingnegati
vecomments.
Iam j
ustliv
ingmyl i
fethewayIwantt o.
Iam settli
ngwel li
nmynewapar t
ment.Ihadto
pickonet hatisintownclosertomynew
restaur
ant.Yes, Irecent
lypurchasedi
tandI
l
ov ebeingbacki ntheindustryIwasmadef or.
Myr estaurantisverybusy,Ihardl
yhaveti
me
l
at el
y.

Ijustlovebei
ngachef,Icoul
dprepar
emealsal
l
dayandni ght
.ButIcannotobvi
ously
,Ihav
eto
j
uggl ebeingt
hebossandkeepingupwithmy
taxi'
s.Ineedtheext
rai
ncomeany ways.

Letmeprepar
efortheday,Ij
usthopeitgoes
well
wit
hSiba.Becausei
fitdoesn'
t,Idon'
t
knowwhatIwoulddowithmy sel
f.

Thatwomani
smywhol
eent
ir
eli
fe.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
ZI
YANDA

Myli
fehasbeenbet
tert
haneverlat
ely,
quit
ting
dr
ugsmusthavebeenthebestdeci
sionIever
made.
Itwasver
yhardformeandIcouldn'
tcopeatal
l
,
Iwasboundtorelapseany
timesoonsoI
star
tedat
tendi
ngasupportgroupcl
osert
o
school
.

GrannyandSi bathi
nkIstudyattheli
braryaf
ter
school becauseIhaven'tf
oundthecour aget
o
tellt
hem.If eelbadfornottel
l
ingthem thetr
uth,
especiallysi
nceIhavechangedy etIcannot
disappointthem agai
n.Especial
l
ybecauseof
somet hingthatisapartofmypastnow.
Attendi
ngthesupportgr
ouphel psal ot
,being
withpeopl
ewhohav ebeent hr
oughhel land
backbecauseofdrugsandseei ngt hem r
ecover
sowel l
giv
esmehope.Thei rstorieshave
taughtmealot,andIwil
lneverf orgett
hem.

Ialsofoundamentorther
e,shehel psmeal ot.
Shegivesmet i
psonwhatt oeatordowhenI
craveafix.WhenIbatt
let
osl eepatnight
becauseofmycr avi
ngsIcallherandshetries
byallmeanstohelpmeov ercomet hefeel
ing.

Ihavebeencl eanforoveramonthnow, Iwi

l
l
conti
nueat t
endingthesupportgr
oupand
seeki
nghel ptil
lInolongercr
avefordrugs.My
bodywilladjustandIwon'tbetemptedwhenI
seedrugs.

Roycal
l
edmet
heot
herday,
Ithoughtmay
be
hewantedt
oapologi
seforwhathedi
dtome
buthet
oldmethathewantshismoneyback.
Hewantsal
lthemoneyhespentonme, and
themoneyf
rom t
hedrugshegaveme.

Itol
dhi m offbecauseheistheonewho
will
i
nglygav emedr ugs,act
uallyheintr
oduced
met othem soIwon' tbeforcedtopayf orthem.
Idon'tevenhav ethemoneyt odoso, Ijusthope
hewi l
lleavemeal one.Iam tr
yingtofixmyl i
fe,
Idon'tneedhim nearme.

Imadeanewf r
iendrecentl
y,wegot othesame
schoolandsheisinmycl ass.Sheli
vesri
ght
acrossourhouseandshewasal sohereonmy
bir
thday.Hernamei sEnhle.Wegetalong
prett
ywellandIneedanewf ri
endbecausemy
oldfri
endsaretoxi
c.
Theypart
yanddodr ugs,
theywi
l
ldr
agmeback
tothel
if
eInolongerwant.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Lateront hatdayMenzi surpri

sedmedur i
ng
l
uncht ime.Hecamet oseemebear inggift
s
andf ood.Iwi l
lprobabl
ygai nakil
oort wof r
om
allt
hef oodhegi vesme, ormay bethosear e
theperksofhav ingaboy fr
iendwhoownsa
restaurant.Ismileashebr i
ngsmecl oser
,
huggingmet i
ghtlyandkissingmylips
passionately.

Hi
m:Il
ovey
ouSi
ba
Heisstil
lhol
dingmet
ight
ly,
looki
ngintomy
eyes.Il
ovethi
smoment,i
tisassincer
easour
purelov
e.
Me:Il
oveyout
oobabe,
you'
ret
hebestt
hingt
o
happentomeinal
ongt
ime
Hi
m:Ihopeyouwil
lsti
l
llov
emeaf
terhear
ing
whatIhav
etosaySiba.

Hist
onechangesabi
t,If
earwhatt
hati
s.He
cont
inues

Him:Iam ti
redofkeepingthi
sf r
om you,Ineed
youtopleasetryandunderstandmyl ov
e.I
wantedtot el
lyou,honest
lyIdidbutIwasj ust
scaredofloosingyou.I
m sorrybabeandI
promiseyouIwi l
lneverev
erkeept hi
ngsfrom
youagain
Me:
whati
sitt
haty
ouhav
ebeenhi
ding?

Myv
oicei
slow.If
eel
hur
tbyMenzi
,Idon'
t
knowwhybutIj ustfeell
ikewhathewil
lsay
nextwil
lbetoomuchf orme.Ihat
esecret
sa
l
ot,Ihavetoldhim beforeyett
her
eis
somethi
ngthathei shiding.

Hi
m:Pl
easecal
m downmylove,
andpr
omi
se
meyouwon'
tleav
emeaft
erthis
Me:Youar ei
nnoposit
iontoasksuchf
rom me.
Iwil
ldecidewhatev
erIwantto.Menzi
how
manyt i
mesdi dwetal
kaboutsecr
etsr
uini
nga
rel
ati
onship?

Hi
m:wehav
espokenabouti
tal
ot
Me:Thenwhydi
dyouchooset
okeep
somethi
ngfr
om me?Tal
kMenzi!
Hi
m:Vuki
l
eismybr
other

ForasecondIzoneout,
notVuki
l
e.Pl
easeI
musthav
ehear
dwr
ong

Me:
What
?How??
?
Hi
m:Wehavedif
fer
entf
ather
'sbabe,
butwe
gr
ewuptoget
her
Me:Youwer
etheonewhowassentbyVuki
l
eto
buymymother'
stav
ernsf
rom Dl
omo?

Hel
ooksawayi
nshame
Hi
m:Yes
Me:IaskedyouMenzi andyouli
edt ome.You
wereinvol
vedinVukil
e'spl
antobringmedown.
Howcoul dyoudothattome?Youknowhow
muchIhat eyourbr
other,y
ouknowexactly
whathappenedbetweenusy etyouheldonto
suchimportantdet
ail
s?
Him:Vukil
emademedoal l
hisdirt
ywor k,I
didn'
tevenknowy oubackt hen.Vuki
leasked
met osettlet
hedeal f
orhim andIdidjustthat
.I
wasn'tdoingitt
obr ingyoudown.Idi dn'
tplan
tofal
linlovewithy ou,andwhenIdi dIstopped
all
owingVukiletouseme.Idef endedy ouand
tr
iedtokeephi m awayf r
om y ou

Me:Howt hehel
lam Isupposedtobel
ievethat?
Maybey oudon'
tevenloveme, maybeVukile
sentyoutospyonmeandusemesot hatIcan
l
oosef ocus

Him:Il
oveyouSibalet
hu,
Icutallt
ieswithVuki
l
e
becauseofyou.Ichoseyouoverhim babe,
pl
easebeli
eveme.Iam bei ngsi
ncere
Me:Youwait
edsothatIcouldfall
inlovewith
youbefor
etel
li
ngmet hatyouguy sarerel
ated.
Whatwereyouhopi
ngt oachieve?Didy ou
perhapsassumeIwoul dbebli
ndedbyl oveand
all
owy outocar
ryonpl ay
ingme?Cl ear
lyyou
arepartofVuki
l
e'splantotakeallmyassets.
Howcoul dyoubetr
aymel ikethi
sMenzi ?I
thoughtwhatweshar edwasreal!

Tearsarethr
eateni
ngt
ofalll
ikeawaterf
allr
n,
yetmymot hert
aughtmetonev erev
erbreak
downinf r
ontofmyenemies.Menziisworki
ng
withVukil
e,t
hatmakeshi
m myenemy .

Him:I
tisr
ealSi
ba,Iswear.Iwi
shItol
dyou
earl
i
erbutIwasscar
edofloosi
ngyou.
.

Me:St
op!JuststopMenzi !Idon'twanttohear
anymor el
i
es.Justleavemeal onefrom nowon.
Iwoul
ddoany thi
ngt oprotectmyf ami l
y'
s
l
egacy,Iwoul
dnev erputitinjeopardy.I
promi
sedmymot herthatandIwi ll
sticktomy
wor ds.Youar
eat hreat,y
ouwil
lbet
hecause
ofmydownf al
l.SoifIhavetobr
eakupwithyou
regardl
essofhowmuchIl ov
eyouIwil
l
.Iam
doingthisf
ormyfami ly

Hi
m:Nother
eisnoneedf orthatSi
ba,you
won'
tl
ooseyourf
ami l
y'
slegacy.Iwil
lhel
pyou
t
akeVuki
ledownifneeded,pleasedon'
tdothi
s

Me:
Takeallyourf
oodandy
ourgif
tsandl
eav
e
Menzi
.Iam donewit
hyou,whatwehadi
sover

Hetri
esbeggi
ngmebutIkeept el
li
nghimto
l
eave.Hecont
inuesandIcal
lsecuri
tyt
oescor
t
hi
m out.

OnceIam alone,
Ilockthedoorandcry.Isi
ton
t
hecoldceramicfl
oorandleti
tallout
.
Ineverexpectedsuchf r
om Menzi
,Icannot
beli
evethatthisi
shappening.Wearesupposed
tobehappyt oday,cel
ebrat
ingtwomonths
toget
heryetwej ustbrokeup.

Ithur
tsIwon'
tl
ie,
ithur
tssomuchandIcannot
stopcry
ing

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU
I
thasbeenar atherl
ongweekwi thoutMenzi ,
I
m notsureifImadet herightdecisi
onby
breaki
ngupwi t
hhim whenIl ovehi m somuch.
YetIhavetodoabsolutelyanythi
ngt oprotect
myassets.Icannotaffor
dt oloosef ocusand
havethentakeevery
thingmymot herwor kedso
hardfor.

Vukil
eisoutf ormybl ood,thatIknowf orsure.I
cannottakether i
skandl etMenzi getcloseto
me.Speaki ngofhi m,hehasbeenbeggi ngme
sincethedaywebr okeup.Hekeepst el
lingme
thatheissincere,t
hathel ovesmeandhe
wasn'tsentbyhi sbrother
.Iwantt obelievehim
sobadl y
,becauseIl ovehimy etIj
ustcan' t
.

"
Ear
tht
oSi
bal
ethu!"
Mpi
l
ogi
vesmeawi
erdl
ook
Me:
howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
andi
ngt
her
e?
Her:
youdi
dn'tev
enhearmewal
kin?Si
ba
what'
swrongkani?
Me:Ev
ery
thi
ngMpilo,
ever
ythi
ngi
sjustmessed
upandIdon'
tknowwhattodo

Her
:Tel
lmeal
labouti
t,Ihat
ehowsecr
eti
vey
ou
hav
ebecome
Me:
IthoughtIcoul
dhandl
eital
one,
Im sor
ry

Inarrateevery
thi
ngtoher,
Itell
herexact
lyhow
myr elati
onshi
pwithMenzistar
tedandhowit
ended.Byt heti
meIfini
shIam acryi
ngmess.

Her:
Wheny outol
dmeabouthim awhi leback,I
r
eall
ythoughti
twassomethingserious.Si
ba
t
hisisaverycompli
cat
edsi
tuationandas
muchasIhateseeingyoul
i
ket hisIknowt hat
whatyouandMenzi hadwasgenui ne.Ithi
nk
Vukil
ewill
trybyall
meanstoruiny ourli
fe,
take
yourhappi
nessandmakey oumi serabl
e.And
bythelookofthi
ngs,hei
ssucceedi ng

Me:
ButwhatifhewassentbyVuki
l
e?Whati
f
hei
spartofVuki
le'
spl
antobri
ngmedown?
Her:
ForloveIwouldr i
skitall,
especiall
ysinceit
seemedsogenui nebutIhav enoasset sto
prot
ect.Iunderst
andy ourconcernsbabe,Ijust
wishIcouldhelpyoubutt hi
sisadeci si
ony ou
havetotakeony ourown.Ar eyouwilli
ngtor i
sk
i
tallf
orMenzi ?Doy outhinkyourlov
ewi ll
conquerital
l?

Me:Ireall
ylovehim Mpi
l
obutIcan'
ttakethat
r
isk,Ijusthav
et otr
yandfor
getabouthi
m and
t
henmov eon
Her
:I
m sosor
rymyl
ove,
sincey
ou'
rei
nno
st
atet
oworkl
et'
sgohomeandwat
chmov
ies,
I
wanty
out
ocryital
lout

Ismil
eassheembracesmei nahug,
Mpi
l
o
knowsexact
lywhatIneed.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Mypl antorevealthetrut
handruinSibalethu'
s
temporaryjoyisguaranteedtowork.Thelook
onherf acewhenshef i
ndsoutthetrut
habout
hersocal l
edloverwil
lshockher,shewillknow
bett
erthant omesswi thme.Oncet hatisdone
Iwil
lfocusonmybr otherandgethim backon
board.

Actual
l
yletmepayhi
m avisi
tfi
rst.Myboy
s
tol
dmeabouthisnewrest
aurantandIwon'
tl
ie
Iwastemptedtotell
them toburni
tdown.I
j
usthatei
twhenMenzi get
slosti
nthatcul
inar
y
shi
t.I
tmakeshimf orgetwhoheisandIreall
y
needhimtofocus.

SinceIam tryi
ngt ofixthingswi thhim Icannot
doany t
hingthatwi l
lmakehi m hat emeev en
mor e,butwatchingt hatbui l
dingburnwoul d
havebeengr eat.AfterthatIwoul dhave
probablyrenovateditandf ixedi tup.Iwould
haveopenedsomet hi ngmor ei mportant
,li
kean
offi
ce.Comet othinkofi t,mybusi nessesdon'
t
haveanof fi
ceint own.OnceMenzi i
sbackto
hi
ssensesIwi l
lgett hatplaceofhi s.

Sur
pri
singlythisplaceisverybusy ,
iti
ssti
ll
ear
lyyetl
ot scustomer sareherebusyhaving
cof
feeandbr eakf
ast.Ispothim sit
ti
ngina
cor
nerdrinkingcoffeewhilelookingatsome
book.Iheadt
ohi
m

Me:Ar
en'ty
ousupposedt
obecooki
ngor
somethi
ng?
Her
isesaney
ebr
owbef
oreanswer
ing
Him:
Wellgoodmorni
ngVukil
e,t
owhatdowe
owethenotsopl
easantsur
pri
se?
Ichor
tl
e
Him:Iam theowneroft hi
splace,Ihavechefs
andempl oyeeswhodeal withthefood
depart
ment .Ionlypr
eparethemeal sIaddedto
themenuandIdov i
sitt
hekitchenfr
om timeto
ti
me.Af terall
Ilovebeingachef ,
notthatit
concernsyouany ways

Me:Wel
lgoodforyou,t
hisgir
lmustbehappy.
Shehasyouexact
lywhereshewantsyoutobe
Hi
m:i
sther
eany
thi
ngIcanhel
pyouwi
thVuki
l
e?
Ameal orcoffeeper
haps?Iwi
l
lcall
awai t
erf
or
you,
ifnotpleaseexcuseme,I
mv erybusy
Me:Iwasj
ustchecki
ngupony ou,
sincey
ou
deci
dedtoabandonyouronl
ybrot
her
Him:
youmademechooseVuki
l
e,andIhadt
o
putmyhappi
nessf
ir
st

Me:Thi
ngsareabouttochangebr
o,Ihopey
our
l
it
tl
egirl
fr
iendi
sreadytofaceme
Hi
m:Leav
eSi
bal
ethual
one,
thi
sisbet
weenus
Me:
shemessedwi
tht
hewr
ongper
son

Iwinkathi
m befor
eIleav
e.Tomor r
owmyplan
wil
lcomeintopl
ace.TosayIm happywoul
dbe
anunderst
atement.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
ZI
YANDA
Ihadanamazi ngdayatschool
.Myt eachert
old
met hatIdidextr
emelywell
inmyexamsandI
standachancet orecei
veanawardattheend
oftheyear.Thisi
sexactl
ywhatIneeded,
mot i
vati
on!

NowIwantt owor kevenmor eharder,i

fIget
goodmar ksthenIwi l
lqualif
ytodosci ence
nextyear.Iwanttomakemygr annypr oud.She
wil
lbev erysurpr
isedwhensheget sthe
i
nvit
ationtotheawar dsceremony ,sheisused
togetti
ngcallsaboutmi sbehav
iorinschool.

Imveryhappywithmyl i
featthemomenty etI
cannothel
pbutfeelabitofsadnessever
yt i
me
Ithi
nkofmyf at
her.Hehasn'tcal
ledi
nmont hs,
Idon'
tevenknowi fhesti
ll
sendsusmoney .
Evenifhedoes,moneywon' tf
il
lthev
oidIhave.
I
twoul
dhavebeeneasierifIdi
dn'
tknowhi
m,
t
henmaybeIwoul
dn'tcare.

ThingisIdoknowhi m, andweoncehadav ery

goodr elat
ionship.Imisshim somuch,andit
hurtsevenmor etoseehispostsonsoci
al
medi a.Heisalway supandaboutwithhis
family,t
hey '
resohappyy ouwouldswearIdon'
t
exi
st.

Iwonderwhyhedoesn'
tpostaboutmeorcar
e
aboutme.
Whydoesmyf
atherhat
emesomuch?
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e◇
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LOXULU

"
Nomkhosi
hur
ryupory
ouwi
l
lbel
ate!"
It
's6am inthemorningandIam alr
eady
shouti
ngatmysi st
er,shewokeuplateandif
shedoesn'tl
eaveanytimesoonthebuswill
l
eav eherbehi
nd.Idon'thavemoneyforherto
catchataxisoshewillmissschool
.

Mylittl
eangel
sAphendul eandAyenziweare
al
readydone, Ij
ustpackedthei
rlunchandthey
ar
er eadytogo.Mysibli
ngsareev er
ythingt
o
me, they'
real
lIhaveinthisbr
utalworld.My
motherdiedtwoy ear
sagoandmyf atherdi
ed
af
terthetwinsbir
th.
Nomkhosi i
s17y earsold,andthetwinsar
e
tur
ning7t hisyear.Ipassedmymat ri
cwellbut
duetounf ortunat
ecircumstancesIcoul
dn'
tgo
tovarsi
ty.Iam theonlyparentmysibli
ngshave
andIhadt omakesur etherewasfoodfort
hem
toeat.

Iam v erypassi
onateaboutart,Idopor t
rai
ts,
painti
ngs,beadworkandcr aft
wor k.Iusual
lysel
l
mywor kintownbutsomepeopl ebuyf rom
here.ThemoneyIgetf rom ar
tkeepsusgoi ng
yetitisn'
tenough,Itakepiecejobsev er
ynow
andt hen.
From bei
ngawait
ress,
worki
ngasacashi
eror
doingpeopl
e'
shai
ranythi
ngt
hatwi
ll
earn
money .

Il
ear
ntt
oignor
enegat
ivecomment
sfr
om
peopleandjustdowhatIneed.Myf ormer
schoolmatesjudgemeandgossi pallt
heyli
ke
butIdon'tcare.Theyhav eiteasyinl
ife,t
hey'
re
i
nv arsi
tywithnor esponsibi
li
ti
es.Ididn'
t
choosethisli
feandIwoul dneverabandonmy
si
blings.

Aft
erwhatf eel
slikefor
everNomkhosiwalks
outofherroom , shegi
vesmeal ookfi
ll
edwith
att
itudeandIjustshutupbecauseIdon'
twant
toruinmymor ning.Iki
ssmybabi esgoodby
e
andt heyl
eave.

Idon'tknowwhat'
sgoingonwi t
hNomkhosi
l
atel
y .Herat
ti
tudeissomethi
ngIwon'tkeep
tol
erati
ng,Ij
usthopesheisfocusedatschool
.
Ihavebeensavingformont
hsnow,shei sin
mat r
icandIwanttomakesureshegetsinto
varsi
ty.Iwanthert
ohaveabetterf
utur
et han
mi
ne.

Ourpar
ent
swoul
dlov
etoseeagr
aduat
einour
home.
Isi
gh,
todayIhav
enot
hingt
odo.
Icannotkeepvisi
ti
ngSibaatwor kever
yday
,I
will
textherl
ateronthough.Ihopesheis
feel
ingbett
ertoday.

Beforeyouassumet hatSibaisabadfri
endlet
mei nfor
my ou.Shehasof fer
edmeaj obbef
ore
andIdeclined.Idon'
twantanyfavour
sfrom her
, Iwanttobeindependentjustl
i
kemymot her
taughtme.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU
Ifeelabi
tbet
ter
,Mpil
o'stherapysessions
helpedal
ot.TodayIm goingtothetaxirank,I
wanttopaymydr i
ver
sanunexpect edv i
sitj
ust
toseeift
hey'
redoi
ngtheirjob.
IjusthopeIwon'
tbumpintoMenzi,Icannot
facehim sosoonaf
terourbr
eakup.

Im dr
ivi
ngmyMom'sToyotaFor
tunerwi
ththe
musicplay
ingonmax,
Ifeell
i
kethebossbabes
Iam .

Alley
esonmeasIwal koutofthecarandhead
towher emytaxisar eparked.Im wearing
for
mal pants,ablackvestandhel lalongheel
s.I
hearaf ewwhistl
esandadj ustmyweav eabit
.
Thisi
sst i
ll
Sibongile'
sdaught er
,iftheyhave
for
gotten.
Ital
ktomydriver
sandt heygivemeanupdat e
onhowt hi
ngsaregoing,att
hisrateImightj
ust
buymor et
axi
's.ThelikesofVukil
ewill
be
crushedev
enmor e.

Letmebeat ypi
cal
taxi
ownerandgetakota
andsomecoke.Somepeopl
earealr
eady
breat
hingt
hrought
hewoundsowhyshouldn'
tI?
Isendoneofmydr iv
ersandhear ri
vesafew
minuteslat
erwithmymeal .Ir
elaxonthe
passengerseatofmyfavouri
tequantum t
axi
andenjoymymeal .

Thepur poseofthi
smeal wastoshowt heot her
meant axiownerswhost i
ll
don'tt
hinkIbelong
herethatIcandoany t
hingIwant.Icanalsosit
hereandeatkot a'
sli
kethem .Iam goi
ng
nowhereandt heyshouldgetusedtomypr et
ty
face.
Iendupbuy i
ngtwomor ekota's,don'tgi
v eme
thatlook.TheytastesogoodandIj ustcannot
helpmy self,
Ihavebeencr avi
ngf orthem fora
whilenow.Iwi llsavethethir
donef orlater.AsI
am sippingmycanofCokewhi lechecking
somepost sonInsta,Ifeel
ast ronggazeonme.

Itur
naroundandIam f
acedwit
ht hedevi
l
's
i
ncarnat
e, Ir
oll
mysel
fandcont
inuesippi
ngmy
coke.

Vuki
l
e:IthoughtSibongi
l
etaughty
ousome
mannerslit
tl
egirl
Me:Youf
oundmeher
e,y
oushoul
dgr
eetnott
he
ot
herwayaround
Vuki
l
e:Icoul
dn'
tbel
iev
eitwhenIheardt
haty
ou
ar
esitt
ingher
eeati
ngkota'
s.Mustadmi
tI
di
dn'
tthi
nkyoursnobbysel
fwoul
deatt
hef
ood
weeathere
Me:thekotaswer
ev er
ydel
ici
ousactuall
y,t
hing
i
sy outhinkt
hatyouknowmeVukile, I
m not
yourfr
iendIdon'
tknowwhyyouseei tfi
tto
annoymeeacht i
mey ouget

Hel aughsbef
oreanswering,whatdoeshewant
from me?Ar epeatofourlastencount
er
perhaps?MaybeIshouldment ionthat
,towi
pe
thesmugsmi leonhisface.

Him:Iwasgoi
ngt
opayyouav i
sitl
ateron,
I
havesomethi
ngt
hatwi
l
lint
erestyou
Me:
ohhi
sit
?
Ir
eplywit
havoicecl
earl
ylacki
ngt
hesupposed
i
nter
estheist
alki
ngabout
Heproudlygivesmeabr ownenv el
opeand
cal
lsafewmor eowner
st owatchme.I st
his
somesor tofshow?Whywasn' tItol
din
advance?Ikeepastrai
ghtface

Vukil
e:thereshei
sguys,
Sibongi
l
e'spreci
ous
daughter,shei
ssl
eepi
ngherwayar oundand
sheonlygothere
Owner1:
What
?Iknewt
hatgi
rlwasupt
ono
good
Owner2:
whatadi
sgr
ace!

Evenmor epeoplear
ecomi ngtowatch,dri
ver
s
andpassengers.Noonewant stomisst he
drama, Vuki
l
eisentert
aini
ngthem .Clearl
y
enjoy
inghisti
meofshine,attheexpenseofmy
name.
Theenv el
opehaspict
uresofMenzi andI,and
pi
cturesofVuki
leandhimtogether.Im st
il
l
confusedastowhatexactl
yeveryoneishyped
upabout ?Wearebothadul
ts

Me:
Whatt
hef
uckVuki
l
e?Whatnonsensei
sthi
s
?
Hi
m:admitSi
bal
ethu!You'resleepi
ngwi t
h
Menzi,mybr
other!Withi
naf ewmont hsy ou
ar
ri
vedhere,
you'r
ealreadyseducingmy
br
other
.Totopitoffmybr ot
herdoesn'teven
l
oveyou..
.
Me:ey y
yeyyyst opitVuki
leman,you'
reagr own
manwhatbusi nessdoy ouhaveinmypr i
vate
aff
airs?Can'
ty ouleavemeal one?Im not
i
nterestedi
ny ournonsense.Menziisold
enought omakehi sowndeci si
onsandheknew
whathewant edwhenheaskedmeout
Thesmugsmi
l
edi
sappear
simmedi
atel
y
Hi
m:y
ouknew?Howcome?
Me:Menzit
oldmeaboutyourst
upi
dassl ong
ago.Andifyouneedcl
ari
tyYESVUKILE!Iam
dat
ingyourbrot
her
.Wearehappyandthereis
not
hingyoucansayordotorui
nus.Nowt el
l
mewhatdoy ouhave?

Hemumblessomethi
ngangr
il
yandthecrowd
l
aughsathi
m .I
m moti
vat
edtocont
inue
Me:whatdoyouhav eVukil
e?You'renot
hing
butanoldbit
termanwhocannotkeephi snose
outofourbusiness.You'
rerui
ningthel
i
ttl
e
di
gnit
yyouhav e, gr
owthefuckupman

Someone:Angani
ushimi
lephel
ayenauVuki
l
e,
unomona(Vuki
lei
ssingl
e,t
hat'
swhyhe'
sso
j
ealous)
Thecrowderupt sinlaughter,
theystartmaking
badcomment sabouthim andIcannothel pbut
mentall
ypatmy sel
font heshoulder.Ijust
tur
nedt hi
saroundinawayhedi dn'
texpectat
all
,i
nsteadofembar rassingmet hemi ghty
Vukil
edoesn'tlooksomi ght
ynow.

Me: Youshouldcheckyourfact
sbef or
e
conf ront
ingsomeone,st
ayinyourlaneVuki
le.
Ifyouusedal lthi
susel
essenergyofyour
son
findingagirl
fr
iendIswearyouwouldhavelong
beenmar ri
edbynow!

Hecursesunderhi
sbr eat
handt henheleaves.
Peopl
ecannotstoplaughingathim anddi
ssing
hi
m.Themi ghtyVuki
lewasembar r
assedin
publ
icbyawoman.
Howsweeti
sthat
?
I
m eventrendi
ngonsoci
almedi
a,damnIwas
onfi
rethough.

IwonderifMenzi knowsaboutthis.Ili
edabout
thestat
usofourr elat
ionshi
p,Ij
usthopehe
alsoshutsup.Butwhywoul dhesuppor tVuki
l
e
whohadt heintenti
onofembar r
assinghimin
publi
c?

Coul
dthi
spossi
blymeant
hatMenzi
wasbei
ng
si
ncer
eallt
hist
ime?
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!
Shar
e♡
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFI
FTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Iwokeupf eeli
ngsomhowt oday,Iwokeupat
thecrackofdawnf eeli
ngnauseous.Irushedto
thetoil
etandprobabl yempt i
edmywhol e
stomach, i
ntest
inesandl iver
s.Itfel
tso
gruesome,andIf el
tdr ai
nedaf t
erwards.Idon'
t
knowwhyIv omited,may beitwassomet hingI
atelastni
ght.

Iwasgoi ngt otalktoAuntLizandaskherif

thereisany thi
ngnewshemayhav eaddedt o
yesterday'smeal ,anewspiceorveggiesor
what everthatmayhav etri
ggeredt
henausea
butunf ortunat
elyIhavetorushtothecar
dealership.Ihavetomanagemyt i
mewel l,
in
ordertomakesur ethatal
lthebusinessesare
doingwel l.
Irecei
vedamessagef rom Menzi yester
day,he
wasappl audingmeont hewayIhandl edVukil
e.
Het ol
dmet hathei sgratef
ul t
hatIdidn'
ttell
him aboutourbr eakupbecauset hatwoul d
haveturnedhi mi nt
oal aughingstock.Itol
dhim
thatIdidn'
tmi ndbecausei fIdidn'
tVukilewas
goingtoembar r
asst hebothofusandIcoul dn'
t
all
owhi mt odot hat.

Hewentonandaskedmet ojoinhi
m athis
rest
aurantforbr
eakfastandIdecl i
ned,Iam sti
ll
l
ookingintothi
smat t
er.YesIt hi
nkIbelievehim
nowbutIneedt omakesur e.Ineedtohav e
fact
sandt hendeci
dei fIshouldall
owhi m back
i
ntomyl if
e.Hedidinform met hatheisstil
l
l
ookingforpeopletoempl oysoIsenthi m
Mpilo'
snumber .
Ihatehowmyf r
iendisst
ruggl
ingyetshe
doesn'twantanyhelpfr
om me.Mpi loisver
y
stubborn,Ij
usthopeshewi l
ltakeMenzi'
soffer
.

Thingsseem t obegoi ngwel

l her
eatt he
dealershipandbymi ddayIhav eal
ready
checkedev er
ythi
ngandIam hungr yandhel l
a
ti
red.Theseday sIcannotevenwor kforafull
daywi thoutfeeli
ngexhaust
ed, am Igett
inglazy
?
Andt hecr avi
ngforthosekot
a' sj
ustdoesn'tgo
away .

Iminnomoodt odri
vet othet axiranksoIwi l
l
calloneoft hedri
ver
st obringi there,I
m
probablybecomi nganuisancet othem but
whatcanIdo?Ir eal
lyneedt hatkot a.AsIam
waitingformymeal Icomeacr ossMenzi's
recentstatusupdate.Hejustpost edpictur
es
thatweret akeni
nhisrestaur ant,heisaround
dif
fer
entpeopl
ebutt
herei
sthi
sonegi
rlwho
seemstobeallov
erhi
m.

Sheseemsf artooclosetohimf ormyliki

ng,
andhei ssmi l
ingli
kear et
ard.TheangerIam
feel
ingrightnow, tear
sarethreateni
ngtofal
l.I
l
ov eMenzi alot,andthethoughtofhim movi
ng
onsosoonj ustmakesmesad.Whydi dour
rel
ationshi
phav etobesocompl i
cated?

Mxm!Iam notgoi ngt ocry,l

etmej ustblockhis
numbert oavoidf eeli
ngli
kethi s.Mymeal
arr
ivesandIt hankt hedriv
erandgi vehim R200
asaf orm ofgr ati
tude.Heaccept si
tbeami ng
wit
hj oyandl eaves.Ibought2kot as,t
hat'show
muchIl ovethem.I m goingtogai ni
fIdon'tbe
careful,especial
lysinceInol ongerjoginthe
mor nings.Lazinessonceagai n.
Afterslavi
ngforthewhol
edayitisfinallyt
ime
togohome.Iam supert i
red,Ineedabat hand
mybedr n.OnthewayhomeIdeci det oplay
somemusi c.Surpr
isi
ngl
ythefi
rstsongonmy
playl
istisj
ealousbyLabr
int
h.Thelyricsseem
tobespeaki ngtomeandIf i
ndmy selflosti
n
them.

"
I'
mjeal
ousoft
her
aint
hatf
all
supony
ourski
n
I
t'
scl
osert
hanmyhandshav
ebeen
I
mjeal
ousoft
her
ain
I
mjeal
ousoft
hewi
nd
Thatr
ippl
est
hroughy
ourcl
othes
I
t'
scl
osert
hany
ourshadow
Oh,
Imj
eal
ousoft
hewi
nd

'
CauseIwi
shedy
out
hebestof
Al
lthi
swor
ldcoul
dgi
ve
AndIt
oldy
ouwheny
oul
eftme
Ther
e'snot
hingt
ofor
giv
e
ButIal
waysthoughty
ou'
dcomeback,
tel
lme
al
lyoufoundwas
Hear
tbr
eakandmi
ser
y
I
t'
shar
dformet
osay
I
'
mjeal
ousoft
heway
You'
rehappywi
thoutme"

Ikeepplayingt hatsongoverandoveragainti
l
lI
gethome.Icannotgett hegir
lhewaswi thout
ofmymi nd,andhet oolookshappy.I
mj eal
ous
Iwon'tl
ie,assoonasIgethome, Ir
usht omy
room andcr yitallout
.

Thepai
ninmyhear
tist
hecauseoft
he
wat
erwor
ks,
Imi sshi
m sobadlyandIneedhi
m,
asmuchasItr
yt ohi
deitbutIr
eal
lyneedhi
m.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
NOMPI
LOXULU

Sibat oldmeaboutt hewai t

ressi
nggigat
Menzi 'srestaur
antandIwasdel i
ghted.Ineeda
j
obbecauset hi
ngsar equitehecti
catthe
moment ,
Istil
lneedt osavemoneyf or
Nomkhosi andthedai l
yexpensesneedt obe
attendedt o.Thi snewi ncomewoul dhelpmea
l
ot ,Iam inhighspi r
itsbecauseMenzi cal
led
andaskedmet opopi nwithmyCV.

AssoonasIarr
iveIspothi
minacornerwit
h
hi
slapt
op,Iwal
ktohim andgr
eetpol
it
ely
.

Hi
m:Nompi
l
owhatapl
easur
etoseey
ou
Me:l
i
kewisesir
,Iwoul
dn'tmi
sst
hisoppor
tuni
ty
atal
l.Ir
eall
yneedthi
sjob
Hi
m:t
henIam t
hel
uckyone,
letmeseey
our
CV

Ihanditov
ertohim andaf
terafewminut
esof
scanni
ngit
,helooksup.Ithi
nkheisi
mpressed
withi
t

Him: youhavequi
teagoodlookingCV,youhave
wor kedinvari
ousent
ert
ainment
establishment
swhichmeansy ouneedno
tr
aining.ThatworksinmyfavourbecauseI
needsomeonewhocanst artasinyest
erday
Me:
Iam wi
l
li
ngt
oev
enst
artt
omor
row
Him:i
nthatcaseIwil
ltal
ktomyl awyer
,Ithi
nk
heisalr
eadydonedrafti
ngthecontr
act
.You
cancomet hr
oughtomor r
owandchecki tout
bef
orey
ousi
gni
t

Me:Thankyousomuchsi
r,y
oudon'
tknowhow
gr
atefulIam
Hechor
tl
es
Hi
m:youcancal
lmeMenzi
,noneedt
obeso
f
ormal
Me:
haha,
Idon'twantt
oseem di
srespect
ful
to
mynewcoll
eaguesoranyspeci
altr
eatment
Hi
m:seewhyIj
ustknewt
haty
ouwi
l
lmakean
amazi
ngmanager
?

What?Icannotbel
i
evemyl
uck
Me:Idi
dn'tknowIam heref
ort
hemanager
's
post,
Ithoughtyouneededawai
tr
ess
Hi
m: Ihav
elot
sofotherthi
ngstoattendt
o,I
pr
eferbeingi
ntheki
tchenprepar
ingmy
deli
catemeals.Ihar
dlyhav
eti
mefort
hatsoI
thoughtIshoul
dhireamanager

Me:
ButSi
basai
dyouneedawai
tr
ess?
Him:
shet
oldmehowy ouhat
especi
al
tr
eat
mentsoweneededawaytomakeyou
comeher
e
Me:
hhay
ini
sil
eni
na

Wel aughandIshakehi shandinthanks.He

tel
lsmeabi tmoreabouttherest
aurantandmy
duti
es.AssoonasIam done, It
hankhi m and
l
eav ecar r
yingaplasti
cbagwit hmyuni for
m.I
am sopr oudofmy sel
fforget
tingthisjobyou
wouldswearIam goi ngtoearnmi l
li
ons.Ijust
feelgrateful,Iwi
l
lbeabletodoany thingIwant
andt akecar eofmysi bl
i
ngswel l
.
Thisispr
oofthatGodhasbeenheari
ngmy
prayer
sandhei sansweri
ng.If
eel
li
kemyl
if
eis
j
ustabouttogetbetter
.

WhenIar riveathomeAphendul eandAy enzi

we
arewashi ngthedishes,Nomkhosi isnowher e
tobeseen.Ihopeshei sattendingrevisi
on
classes,
may bet
hatiswhyshei slate.Ideci
de
tocooksomesupperandt ellthetwinsabout
mynewj ob.They'
resoexci tedandIcannot
waittospoil t
hem whenIgetmoney .

Theytoodeser vethef
inestthingsinli
fe,
iti
sn't
thei
rfaul
tthattheywerebor nintopovert
yandI
will
doev er
ythingIcantochanget hat.My
babiesdeservetobeli
keot herchil
drenandI
will
doev er
ythingIcantoprov i
deforthem.As
l
ongast heyhav eever
ythingtheyneedandt hey
arehappythenIam cont ent
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

Fi
nal
lydonefortheday,Enhl
eandIwi l
lbe
st
udyi
ngtogethertoni
ghtatherhouse.It
oldmy
gr
annyandSibaandt heyall
owedme.Exams
ar
eapproachi
ngandIwi llmakesureIdowell
.

Assoonaswewal koutthegat
eIfeelstr
ong
handsgrabbingmefrom behi
nd.Itur
naround
andIam facedwithRoyandhisfri
end.Royis
hol
dingmeandt hefri
endisholdi
ngat er
ri
fi
ed
Enhl
e.Whycan' tRoyleavemealone?Thisi
s
gett
ingbori
ngnow

Me:Whati
sitRoy
?Whycan'
tyoul
eav
eme
al
one?
Hi
m:y
ouseem t
ofor
gett
haty
ouowemel
otsof
moneyZee,whyshoul
dIberunni
ngar
ound
af
tery
ou?PayupandIwil
ll
eaveyoual
one
Me:Royyougav
emethestuf
fwill
ingl
y,y
ou
i
ntr
oducedmetoit
.Youcan'
texpectmet opay
Him:yeydon'tstar
twi thyournonsenseman
Ziy
anda,youcamet omypl acel
ot soft
imes
aski
ngforthatstuff.I fy
oudon'tpayupIwill
payyourgrannyav isitandtel
lherevery
thi
ng
wedidtogether.May beshewillsett
ley
ourli
tt
le
debt

Me:
howmuchdoIhav
etopay
?
Hehasmeexact l
ywherehewantsme, I
cannotal
lowhimtotel
lmygrannyaboutmy
past.Weareatabet
terpl
acenowandIdon'
t
wanttoruint
hat
.

Hi
m:R5000babygi
rl
Me:wtf?Ar
eyoucrazyRoy?Wheream I
supposedtogett
hatamountofmoney
?
Hi
m:Makeapl
an,
youar
erol
l
ingi
nmoneynow
Me:
mxm y
ou'
recr
azyRoy
,got
ohel
l
!
Him:you'
l
ljoi
nmepr et
tysoon, ory
oucouldj
oin
mef orafewsteamysessions.WhenIam
sati
sfi
edIwil
ltel
lyouandy ouwon'tpayt
he
money

Enhl
egivesmeal ook,
sheseemster
ri
fi
ed.I
wil
ltel
lherev
ery
thingaft
erwar
ds
Me:Youwantmet
osl
eepwi
thy
ou?Howsi
ck
ar
eyouRoy?
Hi
m:Don'
tactal
lbet
ternow,don'
tactasi
fyou
di
dn'
tenj
oythepl
easureIgaveyou
Me:
shutup,
I'
ll
payt
hemoneyl
etusgo
Heletsusgoandtel
lsmet hathewi l
lbe
expect
ingpaymenti
nthenextt woweeks.Igi
ve
him adeadstar
eandthenwel eave.Enhl
e
keepsquiett
hewhol
ejourneytoherhouse, I
l
ookawayi nshame.
Iam embar
rassed,
Idi
dn'tknowmypastwoul
d
cat
chupwithmel i
ket
his.

YesIwasgoingtotel
lher,butRoyjusthadto
embarr
assmei npubli
c.Isawsomel ear
ner
s
l
ist
eni
ngtoussoI m sur
et omorrowpeoplewil
l
begossi
pingaboutme.

Whenwi
l
lIev
ergetpeace?

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERSI
XTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

4am t hefollowingmorningIam upagai n,the

nauseaj ustcannotgoaway !Arrr
gIr eall
yhate
thi
sandIwonderwhatcoul dhavet r
iggeredit
again,todayIwi l
lmakesuret oaskAuntLi z.As
Imakemywayt othekit
chen,don'
tgi vemet hat
l
ookIj ustempt iedoutmywhol estomachI m
famished, Ihearsnif
fi
ngandmuf fledsobbing.I
fol
lowt hesoundt il
lIam outsi
deZi y
anda's
room.

That
'swierd,It
houghtshewasgoi ngto
sl
eepoveratafriendshouse.Iknockandaf
ter
whatfeel
slikeeterni
tysheopensup.Hereyes
areredandi
tisquit
eobviousthatshehasbeen
cryi
ngforawhil
e,Iwonderwhat'
swr ong.I
thoughtwewereatabetterpl
acenow.

Me:Zi
yandawhyar
eyouupsoear
ly,
cry
ingy
our
ey
eball
sout?
Iaskwi
thaconcer
nedf
ace
Her:
Ever
ythi
ngisj
ustsomessedup,Imtr
ying
ver
yhardtofi
xmylif
ebuti
tsjustnotwor
king
out

Iheadt oherbedandsi tdown, Ical

l herov er
andembr aceher .Shebr eaksdownwhi l
eIhug
her,shecr i
espai nful
l
yandIf indmy selffeeli
ng
abitemot i
onal.Idon'tsaymuch, Ij
ustal lowher
tocrytil
l shefeelsbetter.Af t
eragoodcoupl e
ofmi nutesshest opsandl ooksatme, hereyes
tel
lasadst or
y.Her einf rontofmei say oung
gir
lwhoseemst ohav et hewhol ewor ldonher
shoul
ders.Sheiscarr
yingsuchalotandI
cannotbeli
eveImissedthesadnessherey
es
show.

Therei
sn'
tanyspar
kle,cl
ear
lyt
hisi
ssuei
s
weighi
ngdownonher .
Me:Zi
yandaIknowt hatyouandIhadar ough
st
artbutall
ofthatisint
hepastnow,t al
ktome
.Iam surewecanf indasol
uti
ontoy our
pr
oblem,youdon'thavetodealwi
thitalone
Her:
thingisi
fItel
lyou,you'
l
lneverl
ookatmei
n
thesameway .Idon'twantt
orui
nwhatwehave
buil
t,mypastiscatchi
ngupwithmeandi t
doesn'tl
ookgood

Me:y
oudoknowt hatweall start
edsomewher e
ri
ght
?Icannev erlookatyoui nadif
fer
ent
mannerbecauseofy ourpreviousmist
akes.No
onei
sperfectZiyanda,weal l
makemi stakes
butwear
ejustt
ryi
ngt
obeabet
terper
sont
han
wewere
Her:
Idi
dsomanybadthingsandt
heywi
l
l
di
sappoi
nty
ouandgranny
Me:t
ellmebabe,maybewewon' tneedt
otel
l
AuntLi
z.Iwon'tst
ressheroutonamatterI
canhandl
e

Her
:Well
Iwasdat i
ngsomeonebackthen,i
t
wasatoxicr
elat
ionshi
pbecausehei
solder
t
hanmeandhei sadr ugdeal
er.

Shei slooki
ngdowni nshame, t
hisisvery
di
fficultf
orher.AsmuchasIam sur pr
isedto
heart hi
sitmakesmer eal
isethattheremustbe
anotherreasonwhyshedeci dedtodot hat.
Clearlysomethingwasupsetti
ngherorpushed
herintothehandsofthatguy .
Her:
Hei nt
roducedmet odrugs,Ihadalotgoing
wrongatthetimesoi tal
lseemedl i
keaperfect
escape.Hegav emethedr ugswil
li
nglybutnow
heisdemandi ngR5000forthem orhewillt
ell
mygr anny.

Me:t
hat'
salott
otakei
natonceZi
yanda,are
youoffdr
ugsnow?Andwereyouguyssexual
ly
act
ive?
Her:IhavebeencleanformonthsnowIswear,I
meantev ery
thingIsai
donmybi rt
hdayandI
stopped.Iatt
endasupportgroupnearby
,you
canev encallt
hem toconf
ir
m
Me:nother
eisnoneedfort
hat
,Ibel
i
evey
ou.
Answermysecondquesti
on

Thatshamef
ull
ookagai
n
Her
:yes,
butnowI
m si
ngl
eandI
'
m notgoi
ngt
o
dat
eanyti
mesoon
Me:
didhef
orcehi
msel
fony
ou?
Her
:No
Me:OkayZi y anda,fi
rstl
yIwi l
ltakey out othe
doctorandhewi l
lrunaf ewt estsjusttomake
surethathedi dn'
tinfectyouwi t
hany t
hing.We
won'ttel
l AuntLi zaboutt hi
s,itwil
l hurtherand
rui
nther elationshi
py ouguy shav e.AsIsai dI
am notgoi ngt ojudgey ouabouty ourpast
Ziy
anda.You' reveryyoungt ohav edonesucha
l
otandasy ourguar di
anIam di sappoi ntedt
o
hearsuch, tellmewhydi dyoudoi tthough?

Her
:Ididn'thaveapur
posei
nli
fe,
myf at
herhad
j
ustabandonedmeandIwasi nabadpl ace.
MaybeIt houghtanol
dermanwouldfi
ll
thevoid
myfatherl ef
tbuti
twasadumbdecisi
on
any
way s
Me: okay ,bynowIam sur eyoudoknowt he
danger sofunpr otect edsex.Ziyanday ouhav e
yourwhol el if
einf rontofy ou,youhav eAuntLi z
andI.Wewantnot hingbutt hebestf ory ouand
youneedt omakeuspr oud.That '
sy our
purpose, andsi ncey ou'resti
llgrowingy ouwi ll
fi
ndexact l
ywhaty ouwer emeantt odo.Thi ngs
willslowl ycomei ntopl aceandy ouwi l
l
discov ert hingsy oudi dn'
tevenknowabout
your self.Iam sor ryabouty ourf ather,Iknow
thaty ouar estil
l strugglingtoacceptwhathe
didbuty oushoul dmov eonZee.Focuson
your selfandpr i
or i
tizey ourhappi ness

Her:
Iam t
ryi
ngeventhoughi
tisj
ustsohar
d,
butIdon'
tknowwhattodoanymore
Me:Whenbadt hi
ng'
shappeni nourl
ifei
tisn'
t
becauseofus.Iti
sn'
tyourfaultt
hatyourdad
l
eftyouokay,i
twashisdecisi
onandy ou
shouldn'
tbebl
amingyourself
.Forgi
veyoursel
f
foryourpastandf ocusont hefuture,focuson
allt
hepositivethingsiny ourli
feandIpr omise
youwi t
htimei twillgetbet t
er.ZiyandaI '
m not
goingtofussabouty ourpast ,
Iwasn' ttherebut
withregar
dst owhathappensf rom nowonIwi ll
domor ethanj ustfussing.Iwanty out of ocus
onschool ,Idon'twantt oseey oubackon
drugsandst ayfarawayf rom boys

Her
:absol
utely,
Iwil
ldoever
ythi
ngthatIcanto
makeyoupr oudofme.Thanky ousomuch,I
t
houghtyouwer egoi
ngtoshoutatmeort el
l
mygranny
Me:Iam notsobadafteral
l.Wellnotever
ythi
ng
i
ssol vedbyshout
ing,
you'r
eat eenagerand
mistakeshappensoinordertoavoidthem we
havetositdownandtalkaboutsuch
Her:
you'
renotbadatal
l
,actual
l
yyou'r
eperf
ect
andyou'
l
l makeanamazingmotheroneday
Mother
?What'
sthi
schi
ldtal
ki
ngabout
?Ibur
st
outl
aughi
ngandshegi
vesmealook
Me:I
m notaboutt
ohav
echi
l
drenany
timesoon
Zi
yandangekeha!

ShegivesmeanotherhugandIt el
lhertosend
meamessagewi t
htheguysnameandaddr ess.
Heain'
tgett
inganycentf
rom Ziyanda,Iwi
ll
sendsomeonet opayhi
m av i
sit
.Weshal lseeif
hecanhandlehisagematessi
ncehei sbusy
bull
yi
ngchil
ren.

ZiyandaandIcarr yontal
kingaboutthemat t
er.
Iam most l
ytryi
ngt omakeherf or
givehersel
f
forherpastandmov eon,yetIam emphasisi
ng
allthefaul
tsshemadesowecanav oidthem i
n
future.Whenwear ef
inal
lydoneiti
snearly6
am, Iwanttosprinttothekit
chen.Iam super
hungr
y,Ihav
ebeensay
ing!

AsIam aboutt
oopent
hedoorshecal
l
smy
nameandIfaceher

Zi
yanda:Thanky ousomuchSi ba,
noonehas
ev
erdonet hi
sforme. Noonehasev erval
ued
meenoughandsatwi thmet otackl
emy
pr
oblems.Ididn'
twanttomov eherebutIm
gl
adgrannyforcedme, i
fnotIwouldn'
thave
metyouandear nedmy sel
farolemodel

Me:aren'tyouthesweet estZee?You'
re
welcomehoneyandasIal wayssayy ou'
remy
l
it
tl
esi sterandy ou'
real
way swelcomet oask
f
orany thing.Evenifyouhaveproblems,stop
t
histhingofcr yi
ngaloneat4am andt al
ktome
Her
:Iwi
l
ldef
ini
tel
ydot
hat
Me:okaynowthatIr
ememberweren'
tyou
supposedtosl
eepatyourf
ri
endshouse?
Her:
Royatt
ackedusyest
erdaysoweendedup
st
udyingf
orafewhoursthenIexcusedmy
sel
f.
Roymessedupmymood

Me:I
nt hatcaseIhopeyoumakeupf ort
hat
st
udyingsession,don'
twor
ryaboutRoyhe
won'
tbot heryou.
Her
:l
etmest
udysi
ncet
odaywear
eonst
udy
l
eave
Me:
l
etmel
oveandl
eav
eyout
oitt
hen

Iexi
therroom ,
final
l
yandwalkdownst ai
rs
beaming.Thearomacomi ngf
rom thekit
chen
putsmyheartatease.AuntLi
zdidwhatshe
doesbest.Iwal
kinandgreetthem ,Li
sais
si
tti
ngdowneatingbreakf
astandAuntLizisall
dr
essedup.

AuntLi
z:Si
babreakf
astisr
eady,Ineedt
oleave
ur
gentl
y.Oneofthel
adiesf
rom ourchur
chis
si
ckandIwanttogoandseeher
Me:ohhokay
, Ihopeshehasaspeedyrecov
ery
.
Iwantedustotalkaboutsomet
hingbutwewil
l
tal
klater
AuntLi
z:Okaythen,i
nform Zi
yandaandmake
sur
eLisafi
nishesherfood.Bye!

Shewal ksoutandIl augh.AuntLi ztakessuch

goodcar eofus, especi
all
yLisa.Shehas
becomeherl i
ttl
ebabyandseei ngt hem bui
ld
suchabeaut i
fulst
rongbondbr ingsjoyinmy
heart.AuntLizmakesusf orgett hatwear e
orphans, t
hatwehadabsentpar entsourwhole
l
ives.ShewassentbyGodt ogiv eushopeand
mendourbr okenhearts.
Iwashmyhandsandmakemywayt othet
able.
WhendidIbecomesuchafoodi
e?Latel
yIfeel
l
ikeIam eat
ingf
orawhol
esoccerteam!
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Ihavebeenwor kingattherestaur
antforaf ew
daysnow, Ienjoydoingmyj obandi tiseasier
thanIexpectedi tbe.Mybossi sagoodper son
toworkwithandt il
lthi
sdayIdon'tunderstand
whySibadumpedt hepoorguy .Heissuchan
angel
,everyonecanseet hat.Heiskindhear t
ed
andevenifVuki lewantedtousehi m against
Sibahewoul dn'tsucceed.

Ionceaskedhi
m aboutSi
baandhi sfaci
al
expressi
onchanged.Hespeaksaboutherwi
th
pur
eloveandador ation.Iseri
ouslyneedtotalk
wit
hmyst ubbornfriendbecausehemi ghtj
ust
behersoulmateandshei sbusyst r
essingover
not
hing.Toget
hert heycanbr i
ngdownVuki l
e
andSibaknowst hat,sheisjusttoostubborn.

Anyway stodaythebossi sn'

ther eandIam
runningt heshow.Ihav ebeenchecki ngallthe
deli
ver i
esandmaki ngsur ethatt heproducts
arefreshandr eadyf orus.Weneedt oserve
quali
tyf oodandoursuppl i
ersneedt omake
suret heydeli
vertheirver
ybest .AsIam si t
ti
ng
behindt hecounter,signi
ngf orthelastdeli
veryI
spotAmoMol oiwalkingin.

Nomant hi
scannotbehappening,
theAmo
Moloi
!!
!!Sheissuchanamazi ngar
tist
.Ihaveall
heral
bumsandt herecentonehastobemy
fav
ori
te.Thatgi
rli
sblessed,hermusiccareer
keepsgetti
ngbet t
erandjustr
ecent
lyshegot
mar r
iedtothefamousrugbyplay
erKutl
wano
Moloi,whoalsohappenstobeabusinessman.
Tohav esuchar emar
kablewomaninmy
presenceisanhonor.

Awai tr
esstakesherorderandamanwal ksi
n
andsitsnexttoher.ThatmustbeSenzi
Malinga,hermanagerandt heownerofthe
recordcompanyshe'swor kingfor.If
ini
shup
andmakemywayt otheirtabl
e

Me:Goodmor ni
ngMrsMol oiandMrMal i
nga,I
hopeyouarehappywiththeservice.I
m
Nompilo,
themanagerofthisplaceandit
'san
honort
obei nyourpr
esence
Amo:what'
swit
htheformalit
ies?Amowi l
ldo,
well
Im enj
oyi
ngthecoffeeandthisrestaurant
hasanicehomeysetup.Ichosethistable
becausei
tissecl
udedfr
om t
heot
her
sandIcan
enj
oymymeal i
npeace
Senzi:
Im al
sohappywi t
htheservi
ce,
wehav en'
t
sleptbecauseoftheAmo'stourandthelast
thingIneedistodealwit
hhappyexcitedfans
Amo:Ihav eaheadacheasiti
s,pl
easetryand
av
oidt hem comingtousNompilothen
ev
erythingwill
beont r
ack

Me:wor
rynot
,letmegoandchecki
fyourmeal
i
sready
Senzi
:
Siy
abongankosazane(thanky
oumyl
ady
)
(hewi
nksatme,andt henlooksatme
somehow)

Ismil
easIheadt othekitchen.I
t'sapit
ythat
they
'r
etir
ed, asaresultwecannott akesel
fies.
Itwi
llat
tractunnecessaryattent
ionandthey
don'
twantt hat.I
mj ustgl
adthatIt
alkedt
o
Amo, she'
sev enprett
ieri
nperson,
orwaiti
sit
becauseshej ustgotmarri
ed?
I
fthat'
sthecasemar
ri
agemustbedoi
ngher
well
.

Luckil
ythei rmeal i
sreadyandt hewai t
ress
servesthem, sheisoneoft hebestthatwe
haveandIknowshewi l
ldoagoodj ob.Iwant
tokeepst aringatAmo, IthinkI
m still
starst
ruck
butIdon'twantt omaket hem feel
uncomf ortablesoIdistr
actmy selfbychecking
thebooks.

Senzikeepssteali
nglooksatme, Idon'
tknow
i
fIm hall
ucinati
ngornotandt her
eissomethi
ng
aboutthewayhesai d"nkosazane".Imustbe
fool
ingmy self
,hewaspr obablyt
ryi
ngtobe
poli
te.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"
Wel
lmay
bey
ou'
repr
egnant"
Igi
veheralook,
what'
supwithpeopl
eand
assumi
ngthatIam pr
egnant
?
HereIam bei
ngthegoodf r
iendIam ,Icameto
seeMpil
oatmyex' swor kpl
ace.Iputmy
feel
i
ngsasideforher,r
iskedseeingMenzi and
whenItel
lheraboutmyr ecentill
nessshetel
ls
meabsolutecr
ap.Im annoy ed,mymoodhas
changedsuperf
astandr
ightnowIthi
nkI
shoul
djustgobacktomyownwor kpl
ace.

Iwoul
dhav etal
kedtoAuntLi
zandshewould
havemadesomer emedyformebutshe'
sbeen
sobusy.Mpil
oislooki
ngatmev er
ywei
rdl
yand
Icanseethatshewantst
olaugh.

Me:spi
titoutNompi
l
oandt
henl
aughy
ourass
of
f
Her:
areyouseri
ousl
yangrySibal
ethu?Your
moodchangedt heminut
eIment i
oned
pr
egnancy,andsomehowt hatj
ustconf
ir
med
mysuspici
ons
Me:whatsuspici
onsdammit?Hell
yeahIam
angry
,whywoul dyoumenti
onpregnancy
Nompilo?Justyest
erdayZi
yandawastal
king
aboutchi
ldr
ennowy ou
Her
:may
bei
t'
sasi
gnchomma
Me:
Iwon'tsi
ther
eandli
stent
oyourusel
ess
t
heor
ies,
letmegobackhome

Her:
Home?Youdoknowthatt
hedayi
sn'
tov
er
r
ight
?Don'
tyouhav
eworktodo?
Me:
eyyI
mti
redNompi
l
o,Ineedt
orest
Her
:exact
ly!
Shehasthi
sweir
dsmil
eonherf
aceand
somehowitismaki
ngmemoreangr
y,i
sshe
okayt
hough?

Me:Nompil
ouri
ghtnomakudlal
wa
ngami?
(Nompil
oareyouokayorsomeone'
s
fool
i
ngme? )
Her:
SibaIhavebeenignor
ingthi
sforawhile
butl
atel
yyoueatalotchomma, nooffencebut
youalwayshavekota'
satyouroff
iceandyou'r
e
alway
stir
ed.Clearl
ytheli
tt
leoneisgi
vingyou
ahardti
meal r
eady,thenauseaand4am
vomit
ingsessi
onsjustconf
irmedit
.Congrat
s
babe!

Me:Mxm!WhateverNompilo,
Im notgoi
ngt
o
ev
enbotherent
ertai
ningy
ournonsense
Her:I
m goingtoignoreyouratti
tudebecause
you'r
ecarryi
ngpreciouscargo,butdoyoursel
fa
f
av ourandbuysomepr egnancytest
s.I'l
lcal
l
youafterworktohearhowi twent
Me:
goodby
eNompi
l
o

Igetupandwalkout
,leavi
ngheri
nfi
tsof
l
aughter
.Somehowthisisti
ckl
i
ngher,ori
sit
theexci
tement
?
Exci
tementf
orwhatthough?I
m notpr
egnant
,
I
m quit
esureoft
hat.
Anywaysletmegetsomethi
ngtoeatatt
he
mall
,yesIlov
efoodandther
eisnothi
ngwrong
wit
hthat.
I
m sti
l
l t
ryi
ngtodecideonwhatt
oeatwhenI
getatextf
rom Zi
yanda.

"
Heysis,Ij
ustt
ookasealedpackofpadsf rom
y
ourroom.Ineededthem urgentl
y,pl
easebuy
y
ourownbecausey ouai
n'tgetti
ngtheseback
*
laughi
ngemoji'
s*l
oveyoulot s"

Ichort
leandrepl
ytohert
extt
henIcont
inue
withwhatIwasdoing.

Wait,di
dZi
yandaj
ustt
ell
met
hepacketwas
seal
ed?Fli
p!
Comet
othinkofi
t,myperi
odisverr
rrr
rrylat
e.
Noman,couldi
tbe.
..?Iwon'
tenter
tai
nt hose
thought
smay
bet
heyar
elat
e,t
hat
'snor
mal
too,
Ihope.

Menzi andIdidal otoflovemaki nginour

honeymoonphase, Icannotrememberi fi
twas
safeintercour
seornot .HereIam pl ay
ingher
o
tothelikesofZiyanday etIhavebeen
misbehav ingmyself,
ifMenzi i
nfectedmewi t
h
somet hingIwil
lkil
lhim Iswear.

Iam goingtomydoct or,NOW!Foodwi llhave

towait,t
hisisamat t
eroflifeanddeath.Isprint
outandr ushtomycar .15mi nut
eslaterIm at
therecepti
onofDrNkany ezi Zul
u.Herfather
andSibongileweregoodf r
iendsbackt hen,
ThabisoZulu.OwnerofZulukaMageba
Incor
porated.Thatcompanyhasbr anchesal l
overDurbanandCapeTown.
Any way st here'
sal otIcansayaboutt heZulu
familysi ncet heyarewel l
known.Bei ngpartof
thei
rci rcleisapr iv
ilegekodwake( but)the
mai nissueher eismyheal th.Ispeaktothe
receptionistandshet el
lsmet oheadtoNka's
offi
ce.I t'
smyl uckyday ,shei sonlunch.Iwalk
i
nandshel ooksbeaut i
full
ikealways.Sheisa
bitoldert hanmebutshet reatsmelikeher
sist
er .

Me:
Nka!
Her
:Si
ba,
you'
regl
owi
ng,
youl
ookamazi
ng!
Me:Thankyou,butyoualsol
ookpret
tygood.I
won'twast
ey ourt
imesinceyou'
reonlunch
br
eak
Her
:Thankyou,wel
lIonl
yagr
eedbecausei
t
wasyouotherwi
seeyy
Ichor
tle,befor
esit
tingdownandt el
li
ngher
aboutmypr oblem,becauseofmybi gmouthI
endupt ell
i
ngheraboutmyi l
l
ness.Shegi
ves
meal ook,okayIhav ehaditwit
hthoseweir
d
l
ooksgosh!

Her
:you'
vebeenvomit
ingat4am f
orawhi
l
e
now?Andy ou'
real
waysti
red?
Me:
yes.
..
Her
:youhadunpr
otect
edsex?
Me:
yes.
..
Her:
okayIwi
ll
startwit
hapregnancyt
est,
aft
erwar
dsIwil
lchecktoseeifyoumayhave
contr
act
edanySTI's

Me:Don'
tbotherwi
ththepregnancyt
est
,Iam
ver
ysurethatIam notpr
egnant.
Sher
aisesherey
ebr
ows
Her
:ver
ysur
e?Whenl
astdi
dyouhav
eyour
per
iod?
Me:
myper
iodi
sabi
tlat
ebutI
m sur
e

Shechortlesbeforenoddi
ngherhead.Shet el
l
s
met hatwear egoingtodothepr egnancyt
est
anyways.Iment al
lyrol
lmyey es.Idragmysel
f
tot
het oi
letandf i
l
l t
heli
tt
lecupshegav eme
wit
hur i
ne.
Shetakesitandthenusest
hreedif
fer
ent
st
icks/pr
egnancytest
stocheck.

Assur easIam ,wait

ingfort
her esul
tsisver
y
stressful
.Whati
fIreall
yam pregnant?What
willIevendowit
hMenzi '
schildbecauseit
s
clearthatwecannotbetogether?Aft
eracouple
ofmi nutest
hatfel
tli
keeonsshecheckst he
results
Nka:
Congr
atsSi
bay
ou'
re4weekspr
egnant
!
Sheisbeamingwit
hjoy
,andIjustst
areather
foragoodcoupl
eofseconds.
Nka:Comeon, showabitofhappiness.Car
ryi
ng
achildisanhonor,Godhastr
ustedy ouwit
h
t
hislif
eandhe/ shewil
lbr
ingj
oyandl i
ghti
nto
yourli
fe

Me:Thi
ngisev
ery
thi
ngi
sjustsomessedup,
the
f
atherandIwear
en'
tongoodter
msatthe
moment
Nka:
Isheabadpar
tner
?Abusi
veandt
oxi
cfor
you?
Me:Nonotatal
l,
hisbr
otheri
stheonecausi
ng
pr
oblemsforus
Nka:
Doy
oul
ovehi
m?Behonest
Me:
yes.
..
Nka:Thengoandcl aimy ourmansisi
,goodmen
arescarcenowaday syoucannotbemi serabl
e
j
ustbecauseofhisbr other.I
fyoubothlove
eachothertheneverythi
ngwillf
all
int
opl ace
Me:
may
bey
ou'
rer
ight
Nka:Comeandsi
tonthi
sbed,sot
hatIcan
checkthel
i
ttl
eonepr
operl
yanddotheblood
test

Iheadov ert
oherslowly.Apartofmeishappy
yes,butIam worri
ed.Will
Imakeagoodpar ent
?Ineverplannedtohavechil
drenoutof
wedlock,myownpar entsfai
l
edme.Whati f
hist
orywillr
epeati
tsel
f?
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO
Ithasbeenal ongday,Menzi gotacalltorush
tohisfather'
shousebecauseofsome
emer gencysoIhadt ohandleeveryt
hing.Not
thatIam compl aini
ngafterallt
hat'
smyj ob,it'
s
j
ustthati tgotreall
ybusyandbef oreIknewi t
therestaurantgotfull
.Everytabl
ewast akenup,
Iam talkingaboutfamili
esof4/ 5/6,the
kit
chenl ookedlikedsomethingoutofamov ie.

Ireal
lydon'tknowhowImanagedt ot hi
nkand
worksof astbutev eryonegotthei
rmeal s.
Happycust omer smeansmor eti
psf orus!
Menzi wil
lbeproudwhenher et
urns.Thelast
waitr
essjustleftandIam aboutt olockup
whenSi bawalksi nlookingl
ikeherwhol eworl
d
hasjustfal
lenapar t.

Me:
Chomma,
arey
ouokay
?
Ir
usht
oher
,what
'
sthepr
obl
em ?She'
s
wor
ryi
ngme
Her
:wher
eisMenz
i?
Me:
hel
eftear
li
eron,
what
'st
hepr
obl
em ?
Her
:Ineedhi
m Nompi
l
o,Ihav
ebeencal
l
inghi
m
f
orages
Me:appar
entl
ytherei
sanemergencyathi
s
f
ather'
shouse,Idon'
tknowwhenhewillr
etur
n

Her
:andwher
eist
hat
?
Me:
Idon'
tknowf
ri
end
Shesi
tsdownandst
art
scr
ying
Her:
Iam pregnantNompil
oandt
hef
atherofmy
chi
l
di snowheretobefound

Isi
tnextt
oherandcomf
orther
Me:hewil
lbebacksoon,
andmay
bey
ouguy
s
canfi
xthi
ngstoo
Ihol
dherinmyar msasshesobs,the
hormonesareouttopl
aythat
'spr
ett
yobvious.I
hopetheygetbett
erwi
tht
imeorthiswil
lbeone
hel
lofapregnancy.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Ihavebeenl ayi
nglowsincet hatgi
rlr
uinedmy
reputat
ion.Iam alaughi
ngst ockandpeople
don'twanttoassociatethemselveswithme.I
am loosingmoneybecauseofherandi t
unsettl
esmeev enf ur
ther.WhathaveIev er
donet oSibongi
le'
sdaught er
?

Al
lIwantisforhert
oleav
emybr
other
,shehas
ahouseful
loffamil
ymember
swhatdoIhave?
Menzi
isal
lIhav
e.If
eart
hatImaybel
oosi
ng
him ev
enmorenowthathehasst
art
ed
reachi
ngoutt
ohisf
ather
.

SeeIr aisedMenzi ,ourmotherabandonedus

andleftuswi thherpartner(
Menzi'
sfather
).He
wasal way sbusywi t
hwor kandhehadnot ime
forus, mychi l
dhoodwasr uinedbyhi
m.Ihate
him, hef avoursMenzi ov
ermebecauseIam
nothisbi ol
ogicalson.Overtheyear
sImanaged
tomakeMenzi beli
evethathewasbadf orus.

TruthisIwasj ustjeal
ousthatMenzi hasa
fatherwhenInev erknewmi ne.Their
rel
ationshipdidn'twor kbecauseIcont rol
l
ed
him, nowal lofasuddenher eachedouttothe
basterdwhor uinedmyf amily.Mymot her
probablyleftbecauseofhi m, yesIbl
amehi m
forallthewr ongt hathappenedi nmyl i
fewhenI
wasachi l
d!
Menzi i
sbetrayi
ngmeonceagai n.Hecame
hereearl
ieronandtoldhisdr
iver
sthathei
s
goingto"see"hi
sfatherandhedoesn'
tknow
howl onghewillbegone.Whatnonsensei
s
that?

Ineedanotherst
rategytowi nbackmybrot
her,
hehasbecomeast rangeranditi
sall
because
ofthatdamnSibalethu!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
I
nvi
tey
ourf
ri
ends♡
Shar
ethepage!
Anddon'
tfor
gett
oreactandcomment
!!
!!
Warm wel
cometoal
lthenewr
eader
s,t
hank
youf
orjoi
ningus
Imveryhappywit
hourpr
ogress,
thanky
ouf
or
meeti
ngmehal f
way.Youreff
ort
sare
appr
eciat
ed!

sendi
ngy
oumyl
ove.
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTEREI
GHTEEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

I
t'
sbeenav er
ylongweek,t
hehormonesare
workingovert
imeandIam alwaysf
eel
ingsick
ort
ired.Atthi
srateImi
ghtjustt
akemater
nity
l
eavenowbecauseIhar dl
ydoanyworklately
.
Menzi sti
llhasn'tret
urnedfrom histri
pandI
don'twantt otellhim overt
hephone.Iwi ll
wait
forhimt ocomebackandt hent el
lhi
m, Iam
alsopl anningont ell
inghimt hatIneedhim
backi ntomyl i
fe.TruthisIreall
ylovehim,it
wasst upidofmet othinkthathewassentby
Vukile.

Vukileisacowar dandhewi l
lneversucceedin
bri
ngingmedownsoIser i
ouslydon'tknowwhy
Ial
lowedunnecessar yfeart
oinfluencemy
decisions.IhopeMenziiswellathisfather
's
house, andIhopethatwhenher eturnshewi l
l
sti
l
lbewi l
li
ngtorebui
ldourrel
ationship.

Thi
ngswi l
lbediff
erentnow,wear eexpect
inga
chi
ld.I
mv erynervousaboutital
lbutwithhim
bymysi deIthi
nkIwi l
lsomehowadapt .It
old
AuntLi
zaboutmypr egnancyandshewasn' tso
angryasIthoughtshemightbe.Im gai
ning
weightandthenauseahasn'
tgoneaway , she
wouldhaveseenitsoonerorlat
er.

Ihadt ot
ellher, wet al
kedaboutal otoft hings
andshet oldmet hatshewil
lassistmeev er y
stepoftheway .Iknowshepr obabl ywant ed
met ohav echil
dr enwhenIm mar riedj ustlike
al
l par
entsbutshet oldmethatIshoul drat her
preventi
nf utur
e.Sheseemsexci tedaboutt hi
s
grandchi
ldy etshehast woalready ,Lisaand
Zee.

Im notpl
anni
ngt
ohaveanyot
herchi
l
dren
anyti
mesoonsoI'
ll
havet
olooki
ntoprev
ent
ing.
AnywaysIsentoneofmyscar
ylooki
ngdr
iver
s
togoandscareRoy
,
seethatpar
ti
cul
ardr
iverhasagunsohewent
t
her
eandt ol
dRoytostaythehel
lawayf
rom
"
hissi
ster"
,yesitwil
lbebett
erthatway.Hewil
lstop
terr
ori
zingZi
yandabecausemydr i
verdidmor
e
thanscari
nghim, healsogavehi
m afew
punchesandkicks.

Iwouldhavegonet oobutIm goi

ngt obea
mothernow, Iwanttoav oi
dmessysi tuati
ons.
Roydisgust
sme, yesZiyandamayhav e
wil
li
nglysl
eptwithhim buthepressurisedher
i
ntodoingit
.Hei nt
roduceddrugsi nt
oherlife,
hetookadvantageofay ounggirlandhe
deserv
edwaymor ethanwhatwegav ehim.He
shoul
dbegr atef
ul.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Myf
athersummonedmeher
ebecausehe
wantedt oall
ocateapi eceofl
andforme.My
fat
herrelocatedtot herur
alar
easafterhe
ret
ir
ed,wehav en'tbeencl
osebecauseofVuki
l
e
butforthepastt hreemonthswehav ebeen
tal
ki
ngov ert
hephone.

Iwasst i
l
l planni
ngtov i
sithi
m whenhedecided
tocallmeov er
,ther
eisn'
tanyurgentmatt
er.He
j
ustwant edt oall
ocateapieceoflandf
orme.
Seemyf at herisabusinessman,heownslots
oflandandonedayIam expect edtobui
lda
househer ewi t
hmyf amilytoo.

Ihaveabr ot
herandasi stert
hatIwasn'
tclose
tointhepast,AnikweandThemba.Icannot
beli
eveIhavebeenl i
vi
ngli
kealonerbei
ng
contr
oll
edbyVuki lewhenIhav esuchalovi
ng
famil
y.Evenmyst epmotherwelcomedmewel l
,
Anikweisthey oungestandwehi ti
tof
ftheday
Iar
ri
ved.

Thembai s2y ear

syoungert hanme, wesl eep
i
nt hesamer oom,wet endtot hecatt
letogether
andwedomostchor est ogether
.Imaybet he
eldestbutIjustcameher eandf iti
nli
kea
mi ssi
ngpuzzl epi
ece.Thembashowedmewhat
truebrother
hoodi si
njustaweek!Vuki l
ehas
beent r
yingtoshowmet hatforyear
sy ethe
fail
ed.

Familyisveryimpor t
ant,
growingupIwasn't
real
lyint
erestedinit.Iwasay oungboy
abandonedbyhi smot her,Idi
dn'
twantanyone
elsebutmymot her.Vuki
letol
dmet hatIdon'
t
needf amil
yinli
fe,aslongasIhav ehi
mt henal
l
shallbewell.

Mychi
l
dhoodi
sfi
l
ledwi
thbi
tt
ermemor
ies,
asa
mansoci et
yof tent
hinkswedon'thavefeel
i
ngs.
Wear ealwaysexpectedt obest
rongand
courageous,butwhataboutourfears?What
aboutthechildhoodtraumaIneverheal
edfrom?

Mendon' tcrytheysay ,butdon'

tmenhav e
heartstoo.Theytoof eelpain,y
ettheyar en'
t
all
owedt oexpressit.Beingwi t
hmyf at
herand
for
get t
ingabouteverythingelsethathasbeen
goingoni nmyl i
fehast obeoneoft hebest
decisi
onsIhav eevert aken.Iam pri
orit
ising
my sel
fandmypeace.

Myment alwell
beingtoo,may beIm nol onger
the8y earoldwhosobadl ywantedhi sfather
butthev oi
dwasnev erfi
ll
ed.Soy earslater,
hereIam tryi
ngt orepairwhat'
sbr oken,Im
faci
ngmypr oblemsandmay beIwi ll
finall
yheal
from every
thing.Iam let
ti
nggooft hepastf or
goodnowandst
art
ingaf
resh.

Ihav eal
ovi
ngf amil
yandt hey'
resupport
ingme
, whenIam wellIwil
lret
urntoDurbanandf i
x
thingswi
thSibalet
hu.Sheistheonlywoman
thatmyheartwants, shei
smyf ut
ure.

Myf atherkindaex pectedmet ostartbuil

dinga
houseorsomet hi
ngont hepieceoflandhe
gavemebutIwantt ousei tf
oragr i
cultur
e.
Unempl oymentandpov ertyi
sahugepr oblem
here,Icouldhi r
elotsofpeopl etoplant
vegetablesandf r
uit
s.Dur banisonly2hour s
away, Im sureIwi ll
findsuppl i
ersandIcoul d
alsouset hev egetablesformyr estaurant.

Myfat
herseemsver
ypleasedwi
thmyi
dea,
he
want
stohelpmeout.
IknowIshouldbetakingcareofmybusinesses
i
nDur ban,
especi
all
ysincemyr est
aur
antisnew
butIknowthatever
ythingwil
lbewell
,Il
eft
them i
ngoodhands.Ijustneedtobeherefora
l
itt
lel
onger.

OnceI m okayandeveryt
hingi
ssetup,I
m going
toretur
nt omyol dl
i
fe.Asanewandbet ter
person.SadlyIdon'
tknowhowl ongt
hatwill
take.

Heali
ngisaprocesst
hatcannotbemeasur
ed
oresti
mated.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SENZI

Iam st
andi
ngout
sidetherest
aur
antlooki
ngat
her,
sheseemsverybusy.Shewalt
zallovert
he
room,fl
ashi
ngherconfi
dentsmilethatIfel
lin
l
ov ewit
h.Shegoesaroundcheckingift
he
customersar
eokay.Icannothel
pbutsmi l
e.

Thiswomant akesherjobveryseriously
,you'
d
swearshei soutt ogetmil
li
onst hat'
sjustby
l
ookingatherf ormaloutf
it
.Wai tit
'snotexactl
y
anout f
it,
sheiswear i
ngheruniform withpri
de
anditlooksver ygoodonher.Onewoul d
mistakenherf orbei
ngtheowneroft hi
splace,
shewal ksli
ket heworl
disherr unway .

Beautymatchedwithconfi
dence, nowthat'
smy
defi
nit
ionofher.Nompil
o,Ifelli
nlovewithher
thefi
rstdayImether.Fr
om t hatdayonwardsI
j
ustknewt hatIhadfi
nal
lyfoundmyl if
epartner
.

Idon'tknowhowIwi l
lpull
thisof
fbutIdoknow
forsurethatIl
oveher.I
m evenwil
li
ngto
rel
ocateandmovehere,j
ustt
obecl
osertoher
.
Amoi sbacki
nJoburg,t
hetouri
soveryetI
deci
dedtostay.

TheonlychanceIhadatt r
uelov ewaswi t
h
Simthandile,
butweal lknowhowt hatended.I
messedi tup, butt
histimear oundIhav efound
j
usttherightperson.Iwon' tmessupatal l,I
tr
usther, sheseemsdi fferent
.Unlikethegir
lsI
havemeti nJozi,al
ltheywant edwasmymoney .
Nompi l
oispur eandinnocent ,sheisexactl
y
whatIneed.

Iwanttomarryher
,Iknowit
'scr
azybecause
wearen'
tevendati
ngbutIknowforsur
ethat
sheist
heonef orme.
Letmegetinandt
ell
herexact
lyhowIf
eel
abouther
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERNI
NETEEN

6MONTHSLATER
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
SI
BALETHU

Ithasbeent hemostdepressi
nglongest
mont hsofmyl i
fe,Il
i
ter
all
ydon'tknowhowI
survi
v edthislong.Mybabyisali
veandwel l,
she
i
st heonl yreasonwhyIam sti
llhopef
ul.Sheis
thereasonIwakeupandcont inuenomat ter
howhar ditis.
7mont
hsdown,
twomor
elef
t.
TosayIam exci
tedaboutherarri
valwouldbe
anunderstat
ement,Icannotwai
ttoholdherin
myar msandcuddlewi t
hher.Totakeherto
schoolonedayanddeal wit
hboyfri
ends,
becauseIknowforsurethatmypr i
ncesswil
l
l
ookador bs.

Don'
taskmewhyIam r effer
ingt
oherasa" gir
l"
,Idon'
tknowthegenderandIwillfi
ndout
whenIhavegiv
enbirth,
justt
hatIreal
lyf
eell
ike
I
m carr
yingagir
l.Cr
azyIknow.

Duetomypregnancythatgavemef artoomany
hassl
esIhadt
ostopwor ki
ng, mytaxi
shavea
newmanagerandallmyot herbusi
nessesar
e
bei
ngmanagedtoo.
Ithasbeenonecr azyy ear,buti
tisslowly
comi ngtoanendnow.Il ostmymom t hi
sy ear
,
Ihadt ostepupandt akecar eofthefamily
business.Ihadwayt oomanyr esponsi
bil
it
ies
andsomeendanger edmyl if
eyetIwasabl eto
doit.Ifel
linlov
ethisyear ,andmysupposed
partnerchosethevil
lageov erme.

Iam nowcar ryi

ngaf atherl
essbabybecausehe
sti
l
l hasn'
tret
urnedandIdoubthewi ll.Idoubt
heev enremember sme.Hedoesn' tseem to
care,evenlef
thisrestaurant.Somethinghe
wassopassi onateabout ,i
tisver
yclearthathe
hasst ar
tedafr
esht hatside.

Iwon'tbothermysel
ftel
li
nghim aboutmy
pregnancy,I
m pl
anni
ngt oalsost
artoverand
forgetaboutmyfeel
ingsforhim.
I
fsomeonetoldmet hisi
showmylif
ewould
t
urnoutal
li
nt heper
iodofafewmonths,I
woul
dhavelaughedlikeamadman.I
tisr
eall
y
f
unnyhowthingschange.

Anywaystodayweat tendedtheawards
cer
emonyatZi yanda'sschool.Mybaby
obtai
ned5di sti
nctionsandcamef i
rsti
nher
cl
ass!Imverypr oudofherandIknowshewi l
l
doevenbetternex tyear .Herl
if
eisontrack
now,sheturnedi tallaroundandgother
pri
ori
ti
esstr
ai ght.

Imjustgladshedidn'tgetanySTI'
sfrom Roy,
thetestswedi dprovedthat.I
fsheconti
nues
atthi
sr ate,shewi
llbeonesuccessfulwoman
i
nt hefuture!AndIwill
behellapr
oudofher .

Myl
i
ttl
eLi
saal
sopassed,
thegi
rl
sar
ehappy
andwear ej
ustexci
tedt
oenjoyt
hefest
ive
seasonandseewhatthenewyearhasi
nstor
e
forus.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Myl i
fehasbeenamazi ngl ately
.Iwentfrom
beingastruggli
ng,l
onel ywomant ohavingan
amaz i
ngboy fr
iendandhav ingagoodj ob.All
is
well,
Icannotcompl ain,Ay enziweand
AphendulepassedandNomkhosi fini
shedher
exams.Wehav eenoughf oodathomeandI
havesavedf ormysi ster
'sv arsi
tyexpenses
nextyear.

Godalsocamet hr
oughf ormeandhebl
essed
meabundantly
.Ineverthoughtmyl
if
ewould
changeli
kethi
s,evenmyar t
worki
sindemand
becauseSenzihasbeenhelpi
ngmepromoteit
.
Evenmyr olemodel AmoMol oi hasapai nting
donebymei nherhouse, celebr i
tiesar e
demandi ngmywor k.Idon'tev enknowhowI
j
uggl emywor kandar t
wor k,butIam hopi ng
thatthingswi l
lbebet ternowt hatmybossi s
back.Whenhear ri
vedt hi
smor ningsur prising
usall Iwantedt otellmybestf riend, butthenI
decidedt ojustletthem be.Theyhav emaj or
problemswhi chcouldhav ebeenav oidedi fone
communi catedwi t
ht heot her.Thei rpr i
del ed
them her eandiftheyf ixthings, Ihopei nf uture
theyputpr i
deasi de.Theywi l
l l
ear nt hei
rlesson
thehar dwaynow.

AnywayswhenSenziaskedmeout6months
agoIdidn'
treal
l
ybel
ieveit
.Whatwoul
da
cel
ebri
tywantinapersonli
keme?Apauper
?
Itt
ooklot
softimeandconvi
ncingf
ormeto
agree.Ti
ll
thi
sdayIsti
l
lcannotbel
i
eveweare
anitem!
Actual
lyhei
soneofthebestt
hingst
hat
happenedtomethi
syear.

Heislovingandaf f
ecti
onat
e,hei
sver
yserious
aboutourfuture.Heevenwantst
orel
ocate
herenextyear.Thatcameasashockbecause
nextyearhappenst obeafewweeksaway.

Iam happythough,bei
nginal
ongdi
stance
rel
ati
onshi
pain'teasyatal
l
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Ijustwalkedi ntomyr estaurantaf

ter6mont hs.
Iam impr essedathowt hingshavebeen,
Nompi l
oi sabl essi
ng, everythi
ngisi
norder
.
May beifitwer eanotherper sonshewouldhav e
takenadv antagebutbecauseshei ssoself
less,
obvi
ouslyever
ythingisi
nor
der.Eventhe
fi
nancesarecorrectandmyaccountant
confi
rmedit.

Ifeelli
keanewper son,Ihaven'
tbeeni nDur ban
i
nal ongt i
meandIwon' tli
e.Im exci
t edon
whati syettocome.Myst ayinthev i
llage
endedupt akingwayl ongerthanexpect ed.My
businessv ent
ureinagr i
cult
ureisdoingv ery
well,eventhelocalleaderswereimpr essed
withmywor k.

Iseesomuchpot ential
inthatplace,Ist
art
eda
boy'
ssoccerclubwiththeintenti
onof
promoti
nghealthyli
vi
ngandt ogettheseyoung
boysoffthest
reetswheretheydoal lsort
sof
nonsenseundertheinfl
uenceofdr ugsand
al
cohol.
I
m hopi
ngt
ofi
ndsponsor
sher
etobui
l
dthem a
pr
operf
iel
dandgetspor
tsgear
.

Myf at
herwasv er
yproudofme, accordingto
hi
m Iwasdestinedtostayinthev il
lageand
bri
ngaboutthechangeitneeds.Heev en
wantedmet otakesomel eadershippositi
on
butunfort
unat
elyIam notintopolit
icsand
counci
llor
sgetkil
l
edfartooof t
en.Iam happy
bei
ngagoodSamar i
tanandhel pingoutwhereI
can.

Beingwithmyf ami l
ygavemeal lt
hepeaceand
heali
ngIneeded, Iam nowfull
yokaytotakeon
whateveriti
sthatneedsmyat tenti
on.Iknow
mypur poseinli
fe,Iam happywithevery
thing
andthef ut
urei
spr omising.

Theonl
ywor
ryIhavenowisSibal
ethu,she
bl
ockedmeonall
social
mediaplat
formsand
wehaven'
ttal
kedinmont hs.AsmuchasIst il
l
l
oveherandhopet ohaveaf ut
urewithher,I
don'
tknowifsheissti
ll
inter
ested.Ihavebeen
awayforf
artoolong,maybeIam al i
ttl
elat
e.

Afewhourslat
erIspotNompil
o,whojustgot
backf
rom herl
unchbreakandcal
lherover

Her
:Bossi
sther
eany
thi
ngy
ouneed?
Me:
no,ev
ery
thi
ngi
swel
l
.Youdi
danamazi
ng
j
obher
e
Her:
wellIam gl
adtohearthat,
Ithoughtwe
havelostyoutoyourf
ather
'scatt
leand
chi
ckens
Ichuckl
e

Me:Well
Ireal
lyl
ovedt
aki
ngcar
eofmyfather
's
l
iv
estockbutIhaveal
i
feher
eandIhadt
o
r
etur
n
Her:
areyousur
eyourbr
ainhasn'
tbeen
r
eplacedwit
hcowdung?Youhavebeenint
hat
vi
l
lageforeons
Me:Notatal
l
,wat
chi
tNompi
l
o.I
m st
il
lyour
boss!

Shel
aughs,
andaf
ter
war
dsIaskner
vousl
y
Me:
Howi
sSi
ba?
Shef
rownsbef
oreanswer
ing
Her
:Shei
sokayIguess
Me:whatdoest
hatmean?I
tdoesn'
tsound
convi
nci
ng
Her
:Youlef
therMenzi,
shehasbeenthroughso
muchthesepastf
ewmont hsandshethought
t
hatyouweren'
tcomingback
Me:
whathasbeenhappeni
ng?Di
dVuki
l
ehur
t
her
?

Her:No, it
'snot hi
ngli
kethat.Let'
sjustsayi t
wasamat terthatneededyouandy ouwere
busyt endingt oyourfat
her'
scat t
le.Shecried
herselftosl eepdayandnight,whiley ouf
edt he
chi
ckensandduckshappi l
y.Menzi shenearl
y
l
ostt hebabybecauseofy ou. .
.

Shestopssuddenl
yreal
i
singt
hatshehassai
d
fart
oomuch.
Me:
whatbaby
?Wai
tisSi
bapr
egnant?
Her:
Bossjusttal
ktoher,minaIhav
etoretur
n
towork.LunchisoverandasthemanagerIam
set
ti
ngabadexampl e.

Shel
eavesmewi t
hfart
oomanythought
s.Is
Si
bal
ethucar
ryi
ngmybaby?Becausei
fthati
s
t
hecaset
henIam i
nbi
gtr
oubl
e.

NotthatIdon'
twantthebaby,actuall
yIwoul
d
behappyifit
'st
rueit
sjustt
hatIl ef
tSibat
odeal
wit
hev er
ythi
ngaloneandIfeelreal
lybadnow.

Iwasmor efocusedonmyheali
ngandfi
xing
myr el
ati
onshi
pwi t
hmyfamil
y,t
hatIf
ail
edto
takecareofmyown.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTY
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Il
it
eral
lyr
anoutofmyrestaurantaf
termy
conver
sat
ionwi
thNompi l
o.IneedtofindSi
ba
andtal
ktoheri
mmediatel
y!
Iwenttothecardealer
shi
pandt heytoldme
thatshewason" mater
nit
yleave"thatjust
confi
rmedit.Sheisi
ndeedpregnant,Icannot
beli
eveIwasn'tt
heretosupporther.

Ihavebeenact ingl i
keasel fi
shmor on,
my
familyneededmey etIwasoutt her epl
aying
theprodigalson.Damn!Iwi shshehadt oldme
though,Iwouldhav elef
tev er
ythingandr ushed
back.Imaginetaki ngcareofot herpeople's
chil
ren,wheny oudon' tevenknowhowy our
owni sdoing.Ifeel l
ikethoseusel esssperm
donorswhodi sappeart hemomentt heyhear
thatthegirl
ispr egnant.
Sibahadt odeal wi
thev er
ythi
ngalone,andshe
doesn'tdeservethat.Shedeserv
esasmoot h
pregnancy.Icurseundermybr eathasIdriv
e
i
nt oherneighborhood.Ihopeshewi ll
bewi l
li
ng
toacceptmeback.

Iparkmycarinthedriveway,AuntLi
zletsmein.
Iti
sverycl
earthatsheisrathersur
pri
sedtosee
me, ormaybeshei smadatme.Butt hat'
s
underst
andabl
e,Sibaisli
keherdaughterandI
messedup.Igreetherpoli
telyandwehav ean
awkwardconversati
onbeforesheleadsmet o
Siba'
sroom.

Actual
lysheleavesmebyt hedoorandthen
conti
nueswithwhat ev
ershewasdoing.SoIm
standi
ngoutsideSiba'
sroom wi
thami l
l
ion
thoughts,
thecowar di
nmewant storunaway
andcomebackwhenshehascalmeddown.If
AuntLizi
sangryatme,
thenIshoul
dexpect
anyt
hingfr
om Siba.

"
Youstandout si
depeopl
e'sbedr
oomsnow?
I
nvadi
ngtheirspacehuh?Mustbesomethi
ng
y
oulearnti
nt hevil
l
age."
Iwasabouttofacemyf earsandknockwhen
sheopenedthedoorandwi thoutevenacti
ng
surpr
isedshesai
dthatmout hful
.Shelooksso
beauti
ful
,myeyesimmedi at
elylandonherbaby
bump.Acur v
einvol
untari
lyformsonmyf ace.
Si
baj
ustmademeamanamongmen!

"
Getthatpathet
icsmi
l
eof fy
ourfaceandsay
whatyouwanttosay,
Im notoneofyour
f
ather
'scatt
le."
Hersweetv
oiceagai
n,what
'swi
tht
hem t
hough?
Mockingmyv il
l
agel i
fe,
ifi
twereanothert
imeI
wouldbelaughingmyassof frn.Ki
ssingher
prett
yface,andmakeherbl ushsoshecould
stopbeingsosarcasti
ceventhoughi
tsreall
y
cute.

"
Hhayi
-keoMenzi
abasakhul
umi
!"(
soMenzi
is
mut
e)
Im st
il
loutofi
t,l
ostinthought
s.Thi
sisf
art
oo
prett
yformyeyes.Itfeel
ssurr
eal
.DamnIwil
l
spendeverydayofmyl if
elovi
ngthi
swoman.

Bang!
Sheclosesthedoor.NowIactual
lywantt
o
l
augh.Ichortl
eabitandst
artknocki
ngonthe
door.Si
balet
hutakesagood20mi nut
esbefor
e
openingupagain.Andwhenshedoessher ol
l
s
hereyesbeforesayi
ngany
thing
Her
:what
?
Me:
pleasel
etmei
n,I
'
dli
ket
otal
kwi
thy
ou
Her
:soyoucanactual
lyt
alk,
Iwasconv
inced
t
hatthechi
ckensstol
eyourvoi
ce
Me:what
'supwi
thy
ouandNompi
l
oandt
hose
j
okes?
Her
:youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand.

Shetel
l
smet ost
andbyt
hebal
conywhi
l
eshe
si
tsonthebed.
It
ryobj
ect
ingbutcl
ear
lyshewant
smet
ost
and.

Me:
butwhyam Ist
andi
ngbyt
hebal
cony
?
Her:
i
fyouendupsay
ingnonsensethenIwil
l
t
hrowyouofft
hebal
cony.I
mt i
redofyourcr
ap
Menzi
Shei
sdeadser
ioussoIwi
l
ljustgett
oit
Me:
whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
ou'
repr
egnant
?
Her
:youl
eft
.
Me:
Youcoul
dhav
ecal
l
edmeSi
ba
Her:
Youl
eftsoIt
houghty
ouwer
en'
tpl
anni
ngt
o
r
eturn

Me: Si
baI m sorryf orleav i
ngatthatti
me, Iknow
thatwehadj ustbr okenupbecauseIwasn' t
honestt oyou.Iwasdr owni ngi
nsor r
owsi lentl
y
andwhenmyf athercal l
edmeIl efteverything
toat t
endtoi t.Ihav ealway swantedt ohav ea
relati
onshipwi thmyf atherandher eachedout
j
ustwhenIwant edhimt o.Iknowitwassel fi
sh
ofmebuti thelpedmedeal wit
hmychi ldhood
traumaandheal .SibalethuIneverstopped
l
ov ingyouandIdoubtIev erwill
,you'
retheone
whowasmadef orme.Ihav emessedupand
brokeyourhear
t.Iwentasfarasabandoni
ng
youwheny ouneededmet hemost.Please
forgi
veme. .
.

Shest ar
esatmef oral ongtime.Istareather
too,oureyesar egluedt ooneanot heryou'
d
swearwe' reinastarringcontest.Afewmi nut
es
passandst i
l
lnowor df rom her,Iwalktowards
herslowly.Ikeeptheey econt actandwhenI
gettoherIhol dherinmyar ms.Shewant sto
resi
stIcansee, soIj usthol
dhert ightl
yandhug
her.

Atfirstshefeelsuneasy,Icont
inueholdi
ngher
ti
ll
If eelherl
etti
nggoandembr acingme.No
wordsspoken, shestartscryi
nginmyar msand
sti
llIholdher.Idon'
twhyIam hopef ulbut
somehowt hefactthatsheiscryinginmyarms
makesmebel
i
evet
hatshewi
l
ltakemeback.

Ifeelmyshirtgetti
ngwetwi t
hhert ear
sand
holdon.Whenshehascr i
edital
l outshel
ooks
atme, beforesheev ensaysanythingIki
ssher
l
ips.Im st
il
lholdingher,ki
ssinghersoft
deli
cateli
psasi fmyl i
fedependsoni t
.Shei
s
alsoholdi
ngonf ordearlif
e.

Theki ssgetsheatedup,beforewebot hknowit

ourclothesarelayi
ngont hefloor
.Istareather
bir
thdaysuit.Shesti
lll
ooksbeaut i
ful,
actual
l
y
pregnancymakesherev enmor esexy.My
genitalor
gancannothandl ethetortur
e,i
thas
beenf artoolongandevent houghshewon' t
tal
kt ome.Shei swi l
l
ingtoallowmei nmy
palace.

It
akemysweett
imeexpl
ori
ngherbeaut
y,
workingonherbodyast houghiti saf inepiece
ofart.Sheislostinawor ldofpleasur e.Imake
l
ovet oherli
kenoot her.Ikeeptel li
nghert hatI
wil
lnev erl
eav eheragain.I mtellingherexact l
y
howIf eeli
nt hemoster oti
cmannerev er.
Whilstwear econnect edasone, Itell
herov er
andov eragainthatIwi l
l nev
erleav eher .
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Ican'tbel
ieveIsleptwit
hthisguyinbroad
dayli
ght.I
m actuallysl
eepi
ngonhi schest
l
isteningtohimtalkaboutourbaby.Im
blushingl
ikeanidiot.Somuchf orwanti
ngto
mov eonandf orgetaboutmysocal l
edbaby
daddy .Mybodyhasbet ray
edme.Hehasso
manypl ansforus, andhecannotshutup.

Heev
ent
ell
smeabouthi
sfami
l
y.I
m act
ual
l
y
happyt hathefinall
yfixedthi ngswitht hem ,
may beifwewer eincommuni cat
iont hings
wouldn'thaveledher e.Wel etpri
der uinour
rel
ationshipandnear l
yl ostwhatwehav e
created.Abeaut i
fuluniont hatwillnowbe
j
oinedbyanot hermember ,wear eaboutt o
haveourownl i
ttl
ef amily.

Hi
m:Hav
eyouf
orgi
venme?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y..
.
Hi
m:IguessIshoul
dworkongai
ningy
ourt
rust
,
doyoulovemethough?
Me:
yes.
.
Him:t
hat'
sall Ineedfr
om y ouSiba.Ijustneed
youtolovemebaby ,we'l
lfi
xallourpr oblems
andthenfindourhappi nessagain.Butt hat
needsustobet oget
her,inorderforust oget
somewher elovehast obepresent .Ibeli
eveour
l
ovewi l
lconquerall
Me:Iam reall
yscar edIwon' tli
e,Im scaredof
bei
ngal oneafterallowingy oubacki n.YetI
don'
twantt olivewi thoutyou,Idon'twantto
l
iveknowi ngthatIlov eyouy etfearisholdi
ng
meback.Iwantt ol oveyoul i
kenoot her,Iwant
ustomakeupf orallthelosttime.Iletyougo
onceandsuf feredal ot,nowIj ustneedy ouin
mylife

Him:Imayhav ebeenfocusedonmyl if
eforfar
toolong,
li
feistooshortSiba..
.wehavewasted
alotofti
mey etwesti
llhaveforevert
ogo.I
don'
twanttospendanot herdayknowingthatI
l
ovey ouyetIcan'
tbewi t
hy ou

Me:Iknowther
eissti
l
lwaymor etocome, I
m
st
il
lnotcomfort
abl
ewi t
hyoubeingrel
atedto
Vukil
ebutwecannotexact
lychangethatnow
canwe?ButIam hopeful
,nomat
terwhatmay
comeI'
drat
herfaceitwit
hyoumylove

Him: You'rer i
ghtwest i
llhav ealongwayt ogo,
thejour neywi llbefil
ledwi thmor etearsand
problems, ther ewi l
lbebet terdayst hough.We
willsti
llhav eouramazi ngmoment s,butt hat'
s
howl if
egoes.I tisanexci t
ingroll
ercoast er,and
doingt hislifethingwi t
hy ouwi l
l makei t
bearable.Si bal
et hupleasepr omisemet hat
youwi llnev erallowext ernalfor
cest obr eakus
again?Andt hatwewi l
lcommuni catebet terin
ordertoav oidsuch

Me:Ipromise,Iwil
lneverdoubtyouagainandI
wil
ltalktoyouaboutstuff.Myfeeli
ngs, and
hopes...
you'
remyl i
fepart
nerandthef atherof
myunbor nchildandIdon'tseemyselfloving
anotherguy
Hi
m:Ngiy
ak'
thandaMaNdosi
wam(
Ilov
eyou
MaNdosi
)
I
m bl
ushi
ngpr
ofusel
y
Me:
Nami
ngi
yak'
thandababakhe(
Ilov
eyout
oo)

Hepecksmyl
i
psagai
n,bei
ngi
nhi
sar
msf
eel
s
r
ight
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e,shar
e,shar
e!!
!!

SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTWENTYONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
NOMPI
LO

TodayIam notwor ki
ng, bossseemst obei na
goodmoodl atel
yhegav emeadayof f
.Im
guessi
ngt hev i
sittoSiba'spl
acewentwel l.I
m
gladhonestlythough,theyhavebeent hrough
suchal ot
.Theyj ustdeservetoenjoyeach
other
,andf ocusont helitt
leone.Whowi l
lbe
hereprett
ysoon.I m superexcit
ed,Ilovebabies!

Iam hummi ngasonghappi l

ywhi l
ecleaningmy
si
bli
ngsr oom, Iwantt odotheirlaundrysothat
Nomkhosi canal sor el
ax.Shetakescar eof
every
thingl atel
ysi nceIam alway sbusywi t
h
work.If eel bad, sheshouldbeenj oyi
ngher
holi
days.Shehadav eryst
ressfulyear,I
m glad
Menzi i
sbacknow.Iwi l
lworklesshour sand
gett
imet
ofocusont
aki
ngcar
eofmyf
ami
l
y.

Thetwinsareplayingout si
deandNomkhosi is
out.WhenIam donecl eani
ngt hei
rroom, Itake
allt
hei
rlaundrytothet apoutside.That'
swher e
wedoourl aundry,Ialsoheadt oNomkhosi 's
room t
ogethercl othes.AsItaket hem a
packetofcondomsf all
sandf orasplitsecondI
zoneout.

Whydoessheev enhav ethem ?Nomkhosi

betternotbedoi ngt henast y
,isn'tshetoo
young?Imeanshei sonl y17.Isi tdowncl ear
ly
surpri
sed, mymi ndt akesmebackt oherweir
d
behav i
orr ecent
ly.Shehasbeenf art oorude
andmoody ,Idi
dn'ttakemuchnot i
ceint
oi t
thi
nkingt hatmay beshei sst
ressedabout
school butnowI m st art
ingtothinkitisbecause
shemaybesexual lyactive.
Nomkhosi shoul
dknowt hedanger sof
unprotect
edsexbynow, wear ebar elycoping
asitis.Ihopesheisn'
tplanningtobr ingachil
d
home.Act ual
l
yletmecheckherschool books,I
needtoknowhowshei sdoi ngacademi cal
ly.
Shetoldmet hatherschoolhasn'tissuedher
resul
tsbecauseshelostat extbook.

Ifl
i
pt hroughherbooksandf i
ndincomplete
work, badcomment sfrom t
eachersandpoor
perf
ormance.Thisisgoingtobeapr obl
em,I
havesav edsuchalotforthi
schil
dy etsheis
sl
ackingatschool.Ispotherfi
leandquickly
openit.Hopingtofindareportorsomet hi
ng
i
mpor tant.

I
ndeedIfindherrepor
tandwhatIseet
akesal
l
t
hestrengthIhad.Shefai
l
edver
ybadly
,andI
don'tknowifshewillpassherf
inal
s.I
tiscl
ear
thatnextyearsheisgoingnowhere.Tearsf
il
l
myey esimmedi at
ely
, wher
edidIgowrong
though?

Isacri
fi
cesuchal otformysibl
ings.Itr
ybyall
meanst opl aythe"motherandfather"r
oleto
them butclearl
yImf ail
ing.Myparentsare
probabl
ydi sappoint
edinmewher evert
heyare,
Ihaveletthem down.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

IaccompaniedSibatot hemalltodayandwe
hadal ovel
ygi
rl
sdayout .Wewentt odoour
hairandournai
lsandt hengrabbedabi t
e.Lisa
l
ookssoamazi ng,IwishGr annycamewi thus.
Theladieswoul
dhav ef oundsomet hi
ngforher
too.
Sibaisall
smi l
esandgi ggleslat
ely,shecannot
stayawayf r
om herphone.Ihear dt hather
babydaddyi sbackandI m mor ethanhappy
aboutit
.Nowshecanf i
nallybehappy ,
and
enjoyherpregnancy.Seeingherstressed
wasn'tcoolatall
,andt omakemat t
erswor seI
couldn'
tevensuppor ther.

Shekeptt ell
ingmethatshei s"fi
ne"andI
couldn'
tkeeppest er
ingherabouti t.I
m sti
ll
her
l
itt
lesisterandIknowshewoul dn'tbeshari
ng
herprivateaffai
rswi
thme.I fthereisanyone
whodeser v
eshappinessithast obeher .

"Checkt
hisout
!"shehandsmeherphone,
beamingwit
hjoy.Makingmesnapoutofi
t
Me:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Icheckitoutandscream sol
oudt
hatpeopl
e
star
tstari
ng.Ij
ustcannotbel
i
evei
t!
Her:
l
ookatyoumybaby
!Im sopr
oudofy
ou
Zee,comegiv
emeahug!

Ifeelabitemotional,ourschool tookmany
pict
uresofusdur ingtheawar dsceremony .
Theywer euploadedonsoci almedi aandsome
willbeonthelocal newspaper ,ourschoolpage
j
ustannouncedi tonFacebookandt hat
'swhy
wear esohappy .Theposti sget ti
ngquitealot
ofshares,peoplear econgratulat
ingusand
sendinglovel
ymessages.

Iscr
ollthr
oughthecomment ssmili
ngearto
ear,
Ireadeachmessageandr eplytot
hem all
.
AsIam abouttoputthephoneawayt ofocus
onourdateanot i
fi
cat
ioni
nformingmet hat
someoneel sehascommentedont hepost
popsup.

Thecommentl
eav
esmest
unned

"
WelldoneZi
yanda,
youhavemademeproud!
Di
nangweomuhle,keepf
lyi
ngt
hefl
aghi
gh"
Sandi
l
eDl
omo.

Istar
eatthecommentnotknowingexactl
y
whattodo,Im shocked.Whywoul
dmyf ather
evenbot
herhimselfaboutmeaft
ersolong?
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Aft
erweweredonewit
hever
ythi
ng,
AuntLi
z
fet
chedt
hekidsandmyboyf
ri
endcameto
fet
chme.Apparent
lyt
her
eissomethi
ngt
hat
hewant stoshowmesowewi llgotohi s
apar t
ment.Zeel ooksabitdi
ff
erent,sheis
distant.Iwonderwhatcouldbethepr obl
em,I
hopeshewi ll
beokaysoon.Sheshoul dbeover
themoon, shedi
dextremelywellandshe's
trendingonsocialmedia.

"Babecanwepleasepassbythetaxi
rank,t
he
dri
verswanttoseeme"myey esli
ghtupandI
smileimmediat
ely
.Whenlastdi
dIhavethose
yummykot a'
s?
Me:
Nopr
obl
em myl
ove
Hi
m:y
ouseem l
i
key
ou'
rei
nagoodmood.
..
Me:
l
ife'
sgoodbabe,
nocompl
aint
s
Hi
m:act
uall
ySibaIt
houghtyouwer
egonnagiv
e
meahardti
me.Ididn'
texpecty
out
oforgi
ve
mekanj
alo(
li
kethat
)
Me:Wel lasmuchasIwoul dhavelovedmaking
yousweat ,youpr ovedthatyoulovedme.Li fe
i
sshor tMenzi , Ihavewast edl
otsoftimeli
ving
i
nf ear.IlostyouonceandIwasn' twi l
l
ingtolet
yougoagai n,thismi ghthavebeenseenasme
acceptingy out oosoonbutact ual
lyitwasmor e
ofar euniondel ayed.Weshoul dhavef i
xed
thi
ngsl ongagobabe
Hi
m:y
oudoknowt
hatIl
ovey
our
ight
?
Me:
yes.
..
(bl
ushi
ng)
Her
:I
'm goi
ngt
owi
fey
ouSi
bal
ethuIswear
Me:Iwasgoi
ngtoki
ssyousosomuchr
nbabe,
butIwon'
tdi
stur
byou

Helaughsandwearri
veatt
her ank.Isend
someonetogetme3kotasandhet al
kstohi
s
dri
ver
s.Justashei
sabouttofi
nishVuki l
e
showsup.Doesn'
thehaveali
fe?
Vukil
e:Soyou'
rebackMenzi
,ti
redofbei
nga
bachelori
nthevil
l
age
Menzi
:Iwasneverabachel
ori
nthev i
l
lage
Vuki
l
e,notthati
tconcer
nsyouthough
Vuki
l
e:qui
tpl
ayi
ng,
IknowSi
bal
ethudumped
youman

IminthecarandIwanttolaughsomuch,
Vuki
leisawast eofsomeone'
ssper
m cell
I
swear.Idon'
tthi
nkhesawmet hough,
letme
sur
pri
sehi m.

Menzi
:
Sibal
ethu?Whywoul
dshedot
hat
?
Vuki
le:
WellSibal
ethuisabeautif
ulgirl
andIm
sur
eshef oundani ceyoungboythatisinher
l
eague,It
oldy outhatyourl
it
tl
erelat
ionshi
pwill
endsoonerthanyouknow
Menzil
aughsathi
m andIt
hendeci
det
owal
k
outt
hecar.

ThelookonVuki
l
e'sf
acewhenhesee'
sme.
Pri
celess!

Me:Babesizohambani
nikani
?Si
l
ambi l
e
t
hina(whenareweleav
ing?Wearehungry
)..
..
Irol
lmyey esbef
oret
urni
ngt
othewast
eof
oxygen.
..
"
Ohhhi
Vuki
l
e..
."

Henodshisheaduneasy,Menzibr
ingsme
cl
osetohim andkissesme.Heholdsmybump
bef
oreaski
ngi fwearesti
l
lokay
.
Vuki
l
e:hai
boar
eyouguy
sexpect
ing?
Menzi:kani
amehl oamangakaawani
?nawe
uyabonanje(sowhatexact
lyi
sthepurposeof
thosehugeey es?
Im sur
eyoucanseethe
obvious)
Yes,
Sibahasmademeamanamongmen,I
nowhaveachi
l
dbro.I
m goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
..
..

Hemut t
ersasmallcongratsbefor
erushi
ng
awaywithsomelameexcuse.Shameonhi m,
welaughathi
m ashel eavesli
kethecowardhe
i
s.

Mykota'
sar
ri
veandweheadtotheapar
tment
.
Whenwegetther
eMenzishowsmewhathe
wasbusywi
th"al
lni
ght".

Appar
ent
lyhewast
ryi
ngt
osetupt
hecotf
or
ourbaby,i
tisjustper
fecthey.Heevenboughta
fewtoysandcl ot
hes,heissoexcit
edyoucan
seeiti
nthewayhi sey esspar
klewhenhetal
ks
aboutourchil
d.

SeewhyIneededhi
m back?
Justhi
ssuppor
tal
onekeepsmegoing,he
real
l
ymakesmehappywithli
tt
leef
for
t.

Iatt
ackhi
m wit
hahugandki sshi
slipswi
thj
oy.
Suchmomentsaren'
tsupposedtoend,weal
l
deserv
ehappi
ness.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTWENTYTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SENZI

Ithasbeenaverylongday
,Iwokeupmi ssi
ng
mybabyt oday
.Somehowal mostev er
yoneand
everyt
hingi
sannoy i
ngmenow, Ihadtoeven
stepupanddot heworkmy sel
f.Questi
onis
whyhirepeopl
eiftheywon'
tdot heirj
ob?

ManI mj ustannoyed,I
mr eall
ygl
adthisdayis
over.Ijustwanttogethomeandr est.I
m not
usedt olongdist
ancer el
ati
onshi
psand
somet i
mesi tgetstoohardforme.I
desperatelyneedNompi l
obymysi deatall
ti
mes, sheismysani ty
.
I
nthef
ewmont
hswedat
edIhav
elear
ntsucha
l
otaboutl
ove,Idon'
tknowifi
twasmeormy
ex'
sbutoneofuswasn'tdoi
ngitr
ight
.

Nowt hatIhavemetj
usttheri
ghtper
son,itj
ust
tur
nsoutt hatwel
i
vemilesapart
.Li
feisr
eall
y
unfai
r!*si
ghs*

Askinghert ocomet hissi

dewouldber eal
ly
sel
fishofme, hersibli
ngsdependonherandI
knowt hattheonlythingshehasleftf
rom her
parentsisthathouse.Lett
inggoandmov i
ng
herewoul dn'
tbeeasyf orheratal
l.

Ijustlovehowselfl
esssheis,shewoulddo
anythingforhersi
bli
ngsnodoubt s,
no
hesitati
onatall
.Shemayhav ehadithardinli
fe
butIf oronedobeli
eveinhappil
yeveraft
ers.I
maynotbet hemostperfectmanonear t
hbut
forherIam will
ingtodojustaboutanyt
hingto
keepherhappy
.

"
Someonehasi
tbad"
Itur
naroundandfacemyf ri
endMxot aki
nga
seatonmychair.Myfri
endstendtogettoo
comfort
ablei
nmyof fi
ce,you'dswearthey
don'
thavefur
nit
ureinthei
rownof f
ices.

Me:
Whatdoy
ouwantMxol
i
si?
Hi
m:sonowy ou'
regazi
ngoutthewindows,l
ost
i
nthought
sli
kethoseguysfr
om themov i
es?
Hei
slaughi
ngasi
fIam t
hej
okeoft
heday.

Me:you'
reannoy
ingman,
arey
oudonef
ort
he
day
?
Him:
yesboss,Icamet
ogety
ou.
..
wear
egoi
ng
outf
ordr
inks
Me:Ei
sh,It
hinkI
'
llpassboy
,Iwantt
ogethome
andrest

Him:sothi
sgirli
salr
eadymakingyouweak?
Damnt hi
sismor eseri
oust
hanIthought
...
Bafo(
brot
her)she'
snotaroundnj
e, i
t'
snot
l
ikeshewillseeyou
Me:Im notgoi
ngoutwi t
hyouMxo,
your
gi
rlf
ri
endwi l
lbethereandI
minnomoodtosee
herannoyingfr
iend
Him:
you'
l
lavoi
dherphel
a,ory
ou'
rescar
edt
hat
youwon'
tbeabl
etorej
ecther
?

Ichuckl
e
Me:
hel
lno,
Ihav
eeyesforonl
yonelady
,andI
m
i
nnomoodtobedr
inki
ngduri
ngtheweek
Hi
m:i
fyousayso
Me:
act
ual
l
yletmecal
lMpi
l
o,Imi
ssher
Him:
Mpiloyakhe(
Hisli
fe)l
etmel
eav
eyoubr
o,
you'
reki
l
li
ngmyv ibe

Ilaughashel eaves,Mxomayber eall

ycr
azy
butheisar eall
ygoodf riend.Wehav e
support
edeachot herintoughtimes,hei
smore
l
ikemybr other.Iam thinkingofl
ett
inghi
mtake
chargeofthingsher e,mycompanyneedsgood
l
eadershi
pandMxoi sgoodatwhathedoes.

Ir
eall
ycan'tbel
i
evet
hatIm al
readypl
anningal
l
oft
his,Iam l
eavi
ngmyli
fehereforagir
lImet6
monthsago.Lovemakesonedowonder s.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Ihav
ebeenwait
ingforhour
sandsti
l
l
Nomkhosi
hasn'
tret
urnedhome.Iam r
eal
l
y
annoyedatherbutt alkingtoSenzihel
pedabi t
.
HesuggestedthatIt alktohercalmlyandask
heraboutever
ything, becauseifIst
artshout
ing
wemayendupf ighting.

AsmuchasIam di sappoi nt
edaboutt hefact
thatsheisalreadysexuallyacti
ve,I
mj ustglad
thatsheisprotecti
ngher sel
f.Im morewor r
ied
aboutheracademi cs,Iwonderwhatherpl ani s,
becauseifshedoesn' timprovethenshewi llf
ail
hermat ri
c.At7pm Idi shupf orthetwinsand
theysleepstrai
ghtafterwards,they'
reprobably
ti
redfrom runningaroundalldaylong.

Nomkhosi Xul
uwalksi
nataround9pm,byt
hen
Iam fumming.Shewalksi
nandsitsdownwit
h
nogreeti
ngs.

Me:
Asi
bingel
eli
lay
ikhay
a?(
wedon'
tgr
eether
e?)
Her
:oh.
..
hit
her
e..
.bengi
thi
ngizofi
kani
l
ele(
I
t
houghtIwoul
dfi
ndy '
al
lsl
eeping)
Me:ai
kesi
hlel
i
,besi
li
ndewena(wel
l
,we'
reup.
Andwewerewaiti
ngforyou)

Her
:why
?
It
akethecondomsf r
om mypocketandshe
l
ooksatmesur pr
ised
Me:Yi
nile?Futhi
yenzani
ezi
mpahlenizakho
?(whati
st hi
s?Andwhatwasitdoinginyour
l
aundry?
)
Shest
aresatme,
thencast
sherey
esdowni
n
shame

Me:NgiyabuzaNomkhosiXul
u(Iaskedy
oua
quest
ionNomkhosiXulu)
Her
:akuwonaawami
(t
heyar
en'
tmi
ne)
Me:
Idon'
tcarewhotheybelongto,Iaskedy
ou
whyyouhavethem i
nyourpossessi
on
Her
:Ikeptt
hem f
oraf
ri
end
Me:i
nthatcaset
heny
ouwon'tmindifIcal
l
AuntLi
ztocomeandchecki
fyou'r
estil
la
vi
rgi
n

Her:
no!Idi
dn'
tsayIm st
il
lavi
rgin,ngi
the
akuwonaawami (
Isai
dtheyaren'tmine)
Isi
gh
Me:
Howl
onghav
eyoubeensexual
l
yact
ive?
Her
:4mont
hs,
butIusepr
otect
ional
lthet
ime
Me:doy
our
ememberwhatourmot
hersai
dto
us?
Shekeepsqui
et,
sti
l
llooki
ngdown

Me:
Wel
ll
etmer
emi
ndy
oudearsi
ster
.Our
mothertol
dust okeepoursel
vespure,she
wantedthebestforusandwepr omisedto
r
espectherwishestil
lwereachtheageof21at
l
east,andyou'r
eonly17Nomkhosi
Her:
wemadet hatpromisel
ongago,wewere
sti
l
lkids.Ourmot herl
eftusal
lal
oneint
his
worldanyways,whetherwearepur
eornotit
doesn'tmat
ter.

Me:Actual
lyi
tdoes,sheiswat
chi
ngoverusand
shewouldhav ebeenproudi
fwehadhonored
herwishes.
..
Sher
udel
yint
err
upt
sme
Her:
Well i
tdoesn'
tmat t
ertomeNompi l
o, notal
l
ofuswantt oli
veboringli
vesl
i
key ou.Ifthat'
s
yourwayofhonoringherthengoodf oryou, you
werealwaystheperfectchi
ldI
m sureshei s
superproudofyou!
Me:Stopplayingvictim,nooneowesy ou
anyt
hingNomkhosi anddon'ty oueverspeak
nonsenseaboutourpar ent
s.Theyl ovedus
equall
y..
..
Im sti
l
lgoi ngtohaveapr oper
conversati
onwi t
hy ouaboutt hismat ter
.Imj
ust
gl
ady ou'r
epr ot
ectingyourself.Nowt hemore
i
mpor tanti
ssueathandi syourr eport

Ial
sotakeitoutandherey
esopenwi
de,
feari
s
wri
tt
enalloverherf
ace

Me:
Howl
ongwer
eyoupl
anni
ngt
ohi
det
his?
Her
:ummmm.
..
.
Me:catgotyourtongue?Nomkhosi Iworkvery
har
dt oputfoodont hetable,Isav
edl ot
sof
moneyf ory
ourt ui
ti
onnexty ear.I
mt ryi
ngbyall
meanst ogi
v eyoueveryt
hingy ouwantandt hi
s
i
showy outhankme?Uy adlalawenaesikol
eni
Her
:Iwi
l
ldobet
terIpr
omi
se
Me:when?Di
dn'
tyouj
ustf
ini
shwr
it
ingy
our
f
inal
s?
Her
:Iwor
kedreal
l
yhardf
ormyf
inal
s,t
he
r
esult
swil
lbebett
er
Me:howsureareyou?Becausehalft
heti
me
youwerefartoobusytodoso, It
ri
edtal
ki
ngt
o
youbutobvi
ouslyyoudidn'
tl
ist
en.Ihadso
muchhopei nyouNomkhosi..
..

Agai
nsher
udel
yint
err
upt
sme
Her:
Iwon'tsi
thereandlistent oyouthrow
i
nsult
satmel i
kethat.YesImessedupIknow,
j
ustbecauseyoupayf orev eryt
hinghereit
doesn'
tmeany ou'
remymot her.Youdon'tget
tocontr
olme, t
hisismyl i
feandIwi l
lli
veit
exact
lyhowIwantt o.Ifyouchooset obea
vir
ginyourwhol
eli
febecauseofsomestupid
promisegoodfory
ou!Don'tdr
agmeintoyour
bori
nglif
e,l
eavemealoneNompiloIwi
llfi
gure
thi
ngsoutonmyown

Wi t
ht hatsai
dsheleavesandbangst hedoor,I
don'tev enhavet
hestrengt
ht orunafterher
.I
takeaseatandsi ghloudl
y,maybeIwast oo
absor bedinmyownl if
ethatIneglect
edmy
sibl
ings.May bet
hat'
swhyNomkhosi turnedout
l
iket his.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

I
mi nmyof ficedrinki
ngwhisky,Ineedsome
ti
meal onetot hi
nkaboutmyl i
fe.Ican'tkeep
runningaft
erMenzi mywholel
ife,he'
shappy
now.He'sgoi ngtobeaf at
herandI m surehe
willmarr
ythatgirlinnoti
me.He' l
lbegoi ng
hometohisf
ami
l
yandIwi
l
lbeal
onel
ybi
tt
er
bachel
or.

IwishIdidn'
tpusht hem away ,
Imissmy
brotherandIwishIcoul dreachouttohi
m.I
al
lowedj eal
ousytot akeawayt heonl
yfami
l
yI
hadandIam pay ingf ort
hatdaybyday .

Ionlyreal
izedy esterdaythatIhavebeenact i
ng
chil
dishfornot hing, seei
ngSibalet
huandMenzi
happilyi
nl ovemademer eali
zethathatingon
otherpeopl edoesn' thelpyou.JustbecauseI
hatethem doesn' tmeant hatGodwi l
l st
op
blessi
ngthem, inf acthewi l
ldojustthe
oppositejustt oseemesqui rminmi sery
becauseoft hem .

Hati
ngonpeoplewhodon'
tcar
eaboutyouisa
wasteoft
ime.Youhol
dontobi
ttert
hought
s
t
hatmakeyoumiser
abl
ewhi
l
etheyar
eli
vi
ng
t
hei
rbestl
i
ves.

Fr
om nowonIwi l
lfocusonwor k,pri
dewon't
al
lowmet obegforforgi
veness.MenziandI
wi
llf
ixthi
ngswhenhei sready,fornowIwil
l
l
eavethem al
one.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
ethepagetoasmanypeopl
easy
oucan,
andi
nvit
eyourf
ri
endst
oo!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU
Therestofthatmonthwentbyv eryfast,y
oudo
knowwhatt heysay,ti
mef l
ieswheny ou'
re
havi
ngfun.Itwasmost l
yaboutspendi ngti
me
wit
hmyf ami l
yandf r
iends,Decemberi sall
aboutshar
ingloveandgoodt imes.Beautif
ul
memor i
eswer ecreat
edandt heboyfri
endwent
al
loutformei nmostoccasi ons.

Chri
stmascameandwent ,wef i
rstatt
endedt he
serv
iceatChurchandthenwehadanamazi ng
l
unchwi thMenzi,
thefami
lyandNompi l
o's
family
.Thekidshadanamazingsleepov erand
wetookt hem t
othebeachonthe28t h.Alli
nall
,
weendedt heyearver
ywell
.I'
m prett
ygladwe
didthough,i
thasbeenonehellofayear.

I
t'
sJanuar
ynow,Iam 8monthspr
egnant
.
AuntLi
zandMenziwon'
tal
l
owmet oleav
ethe
house,t
hey '
refr
eakingouty
ou'dswearIwi ll
giv
ebirt
ht omorrow.Butmay bethat'
sbecauseI
am heavi
lypregnant,Il
ookl
ikeawhal e!Idon'
t
knowifthefesti
veseasonhadani mpactorthi
s
babywantsmet olookli
keapolarbearor
somethi
ng!

SoIm basicall
yonhousear r est,wheneverI
needsomet hingMenzi sendssomeonet ogeti
t
forme.TodayZeeandLi sawi llbegoingoutto
buytheirunif
orm, Ireal
lywant edtogowi th
them .Ievencried, AuntLizhadt ocallMenzi
andhecameov er.Hecomf ortedmeand
stay
edt i
llIwasf eel
ingbet t
eragai n.

Pr
egnancyneh!
Iwil
lnotbehavi
nganymorechil
drenanyti
me
soon.Mysocall
edbabydaddyisoverexci
ted,
hehasthiscr
azyideat
hataf
terthi
sbabyIwill
wai
tfor6mont hsandthent r
yagain.Hejust
l
ovesthefactthatIam notworki
ng,Ifeelsor
ry
f
orhim becauseIam notdoingthatatall
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Thefestiveseasonwentwel lforme, Imade

l
otsofmoneyatwor k.Peoplear egener
ous
l
ately,Iwasabletospoi lt
het winsandbuy
them everyt
hingtheywant .Theymeansucha
l
ottome, actual
lytheyarether easonIhust
le
everyday.Theyaremyhappi ness,andmylif
e's
purpose.

Nomkhosi disappoint
edmeal ot,t
omake
mattersworseshewon' tevenapologi
sef orher
wrongdoings.Shewon' tevenadmi ti
t,allshe
doesispartyev er
yday.Iwon'tevenbot her
myself,Ihavebeent al
kingt oherabouther
behav
iourf
orawhil
e.Whatshewantst
odo
wit
hherli
feisnol
ongermyconcer
n.

Shedidn'
tgot otheChrist
masl unchatSiba'
s
placebutshewasj eal
ouswhenwecameback
withthegi
ftsandfood.It'
snotlikeIsai
dshe
cannotcomewi t
hus, anganisheisfull
ofpri
de
soshedeclined.
Wedon'tcareanyway
s,whybot
hery
our
sel
f
aboutabit
terper
son?

Newy ear
sevewasamazi ng,Senzicameov er.
Thet winsdon'tunderst
andmucht heywer ejust
happyaboutt hegiftsandgoodieshecamewi th.
Wehadasmal li
ntimatebraai
,andtalkedunder
thestars.Thekidssleptearl
yandwest ay
edup
ti
ll3AM, j
ustcuddlingoutsi
de,openingour
heartstooneanot her.
Ienj oy edev er
ymomentofi t.Ienjoysi
mpl e
things, andf ormehonest l
ythesmal l
estthi
ngs
mat tert hemost .Heevenwentasf aras
transf er ri
ngahugeamounti ntomyaccount ,I
want edt odecli
nebecauseheal readybought
meanexpensi vegi
ftbuthewoul dn'
taccept
that .Hesai dit'
sa"newy earsgif
t"sotheone
bef or emi ghthavebeenalateChr i
stmasgift.

Senzi i
sav er yhumbleguy ,
hei snoty ourtypi
cal
arrogantri
chguy .Hedidn'
tmi ndsleepingon
ourol dcouch, sinceourhousei sn'
tthatbig.
AndIknowt hathehasal uxuriousli
festyl
e,I
oncesawt hepi ctur
esofhishouseonsoci al
medi a.Ti
llthisdayIstil
ldon'tgethowhef ell
foranobody ,Iam cert
ainl
ynoti nhisleague.

Iam justgl
adt
hathet
reatsmewel
l,
Ihavemy
fear
sbutIam al
sohopeful
.Hei
scomingtol
i
ve
t
hissi
dej
ustf
orme,
thatcount
sforsomet
hing
r
ight
?
Ijusthopehehasgenuineintent
ionsbecauseI
l
ov ewhatwehave.Heof fer
edmest abi
l
ity
,
happinessandal
lthethingsIwantedina
relat
ionshi
p.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Drowni
ngmy selfwithworkmayhav eworked
duri
ngthefest
iveseasonbutsomeday swerea
bi
ttoohardforme.OnChr ist
masdayIwasal l
al
one,usuall
yMenzi andIwouldmeetup,have
abraai
orluncht oget
herbutthist
imearound
hewasbusywi t
hhi sf ami
ly
.

Theyhadanamazi
ngtimeatSiba'
splace,ev
en
thedr
iver
swer
etal
kingabouti
t.Congrat
ulat
ing
him ongetti
nganamazi ngwoman, whot akes
suchgoodcar eforhim.Ialsotol
dhimt hatIam
veryhappyforhim .HeaskedmewhatIwas
busywithandItoldhimt hatIwasworking,he
l
ookedsur pr
isedtohearthatevensai
dhe
wouldhaveinvit
edmei fheknewbutIj ust
fakedalaughandsai di
t'scool
.

Obviousl
yIwoul dhavelov edthat,anicelunch
wit
hmanypeopl e.I
twoul dhav ebeenway
bett
erthanbeingstucki ntheof f
ice,inthe
companyofwhi sky.IfIswallowedmypr i
de
l
ongago, Iwoul
dn'tbesomi serable.Newy ears
evewasn'tsobadbecauseIwentt oapar t
y,I
washel l
adrunk.Evenf orgotmywor riesfora
whil
eandj usthadabl ast.

SinceMenzi
andIfoughtmostofour"
fri
ends"
desert
edme.Theymadei tcl
eart
hatt
heywant
nothi
ngt
odowithme,iti
scleart
hattheyar
e
si
dingwi
thMenzi
.Ort
heydidn'
tevencare
aboutme.

Il
i
ter
all
yhav
enoone,
Ihav
enof
ri
endsorf
ami
l
y.

Iam al
oneal
onewi
thal
lthepowerandmoneyI
wanted.
Thepowerandmoneythatl
edmeinto
expl
oit
ingmyownbrot
herandpushi
nghi
m
away.

I
tsapi t
ybecauseallt
hispowerandmoneyis
prett
yusel
ess,itdi
dn'
tgiv
emet hehappi
nessI
thoughti
twould.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
PLEASEREACTANDCOMMENT!
!!
Shar
e!!
!!

Imverysorryaboutmymessedupschedul e,
examsar eoversoIappliedforahol i
dayj
ob.
NowIam wor kingandDecemberi smostly
aboutfamil
ytime.Iwi l
lpostthough,Imjust
l
etti
ngy ouknowsot hatyouwon' tthi
nkIam
sl
acking.

Any
way
sImaybeabadadmi
nbutIdol
ovey
all
.
Ar
eyouDecember
ingt
hough?
Ar
eyouwel
l
?

Keepsaf
eatal
lti
mesbel
oved♡
Ineedy
ouguys,
becausenextyearIam goi
ng
al
loutf
ory
'al
l
.Ihavealr
eadyty
pedt heprol
ogue
fort
henextst
ory
,it
swayt
oear
lyf
ori
tbutt
he
exci
tement
!Yho

Sendi
ngl
oveandl
i
ghtt
oyou!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

AsmuchasIam happyandsuperexci tedabout

start
ingthenewyear,t
heissuewit
hmyf ather
unsettl
esme.Hekeepsr eacti
ngonmypi ctur
es,
sendingcomment s.Apartofmeishappy
though,thi
siswhatIhavealwayswanted.I
havealway swant
edhisattent
iony
etapar tof
mei sjustscar
ed.
Iam scaredofgetti
ngdi sappoi
ntedbyhi m
onceagain!Ihavecomet oofarnow, Iam at
peaceandIam cont entwi t
hmyl i
fe.Ifhe
disappoi
ntsmeImi ghtgetbackt ot hatdark
placeIwasi n,Iam donewi tht
hatlifeandI
reall
ydon'twanttodisappointmyf amily
.

Iwi
ll
justi
gnorehi
m,heshoul
dcont
inuewi
th
hi
sli
feandleavemeal
one.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SENZI

Mymot herwasn'tsohappyaboutme
rel
ocati
ngt oDurban,asmuchasshei shappy
thatIhavefinal
l
yf oundtheoneIlov
eshei sjust
beingamot her.Imv eryhappyt
hatever
ything
i
sf i
nali
zedandIcannowbewi t
hmyl ov
ef reel
y
y
etIknowIwi
l
lmi
sst
hem.

Iwill
mi ssmymom andmysi bl
ings,Ivalue
familyalotandifIcouldIwouldal waysstay
withthem.Growt hisn'
taboutageing,iti
sn't
aboutaddinganot heryearandcelebrati
ng.Yes
thati
simpor t
antbutgr owthisaboutwhaty ou
doasy ouage, astheyearsgoby.
Doy
oul
ear
nandchangey
ourbadway
s?
Doy
oumanupanddobet
ter
?
Growthi
saboutreal
i
zingal
lyourwr
ongsand
acknowl
edgi
ngthem.Getti
ngupanddoi
ngri
ght
.

Iam her
et odaybecauseofgrowth,hadInot
beenmatur emaybeIwouldn'thavebeenwi t
h
Mpil
osol ong.Iwouldn'
thavebeenablet odeal
wit
hallt
hisdistancebetweenus,thatseemed
tobetheonef actort
hatwouldbreakusup.
Growthi
sthereasonIseeawor t
hywomanin
her,
Iseenotj
ustamer erel
ati
onshi
pbutmyli
fe
i
scompletewi
thher.

Iwantt
ol oveherf
orever,l
ovi
ngheriseasyand
i
tmakesmehappy .Il
ovewhoIam whenIam
wit
hher,IprayGodblessesouruni
onbecause
wehavey etsuchalongwaytogo.

Wecaneachdef inel
oveinourownway ,noone
sai
dl oveshouldbeperfect.Noonedr af
tedthe
manual oflove,
howIlovemypar tnerandour
rel
ati
onshipasawhol eshoul dn'
tconcern
anyone.IlovedNompiloasi fIcouldseeher
dai
ly,al
lthesemi l
esapartushadnoi mpacton
ourlovebecauseIknewwhatIwant ed.

Whosai
dthatf
air
ytal
elov
eisper
fect
?
Ort
heoneweseeont
het
ell
y?
Ithi
nkit
'sti
mewecr eat
eourown"per
fect
"lov
e
stor
y,maybeyourpart
neri
sinanot
her
conti
nent.
..

Doy
oul
ovehi
m?
Ify
es,thenconti
nuelovinghimregar
dless.Love
wil
lmakey ouloosesleepbecauseyouwantt o
hearhisvoi
ce,andduet otheti
mediff
erenceit
couldbedayti
met hatside..
.

I
fitmakesy
ouhappy
,thendoi
t!
That
'showIf
oundmysoul
mat
e.

Theapartmenthasbeenpaidfor,Ihav
ef ound
greatof
fi
cesformybusiness.Ihavealready
foundanint
eri
ordesi
gnertowor konit,and
almostal
lmycontactsknowt hatIam herenow.
Iwi
llbeabletoseemygirl
fr
iendanyti
meIwant
whi
ledoingwhatIlovet
hemost ,
huntingfor
newtalentandgrowi
ngthemusicindustr
y.

Iam exci
tedtobehere,besidesmyawesome
gir
lf
ri
endIfeell
iket
hiscityhassuchal
otto
off
er!
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMKHOSI

Ihaven'
tbeenhomeinalongt i
me, onNew
Year'
seveImetanamazi ngguyandIhav e
beenwithhim ev
ersi
nce.Iwouldratherbeher
e
wit
hhi mthanstr
essmyselfaboutmysi bl
i
ngs.

Nompil
othi
nksshei
sbett
ert
hanus,andIwi
ll
notbecont
rol
l
edbyher
.Shemakesbei
ngat
homef
eel
li
kebei
ngi
npur
gat
ory
!

Iwill
li
vemyl i
feexactl
yhowIwantt oandshe
won'ttel
lmeot her
wise.Shehasn'tcal
ledmeat
all
,andIam glad.I
m gladthatshehasst opped
fussi
ngov erme.

Iwill
ret
ur nhomenextweekwhenourmat ri
c
resul
tsarer el
eased,Iwantt
owipethesmug
smileoffherface.Sheisconvi
ncedthatIf
ail
ed
butIwil
l proveherwrong.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYFI
VE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Thefol
lowi
ngweekschool sopened,
Ihadt o
takeLi
satoschool
andseehernewt eacher.As
muchasIwashappyt odot hi
s,abitofpain
cameback.Mymot herusedtodoallofthis,
andsometi
messhewoul df or
ceDlomot odo
thesame.
ShedidalltheshoppingforLisaandmadesure
shewasr eadyforschool.Asmuchaswear e
happy,y
eswear eatabet t
erplacenowandI
knowLisaismaki ngprogressbutit
'sst
il
l
evi
dentthatshey ear
nsforhermot her
.

Nochi l
ddeser
vestolooset heirpar entslike
that
.Yessheisn'
tanor phanbecauseDl omoi s
ali
veandwellwhereverheisbutheal soleftat
thesametime.Hechoset ol eaveexact lywhen
hisdaught
erneededhim.Henev erbot heredto
call,
notevenalousyChr i
stmast ext.When
Li
saasksmeabouthi m, somet imesIj
ustli
e
becauseIdon' twanttoseeherhur t
.Shebarel
y
understandsallofthi
s.Shei sy oung,wi
th
chil
drenev enthesmallestthingsmaket hem
happyandev enifal
lhedi dwascal l
ingher
everyoncei nabluemoon, shewoul dbehappy.

Im quitegratefulthatthef atherofmychi ldis

l
ov ingandsuppor ti
ve.Yeswehav ealsohadour
owni ssuesbutIam gl adt hatwef ixedthem,
andIknowt hatMenzi woul dnev erabandonhi s
child.Evenifwewer et of i
ghtorbr eakup, he'
ll
l
ov emychi l
dregar dless.Nowt hat
'swhatall
father'
sshoul ddo, f
ather hoodi swaymor e
thanbei ngasper m donorbutheyi fIwereto
startont herolesthe"f athers"inoursociety
failtoplayIwoul dn'tfi
ni shint hisl
ifet
ime.

Any
way
stheday
sseem t
obepassi
ngbyv
ery
fast,i
t'
salreadythemi ddleofJanuar yandIam
verynervous.Don' tgivemet hatlook,Ihave
heardterr
iblestori
esaboutwomeni nlabour
andasmuchasIhav ebeentoldcount l
ess
ti
mest hatallshallbewell
,Ijustcannothelpit.I
tendtowor ryaboutalmostev ery
thing,Iam
suchaner vousf r
eakandsomet i
mesi tannoys
Menzi.

Ihavenothi
ngt
odointhi
shouse,AuntLi
zis
probabl
ygonet
oherchur
chladi
es.
MaybeIshouldvisi
tmyempl
oyeesandsee
howthey'
redoingit
sbeenawhi
le.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Fi
rstdayofschoolal
ready
,thetwi
nsl
ookvery
cutei
nthei
runifor
ms.Thesmi l
esont
hei
rfaces
areheart
warming,Aphenduleiswal ki
ngaround
asifheownst heuni
verse.Confidenceiskey,
theysayanditseemslikethi
sy oungman
knowsthatverywell
.Il
ookf orwardt oseethem
growup,Iwanttoseethem f al
linloveoneday.

Iwanttoseet hem at
tendtheirmatr
icfar
ewell
andsendt hem touni
versi
ty.Ili
vef
orthese
chi
ldr
en, t
heygivemepur poseandseeingthem
happyalsomakesmehappy .
Senziwil
l betaki
ngust otheirschool,Inear
ly
shedtearswhenAy enziwet oldmehowgr atef
ul
sheisthatImadeal lofthi
spossi bl
e.ForonceI
broughtthem newuniforms, schoolbags,
shoes,toilet
ri
es,st
ati
oneryt hewor ks..
.

Imadesuretobuyexactl
ywhattheywil
ll
ike
andneedforschool
inJanuar
y.Befor
eIusedto
sendthem t
oschoolwit
hnewuni f
orms,and
missingstationer y.I
'
dpr obabl yonl ygetmoney
aroundFebr uar ytobuyschool shoesand
everythi
ngelse, ti
meswer et oughbackt hen
andIhat edall ofthatbutIswearf rom nowonI
will
makesur emybabi esnev ergot hroughall
ofthat.Iwantt hem t ofeel l
iket heot her
chil
dren,Iwantt hem tofitinliket her est.
Povertyshoul dn'tbemar kedont hem f orall
to
see,povertyshoul dn'tdefinet hem.

I
t'ssaf
etosayt hatthetwinsloveSenzi
,he'
s
beenaroundherequi t
eoftenandhet ookusto
themallt
obuyal lofthei
rstuff.Wai
tdothey
real
lyl
ovehim ortheylovehiscar?
Whenev erIt
ellt
hem thatheiscomingover
,
theyaskmei fheisbringi
nghiscar
.Butwho
wouldn'
tloveSenzi'
sBentley
?Idon'
tblamemy
babies.
Nomkhosi appearsoncertai
ndays, whenher
heartfeel
sl i
keitandwhensher emember sthat
shehasahomeshepopsi n.Withherst i
nki
ng
att
itudeanddi r
tylooks,honest
lyInol onger
bothermy selfwit
hher.Shehasdi sappoint
ed
mei mmensel y.Herresul
tscamebackandj ust
l
ikeIassumedshef ail
ed.

Shereturnedt heni ghtbeforeandgav emea

mout hf
ulabouthowIhav e"changed"sinceI
metSenzi .Shehadt hissmugsmi l
eof"vi
ctory"
andthemi nut
eIr eceivedherr esul
tsonmy
phoneitwaswi pedof fcompl etel
y.Shecouldn'
t
beli
evewhathi ther ,
shecr i
edf orhourssayi
ng
thatsomemi stakemusthav ehappened.

Ihadt odraghertoschoolsowecouldseeher
statement,hert
eachersweren'
tevensur
pri
sed
afteral
lyoureapwhaty ousow.Youshould
hav eseent hewalkofshamewet ookback
home.Shewasdi sappoint
edaboutt hef actthat
shef ail
edandIwasdi sappointedtoo.I
i
nv estedsuchal otinNomkhosi ,
Imadesur eto
wor khar dandgetev ery
thi
ngsheneedsat
school .Ihadtocompr omisef orher,ev
ent he
twinsunder stoodwhenIdi dn'tbuyallt
heir
stati
oner ybutmadesur ethatNomkhosi '
s
stati
oner yisbought.

Itr
iedtal
ki
ngt oherandshedi dn'
tli
sten,God
knowsIdidmybest.Ihopeourpar entscan
seethatIreall
ytr
ied,fr
om wherevert
heyar e.I
t
hasalwaysbeensai d,youcanneverforcea
horsetodrinkwater,nomatterhowhar dyoutr
y.

Curr
entl
ysheisnotspeaki
ngtome, you'd
swearIam t
heoneresponsibl
eforallher
miser
y.Shedoesn'
tevenlookremorsefulandI
doubtshewil
lret
urnbackt
oschool
,shei
sfar
toobusyandabsorbedi
nher"
newli
fe".
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

It
'sar atherbusydayatt hetaxirank,wit
h
school sopeningpar entsandchi l
dreninnew
uniformsar ealmostev erywhere.Somear estil
l
wai ti
ngfort heshopst oopent odosomel ast
minut eshoppi ng,
somear eheadi ngtodif
ferent
l
ocat ions.Theywi l
lprobablystartschool
tomor row, Iam si
tt
inginoneofmyt axi
'sjust
l
ooki ngar ound.Menzi i
saboutt obecomea
fatherprettysoon,hewi llbegoingt hr
oughal l
oft hi
s.

Ican'
thelpbutchuckl
eatt
hatthought
,hemight
notsayitbutheseemsver
ynervous.Wehave
beenspendingsometimetoget
her,most
ly
aboutbusi
nessthough.Iwonderifhest
il
lcar
es,
Iwouldlov
etobei nthei
rli
vesagainand
welcomethei
rbundleofjoy.

Speakofthedevi
landheshal
lappear,Ij
ust
spott
edMenzital
kingt
ohisdri
ver
s.Hedoesn't
comeherethatmuch,Iwonderwhatcouldbe
theprobl
em.

Ataround11am aheavil
ypregnantSibal
ethu
arr
ivesatthet
axir
ank,shei
spr obabl
yherefor
herkota'
sagai
n.Thatwomanj ustcannothel
p
hersel
fwhenitcomestokot
a's.
Iheadt
othem andgr
eetpol
i
tel
y.
Menzi
greet
smebackf r
iendl
yandSi
bagi
ves
mealookbefor
eansweri
ng.

Me:
Ihopey
ouguy
sar
eokay
,youl
ookgr
eat
Siba!Idi
dn'
tknowmother
'sgl
owdi
ff
erent
lyon
thei
r8thmonthofpr
egnancy
Her:
Whatdoy
ouknowaboutpr
egnancyv
ele
Vuki
le?
Ichor
tl
e
Me:
Iknowal
ott
rustme
Shel
aughsandt
henshesay
sthanky
ou.

Menzi:Baf
o(bro)Iwasactuallytry
ingt otel
l Si
ba
thatataxir
anki snotagoodpl acef oraheav i
ly
pregnantwoman.I magineifsomet hing
happenedorourbabydeci dest osur pr
iseus
andcomeear liert
hanexpectedwhatwoul dwe
do?Taxi dri
verswouldhavet oassi stmy
womangi vebirthandmyf i
rstbor nwoul dbe
deli
veredi
nat axirank,
nomant hatcan' t
happen
Menzi andIlaughasweconv erseaboutthe
crazythoughtofawomangi vingbir
thhere,we
woul dprobablyrunar
oundlikeheadless
chicken,confusedandcl
uelessandt hewhol e
rankwoul dcomet oacompl etestandst
il
l.
Sibalethui
slookingatusasi fwehav egrowna
pairofhornseachbutwej ustcannotstop
l
aughi ng.

Me:Iknowsomedr i
ver
swouldbetr
aumat i
sed
thewholeti
me.Seei
ngawomani nlabourai
n'
t
nochil
d'spl
ay,
Iknowthatv
erywell
Menzi:
IhopeIdidn'
topenol
dwoundsbaf
o,i
t
wasjustarandom j
oke
Me:don'
tworryman,i
t'
sbeenagessi
ncethat
happened.I
t'
sal
linmypastandIam ov
erit
Menzi
:Iam gl
adtohearthat,
letmedriv
emy
l
adybackhomeandgi veAuntLizst
ri
ct
i
nst
ructi
onstokeepherunderhousearr
est
Si
ba:
Im st
il
lar
oundy
ouknow.
..
Me:Youdot
hatot
her
wiseshemi
ghtev
engi
ve
bi
rt
hinaparki
ngl
ot

Welaughagai
nandsayourgoodbyes.Being
wit
hthem wasgreatl
i
keal
way s,
Idi
dn'tknow
howmuchImi ssedal
loft
his.

Therestoft hedaygoesonnor mallyandI

happentobei nagoodmoodsoev erythi
ng
goeswell.Taxi ownersaren'treall
ysupposedt o
beatther ankrank,Menzi andSi bapopi nevery
onceinawhi l
et ocheckonst uffbutIspend
l
otsoftimeher e.Somet imesbei nginmyof f
ice
getsbori
ngsoIendupgoi ngt other ankto
passti
meandchi l
lwitht
hedr iversand
managers.
LateronIpassbyt hemalltobuyaf ew
groceri
es,
li
vingaloneisn'
tcoolandasmuchas
Ihateshoppi
ngandcooki ngamanhast oeat
,
onecannotli
v eontakeawaysforever.
AsIam standi
nginthequeuewai t
ingt
opayt he
l
adyinfrontofmereal
izesthatshefor
gother
wal
letathome,sheseemst ir
edandstressed.

Shehaspr obablybeenher eforsomet i

me, her
tr
oll
eyisf ullandit'
squiteabusyaf ter
noon.The
peopleinourqueuear eget t
ingimpati
entitis
understandablethough, t
hel i
nesaretoolong.
Sheisst i
lllooki
ngf orsomeext racashinher
bagandi tlooksl i
kethereisn'tany
.Allherit
ems
havebeenscannedandev enthecashierl
ooks
annoyyed, Iendupof feri
ngtopayf orher
groceri
es.
Sheishesitantatfi
rstbutshereal
l
yhasno
otheropti
onbecauseshesai dsheneedsher
groceri
estoday.After
wardsIpayformineand
wewal koutsidetogether
.Sheseemsextremel
y
quiet
.

Shet hanksmeout si
deandof fer
st opaythe
moneyback.Ij ustl
aughandt ell
herthati
t's
coolthereisnoneedf orthat
.Ihelphergeta
taxi
homeandshest i
lli
nsist
songet t
ingmy
contactdetai
lsinordertopaythemoney .

Defeated,
Igi
vehermybusi
nesscar
dandshe
thanksmepoli
tel
y.
Isaygoodby
eandat
temptt
oleav
ebutshe
stopsme.

Her
:Mynamei
sNdabezi
nhl
eNgcobo,
thank
y
ouf
ory
ourki
ndness
Me:
Vuki
l
eMhl
ongo,
you'
remor
ethanwel
come.

Shesmi
lesatmeandInodbef
oreheadi
ngt
o
mycar.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
♡
Shar
ethepaget
oasmanypeopl
easy
oucan!
!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYSI
X
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Iforcedt hi
smant ospendt herestoftheday
withme, Icanseethathewasn' tr
eall
yhappy
aboutt hatbutImadehi m seethathehasno
choice.Ishouldgiv
ebi r
thalready,bef
oreIdr
ive
hi
m cr azywi t
hmydemands.
Hewal ksi
ncar r
yingaplat
eofwaf f
lesand
syrup,acur v
eimmedi at
elyformsonmyf ace.
Nowt hesear etheperksofhav i
ngamanwhoi s
passionateaboutcooking,heknowshowmuch
Ilovewaf f
lesandhemadet hem af
terIl
it
eral
l
y
forcedhimt ospendthedaywi thme.Loveisan
amazi ngfeeli
ng.

Hi
m:St
opsmi
l
ingandeat
,mybabyi
sst
arv
ing
If
rown
Me:soy
oudidn'
tmaket
hesewaf
fl
esf
orme,
youmadet
hem fory
ourchi
l
d?
Hi
m:mychil
dwasstarv
ingandyoudecidedt
o
gogal
l
ivant
ingar
oundi
nunsafetaxi
ranks
Me:Iknewt
hatIwoul
dfi
ndy
out
her
ebaby
,
comeon
It
aket
hewaf
fl
esandst
arteat
ing.
Heisst
ari
ngatmewhi leIeat,Idon'
tknowifi
t'
s
worr
yorfeart
hatIsensethroughhim ori
sit
bot
h?

Him:I
sitt oomuchf oryouSiba,youjustwon't
beablet ostayathomeandwai tfort
hearriv
al
ofourbaby ?Youofal lpeopl
eknowhow
dangeroust het
axiindustryi
s,Ican'
tkeep
tel
l
ingy outhesamet hingoverandov eragai
n

Inodmyheadandt ell
himt hatIwon' tever
"endanger"myselfli
kethat.Itfeelsli
keI'
m
beingscoldedli
keanunr ulyki d,
aftereati
ngI
sulkabit.Menzi giv
esmeal ookandt akeshi
s
l
apt opout.Iment al
lyrol
lmyey es.

Hi
m:Si
ncey
ou'
resul
ki
ngIwi
l
lcheckmyemai
l
s
Me:Ithoughtweweregoi
ngtohavearel
axed
daytogether
,butnowi
tfeel
sli
keourdayi
s
rui
ned
Him: Si
baIknowt haty ou'readomi nantwoman,
andIl ovethataboutyou.Idon' twanty outo
everchangewhoy ouar e, butthatdoesn'tmean
thatIdon'twantrespect ,Iam lookingoutf or
you.Wehav eenemi esandr i
ghtnowy ou'r
e
vulnerabl
eandaneasyt arget.Idon'twantt o
l
oosebot hmypar t
nerandchi ld.Iam nott r
ying
tomakey ousubmi ssi
v ebutIwoul dappreciate
i
tify ourespectedmywi shesandt ookme
seriousl
y.

Me:Iact
edimpul sivelymyloveandI m sorr
y,I
tendtodemandf artoomuchf r om y
ouandas
muchasy oulov emey ou'
realsohumanand
youhavealimit.Iwi l
ldobetterandf r
om now
onwardsIwill
focusonpr eparingforthear
riv
al
ofourpreci
ouscar go
Hesmi lesatme,bringsmecl oserand
embr acesme.Wehol doneanot herforquite
somet ime,Menziisr i
ghtIalway sdomyown
thing.Iam sousedt otakingcont rol
of
everythingandIdeliberatel
yignor ehis
concer ns.Inarel
ati
onshi pthatisv er
ywr ong,
l
ov eisn'tsupposedt obel i
kethat.Hisopinions
arev al
uabl et
oo,her espectsmeandIshoul d
alsodot hesame.

Weendupwat chingamov iet

ogether
,sti
l
l
holdingoneanot herti
ghtl
y.Aft
eroursmall
mov iesessi
on, afewkisseshereandther
eand
alov el
ybondingsessionourdayiscomplete.I
can'tstopsmili
ng, l
oveisagreatf
eeli
ng.

Me:
Babesodi
dyouandVuki
l
efi
xthi
ngs?
Hi
m:Notr
eal
l
y,he'
sbeent
ryi
ngt
oreachoutand
Iki
ndafeelsor
ryforhi
m.He'sal
lal
onebabe,
he
spentt
hefesti
veseasonal
one
Me:
doy
out
rusthi
mthough?BecauseIdon'
t..
.
Him:Iknowthatheisnolongeri
nter
est
edin
gett
ingyourinher
it
ance,
Ihavesomeonewhoi s
watchinghi
m.Hei smindi
nghisownbusiness,
j
ustlivi
nghisli
fe
Me:
Idon'
twantt
otakeanychances

Him:Iam al
waysreadyf
orwar,Iwoul
ddo
anyt
hingtoprot
ectmyfamil
y.Don'
tworr
yabout
i
tbabe
Me:
hehasn'
tevenapol
ogi
sed,
andIam not
r
eadyt
oplayhappyfami
li
eswit
hVuki
l
e
Him:Iknowmybr otherSiba,hedoesn'tgrovel
andbeg.Hewon' tjustapologiseeasi
l
y...butI
nolongerseehi
m asat hreat.It
hinkwear ein
theprocessoff
ixingthings
Me:
Okay
,justst
ayal
ertbabe
Hi
m:Iwil
l
,ar
ey oucomfort
abl
eaboutt
his
t
hough?Havi
nghim backi
ntoourl
i
ves
Me:Ihavenohateinmebabe, Ihav
eagreater
purposeinli
fenow.Iwillnotbri
ngmychil
dinto
atoxicenvi
ronment,Idon'tt
rusthi
myetbut
he'
sf amil
ybabe
Hi
m:Thankyousomuchst
handwasam (
my
l
ove).You'
ret
hebest
!

Ipeckhi
sli
pshappi
l
y.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
VUKI
LE

Thenextcoupl
eofday
swentbypret
tyf
ast
.I
wasworkinghar
dli
kealway
s,dr
owni
ngmysel
f
wi
thwor
k.
Mybusi nessesar edoingwellsoIj ustopeneda
separateaccountf ortheprofi
ts.Iwanttodo
somet hi
ngdifferentthisyear
,Iwantt odo
somet hi
nggr eatwithmypr ofi
tsy etIhaven'
t
real
lydecidedbutIhav eagoodf eeli
ngaboutit
.

"
Youseem l
i
keawor
kahol
i
c"
Herangelicv oicecommandsmyf acetolookat
herbeautifulface.Memor iesofourprevious
encountercomef l
oodingback,Iwasstil
l
wonder i
ngwhyshedi dn'
tcall
.Ithoughtshehad
probablyforgot t
enaboutme, t
hatIhadl ostmy
perfectst
ranger .

Shesmil
esatmeandwal ksin,Iseem tohave
l
ostmyv oice.Iam l
ooki
ngatheri nawe.Itf
eels
l
ikeIam seeingherfort
hefir
stti
me, t
odayshe
l
ooksbetter.Happi
erandlessstressedandthat
makesherglowdif
fer
ent
ly,
Idon'tknowhowI
fai
ledtoseesuchmesmeri
singbeautyt
hat
otherday.

"I
'
m sureyoumusthav ethoughtt hatIwas
nevergoi
ngtocont actyou, Ihadtov i
sitmy
auntinJoburgandIonl yreturnedyesterday"
herli
psmov einaper f
ectr hythm asshespeaks,
myey escannotl
eav ehersi ght.Herpresence
bri
ngsacertainfeel
ingthatIhav en'tf
eltina
l
ongt i
me.

Me:
IthoughtIwoul
dnev
erseey
ouagai
n
Ihavefinal
l
yf oundmyvoi
ce,f
oramomentI
thoughtmyv oiceboxmayhavel
osti
tsf
unct
ion
Her:
Im sor
ryaboutthat
,Iwi
l
lpaythemoney
back,y
oureall
yhelpedmethatday
Me:
Nopr
obl
em atal
l
,youdon'
tneedpayi
tback
Her
:whatcanIdot
oshowgr
ati
tude?

Me:Idon'
tknow,
youdon'
thav
etoshowany
gr
atit
ude
Her:Iwantt o,thisist
hefir
stti
meIhav eev er
metamanwi ll
i
ngt oassi
stme.Youhel pedme
outoft hegoodnessofy ourhear
t,expect
ing
nothinginret urn.Youdon'
tevenfeelenti
tl
edto
mesexual l
yaf terpayi
ngsuchalotofmoney ,
i
t'
snotev erydayy oubumpi nt
ogoodmenwi th
pureintenti
ons

Il
ookatherfl
abbergast
ed, Iam notusedto
suchcompli
ments.Ihavealwaysbeent hebad
guy,l
abel
l
edassatan'sincarnat
e.
Shebringsaboutachanget
hatf
eel
sgoodt
obe
around.
Me:ThankyouNdabezi
nhl
e,f
inej
ustt
hinkof
somethingandl
etmeknow
Her:
Sur
e..
.Ipreparedsomel
unchf
ory
ou,
wel
li
f
youhav
en'teaten

Ismi
l
ebef
oreanswer
ingher
Me:
Iam f
ami
shedNkosazane,
thanky
ouso
much
Her
:Letmegot
otheki
tchenandaskt
hem t
o
war
mi tup

Inodmyheadandsheleaves,sheevenknows
herwayar
oundmytavern.
..
int
erest
ingladyshe
i
s!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYSEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Therestofthatmont hwentbytooqui cklyfor

myl i
ki
ng.Februar ycameandIwasexpect edto
giv
ebi r
th.Iwon'tli
easmuchasIwasr eal
ly
exci
tedt ofi
nal
lyhol dmybabyandembr aceher,
Iwasv eryscar
ed.Thi ngscouldgowr ongandI
couldlooseher, orImightnotsurv
ive.Menzi
hasbeent el
li
ngmet ostopbeingsonegat iv
e
butIcannothelpmy sel
f,Ikeepponder ing
aboutit.

Thestor
iesIreadonli
nearethereasonwhyI
am soscared,AuntLi
zisoverthemoon.Shei
s
veryexci
ted, shehasbeenpr ayingsinceday1
andshebel ievesthatal
lshal
l gowel l
.Ishoul
d
alsopraymor eandhavefai
thi nGod, hehas
comet hroughf ormebefore.Hewoul dn'
t
abandonmenow.Ihadasmal li
nti
mat ebaby
showerwi thclosefri
endsandf ami l
y, Menzi
andIalsohadaphot oshootsinceIwant edto
captur
eev erymomentofmypr eciouscargo.

Ont he14thofFebr uaryIwokeupf eeli

ngwei rd,
somet hi
ngjusttoldmet hat"theday"has
arri
ved.Itr
iedpushingt het houghtawayand
tri
edhav i
nganor mal day ,
itwasn'treal
lynormal
becauseMenzi hadprepar edar omanti
cl unch
forus.Ikeptfeeli
ngabi tofpai n,butIdidn't
assumei twaslabourpai ns.
Labourpai
nsaresai
dtobequi
tehect
icandt
his
wassomethingl
ight
.
Righti nthemi ddleofourlunch, j
ustwhenhe
wasf eedi ngmeandbei ngal lromant i
cIf el
ta
war ml iquidfl
owingdownmyl egs.Iscreamed
andhel ookedatmei npani c.Itoldhimt hatmy
wat erjustbrokeandher ant omyr oom toget
myst uff,AuntLizhel
pedmewal ktothecar
whilehewaspani cki
nginf ear.Iment al
lyrol
led
myey eseacht imeIst ol
eal ookathi m,notso
l
ongagohewast heonet ell
ingmet ostop
beingscar edyetheissweat i
ngpr ofusely.

Idon'tknowwhybutIam v er
ycal m, Ikeep
doingsomebr eathi
ngexer cisesandIpl ay
somemusi ct odist
ractme.Menzi i
sdr i
vi
ngto
thehospi t
al,hekeepsl ookingatmeasi f
expectingmet ogiv
ebi rt
hi nthecar.Iactuall
y
fi
ndal lofthi
sf unny,butIlaughingwoul dmake
himthinkI '
m crazysoIwoul drathernot.
Wegett othehospitalandtheydoal l
necessary
proceduresasqui ckaspossi ble.Ispend6
hoursinlabourandt hendel i
veraheal t
hybaby
boynat ural
ly
.Menzi washol dingmyhand
throughoutthewhol eprocessbecauseIdi dn't
wantt obeal onebuthel ookedsot raumati
sed.
Whent henur sefi
nallyputhi m onmychestand
Iheldhim, Menzishedaf ewtear s.

Itwasabeaut i
fulmoment ,mybabywas
breathi
ngandIcoul dfeelitonmychest .His
l
ittl
ebodyl ayi
ngonmychestmadeev erythi
ng
seem ri
ghtagai n,Iknewt hathei smypriori
ty.I
broughthimi ntothisworldandi tismy
responsibil
it
yt omakesur et hatheget
st heli
fe
hedeserv es.Ireal
lythoughtIwascar r
yingagi r
l
butitseemsl ikeIwaswr ong.

Menzi
isv
eryhappyt
hatIdel
i
ver
edaboy
,hi
s
heir,someonewhowillt
akehissur
nameto
greatheight
soneday
.Ikeeplooki
ngathi
m and
i
tconf i
rmswhatI'
mthinki
ng,
heismyworld,
i
Zwel ami.

Me:
uyi
zwel
ami
Babakhe(
hei
smywor
ldDaddy
)
Hi
m:whatdoy
ouwantt
onamehi
m?
Me:
Zwel
ami
Hi
m: I
tfi
tsperf
ectl
ytowhatyoujustsai
d,
uyi
qhawelami el
i
ncane(heismyy oungher
o).
I
qhawelikaBaba(
hisfat
her
'sher
o)
Me:Theniti
sset
tl
ed,
hewi
l
lbenamedQhawe
ZwelamiCele

Hesmi
l
esandt
henchuckl
es
Hi
m:Thatwil
lchangesoon,bef
orehegr
owsup
i
ntoayoungmanhewi llt
akemysurname
Si
ba:
youknowwhatt
odot
hen
Hepausesf
orafewmi
nut
esj
ustst
ari
ngatus,
t
henhespeaks

Hi
m:Thanky
ousomuchst
handwasam
Me:
for
?
Him: f
orseeingmewor t
hyenought ofat
her
yourbaby,forlov
ingmeandhel pingme
becomet hemanIam t oday.Thanky oufor
giv
ingmeanhei r
,Qhawewi l
lexpandmy
surnamef orthenextgener
ati
on.Youhav e
giv
enmeal lt
hatIneedMaCel e,
IswearIwi l
l
makey oumywi f
e.
Me:Youdon'
tneedt
ot hankme, Il
oveyouandI
knowyouwantthebestforus.Youdeserv
eit
al
lmylove.

Heki
ssesmyf
oreheadbef
oreexcusi
nghi
msel
f
togoandt
ell
AuntLiz,
whohasbeenwai
ti
ng
outsi
dewi
thNompil
o.
_
___

Twoday slaterIam di
scharged,Qhaweiswell
andthereisnoneedf orustost ayatt
he
hospi
tal.Ican'
twaittogethomeandset tl
ein
withmybaby .AuntLizhasalreadysort
edout
thenurseryandeverythi
ngisready.

Iam allsmil
es,beingamot herisamazing.I
am anewmot heryetIl
oveev eryt
hingabouti
t,I
l
ov eholdi
nghim, Il
ovewatchinghim suckmy
nippl
es,Ilov
eholdinghi
ssmal l
hands.Ialso
l
ov estari
ngathisbeauti
fuleyes,andtal
kingto
him.
Don'
tgi
vemethatlook,
Itel
lmysonwhat everi
t
i
sthati
sonmymi nd.Someti
meshej ustst
ares
atmeorhef
all
sasleep.Menzit
hinksit'
scrazy
,
hetoldmet hatIshoul
dn'tfeedHISson
nonsense,asifIwouldthough.Iguesst
his
smallchampi smoreimpor tantt
hanme.

Menzicall
sathousandtimesadayjustt
o
checkuponus, healsovi
sit
sbutiti
smost l
y
aboutQhawe.Seeingmyboy stoget
heri
sa
beauti
ful
sight
,Menzi wi
l
l makeagoodfather
andIam proudofhim al
ready.

Bor
nonthe14thofFebruar
y,Qhawei
smyv
ery
ownVal
ent
ine'
sdate!♡

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTWENTYEI
GHT
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

TodayIam notwor king,Ideservesomer est

becauseithasbeenal ongweek.Valentine'
s
cameandwent ,Iwaswor kingsoSenzi setupa
smallromanti
cbr eakfastdateforus.Istil
l
haven'
topenedt hegifthegotforme, butIwill
doso.Thet winsar eatschoolandNomkhosi is
around,shesurpri
seduswi thherrandom v isi
ts.

Fir
stIhavetodot helaundr
yandt hencl
eanthe
housethoroughl
y,resti
ngonlyi
ncludedwaki
ng
upabitlat
erthannor malother
wiseIhave
thi
ngstodoar oundthehouse.
Bymi
ddayIam f
inal
l
ydonewi
tht
hel
aundr
y,I
am v
eryexhaust
edandt
heheatdr
ainedme
complet
ely
.
Iwalki
nsi
deoursmal
lki
tchenandgett
he
shockofmyl
if
e.

Nomkhosii
ssi tt
ingdownpeaceful
l
y,enjoying
somechocolatesshefoundinmygiftbag.The
gi
ftbagwasr i
ppedapartandall
thecont ents
arel
ayi
ngaround.
Shegivesmeal ookandconti
nueseat
ingmy
stuff
.ShesawSenzi,andsheknowsverywel
l
thathegotthatgi
ftf
orme.

Ascal
m asIcan,
Iaskher
Me:
Whydi
dyouopenmygi
ftNomkhosi
?
Sher
oll
sherey
esbef
oreanswer
ing
Her:
Ithoughtyouweren'
ti
nterestedi
nit
becauseithasbeenherefordays,soIt
houghtI
shoul
dhel
pyou
Me:
hel
pmebyeat
ingmyst
uff
?
Her
:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkitwoul
dbesuchanissue,
you
woul
dhavegott
ensickeat
ingt
hisal
lal
one

Me:Youknowt hatIwasbusylatel
y,Sibajust
gavebir
thandIsupportedherfull
y.Ialsodon'
t
rushwhenopeninggift
s,youofallpeopleknow
that
.You'
reverydisr
espectf
ulandungr atef
ul
Nomkhosi,youdidthi
stospiteme
Shei
gnoresmeandIt
akewhat
'sl
eftofmygi
ft
andheadtomyroom.

Igetthereandthrowmy sel
fonthebed, l
ett
ing
myt earsfal
ll
ikeawat erfal
l
.Iam ti
redof
shoutingather,Iam t
iredofrepri
mandingher.I
don'
tknowwhatmor eshewant sfrom me,I
havetriedsomanyt i
mes.Ihav eswallowedmy
pri
deforher
,evenbeggedhert
ochangebut
sheisadamantondoingthi
ngsherway
.

Iam mor ehur tthanangry,

thisisadifferent
l
ev elofdisrespectandIdon'tthi
nkIwi ll
lookat
herint hesamemanner .I
tistimeIaccept ed
thef actt
hatInol ongerhaveasi st
er,mysweet
caringsisterisgone.Thatstrangerinmy
kit
cheni sn'tmysister
.

Familyi
ssupposedt osticktoget
herandthe
rel
ati
onshipbetweensibli
ngsshouldbetight
yetInolongerhavethest r
engthtocont
inue
l
ov i
ngsomeonewhowant stohurtme.
Someonewhoi sunappreciat
iveofal
lmy
eff
orts.

I
fitwer
eupt omeIwoul
dkickherouty
ett
his
i
sourparent
shousesoIhavenori
ghtt
odoso.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
VUKI
LE

Ndabezinhl ehadt oleaveandseeherf ami l

y
onceagai n.Thi sti
mei twasur gentandshe
wentt othev il
l
agest oseethem.Iwas
disappointedabi tbecauseIr eal
lywant edt o
spendqual i
tyti
mewi t
hher,yetIdoknowt he
i
mpor tanceoff ami l
y.Iwantedt ospend
Valenti
ne'swi t
hher ,Ihadalotofpl ansf orthat
day.Ienj oyedhermeal t
hatot herdaysoIwas
hopingthatt heonlywayshecanshow
grati
tudei sbyinvit
ingmeov erfordinner.

Idon'
tknowwhati ti
sabouthery ett
her ei
s
somethingpull
i
ngmet oher.Thisfeeli
ngIhave
whenIm withherisexhil
arat
ing,Iwantt obe
wit
hheratallti
mes.Iwantt ofigurethingswit
h
her,
Ifeelbet
teraboutthepersonIam whenI
am wi
thher
.
Shemakesmef eel
li
keahuman,someone
wort
hyofheratt
ent
ionandt
hatmakes
ever
ythi
ngokay
.

Ijustwentt oseemynephew, helooksso

strongandheal t
hy.SeeingMenzisohappy
mademebel i
eveinloveall
overagain,maybe
truelovedoesexistbecauseMenzi andSiba
arepr oofofthat
.IwonderifIwasev erdest
ined
forlove,Iwonderifsomeonewasmeantt olove
thiscruel,
coldheartofmine.
Ist
il
ldon'
tthi
nkI'
m wort
hyoflove,menlikeme
don'
tfal
li
nlove.Wedon'thavehappyendings
andIshoul
dstopenter
taini
ngsuchthoughts.

Acall
distur
bsmyt hought
s,Ismil
ewhenI
r
eal
isethatiti
sfr
om Ndabezi
nhle.
Me:
Nkosazane
Her
:Vuki
l
e..
.
Sheissni
ff
ingandcr
ying,
herbubbl
ycheer
y
voi
ceisgone
Me:Kwenzenj
anint
okazi
?Khul
umanami
(what
happenedmylady?Tal
ktome)
Her
:she'
sgoneVuki
l
e,shei
sgonej
ustl
i
ket
hat
Me:
who?Whathappened?
Her:
Mymot herpassedawayt
hismorni
ng,
whenIwast ol
dtorushhomeurgent
lyi
twas
becauseshewantedtoseeme

Me:
Iam v
erysor
ryt
oheart
hat
..
.
Shei
nter
rupt
sme
Her:
Ihav
etogo,Ij
ustwant
edtolety
ouknow
si
nceIdon'
tknowwhenIwil
lcomeback
ShehangsupandIsi gh,Idon'
tevenknowwhat
Ishouldsaytoher.Loosi
ngalovedonei sn'
t
easy,andIam notgoodwi t
hexpressi
ng
emotions.Shecal
ledmef orareasonthough,I
havetoputthatasideandsupporther
thr
oughout.
Ndabezinhl
eisgoingt
hroughl
otsofstuff
,it
wasv i
sibl
efrom t
hestar
tbefor
eallofthi
s
happened.

Ijustwonderifshewil
lshar
eitwithme, bei
ng
withsomeonewhohasapastl i
kemewi l
lbe
easy.Ialsohaveater
ri
blepastthatIdon'
t
share,somethingt
hattor
mentsmef r
om ti
me
totime.

Iwasn'
tbor
nhear
tl
ess,Iwasn'
tbor
ncruel
.I
wasayoungmanwithaspir
ati
onsandhopes
forthefut
ure,
butgoodpeopl
edon'twi
n.
Certai
nscenari
osmademewhoIam , Iam not
proudofthatbutl
i
feisabatt
leoft
hetoughest.
IhadtochangeanddowhatIhadtodoi norder
tosurvi
ve.

Thereissomet hi
ngaboutNdabezinhl
e,Ihav
e
beensay i
ng.Idon'
tevenent
ertai
nsuch
thoughts,
butbecauseofherIdid.Maybeshe
will
betheonewhowi l
lhel
pmedeal wit
hmy
pastandf i
ndpeace.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTWENTYNI
NE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

Ijustgothomef rom school andIcan'twaitt

o
seemynephew.Qhawei sveryadorable,
Ilove
holdinghi
m andwat chi
nghi m whi
lehismom
restsorbaths.Iwoul dlovetobathhim buthis
parentsareoverprotect
ive,heissti
llt
oosmal l
andt heyt
hinkImi ghthurthim.

Beinginthenur seryi
sv er
ytherapeuti
c,itis
peacefulanditcalmsone' smind.Ilove
everyt
hingaboutbabi es,t
heircutesmall hands,
theirt
inyfeet
,theirbeauti
ful
curlyhairandt hei
r
uniquescent.Hav ingababyi nthehouse
makesi tahome.

Ichangei
ntocl
eancl
othes,
washmyhands
andthenheadtothenurser
y.Ifi
ndt
hem
sl
eepingpeacef
ull
y.Si
baandherPri
nce,I
cannothel
pbuttakeafewpictur
esoft
hem .

Si
ba:
Youl
ovet
aki
ngpi
ctur
esZi
yanda!
Me:
DidIwakey
ouup?I
m sosor
ry
Si
ba:
No,
Iwasn'
treal
l
ysl
eepi
ngbutI
'
mti
red
Me:
Ishekeepi
ngy
ouupatni
ght
?
Siba:yes,
newbornbabiesarev
erydemanding
myl ove.Heissti
ll
unfamil
i
arwit
hhis
surroundingssoheneedsmyattent
ionatal
l
ti
mes
Me:
Youdon'
tev
enl
ookt
ir
ed,
you'
redoi
ngv
ery
wel
lsi
s

Si
ba:Iam t
ryi
ngmylove,
beingamotherisgr
eat
.
Younevergettoot
ir
edoftaki
ngcar
eofy our
l
it
tl
eone. .
.Qhawemaybeahandfulbuthe
meanst
hewor
ldt
ome
Me:
hencey
ounamedhi
m Zwel
ami
Si
ba:
Yes,
howwasschool
?
Me:
i
twasnor
mal
,not
hingmuchr
eal
l
y
Siba:
Pleasewat
chhi
mforabi
t,Iwantt
otakea
bath
Me:
Nowor
ri
essi
s

Shel eavesandIsitatmyfavourit
eplacei nt
his
room.Thecomf ycouchnearthewi ndow,
beforethisroom becomeanur seryIwould
alway scomeher etorel
ax,Iwouldsitonthe
couchl i
steni
ngtomusi candstareoutside.
NowIsi thereandr eadbookswhileIsteal
glancesatQhawe.

Myphoneisoff
,myfatherhasbeensendi
ngme
l
otsofmessagesandIdon'tknowhowto
respondtohi m .Thisal
lseemstoogoodt obe
true.Atf
irstIusedt oenj
oyget
tinghisatt
enti
on,
Ihav eal
way syearnedformyfather
'sloveand
care.Whenher eachedouttomeIputal lmy
fearsasi
deandwel comedhim backintomyli
fe.

Thewi er
dt hingaboutt hi
sisthathet ol
dmet o
keepitallasecr et,hedoesn'
twantmet o
i
nform myf ami lythatwehavef i
xedthings.
Anotherconf usingt hi
ngi
sthathei salways
onli
ne,Iknowt hatmyf at
herisawor kaholi
c
andhei saf ami l
ymansoIdon' tunderst
and
howexact l
yt hatchanged.

May beheistr
yingtomakeupf orlostti
me,
may beIshoul
dagr eetoseehim.Wel l
heasked
toseemeatanear byhotel
,Ihaven'teven
agreedbecausesomehowIf eelnervousabout
i
t.Hehasnev erevencall
edme, weonl ytal
kon
Facebook.

Idon'
twhybutIhaveastrangef
eel
i
ngaboutal
l
ofthi
s,henceIdeci
dedt
ot ur
nmyphoneoff
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Icouldn'tsl
eepthewholenight,t
hinkingabout
myl i
fe.IknowthatIfeelsomesor taway
aroundNdabezinhle.Itmightbetooear lyto
calli
tlovebecauseIdon'tknowifIam capabl e
ofloving.Iam v
eryattr
actedtohert houghandI
knowt hatIneedherinmyl i
fe.Iwil
l fi
gure
thi
ngsoutal ongtheway ,
fornowIneedt o
suppor ther
.

Iwi
l
lfacemypastwhent
het
imecomes.
Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningIam upatt
hecr
ackof
dawn,IaskedNdabezinhletosendmeher
l
ocati
onandshedidt hat.It
'sgoi
ngtobealong
dri
vetotheEast
ernCapebutIhav et
odothis.
_
___
___

WhenIf i
nal
lyar
ri
vethere,aft
erhour sspent
dri
v i
ngIaskhertopleasecomeandseeme.
Shemeet smeatashopt hat'
sabi tfarfr
om
theirhouse.Theminutemyey eslandonher,I
feelasenseofjoyinmyhear t.Painiswrit
ten
alloverher,
yetherbeautyisstil
levi
dent.

Ihugherforagoodcoupleofmi nutesandshe
sobsinmyarms.Iletherbe,It
ellherthatIm
avai
labl
etosupportherandall
wi l
lbewel l
.
Whenshef i
nal
lygetsherstr
engthback, It
ake
hert
omycar .
Her:
Howdi
dyougether
e?Doy
ouknowt
his
pl
ace?
Me:
Igotl
ostact
ual
ly,
whi
chiswhyIgotdel
ayed
.Googl
emapshelpedal
ot
Her:I
m sor
ryaboutt
hat,Isawy
ourmi
ssed
cal
l
sitwasv er
ybusytoday
Me:Icomplet
elyunderst
and,Ij
usthadtocome
andseeyou.Iwant edtoshowy outhatIcar
e
aboutyouandIcanassistyouinanymanner

Her :
ThankyouVukile,y
ouar etookind.Im so
sorryforbei
ngabur denony ou,Ihavenoone
else,Ihavenofri
endsandt hi
ngsbet weenmy
familyandIaren'
tgood.Mymot herandIwer e
verycloseandwegotal ongv er
ywel l
,shewas
theonlypersonwhogenui nel
ylovedmeat
home.Whenshepassedon, notonlydidIloose
amom butIal solostahome
Me:
you'
renotabur
dent
ome,
Iwi
l
lal
way
sbe
avai
labl
etosuppor tyou.Pleasedon'tever
doubtthat
,ifyouneedmej ustl
etmeknow.
Evenifyoujustneedtot al
korcry,Iwill
list
ent
o
youandcomf ortyou.Don'tbesonegat ive,
maybey ouwillf
ixthi
ngswi thyourfamily

Her
:Iam bei
ngreal
i
stic,
theyhat
eme.Nowthat
mymot heri
sgone,Iwil
lnotbewel
comether
e
Me:don'tstr
essaboutal
lofthatnow,
you
shouldfocusonthefuner
al.Howarethe
preparat
ions?
Her:t
heymayt akeawayeveryt
hingtheywant
from me, Idon'tcar
ebuttheywillnotstopme
from honori
ngmymot her
.Iam inchar geofall
thepreparati
onsandsof aral
lisgoingwel l
,her
poli
cyhaspai doutandwear ethinkingoflayi
ng
hertorestnextweekend

Me:
Itwi
l
lbeal
ongdr
aini
ngweekf
ory
ou,
is
t
her
eany
thi
ngy
oumi
ghtneed?
Her
:notr
eal
l
y..
.
Me:Iwaspl
anningtoconti
nuecomingheret
o
checkuponyou,butsi
ncey ou'
rei
nchar
geI
knowyouwon'tbeavail
abl
e
Her
:Asfrom t
omorrowIwi
ll
beeitheronthe
matt
ressorintownmaki
ngpreparat
ions

Me:Iunderst
and,Iwil
lcal
lyoufr
om t
imetot i
me
t
hen.Imv erypr
oudofy ouforst
eppi
nguplike
t
his,youareshowinggreatcour
ageandIknow
t
haty ouwill
honoryourmom well

Shesmi
l
es,
Iam happyt
oseehersmi
l
eagai
n.
Wehav eal ongwayt ogo,webothhave
demonst hatwest i
llneedtof
acebutIam
choosi
ngher ,Ichooset owal
kthi
spathwit
h
Ndabezinhl
e.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTY
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Iendedupst ayi
nglongerthanexpect edinthe
EasternCape.Ndabezinhlewashar dlyavai
labl
e
butshemadet i
met oseeme, eacht imeshe
cameshewoul ddothesamet hing.Shewoul d
cryi
nmyar ms,hersobbingwasf il
l
edwi thpain
andIwi shIcoulddomor eforher.Thepai nis
pier
cingherheartandIfeelusel
ess, IwishI
coul
dcar
ryt
hel
oadonhershoul
der
s.

Icoul dhav estay edinthev i

l
lagecomf or
t i
ngher
fort herestofmyl if
ebutIhadt ogobackt o
Dur ban.Ineedt ocheckonmybusi nessandget
freshcl othessincet hefuneralisinaf ewday s.
Thef i
rstthingIdi dwhenIar ri
vedwast opass
byMenzi 'srestaurant.Ihavebeendel ayingthis
fort oolong, andIneedt odoi t.Inordertostart
myj ourneywi thNdabezi nhl
eIneedt ocl earup
somet hings.

Ifi
ndhim atat
abl
einthecor
nerdoi
ng
somethi
ngonhisl
aptop.

Me:
Baf
o(br
other
)
Heget
supandweshakehands
Hi
m:I
t'
sgoodt
oseey
ouman,
youj
ustl
eft
wi
thoutt
ell
i
ngus
Me:Ihadtohel
psomeoneoutur
gentl
y,I
'
m not
goi
ngt ost
ayheref
orl
ong.
..
I'
mleavi
ngtheday
aft
ertomorr
ow
Hi
m:Vuki
l
ear
eyoui
ntr
oubl
e?

Ichor
tl
e.
Hi
m:ar
eyour
unni
ngawayf
rom somepeopl
e?
Me:NotatallBaf
o,Iam j
usthel
pingaf
ri
end.
Shelosthermotherandshehasnooneto
supporther

Hi
sey
espopopeni
nsur
pri
se.

Him:kaniit
'sa"
she"?Uthul
enendabaengaka
Bafo?(Whyareyouhidi
ngsuch?
)Thisi
s
i
nteresti
ng
Me:
Ther
eisnot
hingt
otel
latt
hemomentMenzi
Hi
m:What
'shername?
Me:Ndabezi
nhl
e,butIdi
dn'
tcomeher
etot
alk
abouther
Hi
m:okay,Ithi
nkIl
i
keheralready
.Youseem
di
ff
erent
,I'
dsayyou'
reglowi
ngbutmendon't
gl
ow...
you'r
ehappyIguess
Me:St
openter
tai
ningSi
baandal
lherf
emi
nine
st
uff,
yousoundli
kehernow

HelaughsandIt
ellhi
mtost
artbei
ngser
ious,
I
don'
thaveall
day.

Hi
m:GoonkeVuki
l
e,bef
orey
oubi
temyhead
of
f
Me:
I'
m notgoodwi
ththeseemot
ional
thi
ngs
Baf
o,youal
soknowthatbutIwi
l
ldomybest
Hi
m:y
es?
??
Me:Iknowt hatIhavewrongedy ouandy our
l
ady ,
notj ustnowbutIal somessedupy our
chi
ldhood.Icont r
oll
edyouandInev erbeliev ed
i
ny ourdr eamsandaspi rati
ons.BafoIputy ou
downev erytimeIgotachanceandIbel i
ttled
you.Ihumbl emy sel
fbeforeyouaskingfor
for
giveness.Imaybeacr uelmanbutt hisi s
genuine, t
hisapologyissincereandIwoul d
appreciateitifyoualsoshareditwit
hSiba
becauseIal sowr ongedher

Hekeepsqui etforsometi
mejustl
ookingatme,
Ineedtocont i
nue.Ineedt
otel
lhi
m exactl
y
whatIplannedtot el
lhi
m.

Me:Imetsomeonenow,someonewhomakes
mev i
ewlif
einadi
ffer
entmanner
.Iwantt
o
st
artafr
eshwit
hher.Shehasapastl
i
keme,I
am will
i
ngt ogoonaj ourneyofselfdi
scovery
wit
hher .BafoIcan'tdoal l
ofthatknowingthat
youhateme, Idon'thaveanyf amilyandIwould
appreci
atehavingmyl itt
lebrother
'ssuppor
t

Him: Idon'that eyouVuki le,atsomepoi ntI

hatedwhaty oudidt ome.Iconv i
ncedmy self
thatIhat ey oubuti nallhonest yIdon'
t,you'r e
mybr otherandy ousacr ificedalotforme.You
fedmeandt ookmet oschool ,youweref orced
tofor getabouty ourdr eamsf orme.Noonei s
perfectandIdon' tbelievei nyourmethodsbutI
am amant oday ,andy ouhel pedmebecome
whoIam . Iam gladt haty oucanseey ourf aults,
Ihav elongf orgiv
eny ou.Iwasj ustwaiti
ngf or
yout oapol ogise
Me:
Youdon'tknowhowr
eli
evedIam t
ohear
t
hat
,thanky
ouBaf o
Hi
m:Sur
e,di
dsheconv
incey
out
oapol
ogi
se?
Me:
who?
Hi
m:Ndabezi
nhl
e
Me:Ihaveal wayswantedt oapologisebutIkept
pushingitaway,tr
yingtowai tfortherightti
me.
Ndabezinhletol
dmeaboutherf amily
,andher
mom' sunexpectedpassingmademer eal
ise
thatli
feistooshort.NdabezinhleandIhada
l
ongconv er
sati
onaboutt hisBafo,andshe
i
nfluencedmydeci siontocomeher e
Hi
m:Sheseemsli
keawisewomanBafo,don'
t
messthi
sup.Il
i
kethemanyou'
rebecoming
Me:
Iwon'tBaf
o,somepeopl
ear
etoopr
eci
ous
t
oletgoormesswith

Hel
aughs
Hi
m:Youhav
eitbadBaf
o
Me:
Leav
emeal
one,
Idi
dn'
tbot
hery
ouabout
Si
ba
Hi
m:Youwoul
dn'
tbeVuki
l
eMhl
ongoi
fyou
di
dn'
t!

Wel aughandweendupeat i
ngsomelunch
together,wearel
aughingandtal
ki
ngasifwe
haven'tseeneachotheri
neons.
_
___
___

Ifeelgood, apologisi
ngwast her i
ghtthi
ngto
do.May benowwewi llstar
tat r
uegenuine
brotherhood,andIam gl adthatheacceptedme
onceagai n.Especiall
yaftereveryt
hingIputhi
m
through.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ATANABANDONEDWAREHOUSEI
NDURBAN
Af i
newealt
hymani sstari
ngatt hepi
cturesof
thi
sgorgeousyounglady.Lustisfi
ll
edinhis
eyesashelooksateveryaspectofherbody ,he
hasaplanforheranddesperatelywantsitto
work.Heisquitehandsome, hecouldgetany
womanhewant s.Actuall
ywoment hr
ow
themsel
vesathim dai
lybutheisnoti nt
erest
ed.

Hewantsnodist
ract
ions,hewil
l getweddedt o
t
hatyoungl
adysoonany ways.SandileDlomo
mayhaveall
themoneyandpower, butheis
f
ail
i
ngtotakecareofhisdaughter.
Heshouldhaveknownbet t
erthantomesswit
h
hi
m, nocompensati
onwilleverbeenoughf
or
al
lthehumil
iat
ionhefaced.
That
'swhyhepr
efersdoi
ngi
tthi
sway
,he
want
stobrui
sehisego.

Hewi
l
lgett
hedaught
er,
wif
eherandmake
chi
l
drenwi
thher
.

Shewill
fir
stst
ayint
hiswar
ehousewhil
ehe
makesplansfort
hem t
oescapetoanot
herci
ty
farawayfr
om her
e.

Wi
l
lthatbeenought
odest
royhi
senemy
?
Sandi
leDlomohast
opayf
orev
ery
thi
ngheput
hi
mt hrough!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Fi
rst
lyIwel
comeal
lnewr
eader
s!
Ihopeyouwi
l
lpar
ti
cipat
eandengagei
nour
stor
y.
Wel
comet
othef
ami
l
ybel
oved!
!

Pl
easer
emembert
ocomment
,reactand
shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Ihavedecidedtoexcl
udeNomkhosi fr
om my
thought
s,thatwayIwil
lhavepeace.Igi
veupon
her,wearenowhousemat es.
Ideci
dedtousethemoneyIsav edupforher
ter
ti
ary
,Iuseditt
ogetnewcl ot hesforthe
twi
nsandaf ewit
emsf ortheirroom.Nomkhosi
wil
lseehowshef i
guresitout,andshest i
ll
needstowri
tethesubjectsshef ail
ed.

Thet
winswer
ever
yhappyandappr
eci
ati
veas
alway
s,andthatmademef eelgood.The
remai
ningamountissti
llsaved,Iwanttodo
somethingf
ormyselforImi ghtr
enovatethi
s
houseattheendoftheyear.

Senzi hasbeenv erysupportivetome, Im

gratefulforthatbecauseIknowhehasal oton
hisplatet oo.Hei sworkinghar dtogethis
companyst arted,herelocatedjustformeandI
am alreadyt roubli
nghim wi t
hmypr obl
ems.I
feelli
keIhav etoomuchbaggage, wecannev er
enjoybei nginlovef ort
ool ong.Mypr obl
ems
alwaysi nterf
ereandhehast osupportme, he
mustbeget t
ingtiredofme.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
SI
BALETHU

Beingamotheri
safullt
imej
ob,t
hereisno
ti
met or
est
.Especi
all
ytoanewborn,
Idon'
t
evensleepthatwel
l
.Ikeepwakingupt ocheck
uponhi m,Idon'
twantanyt
hingtohappento
hi
m.Act ual
lyIwoul
dn'
tfor
givemy sel
fif
anyt
hinghappenedtoQhawe.

Menzispendsal otoftimeher e,somet i

meshe
sneaksinatnightbecauseAuntLi zistr
yingto
keepusapart.Wel lshet hi
nkst hatMenzi
cannotgetenoughofmybodyandshei s
worri
edthatImi ghtfal
l pregnantagai n,
sinceI
am sti
ll
veryfert
ile.Il
aughedsomuchwhenshe
tol
dmet hat,shekeptt elli
ngmet hatMenzi i
s
nolongerhereformenowheshoul dfocuson
Qhawe.

Shewentasf arastel
li
ngmet otakeabreak
fr
om him,becausesheknowswhathappens
behi
ndcloseddoors.Iam st
il
lheali
ngandIam
notabouttogetint
imatewit
hMenzi ,Ihav
e
beent
ryi
ngt
oconv
inceherbutshewi
l
lnothear
i
t.
Sheevent
ookl
eav
efr
om wor
ktohel
pmewi
th
Qhawe.

Iloveheral otbutsheisbei ngdr amat i

cnow,or
may beallparentsareli
ket hat.Itfeelsgoodto
haveamot her,i
tfeelsgoodt ohav ethatbond
withher.Ihavealway swant edt his,Ihave
alwayswant edsomeonewhowi llassistme
whenIhav emyownchi ld.Iwant edagood
mot her
,whowi l
lteachmegr eatv aluesand
l
essonsf ormyownchi ld.Sibongi l
er ai
sedme
i
nherownway ,Iam donehar bour i
ngill
thoughtsabouther .

Shedidwhatshet houghtwasbestf
orme, and
Igotmycour agefr
om her.NowIappreci
ate
that
,it
'sunf
ortunat
ethatwedidn'
thaveagood
relat
ionshi
p.Ihopesheiswellwher esheis,she
wasn' tt
hebestmom butImissher .Lisahas
stoppedaskingmeabouther,Ithinkshehas
nowaccept edit
.Iam happybecausenowshe
canpl aywit
hotherchi
ldr
enandl i
venor mally.I
j
usthopeuDl omowi l
lneverbotherusagai n,
sincehehasnotev encommuni catedwithus.

Ihaveal i
tt
lesecrett
hatIwantt oconfess
about,Menziknowsabouti tobviousl
yandhe
hasbeenv erysupport
ivebutIhav en'
ttol
dthe
family
.Iappli
edthroughUNI SAandIhav e
start
edstudyingLaw.Iwasf ul
lyacceptedto
studyforaBachelorofLaws( LLB).Beinga
l
awy erhasalwaysbeenadr eam ofmi ne.

Ibel
iev
ethatIam av erybr
avewoman, Ihav
e
nofearswhatsoeverandIknowwhatIwant
andhowt ogetit
.Whenmymot herf
orcedme
toworkforheraf
termatri
cIwasv eryhurt,I
evenshowedhertheacceptancelet
tersfr
om
theUni
versi
tyofPret
ori
aandt heUniversi
tyof
CapeTownbutshedi dn'
tcareaboutthat.

Iwasr aisedinahouseofcr iminal

s, t
heyhated
thelawandal li
t'
sempl oy
ee's.Mymot hert
ore
thoselettersinfrontofme, andshet oldme
thatHERdaught erwill
neverbeal awyer.Long
storyshor tIgaveuponmydr eamsandwor ked
forher,mymot herwasaconnect edwomanI
wouldn'thav esurviv
edonmyown.

Iwasheav i
lypregnantwhenIreceivedmy
textbooks.Ihadn'
tevengivenbirt
hy etIknew
thatIhadtodot hi
s.Iwaswor r
iedabouthowI
wasgoi ngtojuggl
ebeingamot heranda
studentbutmysuppor t
iveboyf
riendof f
eredto
helpme.Whi chiswhathehasbeendoi ngsince
day1.

Iwantedt obecomeagoodmot her

,an
educatedmot her
.Menzi
hasadegreeandhe
haswor kedforhi
smoney,Ionl
yhavemy
i
nherit
ance.
IjustwanttobecomethewomanIhav ealways
dreamtofbeing.Ther
ei snothi
ngthatcanstop
me, andIwon'
tabandonSibongil
e'
sbusiness.
Shewor kedhardfori
t,Iwil
lfi
ndawayt omake
thingswork.

Thetaxii
ndustryi
sdanger ous,bei
nguBoss
Babeswasf unindeedbutIam amot hernow.
Myson'ssafetycomesfirst,andIdon'
twantt
o
bedraggedint
ocr i
minalactivi
ti
es.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NARRATED

Ont hatdayhewasj ustannoy ed,hehasbeen

waitingforwhatheassumesi sright
full
yhi
sfor
toolong.Thegi rl
isdelayinghim, sheis
suddenl yunsureaboutseeinghi m atthehot
el.
Thatmakest hi
ngsv eryhardforhi m.He
plannedt otakeherthere,andt henkeepherat
thewar ehouse.Whatannoy shimt hemostis
thatthemanheoncer espectedi str
eati
nghim
l
ikenot hing.
Sandil
eDlomodidn'
tonlystealhi
sbusiness
i
deawhi chheismakingmill
ionsoutofbuthe
al
sowentasf arashumili
ati
nghiminthei rl
i
ne
ofwork.Whythehellwouldhewanttol eave
Durban?
Hehasal waysl
ovedthi
splacebutsuch
humili
ati
onismakinghi
mloosemoney ,he
doesn'
twanttowakeuponedayandr eali
se
thathecannotaf
fordhi
sli
fest
yle.

Hehasnochoicebutt
oleav
eandstar
tov
er
somewher
eelse,damnyouSandi
l
eDlomofor
maki
nghim dothi
s!

NowZi yandawi
l
l best
ucki
namessshewasn't
supposedtobein,hei
sget
ti
ngobsessedwi
th
her.Bi
ngo!
Hej
ustfoundther
ightwayt
odothis,i
tinvol
ves
t
hemother.Hehastogetmorei
nformation
aboutSandi
le'
smother
,ifal
lgoesaccor
dingto
pl
anhewi l
lgethi
sbri
desoonerthanexpect
ed!
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
VUKI
LE

Theconversati
onIhadwi t
hMenziwasexact
ly
whatIneededinor dertobecomethemanI
wanttobe.Ifeltl
i
ght erandhappi
eraf
ter
wards.
Aft
erchecki
ngallmybusinessesandmaking
suret
hatall
iswellIwenttobacktothev
il
lage.
Ihadtosuppor
tmyl ady.Don'
tevenaskme
whyIcall
edherthat,
conti
nuereadi
ngandlet
mebe.Ineedpeacei nmylif
e.

Ont hedayofthefuneralIworeoneofmybest
sui
tsandwentt oherhouse, shehasqui
tea
l
argef ami
ly
.Ithurtst
hatnotev enoneofthem
caresabouther,shepracti
call
yhasnohome
nowy etthey
'r
eali
veandwell
.Ifi
rstmakesure
toleaveanenvel
opewithmycontri
buti
onand
thenItakeaseatneart
hefarendofthetent
.

Everythi
ngl ookswel l
, t
hismi ghtbenof ancy
funeralwithexpensiv estuffbuti ti
sverydecent.
Ndabezi nhl
edi dwell,thereceptionlooksgood
andhermot herwi l
lbel ai
dinacasket .The
thoughtofhel pingherwi ththepr eparati
ons
fi
nanciallywasonmymi ndqui t
ef r
equently,y
et
Icouldn'tdoit.Ift
her eisonet hingIhav elear
nt
aboutNdabezi nhleithast obet hef actthatshe
i
si ndependent ,
shel ovesdoi ngt hi
ngsfor
herself.

Giv
inghermoneywoul dhav elookedl i
kesome
sortofdisr
espect,especial
l
ysincet hisisher
mot her
'sburi
al.Ihadtoletherdot hingsher
wayandhonorhermot hert
hewayshet hi
nksis
thebest.Shei
sastr
ongwomant hough,
she
sangwithtear
sgl
ist
eni
nginhereyesandthen
shesaidanamazi
ngspeech.

Imayhav enev ermetNdabezi nhle'smot herbut

Iknowt hatshewasagoodwoman, shewasan
honorablewomani nthecommuni tyandmost
i
mpor tantl
yshewasanamazi ngmot her.
Ndabezinhleisli
v i
ngevidenceoft hat,shewas
rai
sedwel landshei soneoft hefewgoodgi rl
s
l
eft.Sheisgenui neandpur e,
ar arebr eedandit
i
sal lt
hankst othewomanl ayi
ngi nthatcasket.

Ihaveat t
endedaf ewf uner
alsandifther
ei s
onethingthatIcansayaboutwhatIhav e
observed,wouldbet hatmoneyisn'tever
ythi
ng.
Money ,powerandf amei sgoodtohav e,
it
makesonef eel
greatindeedbutitisn'
t
ever
ything.Therearelotsofpeoplewhohav e
beenburi
edint
hemostexpensi
vecaskets,
had
excl
usi
vefuner
alsy
ett
heceremonyit
selfwas
empty.

Somethi
ngwascl
ealyl
acki
ng,becauseno
matt
erhowmanypeopleli
eandsayy ouwer
ea
goodper
sonbuti
fyouweren'
titshows.
TodayIam at
tendi
ngafuneral
ofawomanwho
di
dn'thav
emi l
l
ionsi
nheraccount
,butshehad
agoodheartandshewaskindtoother
s.
Peoplecamei nnumberst
opayt heirl
ast
respect
s,ev
er yseatwasf
il
led.Iev
enof f
eredt
o
stand,andletsomeoneel
set akemyseat .

Tomet hisisahugelesson,Idon'
twantmy
funeraltofeelemptyorlackinsomemanner ,
I
don'twantittoseem li
keaf ormal
it
y .Idon'
t
havef r
iendsandInearlylostt
heonlyf amil
yI
have.Iwantmyf uner
albeanhonor ableone.
Power
ful
andemot
ional
li
ket
hisone.

I
nordertohavethatIhav etobecomeabetter
mant oNdabezi
nhle,abetterbrot
heranda
bet
termaninsociety.Idon'tknowhowexactl
yI
wil
ldothatbutIhavesuppor t,
andthat
motiv
atesme.

Shei ssmil
ingatme, Idon'
tknowhowshe
spottedmyf acei
nt hi
scrowdbutIwi nkather.
Theser v
iceisnearl
yover,l
etmej oi
ntheot her
men.Iknowaf ewofthem sinceIhel
pedt hem
withthepreparat
ionofMama' sfi
nalrest
ing
place.

Ndabezinhlecouldn'
tst
opsmili
ngthatday,
maybeIl ookhandsomei nov
erall
s,hol
dinga
spade,workinginthesunanddrenchedin
sweat!
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLENGCOBO

Thefuneral
isnowov er
,Isawhercasketather
fi
nalr
esti
ngplace.Thegravewasfil
ledupand
i
twil
lneverbeopened,Iwi l
lnev
erhearmy
mother'
ssweetvoiceagain.
Iwil
lneverseehermesmer isi
ngsmile,
orhug
heragai
n.Ididn'
tevengettocompleteher
house,i
twassupposedt obeagi f
ttoshow
grat
it
udeforallhersacr
if
ices.I
thurt
sthatmy
motherneverl
i
vedt
oexper
ienceal
lthatIhad
pl
annedforher.

ButtheysayGod' sti
mingisthebest .Whoam I
toquestionhim?Weal lknowt hatdeathis
i
nev i
tabl
e,ital
way scomesasasur pri
se.Itwi
ll
neverbeeasyt oacceptanditcomeswi thpai
n
butitisboundtohappen, aslongaswear esti
ll
ali
ve.Weal lhaveanappointmentwi thdeath.

Sincethereisabsol ut
elynothingwecando
aboutit,i
tisbestwel iveourl i
vestot hef ul
lest.
Lifei
stooshor tt
ol iveinmi sery,dowhaty ou
wantandbehappy !Accepty ourfaults,
apologiseifyouhav etoandmov eon.Ther eis
not i
met ohar bourbi t
terfeeli
ngsi ny ourheart.
Letyourpai npiercey ourhear t
,letitalloutand
thenletlovefindy ou.Itisthelov ethatwi l
lbring
youbackt ol i
fe.
Everyonehasbeenser ved,Iwasabi tworri
ed
aboutthatsincet
herewasl otsofpeopl e
present.Themenseem t obesat i
sfi
edwi t
h
theiral
coholi
cbeveragesandsomef ami l
y
member swi l
lbeleavi
ngt oday .Idon'
teven
knowwhatt odowithmy self,Ihavealready
hiddenallofmymot her'
spr eciousstuff
becauseIdon'ttr
ustthem.
_
___
___
__

Any
way
sletmei
ntr
oducemy
sel
f.
Ibeli
ev emynameandsur namei salready
known. Iam origi
nall
yfrom KZN, Igrewupatmy
grandpar entshouse.Mychi ldhoodwas
amazi ng, wedidn'
thavemuchy etIwasahappy
chil
d.Sadl ymygr andparent
spassedaway
whenIwasst i
llayoungchild.Ahor ri
blecar
accidentt ookthem unexpectedlyandIhadt o
mov
esomewher
e.

Iwasst i
llachil
dy etIremembert hepainIwent
through.Ididn'
tunderstandhowi tispossi
ble
thatmygr andparentshav ediedyetIhadwoken
them upt hatmorningandmadet eaforthem,
theywer ehappy,wellandaliveyetlat
erthatday
Iwast oldthatIwouldnev erseethem again.
Ididn'
tunder
standwhyIhadtoleav
et heone
placeIhadgrowntolove,
togoandliv
ei n
anotherpl
acethatIknownot
hingof.

Mymot hergotmar ri
edwhenIwas4y earsold,
shemarriedintotheNyawuzafamily
.SinceI
hadnooneIhadt ostaywit
hthem.Myst ay
wit
hthem wasn' tsuchagoodone,theydidn't
l
ikeme.Act ual
lythewholefami
lyhatedmy
motherandI .Mymot herdi
dn'
thaveanyot her
chi
ldr
enwi t
hherhusbandwhi chledtohim
t
aki
ngasecondwi
fe.

Mymot herwasr educedtonothi

ng,theysaidal
l
sort
sofinsults.Shewashur taboutthis,she
al
sowant edchi l
drenwithherhusband.She
di
dn'tknowwhyshecoul dn'
tconceive,andshe
coul
dn'taffor
dt oseeadoct or
.Mymot herwas
uneducatedandshewasahousewi f
e, she
coul
dn'tl
eav eherhusbandbecauseshehad
nowheret ogoandshehadnot hi
ng.

Womenar eof t
ent oldt ostaysubmissive,and
endureall
sortsoft reatmentf r
om men.They
aretol
dfrom ay oungaget hattheyshould
worshipmen.Mymot herwasanol dfashioned
woman, over
timeIgr ewupandsawt hatour
si
tuati
onwasn'tgoodatal l.Nomat terhow
muchIbeggedher, shedidn'twanttoleav e.I
evensuggestedgoi ngbackhomei nKZNbut
whowantst
oret
urnt
othei
rhomet
ownwi
th
not
hing?

Shewasgoi ngt ogethumili

atedsowehadt o
stay.Wewat chedthesecondwi fegett
ingall
theglor
y,shebor eMrNy awuzamanyki ds.The
hatewasal waysthere,
andf avouri
ti
sm.The
secondwifeandherchi l
drengotev er
ythi
ng
theydesi
red.MrNy awuzaboughtahugehouse
forthem i
nt ownwhilemymot herandIstay
ed
i
nasmal l
hut.

Thefamil
ylovedthesecondwif
e,mymother
gothumil
i
ated.Iaskedherwhywecoul
dn't
l
eavebecausethingsar
egett
ingwor
se..
.butit
washopeless.
Shewasclearl
ystayi
ng,MrNyawuzasentus
moneyeachmont h.I
thel
pedusgetby,
my
motherwouldalsogetpi
ecej
obsi
ntown.The
gl
oryofbeingahousewif
ewasgone.She
managedtobuil
da2r oom houseandanot
her
bi
ggerroundhut
.Sincei
twasonlythetwoofus
,i
twasenough.

Thepr oblem wast hati

twasbui l
tonMr
Nyawuza' sland.Itwaspar tofthehuge
homest ead, t
heaunt s,uncles,
cousinsandthe
wholef amil
ywasnear by.Theymadeourl if
e
miserable,weev entual
lygotusedt othei
r
i
nsult
sandquar reli
ng.
Li
fewenton.

Ididwelli
nthel
ocalpr
imaryschool
andt
hen
proceededtohi
ghschool
.
Attheageof16Istartedfi
ndinghol i
dayj
obs
andIhelpedmymot herout.Ifi
nishedmatri
c
andIhadt ost
ayathomef or2y earsdueto
l
ackoffunds.Mymot herkeptpray i
ngforme,
webot
hwor
kedhar
dandsav
edmoney
.
ThroughGod'sgraceIsavedenoughmoneyto
payforregi
str
ati
onandr esonthe3rdy
ear.

Mymot herkeptpr ayi

ngforme, Iwasatt he
Universit
yofFor tHarestudyingtowar dsa
bachelorofeducat iondegree.NSFAScame
throughf ormeandmymot herst opped
wor r
ying,itwasv eryhar
dfitti
ngin.Iwasf rom a
poorbackgr oundandIalway shadt osend
moneyhome.Icoul dn'
taff
or dtodr essupin
fancyclot hesandgoout .

Igotdepr essedandIfai
ledmyf i
rstyear
.It
cameasashockbecauseIwasabr ight
student,peoplesaidal
lsort
soft hingsabout
whyIf ai
led.Icouldn'
tevenfacethem butmy
mot herdidn'
tjudgeme,wet alkedaboutitand
shet ol
dmet oretur
nbackandwor kharder.She
keptpushi
ngmeev
enaf
terIhadl
osthope.

Itwasal ongj ourneybutintheendIgotmy

degree.Ithoughtev ery
t hi
ngwouldgowel landI
wouldf i
nallygettospoi lmymom.
UnfortunatelyIcouldn'
tgetajob,Istayedfor
anotheryearl ookingaroundhopelessly
.A
prophetwemeti ntownanotherdayt ol
dme
thattheper sonbehindal lmymisfort
uneisthe
secondwi fe.

Agai
nweprayedandIleftt
heEasternCape,
whenIar
ri
vedinDurbanIfoundajob.Ist
art
ed
savi
ngmoneyandthingsstar
tedl
ookingup.

Nowt hatever
ythingwasgoi ngwellforme, t
he
Nyawuzaf amil
yst ar
tedmaki ngdemands.Ihad
t
obuygr oceri
esf orthem andhelpthem out
f
inancial
ly
, mystepfathersuggestedthatI
shoulddothatsi
ncehehasbeenhel
pingusal
l
theseyear
s.Basi
call
yIwaspayi
ngal
lthe
moneyhespentonus.

AgainIhadt oshutupanddoasIwast old,

theywer edel
ay i
ngmebutIcont i
nuedsav ing.
Fastforwardtonow, mymot her'
shousei s
nearl
ycompl ete.Ihavealr
eadyordered
every
thingthatwillbeneededfortheroofand
thepaintwassupposedt obedel i
veredtoday.

Thehouseis80%complet
ed,
thati
swhathur
ts
themost.If
ail
edt
ofi
nishi
tonti
mef ormy
mother
.
Herdeathisalsoconfusing,i
tcameasashock
becauseshewasokaywhenwel astt
alked.She
hadaslightt
ummybugf orafewday sandt hen
shegotdehydrated,t
hingsescalatedandshe
keptl
oosingherstrengthasthoughsomet hi
ng
waseatingherupinside.Thedoct
orcouldn't
seewhatwast heproblem andgaveherpil
ls,
whichdidn'
twork.Insteadshegotworsetil
l
shedied.

ThedayVuki l
eandImet,Iwasshoppingf or
Makazi we,sheisoneoft
heauntswhoi ll
treat
edus.Shewaswai ti
ngformeatmyf lat,
thispersonhasacarandshecanaf f
ordher
l
ifesty
ley etshesentmealongl
istofstuffthat
Ihadt obuyf orher
.

Iwant edtodosomuchf ormymot heryetI

couldn't,Ior
ganisedafuner
al f
orherwithher
poli
cypay outonl
y .Idi
dn'
tevenhavemoneyt o
addt oitbecauseIam drowningindebt
s.

Inol
ongerhav
eahome, Idon'
tev
enhave
fami
l
y.Thi
sisjustasni
ppetofmysadl
i
fe,
Vuki
lewantsustoembarkonajour
neyofsel
f
di
scover
ytoget
her.Thet
houghtal
onei
sscary,I
don'
twanttodealwit
hmypast.

Lif
ehasneverbeent
ooeasyforme,Idon'
t
thi
nkhedeserv
esme.I'
m damagedgoods.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
Apol
ogi
esf
orpost
ingl
ate.
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE
Sundaywasav erybusyday ,somepeoplestil
l
camei nhopet ogetal cohol
icbeverages.Some
j
ustcamet o"support"t hefamil
yandot her
s
werehel pi
ngout .MrNy awuzaandhi sfamily
l
eftyesterday,hewasj usttherebecausehehad
tobepr esent,hedidn'treal
lycareandhe
seemedqui tehappyf oraper sonwhohadj ust
l
osthisseni orwife.

Ndabezinhletol
dmet hatwear el
eav i
nglater
on,thi
sfami l
yhateshersot hereisnoneedf or
hertostay.Anotherthingthat'swor r
yingheris
work,shehasbeenabsentf ort oolongandshe
needsthemoney .Idon'tknowmuchbutshe
keepssharingsomeper sonaldetail
sabout
hersel
f.

Thi
smat
terdr
ainsher
,ev
enherey
esl
ooset
hei
r
sparkwhenshet alksabouti t.Iknowweal l
haveapast,weal lstart
edsomewher ebuther
pastseemslikenot hi
ngbuthel l
.Ittort
uresher,
makingherloosehopeandt helov eofli
feit
self.
IknowIam notper fect,Isti
l
l havet odealwith
myownpasty etIwi l
lsupporthert hroughout
thi
swholejourney.Whenl ovefindsy ou,i
t
changesyourv i
ewsonl i
fe.

Lovi
ngNdabezi
nhl
emakesmeabetterman,a
happi
erman.Andyesy
oureadr
ight
,Il
oveher
.
_
___
_

Ataround2pm shecal lsmet ell

ingmet hatshe
i
sreadyt oleave.Ipackedlongago, Ihave
al
readybat hedtoo.Iwasjustcheckingmy
emailstr
yingtopasst i
me.If indherwai t
ingfor
meatt helocalshopandshegr eetsmewi tha
ki
ssont hecheek.I m smil
inglikear et
ard,
you'
dswearI
'
m asmall
babywai
ti
ngeager
lyf
or
hismom'
sembrace.

Me:
Munt
'omuhl
e(beaut
if
ull
ady
)
Shesmi
l
esbef
oreanswer
ingme
Her
:Nj
omanewami
(Vuki
l
e'scl
anname)

Shewasmadet ocal
lmelikethat,oBhebhe
bavumil
e!Nanguumakotiwabo!( The
ancest
orsappr
ove,t
hisi
sthei
rwi f
e!)

Me:
Readyt
ogo?
Her:
Ihaveneverbeenmoret
hanready
,If
eel
l
ikethi
sisthestar
ttogr
eatt
hings
Me:I
m gladt
hatyou'
reposi
ti
ve,
regar
dlessof
ev
erythi
ngyouhavebeenthr
ough
Her
:t
hingswon'
tchange,
ifIchooset
odwel
lon
t
hatIwon'
tev
erf
indpeaceandhappi
ness
Me:youshouldn'
tevenbel
ookingforsuch,you
deserv
eallthepeaceandser
enitythatt
his
worldhastooffer

Her
:Idon'twantmuch,t
heworl
dowesme
not
hing.Ijustwantt
oheal
andmoveon
Me:
I'
llbewit
hyouever
ystepoft
heway
,you'
l
l
bef
ine.I'
l
lmakesur
eofthat
Her:
Iknowyouwil
l
,andItrustyou.Whichi
s
whyIhavemadeadecisi
onwi t
hr egar
dsto
whatyouaskedme..
.

Me:Youdon'
thavetoanswermenow, t
akeall
theti
meyouneed.Wear enotrushi
ngany wher
e.
Ishoul
dn'
thaveaskedyou,especi
all
yatthis
ti
me...
Shest
opsme
Her
:Vuki
l
e
Me:
Munt
'omuhl
e?
Her
:st
oppani
cki
ng,
you'
reev
ensweat
ing

Iwipemyf orehead,sheisri
ght.Ihavebeen
ramblingi
nf ear,
notevennoti
cingthatIam
sweatingprofusel
y.TobehonestIam nervous,
yesIdowantt obewit
hNdabezi nhl
ebutIam
scared.
I
'
m scaredofhur
ti
ngher,I'
m scar
edofbeing
r
eject
edandmostimportantl
yIam scar
edof
l
osingherwhenIhav
ejustfoundher.
Iam nowherenearper
fect
,act
ual
l
yI'
m notev
en
deserv
ingofherlov
e..
..

Her
:Vuki
l
eIwantt
odot
his.
..
Isnapoutofit,
Iam busyt
hinkingaboutal
lthat
couldpossi
blygowrongmissingsucha
beauti
fulmoment.

Me:
whatdoy
oumeanNdabezi
nhl
e?
Her:
Imeant hatIam wi
ll
ingtogiv
eyoua
chance,i
fyou'r
esti
ll
int
erestedwecanst
arton
ourjour
neyofselfdi
scovery
Me:
huh?

Idon'tknowi fi
t'
smyear sormymout hthat
mayhav elosti
tsfunct
ion,Ican'
tseem to
beli
evewhatIj usthear
dnorcanIr epl
y,i
nstead
Ij
ustst areatherwithmyhugeey esti
ll
she
star
tsgi ggl
ing.

Her
:t
hisi
sthepar
twher
eyouanswerme.
..
Me:
huh?.
..
Imeany
es,
absol
utel
y!

She'
ssmilesatmeandIhughertight
ly.No
wordscanexpresst
hej
oyIam feeli
ngr i
ght
now.

Her
:Ijustneedyoutobepatientwi
thme,
I
wouldlikeustotaket
hingsslowl
y
Me:
asy
ouwi
shmyl
ady
_
___
___

Afewhour slaterwear ri
veinDurban,wehada
l
engthyconv er
sationalongtheway .Wet al
ked
aboutourfuture,andasuncer t
ainasitcouldbe,
onethingthatwon' tchangeisourl
ovef orone
another!
I
tgi
vesushopeandassur
ancet
hatal
lwewi
sh
t
oseeshal
lhappen.
Whenwear riveatherfl
atwef i
ndhercl
othes
outsi
de,l
uckil
yherneighborwaswatchingthem
forherandtherearesecuri
tyguar
dsaround.

Me:
Doy
ouknowany
thi
ngaboutt
his?
Her:
No, butIguessIshoul
dn'
tbesur
pri
sedI
di
dn'tpaytherentthi
smonth
Me:Cal
ltheownermaybeyouguy
scanr
each
somesor tofagr
eement

Shetakesherphoneoutandst
aresatitf
ora
whil
e,shel
ooksshockedatwhatshejustsaw

Her:
Itwasonsil
ent
,ther
e'samessagef r
om the
l
andlor
d.Heisdemandinghismoneyandhe
ki
ckedmeout ,
apparent
lyIam t
roubl
inghim
andther
ewasabet t
ercandidat
ethatneededa
pl
acet
ost
ay
Me:t
hat'
sver
yunf
air
,butIst
il
li
nsi
stt
haty
ou
cal
lhi
m
Her
:no,i
t'
stoolatethenewt enantwi
llmov
ein
any
time.He'
sright,
Ihavebeennot hi
ngbuta
pai
ntohim.I'
l
lfindanotherplace

Me:
whataboutt
oday
?It
'sl
ateNdabezi
nhl
e
Her:
Iwil
lseewhatIcando,t
hankyouf
or
ever
ythi
ngVuki
le.Youcangonow
Me:Iam notgoi
nganywher
e,act
uall
ywhydon'
t
youcomet omyhouse.Il
iv
eallal
one
Her
:yourhouse?I
sn'
ti
ttooear
lyf
ort
hat
?

Me:Iwi
llsl
eepwell
knowi ngthatyou'
resaf
e,
squat
ti
ngatsomepl ace.Youdon'thavefr
iends
Ndabe,j
ustcometomypl ace.Youdon'
thave
todoanythi
ng,y
oucanev ensleepi
ntheguest
r
oom i
fy ouwanttoIdon'
tmind.Ij
ustwanty
ou
t
obeinasaf eplace,
you'
vedeal
twithal
ot
r
ecent
ly.Justr
elax

Her:
You'
vedonet
oomuchal
ready
,Icannot
acceptt
hat
Me: AndI
'm wi
l
li
ngtodomore,
rememberwhen
yousaidyouwantedt
oshowsomegrati
tude
sinceIhel
pedyouout
?
Her
:yes?
Me:youcandot hatbypr
epari
ngsupperatmy
houseandsleepingover
.Notwit
hme, asIsai
d
youcansleepintheguestr
oom
Her:I
'
m nott hatki
ndVukile,
Idon'twantyout
o
spendy ourmoneyonme.I '
m goingthr
ougha
roughpatchbutIwi ll
fixmylif
e,andaffor
dmy
ownl i
festy
le.Idon'tneedanysav i
ng
Me:
Iknowt
hatNdabe,
I'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
ohel
p
Her:
fi
ne,
I'
llgotoyourplacebutassoonasI
f
indanot
herplaceIwil
lleave.Angekengi
ki
pit
e
mina!
(Iwil
lnotst
aywi t
hy ouunlawful
l
y)
Me:
Ngi
kuzwakahl
eNt
okaz
i(Iheary
oumyl
ady
)

ShenodsherheadandIhelphert
akeher
cl
othestot
hecar.Umfazi
wami uyaekhay
a
kwaNjomane!

(
Mywi
fei
sgoi
nghome)

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTHI
RTYFI
VE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

OnMondayaf ter
noonIretur
nedf r
om schoolt
o
fi
ndmygr annyinaverygoodmood.Iwas
eagertohearwhyshewassohappybecauseI
hadalongdayandIjustwant edtoeatandrest
abitbefor
eIstudyl
ateron.Shewassi ngi
ng
gospelsong'
satthetopofherv oi
ce.

Me:
Grannywhyar
eyoui
nsuchagoodmood?
Her:Godisfi
nall
yansweri
ngmypr ayer
s,
Sandil
eiscomingbacktohissenses
Me:
Whathappened?
Her:
Hesentmeamessageear l
ieron,
andhe
tr
ansferr
edsomemoneyf orus.Whenlastdi
d
hedot hat
?IthoughtIhadlostmysonf or
ever
Me:
Hest
oppedsendi
ngusmoney
?
Her:
yesf
oracoupl
eofmonths,
Itr
iedcal
l
ing
hi
m buti
twon'
tgothr
ough

Me:Doyouthi
nkwewil
lev
erbeaproperf
ami
l
y
agai
n?Thathewi
ll
lov
emel i
kebef
ore?
Her:
Idon'tknowmychi l
d,Sandi
leist
oo
absorbedinhisownli
feandhisfamil
y.He
apologi
sedthough,
themesagehesentseemed
si
ncere.Let'
shopethathewillr
eachout
Me:
Ifdadev
erdecidedtocontactmesay
ing
t
hathewantsustofixt
hings,
whatshoul
dIdo?

Her:
Yourf atherisn'
taperf
ectmanZi yanda,at
somepoi ntheshowedy ouexactl
yhowmuch
helovedy ou.Hemaybeanabsentf atherbutI
bel
ievethathel ovesyou,you'
rehi
seldest
daughter
.Hemi ghtnotshowhi sl
ovef ory
ou
butIbelievethathecaresaboutyou.Heasked
met otakegoodcar eofyouandrai
sey ouwell
,
hehadt hebesti nt
erestsathear
tbecausehe
knewt hatyoudon'tgetalongwithyour
stepmother.Ifhewant stofi
xthi
ngsdon'tpush
him away ,
fir
sthearhim out
Me:Ifher eallylovesmeashecl aimswhy
couldn'themaket i
mef orme?Acal l
ev erynow
andt hen, av i
sitperhaps?Hecoul dn'tgranny,
yetheknewt hatIneededhi m.AllIeverwant ed
washi slov eandat tent
ion,Idesperatel
yneed
thatbuthei sfocusedonhi swi f
e.Inev erasked
tobet he" otherchil
d",Ididn'tasktobebor n
outofwedl ock

Her:Iknowmybaby ,
andI '
m sor ry
.Hehaslet
youdownt oomanyti
mes, buty ouwil
lbef
ine.I
alsotri
edtalki
ngt
ohim buthei sastubborn
manandy ouknowthat.Ifeell
ikeIhaveal
so
fail
edy ou,
Ishoul
dn'
thav ejustall
owedhimto
abandony oul
ikethat
.Iwi
ll
trycal
l
inghi
m orI
wil
ljustgoandseehim,heneedstodori
ghtby
you.Nowst opcry
ingandcomehere

Ididn'treal
isethatIam crying,Igot oherand
shehugsme.Shecomf ortsmewhi l
eIcr yinher
arms.Thi smat terisaverysensi t
iveonet ome,
nomat terhowhappyIam i tst i
llmakesmecr y
i
fIt al
kabouti t
.Thev oi
dmyf atherlefti
st oo
much, i
tcannotber epl
acedorf il
l
edbyany one
el
se.Ioncewentt hewrongr outet hi
nkingt hatI
am t r
yingtofil
lthatvoi
dbutIwasonl yf ooling
my self.

AsIgr
owolder
, i
tbecomesmorepai
nful
.Ineed
hi
m morenow,heistheonl
ypar
entIhav
e.
IguessGr
annyi
sri
ght,
eventhoughhehaslet
medownIshoul
dforgi
vehim.Hewantstosee
meandhehasbeenwaiti
ngformetomakea
deci
sion.
NowIknowwhatIneedt
odo.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NARRATED

TWOWEEKSLATER

Iti
sanotherdayandev er
yoneseemseager
aboutit
.Notknowingthatthei
rli
vesareabout
tochangeforev
er,butbefor
ewegett othatl
et'
s
star
there.

Sibal
ethuisonehappywomant oday,hersonis
turni
ng1mont hold.Qhaweisabri
ght,
energeti
cyoungchil
d,heisador
ableandi nj
ust
amont hhehasshownsuchgr owthandgood
healt
h.Bothofhisparent
sarehappy,they'
re
newatt hi
sbuttheyseem tobedoi
ngv er
ywell
.
SibaandMenzi
arehands-
onpar
ent
sandt
hey
surel
ymakeagoodteam.
_
___
___
___

Vukileisupwi thbigsmi l
es,t
hewomanhe
l
ov eshasbeeni nhishousefortwoweeksnow.
Afterlotsofconv i
ncing,Ndabezinhl
eagreedt
o
stayatVuki l
e'
shouseunt i
lshesor t
sher
fi
nanci ali
ssues.Vukileseemst obedoingwell
atthisboy f
ri
endingt hi
ng,whosai dtaxi
owner
s
can'tloveawomani nt heri
ghtmanner ?
Lovereall
yisn'
taboutyouroccupat
ionort
he
peopleyousurroundyoursel
fwit
h,lov
ecan
changeone.Vukilei
sproofofthat.
Theyhavealongwayt
ogo,
butwi
thhi
spar
tner
theywi
ll
conqueri
tal
l.
Thatkindofl
ovei
srar
e,Ndabezi
nhl
eknows
thatt
oo.
_
___
___

Ont hisdayZi yandai ssitti

ngi nahot el wait
ing
forher" f
ather", shehasf inallyagreedt osee
him.Shedoesn' tknowany t
hingaboutt he
dangert hatawai tsher.Shei sjustat eenager
yearningforherf ather
'slove.Shei sbei ng
draggedi ntoagr uesomegamebecauseofher
father.Sheisi nnocenti nalloft hi
s,shemay
hav emessedupawhi lebackbyget t
ing
i
nv olv
edwi t
hRoyandsubst anceabusebutshe
i
sagoodchi ld.Shedi dthatoutofal lthepain
shewentt hrough, shefixedherl i
feandshehas
keptherpr omi set oSibaandhergr anny.
Unfor
tunatelyinthiswor
ld,goodpeopleare
cr
ucifi
edforot hers.Amerebusinessdealgone
wrong,andnowagoodchi ldwithavery
pr
omi si
ngf uturewill
suf
fertheconsequences.
Wher
eist
hehumani
tyi
nourpeopl
e?
Casesli
kethisar
ethereasonwhygender
basedvi
olencecont
inuestogr
ow,women
di
sappeardail
y.
Whathappensaf
ter
war
dst
hough?
Not
hing.

Theybecomejustanot
hername,
par
toft
he
ri
singst
ats.

_
___
___
_

ForNompi loi
twasj ustanothernormalday,yet
i
twasr atherdull
andodd.Todayshewokeup
withaheav yheart
,nothi
ngisbot her
ingherbut
shewasf eeli
ngsad.Herr el
ationshi
pwithSenzi
i
sst i
ll
goingwell,andthetwinsmadebr eakfast
forherthatmorning.Theytoldherhowmuch
t
heyl
oveandappr
eci
ateherandshej
ustcr
ied.
Theirrel
ati
onshipwiththetwinshasalways
beenl i
kethi
s,theyhaveastrongbondandt hey
expressthei
rlovetoher.Shedidn'
twantt ocr
y
butshewasj ustfeel
ingemot i
onal,t
heyalso
forcedhertotakelotsofpi
cturesandvideos
together.

Theywer esohappyt hattheywereablet o

preparesuchaf i
nemeal forher.Andy es,t
hey
i
ndeedwental lout.Afull
Englishbreakfast,
freshorangej
uiceandcof feetoo.Whoknew
thatthi
steam coulddosomet hingsosweet ?
Andwhendi
dtheyl
ear
ntocook?
SeewhyNompi l
olov
est
hem ?Theyar
eher
preci
ousangel
s.

Mpi
l
olef
tfeel
i
ngabi
tbet
ter
,butassoonas
shear
ri
vedatworkthesadfeel
i
ngsret
urned.It
wasalongdayforher
,andwhenshewasr eady
togohomeitst
artedr
aini
ngheavi
l
y.
Thunderandli
ghti
ngfoll
owed,wit
hheavywinds
.Itwasahorri
ficstor
m, t
heel
ectri
cit
ywentout
andtheroadswereclosedduetothedamage
causedbythestorm.

Theyhadtostayint herestaurantforhour
s,
becausei
twasunsaf eoutdoorsandwheni t
seemedli
kethest orm wasov ershehadt ocal
l
Senzitof
etchher.Itwascl earthatshewil
lbe
spendi
ngthenightwi t
hhim.
Theroadsarecl
osedandi
tis11pm ,
shehas
nochoice.

Herhear
tstil
lfeel
sheavy,nowshejustwants
tocr
y.Hereyesaregli
steningwi
thtears,
and
shei
swor r
iedaboutthetwinssi
ncethereisno
elect
ri
cit
y.Shemakesamental
notetobuy
them acell
phonef
orti
mesl
ikethese.

Shecall
sNomkhosi andafterfor
evershe
answerssayingthattheyarefi
ne.Mpi l
owi l
lnot
beabletosleepwellthough,shewillonlybe
okayoncesheseest hem inthemor ning.
Whethertheroadsareclosedornot ,sheis
goinghome.Shewoul drat
hermisswor k.

Meanwhi l
eNomkhosi hasbeenabsor bedi
nself
pit
yf orawhilenow, herf or
merclassmat esare
i
nuni ver
sityandsomear eworki
ngandshei s
sit
tingathomedoi ngnot hi
ng.Sheal sowants
toleavethetownshi pandl i
veabet terli
febut
shehasnopl an.Thetwi nsaresleeping
peacefull
y,it
'sverylat
ebutherboy f
riendisst
il
l
up.
Shecall
shimt ocomeandf et
chher,he'
sthe
onlygoodthingi
nherl
ife.Shewouldr at
her
spendthenightwit
hhi
mt hanhere,
Nompi l
owill
ret
urninthemorningt
onagherandshei sti
red
ofthat
.

Thecandlei
ssti
l
l l
it,sheseemst ohave
for
gott
enaboutthat.Herboyf
ri
endhasar r
ived
andsheismoreexcitedaboutthat.Shel
ocks
thedoorandl
eaves.

Ay
enzi
weandAphendul
ear
elef
tal
lal
one.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTHI
RTYSI
X
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

Ihavebeenwai ti
ngf orawhil
enowandmy
fat
herhasn'
tar ri
ved.Maybehechangedhi s
mind,maybehei snol ongeri
nter
estedinme
l
ikebefor
e.IguessIwasaf ooltobeli
evethat
thi
ngswill
ev erchange,Ishoul
dstopfeeli
ng
sorr
yformy selfandacceptthi
ngsast heyare.

Iam aboutt
oleav
ewhenamanwear
ingasui
t
rushestomytabl
e.

Hi
m:Zi
yandapl
easedon'
tl
eav
e
Il
ookathi
mi nfear
,Iwonderhowheknowsmy
namebecauseIdon'
tknowhim.

Me:
Ihav
etor
ushsomewher
e,Ineedt
oleav
e
Hi
m:Iwassentbyyourfather
,hei
sinameet
ing
r
nanditi
staki
nglongerthanheexpect
ed
Me:
Myf
ather
?
Him:yes,heaskedmetot
akeyout
ohisoff
ice.
I
'm surebythetimewear
ri
ve,
hewil
lbedone
Me:
howdoImakesur
ethati
saccur
ate?
Hi
m:Wellyourf
ather
,Sandi
leDl
omosentmea
t
extmessage.Seeforyour
sel
f

Itakehisphoneandcheckwi t
hthenumberon
myphone.I ti
sthesame, andaccordi
ngtothe
messagehewasi ndeedtoldtofet
chme.Igot
thisnumberfrom Granny,andnomat t
erhow
manyt i
meswet riedcall
i
ngi twasn'
tanswer
ed.
Ihavetoaskhi
m whyhehasnevercall
ed
becausehesentusmoney.Thesupposed
dri
vertakesmetothecar
.

Hest ar
tsdr i
vi
ng,t obehonestIdon'tevenknow
wher ewear egoing.Myf at
her
'scompany
changedt hei
roffice'sandwehav en'
tbeento
them.Themy st
er i
ousmankeepsst eal
ing
glancesatme.Idon' tknowift
hat'saslysmil
e
ormyey esareplay i
ngtri
cksonme.If eel
uncomf ort
able,Ij
ustwi shwecoul darr
ive.

Anhourpassesandhei sstil
ldr
ivi
nginsi l
ence,
Idon'tev enknowtheplaceweareheadi ngto.
I'
m unf amili
arwi
thmysur r
oundi
ngsandIdi dn'
t
tell
any oneaboutthi
s.Damn!Ther andom looks
from thisguyaremakingmeuneasy .Itakemy
phoneoutandhegi vesmeacol dstare.
Hi
m:Gi
vemet
hatphone
Me:
why
?Thi
sismyphoneandIwantt
ousei
t
Him:Gi
vemet hatphoneZi
yanda,
don'
task
questi
onsbecauseyouwon'tl
i
ketheanswer
s

Iam st
il
lst
ari
ngathi m wit
hf earwhenhetakes
thephone,hedidthatveryfast.Icoul
dn'
teven
stophi
m.Heswi tchesitoffandput si
taway.
Couldmywor stni
ghtmarebecomear eal
it
y?
Wearenowfarawayf
rom home,Idon'
tknow
wher
ewearebutIam nof
ool.Nooffi
cesare
l
ocat
edthi
sside,
wher
eexactl
yishetaki
ngme?

Me:
wer
eyour
eal
l
ysentbymyf
ather
?
Him:y
es,
yourf
atheri
sther
easonIam doi
ngal
l
ofthi
s
Me:
whoar
eyou?
Him:westi
llhav
el ot
'soft
imet
ogett
oknow
eachother
,don'tworry

Thatstat
ementalonemeansal ot,somethingis
ver
ywr ongher
e.May bemyf at
heriskidnapping
meort hi
sguyiskidnappingme.Ishouldhave
tol
dsomeoneaboutt his,
ifIdi
sappearnoone
wil
leverfi
ndme.

Hi
m:You'
rev
erybeaut
if
ulZi
yanda
Me:
Thanky
ou.

Heissmi li
ngatmewei rdl
ynow,
hiseyesar
e
fi
l
ledwi t
hlust.Iam v
eryscar
edbutIkeepa
str
aightface.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouav
irgi
n?
Ihat
ethatquesti
on,andit
'sinappr
opriat
efor
himtoask.
Heiswayol derthanme, andIdon'
t
seehowitconcernshim.

Me:
That
'saninappr
opr
iat
equest
ionandIpr
efer
t
onotanswerit
Hi
m:i
t'
sasi
mpl
eyesorno

Ii
gnor ehim andfocusonther oad,hemut ter
s
somet hingaboutannoyi
ngpeopl eandhe
continuesdriv
ing.Weheadf urt
herawayf rom
home, mi l
esseparat
eusfrom t heplaceIfi
nd
solacein.Theroadsarequiet,andthedoor s
arelocked.May betheuniv
er seisagainstme.
MaybeIwasdest
inedf
orthi
s,Iwasnev
er
meantt
oli
veahappyli
fe.
30mi nut
eslaterwearestandingoutsidea
warehouse,i
tislocat
edinav er
ysecludedar
ea
andIhav eabadf eel
i
ng.May bemyendhas
come, whowil
l f
indmeher e?

Me:
Ismyf
atherher
e?Thi
siswher
ethemeet
ing
i
s?
Hi
m:St
opaski
ngmequest
ions
Me:Inol
ongerwanttoseehim pl
easetakeme
home,orl
etmegoIwi l
lcal
lsomeonetof et
ch
me.Idon'tf
eelsaf
eandIjustwanttogohome
Him:
i
tistoolatef
ort
hatnow,wehav
ear
ri
ved
andyouaren'
tgoi
nganywher
e

Itr
ybegginghim buti
tdoesn'twork,Ist
art
cry
ingandheget sannoyed.Hetakesmei nsi
de,
Ihavebeentr
yingtofighthi
mf oragesbuthe
i
stoostrongforme.Hel ocksthebigdoorandI
wonderi
fIwi
l
lmakei
toutofher
est
il
lal
i
ve.

Hetell
smet ositdown,
andt henhet
iesmeup.
Ihavebeencry
ingandbegginghimtoletmego
buti
tisfal
li
ngondeafears.

Him:t
hisdoesn'thav
etobedi
ff
icult
,youj
ust
havetocooperateandIpr
omi
sey ouwewill
be
okay
Me:Iwon'
ttel
lany
oneaboutthi
spl
easel
etme
gohome,doesmyf at
herknowany
thi
ngabout
thi
s?

Him:Yourf at
herdoesn'
tcareaboutyou,hewas
neverint
erestedtoseeyou.Hehasnot imeto
beattendingtoyournonsense,Iwastheone
whokeptt exti
ngyou.Ineededtogainyourtr
ust
i
nor derformyplant owork.Butdon'
tworry
,I
wil
lmakeyourf
atherpayf
orever
ythi
nghedid,
hewil
lreal
i
seyourval
ueanditwi
llbetool
ate

Ibowmyheadandmyt earscascadedown, I
wasbei ngcat fi
shedall t
hist i
me.Myf at
her
reall
ydoesn' tcareaboutme, nowhi sassoci
ate
orenemyi sdraggingmei ntot hei
rfi
ght.
Somet hingthatIknownot hingof .Ishouldhave
acceptedt hathewon' tevercar eaboutme, i
fI
hadn'tbeensodesper atef orhisloveand
attent
ionmay beIwoul dn'tbeher e.Thisisall
myf ault
, Iam notthefirstpersont obe
abandonedbyt heirf
atherandIwon' tbethe
l
astone.

I
fonl
yIhadj
ustf
ocusedonmyl
i
fe.
Thewor l
ddoesn'
tcar
eandnooneowesme
anyt
hing,Iwi
l
lnowsuffert
heconsequencesof
mystupidact
ions.MaybeIdeser
vethi
s.
Hejuststaredatmewhi leIcri
ed.Icriedti
ll
I
star
tedchokingonmyownt ears, mychestand
myheadst artedthrobbingpainfull
y.Icri
edfor
agesnotknowi ngwhent ostop,thepainwas
toomuchf orme.I sn'
titenought hathedoesn't
careaboutme?NowIhav etobedr aggedinto
somethingdanger ous.

Iwisht
heyhadneverbr
oughtmei nt
ot hisworl
d.
Mymot herdi
edafewmi nutesaft
ergivingbi
rth
tome,may bei
fshewasst i
l
l al
i
vethingswould
bebett
er.MaybeIwoul
dhav et
urnedoutwel l
andIwouldn'
tbesuf
fer
inglikethi
s.
_
___
__

Idon'
tknowhowIf ell
asleepbutIwokeupa
fewhourslater,
thereisaclockonthewal
land
i
tshowst hatiti
snow8pm.Iwokeupbecause
thi
smanwastouchi
ngmeandpl
ant
ingki
sses
onmyface.
Thetear
shaddriedoff
,andsleepmademe
for
getbutassoonasIsawhi mt hewat
erwor
ks
cameback.Hestoppedtouchingme...

Hi
m:Whenwi
l
lyoust
opcr
ying?
Me:
Idon'
tcareaboutwhathappenedbet
ween
myfat
herandyou,Ij
ustwanttogohome
Him:Forgetaboutthem,t
omor rowwear e
l
eavingthecountry.It
houghtwewoul dsett
le
ni
celyinCapeTownoranot herprov
incebutI
changedmymi nd.WeareleavingSouthAfri
ca,
cryasmuchasy ouwantbecausey ouwill
NEVERseey ourfamil
yagai
n!

Lor
dwhyhav
eyouf
orsakenme?
Whathav
eIdonet
odeser
vet
his?
Cr
yingi
stheonl
ythi
ngt
hatf
eel
sri
ghtatt
his
moment.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYSEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NARRATED

NompiloisatSenzi
'
splacebutshecannot
sl
eep,shejustwant
stogohome.Beinghere
doesn'
tfeelr
ight
.
Herphonest
art
sringi
ng,dist
urbi
ngher.But
whocouldbecal
li
ngatthisti
me?I ti
snearl
y
mi
dni
ght.
Shet
akesi
t,whatdoesMaNzuzawant
?
Herneighbori
scal
li
ngheratt
hist
ime,
somethingisv
erywrong.

Fearengul
fsherassheanswer
sthecal
l
.

MaNzuza:
Nompi
l
omntanami
ukephi
?(Nompi
l
o
mychil
dwher
earey
ou?)
Mpil
o:I
'm ataf r
iend'
splace,umgwaqouv al
i
we
ngavi
njway i
siphepho.Kutheni?
(Theroadsare
cl
osedbecauseoft hestor
m.What '
swrong?)
MaNzuza:
Buyel
aekhay
anj
engamanj
engane,
i
cal
ali
sil
ahl
il
e
(
Ret
urnhomei
mmedi
atel
y)

Mpi
l
o:Uphi
uAy
enzi
wenoAphendul
e?(
Wher
eis
Ay
enzi
weandAphendul
e?)
MaNzuza:
Kubekhonaokwenzeki
l
engane,buya
manj
eNompi l
o(somet
hinghashappened,
just
r
etur
nnow)

Shedr opsthecallandNompi lost

art
strembli
ng
withfear.Shefeelsstrongar msembracingher
i
nahug, shedoesn'tev enknowwhenhewoke
upbutSenzi heardev erythi
ng.Theydon'
tknow
whathappenedbutt het winsarei
ndanger,or
theyhav ealr
eadypassedon.Theycanf eelt
hat,
Nompi lo'
sheartisaching.

Shedoesn'tev
enhavethest
rengthtostandup.
Shestart
scryi
nghyst
eri
cal
ly
,isn'
tther
eaGod
i
nHeav en?
Hertwi
nsar
einnocent
,theydon'
tdeser
veany
har
m.
Senzi hel
psherlayont hebed,herunstot he
kit
chenandpr eparessomesugarwat erinorder
togiveherstrength.Hehelpsherdr i
nkitand
urgeshert ostopcryi
ng.Theyfir
stneedt of i
nd
awayhomeandi twill
takelongsincether oad
i
scl osed,t
heyneedt oknowexact lywhat's
wrong.

Nompi lohasnochoi cebuttogetupandf ix

hersel
f.Deepdownsheknowst hattheyare
gone.Italladdsup, t
hesurpri
sebreakfast
,the
pict
uresandv i
deostheytookandt hesadness
thatkeptov erwhel
mingherallday.Sheneeds
noconf i
rmat i
ontoknowt hatherangelshave
departed,sheheardMaNzuza' svoice.She
heardthenoi seinthebackgroundtoo.

"
Izi
nganezamawami
azi
sekho"
Thosewor dskeepr ingi
nginherear s,Senzi i
s
driv
ingasf astandascar efull
yashecan.The
mai nroadiscl osedandt hereistoomuch
damageoni t
.Theyhav etouseanot herr oute,
tr
eesar eupr ootedandsomear eonther oad
andi ti
sdel ayi
ngt hem.Somet i
mesSenzi hasto
stepout si
deandmov ethet r
eesoutoft heway .
Nompi loissitti
ngont hecar seatasifshei s
fr
ozenont oi t,
shedoesn' tsayawor d.

Tearskeepf al
lingdownast houghthereisan
overfl
owingriverinhersockets.Senzit
r i
eshis
bestincomf orti
ngher,buthiswordsmean
nothingtoher.Shecannothearawor dhei s
saying,"
izi
nganezamawami azi
sekho"t
hat '
s
theonlythi
ngonhermi nd.Heronly
responsibi
l
itywast otakecareofthem, andshe
fai
ledtodot hat.
Thefir
stthi
ngt heyseei sahugecr owdof
peopl
eandl otsofsmoke.Nompi lodoesn't
evenwanttolook, shedoesn' tknowi fsheis
str
ongenoughf orwhatshewi l
lseenext .She
wipesherfaceandl ooksoutsideclearl
y,t
he
smokeiscomi ngf rom thei
rhouse.Thef i
re
depart
menthasar r
iv edandtheyar edoingthei
r
besttost
opt heflames.

Nompi lowillnev erfor

getthisday , t
hehuge
fl
amest hatseemedwayoutofr each.Thehuge
fl
amest hatseemedt oengul feverythi
ngthat
wasl eftoftheirhome.Theor angishredli
ght
theyproducedi nt hedark,thewai lsof
neighborsast heyf earedf
ort hei
rownhouses.
Herey essear chinginthecr owd, hopingtosee
someone.Notj ustsomeonebuthert wins.

Shehopedt
oseeMaNzuzacar
ryi
ngt
hem but
shedidn'
t.Shesawpityinherneighborseyes,
shekeptlooki
ngatther emainsoftheirhome.
Nowscorchedandout re,sheknewt hatthi
sday
wouldhauntherforaslongasshel ives.

Themomentshegotoutoft hecarsheli
ter
all
y
rantoMaNzuza.Shekeptaski
ngherforone
thi
ng,hert
wins!
MaNzuzahadt otel
lhert heghastlyevent sthat
occurred.Theysuspectt hatt hecandlef el
land
thehousest ar
tedburning.MaNzuzaal so
couldn'tsleepwhent heincidentoccurred.She
remember sthesmell ofsmokedi stur
bi ngher ,
shehadt oopent hecurtainandpeekout side.
Allshesawwast hebig,brightfi
eryfl
ames!

Sheranoutandcall
edthenei
ghbors,
thefi
re
wasmov i
ngatthespeedofli
ghtandthei
r
eff
ort
stoburnitoutfai
l
ed.Bythet
imethefi
re
departmentarri
vedtheyhadal r
eadymanaged
torescuethetwochildrenthatwerei
nsi
de,but
i
twasal readytoolat
e.Thesmokeandt hefir
e
hasalreadykil
l
edherl i
ttl
eangels.

Themomentshehear dt
hattheywer ereal
ly
gone,shenoddedherheadandl ookedattheir
house.Onepartofitwassti
llburni
ng,her
surpr
isi
ngbehaviorwasconfusingthecrowd.
Couldshehaveacceptedital
ready?
Theyexpect
edhert
oscr
eam andcr
y,nott
his.
Sheisdeadseri
ous,si
l
entandhur
tbey
ond
whattheycansee.
Herhear
tisbrokeni
ntoami
l
li
onpi
eces,
her
pur
posetoli
veisgone.
Nothi
nginthi
sworl
dwill
everr
epl
ace
Aphendul
eandAyenzi
we.
Withoutt
hinki
ngshespri
ntst
owardsthef
lames,
peoplest
artscreami
ngandshout
ing.
Howcoul
dshepossi
blydot
hat
?
That
'sdanger
ous,
theydon'
twantanot
her
deat
hoccurri
ng.
Senzif
oll
owsher,shei
stheonewomanhehas
everl
ovedmorethananyt
hing.Hecannotl
et
herdothi
s,heneedsher
.

Nompi loi
sr unningataf astpace, sheal so
doesn'tknowwher eshegott hisstrengt hbutin
ordertodot hissheneedst obef ast .She
doesn'twantany onet ostopher ,
herbabi es
di
edi nthisfir
e.Shewant stofoll
owt hem, she
want stofeeltheirpain.Thepainofsuf focati
ng
i
nt hesmoke, thepai noffeeli
ngt hef lames
pi
er ci
ngyourski n.
Godtheyweresoyoung.Couldn'
ttheyhavea
peacef
uldeat
hwit
hnopai nifitwasthei
rti
me?
Theyhadt oexperi
encebeingtort
uredbya
greatforce,beingsur
roundedbyf i
renot
knowingwhatt odo.Aphendulewast hebrave
one,Ay enziwewasacr ybaby.Shewasi nnocent
,
shemusthav ebeenscar edwhenshesawt he
fi
re.Shecanal readypi
cturehercryi
ng,not
knowingwhyt hisi
shappening.

Shefail
edthem.Theywerenotsupposedtobe
i
nsuchpai n,t
heyshoul
dn'
thavelef
tsoearl
y.I
t
i
sherf aul
t,i
fshewashomethiswouldn'
thave
happened.
Herintenti
onsaret
ot hrowher
selfi
ntothe
fl
ames, todiej
ustl
iketheydi
ed.Toleavethis
miserableworl
dthathastakensuchalotfrom
her.
Sheindeedt hrowsherselfintothef
lames, i
tis
al
lhappeningt oofastforev er
yonetoprocess.
Shecanf eelthefi
reburningherskin.The
smokeismaki ngi
tdiff
icultforhert
obreath,
shehopest hatdeathwi l
lnumbherbr okenbody ,
soulandhear t.

Thisworl
dwasn'
tforher,shewasn'tpar
toft
he
"f
avour
it
es"whoareli
vinghappil
y.Her
happi
nesswasshortl
ived,sheonlyhadher
twi
ns.
Theymadehersmil
eonherbadday s,t
heygave
herhopet
hatt
hingswi
l
lbebetter.Nowt hat
theyar
egoneshewon'
tsur
viv
e, sheknowsthat
.

All
sheseesar ethefi
eryfl
amesar oundher
,her
bodyisinint
ensepain.Thefi
reiseati
ngaway
atherfl
esh,butshedoesn'
tcare.Shewantsto
bewiththem again.
I
t'
sNompi
l
oXul
uvst
hef
ir
e!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERTHI
RTYEI
GHT
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Thepasttwodayshavebeenf il
ledwit
hnot hing
butsadnessandt
ortur
e.First
lywehear dthat
Nompiloisi
nhospi
tal,
suf f
eri
ngf r
om severe
burnsaft
erthr
owi
ngher sel
fintoaburning
fur
nace.Wearesti
l
ltryi
ngt oprocessthetragic
passi
ngofAphendul
eandAy
enzi
we.And
Ziy
andai
smi ssi
ng.

Isentmydr i
verstodi f
ferentlocat i
onsar ound
Durbant olookf orher,Menzi andev enVukile
sentt hei
rstoobutwehav en'tfoundher .The
policetooktheirownsweett i
mewi thregards
toopeni ngacaseonsome" shecoul dbewi t
h
herboy fri
endorataf r
iend'spl ace,wecannot
wast ethestate'
sr esources"nonsense.Iwas
somadbecauset hehour st heyar ewast i
ng
coul dcostZiyanda'sli
fe,may beiftheyhad
helpedusear li
erwewoul dhav efoundher
alr
eady .

Shecouldbelayi
ngi nashallowdit
chaswe
speak,orshecouldbeshippedintoaforeign
countr
y.Herphoneisoffsowecannotev en
tr
ackherlocat
ion.Iam awr eckhonest
ly,Idon'
t
knowhowIwi l
lsupportMpilobecauseIam a
mess.Ziy
andalefther
esay i
ngthatsheisgoi
ng
tothemall
,andshemi ghthangoutwithher
fr
iendsaf
ter
wards.

Istartedwor ryi
ngat6pm whenshedi dn'tret
urn,
shedi dn'tsayanythingaboutreturninglateand
i
t'sunl i
kehert ostayoutfortool ong.Itri
ed
call
ingherbuti twentstraighttov oi
cemai l
.
That'swhenIst ar
tedpanicking,Itri
edcal l
i
ng
herfriendandshet oldmet hattheyhav en't
tal
kedal l day
.

Iwentt
ot hemallandlookedf orher,butitwas
l
ateandmostshopswer eclosing.Lookingat
thef
ootagewouldhavet akent oolong,Idon't
knowwhichentrancesheusedorwhi chshops
shewentto.ThatmallishugeandIcoul dn't
wastet
ime.Wewentt ot hepol i
cebutobv iousl
y
t
heycoul
dn'
thel
pussowesentourowndr
iver
s.

Ithasbeent woday sandwest i

l
lhaven'thear
d
anything.AuntLi zdi
dn'ttakethi
swell,she
rai
sedZi yandaf rom bi
rth.Shetookheraf ew
daysaf tershewasbor n.Zi y
andaisever y
thi
ng
toher, andrightnowshei si
ndangerandwe
can'tdoany thingaboutit.
Sheal
sotookthetwi
nsdeat
hverybadl
y,she
l
ovedthem andt
heycametovi
situsof
ten.

Theyweretooy oungtogothroughallthatpai
n,
Ihaven'
ttol
dLisa.Honestl
yIdon'tevenknow
howt ot
ellher
,wewer ealll
i
kefami l
y.Iknowit
won'
tbeeasyf orhertoacceptit
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO
Twodayslat
erIwokeupinhospi
tal
.The
momentmyey esl
andedonthewall
sandI
remember
edwhyIwasher et
earsstar
ted
str
eami
ngdownmyf ace.Whydidn'
tGodtake
me?
Whyam Ist
il
lal
i
ve?

Heshoul dhavetakenmebecauseInol onger

wanttolive,l
if
eisn'
tworthiti
fInol ongerhave
myangel s.Idon'
twanttofaceev eryoneand
thei
rlooksofpity.Iwanttodie.Iwipethetears
andscant heroom fast
,whatcoul dIpossi
bly
usetoendmyl i
fe?
Ineedt
odoi
tfast
,ther
ear
enodoct
orsar
ound.

Damn!Senzii
ssl
eepi
ngonachai
rint
hecor
ner
,
whyi
shest i
l
lher
e?
Iam nol
ongert
hegi
rlhef
ell
inl
ovewi
thandI
wil
lcommi tsuici
deanyways.Iti
ptoeoutofmy
bedandlookf orsomet
hingsharp.Iwanttocut
mywr i
stssincehangi
ngmy selfi
sn'tanopti
on.

Aft
erafewminutesIreal
isethatt
hisis
hopel
ess,
Ican'
tfindanyt
hinganditisdel
ayi
ng
me.
Istopforamomentandt hi
nk,Isti
ll
remember
verywell
.Theev entsoft
hatfatef
ulnight
,
MaNzuzat ol
dmeandIj ustknewthatiti
strue.
Ilef
tSenzi'
splaceknowingthattheyaregone.I
neednoconf i
rmat i
on.

Isighandt akeaseat,
thi
nkingaboutthel
ovel
y
breakfasttheymadeforme.Iwillnev
erfor
get
theirbri
ghtsmil
esthatmorning,
Iguessitwas
theirwayofsayinggoodbye.Wemadegood
memor i
es,wewerealwayshappy.
Idon'
tknowwhyGodhadt
otaket
hem soear
ly.
Andwhydi
dtheyhav
etoendur
esuchpai
n?
Theywer
ejustinnocentki
ds,theywant
edt
o
growupandplaywiththei
rfr
iends.

Aphendulewant
edtowor khardandgetusout
ofpovert
y,t
heywereyoungbutt heywer
esmart.
I
fli
fehadgiventhem achancetheywouldhav
e
wentfar.
Iwipeanot
hert
earandlookatt
hewhi
teceil
i
ng,
honestl
yhowam Iexpect
edtogoonwi
thout
them ?

Il
ovedt hem, t
heywer ethereasonformy
exi
stence.Iam cov eredi
nbandages, mybody
sti
l
lhurts.Iwil
lneverbet hesameagai n,
the
burnmar kswillal
way sbethere.Evenmyf ace
i
sdamaged, Iwon'tlookprett
y.Ishoul
dendmy
miserablel
if
eandspar emy sel
fallt
hepain.
Iwal
ktothewindowwit
habri
l
li
antpl
an,
why
di
dn'
tIt
hinkofthi
sbef
ore?
Iopenthewi
ndowabi
ttool
oud,
Senzi
isst
il
l
sl
eeping.
Good!
Ilookout
sideandnodmyhead, i
fIfal
lfr
om
thishi
ghIwon'tsur
viv
eatal
l.Iatt
empttocl
imb
outwhenIhearhisboldl
oudvoice.

"
NOMPI
LODON'
T!"

Icurseundermybr eath,whendidhewakeup?
Nowhewi l
lmesst hi
ngsup.Iignorehim andt
ry
cl
imbi ngout,
bendingmyl egsi
shar dert
han
walkingbecauseofthebandages.Heget sup
andwal kstomev eryslowly
.
Hi
m:Nompi
l
olookatme!

Idon'
twanttobutmyeyesaredeceivi
ngme.I
l
ookathim wit
haboredexpr
ession.Hisey
e's
arepl
eadi
ngwi t
hme.

Hi
m:Iwon'
tl
eav
eyouNompi
l
o,t
her
eisnoneed
t
odothis

Ikeepstari
ngathim,herepeatsthesewords
unti
lheisstandi
ngclosetome.Hebr ings
himselfcl
oserandheembr acesmei nahug.As
soonasmybodyf eel
shisstrongmuscular
bodyitrel
axes.
Hehelpsmemov eawayf
rom t
hewi
ndowand
backontot
hebed.

Heact
ual
l
yhadt
ocar
rymebecauseIsuddenl
y
becameweak, andt hepainIhavebeen
i
gnor i
ngcameback.Iwasbusyact i
ngal
ltough
forget
ti
ngt hefactthatIam suff
eri
ngfr
om
severeburns.Mywhol ebodyi sachi
ngnow,
tearsarecascadingdownmyf aceandIcan't
evenlookatSenzi .Aft
ertucki
ngmei nheholds
myhand.

Him: NothingIsaywi llmakey ouf eelbetter,I

wi shIcouldbr i
ngt hem backbutIcan' t.Iwi shI
couldt akeal lthepainsot haty ouwoul df eel
bet t
er,butIcan' t.Theonl ythingIcandoi shelp
yougetbet ter,Icansuppor tyouandbet here
fory ou.Icanonl yeasethepai n,andal lIask
from y ouisf oryout oall
owme.Ineedy out o
cont i
nuewi thl i
fe,Iknowy ouf eelli
kedy ing
ri
ghtnowbutIasky outopl easeal lowmet o
takecar eofy ou.IloveyouNompi lo,Idon't
knowhowwewi llgetthrought hi
sbutIknow
thatwewi ll
.
Me:Youhaven'
tseenmeSenzi,mywhol ebody
hasburnmarks.Evenmyfaceisbur
nt,Iwil
l
neverbet
hatprett
ywomany oufel
lfor
.Iam
l
ett
ingyougo,youdon'
tneedtobewi t
hme

Him:Idon'
tcareaboutt hosemar ks,you'
remy
Nompi l
oXuluandnof ir
ecanchanget heloveI
haveforyou.Insteaditmayhav eignit
edt he
fl
amet hathasbeenbur ninginmyhear t
.May be
thefi
remademewi ser,andIknowt hatfrom
nowonIhav et otreatyouv er
ywell.Lif
eistoo
shortNompilo,andIwantt olovey ouonal l
of
thedaysyouspendont hisearth.
Any
way
sIhav
emyownbur
nmar
kssoi
t'
sokay

I
tisonl
ythent
hatInot
icet
hecastonhi
sar
m.
Me:
whathappened?

Hi
m:Ial
soranint
oabur
ningf
urnace,
Iwant
ed
t
osavethelov
eofmyli
fe
Me:
your
iskedy
ourl
i
fef
orme?
Him:Idon'twanttol ivewi t
houty ouNompilo,I
couldn'
tl
ety ou.Iwasl uckythatthefir
efi
ghters
camequi cklyotherwiseIwoul dhavegott
en
morehur t
.Iknowi t
'snot hi
ngcompar edtoy ou,
i
t'
sjustaf ewmar ksonmyar m butwewer e
bothburntbyt hef i
re.Iwoul dn'
triskmyli
fefor
someonel ikethat.Ilov eyouMpi l
oyam(myl i
fe)

Ididn'
tevenknowhowt or eply,Ij
ustpull
edhim
cl
oserandhuggedhi m.Icr iedinhisarmsf or
whatseemedl i
keforever.If oundsolaceinhis
str
ongarms, hi
sscentandcar i
ngvoicethat
kepttel
li
ngmet hathelov esmeandheneeds
me.Idon'tknowifIsti
l
l wantt ocommi tsui
cide
butIknowthatIl
ovehi
m, Iknowthathel
oves
met ooandri
ghtnowthat
'senough.

Istil
lhaven'
tacceptedlosingmyangels,Ist
il
l
havet ogothroughlotsofpain.Thememor i
al
serviceandthefuneralservi
ce,Idon'
tknowifI
willsurv
iveornot.Iwil
ldealwit
hpeopl e
discrimi
nati
ngagainstmebecauseoft heburn
mar ks.ButIguessallofthati
sokay .

Idon'
twantt
owor ryaboutal
loft
hatnow,Ij
ust
wanttocr
yinthi
sman' sarmsasIkeep
l
ist
eni
ngtohim assuri
ngmeaboutourfut
ure.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERTHI
RTYNI
NE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Thef oll
owi ngdayIwasdi scharged,itwast oo
earl
yf ormet ol
eav ebutwehadt oconv i
ncet he
doctortol etmego.Ihav eal ottodo, Iwantt o
ensuret hatthetwinsgetadi gnif
iedsendof f.I
don'
tknowwher eIwillgett hestrengthbutI
haveagr eatsupportsystem.Si ba,herfami l
y
andourot herfr
iendscamet oseemey esterday.
Theysai dal otofgoodt hings,theirwordswer e
confi
r mat i
onthattheywi l
l supportme
thr
oughout .

Iam gr
atef
ulforhavi
ngthem,Idon'
twantt
obe
al
oneatall
.IheardaboutZi
yanda'
s
di
sappearanceandIhopet hatshewillbef
ound
soon.Sibaisn'
ttaki
ngitwell
,shemaybea
strongwomanbutIknowt hatshelov
es
Ziyanda.I
t'
sapityIcanbarelycopewithmy
problemsandIcannothelpthem.

Senzi hasn'
tlef
tmysi desi
ncethe"i
ncident"
thathappenedy esterday.Hethi
nksI'm sui
cidal
andhewant stoprotectme.Itri
edki l
l
ingmy sel
f
andi tdidn'
twork,may bether
eisar easonfor
that.Feeli
ngsorryformy sel
fwon'thelpIneed
toacceptt hi
ngsast heyare.

Senziistakingmet ohispl
ace,ourhomeis
burntbeyondr ecogni
ti
onsothereisnot
hingl
eft
formet here.
Ihav
et of
ir
stgot
othef
uner
alpar
lor
,Ineedt
o
seethem.
Senzi
isagai
nstt
hisi
deabuthecanseet
hatI
won'tchangemymi ndsohei sforcedtodr i
v e
met her
e.Si babroughtthem here,shetoldme
thatshewant st
ohel poutbecausewear elike
famil
y.SinceIwon'tbeusingmyownf uneral
parl
orIwi l
lj
ustaskt hem t
otransferthemoney
i
nstead.

Iam takent othem, whatIsawwas

tr
aumat izi
ng.Sur pri
singl
ytheirf
acesweren't
burntthatmuch, butthei
rarmsandl egswere
burntal ot
.Iforcedt hem t
oallowmebecauseI
needtoacceptt his,
nomat terhowhar di
tisbut
Ineedt o.
Thef i
rststeptoheali
ngistoacceptt
hingsas
theyare,inordert
odot hatIneededt
osee
them.Istaredatthem foralongti
me,thi
sti
me
aroundnot earsescapedmyey e'
s.

Af
ter
war
dsIdeci
dedt
ogoandseeMaNzuzaI
needt othankherforev er
ythingshehasdone
forme.Ifitwasn'tforhermay beIwouldn'thav
e
anythi
ngt obury,
Iwoul dbel eftwi t
h
unrecognizabl
ebodi esorjustashesoft heir
remains.Eventhought heydon' tlooksogoodI
am gladthatIwil
l beabletobur ythem.

Ifi
ndot herwomeni nherhouse,theycamet o
offertheircondolencesandMaNzuza
wel comedt hem intoherhouse.If i
rstt
hank
them, informingthem thatIwasinhospi t
aland
aftertheirprayertheyleave.Iam l
eftwith
MaNzuza

Me:
Thanky
ouMa
Her
:For
?
Me:
forsavi
ngthei
rbodi
esfr
om bei
ngdest
royed
byt
hefir
e,andforev
ery
thi
ngyoudi
dthatni
ght
Her:
youar
eagoodchil
dNompil
o,IdidwhatI
hadtodo.
Iam amothert
oo,
Iwouldn'twi
sh
thi
sonanyone
Me:
Iwil
lforev
erbegr
atef
ulfort
hisMa,
oneday
Iwi
l
lexpressmygrat
it
udetoyou.
Her:
Youdon'thavet
odothat
,pl
easedon'
t
st
ressaboutthi
ngsl
iket
hatNompil
o

Me:
Isawt
hem t
oday
Her
:whyar
eyout
ort
uri
ngy
our
sel
fli
ket
his?
Me:Ineededcl
osur
esoIhadt
oseet
hem,
it
doesn'
tl
ooktoobad
Her:
peopl
ehavebeencominginnumber
ssi
nce
t
hedayoftheinci
dent
.Theythi
nkweare
r
elat
edsotheykeepcominghere
Me:Iam sorryaboutt
hat,I
'm surether
eis
not
hingleftatourhouse.Idon'tknowwhatt
o
do
Her:
Iam sor
rymybaby ,
myhouseandmyy ar
d
i
sopenforanythi
ngyoumayneed.Theycan
keepcominghereIdon'
tmi
nd

Me:Mapleasegi
vemey ourbanki
ngdetai
ls,
I
sawthegir
lsser
vingt
eaandmuf f
insearl
i
eron.
Iwi
llsendyousomemoneyt obuymore
Her:
Inthi
shousenooneleaveswi t
houtbeing
off
eredanythi
ng,
andyouaren'tt
ransf
erri
ng
anyt
hing.Youhaveaf
uneraltoorgani
ze!

Ichor
tl
eabi
t
Me:
Mahav eyouseenNomkhosi
?Ineedt
otal
k
t
oheraboutt
hatnight
Her:
Youshouldcal
lherandf
indout ,myson
sawhercry
ingatyourhousey est
erdaybutshe
ranawayaft
erthat
.Sheishi
dingsomewher ein
shame
Me:Iwonderwhyshel
eftt
heki
dsal
onet
hat
ni
ght
Her
:Shemusthav
eranof
fwi
thoneofher
boy
fri
ends

Me:MaIdon'tknowwhattodoaboutNomkhosi
.
Idon'
twanttoblameherfort
hetwi
nsdeathyet
Ifeel
li
keifshewerer
esponsi
blet
hiswoul
dn'
t
havehappened
Her:Don'
tharbourhateiny ourbeauti
fulheart
Nompi l
o,don'tquesti
onGod.Nomkhosi
shouldn'
thav elef
tthekidsalonewithacandl e
l
it,
andf orthatsheplayedar ol
einthedeat hof
thetwins.Don'tdoanythingtoher,l
if
ewi l
ldeal
withher!Youdon'thurtinnocentpeopleandget
awaywi thit

Me:ther
earesomanythoughtsci
rcul
ati
ngmy
headrn,
butIguessy
ouareright
.Letmetext
her
Her:
Letmecheckifthegir
lsar
edonecooki
ng,
youdothatandaft
erwardscal
lthaty
oungman
i
nthecar.Iwoul
dliketoseehi
m
Me:Mather
eisnoneedf
ort
hat
,wear
erushi
ng
somewhere
Her:
Nonsense,
youjustgotoutofhospitaly
ou
needapropermeal
.Ireall
ywanttoseet hat
youngman,heir
oni
call
ysav edyouthatdayand
Isawhi
m atthehospit
al.Heisver
yr espect
ful
.

Ismil
eabitandnodmyhead.It hankheragain
andaft
ersendi
ngt hattextIwalkout
sidetocal
l
Senzi
.Ican'
tdisappointMaNzuzaaftershehas
hel
pedmesomuch.Idi dn'tknowherthatwel
l,
shemovedheray earago.

Shei
sver
yki
nd,
shel
ovedv
isi
ti
ngust
ocheck
uponusfrom ti
metotime.Shewouldhave
gott
enal
ongwi t
hmypar ent
sverywell
,shei
sa
goodnei
ghbor.Shehas5chil
dren(
4girl
sand1
boy)
.

Senzi
issonervousaboutthi
sandIwantlaugh
athi
m somuch, MaNzuzaonlyaskedhi
m afew
quest
ionsabouthi
mselfandheisalr
eady
sweati
ng!
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
ZI
YANDA

Ihavebeenher efordays,
Itriedscr
eami
ngand
cal
li
ngforhelpbuti ti
suseless.It
ri
edcr
ying
andbeggingthismanbuthehasnomer cy.
Maybeitistooear l
ytogiv
eupbuthehasa
goodplan,t
herei snowayoutandIdoubtmy
famil
ywillf
indme.Heseemsl i
keheisi
nlove
wit
hme, orisitlust?
Heisquit
eexcitedaboutour"
fut
ure"andIam
notsosurewhet hert
hisi
ssti
l
labout"r
evenge"
orheisobsessedwi t
hme.
Iam gl
adt
hathehasn'
thur
tmeyet
,Idon'
t
knowwhattodobutsi
ther
eandcr
y.

If
eel
empt
yrn,
tomor
rowwear
eleav
ing.
Heforcedmet owr i
tealet
tertomyf atherand
myf amil
y.Thelet
terexpl
ainseveryt
hingthat
happenedbutitwon'thel
pt hem si
ncewear en'
t
tel
l
inganyoneaboutourplansandwher ewe
wil
lgo.

Youalwaysthi
nkitwil
lneverhappentoy ou,
whenwer eadabouti
tonli
newef inditsadand
tr
aumati
zingbutyouneverthi
nkthatitwill
happentoyou.Il
eftt
hehouseheadi ngtothe
mal
l,
Ihadal i
ghtmealatmyfav
ouri
te
r
est
aurantandIthenwentt
othehot
el.

That'
showi thappened,mynamewil
lsoonbe
addedontothelonglistofwomenwho
di
sappearinourcount r
y.
Thesadpar tisthat,
intheendt heybecome
partoftheincreasi
ngstatsandaf t
ersometi
me
everyoneforgetsaboutthem andlif
egoeson.

Til
lthenextwomandi
sappear
sori
sfound
deadorraped.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFORTY
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Thefoll
owi ngdayswer everydiffi
cultfor
Nompi l
obutshehadt osoldieron.Noone
wantstobur ytheirchil
dren,shehadhopesand
aspir
ati
onsf orthem.Theywer emor ethan
sibl
i
ngst oher ,
theywer eherownpr ecious
j
ewels.Shepr omisedhermot herthatshe
wouldtakecar eofthem andshef ai
ledtodo
that
.Ther egretwillal
way sbet here,nomatter
howmuchshet ri
est opushi taway .

Li
feisver
ypr ecious,
iti
sv aluableandnotmany
peopl
eappreciateitwhil
et heycan.Nomkhosi
hasbeenhidingsincethedayoft heinci
dent
.
Sheknowst hatsheshouldn' thaveleftt
heki
ds
al
onethatnight.Sheknewt hatsheshouldn'
t
haveleftt
hecandleli
t,butshewasexcitedt
o
seeherboy f
ri
end.Shedidn'tt
hinkher"smal
l
mistake"wouldcostherthelivesofher
si
bli
ngs.

Sheneverappreciatedthem much, shewas

alwaysl
efttotakecar eofthem andt hat
annoyedher.Mpi l
ohadt owor khar dandshe
hadtostayathomeandl ookaf terthem.Itf
elt
l
ikeachoret oher,shedidn'
texpr essherlov
eto
them.Andy es,shedidlovethem.Theywer e
goodchil
drenandsheknewt hat.Shewas
alwaysbi
tterandshedi dn'
thav eagood
rel
ati
onshi
pwi ththem.

Shealwaysleftthem al
one,t
hat'
swhyt hey
l
earnthowtocook.Shewoul ddisappearfor
agesandonlyr etur
nhomewhenshewant edto.
Nowsher egretsalloft
hat,
may beifsheknew
thatt
hei
rli
fewoul
dbecutshortshewoul
dhav
e
beenabett
er,l
ovi
ngsi
stert
othem.

Butifshewasi ndeedal ov i
ngsistershe
woul dn'
thaveleftandt hiswouldhav ebeen
avoided.Thereisat i
mef oreverythi
ngthough,
somet i
mesar eforlaught erandhappinessand
somear eforpai
nandsadness.Ther eareti
mes
fordepar t
ureanddeat h,andmay bethei
rti
me
hadi ndeedcome.

Regardlessofev erythi
ngNompi lowasabl eto
organisethememor ialserv
iceandthef uneral
.
Shehel dherheadhi gh, honouri
ngherangel s
withdignit
y.Shewassuppor t
edbyherf ri
ends,
herfami l
y,herneighborsandhercolleagues.
Teachersandchi ldrencamei nnumber s,
everyoneknewt het winsandt heywerel oved
dearl
y .
Senzi'
smom l eftherfancymansi oninGaut eng
andcamet osuppor therf
uturedaught erinlaw.
Shehadt oseet hey oungladywhoi staki ng
careofhersonsowel l
.Li
keal lmothersshe
haddoubt satf i
rst
,shedidn'tevenwantherson
toleavehisfami l
yforamer egi r
l.Butafter
somet i
meshesawhowhappyhei s,sheonce
rui
nedt hi
ngsf orhim.Andf orthatheremai ned
miserableforyears,shedoesn'twantt hatto
happenagai n.Shewant shimt obehappy .

Nompi l
oishishappypl aceandshewi l
lsuppor
t
them.Theymeetandt alkforacoupleof
minutes,Nompiloissurpri
sed.Shedidn'
t
expecttoseeheratall butapartofheri
s
happy.Atleastshedoesn'thaveamonst eri
n
l
aw!
VukileandNdabear epresenttoo, theyknow
Nompi l
ot hroughSibaofcour seandt heyhadt
o
come.Thef uner
algoeswel l,
itisv erysad
though.Ev entheguestsshedt ears.Huge
pict
uresoft hem aredispl
ayed,t heirbri
ght
smilesclearlyevi
dent!

Whent heygettothegraveyardNompi l
ogoes
crazy,sheisti
redofbeingst r
ongnow.Shecan
seethatt heywil
lbetakenawayf rom her
foreverandshedoesn'twantt hat.Shethr
ows
herselfint
ooneoft hegravesandl et'
souta
hugecr yofpain.Thechoirstart
ssingingand
theyallowhertohav ehermoment .
Shelay
sinthegrav
eknowi
ngt
hatherbabi
es
wil
ll
ayherefor
ever
.

Aren'
tthei
rchest
stooweaktocarr
ytheweight
ofthesoil
thatwi
llbet
ossedovert
heirsmal
l
casket
s?
Won'tt
heygetsuf
focat
edi
nthi
ssmal
ldar
k
pl
ace?
Wi
l
ltheyev
erneedheragai
n?
Herl
ove,
war
mthandcar
e.
Sheiscr
yingbutsheisdoingherbestt
omake
thei
rnewhomewel coming.
Therei
snosuchthi
ngbutshehastotr
y,shei
s
tr
yingt
odoherbesttof
il
lthei
rgr
aveswit
hlov
e.

Whatki
ndofpar
entwoul
dshebei
fshel
et
t
hem st
ayi
naplacewit
hnolov
e?
Ifshecouldshewouldleaveherhearthere,her
heartisfi
ll
edwithl
oveandt hatwoul
dmakeher
feelbett
er.Shewouldknowt hatt
heyaren't
alone,sheiswit
hthem atal
l ti
mes.
Reluctant l
yshemov estothenextgraveand
doesthesame.Somepeopl earelooki
ngather
i
npi t
y, somear egossipi
ngabouther.Clai
ming
thatshei sbeingdramaticbutdothey
underst andthedepthofherpain?
Cant
heyseeherheartthathasbeenchur
ned
i
ntomeani
ngl
esspieces?
Thetr
uthistheydon'
tunder
standwhatshei
s
goi
ngthrough.

Shemayseem l
ikeamadwomanbutshej
ust
want
stofeel
closert
othem agai
n.
Nomkhosi i
salsopr esent,
sheishidingaway
f
rom every
oneel se.Shehadt ocomet othe
f
uner
al,thehat,scarfandsunglassesshehas
makeiteasyforhert ohideinthecrowds.
Seei
nghersist
erthr
owingher
sel
fint
othose
grav
esbreaksherhear
tevenmore.
Howshewishesthi
ngscouldbedi
ff
erent
,
Nompi
loi
sbey ondbrokenandt
hat
'sherf
aul
t.

Eventual
lyNompilohadtobebeggedtogetout
ofthegrave,shehasbandagesal
loverherand
nowt heyarebrownbecauseofal
lthedir
t.

"
UJehovauphi
le,
uJehov
aut
hat
hil
emal
i
bongwe
i
gamalakhe"

AyenziweandAphendulearelaidinthei
rfinal
resti
ngplace.Thecrowdretur
nshomef or
refr
eshment s.Nompil
ostaysbehind,andas
muchast heydon'
ttr
ustheralonetheylether
be.

Nomkhosi
seesanopportuni
tyt
ofi
nal
lyhav
ea
wor
dwithhersi
ster
.Theyonl
yhaveeachot
her
now.
Sher
ushesf
orwar
dtoher
.

"Iaskedtobelef
taloneSisi
,foodi sbeing
servedathomepleaseletmebe, "that
's
Nompi l
o,shedoesn'
tknowt hatthest r
anger
nexttoherishermissi
ngsister.

"
Nompil
oI'
m sor
ryf
orev
ery
thi
ng,
Idi
dn'
tmean
f
ort
hist
ohappen."
Theat
ti
tudeisgonenow,
Nomkhosi
want
sto
beassi
ncereasshecan.

Nompi l
ofacesher
,sheknowst hatvoi
cev er
y
well
.Toomanyquest ionsareci
rcul
ati
nginher
head,shedoesn'
tknowwhatt oaskfir
st.But
maybeshedoesn'tcareanymore.Sheis
curi
ousaboutonethingthoughandonly
Nomkhosi
cananswerher.

"
Whathappenedt
hatni
ght
?"
Shestar
esatherwi
thi
ntensi
ty,
shewant
sthe
tr
uthonl
y.

"Therewasast orm andtheelect

ricit
ywentof f,
wehadt oli
ghtacandlei
nor dertoeat .Aft
erwe
hadsupper ,t
hetwinsfel
lasleep,Ithenleft.I
forgotaboutthecandle.
.."hervoiceis
tremblingandshecan'tf
indtherightwor dsto
continue.

Nompilot
ellshertostop,
shehashear denough.
Shewantedconf i
rmati
onfrom herandshegot
that
.Shewon'tevenbothersayingmuchtoher,
whyshouldshewast eherener
gyonsomeone
whodoesn'tcare.
"Ihopey ouar ehappynow, y oucanf inall
ylive
yourlif
ef r
eely.Withoutmeofcour seandt he
twinssincey ouhat edt aki ngcar eoft hem.We
arenol ongerabur dent oy ou,y oucanr unal ong
tothatboy fr
iendwhowasmor ei mpor tantthan
youownsi bl
ingsNomkhosi .Ourhomei sburnt
up,andIwon' tbest ay i
ngt her e.Iwon' tever
bothery ouagain,tomey ou'redead!Ihav eno
sibl
ing,becausenosi blingofmi newoul dkil
l my
angels.YesNomkhosi ,y ouki l
ledt hem!Iwoul d
havesai dIwantt hem t ohaunty ouf orasl ong
asy oulivebutIdon' twantt ot aintthem, t
hey
wer efi
ll
edwi thpeaceandt heyshoul dr estnow.
Ihopet onev erseey ourpat heticf aceagai n!"
withthatsaidshel eav es.

MaNzuzaiswaiti
ngforherandshehastosee
i
fthefoodisenoughforever
yone.Nomkhosi
is
l
eftal
one,sheknowsthathersi
stermeant
everywordshesaid.Tear
scascadedownher
face,knowi
ngthatshebroughtt
hisunt
oher
sel
f.

Uzenzi
l
eakakhal
elwa!
_Azul
upr
over
b.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
♡
Shar
e!!
!!
!

SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Ziyandai sst
il
lmissi
ng, thepol i
cehav etriedby
allmeanst olocat
eherbutt heyarefail
ing
dismally.Thefamil
yrecei vedthelett
ersay ing
thatshei ski
dnapped,theywer edev astatedand
asmuchast heytri
edl ookingforhertheyal so
fail
ed.WhenSandi l
eDl omowast oldhewas
hurt,hehasbeennegl ectinghisdaught erfora
l
ongt i
mebuthenev erst oppedlov i
ngher .

Heknowst hatitishi sfaultthatZiy

andai s
missing.Whathappenedbet weenhim and
Ziy
anda' s"
husbandt obe"shoul dn'
thav e
i
nvolvedhisf amily.Itwasj ustabusi nessdeal
,
hewi shesthatther eissomet hi
nghecoul ddo
butitisalr
eadyt ool ate.Ziyandaisalreadyina
pl
aneheadi ngt oacount rysheknowsnot hi
ng
about.Unfortunatelynoonecanhel pher.

Si
ncet
hedayoft
hef
uner
alNompi
l
ohasbeen
stayingwithMaNzuza.Asmuchshewoul d
hav elovedstay i
ngtheref orl
onger
,sheneeds
togetonwi t
hherl if
e.Thesoonershedoes
that,thebetter.Shewillbeabletofocusonher
l
ifeandt rytomov eon.Sheneedssomesor tof
routine,t
hat'
st heonlywayshewi l
lbeableto
mov eon.Si t
tingathomewi t
hMaNzuzaal lday
l
ongwi l
lendupdepr essingher.Shehasbeen
throughal otandshedeser vesabreak.

Shenol ongerhasanyr esponsi bi

li
ti
essoshe
willbefocusi ngonher self.Fi
r st
lyshewilll
ook
foranaf for dablefl
attor ent,shet henneedst o
goshoppi ngsi nceallherbel ongingsgotbur nt
i
nt hef i
re.Shewi ll
thenr eturnt owork,saveup
andmay beopenabusi nessoneday .Asfort he
painandt r aumashewentt hrough,shewi l
ldeal
withitalongt heway .Sheknowst hatshehast o
faceherpr oblemsbutshebel ievesthatshewi l
l
heal atsomepoi nt
,andt hingswi llf
alli
ntoplace.
AsforNomkhosi ,shedeci dedtorunaway .The
socall
edimpor t
antboy fr
iendmeansnot hi
ngto
hernow,sheknowst hatthereasonsheno
l
ongerhasaf amilyisbecauseofhi m soshe
doesn'
twantany t
hingt odowi t
hhi m.She
managedtost ealsomeofhi smoneyandshei s
headi
ngtotheCi tyofGold.Shedoesn' thave
anyconnect
ionsbutshej ustwantstostart
afr
esh.
Shewantst ostartanewl i
fewherenoone
knowsher ,sheisti
redofheari
ngrumours
aboutherself.Sheisti
redofgett
ingdi
rt
ylooks
andbeingjudgedbysoci et
y.

Sheknowsthatshewasatfault
,butthat
doesn'
tmeanthatshehasnohear t
.Sheisalso
gri
evi
ng,sheisal
sohurti
ng,sheisinadarker
pl
acebecausesheblameshersel
f.Hermind
hasheldhercapt i
ve,andi tfeastsonherdai l
y.
Ruini
ngt heonlygoodt hought sshehadabout
hersel
f.Sheisonl yat eenager ,shemayhav e
madel otsofmi stakesbutt het ruthisshehad
noonet oturntoo.Shel ostherpar entsata
youngage, shehasn' tdealtwi t
ht hatproper
ly.
Nompi l
owashar dlyaroundbecauseofwor k,
that'
swhyshegotassoci atedwi thbad
company .Shewasonl yseeki nghel p,andsome
sortofescapef rom herpr oblems.

Event houghsheal sohasn' thaditeasyshe

knowst hatshecannotbl ameany oneelsebut
herself.Themomentsher eali
zedthatshehad
problemssheshoul dhav ereachedout,the
worldoweshernot hing.Justbecauseshei san
orphani tdoesn'tmeant hingsaresupposedto
beabi teasyf orher.
Withtearsi
nherey esshesay sgoodby etot
he
onlyplacet
hatoncebr oughtherhappinessand
peace.Sadlynowitisfil
l
edwi thgruesome
memor i
est
hattort
ureherev eryni
ght.She
wantst oer
asethem compl etel
y!
Shewant
stoheal
andl
i
veapeacef
ull
i
fe.

Surel
ythecit
yhasbet
teroppor
tunit
iesand
rel
ati
ons,wel
lthat
'
swhatshethinks.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLE

Vukil
eandIhavebeenl iv
ingtogetherforafew
monthsnow.Ourr el
at i
onshipisgoi ngverywell
,
heissuchagent leman!Iwi shmymot herli
ved
toseethisday
.Shewoul dhav el
ov edhim, t
hey
sharethesamei nterestsandVuki leisold
fashi
onedandy ourt ypicalt
radit
ionalzuluman.
Mymom woul dhav elikedhim Iswear !

Isti
l
ldon'tknowhowIwasl uckyenought ofi
nd
suchagoodman, het akesgoodcar eofme
andhewant sthebestf orme.Iam exci ted
aboutourfutur
ebecauseIf oundexact l
ywhatI
waslookingfor.Thingsar eabi tbetterinmy
l
ifenow,asmuchasIdi dn'twantt ostaywi t
h
Vukil
eithashelpedmeal otfinanciall
y.Isti
l
l
havedebtstoset t
lebutnowIcanmanagemy
moneybet t
er.I
naf ewmont hsIwi l
l befree
f
rom f
inanci
albur
den.

Itr
iedtel
li
ngVukil
ethatIam readytostar
t
l
ookingformyownpl aceandhewasgr umpy
forweeks.Hekeptavoidi
ngthet opi
cand
makingexcuses,mymom wi l
l havetof
orgiv
e
mewher evershei
sbecauset hismandoesn't
wanttoletgo!
Sincewe'
reonthetopi
cofmymother,her
deathhadahugeimpactonme.Ifitwasn'
tfor
Vukil
eIdon'
tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeof
me.

Ihadnomoneyandnopl acet ost ay,

Ididn'
t
evenhav emoneyt ogot owor k.Iwouldhav e
probablyendedont hestreetssinceIhadno
hope.Ididn'
tthinkIwoul dev erfindpeaceand
happinessafterloosingtheoneper sonwho
caredaboutmeont hisearth.Iwassur ethat
mylifehadcomet oanend,whyshoul
dI
conti
nuelivi
ng/worki
ngift
hepersonbehi
ndmy
successisn'
ther
etowi t
nessi
t?

Iam justgratef
ulthatVukil
ewaspat
ientwi
th
me, forthatIwil
lalwayslovehi
m.Iwil
lal
ways
respecthim becauseafewmenar eas
honorableashim.
Ialsoknowt hatsomeonewasbehi ndmy
mot her
'sdeath,thereisnoev i
denceofcourse
andIdon'tknowwhoexact lyi
stheculpri
tbutI
willl
etkarmadeal wit
hit.Ineedpeaceandt he
onlywaytogeti tisbymov i
ngon,Iwil
l hol
d
ontomymot her'
sbeaut i
fulmemor i
esknowi ng
thatsheiswat chingoverme.

Sheisrootingforme,shei
sfight
ingmybattl
es
andIwillhonorherwell
.Iwi
ll
cont i
nuebei
ng
thedaughtersherai
sedandIwi l
lmakeher
proud.Iam att
endingtherapysessi onstwi
cea
weekandt heyarehelpingmeal ot.Iwasv er
y
rel
uctantaboutitt
hough, speakingt oastr
anger
aboutmypastseemedusel ess.Ithadalr
eady
happened,IgothurtandIhadt omov eonso
howwi ll
tal
kingaboutithelpme?

Vuki lehadt odr agmet her

eandIwasangr yat
himf orday s,hekeptbeggi ngmet ogot hough.
Ev erythingwassof oreigntome, butmy
ther apistisav eryki ndlady.Ihadt oshare
traumat i
zingst uffaboutmyl i
fe,Itoldhermy
dar kestsecr ets.Ev enmymot herdi dn'
tknowI
wasmol ested, Iknewt hatshewoul dblame
her selfbecauseshebr oughtthatmani ntoour
l
iv es.Ihav ebeencar r
yingthi
ssecr etfor10
year sbutnowIt hinkIam r eadytodeal withit
andmov eon.Iam r eadytobur ythatchapterof
myl if
e.
I
nor dertodot hatIneedtot
ellVukil
e,Idon'
t
wantanysecr etsbetweenus.Ineedt odothi
s,
i
tispartofmyj our
neyofheal
ing.Ij
usthope
t
hatt el
l
inghim aboutmypastwon' tchange
t
hing'sbetweenus.

Idon'
twantt
oloosewhatwehav
e.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI

Ithasbeenamont hsinceZi yandadi sappear ed

andwest i
llhaven'tgotanyleads.Thepol ice
aregoingaroundi ncir
clesandev enSandi le's
priv
ateinv
estigatorcan'
tfindt hem.I tseems
l
iketheyhavecompl et
elydisappear ed,leav ing
not r
acebehind.Ithinkthattheyhav ealready
l
eftthecountry,t
hingiswedon' tknowwher e
theywentsol ookingforthem abr oadi slike
goingonawi ldgoosechase.
Iwisht her ewassomet hi
ngIcoul ddot ohelp,
l
ooki ngatSi baandAuntLi zloosinghopei s
drai
ni ng.Thepr eviousmont hhasbeenhor ri
ble
forthem, ontheot herhandthey'resupporti
ng
Nompi lo.Mywomani sgoi
ngt hroughal otandI
don'tlikethat.Idon'twantmysont osensethat
sheisn' tokay,Ijustwantbothoft hem t
obe
well
.

Myf at
hersummonedmehome, theyhaven'
t
seenQhaweandhewant stodoapr oper
ceremonyforme.Hehasal readycontact
eda
verydi
stantr
elati
veandhepai dthedamages
andsomef eesot hatIwi
ll
beabl etotakehi
s
surname.Iam neededathomef orthat
ceremonyandt henIwil
lbeabletochangemy
surname.
Iam excitedaboutt hi
sbecausei tgivesmea
senseofbel onging.Iwil
lbeintroducedtothe
restofthefami l
yandIknowt hatIhav eahome
now.Ijustwi shthisal
lhappenedatabet t
er
ti
me, t
hef ami l
yneedst oseeSibaandIdon' t
knowi fshewi l
lbewi l
li
ngtogot her
esinceshe
i
sn'tokay.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
MENZI
Imissbei nghome, Imi ssmyf amilyandIwoul d
l
ov etoseemyempl oyee' s.Thefar
mi s
producinglotsoffruitsandv eget
ables,seei
ng
youngpeopl einvolvedmakesmehappy .IwishI
couldofferthem bet t
erj obs.Theyarey oung,
eagerandambi t
ioust heydeser vetobeout
therechasingtheirdreams.Theyt oodeser vea
chancet oli
vethel i
fet heyhav ebeenr obbedof.

AllIdidwaspr ovidethem wi thani ncome,

someoft hem arebreadwi nner sandt heyhav e
sibl
ingsorpar ent
sdependentont hem.Bei ng
poori sveryexpensiv
e, beingpoori shol ding
them back.Manyoft hem hav ebri
ll
iantmat ri
c
certi
ficat
es,buttheycoul dn'tfurt
herthei r
studies.Theycan'tevenf indjobsbecausei n
ourcount ryt
heonl ywayt of indajobi sby
havingconnect i
ons.
Ifyoudon'tknowany onei nthatcompany ,your
CVi sn'
tevenconsi dered.Itdoesn'tmatterwhat
typeofjobitis,orthequal if
icati
onsitneedsi f
youdon'thav econnect ionsfindingajobwil
l be
verydif
fi
cult.Graduateshav ebeensi tti
ngat
homef oryearsbecauseoft his,
oursystem has
fail
edus.Ithasf ai
ledt heyout hoverandover
again.Workingwi t
ht hem hasshownmet he
depthsoftheirsadness.

Asmuchast heyyearnt oleavethev il

l
agef or
betterlives, t
heyhav er esponsibi
li
ti
esand
familiest otakecar eof .Andweal l nowt hatthe
cit
yi sn'tasper fectasweal lmakei toutt obe.I
wishIcoul ddomor ef orthem butmyl i
fei sin
Durban, andIhav eal otonmypl ate.Thegood
newsi st hatIhavemanagedt ocollectfunds
forthel ocal soccerteam, aproperspor t
s
groundwi l
lbebui l
tandt heywi l
lgetanewki t
.
Thatmakesmehappybecauset heyar ev ery
dedi
cat
ed,t
heyl
ovepl
ayi
ngsoccerandseei
ng
suchmakesmehappy
.

Inmyopi ni onl i
feshoul dbeaboutt hat,li
fe
shouldinv olvethepr i
vil
egedhel pi
ngoutwher e
theycan.Idi dn'
tof ferthem mill
ions,Itr
ained
them andor ganisedgamesf orthem.Ijust
wantedt hem of fthest r
eetsandnowmydr eam
i
scomi ngt rue.May beonedayIwi l
lowna
socceracademy ,
butI '
mj ustgratef
ul f
ortheir
parti
cipationandt hepr ogress.Ifweallhelped
outthewor ldwoul dbeabet t
erplace,i
fweal l
didourbi tandputi nsomeef fortpoverty
wouldn'tbesuchani ssue.

Evenofferi
ngsomeoney ourt i
me,teaching
them anewski l
li
sbenefi
cial.Notallofushav e
moneyandt hat'
sokay,butitdoesn'tmeant hat
weshoul dn'
thel
p.Thesadr eali
tyi
st hatthe
youthisof t
enexploi
tedbyinfl
uenti
alpeople,
bigshotsinexpensiv
esuit
s/power fulwomen
whoshoul dbeempower i
ngt hem buti
nstead
theylurethem i
ntohumantraffi
cki
ng,
prosti
tuti
onandsomear emadesl avesordr ug
mules.

Theyar emadet obelievethatt

heyarebeing
offer
edgoodj obs,peopleareev i
loutt
here.Iti
s
abattleofthefi
ttest
, andweshoul dal
lknow
thatsomet i
mesifsomet hingistoogoodtobe
truetheniti
s.Don'tfalli
ntoatrapwhenallthe
signsarethere!
AnywaysIam ver
ypassionat
eaboutmatter
s
i
nvolv
ingtheyout
h.Icouldgoonandon,rai
sing
val
i
dpointsandmakingmyv oicehear
d.

Thatiswhymyf atherthi
nksIshoul
dgetint
o
pol
it
ics.Iam st
il
lhesit
antbecauseIdon'
twant
toendangermyf amil
yorletSibagot hr
ough
thetr
aumaofl osingmeinat ragicmanner.
Poli
ti
ciansarekill
edfart
oof requentl
yandthey
nevergetjust
ice.Iam afather,Ineedtoputmy
famil
yf i
rst
.

Sibaagreedtocomehomewi t
hmet hiscoming
weekend,thepr eparat
ionsfortheceremonyare
goingwell.EvenVuki l
ewill
bet her
e,asmuchas
hedoesn'treall
ylikemydadhesai dhewill
supportme.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMKHOSI

Li
fei
ntheci
ty.
Iwon'
tli
eJoburgi
sav erybeauti
ful
place,iti
s
al
waysbusywitht
housandsofpeopl egoingon
wit
hthei
rdai
lyact
ivi
ti
es.Peopleofdiff
erent
l
anguages,cult
uresandbeliefsar
eher e.
Every
dayisfascinati
ngbecauseIgettol ear
n
somethingnew.Theci t
ynev ersl
eeps, t
he
bri
ghtli
ghtsl
ightitupexposingit
'sbeauty.

Thedisappoi nt
ingpar taboutt
hecityist hat
therearenoj obs.Ihav ebeenl
ivi
ngont he
street
sf ordays.Idon'thavemuchcl othesandI
probablysmel lhorr
iblynow.Noonewant sto
hir
esomeonewhol ooksl i
keatypicalj
unki e.
Whowi l
lbeabl etotrustsomeonewhol iveson
thestreets?Someonewhomayst eal f
rom
them?

Idon'
tknowwhattodo,t
hel i
tt
lemoneyIhad
wasstol
enonthedayIarri
vedhere.Yes,that
'
s
howIwaswelcomedtoJohannesbur g.Some
boyscameoutofnowherewhileIwast ry
ingto
deci
dewhatIwil
lbuytoeatandtheyt ookmy
wall
et.Ist
il
lhaven'
tcomeupwi t
haplanon
howIwi l
lsurv
ive.I
m sti
llcontentwit
hseei
ng
theci
tyandeatingfrom dustbins.

Youmustbewonder i
ngwhyIam socal m about
al
lofthi
s.Iam sti
l
lateenager,
yetIam
comfort
ableaboutmynewl i
festy
le.Wel
lthe
tr
uthi
s, Inol
ongerhaveahome.
Ihav
enofamil
ysoIhav
etost
artaf
reshal
one
andfendf
ormysel
f.
Ican'tdot
hatinDurban,
every
oneknowsme
andtheygossipaboutme.Herenooneknows
me, whocaresaboutadir
tygi
rlwhol
iv
esonthe
str
eets?
Theyhav
ethei
rownl
i
vest
oli
ve.

MaybeIl
ostapartofmysel
fint
hatfi
re,
may
be
t
hosefi
eryf
lamesburntmyabil
i
tytobe
concernedaboutmat t
ersrel
atingtomyl i
fe.I
actual
lydon'tcare,
Iam notev enscared.Isleep
peaceful
lyatnight,notevenconcernedabout
thefactthatIam exposingmy selft
oallkinds
ofdangert hatcoul
dbel urki
ngby .

ThedayNompi l
otoldmethatIam deadt
oher,
maybeIact
uallydi
edsomehow.Becausethe
per
sonIam todayisnol
ongerNomkhosi.

Thi
sgirl
doesn'
tcar
eandshehasaccept
edher
newli
fe.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFORTYFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLE

TodayIwil
ltel
lVukil
eaboutmypast ,
Idon't
wanttodel
ayitfur
ther.Hehast ogowi thMenzi
thi
sweekendandhewant edmet otagal ong.
Hewasjustbeingchil
dishIcan'tshowupat
someone'
shouseasagi r
lfr
iend.Si
bahasev er
y
ri
ghtt
obet her
ebutIcan'tgoanddi srespect
someone'
shomel ikethat
.

Hewill
getti
met othinkabouteveryt
hingIsaid
andwhenher eturnswewi llt
alkaboutit.That'
s
i
fheissti
l
lwi l
li
ngt obewi t
hme.Iwon' tbe
goi
ngtowor ktoday ,
there'
saunionmeet i
ng
andsomet eacher '
swill
beat t
endingit.School
wil
lbecl
osedfort
heday.Vuki
l
edecidedt
ostay
athometoo,
perksofbei
ngyourownboss!

Breakf
asti
sal
readypr
epared,Vuki
lel
ovesf
ood
andImadesuretomakeitexactl
yhowheloves
i
t.
I
njustaf
ewminut
eshef
ini
shesev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
wasonhi
spl
ate.
Hei
ssingi
ngmyprai
sesr
ightnow,
letmewash
t
hedi
shesfir
st.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:
yes,
why
?
Hi
m:you'
rever
yqui
ett
oday
.Tal
ktome
MaNgcobo
Me:
l
etmef
ini
shupf
ir
standt
henwe'
l
ltal
k
Hi
m:I
'
llhel
pyou
Me:
Thanky
ou.

Iwasht hedisheswhil
ehewipesthem witha
cloth,
wear ebothsi
lentandIcanfeel
his
stronggazeonme.Icont i
nuewashingthe
disheswhil
ehest ar
esatmewi thwhatlooks
l
ikeconcerninhiseye'
s.

Him:Angi
thandi
ukubonalokhuNdabezinhle,
umoy awakhouphansinj
e(Idon'
tl
ikeseeing
thi
sNdabezinhl
e,y
ouseem v er
ydown)
Me:Imjustworr
iedaboutwhatIhavet
otel
lyou,
Im scar
edthati
tmaychanget hewayyouf
eel
aboutme
Him:ay
ikhoint
oey oshint
shaindl
elaengi
zizwa
ngayo,f
uthi
naweuy akwazil
okho(nothi
ngwi l
l
changehowIf eel
abouty ou,andyouknowt hat)
Me:Weal
lhaveourowndemonsVuki le,
Ihadto
f
acemineandinorderforthi
stoworkIhavet
o
t
ell
you.Weneedtofightthem t
oget
her

Hetakest hebowl Iwaswashingandputsi

t
backint
ot hesink.Hetakesmet othel
ounge
andwesi ttogetheronthecouch.Hehol
dsmy
handsandpul l
smecl osertohim.

Him:NdabezinhleIhadt ogr owupatay oung

age.Ibarelyremembermymot her,Ihavelit
tle
memor iesofher .Asf ormyf atherIdon' teven
knowhi m.Mymot herleftwhenMenzi wasv ery
young,Idon'tknowwhathappenedbutIsaw
herarguingwi t
hMenzi '
sf ather.Af t
erthatshe
packedherbagsandl eft,Idon' tknowi fsheis
sti
ll
aliveornot.Ihat edMenzi 'sfatherfrom that
day,Iblamedhi mf orev erything.Hedr owned
himselfwithwor ktoescapef rom hissor r
ows
andIhadt otakecareofmyl it
tl
ebr other.I
harboredhateinmyhear tf
rom ay oungage, I
wasbit t
erbecauseIlov
edmymot herandIwas
sti
l
l akidtoosoIneededher .Ihadmaj oranger
i
ssuesandIt ookthem outonMenzi .Ibecame
amonst erbabe,ashegrewol derIcont r
oll
ed
hi
m andt ri
edtoforcehimtobel ikeme.

HepausesandIcanseegl
assesi
nhiseyes,
he
l
ooksatthewhi
tecei
li
ngbefor
econt
inui
ng.

Him:Menzi wastoonaive,
hewasacheer y
personfrom ayoungage.Alwayshelping
othersandseeingthebeautyinverysi
tuati
on,
butwhohel pedus?Whomadesur ehehad
food?Thathewasf edandreadyforschool?I
didallofthat
,Iwasangryatthewor l
dandI
wantedsomet hingtocont
rol.Ashegrewol derI
start
eddictat
inghim..
.
Heobey edmebecauseher espectedme, tocut
thestoryshortatsomepoi ntIlosthi m because
ofthat.Iabusedmyonl ybrother.BabeIam not
educated,Iwasinvol
vedinshadydeal i
ngsback
i
nt heday.Spent3y earsinpr i
sonandwhenI
camebackIbecamear uthlesstaxi owner.Iam
notproudofsomeoft hethingsIdi d,Iam no
saintbaby

Me:That'
salottotakeinatonce,I
m sorr
y
aboutyourmother.
..youshouldbeproudsi
nce
you'
renolongerli
kethatthough

Isi
gh, t
obehonestIcan' tseem tofindthe
wordstosay .Iam notsurpri
sedtohearwhat
hejustsaid,
Ihav eseenhisguni nthesafeand
Iknowhowt axiownersoperate.Hispastis
nothi
ngcompar edtomine,hehustled,messed
withthelaw,hadt odoti
meandt henhest ar
ted
ov
er.Hei
sdoi
ngwel
lnow.

Hi
m:pl
easet
alkt
omeNdabe
Me:
Her
apedmeokay
!!

Isayt
hatoutabi
ttool
oudl
y

Hi
m:Who?How?When?

I
sitfearorconcer
nthat
'swr
it
tenal
lov
erhi
m,
hesoundsshocked.

Me:Mystepfather,hediditmor ethanonce.I
t
star
tedwhenIwas14, hewouldtouchmeal l
overandmakenast ycomment s.Itri
edtel
li
ng
himtostopbuthedi dn'
tli
sten,hemademe
keepitasecret.Iwasy oung,scaredandI
obey edhi m becausehewasmymot her '
s
husband.WhenIt urned17hebr okemyv i
rgini
ty,
Icri
edVuki l
eandIbeggedhi mt ostopbuthe
didn't.Itoldmyauntabouti tandsheshout ed
atme, shecal ledmenames.Shet oldmet hatI
l
ikewear i
ngshor t/reveali
ngclothessowhyam
Isurpr i
sed.Shecal ledmenames, al
l sortsof
horri
bl enamesandshemademebel i
ev eitwas
myf aul t.Myst epfat hermadesur etocomet o
ourhousewhenMom wasatwor k,hef orced
met ot akecont racept i
vesandIkepti tf r
om my
mot her .Heonl yst oppedaf t
erIfellpregnant ,I
was20att hatti
meandhef orcedmet ohav e
anabor tion.I'
mt oodamagedf oryou, Iwill
under standi fyounol ongerwantt obewi thme

Hi
m:hey
,comeher
e.

Hel
ooksatmewi
they
esexpr
essi
ngemot
ions
t
hatar
etoodeepf
ormet
ounder
stand.

"Cr
yital
loutbaby ,
Iam herenow.Iwon'tl
eave
youandIwillprot
ectyou.Youhavegracedthi
s
housewit
hy ourpresence,
you'
reapartofme
now.Hemayt hi
nkhewonbuthedi dn'
t,doyou
knowwhy ?
"

Ishakemyf
ace,
sti
l
lkeepi
ngey
econt
act
.

"Hefai
ledtobr
eaky ouapar
tcompletel
y,y
ou'r
e
astr
ongbeauti
fulwomanwhoshar esa
hear
twarmingaura.I
fhehadsucceededthen
youwouldn'
tbethewomany ouare.Thankyou
mylove,"

Me:
For
?
"Forhol
dingonNdabezi nhl
e,forsurv
ivi
ngno
mat t
erhowhar ditwas.Idon'tknowhowyou
fel
tatthatti
mebutIknowt hatyou'
reaQueen
becausey ousurv
ived!
"

Hehugsmet ightl
yandIsobi nhi
sar ms.I
rememberthepai nIwentt hr
ough,humil
iat
ion
anddepressionIhadbecauseofwhathedi dt
o
me.Ididn'
ttellanyone,notevenmymot her
whoIlovedmor ethananythi
ng.

Cr
yingf
eel
sri
ght
,Ineedt
oletgo.

Him:I
m sor r
yforeveryt
hingyouwentt hr
ough
mylov e,Iwil
ldori
ghtbyy ouNdabezinhl
e.Ilov
e
you.
..Ifell
inlovewithyou,yourper
sonali
tyand
warm smi l
e.Whatthatbasterddidtoyou
changesnot hi
ng,you'
resti
lltheoneforme.
YoumakemehappyandIknowy ouweremade
f
orme,
uwenaozov
usaumuzi
wami
.

Hekissesmeont
hef
oreheadandIcont
inue
cr
yinginhi
sar
ms.

Him:uy
ikhokonkeki
mi,
lokhoakusoze
kwashi
ntshaMaNgcobo

_you'r
eev
eryt
hingt
ome,
thatwon'
tev
er
changeMaNgcobo)

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFORTYFI
VE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLE

Isti
llcan'
tbeli
evet hatIf
inal
l
yf oundthe
couraget otel
lVukileaboutmypast .Hehas
beenv erysupporti
veandIwi shIhadt oldhim
earl
ieron,Ishouldn'thaveal
lowedmyf ear
st o
stopme.NowIam ateaseandIcanf ullyfocus
onhi m.

Hav i
ngt odealwithmypastaf t
ersol ongwasn' t
easy,thatmanbr okeme.Hemademebel i
eve
thatallmenar eli
kethat,Ihavenev erev enhad
aser i
ousr el
ati
onshipbefore.Myr elati
onships
didn'
tlastbecauseIcouldn'tstandamanf or
toolong, Inev
erenjoyedinti
macy .Itfeltfor
ced,
painfulanditbroughtbackt oomany
unpleasantmemor i
es.
Whenev ermycurrentboyfri
endtri
edmaki ng
l
ov etomeIkeptget t
ingflashbacksofthat
monst ergr
oaningont opofme.Iendedup
avoidingi
nti
macywhi choftenledtomanyot her
problems.Theguywoul dcheatonmeorhe
woul ddumpme.Thecy cl
econt i
nuedtil
lI
stoppeddatingcompletel
y.Iwasj ustt
ir
edof
getti
nghurtandreli
vi
ngmypast .

WithVuki l
eIdon' tknowhowi thappened
honestly,butitfeltri
ght.AsmuchasIwas
scaredofcommi tti
ngtosomeonebuti tf
elt
ri
ght.Wear en'ti
ntimatethough,Ithi
nkhecan
seethatIam notr eadyandIappr eci
atethat.He
doesn'tfeel sexuall
yentit
ledtomeaf ter
everyt
hingt hathehasdonef ormeandf i
nding
aguyl i
kehi mi srare.
HoweverIthi
nkit'
sti
menow, Ihav
edealtwit
h
mypast.Iwouldn'
tsayIam complet
elyf
inebut
If
eelwaybetternow.
Af ewdaysagoVuki l
eaccompaniedmet othe
EasternCape,hewantedmemeetsomeone
whowasi nter
estedinbuyi
ngt hehousethat
wassupposedt obemymot her'
shouse.Iti
s
notcompletedbutthemanpai dahugeamount
forit
!

Iwi l
lbeabletosettl
emydebt sandsav ethe
rest.Healsoaccompani edmet oseemy
stepfather
,Iconfr
ontedhi m andhecouldn't
evenanswerme.WhatIam pr oudofisthefact
thatIwasabl etostareathim andt el
lhi
m
exactlywhat'
sonmymi nd.Ihadnof earatal
l
andt hatmademef eelgood, whathedidtome
willneverhavethesameef f
ectasbef or
e.Iam
strongernow.
WhenwegothomeIcr i
ed,Icriedforwhat
seemedli
kef or
ever.Justl
etti
ngt hetearsflow
downmyf aceandpr ocessthepai nforthef i
nal
ti
me.Vuki
lecomf ortedmet i
llIfel
lasleep.
WhenIwokeupt henextmor ning,If
elthappier
andmyhear twasatpeace.Iknewt hatIhad
putmydemonst orest,
Iwill
nev erbet hei
r
sl
aveanymor e.

Ichoosemy
sel
fandIchooset
obehappy
.
Vuki
l
eismyhappyplaceandIcannotwai
tto
cr
eatebeaut
if
ulmemori
eswit
hhim.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
VUKI
LE

Thetr
iptot
heEaster
nCapehel
ped
Ndabezi
nhl
ealot
,sheismuchhappi
ernowand
thatmakesmef eel
gr eat
.Iam notgoodat
expressingmyselfyetIwasabletosuppor
ther
throughout.
Ichort
leasIthi
nkabouthowIusedtothi
nk
Menzi wasf
edal ovepoti
on.Lov
echangesa
personanditbr
ingsli
ghti
ntoyourl
i
fe.

IfIknewthatMenziwasfeel
i
ngli
kethi
smaybe
Iwouldn'
thavetr
oubledhi
m andsear
chedf
or
myownpar t
ner
.
Thewor l
dwouldbeabet
terpl
acei
fwewer eal
l
atpeace,andl
ovegav
emeal l
thepeaceI
needed.

AsmuchasIwant edtodosomet hi
ngtoMr
Nyawuza,Ndabez
inhl
ebeggedmet oal
low
karmatoplayi
tsrol
e.Iam nolongerinvol
vedi
n
cri
mebutIwouldhavemadesur ethathe
suff
ersf
orwhathedidt oher.Ihopelif
edeals
wi
thhim somehowbecauseIwon'
tbr
eakt
he
pr
omiseImadet oNdabezi
nhl
e.
_
___
___
___
__

Afewhoursl aterwehavedinnertogetherandI
canseethatsheseemsexci ted.Shetakesme
toourbedroom after
wardsandwi thoutsaying
anyt
hingherlipscoll
i
deontomi ne.Myt ongue
danceswit
hher si
naperfectrhyt
hm, thekiss
bri
ngsaboutsoemot i
ons.Herbreathi
ng
patt
ernsarechangingandmyhandsar eal
l ov
er
herbody.

Shedeepensthei ntensi
tyofthekissand
removesthesmal lsati
ngownshewaswear ing.
Hernakednessissomet hingIhaven'tgot
ten
usedto.Thesightofhert wi
nsarousesme.My
handsimmediatelylandont hem andshe
rel
easesasmal lpleasur
ablemoan.
Ibreakt
heki ssoffandthenlookather
.Icup
herpret
tyface,hereyesarenowf i
l
ledwit
hlust
.
Iaskherifshereall
ywantsthisandshenodsa
fewtimes.

DamnMaNgcobo!
Thesi
ghtofheri
nthatst
atei
stor
tur
e.
Ipi
ckherupandpl
antki
ssesal
lov
erherneck.

Herresponsei
sfi
l
ledwi
thpl
easur
eandt
hat
's
al
lIneedrn.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFORTYSI
X
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BA

"Khumal
o,
Mnt
ungwa,
Mzi
l
ikazi
kaMashobane,
Mbul
azi
,
Donda,
Mabaso,
Wen'
owadl
'umunt
uwamy
engangendaba.
..
"

Anelderi
sreci
ti
ngallt
heclannamesoft
his
famil
y,Menzii
sbei
ngintr
oducedtot
he
ancest
orsandsofaral
lisgoi
ngwell
.Hewil
l
al
sot aketheKhumalosurnameasf r
om nowon,
heistakinghi
struei
denti
tyandIam gladthatI
am heresupport
inghim.Mostoftherit
ual
happenedlastni
ght,agoatwassl
aught er
ed
andhei sweari
ng2goatskinbanglesaswe
speak.

Itwassupposedt obeasmal l"i

mbeleko
ceremony"butt hef amilyi
shereinnumber s,
actuall
yhisfatherwental l
outsoitisnowa
spectacularevent.Ihaveascarfonmyhead,
andasmuchasIwant edtohelptheladi
esI
wast ol
dt hatIwil
l notdoanythi
ng.Thisfamil
y
i
sv erytradi
ti
onalandsi nceIam notMenzi'
s
wifeIcannotactlikeone.

SoI'
m heretaki
ngpictur
esofmyhandsome
manwhoi swearingtheful
lzul
uatt
ir
eandI
cannothel
pbutblush.Thisisanamazi
ngsi
ght
,
hi
smusclesar
evi
sibl
eandhej
ustl
ooks
br
eat
htaki
ng!
Hei
shappyandt
hati
scl
ear
lyv
isi
ble!
Thefamil
ywel
comedmev er
ywel
l,
andthey
l
oveQhawe.Appar
entl
yhehasthesame
bir
thmar
kashisgr
andfat
herandhehashis
ears.
Theyal
lkeptf
ussi
ngov
erhi
m,t
heyal
lwant
ed
tocar
ryhi
m.

I'
mj usthappythatwer ecei
vedawarm
welcome, I
'm happythattheylov
emybabybutI
am alsokeepinganey eont hem.Nott
hatI
don'ttr
ustthem butMenzi wasconcei
vedfrom
aprev i
ousrelat
ionshi
psowemaynev erknowif
thewi f
eisgenuinelyhappy.
MaybeshethinksMenzii
sheret
otakeher
chi
l
dren'
sinheri
tancesoIhav
etobeonthe
l
ookout.
I
t'
sbet
tert
obesaf
ethansor
ry.
RightnowQhawei swi
thAni
kwe(Menzi
'
s
stepsi
ster
),t
hatonei
sadarl
ingandIj
ustl
ove
her.
Wesl epti
nthesamer oom yest
erdayandwe
hadloadsoffuntogether.Wewerejustt
alki
ng
randomlyandwel osttr
ackofti
me.

Anikwei saroundZiy anda'

sageifnot,
shemay
beaf ewyearsolder.Idon'
tknowwhyIf el
t
betterwhenIt al
kedt oher,may bei
tisbecause
shei sMenzi'ssi
sterandsher emindsmeof
Ziy
anda.Tot hi
nkthataf ewmont hshave
passedandwest i
l
lhav en'
tfoundher
!
Wedon'
tev
enknowi
fshe'
sokay
,ifshe'
sdead
oral
i
ve!
Andwear
eexpect
edt
ogoonwi
thourl
i
ves.
"Makot
igoandsi
tnextt
ohi
m!Hel
ooksal
l
alonet
her
e!"

That'
sfrom oneoftheaunt
s,Idi
dn'
treal
i
sethat
theri
tualsar
efini
shedandnowIhavetojoi
n
Menzi.Ihavebeentooconsumedinmyown
thoughts.
Igetupslowlyandwalktothefr
ontoft
het
ent
,I
am pray
ingtheseheel
sdon'tbet
rayme
becausealleyesar
efocusedonmenow.
OnceIj
oinhi
mtheMCst
art
sthepr
ogr
amme.

I
tmost l
yinvol
vesdiff
erentfamilymembers
welcominghimi nt
othefami l
y.Somekeep
t
hrowinghintst
hatheshoul dtakeawifenow
t
hathehassor tedouthisissues.
Somear
epr
aisi
nghi
mforal
lthewor
khedoes
tohel
pthecommuni
ty,
event
hesoccert
eam i
s
her
e.
Hearingeachoft
hem saysuchamazingwor
ds
abouthim war
msmyhear t
,Menzii
sagood
personandheloveshel
pingother
s.

Iam bl
essedt
ohav
esuchagr
eat
,lov
ingguy
!
Vuki
l
eisal
sogivenachancetospeaksincehe
i
stheonl
yrepr
esent
ati
vefrom t
hei
rotherfami
ly.
Helookshappy ,andhesai
dwisewordstohi
s
br
other.Icannotbeli
evet
hatIoncehat
edthi
s
man.

Inowadmi rewhoheis,
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hatI
respectVuki
leMhl
ongo!
TheeVuki
l
eMhl
ongo!
Af
terev
ery
thi
ngheputmet hr
ough,
butso
muchhashappenedaf
tert
hatandi
tnow
seemsl i
keanoldtal
e.Iadmir
ehim becauseof
thewayhel ov
esNdabe, hel
ovesher
eff
ortl
essly
.Herespect
sheranddoesal most
anythi
ngforher.

Hehasreal
lychangedandwatchi
nghi
m grow
i
ntosuchanhonourablemanisamazi
ng.He
hast
hatbrother
lyaf
fecti
ont
hatweall
need.

Whenal lt
hespeechesar
ecompl eteweenj
oy
thefoodanddr i
nksi
ncel
ebrator
ymode.Menzi
i
sr ei
ntr
oducedasMnqobi Khumalo,hi
sfat
her
gavehimt hatnameandhewantst obecal
led
byitfr
om nowon.

I
magi
neagrownmanchangi
nghi
snameand
wear
efor
cedtoadapt
!
_
___
___
Afewday slat
erwear esti
lli
nt hevil
l
age.My
partnerhadasuccessf ul
journeyathome
aff
airs,heisnowusi nghi snewnameand
surname.Appar ent
lyhehadappl iedfori
ta
whilebackandnowi tisready ,
hewant editt
o
bereadyaf t
erthecer emony .
Ist
il
ldon'
tgetwhywecannotcall
him Menzi
anymorebutthat
'swhathewant
sanditis
i
mportantt
ohi m.

Iam enjoyi
ngourst
ayher
e,t
hev
il
lagei
sa
peacefulpl
ace.

Qhaweal
soseemshappytobeher
e,hei
sn'
t
gi
vingmeanyt
roubl
esr
ecentl
y.
MaKhumalohasbeenwat
chingmecar
eful
l
y
t
oday,sheaskedmetomakehert
eaandspend
sometimewithher
.Iwasabi tner
voussi
nceI
am notusedtot
heelder
lybutsheseemsli
kea
ni
ceoldlady.

"
Soareyour
eadyf
ort
hechi
l
dyou'
recar
ryi
ng
Makot
i?"

Inearl
ychokeontheteaI
'
m dri
nki
ng,
Iputt
he
cupdownandt ouchmystomachasi
f
expect
ingtofeel
somethi
ng.

"
Iam notcar
ryi
nganychi
l
dMaKhumal
o,"

Isi
gh.

"
Ijusthopeyou'
recar
ryi
ngababygir
lthi
sti
me,
y
ouwombi sver
yfert
il
e.Mnqobi
didwell
,al
l
t
hat
'sl
efti
sforhi
mtomar
ryy
ou."

Sheseemsr eallyexci
tedaboutthis"pregnancy"
andI'm cl
ueless.MnqobiandIar eint
imat ebutI
haven'
thadt imetogetmycont racepti
v es,we
mayhav ehadunpr otect
edsexoneort wicebut
couldthatpossibl
ymeanI '
m pregnant?Agai n!

Ipr
ayt
hat
'snott
hecase.

"
Don'
ttel
lmeyoudi
dn'
tknowMakoti
,Isawyou
v
omit
ingthi
smorni
ng,
"shesay
schuckl
ingabi
t.

"
Ithoughti
twasjustnausea,
sinceIat
etoo
manygoodiesov
erthepastfewday s,
"
Ir
espondt
oherwi
thpani
cinmyv
oice.
"You'
repregnantkeMakot
i,i
kwaKhumal
ola
asidl
ali
!
Youshoul
dcal
lMnqobi
soIcant
alkt
ohi
m"

Iam al
readyl
osti
nthought
s,t
ryi
ngtoprocess
thi
sinf
ormati
on.Ir
eal
lyhopei
t'
snottr
ue!
Qhawei
sn'
tev
enay
earol
d,andwhatwi
l
lIsay
t
oAuntLi
z?
Ipromi
sedhert
hatIwon'
thav
eanot
herchi
l
d
outofwedl
ock.

"
Whatdoy
out
hinkofZamaNt
ungwa?
"
MaKhumal
oisbeami
ngwi
thj
oy.

"
Whatabouti
t?"
Idon'
tknowwhatshei
stal
ki
ngabout.
"
SinceI
'm hopi
ngt
hati
t'
sagi
rl
,whatdoy
ou
t
hinkoft
hatname?"

Sheisdeadseri
ousaboutt
his,Iam noteven
sureandI'
m notshowi
ngyetsheisalready
thi
nki
ngaboutnames.

"
Yho!
!"

Iexcusemy
sel
fandheadout
sidequi
ckl
y.

Ineedt
of i
ndhi
m, heshoul
dhaveanswer
sfor
meorallhel
lwi
llbreakl
oose!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYSEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BA

Istormedof
finanger
,howcoul
dhedot
his
though?
Heknowsexact l
ywhatAuntLizsaidtous,we
shouldhav ewaitedf
orawhilebutaftert
he
sti
tcheshealedhewant edustodot hedeed.
YesIbl amehim!HeknowsI '
m noton
contracepti
vesandIam sti
ll
veryferti
l
esohe
shouldn'thaveconvi
ncedme.

Ormaybehedi
dthi
sonpurpose,maybehe
wantst
okeepmeathome.Allheseesi
sa
baby
-maki
ngmachi
ne!
Al
lmenar
etr
ash!

Ifi
ndhimtal
ki
ngtoThembaaboutsomethi
ng,
assoonasheseesmyf aci
alexpr
essi
onhe
asksThembatoexcuseus.

Hi
m:I
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Me:
Didy
oudoi
tonpur
pose?
Hi
m:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Me:Iwashavingt
eawithyourgr
annyandshe
t
oldmet hatIam ex
pecti
ngachil
d
Hi
m:MaKhumal
o?
Me:Howmanygranni
esdoy
ouhav
e?YesI
'
m
t
alki
ngabouther

Hi
m:Yho
Me:
whatdoy
oumean"
yho"?
Him:MaKhumalohelpspregnantwomeninthe
communi ty
,shehel
pst hem t
il
ltheygi
vebi
rt
h.
Sheknowshowt ot
ell
whenawomani s
pregnantornot
Me:
sodi
dyoudoi
tonpur
pose?
Hi
m:I
'
dnev
erdot
hat
,wewer
ebot
hcar
eless

Me:I
fyoust i
ll
wantmei nyourl
if
eyou'
dbett
er
getapregnancytestandprayt
hati
tshows
negat
iveresult
s
Him:Why?Iknowthati
twasunexpect
edbut
aren'
tyoubei
ngabitdr
amatic?Wearebot
h
adult
sandwe'redoi
ngwell
wi t
hQhawe
Me:Soy ou'
rer
eallytur
ningmeintoababy -
maki ngmachi
ne?Whataboutmydr eams?IfI
am busypoppingbabieswhenwi l
l Igetti
meto
study?Whenwi l
lIgettimetosubmi tmy
assignments?You'reself
ishMnqobi youdon'
t
careaboutmyf eeli
ngs.NowIwillbef or
cedto
st
ayathomeandl
ookaf
tery
ourchi
l
d!

Him:SibaI '
m sor
ry,
comeher e.Ididn'tpl
anany
ofthis,pl
easedon'tcr
y .Iwi
ll
dot hingsrightby
youandy ouwill
getti
met ostudy.Iwi ll
support
youandy ouwon'tf
ailanyofyourmodul es,
pleasetrustmebabe.Ihav epureintenti
ons

Hecomf
ort
smewhi
l
eIsobi
nhi
sar
ms.

Hi
m:Si
bal
et'
stakeawal
k

Ipulloutoftheembraceandhewipesmyt ears.
I'
m supposedt obeangryathi
m butheistell
ing
mest ori
esabouthischil
dhoodandIcannot
helpbutlaugh.Healsogrewupinav i
l
lageand
thesevall
eysbringbacktoomanymemor ies.
Weendupatt heriver,
thereisasmal l water
fal
l
andthewat eriscr y
stal cl
ear.I
t'
sal ovelyday
andthebirdsar echirping.Thegr assisgreen,
ther
ear el
otsoff lowersandt r
eesher e.The
humongousr ockscompl i
mentt hearea,Iend
uptakingaf ewpi ct
uresj ustappreci
atingthe
beautyofnat ure.

Godwental loutwhenhecr eatedthi

splace,
everythingi sjustmesmer i
zing.Thev i
ll
ageis
cleanandi tispeaceful
.Iwoul dn'tmi
ndcomi ng
herewhent hi
ng'sgetov erwhel ming,
I'
dbeabl e
tofindmy selfagainbyt akinglongwal ks,I
'
d
walkar oundj ustadmi r
ingt hisplaceti
llIst
art
feeli
ngbet ter.Natureisv erytherapeuti
c.
_
___
__

Mnqobihadt
ocall
mebecauseIendedup
wander
ingar
oundinawe,
wecarr
iedonwalki
ng
ti
ll
wegott othesoccerpl ayground.Al
though
i
t'
snotf ancybutitissti
l
l ver
ydecent,whenthe
sponserscomet hroughMnqobi wil
lbeableto
changeitsothatitbecomesi deal.Thegrassi
s
cutproperl
yandev eryt
hinglooksgood.

Iact
uall
ylovesoccerbutIdon'ttel
lmany
peopleaboutthat.Heledmet oaquietareaby
theendofthef i
eldandwehadapi cnicthere.I
don'
tknowwhenhepl annedal
lofthi
sbutI
real
l
yenjoyedit.IwasateaseandIf orgot
aboutmypr egnancyissue.

"Sibather
e'ssomethingIwantt osay
,Iknow
thatIshouldhaveprobablyfoundamor efancy
placebutIdidn'
twanttodel ayi
tanyfur
ther.I
needt odothis,
anddoi ngither
efeel
sright"hi
s
eye'sareful
loflov
eandi t'
sheartwar
ming.
"Iwantedtodoitonthelandofmyf oref
athers,
Ithi
nkt heyl
edyoutomef orapurposeandt hey
approveofourunion.Iwantedt odoitbecause
thi
sv i
l
lageismyhappypl ace,myper f
ect
escapeandmysanct uary.Pleasegetup,"

Hehelpsmeupandweheadt othechanging
rooms,Idon'tknowwhybutIsuddenlyfeel
extr
emelyner vous.Hei
salsoner
voussowe
arebothquiet.Heleadsmeinsi
deandwhenI
getther
eIgett heshockofmylif
e!
Theroom i
sbeaut
if
ull
ydecor
ated,
Ilov
ethe
theme.

Cornfl
owerbl uelooksamazingwi t
hpeachf or
thei
releganceandcool ness.Thecolorcombo's
i
sper f
ect ,t
hef l
owersandbouquet s,t
ablel
inens
andcent erpiecesinthi
scolorpalett
eare
stunni
ng. Ispotacar dwithmynameandIt ake
i
t.

Thewor ds"wi
llyoumar ryme? "arewr itt
enin
bold.Asmybodyr ot
atestofacehi m, Ilaymy
eye'sonthemostmesmer icsightev er.Heison
hi
sknees, hol
dingabeaut i
ful
lycrafteddi amond
ri
ng.Ifeelmyey esfi
llwi
thtearsashest ar
ts
speaking.

"Si
bal
ethu,
you'
retheli
ghtofmyl i
fe.You'
reall
I
want,
andallI
'l
lev
erneed.Pleasemakemet he
happi
estmanont hi
splanet
,bemywi f
e
MaCele"

Inodmyheadv i
gorousl
yastearscascade
downmyf ace.Hesl i
psther
ingonmyf i
nger
andi tfi
tsper
fectl
y.HegetsupandIt hrow
my selfi
ntohisarms,Icl
ingontohim andwe
shareanemot i
onalmomentt oget
her.Thejoyi
n
myhear ti
sbeyondwhatIcanexpress,i
f
someonet ol
dmet hatIwouldbeengagedat
theageof21,rai
singachil
dandexpecti
ng
anotheroneIwouldhavelaughedmyassoff
.

Butli
fehasaf unnywayofturningout,Boss
Babefel
linloveandlovechangedherl i
fe.AsI
thi
nkbackofal lt
hatIhavebeenthrought o
fi
nall
ygethere,Igetemoti
onal.WhenIam t oo
happyIalsogetemot i
onal
.

Mnqobi
cupsmywetf
aceandbr
ingsi
tcl
osert
o
hi
m.
Hi
scol
dli
psat
tackmi
nei
nst
ant
ly.
Hiswar mt onguefindsi
tswayi nmymout hand
hekissesmepassi onat
elyandsl owl y
.Iclose
myey esandcl ingontohimt ightl
y,thekissis
sensual,you'dswearthi
sist hef i
rstti
mehehas
evergracedmyl i
ps.Theelectrif
yingkiss
ev
okesdi
ff
erentf
eel
i
ngs.

Rel
uct
ant
lyhepull
sout
,helooksatmebef
ore
smi
li
ngandkissi
ngmyfor
ehead.

Hi
m:Thanky
ouSi
ba
Me:
For
?
Hi
m:Agreei
ngtobemywi
fe,
Ican'
twai
tforus
t
ostar
tourfor
ever
Me:Iwouldn'
tchooseany
oneel
seMnt
ungwa,
you'
retheoneforme
Him:Heari
ngyousaythatishear
twarming.
Therearethi
ngsIwouldlovetodowithyou,
ther
earepleasur
abl
ething'
sthatIam dyi
ngto
dobabybutwehav eguests

Ichor
tl
e,hi
smanhoodi
spoki
ngmeandIknow
exact
lywhat
'sonhi
smi
nd.

Me:
Guest
s??
Hi
m:Wel lbabyNompilo,
Vuki
leandNdabear
e
wai
ti
ngf orusathome. .
.we'
rehavi
ngdi
nner
t
ogethertocelebr
ate
Me:
wasi
tsupposedt
obeasur
pri
se?
Hi
m:i
naway
Me:
yousuckatsur
pri
sesbaby

Il
aughathi
m,andhef
rowns.

Hi
m:It
ri
edhawu
Me:
whydi
dyoubot
hert
hem dur
ingt
heweek?
Hi
m:theyact
ual
l
ysuggest
edi
t,Idon'
tthi
nk
t
heymind
Me:
butbabyIlov
ethi
sset
upnj
e,al
lthi
sdecor
i
supfornot
hing
Hi
m:Wel
lmyl
ady
,wai
tandsee

HecallssomeoneandIam t akeni
ntoanot her
room,alovelydressi swaiti
ngforme.I t'
sa
beauti
ful
,ti
ghtf i
tting,
dustybluedress.They
styl
emyhai rabi tandf i
xmymakeup.Iam
takenbacktot her oom wherehewasandIf i
nd
himinformal wear .Heiswear i
ngformal pants
andawhi t
eshi rt
, hisl
ookissimpley etsexy!

Iam abouttocompl i
menthi
m whena
photographerwalksi
nandhestar
tstakinglot
's
ofpictur
es.Iam lovi
ngever
ymoment ,heis
beingsimpleyetheisgoi
ngall
outandIl ov
e
that.
"
Wedon'thaveanyofpi
ctur
est
ogetherandthi
s
i
saspecial
momentsowhynot ?"heis
whi
sper
ingthi
sinmyearandIam ablushi
ng
mess.

Thephotogr
apherkeepst akingpictur
es,I
wonderhowt heywil
lturnout .Bytheti
mewe
l
eaveiti
salreadydark.There'sacaroutsi
de
andthedri
verwill
takeushome.
Ikeepst
eal
i
ngglancesatt
hisf
inemannextt
o
meandsmili
ng.

I
sthi
sreal
l
yhappeni
ngt
hough?
Heisexactl
ywhatIneedandhehasbeen
l
ov i
ngmeexactlyhowIwantt obeloved,si
nce
thedaywemet .Ikeepbl
inking,
thesetear
s
havetostopbecauseIdon'twanttolookli
kea
mess.
Konj
eIam pregnant
!Thesehor
monesar
eout
topl
ayal
ready?
I
fsot
heni
twi
l
lbeal
ongj
our
ney!

Ishoul
dbemadatMnqobi
,whydi
dhedot
his
tomeagai
n?

"
KodwababyIdidn'
twantt
ofal
lpr
egnantand
wehaven'
taddr
essedt
hisi
ssuepr
operl
y"Isay
t
hatabitt
ooloudl
y.

Hel
ooksatmeandchor
tl
es.

"
Youl
ooksocutewheny
ou'
resul
ki
ng
Mam'
wakwam,comeher
e"
Hebr i
ngsmeclosertohi
m andheki
ssesme,
thatpassi
onat
ekissagai
n.Wtfi
sthi
sman
doingtome? !

Af
tert
hathehol
dsmyhand,
andwi
nksatme.
Whyam Ismi
l
ing?
Thesef
eel
i
ngsar
ebet
ray
ingme.

Lov
eisascam !
!!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
shar
e!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYEI
GHT
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BA

Weeksl aterIam atadoctoraftermyfi

rst
consult
at i
on.Yes,Iam offi
cial
l
y6weeks
pregnant,aft
ermyunexpect edengagement
celebr
ationIgotapr egnancytestt
hefoll
owing
mor ni
ng.MaKhumal owasn'tlyi
ng,
Iam indeed
expecti
ng.
Iwasr
eal
l
ymadatf
ir
stbutIhadt
oaccepti
t.

Well t
obehonestIam r eall
yexcited,wellthere
i
snot hingIcandoabouti tanyway s.Ev
er yone
i
shopi ngf oragirlandIcan'twait.
Iwouldl ove
tohav emyownpr i
ncess,andev enthoughi t
wasn'tplannedbutIt hinkshecameatt he
perfectti
mei nmyl i
feMnqobi shouldn'
tfindout
though.Itendt orandoml yl
oosemymar bles
because" hetrappedmewi thapr egnancy ",
I
knowt hat'
sabitextr
emebutIjustlovehav
ing
allhi
sattenti
on.You'
dswearIam sick,hei
s
alwayswor r
iedaboutme.Hecal l
smea
thousandtimesaday!
I
t'
ssti
ll
waytooear
lysohei
soverr
eacti
ng.I
t
hinkheist
ryi
ngt
omakeupfortheprev
ious
t
ime.

Regardl
essoft hatIappreciatehav i
nghimi n
mylife,
Iappreciatethathe'ssosuppor ti
ve.Not
al
lwomenar eblessedwi t
hl ovingpart
ners,
manyoft hem areintoxicrelati
onshipsorthey
wereabandonedbyt hefatheroft hei
rchil
dren.
Godcamet hr
oughf orme, ev enAuntLizwasn't
angryaboutmypr egnancy .

Di
dIment
iont
heKhumal
o'
s?
Well
theyweremorethanover
joy
ed,theyt
hinkI
am t
heperf
ectwi
feforthei
rsonbecausemy
wombi s"blessed",t
hosewer etheirwordsnot
mine.Iheardthem ment i
onasoccert eam,
Mnqobi smiledti
ll
allhisteet
hwer eexposedhe
mustbecr azyifhethinksthatwil
lhappen.
Iai
n'tnobabyproduci
ngmachi
ne!
___
______
____
___
_ __
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

Ithasbeenmont hsy
etIstil
lmissmyangel
s.I
sti
llhavetoomanyquest i
onsandIsti
l
lponder
aboutt heeventsoft
hatfatef
ulday
.Wasit
real
lytheirti
meorwasi tcausedby
carelessness?
Deathisn'
tsomet hi
ngyouaccepteasil
y,ti
me
meansnot hingwhenthepainsti
ll
exist
s.But
doesthepai nst
opthough?Ihighl
ydoubt ,
the
pai
ndoesn' tgoawayyoujustl
earntolivewit
h
i
t.
Youwakeupdaybydayandf orcey oursel
fto
acceptthaty ourlovedonei sgone.Noamount
oftearswi l
lbri
ngt hem back,evenifIspendt he
restofmyl ifeinmi ser
ytheywon'treturn.Death
i
sper manentandasmuchaswehat eit,i
t'
s
i
nev i
table.Iknowmybabi esareatpeace,
may bethiswor ldwasgoi ngtotainttheir
precioussouls.TheLor dknowswhathewas
doing,becausehehasapl anforallofuson
thi
sear t
h.

Iendedupr etur
ningt owor k,andImanagedto
fi
ndaf l
atintown.Iam st i
l
l i
ncommunicati
on
wit
hMaNzuza, whenev erIgetov er
whel
medorI
misst hem toomuchIcal l
herandshetalksto
met il
lIfeelbetter.Toomanyt imesIal
l
owed
my sel
ft oletgoandal lowhert otakeover
.I
sharedsomanyt hingswi t
hherandshewas
abletohelpmef i
ndmy sel
fagain.
Shebecamet hemot herfi
gureIhav ealways
wantedandIam t hankf
ulthatIhav esomeone
closet
ome.Unf ortunat
elyIwil
l neverreturn
home, t
hescor chedwal l
sareapai nfulreminder
ofwhatIlost.Ihav enothi
nglefttheresot here
i
snoneedt or eturn.MaNzuzav isit
smeher eor
wemeetupi nt own.Shei sagainstmydeci si
on
toneverret
urnhome, becausethat'smy
parent
shouse.

Ihopetheyunderst andbecausebeingi nthat

placewil
lalwaysremi ndmeofev er
ythingI
wentthroughthere.Senzi becamethepi ll
arof
myst r
ength.It
ri
edbr eakingupwithhim
countl
esstimes,Ihav escar sandmarksal lover
mybody .Thefir
emadesur eofthat,
Iam v ery
i
nsecureaboutmy self.Iam nowadifferent
personandIdon'tlikemybody .
IhateexposingmybodybecauseIdon' twant
them toseeit.Senzisti
l
lworshi
psthegroundI
walkon, hi
slovehasn'tchangedandhest i
l
l
respectsme.Notoncehashemademef eel
badaboutmyl ooks.
Hislov
emakesmef eel
hopef
ul,
ift
heuni
ver
se
andtheLordagr
eesmaybeonedayIwi
ll
be
happytoo.

I
fyou'
reeverl
uckyenoughtofindtr
uelovethen
youshoul
dcli
ngontoitbecausefi
ndingguy
's
wit
hpureint
enti
onsain'
teasy.

Ihav
en'theardfrom Nomkhosisincethedayof
thef
uneral.Sheseemst ohavedisappeared
andIam notev enbother
edaboutt hat
.Ihope
shefi
ndsal lt
heloveandhappinesssheseeks.
Af
teral
lshechoset
hatov
erhersi
bli
ngs.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFORTYNI
NE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Todayhast obeoneamazi ngday .Alothas

happenedt hi
sy earyetwear en'
tevenhalfway
thr
oughi t
.Itistruewhattheysay ,l
i
feisvery
unpredi
ctable.Wemakel ot
'sofplansaboutour
l
ivesandwet endtof or
getthattheLordisin
control
.
Wecanpl
anourl
i
veshowev
erwel
i
kebuthei
s
i
nchar
geandi
ntheendhi
swi
l
lisdone.

They'
resitti
nginVuki l
e'
smassi vehouse, when
hepurchasedi tevery
oneassumedt hathewas
abitcrazyfordoingso.Hel i
vesalone, hehas
nofami l
ysowhywoul dhepur chaseamansi on?
Lit
tl
edidt heyknowt hattheLordwoul dsend
Ndabezinhleandt hei
roffspr
ingwoul doccupy
hishouse.Theyar egatheredheretocel ebr
ate
yetanothermont hofNdabeandVuki le'
slove.

Theirloveisbeautif
ul,i
tgi
vesonehopeandi tis
pure.Whowoul dn'
twanttobear oundit?
Besidesthat,theyhavemadei tanormt ohave
dinnertogethereveryoncei
nawhi l
e.Justt
o
catchupandenj oyoneanother'
scompany .

Someti
mesMnqobi
andhispr
egnantl
adyhost
them,
somet
imesNompi
loandSenzihostt
hem
andsomeot herti
mesVuki leandNdabehost
them.TodayVuki leisinagoodmood, hei
sone
happymanandj ustaf ewdaysagohespoket o
Mnqobi aboutanamazi ngbusinessopportuni
ty.
Thef unnypartisthathehadadr eam aboutit
,
hewokeupatmi dnightandstarteddoing
research.

By7AM hehadal readycompiledabusiness

plan,hepit
chedtheideatohisbrot
herat10AM
andbyt heendofthedayheknewexact l
yhow
hewasgoi ngtohandlethisnewbusiness.Hi
s
ancestorsgavehim agoldenoppor
tunit
y,heis
readytobuil
dtheMhl ongoLegacy!

Glassesofchampagneandf orourdearest
Sibalethuorangejui
cewi
lldo,theyall
toastto
thest artofsomethi
nggr
eat.Notonlyarethey
celebratingVuki
leandNdabe,butthatareal
so
cel
ebrat
ingVukil
e'
sbusi
nessi
deawhi
chcoul
d
changethei
rli
ves.

Ndabezi nhlewentallout,shehascat er
edwell
forherguest sandev er
yonei shappy.Vukil
e
can'tstopbr aggi
ngthough, y
ou' dswearhe
helpedpr eparethefood.Well accor
dingtohim
hedi d,
butdoy ouconsidersitti
ngonachair
andent ertai
ningyourprettyl
adywhi l
eshe
cookshel ping?
Idon'
tthi
nkso.

Theyal
lowhimt obragasmuchashel i
kes,
he
i
shappyandt hatisal
lthatmatter
stothem.A
happyVukil
ebringsli
ghtint
otheroom.Hehas
real
l
ychangedandhei sex act
lywhatt
heyneed
asanolderbrot
her.
"
Bafoyou'
veev engainedwei
ght
.NowIseethe
r
easonwhy,IthinkIshoul
dpopinf
ordi
nner
moreoft
en,"
Mnqobisay
sunexpect
edl
y,heseemst
obe
enj
oyi
ngthemeal.He'
shel
pinghi
msel
ffort
he
thi
rdt
ime.

Sibal
ethugiveshi
m al
ook,whati
sthat
supposedtomean?Ishelowkeystat
ingt
hat
shecan'tcook?

"Popinfordinnerwhere?Hhayiemzini
wami
Bafo,ngakuf
undiselaukut
hiuthengeumuzi
wakhouzi meleuphumekimi.Umaucabanga
uzophekelwaumf azikabanikul
eyopopin?"
(NotinmyhouseBro,Isentyoutoschool
for
such.Iwantedyout
obuyy ourownhouse,and
beindependent
.Andwho'swifewil
lcookfor
youwheny ou"popi
n"?)
That
'sVuki
l
eandhi
sloudv
oice.

Mnqobi
frownsandt
her
estchuckl
e.
"
Ndabezi
nhl
edoesn'
tmi
ndBaf
ocomeon"

"Hhay
i Mnqobi
y ou'
l
leatathome,
yini
lengaka
ngemiziy
abantu?"
Sibahasf
inal
lyfoundhervoice,
thi
sannoysher
.
Sheisnochefli
kehim butshetri
esandthat
shoul
dcountforsomething.

Nompi
lodecidest
oaddhert
wocent
sabout
t
hismatt
er,
"Sibahe'sachef,andhespendsmosteveni
ngs
aty ourhouse.Hecanalsogetf
oodfrom hi
s
restaurant
,yi
nileengakangoNdabezi
nhl
e?"
(
What
'ssoi
mpor
tantaboutNdabezi
nhl
e?)
Nowi t'
sgetti
ngreallyheated,Sibalethu's
hormonesar eallovertheplace, t
hispr egnancy
i
sshowi ngherf l
ames.I t
'smor eofasi llygame
butshe'sgetti
ngagitatedalready.Theyal ways
doitonpur pose,andshef all
sforitev eryti
me.
Mnqobi hatesit
,whydot heylovepl ayi
ngwi th
herfeel
ings?

Theyshoul
dstopsayingthi
sorshe'
l
l st
art
cryi
ngandthr
owt ant
rums!Hedoesn'twant
thatt
ohappen,heistr
yingt
osupportheras
muchashecan.

"
Nizoy
ekaukuzalani
naumanizohl
uphaumfazi
wami,abany
esebef
unanokudl
akwakhe.Maye!
"
(I
'
llstopy
ouguysf
rom comingherei
fyou'
re
goingtot
roubl
emywif
e, ot
hersev
enwantour
f
ood.That
'sabsur
d!)

"Iwasonlyj
okingBafo,Si
balet
humakessur eI
am wellf
ed.Iam onehappymanandIhav eall
I
needinher,Iwasjustcompli
ment i
ngherfood.
Butmyqueenher etakesgoodcar eofme,by
j
ustlooki
ngathermysoul i
sfed.Nothi
ng
wouldeveralt
ertheloveIhaveforher,
sheisal
l
Ineedandmor e,"

Mnqobi knewt hathehadt ohandlethismatter

beforeitescal
at ed,
Sibaissmi li
ngeart oear
now.Herey esar egli
steningwithtearsandshe
throwsherselfintohisembr ace.Shehugshim
veryti
ghtly,
sheal sodoesn'tknowwhyher
feeli
ngschangesof ast.Thispregnancyis
draini
ngher,andshei sal waysmoody .

"
Yout
womakeabeaut
if
ulcoupl
e.
Richar
dBachoncesai d, "Asoulmat eis
someonewhohasl ockst hatfi
tourkey s,and
keystofitourl ocks.Whenwef eelsafeenough
toopent helocks, ourt r
uestselvesst epoutand
wecanbecompl etel
yandhonest l
ywhowear e;
wecanbel ovedf orwhowear eandnotf orwho
we'repr
et endingt obe.Eachunv ei
lsthebest
partoftheot her .Nomat terwhatel segoes
wrongar oundus, wit
ht hatoneper sonwe' re
safeinourownpar adise."Mnqobi youar e
Siba'
ssoul mat e, youar ethepersonwhol oves
her,your eveal thebestpar tofher.Ilovewhat
youshareandt hepar adisey ouhav ebuil
t"

Ndabezinhle'
swordsl
eaveSibaintears,noone
expectedhertosaysuchbeauti
ful
wor ds.
Ndabei sverydowntoeart
h,sheisfullof
smilesbutshedoesn'
ttal
kmuchunl ikeher
part
nerVuki l
e.
Ever
yoneissmi
l
ing,
Sibal
ethuandMnqobi
'
s
l
oveissuchamesmerizi
ngsight
!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTY

10YEARSLATER
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"
Zel
wandehav
eyoudoney
ourhomewor
k?"
Shegi
ggl
esfr
om wher
eversheishi
ding,
isn't
thi
ski
dabitt
oooldf
orhideandseek?She's10
y
ear
sol
dforcr
yingoutl
oud.

"Zel
wandeIdon' thavetimeforyourgames,I
am prepari
ngf oraveryimport
antcase.Pl
ease
askZwel amitohelpy ouwit
hyourhomewor k.I
f
youneedmor ehelpletmeknow, si
nceIwil
l
checkitlat
er."

Sheissti
llgi
ggl
ingunderthetabl
e,Idon'
tknow
i
fshet hi
nksIcan'
thearherorsheisjustbei
ng
si
ll
y.Iam str
essedaboutthecasethatIam
worki
ngony etIdon'
twanttoshoutatmybaby .

"ZamaNt
ungwaumamawakhoukhul
uma
nawe,
"
(
ZamaNt
ungway
ourmot
heri
stal
ki
ngt
oyou)

Idon'
tknowwhenher
etur
nedbutIwel
come
hi
m withahug,atl eastthesekidslist
ento
Mnqobi.Shehurri
esoutt heroom, stil
lgi
ggl
ing.
Thatoneisahandf ul.Hernamei sZelwande,
ZamaNtungwai sanamet hatwasgi ventoher
bymyhusband'sl ategrandmother,MaKhumal o.
Mnqobi l
ovescall
ingherZamaNt ungwa,
becauseithastheirclanname.

Asf orZwel amiheis11y ear

soldnow, and
everyonecal l
shim Qhawe.Ifeelsodefeat ed
becauset henamesIpi ckedaren'taspopul ar
ast heone'sMnqobi pi
cked.Zwelami isabi t
tal
lerthanZel wandebuttheyhavesimi larfaci
al
features.IguessIhavemyownsetoft wins,
mor elikeunexpected/
unplannedt wi
ns.

ZwelamiandZelwande,t
heyar
et hel
ightofmy
l
if
e.Motherhoodhasbeennot
hingbutbli
ss.I
am ahappywomanandmyhomei sf
il
ledwit
h
l
ov e.Backtothehandsomemanst ar
ingatme
ri
ghtnow, i
thasbeen8y ear
ssincewegot
mar ri
ed.Wedidn'
timmediatel
ygetmarri
ed
aft
ert hebi
rt
hofZelwande,wewaitedfortwo
yearsandthenweset t
leddown.

Choosingthismant obemyl ifepartnerwasthe

bestdecisi
onIev ertook.Hemadesur ethatI
hadthef ai
ryt
aleweddi ngthatIhav ealways
dreamtof ,
hecont inuedexpressinghislovefor
meandhehasgi v enmeev er
y t
hingthata
womanwant s.Notoncehasheev erbrokenthe
promiseshemadeonourweddi ngday ,wedo
haveourf i
ghts.I
'
m st il
lthestubborn,
outspokenwomanIwas.

Wehav eourargument sbutwenev ersleepwit

h
expr
essingourlovetooneanot her.Sometimes
Iwouldtel
lhi
mt hatIlovehim withafrownon
myf ace,someti
mesI '
dtel
lhim howmuchI
appreciat
ehim wit
htearscascadingdownmy
face.EvenwhenI'm gr
umpyorsadIhav et
odo
i
t,healsodoesthesamebecauset hat
'swhat
wepr omisedoneanother.

Wedon' twantt hef l

amet odieout ,wedon' t
wantourl ov et oget"bor ing".Bei ngmar ri
ed
doesn'tmeant hatwecan' tdot hingsl i
kea
normal coupl e,r eassuri
ngoneanot heratt he
endoft hedaykeepst hespar kal i
ve.Knowi ng
thathest i
llcar esaboutmeev eni fwear en'ti
n
agoodspacehel ps,wenev erletourpr obl
ems
l
eav ethebedr oom.Weboughtt woi nnocent
chil
drenint hiswor l
dandweshoul dtrybyal l
meanst or aiset hem inaheal t
hyenv i
ronment
fi
ll
edwi thlov e.

Hepecksmyl
i
psandhet
ell
smeabouthi
sday
.
I
tseemsl i
ketheyhav
eanimpor
tantint
erv
iew
wi
ththelocal
newspaper
s.TheMhlongo
br
other
'saremakingwav
es!
I
'mver
yproudofmyhusbandandIam gl
adt
o
hav
ebeenpartoft
hisamazi
ngjour
ney
.

Wesi tt
ogetherandhehel psmeanal y
set he
case,well
Icannott ellhi
m allthedetails
becauseoft heconfidenti
ali
tyagr eement.My
husbandisv er
ysuppor ti
ve,hehel pedmewi th
theki
dsandIdi dn'
tslack.Studyingthrough
UNISAisn'teasy ,
especial
lyifyou'redoinglaw
andyouhav en'tbeeninschool f
orawhi le,l
ike
me!

Idon'tknowhowImanagedt odoital
lbutIdid,
Igraduatedandcarr
iedonrunningthe
householdacti
vi
ti
eslikeIal
waysdid.I'
m st
il
la
bossbabeatheart,butIhadtoletgoofthe
taxi'
s.Icouldn'
tsell
them complet
elysoIhi
red
av erydist
antcousinofmi ne.Mymotherl
oved
him alot,sheactuall
ypaidforhi
sstudi
esbut
unfortunatel
yhecoul dn'
tfi
ndajob.

WhenIaskedhi mt ocomeov erandtakecare

ofmymot her'
slegacyhewasmor ethan
overj
oyed,hei
shonor i
ngmymot herwellandal
l
i
sgood.Wespl ittheprof
itsandheishappy
withever
ythi
ng.Isoldthecardealer
ship
companyandt heshisanyama.Themoneyi s
savedupforLisakhanya.

Speakingofher,sheisdoi
ngverywel
lfor
hersel
f.Sheisstudyi
ngmedici
neatthe
Univer
sityofCapeTown.Iam verypr
oudoft
he
l
adyshehasbecome.

AuntLi
zst
aysatmyhouse,
Imov
edi
nwi
th
Mnqobi
aft
ert
hel
obol
anegot
iat
ions.

Lif
ehasbeenar oll
ercoast
err
idel
i
keal
way s
butIam cont
entwithmyl i
fe,
andIam pr
oudof
thewomanIam t oday.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
NDABEZI
NHLE

TheLor
dhasbeengood,
Ithoughtt
hatl
oosi
ng
mymot herwouldbetheendofme.It houghtI
wouldneverf
indpeaceandhappiness,I
t
houghtIwouldneverhealfr
om thepainthatI
wentthr
ough.Godhasbeengood, hecame
t
hroughformeov erandoveragain.

TodayIam someone' swi fe,Vukiledi

drightby
me.Wegotmar r
ied5y earsagoandwear e
enjoyi
ngourmar riageli
fe.Iwor kedhardover
theyears,Ihav erecentl
ybaggedanewposi ti
on
atwork.Iam t heact i
ngpr i
ncipal.WhenI
appli
edf orthejobIdi dn'
tthinkIwouldgeti t
,
actual
lyVuki l
eist heonewhopushedmet o
apply.

Hewasposi ti
vethatIwouldgetthej
obandhe
keptencouragi
ngme.Hehasbecomemybest
fr
iend,heknowsev er
ythi
ngaboutmeandhe
wantsthebestforme.Ihav enev
erbeenso
comfort
abl
einarelat
ionshi
p,myheartisat
easeandIam notworri
edaboutany
thing.

I'
mv eryproudofhim, hei
stheCEOofMhl ongo
Legacy .MhlongoLegacyconsist
sofa
constructi
oncompany ,i
tgenerat
esmostofthe
revenue(Mhl ongoConstr
ucti
on),ashoppi
ng
centeranddozensoft axi
'swit
htheBhebhe
l
ogo.

Inthedream hehadhewasi nstructedtogo

backt ot
heplacewher ehewasbor n,therewas
ahugechunkofl andatthecent eroft hesmall
town.Hewast ol
dthatheownst hatpieceof
l
and, si
ncetherewasnoi nf
rastructureor
developmentintheareahebui l
tasmal l
shoppingcenter.

Hehadanot
herdr
eam whi
chwasaboutt
he
constr
ucti
oncompanyandhewor kedhar dto
getwherehei s.Idon'tbel
ieveinancest ors,but
forVuki
letheyseem t ohav ehelpedhi m alot.
Hewast oldexactlyhowt odot hi
sandi tall
becameasuccess.Mnqobi hasar estaur
antat
theshoppi
ngcent er,theywor kedv eryhardto
buil
dtheMhl ongoLegacy .Mnqobi ownshal fof
i
t,asmuchashei sn'taMhl ongobybl oodbut
hedecidedtopar t
nerupwi t
hhi sbrother.

Ireal
l
ywi shIcoul dgivehim anheirthough, we
havebeent ryingforyearswithnoluck.Wehav e
seenlot
'sofdoct orsbuttheycannotfi
ndt he
probl
em, Ifeel l
i
keIhav efail
edhim.Hei san
amazingpar tnerandhedoesn' tdeservethis.
Youshoul dseehowhappyhei swithZelwande
andZwelami , hi
sf aceshowsgenuinejoyatal l
ti
mes.
Her eall
yloveschildr
enandIknowhewoul d
makeagoodf at
heroneday .IhopetheLordwill
answermypr ayers,i
thurtsmet hatIcannot
givehim whathewant s.Asmuchasheact s
l
ikeitdoesn'taffecthi
m, Iknowi tdoesandwe
aren'tget
tinganyy oungersoI '
mv eryworr
ied.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
NOMPI
LO

Thefir
stpersonIseewhenIopenmyey esi
s
Senzi
,hesmi lesatmebef or
ehekissesmy
hand.Iscanmyey esaroundandlookatmy
surr
oundings,I'
mi naprivatewar
d.Ijusthad
myf i
nalsurgery,
wellitwasdoneaf ewhours
agoandt henIdozedof f.

Ihavebeenwor ki
nghardovert
hey ear
s,pl
asti
c
surger
yisexpensiveandIhadburnmarksall
overmybody .Thejour
neyhasdraggedonfor
year
sbutaf t
ertodayIbeliev
ethatIwil
lbet he
Nompi l
oIwas10y ear
sago.Throwingmy self
i
ntoabur ni
ngfurnacewasanemot i
onal
deci
sion,i
fIhadn'tdoneitmaybemyj ourneyto
heal
ingwouldn'
thav edraggedforsolong.

Idon'tknowifIhaveheal
edcompl et el
y,maybe
Ij
ustlearnttol
ivewit
hthepain.Ialsohadt o
optforreconst
ruct
iveburnsurgery
, Inolonger
wantt oli
veasav i
cti
m ofthefir
ebutIwantt o
beasur vi
vor.

Senzihasbeenv erysuppor t
ive,hehasbeenmy
escapef r
om allt
hepai nIhavebeent hrough.
Theonl yproblem isthatnowhewant stosett
le
down.Al lofourf
riendsaremar r
ied,somehav e
chil
drenandwehav ebeendat ingf oryears.He
haspr oposedtwiceandIt ol
dhi mt hatIam not
ready,Ihavenopr obl
em wi t
hchi l
drenbutI
don'
tknowi fIcanf
indi
tinmyhear
ttol
ove
them agai
n.

Aft
erloosingmyangel sIswor et
hatIwoul d
neverhavemyownchi l
dren.Idon'twantt o
havechil
drenandbui ldast r
ongbondwi ththem,
Idon'
twantt olov et
hem whol eheart
edlybut
wakeuponedayt ohearthattheyaregone.I
nearl
ylostmy selfwhenIdeal twit
ht hatpain
andIam notst rongenought odeal withitagai
n.

Ihavenevertol
danyoneaboutt hatdecison,I
am scaredoftel
l
ingSenzibecauseIknowt hat
heiseagertohavechil
drenwithme.Hei svery
pati
entandunderst
andingbutIknowhewant s
tosett
ledownandst ar
tbuil
ding"ourf amily".

May
behewil
lgetti
redofwai
ti
ngwhenhe
r
eal
i
sest
hatIam notwil
li
ngt
odothat
.Hehas
beenaski
ngmel ot'
sofquest
ions,
hewant
sto
knowifIam okay
.

Butmymindisn'
ther
e,wi
l
lIev
ergetov
ermy
pastandf
ocusonhimful
l
y?

Iam beingverysel
fi
shandIknowthat
.Senzi
deservessomeonewhowi l
lbeabl
etoofferhi
m
theli
fethathewants.

Sadl
yIam nott
hatper
son.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFI
FTYTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
ZI
YANDA

"
Asa,
babypl
easest
opcr
ying,
"

Idon'tknowwhattodonex t
, Iam cl
oseto
givi
ngupbecauseshehasbeencr yingf
or
hours.Sheonlyst
opswhenshef all
sasl
eep,not
thatshegetsenoughsleepbecauseshewakes
upandcont i
nuescryi
ng.Iwishshecouldtalk,
she'dtel
lmewhat '
swrongandIwoul dt
ryand
helpher.

Watchinghercryi
ngbreaksmeev enmor e.She
i
stheonl ygoodthi
nginmyl i
fe.Iam stucki
na
f
oreigncountrywit
hnowayback, mybabyis
myonlysour ceofhappi
ness.Motherhood
comeswi
th
mat
uri
tyandi
tal
sobr
oughtpeacei
ntomyl
i
fe.

Asamkel oDl omo,

sheis4mont hsol dandshe
tookmysur namebecauseIst i
l
lhav en't
changedi t
.Ihavebeenher eforovert eny ear
s,I
wassupposedt ouseanewi dentit
ybutI
conv i
ncedmyhusbandot her
wise.Wel l
y esIam
mar ri
ed,hisnameisAccor di
ngt ohim, my
fatherrobbedhim ofagreatbusinessdeal so
heabduct edme.

Itdoesn'tmakesenset hough,whywoul dhe

kidnapmebecausemyf atherdoesn'tcare
aboutme?I '
m sureheisn'taff
ectedbymy
absence.Onl ymygr annyandSi baareaf f
ected,
Iwonderhowt heyhavebeenal ltheseyears.I
wonderi ft
heyst i
l
lrememberme.I thasbeen
suchal ongti
me.
Iwishthingshadt ur
nedoutdiffer
ently,
Iwould
haveprobabl ymadesomet hi
ngoutofmyl i
fe
j
ustlikeIpromi sedmygranny.BuntuTshemese
keepsmel ockedinher
e,Idon'tevenknowt hi
s
placewellbecauseIam notallowedt ogo
anywherewi thouthi
m.Hedoesn' treal
lycar
e
aboutme.

Ourr el
at i
onship,i
fImaycal l i
tthatismoreofa
sexual one.Hehasal way
sey edmewi t
hlustso
themi nutewear r
ivedherehest arted
pleasuringhimselfwi t
hmybody .Iam not
hing
tohim, heusesmehowev erhelikesandthen
tossesmeasi de.Hehasf orcedhimselfonto
mecount lesstimesandt hereisnot hi
ngIcan
doaboutt hat.

Ihav
eendur
edt
remendouspai
n,andt
il
lthi
s
dayIdon'tknowwhyIam suf f
ering.Idon'
tthi
nk
any onewi
lleverfi
ndmeher e,theymusthav e
givenuplongago.Theonl ythi
ngImanagedt o
getwasamat ri
ccerti
fi
cate,
Iwas
homeschool edandIpassedv erywell.Hedidn'
t
all
owmet ofurt
hermyst udi
esbecausehe
takescareofourfinances.

Ihavement i
onedthesexual abuse,andy ou
thi
nkI'
m done?Wel l
t her
e'smor e.Hephy sical
ly
abusesmeandheemot i
onallyabusesme.He
hasreducedmet onot hi
ng,hiswor dsnol onger
echointheroom only.Theyechoi nmyheadat
all
times.Hehasmanagedt oent ermymi nd
andmakei tbel
iev
et hatIam wor t
hless.

Thiswholeordeal
result
edindepressi
onand
sinceIhadnoonet otal
ktoIfoundcomforti
n
food.Ist
uff
edmyf acetil
lmystomachhurt,I
gai
nedweightandthatmadethingsworse.My
sel
festeem t
ookahugeknock.Hedi dn'
tmake
thi
ngseasier
.Igotusedt
otheinsult
s,butthey
hauntmeatallti
mes.

"
You'
resof
at,
it'
sjustdi
sgust
ing"
"
I'
m sur
eyourhuget
highsst
ink"
"
Ther
earesomanypret
tywomenoutther
e,
t
hei
rbodi
esar
esexyandatt
ract
ive"
"Iregretbri
ngi
ngyouher
e,y
ou'
renol
ongert
he
prettygir
lImetbackt
hen"
"
You'
renot
hingbutabur
dent
ome"
"
You'
rej
ustf
at,bi
tt
erandugly.Noonewi
l
lev
er
f
indy
ouhereandyou'
lldi
elonely
"

Icoul
dgoonf
orages,
buty
ougetwhatImean
ri
ght?
Haveyouev
erf
eelexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
n,bot
h
phy
sical
l
yandmental
ly
?
Youcanf eelyourheartgett
ingchurnedint
o
meaningl
esspi eces.Youlooseapi eceof
your
selfdail
y,ti
llyou'
renothingbutanempty
cont
ainer.

You'
rebasical
lydeadbuty oukeepwaki ngup
andrel
ivi
ngthepain.Isomet i
meswonderwhyI
am suf
feri
ngsomuch, Iwonderwhati sGod
doi
ngwhi l
ethismaninf l
i
ctssuchal otofpai
n
onme.Iwasj ustateenagerwhenhet ookme,I
hadalovi
ngf amil
yandabr i
ghtfut
ure.

Allofthatisgone, Iam justwait

ingformy
death.Hewi llprobablythrowmei nashall
ow
dit
chlikear abiddog.Thei deaofdeathonce
seemedl iketheper fectescapebutIcoul
dn'tdo
i
t.NowIhav eadaught erandIshouldbe
f
ight
ingf
ormyf r
eedom sot
hatshehasabet
ter
l
i
febutIam j
usttoonumbtodoso.

Iam stuckint
hispatheti
crout
ine,hehasn'
t
beenabusingmel at
ely.Hebri
ngsindiff
erent
gir
lsdail
y,whoknowsImaybel i
vi
ngwi t
han
STIaswespeak.

"
Ma'
am ar
eyouokay
,whyar
eyoucr
ying?"

Thatmustbeourgar dnerhelikeschecki
ngup
onme, Iqui
ckl
ywi pemyt earsandnodathi m.
Heknowsexact lywhatisgoingonandhei sthe
onlyonewhocar esaboutme.Ther estofthe
employeesdon'tcar
e,theyli
stentothei
rboss
andfoll
owhisor der
s.AaronSanzou has
beenagoodf r
iendtome, wel
latfi
rstbutt
hings
gotabitoutofhand.Any waysthat'
sastoryfor
anotherday
.
"We'
llt
akeAsamkel
oandr
unaway
,youdeser
ve
bet
terthant
his"

Ichortl
eabitasIwatchhim speak,
he
pronouncesmydaughter'
snamedi ff
erentl
y,
that'
sexpect
edbecausehehasaCongol ese
accent.

"Aaronwehav etalkedaboutthi
scountl
ess
ti
mes, y
ouknowt hatIwil
lonlyl
eavet
hishouse
i
nabodybag.Ihav enowheretogoandBuntu
hasguardswat chingme.Evenifyouhelpme
escape,they
'l
lfi
ndus. "

Ishr
ugmyshoul der
sandheadtothenur
ser
y.
Myprincessmusthavef
all
enasl
eepwhenIgot
l
ostinthought
s.
Aaronlooksatmewi t
hthesameey es,
they'
re
alwaysfi
ll
edwithsadnessandpity
.Heshould
getoverhisl
it
tl
eheartbr
eak,Idi
dnotchoose
thi
sli
feandthereisnowayout .

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"I
'mt emptedt
oleav
etheMhlongoLegacyand
startdoi
ngmyownt hi
ng.Wecouldwork
together
,buti
fyou'
ret
oobusythenIwil
lgi
ve
y
ousomeshar
esandy
ou'
l
lbeaboar
dmember
,
"

Ineverexpect
edMnqobitosaythat
,her
eal
ly
l
oveswor ki
ngwit
hVukil
e,whatcoul
dhave
changed?

"I
'mfocusedonl awbaby ,youdoknowt hatour
fi
rm hasonly3women.I '
m wor kinginamal e
dominatedindustryandsomet imest hey
underesti
mateus, eveni
fIdohav etimeIhav e
toinvesti
tindoingmor eresearch.That'st
he
onlywayIwi l
lgrowasal awy er,Ineedtoprove
thatIcandomyj obwellr
egar dlessofthefact
thatIam awoman, "

Hel
ooksatmef
orawhi
l
eandt
henhesi
ghs.
"You'
reri
ght
,Iguesswor ki
ngwithyouwasa
crazyi
dea.I
'l
lresignthough,I
'l
lsti
l
lkeepmy
sharesandbepr esentbutIneedtodomyown
thi
ng,"

"
Hav
eyoubeent
alki
ngt
oyourf
ather
?"

Thatcoul
dbethereasonwhyheissay
ingal
lof
thi
s.HenodsabitandIcont
inue.

"Yourfatheri sputtingalotofpressureony ou,

Vukilei
sn' tusingy ou.Hegav eyou50%ofhi s
companyandy ouguy saredoingwell,Iknow
thatyou'renotaMhl ongobybloodbuty ou'r
e
sti
llpartoft heMhl ongoLegacy .Youhelped
him buil
dt hecompanyandy oucancont i
nue
workingt here,it'
snotonlyhislegacybutt he
sharesy ouhav ewillbetakenbyy ourchil
dren
oneday ."
"Iknowt hat
, andIreal
lydon'
tmi nddoi ngi tbutI
haveapl antati
onbackathomeandmyf arming
businessisdoi ngwell
.Ihavemor ethanone
restaur
antandIcoul dlookintothat.Gr owing
mycur rentbusinesses,Ihaveenoughr evenue
todoso.Iwantt obuildmyownl egacy, t
he
Khumal oLegacy ."

Withthatsai
dhel eaves,helooksl i
kehehas
al
readydecidedandIdon' tknowwhatt osay.
WorkingwithVukiledidn'
tonlybenef i
tus
fi
nancial
lybuttheymakear eal
lygoodt eam,by
workinghardandbr i
nginglot'
sofbusi ness
dealsthecompanywasabl etogr owand
expand.Nowt hatmeantmor eprofit
!

Idon'
tdoubtVukil
e,butIknowt hathewi
l
lal
so
bedisappoi
ntedbythi
s.IjusthopeMnqobii
sn'
t
planni
ngtomovet
otherur
alar
eas,ourwhol
e
l
ivesareher
eandmovi
ngwouldaff
ectmy
career
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

It
'sanotherdayint hi
shugemansi on,Bunt ui
s
veryri
ch.Hewor ksinahugecompany ,Idon'
t
knowwhathedoesbutheseemsl ikean
i
mpor tantperson.Strangemenv i
sithim, t
hey
enduphav inglongmeet ingsi
nhisst udy.Some
ofthem makemef eeluncomfor t
able,they
makenast ycomment saboutmeandi nsteadof
repri
mandingt hem hel aughsalongoradds
ontowhatt heysaid.

Idon'tli
kehav i
ngthem inourper
sonalspace,
heshoul drespectourhousebuthedoesashe
pleases.Ialwaystel
lhim buti
tneverendswel
l.
Weusedt oatt
endf uncti
onst oget
her
,Ienjoyed
that.Get t
ingdesignerdressesandhangingout
withinfluenti
alpeople.Butwhenhesawour
pict
ur esont hemagazi ne'shewentcrazy,
he
want edt osuethephot ographerandIhadt o
beghi mt oforgetaboutt hat.

Thephot ogr
apherwasj ustdoi nghisjob,he
didn'tknowt hatIwaskidnappedsoIcannotbe
seeni nmagazi nes.Thef i
rstfewmont hs
wer en'tt
hatbad, Iwasconv incedthatIwould
acceptmynewl if
eandf al
l i
nl ovewit
hhi m.He
hadhi smoment sbutIdidn'tpaymuch
attentiontothat.Buntuhascausedsomuch
paini nmyl i
fe,Idon'
tthi
nkIwi ll
everhatea
personasmuchasIhat ehi m.

"
GoodMor
ningMa'
am,
"
Aaronisher
eagain,hejustwon'tgett
he
message.Ifakeasmileandhehugsme.The
huglastsabitl
ongert
hani tshoul
dandhe
att
emptstokissme.Ipushhi m backwit
hanger
.

"Aaronhowmanyt i
meshav
eItol
dyout
his
before?Wecannotbet
oget
her
!"

Iwanttoshoutathi
mt i
l
l heaccept
sthi
sbutI
cannotr
iskl
etti
ngtheothershear
.

"Wehav espentthenighttogether
,youwere
veryhappyZiyanda.Youhadabeaut i
ful
smil
e,
onethatIhaven'tseeninyears.Whydoy ou
keepdenyingwhaty ourheartwants?"hiseyes
havesomuchemot i
on,IwishIcouldgivehi
m
whathewant s.Hei sreal
l
yagoodguybut
thi
ngscouldgetmessy
"Thatni
ghtwasami stakeAar on,pleasefor
get
aboutit
.Thesooneryougetov erthis,
thebett
er
foral
lofus.Buntuwouldn'thesit
atebutkill
us,
"Isayhopingthathewill
li
stent ome.

"Ihavebeensavingf
oryears,
Iwanttohel
py ou
escape.Iam wil
l
ingtol
eav et
hecountr
ywith
you.IhaveaplanZiy
anda,"hesay
sdesperat
ely.

"
Whatabouty
ourf
ami
l
y?"

"Ihavenof ami
ly,
myparent
sdiedi
nacar
accidentandIhavenosi
bli
ngs.
"Hebowshi
s
headashesay sthis.

"Li
stenAaronI'
m sorr
yaboutyourpar
ent
s,butI
knowt hatyoudon'
tmakealotofmoneyhere.
You'
reagardnerandt
oescapeweneedl
ot'
sof
money.Yoursavi
ngswon'
tgetusany
wher
e"

"
Ziy
andapl
easel
i
stent
ome!
"

Thedooropensabr
upt
ly,
Bunt
uwal
ksi
nfumi
ng
wit
hanger.

"
Wher edoest
hisf
ool
gettheri
ghttocal
lMY
wif
ebyhername?Haveyouforgot
tenwhoIam
Aaron?"

Heroarsthatoutandgrabshimr oughly.
Tal
kingtohim won'thel
pwhenhei sli
kethi
s, I
j
usthopehedoesn' thur
tAaron.Iam panicking
abit
,becauseifheheardourconv ersat
ionthen
Iam adeadwomanst andi
ng.
Hepuncheshi
m onceandt
henl
etshi
m go.

"Idon'tpayyoutowalkintomyhouseasy ou
please,yourj
obistofi
xmygar denify
oucan'
t
dot hatletmeknow.Allthetoolsar
einthe
cottageoutsi
de,i
fIeverfindyouhereIwil
lki
l
l
you"

Aaronnodshisheadinfear,andt
henhel eav
es
theroom qui
ckl
y.Bunt
uf acesme, Ihopehe
won'thur
tme.

"Whatwashedoingher
e?Andwhywast
he
doorcl
osedZi
yanda?"

"I.
..
he..
.justwantedsomeonetot
alkt
o,"I
'm
notgoodatlyingandIam scar
edofhi
m so
that
'st
heonl ythi
ngIcoul
dcomeupwi t
h
"Tal
kaboutwhat?
"Hishugeey esseem t
obe
sear
chingf
orthetrut
h,heisverycl
osetome
andIcanhearhi
shear t
beat.

"Abouthi
spar
entsdeathandhi
spr
obl
ems.
..
."I
answerascamlyasIcan.

Hestaresatmeforawhil
e,her
eIam assuming
t
hathewi l
ldothewor
stbuthedeci
destokiss
myforehead.

"Iknowt hatIam notagoodhusband,Ihaven'

t
beent r
eatingyouwellbutIwanttot
ryanddo
betternow.Iwantourdaughtertogr
owi n
homef il
ledwithlove.
"

Ichokeonmyownsal
i
vawhenhesay
s"our
daught
er"
.
Hesmi
l
esatmeandInodmyhead.

"Nowwhereismypri
ncess?"heasks,
hei
sver
y
dif
fer
entwhenhei
swithher.

"
Sheissl
eepi
ng,
wecangoandcheckonher
t
hough,"

Hekissesmyf or
eheadagai
nandweheadt
o
thenurser
y.I
fheknewthetrut
hhewoul
dn'
t
havesaidall
ofthat.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFI
FTYFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMPI
LO

"
Whyar
eweher
e?"
Idon'tknowifIshouldbeangr
yathim or
thankful
.Hedr aggedmetoseeaprophet,I
knowt hatIhaveadarkauraar
oundmebutI
don'tli
ketal
kingaboutmypast.

"Youneedhel
pMpil
o,wehavet
riedmany
opti
onsbefor
e,i
twon'
thur
ttot
rythi
sone,
"
Helooksatmyeyeswithhope,
Iam notcr
azy
andIam notsi
ckIdon'
tneedanyheal
ing!

"
Youhav
etol
etgoofy
ourpast
,may
bey
ou
needcleansi
ngbutyouhavetoaccepther
assist
ance.Ma'
Nhlaphoknowswhatsheis
doing,shewon'
tl
eady ouast
ray
,"

Hedoesn'tev enwai tformet orespond, he

knocksont hedoor .Amoder nwomani nwhi t
e
clot
heswel comesus, sheasksaf ewquest ions
andSenzi answersmostoft hem.Myey esscan
theroom quickl
y,it
'sav erynormal rondavel.I
spotacrossandsomewhi t
ecandl esaround.
Wear etoldtocloseourey esasshest arts
prayi
ng,Idon'tknowhowpr ophetswor kbutI
am gladthatwest artedwithprayer.

Imakeasi lentprayert
oo,Imaynotknowwhat
thefutureholdsbutIam will
i
ngtodoany thi
ng
tohavepeacei nmyl if
e.Thecandleswereli
t
beforetheprayerandsheisv er
yfocused.Ican
feelGod'spresenceintheroom,tearsst
art
fal
li
ngasthoughmyeyeshavebeenreplaced
byawat er
fal
l
.Ma'Nhl
aphocont
inuesprayi
ng,
thetear
skeepfal
l
ing.

Itf
eelsli
keIam pour ingmyhear tout
,Iam
openingmysoul f
orhimt oseemynakedness.
Allt
hepaint hatIhavebeent r
yingtohide,all
thescarsandwoundst hatareinmyhear tIam
exposingitalltotheLor d.Iam bri
ngi
ngmy sel
f
tohim becauseonl yhecangi vemet hepeaceI
seek.Senzitightenshisgr i
ponmyhand.

Af
tercryi
ng, Ist
artprayi
ngagai
n.Thi
st i
me
ar
ounditf eel
sli
kesomeonei ssayi
ngthe
wordsforme, somet hi
ngdeepi
nsideispushing
met ogi
v eitmyal l
.ToseekGodfull
yandbring
al
lmypr oblemst ohim.

"
BikakonkekuJesu,
uyal
alel
afut
hi
uy
aphendul
a,
"
(
Bri
ngall
yourtroubl
estohim,
hewi
l
lli
stenand
t
henansweryourprayer
s)

Ma'Nhlaphosayst hatsoft
ly,aft
erwar dsshe
star
tshummi ngahy mn.AfterIfini
shpr ayingI
feell
i
ghter,
myshoul der
sfeel li
ght.Ast hough
somethingheavyhasbeenl i
ftedof ft
hem.
Ma'Nhlaphoholdsbot hmyhandst ightl
yand
shestaresatme, shelooksatmest r
aightinthe
eye.

"TheLor dtoldmet hatyouwi l

l comeher e,
everyt
hingt hathasbeenhol dingy oubackwil
l
nevertroubley ouagain.Asf rom todayonwards
youwillbegi venat ask,oncey ouhav e
perf
ormedi tthingswillgetbetter.You'
re
gett
ingmar r i
edsoon, yourwombi sbl
essedand
youwillhav eahappyhome.Abundant
bl
essi
ngsarecomingy
ourway.Justtr
ustt
he
Lor
d,trustt
hepl
anhehasforyourl
if
e,"

Inodmyheadmul tipl
eti
mes,Iam sti
ll
emot i
onalaft
ert hatpowerf
ulprayer
.Senzi
excuseshimsel ftogiveussomepr i
vacyandI
am leftwit
hMa' Nhlapho.Sheopensupabout
herpast,apparentlyshehadnof ami
lyandshe
hadt osett
leforanyj obi
nordertosurvi
ve.

Shewasl uckyt of i
ndaj obasamai df oran
Afri
canfami l
y,althoughshewor kedf orlong
hourstheytreatedherwel l
.Af
teryearsofl i
ving
i
nashackwi thnost ablej
ob,shesaysGod
camet hroughf orher .Bei
ngadomest i
cwor ker
i
sn'tseenasanr eput abl
ejobbutforheri twas
anachievement .Shewashappyandshe
prai
sedGodr egardlessofhersituat
ion.
Shemov edoutoft heshack, thefami l
yhad
providedacot tageattheirhouse.Thi ngsgot
betterandshewasabl et otakecareofher sel
f.
Ay earlatershemetherhusband, hecamet o
thehousef orafamil
yf uncti
on.Fastf orwardto
now, shei sli
vi
nghappilywithherf ami l
y.She
hasdedi catedhersel
fintohelpinglostsouls
l
ikeme.Herhusbandi sobv i
ouslyrichandshe
i
samoder nwoman, you'dswearshehasnev er
l
ivedi nashackorsuf feredfrom pov erty
.

"ThereasonwhyIam shar i
ngmyst oryi
s
becauseIknowhowi tfeelstobeal one.AsI
saidIalsodon'thaveafami l
y,getti
ngmar ri
ed
hadbitt
ersweetmoment s,Iwashappyt hatI
fi
nall
yfoundmysoul matebutIwassadt hatmy
famil
ydi dn'
tli
vetoseethatday .May beI'
llt
ell
youaboutt hem i
fyouv i
sitagain,Ihopethat
youlearntsomethingfr
om myst ory.Themai n
messagei sthatGodnev erfai
lsus, healways
l
istenst
oourprayers.Itt
ookmanyy ear
sf or
met ogetherebuti
nt heendhecamet hrough
forme!May bei
fIdidn'tf
aceever
ythi
ngI
wouldn'
tbehere,may beIwoul
dn'
tbepr ai
sing
him.All
Iknowmnt anami (mychi
ld)ist
hat
God'spl
anisthebest,"

Shepausesforamomentandt
henshe
cont
inues,
"Godknowsev er y
thi
ngt hatyou'
regoing
throughandhe' swor kingonit.Thedayhe
answer sy ourpr ayer
sy ouwillbeamazed!I
knowt hatyouhav ebeensuf fer
ingformor e
than10y ears,t
hedeat hofyoursibli
ngs
affectedy oual ot.You'reangryatGod, y
esy ou
stil
lpraybuty ou' r
eangr yathim becausehe
tooky ourangel s.Noonewant stobur ythei
r
sibli
ngs, especiall
yafterrai
singthem through
suchdi ffi
culty
.Thef iredidn'
tonlytakethe
twinsbutapar tofy ouwasl ostthatday,"
Asshei
ssayingthatIst
artbr
eat
hingr
api
dly
,
howdoessheknowev er
ythi
ngaboutmewhenI
hav
en'
teventol
dher?
Idon'
thavemuchtosay ,
shehasj usttol
dme
stuf
fthatIdi
dn'
twanttoaccept.ThingsI
i
gnoredaboutmyli
fe.Ihavelearntalotal
ready
.

Wecont i
nuetalki
ngaboutmypastandafterwe
aredone,weprayagain.Thi
sti
mewear e
bury
ingeveryt
hingthatwassai
d,al
lthepain
andsuffer
ingwi l
lst
op.
I
t'
sabriefpr
ayerandafter
wardsshegivesmea
gl
assofwatertodri
nk,whil
eshewr i
teswhatI
needt
odoev eryni
ghtbeforeIsl
eep.

"YouneedtofindNomkhosi,
yout
woneedto
sorty
ourissuesbecausey
ourpar
ent
saren'
t
happy.Youbot hhavenoonebuteachother,
yourparentsandthetwi
nswanty out
ofix
thi
ngssot hatthei
rsoul
swil
lresti
npeace,"

Isi
ghloudly
,Idi
dn'tmenti
onmyl onglostsist
er
hopi
ngthatshewon'tbri
ngitup.Ma'Nhlapho
hasastronggif
t.

Yho!Thatwasn'
texpect
edatal
l,
wherewi
llI
begi
nlooki
ngforNomkhosiandwhatwi
ll
Isay
toher?

Iswor
ethatIwi
l
lnev erl
ookforherandi
fshe
comesbackIwi
llchaseheraway.

Ma'
Nhlapholooksl
ikesheexpect
edmy
r
eact
ion,shenodsherheadbefor
esay
ing,
"l
etgoofthepastandmov
eon,
yourf
utur
eis
promi
sing"

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
!♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYFI
VE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Af ewweekswentbyandZi yandanoti
cedt hat
somet hingwasverysuspici
ouswithBuntu.He
wasf artookindandcari
ng,that'
sunli
kehim.
Ziyandai sl
uckyt
hatshenot i
ceditear
ly,
otherwisethi
ngswouldhav etur
neduglyforher.
Shespoket oAaronandt heybegunplanningto
ski
pthecount
ry.

AsmuchasZi yandadidn'tbelieveAaroncould
pulli
toffshehadnochoi ce.Shehasal l
owed
thi
smant ocont r
olher,shef earsBuntuso
mucht hatevenwhenshecanescapeshe
thi
nksabouthimf ir
st.Shet hinksthathewill
fi
ndherandki l
lher,sheisnol ongerl
ivi
ngfor
hersel
fbutforthatmonst er.

Thathastochange,shehasachi ldwho
deserv
esabetterfami l
y,abet
terhomeanda
bett
erupbri
ngi
ng.Aar onshowedherthemoney
hehassaved,t
hatgav eZiyandaabitofhope.I
t
wouldbeenoughtot akethem home.Theonly
i
ssuetheyhaveisleavingthehousenow.

Butobvi
ousl
yitwoul
dn'
tbeeasy
,li
tt
ledi
dthey
knowthatBunt
uknewallt
hei
rpl
ans.Bunt
u
knowsever
ythi
ngthathappensint hathouse.
HeknowsaboutZiyanda'
slitt
leaff
airwi t
h
Aaron,
heknowsthatheisn'tAsamkel o'
sf at
her
andheknowsthattheypl
ant oskipthecount ry,
buthewoul
dbedamnedi fheallowedt hem to
go.

Notafterev
er y
thinghehasdonef orZiyanda,
he
fedandclothedheral ltheseyears.What
annoyshimi sthef actthatZiy
andat hinksshe
i
sheadi ngt
oabet terli
feinSouthAf ri
caand
sheisconvi
ncedt hatherfamilywillwelcome
herwit
hopenhands.Whatt wi
stedf amilyi
s
that
?

Shei sbett
eroffhere,hersocall
edfathersol
d
heraway .Yes!Thetruthmayaswel lbe
revealed,
afterBuntuwast ri
ckedbySandil
e
Dlomoandhel osthisbusinessdealheini
ti
all
y
plannedtoki
dnapZi
yandaasment ionedbefor
e.
Hewant edtohur
tSandi
lebecausehehadl ost
mi l
l
ionsofmoneybutobvi
ouslySandil
edidn'
t
care.

Ziy
andawaski dnapped, monthswentbyand
Buntur eal
isedthatt
hisdi dn'
taffectSandile.
Meanwhi l
einSouthAf ri
ca,Sandilehadal r
eady
convincedev er
yonewi thhisfakeact .Everyone
beli
evedt hathewasr eall
yhur tbythisandhe
wasdoi ngev er
ythi
nghecant of i
ndZi yanda.He
knewv erywel l
thatZi
y andawaswi thBunt uand
hedidn'tcare!

Whywoul dyoucareaboutachi ldconcei

ved
t
hroughrape?SandileDlomoonl ytook
r
esponsibil
it
ybecausehepromi sedhi sl
atewi
fe
t
hathewoul ddoso.I twasunfortunatet
hat
t
heydidn'thavet
heirownchildren,itwas
unfor
tunat
ethatther
apistwasneverf
ound.
Regardl
esshetri
edaccepti
ngZiy
andaashis
own.

Hislatewif
ediedaftergi
vi
ngbi r
thtoZiyanda,
thatdoesn'
tsitwell
withhi
m.Her eal
lyl
oved
her,hecannotblamehisstepdaughterf
orthe
l
ossofhi sfi
rstwif
e.
Anywaysthat
'sastor
yforanotherday
,we'
re
st
il
linCongoatthemoment .

WhenBunt ureali
sedthathisplandidn'
twor khe
demandedmoneyf rom Sandil
e.That'
swhen
Sandil
esignedadeal withthedevi
l,hewas
pushedtoacor nerbecauseBuntuthreatened
hi
m.Bunt uwaspr eparedtorel
easeZi y
anda, he
wasnol ongeri
nterest
edi nherbutSandile
convi
ncedhim otherwise.
Yes,Sandil
estoppedBunt ufr
om rel
easi
ng
Ziyanda.HegaveBuntusomemoneyand
promisedtosecureanotherdealwit
hhim.
Sandilewasneverint
erestedinZi
yanda'
swel
l
-
beinghewantedmoney .

BuntuandSandi lehadal r
eadyfoundasor cer er
i
nCongo, theywer egoingt ouseZi y
andaasa
sacri
fi
ceinordert ogai
nmor eriches.Bunt
u
wantedther i
tualtobeper formedlongago,but
Sandil
ecouldn'thelpbutthinkofhislatewife.
Hefeltabitguilt
y.They earswentbyandBunt u
grewimpatient,whenSandi lefi
nall
yagreedf or
thei
rplantohappenZi yandaf el
l pr
egnant!

Sandil
efel
tevenmoregui l
ty,
heconvinced
Buntutogi
veZiyandasomet imetogivebir
th
andtakecareofthechi
ld.ApartofBuntuwas
moved,maybehisheartgainedi
tsfuncti
onand
hebecamel essev i
l.Hewasabi texci
tedabout
thechild,hedidn'tknowwhatwasexpect edof
him asaf ather.Til
lthedayhefoundAaronin
hiswife'sroom, i
tallmadesense.

Nowheknowst het r
uth,
heplanstotakecare
ofZi
yandapersonall
y.Hewil
lmakesur ethat
sheneverl
eav
est hecountr
y,i
nsteadtheyare
goi
ngtothesorcerer
.

Hewill
bedoi
ngthiswit
horwi
thoutSandi
l
e,he
hasbeenwai
ti
ngforyear
s!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERFI
FTYSI
X
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Sibareceivedanemai lfrom herfi

rml ateron
thatweek.Shewast oldtobookt henextf l
ight
toJoburgbecauset heyhav eacl i
entther e.She
wasn'ttoldmuchaboutt hecase,Iguesst hey
wantedt ochall
enge/testher.Shewasv ery
excit
edaboutsuch, althoughshedi dn'twantt o
l
eav eherfamilysheknewt hatthi
scoul dhav ea
positi
veeffectonhercar eer.

Lit
tl
edidsheknowwhatawai t
edforherin
Johannesburg,shearr
ivedthereandsettl
edin.
Thefoll
owingdayshehadal r
eadyorganiseda
meetingwiththecli
ent.Arr
ogancewast hefir
st
thi
ngshepickedup, theguywal kedi
nlikehe
ownedt heplace.Hewasv eryful
lofhi
msel f
andhedidn'
tl
ookpleasedwit
hthef
actt
hat
Sibawi
l
lbehandli
nghiscase.

Sibadidn'tall
owhi sr udecomment st o
demot i
v ateher,sheknewherj obverywelland
sheisav eryconfidentwoman.Shehadal ready
checkedhi sfil
et hismorning,shewas
disgustedbywhatwaswr itt
enoni t.Shewas
expectedt orepresentawannabecor rupt
polit
ici
anwhoi schar gedforrape!

May beifitwasanotherpersonshewouldhav
e
al
readybookedt henextfli
ghtbackt
oDurban,
butSibalethui
sawomanonami ssi
on.She
cameher etor
epresentsomeoneandthati
s
exactl
ywhatshewi l
ldo!
Ev
eni
fit
'ssomeonef
rom t
heopposi
tet
eam.
Sheisqui
tebravethough,
whomeet
supwi
tha
rapi
sti
nacityfarf
rom home?
Atti
mesl
i
ket
hisSi
bongi
l
e'sgenescomeoutt
o
pl
ay!

"Di
dy oudoit?",
that
'stheonl
yquest
ionshe
hasforhim.Sheobvi
ouslywon'
twastehert
ime
byentert
aini
nghimfurt
her.

"
Sheisnothingbutacheaphar
lot,
shewas
l
uckythatIwasverygener
ousthatni
ght
,"

Youcanseethathedoesn'
tevencar
eabout
whathehasdone,Si
bawon'tbefool
edbyhim.
Evenifshei
saprost
it
ute,hehadnori
ghtt
o
vi
olat
eher.

"
Thi
smeet
ingi
sov
er,
seey
oui
ncour
tMr
Mkhi
ze.
"

Andj
ustl
i
ket
hatshehasdeci
ded!
Yesshewi l
lbedefendingt
hedef encel
ess
womani nst
ead,shedoesn'teventhinkabout
theconsequencesofdoi ngso.Womeni nSouth
Africadonotspeakupbecauseofsuch, cl
ear
ly
thismani sinf
luent
ialandhewant sthiscaseto
disappear.Heiswill
ingtopayridi
culous
amount stoensurethatallgoesaccordingto
hisplan.

Thereisareasonwhysheiscall
edBossBabe'
s,
Sibal
ethuhasnofear.Shedoesexact
lywhat
shewant satanygi
ventime!
Shedidn'
tstudyfory
ear
sonlytorepr
esenta
pathet
icpol
iti
cal
.Shewi
llr
epresentt
hiswoman
fr
eeofcharge.
MrMkhizefoll
owshertot heparki
nglot,aski
ng
aboutt
hei
rnextmeet i
ngandi ft
hereisany t
hing
el
setheyneedtodiscuss.Sibachort
les,
he
mustbemor estupi
dthansheassumed.Ther e
i
snonextmeet i
ng!
Hethi
nksthatSi
bawi l
lperf
orm amir
acl
eand
makeall
ofthisdi
sappear.Thesamemanwho
doubt
edherworkjustafewmi nut
esago.

Shedoesn'
tsayany
thing,
shesmi
l
esathi
m
bef
oreshedri
vesoff
.
Ther ealworkhastobegin,shethenfi
nds
anothermallnearby.Shelooksforasmal
l
coff
eeshopandt akesherlapt
opout.She
needst ofi
ndthiswoman, fast
.

Al
lshef
indsont
hef
il
eisheraddr
ess.Shel
i
ves
i
nat ownshi
pcloseby.Shetakesaf ewsipsof
thecof
feesheorderedbefor
esettl
ingthebil
l
.
Thewaitr
esswhoser vedheri
slucky,she
l
eavesahugefattip.
You'
dswearsheknowsthi
stownshi
p,sheis
navi
gat
ingherwayar
ounddanger
ousareas.

Manyr ai
setheirey esasshepassesby ,
she
i
sn'tscar
edofhi jackers.Sheishereona
missionandnot hingwillst
opher.Shefi
nall
y
arr
ivesatthewoman' splace.Shel
ivesi
nthe
shacks,t
hisplacei sdir
tyandnohumanshoul d
everli
veinit
.

Twokidsareplay
ingoutsi
detheshack,she
l
ooksatthem wit
hadorati
on.Theyaresocute,
theyar
eident
icalt
winsaboyandagi rl
.
Theydon'
tdeser
vet
helif
etheyhave,
itisn'
tfai
r
onthem.Shemakesherwaytothem,they
gr
eetherpol
i
tel
y.

Shel earnsthattheirnamesar eS't

habil
eand
Thabi so.Theystarttel
li
ngherabout
themsel ves,t
heyseem liketheyareverysmar t
.
Sheendsupl aughingatt hei
rdramatictales,
nearlyforgett
ingwhyshecameher einthef i
rst
place.Kidsareherweakness, shelov
est hem!

Sheisdist
urbedbythedoorthatj
ustopened,
sheisgladthatthewomanisaround.Hereyes
fi
rstl
andont hebabyinherar
ms.Sher ai
ses
them qui
ckl
yt oseethewoman'sface.

Sheblinksafewtimes,
bot
hofthem ar
e
shocked.Hereyesmustbepl
ayi
ngtri
cksonher
.

Si
l
encel
i
nger
sint
heai
r.
Noonewantst
otal
k,somanyquest
ionsci
rcl
e
Si
ba'
shead.

Buti
sthewomanreadyt
ofaceherpast?She
wassosureshewoul
dnevergoback.
Shehaster
ri
blewoundst
hatdon'
tneedt
obe
opened.

Noonei sprepar
edt
odeal
wit
hthei
rtr
aumat
ic
pastagain!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYSEVEN
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Meanwhi l
einCongo, acoupl
eplanstoescape.
Theticket
sar ebookedandtheyhaveapl an.
Lit
tl
edot heyknowt hatBunt
uisonest epahead
ofthem.It'
sTuesdayandAar onarr
ivesont i
me,
l
ikeanyot hernor
mal dayhetakeshi
st oolsand
star
tshisduties.

Exceptt hatitisn'
tanynor mal day,theyhave
beenpl anningt hi
sf orawhi l
enowandt he
soonert heydoi t
,thebetter.Thel ongerthey
staywithBunt u,meanst hatt heirchancesof
escapingwi lldecrease.Ziy andaf i
rstmakes
surethatAsamkel oi sf
ed, herl i
ttl
ebagi s
packedandev eryt
hingisr eady .

Tohersur
pri
seBuntui
saround,heobvi
ousl
y
won'
tgotowork.Hewant
st oseetheshockon
theirfaceswhent heyr
eali
sethatthei
rli
tt
leplan
didn'twork.BynoonZiyandastart
spanicki
ng,
shewant stohurr
youtandt el
lAarontocancel
every t
hingyetshecannotri
skgetti
ngseenby
Bunt u.

Sheisov erwhel
medwi t
hfear,
shecannotev en
eat.At2pm theplanbegins,Aaronwal
ksi nt
o
themainhousewi thnof ear
.Heknowst hat
Buntuisathomey ethewon'tall
owhimt ostop
them,todayhei sl
eavingwithhisfami
l
yandno
onewi l
lstopthem.

Her unstothebasementf i
rst,somet hi
ngt el
l
s
hi
mt oopenthedoor .Cur
iousitygetsthebetter
ofhim andhet akesasmal lknifeandopenst he
door.Hehadt ol ear
nsuchskill
si norderforthe
pl
ant owork.Ev enthoughcomi ngher ewasn't
partoftheplanbutmay behisqui ckthinki
ng
ski
l
lswi
l
lsav
ethem.

Insi
det hebasementhef i
ndsl ot'sof
document s, hescanst hrought hem quicklyunt
il
hef i
ndsv er yimpor tantf
iles.Het akest hem
quicklybef orel eavi
ng.Her unsoutt ohi s
cottageandhi desthem inhi ssmal lbag.He
walksi ntot hehouseagai n, t
hist i
mear oundhe
headst ot hest udyatthef arendoft hehouse.
Hemakessur et hatnoonei sar oundbef or
ehe
pourspet rol int heroom.Hesneakedi nherea
fewday sagoandhi dthepet rol.

Onceheisdonehel i
ghtsamat chandl eaves
fast
.Secondslaterheisbackoutsidedoi nghis
work,t
hefireisburni
ngrapidl
yandev eryoneis
tol
dtoexitthehouse.Aarondidn'tt
ellZiyanda
aboutthi
s,hejusthopesthatshewi l
ltrusthim.
Buntui
slivi
d,healsodidn'
tknowaboutt his.
Theyarest andingout sidewhi l
et heguardsdo
thei
rbestt omakesur eal ltheempl oyeesare
out.Thef iredepar t
menthasbeencal ledandit
arri
vesaf ewmi nutesl ater.Thef i
reis
spreadingr apidly
,Bunt ui sworri
edabouthi s
preci
ousmansi on.Het akesZi yandaand
Asamkel oandf orcest hem t ol
eav ewithhim.
Hewon' tbewai ti
ngf ort heirsi
ll
yplanany
l
onger ,
t heyhav egonet oof arnow.

"Yourstupidboyfr
iendshoul
dhav eknown
bettert
hant oburnmyhouseZi y
anda, your
stupidplanwast ofakeanarr
est.Aaron's
fri
endswer esupposedtoarr
iveandhel pyou
l
eav e.Whyt hehelldi
dheburnmyhouse?"

Buntui
sli
vi
d,hei
sdr
ivi
ngf
astandhewant
shi
s
rev
enge.
"Myguar dswi l
ldealwi t
hhim, hewil
lbeki l
led
andburiedi nmygar den.Asf oryou,you'r
e
goingtobemysacr ifi
ce.Yourbastardchi l
dwill
alsobeusedi nther
itual,soonIwill
beoneof
theri
chestmeni nAfricaandt hati
sallthanks
toyourst epfat
her,
"

Ziy
andai scryi
nghyst
eri
call
y,howdidt
hingsgo
sowr ong?Noonewi l
lsavehernow.Whenwill
shegetpeace?Shenear l
yfai
ntswhenshe
hearshislastst
atement
,hereyespopopen
wit
hsur pri
se.

"Don'
tl
ookallsurpri
sednow, i
tiswhati tis.
Sandi
leDlomoisn'tyourfather,yourmot her
wasrapedshortl
yaftertheygotmar ri
ed.
Sandi
leonlyt
ookcar eofy oubecausehemade
apromisetoyourmot her,hedoesn' tcareabout
you.Hehatesy ouandhebl amesyouforthe
deathofhisfi
rstlove,
"helaughsasthet
ears
conti
nuefall
i
ngdownherf ace.Wit
hevery
thi
ng
thati
shappeningt hi
sishowshef i
ndsout?

"Youwer enot hingbutabur dentohim Zi yanda,

i
fitwasn' tforyout henhiswifewoul dbeal i
ve.
Shewasn' tokayaf tergetti
ngrapedwhi chi s
whyshehadcompl icati
onsgivi
ngbirth.The
doctorsshoul dhav eletyoudie,yourmot her
shouldbeal iveinstead.Whathav eyou
achi
ev edinl i
fe?Not hing,y
ourpatheticli
fe
amount edupt onothing.Noonecar esabout
youandy oudon' tevenhav eafamily.You're
bett
erof fintheot herwor l
dZiyanda,
"

Ziy
andahasgonenumb, thetear
saref al
l
ing
i
nvolunt
ari
lyandshehasgonesilent
.Shekeeps
l
ist
eningtohim asheconti
nuestoki
llher
batteredsoul bi
tbybit.Tosayshei shurtwould
beanunder st at
ement.Theuni ver
sehasnev er
beenf ai
rtoher ,shehasalway shadittough.
Shet houghtthatshewasst r
ongandshecoul d
defeatanythingnowbutt his,t
hiswilldest
roy
hercompl etely.

Theyhav ebeendrivi
ngforawhi l
enow, Buntu
keepsthrowinginsult
sather.Theyarejusta
fewmi nutesawayf r
om thesorcer
er'shouse.
Ziyandaisreadytodiebecauseshedoesn' t
thi
nkherlifewil
levergetbett
erafterthi
s.

Shotsarefi
redatthei
rcar,Buntuaccel
erat
es
butaft
erchanginghisrouteafewtimeshe
fi
ndsoutthattheyarecornered.Heisf
orcedt
o
stop,f
ivecarsaresur
roundingthem.Buntu
takeshisgunout.
Iguessthi
sisi
tforall
ofthem,i
tisover
.Hei
s
notgoingdownalone,t
heywil
lal
ldi
e!
Heclear
lyunder
est
imat
edt
hel
i
ttl
eboy
,thi
shas
Aar
onwr i
tt
enallov
eri
t.

"Bunt
ugetoutoft
hecarr
ightnow!Can'
tyou
seethati
tisov
er?
"
Thepoli
cehav ecir
cledt
hecar,
y ettheydon'
t
knowwhatt odo.Theyhavetothinkwisel
y
befor
edoingthis.Thewomanandherchi ld
shoul
dbel ef
tunharmed.

Aaronistry
ingbyall meanstostaystrong,
todaythegunhei sholdi
ngfeelsheavy.Hi s
handsareshakingasi ft
hisisthefi
rstti
mehe
haseverbeeninadanger ousscene.May be
thati
sbecauset odayheisn'
tjustapoliceman
doinghisj
obtodayhei ssavingthewomant hat
heloves.Hedaught eri
salsointhatcar,he
knowst
hatBunt
uiscr
azy
.

Hecoul ddoanythi
ngtot hem andt hatkill
shim.
Standingoutherewatchinghimt ortur
et hem in
thecarmakeshi mfeeluseless,hejoinedt he
forcetosavehiscommuni tyfrom criminalsl
ike
Buntubutnowhei sfail
ingtosav etheonl y
familyhehas.

Wel lhedi
dn'tlieaboutt hat,hedoesn'thav eany
otherfamily
.Andt echnicall
yhedidn'tli
eabout
anything,
hejustkepthi si denti
tyasecr et.He
wouldhav egot tenintotroubleanyway s,his
bossnear l
yfiredhim afterhei mpregnat ed
Ziyanda.Hisjobt herewast ofi
ndev i
dence
againstBuntubuti nsteadhef elli
nlovewi t
hhis
supposedwi fe.

Hear
ri
vedt
her
eaf
ewy
ear
sago,
hewasl
ucky
thathehadf i
nall
yfoundawayt ogetcloserto
themi ghtyBuntuTshemese.Bunt uhatedhim
from dayone, may behehadsuspici
ons.It
wasn'taf ull
timejob,Aar
onwor kedthereasa
gardenert wi
ceaweek.Hedi dn'
tmi nddoi ng
thatbecauset heyhavebeentry
ingtocat ch
Buntuf oryears.

Soonaf ter
war dshefoundoutaboutev er
ythi
ng
thatwashappeni nginthathouse,hefoundout
thatabeaut i
fulgi
rlf
rom SouthAfri
cawasbei ng
heldagainstherwill
.Fi
ndingev i
dencebecame
harderthanhet hought
,themi ssi
onwasn'tto
arrestBuntuonlybuthewant edtosavethe
prettyl
ady.

Hewantedtobearoundher,
hest opped
worki
ngonothercasesandfocusedonthi
sone
onl
y.Hespentmoretimeatthathouseand
afteralongwaitandhardwor khefoundsome
evidence.Hehasr ecor
dingsofBuntuthatwi
ll
sendhi mt opri
sonforl
ife,t
hedocument she
foundint hebasementarejustabonus.

Heknowst hatBuntuhadsuspicions,hemade
surethatBuntufindsoutabout"theirpl
an"so
thathecanl ur
ehimi ntot
hisone.Bunt u
thoughthewasonest epaheadoft hem but
Aaronmadesur etooutsmarthim.Thatplan
wouldn'thavewor kedobvi
ousl
ywhi chiswhy
Buntuwassur ethathehaswon.

Thepol i
cespend30mi nutestell
ingBunt
uto
exitthecarwithoutharmingany one.ToAar
oni
t
feelsli
ketheyhav ebeenstandingtheref
or
hours,hecan'tstandthi
s!
Whyshoul
dtheybegBunt
u?
Theydi
dn'
tneedapl
ant
oescape,
all
hiscr
imes
hav
efi
nal
l
ycaughtupwi
thhi
m.

Theyshoul
dthi
nkofsomet
hingf
ast
,bef
ore
thi
ngsgetmessy.
Bunt
uisacoward,hedoesn'
twantt
ofacejai
l
ti
me.Heal
sodoesn'twanttofr
eeZi
yanda.He
want
stoki
llher
,andthenkil
lhi
msel
f!

Onl
yGodcansav
ethem now.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYEI
GHT
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Thepol icehav ebeenbeggi ngBuntutoexitthe
carbuthei sn'
tcooper ati
ng.Hei ssti
ll
threateningZiyandai nsi
de, heshouldaccept
thatitisov erbecauset heev i
dencetheyhav e
againsthi m wil
l puthim awayf orareal
lyl
ong
ti
me.Hei sonlymaki ngthingshardforZiyanda
otherwisenot hingwi l
lchange!

Aaronislosinghissanit
youtsi
de,rightnowhe
i
st emptedtoopent hedoorroughlyandt hen
shootBuntu.Yes,hewant stoki
llhim.Ifhehad
thepowert odosot henhewould, hewoul d
shoothim multi
pleti
mesandnotl ookback.But
may bedeathwoul dbetooeasyforhi m,Buntu
deserveseveryt
hingthatiswai
ti
ngf orhimi n
j
ail
.

Changeofpl
ans!Zi
yandapunchesBunt
u,she
makessur etot argetthegr oi
n.Hei stakenby
shock, heclearlydidn'texpectt histohappen.
Asqui ckast hespeedofl ight, Zi
yandagr abs
thegunf r
om hi m whilehewi ncesi npai n.Sheis
tremblingwi t
hf earbutshehol dsitsteadily,
the
policefinal
lyfindanoppor tunityandt heyopen
thedoor soft hecar .Luckil
yt heywer en'tlocked,
Ziyandahadopenedt hem bef oreattacking
Bunt u.

Ziy
andahandst hegunov ertothepoli
cewhil
e
Buntuisar
rested.Thi
sallfeel
ssurreal
,she
cannotbel
i
ev ethati
tisover.Notwhenhespent
nearl
yanhourt or
turi
ngthem inthecar.
Herey essearchfrant
icall
y,shel
efther
daughterinthecarandnowshei swor r
ied
abouther.Obv i
ouslynothingwil
lhappento
them nowbutsheneedst oseeherandmake
surethatsheisfine.
"
Ibel
i
evet
haty
ou'
rel
ooki
ngf
ort
hispr
incess,
"
Aaronappear
sbehi
ndhersmi
l
ing,
Asai
s
sl
eepingi
nhisar
ms.
Tearsofj oyfl
owdownZi yanda'
sface,shef el
t
reall
ybad.Whatki ndofmot herdoesthat ?
Especial
lyafterev
erythingtheyhavebeen
through,herdaughterisherfir
stpri
ori
ty .She
givesthem ahug,theaut hori
ti
eshavej ust
takenBunt uandhecanseet heirr
eunion.He
i
sn'tsohappyabouti t,butthat'
sexpectedof
him.

Heshoul
dtakehi
sbi
tt
erselfandr
oti
njai
l
,he
hasnohol
dovert
hem andtheyar
enowfr
eeto
l
ivet
hei
rli
vesast
heywish.

"
Aren'
tyousupposedt
obewi
thy
ourcol
l
eagues
?"Sheaskshi
m nervousl
y,shei
ssti
l
ltryi
ngt
o
pr
ocessthef
actthatheisapoli
ceoff
icer
.

"No, Igav
ethem al
ltheevidencetheyneed.
Theyar egoi
ngtoar r
esthim andstartwor
king
ont hecase,mywor kisdone.Iwanttobewi t
h
younow"hel ooksintohereyeswithhope,she
i
st heonlywomant hathehasev erlovedl
ike
thi
s.Hewant stobewi thherforaslongashe
l
ives.

"Idon'twanttobeher eAar
on,Iwanttogo
home.Idon' tevenknowwhereIwillgo,Ij
ust
foundoutt hatmywhol el
if
ewasal i
e.Ihaveno
familyandIhavenoonei nthi
swor l
d,"tear
s
cascadedownherf aceassheutt
ersthose
words.

Not
hinghasev
erbeeneasyf
orherbutf
indi
ng
outthatsheisn'taDl
omobrokeherapar
t,she
doesn'tknowwhoshei sandshedoesn'
tknow
whereshebel ongs.

"Hey,l
ookatmeZi yanda.What everyouheard
todaydoesn'tchangewhoy ouar e.You'
reavery
bravewomanandy ouhav eendur edl
otsofpai
n.
You'r
estil
l st
anding,you'
rey oungandIknow
thatyouwi l
lfi
ghttoachiev ey ourdreams.Your
l
ifehasjuststart
ed, y
ou'l
l getov erthi
sandone
dayyou'l
llaughli
key ou'r
et elli
nganol dtal
e."
heisholdi
ngherhandst ightly,desperat
eto
keephersane.Hewant snot hi
ngbutt hebest
forherandhewi lldoany thi
ngt omakei t
happen.

"Ij
ustdon'
tknowwheretobegi
n,r
etur
ningto
SouthAfri
cawil
lbr
ingl
otsofpai
n.Thi
ngsar e
dif
fer
entnowandIdon'tknowhowIwil
l adapt
.
YetIcannotst
ayhere,Idon'
twantt
obeher
eat
al
l,
"shesaysthatbefor
elooki
ngdown.

"Returni
nghomewi lldoyougood,Iknowthat
youl oveyourfamilyandbeingtherewil
lmake
youhappy .Itwon'tbeeasyatfi
rstbutyouwil
l
getusedt oit.Iam leavi
ngwit
hy ou,r
emember
thatwebookedaf l
ightafewhoursago?"He
l
ooksather , smil
i
ngabi t.

"
Yes,
butar
en'ty
oustay
ingbehi
nd?Youhav
ea
j
obandali
fehere,
"

Hechor
tl
es.

"You'
remyli
fenow,mysavingswil
lkeepus
goingwhi
l
eIlookforanot
herjob,
"
Zi
yandai
ssi
l
entf
oraf
ewseconds.

"
Arey
ousur
eaboutt
hat
?"sheaskssof
tl
y.

"YesIam,Ir
eall
yloveyouandIwantt obe
closetoy
ou.Ihavenothinglef
tformehere,
trustme"heassuresherconfi
dentl
y.

Asmal
lcur
vef
ormsonherl
i
ps.

"Ibel
i
evet
hatwehav eafli
ghttocatchv
ery
soonandwecannotbestandinginthemiddl
e
ofnowher
e,"henodsinagreement.

Aarondr
ivesthem t
ohisfl
at.Theyf
reshenup
whil
ehesendssomeonet ogetthei
r
documentsfr
om thehouse.Ziy
andawillonl
ybe
taki
ngt hei
rimportantstuf
fandaf ewclothes
forAsamkel o.Shewon'tbetaki
ngany t
hingelse
thatbelongstoBunt u,
shedoesn'twant
anythi
ngt hatwil
lremindherofthatsi
ck
bastard.
_
___
__
Af ewhour slatertheyarri
veattheai
rport
toget her,Zi
yandahasbeenf eeli
ngabituneasy
allthistime.Sheki ndaexpectedBuntuto
appearunexpect edlyandstopthem,orhis
guar dsorwhat everbuttheLordisonthei
rside.
Allofhi sempl oyeesar earr
estedandthi
ngs
don'tl ookgoodf orthem.

Nowthequest
ioni
s,whatdoesSout
hAf
ri
ca
hav
einstor
eforZi
yanda?

Wi
l
lshef
inal
l
ygett
hepeaceshel
ongsf
or?
Sheisy oungyetshehasbeent hrough
tr
aumat icexperi
ences,shei
sfragil
eyetl
i
fehas
neverbeenmer cif
ul.I
thasalwaysbeenone
setbackafteranother
,nomatterhowhardshe
tr
ied.

Sadl
yeveryt
hingthathappenedwasn'
therf
aul
t,
l
if
eisveryunfai
r.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERFI
FTYNI
NE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
[OUTSI
DENOMKHOSI
'
SSHACK]

Sheisstil
lshockedtoseeher
, whati
sSibal
ethu
doinghere?Weretheysear
chingforher
,if
that'
sthecasethenwhereisNompi l
o?
Sil
encel i
ngersint heai r
,nooneseemstobe
readyt ospeakf i
rst.Insteadt
heystar
eatone
another.Nomkhosi isashamedofher
surroundings,shehasn' tachi
evedmuchinli
fe.
Shei sn'
tev enhappybutshehadt okeep
survivi
ngf orherchildren.

"
Nomkhosi
whathappened?
"Si
baf
inal
l
ybr
eaks
t
hesi
l
ence.

"
Alothashappened.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Di
dNompilosendy ouher
e?"
Si
basi
ghsbef
oreanswer
ing.

"
Canwet
alki
nsi
de,
please."

Theki dscont i
nueplayi
ngoutsi
dewhileSibais
l
edi ndoor s.Theshackisver
ycleani
nside,she
i
si mpr essedbythat.I
thasabitofol
df urni
tur
e
andi tl
ookshomey .Therear
ebeauti
ful
drawingshungupont othewall
s.

"Thabi
soisver
ytal
ent
ed,
heisar
ti
sti
cli
keMpi
l
o,
heistheonewhodrewal
loft
hat
,"

Sibanodsherheadinadmi r
ati
on,suchayoung
boywi t
hgreatt
alent
!Nomkhosi musthave
seenherwanderingeyes,
henceshedecidedto
i
nf or
m her
.
"WhatareyoudoinghereSi
balethu?You
haven'
tansweredmyquestion."shelooksat
herdet
erminedtogettheanswer sshewants.

"Idi
dn'tev
enknowIwasgoi ngtof i
ndyouher e,
Iam looki
ngforayoungwomanwhowas
viol
atedbythatwannabepoli
ti
cianMkhize,
may beImixeduptheaddressesorsomet hi
ng"

"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
ort
hatwoman?
"

"
Iam al awy ernow, thefi
rm Iam workingfor
i
nstructedmet orepresentMkhizebutaf t
er
meet i
nghi m andr eadi
ngthef i
l
eIdecidednot
t
o.InsteadIwi lldefendthewomanhev i
olat
ed
."Si
baanswer sher ,unawareofthetruththati
s
r
ightinf r
ontofher .
"I
fthatwomani
sfrom aroundher
eshewon'
tbe
abletoaf
for
dyourser
vices,
"Nomkhosi
says
softl
y.

"Wel
lIexpectedt
hat,
henceIwil
lbedef
endi
ng
herf
orfree.Doyouknowthatwoman
Nomkhosi?"

Si
l
enceagai
n.

"Si
baIam t
hewomany ouaretalki
ngabout,
Mkhizer
apedmeandt hechil
dIam holdi
ng
wasconcei
vedthatni
ght
."tearsaregl
i
stening
i
nhereyesasshesaysthat
,shehasbeen
thr
oughsuchalotandal
lshewantsisjust
ice
now.
"I'
mr eall
ysorr
ytohearthat,
Iwantedtoask
youbutIwasscar edonhowIwoul dapproach
thetopic.Howoldisyourbaby?"

"Mybabyi s2mont hsold,shewasbor n

prematur el
y.Ireportedtheincidentmont hsago
butthedocket skeptdisappearing,andthecase
waspost poned.Mkhi zethoughtIwasgoi ngto
giveup, heusedhi spowert omaket hecase
disappearmor ethanonce.ButIr eopenedi t,
thisi
sv erytoughonmeandIwasst arti
ngt o
l
oosemyst rength.Thestatelawy erhasn'tbeen
helpfulandsoev eryt
hingwasj ustdraini
ngme.
"

"Thejusti
cesystem isveryunfair,i
tf av
oursthe
ri
chandpower f
ul.Weallknowt hatandsadl y
ther
ei snothi
ngwecando, corruptionhast aken
overinourcountry.Iam sorr
yt haty oudealt
wit
hallofthatalone,Iwi
l
ldomybestt omake
sur
ethatMkhi zegetswhathedeserves.He
wil
lpayforhurti
ngy ouNomkhosiIswear,"

"
Whataboutyourf
ir
m say,
won'
ttheyfi
reyou
f
ordoi
ngthi
s?"Sheasks,
worr
yclear
lyaudibl
e
i
nhervoi
ce.

"Idon'
tcar
eaboutwhatt heysay,Iam not
defendi
ngarapi
standt heywon'tfor
ceme.Did
youtell
Mkhizeaboutyourchil
d?"Sibaasksher
, t
hebabyisevi
denceoni tsown.Mkhizewoul
d
haveahardtimetry
ingtoexplai
nhowhehasa
chil
dwithNomkhosi.

"No,
hedoesn'
tknow.Idon'
twantany
thi
ngt
o
dowithhi
m soIdi
dn'
tbothert
ell
i
nghim.
"
Sibanodsherheadasshet akesoutanot ebook
andstart
sjottingdownev er
ythingtheyhave
spokenabout .SheasksNomkhosi afew
questi
onsrelatedt othecaseandaf teraboutan
hourofdiscussingi tsheiscert
ainthattheywil
l
win.Ther
ei sal otofev i
denceagainstMkhize
thatheknowsnot hingabout,al
l t
hatNomkhosi
neededwassuppor tandagoodl awyer.Now
thatshehast hat,shewi l
lwinthecase!

Whent heyar edonedi scussi ngworkmat t

ers,
theyexchangenumber sandSi bainfor
msher
thatshewi l
l popi nafteraf ewday s.Sheneeds
towor kont hei nformat iont heyhaveand
continuel ooki ngf orev idence.Sheal soneeds
tovisitthepol i
cest ationsot hatshecangetall
thefilesfrom t hest at
el awy er.Oncethatis
doneshewi l
l tal ktothepr osecutorsothatthe
casecanbet akent ocour tsooner ,shedoesn't
needal otoft imet opr epar eNomkhosi andt hi
s
hasbeendr
aggi
ngonf
orwayt
ool
ong.

Nomkhosi
opensupaboutherl
i
fei
ntheci
tyof
gol
d,

"IranawaywhenIwasst il
lateen, r
ightaf t
ermy
mat ricyearIam sur et hatyouremember .Li
fe
herewasn' tsogood, itwaswor sethanIhad
expect ed.Il ef
thomehopi ngtof i
ndpeace,
hopi ngtof indaj obandf urt
hermyst udiesone
day .Iknewt hatIcoul dn'tdothatinDur banand
IthoughtIwoul dfi
ndoppor tuniti
eshere.Iwas
hopef ul,Ihadi tallpl
annedout .Lit
tl
edi dIknow
aboutwhatawai t
edmeher e.Ispentaf ew
year sont hest reet
s, Iwasl uckytof i
ndgood
fri
endsandwehust l
edt ogether.Iwassaf ewit
h
them, welookedoutf oroneanot her.

Iev
enf
oundl
ove,
crazyr
ight
.Hi
snamewas
Mncedi si andhealsost ayedont hestreets.We
haddr eams, wewant edtogetgoodj obsand
continuest udyi
ng.Wewant edtowor khardand
buildaf ami l
ytogether.Af ewy earslaterIfell
pregnant ,hewast hef at
heroft het wins,Ireal
ly
l
ov edhim.WhenIwas4mont hspr egnantIwas
l
uckyt of indajobasadomest icwor ker,andI
hadt omov einwiththatf amily.That'showwe
l
ostcont act,wedidn'tevenhav ecel l
phones
backt hen.

Iwasv eryhur tbecausehecoul dn'tbeapar tof

thetwinslivesandwhenev erIt
r i
edl ookingfor
him Icouldn'tfi
ndhim.Iknewt hest reetsof
Johannesbur gv er
ywel lbutIcoul dn'tfindhim
atall
.Hehadcompl etelydisappear ed.Years
wentbyandIhadt omov eon.If oundabet ter
j
obher eint hetownshi psandImanagedt oget
thi
sshack, Ihav ebeenl i
vingher eforav er
y
l
ongt imenow.
Ihavenev erbeenwi t
hanot hermansi nce
Mncedi si
,ithasbeeny earsyetIcouldn'
tfind
anothermant hatwoul dtakehisplaceinmy
heart.Aft
erhim Idedi catedmyl i
fetomy
chi
ldren.Wel lthatwasunt ilt
hatfatefulni
ght
whenMkhi zev iol
atedme, "

Whensheconcludesbot
hoft hem arei
ntears,
thebabyissl
eepi
ngonthebednow.Si bal
ethu
comfort
sherbefor
ehuggingherti
ghtly
,no
amountofwordswouldevererasethepai
nin
herhear
t.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERSI
XTY
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

SI
BALETHU

Mnqobi justcal l
edme, itseemsl ikeev ery
t hi
ng
i
sgoi ngwel lwithhisnewbusi nessv enture.He
wasser iousaboutr esigningatt heMhl ongo
Legacy,Iwi shIwasar oundt osuppor thimf ull
y
butIneedt obeher etopr eparef orthecase.My
fi
rm wasn' tpleasedwhent heyhear daboutmy
deci
sionandt heyev ent hr
eatenedt ofireme, I
real
lydon' tcareaboutt hatbecauseIwi l
lnot
changemymi nd.Iam det er
mi nedt odot his
andnot hingwi l
lstopme.

Mkhi
zewasli
vi
dwhentheyexpl
ained
ev
ery
thi
ngtohim,
hewentasfarascancel
l
ing
hi
scont r
actwi thus.Iheardthathemanagedt o
getoneoft hemostr uthlesslawyersfrom
aroundhere.Iknowt hatIwi l
lprobablygeti
nto
l
otsoft r
oublewhenIr etur
nbackt omyf ir
m,
Mkhizewasgoi ngtopayusl otsofmoney .My
superi
orswon' tbepleasedatal l
,Ihavetomake
surethatIdowel li
nt hiscase.I
twillbeon
nati
onaltel
evision.

Everyoneist
alki
ngaboutit
,Mkhi
zeiswell
knownandt hi
scoulddamagehiscareer
.Iwi
l
l
personal
lymakesureofthat!

Nomkhosi doesn'twantanyonetoknowabout
her,Icannoteventell
Nompi l
oaboutit.Shetold
met hatsheisn'tr
eadytofaceherpast,she
want stodealwiththi
sandprepareforthecase
fi
rst.Whenthecasei stel
evi
sedandheri denti
ty
i
sr eveal
edthenshewi llf
aceherpast.
Shei sv erymat urenow, Iam proudoft he
womanshei s.Shehasal sosav edsomemoney
forherchi ldren.Lifemusthav edoneanumber
onher ,you'dsweart hi
si sanot herperson.She
i
sr espect ful andkind, shei sanamazi ng
mot her .Ihav eonlybeenar oundherforaf ew
daysy etIhav emanagedt ogatherthatabout
her.Iknowt hatthingsbet weenherand
Nompi lower ebadbackt henbutiftheywer eto
putt heirdifferencesasi det heywoul dbeableto
fi
xt hings.Nomkhosi i
swi sernow,andt hey
reall
yneedoneanot her .
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLE

Iwakeupt othesmell
ofpancakes,
asmi le
i
mmedi atel
yformsonmyf aceandIjumpout
ofbed.Iam qui
teenerget
ict
hismorning,
my
hearti
sateaseandmyhusbandi
sprepari
ng
breakf
astal
ready
.Vuki
l
eissuchasweethear
t!
Il
ovehi
m whol
ehear
tedl
y.

Heknowst hatIhav eahugeappetit

elatel
yand
hehasbeenf eedingmenonst op.I
nall
depar tments,ifyougetwhatImean.Nowwhy
woul dn'tIbeahappywomant hen?Iam
blessedt ohav ehimi nmyli
fe.Imaket hebed
andt hent akeaqui ckshower.WhenIfinal
ly
walki ntothekitchenIam surpri
sedtoseea
tablefulloffood.Dowehav eguests?This
foodi senought of eedanarmy .

"Goodmorni
ngmyl ov
e,dowehaveguests
comingov
er?"Igi
vehim al
i
ghtpeckontheli
ps
befor
eheanswersme.
"
Iam j
ustf
eedi
ngmyf
ami
l
ybaby
,"
Ilookathi
m wit
haf
rown,
whatf
ami
l
yishe
talki
ngabout
?

Iwon'tev
enaskhi m,Isitdownandst ar
t
di
shingup.I nabout30mi nutesIhaveeaten
al
mosthal fofwhati sonthet abl
e.Don'
tgive
met hatl
ook, IdidmentionthatIhaveaHUGE
appeti
tel
at el
y.Ithappensnatural
lywheny oure
happy.Ri
ght?
Yes,
thanky
ou.

Vukil
ewokeupont herightsi
deoft hebedtoo,
hecannotshutup.Heisexcitedabout
somethingr
elat
edtowor kandIam notev en
l
ist
eningtowhatheissay i
ng.Don'tgetme
wrong,Idopayattent
iontohi m butt
odayIam
j
ustfocusedonmyf ood.
"Babydi
dyoufi
nisht
hechi
ckenImadelast
night
?"Hel
ooksatmeeagerl
y,t
hismanli
ves
formeat!

"Idi
dn'
tev
eneatit
,Inol
ongerl
i
kechi
cken.
"I
answerhi
mlazi
l
y.

"Si
ncewhendon'ty
oul
i
kechi
ckenNdabe?"he
giv
esmeal ook.

"
Sincer
ecent
lyVuki
l
e!"

"
GeeezIgeti
t,whyar
eyoui
nsuchamood?
"

"
I'
mtr
yingt
oenj
oymybr
eakf
asti
npeace."
Hedeci
destonotanswerme, t
hatfrustr
ates
memore.Whyisheonmycase?West arted
t
hismorni
ngwellandnowhe' sjustannoy i
ng
me.Hewarmssomeoft hechickenandt henhe
t
akessomegarl
icbread.Helikesgar l
i
cbr ead,
wi
erdri
ght
.

No,no, no!Hejustsatnextt ome, t

hechi cken
smellshorri
bleandt hegar li
cbreadi sworse.As
Itr
yandgethi mt omov eaway ,anur getov omit
getsmeupandr unningtot hetoi
let.Idon't
knowwhyIf eelsonauseousbutIendup
emptyingallmyst omach' scontents.Somuch
forhavingdeli
ciousbr eakfast!
Isi
ghi nfrust
rati
onandhegivesmeagl assof
water.Whendi dhegether
e?Ir ol
lmyey esand
headt othebedroom.Iam nolongerspeaki
ng
tohim, notaf
terhemademev omitwit
hhis
sti
nkyr ott
enfood.
Igetdressedf
orwor
kwhi
l
ehet
ri
est
o
apologi
se.

Asifev er
yoneknowsIhadabadmor ni
ng,Iget
towor ktofi
ndt hi
ngsi nachaos.Ther ewasa
hugef i
ghtbetweent helearnersandsome
teachersareabsent.Byl unchti
meIam spi t
ti
ng
venom!That '
showangr yIam, Iobviousl
yhad
totakecontrolofthesituationandmakesur e
thatteachi
ngandl earningtakesplace.

Vukil
ebringsmesomel unch, It
hankhim and
theneatmyf ood.Ihaven'tf
orgiv
enhim andit'
s
hisfaul
tthatIam hungry.Aft
erwardshetell
s
met hatwehav etogosomewher eurgent
ly.
Iam i
nnomoodt oarguewit
hhim soItag
al
ong.Tomysurpri
sehetakesmet oadoctor
,
agynecol
ogi
stt
obepr eci
se.St
il
lIdon'
tsay
anyt
hing,
thedoct
orwelcomesusandwear e
tol
dtowaiti
nhisoff
ice.Sothi
swasplanned,
heevenbookedanappoint
ment.Okay
!

Thedoctorr eturnsafter
war dsandhestart
s
aski
ngmel otsofquest ions.Iansweral
lof
them andafterwar dsheasksmet opeeina
smallcontainer.Dot heythinkIam pr
egnant?I
chuckleatthatcr azythought.

Ihandi tovertohim andhedoeshi sstuf

f.
Vukil
et ight
enshisgr iponmyhand, Il
ookat
him onlytoreali
set hathei ssweat ing.Ihave
neverseenhi m soner vous.Nowi tisnolonger
funny,seeinghiml i
ket hatt r
iggeredsomet hi
ng
i
nme.Myey esar eglisteningwitht ear
s,Iam
focusedont hewhi tecei l
ingasi fmyl i
fe
dependsoni t
.Iam t r
embl i
ngwi t
hf ear,i
fIam
notpregnantt henitwi l
lcrushVuki le.
Iknowthat
,Iknowhowmuchhel
ongst
ohav
e
hisownchi
ld.

"Congrat
ulat
ionsma'
am y
ou'
re6weeks
pregnant
,"thedoct
ori
sbeamingwi
thsmi
l
es.

"Thanky ousomuchBaby"
,Vuki
lel
ooksatme
withsomuchemot i
onsinhisey
esbefor
e
attacki
ngmewi t
hahug.

AssoonasIam i
nhi
sarms,t
hetearsst
art
fal
l
ingdown.Howdi
dthi
shappen?

Wehavebeent r
yingforyear
s,Ihadl
onggi
ven
up,
IthoughtIwasn'tmeanttobeamother
.
I
tistr
uewhatt
heysay,
theLor
d'spl
an'
sar
ethe
best
.Ababyi
sexact
lywhatweneednow.

"
OMhlongobazot
hol
aindl
ali
fa,
ngi
yabonga
mkami,
"(TheMhl
ongo'
swill
getanheir
,thank
youmywife)

Inodmyheadabi
tandsmi
l
e.
Godi
sgoodatal
lti
mes!

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!

SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERSI
XTYONE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
ZI
YANDA

Ihavefinal
lyarri
vedinSouthAf ri
ca.May beI
shouldbehappybecauseIam f inal
lyfreebutI
am veryunsettl
ed.Lot'
soft houghtshav ebeen
cir
cli
ngmymi nd,ithasbeeny earsandsomuch
haschanged.Idon' tevenknowwhatIshoul d
dofirst
.TobehonestIam scar ednow, Iam
scaredtoreturntowhatIusedt ocall
homeand
thenfacemypast .Thiswon' tbeeasyatal l
,I
am gladthatIhaveAar ontosupor tme.

Isti
llcan'
tbel
iev
ethatheleftt
heDRCf orme.
Whenwef i
rstst
art
edhangingoutIdi
dn'tthi
nk
wewoul dendupher e,
tomehewasj usta
dist
racti
on.Somethi
ngtolookforwar
dt oeach
day,butsomewherealongtheli
nesIfel
linlove
wit
hhim.Ihaddoubtsbuthetookgoodcareof
me,henursedmybrokenheartandhetaught
mehowt oloveagai
n.Hemademer eal
i
sethat
notal
lmenareouttohurtus,
somehav epure
i
ntent
ions.

Iwil
lprobablyreceivel
otsofjudgementbutI
am readyforit.Idon'
tcarewhatpeoplesay
aboutme, myhappi nesscomesf i
rstandri
ght
nowAsamkel oandAar onbri
ngjoytomyheart.

Wespentaf ewday si nJohannesburg,al

l
thankstoAaron.I
t'shisfir
sttimeinSAandI
haven'
tbeentoJohannesbur gtoo,
itbecomea
minihol
idayforus.Somet hingtoeaseour
mindsandgetuspr eparedforwhatisawait
ing
us.DidImentiontheshoppi ngwedi d?
Remembert
hatwedi
dn'
tbr
ingmuchcl
othes?
Well
whenwegother
ewedecidedt
oshopa
l
it
tl
e,well
wewentabi
tov
erbr
oadbutAar
on
di
dn'
treal
lymi
nd.

Heal sopurchasedanewcel lphonef orme,wit

h
greatcamer aquali
ty.WhenIam set tl
edinback
athomeIwi l
lopenanI Gaccountandsetupmy
ownYouTubechannel .Iwantt osharemystory
toany onewhoi swill
ingtolisten.Toomany
gir
lsdisappearnowaday saftergett
ing
catfi
shed,humant raffi
ckingisbecomi nga
norm.Peopl edisappeardaily!
Ij
ustwantpeopl
etoknowwhatIwentt
hrough.

Maybemystorywil
ltouchsomeone,maybeit
wil
lmakeadif
fer
encet osomeone'
sli
fe.Andby
doi
ngsoIwil
lhavedonemy sel
fwell
!
Ther
ear el
otsoftopi
csIwanttofocuson.The
mediaisaverypowerf
ul t
ool
,i
fyouuseitfor
ther
ightpur
posesandy ouappl
ysomeskillst
o
i
t,i
tcant
akey
ouf
ar.

Aft
erourmi ni
vacati
onwet ookafl
ightto
Durban,
whenwear ri
vedt
herethenervescame
backagain.Mymi ndwasfaraway,fi
l
ledwith
somany" whatif
's"

"
Whati
fmyf
ami
l
ydoesn'
tacceptme?
"
"
Whati
ftheynol
ongercar
eaboutme?
"
"
Whatift
heywi
l
ldi
sownmeaf
tert
het
rut
his
r
eveal
ed?"
"
Howwi
l
lIf
acemysupposedf
ather
?"

Allt
heset
hought
sareworr
yingmebutfaci
ng
Sandil
eDl
omohastobetheworst.HowdoI
faceamanwhosignedadealwi
ththedevi
l
?
Henev
ercar
edaboutme,
hewasmor
e
i
nt er
estedint
hebenefi
tst
hatcamewi thme.He
easil
ysettl
edadealwit
hBuntusot hatIcoul
d
disappear,
asift
hat'
snotenoughhewant edto
usemeasasacr i
fi
cetogai
nriches!

ThemanIoncewor shi
pedbetrayedme, Il
oved
hi
m somuch.Iwasat eenseekingnothi
ngbut
afather
'sl
oveandacknowl
edgment ,andhe
usedthatt
ohisadvant
age.

Ihat
ehi
m.

_
___
Aft
ergetti
ngenoughrestAaronaccompanied
met omygr anny
'shouse.If
oundoutthatshe
sti
l
l l
iv
esinSiba'
soldhouse.Sibanowliv
eswith
herfamil
y.Whenwear ri
vedtherewefoundher
i
nt hegar
den.Assoonasherey esl
andedonus
shedroppedt
het
ool
sshewascar
ryi
ngandr
an
tous.

IdroppedthebagIwashol dingandIalsorant o
her.WhenIgott ohershest aredatmef ora
fewsecondsbef orepul l
i
ngmei nforabone-
crushinghug.Iheldontohert i
ght
ly,nowords
wereexchanged.Ihear dhersobsasshe
embr acedmef urt
her,Ialsof el
tmyey esgetti
ng
teary.Wecr i
edtogether,Iheldontoheriftr
ying
toconnectourhear t
st ogether.Tr
yingtofil
lthat
voidthatIfel
tallt
hesey ears.

Iheldont oherasifIwastryi
ngt otakeallthe
painshef elt,
whenherheartwascr ushedand
shecoul dn'tfi
ndme.Icri
edf oral
lthetimesI
wasl onely,orwhenIwasinneedofheror
whenIwasabusedandshewasn' taround.I
cri
edi talloutknowi
ngthatifmygr annywasi n
myl
i
fet
hingswoul
dn'
thav
etur
nedoutt
hisway
.

Shewouldhavefoughtf
orme,
shealway
s
wantedwhat'
sgoodforme.Whycoul
dn'
tIhav
e
that
?
Whydi
dIhav
etogot
hroughal
loft
his?
Thepai
n,t
hesexualabuse,
thephy
sical
abuse
andtheemot
ionalabuse?

"IknewthatGodwoul
danswermypr
ayers,I
knewthatyouwouldcomehomeZi
yanda,"
Shepul l
soutofthehug,shel
ooksatmeagain.
Shet ouchesmyface,myearsandmyhair
.She
touchesmyar ms,mylegsandevenmytummy !

"
Ican'
tbeli
evet
hatt
hisi
shappeni
ng,i
tisr
eal
l
y
mybaby.Ali
veandwel
l.
..Lor
dyouar
e
merci
ful
!"
Shepull
smei nt
oanotherhug,
thi
sonedoesn'
t
dragsolongandthewater
worksareov
er.

Aft
erwardsshetakesusindoor
s,wear e
i
ntr
oducedt oherhel
per.Asamkeloi
sf ast
asl
eepnow, sheisinoneofthebedroomsand
Aaronsaidhewantstotakeawalkinthe
gar
den.

"
Whathappenedmybaby
?"

Isi
ghbefor
enar
rat
ingt
hestoryt
oher,whenI
am f
inal
l
ydonesheisi
ntear
sagain.

"
I'
m sosorr
yZi yanda,
Ifai
ledyoumybaby.I
f
ail
edtoprotectyoufrom Sandi
l
e.Iknewabout
y
ourpater
nit
ybutIr ai
sedy ouasmyown,blood
ornobl oody ou'
restil
l mygr andchild.Your
mot herwasagoodwoman, whathappenedt o
herwasunf ort
unatebutwhenshef oundout
abouty oushecoul dn'tletyougo.I twasv ery
toughf orherbutshesol di
eredon.Sandi le
acceptedy ou,butovert hey ear
sy ougr ewup
i
ntoaf iney ounglady.Youl ookexact l
ylikeyour
mot herandy ouactlikeher ,maybet hatwast oo
muchf orhim.May behechangedbecausehe
couldn'thandlethegriefoflosinghi sf i
rstlove.

Iwon'tev enjusti
fyhi
sact i
ons.Nomat terhow
hewasf eelingheshoul dn'
thavet akenhis
fr
ustrati
onsoutony ou.Hehast urnedintot hi
s
vi
leanimal ,Iam evensurpri
sedt hatheisa
productofmywomb.Youst i
ll
needt oexplain
everyt
hingr elat
edtothatboythat '
sinmy
gardenandt hebeauti
fulangelthatyouwer e
carry
ing.Iunder st
andthatyouhav edealtwith
hecti
cst uff
, youdon'
thav etoopenupnow.We
willdealwiththi
ngsslowly,
wewi ll
invest
igat
e
thi
smat t
erandifSandil
eisguilt
ythenhewi l
l
payf orwhathedi d.Wejustneedtolaylowfor
now, foryourownsaf el
y.Nooneshoul dknow
thaty ou'
reback,"

Inodmyheadandsmi le,sheget suptochecki

t
ourrefr
eshmentsarebeingpr epared.My
grannyisthemostsuppor ti
ve,l
ov i
ngand
underst
andingpersonIknow.Ij ustappear
ed
unexpectedl
y,af
termoret han10y earsandI
tol
dherunbeliev
ablestuf
f .

Notoncedidshedoubtme,inst
eadshewants
tohel
pmef indal
ltheanswersaboutmypast
andaboutSandil
e.

Li
zali
seDl
omohasjustshownmethatbl
ood
doesn'
tmakey
oufamily
,loy
alt
ydoes.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERSI
XTYTWO
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NDABEZI
NHLE

Itsti
ll
f eelssurr
eal,howi sitpossibl
ethatGod
hasblessedmesomuch.Af ewmont hsafter
mypr egnancyIf oundoutt hatIwascar ryi
ng
tri
plet
s!TheLor dhasbeenmer cif
ul,
after
everythingIwentt hroughhehaswi pedallmy
tearswi thabundantbl essi
ngs.Idon'tknowhow
Iwouldev erexpressmygr atitudetohim,Iam
happynowandIf eel
wor
thyofbeingVuki
le'
s
wif
e.Allt
hepeoplewhoweregossipi
ngabout
mehav esuddenl
ygonemute.

Thereisnothingbadt osaynow, andasmuch

astheydon'tlikewhatt heysee.Itisexactlyli
ke
that
.Ican'twai tt
oholdmybabi es,Ican'twait
toseethem.Iwantt ogi v
et hem thelovethatI
oncehadf rom mymot her,shedidn'thave
muchbuthear twaspur e.Herwi sewor dsand
hermor al
sar estil
lwit
hme, onedayIwi l
lalso
passthem tomychi l
dren.Iaspiretobet he
womanshewas.Iknowbyt henIwoul dhav e
ful
fi
ll
edmyl i
fepurpose.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
NOMKHOSI

I
thasbeenaroughcoupl
eofmonthsbutIam
gr
atef
ult
hatIsur
viv
ed.Iam backi
nDur
ban
now, Iam gratef
ulthatSibal
ethuf oughtf orme.
Ifitwasn'tf
orherIwoul dhav elostthatcase,
thatcorruptmanwaswi l
lingtopayl otsof
moneyi nor dertoroam t
hest reetsfreely.Yes,
het houghtthatitwasokayf orhimt or apeme
andt henpayt heauthor
iti
est omaket hecase
disappear.

Godcamet hr oughf orme, Sibawasdet er

mi ned
togetjust i
cef orme.Idon' tknowhowIwi llever
thankher .Shest oodbymeev enwhent hat
bastardhumi liatedmeonsoci almedia.Hesai d
allsort
sofl ies, hesai dIam not hi
ngbuta
cheappr ostitut ethatwantedhi smoney .The
sadpar ti
st hatpeopl ereactedexact l
yhowhe
expectedt hem t oo,theycall
edmeal lsortsof
names.Ihav enot hingtomynamemay bet hat's
whyt heybel iev edhim, t
othem Iwasj usttrying
myl uck.Tryingt oruinhiscar eerasan
upcomi ngpol iti
cian.
Idon'tknowhowmanywomenat t
ackedme, I
hadtodel et
emysoci al mediaaccounts.Itst
il
l
baff
lesmet othisday,Idon'
tunderstand
womenwhoat tackotherwomen.Weshoul dbe
fi
ghtingtogether,weshouldbesuppor ti
ngone
anotheraswomeni nor dert
of i
ghtagainst
menwhov i
olat
eusy etwef ail
todot hat.How
wil
lot hervi
cti
msf eelaboutreachi
ngoutf or
hel
p?
Womenhav eal
ongwayt ogo, west
il
lneedto
l
earnhowtosuporteachotheri
nst
eadof
br
ingi
ngeachotherdownintimesofneed.

ComingbacktoDur banwasn'tabadidea,aft
er
all
IhavebeenthroughIreal
lyneededthe
changeofscenery.Iwasfort
unatetogetan
RDPhouseallthankstoSiba,Ist
ayinanother
townshi
pabitfarfrom home.Ineededtofinda
newplacewherepeopledon'tknowmei nor
der
tostar
tafr
esh.Mykidsarehappyinthei
rnew
schoolandIam t
aki
ngi tonedayatatime.

KnowingthatMkhizeislockedaway ,pay i
ngfor
thepainheputmet hroughmakesmyhear tfeel
atease.Hi
smot herhasbeencont actingme
aboutthebabyandIam notbot hered.May be
onedayIwillal
l
owt hem toseemychi ldjust
notnow,Iam sti
ll
dealingwitheveryt
hi ng.

Nompilohasbeenher eaf ewt i

mes,wetalked
aboutalotofthi
ngs.Iapologizedtoherand
shefor
gav eme.Wear en'tcl
ose, wear
estill
tr
yingt
oheal butIam gratef
ul t
hatwearebot h
tr
yingt
omendourr el
ati
onship.

Iam st
il
ll
iv
ingonmysavi
ngs,
afterIhav
e
set
tl
edinwellIwi
l
lgoj
obhunti
ng.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Isti
l
ldon'tknowhowt oshowGodhowgr at
eful
Iam, heismerci
ful atallt
imes.Hehascome
thr
oughf ormeov erandov eragain.Idon't
knowwher eIgotthest rengt
hbutIwasabl eto
suportNomkhosi throughoutthewholeor deal
shewentt hr
ough.Ist oodforher,
Idef ended
heragainstarut
hlessmant hatwantedt o
destr
oyher .

Il
ostmyjobbecauseofthat
,Ihadtousemy
ownmoneyf ort
hecaseandforher.Buti
fther
e
i
sonethingIknowaboutGod,ist
hatwhenhe
cl
osesonedoorheopensanother.
Thecourtcasewast el
evi
sedandIwonit
,yesI
stoodi
nconf i
dence.Li
ketheBossBabeIam
anddefeat
edMkhi zeandhisteam!
Afterwar dsmyl i
fechanged, Istart
edr ecei
vi
ng
l
ot sofr equestsfrom peopl ewhowant edmet o
defendt hem.Myol dbossapol ogizedand
offeredmeabet terjobathi sf i
rm, ofwhichI
kindlydecl i
ned.Hedi dn'thavefaithinme, he
fi
redmebecauseIdi dn'twantt odef enda
rapist.Hewasmor einterestedinthemoney
thatMkhi zeoff
eredandIst andf orthetrut
h.

Iam luckybecauseIcomef rom apr i

vileged
home, mymot herl
eftalotofmoneyf orus.IfI
wantedt o,Iwouldn'
thavebeenbot hered
studying.Iwoul dhaveenjoyedt heperksof
beingar i
chkid.ButIstudiedhar dtogetmy
degree, IdidthatbecauseIwant edt ofightfor
thetruth.Iam awomanofi ntegri
tyandno
amountofmoneywi l
lchangewhoIam.
Iam notyourtypical
lawyerwhowilldefend
anyonejustforthesakeofdoingit
,Iam not
goingtostandincourtandutterl
i
esj ustfort
he
sakeof"doingmyj ob".Hell
no,Istandforthe
tr
uth,andonlythat!

Ihav er ecent l
yopenedmyownl awfir
m, Iam
most lyl ookingintohir
ingy oungwomen.Iwant
togivet hem achancebecausewear estil
l
under est i
mat edinthi
sf i
eld.Peoplehave
doubt swheni tcomest ofemalelawyers,Iam
targetingt hem becauset heyarefreshoutof
universityandal lt
heyneedi sachancet oprove
themsel ves.

I
ft hereisonet hi
ngthatIlearntrecent
lyiti
s
thatthingshappenaccor dingl
y,evenifiti
sa
badt hingthereisareasonf ori
ttohappen.
May bei fIdi
dn'tfol
l
owmygutIwoul dbest uck
i
nt hatfi
rm.HelpingNomkhosi fr
eeofcharge
turnedouttobet hebestthi
ngforme,career
wise.Itgavemeexposur eanditmademe
reali
sethatIcandowhat everIwanti
fIam
determined.WhichiswhyIopenedmyownf ir
m.

Thisisact
uallyalessonforallofus,nogood
deedgoest owast e.Doi
nggoodf orot
her sand
havingnoexpectationsbr
ingsal otofblessings
toyourpath.Thewor ldmaynotacknowl edge
yourgooddeedsandt hat
'sokay!

Youknowwhy ?Becausesomet i
mesy ouhave
todogoodt hings,youdon'tneedt oshowthe
worl
dorl eti
tbeknown.Keepi tprivat
e,dogood
i
nsecret.ThereisaGodi nHeav en,heknows
whatyou'redoing.Hecanseey oureffor
tsand
hewil
lrewardy ouaccordingly
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU

CHAPTERSI
XTYTHREE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
NOMPI
LO

Todaywear eopeni nganor phanagei nmemor y

ofAy enzi
weandAphendul e.Iusedabi tofmy
savings,andwi ththeassistanceofmyf ri
ends
andcol l
eagueswer aisedenoughmoneyt o
rebuil
dourol dhouse.I thasbeenabandoned
sincethef i
reincidentoccurred,
Ihav en'
teven
comeher eformor ethan10y ears.Iam j
ust
gladthatMaNzuzamadesur ethatnododgy
businesswasbei ngdoneher e.
Wel lt
heideaofopeninganor phanagecame
afterImetay ounggir
lintown,sheaskedme
forfood.Shewasv erykindandpolit
e, I
i
mmedi at
elytookhertotheclosestrestaur
ant.I
tol
dhert oorderwhateversheli
kes,youshould
hav eseenthesmileonherfacewhenshe
orderedastrawberrymil
kshakeandadoubl e
cheeseburger.

Iaskedhertot el
lmeabi taboutherself
,she
wasv eryshyatfir
stbutaftersomet i
meshe
start
edopeningupt ome.Iev encancell
edmy
l
unchdat ewithSenzi t
hatday.Somethingtol
d
met ostayandl i
stentothisyounggir
l.Hercut
e
dimplesandherbeaut i
fulsmileur
gedmet o
l
istenattent
ivel
y.Icoul
dn'tkeepmyey esoffher
.
Hernamei
sPhel
okazi
Candl
ovu,
10
y
ear
sofage.
Shei sav er
ycl everchild,
thestreetsaretoo
harshf orher.Shest i
llneedsloveandpar ental
care.Whi l
ewewer esti
lll
aughingatherjokesa
boyal mostident i
caltohercamei nand
demandedhert oleavewi t
hhim.Tear s
cascadeddownmyf aceimmedi ately
,Ididn'
t
needt obet oldbyany onet hatwashert win
brother.Theyr emindedmeofmyownangel s
andIcoul dn'tstopcrying.

Pheloignoredherbr otherandrantomysi de,

shehuggedmeandcomf or
tedme.Af terIhad
calmeddownIor deredt hesamemeal forher
brother
.Ihadt ospendagood10mi nutes
begginghimt ositwithusandeat ,
Ididn'tcare
aboutthelookswewer egetti
ng.Eventhough
theyli
veont hestreets,theywerev er
ycl ean.
Itoldt hem aboutAy enziweandAphendul e, I
toldthem whyIcr i
edwhenIsawPhel o'
st win.I
l
ear ntt hathisnamei sPhi l
asande.Hedi dn'tsay
any t
hing, hejustatehi sfood.Phelot oldmea
l
otaboutt hemselvest hatday ,
shetoldmet hat
theirmot herabandonedt hem andtheywer e
rai
sedbyt hei
raunt .Shewasabusi ve,butt hey
endur edi tallbecauset heyhadnowher et ogo.
Shewasadr unkardandshebr oughtdifferent
menhomedai l
y.

Theyranawaythedayoneofherboyfr
iends
tri
edtorapePhel
o.Myhear
tbrokeapartwhenI
heardthat
,theyhav
ebeenli
vi
ngont hestreet
s
formonths.
_
___
__

Ihadbeenthi
nkingaboutourhousef
ormont
hs.
Icoul
dn'
tgatherthest
rengt
htogobackyetI
hadtodosomet hi
ng,mypar ent
sbui l
tt hat
houseandleavingitli
kethatfel
tli
ke
di
srespecti
ngtheirhardworkandt heirname.
Eventhoughitwasr ui
nedbyt hefir
eiti ssti
ll
ourhome.Icouldn'tsel
li
teither,
Iasked
Ma'Nhlaphoforsomeadv iceandshet oldmet o
prayandGodwi llgi
vemeal ltheanswer sIneed.

ThedayImett hetwinswast hedayIdecided,I

tookt hem toMaNzuzaandaskedhert otake
careoft hem sinceshehasal otofti
me.She
didn'thaveanypr obl
em withthatandIpai df
or
everythingthattheyneeded,from school
uniformst ofoodandal lt
heirnecessit
ies.
Ipi
tchedt
heideat
omyf r
iendsandmy
col
l
eaguesandever
yonewaswi l
l
ingt
oassi
st
me.

TheMhl
ongoLegacyi
soneofourmaj
or
sponsor
sandafewhi
ghpr
ofi
l
ebusi
nessmen
havejoi
nedi
n.
SibaandMnqobi helpedusrai
sethefunds
neededforconstr
uctionandthedai
lyrunni
ngof
theorphanage.Ir
esignedfr
om workandIhave
full
ycommi t
tedmy selft
oworki
ngatthe
orphanage.

Iam real
lyexcit
ed,asoldasIam It hi
nkIhav e
fi
nall
yfoundmypur poseinl
ife.Iwil
lconti
nue
wit
har tbutIam dedicati
ngmyl if
etowor ki
ng
wit
hchi l
dren.Whenappl i
cat
ionsopeni n
SeptemberIwi l
lapplyforabachelori
nsocial
work.Iwilldoanythi
ngt omaket hi
sasuccess.
Addingadegr eeisjustabonus!

Fastf
orwardtothi
sbeaut
iful
day ,
whent hered
ri
bbonwascutandPhelohuggedmet i
ghtl
ymy
eyesweregli
steni
ngwi
thtears.Myfr
iends
hel
pedme,theyexceededal
lmyexpect
ati
ons.I
am r
eall
ygr
ateful
,todaymar
ksthest
artofa
newera.

Whatabeaut i
fuldayi
tis,
evenNomkhosii
s
here.Iam gl
adthatwenowhaveachanceto
workonourr el
ati
onshi
p,wecanstar
tover
together
.

"I
khay aLet huOr phanage",Ichoset hatname
becauset hi
swi llbeahomef orany
one, notj
ust
youngchi l
drenbutt eenagersar eal
sowel come.
Victi
msofgenderbasedv i
olenceareal so
welcome.Weai mt ogetchil
dr enoffthese
danger ousst reetsandgi v
et hem ahomef i
ll
ed
withlov e.Thisist heveryfi
rstorphanage
openedi nthistownship.
Wealsowanttopr
ovi
deasanct
uar
yforv
ict
ims
ofabuse,
andempowerwomen.
Iam cal
ledtothepodium andIwalkther
ewit
h
myheadhel duphigh,Iwil
lnowmakeaspeech
andthenshowev ery
onewhat 'swri
tt
enneart
he
ent
rance(dedi
catedtothetwins)

Myangel
sarerej
oici
nginHeav
en,Ihopemy
par
ent
sareproudofthewomanthatIam t
oday
.

I
nlovi
ngmemor
yofAy
enzi
weandAphendul
e
Xul
u.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!!
SI
BALETHU
CHAPTERSI
XTYFOUR
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
ZI
YANDA

Godisfait
hfulatal
lti
mes,hehelpsussur v
ive
badstorms.Inevert
houghtIwouldfindthe
str
engthtofaceSandil
eDlomo.Ineverthought
Iwouldbeabletolookathimintheey eand
confr
onthim.Lordknowshowt err
if
iedIwas,
heisapower f
ulmanandIcouldnev ertakehim
on.

Idon'tknowwhatIwouldhavedonewi thoutmy
granny.Thatwomansupportedmet hroughout
thiswholeordeal
.Shewentagainstherown
bloodtosupportme,Iam notevenrelatedto
heryetshechoseherloyal
tytowardsme.I t
hasn'tbeenaneasyjour
neybutIhav elearnta
greatdeal.
Thepoli
cemadethingsveryeasyf orus,a
monthpassedwhil
ewewer einvesti
gati
ng.
Thereweremanyloophol
esy etwecoul dn'
tfi
nd
evi
denceagai
nsthim.Wewant edtoconfront
hi
m andhavesomel ever
ageagai nsthi
m.That
wouldhavemadeusonest epaheadofhi m.

Luckil
yforushewasar r
estedforfraud.The
evidenceagainsthi
m ensuredthathewoul d
spendagoodcoupl eofyearsbehindbars.Now
thatmeantt hatIwasfi
nall
yfree.Hei sno
l
ongerat hreattomeandIcanl i
vefreel
y,doi
ng
whatmyhear tdesi
res.

Ivisit
edhimrecentl
y,hewasv er
yshockedt o
seeme.It hi
nkIalsosawawav eofgui
lt,he
wasi nahorri
blestat
e.Hi
sf acewasful
l of
bruises,
mustbef uninpr
ison.Heissurely
hav
ingt
het
imeofhi
sli
fe!
Suddenl
yhewasashamedofhimsel
f,hedi
dn't
evenwantt
olookatme.ThemanIoncelooked
uponhadbeenreducedt
oalmostnot
hing.

Hisdi gnityandhisr eputationwast arnished,he

didn'
twal kwithpowerandconf i
dence, he
l
ookedl i
keascar edlit
tl
egi rlwhowasl ostin
themal l
.Thatexampl efitshisdescr ipti
on
becausehi seyeskeptscanni ngt her oom asi f
l
ooki ngf orsomeone.Ipi cturealitt
legi rlwi
th
puppyey esglimmer ingwi thtears,frantical
ly
scanni ngt heroom hopingt ofi
ndhermot her.
Thet earsar eont hebr i
m oft heey eli
dr eadyto
fall
li
keawat erf
all.

ThemanIoncecal l
edmyf ather,t
hemanIt ri
ed
sohar
dt oplease,
Ialway syearnedforhi
s
at
tent
ion,l
oveandcar e.ButsadlyIdidn'
tgetit
,
i
nsteaditl
edmet oaf oreigncountry
.Wher eI
spentyear
si nmisery,thismanoncel ovedmy
mothercouldn'
theatl eastthinkofher.Couldn'
t
hesparemej ustforher?Iknowt hathenev er
l
ovedme, IgetthatIwasnot hingbutapainful
remindert
ohi m butcoul dn'
theshowabi tof
mercy.Notforme, butf ormyl at
emot her
?

Itoldhi
m ev er
ythi
ngIknewandhedi dn'
teven
denyanything,asIpredictedthewaterworks
foll
owed.Hebowedhi sheadi nshameandhe
toldmehowhepl annedt ogetrichusingme.I
wentmut e,hekeptpausi ngandwi pi
ngt he
crocodi
letearsbutIjustlethim be.Andwhen
hewasdoneIt oldhi
mt hatIhav eforgiv
enhim
eventhoughhehasn' tbot her
edtoev en
apologi
se.

It
hankedhi
mforev
ery
thi
ngheputmet
hrough
andt henwalkedoutl i
kethequeenIam.Ihav e
closedthatchapterofmyl if
e,Iwon'tev endwell
oni t
.Ihavebeengr antedanotheroppor tuni
ty
withmyf amilyandIwi ll
focusonthat .Iwill
focusont hepositi
veaspectofmyl ife.Thatis
whyIhav edecidedt oforgi
vehim,cli
ngi ngonto
angerwi l
ldomor eharmt hangood.

Aspeopl ewef orgetthatangeralsoaffectsus,

beingangr yathi m wil
lmakemeabi tterwoman.
Itmighttriggerdiffer
entemot i
onsandpai nt hat
Iwon'tbeabl et ohandle.Iwil
lthenholdont o
thatangerandi twill
takecontrolofmyl i
fe.I
haveasuppor ti
v efamily
,abeautiful
daught er
andal ovingpar tnersoIneedt ochoosemy
sanit
yf orthem .

Ichoosepeace.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
SI
BALETHU

Ithasbeenagr eatday,Nompi lo'

scenteri
sup
andr unning.Iam veryproudofher ,shehas
finall
yfoundherpur poseinl i
feandbeinga
wi t
nessoft hatisanhonor .Wesawherwor ki
ng
har dtomakei tinli
fe,t
hingswer eroughbut
shewasdet erminedtosucceed.Thenwhen
thingswer efi
nallycomingi nt
oplace,thefi
re
i
nci dentoccurred.Wesawherl oosehersel
f
wi t
ht hefi
re.Wesawherf alli
ngapartandwe
stoodbyher .

Todaywear ewi t
hherasshetakescontrolof
herl
ife,shehastakenafewstepstowards
heal
ingandnowshei sheadi
ngtosuccess.We
arecelebrat
ingheratmyhusband'
srestaurant
,
nomenwer einvi
ted.Wearej
ustasmal lgr
oup
ofwomenwhoar eheret
oappreci
ateanother
womanwhohasbeenthr
oughal
oty
etshe
madei
tregar
dless.

EvenLi
sai
shere,I
'
m sohappyt hatIwillgett
o
spendt
imewit
hmyl i
tt
lesi
ster.Shethinksshe
i
sallgr
ownup,si
nceshestart
edv arsi
ty.

Sibongi
l
ewoul
dbepr
oud.Iam al
sopr
oudof
her.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Pl
easer
eactandcomment
.♡
Shar
e!!
!
SI
BALETHU

EPI
LOGUE
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Lif
eisv er
yuncer tai
n,nothi
ngisguaranteedand
wecannev erchosewhathappens.Wecanpl an
allwel i
kebutGoddeci des.Hechoosesour
pathandev erythi
nghappensaccor dingtohis
will
.Weshoul dalway sbegratef
ul t
hough,
regardlessofwhathappenst her
ewi llal
waysbe
aspar k.Eveni fit
'sasmal l
one,thereisalways
somet hingt oholdonto.

Lifeisaboutfindingli
ghtevenwheny ou'rein
thedarkesthour s,seekseekti
l
lyouf i
nda
gli
mmerofhope.Ev entual
l
yevery
thingf al
lsi
nto
place.Thatiswhatwecanhol donto,whent he
Lordagr eesandy ourti
mehascomeev eryt
hing
fall
sintoplace.

OurBossBabegr
ewupinapr
ivi
l
egedhome,
shehadevery
thi
ngt
hatachi
l
dcouldpossi
bly
want.From y ourexpensivet
oys,booksand
cl
othingtot helatestgadget
s.Sibongi
leworked
hardsot hatherchi l
drenwouldneversuff
er,
evenlongaf terherdeath.

Butshedi dn'
tgi
veherchi l
dallt
heloveshe
want ed,t
heyhadt hei
rsquabbl
esbutt hetr
uth
i
sSi balet
huishermot her'
sdaughter
.She
honor edhermotherwellandSibongi
le'swi
se
teachingsarevi
siblet
ot hi
sday.Shemayhav e
notbeent hemostper f
ectmotherbutshedi d
herbest .

Borninahomeofcr iminal
syettodayshei sa
l
awy er
,howisthatpossibl
e?Weal lthought
Sibawouldf
oll
owSi bongil
e,wethoughtshe
wouldbecomeahar dcorecri
minal.Andas
muchasshehadal lthequali
ti
es,theresources
andconnect
ionstodososhechosenott o.
Obvi
ousl
yatf
ir
stshehadtot
akeoverbutaf
ter
someti
meshechoseherownpat
h.

From herwelear
ntthatyoushoul
dnev
erall
ow
anyt
hingtoderai
lyou,r
ememberhow itst
art
ed?
RememberhowVukil
econst
ant
lytr
iedto
def
eatherbutdi
dsheal
l
owfeartostopher
?
Notatal
l
.
Af
teral
lSi
bongi
l
erai
sednocowar
d!

Wehav ecr i
ed,l
aughedandcelebrat
edwi t
hour
belovedfamily
.Yes,Si
bal
ethuandherf r
iends
becameourf amily.Wewatchedthem growand
stoodbyt hem i
ntimesoftr
ouble.Wewi shed
them wellandheldourbr
eathwhent hi
ngsgot
rough.Itwasindeedabeauti
fulj
ourney.

WemetNompi
l
oandZi
yanda.I
coni
cwomen
whot aughtusaboutper
severance,
weshed
tearsastheywentthr
oughtraumati
zing
experi
ences.Butdoyouknowaboutt he
processofmakinggold?
Thef ineproductweseeunder goesalong
j
our ney,whichi ncludesbei
ngcrushedand
throwni naf urnace.Itmayhavebeena
gruesomeexper i
encebuttheycameout
stronger.Theybecameadmi r
ablewomenwi t
h
ast orythatinspiresanyonewill
i
ngtolist
en.
Di
dyouknowt
hatdi
amondsar
efor
medunder
pr
essur
e?
Justwant
edtomenti
ont
hatsi
ncewear
e
tal
ki
ngaboutj
ewel
s.

Andt
heMhl
ongobr
other
s?
Theyaddedlovetoourst
ory
,atfi
rstmostofus
di
dn'tevent
rustMnqobibutheprovedus
wrong.Hewentontoshowus, ov
erandover
agai
nofhowdeservi
ngheisofourgi
rl
.Het
hen
wentont
oimpregnateher
,howdarehe?
Hewasn'tsupposedt odothat
,okaymaybehe
was.Arrr
g,al
lI'
mt r
yingtosayisthathet
ook
ourgi
rlandmadeherawi f
e.
Wedon'
tshar
e,butheywemov
e.

Vuki
l
eMhl
ongo!
Damnwel ovedt
ohatethi
sguy,wesai
dall
sor
tsofthi
ngsabouthi
m.Hewasagainstour
gi
rlandwedidn'
tl
ikehi
m,atal
l
!
Okayno,youdi
dn'
tli
kehim butnotal
lofus.I
f
ther
eisonethi
ngtolear
nfrom hi
misthat,
PEOPLECHANGE!

I
fapersonisdeterminedtochangethenhe/
she
wil
ldoanyt
hingtoprov ei
torshow
det
erminat
ion.Changeisn'
taboutwhatyousay
,
orannouncet otheworl
d.Changei sabout
fi
ndingoutwher eyouwentwrongandr ecti
fyi
ng
that.Thr
oughVukilewemetNdabezi nhl
e,she
becamet hechangeheneeded.Hewasi nspir
ed
tobecamet hemanofherdr eams, andifhe
waswi ll
i
ngtodot hatdoesn'
titshowt hattrue
l
ov edoesexist?

Hellyeah,l
ovecomesi nallshapesandf orms.
Lovehasnot imi ngandnospeci fic
requirement
s,lov eisunexpect ed,l
ov ecomes
asasur pri
seandwhent reat edrightlovecan
heal.Lovecaninspi re,l
ovecanbui l
dandl ove
canchange.Thepur estl
ovecanonl ybe
expressedbypeopl ethatwer eboundt ogether
beforetheywer eev encreat ed.Whenl ove
l
ocat esyou,i
tleav esamar k.

I
tisupt
ouswhet
herwet
reatl
over
ightornot
,
becausewhentreat
edwr onglov
eiscapabl
eof
alot.Lov
ecandestroy
,lovecanhurt
,lov
ecan
tor
tureone,
lov
ecandamageandl ovecanki
ll
!

Ihaveoncement ioned,"
evencupcakesmade
withlovetast
ebet t
er"
.Bethelov eyouwantto
see,sharetheloveyouwishtor ecei
ve.Fi
ghtf
or
l
ovebecausei thastheabil
it
ytochanget he
world.I
fpeoplelovedthemselves,mental
i
ll
nesswoul dn'
tbesuchapr oblem.

Ifpeoplelov edot herst heywoul dn'

tseethe
needt ohur t/abuset hem, genderbased
viol
encewoul dsur el
ydecr ease.Ifmorehomes
weref i
lledwi thlovet henourgener ati
on
wouldn'tbesosad.Par entswoul d'
vemade
ti
met ocar efortheirkidsandl ot sofhatewoul
d
beav oided.Iff at
her'
shadl ovet heywouldn'
t
abandont heirchil
dren, lovecomeswi t
hcare.
Wheny
oul
ovesomeoney
oucar
eaboutt
hem.

Youwantwhat'
sbestf orhi
m/ herandy ou'
re
wil
li
ngtodoanythingtoensurethatithappens.
Icouldgoonandon, buti
fthewor ldwasfil
led
withlov
ethenwewoul dn'
tbedepr essed.We
wouldn'
tbesui
cidalandwewoul dn'tbeso
scaredoft
heunknown.

Ibel
i
ev ei
nlovebecausei
tal
sobr
ings
conf
idence.

Andwi
thconf
idenceev
ery
thi
ngi
spossi
ble.
_
___
_

Sibaf
oundherhappi
l
yev
eraf
ter
,Zi
yandaf
ound
peaceandheal
i
ng.
Ndabefoundhersoul
mat
eandt
heXul
usi
ster
s
gotr
eunit
ed.

Andt
odaywebi
dfar
ewel
ltoourf
ami
l
y.

THEEND!
!!